appoint The Officers of State are eight in number viz. the Lord High-Chancellor Lord High-Treasurer Lord-President of the Council Lord Secretary of State Lord Treasurer-Deputy Lord Register Lord-Advocate and Lord Justice Clerk The Administration of Justice in Civil Affairs is lodg'd in the Lords of the Session who are Fifteen in number whereof One is President and to those are join'd some Noblemen under the Name of extraordinary Lords of the Session This Court is esteemed one of the most August and Learned Judicatories in Europe From it there lies no Appeal but to the Parliament which is now made up of the Peers the Commissioners of Counties and those of Free Burroughs The King's Person is always represented in Parliament by some Nobleman who bears the Title of Lord High-Commissioner The Distribution of Justice in Criminal Matters is commited to the Court of Justice which is compos'd of the Lord Justice General the Lord Justice Clerk and five or six other Lords of the Session who in this Bench are call'd Commissioners of Justiciary Over and above these two Supreme Courts of Justice there are a great many Subordinate Judicatories both for Civil and Criminal Affairs through the Kingdom as Sheriff Courts Courts of Regality and the like The Royal Arms of this Kingdom together with those of England and Ireland as they compose the Ensigns Armorial of the Monarch of Great Britain shall be particularly express'd when we come to England The Inhabitants of this Country excepting a few who still adhere to the Church of Rome and an inconsiderable number of Quakers are all of the Reform'd Religion yet with considerable Variation among themselves in some private Opinions and various Points of Church Discipline However the numerous Professors thereof are very sincere in their Principles and do generally practise conformable to their Professions No Christian Society in the World doth excel them for their exact Observation of the Sabbath day and few can equal them for their singular Strictness and Impartiality in punishing Scandals But lamentable are their Distractions of late in Matters relating to Ecclesiastical Polity and how fatal such Heats and Divisions both in this and the Neighbouring Kingdom may prove at last is alas but too well known to all thinking Persons among us The smallest Privateer belonging either to Brest or S. Malo's may easily Attack Board and Sink the Royal Britannia her self if she chance only to Spring a Leak under Water when her whole Crew are at Blows between Decks The Christian Faith according to the best Accounts was planted in this Country during the Reign of Dioclesian for by reason of that violent Persecution he rais'd in the Church many Christians are said to have fled from the Continent into the Isle of Great Britain and particularly as an Ancient Author expresly testifieth into that Part thereof In quam Romana Arma nunquam penetrârunt which without all doubt is Scotland especially the Northern Parts of that Country they being still possess'd by the Scots and never subject to the Roman Power St Rule or Regulus is said to have brought over with him the Arm or as some affirm the Lig of St. Andrew the Apostle and to have buried it in that place where now the City of St. Andrews stands These first Propagators of Christianity seem to have been a kind of Monks who afterwards by the beneficence of the first Christian Kings of Scotland came into the Seats and Possessions of the Pagan Druides a sort of Religious Votaries to the Heathen Gods and had their principal Residence or rather Monasteries in the Islands of Man and Jona and passed under the Name of Culdees ENGLAND bu Rob t. Morden ENGLAND  d. m. Situated between 12 00 of Long. its greatest Length from N. to S. is about 320 Miles 20 00 between 50 00 of Latit Breadth from E. to W. is about 290 Miles 55 50 Being divided into Six Circuits viz. Western Circuit Chief Town Salisbury Oxford Circuit Oxford Home Circuit Canterbury Northfolk Circuit Norwich Midland Circuit Lincoln North Circuit York Western-Circuit contains Cornwall Chief Town Launceston W. to E. Devonshire Exeter Dorsetshire Dorchester Hampshire Winchester Sommâ—rsetshire Bristol N. of Dorsetshire Wiltshire Salisbury Oxford Circuit contains Barkshire Redding N. of Hampshire Oxfordshire Oxford E. to W. Glocestershire Glocester Monmouthshire Monmouth Herefordshire Hereford S. to N. E. Worcestershire Worcester Staffordshire Stafford Shropshire Shrewsbury W. of Staffordshire Home-Circuit contains Essex Colchester E. to W. Hartfordshire Hartford Kent Canterbury E. to W. Surry Southwark Sussex Chichester South of Surry 〈◊〉 Norfolk-Circuit contains Norfolk Norwich E. to S. W. Suffolk Ipswich Cambridgeshire Cambridge Huntingtonshire Huntington Bedfordshire Bedford Buckinghamshire Buckingham Midland Circuit contains Lincolnshire Chief Town Lincoln E. to W. Nottinghamshire Nottingham Derbyshire Derby Rutlandshire Okeham E. to W. Leicestershire Leicester Warwickshire Warwick Northamptonshire Northampton S. of Leicestershire Warwickshire North. Circuit contains Yorkshire York S. to N. Durham Idem Northumberland Newcastle Lancashire Lancaster S. to N. Westmorland Appleby Cumberland Carlisle To England we here subjoin the Principality of Wales divided into Four Circuits each Circuit comprehending Three Counties vix 1. Those of Denbighshire Chief Town Denbigh N. to S. Flintshire St. Asaph Montgomeryshire Montgomery 2. Those of Anglesey Beaumaris N. to S. E. Carnarvenshire Carnarven Mâ—rionethshire Harlech 3. Those of Cardiganshire Cardigan N. to S. Carmarthènshire Carmarthen Pembrokeshire Pembrook 4. Those of Radnorshire Radnor N. to S. W. Brecknokshire Brecknock Glamorganshire Cardiff Besides the Six Circuits of England containing Thirty eight Counties and these Four of Wales comprehending Twelve there remain as yet two Counties unmentioned and which are not ordinarily reduc'd to any of these Circuits viz. Middlesex and Cheshire the first because of its Vicinity to London and the other as being a County-Palatine having its own Judges and Counsellors peculiar to it self These Two Counties with the Thirty eight abovemention'd in England and Twelve in Wales make Fifty two in all But since England and Wales are Two distinct Sovereignties one being a Kingdom and the other a Principality we shall seperately Treat of them both Therefore ENGLAND THIS Country the Ancient Anglia which with the rest of the Island made up the Renown'd Britannia or Albion is term'd by the Italians Inghilterra by the Spaniards Inglatierra by the French Angleterre by the Germans Engel-land and by the Natives England which Name is deriv'd from the Angles a People of Lower Saxony who Conquer'd the greatest Part of this Country and divided the same into Seven different Kingdoms But Egbert descended from the Angles having united this divided Nation and being the first Monarch of England after the Saxon Heptarchy ordered by special Edict above 800 Years after the Incarnation that the whole Kingdom should be term'd Engle-lond which Title in process of time hath turn'd into the present Name of England The Air of this Country is far more Mild Sweet and Temperate than
heard and determin'd V. Generalities whose Office they being the Treasurers general of France is to take care of assessing the Taxes proportionably in their respective Districts according to the Sum propos'd by the King and Council to be levied These Courts are 23 in number each consisting of twenty three Persons and these conveniently situated in several parts of the Kingdom They do also judge Matters relating to the Crown-Lands the King's Revenue and such like Lastly Elections which are small Courts subordinate to the Generalities and their Office is to cast up how much every Parish in their respective Division must raise of the Sum propos'd by the Generality and accordingly they issue out their Orders to every Parish whereupon one of the Inhabitants being chosen Collector he proportions every one 's Quota and collecting the same returns it to the Generalities and they again to the publick Exchequer Besides these there is a vast number of inferior Courts for smaller Matters whether Civil or Criminal And a great many publick Officers as Provosts Seneschals Bailiffs as also Intendants de la Justice Police and Finance c. But our intended brevity will not admit of a farther Relation The King of France for Arms bears Azure three Flower de Luces Or two in chief and one in base the Escutcheon is environed with the Collars of the Orders of S. Michael and the Holy Ghost For Crest an Helmet Or entirely open thereon a Crown clos'd after the manner of an Imperial Crown with eight inarched Rays topt with a double Flower de Luce. The Supporters are two Angels habited as Levites the whole under a Pavilion Royal semé of France lin'd Ermines with these words Ex omnibus Floribus elegi mihi Lilium Lilia neque laborant neque nent The only Establish'd Religion in France is that of the Church of Rome for all the Decisions of the Council of Trent in Matters of Faith are there receiv'd but those that relate to Points of Discipline and infringe the Rights of the Crown with the Liberties of the Gallican Church are rejected The Protestants commonly call'd Hugonots were formerly allow'd the publick profession of their Religion by several Edicts granted by the French Kings particularly that of Nantes An. 1598. by Henry IV. and confirm'd by all his Successors ever since But the present King by his Declaration of October 1685. abolish'd the said Edict and inhibited the Exercise of the Reform'd Religion enjoining the profession of the Roman and that under the severest Penalties Whereupon followed the Destruction of their Churches and a violent Persecution which forced great Droves to leave the Kingdom and seek for shelter in Foreign Countries As to the Romanists themselves There are great Divisions among them at present notwithstanding of their so much boasted Unity For besides the hot Disputes between the Molinists and Jansenists about Predestination and Grace in which the pretended Infallible Judge at Rome dares not interpose his Decisive Authority for fear of disobliging one or the other Party we find that the Sect of Quietism has lately crept in among them as appears from the late Book of the Archbishop of Cambray concerning the Internal Life which has been censured by the Archbishop of Paris and the Bishops of Meaux and Chartres and complain'd off by the French King in his Letter to the Pope though the Author profers to maintain his Doctrine before his Holiness if permitted to go to Rome The Christian Faith was first planted in this Country by some of St. Peter's Disciples as is most probably thought sent thither by him at his first coming to Rome A New Map of GERMANY By Rob t. Morden SECT IV. Concerning Germany  d. m.  Miles Situated between 24 10 of Long. It s greatest Length is about 540. 37 12 between 45 30 of Lat. Breadth is about 510. 54 30 Being divided into three Classes viz. North. Middle South North. The Circle of Belgium Chief Towns are Amsterdam W. to E. Bruxelles The Circle of Westphalia Munster The Circle of Lower Saxony Hamburg The Circle of Upper Saxony Wittenburg Middle The Circle of the Lower Rhine Heidelberg W. to E. The Circle of the Upper Rhine Francfort The Circle of Franconio Nurenburg South The Circle of Suabia Ausburg W. to E. The Circle of Bavaria Munick The Circle of Austria Vienna Of all these in Order §. 1. The Circle of Belglum Divided into North viz. Holland Chief Town Amsterdam South viz. Flanders Bruxelles Holland contains Seven Provinces Viz. 4 towards the South Holland properly so call'd Chief Town Amsterdam Zeland Middleburgh Utretcht Idem Zutphen and a part of Gelderland Zutphen 3 towards the North Over Issel Deventer Friesland Leuarden Groningen Idem Flanders contains Ten Provinces Viz. 4 Dutchies Gelderland Chief Town Gelders Brabant Bruxelles Luxembourge Idem Limbourge Idem 4 Counties Flanders properly so called Bruges Artesia Arras Hannonia Mons. Namur Idem The Marquisate of the Empire Antwerp The Seignory of Malines Idem The Chief of these 〈…〉 Holland and Flanders properly 〈…〉 particularly consider them 〈…〉 the most remarkable Towns in each of them 〈…〉 Holland properly so call'd being divided into North. South Chief Towns North are Goree in the Island Goree 〈◊〉 Nigh unto or upon the Mues from W. to E. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Western part from S. W. to N. E. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 South are Amsterdam upon the Channel Amstel 〈◊〉 In the Western part from S. to N. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon the Zuyder-zee or South-Sea from N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naerden Flanders properly so call'd being divided into East West Chief Towns in East are Dendermonde Upon the Dendre from N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gramont Ghâ—ut Upon the Soheld all found from N. to S. W. Oâ—denard Tournay St. Amand Upon the Scarpe Doway Deynse Nigh unto or upon the Lys all found from N. to S. W. Courtray Armenthiers Lisle West are Graveling Five remarkable Ports from S. to N. E. Dunkirk Neuport Osiend laÌ„ys Bruges found from W. to E. Axel Hulst Rupelmond upon the Scheld 5 Miles S. of Antwerp Farne found from W. to E. Dixmude Thyelt Berge S. Winoc from W. to E. Ypres Cassel farthest South The Dutchy of Brabant being divided into North. South Chief Towns in North are Bosleduc found from E. to W. Breda Steenbergen Bergenopzoom Antwerp upon the Scheld Mechelin upon the Dender South are Aersschot Upon the Demer from W. to E. Sichem Diest Brussels found from W. to E. Louvain Tilmont Judoigne about 12 Miles S. E. of Louvain Gemblours found from E. to W. Genape Nivelle §. 2. The Circle of Westphalia Divided into North-East between the Weser and Elm Ch. T. Osnaburge Middle between the Elm and the Rhine Munster South-West betw the Rhine and Cir. Belg. Leige More particularly North-East comprehends The County of Oldenburg Chief Town Idem On the Wefer from N. to S. Hoya are Idem Diepholt Idem Schomberg Idem The Principal of Minden Idem The County of Embden or
nas zabw ode zlego Amen The large Body of Poland is subject unto and govern'd by its own King who is Elective and that by the Clergy and Nobility alone the Commons having no hand in it His Government is term'd Monarchical but if rightly considered we may reckon it rather a Real Aristocracy the Nobility in their Elections having so limited the King's Power that without the Consent of the States-General he may neither make War nor Peace nor do any thing of Importance that concerns the Publick Considering the true Nature and Constitution of this Government we may easily imagine that 't is frequently liable to Inter-reigns whether by Death Deposition or Resignation as also Intestine Broils and Commotions witness the late Election when the Parties electing do jarr in their choice During an Inter-reign or when the King is absent from his Kingdom as sometimes in the Field against the Turks the Archbishop of Gnesna doth ordinarily officiate as King but if no Archbishop of Gnesna then the Bishop of Ploczko exerciseth that Power and in case that that See be also Vacant then the Bishop of Posna undertakes the same The whole State is commonly considered as divided into two principal Parts viz. the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Dutchy of Lithuanta The Great Wheels of Government in both of these are the Senate and General Dyets The Senate is compos'd of Archbishops Bishpos Palatines Principal Castellans and Chief Officers of the Kingdom The General Dyer consists of the same Members together with Delegates from each Province and City both of the Kingdom and Dutchy which Dyet is either Ordinary as when summon'd according to Law once every two Years or Extraordinary as when call'd by the King upon some emergent Occasion The Calling of this Dyet is always perform'd by the Chancellor's Letters term'd Literae Instructionis to the Palatines acquainting them with what the King designs to propose to them and the time he would have them come to Court Having receiv'd the King's Proposal each of them hath full Liberty to examine the same in its own Nature and Consequences and to return their Thoughts about it with all the freedom they can desire The King's Letters are likeways sent to the Gentry of each Palatinate to chuse a Nuncio to be their Representative in the Dyet in which Election the Candidate must be unanimously pitch'd upon for if the Suffrage of only one private Gentleman be wanting the Election is void and the Province is depriv'd of its Vote in the approaching Dyet The Elections being over and the various Senators and Nuncio's come to Court the King array'd in his Royal Robes and attended by the Chancellor renews the Proposal in their Publick Assembly The Proposal having been duly weigh'd by each of them aforehand they come to a speedy Resolution in the Matter either Pro or Con. As the aforesaid Election of the various Nuncio's requires an unanimous Assent in all Persons electing or else the Election is void even so the thing propos'd by the King in the General Dyet must be assented unto by all otherways the Proposal was made in vain for if they differ which frequently happens then the Dyet breaks up without doing any thing and each Member returns to his own Home Subordinate to the Senate and Dyet are a great many Courts of Judicatory whether Ecclesiastical Civil or Military for determining all Causes in the various Parts of the Kingdom which Courts are much the same with the like Subordinate Judicatories in other civiliz'd Countries of Europe particularly those here in England The Arms of the Crown of Poland are Quarterly in the first and fourth Gules an Eagle Argent crown'd and arm'd Or for Poland In the second and third Gules a Cavalier arm'd Cap-a-pe Argent in the Dexter a naked Sword of the same in the Sinister a Shield Azure charg'd with a double barr'd Cross Or mounted on a Courser of the second barbed of the third and nail'd of the fourth for Lithuania For the Crest a Crown heighten'd with eight Fleurets and clos'd with four Demy-Circles ending in a Monde Or which is the Crest of Poland For the Motto are these Words Habent sua sidera Reges The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part Professors of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome yet all Religions being tolerated here are many of the Greek Church as also Armenians Lutherans Socinians Calvinists Jews Quakers c. Those of the Church of Rome are dispers'd over all Parts of the Kingdom but most numerous in the Provinces of Cujavia and Warsovia The Lutherans are mostly to be found in Prussia The Armenians in Russia and all the rest appear in greatest Droves through the various Parts of Lithuania Besides in Samogitia is a sort of People who differ little or nothing from mere Heathens The Reformation of Religion began in this Country Anno 1535 but did not meet with due encouragement The Christian Faith was planted in the various Parts of Poland at several times and by several Persons it being establisht in Poland properly so call'd Anno 963. in the time of their Prince Miecislaus Son of Memomislus In Livonia Anno 1200. by the Preaching of one Meinarduâ—â—â— In Lithuania not until the Year 1386. at the Admission of 〈◊〉 to the Crown of Poland and then done as some affirm by Thomas Waldensis an Englishman In Samogitia and Volhinia at the same time with Livonia In the rest at other times and upon other occasions SECT VI. Concerning Spain with Portugal  d. m.  Miles Situated between 08 05 of Long. its greatest Length is about 620. 21 30 between 36 15 of Latit Breadth is about 480. 44 30 It being divided into 3 Classes viz. 1. Towards the N. and W. Ocean 2. Towards the Mediterran Sea 3. Towards the middle part 1. Class comprehends Biscay Chief Town Bilbo or Bilboa E. to W. Asturia Oviedo Gallicia Compostella N. to S. Portugal Lisbon Andalousia Sevilla W. to E. 2. Class comprehends Grenada Idem Murâ—â—â— Idem 〈◊〉 Idem Catalonia Barcelona E. to N. W. 3. Class comprehends Arragon Caragoca Navar Pamplona Old Castile Burgâ— N. to S. New Castile Madrid Leon Idem S. of Asturia Of all these in Order §. 1. Biscay a Lordship Contains Ipusco Ch. T. Tholoss E. to W. Biscay properly so called Bilbo â—â—lava Vitoria Southward §. 2. Asturia a Principality Contains Asturia 〈◊〉 viedo Chief Town Oviedo Westward Asturia de Santillana Santillana Eastward §. 3. Gallicia a Kingdom Contains the Archbishopr of Compostella Chief Town Idem S. W. to N. E. Bishopr of Mondonedo Idem Lugo Idem N. E. to S. W. upon the Minho Orense Idem Territory of Tuy Idem §. 4. Portugal a Kingdom Contains The Provin of Eutre Minho Douro Chief Town Braga W. to E. Tralos Montes Miranda Beira Coimbra N. to S. Estrema dura Lisbone Entre Taâ—o Guâ—â—ianâ— Evora The Kingdom of Algâ—ave Tavira § 5. Andalousia a Province Contains the Bishoprick of
Spanish Tradition by St. James the Apostle within four Years after the Crucifixon of our Blessed Redeemer PORTUGAL THIS Country containing a great part of Old Lusitania with some of Ancient Galleria and Boetica is term'd by the Italians Porto Gallo by the Spaniards French Germans and English Portugal so call'd by some from Porto and Cale the first a Haven Town and the other a small Village at the Mouth of the Douro but by others from Portus Gallorum that Haven now O Porto being the Place where the Gauls usually landed when most of the Sea-Port Towns in Spain were in the Hands of the Moors The Air of this Country is much more temperate especially in the Maritime Places than in those Provinces of Spain which lie under the same Parallel it being frequently qualifi'd by Westerly Winds and cool Breezes from the Sea The opposite Place of the Globe to Portugal is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 188 and 194 Degrees of Longitude with 36 and 42 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 5th and 6th North Climate is none of the best for Grain it being very Dry and Mountainous but yet very plentiful of Grapes Oranges Citrons Almonds Pomgranates Olives and such like The longest Day in the Northmost Parts of this Kingdom is about 15 Hours the shortest in the Southmost is about 9 Hours ¾ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Wine Honey Oyl Allom White Marble Salt as also variety of Fruits as Oranges Almonds Citrons Pomgranates c. In a Lake on the Top of the Hill Stella in Portugal are found pieces of Ships though it be distant from the Sea more than twelve Leagues Near to Reja is a Lake observable for its hideous rumbling Noise which is ordinarily heard before a Storm and that at the distance of five or six Leagues About eight Leagues from Coimbra is a remarkable Fountain which swallows up or draws in whatsoever thing only toucheth the Surface of its Waters an Experiment of which is frequently made with Trunks of Trees The Town of Bethlem nigh to Lisbon is noted for the Sumptuous Tombs of the Kings of Portugal Archbishopricks in this Kingdom are those of Lisbon Braga Evora Bishopricks in this Kingdom are those of Miranda Leiria O Porto Coimbra Lamego Viseu Elvas Portalegre Faro Universities in this Kingdom are those of Lisbon Evora Coimbra The Portugueses formerly much noted for their Skill in Navigation and vast Discoveries which the World owes to them are wonderfully degenerated from their Fore-fathers being now a People whom some are pleas'd to Characterize thus That take one of their own Neighbours a Native Spaniard and strip of him of all his good Qualities which may be quickly done that Person then remaining will make a compleat Portuguize They are generally esteem'd a People very Treacherous to one another but more especially to Strangers extraordinary Cunning in their Dealings and the meaner sort are universally given to Thieving The Language us'd in this Kingdom is a Compound of French and Spanish especially the latter The difference between it and the true Spanish will best appear by the Pater Noster in that Tongue which runs thus Padre nosso que estas nos Ceos Sanoifioado seia o teu nome venha a nos ò teu reyno seia felta a tua vontade assi nos ceos como na terra O paonosso de cadaâ—ia 〈…〉 n'estodia E perdoa nos fenhor as nossas diâ—â—das assi como nos pendoamos a os nossos devedores E nao nos dexes cahir em tentacio mas libra nos do mal Amen This Kingdom after many Revolutions of Fortune was unjustly seiz'd upon by Philip II. of Spain and detain'd by him and his two Successors from the Dukes of Braganza the lawful Heir till the Year 1640. that the Portuguezes being unable to bear up any longer under the Tyrannical Sovereignty of the Spaniards threw off that intollerable Yoke and set the Crown upon the Head of John VI. Duke of Braganza afterwards John IV. Surnam'd the Fortunate notwithstanding of all that Philip IV. could do to the contrary Which Enterprize of theirs was happily brought about by the Assistance of some French Forces sent into this Country and 't is very remarkable how closely this their Design of Revolting was carri'd on though known to above three hundred â—â—rsons at once and in Agitation for the space of a whole Year Ever since which Revolt of Portugal it hath continued an Independent Kingdom subject unto and govern'd by its own King being of the Family of Braganza whose Government is truly Monarchical and Crown Hereditary He bears Argent five Escutcheons Azure plac'd cross wise each charg'd with as many Besants of the first plac'd in Saltier and pointed Sable for Portugal The Shield border'd Gules charg'd with Seven Towers Or three in chief and two in each Flanch The Crest is a Crown Or. Under the two Flanches and the Base of the Shield appear at the ends of two Crosses the first Flower-de-luc'd Verte which is for the Order of Avis and the second Pattes Gules which is for the Order of Christ The Motto is very changeable each King assuming a new one but frequently these Words Pro Rege Grege What was said of Religion in Spain the same almost may be affirm'd of that in this Kingdom the Tenets of the Church of Rome being here universally embrac'd by the Portugucze only with this difference that they tollerate Jews and allow several Strangers the publick Exercise of their Religion particularly the English Factory at Lisbon This Country receiv'd the Blessed Gospel much about the same time with Spain ITALY by Rob. Mordon SECT VI. Concerning Italy  d. m. Situated between 25 30 of Long. its greatest Length from N. W. to S. E. is about 760 Miles 39 00 between 38 15 of Latit Breadth from S. W. to N. E. is about 134 Miles 46 30 Being divided into three Classes viz. Upper Middle Lower The Upper or Lombardy contains the Dukedom of Savoy Chief Town Chambery W. to E. Princip of Piedmont Turin D. of Montferrat Casal Milan Idem Parma Idem Modena Idem Mantua Idem N. to Modena Rep. of Venice Idem on the bot of the Adriatick Gulf. Genoua Idem S. to Milan Bishoprick of Trent Id. S. to Tyrol in Austria The Middle contains the Land of the Church Rome S. to N. Duked of Tuscany Florence Rep. of Luca Idem S. to Modena S. Marino Idem The Lower contains the Kingdom of Naples Idem Southward Of all these in Order §. 1. In the Upper-part or Lombardy SAVOY Containing several remarkable Towns situated upon or nigh unto four small Rivers that water this Country Viz. The Isere running Westward in the main The Arc W. turning N. W. The Seran N. W. in the main The Arve N. W. Nigh unto or upon the Isere are those of
unwholesome to Breath in which is chiefly occasion'd from much Marish Ground and many Lakes wherewith this Country abounds The opposite Place of the Globe to Hungary is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 218 and 233 Degrees of Longitude with 43 and 49 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 7th and 8th North Climate is very fruitful in Corn and Roots and various sorts of pleasant Fruit affording also excellent Pasturage and several of its Mountains produce some valuable Mines of Copper Iron Quicksilver Antimony and Salt Yea so noted is this Country for Mines that no less than Seven Remarkable Towns go by the Name of Mine Towns the Chief of which is Chremnuz whose Mine hath been wrought in about 900 Years The Length of the Days and Nights in Hungary is much the same as in the Southern Circles of Germany This being an Inland Country and thereby having no settl'd Trade with Foreign Parts we may reckon the Product of the Soil the Chief Commodities with which the Inhabitants deal with their Neighbours Here are many Natural Baths especially those at Buda which are reckon'd the noblest in Europe not only for their variety of Hot Springs but also the magnificency of their Buildings There are likeways two Hot Bagnio's near Transchin upon the Confines of Moravia and others at Schemnitz in Upper Hungary Besides which there are Waters in several Parts of this Country of a pettifying Nature and others that corrode Iron to such a degree that they 'll consume a Horse-shoe in twenty four Hours Near Esperies in Upper Hungary are two deadly Fountains whose Waters send forth such an infectious Steam that it kills either Beast or Bird approaching the same for the preventing of which they 're walled round and kept always cover'd Archbishopricks in this Country are those of Gran Colocza Bishopricks in this Country are those of Angria Quinque Ecclesiae Vesprin Neytracht Raab Great Waradin What Universities are establish'd in this Country since the retaking of it from the Infidels is uncertain The Hungarians more addicted to Mars than Minerva are generally lookt upon as good Soldiers being Men for the most part of a strong and well proportion'd Body valiant and daring in their Undertakings but reputed Cruel and Insulting when Conquerors The Hungarians have a peculiar Language of their own which hath little or no Affinity with those of the Neighbouring Nations save only the Sclavonic from which it hath borrow'd several Words and which is also spoken in some Parts of this Country as the German is in others Pater-Noster in the Hungarian Tongue runs thus My atyanc ki vagy az mennyekben szenteltessec mega te neved jojon el az te orszagod légven megâ te akaratod mint az menyben ugy itt ez foldonois az mimindennapi kenyirunket add meg nekunc ma es boczasd meg miné cunc az mi vet keinket miképpem miis megboczatunc azoknac az kic mi ellenunc vet keztenec es ne vigi minket az kisertetbe de szabadits meg minket az gonosztol Amen This Kingdom at present is Elective and being almost wholly recover'd from the Ottoman Slavery by the late successful Progress of the Imperial Arms is now dependent on the Jurisdiction of the Emperor who is stil'd King thereof The Assembly of the States consists of the Clergy Barons Noblemen and Free Cities who usually meet once every three Years which Assembly hath Power to elect a Palatin who by the Constitutions of the Realm ought to be a Native of Hungary and to him belongs the management of all Military Concerns as also the Administration of Justice in Affairs both Civil and Criminal See Germany The prevailing Religion in this Country is that of the Church of Rome especially since the late Conquests made by the Imperial Arms Next to it is the Doctrine of Luther and Calvin which is zealously maintain'd by great Multitudes of People and many of 'em are Persons of considerable Note Besides these are to be found most Sorts and Sects of Christians as also many Jews and Mahometans not a few This Kingdom receiv'd the Knowledge of the Blessed Gospel in the beginning of the Eleventh Century and that by the Industrious Preaching of Albert Archbishop of Prague §. 2. GREECE THIS Country formerly Graecia and Hellis is term'd by the Italians and Spaniards Grecia by the French la Grece by the Germans Griechenland and by the English Greece why so call'd is variously conjectur'd of all by our Modern Criticks but the most receiv'd Opinion is that the Name derives its Original from an Ancient Prince of that Country call'd Graecus The Air of this Country being generally Pure and Temperate is reckon'd by all to be very pleasant and healthful to â—â—eathe in The opposite Place of the Globe to Greece is that Part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 225 and 232 Degrees of Longitude with 36 and 42 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying under the 6th North Climate is not only very fit for Pasture there being much fertil Champaign Ground but also it affords good sloâ— of Grain where duly Manur'd and abounds with excellent 〈◊〉 and other delicious Fruits The longest Day in the Noâ—â— most part of Greece is about 15 Hours the shortest in the Southmost 9 Hours ½ and the Nights proportionably 〈…〉 Commodities of this Country are reckon'd 〈…〉 Oyl Turkey-Leather Coke Soap Honey Wax c. At 〈◊〉 a little Village on the South of M. 〈◊〉 now 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 are some Inscriptions which â—vince it to have been the Ancient Delphi so famous all the World over for the Oracle of Apollo 2 On the aforesaid Mountain is a pleasant Spring which having several Marble Seeps descending â—o it and many Niches made in the Rock for Statues give 〈◊〉 to think that this was the renowned â—ons Castchue or Caballinus which inspir'd as People then imagin'd the Ancient Poets 3. In Livadia the Ancient Achaia is a hideous Cavern in a Hill which was very famous of old for the Oracles of Trophonius 4. Between the large Lake of Livadia and the Eubaean Sea whose shortest distance is four Miles are upwards of forty wonderful Subterraneous Passages hewen out of the firm Rock and that quite under a huge Mountain to let the Water have a Vent otherways the Lake being surrounded with Hills and constantly suppli'd by several Rivulets from these Hills would still overflow the Adjacent Country 5. On M. Oneius in the Isthmus of Corinth are the Remains of the Isthmian Theatre being the Place where the Isthmian Games were formerly celebrated 6. Here are also some Vestigia of that Wall built by the Lacedemonians from one Sea to the other for securing the Peninsula from the Incursions of the Enemy 7. Through most Parts of Greece are still extant the Ruins of many Heathen Temples especially that of the
Language of these Provinces Pater-Noster in the same runs thus Babamuz hanghe guiglesson chuduss olssum ssenungh adun Gelson ssenung memlechetun Olsum ssenung istegunh nyesse gugthaule gyrde cchame gumozi hergunon vere bize bugun hem bassa bize borslygomozi nyese bizde baslaruz borsetigleremosi hem yedm◠bize ge heneme de churtule bizy jaramazdan Amen These various Countries consider'd under the Title of Danubian Provinces do acknowledge Subjection to several Sovereigns particularly as followeth Transilvania is subject to its own Prince or Waywode formerly Tributary to the Turks but now under the Protection of the Emperor since the Year 1690. Valachia being subject to its Waywode sometimes stil'd Hospadar signifying Chief General of the Militia is Tributary to the Turk Moldavia is subject to its Waywode who is under the Protection of the Emperor since Anno 1688. Romania Bulgaria and Servia are wholly under the Turk and govern'd by their respective Beglierbegs Sclavonia and Bosnia do own the Emperor And lastly Dalmatia is partly under the Venetians and partly under the Turk To the Government of these Provinces we may subjoin the Republick of Ragusi whose Inhabitants are so afraid of losing their Rights and Liberty that every Month they change their Rector or Supream Magistrate and every Night the Governor of their Castle who entreth into his Command blindfolded and all Military Officers whatsoever are not to keep the same Posts above six Weeks lest if long continued they should either gradually or tracherously bereave them of their Priviledges or make the Republick it self a Prey either to the Turks or Venetians whom they equally dread however it payeth Tribute to both of 'em at present as also a certain Acknowledment to the Emperor his Catholick Magisty and the Pope by Virtue of a mutual Compact ratifi'd between them The Grand Signior as Supreme Sovereign over all the Turkish Dominions and Absolute Emperor of the Ottoman Empire bears Verte a Crescent Argent Crested with a Turbant charg'd with three Black Plumes of Herons Quills with this Morto Donec totum impleat Orbem As for the Ancient Arms of the Eastern Emperors before the rise of the Ottoman Family They were Mars a Cross Sol betwixt four Greek Beta's of the second The four Beta's signifying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Rex Regum Regnans Regibus The Inhabitants of these different Provinces are very different in Point of Religion but reducible to Three Classes viz. Christians Jews and Mahometans The Christians for the greatest part adhere to the Tenets of the Greek Church already mention'd § 2. some to the Church of Rome and others profess the Reform'd Religion both according to the Doctrine of Luther and Calvin The Jews as in all other Countries are Zealous Maintainers of the Mosaick Law and the Mahometans stick close to their Alcoran by which they are taught the acknowledgment of One God and that Mahomet is his Great Prophet It also commandeth Children to be Obedient to their Parents and approveth of Love to our Neighbour It enjoins Abstinence from Swines Flesh and Blood and such Animals as dye of themselves It promiseth to Mussulmen or True Believers all manner of sensual Pleasures in a Future State It allows of an unavoidable Fatality in every Thing and favours the Opinion of Tutelary Angels But to be more particular The Followers of Mahomet do readily grant That the Writings both of the Prophets and Apostles were divinely Inspir'd but alledge that they 're so corrupted by Jews and Christians that they can't be admitted for the Rule of Faith They further believe and assert That of all Reveal'd Institutions in the World those in the Alcoran are only Divine and Perfect That God is both Essentially and Personally One and that the Son of God was a meer Creature yet without Sin and miraculously Born of a Virgin That Jesus Christ was a Great Prophet and that having ended his Prophetical Office upon Earth he acquainted his Followers of the coming of Mahomet That Christ ascended into Heaven without suffering Death another being substituted in his place to Die That Man is not justify'd by Faith in Christ but by Works enjoin'd in the Mosaick Law and the Alcoran That Poligamy according to the Example of the Ancient Patriarchs is still to be allow'd of as also to Divorce the Wife upon any occasion In short Mahometanism is a Medly of Paganism Judaism and Christianity by which means the Grand Imposture its Founder did cunningly imagine to gain Proselytes of all Professions But whereas the Alcoran is the Turkish Rule of Faith and Manners let us more particularly consider its Precepts and that chiefly as they relate to the Principal Heads thereof viz. Circumcision Fasting Prayer Alms Pilgrimage and Abstinence from Wine 1. Circumcision Of the various Sacraments in the Old and New Testament they admit only of Circumcision This they reckon absolutely necessary to every Mussulman esteeming it impossible to obtain Salvation without it whereupon they are very careful to perform the same and do celebrate the performance thereof with great Solemnity 2. Fasting particularly that extraordinary Fast or yearly Lent call'd Ramadan observ'd every ninth Month and of a whole Months continuance during which time they neither Eat nor Drink till the Sun goes down they also abstain from all worldly Business and from smoking their beloved Tobacco yea even from Innocent Recreations and living reserv'd austere Lives do spend most of the time in their Mosques frequenting them both Day and Night They believe that during this Month the Gates of Heaven stand open and that those of Hell are shut 3. Prayer This Duty is of mighty request among them their Prophet having term'd the same the Key of Paradice and the very Pillar of Religion whereupon they are frequent and servent at their Devotions They 're oblig'd to pray five times every Day and never fail of that number let their worldly Business be never so urgent 4 Alms Every Turk is bound to contribute the hundredth Part of his Wealth towards the Zagat or Alms for maintainance of the Poor Besides which they frequently make large voluntary Contributions yea their Charity doth not only extend it self towards their Fellow-Rational Creatures but even the Irrational as Dogs Horses Camels c. whom they carefully maintain in kind of Publick Hospitals when through Age they become useless to their Masters 5. Pilgrimage viz. That to Mecca which every Mussulman is bound to perform once in his Life-time or at least to send Deputies for him Thither they resort in vast Multitudes being commonly 40 or 50000 in Number over whom the Sultan appoints a Commander in Chief to redress Disorders that may happen on the Road. This Officer is follow'd by a Camel carrying the Alcoran covered with Cloath of Gold which sanctifi'd Animal upon its return is adorn'd with Garlands of Flowers and exempt from any farther Labour during the remaining part of its Life The Turks do likeways visit
and Citta or Civitta Vecchia Archbishopricks and Universities none The Inhabitants of this Island not reckoning the Slaves are for the most part very Civil and Courteous to Strangers and follow the Mode of the Sicilians in Habit. They also resemble the Sicilians in some of their worst Qualities being extremely Jealous Treacherous and Cruel A corrupt Arabick doth here mightily prevail being hitherto preserv'd by the frequent Supplies of Turks taken and brought in from time to time But the Knights and People of any Note understand and speak several European Languages particularly the Italian which is authoriz'd by the Government and us'd in publick Writings This Island after many turns of Fortune was presented by the Emperor Charles V. to the Order of the Knights of St. John of Hierusalem whose place of Residence it hath hitherto been since the loss of Rhodes and is now govern'd by the Patron of that Order stil'd the Grand Master of the Hospital of St. John of Hierusalem and Prince of Malta Gaules and Goza The Knights did formerly consist of eight different Languages or Nations whereof the English was the sixth but now they 're only seven For Arms the Grand Master beareth a White Cross commonly call'd the Cross of Jerusalem with four Points The establisht Religion in Malta is that of the Church of Rome which is made essential to the Order no Person of a different Perswasion being capable to enter therein This Island receiv'd the Blessed Gospel in the Apostolick Times CANDIA THIS Island the famous Crete of the Ancients is term'd by the French Candie by the Germans Candien by the Italians Spaniards and English Candia so call'd from its chief Town Candie built by the Saracens who from their new Town gave the Island a new Name The Air of this Island is generally reckon'd to be very Temperate and Healthful to breath in but the South-winds are sometimes so boisterous that they much annoy the Inhabitants The opposite Place of the Globe to Candia is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 231 and 236 Degrees of Longitude with 34 and 37 Degrees of South Latitude This Island is bless'd with a very rich and fertil Soil producing in great abundance both Corn Wine Oyl and most sorts of excellent Fruits The length of the Days and Nights in Candia is the same as in the Northmost Parts of Barbary Of which afterwards The chief Commodities of this Island are Muscadel-Wine Malmsey Sugar Sugar-Candy Honey Wax Gum Olives Dates Rasins c. North of Mount Psilorili the famous M. Ida is a remarkable Grotto dug out of the firm Rock which divers of our Modern Travellers would fain perswade ' emselves to be some Remains of King Minos's Labyrinth so much talk'd off by the Ancients Before the Turkish Conquest of this Island there was one Archbishop who had Nine Suffragans but since they chang'd their Masters the number of such Ecclesiasticks is neither sixt nor certain The Inhabitants of this Island were formerly given to Piracy Debauchery and Lying especially the last and so noted were they for the same that a notorious Lye was commonly term'd Mendacium Cretense For this detestable Vice were they reproach'd by one of their own Poets Epimenides out of whose Writings the Apostle citeth these words K 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 1. 12. Their Experience in Maritime Affairs was indeed very great and they 're represented as a very considerable People among the Ancients for their Skill in Navigation The present Inhabitants being Turks and Greeks their respective Characters are already given page 174 181. Languages here in use are the Vulgar Greek and Turkish especially the former the number of Greeks on the Island being far greater than that of the Turks For a Specimen of which Languages Vid. page 175 and 181. This Island after a bloody and tedious War of Twenty four Years between the Turks and Venetians was at last constrain'd to submit to the Ottoman Yoak Anno 1669. under which it hath ever since groan'd and is now govern'd by a Turkish Sangiack whose place of Residence is usually at Candie the Capital City of the whole Island See the Danuubian Provinces page 182. Christianity according to the Greek Church is here profess'd by Tolleration but Mahometanism is the Religion establisht by Authority This Island receiv'd the Light of the Blessed Gospel in the Apostolick Age. CYPRUS THIS Island known anciently by divers Names besides the present particular those of Acamantis Amathusa Aspelia Cryptos Cerastis Macaria and Aerosa is term'd by the Italians Isola di Cypro by the Spaniards Chypre by the French Cypre and by the Germans and English Cyprus so call'd as most imagine from K 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Cypress wherewith this Island did mightily abound in former times There being several Lakes and some Natural Salt-pits in Cyprus from which abundance of noxious Vapours daily arise these intermixing ' emselves with the Body of the Atmosphere do render the Air very gross and unhealthful to breath in especially during the sultry Heat of Summer The opposite Place of the Globe to this Island is that part of the Pacifick Ocean between 235 and 240 Degrees of Longitu with 33 and 35 Degrees of South Latitude Cyprus was formerly bless'd with so rich and fruitful a Soil that from its Fertility and several Mines found therein the Greeks bestow'd upon this Island the desirable Epithet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Beata But now 't is remarkable for neither of these especially the former being in most Parts extremely Barren though commonly represented otherways The length of the Days and Nights in Cyprus is the same as in the Northmost Parts of Barbary of which afterwards they both lying under the same Parallel of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Island are Silk Cotton Oyl Honey Saffron Rubarb Colliquintida Scammony Turpentine Black and White Allum c. On the Eastern Part of this Island stands the famous Famagousta remarkable at present for its Mordern Fortifications and Eterniz'd in Fame for the unfortunate Valour of the Venetians Anno 1571. under the Command of Signior Bragadino against the furious Assaults of Selymus the Second with his numerous Army conducted by Piuli and Mustapha 2. Not far from the present Famagousta are the Ruins of an Ancient City generally esteem'd to have been that call'd formerly Salamina and afterwards Constantia which was ransack'd by the Jews in the time of the Emperor Trajan and finally destroy'd by the Saracens in the Reign of Heraclius 3. Nigh that Promontory commonly call'd The Cape of Cats but formerly Curias are the Ruins of a Monastry of Greek Caloyers which gave the Cape its Name from a remarkable Custom to which these Monks were oblig'd viz. Their keeping a certain number of Cats for the hunting and destroying of many Serpents that infested those Parts of
Paschal Lamb Argent supporting a Flag of the same mark'd with a Cross Gules for Juitland 7. Or two Lions Passant-guardant Azure for Sleswick 8. Gules a Fish crown'd Argent for Ice land Over these eight Quartors a great Cross Argent which is the ancient Devise of the Kingdom on the Center of which are plac'd the Arms of Dithmarsh viz. Gules a Cavalier Arm'd Argent 9. Gules a Nettle-leaf open and charg'd in the middle with a little Escucheon the whole Argent for Holstein 10. Gules a Cygnet Argent gorg'd with a Crown Or for Stormarsh 11. Gules two Fesses Or for Delmenhorst 12. Gules a Cross Pattree-fitchree Argent for Oldenburgh The Shield surrounded with the Collar of the Order of the Elephant The Crest is a Crown Or flowr'd rais'd with eight Diadems terminating in a Mond of the same For the Motto are these words Pietas Justitia coronant The Errors and Practices of the Roman Church being grown at length so intollerable that an Universal Reformation became expedient this Kingdom among the other Northern Crowns threw off that insupportable Yoak and cordially embrac'd the Doctrine of Luther which being allow'd off by Frederick the First about the middle of the last Century was so firmly and universally establish'd in Denmark that in all the Danish Dominions there is no other Religion but Lutheranism profess'd except some French Refugees who are allow'd a Church at Copenhagen and a few Popish Families who were lately permitted to perform their Worship in a Chappel at Gluckstat The Danish Clergy do still retain the Practice of Confession which all Persons are oblig'd unto before they participate of the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they likewise retain Crucifixes and several Ceremonies of the Roman Church Christianity was fully Establisht in this Country about the middle of the XII Century and that by the means of Pope Adrian the IV. an Englishman who before his Assumption of the Popedom was term'd Nicholaus Breakspear §. 3. NORWAY THis Country formerly Norvegia a Part of Ancient Scandinavia is term'd by the Italians Neruegia by the Spaniards Noruega by the French Norwegue by the Germans Norwegen and by the English Norway so call'd from its Northern Situation Nort being for North and weg way seeing it is the way to and from the North in respect of the rest of Europe The Air of this Country is so extreamly Cold especially towards the North parts of the Kingdom that 't is but thinly inhabited and that by the meanest of People The opposite Place of the Globe to Norway is part of the Pacifick Ocean between 200 and 230 Degrees of Longitude with 60 and 70 Degrees of South Latitude By reason of the excessive Coldness of the Country it lying in the 11th 12th and 13th North Climate the Soil is very barren not having force enough to produce the very necessaries of Life the Common People being forced to use dry Fish instead of Bread In short this Country is overspread either with vast Forrests barren Mountains or formidable Rocks In the Northmost parts of it the longest Day is above two Months the Sun not setting for that time the shortest in the Southmost about 6 Hours ¼ and the Nights proportionably The Chief Commodities of this Country are Stock-fish Rich Furs Train-Oyl Pitch and Tackling for Ships as Masts Cables Deal-boards and the like which the Inhabitants exchange for Corn Wine Fruits Beer and other Necessaries of Life What chiefly deserves the Name of Rarity in this Country is that remarkable Lake near Drontheim whose Waters never freeze even in the dead of Winter notwithstanding of the excessive Cold at that Season Near to the Isle of Hiteren is that wonderful and dangerous Whirly-pool commonly call'd Maelstroom and by Navigators The Navel of the Sea which swallows up Ships with their whole Cargo if they unhappily approach too nigh Archbishopricks in this Kingdom only one viz. that of Drontheim Bishopricks in this Kingdom are those of Anslo Bergen Staffanger Universities in this Kingdom None The Norvegians being notorious Pyrates of old became very formidable to several of the Northern Nations are now lookt upon as a very mean simple and ignorant sort of People a People however that 's very hardy much given to Toiling and Labour very Just in their Dealings and abundantly Civil after their own Manner to the few Strangers who come among them In the Northmost Parts of the Kingdom they have no Towns but generally live in Tents and Travel in great Companies from one place to another in Hunting The Language now spoken in this Country especicially in all the civilized Parts thereof is little different from that us'd in the Kingdom of Denmark a Specimen of which is already given in the foregoing Paragraph This Kingdom was formerly a distinct Body by it self and independent of any other but being incorporated with Denmark Anno 1387. is now subject to his Danish Majesty who besides particular Governors in the five Castles of Bahus Aggerus c. abovemention'd doth ordinarily keep a Vice-Roy there for the better Administration of the Publick Affairs of that Kingdom his Place of Residence is commonly at Bergen and his Power is extraordinary great See Denmark The establisht Religion in Norway is the same as in Denmark only that in the Northmost Parts of the Kingdom the knowledge of Christiany which was at first planted in this Country much about the same time with the two other Northern Crowns is so decay'd that on the Borders of Lapland they differ but little from mere Heathens MOSCO VIE or RVSSIE SECT II. Concerning Moscovia  d. m.  Miles Situated between 46 00 of Long. It s greatest Length is about 1630. 105 00 between 45 10 of Lat. Breadth is about 1500. 71 00 Divided into North Chief Town St. Michael Arch-Angel South Moscow Capital City More Particularly North contains many Provinces but chiefly these of Trines Chief Town W. to E. Kargapolia Kargapol Dwina St. Michael Arch-Angel Condora Wirgatouria Sibiria Tobol Obdora Berezow Vologda Idem upon the upper part of the Dwina South containing many Provinces but chiefly these of Casan Chief Town Idem from E. to W. upon the Volga Mordowitz None remarkable Nisi Novogrod Idem Volodimir Idem Moscow Idem Astracan Idem at the Mouth of the Volga Novogrod Weleki Idem Between the Lake Ilmins and Peipus Pleskow Idem Severia Novogrod-Sewarski S. W. of Moscow §. 2. MOSCOVIA THIS Country containing much of Sarmatia Europaea and part of Sarmatia Asiatica being also nam'd Russia from the Ancient People of that Country call'd Rossi or Russi is term'd by the Italians Moscouia by the Spaniards Moscovia by the French Moscovie or Russie Blanche by the Germans Moscau and by the English Moscovia or Moscovy so call'd from its chief Province of that Name whose Denomination is deriv'd from Moschi or Mosci an Ancient People first inhabiting that Part of
Trade and Merchandizing And the two others for hearing and determining of all Causes both Civil and Criminal The Arms of Moscovia are Or an Eagle display'd Sable 〈◊〉 on its Breast a Shield Gules charg'd with a Cavalier Aâ—â—â—t fighting a Dragon on and between the Heads of the Eagle are three Crowns for Moscovy Cazan and Astracan According to others the Arms are Sable a Portel open of two Leaves and â—s 〈◊〉 degrees Or. The Muscovia's 〈◊〉 that they profess Christianity according to the Doctrine of the Greek Church in its Ancient Purity but indeed they have mixt with the same a great 〈◊〉 ridiculous Ceremonies and foolish Superstitions of their own They â—ender Divine Worship to the Virgin Mary and other Saints as also to Crosses and never Commerce any thing of Moment unless they first Sign themselves with the Sign of the Crost In Baptism they use Exorcism and always Confession to the Priest before they receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper All above seven Years of Age receive that Sacrament in both kinds and they give it iâ— one kind to Children under that age They usually Administer the same as also Extreme Unction to Persons past all hopes of Recovery but they neither adore the Sacrament nor believe the strange Doctrine of Transubstantiation They observe fifteen great Festivals besides a great many Days dedicated to particular Saints Sermons they never use but only read some Portions of Holy Scripture with St. Basil's Liturgy and divers Homilies of St. Chrysostome The Christian Faith was first planted in this Country towards the latter Part of the Tenth Century and that by the Preaching of some Greeks sent thither by the then Patriarch of Constantinople FRANCE SECT III. Concerning France  d. m.  Miles Situated between 12 10 of Long. its greatest Length is about 520 26 30 between 42 30 of Latit Breadth is about 450 51 10 Being divided into Three Classes viz. North. Middle South North comprehends the Governments of Picardy Chief Town Amiens Northward Normandy Roven from W. to E. The Isle of France Paris Champaigne Troye Middle comprehends the Governments of Bretaigne Rennes W. to E. Orleanoise Orleans Bourgoigne Dyon Lionois Lion South comprehends the Governments of Guienne Gascony Bourdemix W. to E. Languedoc Tholouse Dauphiny Grenoble Provence Aix Of all these in Order §. 1. PICARDY Divided into Higher towards the East Ch. Town Guise Lower towards the West Abbeville But more particularly Higher contains Tierasche Chief Town Guise E. to W. Vermandois S. Quinten Santerre Peronne Amienois Amiens Lower contains Pais Reconquis Calais N. to S. Ardres Idem Boulognois Boulogne Ponthieu Abbeville To Picardy we subjoin the Archbishoprick of Cambray lying N. of Peronne Chief Town Cambry §. 2. NORMANDY Divided into Higher towards the East Chief Town Rouen Lower towards the West Caen. More particularly Higher contains Pais Caux Chief Town Caudebeck N. to S. E. Roven Idem Gisors Idem Eureux Idem S. of Roven Lower contains Coutantine Coutance W. to E. Gaen Idem Alencon Idem S. E. of Caen. §. 2. Isle of FRANCE Divided into North the Seine Chief Town Soissons South the Seine Melun More particularly North the Seine contains Laonois Chief Town Laon E. to W. Soissonois Soissons Beauvoises Beauvais Vexin Francois Pont-Oyse W. to E. D. of Valois Senleâ— Isle of France Paris W. to E. Brie Meaux South the Seine contains Hurepoix Melun N. to S. Gastenois Montargi §. 4. CHAMPAIGNE Divided into Higher on the North Chief Town Rheims Lower on the South Troye More particularly Higher contains Rethelnois Chief Town Rethel N. to S. W. D. of Rheims Rheims High Champaigne S. Dizier Challonois Chalon on the River Marnâ— Lower contains Sennois Sens W. to E. Low Champaigne Troyes Bassigny Langres §. 5. BRETAIGNE Divided into Higher Eastward Chief Town Rennes Lower Westward Brest More particularly Higher contains the Territories of Dole Chief Town Idem E. to W. S. Malcâ— Idem Brieux Idem Rennes Idem N. to S. Nantes Idem Lower contains St. Polde Leon Brest W. to N. E. Trigvier Idem Cornoaile Idem W. to E. Vannet Idem §. 2. ORLEANOIS Divided into North the River Loir chief Town Chartres upon Orleans South Poictiers More particularly North contains Maine Chief Town Mans W. to E. Perche Nogent Beauce Chartres Vendosmois Vendosme Middle or upon the Loir Anjou Anger 's W. to E. Tourraine Tours Blaisâ—â— Blois Orleanois Orleans Nivernois Nevers South contains Aunis Rochelle W. to E. Angoumois Angoulesme Poictou Poictiers Berry Bourges §. 7. BURGOINE Divided into Higher Northward Chief Town Dijon Lower Southward Bourge-en Bresse More particularly Higher viz. Burgoigne properly so call'd contains the Towns of Auxerre W. to S. E. Semur Dijon Challon N. to S. Mascon Autun N. to S. Charolles Lower viz. la Bresse contains the Towns of Bourge-en-Bresse N. to S. E. Belly Trevoux Westward §. 8. LIONOIS Divided into East Chief Town Lions West Clermont More particularly East comprehends Lionois properly so called Chief Town Lions S. to N. Baujolois Beaujeu Forez Feurs Westward West comprehends Auvergue higher Clermont S. to lower S. Flour Bourbonnoi Bourbon or Moulins March Gueret Westward §. 9. GUIENNE and GASCOIGNE Divided into Guienne Northward C. T. Bourdeaux Gascoigne Southward Ayre viz. the chief of Gascoigne properly so called More Particularly Guienne in 8 Provinces South Guienne properly so called Chief Town Bourdeaux W. to E. Bazadois Bazas Agenois Agen Revergue Rodes 4 North Saintoigne Saintes W. to E. Pertgort Perigueux Limosin Limoges Quercy Cahors Gascoigne into 3 parts North the Adour Les Landes Dax W. to E. Albert Idem Condomois Condom Armagnac Aux Gaure Verdun Uponthe Adour Labour Bayonne W to E. Gascoigne prop. Ayre Estarac Mirande Comminges Lombes South the Adour Lower Navarr S. Palais W. to E. C. of Soule Maulleon Bearn Pau Bigorre Tarbe Conserans S. Bertrand §. 10. LANGUEDOC Divided into Higher towards the West Chief Town Tholouse Lower towards the East Nismes More particularly Higher contains the Territories of Foix Chief Town Idem S. to N. on the Garonne Rieux Idem Tholonse Idem Alby Idem 42 m. N. E. of Tholouse S. Papoul Idem 36 m. S. E. Lower contains the Territories of Narlâ—ne Idem W. to E. Beziers Idem Mompelier Idem Nismes Idem Country of Sevennes divided into Givaudan Mende Velay Le Puy W. to E. Vivarez Viviers §. 11. DAUPHINY Divided into Higher towards the East Chief Town Grenoble Lower towards the West Vienne More particularly Higher contains several Towns the chief of which are Grenoble upon the Isere Gap Nigh unto or upon the Durance Embrun Briancon or Brianson Pignerol S. E. of Brianson Lower contains several Towns the chief of which are Vienne N. to S. Valence S. Paul de Tricasten Dye S. E. of Valence §. 12. PROVENCE Divided into Higher Northward Chief Town Sisteron Middle part Aix Lower Southward Marseilles More particularly Higher whose chief Towns are Orange W. to E. on the North of Durance River Avignion
Geneva I. Switzerland a large Commonwealth consisting of several little ones viz. Thirteen Cantons every one of them being absolute within their own Jurisdiction is under a Popular Government in the main yet not strictly so in respect of every particular Canton those of Bern Zurich and Lucern being more properly under an Aristocracy than any other since the Authority of the Gentry doth most prevail in them However the whole Body of the State consider'd as one Complex Republick consisteth of three distinct Parts viz. The Switzers themselves distributed as aforesaid into Thirteen Cantons Secondly Those States Confederate with them for their Common Liberty and Protection And Thirdly The Prefectures subject to them whether by Gift Purchase or Chance 1. The Body of the Cantons is govern'd by each Canton having its particular Magistrate of their own chusing by whom with a standing Council consisting of Persons elected out of the People all particular Controversies of the Canton are heard and dertermin'd But when any Publick Cause occurs which relates to all the Cantons then each of them sends its Commissioner to the General Diet which ordinarly meets at Baden where every Canton hath one Vote and Matters are determin'd by the major part 2. Confederate States The Chief of which besides Geneva are the Grisons an adjacent Commonwealth govern'd in like manner as the Switzers Of all the Allies of the Switzers there 's none more Potent than these They entred first into a League one with another Anno 1471. and afterwards with the Switzers in 1491. Their Country lies among inaccessible Mountains and hideous Precipices and they divide themselves into six Parts viz. The Grey League The League of the House of God The League of the Ten Jurisdictions The Valteline And lastly the Countries of Chiavana and Bormio Some believe they deriv'd the Title of Grisons from the Custom of wearing Grey Scarfs when first they entred into the League together 3. Prefectures of the Switzers particularly those Countries and Cities of Baden and Sargans with many other Towns and Villages situated nigh unto or among the Alps. II. Geneva being a Free Republick is govern'd by its own Magistrates and is in Confederacy with the Cantons of Switzerland whom it resembles very much in the Constitution of its Government The Sovereignty of the State is lodg'd in a Council of Two hundred out of which a lesser Council consisting of Twenty five is chosen both which being for Life serve for Checks one to another and finally out of these Twenty five are elected four Principal Officers whom they call the Syndicks who have the sole Management of the Commonwealth except it be in some great Matter as making of Peace or War Offensive or Defensive Leagues hearing Appeals and such like General Concerns which is the Business of the Great Council to consider and determine The Emperor of Germany for Armorial Ensigns bears Quarterly 1. Barwise Argent and Gules of eight Pieces for Hungary 2. Argent a Lion Gules the Tail noved and passed in Saltier Crowned Langed and Armed Or for Bohemia 3. Gules a Fesse Argent for Austria Party and bendwise Argent and Azure a border Gules for Ancient Burgundy 4. Quarterly in the first and last Gules a Castle triple towered Or purâ—led Sable for Castile In the second and third Argent a Lion purple for Leon. The Shield crested with an Imperial Crown closed and raised in shape of a Miter having betwixt the two Points a Diadem surmounted with a Globe and Cross Or. This Shield environed with a Coller of the Order of the Golden Fleece is plac'd on the Breast of an Eagle displayed Sable in a Field Or Diadem'd membred and beck'd Gules holding a naked Sword in the right Talon and a Scepter in the left The two Heads signify the Eastern and Western Empire and for the Motto are these words Uno avulso non deficit alter But the Emperor's peculiar devise is Pax salus Europae The Laws of the Empire give free Toleration to the publick Exercise of three Religions viz. the Lutheran Calvinist and Popish and in some Places all three Parties celebrate Divine Worship in one and the same Church at different times of the Day as among others at Manheim in the Palatinate before it was ruin'd by the French The Reformation of Religion was begun here by Martin Luther about 1517. and embrac'd by the Electors of Saxony Brandenburg Prince Palatine of the Rhine Landgrave of Hesse the Duke of Brunswick and most of the Free Cities Whereupon followed continual Wars and Troubles about Religion and the Lands of the Church which the Protestants had possess'd themselves of till at last by the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. 't was concluded That they of the Confession of Ausburg should not be molested in any manner whatsoever but to be secur'd from all Prosecutions of Law and Violence In this Posture things continued till of late that the French King broke in upon the Empire and took so many Towns and Cities of it In all which he dispossess'd the Protestants of their Rights and establish'd the Exercise of the Roman Religion And this he hath endeavour'd to confirm by the last Treaty at Reswick where his Plenipotentiaries in Conjunction with the Emperor's prevail'd to insert into the said Treaty a Clause whereby 't is agreed That the Roman Catholick Religion shall remain within the Places restor'd by France to the Emperor and Empire in the same Condition as 't is exercis'd at present And though the Protestants long contested and at last sign'd the Treaty with a Protestation that the Clause in dispute should not be drawn into precedent for the future yet there 's too great Reason to fear that the Popish Party hath gain'd a considerable Advantage in this Point The various Parts of this Country receiv'd the Light of the blessed Gospel at various times and that by the preaching of various Apostles especially St. Thomas Sirnamed Didymus one of the Twelve POLAND by Robt. Morden SECT V. Concerning Poland  d. m.  Miles Situated between 34 30 of Long. its greatest Length is about 780. 53 30 between 48 00 of Latit Breadth is about 600. 58 20 Being divided into Three Classes viz. East Middle West East Class comprehends Lithuania Chief Town Vilna N. to S. Volinia Kiou Podolia Camenick Middle Class comprehends Curland Mittaw N. to S. Samogitia Rosâ—â—ie Polaquia Bieâ—â—ko Little Russia Lemberge West Class comprehends Prussia Dantzick N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polonia prop. Cracovia Of all these in Order §. 1. Lithuania a Dukedom  Palatinate of Troki Chief Town Idem W. to E. Wilna Idem Braslawen Braslaw Poloczkien Poloczk Contains the Witepskien Witepsk Novogrodeck Idem W. to E. Minskien Minski Mscislawen Mscislaw D. of Sluczk Idem W. to E Territory of Rohaczow Idem Rzeczica Idem Southward §. 2. Volinia a Province Contains the Palatinate of Lucke W. Chief Town Idem W. to E. Territory of Kiow E. Idem §. 3. Podolia a Province
Huesca Universities in this Kingdom are those of Sevil Alcala de Henares Huesca Gaudia Granada Saragossa Barcelona Compostella Siguenza Tudela Murcia Toledo Valencia Ossuna Tarragona Valladolid Lerida Ona Baeza Salamanca The truest Character of the Spaniard I any where find is that of Dr. Heylin's which in the main runs thus The Spaniards are a sort of People of a swarthy Complexion black Hair and of good Proportion of a Majestick Gate and Deportment grave and serious in their Carriages in Offices of Piety very Devout not to say Superstitious Obedient and Faithful to their King Patient in Adversity not prone to alter their Resolutions nor Apparel in War too deliberate Arts they esteem dishonourable universally given to Laziness much addicted to Women unreasonably Jealous of their Wives and by Nature extreamly Proud Of all the living Tongues that are deriv'd from the Latin the Spanish comes nearest to the Original though no Country has been more harrast by the Irruption of Barbarous Nations Yet they have borrowed several Words from the Goths and Mores especially the latter The best Spanish is generally esteem'd that spoken in New-Castile and in Valentia and Catalonia 't is most corrupted Their Pater Noster runs thus Padre nuestro que estas en los Gielos Santificado sea tu Nembre Venza a nos tu Regno hagase tu Volantad assi en la tierra como en el Cielo El pan nuestro de cadadia da nos lo oy y perdona nos nuestras deudas assi como nos otros perdonamos à nuestros deudores y no nos dexes caer en tentation mas libra nos del mal Amen This great Body did formerly comprehend no less than fourteen different Kingdoms which being at length reduc'd to three viz. Those of Arragon Castile and Portugal the two former were united Anno 1474. by Marriage of Ferdinand of Arragon with Isabel Heiress of Castile and Portugal afterwards added by Conquest Anno 1578. But it Revolting of which afterwards the whole Continent of Spain excluding Portugal is at present subjected to one Sovereign term'd his Catholick Majesty whose Government is Monarchical and Crown Hereditary The Dominions of which Prince are so far extended that the Sun never sets upon them all and as his Territories are very numerous so also are the Titles which he commonly assumeth being stil'd King of Castile Leon Arragen Sicily Naples Jerusalem Portugal Navarr Granada Toledo Valleâ—ia Gallâ—ia Majorca Seville Sardignia Gordova Corsica Murcia Jaen Algarve Algâ—â—ire Gibralter The Canaries East and West Indies Arch Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant and Milan Count of Flanders Tirol and Barcelona Lord of Biscay and Mechelin c. The numerous Cities and Provinces of Spain are ruled by particular Governors appointed by his Catholick Majesty as also the Dutchy of Milan the Kingdoms of Naples Sicily Sardignia c and the various Parts of his vast Possessions in the East and West Indies are govern'd by their respective Vice Roys who are generally very severe in exacting of the Subject what possibly they can during their short Regency which is commonly limited to three Years the King appointing others in their room that he may gratify as many of his Grandees as may be with all conveniency there being still a great number of them at Court as Candidates for a Government For the better management of Publick Affairs in all the Spanish Dominions there are establisht in this Kingdom no less than fifteen different Councils viz. that call'd The Council of State 2 The Council Royal or that of Castile 3 That of War 4. The Council of Arragon 5 That of Italy 6 The Council of the Indies 7. That of the Orders 8 The Council of the Treasury 9. That of the Chamber 10 The Council of the Crosade 11 That of Discharges 12 The Council of Inquisition 13. That of Navarr 14 The Council of Conscience And lastly that call'd The Council of Policy The King of Spain bears Quarterly The first Quarter Counter-quarter'd in the first and fourth Gules a Castle tripple-tower'd Azure each with three Battlements Or purâ—led Sable for Castile In the second and third Argent a Lion passant Gules Crown'd Langued and Arm'd Or for Leon. In the second great Quarter Or four Pallets Gules for Arragon Party Or four Pallets also Gules betwixt two Flanches Argent charg'd with as many Eagles Sable member'd beak'd and crown'd Azure for Sicily These two great Quarters grafted in Base Argent a Pomegranete Verte stalk'd and leav'd of the same open d and seeded Gules for Granada Over all Argent five Escucheons Azure plac'd cross-wise each charg'd with as many Baeants in Saltier of the first for Portugal The Shield bordered Gules with seven Towers Or for Algarve In the third Quarter Gules a Fesse Argent for Austria Coupie and supported by Ancient Burgundy which is Bendy of six Pieces Or and Azure border'd Gules In the fourth great Quarter Azure Semè of Flower de Luces Or with a border Compony Argent and Gules for Modern Burgundy coupè Or supported Sable a Lion Or for Brabant These two great Quarters charg'd with an Escucheon Or a Lion Sable and langued Gules for Flanders Partly Or an Eagle Sable for Antwerp the Capital City of the Marquisate of the Holy Empire For Crest a Crown Or rais'd with eight Diadems or Semi-circles terminating in a Mond Or. The Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece encompasses the Shield on the sides of which stand the two Pillars of Hercules on each side one with this Morto Plus ultra The Spaniards are very punctual followers of and close adherers to the Church of Rome and that in her grossest Errors and Corruptions â—â—â—ing up their Religion on the Pope's Authority and are therein so tenacious that the King suffers none to live in his Dominions who profess not their belief of the Doctrine of the Roman Church For whose Care or rather Bigottry in this matter the Pope hath conferr'd upon him the Title of his Catholick Majesty All other Professions are expell'd by that Antichristian Tyranny of the Bloody Inquisition at first devised and set up by Pâ—dâ—e Goasales de Mendeza Archbishop of Toledo and that against such Converted Jews and Moors as return'd again to their Superstition but of late it hath been chiefly turn'd upon those and others of the Protestant Communion So industrious are the Ecclesiasticks in this Country to keep up the whole Body of the People in the thickest Mist of Ignorance and so little is this Nation enclin'd of themselves to make any enquiries after Knowledge that considering these things upon one hand and the Terror of the Inquisition on the other in case of such Enquiries especially if they have the least tendency to Innovation in Points of Faith we cannot reasonably expect a Reformation of Religion in this Country unless the Hand of Providence shall interpose in a wonderful manner Christianity was planted here according to the old
more famous for what it hath been than for what it is being now on the decaying hand At present it's subject unto several Sovereigns various Places within its Territories belonging to the Dukes of Savoy and Tuscany some free and others lately taken by the French III. Luca being a small Free Commonwealth enclos'd within the Territories of the Grand Duke of Tuscany is under the Government of one Principal Magistrate call'd the Gonfalonier changeable every second Month assisted by nine Counsellors nam'd Anziani whom they also change every six Months during which time they live in the Palace or Common-Hall and Superior to them is the Grand Council which consisteth of about Two hundred and forty Noblemen who being equally divided into two Bodies take their turns every half Year This State is under the Protection of the Emperor of Germany and payeth him yearly Homage accordingly IV. St. Marino a little but flourishing Republick in the Dukedom of Urbine which still maintains its Previleges and is govern'd by its own Magistrates who are under the Protection of the Pope The whole Territory of this small Commonwealth is but one Mountain about three Miles long and ten round consisting of about five thousand Inhabitants who boast of their State being a Free Republick about a thousand Years It being too tedious to express the Ensigns Armorial of all the Sovereign Princes and States in this Country and too superficial to mention those of one only we shall therefore as a â—he Medium nominate the Chief Sovereignties of Italy viz. the Popâ—â—â—om the Dukedom of Tuscany and the Republicks of Venice and Genoua and affix to each of these their peculiar Arms. Therefore 1. His Holiness the Pope as Sovereign Prince over the Land of the Church or Papal Dominions bears for his Escutcheon Gules consisting of a long Cape or Head-piece Or surmounted with a Cross pearl'd and garnish'd with three Royal Crowns together with the two Keys of St. Peter placed in Saltier 2. The Arms of Tuscany are Or five Roundles Gules two two and one and one in Chief Azure charged with three Flower-de-Luces Or. 3. Those of Venice are Azure a Lion winged Sejant Or holding under one of his Paws a Book covered Argent Lastly Those of Genoua are Argent a Cross Gules with a Crown clos'd by reason of the Island of Corsica belonging to it which bears the Title of Kingdom and for Supporters are two Griffins Or. My unavoidable Prolixity in handling the various Heads contain'd in the foregoing Paragraphs doth call upon me to attone for the same by a desirable Brevity in treating of this Head now before us All therefore I shall say upon it is That the Italians as to their Religion are Zealous Professors of the Doctrine of the Roman Church even in her grossest Errors and Superstitions and that either out of Fear of the Barbarous Inquisition or in Reference to their Ghostly Father the Pope or chiefly by being industriously kept in woful Ignorance of the Protestant Doctrine of which they are taught many false and monstiuous things The Jews are here tollerated the Publick Exercise of their Religion and at Rome there 's a Weekly Sermon for their Conversion at which one of each Family is bound to be present The Christian Faith was first preached here by St. Peter who went thither in or about the beginning of the Reign of the Emperor Claudius as is generally testifi'd by some Ancient Writers of good Account TURKY in EUROPE by R. Morden SECT VIII Concerning Turky in Europe  d. m.  Miles Situated between 36 00 of Long. its greatest Length is about 770. 53 00 between 36 30 of Latit Breadth is about 660. 49 20 Turky in Europe being divided into two Classes North the Danuube South North comprehends Hungary Chief Town Buda W. to E. Transilvania Hermanstat Valachia Tergowick Moldavia Saczow Little Tartary Crim South comprehends Romania Constantinople E. to W. Bulgaria Sophia Servia Belgrade Bosnia Bosna Seraio Sclavonia Possega Croatia Wihitz W. to S. E. Dalmatia Spalatro Greece Saloniki Of all these in Order Hungary divided into Upper North Chief Towns in Upper are Praesburge W. to S. E. upon the Danuube Newhawsel Pest Colocza Esperies N. to S. upon the Teyssa Caschaw Tokay Agria Zolnock Segedin Zatmar N. to S. on the E. of Teyssa Debreczen Great Waradin Gyulla Timesware Lower South in Lower are Raab W. to S. E. on the Danuube Gran Buda Kanischa W. to E. upon the Drave Siget Quinque Ecclesiae Stul Weissenburge aliter Alba Regalis upon Zarwiza In Transilvania The Chief Towns are Clausenburge S. to N. upon the Samos Burgles Newmark N. to S. upon the Maresh Wissenburge Hermanstat upon the Alauta In Valachia The Chief Towns are Tergvoick From N. to S. Buchorest In Moldavia The Chief Towns are Soczow From W. to E. Jazy Romani Wiwar Southward In Little Tartary The Chief Towns are Nigropoli From N. to S. Kaffa In Romania The Chief Towns are Constantinople From E. to W. Adrinople Philippipoli aliter Philiba In Bulgaria The Chief Towns are Sophia From S. to N. Silistria Nigopoli In Servia The Chief Towns are Scopia From S. to N. Guistandil Viddin Nissa From S. to N. W. upon the Marâ—wa Jagodna Belgrade From N. to S. Bracco Prisren In Bosnia The Chief Towns are Bosna-Seraio From E. to W. Jaycza Bomiahich Southward In Sclavonia The Chief Towns are Possega From W. to E. Peter-Waradin Esseck upon the Drave In Croatia The Chief Towns are Wihitsch From S. to N. Dubiza Carâ—lstat Westward In Dalmatia The Chief Towns are Nona From W. to S. E. Zara Sebenico Spalatro Narenza Ragusi Scodrant Cattaro Lastly Greece by the Turk's Rumelia comprehends the following Divisions Viz. Macedonia By the Moderns Idem Northward Albania Arnaut Thessalia Janna In the Middle Epirus Idem Achaia Livadia Peloponesus Morea lying Southward of all The Chief Towns of Macedonia are Contessa N. E. to S. W. Saloniki Zeucria Florina Cogni Albania are Scutari N. to S. Alessio Croia Durazzo Vallona Thessalia are Larissa E. to W. Tricala â—anna Epirus are Canina N. to S. Chimera Butrinto Prevesa Larta Achaia are Lepanto W. to E. Castri olim Delphi Attâ—es olim Athenae Maraton Stives olim Thebae Morea are Corinto Nigh the Sea-Coast all round the Peninsula Napoli-di-Romania Maluasia Colochina Coron Navarino Chiarenza Patrasso THIS vast Complex Body comprehending these various Countries above-mention'd and the most remarkable of 'em being Hungary Greece and Little Tartary We shall first treat of these Three separately and then conjunctly of all the rest under the General Title of the The Danubian Provinces Therefore §. 1. HUNGARY THIS Country containing a Part of Pannonia with some of Ancient Germany and Dacia is term'd by the Italians Ungharia by the Spaniards Hungria by the French Hungrie by the Germans Ungern and by the English Hungary so call'd from the Ancient Inhabitants the Hunni or Huns. The Air of this Country is generally esteem'd very
doth far more prevail The chief Tenets of the Mahometan Religion may be seen § 4. of this Section to which I remit the Reader As for Christianity 't is profess'd in this Country according to the Doctrine of the Greek Church the Principal Points of which as it differs from the Western Christian Churches whether Protestant or Roman are these following viz 1. The Greeks deny the Procession of the Holy Ghost from the Son asserting that it proceedeth only from the Father through the Son 2. They also deny the Doctrine of Purgatory yet usually pray for the Dead 3. They believe that the Souls of the Faithful departed this Life are not admitted unto the Beatifick Vision till after the Resurrection 4. They celebrate the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist in both Kinds but make the Communicant take three Morsels of Leaven'd Bread and three Sips of Wine in Honour of the Three Persons of the Adorable Trinity 5. They admit Children to participate of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper when only seven Years of Age because then it is say they that they begin to Sin 6. They allow not of Extream Unction and Confirmation and disapprove of fourth Marriages 7 They admit none into Holy Orders but such as are married and inhibit all second Marriages being once in Orders 8. They reject all Carved Images but admit of Pictures wherewith they adorn their Churches Lastly They observe four Lents in the Year and esteem it unlawful to Fast upon Saturdays In their Publick Worship they use four Liturgies viz. That commonly call'd St. James's St. Chrysostom's St. Basil's and St. Gregory the Great 's together with Lessons out of the Lives of their Saints which makes their Service to be of such a tedious and indiscreet length that it commonly lasts five or six Hours together The Fasts and Festivals that are yearly observ'd in the Greek Church are very numerous and were it not for them 't is probable that Christianity had been quite extirpated out of this Country ere now For by means of these Solemnities which yet are celebrated with a multitude of Ridiculous and Superstitious Ceremonies they still preserve a Face of Religion under a Patriarch who resides at Constantinople and several Archbishops and Bishops particularly those abovemention'd But did we view those Ecclesiasticks in their Intellectuals as also the lamentable State of all Persons committed to their Charge we should find both Priest and People labouring under such gross and woful Ignorance that we could not refrain from wishing that the Western Churches of Christendom by their Divisions Impieties and Abuse of Knowledge may not provoke the Almighty at last to plague them likeways with the same Darkness and Desolation This Country was watered with the Blessed Gospel in the very Infancy of Christianity and that by the powerful Preaching of St. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles §. 3. Little Tartary THIS Country anciently Taurica Chersonesus or Tartaria Procopensis being the Lesser Scythia and a Part of old Sarmatia is term'd by the Italians Tartaria Minor by the Spaniards Tartaria Menor by the French La Petite Tartarie by the Germans Kleine Tartarey and by the English Little Tartary so call'd to distinguish it from Great Tartary in Asia as also Crim-Tartary from Crim the principal City of the Country The Air of this Country is generally granted to be of a very temperate Nature but yet unhealthful to breath in The opposite Place of the Globe to Little Tartary is that part of Terra Australis incognita between 240 and 250 Degrees of Longitude with 48 and 52 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 8th North Climate is very different in different Parts some Places abounding with Grain and Fruits and others pestered with undrainable Marshes and barren Mountains The Length of the Days and Nights here is the same as in the Northern Parts of France The Commodities of this Country are reckon'd Slaves Leather Chalcal-Skins and several sorts of Furs which they exchange with the Adjacent Turks for other Commodities they want Some Travellers relate of this wild and barbarous Part of the World that few or no ravenous Beasts are found therein And others tell us That many of its Fens and Marshes abound mightily with Salt which is naturally there produc'd in prodigious Quantities Archbishopricks in this Country None Bishopricks in this Country are those of Caffa Gothia Universities in this Country None The Crim-Tartars are generally Men of vigorous and robust Bodies able to endure all the Hardships of a Military Life and many of them being endu'd with Courage and Vigour of Mind conform to their Strength of Body prove the best of Soldiers They are reputed to be very just in their Dealings with one another but far otherways with Strangers Many of 'em are much addicted to Pillage and they usually feed upon Horse flesh The Language of the Crim-Tartars is the Scythian or pure Tartaresque which hath such a resemblance to the Turkish as the Spanish to the Italian these Tartars and Turks understanding one another as those of Italy and Spain The Arabick is here learn'd at School as in most Parts of Turky Pater-Noster in the Tartaresque runs thus Atscha wyzom Chy hokta sen algusch ludor senug adougkel suom chauluchong bel sun senung arkchneg aleigier da vkarhtaver visum gundoluch ot mak chu musen vougou kai visum jasuchen den bisdacha hajelberin bisum jasoch namasin datcha koima visu sumanacha illa garâ—a visenu gemandam Amen This Country is govern'd by its own Prince commonly term'd the Cham of Tartary who is under the Protection of the Great Turk whose Sovereignty he acknowledgeth by the usual Ceremony of receiving a Standard The Grana Signior actually possesseth some Part of this Country and maintains one Beglierbeg and two Sangiacks in the Places of greatest Importance As also he detains as Hostage the apparent Successor of the Cham who is ordinarly either his Son or Brother To all which the Tartars readily yield upon the Account of an Ancient Compact whereby the Turkish Empire is said to descend to them whenever the Heirs Male of the Ottoman Line shall fail The Cham of Tartary bears for his Ensigns Armorial Or three Griffins Sable arm'd Gules The Crim Tartars for the most part are zealous Professors of the Mahometan Doctrine except some who continue still Pagan and intermixt with them are many Christians especially Greeks and Armenians besides a considerable number of Roman Catholicks When this Country was first watered with the Blessed Gospel is not very certain §. 4. Danubian Provinces THE remaining Part of Turky here considered under the Title of Danubian Provinces is so call'd from the Situation of these Provinces they being near unto or upon the Banks of the Danuube But since each of 'em requires a peculiar Etymology take the same as followeth 1 Transilvania the
is to take charge of all the King's Revenue kept in the Exchequer as also to check all Officers imploi'd in collecting the same and such like This Office is frequently executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Treasury as at present 4. The Lord President of the Council whose Office is to attend upon the King and Summons the Council to propose business at Council-Table and Report the several Transactions of the Board 5. The Lord Privy-Seal whose Office is to pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons sign'd by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England as also divers other Matters of smaller moment which do not pass the Great Seal But this Seal is never to be affixt to any Grant without good warrant under the King's Privy-Signet nor even with such Warrant if the thing granted be against Law or Custom until the King be first acquinted therewith 6. The Lord Great Chamberlain of England whose Office is to bring the King's Shirt Coif and Wearing Cloaths on the Coronation-day to put on the King's Apparel that Morning to carry at the Coronation the Coif Gloves and Linnen which are to be us'd by the King on that Occasion likeways the Sword and Scabard as also the Gold to be offer'd by the King together with the Robe Royal and Crown to Undress and Attire the King with his Royal Robes to serve the King that Day with Water for to wash his Hands before and after Dinner 7. The Lord High Constable of England an Officer whose Power is so great that 't was thought inconvenient to lodge the same in any Subject since the Year 1521. and is now conferr'd on some of the chiefest Peers pro re nata as upon occasion of Coronations or Solemn Tryals by Combat 8. The Earl Marshal of England whose Office is to take cognizance of all Matters of War and Arms to determine Contracts concerning Deeds of Arms out of the Realm upon Land and Matters touching Wars within the Realm which the Common Law cannot determine 9. The Lord High admiral of England whose Trust and Honour is so great that this Office hath been usually given either to some of the King 's younger Sons near Kinsmen or one of the chiefest Peers of the Realm To him is committed the Management of all Maritime Affairs the Government of the King's Navy a decisive Power in all Causes Maritime as well Civil as Criminal He also Commissionates Vice-Admirals Reer-Admirals Sea-Captains c. and enjoys a number of Priviledges too many here to be mention'd This Office is commonly executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Admiralty as at present After the Officers of the Crown we might here subjoin the various Courts of Judicatory establisht in this Kingdom especially the High Court of Parliament which is Supreme to all others and to whom all last Appeals are made I might here likeways mention all the Subordinate Courts of this Realm particularly that of the King's-Bâ—nch the Court of Common Pleas the High Court of Chancery the Exchequer and the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. as also the Ecclesiastical Courts in Subordination to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Court of Arches the Court of Audience the Prerogative Court the Court of Faculties and that of Peculiars But to declare the Nature and Constitution the ample Privileges and manner of Procedure in each of them would far exceed the narrow Bounds of an Abstract I shall not therefore descend to particulars only adding to this Paragraph that besides these various Courts above-mention'd the King consulting the ease and welfare of the Subject Administers Justice by his Itinerate Judges and that in their yearly Circuits through the Kingdom and for the better governing of and keeping the King's Peace in particular Counties Hundreds Cities Burroughs and Villiages of this Realm Counties have their respective Lord Lieutenants Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace Hundreds their Bailiffs High-Constables and Petty-Constables Cities their Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs c. Burroughs and Towns incorporate have either a Mayor or two Bailiffs or a Portrive who in Power are the same with Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices are Justices of the Peace within their own Liberties And lastly Villiages are in Subjection to the Lord of the Mannor under whom is the Constable or Headborough to keep the Peace apprehend Offenders and bring them before the Justice Of such an admirable Constitution is the English Government that no Nation whatsoever can justly pretend to such a Model and no People in the World may live more happy if they please so that it may be justly affirm'd of them what the Poet saith in another Case only with change of Persons O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint Anglicanos The Ensigns Imperial of the Monarch of Great Britain are in the first place Azure Three Flower-de-Luces Or the Royal Arms of France quartered with the Imperial Ensings of England which are Gules Three Lyons passant Gardant in Pale Or. In the second place within a double tressure Counter flowr'd de lys Or a Lyon Rampant Gules for the Royal Arms of Scotland In the third place Azure and Irish Harp Or string'd Argent for the Royal Ensigns of Ireland In the fourth place as in the first These Ensigns Armoral are quartered after a new manner since the late Revolution the English Arms being put before the French and the whole charg'd with an Escutcheon of the House of Nassau which is Azure Semi-billets a Lyon Rampant Or Languid and Armed Gules all within the Garter the chief Ensign of that most Noble Order above the same an Helmet answerable to King William's Sovereign Jurisdiction upon the same a rich Mantle of Cloath of Gold doubled Ermin adorn'd with an Imperial Crown and surmounted for a Crest by a Lyon passant Gardent Or Crowned as the former and an Unicorn Argent Gorged with a Crown thereto a Chain affixt passing between his Forelegs and reflex'd over his Back Or both standing upon a Compartment plac'd underneath and in the Table of that Compartment is express'd the King of England's Motto which is Dieu mon Droit but of late Jâ— Maintiendray The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part of the true Reform'd Religion publickly profess'd and carefully taught in its choicest Purity In Reforming of which they were not so hurri'd by popular Fury and Faction as in other Nations but proceeded in a more Prudent Regular and Christian Method resolving to separate no farther from the Church of Rome than she had separated from the Truth embracing that excellent Advice of the Prophet Jer. 6. 16. Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein So that the Reform'd Church of England is a true Mean or middle Way betwixt those two Extreams of Supperstition and Phanaticism both equally to be avoided The Doctrine of
the Island to which Exercise those Creatures are said to have been so nicely bred that at the first Sound of the Bell they would give over their Game and immediately return to the Convent 4. In the Maritime Village of Salines is a ruinous Greek Church where Strangers are led into a little obscure Tomb which the Modern Greeks affirm to be the place of Lazarus's second Interment 5. Adjacent to Salines is a remarkable Lake or Natural Salt-pit of a considerable extent whose Water congeals into solid white Salt by the Power of the Sun-beams Lastly In this Island is a high Hill the Ancient Olympus of Cyprus call'd by the Franks The Mountain of the Holy Cross remarkable for nothing at present save several Monastries of Greek Caloyers of the Order of St. Basil Here is one Greek Archbishop who commonly resideth nigh to Nicosia and three Bishops whose places of Residence are Paphos Larnica and Cerines This Island being inhabited by Greeks and Mahometans especially the former they being far superior in number to the Turks their respective Characters are already given page 174 and 181. to which I remit the Reader Languages here in use are the Turkish and Vulgar Greek especially the latter but Lingua Franca is the Tongue they commonly speak with Strangers it being understood and us'd by all trading People in the Levant This Island hath been subject at different times to a great many different Sovereigns particularly the Grecians Egyptians Romans once the English when Conquer'd by Richard I. and lastly the Venetians from whom 't was wrested by the Turks Anno 1571. under whose heavy Yoke it now groaneth and is rul'd by its particular Bassa who ordinarly resideth at Nicosia See the Danuubian Provinces page 182. The Inhabitants of this Island being Greeks and Turks as aforesaid the former profess Christianity according to the Tenets of the Greek Church which may be seen page 176. and the latter Mahometanism according to their Alcoran for the principal Articles of which Vid. page 182. As for the Franks here residing they make Profession of the respective Religions of the Country from whence they came This Island receiv'd the Light of the Blessed Gospel in the Apostolick Age. Other observable Islands in the Mediterranean Sea are Those of Negropont Chief Town Idem Adjacent to the E. of Greece Stalimene Idem In the Archipelago from N. to S. Tenedo Metelino Idem Scio Idem Sdelle Samo Idem Lango Rhodes Idem Cerigo Idem lying between Candia and the Morea Zant Idem In the Ionian Sea from S. to N. W. Cephalonia Argostoli Corfu Idem Somewhat of each of these and in their Order Therefore I. Negropont formerly Eubaea and Chalcis is generally thought to have been annext to the main Continent and separated therefrom by an Earthquake It s Soil is very fruitful and M. Caristo is noted for excellent Morble and the famous Stone Amianios or Asbestos The whole Island is subject at present to the Turks and rul'd by a particular Bassa who has also the Command of Achaia and is Admiral of the Turkish Fleet. II. Stalimene the Ancient Lemnos so famous among the Poets is also subject to the Great Turk and observable only for a kind of Medicinal Earth call'd formerly Terra Lemnia but now Terra Sigillata because yearly gathered and put up in little Sacks which are seal'd with the Grand Signior's Seal otherways not vendible to the Merchant III. Tenedo or Tenedos an Island much noted of old as being dedicated to Apollo and the place where the Grecians hid themselves when they feign'd to have lost all hopes of taking Troy It 's now in Possession of the Turks and remarkable for nothing at present except its excellent Muscadine Wine IV. Metellino now scarcely observable for any thing save its Antient Name of Lesbos which was the Birth place of Sappho the Inventress of Sapphick Verse 'T was for some time under the Venetians but now the Turks to whom it pays yearly the Sum of 18000 Piasters V. Scio alias Chios is an Island of much request among the Turks for its great plenty of Mastick which is yearly gathered by the Sultan's Bostangi's or Gardeners for the use of the Seraglio 't was lately taken by the Venetians who possess'd it but a short time VI. Sdelle is also in the Hands of the Turk and famous for nothing at present save only its ancient now corrupted Name of Delos and some stately Ruins of Apollo's Temple still visible with those of a large Theatre and a Marble Portico VII Samo There 's scarce any Island in the Archipelago more frequently mention'd by the Ancients than this of Samo formerly Samos It went also by the Names of Parthenia Anthemosa Melamphylos Dryusa Cyparissa and several others 'T is now subject to the Turk and hath reason to boast of nothing so much as having been the Birth-place of that famous Philosopher Pythagoras VIII Lango formerly known by the Name of Co Coa or Cos and remarkable of old for the Temple of Aesculapius and being the Birth-place of the renowned Hippocrates and Apâ—lles It belong'd to the Knights of Rhodes but now to the Turks IX Rhodes This Island is famous all the World over for that huge brazen Colossus of the Sun formerly here erected and deservedly reckon'd one of the World's Wonders The Inhabitants were likways so famous for their skill in Navigation that for some Ages they were Sovereigns of these Seas and made so just and excellent Laws in Maritime Affairs as were afterwards esteem'd worthy of being incorporated in the Roman Pandects This Island after the loss of Jerusalem and St. John d' Acre was taken from the Saracans by the Hospitallers or Knights of St. John Anno 1309. who continued Masters of it till 1522. when Solyman II. Conquer'd it by the Treachery of Amurath a Portuguize Since which time it hath own'd the Grand Signior for its Sovereign and is now rul'd by a particular Bassa sent thither from the Ottoman Port. X. Cerigo the Cythera of the Antients being a considerable Island inhabited by Greeks and subject to the Republick of Venice is govern'd by a Noble Venetian in Quality of a Providitor who is renew'd every two Years This Isle produceth some exceilent Wine but in no great Quantity It 's also stockt with store of good Venison and a competency of Corn and Oyl sufficient for its number of Inhabitants The Greeks here residing have the greater Veneration for this place upon the account of a Vulgar Opinion now current among 'em which is that St. John the Divine began here to write his Apocalypse XI Zant formerly Zacynthus is another Island belonging to the Venetians and one of the richest in the Streights abounding with Wine and Oyl but mostly noted for Currants of which there is such plenty that many Ships are yearly fraughted with them for divers Ports of Europe And such Advantage is that Currant-Trade to the Republick of Venice that the Profits
Vultures Their manner of Living is commonly in Tents in the open Fields which they remove from place to place according to the time of the Year and conveniency of Grazing Many of 'em make excellent Soldiers being not only willing and able to endure great Fatigues but also very dexterous and daring in time of Engagement When they seem many times to fly before their Enemies they 'll unexpectedly send back a dreadful Shower of Arrows in the Faces of their Pursuers and frequently turning about do give them a violent Charge and all without the least disorder When their great Cham dies 't is reportd That many of his chief Officers are immediately kill'd and interred with him that they may also attend him as they imagine in the other World according to their respective Posts here The Language us'd by the Asiatick Tartars is not much different from the Tartaresque spoken by those of Crim Tartary a Specimen of which is already given in Europe and both have a great Affinity with the Turkish The vast Body of Tartary is said to be subject to several Princes who are wholly accountable in their Government to one Sovereign who is commonly term'd the Great Cham whose Government is most Tyrannical and Crown hereditary The Lives and Goods of his People are altogether in his Power His Subjects stile him the Sun and Shadow of the Immortal God and render him a kind of Adoration never speaking unto him Face to Face but falling down upon their Knees with their Faces towards the Ground He looks upon himself as the Monarch of the whole World and from that vain Opinion is reported to cause his Trumpets to sound every Day after Dinner pretending thereby to give leave to all other Kings and Princes of the Earth to Dine For the better management of Publick Affairs he 's said to appoint two Councils each consisting of twelve Persons the wisest and best experienced of any that he can pitch upon of which one doth constantly attend the Affairs of State and the other those which relate to the War Yet after all this mighty Cham is lookt upon by some Judicious Persons as a meer Chimera and those strange Relations concerning him though hitherto current are thought to have a near Affinity unto the Legenda Aurea of the Roman Church The most receiv'd Opinion about the Arms of the Great Cham is that as Emperor of Tartary he bears Or an Owl Sable But what as King of China see the following Section The Inhabitants of this Country are partly Pagan partly Mahometan and partly Christian Paganism doth chiefly prevail in the Northmost Parts the People being generally gross Idolaters in those places In the Southern Provinces they 're for the most part followers of Mahomet's Doctrine especially since the Year 1246. And towards the Caspian Sea are found a considerable number of Jews thought by some to be the Off-spring of the ten Tribes led away Captive by Salmanasser Those of the Christian Religion overgrown of late by Nestorianism are scatter'd up and down in several Parts of this vast Country but most numerous in Cathay and the City of Cambalu The Christian Faith was first planted in this Country as is generally believ'd by the Labours of St. Andrew and St. Philip two of the Apostles SECT II. Concerning China  d. m. Situated between 118 00 of Long. It s greatest Length from N. E. to S. W is about 1380 Miles 141 00 between 20 30 of Latit Breadth from N. to S. is about 1260 Miles 41 10 China contains Sixteen Provinces Viz. 6 North Leaotung Chief Town Leaoyang E. to W. Xantung Chinan Peking Idem aliter Xuntien Xansi Taiyven Honau Kaijung Xensi Sigan 10 South Nanking Id. alit Kiangnan E. to W Chekiang Haugchew Kiangsi Nanchang Fokien Focheu Huquang Unchang Quantung Quancheu Suchuen Chingtu Queicheu Queiyang Quansi Quilin Junnan Idem THIS Country thought by most Geographers to be the Ancient Sinae mention'd by Ptolomy is term'd by the French la Chine and by the Italians Spaniards Germans and English China so call'd according to the best Conjecture from one of its Ancient Monarchs nam'd Cina who is said to have liv'd about fifty Years before the Nativity of our Blessed Saviour Many other Names it hath had since that time for when the Government falls from one Family to another the first Prince of that Name is said to give a new Name to the whole Country the latest of which Modern Names are Tamin signifying the Kingdom of Brightness and Chuinque i. e. The Kingdom of the Middle the Chineses imagining that the Earth is Square and that their Country is situated exactly in the middle of it The Air of this Country is generally very Temperate save only towards the North where 't is sometimes intollerably Cold and that because of several Mountains of a prodigious height whose Tops are ordinarily cover'd with Snow The opposite Place to China is the South part of Brasil together with the East of Paraguay This Country it lying in the 4th 5th 6th North Climate is for the most part of a very rich and fertil Soil insomuch that its Inhabitants in several places are said to have two and sometimes three Harvests in a Year It abounds with Corn Wine and all kinds of Fruits Its Lakes and Rivers are very well furnisht with Fish and some afford various kinds of Pearls and Bezoar of great value Its Mountains are richly lin'd with several Mines of Gold and Silver Its Plains are extraordinary fit for Pasturage And its pleasant Forests are every where stor'd with all sorts of Venison In a word the whole Country in general is esteem'd one of the best in the World The longest Day in the Northmost Parts is about 14 Hours ¾ the shortest in the Southmost is about 10 Hours ¾ and the Nights proportionable The Commodities of this Country are Gold Silver Precious Stone Quicksilver Porcelline Dishes Silks Cottons Rhubarb Sugar Camphire Musk Ginger China-Wood c. Peculiar to this Country is a short Tree with a round Head and very thick which in respect of its Fruit may bear the Name of the Tallow Tree for at a certain Season of the Year 't is full of Fruit containing divers Kernels about the bigness of a small Nut which Kernels have all the Qualities of Tallow being the very same both as to Colour Smell and Consistency and by mixing a little Oyl with them do make as good burning Candles as Europeans usually make of pure Tallow it self 2 Here is a large Mountain full of terrible Caverns in one of which is a Lake of such a nature that if a Stone be thrown into it presently there 's heard a hideous noise as of a frightful Clip of Thunder and sometimes there ariseth a gross Mist which immediately dissolves into Water 3. In the City of Peking is a prodigious big Bell weighing 120000 Pounds surpassing the noted Bell of Erfurd in Upper
and which some of our Modern Jews would fain perswade the World were now to be found in this Country being formerly said to be in Judaea 't is justly lookt upon as one of the many Rabbinical Fictions among them Although the Abyssines allow of an Ecclesiastical Hierarchy in the Alexandrian Church whose Patriarch is own'd as their Head yet they don 't now admit of any other Order among 'em superior to that of a Presbyter save only their Abbuna The Inhabitants of this Country being Persons of of a tawny Colour are generally esteem'd an ignorant lazy and perfidious sort of People not to be credited unless they swear by the Life of their Emperor Of several ridiculous Customs among 'em one is That they generally hate a Smith as the Devil Those in and about Chaxumo are reckon'd the best of the whole Empire divers of them being accounted very Ingenious besides many others who betake themselves to a devout and religious sort of living The Abyssine Tongue seems to have some Affinity with the Hebrew and Chaldaic It 's divided into a great many Dialects the chief and most refin'd of which is the Amaric and those so different from one another that some reckon no fewer than eight different Languages within the Limits of this Empire Remarkable is the Abyssine Tongue for one thing truly singular and peculiar to it viz. That whereas the Letter A is reckon'd the first of the Alphabet in all known Languages of the World yet wtih the Abyssines 't is commonly accounted the thirteenth according to Ludolphus his Grammar This spacious Country is subject to one Sovereign stil'd in the Ethiopian Language Naggasi which signifies Lord or Ruler otherways Neguscha Nagascht i â— Rex Regum As for the European Title of Prester or Presbyter John that 's now reckon'd as one of the many Vulgar Errors in the World It 's generally agreed upon That this Ethiopian Monarch fancieth himself to be sprung from Solomon and Maqueda or Nizaule according to Josephus Queen of the South He 's said to assume a great many vain and exorbitant Titles expressing all those Provinces by Name comprehended within the Circuit of his Dominions and stiling himself The Beloved of God sprung from the Stock of Judah The Son of David The Son of Solomon The Son of the Column of Sion The Son of the Seed of Jacob The Son of the Hand of Mary The Son of Nahu after the Flesh The Son of St. Peter and Paul after the Spirit c. His Government is altogether Despotical his Subjects being treated as the worst of Slaves He is so reverenc'd by the greatest of 'em that at his very Name they bow their Bodies and touch the Ground with one of their Fingers The Empire doth not descend to the Eldest Son but to him whom the Father upon his Death-bed shall be pleas'd to name The Abyssine Emperors for Ensigns Armorial bear a Lyon holding a Cross with the following Motto Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda. Within the Limits of this spacious Empire is a great mixture of People as Pagans Jews and Mahometans of various Nations but the main Body of the Natives is Christian They hold the written Word of God to be the only Rule of Faith and that the Canon of Holy Scripture consists of Eighty five Books whereof Forty six they say are in the Old and Thirty nine in the New Testament They 're not well acquainted with the Apostolick Creed but in lieu thereof do use the Nicene or rather Constantinopolitan As to the grand Doctrine of the Incarnation they 're generally Eutychians being formerly led into that detestable Heresy by Dioscorus Patriarch of Alexandria In the Person of their Emperor they lodge the Supreme Authority in all Matters as well Ecclesiastical as Civil and do thereupon wholly deny the Supremacy of the Bishop of Rome allowing him indeed to be the first Patriarch but esteeming it Antichristian in him to pretend to a Jurisdiction over the whole Church of Christ As they disown the Pope's Supremacy so also do they disclaim most Points of the Popish Doctrine particularly those of Transubstantiation Purgatory Service in an Unknown Tongue Auricular Confession Images in Churches Celebacy of the Clergy Extream Unction c. They make use of different Forms in Baptism and keep both Saturday and Sunday as Sabbath They punctually observe Circumcision and abstain from eating of Swine's Flesh not out of any regard to the Mosaick Law but purely as an Ancient Custom of their Country They 're much enclin'd to giving of Alms and visiting the Sick Their Divine Service doth wholly consist in Reading of the Holy Scriptures Administration of the Eucharist and hearing some Homilies of the Fathers They repair to Church by times and never enter with their Shooes on nor sit down unless upon the bare Ground They carfully observe the appointed Hours for Publick Prayer and perform that Duty with great Devotion In a word many of the Abyssines express in several respects a deep Sense of Religion For a particular Account of this People both as to their Religion and other Remarkables Vid. J. Ludolphuâ—'s Ethiopick History The Roman Missionaries did so prevail about Seventy Years ago that the Popish Religion was like to have got sure footing in this Empire for they had once gain'd the Emperor and Court and obtain'd a Proclamation in their Favours enjoyning the whole Body of the People to embrace the Doctrine of the Roman Church But the Abyssines were so loath to part with the Religion of their Forefathers that the Emperor's endeavour to propagate the Roman Faith occasion'd many dreadful Insurrections in his Empire which could not be quell'd without shedding a Sea of Blood Finding therefore his endeavours to be in vain and dreading the consequence of making any new Attempt he wholly gave over the Design and not only return'd to his former Belief himself but also gave leave to all his Subjects to do the same And that he might regain the almost lost Affection of his People he forthwith banish'd out of his Dominions all Roman Missionaries whatsoever together with Alphonso Mendez a Jesuit who having been consecrated Patriarch of Ethiopia at Lisbon and approv'd by the Pope had been honourably receiv'd by the Abyssine Emperor under that Character and resided at Court in a peaceable discharge of his Office for several Years As for the Plantation of Christianity in this Country 't is a constant Tradition among the Inhabitants that the Eunuch baptiz'd by Philip the Deacon was Steward to the Empress of Ethiopia and that upon his return he converted the Court and whole Empire to the Christian Faith But following the Opinion of the most Judicious Writers this Country was destitute of the Blessed Gospel till the Fourth Century when first instructed therein by Frumentius the Son of a Tyrian Merchant who was consecrated Bishop by St. Athanasius and is commonly reckon'd the first Abbuna of this mighty Empire § 2
contains a good quantity of Liquor as limpid as the best Fountain-water and the Surface thereof is cover'd with a pure Oilysubstance This Liquor being a little boil'd tastes like a good palatable Wine if much boil'd 't is extreamly sweet and if long kept unboil'd no Vinegar is sowrer 3. In the Audience of Guatimala are several remarkable Vulcano's particularly that near Rea-Lejo which towrs up like a Sugar-loaf to a great height and always Smokes As also the burning Mountain of Leon West of the Lake Nicaragua which frequently evacuates Fire as well as Smoke 4. Nigh to Guatulco on the Western Coast is a great hollow Rock call'd by the Spaniards Buffadore which having a large Hole in its top make a hideous Noise at every Surge of the Sea and spouts up Water as a Whale to a prodigious height 5. In some Parts of this Country are several Springs of Water so impregnorated with certain Minerals that the Current issuing from them is of so darkish a Colour that it resembles a Stream of Ink. 6 Remarkable is the Lake of Mexico for several particulars As First It s having two sorts of Water viz. Fresh and Salt Secondly That the Fresh is usually Calm and aboundeth with Fishes whereas the Salt is for the most part Boisterous and breedeth none Thirdly In the middle of this Lake is a pleasant Rock out of which doth issue a considerable Stream of hot Water much esteem'd off for several Distempers Lastly Upon this Lake are several delightful Artificial Gardens well stockt with variety of Herbs and Flowers and moveable from one place to another being supported by large Floats of Timber Vid. J. Acosta his Natural and Moral History of the Indies Here is one Spanish Archshoprick viz. that of Mexico Spanish Bishopricks erected here are those of Merida Chiapa St. Jago de los Cavalleras Mechoaca Honduras Leon in Nicaragua Guaxaca Vera paz Antequera Guadalajara Pueblo de los Angelos The Natives of this Country are now esteem'd a People very Civil and Docile and extraordinary faithful to those they love Some of 'em are also wonderfully Ingenious especially in Painting and making most lively Pictures with various colour'd Feathers of certain little Birds call'd Cincons Others are said to Play incomparably well upon divers Musical Instruments In short the generality of this People is so civiliz'd that they live after the manner of the Spaniards save a few commonly residing in the Mountains who continue as Wild and Savage as ever The Spaniards here residing are much the same with those in Spain The prevailing Language in this Country is the Spanish it being not only in use among the Spaniards but also the Natives themselves who generally understand and speak the same The various Dialects of their Ancient Jargon do daily decrease and in a few Generations will be quite extinguish'd This large and pleasant Country was of old subject unto and rul'd by its own Sovereign Princes call'd Kings of Mexico and had continued according to probable Conjectures a mighty and flourishing Monarchy for many Ages before 't was invaded by the Spaniards But being fully conquer'd by them with only a handful of Men Anno 1521. under the Valiant Ferdinando Gortez it hath ever since remained subject to the Crown of Spain being govern'd by a Vice-Roy commonly residing at Mexico and to him is intrusted the oversight of all the Governors of the various Provinces belonging to his Catholick Majesty in North America Arms. None The Inhabitants of this Country are partly Christian partly Pagan and as 't were a mixture of the two The Spaniards are rigid Papists according to the strict Profession of Popery in their own Country Of the Natives many do still retain their heathenish Worship and indeed multitudes are converted to Christianity according to the Doctrine of the Church of Rome but by our latest Accounts they 're hardly persuaded as yet of the Truth of those Doctrines taught them SCET. II. Concerning New Mexico or Nova Granada This Country is of no certain Extent nor Division its chief Town is S. Fee or New Mexico upon the River North. THIS Country discover'd by the Spaniards Anno 1540. is term'd by the Italians Granada Nouella by the Spaniards Nueva Granada by the French Nouelle Granada by the Germans Neu Granada and by the English New Mexico or Nova Granada It was call'd Mexico after the Empire of that Name describ'd in the foregoing Section and the Epithet Neuva or New was added by the Spaniards to distinguish it from the said Empire its Discovery being posterior to that of Mexico The Title of Nova Granada was also given it by the Spaniards and that from a Province of the same Name in their own Country The Air of this Country according to the Climate is abundantly temperate and generally esteem'd very wholesome to breath in but attended with the great Inconveniency of frequent Hurricanes besides Thunder and Lightning The opposite Place of the Globe to Nova Granada is that part of the Ethiopick Ocean lying between 70 and 90 Degrees of Longitude with 20 and 40 Degrees of South Latitude This Country is but badly known and the Soil of those Parts already discover'd very ordinary being generally a dry faudy barren Ground far inferior to most other Countries in America belonging to the Spaniards Its Bounds being undetermin'd especially in the Northmost Parts we can say nothing of the true Extent of its Days and Nights This Country being none of the best and but rarely frequented by Strangers its Commodities are very few Cattle being the chief or only thing they Trade in What things in Nova Granada do truly merit the Epithets of Rare and Curious we must refer to the better Discovery of after Ages our knowledge of this Country being as yet but very slender Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universitities None The Inhabitants of this Country except those call'd Panches in the Southmost Parts are said to be of a much less Savage Temper than most of the wild Americans They are much given to Hunting and several of 'em understand Agriculture tollerably well The Spaniards here residing do commonly use the Spanish Tongue As for the Natives of this Country they retain their own Jargon of which we can give no account The New Mexicans are still govern'd by certain Captains of their own call'd Caciques but the Spaniards here residing and those of the civilized Natives are rul'd by a particular Governor sent thither by the King of Spain whose place of Residence is ordinarily at Santa Fee upon the River Nort. The Natives of this Country are generally gross Idolaters and many of 'em have little or no Sign of Religion at all The Spaniards here residing are the same in Religion with those in Europe SECT III. Concerning Florida  d. m. Situated between 276 00 of Long. It s greatest Length from E. to W. is about 1000
all Countries of the World it may sufficiently appear in general That the Christian Religion is of a very small Extent if exactly compar'd with those many and vast Countries wholly overspread with gross Idolaters numerous Mahometans and many others who either know not or at least own not the Blessed Messias But more particularly this great and sad Truth may farther appear by the following Calculation ingeniously made by some who dividing the inhabited World into thirty Parts do find that Nineteen of them are possessed by Blind and gross Idolaters Six Jews Turks and Saracens Two Those of the Greek Church Three Those of the Church of Rome Protestant Communion Thus Christianity taken in its largest Latitude bears no greater Proportion to the other grosly false Religions than five to twenty five This melancholy Consideration doth force me to bewail that woful neglect of the best Part of the Christian Church for not being so diligent as others are in endeavouring to abolish Heathenish Idolatry and that most lamentable Ignorance which as yet overshadoweth so great a Part of the inhabited World It 's undoubtedly well known that the effectual performance of such a Work as this would require no inconsiderable Stock of Money it being now impracticable to make Solemn Missions or qualify Men for them without considerable Charges and yet a sufficient Fund might be so easily rais'd that none could reasonably complain of the burden should the following Proposals be so happily made as to meet with a due Reception Did every Freeholder of the Three Kingdoms advance only for one Year the Five hundredth part of his yearly Incomes Did those Merchants of this great City who are particularly concern'd in our Foreign Plantations and daily imploy great multitudes of Pagan Slaves in their Service allow the Two hundreth part of one years Gain And finally did the Clergy of the Three Kingdoms whose Zeal in such a Matter would probably transcend others appropriate to this pious Use One hundredth part of their yearly Revenues I say did Priest and People thus unanimously combine together in carrying on this most Christian Design what an easy matter were it in a short time to raise such a Fund of Money that the Annual Interest thereof might sufficiently serve to send Yearly some Pious and Able Divines into all Quarters of the World And since Rational Methods might be taken to have several Pagan Tongues taught in our own Island a considerable part of the aforesaid Money might be likewise imploy'd to Educate a competent number of young Students of Theology in these Foreign Languages which number being still continued would serve as a choice Nursery to afford a constant Supply of able Men who might yearly go abroad and be sufficiently qualified at their first arrival to undertake that great Work for which they were sent But since the latter Part of the foregoing Proposal which imports that Europeans might learn some of the present Indian Languages doth seem impracticable to several by reason of the prodigious multitude of those Pagan Tongues and their vast variety of quite different Dialects Then we may follow the Example of the Ancient Romans whose Custom and Interest it was to extend their own Language with their Conquests and so extinguish in process of time the very Dialect of the Conquered Did we this in all Parts of our Western Empire which without doubt might be fully accomplisht in a few Generations by duly encouraging some hundreds of Christians to endeavour in the most alluring manner to instruct the younger sort of the Natives in the English Tongue Then in the next or following Age might we Address our selves to those blind Gentiles in our own Language and so instilling in them by degrees the Principles of Christianity might thereby in a short time bring in many thousands of Souls to the Sheepfold of the Pastor and Bishop of our Souls I think it needless to express how commendable such a Design would be in it self and how desirable the Promotion thereof should be to all who stile themselves Christians of what Party or Profession soever they are And I humbly suppose it might be a Work if unanimously minded by Christians more becoming the Followers of the Prince of Peace than to be Abettors of the frequent Jars and Broils of Christendom Besides there 's certainly nothing that could prove more beneficial to the Publick Good of this Nation and Particular Interest of the Crown of England for did most or many of the Natives understand and speak our own Language then might we not thereby more exactly discover the Inland Parts of these Countries and with greater security improve them to the greatest Advantage Might we not thereby make multitudes of idle wandring Indians very useful to our English Colonies and then chiefly imploy Europeans for the Guard and Safety of the Country Yea did many of the Natives but tollerably understand and speak the English Tongue then might we not in all human appearance Civilize them intirely in a short time and so add many thousands of new English Subjects to the English Empire All which are morally impossible now to be done since the numerous Dialects of their barbarous Jargon together with their own Barbarity are as so many Bars against such Undertakings Great Sirs Pardon these Proposals here offer'd to the serious Consideration of those whom they chiefly concern and give me leave to declare unto you how infinitely it would tend to the Glory of God the Good of his Church and Honour of our Nation did we sincerely endeavour to extend the Limits of our Saviour's Kingdom with those of our new Dominions and to spread the true Reform'd Religion as far as the English Sails have done for Traffick With what Anxiety of Mind and Fatigue of Body do we pierce into the remotest Countries of the World And all to heap up a little White and Yellow Earth or to purchase some things call'd Precious by Man which abstracting Human Fancy do differ nothing from common Pibble Stones and yet what a supine neglect doth attend us in doing that which would bring more Honour to our Holy Religion and prove at last more profitable to our selves than the actual Possession of all the Treasures in the Universe What a lamentable thing is it That those very Indians who border upon the English Pale not to mention some thousands of Negroes who slave in our Service should still continue in most wretched Ignorance and in stead of Knowing and Worshipping the True God should as yet reverence not only Stocks and Stones but also adore the Devil himself Christians Shall we covet and thirst after their Talents of Gold and yet keep hid in a Napkin that Talent entrusted to us Shall we greedily bereave them of their Precious Pearls and not declare unto them the Knowledge of the Pearl of Price No! no! Let us not act as others have done in making Gold our God and Gain the sole design of our Trading But let us effectually