Page 9 Books of the lives and sects of Mahomets successors Page 13 Benjamin Page 19 Biharen Page 30 Benmir Page 32 Babylon ibid. Bagded Page 32 33. Balsora ibid. Bacchat Page 35 Besoart stone Page 36 Barcas Page 40 Batinisar and her Carpets Page 44 Baticola Page 54 Bisnegar Page 72.74 A History of the King of Bisnegar Page 73 Bramins high Priests Page 75 Barrs of gold Page 94 Ball-play Page 99.155 Betell a tree Page 101 Birds of Paradise Page 115 Beasts trained up to hunt Page 166 A bloody battell Page 178 Birds of strange nature ibid. Belugara a town in Monopotapa Page 186 Butua a Province Page 198 Bagamidri a town in Ethiopia Page 218. Bagamidri called Imperial and why ibid. Bagamidri a kingdom ibid. Bagamadri how bounded ibid. Barua a town Page 241.227 Biguen a strong town Page 235 Bridges of straw Page 236 Baza a pleasant town Page 256 Beniermi a desert Page 271 Bazuelle a fair town Page 273 Natural Balsome and how it growes Page 275 Barua an Isle Page 321 Bracala a country Page 322 Baris an Ape very serviceable Page 325 Bread made of fish Page 333 Beseé espada a dangerous fish Page 336 A History of Bibical Page 338 Breezes winds Page 341 Bacaltos why so called a coast annoyed with fish Page 347 Bacaltos discovered by an English man Page 348 Strange beasts Page 380 Birds of prodigious greatness ib. A good bargain Page 380 Brasile described Page 395 Brasile a fruitful and for pleasure a miraculous country ibid. Strange beasts in Brasile Page 397 Brasile divided ibid. Brasile by whom discoverrd ibid. Brasilians their nature their weare and ornaments Page 397 Brasilians Religion Page 398 Brasilian ceremonies at marriage ibid. The Brasilian customes Page 399 The Brasilian way of traffick ibid. Brasilians man-eaters Page 400 Brasilians their arms and wars ibid. Brasilian usage of prisoners at war ibid. Brasilians kind to strangers Page 402 Brasilians given to divinations and superstitions ibid. C. CAire Page 2 Candia ibid. Chrysorrhas Page 4 Carauane Page 9 A cheat Page 12 Cassia Page 19 Cinamon ibid. A Cutler Page 5 Cassis deceived his brother Page 13 Carauanes from Aleppo Damas and the grand Cair ibid. Cassis his treachery Page 17 Chicali Page 19 Cosan or Cosara a River Page 20 Camaran an Island Page 23 Camara Page 25 Camelots Page 26 Caymans or Crocodils ibid. Ceyfadin Page 29 Cimites of Persia Page 31 A Marseillan Curtisan Page 35 Casbin Page 36 Cusa Page 39 Calander ibid. Caidsidibir Page 40 Cassandera ibid. Christianisme in the Indies Page 42 Cambaye a town Page 45 46. Children sold by Parents Page 47.85 Calicut Page 57 Cochins scituation Page 62 Cinamon Page 67 Circles of poysoned iron Page 75 Christian faith preached in the Indians and by whom Page 76 Ceremonies Page 89 Cruelty of the Javans Page 98 Chiamay a famous Lake Page 105 Castigay an Idoll Page 107 Chaubanoys disaster Page 108 Caipomo a River Page 112 Confession amongst Idolaters Page 124 Communions extravagant Page 129 Cannons in the Indies from all antiquity Page 132 Cock-fights Page 138 Ceremonies Page 143 Casubi a kingdom Page 154 Casubi a town Page 155 Cocos and the benefit Page 156 The Cape of Palmes Page 180 Cape of Natall Page 183 where Christianity first planted in Africa ibid. Crocodiles and how taken Page 185 Christians in Belugara Page 187 Courtesy of savages Page 195 Courtesy of the Prince of Belugara ibid. Suguelane a town and the entertainment of that town with their customes Page 197 The Court of Abissina under tents in the field Page 215 Combats of savage beasts Page 222 Couzan a kingdom Page 238 Ceremonies at matrimony ibid. Crown revenues of the grand Negus Page 243 Churches and Church-service in Ethiopia Page 244 Candace Queen Page 252 Caraman a town Page 254 A Church cut out of the natural Rock founded by Candaces Eunuke ibid. The Chair of Saint John Babtist ibid. The celebrated cataracts Page 261 Christians delivered from Infidels by miracle Page 272 Caire built upon the ruines of Babylon and Memphis Page 274 Crocodiles and their nature Page 277 Constantina a town in Morocca Page 298 Constantinople the scituation and founder Page 306 A stupendious rock of Christal Page 325 Canaries why so called Page 331 A Cave in a rock once a Church Page 332 Cuba the most fruitful Island of America Page 336 Crocodiles good meat Page 337 Canibals hunt men and why Page 339 Cruelty of the Spaniards Page 340 Coasts of Mexico Page 341 Canada or New-France by whom discovered Page 349 the King of Canada whence extracted Page 350 the Canadans nature religion laws habit and customes ibid. An example of covetousnesse Page 365 Cordileras vast extended mountaines of wonderful scituation Page 372 Cosca a Province ibid. Charcas a Province in Peru. Page 373 the Calandar of Peru. Page 388 Cruelty revenged Page 389 Chica a country Page 392 D. DAmas Page 5 A Deruis Page 6.39 Dan Caerea Page 7 Dalatia Page 22 Dehir ibid. Dalascia a town Page 25 A strange dispute Page 27 Derbent Page 35 Delicacies Page 38 Durmisar Page 39 Diu assaulted by the Turk Page 44 Delidecan Page 49 Dinari Page 50 Country dames Page 74 A declaring of war Page 75 Diamond mines Page 83 the Devill adored Page 99 Dead bodies eaten Page 104 How drugges are brought into Europe Page 133 Documents for Princes Page 136 The devil's dance Page 143 A dance in Armes Page 164 Deserts frightfull Page 174 Dumes a river Page 191 King Davids robe Page 254 Dangala a town Page 272 Delusion of a Mahometan Priest Page 274 Deserts of Caire and how travailed Page 279 a difference ingeniously reconciled Page 319 Domingo an Island Page 332 Inhabitants of Domingo their Nature Lawes Customes and Religion ibid. Discovery of the new World Page 346 The Devil Gods ape Page 361 Dancers on the rope in Mexico Page 365 a discovery Page 379 Diving men Page 386 F. A Fatall execution Page 6 Erithreos a King Page 23 Ecade Page 40 Ebony Page 56 Euate a precious wood Page 81 A story of an Elephant Page 117 The manner of their keeping Page 118 Exorcisms Page 150 Number of Elephants in Pegu. Page 135 Extent of Africa Page 178 The Empire of the Abissins Page 180 Extent of the Abissins country Page 212 Ethiopians descended from Chus the sonne of Cham the first Idolaters Euate a precious vessel that endures no poyson Page 216 An entertainment Page 255 Ermin a Judge with the Turks Election of the King Page 327 Encrease of corn admirable Page 339 Election of the King of Mexico Page 358 Earthquakes Page 375 Emerald enemy to inconstancy Page 386 F. FErragous Page 17 Frankincense Page 19 Forests Page 38 Prodigious food Page 46 The French pox in Indies Page 51 Fish charmed Page 72 A fortunate escape Page 96 Two Franciscans eaten Page 98 Strange funerals Page 104 Faithful trading Page 111 Fraternal amity Page 145 Faith of the Indians Page 154 French highly esteemed in the
Trade of Tauris ibid. Principall towns of Persia Page 35 Thais Alexanders Curtisan Page 36 A miraculous tyde Page 45 Toumacant a Western wind Page 63 Treason punished Page 73 Saint Thomas his shrine Page 76 Ternassery Page 80 Tydes from North to South meet in the strait of Magellan Page 109 Tahaba Page 111 Trienniall governments Page 120 The martyrdom of S. Thomas Page 126 A tempest calm'd by charms Page 124 Testimonies of love Page 142 Tygars hunted Page 159 The King of Transiana his curiosity and affability Page 161 Transiana a town and the valour of the women there Page 163 Tazatay a kingdom Page 169 Tartary Page 163 The Tartars conquests Page 180 The King of Tombut 's majesty Page 179 Trees that yield drink and thread Page 184 The Isle of thieves Page 186 The Talmassaca a garment of difference for nobility in Monopotapa Page 202 Land Tortoyses Page 211 Tributes to the Emperour of the Abyssins Page 213 A magnificent triumph Page 228 Titles of Preste John Page 246 Tortoises useful for travel Page 256 Tamatans pillagers Page 251 Triumphs at the inundation of Nile Thebaida and the deserts Page 279 Turkish proceedings against the Authour Page 290 Temesne and the people thereof Page 300 The Turks Religion Page 307 Turks have religious of several orders Page 307 Turkish Obsequies Page 308 Turkish Justice Page 309 Taboucaton the chief town in the kingdom of the Jalofes Page 321 A miraculous tree that continually distills water Page 332 A terrible tempest called an Aroucane and remarkable passages in it Page 335 Temistican the capital town in New-Spain Page 356 A tree yielding linnen and all necessaries Page 368 Balsom from a tree of soveraign vertue Page 369 Fruit used for money ibid. Temper of Peru. Page 374 V. UNicorns horns Page 15 The Virgin Peru. Page 199 Virginia by whom discover'd Page 352 Description of Virginia ibid. Vnknown lands Page 357 A remarkable vision foreshewing the arrivall of the Spaniards in Peru. Page 389 Vanity of the Portugals Page 405 W. WIne sold by Apothecaries Page 9 A draw-well at Outor Page 18 Spanish Wax Page 26 Women chosen Page 38 Women bought and sold Page 47 Wives in common Page 62 A war for a white Elephant Page 103 113 White Elephants adored Page 114 Winds called Monsouns cold in extremity Page 150 Widows married Page 155 Wood to strike fire Page 158 Women swimmers ibid. A furious wind called Tafon Page 182 Winds that preserve bodies incorruptible Page 187 Wine in Oxe horns Page 230 Walking mountains Page 280 A Whale Page 283 A remarkable accident of Whales Page 299 Singular windes Page 342 A wind of the use of rain Page 373 Water boyling hot by nature Page 377 Winglesse Birds Page 394 Z. ZAcharies tombe Page 6 Zibit Page 13 Zagathy Page 34 King of Zeilan Zinguebar Page 192 Zunam an Island Page 293 Zaflan a Lake ibid. Zaire and Zambre two rivers ib. Zuama a river by the Portugals called Rio del spiritu santo Page 218 Zio Marina Christos a Monastary Page 239 The torrid zone and the quality of the climat Page 342 FINIS Alexandria Caire His return and shipwrack in Candia Turluru Isle Canee A maâ—icious shipwrack Just punishment of the persidious The Author preserved Antioche Libanus Manna Chrysorrhoas Aman. Aleppo Damas. A Fâ—ench Cutler Amon and Sahanir Mounains Grots of persecuted Christians Aman and Pharphar Rivers Silkes Zacharies Tomb St. Pauls Imprisonment A fatall Execution A Dervis Armin. Dan Caesarea Benin Macharib foâ— Misor The Torrent Arnor Morets entertainment Wine sold by Apothecaries Provisions for the deserts Caravane Burning sands Want of water Dead sea of Sodome Jurabi a Guide uses the Compass Sad accidents in the deserts Apparitions in the deserts Arabian Robbers Montsina called Lurle or Tur. Oreb called Saint Cather-mount The three Arabia's the desert the stony and the happy Mâ—ka Medina Metar Alcoran Zidem a Haven Jâ—soreh Jewes â—hieves A cheat Medinat al. Nabi Jesrab Cassis deceived his brother Zibit Aden Ormus Description of Medina Mahomets tombe Caravan of Aleppo Dumas and Grand-Cair Books of the lives and Sects of Mahomets successours Surazins Saraca or Elfarabk Mahomets birth Mahomets law Alcoran Medina taken by Mahomet Iubara Abrahams Mountains Marabouts sacrificators Mahometan ceremonies Cassis his treachery Ferragous Outor A draw well at Outor Arabia the happy Zibit Alibenali Black sand Frankinsence Storax Benjamin Sabea Aloes Ladanum Cinamon Cassia Mazari Chicali Pecher a Haven Myrrhe Cosan or Cosara River His state Salsidas devotes Romadan S. John Baptist Dalata Debir Trade in Arabia Cameran Isle Red sea King Erithreus Sabeans Homerites Aden Abacoure or Bacoure The trade of Aden Spices and the trade from time to time Aden how fortified Cameran Dalascia Mezua Ibrani Camera Suachan Camelots Lacca Spanish wax Ginger Santall Dalascia Asses Caymans or Crocodile A strange dispute and a tempest ensuing Duma the Peguans false god Lucifer Strange tempest Amorous dames Socotora Ormus Ceyfadin Albuquerque King of Ormus Gedri Baharen Areca Abrazador Alep Trade from Oâ—mus King of Ormus Ormus regained by the Persian Persia and her bounds Cymits of Persia The Provinces of Persia Rivers Towns of Persia Benmir Babylon Bagded Pitch or Bitume Balsora Bagded Tauris or Tabris formerly Terva or Gerva Zagathy Xabas or Abas and Mirza Trade of Tauris Principall Towns of Persia Derbent Sumachia Bacchat Gezempee Machif Marseilian Curtizan Bezap or Bezouart casbin and Siras Thais Alexanders Cuâ—tizan Samarcant Sorismell Sinderate The Powerful state of the Kings of Persia Delicacies Seleris Women chosen Hunting Forrests Sophy signifies wise Hali. Hamar Cufa Ismael Sophy Sorts of religious orders amongst the Turks Sacar Icorma Calender Deruis cut-throats Nicotiane Some say that Amurath was killed by a Tribullian soldier guised inhabit of a Deruis Durmisar Erade Pluviander Barcas Salsidas Amicabir Nabassan Ostader Amirachor Caidsidibir Cassanderâ— Ageleps Archilep in Pegu. Inhabitants of Genua Places in the Indies The Portugais conquests in the East Christianisâ—e in the Indies Batinisir and her Carpets Diu assaulted by the Tuâ—k Areca a fruit common in the Indies Cambaye Town A miraculous tide The King at this time is tributary to the Grand Mogull Prodigious food Women bought and sold Ivory Children sold by Parents An accident Deli-Decan Sano sararadin Malabar Mandova Goa Guari Rivers Bâ—nactaru Isle of Goa Idolatry Dinary The Virgin Mary Honoured by the Indians Purcelains Mordesin diseases Scorbus Churches at Goa A sad fate of Pirats Provence a Province in France Aubaynea town in France A miraculous discovery of innocence Barcelor Baticola Presumption of the Portugais The strength of Cananor Naires are Gentlemen A most admirable medicine Ebony Areca Calicut Samorin Jonque Gondola Cochin Pepper of all sorts Miticale weight of a crown and a half Cochins scituation severall Christians at Cochin Women are common Toumacaui a western wind in force towards Potereau and Peru. Jenibaronâ— Portuguais go from Cohin into Portugall Aâ— strange History of a Portuguais Captain and certain
habitable and all the Inhabitants forced to retire into the adjacent Isles ever since this place remained desert yet there are great store of birds and beasts sometimes the Maldivians have landed there by chance but have been forced immediately to retreate the evill spirits do so perplex them they raise great tempests on that sea Being at Pegu I heard a Magitian had promised the King to bring him some birds and the Treasures of Abdena out of the Country but the Demons did so perturb him he could not effect his promise for as he was taking footing in the Isle and beginning his conjurations he had writ upon a leafe and put into the hands of one of his boldest disciples they were by the illusions of the devill so suddenly terrified that the miserable disciple fell dead upon the place and the Master Magician was so horridly beaten and dragged by the devills to the ship side that his companions had onely time to reembarke him and hoist sayles for Pegu. All the rest were strangely tormented and beaten except the Masters Mate and the Seamen that were wiser for knowing the condition of the place they would not put foot on land which afterwards they were very glad of Thus was the Magitian soundly beaten and 't was almost past his skill to recover himselfe but more of him another time CHAP. XXI Of the Kingdom of Bisnegar or Narsingue of the King his Bramins or Priests of Melia-par where they say reposes the body of St. Thomas the Apostle with a strange History of a Beare UPon the Coast of Coromandell in the East of Malabar are the Kingdomes of Bisnegar Orixa Mandao and others Besnaga or Marsingue hath a King formerly the most puissant of the India's amongst the Gentills and was esteemed their Emperour and gave his Lawes from Gemora to Orixa and Bengale to Goa Onoe and Baticola and many other places were under his Dominion but at this time he is much weakned yet he esteemes himself very potent and assumes very superbous and high Titles as God of the great Provinces King of Kings and Lord of the whole Universe 'T is reported that in an expedition against Italca he Mustered seven hundered thousand of Infantry forty thousand Cavalry horse-armed and seven hundered Elephants Bisnegar is the name of the Kingdom and cheife Town Negapatan her Haven the Towne of Bisnegar is faire and large lying in the 17. degree 10. dayes journey from Narsingue and eight from Goa we came for trade and to put off our commodities that paid 4. per cent viz. those that came from the West as cloaths scarlets paper saffron all sorts of Iron and Lary ware except horse-bits that pay but two per cent in the India's Horses are very small here as in Swethland but very high prized the Persian horses are the dearest because they are the biggest and strongest The Prince of Bisnegar is stiled Benganera or Vente cupati which signifies great King and most magnificent in his State potent in Elephants and Horses which he maintaines with the Gabells of the Countrey and the easier to procure horse to strengthen himself against his enemies the toles are abated Some few years before we came to this Town of Bisnegar it was assaulted and sack't by four Kings of the Mores all very potent and united to ruine this Prince These Kings were Idalcan Nisamulaco Cotamulaco and a Brother-in-law of his called Sultan Jordas Prince of the Kingdom of Viridi or Var Their hatred was that this King of Bisnegar was an Idolater and they Mahometans Two Moorish Captains were corrupted to betray their Masters and the day the battle was fought they turned about and proved the destruction of the Town that was that day sack't and taken by the confederate Kings and the King thereof put to flight into another strong Town called Panigont or Panicota where there stood a strong Castle surrounded with a great River and deep trenches ten dayes journey off Bisnegar The enemies pursued him thither and gave him a second battle where this Prince met with better successe and defeated them and had utterly dispersed them without the auxiliaries lent them by the King of Transiane a mortall enemy of this Prince There he took prisoner one of the perfidious Captains made him an example causing him to be nailed on a Crosse and to be shot to death with arrows having rallied a puissant Army to recover his Town of Besnegar he boldly resolved to fall upon Transiane and to seize of Timeragi's Countrey who had given his enemies their greatest assistance there he made great spoyle sacking and burning all before him before Timeragi could resist him He destroyed 22. Towns being advanced unto Gondariane Capitall of that Kingdom he put all to fire and sword and burnt Timeragi's sumptuous pallace his wife and children before Timeragi could stop his cruelties passing thorough Lazaray leaving all places desolate where ever he past untill he returned to Panigoni having spent but three months in this expedition He returned not soon enough to recover Bisnegar for his enemies had strongly fortified it and every one had their post assigned them Dealcan on Panigont side the others at other places the mean time these four Kings enjoyed this Countrey which they plundered and to strengthen themselves against the Inhabitants most affectionate and faithfull to their Prince they commanded all Merchants and other persons of estate in that Isle to bring in horse and Elephants promising payment They were brought in in great numbers but when they had possession of them they turned back the right owners without any satisfaction which was no small losse to them The Town of Bisnegar otherwise called Chandegry is eight leagues about and is so populous and powerfull that she finds her Prince a hundred thousand horse Narsingue the Capitall of the Country is of the compass of Florence stately built but their covering takes much from their beauty being not permitted to use tyle which otherwise they have great store of This Town is partly scituate upon a hill pretty eminent 3. leagues round There is a most sumptuous pallace covered with tyle where symmetry and uniformity is exactly observed the Town is bounded on one side with the Sea the other side with a great River the Town is well peopled and thatched with a course straw reed or rush The King maintaines a numerous Militia that makes him formidable to all the East No man can inhabit there without expresse leave from the King and no person is admitted that appears not an honest and candid person Merchants strangers and passengers have commodious habitations allotted them paying the ordinary duties They live quietly for justice is impartially dispensed and the lawes are so well observed that none breaks them for fear of punishment The Citizens are obliged by oath to serve the king when ere he commands upon pain of life or amputation
of hands and feet to keep his army more full he entertains the fairest women in the world most gallantly dressed and are onely courted by the great ones and the gallantest persons many strange Lords and Princes flock hither to fight under Mars and Venus but they are not admitted to the Ladies untill they have shewed some Trophies of their valour in some gallant exploit for the Princes service then they are courted by the Ladies honoured and respected by the King who by frequent presents and obligations hurry them on to greater actions Some of them abstain from women to keep their strength and vigour boasting to feed upon Lions Bears and Tigars and drink the bloud of the cruellest and wildest beasts such is their Gallantry and thus they decline effeminacy They use themselves to very violent exercises to war wrastling hunting feeding on strengthning foods onely They anoint their bodies with certain unxious commixtions or oyles to harden their skin They seldome fight in battle-ray their High-Priests or Bramins lead on their Armies who dare not stir if the Bramins are not in the head of them and when two Parties or Armies cannot agree several persons are called out to decide the quarrell and when they have fought sufficiently a retreat is sounded and judgement is given of the victory sometimes they are commanded to fall on again Those Bramins are wise and well-composed persons they never permit their Kings to engage their whole Armies at the great expense of their Subjects bloud and therefore few pitched battles are fought between those Indian Kings at least the Idolaters for the Mahometans they are otherwise governed When this King intends war to any neighbouring Prince or Stranger he marches forth of his capitall Town accompanied with all his Nobility in battle-ray with all his horse and foot and Elephants in good order as if he were ready to march Then the King mounted on a stately courser marches towards the Country he declares war unto and le ts fly an arrow immediately many persons ride their circuits with flaming torches in their hands to give notice of the day they are to attend their King at the capitall Town and the field Marshals keep the passages and let none passe but who are fit for war if war be carried far off their houses are commanded to be burnt that the whole families may go to war they onely uncover their houses for their houshold-stuffe and goods are preserved in a publick place built for that purpose The people thus disposed follow their Prince with resolution and most freely expose themselves to all danger They load their Elephants and Horses with iron and steel hoops three fingers broad keen as rasors which they use in fight they dart them with so strange and dextrous a strength and fleetnesse that an arrow shot from a good arm flyes not swifter with these instruments they make large wounds most of them mortall and incurable poysoning the instruments besides these Armes they carry swords and bucklers of severall fashions javelines bowes and crosse-bowes and some fire-pikes they go so furiously to fight little regarding their lives to serve their Prince Paleacate is another noble Town and haven in Bisnegar upon the gulf Bengale The Inhabitants are Gentiles and profess the same law as at Malabar and Calicut never eating beef they war perpetually with Ternassari onely for Religion sake and are friends with Calicut so are most of the Town upon the same gulf as Aremogan Bigara Caricola Putifama and other fair harbours belonging to the King of Bisnegar The inhabitants of Paleacate are courteous and civil yet you must be cautious of them they wear neither breeches nor drawers but a loose long cassock and cloak over it of silk or some fine stuf with a cap of the same and pumps very neatly made and go bare-leg'd their cassocks reach to their ankles The women wear Turkish coats loose silk stockings and buskins richly faced this town hath great commerce and hither are brought from Pegu and other places all their rich commodities and jewels Between Paleacate and Narsingue is a great vale overgrown with stately trees like Sicamores yielding a continuall moysture like unto those in the Isle of Fer in the Canaries this vale is continually covered with clouds and very deep it resembles a perpetuall night the Sun never appearing the roads are hard to hit this vale is a good mile in length and discovering the great and adjacent plains you are in another world there runs a little River out of the vale one end of the plain is planted with Sugar-canes there are three Sugar works that furnish the Inhabitants with work all the year long They have not the art to refine it but make it up in powder with these canes they feed their cattle as horses bufflers and swine which makes their flesh very sweet delicious and Doctors prescribe swines flesh to sick persons and indeed it is sweeter and wholsomer than mutton because of the clean feeding Near Paleacate stands Meliapur or St. Thomas a pretty fair Town where the Portuguese have a Fort here 't is said St. Thomas the Apostle preached and is interred for the province of Parthia falling to his lot he came into the Indies and to Coulan others say he was first at Socotora towards the Arabick gulf from thence to Granganor then to Coulan where being persecuted by the King of that place he came to Coromandell and to this Town of Meliapur where he suffered martyrdom Many are of opinion he came into Pegu and to China for there are many monuments of Christianism all over the Indies yet 't is likelier that the Indies were since converted by one Panthenus a Grecian Philosopher about the year 200. and rather since by Aedesius and Frumentius who planted there the Christian faith the latter whereof was the first Bishop in the time of S. Athanasius as hereafter we shall say more at large since this they sent into Armenia for sit instructers and the Patriark sent them some itinerant ones and have continued thus ever since The Armenians had the holy Bible in the Chaldean tongue pea- however 't is generally believed St. Thomas was buried here where he was martyred by the Bracmanes and the King of Sagamo others say he dyed in the Town of Calamine and was buried at Meliapur which are one and the same Town and indeed to this day the memory and name of him is much esteemed and reverenced by the Natives by the Gentiles and Moors themselves Many other places of these Indies pretend to have the shrine of this glorious Saint from thence 't is said he was translated to Edesse and from thence into Europe to Otoa There are many more Churches dedicated to St. Thomas five leagues from Cochin there is a fair one but abused by the Gentiles who have got it by force and the Christians revenues many miracles are wrought at the shrine of
stories of the beast and actions worthier a rational then an irrational creature I was told most strange things of the animal That Agarida had five sonnes by him all gallant men without the least shape or resemblance of the beast That they left the woods at ten years of age and built themselves a Cabbin or house to dwell in But one of Agarida's Brothers hunting in the woods kild Sagistan with a dart She enraged with disdain sent her sons to her fathers Palace to revenge him and accordingly they kild their two Uncles Ismahan their Grand-father endeavoring to have them seized on and ignorant who they were was slain also with two of the five brothers The other three escaping made themselves so Formidable that none durst meddle with them and hearing of the King of Bisnagar's wars they offered him their service bearing for arms the figure of Sagistan their father The King informed of their strange birth and adventures gave them great commands in his Army their behaviour shewed their desert for they exploited so high and unconceivable actions that one of them married the Sultane of Bisnegar the other the Sultanes daughter from whence sprung that illustrious family of the Sagistans that hath given the name to that town whereof those two brothers were the first founders This was related me of this history or fable rather held for a verity in those parts to this day all Peoples States Townes and illustrious families have their springs and beginnings fabulous and Romantick I have heard a story affirmed of a Spanish Captains wife caught in adultery with another by her husband for punishment he was satisfied to expose them both into a desert Island the man presently dying the woman was accosted by a great Monkey or Drill by which she had two children and at the three years end a ship sayling by discovered this miserable creature liker a phantasme then a human creature she naked with teares in her eyes begged to be released from this horrid and cruell captivity which they did and reembarking the Monkey perceiving full of rage in her sight tore his whelps in pieces and threw them at her she was carried to Lisbon where the Inquisitors informed of her case caused her to be apprehended and had been proceeded against had not Cardinal Cayetan the then Popes Nuntio taken her cause in hand and setting forth the violent necessity she was forced to to yield to that beast that had found her sustenance for three whole yeares saved her from the execution and she ended her dayes in all holinesse and sanctity of life and repentance There are many ancient and modern histories to this purpose all which I refer to Naturalists and Divines CHAP. XXII Of the kingdome of Bengala and Ternassery of musk some rare remarks of the River Ganges of the Torrid Zone and the conversion of a young Prince Idolater to Christianisme FOllowing the coast of Coromandel and the gulph Bengale you come to Ternassery which is held to be between the Cosamba of Ptolome a kingdom lying between Bengal Narsingue Orixa and the sea the Capital town bearing the same name is scituate upon the side of the sea and a fair River called Zayta making a little Island where stands another town of the same name She hath plenty of all things necessary to life Their cowes are low and their horns grow only skin deep The sheep have neither horns nor wool their skin as smooth as a calves there grows great store of long Pepper called Casay they preserve of it and eat it all the year long with sugar vinegar which gives it a pleasant taste in the middle of the Isle is a Lake that breeds good fish better then any the River affords it is called Ademas It affords you Trouts the most savory fish of the East Pykes and Shads taken in March only are Sea-fish They never eat the head because there is a worm found in it which makes that fish chuse the rapid waters and swim aloft by the streams affording him much refreshment The Town of Ternassery is large and pleasant well built not walled on the River side but strengthned by some Forts well fortified and provided she is scituate in a plain with a Castle on the North with an inclosure or Parke fenced with a great ditch where the Queen keepes a breed of stately Mares given her by her Father who recovered them of an Indian Prince that owed him money which he could no otherwise recover for in that Country horses beare a great value The King of Ternassery is provided with good Cavalry which renders him potent and formidable he is of Person strong and Robuste and wars continually with the King of Narsingue and Bengale The Narsinguer would indamage him much did he joyne with the other but he is so generous he scornes it This King is a Gentill and hath above a thousand Elephants trained up to Warr and of the largest size of the East covered to the very ground with beefes hides and severally trapped those hides are fastned underneath the belly with iron chaines and are hardly got off four men may fight on their backs at a time without the least incumbrance to one another bearing broad bucklers made of Tortoyse shells taken in that River he that rides the trunk to guide the beast is the best Armed of the five because he lies open to the enemy their darts have three very sharp points or heads with a ball of iron upon the middle which serves for counterpoise 'T is a warr-like Nation yet curteous civill and voluptuous they have fair women which they Court and Treat in gardens full of rare fruits They have Cattell Poultry and fowle of all sorts they delight much in perfumes in their meates and dresses and chiefly in Musk called Sagay The best Musk is not drawne from the codd nor blood of the beast but from a certain swelling or rising upon the lower part of his belly at the full of the Moone and that is the sweetest of all for there gather the humors mixt with the blood and Impostume-like rise and break which dryed cast so lively and searching sent that it drawes blood from the very nose The codds and skin with some of the flesh are tyed fast together from which they draw their ordinary Musk mingling therewith a little of the better sort I quartered at a Jewes who confest to me he had drawne thirteen or foureteen codds or bunches from one beast They are of the bignesse of a Goate and have foure teeth bigger then the rest two ascending streight upward and the other two oppositely descending Their childrenweare of those teeth about their necks set in silver gold as in some places of France they wear wolve's Persons of Quality set them in a wood called Betell that hath a strange vertue against poyson called by the Aethiopians Euate whereof they make dishes and trenchers of severall sorts much esteemed and
Island assured us those Insularies eat the dead bodies but we have found the contrary for we have seen them buried they believe that the soules of the deceased enter into other bodies as Pythagoras held and therefore they welcome strangers they raise them brave monuments and tombes of stone and in honour to their bodies accompany them with winde-musick to their graves Parents exceedingly lament and abstain for a time from Areca and Betell They use a pretty recreative manner of fowling Their country abounding in many sorts of fruit which near unto their full ripenesse are easily corrupted by the raines they gather such as are rotten as they may not spoyle the rest and cast them into rivers or into the Sea These fruits being of many sorts as Melons Pumpions Pomegranates and others they are not sooner throwne into the water but great number of birds flock to them and feed upon the fruit the fowler stripping himself and hidden behind a tree with his head in a hollow Pumpion that covers his very shoulders they throw themselves thus into the water with a bagge under their arm the silly birds not discovering the men perch upon those fruits and come so neare to them that with ease they catch them by the legges and ring off their necks and put them in their bagge in this manner they take great store which makes fowl little worth There are birds sometimes too bigge and strong for a man to master and they get away not without a hideous noise thaâ— alarms the rest for that day that they are hard to be caught but the next day hunger banishes their fear and thus they are taken again The Kings of this Isle live in a most miserable condition being daily in danger of being slaine by the first person shall have courage and resolution to undertake it for such a person shall be esteemed a God and by all acknowledged their King crying God save our lawfull prince and naturall Lord. He that raigned at Pedir during our travels was called Arioufar and had been a poor fisherman overcharged with children who used to carry fish to the Kings Pallace and being known had free entrance He having on a time lost his nets came straight to the Pallace towards the King who had reigned many yeares and was very good to his people and finding him alone the guards not mistrusting him because he was beloved of the King and finding free egresse murthered the King and assisted by one of his sons he seized of all the treasure and the people received him for their King saying 't was the will of God The Assassin by force of money having raised a potent Army conquered the whole kingdom of Pedir and most of the other States of this Isle Thus the Kings establish themselves then and to such misfortunes are subject From Sumatra we went to Java the great CHAP. XXIV Of the Isle of Java of the Inhabitants their conditions and of the riches of the Countrey JAva the Great lies Eastward from Sumatra and is distant from her five and fourty miles only and the streight between them is called Sunde whence all those Isles in general take name the Isle is of good compass and unknown containing many Dominions or Kingdomes whereof the chiefest is Bentan or Bantan the Clymate sweet and temperate They say it is 150 l. long the breadth is undiscovered and some think it reaches the Continent Southward runs from East to West and South the Inhabitants are Idolaters grosse and brutish and some are Anthropophager it containes severall Kingdomes as Drasima Dragoyan Lembri Falec Sumara Balambua Bavarucam Passeruan Andrageda Auri Sandacanda Bacani Javara and others The Javanians say they came from China being oppressed with slavery they left that place and planted here they were for a time Tributary to the great Cham of Tartarye the Kingdom of Falec abounds in gold silver spices and all sorts of cattell the capitall Town is Bismari two dayes journey from an Island called Cambahar where is Basma a Town scituate upon the Sea towards the East where are bred Elephants Monkeys and Unicorns Dragoyen produces the Camphire as Borneo the Brasill and all Groceries neer this place are the Isles of Bombe Bacheli and Java the lesse The King of Passeruan is a Mahometan he demanded the daughter of the King of Balambua in Marriage and obtained her and having enjoyed her murthered her and all her train because she was not of his Religion Sandacanda and Bacani afford good store of spices their Kings are Mahometans they were infected with that imposture by a famous Pyrate named Mahomet Chap who left them two of his ships full of men to instruct them there are still some Idolaters amongst them who have not left their old error of strangling their neerest kindred when they think them taken with incurable diseases I was told of one named Basaram being sick and ready to be thus dispatched desired a slave of his to bear him company to death which he durst not deny and being tyed together were both cast into the Sea and the slave a lusty strong fellow striving for his own life drag'd his Master to shore untied him and put him to bed and conspired with another slave to save themselves from the Alerir or Magicians when they should come as the custom was to devour them and indeed as they came to strangle the poore men they cudgelled them so lustily that they left the sport and the man recovering his health lived many years after and thus was discovered the roguerie of those Magitians who thorough an insatiate thirst of blood when a man was the least indisposed made him believe he could not live advising him to hast to their fathers God Then the poore patient with teares in his eyes desired them to cleanse their bones when they should have consumed their flesh believing that their soules would not be at rest til their flesh were wholly consumed that then they would reunite to the body and to remain in peace for all eternity Meanwhile the King understanding what had happened to Basaram and his slave caused him to be brought before him and laughing told him that if he would not devour the Magitian he would put him to death The other most willing replyed he was ready to obey his Prince and that if the Magitian were brought him he would eat him up raw in his very sight The Judges had already condemned him and others for their deceipts and villanies to be banished and he others were fled into the I le of Camorre for safety but was taken brought to Basaram who with his slaves made a plenteous feast of him Thus for the most part live those brutish Islanders and although they have Rubarbe Scammone Agric and many other very Soveraine Medicinall druggs at command yet they seldome use them for when they are sick they wholly pin themselves upon the advice of those Magitians who tyrannize over them and
by their enchantments reduce them to such miserable conditions and make many a dainty bit of them being possest of that notorious imposture of the immortality of the soul and that she transmigrates from one body into another and often into strangers and therefore they make very much of them and when one of them dies they either bury him privately or cast him into the sea that he may not be devoured These Canniballs say we are very ignorant to suffer mans flesh that is so sweet and delicious to rot under ground The King keepes his Court in Gazima guarded by women which he trusts rather then such unnaturall and sanguinary men he maintains three or foure score of the handsomest he can pick out armed with Bowes and Arrowes and Cimiteres They are expert Archers he traines them up and sends them to other Maritime Towns as Japatra and others Though these Islanders have many gold and silver mines yet they dare not digg them for going almost naked the stones fall so sharp and keen upon them they are not able to endure it neither do they value that treasure at all being very well stored with flesh fish herbs and fruits all in great abundance but as I have said they are very likorous of mans flesh and of their neerest kin pretending they do it thorough charity as they may not be consumed by the wormes I was informed by a Merchant of an accident happened to two Fathers of the order of S. Francis pushed on with a fervent zeale to endeavour the conversion of that Countrey by the help of the language they had learnt but they got nothing in requital but scorns and jeers of those Barbarians who let them live believing their Idols would revenge them but some of them beginning to taste and disgest their rationall discourses it bred some differences amongst them of which the King being informed and fearing that their instructions might bring prejudice unto his State commanded the good Fathers to be thrown into the Sea those villains unwilling to lose their flesh drained their bloud dry and fed upon it then brought them to the publick place of execution dead and disfigured All those that had tasted of their blood dyed suddenly by the permission or vengeance of God which the King hearing of asked why they were not drowned according to his commands and their false Priests replyed it was not in their power to kill them but the King satisfied of the manner of their death all astonished went to his Temple to ask his Idols forgiveness some fourty Dutchmen having lost their ship upon a shelve saved themselves upon this coast but taken by these Islanders were cruelly murdered and eaten The Inhabitants of Japara a Sea Town adore the Sun and are all flat-nosed have great eyes and are thin bearded like the Chyneses They eat bread made of a root they call Igname or Gouera their complexions the womens especially are rather fair than black they wear nothing on their heads but their naturall hair platted like the Italian Curtizans and if any person offers to cover them with any thing they are in danger of being abused to death Their houses are low being but one story high for they will suffer nothing over their heads they are all Pyrates Thieves and Magicians they are skilfull in Astrology They obey and reverence an old Magician called Manguin as their lawfull Prince when any Pyrates land upon their coast to rob them of their cattle or other commodities the Wizard makes a round hole in the ground and causes some young virgin voted to be sacrificed in their feast of Fotoque to urine therein and at the same time there rises a storm so that the theeves have onely time to save themselves flying to their boats and if any are left behind they are devoured nor do they kill them out-right but prolong their dying pains they pinnacle them and deliver them up to the fury of the children who put them to tedious torments walking them about the Town and expose them to the scoffs and abuses of the multitude some will clap a pompion on their heads hung round with plumes of feathers and every woman and child runs out with their bodkins and aules to prick and torment them then having walked them warm as they do the Buls in Spain to make their flesh tender they cut them in pieces and divide their flesh if there be not enough for them all they play at ball for it and the gainers treat their friends therewith This is the sad fortune travailers are subject to who according to the Spanish proverb Buscan la vida y topan la muerte searching for life they find death 'T is very pretty sport to see them play at that sort of ball or tennis which they call Masiris without ever striking with their armes or hands but with their feet knees head elbows heels and other parts of the body with great dexterity Bantan is the chief Town of the Isle with a good and commodious haven where the Hollanders have a Magazine or Store-house and whither many other people for commerce do resort as Chyneses Guzerates Portuguais Persians Peguans Milacans Turks Arabians and others This Town is of the size of Roan peopled with divers nations the Chineses have a Temple wherein they adore a triple-crown'd Demon offer fruit and other things to him and they say because he is malicious he must be appeased and that the great and good God hath no need of such offerings or adorations They bring into this Town their silks jewels and other rarities here their King resides a Mahometan who governs his own subjects and strangers with great justice allowing all persons free liberty of traffick He is a great Politician well belov'd and honoured by his subjects and observes good orders in commerce wherein consists the glory of his greatness of late the English and Dutch have traded there with good success and very few years since some French have travelled thither and have been courteously received they have a great esteem of the King of France and have permitted Dominicans sent out of France to inhabit there and promise them favour and assistance The commodities that go off best there are iron and steel lead paper and sulphure At Fedeyda a Town in Java is got the best amber-greece of the East that which is found in Aniane an Isle adjacent is equal unto the former in goodnesse Not long since the greatest part of Java and the adjacent Countryes as Bali Madura and others obeyed a potent Prince or Emperour who kept his court in the great town of Demaa and sometimes at Japara he was a Mahometan the Portuguese relate how he had a mind to propagate his law and observing the King of Pasaruan an Idolater to slight it he resolved to invade him with a strong Army made up of his own subjects and the Portuguese of Malaca his greatest
of a marvellous height that cast most pleasant and delicious shades The River Caypomo runs thorough one end of the garden westward and at the other end there is a large and long walk whence you discover fair pastures for Cattle that are very numerous under the shade of those trees that bear variety of fruit and great plenty There are many Monkeys Pea-birds both wild and tame paâ—rats white partridges and other birds There are many other gardens and Palaces nearer hand built of marble and Porphyry and a lake a mile about One of thee Palaces is allotted the Queen and her Court not far unlike the Escurial which joyns to a Park stored with exquisite and rare beasts as Agouari that give the musk civets girafs the Sindero like the Stags are bred in Swedeland and are put to the same use as Horses and are called Arsinga Abada or Rhinocerot There is an Unicorn called Drougala and the head of another with the horn in the midst of the upper part of the forehead set fast upon a fountain side with many more curious rarities In the Sultanes garden there is a cage of birds we call birds of Paradise the Portuguais Saxaror Dell Sol and the Indians Manucodiata some of our Europeans believe those birds have no feet but certain nerves or strings onely but 't is a falshood for I am certain they have feet which they use as other birds They hold to that they never light upon the ground but that they build their nests upon their males backs but 't is apparent by those that are brought into our parts that their feet are dexterously cut that they may seem more strange and admirable I saw one at Goa which a Portuguais fed with the sweetest flowers as Jasemin Gilly-flowers and others which the bird delighted in In those parks or gardens are Besouarts and swine that breed the same stone within them In that cage there are other birds of strange shapes one hath the bill long and sharp and is ravenous feeds on flesh and is called Tanarif Another called Tiscan white all over the body and upon the breast hath a bunch of feather like a dried Rose his bill strong and thick like an Eagles but bigger and blacker can break a sheeps bone in two I think 't is the Griffin though it hath but two legs for I never could hear of any four leg'd as they are represented unto us This bird is an enemy to the Tanarif and are therefore separated There are many more strange birds brought from Molukes Maldives Java Sumatra and other Isles in the Indian Sea there are Ostriches which they call Zangir from the name of the Isle whence they come of a prodigious bignesse In the Lake belonging to the Sultan's Palace are seen all sorts of water-fowle of many different colours they feed on fish and a slime bred therein that is very sweet and when once they have tasted it they never leave it but breed often There are Connills or water-Rats without tayles they feed about this lake under the shades they delight to dive into the slime or mud There live little Apes their hair or down softer than silk of a violet colour admirable pretty There was in this lake a Crocodile brought from the river of Pegu but because â—e committed great spoyl upon these birds and beasts the King commanded him to be killed and with much ado they took him although wounded in many places under the belly We happened to be there at his death a month after the King had given order for it he gave many loud groanes and sighs at his death it was flead and the flesh distributed amongst the Courtiers and is as sweet as musk which occasioned one of our gang to say he thought Ambergris proceeded from those creatures as he was informed in Portugall for my part I am not of that opinion for in the Isles Ambergris is gathered there was never known any Crocodiles and as I have learn't in my travells it rather appeares to be bred in the bottom of the seas as some Islanders that have gathered it have remarked like a bitume or thick mud I much lesse believe it proceeds from a whale having often both seen and helped to take of them we have made diligent searches into their bowells but could never find out any such thing A Portuguais Don Jamo informed us that he had seen many taken at Malaca or Tacola where five or six were taken in two years of an immense bigness their entrails were all searched into nothing near Ambergreece was discovered Near this Palace there is another Park stored with tame beasts and birds as Francolins Pea-birds Turkeys their ordinary Poultry for the use of the Court kept and look't to by young slaves to gather their eggs c. There are many white red and gray Partidges which are fed once a day with a small grain called Naver like unto buck wheat but much blacker There is a park for Lions Tigers and other fierce beasts called Siparo and 't is a sad and dayly sight to see criminalls devoured by them There was a Church founded there in memory of a miracle that happened to a Christian in the year 1572. who was exposed to the Lions next to the Elephants and thirdly to the Tigars the siercest of the three and came off from them all safe and intire none of the beasts would touch him he was presented to the King who gave him a pension during his life and inquiring who he was he replyed he was a poore Christian pilgrim come out of France with intention to visit the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem that since he had travelled unto Mount Sinay with the Caravane whence he thorough devotion came to the Town of St. Thomas to visit the shrine of that glorious Saint there he was bidden go to Caranganor where that St. suffered Martyrdom and that then he had a curiosity to see the Court of that great Monarch so famous throughout the Indies and was not permitted to crosse the river of Pegu without money which he was but slightly stored withall but cast himself into the water to swim it over and being re-taken was condemned to the beasts After this worthy miracle some French Jesuites at San-Thomas obtained leave of the King of Pegu to build a Church in remembrance of the miracle Those Fathers go on cheerfully and successfully in the conversion of those parts There are in those Parkes ponds of clear water where they feed Tortoyses of a middle size Their shells are a mixture of many colours as black red tawny yellow and others and there are none fairer in the world They work up many things therewith as Cabinets Trunks Boxes and other furniture 't is very neat work for the shells are polished like diamonds and are transparent which make a fine show and would be much valued here but he hazards his life that adventures for them This Prince makes it
ordained us drinks to all the Princes and loyall Subjects then every one drinks his health the three assistants stand up and salute him then sit down again and the King continually presents plates of meat sometimes to one sometimes to another so that for the feast time there is businesse enough The meat is seasoned with musk and amber At the Feast there are Buffons to delight the King and Company who have a thousand anticks and devices The King having done at Table the Emperour of Siam kissing his buskin as an homage presents him a rich Crown of gold which the King receives with embraces and kisses his cheek in testimony of perpetuall amity Then the rest kissing his buskin lay every one their presents at his feet The Kings bring Crowns the Princes chains and collars the rest present according to their quality all in gracefull order for the kingdoms and provinces march all according to their rank without confusion Then the rest of the people present other things both rare and curious These presents are brought in such quantity that every four hours they are forced to remove them at the coronation which was in my time the presents lasted five dayes from morning till night with unparallel'd wealth and magnificence during this time the people are all provided for at the Kings charge and take up fifteen leagues of land with wonderful regularity The Presents delivered they stay five days for dismission to return Amongst other things the King delights much in Cock-fights for which he hath Cocks from Besistan with beards which beard is properly but a carnosity hanging under the throat very brown growing of a burnt bloud the bird being exceeding hot for sport they match them with the Cocks of Pegu that are not altogether so fiery but more heavy and mortall enemies The King and his Court have this recreation once a week Their pens are close together with mats of palm that cover the windows at which they are fed At the creation which was in my time they had this game and lifting up the mats the Cocks immediately fell to fighting with their bils through the spaces of the lattice but the keepers parted them with switches till they had taken their portions which is of a small black grain they call Versin as big as a grape stone of quality exceeding hot The mats taken away then is the sport to see how they will range themselves in Battalions for the assault frowning with rage and the window once open they fall on in good earnest till they most cruelly tear one another and fill the place with blood for a good hour together then they part them many lying dead in the place which they eat the flesh being reddish like beef but exceeding tender and tastefull CHAP. XXXII Of the Justice and Policy with the Peguans their Sacrifices and horrible dances A lamentable History of two young Princes AS to the revenues of the King of Pegu when peoples ordinary payments are brought in there is Proclamation through the Dominions that no Subject is obliged to pay any Royall right gabell subsidy or impost for a whole year What Handicraftsmen alone pay him amounts to three millions or as they reckon so many Baselins a sort of weight Every house-keeper payes him so much by the year When a new King is elected all Towns and Villages send Deputies to make their acknowledgement with presents of rarities and things extraordinary As to the elect in our time were sent three white Cowes with tayles differing from others like swine hornes growing in their skins only not on the top of the head which they could move as their eares decked bard bridles covered with cloathes of crimson silk and hung over with bells of gold silver and Calin a mettal like silver much used in the Indies This present was very acceptable to him notwithstanding 't was done in derision of another people his Subjects who wear the like bells at their genitories to content their Mistresses with little hooks and rings to take them off when they go to visit them and testifie to them they have satisfaction in nothing but themselves for amongst them there are that are addicted to the unnaturall sin no more prohibited there than amongst the Turks except there be violence used for which there is severe punishment When the first Prince of the kingdom comes to take his leave he embraces him and kisses his cheek then presents him with ten fair white Persian coursers barded with cloth of gold of diverse colours their feet hang'd round with bells of gold to shew the people they are proper onely for beasts to wear These bells so disquieted the horses four or five men could but hold them so unruly they were likewise to the Prince of Siam at his departure he gave a collar of rubies of inestimable value in brief there was neither Prince nor Nobleman that parted without satisfaction 'T was thought the King distributed the best part of the horses in his stable where he had above thirty thousand which are the most magnificent present can be made in that country He gave besides many pieces of scarlet cloth silks of divers colours and other stuffes sufficient to load twenty thousand cammels An Elephant he never bestowes but on the contrary all Princes diligently endevour to get them for him All the horses he gives arise to the advantage of the State for when he hath occasion for them in war the subjects upon the least orders are all ready so well they affect him esteeming them amongst the blessed that dye in his service and for such the Priests never make prayers as being already in the number of the Saints and happy For their justice 't is equally administred to all offices and estates depending on the Kings will who gives them gratis and payes all officers out of his own Coffers which keeps them from doing any thing against Law and Justice for their punishments are very severe Creditours may by right take their Debtors for slaves when they have not wherewithall to pay them and if they will may sell them at the price of their debt and sometimes sell their wives and children by Port-sale till they are fully satisfied The charge of suit amounts to little or nothing They all live in good awe and all apply themselves to labour who hath no meanes of his own betakes himself to Mills Buildings and Mines where the King entertains them so as no one wants a way to live Poor orphans are brought up at the Kings charge There are diverse enclosed places for girles where they are employed in working silk and many other ingenuous arts A stranger passing through the country may be employed if he will or they will give him a passe to another town The King hath four hundred slaves but they are only for the service of the houshold without regard to either Nation or Religion so they are
they are put to certain wild cowes that are expresly for this purpose kept in the race so as the little cowes the mares and the colts are all together then taking the calves from their dams they put the colts to suck them This course continued for some time makes them more strong and lasting then can be imagined and it is observable their hoofes are more durable then any others All their fault is they are not so sleet as the Persian which horses are most esteemed of all in the Indies and next to them those of Transiana This King hath so great a number of them they render him formidable throughout the Indies he is exceeding peaceful and beloved of his people In the Countrey though it be very fertile and well tilled there are notwithstanding vast and profound forrests stocked with wilde beasts who often intercept the passengers and devoure them as Ounces Lions Tigars beares Wolves and dangerous Boares of an incredible size The King hath huntsmen for the purpose well skill'd in the woodes with little dogs proper for finding out the beasts They have also tame Lions and Hart-Wolves brought up to hunt their own kinde and so animated against their own Species that there are not in the world more cruell enemies as man hath not a more mortall foe then man himselfe and amongst men Renegado Christians more cruell to true Christians then the other Infidels These Lions wolves and other beastes of chase are taught to it when they are young and trained in parkes to hunt others till they are at growth and then they take them abroad to the grand chase armed with caps and pointed collars which with the assistance of the hunters makes them more dangerous so as they make a great slaughter amongst the other beasts There are likewise abundance of harts large as heifers which lie in the fields and will not stir for a passinger When the King goes into the Country he is attended with a thousand horse at least and when he goes to the grand chase he takes along abundance of Pioneers to stop up the Avenues with walls of clay and turf to secure himselfe and his Court. There will be sometimes twelve or fifteen thousand hunters the greater part Lords Persons of Quality and the Kings domesticks who frequently engage themselves there being pleasure without danger Sometimes these beasts come in such heards they are forced to open for their passage and fall upon the last and notwithstanding the walls are strong and high being made of palms and earth mixt with brakes there are beasts so light and nimble they will leap over them and before the souldiers who lie concealed can take them they will do incredible things making such strange assaults and such havock with teeth and nailes but the whole Court with the female guard stands in order upon the curtain and parapet of the walls to attend them at the passage where there is a great slaughter But after this tragicall danger comes a comedy of the Marmosets Apes and Monkeys and others of that kind for the greater part unknown to us The young ones will be there so fastned to the necks of their dams you would think they grew there all together makes a very pleasant prize The hair of these Apes is soft as silk and their genitories violet colour or pale red There are huge Munkeyes white as snow that make a thousand ridiculous faces seeming to crave liberty and they of the guard that know their humour give them a signe to climbe upon a tree and save themselves where of she faile not but then the sport is to see the trees covered over with them with the confused chattering they make one at another For wild swine wild goats harts hindes fallow-Deer and Aloroc with beasts of Beasar there are abundance as also of porcupines the Country yeilding such plenty of grain and wild fruits for their sustenance The boares are very dangerous panching all they meet with their tushes Elephants they hunt but seldom being forfeit of life to kill one They go with such vehemency they break all before them and when by subtlety they are once enclosed they make most horrible cries and roarings for rage breaking all that is near them being tyred they lie along and thrusting their trunk down their throat they fetch up a loathsom water as hot as if it came out of a furnace When all the dangerous beasts are either killed or scaped the King for his pleasure kills the boares the goats and others with the Ront the most assured armes and makes the widest wound Then the hunters all choose their marke taking pleasure in darting their lances taking what serves for provision of the Palace leaving the rest for another time The skins of bears ounces lions leopards serve to Arme the foot and horse and to bard the horses Elephants and other beasts for use in hunting whereof they make them caps that cover so well the head and neck it is not easie for the savage beasts to endanger them there being steel piques that make them loose their hold nor is there great or small who hath not his horse capped with these skins Towns and Villages circumiacent to the hunting come with a thousand presents and rejoycings to the King esteeming themselves much honoured to have any share of the prize wherewith they make a publik feast as of a thing sacred and solemn For their falconry and hawkes the King hath eagles and ravens so well trained both for furr and feather that nothing more Fishing is there likewise much practised As we travailed through the Country we came one day to a mountain of extraordinary height they call the Culma or Columa grown over with all sorts of trees as Sendal Danum Ebony Palmes of all sorts and others All the ground we passed over was full of Rhubarbe with leaves large and very bitter and round the skirt of the mountain Tombes orderly ranged cut in the rock ingenuously carved Maritime windes are frequent there which the Indians call Sourou and other windes exceeding drying which they call the Mounsons and the Portuguese Abrazador which consume even iron These mountains have a reasemblance of the Cordilleras of Peru of a long extent Amongst the rest there is one mountain that rain never falls upon by reason the southern windes which continually blow there force back the cloudes so as the mountain is exceeding barren The mountain of Columa being fanned with the maritime windes on one side preserves and keepes incorruptible all the bodies brought thither The other side towards the North being defended by the heads of trees enjoyes rains in abundance but both the one and the other side are fertilized with large streams that nourish these trees of excellent odour When they will bury a body they wash it and taking out the heart and bowells they burn them with Aromatick woods sacrifising them to their Duma then put the ashes within the
Anauas by the Inhabitants it holds dominion from Panuco to Dariene which divides it from Peru. The principal Provinces are Guatemala Xalisco Chalcos Taica Mechoachan Tlascalan Acapulco Culiacan Tezuco Tescuco Huaca-chalque Huacachala Claortomaca Maxalcinco Gistecapan and others New Spaine is one of the most excellent Provinces of the New World fully inhabited pure ayre abounding in corne and all sorts of graine Cattle Mines of Gold and chiefely of Silver wanting nothing but oyle and wine The principal and capital town is Temistican or Temoxtitlan or Temuistican upon a Lake of thirty Leagues in circute is contained threescore thousand Houses at the time the Spaniards took it under the famous Ferdinand Cortez The lake is of two waters salt and fresh by reason of the rivers that enter it There are many other great Townes but less then Mexico Before they received Christianity they were all great Idolaters and given to strange superstitions many whereof they continue still Their Sacrifices were formidable Fathers not scrupling to make their own children victims The Mexicans are an ingenuous people and of experience in all sorts of workes particularly in Tapestry of feathers where they have things artificially drawne to the life The Soyle abounds in all sorts of fruits and commodities for livelihood as well naturall as adventitious even vines whereof they have very good notwithstanding the prohibition to plant any True in many parts the grapes come not to perfect maturity by reason of the abundant rains in June and July when the grapes begin to ripen so as they soake raine and corrupt wherefore they are forced to eat them halfe green Some have try'd to make wine but it proves sharp and more like wine of quinces then grapes They have planted olive-trees which come to good growth and full of leaves but without fruit All sorts else grow well and plentifully The wine they drink comes all from Spaine and is very deare for it cost five of us three crowns a day for our parts and a good bargaine the plenty of mony making all things deare for a bed 12 realls a night In Peru t is yet dearer though they get very good wine and figs as likewise in the Isles of Barlouento and Cuba There are many Forrests by the Indians called Arcaboucos store of Ebony Guâ—acum or Lignum Sanctum wide and thick Forrests of Cedars Laurells Dates Pines Oaks and hearbs of all sorts proceeding from the nature of the Climate being hot and moist The greater part of the ground lies notwithstanding uncultivated for want of Labourers of which they have none but some Blacks of Maniconga and Guinea lazy people and no good workers The Country is not very populous many more women then men by reason warr and labour consumes them The extent of these Regions is admirable nay infinite in respect of the few Inhabitants and less agriculture for this late discovered Mexico contains above 15 Provinces of above a thousand leagues in circuite where there are as faire Towns and buildings as in Europe Good part speak the Mexico Tongue Farther on there succeed severall unknowne Nations without number Some Religious went thither to Preach the Faith but the Savages devoured them 'T is not yet found out what Territories border with Cape Mendocino California high Florida new Mexico and others towards the North Pole no more then what is beyond the Streight of Magellan higher by 56. or 57. degrees The Inhabitants of old Mexico do intirely apply themselves to the Trades and wayes of the Spaniard being grown good Weavers and make all sorts of silke stuffs in like manner they are docile and judicious and such as are become Christians follow the Doctrine most religiously The Countrey is of such a scituation that you ascend wherever you go from the sea Coast but so easily you perceive it not So coming from the middle of the land to the Sea-ward you descend on which side soever but so as afterwards one admires how they ascended mounted so high or came so low all the Mexican Territory is of this quality and scituation The Mexicans derive themselves originally from other parts the Ancient Inhabitants were barbarous and eat nothing but venison which they called Chichimeques and Otomies then the Navatalks came from the North from Provinces which since are joyned to New Mexica who peopled cultivated and civiliz'd the soyle and Nation But withall they introduced their strange Idolatries and horrible sacrifices of men and infants whereof they perpetrate abundance every yeare Whereby 't is very probable that not only this but all the other Countreys are inhabited with people deriv'd from the North whither the Asians and Europians may have passed by little and little by the Streights either of Sea or Land as we have already demonstrated These Mexicans being well setled chose a King to Govern them who was one Acamipixtsi a Mexican Lord who had married a daughter of the King of Cublivacan an ancient people of the Country since which time they have ever had Kings not by succession but Election continued to the ninth and last King Montezuma taken by Cortez under which Kings they had diverse Warrs and tooke in many neighbors augmenting it to a great state The King was not Elected by the Commons but by 4 Principall of the Court and had the Crowne from the hands of the Tescaio But the King Elect before he receives his Crown is obliged to go fight the Enemy and bring such a number of Prisoners to their Sanguinary sacrifices If he faile in the first expedition they excuse it but if the second time they poyson him and choose another If he returne victorious they conduct him with great ceremony to the Temple where they make the great sacrifice with processions and musick through the Town He was crowned with a Crown like a Miter and every one made oath to serve him to the last drop of bloud then was conducted with great magnificence to the Pallace-Royal the Electors called Laceocal marching first that is Princes of the Lance then the Lacaterret or Thunder-bolts of men who are the gallantest of the Cavaliers then Hazeuocal that is bloud-shedders and the Lilbancalqui Knights of the black lance These four orders were his Majesties privy Council in the Town they had other Councils for administration of Justice When the King went to the Temple an hundred men marched before him with great bows taller than themselves then 100. more with long staves with a hardbroad keen stone in the end with which he will cut off a horse-head I have seen one cut a sheep in two with it those they call a la a tilpeo The Kings Pallace is sumptuous and magnificent a Parke by it stored with wilde beasts of all sorts ponds full of fish with boates of rich worke and cages for Birds The Pallace is composed of separate apartments and severall habitations for the Courtiers every one according to his dignitie and degree The Mexican Kings had high esteem for men
French Pirates An unheard of curtesie from the hand of a Pyrate Punishment of the wicked Cassia The Pirâ—ts perfidiousnesse Antropophayes Marvellous seasons in the same parallells Cinamon Oyle of Cinnamon Butter and Hony Rubyes Betale a pearle-fishing A fish charmed Matouca a Ruby King of Zeilan Bread made of Rice Camouch Haven Streight of Zeilan Jafanapatan Manar an Island Badages Idoll of a Monkeys tooth Hanimam a Monkey Pescaria The manner of fishing for pearl Fish charmed Chitmi are Commissioners Setin Baharem Paraves Maldives Isles Polovis the devills Isle History of the Magitian of Pegu. Bisnegar or Marsingue A vast Army Horsebits History of the King of Bisnegar Var or Viridi Pagont Transiane Treason punished Timeragi Gondariane Merchant deceived Chandegry Narsingue Thatched houses Lawes observed at Narsingue Coutry Dames Bramins High-Priests Thus did the Bardes amongst the ancient Gauls A manner of declaring war Poysoned circles of Iron Palecate S. Thomas his shrine Christian faith preached in the Indies and by whom Chaldean tongue Meliapur signifies a pea-bird St. Thomas intomb'd Albuna in Aethiopia Indian earthen ware Nutmegs Calanfour a Clovegilliflowr A story of a Bear Ismahan Bâ—zari Agarida Sagistan Town History of a Spanish woman and a Monkey Maginus and Bartheme say this town stands between Bengale and Narsingue Modern Authours between Malalaca and Nateabam unlesse there are two towns of the same name Ternassery Musk and from whence Euate Bettell wood Quelba Maturane Diamond mines Bengale or Batacouta Ganges River The Gulfe Bengale Seraglio guarded Subtle poyson Children sold in market Apura A prodigious age Bonane is an â—ndian fig. A kingdom left for heaven The Idolaters fear of Christianisme Sartagan Idolaters superstitions The river Ganges how esteemed Strange ceremonies Andemaon Sad accident Caselba Resolution in extremity Sumatrans Insularies false people Continual rains Bahar Peper Hunting of Elephants Hermophrodites English and Hollanders in this Island Names of fruits Golden coyne Barres of gold Two Arms of the sea Nicobar Catarana called Sombrero Metempsycoses Severall Kingdomes The infirm eaten A fortunate escape Camorre Metympsphyâ—asâ—s Two Franciscans eaten Japara Igname Gouera Pirates how taken Cruelty of the Javans A sort of ball-play or Tennis the like at Mexico Bantan The devil adored French at Bantan Ambergris To be impaled is to have a stake thrust thorough the fundament and to come out of the mouth Nutmegs of Banda Touman Cocuma Ginger Betel Durions Malaca Ophir The traffick of Malaca Quinsay Siam War for a white Elephant The Empire of Sornao Odiva Lugor Pretty women Tirada Queen Strange Funeralls Dolefull Instruments Dead body eaten Gigraff a beast got by a Camell and a female Panther Unicornes Chiamay Lake A story of serpents Espaluco Martaban Gaypoumo Dougon Laque Rubarbe Aloes· Banean Satalico sacrificators Castigay an Idoll Chaubaina's disaster Pegu. Seas from North and South meet in the strait of Magellan Maskaret of Bourdeaux Garonnne River Kingdom of Pegu. Empire of Pegu's length Town of Pegu. Iron Guns Good horses and from whence Statues of beaten gold Other of silver Ganze a mixt mettle Byze a coyne Tahaba Goudons or Merchants houses Taregha Faithful trading Sensals true River Cappumâ— Geographers deceived Siami or Siammon Canarane Talcada Kingdoms conquered by Pegu. Ayr at Pegu is temperate Hermaphrodites War for a white Elephant Lagi White Elephants adored Aguari the musk car Sindero Unicorn Besouarts Tanarif Tiscan Griffin Ostriches Water fowle Francolin a red leyd fowle bigger then a Godwit Miracle of a Christian exposed to beasts to be devoured Asoufarâ— Telansin How they raise an Army Triennial Governours Zimbou Admirable obedience Differences quickly decided Areca Betel Peguans Armes The Kings march A jester baptized Big canes A Vision A heathen King converted S. Thomas marâ—yred Oysima Nestorians Tempest Charms against the tempest Confession amongst Idolaters Vldarin Punishments for crimes Idolatrous and Mahometan Martyrs Deruis Martyrs Talapoyes Idols of Pegu. Bleeding sacrifices Holy ashes and holy water An oraculous Idol Idols destroyed by the Portuguese The tooth of an ape Fotoque an Idoll The flesh of hens black Sacrifices for the dead Mâ—tempsycose Superstitious salutations Asses for chase Peguans whence derived The Peguans creed Jesuites in Pegu. Conversion and truth Extravagant communions Zibi demons Possessed Exorcisms Sacathy Coranita and the Sacrifice The Peguans diet Salutations Military exercises Cannons Medicinable drugs Cocos Summer in Pegu. Rubarbe How drugs are brought into Europe Royall Officers Coronation of the King Gadalaro Amicassen Respect given to strangers Amirsent Zanfart Atefiar Caranizi Archilet Dramont Number of Elephants in Pegu. Creation of the Prince and the Ceremonies A Crown of lead Wholsome documents for Princes The Ashes what Shoulders kissed Feasts for the people Subject Princes Talcadifs Viands perfumed Presents to the King Besistan Cock-fight Revenues of the King of Pegu. Calin a mettle Sodomie Bells for beasts only Honour and service to the King Justice officers Debtors sold Hospitals All employed in Pegu. Silk upon trees A great policy Adultery punished Marriage Repudiation Testimonies of love Sacrifice of their own children Palpes or Priests The devils dance Strange accidents to the authour Feasts and ceremonies Laudative songs How the Priests dispose of wars Reward of valour A deplorable History of two Princes Fraternal amity Curiosity and predictions dangerous A reasonable condition An unfortunate meeting Talc instead of glasse Musicall Instruments Hydrac The Peguan yeares Alterations in Pegu Vast Armies in the East Apes Fismans Fruitâ— Civit cats Mines Mounsons windes cold in extremity Debtors slayes Sugar used in buildings Elephants instructed Women Unicorns hornes Estriffe or a Gâ—iffon Mandranel Califerech Fanon money Chiza Artipan Ramata Sanacarin or virgin The Indians faith Interment and Ceremonies Widowes how remarried Ball play Sapony a moâ—tiberous herb Casubi and the ayre Women Goncha grapes Manna Long life Furs Cocos the benefit of the tree Confession in Casubi Procession Reconcilements This is partly taken out of the Ecclesiasticall History out of Socrates Sedomenes Theodoret and Ruffinus Ardesius and Frumentius Wood to strike fire Macharana Women swimers Quinsin Pudomel Poultry Money Bindi Apes importunate Azoufa Chicali Ira's A beast of the same nature as the Chicali but red Tygars Tygar skins Tygar hunting Elephants A story of the Rhinocerot of Escurial Very dangerous Wolfes An armed Monkey The King of Transiana his curiosity and affability Esteem of the French on the East The Courb's present Birds of Paradise Transiana Women Jewels and to whom Adultery punished Maids free A female guard for the King A dance in armes Viluaires Lambri The militia of the King of Transiana Horses and their breeding Beasts brought up to hunt Chase of recreation Apes Ront Armes Beasts skins Rhubarb Remarkable Mountaines Interments Divorces Nubis Priests Mummy Fidelity for the Merchants in India The mountain of the sun Tambo an Inne Ridiculous opinions of the surrising Lapland Sabooram Liberia in high Tartary The Indians strange opinions in Astronomy The Indians Iliaca and Piliaca This