CHAP. I. Of Poland.

Poland is an Elective Monarchy, comprehending the Antient Sarmatia Europaea, and the Eastern part of Germany, to­wards the Vistula. It is called by the Natives Polska, and has taken its Name from the Word Pole, or Pola; which, in the Selavonian Language, signifie, an Hunting Country; all this State consisting of vast Plains, Fields and Woods, proper for Hunting. It is much greater, and more considerable than it was, since Li­thuania, and several other Provinces, have been added: For before it only contain'd what we now call the Great, and the Lesser Poland: But with these Additions, 'tis one of the greatest King­doms in Europe. Moscovy and Tartary lie to the East; Hungary, Transilvania and Moldavia to the South; Germany to the West; and the Baltick Sea, Livonia, and a part of White Russia, or Mosco­vy, to the North. This State may be divided into the Kingdom of Poland, and the Great Dutchy of Lithuania. The Kingdom of Poland is subdivided into Great, and Lesser Poland: The Lesser Poland lies [Page 2]betwixt Hungary, Silesia and Russia: In it is Cracow, the Capital City of all the Kingdom, and Sandomirz. Great Poland is be­twixt Germany, Pomerania, Silisia and the Lesser Poland; and has the Cities of Posnan, Kalisch, Gnesna, Lencici, Lublin and Sirad: It contains also the Provinces of Mazovia, where is Warsaw and Pl [...]sko; Cujavia, where is Ulad [...]sl [...]v; Royal Prussia, which has Dantzick, Elbing, Thorn, &c. and Black Russia, with the Cities of Leopold, and Prezmisle, in Latin Premistia. Lithuania has in it the Cities of Vilua, Novigrade, Poloczk, Minx, Wisepezk, Micislaw, Bre­slaw, &c. and is divided into Volbinia, with the Cities of Lucho, Klow, &c. Podolia, with the Cities of Caminiec, Braclaw, &c. Po­lesia, where is Bressici; and Samogitia, the Capital of which is Med­niki. Poland is otherwise divided into Thirty four Palatinates, or Governments: Every Palatine has his Chastellans under him, and they are Captains and Governors of Cities, and are about Eighty seven in all. There may be an Ecclesiastical Division of Poland, according to their two Archbishopricks of Gnesna and Leopold. They had formerly Riga too, but that City is now in possession of the Suedes. The Archbishop of Gnesna is the First Senator; he ascends the Throne upon the King's Death, and governs till an­other is chose. There are Fifteen Bishooricks in Poland, many Abbies, and the Universities ot Cracow, Royaumont, Coningsherg, Zamoiski, &c.

CHAP. II. Of the Country of Poland.

THE Air of Poland is very pure; and the Land so good, that it is almost impossible to conceive the Quantity of Corn they send to other Countries. There are vast Plains, as far as you can see, intermix'd with Rivers, and many Woods; which are to the Advantage, as well as Beauty, of the Country. This chiefly con­cerns Great Poland: The Lesser is as fruitful, though not so com­pact: In it are Mines of Silver and Iron, and Vines, and excellent Fruits. With these Advantages, they likewise enjoy, a temperate [Page 3]Air. But it is not so in Lithuania: The Commodities in which they trade, are, Honey, Wax, Venison, Fish, Timber, Hemp, Corn, the Skins of Martins, Castors, Bears, Elkes, and other Wild Beasts; as also Copper, Lead, Iron, and chiefly Steel.

The Nobility only are considerable in Poland: The Third Estate are, in a manner, Slaves. The Gentlemen of Poland are large, and strong; dexterously wield the Scimitar; Learned in Foreign Lan­guages; very liberal, brave Men; and hearty Roman Catholicks. But it must farther be own'd, that they are fierce, and proud; that they sacrifice every thing to their own Opinions; and own no Sovereign, but Liberty. From hence have come those Advantages the Tartars and Moscovites have had formerly against them; and the Reasons why the King of Sueden, with about Forty Thousand Men, reduced their Country to the last Extremity, when their Ar­mies consisted of Two Hundred Thousand Fighting Men: Which could proceed from no other Cause, than a Mis-understang among themselves, and the little Power they give their Prince: Insomuch, that before the Senate can be assembled, and the Nobility have re­solved to go to War, the Enemy has Time to do what he will in the Field; and there are no strong Places to hinder his going to the Gates of Warsaw. However, the Polanders are good Soldiers, especially the Horse, who are armed with a Carabine, a Case of Pistols, an Axe on one side, and Scymitar on the other, a Quiver full of Arrows and a Bow at their Backs, which they use after the the Discharge of their Firo-A [...]ns, when the Enemy flyes. The Polanders love Travelling; they are faithful, obliging, and civil to Strangers: They are rich in their Habits, and splendid in their Entertainments, which they make freely for their Friends.

Their Marriages, especially in the Countries of Prussia, Samogi­ttia and Lithuania, are as follows; The Young Women do not marry before the Age of Twenty lour Years; or, at least, not be­fore they have wrought with their own Hands Cloth and Gar­ments to present every one that attends their Bridegroom to Church. When the Father seeks a Wise for his Son, he consi­ders neither Beauty, nor Fortune; but only her Manners, whe­ther she be of an agreeable Age, if she has a Body likely to con­ceive and bear Children. Having found such an one, she is taken away by some of the Bridegroom's Kindred; after which, they apply for the Father's Consent, to compleat the Marriage. These People retain still many Relicks of Pagan Superstitions; for, in the [Page 4]Functions or Ceremonies of Matrimony, they make the Bride go three times round the Fire, then sit down, wash her Feet, and with that Water sprinkle the Bed and all the Moveables that be­long to the New-married Couple. They anoint the Bride's Mouth with Honey, cover her Eyes with a Veil, and so lead her Blindfold to all the Doors of the House, which she must strike with her Right Foot. They throw Wheat, Rye, Oats, Barley, Rice and Beans at the Doors, saying, ‘That the Bride shall never want any of those Grains if she continues devout in her Religion, and takes Care of the Affairs of the Family.’ That done, they take the Veil from before her Eyes, and have a Banquet; But at Night, when it is time to go to Bed, they dance, and cut off her Hair; then some of the Women wrap her Head in a white Linen Cloth, which she may wear till she have a Son born, for till then she is called a Girl. Lastly, She is taken to her Chamber; where, after being jocularly pinched and beaten, they deliver her to her Bride­groom, who they give to eat Goat or Bears Stones together, in­stead of Sweet-meats and other Delicacies; which, they are of Opinion, help Procreation; and therefore, in their Marriage-Feasts, they have no Flesh of any Creature that was gelt.

They use in their Diet, a good quantity of Saffron and Spices; and spare not for Sugar in many Dishes peculiar to them.

The Polanders are very devout, and fast Wednesdays, Fridays and Sa­turdays; but they scruple not being drunk, and to fight at these times. The Country-People are poor and miserable, and are Masters of nothing they have, but are subject to their Lords, who treat them as Tyrannically as Gally-Slaves. A Gentleman there has Power of Life and Death over those of his Family, and Tenants: And if a Neighbour kills one, and pays the Value set upon him, all is well again: And when they speak of a Gentleman's Riches, they reckon them by his Number of Tenants. The Houses of these miserable Slaves, who work hard, and live upon little, are only of Mud and some Trees to hold up the Roof. The Children sleep and eat with the Swine; and the Master of the House has no other place to eat in, and oftentimes for his Lodging, than the Manger and Rack where his Cattel are kept. 'Tis true, there is sometimes a little Apartment next the Roof, where thep have a Stove, and the best of the Family lie upon Skins. They drink Beer, or Mead, but no Water, because 'tis almost all stinking in Poland, where it corrupts in the Plains. Their Women are little, not handsom, very simple, [Page 5]but civil: The Polanders love them, but treat them like Servants; and when they return home from the Army, they give them their Right Hands to kiss. They are something jealous, and therefore have no Conversation, but with their next Relations, unless when they are at Balls and Feasts. They go very seldom abroad.

There are no Inns in Poland, upon the Road; and therefore, Gentlemen that travel, either lodge with their Friends, or carry their own Provisions along with them, or else lie upon the Coun­try-People, who are obliged to receive them, and that as a Tax up­on them. If any of the Nobility are taken in War, the King is obliged to ransom him. Their Language is Sclavonian; besides that, they all speak Latin, and most of them understand Foreign Languages.

CHAP. III. Of the Kings of Poland.

IT is commonly thought the Huns were the first People that came into Poland; and the Sclavonians, who drove thence the Suedes and Goths, and some others that inhabited from the Vistula, to the Elbe. Lechus made himself Master of it about the Year 550, and began the Monarchy of Poland. This Prince resided at Gnesna, a City which he built, and so named from an Eagle's Nest that was found on the top of a Tree where it was building; the Word, in the Polish Language, signifying a Nest: Whence came the Arms of the Kingdom to be a Spread-Eagle.

The first Governors of this Country did not assume to themselves the Title of Kings, but only that of Dukes; and the first Form of Government was very inconstant; for, after the Race of Lechus, (though it be uncertain how many there were, and how long they govern'd, and what were their Atchievments,) Twelve Governors (in their Language called Vayvods) administer'd the Government; who having refin'd this barbarous People by good Laws and Con­stitutions, at last were divided among themselves. Whereupon, the Poles elected one Cracus; who having restor'd the Common-wealth [Page 6]to its former State, built the City of Cracovia, (now Cra­cow,) calling it after his own Name, and making it his Place of Re­sidence. His youngest Son, Lechus the Second, to obtain the Prin­cipality, Murther'd his eldest Brother; but the Fact being disco­ver'd, he was banish'd. To him, succeeded Venda, a Virgin, only Child of Cracus. After her Death, the Government return'd to Vayvods; which continued till the Poles elected Premisbus, a Gold-Smith, called also Lescus the First; who obtain'd the Crown by a Stratagem that sav'd the Poles when they were in distress; the Manner of which was thus; ‘They being in the Field, against the Moravians, and finding themselves much inferiour in Num­ber, this Goldsmith bethought himself of a Way to make the Polish Army seem more numerous; which was, by making a great Number of Shields of Barks of Trees, and afterwards smeering them over with Galls and Quick-Silver; which ma­king a great Shew, and the Moravians really believing the Poles were equal in Number, stood gazing upon the Shields, till the Polish Army had Time to retire.’

This Duke having no Issue, an Horse-Race was instituted, to de­termine the Succession; and three Candidates appearing, one of them thinking by Subtilty to obtain the Crown, laid several Iron Spikes in the Way where the Race was to be run; which the the other two knowing nothing of, they gall'd, and stop'd in their Career, so that the Politician came first to the Goal: But the Fala­cy being soon detected, a poor Country Fellow, that ran along with them, on Foot, only for his Diversion, was chosen, and the other kiil'd upon the Spot.

This Duke's Name was Lescus the Second; and who (as some say) was afterwards slain in the Wars against Charles the Great.

To him succeeded his Son, Lescus the Third; who having ap­peas'd Charles the Great with Presents, made Peace with him, ei­ther as an unequal Ally, or by acknowledging himself his Vassal. This Duke left Poland to his Son Pop [...]ell; but gave the neigh­bouring Countries of Pomerania and Cassovia to his Natural Chil­dren.

After him, succeeded his Son, Pop [...]ell the Second; a very ill Man; who, by the Persusions of his Lady, murther'd his Father's Brothers: Whereupon, 'tis reported, that our of their dead Bodies (which he would not suffer to be interr'd) came forth a great Number of huge Rats, which devour'd him, and his whole Fa­mily, [Page 7]notwithstanding all imaginable means were used to pre­vent it.

After his Death, came an Inter-regnum, full of Troubles, till the Poles declar'd Piastus, a Country-Fellow, born at Cruswitz, for their Prince; from whom, ever after, if any of the Natives ob­tained the Royal Dignity, they were call'd Piasti. His Poste­rity reign'd for a long time in Poland; from whom also de­scended the Dukes of Lignitz, and Brieg, in Silesia. 'Tis said, this Duke was One Hundred and Twenty Years old when he died.

His Son Zigmovitus was a brave and Warlike Prince; to whom succeeded his Son

Lescus the Fourth; of a peaceable Temper.

Of much the same was his Son Zickmovistus, who succeeded him. This Prince had but one Son, who being born blind, was, in the Seventh Year of his Age, (in which Year, according to the Cu­stom of those Times, his Head was to be shav'd, and he to receive his Name,) restor'd to his Sight; which was then taken for an Omen, that he should be enlighten'd with the Christian Faith. His Name was Micislaus, or Mischo; who began his Reign in 964. and was the first Christian Duke of Poland.

Boleslaus Chrobry, his Son, succeeded him in 999, and was crea­ted King by the Emperor Otho the Third, who visited the Tomb of Sr. Adelbert, kill'd in Prussia.

He left the Crown to Micislaus the Second:

Who likewise left it to Casimir; who being an Infant, his Mo­ther Rixa took upon her the Administration of the Government; but the Poles being dis-satisfied with her, she was fore'd to flee, with her Son, into Germany, who, in his Journey afterwards to France, assum'd the Order and Habit of a Monk. During his Ab­sence there were great Disturbances in Poland; whereupon, by the Mediation of the Pope, the Poles prevail'd upon Casimir to leave his Monastery, and to accept of the Crown; but upon this Condition, That they were yearly to contribute a Farthing for each Head, ex­cept those of the Nobility and Clergy, towards the maintaining a perpetual Burning Lamp in the Church of St. Peter's at Rome; and moreover, cause their Heads to be shaved about their Ears, like Monks.

His Son, Boleslaus the Second, succeeded him. This Prince, sur­nam'd The Cruel, put to death Stanislaus, Bishop of Cracow; and, [Page 8]as a Punishment for his Crimes. Poland lost the Title of King for a considerable Time.

The next King was Uladislaus the First, Brother to the fore-going. Boleslaus.

He was succeeded by his Son Boleslaus the Third, a brave Sol­dier, who obrain'd a signal Victory over the Emperor Henry the Fifth, in the Dogs Field, near Breslau. There never was a Prince in Poland more famous than this; he fought 45 Battels with Suc­cess, except the last with the Red Russians, which was lost through the Cowardice of the Vayvod of Cracovia; to whom the King, for Recompence, sent a Hare's Skin and a Spinning-Wheel; which so troubl'd him, that he hang'd himself: And the King likewise was so concern'd at his Defeat, that he not long after died with Grief.

His Son Uladislaus the Second succeeded him.

After whom came Boleslaus Crispus, his Brother; who receiv'd a great Overthrow from the Prussians, his Army having been mis-lead into Moors and Bogs, through the Treachery of a Guide.

Next succeeded his Brother Micislaus Senier; but he was soon de­posed for Male-Administration.

Then came his Brother, Casimir the Second, to be elected; who was only famous for chastising die Prussians.

His Son Lescus the Fifth, Sur-nam'd The White, was fain, to con­tend with the banish'd Micislaus for the Kingdom.

Next him, came his Son Boleslaus the Fifth, Sur-nam'd The Chaste; in whose Reign the Tartars committed prodigious Barbarities in Po­land, and from thence made an Inroad into Silesia, where, in a Bat­tel fought near Lignitz, they slew so many of the Inhabitants, that they fill'd nine great Sacks with their Ears, though they did cut off but one from each Head.

To him succeeded his Cousin Lescus, Sur-nam'd The Black, who was very fortunate in his Wars; though the Civil Commotions, and frequent Incursions of the Tartars, occasion'd great Disturban­ces in his Kingdom.

After his Death, there were great Contests, about the Regency; till at last, Premis [...]aus, Lord of Great Poland, got the Upper Hand, assuming the Title of King, which had not been used for near Two Hundred Years before. This Prince was murther'd by some Bran­d [...]nburgh Emissaries after he had reign'd but Seven Months.

Next to him, was elected Uladislaus Lecticus, who was depos'd for Male-Administration.

Then came Wenceslaus, King of Bohemia, to be chosen; but after his Death, Lacticus was restor'd.

After him, his Son Casimir the Great succeeded; who subdu'd all Russia, and united it to the Kingdom of Poland. He dying, the Male Race of Piastus lost the Crown of Poland, which, after this Casimir, devolv'd to Lewis, King of Hungary, who left two Daugh­ters.

Hedwigis, the youngest of which, was declared Queen, and married Jagello, Duke of Lithuania, who was then Baptized, and made a Christian. Upon this Marriage he was Acknowledged, and his Countries joined to Poland about the year 1386. Jagello, who took at his Baptism the Name of Uladislaus the 4th. had for his Successor Uladislaus the 5th. This King was killed in a Battle against the Turks; in his stead Casimir the 4th. was made King of Poland, to whom Succeeded his Son John Albert [...]; after whom came his Brother Alexander, who Reigned only five Years, when came Sigismund the First, one of the most famous Princes in his time; his Son Sigismund the 2d. was next Elected, who died with­out Issue, and thereby the Male Race of the Jagellonick Family was Extinct.

Then the Polanders chose Henry, Duke of Anjou, Son of Henry the 2d. of France, King, and he was Crowned the 15th. of Feb. 1574. But this Prince having Notice of the Death of his Brother, Charles the Ninth, King of France, he went to receive that Crown in 1576.

Then one Party of the Electors set up Stephen Batori, Prince of Transilvania; and the other, Maximilian, Arch-Duke of Austria; which brought a War upon the Country. The First carried it, and died without Childrin, in 1580.

Next Sigismund the Third, Son to John, King of Sweden, was set upon the Throne in 1587, but the King, his Father, dying soon af­ter, he went to take possession of the Crown of Sweden. Some time afterwards the Swedes revolted, and chose Charles, Prince of Sudermania, his Uncle, for their King. They went to War with Sigismund, took Riga from him in 1625, and he died in 1632. Ula­dislaus, his Son, succeeded him, who dying in 1648, they chose in his place John Casimir; he made a voluntary Abdication of the Crown, and had for his Successor Michael VVitznowizki, that di­ed in 1672, and John Sobieski succeeded him, and died in 1696. This Prince was the Third of that Name; he was the youngest [Page 10]Son of Sobieski, Palatin of Cracovia, &c. and of a Daughter of Sta­nislaus Zolkiewski, Grand Chancellor, and Grand General of the Crown. He was made Grand Marshal of the Crown, August 24th. 1665, and Grand Master of the King's Houshold, Palatin of Cra­covia, &c. He recovered 60 Towns from the rebellious Cosacks in the Ukrain in 1667, he held out Podhois against the Tartars, and two years after he took from them and the Cossacks all the Palati­nate of Bracklaw, in the Lower Podolia. He defeated the Turks in 1671, during the siege of Leopold, upon the Peltaw, in the Black Russia, and in 1673 won the famous Battle of Cherzim, upon the Neister, upon the Frontiers of Moldavia: That Battle begun upon a Saturday, and was not fully over till within three days after, at what time it was ended by the Surrender of that that Fortress. The Turks in that Battle lost 8000 Janisaries, and 2000 Spahi's, which being one of die most celebrated Victories in this Age, was gained upon the 11th. of Nov. the next day after the decease of King Michael Korilut Wiesnowiski. The Grand Marshal Sobieski was Elected, May 10. 1674, but was not Crowned till fifteen Months after, during which time he gained several Advantages over the Turks, and constrained them to make a Peace at Zurowna. Every one knows how much he contributed towards the Raising the Siege of Viena, being himself in Person at the Action, wherein he acquired great Renown. He espoused Mary de la Grange, the Daughter of the Marquiss d' Arquien, not long since made a Car­dinal, of the Noble Family of de la Grange in Nivernois; she was the Widow of Prince Zamoiski. The King had several Children by her, and among the rest three Princes, of which the Eldest has the Honour to be Brother-in-Law to the Emperor, by Mar­rying one of the Princesses of Neuburgs: Lastly, to compleat his Encomium, he spoke several Languages, and was a great Lover of Books, and Learned Men.

CHAP. IV. Of the Government, and Manner of Election in Poland.

POland is a State where the Government is Monarchical, and Aristocratical. It is Monarchical, because they have a King; and Aristocratical, by reason their King is not an Absolute Prince, that can Dispose and Resolve upon Affairs by his own Power with­out Consent of the Senators. I have already taken Notice, that the Archbishop of Gnesna is Primate of the Kingdom, and has the Administration, during an Inter-regnum. He Assembles the States to Elect a new King, and Appoints both Time and Place. After every one has given his Suffrage, the King is Elected by Majority of Voices. This Prelate declares him, brings him forth into the middle of the Assembly, then he is Conducted to the Church, where, after Mass, he Swears to preserve the Privileges of the King­dom, and to keep the Established Laws, which oblige him to do nothing without Consent of the States. Upon Matters Of mo­ment the King sends, by his Chancellor, Letters to the Palatins, called Instructionis Litterae, because they mention the State of those Affairs his Majesty has to propose to the Assembly, and Appoints them a Time to come to Court: When they receive these Let­ters, every one of the Senators particularly examines the Na­ture, Quality, Subject and Consequences of the Propositions, to which he has a Liberty to Answer as he shall think fittting, whe­ther with respect to the publick Good, or his own private Inter­est. The King sends Letters also into the Palatinates, where the Nobility assemble to choose one among them, a Person of Merit, that is sufficient and capable to speak in behalf of their Province, in whom they are universally to agree to: For if it happens there be one Negative in the Assembly, 'tis impossible to proceed far­ther, the Deputy cannot go, and that Province has no Voice in the States. After these Provincial Assemblies are over, the Sena­tors and Deputies appear at Court at the Time prefixed, where the King, attended by his Chancellor, signifies to them first the Cause of their Meeting, then hears and receives their Advices, but [Page 12]they must be unanimous in their Resolutions, or, as they say, Ne­mine reclamante, nemine dissentiente, or the Diet breaks up, every one goes home again, and the Propositions come to nothing. A­mong the Cities, there are only Cracow, Danzic and Vilna that have the Privilege of sending Deputies to the Diet. The ordinary Mat­ters are Transacted before the Judges established in every Palati­nate, and, as in the Provincial Assemblies, all manner of Persons have Liberty to be present, and hear what is proposed, the mean­est Country-man may know all. So when ever they Treat of War, the Enemy is advised and informed of their Designs, their Strength, and how to ruine them. The King's best Revenue consists in the Salt-works near Cracow, in the Mines of Copper, Lead and Silver, in the Fishery, and Tribute of the Jews, His Revenues are com­puted at 600000 Crowns per Ann. The Prosit arising from his Demesnes are commonly given away in Pensions and Bounties, to the Palatines, Chastellains, and other Great Men, to engage them to his Interests. Most of what comes into his own Coffers, is ei­ther laid up, or Expended in the Purchase of Estates for his young­er Sons; his Daughters being Married at the Publick Charge; and the Expences of his Houshold defrayed by his Subjects.

He has the Nomination of the Bishopricks, and of all the Dig­nities of the Kingdom, and of the Commissions of War and Re­venue, the Courts of Justice, and Civil Government. The chief­est Dignities are the Lieutenant, the Great Master of the King's Houshold, the Great Treasurer, the Great Provost, &c. These Places are both for the Kingdom of Poland, and Dutchy of Lithu­ania, where the King goes every two or three Years to hold a Diet; and as soon as he enters upon the Country, he is only ser­ved by the Officers of the Dutchy. The Grand Marshal of the Crown, or Crown General, has very great Advantages, and his Of­fice gives him the Title also of Grand Master of the King's House, Great Master of the Ceremonies, Introductor of Ambassadors, Judge and Master of the Civil Government; he can make Laws, and has Power of Life and Death in him. The Generals of this Kingdom, and of Lithuania, may fight as they see Cause, and have Soveraign Power in the Camp. Besides the Palatines and Chastel­lans that I have spoke of, there are in all the Cities, Burghers, Judges and Magistrates. But there lies an Appeal from them to Cracow for Great Poland, and to Lublin for the Lesser Poland and Russia.

Tho' the King of Poland has the name of a King and the first Dukes were in truth Kings without the Title; yet at present he is nothing less, being not allowed to make Peace or War, to impose Taxes, make Laws, alienate any of his Demesnes, or in short, to do any thing of im­portance which concerns the Publick, without the consent of the Diet. And he does not only swear to do all this, but allows their Disobedience, in case he violates his Oath, which makes the Subjects the Princes Judges, and this Kingdom a meer Aristocracy, or knot of petty Kingdoms under one Head.

The First Dukes indeed were absolute Princes, and ruled after a Despotical manner, having power not only of the Estates of their Subjects, but of Life and Death without formalities of Law; yet when they once became Elective they lost much of that power, which decayed so by degrees, that at last it came to nothing, magni nominis umbra. A Diminution which began first in the times of Lewis of Hungary, and Jagello of Lithuania, who to gain the succession to the Kingdom contrary to Law, the one for his Daughter, the other for his Son, parted with many of their Royalties and Prerogatives to buy the Voices of the Nobility. Since which time the Nobility in all their Elections have limited and restrained tie Kings Authority, and en­larged their own. Yet the King once chosen and enthroned hath sole Power in many things, as in assembling the Diets, choosing Pe­culiar Councellors, disposing absolutely of his Vassals and the Revenues of the Crown, to what use he pleaseth. He also is sole Judge of the Nobility in criminal Causes, which is a strong Bridle upon them. By which, and either joyning with the Clergy, or well forming his party among the Nobility, he may do many things not strictly legal; the power and influence he hath in the publick Government being in proportion to his Abilities and Dexterity in managing them.

The Forces of this Kingdom consist most in Horse, whereof they are able to raise 160000. Their Infantry are generally German or Huagarians, whom they hire for mony, and are like o­ther mercenary Soldiers. For the raising the Horse, the Gentlemen of the Country are obliged by their Tenure, not only to serve in Per­son for the Defence of the Realm, but to maintain a certain number of Horse in continual readiness, especially in those parts next the Tartars, where their numbers are great, and with whom they many times joyn to afflict and harass their own Country.

CHAP. V. The Religion of the Polanders.

THe ancient Inhabitants of the Country were Idolaters, and wor­shiped he same Gods as the Greeks, the Rowans and Germans. Tertullian assures us in his Treatise against the Jews, that the Gospel was then preached in Sarmatia: But we know it was not received in that Sarmatia, which is now Poland till the 10th. Century. Mici­slaus, or Misk [...] I. married Debraw, the Daughter of Boleslaus, Duke of Bohemia; and was Baptized the 7th. of March in the Year 965, and 966. since that time the Polanders have always continued Christians. Lutheranism and Calvinism have been received among them, but have not not prevailed there as in other Countries. They came acquainted with them from John Huss, and others in the 15th. Century, who came from Bohemia into this Country. Gregory Paul Minister of Cracow, preached Arrianism there about the Year 1566. but was driven thence by Sigismond, with George Blandrata, Lelius Socinus, Valentinus Gentilis, and some others. Faustus Socinus, who has given the name to the Socinians, came thither afterwards and left his Disciples who are to be found there to this day. There are likewise some Lutherans, Calvinists and Anabaptists to be found in other parts of Lithuania. They have among them also Schisinaticks, Greeks, and many Jews that are in some credit for their Wealth. They en­joy some particular Priviledges, but you see them always intent up­on their Profit and Usury. They live miserable without Estates in Land, and only enrich themselves by Trade. The Polanders are zealous in their Religion, hear Mass daily, and practice great Aus­terities upon themselves during Lent.

GHAP. VI. A Relation of the Death of John Sobieski, late King of Poland: With an Account of the Present Election, as it now stands.

JOhn Sobieski the late King of Poland, departed this Life the 17th of June, 1696. about nine a Clock at Night, leaving behind him his Queen and 3 Princes, (viz.) James, Alexander and Constantine, with a Princess who is married to the present Elector of Bavaria. In his life time he heaped up vast Riches, and Endeavoured to make the Crown Heredi­tary, but in vain.

The King being Dead, which was notifyed by Express to the Cardinal Radziowski Arch-Bishop of Gnesna, Primate of the Kingdom of Poland, and Regent during the Inter-regnum, he repaired immediately to the Capitol, and made his pub­lick Entry into Warsaw on the 24th of June, 1696. with the usual Ceremonies; the first thing he did was to call together the Senators, Principal Ministers and Bishops, who met, and had Conference in his Presence the 28 and 29th of June, 1696. and came to the following Resolutions, (viz.) First, To notify the Death of the King to the Castelleins, and that the grand Convocation for Electing a new King be fixed up­on the 29th of August, 1696. Secondly, That notice be given to the Foreign Princes. Thirdly, That the Frontier Garrisons be reinforced, and the Troops maintained out of the publick Revenue. Fourthly, That the Treasurer of the Crown do regulate the deceased Kings Court. Fifthly, The Cardinal Primate recommended to the Treasurer of the Crown the safety of Trinity Fort, &c. And Sixthly, He sin­cerely promised to preserve the Jura Matronatus Regia.

The Cardinal Primate having thus taken the Government upon him (which of right belongs to his Eminence during the Inter-regnum) he has managed Affairs there ever since, much in favour of France, and against the Interest of the House of Austria.

There were at first, several Illustrious Persons proposed as Candidates to fill the Throne, (viz.) Prince James, Prince Alexander, two of the late King Sons, the Elector of Bavaria, the Prince of Vaudemont, the Duke of Lorrain, the Grand Mareschal of the Crown, Prince Sapieha, the Prince of New­bourg, the Prince of Transilvania, with the Prince of Conti, the Prince Don Livio Odeschalchi, and the Prince of Baden the Elector of Saxony, not then being talked of.

There being so many Pretenders, the Kingdom fell into Faction, and he that had the most Money seemed to have the best Interest, in the meantime the Armies of Poland and Lithuania Confederated, and Committed abundance of Hosti­lities, doing a World of Mischief, being supported under hand by the Abbot of Polignac Ambassador of France, with Money. This put the Kingdom into a Flame, and occasion­ed the general Convocation to be put off from time to time; but at length the Crown generally prevailed with the Con­federate Armies to submit, having procured a round Sum of Money of the Queen Dowager, to be distributed amongst them.

This being done, matters became Calm; and the particu­lar Diets were held, which terminated, but not without heats.

The general Diet was appointed, and the overture made on the 15th of May, 1697. with the accustomed Ceremony, first the Popes Nuncio solemnised the Mass of the holy Ghost. After which the Bishop of Poscow made a Sermon exhorting the Assembly to mind the interest of the republick, and lay aside all private Advantages, and to Advance to the Throne whom they should deem most Worthy.

The first thing the Assembly did, was to make choice of a Speaker, but that took up a considerable time, because all the Deputies were not at first came up, but in Conclusion the Sieur Bilinski, a Person of Polite Learning and Ability was Elected, but the lower Nobility being Jealous that he was in the interest of France, threatned to cut him in Pieces if he should move the advancing a French Man to the Crown: However we find since that he did not in the least promote the Interest of the Prince of Conti, which plainly Demonstrates that he favoured the promoting of such as should be proposed by the Emperor and his Allies. Note that this Election began the first of June, New Stile, and lasted till the 16th of the same Month before the Suffrages could be collected and told, this Affair which was only looked upon as a preliminary, took up a whole Month.

The next thing they were to do, was to give Audiences to the Foreign Ministers, which they Commenced, on the 20th of June; Siegnior Davia the Popes Nuncio being first ad­mitted, and next to him the Bishop of Passau, the Emperors Extraordinary Ambassador, and the rest in their turns.

The One and Twentieth of June being come, none could then Conjecture who should be Elevated to the Crown, many of those first proposed, not being so much as mention­ed.

Prince Don Livio Odeschalchi, who had proposed the most advantageous terms to the Republick, was also not thought fit to Sway the Crown: They wanting a Warlike Prince, whose Name was Terrible to the Infidels, to be King.

As for the Duke of Lorrain, there was two main Obstacles that hindred them from making Choice of him: First, his tender Age; and the second, because the House of Lorrain having their Territories, could not Expend such large Sums as was necessary for the purchasing Suffrages.

And upon the whole, it was thought that the Party of [Page 18]the Prince of Conti, and that of the Prince of Baden was the strongest; yet some were of Opinion, that the Party of Prince James did over-ballance that of the Prince of Conti: so that the Poles were afraid then of a double Election, un­less they could pitch upon a Third Person to the satisfaction of both sides; which was hardly to be done.

There was no Discourse all this while of the Heroick Elector of Saxony; but he being arrived at Dresden, which is his Capitol, the beginning of June, he mustered his Troops, to the number of 10000 Men, and instead of going for Hun­gary to Command the Imperial Army, he marched with them to Breslau in Silesia, where he explained his design of standing a Candidate for the Crown of Poland; which was an Amazement to most People, because of his Religion, he being looked upon to have been a Protestant; but it soon ap­peared otherwise; for he had turned Roman Catholick at Vi­enna 18 Months before, which induced the Pope's Nuncio to speak in his behalf at the Diet; so that then it was no Se­cret.

The Day of Election being come, which was the Twenty Sixth of June, they drew out into the Field, and being come to the Place appointed, the Bishop of Ploscow, and those of his Palatine, flung up their Caps, and cried out, Vivat Can­deus; but they were immediately surrounded, and threatned to be Cut in pieces with Cimitars, it not being their turn to speak.

Conti's Party finding thus, that they were not strong enough to Elect him, sent to the French Ambassador to let him know, that if he would consent to it, they would give their Suffrages to Elect any other, offering to return him the im­mense Sums which they had received of him, but he insisted to have the Prince of Conti Elected, according to his Instructi­ons from his Master.

Whilst these things were in Agitation, the Primate and the Bishop Ploscow Elected the Prince of Conti, and caused him to be proclaimed, and immediately retired out of the Field, and went to the Cathedral at Warsaw, where they Sung Te Deum.

Upon which the Favourers of the House of Austria, find­ing that the Prince of Conti had but Fourteen Voices more than the Elector of Saxony, or Prince James, they resolved to unite their Suffrages in favour of his Electoral Highness, by which means he had One and Twenty Voices more than Conti.

This raised up the drooping Spirits of those that were in the Interest of the H. of Austria against that of Bourbon, to that de­gree, that they caused instantly the Bish. of Cujavia, at the Head of that Party, to repair in all haste to the Cathedral at War­saw, where he entred with a Numerous Train; but finding the Doors shut by order of the Cardinal Primate, the Popes Nuncio caused them to be broke open; and Proclaim­ed Frederick August Elector of Saxony, King, with accustom­ed Ceremony, Te Deum was likewise Sung the same day.

The Elector's Party went into the Field the 27th and the 28th, but that of the Prince of Conti never appeared after the first day, so that his Party visibly fell off daily, particu­larly the Senators; so that Two Hundred Forty Three Stand­ards declared for his Electoral Highness, and but Thirty Four for Conti.

The Party of the Elector upon this drew up the Concor­date which the King is to Sign, and agreed to send a formal Deputation to Breslau, to invite the Elector to accept of the Crown.

The four Mareschals have declared in his Favour also.

The Bishop of Cujavia made a solemn Protestation against the unlawful Election of the Prince of Conti, without the gain-saying of any. The Royalists fired through the Win­dows [Page 20]of the Cardinal Primate's Palace as they passed by, uttering many Contumacious words against his Eminence.

On the 4th of July the great Embassy, consisting of four Senators, accompanied by a great number of the Nobility and Gentry, went from Warsaw for Breslau in Silesia, to Con­gratulate the New King, and to Conduct him to Crakau to be Crowned.

On the 5th of July the Waywade of Vilna, the great Ma­reschal of Lithuania, the Crown Treasurer, and the Bishop of Ploscow, as Partisans of the Prince of Conti, conferred with the Generals who are for the Elector of Saxony, in order to adjust matters, but to no purpose, the Adherents of Conti refusing to desert him, threatning the Republick with a War from France, though he should be necessitated to make Peace with the Allies.

The Minister of Saxony having received a Million of Crowns, distributed some of it among the Army, which gained them intirely to the side of his Electoral Highness, and to promise to stand by him with their Lives and For­tunes; and in a word, they made Rejoycings upon his Ele­vation, and discharged all their Cannon Thrice, &c.

The Criticks make strange Conjectures at the striking of the Thunder-bolt in the Elector's Closet at Dresden, and at the same time in his House at Vienna; it being the very hour he was Elected King of Poland.

The Elector's Party have left no Stone unturned to bring over Conti's Party; and as an Expedient they sent for the Elector's Minister to the place of Election by above an Hun­dred Deputies, where he produced an Attestation that the Elector his Master was turned Roman Catholick, thanked them for their Election, telling them, that his Master, pur­suant to his promise, would pay the Ten Millions of Polish Florins, that he would maintain Six Thousand Men at his own Charge, &c. Upon which the Party of his Electoral [Page 21]Highness, bound themselves with an Association to stand by him, and not change their Minds.

I presume it will not be amiss, to insert here the substance of a Letter, which the Cardinal Primate sent the day after the Election to the Elector, wherein among other things he inserts what follows, viz.

The Express dispatched with this Letter, returned with it unopened, because the Address was to the Elector, and not King.

The Cardinal Primate has remonstrated to all the Neigh­bouring Princes; that the Election of the Elector of Saxony to be King of Poland is void, it being contrary to the known Laws of the Land, but they take no Notice of it. But on the other hand the Czar of Muscovy and ethers threaten the republick with a perpetual War; in case they should Ad­vance a French Man to the Throne.

The Elector of Saxony now King of Poland being gone from Breslau to Tarnowitz; he had advice that the great Em­bassy of Poland, were approaching on the 21st, and on the 23d his Majesty rendred himself without the Gate; where an Elevated place was Erected, covered with green Bows; and hung with Tapistry, and a Throne Erected under a Velvet Canopy richly Adorned. The King was very finely Dres­sed, his Cloaths being Decked with Diamonds; so that his Suit was said to be worth a Million. The Embassy being ar­rived, they were Conducted to the King with the Sound of Trumpets and Kettle Drums. His Majesty stood under the Canopy with the Bishop of Passau on his Right Hand, and the Prince of Furstemburg on his Left, one of the Prime Ministers Conducted them to the Throne, where after a profound Reverence delivered their Credentials, which were read; after which the first Ambassador, being the Wayvode Wylinski for Poland, Commenced his Speech in Latin; and having Extolled the King's Person, and his great Qualities, he intimated the reasons of their Arrival. The 2d Ambassador having the Wayvode of Witegiski for Lithuania, did the like; as did also the 3d Ambassador, who is the Starost of Zydaizoiw, in the Name of the Nobility. Then the King commanded the Baron Fleming to Answer them in Latin.

On the 27th the new King with the Court, and the Embassy broke up from Tarnowitz for the Frontiers of Poland in order to go to Crakaw, where he is to be Crowned the 15th of September: He is to be called Augustus the Se­cond.

Since the new King is arrived at Crakaw, where he was received with the Loud Acclamations of the People; and he has Drawn together there upwards of 20000 Men, and is Disposing all things for his Coronation, having sworn to the Pacta Conventa.

Yet notwithstanding, the Cardinal Primate does not desist from promoting the interest of the Prince of Conti, having summoned the Nobility to meet the 26th. of August, pre­tending to proceed to a new Election, but it will signify nothing; the Elector of Saxony having already possession, not only of the Kingdom, but also of the Crown; and on the other hand, the Czar of Muscovy offers to assist him with 60000 Men to make good his pretentions, and the Elector of Brandenburgh with 16000. So that we may con­clude, that this Election will terminate without the Effusi­on of Blood in Favour of his Electoral Highness now King of Poland.