The Division of the World.

THE Earth is commonly divided into four parts, Asia, Africa, Europe, and America.

Asia Described.

Asia is divided into two parts: Asia the lesse, next to Europe, called also Anatolia, or Natolia, thus bounded: Towards the West and North, is Greece: Full West is the Archipelagus: On the East is the River Euphrates: On the North is the Euxine Sea: And on the South the Mediterranean. This Country was once of admirable fertility, affording all sorts of Commodities, both for necessity and delight: But for the sins of her Inhabitants its turned into barrennesse, having been so often wasted by the great Monarchs of the earth. First, by the Babylonians, then by the Meads and Persians, then by the Grecians, then by the Romans, and lastly by the Turks, who have made such wofull havock, that in it are to bee seen the ruines of above four thousand Cities, and Towns: the residue have lost both the names, and memory of their Predecessors, and the people are faln from the Knowledge, Religion, and Industry of their fore-fathers: and for the most part are Mahumetans.

In this Asia the Lesse are contained these Provinces: Caria, Jonia, Dori • , Lydia, Aeolis, Phrygia minor, and major, Cilicia, Pamphilia▪ Lycia, Bythinia, Pontus, Paphlagonia, Galacia, Cappadocia, Lycaonia Pysidia, and Armenia minor.

In Jonia stood Miletum where Paul Preached to the Elders, Acts 20.17. and Ephesus.

In Lydia were seated Laodicea, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardis and Pergamus.

In Phrygia minor was Adramitium mentioned Act. 27.2.

In Phrygia major was Colosse, to whom Paul wrote his Epistle.

In Cilicia was Tarsus where Paul was born. In this Country feed those Goats whose hair makes our curious Chamlets, and Grogerams, falsely called Camels hair.

In Pamphilia are seated Perga, Pisidia, and Attalia, Sea Towns, Act. 13.1 • , 14.

In Lycia the cheif City was Patara.

In Lycaonia were Iconium and Listra.

In Pisidia was the famous City of Antiochia.

In Asia the Greater are contained these Countries, Syria, Palestine, Armenia major, Ara •• a the Happy, Stony, Desert, Media, Assyria, Mesop • tamia, Persia, Chald • n, Part • ia, Hircania, T • rtaria, • hi • a, and India.

In Syria are Phaenicia, Cael • syria and Syroph • nicia.

In Phaenicia are Tyre and Sidon, Sarepta and Ptolaemais.

In Caelosyria are Hieropolis, Damascus, Aleppo, Tripolis &c.

Palestine is in length two hundred miles: in breadth but fifty: containing Samaria; Idumaea, Judaea, Galile the higher, called Galile of the Gentiles: Galile the lower, wherein were Nazareth: and Mount Tabor, where Christ was transfigured.

Armenia major, now Turkomania, wherein was Colchus whence Jason fetched the golden Fleece.

Arabia divided into three parts, Arabia Deserta, where the Children of Israel were fed with Manna forty years. Arabia Petrosa, where Mount Sinai was, and the Law given. Arabia Faelix, abounding with Spices and Drugges, where Medina is, the place of Mahomets Sepulchre.

Media where the fruits of the Country are said to bee always green, and flourishing.

Assyria where Nineveh stood to which Jonah was sent.

Mesopotamia where was Babylon.

Persia a great Empire where the Regall City is Persepolis.

Chaldaea often mentioned in Scripture.

Parthia the Inhabitants whereof were famous for their Archery, and opposition against the Romans.

Hircania which hath many Cities of note, and abounds with Wine, and Honey.

Tartaria formerly called Scythia, whose Queen Tomyris, overcame Cyrus, and cut off his head: They have neither Cities nor houses but live in hoards; their Prince is the great Cham.

China is a very great, populous, and fruitful Country, and the Inhabitants are very ingenuous, but it is lately overrun by the Tartars, as you shall hear afterwards.

India, through the midst whereof runs the River • anges, dividing it into India intra Gangem, which lieth towards the West, and India extra Gangem, which lyeth towards the East. The chief place whereof is Goa, where the Vice-roy of Portugal resides.

The Islands of Asia the less are Rhodes, over against Caria; and Cyprus, formerly consecrated to Venus.

In the Indian Ocean the Islands are very many, principally Ormus, Zeilan, Sumatra, Avirae insulae, Bocuro, Java major, and minor, Japan, the Molucco's, and the Philippine Islands, which abound with Spices of all sorts, Pearls, and Gold, whereof I will now give a more particular account.

Asia minor, more largely described. Cappadocia described.

Cappadocia, called also Leucosyria, and now Amasia, stretcheth four hundred and fifty miles along the Euxine Sea; bounded on the West, with Paphlagonia, Galatia, and part of Pamphilia, on the South with Cilicia, on the East with the Hills Antitaurus, and Moschius, and part of Euphrates; Here runneth Halis, the end of Craesus Empire, both in the site and fate thereof, hee being deceived with that ambiguous Oracle, Craesus Halin penetrans, magnam pervertet op • m vim, that passing Halis, hee should overturn a great State, which hee interpreting actively of his attempts against Cyrus, verified it passively in himself. In Cappadocia was the City of Comana, famoused by the Temple of Bellona, and a great multitude of such as were there inspired by Devillish illusions. Not far thence also was Castabala, where was the Temple of Diana Persica.

Galatia, or Gallo-graecia, hath on the South, Pamphilia, and on the North its washed with the E • xine Sea, by the space of two hundred and fifty miles. Sinope was the chief City: Deiotar • s a famous King: but Galacia is made more famous by St. Pauls Epistle written to the Church thereof.

Pontus, and Bithinia, now called Bursia, hath on the West the mouth of Pontus, the Thracian Bosphorus, and part of Propontis; Galacia on the East: part of the Euxine Sea on the North: and Asia, properly so called, on the South: The most famous Cities in it were Nice, wherein was celebrated the first General Council gathered against the Arians: Nicomedia, sometimes the seat of the Emperors; Apamia, or Bursa, nigh to Mount Olympus, where the first Ottamans had their Seat-Royal, and all of that race (except the Great Turks themselves) are still there buried: Chalcedon, builded seventeen years before Bi • amium and the builders thereof are said to bee blinde, which neglected that better seat. Here was held a famous Council of six hundred and thirty Bishops against the Heresie of Eutiches.

Paphlagonia ▪ hath on the North Pontus, on the East the River Halis, on the South Phrygia and Galacia, and on the West Bithynia: Vetruvius tells us of a • ountain here that seems to bee mixed with wine, that makes drunken such as drink freely thereof.

Asia, properly so called, now Sarcum, is bounded on the West with part of Propontis, and Hellespont, the Aegean, Icarian and Myrtoan Seas; On the South with the Rhodian Sea, Lycia and Pamphilia; On the East with Galacia: and on the North with Pontus, Bythinia, and part of Propontis. In which space are contained Phrygia, Caria, and both Mysia's, Aeolis, Jonia, Doris, and Lydia.

Phrygia is divided into the greater, and the less, called also Hellespontiaca, and Troas. The greater lyeth Eastward, and is so called from the River Phryx, which parts it from Caria. Here stood Midaium the Royal Seat of Mydas, and Apamia the Phrygian Metropolis. Here also upon the River Sangarius stood Gordie, where was the Gordian knot, which when Alexander could not untie, hee cut it in sunder with his sword.

In the lesser Phrygia stood the eye of Asia, and Star of the East, called Ilium, or Troy, destroyed by the Grecians after ten years siege, the ruines whereof appear at this day, the walls, and decayed buildings entertaining the beholder with a kinde of majesty; the walls were of a large circuit, of great, spongy, black, and hard stones, cut foursquare; the ruines of the Turrets on the walls are yet to be seen, also great marble Tombs of ancient workmanship made Chest-fashion, and their covers whole are yet to be seen without the walls. Many great Cisterns made to receive rain water are yet whole; The soil about it is dry, and barren: The Rivers Xanthus, and Simois so much famoused, are small Rivers, which in Summer are quite dry.

Nunc seges est ubi Troja fuit.

Cyzicus was a City of Mysia, wherein was a famous Temple, whose Pillars were four cubits thick, and fifty cubits high, each of one stone, the whole building was made of polished stone, and each stone was joyned to other with a line of gold: The Image of Jupiter within was made of Ivory, crowned with a marble Apollo, which City and Temple were swallowed up in an Earthquake, and probably for their abominable Idolatry. The like befel Philadelphia (one of the seven Churches to which St. John wrote) another City of Mysia, and the like to Magnesia in the same Region.

A little hence standeth Abydus, and over against it on Europe side was Sestus; one of the Guards of the Turkish Empire, he having built Castles there which are well furnished, and the Straits not being above seven Furlongs over. Here Xerxes joyned Asia to Europe by a Bridge, for the transportation of his huge Army into Greece.

In Mysia also was that famous Pine-tree that was four and twenty foot in compass, and growing intire for seventy foot from the root, was then divided into three Arms, equidistant, which afterwards gathered themselves close into one top two hundred foot high.

Jonia is situated on the Icarian Seas over against the Isle of Chios, wherein were ten principal Cities, Miletus, Myus, Priene, Ephesus, Colophon, Lebedus, Teos, Clazomenae, Phocaea, and Erythraea.

The Temple of Diana Described.

The Temple of Diana at Ephesus was one of the Worlds Wonders; two hundred and twenty years were spent in the building of it: It was built upon a Marish to prevent hurt by Earthquakes, which were very common in those parts; the first foundation was laid upon Coals, the second upon Wooll; It was four hundred twenty and five foot long, and two hundred and twenty broad, there were in it one hundred twenty and seven Pillars of Marble, sixty foot in height, and thirty six of them curiously wrought and engraven, the works of so many Kings. The doors of the Temple were of Cypress, which after four hundred years, were as fresh as if they had been new made; the roof was of Cedar: The Image, which superstition supposed to have come down from Jupiter, was made by one Canesia: some say of Ebonie, others of the Vine which had many holes made, and filled with Spikenard, the moisture whereof closed up the rifts. It was inriched and adorned with gifts beyond value. It was contrived by Ctesiphon, and was seven times fired, the last whereof was by Erostratus, who did it to get himself a name: Herodo.

Doris was almost surrounded with the Sea, wherein was Gnidus, a City famous for the Marble Image of Venus and Halycarnassus, famous for Herodotus, and Dionysius the Historians; and for Mausolus, whose Sepulchre erected by Artimesia his wife, and sister, was accounted one of the seven Wonders of the World.

Lycia is washed by the Sea for the space of two hundred miles: In it Mount Taurus ariseth, hence stretching it self Eastward under divers appellations, to the Indian Sea.

Pamphilia beareth Eastward from Lycia, and now together with Cilicia is by the Turks called Caramania.

Armenia minor, which is divided from the greater, now Turcomania, by the River Euphrates on the East.

A more full description of the Countries in Asia major. The Land of Canaan Described.

It was first called Canaan after that the posterity of Canaan the son of Cham had possessed it, when Moses and Joshua had conquered it, it was called the Land of Israel. After the Babylonish Captivity it was called the Land of Judaea: From the Philistines, which inhabited the Sea-coasts, it was called the Land of Palestine: and by Christians since, the Holy Land. Adricomius, which hath best described it, makes it to bound Eastward on Syria, and Arabia: Southward on the Desart of Paran and Egypt: Northward on Mount Libanus: and Westward on the Sea. From Dan to Bersheba its about a hundred and sixty Italian miles in length, and sixty in breadth. No Country in the world had so many Cities in so little a compass as this once had. The Royal Cities in each Tribe were these: In Aser, Acsaph, besides Sidon, and Tyrus: In Benjamin, Bethel, Gaaba, Jerusalem, and Jerico. In Dan, • achish; besides Eckron and Gath: In Ephraim, Gazer, Samaria, Saron, and Tapua: In Gad, Rabba: In Isachar, Aphec: In Juda, Arad, Be • eck, Eglon, Hebron, Libna, Mackeda, Odolla, Taphua: In Manasse, Dor, Gilgal, Jezreel, Megiddo, Taanac, and Thirza: In the other part of Manasse, Astaroth, Edri, Geshur, Machathi, Soba, Teman, and Damascus. In Nepthali, Aser, Kedes and Hemath: In Ruben, Heshbon, Madian and Petra: In Simeon, Debir, and Gerar: In Zebulon, Jeconan and Shimron.

Jordan is the chiefest River, which at last looseth it self in the Lake Asphaltites, but before that, it makes many fruitful Vallies, and spreadeth it self into a Lake called Genazereth, sixteen miles long, and six broad, environed with many pleasant Towns, as Julias and Hippo on the East: Tarichea on the South, and Tiberias on the West, made wholesome with her hot-waters. But before it makes the Lake of Genazereth, it makes another called Samachonitis, it especially is filled with the snow of Libanus usually melted in the first month, which causeth Jordan then to swell, and overflow his banks (which made Josua's passing thorough it at that time the more miraculous:) In Scripture its called the waters of Merom. The variety of fruits, and other temporall blessings, wherewith this Country was inriched, are so fully set down in Scripture that I need make no particular mention of them. What multitudes of people it fed, may be taken notice of in those two Instances; First, When David numbred them, there were found Eleven hundred thousand in Israel, and four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah, valiant men that drew the sword, 2 Sam. 24.9. and yet Benjamin and Levi were not reckoned: And in the dayes of Jeroboam, 2 Chr. 13. Abijah King of Judah brought into the field four hundred thousand, and Jeroboam eight hundred thousand, and on this part were slain five hundred thousand, all choice men, which no history can match in any age, or place of the world: What then was the total number, if women, children, impotent, and aged men had been reckoned?

After the return from the Babylonish Captivity, one third part of this Country was called Judaea, to distinguish it from the other two, Samaria and Galilee.

Galilee was the most Northerly, confining on Libanus and Anti-Libanus towards the North: on Phaenicia Westerly: having Caelosyria on the East: and Samaria with Arabia on the South: Jordan parted it • n the middest It was divided into the higher and lower Galilee, the higher was called Galilee of the Gentiles, containing the Springs of Jordan, and those Cities which Salomon gave to King Hyram: The lower was called Galilee of Tiberias, that City giving name both to the Lake and Region, in which Nazareth, and the Hill Tabor were famous.

Samaria is seated betwixt Galilee, and Judaea, being much lesse than either of them. Judaea is the most Southerly, between the Mediterranean, and Dead Seas, Samaria, and Idumaen. Pliny addeth to these the Region of Decapolis, so called from her ten Cities, which were, Caesarea Philippi, Aser, Kedes, Nepthalim, Sephet, Corazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, Jotopata, Tiberias, and Bethsan, called also Scythopolis.

A Description of Hierusalem, and the Temple, as they were when they were destroyed by the Romans.

Hierusalem was compassed with a treble wall on every side, save only on that part where it was inclosed with inaccessible Vallies; for on that side it needed onely one wall: It was built upon two hils, the one opposite to the other, separated by a Valley, which was wonderously replenished with houses. One of these Hills, whereon stood the upper part of the City, was far higher and steeper than the other; whereupon King David compassing it about with a Wall, called it the City of David. The other hill called Acra, was the place whereon the lower part of the City stood: And opposite to this Acra, was another hill lower than it, which at first was divided from it by a large Valley; but when the Asmonians reigned, they filled up this Valley, and cut down the top of Acra, that it might not hide the Temple: within one of the vallies was Siloam, a Fountain sending forth abundance of clear and sweet water: The outmost wall, by reason of the valley about it, and the Rock whereon it stood was impregnable, the rather, because besides the situation, it was built very strongly by David, Salomon, and other Kings. A fourth wall was begun by Agrippa: In humane reason, had this wall been finished, the City could never have been taken: For hee began to build it with stones twenty cubits long, and ten cubits broad, so that it could neither bee easily undermined, nor battered with Engines: But hee built this wall but ten cubits high, and then fearing lest Claudius Caesar should think that hee had a purpose to Rebell, hee gave it over: Yet afterwards the Jews raised this wall twenty cubits high: made a Battlement two cubits high, and the Tower three cubits, in all four and twenty cubits high: Besides, upon the wall were three Towers twenty cubits broad, and twenty cubits high, built four square, very strongly; within these Towers were rooms for men to dwell in, and Cisterns to receive rain-water. The third wall had ninty of these Towers, and between every Tower were two hundred cubits space: The second wall had fourteen Towers; and the old wall had threescore, and the compasse of the whole City was three and thirty furlongs.

Between the North, and the West-part of the City, upon the outmost wall, stood the Tower Psephina, which was raised threescore and ten cubits high; so that in a clear day a man might from thence discover Arabia, and the utmost confines of the Jews, even to the Sea. Just opposite to this was the Towe • Hippicos, built by Herod upon the old wall, which for bignesse, beauty, and strength, surpassed all others in the world: It had four corners, each of which was five and twenty cubits broad, as many long, and thirty cubits high, and in no place hollow: On the top was a Well to receive Rain-water, twenty cubits deep. On the top of all were Houses five and twenty cubits high, divided into many rooms: Above them were battlements two cubits high, and Turrets three cubits high, so that in all it was fourscore and five cubits high.

Hee built also a second Tower, in breadth and length forty cubits, and as many high, in figure of a square pillar, all solid, and not hollow within: And above this, a Porch ten cubits high, adorned with Turrets and Pinacles: Over the midst of this Porch hee built another Tower, distinguished into goodly roomes, and sumptuous Baths; and on the top it was beautifyed with Turrets and Pinacles; so that the whole height was almost fourscore and ten cubits.

Lastly, Hee built a third Tower, which hee called after his Queens name, Mariamne, twenty cubits high, and twenty broad, all of solid stone, and not hollow, having more stately and magnificent lodgings in it than either of the former: It was in all fifty five cubits high.

These Towers, though they were very high, yet by reason of their situation they seemed far higher: For the old Wall whereon they were built stood upon a Rock that was thirty cubits high, whereby their height was much increased: They were not built also of ordinary stone, but all of white Marble, whereof each stone was twenty cubits long, and ten cubits broad, and five cubits thick; and so curiously joyned together that every Tower seemed but one stone; within the City was the Kings Palace, surpassing all that can bee spoken of it, and for greatnesse, and curious workmanship, may bee compared with any other in the world: It was invironed with a wall thirty cubits high, adorned with goodly Towers round about, Beautified with Houses for an hundred of the Nobility: The variety of the Marble wherewith it was built, was admirable, all sorts being therein used, though never so rare to bee found. In every room also were many vessels of gold, and silver, and many Porches round about, adorned with most curious Pillars: There were in it very many pleasant walks, adorned with all sorts of Trees, and Gardens, beset with Fountains that spouted up water on high, and Cisterns beauti • yed with many Brazen Statues, from which ranne out water continually.

The Temple Described.

The Temple was built upon a Rocky Mountain; the plain on the top whereof was at first scarce big enough for the Temple and Court, the hill being very steep: But the people every day bringing earth thither, at last made it plain, and large enough, and inclosed the hill with a treble wall, which was a work passing all expectation; to the effecting whereof many Ages were spent, and all the holy treasure offered to God from all parts of the world: The foundations of the Temple were laid three hundred cubits deep, and in many places more. The stones of it were forty cubits, The Porches were double, and every one was supported by many stately pillars, five and twenty cubits high, all of one peece of white Marble; the tops of them were of Cedar so exactly wrought, as astonished the beholders: These Porches were thirty Cubits broad, and the compass of all was six Furlongs. The Courts were curiously wrought, and paved with all sorts of stones.

Thirdly, The way to the inward Temple was all inclosed with stones, wrought like Lattice-work, which were three Cubits high, of curious workmanship: to this second there was an ascent by fourteen staires; and aloft it was four square, and enclosed with a wall by it self, whose outside being forty Cubits high, was all covered with stairs to ascend up to it, and within, it was twenty five Cubits high: At the top of the fourteen staires within the wall was a level, compassed with a wall of three hundred Cubits, which had eight Gates in it; and between the Gates were Porches opposite each to other, reaching from the wall to the Treasury, supported with great and stately Pillars. All the gates were covered with Plates of gold, and silver, only one was covered with Corinthian brasse, which for beauty far excelled the other, dazling the eyes of the beholders: In every gate were two doores, each of them thirty Cubits high, and fifteen broad; and on each side they had seats thirty Cubits long, and forty Cubits high, each one supported with two Pillars, twelve Cubits thick: Only the gate which was covered with Corinthian brasse, was fifty Cubits high, the gates were forty Cubits, and it was more richly adorned than the rest.

Fourthly, the Holy of Holies was situated in the midst of all, and had twelve staires to go up to it. The forepart of it was an hundred Cubits high, and as many broad: Backward it was forty Cubits; on each side it had as it were two shoulders rising up in height twenty Cubits: The first gate was seventy Cubits high, and five and twenty wide, and had no doores, to shew that Heaven was alwayes open, &c. All the foreparts were gilded, and all wi •• in was covered with fine gold. The inward part was divided into two rooms, whereof the first only might bee seen, which was in height fourescore, and ten Cubits, in length forty, and in breadth tvventy: round about the wall vvas a golden Vine, vvhereon hung many grapes in clusters all of gold, every cluster being about six foot long: It had golden gates fifty five Cubits high, and sixteen Cubits broad. It had curious hangings of the same length, admirably vvrought vvith Purple, Violet, and Scarlet Silk, all the fabrick vvas so exquisitely and richly vvrought, that none could possibly imagine any vvorkmanship that it vvanted: For it vvas all covered vvith a massie plate of pure gold vvhich dazled the eyes of the beholders: The top vvas all set vvith rods of gold, sharp like pikes at the ends, lest birds should sit thereon, and defile it. The stones wherewith it was built were forty five Cubits large, five in length, six broad, and as many long. Joseph. l. 6. c. 7.

The City of Ninive described.

Ninive was first founded by Assur the son of Sem, Gen. 11.10. Enlarged by Ninus, the third Babylonish King: The compasse of it was four hundred and eighty Furlongs, or sixty four Italian miles▪ the Walls were one hundred foot high, and so broad, that three Chariots might passe abreast upon them; upon the Walls were fifteen hundred Towers, each of them two hundred foot high: It's called a great City, Jonah 3.3. It was eight years in building, and there were never fewer than ten thousand workmen about it.

The City of Babylon described.

Babylon was founded by Nimrod, Gen. 10.10. but enlarged by Semiramis, who for the carrying on of that work, drew together thirty hundred thousand workmen; who in one year finished the Walls, which contained in circuit four hundred and eighty furlongs, or sixty four Italian miles: They were two hundred foot high, and fifty foot thick; so that six Chariots might drive abreast on them. The River Euphrates ran through the midst of it: over which shee built a strong, and stately Bridge of a mile long, binding each stone to other, with clips of Iron fastened with molten lead. These Walls were one of the seven Wonders of the World. It was built four square, each side sixteen miles long; scituated in a large plain. Aristotle calls it a Country, rather than a City: and it must needs bee very great, when some part of it was taken three dayes before the other heard of it.

It had a hundred brazen Gates, and two hundred and fifty Towers upon the Walls, for beauty, and strength. Semiramis built in it two Pallaces both for ornament, and defence: One in the West, which was sixty Furlongs in compasse, with high brick Walls, and within that a lesse, and within that a third, wherein also was an impregnable Tower. These were wrought sumptuously with Images of Beasts: It had three stately gates, and within the walls were game of Beasts of sundry sorts. The other Pallace was in the East, on the other side of the River, containing thirty Furlongs in circuit.

Semiramis her Obelisk described.

Semiramis Queen of Babylon caused an huge Obelisk, square, and of the fashion of a Pyramid, to bee cut out of the Armenian Mountains one hundred and fifty foot long, and four and twenty foot thick, which with much difficulty was brought to the River Euphrates, and from them thence to Babylon, where shee erected it, to bee matter of admiration to future ages. Diod.

The Rarities in old Babylon described.

Within the heart of this huge and stately City of Babylon shee built a Tower, reckoned amongst the VVorlds VVonders; It had an hundred brazen gates, and two hundred and fifty Towers. Semiramis also built in the same City a stately Temple which shee dedicated to Cush, or Jupiter Belus, four square; each side containing two Furlongs or a thousand paces, with thick Towering walls, entred by four gates of polished brasse. In the midst was a solid Tower of the height and thicknesse of a Furlong: upon this another, and so each higher than another, being eight in number, reaching far above the middle Region of the Air: In the highest Tower was a Chappel, and therein a fair bed covered, and a Table of gold, in the top of this Chappel shee placed three golden Statues: One of Jupiter, forty foot long weighing a thousand Talents (each Talent containing sixty three pounds, and almost ten ounces): Another of Ops, weighing as much, sitting in a golden Throne, at her feet two Lions, and hard by, huge Serpents of silver, each of thirty Talents. The third Image was of Juno standing, in weight eight hundred Talents: To all which was a common Table of gold forty foot long, and twelve broad, weighing fifty Talents. There were also two standing Cups of thirty Talents, and two Vessels for perfume, of the like weight: besides three other Vessels of gold weighing twelve hundred Talents: all which the Persian Kings after their conquest of it took away. Herod.

Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon with its Rarities described.

Nebuchadnezzar, after hee came to it, having conquered all the neighbouring Nations, enriched this Temple of Belus with their spoils, and added a new City to the old without the same, which hee compassed about with three walls, and made in them stately gates: and neer his Fathers Palace hee built another more stately, wherein hee raised stone works like unto Mountains, which hee planted with all manner of trees: Hee made also Pensile Gardens (one of the VVorlds VVonders) born upon arches four square, each square containing four hundred foot, filled above vvith earth, vvherein grevv all sorts of trees and plants: the arches vvere built one upon another in convenient height, still increasing as they ascended: the highest vvhich bate the vvalls vvere fifty Cubits high: Hee made also Aquaeducts for the vvatering of this Garden. Hee erected also an Image of gold in the plain of Dura sixty Cubits high, and six broad: These stately buildings made him so to boast;When Alexander took it, hee h • d in i • two hundred thousand Talents of Gold. Is not this great Babel that I have built for the house of the Kingdome, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my Majesty? Herod.

The Tower of Babylon Described.

About one hundred and thirty years after Noahs comming out of the Ark, his posterity being affrighted with the late Flood, under Nimrod they intended to raise up such a pile, as should secure them from a second deluge, and admirable it is to consider, what multitudes of men there were in the world in so short a space, there being but eight persons that came out of the Ark, and now this building was carried on by five hundred thousand men; the Basis of it was nine miles in compass, and in a few years they raised it above five thousand paces into the sky, and had proceeded farther, but that God by confounding their Languages, despersed them over the whole face of the Earth. Herb. Trav.

The Country about Babylon hath been the fruitfullest in the VVorld, yeilding ordinarily two hundred, and in some places three hundred increase: the blades of the VVheat and Barley are about four fingers broad; They cut their Corn twice in the year, and depasture it a third time, or else it would bee nothing but blade: Pur. Pilgri. p. 59.

The City of Bagdat Described.

Bagdat is raised out of the ruines of old Babylon: its in circuit above three miles, containing fifteen thousand families: its watered by Tygris, somewhat broader than the Thames; it hath a bridge over it made upon thirty long boates, chained together, made to open, and shut at pleasure: The Mosque stands at the West end, large, round, and pleasantly raised of white freestone: The Pallace joyns to the market, its large but low. The Coha-house is a house of good fellowship, where every evening they assemble to drink a certain Stygian Liquor, a black, thick, bitter potion, brewed out of Bunum berries, of great repute, because it provokes lust, and purges melancholly. The Buzzar is square, and comely, the gardens are sweet and lovely.

Syria Described.

Syria bounds Northward upon Cilicia, and part of Cappadocia by Mount Amanus: on the South upon Judea, and part of Arabia-Petraea: On the East upon Arabia Deserta, and Euphrates: and on the West upon the Syrian Sea. This Country is thought to have been the habitation of our first parents before the Flood, and of Noah, and the better part of his Family, after. Hierapolis was the chief City, where was a Temple built in the midst of the City, compassed with a double wall: The Porch looking Northward was almost a hundred fathoms high: the Temple it self, was three hundred fathoms, at the top whereof stood Images of Priapus; which was their God, whom they served with filthy and godlesse vices. The Temple within shined with gold, and the Roof was wholly of the same mettall. It yeilded so fragrant a smell, that the garments of those that came into it retained the sent long after: within it was a Quire, where stood the Images of Jupiter, supported with Bulls, and of Juno sitting upon a Lyon, with a Scepter in one hand, and a distaffe in the other, adorned with many Jewels; and amongst the rest on her head, one called the Lamp, yeilding light in the night season.

Not far from the City was a lake two hundred fathoms deep, wherein was preserved sacred Fishes, and in the middest thereof an Altar of stone, crowned always with garlands, and burning with Odours.

Antioch, another City in Syria, was built by Seleucus, and was sometimes the Seat Royall of the Syrian Kings, and afterwards it was the third City in the Roman Empire: the third seat of the Christian Patriarks: and the first place where the Disciples were called Christians: but now its a Sepulchre to it self, being left but a small village.

Damascus, another Regal City, was fair, and great, every side containing fifteen miles, by it ran the River Pharphar, that watered their gardens: but Abana entered into the City, and by Conduits was carried into their private houses, both of them adding both pleasure and Profit to the inhabitants; which made Naaman prefer them before all the Waters of Israel. In it was a Synagogue of the Ismalites, a stately building, wherein was a wall of glasse distinguished by three hundred sixty and five holes, in each of which was a Dial with twelve Degrees, answering to the hours of the day, within it were bathes and costly buildings, so rich of gold and silver as seemed incredible: it had forty great Porches in the circuit of it, wherein nine thousand Lamps, all of gold, and silver hanged from the roof of them. It was ca1led the Palace of Benhadad.

Aleppo is now the chiefest City in Syria, wherein this is very remarkable, that though the Plague rage never so much (as many times it doth) yet upon that very day wherein Sol enters into Leo, which is usually the twelfth or thirteenth day of July, it immediately ceaseth, and all that are then sick amend, and such as are then come abroad, need fear no further danger. The Turks call Aleppo, Halep, which signifies milk, because it yeilds great store of milk. Its usuall here with many Christians to take a woman of the Country (provided shee bee not a Turk, for its death for a Christian to meddle with them) and when they have bought them, to enroll them in the Cadi's book, and so to use them as wives at bed, and board, while they sojourn there, and then at their departure to leave them to shift for themselves, and children.

Tripolis is a City on the main land of Syria, neer unto Mount Libanus, which is a Mountain of three days journey in length, reaching from Trypolis to Damascus: The Christians which dwell upon this Mountain are called Maronites, they are a very simple and ignorant People, yet civil, kind, and curteous to strangers. There are now few Cedars growing here, only in one place, there are four and twenty growing together, they are tall, and as big as the greatest Oaks, with diverse rows of branches, one over another, stretching strait out, as though they were kept by Art. There is no place in all the VVorld, wherein they speak the Syriack tongue naturally at this day, but only in four villages on this mountain, which are Eden, Hatcheeth, Shany, and Boloza. Neer unto Tripolis, there is a gallant plain of about a mile in length full of Olive, and Fig-trees.

Scandaroon, by Christians called Alexandretta, is in the very bottome of the Straights: The Air is very unwholsome, and infects those that stay any time there, occasioned by two high mountains, which keep away the Sunne from it for a great part of the day: the water also neer the Town is very unwholsome. Here our Merchants land their goods, and send them by Caravan upon Camels to Aleppo, distant about three days journey. Here are many Jackalls, which in the night make a great crying, and comming to a grave where a Corse hath been buried the day before, if the grave bee not well filled with many great stones upon it, they will scrape up the Earth, and devour the corps. Mr. Bidulphs Travels.

The Empire of Persia Described.

Persia at this day hath many famous Provinces subjected to her Command; as Persia, Parthia, Media, Hyrcania, Bactria, Sogdiana, Evergeta, Ar • a, Drangiana, Margiana, Paropamisa, Caramania, Gedrosia, Susiana, Arabia, Chaldea, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Iberia, and Mengrellia, twenty Noble Kingdomes of old: The whole Empire is bounded East, West, North, and South, with India, Arabia, the Caspian and Persian Seas. In length from East to West is one thousand three hundred and twenty miles; and in breadth from North to South; its One thousand four hundred fourscore and eight miles; So that the whole Circuit is about Four thousand miles: the Revenues of the Persian King, amount yearly to the sum of one million and one hundred and ninty thousand pounds sterling.

The Persians are usually big-boned, strong, straight, and proper: Of an Olive colour, the women paint, the men love Arms, and all love Poetry. No part of their body is allowed hair, the upper lip excepted, where it grows long, and thick: they turn it downwards: the meaner sort reserve a lock in the middest of their head, by which they believe Mahomet will pluck them up into Paradise. Their eyes are black, their foreheads high, and their Noses hooked; upon their heads they wear Shashes of great rowls of Calico, silk, and gold, the higher, the more beautiful: They wear no bands, their outside garment is usually of Calico, stitched with silk, quilted with Cotton; the better sort have them farre richer, of silk, silver and gold; their sleeves are straight and long, their garment reaches to the Calf of the leg, their wasts are girt with Towels of silk, and gold very long: next their skin they wear smocks of Cotton very short; their breeches and stockings are sowed together; from the ankle to the shooes they are naked; their shooes have no latchets, sharp at the toes, and turn upward.

Circumcision is so necessary, that without it none can call himself a Mussulman: Both men and women use it; the women at any time from nine to fifteen: the men at twelve, which was Ishmaels age, when Abraham circumcised him, whom they make their progenitor. Their ordinary houshold furniture is a Pan, a Platter, and a Carpet▪ their diet is soon drest, and as soon eaten; their Table is the ground, covered with a Carpet, over which they spread a Pintado cloth: before each man they lay four or six thin Cakes of Wheat: for every one a wooden spoon, their handles almost a yard long, and huge big mouthes: Their only meat is Pelo, dressed after diverse manners. It consists of Rice, Mutton, and Hens boiled together, to which they adde various sauces, &c. Their drink is Sherbet, made of fair water, sugar, Rosewater, and juice of Lemmons mixt together.

The chief Cities in Persia described. The City of Lar described

Lar is the chief City in the Province of Larestan. Its not walled about: In that Art is needlesse, the lofty Rock, so naturally defending her: shee hath a brave Castle on the North Quarter, mounted upon an imperious Hill, not only threatning an enemy, but awing the Town with her frownin • posture: the ascent is narrow and steep: the Castle of good stone: the walls are furnished with good battlements, whereon are mounted twelve brasse Cannons, and two Basilisks (the spoils of Ormus) within the walls are one hundred houses stored with souldiers, who have there a gallant Armory, able to furnish with Lance, Bow, and Gun, three thousand men. The Buzzar or Market-place, is a gallant Fabrick; the materials, a good Chalkie-stone, long, strong and beautiful: Its covered a top, arched, and containing in it a Burse, or Exchange, wherein the shops are stored with variety of wares: the walk from North to South is a hundred and seventy paces: from East to West one hundred and sixty: the Oval in the Center is about one hundred and ninety. The Mosques or Churches are not many: One especially is round, figuring eternity: in some places engraven with Arabick letters, and painted with knots, and in other places with Mosaick fancies. Its low, and without glasse windows, woodden trellizes (excellently cut after their manner) supplying that want: Here are the fairest Dates, Orenges, Lemmons, and Pomecitrons in all Persia: at easy rates you may have Hens, Goats, Rice, Rache, and Aquavitae. The Inhabitants are for the most part naked, being a mixture of Jews, and Mahumetans; their habit is only a wreath of Calico tyed about their heads, a cloth about their loins, and sandals on their feet; the rest naked. Herb. Trav.

Shyraz described.

Shyraz is at this day the second City for magnificence in the Persian Monarchy: It's watered by the River Bindamyr, that springs out of the Tapirian Mountains: It's each way about three miles in length; the compasse nine miles. Its pleasantly seated in the North West end of a spacious plain, twenty miles long, and six broad; environed with stupendious Hills, under one of which the City is placed: Its defended by Nature, inriched by Trade, by Art made lovely: The Vine-yards, Gardens, Cypresses, Sudatories, and Temples ravish the eye, and smell, in every part sweet, and delightful. The houses are of Sun-burnt Bricks, hard, and durable; flat and tarrassed about: the Belconies, and windows are curiously and largely trellized: the floores spred with rich Carpets: None are without their Gardens, or Forrests, rather of high Chenaers, and Cypresses: In it are fifteen brave Mosques, pargetted with Azure-stones, resembling Turquoises, without; lined within with pure, black polished Marble: the tops beautified with many double-guilt-spires, which reflect the Sun beams with a rich and delightful splendor: two excel all the rest: One of them is fifty foot high in the body, leaded, covered with gold, and blew; the walls, varnished and wrought with knots and poesies: Above, aspiring with two colums of wood round, cut and garnished with great bravery, very nigh as high as Pauls in London. The other is Quadrangular: the superficies of Arabick invention, imbost with gold, paved with Porphiry, painted with Azure, garnished with Mazes, and at their festivals made resplen • ent with one thousand Lamps and Torches. Idem.

When our English Embassador passed through this City, hee was entertained in the Dukes Palace, where all the great men of the Court and City were present, and many young Ganimedes arrayed in cloath of gold, went up and down with flagons of pure gold, to fill out VVine to such as nodded for it: they were served with a curious banquet, at the end whereof came in the Duke: Hee was ushered in by thirty gallant young Gentlemen vested in crimson Satten: Their Tulipants were of Silk and Silver, wreathed about with chains of Gold, of Pearl, of Rubies, Turquoises, and Emeralds: they were all girded with rich swords, and imbroidered scabbards, they had Hawks on their fists, each hood worth one hundred pound. To these succeeded their Lord, the Arch Duke of Shyraz, his Coat was of blew Satten, richly imbroidered with silver, upon which hee wore a Robe of a great length, so glorious to the eye, so thick powdered with Oriental Gems, as made the ground of it invisible, the price invaluable. His Turbant was of pure fine silk and gold, bestudded with Pearl and Carbuncles: his Scabbard was beset all over with Rubies, Pearls, and Emeralds: His Sandals res • mbled the bespangling Firmament, &c. Idem.

The ancient Persepolis described.

Persepolis was a City so glorious, that Quintus Curtius, and Diodorus Siculus intitle it the richest, and most lovely City under the Sun. It was a very large City, and the Metropolis of all Persia, two of the gates standing twelve miles asunder, which shews what the circuit of it was, when in her beauty and bravery. On the South side was a stately and magnificent Pallace, built by King Cyrus: On the North side stood a mighty strong Castle, which was girt about with three walls: The first wall was four and twenty foot high, adorned and beautified with many turrets and spires: The second was like the first, but twice as high: And the third was foursquare, being ninety foot high; all built of polished Marble: On each side of the City were twelve brasen gates, with brasen Pales set before them very curiously wrought. On the East arose amiably an Hill of four Acres, in which, in stately Mausoleum's, were entombed the Monarchs of the VVorld. Many rare and admirable buildings it had, amongst which the glorious Temple of Diana was the most exquisite for Art, and materials in the VVorld: The stones were of the richest Marble and Porphery, the roof of refined gold. The Pallace Royal was cut out of the Marble Rock, above two miles in compasse: the roof and windows were of Gold, Silver, Amber, and Ivory: The Seate within was of Gold, and Oriental glittering Gems: In one room was an artificial Vine, the stalk of pure Gold, the clusters of Grapes of Pearls and Carbuncles: His bolster was valued at five thousand Talents of Gold; the footstool worth three thousand Talents: so that when the greedy Greeks had pillaged three dayes, yet Alexander had for his share seventy two millions of Crowns of Gold: besides hee loaded away three thousand Mules, with two and thirty millions, and seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds in Coin. The ruines of this stately City are seen at this day with astonishment. Herb. Trav. p. 144.

The City of Spahawn described.

Spahawn, The Metropolis of the Persian Monarchy, is seated in the Parthian territory, as the navel to that spacious body: It's nine English miles in compasse, containing seventy thousand houses, and of souls about two hundred thousand, composed (besides natives) of English, Dutch, Portuguize, Poles, Moscovites, Indians, Arabians, Armenians, Georgians, Turks, Jews, &c. drawn thither by the magnetick power of gain and novelty. The principal things observeable in it are, The Bridge well built of stone, supported by five and thirty Arches, through which the Syndery from the Acroceraunian Mountains gently floweth. The Midan, or great Market-place▪ which is the most spacious, pleasant and Aromatick Market in the VVorld: a thousand paces from North to South, the other way above two hundred, resembling our Exchange: the building is of Brick, well made, and framed in a most delightful manner; the inside is full of shops, each shop full of ware, arched above, a top framed Tarrase-wise: and cemented with excellent plaister, its placed in the heart of this triumphant City. The Kings Pallace joyns to the West side of it, possessing a large quantity of ground backward, though to the street side it hath no magnifick front; her best bravery being in the trim pargetting and painting with Azure and Gold, in Mosaick and Antick sort, interlaced with Poesies of Arabick: But within, the rooms are arched, enlightened with curious trellizes: the roof embossed with red, white, blew, and gold, the sides with sports, and painted Images: the ground spread with rich and curious Carpets of Silk and Gold. Tarrased above, garnished with a very high Tower, excellent for view; and breathing. The Wildernesse behinde is filled with all sorts of birds, priviledged from hurt, or affrights, who return their thanks in a sweet melodious consort. The North Isle of the Midan, contains eight or nine arched rooms, hung with Lamps and Candlesticks, which being lighted, gives a curious splendor.

Opposite to this Pallace is a fair Mosque, in form round, and within distinguished into Isles; the walls are lined fifteen foot high from the ground with white, and well polisht Marble, without pews or seats: In the midst is a stately Tank, or Pond, and at the Portal another eightsquare, filled with Christal streams of water, wherein all Musslemen wash their hands, armes, eyes, &c. as an operative work to purge sin, and confer devotion.

In the Midan the shops bee uniform, the Trades are no where severed; all the Mercers together, the Lapidaries together, &c. but most of them are of gums, drugs, and spices so sweet and delicate as can bee imagined.

The Hummums or Sudatories are many, and very beautiful, some square, but most round, made of white stone polished, and durable; the windows are large without, and narrower within, the glasse is thick, and dark: the top round, tyled with a counterfeit Turquoise, perfectly blew, fresh and lasting; they are divided into many rooms, some for delight, and others for sweating: the paving all pure black Marble: Men use them in the morning, women towards night. Tis their Catholicon against all diseases, colds, catarrhes, flegme, aches, &c.

The City is Oval, each house made pleasant by large Cypresse Gardens. The Seraglio for his women, is full of precious treasures, and more precious beauties, but not to bee seen. The Castle is very large, well walled, and deeply moated. The City hath so many pleasant Gardens, that at a distance you would take it for a Forrest, so sweet, you would call it a Paradise: I shall only describe one of them excelling all others.

Going from the Midan, you passe through an even delicate street two miles long, most part of the way walled on both sides, bedecked with Summer-houses, but more remarkable in that abundance of green, broad spreading Chenore Trees, yeelding shade, and incomparable order and beauty. The Garden is circled with a stately wall, three miles in compasse, entred by three gallant and curious gates. From North to South it is one thousand paces; from East to West seven hundred: from one end to the other easily seen by reason of a fair large Alley, running all along in parallel, distinguished into nine ascents, each surmounting other a foot, each distance smooth and even. In the Center is a spacious Tank, made into twelve equal sides, each side being five foot, set round with pipes of lead, which spout out water in variety of conceits and postures, which sort of pastime continues thence to the North gate, where is raised a house of pleasure, antickly garnished without, within divided into four or six Chambers: the lower is set out with Tanks of rich white Marble, and fumes out a cool Breese: the higher rooms are garnished with variety of Landskips, representing their sports of hunting, hawking, fishing, riding, shooting, wrestling, and other fancies: the seeling is inriched with beaten gold, imbost with Azure. From her Tarrasses is a dainty prospect of most part of the City. This Garden is replenished with trees of all sorts, for fruit, shade, and medicine: All so green, so sweet, so pleasant, as may well bee tearmed a Compendium of Sense-ravishing delights.

Within the City is a Column or Pillar, at the base twenty foot round, and sixty foot high, made of the heads of men and beasts: the occasion of this was Anno Christi 1500. when Tamas Shaw ruled Persia, being much troubled with Turks and Tartars, these Citizens refused not only to contribute to his Wars, but denyed him enterance, whereupon hee vowed revenge, entred the City by force, and without regarding age, or sex, slew three hundred thousand of them; and of their heads made this Pillar, as a Trophee of his victory, and their basenesse.

— En quo discordia Cives perduxit miseros. —

When our English Embassador came to the Emperor of Persia, he found him at Asharaff in Hircania, two miles from the Caspian Sea: when hee came to the Court with his retinue, they allighted, and were ushered into a little Court du Guard, that stood in the center of a spacious Court, the ground spread with Persian Carpets, about a pretty white Marble Tank, where they were feasted with Pelo, and Wine, the flagons, cups, dishes, plates, and covers being of pure beaten gold: Thence they were led through a spacious and fragrant Garden, curious to the eye, and delicate to the smell, to another Summer-house, rich in gold imbossements, and paintings; but far more excellent for the admirable prospect▪ for from thence they viewed the Caspian Sea on one side, and the Mountain Taurus on the other. The ground Chambers were large, four-square, archt, and richly guilded above, and on the sides, below, bespread with curious Carpets of Silk and Gold.

In the Center were Tanks of Christalline water (an Element of no mean account in those Torrid habitations) Round about the Tanks were placed Goblets, Flagons, Cisterns, and Standards of pure Massy-gold: some of them were filled with perfumes, others with Rosewater: with wine some, and others with choisest Flowers. From thence they were led into another large square upper Room, where the roof was formed into an Artificial Element, many golden Planets attracting the wandring eye to help their Motion: The ground was covered with far richer Carpets than the other: the Tank was larger: the matter, Jasper; and Porphiry: the silver purling-stream was forced up into another Region, yet seemed here to bubble wantonly as in her proper Center: about it was so much gold in vessels for use, and oftentation, that some Merchants with them, judged it worth twenty millions of pounds sterling: Another Tank there was incircled with a wall of Gold, and richest Gems: No other Flagons, Cups, nor other vessels were there but what were thick, and covered over with Diamonds, Rubies, Pearls, Emeralds, Turquises, Jacinths, &c. The seeling of this Chamber was garnished with Poetick fancies in gold, and choicest colours. The ground in this room was covered with such Carpets as befitted the Monarch of Persia: Above sixty of the greatest Nobles sat round about it, cross-legged with their bums to the ground, and their backs to the wall, like so many statues, their eyes fixed on a constant object; not daring to speak, sneese, Cough, spit, &c. in the Emperors presence. The Ganimed Boys in vests of Gold, and richly bespangled Turbanes, &c. with Flagons of most glorious mettal, profering wine to such as would tast it: The Emperor Abbas himself sat at the upper end; so much higher than the rest, as two or three silken shags could elevate him: his apparrel was plain, &c.

The City of Casbine Described.

Casbine is at this day for multitude of Buildings, and inhabitants, the chiefest City in Media, and next to Spahawn, the greatest City in the Persian Monarchy. Its compassed with a wall seven miles in compasse: seated in a fair even plain, having no hill of note within thirty miles compasse: the Champain yeilds grain, and grapes, but no wood. It hath a small stream to water it, which gives drink to the thirsty; and makes fruitfull the gardens, whereby they yeild abundance of fruits, and roots in variety; as Grapes, Orenges, Limes, Lemons, Pomecitrons, Musk melons, and Water-melons, Apples, Pistachoes, Filberts, Almonds, Walnuts, Plums, Cherries, Peaches, Apricocks, Figs, Pears, Goosberries, Dates, and excellent Pomgranats; &c. The Families in it are twenty thousand, and the Inhabitants about two hundred thousand: The Buzzars, or market places are large, and pleasant: The Midan is uniform, and beautifull: The Kings Palace nigh the market, low built, painted with blew, red, and yellow colours, commixt with Arabick letters and knots in gold, and azure: The windows are spacious, trellized, and neatly carved: Neer the Kings gate is a great Tank: The Hummums, or sweating places are many, resplendent in the azure pargetting, and tileing: The gardens are pleasant for view and smell.

The City of Tauris Described.

Tauris was the late Metropolis of Media, taking its name from the prodigious Mountain Taurus, under which it is built; the ancient name was Ecbatane, when shee was farre greater than now shee is: Strabo saith, that it was fifteen miles in compasse, the walls were strong and stately, seventy cubits high, and fifty broad, beautified with many lofty Turrets, and battlements, within were many great and excellent Palaces, especially that which was built by Daniel (the Mausoleum of the Median Kings) was most magnificent, which remained undemolished till the time of Josephus. That built by Darius was no lesse memorable, most whereof was built of Cedar, the roof studded, and plaited with burnished gold. At this day its about five miles compasse, well peopled, traded to from farre and neer; The houses are flat on the top, made of brick; the Buzzar large, and the gardens lovely.

The City of Derbent Described.

Derbent is a strong and famous Port Town upon the Caspian Sea, viewing from her lofty Turrets, the Armenian, and Hyrcanian Territories, as also Ararat, and the sea. Its circled with a strong, high, and defensible stone-wall, above three miles in compasse: The houses, Hummums, and Churches, are but meanly beautifull: the strong Castle Kastow is most observeable in it, pleasantly, and very advantagiously seated.

Hyspaan Described.

The City of Hyspaan in Persia, was formerly called Hecatompolis, by reason of its hundred gates; It's compassed with a strong wall, and is in circuit as much as a man may well ride on horseback in a day; its a very strong City, and is excellently watered with deep channels of running springs, conveyed into it from the Coronian Mountains, which are as a wall inaccessible about it. On the North side is a very strong Castle, which is compassed about with a wall of a thousand and seven hundred yards in compasse. On the West side of the City are two Seraglio's, one for the King, the other for his women: Palaces of great state, and Magnificence, the Walls whereof glister with pollished Marble, and pargetting of divers colours; and all the Palaces are paved with curious checkered work, and covered with curious Carpets wrought with Silk, and Gold; the windows are made of Marble, Porphery, and Alabaster; the Posts and doors of Massie Ivory, checkered with glistering black Ebonie, so curiously wrought in winding knots, as may easilier stay than satisfie the wondering eye of the spectator. Near the Palace is a stately Garden, spacious, and large, beautifully adorned with a thousand sundry kinds of Fruit-trees, plants, and flowers of all sorts to delight the beholders. There are in it a thousand Fountains, and a thousand Brooks, and as the Father of them all, a pretty River which with a mild stream, and delightful murmure, divides the Garden from the Kings Palace.

Casan described.

Casan is the chiefest City in Parthia; It is seated in a goodly plain, having no Mountains within a dayes journey of it: It wanteth neither Fountains, Springs, nor curious pleasant Gardens: It aboundeth with all necessaries for the life of man; It's greatly frequented with all sorts of Merchandize, especially out of India. The Citizens are very industrious, and curious in all manner of Sciences, especially in weaving girdles, and shashes; in making Velvets, Satins, Damasks, excellent Persian Carpets of a wonderful finenesse: Here you may buy all manner of Drugs, and Spices; as also Turkesses, Diamonds, Rubies, and Pearles; as also all sorts of Silk, raw and wrought: For there is more Silk brought into Casan in one year, than there comes broad cloth into London. This City is much to bee commended for Civil Government: For an idle person is not suffered to live amongst them; the child that is but six years old is set to labour: no ill rule, disorder or riot is suffered there. They have a Law amongst them, whereby every person is compelled to give his name to the Magistrate, withal declaring by what course hee liveth; and if any tell untruly, hee is either well beaten on the feet, or imployed in publick slavery.

Casan contains above four thousand families; the houses are fairly built; the streets bee large and comely: the Mosques and Hummums are curiously painted, and covered with blew Tiles, like Turquoises: The Buzzar is spacious, and uniform. The Gardens abound with fruit, and the fields with Corn: The Carravans-Raw is an admirable Fabrick, able to receive all the retinue of the greatest Potentate in Asia. It was built by Saw-Abbas for the entertainment of Travellers on free cost: The whole building is founded on Marble, six foot high, the rest of Brick; varnished and coloured with knots, and Phansies of Arabick characters in Azure, red, and white, laid in Oile: Its a perfect quadrangle, each side two hundred paces long: In the midst of this spacious Court is a large fouresquare Tank, or Pond, with Christaline water: This Royal Inne is seated in the midst of fragrant and spacious Gardens.

Armenia the greater described

Armenia Major lyeth on the farther side of Euphrates: is a very mountainous Country; hath part of Cappadocia, and Euphrates, on the West. Mesopotamia on the South: Colchis, Iberia, and Albania on the North. And the Caspian Sea, and Media on the East: One part of it is called Turcomania, the other Georgia. On the Mountain of Ararat, in this Countrey the Ark rested, and from hence the World was repeopled. The chiefest Rivers are Phasis and Lycus, which runne into the Pontick Sea: Cyrus, and Araxes into the Caspian; Euphrates, and Tygris which run into the Red, or Persian Sea.

Tygris, so called from its swiftnesse, passeth through the Lake Arethusa, yet neither mingling water, nor fishes, saith Solinus; afterward it diveth under Taurus, and riseth on the other side bringing much filth with it, and is again hidden, and again riseth, and at last carrieth Euphrates into the Sea.

Mr. Cartwright in his Preachers Travels, saith, that these present Armenians are a very industrious people in all kind of Labour: that their women are very skilful, and active in shooting, and managing any sort of weapon, like the Ancient Amazons; That their Families are great, the Father and all his posterity dwelling together under one roof, having their substance in common, and when the father dyeth, the eldest son governs, all submitting themselves under his regiment, after his death, not his son, but his brother succeeds, and when all the brethren are dead, then the eldest Son. In diet, and clothing they are all alike.

Media Described.

Media hath on the North the Caspian Sea: on the South Persia: on the West Armenia: and on the East Parthia. Ecbatane was once the Metropolis of it, twenty miles distant from the Caspian Straits: which are a narrow way made by hand through the Hills, scarce wide enough for a Cart to pass, eight miles in length, the rocks with their obscure frowns, hanging over them, and in the summer time multitudes of Serpents guarding them. The walls of Ecbatane were built of hewen stone, seventy cubits high, and fifty cubits broad, and sixteen miles in compasse. Herodotus saith, that after the Assyrians had raigned in Asia, five hundred and twenty years, the Medes rebelled, chose Deioces for their King, at whose command they builded him this royall City, and in it a Palace of Cedar wood; joyned with plates of silver, and gold, being a stately thing, the whole compasse of it was seven furlongs. Diodorus Siculus reports, that at one time, multitudes of Sparrows that devoured their seed, forced the inhabitants to leave this Countrey, and to seek their living in other places: as Mice caused them in some part of Italy: and Frogs that rained out of the Clouds, made the Attariotae: and Fleas chased away the Inhabitants of Myus: How great is that God, who of the smallest of his Creatures, can muster Armies to conquer them that swell in the conceit of their own greatnesse? as against Pharoah, &c. And how many Nations in Africa have the Grashoppers exiled from their native habitations? amongst the Medes none might bee King except hee was in stature and strength more eminent than others: They used to nourish Dogs with great care, to whom they cast men ready to dye, whilest yet breathing, to bee devoured of them. In this Country is the Lake of Van, three hundred miles long, and a hundred and fifty broad, of salt water the greatest next to Meotis. Gyllicus affirms that eight great Rivers run into it, without any apparent issue to the Sea.

Parthia described.

Parthia is seated at the roots of the mountains, having the Arians on the East; the Medes on the West: Caramania on the South: and Hyrcania on the North, surrounded with Desarts: they used not gold, or silver, but only to adorn their armour: they had many wives, of whom they were so jealous that they forbad them the sight of any other man: They performed all businesses, both publick and private on horseback; this being the distinction of free men from servants; they buried their dead in the bellies of birds, or dogs: they were exceeding superstitious in the service of their Gods: they were a stout, unquiet, and unfaithful people: their fight was more dangerous in their flight, than in their onset; whence Seneca saith Terga, conversi metuenda Parthi.

The Parthians flight doth most affright. Its now called Arach.

Hyrcania described.

Hyrcania (now Strava) hath on the West Media: on the East Margiana: on the South Parthia: and on the North the Caspian Sea: Its famous for store of woods, and Tygers: Strava the chief City abounds with trafick for Silk: Their Religion agrees with that of the Persians.

Arabia described.

Arabia is a very large Country lying between the Persian Gulph on the East, and the Arabian Gulph on the West: On the South is the Ocean; and on the North is Syria and Euphrates. Its usually divided into Petraea, Deserta, and Foelix: The name Faelix, or Happie is given to the Southern part, from the fertility of it. Petraea to a second part, of Petra the Seat Royal: Deserta, or the Desert from the nature of it, being a very barren soil.

Arabia the Desert is bounded on the East with Babylonia, and part of the Persian Gulph: on the North with Mesopotamia, neer to Euphrates: On the West with Syria, and Arabia Petraea: and on the South with the Mountains of Arabia Faelix, neer unto which, and Euphrates, it hath some Towns which are frequented by Merchants: In other parts it is unpeopled, only by some roving Arabians wandering in it, seeking pasture for their Cattel.

Arabia Petraea hath Syria on the West and North: Arabia the Desert on the East; and Arabia Foelix on the South: some call it Nabathaea: that part of it which is next to Syria is fruitful; the other barren, wanting both wood, and water, and frequented by wandring theevish Arabians: In this Country it was, that the Israelites wandred forty years up and down in their passage to Canaan. Here is Mount Sinai, a mile and an half from Horeb, and far higher: Sinai is ascended by steps cut out of the Rock, and from the top of it may bee seen both shores of the Red-Sea.

Arabia Foelix bounds upon the former, and hath the Sea on all other parts, against which it doth abut for the space of three thousand five hundred and four miles. Its now called Ayaman, or Giamen. Its probable to bee the Country where Saba stood, whose Queen came to visit Salomon, though the Abassines challenge her to themselves: It hath store of Rivers, Lakes, Towns, Cities, Cattel, and fruits of many sorts. The chief Cities are Medina, Mecca, Ziden, Zebit, Aden, &c. Here is store of gold, silver, and variety of precious stones: As also wild beasts of diverse kinds. The Inhabitants use circumcision at thirteen years old after the • xample of Ismael. Frankincense grows only in this Country, and not in every part, but in one part only, guarded, and almost unpassable by Rocks; the place is one hundred miles long, and about fifty in breadth; there are three hundred families appointed to attend this Wood, who are called Holy, and when they cut the trees, whence Incense sweats, which is in the Spring and Autum, they must abstain from Women, funerals, &c. when its gathered, they carry it on Camels by Sabota, where they pay the Tithe to a God called Sabis. They have in Arabia sheep with great tailes, some of which weigh forty pounds, some much more: they kill all the Mice they can, as supposing them enemies to their Gods: the women cover their faces, being contented rather to see but with one eye, than to prostitute their whole faces. They have also Balsom trees. The Arabick language is now the most common in all the Eastern Countries, especially amongst those that imbrace the Mahometan Religion.

Tartary described.

The Tartars inhabit a vast space of ground in Asia, and are divided into many Tribes different both in name and government one from another: The greatest and mightiest of them is the Crim Tartar, called by some the great Cham, that lyeth South, and South East from Russia. Their Arms are Bows, Arrows, and Swords; they are all Horse-men, and use to shoot as readily backward, as forward: the common souldiers have no armour more than their ordinary apparel, which is a black sheep skin with the wool side outward in the day time, and inward in the night, with a cap of the same: the Nobles imitate the Turks, both in apparrel and armour. In their wars they chiefly seek to get store of Captives, especially of Boyes and Girles, whom they sell to the Turks, or other neighbour Nations; they are most of them Mahometans. They have certain Idol puppets made of Silk or other stuff in the likenesse of a man, which they fasten to the door of their walking houses to keep them in safety; besides they have the Image of their great Cham, of an huge bignesse, which they erect at every stage when they march, and every one as he passeth by, must bow down to it, they are much given to witchcraft, and sorcery. They are divided into Hoords, over each of which is a Duke, who are bound when the Emperor sends for them, to attend him with such a number of Souldiers, every one having two horses, one to ride on, and the other to kill, when his turn comes to have his horse eaten: for their chief food is horseflesh, which they eat without any bread: They keep also great heards of Kine, and black sheep, rather for their skins and milk (which they carry with them in great bottles,) then for their flesh, which (they say) is not so strengthning as horse-flesh, they drink milk and bloud mingled together: Sometimes as they travel, they let their horses blood; and drink it warm. They have no Towns but walking houses, built upon wheeles, like Shepheards Cottages: these they draw with them, and drive their cattel before them, and when they stay, they plant their Cart-houses very orderly in rank, so making the form of streets, and of a large Town: the Emperor himself hath no other City but such as these: In the spring they move with their Cattel Northward grazing up all before them, and then return Southward again, where they remain all the winter: Towards the Caspian sea, and on the frontiers of Russia, they have a goodly Country, but marred for want of Tillage.

They use no money, and prefer brass and Steel before all other mettals. They have broad and flat visages, much tanned, have fierce and cruel looks, thin hair on their upper lips, they are light and nimble, they have short legs, as if they were made for horsemen: their speech is sudden, and loud, speaking out of a deep hollow throat: their singing is very untunable. The Circasses that border upon Lituania, are more civil than the rest, applying themselves to the fashions of the Polonians: The Nagay Tartars lye Eastward, and are far more savage, and cruel: The most rude, and barbarous, are the Morduit-Tartars, that worship for god, the first living thing they meet in the morning, and swear by it all the day after: when his friend dyes hee kills his best horse, and carries his hide upon a long pole, before the Corps to the place of buriall: that so his friend may have a good horse to carry him to heaven; they are void of learning, and without written Laws, only some rules they hold by tradition, as to obey their Emperor and Governors: none to possesse any land, but the whole Countrey to bee common: not to use daintiness in diet, &c.

This great Country is bounded on the East with the Eastern Ocean: On the West with Russia, and Moldovia: On the North with the Sythick, or frozen Sea: and on the South with Mare Caspium, the Hill Taurus, and the wall of China: Its in length from East to West, five thousand four hundred miles, and in breadth from North to South, three thousand and six hundred miles. It was formerly called Scythia. It hath been so fruitfull of people, that it was called, Vagina gentium, et officina generis humani; the mother of all inundations.

From hence indeed Huns, Herules, Franks, Bulgarians. Circassians, Sueves, Burgundians, Turks, Tartarians, Dutch, Cimbers, Normans, Almaines, Ostrogothes, Tigurines, Lombards, Vandals, Visigothes, Have swarm'd like Locusts, round about this Ball. And spoil'd the fairest Provinces of all.

The Island of Cyprus Described.

In the Mediterranean Sea: there are only two Islands belonging to Asia, Cyprus, and Rhodes.

The Island of Cyprus Described.

Cyprus is seated in the Sea of Syria, and is in compasse five hundred and fifty miles: Its in length from East to West, two hundred miles: In breadth but sixty five miles. Its about sixty miles distant from Cilicia, and one hundred from the main land of Syria. In summer its very hot: the greatest supply of water is from the Clouds: So that in Constantines time, there being a great, and long drought, the Island was almost unpeopled for thirty six years together. Ordinarily its very fruitfull, and so stored with Commodities, that without the help of other Countrys, its able to build a ship from the keel to the top-sail, and to furnish it to Sea, with all things necessary, either for a voyage or Sea-fight. It yeilds plenty of wine, Oile, Corn, Sugar, Honey, Wool, Cotton, Turpentine, Allum, and Verdegreece: As also all sorts of Mettals, Salt, Grograms, and other Commodities; whence it was called Macaria; or the blessed Island. There are abundance of Cyprus Trees growing in it. The Inhabitants are warlike, strong, and nimble, civil, Hospitable, and friendly to strangers. The Jews in Trajans time slew in this Island, two hundred and forty thousand living souls, whereupon ever since they suffer no Jew to come amongst them.

The Island is divided into eleven Provinces: the chief Rivers are Pedeus and Tenus: The chief Cities are Paphos, once famous for the Temple of Venus. Famagusta on the South Sea. Nicosia almost in the center of the Countrey. Amathus, Ceraunia, now called Cerines: And Arsione, now Lescare. Its now under the Turks, who took it from the Venetians, Anno Christi, One thousand five hundred threescore and ten.

The Island of Rhodes Described.

Rhodes is situated in the Carpathian Sea, over against Caria in the lesser Asia: Its in circuit one hundred and twenty miles: The chief City is of the same name, where stood that huge Colossus of Brasse, in the Image of a man fourscore cubits high, whose little finger was as big as an ordinary man: it was the work of twelve years, made by Chares of Lindum.

The Inhabitants of this Ile were always good Seamen. Anno Christi 1308. the Knights of St. John in Hierusalem, being driven out of Asia by the Saracens, seized upon this Island, and were always troublesome neighbours to the Turks, till the year 1522. at which time Solyman the Magnificent, wrested it from them. The forenamed City of Rhodes, stands on the East part of the Island at the bottome of a hill, and on the shore of the Sea; having a safe and fair Haven: it hath also two walls for defence, thirteen high towers, five bulwarks, besides sconces and outworks: Its inhabited only by Turks and Jews: for though the Christians are suffered to trade freely all day; yet at night, upon pain of death they must leave it.

The Rhodian Colossus more fully Described.

In the Isle of Rhodes stood one of the worlds seven wonders, which was a huge Colossus made of Brasse in the form of a man, standing with his two leggs striding over an haven, under which, ships with their Masts and Sails might passe: It was fourscore cubits high, with all the parts proportionable, and all gilt over. When Muani the fifth Caliph of Babylon, overcame Constance the Emperour in a Sea-fight, and had taken the Isle of Rhodes, this image being formerly thrown down by an Earthquake, was sold by him to a Jew, who loaded nine hundred Camels with the brasse of it. Theoph. Pez. Mel. Hist.

The Islands and Countries in the East-Indies Described. Malabar Described.

Malabar is neer to Cape Comeryn: Its four hundred miles in length, but not above a hundred in breadth: yet so populous that one of the Samorines, or Kings, hath brought into the field two hundred thousand men: The Countrey is green and full of all delights, Cattel, Corn, Fruit, Cotton, silk-worms, and other Merchandise: it hath store of strong Towns, and safe Harbours. Its divided into many Toparchies, but all obeying the Samorine, a naked Negro, yet as proud as Lucifer: The Nayroes are his Lords, a sort of Mammeluks, that live by the sweat of other mens brows, lust wholly Mastering them: they always go armed with sword and Buckler: The people generally are big-limmed, strong, cole-black, wear their hair, (which is like wool) long, and curled: about their heads they have a wreath of a curious sort of linnen wrought with gold, and silk: about their wast a peece of Calico, all the rest naked: the vulgar sort pink their skins in many places: some are Mahometans, others Gentiles: the Mahometan women use vails like other Indians: such as are Gentiles affect nakedness: their greatest pride is in their noses, and ears; and they judge them most brave which are bigest, and widest: their ears they make big by weighty bables which they hang in them: they wring their snouts with silver, brass, or Ivory: their arms and legs are chained richly. Their Braminies, or Priests, have the maiden heads of all that are married: they are couragious and politick.

The City of Callecut in Malabar Described.

Callecut a City is not large, nor of any beauty▪ the houses are low, thick, and dark: The Samorine, or Emperor usually abides here: many deformed Pagathoes are here worshipped: The chappel where their grand Idol sits is covered, and about three yards high: the wooden entrance is ingraven with infernal shapes: within their beloved Priapus is imperiously enthronized upon a brasen Mount: his head hath a resplendent Diadem, from whence issue four great Rams horns: his eyes squint: his mouth is wide, from whence branch four Monstrous Tusks: his nose is flat: his beard like the Sun beams, of an affrighting aspect; his hands are like the claws of a Vulture; his thighs and legs big, and hairy; his feet, and tail resemble a Munkies; Other Temples▪ have other Pagods, ugly all, yet all differ in invention. They commonly exchange their wives; As men have many wives, so one woman may have many husbands.

The Isle of Zeiloon Described.

Zeiloon, or Ceilon, is two hundred and fifty miles in length, one hundred and forty in breadth. It abounds with sundry sorts of aromatick spices: but especially with Cinamon: It hath plenty of Orenges; Dates, Cocoes, Ananas, Plantans, and Mastick; It hath Elephants, Bufolos, Cowes, Sheep, Hogs, &c. Smaragds, Rubies, Ambergreece, &c. The King hereof to shew his bravery to the Portugals, invited them to see him walk upon a Tarras, arraied in an imbroidered Coat, powdered with Gold, Smaragds, Diamonds, and Pearl; altogether darting out rayes wonderfull, delightfull and pleasant: Hereupon Selveira, the Portugese Governor, builds a stately and strong Castle amongst them, under pretence of defending them from the Mallabars; but it was rather to bee his Jewel keeper: for in a short time hee ravished the King of all his riches; In this Island there is scarce any village, or Mount, without its Pagod: amongst which, that Apes tooth god was the principal, resorted to by millions of Indians: and when Columbo, the Vice-Roy of Goa took it away, they pro • ered to redeem it with three hundred thousand Duckets; Their Idols are horribly deformed, and ugly: yea the more ugly the more venerable.

The Manner of fishing for Pearls in the Isle of Zeilan.

They begin their fishing every year in March or April, and it lasteth fifty dayes, and when this time draweth neer, they send very good Divers to discover where there is the greatest plenty of Oisters under water, and right against that place they pitch their Tents on the shore, making as it were a little Village; and so when the time is come, they go out in their Boats, and Anchor in fifteen or eighteen fathom of water, and then they cast a rope into the Sea with a great stone fastened at the end of it: Then a man that hath his nose and ears well stopped, and anointed with Oile, with a basket under his left arm, goes down by the rope to the bottome of the Sea, and as fast as hee can fills the basket with Oisters, and then shaking the rope, his fellowes in the boat pull him up with his basket, and thus they go on till they have filled their Boats with Oisters, and so at evening when they come to their Tents, each lay their heap of Oisters by themselves, and none of them are opened, till their fishing bee ended: At which time they open every man his own, which is easily done, because then they are drie, and brittle: There are but few of these Oisters in comparison, that have Pearles in them. There are also certain that are expert in Pearles, present, that set the price upon them, according to their carracts, beauty, and goodness: the round ones are best.

Choromandel described.

Choromandel stretches from Cape Comoryn to the famous Gulph of Bengala, and hath in it these famous Towns of Trade: Negapatan, Meliapore, Polycat, Armagun, Narsinga, Mesulipatan, and Bipilipatan.

Negapatan is hot, and unwholesome, the wind and raines being for the greatest part of the year high, and unseasonable. The Town hath good water, and fruits well relished, cooling and nutritive, yet the people are much vexed with feavers, fluxes, &c. they are blackish, blockish, unapt for study or exercise, by reason of the heat: A small thin shuddery or lawn is drawn before their secret parts: their head hath a small wreath, the rest is all naked: they have gold, and precious stones, which they esteem as wee do trifles. The Bannians Wives have here more freedome to burn themselves when their Husbands dye, than in other places; so that in this place the custome is usual. If any refuse to burn, they must shave, and are accounted as Monsters.

The City of Goa described.

Goa is the bravest, and best defenced City in all the Orient, where the Vice-Roy of Portugal keeps his residence, and seats of Justice. Its built three hours journey within land, in an Island thirty miles compass, surrounded by a River that flows from the mighty mountain Bellaguate. Its compassed with a strong and beautiful wall, proud in her aspiring Turrets, dreadful in many tormenting Cannons. The Market-place or Buzzar is in the Center of the City, richly built, pleasant, and capacious: the other streets (after the Indian mode) are narrow, and nasty: the buildings in general are spacious and comely: Tis watered with a delicious stream: the Gardens are filled with sweet, and eye-pleasing flowers: the whole Isle abounds with Grass, Corn, Groves, Cattel, fruits, and many other sense-ravishing delights, wherein there are above twenty Villages: The field peeces here are above three hundred; the Palaces are strong, of good stone, furnished within with rich Arras, and painting, and the Churches beautiful, and comely. Herb. Travels.

The City of Amadavar described.

Amadavar is the Metropolis of Cambaya, or Guzurat, watered by a sweet River, and circled by a beautiful strong stone wall of six miles compass, well and orderly adorned with many pretty Towers, and twelve Posterns. The streets are many, indifferently large, and comely: most shops abound with Aromatick Gums, perfumes, and spices: as also with Silks, Cottons, Calicoes, and choice of Indian, and China rarities, owned, and sold by the fair spoken, but crafty Bannians. The Market-place is rich, and uniform, the Castle strong, large, and moated about. The houses in general are built of Sun-dryed Bricks, low, large, and tarrassed.

The Island of Socotora described.

Socotora is an Island in the mouth of the Red-Sea: a little Island, but pleasant, and abounding with good things, one part rising into wholesome Hills, other parts falling into fruitful dales; all places garnished with spreading trees, sweet Grass, fragrant flowers, and rich Corn: hath store of Olives, Aloes, Sempervive, Sanguis Draconum, Cocoes, Dates, Pistachoes, Orenges, Pomegranats, Pomecitrons, Lemons, Melons, Suger-Canes, &c. It abounds with fish, foul, and flesh: Here are Civet-Cats. The inhabitans are black; they are Christians by profession; their Churches are built in the form of a Cross, kept sweet, and neat, without seats and images: they have a Patriarch whom they reverence, and duly pay their Tithes to the Clergie: their feasts and fasts like ours. Age is much regarded, humility commanded, and commended: second marriages are not allowed, except they had no Children by the first: have their Sacraments; wrap the dead in clean linnen, and so bury them without lamentation.

Ormus described.

Ormus is situated in the Persian Gulph, a miserable, and forlorn City, and Isle at this day; though not many years since, it was the bravest place in all the Orient.

If all the world were made into a Ring, Ormus the Gem, and grace thereto should bring.

The whole Island is a Sulphurious Earth, which together with the heat of the Sun, from May to September, makes it almost intollerable; so that their custome is to sleep in beds of water all day, naked; the City had a fair Buzzar, many Churches, Monasteries, brave Magazeens, stately houses, and as gallant a Castle as any was in the East. The whole Isle exceeds not fifteen miles in compass, and is the most barren place in the World, neither affording Tree, nor spring of good water: yet from the advantagious standing, the industrious Portugal made it the staple, and glory of the world, till in the year 1622. the English joyning with the Persians, made it a ruinous heap, as it continues till this day.

Narsinga Described.

Narsinga is famous all over Asia: its confined by Mallabar, Gulcunda, Bengala, and the Ocean: the King is very rich, and powerfull in men, arms, and ammunition: His Countrey full of all things requisite for use, and pleasure: Hath many fair Towns, strong Forts, pleasant fields, and choicest Minerals, abounding in Rivers, hills, dales, Cattel, Corn, Fruits, &c. The Temples have in them many rich, and Massy Idols, of ugly shape, as best pleaseth the Devil for his service, and devotion.

Bisnagar is the second City in Narsinga for grandeure, and bravery; being circled with a wall of four miles compass, and as well fortified: well built, and wealthy; It is much frequented by our European ships, and Junks from all parts of India. Few strangers come thither but they are invited by the King, who delights to shew them his fine cloathes, being set thick with stones, and Gems of infinite value: hee hath for his guard a thousand Pensioners: Hee affects Polygamy, and therefore stiles himself, The Husband of a thousand women, who at his death makes his flaming grave their consuming Sepulcher.

Mesulipatan is seated neer the Bengalan Ocean; The Town hath little beauty, not many years since a raging mortality, and Famine having well nigh depopulated it; The fields, and gardens, are parched by the Sun from March to July; the four next months are disturbed with wind, and incessant rains; only from November to March, they have kindly weather. The English have here a residence where they trafick for Calicoes, Rice, &c.

Malacca described.

Malacca is a Peninsula, whence abundance of gold is carried into Pegu, Siam, Borneo, and Sumatra; Its judged to bee part of the Ophir whence Solomon fetched his gold.

Malacca, the Royal City obeyes now the Siam Monarchy; being conquered by the King thereof, Anno Christi 1508. by the help of the Portugals, at which time they gat an incredible Mass of Treasure, three thousand peeces of great Ordinance, and so much minted coin that the King of Portugals part came to two hundred and fifty thousand Ryals of eight. The City is above three miles long, but narrow; built upon the banks of a pleasant River as broad as our Thames. A rivolet of sweeter water runnes through the Town, over which is raised a strong stone bridge, the buildings are generally low, and but meanly furnished, though they want no gold to purchase better. The streets and fields shew many delightful Arbours, and choice fruits, with Corn, Sugar, and Durapen trees, preferred before gold, and silver.

Patania Described.

Patania stands between those two famous Ports of Malacca, and Siam: the Town is strong, and defended by twelve great brass guns, whereof one is a Basilisco of twenty six foot long. The People are black, and go almost naked: they delight much in eating Bettle, and Opium: they usually eat in plates of Gold, they are very hospitable to strangers, and the better sort of them blush not to proffer their daughters, and neeces to be their bed-fellows during their stay there. Adultery they punish sharpely, Fornication lightly, they delight much in wine, Rack, Rice, Fruites, &c.

Siam Described.

Siam is a powerful and wealthy Kingdom: The King hath under him many Countries watered by Ganges: he usually goes to war with a thousand Elephants; and two hundred thousand men: The Inhabitants are black, and almost naked: As a badge of devotion, they gird their middles with a peece of Leather, and carry an umbrella in their hands to lenefy the flaming Sun; they are great Idolaters, worshiping gods in the shape of Prtapus, or Pan: They have Groves and Altars, whereon they offer flesh, fruit, and flowers; their Tallapois, or Priests, are great Conjurers, and much esteemed by the People. Here are abundance of Diamonds, Chrysolites, Onix-stones, Magnets, Bezars, with Lignum aloes, Benjamin, Cotton, and mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, &c. Victuals, and other Commodities are very cheap: But its most memorable in the Cabriz, or blood-stone here generated.

The Riches of the King of Pegu.

The King of Pegu in the East-Indies for people, dominions, gold, silver, and precious stones, far exceeds the power of the great Turk. This King hath diverse Treasuries full of Riches: Hee is Lord also of the Mines of Rubies, Saphires, and Spinels. Near unto his Royal Palace there is an inestimable Treasure, whereof hee makes no account, for it stands in such a place as every one may see it. It is a great Court, walled about with stone, with two gates which stand alwayes open; and within this Court are four guilded houses covered with lead, and in each of them are Idols of a very great value. In the first there is the Image of a man of gold, very great, and on his head a Crown of gold, set with most rare Rubies, and Saphires, and round about him are four little Children of gold. In the second there is the statue of a man of silver, sitting on heaps of money, whose stature in height as he sits is higher than the roof of an house: I measured one of his feet (saith mine Author) and it was as long as all my body, with a Crown on his head like the first. In the third there is a statue of Brasse of the same bignesse, with the like Crown on his head. In the fourth there is a statue as big as the other of Gansa, which is the mettal they make their mony of, which is copper and lead mingled together: this also hath a Crown on his head like the first. They have many Idol-houses, which they call Pagods, all the tops whereof are covered with leaf gold, and some of them are covered with gold from the top to the bottome, and once in ten years they guild them a new. This King stiles himself King of the white Elephants, and when hee rides abroad, four white Elephants are led before him vested with gold, having their teeth inclosed in sheathes wrought with Jewels. Hee keepeth above four hundred tame Elephants, and hath many wild ones in the Woods, which they can catch at their pleasure▪

The City of Pegu described.

Pegu is a very great, strong, and fair City, and very populous: Its made square, with very fair walls, and a great Trench round about it, full of water, wherein are many Crocodiles: It hath twenty fair Gates made of stone, on every side five Gates; there are upon the walls many Turrets, guilded with gold very fair; the streets are as streight as a line, from one Gate to another, and so broad, that twelve men may ride abreast in them: On both sides, at every mans door there grows a Palmer tree, which yeilds a pleasing shadow, so that a man may walk in the shade all day long: their houses are covered with Tiles. The Kings house is in the midst of the City, walled, and trenched about, the buildings within are very curious, and sumptuously guilded, having costly workmanship on the front, which is also fairly guilt. The house wherein his Idol stands is covered with tiles of silver, and all the walls are guilt with gold.

Not far from this City there is an Idol-house of a wonderfull bigness, and all guilt from the top to the bottome; unto which adjoyneth an house for their Tallipoies, or Priests to preach in. It is five and fifty paces long, and hath three walks in it, and between them four great Pillars guilded: The house it self is guilded with gold within, and without, and round about it are very fair houses for Pilgrims to lodge in: and many goodly houses for their Priests which are full of Images of men, and women, all covered with gold. Sir Walter Raughly in his History of the World, proves by many probable arguments that this was the Ophir from whence Solomon fetched his gold, and Ivory. Pur. Pil.

This Kingdome of Pegu is bounded by Siam, Ganges, and the Ocean, and is Commandresse of many Islands, as Monim, Barongo, Nogomallo, Cocos, &c. It is a Kingdome full of all earthly delights, and blessings of nature, as gold, silver, lead, and Iron: Also Smaragds, Topaz, Rubies, Saphires, Garnats, Emeralds, Espinels, and Cats eyes. As also of Rice, long Pepper, Sugar, Benoin, Musk, Gum-Lack, Cotton, Calicoes, and what else a reasonable man can desire. Their habit is thin and fine; they wear no beards: they dye their teeth black, because Dogs teeth are white, they cut and pink their flesh as a mark of bravery.

The King of Pegu on festival dayes rides abroad in his triumphant Chariot all guilded, which is drawn by sixteen goodly horses: His Chariot is high, with a rich Canopy over it. About, and behinde it go twenty of his Nobles, each of them having a rope in his hand that is fastened to the Chariot, to hold it upright from falling. The King sitteth in the midst of the Chariot, and about him stand four of his Nobles that are in greatest favour, &c. Hee hath one Principal wife, and at least three hundred Concubines. Every day▪ hee sits to hear the suits of his Subjects in this manner: Hee sits on an high seat in his great Hall, and under him sit his Nobles; and they which desire audience come and set them down before him at forty paces distance, holding up their supplications in one hand, and in the other a present, according to the weightiness of the matter; then come the Secretaries, take their petitions, and read them before the King, and if hee grants their requests, hee sends one to take their present, otherwise not: but never speaks to them himself.

The Noble and simple are all apparelled alike for the fashion, only differing in the finenesse of the cloth, which is of Bombast: First they have a shirt of white Bombast; then another painted cloth which they binde up betwixt their legs, and on their heads they wrap an other cloth in fashion of a Miter: they go all barefooted: all sorts of women wear a smock that reacheth to their middle, and from thence downward they wear a cloth open before, so that they cannot go but they discover natures secrets, which they say was invented to keep men from sin against nature; they go also barefooted, having their arms adorned with hoopes of gold, and Jewels, and their fingers full of precious rings.

Sumatra described.

Sumatra is that famous Isle formerly called Trapabone: Its six hundred miles long, and two hundred and forty broad. Its rich in gold, fruits, and precious stones, but miserably overspread with ignorance, and superstition; the Inhabitants worshiping Cats, Rats, Dogs, yea and the Devil himself: both sexes go for the most part naked: The soil is good where the Rivers water it, but barren where the veins of gold are found. There are many good inland Towns, but the Ports are best known, as Aken, Aru, Daru, &c. but especially Passaman, where is most store of gold; the Rivers abound in Fish, and Crocodiles, which Creature is a wonder in nature, comming from a little Egg, and growing till it bee eight or ten yards long: their tailes are as long as their bodies; their mouths and throats so wide, that they are able to swallow a horse, and man at one bit; their teeth are engrailed; they have no tongue, and contrary to all other Creatures move only the upper jaw; their bellies are penetrable, their backs hard to bee peirced. In the winter quarter they fast from food; all the rest of the year devour their prey with much greedinesse; sixty dayes passe before the female layes her eggs, which are commonly sixty in number, and shee is sixty dayes in hatching them, and usually they live sixty years: some call them Aligartos. The Jchneumon steals into his belly, and gnaws in sunder his guts whilst hee lies gaping that the little Trochil may pick his teeth, which gives it feeding.

Java Major described.

Java the greater is an Island neer the Bengalan Sea, in length four hundred and fifty miles, in breadth two hundred and seventy: the midland is for the most part Mountainous, and ill peopled; the Sea coasts low, and populous, yet unhealthful. The Sea-coasts by reason of trade for Pepper, hath well-built Towns, especially Bantam, Palamban, Jackatra, Japarra, Tuban, Jortan, &c.

Bantam is the biggest City in the Island, nigh two miles long: It yeelds Rice, Pepper, and Cotton-wool; though most of the Pepper bee brought thither by the Chineses from Janeby, Borneo, and Malacca. Four Vice-Royes are under the Mattarans, or great Kings command; who is able to bring into the field two hundred thousand desperate slaves, black, but valiant: the Climate is so hot, that for the most part they go naked; their weapons are lances, darts, arrows, but especially creezes, two foot long, broad, waved, sharp, and small pointed, and basely poisoned: the hilt of wood, horn, the better sort of gold, silver, or Ivory, cut in the figure of a deformed Pagod: They are given to murders, theft, Adultery, deceit, &c. also Magick, and Astrology delight them, in which Satan instructs them, the better to oblige them to his worship. They are excellent swimmers; they delight in hunting Tygers, Ouzces, &c. They are friendly to the English, especially ever since the Dutch took Jackatra from them. Their Orankayes, or great men are idle, sociable, but not to be trusted.

The Isle of Celibes Described.

Celibes is by some called Makasser, from her best City in the Island: Its oval, and above two hundred miles long: well peopled, but with bad people: Its fruitful, though under the hotest part of the burning zone; They are black, naked, only having a few plantane leaves tyed about their middles; the better sort wear Tulipants, and white shirts upon their coal-black skins. The women are very immodest. The men use long Canes, out of which they can blow a little pricking quill, which if it draw bloud in any part of the body, it kills immediately, so strong is the poyson.

The Molucco Isles described.

The Molucco Isles are five in number: Molucco, Gillolo, Tirnate; Tidore, and Machan: The English were the first Traders hither, and the natives acknowledged our King their Sovereign, though since the Dutch thrust us out, as if all India was theirs by title from the Creation. Gillolo is the greatest, but in Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, Ginger, Pepper, Oile, Aloes, and Honey, all of them alike plentifull.

The Bandaneza Islands Described.

Neer unto the former, are the Islands of Amboyna, Banda, Puloway, Pulerone, Lantore, Batan, Labatacka, Nero, Ticobassa, Cumber, Salamo, &c. All of them, especially Pulerone, and Puloway, seeming continued wildernesses of Nutmeg, and Clove trees, Pepper, Vines, and Olives. These two last, first traded with our Merchants, and acknowledged fealty to our King James, till the uncivil Dutch dispossessed us, cruelly abusing our men, and entitling themselves Lords of the Banda-Islands.

The Isle of Borneo described.

Borneo resembles an Oval shield, and for the most part groans u • der the Spanish servitude: It hath many villages and people, which are great Idolaters: It yeilds Mines of gold, and Diamonds, Bezar, Musk, Lignum Aloes, Amber, Sanguis Draconum, VVax, Rice, and Rattoons. Her chief haven Towns are Socodania, and Bemermassin.

The Isle of Japan described.

Japan is in length six hundred miles: in breadth One hundred four score and ten: The best towns and Ports in it are Meacco, Ozacca, Tenze, Firando, Fuccate, &c. Macco is an inland City as big as Florence, but not so beautifull; Hath a sweet and large River: low but comely houses: abundance of stately Fotiquees, or Temples full of guilded Idols, called by them Mannada's. The Government is Monarchicall, above sixty petty Kings do homage to the Emperor: whose frowns are worse than an ordinary death. The Countrey is for the most part mountainous, full of Rivers, Trees, Corn, Grasse, and Mines: It hath plenty of villages swarming with Heathen Idolaters. The people in the North, and East parts of it are more savage, treacherous, idle, Lascivious, and awed by no Law: malefactors they crucify. The Civil Japonians are valiant, courteous, and great affectors of Novelties. The best port in it is Ozacca, strong, and beautifull, famous for its royal Castle, varnished, tiled, and burnished over with pure Gold: rich, and Majesticall, of excellent stone, and well built; the walls are every where twenty foot thick, well polished, and curiously cemented; circled with deep trenches ful of water, having above twelve Iron Gates, with draw-bridges.

Fuccate is a pretty sweet Town, well watered, having a strong, and defensive Castle, Its environed for three miles compasse with spreading Sycamore Trees, wherein are many small, but richly-tiled Fotiquees, or Temples, in which they worship Pan, or Priapus, yea the Devil in his ugliest shapes.

In Meacco are seventy Temples, wherein they number three thousand three hundred thirty and three little guilded Devils: but more memorable is that in Meacco, huge, and wonderfull, of guilt Copper: Its posture is sitting in a chair seventy foot high, and fourscore broad: fifteen men may conveniently stand upon his head, his thumb is forty inches about, and his other limbs proportionable. At Dabis is another of these Idols, made of Copper; hollow, vast, thick, and double guilt: his height is twenty four foot, though formed kneeling, his buttocks resting on his legs, his arms are stretched out, and sometimes making a fire in him, they sacrifice a child, which in his embraces is fryed to death with horrible torture.

The women of Japan, if they want means to bring up their children, most unnaturally deprive them of that life, which not long before they had given them. Their houses are most of wood; because of their frequent Earth-quakes: With them black is a feastival colour, and white a Funeral. They dye their teeth black. Reproaches, Thefts, Pe ••• ry, and Dice-play, is very hateful to them. Herb. and Purch.

The Kingdome of China described.

China hath on the East, the sea of Japan: On the West the Deserts of Judustan: On the North the Tartars: On the South the Philippine Islands: And on the South West, Cochinchina, Pegu, with part of Siam. In form its square, each way One thousand five hundred miles over: The circuit above four thousand miles: The Country is generally plain, and fruitfull, full of sweet and Navigable Rivers, which are no lesse inhabited than the Cities, and villages; There are in it six hundred Cities: two thousand walled Towns, and four thousand unwalled; one thousand Castles, and Villages numberlesse: it feeds above sixty millions of men, and boyes, besides women which bee not inrolled: The whole Empire is divided into fifteen Provinces; each of which hath a Metropolis, full of people, fairly built, and very spatious. One of their Kings to keep out the Tartars, built a wall of one thousand and two hundred miles in length, six fathom high, twelve yards thick: it was twenty and seven years in building, though constantly wrought upon by seven hundred and fifty thousand men.

Pequin the now Regal City of China described.

Pequin is in compasse thirty Leagues, or fourscore and ten English miles, environed with two walls, upon which are innumerable Towers and Bulwarks. It hath three hundred and sixty gates, each having over it a Castellet with two Towers, and a draw-bridge. There are in it three thousand eight hundred Temples, wherein are continually sacrificed birds, and wild beasts, and amongst these, four very admirable, for their curiosity, and costlinesse. The streets are long, and large; the houses fair, encompassed with Iron, and Latten grates: at each street end is a Triumphal Arch, shut up at nights, in the chief whereof are Watch-bells. There are one hundred and twenty large Channels of water, and over them eighteen hundred rich, and fair bridges:

There are in this City one hundred and twenty Shambles, one hundred and twenty market-places; besides in every street five or six shops, wherein they sell flesh, poultry, and Bacon. There are without the City sixteen hundred Garden-houses belonging to persons of Principal note: And twenty four thousand Sepulchres of Mandarines, [Justices of Peace] with their little gilded Chappels, encompassed with Grates of Iron, and Latten, with rich Arches at their entries. The gardens, groves, Tanks, and Fountains, have their walls lined within with fine Porcelane which makes a gallant shew. There are also store of other houses with great walls, in which are Gardens, and groves with game for hunting, which belong to several companies.

The City of Nanquin described.

The City of Nanquin is thirty and six miles in compasse, circled with three strong walls and ditches: the Kings Palace in it is vast, and glorious: the other buildings many: the inhabitants are reckoned to bee twenty thousand: the Temples are above a thousand: the streets fair and the people industrious.

The Country of Quinsay described.

Quinsay borders upon Cochin-china:

The whole Countrey is well watered, and the Rivers abound with fish; which they use to take with Cormorants. The People are of an Olive colour, wear their hair very long: their eyes are commonly black: their noses little: their eyes small: their beards deformedly thin; their nailes oft-times as long as their fingers, serving as a mark to distinguish the gentry by: The better sort are cloathed in silk, and Satten: the meaner in black cloth made of Cotton▪ their coats long, and quilted, made to tye under the left arm, after the As •• tick mode: their sleeves are long and strait at hand: their shooes oft of the same stuff with their coats: some have them richly imbroidered▪ some knit their hair in cawls of silk, in horse-hair some, and some in fillets of gold, or silver: Others wear high Caps, or Felts, made of fine twigs, round, and mixed with silk of divers colours, &c. The women are modest, a light vail of fine linnen wholly covering them. They are generally proud, crafty, jealous, voluptuous, and given to Musick▪ Poetry, Painting, and stage-playes; They eat in porcellane, and have their diet in many small dishes, minced, which they take up with two sticks of bone, or Ivory: for to touch their meat, or their mouths with their fingers is held absurd, and impious; they all sit on stools, and eat on Tables.

No Beggars are suffered amongst them, for if they bee young, the whip rewards them, but if they bee old, and lame, the Hospital relieves them: murther they punish with death: adultery, and theft, with the Strappado. They exceedingly honor, and reverence their Parents: they obey them at all times, in all places: marry not without their assent: they honor them bee they never so mean: relieve them bee they never so poor: at their death shew loyalty and duty, and seldome mourn lesse than two or three years. They arrogate all sorts of excellencys in Art, or Science as peculiar to their Nation, they think their speech, (which mostly consists of Monosyllables) the most sweet, and Rhethorical of any in the world: They say they are the antientest of all other People, and that they borrow nothing from any other, but all other from them: They say they were the first inventers of Letters, Guns, Painting, Tillage, and Navigation: For all which they say That they only see with two eyes, and all others but with one. They are great Gamesters, and when they have lost all, stake their wives, and children, whom they part with, till they can redeem them; they so firmly believe the Resurrection, that sometimes they lend money to bee repayed in the world to come: Though their houses outwardly are but mean, yet oft-times the insides are lined with excellent good Marble, Porphyry, and Serpentine. When the Husband dyes, the wife mourns exceedingly, puts sackcloath next her skin: for three years is scarce seen to laugh, and abstains from publick Feasts, and pastimes.

There hath often been great warres between the Tartars who lived beyond the vast wall before mentioned; and the Chineses; as Anno Christi 1206, which lasted for seventy and seven years, at which time the Tartars wholly conquered that potent Empire, extinguished the imperially family of the Sunga's: erected a new family of their own, which they called Ivena, of which Tartarian race nine Emperors governed successively the Kingdome of China, for the space of seventy years in peace: but at the end thereof a contemptible person of the Chineses, called Hugh, presumed to rise up against them, acting first the part of an high-way man, and wanting neither courage, nor companions, in a short time made up the vast body of an army, fought with; and after many signal victories in the year 1368. finally drove them out of the Kingdome of China, receiving for his pains the whole Empire, and was the first erector of the Imperial family of the Taiminges, who enjoyed the Kingdome in peace for two hundred and fifty years: The last of them was called Vanley, who from the year 1573 to 1620: governed the Kingdome of China, with much prudence, and equity: But about that time the Tartars being multiplied; and receiving many injuries from the Chineses, they again take armes, invade China, and with mighty successe began, and continued the wars till the year 1653; at which time they had made a full conquest of it, no considerable party opposing them in their peaceable possession; as you may read more fully in a book called Bellum Tartaricum.

The City of Quinsay described.

Quinsay was formerly the Regal City of China, situated abuut the heart of the Country, and yet not far from the Sea: In it were to bee found so many delights, that it seemed an earthly Paradise: It was one hundred miles in compasse, for the streets, and channels thereof were very wide, and the Market-places very large. It had on the one side, a clear lake of fresh water, and on the other, a great River, which entring into many places of the City carryed away all the filth, and occasioned a good air. There were store both of Carts, and Barks to carry necessaries. It had in it twelve thousand Bridges, great and small; those on the chiefest Channels being so high, that ships might passe under them. On the other side of the City was a great Trench forty miles long, large, and full of water from the River, which served both to receive the overflowings of the River, and as a fence to that side of the City, the earth, that was taken out, being laid as a bank, or hill on the inside. There are ten chief Market-places (besides infinite others along the streets) all of them square, the square being half a mile on each side, and from the fore part of them runs a principal street forty paces wide, reaching from one end of the City to the other, with many Bridges traversing of it; and at the end of every four miles is such a Market-place. There is also a large channel running over against the street behinde the Market-places, on the banks whereof are erected store-houses of stone, where Merchants out of all Countries laid up their Commodities, being commodious to the Markets. In each of the Market-places three dayes in a week was a concourse of forty, or fifty thousand persons which brought in whatsoever was requisite for the life of man, besides beasts, and fowls of game. Then followed the Butchers rows of Beef, Veal, Kid, and Lamb: Besides there were all sorts of Herbs; and fruits, and amongst them huge Pears weighing ten pound a peece, and very fragrant: Peaches yellow, and white, very delicate. Every day from the Ocean, which is but five and twenty miles off, is brought up abundance of fish, besides what the Lake and River yeeld. All the Market-places are encompassed with high and fair houses, and underneath are shops of Artificers, and all sorts of Merchandises, Spices, Jewels, Pearls, Rice-wine, &c. Many streets answer one another in those Market-places, wherein are many Bathes, both of cold, and hot waters, and people wash every day before they eat any thing. At the end of each Market-place is a Palace where Magistrates determine all controversies which happen amongst Merchants and others.

There are twelve Principal trades, each of which have one thousand shops, and yee shall see in every shop ten, twenty, thirty, or forty men at work under one Master. The Masters themselves work not, but stand richly apparreled, and their wives with Jewels inestimable: their houses are well ordered, and richly adorned with Pictures, and other stupendious costs.

About the Lake are many fair buildings, and great Palaces of the Nobles, and chief men; and Temples of their Idols, and Monasteries of many Monks. In the middest of the Lake are two Islands, upon each of which is a Palace with incredible numbers of rooms, whither they resort upon occasions of marriages, or other feasts, where are provisions of Vessels, Nappery, and other things, kept in common for such purposes. In the Lake also are Boats and Barges, for pleasure, adorned with fair seats, and Tables, and other provision for banquets, covered over head: within they are neatly painted, and have windows to open, and shut at pleasure. Nor can any thing in the World seem more pleasant, than from the Lake to have such a prospect, the City so fully presenting it self to the eye, with so many Temples, Monasterys, Palaces, Gardens with high trees, Barges, People, &c. For their manner is to work one part of the day, and the other part to spend in solace with their friends, or with women on the Lake, or in riding in Chariots up and down the City. All the streets are paved with stone, as are all the high wayes in China: The principal street of Quinsay is paved ten paces on each side, and in the midst it's well gravelled with passages for the water, which keeps it alwayes clean: There are also multitudes of Chariots, accommodated with cloathes, and cushions of Silk, for six persons in each of them; and in them the inhabitants solace themselves in the streets, or go to Gardens provided on purpose for their pleasure. This City contains about sixteen hundred thousand housholds, and together with the Country adjoyning, yeelded to the King sixteen millions, and eight hundred thousand Ducats of gold yearly, besides six millions, and four hundred thousand Ducats for the customes of salt. Pur. Pil. v. 3. p. 98.

The Great Mogols Empire described.

The Great Mogols Country is called Indus • an, which for spaciousness, abundance of brave Towns, numberlesse inhabitants, infinit treasure, mines, food, and all sort of Merchandise exceeds all Kings and Potentates in the Mahomitan World. This vast Monarchy extends from East to West two thousand six hundred miles: From North to South one thousand four hundred miles: Its in circuit five thousand. It is bounded with the Bengalan Gulph, and Indian Ocean: On the South with Decan and Mallaber: North and North West with Tartary, and Persia ▪ It contains thirty seven large Provinces: thirty great Cities: three thousand walled Towns: His revenues are very great: He hath in continual pay three hundred thousand Horse, and keeps two thousand Elephants at a vast charge; his Treasurer yearly issuing out above forty millions of Crowns. The names of the Provinces are

1. Candahor, The chief City is of the same name: It lies Northward, and confines upon Persia.

2. Cabul, The chief City is of the same name: It lyes in the North West part, and confines upon Tartary.

3. Multan, The chief City is of the same name: On the West it joyns with Persia.

4. Hajacan, It hath no great City: Its bounded Eastward with the famous River of Indus, and Westward with Persia.

5. Buckor, The chief City is Buckor-succor: Indus runs through it, and much inriches it.

6. Tatta, The chief City is of the same name: The River Indus maketh many fruitful, and pleasant Islands in it: the chief arm of it falls into the Sea at Synde, a place famous for curious handy crafts.

7. Sorat, The chief City is Janagar. Its a little Province but rich, bounded with the Ocean on the South.

8. Jeselmeere, The chief City is of the same name.

9. Attack, The chief City is of the same name: It lyeth on the Eastside of Indus.

10. Peniab, It's seated 〈◊〉 five Rivers, which all fall into Indus: Its a great, and very fruitful Province. Lahor is the chief City, afterwards described; which is the chiefest City of Trade in all India.

11. Chishmeere, The chief City is called Siranakar: the River Phat passeth through it that falls into Indus.

12. Bankish, The chief City is called Bishur: Its divided from Chishmeere by the River Indus.

13. Jengapor, The chief City is of the same name: It lies upon the River Kaul.

14. Jenba, The chief City is of the same name: It lies East of Peniab.

15. Delli, The chief City is of the same name; which is a great City, where most of the Great Mogols lye interred.

16. Bando, The chief City is of the same name. It hath Agrae on the West.

17. Malway, A very fruitful Province: The chief City is Rantipore.

18. Chitor, A great Province, where the chief City is of the same name.

19. Guzarat, A goodly Kingdome, and exceeding rich, inclosing the bay of Cambaia: The chief City is Surat, a place of great trading.

20. Chandis, VVhere the chief City is Brampoch, large, and populous, and the South bounds of this Empire.

21. Berar, The chief City is Shapore, the South part of it also bounds this Empire.

22. Narvar, VVhere the chief City is Gehud, watered by a fair River that empties it self into Ganges.

23. Gualiar, The chief City is so called, where the Mogol hath a great Treasure. In this City also is a strong Castle, where hee useth to keep his Prisoners.

24. Agra, Where the chief City is of the same name, and afterwards described.

25. Sanbal, The chief City is of the same name: Its watered by the River Jemini, which falls into Ganges.

26. Bakar, where the chief City is Bikaneer: It lies on the VVest side of the River Ganges.

27. Nagracut, The chief City is of the same name, where is a Chappel richly seeled, and paved with plates of pure gold. The Idol is called Matta, visited by many thousands yearly, which out of devotion cut off a part of their tongues to sacrifice to it.

28. Syba, VVhere the chief City is Hardwair: Here the famous River Ganges springs out of a Rock, whither the superstitious Gentiles go daily in troops to wash their bodies.

29. Kakares, Where the principal Cities are Dankalee, and Purhola: Its very large, and exceeding mountainous, and is parted from Tartarie by the Mountain Caucasus, being the Mogols most Northerly bound.

30. Gor, The chief City is of the same name: The River Persilis begins here, which runs into Ganges.

31. Pitan, the chief City is of the same name: Its watered by the River Kanda, which falls into Ganges.

32. Kandua, Where the chief City 〈◊〉 Karhakatenka: the River Sersili parts it from Pitan, and lies Northward.

33. Patna, The chief City is of the same name: A fertile Province, bounded by Ganges on the West.

34. Jesual, Where the chief City is Raiapore: It lies East of Patna.

35. Mevat, Where the chief City is Narnol: Its a very mountainous Country.

36. Udessa, Where the chief City is Jokanat. Its the Eastermost part of this vast Empire.

37. Bengala, Its a very spacious and fruitful Kingdome, bounded by the Gulph of Bengala, into which the River Ganges emptieth it self at four mouthes.

This Empire hath plenty of excellent Wheat, Rie, and Barley, whereof they make pure white bread. As also of Kine, Sheep, and Goats, with whose Milk they make much Butter, and Cheese▪ they have store of Bufelo's that give good milk: Its a very large Beast, having a smooth thick skin without hair. They have store of red Deer, fallow Deer, Elks, and Antilops, which are good Venison; and every mans Game, not being enclosed in Parks. They have Geese, Ducks, Pigeons, Partridges, Quails, Peacocks, and many other singular good fowl: a sheep is usually sold for twelve pence, four couple of Hens for twelve pence: A Hare for a penny, three Partridges for a penny, &c. They have store of Salt and Sugar. They have abundance of Musk-melons, Water-melons, Pomegranats, Pomecitrons, Lemmons, Orenges, Dates, Figs, Plantans, Mangoes, in shape like our Apricocks, but more luscious: Ananas, a delicate fruit: store of Potatoes, Carrats, and other good roots: as also Pears, and Apples in the Northerly parts: many good Garden Herbs, and Ginger: also Taddy, an excellent Drink that issues out of a Tree. For three months they have abundance of rain, with much thunder, and lightening: the other nine months so clear, that a cloud is scarce to bee seen.

The Country is beautified with many woods, and great variety of fair goodly trees, some having leaves as big as bucklers, others parted small as Fern, as the Tamarine trees that bear a sower fruit; somewhat like our Beans, very good to cool, and cleanse the blood: all their trees are green all the year about. There are rare flowers of admirable colours, but few of them sweet, save their Roses, and two or three more sorts.

The Country is watered with many goodly Rivers, especially Indus, and Ganges; besides which, they have store of springs, upon many of which they bestow great cost of stonework, making Tanks, or Ponds, some of them a mile in compasse, others more, surrounded with stone walls, and within them fair stone steps round about. Some of them are filled with rain water. They have a strong drink called Rack, distilled from Sugar, and the spicie rind of a tree called Jagra: they have also Cohha made with a black seed boiled in water, that helps digestion, quickens the spirits, cleanses the blood, and provokes lust. Many of their houses are flat on the top, on which in the cool seasons of the day, they take the cool air: they have no chimnies, using no fire, but only to dresse their meat. The upper rooms have many lights to let in air, but they use no glasse: Amongst their houses are many fair trees, which are a great defence against the Sun. Most of their houses in the Cities are of Brick, or stone, well squared. Their staple commodities are Indico, and Cotton-wool, of which they make diverse sorts of cloth, some finer, and purer than our best Lawns: some of it they staine in variety of curious figures. They have also store of Silk, which they weave curiously, sometimes with gold, and silver, whereof they make Velvets. Sattens, and Taffaties, but not so good as in Italie. They have store of Drugs, and Gums, especially Gum-Lac, of which wee make hard wax. The Earth hath store of minerals of Lead, Iron, Brasse, Copper, and Silver, which yet they need not open, having so much brought out of all other Countries. They have curious Gardens, planted with fruitfull trees, and dainty flowers, which never fade: in which they have fountains to Bathe in, and other water works for delight. There are Lyons, Tygers, Wolves, Jackals: Over grown Snakes, and in their Rivers Crocodiles. There are many Scorpions, and Flies that are very troublesome, and Muskitees.

The Wind, called the Monson blows six months Southerly, and six months Northerly, seldome varying: April, May, and the beginning of June, till the Rains fall, are exceeding hot: Thus hath the wise disposer of all things tempered bitter things with sweet, to teach us that there is no true, and perfect content in any Kingdome, but that of heaven.

They have store of good Horses, and Camels, Dromedaries, Mules; Asses, Rhynocerots; which are as long as the fairest Oxe in England, their skines lye plaited in wrinkles on their backs. They have many Elephants, their King having usually fourteen thousand, and many of the Nobles a hunded a peece: There are some of them fifteen foot high, all of them black, their skin thick, and smooth, without hair: they take much delight in the water, and will swim excellent well, they are exceeding docible, so that they will do almost any thing the keeper bids them: If he would have them affright a man; he will make towards him as if hee would tread him in peeces, and yet when hee comes to him, not touch him. If hee bid him abuse a man, hee will take dirt, or kennel water in his trunk, and dash it in his face; &c. They are most sure of foot, never stumbling: they are governed with a hook of steel, with which their keeper sitting on their Necks, pull them back, or prick them forward at their pleasure. Every Male hath allowed to him four females.

The Inhabitants of Indostan Described.

The Inhabitants before they were conquered by Tamerlane, were all Gentiles, but now they are mixed with Mahometans: they are of stature, like us, very streight, seldome or never is there a crooked person amongst them: They are of an Olive colour, have black hair, but not curled; they love not any that are white, saying that they are like Lepers, their chins are bare, but have long hair on their upper lips, shave their heads; only reserve a lock on the Crown for Mahomet to pull them to heaven by. The habits of men and women differ little, mostly made of white Cotton cloth, made close to the middle, then hanging loose down below the knee: under them they have long breeches reaching to the ancle, and close to their bodies: their feet are bare in their shooes, which they commonly wear like Slippers, which they put off when they come into their houses, whose floores are covered with excellent Carpets, upon which they sit when they talk or eat, like Taylors on their shop boards: on the mens heads are shashes, which is a long thin wreath of cloath, white or coloured. The Mahometan women cover their heads with vails, their hair hangs down behind twisted with silk: oft bedecked with jewels, about their necks and wrists: their ears have pendants: their nostrils pierced to put in rings at their pleasure: Their ease in child bearing is admirable: for it is a common thing there, for women great with child, one day to ride carrying their Infants in their bodies, and the next day to ride carrying them in their arms.

The great Mogol, every year at the entring of the Sun into Aries, makes a feast to his Nobles which lasts nine days, at which time they present him with gifts, and he again repays them with Princely rewards: I was astonished (saith mine Author, who was an eye witnesse of it) when I beheld at that time the incredible riches of gold, pearls, Pretious stones, jewels, and many other glittering vanities which were amongst them.

The walls in the Kings house are painted, or beautified with pure white Lime: the floores are covered with rich, and costly Carpets: there lodge none with him in his house but his Eunuches, and women, and some little boys, that hee keeps for detestable uses: hee always eats in private amongst his women, upon great variety of excellent dishes, which being prepared, and proved by the Taster, are served up in vessels of Gold covered, and sealed up, and so by the Eunuches brought to him.

In this Empire there are no Inns to entertain strangers, onely in great Towns are fair houses built for their receit, which they call Sarrays, not inhabited, where Travellers have room freely, but they must bring with them beds, food, and other necessaries which they usually carry upon Camells, or in Carts drawn with Oxen, wherein they have tents to pitch when they meet with no Sarray's.

The inferior sort of people ride upon Oxen, Horses, Mules, Camels, or Dromedaries, and the women like unto the men, or else in slight Coaches drawn with Oxen, many whereof are white and large, and they are guided with cords, which go through the parting of their Nostrils, and so betwixt their horns, into the Coach-mans hands: they are nimble, and will go twenty miles a day. The better sort ride upon Elephants, or are carried on mens shoulders in Sedans, which they call Palankeenes.

In all their great Cities they have Markets twice a day, early in the morning, and in the evening; wherein they sell almost every thing by weight. They are generally so superstitious, that they will rather dye than eat, or drink any thing that their Law forbids.

The chief Cities in the great Mogols Countries Described.

Lahore in the great Mogols Country, is a vast and famous City, not much inferiour to Agra, the Metropolis; yea, for circuit and bravery, it much excells it: The aire for eight months is pure, and restorative: the streets are paved and gracefull, which are cleansed, and watered by the River Ravee, which flows most pleasantly into this City, from the Casmyrian Mountains, and after a stately course of three thousand English miles, deep enough for Junks of sixty Tun, it falls into Indus at Tutia. This City is beautified with stately palaces, Mosques, Hummums, or Sudatories, Tanks or Ponds, Gardens, &c. The Castle is large, strong, uniform, pleasant, and bravely seated, being built of hard, white, and polished stone: armed with twelve Posternes: within which is a Palace, sweet, and comely, entred by two Gates, and Courts: on the walls, are pictured sundry stories, and pastimes.

From this City to Agra is five hundred miles, the Country in all that distance being even without Mountains, and hills, and the high way planted on both sides, with shady Ash-trees, whose spreading green tops lenefies the scorching heat of the Sun: At the end of each eight miles is a fair, and convenient lodge built for travellers to repose themselves in: Herb. Trav. p. 69. Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1468.

Brampore in the same Countrey, is a City seated low, and in an unhealthful plain, very large, and spacious, and inhabited most by the Bannians: the streets are many and narrow; the houses not high, and but meanly beautifull. In the North-East end it hath a Castle standing by the Rivers side, large and defensive: In the River is an Artificial Elephant, so skilfully shaped, that by the Bannians it is adored, and by others admired. Idem.

Fettipore, if the water were good, it had triumphed over all the Cities in India; It is walled about, and to the North, North West, hath a lake, or fish pond five miles over: The North East hath a fair Buzzar, or market place five hundred paces long, well paved, and built on all sides with pleasant houses: At one end is the Mogols house, and a Mohol most excellently framed; the other side is glorious by a curious Mosque, or Church ascended by thirty steps, adorned with a brave gate: the top is full of Pyramids, the Court within is six times bigger than the Royal Exchange in London, excellently paved with free stone, the Iles are large and well paved, the Pillars all of one stone, and beautifull: and affronting this Gate is a most sumptuous Monument, covered with painting, and Pearl-shell: proud in the many Princes there buried. Idem.

Candahor is seated in a reasonable fruitfull Countrey, redundant in all good things, yet by reason of so many Caravans passing, and repassing from Lahore to Persia, all sorts of provision is very dear, and the passage much pestered with theeves: the City is not very spatious but strong, made defensive by many helps of Nature, and Art: In the South, and East; its surrounded with an advantagious wall: In the West, and North, with high and precipitious Mountains: the Suburbs are large, adding to the City both beauty and Wealth. Idem.

Mandow is a City both antient, and famous, seated on the side of a lofty and steep hill, and beautified with a strong and stately Castle, encompassed with a defensive wall of five miles compass; the City is very beautiful, adorned with Temples (in one of which are buried four Kings) Palaces, Fortresses, especially with a Tower ascended by one hundred and seventy steps, supported by Massy Pillars, and adorned with gates and Windows very observable. Idem.

Surat is at this day a City, great, famous, rich, and populous; yet neither air, nor soil agrees with strangers; the one being extream hot, the other sandy, and sulphurious. From June to September the clouds showre down continually unhealthful rains, the wind and thunder so commixing, that no place in the world seems more unhealthful: Its counted the third best Town in the Guiarat Kingdome: Amadavar, and Cambaya excelling her: Its watered with a sweet River called Tappee, which arising out of the Decan mountains, glides through Brampore, and so to Surat. Its circled with a mud-wall, a strong stone Castle is built at the South-West side, the River washing it: the VVest opens into the Buzzar through a fair gate of stone: The Medan is of no great beauty, nor do the shops give any splendor. The houses are indifferently beautiful, some of carved wood, others of Brick: the English, and Dutch houses at the North end, excelling the other for bignesse, and furniture: adjoyning to one gate is a Tank of water, made of good free-stone, circling in above one hundred sides, or angles, in compasse near one thousand paces.

Agra is the navel of the Mogols territories, and Empresse of India: Its watered by the River Jeminey, which from Delly glides hither, and commixing with Ganges, flows into the Bengalan Sea: Its in shape like an half Moon; the streets long, and narrow, and nasty, of seven miles continuance: part of it is walled about, the rest ditcht. Here the Great Mogol hath a Palace, wherein are two large towers, at least ten foot square, which are covered with Plates of the purest gold.

Asmeer is seated upon an high impregnable mount, the greater part of the City being below, fairly built, walled with good stone, and moated about: the Country about it is Champaigne and very fruitfull.

The Kingdome of Bengala Described.

Bengala is a very large Kingdome, lying along the Sea-coast one hundred and twenty leagues, and as much into the land: Its watered by the River Cabaris, called by some Guenga. It abounds with Rice, VVheat, Sugar, Ginger, long Pepper, Cotton, and Silk, and enjoyeth a very wholesome air. Gouro is the Regal City, spacious, and beautiful; and so is Bengala, which hath given name to that part of the Sea called the Gulph of Bengala: Chatigan is also another of their Cities. The inhabitants are a most subtile, and wicked people: Men, and VVomen given much to uncleannesse; they never dress or seeth meat twice in one pot, but every time have a new one. Adultery is punished with the losse of their noses. In this Country are many Rhinocroces. It is now subject to the Great Mogol.

Cambaia described.

Cambaia is called also G • sarat, containing in length from the River Bate to Circam, which is a Country belonging to Persia, five hundred miles upon the Sea-coasts: On all other parts its invironed with the Kingdomes of Dulcinda, and Sanga on the North: Mandao on the East; and with the Gredosians on the VVest; the Sea▪ and the confines of Decan being the Southerly bounds. It hath in it sixty thousand Cities, and villages. Its watered with many Rivers, whereof Indus is the chief, which divides it in the middle, arising from Caucasus, and after a course of nine hundred miles, at two mouths disembogues it self into the Ocean. Its a fertile Country, not inferiour to any other in India: the earth and trees bring forth plenty, and variety of fruits: It hath store of Elephants, precious stones, Silk, Cotton, &c. The people are of an Olive colour, and go naked, except about their privities: They eat no flesh, but Rice, Barley, milk, and other liveless Creatures; their chief Sea-Towns are Daman, Bandora, Curate, Ravellum, and Bazuinum; and within land, Cambaia, Madabar, Campanel, Tanaa, &c. Cambaia being the chiefest, situate three miles from Indus: Its called the Indian Cairo, having much trafick to it by Indians, Portugals, Persians, Arabians, Armenians, &c. The VVomen dye their teeth black, thinking it a great part of their beauty, and therefore alwayes go with open lips to shew it. VVhen men die they burn their bodies, and their wives dressed as for a wedding, burn with them.

Six leagues from Decan is a Hill out of which Diamonds are taken; it is walled about, and kept with a Garrison: Their Religion is partly Moorish, partly Heathenish. They have Hospitals for sick, or lame Birds, Beasts, &c. yea they redeem Beasts, and Birds lives, and if maimed, or hurt, carry them to their Hospitals. In the high wayes, and woods they set pots with water, and scatter meat to feed them. If they catch a Flea, or a Louse, they will not kill it, but let it go: and you can do them no greater injury, than to kill either in their presence; and if by intreaty they cannot perswade you to forbear, they will redeem its life with mony. They drink no Wine, eat no Vinegar, use water only; they will eat no Eggs, as supposing blood to bee in them; they are very careful before they sit down, that no living Creature bee under them. Pur. Pilgrimage.

The Philippine Islands described.

The Philippine Islands were discovered by the Spaniards out of new Spain, Anno Christi 1542. who in honour of their King Philip the second, gave them that name: They are many in number, lying far into the Sea before Cauchin-China, and Chambaia: some of them are great, and very rich in Rice, Honey, Fruits, Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Gold, &c. and inriched more by trade from China: seventy of these Islands are subjects, or friends to the Spaniards, their intestine divisions making an easy way to the Spanish Conquest. They worshiped the Sun, and Moon. Now they have amongst them many Monasteries of Friers, and Jesuites: But the wicked lives of the Spaniards, makes the Inhabitants abhor their Religion: They carve, and cut their skins in sundry fashions, and devises, all over their body.

The Island of Mauritius described.

The Island of Mauritius lies within the torrid Zone, about one hundred Leagues from Madegascar. It abounds with all good things, requisite for mans use: The land is high, and mountainous; the shape somewhat round; in circuit about one hundred miles, every where sweet, and flourishing; having an healthful air, and the blooming fragrant trees abating the heat of the Sun: besides the gentle Breezes moderating the weather: There are delicious Rivers which make the Earth fruitful: Infinite store of lofty spreading trees, green all the year; their boughs being never unapparrelled of their Summer livery: The ground is ever spread with natures choicest Tapestry, the mirthful Sun ever re-inforcing a continued vigor, and activity: Of the trees, some are good for timber, others for food; all for use: Here is store of Box, and of Ebony of all sorts, black, white, red, and yellow: the tree is high, small, and streight: and the wood of such esteem, that many ships come yearly to it to load with Ebony; besides which, there are Coquo trees, Pines, Ashes, Cypresses, &c. As also store of rare fruits: birds, and fowl: Hawks of all kinds: Bats as big as Gos-hawks, Passo-Flemingos, Herons, Geese, and many others, good in their flesh, and excellent in their feathers: Fish there are plenty, as the Cow-fish, Dolphins, Abicores, Cavalloes, VVhale, Porpice, Grampasse, Mullet, Bream, Trout, Tench, Soles, Flounders, Tortoises, Eeles, Sharks, Pikes, Crabs, Lobsters, Oysters, Cuttle-fish, Rock-fish, and other strange fishes: some like Hedg-hogs; some like Cats, others with bristles, &c. This Isle also affords Goats, Hogs, Beeves, and land Tortoises so big, that two men may sit on one of them, and shee will go away with them.

Africa described in General.

Africa is divided on the North from Europe, by the Mediterranean Sea: On the South it runs on a point to the Cape of Good Hope, and is bounded with the vast Ocean, called there the Aethiopick Sea: On the East with the Red-Sea; and on the VVest with the Atlantick Ocean, called Mare del Nort, so that her longitude and latitude contains about four thousand and two hundred English miles. Its much lesse than Asia, and far bigger than Europe.

In most parts its very barren, and therefore hath no great plenty of Inhabitants. Its full of sandy desarts▪ which lying open to the winds, and storms, are often moved like to the waves of the Sea, by which means Cambysis with his Army was much hazarded. Its full of venemous Serpents, which much endanger the Inhabitants; besides other ravenous beasts, which ranging about, possesse themselves of a great part of this Country, and make it a VVildernesse of Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and in some places Crocodiles, Hyena's, Basilisks, and Monsters without number, and name: for when, for want of water, Creatures of all kinds, at sometimes of the year come to those few rivolets that bee, to quench their thirst; the Males promiscuously forcing the Females of every species that comes next him, produceth this variety of forms. Salust reports that there dye more of the people by beasts, than by diseases: And in the tracts of Barbary, the Inhabitants every tenth, fifteenth, or five and twentieth year, are visited with a Plague, and with the French disease in such violence, that few recover, except they remove into Numidia, or the land of Negros, the very air whereof is an excellent Antidote against those diseases.

Their commodities are Elephants, Camels, Barbary-ho • ses, Rams with great tails weighing above twenty pound, &c.

Africa is divided into seven parts. Barbary, or Mauritania: Numidia, Lybia, The land of Blacks: Aethiopia superior: Aethiopia inferior: and Egypt, besides the Islands.

Barbary hath on the North the Mediterranean Sea: on the VVest the Atlantick: on the South the mountain Atlas, and on the East Egypt. The Inhabitants are crafty, covetous, ambitious, jealous of their VVives: their Country yeelds Orenges, Dates, Olives, Figs, and a kinde of Goat; whose hair makes a stuff as fine as Silk. It contains in it the Kingdomes of Tunnis, Algier, Fess, and Morocho.

Tunnis is famous for the chief City of the same name, five miles in compasse; and Carthage, two and twenty miles in circuit, that contended so long with Rome for the Monarchy of the world; and Utica memorable for Catoes death there.

Algier contains in it a strong harbor for Turkish Pirates: before the chief Town whereof the Emperor Charles the fifth received a mighty losse of ships, Horses, Ordinance, and men.

Fess hath in it a City with seven hundred Churches, one of which is a mile and an half in compasse.

Morocho, where the chief City of the same name hath a Church larger than that of Fess, and thereon a Tower so high, that from thence may bee discerned the to • of the Mountains Azaci which are at one hundred and thirty miles distance.

Here is also a Castle famous for Globes of pure gold that stand on the top of it, weighing one hundred and thirty thousand Barbary Ducke •• .

Numidia, the second part of Africa hath on the East Egypt: on the VVest the Atlantick Ocean: on the North the Mountain Atlas, and on the South the desarts of Lybia: Its called also the Region of Dates from the abundance that grows there. The Inhabitants are very wicked: stay in a place but till they have eaten down the grasse: Hence there are but few Cities, and those in some places three hundred miles distant.

Lybia on the East is bounded with Nilus, on the West with the Atlantick: on the North with Numidia; and on the South with the Country of the Blacks: Its so dry, that a traveller can scarce meet with any water in seven dayes journey; the Inhabitants live without any Law, almost so much as that of nature.

The Land of Blacks, or Negroes, hath on the West the Atlantick; on the East Aethiopia superior; on the North Lybia; and on the South the Kingdome of Manicongo. The River Niger runs through it, almost as famous as Nilus for her overflowing: It yeelds store of gold, silver, Ivory, and other commodities. It hath in it four Kingdomes: Tombu • o, infinitly rich. Bornaum, where the people have no names proper; no wives peculiar; all therefore no children which they call their own. Gonga, the King whereof hath no estate but from his subjects as hee spends it. And Gualatum, a very poor Country.

Of this Land of Negroes one makes these verses.

The Land of Negroes is not far from thence, neerer extended to th' Atlantick main, Wherein the Black Prince keeps his residence, attended by his Jetty-coloured train; Who in their native beauty most delight, And in contempt do paint the Devil white.

Aethiopia superior; or the Kingdome of the Abyssines. Is bounded on the North with Egypt; on the South with the Mountains of the Moon; on the East with the Red-Sea, and on the VVest with the Country of the Blacks. The King hereof is called Prete Janny, or Presbyter John: they are mungril Christians: The King hath under him seventy petty Kings, which have their several laws, and customes: The Country yeelds Orenges, Lemmons, Citrons, Barley, Sugar, Honey, &c.

Aethiopia inferior is on every side begirt with the Sea, except on the North, which is bounded with the Mountains of the Moon. It consists of five Kingdomes; 1 Aiana which abounds with Gold, Ivory, Honey, Wax, Corn, large sheep, &c. 2 Zanguabar in which is Mosambique. 3 Monomopata, wherein are plenty of Gold Mines. The King is served with great pomp, and hath a guard of two hundred Mastiffs. 4 Cafraria, in which is the cape of Good hope: alwayes stormy to the Spaniards; whence one was very angry with God, for suffering the English Hereticks to passe by it so easily, and not giving his good Catholicks the like speed. 5 Manicongo, where in many parts the Inhabitants are men-eaters, selling such flesh in their Shambles.

Egypt hath on the East the Red-Sea, on the VVest Barbary: on the North the Mediterranean and Aethiopia superior on the South. It was called the Granary of the VVorld: for though it hath rain but seldome, yet Nilus overflowing makes it very fruitful: the chief Cities; are Grand Cairo, and Alexandria: see afterward a more full discription of it.

The Islands belonging to Africa Described.

The Atlantick Islands are 1. that of Saint Thomas, lying directly under the Aequinoctiall line, inhabited by the Portugalls, and yeilding plenty of Sugar. 2. Prince Island, lying between the Aequator and Tropick of Capricorn: a fertile place. 3. The Gorgades being nine in number, lying neer to Cape Virde: they abound in Goats, and the chief of them is called St. James. 4. The Canaries, for their fruitfulnesse called, The fortunate Islands: they are seven in number, the cheif is called the Grand Canary, they yeild excellent wines. 5. The Hesperides, not far from the Gorgades, where the soil is very fruitful; the weather continually fair, and the air very temperate.

The Aethiopick Islands are

1. The Island of Saint Laurence, or Madagascar; which is four thousand miles in compasse, and longer than Italy, rich in all commodities for mans use: The people are very barbarous, and most of them black, yet there is some white amongst them, supposed to bee transplanted out of China.

2. Socatrina, or Socotera, which lyes at the mouth of the Red-sea, and is sixty miles in length, and twenty five in breadth: Its very dry and barren, yet hath diverse good drugs in it. From thence cometh our Aloes Socotrina.

The Principal Countries in Africa more largely Described.

Africa is usually divided into 1 Egypt. 2 Barbary. 3 Numidia. 4 Lybia. 5 The land of Negro's. 6 Aethiopia interior. 7 Aethiopia exterior. 8 And the Islands, as was aforesaid.

A more full Description of Egypt.

This Country of Egypt containeth in length from Siene to the Mediterranean Sea, five hundred sixty and two miles, and in breadth from Rosetta to Damietta above one hundred and forty miles: yet in some places its not above thirty seven miles broad: The Inhabitants are tawny, and brown. From its fruitfulnesse it was called Horreum Populi Romani: The Roman Granary, where Lucan saith.

The Earth content with its own wealth, doth crave No forreign Marts: nor Jove himself: they have There hopes alone in Nilus fruitful wave. Dr. Heilen.

This Nilus is divided towards the Sea, into seven Channels. It swelleth above its banks by the space of forty days, beginning upon the 15th day of June, and is forty days more decreasing, and returning into its banks. During this inundation, the Cattle live on hills, and in the Towns, unto which they are aforehand driven, and foddered till the return of the water into its Channel. The Towns, and Villages stand all upon tops of hills, and in the time of the flood appear like so many Islands: and the people by boats have free intercourse all the while. In the mud left upon the fields, are many creatures ingendred by the heat of the Sun: Whence Ovid, And when the seven mouth'd Nile the fields forsakes, And to his ancient Channel him betakes: The tillers of the ground live creatures find Of sundry shapes, inth' mud that's left behind. Dr. Heilen.

This River is almost three thousand miles long, and being the only River of Egypt, affords the only drink to the Egyptians, and indeed its very good water. The Paper made of Sedges, called Papiri growing by this River, afforded Ptolemy Philadelphus materials for Books in that brave Library of Alexandria: but understanding that Attalus, King of Pergamus, used this Egyptian Paper, for to exceed him in another Library, hee prohibited the carrying of it out of Egypt, whereupon Attalus invented Parchment, called from his City Pergamena: and before these inventions, they wrote either on the inside of the bark of a tree called Liber, whence wee call our Books Libri, Or on Tables made of wood, called Caudex, whence came our Codex. Or on Tables covered over with wax: whence Tabellarius is a letter Carryer: and the pin which they wrote with, was called Stylus, which was afterwards used for that peculiar phrase used by any: as Negligens Stylus: exercitatus Stylus. Sometimes they wrote in leaves, as the Sybils did their Prophesies, called Sybillae folia: whence we call it a leaf of paper.

Pharos is a little Island over against Alexandria, in which Ptolemaeus Philadelphus built a watch-tower for the benefit of Saylors: the chief workman was Sostratus of Gnidos. It was all of white Marble, of a wonderfull height, ascended by degrees, and in the top were many Lanthorns with lights in the night, to direct those that travelled by Sea; for the admirable structure, it was counted one of the wonders of the world.

The chief Cities in Egypt described, The Grand Cairo described.

The Grand Cairo in Egypt is accounted one of the greatest Cities in the world. It is situated upon a most beautiful plain, neer unto a certain. Mountain called Mucatun, about two miles from the River Nilus, It's invirond with stately walls, and fortified with Iron Gates. In it are built most stately and admirable Palaces, and Colledges, and most sumptuous Temples. There are also many Bath stoves, very artificially built: It aboundeth with all sorts of Merchandise out of all parts of the World. There is in it a famous Burse [Exchange] called Canen Halili, wherein the Persian Merchants dwell; It's built very stately in the manner of a King's Palace, of three stories high: Beneath it are many rooms, whither Merchants resort for the exchange of their costly wares; as all sorts of Spices, precious stones, Cloth of India, &c. There is also a stately Hospital, the yearly revenues whereof, amount to two hundred thousand peices of gold called Saraffi. The Suburbs are very large, wherein also are many stately buildings, especially a Colledge being of a wonderful height, and great strength: Besides many other Palaces, Colledges, and Temples. Here they have great store of poultry: For in certain Ovens built upon sundry lofts they put abundance of Eggs; which Ovens being kept in a moderate heat, will in seven days hatch all those eggs into chickens. P. Pil.

There are in it eighteen thousand streets. It is so populous, that its reputed in very good health, if there dye but a thousand a day, or thirty hundred thousand in a year. I mean when the Plague; which comes once in seven years, is amongst them. Heil.

In one of the streets are about threescore Cooks shops: then follow oth • r shops, wherein are to bee sold delicate waters, and drinks made of all kinds of fruits, which are kept charily in fine vessels: next to these are shops, where diverse confections of honey, and Sugar, like to ours in Europe, are to bee sold: Then follow the Fruiterers shops, who have out-Landish fruits out of Syria, as Quinces, Pomgranats, &c. Next to them are shops wherein they sell Eggs, Cheese and Pancakes fryed with Oyle: Next is a street, wherein all manner of Artificers dwell: Then there are diverse ranks of Drapers shops; In the first rank they sell excellent fine linnen, fine cloth of Cotton, and cloth called Mosal, of a marvellous breadth and finenesse, whereof the greatest persons make shirts, and scarfs to wear upon their Tulipants: Then are Mercers shops, wherein they sell Silks, Damask, Cloth of Gold, and Velvet brought out of Italy: The next are woollen Drapers, with all sorts of European cloth: next of all are store of Chamblets to bee sold. At the gate of Zuaila dwell great store of Artificers. Next to the forenamed Burse is a street of shops, where are all kind of Perfumes, as Civet, Musk, Ambergreece, &c. Next follows the street of Paper Merchants, with most excellent smooth Paper: There are also to bee sold pretious stones, and Jewels of great value, which the Brokers carry from shop to shop: Then come you to the Gold-Smiths street, inhabited mostly by Jews, who deal in rich commodities: Then are there Upholsters, and Brokers who sell apparel, and rich furniture at the second hand, as Cloaks, Coats, Nappery, &c.

It hath many large Suburbs, as that of Bed Zuaila, containing about twelve thousand Families, being a mile and an half in length. The Suburb called Gem • li Tailon, adorned with a most admirable Palace, and sumptuous Temple: where also dwell great store of Merchants, and Artificers. The Suburb called Bell Elloch, containing neer three thousand Families, inhabited by Merchants, and Artizans of diverse sorts; there is also a great Palace, and a stately Colledge: Here are many stage-players, and such as teach Camels, Asses, and Dogs to dance, very delightful to behold. The Suburb Bulach upon the Bank of Nilus, containes four thousand Families: here are many Artificers, and Merchants, especially such as sell Corn, Oyle, Sugar, &c. Its also full of stately Temples, Colledges, and Hospitalls; under this Suburb you may sometimes see above a thousand Barks upon the River, The Suburb of Caresa contains about two thousand Families: Here are many Sepulchers built with high and stately vaults, and Arches; adorned within with diverse Emblems, and colours, the pavement spread with sumptuous, and rich Carpets.

The Inhabitants of Cairo in the Winter time, wear garments of cloth lined with Cotton: In the summer they wear fine shirts, over which some have linnen garments, curiously wrought with silk: others wear Chamblet, and great Turbants on their heads, covered with cloth of India: The women go in costly attire, having on their foreheads frontlets, and about their necks chains of Pearl: on their heads they wear a sharp, and slender Bonnet, about a span high very pretious, and rich, their Gowns are of woollen cloth with strait sleeves, curiously imbroidered with needle work, over which they cast veils of excellent fine cloth of India: their faces are covered with a black scarff: on their feet they wear fine shooes, or Pantoffles, &c.

The City of Alexandria described.

The great City of Alexandria, was founded by Alexander the great, not without the advise of most famous, and skilful Architects, upon a beautiful point of land stretching into the Mediterranean Sea, being distant forty miles, Westward from Nilus: It was most sumptuously, and strongly built, four square, with four Gates for entrance: One on the East-side towards Nilus: Another on the South towards the Lake of Buchaira: the third Westward towards the Desert of Barca: and the fourth towards the Haven. Neer unto the City walls, are two other gates, which are divided asunder by a fair walk, and a most impregnable Castle which stands upon the Wharf, in which Port the best ships out of these parts of the World ride: Here the Christians pay a tenth of all their wares, whereas the Mahometans, pay but a twentieth part. At this time that part of the City that lyes towards Cairo is best inhabited, and furnished with Merchandize, and so is the other part that lies next to the Haven: under each house in the City is a great vaulted Cistern, built upon mighty Pillars, and Arches, whereinto at the overflowing of Nilus, the water is conveyed, under the City walls, by a most artificiall Sluce, that stands without them. The City stands in a sandy Desert, so that its destitute of Gardens, Vines, and Corn, but what is brought from places at forty miles distance.

The City of Rosetto Described.

Rosetto was built by a Slave to one of the Mahometan Governours, upon the Eastern bank of Nilus, three miles from the Mediterranean Sea, and not far from the place where Nilus emptieth it self into the sea: In it is a stately Bath-stove, having fountains both of cold, and hot water belonging thereunto.

The City of Thebe Described.

Thebe at this present contains but about three hundred Families • but the buildings are very stately and sumptuous. It abounds with Corn, Rice, and Sugar, with a certain fruit of a most excellent tast, called Muse: It hath in it great store of Merchants, and Artificers: The Countrey about it, abounds with Date-trees, which grow so thick, that a man cannot see the City till hee comes neer the Walls: Here grow also store of Grapes, Figs, and Peaches: Over against the City the River of Nilus makes an Isle, which standing high, brings forth all sorts of fruits but Olives.

The City of Chanca described.

The great City of Chanca is about six miles from Cairo, at the very entrance into the Desert, through which is the way to Mount Sinai: Its replenished with most stately houses, Temples, and Colledges: All the fields between Cairo, and it, are full of Dates. From Chanca to Mount Sinai are one hundred and forty miles, in all which way there is no habitation: Through this City lye the two main roads, one leading to Syria, and the other to Arabia: They have no water, but what remains in certain channels after the inundation of Nilus. In the other Cities there is nothing remarkable.

The Egyptian Pyramids Described.

In Egypt are diverse stupendious structures called Pyramids, the greatest whereof is situated on the top of a rocky hill, which riseth above the plain about an hundred feet, with a gentle, and easy ascent, the height of the situation adding beauty to the work, and the solidity of the rock giving the superstructure a permanent, and stable support: each side of this Pyramid is six hundred ninety three feet according to the English Standard; so that the whole Basis contains four hundred eighty thousand two hundred, and fourty nine square feet, or eleven English acres of ground. The height is the same with the breadth: viz. six hundred ninety three feet.

The ascent to the top is contrived in this manner: From all the sides without, the ascent is by degrees; the lowermost step or degree is about four foot in height, and three in breadth, which running about the Pyramid in a level, makes on every side of it a long, but narrow walk; the second row is like the first, retiring inward from the first three feet, and so runs about the Pyramid. In the same manner is the third row placed above the second, and so in order the rest like so many stairs rising one above another to the top, which contains about nine foot square. The degrees by which men ascend are not all of an equal depth, for some are about four foot, others scarcely three, and the higher they ascend, the more they diminish, both in breadth, and thicknesse: so that a right line extended from any part of the Basis to the top, will equally touch the outward angle of every degree.

These are all made of Massie, and polished stones, hewn out of the Arabian Mountains, which bound the upper part of Egypt, being so vast, that the breadth and depth of every step, is one single and intire stone, so that in most of them is contained thirty feet of stone: The number of these steps is two hundred and seven.

On the North side ascending thirty eight feet upon an artificial bank of earth, there is a square, and narrow passage, leading into the inside of this Pyramid, containing in length ninety two feet, and an half: The structure of it hath been the labour of an exquisite hand, as appears by the smoothnesse and evennesse of the work, and by the close knitting of the joynts: it is now an habitation for great ugly batts of about a foot long.

At the end of this entrance you must climb up a massy stone, eight or nine foot in height, where you enter into a Gallery, the pavement consisting of smooth, and polished white Marble▪ the breadth is about five foot, and the height the like: the length of this Gallery is an hundred, and ten feet: At the end whereof begins a second Gallery, a very stately peece of work, and not inferiour either in respect of the curiousity of Art, or richnesse of materials, to the most sumptuous or magnificent buildings: Its divided from the former by a wall; at the end whereof is a Well about three feet in the diameter, the sides whereof are lined with white Marble, its eighty six cubits in depth, hewn through the Rock on which the Pyramid stands▪ Beyond the Well about fifteen foot is a square passage, the stones whereof are exceeding massie, and exquisitely joyned, which contains one hundred and ten feet, at the end whereof is an arched Vault, or little Chamber; the length about twenty feet, the breadth seventeen, the height about fifteen.

The length of this second Gallery before mentioned is one hundred fifty and four feet, of white, and polished Marble, both roof, walls, and bottome; the joynts are so well knit, that they are scarce discernable: The height of this Gallery is twenty six feet, the breadth six feet, bounded on both sides with two banks, like benches of polished Marble.

At the end of this Gallery you enter into a square hole which brings you into a little room lined with rich, and speckled Thebaick Marble, out of which through another passage, being all of Thebaick Marble; most exquisitely cut, you land at the North end of a very sumptuous, and well proportioned room, wherein Art seems to contend with Nature, the curious work not being inferiour to the rich materials: It stands in the heart, or center of the Pyramid, equidistant from all the sides, and in the midst between the Basis, and the top: The floor, sides, and roof, are all made of vast, and exquisite tables of Thebaick Marble: from the top to the bottome are but six ranges of stone, all of an equal height. The stones which cover this room are of a strange, and stupendious length, like so many huge beams lying flat, and traversing the room, and bearing up that infinite weight, and Masse of the Pyramid above. Of these there are nine which cover the roof; the length of this room is thirty four English feet: the breadth somewhat above seventeen feet, the height nineteen feet and a half.

In the midst of this glorious room stands the Tomb of Cheops of one peece of Marble, hollow within, and sounding like a bell; but empty: For (saith Diodorus) although the Egyptian Kings intended these for their Sepulchres, yet it happened that they were not buried therein: For the people being exasperated against them, by reason of the toilsomenesse of these works, and for their cruelty, and oppression, threatned to tear in peeces their dead bodies, and with ignominy to throw them out of their Sepulchres, wherefore the • commanded their friends when they were dead to bury them in some obscure place. The Tomb is cut smooth, and plain, without any sculpture, and ingraving: The outsides contain in length seven foot, three inches, and a half. In depth its three foot, and almost four inches, and the same in breadth: The hollow part within is something more than six foot long, the depth is somewhat above two feet; whereby it appears that mens bodies are now as big as they were three thousand years ago: For it is almost so long since this Tomb was made. This Pyramid was twenty years in making, and yet there were three hundred threescore, and six thousand men continually working about it, who only in Radishes, Garlick; and Onions are said to have consumed eighteen hundred Talents. Collected out of Mr. Greaves, a curious observer of it.

The Egyptian Mummi's described.

Not far from this Pyramid in Egypt are the Mummi's, which were the graves of the ancient Egyptians, into which are discents not unlike to the narrow mouthes of Wells, some near ten fathomes deep, leading into long vaults, hewn out of the Rock with pillars of the same. Between every Arch lie the Corpses ranked one by another of all sizes, which are innumerable, shrowded in a number of folds of Linnen, and swathed with bands of the same, the breasts of divers being stained with Hierogliphical Characters: The Linnen being pulled off, the bodies appear solid, uncorrupt, and perfect in all their dimensions; whereof the musculous parts are of a brown colour, hard as stone-pitch, and hath in Physick the like operation; only more soveraign.

To keep these from putrefactions, they drew the brains out at the nostrils with an Iron instrument, replenishing the head with preservative spices: then cutting up the belly with an Aethiopian stone, they took forth the bowels, cleansed the inside with Wine, and so stuffing it with a composition of Myrrhe, Cassia, and other odours, they closed it up again: The like the poorer sort effected with Bitumen, fetched from the Lake of Asphaltites in Jury, whereby they have been preserved till this day, having lyen there for about three thousand years.

The Lake of Maeris described.

Maeris, one of the Egyptian Kings, undertook, and finished that most admirable Lake, which for greatnesse, and colour is like a Sea: Its about six hundred furlongs from the City of Memphis, the circumference of it, contains M.M.M.DC. furlongs, the depth of it is fifty fathom, or three hundred feet; many myriads of men were imployed for many years about it.

The benefit of it to the Egyptians, and the wisdome of the King cannot bee sufficiently commended: For seeing the rising of Nilus is not alwayes alike, and the Country is more fruitful by the moderatenesse thereof: Hee digged this Lake to receive the superfluity of the water, that neither by the greatnesse of the inundation, it should cause Marshes, or by the scarcity of water, the earth should not yeeld her strength, hee therefore cut a ditch from the River to this Lake fourscore furlongs long, and three hundred feet in breadth, by which sometimes receiving in, and sometimes diverting the River, hee gave at his pleasure a sufficient quantity of water to the husbandmen. After the Kings name, its called the Lake of Maeris.

In the midst of this Lake hee built a Sepulchre, and two Pyramids, each of them of an hundred fathoms high, placing upon them two Marble statues, sitting on a Throne, one representing himself, the other his wife; seeking hereby to make his memory immortal. The revenews which came by the fish of this Lake, hee gave to his wife to buy her unguents, and ornaments, which was so great, that it amounted to a Talent a day: For it was mightily replenished with fish of twenty sorts, so that very many were continually imployed in catching, and salting of them. Diod. Sion. Herod.

Barbary described.

Barbary hath on the East Cyrenaica: on the West the Atlantick Ocean; On the North the Mediterranean Sea; and on the South the Mountain Atlas. Its now usually divided into the Kingdomes of Tunnis, Algiers, Fess, and Morocco. It produceth Figs, Olives, Dates, Sugar, and horses excellent for shape, and service. The men are comely of feature, of a duskish colour, stately of gate, implacable in hatred, laborious, and treacherous. The women are rich in Jewels, beautiful in blacknesse, and have delicate soft skins.

The Kingdome of Tunis described.

Tunis hath on the East Cyrenaica, and on the VVest Algier: It containeth all that which the Ancients called Numidia antiqua: The soil is fertile, especially the Western part: The Inhabitants are healthful, seldome vexed with any sicknesse; its divided commonly into five parts.

1 Ezzab in the East, having many Towns and Regions in it.

2 Tripolis, where the chief City is of the same name; and where the Great Turk hath a Bassa, or Vice-Roy: Its at this day a receptacle of Pyrats, that rove and rob in those Seas. Anno Christi 1551. It was wonne from the Knights of Malta by Sinan Bassa.

3 Tunis, where the chief City of the same name standeth, near to the ruines of Carthage: It hath in it about ten thousand housholds, and many Temples, and especially one of singular beauty, and greatnesse. Cairoan also hath been a famous City six and thirty miles from the Sea, and one hundred from Tunis; where is an admirable Temple built upon Pillars of Marble.

4 Constantina, having the chief City of the same name, wherein a • eight thousand families, and many sumptuous buildings, a great Temple, and two Colledges.

5 Bugia, which for one hundred and fifty miles space extends it self by the Sea side to the River Major; the Principal City is called Bugia, sometimes adorned with Temples, Hospitals, Monasteries, and Colledges of students in the Mahometan Law. There is also in Bugia, Necotus a very pleasant City; and Chollo, very rich. In this Country also is seated Bona, formerly called Hippo, where St. Augustine was Bishop.

The Kingdome of Algier described.

Algier formerly called Mauritania Caesariensis, is bounded on the East with Tunis, on the VVest with Fess, and Morocco. It hath in it five Principal Cities. 1 Hubeda. 2 Tegdenit. 3 Guagido. 4 Telesine, which sometimes contained sixteen thousand families, and is adorned with many beautiful Temples, and hath in it five dainty Colledges, curiously wrought with Mosaick work. And 5 Algier.

The City of Algier described.

Algier is seated on the Mediterranean Sea, upon the side of an hill, whereby one house hinders not the prospect of another: Its in fashion like a Bow: the old Town is in compasse three thousand four hundred paces: the Island wherein it stands is walled about, except that part which is open to the Port, and City; where lately they have erected a five cornered Tower to secure both: Its well strengthened with Turrets, Fortresses, and Bulworks: without the Wall is a ditch of sixteen paces broad: without the Town there are three Castles: the Streets are generally narrow, and in the Winter Dirty: The Houses toward the street are dark: but being inwardly built with square Cloisters, it makes them light: the roofs being flat serve them for galleries and Prospect: In the middest is a well, but the water brackish: they use no chimnies, but make fires in Panns. The Kings Palace, and great mens houses have spacious Courts, with specious Pillars about, and many by-rooms spread with Mats, and Carpets, their Custome being to put off their shooes when they enter.

Their houshold furniture is generally mean: their common lodging is upon a Mat, or Carpet upon the ground: Pelts are their Nappery, water their drink, Rice with pulse their meat, &c. five Cisterns without the City supply them with water, fetched in upon the shoulders of their slaves: There are seven fair Mosques, five Colledges of Janizaries, where six hundred of them live together in one house. One Hospital, four fair Baths, whereof two for washing with hot, and cold water, paved with Marble: Two Royall Porches, one of thirty six foot square, with columes for the Janizaries, and the other is before the Palace: within the Walls are neer thirteen thousand houses, many of them containing thirty Families, and some more: There are in all above one hundred Mosques, besides the Oratories of Hermites: Sixty two Baths, fourscore and six Schools, wherein children learn to read, and write, and a few others for the Alcoran: In the Suburbs are fourteen thousand six hundred ninety eight Gardens, each having Christian Slaves to keep them: yea there is scarce a family in the City, wherein they have not one or more Christian Slaves of both Sexes: Besides in the Kings Prison are commonly two thousand, and two or three thousand more in their Gallies, so that in all, there are seldome fewer than thirty thousand of these poor slaves. See what misery these poor captives indure before in the Chapter of Cruelty.

Fesse and Morocco described.

Fesse and Morocco, formerly called Mauritania Tingitana, have on the East Algiers; On the West the Atlantick Ocean: and are parted one from the other by the River Omiramble: The other principal Rivers in them are Tensilt, Sus, Suba, and Lyssus.

Fesse is divided into seven Provinces, in the which the chief City is Fesse, so called from the abundance of Gold that was found at the laying of the foundation of it.

The City of Fesse Described.

The City of Fesse is both great, and strong: the soil about it, is diversified with little Hills, and pretty vallies, which make it very pleasant: The River neer it disperseth it self into many channels, and when it enters into the City, it divideth it self into two arms, and these again are subdivided into variety of water-courses, passing through every street, and by pipes under ground is carried into every Temple, Colledge, Inne, Hospital, and almost into every private house, whereby it carrieth away all the silth that might annoy either the sight or sent. The buildings are of Mosaick-work, with fine bricks, and stones framed after a most curious manner, lovely for delight, and stately for admiration. The roofes of the houses are adorned with Gold, Azure, and other excellent colours: on the top they are flat for the Inhabitants use and pleasure: within they are richly furnished, every Chamber having in it a Presse curiously painted, and varnished. The Portals, Pillars, Cisterns, and other Ornaments of the City are very exquisitly framed: There are of Temples in it about seven hundred, whereof fifty are very great, and fair, adorned with Marble Pillars, and other Ornaments, the Chapiters whereof are wrought with Mosaick and carved works: each of them hath his Fountain of Marble, and other costly stones: the floores are covered with Mats closely joyned; the walls also for a mans height are lined with the same; every Temple hath its Steeple after the Mahometan manner, whereon their Priests call the People to prayer at the appointed hours. The principal Temple is that of Caruven, so great, that it contains in circuit a mile, and a half. It hath thirty one Gates great and high: the Roof is one hundred and fifty Tuscan yards long, and neer fourscore broad. Its supported with thirty eight Arches in length, and twenty in breadth: Round about it are Porches on the East, West, and North, every one in length forty yards, and in breadth thirty, under which are store-houses, wherein are kept Lamps Oyle, Mats, and other necessaries: every night are lighted nine hundred Lamps, for every Arch hath his Lamp, especially that row which extends through the midst of the Quire, which alone hath one hundred and fifty Lamps: amongst which are some great lights made of Brasse, every of which hath sockets for one thousand five hundred Lamps: The Steeple is exceeding high. Not far from the City are twenty Lime-kills, and as many brick-kills, serving for the reparation of the Temple, and houses that belong to it. The revenues of this Temple are two hundred Duckets a day.

In the City there are two Principal, and most stately Colledges, adorned with Mosaick, and carved works, paved with Marble, and stones of Majorca; in each of them are many Chambers: One of them containing above one hundred Chambers, is adorned with a goodly Fountain of Marble, and a continuall running stream: about it are three Cloisters, or Galleries of incredible beauty, supported with eight square Pillars of diverse colours: the Arches adorned with Mosaick of Gold, and Azure: the roof of carved work. The Gates of the Colledge are of Brass finely wrought, and the Chamber doors are well carved. In the great hall where they say their Prayers, is a Pulpit, ascended by nine stairs, all of Ivory, and Ebony.

There are many Hospitals in Fesse not inferior to the Colledges for building: there are also a hundred Bath-stoves well built, each of them having four Halls, and certain Galleries without; in which they put off their cloaths, most of them pertaining to the Temples, and Colledges, and yeilding them a great rent.

Their Inns are almost two hundred, built three stories high, each of them having one hundred and twenty Chambers in them, with Galleries before all the doors: but yeilding neither beds, nor food for strangers. There are also a thousand Mills, the revenues whereof belong to the Temples, and Colledges. Each trade in Fesse hath a peculiar place allotted thereto. There are six hundred fountains walled about, which supply the Temples, and other places with water, because the River is sometimes dry.

In the territories of Fesse is the City of Sella, where the buildings are of Mosaick work, supported with Marble Pillars. The shops are under fair, and large Porches: in which, there are Arches to part the several Occupations: it hath in it fair and beautiful Temples: hither the English, Genowayes, Flemings, and Venetians use to trade.

Morocco described.

Morocco is divided into seven Provinces, in all which the chief City is Morocco, once the Metropolis of Barbary, containing one hundred thousand Families, but now inferior to Fess for voluptuousnesse, spaciousnesse, and beauty: yet there is a large Church in it bigger than that of Fesse, though not so beautifull, having a Tower on it so high, that from thence may bee seen the hills of Azasi at one hundred and thirty miles distance. There is also a large and stately Castle, on whose Tower there stand three Globes made of pure Gold, weighing one hundred and thirty thousand Barbary Duckets, some Kings have been about to take them down, but have always been hindred by some disasters, which makes the common people judge, that they are kept by spirits.

Numidia, and Lybia described.

Betwixt Barbary, and these, is the Mountain Atlas, so high that the top of it cannot bee seen: It was so called from one Atlas a King, that dwelt at the bottome of it.

Numidia hath on the East Egypt: on the West the Atlantick Ocean: on the North Atlas: and on the South Lybia: The Inhabitants live like the Nomades, not in houses, but in Waggons, and Carts, whence Lucan speaking of them, said, They dwell in Waines, not houses, and do stray Through fields, and with them lead their gods each way. Heilin.

They spend their time in hunting, staying but three or four dayes in a place, whilst the grasse will sustain their Camels; so that there are few Towns in this Country, and those far remote one from another. Teffet is their greatest City, which yet consists not of above four hundred housholds, and hath no other Town within three hundred miles of it. In this Country are abundance of Dates, whence its called Dactylorum regio. This fruit is most of • heir food, and with the stones of them they feed their Goats, which makes them fat, and causeth them to give store of milk. The air hath this property, that it presently cures all that have the French disease, and come into it. The chief Cities are Stafilet, Dausen, Dara, Lapsa, and Teffet.

Lybia hath on the East Nilus; on the VVest the Atlantick Ocean; On the North Numidia; and on the South the Land of Negroes. In this Country Arius, the Heretick was born, who denyed the perpetual divinity of Christ. It is now called Sarra, i. e. a Desart, because the whole Country is full of sandy Desarts, through which Merchants use to travel eight dayes together, without the sight of either River, Lake, Bush, or Tree. The chief Cities are Huadan, Guargata, and Toherraum. They have neither King nor Lawes, but are governed by the chief man in every Tribe: They are most Gentiles, they have some Mahometans amongst them.

The Land of Negroes described.

The Land of Negroes hath on the East Aethiopia superior: On the West the Atlantick Ocean: On the North Lybia; and on the South the Kingdome of Manicongo: The people are very ignorant and bruitish: most of them Gentiles, yet are there some Mahometans and Christians amongst them: They took the Portugal ships when they first saw them, for great birds with white wings: their guns for the work of the Devil, and bag-pipes for living Creatures. The Nobles in the presence of the King, never look him in the face, but sit on their buttocks with their elbows on their knees, and their hands on their faces; they anoint their hair with fat of fishes, which makes them stink abominably. They have abundance of gold and silver, very pure, and fine. Its watered with the River Niger, which from the fifteenth of June overflows its banks for the space of forty dayes, and is so many more before it returns into its channel, which makes the fields very fruitful: In one place Niger hides it self for six miles under ground: The second River is Senega, upon whose Northern bank, the people are cole black; but on the South only tawny.

The Chief Kingdomes are

1 Gualata, where they have no Laws.

2 Guinie, where there is neither Town nor Castle, except Mina built by the Portugals.

3 Tombutum, where the Inhabitants spend all their time in singing, and dancing. The King hereof is the richest of all the Princes in those parts of Africa, keeping a royal Palace, and hath for his guard three thousand horsemen, and footmen sance number.

4 Melli, which is three hundred miles long, the Inhabitants are rich, civil, and industrious.

5 Cana, where are Plenty of Lemons, and Pomegranats.

6 Gialo • ie, where the people are so nimble, that they will leap upon a horse when hee gallops, and stand upright when hee runs, turn themselves about, and suddenly sit down; mount, and dismount in a trice.

7 Benin, where the people rase their skins with three lines drawn to the Navel, without which they think they cannot bee saved; Both men and women go naked till they bee married, and then they wear a cloath from the wast to the knees.

8 Nubia, where there is a poison so exceeding strong, that the tenth part of a grain will kill a man in a quarter of an hour: Its sold for one hundred Duckats the ounce.

9 Bornum, where the people have neither wives, nor children that they call their own, nor names, but are only distinguished by some external accident.

10 Goaga, where the King hath no revenues, but what hee winnes from his enemies.

11 Ganaga, where the King hath nothing, but what his Nobles please daily to allow him.

The Country of the Mandigos described.

In Guinie upon the River Gambra live the Mandingos: The River abounds with Crocodiles, River-horses, Torpedoes, running-fishes, &c. On the banks of it are many Geese, Ducks, Hernes, Curlews, Storks, Plovers, &c. On the Land are Beeves, Goats, Guinie Hens, &c. The people are perfeclty black, and live a very idle life, except it bee in their seed-time, and harvest: their usual food is Rice, or some Grain boiled; their drink is water, or Dullo, made of Grain like our Ale: Their houses are round covered with Reeds, many of them built together, and compassed with a wall of Reeds six foot high, to defend them from wild-beasts, which yet many times, much endanger them. There are Ant-hills cast up by Pismires; some of them twenty foot high, and in compasse able to contain twelve men, which with the heat of the Sun are baked into that hardnesse, that our English which trade thither for gold, use to hide themselves in the ragged tops of them, when they take up their stands, to shoot at Deer, or other beasts. The Town wherein the King dwels is seated on the River, compassed about with Hurdles ten foot high, and fastened to strong poles: On the outside is a Trench of great breadth, beyond which the Town is again circled with Posts, set close together of about five foot high: their Armes are Azegaies, or Javelins, made of Reeds six foot long, with an Iron Pike artificially made, and dangerous: they have others that they cast like Darts, with barbed heads: as also swords about two foot long. Some have Bows and Arrows made of Reeds, headed with Iron poisoned: when any of them come to the King, they presently kneel down, and comming nearer, they lay their hands first upon the ground, then upon their head, then comming to him, they lay their hand with much submission upon the Kings thigh, and so retire back: the King answers them with nodding his head: They are generally cloathed in cloth made of Cotton, whereof there is plenty; their apparrel is a shirt to their knees▪ and a pair of breeches; they are mostly bare-headed, their hair bedecked with Gregories, made of leather, of several fashions, which whilst they wear, they think that no evil can betide them.

The King hath two wives sitting by him, laying their hands on his naked skin, stroaking, and gently pulling the same. VVhen the woman is with child, shee lyes no more with her husband till the child bee weaned. The wives live in great servitude, beating their Grain in Morters: they never are admitted to sit, and eat with their husbands: you shall never see kissing, or dalliance betwixt husband and wife, nor brawling amongst the wives, though one man hath many, and they equal: each woman hath her several house for the night, and when they appear in the morning, they salute their husbands, kneeling, laying their hands on his thigh: her apparrel is loose, and party-coloured: from the wast upward shee is bare, to shew her painted razed body, whereof they are proud, turning themselves to shew it, and well pleased when you handle it. Few either of men or women are without Tobacco-pipes made of earth well glazed, about two inches long, the bowle will hold half an ounce of Tobacco: into these they put Reeds about a yard long, and so draw the smoak.

They have store of Palmita wine: and gourds which grow like our Pumpions carryed up their walls, of unequal size, from an egge to a bushel, yeelding variety of houshold vessels to eat, drink, and wash cloaths in: they have store of great Locusts trees, which yeeld clusters of Cods, ripe in May, which they eat. They have store of Bees, and Honey. They have a sort of trees, which on a long stalk have a great and round fruit with a pleasing pith therein, on which Baboons and Monkeys feed. There is a tree or shrub commonly growing on the River bank like our great Briars, having a ragged leaf, which leaf with the gentlest stealing touch, betwixt the finger, and thumb, will make the whole bough to close up all his leaves, and the touch of a sprig, will cause the whole tree to close up all his leaves: It bears a yellow flower like our Eglantines. There are many Lions, Jackals, Ouzes, and Leopards. The Civit-Cats, and Porcupins rob them of their Poultry. There are also abundance of Elephants, which going in companies spoil their Corn, and Cotton grounds: they feed amongst sedges, and upon boughs of trees: the blacks eat their flesh▪ There are Deer of all sorts, Antilops, wild Bulls, and huge Bears. The Baboons go by three or four thousand in a Heard, some of the bigest being leaders, which are as big as Lions: the Females carry their young under their bellies, and if any have two, shee carries one on her back.

There are infinite store of Guinie-hens, Partridges, Quails as big as Woodcocks, Pidgeons, Parrats, and Parakitos: Their greatest fowl is a Stalker, who standing upright is taller than a man: the next is a Wake, which makes a great noise as hee flies, and doth much hurt in their Rice grounds: of smaller birds there are many sorts, pleasant to the eye, and delighting the ear.

Aethiopia inferior Described.

Aethiopia inferior hath on the East the Red-sea: on the VVest the Aethiopian Ocean: on the North the Land of Blacks, and Aethiopia superior: and on the South the Southern Ocean. It hath in it these Kingdomes.

Atan between the mouth of the Red-Sea, and the River Calimanci. It abounds with flesh, Honey, Wax, Corn, Gold, Ivory, and abundance of Sheep, whose tails usually weigh five and twenty pounds.

Zanzibar extending from the River Calimanci to Monomopata: Its divided into fifteen Provinces, or Kingdomes, the chiefest whereof is Sofila, where there is so much Gold, and Ivory, that some would have it to be Solomons Ophir.

Cafraria, which hath on the East the River de Infanto: on the VVest and South the Ocean: and on the North the Mountains of the Moon: it extends Southward to the Cape of Good hope, first discovered by the Portugals, Anno Christi. 1497.

The Africans at the Cape of Good Hope Described.

At the Cape of Good Hope: the Africans are ugly black, strong-limmed, desperate, crafty, and injurious. Their heads are long, their hair woolly, and crispt; of which some shave one side, leaving the other long, and curled: Another shaves all, saving a little tuft on the top: Another (thinking his invention better) shaves here, and there, the bald skull appearing in many places: other some shave away all save a lock before. Such as have tufts of hair, hang in them brasse buttons, spur rowels, peeces of Pewter, &c. Their ears are long, and made longer by heavy bables they hang in them, as links of brass, or Iron, chains, glass-beads, blew-stones, bullets, or Oister-shels: and such as cannot reach to such Jewels, have singles of Dear, beaks of birds, Dogs or Cat stones, &c. Their Noses are flat, crusht so in their infancy, their Lips great: quick, crafty eyes: and about their necks they have guts, or raw puddings, serving both for good and Ornament: The better sort instead of them get hoops of Iron, chains of brasse, or greazy thongs of stinking Leather: Their arms are loaden with voluntary shackles of Iron, Ivory, rusty brass, or musty Copper: the rest of their bodies are naked, saving that they are girded with a thong of raw Leather, to which is fastened, a square peece like the back of a Glove to cover their privities: but the women, when they receive any thing, return their gratitude by taking up that slap, and discovering their shame: But their great ones have better cloathing: A nasty untanned hide of a Lyon, Leopard, Calf, Baboon, or Sheep (the hair inward) which they put upon their shoulders, reaching to their wasts: for their thighs and legs are never covered: To their feet is fastened a broad peece of Leather, tyed by a little strap, which for the most part they hold in their hands, that their feet may have liberty to steal, which with their toes, they can do most cunningly, all the while looking you in the face, as if they meant no harm. Most of the men are semi-Eunuches, one stone being exsected in their infancy by their nurses. Both sexes hideously cut, gash, and pink their brows, nose, cheeks, arms, breast, back, belly, thighs, and legs in sundry works, and Figures. They have no houses, they delight most in Caves, Holes, or Lyons dens, unfurnished; a whole Tribe commonly keeping together, coupling without distinction, the name of wife, or brother, being unknown amongst these incestuous persons.

They feed, sleep, and speak altogether without order, or Law: In the night they sleep round a fire, a Centinel watching the Lyons, their adversaries: Vivitur ex rapto: the one eating the other, the Lyon tearing some of them, and they other times training him over covered pits, which catches him: and so they slay, and eat him to day, who perhaps was a Sepulcher to their friends, or parents the day before. They dawb, and rub their skins with grease, and coals, indenting, and drying them in the Sun whereby they become Monsters to all civil eyes. They eat men alive, or dead, which when they fail of, dead Whales, Seals, Pengwins, grease, or raw puddings are their diet: and when the frost of old age benums their limbs, whereby they are unapt to provide their own food, they either eat them, or expose them upon the Mountains, either to bee killed by famine, or devoured by Lyons.

With these no violent death, nor stroying rage Of Lust, is half so dreadful as old age.

They have no spark of devotion, no knowledge of God, heaven, hell, or immortality; no place of worship, no day of rest, no order in nature, no shame, no truth, no ceremony in births, or burials, meer brutishnesse, and stupidity over shadowing them. The women carry their children on their backs, and give suck with their long dugs stretched over their shoulders. Anno Christi. 1600. Sir James Lancaster had amongst them a thousand sheep, and fifty Oxen for trifles. They train their Cattle to such obedience, as with a whistle, great Heards will follow them like Dogs, and being sold, with a like call will runne away after them, to the buyers costly mirth and admiration: to prevent which, the Marriners upon the delivery of each beast; either kill it quickly, or fasten their horns with cords to stakes placed there on purpose.

The Kingdome of Sofala Described.

Sofala is situate on the cost of Eastern Ethiopia, neer the Sea: here the Portugals traffick to Manica, a Land of much Gold, within land above threescore Leagues; the women perform the offices of Tillage, and Husbandry: In it are many sorts of fruit, as Pomgranats which bear all the year, some green, some ripe, and some in flowers: Fig-trees which yeild black Figs all the year about: Oranges, Limes, Vines, which bear twice a year, in January, and July; Ananas, Sugar canes, Palm-trees which yeild infinite Cocoes, and Wine; Guiny Wheat, and Rice; There are abundance of Hens, Goats, Kine, Wild beasts, and wild Swine. In Manica grow little trees on Rocks; which are dry most part of the year, but if you cut off a bough and put it into water, in the space of ten hours it springs, and flourisheth with green leaves: In some parts they have store of Orenges and Lemons. The King of this Country is called the Quitive, they are Gentiles; Hee hath above one hundred women whereof one or two are his Queens: and many of them are his Aunts, Cosins, Sisters, and Daughters, all whom hee useth promiscuously; when hee dies his Queens must dye with him, to do him service in the other world.

The Kingdome of Monomopata Described.

Monomopata is above two hundred Leagues long: On the North-West lies the Kingdome of Abutua, where is much fine Gold, yet their greatest riches they count their Cattle: On the East it hath the River Zambeze: On the South-West it extends to the Ocean, and Southward its bounded with the River Inhanabane: The King hath many women, whereof one is principal: None may speak with him, except hee bring a present; The King and his Subjects wear a white Perewinkle in their foreheads for a jewell, fastened in their hair, and the King hath another great one on his breast. None of them cut the hair of their heads or beards, yet they grow not long: they live commonly to ninety, or one hundred years: when the King dyes, his Queen must drink poyson to serve him in another World. It abounds so with Elephants, that about five thousand are yearly killed for their teeth-sake: There are said to bee three thousand Mines of Gold.

The Kingdome of Congo, or Manicongo Described.

The Kingdome of Congo hath on the West the Ocean: On the South the Caphars and Mountains of the Moon: On the East those Hills from which the Rivers issue, and run into the Fountains of Nilus: and on the North the Kingdome of Benin: The most Southerly part is called Quimbibe: a great and mighty Kingdome, extending from Bravagal to Bagamidri; the air is wholesome, the earth outoutwardly furnished with store of fruits, inwardly with Mines of Christal, and other mettals. Angola is another Province of Congo, a great Kingdome, and very populous. Cabazza is the Royal City, one hundred and fifty miles from the Ocean: from this Country the Portugals use to carry above twenty thousand slaves yearly into Brasile. They are Heathens, have their Idols of wood in the midst of their Towns, in fashion like a Negro, which they call Mokisso's: they take as many wives as they please, there are Mines of Silver, and excellent Copper: they have many Kine, but love Dogs-flesh better, which they feed for the Shambles; their houses are fashioned like Bee-hives: Horse-tails are great Jewels amongst them, for one of which they will give two slaves.

Congo properly so called, extendeth Westward three hundred seventy five miles; Northward five hundred and forty; Southward six hundred, crossing over the Mountains of the Sun, and the Mountain of Christal: Its divided into six Provinces, Bamba, Songo, Sundi, Pango, Batti, and Pemba. Bamba is the greatest, and richest; there are Mines of silver, and on the Sea-shore, shells which they use in stead of mony: Amongst them there are some very strong men, who will cleave a slave in the middle, or cut off a Bulls head at one blow: There are certain creatures as big as Rams, having wings like Dragons, long tails, and chaps with diverse rows of teeth; they live upon raw flesh; their colour is blew, and green, and they have but two feet; the Pagan Negroes worship them for Gods. The Rivers of Congo are many, the greatest whereof is Zatre: In all of them are River-horses, and Crocodiles, and they overflow as doth Nilus. There are whole Mountains of Porphiry, Jasper, white Marble, and other Marbles; and one, that yeelds fair Jacinthes, straked with natural veins. When any of the Inhabitants dye, they have no power to bequeath their goods to their kindred, but the King is heire general to all men.

The Kingdome of Loango described.

Loango is the No • therly neighbour of Congo, right under the Line: the Country stretcheth two hundred miles within Land: the people are called Bramanes, and the King Mani Loango: they are circumcised after the manner of the Jews, as all the rest of the Nations in those Countries use to bee: they have abundance of Elephants, and wear cloaths of Palm: they are Heathens, and use many superstitions; they have their Mokisso's, or Images, to which they offer several things.

Beyond the Country of Loango are the Anzigues, the cruellest Cannibals that are under the Sun: for in other places they eat their enemies, or their dead, but here they eat their Country-men, and kins-folk, and keep shambles of mans flesh, as with us of Beef, or Mutton. They have many Mines of Copper, and great quantity of Sanders, both red, and gray. They are excellent Archers; they are circumcised, and worship the Sun for their greatest God, and the Moon next.

Ethiopia Superior; called also Abassia, described.

It is watered with four principal Rivers, and as many huge Lakes: The first River is Taucea, running Northward, but drunk up by the thirsty sands, before it can come to the Sea: It hath bordering upon it, Mountains of admirable height, and inaccessible: The second River is Oara, larger than Nilus, that emptieth it self into the Sea of Zeila: the water is very clear, but the superstitious Abassines refuse to drink of it, because in its passage it watereth some Mahometan Regions. The third is Gabea, and the fourth is Nilus: One of the Lakes is called Dambea, threescore mile long, and five and twenty broad: It abounds with fish, and River-horses; and in it are many Islands, in which traitors are confined.

The Abassine soil is for the most part hollow, and in the midst of the plains, rise many Rockie-hills, which in times of war serve them for Fortresses: The whole Country abounds with Mettal-Mines; but the inhabitants, partly through ignorance, and partly for fear of the Turks, if the riches of their Country should bee discovered, suffer them to lye hidden in the earth, only they make use of so much Iron as lyes upon the surface of the earth. Of plants and trees there is great variety: There are Hares, Goats, Bores, Harts, Elephants, Camells, Buffalls, Lions, Panthers, Tigers, Rhinocerotes, and Jaraffs.

The air in this Country is most part warm, and temperate: In some parts very hot, and unwholesome. The Winter is from the end of May, to the beginning of September; in which time it rains almost every day, which is often accompanied with thunder: their VVine is made of Honey; their Churches are usually compassed with trees for shade.

The richer sort buy garments of the Saracens, the rest both men and women cover their bodies either with a skin, or some course Hempencloth: when they do reverence to any, they put off their cloth from the shoulders to their navel; their hair is long, which serves them for a Hat: the better sort curle and anoint their hair with butter; they brand marks in their bodies, especially in their face; on their little fingers they suffer their nails to grow as long as they will; their hands and feet are bare, which they colour reddish; they are artlesse and lazie: they lye on Ox hides, they eat their meat out of great bowles of wood, without any Napperie: they have no Cities, but great unwalled Villages; their greatest Town hath scarce sixteen thousand houses: These houses are small, without elegancy or story, round, and covered with earth, and straw: They paint Christ, the Virgin, and other Saints black, as Devils, and wicked men white. Their Temples are round, having a double Porch: they neither walk, nor talk, nor sit, nor spit, nor laugh in the Church, nor admit Dogs into the Churchyards: some Churches are only for men, others for women: In small Villages they are common to both, but with divisions that they cannot see one another.

The chiefest Port belonging to the Abissines is Suaque • n, situated in the Arabian Gulph: It excels most of the Cities in the Orient, in four things: First, in the goodnesse and security of the Haven, which is fenced by nature against all storms, and will contain two hundred ships, besides multitudes of small Vessels.

Secondly, In the easinesse of loading, and unloading of them: For the City being built in an Island, they set the beak-heads of their Ships and Gallies over the streets, and by casting a plank over, they are emptied into the ware-houses.

Thirdly, For trafick with strange Nations; for there repair thither Merchants from all parts of India, Cambaia, Pegu, Malacca, Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, &c. which trade for abundance of gold, and Ivory.

Fourthly, For the strength of the City, which is very great, by reason of Sholds, Flats, Islands, Rocks, Banks of sand, &c. which makes the approaches very difficult, and dangerous. This Country of Abassia is as big as Germany, France, and Italy, and hath in it plenty of Rice, Barley, Beans, Pease, Sugar, &c.

The Hill Amara in Ethiopia described.

In Ethiopia under Prete Janny, commonly called Prester, or Presbyter John, is an hill called Amara, situated in the navel of the Ethiopian body under the Equinoctial line, adorned with all variety of fruits, wholesome air, pleasant aspect, and prospect: yea Heaven, and Earth, Nature and Industry have all been corrivals to present their riches to it.

It stands in a great plain, having no other hill near it by thirty leagues, the form of it is round: the rock is cut so smooth without any unequal swelling, that to him that stands beneath, its like an high wall: the top is overhanged with rocks, jutting forth for the space of a mile: Its above twenty leagues in the circuit, compassed with a wall on the top, well wrought, that so neither man, nor beast in chase may fall down.

The top is a level, only towards the South is a rising hill beautifying this plain, whence issueth a pleasant Spring which passeth through all that plain, and payeth its tribute to every Garden that will exact it, and so maketh a Lake at length, whence issueth a River that from thence runneth into Nilus.

The way up to it is cut out of the Rock, not with stairs, but by an easy ascent, so that one may ride up with ease, at the foot whereof is a fair Gate with a Corps du Guard: Halfway up is a fair and spacious Hall, cut out of the Rock with three large windows to it, and at the top is another gate with the like Guard: The air above is wholesome, and delectable, so that they live long there without sicknesse▪ There are upon it thirty four Palaces standing by themselves, spacious, sumptuous, and beautiful, where the Princes of the Royal blood have their abode with their Families. There are two Temples also, the most beautiful in all Ethiopia.

There are many flourishing and fruitful Gardens, curiously made, and plentifully furnished with Europian fruits, as Pears, Pippins, &c. and of their own, as Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, &c. Its also adorned with Cedars, Palm-trees, &c. as also with variety of herbs, and flowers to delight the sight, taste, and sent: There are also Cubaio trees, pleasant in taste beyond all comparison, and great store of Balm-trees. There is plenty of all sorts of Grain, and Corn, and such charms of Birds as delight the ear with their melodious warbling notes, and please the eye with their variety of colours, and other creatures that adorn this Paradise.

The aforenamed Churches have their Pillars, and Roofs of stone, richly, and cunningly wrought, the matter and workmanship contending for magnificence: That of Jasper, Alabaster, Marble, Porphyrie; This of painting, gilding, and much curiosity: To these are adjoyning two stately Monasteries; in one whereof are two rare peeces, whereon wonder may justly fasten both her eyes.

The Treasury, and the Library of the Emperor, are such as neither of them is thought to bee matchable in the world; neither that of Constantinople, wherein were one hundred and twenty thousand Books; nor that of Alexandria, wherein were seven hundred thousand Books: For the number in this Library is numberlesse, their price inestimable. There are three great Halls, each above two hundred paces large, with Books of all Sciences, written in fine Parchment, with much curiosity of golden Letters, and other work, and cost in writing, binding, and covers: There are all the Greek Fathers: The Writers of Syria, Egypt, Africa, and the Latine Fathers, with others innumerable, in Greek, Hebrew, Arabick, Abyssine, Egyptian, Syrian, and Chaldee. There are Poets, Philosophers, Physicians, Rabbines, Talmudists, Cabalists, Hieroglyphicks, &c.

The Treasury, leaves them of all other Princes behinde it. Its a Sea that every year receiveth new Rivers, which never run out: every Emperor yearly laying up part of his revenue there. The Jewels here kept are incomparable, Topazes, Amethists, Saphires, Diamonds, &c. Hee hath one Jewel that was found in the River Niger (that brings forth more Gemmes than any other in the world) which is one peece diversified with a thousand variety of stones. Its about two spans, and an half square: there are in it one hundred and sixty Diamonds, one as large as the palm of ones hand: It hath in it above three hundred Emeralds; Rubies the greatest in the World: Above fifty Saphires, Turqueses, Balazes, Amethists, Spinels, Topazes: Jacinths, Chrysolites, &c. Nature here playing the Jeweller, and representing a Map of the worlds Gemmes in this one Jewel, without, and infinitely beyond all Art of Man. Bernardo de Vecheti, a Jeweller, being sent thither by Francis de Medicis, Duke of Florence to see it, accounted it beyond all estimation, and value. The Emperor also hath made him Tables with thousands of stones set in them.

In this hill are kept the Princes of the Blood Royal, as in a prison, and never return thence, except they bee chosen Emperors. Anno Christi 1608. there were six of them: These meet all together when they please to recreate themselves by hauking, hunting, &c. and they have grave persons to instruct them in learning, and vertue. Purchas Pilgrimage. p. 677. &c.

The chiefest Cities in Abassia, or Aethiopia superior, Described.

The chiefest Cities in this Empire are: 1. Saba, in which are four Gates made of Alabaster, and Jasper, wrought with antique work, and the doors thereof curiously carved. It hath in it five thousand great and sumptuous houses: the streets are spacious, and so shaded with Pent-houses, that a man may walk without being offended by either Sun or rain. The other Cities are 2. Aruma. 3. Cossomum. 4. Zameta, the seat of Barnagasso, or the Vice-Roy. 5. Suacen, before described. 6. Tanape. 7. And Zembra: The Kings Court also is a wandring City; For his Pavilions, and Tents belonging to him, and his retinue being pitched, take up ten miles in compasse.

In this Empire are seventy Tributary Kingdomes, the chief whereof are 1. Barnagassum, which lyeth towards the Red-sea, and borders on the Turks. 2. Tigremaon, famous for her Mines of Gold. 3. Angote, where the Inhabitants use Salt, Pepper, and Iron instead of mony, and feed on raw flesh. 4. Amara, where is that famous Mountain before described. 5. Guagere, which is an Island in the River Nilus, one hundred seventy and five miles long, and one hundred twenty and five broad, &c. The Natives call this Emperor, The Negus. His revenues are so great, that besides the expences of his Court, and Camp, he coffers up three millions every year.

The Islands in the Red-Sea, belonging to Africa Described.

That which is now called the Red-Sea, or Arabian Gulph, that parts Asia from Africa, is in length one thousand and two hundred miles, in breadth for the most part one hundred: Its so full of sholds, that • xcept they keep the channel in the middest, there is no sailing but by daylight: At the entrance into it, stands the Ile of Babel mandel, or Babmandel, which the ancient Kings of Egypt used to chain up to keep the passage.

Sues is neer the bottome of this Sea, where the Turk hath his Arsenal, and Gallies for those Seas: The Timber is brought out of Caramania by Sea, by the River Nilus, and by Cammels the rest of the way, at incredible charges. Some think that Pharaoh was here drowned: Others think that the passage of the Israelites was at Tor, where this Sea is not above nine miles over. Ezion Geber was a Port hereabouts whence Solomon sent his Fleet to Ophir for Gold, &c.

Bernice was a Port in the Red-sea, where the Indian Drugs, and Spices were unladen in the time of the Roman Empire, and from thence carried to Alexandria in Egypt. Zidem is twelve leagues from Mecca, where since the ships used to unlade their Spicery, as formerly they did at Bernice.

A little further is the Ile of Mehun: and then the Ile of Cameran, one of the hotest places in the world: then Dalaqua, where they get pearls. Its one hundred twenty and five Leagues long, and twelve broad. Mazzua is another Island which makes Ercocco a good Haven. There are diverse other small Iles, in which there is nothing memorable.

The chiefest Islands belonging to Africa Described. Madagascar Described.

Madagascar, or St. Laurence Island, is the greatest Island in the World, being a thousand miles in length, and in some places four hundred miles in breadth: Its full of Towns, people, Minerals, Beasts, Woods, waters, and what's requirable in a fruitful land. Its a good place for victualling, as they passe into the East-Indies, the air quick, and healthfull: Its divided into four Kingdomes, each King with their Ebony Scepters ruling his people, being jealous of each others greatnesse. The Sea Towns are infected with Mahometisme, the midland eclipsed with black Idolatry. Nature hath taught them Laws, they punish Murther with death; adultery with publick shame, and the • t with banishment. Fishing delights them more than Tillage. The people are generally strong, couragious, and proper. The men cover their naked bodies in warre, with strong and Massy Targets, their right hand, brandishing a long neat pike, or lance of Ebony, barbed with Iron, kept as bright as silver, which they can throw with excellent dexterity, and skill: Their colour is black, they anoint their naked bodies with Grease, and Tallow; proud to see their skin shine, and are not offended with the stink: their hair is long, black, and curled: They wear a few leaves plaited about their wasts, but are elsewhere naked; their ears are bored and wide; they pink, and cut their flesh; and whilst the men seek their prey abroad, the women keep constantly at home and spin. The boys marry at ten, and the maids at twelve years old. They know no Letters: Nihil scire, nil jucundius. The earth is rich in Minerals, Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, &c. but hearing of the cruelty, and covetousnesse of the Portugals, they prohibit the diging of them. If you will buy any thing of them, they give it in exchange for Agats, Helitropians, Jasper; and long red Cornelian beads, which they prefer before all the Diamonds of India, and of which they are so proud, that the owner, bee hee Subject or King, is oft dethroned for it, one string of them being able to put them all into a combustion. Bracelets, Copper-chaines, beads, bells, and Babies are much esteemed, for which you shall have in exchange, sheep with great tails, Beeves, Bufaloes, Camels, Antilops, Red-deer, Leopards, Goats, Milk, Hens, Eggs, VVheat, Barley, Rice, Oranges, Lemons, Lymes, Pomcitrons, Plantanes, Sugar Canes, Ginger, Toddy; Coconuts, &c. Herb. Travels.

Their time of marriage is for men at twelve, and for women at ten. They have a kind of Bean growing on trees, the Cod whereof is two footlong.

The Island of Mohelia described.

Mohelia, another Island beyond it, where the houses are made of Reeds, or straw, fitted to the heat of such a torrid climate. The Inhabitants are cole black, have great heads, big lips, flat noses, sharp chins, huge limbs, go naked, having only a few plantane leaves about their wastes, to veil their modest parts; they cut, and pink in several works their skins, face, armes, and thighs, striving to exceed each other in variety. Tobacco is of great account amongst them, which they suck out of long Canes, called hubble-bubbles: They have store of Buffols, Goats, Turtles, Hens, huge Bats, Camelions, Rice, Pease, Cuscus, Honey, Oisters, Breames, and much other fish: They have also Toddy, Cocos, Plantanes, Orenges, Lemons, Lymes, Pomecitrons, Tamarind, Sugar-Canes, &c. The Isle is alwayes green, each day a gentle breeze, and shower bedewing the earth, and mollifying the scorching Sun; so that it is alwayes adorned in Floraes Livery, yea, roabed with Natures best Arras, pleasantly refreshed with silver purling streams, and shaded with dainty trees of all sorts. Here you may have thirty Orenges, or Lemons for a sheet of paper: for two sheets ten Coco-Nuts: An Oxe for a peece of eight, and a Goat for six pence.

The Isle of St. Hellen described.

This Island is on this side the Cape of Good Hope, and nearer to the African, than to the American shore: the Seas about it are very deep, and the Land so high and precipitious, that the Marriners use to say, A man may chuse whether hee will break his heart going up, or his neck comming down: But when up, no place yeelds a more delightful object: Its even, and plain, cloathed with sweet grasse, long, and curious: The springs above are sweet; there are but two Rivolets in the Island: there are abundance of Hogs, and Goats: there are also Phesants, Powts, Quails, Hens, Partridges, and diverse sorts of useful herbs, as Wood-sorrel, Trifolie, Basil, Parsly, Mint, Spinage, Fennil, Annis, Radish, and Lemons.

The Island of St. Thomas described.

The Island of St. Thomas is of a round figure, being one hundred and fourscore miles in compasse; It lyeth directly under the Aequinoctial line: it so aboundeth with Sugar, that forty ships are laden from thence yearly: The chief City is Pavoasan: At the first discovery it was wholly overgrown with woods, now it is inhabited by the Portugals, and Negroes; the latter often living till they bee an hundred years old: the Portugals not exceeding fifty. It will bear no fruit that hath a stone in it. In the midst is a woody Mountain continually over-shadowed with a thick cloud, which so moistens the Trees, which are many, that from thence droppeth water sufficient to water all their Sugar grounds.

Princes Island described.

Princes Island lyes between the Aequator, and the Tropick of Capricorn, near unto the Isle of St. Hellen: Its called Princes Island, because, when it was first discovered, the revenues of it were allowed to the Prince of Portugal.

The Isle of Cape Verde described.

Next to Cape Verde are seven Islands full of birds, but empty of Inhabitants: But the Isles of Cape Verde are nine; they were first discovered, Anno Christi 1440. None of them are inhabited but St. Jago, and Del Fogo, so called, because it burns perpetually: They were taken by Sir Anthony Sherly, Anno Christi 1596. who had in one night such a showre of ashes, as hee did lie by Del Fogo, that in the morning you might have written with your finger upon the Deck of his ship. St. Jago was taken by Sir Francis Drake, Anno Christi 1585. Brava, and Bona Vista have better names, than natures, they yeeld no matter for History: As neither do the Isles of St. Matthew, Sancta Cruz, St. Paul, and Conception. The former of these are called the Gorgades, and abound with Goats. The latter the Hesperides, distant from Africk ten thousand furlongs.

The Island of Maio described.

Maio hath in it a Lake two leagues long, where the Sun congeals and turns the water into salt. Here the Sea looketh like a green field, being covered over with an herb called Sergasso, like to our Sampher, which lies so thick that a man cannot see the water, hindring the ships passage, except it hath a strong wind: It is yellowish of colour, and beareth an empty berry, like Goosberries. Its four hundred miles distant from the coast of Africk, and the Sea is so deep, that no ground can bee found, and yet this herb is thought to come from the bottome. These coasts are troubled with continual thunders, and lightenings; and unwholesome raines; and if this rain-water stand but a little, it turns into Worms, and it fills the meat that is hung up in it with Worms. Here swims also upon the face of the waters another herb like a Cocks-comb, which is so venemous, that it can hardly bee touched without peril. In these Seas also they meet with great and tedious calmes.

The Canary Islands described.

The Canary Islands are twenty leagues from the continent of Lybia, being six in number. Canaria, La-Palma, Teneriffa, Lancerota, Hierro, La-Gomara; and Forteventura. The ancient Inhabitants knew no God but Nature; were ignorant of the use of fire; shaved with flint-stones: Nursed their Children by Goats; tilled the Earth with Horns of Oxen; abominated the slaughter of Beasts; like beasts used women in common; had no meum, and tuum.

The Woods their dwelling was, the Herbs their diet; And on the leaves, and boughs, they slept in quiet.

They are now inhabited by the Spaniards, who have the Inquisition amongst them: The Grand Canary is the residence of the Inquisitor whither all the other Isles repair for Justice. Its one hundred and twenty miles in compasse: Hath store of Goats, Bees, Asses, Hogs, Barley, Rye, Rice, variety of flowers, Grapes, and other excellent fruits.

Teneriff may compare with the Grand Canary in multitude of Inhabitants; and exceeds it in Grapes, yeelding yearly eight and twenty thousand Buts of Sack; of the high Pike in this Island, see afterwards.

Hyerro is famous for that Tree, which (like the Rock in the Desart) affords sweet water to all the Inhabitants: The description whereof, see afterwards.

Madara stands in two and thirty degrees, and is the greatest of all the Atlantick Isles: It was so called of the wildernesses of trees there growing, which when they were first fired, they burned so furiously, that the people for a time were forced to go some space into the Sea from the violent heat, and the wood-ashes made the soil so fat, that at first it yeelded threescore fold, since but thirty: The excellent Wines that wee have from thence are made of Vines that were brought from Candy, and they bring forth more Grapes than leaves, the clusters being two, three, and four spans long. At first here were many Pigeons that would suffer themselves to bee taken, not knowing, and therefore not fearing a man.

Forty miles from Madara is the Isle of Porto Santo, or All-Saints, because discovered upon that day Anno Christi 1428. Here were such store of Conies, bred of one shee Cony, brought hither great with young, that the Island was almost destroyed, and made unhabitable by them.

The Isle of Malta described.

Within the Streights there are only some few Islands belonging to Affrica, whereof the Isle of Melita, or Malta is the chiefest: In old time famous for the Temple of Juno, spoiled by the Roman Verres. Its distant from Sicilie threescore miles, from Africa one hundred and ninety: It was sometimes subject to the Carthaginians. It is now held by the Knights of Malta, whose valour appeared Anno Christi 1565. by defending it against their mighty and powerful adversary the Turk.

The General Description of Europe.

Europe by Pliny is called Orbis domitorum genitrix, and well shee may, if we read her story in her Greek Monarchy of Alexander the great, and in her Latine Empire of the Romans, who scarce left a corner of the World, then known, unconquered. It is almost encompassed with the Sea, being as it were a Peninsula, whose Isthmus, is that part which lyes between the River Tanais, and the frozen Sea, by which it is joyned to Asia. Westward it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean, having no land till you come to Amerrica. On the East towards Asia, it hath the Aegean Sea, called Archipelagus, and Pontus Euxinus, Palus Meotis, and the River Tanais: Southward it hath the Mediterranean Sea, and Fretum Herculeum. Northward the Pole Artick. She bears in length but three thousand and eight hundred miles, and in breadth nigh one thousand and two hundred miles: So that shee is the least, but yet the most populous part of the world, and blessed with the Gospel above all others.

The Kingdomes, and Countrys in the Continent of Europe are, Spain, France, Belgia, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Sclavonia, Greece, Dacia, Norway, Sweden, and Muscovy.

Spain, not long since consisted of three Kingdomes, Castile, Arragon, and Portugal, but lately Portugal hath rent it self from her, and chose for King, the Duke of Braganza, under the name of John the Fourth, but wee will speak of her as shee was before, and so in compass shee is about one thousand eight hundred and ninety English miles. Its begirt with the Sea on every side, unlesse on the Eastern, where it is joyned to France by a kind of Isthmus, crossed by the Pyrenaean Mountains from Sea to Sea. On the West its bounded with the Atlantick Sea: On the North with the Cantabrick: On the South with the straits of Gibraltier: and South East with the Mediterranean Sea. It yeilds all sorts of Wines, Sugar, Fruits, Oils, Mettals, Lamb-skins, Wool, Cork, Rosen, Steel, &c. The Inhabitants are not many, nor have they many great Cities, as in other parts of Europe: the poor are proud, the best superstitious, and hypocritical: yet good Souldiers, because patient to endure labor, hunger, thirst, by which means they rather weary out, than overcome their enemies.

France begins at the West from the Pyrenean Mountains, and is bounded on the East with Germany: On the North with our English Seas: Southward with the Mediterranean: and South-East with the Alpes, which divide it from Italy. The cheif Provinces are Lorraign, Burgondy, and Savoy, which have Princes of their own: the rest are Normandy, Britany, Bury, Aquitane, Picardy, Peictoires, Languedock, Anio • , Casconie, Provence, and Campaine, &c. The Country is very fruitfull, which causeth much Traffick from neighbouring Nations: their special commodities are Wine, Salt, Linnen, Paper, &c. Its well peopled, and hath many fair Cities, the Inhabitants are great Courtiers, and light of carriage.

Belgia hath France on the South: Denmark on the North: Germany on the East: and the Ocean on the West: Its called the Lowcountrys, or Netherlands. Its in compasse about one thousand miles. Its divided into seventeen Provinces: whereof four are Dukedomes: seven Earldomes: five Baronies: and one Marqueship. The Dukedomes are 1. Brabant, in which is An • werp. 2. Luick. 3. Lutzenburg, where is the vast Forrest of Ardenna. 4. Gilderland. The Earldoms are 1. Flanders. 2. Artois. 3. Heinolt. 4. Holland. 5. Zeland. 6. Zutphen. 7. Hamme. The Barronies are 1. Friezland. 2. Utrech. 3. Mecklen. 4. Overysel. 5. Grauling. The Marquisat is that of the Holy Empire. Its a good land, and affords store of Butter, Cheese, and very great Oxen. The people are industrious, and excellent Mechanicks. The men are big boned, excellent Seamen, and maintain their liberty by the sword.

Germany lyeth Eastward from Belgia, and is bounded on the West with France, and Belgia: On the East with Hungary and Poland, and the River Vistula. On the North with the German Ocean, and on the South with the Alps that divide it from Italy. Bohemia is situated in the middest, compassed with the Hyrcanian wood: whereof the Regal City is Prague. Germany comprehends many Provinces, as Saxony, Brandenberg, Pomeren, Bavaria, Silesia, Franconia, Austria, Helvetia, East-Friesland, Westphalia, Cleveland, Alsatia, Brunswick, and Hassia. The Emperor is now chosen by eight Electors, the Arch-Bishops of Triars, Ments, and Colen: the Count Palatine of the Rine: the Duke of Saxony, and Bavaria: and the Marquesse of Brandenberg, and the King of Bohemia with his casting voice. Its a rich country in Corn, Wine, Fruits, and Mines, and hath in it healthful Baths: the People are warlick, and ingenious.

Italy hath Germany on the North, the Mediterranean on the South, the Adriatick Sea on the East, and on the West Mare Terrenum. Its in length one thousand and ten miles: the greatest breadth is four hundred and twenty. Its divided into many States; the chief are the Kingdome of Naples: the territory of Rome, Lumbardy, Tuscany: The Signiory of Venice, Verona, &c. Its of admirable fertility, and called the Paradice of the world. The Inhabitants are grave but exceeding libidinous.

Denmark is joyned to Germany on the South: on the West it hath Mare Germanicum, and is a Peninsula, the two principal Provinces are Irglant and Holstein: most of the other are petty Islands, whereof Zeland is the chief, and Loitland. It breeds goodly horses, and store of Cattle.

Hungary hath on the VVest Germany, the River Tabiscus and Walachia on the East, Poland on the North, and on the South, is the River Sauri: Southward is Sclavonia. The famous River Danubius cuts her in the middle, nameing her parts Citerior, and Ulterior. The chief Provinces are Soliense, where the earth sends forth such a stink, that it poysons the birds that fly over it; and an Island in Danubius that is exceeding fertil, and so generally is the whole Country. The Inhabitants are strong, their Daughters Portions are only a new attire; and all their sons equally inherit without respect of primogeniture. The Emperor and Turk share it betwixt them.

Poland hath Silesia on the West, the River Boristhenes on the East, the Baltick Sea on the North, and Hungary on the South. Its in compasse two thousand six hundred miles. The chief Provinces are Livonia, Lituania. Volinia, Samogatia, Podolia, Russia Nigra, Mazoria, Prussia Regal, Podlasia, and the Dukedome of Opwits, and Zator, and Polonia propria. The land abounds with hony, wax, Mines of Copper, and Iron, horses fit for service: the Kingdome is elective.

Sclavonia hath Hungary on the North, the Adriatick sea on the South, Greece on the South-East, and Italy on the West. It contains in length four hundred and fourscore miles, and in breadth one hundred and twenty. Its divided into Illiricum, Dalmatia, and Croatia. The Sclavonian Language is used in many Countrys, both of Europe and Asia. Its divided betwixt the Empire of Germany, the Turk, and the Venetians.

Greece hath on the West the Adriatick sea: on the East the Aegean, Hellespont, and Propontis, Northward the Mountain Hemus, and Southward the Mediterranean. It was once the seat of the worlds Empire, and flourished above other Countries with all sorts of humane learning. It was one of the first that embraced the Gospel, and bred many Fathers of our Church. Its now miserably enslaved to the Turks. Its commonly divided into Peleponesus, Achaia, Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, Migdonia, and Thracia. It yeilds Gold, Silver, Coperas, Colours, Wines, Velvets, Stuffs, &c.

Dacia hath on the West Hungary, on the East the Euxine sea, on the South Greece, and on the North Sarmatia, from the which its divided by the Carpathian Mountains. It was formerly called Misia. The cheif regions in it are Transilvania, Moldovia, Walachia, Servia, Rascia, Bulgaria, and Bosnia.

Norway is in length one thousand three hundred miles, in breadth about six hundred. Its under the Government of the King of Denmark. Theft is counted the greatest sin amongst them. It yeilds Cables, Masts, Furrs, Stockfish, which the poor eat instead of bread. The Metropolitan City is Nidrosio, besides which there are but two of note, Bergla, and Asloia. On the North, and West, lies the populous Province of Finmark.

Sweden is on the East of Norway, from which it is divided by the Dofrine Mountains on the North and South its bounded by the seas, On the East it joynes to Muscovy. Its a fertile Country, and in some Provinces hath great plenty of Corn, Furrs, Mines of Gold, Silver, Copper, and Lead. Its divided into Gotland, quasi good land, Finland, quasi fine land, Bodia, Scrickfinia, Lapland, &c. The inhabitants often live till they bee one hundred and forty years old. Thence lately have come the two great Conquerors, Gustavus Adolphus, that conquered much of Germany, and Carolus Adolphus, that now hath conquered Poland, and most of Prussia.

Muscovy is the last country of Europe towards the East, and part of it stands in Asia. Its bounded on the West with Livonia, and part of Sweden: On the East with Tartary, on the North with the frozen seas: and on the South with Lituania. The length of it is three thousand miles, the breadth of it is three thousand threescore and five. Most of it is extream cold, but to help that, they have great store of Furrs, as sables, Martins, white Foxes, &c. It hath store of Corn, Fruit, and Cattel. The people are very base, contentious, ignorant, and sottishly superstitious. They bury their dead upright, with a staff in his hand; and a penny in his Purse, with a letter to St. Nicolas to procure him entrance into heaven. The chief Provinces are Muscovy, where stands the Regal City of Mosco. Pernia where they eat dryed stags flesh instead of bread. Rhesan full of Corn, and Horses, &c.

The Islands in Europe Described.

In the Western Atlantick Seas are Groenland, Groviland, Island, and Frisland. These are extream cold, yet yeild plenty of Fish, Oil, Whale bones, and Morses teeth.

In the British Seas, are Ireland, Great Britain with her train, the Orcades, Hebrides, Silly, Man, Weight, Anglesey, Jersey, Garnsey, &c. Others there are of lesse note in the German Seas, and those which divide Norway, and Sweden from Germany, and Poland. Towards Spain are the Azores, nine in number, the chief of them is Faial.

The Southern Islands of Europe lie in the Mediterranean Seas: As the Baleans neer Spain, Corsica, Sardinia neer Italy, Sicily, and Malta. In the Adriatick, and Jonian seas, Absorrus, Curicta, Scardona, Insulae Diomedeae, Issa, Tragurium, Pharia, Corsica, and Melitum. More Southward, Ertcusa, Cephalenia, Ithica, Echidnades, Zazinthus, the Strophades and Cythera.

In the mouth of the Aegean sea is Candy, an Ile of five hundred and twenty miles in compasse, abounding with Cypresse trees, and a lascivious wine called Malmesey. The chiefest Islands in the Aegean sea are Melos, Chias, Bria, the Cyclades, Sporades, Delos, &c. But I will write a little more particularly of the chiefest of these Islands; as

1 Samothracia, which is a small Island, where the air is most cleer, and pure: the chief Town is Samia, beautified with a goodly harbour, but now by reason of the Pyrates infesting it, left almost desolate.

2 Lemnos, containing in circuit almost one hundred miles: here is digged that soveraign Mineral called Terra Lemnia, and Sigillata, because its sealed when made into pellets, with a Turkish character: The VVestern parts are dry, and barren, the Eastern more fruitful: It contains about seventy five Villages.

3 Lesbos is one hundred sixty eight miles in compasse: the South, and VVest parts are mountainous and barren, the rest level, and fruitful.

4 Chios is one hundred twenty and five miles in compasse. It beareth that sweet Gum called Mastick. In it are an infinite number of Partridges that are of a red colour, they are kept tame; and fed in flocks in the streets, and Villages, a little boy or girle driving them into the fields, and with a whistle calling them home again. The most excellent Greekish VVines are made here, called Vina Chia.

5. Euboea, over against Chios, now called Negropont, is in compasse three hundred sixty five miles: A very fruitful Island; between the continent and it, is only a little Euripus that ebbs and flowes seven times in one day, the reason whereof, when Aristotle could not finde out, hee threw himself into it, saying, Quia ego non capio te, tu capis me: In it are two Rivers, Cireus, and Nileus: Strabo saith, that if sheep drink of the former, their wooll turns white; if on the latter, coal black.

The Sporades are twelve in number, the chiefest is Milo: fourscore miles in circuit; the soil is fruitful of grain, and oil: Here is excellent Marble, curiously spotted: pitch and brimstone, and hot springs good for many diseases.

The Cyclades are in number three and fifty, the chiefest are. 1. Delos, wherein they had a custome not to suffer men to dye, nor children to bee born in it, sending their sick men, and great bellied women to Rhena, a small Island hard by▪ 2 Samos, where the Tyrant Polycrates lived, who, because hee never had any mischance, threw a Ring that hee loved dearly, into the Sea; but shortly after, hee found it in the belly of a fish that was brought to his Table: yet was hee at length brought to a miserable death by Orontes, a Persian, shewing the instability of all earthly things. 3. Patmos, whither St. John was banished by the Emperor Domitian, and where hee had his Revelations.

In the Cretan Seas are. 1. Crete, in compasse five hundred and ninety miles, in length two hundred and seventy, in breadth, fifty: the soil is fruitful, especially of Wines called Muskadels: it yeelds also Sugar-Candie, Gums, Hony, Sugar, Olives, Dates, Apples, Orenges, Lemons, Raisons, Citrons, and Pomegranats, yet it wants Corn. Its very populous. Paul describes the people out of Epimenides: The Cretians are lyers, evil beasts, slowbellies. Its famous for three things. 1. They have no venemous Creature there. 2. If a woman bite a man hard, hee never recovers again. 3. There is an herb called Alimos, which if one chaw in his mouth, hee shall feel no hunger that day. It was once called Hecatompolis, because it had in it a hundred Cities. It is in the Venetians hands.

The Jonian Isles described.

Cythera is in compasse threescore miles: It was formerly called Porphyris, from the abundance of that sort of Marble called Porphyrie, which the Mountains yeeld.

The Strophades are two Islands, wherein there is nothing remarkable, but a spring of fresh water in one of them, which hath his fountain in Peloponesus, above five miles distant, which passing under the Sea, ariseth there.

Zacinthus: now Zant, is threescore miles in compasse. Its wonderfully stored with Wine, Oil and Currans, of which last ordinarily they make yearly one hundred and fifty thousand Chekins for their own Coffers, besides eighteen thousand Dolars, which they pay for custome to the State of Venice: when the English first traded thither, the inhabitants were very poor, and when the English bought so many Currans of them, they asked our Merchants whether they dyed cloaths, or fed their Swine with them; which uses themselves put them to, but now they know better, and grow rich by the trade. This Island is much troubled with earthquakes, commonly once a week, whereupon they build their houses low. The chief City is Zant, not big, the streets rugged and uneven, and the houses low for the cause aforesaid. Over the Town-hall door in this City is this Distich inscribed.

Hic locus odit, amat, punit, conservat, honorat, nequitiam, pacem, crimina, jura, probos.

The Echinades Islands are five in number, being but like Rocks, and are famous for nothing, but for the famous battel of Lepanto fought near them, betwixt the Turks, and the Christians.

Cephalenia is in compasse one hundred sixty and six miles, and contains two hundred Towns: the chiefest commodities it yeelds, are Wheat, Hony, Currans, Powder for dying Scarlet, Oil, and Wooll, &c.

Corcyra, now Corfu, is neer Epyrus, in length, four and fifty miles, in breadth, four and twenty: Its seated in the midst of the Venetians Lordships by Sea: The chief City is Corfu, where the Turks have received sundry repulses. Its very fruitful in Hony, Wax, Wine, Oil, &c.

The Adriatick Isles have nothing of note in them, and therefore I proceed to the Mediterranean Isles, the principall whereof is 1 Scicily, in compasse seven hundred miles. The people are ingenuous, eloquent, and pleasant, but very unconstant, and talkative. The soil is incredibly fruitful, in Wine, Oil, Hony, Saffron, Sugar, Salt: in Mines of Gold, Silver, Allom, having also Agates, and Emeraulds, with such abundance of Corn, that it was called, The Granary of the Romane Empire. In this Country is the Hill Hybla, so famous for Bees, and Hony: and Aetna, which continually sendeth forth flames of fire: Here was once the famous City of Siracuse two and twenty miles in compasse: but now Palermo is the seat of the Spanish Vice-Roy.

In this Island lived those two great Tyrants, Dionysius the elder, and Dionysius the younger, who were so odious for their cruelty, that all the people hated▪ and continually cursed them, only one old woman prayed for the life of the latter; and being asked the reason, shee answered, that shee knew his Grand-Father to bee very bad, and when at the prayers of the people, hee was taken away, his son succeeded, that proved far worse than his Father; and after their curses had prevailed also for the removal of him, came this present Tyrant, worse than either: for whose life shee was resolved to pray, least after his decease the Devil himself should come amongst them.

Malta is in compasse about threescore miles; Its seated on a Rock, over which the earth is not above three foot thick; yet have they abundance of Pomegranats, Citrons, Orenges; and other excellent fruit: there is also great store of Cotton-Wooll, wh • ch they sow as wee do Corn: In the Acts this Island is called Melita: It consists of four Cities▪ and threescore Villages. It was by Charles the fifth given to the Knights of the Rhodes, newly expelled by the Great Turk: they are a thousand in number, whereof five hundred must bee alwayes resident in the Island: the others upon summons must make their appearance. None are admitted into their order, unlesse they bring a testimony of their Gentry for six descents. But some make this Island to belong to Africk, where you may see more of it.

3 Corsica is just against Greece in the Ligurian Sea, and is in length one hundred and twenty miles: in breadth threescore and ten: the whole circuit being three hundred twenty and five. Its a fine Country, yeelds excellent Dogs for game, good horses, fierce Mastiffs, and a beast called Musoli, found no where in Europe, but here, and in Sardinia: horned like Rams, and skinned like Stags, of incredible hardnesse. It produceth the best VVines, Oil, Figs, Raisons, and Hony, but bitter, and unwholesome. It abounds also with Allom, Box-trees, Iron-Mines, &c. Its under the Government of Genoa. The people are churlish, stubborn, poor, and illiterate.

4 Sardinia, which is seven miles distant from Corsica. It contains in length one hundred and fourscore miles, in breadth fourscore and ten, in circuit five hundred and threescore. It abounds in Corn, and Cattel, but wants Oil. Their Bulls do naturally amble, and therefore the Country Peasants usually ride upon them. Here is the Beast Musoli, of whose skins carryed to Corduba, and there dressed, is made our true Cordovan Leather. The Inhabitants are little of stature, and prone to Rebellion, and therefore the Spaniard suffers neither Smith, nor Cutler to live there. The chief City is Calearis, just opposite to Africk, having a goodly haven much frequented by Merchants, and is the seat of the Spanish Vice-Roy.

The Baleans Islands described.

The chief of these Islands are, 1. Majorca, about threescore miles distant from Spain, and is three hundred miles in compasse; the chief Cities are Majorca, wherein is an university, and Palma.

2. Minorca, distant from the former nine miles; and is in circuit one hundred and fifty miles: the inhabitants are effeminate: the soil for the most part fruitful.

Nigh to these are two lesser Islands. 1. Ebuisa, one hundred miles in circuit; the chief commodity in it is salt. 2. Olhiusa, threescore and ten miles about. The men and women in both of them are excellent swimmers.

The lesser Islands scattered up and down, have nothing in them remarkable, but only in one of them called Ischia, is a fountain so hot, that in a short time it will boil any flesh or fish put into it.

Somewhat without the mouth of the Straits of Gibralter, is the Island of Gades, or Cales, in length thirteen miles. Anno Christi 1596. it was suddenly taken by the English under the conduct of Charles, Earle of Nottingham, Robert Earle of Essex, and Sir Walter Rawleigh: at which time they burnt the Spanish Indian fleet, consisting of forty ships, whose lading was worth eight millions of Crowns. They overthrew also the Spanish fleet, consisting of fifty seven men of war: they took two great Gallions with their luggage: they spoiled and carryed away abundance of warlike amunition: they slew and took prisoners four thousand foot, and six hundred horse: whence one made this Distich.

Alcides yeelds to Devereux; hee did see Thy beauties, Cales, but Devereux conquer'd thee.

The British Islands discribed.

England is bounded on the East with the German, on the West with the Irish, on the South with the Brittish Oceans, and on the North with the River Tweed, and a line drawn from it to Solwal VVestward. Formerly the Northern limit was a wall crosse the Island from Carlile in Cumberland to the River Tine. It was built by Severus as a fortresse against the Picts: at every miles end was a Castle; between every Castle many Watch-Towers, and through the walls of every Tower and Castle went a pipe of brasse, which from one Garrison to another conveyed the least noise without interruption: so that the intelligence of an invading enemy, was quickly made known to all the borders. VVhen the wall failed, the strong Townes of Berwick and Carlile were the chief bars against invasion.

Its in length three hundred and twenty miles: concerning our commodities, they are thus reckoned up.

England is stored with Mountains, Bridges, Wooll, With Churches, Rivers, Women beautiful.

The Bridges are in number eight hundred fifty and seven. The Rivers are three hundred twenty and five, the chief is Thames, which ebbs and flowes twice a day more than threescore miles: The banks of it are so adorned with fair Towns, and Princely Palaces, that a Dutch Poet made verses of them, thus Englished.

Wee saw so many VVoods, and Princely Bowers Sweet Fields, brave Palaces, and stately Towers, So many Gardens, drest with curious care, That Thames with royal Tiber may compare.

The second River is Severne, whose head is in Plinlimmon hill in Mountgomry-shire, and ends seven miles short of Bristol, washing in the mean space the walls of Shrewsbury, VVorcester, and Gloucester.

The third Trent, so called from thirty kindes of fish found in it. Its fountain is in Stafford-shire, and passing through the Counties of Nottingham, Lincoln, Lecester, and York, it meets with Humber, the most violent River in all England.

The fourth Humber, made up of the Rivers, Dun, Are, VVarfe, Youre, Darwent, and principally Ouze, and Trent.

The fifth Medway, a Kentish River, famous for harbouring the Royal Navy at Chatham.

The sixth Tweed, the North East bound of England, on whose Northern bank stands the strong Town of Berwick.

The seventh Tine, famous for Newcastle, and her inexhaustible Coale-pits. These with the rest are thus set forth by Draiton the Poet.

Our Floods Queen Thames, for ships, and Swans is crowned, And stately Severn for her shore is praised, The Christal Trent for foords, and fish renown'd, And Avons fame to Albions cliffs is raised. Carlegion Chester vaunts her holy Dee, York many wonders of her Ouse can tell: The Peak her Dove, whose banks so fertil bee, And Kent will say her Medway doth excel. Cotswol commends her Isis to the Tame, Our Northen borders boast of Tweeds fair flood: Our VVestern parts extol their VVillies fame, And the old Lea brags of th'Danish blood.

Our women are the most beautiful in the world, without the help of any adulterate Sophistications. In a compleat woman, say the Italians should bee the parts of a Dutch woman from the girdle downward, the parts of a French woman from the girdle to the shoulders, over which must bee placed an English face. And as their persons, so their priviledges are greater here than in any other Nation, they being not so servilely submiss as the French: nor so jealously guarded as the Italians: hence England is called the Purgatory of servants, the hell of horses, and the Paradise of women. And the Italians commonly say, that if there were a bridge built over the narrow Seas, all the women of Europe would runne into England: For here they have the upper hand in the streets, and at the Table, the thirds of their husbands estates: their equal shares in lands; priviledges wherewith women in other countrys are not acquainted.

The wooll of England is excellent fine, especially that of Cotswold in Glocester shire, of Lemster in Hereford shire, and in the Ile of Wight. Of it, are made excellent broad-cloaths, which are dispersed all over the World, bringing in much money into the Realm, and setting on work so many poor people. And the giving of some Cotswold sheep by King Edward the fourth, to Henry King of Castile, Anno Christi 1465. is counted one of the greatest prejudices that ever hapned to this Nation. The wooll transported hath brought into us no lesse than one million and five hundred thousand pound yearly, and our Lead half as much.

Wee have more Parks in England than in all Europe besides. Lately we had Chases thirty, Forrests fifty five, Parks seven hundred forty and five, replenished with abundance of Game.

Our Mines are of Tin, Lead, and Coals. Beer wee have plenty, which being transported into France, the Lowcountries, and Germany is amongst them highly esteemed. We have so many well-tuned bells, that Forreigners have called it The Ringing Island.

Our Air is very temperate: No seas in Europe yeild more plenty of fish. Our Oisters were famous amongst the old Romans. Our Herrings yeild great profit to the Netherlanders. Our Nobility have not such unlimited power as in other Nations. Our commonalty live in far greater reputation than they do in other Countries, and have more civility in them.

Our Ministry is learned and religious, and have a more practical, and powerful manner of Preaching than in any other Nation. Their printed works are so famous, that many young Schollers of other Nations, come over on purpose to learn our language, that they may bee able to make use of our Books; they are also the best provided for of any Ministers in the reformed Churches.

The Diet of England is for the most part flesh: In London alone there are slain and uttered, no fewer than sixty seven thousand and five hundred beefes, and six hundred seventy five thousand sheep, besides Calves, Lambs, Swine, and Poultry, in a year: I beleeve now farre more: The Spanish Gondamor when hee was here, having often seen our Shambles, said that there was more flesh here eaten in a month, than in all Spain in a year. A Forreigner comming to London, and seeing such multitudes of people in the streets, wondred where there could bee meat to fill so many bellies: but when hee had seen our Shambles, and markets, hee wondred where there could bee bellies to eat so much meat.

Our Navy is called the walls of England, the like ships for service are not to bee found in the World, and our Marriners, and Souldiers are not to bee equalled. In King Edward the third his time two hundred of our ships neer Scluse overcame four hundred of the French: of which they sunk two hundred sail, and slew thirty thousand Souldiers. In eighty eight a few of our Queens ships overthrew the Spanish Invincible Armado, consisting of one hundred thirty and four great Gallions: Sir Francis Drake with four ships, took from the Spaniard one million, and one hundred eighty nine thousand, and two hundred Duckats in his voyage Anno Christi. 1587. And again, with five and twenty ships hee awed the Ocean, sacked St. Jago, Domingo, and Carthagena, bringing away with him besides much treasure, two hundred and forty peeces of Ordnance. Our Country men Drake, and Cavendish have sailed round about the World. I omit the voyage to Cales mentioned before. Sir Richard Creenvil in one of the Queens ships called the Revenge, wherein were but one hundred and fourscore Souldiers, and of them ninety so sick as not able to fight, yet maintained hee a Sea-fight for four and twenty hours against above fifty of the Spanish Gallions, and though when his powder was spent to the last barrel, hee yeilded on honorable tearms, yet before, he had killed one thousand of the Spaniards, and sunk four of their greatest vessels. And what victories wee have had of late over all the Navies of the Lowcountries, I omit to speak of, because they are fresh in every ones memory. In land service our souldiers are able to endure, and resolute to undertake the hardest enterprises: witnesse our warres, and conquests in Spain, France, Ireland and Scotland, and the Netherlands assisted by us.

England is a most fertile, and a most potent Island, as well for situation, as for men and ships: and the Inhabitants are good souldiers both by sea and land, in valour and courage, not inferior to any one Nation whatsoever, and are more apt to offend by temerity, and overmuch forwardnesse, than by cowardize, It excells all other nations in Mastiffs, Cocks of the Game, and Women, who are incomparably beautiful, and therefore have great influence upon the men: yea the Queens have commanded here more absolutely, and have been much better obeyed and respected, than the Kings.

The division of England is into forty shires, and nine thousand seven hundred and twenty five Parishes, beside Chappels: In these are five hundred fourscore and five Market Towns, besides Cities: the chief are Shrewsbury, Northampton, South-hampton, Lecester, Warwick, &c.

Our Universities are two, Cambridge, and Oxford, which for number, and beauty of Colledges, multitudes of Students, and largeness of revenues, are not to bee equalled in the Christian world. I will not determine which is of greater antiquity, this question having been agitated by so many.

In several places of England there is excellent white salt made: I shall describe the manner of the making of it at Nantwich only. There is one salt spring, which they call the Brine-pit, standing close by the River Weever, from whence the Brine is conveyed into the severall Wich-houses, and when the Bell rings, they begin to make fire under the Leads, wherein they boil the said salt-water, and as it seeths, the Wallers (which are commonly women) do with a woodden Rake gather the Salt from the bottome, which they put into long wicker baskets, and so the water voideth, and the Salt remains. In some other places they boil it in Iron pans with coals, but they say the salt is not so white.

The Cities in England Described. The City of London Described.

No Records set down the Original of this ancient City. A City it was when Caesar first entred Brittain, and by the Testimony of Tacitus, Ptolemy, and Antonine, was called Londinium, and by Ammianus Marcellinus, for her successive prosperity, Augusta, the greatest title that can bee given to any. In regard of both elements it is most happy, as being situate in a most rich, and fertile soil, abounding with plenty, and store of all things, and on the gentle ascent, and rising of a hill hard by the Thames side, which by his safe and deep channel is able to entertain the greatest ships, which daily bring in such store of rich Merchandise from all parts of the VVorld, that it striveth at this day with the Mart towns in Christendome for the second place, and affordeth a most sure, and beautiful rode for shipping. This City doth shew her self as the Cedar amongst shrubs: It was the seat of the British Kings, and is the model of the Land, and Mart of the World: For thither are brought the Silks of Asia, the Spices of Africa, the Balms from Grecia, and the Riches from both the Indies. No City hath been so long famous, nor in civil Government can bee compared with her. Her walls were first built by Constantine the great, at the request of his mother Helena, reared with rough stone, and british brick, three English miles in compass: through which are seven fair Gates, besides posterns. A long the Thames this wall at first ranged with gates, the one Douregate, now Dowgate, the other Billingsgate, a receptacle for ships. In the middest of the City was set a mile mark (as the like was in Rome also) from whence they measured their stations, which stands till this day, and is commonly known by the name of London stone. St. Peters in Cornhill is thought to have been the Cathedral of Restitutus, a Christian Bishop in Constantine the great's time, which was afterwards removed to St. Pauls, whose greatness exceeds all others, and spires had so high that twice they were consumed by lightning from heaven: It hath in it besides this Church, one hundred twenty and one Churches more, viz. ninety and six within the walls, and sixteen without, but within the liberties, and nine more in her suburbs. Its divided into six and twenty Wards, governed by so many Aldermen, a Lord Maior, and two Sheriffs, the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King John: In whose time also a Bridge of stone was built over the Thames upon twenty Arches, built of excellent freestone, and each Arch being sixty foot high, and full twenty in distance from one another; so that for length, breadth, beauty, and building, the like is not again to be found in the world.

King John gave certain void places in London to the City to build upon, and the profits thereof were to go toward the charges of building and repairing the same bridg: and the Mason who was the chief wo • kman in building it, erected a large chappel upon it, at his own charges, and largely endowed it, which is since turned to a dwelling house. It was finished Anno Christi 1209. having been thirty and three years in building. Afterwards sundry beautiful houses were built upon it, that it seems a street rather than a bridge, and many charitable men have given lands, houses, and summes of money towards the maintenance of it.

At the East end of this City standeth the Tower: A most famous and goodly Citadel, encompassed round with thick, and strong walls full of lofty and stately Turrets, fenced with a broad and deep moat, furnished with a gallant Magazine of warlick Ammunition, and other buildings besides, so that it resembles a big town.

Concerning the Church of St. Paul, an ancient writer saith, that it contains in length six hundred and ninety feet, the breadth thereof is one hundred and thirty foot; the height of the West arched roof from the ground is one hundred and two foot, and the new fabrick from the ground is eighty eight foot high. The stone work of the steeple, from the plain ground rose in height two hundred and sixty foot, and the Timber frame upon the same was two hundred seventy and four foot high, the Spire before it was burnt down, was five hundred thirty and four foot high. About the time of William the Conqueror, when Musters were made of able men to bear arms, London brought into the field under their colours forty thousand foot men, and twenty thousand horsemen. It hath often, and is daily enlarged with new buildings, and spacious Suburbs stretched forth from the Gates a great length on every side, but Westward especially, which are the greatest, and best peopled: In which are twelve Inns for students of the Common Law. The four principal houses are the Inner Temple, the middle Temple, Grates Inn, and Lincolns Inn: six smaller belong to the Chancery: besides two Inns more for the Sergeants at Law.

These Western Suburbs are so carried on, that they joyn to London another City called Westminster, famous for the Seat, and Sepulchre of our Kings, and for the Courts of justice kept every Tearm in Westminster Hall. No walls are built about this City: and those of London are left to shew rather what it was, than what it is: whose Citizens, as the Lacedemonians did, do repute their strength to consist in their men, and not in their walls. In the City of Westminster along by the Thames side, are many stately buildings for the Nobles, and great men of the Land, as Essex house, Arundel house, Summerset house, &c. The Abby Church in Westminster, was the last time built by King Henry the third, of excellent workmanship, supported with sundry rows of Marble Pillars▪ and the roof covered over with sheets of Lead: a peece of work that cost fifty years labour in building: It was afterwards much enlarged towards the West end, by the succeeding Abbots: and at the East end King Henry the seventh built for the burial of himself, and his children, a Chappel of admirable, and stately workmanship: called by Leland, the VVonder of the VVorld: for a man would think that all the curious, and exquisite work that can bee devised, is there compacted together; wherein is to bee seen his own most stately, and magnificent monument all of massy and solid Copper.

VVestminster Hall was built from the ground by King Richard the second, and made his own habitation, which continued so till Henry the eights time, who removed it to VVhite-Hall, which formerly belonged to Cardinal VVoolsey. The New Exchange was built by the Earle of Salisbury, and so named by King James.

But to return a little again to London: There are in it many publick and beautiful buildings, as that famous Senate-house called Guild-hall, built by Sir Thomas Knowls, Lord Mayor: Leaden-hall, a large, and goodly building, erected by Simon Eire, to bee a common Granarie, wherein to lay up Corn, to bring down the price thereof in time of a dearth: But especially the Burse, which Queen Elizabeth with a solemn Ceremony, named the Royal Exchange, erected upon Pillars for the use of Merchants, and ornament of the City: It was set up by Sir Thomas Gresham, Citizen, and Knight: A most magnificent work it is, whether you respect the model of the building, the resort of Merchants from all Nations thither, or the store of wares therein.

The Royal Exchange.

This Royal Exchange was erected in the year, 1566. in this order: The ground whereon it stands, and the houses, were purchased by the Citizens of London: It cost them above three thousand five hundred thirty and two pounds: the houses they sold for four hundred seventy and eight pounds, to such persons as should pull them down, and carry them away: Then was the ground levelled at the charges of the City, and possession thereof was by some Aldermen, given to Sir Thomas Gresham, Knight, and Agent for Queen Elizabeth, thereupon to build a Burse at his own proper charges, and hee on the seventh of June, laid the first foundation Brick, being accompanied with some Aldermen, every one laying a peece of gold upon his Brick, which the workmen took for themselves, and forthwith followed their work with such diligence, that in September, Anno Christi, 1567. the same was finished, and covered with slate.

In the year 1570. January the three and twenty: the Queen came from Summerset-house through Thridneedle-street to Sir Thomas Greshams house in Bishopsgate-street, where shee dined; and after dinner going through Cornhil, entred the Burse, viewed every part of it, especially the Pawn, which was furnished with all sorts of fine, and rich ware, and then caused the said Burse by an Herald, and Trumpet, to bee proclaimed by the name of the Royal Exchange, and so to bee called from thenceforth, and not otherwise.

Besides which, this Sir Thomas Gresham gave a most spacious house, sometimes his own habitation, one part thereof to bee an Hospital for poor people, and the other to the advancement of learning, now known by the name of Gresham Colledge; standing between Bishopsgate-street, and Broad-street, and instituted professors of Divinity, Law, Physick, Astronomy, Geometry, Musick, and Rhethorick, allowing them fifty pounds per annum a peece, besides Chambers, and other accommodations.

Gresham Colledge.

The first professors in this Colledge were Mr. Anthony VVootton, for Divinity: Doctor Matthew Guin for Physick: Doctor Henry Mountlow for Civil Law: Doctor John Bull for Musick: Mr. Beerwood for Astronomy: Mr. Henry Bridges for Geometry: and Mr. Caleb VVillis for Rhethorick: These Lectures are read daily in Tearm-time, except Sabbaths, by every one upon his day, in the morning betwixt nine and ten a clock in Latine; and in the afternoon betwixt two and three in English, notice whereof is given by ringing the Exchange-Bell at these hours. Only the Musick Lecture is read in English on Saturdayes between ten and eleven in the morning, and between three and four in the afternoon.

But to passe by Sion Colledge (whereof Doctor VVhite was the founder) which is governed by a President, two Deans, and four Assistants yearly chosen, and the many Hospitals, and other publick buildings yet amongst them.

The Charterhouse described.

Wee may not passe by that greatest, and most noble work that ever was done by one man, and hee a subject, which was the building and endowing of the Charter-house by Mr. Thomas Sutton for the entertainment of youth; and decayed Gentlemen, who by maims in the wars, or by other casualties were undone: where their provision is so bountious, that it can hardly bee matched in Europe: the very house and appurtenances cost him thirteen thousand pound, besides which, hee endowed it with five manners in Essex, two in Lincolnshire, eight in VVilt-shire, together with near four thousand acres of rich pasture ground in that County. Two in Cambridge-shire, beside his lands in Hackney-Marsh, and Tottenham in the County of Middlesex, and with all, and singular the VVoods, Reversions, Presentations, and Rights of him the said Thomas Sutton in any of the aforesaid Mannors; over and above hee gave five thousand pound to make additions to his Hospital, and for some other charitable uses. And to the Treasury of the house to defend their right if need were, one thousand pound, besides some other gifts.

Wee may in the next place take notice how commodiously London is supplied with water, conveyed by pipes under ground from excellent springs, some of them at a remote distance: besides the New-River water brought twenty miles from Chadwel, and Amwel, in Hartford-shire, to the North side of the City near Islington, where a large Cistern is made to receive it. This work was undertaken by Mr. Hugh Middleton, and begun February twenty, Anno Christi 1608. and in five years space was fully accomplished: by reason of the inequality of the ground, the Trench in some places descended full thirty foot: In others it was mounted over Vallies in a Trough, born up with wooden Arches, some fixed deep in the ground, others rising in height above three and twenty foot.

Another convenience of water was devised by Peter Maurice, a Dutchman, who by means of a wheel brings water out of the Thames, into a great part of the City.

Of the beauty and excelleny of this City one made these verses.

Along Thames banks outstretched far the City London lies, Resembling much her Mother Troy; aloft shee lifts her eyes. VVhile on a gentle rising hill shee beareth towards East: A City pleasant for her site, in aire and soil much blest. Religious, and populous; and hence shee looks on high, And well deserves for to bee called, the Britans Britany. For learning new Lutetia, Ormus for trade, and wealth: A second Rome for valiant men; Chrysae for plate, and health.

Salisbury described.

In VViltshire the City of Salisbury was built about the year 1218. at which time Richard Poor, the Bishop (purposing first to begin with the house of God) in a most delectable place, began to found a most stately, and beautiful Minster, which, with an exceeding high spired steeple, and double crosse Isles on both sides hee with great cost finished forty years after▪ viz. one thousand two hundred fifty and eight, concerning which Church Daniel Rogers made verses thus in English.

VVonders to tell: how many dayes in one whole year there been So many windows in that Church ('men say) are to bee seen 365. So many Pillars made by Art, of Marble there appear. As houres do flit, and flie away throughout the running year: 8820. So many Gates do entrance give as months one year do make, 13 A thing well known for truth, though most it for a wonder take.

A Cloister it hath besides on the South side, for largenesse, and fine workmanship inferiour to none, whereunto adjoyned the Bishops Palace: and on the other side an high bell-Tower, passing strong, standing by it self, apart from the Minster: Through the City there are Rills, and sewers of water in every street: It is passing well inhabited, and frequented, plentiful of all things, especially of fish; adorned with a very stately Market-place, wherein standeth their common Hall of Timber-work, a very beautiful building. Camb. Brit.

Bristow described.

The City of Bristow hath the River Avon passing through the midst of it: It stands partly in Sommerset, and partly in Gloucester-shire; But is of it self a County incorporate: It is situate somewhat high between Avon, and the little River Frome: sometimes it was invironed with a double wall: it is so beautified with buildings publick and private, that it fully answers the name of Bright-stow. It hath common sewers or sinks so made to run under the ground for the conveyance, and washing away of all filth, that it is very cleanly, and wholsome, whereupon there is no use here of Carts; it is excellently furnished with all things necessary for mans life, so populous, and well inhabited, that next after London, and York, it may justly challenge the chiefest place of all the Cities in England. It hath a very commodious Haven, which admitteth Ships under sail into the very bosome of the City; on the Southside, Radcliffe (by a stone Bridge with houses on each hand built upon it, which makes it more like a street, than a Bridge) is joyned to the City. It hath Hospitals in every quarter thereof, for the benefit of the poor, and fair Churches. The most beautiful of all which, is St. Maries of Radcliff without the walls, into which there is a most stately ascent up many stairs: large withal, and finely and curiously wrought, with an arched roof of stone over the head, artificially embowed: a steeple also of an exceeding height, which was founded by one VVilliam Cannings an Alderman of the City. Hard by there is another Church called the Temple, the Tower whereof when the Bell rings shaketh to, and fro, whereby it hath cloven it self from the rest of the building. There is also St. Stephens Church, The Tower steeple whereof being of a mighty height, was most sumptuously and artificially built by one Shipward, alias Barstable, a Citizen, and Merchant. On the East, and North side its fenced with the River Frome, which gently falling into the Avon, maketh a dainty harbour for ships, with a convenient wharf, called the Kay: under which, between Avon and Frome there is a plain, set round about with trees, yeelding a most pleasant walk: On the South East there is a large and strong Castle for the defence of the City: Beyond the River Frome (which hath a Bridge over it) there ariseth an high hill, from which is a fair, and goodly prospect of the City, and haven: upon the top of this Hill, where it spreads into a plain, shadowed with a double row of trees, is an handsome School. This City is further beautified with many stately buildings: amongst the rest is the Cathedral Church, &c. Neer unto this City is an high Cliffe by the Avons side, called St. Vincents Rock, very full of Diamonds, which are not much set by, because of the plenty of them: They are of a bright and transparent colour, matching, if not passing the Indian Diamonds, in hardnesse only they are inferior to them: Nature hath framed them four or six pointed with smooth sides; as if cut by a Lapidary. There is another Rock also on the West side full of Diamonds, which by a wonderful work of nature, are enclosed as young ones within the bowels of hollow, and reddish flints.

There are within this City, and suburbs, twenty fair Churches, whereof eighteen are parish Churches: there is no dunghill in all the City, nor a sink that comes from any house into the street, but all is conveyed under ground: they carry all upon sleads, and bring no Carts into the City. The water at the Kay sometimes ebbs and flows forty foot in height. Four miles below it, the Avon falls into the Severn; the Bridge is half as long as London bridge, and yet hath but four Arches in it.

The City of Wells Described.

Neer unto Mendip hills, which are rich in Lead-Mines, stands the City of Wells, so named from the springs, or wells that boil up there, which for the multitude of Inhabitants, for fair, and stately buildings, is worthy to bee regarded. A goodly Church it hath, and a Colledge founded by King Ina. Neer unto the Church, there is a spring called St. Andrews well, from whence comes such a confluence of water, as by and by makes a swift brook. The Church is throughout very beautifull, but the frontispice thereof in the West end is most excellent: for it riseth up from the foot to the top all of Imagery, in curious and antike wise wrought of stone carved, and embowed very artificially.

The City of Bath Described.

This City is seated low in a plain, environed round about with hills, almost of one height, out of which certain rills of fresh water flow continually to the great commodity of the Citizens; within the City there bubble and boil up in three several places hot springs of water, of a Sea colour, sending up from them thin vapours, and a kind of a strong sent withall, by reason that the water is drilled, and strained through veines of Brimstone, and a clammy kind of earth called Bitumen. These springs are very medicinal, and of great vertue to cure bodies, overcharged and benummed with corrupt humors: by their heat causing much sweat. Of all these the Cross-Bath is of the most mild, and temperate nature, having twelve seats of stone in the sides of it, and is inclosed within a wall. A second, distant from this not fully two hundred foot is much hotter, thence called the Hot-Bath, adjoyning to which is a Spittle or Lazar-house, built by Reginald Bishop of Bath for the relief of poor diseased persons. The third and greatest is called the Kings-Bath, walled also round about, and fitted with thirty two seates of Arched work. The City is fortified with walls; wherein are set certain Antique Images, and Roman inscriptions; and hath in it a fair and large Cathedral Church.

The City of Excester in Devonshire Described.

The City of Excester stands upon the River Ex, whence it receives its name. It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill: The Walls of it, which were first built by King Athelstone, are in a manner round, only towards the Ex it rangeth almost in a strait line, having six gates for entrance, and many watch-Towers interposed betwixt, whose compass containeth above one thousand and five hundred paces, or a mile and an half, having Suburbs running out a great way on each side. In it there are fifteen Parish Churches: and in the highest part thereof neer the East Gate, standeth a Castle called Rugemont, commanding the whole City, and territory about it, and hath a very pleasant prospect into the Sea. In the East quarter of the City stands the Cathedral Church, having many fair houses round about it. By reason of some Wears the River is so stopped up that no vessels can come neerer the City than Topsham, which is three miles off. The soil about it is but barren: yet by reason of the statlinesse of the place, the riches of the Inhabitants, and the frequent concourse of strangers, all kinds of commodities are there so plentiful, that a man can ask for no necessary but he may have it.

The City of Winchester Described.

In the County of Hamtshire is the City of Winchester, situated in a fruitful and pleasant place, being a valley under hills, having a River on the East, and a Castle on the VVest: the circuit of her Walls are well neer two English miles, containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces, through which open six gates for entrance. In this City are seven Churches, besides the Minster which is seated about the middest of it, and built very sumptuously.

The City of Chichester in the County of Sussex Described.

The City of Chichester is walled about in a circular round form: The Lavant, a pretty riveret, running hard by it on the VVest, and South sides. Four gates it hath opening to the four quarters of the world, from whence the streets lead directly, and crosse themselves in the middest, where the market is kept, and where Bishop Robert Read erected a fair market house of stone, supported with pillars round about it. Between the West, and South Gates stands the Cathedral Church: not very great, but handsome, and neat, having a spire steeple of stone rising a very great height.

The City of Canterbury in Kent Described.

Canterbury is a very Ancient and famous City in Kent, much renowned both for the situation, and great fertility of the soil adjoyning, as also for the walls enclosing it round about: By reason likewise of the Rivers watering it, and commodiousnesse of the woods there about; besides the vicinity of the Sea, yeilding store of Fish to serve it. And though it was sore shaken in the Danish warres, and consumed in a great part sundry times by fire, yet rose it up always again more beautifull than it was before. The Cathedral is raised aloft neer the heart of the City with great Majesty, and stateliness.

The City of Rochester Described.

In the same County is the City of Rochester, seated in a bottome, fortified on the one side with a Marsh, the river Medway, and weak walls. It is now stretched out with large Suburbs, on the East, West, and South sides: The Cathedral Church, was built by Bishop Gundulph, a Norman, Anno Christi 1080. neer unto it stands an old ruinous Castle, fortified formerly both by art and situation. At the end of the City there is a very goodly Bridge of stone excellently Arched, built by Sir Robert Knowls, at the end whereof Sir John Cobham erected a Chappel: and the bridge is daintily coped with Iron bars; under which the River Medway, swelling with a violent, and swift stream, makes a loud roaring noise.

The City of Glocester Described.

The City of Glocester is a very fine, and beautiful City, both for the number of Churches, and buildings therein. It lyeth stretched out in length over the Severn: and on that side where it is not guarded by the River; it hath in some places a strong wall for defence. The Cathedral Church is a stately building, with an exceeding high and fair steeple. In an Arch of this Church, there is a wall built in the form of a semicircle full of corners, with such an Artificial devise, that if a man speak with never so low a voice at the one part thereof, and another lay his ear to the other; which is a good way off, he may easily hear every sillable.

The City of Oxford Described.

Where the River Cherwel meets with Isis, and pleasant Ilets lye dispersed by the sundry disseverings of waters, there this famous City, and University of Oxford, sheweth it self aloft in a champion plain, from whence Religion, and learning have been spread into all the parts of England. A fair and goodly City it is, whether wee respect the seemly beauty of private houses, or the stately magnificence of publick buildings, together with the wholsome situation, and pleasant prospect thereof. For the hills beset with woods, do so environ the plain, that as on the one side they exclude the pestilent Southwind, and the tempestuous West-wind on the other, so they let in the clearing East-wind only, and the North-East-wind with all, which frees it from all corruption, whence sometimes it was called Bellositum.

The City of Eli Described.

The City of Eli is situate in the middest of great and large Fens, and was formerly famous for the reputed holinesse of the Nuns there residing: and for a stately Monastery, so rich that the Abbot thereof, not long after VVilliam the Conquerors time, laid up every year in his own Coffers, a thousand and four hundred pounds. King Henry the first made it a Bishops Sea, promoting thereto one Hervey, who sought by all means to advance the dignity of his Church: For which end hee obtained of the King that it might bee Toll-free: hee made a way also from Exing to Eli through the Fens, of six miles in length: and the Monks growing rich, the Cathedrall Church being much decayed through age, they by little and little built it, and brought it to the ample statelinesse which now it hath. A Lanthorn it hath at the very top thereof, just over the Quire supported by eight Pillars, and raised upon them right Artificially, built by John Hothum the Bishop: and under the Church towards the North, stands St. Maries chappel, a singular fine peece of work, built by Simon Montacut • Bishop: The City it self is not much to bee accounted of either for beauty, or resort of people to it, as having an unwholsome air by reason of the Fens round about it.

The City of Lincoln Described.

The City of Lincoln is large, and well inhabited, and frequented, It stands upon the side of an hill, where the River VVitham bends his course Eastward, and being divided with three small channels, watereth the Lower part of the City. In the highest part of the City the Cathedral is erected, a stately structure, being built through out, not only most sumptuously, but with rare and singular workmanship, most beautiously: especially the forefront at the West end, which in a sort ravisheth, and allureth the eyes of all that judiciously view it; very ancient this City is, and hath been farre larger, and more populous: It hath in it fifty Parish Churches: whereof at this day there remain only fifteen besides the Minster.

The City of Norwich in Northfolk described

Norwich is situated upon the River Yare: the form of it is somewhat long, being from South to North a mile and an half long, and in breadth about half so much, drawing it self in by little and little, in the Southend; making in a manner a sharp point; compassed it is about with strong walls, beautified with many Turrets orderly placed, and twelve gates: only it is not walled on the East side, where the River (after it hath with many windings in and out, watered the North part of the City, having four Bridges for passage over it) is a sufficient defence with his deep channel, and high steep banks. It flourisheth with wealth, plenty of inhabitants, great resort of strangers, fair buildings, and hath in it about thirty Parish Churches: on the East side of it stands a very fair Cathedral Church near unto the Castle, built upon a very high hill, which was compassed about with an exceeding deep ditch. In the midst of the City near the Market-place is a very fair Town-house, which on Market-dayes is plentifully furnished with all things necessary for mans life. The Netherlanders being driven away by the Duke d' Alva's cruelty, repairing hither in great numbers, brought in the making of Sayes, Bayes, and other stuffe, to the great gain of the Citizens. Anno Christi 1583. the Citizens conveyed water out of the River in pipes by an artificial instrument, into the highest parts of the City.

The City of Coventry in Warwickshire described.

Coventry is a City very commodiously seated, large, sweet, and neat, fortified with very strong walls which are about three miles in compasse, through which are thirteen gates for enterance, most of them very stately, and strongly built, besides eighteen other Towers in several parts of the wall for defence. A little River called Shirburn runs through the City, which is beautified with many fair and goodly houses, amongst which there rise up on high two Churches, of rare workmanship: St. Michaels, and Trinity, standing one hard by another, with stately spire steeples of a very great height. In the midst of the City is the Market-place, called the Cross-cheaping, and therein a Crosse, or Pillar of stone of most exquisite, and admirable workmanship: there is also a very fair Grammer-school, and a neat Library at the end of it, with convenient habitations for the Master, and Usher: near unto it is VVel-street, and therein a very large fountain that continually sends forth great plenty of excellent water. The City had very large suburbs belonging to it, especially in the East and West ends, most whereof were broken down in our late Civil wars, and a large Trench made on the outside of the walls.

The City of Worcester described.

Under the City of Worcester runs the Severn with a slow pace, as admiring, and wondring at the City as it passeth by: and truly worthy it is of admiration, whether you respect the antiquity, or the beauty thereof. It stands in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent by the Rivers side that hath a fair Bridge, with a Tower over it. It is well, and strongly walled; and the inhabitants are much inriched by the trade of cloathing. It is one thousand six hundred and fifty paces about the walls, through which seven Gates give entrance, with five other VVatch Towers for defence, there are in it divers Churches besides the Cathedral, which is seated on the South side of the City; and is a passing fair and stately building, adorned with the Tombs, and Monuments of King John, Prince Arthur, diverse of the Beauchamps, &c.

The City of Lichfield in Staffordshire described.

Lichfield is a very ancient City, known unto Bede by the name of Lichidfield, i. e. the field of dead bodies, by reason of a number of Christians there martyred in the bloody persecution under the Emperor Dioclesian. This City is low seated, of a good largenesse, and fair withal, divided into two parts by a shallow pool of clear water; which parts are yet joyned into one by two Bridges, or causway's made over it, having sluces to let out the water, the South part is the greater, consisting of divers streets, having in it a School, and an Hospital of St. John, founded for the relief of the poor. The farther part is the lesse, but beautified with a very goodly Cathedral Church: which is round about compassed with a very fair wall, Castle-like: This Church mounteth up on high with three Pyramids or spires of stone, making an excellent shew, and for elegant, and proportionable building yeeldeth to few Cathedrals in England: But by our late civil wars it is much defaced.

The City of Westchester described.

The City of Chester is built foursquare, and is inclosed with a strong wall that is above two miles in compasse, and hath in it eleven Parish Churches, the fairest of which is that of St. Johns without Eastgate, being a very stately building: near unto the River Dee standeth the Castle upon a rockie-hill, where the Courts Palatine, and the Assises are kept twice a year. The houses are built very fair, and along the chief streets are galleries, or walking-places, they call them Rowes, having shops on both sides, in which a man may walk dry from one end to the other. Here King Edgar in a magnificent manner triumphed over the Brittish Princes: for himself sitting at the foredeck of his Barge, Kennadie King of the Scots: Malcolin King of Cumberland; Mucon, King of Man, and of the Isles, with all the Princes of VVales, comming to do homage, like watermen working at the Oare; rowed him along the River Dee in a triumphant manner. There is in it a very large, and fair Cathedral Church, wherein is the Tomb of Henry the fourth, Emperor of Germany, who (as they say) gave over his Empire, and lived here an Eremites life. This City wants not any thing required in a flourishing City, but that the Sea, being offended, and angry (as it were) at certain Mills, and a causway made crosse the channel of the River Dee, hath by degrees drawn himself back, and affordeth not unto the City the commodity of an haven, which formerly it did injoy. The wall hath in it four fair gates, opening towards the four quarters of heaven, besides three Posterns, and seven watch-Towers.

Before the desolations made by our late civil wars, without the East, and North gate, the City extended herself in her suburbs, with very fair streets, adorned with goodly buildings, both of Gentlemens houses, and fair Innes for the entertainment of strangers. The Water-Gate leadeth to the River of Dee, where it enters into the mouth of the Sea, and by which is a fine spacious peece of ground, called the Rood-eye, yeelding pleasure and profit: and upon which the Citizens walk for the air, and use sundry recreations. The Bridge-Gate hath lately been beautified by a seemly water-work of stone, built steeple-wise, by the invention, and charge of Mr. John Tyrer, and is of excellent use for conveying the River-water into the Citizens houses thro • gh pipes of Lead, and wood, into almost all parts of the City.

The City of Hereford described.

The City of Hereford is seated amongst pleasant medows, and plentiful Corn-fields, compassed almost round about with Rivers; on the North, and West sides with one that hath no name, on the South side with the River Wy, that commeth out of Wales. It is walled about, having six Gates • or entrance, and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence, extending in compasse to one thousand five hundred paces. The Normans upon the side of Wy, built in it a mighty great and strong Castle, which time hath so defaced, that now there remains nothing but the ruines of it. The greatest glory that this City had, was when King Athelstan brought the Lords of VVales into it, and forced them yearly by way of tribute to pay him (besides Hounds and Hawks) twenty pounds of gold, and there hundred pounds of silver by weight.

The City of York described.

The City of York is very ancient, and of so great estimation formerly, that the Roman Emperors kept their Courts there. It is at this day the second City of England, the fairest in all the Country, and a singular, both safeguard and ornament to all the Northern parts. A pleasant place, large, and stately, well fortified, beautifully adorned, as well with private, as publick buildings, rich, populous, and was lately an Archiepiscopal See. The River Ouse flowing with a gentle stream from the North part, Southward, cutteth it in twain, and divides it as it were into two Cities, which are conjoyned with a stone Bridge, having in it a mighty Arch of extraordinary bignesse. The VVest part is compassed in with a very fair wall, and the River together, foursquare wise, and gives entrance only at one gate, from which a long and broad Street reacheth unto the very bridge; which is beautified with handsome houses, having Gardens, and Orchards, planted on the backside on either hand, and behind them fields even to the walls, for exercise and disport. On the East side the houses stand very thick, and the Streets are narrower, and it is fortified also with a strong wall, and on the South-East it is defended with the deep channel of the muddy River Fosse, which entring into the heart of the City by a blind way, hath a Bridge over it with houses built upon it, and so close ranged one by another, that a man would judge it a Street rather than a Bridge, and so a little lower it runneth into the Ouse, where at there confluence, a strong and stately Castle was built that commanded the City, but is now gone to decay. Towards the North stands the Cathedral Church, an excellent fair and stately Fabrick.

King Henry the Eight appointed here a Council, not unlike to the Parliaments in France, to decide and determine the causes, and controversies of these Northern parts, according to equity and co • science, consisting of a Lord President, certain Counsellors, a Secretary, and under officers. This City is governed by a Lord Maior, twelve Aldermen, many Chamberlains, a Recorder, a Town Clerk, six Sergeants at Mace, and two Squires, which are the Sword-Bearer, and common Sergeant, who with a great Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword.

The City of Durham Described.

The City of Durham is seated high, and is passing strong withall, yet taketh it up no great circuit of ground: It is of an Oval form, and environed on every side, save on the North, with the River Weer, and fortified with a wall: Towards the Southside stands the Cathedrall Church: built high, and stately, with an high Tower in the middest, and two Spires at the West end. In the middest is a Castle placed as it were between two stone bridges over the River. Northward from the Castle is a spacious Market place, and St. Nicholas Church, from whence there runneth out for a great length North-East, a Suburb compassed on two sides with the River, like as other on both sides beyond the River, which lead unto the Bridges, and each of them have their several Churches. Venerable Bede lies under a marble Tomb, in the Cathedral Church of this City.

The City of Carlile in the County of Cumberland Described.

The City of Carlile is passing commodiously, and pleasantly seated between severall rivers; being guarded on the North side with the Channel of Eden, on the East with Petteril, on the West with Caud: Besides which natural fences, it is fortified with strong walls of stone, with a Castel, and a Citadel: In form it is somewhat long, running out from West to East: On the West side stands the Castle, fair, and large. Almost in the middest of the City, riseth on high the Cathedral Church, the upper and newer part of it being very artificially, and curiously wrought: On the West side stands the Citadel built by King Henry the eight, very strongly and with bulworks.

VVales Described.

VVales is bounded with the Seas on all sides but the East, where it is separated from England by the River Dee, and a line drawn to the River VVie: or rather by that huge ditch cast up by King Offa, which begins where Wie falls into Severn, and reacheth unto Chester, even fourscore and four miles in length. The Country is very Mountainous, and barren, yet by the industry of the Inhabitants is made fruitful; their chiefest commodities are woollen Flannels, Cottons, Bays, &c. brought weekly to Oswestre, the farthest Town in Shropshire, and thence dispersed into other Countries. It is divided into North-Wales, and South-Wales, in both which are twelve shires, having in them one Chase, thirteen Forrests, thirty and six Parks, ninety and nine bridges: The chiefest Rivers are Dee, VVie, Conwy, Tivy, and Chedhidy. The Welsh Language is least mixed with forreign words of any used in Europe, but having many Consonants in it, is lesse pleasing. The People are cholerick and hasty, but very loving each to other. In VVales are one thousand and sixteen Parishes, of which fifty and six are market Towns, besides the Cities, which are four, viz. St. Davids in Pembrookshire, Bangor in Carnarvonshire, Asaph in Flintshire, and Landaff in Glamorganshire. In Cardiganshire were found some silver Mines by the industry of Mr. Thomas Middleton, that yeilded some good quantity of Silver.

The twelve shires of VVales are, Pembrookshire, Caermardenshire, Glamorganshire, Brecknockshire, Radnorshire, Cardiganshire, Moungomeryshire, Mertonethshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Caernarvonshire, and the Isle of Anglesey, which is separated from the main Land by the River Moenay, wherein are Beu-marish, and Holi-head, common passages to Ireland.

Scotland described.

Scotland is separated from England by the Rivers Tweed, and Solway, and the Cheviot-Hills, reaching from one river to the other: Its in length four hundred and eighty miles: In breadth much lesse, no place being threescore miles from the Sea: Its divided into High-land and Low-land. The people of the High-land living on the VVestern parts of Scotland, have some civility: but those in the out Isles are very barbarous: The Low-landers are in dispositions, and language almost like the English. Scotland is far more barren than England. The chief commodities are course cloathes, Freeses, Fish, Hides, Lead-oare, &c. The principal Rivers are Forth, Clada, and Tay, all navigable.

In Scotland there are four Universities, St. Andrews, Glasco, Aberdeen, and Edenburgh. The Nobility and Gentry are great affecters of Learning, and therefore do not only frequent their own Universities, but travel into forraign parts for improvement of the same. The whole Country is divided into two parts by the great River Tay: the Southern part is more populous, and fruitful, every where bestrewed with Cities, and Towns, as England is: the Northerly more barren, and rude, retaining the customes of the wilde Irish, from whence they came.

The Southren part hath in it these Counties, Tividale, Merch, Laudien, Liddesdale, Eskedale, Annandale, Niddesdale, Galloway, Carrick, Kyle, Cunningham, Arran, Cluidesdale, Lenox, Sterling, Fife, Strathern, Menteith, Argile, Cantire, and Lorn.

The Northern counties are, Loquabrea, Braidalbin, Perth, Athol, Anguse, Mer • s, Mar, Buguhan, Murrey, Ross, Sutherland, Cathnes, and Strathnavern. And these again are divided into Sheriffdoms, Stewardships, and Bailiwicks.

The chief Cities in Scotland described.

Edenburgh is the Regal City of Scotland, seated in Lothien, where is the Royal Palace, and the chief Courts of Justice. It consists principally of one street about a mile long, into which runne many petty lanes, so that the whole compasse may be about three miles: Its strengthened by a Castle that commands the Town.

Glasco in Cluidsdale, where an University was founded by Bishop Turnbull, Anno Christi. 1554.

St. Andrews in Fife.

Sterling, or Striveling, seated in Striveling hundred.

Aberdeen in Mar.

Dondee, in Anguis.

Perth, or St. Johns Town.

Scotland was once inhabited by two populous Nations, the Scots, and Picts: the former inhabited the Western parts of the land, the latter the Eastern: These two Nations at length falling out, there were great and large warres betwixt them, till at last the Scots prevailing they extinguished, not the Kingdome only, but the very name of the Picts.

Most memorable was that fortification drawn from Abercorn upon the Frith of Edenburgh, unto Dunbritton opening upon the West Sea, where Julius Agricola set the limits of the Romane Empire: At this place began the great wood Caledonia, famous for the wilde white Bulls bread therein, with Manes like Lyons, thick, and curled, of nature fierce, and cruell, so hatefull to mankind that they abhorred whatsoever was by them handled, or breathed upon. The Cattle in Scotland are but small, yet many: Fish so plentifull, that in some places men on horseback, hunt Salmons with Spears. The Islands belonging to it are, the Western, the Orknayes, and the Shetlands, in number above three hundred. Amongst the Western, the Hebrides, Skie, Mula, Ila, and Arran, are the chief: all abounding with Corn, Wood, Salmons, Herrings; and some with Conies, Deer, Horses, and Sheep. The Orknay Islands upon the North, lie in a raging Sea, about three and thirty in number, whereof thirteen are inhabited, the other replenished with Cattel. In them are no venemous Serpents, nor other ugly vermine; the aire sharp, and healthful, apt to bear Oats, and Barley, but have no wood: Of these Pomonia is the greatest, that hath six Minerals of Lead, and Tin, and twelve Parishes in it.

Ireland described.

Ireland is divided into four Provinces: Mounster, Leinster, Connaught, and Ulster. In Mounster are the Counties of Limmerick, Kery, Cork, Waterford, Dismond, and Holy Cross in Typperary. In Leinster are East-Meath, West-Meath, Kilkenny, Caterlough, Queens County, Kings County, Kildare, VVeshford, and Dublin: In Connaught are Clare, • r Towmund, Gallaway, Maio, Slego, Letrim, and Roscoman. In Ulster are Dungal, or Tyr-connel, Tyrone-upper, Tyrone-nether, Farmanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Colrane, Antrim, Down, Armagh, and Lough.

Ireland hath on the East that tempestuous Sea that divides it from England. On the West, the Western Ocean: On the North, the Deucalidonian Sea: and on the South the Vergivian Sea: It contains in length four hundred, and in breadth two hundred miles. The air is temperate, but not so clear as ours in England; it doth not therefore ripen Corn well, but causeth grasse to grow abundantly: The Winter is more subject to wind than snow. The soil is uneven, wooddy, wilde, watrish, and boggy, full of Loghs, and Meers: yea great ponds are sometimes found upon high mountains: hence new commers are subject to Rheumes, dissenteries, and Fluxes, the usual cure whereof is Uskebah.

This Island breeds no venemous creature, neither will any live there, if brought from other places. All the breed in Ireland (except women, and Grayhounds) are lesse than in England. The commodities are cattel, and sheep, which are twice shorne in one year; but their wool is course, of which they make Mantles, Caddows, and Coverlets: their Hobbies also are of great esteem: Bees there are in great abundance. The people are generally strong, and nimble, patient of hunger, and cold, implacable in enmity, light of beleef, greedy of glory. The Kernes, or wilde Irish are extreamly barbarous, not behaving themselves as Christians, scarcely as men. The chief Rivers are, 1. Shenin, or Sinei, beginning in Ulster, and running two hundred miles till it falls into the Vergivian Sea, and is navigable threescore miles. 2. The Slane. 3. Awiduff, or Blackwater. 4. Showre, &c. of which Spencer makes these verses.

There was the Liffie rowling down the Lea, The sandy Slane, the stony Aubrian: The spacious Shenin spreading like a Sea, The pleasant Boyne, the fishie-fruitful Bann, Swift Awiduffe, which of the English man Is call'd Blackwater; and the Liffar deep, Sad Trowis that once his people over-run, Strong Allo tumbling from Slewtogher steep; And Mullamine, whose waves I whilome taught to weep. There also was the wide embayed Mayer, The pleasant Bandon crown'd with many a wood, The spreading Lee that like an Island fair, Enclosed Corke with his divided flood, And baleful Oure, distain'd with English blood: With many more, &c.

The principal Lakes are, Lough Earn, Lough Foile, and Lough Corbes, in length twenty, in breadth four miles, in which are three hundred Ilets abounding with Pine-trees.

Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland is seated on the Liffie in which is an University. Our King John was the first that was entituled Lord of Ireland, which title the Kings of England retained till Anno Christi 154 • . at which time in an Irish Parliament, King Henry the eight was declared King of Ireland, as a name more repleat with Majesty.

The Province of Mounster described.

Mounster hath on the South the Vergivian Sea, on the North part Connaught, on the East Leinster, and on the VVest the Ocean. Its in length from Baltimore in the South unto the Bay of Galway in the North, fourscore and ten miles: Its breadth East, and West from Waterford haven, to Feriter haven, is one hundred miles. The air is mild, and temperate: the soil in some parts hilly with woods, and solitary mountains: the vallies beautified with Corn-fields: The commodities are Corn, Wood, Cattel, Wool, and Fish, especially abundance of Herring, and Cod. The principal City is Limrick, compassed about with the famous River Shannon, by the parting of the channel. Also neer unto the River Savaren, which issues out of Muskerry mountains, stands the City of Cork: and lastly in this Province is the fair City of VVaterford, having a commodious Haven for trade, and traffick.

The Province of Leinster described.

Leinster hath on the East the Irish Seas: VVestward on Connaught side, its bounded by the River Shannon: Northward with the territory of Lougth, and Southward with part of Mounster. Its in length fourscore miles: in breadth seventy▪ The airds clear, and mild: the soil generally fruitful, and plentifull both in fish, and flesh▪ stored with corn, cattel, and pastures. Its well watered with Rivers, and for the most part well wooded, except the County Dublin, where it is much wanting: It breeds excellent Hobbies that amble very easily.

It hath in it three Rivers of note, Shour, Neor, and Barraeo, which issue out of the huge Mountains Blandinae, and meet together before they empty themselves into the Ocean. In this Province are, 1. Kilkenny, a fair midland Town. 2. Kildare. 3. VVexford, which was the first English Collony. 4. Dublin, the Metropolitan City, which is strong, beautiful, and frequented by Merchants: Near to it is the beautiful Colledge consecrated to the holy Trinity, which Queen Elizabeth made an University.

The Province of Connaught described.

Connaught is bounded Eastward with part of Leinster: Northward with part of Ulser: Westward with the main Ocean, and Southward with part of Munster: Its in length one hundred six and twenty miles, and in breadth fourscore. The Air is not so pure, and clear as in other Provinces, by reason of the many Bogs. In it Twomond, or the County of Clare, is best both for Sea, and Soil. Galway commodious for shepheards. Maio replenished with Cattel, Deer, Hawks, and Hony, Slego with pasturidge. Le Trim full of rank grasse, and forrage. Roscomen, plain, and fruitful, fit for cattel, or husbandry. The principal City, and indeed the third in Ireland is Galway, built in manner much like a Tower, and is well frequented with Merchants, having a convenient Haven: near unto it is the Isle of Arran.

The Province of Ulster described.

Ulster on the North is divided with a narrow Sea from Scotland, Southward it extends to Connaught, and Leinster, and on the VVest is beaten with the vast Ocean. Its length is near one hundred miles from North to South, the breadth one hundred and thirty, and odd miles. The air is temperate, which causeth the ground to bring forth great store of several trees, both for building, and fruit-bearing, plentiful it is of grasse for Cattel, well furnished with horses, sheep, and Oxen. The Rivers carry Vessels for pleasure, and profit, furnished they are with great store of fish, especially of Salmons, abounding more in some of these Rivers, than in any other place in Europe. Indeed in some places this Country is barren, troubled with Loughs, Lakes, and thick woods, but in other places fruitful enough, if it were but well husbanded. The principal place in this Province is Armagh near unto the River Kalin, which though it make but a poor shew, yet lately was an Archiepiscopal See: wherein once sate Richard Fitz-Ralph, commonly called Armachanus, who Anno Christi 1355. wrote so sharply against the begging Friers, detesting such voluntary beggery in Christians.

Thus was the state of Ireland before the late horrid rebellion brake forth, what alterations the same hath produced, I am not able to write.

The Isle of Man Described.

Man is situated in that part of the British Sea that is called St. Georges channel: It lyes between England and Ireland, containing in length about thirty miles, the broadest place exceeds not nine miles, the narrowest is not lesse than five. Generally its an high land upon the Sea-Coasts, defended with rocks lying out into the Sea. The Harbours for shiping are, 1. Douglas the safest. 2. Rainsway, 3. Ramsey. 4. Laxie, all towards England: and Peel, a poor Harbour facing Ireland. It abounds with springs of water, which make diverse usefull Rivolets: the soil is indifferently fruitfull, yet much of it is mountainous: It yeilds Rie, Wheat, Barley, but especially Oates, of which they make their bread: Its stored with Beasts, Sheep of a course wooll, Horses of a small size, and Goates: there is no want of Fish, and plenty of Fowl. The Aire is quick and healthful: Frosts short, and seldome. Snow will soon dissolve because of the vicinity of the Sea: and its subject to extraordinary high winds. The Inhabitants are civil and laborious: their drink water, their meat Fish, their bedding generally hay, or straw: they are much addicted to the musick of the Violine, so that there is scarce a family but more or lesse can play upon it: they are ingenious in learning manifactures, and bear a great esteem, and reverence to the publick service of God: Naturally they are unchaste. Anno Christi 1649. it was given by the Parliament to Thomas Lord Fairfax, as a reward of the great services he had done for them.

The Azores Islands Described.

The Islands of Azores are nine in number: Tercera, St. Michael, St. George, St. Mary, Pico, Fayall, Graciosa, Flores, and Corvo. They are named Azores from the many Ayeries of Goshawks found there. Of these Tercera is the greatest, and fruitfullest: It abounds with Oil, Wine, Corn, Oade, Fruits, &c. Her best Town is Angra, her best Fort Brazeil, her Haven bad to Anchor in.

Pico is the highest, being (as some say) above fifteen miles to the top, which is many times seen cleerly: but about the middle of it hang the clouds. Its about ten miles in circuit: Its for the most part composed of Brimstone, so that many times from the top issue forth flames of fire, as out of Aetna: Below are umbragious shades, and cold Rivolets, into which when the vomited fire is forced, those opposite Elements eccho forth their discontents in an hideous noise.

In the Island of Tercera are some fountains, the water whereof is so hot, that it will boil an egg: There is also another fountain that turns wood into stone, and a Tree that grows by it hath that part of the root which grows in the water petrified: the other that is out, is Wood, as of other trees.

A more particular description of the Kingdomes, and Countries contained in the continent of Europe. Spain Described.

Spain was seized upon by the Sweves, Goths, and Vandals, Anno Christi ▪ 168. who remained in possession thereof more than four hundred years, till their King Rodrigues, with almost all his Nobility, was defeated by the Saracens, who were brought in by a certain Earl in revenge of the dishonour of his daughter, whom the King had ravished. These Saracens maintained themselves there, above seven hundred years, as well against the French, as the Spaniards themselves, who endeavoured to expell them. It was formerly divided into twelve Kingdomes, which were all reduced to one by Ferdinand, and Isabel Anno Christi 1474, except that of Portugal, which was subjugated by Philip the second, and peaceably possessed by him, and his heirs, till the year 1640 as above. It was in the reign of the aforesaid Ferdinand, that the Indies and many other Islands were found out, the riches whereof hath much augmented the potency of Spain, and made her to aspire to the Monarchy of the world.

The chief Rivers in Spain are 1. Tagus, formerly famous for his golden sands: It riseth in the mountain of Seira Molina, running by the City of Toledo, and then smoothly gliding by the walls of Lisbon in Portugal, it pays his tribute to the Western Ocean. 2. Ana (now Guadiana) which rising about the same place, afterwards runs underground for the space of fifteen miles, as our Mole in Surrey doth. 3. Baetis (now Guadalquiver) 4. Duerus, that runneth from its head in the hills of B • iscay, Westward: 5. Iberus, which having his head in the same Mountains, runs Eastward almost four hundred miles, of which two hundred is navigable.

The chief hills are 1. Aurentius Saltus, stretching from the Pyrenean Mountains towards Portugall. 2. Siera Morena, declining from the middest of Spain towards the straits of Gibraltar. 3. Seira Nevada, which crosses the Kingdome of Granata from East to West: steep hills, amongst which the people speak the Arabick tongue perfectly.

Whilst the Saracen Moors possessed Spain, they divided it into twelve Principallities, as

1. Leon and Oviedo, having on the East Biscay, on the South Castile, on the North the Ocean, on the West Gallicia: It yeildeth little, yet swift horses called Hobbies. The chief Towns are 1. Aviles on the sea side. 2. Palenza. 3. Oviedo. 4. Astorga. 5. Leon.

2. Navarre, having on the East the Pyrenean mountains, on the West Iberus, on the North Biscay, and on the South Aragon. The chief Cities are 1. Victoria. 2. Viana. 3. Sanguessa. 4. Pampelune, the Metrotropolis of the Country, Anno Christi. 1512. in the reign of Queen Katherine, who was married to John of Albert: the King of Spain raising an Army under pretence of rooting out the Moors, suddenly surprized this Kingdome, unprovided for resistance, and keeps it till this day, though the French have often attempted the recovery of it.

3 Corduba, comprehending Andaluzia, Granada, and Estremadura.

Andaluzia, is the richest, and fruitfullest Country in all Spain: the chief Towns are, 1. Corduba, the Metropolitan, whence comes our true Cordovan Leather, made of the skins of a Sardinian Beast. Neer this City is a wood thirty miles long, consisting all of Olive trees. 2. Marchena, where are the best Jennets in all Spain. 3. Medina Sidonia, the Duke whereof was General of the Armado in eighty eight. 4. Lucar di Barameda, an haven Town. 5. Xeres, a haven Town also, whence come our Xeres Sack, commonly called Sherry-Sacks. 6. Tariffa, seated at the end of the Promontory towards Affrick. 7. Sevil, the fairest City in all Spain, in compasse six miles, environed with beautiful walls, and adorned with many magnificent buildings of Palaces, Churches, and Monasteries, and hath under its jurisdiction twenty thousand small Villages: Its also divided into two parts by the River Baetis, yet both are joyned together by a beautifull and stately Bridge. Hence come our Sevil Oranges, and from hence goeth the Indian Fleet.

Analuzia in Spain, as well for plenty of all blessings of the Earth, as for the pleasures, and delights of the fields, is a meer terrestrial Paradise. The horses which shee produceth are so swift in course, that they seem (according to the Proverb) to be engendred by the Wind. Spain feeds an infinite number of Sheep, especially in Castile, where is made most excellent Cloath, and the wooll for the superlative finenesse thereof, is transported into other Countries: In other parts it is barren, through the lazinesse of the people (as some think) who love much better to put their hands to the Sword than to the plough. The people are melancholy and cholerick: sober, and content with a little, spending more upon the back than upon the belly: They are very ambitious, and good Souldiers, knowing as well how to use a victory, as to gain it; and are more exactly observant of Discipline than any other Nation in the world. The Kingdome is hereditary, and for want of an heir male it falls to the distaff.

Granada, which is bounded with Murcia on the East, Andaluzia on the West, Castile on the North, and the Mediterranean Sea on the South. The chief Cities are 1. Granata, a neat and stately Town, the houses being all built of freestone with curious workmanship: It hath many wholsome Springs about it, and is fenced about with a strong wall, in which are twelve Gates, and one hundred and thirty Turrets. 2. Alamia, famous for her Baths. 3. Malaga, whence comes our Malaga sacks. 4. Almeria, a great Port-Town. 5. Osuna.

1. Estremedura, watered with the River Batis: the chief Cities are 1. Merida. 2. Guadalo • nal, famous for her Mines of Gold and Silver.

4. Gallicia, a very mountainous Country: In it the chief Cities are, 1. Compostella, in which is an University. 2. Baiona, at the mouth of Minius. 3. Coronna, called the Groine, a place often spoken of in our wars with Spain in Queen Elizabeths time.

5. Biscaie, having Navarre on the East, Old Castile on the South, Leon on the West, and the Cantabrian Ocean on the North. The chief Cities are, 1. Tholosa. 2. St. Sebastian. 3. Fontaraby. 4. Bilbo. It abounds with good Wines, store of cattel, and the best sword-blades: Its mountainous, and woody; out of the hills arise one hundred and fifty Rivers, of which Iberus and Duerus are the chief. It yeelds plenty of Iron, and good Timber for ships. They admit no Bishops amongst them; and the women at all meetings drink first.

6. Toledo, the chief City is of the same name, standing upon the River Tagus, beautified with many Palaces of rare and admirable architecture, and fortified with good walls, on which stand one hundred and fifty Towers: its seated almost in the midst of Spain, and is well inhabited by Noble men for pleasure, by Merchants for profit, and by souldiers, it being garrisoned. The Arch-Bishop hereof is the chief Prelate of Spain, President usually of the Inquisition, whose revenues amount to three hundred thousand Crowns per annum. It hath in it an University. 2. The next City is Calatrava, on the River Ana. 3. Talbora, on the River Tagus, a very neat City.

7. Murcia, The chief Cities whereof are, 1. Alicante, whence comes our true Ali • ant Wine, made of the juice of Mulberries growing here in great plenty. Murcia, on the River Segourg. 3. Cartagena, a brave haven upon the Mediterranean Sea.

8. Castile, bounded on the East with Navarre, Arragon, and Toledo: on the West with Portugal, on the North with Asturias, and on the South with Andaluzia, and Granada. Its now divided into the new, and old: the Old is on the North side, wherein the chief Cities are, 1. Soria. 2. Segovia, famous for Wooll, and cloathing 3. Validolid, a neat Town, and an University. 4. Avila. 5. Burgos. 6. Salamanca; the chiefest University in Spain.

New-Castile is on the South of the old: The chief Cities are, 1. Madrid, the Kings seat, and the most populous City in all Spain, though it bee seated in a barren Country. 2. Alcara de Henares, formerly Complutum, an University. 3. Alcantara. 4. Signeuca, a small Academy. 5. Cuenca, nigh to which is the Escurial, or Monastery of St. Lawrence, built by King Philip the second. A building of that magnificence, that no building, either in times past, or present is comparable to it. The Front towards the VVest is adorned with three stately Gates, the middlemost whereof leadeth into a very sumptuous Temple; and into a Monastery wherein are one hundred and fifty Monks, of the order of St. Jerom, and a Colledge. That on the right hand openeth into divers offices belonging to the Monastery: That on the left into Schools, and out-houses belonging to the Colledge. At the four corners are four Turrets of excellent workmanship, and for height Majestical: towards the North is the Kings Palace: On the South part are diverse beautiful, and sumptuous Galleries. And on the East side, sundry Gardens, and walks very pleasing, and delightful. It contains in all eleven several Quadrangles, every one Cloistered about.

Portugal described.

9. Portugal hath on the North the River Minius: On the South the River Ana: On the VVest the Ocean: and on the East Castile: formerly it was called Lusitania. The air is very healthful: the Country for the most part is hilly, and bare of Corn: But it abounds with Hony, VVine, Oil, Allom, Fruits, Fish, white-Marble, Salt, &c. Its in compasse eight hundred seventy and nine miles: the length three hundred and twenty: the breadth threescore: the most firtile part is about Conimbria: The people are excellent Mariners, and happy in forreign discoveries. The Rivers, great and small, are near two hundred: the greatest is Minius, full of red Lead, and its navigable one hundred miles. The chiefest Cities are, 1. Lisbon upon Tagus, famous for traffick: Its seven miles in compasse, containing above twenty thousand houses of neat and elegant building: Its walled about, wherein towards the Sea are two and twenty Gates, and towards the land sixteen: on the walls stand threescore and seven Turrets. 2. Miranda. 3. Braga. 4. Conimbra, a famous University. 5. Porto. At the Southern part of Portugal is the Cape of St. Vincent. After the overthrow of King Sebastian in the battel in Africk, where three Kings fell in one day, there were divers pretenders to the Crown of Portugal, and amongst the rest Philip the second, King of Spain was one, who made a shew that their titles should bee lawfully debated, yet in the mean time hee sent an Army under the Duke de Alva, seized on it by force, and so kept it, till within these few years the Portugals drave out the Spaniards (as was aforesaid) on a sudden, and made the Duke of Bragance, one of the family of the former pretenders, King: who keeps it till this day. The King of Spain by the losse of it hath lost one of the fairest Diamonds in this Crown; having therewith lost the East Indies, and Brasile in the West.

10. Valentia, The chiefest City is of the same name, situated near the mouth of the River Guadalander; In it is an University, &c. there is nothing of note in this Country.

11. Catalonia, which hath Iberus on the South, Arragon on the West, the Sea on the East, and the Pyrenian mountains on the North; the chief Cities are, 1. Gironne. 2. Barcelona on the Sea, a Town of good strength. 3. Perpignan.

12. Arragon, is bounded with Catalonia on the East, Castile on the West, Navarre on the North, and Valentia on the South: the River Iberus runs through the midst of this Country. The chief Cities are, 1. Lerida, an University on the River Cinga, &c. there is nothing else of note.

The Pyrenean Hills described.

The Pyrenean Mountains stand as a natural boundary between the two great Monarchs of France, and Spain: they run in a ridge from Sea to Sea, the Cantabrian Ocean fiercely beating on the West, and the Mediterranean gently washing the East ends of them. The highest of them is called Canus, because it hath for the most part a white cap of Snow upon it, on the top whereof in a clear day, a man may see both the Seas. The French side of these mountains is naked, and barren, the Spanish very fruitful, and adorned with trees.

France described.

The Kingdome of France is composed of four and twenty Provinces, wherein are fifteen ArchBishopricks, ninety seven Bishopricks, ten Parliaments, fourteen Universities, and four orders of Knighthood. The French are so naturally inclined to Armes, that the Proverb saith, They are born souldiers, nor indeed can they stay long at rest; for if they have no war with their neighbours, they quickly make it amongst themselves: Points of honour make them run into the field, as to a feast, so that many of the Nobility unhappily fall by Duels. They go like Thunderbolts to combats, and conquests, and overcome whatsoever opposes them; but as soon as their heat is cooled, they turn their backs, and suddenly loose what they had gained with such reputation. The French are more than men (saith the Proverb) at the beginning of a fight, and lesse than women towards the end. The French Cavalry is the stoutest and best in the World. Their generosity is such, that they grudge not to praise the vertue even of their enemies, when they deserve it. They agree so ill out of their own Country; that they make themselves disesteemed by it.

France is wonderfully stored with Rivers, the chiefest whereof are, 1. Seine, which arising in Burgundy, passeth by Paris, and Rhoan, and receiving into it nine navigable streams, disembogueth it self into the Brittish Ocean. 2. Some upon which standeth Amiens, hath its head about St. Quintins, divides Picardy from Artois, and receiving eight lesser streams into it, falleth into the Sea. 3. Loyre, on which are seated Nants, and Orleance; it riseth out of the great mountains in Avergne, runs six hundred miles, receiveth into it seventy two lesser rivulets, and so falleth into the Aquitane Ocean. 4. Rhoane, rising at Briga, three miles from the head of Rhene, watering Lyons, where it meets with Sone flowing from Alsatia; then it waters Avignion, and admitting thirteen lesser brooks, it falls into the Mediterranean at Arles. 5. Garond, which running from the Pyrenean hills passeth by the walls of Burdeaux, and Tholouse: Of these Rivers it is said: The Seine is the richest; the Rhoane the swiftest; the Garond the greatest; and the Loyer the sweetest. But come wee to a more particular description of the several Provinces.

1. Gascoyn, and Guien, are bounded with the Pyrenean Hills, the Aquitane Ocean, and the River Garond. The cheif Cities in it are, 1. Tholouse, wherein is a Parliamentary Court for the execution of Justice: the fields about it extend in length one hundred, in breadth, seventy French Leagues; wherein was fought that dreadfull battel between Attila King of the Huns, that had in his Army five hundred thousand fighting men, and Aetius, the Roman Lieutenant in France, wherein the Romans were Victors, and slew of the Barbarians an hundred and fourscore thousand persons. 2. Burdeaux, where our King Richard the second was born: In it are an Vniversity, and Parliamentary Court, 3. Bazas on the Garond. 4. Raion, on the coast of Spain.

On the North end of this Country stands the little Province of Xantoigne: the cheifest Cities whereof are Sainctes, and Rochel, the best fortified Town in all France, and formerly the strongest hold of the Protestants.

2. Poictou, which hath on the North Brittain, and Anjou: on the East the Dutchy of Berry: on the South Xantoigne, and Guien, and on the East the Aquitain Sea. The chief Cities are, 1. Poictiers ▪ on the River Clarius, next in greatness to Paris it self. 2. Castle Herauld, the title whereof was given to the family of Hamiltons in Scotland by Henry the second, and Francis his son, &c.

3. Anjou, is but a little Province, but very fruitfull, and yeilds the best wines in France. To it are annexed the Provinces of Turrain, and Main. The chief Towns of Anjou are, 1. Angiers, where is an University. 2. Beaufort, sometimes belonging to our Dukes of Lancaster. 3. Saumur, pleasantly seated on the Loyre, and an University: On the North sides of Anjou, between it, and Normandy, lyeth Main, whose chief Cities are, 1. Mans, or Main, 2. Beaumont, 3. Vendosme. On the South-East between Anjou, and Berry, lyeth Toureine, and in it the Cities of 1. Toures, neer unto which Charles Martel overthrew an Army of four hundred thousand Saracens, under their Captain Abdaramen, and slew of them three hundred and seventy thousand, about the year 732. 2. Amboise, 3. Bloys, 4. Orleance, upon the Loyre: an University, wherein especially the civil Law is studied.

4. Britain, environed with Main, Tourain, and the Sea: in it are two good Havens, Brest, and St. Malo: the chief Cities are 1. Na • ts upon the bank of Loyre, where is a Parliament. 2. Rhenes. 3. Vannes. 4. St. Briene. 5. Rohan.

5. Normandy, which hath on the South Main, and the Ile of France, on the East the River Some: on the other parts the Ocean: The river Seine runs through the middest of it. The chief Cities are; 1. Constance, 2. Cane, 3. Bayeux, on the Sea side. 4. Pontoyse, 5. Roan, 6. Falaise, 7. Mortaigne. 8. Crecy, 9. Caux. 10. Verneil. The cheif Haven Towns are, Hareslew, Deep, and Newhaven.

6. The Isle of France, encompassed with the Seine, and other petty brooks: in it is seated the regal City of Paris, formerly Lutetia, quasi in luto sita, because situated in a clayie soil, whence grew the Proverb, It stains like the dirt of Paris.

The City of Paris Described.

Paris is in compass twelve miles: It stands in a most fertile soil: The Citizens are reputed to be about five hundred thousand. Its honoured with a Parliament, to which all others may appeal, from which not one: It hath in it a famous University, counted the first in Europe, containing fifty and five Colledges, built by Charles the great, Anno Christi 800. at the perswasion of Alcuinus, an English-man. Its seated on Seine, which serves the Town with little boats, and Barges, the river ebbing and flowing no higher than Pontelarch, about seventy and five miles below Paris. It was held by the English sixteen years, and in it our King Henry the sixth was crowned King of France and England in the Church of Nostre Dame, or our Lady, which Church is threescore and five fathom long, four and twenty broad, and fifteen high, above which the Steeples are raised thirty and four fathoms.

In this Isle of France is also St. Vincents; and somewhat Eastward Soysons, then Carenton, where the Protestants have a Church: Also the Royall Palace of Fountainbleau, one of the fairest houses in Christendome.

Northward lyeth the Dukedome of Valois, whose prime City is Senlis, and next it Luzarch.

7. Berry and Burbon, which are environed with Poictou, Limosin, Avern, Burgondy, and Champain. The chief City in Berry is Bourges, well stored with sheep. Its watered with the River Cher, and hath in it thirty and three walled towns. In Bourges is a famous University. 2. Sancerre. 3. Argenton. 4. Casteau Rous.

Burbon is watered with the Rivers of Loyre, and Alliere: The Cities are, 1. Burbon. 2. Molins. 3. Nevers. To Burbon belong Beavois, and Avern: In Beavois are the Cities of Beavois, and ville Franche: In Avern the chief Citie is Clermont; then St. Floure, invincible by its situation. 3. Claudes Argues. 4. Maregnes, and 5. Aubigny.

8. Limosin, is environed with Berry, Poictou, Xantoigne, and Avergne. Its watered with the Rivers Vienne, and Vexerew. The chief Cities are, 1. Tulles. 2. Tuviers. 3. Maignai. 4. Limoges. 5. Chalue. South-West to Limosin are the •• ttle Countries of Perigort, and Quercu, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Mountalbon, situated on the Garond: A strong hold of the Protestants. 2. Cahors, a beautiful rich City. In Perigort are the Cities of Perigeux, and Sarlat.

9. Daulphine, is environed with Avergne on the West, Provence on the South, Savoy on the East, and Bresse on the North. The Rhoan runs through this Countrey, and meeting with Zone it washeth the walls of Lyons, a famous mart Town, and University. 2. Valence. 3. Vienna. 4. Grenoble, where is a Parliament.

In the mountains bordering on this Country, and lying between it, Savoy, Provence, and Piedmont, dwell the Waldenses, many times formerly, and now of late grievously persecuted by the Popish Party.

10. Languedoc, is environed with the Pyrenean hills, Gascoin, the River Rhoan, and the Mediterranean Sea: the chief Cities are, 1. Narbon. 2. Montpelier on the sea side, which is a famous University for the study of Law, and Physick. 3. Nismes. 4. Agde. 5. Lodove.

11. Provence, is bounded with Languedoc, Dauphine, Piedmont, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its divided into three parts: one whereof belongs to the Pope, the Metropolis whereof is Avignion, seated on the River Rosne, wherein the Popes made their residence seventy years together; in it is an University. The second part belongs to the Prince of Orang, wherein the chief City is Orang, famous for her rare and wonderful Antiquities. The third and greatest part belongs to the King of France: wherein are 1. Marseleis, a famous mart Town. 2. Aix, where is a Parliament. 3. Arles, wherein was held a Councill by Constantine, Anno Christi 313.

12. Picardy, and Champaigne, are environed about with Normandy, Belgia, Lorayn, Burgundy, Berry, Burbon, and France: Its divided into the higher, and lower: In the higher is 1. Callis, taken by our Edward the third after eleven Months sieg, Anno 1347. and suddenly lost by Queen Mary, Anno 1557. after it had been English two hundred years, 2. Bullen, taken by our King Henry the eight, 3. Terwin, taken by the same King, Maximilian the Emperor of Germany serving under his ensigns.

In the lower Picardy are, 1. St. Quintins. 2. Abbeville, strong frontire Towns, 3. Peronne, 4. Amience, 5. Monstreville, 6. Guise.

Campaigne hath in it, 1. Rheimes, where the Kings of France are Crowned, and anointed. In it is an University, and one Colledge for the entertainment of English fugitives. 2. Troys, 3. Brie. 4. Montargis, 5. Sens, 6. Auxerre. 7. Chalons.

13. The Dutchy of Burgundy, is bounded with Champaign, Bresse, and Burbonoys: The chief Cities whereof are, 1 Dijon, where is a Parliament, 2 Autun, 3 Beaulne, 4 Verdune, 5 Sologne, 6 Chalons, belonging to the Prince of Orange, 7 Alice: Its watered with ten Rivers.

All these Provinces are under the King of France, and besides Cities, have in them thirty and four good Havens.

Within the limits of France are three other Countries, which are not subject to the King of France, as

1 Savoy, 2 Lorrain, 3 the County of Burgundy, which last is bounded with Champaigne, Lorrain, Switzerland, and Bresse, and the Dutchy of Burgundy. The length of it is ninety miles, the breadth sixty: The Inhabitants are a warlike people, called commonly Walloons: The soil is exceeding fruitfull: its watered with the Rivers Soan, Love, Dayne, and Doux, upon whose banks stands the fair, and strong City of Bezanson, an University. Dole also stands on the same River, a strong, rich, and beautiful City, and an University, wherein the Jesuits have a Colledge. 3. Salines. 4. Gray. 5. Arbois. 6. Boutenant. 7. Chastilion, and above three and twenty more walled Towns.

2 Lorrain, which is environed with part of Belgia, Alsatia, the County of Burgundy, and Champaigne: It abounds with Corn, Wine, Mines, Salt, Fish, and an excellent race of horses The people are hardy and politick, and are governed by a Duke: In it are store of Lakes well replenished with Fish, one whereof is fourteen miles in compasse: The chief Rivers are, 1. The Meure, 2. Mosa, 3. Mosella: The chief Cities are, 1. Nancy seated on the Meure, 2. St. Nicholas, well seated, neatly built, and very populous, but not walled about: 3. Vausoleur, 4. Pont Moson, 5. Neufa Chateau, 6. Vaudemant. Unto this Countrey belongs the County of Barrois, environed with the two streams of the River Marne: the chief Towns are, Barleduc, Lamot, Arg, and Ligni.

3. Savoy, which is bounded with Dauphine, Bress, Switzerland, and Piedmont. Within the limits of this Countrey stands the famous City of Geneva, being but two English miles in circuit, and the territories thereof stretch but two leagues and an half of each side. At the end of the City is the lake Lemannus, and the River Rhoan divides it into two parts.

This little Common-wealth by the assistance of God, resisted a great siedg laid against it by the Duke of Savoy, Anno Christi 1589: As also another attempt made by Charles Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, to have taken her by surprise. Hee secretly listed one thousand and two hundred men, under the command of Mounsieur d' Aubigny, who by means of great store of Ladders, and other instruments got to the number of two hundred into the Town, whilst the Duke was following with some Regiments for recruit: But being discovered, and the Citizens running to their Arms, it pleased God to strike those which were entered with such a Pannick fear, that they returned the same way they came, without having been able so much as to seize upon one gate, to let in the other Forces. Thus this great design so long premeditated, so secretly carried on, so successefully begun, and almost compleatly executed, was by the watchful eye of Gods Providence over his people, prevented: and this hot Camisado hath made them of Geneva stand better upon their guard ever since.

They use to punish Adultery with death, and if any malefactor fly thither for refuge, they punish him after the custome of the country where the crime was committed. The chief Cities of Savoy, are 1. Chambery the Dukes seat: It stands in a pleasant valley amongst the Mountains, and is beautified with many neat houses, well fortified with a strong Castle, and some outworks. 2. Tarentaise, which commands the passage into Italy through the hills Geneura. 3. Bramont. 4. Aquibelle. 5. Carboneirs. 6. Maurienne. On the North East of Savoy is the County of Bresse: the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Chattillion 2. Mont Real, 3. Bourg, well seated and fortified.

The Marquisat of Saluzzes is seated in Piedmont, a part of Italy. Piedmont it self, being bounded with Millaine on the East, Savoy on the West, Switzerland on the North, and the Mediterranean on the South: A fruitful Country compared with Savoy, but inferior to the rest of Italy. It hath in it one hundred and sixty walled places, and is very populous: It hath in it fifty Earldomes, and fifteen Marquisates: Its divided betwixt the Dukes of Savoy, and Mantua, the River Tenarus parting their possessions: The chief Towns belonging to the Savoyard are, 1. Turin built on the banks of the River Duria: In it is the Palace of the Duke of Savoy, and an University. 2. Aoste. 3. Vercelli, a strong Town. 4. Inurea, &c.

The Alps described.

The Mountains of the Alpes, which require five dayes to bee ascended, divide France, and Germany from Italy: they are alwayes covered with Snow: Hanibal made a way through them with fire, and Vineger. They begin at Savona, and having run a good space in a continued hill, are at last divided into many parts: There are five passages over them into Italy: three out of France, and two out of Germany: The first out of France is through Provence, close upon the Tyrenean Seas, and so through Liguria, which is the easiest. The second through the Hills called Geneura, into the Marquisat of Saluzzes, and so into Lombardy: The third is over Mount Cenis, through the Country of Turin. The first way out of Germany is through the Grisons Country, by the Town of Valtolin; the other way is through the Country of Tyrol, by the Towns of Inspurg, and Trent.

Italy described.

This Country abounds with Rice, Silks, Velvets, Sattins, Taffaties, Grograms, Rash, Fustians, Gold Wire, Allom, Glasses, &c. The chief Rivers in it are, 1. Poe, which riseth out of the Alps, and running through Lombardy, emptieth it self into the Adriatique Sea. 2. Rubicon. 3. Tyber.

Italy is usually divided into six parts; but the principalities thereof are ten; as

1. The Kingdome of Naples, having the land of the Church on one side, and the Sea on all others. Its in compasse one thousand four hundred sixty and eight miles: It abounds with Mines of divers Mettals, and the choisest Wines: The chiefest Provinces in it are, 1. Terra di Lavoro, formerly Campania, wherein the chiefest Cities are, 1. Cajeta, seated on the Sea side. 2. Naples the Metropolis, and a beautiful City containing seven miles in compasse: In this City, the French, or Neapolitan disease was first known in Christendome: It stands on the Sea shore, and is fortified with four Castles. 3. Capua, which emasculated the valor of Hanibals souldiers. 4. Cuma, nigh to which is the Lake Avernus, the stink whereof poisons birds that flye over it. 5. Baiae, famous for the Baths. 6. Nola. 7. Puteoli. 8. Misenum, nigh unto which is the Hill Vesuvius, that casteth forth flames of fire, and in the reign of Titus it cast forth such abundance of smoak, and ashes, as darkned the Sun, and overwhelmed two Cities.

2. Abruzzo, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Aquilea. 2. Beneventum. 3. Aquino, where Thomas Aquinas was born. 4. Sulmo, Ovids birth-place.

3. Calabria inferior, whose chief Cities are, 1. Peste, where Roses blossom thrice in a year. 2. Salernum, famous for the study of Physick. 3. Consensia. 4. Regium. 5. Locris.

4. Calabria Superior, wherein the chief Towns are, 1. Tarentum, 2. Crotona. 3. Polycastrum. 4. Amicle. 5. Sybaris. 6. St. Severine.

5. Terra di Otranto, wherein the chief Cities are, 1. Brundusium, one of the best Havens in the world. 2. Hydruntum, now Otranto. 3. Gallipolis.

6. Puglia, the Cities whereof are, 1. Manfredonia. 2. Cannae, where Hanibal slew of the Romans forty two thousand and seven hundred, and had hee followed that victory hee had been Master of Rome. In this Country is the Hill Gargalus, or Mount St. Angelo, one hundred and twenty miles in compasse, strengthened both by nature, and Art: it abounds with cattel: The people in these two Provinces are troubled with a Tarantula, which is only cured by Musick.

2. The land of the Church, which North and South is extended from the Adriatick to the Tuscan Seas; the East bounds are Axafenus and Trontus, which divide it from Naples: North-West its bounded with the Rivers Poe, and Fiore, which divide it from the Venetians; and South-West with Pisseo, which parts it from the Florentines: The Provinces hereof are,

1. Romandiola extending from Rubicon East, to the Venetians on the West: from the Appenine Hills South, to Padus, and the Adriatique on the North. The chief Cities are, 1. Bononia, the principal University in Italy, where the civil Laws are much studied, seated on the River Aposa. 2. Rimana, formerly Ariminum, on the mouth of the River Rubicon. 3. Cervia, on the Adriatique Sea, where great store of salt is made. 4. Ferrara, whose territories stretch in length one hundred and sixty miles, and in breadth fifty, wherein are contained the brave Cities of Modena, and Rhegium: Ferrara the chief-City is seated on the bank of Poe, a broad, deep, and swift River, which guards it on the one side, and on the other its fortified with strong walls, and a large moat. In the midst of the City is a large Green, into which there open on all sides nineteen streets, most of them half a mile long, and so even, that the ends of them may bee easily seen. The whole compasse is five miles. 5. Ravenna.

2. Marcha Anconitana, environed with Romagna, the Appennine, Naples, and the Adriatique: The chief Towns are, 1. Ancona, seated on the Hill Cimmerius, and it is an Haven Town. 2. Ascoli the fair. 3. Firmo the strong. 4. Macerata. 5. Adria, which gave the name to the neighbouring Sea. 6. Narma. 7. Humona. 8. Loretto, famous for the Pilgrimages made thither.

3. The Dukedome of Spoleto, is situate under the Appennine Hills. The chief Cities are, 1. Spoleto. 2. Ovietto, seated on a very high Rock, where is a Church very lightsome, and yet the Windows are made of Alabaster in stead of Glasse. 3. Perugia. 4. Asis. In this Country is the Lake of Perugia, thirty miles in compasse. Near which Hanibal slew Flaminius with fifteen thousand of his Romane souldiers.

4. St. Peters Patrimony, containing Campagna di Roma (formerly Latium) and part of Hetruria. The chief Cities are, 1. Alba. 2. Ostia, at the mouth of Tyber. 3. Antrum. 4. Tybur. 5. Praen • ste. 6. Ardea. 7. Gabii. 8. Veii: a large and rich City. 9. Tivolis. 10. Rome, seated on the River Tyber, enlarged with the receit of two and forty Rivers, and is distant from the sea fifteen miles. See old Rome described afterwards. The Roman Empire was extended from the Irish Seas in the West, to the River Euphrates in the East, three thousand miles: and from Danubius in the North, to Mount Atlas in the South, two hundred miles. The revenues of the Empire were estimated to amount to one hundred and fifty millions of crowns per annum. But Rome as now, is but eleven miles in compasse, within which also there is much wast ground: The inhabitants are about two hundred thousand, two parts whereof are Clergie men, and Curtesans, the latter being seldome under forty thousand, which pay to the Pope thirty thousand Duckats per annum. The principal buildings are the Church of St. Peter: The Castle of St. Angelo, an impregnable fortresse: The Popes Palace called Belvidere: And the Vatican Library.

3. The Common-Wealth of Venice hath many territories belonging to it, the length whereof is above one thousand miles, but the breadth far lesse. For the City of Venice it self, see the description of it afterwards. The chief Provinces belonging to it are,

1. Marca Trevigiana, having on the South the River Poe, on the West the Dutchy of Millaine, on the East Frivli, and the Gulph of Venice, and on the North Tirol: The chief City is Treviso, 2. Padua, where an University was setled Anno Christi 1220. famous for Physicians, and their Garden of Simples. See the description of it afterwards. 3. Vincenza. 4. Brescia; the second City for bigness and beauty in all Lombardy: Her territories are in length one hundred, in breadth fifty miles. 5. Verona, seated on the Athesis. It boasteth of an Amphitheater, able to contain eighty t • ousand people: Her territories are threescore and five miles in length, and forty in breadth. 6. Briscello. 7. Bergamo. 8. Este. 9. Crema, a strong Fort against the Millanois.

2. Frivli, formerly called Forum Julii; Its environed with Istria, the Alps, Trevigiana, and the Adriatique: Its in length fifty miles, and the breadth no lesse. The chief Cities are, 1. Aquilegia, seated on the Natisco. 2. Treist close to the Sea. 3. Gorritia. 4. Palma, excellently fortified. 5. Cividad di Austria.

3. Istria environed with the Sea, Frivli, and Carniola: Its in compass two hundred miles, the air very unwholesome: The chief Towns are, 1. Cape d' Istria, or Justinople. 2. Pola. 3. Parenza. 4. Portula. 5. Rubinum. 6. Monsona.

The Polity whereby this Common-wealth hath so long subsisted is an Aristocracie: wherein, 1. They exempt their Citizens from the wars, and hire others in their places, so that by their death the Common-wealth sustains the lesse losse. 2. They entertain some forreign Prince for their General, whom, when the wars are ended, they presently discard, by which means they avoid factions, and servitude, which were like to happen if they should imploy any of their own people, who by his vertue, and valour might win the hearts of the souldiers, and so make himself their Prince. 3. Their Laws suffer not the younger sons of their Nobility and Gentry to marry, least the number increasing should diminish the dignity, yet they allow them unlawful pleasures, and for their sakes permit publick Stewes.

4. The Dukedome of Florence containing the greater part of Tuscany: Its parted from Genoa on the West by the Magra, and the strong Town Sarezana: From Romagna, and Ancona on the North by the Appennine Hills: On the East by the Pisseo, and on the South by the Tyrrhene Seas. The chief Cities are, 1. Florence seated nigh to the confluence of Arnus, and Chianus: See the description of it afterwards. Charles the Arch-Duke was wont to say, that it was a City to bee seen on Holy dayes only. 2. Pisa, a brave and strong City. 3. Sienna, in whose territories are Orbitello, Pienza, Soana, and six and twenty other walled Towns. 4. Pistoya, where began the factions of the Guelphs, and Gibbilines. 5. Massa, famous for her Quarries of white Marble. 6. Volaterra. 7. Arrezzo. 8. Cortona, seated under the Appennine. 9. Carara. 10. Borgo San Sepulchro. 11. Ligorne, a famous Haven seated at the mouth of the River Arnus. The whole length of this Dukdome is two hundred and sixty miles, the breadth not much lesse. The people are great Merchants.

5. The Dukedome of Millaine, which hath on the East Mantua and Parma: on the South Liguria: on the North Trevigiana, and on the West Piedmont: It stands wholly in Lombardy, the Garden of Italy. The chief Cities are, 1. Pavia, on the River Ticinus, an University. 2. Lodi. 3. Alexandria, a place of great strength. 4. Cremona, famous for her high Tower. 5. Como, seated on a Lake so named. 6. Millaine, honoured with an University: See this stately City described afterwards.

The Dukedome of Mantua bounded on the East with Romagna, on the West with Millaine, on the North with Trevigiana, and on the South with Parma, and Placentia. To this belongs the Dukedome of Mountferrat, situated on the South-East part of Piedmont, the chief Cities whereof are, 1. Alba. 2. Casala St. Vas. 3. Nicaea, or Niza; and 4. Isola. The chief Cities of Mantua are, 1. Mirabella. 2. Lucera. 3. Capriana. 4. Modena. 5. Reggio. 6. Cuneto. 7. Mantua, a very strong Town, environed on three sides with a water that is three quarters of a mile broad, and on the fourth with a wall.

7. The Dukedome of Urbin which lies in the midst of the Papal territories having the Adriatique on the North, the Appennine on the South, Romagna on the West, and Marca Anconitana on the East. In it are two hundred Castles, and seven Cities, the chief whereof are, 1. Urbin, at the foot of the Appennine, 2. Belforto, 3. Pisauro, a good Haven, 4. Cabo, 5. Fano, Sea Towns also.

8. The Principality of Parma, and Placentia, which hath on the North Mantua, on the South the Appennine, on the West Millain, & on the East Modena. Here are made those excellent Cheeses called Parmesans. Parma is seated on the little River Pirina, and Placentia on the Po. To this principallity belongs also Mirandula, with her Territories, where was born that famous Scholler, John Picus Mirandula.

9. The Common-wealth of Genoa, containing Liguria, which hath on the East the River Varus, on the West the River Magra, which parts it from Tuscany, on the North the Appennine, and on the South the Ligurian Seas: Its in compasse fourscore miles, but not so much in breadth. The people are much given to Usury, whence one said merrily, that in Christendome there were neither Schollers enough, nor Gentlemen enough, nor Jews enough, and being answered that there were of all these rather too great plenty than any scarcity: He replyed, That if there were Schollers enough, there would not bee so many double, and treble beneficed men; and if there were Gentlemen enough, so many Pesants would not be ranked amongst the Gentry; and if there were Jews enough, so many Christians would not professe Usury. The chief Towns are, 1. Ceva. 2. Finaly. 3. Noli. 4. Sarazena. 5. Genoa. in compasse eight miles: the building for the two first stories are built of Marble, curiously wrought, but by the Law they are forbidden to use marble any higher. It hath a very spacious Haven, well fortified, where ships may ride in safety.

10. The state of Luca, which is situated in Tuscany: the City is three miles in compass, the Territories eighty miles, in which they can raise three thousand horse, and fifteen thousand foot upon occasion. And thus I have done with Italy, and come to the description of the chief Cities in it.

The chief Cities in Italy described. A Description of old Rome, and the chiefest Rarities thereof.

Rome when it was first built was but two & twenty miles in compasse: it was situated upon dainty hills, in a most healthfull air: had a brave River running by it, with the more ease to convey the in-land commodities for her necessity, and delight; it had the Sea at a convenient distance, not too neer, whereby shee might be annoyed with Forreign Navies, nor so remote, but that shee might bee supplyed with outlandish Commodities. The River Tiber at Rome is four hundred foot broad, and so deep that it will carry ships of the greatest burden. Its about sixteen miles distant from the Sea. It was almost round in compasse. The Suburbs in processe of time grew so great, that Aurelian the Emperor built new walls, which were almost fifty miles in compasse, the walls were adorned with seven hundred and forty Turrets: And yet again, the Suburds in a little time grew so great, that one of them was fifteen miles long, and reacht even to the Sea, and in Augustus his time, there was numbred in Rome above three hundred, and twenty thousand poor people that received relief from the publick: Besides the number of Bondmen was very great: few rich men, but they had an hundred and some four hundred a peece: Seneca saith in his time that the Inhabitants were so many, that the spatious and innumerable houses were scarce able to contain them: that a great part of them were Forreigners that came from all parts of the world to live there: So that the number of Inhabitants was reckoned to bee at least four millions. These people were sustained with provisions brought out of all Nations: so that Rome seemed to bee the common Mart of the whole World.

Heliogabalus to shew the greatnesse of the City; caused all the Spiders to be gathered and put together, which being weighed, amounted to ten thousand pound weight, and a great plague breaking out at Rome, for many dayes together, there dyed ten thousand persons.

The houses were generally built very high, that so they might bee the more capacious, insomuch as Augustus was fain to make a Decree, that their buildings should not exceed seventy foot in height, conceiving that they marred the delicacy of the air, by their over-much shadow: but this extended only to private mens houses, for the great men were not limited.

But besides the great height of the houses, they were beautified by the matter whereof they were built, by the Architecture, and by the Symmetry of them, wherein Art and Elegancy strove for priority. And for that end, what exquisite workmen soever Greece, or Asia brought forth, they were either sent for, or came of their own accord to beautify this Imperiall City, especially in Augustus's time, who made his boasts, Marmoream se relinquere, quam lateritiam accepisset: that hee should leave Rome built of Marble, which hee found built of Bricks.

Nero also when hee had burned a great part of it, at his own charges built it up again, beautifying it with excellently composed streets large wayes, and curious porches to all the houses, which three things were a great Ornament to the City: whereupon Cassiodorus saith, Our fore-Fathers tell us of the seven wonders of the world: The Temple of Diana at Ephesus: The costly Tomb of King Mausolus: The brazen Statue of the Sun in the Isle of Rhodes, called the Colossus: The Image of Jupiter Olympicus made by Phidias: The house of Cyrus King of the Medes and Persians, built by Memnon: The walls of Babylon built by Semiramis: And the Pyramides of Egypt. But now (saith hee) the City of Rome is the greatest miracle of them all. There were in it four hundred twenty four Temples erected to their Idol-gods.

There were two Capitols in Rome; The old built by Numa, the new begun by Tarquinius Priscus, and Superbus, finished by Horatius Pulvillus Consul, upon the Saturnin, or Tarpeian, or Capitoline hill. It was eight acres, or eight hundred feet in compasse, almost four square. It was ascended unto by one hundred steps on the South part, which looked towards the market place, and Palace, it would hold eight thousand men. It was covered with Brasse-tiles all guilt with Gold; There were three Chappels in it, to one of which (viz. Jupiters) Augustus gave sixteen thousand pound weight of gold, and jewels worth almost as much more, twelve thousand talents were spent in gilding of it. The gates were covered with thick plates of Gold.

The only foundations of this Capitol cost Tarquinius forty thousand pound weight of silver, the pillars of it were cut out of a Quarry of Marble, called Pentick-marble, and they were as thick as long. Plut.

Next after the Capitol, the Pantheon is worthily noted. It was built by Agrippa, son in Law to Augustus in the year of the City seven hundred twenty and nine. The Architecture of it was admirable, the beauty, and proportion of all the parts most exquisite: the breadth of it was one hundred forty and four feet, and the height as much: It was wholly covered over with very great tiles of Brass richly guilt. In the reign of Trajan it was burnt by lightning, and re-built by H • drian.

The Temple of Peace was built by Vespasian, three hundred foot long, and two hundred broad: It was the most beautifull of all the Temples in the City, and enriched with gifts of inestimable value: It was adorned with Statues, and pictures of most exquisite workmanship: yea and all the rarities were collected into this Temple, for the sight whereof men formerly used to travell through the whole world. And here also hee placed those vessels which formerly belonged to the Temple of Hierusalem, and were brought from thence by Titus at the sacking of it. It was burnt down in the time of Commodus, either with fire from heaven, or arising out of the earth after a little Earthquake.

There were an infinite number of Baths both publike, and private in Rome. Some of which baths, were all paved with plates of silver and set with rows of Pillars for ornament. Antoninus's bath had sixteen hundred seats of polished Marble in it.

The Appian Causey was built by Appius Claudius Censor▪ It reached from Rome to Capua, the bounds of the Empire that way, at that time; which was afterwards lengthened to Brundusium by Julius, and Augustus Caesar, in all three hundred and fifty miles long, and so broad, that two coaches might easily pass by one another, being about twenty and five foot broad. It was made of hard flinty stones, hewen and laid so close together (yet without any morter or claspes of Iron) that it seemed all of onestone; the stones were three, four, and five feet square: nine hundred years after it was made, the stones were not one whit dis-joynted or broken, ever and anon on the sides were stones whereon persons might sit, or lay their burdens, or get on horseback, and at every miles end, high stones (or pillars) were raised, whereon were engraven the number of the miles. Likewise there were many Monuments on both sides with witty inscriptions, or pretty inventions on them, yeelding both matter of mirth, and seriousness to the travellers.

There were fourteen (saith Pliny) twenty (saith P. Victor) Aquaeducts in Rome; the chiefest of which was the Claudian, began by Caligula, and finished by Claudius; so big as a man might ride on horseback in it; brought forty miles to the City in a level, through the Mountains, and over the Vallies; as high as the highest hill in the City: seven millions and a half were spent in making it. There were besides in the City one thousand three hundred fifty two Lakes, or great receptacles of water for common use.

The Cloacae, or common sewers, were made by Tarquinius Priscus; they were so wide, that a Cart loaden with Hay might passe along them, viz. sixteen foot wide, and as many high. There were seven chief armes from the seven hills (besides several smaller from other parts) which ran into the main Channel. Notwithstanding all the weight of building upon them, and several earthquakes, they remained firm almost eight hundred years. And at one time when they were out of repair, there were a thousand talents spent in repairing of them.

There was an infinite number of Statues, or Images in every part of the City, costly for their matter, and curious for their workmanship: some Authors say, that there were near as many of them, as there were living people in the City; some of them were of polished Marble; infinite of brass, some of Ivory, some of Silver, and some of Gold.

Domitian the Emperour commanded that no statues should bee made for him in the Capitol, but such as were all of silver, or all gold, solid, and not hollow, each of them weighing at least an hundred pound weight: Commodus the Emperor had a statue made for him of gold that weighed a thousand pound weight: Together with a Bull and a Cow of the same mettal, as if hee had been the founder of the City. Hee had also in the Market-place a Pillar erected, and his Statue made upon it, of a thousand five hundred pounds weight of silver. Their statues of brass were most of them guilt, and so were many of their statues of silver. Some of them were of a Colossaean bigness, others mounted on horse-back, and in several postures, and habits: For the preserving of all which from hurt, there was one who was called Comes, or an Earl, whose office it was, continually to walk up and down in the night, attended with many souldiers, that none might wrong them, and besides it was death for any man to do it. Lipsius de Mag. Rom. Imperii.

Rome was for her beauty and bravery called Aurea, and Aeterna, and the Romanes thought that the Monarchy of the World was tyed to them with chains of Adamant. But God hath confuted their golden dreams by breaking their Empire, and given up their City six several times in one hundred thirty and nine years space, into the hands of Barbarians, who exercised therein all kinde of cruelty: besides, it is observed that Rome, since it became Papal, was never besieged by any enemy, but it was taken. Sybil long since prophesied.

Tota eris in cineres, quasi nunquam Roma fuisses.

The manner of the Romane Triumphs: and particularly that of Palus Aemylius after the conquest of Perseus King of Macedon.

First, the people having set up sundry scaffolds as well in the lists, and field called Circos, where the games, and races of horses, and Charrets used to bee, as also about the Market-place, and in all the streets through which the Triumph should pass, they all presented themselves in their best gowns, to see the magnificence, and state thereof. All the Temples of the Gods were set wide open, hanged full of Garlands of flowers, and all perfumed within. Through all the quarters of the City were set many Sergeants, and other officers, with tipstaves to order the stragling people, and to keep them from pestring the streets, or hindring the triumph which lasted three dayes.

The first day was scant sufficient to see the passing by of the Images, Tables, Pictures, and Statues of a wonderful bignesse, all wonne, and gotten of their enemies, and now drawn upon two hundred and fifty Charrets.

The second day there were carried upon a great number of Carts all the fairest, and richest Armor of the Macedonians, as well of Copper, as of Iron, and Steele, all glistering bright, being newly furbished, and artificially laid in order: Fair Burganets upon Targets, Habergions, and Corslets upon greaves: Round Targets of the Cretans, and Javelins of the Thracians, and arrows amongst the armed pikes: All bound so trimly one to another, that one hitting against another as they were drawn, made such a sound, and noise as was fearful to hear. After these Carts there followed three thousand men, which carried the ready mony in seven hundred and fifty Vessels which weighed about three Talents a peece, each of them carried by four men. Others carried great bowles, cups and goblets of silver, and other pots to drink in, beautiful to behold, as well for their bignesse, as for the great, and singular embossed work about them.

The third day early in the morning the Trumpets sounded the brave alarum they give at an assault, after whom followed one hundred and twenty goodly fat Oxen, with their horns guilt, and garlands of flowers, and nosegaies about their heads, and by them went many young men with aprons of needle-work about their middles, who led them to the Sacrifice, and with them young boyes that carried goodly Basons of gold and silver to receive, and sprinkle the blood of the Sacrifices about. After these followed all those that carryed all coins of gold, and Basons, and Vessels, each of them weighing three Talents. Then was carryed the great holy cup which Aemylius had caused to bee made of massy gold, set full of precious stones, weighing ten Talents for an offering to the gods. Next to them went they which carryed Plate, made, and wrought after Antick fashions, and the admirable cups of the ancient Kings of Macedon: as the cup called Antigonus, and another Seleucus: and to bee brief, all the whole cup-broad of plate of gold, and silver of King Perseus: and next them came the Kings Charriot with his Armour, and his royal Crown upon the same. A little after followed the Kings Children, whom they led prisoners with the train of their School Masters, and other Officers, and their servants weeping, and lamenting, who held up their hands to the people that looked upon them, thereby teaching the young Children to do the like, and to ask mercy, and grace at the peoples hands. There were three pretty little Children, two sons, and a Daughter amongst them, who by reason of their tender years lacked understanding, which made them (poor souls) insensible of their present misery, and that moved the people so much the more to pitty them, seeing the poor little infants that knew not the change of their hard hap: so that through compassion to them, they had almost let the Father pass without looking upon him: yea many of the peoples hearts did so melt for pitty, that the tears ran down their cheeks till they were past, and gone a good way out of sight.

King Perseus the Father followed after his Children, and their train: Hee was cloathed in a black gown, with a pair of slippers on his feet, after his Country manner: Hee shewed by his countenance, his troubled mind, being opprest with sorrow for his most miserable estate, and condition: Hee was followed with his kinsfolk, his familiar friends, his officers, and houshold servants, their faces being disfigured with blubbering, shewing to the world by their lamentable tears, and sorrowful eyes cast upon their unfortunate Master, how much they sorrowed, and bewailed his most hard and woful estate, whilest they made little account of their own misery.

After all these, there followed four hundred Princely Crowns of gold, which the Cities, and Towns of Greece had purposely sent by their Ambassadors unto Aemylius, to honour his victory: And last of all came Aemylius himself in his Triumphant Chariot, which was passing sumptuously set forth, and adorned: This was a gallant sight to behold, and yet the person himself was worth looking on without all that great pomp, and magnificence: for hee was cloathed in a purple gown, curiously branched with gold, carrying in his right hand a bough of Lawrel, as all his Army did the like, the which being divided by bands and companies: followed the Triumphant Chariot of their Captain, some of the souldiers singing songs of victory, according to the usual manner of the Romans in the like cases, mingleing them with merry, and pleasant toyes, as glorying, and rejoycing in their General: others of them sang songs of Triumph in the honour, and praise of Aemylius his noble conquests, and victorys: so that hee was openly praised, blessed and honoured of all, and neither hated, nor envied of any that were good, and honest. Plut. in vita ejus.

Rome was so populous when Paulus Aemylius was Censor, that being mustered by him, they were found to bee three hundred thirty seven thousand four hundred fifty and two men.

The manner of Pompey's third Triumph.

For the statelinesse and magnificence of this Triumph, though Pompey had two dayes to shew it in, yet were there many things, which for want of time were not seen; even so many as would have served to have set forth another Triumph.

In the first place there were Tables carryed, whereon were written the names and titles of all the people, and Nations which hee had conquered, and for which hee triumphed; as the Kingdomes of Pontus, Armenia, Cappadocia, Paphlagonia, Media, Colchis, Iberia, Albania, Syria, Cilicia, and Mesopotamia: as also the people that dwell about Phaenicia, Palaestine, Judaea, and Arabia: and all the Pirates which hee had overcome both by Sea, and Land, in all parts of the world: In all these Countries, hee had taken a thousand Castles, almost nine hundred Cities, and walled Towns▪ Of Pirates ships eight hundred: Hee had replenished again with people, nine and thirty desolate Towns that were left without Inhabitants: In these Tables was further declared, that before these conquests the revenues of the Common-wealth of Rome were but five thousand Myriads per annum, but now Pompey had made them eight thousand and five hundred Myriads per annum: and that hee had brought now for the Treasury in ready gold and silver, Plate and Jewels, the value of twenty thousand Talents, besides that which hee had distributed amongst his souldiers, of which hee that had least for his share, had one thousand five hundred Drachma's: The prisoners that were led in this Triumph, besides the Captains of the Pirates, were, the son of Tygranes, King of Armenia, with his wife and daughter: The wife of King Tygranes himself, called Zosime: Aristobulus, King of Judaea: Mithridates sister, with her five sons, and some Ladies of Scythia: The hostages also of the Iberians, and Albanians, and of the Kings of the Commagenians: beside many other things too large to recite: But that which made his honour the greatest, and whereunto never any of the Roman Consuls attained, was, that in his three Triumphs, hee triumphed over the three parts of the world: In his first over Africk, in his second over Europe, and now in this third over Asia, which was almost all the then known world; and all this before hee was forty years old. Plut. In vita ejus.

A Description of the City of Venice, with her Rarities, which was begun to bee built Anno Christi 421. upon the 25th of March, and upon seventy and two Islands.

This Wonder of Cities, is seated in the bosome, or betwixt the Armes of the Adriatick Sea: It is built upon four thousand Islands, and is (as it were) chained together by four thousand Bridges. The occasion which made these watry Isles a mansion for men, was when that Northern Deluge of Goths, Vandals, Huns, and Longobards did overflow all Italy, the people of all sorts fled to these lakes, to avoid the land torrent that was like to swallow them up; and finding the Air to bee gentle, and fit for habitation, and propagation, they pitched their Tents upon these Isles, and associated them by conjoyning Bridges.

There are seventy two Isles that support Venice: and the nearest part of the Continent is five miles distant: There are banks, and ditches cast up to preserve her from the impetuousnesse of the waves of the Sea, extending in length above six miles. Shee is above eight miles in circuit. Through the banks in seven places, there are passages broken for boats, but not for bigger vessels. Besides there be above twenty thousand Gondolaes, or Boats, which ply up and down perpetually, in each of which are two rowers at least, so that upon occasion, shee can suddenly make an Army of above fifty thousand Gondoliers. Shee hath for her Motto, Nec fluctu, nec flatu movetur. Nor winds, nor waves can stir her.

Her Fabriques, publick and private are extraordinary specious, and sumptuous, and her streets so neat, and evenly paved, that in the depth of winter a man may walk up, and down in a pair of Sattin Pan-tables, and Crimson Silk stockings, and not bee dirtied. There are above two hundred Palaces fit to receive any Prince with his ordinary retinue: Her situation is so rare, every street almost having an arm of the Sea running thorow it; and her structures so magnificent, and neat, that shee ravisheth therewith all strangers that come to visit her.

She hath in her one hundred and fifty Churches, and Monasteries: but especially three things worthy of sight, viz. St. Mark's Church and Steeple, the Treasury, and the Arsenal.

St. Mark's Church is built throughout with rare Mosaique work, and yet the furniture of the Church surpasseth the Fabrique in richnesse; Her walls are inlaid in many places with precious stones of diverse colours, and in such a manner, that they seem rather to be the work of Nature, than of Art.

It is built in the form of a Crosse, whose corners are highly vaulted, and covered with bright Lead, as all the rest of the Church is. The whole Bulk is supported with most curious Arches joyned together by marvellous Art. The inside from the middle to the highest part thereof glistereth with gold, and the concavity of the vaults is enriched with divers curious, and antick pictures. That which is from the gilding down to the pavement, is excellently joyned together with goodly Tables of Marble, by whose pleasant veins in form of rays, the eyes of the beholders are rather fed than satisfied. The seats below are of an extraordinary red stone, like to Porphyry, the Pavement is all of Marble engraven with diverse figures wholly different, and of various colours: There are sundry Columnes and Tables of Parian, Spartan, and Numidian work, that environ the seats on both sides the Quire. The entrance into the Church on both sides, is in a manner of the same trimming: while gilded Arches are sustained without, by more than three hundred exquisite Pillars, the space between those Pillars being filled with choyce Tables of Marble. On the height of this entrance, are four great brazen horses all gilded over, in a posture as if running, and neighing. All this bears up the highest top of the Church divided into six Steeples, every of which is like a Pyramid, and hath on the sharpest point thereof, a white Marble Statue of a naked man standing upright. Divers other representations delightfull to the eye, and wrought with exceeding skill, do beautify the spaces between the Steeples, and all that which is vaulted underneath is covered with Gold▪ In sum, there is no place in the whole Church, either within, or without, but it's either adorned with Marble, Gold, or precious stones; so that the two Columnes of Alabaster, and the Chalcedony stones which are in the middest of the pavement, are accounted the least curiosities.

The Arsenal of Venice is one of the greatest Magazines of Armes in all the World; It's three miles in compasse, wherein there are above three hundred Artificers, perpetually at work, who make, and repair all things that belong thereto. This Arsenal hath armes to furnish two hundred thousand men, and hath constantly belonging to it two hundred Gallies in Dock, or abroad in course, besides Galliasses, and Galleons, with all provisions necessary for them. Amongst the Armors, are one thousand coats of plate; garnished with gold, and covered with velvet, so that they are fit for any Prince in Christendome.

The Treasury of St. Mark is cried up through the World: They say there is enough in it to pay six Kings Ransomes. There are Jewels of all sorts, and sizes, Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires, Emerauds, Cups of Agat • of an huge bigness. The great Diamond which Henry the third gave when hee was made a Gentleman of Venice: There you may see an Armour all of massie Gold, beset all over with great Pearles, Turkies, Rubies, and all manner of precious stones, in such a quantity, and bigness, that they alone would make a rich Treasury. There are also twelve Corslets of Gold beset with precious stones. There is an huge Gold chain that reacheth from Pillar to Pillar: Diverse Chests of Gold, and amongst others, one great Iron Chest with this inscription, When this Chest shall open, the whole earth shall tremble. There are two large Unicorn's horns. A great Bottle made of a Chalcedonian stone transparent, and clear, which will hold above a quart. There is a Garnet of a vast size, formed into the shape of a Kettle which will hold neer a Gallon. There are many Crosses, and Crucifixes of massie Gold beset with Jewells of all sorts: There are the Crowns of Cyprus, and Candy, as also that of the Dukes of Venice all inlaid with choyce rich Diamonds, great Rubies, Emerauds, Saphires, and other stones that would beget astonishment in the beholders. In that of the Dukes, there is one great Ruby worth an hundred thousand Crowns. There are Cups of sundry formes cut out of rich stones, with dishes of sundry kinds. There are divers presses full of plate, huge, and massy, with Statues of Silver, and large Chalices of gold, and variety of other rich things, the worth whereof no eye is able to judge. There are moreover twelve Crowns of massie Gold, which were taken at the sacking of Constantinople, when the French, and Venetians divided the spoyles. Pacheco the Spanish Ambassadour, comming to see this Treasury, fell a groping whether it had any bottom, and being asked why? answered; In this amongst other things, my great Masters's Treasure, differs from yours, in that his hath no bottom, as I finde yours to have. Alluding to the Mines in Mexico, and Potofi.

In one of its Islands called Murano, Crystall Glasses are made where you may see a whole street; on the one side having above twenty Furnaces perpetually at work both day, and night. If one of these Furnaces bee removed to any other Island, or but to the other side of the street, though they use the same men, materials, and fuel, yet can they not make Glasse in the same perfections for beauty, and lustre, as in this place. Howels Survey.

The City of Padua Described.

Padua is a City within the Venetian Territories, and was erected into an Academy. Anno Christi 1222. Shee is famous every where for a Seminary of the best Physicians, and hath a Garden of great variety of Simples. It was formerly girt with a treble wall: but a double contents her now, which hath very deep ditches round about: For the River Brent with vast charges, and labour was brought to this City, which hath much advantaged her, both for Strength, and Navigation: It is situated in a most pleasant, and plentiful plain, enjoying a sweet temperate Clime, with a singular good soil, by reason of the Neighbourhood of the Eugonian Mountains on the West side of it. Her circumference is neer upon seven miles; Her Temples, and dwelling houses, both publike and private, are more magnificent than elsewhere. Shee hath six stately Gates: Five large Market-places, within the walls twenty two great Churches, twenty three Monasteries, twenty nine Nunneries. She hath the most renowned Hall for publike Justice of any City in Italy, covered all over with Lead, and yet propped by no pillars. The Council-Court hath gates, and Columes of Marble; Shee hath twenty eight Bridges, Arched over the Brent which runns thorow her. She hath very spatious Piazza's: Shee hath six Hospitalls, three for the poor, and three for Pilgrims. Shee hath a place called Monte de Pieta, set up on purpose to root out the Jews usury, who used to demand twenty per cent: for Brocage: Shee hath other two Hospitals for Orphans, and poor children. There are thirty eight thousand Crowns deposited in the hands of several persons of quality (to whom the poorer sort may repair with their pawns, and if it bee under thirty shillings, they pay no use for their mony, if it bee above, they pay five per centum) for relieving the poor.

The City of Millan described.

The City of Millan in Italy lies within a stately wall of ten miles compasse. Its situated in a great Plain, and hath about it green Hills, delightful Meadows, navigable Rivers, enjoyes an wholesome air, and the fertile Country about it, furnisheth it with all store of necessary provision. The City it self is thronged with Artisans of all sorts. There bee many stately Churches in it, and before that of St. Lorenzo there stand sixteen Marble Pillars, being a remnant of the Temple of Hercules. But of all the Churches, the Cathedral is most costly. 'Tis all of white Marble, and about it are five hundred Statues of the same: There is a late building added to it which is very glorious, especially for the huge Pillars of Granito, an excellent sort of Marble: Private mens houses also in Millan are not inferiour to those of other Cities in Italy. The streets are of a more that common breadth, and there are very many Gardens within the Walls. The greatest Hospital in Italy is that in Millan, which is a square of Columnes, and Porches six hundred Roods about, seeming fitter to bee a Court for some King, than an Hospital for the poor. The Castle in Millan is accounted by all Engineers the fairest, and strongest Citadel in Europe. Riamund's Mer. Ital.

The City of Naples described.

Naples the Metropolis of that Kingdome, stands upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea: Its reckoned the third City in Italy, and so great are the delights that nature hath allotted to this place, that it is still frequented by persons of great quality. The streets of it are generally well paved, of free stone, large, and even: The houses are very uniform, built flat on the top to walk on; a notable convenience in those hot Countries. Another like accommodation which this City hath against the heat, is the Mole, which is an Artificial street casting it self into the Sea, whither all the Gentry at the evenings resort to take the Fresco. Amongst the Palaces that of the Vice-Kings is the fairest: It hath three Castles; and the Churches generally are very curious and costly, filled with Marble Statues. This City is exceeding populous, and consequently vicious: Hee that desires to live a chaste life must not set up there: For as their Gardens are well filled with Oranges, so their houses want not Lemmons; there are usually thirty thousand Courtesans registred that pay taxes for their pleasure.

Near unto Naples is Virgil's Tomb upon an high Rock. And the Crypta Neapolitana in the rocky Mountain Pausylippus, cut thorow, very high, spacious, and well paved, so that for the space of a mile, two Coaches may go on front under the earth: In the midst is a Madonna, with a Lamp perpetually burning. Not far off is the Hill of Brimstone, on which neither grass nor any herb grows; but 'tis all white with ashes, and ever casts out of several holes a continual smoak, with flames, making the very earth to boil: The ground is hollow underneath, and makes an hideous noise, if struck upon with an hammer. On the other side Naples, is the Mountain of Vesuvius, brother to Aetna, upon the top whereof is a terrifying spectacle, viz. a Vorago, or hole about three miles in compass, and half as much in depth, and in the midst is a new hill that still vomits thick smoak which the fire within hath raised within these few years, and it still daily increaseth. Pliny the Naturalist being too inquisitive after the cause of this fire, changed life for death upon this Mountain. Idem.

Virgil made a Talisman, or Brazen Fly, which hee set upon one of the Gates of the City of Naples, which for the space of eight years kept all manner of Flies from comming into the City. Gaffarels Unheard of Curiosities. part. 2. chap. 7. See more there.

The City of Florence described.

Florence is the Capitol City of Tuscany, situated at the bottom of very high hills, and environed on all sides with the same, except on the West side, before which lies a plain Country. This City is divided into two by the River Arno, over which are built four Bridges of stone; upon one of the two chief is the Goldsmiths street: upon the other, which is a very stately structure, stand the four quarters of the year in Marble: Opposite unto which, stands a vast Columne with a Statue of Justice in Porphyrie at the top: Hard by is the Palace of Strossie, admirable for the immensity of its Fabrick; on the left hand whereof is the Merchants Vault supported with many fair Pillars, and before it a brazen Boar jetting forth water: Before that is the great place, in the middest whereof is the great Duke Cosmus on horseback in brass, near unto which is a Fountain, the like to which Italy affords not. Round about the Laver is the Family of Neptune in brasse, with his Colosse of Marble in the middest, born up by four horses. In this same Piazza is a Porch arched and adorned with some Statues, amongst which that of Judith in brass, with the rape of the Sabines, three persons in several postures cut all out of one stone. Just against it is the Palazzo Vechio, at the entrance whereof stand two Colossi, the one of David, the other of Hercules trampling on Caous, excellent pieces. Within is a Court set about with pillars of Corinthian work. Above is a very spacious Hall with divers Statues. Near to it is the richest of Treasures, the great Dukes Gallery, in the uppermost part whereof are contained as many wonders as things: some to bee admired for the preciousness, and Art; others for their rarity, and antiquity: On each side of the Gallery stand above fourescore Statues: One, an Idoll brought from the Temple of Apollo in Delphos: Another of Scipio Africanus holding up his gown under his Arm: Then two curious triumphant Pillars: Over the Statues hang rare pictures, the most famous Scholars on the one side, and Souldiers on the other.

At the right hand of this Gallery are several Stanza's full of curiosities, wherewith the spectators are astonished, both in regard of the richnesse, and rarity thereof. In the first Room is an Altar totally compacted of Jewels, and precious stones: The value inestimable. In the next is a Table with Flowers, and Birds in their natural colours of precious stones, with a Cabinet worth two hundred thousand Crowns, covered with Agates, Emerauds, Amethists, &c. Within it is the History of Christs Passion, with the twelve Apostles all in Amber. In the third is a Cabinet with Calcedonie Pillars, filled with ancient Medals of gold. Round about this Room are an infinite number of Natural, and Artificial curiosities: As the Emperours head cut on a Turquoise bigger than a Walnut, with thousands more. Next is the Armory; wherein are the habits, and diverse sorts of Arms of several ages, and people. There is likewise a Loadstone that bears up fourscore pounds weight of Iron. In the last Cabinet are curious turned works of Ivory, A Pillar of Oriental Alabaster, &c. In another Room are twelve great Cupboards of silver Plate of all sorts, and another of all pure massie gold: A Saddle all embroydered with Pearls, and Diamonds; besides many other things of great worth.

From hence is a private passage to the Dukes Court on the other side of the River: The front of which edifice is very Majestick, towards the Basis of Dorick work, in the middest of Ionick, and the uppermost story of Corinthian. In the Court is a Grotto with Statues, and a Fountain over it; and a Loadstone of a most prodigious greatnesse.

The Gardens belonging to it, for their largenesse have the face of a Forrest, for their variety, of a Paradise. Here are Cypresse Groves, their Walks with Statues: Here a Sea of Fountains; these Swans, Ostriches, and other delighting Creatures.

The Cathedral Church is of a vast bulk, and exquisite workmanship, made of Red, White, and black Marble. The Cupola is so high, that the brass Globe at the top will hold sixteen persons: No lesse excellent is the Steeple, composed of the same stone and materials with the Church, but with more Art, and Ornaments.

The Chappel of St. Laurence seems more than terrestrial: Its wholly overlaid with fine polished stones, neither is there any colour upon Earth, but it's there in stones naturally. Near to this is a famous Library, filled with great variety of Manuscripts. In brief, the houses of Florence are generally built high, the streets are paved with great stones, even and large, and adorned with many excellent Fountains, and other publick Ornaments.

The chiefest Cities of Italy are thus usually distinguished: Rome the Un-holy; Venice the Rich; Naples the Gentle; Florence the Fair; Genoa the Proud; Millan the Great; Bolonia the Fat; Padua the Learned; and Verona the Ancient. Idem.

Belgia, or the Netherlands described.

Belgia is bounded on the East with the River Ems, and part of Germany: On the West with the Germane Sea, on the North with East-Friezland, and on the South with the Some, Champaigne, and Lorrain: Its in compass one thousand miles. The Country is very populous, the men well proportioned, and ingenious: the inventers of Clocks, Printing, and the Compass: They found out diverse musical instruments, the making of Chariots, Painting with Oil colours, working pictures in Glass, making of Worsteads, Sayes, Tapestry, &c. The women govern all, both within doores, and without: The Country lies low upon the Seas, and therefore is very subject to inundations. In the reign of our King Henry the second, Flanders was so overflown, that many thousands of people, whose dwellings were devoured by the Sea, came into England, and were by the King first planted in York-shire, but afterwards removed into Pembrook-shire. Since then, the Sea hath swallowed up in Zealand eight of the Islands, and in them three hundred Towns, and Villages, the ruines of the Churches, &c. being seen at low water till this day. The commodities are Linnen, Skarlet, Worstead, Sayes, Silks, Velvets, Armour, Cables, Ropes, Butter, Cheese, &c. The chief Rivers are, 1. Rheine. 2. Mosa, which compasseth half the Country. 3. Ems, dividing the two Friezlands. 4. Scaldis, which rising in Picardy, runs through Artois, divides Henault, and Brabant, and a little above Antwerp emptieth it self into the Sea. 5. Ley, which runs quite through Flanders.

In Zealand and Holland especially, they are fain to defend themselves against the Sea by huge banks about ten ells high, and five and twenty in breadth at the bottom, made of the hardest Clay, with great pains, and maintained with great charge; their inside is stuffed with wood, and stone, and their outside covered with strong, and thick Mats. Its divided into seventeen Provinces, which are these that follow.

1. Limbourg, and the Bishoprick of Leige, environed with Brabant, and Namurce, on the West: with Brabant, and Gulick on the North: with Gulick, and Collen on the East: and with Luxenbourg on the South. In the Bishoprick are four and twenty walled Towns, and one thousand and eight hundred Villages: the chief City is Leige, seated on the Meuse: the buildings of it are very fair. Its a famous University, wherein were students at one time, nine Kings Sons: four and twenty Dukes sons: twenty nine Earles Sons, besides Barons, and Gentlemen. The next Cities are, 2. Tongres. 3. Dinand, neer Namur. 4. Huy. 5. Bilsen. 6. Truden.

The Dutchy of Limbourg, contains five Towns. 1. Limbourg, on the River Weser. 2. Walkenbourgh. 3. Dalem. 4. Rode le Buck. 5. Carpen, besides one hundred twenty and three Villages.

Luxenbourg, which is bounded on the North with Limbourg, on the South with Lorrain, on the East with the Bishoprick of Triers, and on the West with the Meuse. Its in circuit two hundred and forty miles, in which stand one thousand one hundred sixty and nine villages, and twenty and three walled Towns. The chief are, 1. Luxenburgh on the River Elze, 2. Bostonack, commonly called the Paris of Ardenne. 3. Thionville. 4. Mommedi. 5. Danvillers, 6. Ivoy. 7. Neuse Chastel. 8. Rocke de March. 9. Arluna. Here is the Forrest of Ardenna, once five hundred miles in compass; now scarce ninety: In the edges whereof are the famous hot Baths, called the Spaw, which are of most vertue in July, because then hottest. In the skirts of this Countrey towards France, is the Dukedome of Bovillion, whose cheif Towns are, Sedan, where is Schola Illustris; and Bovillon: The Duke is a Peer of France, and hath been a great friend to the Protestants.

3. Gelderland, which hath on the East Cleve, on the West Brabant, on the North Frizland, and on the South Limbourg ▪ It contains three hundred villages, and twenty four Towns, the chief whereof are, 1. Nimmegen, seated on the branch of the Rheine, which is called Whael. 2. Ruremond. 3. Arnheim. 4. Harderwick. 5. Doesbourgh. 6. Buren. Its a fertile soil for feeding of Beasts, which grow so great and fat, that Anno Christi 1570. there was a Gelderland Bull killed at Antwerp, that weighed three thousand and two hundred pounds.

4. Brabant, having on the East, North, and South the Meuse, and on the West the Scheld. Its in length seventy five, in breadth sixty miles, comprehending seven hundred villages, and twenty six Towns, whereof the chief are, 1. Lovain, in compasse within the walls four miles, and six without. Its an University wherein are twenty Colledges, and a Seminary of English Jesuits: There are in it many goodly Gardens, Mountaines, Valleys, Medows, &c. 2. Bruxels of the same bigness, and the Dukes seat, but for pleasure, profit, uniform buildings, and elegancy thereof, far beyond Lovain. 3. Bergen ap some, famous for the notable resistance it made to Spinola, Anno Christi 1622. 4. Bolduc. 5. Tilmont. 6. Mastriecht. 7. Breda, the seat of the Prince of Orange.

5. The Marquisat of the Empire is contained in Brabant: the chief City is Antwerp, in circuit seven miles: In it are eight principal channels cut out of the Scheld, on which the Town is seated, the biggest of them being able to contain one hundred ships. Before the Civil warres, it was a place of wonderful great Trading: but now the Hollanders have so blocked up the Haven, that the traffick is removed to Amsterdam.

6. Flanders is divided into the Imperiall, Gallick, and Teutonick Flanders. The last of these is divided from the other two, by the River Ley. The chief Towns in it are, 1. Gaunt, whose wall is seven miles round. The Rivers Scheld, and Ley run through it, and make in it twenty six Islands, conjoyned with ninety eight bridges. 2. Burgi • , situated on a fair, and deep channel made by Art, which much advantageth it. 3. Ypres, a very strong Town standing on a River of the same name. 4.Winnocks-Berg. 5. Grauling, on the sea side, a strong Fort. 6. Oudenard. The four principal Ports of Flanders are, 1. Dunkirk. 2. Scluse, at the mouth of the channel of Bruges, having a fair Haven able to contain five hundred good ships; Its in the hand of the States. 3. Newport, where was fought that famous Battle between the Spaniards, and States. 4. Ostend, which held out a siedg of three years, and three months against the Arch-Duke.

Imperiall Flanders, is parted from Brabant, by the River Dender, from the Gallick Flanders, by the River Scheld about Oudenard. The chief Towns are, 1. Alost, on the Dender. 2. Dendermond. 3. Hulst, 4. Axelle. 5. Rupelmond.

The Gallick Flanders, is severed from the Teutonick by the River Ley: from the Imperiall by the Scheld. The chief Towns are, 1. Lisle, 2. Doway, where is an University. 3. Orchies. 4. Armentiers. 5. St. Amand. 6. Turnay. In all Flanders there are thirty five Towns, and one thousand one hundred seventy and eight Villages. Its in length ninety six miles, in breadth much lesse. Its bounded with Brabant on the East: Picardy on the West: the Sea on the North: and Artoys on the South.

7. Artoys, which hath on the East Heinalt, on the West Picardy, on the North Flanders, and on the South Champaigne. It contains seven hundred fifty and four villages, and twelve walled Towns, whereof the chief are, 1. Arras, whence comes our Arras hangings, 2. Ayre. 3. Pernes. 4. St. Omer, a good Haven. 5. Lilliers. 6. Le-Cluse. The frontier Towns are, 1. Hedinfert against Picardy. 2. St. Paul.

8. Heinalt, bounded on the East with Limbourg, on the West with Flanders, on the North with Brabant, and on the South with Champaigne: The length of it is sixty miles, and the breadth fourty eight. It contains nine hundred and fifty Villages, and twenty four Towns, the chief whereof are, 1. Mons, a strong and rich City, 2. Valenciennes, seated on the Scheld. 3. Conde. 4. Bavays. 5. Landrecy, on the River Sambre. 6. Mariembourgh. 7. Engien. 8. Reulx. 9. Avennes. On the South part of Heinalt, is the Town, and territory of Cambray.

9. Namurce, which hath on the East Limbourg: on the VVest Heinalt: on the North Brabant, and on the South Luxenburg: In this Country are many Coals which are kindled with Water, and quenched with Oil. It contains one hundred and eighty villages, and four Towns. 1. Namurce, seated where Sicambris falls into Meuse. 2. Charlemont. 3. Valencourt. 4. Bovines. Its a fruitful Country, enriched with Mines of Jasper, and all sorts of Marble, and abounding with Iron. The Inhabitants are good souldiers.

10. Zutphen, is a Town in Gelderland, an ancient Earldom, seated on the River Ysell, a strong place, in the siege whereof that mirror of Chivalry, Sir Philip Sidney lost his life.

11. Holland is a woody Country, having on the East Utrecht: on the West and North, the Sea: and on the South the Meuse. Its in circuit one hundred and eighty miles, no part whereof is distant from the Sea three hours journey. It containes four hundred villages, and three and twenty Towns: whereof the chief are, 1. Dort, where the National Synod was held against the Arminians, Anno Christi 1618. 2. Harlem, where Printing was invented. 3. Leiden, a famous University. Which City consists of forty one Islands, passed partly by Boats, and partly by Bridges, whereof there are one hundred forty and five, and of them one hundred and four built with stone. 4. Delft. 5. Alkmer. 6. Rotterodam. 7. Horn. 8. Enchusen. 9. Amsterdam, a very fair Haven Town: the men are good Sea-men, the women very industrious: there is scarce a boy of four years old, but can earn his own meat. It yeilds Butter, Cheese, &c. The chief Village is the Hage, having in it two thousand housholds.

12 Zealand, consisteth of seven Islands, and in them three hundred Towns. The first Island is Walcheren, and in it the chief towns are, 1. Midlebourg, 2. Flushing, an excellent Haven, and of great strength. Nigh unto it is the Fort Ramekins, and the Brill. 3. Vere. The next Island is South Beverland, whose chief Town is Tergowse. The third is Schoven, its chief Town Sixixee. 4. Tolen, whose chief Town is Tertolen, &c. In all this Countrey are eight Cities, and one hundred and two Villages, the soil is fruitful, but they have neither wood, nor fresh water.

13. West-Freizland, which hath on the East Groyning, on the South Overyssel, on the other sides, the Sea. It contains three hundred forty and five Villages, and eleven Towns: the chief are, 1. Lewarden. 2. Harlingem, a sea Town. 3. Zwichen. 4. Doceum. 5. Franeker, an University.

14. Utrecht, is bounded on the East with Gelderland, on the other three sides with Holland: It contains seventy Villages, and five Towns, as, 1. Rhenen. 2. Wick de Duerstede. 3. Amesford. 4. Monfoort. 5. Utrecht just in the middest.

15. Overyssel, is bounded on the North with Freizland, and Groning, on the South with Gelderland, on the East with Westphalia, on the West with the sea. It contains one hundred and one Villages, and eleven Towns, the chief whereof are, 1. Swall. 2. Campene. 3. Deventer, basely betrayed to the Spaniards by Sir William Stanley. 4. Steinwick. 5. Hasselt. 6. Oldezel. 7. Handerberg. 8. Delden.

16. Machlin, which is a Town in Brabant, which Anno Christi 1546. was much defaced by fireing of eight hundred barrels of Gunpowder. Besides the Town, it contains nine Villages. Its a fair and strong Town, being daintily seated amidst the waters of the River Dele, so that it may bee drowned on all sides.

17. Groyning, which is a Town of VVest-Friezland, containing under her command one hundred forty and five Villages, the chief being Old haven, and Keikerk. Its bounded on the East with East-friezland, on the West with VVest-Friezland, on the South with Overyssel, and on the North with the Sea.

These Countries are now divided between the States under an Aristocratical government, and the King of Spain: The States have the Dutchy of Guelders: The Earldomes of Holland, and Zealand, and Zutphen. The Lordships of Friezland, Utretcht, Overyssel, and Groning, seven in all; the rest are Spanish.

Germany described.

The compass of this spacious Country is two thousand and six hundred English miles: The Inhabitants are little addicted to Venus, but very much to Bacchus; they are of strong constitutions, and much inclining to fatnesse. The titles of the Fathers descend to all their Children, every son of a Duke, being a Duke, and every Daughter a Dutchess. The soil for the most part is healthful, and profitable, yeelding several Minerals, Corn, and Wine, together with Linnen, Quicksilver, Allom, &c. The chief Rivers are, 1. Danubius, which rising out of Nigra sylva, receiveth threescore navigable Rivers into it, and having run a course of one thousand and five hundred miles, emptieth it self at seven mouths into the Euxine Sea. 2. Rhene, which arising in Helvetia, and running through Germany, and Belgia, after a course of eight hundred miles, falleth into the German Ocean. 3. Albis, rising on the skirts of Bohemia, passing by Magdenbourg, Brunswick, and Denmark, after four hundred miles course, falls into the same Sea. 4. Oder, arising in Silesia, runs through Brandenbourg, and Pomerania about three hundred miles, and so falls into the Baltick Sea. 5. Maenus or the Main. 6. Weser.

The Empire of Germany is not hereditary, but elective: and when the Emperor is dead, the Arch-Bishop of Mentz, writes to the rest of the Electors to meet at Frankfurt within three months, either in person, or to send their Ambassadors: In the vacancy, the Elector Palatine is the Vicar; and hee who is elected King of the Romans is declared heir. The three Ecclesiastical Electors, are the Arch-Bishops of Mentz, Trevers, and Colein: the others are the King of Bohemia, the Elector Palatine ▪ the Duke of Saxony, and the Marquiss of Brandenburg: to whom was lately added the Duke of Bavaria. Being assembled at Frankfurt, they make oath to chuse a fit person: they are obliged to finish the choice within thirty dayes, and may not go out of the Town till it bee accomplished. If the voices happen to bee equal, hee who hath the King of Bohemia's vote, is proclaimed Emperour.

The three states of the Empire are, 1. That of the aforesaid Electors, wherein the Ecclesiasticks have the precedency. The second state consists of four Arch-Bishops, as Magdeburg, Salsburgh, Bremen, and Bezanson: after whom follows the great Master of the Teutonick Order; and then one and thirty Bishops; ten Abbots with the title of Princes; and some Abbesses; and lastly the Counts, and Barons, whereof there are many. The third State is made up of the Imperial Towns, which are in number threescore and five: the four principall are, Lubeck, Metz, Auspurgh, and Aixe, or Aquisgra • e.

Another Union there is for the preservation of Trade, and commerce, the chief Cities whereof are, Lubeck, Colein, Brunswick, and Dansick. These are called Hanse-Towns.

The Empire is distributed into ten circles; Franconia, Bavaria, Austria, Swevia: That of the upper Rheyn; that of the four Electors towards the Rheyn, Westphalia, Saxony, Low Saxony, and Burgundy.

Come wee now in particular to the chief Provinces of Germany, which are fifteen. As,

1. East-Friezland having on the West the River Ems, on the East the Weser, on the South Westphalia, and on the North the Sea: The chief Towns are, 1. Emden. 2. Ammer Dun. 3. Oldenbourg.

2. Westphalia, which is bounded on the East with Brunswick, on the West with Belgia, on the South with Hassia, and on the North with the Sea. The soil is fruitful, the trees yeeld abundance of sweet Acorns which feed our Westphalia Bacon: The Northern part is called Bremen, from the chief City of that name: the next parts belong to the Duke of Saxony, the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Clappenbourg. 2. Exenberg. 3. Alsdorpe, &c. The other part belongs to the Bishopricks of Collen, Munster, and Triers. In that of Collen are, 1. Collen, the Bishops seat. 2. Anderna • h. 3. Lentz seated on the Rhene. 4. Bonna. 5. Mondenand.

The chief towns under the Bishop of Munster are, 1. Warendorp. 2. Herverden. 3. Munster, seated on the River Ems. Here the frantick Anabaptists seated themselves, Anno Christi 1522. till they were deservedly punished and destroyed

The chief Towns in the Bishoprick of Triers are, 1. Bopport on the Mosel. 2. Engers. 3. Coblents. 4. Triers on the Mosel also.

3. Cleveland, which Dutchy contains Cleve, Gulick, and Berge. It joyns to Gelderland, and the chief Cities are, 1. Cleve. 2. Calkar. 3. Wesel. 4. Emerick.

In Gulick the chief Cities are, 1. Aquisgraue, or Aken. 2. Gulick. 3. Dulken. 4. Newis.

The chief Towns in Berge are, 1. Dusseldorp. 2. Hattingen. 3. Arusberg.

4. Alsatia, which hath on the West Lorrain, on the South Helvetia, on the East the Rhene, and on the North, the Palatinate. The chief Towns are, 1. Strasbourg, where is a Tower five hundred seventy and eight paces high: It stands on the Rhene. 2. Psaltburg. 3. VVeisenberg. On the South end of Alsatia stand Colmer, Hagenaw, and Selestade, three fair Cities belonging to the Empire.

5. Franconia which is bounded on the East with Bohemia: on the West with Elsas: on the North with Hassia, and on the South with Swevia, Bavaria, and Helvetia. Its divided betwixt the Palatine of Rhene, the Duke of VVittenberg, the Marquess of Anspach▪ and Baden, the Bishops of Mentz, Bamberg, VVestberg, and the Emperour, of which in order.

The Palatinate of Rhene is in length from North to South, threescore and twelve miles; in breadth from East to West, fourscore and sixteen. In which compass are some Towns of the Empire, and some Lordships belonging to the Bishops of VVormes, and Spires, both seated on the Rhene. The Palatinate hath store of fruits, mettals, and Rhenish Wines: Hath many gallant Towns, as 1. Mospotch. 2. Heidelberg, an University. On the banks of Rhene stand 1. Bacharach, whence come the best Rhenish Wines called Bachrach. 2. Coub. 3. Oppenheim. 4. Cruitznack. 5. Frankendale. 6. Germensheim. 7. Mainhem, &c. There are in this Country fourteen other walled Towns.

VVittenberg, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Turbing, an University. 2. Stutguard, the Dukes seat. 3. Marback. 4. Caustat, &c.

Anspach, the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Anspach. 2. Ha • lbrun. 3. Plenifelt.

Baden, a fruitful Country lying between the Rivers Rhene, and Neccar: The chief Towns are, 1. Durlach. 2. Pfortshaime. 3. Baden, a neat Town seated on the Rhene, having hot Baths in it.

Mentz, seated where the Main emptieth it self into the Rhene, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Lanstein. 2. Bing, seated on the Rhene.

Bamberg, which is a fair City seated on the Main, the other chief Towns are Schestlites, and Forchiam.

VVirtzberg, a Bishops seat, formerly called Herbipolis, the other Towns belonging to it are Schwinfurt on the Main, and Arnsteme.

The Emperors part contains the free, and imperial Cities seated in the Palatinate, and VVittenberg, the chief whereof are, 1. Norenberg, situated in the very center of Germany. 2. Frankfurt on the Main, where the two great book Marts are held in Midlent, and Mid-September.

6. Helvetia, or Switzerland, which is bounded on the East with Tyrol, on the West with France, on the North with Lorraine, and Elsas, and on the South with Italy. It contains thirteen Cantons▪ as 1. Zurick. 2. Bern. 3. Lucern. 4. Urania. 5. Glaris. 6. Zugh. 7. Basil. 8. Friburg. 9. Underwalt. 10. Soloure. 11. Schaffhausen. 12. Apensol. 13. Swits. The chief Towns are, 1. Zurick, or Tygure. 2. St. Gall. 3. Basil. where is a famous University. 4. Constance seated on the Lake Bodenzee; it belongs to the house of Austria. 5. Bern. 6. Baden; where are good Bathes. 7. Lucerne, situate on the banks of a great Lake, bearing the same name. The Country is in length two hundred and forty, and in breadth one hundred and fourscore miles: In it are the heads of • those four famous Rivers, Poe, Danow, Rhene, and Rhone, that run East, West, North, and South. These people were sometimes under the Emperor; but being over-burthened by the Tyranny of their Governours, they shaked off the yoak, and entring into an offensive, and defensive league, cantoned themselves under a new Government.

These Helvetians are shut up within Mountains, and great Lakes, which make their Country unaccessible. The tyranny of some Governours, as aforesaid, caused them to shake off the yoak, not only of the house of Austria, but of their own Nobility also. Their first league was begun by three Country Peasants, which in a short time was much augmented, by the aversion of the people from the abovesaid Government. Let no man trust to his own power, and maintain it by rigour, for enemies often come from whence they are least expected. So soon as this league was made, they seized upon the Castles of their Governours, and drove them out of their Country Anno Christi 1307. But Arch-Duke Leopold being puffed up by some conquests hee had made, and being provoked by the solicitations of the expulsed Nobility, led his forces against the Villages, but was defeated in the Mountains, near Morgarten. This victory of the Switzers produced the perpetual alliance of the three Villages, to which the rest shortly after adjoyned themselves; yea, and many imperial Towns near them have so leagued themselves with them, that now they have no enemie that they need fear, except from among themselves: Since which time their alliance hath been sought by Popes, Kings, and Princes of Europe, and especially by France, which by keeping in with them, through a yearly pension, hath drawn no small advantages from them.

Their Republick is composed of three orders: The Villages to the number of thirteen. The Associates, or Confederates: And the Towns which depend upon their direction. They have also divers forms of Government: for that of the Villages is Democratical; and that of the Towns, Aristocratical: which mixt Common-wealth is only kept in unity by the care which shee hath of her own preservation. Their Assemblies are made by a general Convocation to treat of war, peace, &c. at which the Ambassadors from every Town are to meet. Their Religion in some of the Cantons is only Romane, in others reformed, and in some mixed. In this Marshal age of ours, bloody Mars hath as well skipped over their Mountains, as through the Seas, Des ••• s, and vast Forrests.

7. Suevia, which is divided into the upper, and lower. The upper is bounded on the East with Tyrol, on the West with Helvetia, on the North with lower Suevia, and on the South with Millaine: It was formerly called Rhetia, now they are called Grisons; divided into three confederations. 1. Lega Cadi Dio; whose chief City is Coyra. 2. Lega Grisa. 3. Lega Dritture, they are Papists, and Protestants mixt together.

Lower Suevia, or Schwaben hath on the East Bavaria; on the West Danubius: on the North Franconia, and on the South Tirol, and the Grisons. The chief Towns are, 1. Ulme. 2. Lindwe, on the Lake Bodenzee. 3. Auspurg on the River Leith. 4. Norlingen. 5. VVherlingen. 6. Ravensperg. 7. Dinkle spuhel. 8. Gmund.

8. Bavaria, which hath on the East Austria, and Stiria, on the West the Leike, on the North Bohemia, and part of Franconia, and on the South Tirol, and Carinthia: The chief Cities are, 1. Munchen, the Dukes seat, on the River Aser. 2. Ingolstat, on the Danow, an University. 3. Ratisbone, on the Danow also. 4. Passaw. 5. Sulesbourg, on the River Saltzach. 6. Frising. 7. Eystet, &c. being in all thirty four, and forty six walled Towns besides: the soil is fruitful.

The Northern part of Bavaria is called the Upper Palatinate, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Amberg, where are Silver Mines. 2. Newburg. 3. Awerbach. 4. Sultzbach. 5. Weiden. 7. Castel.

9. Austria, is an Arch-Dukedome that contains the Province of Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Tirol, and Carniola: Its divided from Hungary on the East, by the Leita: From Bavaria on the West, by the Ems: From Moravia on the North, by the Tems: and from Stiria on the South, by the Muer: It was once called Pannonia superior: the chief Cities in Austria are, 1. Vienna, an University, seated on the Danow, the beautifullest City in all Germany, adorned with magnificent Churches, stately Monasteries, and a sumptuous Pallace for the Archduke 2. Emps. 3. St. Leopald. 4. Neustat. 5. Hainburg. 6. Crems.

Styria is in length one hundred and ten miles, and about sixty in breadth. It hath the River Rab on the East, Carinthia on the West, the Dravus on the South, and the Meur, and Austria on the North: the chief Cities are, 1. Marchpurg. 2. Gratz.

Carinthia is seventy five miles in length, and fifty five in breadth. It hath Stiria on the East, Tirol on the West, Bavaria on the North, and the Alps on the South. The chief towns are, 1. Villach. 2. Spittal. 3. Gurach. 4. Freisach. 5. St. Veit.

Carniola is one hundred and fifty miles long, and forty five broad. It hath on the East Sclavonia, on the West Italy, on the North Carinthia, and on the South Istria: the chief towns are, 1· Newmark, 2. Esling. 3. Marsperg. 4. Bagonock. 5. Saxenfelt, all on the River Savus, which runs through the middle of the Country.

Tirol, which is seventy two miles broad, and as many long. It hath on the East Carinthia, on the West the Grisons, on the North Schwaben, and on the South Marca Trevigeana. Its a fruitful Countrey, and full of silver Mines: the chief towns are, 1. Oenipont, or Inspurch. 2. Landeck. 3. Tirol. 4. Bolzan. 5. Trent, on the River Adesis, where the Council was held against the Protestants.

10. Bohemia, which hath annexed to it Silesia, Lusatia, and Moravia.

Bohemia is bounded on the East with Silesia, and Moravia, on the West with Franconia, on the North with Misnia, and Lusatia, and on the South with Bavaria, and is encompassed with the Hercynian Forrest. The whole Kingdome is in compasse five hundred and fifty miles, in which are contained seven hundred and eighty Cities, walled Towns, and Castles, and thirty two thousand Villages: they use the Sclavonian Language. The soil is fruitful, enriched with Mines of all sorts but Gold. Here are many Forrests, and in some of them a beast called Loris, having under its neck a bladder of scalding water, with which, when shee is hunted, shee so tormenteth the Dogs, that shee easily escapeth them. The chief Cities are. 1. Prague, in the middest of the Countrey, seated on the River Mulda: It consists of four several towns, each of them having their several Magistrates, Laws and Customes: the principal is called the Old Town, adorned with many fair buildings, a spacious Market place, and a stately Senate-house: the second is called the New-town, separated from the other by a deep and wide ditch: the third is called the Little-town, divided from the Old by the River Mulda, and joined to it by a beautiful Bridge consisting of twenty four Arches: In this Town is the hill Rachine, on whose sides are many stately houses of the Nobles, and on the top a magnificent Palace for the Kings: the fourth is that of the Jews, who have in it five Synagogues, and live after their own Laws. The second City is Egra, seated on the River Eger, on the borders towards Franconia. 3. Budwus towards Austria. 4. Melmukle, on the river Albis. 5. Weldaw. 6. Pilsen.

Silesia, is bounded with Bohemia on the West, Brandenburg on the North, Poland on the South, and Hungary, and Moravia on the East: Its in length two hundred and forty miles, and fourscore in breadth, and is equally divided by the river Oder: the chief towns are, 1. Preslaw, or Uratislavia. 2. Jagundorfe. 3. Glats. 4. Oppolen. 5. Glogaw. 6. Olderberg, all seated on the River Oder.

Lusatia, which hath on the East and North Silesia, on the West Brandenburg, and on the South Silesia: the chief Cities are, Gorlits, and Trabel on the river Nisse, Spemberg, and Gotthuse, on the River Spe, and lastly Bautsen.

Moravia, which hath on the North and East Silesia, on the West Brandenburg, and on the South Austria, and Hungary. It abounds with Corn, and hath much Myrrh, and Frankincense, which contrary to the usuall manner, grow immediately out of the Earth, not from trees: the chief towns are, 1. Brinne. 2. Olmutz, an University. 3. Terebitz. 4. Jasa. &c.

11. Brandenburg, which hath on the East Poland, on the West Saxony, on the North Pomerania, and on the South Lusatia: Its in compass five hundred and twenty miles, in which are contained fifty Cities, and sixty four walled towns: the chief are, 1. Brandenburg. 2. Frankfurt upon Oder, an University, seated in a fruitful soil abounding with Corn, and Wine. 3. Berlin, where the Prince keeps his Court, seated on the River Spre. 4. Havelburg, to this belongs part of Prussia, called Ducal, with the Dukedomes of Cleve, Juliers, and Berg, &c. So that in largenesse of territories, they exceed the Dukes of Saxony, but not in revenues.

12. Pomerania; and Meclemburg. The first is bounded on the East, wirh the River Vistula, on the VVest with Meclemburg on the North with the Baltick sea, and on the South with Brandenburg: the chief towns are, 1. Stetin, the Princes seat, and an University. 2. Wolgast. 3. VVallin. 4. Gripswald an University. 5. Newtrepton, a Sea Town.

Meclenburg, or Megalopolis stands on the West of Pomeren, the chief towns whereof are, 1. Malchaw. 2. Sternberg. 3. VVismar. 4. Rostock, an University. On the West hereof stands the fair Hans-Town of Lubeck; and about ten miles from it, Hamborough: On the further side of the River is Stoade, where the English house is to sell their wares.

13. Saxony, which hath on the East Lusatia, and Brandenburgh: On the West Hassia: On the North Brunswick; and on the South Franconia, and Bohemia. It contains the Countries of Thuringia, Misnia, Voitland, and Saxony.

The chief Cities in Thuringia are, 1. Erdford, a great City. 2. Iene, an University of Physicians. 3. Smalcald. 4. Hale. 5. VVeimar. The whole Country is in length one hundred and twenty miles, and about as much in breadth, and yet it contains two thousand Villages, and twelve Earledoms.

Misnia, environed with Bohemia, Voitland, Thuringia, and Saxony; the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Dresden, on the River Albis: the Dukes seat, and principal Magazine. 2. Lipsique, an University. 3. Rochlits. 4. Mulburg.

Voitland is a little Country South of Misnia, whose chief Towns are, 1. Olnits. 2. VVerde. 3. Cronach. 4. Culmbach. 5. Hoffe.

Saxony, lies on the North of Thuringia, and Misnia: The chief Cities are, 1. Magdeburg, formerly Parthenopolis. 2. VVorlits seated on the Albie. 3. Helderick. 4. VVittenberg, the seat of the Duke, and an University, where Luther lived: within the bounds of Saxony are the two small Principalities of Anhalt, and Mansfield.

14. Brunswick, and Luneburg, which have on the East Brandenberg: On the West Westphalia: On the North Denmark: And on the South Saxony, and Hassia. The River Ems runs through this Country: and the chief Cities are, 1. Brunswick. 2. Wolfohaiton, where the Duke keeps his Court. Halberstade. 4. Lunebourg. 5. Cella.

5. Hassia, which hath Saxony on the East, Franconia on the South, Westphalia on the West and North: The chief Towns are, 1. Dormestad. 2. Marpurg, an University. 3. Geysen. 4. Dries. 5. Frankenburg. 6. Cassels. In this Country is the VVederaw, containing the Counties of Nassaw, and Hannaw, and the free City of Friburg. In the County of Nassaw are, 1. Dillingbourg. 2. Nassaw. 3. Catzenelbagen. and 4. Herborne, an University, where Piscator, and Alstedius were Professors.

Denmark described.

Denmark contains the Cimbrick Chersoness, part of Scandia, and the Islands of the Baltick Sea: The Chersoness is in length one hundred twenty miles, and in breadth fourscore, wherein are contained eight and twenty Cities, and twenty Royal Castles, or Palaces. The cheif Provinces are,

1. Holstein, whose chief Cities are, Nyemunster, and Brumsted. 2. Ditmars, whose chief Cities are, Meldory, where they cover their houses with Copper, and Mance. 3. Sleswick, whose chief Cities are, Goterpe, and Londen a Haven Town. 4. Iuitland, whereof the chief towns are, Rincopen, Nicopen, Hol, and Arhausen.

The Islands are five and thirty, whereof the principal are, 1. Senland, or Zeland, in length threescore and four, in breadth two and fifty miles, containing seven strong Castles, and about thirteen Cities; the chief being, 1. Coppenhagen, an University. 2. Elsennour on the Sea side, where they that pass the Sound pay their customes: This Sound is in breadth three miles, and is commanded by the Castles of Elsenbourg, on Scandia side, and Cronburg in this Island. 3. Roschilt. The second Island is Fuinen. 3. Bornholme. 4. Fimera, wherein Ticho Brahe built his artificial Tower, in which are rare Mathematical Instruments.

That part of Scandia which belongs to Denmark, is divided into three Provinces. 1. Hallandia. 2. Scania, in length threescore and twelve miles, in breadth eight and forty, the pleasantest, and fruitfullest Country in all Denmark, and having Seas abounding with Herrings. 3. Blicker, where is Colmar, a strong Fortress against the Swedes.

The Province of Scania reaches up to Sweden, and Ju • land to Holstein. The Kingdome is elective, and the principal strength of it consists in good, and stately ships, not only for the defence of the Islands, but of that most important passage of the Sound, which is a streight separating Scania from Zeland, and is of huge advantage by reason of the infinite number of ships which pass through it into the Baltick Sea, and come from all the Havens of that Sea back into the Ocean. The Noble men are much inclined to the wars; zealous for their Rights and Liberties, and make no alliance by marriage with the common people: they refuse Ecclesiastical honours, as below their condition. The Gentlemen are all equal, and as it were of one family, there being neither Earl, nor Baron; only the Officers of the Crown, and Counsellers of the Kingdome have the preheminence.

Norway described.

Norway is bounded on the North with Lapland, on the East with the Do • rine Mountains; which part it from Swethl • nd: on the other parts with the Sea. Its in length one thousand and three hundred miles, in breadth not half so much. Its much troubled with certain little Beasts called Lemmers, about the bigness of a field-mouse, which, like Locusts, devoure every green thing on the earth, and at a certain time die in heaps, and with their stench poison the air; so that the people are long after troubled with the Jaundies, and a giddinesse in the head: but these beasts come not often, The soil is barren, and the common people live on dryed fish in stead of bread. The chief Commodities are stock-fish, butter, rich furrs, train Oile, pitch, masts, cables, deal-boards, &c. Towns here are few, and the houses are miserably poor: their cheif towns are, 1. Nidrosia. 2. Bergen, an ancient mart town. 3. Asloia. 4. Staffanger: On the North, and West of it, lieth Finmark, a great and populous Province, both of them are subject to Denmark. The chief towns in Finmark are, 1. Saman. 2. Hielso, both sea towns. 3. Wardhouse, a place of much trading.

Swethland Described.

Swethland hath on the East Muscovy, on the West the Dofrine hills, on the North the frozen Seas, and on the South the Baltick Sea, which doth not ebb, and flow: This Sea begins at the Sound, and interlaceth Denmark, Swethland, Germany, and Poland, extending to Livonia, and Lituania. This Countrey with the Provinces of Lapland, Scricfinia, and Barmia: is bigger than France, and Italy joyned together. The soil is fruitful, the aire healthfull, so that many of the Inhabitants live to one hundred and thirty, and some to one hundred and forty years old. It yeilds Mines of Lead, Copper, and Silver, Buck-skines, Goat-skines, Oxen, Tallow, Tar, costly Furrs, &c. The chief Provinces are,

1. Lapland, which is divided into two parts, whereof the Eastern part belongs to the great Duke of Mosco, the western containing Lapland, properly so called, and Scricfinia, belong to Swethland: they have store of rich Furrs, but use not many, and are good Archers.

2. Bodia, lying on the South of Scricfinia: the chief towns whereof are, 1. Virtis. 2. Vista. 3. Helsinga.

3. Finland, which hath the Baltick sea on the South. Its a very fruitfull and populous Countrey, containing one thousand four hundred thirty and three Parishes, wherein are a thousand Families, in some of them: the chief towns are 1. Albo. 2. Name, a strong place, &c.

4. Sweden, which hath on the East Sinus Bodicus, on the West the Dofrine Hills, on the North Lapland, and on the South Gothland: For the most part it is a fruitful Countrey: the chief Cities are, 1. Upsale. 2. Nicopia, a sea town. 3. Coperdole, famous for its abundance of Brasse.

5. Gothland, which is the best and richest Province of the North: Its divided into the Island, and the Continent. The Island of Gothland is seated in the Baltick sea, being in length eighteen miles, and but five broad: the chief Town is Wisbich. The continent of Gothland joyns to Denmark, and hath in it the great Lake Weret, which receiving into it twenty and four Rivers, empties it self at one mouth, with such an hideous noise, that it is commonly called the Devills head, The chief Cities are, 1. Stockholm. 2. Lodusia. 3. Walburg. 4. Colmar, famous for its impregnable Castle.

Sweden is the biggest of all the Northern Kingdomes, the Regall City whereof is Stockholm, a town with the suburbs of great distent: there are in it many huge Mountains, Rocks, and Forrests, where are sometimes seen and hard, strange illusions and phancies, as likewise in the water, which are very terrible, both to men and horses that pass that way. The Swedes are good souldiers both by sea and Land, of a strong complexion, and fit to indure hardship, and labour: the Nobility is very milde, and frank, loves learning, and Languages, especially the Latine, and French: they travel much abroad: are dextrous at exercises, and seek learned company: they heartily love one another out of their own Country, hide the vices of their compatriots, and stand much for the honour of their Nation.

Muscovy Described.

Muscovy hath on the East Tartary, on the West Livonia, Lituania, and part of Sweden, on the North the frozen Ocean, and on the South the Caspian sea, and lake of Meotis. It is in length from East to West, three thousand and three hundred miles, in breadth three thousand sixty and five. The women love their husbands best, that beat them most: they use the Sclavonian Language, and in their Religion follow the Greek Churches: the Northren parts are so cold, that the people do not only line their cloaths, but their houses with Furrs: the chief Commodities are rich Furs, Flax, Hemp, Oil, Honey, Wax, Canvasses, Nuts, &c. It hath many great rivers, as 1. Tanais, which emptieth it self into Palus Meotis. 2. Duina, running into the Scythian seas. 3. Boristhenes, or Neiper, running into the Euxine sea. 4. Onega, running into the Baltick sea. 5. Volga, which at seventy mouths empties it self into the Caspian sea. The chief Provinces are,

1. Novograd, having a City of the same name on the Baltick sea, a place of great trading.

2. Plescovia, whose chief town is Plescow: it is in length three hundred and thirty miles, and one hundred and thirty in breadth.

3. Volodomire, a fruitful Country, where usually one bushel of Corn returns twenty, and sometimes five and twenty: the chief town is of the same name.

4. Rhezan, very plentiful in Corn, Hony, Fish, Fowl, &c.

5. Severia, a great Province upon the lake of Maeotis.

6. Smolensco, whose chief City is of the same name.

7. Rescovy. 8. Rostowia. 9. Corelia.

10. Permia, where are abundance of stags.

11. Condora. 12. Petzora.

13. The Kingdome of Casan, and Citraham.

14. Muscovia, whose chief City is Mosco.

The City of Mosco Described.

Mosco, the Regal City in Russia is almost round, and bigger it is than London, environed with three strong walls, circling the one within the other, and having many streets lying betwixt them. The inmost wall, and the buildings within it being fenced, and watered with the River Moschua, that runneth close by it, is all accounted the Emperors Castle. The number of houses (as they were formerly reckoned) amounted to forty one thousand, and five hundred. The streets of this City, instead of paving are planked with great Firr trees, planed, and laid even together, and very close the one to the other.

The houses are of Timber without Lime, and stone, built very close and warm, of Fir trees, which are fastened together with notches at each corner: and betwixt the Timber they thrust in Moss, to keep out the air, which makes them very warm: The greatest danger is their aptnesse to take fire, which being once kindled is hardly quenched, and hereby much hurt hath been done, and the City miserably defaced sundry times.

The whole Countrey of Russia, in the Winter lyeth under snow a yard, or two thick, but greater in the Northern parts, from the beginning of November to the end of March: in which time the Air is oft so sharp, that water thrown upward congeales into Ice before it comes to the ground: If you hold a pewter dish in your hand, it will freeze so fast to it, as that it will pull off the skin at parting: divers in the Markets are killed with the extremity of cold: Travellers are brought into towns sitting dead, and stiff in their sleds: some loose their Noses, some their Ears, Fingers, Toes, &c. which are frozen off: and yet in the Summer you shall see a new face on the Countrey: the woods, which mostly are Firr, and Birch, so fresh and sweet, the Pastures, and Medows so green, and well grown: such variety of Flowers: such melody of the Birds, especially of Nightingales, that you cannot travel in a more pleasant Country: The Summer is hotter than with us in England.

For Fruits, they have Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries red, and black: Deens like Muskmelons, but more sweet and pleasant, Cucumbers, Gourds, Straberries, Hurtleberries, &c. Wheat, Rie, Barley, Oats, Pease, &c. Their cheif Commodities are Furrs of all sorts, as black Foxes, Sables, Lufernes, dun Foxes, Martrons, Gurnstales, or Armines, Minever, Beaver, Walverines, a great water Rat, whose skin smels like Musk: Squirrels grey and red: foxes white, and red: as also Wax, Honey, Tallow, Hides of Beeves, and Buffs: Train Oile, Caviare, Hemp, Flax, Salt, Tar, Salt-Peter, Brimstone, Iron: Muscovy slate, Fallow Deer, Roe-bucks, and Goats great store: For Fowl, they have Eagles, Hawks of all kinds, swans tame and wild, Storks; Cranes, Fesants, white Partridges, &c. For fresh water fish, they have Carp, Pike, Pearch, Tench, Roach: as also Bellouga of four or five ells long, Sturgion, Severiga, Sterledy, which four sorts breed in Volga, and of all their Roes they make Caviare, &c.

The streets in their Cities and Towns instead of paving, are planked with Firr trees planed, and laid even together. Their chief Cities are, Mosco, Novograd, Rostove, Volodomire, Plesco, Smolensco, Jaruslave, Perislave, Nisnovograd, Vologda, Ustiuck, Colmigroe, Casan, Astracan, Cargapolia, and Columna.

Its governed by an Emperour, or great Duke▪ with most absolute authority (after the manner of the Eastern Countries) though it lye very near the North. The Muscovites follow the Greek Religion, under a Patriarch, though yet it bee mingled with very many superstitions, which are not like to bee amended, because the Great Duke suffers none of his subjects to travel, and see other Countries. They are much tormented by the Turks, and Tartars. They have waged great wars with the Poles, and Swedes, but with many losses.

A Description of the state and magnificence of the Emperour of Russia.

Sir Thomas Smith being sent Ambassador from King James to Boris, Emperour of Russia, Anno Christi 1604. one of his company thus relates their entertainment. When (saith hee) wee entr • d the presence, wee beheld the excellent Majesty of a mighty Emperour, seated in a chair of gold, richly embroidered with Persian stuffe: In his right hand hee held a golden Scepter, had a Crown of pure gold upon his head, a coller of rich stones, and Pearles about his neck, his outward garments of Crimson Velvet, embroidered very fair with Pearles, precious Stones, and Gold: On his right • hand stood a very fair Globe of beaten Gold, or a Pyramis with a Cross on it: Nigh that stood a fair Bason and Ewre, which the Emperour used daily. Close by him on another Throne sate the Prince, in an outward Garment like his Fathers, but not so rich, with an high black Fox cap on his head, worth there five hundred pound, having a golden staffe in his hand. On the Emperours right hand stood two gallant Noble men in cloath of silver, high black Fox Caps, with great long gold chains hanging to their feet, with Poleaxes of gold on their shoulders; and on the left hand of the Prince stood two other such, but their Poleaxes were of silver: round about on benches sate the Council, and Nobility in golden and Persian Coats, and high black Fox Caps to the number of two hundred, the ground being covered with cloath of Arras. After dinner (saith hee again) wee were led to have audience through many Chambers to a very fair and rich room, where was infinite store of massie plate of all sorts, where wee again viewed the Emperour, and Prince seated under two Chairs of state, each having a scul of Pearl upon their heads. In the midst of the room stood a great Pillar, round about which for a great height stood wonderful great peeces of Plate very curiously wrought, with Beasts, Fishes, and Fowles, besides other ordinary peeces of serviceable Plate. The Emperour at dinner was served in rare dishes of silver, but most of Massie gold, &c. Sic transit gloria mundi. Pur. Pil. v. 3. p. 748.

The Permians, and Samoeds described.

The Permians lie North from Russia, and are now subject to the Emperor thereof: they have broad, and flat faces like the Tartars, from whom probably they had their original: they live by hunting, and trading with their Furrs.

The Samoeds live more towards the North Sea; they are very brutish, eating all manner of raw flesh, even to the very carrion that lyeth in the ditch: they are also subject to the Russees: they acknowledge one God, but represent him by such creatures as they have most good by, and therefore they worship the Sun, the Ollen, the Losh, &c. They are clad in Seals-skins with the hairy side outward, that reaches as low as the knees; with their breeches and stockings of the same, both men, and women; they are all black-haired, and beardlesse: the women are known from the men by a lock of hair hanging down by their ears: they are ever roving about from one place of the Country to another, without property either of house, or land: Their leader in every company is a Priest.

Lapland described.

On the North of Russia next to Corelia, lyeth Lappia, about three hundred forty and five miles in length, in breadth fourscore and ten. The whole Country almost is either Lakes or Mountains: those on the outside are barren craggie Rocks: but in the inland they are well furnished with woods, the Lakes being in the Vallies: their diet is very mean; bread they have none, but feed only upon Fish, and Fowle: they are subjects, part to Russia, part to Sweden, and the other part to Denmark, which all exact tribute of them: but the Emperor of Russia the most. They are wholly unlearned, not having so much as the use of the Alphabet amongst them: They pass all Nations in witch-craft, and sorcery: Their weapons are long-Bows, and hand-guns wherein they are very nimble, and excellent marks-men through their continual practise in shooting at wilde fowle: For our English cloath they give Fish, Oil, and Furs, whereof they have store: when their fishing is done, they draw their boats to shore, turning the keel upwards, and so let them lye till the next spring-tyde: They travel upon sleds drawn by Olen-Deer, which they use to turn a grazing all the Summer time in an Island called Kilden, and towards Winter, when the Snow begins to fall, they fetch them home for their use.

Anno Christi 1611. VVilliam Purseglove, a servant to our English Muscovy company, makes this relation of his travels in these Countries: wee travelled (saith hee) in sleds, each of them drawn by two Rain Deer, the Snow was so hard frozen, that it did bear sleds and Deer. Two hundred and fifty Sleds were in this Argeshey, or company, with whom wee travelled some dayes: then chusing the best Bucks; I, with seven Sleds more, rid Post, only staying now, and then for an hour, where the Samoed, our guide, knew that there was store of white Moss, wherewith to refresh our Deer, so that in eight and forty hours space wee rode three hundred and fifty miles.

These Samoeds, by their frequent travel, know the wayes, though the weather bee thick, and foggy, as also where store of white Moss grows: at which places, if it bee night they pitch their Tents made of Deer, or Elks-skins, which work is done by the women; and in the mean time the men unyoak the Deer, and turn them loose to dig through the Snow, though it bee very deep, to seek for their food and sustenance. Pur. Pil. v. 3. p. 548.

When a rich Samoed dies, because hee should not travel on foot, his friends will kill three Deer to carry him into the new World, they will also strangle a slave to attend on him. If a young child dye under seven years old, they use to hang it by the neck on some tree, saying, it must flye to Heaven.

The women are very hardy, and at their labour the Husband plaies the Midwife; as soon as the child is born, they wash it with cold, or Snow-water, and the next day the woman will bee able to conduct her Argish of Sleds. The men are stout, and bold of spirit, not very tall, but broad breasted, broad faced, with hollow eyes: their weapons are Bows, and Arrows, long Spears, and short Swords.