Inhabitants It hath on the East Ethiopia Superior West the Atlantick Ocean North Lybia and South the Kingdom of Manicongo in Ethiopia Inferior Natures of the People The Inhabitants at most want the use of reason most alienate from dexterity of wit and all Arts and Sciences prone to luxury and are for the greater part Idolaters Riches The Countrey is abundantly stored with Gold and Silver very fine and pure The River Niger here as the River Nilus in Egypt overfloweth the adjacent Fields for the space of 40 dayes and in so many more recollects his waters into his proper Channels The chief Provinces or Kingdoms of which here are 25 are Kingdoms or Provinces Gualata this Province was subdued by the King of Tombuto a beggarly thievish lying Countrey as any is in the World they anoint their hair every day with the fat of Fish for great gallantry whereof they stink exceedingly The women esteem it their chiefest parts of goodly feature to have large breasts which by art and stretching some have them hanging to their Navel Guinea confineth with Gualata here there is neither Town nor Castle but Mina built and fortified by the Portugal for their better trading here They have some Snakes here of 30 foot long Spiders as big as the palm of ones hand slore of Camelions blue Parrots and many sorts of Apes They esteem it a great part of beauty to have a flat Nose Tombutum this is the richest Prince in all this part of Africk keeping a Royal Palace he hath some Scepters that weigh 13000 pound weight a piece The King will admit no Jews into the City he hateth them so yet he loveth and maintaineth a great number of learned men Melli a Countrey of 300 miles in length hath the richest civilest and industriousest Inhabitants of any amongst these Negrites Cano is a Countrey abounding in Lemmons and Pomegranates Gialofi the people hereof are of that admirable nimbleness that they will leap on a Horse when he gallopeth and stand upright when he runs fastest Benin here the people go naked untill they are married and then are clothed from the wast to the knees the King hereof hath 600 Wives with all which twice a year he goeth in pomp the Gentlemen have some 80 some 90 the meanest 1â— Men and Women pinck their bodies putting thereon grease mixed with colour here they offer their Wives to Strangers Nubia stretcheth from Gaoga unto Nilus having the Egyptian confines on the North and the Desarts of Goran on the South Dangala is their chief Town and hath 10000 Families but ill built their Houses being Chalk and Straw the Inhabitants with their Traffick to Cairo become rich there is in this Kingdom great store of Corn Sugar Civet Sandal and Ivory They have a strong poyson here the tenth part of a Grain whereof will kill a man in a quarter of an hour one Ounce is sold for 100 Ducats Bornum here the people have neither Children Wives nor Names but are distinguished by some external accident Gaoga this Kingdom hath neither civility letters nor Government The chief Towns of these Provinces are Tombutum Genni Agadez Guangara Songum and Choninam the third City in estimation of all Africk Thus much of the Land of the Negros Ethiopia Superior or the Empire of Prester John THis is the greatest and powerfullest Prince in all Africk his Dominion begins at the entrance of the Red Sea and stretcheth to the entrance of the Island of Seine North East on Egypt and the Desarts of Nubia and on the South-side on Monemugi It contains in compass 4000 Italian miles Fertility The Region is scarce in Wheat but plenty in Rice Barley Pease and Beans They have abundance of Sugar Minerals of all sorts and infinite Herds of Oxen and Sheep they have no coyn of Gold or Silver Salt is the most currant money The Mountains and Woods are full of Bassill and other odoriferous Plants Natures of the People The people are much inclined to Barbarism destitute of learning not to be credited unless they swear by the life of their Prince they hate a Smith equally with the Devil their colour is generally Olive-tawny Rivers Their chief Rivers are Abas Totcasis and Nilus There are in this Empire 70 tributary Kingdoms the chief whereof are Barnagasso this Kingdom is situate upon the Red Sea it stretcheth from Suachen almost to the mouth of the Streits it hath no other Port on the Red Sea but Erocco neither hath the Prester any other Port in all his Dominion but this and of late the Turk hath taken this with that of Suachen and forced the Governour of this Province to compound for the yearly sum of 1000 ounces of Gold Tigramahon this Kingdom lyeth between Nilus Marabo Angote and the Sea It hath in it Cazunio supposed to be the Royal Seat of that Queen that visited Solomon Angote is between Tigramahon and Amare in this Kingdom Iron and Salt is currant money The Hill Amarah Amara is situate in the midst of the Countrey here is a steep Hill dilating it self in a round form many dayes journey in compass It is situate in a Plain extending it self every way without other Hill in the same for the space of â—0 leagues the form is round the height is such that it is a dayes work to ascend from the bottom to the top the air above is wholesome and delectable and they live there very long without sickness there are 34 Palaces on the top spacious sumptuous and beautifull where the Princes of the Royal blood have their abode with their Families Xoa this Kingdom hath store of Corn and Cattle Goyame this Kingdom hath plenty of Gold here only and in the Hills of the Moon is found the Unicorn which is seldom seen only the Horn is found which he casteth in manner of the Hart. Fatigar in Fatigar is a Lake on the top of a high Mountain 12 miles in compass stored with Fish and thence run many Rivers stored with the same Fish Guegere was sometime called Mero the Inhabitants are confederate with the Turks and Moors against the Abassines it is an Island situate in the Riveâ— Nilus The chief Cities of this Kingdom are Saba and Zambra besides these two there is none have above 3000 Houses in them but these are populous and magnificent with Towers Temples triumphant Arches Obelisks Pyramides and the like tokens of Industry Antiquity and Majesty Saba was founded by the Queen which visited Solomon and was the Mother-City of the Empire It hath 5000 Houses great and sumptuous the Streets spacious with Portals and Pent-houses it hath four choice Gates all Alablaster and Jasper wrought with antique works the great doors of Cedar curiously carved the wayes that lead to these Gates for the space of two leagues are set with Palms Planes Oranges Cedars Cypress and other Trees on both sides for shade and fruit Near to this City are Mines of Gold Gardens and other
their Custome 3. Roschilt the Sepulchres of the Danish Princes it is not walled yet hath it the title of a City 2. Fionia contains in it 8 Towns the principal whereof are Ottonium or Osel and Sweinbourgh 3. Bornholmia is situate on the Baltick Sea not far from Gothland The chief City is called Bornholm 4. Finera is that Island in which Tychobrahe that famous Mathematician built an artificial Tower wherein are many rare Mathematical Instruments The chief Town is Petersborne Scandia Scandia is invironed with the Seas save where it is joyned to Moscovy It lyeth part on this side part beyond the Artick Circle so that the longest day in the more Northern part is about three moneths It contains the Kingdoms of Denmark Norwey and Swedeland That part which belongeth to Denmark is situate on the South of this Peninsula and is divided into three Provinces viz. Hallandia Scania and Blescida 1. Hallandia hath on the North Swedeland and South Scania The chief Town is Halaenego 2 Scania hath on the South Hallandia on all other parts the Sea It is in length 72 miles and 48 in breadâ—h and is the pleasantest Countrey in all Denmark most abundant in Fruits and most rich in Merchandize The chief Towns are 1. Londen a great Haven-Town 2. Elbogen 3. Falskerbode Here is Elsimbourg one of the Keyes which openeth into the Sound 3. Blescida hath on the North Swedeland It is a mountainous and barren Countrey The chief Towns are 1. Malmogia 2. Colmar a strong Fortress against the Swedelander Norwey NOrwey on the East respecteth Denmark on the West it is bounded with the Ocean on the South lyeth Suevia and on the North it is separated from Lapland Fertility The Land of it self is not sufficiently fruitfull and toward the North yieldeth no sort of Corn therefore the Inhabitants instead of Bread eat dryed Fish called by us Stock-Fish which is transported through Europe in exchange of Corn. Commodity The Countrey especially the Southern part transports rich Furrs Tallow Butter Tann'd-Leather Train-Oyl Pitch Clap-boards all sorts of Timber-Works and Masts Firr-wood and that with great ease and little charge Natures of the people Their Buildings are base and poor the Inhabitants honest lovers of Strangers liberal of gift and most serviceable Amongst them are neither â—ilchers Thieves nor Pirats Their chief Towns are 1. Nidrosia the See of an Archbishop who is Metropolitan of Norwey 2. Bergen one of the four ancient Mart Towns of Europe 3. Ansloyn a Bishops See Thus much of Denmark and Norwey Swedeland Swedeland is bounded on the East with Moscovy on the West with the Dofrine Hills on the North with the frozen Seas and on the South with the Baltick Seas This Countrey alone without the adjacent provinces of Lappia Scricfinia and Biarmia is little less than Italy and France joyned together and with the additions of the said Nations is bigger by a tract of 900 miles Fertility The Soyl is so fertil that to see a Beggar is a difficult matter and the Air is so healthfull that it is ordinary to see Men of an 130 or 140 years of age Commodity It aboundeth with Mines of Lead Copper and Silver which are transported into other Nations together with Hides of Bucks Goats and Oxen Tallow Tare Barley Malt. Natures of the people The People participate much in nature with the Norweians hospitable and valiant as they It containeth the Provinces of Lapland Finland Gothland and Sweden Lappia Lappia is the most Northern part of all Scandia and is divided into the Eastern containing Biarmia and Corelia which belongeth unto the Duke of Russia and the Eastern comprehending Lappia and Scricfinia which are under the King of Sweden These two Provinces use to give worship and divine honour to that living creature what ere it be which they see at their first going out of their doors in the morning and are so poor that they pay unto the King of Sweden for tribute rich Skins and Furrs Finland Finland is situate between the Baltick Sea and the Finland Bay The chief Towns are 1. Abo a Bishops Seat 2. Narve a place of great strength Rangina and Augo both famous Mart-Towns Vames Viburg and Casteholme places of good strength Gothland Gothland is the best and richest Province of the North. It is divided into Island and Continent the Island is seated in the Baltick Seas being in length 18 miles and 5 in breadth The Continent of Gothia is the hithermost part of Scandia next to Denmark The chief Cities are 1. Stockholme seated after the manner of Venice 2. Lodufia a Town of great traffick 3. Waldbourge a well fortified piece and 4. Colmar famous for its impregnable Castle Sweden Sweden is situate on the South of Gothland The Countrey is very fruitfull and delicious unless in some places where the cragginess of the Mountains maketh it more barren and less pleasant The chief Cities of it are 1. Vpsal a famous Bishoprick 2. Nicopia a Sea-Town of good strength 3. Copperdell famous for its abundance of Brass There is also Finmach bordering on the Northern Ocean whose Inhabitants be Witches and Idolaters they use to sell windes to Merchants to carry their Ship to any Port. Bodia is also under his Dominion whose chief Town is Helsinga honoured with the title of a Dukedom Thus much of Sweden Moscovy MOscovy is bounded on the East with Tartary on the West with Lyvonia Lituania and part of Sweden on the North with the Frozen Ocean and on the South with Mare Caspium the Turks and Palus maeotis This Countrey containeth in length from East to West 3300 miles and in breadth 3065 miles Situation It is situate partly in Europe partly in Asia which separation is caused by the River of Tanais bounder of Asia and running through the middle of the Countrey The People are for the most part of a square proportion broad short and thick gray-ey'd and broâ—d-beâ—rded the Commons live in miserable subjection to the Nobles and they again in as great slavery to the Duke or Emperour Natures of the people They are persidious unnatural and malicious altogether unlearned even the Priests themselves are meanly indoctrinated it being cautionated by the great Duke that there be no Schools lest there should be any Scholars besides himself The Women are private fearfull to offend but once lascivious intolerably wanton It is the fashion of those Women to love that Husband best which beateth them most and to think themselves neither loved nor regarded unless they be soundly swadled two or three times a day Cities The chief City of this Kingdome is Mosco where both the Emperour and Patriarch resideth Roscovia and Novogrod are the Seats of Archbishops the latter of these two containeth about 20000 Housholds and was one of the four ancient Mart-Towns of Europe Vologda Smolensko and Plescovia the only walled Town in Muscovy Mosayco St. Nicholas Sugana Vstium
this Countrey are 1 Euphrates 2. Tygris Out of Chaldea the three Wise Men are thought to have come who worshipped Christ and presented Gifts unto him Thus much of Chaldea and the Continent of the Turkish Empire in Asia The Islands and his other Dominions subject unto him shall be mentioned in their due places Persia PErsia is bounded on the East with the River Indus West with Tygris and the Persian Gulf North with the Caspian Sea and the River Oxus and on the South with the Main Ocean Natures and Manners of the People The people of this Countrey are for the most part valiant and proper being Olive-coloured they have no hair on their head nor their Chin only on their upper lip they have it very long and turned downwards their eyes are generally black their noses high as be their foreheads Apparel In their Apparel they are very phantastical about their heads they wynde great rowls of Callico some of Silk and Gold Their outward Garment is commonly of Callico quilted with Cotton some wear them of party-coloured Silks some of Sattin and some of rich Gold or Silver Chamblets The Women likewise are gorgeous in attire their stature is mean but strait and comely their hair black and curled their forehead high their cheeks fat round and painted they look wantonly drink strongly and covet mens moneys really Houshold Furniture Their Houses to speak generally within are poor and sordid a Carpet a Pan and a Platter epitomizes all their Furniture The better sort sleep on Beds two foot high matted or done with girth'-web on which is a shagg or yopanger which riding serves as an Vmbrella against rain and sleeping for a Bed and Coverture Diet. They feed most on Rice boiled with Butter also Mutton Hens and Almonds The better sort sit on Carpets cross-legged using neither Spoon nor Knife for the poorer fort they feed most on Roots as Melons Garlick Opium and Honey They hate Swines-flesh Veal Beef Hares and Buffles because Mahomet forbids it them Provinces This Empire containeth the Provinces of Persis Susiana Caramania Gedrosia Drangiana Aria Arachosia Parapomisus Saca Hircania and Ormus The chief Cities of this Kingdom are 1. Persepolis now called Siras standing within the Province of Persis This City continued the mightiest in Asia 230 years at which time Alexander the Great gave a period to its greatness by the Whorish counsel of the Athenian Lais. It is in compass now some eight or nine miles and seated at the North-West end of a large Plain some twenty miles long and six broad the sides environed with mighty Hills under one of which this City is placed The prime beauty of this City is her Churches and Gardens there are some 14 or 15 Churches most of which are round like Theatres their outside tyling pargetted with Azure Stones two of these have two Pillars or Steeples as high as Pauls in London covered and wrought with Blew and Gold Their Houses are of Sun-burnt Brick flat on the top the windows trelized very curiously and though generally within they have no ornament yet some peculiar Houses as the Dukes and some others may be Competitors for delicacy with most in Europe The Gardens within this City abound in all kinds of Fruits In a word for all delicacy this City may compare with any part of Persia The 2. City of note is Sushan deriving her name from the Province wherein she stands This was once one of the three Royal Palaces of the Median Emperor one being at Babylon and another at Ecbatana Here it was that Ahashuerus made a Feast mentioned 1 Hester and yearly to this day the King celebrates a Feast of Roses and the Duke of Shiras who is Lord of Sushan a Feast of Daffadillies of like continuance 3. Caramania famous for Cloth of Gold and the best Scymitars 4. Gedrosia or Geste 5. Sige. 6. Aria most of them deriving their names from the Provinces wherein they stand Hyrcania Hyrcania This is now made a Province of the Persian Kingdom It hath on the North the Caspian Sea South Mount Taurus East and West Media this people are of late civilized by the Persians The Countrey of old and yet abounds with Tygers Wolves Lyons Wild-Cats Bears and Scorpions It is full of Woods which both befriends them against Winters cold and Summers heat which in their seasons are extreme The prime Cities of this Kingdom are 1. Asharaff she hath in her some 2000 Houses and is seated in a Plain not above two miles from the Caspian Sea The Buzzar in this Town is but homely nor enjoys she any Mosques or Prophets to be spoken of 2. Farabant is a very fair City this lies one mile from the Caspian Sea and five miles West from Asharaff It is yet the best Town for beauty greatness and wealth in the Kingdom of Hyrcania It is furnished with some long deep Prams sowed together with Hemp and Coord but unpitch'd or calk'd in these the Muscovian Merchants sail down Volga over the Caspian Sea and arrive at Farabant to traffick for raw Silks This City glories in her two large and beautifull Buzzars and fragrant Gardens and in a sumptuous Palace of the Kings 3. Omoall is built under Mount Taurus it hath 3000 Houses and inhabited by divers Nations In this City is a Church or Mosque wherein is intombed 444 Princes and Prophets of that Kingdom the people of this City are very courteous and beautified with complements and dainty feature The people of this Kingdom speak the language of the Persians their apparel is like the Irish Trooses their 〈…〉 are very kind and loving unto Travellers and upon any signal will receive them and hold it a point of rudeness in their Virgins if they be coy or disdainfull unto Strangers Ormus Ormus is an Isle within the Gulf it is in circuit 15 miles at the end of this Isle appears yet the ruines of that late glorious City built by the Portugals and lately taken from them by the Persians with the help of some of our English Ordnance so that it is now utterly ruined and not worth the owning which was but 15 years ago the only stately City of the Orient it is now disrobed of all her bravery the Persians each month conveying her ribs of Wood and Stone to aggrandize Gombroone not three leagues distant out of whose ruines she begins to triumph Gombroone is by the Natives called Bander or Port-Town it is distant from Ormus nine English miles It is seated on the Gulf and in the Ormusian Kingdom It containeth well-near 1000 Houses In January here arrive Ships from India English and Dutch and here the English Agent receives Custom of all Strangers that honour being granted for their good service done at Ormus The English and Dutch Merchants have their Houses here this Town in Winter is inhabited by sundry Nations as Persians Indians Arabs Jews all which fly away in the Summer to avoid the intollerable
either warm'd a little at their Saddle-bow or rosted in the Sun and drink sowr Mares-Milk The chief Cities are 1. Cashan 2. Noyhan 3. Charayckzicke 4. Astrachan a Town well frequented by Merchants Tartaria Antiqua Tartaria Antiqua is the old Habitation of the Tartars from whence they dispersed themselves over Europe and Asia The People are of the same life and condition with them of Asciatica and lye farthest North extending beyond the Polare Circle They have some few Cities as 1. Coras famous for the Sepulchers of the Tartarian Kings 2. Caracora 3. Campanion these Cities belong to the Kingdom of Tenduc the People hereof account it a great honour to have their Wives and Sisters at the pleasâ—…e of such as they entertain In this Countrey is the Desart of Lop and in this Countrey groweth Rheubarb an Herb of that excellent nature that the whole World is beholding to these Barbarians for it as a sovereign help for many diseases Zagathai Zagathai this Countrey was of old Scythia intra montem imanum It is situate East from the Caspian Sea they are now called Jeselbas from the colour of their Turbants They inhabit the ancient Countreys of Bactria Sogdiana and Margiana in times past the Habitation of the Massagetes so famous in Arms. These are the most honourable People of the Tartars indifferent civil given to Arts and Lords of many fair Cities as 1. Istigias one of the most pleasant Cities of the East 2. Samarchand which gave both a Cradle and a Grave to the mighty Tamerlain Cathaie CAthaie is bounded on the East with the Oriental Ocean on the West with the other Tartarian Provinces North with the Scythick Sea and South with China this is thought to have been the ancient Habitation of the Ceres It is said of this People that they have neither whore nor thief amongst them Fertility The Soyl aboundeth with variety of Fruits superfluously furnished with Rice Grain Wool Silk Hemp Rheubarb Musk and excellent fine Chamblets so that it scorneth to give precedency to any of the flourishing Provinces of Europe Natures of the People The People are fearless of the greatest dangers and patient of labour they are of a very good wit dress themselves gorgeously and on occasions fare very sumptuously The chief Cities are 1. Caraian where the Women use to guild their teeth 2. Tebeth famous for her abundance of Corral 3. Cambaln seated on the River Polysanga honoured with the great Cham's residence enriched with a mighty confluence of Merchants of all sorts beside other Merchandize there are every year 10000 Carts loaded with Silks sent thither ftom China It is in compass 28 miles besides the Suburbs which beside other Inhabitants are 50000 Astrologers or rather Fortune-tellers 4. Xamdu within this City did Cublai Can build a stately Palace encompassing 16 miles of plain ground with a Wall wherein are fertil Meadows pleasant Springs delightfull streams and all sorts of Beasts of chase and game and in the midst thereof a sumptuous House of pleasure which may be removed from place to place here he doth abide in the moneths of June July and August Government The Government of this Emperour is tyrannical the Great Cham being Lord and in his tongue consists life or death he is called by the simple People the shadow of Spirits and Son of the immortal Gods and by himself is reputed to be the Monarch of the whole World At the Funeral of some of these great Monarchs they use to kill some of his Guard-Souldiers whereof he hath 12000 in continual pay These Chams for the most part are severe Justices and punish almost every small fault with death especially theft lying and adultery Thus much of Tartaria Of India commonly called East-India INdia is bounded on the East with China on the West with the River Indus from whence it takes its denomination on the North with Tartary and on the South with the Ocean This is the biggest Countrey comprehended under one name of any in the World except Tartary and China Rivers The chief Rivers of it are Indus and Ganges Fertility abound it doth in all manner of Minerals except Copper and Lead and stored with all sorts of Cattle except Horses Riches more particularly with Mines of Gold pretious Stones Spices of all sorts and Civet Wheat only and Vines are wanting Natures of the People The People are indifferent civil and ingenious both Men and Women imitate a majesty in their frame and apparel which they sweeten with Oyl and Perfumes adorning themselves with Jewels Pearls and other ornaments befitting Several Nations in India They are a Nation composed of five several sorts of People 1. The Indians or Natives which are in part Gentiles in part Christians The second sort are Mahumetans Persians Tartars The third Jews The fourth Arabians or Moors and the fifth Portugals The River Ganges divideth the Countrey into two parts viz. India intra Gangem and India extra Gangem India intra Gangem India intra Gangem called Industan is divided into 47 Provinces or Kingdomes whereof two have yet their proprietary Kings namely Narsinga and Calecute the rest are under the Command of the Great Mogull The chief of the 47 Provinces are 1. Narsinga 2. Mallabar 3. Balassia 4. Cambaia 5. Mandao 6. Bengala 7. Oristan 8. Canora and 9. Delliâ— Narsinga NArsinga hath on the East the Gulf of Bengala West the Mountain Guate North the Mountain Guadaverno and South the Promontory of Comari It is in compass 3000 miles and hath a King acknowledging no superiour command he keepeth in continual pay 40000 Nairos and is able to bring into the Field many thousands more as his expeditions in War have specified Natures of the People The People hereof use to burn their Wives when their Husbands are dead the cause some ascribe to their Wives wonted custome to poyson their Husbands before this Law In these parts the chief City is St. Thomas or Malleaper where they say St. Thomas was martyred and burnt to his Sepulcher the Indian Christians go on Pilgrimage carrying a little of the earth with them for a great relique The Portugals now inhabit this Town almost desolate the Jesuits also have here a residence There is also Narsinga and Bisnagar fair and great Towns standing within this Kingdom Mallabar Mallabar containeth the Western part which of old was called Aurea Chersonesus It is full of People divided into many States by variety of Rivers which causeth many Crocodiles enriches the Soyl and yields easie transportation of Commodities which are Spices of divers kinds The chief Kingdoms in this Tract are 1. Kanonor 2. Calecute 3. Cranganor 4. Cochin 5. Cariolam and 6. Travancon Calecute is the chief of these Cities the City is not walled nor fair built the ground not yielding firm foundation Fertility This Kingdom hath not above 25 leagues of Sea-coast yet rich both by the fertility of the Soyl
which yieldeth Corn Spices Cocos Jaceros and many other Fruits and by the situation as the Staple especially before the Portugals unfriendly Neighbourhood of Indian Merchandize and therefore in her variety of Merchants being a Map as it were of all the Eastern World The Egyptians Persians Syrians Arabians Indians yea even from Catay the space of 6000 miles had here their trade and traffick The People here do yield divine honour to divers of the deceased Saints and build Temples unto Beasts The Gentlemen and Merchants have a custome to exchâ—nge Wives in token of great friendship Some Women amongst them have six or seven Husbands fathering their Children on which of them she best pleaseh The Men when they marry get others to use them if they be Virgins 15 or 20 dayes before they themselves do bed them Cranganor is a small Kingdom the Inhabitants of this City are Christians of St. Thomas profession about 70000 in number Cochin is now grown great by the Portugals traffick and friendship of the rest there there is not much worth recital The King of Coulam's Dominion stretcheth some 80 miles in which there is some 23 walled Towns Balassia Balassia or the Kingdom of Bocan is famous for its inexhaustible Mines of Gold and Silver The chief Cities of it are 1. Balassia 2. Bocan 3. Senergian Cambaia Cambaia is also called Guzant containing in length from the River Bate to Circam a Persian Region 500 miles of Sea-coast being on other parts invironed with the Kingdoms of Dulcinda and Sanga on the North Mandao on the East and on the West the Gedrosians the Sea and confines of Decan are the Southerly bounds It hath in it by estimation 60000 inhabited places watered with many streams the chief whereof is Indus Fertility This Countrey is very fertil not yielding to any other in India in the Fruits which the Trees and Earth bring forth beside the store of Elephants Gems Silk Cotton and such like Natures of the People The People are of an Olive-colour go naked except about their privy parts they eat no Flesh but Rice Milk Barley and other lifeless creatures Their chief Sea-Towns are Daman Bandora Curate Ravellum and within Land Cambaia Mallabar Campanel and Tanaa Cambaia hath bestowed the name on the whole Kingdom which they call the Indian Cairo for the excellency thereof it standeth three miles from Indus The Inhabitants of it are a mixture of Mahometans Moors Persians Bannyans and from Arabia they are crafty and deceitfull the Priests are singularly reputed of the Women proper but vailed and obscure in their best aspect their faces they colour their teeth black thinking that shews most delight and beauty ard to differ from Dogs whose teeth are white their Apparel is like the other Indians Mandao Mandao this Kingdom is so called of the chief City 1. Mandao which being 30 miles in compass held out a siege of twelve years 2. Molta where the Women ride booted and spur'd 3. Scernus 4. Polymbothia Bengala Bengala the Kingdom of Bengala is very large and hath a coast 120 leagues and as much within Land the River Chaberis watereth it Riches It is plentifull in Rice Wheat Sugar Ginger Long Pepper Cotton and Silk and enjoyeth a very wholesome Air. The Inhabitants near the shore are for the most part Mahumetans Gouro the State-Royal and Bengala are fair Cities Chatigan is also reckoned among the Cities Natures of the People They are a most subtil and wicked People and are esteemed the worst slaves in all India for that they are all Thieves and the Women Whores although this fault is common through all India no place excepted Here are found great abundance of Rhinocerots whose Horn and all other parts is good against poyson Oristan Oristan the Kingdom of Oristan hath on the Sea-coast 350 miles betwixt the richer Kingdoms of Bengala and Bisnagar poor of Ports and traffick Raman is the Royal City The Inhabitants except a few Moors are Gentiles little or nothing differing in Rites from their Neighbours Canora Canora the chief Cities of this Kingdom are 1. Vltabat 2. Danggar 3. Lispoe famous for her quarries of Adamant Six leagues from Decan is a Hill out of which the Diamond is taken this Hill is kept by a Garrison and walled about Dellie Dellie the Kingdom of Dellie is Northerly subject to cold and frosts as in Europe The chief Cities of this Kingdom are 1. Dellie 2. Besmer famous for the study of Magick 3. Tremell and 4. Fultabar This Prince liveth in great state having a Revenue correspondent thereunto his Subjects do reverence him exceedingly making it Holy-day when he cutteth his Hair or shaveth his Beard He is alwayes carried on Mens shoulders in a pompous Chair adorned richly Thus much of India intra Gangem India extra Gangem INdia extra Gangem hath on the East China West the rest of India This India hath formerly been divided amongst 12 Potentates but now by the prosperous fortune of the Kings of Siam and Brama it is wholly subject to their command The most remarkable of these 12 Kingdoms are Machin Arachan Camboia Cauchin-China Brama Siam and Pegu. Machin Machin This Kingdom is accounted famous for the Wood called by us Aloes by the Latin Writers Lignum Vitae this Wood is valued at its weight in pure Silver The chief City is Machin Arachan Arachan This Kingdom is environed round with Mountains and impenetrable Woods The chief Cities are 1. Arachan 2. Ava famous for her abundance of Gems Camboia Camboia This is a great and populous Countrey full of Elephants and Abadas this Beast is the Rhineceros The chief City is Camboia a Town of great Traffick and Commerce for its plenty of Gold Silver and Aloes and other Commodities of great worth Treacherous people They are a treacherous people as may appear by their dealing with the Hollanders in 160â— whom they invited to the shore with promise of certain Buffs and then cruelly slew them Cauchin-China Cauchin-China This Kingdom is situate between the River Cantan and the Kingdom of Siam divided into three Provinces and as many Kings Riches It aboundeth with Gold Silver Aloes Porcelane and Silk Their chief City is Cauchin-â—hina situate on the Sea much frequented by Merchants for Porcelanâ—… or China-Dishes here made Brama Brama Of this Kingdom of Brama the City-Royal is Pegu the Nation where began the greatness of the late Kings not long since This Kingdom was of no estimation but now hath he made all his Neighbours his Homagers having subjected to his Seigniory 12 Kingdoms being all of them rich in the best Commodities that the Indians afford Siam Siam This was not long since the Queen or Lady of this part of India but now is subject to the King of Brama The principal Cities are 1. Malaca now subject to the Portugals they have there their Bishop and a Colledge of
carryeth away the filth Their Buildings are stately to admiration the roofs of their Houses are adorned with Gold and Azure and other excellent colours they are made flat for the Inhabitants use and pâ—easure whose Houses are richly furnished within besides the exquisiteness of the Portals Pillars Cisterns and other parts of this Cities furniture there are above 700 Moschees Temples and smaller Chappels within this City which are adorned with Marble Pillars and other ornaments the Chapters thereof wrought with Mosiaque and carved work every one hath his foundation of Marble or of other Stones the Floors are covered with Mats as are the Walls a Mans height lyned therewith There is one principal or Cathedral Church called the Temple of Carven containing about a mile and half in circuit it hath 31 Gates great and high the roof is 150 yards long and little less than 80 broad the roof hereof is exceeding high supported with 38 Arches in length and 20 in breadth round about are certain Porches on the East West and North in length 40 yards and in breadth 30 under which are Store-houses wherein are kept Lamps Oyl Mats and other necessaries Every night are lighted 900 Lamps for every Arch hath his Lamp About the Walls are Pulpits of divers sorts wherein the Masters teach to the people such things as pertain to their Faith The Revenues of this Temple are 200 Duckats a day In this City are two principal and stately Colledges of Scholars adorn'd with Mosiaque and carved works one of which is most beautifull adorned with a goodly Fountain of Marble and a stream continually running the Gates of the Colledge are of brass fairly wrought in the great Hall where they say their prayers is a Pulpit which hath Stairs all of Ivory and Ebony All the Colledges in Fez have some resemblance to this and in every of them are Readers and Professors of divers Sciences There are many Hospitals in Fez not inferiour to the Colledges where Learned Men and Gentlemen receive entertainment and poor Men relief There is another Hospital for diseased Strangers which have their Diet but not their Physick Inns here are almost 200 built three stories high and have 120 Chambers a piece but here is no provision of Bed nor Board for Strangers These Inn-keepers are so odious that unless base fellows none of the better sort will speak to them Each Trade in Fez hath his Street alotted thereto In the Suburbs of Fez are 150 Caves hewn out of excellent Marble the least of which will hold 1000 measures of Corn this is the sink of Fez where every one may be a Vintner and a Bawd Another Suburb hath 200 Families of Lepers which are there provided for In New Fez the Jews have a Street wherein they have their Houses Shops and Synagogues The other Cities of this Kingdom Septa now in the hands of the King of Spain Tangier and Alguer nigh unto which the three Kings Sebastian King of Portugal Mahomet and Abdelmelech Competitors for this Kingdom were slain in one day Moâ—occo Morocco this Kingdom is divided into seven Provinces Hea Sus the Region of Morocco Gazzula Duccala Hâ—…scora and Tedles Morocco is the chief City and was once the Metropolis of Barbary as containing 100000 Housholds but now inferiour unto Fez for populousness spaciousness and beauty The chief Buildings hereof are the Church and the Castle the Church is bigger though not so beautifull as that at Fez and hath a Tower so high that the Hills of Azafi being 120 miles distant may be thence easily discerned The Castle is very large and on a Tower thereof stands three Globes made of pure gold weighing 130000 Barbary Duckats divers Kings have gone about to take them down but have desisted by reason of some misfortune or other that have befallen them The other Towns of note are Tongovista Fisedet and Massa abounding in Amber Revenue The Revenue of the Xeriffs are very great which they levy out of the tenth of their Subjects gains besides a Duckat for every Pole male and female above 15 years of age In Merchandize of a Citizen he receives two in the hundred of a Stranger ten Church and Colledge-Lands are escheated to him Thus much of Barbary Numidia and Lybia BEfore we come to Numidia we must pass over Mount Atlas now called Anchisae or Montes Clari a Hill of that height that the top of it cannot be seen It is bounded on the East with Egypt West with the Atlantick Ocean North Atlas and South Lybia Natures of the People The people to this day spend their lives in Hunting and stay but three or four dayes in a place as long as the Grass will serve their Camels This is the cause the Countrey is so ill peopled the Towns so small in themselves and so remote from others for Teffet a great City in their esteem contains but 400 Housholds and hath no Neighbours within 300 miles of it Fertility This Countrey aboundeth with Dates which is the chief Diet of the people but this sweet meat hath sowr sauce for it commonly rotteth their teeth betimes The air is of that nature that if any one be troubled with the French Disease he shall here find remedy Peoples Of the Numidians and Lybians are five peoples Zenaga Guenzaga Terga Lemta and Berdeua and live all after the same manner and order that is without order or manners at all Apparel Their Garments are of base Colth scarce covering half their bodies The Gentlemen to be distinguished from the rest wear a Blue Jacket with wide sleeves their Steeds are Camels which they ride without saddle or bridle their Beds are Mats made of Rushes and their Food is oft-times Patience with an empty belly This Countrey aboundeth with Serpents and Scorpions so that daily some are found dead by their venomous biting Their chief Cities are Staphilet Dansen Dara and Techoret a Town very courteous to Strangers Lybia Lybia hath on the East Nilus West the Atlantick Ocean North Numidia and South the Land of the Negros This Countrey is a Desart dry and sandy utterly void of Springs and Rivers so that a man may travel eight dayes or more without finding water The Desarts are of divers shapes some covered with Gravel others with Sand both without water here and there is a Lake sometimes a shrub or a little Grass The Merchants that travel to Tombuto or other places this way carry water with them on Camels and if water fail they kill their Camels and drink the water which they wring out of their guts They live without form of Law in manner of brute Beasts they are most notorious Thieves and very dangerous to Merchants yet there live among them many Africans civil courteous entertainers of Strangers Thus much of Numidia and Lybia Of the Land of Negros NIgrarum Terrae or the Land of the Negros either is so called of the River Niger or of the black colour of the
A GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WORLD WITH A brief Account of the several Empires Dominions and Parts thereof As also the Natures of the People the Customs Manners and Commodities of the several Countreys With a Description of the Principal Cities in each Dominion Together with a short Direction for Travellers LONDON Printed for William Leake at the Crown in Fleet-street between the two Temple-Gates 1671. A GEOGRAPHICALL DESCRIPTION of the WORLD Sold by William Leake at the Crowne in Fleetstreet THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER THis Piece is not publish'd so much for the Profit of the Bookseller as of the Reader For it is but a Little One and there is but Little to be gotten by it So that without any other Recommendation I shall leave the Work to speak for it self The Drawing of the WORLD into this Epitome is out of pure good Will to such as have Curiosity enough perchance but neither Time nor Money to take a View of it more at large And this Charitable Intention of the Abstracter hath been accompanied with a singular Care in the manner of Doing it and to supply in Weight what is wanting in Bulk That is to say Here is a most exact Account given of the Vniverse it self and of every Part of it the Scituation of all the Kingdoms in it States Provinces Cities and Dominions together with their respective Limits and Jurisdictions their Growth and Commodities with the principal Rivers Palaces and other things remarkable The Quality of the Soyl the Temperature of the Climate with the Religion Manners Dispositions Laws and Customs of the People and some Touches upon their Interests Alliances and Dependences To which are added certain Advices for Travellers This is the Brief of this Compendium and the Bookseller hath nothing more to say but that he wishes Health to the Reader W. L. A TABLE of the Names of the principal Places contained in this Book A. ADriatick Sea Page 286 Africa 214 African Isses 333 Alpes 25 America 255 American Islands 338 Arabia 162 Armenia 158 Asia 115 Assyria 166 B. Baleares 296 Barbary 216 Britain 299 Burgundy 20 C. Candia 280 Cathaie 189 Chaldea 169 China 206 Cimbrick Chersonese 87 Corsica 294 Creta 279 Cyprus 330 D. Dacia 135 Denmark 85 Directions for Travellers 345 E. East-India 192 Egean Sea 274 Egypt 247 England 300 Ethiopia Superior 234 Ethiopia Inferior 240 Europe 1 Euxinus 271 F. Florence 42 France 11 G. Geneva 23 Genoa 50 Germany 64 Greece 123 H. Hebrides 314 Hungary 109 I. India Extra Gangem 202 Ionian Isles 282 Ireland 310 Isles of the Ocean 298 Islands of the Virginian Ocean 339 Italy 26 L. Limbourgh 56 Lorrain 21 Low Countreys 60 Lucca 52 Lybia 227 M. Madagascar 334 Malta 291 Mantuan 47 Media 179 Mediterranean Sea 288 Mesopotamia 167 Mexicana 256 Millain 46 Moscovy 97 N. Naples 29 Narsinga 194 Natolia 138 Negroes Land 230 Netherlands 53 Northern Isles 319 Norwey 91 Numidia 227 O. Orcades 313 Oriental Islands 321 P. Palestine 150 Papacy 33 Parma 50 Parthia 182 Persia 171 Peruana 263 Poland 102 Pontus 271 R. Rhodes 332 S. Sardinia 295 Savoy 22 Sclavonia 113 Scotland 306 Sicilia 289 Sorlings 315 Spain 3 Sporades 316 Swedeland 93 Syria 145 T. Tartaria 185 Transilvania 111 Turky 118 V. Venice 36 Urbin 49 W. Wales 304 ERRATA Page 310. line 1. for Virginia read Vergivian OF THE WORLD And First of EUROPE The WORLD is divided into four Parts Europe Asia Africa America LONDON Printed for William Leake at the Crown in Fleet-street 1671. OF Europe EVrope the least as being in length but 3800 miles and in breadth but 1200 is yet of most renown amongst us 1. Because of the temperature of the Air. 2. From the fertility of the Soyl. 3. From the study of all Arts. 4. Because of the Roman and Greek Monarchies 5. From the purity and sincerity of the Christian Faith It is joyn'd to Asia by that space of earth betwixt Tanais and Duina Asia is joyn'd to Africa by the Egyptian Istmus and America is divided from all of them Europe is separated from Asia by Duina Tanais Palus Maeotis Pontus Propontis Hellespont and the Aegean Sea Asia is parted from Africa by the Red Sea Africa from Europe by the Mediterranean Africa is greater than Europe Asia than Africa and America bigger than all Europe is divided into Continent and Islands The Continent is subdivided into Spain France Italy Belgia Germany Denmark Norway Sweden Moscovia Poland Hungaria Dacia Sclavonia and Greece The Islands are also in general either dispersed in the Greek Sea Aegean Cretan Jonian Adriatick Mediterranean the British or the Northern Seas Europe is so call'd of Europa Daughter to Aegenor King of the Phaenicians brought hither as the Poets feign by Jupiter in shape of a Bull. Of Spain THe most Western Countrey of the Continent of Europe is Spain invironed on all sides with the Sea except toward France from which it is separated by the natural strength of the Pyrenean Mountains and the artificial Fortresses of Pampelune on the North-West and Perpigna on the South-East Situation The whole circuit of this Countrey is 1893 English miles It is situate in the more Southerly part of the Northern temperate Zone and almost in the midst of the four and six Climates the longest day being fifteen hours in length Natures and Manners of the People They are a people much given to Women impudent braggers extreme proud and in their gate very stately and majestical But otherwise they are people very grave in their carriages and in offices of piety very devout to their King very obedient and of their civil duties to their betters not unmindfull of an unmoved patience in suffering adversities accompanied with a setled resolution to overcome them The Women are sober loving their Husbands or Friends wonderfull delicate curious in painting or perfuming Fertility This Countrey is enriched with Sacks Sugars Oyl Metals Liquoras Rice Silk Lamb-skins Wool Cork Rosin Steel Oranges Raisons and fruit of the like nature which owe most of their being to heat but in Corn it is very defective and receiveth from Italy France and Sicily Diet. The Cattel hereof are neither fair nor many so that their fare for the most part is on Sallets and Fruits of the earth every Gentleman being limited what flesh he shall buy for himself and his family Division This Kingdome is divided into twelve Provinces which were anciently Kingdomes viz. 1. Leon and Oniedo 2. Navarr 3. Corduba 4. Gallicia 5. Biscay 6. Tolledo 7. Murcia 8. Castile 9. Portugal 10. Valentia 11. Catelogue and 12. Aragon Of which in order Leon Oniedo This Kingdome hath on the East and South Biscay and Castile North the Ocean and West Gallicia The chief Towns of it are 1. Aviles 2. Palenza 3. Oniedo 4. Astorga 5. Leon. Navarr This is the second Kingdome for antiquity in Spain It hath on the East the Pyrenean Mountains West Iberus North Biscay and South
Aragon It is a woodless Champain Countrey or Field naturally fenced about with Trees The chief Cities of this Kingdome are 1. Victoria 2. Viana 3. Sanguessa 4. Pampelune the strength of which City is made use of by the Spaniard as a Bulwark against France whose King hath the title though not the possession of it Corduba This Kingdome comprehendeth Andaluzia the Countreys of Granada and Estremedura This is the most rich and fertil Countrey in all Spain the chief City is Corduba Hence comes our true Cordovan-Leather made of the skin of a Sardinian Beast and near unto this City is a Wood of thirty miles in length 2. Xeres whence cometh our Sherry Sack 3. Sevil the fairest City in all Spain it is in compass six miles invironed with beautifull Walls and adorned with magnificent and stately Buildings Hence come our Sevil-Oranges 4. Granada from whence come our true Granada Stockings 5. Mallaca from hence come our Mallaca Sacks 6. Almeria a great Haven Town 7. Guadalcanal famous for her Mines of gold silver Gallicia Gallicia hath on the East Asturia West and North the Sea and South the River Nimius This Countrey is very mountainous and almost inaccessible The chief Cities are Compostella the Seat of an Archbishop called St. Jago in honour of St. James who lyeth buried here 2. Baionna 3. Coronna Biscay Biscay is betwixt Navarr East old Castile South Leon West and the Cantabrean Ocean North. The chief Cities are 1. Tholosa 2. St. Sebastians 3. Fonterabia 4. Bilbo from whence come our best Blades called Bilbo Blades It is a Town of great traffick and great riches the Countrey is mountainous and woody out of whose Hills arise 150 Rivers of which Iberus and Duerus are chief Tolledo Tolledo is now accounted part of new Castile and extendeth over the South-East of Castile now call'd Campo de Calatrava and so downward toward Murcia The chief Cities of it are 1. Tolledo seated on the River Tagus is passing well inhabited as well of Noblemen who reside there for pleasure as of Merchants who resort thither for Commodity It is now the Seat of an Archbishop who are the chief Prelates of Spain their revenue amounting to 300000 Crowns yearly The second is Calatrava seated on the River Ava The third is Talboia seated on Tagus a very neat Town Murcia Murcia is invironed with Tolledo West Granada South Valentia North and the Mediterranean Sea The chief Towns are 1. Alicante from whence comes our true Alicante Wines made of the juice of Mulberries 2. Murcia on the River Segourg 3. Nova-Carthago Castile Castile is bounded on the East with Navarr Aragon and Tolledo West with Portugal North with Asturia and South with Andaluzia It is divided into the old and new Old Castile The old Castile is situate on the North of the new The chief Cities are 1. Soria 2. Segovia a Town famous for Cloathing 3. Valadolis here is a Colledge for the education of young English Fugitives 4. Salamanca the famousest Academy of this Countrey New Castile It is on the South of the old The chief Cities are 1. Madrid the Kings Seat 2. Alcala 3. Alcantara Portugal This Kingdome is about 320 miles long and 60 broad the Air is very healthfull the Countrey for the most part hilly and bare of Corn which defect is recompenced with abundance of Honey Wine Oyl Allum Fruits Fish white Marble Salt Note that Portugal is at present under a King of their own The chief Cities are 1. Lisbon upon Tagus a famous City for traffick it is in compass seven miles and contains 20000 Houses all of neat and elegant building 2. Miranda 3. Braga the Metropolis of Portugal 4. Conimbra Porto or Portus Galloram Valentia Valentia is invironed with Aragon Castile Murcia and the Sea The chief Cities are Valentia giving name to the whole Countrey 2. Cullera a Sea-Town standing at the mouth of the River Kucar 3. Segorbe Catelogne Catelogne is between Iberus South Aragon West the Sea East and Pyrenean Mountains North. The chief Cities of it are Tyronne the title of the Aragonian Prince seated on the River Betulus and 2. Barcelone Aragon Aragon hath on the East Catte West Castile North Navarr and South Valentia The River Iberus runneth through the middle of the Countrey The chief Cities of it are 1. Lerida seated on the River Cinga 2. Moson 3. Tordesillo and 4. Saragossa Thus much of Spain The Pyrenean Hills Betwixt Spain and France are the Mountains call'd Pyrenei and are that neck of Land which tyeth Spain to the Continent the highest part whereof is Mount Canus whereon if one stand in a clear day he may see both the Seas The French side of these Hills is naked and barren the Spanish very fertil and adorned with Trees On this side standeth the Roncevals so famous for the Battel betwixt the French-men and the Moors in which 20000 of the French were put to rout together with Rowland Cousin to Charles the Great France FRance is bounded on the North with Low-Germany on the North-west it is washed with the British Ocean on the West with the Aquitain Sea on the South it is thwarted by the Pyrenean Mountains which part it from Spain being toward the East-lickt with the Mediterranean Sea and on the full East the Alpes divide it from Italy The figure of it is almost square each side of the Quadrature containing 600 miles Situation The Air hereof in the Northern part of France is purer than that of England and being not covered with Clouds drawn out of the Sea as England is for that cause it becomes more cold in Winter and more hot in Summer and far less annoyed with mists and rainy weather But the parts of France lying towards the Pyrenei and near the Equinoctial Line are subject to intemperate yet often allayed by the Winds blowing from the Sea and by the shadow of the Mountains Fertility It aboundeth with all manner of good Fruits beside store of fresh Fish but the chiefest things which draw forrein Coyns unto them are four especially Wine Salt Linnen coarce Cloth and Corn. They have plenty of Flax and Hemp whereof they make Canvâ—s Sails Ropes and Cables neither want they Wool whereof they make Cloth though not in quantity to be exported It also yields Saffron and Oad for Dying besides other things of less moment Natures and manners of the peâ—ple The French are very various and unconstant and in nothing more they shew it than in their familiarity with whom a stranger cannot be so soon at his House but he will be acquainted with him and as suddenly without occasion loose him again Also they are great scoffers and cannot away with patience and modesty Likewise he is wondrous talkative so willing is he to make himself ridiculous Diet. As well the Gentlemen as the Citizens live more sparingly than the English in
of Burgundy and Champaigne The length of it is about four dayes journey the breadth almost three Fertility It aboundeth with Corn and Wine an excellent race of Horses plenty of Mines and store of salt Fish The chief Towns of it are Nancy seated on the Meuse the Dukes Seat This City is strongly fortified and the Houses are fairly built of free-stone 2. S. Nicholas a strong Town 3. Vancoleur Manners In Manners these people much resemble the French and German the French in their courtesie and civility and the German in their drinking Savoy THe County of Savoy is confin'd with Daulphin Bress Switzerland and Peidmont Also it comprehendeth under it almost all Peidmont on the Italian side of the Alpes The chief Towns of it are 1. Chambiers the seat of the Duke when he so journeth in these parts It is seated in a pleasant valley among the Mountains and is full of neat Houses belonging to the Gentry of this Province 2. Tarantaise 3. Agnabelle Piedmont Piedmont is a Countrey now wholly under the Savoyen and Mantuan Dukes of this Countrey the Mantuan possesseth Montferat and the Savoyen possesseth the rest This Countrey is seated at the foot of the Mountains and is bounded on the East with Millain West with Savoy North with the Swizzers and South with the Mediterranean Sea It is wondrous fertil and contains besides Lordships and Barronies 52 Earldomes and 15 Marquisates The principal Towns belonging to the Savoyen are 1. Turin the Dukes Seat 2. Aoste 3. Niza a Haven Town 4. Susa 5. Saluzzes a Marquisate and Bishops See The Signeury of Geneva VVIthin the limits of Savoy towards Labress standeth the famous Signeury of Geneva the territories of it being yet not 8 leagues out of which they raise a revenue of about 60000 Crowns The Town standeth at the end of the Lake Lemanus and by the â—hosne is divided into two parts the lower part of which call'd vulgarly La bas rue is seated in a plain and the rest upon a hill The Buildings are of free-stone the lower part thereof on the North-side lyes close to the South-side of the Lake is a little Haven for Gallies which they have built to keep free the passage of the Lake and on the same side is a strong Fort and there the River Rodanus coming out of the Lake enters into the City and runs through the lower part thereof having two Bridges for passage Fertility It aboundeth with all manner of good fruits besides store of fresh fish It also standeth well for trade of Merchandise by reason there are many great Merchants especially Italians who deal here the Inhabitants being most mechanical persons making excellent good Muskets and Calevers They likewise work Sattin Velvet and Taffaty The people are very civil both in their behaviour speech and apparel all licentiousness being severely corrected Thus much of France The Alpes THe natural bounds betwixt Germany France and Italy are the Alpes Mountains which require 5 dayes to be ascended There are 5 passages out of these hills into Italy viz. 3 out of France and 2 out of Germany The 1. from France is through Provence and so close upon the Tyrhenean Seas through Liguria which is the easiest The 2. is through the hill call'd Geneara into the Marquisate of Saluzzes and so to Lombardy The 3. is over Mount Cenis and through the County of Turin â—he 1. way out of Germany into Italy is through the Countrey of the Grissons by the Countrey of Valtolin The other way is through Tyrolis by the Towns of Inspruch and Trent Italy ITaly is a most fruitfull and goodly Region situate under a Clime most temperate commodious for traffick and most fertil for Corn and Herbage It contains in length 1020 miles and in breadth at the broadest not above 410. It is an Island almost in shape of a Mans Leg being bounded on the East with the Adriatick Sea South and West with the Tyrrene Seas and North with the Alpes Fertility It aboundeth with Corn Wine and Oyl yields plenty of Orangetrees and the like fruit as Citrons Limmons and Cedar-trees and of these fruits they transport great store into foreign parts Also they have Woods of Chesnut-trees little esteemed amongst them only the poor people eating some of them and with the rest they seed their Hogs Also they have plenty of Almond-trees and some Pomegranates and also the Cyprus Poplar and the Oake so that you would say the whole Province were but as one Garden Natures and manners of the pâ—…ple The people for the most part are honourable courteous prudent and grave withal to their superiors obedient to equals respective to inferiors courteous to strangers affable and desirous by kind offices to win their love and in expence and love of his money very wary Apparel In apparel they are modest in furniture of house sumptuous Diet. In their Diet compared with the English or French they are most sparing generally they require small preparation or furniture of their table they eat neatly and modestly they seldome make feasts but if they make any they make them sumptuous and that much more than ours Their greatest expences are about their Gardens in fitting places for birding in drawing water to them and adorning the Conduits head with Imagery in Chappels and other buildings The usual division is into 6 parts Lombardy Tuscany the Land of the Church Naples Genea and the Land of Venice But according to the present divers Principalities that are it is divided into The greater as The Kingdome of Naples The Papacy The Commonwealth of Venice The Dukedome of Florence The Dukedome of Millain The lesser as The Dukedome of Mantua The Dukedome of Urbine The Principality of Parma The State of Genoa The State of Luca. The Kingdom of Naples THis Kingdom is separated from the Land of the Church by the River Axofenus on the other parts it is invironed with the Sea the compass of it being 1468 miles Fertility This Kingdom is the fertilest place in all Italy abounding with Mines of divers Metals Saffron Silk Oyl and Wine This Kingdom contains the Provinces of Lavoro Calabria Inferior and Superior Otranto Apulia Puglia and Abruzzo Lavoro Lavoro This Province contains in it the City of Naples being the chief of the whole Kingdom Near unto this City is the Mountain Vesuvius now call'd Somma This Mountain is most high and the top is dreadfull where is a Gulf casting out flames the rest of the Mountain aboundeth with Vines and Olive-trees This City is seated at the foot of Hills and Mountains extending in length from the North-East to the South-West or rather seemeth to be triangular The Houses of this City are 4 roofs high but the tops lye almost plain so as they walk upon them in the cool time of the night The Buildings are of free-stone and the windows are all covered with paper or linnen cloth for glass windows are most rare in
Italy It hath 3 fair broad and long streets namely La Toletano la Lapuana and la Vicaria the rest are very narrow There be 8 Gates towards Land and as many towards Sea amongst which the Capuan Gate is decked with Monuments and Statuaes There be in this City many Palaces of Gentlemen Barons and Princes There be 4 publick Houses call'd Segii in which the Princes and Gentlemen have yearly meetings and there also is the daily meeting of Merchants The exceeding delightfull having Gardens on all sides as well within the City as near the same and the Fields are no less fruitfull bringing forth abundantly all things for the use of Man Also within this Territory are many famous Antiquities and wonderfull things to be seen 2. Capua This City is of little compass but it hath a fair Senate House and a fair Church callâ—d l'Annonciata with a fair Altar 3. Cuma the oldest City in all Italy 4. Baiae an ancient City The situation is most sweet but all the Houses near the shore are drowned except the Bathes 5. Nola built on the ruines of Old Forma Calabria Calabria is another Region belonging to the Kingdom of Naples It is bounded with the River Iano the Tyrrene and Ionian Seas It is in compass about 500 miles and is divided into the higher and lower In the higher the chief Cities are 1. Consensia 2. Salernum famous for the study of Physick In the lower is Caterzara a strong City Otranto Otranto hath on the West Puglia and on the other 3 parts the Sea The chief Towns are 1. Tarentum 2. Brundusium glorying in one of the best Havens in the world 3. Otranto 4. Gallipolis Apulia Apulia This Province extendeth from the confines of Brunduse to the River Fortore It is divided into 2 Provinces the one call'd Bari the other Puglia The chief City is Manfredoin it lyeth under the Hill St. Angelo Puglia Puglia is another Province of this Kingdom It is bounded with the River Fortore and the River Tronto It is a fruitfull Countrey in the midst rough and mountainous The chief Cities of it are 1. Barlet 2. Cannae the wealth thereof consists in Cattel and Saffron Abruzzo Abruzzo is another Province in this Kingdom The chief Cities of it are 1. Aquino the birth-place of Thomas Aquinus 2. Sulmo Ovid's birth-place The Papacy THe Estate of the Pope is twofold the one consisteth in his temporal dominion the other in his spiritual jurisdiction As touching his temporal dominion he is Lord of a great part of Italy as of all that lyeth between the River Fiore and Cajetta between Preneste and the Truentian Streights except the Dukedom of Vrbin In that compass are incircled the Provinces of Romandiola Marchia Spoletto and St. Peters Patrimony Romandiola This Province extendeth from the Rubicon East to the Venetians West The chief Cities are 1. Bgononia the chief University of Italy and the retiring place of the Popes 2 Ferrara This City is seated in a plain and compassed with a fenny bank and is of a triangular form In the of the City is a large Market-place The Streets are broad and very dirty in winter and no less subject to dust in the summer The Houses are built of free-stone and not near one to another but with pleasant Gardens between The whole circuit of this City is said to contain 7 miles 3. Ravenna This is a most ancient City the buildings hereof are of Brick and Flint-stone and are so old as they seem ready to fall On the East-side the Sea lyes some 2 Italian miles distant where is the Haven for Ships so much spoken of in the Roman Histories Marchia Marchia reacheth from Tronto to Puglia between the Apenine and the Sea It is divided into little Hills and plains It is rich in Wine Oyl and Corn. The City of greatest trading is Ancona by reason of the Haven to which many Eastern Merchants do resort It is a very fair City encompassed with three Mountains and hath the form of an half Moon The streets of it are narrow and ill paved with flint The Haven is of a triangular form about which is pleasant walking and the place where Merchants meet called la Loggia lying upon the Sea is a most sweet open room but narrow 2. Ascoli a very fair City and 3. Firmo a strong City Spoletto Spoletto of old called Vmbria The chief Cities of it are 1. Spoletto 2. Onietto seated on a high Rock 3. Asis where S. Francis was born This Province is abundantly stored with Wine Cattel and some Saffron St. Peters Patrimony This Province contains all Latium or Campagna di Roma In this Countrey are the Mountains called Gallicanum The chief City is Rome seated on Tyber It is in compass 11 miles within which is not a little waste ground The Inhabitants are about 200000 2 parts of them being Clergy-men and Curtezans The most worthy places in it are the Church of St. Peter which were it once finished would be the rarest building in the world Then the Castle of St. Angelo impregnable unless by famine Next the Popes Palace called Betuidere And lastly the Library of the Hill Vatican called commonly the Vatican Library 2. Tiber. 3. Preneste 4. Veii a City of great wealth and compass The Commonwealth of Venice IN the very bottome of the Adriatick called at this day the Gulf of Venice is a ridge of Land reaching from the Lime-kilns called by them Fornaci to the mouth of the River Pi in form of a Bow and containeth inlength 35 miles and in breadth 2 where it is broadest This Ridge is cut into 7 principal Islands the Ports of Brondolo Chiozzo Malam Occo of the 3 Castles of St. Erasmus the Lito Maggiore and the Troports Between the part of this Ridge call'd Lito and the Continent standeth the Lake of Venice in compass 90 miles and in this Lake is seated the City of Venice upon 72 Islands distant from the shore 2 miles and from the firm Land 5. This stately City is in compass 8 miles and hath 70 Parishes wherein each Church hath a little Market-place for the most part four square and a publick Well for the common sort use Well-water and Rain-water kept in cisterns It hath 31 Cloisters of Monks and 28 of Nuns besides Chappels and Alms-houses Channels of water pass through this City consisting of many Islands so that a Man may pass to what place he will both by land and water The great Channel is in length about 1300 paces and in breadth 40 and hath only one Bridge called Rialto The passage by this Channel is very pleasant being adorned on both sides with stately Palaces And that Men may pass speedily besides this Bridge there be 13 places called Traghetti where Boats attend called Gondotr which being of incredible number give ready passage to all Men. The rest of the Channels be narrow and over them is many Bridges to be
out of Poland and according to the wants of Europe carry it into many Kingdoms 2. Mons Regius call'd by the Germans Koningsberg and by us Regimount It is the most famous University in these parts 3. Holsperg 4. Mancburg and 5. Culme Podlassia Podlassia hath East Lituania and West Mazovia The chief Towns are 1. Tycockzin a Fort well furnished with Munition as being the place wherein the Kings treasure is reserved 2. Biesco 3. Knissen where the Kings of Poland have a fine retiring House as being well furnished with fishing-Ponds and Parks abundantly stored with Game Mazovia Mazovia lyeth West of Podlassia The chief City is Warsaw where the Parliaments of this Kingdom are held Poland Poland hath on the East Lituania West Germany North Mazovia and South Podolia The Metropolis is Cracovia seated on the Banks of Vistula here the King and Councel reside The Buildings are very fair of free-Stone four roofs high but covered with tiles of wood for the most part It is of a round form but somewhat longer from the East to the West In the midst of the City is a large Market-place wherein is a Cathedral Church and in the midst of the Market-place is the Senate-house for the City about which are many Shops of Merchants 2. Lublin 3. Guisna an Archbishoprick 4. Bosnau and 5. Ladisiavia seated on the River Vistula Thus much of Poland Hungary HVngary is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Wallachia on the West with Austria North with Poland and South with Sclavonia It was formerly called Panonia Inferior to distinguish it from Austria which was called Panonia Superior Situation It is situate in the Northern temperate Zone under the seven and nine Climates Fertility The Soyl is wonderfull fruitfull yielding Corn there thrice in a year the Grass in some places as in the Island of Comera exceeding the height of a Man which doth feed such a number of Cattel that this Countrey alone is thought to be able to feed all Europe with Flesh Also they have Deer Partridge Pheasant in such abundance that any Man that will may kill them which in other places is prohibited these creatures being reserved as Game for Gentlemen The other Commodities which are transported are Gold Silver Fish Copper Wine Turk This Kingdom now standeth divided betwixt the Turk and Hungarian the former having 1. Buda once the Metropolis of the Countrey and Court of the Kings 2 Gyula a strong Town in the Confines of Transilvania 3. Pest over against Buda 4 Alba Regalis call'd by the Germans Weisenberg 5. Quinque Ecclesie and 6. Jaurinum or Rab. Emperour In the Emperours part the chief Towns are 1 Presberg seated hard upon the edge of Austria it hath been the Metropolis of Hungary since the taking of Buda by the Turks 2. Strigonium or Gran. 3. Agraria 4. Comora in an Isle so called 5. Tectax 6 Camsta 7. Alkenbourg 8. Neuheusel Transilvania THis Countrey hath nature it self both fortified and honoured for the Woods and Hercynian Mountains do round about inviron it The length of it is 225 English miles and the breadth 200. It is bounded on the North with the Carpathian Hills on the South with Wallachia on the West with Hungaria and on the East with Moldavia Their chief Towns are 1. Weisenberg 2. Clausenberg The whole Count ey is fruitfull in one Commodity or other Corn Beeves Fish and Mutton they have great plenty and very cheap It is very rich in Salt-pits Stone-quarries and Mines both of gold and silver Iron Quicksilver and other Metals Thus much of Hungary and Transilvania Sclavonia SClavonia hath on the East the River Drinus and a line drawn from thence to the Sea on the West-part of Italy on the North Hungary and on the South the Adriatick Sea Situation It is in length 480 miles and 120 in breadth It is situated under the six and seven Climates the longest day being fifteen hours and an half Fertility This Countrey is more fit for grazing than for harvesting for the Sheep and other Cattel bring forth young twice a year and are shorn four times The People are couragious proud and stubborn and use their own Sclâ—vonian tongue They are of the Christian Faith and follow the Greek Church It is divided into Illiris Dalmatia and Croatia Illiris Illiris was once the name of the whole Province but it is now accommodated to one part It hath on the East Danubius West Carniola North with Dravus and South with Savus The chief Cities are 1. Zatha on Danubius 2. Zakaocz 3. Windishgretz on Dravus and 4. Sagonna nigh unto Savus This is now a member of the Kingdom of Hungary Dalmatia Dalmatia hath on the East Drinus West Croatia North Savus and South the Adriatick Sea The chief Cities are 1. Ragusi situate on the Adriatick Sea a City of great traffick and riches it is tributary to the Turks 2. Sebenicum or Sicum standing on the Sea-shore 3 Zara or Jadera on the same shore 4. Scodra or Scrutary and 6. Lissa It is now divided betwixt the Venetians who keep the greatest part and the Turk Croatia Croatia called by the Ancients Liburnia and Valeria hath on the East and South Dalmatia North Savus and West Istria and Carniola The chief Towns are 1. Gardiska situate on Savus 2. Bruman 3. Novigrod situate on the Savus also hard upon Germany and 4. Sisseghk The Croatians are generally called Crabats Their Countrey hath the title of a Dukedom and is subject partly to the Austrian and partly to the Venetian Thus much of Sclavonia Turky THe great Turk commonly called the Gran Seigneur for wealth territory and command of Souldiery all other Princes come short of him witness the Countreys which he possesseth His Countreys in Europe In Europe he possesseth all Dacia Grecia all the Aegean Isles and the Taurica Chersonesus In Asia In Asia he possesseth wholly Asia minor now Natolia with all the Regions within the Propontis and Hellespont as Phrygia Galatia Bithinia Pontus Lydia Caria Paphlagonia Lycia Magness Capadocia and Comogena Near the Caspian he hath Georgia Menteglia and Armenia next hath he Assyria Syria Palestine Mesopotamia Judea the three Arabies to which if you adde the Empire of Trebisond you shall find him great Controller of the black Sea Likewise all the Islands of the Archipelago except Candie and some few others are under his subjection In Africk In Africk he possesseth Aegypt and the Kingdoms of Tunis and Algiers and whatsoever he hath taken from Prester John Fertility The fertility of the Soyl generally through this vast Empire is exceeding great yet have they less plenty of all things than Europe for they very sparingly and only to serve necessity set plant or sow by reason they have no free fruition of their own Goods in the great tyranny under which they live as well of the Emperour as under-Governours and the general rapacity and
once the Imperial seat of the Comneni This Empire contained the Provinces of Pontus Galatia and Capadocia here the Amazones are said to have lived from the destruction of Troy to the time of Alexander the Great Lycaonia On the South of Capadocia lyeth Lycaonia The chief Cities are 1. Iconium 2. Lystra where Timothy was born where Paul and Barnabas were adored for Gods Paul for Mercury and Barnabas for Jupiter 3. Derbe Psidia On the East-side of Lycaonia is Psidia whose chief City is 1. Antiochia mentioned in the 13th of the Acts. 2. Lysimia Armenia minor Eastward from Psidia is Armenia minor thought to be the Land of Ararat upon whose Mountains the Ark of Noah rested after the Deluge The chief Town is Malexona whose territory abounds in Oyl and Wine Syria SYria hath on the East Euphrates on the West the Mediterranean Sea on the North Cilicia and on other parts Asia minor The Inhabitants of this Countrey are either Mahumetans or Christians these later are divided into the Sects of Melchies Jacobites and Maronites these last inhabit only Mount Libanus so much renowned for its goodly Cedars In this Countrey between it and Armenia minor live a certain people whom they call Cardi or Coordes These men worship the Devil and with good reason as they think because God is a good man and will do no man harm but the Devil is a Knave and must be pleased This Countrey is divided into three Provinces viz. Phoenicia Coelo-Syria and Syro-Phoenicia Phoenicia Phoenicia lyeth South towards Canaan The chief Cities are 1. Acon seated in a fair plain within a Creek of the Sea of the same name and compassing the City And such a plain lies all along the Coast from Joppa to Trippoli This City was famous for the Armies of Europe passing to conquer these parts 2. Sarepta where Elias was sustained in a Famine by a Widdow 3. Sydon once a famous City now contracted into a narrower compass 4. Tyre the ruines whereof witness the old magnificence This Countrey aboundeth with Wheat Honey Oyl and Balm Coelo-Syria The second Province is Coelo-Syria whose chief Cities are 1. Hieropolis famous for the Temple and worship of the Syrian Goddess 2. Damascus this City is seated in a very fruitful soyl bearing Grapes all the year long and girt round with most curious and odoriferous Gardens The Syrian Kings mentioned in the Bible were of this Syria Syro-Phoenicia The third Province is Syro-Phoenicia whose chief Cities are 1. Beritus a famous Mart-Town nigh unto which St. George is said to have delivered the Kings Daughter by killing the Dragon in memory whereof there was a Castle and an Oratory built in the same place and dedicated to St. George 2. Aleppo this City was of old called Aram-Sohab mentioned in the 2 Sam. 8. chaep and 3. vers The Traffick in this place is exceeding great so as the Goods of all Asia and the Eastern Islands are brought hither or to Cayro in Egypt This City lies within Land the Port whereof called Alexandretta by the Christians and Scanderona by the Turks I shall hereafter describe The building of this City as of all houses of Syria is one roof high with a plain top plastered to walk upon and with arches before the houses under which they walk dry and keep Shops of Wares This City is well fortified pleasantly seated and hath many fair Gardens The air here is exceeding hot and subtile so as the Christians coming hither from Scanderona a most unhealthfull place choaked with Fens commonly fall sick and dye and this is the cause the English Factors imployed here seldom return into England Within this City the English Merchants have three houses as it were Colledges where they live In these parts they have Sheep the tail of one wreathed to the ground doth weigh 30 or more pounds in fat and wool The 3. City is Biblis 4. Tripolis so called for difference from Tripoli in Africk The Haven lies on the West-side and is compassed with a Wall wherein were many little Barks and some Ships of Marseils in France The Haven is fortified with seven Towers and upon it are built many Store-houses for Merchants The City lies some half a mile from the Haven and is seated on the side of a Hill near unto this City lies Mount Libanus this Mountain is very pleasant abounding in fruitfull Trees and with Grapes yielding a rich Wine upon the North-side without the Gates they keep many Silk-worms in most pleasant Gardens The building of Tripoli is like to the other buildings in Syria The Street which leads to Aleppo is broad the rest narrow and the air and waters are unhealthfull The chief Traffick of this City is for the most part removed to Damascus and Aleppo The 5. City is Antiochia the Metropolis of all Syria Palestine PAlestine hath on the East Euphrates on the West the Mediterranean Sea on the North Phoenicia and on the South Arabia This Countrey was first call'd the Land of Canaan from Canan the Son of Cham. 2. The Land of Promise because the Lord promised it to Abraham 3. Israel from the Israelites 4. Judea from the Jews 5. Palestine quasi Philistin 6. The holy Land because here was wrought the work of our salvation It is in length 200 miles and not above 50 in breadth yet of that salubrity of Air and fertility of Soyl that it maintained the two potent Kingdoms of Israel and Juda wherein David reckoned 1300000 fighting Men besides the tribes of Levi and Benjamin The People hereof are now accounted a perjured vagabond Nation and great Usurers It is divided into the four Provinces viz. Galilea Judea Idumea Samaria and is watered with the Rivers Cedron and Jordan Galilea Galilea is the most Northern part of all Palestine it is divided into the higher and lower the higher Galilea contained the tribes of Asher and Nepthali and part of the tribe of Dan in Asher the chief Cities were 1. Acon 2. Tyre 3. Sydon 4. Sarepta all which we have before mentioned in the description of Phoenicia 5. Aphek whose falling down slew 27000 of Benhadad's Souldiers 6. Giscala the birth-place of Jehu In the tribe of Nepthali the principal Towns are and were 1. Jabin 2. Capernaum 3. Genasareth The chief Cities of that part of Dan are Hamath and Ramath The lower Galilea contains the tribe of Zabulon and Isacher In the tribe of Zabulon the chief Cities are 1. Hippopolis 2. Cana where our Saviour turn'd water into wine 3. Bethsaida the brith-place of Peter Andrew and Philip. 4. Tiberias on the Sea of Galilea 5. Nazareth in this tribe is the Brook Chison and Mount Tabor In the tribe of Isacher the chief Cities are 1. Tarichea 2. Enbadda near this Saul slew himself 3. Daberoth seated in the valley of Israel in this lower Galilea was our Saviour very conversant Samaria Samaria is here taken for that part of Palestine seated between Judea and
Jesuits besides the Castle It is situate in a very unwholsome air yet a Town of great resort unto for Traffâ—ck of Spices 2. Siam whose stateliness giveth name to the whole Kingdom there are besides the Natives 30000 of Arabian Housholds 3. Odia consisting of 400000 Families it is the Seat of the Kings of Brama Patane is also another City standing between Malaca and Siam chief of that Kingdom whereto it giveth name in the height of 7 Degrees The buildings are of Wood and Reed but artificially wrought the Hollanders have had much Trading here of late Pegu. Pegu This Kingdom is blessed with a rich Soyl and a harbourous Sea-shore extending 300 miles in length in which the principal Haven is Martabane As for the City Pegu it is the most fair and elegant City in all India it is distant from the Sea 25 miles This King lives in extraordinary great riches and Majesty he keepeth four Elephants three milk-white and one black all which he divinely worships Thus much of India China CHina hath on the North Catay and the Tartars on the South Cauchin-China on the East the Sea and on the West Brama It reacheth from 17 Degrees to 42 of Northerly Latitude and lyeth after their own description almost four-square On the West it is separated and secure from unneighbourly Nations by a Sandy Wilderness On the North by a Wall which Nature hath framed partly of high Mountains and Art hath supplyed with the nature and industry of men Natures of the people The people are in composition of their body short nosed and small black eyes their beards are thin not having above twenty hairs They are white but not so much as in Europe the men as well as the women suffer their hair to grow long colour it and gather it into a Net or Cawl on the top of their head those which are unmarried wear their hair curled on the top of their foreheads They are for the most part an ingenuous and politick people much delighting in the exercise of manual Arts. The air is very temperate the soyl pleasant and Fertiliâ—y fertil they have two and somewhere three Harvests in a year It aboundeth likewise in Rice Wool Cotton Olives Vines Flax Silk all kinds of Metal Fruits Cattel Sugar Honey Rheubarb Porcelyne Dishes Camphir Ginger all kinds of Spices Wood Musk and Salt The Countrey is for the most part plain in so much that they have Coaches and Carts driven ordinarily with Sails few Mountains but plains of an hundred miles compass Diet. They eat thrice in a day but sparingly not touching their meat with their hands but with two sticks of Ivory Ebony and the like Provinces China is of wonderfull bigness well-nigh equalizing all Europe it is said to be 3000 leagues in compass and 1800 leagues in length As for the name of China it is only used by us the Inhabitants calling themselves Tamans and Tabencos It is divided into 15 Provinces to the least of which our European Countreys cannot admit comparison Six of these border on the Sea Cantan Foquien Chequiam Nanquin Xantam Paquin the other nine be In-land Quiansi Huquam Honan Xiensi Xansi Suchnon Queichen Junan Coansi some reckon these names somewhat differently The King holdeth his Court in Naquin his Predecessors before the Tartarian Conquest are said to have resided in Nanquin or as some say in Quinsay They have 244 Cities of name dignified by the title Fu and as many smaller Cities entituled Cheu with their several Jurisdictions and a third sort called Hieu as big as the meaner Cities of Spain above 1120. Two sorts of Castles both for Fortification and Habitation with priviledges also of Markets the greater sort named Huy 293 the less of greater number 2593 their Villages are innumerable The Cities generally are like one another except in greatness the Streets are strait yielding prospect from one Gate to the other Canton is accounted the least of the Metropolitan Cities yet the Walls of it have 83 Bulwarks the Streets so broad that ten men may ride in front and paved and adorned with many triumphant Arches and Shops on both sides the Bridges here and elsewhere are many of large Free-Stones very costly the High-wayes which lead to the Cities very stately and the Kings Houses for the publick Officers very magnificent after their manner Nanquin is some eight or ten leagues from the Sea with a River leading thither It hath three fair brick-walls with large and stately Gates the Streets are of two leagues or of two and a half in length wide and paved the compass is at least eleven or twelve leagues and containeth by conjecture 200000 houses It equals or exceeds four of the fairest Cities in Europe there are divers other Cities within a dayes journey hereof which are great and famous for Traffick of which Hancheum and Sucheum are chief which are of the Chinians called Paradise for the plenty of all things Sucheum is seated as Venice is having her Streets part by water and part on land so rich in Traffick that 12 millions of Revenue do accrue from hence to the King yearly Quinsay heretofore the Royal Seat of the Kings of Mangi the situation of it is in the midst of China and near the Sea but now this famous City containing heretofore 100 miles in compass having 12000 Bridges and 1600000 Housholds hath bequeathed her Land and greatness unto Nanquin and her Sea-treasures unto Sucheum both succeeding but not together equalling this great and famous City These Cities of China want that elegance and magnificence which stately Temples and sumptuous buildings do afford to our Cities of Europe Their Houses are low without the ornament of Porches Galleries Windows and prospect into the Streets besides these habitations there are many which dwell on Land but in their Ships for their Shipping is of two sorts one for sail and another for habitation also these also meaner or fairer according to the wealth of the Owner In the one side they carry their Families in the other their Passengers Many Barks are as Victualling-houses by the way and likewise as Shops of Merchandize They buy and sell not with Gold but Silver and that not coyned but every one hath his Scales with him to the Market to weigh his Silver and they are subtle and deceitfull if men be not wary Things are there exceeding cheap a hundred pound of Sugar may be bought there for nine or ten sixpences and other things proportionable Tamen This Kingdom is called Tamen and the Inhabitants Tamegines China is a meer stranger in China Revenue The King is absolute Monarch and in Revenue exceedeth all the Princes in Europe and Africk together his whole Revenue being reckoned ariseth together to 150 millions His expences are exceeding great all the Mandarines Eunuchs or Courtiers Souldiers Hospitals and Priests receiving Stipends out of his Exchequer The King hath one Wife but many Concubines whose Children inherit
if the lawfull Wife be barren These women are not suffered to go abroad nor likewise to speak unto their Kinsfolks His Courtiers are Eunuchs whom their poor Parents have gelded in their youth in hope of Courtly preferment of these there are supposed to be in the Court some 16000. Burials When any of these Chinoys dye they clothe him in his best Apparel set him in his best Chair and there all his hindred kneel before him and take their leave with tears when he is Coffined they place him in a room richly furnished and set by him a Table full of Viands and good chear with Candles continually burning and when he hath layn thus 15 dayes he is carried forth to his Funeral where they burn his Body Men Cattle and Provision for his attendance and sustenance Thus much of China and of the Continent of Asia Of Africa AFrica is a Peninsula encompassed almost round with the Red Sea on the East the Atlantick Ocean on the West the Southern Ocean on the South and the Mediterranean on the North. Where the Sea is defective to make it an Island there is a little Isthmus which tyeth it to Asia which is but 60 miles in length The form of Africk is like a Pyramis reversed the Basis whereof is in breadth 1920 miles but from the Pyris to the Basis it extendeth it self 4155 miles being much less than Asia and far bigger than Europe and yet not so well peopled Nature having made here her solitary place of retiring attended here by scorching heats and showers of Sands such are the many Desarts in Africa fertil only in barrenness yet in some places beyond admiration for fertility Many are the Creatures which Africa yieldeth not usual in our parts Elephants are there plenty and keep in great Herds together also Lions Leopards Crocodiles Sea-horses Hyenas and such like The usual division of this Countrey is into Barbary Numidia Lybia the Land of Negros Ethiopia Inferior Ethiopia Exterior Egypt and the Islands Barbary ALl the Tract of Land between Atlas and the Sea stretching in length from Egypt to the Straights is called Barbaria It comprehendeth both Mauritanias Africa minor Lybia exterior besides Cyreniaca and Marmarica Division It is bounded on the East with Cyreniaca West with the Atlantick Ocean North the Mediterranean and South the Hill Atlas It is divided into four Kingdoms Tunis Algier Fez and Morocco all which are of the like fertility and peopled with the like Inhabitants only the Cities speak the Arabick but not pure and the Countrey use the old African tongue Fertility The fertility consists in Fruits Figs Olives Dates Sugar and Horses of excellent beauty strength and service Natures of the People The Men are of a duskish colour comely of body stately of gate implacable in hatred constant in affection laborious and treacherous The Women are sumptuous in Jewels beautifull in blackness having delicate soft skins Tunis Tunis the Kingdom of Tunis containeth all that which the Ancients called Africa propria or minor and Numidia antiqua The Soyl is healthfull especially the West-part the Inhabitants are sound and healthfull seldom vexed with any sickness hereof are reckoned five parts Bugia Constantia Tunis Tripolis and Ezab this Ezab is the most Easterly-part having many Towns and Regions amongst which some account Mesrata from these parts unto Capes is the Tripolitan Region The chief Town is Tripolis where the Turk hath his Bassa or Viceroy a receptacle of the Pirates which rove and rob in those Seas This Region was named so of three Cities whose Colonies planted it Abrotonum Tophia and Leptis from Capes to Guadilbarbar is the Tunetan Territory The chief City is Tunis it is a great City since the ruines of Carthage near unto which it standeth It hath in it about 10000 Housholds it hath many Temples especially one of singular beauty and greatness Bizerta is also an ancient City supposed by some to be Vtica where Cato slew himself from thence unto the Mountain of Constantia is that Region hereof bearing name Constantia is the chief City it is an ancient City containing 8000 Families and many sumptuous Buildings a great Temple two Colledges and three or four Monasteries much resorted to by Merchants every Trade having their peculiar Streets In this Region is situate Bona someime called Hippo where St. Austin was Bishop Bugia so called of Bugia the principal City extends it self 150 miles this Bugia was once adorned with Temples Monasteries Hospitals and Colledges of Students in the Mahumetan Law Ezab is the most Easterly part of the Tunetan Kingdom the chief Province whereof is Mesrata The Inhabitants are rich and pay no tribute there grow Dates and Olives and they traffick with the Numidians to whom they carry the Wares which they buy of the Venetians The Great Turk swayeth with his Ottoman Scepter at this present the Kingdom of Tunis and all Africa from Bellis de Gomora to the Red Sea except that little which the Spaniard hath Algier and Telensin Algier and Telensin these Kingdoms were of old called Mauritanica The Kingdom of Telensin containeth in length from East to West 380 miles in breadth not above 25. It hath two frequented Haven-Towns Oram and Mersalcabir both taken and holden by the Spaniards Oran is a fair City having in it about 10000 Families Algier is subject to the Turks here is the Seat of a Turkish Viceroy or Beglerbeg and of Turkish Rovers It containeth about 4000 Families the Buildings very sumptuous Inns Bath-stones and Temples very beautifull every Occupation hath a several place by it self It hath adjoyning Plains very pleasant and fertil one whereof is 45 miles long and 30 broad it was sometime subject to the Kingdom of Telensin Within these Kingdoms standeth the Desart of Angad wherein are store of Roes Deer and Ostriches Arabian Thieves and Lyons Guaguido and Tegdemit are two Cities belonging to this Kingdom Fez. Fez this Kingdom of Fez stretcheth from Azamor to Tangier and from the Atlantick Ocean to Muldia This River is the Eastern Border on the North it is washed with the Sea on the South is the Kingdom of Morocco and on the West the River Ommicabili the Rivers Sube Luccus and others water it therein are numbred seven Provinces Temesna the Territory of Fez Azgar Elhabet Errif Garet and Chaus every of which had in old times their several Governours The City of Fez is now the Royal Seat it hath this golden title given it because the first day of the foundation of it there was found some quantity of Gold This City is now both great and strong and for the sweet situation of it both Nature and Art have played their parts for it is watered with a delicate River which disperseth it self by manifold channels into every Street and corner of the City and by Conduit-Pipes closely visiting every Temple Colledge Inn Hospital yea and almost every private House from whence with an officious service it
places of pleasure and profit Zambra is greater containing 30000 Houses and innumerable concourse of people It stands in the Kingdom of Caffates and near the great Lake called hereof Zambra where the Emperour leaving his wonted manner of removing up and down in Tents hath fixed his Court-Royal and yet without the City are many Tents belonging to the Court The other Cities are Cossonum Zameta Aruma Eranco and Suachen besides the Kings Court which is as a wandring City for with his Tents and Pavilions belonging to him he covereth no less than ten miles Buildings Their Houses in Ethiopia are for the most part round all of Earth flat-roofed covered with Thatch compassed with Yards They sleep on Ox-Hides they have neither Table nor Table-Clothes but have their Meat served in on wooden Platters some eat Flesh raw others broyl it The Person of this Emperour is very much honoured nay adored by the common People to whom he sheweth himself but thrice a year viz. Christmas Easter and Holy-Rood Thus much of the Ethiopian Empire Of Ethiopia Exterior EThiopia Inferior called also Exterior hath on the East the Red Sea West the Aethiopian Ocean North Terra Nigrarum and South the Southern Ocean Division The usual division of this Region is into five parts viz. Aian Benomotapa Zanzibar Cafaria and Congo Aian Aian after the Arabian account containeth all that Region that lyeth between the mouth of the Red Sea and Quilimanci being for the most part on the Sea-coast inhabited by the said Arabians but in the Inland-part thereof are People of a black heathenish Nation It comprehendeth two Kingdoms Adel and Adea the former of which extendeth it self from the mouth of the Red Sea to the Cape Guardasu South and West it bordereth on the Dominion of Prester John about the Kingdom of Fatigar Fertility It aboundeth with Flesh Honey Wax Corn Gold Ivory The chief City is Arar Zeila also and Barbora pertain to this â—ingdom Cities without the Streit on the Sea much frequented by Merchants It is stored with variety of Merchandize and yieldeth some representation of Antiquity in building thereof consisting of Lime and Stone Adea is situate between Adel Abassia and the Sea to which last it is tributary The chief Towns are Brava Pate and Gogia these two last belong to the Portugal Zanzibar Zanzibar extendeth from the River Quilimanci to Benomotape It is a low fenny woody Countrey with many Rivers which by the extremity of moisture causes the Air to be intemperate From the Waste upward they go naked Herein are contained the Territories of Melinde Mombara Quiloa Mozambique and others Melinde is the name of a Kingdom and of the chief City thereof The Inhabitants near the Sea are Moors and build their Houses after the manner of Europe Quiloa is the name of a City and Island which is a Kingdom of the Moors and extendeth her Dominion far in the Coast The People of this Island use when they have female-Children born to sew up the private passages of nature leaving only a small passage for the Urine and if they want this sign of their Virginity when they are married they are disgracefully sent home to their Parents and by them as opprobiously received Here are divers other Kingdoms also as Mombara Mozimba Macuas Embeve and against them the Promontory Prassum Mozambique by this name is signified a Kingdom in the Continent and Island also with a safe harbour Mozambique Island is inhabited by Portugals which have there a strong Castle Here the Portugal Ships winter they have Trade in the Continent in Sena Macura Sofala and Cuama Sofala is a rich Kingdom and abounds in Gold and Ivory it lyeth between Cuama and Magnice two Rivers Here the Portugals have on a little Island a Port and Factory of very rich Trade the People bringing great quantity of Gold for their Cloth and other Commodities it is supposed that it amounteth to two millions yearly Orfe is of opinion that this Sofala is that which in Solomon's time was called Ophir Besides these Kingdoms before-mentioned here are Gorova Colta Norzuge Moneulo Baduis and Monoemagi which is rich in Gold Benomotopa Benomotopa is almost invironed round with Waters having on the West and South the River callâ—d Rio D'Infanto on the East the Ocean and on the North the River Quama This Countrey is in compass 450 miles and aboundeth with such store of Elephants that no less than 5000 are yearly killed for their Teeths sake Here are said to be 3000 Mines of Gold the chief being Manica Boro and Quitiani The Mines nearest to Sofala are those of Manica which are in wide Champaignes compassed with Mountains 90 miles in circuit The places where the Gold is appear and are known by the dryness and barrenness of the Soyl. In the Mines of Boro and Quiticui and in the Rivers is found Gold but not so pure The chief Provinces are Motana Tocoa Melchucha Quinibebe Berfaca and Banagall The chief Cities are Benomotopa Zimbas and Tongum the Kings Seat Natures of the People All the People of this Region are of curled Hair and are more ingenious than those which are against Mozambique Quiloa and Melinde among whom are many that eat Mans Flesh and let their Kine blood to satisfie their thirst They punish nothing more than Witch-craft Adultery and Theft Cafraria Cafraria hath on the East Rio D'Infanto West and South the Ocean and North Lune Montes The People live like Beasts and are as black as Pitch Here are in this Countrey besides great herds of Oxen and Sheep abundance of Deer Antilopes Baboons Foxes Hares Ostriches Cranes Pelicans Herons Geese Ducks Phesants Partridges In this Countrey near the Cape of good Hope the People esteem so much of Brass or Iron and other trifles that they would exchange their Cowes and Sheep for a piece of old Iron scarce worth four pence Congo Congo hath on the East Aubassia West the Ethiopian Ocean North the Land of Negros and South the Hills called Lune Montes The Provinces of this Kingdom are 1. Matama this is a Kingdom great and mighty the Air thereof is wholsome Fertility the Earth outwardly furnished with store of Fruits inwardly with Mines of Christal and other Metals Angola was sometime a Province of this Kingdom but it is now a Kingdom of it self and very populous Here are Mines of Silver and most excellent Copper They have many Kine but love Dogs better than any other Flesh and fat them to the Shambles These Countreys are very populous insomuch that they sell to the Portugals yearly 28000 Slaves The chief Towns are 1. Benza call'd by the Portugals S. Savours 2. S. Pall lying on the Sea-shore It is the principal Haven in these parts Thus much of Ethiopia Exterior Egypt THis Kingdom is confined on the East with the Arabian Desarts those of Bara Lybia and Numidia West South it is divided from Ethiopia by the