Orleanois and that at Clermont in Auvergne whose Waters are of a Petrifying Nature and likewise another nigh to the City of Mans which maketh Silver look exactly like Gold 2 Observable Mountains particularly those nigh to Rhodes in Guienne call'd the Mountains of Cansac which burn whenever it Rains 3. Some hideous Subterranean Holes or Passages as that in the Forrest of S. Aubin du Cormier in Bretaign through which flows a mighty Torrent of Water and another near Nions in Dauphine from which proceedeth a violent Wind. These are the chief Rarities in France both Natural and Artificial especially the latter As for Artificial ones of a modern date this Country affordeth several particularly that famous Canal of Languedoc and splendid Palace of Versailles with divers magnificent Buildings especially Churches but these are either too well known to need or too numerous to admit of any particular Relation here The Archbishopricks of France are these following viz. Lions whose Archbishop is Count and Primate of France Sens Primate of France and Germany Paris Duke and Peer of the Realm Reims Duke and Peer and Legat of the Holy See Rouen Primate of Normandy As also those Yours Bourdeaux Narbonne Vienne Burges Auch Arles Bezancon Alby Tholouse Aix Embrun The respective Suffragans of these Archbishops are as followeth Lions Autun Langres Wacon Chasion Sens. Trois Auxerre Nevers Paris Chartres Orleans Meaux Reims Soissont Laon Chaalons Noijon Beauvais Amiens Senlis Boulogn Alby Castres Mende Rodez Cahors Vahors Narbonne Carcassâ—nr Aleâ— Beziers Agde Lodove Montpellier Nismes Usetz S. Pons Perpignan Rouen Bayeux Euâ—eux Auranchet Seez Lisâ—ux Coutances Bourdeauz Poictiers Saintes Angoulesm Perigueux Agen Condom Sarlat Rochelle Lucon Arles Marseilles Orange S. Paul de 3. Chateaux Toulon Tours Mans Anger 's Rennes Nantes Cournouaille Vannes S. Malo S. Brieu Treguier S. Pol de Leon Dole Auch Acquis Aire Bazas Bayonne Comminges Conserans Lectoure Mescar Oleron Tarbes Aix Apt Riez Frejus Gap Sisteron Vienne Valence Die Grenoble Viviers Maurienne Bourges Clermont Limoges S. Flour le Puy Tulle Tholouse Pamiers Mirepoix Montauban Lavour S. Papaul Lombez Rieux Bezanc Belley Basil in Switz Lausanne in Switz Embrun Digne Glandeve Vence Senez Grace Nice in Savoy Universities belonging to this Kingdom are establisht at these Cities following Paris Anger 's Reims Perpignan Bourdeaux Caen Valence Douay Poictiers Montpellier Aix Dole Orleans Cahors Avignon Friburge Bourges Nantes Pont a'mauson Orange The French are generally a Civil Quick and Active sort of People but extreamly given to Talking especially those of the Female Sex who nevertheless are not only very pleasing in discourse but also of a graceful and winning deportment This People is thus characteriz'd by some That they are Aiery Amorous full of Action and above all things Contentious being so universally given to Law-fuits and that even among nearest Relations that Lawyers Judges and other Officers of Justice are observ'd to be the richest Body of the Kingdom excepting the Churchmen Many of this Country in matters of Learning are bless'd with a clear Conception and ready Expression and of late they have advanc'd the Republick of Letters to a very considerable height this Age having produc'd several of that Nation and even some of the Female Sex who are now famous through all the Learned World for their singular Parts The French Language compos'd chiefly of the Latin together with several German and Gothick words intermixt being lately much refin'd by the Royal Academy at Paris is so admir'd for its elegancy and sweetness that it hath wonderfully spread it self abroad in the world and is now become the chief Tongue that 's commonly us'd in most Princes Courts of Europe Pater-Noster in the same runs thus Nôtre pére qui es aux Cieux Ton Nom soit sanctifié Ton Regne vienne Ta Volonté soit faite en Ia Terre comme aâ— Ciel Donne nous aujourdhuy nôtre pain quotidien Pardonne nous nos offences comme nous pardonnons a' ceux qui nous ont offencez Et ne nous induit point en tentation mais delivre nous du mal Amen This Kingdom being formerly a part of the Roman Empire was in process of time over-run by Franks Goths and Burgundians especially the first by whom was rais'd a Monarchy which continuing in the Succession of Kings of three several Races viz. the Morovignian Carlovinian and Capetine is now as great as any in Christendom and at present subject to one Sovereign entitl'd the Most Christian King and eldest Son of the Church whose Government is Monarchical and Crown hereditary in his Heirs Male all Females being excluded by the Salique Law The whole Kingdom being divided into 12 Governments over each of them is set a Governor styl'd the King's Licutenant-General or Super-Intendant having the like Power as the Lords Lieutenants of England formerly had in their several Counties For the better management of the publick Affairs and Administration of Justice in all parts of this Kingdom here are establisht a great many Courts of Judicatory particularly these following viz. Parliaments Chambers of Accounts Courts of Aides Presidial Courts Generalities Elections c. I. Parliaments the highest and supream Courts of the Nation were Fifteen in number reckoning the late Conquests and held at the Cities of Paris Tholouse Rouen Grenoble Bourdeaux Dijon Aix Vannes Pau Mets Besancon Tourney Perpignan Arras and Brisac These Parliaments according to their respective business are divided into several Chambers especially that of Paris which hath no less than Ten. viz. 1. The Grand Chamber where the Peers of the Realm being accus'd of any Crime are usually Try'd 2. The Tournelle Civile where they take cognizance of such Civil Causes as exceed a thousand Livres in value 3. The Tournelle Criminelle where Appeals from Inferior Courts in Criminal Matters are heard and discuss'd Besides these three there are five Chambers of Inquest where Depositions of Witnesses are set down and Causes thereupon determin'd being almost the same with our Bill and Answer in Chancery and Exchequer And lastly There are two Chambers of Request where Causes of Priviledg'd Persons are heard and discuss'd II. Chambers of Accounts where Accounts of the Treasury are examin'd and Homage and Vassalage due from the Royal Feifs are receiv'd Treaties of Peace and Grants made by the King and such like are recorded These Chambers are 12 in number and held at the Cities of Paris Rouen Dijon Nantes Montpelier Grenoble Aix Pau Blois Liste Aire and Dole III. Courts of Aides where all Causes relating to the King's Revenue particularly Aides Tailles Gabells are determin'd and that without any appeal to a higher Judicatory These Courts are in number Eight and held at these 8 Cities of Paris Montpelier Rouen Clermont Montferrand Bourdeaux Aix Grenoble and Dijon IV. Presidial Courts compos'd of several Judges where Civil Causes in matters of smaller importance as also Appeals made from Subaltern Justices in Villages are
heard and determin'd V. Generalities whose Office they being the Treasurers general of France is to take care of assessing the Taxes proportionably in their respective Districts according to the Sum propos'd by the King and Council to be levied These Courts are 23 in number each consisting of twenty three Persons and these conveniently situated in several parts of the Kingdom They do also judge Matters relating to the Crown-Lands the King's Revenue and such like Lastly Elections which are small Courts subordinate to the Generalities and their Office is to cast up how much every Parish in their respective Division must raise of the Sum propos'd by the Generality and accordingly they issue out their Orders to every Parish whereupon one of the Inhabitants being chosen Collector he proportions every one 's Quota and collecting the same returns it to the Generalities and they again to the publick Exchequer Besides these there is a vast number of inferior Courts for smaller Matters whether Civil or Criminal And a great many publick Officers as Provosts Seneschals Bailiffs as also Intendants de la Justice Police and Finance c. But our intended brevity will not admit of a farther Relation The King of France for Arms bears Azure three Flower de Luces Or two in chief and one in base the Escutcheon is environed with the Collars of the Orders of S. Michael and the Holy Ghost For Crest an Helmet Or entirely open thereon a Crown clos'd after the manner of an Imperial Crown with eight inarched Rays topt with a double Flower de Luce. The Supporters are two Angels habited as Levites the whole under a Pavilion Royal semé of France lin'd Ermines with these words Ex omnibus Floribus elegi mihi Lilium Lilia neque laborant neque nent The only Establish'd Religion in France is that of the Church of Rome for all the Decisions of the Council of Trent in Matters of Faith are there receiv'd but those that relate to Points of Discipline and infringe the Rights of the Crown with the Liberties of the Gallican Church are rejected The Protestants commonly call'd Hugonots were formerly allow'd the publick profession of their Religion by several Edicts granted by the French Kings particularly that of Nantes An. 1598. by Henry IV. and confirm'd by all his Successors ever since But the present King by his Declaration of October 1685. abolish'd the said Edict and inhibited the Exercise of the Reform'd Religion enjoining the profession of the Roman and that under the severest Penalties Whereupon followed the Destruction of their Churches and a violent Persecution which forced great Droves to leave the Kingdom and seek for shelter in Foreign Countries As to the Romanists themselves There are great Divisions among them at present notwithstanding of their so much boasted Unity For besides the hot Disputes between the Molinists and Jansenists about Predestination and Grace in which the pretended Infallible Judge at Rome dares not interpose his Decisive Authority for fear of disobliging one or the other Party we find that the Sect of Quietism has lately crept in among them as appears from the late Book of the Archbishop of Cambray concerning the Internal Life which has been censured by the Archbishop of Paris and the Bishops of Meaux and Chartres and complain'd off by the French King in his Letter to the Pope though the Author profers to maintain his Doctrine before his Holiness if permitted to go to Rome The Christian Faith was first planted in this Country by some of St. Peter's Disciples as is most probably thought sent thither by him at his first coming to Rome A New Map of GERMANY By Rob t. Morden SECT IV. Concerning Germany  d. m.  Miles Situated between 24 10 of Long. It s greatest Length is about 540. 37 12 between 45 30 of Lat. Breadth is about 510. 54 30 Being divided into three Classes viz. North. Middle South North. The Circle of Belgium Chief Towns are Amsterdam W. to E. Bruxelles The Circle of Westphalia Munster The Circle of Lower Saxony Hamburg The Circle of Upper Saxony Wittenburg Middle The Circle of the Lower Rhine Heidelberg W. to E. The Circle of the Upper Rhine Francfort The Circle of Franconio Nurenburg South The Circle of Suabia Ausburg W. to E. The Circle of Bavaria Munick The Circle of Austria Vienna Of all these in Order §. 1. The Circle of Belglum Divided into North viz. Holland Chief Town Amsterdam South viz. Flanders Bruxelles Holland contains Seven Provinces Viz. 4 towards the South Holland properly so call'd Chief Town Amsterdam Zeland Middleburgh Utretcht Idem Zutphen and a part of Gelderland Zutphen 3 towards the North Over Issel Deventer Friesland Leuarden Groningen Idem Flanders contains Ten Provinces Viz. 4 Dutchies Gelderland Chief Town Gelders Brabant Bruxelles Luxembourge Idem Limbourge Idem 4 Counties Flanders properly so called Bruges Artesia Arras Hannonia Mons. Namur Idem The Marquisate of the Empire Antwerp The Seignory of Malines Idem The Chief of these 〈…〉 Holland and Flanders properly 〈…〉 particularly consider them 〈…〉 the most remarkable Towns in each of them 〈…〉 Holland properly so call'd being divided into North. South Chief Towns North are Goree in the Island Goree 〈◊〉 Nigh unto or upon the Mues from W. to E. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Western part from S. W. to N. E. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 South are Amsterdam upon the Channel Amstel 〈◊〉 In the Western part from S. to N. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon the Zuyder-zee or South-Sea from N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naerden Flanders properly so call'd being divided into East West Chief Towns in East are Dendermonde Upon the Dendre from N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gramont Ghâ—ut Upon the Soheld all found from N. to S. W. Oâ—denard Tournay St. Amand Upon the Scarpe Doway Deynse Nigh unto or upon the Lys all found from N. to S. W. Courtray Armenthiers Lisle West are Graveling Five remarkable Ports from S. to N. E. Dunkirk Neuport Osiend laÌ„ys Bruges found from W. to E. Axel Hulst Rupelmond upon the Scheld 5 Miles S. of Antwerp Farne found from W. to E. Dixmude Thyelt Berge S. Winoc from W. to E. Ypres Cassel farthest South The Dutchy of Brabant being divided into North. South Chief Towns in North are Bosleduc found from E. to W. Breda Steenbergen Bergenopzoom Antwerp upon the Scheld Mechelin upon the Dender South are Aersschot Upon the Demer from W. to E. Sichem Diest Brussels found from W. to E. Louvain Tilmont Judoigne about 12 Miles S. E. of Louvain Gemblours found from E. to W. Genape Nivelle §. 2. The Circle of Westphalia Divided into North-East between the Weser and Elm Ch. T. Osnaburge Middle between the Elm and the Rhine Munster South-West betw the Rhine and Cir. Belg. Leige More particularly North-East comprehends The County of Oldenburg Chief Town Idem On the Wefer from N. to S. Hoya are Idem Diepholt Idem Schomberg Idem The Principal of Minden Idem The County of Embden or
Regiments of Horse and 〈◊〉 of Foot always in â—â—â—diness upon a call The Laws by which this Island are govern'd except some By-Acts which immediately concern the Plantation are the same with those of England The Island bâ—ing divided into four Circuits in each of them is establish'd an Inferior Court of Judicatory for hearing all manner of Civil Causes From which Courts Appeals may be made to the Supreme Court and for due Administration of Justice in Criminal Matters here are yearly held five Sessions When there appears a real Necessity of making new Laws which must never contradict those of England or abrogating old ones the Governor calls an Assembly for that end This Assembly resembles in some manner our English Parliament for the Governor being reckon'd Supreme those of his Council are as so many Peers and two Burgesses chosen out of each Parish represent the Body of the People The English here residing make Profession of the same Religion with that generally own'd and by Law establish'd in England As for the Negroe-Slaves their Lot hath hitherto been and still is to serve such Christian Masters who sufficiently declare what Zeal they have for their Conversion by unkindly using a Serious Divine some time ago when only proposing to endeavour the same §. 8. The Lucayes THE Lucayes so call'd from Lucayone the biggest of 'em all are those several Islands lying North of Cuba and Hispaniola They belong mostly to the Spaniards and the chief of them Are those of Bahama Extended from the E. of Tegesta in Florida to the N. of Hispaniola Lucayone aliter New Providence Cignateo Eleutheria Guanahani St. Salvador Yuma Samana Maiaguana Of these Islands Bahama may be reckon'd the most remarkable and that chiefly for the famous rapid Channel between that Island and the Main through which the Spanish Fleets usually pass in their return from Mexico to Europe A Passage equally fatal to the Spaniard as fortunate to the English Fatal to the former for some dreadful Shipwracks sustain'd therein and fortunate to the latter for vast quantities of Plate recover'd by skilful Divers This Island is also observable for several uncommon Insects found upon it particularly the Bahama-Spider already mention'd Pags 341. § 9. The Sotovento THE Sotovento Islands are those lying along the Northern Coast of Terra Firma They belong mostly to the Spaniards and receiv'd the Title Sotovento quasi sub vento from them because they appear to the Leeward of their Fleet coming down before the Wind to enter the Gulf of Mexico The chief of such Islands Are those of Trinidada Found from E. to W. Margarita Tortuga Orchilla Rocca Bonayrc Curacao Oruba Trinidada term'd by the Natives Samsonate is observable for being a noted place of Bartery between the Inhabitants of New Spain and those of Peru. And Margarita is much frequented upon the account of Pearl Fishery from whence it derives its Name The rest are not of any great moment § 10 Bermudas THIS little Cluster of Islands lying about five hundred Leagues East of Florida is term'd by the Italians Bermuda by the French Bermudes by the Spaniards Germans and English Bermudas So call'd from one John Bermudas a Spaniard who made the first Discovery of them They are otherways term'd the Summer Islands from S r. George Summers an Englishman who suffer'd Shipwrack near to them Anno 1609. The Air of these Islands is reckon'd extraordinary healthful to breath in the Sky being almost always Serene and Smiling But when overcast at any time then they 're sure of a terrible Tempest attended with frightful Claps of Thunder and Flashes of Lightning So healthful are these Islands to breath in that their Inhabitants now in number about four or five thousand are seldom visited with Sickness and generally arrive to a good old Age. The opposite Place of the Globe to Bermudas is that part of the vast East-Indian Ocean lying between 134 and 138 Degrees of Longitude with 32 and 35 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of these Islands is extraordinary fertil yielding the Labourer two Crops every Year which they commonly reap in the Months of July and December Of so rich a Mould is the Arable Ground in this Island that it affords neither Sand Flints Peebles nor Stones so hard as are fit to grind Knives They are well furnisht with variety of Fruits Roots Fish and Fowl together with great store of Hogs and excellent sweet-scented Cedar The length of the Days and Nights in Bermudas is the same as in the Northmost Parts of Florida they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of these Islands are Oranges Cochineel Tobacco Cedar-Wood some Pearls and Amber-Gris in considerable quantity c. Observable are these Islands for nourishing no venemous Creature none such being found upon them nor able to live if brought thither Here indeed are many Spiders but those no ways poisonous and very remarkable for their Webs having the resemblance of Raw-Silk and woven so strong that little Birds are sometimes entangled in them 2. If Wells are dug in Bermudas above the Surface of the surrounding Ocean the Water is sweet and fresh but lower then salt or breckish and all of them have some sensible Flux and Reflux with the Sea 3. Upon the Coast of these Islands is sometimes taken that remarkable Fish term'd the File-Fish being so call'd from a part of his Back-Bone which hath the exact resemblance of a File Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Inhabitants of these Islands being English are much the same in Manners and Way of living with those here in England What was said of the Inhabitants of Bermudas in respect of Manners the same may be affirm'd of them in Point of Language These Islands being wholly subject and of right belonging to the Crown of England are rul'd by a particular Governor appointed and sent thither by the King of England The Religion here establisht and publickly profess'd is the Protestant according to the Reformation of the Church of England §. 11. Terra del Fuogo THIS is a large Triangular Island or as some think several lying on the South part of America and separated from the main Continent by the Streights of Magellan It 's call'd by the Name of Terra del Fuogo because it seems the first Discoverers thereof did observe some considerable Vulcano's upon it Out Knowledge of this Island and its Inhabitants is at best but very uncertain almost every new Adventurer in these Parts of the World giving us a new Relation of Things Whosoever therefore desires a certain or satisfactory Account must defer his Enquiry to the better Discovery of After-times And so much for America and its Islands AN APPENDIX Comprehending A brief Account of the European Plantations in Asia Africk and America As also some Reasonable Proposals for the Propagation of the Blessed Gospel in all Pagan Countries IN running over the
is to take charge of all the King's Revenue kept in the Exchequer as also to check all Officers imploi'd in collecting the same and such like This Office is frequently executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Treasury as at present 4. The Lord President of the Council whose Office is to attend upon the King and Summons the Council to propose business at Council-Table and Report the several Transactions of the Board 5. The Lord Privy-Seal whose Office is to pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons sign'd by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England as also divers other Matters of smaller moment which do not pass the Great Seal But this Seal is never to be affixt to any Grant without good warrant under the King's Privy-Signet nor even with such Warrant if the thing granted be against Law or Custom until the King be first acquinted therewith 6. The Lord Great Chamberlain of England whose Office is to bring the King's Shirt Coif and Wearing Cloaths on the Coronation-day to put on the King's Apparel that Morning to carry at the Coronation the Coif Gloves and Linnen which are to be us'd by the King on that Occasion likeways the Sword and Scabard as also the Gold to be offer'd by the King together with the Robe Royal and Crown to Undress and Attire the King with his Royal Robes to serve the King that Day with Water for to wash his Hands before and after Dinner 7. The Lord High Constable of England an Officer whose Power is so great that 't was thought inconvenient to lodge the same in any Subject since the Year 1521. and is now conferr'd on some of the chiefest Peers pro re nata as upon occasion of Coronations or Solemn Tryals by Combat 8. The Earl Marshal of England whose Office is to take cognizance of all Matters of War and Arms to determine Contracts concerning Deeds of Arms out of the Realm upon Land and Matters touching Wars within the Realm which the Common Law cannot determine 9. The Lord High admiral of England whose Trust and Honour is so great that this Office hath been usually given either to some of the King 's younger Sons near Kinsmen or one of the chiefest Peers of the Realm To him is committed the Management of all Maritime Affairs the Government of the King's Navy a decisive Power in all Causes Maritime as well Civil as Criminal He also Commissionates Vice-Admirals Reer-Admirals Sea-Captains c. and enjoys a number of Priviledges too many here to be mention'd This Office is commonly executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Admiralty as at present After the Officers of the Crown we might here subjoin the various Courts of Judicatory establisht in this Kingdom especially the High Court of Parliament which is Supreme to all others and to whom all last Appeals are made I might here likeways mention all the Subordinate Courts of this Realm particularly that of the King's-Bâ—nch the Court of Common Pleas the High Court of Chancery the Exchequer and the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. as also the Ecclesiastical Courts in Subordination to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Court of Arches the Court of Audience the Prerogative Court the Court of Faculties and that of Peculiars But to declare the Nature and Constitution the ample Privileges and manner of Procedure in each of them would far exceed the narrow Bounds of an Abstract I shall not therefore descend to particulars only adding to this Paragraph that besides these various Courts above-mention'd the King consulting the ease and welfare of the Subject Administers Justice by his Itinerate Judges and that in their yearly Circuits through the Kingdom and for the better governing of and keeping the King's Peace in particular Counties Hundreds Cities Burroughs and Villiages of this Realm Counties have their respective Lord Lieutenants Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace Hundreds their Bailiffs High-Constables and Petty-Constables Cities their Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs c. Burroughs and Towns incorporate have either a Mayor or two Bailiffs or a Portrive who in Power are the same with Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices are Justices of the Peace within their own Liberties And lastly Villiages are in Subjection to the Lord of the Mannor under whom is the Constable or Headborough to keep the Peace apprehend Offenders and bring them before the Justice Of such an admirable Constitution is the English Government that no Nation whatsoever can justly pretend to such a Model and no People in the World may live more happy if they please so that it may be justly affirm'd of them what the Poet saith in another Case only with change of Persons O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint Anglicanos The Ensigns Imperial of the Monarch of Great Britain are in the first place Azure Three Flower-de-Luces Or the Royal Arms of France quartered with the Imperial Ensings of England which are Gules Three Lyons passant Gardant in Pale Or. In the second place within a double tressure Counter flowr'd de lys Or a Lyon Rampant Gules for the Royal Arms of Scotland In the third place Azure and Irish Harp Or string'd Argent for the Royal Ensigns of Ireland In the fourth place as in the first These Ensigns Armoral are quartered after a new manner since the late Revolution the English Arms being put before the French and the whole charg'd with an Escutcheon of the House of Nassau which is Azure Semi-billets a Lyon Rampant Or Languid and Armed Gules all within the Garter the chief Ensign of that most Noble Order above the same an Helmet answerable to King William's Sovereign Jurisdiction upon the same a rich Mantle of Cloath of Gold doubled Ermin adorn'd with an Imperial Crown and surmounted for a Crest by a Lyon passant Gardent Or Crowned as the former and an Unicorn Argent Gorged with a Crown thereto a Chain affixt passing between his Forelegs and reflex'd over his Back Or both standing upon a Compartment plac'd underneath and in the Table of that Compartment is express'd the King of England's Motto which is Dieu mon Droit but of late Jâ— Maintiendray The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part of the true Reform'd Religion publickly profess'd and carefully taught in its choicest Purity In Reforming of which they were not so hurri'd by popular Fury and Faction as in other Nations but proceeded in a more Prudent Regular and Christian Method resolving to separate no farther from the Church of Rome than she had separated from the Truth embracing that excellent Advice of the Prophet Jer. 6. 16. Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein So that the Reform'd Church of England is a true Mean or middle Way betwixt those two Extreams of Supperstition and Phanaticism both equally to be avoided The Doctrine of
highly probable that this individual Part of the Bay was the very place of the Whale's delivery it being the nearest to Nineveh of any in the Levant Which conjecture I humbly suppose is somewhat more reasonable than that of some dreaming Ancients who vainly imagin'd that the monstrous Fish did almost surround one fourth part of the World in seventy two hours and that when big with Child Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities See Natolia The Inhabitants of this Country are mostly Turks and Greeks whose respective Characters are already given in Turky of Europe pages 174 and 181. as also many Jews and Armenians with other sorts of Christians intermixt of whom the Reader may find some Account towards the latter part of this Section when we come to treat of Palestine and the Euphratian Provinces The chief Language of this Country is the Turkish for a Specimen of which Vid. page 181. the Ancient Syriac being lost among ' em The various Europeans here residing do commonly use the Lingua Franca This Country being subject unto and successively rul'd by the Seleucidae the Romans the Saracens the Christians and Sultans of Egypt was at last conquer'd by the Turks in the time of Selimus I. Anno 1517. under whose heavy Yoke it hath ever since groan'd and is at present govern'd by its particular Bassa appointed by the Grand Signior whose place of Residence is ordinarily at Aleppo the principal City of this Province and thought to be the Aram Sobah mention'd in Holy Scripture But the whole Country of Syria according to its Modern Extant is subject to three Bassa's the first commonly residing as aforesaid at Aleppo the second at Damascus in Phaenice and the third at Tripoli of Syria Subordinate to each of these Bassa's both here and in other Parts of the Ottoman Dominions are various Cadi's or Judges who hear and determine the several Causes whether Civil or Criminal which at any time happen between Man and Man And here I can't omit one particular which as 't is a mighty disparagment to this People so I wish 't were peculiar to them viz. their Mercenary Distribution of Justice for not always the Equity of the Cause but the Liberality of the Party does ordinarily determine the Matter As some of our English Factories in these Parts of the World have experienc'd more than once See the Ensigns Armorial of the Grand Signior page 182. The establisht Religion of this Country is that of Mahometanism the Essential Tenets of which are already set down page 182. to which I remit the Reader But since one thing enjoyn'd by that Religion is the most excellent and necessary Duty of Prayer I can't omit one laudable Practice of this People in that Point I mean not only their imitable frequency in performing this Duty but also their most commendable fervency and seriousness in the performance of it For whenever they set about the same they Address themselves to the Almighty with all profound Respect and Reverence imaginable and in the humblest Posture they can sometimes standing often kneeling and frequently prostrating themselves on the Ground and kissing the same and during the whole performance their very Countenance doth plainly declare the inward Fervour and Devotion of their Mind Yea so exact and punctual are they in observing the various Hours appointed for Prayer and so serious and devout in performing that Duty that the generality of us Christians have too good Reason in both these Respects to say with the Poet Pudet haec opprobria nobis c. The Muezans or Marabounds being those Persons who call the People to Prayers use commonly these words Allah ekber allah ekber allah ekber eschadou in la illah illallah hi allc salla hi alle salla allah ekber allah ekber allah ekber la illa illalah i. e. God is great God is great God is great give Testimony that there is but one God Come yield your selves up to his Mercy and pray him to forgive you your Sins God is great God is great God is great there is no other God but God Dispers'd over all this Country and intermixt with the Turks are many Jews and various sorts of Christians particularly Greeks Armenians Maronites c. but most lamentable is the State of those Christians at present not only in respect of that woful Ignorance under which they universally labour and the Turkish Slavery and Insolence to which they 're expos'd but also in point of those dismal Heats and Divisions those numerous Factions and Parties now among 'em For so bitterly inveterate are they against one another and to such a height do their Animosities frequently come as to give fresh Occasion to the Common Enemy to harass them more and more Christianity was planted very early in these parts of the World most of this Country being watered with the Blessed Gospel in the Apostolick Age. Phaenicia or Phaenice THIS Country very famous of old but now of a very sad and melancholy Aspect and groaning under the Turkish Yoke hath undergone such dismal Devastations by the destroying Arabs that there 's nothing now remarkable in it save a few Ancient Maritime Cities mostly in Ruines which yet maintain something of Trade with Strangers as particularly Damascus call'd by the Turks Scham St. John d'Acre formerly Ptolemais and lastly Sure and Said which were the Ancient Tyre and Sydon Leaving therefore this desolate Country we pass on to Palestine or Judaea THIS Country most memorable in Holy Scripture and sometimes stil'd Canaan from Canaan the Son of Cham sometimes the Land of Promise because promis'd to Abraham and his Seed and sometimes Judaea from the Nation of the Jews or People of the Tribe of Juda is term'd by the Italians and Spaniards Palestina by the French Palestine by the Germans Palestinen or das Gelobte-land by the English Palestine or The Holy Land It 's call'd Palestine quasi Philistim from the Philistins once a mighty Nation therein and Holy Land because 't was the Scene of the Life and Sufferings of the ever Blessed and most Holy Jesus the glorious Redeemer of Men. The Air of this Country excepting those Parts adjacent to the Lake of Sodom of which afterwards is so extraordinary pleasant serene and healthful to breath in that many of its present Inhabitants do frequently arrive to a considerable Age. The opposite Place of the Globe to Palestine is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 245 and 250 Degrees of Longitude with 29 and 32 Degrees of South Latitude This Country situated partly in the 4th and 5th North Climate and not exceeding seventy Leagues in length from North to South and thirty in breadth from East to West was blessed with an extraordinary rich and fertil Soil producing all things in such abundance that the Scripture terms it a Land flowing with Milk and Honey yea so wonderful was the fertility thereof and such vast multitudes of People did it maintain that King
Persuasions in Point of Religion there being a Liberty of Conscience allow'd to all of the Colony But the poor Natives to our great shame are still groping in the Twilight of Paganism §. 8. Pensilvania THIS Country discovered at the same time with the rest of the adjacent Continent is term'd by the French Pensilvanie by the Germans Pensilvanien by the Italians Spaniards and English Pensilvania so call'd from William Pen Esquire whom King Charles II. made first Proprietor thereof by Letters Patent Anno 1680. The Air of this Country is generally granted to be clear and sweet the Heavens being seldom over cast with Clouds The length of the Days and Nights is much the same here as in New Jersey The Soil of this Country is tollerably good in many Parts but in some Places extreamly barren The opposite Place of the Globe to Pensilvania is that part of the East-India Ocean lying between 115 and 125 Degrees of Longitude with 40 and 45 Degrees of South Latitude There being no considerable Trade as yet settl'd between this and Foreign Countries the chief Commodities hither to exported are mostly Horses and Pipe-Staves commonly sent to the Island of Barbadoes In several Parts of Pensilvania are Springs of good Mineral Waters particularly those about two Miles from Philadelphia which for Operation are accounted much the same with our Purging Waters at Barnet Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Country being Persons of tall Bodies and swarthy Complexions are generally reckon'd more mild and civilly enclin'd than most others of the Indian Nations The Europeans here residing being mostly English with a few Dutch and Swedes are much the same with those in Europe The Language of the Natives being a Dialect of the Indian Tongue is said to be very Lofty Sweet and Emphatick in respect of many others in these Parts of the World as also very easy to be acquired by Strangers The Europeans here residing retain the respective Languages of their own Countries This Country being granted as aforesaid to William Pen by his Majesty King Charles II. the Publick Affairs thereof are manag'd by several Courts of of Justice there establisht under him as Proprietor who or his Deputy Rules the same in Subordination to the King of Great Britain The English here residing are of different Sects and Persuasions but Enthusiasm chiefly prevails this Country being stockt with Quakers by their Governor William Pen. The Natives are said to have a pretty clear Notion of a Supreme Being the Immortality of the Soul and a Future State Their Worship chiefly consists in Sacrifices and Songs intermixt with Dancing §. 9. Mary-Land THIS Country discover'd by the English under the Conduct of the two Cabots Anno 1497. is term'd by the Italians Marylandia by the Spaniards Tierra de Maria by the French Terre du Marie by the Germans Marienland and by the English Maryland so call'd at last in Honour of Queen Mary Wife to King Charles I. who gave it by Letters-Patent under that Name to the Right Honourable Caecilius Colvert Lord Baltimore Anno 1632. The Air of this Country is much more healthful now and more agreeing to English Constitutions than formerly when the Woods were intire and the better it still grows the greater Progress they make in felling the Timber The opposite Place of the Globe to Maryland is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 37 and 40 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country is generally reckon'd very fertil and rich producing in great plenty the same things with New York The length of the Days and Nights in Maryland is much the same as in the Southern Provinces of Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Country are Tobacco Hemp Flax Wood Hops Rape-Seed Madder Furs Elk-Skins c. Of several rare Crustaceous Animals found in this Country That call'd the Signoe or Signenoc is most observable and that particularly for the admirable contrivance of his Eyes For they being plac'd under the Covert of a thick Shell Nature whose Operation is wonderful in every thing hath so order'd that those Parts above the Eyes are so transparent as to convey a competency of Light whereby the otherways benighted Animal can clearly see its way For several other remarkable Creatures with a Catalogue of rare Plants in Maryland Vid. Philos Trans N. 246. Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universitities None The Natives of this Country consider'd in the main are generally reckon'd the same with those of New York or the nearest to them in their Temper and Customs of any other of the American Nations whatsoever The English here residing are much the same with those in England The Language of the Natives in this Country is said to consist of divers Idioms very different from one another and none of 'em either so pleasant to the Ear or so easy to be acquir'd by Strangers as those in Pensilvania The English here residing use their own Language The Right Honourable Coectlius Colvert Lord Baltimore his Heirs and Assigns being by Letters-Patent Anno 1632 created Lords and Proprietors of Maryland excepting the Sovereign Dominion and Allegiance with a fifth part of the Gold and Silver Ore reserv'd to His Majesty The Government of the Colony by their Lordships Care and Prudence is so modell'd that we may reckon it a Diminutive of that of England For the Supreme Court call'd a General Assembly resembles in some measure our English Parliament being divided into an Upper and Lower House The Upper consists of the Governor himself with his Council and such Lords of Mannors and others as his Lordship or Lieutenant shall by Writ call thither The Lower is made up of Delegates elected and sent by each County of the whole Plantation This Assembly is conveen'd prorogu'd or dissolv'd at pleasure by his Lordship or Lieutenant and whatever is agreed upon and enacted by both Houses and assented unto by his Lordship hath the Sanction of a Law and can't be repeal'd but by the same Authority Next to this Legislative Assembly is the Provincial Court generally held at St. Maries to which Appeals are made from all Inferior Courts of the whole Province The English here residing are of various Persuasions in Point of Religion there being a Tolleration enjoin'd for all Sects of Christianity The Natives know nothing as yet of the true God save what they obscurely see by the glimsing Light of Nature §. 10. Virginia THIS Country discover'd first by Sebastian Cabot Anno 1497. but afterwards more perfectly by Sir Walter Rawleigh Anno 1584. when he took Possession thereof in Queen Elizabeth's Name is term'd by the French Virginie by the Germans Virginien by the Italians Spaniards and English Virginia so call'd in Honour of Queen Elizabeth that Masculine Virgin