was called to the succession of the crowne of England a great happynesse for the strengthening of this amity among the Scots who now with a fitting 〈…〉 inconsiderate bounty and loue the fame more then the possession of riches or else deceiued by the quality of their owne country when they haue attained to such a summe of money as would make them rich for euer in Scotland they grow too secure of future pouerty and doe not vnderstand 〈◊〉 in euery Land the expences and prices of things are answerable to the plenty of gold and siluer soe that a great quantity of money can hardly bee 〈◊〉 in any place but such as is vsed to great expences What studies soeuer they encline to they prosper in them with wonderfull successe None are mâ—re 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 duties 〈◊〉 none more vallant in fight then they nor 〈◊〉 the Muses euer appeare more beautifull then when they inspire the breâ—sts of Scots They are capable also of city-businesse and can fit their industry to any kinde eyther of life or fortune But those that trauell or 〈…〉 and rely vpon no other meanes then going to the houses of their countrymen which are growne rich in other Lands and demand as it were the tribute of their country are most intollerable in their proud beggerâ— Ireland by the ancient Latines called Ierna and now Hybernia is an Island not far from Brittaine and subiect to the crowne of England a great and 〈◊〉 Island commodious for shipping by reason of many hauens nor is it to bee censured by the barbarisme and sordid liuing of many of the habitants for the fruitfullinsse of it inuiteth many 〈…〉 of England and Scotland to 〈…〉 mortall to any venomous creatures Newets and Toades if they bee brought thither will not liue The wood transported from thence noe age nor neglect will make worme-eaten noâ—â—hung with spiders 〈◊〉 although the Irish haue their spiders but harmelesse and free from venome The beames rafters and boordings of Westminster hall where the Courts of Iustice sit are made of that wood and there a wonderfull thingâ— the walls round about are filled with spiders but none of those sordid nets are spread vpon 〈◊〉 wood The Irish which liue not in Townes or ciuill places are wonderfull hardy in enduring any ayre or diet by reason of long and accustomed pouerty They can satisfie their hunger with any victuals gotten on the sudaine as venison or beefe halfe-raw They temper their meate with milke They build brittle and weake houses about the height of a man where themselues and their cattell liue together But this in those people is a thing to be wondred at the four of 〈◊〉 and ease doth soften the courages of other Nations but maketh the Irâ—â— valfant in warre For by reason of their sloth though their fields are fertile yet tilling and sowing are things almost vnknowne to them They are content with that grafte which the ground yeeldeth of her owne accord for pasture for their cattell They exercise noe 〈◊〉 dycrafts for feare of disparaging that Nobility which they soe highly boast of Soe in a sordid and filthy idlenesse they lead their liues and had rather cure by patience then industry the discommodities which are daily companions of their barbarous liuing and soe farre are they from knowing delight as they feele not want and misery In one single garment they endure both wet and cold by often hunting they grow wonderfull swift in running equalling almost the wildbeasts when they are weary or benighted the ground serues them for a lodging and couered with snow or wet with showres yet they are sooner raised by satiety of sleeping 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of the weather excellent rudimeats of warre and valour if they did not proceede from such filthy sloth This beastlynesse in time of peace also nâ—yther the fellowship of the English nor the â—mulation of the Spanish fashions can make them to shake off but they loue this life soe full of sordid discommodities as free from cares assured by a wicked shadow of liberty which in different kindes has fouly deceiued diuerse 〈◊〉 They are obstinate in their 〈◊〉 viees haters of labour and foe of all profit but very industrious in theeuing and 〈◊〉 or any 〈◊〉 which is like to hunting And these are the slothfull miseries of the common people The Noblemen are many of them very faithfull of braue mindes nuâ—tured in 〈◊〉 vertues that befit their dignities Those alsoe that liue in Citties or the pleasantest parts of the Kingdome are adorned with great humanity and declare by this that those wilde Irish are barbarous by their owne willfullnesse and not borne to that vice by the fare of the Island The Fift Chapter GERMANY THe Riuer Rhene arising from the foote of the Alpeâ— and flowing along the borders of the Low-countries doth there fall into the Ocean It was once the bound of Germany but now by the changes of 〈◊〉 and Empires the limits of Germany being encreased it may bee sayd to run through it Germany is a spacious country reaching from the Alpeâ— and France as farre as Sarmaâ—â— and Pannonia diuided into many principalities and comâ—â—â—â—ealths It was once full of â—oods and wild inhabitants but now beautified euery where with faire Townes the woods which were once great and orespread the country are now reduced to vse and Ornament It nourisheth vines in that part where it bordereth vpon Italy and where it declineth towards Pannonia as likewise vpon those hils which ouershadow the Rhene and some few places besides where the ground by fauour of some hils and warmth of the riuers is fitted for that purpose The cold grounds in their mountaines 〈◊〉 with firre trees and other woods Ister the Prince of riuers in Europe doth cut almost through the midst of Germany and rises in a sea-like channell to the yearely ruine of bridges there whose bankes are beautiful with famous cities but toâ— few for the greatnesse of foâ— noble a riuer Rhene Albâ— and many riuers famous in old times doe flow through all the breadth of Germany The country is full of good â—â—nes on the side where the Alpes bound it and all along the course of Ister in those places 〈◊〉 where Rhene runnes and Mâ—nis with the Mazâ— encreâ—â— of soe great a riuer but the side of the country which lyâ— toward the Ocean and the â—â—ner Land remooued from the famous and publike rodes foâ— nasty Innes and sordid 〈◊〉 of liuing in generall 〈◊〉 much of that Geâ—â—â—us which Ancient Writers haue ascribed to it Yet there are cities not vnworthy of some the market-places and streets especially craftly handsome the houses of lofty and euen structure the frailer parts of the building couered with printings The inner parts of their houses are not with like skill fitted for vse their beds are placed in the remote and for the most part obscure places of the house They doe not vse lightly any chimneyes at all They had rather vse certaine little
mighty people comprehended vnder the name of Germany The reliques also of Pannonia and as much of Illyrium and Dalmatia as is now left vs those Sarmatians and Scythians which are now called Polonians and Moscoâ—ites the Cimbrians also and what euer is contained within the dominions of Denmarke and Swâ—thland nor are we soe farre oh misery remooued from the Turkes but that wee haue occasion to acquaint our selues with their dispositions and manner of liuing In the manners of these people we may consider the riches of Nature with a delicious and profitable meditation which in a mixture resembling the members of a body hath inuolued the habits and affections of soe many different minds But to examine all other climats with the same diligence were more for the curiosity of pleasure then the profitable vse of commerce or conuersation For who but Merchants goe into Affrick and there vpon the shore or by chance by riuer somewhat farther into the country doe traâ—â—ique suddenly or make bargaines of noe great trast or friendship The Persians not onely by impiety or superstition but a great distance of sea and land are diuided from vs Iâ—dia in like manner is visited by none but Merchants and Sailers except the Lucanians who frequent those places and there settle their plantations the people of China doe abhorie all fellowship with forreyne Nations Nor doe any of our people desire at all to commerce with that sordid and or the most part miserable Nation of the Tartars America as faire as it is ciuilâ—zed at all is possessed by the Spaniard onely soe that none othâ—r besides thâ—mseâ—ues may with safeâ—y commeâ—ce or 〈◊〉 there It is therefore expedient or indeed lawfull for â—one but the Spaniard to know the dispoâ—â—tions of those people But those parts of America 〈◊〉 naked barbaâ—isme abhoâ—ed by mankinde is 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 people 〈◊〉 noe lâ—wes nor industrie 〈…〉 haue beene diligently obserued by some oâ— our men who in hope or gaine haue gone thither The Natures of those rude people are incapable of our ciuility They account all 〈◊〉 angers that aâ—riue on their coasts as enemyes ensnaâ—ers of their liberty neither aâ—e those ignorant and sauage mindâ— destitute of subtlity to impâ—ous aâ—ts cruelty treachery insâ—cad of prudence and true fortitude they often excercise What profit will it bee to examine farther the manners of these people who by a barbarous wildenes haue seemed as it were to forsake Nature especially seeing they containe themselues within their owne shores and admit noe forrâ—iners vnlesse vpon compulsion or some slight occasion of sâ—ddaine traâ—lique But to leaue those Nations which are eyther vnknowne to vs or by too great a distance of sea and land too farre diuided from our acquaintance to examine the inhabitants and Genius of our owne world the habit of each country the condition of the soyle the temper of the aire or distemper in eyther kinde will not be improper to our present discourse The Third Chapter FRANCE GAllia according to the ancient bounds the greatest almost of all the Prouinces in Europe a terrour heretofore to the Romane Empire and renowned by victories against Greece and Asia is now distinguished into diuerse Kingdomes and different manners Whatsoeuer is bounded within the Rhene the Ocean the Alpes and Pyreâ—an mountaines was once comprised vnder the name of Gallia It extended moreouer fâ—om the farther side of the Alpes to the riuer Rubicon and lay heauy vpon the Romane territories For the Gaules a valiant Nation inuading Italy sacking and fiting the City of Rome were soe great a terror to the Romane Senate that a decree was made that as often as the Gaules were vp in armes not the Priests nor old men should bee exempted from the duties of warâ—e It was afterward subdued by the power of Rome but then when in it selfe it was diuided by domesticke factions nor did thâ—y 〈◊〉 wholly vnâ—ted eyther know perfectly their owâ—e stâ—ength or make tryall of 〈◊〉 against Italy In processe of 〈◊〉 people out of the 〈…〉 called Franks 〈…〉 inuaded Gallia and â—â—â—ned to redâ—ce it to a second â—ondage But when they were conquerours they mixed â—hemselues with the conquered Nation and seemed not soemuch to haue subdued the Gaules as the Romans which possessâ—d Gallia The country then being 〈◊〉 among maâ—y Princes that part onely retained the old name which was possessed by â—he French a Nation of great vertuâ— aâ— renowned in deedes and well deseruing that 〈◊〉 to their praise should make vse of the vanity of the common fable to stile them the reliques of the Cry of Troy This Reaâ—me of France the fairest and richest of all Prouinces in the Westerne world seemeth wâ—thin it selfe at happy a mâ—lation betwixt the Genius and dispositions of the inhabitants and the riches and temper of the Land it selfe The country aboundeth euery where with corne and wine fertile in oyle and all fruits which brooke not a raw ayre Especially that part which is more Westerly or lyeth necrer to the Alpes or Ligurian seas There is noe land in the whole world for the extent of it that enâ—icheth the inhabitants with more blessings It aboâ—ndeth soe much wiâ—h all kinde of wealth that it vses to traâ—lique with forâ—eyne Nations for nothing almost but pleasure onely For nothing but royt in this wealthy people did set an high price vpon the silkes of Italy and the cunning work manships of the German Nation But their traffique with Brittaine doth bring them Merchandise if not altogether necessary yet certainely of great profit which affordeth them both for vse and ornament great abundance of Lead Tinne and Saffron But France beside her corne wherewith she relieueth the barrennesse of Spaine and wiâ—es which shee sendeth into the neighbouring and colder countries is rich also in hempe and fiaxe whereby she supplyeth the want of sailes cordage and such tackling necessary for shipping in many Nations By which merchandise great plenty of gold is daily brought into that country though the ground afford noe mines of it and those Nations which with paineful diligence digge it out of the bowells of the earth and with care transport it from the farthest regions doe seeme but seruants to labour for the felicity of France In soe large a country composed of soe mâ—â—y and soe great prouinces noe one part is barren or negleâ—ted oâ— Nature but all enriched by hâ—r great fauour For these vast parts of Aquitaine which may seeme vnfruitfulâ— are neither void 〈◊〉 inhabitants noâ— vâ—pleasant vnto them that couÌ„try is sâ—ored withâ—ood enriched with 〈◊〉 of high price and abounding with pâ—enty of daintie fowâ—e that whatsoeuer it wants in fruiâ—fullnesse of soyle which is there sandy as mâ—â—h it â—s indebted to the temper of 〈◊〉 France is begâ—ted at one side by the Ocean at the other by the Mâ—diterranean Sea which fâ—oweth froâ—â—he coasts of Spaine and Affrick as 〈◊〉 as Aegypt A situation soe comâ—â—â—dions for sea-trâ—lihque that â— may send out 〈◊〉
thou mayest better disarme their fiercenesse they must be base and low entreaties which must asswage the fury of their first assault For this torrent if it bee opposed by noe resistance will languish in a moment and become quiet This warinesse and timorous wisedome is onely to be vsed in Townes or publike fields where a concourse of people to side with them thâ—â— did first abuse thee is eytherâ— gathered already or presently to be expected But in priuâ—â—â— places and where thy 〈◊〉 would not prooue too 〈◊〉 vnequall then bee sure to expresse at least in shew a boâ—d spirit not brooking iniuries by which meanes thou wilt terrifie them which doe not insult out of true valour but are as ready to receiue as to offer wrong The Magistrates and Iudges are fauourable to the complaints of strangers and forward to punish the people which doe them wrong vnlesse it bee a multitude that doe offend whom it is easie to blame but hard and for the most part too much cruelty to punish And soe wondrously hospitable are the seaâ—es of Iustice in that Nation that if a stranger offend hee shall finde them fauourable or if it happen that a stranger and an Englishmen be both guilty of one fact which deserueth eyther the whip or the gallowes the stranger many times is no further punished but onely commanded to depart the Kingdome The gentlemen are naturally enclined to a kinde entertainment of all strangers and are worthily ambitious in such curtesies Soe that no man vnlesse of a froward and baâ—barous disposition and altogether vnworthy of Noble company can repent himselfe of trauelling into Englaâ—d Among those Noblemen whose carriage is graue and their speech and gesture fitâ—ed to their dignity you mâ—st comply with an answerable grauity and aemulation as it were of mâ—iesty least they perchance should vnderâ—alue you from their owne grauity and your speech which must not bee to them in a soothing manner like the Italian and French humility you will otherwise carry a lower estimation among those men who accustome not themselues vnto affected humanity and lying complement To the Northern parts of England Scotland adioyneth gouerned by a scepter of incredible antiquity compared with other Kingdomes for the crowne of Scotland aboue twenty ages hath endured in the possession of one Family An hundred and twenty Kings haue successiuely reigned from Fergâ—â—â—â— the First to Iames that now 〈◊〉 who to soe anciancient a pedigree adding the Royalty of England is the first that combined the Kingdomes and reigneth entirely ouer all Brittaine The Scots are of dispositions fitted for society of behauiour and gestures of the body excelling other Nations and like vnto the French in all things but the riches of their country For the country Northward 〈◊〉 in many places not fit for 〈◊〉 and full of barren mountaines neyther are those mountaines clothed with woods vnlesse some which are raysed into a sharper climate and giue a woody and barbarous name to the inhabitants Yet Nature hath bestowed vpon it those hardy people abundance of vâ—â—tuall in fowle and 〈…〉 besides their flocks and heards of cattell It is sight vsuall to see three hundred red Deere or more in one heard But the inhabitants can rowze farre greater heards when the Noblemen are pleased to hunt there Neither doe they want comodities in their country fit to exchange for forreyne merchandises which are transported thither of necessary vse But the scarcity of money by no art or industry can be redrâ—ssed foe that they which in their owne country doe liue in plenty and with great attendance are not able in â—orreine parts to maintaine their port But noe people are more mindefull of their pedigrees then they that they had rather sometimes disgrace their Family by their pouerty then conceale the vnseasonable expressing of their titles or not mention their kindred For it is necessary in a country more populous then fruitfull that some of Noble blood should bee borne to extreme pouerty Soe that the Scots dispersed into many countries to get their liuing and none are more faithfull and industrious then they being still eager in publishing their Nobility are often laughed at by the hearers then beleeued or pitted But the people couragious also against themselues are diuided by many and fierce enmities and cruell to each other beyond an lawes of humanity or hatred For being diuided by Families and Names they hold those as Princes of their factions which possesse the most ancient inheritance of the Family To those men they are wonderously obseruant with a loue as great â—â—most as to their country it selfe to them when they are wronged they 〈◊〉 for succour vsing the patronage and strength of their owne Family By this meanes it has heppened that small quarrells betwixt men of obscuâ—e condition haue beene the causes of great and horrible commotions For they that haue quarrelled complayning on both sides to the Princes of their Kindred haue turned their 〈◊〉 wrongs into the inâ—â—â—es of whole families Nor are these differences decided with little blood for sometimes gathered into troopes and almost into iust armuâ—â— they fight it out and these 〈◊〉 continue to their heires after them They thinke iâ— glorious to reuâ—â—ge â—urder with thunder and firewith fire Nor doe they alwayes deale by 〈◊〉 force but by sâ—â—res and treacheries Nothing can bee 〈◊〉 or ignoble to them 〈…〉 cure their eyes onely by the miseries of their enemies And this mischiefe has often beene the ouerthrow of Noblemen who haue eyther beene slaine in fight or else vndone in their estates by keeping such multitudes of seruants and tenants about them for soe it was necessary for feare of suddaine assaules from their enemies whilest their Lands 〈◊〉 lyenâ—ntilled and wast And some heue thought 〈…〉 of wood in the country has beene caused by these enmities whilest these cruell people on both sides haue burnt vp their enemies woods and 〈◊〉 their priuate iniuries with the deuastation of their country But these things 〈◊〉 were more to 〈…〉 when they were 〈◊〉 where riâ—â— now since wee see it other wise wee may cherish hereafter better hopes For although heretofore it lay not in the power of the Kings to remedy soe great a mischiefe when the Nobles by the faithfulnesse number of their clients were more fierce and strong yet the now reigning King Iames of Brittaine has at last bestowed this benefit vpon this country 〈…〉 haue encouraged others to the same audacity especially least they should seeme to haue borne a fearefull and degenerate anger Hee therefore thought it best at once and for euer to compound these deadly 〈◊〉 The King therefore tooke a diligent account of those whose Familyes were engaged in such quarrells and partly in his owne person partly by the me 〈…〉 any more named among them a great and admirable worke of a most wise and industrious King yet not performed without much time and wonderfull felicity Two yeares after hee had thus appealed Scotland hee
in that spacious country are very many but the reâ—enewes diuided among the brothers or male kindred of a Family doe by that meanes grow many times â—â—e differences in diuiding Prouinces or Principalities and in parting priuate estates and patrimonies In that manner the Dukedome of Saxony was in this age diuided among many brothers and because it was a hard matter those that were skilfull in the lawes and customes of the country were by their command assembled together To whom as they sate in counsell and the brothers were contending about their right a fellow of somewhat a distracted minde but such a one as vsed to delight the hearers with his harmelesse and pleasant madnesse came in among them The eldest brother of the Saxon Duke looking vpon this fellow for hee had vsed his Court and waited at his table wâ—â—t thou also quoth he giue thy opinion concerning this diuision of the State why should I not answered the fellow vpon which they were all in expectation to heare some ridiculous and pleasant iest from the mad-man and entreated him earnestly that his counsell might not bee wanting in soe great a matter But he denyed to beare any part in the consultation vnlesse they would giue him such a gowne as the Lawyers vsed to weare saying that with that gowne hee should put on wisedome with that a merrier Genius possessed them all insomuch that his Lord laughing heartily commanded a furrd gowne to hee brought out of his wardrope and put vpon him Which when the fellow had fitted well hee walked twice or thâ—ice about the roome and began to aske his Lord whither that garment became him well or not excellent well answered the Duke but now it remaines that thy wisedome should determine the controuersies that are betweene vs. Hee told them hee would presently bee ready for them but first he must retire a little into the next chamber and there hee would call some spirits of better wisedome to counsell with him When hee was retired thither hee shut the doore presently that noe man might enter to interrupt his witty knauery and putting off the gowne with a little sword which was girded about him hee cut it from the shoulders to the lowest hemm into long and slender slashes Then putting it on all ragged as it was he opened the doore and comming out to his Lord asked him againe how well that gowne did now become him anger had curbed his Lords laughter for the gowne which was soe spoyled was of great price Thou wretch quoth the Duke I will haue thee whipt for presuming soe madly to spoyle thy Lords gowne The fellow not at all affrighted answered them thus how ridiculous is it in you tâ— be soe extremely angry witâ— me when your selues are farr more dangerously mad thâ—â— gowne which I haue put on is the representation of your fortunes and much more foolishly doe you goe about to rent and spoile the Dukedome or Saxony then I haue done this garment Whilst it was whole it become met well and you laugh at it now it is thus mangled Soe Saxony vnited in one body doth flourish and is puissant in armes and wealth but when you haue rent it into many peeces noe man can vphold the ancient dignity The wealth of the Germane Princes besides some taxes and tributes are for the most part arising out of flockes and heards of cattell as alsoe out of the fertilty of the soyle which commonly they exercise with the voluntary not hired labour of the Boores. By this meanes they cannot certainely define their wealth and annuall reuenew which is to be valued according to the changeable price of come The Nobility haue a great and superstitious caâ—e of their pedigree and thinke that ancient blood is stained if it be marryed into aâ— lower or vpstart Family nor is such a slaine washed away in many generations For to a cleare testimony of Noble birth are required eight descents of ancestors in both lines which haue not at all beene tainted with this vnequall marriage In their discourses they haue certaine titles and formes of speech fitted to all conditions of man which they account it almost a sin eyther to neglect or came lesly confound nor doth any Nation vse more set formes ouerburdening euen the memory of those who from their child-hoods haue beene trained in that Art and superstitious distinction In that part of Belgia which is accounted in Germany are those Prouinces which heretofore by war marriages and successions were incorporated together vnder the house of Burgundy and afterwards transferred by marriage to the Spaniard and the chiefe strength of that Nation if they could as well obey the harsh commandâ— of their Prince being absent as they can honour him present in person with them Some of these people in this age complaining of hard vsage breaking the bonds of coÌ„cord by which they were tied both to their Prince and among themselues haue risen in soe great a storme as may well deserue to put all Europe into a feare In this commotion part of them by armes haue acquired their liberty the rest either mastered by power or detained by loyall reuerence of their ancient Lords continue still in obedience to their Prince Those that despising the Soueraignty of the Spaniard haue made themselues a free-State inhabite chiefly about the Ocean and are called by forreyne Nations Hollanders which was the chiefe Nation among them By a boldnesse necessary after their reuolt they haue giuen themselues to sea-affaires from whence they are growne to great strength and wealth searching all shores and infesting the Spanish Sea By this meanes their cities are encreased and their wealth by daily booties Auxiliary souldiers from France and England haue come vnto them by reason of that mutuall benefit which accrewes both to the aided and the aiders The other which remaine vnder the Spanish scepter taking also their name from one of then Proâ—inces are called through the world Flemmings But the people though thus distinguished into two Gouernements retaine the same Genius and dispositions Their wits are candid but made grosser as it were by the fault of the climate which yet they doe more depresse by the distemper of drinking whither this thirst bee kindled in them by the fortune of their situation and neighbour-hood of High Germany or by the manner of educating their infants For they giue to their infants to abâ—te their desire of milke whilst yet they hang at their mothers breasts bottles full of beere made after the fashion of a dugge That innocent and vncurious age oftentimes listing to the mouth the beere which comes soe slowly is delighted with the likenesse of sucking and keept from the wearisomnesse of idlenesse Nor is the thing without some profit if from their first growth onely you esteeme it For infants soe ordered are brought to haue strong bodies and full of cheerefull and wholsome iuyce But the perpetuall custome of drinking grows by soe vsing it into a perpetuall pleasure stirring
Land is rugged in generall by the frequency of mountaines or parâ—â—ed with too great and barren heat The soile is dry in many places and where it is arable their come before it be ripe is corrupted by frequent smuts or destroyed by violent haile Of pasture-grounds there is noe greatstore and in those the wooll of their sheepe is naught and their flesh worse And scarce at any time has the fruitfullnesse of Italy beene able to fustice plenteously her owne inhabitants for three yeares together nor muchlesse would it suffice them did not the frugality of the men and the condition of the clime requiring noe plentifull diet accustome them to sparing and sober feasts Trees of diuers sorts which vnder the moderatenesse of our clime doe thâ—iue happily are there enfâ—ebled by too much heate bringing forth weake and vnprofitable fruit Oranges Pomegranates and Figges of diuers races doe there abound to temper with their coolenesse the excesse of heate in the country which fruits though not at all necessary for humane vse yet carried about the world are growne precious more by ouâ— delicacy then their owne value For Oliues though there they are counted one of the three great blessings of mankind with Corne and Wine they haue reason to prize out of the condition of that country in which by the fault of pasture their dry cattel doe afford the milkers but little and 〈◊〉 â—â—ders Their flesh meates â—egenerate from the sweetnâ—sse of ours almost into another kinde of taste except only some few which doe better indute the violence of the sunne So that now those palates of parasites so frequently filling the Greeke and Roman Comedies with commendation of fishes may seeme to haue beene especially suted to that country Their Cities are for the most part faire and situated in pleasant places Their houses built of no slight matter especially those which they call Palaces are commonly more beautifull for the greatnesse of their structure then conuenient for the vse of the dwellers in them They glitter with marble of diuers kinds and sometimes with gold their roofes extended with magnificent worke Old eaten statues are placed vpon faire precious supporters which for their gorgeous places are sometimes indebted onely to the lying report of those that fell them But where their walls doe afford space for windowes there their houses doe lose somewhat from the lustre of the other building For commonly eyther coorse linnen or oyled paper doe couer those places which are ordained for letting in of light Which thing as it is vnsightly to the beholders so it imprisons the eyes of the dwellers within the bounds of their Parlour or gallery doores farre from the comelinesse of the French or Brittish manner where their windowes are made of glasse affording them a free prospect of that which is without the beames of light dancing as it were cheerfully vpon them Their temples also for that is part of their fame doe not fully answere the expectation of strangers In images and fâ—gures is the greatest lustre and nothing more beautifull then their altars Purple silke are accounted but meane ornameÌ„ts in respect of the gold and gems of price The panements of different marbles are adorned with various workmanship where in suteable colours the figures of flowrs of birds beasts are represented Their pillars of marble are so wonderfull large as may almost bring that â—â—one into alow esteeme But sorich a beauty in their building is not brought to the height of comlinesse their roofs being not enough raised and the free sunne scarcely is admitted into those dark places Their windows are shadowed with much iron and thicke pictures wrought vpon them if any temple do chance to receiue light eyther by the rarity of buildings neere or conuenient situation of the doores then eyther with spreading vailes or interposed walls they banish that benefit which the sunne would gâ—ue beleeuing it should seeme that deuotion is raised by the sadnes of night and by the pleasure of light vanishes againe But whatsoeuer strangers doe â—eem of their publike buildings they cannot but wonder at and abhorre the sordid meannesse of their priuate lodgings For at their lâ—nes being entertained with scarcie and slatâ—ish prouisions their stomakes are diuided betweene two contraries 〈…〉 and hunger besâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of then chambers and ledgings annoyed by gnats and stâ—nging slies of many kinds they haue grating Hoasts and high prices let vpon bad eâ—eâ—tainement But fortune has found out for that country other blandishments to allure the minds of those which trauaile thither For eyther publike errour or a sate befriending Italy inuiteth young trauailers to that place from all parts of Europe where enioying mutuall content inso great a frequency that which they owe to their owne society they impute to the pleasure of that country For if you loue men of your 〈◊〉 Nation there you 〈…〉 of forremers you haue faire choyce among multitudes of so many nations especially the commerce of mindes so farre oftentimes oblieging strangers that to be fellow trauailers is a greater enducement to entire friendship then to bee fellow citizens So from all Prouinces they come as it were into one body and seeme to constitute one common and extemporary home Besides those young men that trauaile into Italy are for the most part wealthy who there visiting change of Cries and staying at the chiefe trying besides all kinds of delight ml fe and conuersing let loose their minds which are now in the midway betweene past child-hood and growing wisedome to a remisnesse void of curiosity especially when being farre remooued from their owne countries the face of domesticke busines doth not at all trouble them and that tender age doth free 〈◊〉 from any we ghty cares 〈◊〉 they haue there all the delightes of youth the aâ—e of 〈◊〉 man-ship musicke spectacles Comedians boâ—â— for that purpose but scarce fit ler Tragedy When afterwards they returne into their owne countries and are employed as is fit in serious affâ—â—es what wonder is it if those pleasant times of recreation doe cause a sweere remembrance and striking the minde with thought of those delights which are now past and neuer to returne it make them with loue to remember that place where heretofore they enâ—oy ed so sweete a felicitie But great 〈◊〉 and a soile rich so of en to the raine of it selfe hath quite banished from the Nations of Italy those first manners which wee reade the ancients had Yet are their mindes capable of all affaires Nor with a rude heare or naturall instinct but artificially as it were and with skill they follow eyther vertue or vice They make large promises of humanity confirmed not onely by a compleat garbe of their persons but words of most exact ciuility and when they please most powerfull in perswasion They can also entertaine long friendship and where they truely loue esteeme no dangers in respect of that sacred league But if they once hate whether by their owne
〈…〉 name of the Indies together with his great brags his wary and industrious fraud can vphold a fame of wealth in his Exchequeâ— But that pâ—mp of 〈◊〉 language in the Spanish Nation is therfore lesse dâ—atastfull because it 〈◊〉 not at all affected or put on by theÌ„ but to swell of it selfe euen from the instrict of nature Of which euery motion though declining into vices I know not by what Genus doth seeme becomming But that you may not thinke them vnworthy of such a fasâ—ion 〈◊〉 as may seeme fit for the pâ—â—sonating of a Tragedy they are great haâ—â—â—s at least in publicke of all sordid basenesse they are great louers for the attiâ—e of theâ—◠〈◊〉 of neatenesâ—e and the National 〈◊〉 in their apparell Theâ— weapons as the chiefe ornament of a man though they want meate they wiâ—l both keepe and weare They â—aue 〈…〉 folly except oneâ—y thou bâ—agging eyther in 〈◊〉 or other conâ—ersation of life Their 〈◊〉 are subtill and fit for all things nor are they so ignorant of what is in themselues as desirous to deceiue others with a gâ—â—sse of pompous words The beginnings of their disâ—ourses and friendships they do adorne with a colour of the most gentle humanity and you in those beginnings may accost them in the same mild behauiour but when they afterwards come to their supercilious pride you must encounter them with the like Maiesty But if thy slender fortune doth enforce thee to bee a parasite there then with a bashfull silence and applause thou must feede their mindes swelling about their owne or their Nations greatnesse And then also but that thou already coozen'st him thinke not that thou hast him fast enough but remember that as hee feedeth thee with mighty promises beyond all credit so thou art tyed to promise him greater seruices then euer thou canst be able to performe supporting thy lyes with proportionable boldnesse * ⎠* The Eighth Chapter HVNGARY POLONIA MOSCOVIA and the other Northern Nations PANNONIA when the affaires and strength of the Roman Empire were in declining was seized by the Longobards and Hunnes who bestowing their name vpon the Prouince called it Hungary The bounds of this Kingdome according to the strength and puissance of their Monarchs haue beene often changed as fortune hath eyther contracted them or extended them vpon the neighbouring countries It is watered with the riuers Saâ—â—s and Tibiscus Ister augmented from many fountaines doth runne thorow it and at Taurunam in his wide channell doth receiue the Saâ—â—s The country from Polonia and Germany extendeth it selfe vnto the Dacians and Masia but at that side which lyeth toward Illyricum and Dalmatia the Alpes doe bound it A soyle happy in all increases It restores Corne in great abundance How rich it is in pasture fields their Cattel which are sold about the worâ—d doe sufficiently declare to other Nations A hundred-thousand head of Cattell or there-abouts are yeerely sent from thence into Germany and so to the countries bordering vpon Germany Some parts of Italy also are fed from thence with the like prouision Their wine is most rich and generous not much vnlike to that which growes in Spaine The Climate also is healthfull enough saue onely that about Autumne a diâ—temper of the vnconstant ayre hourely changing doth breede diseases but most cruelly vpon strangers Their nights are chilly with extreme cold which hot dayes succeede at noone both parching their grounds and sweltring with heate the bodies of men Whom in the euening the cold astringent ayre againe surprizes vnawares The earth in the bowels of it hath many metalls both of different natures and estimations and gold it selfe is roled vp on the sandy shores of many of their riuers and the same riuers most fruitfull in breeding of fish which are cheape there by reason of the plenty The nature of the people is therefore more hardly to bee learned because in this age they are o'rwhelmed with afflictions and scarce left to their owne dispositions for they are oppressed on one side by the Barbarians which haue made themselues masters of a great part of it on the other side auxiliary Souldiers leuied amongst all the natioÌ„s of Europe haue by their multitude and long aboade in that Countrey and long aboade in that countrey infused in some measure their manners and dispositions into the people I can suppose it should spring from no other cause then continuance of warre and calamity among them that the Country-Boores haue quite lost their innocent simplicity and are turned so extremely eruell For without any difference they lye in waite both for their owne souldiers and the enemies And if any doe happen by night to stray from their quarters the Boores are ready to surprize the prey and rob with most vnthankfull villâ—ny those souldiers who 〈◊〉 all dangers doe endeauour thâ— in preseruation and reuerla them but naked and in all extremity Their Noble-men as is fit are of a brauer and better disposition their mindes and visages framed to magnificence and their whole garbes composed to a pleasing Maiesty They vse Gownes and such robes as the Easterne people but especially purple or skie-coloured And this attire doth wonderfully become the men a short sword commonly adorning their gowned side They are excellent at subtill and great counsels and of a courage equall to it especially if the proiect lye in suddaine short and stolne enterprizes Their chiefe Nobles are of great wealth and retaining though in a Monarchy very great marâ—es of true liberty They are attended according to their riches with store of Clients and those exceeding faythfull in their seruice to them And no greater care at all possesses them then not to forsake any of thâ—se prerogatiues which they from many ages haue maintained inuiolable For that reason is their vaâ—our more constant in fighting against the Turkes who vnder one Law of seruitâ—de doe oppresse all families of how great blood or emineâ—ce soeuer Without this the inclination of their mindes might well bee feared that they would choose Kings from other places then from Germany For the Germanâ— and Hungarians a thing ordinary in 〈◊〉 a neighbourhood are at great emulation betwixt themselues Their raiâ—ing at each other in their common discourses at home are very cruell and with great curiosity they are both busie in discouering or inuenting vices in each other The Hungarians are louers of Horses and haue excellent good ones they are curious in their armes and attire euen to delight and pompâ— They had rather fight on horse-backe then on foote They are most greedy of honours and haue a great ambition to bee feared by others By imitation of the Italian arts and dispositions they are thought to haue learned the 〈◊〉 vices and to perpeâ—rate their wicked reueâ—ges with the same arts and the like maliciousnesse You would suppose them most easie men to embrace friendship but whether it be true or false none can be better Iudges then they themselues which enter into those
friendships sâ—riously considering whether they haue deserued so to be beloued or whether that Nation so skilfull in taking of aduantages doe pretend friendship the better to perpetuate some inâ—ended mischiefe There is a Magistrate among them of great note whom they call the Palatine he of himselfe hath not power to decree any thing but may resist the King when hee determines to enact any publicke matter which is altogether voyd if the Palatine gaue his voyce against it To him the most of them giue great honour as to the supporter of their liberty and our opposed against the Regall power no otherwise then of oâ—d the Roman Tribanes were ordained as curbers of the Consuls iurisdiction From hence might you see â—hat the great and swelling spirits of that Nation would 〈◊〉 brooke a hard and vnlimited power ouer them vnlesse they be forced as it appeares in those Hungarian Prouinces which the Turke now possesses to an awe of their soueraigne Lords by so sterne a discipline as doth for euer reaue them of any hope of liberty The Illyrians and Dalmaâ—ians whom we call the Istrians and Slaurians are seated vpon the shores of the Adriaticke 〈◊〉 Towards the Land they border vpon Pannonia That Region is vnpleasant on the backe of the great Mountaines vpon whose ridges cold Winter coth perpetually tyrannize But that part of the Country which is seated in the valleys is of a milder temper and well stored with Villages and Castles They are Nations that liue vnder the command of others and hauing beene long accustomed to diuers Lords doe for the most part follow their manners and dispositions Part of it is subiect to the dominion of the Austrian Princes much of it that lyes by the sea-shore the Venecians are masters of and the rest is vnder the Empire of the Turkes from heâ—ce it comes that their habits and manners are partly Germans partly Italian and partly barbarous according to the seuerall Genius's of their soueraigne Lords The Region is almost not visited by any saue onely that in their hauens at some times they doe harbour ships which are sailing from Venice into the East and returne from thence againe into the Adriaticke The other places doe not at all inuite strangers Those souldiers which are leuyed from thence are renowned for valour and great audacity especially in the Turkâ—◠〈◊〉 and few but they are ascribed at Constantinople into his guard of Ianizaries At the North-side of Hungary is Poland which stretcheth from thence to the great Ocean and bordereth vpon Russia A country which though wonderfull spacious yet no where almost hath any mountaines in it and from plainenessâ— of it is â—o named for plainâ—esse in the Scythian tongue is called Pole Their fields lye out in great Champion-plaines which in the Winter are coueâ—ed with deepe Snow but when the Snow is gone are very fruitfull in Corne not onely for the vse of the inhabitants but their graine transported by sea to many countries lying along the Baltike seas doth supply the dearths and baâ—â—en season of other Nations Their Winters are raging and strongly congeale both their grounds and riuers because the violence of Northern winds wanting the repeâ—cussion of any Mountaines hath as at sea a free passage in the open ayre besides their neerenesse to the Northerne Pole where the force of the Sunne is very feeble especially in Winter-tune But Nature for their assistance hath afforded them great and spacious Woods which doe not onely furnish them with â—yring to expell the cold but within their couerts â—oe nourish beasts whose skins for cloathing afford them furres of greatest price and esteemation This double assistance haue the Polanders against the tyranny of their winter But their woods do yeeld them another benefit in which theâ—e are at many places a wonderfull number of swarms of Bees They are wilde Bees hiued or kept by the care of no man vpon plaâ—e Okes or trunkes of other trees they haâ—g by clusters there do they build their houses of waxe and fill them within with most deliciouâ— hony From this alone is the countrey exceedingly and with great ease enriched Their waxe is merchandise to other countreys and of the honey they themselues doo make a kinde of drinke which they esteeme very delicious Some prouinces of Poland are too full of riuers and â—â—rishes in so much as that in Sommer-time they are scarce accessible but in winter when the waters are frozen they haue Sâ—eds in which they passe with speed vpon the ice With those therefore they traueâ—l the country that is their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 with forreine merchants who come to buy theâ—r waxe their furres and whatsoeuer else is of price and 〈◊〉 in so cold a country They want stones for the most part to build them houses their walls are of timber and their houses 〈◊〉 couered with thatch except only their chiefe Cities and palaces of Noblemen which are adorned as curiously as that countrey can possibly afford But the Poles vnder a rough clime liue hard liues noâ— are the dispositions of the people composed to the elegancy of our age and from thence also are they of more cruell natures Their Innes to receiue stangers are farre different from the manner of our Countreys they are brought into a roome altogether vnfurnished and commonly where the wall is digged thorow to affoord light and stand open to the violence of winde and winter There are no beds for the guâ—â—ts to lye vpon nor tables for them to eat on but the walls are full of tackes where the guests in order may hang those burdens which they haue brought with them and the ground is strowed with straw which is entended for bedâ— in those Innes Therefore whosoeuer doe trauell thorow that countrey do accordingly prouide themselues as if they remooued their dwellings with them their meat and other prouision together with their beds they carry in Waines with them that beeing entertained in those naked Innes they may with their owne prouision defend themselues against cold and hunger They are a Nation borne to crâ—elty and 〈◊〉 which they call liberty insomuch as they can scarce yet bee brought to abrogate a â—aw of vnspeakable barbarisme which for many ages hath continued among them By that Law it wae appointed that whosoeuer had killed a man should bee absolued from all feare of iustice 〈…〉 did throw vpon the carcasse of the dead man a certaine summe of money which in that Law is mentioned Nor would they so basely haue prized the blood of man if out of the cruell fiercenes of their barbarous Genius they had not iudged the murder of man a slight offence They doe abhorre the very name not onely of slauery but of obedience to a iust and lawfull Scepter Their King by force of armes is compelâ—â—d to obserue their Country-lawes The Nobility haue bestowed vpon themselues most mischieuous prerogatiâ—es by which they may safely abuse and hurt each other because the King hath not power enough