An exact and curious suruey of all the East Indies, euen to Canton, the chiefe cittie of China all duly performed by land, by Monsieur de Monfart, the like whereof was neuer hetherto, brought to an end. VVherein also are described the huge dominions of the great Mogor, to whom that honorable knight, Sir Thomas Roe, was lately sent ambassador from the King. Newly translated out of the trauailers manuscript.

An exact and curious suruey of all the East Indies, euen to Canton, the chiefe cittie of China all duly performed by land, by Monsieur de Monfart, the like whereof was neuer hetherto, brought to an end. VVherein also are described the huge dominions of the great Mogor, to whom that honorable knight, Sir Thomas Roe, was lately sent ambassador from the King. Newly translated out of the trauailers manuscript.

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARLE OF PEMBROKE, one of the Lords of his Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsell, and Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter.

A Preface of the Translator.

THE TRAVAILES of Monsieur de Monfart to CHINA by land, the like whereof was neuer yet performed.

Certaine generall obseruations, touching the Indies.

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AN EXACT AND CVRIOVS SVRVEY Of all the East Indies, euen to Canton, the chiefe Cittie of China: All duly performed by land, by Monsieur de Monfart, the like whereof was neuer hetherto, brought to an end.

VVherein also are described the huge Dominions of the great Mogor, to whom that honorable Knight, Sir Thomas Roe, was lately sent Ambassador from the KING.

Newly translated out of the Trauailers Manuscript.

LONDON, Printed by Thomas Dawson, for VVilliam Arondell, in Pauls Church-yard, at the Angell. 1615.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARLE OF PEMBROKE, one of the Lords of his Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsell, and Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter.

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RIGHT HONORABLE,

THis euery way so meane a Booke, and so vnmeasurably disproportioned to your HONORS eminent ranke and merite, I durst neuer haue presumed to haue cast, no not so high as your feete, for the first publike token [Page] of my wholly deouted seruice, and humble dutie; but that my selfe being totally, truely and most deseruedly yours, any thing that is in me, or shall euer come from me, little or much, and of what nature soeuer, must needs acknowledge that dependance. And when I remembred, the Earnest is euer the least part, yea often no part, of the Payment, (neyther do I here intend more) I had some hope your true Noblenes would not altogether reiect it. Vouchsafe, then my most noble Lord, to suffer it to passe as a meere Earnest, or rather an Entayle to your Lord-ship, of whatsoeuer I shall at any time hereafter, be able more happily to bring forth, for your seruice and pleasure. Which (regardles as it is) if it may but escape the imputation of an offence, it is the highest ayme of him, that neyther desires, nor is worthy longer to liue, then he shall giue the world notice to his vtmost, how much he is,

Your Lord-ships most humble, and bounden in all duties▪

A Preface of the Translator.

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YET WAS I NOT SO much the Translator, as the Fashioner of this worke. It was my good hap in my last iourney into Fraunce, to bee acquainted with that braue Spirit, the right Author and performer therof; who, a right French Gentleman withall, howsoeuer indowed with Courage and other Martiall qualities, (yet as though learning were a staine to a Noble blood, with vs) the truth is, he cannot very well write; strongly possessed, with that actiue humor of ours, so much bent to Doing, as can little curbe it selfe to Musing; and with that preiudicat opinion, (the Ship-wracke of all our young Nobilitie) that it is onely for a Gentleman to ride, not to reade, and rather handle a bad sword, then a good booke, but a Pen least of all. Which hath euer beene the vnluckie [Page] cause that our worthiest counsels, and most generous exployts in peace, or warre, would lye for euer buryed vnder the dust of forgetfulnesse, with the same bodyes that performed them; If euen they who haue felt most smart by vs, had not set them downe to our owne knowledge, and of all nations, to diminish their shame by the valor of their Enemies. So then this Gentleman hauing onely taken some notes of his iourneyes, still as hee went, not able to make a right treatise of them, for want of a fit writer in those barbarous Countries, being as he thought, at his trauels end, and happilie landed in Christendome, hee found it in this case farre more Barbarous. For there he was taken himselfe, and in one of the most rich, and famous Sea-citties of the world, kept foure yeeres in pryson, watching him carefully, with an intent, so to keepe him all his lifetyme, least by a full discourse he should make other Nations acquainted with these his obseruations, thereby to giue them an entrance into that Earthly Paradise, which they so enuiously barre from all notice, and entercourse of the whole world, by the flaming Mouth of so manie Cannons, and the Sun-burnt Garisons of their blacke Angels, the dearer to sell vnto vs those delightfull fruits of life, which we could fetch our selues at a better rate: In that plight, our Traueller was faine to commend all his knowledge to his best memorie (a qualitie wherewith God hath largely requited his not being a great Rethoritiā) & principally to his notes, which yet in the middest of all his troubles, and no small losses, he was more careful to keepe then his treasure. So as soone as by a very extraordinary and much vnlooked-for fauour [Page] from Heauen, hee had made meanes, in fauour of two great mariages intended, to get out; and finally, being arriued at Paris, I was chosen for the framing and setting together this dis-ioynted Treatise, enlarging his notes from his owne mouth (as sometimes one doth after a Sermon) and was allowed my owne Coppie for my labour. The like whereof I may safely auouch is but in three hands besides, through all the world; the one in the Closet of our most Noble and hopefull young King, (whom God for euer blesse:) the other, with a great Prince; the third, with the Author himselfe. Now the truth is, that as soone as I had but the first sight thereof, I immediatly, according to my former resolution and profession, whollie to applie my selfe, my studies, my life, and best endeuours to the seruice and benefit (as farre as I can) of this noble Kingdome, my second and substitute Country, after that which nature first binds me vnto, purposed with my selfe to publish it here, as a witnesse of my true and auncient loue. A loue indeed not humorous, nor new, but trulie bred, euenwith nature in my childhood, & before my knowledge, vnder the tender care of an English mother, now of late in my riper and best yeeres, vppon good triall & iust reasons, (or such at least as I doe flatter my selfe to be so) growne by habitude to such a poynt of bewitching, as euen I content my selfe to forbeare my right Countrie and Kindred, with all my hopes, perhaps not altogether vnlikelie, (or but meere hopes vnbegun) of higher preferment in the multitude of so many friends, great and small, and of both Religions (as I dare say, and withall prayse God for it,) I haue yonder. [Page] Neyther is that loue of mine hid or vnknowne to the world. There are bookes extant in more then one Language to testifie it, which I might very well haue kept back, if it had beene otherwise; since euen many of mine owne Country-men haue taken some exceptions at it, as though (God forbia) I would in some sort dissolue the bands of nature, farre, farre, from my meaning and which scarce can be effected at my very dissolution. Yet did not my loue so much carry me away, as that I would witnesse it in superfluous things. Therefore least I should runne amisse, I was carefull both to recouer and peruse all such Bookes, and Pamflets, as are to be found in English, concerning Asia-Trauailes, which in all doe not amount to fiue or sixe. And finding the most part speakes of nothing els then of Graecia, Arabia, Syria, with some stale tales of Ierusalem, so contrary one to another, and so much beaten, and beaten againe, as it is both shame and losse that such toyes should be vttered, (but that euer some prettie wit must get money by making others loose their tyme) I thought this Author could not but proue profitable, and welcome: Seeing that with no other end, but onely to see & learne, he did vndertake his trauell; without loade, or engagement of marchandise, or of any priuate end, or company, ranging still vp & downe, and curiously prying, and peircing as far as he could into euery Iland, or Continent; yea, neuer by water, where hee might by land, hath discouered in yonder world more Nations, more People, more Kingdomes, more Townes, more Fashions, more Particularities, then euer any man before, or since, to our knowledge. Now for the Style, this [Page] man doth not stand vpon flowers, nor I my selfe; who do follow him as neere as I can. Neyther doth hee fill the paper with idle talkes of a Tempest, or a Ship-wracke; a Robberie here, a Disgrace there; or shamefully recount how many Kicks, how many Knocks, and Bastinadoes hee had this way, or that way; a thing more then most common among Turkes and Infidels. He sweares vpon his credite he had none. Neyther doth he stand vpon any other vayne particulars; but directly goeth to the maine; saying what hee can, and what hee knoweth goes to the heart, and life of whom he intends to bee reuenged, not onely for his long imprisonment, but also for somewhat more then he dares write for this present. Whereof neuerthelesse, he will giue an inkling in his fit place, before he end; sufficient enough to enforme of the whole, such as are not altogether blind, or deafe. But nowe it is high tyme to heare him speake. ⸫

THE TRAVAILES of Monsieur de Monfart to CHINA by land, the like whereof was neuer yet performed.

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IN the name of GOD, in the yeere of our LORD, 1608. I Henry Defeynes, commonly called by the name of the Mannor of Monfart, wayting then vppon the most Illustrious, & most Reuerend Cardinall of Ioyeuse, vpon some priuate discontent taken against such a person, of whom I could not well, nor yet trulie would, reuenge my selfe; knowing nothing doth so much aggrauate, and nourrish vp griefe, as Idlenes, yea, idlenes in the same place where the griefe hath beene taken, and in [Page] continuall sight of the cause and subiect thereof; neither seeing at that time any worthy warre in Christendome, to applie my bodie and minde away from my wonted thoughts; did fully resolue to vndertake some farre and hard trauell, that by leauing behinde olde displeasures, and purposely going to seeke and finde me new, I should striue to banish the one, by meanes of the other; or at least trie what change (the chiefest, I thinke, comfort in misery) would worke in me: For sure it is not to haue fellowes, otherwise a man might soone be contented.

First then I went the common and neerer way from Paris directly to Venice, not yet well resolued which way I should bend afterwards; but determining there to take my course. At Venice I must needs indeed take ship. Therefore hauing resolued vpon Babilon, Persia, and the East Indies, I sayled to Alexandretta, otherwise called by the Turks, Scanderone, in Syria. This is a common way, a knowne towne, which serues for a hauen to Aleppo, though three dayes iourney off. It is an ill-fauoured, vnluckie, and vnwholesome Citty, within eyght myles of Tharshis, the birth-Cittie of S. Paul. But many, going & returning daily from thence, haue both sayd and written so much of it, as I neede little to add. Onely thus much, that it is the first place of firme land, where first and formost, and for the first discommoditie, there are no Innes to bee found for trauellers: so that they must eyther carrie their owne victuals, and prouision themselues, or put it vppon Cammels. Secondly, almost all trauellers, but trulie at least, and chiefely, all Christians, come to loose the [Page] right of themselues, and become as poore wretched slaues, subiect to all iniuries, disgraces, robberies, mis-vsings in words and deeds, by theeues, drunkards, or the next base fellow, from which their very Ianizaries and Gardes, cannot alwayes defend them, though they be payd deerely for it, and sometimes indeed do their best for the same: and for some priuate offence, eyther punish the malefactors themselues, or cause them sharply to be punished. But against hundreds of theeues, as they flocke ordinarily together, to assayle passengers, there is none, nor can be any Iustice, or helpe at all. So that a Christian, being now become the weaker, though twice stronger, must here begin, whether he will or no, to obserue his masters commandement, and turne the left cheeke, when hee hath beene smitten on the right. For indeed the readie way to preuent more blowes, is euen to take the hand that hath stricken you, very hartilie kissing it, & with a cheereful countenance, stroake the knaue by the beard, which he will take verie kindly.

From Scanderone therefore, I went to Aleppo; and your chiefe place in the way, is Antiochia, where Christians were first so called. This Aleppo is one of the fairest and greatest Mart-Citties in all the world. And from thence one cannot trauell with a simple guarde or Conuoy; but with whole Carauans, (otherwise called Caffes) that is, whole numbers and multitudes of men, with their Cammels, ioining and cleauing all in a [Page] troope, like an Armie; to march together in those hence forward most hard, desolate, and very dangerous wayes.

There hauing found the vsuall Embassador from the Basha of Babilon, Captaine of the Caffe, or Carauane, 20 l. sterling which goeth twice a yeare from thence thether, I gaue him a 100. Rials of eight, for my dyet & safe conduct,The Desart. through the Arabian desart. The Carauane cōsisted at that time of 10000 men or rather more. They trauell all by night, as well to auoide the vehement heate of the day, as to be guided by the starre; and therefore such guides as are expert in that faculty, name themselues Pilots. They carry all their victuals on Cammels, till they come to certaine place beyond the Desart, wherof Ile speake anon. This desart is all sandy, and destitute of paths, or highwayes; neither may there be any, by reason of the continual motion, which the wind causeth in the sand. All that groweth there, as well trees as shrubbs, are Caper-plants, or Tamariskes, on which the Cammels do feede. There shall you find no kind of fierce, or Sauage beasts, but only Asses, Roes & Gazells, (which is a kind of wild goates) with an innumerable number of Staggs; yea in such quantity, and so bolde, as often times they run through the Carauane, not knowing whether men are to be feared or no.

We were most commonly constrained for meere necessity, to goe and bayte out of our way, to enioy the vse and commodity of some wells, [Page] which to this day are preserued among the ruines of certaine townes, that heretofore were builded, in those places; And sometimes without finding any: They make their prouison of water in great Borachoes, made of whole goate-skins; and sometimes are much distressed through want of it.

There is no fowle in all the desart but Pigions, which nestle in those ruines. The king of this hether part of the desart, is a Mahometan, tributarie to the Turke, and so superstitious or timorous, that by reason of certaine vowes, customes and auncient traditions, hee neuer entreth vnder any roofe, the better to behold his forces about him. He is so strong, that at an hours warning he will bring 100000. horsemen to the field; with out any difficulty, their horses being the goodliest in the world. Their Attire is after the Turkish fashion, Turbant onely excepted, in steed whereof they haue a kind of Capp, rowled about with a black Turbant. They are of a swart complexion, and all as well men as women goe almost naked. It is very true that such as intend to write back to Aleppo, take with them at their departure some sitting Pigions from their youngones, which afterwards they let flie backe againe from what part soeuer they will, handsomely loaden with their letters: And the like doe they in some other cases for speedy warnings through all those parts.

After thirty dayes iourney, more or lesse, wee [Page] came to Nane, where the whole Carauan takes water vpon Euphrates; Nane, or Anna. and there we reposed and refresht our selues some eight dayes together, expecting boates for our transportation. It is a good Towne, full of bad people; but yet there begins to cease all penury, and discommodity for want of victuals, finding in that Country all kind of meates, and refreshings fit for mans life. So wee embarked our selues there; and after twelue dayes came within foure leagues of Babilon: hauing seene nothing else on either side the riuer but Palme-trees, & Date-trees, which beare most excellent fruite when they bee ripe, and returne a most comfortable odour on the water. Betweene Nane and Babilon, Mare Piceum, wherof Strabo, Pliny and Curtius, doe also speake. there is a great lake, which is vulgarly named the Pitchie sea. I went expresly to see the head of it; which proceedeth out of a rocke in fiue seuerall clefts, about the bignes of a mans waste; which soone after meeting al in one; run 18. leagues long, till it looseth it selfe vnder the ground. This blacke and thick lickour serues to build withall, instead of lime.

There the Basha, sent vs all manner of necessarie assistance, to bring our men and Merchandice to Babilon, Babilon. paying a certaine custome, as one per centum, siluer and precious stones, excepted which are tole-free. This Citty, which now the Turkes call Bagdat, is at this present scituate vpon the Riuer Tigris, and not vpon Euphrates, as aunciently it was; though it bee still the selfe same stuffe and rubbish, which the Babilonians carried foure [Page] leagues further, to rebuild their CITTIE, on the banke of TIGRIS; wherein finding yet a further inconuenience, they transported it on the other side; as to this day there are yet extant great tokens, togeather with some habitations which haue still kept in the first place. There is also a great bridge of boates, though som-what incommodious by reason of the largenes and height of the Riuer. The towne is twice as bigge as Paris, but therein are many great Gardens, Orchards, and arrable grounds: & that which seemes most admirable, is to see so great an enclosure, compassed with so faire wals. For indeed 4. waggons may goe a front vpon them, and are built all with bricke. The houses within the Cittie are lowe enough, vaulted vnder, and tarassed on the top. The Castle is exceeding strong, faire, great, and well stored with munition. There the Basha makes his dwelling place. I sawe him walke abroad on a day, and twas reported hee had very neere 50000 foote to waite vpon him, and as many horse, the best arraied that can euer bee, hauing their harnesses all deckt with gold, siluer, and precious stones, to the very stirrups: with a great noise of Trumpets, Drummes, Cimbals, Clarions and hautbois. I was so curious likewise as to goe to the place, where it is said the great tower of Babel was built,Tower of Babell. being about halfe a dayes iourney distant; where I sawe nothing but a high mountaine of earth in the midst of a plaine wherein digging you may finde certaine bricks, [Page] whereof it is laide the tower was built.

From Babilon I went to Ezpan, Ezpan, or Ispahan in Persia. now the cheife and most gallant Cittie of Persia (I durst allmost say of all the world) where the Sophy is most resident. The way is troublesome and discomodious enough, beeing of fifteene long dayes trauaile, through wast desarts, voyde of al townes and houses, or any other succour, partly by nature, partly so wasted of purpose to impeach th'approches of the Turke. Onely from one dayes Iourney to another, the Sophie hath caused to bee erected certaine kind of great harbours, or huge lodgings (like hamlets) called Carauan-sara, or Surroyes, for the benefit of Carauanes; out of which lodgings, trauailers dare not issue without a conuoy, which the gouernors of the said places giue from one to another; and the Captaine of the conuoy must bring back a good certificat from the Captaine of the Carauan, how hee hath faithfully brought them to the next lodging, and that they were wel pleased with his conuoy. Otherwise vpon the least complaint the king should heare, hee would cause the Gouernors head to be cut off,Seuere iustice. & his house set a fire, vnder whom the spoyle were committed; restoring to the full out of his owne treasure, what goods soeuer of the Marchants, which were past recouerie. Yet is it true, thereof haue beene seene few examples by reason of very few misdemeanures in that nature; but whensoeuer any hath happned, that iustice hath beene seuerely executed. Now these lodgings [Page] are exceeding comely with faire shops belonging thereto; and are able to entertaine all Carauans, neuer so great, the like being so set throughout all Persia.

Hispaan is halfe as bigge againe as Paris; very strong, very populous, & wonderfull frequented, aswell because of trafficke, as for the Kings presence and all the Courts of Iustice, Checker, and Religion. It is vnpossible to relate the pleasures, recreations and delights which are there; either for stately Buildings, great faire Gardens; store and goodnes of fruits, continuall riding, and all other kinds of noble exercises, with an incredible Pompe, triumph and magnificence, where once they vndertake it. There is also great peace and plenty through all Persia, both of common things, which others haue in some sorte aswell as they; as of sundry other singularities which none haue but they indeed, or at least with such abundance and excellencie. Among other, the finest, fairest, and best bezear-stones which they find cleauing to the liuer of certaine goates. There also is found the greate mine of Turquesses; and the greatest quantity of silke that can be imagined, which the men themselues doe spinne. For their bodyes, they are reasonable handsome, for their minds, reasonable tractable and ciuill.

Being in the said Cittie I saw 70000. gallant Harquebusiers go out to meete the king, at his returne from a victorious iourney against the Turkes, vpon whom hee had conquered foure [Page] Prouinces; and because they were not come farre enough to his minde,Pleasant seueritie. he did condemne them to pay three Zequins a peece, with threats that if they offended againe in the like he would cut off their heads: And did compell them to remaine in guard in a large spatious place before his Pallace; where euery euening he caused them to play and exercise themselues as though they had beene in warre: causing withall store of artillery to bee shot in among them, and if any one through feare seemed to neglect his dutie, hee caused his Turbant to be taken off, & the man knockt downe to death with staues,Then cruel. himselfe giuing the first stroake. At this his entrie they made him a great triumph, with a long magnificence. Among the rest they erected in the said place before his Pallace, foure fortresses:A true asiatall Magnificence. all full of fire-workes, with Lions, Dragons, Leopards, Crocodils and other beasts; whose motion was artificially made to run vpon lines, from one fort to another, fighting as they had beene aliue. They made likewise foure forrests to be burnt, consisting of all sortes of fruit full trees; whereon the fruits were so naturally represented, that nothing could be more perfect.

The said place is all vaulted about with Porches, like to the Place Royall in Paris; Like the royall Exchange in London but exceeding farre greater hauing faire shops of euery side, as wel within as without. There the king commanded each one, according to his seuerall trade, to deck their shops in the richest manner they coulde; which they also did: and hauing shut vp all the passages for the sunne, [Page] there was no other light but with lamps and torches, placed in the best order that can euer bee deuised, which burning continually did returne a brightnes cleerer then the day it selfe, and I might well haue saide there was all the riches in the world, for so they had dilligently sought after, and either bought, or borrowed it of purpose from all parts, to appeare euery one more gallant and well-minded to their Prince, then his neighbor. Surely all that euer I haue seene since, through al my trauails, I thinke I saw it first there. About foure a clocke in the euening, the King vsed to come within that place & remained there til morning, playing, walking, & passing the time: which triumphs, continued so for the space of two moneths togeather. There I saw the greatest quantity of rich stuffes and tapistries that euer I saw before or since; siluer, and coyned money of all countries; yea with a good quantity out of Frāce & Spaine. Within that place there is a 1000 peeces of ordinance as well great as small, which they say they had gotten from the Turke; And among the rest I perceiued foure French peeces, of which hauing told the king, he made me answer, that hee had taken them from the great Vizier, when he defeated him before Tawris, in his fathers time.

He is in a manner of the same religion the Turke is of, except some, I know not what differences, which I vnderstand not: being hereticks, one to another. When the King dies, he that succedeth [Page] puts out the eyes of all his Brethren, and keepeth them close prisoners in a great Castle, but yet with as much ease as he can; a kinde of curtesie which hath beene but since this kings time that now is, for in times past they slew them as they doe in Turkie.

From Ispaan I went to Casbin, Casbin. 12. dayes iourney distant, a very Populous and rich Citty, & of great Traffick, about the bignes of Orleans: which though it bee great and strong enough, yet the chiefest strength thereof lieth in the great number of horsemen that are continually about it. But there are no further commodities then at Ispaan. From thence I trauailed 15. daies iourny through very faire and well manured countryes,Tauris. till I came to Tauris. A Citty very populous too, and of great traffick, some-what perhaps bigger then Toulouze And was heretofore farre greater, yea of a huge bignes, as yet is to bee seene by the ruines; but since hauing bin sackt, and sackt againe by the Turke, hath lost allmost all former beauty, hauing heretofore, both for the fairenes and plentifulnes of the soyle, and statelines of the place, bin the seate of the Persian Kings.

Thence I prosecuted my trauail to Syras, being 16. daies iourney distant.Syras. It is still a braue place for trade, but chiefly for armour; the healthfullest Seate and the fairest in all Persia: where the Verdican or lieutenant generall of the Sophie, resideth with all his Ianizaries, to the number of 50000. horsmen; the best horses in the world next to [Page] those of the desert: for they dare not haue any other, but such as the king giueth them, neither can they sell them: and when they die he giueth them others, as also to all the rest of his horsemen.

The Citty is some-what greater then Auignon, where there are the fairest remnants of greatnes, & of stately buildings, the finest Gardens▪ Brookes and Fountaines that can be seene. There are kinds of causeys in those parts made for pleasure 12. leagues in length, bordered on each side with faire trees, in forme of a vaulted palisado, so thick, that the sunne beams cannot pierce through. Of each side of them there are faire springs of cleere running water, and betweene euery 15. foote of ground, are great vessells full of cleere water, made in forme of a fountaine, which throwes out water the bignes of a mans bodie.

From Syras I went 8. daies iourney to the chiefe Citty of the great Realme of Lar, Lar. which giues his name to the whole kingdome, and from whence coms the best Bezar-stones. There is the galantest, the strongest, and best stored Castle vnder the Persian king, being impossible to be battered or mined; vnderneath is the Cittie wholly commanded by this Castle.

There the king causeth such an order to be obserued through his whole kingdome, that before his Subiects sell any thing, those commodities, that are his owne shall first be put to sale, then they must sell theirs at the same rate. He is verie [Page] affable to strangers.

From Lar I went to Bandier, Bandier. a small fort which the Portugals hold in Persia, to supply Ormus with water and victuall, which hath but verie litle or none at all.

Thence I past to Ormus, an Iland and kingdome which the Portugals do hold, though the Moorish king hath not abandoned his possession, but liue in some reasonable peace one with another. It is of a great force and consequence to them, drawing from thence very great commodities, for it lyeth iust in the passage to Mecha, and of necessitie euerie ship that passeth that way, must make a stay there to pay the customs. Among the rest I can affirme to haue seene one, that willingly taxed her selfe at 100000. Francs for her customs.10000. l. sterling. There is but Brimstone and salt in this Iland, with out fresh water or any other commodity, and they must carry from Persia, all what they stand in need of: the Iland is but 3. leagues compasse, but there depends on it diuers other countryes: the goulph is but 4. leagues ouer, which is all the distance from Persia to Ormus.

There I embarked my selfe for Macati, Macati in Arabia petrea. which is a fortresse in Arabia Petrea, on the same side of Ormus, and some 8. daies iourney distant, belonging to the Portugals. This place is betweene Ormus, and Sourat: there are exceeding good horses, swifter then those of Persia: but lesser and yet more headstrong. There is also a great quantitie of Dates, which is their best merchandice, for [Page] man and horse doe eate of them. They are Mahometans, of a duskie hue, and as well men as women, weare long gownes with long high hats, without brim, and nothing but the crowne.

There I imbarked againe for Sindio, Sindio. which is another Iland and kingdome, about 80. or a 100, leagues compasse, and there I saw nothing but store of faire feathers, and plumes of two kinds of Herons, whereof they make great traffick, because they are found no where else. Likewise they haue all sorts of skins, which are wrought very curiously with needle-worke seruing to sleepe on in the coole. There is also great quantitie of Rice, which is all their marchandise, and is a great trafficke throughout all the Indies. They are Gentiles, and adore that creature, on which they first place their deuotion. They wash themselues euery morning before the Sunne rising, and in the euening after Sunne setting, they wash their haire also, which they weare very long, and combe them very carefully, like women. They burne their dead men: and their best beloued wiues being trickt vp in their best and sumptuosest apparell, are conducted by their neerest kinsfolkes, and goe nine turnes about the fire, and at the ninth round throw themselues very cherefully in the midst of it. They are a very loyall and chaste people, and who would not be a lier for a world.

Thence I returnd the same way I came,Returned to Bandier, to get againe into the Continent, & thence to Cambaya, a great Kingdome, the the beginning that way of the huge Territories of the great Mogor. to Bandier, and prosecuting my trauaile by land, I entred the confines of the great Mogor, and made it two [Page] moneths, and a halfe till I came to Cambaya, the Metropolitan Citty of that Kingdome, and whereof it beareth the name. There are found all kind of Marchandises, and Iewels, to wit, Diamonds, Saphirs, Pearles, Rubies, Cats-eies, & great quantitie of Christall, Cotton linnen, and silke stuffes. This Citty is very neere as bigge as Hispaan. The great Mogor oftentimes makes there his residēce: he is a Gentile, and adoreth a Bull and a Cow, which they Marry together, and keepe them in a kind of Temple, of an inestimable value: their Cratch is all couered with Diamonds, Emeralds, and other more precious Iewels, the Arches and wals, are all full of them: and no sooner they can recouer any rare things, but they carry them thither to the offring. Then the of-spring which is produced from this noble Marriage, succeedeth also to be their God. They haue an hospitall for all sorts of sicke beasts, wheron they bestow great costs, and they obserue the before mentioned custome in burning their dead bodies. This is a wonderfull mightie Prince, able to bring, at any tyme 400000. gallant souldiers, and aboue to the field. In my conscience, I thinke, he is very neere as mightie, as rich, and Lord of as much ground, better peopled (at least, I am sure) then the Turke himselfe; with as many great Kingdomes, with their Viceroyes, as many braue Townes, as Bramport by name, Agra, Lahor, and others, not inferior in any thing to any the Turke hath: They altogether make vse of Elephants, as well to carrie [Page] burdens, as to launch forth ships: to guard their Fortresses, or any other Military actions, making them to carry a pretty big Tower on their backs, with 24. or 25. bow-men, & 4. harquebus a crocke, by which meanes they mightily molest the Portugals, who haue not yet found any inuention to defend themselues from them, except with fired lances, which they throw in their eyes; but whatsoeuer comes within their reach, they breake into peeces with their trunkes. For to take them (as it was related to me in the Country) they make vse of a female, when shee goeth proud, in her heate, which they let goe vp and downe in a great wood, well enclosed, and enuironed with great stakes and trees, leauing but onely one passage open with a strong Portcullis, on the top whereof stands a man as a Centinell, keeping himselfe vnseene, letting downe the Portcullis, as soone as the Elephants be entred, then very solemnly, some certaine men which haue therof a particular skil, goe to them, and capitulate with them, as with prisoners of warre, what exercise they will be put vnto, either to serue in the warres, or some other imployments, wherupon, according as they like the conditions, they make signes with their head to the Interpretor, then they suffer them to come forth, & they faile not to follow him vnto whom they haue yeelded themselues. Then men must be sure to keepe promise with them, or else finding themselues abused, they would wilfully pine themselues to death. But some there are, who eyther [Page] through shame or courage, will not yeeld themselues, and had rather suffer themselues to be slaine on the place. The Interpretor must giue them to vnderstand whether they goe, and how they shall be intreated; but if they come and find the contrary, they starue themselues to death, & if their Lord doth sel them to a meaner man then himselfe, they will not goe to him. I haue seene one my selfe, at Cochin, esteemed the valiantest of that Countrey, finding himselfe vnable, to bring to passe an enterprise imposed vpon him, which was to lanch a very great ship, made all the signes he could to auoide it, whereupon the Trucheman told him, that they should be constrained to goe and find out another that should doe it, which would proue a vile affront vnto him, hauing already purchased, so great a reputation, as he had, whereupon he went to worke, vpon meere desperate vaine glory, and drew the shippe into the sea, then bursted; which I haue also heard to be vsuall, and haue hapned to many others in some such cases. It is a creature that neuer lieth downe, the female onely excepted, in her copulation with the male, which is very much alike to the man & woman, then with his trunke hee gently raiseth her vp againe.

Now for the people, they are of a swartie kind, like to those of Sindio, and weare a white turbant very little, with Cotton garmēts. They bequeath their goods, to their sisters Children, before their Brothers, being well assured, that without doubt, [Page] they are sprung of their bloud. It is very profitable trading with this people, for if but a child went thither with his wares, he should gaine as much as the subtlest Merchant in the world. For as soone as you are arriued into the Citty, the Kings officers come and dis-burthen you of what you desire to expose to sale, which they lock vp by account, within the publique Store-house; you need but tell them the price, and make choyce of one of their Brokers, who goeth to exhibite them to their Merchants, and so make more of your wares by th' one halfe, then you should haue done your selfe; in the end he comes and giues you a faithfull account of all. Likewise for such Merchandise as you desire to haue among them, in giuing them a note thereof, they will by & by bring you all kind of Patterns, and they themselues will fraught your shippe, you needing not to trouble your self any further, & most cōmonly will furnish you with better wares thē they had before shewen you: yea, after hauing giuē you vp their accounts, as well of the sale, as of the goods bought, and restored you the ouerplus, if there be any, somtimes they will present you with some good gift, for hauing done them the credit, in making choyce of them aboue all their fellowes.

The fruits of this Country are excellent, and farre differing from ours: among the rest there is one not much vnlike a Mellon, which groweth on the ground betweene two leaues, with a verie yealow rinde, being ripe, and this is called Ananas, [Page] very hot of qualitie, but of taste, aboue all things so sweete, that after hauing eaten of it, water will seeme to you as bitter as gall. There is another very licquorish fruit, called Amangues, growing on trees, & is as bigge as a great quince, with a very great stone in it. Moreouer there is another that groweth on trees, resembling a great Citrull, with a kind of hornie rinde, after the forme of a pointed Diamond; They are greene in colour, and called Iugues, containing a licquor like honie, which licquor is found likewise in another fruit named Chatagu, very good to eate, but dangerous to those that are not accustomed vnto it, by reason of the heate of it. Furthermore, there is another, named Iambes, which also groweth on trees, and is of the bignes of an apple, very good and wholesome, containing fiue stones in it, the outside halfe red, and halfe yellow. They haue yet another fruit, of colour greene, coole, and wholesome, (which groweth on a tree called Carambole) square, and of a fingers length▪ they make great vse of it in Phisicke. There is with-all great quantitie of Anis-seed, white Ginger, whereof they make great Trafficke, which also they preserue and confect.

Thence I continued my iourney 12. dayes together,Sourat. all along the coast, till I came within foure leagues of Sourate, which is a most faire Iland, and a very populous Kingdome, (much frequented by Merchants) subiect to the great Mogor. There I embarked my selfe to passe that little gulfe. The [Page] Citty is about the bignes of Roan, the Castle impregnable, because inaccessible: for of one side it is inuironed with the Sea, and the other side is built on so strong and sleepe a Rocke, that it is as much as a man can do with great difficultie to get vp, and withall, the best garded and furnished with Ordinance, and all kind of Munition, as euer I saw, & indeed they haue good reason, for on that place depends the saftie of the whole Iland.

Thence I held my course for Diu, Diu. some foureteene dayes iourney distant, which is a most important strong hold, which the Portugals possesse there, by them conquered from the great Mogor, very neere as bigge as Pontoise. They are Gentiles, and differ little or nothing from the others, in humours, Religion, Trafficke, soyle, or fruits.

Thence I trauailed to the Kingdome of Calicut, Calicut. the King whereof is a Mahometan; and made it 17. dayes iourney compleat, along the coast, no extraordinarie thing presenting it selfe to my view, beside the fore mentioned Commodities: the men being of a wartie hue.

Departing from the afore said Kingdome,Malebar. I entred into that of Malebar, where they are exceeding black, but yet not curled, flat nosde, or great lipt, as the Negroes be; neuerthelesse, with as good faces, as any in all Europe. They are Mahometans, and valiant, although they are somewhat of a sauage inclination, and would neuer come to composition with the Portugals, but delight themselues to be at variance with all their neighbours. [Page] They lie in the field, and haue very few houses of any importance. Meane while that I was there, they tooke 160. Carauels from the Portugals. And when they take any prisoner, who by chance hath his garments cut, or iag'd, they say hee did teare them of purpose; knowing they should once bee theirs, and knocke him in the head with staues. This Kingdome containes in length some 14 dayes Iourney.

Departing thence,Cananor. I entred the Kingdome of Cananor, where I trauailed foure dayes, without the sight of any rarity of importance, more then is abouesayd. It is a little Mahometan Kingdome, they are swartie, and great Traffickers.

Thence I entred the Countrey of Mangalor, Mangalor. which is also a little Mahometan Kingdome; the inhabitants of a swartie colour, where I trauailed 8. daies along the coast, without any thing worth writing, besides that which is in their neighbour Countries, onely that they haue no formall Townes, or scarce any good houses.

Thence I entred the Iland and Realme of Sumatra, Sumatra. resembling altogether the former in all things, as well for Religion, and commodities, as for the stature & hue of men. Onely they haue more then the rest, the great pepper in abundāce, whereof they doe furnish the Portugals. But they are wise enough, to keepe the best from them, which they call Ganry, of a gray colour, bigger & smoother, then that which they send vs, which is but that which falleth from the tree, before it be [Page] ripe, which makes them become so withered and bare, keeping the better sort for their owne vse, whereof they preserue a great part, delighting much to eate hotte things, although their Countrey be very hot. This pepper groweth on a tree, about the bignesse of a mans arme▪ there groweth also a great quantitie of good Ginger.

Thence I entred the Kingdome of Bombas, Bombas. in all things like the other, Pepper onely excepted, being found in no part of the East Indies, but in Sumatra, and I trauailed 12. dayes iourney along the coast, without seeing one good Towne.

Departing thence, I returned within the Countryes of the great Magor, and arriued at Chaoul, Chaoul. a small Towne, about the bignes of S. Clou. There are made the fairest Cabinets in the world, being not to be matched by any, or Germany, or of China. They are Gentiles, as in Cambaya, and great Traffickers.

Thence I wont to Damans, Damans. which is a place fortified by the Portugals, about the bignesse of Chaoul, being 11. dayes iourney, one from another, and are likewise Gentiles.

Thence to the Kingdome of the Canarrins▪ Canarra. which is but a little one, & 5. dayes iourney from Damans. They are tall of stature, idle, for the most part, & therefore the greater theeues. They hold some points of Christianitie. They weare a cap, a long cloake, in forme of a gowne. They lie in the field, vnder vile Cabbins of Turfe.

Thence I entred the Kingdome of Brameny, Brameny. [Page] which containeth but 2. dayes iourney in length, and in a manner, of the same qualities, and habit, with the Canarrins. Onely they haue a kind of linnen cloth, which they make Marchandice of.

Thence to the Kingdome of Coulam, Coulam. (who are Gentiles, and of a swartie hue) which hauing trauersed from one end to the other, in a 11. dayes iourney, I beheld no place of importance. There is nothing there, but all open.

Thence I tooke my way to Conchin, Conchin. possessed by the Portugals: though the King keepes (neuerthelesse) still there his title and Court. The Cittie is about the bignesse of Mante, and is as well frequented with Marchants, as any other place in all the Indies, being the thorow-fare to China. And there is a Citadell of exceeding great strength.

Thence I went to the Mountaine of S. Thomas, S. Thomas. where they are all Christians, and haue alwayes so borne themselues (notwithstanding their king is a Gentile) their number being so great, that very hardly may they be rooted out; besides that, the passages to it are most difficult. They goe for the most part almost naked, as commonly they doe in all those Countries. And there is a certaine place where there is a Miraculous crosse, whether they goe to procession, in the holy weeke. And then during their seruice time, while they repeate the passion, this crosse begins to change colour, and to sweat I know not what kind of blacke liquor like inke, but the passion being ended, it returnes to its former nature. They hold it to be a [Page] grace which Saint Thomas obtained from God, for their perseuerance in the faith. The Cittie is about the bignes of Poissy there are found certaine stuffs by them much esteemed, although they bee made but of hearbs, wherewith they cloath themselues, and make a great trade thereof.

Thence I returned to Conchin, To Conchin againe and thence to Bengalla. & from Conchin to the kingdome of Bengala, wherein the Portugals also hold the capitall citty, & best fortresse, of which the whole kingdome takes their name, which notwithstanding, is very small & of little strength. It is a countrey full of all sorts of commodities. Among the rest, they haue prettie couerlets, of yellow linen-cloth, all pinkte and wrought with needle worke▪ whereof some are to bee seene in these parts, This Cittie lies all open, being of the bignes of Saint Denis, and is some 5. weekes iourney from Conchin.

Thence to the kingdome and Iland of Seilan, Seilan. which the portugals holde, being a place of importance. In that contrey are whole forests of Cinamon, all other countries being destitute of it. There be also whole mountaines of Christall, and out of their riuers they draw Perles; Rubies, Saphirs, and Cats-eyes, which are of great valew, and whereof they make a great trade in China. It is a good country and exceeding plentifull in corne, rice, fruits, and all other things which are frequent throughout the Indies. And is held to be 300 leagues compasse, being all Gentiles. True it is, that the beasts which they adore, varie from the [Page] others, for they will worship the first creature they meete withal. They eate nothing that hath bloud, and of their very bread they will make no more then wil be eaten at a meale, for if it be kept but 2. houres, they are forbiden by their religion to eate it. Moreouer there is a Riuer of salt water which issueth out of the sea, and runneth neere the fort, where there is a certaine fish, or rather a kind of sea dragon, a monster, or I know not what, coms often howling euen vnder the windowes, & will not depart before they haue giuen him his pray, because (as they say) the Gouernour hath vsed him to it, causing all such as he beareth grudge vnto, or he any way distrusteth, to be throwne to him, so that none but he and his men can tell, what is become of them.

Thence I bent my course, (for the kingdome of Ior) as much as I could by land, for this climate is all full of waters,Ior. and Ilands and is very temperate, being about a monthes trauaill betweene Seilan and, Ior, which is a very pretty little towne, about the bignes of Auignon. They are Gentiles, and of a yellowish hew, they worship I know not what shape with three heads, they obserue the like abstinence as is aboue mentioned, and haue very neere the selfe same commodities.

Thence I past to Malaca, Malaca. an exceeding strong fortres, belonging to the Portugals, 10. dayes trauaill beyond Ior. There you haue an aire most vnholesome, and those whose constitution is able to beare it and liue, at least their complexion is all [Page] changed to a yeallow; There groweth a certaine fruit, prickled like a ches-nut, and as big as ones fist, the best in the world to eate, these are somewhat costly, all other fruits being at an easie rate. It must be broken with force, and therein is contained a white liquor like vnto creame, neuerthelesse it yelds a very vnsauory sent, like to a rotten oynion, and it is called Esturion. There groweth likewise, and no where els, Nutmegs and Cloues vpon their trees, or stalkes; as also the Bezar-stone; which is found ioyned to the breast of Monkies, but not so good as those of the Persian Goates. Likewise there be Diamonds, but farre inferior to those, whereof I am to speake anon: yet are there Porcupine-stones of the couller of white soape, which are had in great estimation, hauing seene one about the bignes of a Nutmeg,90. l. sterling sold for 300. crownes which indeed was a faire one, they make vse of it, allmost against all diseases, leauing it an howre to steepe in water, which afterwards they drinke of, though it be as bitter as Gall.

This kingdome is of the Molucos, and the Hollanders possesse there a strong fortresse, called Sonde, whence they bring vs the birds of Paradice, for they are found noe where else, the countrey folkes take them vp dead, and sell them for 8. rialls a peece; All a long this coast, is found great quantitie of gray Amber, and black, Muske and Ciuet, But the men of those countries are very liquorish of the Amber, and eate the most part of it, as fast as they finde it. They are well furnished [Page] with all manner of commodities, wine only excepted: But they haue in steed of it, a certaine drinke called Caahiete as blacke as inke, which they make with the barke of a tree, and drinke it as hot as they can endure it. Their houses are low, vaulted, and tarrased on the top, the better to sleepe in the coole aire.

From Malaca I went to Macao, (neere a months trauaile:Macao. which is a Cittie scituate on the sea coaste, at the foote of a great Mountaine, where in times past the Portugalls had a greate fort, and to this day, there be yet many that dwell there. This is the entrance into China, but the place is of no great importance; they are Gentiles, and there the inhabitants begin to bee faire complextioned.

Thence I Trauailled 2 months to the Cochinchines, finding nothing by the way worthie of note; no not so much as necessaries, so that wee were faine to carrie our victuals with vs, the greatest part of the way. They are Subiects to the King of China, but sometimes they rebell and make warre against him; And there is great number of Christians among them. Their Kings treasure consisteth in a certaine kind of wood called Calamba: for which the Portugalls pay 100. crownes a pound, to make Pater-nosters with. It is of a mixte color, with blacke and yeallow vaines; the better sorte of it is moiste, so that being cut it expelleth a kind of fat oylie liquor, It groweth out of a certaine tree, which they fell [Page] and let it lie a while a putrifying: then they bruse it, and within the same, they finde this kind of wood, like many hard knots. They are a very white people, because there it begins to be colde, lowe of stature, flat nosde, and little eyed, with a very few haires on their chins, and mustachoes: none at all on their cheekes, the haire of the head they weare long like women, tied vp with a black silke haire-lace, & weare a flat cap vpō them. They weare cloth Breeches made very leuell, & a short robe aboue them, like a master of the chamber of accounts. There are found a kind of Serpents that will swallowe vp a whole Stag; Two Friers assured me that trauailling in that countrey, together with 16 other men, through a fenni-marsh, about the dawning of the day, they met to their seeming, a great tree lying along the ground, the boughes beging lopped off, vpon which they all began to sit down & rest themselues: but no sooner were they sate, but that which they tooke for a tree, fiercely rowsd it selfe from vnder them, and left them all to picke strawes on the ground, for indeed this was one of those Serpents.

Their custome is (as they say) to put themselues in ambush among the boughs of a tree, and when they espie their pray to draw neere, bee it man or beast, they fal vpon him with open mouth and deuoure it. There are also store of Lions, Leopards, and Tigres: and there the fruits begin to resemble those of these partes: but the fruit, which aboue al others aboundeth there, is the Mirabolan.

[Page] Thence I set forwards to Canton, the principall Cittie of all China, Canton in China. (some 3. moneths trauaill distant) beyond which there is no passage, say any body what hee will to the contrary; for neuer any man proceeded further, except (as they say) 6 Iesuits, who dwelled 20 yeares at Canton, as well to learne the language perfectly, as to let their haire to growe long, after the countrey manner, of whom there was neuer since heard any newes, nor is their hope euer to see their returne. That people is very white, and apparelled as is aboue said; they are likewise Gentiles, and worship the same Image with three heads. Their women of of the better sorte; and quality, which are able to liue of their owne without working, neuer goe out of their houses but as they are carried in a chaire. And to that effect, from their infancie, they put their feete into certaine woodden slippers, to make them stump-footed and impotent, in so much as they are not able to goe: the reason they alleadge for it, is that women were made to no other ende, then to keepe at home.

The Christians are not permitted to lie within the Cittie, but as soone as night approaches they must retire thēselues to their ships, being lawfull for them to traffick whersoeuer they please by day light. And for their trafficke, what rarities soeuer there be throughout all China, are to bee had in this citty, which are diligently brought thither, to wit great store of cloth of gold and silke, cabinets, wrought vessels, Venus shells, Massiue gold, and [Page] many other things. They will exchaunge or barter gold for twice as much waight in siluer; for they haue no coyned money, for when they would buy any thing, they carry with them a peece of gold, and will cut of as much as they intend to bestowe on what they take. They make carued Images of siluer, which they erect heere and there through the streets, and no bodie dares touch them. The Citty is gouerned by 4 rulers, and each one hath his gouernment, or circuit a part, secluded from each other: those of one quarter dare not goe and labour in another, and those which cause them selues to be carried, from one part to another, must change their bearers when they come to the gate of the next circuit: those gates are opened euery morning, and shut euery night, vnlesse there be any cōplaint made of some misdemeanure, committed within the circuit: for then they shut them suddenly, or if they be shut, they open them not, till the offendor bee found. The King bestowes these commands on those, who are best learned. This is a most faire Cittie, and well built, very neere as big as Paris, but there the houses are arched, and nothing neere so high. Their Venus-shells consist of certaine kind of earth or clay which hath remaind a 100 yeares in one place, and remoued euery eight dayes. There is so much sugar, in that Country, that it is by them very little set by, yet is silke in farre more great abundance, but withall more course then ours, by reason of their store, being so great as [Page] they are constrained to make it abroad in the fields, on the very trees, in this wise; when the wormes are hatched, (whereof the eggs are farre greater then ours) They obserue what quantitie of wormes each tree will bee able to feede, then they lay so many on it, leauing them there without any more adoe, except it bee to gather the quods, when they are ready to be spunne, which is done as they gather Apricocks: for indeed a farre off they appeare to be so, and is a very fine sight to behould: they vse a strange kind of fishing with Cormorants, and surely from thence must needes haue deriued at first the like inuention, which (as I heare) was of late brought into England, and thence hether. They tie their necks a litle aboue their stommacks, least they should deuour the fish they take: then comming to their maister, hee pulleth it a liue, out of their throates: likewise for water foule, they make vse of great bottles with two holes, which they leaue floating vp and downe the water a good while, to acquaint the foules therewith: then some fellowes will wade vp to the necke in the water, thrusting their heads into those bottles, and hauing a bag vnderneath, come as neere the foule as they will, taking them with their hands, without the rest being afraid of it.

From Canton I returned to Macao, Againe to Macao. and tooke, my way through the kingdome of Pegu, Pegu. which is much transformed from what it was heretofore by reason of a certaine king, who forbad his people [Page] the exercise of husbandry and Tillage, or any other thing necessary for the vse of man; And hauing gathered togeather all the victualls of the country, caused it strongly to be immured, where he kept his residence, suffering the most part of his subiects to perish, through famine or sicknes, so that at this instant the whole countrey, remaines waste and desolate. Where in times past, there was wont to be found many rare commodities: namely, most faire rubies, and is now all togeather frequented with sauage beastes; yea in so great quantity that they haue almost driuen out the inhabitants. Yet for such as remaine there to this day, they bee Gentiles and of a swhartie hue.

Thence I made it 18. dayes iourneyes, to the Realme of Camboge, Camboge. which is very spatious, but voyd of any rarieties of note, onely that the King is able to bring 400000. men to the field, and makes warre vpon the King of Sian.

Thence I came to Sian, Sian. the King whereof is able to bring 600000. men to the field. These two Kings haue neyther Horses, nor any fiery Instruments: but make vse onely of bowes, and a certaine kind of pike, made of a knottie wood like Canes, called Baubuc, which is exceeding strong, though pliant and supple for vse.

Both these Kings are Gentiles, but yet differ enough in manners; for the King of Sian worshippeth a white Elephant; And that of Camboge doth as the most of the aboue-mentioned. I saw nothing [Page] remarkable in both these kingdomes, (hauing but coasted them) but onely much Benzoin in Sian; which is an aramaticall gumme, distilling out of a certaine tree, when they haue first cut an incision into it, whereof they make a great trade: as being the onely place where it is found. I spent three moneths in trauersing these two Kingdomes.

Thence I embarqued my selfe in one of the Portugall ships, which vsually trafficke thither for Benzoin, and arriued at Conchin, a most fertile Kingdome, as likewise all the others be in those Climes, Pegu onely accidentally excepted.

From Conchin I trauailed by land 2. moneths and a halfe, to Bisnagat, Bisnagat. otherwise called Ballagat, by the Portugals: which is a most faire Cittie, and the Metropolitan of the kingdome, vnto which it giues his name. It stands within two leagues of the rocke of Diamonds, belonging to the King, who makes his ordinarie abode in the said Citty, and retaineth 15000. men, continually labouring in the said mine, with straight commandement, that all the great ones be layed vp in his Treasurie, suffering none to be sold, but little ones, such as we see in these parts. So that there is not any great ones sold, or transported, vnlesse it bee by stealth, or some deuice; As I haue seene one with the great Mogor, as bigge as a Hens egge, and of that very forme, which he caused expresly to bee peirced like a pearle, to weare it on his arme; which stone had beene so purloin'd from this [Page] King, and cost the other 500000. Parots, which is little lesse then a million. It waigheth 198. Mangelins, and each Mangelin waigheth fiue graines. I my selfe found meanes by mony, priuily to haue another great one, conueyed into my handes, whereof I will speake more by and by.

This King is a Gentile, and of a hard, Swartie complexion. Hee worshippeth the tooth of a Monkey, and some in his Kingdome, worship a certaine kind of Serpent.

Thence I trauailed 11. dayes, till I came to the Realme of Decan, Dialcan, Dialcan. or Idalcan; their King dwelleth within a dayes iourney of Goa, which is a strong Citty, the Portugals hold: and the viz-roy of the Portugall-Indies keeps there his residence, against whom this King (who is a Mahometan, and very mightie) makes warre now and then.

Thence I came to Goa Goa. it selfe, an Iland but fiue leagues in compasse, neuerthelesse the greatest Mart towne in all the Indies: for there all the aboue-mentioned Kingdomes, and the Portugals, mutually come to discharge and recharge themselues. It is a verie faire Cittie, about the bignes of Poictiers. At the mouth of the Port, on each side is erected a great Fortresse, very strongly manned by the Portugals. In this Iland is the hard Waxe made (which we call Spanish Waxe) and is made in manner following. They inclose a large plotte of ground, with a little trench filled with water, then they sticke vp a great number of small staues, vppon the sayd plot, that being [Page] done; they bring thither a sort of pis-mires, farre bigger then ours, which being debar'd by the water to issue out, are constrained to retire themselues vppon the sayd staues, where they are kil'd with the heate of the Sunne, and thereof it is that the Lacka is made. This is a Climate where it raines, without intermission, the three moneths of Winter, and so outragiously, that it is vnpossible to keepe the sea vppon that coast, without Shipwracke. After the rayne is fallen, comes there a land winde, which dryeth vp the ayre, and two houres after, is very safe sayling.

Thence I embarqued my selfe, (with the permission, and Pasport of the Viz-roy) for Lisbone, but we had such a terrible tempest, that we were eyght whole dayes, in the bottomes and Iles of Las Chagues, despairing euer to come out againe: in the end, God miraculously deliuered vs, and brought vs to Mozambique, Mozambique. Solfale. which is a Fort belonging to the Portugals. Then to Solfale, where they are Mahometans, and all blacke; And thence onely commeth the Ebony. Then we arryued at Lisbone, Lisbone. where I was imprisoned, and continued so foure yeeres long, without euer telling me the cause why. Finally, after much adoe, I was set at libertie, through the great meanes my LORD the Duke of Mayenne made for me, when he came into Spaine about the marriages; And as it seemeth in fauour and hope of them; or els I fully beleeue I had neuer beene released. For as I heard there, [Page] by the meanes of some prisoners, the Viz-roy of Goa had giuen straight warning, that I was an vndertaking man, who had exactly viewed all those Countries, and could doe much hurt vnto the King their Master, by the acquaintances, and intelligences I had of them, if euer I could come among the French, English, or Hollanders. There was I in my chamber of the prison, by an vnlucky aduenture miserably robd, of a little hollow pipe of white latten, long and slender, which I had euer kept so close, that no body in the world knew of it, and therein were 35. rough Diamonds, which was all that I euer had gotten, in my long and painefull trauels, among which (the others being but common) there was a mighty great one, waighing no lesse then 79 Carrats, and therfore of an vnestimable valew, the first theefe was presently, yea within a quarter of an howre robd of them by another, & so being passed, from hand to hand, when after many daies and troubles, I almost had giuen ouer at enquiry, all last the second theefe was found out, by meanes of the first, and being found seased with my Diamonds, hee was both taken by the Iustice, and they with him, which afterward were restored backe vnto me, I meane all the small ones, but not the great, which came neuer since in sight, and did vanish away, through so many honest hands. So that all the reason I could euer haue for it, yea after much importunity to the King himselfe and the officers, was to haue (though not at my request, nay) [Page] most against my will) that poore fellow hang'd, who in my conscience I thinke, was not the least nor the last theefe, hauing bin (as I am sure) robd also by a third; howsoeuer, the stone is not of so small valew, but a great Prince may bee gorgious and proud with it. God grant pardon to all sinners.

Certaine generall obseruations, touching the Indies.

IT is to be vnderstood, that all the kings and kingdomes betweene Cochin and the great Mogor, were in times past his subiects, but in the ende many haue withdrawne themselues from him, & are become soueraignes: Yet there are still whole numbers that acknowledge him.

The Portugals possesse no in-land forte, through all the aboue named countries, but altogeather on the borders and sea-coasts.

From Cambaya to Macao, they make vse of Elephants all togeather in battels, Garrisons, and for Carriage.

All these Gentiles, keepe liuing Serpents in their ships, in stead (as it were) of an Alminacke, or rather some Demy-god, for their good lucke; so that if they see them not frollicke and blithe, they dare not set sayle: but if they be iolly and [Page] merry, they will sette out, whatsoeuer comes of it.

The aboue-named drinke Caahiete, is drunke from Turkey to China, and is exceeding wholsome and good.

Throughout all these Indies, in stead of glasse-windowes, they vse mother of pearle.

They haue the fruit of a tree, like vnto a Peach stone, called Areque, which they continually keepe in their mouth, and can no more forbeare it, then those who haue vs'd themselues to Tobacco; in like manner, they vse an hearbe, which they call Betre, somewhat like Iuie, which both men and women chaw night and day in their mouths: and to abstaine from that, would make their harts faint: Sometimes they eate it with lime; which makes it the ardentest thing in the world. Once I would needs taste of it, but I thought verily to haue burnt all my Intrails: thus they forbeare 5. or 6. dayes from meate.

They haue also certaine fig-trees, which beare leaues, about 3. ells long, in so much, that they couer themselues with it, from the raine, and vse them in stead of Table-clothes, and the onely halfe of one sufficeth 10. or 12. men. They are exceeding faire and greene, and a farre off, seeme a peece of water-chamlet; their fruit is of 2. sorts, the one, of the bignesse of a meane Cucumber, the other, somewhat lesse; both yellow, being ripe, and wonderfull good, but the lesser is the best. Out of this fig tree groweth a stemme, as big [Page] as a mans arme, within the which lie a great number of figs, clustring together, like a bunch of Grapes, euery stem, together with the figs, waighing 50. or 60. li. They gather the said stems, while the figs be greene, for they ripen as well in the house, as vpon the tree, therfore they make great vse of them in long voyages. The custome they vse in planting these trees, is to take a long lyne, and to draw it stiffly through the figs, (as a Shoomaker waxeth his thred) to the end, that the small seed within the fruit, may sticke to the corde, then they stretch it in the ground, halfe a foote deepe, whereof proceedeth an infinite number of figge-trees.

Moreouer, you haue there, as farre as Macao, a kind of Palme trees, like those which beare Dates, but this beares another fruit, which together with the shell is as big as a mans head. It is exceeding wholesome, and yeelds both wine, vineger, oyle to eate, and to burne, sugar, and a kind of liquor, which they drinke: the fruit it selfe tasteth like a hasle-nut; of his rinde, they make cordage, and of the wood;It is the Cocos. they build houses and ships. Many other things, could I adde but thus much will suffice, for a taste to such, as will be pleased, to heare me further speake.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

An exact and curious suruey of all the East Indies, euen to Canton, the chiefe cittie of China all duly performed by land, by Monsieur de Monfart, the like whereof was neuer hetherto, brought to an end. VVherein also are described the huge dominions of the great Mogor, to whom that honorable knight, Sir Thomas Roe, was lately sent ambassador from the King. Newly translated out of the trauailers manuscript.

Feynes, Henri de.

Edition statement

1615

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A00709

ID [STC]

STC 10840

ID [STC]

ESTC S102015

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99837816

ID [PROQUEST]

99837816

ID [VID]

2159

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A00709)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 2159)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 795:02)

Source

— An exact and curious suruey of all the East Indies, euen to Canton, the chiefe cittie of China all duly performed by land, by Monsieur de Monfart, the like whereof was neuer hetherto, brought to an end. VVherein also are described the huge dominions of the great Mogor, to whom that honorable knight, Sir Thomas Roe, was lately sent ambassador from the King. Newly translated out of the trauailers manuscript., Feynes, Henri de., Loiseau de Tourval, Jean..

Extent

[10], 40, [2] p.

Printed by Thomas Dawson, for VVilliam Arondell, in Pauls Church-yard, at the Angell,. London :: 1615.. (Translator's dedication signed: [Greek capital delta], i.e. Jean Loiseau de Tourval.) (Apparently the first edition in any language.) (Cf. Folger catalogue, which gives signatures: A² B-G⁴.) (Running title reads: The trauailes of Monsieur de Monfart.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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