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 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 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 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, 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 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, 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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.

We thought not to diſpoſe of the Care of our Kingdom to your Electoral Highneſs, who is now taken up with Heroick Actions againſt the Common Enemy of Chriſtendom, for which reaſon we requeſt your Electoral Highneſs, not to accept of this nomination as unanimous, but according to your innate Generoſity, and out of Love to the neighbourhood, to let us remain in Peace with our free Election of our King De Conti. If your Electoral Highneſs make any ground on the unity of the Generals, and the great Emulation between them and the Republick; you may be aſſured the more firmly, we have reſolded not to accept of the King by them propoſed, &c.

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.

FINIS.