Frontiers Its Cities Its Families and Revenue The prodigious Revenue of one Provincâ— The Province of Chekiang Cities Families It s Revenue It s abundance in Silk The City of Quinsay Marc Paulo justified The greatness of the City of Hangckeâ— The Province of Fokien Its Frontiers Cities Families and Revenues The Inhabitants of Fokien trade most out of the Kingdom The Province of Quantung Its Frontiers Cities Families Revenue The richest Province of China The industry of the Inhabitants The Province of Quangsi Its Cities Frontiers Families and Revenue The Province of Queicheu Its Cities Revenue Frontiers The Province of Iunnan Its Frontier It s wealth Cities Families and Revenue There are both black and white Chineses The difference of Fruits in China The Chineses hate idleness China Fruits better then ours Wax and Honey Sugar Flesh very cheap Spice Their fishing How they breed Ducks How hatched The Inhabitants Their cloathing Their Women Are ingenious Their Money The provision for the subsistance of the poor Printing in China before we had it Their way of writing Their Paper The dignity of Loytia The Chineses very ceremonious Their Feast Plate Their new-years day The honour they do Embassadours Their weddings Polygamy lawful The Government of China Monarchical Offensive Warr become defensive by a Fundamental Law Their King called Son of Heaven The Crown hereditary The Councel of State Astrology requisue in Councellors of State Viceroys Governours Other Officers of Provinces Officers of the Crown 〈…〉 Debtors 〈◊〉 treated An admirable order Their Toâ—tures Prisons Their punishments That of Thieves The Visitors The Religion of the chineses Their Divinities 〈◊〉 China Saints The Fablâ— of Quanina The 〈◊〉 of Neoma The Chineses use incâ—ntations How they do it They invoke the Devil Their beliâ—f concerning the Creation They believe the Immortality of the Soul And Metempsychosis Their Religious men Vse Beads Funeral Ceremonies Their mourning The present State of China The Tartars possessed of China And forced thence The origine of the Royal house of Teyming The beginning of the Tartarian War Take the Metropolis of Leatung Vanlie dies and succeeded by Tayohang He by Thienki Whâ— forces â—way the Tartars But they re-enter Leaotung Take the Isle of Thaoyuen The Kings of China and Tartary dye The Chineses betray their Country Thienzung King of Tartary dies Lizungzo enters the Province of Xansi Takes the City of Peking A Chinese calls the Tartarâ—te his relief against the Rebels Lizungzo flies The Tartars will not go out of China And proclaioâ— their King Emperour of China Usanguei made King The Southerly Provinces chuse another Emperour A Son of Zungchini'â— The Tartars enter the Province of Nanking Hungquang strangled Several Chinese Lords retire to Haneheu Another Emperour Who is also strangled Another Prince in the Province of Chekiang Another in that of Fokien This division proves the ruine of China The Tartars reduce the Province of Fokien The treachery of a Chinese Pirat An Emperour chosen in Quangsi 1639 FEBRVARY The Voyage continued Several sorts of Birds And Fish Marsouiâ— Tuberones MARCH Very changeable weather near the Line Maurice Island described It s Haven And offords the best Ebony A prodigious Thornback * The Dutch have built a â—orâ— there 〈…〉 1640. No four-footed Beasts A French man lived 20. moneths in Maurice Island The Ship â—uts not into the Island APRIL Pintados a Bird discovâ—ring nearness to Land Mangas de valeudo a kind of Bird. The Cape of Agulhas Fish â—oreshewing the change of weather Trombas MAY. Cabo Falso They discover the Cape of Good hope The Cape of Good hopâ— Pinquins a kind of â—owl The Inhabitants about the Cape of Goodhope Their clâ—thing Their food Vse no husbandry Know neither God nor the Devil Lions their only enemies Hurricans IUNâ— IVLY They discover Madagascar Arive there What Commodities go off at Madagascâ—r The Lord of those parts Makes an alliance with the English AVGVST Madagascar described It s greatness It s Havens Dragons-bloud Aloes The Island rich in Cattle It s Inhabitams The men are courageous Their Arms. Their Chief Their Religion Mozambique When discovered by the Portuguez The fist landing of the Dutch 〈◊〉 Madagascâ—â— SEPTEMBER Declinatâ—â— of the Loadstone The Island of St. Elizabeth Sea-Wolves Badger OCTOBER St. Helen's Island Planted by the Portuguez Ascension Island St. Thomas Island Land Crevisses The Inhabitants Rolles-Island Carisco-Island November Capo Verde Its Inhabitants Their Arms The women do all the work The men drunkards Believe the immortality of the soul. D. â—urique discovers Guiny The scituâ—tion of Mina The Religion of the Inhabitants Their Superstitious Religious in their Oaths Their Clothing Their Arms. The settlement of the Dutch in Guiny Diego Can discovers the Kingdom of Congo The Kingdom of Congâ— â—s Provinces Bamba Songo Sunda Pango Batta Pamba The Air of the Country The River Zaire Sea-horses Gold Mines Serpents Cocos Their houses They are all Arâ—hitects and Physiâ—ions Their Clothing The wealth of the Country Their money The obsolute power of the King of Congo The Governour of Batta Minister of State Hâ— priviledges Their Armies and manner of fighting How Christian Religion was introduced there The Kingdom of Beny Cabo Verde described The Inhabitants of the Cabo Verde Are Pagans Their way of raising forces Their Nobility The state of the Country when first discovered The Green Island Sargasso Flamencos St. Jago The Voyageâ— continued The Aâ—â—ores Tercera Angra They 〈◊〉 good Fruit. Battatâ—s 〈◊〉 Potatoes Their Wheat will not keep Tercera Oâ—en very large Is 〈…〉 Earthquakes An Island started of â— sudden A Spring that petrifies wood A kind of wood hard as Iron Cedar St. Michaels Island St. Maries Island Gratiosa Island St. Georges Island Fayal Island Pico Island The Island de Flores The convenience of these Islands The Air very sharp in the Assores 1640. The â—anaries When discovered Lewis Count of Clermont conquers them A French Gentleman conquers them by commission from the King of Casteel 〈…〉 of Castile Great Canary Teneriffe Fierro Island A miraculous tree The Voyage continued DECEMBER The West-wind 〈◊〉 from the Azores to England Come into the Channel The Isle of Wight Dover 〈…〉 like to be cast away in the Haven Another tempest Canterbury Canterbury Come to London IANV S. Edmund Wright A strange attempt of a Duch marriner An example of a dreadful solitude A strange resolution of two Slaves MARCH I left London Mandelslo leaves London MAY.
hundred and eighteen thousand nine hundred eighty nine Families consisting of above three millions four hundred and fifty thousand persons and that it payes yearly to the Emperour six hundred and one thousand one hundred fifty and three Bags of Rice Wheat and Millet two hundred twenty five pounds of Raw Silk at twenty ounces to the pound forty five thousand one hundred and thirty pieces of Silk-Stuffes thirteen thousand seven hundred forty eight pound of Cotton eight millions seven hundred thirty seven thousand two hundred eighty four Trusses of Hay and Straw for the Emperours Stables and a hundred and eighty thousand eight hundred and seventy Quintals of Salt accounting a hundred twenty four pound to the Quintal besides the Money which comes in by the Customs and yet this is one of the less fruitful Provinces of China As to the City of Xuntien it is situated at the extremity of the Kingdom towards the North about thirty Leagues from the great Wall It owes its greatness though in that particular it comes short of Nanking to Taicung who lived at the beginning of the fifteenth Age and translated the Seat of the Empire from Nanking to this City It is more populous then that of Nanking and must needs be more sumptuous by reason of the Court and the great number of Souldiers which the King maintains there as well for the safety of the City as that of his own person On the South-side it is encompassed with a double Ditch and a double Wall on the North-side it hath but one This Wall is much higher then those of any Cities in Europe and so thick that twelve Horse might ride abreast upon it without touching one another There is a Guard kept upon it in the night-time with as much vigilance as if there were an open War but in the day-time the Gates are kept only by Eunuchs who stand there rather to receive the Duties of Entrance then for any safety of the City This is the same City which Marc Paulo calls Cambalu and whereof the Tartars were possessed at that time The Streets of it are not paved so that in Winter a man goes up to the ankles in dirt and in the Summer he is cover'd all over with dust but this inconvenience hath forced them to make use of an invention whence they derive much greater conveniences For they all cover themselves with a thin Lawn from the head to the waste and by that means not being known they are not obliged to salute any they meet and so dressed they may ride undiscover'd on horse-back all about the City which yet is not very honourable in Persons of Quality who by this convenience save the charge it would be to them to be carried in Chairs whereas they may have Horses and Mules to hire at the corner of every Street at a very easie rate three or four pence a day The Kings Palace is near a League in compass and fortified with three good Walls and so many Ditches It hath four Gates whereof that on the South-side which opens upon the great Street of the City is the fairest Persons of Quality may go within the first Wall and Lords of the Councel go within the second but within the third there go only Women and Eunuchs who attend about the Kings person They say this Palace consists within of near eighty Halls and of those four which are the richest in the World besides the other Appartments which are almost innumerable The Province of Xansi is not so great as that of Peking but more delightful fertile and populous It bears not much Rice but in requital it affords the more Wheat and Millet and breeds abundance of Cattle The Word Xansi signifies Towards the West of the Mountain Accordingly that of Heng divides it on the East-side from the Province of Peking as the great Wall of the Kingdom of Tanyu in Tartary does towards the North. The River Croceus divides it Westward from the Province of Xensi and towards the South and South-east from that of Honan It comprehends five great Cities to wit Taiyuen which is the Metropolis Pingyang Taytung Lugan and Fuencheu and fourscore and twelve of a middle rate which contain disposed into 589959. Families above five millions of persons It pays in every year 2274022 Sacks of Grain 50. pound of raw Silk 4770. pieces of Silk-stuffs 3544850. Trusses of Hay and Straw and 420000. Quintals of Salt The Climate and Soil of this Province is fit for the Vine and the Grape here is excellent but the Chineses make no Wine And there is one thing particular here not to be found elsewhere which is that as there are in other places Pits and Wells of Water there are here some of Fire They dam them up so as that they leave only some Holes on which they set their Pots with Meat to be dressed There are here also good store of Pit-coal and certain Minerals which serve for Firing The Province of Xensi is no doubt one of the greatest of all the Southern part of Asia It hath on the North the Deserts of Xamo towards the West and North-west the Kingdoms of Cascar and Tebet towards the East the River Croceus which divides it from the Province of Xansi and towards the South it is divided from the Provinces of Honan Suchuen and Huquang by a high Mountain It comprehends in eight great Cities and a hundred and seven of middle rate 831051. Families and near four millions of persons The great Cities are Sigan Fungciang Hanchung Pingleang Cungehang Linyao Kingyang and Iengan It pays yearly 1929057. Sacks of Grain 360. pounds of raw Silk 9228. pieces of Silk-stuffs â—7â—72 pounds of Cotton 128770. pieces of Cotton-cloath and 1514749. Trusses of Hay and Straw There are in this Province some Gold Mines but there is a Prohibition made by the Laws of this Country that no search should be made into them and yet there is abudance of it found in the Rivers and Torrents especially when the Rain brings down the Earth from the neighbouring Mountains Rhubarb grows here in great quantities and it is ordered with great care This Province affords also Musk which is nothing but an Imposthume or Botch fram'd at the Navil of a certain Beast of the bigness of a wild Goat which the Chineses call Xe whence comes the word Xehiang so they call the Musk which signifies Scent of Musk. The Reader may take this for certain whatever those may endeavour to perswade people who have written concerning this Drug Though the Wall which divides China from Tartary enclose the three Provinces we named before as also that of Leatoung yet is it not of the length our Cosmographers assign it for from the Gulf where the River Yalo falls into the Sea and where the Wall begins to the City Kin where it ends there are not above twenty Degrees which make but three
on one of the Lords who put to death the Heir of the Crown the Emperour of Japan raises his Armies upon the charge of his Subjects is able to raise three hundred sixty eight thousand foot and thirty eitht thousand eight hundred Horse p. 149 Their Arms their Companies and Regiments the Council of State the expence of great Lords p. 150 The magnificence of the Lords in their buildings three years requisite to provide an entertainment for the Emperour the Emperour marries all the great Lords Women kept in restraint p. 151 Women never talk of business the generosity of a Japponese Wife p. 152 An example of modesty in a Maid the reservedness of their Conversation the men jealous ibid. Adultery severely punished fornication permitted they have no devotion their Pagodes and Priests p. 153 The Ecclesiasticks divided into several sects the death they are put to for breach of Vows their opinion concerning the Soul no disputes about Religion p. 154 Thephate Christians their diabolical inventions to put them to death p. 155 Their houses their civility p. 156 No drinking houses in Japan their Musick Wine Tsia how prepared their marriages and education of children ibid. They go not to school till seven or eight years of age are not swath'd the Japonneses tender in point of honour p. 157 What Forreigners trade thither the occasion of the rupture between the Chineses and Japponeses Japan was not peopled by Chineses p. 158 No Custom paid in Japan no correspondence between the Emperour of Japan and other Princes their Arithmetick the Dayro writes the History of the Country p. 159 The money of Japan its store of Cattel and Fowl several sorts of Mineral waters p. 160 Their Physicians the riches of Japan a particular way of melting Iron the Roman Catholick Religion planted in Japan the Spaniards banish'd it the Dutch establish there the Air of Japan p. 161 The Japonneses distinguished into five Orders the principal Ministers of Japan the procession of the Dayro and the Emperour the Dayro's baggage the Ladies of Honour ibid. Twenty seven Lords of the Dayro's Retinue twenty four Gentlemen the Dayro's three Wives the chief servants of those Ladies threescore and eight Gentlemen p. 162 The Emperour and his Ward the greatest Lords of Japan the Dayro's Concubines his Secretary p. 163 His Musickâ— the Dayro himself the Emperours Presents to him p. 164 The Isle of Tayovang the Dutch settle there and call it New Zealand the Government is absolutely anarchical p. 165 The places possest there by the Dutch the Inhabitants of Fermosa are civil good-natur'd ingenious its Fruits ibid. Their Wine the Women go a fishing How the Men liveâ— their hunting p. 166 The manner of their War their Armes the Island Tugin p. 167 Their Magistracy and its authority their punishments p. 168 The Magistrate hath no power their respect for old age mens age in order to marriage p. 169 Their marriages a pleasant kind of married life the women not permitted to bear children till thirty five years of age p. 170 Divorce lawful among them their houses their sustenance have no Festivals Dogs-hair Stuffes their Funerals p. 171 They neither bury nor burn the dead a sure remedy in painful diseases their Religion their sins ibid. Their Gods women only imployed about Religious Mysteries their Devotion p. 172 The Kingdom of China its Frontiers Extent Provinces p. 173 The Province of Peking its Frontiers Cities Families Revenue Xuntien described c. p. 174 The Palaces the Provinces of Xansi and Xensi their Frontiers c. p. 175 The great Wall by whom built the Province of Xantung its Frontirrs Cities c. p. 176 The Provinces of Honan c. the Province of Suchuen c. Radix Sina the Province of Huguang c. the Province of Quangsi its Frontiers c. ibid. Porcelane made at Kiangsi the Province of â—anking c. the Prince of Checkiang c. p. 177 The City of Quinsay Mark Paulo vindicated the greatness of the City of Huncheu the Province of Fokien c. the Inhabitants of Fokien trade most out of the Kingdom p. 178 The Province of Quantung c. the industry of the Inhabitants the Province of Quangsi its Cities c. the Province of Quieucheu its Cities c. p. 179 The Province of Junan c. both black and white Chineses the difference of Fruits in China the Chineses hate idleness China Fruits better then ours Wax Honey Sugar p. 180 Flesh cheap their Fishing how they breed Ducks ibid. The Inhabitants their cloathing their women their money the provision made for the subsistance of the poor p. 181 Printing in China before we had it their way of writing their paper the dignity of Loytia the Chineses very Ceremonious p. 182 Their Feasts their Plate their New-years day the honour they do Embassadours p. 183 Their Weddings Polygamy lawful the Government of China Monarchial p. 184 Offensive war made defensive by a fundamental Law their King called Son of Heaven the Council of State Astrology requisite in Councellors of State Viceroys and Governours ibid. Other Officers of Provinces Officers of the Crown Debtors how treated an admirable Order their tortures Prisons p. 185 Their punishments the Visitours p. 186 The Religion of the Chineses their Divinities three China Saints the Fable of Quaniâ—a p. 187 The Fable of Neoma the Chineses use incantations they invoke the Devil ibid. Their belief concerning the Creation they believe the immortality of the Soul Purgatory p. 188 They believe the Metempsychosis their Religious men they use beads funeral Ceremonies their mourning the present state of China p. 189 The Tartars possess'd of China forced thence the Origine of the Royal House of Teimings the beginning of the Tartarian war Leaotung taken p. 190 Vanlie dies and is succeeded by Tayohang who forces away the Tartars but they re-enter Leagtung the Kings of China and Tartary die the Chineses betray their Country Thienâ—ung King of Tartary dies p. 191 Lizungzo enters the Province of Xansi takes the City of Peking p. 192 A Chinese calls the Tartars to his relief against the Rebels the Tartars will not depart China p. 193 They proclaim their King Emperour of China Usanguei made King the Southerly Provinces chose another Emperour the Tartars enter the Province of Nanking Hungquang strangled ibid. Several Chinese Lords retire to Hangcheu Another Emperour who is also strangled other Princes this division proves the ruine of China the Tartars reduce the Province of Fokien the treachery of a Chinese Pirate p. 194 An Emperour chosen in Quangsi the Tartars absolute Masters of China p. 195 FEBRVARY He leaves Ceylon the 20. and comes the second of July following to the Island of Madagascar where they stay six weeks The Voyage continued several sorts of Birds p. 196 Several sorts of Fish ibid. Very changeable weather near the Line p. 197 Maurice Island discover'd its Haven a prodigious Thorn-back No four-footed beasts in the said Island the story of a
flaming Mount. Joartam Gerrici Surabaia Cidaye Taboan Cajam Japara Matram or Matavam Pati and Dauma Taggal Monucaon Jacattra Bantam The Kings Palace A Drum for a Clock The Guard of the town Market places Armourers Tuban The Javians Mahumetans Fasts Divers Wives Tourg â—â—â—riages Magistrate of Bantam The Kings Councel The train and state of the Nobility The qualities of the Javians Good Souldiers Javians Sophuticate their wâ—res How they imploy their Slaves Strongers commerâ—s there The trade of China Coin of Java The Portuguez Commerce Oysters of three hundred weight Crocodiles Civet Hens Rhinocerot Ants. Areca Mangas Ananas Samaca Tamarindâ— Tabaxir Boats of Canes Duriaons Lantor Cubebs Mangosthan Talasse Jaca Wild Cinnamon Carcapuli Costus Indicus Zerumbet Galanga Benjamin Sandale Ginger Anacardium Palo de cuebro Calamba Lacque Other Drugs in Java The Dutch fortifie in Jacatra Batavia Madura place of no trading Baly It s sâ—ituation 〈◊〉 Abounds in Rice Fowl Drugs Fish Gold Mines Pulo raza The Isle of Borneo Borneo the Town Bazar The Haven The Hollanders treat with the King of Sambas Celebes Islâ— Amboyna The inhabitants The discovery The Hollanders take Amboyna Castle Religion Consult with the Devil Superstitioâ—s Circumcision Marriage Oaths Sorcerers Their qualities Iâ—dotible Profaneness The Hollanders possess it intirely Banda Arms. They live long Nutmegs Maces The Oyl of Nutmeg The Hollanders Forts in Banda Prodigioâ—â— Serpents Molucques Sagu a sort of bread How they make bread of it Wine from the same Tree The Inhabitants Partly Mahumetans A particular policy The Clove â—ade The Portuguez seize it Dispossest by the Hollanders A difference between the Castilians and the Portuguez for the Moluccaes Grounded on a false supposition Magellan finds a new passage Ternate Gamma lamma Cloves The tree grows without planting Avicenna's errour What cloves the Moluccaes yields yearly The Mountain of Ternate But one season in the Moluccaes Cusos A Wood incombustible Leaves turn'd to Butterflyes Tidor Birds of Paradise King of Bachiam Machiam Philippins Manille Hunting of Crocodiles The Commerce of the Chineses and Spaniards in the Philippins The Archbishop of Manilla is Viceroy The City of Manilla It is doubted whether it be on Island or Continent The names and revenues of the Great Lords of Japan The Revenues of the Ministers of Stâ—te The Emperour of Japan's policy The Lords have three names Slaves dye with their Masters Their mannâ—r of ripping their bellies Their Mesquites The Cities of â—apan are not wall'd No Impositions in Japan The poweâ— of Masters over their Servants Gaming a Crime All the Relations of Offenders die with them A particular Punishment for Theâ—t The Crimes for which all the Kindred are put to death A horrid execution Lying punished with death The Emperours expence Jedo Castle The Palaces of the Kings The Emperours Retinue The Dayro The Emperours magnificence His Treasures The Emperour of Japan is a vice-roy Conâ—ines hiâ— Wife to a Castle How the Emperour of Japan came to thâ— Crown Ceremonies at the choic of a Nurse for the Dayro's son A revolution in Japan A Souldier of Fortune gets to be General of the Army And Soveraign Iâ— poyson'd Bestoâ— the Regency on one of the Lords Puts to death the Heir of the Cown The Emperour of Japan raises hâ—â— Armies upon the charge of h Subjects Can raise 368000. foot and 38800. horse Their Arms. Their Companies and Regiments The Council of State The expences of great Lords Provisions dear The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 in their buildings Three years requisite to 〈◊〉 an entrance for the Emperour The Emperour marries all the great Lords The women kept in restraint Women never talk of business The generosity of a â—aponnese Wife An example of modesty in a 〈◊〉 Another example of modestie The reservedness of their conversotien They are jealous Adultery severely punished Fornication permitted They have no Devotion Their Pagodes and Priests Distinguished into several Sects A cruel kind of death Their opinion concerning the Soul No disputes about Religion They haâ—e Christians Diabolical inventions to put Christians to death Their Houses They are civil No drinking houses in Japan Their Musick Their Wine Tsia how prepared Their Marriages Their education of their Children Go not to School till seven or eight years of age Not swath'd The Japonneses tender in point of honour An Example of it Are good Friends What Forraigners trade thither The occasion of the rupture between the Chineses and the Japonneses Japan was not peopled by Chineses No Custom paid in Japan No correspondence between the Emperour of Japan and other Princes Their Arithmetick The Dayâ—ro writes the History of the Country The Money of Japan Japan well stored with Cottel and Fowl Their Physicians The riches of Japan A particular way of meltiâ—g Iron The Roman Catholâ—â—â— Religion planted in Japan The Spaniards baâ—ished it The Dutch established there The Air of Japan Have many good qualities Are distinguished into five Orders The principal Ministers of Japan The Procession of the Dayro and Emperour The Dayro's baggage The Ladies of Honour 27. Lords of the Dayro's Retinue 24. Gentlemen The Dayro's three Wives The chief Servants of those Ladies 68. Gentlemen The Emperour and his Word The greatest Lords of Japan The Dayro's Concubines He Sacretary His Musick The Dayro The Issâ— of Tayovang The Dutch settle there And 〈◊〉 new Zealand Fermosa An Anarchy The places possessed by the Dutch The Inhabitants of Fermosa Are civil and good natured Are ingenious 〈◊〉 Their Wine Their women go afishing How the 〈…〉 Their huntâ—â—g The manner of their 〈◊〉 〈…〉 The Island of Tugin Their Magistracy It s Authority Their punishments The Magistrate hath no power They have a respect for old Age. The Age of the men in order to marriage Their marriages A pleasant married life The Women bear no children till 35. years of Age. Divorce lawful among them Their houses Their sustenance Have no Festivals Dogshair-stuffs Their Funerals They neither bury nor burn the dead A mad ramedy against painful diseases Their Religion Their Sins Their Gods Women only employed about their Mysteries Their devotion 〈◊〉 Quakerisin The Kingdom of China Its Frontiers It s extent The Provinces whereof it consists The 〈◊〉 The Province of Peking Its Frontiers Its Cities The number of its Families Its Revenues Xuntien described The Palace The Province of Xansi Its Frontiers Its Cities Families Revenue The qualities of the Country The Province of Xensi Its Frontiers The number of its Families Its Revenues Gold Mines Rhubarb Musk. The great Wall By whom built The Province of Xantung Its Frontiers Silks Its Cities and Families It s Revenue The Province of Honan Its Frontiers Its Cities and Families It s Revenui The Province of Suchuen Its Frontiers Its Cities and Families It s Revenue Radix Sina The Province of Huquang Its Frontiers Its Families It s Revenue The Province of Kiangsi Its Frontiers Its Cities and Families Its Revenues Porcelane made in Kiangsi The Province of Nanking Its
maintain that he could make it as clear as the Sun at Noon that he was no Muscovite and that there was not any thing in his person language or manner of life which might perswade the World that he was Indeed his beard was quite after another fashion than the Muscovitet ordinarily wear theirs He had the Latin Italian German and Turkish Languages so well as to be understood in any of them and he had such an art in counterfeiting all sorts of hands that it was hard to convince him by that which he writ in his first employment Nay he would have had us suspect as counterfeited the Letters sent by the Great Duke to our Prince because he had not signed them and might have surpriz'd us with that allegation had we not learnt in Muscovy that the Great Duke never signs expeditions but leaves that to be done by the Secretaries of State Timoska perceiving these evasions would not serve his turn â—ell into despair and would have kill'd himself For being upon his way to Travemunde to be ship'd away not far from Neustatâ— he cast himself down headlong from the Wagon and shuffled himself under the Wheels hoping they would pass over his Body but the ground being soft and sandy his fall did him no hurt and the Wagon was immediately staid so that they had the time to return him to his place where they fasten'd him beyond all fear of shewing such another trick He seem'd to be in a very good humour all the way yet sought all the means he could imagine to compass his own death but he was so narrowly watch'd that at last being out of all hope to effect it the joy he had express'd before was much abated Coming to Novogorod he fell into so deep a melancholy that he was become absolutely disconsolate Which yet hindred not but that amidst the greatest tortures he express'd an admirable constancy at least if I may so call the resolute obstinacy in which he persisted as to his first depositions whether it were his design thereby to confirm in strangers the opinion he would have imprinted in them or that he considered with himself that his confession would not prevent his death nor alleviate his misfortune As soon as he came to Moscou he was put to the torture in the presence of divers persons of quality but he impudently told them that of all the Bojares he would not vouchsafe to speak to any but Knez Nikita Iuanouits Romanow and him only as knowing him by fame by reason of his goodness and courage he should be glad to have some discourse withall While two Bojares were gone to find out Nikita Timoska desired somewhat to drink They presented to him some Quas in a wooden dish but he would have Hydromel and that it should be brought him in a silver Cup but after they had so far comply'd with his humour he only put it to his lips and would not drink Seeing Nikita and the other two Bojares come in he gave them a civil salute but still affirmed that he was Son to Basili Iuanouits Zuski though it were prov'd against him that he was the Son of Dementi Aukudina a Linnen Draper of Vologda and that the Great Duke Basili had had no children but only two Brothers Knez Demetri Iuanouits and Iuan Iuanouits Zuski who both died without issue male For of these three Brothers who were sent Prisoners into Poland at the election of Vladislaus in the year 1610. with the rest of the Great Dukes kinred the two elder died there and the third was releas'd and sent back into Muscovy where he died some few years before the execution of Timoska 'T is true there was another Lord of the same Family but he had left only one Son named Michael Basilouits Zuski Scapin who died without issue when the Suedes took the City of Novogorod in the year 1616. While he endured the torture they brought his Mother to him who exhorted him to acknowledge his crime He seem'd to be moved at her presence but persisted in affirming he knew her not no more than he did Iuan Pescou with whom he had left his Son when he left Muscovy This man represented to him how much he was to blame for behaving himself so in the condition he was in and told him that he must at last pull off the vizard he had made use of for so many years to cheat the World and disturb his Country conjuring him to own his Son and rely no longer on elusions and impostures which would only aggravate his misery and bring a greater weight of God's vengeance upon him He was so mov'd hereat that he would not speak one word afterwards though there were divers persons brought before him who had known him while he was employ'd at the Tavern-Office He was search'd and found to be Circumcis'd The next day they put him again to the torture but he would not speak at all so that he was immediately carried to the great Market-place where his sentence was pronounced and presently put in execution They cut off with an Ax first his right arm below the elbow then the left leg below the knee and afterwards the left arm and right leg and last of all the head The members were set up on stakes and the trunk left upon the ground but the Dogs devour'd it in the night and the next morning the Executioner's Servants dragg'd the members to the place where all the City dirt is thrown His man Kostka was pardoned because he had confess'd the truth but in regard he had been unfaithful towards his Prince he was sentenc'd to lose three fingers of his right hand The Patriarch got that punishment to be moderated upon this accompt that the Religion of the Muscovites obliging them to make the sign of the Cross with the right hand which ought not to be maimed he receiv'd his punishment in the left and was sent into Siberia where provision was made for his subsistence during life About this time there came a Polish Envoy to Moscou They gave him audience the same day that Timoska was put to death and brought him through the Market-place just at the execution that he might be an eye witness of it and give an accompt in Poland of the Tragedy of that Impostor who had been there look'd upon as son to the Great Duke Basili Iuanouits Zuski We said before that the Great Duke Michael Federouits died Iul. 12. 1645. The very next day the Knez and Bojares would needs crown his Son Alexei Michaelouits who was not full sixteen years of age He it is that now reigns and makes himself known by the War he made upon Poland as also by that which he daily threatens against Sueden He was born March 17. 1630. Knez Boris Iuanouits Morosou fearing his enemies might take any advantage of the Prince's tender years so hastened his Coronation that they could not send for all those who are oblig'd to be present
fidelity he one day took occasion to speak to the Great Duke of him and thence to celebrate so highly the beauty of those Gentlewomen that it rais'd in him a desire to see them The Great Duke sent for them under pretence of a Visit to the Princesses his Sisters and having seen them he was so taken with the Beauty of the Elder that he immediately sent one to tell Miloslauskie that he would honour him with Alliance and marry one of his Daughters The Gentleman receiv'd the message with much respect and return'd his humble thanks to the Great Duke for the favour he was pleas'd to do him Soon after they carried rich Presents to the intended Bride and a good sum of money to the Father who with others of the Kinred could not without that supply have appear'd at the Marriage of his Daughter They were married on Shrove-Sunday in the year 1647. but without any noise lest the consequences of that Solemnity might be frustrated by Charms Eight days after Morosou was married to Miloslauskie's second Daughter and so became Brother-in-Law to the Great Duke Ilia Danilouits Miloslauskie was no sooner advanc'd to this new-greatness but he would have all the World to take notice of it He pull'd down a Wooden house that had been given him in the Castle near the Great Duke's Palace and built a Sumptuous one of Stone in it's place He cast off by degrees the old Officers of the house and brought in his own Kindred and Creatures who being no less necessitous than the chief of their family let slip no opportunity of advantaging themselves Among others he made one Leponti Steppanouits Plesseou Chief Judge of the Citie of Moscou in that Jurisdiction which they call Semskoi Duor No Concussion no Extortion but this man would undertake He thought it not enough to receive Presents but would reduce both parties to the utmost extremities He suborn'd false Witnesses whose employment was to bring in charges against those who were rich enough to redeem themselves out of his persecutions imprisoning and oppressing them till they purchas'd their Liberties with the ruine of their Estates and of these instruments of his Tyranny one was called Peter Tichonuits Trochaniotou his Brother-in-law This Peter was one of those whom in Muscovy they call Ocolnits out of which number are chosen the Bojares and he had the management of the Puskarse Pricas that is to say was Overseer of the Armourers Canoniers and all the Mechanicks belonging to the Arsenal who were very much oppress'd by him For instead of paying them monethly as they are wont to do in Muscovy where all that are in the Great Duke's service are so punctually pay'd that if they come not the first day of the moneth for their money it is sent home to them he on the contrary kept them several moneths without it forc'd them to compound and to give acquittances for the whole sum though they received but some part Besides Trading was obstructed Monopolies granted and no Employment could be had but by dearly purchasing the Favorite Morosou's good pleasure One got a Patent prohibiting the further use of the ordinary Ells purposely to oblige the people to buy Iron ones with the Great Duke's mark upon them but instead of selling them at 8. or 10 d. a piece as they were worth they could not be had under a Crown by which means was rais'd a vast sum of money by reason of the necessity there was of having them all over the Kingdom Another found out the invention of raising the Poude that is 40. pound of Salt to thirty pence which before cost but twenty But instead of making advantage of it they found at the year's end that the dearness of the Salt had so hindred the sale of it that the Great Dukes revenue was not only very much diminish'd but abundance of fish was lost for want of sufficient salting so that had it not been their design rather to oppress the people than to promote the Great Duke's service they would soon have put down that new imposition The Inhabitants of Moscou who had liv'd very quietly under the late Great Duke's reign could not but discover their resentment of these pressures They had their assemblies about the Churches at the hours when their Devotions brought them thither and resolv'd at last to Petition the Great Duke And in regard no one person either would or durst undertake the delivery of a Petition to him they appointed a day to give it him themselves as he should come out of the Castle to go to his devotions or divertisements Their main spleen was against Leponti Steppanouits Plesscou to desire that his place might be supply'd by some person of honour of whom they might expect more Justice They had their Petition ready and sought two or three times an opportunity to present it to the Prince but the Bojares who attend him in those Ceremonies took it from them and making only a report of it as they had been instructed by Morosou the Petition was not answered nor the people reliev'd This happen'd so often that the people at last resolv'd to take some other course and to make their complaints by word of mouth upon the first opportunity that should offer it self The 6. of Iuly 1648. they took their advantage of a Procession which the Great Duke made to a Monastery in the Citie called Stertenskie The people were got together in the Market-place before the Castle to see him pass by as they were wont but at his return they broke through those that attended the Great Duke came up to him laid hold of his bridle stay'd him and entreated him to hear the complaints they had to make to him concerning the injustices and violences committed by Plesseou desiring there might be put into his place some person of integrity who should better supply so important a charge The Great Duke though a little startled at their procedure still kept his countenance and seem'd not a little troubled at the grievances of his good Subjects promised that he would examine how the matter stood and that they should receive satisfaction The people desir'd no more and were going away well satisfy'd with that answer when some Bojares friends of Plesscou would needs give the people abusive language thrust some of their horses and struck others with their whips whereat being incens'd they so pelted their Lordships with stones that they were forc'd to make all speed they could to the Castle whither the people pursued them so vigorously that all the Guard could do was only to stop them till the others were gotten into the Great Duke's Chamber This resistance of the Strelits rather inflamed than abated the people's fury who threatned to force the Prince's Lodgings and take away all they found there if Plesseou were not immediately put into their hands Morosou came out into a Balcony and endeavoured to appease the people exhorting them in the name of his Czaarick Majesty to go
Massula This last is built upon a Mountain by reason of an Iron-mine by which the inhabitants who are most Smiths maintain themselves There are also in those parts abundance of Wall-nut Trees whereof are made most of the Wooden dishes that are all over Persia. In Kesker are the Cities of Kesker Scaherruth Kurab Enseli Dulab Schal and towards the North Ruesseru Miunscaker Senguerasara Houe Chosckkaderene Henkâ—lan and Kisilagats There is no entrance into the Province of Kilan but by the four passages whereof we shall speak hereafter in the last Book of the Travels of the Ambassadors as also of the Caspian gates the insolence of the people who live between Mesandaran and Kesker and the History of Karib Schach Chorasan or the antient Bactriana hath on the West Mesanderan and comprehends also several other lesser Provinces whereof the chiefest is that of Heri the Metropolis whereof is Herat. This Province is one of the greatest and most fertil of any in Persia and that which drives on the greatest Trade of any The City of Mesched which in the Catalogue or Register of their Cities may be found under the name of Thus is no doubt the most considerable of any It is encompass'd with a noble Wall set out with many sumptuous Structures and among others with two or if we may believe Texeira three hundred Towers distant one from the other about a Musquet shot In this City is to be seen the Sepulchre of Iman Risa one of the twelve Saints of Persia of the Family of Aly which as to its Structure Revenue and Wealth is equal to that of Ardebil and all things are performed there with the same Ceremonies The same Devotions are also done there as at the Tomb of Schich Sesi In the Country about Mesched near the City of Nisabur there is a Mountain where are found such Excellent Turquezes that the King permits them not to be sold to any but himself Herath is the second City of the Province and there is made the best Persian Tapistry The Indians Trade thither and it is a place they must necessarily pass through who go from Candahar to Ispahan There it was that the Horses of the Great Mogul's Ambassador were stay'd whereof we shall say more hereafter Thun Thabeskileki and Thabes-Mâ—ssinan are very considerable Cities as well upon the accompt of their greatness as of the several Manufactures of Silk that are made there and wherewith they drive a vast Trade All the other Cities as Sebseuar Turschis Kain Puschentz Badkis Meru Merurnd Tzurtzan Fariab Asurkan Belch Bamian Semkan Thalecan and Sus are also very populous and eminent for Merchandise and in these parts is found the best Manna in the World The Province of Sablusthan lies more towards the East Q. Curtius calls the Inhabitants of it Paropanisadae from the neighbouring Mountain called Paropamisus which is a branch of Mount Taurus and it is all Wooddy The people living in it is at this day as simple and barbarous as they were in the time of Alexander It is upon this Mountain that Goropius Becanus would have Noab's Ark rest after the deluge contrary to the opinion of most of the Fathers who for the most part agree that it rested upon Mount Aratat in Armenia The Cities of this Province are Beksabath Meimine Asbe Bust and Sarents The Province of Sitzistan by others called Sigestan Sagestan and Siston lies South-ward from the Province of Sablustan and is the Habitation of the people who were heretofore called Dragae It is encompass'd of all sides by a high Mountain and it is the Country of the Grand Rustam who is known not only in their Histories but is also the only celebrated Heros of all their Romances The principal Cities of this Province are Sistan Chaluk Ketz c. The Province of Kirman is also one of the greatest of the Kingdome of Persia. It lies between those of Fars and Sigestan and reaches as far as the Sea and the Island of Ornus The Country is somewhat un-even and Mountainous but the Valleys of it are very fertil and delightful abounding in Fruit and every where cover'd and as it were strew'd with Flowers especially Roses whereof this Province produces such great quantity that a considerable part of its Revenue is rais'd out of the water made of them The Inhabitants call it Gulap whence it may be well imagin'd that the Word Iulip comes and they drive a great Trade with it especially at Ispahan Those who Trade most in it are the Lurs who are a sort of people by themselves distinguish'd from the other Persians by what they wear about their Heads which is a kind of Coiffure that is longer and narrower than the ordinary Turbants and there is fasten'd to it a tuft or tassel which hangs down over the Back There is also in this Province a Drugg very soverain against the Worms which is called Daru Kirman as well upon accompt of the Province as also hence that the Word Kirman signifies a Worm And concerning this there is a story of one of their Kings who being in the fields on Horse-back heard himself call'd by his own name He look'd back as if he had heard the voice behind him and seeing only a dead man's skull half rotten upon the ground and doubting the voice proceeded thence he asked who it was The skull answer'd that that was all was left of what he had sometime been that he had worn a Crown as well as himself and had Conquer'd several great Provinces but that desirous to add to his other Conquests that of Kirman he had been over-come and eaten exhorting him to reflect on what he had seen and to make his advantage of that Philosophy The Province is barren enough towards the North having on that side abundance of heathy grounds but towards the Sea-side it is very fertil It s principal Cities are Birsir Bermasir Bem Chabis Tzirest Kamron and Ormus Kamron is a Sea-port whence it is many times called Bender or Bender Kamron Ormus by the Persians called Hormous is an Island three Leagues distant from the Continent but of these two places the Reader will have a further accompt in the first Book of Mandelso's Travels into the Indies There is comprehended also under the Province of Kirman that of Mekeran wherein are the Cities of Firh Kitz and Chalak Chusistan is the same which was heretofore called Susiana and in the time of the Hebrews Elam It lies between the Province of Fars and the River Dilsel and its Metropolis was Susa famous for the Vision which the Prophet Daniel had there concerning the determination of the Persian Monarchy and the beginning of the Grecian It is now called Desu It was also in these parts that the palace of Susa stood upon the River Vlai where King Ahasuerus King over twenty seven Provinces made his great Feast It s chief Cities are Ahawas Ramchormus Scabur Askar and Arhan The heats in these
to his Successor who hath as yet done nothing therein If Aaly the Patron and great Saint of the Persians had liv'd in that time he might have done Schach-Abas a very great kindness by opening that Rock at one blow with his Sword and so made way for the River as he sometime did according to the Relations of the Persians in the Province of Karabach where he made a passage for the River Aras through the Mountain which he opened with his Sword and which upon that occasion is to this day called Aaly deressi that is the streights of Aaly The City of Ispahan was twice destroy'd by Tamberlane once when he took it from the King of Persia and the other when the said City would have revolted from him and become Subject to its lawfull Prince Ios. Barbaro who Travell'd into Persia in the year 1471. sayes that about twenty years before Chotza whom he calls Giausa King of Persia desirous to punish this City for its Rebellion commanded his Soldiers not to come thence unless they brought with them the Heads of some of the Inhabitants of Ispahan and that the Soldiers who met not every day with Men cut off Womens heads shav'd them and so brought them to Chotza and that by this means the City was so depopulated that there were not people enough left to fill the sixth part of it It began to recover it self under Schach-Isinael 11. but indeed it was Schach-Abas by translating the seat of his Empire from Caswin to this City brought it to the height it is now in not only by adorning it with many fair both publick and private Structures but also by peopling it with a great number of Families which he brought along with him out of several other Provinces of the kingdome But what contributes most to the greatness of this City is the Metschids or their Mosqueies the Market-places the Basar the publick Baths and the Palaces of Great Lords that have some relation to the Court but especially the fair Gardens whereof there is so great a number that there are many Houses have two or three and hardly any but hath at least one The expences the Persians are at in their Gardens is that wherein they make greatest ostentation of their Wealth Not that they much mind the furnishing of them with delightful Flowers as we do in Europe but these they slight as an excessive Liberality of Nature by whom their common fields are strew'd with an infinite number of Tulips and other Flowers but they are rather desirous to have their Gardens full of all sorts of Fruit-Trees and especially to dispose them into pleasant Walks of a kind of Plane or Poplar a Tree not known in Europe which the Persians call Tzinnar These Trees grow up to the height of the Pine and have very broad Leaves not much unlike those of the Vine Their fruit hath some resemblance to the Chestnut while the outer coat is about it but there is no Kernel within it so that it is not to be eaten The wood thereof is very brown and full of Veins and the Persians use it in Doors and shutters for Windows which being rubb'd with Oyl look incomparably better than any thing made of Wall-nut Tree nay indeed than the Root of it which is now so much esteem'd All things in their Gardens are very delightful but above all their Fountains The Basins or Receptacles of them are very large and most of Marble or Free-stone There are belonging to them many Chanels of the same stone which conveigh the water from one Basin to another and serve to water the Garden Persons of Quality nay indeed many rich Merchants build in their Gardens Summer-houses or a kind of Gallery or Hall which is enclos'd with a row of Pillars whereto they add at the four corners of the main Structure so many with-drawing-rooms or Pavilions where they take the air according to the wind then reigning And this they take so much delight in that many times these Summer-houses are handsomer built and better furnish'd than those wherein they ordinarily live 'T is true their Great-mens Houses and Palaces are very Magnificent within but there is not any thing so ugly without in regard most of their Houses are built only of Earth or Brick bak'd in the Sun Their houses are in a manner square and most have four stories accounting the ground-room for one They call the Cellar and such places belonging to a house as are under ground Sirsemin the ground-rooms of the house Chane the first story Kuschk the second Tzauffe and the third Kesser and they call the open Halls Eiwan Their Windows are commonly as big as their Doors and in regard their buildings are not very high the frames ordinarily reach up to the Roof They have not yet the use of Glass but in Winter they cover the frames of their Windows which are made like Lattices with oyl'd Paper There is also little Wood in Persia I mean in most of its Provinces that not being able to keep any great fire they make use of Stoves but they are otherwise made than those of Germany In the midst of their low rooms they make a hole in the ground of about the compass of an ordinary Kettle which they fill with burning Coals or Char-coal and put over it a plank or little low Table cover'd with a large Carpet Sitting according to their custom upon the ground they thrust their feet under the Table and draw the Carpet over their Body up to the breast so as that the heat is thereby kept in Some pass away the nights also thus accommodated and so they procure a very natural heat with little fire and they imagine it to be the more wholsom in that it troubles not the head which in the mean time hath the benefit of a fresh and healthy air They call this kind of Stoves Tenuer and that the brain might not be offended by Vapours which Char-coal commonly sends up into the head they have certain Passages and Conduits under ground through which the air draws them away Persons of mean Quality and such as are saving dress their meat with these Tenuers and make use of them instead of an Oven and bake Bread and Cakes over them There is not a house in Ispahan but hath its Court which a man must cross ere he comes into the house They say that heretofore the streets of Ispahan were so broad that twenty horse might have rid a-breast in any of them But now especially since the City began to be re-peopled in the time of Schach-Abas they husbanded their ground better especially in the heart of the City near the Maidan and the Basar insomuch that the streets are become so narrow that if a man meets a Mule-driver whom they call Charbende that is a servant to look to the Asses who many times drives twenty Mules or more before him he must step into some shop and stay there
Soldier could not brook an affront in his own house stood upon the defensive and gave the Ambassador such a blow over the arm with his stick that he was forc'd to cry out for help His Domesticks came in upon the noise and gave the Kisilbach such a beating that he was mortally wounded and had much ado to crawl into the next house to avoid their further fury The Ambassador notwithstanding all this would needs make his complaint to the Mehemandar of the insolence of the Kisilbach whereto the other reply'd that he knew not what to do in the business that he had no power over the Kisilbachs that the Superiour Officer was not there to give him satisfaction and withall this that he who had injur'd him had receiv'd such a chastisement as he thought he could hardly ever recover and that if he were not satisfy'd he might do himself what further satisfaction he thought fit Brugman presuming upon this permission immediately sent to plunder the Kisilbach's house and order'd his horse and arms to be brought away The next day he got together all the retinue and caus'd it to be publish'd by sound of Drum that all should get on horse-back in order to their departure out of the Village and that all who should stay there after the Ambassadors were gone might do it at their own peril Not one of the Company knew his design no not his Collegue but it was soon discover'd when he himself being got on horse-back and making a halt before the Ambassador's Lodging told the Mehemandar that he should bring forth the man who had struck him the day before The Mehemandar told him he was so dangerously wounded that he was not able to rise but the Ambassador not satisfy'd with that answer order'd him to be brought thither in a Coverlet and notwithstanding the mediation of the other Persians who with great submissions begg'd the Kisilbach's pardon he commanded an Armenian who was an Interpreter for the Turkish Language named Mark-Filerossein to beat him with a great Cudgel after the same manner as he had been beaten the day before This merciless Rogue gave him one blow over the arm and another upon the side wherewith he dispatch'd the poor Kisilbach who stirr'd a little afterwards but when the Armenian would by order from Brugman have prosecuted the execution he found the man quite dead The Ambassador seeing him in that posture said 't is very well he hath what he deserv'd and thereupon turning to the Mehemandar and the other Persians he told them that if Schach-Sefi did not revenge him for the affront be had receiv'd he would return again in a short time so well attended that he should do himself satisfaction The other Soldiers made it appear by their demeanour that they wanted neither will nor courage to express their resentment of the injury done them and cut all our throats and I know not whether it were the presence of the Mehemandar that prevented them from doing it but certain it is that it would have been no hard matter for them to do it and that it was the effect of a miraculous providence that we escap'd that misfortune We travell'd that day which was the 13. of February two leagues over the Heath of Mokan and lodg'd that night at Oba in Shepherds hurts The Mehemandar who had staid behind in the Village overtook us at night and brought us word that the Kisilbach was dead and demanded of the Ambassador Brugman the Horse Arms and other things which he had from the deceas'd person to be sent to his Widdow and Children whom he had left in a very sad condition I observ'd that morning that the Sun rose towards East-south-east and consequently that the Load-stone declin'd 24. degrees from the North towards the West and at Oba I found the Sun at noon at the height of forty degrees forty eight minutes and consequently that the elevation of the Pole under that Meridian was thirty nine degrees twenty eight minutes The Sea-coast lay from South-west to North-east and we had a sight of the mountain of Scamachie towards the North. As concerning the Heath of Mokan it is held to be sixty Farsangs in length and twenty in breadth The Turks call it Mindunluck that is a thousand wayes or thousand holes at which the smoak comes out and the Persians Mogan or Mokan It is inhabited by several peoples and families whose Predecessors having born Arms under the command of Iesid against Hossein were banish'd into this Desert and they are not permitted to live either in Cities or Villages In Summer they encamp at the foot of the Mountain and in Winter they lodge in Tents upon the Heath They subsist by their Cattel but so poorly that it is as much as they can do Whence it comes that they are called Sumek Rajeti either for that from bone to bone that is from Father to Son they are subject to the King no otherwise than as the most miserable Slaves are or that they have hardly left them wherewith to cover their bones They are a kind of Savages and their chief families are called Chotze Tschaubani Tekle Elmenku Hatzikasilu Sulthan baschelu Carai Ardenduschenlu Chaletz c. I speak in another particular Treatise of the origine of these families and the manner of life of these people The 14. we travell'd three leagues drawing towards the North and lodg'd at night among the Hatzicasilu We saw in a Chapel by the way the Sepulchre of Bairam Tekle Obasi He was the famous Robber who liv'd in the time of Schach Abas who coming to be head of a strong party of Toryes did abundance of mischief to the Bassa Tzakal Ogli who was entred Persia with a Turkish Army insomuch that there hardly pass'd a day but he sent some Turks heads to the King These little advantages and the booty he got improv'd his retinue to the number of twelve thousand men who did the Turks more mischief than the Royal Army could Schach-Abas requited his services by honouring him with the quality of Chan and bestowing on him the revenue of certain Villages and some Lands to maintain the new Dignity We lodg'd that night in Hurts and were hardly laid down ere we heard the noise of a great volley of small shot which gave us a hot alarm and oblig'd us to put our selves into a posture of defence in expectation of some engagement We thought at first that the Kisilbachs had a design to revenge the cruelty which the Ambassador Brugman had exercis'd the day before on one of their Camerades but we understood soon after that what had been done was by order from the Muscovian Poslanick purposely to frighten the Ambassador Brugman though he would make us believe it was to honour him out of an imagination he seem'd to have that it was the said Ambassador's birth-day The 15. we travell'd eight leagues along the Heath and lodg'd within a quarter of a league of the River Aras
of the Court is seated on the River Menam which makes an Island entirely taken up by that City having on the River-side a strong sufficient wall for about two Leagues in compass and the Suburbs on both sides the River as well built and adorn'd with Temples and Palaces as the Town it self Here are divers very fair Streets with Channels regularly cut but withall there are some which are neither large nor fair though the River crosses the Town in so many places that there is scarce a house but may be gone to by boat The Houses here as generally all over the Indies are but of ordinary building and for the most part covered with Tiles There are within the Town above three hundred fair Mosqueys or Chappels with gilt Steeples or Pyramides which at a distance yield a glorious prospect with abundance of Pagodes of all sorts of Metals The Palace which is as it were a City of it self within the other hath its Towers and Pyramides gilt so as the City of India may be said to be as beautiful as large and as populous as any City in India nevertheless I will not affirm what Fernando Mendez Pinto writes that it contains within its Circuit four hundred thousand Families whereof three quarters are Siamezes but thus much I can add that the City hath this advantage that it is impregnable for being of it self strong enough to indure any Siege for many moneths it hath an infallible relief which never fails at six moneths end by reason that the River overflowing no Line can withstand it nor no Camp can be so strong but must dislodge The King of Siam that now reigns and who amongst his other Titles takes that of Precau Salcu that is Sacred Member of God holds the Crown from his Ancestors who have possessed it for many Ages and next to the Mogul this Prince can reckon more Kings of his Family then any Prince of the Indies He is absolute Monarch in his Dominions solely disposing with an Independant Authority of all Affairs of his Kingdom He makes War and Peace imposes Taxes on his Subjects creates Magistrates sets value on Money and makes Laws and Statutes without the consent or advice either of States or Lords He allows them to consider of such Affairs as come to their knowledge and to offer him their Advice by way of Remonstrance but he reserves to himself the Power to approve or reject what he pleases These Noble men are called Mandorins and are there as the Privy Council a quality the King bestows on whom he pleases as he doth of all other Honours in the Kingdom without regard either to birth or merit because his Subjects are his Slaves and the King is Master of all they possess even their very lives whereof he hath power to dispose to his service and advantage 'T is true that in this as in deposing the Mandorins from their Dignities and reducing them to the rank of their fellow Subjects he observes some appearance of Equity by following in some measure the Laws of the Kingdom but being above the Law he explicates and executes it as he pleases The Prince is exceeding magnificent in his Apparel and Train but his State appears in nothing more then his manner of living For the people who seldom see him have a peculiar Veneration for his Person nor do the Grandees and Officers scarce ever come into his presence When he gives Audience he sits most gloriously habited on a Throne of Gold with a Crown on his head and at his feet the Officers and Gentlemen of the Houshold on their knees and not far from him a Guard of three hundred Souldiers No one speaks to him but on the knee and they who come for audience present themselves in this sort their hands being lifted above their head and making to him ever and anon most low reverences The continual inclinations that are made him and the Titles given him must likewise be accompanied with oblieging speeches and attributions beyond what either greatness or goodness can deserve His Answers are receiv'd as Oracles and his Orders executed without delay or dispute He hath in every Province of his Kingdom his Palaces and Gardens when he removes his Houshold he hath with him a number of Elephants loaden with Tents to be pitched when he comes to places fit to rest in He hath but one Wife to whom they give the Title of Queen but he hath an infinite number of Concubines which are chosen for him out of the fairest Virgins of the Kingdom He feeds very high but drinks only Water because the Laws both Civil and Ecclesiastical prohibit the use of Wine to Persons of Quality when he pleases to recreate himself upon the River he goes in a splendid gilt Barge under a Canopy of Brocadoe attended by some of his Domesticks and a Guard of three or four hundred in seven or eight other Barges which have each of them fourscore or a hundred Slaves to row The Noblemen who follow and are sometimes to the number of a thousand or twelve hundred have each their several Barge The like is done when the King goes from his Palace into the City Then he sits in a Chair of Gold born on the shoulders of ten or twelve Waiters having marching before him many Elephants and Horses richly harnessed in this sort marching with a slately and grave pace while the people prostrate themselves to him and render him the same honours they might do to God himself He appears particularly in his greatest Magnificence on a certain day in October designed for this Ceremony On this day he appears both in the City and upon the River to make a procession to one of his chiefest Mosquees whither he goes to sacrifice and to do his Devotions for the prosperity of the State In the head of this procession march about two hundred Elephants each of them carrying three arm'd Men then comes the Musick consisting of Hoboyes Tabours and Cimbals next come about a thousand Men compleatly arm'd divided into several Companies that have their Colours and Banners Next to these follow many Noble men on horseback and amongst them some with Crowns of Gold upon their Heads with a Train of fourscore or a hundred persons on foot Betwixt these Noble men and the Life-guard march two hundred Souldiers Iaponeses all very well cloath'd and go immediately before the Horses and Elephants which are for the Kings particular use their harness made with Buckles and Studs of Gold set with Diamonds and other precious Stones The Servants who bear the Fruits and other things for the Sacrifice march before certain Grandees of the Kingdom whereof one bears the Kings Standard the other the Scepter of Justice These walk on foot immediately before the King who sits mounted on an Elephant in a Chair of Gold The Prince his Son or some other Prince of the Bloud follows next after him and then comes the Queen and the Kings
hundred German Leagues This miraculous Structure is continued without any interruption unless it be near the City of Siven in the Province of Peking where an inaccessible Mountain supplies its place and defends the Kingdom against the invasion of the Tartars as well as the Wall it self It hath Gates and Sluces for the passage of the Rivers which come out of Tartary and hath Houses Redoubts and Forts from place to place for the quartering of the Souldiers appointed for the keeping of it in which work the Emperour of China employs a million of men It is about thirty Cubits high and about twelve and in some places fifteen thick The Chineses call it Vanli Ching that is a Rampier or Wall of ten thousand Stadia rather to express an extraordinary work then assign the just greatness of it by any certain measure since that two hundred and fifty Stadia of that Country making a Degree it would follow that the said Wall must take up forty Degrees that is more ground then all China does They say it was built by Xius King or Emperour of China chief of the Family of Cina who having usurped the Kingdom from the Princes of the House of Cheva causâ—d that Wall to be made as well to satisfie his own humour which was to be magnificent in his Buildings as to prevent the Incursions of the Tartars over whom he had many Advantages He began it in the year 1215. which was the 22. of his Reign and imploy'd so many men about it that it was finished in less then five years The Province of Xantung hath towards the North that of Peking and the Gulf of Cang towards the East the Sea towards the South the Province of Nanking from which it is divided by the River Croceus and the Sea and towards the West the Channel of Iun which joyns those two Rivers and hath twenty Sluces as also the River Guei All these Rivers make this Province so fertile that they say one year brings forth as much as will sustain it ten years afterwards and that it may communicate to its Neighbours the Wheat Millet Rice Barley and Pulse which the Inhabitants cannot consume Poultry and Eggs may be had there in a manner for nothing Feasants Partridges Quails and Hares are very cheap and for less then three pence a man may buy ten pound of fish But what this Province is most remarkable for is Silk which here is not got by the pains people take in other places in keeping Silk-worms but it grows in the fields upon Trees where certain Worms like Caterpillars blow it not in a Cod but in white threads which are found upon the Hedges and may be used as advantageously as the ordinary Silk though it be somewhat courser It hath six great Cities to wit Cinan Yenchen Fungchang Cingcheu Teugeheu and Laicheu seventy two other considerable ones and comprehends in 770555. Families near seven millions of persons It contributes yearly 2812179. Sacks of Corn 54990. pieces of Silk-stuffs 52449. pounds of Cotton and 3824290. Trusses of Hay and Straw besides the duties paid there which amount to above ten millions of Gold The Province of Honan derives its name from its scituation it being seated towards the South of the River Croceus for the word Honan signifies towards the South of the River It hath on the East the Province of Nanking North and North-east those of Xantung and Peking North-west that of Xansi towards the West that of Xensi and towards the South the Province of Huquang This Province lies in the middle of this great Territory and is so delightful that the Chineses say it is in China what Italy is in Europe and Tourain in France It comprehends in eight great Cities and a hundred less considerable ones 589296. Families consisting of above 5000000. of persons The eight Cities are Caifang Queite Changte Gueihoâ—i Hoaiking Honan Nanyang and Iuning It contributes yearly 2414477. Sacks of Corn 23509. pound of raw Silk 9959. pieces of Silk-stuffs 341. pieces of Cotton-stuffs and 288744. Trusses of Hay and Straw The Province of Suchuen that is four waters is one of the greatest of all China and in regard it is a Frontier-Province towards the Indies it thence comes that the Inhabitants are somewhat of the humour of the Indians It hath towards the East the Province of Huquang towards the South-east that of Queicheu South that of Iunnan West the Kingdom of Tibet and towards the North and North-west the Province of Xensi and the people whom they call Coningâ—angi and Kiang It hath eight great Cities which are Chingiu Paoning Xunking Siuscheu Chunking Queicheu Lunggan and Mabu one hundred twenty four lesser Cities besides other four which are fortified and contains in 464129. Families above 2200000. men It pays 6106660. Sacks of Rice 6339. pound of Silk 749117. Quintals of Salt The true Radix Sina which the Chineses call Folin as also the wild kind of it is found only in the Province of Suchuen and grows there under the Earth much like Toad-stools or rather as that fruit which the Indians call Patatas or Potatoes Some are of opinion that it is bred of the Gum which falls from the Pine-trees which taking root forms a fruit of the bigness of the Indian Nut or Cocos having a white meat within which the Chineses use with good success in Medicine This Province brings forth also the best Rhubarb and great store of yellow Amber The Province of Huquang that is extended Lake derives its name from the Lake of Tungting and hath towards the North the Province of Honan on the North that of Nanking towards the East that of Kiangsi towards the South that of Quangsi toward the South-west that of Queicheu and towards the West that of Suchueu It comprehends in fifteen great and a hundred and eight less considerable Cities 531686 Families and near five millions of persons It s great Cities are Vuchang Hanyang Siangyang Tegang Hoangcheu Kingcheu Yocheu Changxa Paoking Hengcheu Changte Xincheu Iuncheu Chinthieu Chingyang It contributes yearly 2167559. Sacks of Rice and 17977. pieces of Silk-Stuffs The Province of Kiangsi hath towards the East those of Nanking and Fokien towards the South part of the same Province of Fokien and of that of Quantung towards the West the Province of Huquang and towards the North part of that of Nanking This Province is so populous and the people thereof multiplies so strangely that it in a manner supplies all the Provinces of the Kingdom for which reason the Chineses call them Kiangsois Rats It hath twelve great Cities and sixty seven lesser ones wherein are numbred above 1136659. Families and in them above 6550000. persons It s chief Cities are called Nanchang Iocheu Quangsin Nankang Kienkiang Kienchang Vucheu Linkiang Xuicheu Iuvencheu Cancheu and Nangan It contributes yearly 1616600. Sacks of Rice 8230. pound of raw Silk and 10â—516
only out of this Province There is such abundance of Ships in Fokien that it is reported that heretofore when the Emperour of China intended a war against the Iaponneses the Inhabitants of this Province proffered to furnish him with as many Boats as would make a Bridge between that Island and the Continent of China Every City almost of this Province hath its particular Language and that so different from what is spoken in any other City that they can hardly understand one the other nay they are ignorant of the common Language of the Country which all persons of any quality speak in the other Provinces The Province of Quantung is also one of the most Maritime Provinces of all China It hath towards the West-north-west the Kingdom of Tunking North-west the Province of Quangsi North those of Huquang and Kiangsi and North-east that of Fokien All the rest of it lies upon the Sea It hath ten great Cities to wit Quangcheu Xaocheu Nanbiung Hoeicheu Chaocheu Chaoking Kaocheu Kiencheu Luicheu and Kiuncheu and seventy two lesser ones and among the rest that of Macao whereof we shall have somewhat to say elsewhere There are numbred in it 443360. Families and near two millions of persons and it contributes 1017772. Sacks of Rice and 37380. Quintals of Salt besides what it payes in ready money The Chineses affirm that there are in this Province three things which are not to be seen elsewhere to wit Mountains without Snow Trees perpetually green and Men who spit bloud in regard their Spittle is of a reddish colour occasioned by their continuall chewing of Bettele and Areca To this may be added that there is no other Province in all China so rich in Gold Pearls Precious Stones Silk Tin Quicksilver Sugar Copper Iron Steel Saltpeter Calambac-wood c. as this is It hath this further particularity that the Musket and Pistol barrels made in that Province never break though never so much over-charged but only open to make way for what cannot get out at the mouth The Inhabitants are more industrious in imitation then invention but they are so excellent at the former that no Manufacture or rarity can be brought thither out of these parts which they will not do as well as the Europeans and among others they are so great Masters in all Gold-smiths work that what is done in Europe comes not near theirs The City of Macao or Amagao that is Good Haven is famous on this account that only the Portuguez trade thither excluding all others and that it is the Episcopal Seat of all those parts Their particular trading is with the City of Quancheu whither they are permitted to come twice a year to the Fair at which time they put off thirteen hundred Chests of Silk-stuffs Sattins Damasks c. Every Chest containing a hundred and fifty pieces and carry thence for them two thousand five hundred Wedges of Gold of ten Toels each that is a hundred and thirty Crowns eight hundred pound of Musk and abundance of Gold Thread Silk Pearls precious Stones and several other Commodities which they carry to Malacca and Goa to be thence distributed into other parts of the World The Province of Quangsi is not so large nor so fertile as the forementioned yet hath it eleven great Cities to wit Queillen the Metropolis Lieuchou Kingyen Pinglo Gucheu Cincheu Nanning Taiping Suming Chingan and Tienchen which have under their jurisdiction ninety nine lesser ones It hath East and North-east the Province of Quantung North that of Queicheu South and South-west the Kingdom of Tunking or Gunan and West that of Iunnan They number in it 186719. Families and above 1500000. men and contributes 431359 Sacks of Rice The Province of Queicheu is the least considerable of all the Provinces of China as containing but eight ordinary Cities to wit Queiang Sucheu Sunan Chiniven Xecien Tunggin Liping and Tucho which have four other lesser Cities under them It hath but 45305. Families and about 200000. men The Country is hilly and uneven so that it yielding but little Corn it contributes but 47658. Sacks of Rice and 5900 pieces of Linnen-cloth But there is not any Province affords more Quicksilver or breeds better Horses then this doth Heretofore this made not a Province by it self but depended partly on that of Suchuen partly on that of Huguang whereof the one is towards the North and North-west of it and the other North-east The Province of Quangsi is its Frontier towards the South and South-east and that of Iunnan towards the West The Province of Iunnan is the most Westerly Province of all China for it hath East and North-east the Provinces of Quangsi and Quincheu North that of Suchuen North-west the Kingdom of Tibet South-west that of Mien and South and South-east that of Laos and part of Tunking This is no doubt one of the richest Provinces of the Kingdom and there would be more Gold found in it if the Veins of the Earth were a little more opened It affords also yellow Amber Rubies Saphirs Agats Musk Silk Benjamin excellent Horses Elephants c. It hath eleven great Cities to wit Iunnan Tali Lingan Cubiung Chinkiang Munghoa Quangnan Quanst Chinisien Iungning and Xunning under which are eighty four lesser Cities There are number'd in it 132958. Families and about 1433000. men and it contributes 1400568. Sacks of Rice and 56965. Quintals of Salt By the vast extent we have assign'd the Kingdom of China it may be judg'd that its Provinces lying in so different Climates it must follow that the Qualities of its Air and Soil are also different Accordingly there is so vast a difference between the Inhabitants of the Island of Hainan which is in the Torrid Zone and part of the Province of Quantung which comes near it and those of the Province of Peking which is the more Northerly of all China that a man might take the one for the Moors of Fez in Barbary and the others for Germans or Suedes I speak as to their colour for these are white those black and there are some more or less swarthy according as the Provinces they live in are more or less Southerly and Northerly The same difference is to be observed in the Fruits For the more Southerly Provinces bring forth Cocoes Bannana's and such other Fruits as grow only in hot Countreys and others bring forth Figs Apples Pears Chesnuts and such Fruits as are common in Europe But it may be said in general of China that there is not any other Country more pleasant or more fertile then it 'T is true it is much obliged to Nature from whose liberality it hath Gold Silver precious Stones Musk Silk Salt and all sorts of precious Gums and Drugs but it must be confessed withall that it is the labour and industry of the Inhabitants and the mildness of its Government which occasions this
relations and friends of his Son in Law and the next day those of the Bride The Feasting being over the Husband delivers to his Wife in the presence of her kindred the Portion he promised her and she gives it her Father or Mother as a requital of the pains they had taken in her Education so that by this means such as have most Daughters are the happiest especially if they be handsom Maids are married very young and the Father may dispose of the Dower given his Daughter if any necessity oblige him thereto but if he keep it it is due to the Daughter all the other Children being excluded from having any benefit thereof Polygamy is lawful among them but incest severely forbidden in a direct line to infinitie and in a collateral to Sisters and Nieces The first is the only lawful Wife the rest Concubines insomuch that they do not only not live in the same Lodgings with the first but also her eldest Son Inherits as much of the Estate himself as all the rest put together If the first wife have no Son or having any if he die before the Father the eldest by the other wives succeeds him in his right and represents the heir apparent of the Family A man seldom hears of any Adulteries committed among them for the women are kept in such restraint that they are in a manner inaccessible The Husband hath the same power as in other places to kill the Adulteress and her Gallant if he take them in the Act but in regard it is a self-ended and self-conceited Nation they choose rather to make their advantage otherwise of such an accident then defame themselves by a severity which saves their reputation only in appearance The Government of the King the Emperour of China is Monarchical and it may be said to be in some respect despotical in as much as the Soveraign is so absolute that no Law checks his Power and yet his Government is so mild that there is not any Democracy where the Inhabitants are less burthen'd then they are in China Nothing is more destructive to a State and more obliges Princes to have recourse to extraordinary wayes to the cost of their Subjects then War Whence it comes that the Kings of China considering that no forreign War can be carried on but at the cost of the people and that by that means the foundations of a House are dig'd up to cover the roof of it have made it a Fundamental Law that no War should be made to extend the Frontiers of the Kingdoms And to the end their Subjects may give forreigners no occasion of making any War against their Countrey they are forbidden upon pain of Death to go out of it without express permission from the Prince or Governour of the Frontiers They call their Emperour Tie'neu that is Son of Heaven or Son of God not that they believe him descended from Heaven but being the chiefest of men they look on him as a gift of Heaven and a person dear to the Gods He assumes to himself the quality of Hoang which signifies Emperour of dirt or earth so to be distinguished from Xanhi who is the great Emperour of the Universe They say that he who first took the name of Hoangthir lived many ages before the birth of our Saviour and that his successours were desirous to continue the same name as they did who succeeded Iulius Caesar in the Empire That dignity is hereditary in the Family of him who now Reigns so as that the eldest Son only succeeds him the younger brothers being wholly excluded who yet have the Title of King and a Royal retinue with some City of their demean where they are lodg'd and treated as Kings but have so little Authority that the Governour who hath it wholly himself suffers them not so much as to go out of the City nay le ts them have their allowance but quarterly lest having it paid in altogether they might employ it in making friends to the disturbance of the Publick The Councel of State consists of twelve Councellours and a President who next the King hath most Authority Besides this there are in the City of Xuntien six other Councellours to wit one for the administration of Justice which they call Lyp'u The second for the Revenue which they call Hup'u The third for Ceremonies which are essential in that Kingdom and is also called Lyp'u The fourth for Military Affairs and is called Pingp'u The fifth for publick Structures called Cungp'u And the sixth for criminal affairs called Hingp'u The Councellours employed in these Counsels deliberate about those things whereof they are to take Cognizance and come to some resolution but they neither publish nor execute any thing without the Emperours express permission who reserves the decision thereof to himself as indeed he doth that of all other affairs of the Kingdom Once in three years he sends Visitors into all the Provinces who particularly inquire into the lives and actions of the Governours and the state of the Provinces whereof they make him a faithful report and by this means he perfectly knows what is done all over the Kingdom though he never stirs out of his place The members of that Councel of State which they call Colao or Caisiang that is Auxiliary Governours or Ministers of State are all Philosophers and most of them well skil'd in Astrology inasmuch as it is expected they should fore-see the Events of things not only by the help of civil Prudence but also by the course of the Stars which they think more infallible then those of reason grounded on experience The President of this Councel and in his absence the most ancient Councellour reports to the King the debates of the Councel speaking to him on his knees and looking down to the ground never lifting up his eyes though the audience should last two hours All the Provinces of China have a Viceroy whom they call Comon only Peking and Nanking excepted which are Royal Provinces and have only Governours whom they call Insuanto's and are as King's Lieutenants inasmuch as they have the chief Authority in the Province next the Viceroy yet each within his own jurisdiction which extends only over the great Cities where they reside and the lesser ones which depend on them These last have also their Governours whom they call Tutuam and the Portuguez Mandorines They call him who is receiver of the King's Revenue in a Province Ponchasi him who commands the Soldiery thereof Toloc The President for the Administration of Justice Anchasi and the chief of a Councel of War Aytao All these Officers have their several Counsels who all meet in the Vice-roys Palace who takes Cognizance of all Affairs passed therein and if they be of importance he sends an Express to give notice thereof to the President of the Councel of State The most eminent persons next the President whom they call Colao are
the more inclinable to accept what was proffer'd him since there was no other choice to make for as to Lizungzo it could never be known what became of that Villain Vsanguei's declaring himself satisfied with what had been proffer'd him by the Tartars facilitated their Conquest of the Provinces of Peking Xansi and Xantung which they possessed themselves of in less then a years time and settled themselves therein allowing the Inhabitants their Laws Magistrates and manner of life and reserving only to themselves military employments and the defence of places In the interim the Southerly Provinces had raised a powerful Army which they sent to the Emperours relief but upon the first news brought them of the reduction of Peking and the death of Zungchini they remanded their Army with all the Boats which carried the yearly Provisions and Contributions to the Court and hearing of the Invasion of the Tartars they proceeded to the election of another Emperour of the House of Taiming whom they called Hungquang Nephew to Vanlie and Cousin to Zungehini This man began his Reign with a solemn Embassie which he sent to the Tartars to demand a Peace and to proffer them the Northerly Provinces of the Kingdom Amahan whom the Chineses call Amauang made answer that the Tartars never received from any one what they were already possessed of that if the Chineses had made choice of an Emperour it was their business to protect him and that for their parts they would have all or nothing During the time of this Negotiation there came into play a Prince who gave himself out to be the eldest Son of the Emperour Zungehini and was acknowledged to be the same person by several Grandees of the Court But Hungquang imprisoned him with an intention to have him strangled to the great dissatisfaction of those who thence took occasion to revolt so that the Tartars made their advantage of him to get into the Province of Nanking Hungquang sent against them a powerful Army but it ran away without ever engaging upon the first sight of the Tartars getting into the Boats to cross the River Upon that defeat all the Cities of the Province on this side the River Kiang submitted save only that of Yangcheu into which Zu Coloa was got with some Forces who made a vigorous resistance but such as prov'd the destruction of the City which was burnt purposely to bury in its ashes their bodies who had been kill'd for fear of infecting the Air. The Metropolis was yet in the power of Hungquan who kept the Tartars from crossing the Kiang by a good Fleet he had under the Command of Hoangchoang who had already gaind many advantages over the Tartars and put them out of all hope of crossing the River when he was kill'd with an Arrow by one of his own people named Thien who had been corrupted by the Tartars This may be said to have been China's fatal blow since that upon the Generals death the Army fled and the Tartars passing the River immediately pursued Hungquang and having taken him by the treachery of the said Thien they sent him to Peking where they strangled him in Iune 1644. They also put to death the young man who pretended himself Zunchini's Son whom they found in prison and with him all the other Princes of the Royal house of Tayning that fell into their hands Most of the Lords who escaped these defeats met together in the City of Hangcheu in the Province of Chekiang the greatest of any in the whole Country with a design to give the utmost expression they could of their fidelity and courage They had chosen Emperour one of the Royal Family named Louang but ere he had reign'd three dayes the Tartarian Army was come to the Gates of the City and the Garrison which was 〈◊〉 much inclined to fight demanded their pay so that Louang out of all hope to prevent the taking of the City would preserve it and the Inhabitants by a voluntary delivery of himself to the Tartars who strangled him and suffered not that noble City to be plundered They took in the same Province the great City of Xoaking and were likely to have made a powerful settlement there had they not been so imprudent as to oblige the Chineses to shave themselves but they found them so resolutely bent on the contrary that the Chineses who had taken the loss of their Country with so much indifference chose rather to lose their Lives then their Hair They beat the Tartars out of the City of Xoaking forc'd them to repass the River C'enthaeng and no doubt had retaken the City of Hangcheu had they had the courage to pursue them They thought it enough to entrench themselves on the River side and own'd the Authority of a Lord of the House of Tayming named Lu who assumed the Quality of Restaurator of the County and refused that of the Emperour About this time the Officers and Souldiers who retired out of the Province of Chekiang into that of Fokien chose another Emperour named Thang who writ to Lu that he should own him for his Soveraign in regard he was the nearer of Kin to the deceased Emperour This division brought the Tartars to be absolute Masters of all China for these two Princes refusing to joyn their Forces together against the common Enemy the Tartars set upon Lu and forc'd him to retire into the Island of Cheuxan over against the City of Ningpo which had hardly been peopled had it not been for that Defeat They found it no harder matter to conquer the Province of Fokien though it be divided from those of Quantung Kiangsi and Chekiang by Mountains which six thousand men have kept against all the Forces of Tartary The Emperour himself who had assum'd the name of Longuu that is warlike Dragon fled and was kill'd as is conceiv'd by the Tartars who pursued him They had divided their Army into two Bodies whereof one was got into Fokien as we said before the other had passed through the Provinces of Hungquang and Kiangsi so that they met much about the same time in that of Quantung where they again divided one part being commanded into Peking the other into the Province of Quangsi Their easie conquest of Fokien proceeded partly from the good success that attended their designs where-ever they went but particularly from the correspondence they held with Chincilug who had the command of Longuu's Army in that Country He had sometime been an Interpreter and a kind of Broker to the Portuguez Castilians and Dutch at Macao the Philippine Islands and that of Fermosa under the name of Iquon Giving over that employment he turned Pyrat and by that means became so powerful that having obtained or rather extorted an Act of Oblivion from the Emperour of China he forced him to suffer him to carry on the Trade of the whole Kingdom keeping the Sea with a Fleet of
or the Canaries but this hinders not but it may be affirmed that Salt and Oyl only excepted which are brought thither from Portugal this Island hath not only what is necessary but also what may be accounted delicacy since that besides the Wheat whereof there is sufficient to maintain all the Inhabitants they have Apples Pears Citrons and Oranges but especially plenty of Peaches and of all the kinds thereof They have also Cherries Plums Walnuts and Chesnuts but not such quantities thereof as of other Fruits Nor do they want any Pulse or Pot-herbs They have also a Fruit they call Battatas which spreads its root just under the uppermost Superficies of the Earth as the Vine does and brings forth a Fruit much like a Raddish save that it is much bigger there being some Roots that weigh a pound or more It is much esteemed in Portugal but in the Island it is of no account so that only the poorer sort live on it They have also a certain Plant which grows up five or six foot high and is fastned to the Earth by an infinite number of Roots yellow as Gold and as small as the Hair of Mans Head The Inhabitants use it instead of Wooll and Feathers to fill their Beds and Mattresses withall but would they take the pains to spin it they might make very good Stuffs thereof Cattle is extreamly multiplied there as also all the several sorts of Poultry brought thither and there are abundance of Quails and such multitudes of little Birds like the Canary Bird that some of the Inhabitants trade in nothing else But there is neither wild Fowl nor Venison and consequently no hunting nor any divertisement of that kind though there be Forrest enough which might be sufficiently stored in a short time The Wheat there is very good but will not keep in so much that they are forc'd to put it under ground to preserve it to the end of the year Whence it comes that every Family hath a pit in some part of the City the entrance whereof was so big that a man may go in into which they dispose their Wheat seal it with the mark and seal of the Owner and leave it there till Christmass and then they have it conveyed to their Houses and put it into Chests of Bull-rushes where it keeps the remainder of the year so as that there is no need of ever stirring it There is no Province in Europe where Oxen are so fair and so strong as in the Island of Tercera or have fairer and larger Horns and they are withall so tame that they impose names upon them as we do on Dogs that they may go or come when they are called To hear the noise which the Rocks make when people go over them as if they were going over a Cellar a man would think the Island were all hollow and its probable that the Air which is raâ—ified in its Concavities occasions the frequent Earthquakes whereto it is subject as are also most of the other Islands There happened so great a one in this of Tercera on the 24. of May 1614. that it overturn'd in the City of Angra eleven Churches and nine Chappels besides private houses and in the City of Prayâ— it prov'd so dreadful that there was hardly a house left standing and the 16. of Iune 1028. there happened so horrible an Earthquake in the Island of Saint Michael that not far from it the Sea opened and thrust forth at a place where there was above a hundred and fifty fathom water an Island above a League and a half in length and above sixty fathom high There are also in these two Islands certain places out of which there issues forth a sulphurous smoak whence it may be inferred there is fire hidden under the earth that gives heat to the Springs of scalding water which are to be seen thereabouts There is a Spring within three Leagues of Angra which petrifies Wood whereof there is an evident demonstration in a Tree the root whereof is absolutely petrified as far as it was covered by the water whereas otherwise it is not changed at all In the Island of Pico there is a certain Wood called Texio which is as hard as Iron and being cut is full of Waves like Chamlet and as red as any Scarlet The Cabinets made of this Wood are so highly esteemed that the Wood is kept for the Kings use Cedar is so common that they do not only make all sorts of Houshold-stuffe thereof but also Waggons and Boats Nay sometimes it serveth for firing The Trade of these parts is not very great for Woad only excepted whereof they make great quantities in these Islands the Inhabitants have few other Commodities to Trade withall unless it be some provisions which they sell to the Ships that are bound for the East-Indies and take in refreshments at these places in their way The Island of Saint Michael whereof we spoke before lies at twenty seven or twenty eight Leagues South-east from the Island of Tercera and is above twenty Leagues in length It s Metropolis is called Punta Delgada and its Soil is incomparably more fertile then that of the other and produces such plenty of Wheat that it is able to relieve its Neighbours There are made yearly in this Island above two hundred thousand Quintals of Woad wherewith the Inhabitants drive a great trade though it hath neither Haven nor Road where Ships may ride secure from all wind Twelve leagues South from that of Saint Michael lies the Island of Saint Mary which is about ten or twelve leagues in compass and affords only Provisions and Potters-earth wherewith the Inhabitants trade into the neighbouring Islands The Island Gratiosa is not above five or six Leagues in compass and lies North-north-east from that of Tercera from which it is about seven or eight leagues distant The pleasantness of it and the Fruits which grow there in great abundance occasioned its having that name given it The Island of Saint George lies about eight or nine Leagues North-west from that of Tercera and is twelve leagues in length and two or three in breadth It affords plenty of Provisions but little Woad The Country is rough and full of Mountains which yeild great store of Cedar wherein the Inhabitants drive a considerable Trade with the Joyners of Tercera where most Tradesman have settled themselves in regard there it is the Ships put in and that they can best put off their Commodities Seven leagues from Saint Georges Island to the South-west lies the Island of Fayal which is seventeen or eighteen Leagues in compass and is no doubt the best of all the Assores next those of Tercera and Saint Michael The Inhabitants drive a considerable Trade in Woad as also in Provisions and Fish whereof they carry whole Caravels loaden to the Island of Tercera where they are distributed among the Fleets which put