of Grief streight disappear Not that I would have thee think I am fond of dying but I consider Death as the unavoidable Fate of all Men and that therefore it is reasonable to be chearful since that which no Man can escape will one Time or other release me and every Man from the Miseries of this Life This Thought recovers me from the worst Effects of Melancholy and I believe the Damned themselves would sometimes be in a good Humour if they had but the least Glimpse of Hope that they should one Day be deliver'd from their Torments For whatsoever sorts of Men there are in this Life I cannot think there be any Stoicks in Hell And now I have entertained thee with Company and Solitude with Books and Men with Life and Death with Earth and Hell let us take one Step farther and refresh our selves with the Remembrance of Heaven the Joys of the Bless'd in Paradise which certainly is the best Relief of Anxious Thoughts the most perfect Cure of Melancholy the Guide of Life and the Comfort of Death God grant that thou and I may see each other and drink together in the Arbours of Eden and kiss the Daughters of Paradise Paris 14th of the 8th Moon of the Year 1643. LETTER XIX To the Testerdar or Lord Treasurer KIngdoms and Empires like Men have their Lucky and Unlucky Seasons Spain seems for a considerable Time to have been under a Cloud as if her Guardian Fate began to droop and were not strong enough to check the rising Grandeur of France It has been an old Observation That those whom God consigns over to Ruine he first infatuates It was a Grand Oversight in Don Francisco de Melo to constitute the Duke of Alburquerque General of his Horse For he thereby so disgusted the Spanish Officers in his Army that emulating the Honour of this young Portugueze the greatest Part of them deserted in the very Nick of Time when their Presence was most necessary to confirm the Battalions already shrinking from the furious Onset of the French This gave the young Duke of Anguien an intire Victory and has crowned him with glorious Laurels while Don Francisco de Melo by this ill Conduct has quite lost his Reputation and is forced to resign up his Commission to another This Battle was fought before Rocroy and may be reckoned as a Parallel with that Bloody Battel of Leipsick between the Imperialists and Suedes on the 7th of the 9th Moon of the Year 1631. A Day which was remarkable at Constantinople on the Account of that terrible Lightning which surprized the late Sultan Amurath in his Bed Many other extraordinary Events signalized this Day in England France Germany and other places which occasioned the great Astrologer Herlicius to call it a Day of Blood Such another was this Unfortunate Day to the Spaniards at the forementioned Battel of Rocroy where they lost an infinite Number of Men with all their Field-pieces and a Hundred and Fifty Colours He that created the Moon and the Constellations in Heaven to distinguish the Times and Seasons guard thee from the Influence of Malignant Stars and from the Destroyer who ranges the World on certain Critical Days Paris 12th of the 9th Moon of the Year 1643. LETTER XX. To the Vizir Azem at the Port. IT is Time it is high time most Sage Minister for the Ottoman Sword the Sword of Justice to be unsheathed not against an open Enemy but against its professed Friends and Subjects The Head of the Bassa of Cyprus is become a Burden to him as likewise those of Mitylene Sio and Lemnos They plot Mischief against the Throne that is established in Equity they are ungrateful to their Sovereign who hath exalted them they are become unworthy of the Honours with which they are dignified I could hardly believe the first Reports of this Treason till I were at length fully convinced by undeniable Testimonies that it was too true Yet it is a Secret even in the French Court I alone have discover'd this Mystery by the Means of a Jew and a Grecian both my Agents in those Parts and Men whom I can confide in The Business is this The Bassa's and Governours of the Isles before-mentioned have conspired together to divide themselves from the Body of the Ottoman Empire and to make the Islands of the Aegean Sea a Commonwealth Independent on the Throne which governs the World The Bassa of Cyprus is the Ring-leader of this Conspiracy and that Island is to be the Capital Seat of their New Republick The Governours of the Five Greater Isles are to be called the Sovereign Counsellors of State By these all the Affairs of the Archipelago are to be managed Onely the Bassa of Cyprus shall be supreme and have the casting Voice in all Cases of Dispute The enclosed Papers contain the perfect Model of their New Government the Articles and Propositions on which this Rebellious designed Commonwealth is to be built with the Names of the Chief Conspirators subscribed Permit me Sage Minister to set before thy Eyes the Occasions of these Treacherous Designs It has been the Custom of the Port to connive for a considerable time at the Oppressions Rapines and Exactions of the Bassa's and Governours of Provinces to suffer them to harass the People under their Jurisdiction to pillage and spoil them of their Moneys Goods and Estates till they have amass'd together vast Sums of Money And then it has been as usual for the Sultans upon the least Complaint to send the Bow-String to the Criminal Bassa Whatever may be pleaded in Defence of this Method in former Times my Opinion is that it may prove dangerous now And if I may be permitted to speak freely I have Reason to think that this was one Ground of the designed Treason in the Isles of the Aegean Sea Formerly those who were removed to these Commands were not so well versed in the Maxims of Policy nor so apprehensive of the Cabinet Secrets of State But now the Age is refined Men are more subtle jealous and selfish than they were Nature teaches all Men to preserve their Lives with utmost Diligence The Bassa of Cyprus who is the Ring-leader of this Conspiracy has been let alone in a long Course of Tyranny and Oppression over his Subjects by which means he has heap'd to himself prodigious Treasures His guilty Mind told him that Complaints would be made against him and that one time or other he must be strangled He knew that his Gold would be thought better to become the Sultan's Seraglio than his own and that he had been long enough in his Office to serve the Politick Ends of State Revolving these things in his Mind he quickly concluded that the Crimes he had been guilty of in his Government would draw upon him inevitable Ruine unless he prevented it by committing greater And that as Oppression of his Subjects had made him Rich so Treason against his Sovereign must make him safe He
and Form thence took his Measures of the Lady that had worn it and suddenly grew enamour'd of the unknown Fair proclaiming through all Aegypt great Rewards to any that could discover the Owner of that Shooe At length a certain Beautiful Courtezan of Naucretis named Rhodope was proved to be the Mistress of it who being brought to the King's Presence he took her to his Bed making her the Partner of his Empire This Lady had a much better Fate than the tall Armenian Woman with whom Sultan Ibrahim fell in Love on the like Occasion For Rhodope after she had enjoyed her Honour many Years at last died peaceably in her Bed and was Entombed in one of the Pyramids of Aegypt Whereas thou tellest me that this Armenian soon after her Exaltation to the Sultan's Embraces was strangled by the Queen-Mother's Command I tell thee it was a Bold and Cruel Act and were the Sultan sensible how she was Murdered he would not spare to vent his Indignation against her that bare him Paris 2d of the 9th Moon of the Year 1644. LETTER XVIII To Dgnet Oglou ONE would think it an easie Matter for a Stranger to conceal himself in so vast and Populous a City as is Paris Especially one who makes so mean and contemptible a Figure as does the supposed Titus of Moldavia I little thought that the Lowness of my Stature and the Deformity of my Body would have attracted any Curious Eyes but that my very Habit would have protected me from all Suspicion and that I might have pass'd an Age undiscovered amongst the Infinite Crowds of People who throng both the Houses and Streets of Paris Yet there are some Critical Moments of our Lives wherein Fate delights to sport with us to throw Stumbling-Blocks in our Way to entangle us in Difficulties and Perils This is a necessary Discipline of Heaven to rowze Men from the Lees of Security and Confidence in their own Strength and Abilities and to instruct us That Providence alone can extricate as out of the Labyrinths we often fall into I was walking Yesterday before the Great Temple of this City which is dedicated to Mary the Mother of Jesus when on a sudden I was accosted by one whom I little imagin'd to have seen in Paris with these Words Mahmut How came you by this Habit What make you in this Place Are you a Christian or do you thus disguise your self for other Ends Thou mayst easily imagine what a Terror seized me when I knew that he who spoke to me was my old Master at Palermo It brought to my Remembrance all the cruel Blows and Stripes I had received during that irksom Captivity and I could almost have phansy'd my self ready for the Bastinado However dissembling my Confusion I answered briskly Sir you are mistaken in the Person my Name is not Mahmut but Titus I am a Christian and a Catholick if you are such your self you have no Reason to upbraid my Habit since I wear it as a Badge of my Profession being a Student and Candidate of the Priesthood This Answer instead of satisfying him did but augment his Jealousie and being of a Passionate Temper he broke out into fierce Language calling me Turk Infidel Slave Dog and all the ill Names his Fury could suggest He spoke so loud that it was taken Notice of by the People as they walked by who began to gather about us to learn the Occasion of so much Noise I then condemn'd my self for not rather owning my self to him and inviting him to some more retired Place where I might give him an Account of my Circumstances I look'd upon my self as a dead Man and would gladly have sustained Seven Years of Servitude again in Sicily to have been rid of the Fear I was now under of a more terrible Punishment While I was in this Confusion of Spirit thinking of Nothing but Racks and Tortures the Noise of the Rabble who flock'd about us had alarm'd the People that were at their Devotions in the Church who came running out to enquire the Cause of such a Tumult Among the Rest a Friar eminent for his Learning and Vertue and who had a particular Esteem and Friendship for me perceiving the Matter came up close to me and taking me by the Hand spoke aloud these Words Sirs forbear to Injure a Stranger in the Court of the Mother of God I know this Man very well and will be Responsible for him he is a Catholick-Clerk and Servant of the Living God The Rabble gave a great Shout at the End of this Harangue and had not my Sicilian Master made a narrow escape they would have endangered to tear him in Pieces I know not what became of him afterwards but I attended the Friar into the Temple where we staid during the Celebration of their Mass and then he conducted me through the inner Parts of the Temple by private ways into the Lodgings of the Priests whence we issu'd out by a Postern and taking Boat we cross'd the River Seine into the Fields The Friar congratulated my Escape from the Hands of the Multitude and I return'd him a Thousand Thanks for lifting me out of the Mire Thou seest Dear Friend that the Arabian Proverb speaks not in vain when it says That the Habitation of Danger is on the Borders of Security And That a Man never runs greater Hazards than when he least fears them He that turns the Scales of Life and Death Good and Evil grant that some happy Emergency may always arise to divert the Perils which thou shalt incurr in this Uncertain Life Paris 7th of the 9th Moon of the Year 1644. LETTER XIX To the Kaimacham THIS Court is now in Mourning for the Death of the Chief Mufti or Pope And indeed there seems to be more than mere Ceremony in it he having all along favoured the French Interest He had almost pass'd the Twenty second Year of his Pontificate which few of the Popes have done since St. Peter a Disciple of their Messias from whom they pretend to derive their Succession Their Histories say that this Peter was the Mufti of Rome Five and Twenty Years and that since him not one whether he was elected Young or Old has enjoy'd the Sovereignty so long Those that have approached nearest to it were Adrian I. Sylvester I. and this Vrban VIII who is now dead It is reported that at their Coronation the Master of the Ceremonies kneeling down burns Flax before him that is elected and with a loud Voice repeats these Words Thrice O Holy Father think not you are to live here as long as did St. Peter but let this Flame put you in Mind of the Vanity of the World and how swiftly the Glory of it passes away Cardinal Pamphilio succeeds him in the Roman Chair and has given himself the Name of Innocent X. it being the Custom always at their Promotion to assume the Name of some Holy Man a strange Piece of Hypocrisie as if that was sufficient
him as to the Story of Sultan Mahomet's being taken Prisoner by the Malteses X. To Dgnet Oglou p. 261 More on the same Subject XI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire p. 263 Of the Wars between the Duke of Parma and the Barbarini's Of the Divisions among the Italian Princes XII To Lubanâ— Abufei Saâ—â— an Aegyptian Kt. p. 268 Of a Finlander at Paâ—is 8 Foot 〈◊〉 Of a Moscovite Wrastler at Constantinople Of â—ultan Amurath's Cruelty Of a Spanish Cavalier that murder'd his Wife his Servants and himself out of Jealousie XIII To the Kaimacham p. 271 Of the Parliament of Paris A Description of Paris and St. Germain en Lay. Of the King's Water-works XIV To the most Illustrious Vizir Azem at the Port. p. 278 He perswades him That it is necessary for the Sultan to abett Prince Ragotski's Quarrel against the German Emperour XV. To Afis Bassa at the Port. p. 279 He discourses of Destiny and Chance tells a Story of a Poor Man strangely enrich'd by finding of Treasures and of the Death of a Soldier in the Duke of Anguien's Army XVI To Nathan Ben Saddi a Jew at Vienna p. 282 He acquaints him That he has learnt to make Watches whereof he has sent some to his Friends at Constantinople Of the German Emperour's Sickness and of Prodigies XVII To Solyman Aga Chief Eunuch of the Women p. 285 He compares one of the Sultan's Adventures to an Accident that happened to one of the Kings of Aegypt XVIII To Dgnet Oglou p. 287 He relates how he had like to have been discover'd by his former Master at Palermo XIX To the Kaimacham p. 290 Of the Pope's Death with some choice Remarks on that Subject Of his Successor XX. To the Vizir Azem at the Port. p. 292 Of the Preparations which the Venetians are making against the Sultan The Speech of a Venetian Senator XXI To Mirza Muhammed Effendi Vicar to the Mufti p. 298 He discourses of Industry and Idleness acquaints him That he has learn'd to make Watches XXII To Halil Omri Bassa p. 301 He treats of the Qualities requisite in a Favourite of Olivarez his Disgrace and Downfal XXIII To Dgnet Oglou p. 306 He acquaints him That he has conquer'd his Passion for Daria and tells him a Story of a Man who lost his Ass XXIV To the Invincible Vizir Azem at the Port. p. 308 He Congratulates his taking on him the Office of Bassa of the Sea Describes the Arsenal of Venice with other Remarks on that City XXV To Dgnet Oglou p. 312 He exhorts him to forget the former Loss he sustain'd in the Fire at Constantinople and to rely on Providence Relates a Remarkable Story of certain Merchants who were burnt to Death in their Inn being over-greedy to save their Money XXVI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire p. 316 A Character of the Spanish Pride and Humour of their Rhodomontado's XXVII To Dicheu Hussein Bassa p. 318 A farther Account of the Troubles in England with a Relation of a Prophecy on the English King when an Infant XXVIII To Bajazet Ali Hogia Preacher to the Seraglio p. 325 Of Atheists in General and several Infamous Ones in Particular XXIX To Egri Boinou a White Eunuch p. 332 Touching the Salvation of Pagans and of honest Men of all Religions XXX To the Selictar Aga or Sword bearer p. 337 Of Monsieur la Tuillerie the French Ambassador's deceitful Negotiation for Peace between the Suedes and Danes Of Galasso's ineffectual Assistance Cardinal Mazarini vindicated from the Guilt of these Miscarriages XXXI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire p. 339 Of the Exploits of Torstenson Coningsmark and Papenheim XXXII To Berber Mustapha Aga. p. 340 Of the bloody Battel of Jankow and of the Removal of the German Court thereupon XXXIII To Osman Adrooneth an Astrologer at Scio. p. 342 He acquaints him with an extraordinary Hurricane that happened near Paris He discourses of the Nature of Storms and Danger of Earthquakes XXXIV To the Kaimacham p. 346 Of Mahmut's Imprisonment at Paris of Eliachim's Fidelity and of a Friar's Friendship and Assistance to him XXXV To the Venerable Mufti p. 351 He acquaints him with his Release from the Bastile Discourses of the Spanish Inquisition Asks his Absolution for eating of Swines Flesh and drinking of Wine XXXVI To Mehmet an Eunuch-Page in the Seraglio p. 356 Touching his Imprisonment and how a Man ought always to be provided for Misfortunes Of Wine and his Inclination to it LETTERS Writ by A SPY at PARIS VOL. II. BOOK I. LETTER I. Mahmut the Arabian faithful Slave of Sultan Ibrahim to Bechir Bassa His Highnesses Chief Treasurer at Constantinople I Know not whether it be a Vice or a Vertue to be fearful in my Circumstances I am no Stoick nor can I pretend an Exemption from the Common Passions of Men. However 't is not for my self I am solicitous but I consult the Good of my Commission There is a Difference between Caution and Fear and Apprehension of Danger is not to be termed Pusillanimity I have written Six Letters to Carcoa at Vienna but have received no Answer these Four Moons This Neglect puts me upon Thinking and I am puzzled to find out an Excuse for him I would fain continue my good Opinion of his Honesty without forfeiting my Sense For although I am not naturally suspicious yet Experience has taught me to number Jealousie among the Cardinal Virtues Not to amuse thee I am afraid of Treachery Carcoa knows the Secret of my Commission and it lies in his Power to do much Mischief Yet I may wrong the Man perhaps he is dead And there are no Posts that bring News from the Grave If he be in the Region of Silence and expired in his Integrity the Two Black Angels shall have no Power to hurt him But I wonder I should have no Intelligence of his Death neither from the Ministers of the Port nor from Eliachim the Jew I tell thee I am uneasie till I know the Truth When I sit in my Chamber and hear any discoursing in the House I imagine 't is about me when I go along the Streets if any Man fastens his Eyes on me he arrests me with Fear and Apprehension 'T is true I am willing to undergo the worst they can inflict but it would extreamly enhaunce the Sorrows of Death to see the Secrets of the Sublime Port become the Scorn and Derision of Infidels For these Reasons I have removed my self about a League from Paris pretending it is for my Health trusting the Conveyance of my Letters and other Business to Eliachim who for ought I know may prove a Reed of Aegypt I desire thee nay I conjure thee to send a speedy Supply of Money without which 't is impossible for poor Mahmut the Vilest Slave of the Great and Invincible Ibrahim to perform what is expected of him The Great God reward thy Fidelity with unfading
they were incapable of travelling afoot But with Money they prevail on the Slaves to direct them how they might procure Camels with a Guide This done they overtake the Caravan at Gaza and so finish'd their Pilgrimage They are now at the Court here and have made known the Business to the King who 't is said has dispatch'd an Express to his Ambassador at Constantinople to demand Justice on the aforesaid Subbassee threatning that if it be deny'd he will cover the Ocean with Ships and raze the Palace of the Sultan to the Ground For these two Noblemen are nearly allied to the Royal Family I know thou wilt despise the bold Bravado of this King and so do I being assured that the Invincible Sultan can set his Foot on the Necks of Forty such Petty Kings as this Yet let us be the Advocates of Justice by which the Refulgent Empire of the Mussulmen was first established Should such a Villainy as this go unpunished it would encourage others in like Cases and then there would be nothing but Extortion and cruel Insolence practis'd by Governours of Towns and Cities on the Road. So barbarous and Inhospitable Usage would provoke all the Princes of the Christian Law to take up Arms against us Thus would the most Glorious Empire in the World become a Prey to Infidels I know this would be misrepresented were it to come to other Hands than thine They would say of me openly what they have already whispered in the Cabals of the Seraglio That Mahmut is in Pension with the French King They seek my Life without a Cause But I trust it to thy generous and right noble Hands of whose Friendship I have had so late Experience May the First Mover of the Heavenly Orbs lead thee as by a Clew of Thread through the dark Labyrinth of State Affairs and bring thee after a long and happy Life to the Fields of endless Light Amen! thou Lord of Paradise Paris 26th of the 7th Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER XI To Nathan Ben Saddi a Jew at Vienna I Know thee not and 't is probable that art as little acquainted with me Yet I have often observed more durable Friendships contracted between Strangers than betwixt those of the same Blood Good Offices equally deserve and attract Love There are many Opportunities for Travellers to serve one another And he that obliges me in a strange Country makes himself my Brother I received a Dispatch from the Reis Effendi at Constantinople informing me of the Death of Carcoa one of the Happy Slaves of him whom God has ordained to dispense Felicities to the World I mean the Grand Signior Possessor of the most exalted Throne on Earth He tells me likewise that I must expect from thee the Continuance of Carcoa's Office I congratulate thy Honour in that thou art thought worthy to serve the Great Viceroy of the Lord of the Vniverse to whom is committed the Flaming Sword of Justice that he may reward Vertue punish Vice and reform the Corrupt Manners of all Mankind I am a Mussulman that is resigned to God or else it would have raised some Thoughtfulness in a Man of my Circumstances what should be the Reason of Carcoa's so long Silence not having received any Answer these Four Moons to the many Letters I sent him He was entrusted with the Secrets of my Commission and had another been in my Place he would have suspected Treachery Well he is gone gone to the Invisible Regions to the Receptacles of Just and Faithful Men to the pleasant Woods and Groves the Eternal Blooming Shades and Verdant Fields of Paradise Follow his Steps and be happy He was a Man true to his Trust sedulous and active in Business Punctual in his Appointments Temperate in a Town flowing with Debaucheries just toward all Men and Devout to God It is necessary for him that would attain these Virtues to begin Gradually at the lowest Step to Guard his Sences and set a Watch upon the Avenues of his Passions For a Man becomes neither perfectly Virtuous nor Vicious all at once And a Wise Man of thy own Nation Jesus Ben Sirach has said He that contemns Little Things shall fall by little and little I desire thee to send me Carcoa's Journal with what other Papers he left behind him except such as concern his particular Estate and Affairs Let me know also how the late Design of the Turks upon Rab is resented at the German Court whether the Emperor talks of sending an Embassador to the Sultan about it and whatsoever also of Moment occurs The Reis Effendi tells me that Bechir Bassa the Treasurer has ordered me Five Hundred Zechins by the way of Vienna I desire thou would'st be speedy and careful in remitting them to Paris Thou needest no Instructions concerning my Lodging or the Name I go by here those who appointed thee this Station at Vienna have informed thee no doubt of all Things necessary to the Discharge of thy Duty Write often to me and preserve thy Integrity free from Stain Paris 6th of the 8th Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER XII To Dgnet Oglou I Know thy Genius and have observed with what Complacency thou wert wont to peruse thy Uncle Shela Raphim's Travels a Journal writ in Arabick and full of profitable and wise Remarks especially that Part of it which treats of France I will not pretend to add to his Observations but only acquaint thee with a Novelty which France it self ne'er knew in his Days The Women of Quality here of late addict themselves to the Studies of Philosophy as the Men the Ladies esteeming their Education defective if they cannot confute Aristotle and his Disciples The Pen has almost supplanted the Exercise of the Needle and Ladies Closets formerly the Shops of Female Baubles Toys and Vanities are now turn'd to Libraries and Sanctuaries of Learned Books There is a new Star risen in the French Horizon whose Influence excites the Nobler Females to this pursuit of Humane Science It is the Renowned Monsieur Des Cartes whose Lustre far out-shines the Aged winking Tapers of Peripatetick Philosophy and has eclips'd the Stagyrite with all the Ancient Lights of Greece and Rome 'T is this matchless Soul has drawn so many of the Fairer Sex to the Schools And they are more proud of the Title Cartesian and of the Capacity to defend his Principles than of their Noble Birth and Blood I know our Grave and Politick Mussulmen will censure the Indulgence of the French to their Women and accuse them of Weakness in giving such Advantages to that witty Sex But notwithstanding this Severity of the Eastern Parts I cannot altogether disapprove the Western Galantry If Women are to be esteemed our Enemies methinks it is an ignoble Cowardise thus to disarm them and not allow them the same Weapons we use our selves But if they deserve the Title of our Friends 't is an Inhumane Tyranny to debar them the Privilege of Ingenuous Education which would also
Temper For be assured that it will be of less Pain to thee to have an Eye pluck'd out of thy Head than to tear from thy Heart the first Object of thy Love In this and all things else have an especial Regard to thy Conscience and to the Observing Angel who writes down all thy Actions in a Book Do nothing which may merit the Chastisement of the Two Black Angels who shall visit thee in thy Grave He who deals unjustly and cruelly by Women on Earth shall be deprived of the Felicities which our Holy Prophet has promis'd us in the Company of that beautiful Sex in Paradise Keep the Law and thou wilt have thy fill of Love both here and in the Blissful Bowers of Eden Paris 1st of the 11th Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER XXIX To the Kaimacham THE Surrender of Perpignan to the French startles the World A Place inexpugnable by Arms and not to be reduced but by Famine Some that pretend to penetrate into Foreign Secrets lay the blame on the Duke d' Olivarez They say that when the King of Spain first heard that Lewis laid Siege to this Important Place he would have gone in Person to its Relief but that the Duke hindred his Design fearing lest his own Miscarriages should take Wind when the King was got on the Frontiers This they say put a stop to the Levies that were making in Arragon and Castile and damp'd the Courage of those who were actually in Arms. Whether this was the Effect or no 't is certain the Duke d' Olivarez had sufficient Reason to be Conscious knowing that the Grandees of Spain watched for an Opportunity to dislodge him from the King's Breast But it is strange that he should at such a Time neglect any thing that might confirm him in his Master's Favour as the saving of Perpignan must needs adone all the Successes and Miscarriages of the State in Peace or War being attributed to the Favourite Minister Where-ever the Fault lies I have heard no Man yet condemn the Governor of the Town 'T is said he has given all the Marks of a Valiant Souldier a Prudent Commander and a Faithful Subject These Vertues are to be honoured even in an Enemy They report That the Spanish King put a kind of Superstitious Confidence in the Marquess d' Avilla because one of the same Family and Title had formerly Defended the Place to Extremity till the Siege was raised Assuredly Vertue is not inherent in Names nor Victory entailed to all of the same Blood Both the one and the other are owing in a great Measure to Providence and Chance The Romans did not gain more in the Carthaginian War under the Conduct of Scipio the African than they lost afterwards when another of that Name was General of their Army 'T is said the Duke d' Olivarez is seized with a Phrenzy upon the Loss of this Town or at least counterfeits one I do not assert this as a Truth Illustrious Kaimacham but to shew thee how People are addicted to censure not only the Miscarriages of Great Men but the very Regrets which attend their Misfortunes as if it were a Crime in them to mourn for the Calamities which they could not prevent In the mean time Cardinal Richlieu has weathered a Tempest raised against him by the Duke of Orleance and his Party As if the Fate of these Two Ministers ran Counter and One must Rise by the Other 's Fall Olivarez had laid a Train for Cardinal Richlieu's Destruction but fell into it himself He had corrupted one of the Cardinal's Creatures who associated himself with the Duke of Bouillon and the Duke of Orleans Besides private Grudges they all suspected the Cardinal as designing upon the King's Death to take the Regency into his own Hands They acquaint Olivarez with their Grievances and enter into a private League with him He in hopes to rend the Kingdom of France into fatal Divisions as well as to ruine the Cardinal agrees to furnish the Conspirators with Twelve Thousand Foot and Three Thousand Horse Sedan was to be the Rendezvous of this Army But Cardinal Richlieu whom no Secret could escape soon discovered the Plot and acquaints the King with it who forthwith caused the Conspirators to be seized imprisoned and Two of their Heads to be cut off the rest were pardoned on Conditions of Surrender and perpetual Banishment from the King's Presence This happened much about the Time that Perpignan surrendred which was on the Ninth of the Moon Ribiul A little before the Conspirators had so obscur'd the Cardinal's Credit at the Court that the King denied him a Visit when requested in his Sickness upon which the Cardinal withdrew himself But the King was quickly glad to follow him having no other Refuge in the midst of his Pressures but him who was Master of all the Hearts both of his Subjects and Allies At that time the Count de Guische was defeated in Flanders and the Parisians were apprehensive that Dom Francisco de Melo would bring his Forces into the Bowels of France None was able to extricate the King out of so many Troubles but the Chief Minister Thus by a Fortunate Concurrence of Events the Cardinal is restored to his Master's Favour sees his Foreign Enemies humbled Perpignan taken and his Domestick Foes cut off and baffled I pray God whose Eye is over the Mussulman Empire to preserve thee from all the Machinations of thine Enemies and make thee to shine bright in the Favour of the Grand Signior Paris 12th of the 11th Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER XXX To Nathan Ben Saddi a Jew at Vienna THY Letter with Carcoa's Journal is come safe to my Hands and the Ring which he bequeath'd me That Legacy demonstrates his Affection and that I have not ill deserved of him For the Actions of Dying Men are void of Disguise His Memoirs will be of great Service to me containing a more accurate History of the German Court from the Year 1600 to the Time of his Death than I have yet seen extant I am not unacquainted with Relations of this Kind The Europeans make their Histories speak what their Affection or Fear suggests rather than the Truth The Liberty of Printing has debauched the Integrity of most Writers they study rather to please than inform the Age. For this Reason I reject the greatest Part of Modern History coveting onely the Manuscripts of such as Carcoa He speaks Impartially having no other Byass than the Service which he owed to the Grand Signior I speak this for thy Encouragement and Direction who succeedest that honest Old Man in his Post When thou committest any of thy Observations to Paper let them be of Things Remarkable and True The Banker to whom thou didst address the Bill for my Payment made a demurr at first but Eliachim clear'd up his Doubts I desire thee to order Matters so hereafter that I may not be taken for a Cheat That may prove of ill Consequence to us
thy Name though it denotes the Dwarfishness of thy Body That little Epitome of Humane Statute is exquisitely Regular Nature in framing it has shew'd her Skill in Proportions though she seems to have made it too Narrow for thy Soul In this thou art obliged to her for thy Knowledge thy Mind being uneasie in its diminutive Habitation is for that Reason seldom at Home Thy Soul is a perfect Night-Walker when other Men are abed and asleep thou art taking thy Rounds among the Stars Thou art become a Spy upon the Planets If any of them make but a false Step thou tellest the World of it Thou art a Pimp to all their Amorous Assignations and Conjunctions and Vulcan himself never so often exposed the Intrigues of Mars and Venus as thou hast done But I would have thee beware lest they revenge themselves on thee some time or other as they did upon one of thy Profession by stirring up a certain King to take away his Life He was a bold Fellow and pretended great Familiarity with the Stars One Day he came to the King and told him he had exactly Calculated his Nativity and by his Observations from thence according to the Rules of Art had discovered That he should not live out that Year The King replied I will prove that my Skill is greater than thine for I know the very Hour of thy Death which is now precisely and which all thy Knowledge in Astrology could never foresee nor be able to prevent So he commanded his Head to be immediately cut off I would not have thy Star-gazing so suddenly spoil'd though they say thou hast ventured to talk somewhat too largely Judicial Astrology seems in a great Measure obliged to Superstition for the Credit it has gained among Men and the Latin Proverb says A Wise Man shall over-rule the Stars For my part I would rather counsel thee to follow thy old Recreation of teaching Pigeons to be Letter-Carriers Yet I would not have thee from thence think of building Castles in the Air like Aesop nor of flying to the Moon by the Help of a Team of Geese in Imitation of Domingo Gonsales But since I am got among the Birds which thou art so much delighted in before I take my leave I wish thee as good Fortune with thy winged Disciples as the Roman Cobler had who taught a Parrot to salute the Emperour as he went along the Street with these Words Hail Caesar which the Emperour hearing gave him a Royal Price for his Parrot The poor Man overjoy'd at his good Luck got another Parrot and attempted to teach her in the same Manner but having taken much ineffectual Pains he used to fret and say I have lost my Labour Yet at length by daily repeating these Words the Parrot had learned both Sentences and the next time the Emperour came by it said Hail Caesar to which the Emperour replied I have enough such Flatterers at Home the Parrot having her Lesson perfect rejoyn'd I have lost my Labour which the Emperour hearing and pleas'd with the Novelty bought this also and setled a generous Pension on the Man during his Life If thou couldst by some lucky Contingency sell thy Pigeons at such a rate to Sultan Ibrahim thy Time would be better spent than in playing the Mercury and bringing News from the Stars But then thy Pigeons must be better bred than was that which was sent to the Sophi of Persia with a Message from Babylon when the late Invincible Sultan Amurath besieged it for the Feather'd Courier instead of flying to the Persian Camp took up short by the Way and perching on the Pavillion of the Vizir Azem was forthwith shot and the secret Necessities of the City were exposed to the Ottoman Army May such Fate always attend Infidels and Hereticks when they take up Arms against the Mussulman Empire Adieu Paris 10th of the last Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER IV. To the Grand Signior 's Chief Treasurer THOU tellest me the Ministers of the Supreme Divan accuse me of Negligence in not Writing often and Things of Importance In my Opinion thou thy self hast more Reason to complain on this Score since I have not sent a Letter to thee these Four Moons in which Time not one of the Rest but has received several from me Would they have me coin News Would they have me amuze them with Relations of Things which never had any Existence I have not failed hitherto to communicate to the Port all the Intelligences I have received But they ought to consider that the Winter affords little of Action Time the Devourer of all Things has almost swallowed up the Year only this last Moon seems to be pickled in Ice for a Dessert We are here up to the Knees in Snow And the Greatest Warriours find it best Encamping by the Fire Side Here is a Rumour That the King of Persia is Dead They say also that the Great Mogul will not put on Mourning for him being by his Death freed from a Storm which threatned to subvert all his Dominions on this Side of Ganges 'T is added That he has sought the Alliance of the Grand Signior with purpose to continue the War against the Young King of Persia who has not yet seen Thirteen Summers and to carry his Forces to the Walls of Ispahan It is not lawful for me to dictate to my Sovereign who is the Sole Judge of the Vniverse but permit me to guess what will be his Conduct in this Affair If what I have heard be true I have no Reason to think that Sultan Ibrahim will violate the Peace which he has so lately concluded with the King of Persia the Articles whereof he carries in his Bosom Thou seest Most Serene Bassa the Tide of News is so low that Mahmut is forced to stoop and receive it puddled as it is by the Mouths of the Vulgar If I acquaint thee with what thou knewest before let not the Blame rest on me who ought to have received this Intelligence from some of the Ministers of the Sublime Port which is the Tabernacle where Fame keeps her Residence My whole Life and the best of my Spirits are consecrated to the Service of the Grand Signior I spare no Pains or Cost whereby I may render my self effectually useful to the Great Master of the Vniverse I write often to the Ministers of the Divan who are his Slaves as well as I yet none vouchsafes me an Answer except the Reis Effendi I received also one Letter full of Consolation and Advice from the Venerable Mufti Likewise Hassein Bassa laid his Commands on me These I esteem my Friends I would think so of all Men who serve Sultan Ibrahim if they would cease to load me with Obloquies I was about to conclude my Letter when an Old Courtier interrupts me with the News of the Surrender of Tortona a Strong Town in Piedmont possessed by the Spaniards till now obliged to quit it by the French Forces
Best Catholicks but the Worst Christians the French are said to be the Best Christians but the Worst Catholicks and the Italians are accounted neither Catholicks nor Christians I know not what reason they have to state the Difference so between the Two Former but the Character of the Latter suits in one Respect with the usual Proverb of that Country it being common in the Mouths of Italian Gallants to say He that is a Christian is a Fool. The Devouter sort of Catholicks pay a great Reverence and Devotion to the Reliques of their Saints I could not reprehend them for this if I were sure of Two Things That all those whom they esteem as Saints were really such and That all the Reliques they keep with so much Veneration in their Churches did really appertain to the Persons under whose Names they go For then it would be no more than what the True Believers practise throughout the World and it is well known That when a piece of the Garment of our Holy Prophet was dipt in the Water which they cast on the Flames of Constantinople the Fire immediately ceased to which before no Stop could be given by all the Industry and Endeavours of Men. Assuredly the Bodies of the Prophets and Messengers of God are Holy and have a Power of Sanctifying whatever they touch producing often Miraculous Effects but the Avarice of Men may abuse this Truth to their own private Ends and the Christians themselves will not believe all to be true Reliques of Saints which their Crafty Priests shew for such There be innumerable other Sects of Christians which are neither in Communion with the Roman nor the Grecian Churches but accusing them of Idolatry separate themselves from their Society and form Distinct Congregations These are not known in France saving only the Hugonots otherwise called Protestants Which last is a Term comprehending all that have Revolted from the Roman Church and was first assumed by the Lutherans at Ausburgh in Germany In England and Holland there are abundance of these Sects some of them newly sprung up others of longer Date And all thus far agree with the Mussulmans that they use not Pictures or Images in their Temples so that were they rightly instructed in the Holy Alcoran it would not be a Thing altogether impracticable to perswade them to Circumcision There is a Sect which they call Socinians who seem to preach out of the very Book of Glory denying the Divinity of Jesus the Son of Mary the Christians Messias even as our Divine Lawgiver does in several Chapters and Versicles of the Alcoran The Christian Church seems to be a stately Building whereof Prelacy is the Corner-Stone if this were removed all would fall to the Ground That which they call the Hierarchy if it could once be dissolv'd or pull'd down we should soon see all Christendom laid in Ruines This Hierarchy is a Gradual Subordination of Arch-Bishops Bishops and Priests the Inferiour depending on the Superiour and all deriving their Orders and Dignities from their Chief Patriarchs These are the Links which compose that Chain that fastens Christendom together were this but once broke the United Interest of Europe would soon fall into pieces The Way must be by beginning at the lowermost Link Could but the Priests be render'd Independent on the Bishops and on each other it would be a fair step toward the dismantling of the Out-works these Priests drawing infinite Numbers of People after them as it is apparent in Geneva Holland Suisserland and other Places where they have quite abolish'd the Order and Authority of Bishops And it is observable that none of these forementioned Countries since that Time have ever been Instrumental in opposing the Victorious Arms of the Ottoman Empire As if with the Downfal of Episcopacy the Charm were dissipated which had for some Ages precipitated these Nations among others to a rash and Obstinate Resistance of that Force which is destin'd by Fate to Conquer and Reform the World Weigh this Thought well and thou wilt find that the Order of Bishops is Essential and Necessary to the Good Estate of Christendom and that the onely Way for the Mussulmans to undermine all Europe will be to supplant this Order and Introduce an Ecclesiastick Independency among the Priests by which means every one shall assume to himself not onely his proper Fragment of the torn Dignity but the whole Fundamental Power of a Bishop taking upon him to do those Offices which before it was not accounted Lawful for any but a Mitred Head to perform Hence in Time will follow innumerable Inconveniences Distastes and Broils and perhaps as many Schisms as there are particular Priests to head them Since every one will be apt to think himself capable of dictating to all the Rest and judge it below him to receive the Law from any Thus will there be a clear Stage for Ambition Avarice and Lust to act their Parts on and when by the Craft of designing Men the Superstition of Bigots and the Easiness of the Credulous the greatest Part shall be so divided that it will be difficult to find Two Men of the same Mind in Articles of Faith It will then be easie either by the Intelligible Reasons in the Alcoran or the more Cogent Arguments of the Sword to plant the True and Vndefiled Faith in these Countries The Creator of all Things hasten his Holy Prophet's Return that all Nations may embrace his Law assert his Vnity and be incorporated into the Glorious Empire of the Ozmans Paris 10th of the 6th Moon of the Year 1643. LETTER XVI To the Kaimacham SInce the Death of King Lewis all mens Eyes and Hearts are fix'd upon the Dauphin who though he is very Young yet is he a Prince of a forward Genius and promising Aspect giving signal Proofs of a Martial Spirit One Day seeing the Guards as they were exercising their Arms he discovered an extraordinary Complacency and said to those that stood by I had rather be a Soldier than a King Imagining from the Softnesses he is accustomed to in these Infant Years that the Life of a Soldier is incompatible with that of a King Since that Time he harasses his Tutor and Attendants with perpetual Tattle about Guns and Swords And Cardinal Mazarini not to baffle or check such Generous Inclinations has cull'd out a Companion for him agreeable in Temper onely a Year or Two elder These Young Sons of Mars bestow their Time partly in shooting with little harmless Engines made on purpose for the Dauphin's Recreation in Imitation of Guns sometimes with Bows and Arrows at other Times they fence with Files adapted to their tender Arms and childish Skill In these Kind of Exercises the Dauphin grows a great Proficient and it is look'd upon as an Omen of his future Warlike Deeds A Spanish Astrologer has calculated his Nativity He Prophesies strange Things of this Young Prince As that he shall excel all his Royal Ancestors in Feats of Arms That
their Train were barbarously put to Death by the Japoneses against the Law of Nature and the Sanction of all Nations Such Violences have never been practis'd in the Ottoman Empire the Sanctuary of the Earth has not been prophan'd by an Injustice of so deep a Die. There has been lately discover'd a Second Conspiracy against Dom Juan de Braganza wherein were concerned Dom Joseph de Menezez Governour of St. Julien the most Important Fortress of all the Kingdom and Dom Francisco de Lucena Secretary of State These held a private Correspondence with the Duke d' Olivares and it was agreed between them that the Governour of Badaiox a Subject of the King of Spain should be put in Possession of St. Julian's Fort which is the very Key of Lisbon and that other Places of Strength should be delivered up to such Spanish Officers as Olivares appointed But a Letter which was sent from Dom Juan de Garay Governour of Badaiox to the Governour of St. Lucies-Fort in Portugal being by Mistake carried to the Hands of the Count d' Obidos a Portugueze General and a faithful Friend to the King discovered the Intrigue and the Traytors were seized and brought to Condign Punishment I cannot at present send thee any more News of the Portugueze Affairs God grant thee a long and happy Life in the Favour of the Grand Signior Paris 20th of the 7th Moon of the Year 1643. LETTER XVIII To Dgnet Oglou THOU wilt wonder when I tell thee I am melancholy for want of Solitude That which administers Occasion of Sadness to others is the onely Cure of my Grief Yet this will not seem a Paradox when thou considerest that Conversation is the Air of the Soul and that he who values the Health and Ease of his Mind ought to chuse such an Element for it to breathe in as is pure and serene which is very Difficult to find in any Society This is the Reason that I never think my self more alone than when I am confin'd to some Kind of Company Thou hast observed that most Men will engross all the Talk to themselves this is very Irksom Yet I should not grudge them the Monopoly were their Discourse pertinent and agreeable but to be forc'd to hearken to all their empty Tattle of Hawks and Hounds Garbs and Fashions with an endless Jargon of Things less to the Purpose than the former which will keep their Tongues employ'd sometimes two or three Hours together renders their Converse more troublesome than that of the Spark who pick'd up Horace in the Streets of Rome Others are of a quite contrary Humour and thou mayst as soon get a Word from the Mufti as from them They sit like Statues as if they emulated the Character of Griuli Eben Sagran one of the Vizirs of the Bench who in ten Years that he had sat in the Divan was never observed to speak a Syllable Yet this sort is more tolerable than the other who with their Everlasting Chat rock the Company asleep and take from them the very Power of Thinking However I prefer the Retirement of my Chamber to both these Inconveniences There I can enter into my self and by retreating from all Commerce with my Senses I find a private Back Way to converse with the whole Universe Think not this a Chimaera or that Mahmut pretends to extraordinary Illuminations 't is nothing but what every Man may experience who will but take the Pains to be throughly acquainted with Himself If he can but gain a familiar Access to the inward Apartments of his own Breast he will soon find a Postern there which will readily open and let him into the most retired Closets of Nature From thence he may sally forth and take a better Survey of the World than he can by his Eyes Here he will behold all Things undisguised and in their true Quantities and Qualities And which is more admirable he will be able without the Help of Opticks to see himself enjoying this Felicity and to know that he sees it which is a sufficient Conviction that he is not in a Dream Wouldst thou improve thy Knowledge affect not a Multitude of Books there are but few worth the Reading What is the whole Creation but one Great Library every Volume in which and every Page in those Volumes are impress'd with Radiant Characters of infinite Wisdom And all the Perfections of the Universe are contracted with such unimitable Art in Man that he needs no other Book but himself to make him a complete Philosopher Thou wilt say that this requires too great an Abstractedness of Mind and is very painful I tell thee my dear Friend I am extremely subject to Melancholy whose Effect thou knowest is to render one very thoughtful and those Thoughts rack the Soul with intolerable Anguish Yet I do not fly from them as generally Men are accustom'd neither do I seek to drown them in Wine or chase them away with any Sociable Divertisements My usual Way is to bid them Battel oppose Thoughts against Thoughts and with the Dint of Reason to subdue this peevish Humour To this End I hunt up and down for my Enemy and rummage every Corner of my Soul pursuing the Cause of my Sadness with such Arguments as these Why should I be melancholy who possess Nothing that I fear to lose and yet enjoy all that I could wish for were I without what I now Possess I am a Mussulman and therefore under the Protection of God I serve his Vicegerent the Grand Signior faithfully and find Acceptance with the Bassa's of the Port I am in France yet cannot call it a Foreign Country since Innocence and Vertue naturalize a Man in all Parts of the World I cannot say I am unfortunate so long as I have no Vice for which I need either to Blush or grow Pale If I am slander'd this ought to be an Occasion of Joy since it ranks me with Men of the Greatest Merit who could never escape the Calumnies of the Envious And I have reason to Triumph in that I find no Inclination to revenge my self but rather to pity my Traducers If any Man should play the Satyrist with my Deformity and rudely descant on my Ugly Countenance or the Disproportion of my Limbs there is no more Reason to be grieved at this than to be affronted at the Wind for blowing off my Hat or the Rain for wetting my Cloaths or a Dog for barking at me as I go along the Streets the one being as Natural as the other Thus I argue with my self Dear Oglou when assaulted with Melancholy these are the Remedies which I apply to that black Distemper of the Mind And sometimes I go farther if these will do no good I then ask my self whether it be the fear of Death that thus perplexes me And here begins my Cure This kindles the Brightest Spark of Reason which in a Moment disperses all the Mists The dismal Pageantry of Chimera's vanishes and all the Tragick Pomp
and he that steers not his Course in the Golden Mean may soon precipitate himself into Ruine But it is also necessary for thee to have an Eye to the Satisfaction of the Subject as well as to the Prince's Prerogative It will not be safe to immolate the Peoples Interests and Liberties to the Humours and Caprices of their Sovereign Neither will he thank or reward thee for such a dangerous Piece of Zeal Nay should he himself command thee to do any Thing which would intrench on their Rights and Privileges thou oughtest rather to shew thy Fidelity in humbly remonstrating to him the ill Consequences of such a Proceeding than by a blind Obedience to betray both him and thy self to the Publick Odium On thee to be sure it will fasten however thy Master may escape and thou must fall a Victim to appease the incens'd Multitude and save him harmless This was the Case of the Duke d' Olivares the late Minister and Favourite of the King of Spain He was endued with all the forementioned Vertues requisite in a Statesman but his immense Zeal to advance the Kings Prerogative betrayed him to such Measures of Oppression and Tyranny as were the Occasion of his Ruine The Spaniards claim certain Franchises and Immunities which when granted them they pay a voluntary Homage to the Castilian Crown D' Olivares sought to bereave them of these their Native Customs and Liberties which by degrees gave so general a Disgust to that apprehensive Nation that they broke out into an open Rebellion Hence sprung the Revolt of Catalonia and Rossilion and the total Defection of Portugal He thought by Rigour to drive these People to Extremes making them fall into Treason and then taking advantage of their Crimes to make his Master more absolute But these indirect Courses never prosper'd and we now see the Duke of Braganza by this Means established in the Throne of Portugal that Kingdom quite rent from Spain and the other Provinces in the Hands of the French The Spanish Grandees sensible of the Male-administration of the Favourite Duke grew disgusted with-drew from the Court and from their Charges leaving the King almost destitute of Attendants at home or Officers abroad yet none durst discover the Grounds of their Discontent till the Constable of Castile broke the Ice on the following Occasion This Constable is one of the Prime Nobility of Spain deducing his Pedigree from a Race of Kings Him had Olivares made his Mortal Enemy by proposing a Match between a Son of his and the Constable's Daughter This Son whether Natural or only Adopted is not certainly known but he had lived an obscure and debauch'd Life not so much as taken Notice of unless for his dissolute Manners and enormous Crimes which had once expos'd him to the Sentence of Death had he not met with better Fortune than he deserv'd All the Nobles were highly disgusted when they saw this Prodigal own'd by Olivares for his Natural Son and Heir invested with the highest Dignities of the Kingdom and made Master of prodigious Riches especially since he was no Ways worthy of such Preferment retaining still his former Vices and giving every where Proofs of an abject and base Genius To see such an one made President of the Indies and at the Height of Honour in a fair Way to succeed the Duke in his Ministry irritated the whole Court and drove the Constable of Castile to Impatience He utterly refuses the Match disdaining that his Daughter should be linked to such an Upstart He remonstrates to the King the exorbitant Ambition of Olivares In fine being seconded by other Lords of the Court and by Letters from the German Emperour he so far prevailed on the King that his Eyes began to be opened and he now clearly saw that all the Disorders of the Government ow'd their Origin to the ill Conduct of Olivares Wherefore taking the Advice of his faithful Counsellors he banish'd him the Court depriv'd him of all Authority confin'd him first to a Place not far from Madrid and afterwards to Thoro a City in Old Castile Thus fell that great Minister through his own Ambition to rise Seeking by unwarrantable Methods to secure his Master's Favour he incurr'd the Height of his Displeasure and brought upon his own Head an irrecoverable Disgrace and Ruine I send thee this Example as a Testimony of my Friendship and Fidelity and that thou mayst inform the Divan of the true Grounds of this Man's Misfortune The King has now taken the Reins of Government into his own Hands though 't is thought too late I wish thee an Encrease of Vertues and Happiness and that thy Moderation may keep thee stedfast in the Sultan's Favour Paris 4th of the 11th Moon of the Year 1644. LETTER XXII To Dgnet Oglou IT is thou knowest a considerable Time since I was Love-smitten with the Beautiful Daria who was Fair as an Angel and discreet above any Mortal Creature It 's hard to say whether the Beauty of her Mind or that of her Body struck deepest Impressions on my Soul How long were the Nights and how short my Slumbers and what a general Distraction of Thoughts were I in I could not abide my Chamber and when I went out no other Place could please me I knew not what I said or thought whether I dreamt or was really awake stood or sate went backwards or forwards all Postures and Places being alike seeing none of them could afford me the Relief I sought after I imagin'd no less but that I must thus languish on yet I find That Time and Absence have at length made Way for Reason Marvel not dear Oglou I have suffered these Transports Our Passions are not in our Power we cannot love and hate when and whom we please There is a Conformity of Blood wherein the Stars they say work Wonders It 's true no Man can love and be wise at the same Time but prithee tell me didst ever know any Wise Man who was not one Time or other in Love Remember thine own Passion for the same Object which will make thee the easier to excuse mine I 'll tell thee a Story which I have some-where read which if it does not palliate yet will not aggravate my Weakness A certain Country-Man having lost his Ass came to the Muezin or Cryer desiring him to give Notice at the Door of one of their Mosques which he did for Three several Festivals But no News being heard of the Animal the Owner urged the Muezin to continue his Proclamations with the Reward of a fat Pig to the Finder The Muezin being an arch Wag and tired with the Fellow's Importunity one Day when the Ceremonies of their Superstitious Worship was ended and People flockt amain out of the Mosque he made this following Proclamation If there be any Man here amongst you who will come forth and solemnly profess he never was in Love he shall have a fat Pig An ungainly loobily Fellow who was leaning listning on