A discourse not altogether vnprofitable, nor vnpleasant for such as are desirous to know the situation and customes of forraine cities without trauelling to see them Containing a discourse of all those citties wherein doe flourish at this day priuiledged vniuersities. Written by Samuel Levvkenor Gentleman.

Leiden.

LEiden is one of the sixe capitall Townes of Holland, and chiefe of Rheineland, situate in a flat and low countrey, full of ditches and channels, & is beautified with many plea∣fant medows, gardens, arbors & walks round about it.

Within it are enclosed 31. Ilands, from one of the which to the other, men go by boates, and ouer and a∣boue these, there are nine or ten other Ilands: from the one of the which to the other bridges, are built to passe ouer: so that in this Towne are 145. bridges: whereof 104. are of stone, and the rest of wood.

In this Citie was erected an vniuersitie, about the yeare 1564. by William late Prince of Orenge, who was in the yeare 1584. suddenly slaine with a pistoll. This Academie doth at this day exceedingly flourish, and therein are with liberall stipendes maintained sundry learned professors of the liberall sciences.

In Leiden is a strong Castle, which was said to bee founded by Hengist, returning from the conquest of England, and therein is a notable Well, from whence the ancient family of Wassenar taketh name.

This Cittie hath vnder it 49. Boroughes and vil∣lages, the most part whereof once a weeke bring all their good victuailes to sell in the towne, which cau∣seth it to abound with all thinges arising of the earth. It hath also great plentie of fish, both sea fish and fresh water fish, and of water fowle, beyonde all

measure. The women are excellently faire, and the aire passing holsome.

But a little league from Leiden, is the famous abbey of Reinsburge, consisting of Nunnes, all of noble hou∣ses: the Abbesse whereof hath iurisdiction spirituall and temporall; and the Abbey is endowed with so great reuenewes, that euerie day aboue 2000. persons come thither to receiue reliefe. Another such like Ab∣bey of Ladies is also neere to Leiden, called Terlee. In all these Monasteries of Ladies and gentlewomen, they may vntill they be entred into profession, come forth and marrie: and ordinarily they liue there ma∣ny yeares before they professe themselues, obseruing notwithstanding in the meane time their rules and or∣ders very duely, soberly, and religiously.