effected many glorious Enterprizes died peaceably leaving three Nephews Borcus Cunossus and Spera all which separately succeeded him in his Dominions Borcus took for his Share part of Samogitia where he built a Castle on the River Juria a Branch of the Niemen and call'd it after his own Name and that of the River whereon it stood Jurburg which continues even at this day Cunossus extending his Dominion a different way built Kunossow another Castle calling it after his own Name and which remains to this day Spera likewise built a Castle near the River Swenta where he began his Reign At length Borcus and Spera dying Cunossus seiz'd on both their Dominions but soon after di'd also and left two Sons Kyernus and Gybutus whereof Kyernus settled in Lithuania and built the Castle Kyernow which he made the Place of his Residence and Gybutus resided in Samogitia which he likewise govern'd Both these Brother 's joining together made huge Devastations in Russia and carried away great Booty but upon their return home found Samogitia serv'd the like Sauce by the Livonians To revenge which they forthwith enter'd Livonia and burnt and plunder'd all that Country wherever they came Kyernus dying was succeeded in Lithuania by his Son Zivibundus and Gybutus in Samogitia by his Son Muntwil which last having reign'd but little dy'd and left his Son Vikint to succeed him in Samogitia but Zivibundus liv'd a great while after and prov'd no small Victor over the Russians and Tartars for being willing to shake off the Russian Yoke he sent his Brother Wikinti Erdzivil to invade that Country who so far succeeded as to take the City and Castle of Novogrodec and to fix the Seat of a Dutchy there And after proceeding further he built the strong Castle of Grodno on the River Niemen Then he descended into Podlachia where he took several Towns and soon reduced all that Province Afterwards he conquer'd Kurdassus Prince of the Tartars at a Town call'd Mozera near the River Okuniowka This Erdzivil after many Heroick Actions and succeeding his Brother Zivibundus di'd and left two Sons Mingailus and Algimuntus and divided his Dominions between them Algimuntus chose for his part Samogitia and Mingailus rul'd over Lithuania and Polocz which last Country he took from the Russians and likewise extended his Dominion over all the Dutchy of Novogrodec This Duke died and left two Sons Skirmunt and Ginvil Skirmunt having perform'd his Father's Obsequies enter'd upon the Government of Lithuania with the Dutchy of Novogrodec And Ginvil by natural Right seiz'd upon Polocz which having govern'd for some time he died and left to his Son Boris who rul'd a great while in Polocz and built a famous Church there with Brick calling it Sancta Sophia He likewise founded several other famous Edisâ—â—ces with the Town and Castle of Borissow upon the River Beresina To him succeeded his Son Basilius Rechwold who liv'd to a great Age and left behind him a Son called Hlebus and a Daughter nam'd Poroskavia Hlebus surviv'd his Father but a little while and Poroskavia wholly devoted her self to the Greek Religion but afterwards went to Rome where she died and was Canonized for a Saint Now to return to the Dukes of Lithuania Skirmunt obtain'd great Conquests over the Tartars and Russians and dying left his Uncle Kukovoitus to succeed him in Lithuania and Samogitia who having govern'd a good while died and left his Dominions to his Son-in-Law Giedrussus who had marri'd his Daughter Poiata This Duke dying left for his Successor his Son Ringolt who having perform'd his Father's Funeral-Rites after the Pagan manner enter'd upon the Government of Lithuania and Samogitia Against this Duke the Russians join'd â—â—y the Tartars march'd with great fury to reduce him to pay Tribute but he timely opposing them with equal Force gave them a signal Overthrow near Mohilna on the River Niemen At length this Ringolt famous likewise for several other Victories died and left his Dominions to his Son Mindog or Mendog in the Year 1240 who had various Conflicts with the Dukes of Smolensko and Volhynia both which at last he totally subdu'd He likewise fought several Battels with Boleslaus the Chast King of Poland and Daniel Emperor of Moscovy in most of which the Christians were worsted with great slaughter He frequently made Incursions into Masovia Dobrina Cujavia c. and return'd with great Booty He also had bloody Wars with the Teutonic Knights of Prussia and Livonia But at length in the Year 1252 being over-perswaded by the then Great Master Henricus de Zalcza he gave up all his Dominions to that Order in acknowledgment of several Honours and Services done him and moreover consented to turn Christian and afterwards sent to Rome to pay his Devoir to that See Whereupon Innocent IV. deputed his Brother Heinderic to consecrate him King But whether it were that Mindog repented the loss of his Dominions or for any other Cause it is certain that he refus'd to receive this Nuncio and the very same Year together with all his Country returned to their former Idolatry Nevertheless the Teutonic Knights suffer'd him to continue King and under him in conjunction with the Lithuanians Samogitians c. invaded Masovia and made great Havock of that Country But afterwards Mendog being unmindful any farther of the Civility of those Knights turn'd his Arms against their Country destroying most of their Cities and returning with great Spoils Next Mendog having gathered together a great Army and being likewise assisted by Swarno Duke of Russia marched against Semovitus Duke of Masovia whom together with his Son Conrade he surpriz'd in his Palace of Jasdow where Swarno struck off Semovitus his Head with his own hand but Conrade was preserv'd by Mendog and afterwards ransom'd by his Countrymen Soon after this the Lithuanians and Russians having made great Devastations in Masovia retir'd with the Spoils and Captives into their several Countries The next Year the same People not being content with their former Irruptions march'd again into Masovia but scarce finding any thing left to prey upon by reason of their last Year's Work they only burnt and plunder'd a House belonging to the Arch-bishop of Gnesna and so return'd home At length Heaven thought fit to favour the Polish Christians by taking away King Mindog who was murder'd by his Nephew Stroinat and his Son-in-Law Dowmant in the Year 1263. Stroinat begun his Reign in the Year 1263 by the murder of his Brother Towcivil Duke of Polocz but not long afterwards Woisalk Son of Mendog tho then a Russian Monk being mindful of his Father's Death depriv'd him also of Life and immediately seiz'd on his Dominions Woisalk took upon him only the Title of Duke and began his Government with frequent Irruptions into Poland Mascovia and Prussia But in the Year
could never learn He enter'd into an Alliance with Jaroâ—â— Duke of Russia Son to Vlodomirus and 〈◊〉 ry'd his Sister Mary afterwards call'd Doâ—â—neva whose Mother was the Princess 〈◊〉 Sister to Basil and Constantine Emperoun Constantinople He conquer'd the Province of Masoâ—â— where now lies Warsaw and defeated â—â— Army of Maslaus then Duke of that Coâ—â—try who retiring among the neighbourâ—â— Barbarians not long after return'd 〈◊〉 greater Force and ravag'd Masovia â—â— along to the Vistula but was soon met 〈◊〉 overthrown a second time by Casimir whâ—â— flying to his Friends as he thought that 〈◊〉 assisted him they took flea'd and fastned 〈◊〉 to an exceeding high Cross saying That was but just that he should be exalted whose Aâ—â— tion was so boundless Afterwards Casimir beiâ—â— mindful of the Benefits he formerly receivâ—â— in the Abby of Cluny sent thither great Prâ—â—sents and Offerings At length this good King having setled hâ—â— Kingdom in its former Tranquillity dy'd and left three Sons Boleslaus Vladislaus and Miâ—â—cistaus and one Daughter Suentochna He was â—â—y'd at Posnan in the Year 1058. BOLESLAUS II. his Son surnam'd the d succeeded him who reign'd 23 Years n the beginning of his Reign he had Wars â—â—h the Hungarians Bohemians Russians and â—â—ssians all caus'd by the protecting of three â—â—les He vigorously maintain'd the Cause Bela Prince of Hungary who was then marâ—â—d to his Aunt and banish'd by King Anâ—â— Whereupon he dethron'd Andrew and â—â—wn'd Bela King of Hungary notwithstandâ—â— the considerable Succours sent to Andrew â—â— of Germany and Bohemia Afterwards reâ—â—ning into Poland he marry'd Viseslava ughter and Heiress of the Duke of Russia by om he had that Dukedom for a Portion Towards the latter end of his Reign he came very dissolute and lewd oppress'd the â—â—ple with extraordinary and insupportable xes took away publickly Gentlemens dies to satisfy his Lust could not endure â—â— that took notice of his Irregularities â—â—ish'd such as complain'd of his Tyrannical â—â—vernment and at length kill'd Stanislaus â—â—zepanovius Bishop of Cracow for refusing â—â— the Sacrament of the Altar the manner which was thus Boleslaus continuing in enormous Crimes and Extravagancies this od Man earnestly entreated him to amend Life but perceiving his Obstinacy one y he refus'd him the Communion Which s Prince being highly offended at watch'd an opportunity to revenge and a little while after as the Bishop was officiating at Mass he gave him such a blow with his Sabre that he made his Brains fly against the Wall and afterwards his Guards entring cut the good Bishop to pieces Hereupon he was soon pursu'd with Vatican Thunder and consequently render'd odious to his Subjects Wherefore fearing some Conspiracy might be rais'd against him he left his Kingdom and retir'd with his Son Miecislaus which he had by his Queen Viseslava to Ladislaus King of Hungary where 't is reported that out of meer Madness he afterwards kill'd himself This Bishop Stanislaus was Canoniz'd by Pope Gregory VII and has all along from thence been receiv'd for the Patron of Poland The Pope also excommunicated the whole Country and Boleslaus his Successors were for a considerable time depriv'd of the Title of Kings Next came ULADISLAUS HERMANNUS Brother to Boleslaus to be elected who being afraid of the Pope or else fearing his Brother's return would only accept of the Title of Prince He recall'd his Nephew Miecislaus who died in six Years after He built many Churches and Monasteries all which he richly endow'd This Prince also brought over the rebellious Pomeranians and Prussians and defeated likewise the Army of Vratislaus Prince of Bohemia whom the Emperor Henry IV. had dignified with the Character of King giving him moreover a Right over Poland tho he had no Title to dispose of it his Predecessor Otho III. when he crown'd Boleslaus I. King of Poland having renounc'd both for himself and his Successors all Claim to that Kingdom Nay I heard the Poles themselves say that this was rather a piece of Civility in Otho than any Obligation upon them their Country having never been conquer'd by any Foreigner not even by the Romans themselves He married Judith Daughter of Vratislaus King of Bohemia by whom he had Boleslaus III. surnam'd Krivoustus or the Wry-mouth'd and afterwards by a Daughter of the Emperor Henry IV. he had three Daughters He died in the fiftieth Year of his Age was buried at Ploscow and succeeded by his Son BOLESLAUS III. surnam'd Krivoustus or the Wry-mouth'd He was the most warlike and successful Prince that Poland ever had and at length subdu'd his Bastard Brother Sbigneius that rebell'd against him whom at last he was forc'd to cause to be murder'd But of all others his Contest with the Emperor Henry V. is most famous which is as follows This Emperor having declar'd War against Colomannus King of Hungary and engag'd the Bohemians on his side Boleslaus join'd Colomannus and to make a strong Diversion enter'd Bohemia and destroy'd the greatest part of that Country whereupon to be reveng'd on Boleslaus the Emperor surpriz'd the Provinces of Silesia and Marchia which were then in the hands of the Poles and had been absolute Master of them had not Boleslaus speedily marched with an Army to oppose him who finding his Enemies much superiour in number at first thought it better to compose the matter amicably and therefore sent an Ambassador to treat of Peace to which the Emperor thinking he had the Advantage would by no means condescend except upon very dishonourable Terms for the Poles And hereupon leading Scarbicus the Ambassador to see his Treasure he told him that that pointing to his Gold would bring the Poles to what Terms he pleas'd at which Scarbicus being highly affronted took off a Gold Ring from his Finger and throwing it into the Treasury said Whatever be your Imperial Majesty's Opinion I do not question but the Polish Iron meaning their Swords will prove as good Metal as the German Gold Which said he immediately took his leave and returning to his Master acquainted him with his Negotiation which the haughty Pole highly resenting resolv'd to hazard a Battel which he did and by the Bravery of his Army obtain'd a signal Victory in the Dogs-field near Breslaw chief City of Silesia whereupon the Emperor immediately struck up a Peace with him gave him his Sister Adleida in Marriage and his Daughter Christina to his young Son Vladislaus This Prince forc'd the Pomeranians to the Christian Faith which they had often rejected before The Poles all this while were in possession of Silesia but afterwards the Kings of Bohemia conquer'd it and therefore it consequently now is under the Emperor It is reported of this Prince that he had fought forty seven Battels with success except one only with the Red Russians which was meerly lost through the Cowardice of a
had elected him with such Universal Affection yet nothing could prevail upon him but he however promis'd that as soon as he had settled his Affairs in France he would return among them and moreover acknowledg'd that he was extreamly oblig'd to the Polish Nation for their Kindness and Good-will towards him Hereupon the Senate afterwards sent two Embassadors into France to intreat him to return which the King had several times a mind to comply with for he lov'd that Nation extreamly well but his French Subjects still prevail'd upon him to change his Mind representing to him the many Dangers he would expose France to by such a Journey Thus the Poles having lost all Hopes of having their King again the Primate Vchanski calls a Diet at Warsaw the 4th of November following to proceed to a new Election where two Princes were principally propos'd which were the Emperour Maximilian and Stephen Batori Prince of Transylvania but they could never unanimously agree which of the two to choose and therefore the Diet was dissolv'd Maximilian's Party sent Embassadors to acquaint him that he was chosen and that they expected he should speedily come and be crown'd while Batori's Faction did the like for him and invited him to come forthwith into Poland Hereupon BATORI made more haste than the Emperour to comply with their Request for he immediately left Transylvania and passing through Valachia and Russia quickly arriv'd at Cracow where on the 18th of April 1577 he was receiv'd and crown'd by Karnkovius Bishop of Vladislaw the Archbishop of Gnesna being for Maximilian who yet afterwards rather than he would undergo a Siege in his Castle of Lowitz quietly submitted to Batori In the mean time the Emperour was more slow resolving to come with an Army to dispute his Right but his Party growing less and less every day at length the Senate sent Embassadors to acquaint him that his Slowness and Indifference had superseded his Right to the Crown it being resolv'd to be given to him that arriv'd first Hereupon the Emperour who was then at the Diet at Ratisbon order'd the Embassadors to be put in Prison and forthwith determin'd to go for Poland himself but was prevented by a dangerous Sickness of which he soon after dy'd Octob. 12. Batori 't is true was chiefly indebted to his Merit for the Crown of Poland yet at the same time the Family of Zborowski was not a little assisting to him occasion'd by his civil Reception of one Samuel of that Family who had been banish'd his Country for striking John Teczynski Castellan of Wounitz in the King's Court. Whereupon Samuel employ'd all his Interest for Batori for at the time of the Election he writ to several of his Relations and Friends to Vote for that Prince but it being the Temper of the Polanders never to think themselves sufficiently recompens'd after they have done a Service Batori tho he sought all he could to oblige that Family yet could not keep them from proving his most inveterate Enemies by reason that he would not submit to govern according to their Humours which not long after cost Samuel his Life by a formal Proceeding in a Court of Justice Batori was first as I find him a private Gentleman in Transylvania but at length by his Merit and Valour came to have great Authority among the People of that Country for he was once sent Embassadour to the Emperour's Court where he manag'd Affairs to the satisfaction and advantage of both Parties so that after Prince John Sigismund Son to the Sister of Sigismund II. of Poland dy'd they elected him Prince of Transylvania After he was crown'd King of Poland by Karnkouski whom he made Archbishop of Gnesna he endeavour'd to appease the Disorders among the great People and to win the Affections of the Male-contents which at last he effected by marrying the Princess Ann Daughter to Sigismund I. and Sister to Sigismund II. by whom he had no Children About this time the Emperour fomented a Sedition among the Inhabitants of Dantzic which induc'd them to refuse to take an Oath of Fidelity to Batori and moreover to raise an Army and stand upon their Defence But the Senate of Poland having declar'd 'em Rebels their Army was soon defeated and Town besieg'd and at last they were oblig'd to comply by Mediation of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg and Lantgrave of Hesse The chief Cause of this War was that the Citizens of Dantzic pretended not to be subject to the Republic of Poland but only to the King yet notwithstanding this Treaty they were forc'd to submit themselves to both Hitherto there were no Courts of Judicature in Poland all Differences being decided by the King and Council But the Gentry finding this way of Procedure too tedious to the Nation and too burdensom to the King obtain'd leave of Batori to erect two Courts of Judicature which they commonly call Tribunals one at Petricovia and the other at Lublin where all Civil Causes were to be determin'd absolutely without any Appeal to Court unless upon any Matter relating to the State in which Case the last Decision was to be reserv'd to the King and Diet together This King was more severe in his Punishments than the Polish Laws allow'd yet he molested none on account of Religion always affirming that three Things God had wholly reserv'd to himself which were to make something out of nothing to foretel Things to come and to govern and direct Consciences This Prince like Sigismund I. very much encourag'd speaking Latin in his Dominions being reported to have said often to the Gentlemens Sons Discite Isatinè nam unum ex vobis aliquando faciam Mosci Pan a great Lord. Whereby the Youth being all in Hopes practis'd that Language with great Diligence which very much contributed towards the Encrease of Arts and Sciences in this Kingdom When Sigismund I. sent the Bishop of Varmia his Embassador to Vienna the Emperour was surpriz'd to hear even the Polish Coachmen speak Latin fluently Also after Sigismund the Second's Death when Embassadors were sent to bring Henry of Valois into Poland the French wonder'd that not one of all their Train but spoke this Language with great Address This King in the beginning of his Reign was like to have been over-run by the Muscovites for they had so great Advantages over the Poles that they took several Towns from them in a Dutchies of Severia Smolensko and Lithuania In these Wars the Muscovites were not a little politick for they took occasion to invade the Poles either when they had Wars abroad or Disturbances at home but at last King Batori having appeas'd his own intestine Jars and made Peace with his Neighbours by the concurrence of a general Diet declar'd War against the Muscovites and pour'd in upon 'em with such Vigour and Success that in three Years time he re-took all his own Towns and besides carry'd the
Livonia to the King of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus but it was suspected that he intended to betray that King for soon after the said Farenbach was reconcil'd to King Sigismund to whom he restor'd all the Places except Pernau In the Year 1620 the Poles were engag'd in a War against the Turks fomented as was suppos'd by Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania for which the Turks afterwards endeavour'd to banish that Prince for siding with the Poles In the Year following the Turks march'd with their whole Forces against Poland but were met by the Poles near Chocim under the Command of Prince Vladistaus who with an Army of about 65000 Men repuls'd above 392000 Turks commanded by their Emperor Osman in Person The Turks attempted three times to force the Polish Camp but were as often beat back with Loss Nevertheless in the mean time the Poles suffer'd extremely for want of Ammunition and Provisions and besides were mightily weakened by Sickness and a huge Mortality among their Horses Notwithstanding all this at length the Turkish Emperor was forc'd to strike up an honourable Peace with them after having lost about 60000 Men in the several Attacks he made upon their Camp and a greater number in his March back to Constantinople In the mean time Gustavus Adolphus falling into Livonia took the City of Riga without any great Resistance and all the rest of that Country except Dunneburgh was conquer'd likewise by the Swedes in the Year 1625. Afterwards Gustavus enter'd Prussia in the Year 1626 where he took the Cities of Marienburg and Elbing besides some other Places This War was thus carried on without any general Engagement till the Year 1629 when Hans Wrangel the Swedish General defeated the Poles near Gorzno Then the Emperor sent some Forces to the Assistance of the Poles who in a Battle fought near Stuma were very near having made Gustavus Prisoner But however the Polish Affairs after this Battel falling into great Confusion they were forc'd to clap up a Truce till the Year 1634 by the Mediation of Charles the First King of England and of Lewis the Thirteenth of France the Swedes in the mean while being to keep possession of Elbing Mcmel Braunsberg Pillau and what besides they had taken in Livonia After this Sigismund dy'd the last day of April in the Year 1632 being sixty Years old and having reign'd forty four He had all the Qualities that could be requir'd in a great Prince He lov'd Justice and all the World commended his Piety He was always of an even Temper either in good or bad Fortune and the Lustre of the Polish Crown obtain'd when he was but young together with the loss of the Kingdom of Sweden to his Uncle might well have either exalted or debas'd him had he not had a great Soul yet among all these good Qualities he was too much wedded to his Opinion which was the cause of some Misfortunes that happen'd to him Prince Vladislaus was absent when his Father Sigismund fell sick yet he arriv'd at Court just as he was expiring whose Presence so much reviv'd the King as to give him Power to put the Crown of Sweden on his Son's Head tho he was to leave that of Poland to Chance This Election was much more peaceable than his Father Sigismund's in that he had no Competitors to oppose him Some thought Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden had a design upon the Crown and his boundless Ambition join'd with the great Number of his Friends the Lutherans dispersed throughout the whole Kingdom might very well support that Opinion yet the Gentry of Great Poland which were most to be suspected on account of Conformity in Religion with him were the first that strove to exclude him for they declar'd those Enemies to their Country that should in the least dare to propose him Likewise at another Assembly a Palatin offering but to insinuate that it would be proper to choose a Foreign Prince the Gentry were so unanimously offended at him that he was fain to retire betimes to avoid their Fury Also Gustavus Adolphus had then too many Irons in the Fire to draw any more Enemies upon his Back John Casimir Brother to Prince Vladislaus was likewise suspected to have a mind to the Crown and this Conjecture had a more plausible Foundation than the former These two Princes were both Sons to Sigismund III. yet had they not the same Mother That of Casimir did all she could to advance her Son to the Throne At the Diet met at Thorn she endeavour'd to have a Successor elected whilst the King was living whereupon she employ'd a certain Bishop to propose her Son but with which the Diet was so extremely incens'd that they would have immediately tri'd that Prelat for infringing the Publick Liberties had not more weighty Affairs interven'd which caus'd them to lay those Intentions aside During this Prince Casimir did all he could to satisfy the Publick that he had no Design upon the Crown but that all his Aim was to promote the Interest of his elder Brother The Primate John Vezik having notified the Death of the late King conven'd the Diet on the 27 th of June where the Lutherans continued their Cabals and Factions as formerly but did not favour any of Vladislaus his Competitors as before The Diet of Election was fix'd for the 27 th of September in the same Year whither the Gentry all flock'd at the time appointed but that more to ingratiate themselves in their Prince Vladislaus's favour than to sell their Suffrages One thing was propos'd at this Diet which had it been followed might have deliver'd the Kingdom from great Oppressions This was to digest the Laws into a Code and to get the King Elect to confirm it Also to reform the many Abuses crept into the Practice of the Law but this was too vigorously oppos'd by the interessed Party and therefore was fain to be let fall Hereupon the Diet devoted themselves wholly to the Election Prince Casimir first propos'd his BrotherVladislaus which Henry Firley Bishop of Premislia seconded by a Speech to this purpose That tho that Assembly had a Right to elect whom they pleas'd yet they had ever had a particular regard to the Offspring of their Kings that every body there acknowledg'd the Candidate to be of the Blood of Jagello That even the Merit of his Father pleaded for the Interest of the Son That Uladislaus his own Conquests had sufficiently testify'd his Valour and lastly that a favourable Result was to be expected from that Assembly since each knew as much of the Merit of that Prince as he This was courteously answer'd by the Primate after which they proceeded to admit the Ambassadors First Honorius Visconti the Pope's Nuncio had Audience who being plac'd on the left hand of the Primate first desir'd the Assembly to choose a Catholick Prince and then recommended Prince Vladislaus Next the Embassadors of the Emperour
Parts of the Body desir'd to know what was properly Death The School Divinity maintains that Death was a Separation of the rational Soul from the Body I own'd indeed that in Death the Soul was actually separated from the Body but I could not allow that that Separation was the cause of Death but that the Death of the Body was the Cessation of the Motion of the Heart of the Blood and of the Spirits which Cessation could not proceed from the Separation of the Soul since these don't at all depend upon it as I proved before but it was occasion'd by some Defects in the Organs and Fluids of the Body which losing their due Disposition and their mutual Correspondence with one another all their Actions cease which Cessation is properly called Death so that the Soul finding them incapable of receiving its Influence and of obeying its Commands quits the Body after it is dead by which it appears that the Separation of the Soul is not properly the Cause of Death but that the Death of the Body is the cause of the Separation The King himself illustrated this Opinion with a familiar Example of an Organ and an Organist While the Organs were in their due order and symetry the Organist play'd upon them but when by length of time they were either broke used too much or any other way quite put out of Tune he leaves off playing on them This Discourse my Lord held from three of the Clock till seven and the Divines were extreamly warm in it and some of them had the boldness to tell the King that his Majesty should not suffer such Heretical Opinions as they called them to be introduc'd before such a great Assembly contrary to the receiv'd Doctrine of the Church This Discourse caused a great many other Matters to be talk'd on of which it would be too long to inform your Lordship By this you may plainly see how fond the Divines are of their old Opinions relying upon the Doctrine of Aristotle whom we can't suppose to be so throughly acquainted with the Structure Springs and Motions of the Humane Body nor indeed with all other Natural Causes as the Modern Physicians are yet it is the Policy of the Divines not only in Poland but in Spain Italy and in most other Countries where their Power is very great not to let any Opinions creep in among them that would seem to contradict those of Aristotle for having built their Systems of Divinity upon the Principles of this Pagan Philosopher they are justly afraid that if Experience and Reason should shake the Foundation the Superstructure would fall to the Ground as doubtless it would for the most part This King built several fine Houses both in Russia and other parts of the Kingdom particularly three Miles from Warsaw a neat Country House call'd Villa Nova very richly furnished He has had several Natural Children but took no care of any of them for it is not customary in Poland to have that Consideration for them as there is in other Countries but he left vast Riches to his Lawful Children and made a Motion in the Diet five or six Years before he died to settle the Succession on one of them He told the Assembly of the Disorders that usually happened in Elections after the King's Death that the Turks and the Tartars took then Opportunities to make Inroads into the Country and ravage all before them that the Nobility of the Kingdom were generally divided headed by Factions and biass'd by Self-interest against the publick Good of their Country and that he himself would be glad to prevent all those dangerous Broils before he died out of the Love he bore to his Country and Subjects But the Diet finding that his private Design was to get one of his Sons elected answered That they hoped that his Majesty would live yet a long while that it was necessary to take a long time to consider of a Matter of that great moment which the King seeing it was a civil way of refusing to enter upon that Subject never after intimated any thing to them like it but took all possible care to enrich his Children in case none of them should be elected after his Death It was exactly computed to me that he laid up every Year for above twenty Years 100000 l. Sterl which he left partly in Bankers Hands at Dantzick Hamburgh and Amsterdam and put the rest into the hands of the Jews who are very numerous in that Kingdom to trade with it besides he bought great Territories in the Kingdom tho it is against the Constitution so that his three Sons James Alexander and Constantino if they manage their Affairs right may be worth each above 50000 l. Sterling per Annum for it is the Law in Poland to divide equally the Estate among the Children The Queen was but ten or twelve Years of Age when she together with the present Duke of Gordon's Aunt afterwards married to Count Morstin great Treasurer of Poland came from France into this Kingdom with Ladislaus King of Poland's Queen who made them both her Maids of Honour and took great care of Madamoiselle d' Arquien being very ingenious and beautiful She got her married first to Prince Zamoiski who soon left her a Widow with a Jointure of about 2000 l. a Year she was afterwards married in Casimir's Reign to John Sobieski then Captain of the Guards who was not very willing to marry her until the King promis'd that he would give him considerable Places which he accordingly did by the Instigation of the Queen for he made him Great Marshal and Great General of Poland which gave him Authority and Interest enough to make himself afterwards King and her Queen so that this Marriage was the occasion of his Rise in the World which he was so sensible of that he refus'd to be divorced from her as the Diet would have perswaded him to do after his Election The Queen is now about fifty four Years of Age tho she appears not to be forty she goes in the French Dress as all the Polish Ladies do she speaks almost naturally the Polish Tongue which with lier sweet Temper refin'd Sense and majestick Air gain'd her such Affection with the Poles such Influence over the King and such Interest always in the Diet that she manag'd all with a great deal of Prudence and that to the advantage of her native Country France whose Interest she generally espous'd upon most occasions during the King's Life which was believ'd to be the Cause that he did not carry on the War with vigour these late years against the Turks and Tartars She maintain'd at her Court her Father Cardinal D' Arquien and her Brother Count Maligny who had but a very small Estate of their own She has two Sisters one is the Widow of the late Count Bethune who was Ambassador from France in Poland and afterwards dy'd in his Embassy in
Gules The second Palatinate of the Province of Masovia is that of Ploskow lying towards the East between the Vistula and Prussia It is divided into four Districts viz. The Districts of Ploczkow Zancren Mlava and Stenen In all which are these principal Cities and Towns viz. Ploczkow Bish Cap. Sieprcz Srensko Mlaw and Radzanow The Capital of all which is Ploczkow or Ploczko Metropolis of the Palatinate of that Name which stands on a high Bank of the Weissel or Vistula from whence one may have a very fair Prospect of a pleasant and fruitful Country This City is considerably inrich'd by the Navigableness of its River is very populous and has been long dignified with a Bishop's See Besides the Cathedral there are divers other Churches and Monasteries richly endow'd especially the Abby of Benedictins in the Suburbs where amongst other Relicks the Head of St. Sigismund is kept in Gold which was given by King Sigismund III. Sieprcz a Wooden Town built on a Hill among the Marshes and about five Miles from Ploczkow Srensko a Timber-built Town seated in a Plain with a Castle founded among the Bogs This Place is about ten Miles from Ploczko Mlaw a Town built on the Confines of Prussia and wash'd by the River of its own Name It is also about ten Miles from Ploczkow Radzanow a Timber-built Town on the River Vkra with a Castle founded upon a Rock amongst the Marshes This Town is about eight Miles from Ploczkow The Senators of this Palatinate are The Bishop Palatin and Castellan of Ploskow The Castellans of Sieprcz and Radzanow The Standard or Arms of this Palatinate are an Eagle expans'd Sables with a P on the Breast All in a Field Gules The third Palatinate of the Province of Masovia is that of Dobrina lying towards the West between Cujavia and Prussia It abounds with all sorts of Fruit and Fish and is divided into three Districts viz. The District of Dobrina Ripin and Slonsk In all which are these principal Cities and Towns viz. Dobrina Cap. Ripin Slonsk and Gorzno The Capital City of this Palatinate is Dobrina a Timber-built City seated on a Rock near the River Vistula It had formerly a Castle which was demolish'd by the Teutonick Knights Ripin a Wooden Town built in a Plain on the River Odleck It is about five Miles from Dobrina Slonsk a Town in a Plain situate upon the River Vistula and about two Miles from Dobrina Gorzno or Gurzno a Wood-built Town tolerably well defended by Nature and Art It is about six Polish Miles from Dobrina This Palatinate was formerly the cause of frequent Wars between the Poles Teutonick Knights and Prussians The Senators of this Palatinate are The Castellans of Dobrina Ripin and Slonsk The Arms and Standard of this Palatinate are a Man's Head proper doubly crown'd Or and Argent All in a Field Gules The Sixth PROVINCE of this Kingdom is Samogitia having in it no Palatinate tho many Capitanies of which the chief Starosta is he of the Province who has a Place in the Senate tho no other of the same Dignity have the like throughout the whole Kingdom except he be otherwise qualified This Province is indifferently large and fruitful tho it be very much over-run with Woods To the North it is bounded by Curland and the Baltic Sea On the West it has Ducal Prussia and the Baltic and towards the South and East it borders on Lithuania It has several Cities as well belonging to the King as the Gentry which for the most part are all built with Wood. This Province takes its Name from its Situation which is low and marshy the word Samogitz in the Language of this Country denoting as much It abounds with Lakes and inaccessible Mountains yet affords great quantities of Honey purer than that either of Lithuania or Livonia and breeds Horses which are very much admir'd for their Swiftness The ordinary People here live in Cottages for the most part seated near Lakes or Rivers and cover'd either with Thatch or Boards They plough the Ground not with Iron but Wood tho the Soil be most commonly fat and stiff which Custom they are addicted to even to Superstition for when a certain Starosta of that Country thought to introduce Iron Plowshares among them and the Season not happening to prove as kind as usual they attributed all the cause to this change of Instrument whereupon they were permitted to return to their old way for fear of an Insurrection Their Horses are generally so small that one would wonder how they could undergo the Fatigue they put 'em to Most of the Inhabitants of this Country differ little in Manners Habit or Language from the Lithuanians yet some of them still retain several Idolatrous Worships especially in the Deserts where they pay Devotion to a four-footed Serpent under the Name of Givosit and you 'll hardly find a Family in these Parts without one of these Houshold Gods Nay even at this day in many Villages both of Prussia and Lithuania the poor Peasants altho they profess Christianity yet keep Adders in their Houses to which they pay a more than ordinary Veneration imagining that some great Mischief would befal them if these Idols should come to any harm To be more particular with this Country your Lordship may understand that their Houses except only those of the Gentry are built low and long-ways with an Hearth in the middle and but one Room which serves not only for themselves but their Cattel The better sort drink out of Horn Cups and eat out of Wooden Platters The Honey here is extraordinary having but little Wax and some of it is perfectly white with which the Woods are every where almost lin'd The manner of the Pagan Sacrifices and Feasts in Samogitia kept at this day about the end of October is as follows First the Place of meeting being assign'd the Men with their Wives Children and Servants punctually appear thereat when spreading a Cloth upon the Straw several Loaves are set in due order and between each Loaf a large Pot of Beer then Beasts of divers kinds both Male and Female are brought in and sacrific'd after the antient Custom thus First the Augur or Priest after having mumbled over some few words strikes 'em with a Wand he holds in his hand on the Back Belly c. when all that are present likewise follow his Example crying out O Zimiennick for so they call their God these Offerings we make to thee for protecting us so mercifully hitherto and we most humbly implore thee to have the like Compassion on us for the future as to preserve us from Fire Sword Pestilence and our Enemies Which said they immediately fall to but first cut off a bit from every Plate and throw 'em about the Room crying O Zimiennick graciously partake of our Sacrifices and favour thy Adorers After
one Form of Government I need not insist any longer upon the Succession of its Dukes since what past remarkable in their Time is comprehended in the History of the Kings of the Jagellonic Family who reign'd in Poland from Jagello's time to the late King Michael Wiesnowiski therefore I will proceed to enter upon the Geographical Description of this great Dutchy The two Provinces of Lithuania contain these Palatinates Viz. Lithuania Proper contains the Palatinates of Vilna Troki and Briescia or Polesia Lithuanic-Russia contains the Palatinates of Novogrodec Mscislaw Vitebsko or Witebsko Minski and Polocz Lithuanic-Russia is commonly call'd Russia-Alba or White Russia either because its Hills are generally cover'd with Snow and which lasts longer there than in any other Parts of this Country or else by reason that the Animals bred there are generally enclin'd to be white tho in other Countries the same Species be of another Colour Both these Provinces abound with all manner of Necessaries besides several Merchandizes part of which they transport by the River Duna to Riga in Livonia and part by the River Niemen to Koningsberg in Prussia The first Palatinate of Lithuania Proper is that of Vilna whose Palatin is chief Governour of the City of that Name This Palatinate comprehends three large Districts which are The Districts of Osmian Bratislaw or Braslaw Wilkomitz In all which are the several Cities and Towns of Vilna Cap. Bish Osmian Bratislaw or Braslaw Wilkomitz Ikaznia and Drizwiatz The chief City of all which and Metropolis of the Great Dutchy of Lithuania is Vilna call'd also Vilenski by the Inhabitants and Wildaw or Die Wilde by the Germans and is situated near the Conflux of the Rivers Wilia and Wiln from whence it has its Name It lies about 130 Polish Miles from Cracow to the North-East 48 from Riga to the North 70 from Warsaw and a hundred from Smolensko to the East It is a large and very populous City well fortify'd with two Castles whereof one is built in a Plain and the other on a Hill the former wash'd by the River Wilia and the latter by the Wiln The first of these Rivers is large and navigable whereby the Inhabitants transport Merchandizes to Dantzic and the other small and inconsiderable The Houses of this City are generally low and mean being most built with Wood except some belonging to the Gentry others to Foreign Merchants and several publick Edifices which are all either of Stone or Brick Of the two Castles that on a Hill is very antient and almost ruin'd but the other is a Pile of beautiful modern Architecture The Churches here are all of Stone both those belonging to the Roman and Russian Persuasions The Cathedral stands in the Lower Castle wherein lies the Body of St. Casimir canoniz'd by Leo X. in a large Silver Tomb of great Value Here also is a very large Bell like to that of Cracow which requires above four and twenty strong Men to ring it Within this Castle is the Archiepiscopal See of the Metropolitan of Russia Among the other publick Edifices is the Great Duke's Palace in which is a famous Guard-Chamber furnish'd with all sorts of Arms and about two English Miles from this City stands another Ducal Palace nam'd from its Situation Rudnick that is Near the Water This Palace is entirely built with Wood and beautify'd with a Park pleasant Gardens Orchards c. Next comes the Academy of this City founded by King Stephen in the Year 1579 and erected into a University by Gregory XIII the same Year at the Request of the Founder Valerian Bishop of Vilna In this University are six Professors of Divinity five of Philosophy four of Laws and seven of Human Learning Among the Merchants Houses there is one particularly neat erected by the Moscovite Company for the Repository of their Furs Ermins and other rich Merchandizes brought from Moscow Here are also many other fair Edifices which I pass by for brevity's sake In this City Guns of all sorts are cast and likewise divers other Warlike Instruments of excellent Workmanship made Vilna has the Honour to have a Tribunal for all Lithuania The Moscovites found means to make themselves Masters of this City in the Year 1655 but were soon forc'd to surrender it to the Poles who are at present in possession of it Osmian a wooden Town Capital of its District about seven Miles from Vilna to which belongs a large Jurisdiction with several eminent Towns Bratislaw or Braslaw a Timber-built City situate on a large Lake with a Castle founded on a Rock This Place lies about twenty Miles from Vilna with a considerable Jurisdiction Wilkomitz a Wood-built Town upon the River Swienta Here is kept a Court of Justice to try the Causes of the Gentry To this District belongs a very large Jurisdiction in which are several considerable Towns belonging to the King Bishops and Gentry Ikaznia a Town built with Wood near a River of the same Name It lies about three Polish Miles from Bratislaw Drizwiatz a Town built on a Lake near a River of the same Name and about five Miles from Bratislaw The Senators of this Palatinate are only The Palatin and Castellan of Vilna For it must here be observ'd that there are no Minor Castellans in all Lithuania The Arms or Standard of this Palatinate are of four sorts The first of the Palatinate it self which are Argent and Azure in the former the Arms of Lithuania and in the latter two Pillars of the first Besides these each District has its Arms which are First of Osmian those of Vilna differing only in changing the Columns or Pillars to erected Swords That of Bratislaw a Field Gules with no Charge Thirdly That of Wilkomitz the same with that of the Palatinate changing only the Pillars to the Image of St. Michael The Second Palatinate of Lithuania Proper is that of Troki which has in it these four large Districts Viz. The Districts of Grodno Lida Cowno and Vpita In all which are these principal Cities and Towns Viz. Troki Cap. Grodno Lida Cowno and Vpita The chief City of all which is Troki otherwise call'd Troccum or Trocum built with Wood and seated on a Point of Land that shoots out into a Lake and which lies about four Miles from Vilna to the West This City had formerly a strong Wall to defend it but which was long since destroy'd by the Prussian Knights but yet it still has a Castle founded in the Lake and sufficiently fortify'd both by Nature and Art Gedeminus Great Duke of Lithuania laid the first Foundation of this City which was the Ducal Seat before it came to be translated to Vilna The Moscovites storm'd burnt and pillag'd this Place in the Year 1655. Grodno a Timber-built City on the River Niemen or Cronon having a strong Castle on a Rock near adjoining founded by King Stephen who was