A new description of the world, or, A compendious treatise of the empires, kingdoms, states, provinces, countries, islands, cities, and towns of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America in their scituation, product, manufactures, and commodities, geographical and historical : with an account of the natures of the people in their habits, customes, warrs, religions, and policies &c. : as also of the rarities, wonders, and curiosities of fishes, beasts, birds, rivers, mountains, plants, &c., with several remarkable revolutions and delightful histories / faithfully collected from the best authors by S. Clark.

Of EUROPE, a brief DESCRIPTION.

EVROPE is the least of the Four parts of the World, yet nothing inferiour in Goodness to the rest, in the Generosity of People, Riches, Worth and Vertue, and exceeding them, if we consider the Flourishing of the True Religion; and is said to take its Name from Europa the Daughter of Agenor King of Phoenicia; containing many Flourish∣ing Kingdoms and Provinces; as will appear in the sequel. And is accounted in length 2800 miles; In breadth 1200; bounded on the West, with the main Ocean; on the East, with the Aegean Sea, Pontus Euxinus, the Fenns of Maeotis, and the Ri∣ver Tanais; from which a right Line conjecturally drawn from the Bay of Granvicus, it is dis-joined from Asia; In the North, it is bounded with the Hy∣perborean Sea; and on the South, with the Mediter∣ranean, divided into Continent, and Islands, the Continent Intire, and the Islands dispersed, In the Greek, Ionian, Aegean, Adriatick, Mediterranean, Cretan, and Northern Seas; divided chiefly into France, Spain, Italy, the Alps, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Swedeland, Hungary, Sclavonia, Russia, Poland, Dacia, and Greece; with the disper∣sed Islands. And in Europe, beside the Latin Tongue, which is now rather Scholastical, than National, there are other diversities of Language, besides the Italian and French, supposed to be corruptly deri∣ved from the Latin; and has been Famous by twice giving Laws to the World, during the flourishing of the Greek and Roman Empires; and at this day, though the least of the four parts, it excels, in what may be called solid good, the other Three, &c.

A Queen she Reigns, upheld by strictest Fate, Whilst th'other Three, on her as Hand-Maids wait, With Tribute Glories, to enrich her State.

A Geographical AND Historical Description OF THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE, In its Particular Countries, Provinces, Ci∣ties, Towns, &c.

THE Flourishing Kingdom of France, being the nearest part of the Continent on which we border; I have thought, for the observing the most regular method, to begin this History of the World, with the De∣scription of it, and its appendances.

As for France, or so much as is generally under∣stood of it; it is bounded on the East with a branch of the Alps, passing between Dauphin and Peimont. Switzerland, Savoy, some part of Germany, and the Neitherlands; on the West with a Branch of the Py∣reenian Mountains, dividing Spaine, and with the A∣quitane Ocean; on the North with the Brittish Seas, and part of Belgium, and has on the South the rest of the Pyreenian Mountains, and the Mediter∣ranian Sea, being in a manner Square; accounted in Length, from Calais to Toulon 620 Miles, reckoning 73 to a Degree, and in Breadth from the borders of Lorain to Brest, or from Nice in Peimont to Bay∣on 492 Miles, though of late the Teretories have been much inlarged by the new Conquests and Ac∣quisitions, but being to speak of them in the Coun∣rries where they properly have their Scituation, I willingly here omit them.

This Country is called by the English France, by the Italians Francia, and so by the Spaniards; by the Germans Franckreich, by the Turks Alfrangua, and is the antient Gallia of Caesar and Pliny; lying excellently in Compaction, between the most Flou∣rishing Kingdoms and States of Europe, Scituate in the middle of the North Temperate Zone, between the middle Parralells of the Fifth Clime, where the longest Day is 13 Hours; and the middle Parralell of the Eighth Clime, where they extend to 16 Hours and a half: So that the Air is very Health∣ful, the Country every where Rich and Fertile, and the People numerous; as likewise the Cities and Towns, no less than 4000 being reckon'd of note, e∣specially the greatest part of them, and was Distin∣guished by four Parts or Divisions, when the Ro∣mans (not without great blood-shed) brought it under their Subjection, viz.

1. The Narbonensis, or Bracatta, containing Dau∣phir, Languedock, and a part of Savoy. 2. Aquita∣nica,

taking its denomination from the City Aquae Augusta, and now known by that of d' Aeque, con∣taining Gascoigne, Limoisin, Guinne, Sanctogne, Querci, Peregort, Bourbonnois and Aurergne.

3. Celtica, comprehending the Provinces of Nor∣mandy, Britagne, Anjou, Tourain, Maine, Labeause, part of Campagne, the Isles of France, the Dukedom of Burgundy, and the County of Lionoise. 4. Belgica, containing Picardy, a part of Campaigne, Burgundy, and the Spanish Netherlands: But in the time of Ho∣norius the Emperor, the Goths having over-run Spain and Italy, sent their Forces to Invade the Norbonensian Gauls, and having Subdued them, cal∣led their Country Langue de Goth, and from thence Languedock; nor did they stay here, but extended their Conquests to the River Ligeris, now the Fa∣mous Loire, founding themselves a Kingdom, and making Tholouse the Regal Residence; nor was it long before the Burgundiones, or Burgundians, who had Seated themselves in a part of the Country of Ca∣ssubii, and some of the Teretories of Brandenburg, joyning with the Vandles and Sweths, seized upon other parts of France, and grasped them with so hard a hand, that they in spight of Opposition founded themselves a Kingdom, called the King∣dom of Burgundy, but afterward reduced to a Duke∣dom, and now in the hands or possession of the pre∣sent French King.

The Kingdom of France is Hereditary to the Males, but not to the Females, who are disabled by the Sali{que} Law, and the Heir or Eldest Son is stil∣ed Dauphin of France; nor can the Younger Son of the King, by the Law of Apennages, have any part in the Government with the Elder: And this Mo∣narchy has been upheld ever since the Year 420, by the Races of Three Kings, viz. the Moravinian, Carolinian and Capitine, in a Descent of 63 Kings; and here the Christian Religion is held to be first

Planted amongst the Gaules by Martialis, but a∣mongst the French, or the latter setled People of the Kingdom, by Remigius, much latter: as for the Arms Royal, now boren by the Kings, they are Three Flower de Luces Azure, in a Field Or, be∣ing a Device taken by Charles the Sixth.

This Kingdom is composed of Estates, and Orders threefold, viz. the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Commons; and here are usually found 16 Arch-Bi∣shops, and 106 Bishops, not accounting those of Ar∣ras, Tournay, and Perpignan; 16 Abbots Heads of Orders and Congregations, and about 30000 Cu∣rate-ships: and not accounting other Governments, there are 12 Peers chiefly appointed, or ancient Peer-ships, besides others of new Creation, and the Order is that of the Holy Ghost. There are like∣wise 11 Parliaments, 8 Chambers of Accounts, 22 Publick Places of Receipt, or Generalities of the Kings Revenues.

The Rivers of this Kingdom are principally Four, viz. the Rhone, or Rosne, the Loire, the Garonne, and the Seine; who receive into them many other Ri∣vers, and wash the Walls of the chief Cities and Towns, &c. the first arising about 3 Miles from the head of the River Rhine, the second about the Mountains of Avergne, the third from the Pyree∣nian Hills, and the Fourth has its Spring in Bur∣gundy.

The Mountains of most note are those of Averg∣ne, part of the Alps, and the Pyreenes, on the lat∣ter of which Nature strangely expresses her self, for that part of those Mountains toward rich and wealthy France, are altogether barren, but that to∣wards Spain exceeding Fruitful, as if it had divested it self to cloath the one, and robbed the other.

In the Year 1614 Lovis the 13 convened the E∣states of the Provinces under 12 Heads, or great Governments, four of which lying towards the North,

border upon the Seine, and the other Rivers that augment its Stream, viz. Picardy, Normandy, the Isles of France and Campaigne, adjoyning towards the middle to the Loire, Orlenoise, Britagne, Burgundy, and Lionoise; and the other Four towards the South, near the Garonne, viz. Dauphin, Guienne, Laugue∣dock and Provence; and under the Orlenoise are con∣tained Maine, Perche and Beauce: on the hither side of the Loire, Nievernois, Anjou and Touraine; and above this River beyond Poctou, Berrey, and Burgundy, hath Bresti, and under Lionoise, are com∣prehended Lionois, Auvergne, Burbounois, and Mar∣che; under Guienne is Bearne, Gascogne, and Guien∣ne, Saintogne, Perigort, Limosin, Querci, and Rover∣gne; and under Languedock is found Cevenes.

The chief Cities are, 1. Paris, situate in the Isle of France, anciently called Lutetia, by reason of the Clayeness of the Ground about it; which for Riches, Stateliness of Building, the many Magni∣ficent Pallaces and Churches, that every where adorne it, and the Fruitfulness of the Soil about it and number of its Inhabitants, may compare with most in Europe. 2. Lions, or Lugdunum. 3. Orle∣ance. 4. Bullogne, taken by Henry the ••ighth of England 1544. 5. Amiens. 6. St. Quintiens, where the English Forces under the Command of the Earl of Pembrook, in the Quarrel of Philip the Second of Spain, overthrew the French, Anno 1557. 7. Bur∣deaux. 8. Roane or Rovenysenlis. 10. Rhemes. 11. Claremont. 12. Tholouse. 13 Calais, which being taken by Edward the 3 of England, remained in the hands of the English 220 Years, and was lost in the reign of Queen Mary, soon after the Battle of St. Quinti∣nes, and the occasion, as many conjecture of hast∣ning her end, she giving out, That if she were open∣ed when dead, they might find Calais written on her Heart, &c. Many other Cities and Towns there are of note, whose names for brevities sake I must o∣mit

and in general proceed to say; there is no Kingdom better stored with considerable places, nor more abounding in plenty of what ever may conduce, to the Commodity and suport of Humane Life; a∣bounding with almost all the sundry sorts of Fruits that Europe produces, as also store of River and Sea-Fish; a great number of Cattle, plenty of Wine, Corn, Salt, Linnen Cloth, Flax, Hemp, Wool, Saf∣fron, Paper, and many other Products and Manu∣factories, very considerable; for which the Na∣tives, &c. as it were command the Commodi∣ties, or ready Money of most Countries; as for the Coins those chiefly in use, are the Pistole of Gold, and the Crown of Silver.

As for the people of this Kingdom, they are great pretenders to Antiquity, deriving their Original, as to the Inhabitants of the Country from Meseck the sixt Son of Japhet, though the first Inhabitants mentioned with any credit in History, were the anti∣ent Gauls, a people thrifty and valiant; who under the leading of Bellovessus, conquered the heither part of Italy called Gallia Cisalpina, and soon after under the conduct of Segovesus, subdued a great part of Germany, nor resting there, under Brennus another of their Commanders; they discomfited the Ro∣man Army and Sacked even Rome it self, and so pas∣sed Conquering on into Asia, where they fixed a Government, calling it Gaul-Asia, since corruptly Gallatia, on which the Learned Dubartas discants, viz.

The Antient Gaul in roving every way, As far as Phoebus darts his Golden Ray; Seiz'd Italy the Worlds proud Mistriss sack't, Which rather Mars than Romulus compact: Then Spoils Pisidia, Missia doth Inthraul And midst of Asia plants another Gaul.

The present Inhabitants though somewhat fan∣tastick, are generaly of a free and curteous Beha∣haviour, kind to strangers, and extremely given to Complement; the Women are likewise wonderful∣ly familiar even with Strangers especially in Speech, taking it for a great peice of breeding, not to be too Austere or Reserved.

Their Apparel for the most part is rather Gay than Costly, made of light Stuffs and slight Silks, &c. though the Country people are distinguished from others; by the Men's wearing a large pair of Breeches and a Coat to their Knees; and the Womens attire∣ing their Heads, or rather wraping them in Linnen, and these are in a manner Drudges, or Slaves, to the Gentry, especially such as are their Land-lords, they being all of them Tenants at Will, and have their Rent raised as the Land improves, or as the Lord thinks fit; which is the occasion of their great Po∣verty; for although many of them hold Farms of Wine and Corn, they have scarce the happiness to tast the first, or eat any good Bread made of the latter.

In Arts and Manufactury, the French are very In∣genious, and in War very furious, at the first onset, but with the change of Fortune their courage soon abates; though Caesar confessed that he slew 110000. of them before he could bring them into subjection; yet by a small power of the English, they were frequently worsted; in the Reign of Edward the Third, and almost the whole Kingdom, after the Fortunate Battle of Azin-court, Conquored and brought under subjection by Henry the fifth, who with 15000. men, only overthrew an Army of above 100000. in which the flower of their Nobili∣ty were either Slain, or taken Prisoners: Nor is it less the Fortune, or rather misfortune in all Battles, to have the greatest storm of War fall upon their Nobility.

The things worthy of Note in this Illustruous Kingdom, are the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin in Paris, Vulgarly called Notrodam; suppor∣ted by 120. Pillars, whereof 12. are very great, but the remainder indifferently large, and in the midst of the Church is a Chancel, accounted 71 paces in length, and 60 in bredth; and in the Circuit or Circumference, it hath 45 Chappels, and is closed with Iron Gates, and two double doors in the front, adorn'd with the Statues of 28 Kings; and on the sides are four Towers of Bell-fries of 44 Cubits in height, and a Bell so large called St. Mary, that 24 Men are required to Ring it out. The Seven Wonders of Dauphin, viz. The burnig Fountain, the Inac∣cessable Mountain, the Tower of Sanevenin, the Wine-fats of Sassinage, the Wine Fountain, the Manna of Briancon, and the Fountain of Barberon; which Rarities see at large in Allard Sylva: The Statue of Joan the Peucelle, who assisted the French against the English, and raised the Seige of Orleance, acting many Wonders in feats of Arms, till taken by the English and burnt for a Witch: As for the Building, in Cities and considerable Towns, it is mostly of rough Stone, Plastered and rough cast over flat roofed; and commonly 4, 5, and 6 Stories. And now to France I might add the new aquisitions, but more of them hereafter.

The chief Islands are Rhee the out-work of Rochle, in attempting the Relief of which the English lost many brave men in the year 1627. The strong Bell Isle, Venetica San. Colosus, Salt, Nermoustier, Ole∣ron Vliaras, where our King Richard the Third, as Lord of the Sea, gave those Laws Marine so much in request, and known as the Laws of Olerone, Rochle, famous for the siege it sustained against the whole power of France; Ovissant over against the Lizard, and in the Mediterranian are the Isles of de Eres by Ptolomie, called the Staaechades.

The Discription of the Kingdom of Spain, in its Provinces, &c.

SPain is acknowledged the most Western part of Europe, formerly called by the Greeks Iberia and Hsperia enviornd on every side by the Sea, except towards France; from which it is parted only by the Pyreenian Mountains: The Seas that bound it are the Cantabrian on the North, the Atlantick Ocean on the West, and the Straights of Gibraltar, on the South; on the East with the Mediterranian; the Pyreenians bearing only to the North East, and is formed by Strabo, in the shape of an Oxes Hide; containing as well Portugal as Spain, Scituated in the most Southern part of the Northern Temperate Zone; so that the longest day exceeds not 15 hours, accounted 760 miles in length, and 600 in bredth.

As for the Original of this People in Relation to their possessing the Country, Authors differ; for some will have them to be of the Progeny of Tubal Son of Japhat, as being the decendants of the Iberij who entred the Kingdom under Pannus: Others that they are derived from the Celtae, a powerful people decended from Alchenaz, who first peopling it, called the whole Country Celtiberia; but more certain it is, that the Phoenicians failing from Tyre, planted Collonies here, and after them the Rhodians; nor did the Carthagenians fail in a manner to subdue it, till being worsted in the second Punick War, it be∣came Tributary to the Romans, who devided it into 3 Provinces, viz. Boetica, Lusitanica and Ter∣raconensis; the ••irst of these containing the King∣doms of Andeluzia and Granata; part of New Ca∣stile and Estremadure, Inhabited by the Turdulie Eastward, and by the Celti towards the West; Lu∣sitania

contained Portugal, and part of Old and New Castile, and the remaining part was comprehended in Terragon; and again they laid it into two parts, comprehending the two first Provinces in one; and so it remained till the time of Honorius the Emperor, when Gundericus King of the Vandels, broke in and over-run it with a numerous Army, Anno 400; but had not well settled themselves before the Goths In∣vaded, it and drove the new possessors into Affrica; and in the year 720. under the conduct of Musa and Tarrif, who were invited in by Julian, with a great Army of Moors and Saracens entred warring up∣on the Goths and after a Battle of seven days became Victorious dividing the Countrey amongst them; so that at last it fell into 12 divisions, viz. Leon Oviedo, Navarre, Corduba, Gallicta, Bisca, Tolledo, Murica, Ca∣stile, Portugal, Valentia, Catalonia and Aragon; and so they stand at this day: wherefore I proceed to speak of them in their order and due places.

Leon had heretofore the Name of Austria, and is a very pleasant Country, yielding Mines of pre∣cious Mettal, some Gold, Red Lead, and Vermil∣lion, though otherwise not very fruitful, as being some-what Mountainous, yet gives Title to the Eldest Son of Castile, notwithstanding few Towns of note are found in it.

Navarr is a Kingdom of great Antiquity, boun∣ded on the East, with the Pyreenian Mountains, on the West with Iberius, North Biscay, and South Aragon; being a Campaign Country, not subject to Woods, or Inclosures, yet abounds with Trees in the nature of Hedg-rows, considerably fruitful, and has for Its chief Cities, Victoria, Sanguessij, Viana, and Pam∣pelune, Garisoned as the chief defence of the Spani∣ards, against the Incursions of the French in time of War, who's King, though wanting the Possession, has the Title of that Kingdom, the Revenues where∣of has been estimated at One hundred Thousand Duckets.

Corduba, is a very fruitful Province, accounted and judged, (as it is) the richest in all Spain, abounding in Cordivant Skins, Mallago, Sherry, Oranges, Cattle, Fish, Corn, great store of Fowl; and has in it di∣vers fair Cities; as 1st, Corduba the Principal from which it takes its Name. 2d. Xeres. 3d. Sevil. 4th. Granada. 5th. Mallaga. 6th. Almeria. 7th. Guadalcanal, where the rich Mines are found.

Galicia, is a Country very Mountainous, many of which cannot be passed without great difficulty, and others by reason of their Craggyness, held not passi∣ble; yet in this Province are found the Cities of Compostella, the Seat of an Arch-Bishop, called St. Jago, in Honour of St. James the Apostle, whom they impute to be buryed here; Bajonna a place ve∣ry pleasant for its Scituation, and Corronna, or Groynne. This Country is held the Principal in Spain, for the breed of Jennets; and here is found the Promon∣tory Nerius, formerly held to be the Ne plus ultra.

Bisca, makes a Famons Bay into the Ocean, yet many times proves dangerous to Sailers; and al∣though the Country is Mountainous, yet it has many pleasant Valleys, and is adorned with Cities, and Towns of note, as St. Sebastian, Tholosa, Fonterabia, Bilboa, &c. And from the Mountains of this Coun∣try, the Rivers that water the greatest part of Spain have their Springs, being accounted no less than One hundred and fifty; and great store of Timber for Shipping is found in those parts, with some Iron Mines, &c.

Toledo, a part of New Castile, takes its name from the principal City, scituate on the banks of Tagus or Taio, exceeding pleasant, and is ordinarily the Residence of the Nobility, and of Merchants that Trade in these Parts; being the See of an Arch-Bi∣shop, who is above the rest of the Bishops of that Kingdom, his Revenue being accounted Three hun∣dred thousand Crowns; and here the Kings of the

Goths and Moors held their Courts: there are like∣wise found the Cities of Calatrava and Talboia, one scituate on the Ava, and the other on the Tagus.

Murica, contains the City Murica, the Town of Alicant, and New Carthage, being a Country very plentiful, though thinly peopled; and hence come the Alicant wines and curious Earthen Vessels, with much fine silks: Nor did the Romans in their Conquest for some time reap a less benefit than Twenty five thou∣sand drams of Silver a week, from this Country only.

Castile Old and New contain the Towns of Soria, Segovia, Valodolid, Salamanca, a University, &c. Madrid the Kings Principal Seat; Alcala and Alcal∣tura, most of them very pleasantly scituate, as be∣ing posited in the heart of the Kingdom of Spain, abounding with Corn, Fruits, and Cattle; and the latter watered with the River Tagus and Ava, which much inrich the Country. As for Portugal it is now a separate Kingdom, wherefore I intend to speak of it in its due place, as more proper in a work of this Nature.

The Principal Rivers appropiated to Spain, are the Tagus or Taio, the Duero or Duerius, the Guiadi∣ana or Anas, which for a good space Ingulfs it self, and runs under ground, giving the Spaniards Occa∣sion to boast, that they have one of the fairest Bridges, in the World, on which Ten thousand Cattle feed, and over which an Army with extended Wings may March; the other Rivers of note are Gualdahquiver, and the Ebro, called by Strabo, Baetis, and Iberus. As fot the Mountains they are distinguished into six great Ridges, continued knit together, whereof the lesser are but parts, the chief of which are the Py∣reenians that extend from the Cantabrian▪ Ocean to the Mediterranian Sea.

As for the People of Spain, they are swarthy of Complexion, black-Hair, and of a good Proportion, stately in their Actions, and grave of Deportment, very serious in their Carriage, and Offices, much ad∣dicted to Religion, and very Observant and Faith∣ful to their Prince, not prone to alter their Determi∣nation, but patient in Adversity, in War they are very Deliberate and Cautious, not much regarding Arts, but adict themselves much to Women, and are generally very much conceited of themselves; As for the Women they carry themselves very sober and discreet, and are tolerably handsome: Those that are marryed are in great Subjection to their Hus∣bands, and extream loving; though the men are na∣turally Jealous. In matters of Religion, they are Roman Catholicks, only there are some Churches of Toledo, where the Mus-Arabick Office is used. As for the Language, it is not all the same, for in some parts, it has a mixture of French, in others much of the Moorish, and in some again the Gothish Arabick, but generally and vulgarly, the Old Spanish is used, which has much Affinity with the Latin; and as for the Civil and Imperial Laws used amongst them, they are intermixed with many Customs of the Goths, and the King governs his Provinces by Vice-Roys, or Ministers of State; and though this Couu∣try is not very fruitful in Corn and Cattle, yet it generally abounds in Wines, Oyls, Sugars, Rice, Silk, Liquoras, Honey, Wax, Saffron, Anniseeds, Rosin, Almonds, Oranges, Lemmons, Cakes, Soap, Anchovies, Soda, Barrilla, Shumack, Wool, Lamb-Skins, Tobacco, besides the great Treasures of Gold and Silver that comes from America, from whence it is conjectured since the first discovery, that above Fifteen hundred thirty six Millions of Gold has been brought into Spain.

As for the Buildings, they are every where more solid and durable, than stately and magnificent, un∣less at Sevil; in Relation to which, the Spaniards usually say, he that has not been at Sevil, has seen no stately Building. As for Apparrel, they affect rather Gravity than Gaudiness; and their Diet is as sparing, consisting for the most part of Herbs, made into Pottage, with minced Meats and Salads; though there is scarcely a Mechanick in any noted Town, but when he goes abroad, has his Cloak on, and his Ra∣pier by his side, and walks in as much State as the greatest Don in the Kingdom.

A Description of the Kingdom of Portugal.

THIS Kingdom was in the time of the Ro∣man Conquests accounted a Province of Spain, but since, been a Kingdom of about Five hun∣dred years standing, bounded on the North, with the River Minio, and Ava, which parts it from Gal∣licia; on the East with the two Castles, and Estre∣madure; on the South, with Algarve; and on the West, with the Atlantick Ocean; and was anciently called Lusitania, deriving its present Name from Porto, a Haven Town, scituate in the mouth of the River Dueras, the usual Landing place of the Gauls; and thence corruptly called Portugal, or the Gauls Port; and is accounted to be in length, from North to South, about Six score Leagues, running along the Sea-Coast; and consequently, not answerable in breadth, in which it disproportions, as in some places Twenty five, some Thirty, and in other Fifty Leagues.

This Kingdom, especially of late years, has made its self famously known throughout the World, by its Discoveries, and Trafficks, in Navigation; so that no Trading part of the Universe, has escaped its Knowledge. As for the Provinces attributed to Por∣tugal, they are principally Six, which are as many General Governments, Inter-Dueras, and Minho, Tra∣los-Montes, Beyra, Estremadure, Aleuteio, and the Kingdom of Algarue; and of these, Inter-Dueras, and Minho, are the most noted, as being exceeding Fruitful, and well Peopled, that for Eighteen Leagues in length, and Twelve in bredth, it posses∣ses One hundred and thirty Monasteries, One Thou∣sand four hundred and sixty Parishes, Five Thousand Fountains, or Springs of Water, Two hundred Stone-Bridges, and Six Sea Ports: The chief City in these Parts, is Porto, called by the English Port à Port, from its delightful Scituation, and the Advantage of the Commodities of the Country, there in abundance found; this place contains Four thousand Houses, and is much traded to by divers Nations; the next to this is Braga, famed for the many Councils held there.

Tralos Montes, is a part of this Kingdom, stored with Rich Mines, and in it is found the City of Bra∣ganca, the Capital of the Dukedom of that Title, be∣sides which there are Towns of lesser note, and the Princes who are derived from this Title usually reside at Villa-Viciosa, being now in Possession of the Crown; and had before their coming to it, a Prerogative, be∣yond the Grandees of Spain, to sit in publick under the Royal Canopie of the Spanish Kings; Beyra ano∣ther part of this Kingdom is exceeding fertile, pro∣ducing store of Millet, Rye, Apples, Chestnuts, Ca∣tle, Corn, &c. And in it is scituate the Famous City of Coimbra, noted for its University, and the See of a Bishop, &c. Estremadure abounds in Wines, Oyls, Salt, and Honey, gathered from Citron Flow∣ers;

and in it is seated Lisbon the Principal City of the Kingdom, upon five little rising Hills; on the Right bank of the River Tagus, or Taio, and Arch-Bishops See, the usual Residence of the Kings of Por∣tugal, and a City of great Trade, having the Ad∣vantage of the Ebing and Flowing of the Sea, as be∣ing but Five Miles from it, held to contain Thirty two Parishes, Three hundred fifty Streets, Eleven thousand Houses, and One hundred sixty thousand Inhabitants; the Compas computed to be near Se∣ven Miles accounting the Subburbs, and was once the greatest Emporium of Europe. Santarim, a place much in Request for the abundance of Olives, that grow about it; insomuch, that the Natives boast, but how truly, I know not, that they could make a River, as big as the Tagus of their Oyl: Setuba, an other Town in this Tract, is accommodated with one of the best Havens in the Kingdom, being no less than Thirty Miles long, and Three broad, aboun∣ding with Salt-Pits, and Wine, which bring a great Revenue into the Kings Coffers. Alenteio, extream∣ly abounds with Corn, insomuch, that it is held to be the Grainery of the Kingdom, and has in it the City of Elvara, the second to that of Lisbon, near which, the Portuguez won a considerable Victory a∣gainst the Spaniards in 1663. And next this, Elvas claims Place, for the many Sieges it has held out a∣gainst the Spaniard, and the plenty of Oyls the Neighbourhoods produce, &c. Ourique is the place, near to which was fought the Famous Battle, which occasioned the proclaiming the King of Portugal of the House of Braganca, Portelegar, is a Bishops See. Algarve, though little in extent, has the Title of a Kingdom, and was re-united to the Crown by the Marriage of Alphonse the Third, with Beatrice of Ca∣stile, abounding in Eggs, Almonds, Olives, Wines, Corn. Cattle, &c. And for the Chief Towns, they are Tavila, Faro, Silves, and Lagos.

The Natives of this Kingdom, are very frugal, yet live in much plenty, the Earth producing every where abundance: Nor did their Navigation in for∣mer days, less conduce to their Support and Gran∣deur; being held the first Europeans that publickly Trafficked into the remote parts of the World, to bring it to any considerable Perfection. The Peo∣ple are generally straight Limbed, and well propor∣tioned, very soft skinned, but somewhat inclined to swarthiness, by reason of the heat in those parts; the Air is very healthy, and the Country for the most part Hilly, though few of note.

The Roman Catholick Religion, is only publick∣ly professed. There are three Arch-Bishopricks, viz. at Lisbon, Braga, and Elvora; and Ten Bisho∣pricks. They have Parliaments as occasion requires it, held at Lisbon and Porto, and Twenty seven pla∣ces have their Generalities; and the Revenues of the Kingdom is held to be about Ten Millions of Livers, not accounting their Collonies in the East-Indies: And although Portugal was seized on by the King of Spain, after the fatal Battle of Alcazar in Affrick, and the Death of King Henry, who Succee∣ded Sabastian, slain by the Moors; it revolted in the year, 1640. And is governed by a King of its own, as a separate Kingdom from Spain, and thus much for Portugal,

A Description of Italy, In its Kingdoms and Dominions, &c.

ITaly is a very Fruitful Country, and held for its Pleasantness to be the Mistriss of all Countries, as it once was Empress of the World, and is incom∣passed with the Adriatick, Jonian, and Tyrrian Seas: Except, towards France and Germany, from which it is parted by the Alps, which renders it in a man∣ner

a Penjusula, but more peculiarly, it has on the East the lower part of the Adriatick, and the Jonian Sea, deviding it from Greece; on the West, it has the River Varus, and some part of the Alps, parting it from France; on the North, a part of the Alps divides it from Germany, and on the other parts, the Adriatique Sea devides it from Dalmatia, being held by the Antients to be in form like an Oak-Leaf.

This Country branched out into sundry principa∣lities and Provinces, is scituate in a most Fruitful and temperate Air, under the fifth climate of the North temperate Zone, which is totally taken up; so that the Longest day is 15 hours, and three fifth parts of an hour, Northward and Southward, not much above 14 hours, and the parts mentioned; and is reckoned in length, from Augusta Praetoria, now called Aost, unto Otranto the most Easternly part of Naples 1020 miles, and in bredth from the River Varo, which parts it from that Province to the Mouth of the River Arsa in Friuli; where it is the broadest 410 miles, and where the narrowest, which is about Otranto, exceeds not 23. so that the whole compass by Sea, reckoning windings and turnings, is held to be 3448 miles, but reckoned in a straight line upon the coast, it falls much short as not above 2550.

As for the first Inhabiters of this Country, they remaine doubtful, for as soon as Historians make a∣ny considerable mention of it, we find it Inhabited by divers Nations, held to be Greek Colonies, who transported themselves at sundry times; the peo∣ple of the Sea Coast being said to come thither un∣der Janus, Anno Mundi, 1925. After them Saturn out of Creet; then Evander or Oenotrus out of Arca∣dia, and then Aeneas with his Trojans, with many o∣thers; but after the Romans grew powerful, they brought the whole Country into subjection, and, held it in spite of the frequent Invasions of Phyrus

Hanibal, the Gauls, Cimbri, and others, till the time of Honorius the Emperor, at what time the Goths Vandals, Herulies, Huns, and other Barbarous Nati∣ons, passing the Alps, rent it from the Empire, and de∣vided it amongst themselves establishing many King∣doms and Principalities; and when these were in a manner subdued by the Valour and Conduct of Nar∣ses, Bellarius, and other Imperial Generals. Alboni∣us King of the Lumbards, seized upon the greatest part of it calling it Longobardia, vulgarly Lumbardy; but they a considerable time after were brought un∣der by Pepin King of France, called in by the Bishop of Rome, who reduced their Kingdom to a straight compass; after which the seat of the Roman Empire was fixed in Germany, and Italy, parcell'd out a∣mongst sundry Princes, and the usual Division is into six parts viz. Lumbardy, the Land of the Church, Nap••ls, ••ascany, Genoa, the Signory of Venice; but more particularly into five greater and six lesser; as for the first, the Kingdom of Naples, the Papacy, the Signory of Venice, the Dukedom of Florence, and the Dukedom of Millain, the lesser are the Duke∣doms of Mantoua, Vrbine, Modena, Parma, with the States of Genoa and Luca; and of these in their Order.

The Kingdom of Naples Described, &c.

AS for the Kingdom of Naples it is Governed at this day by a Vice-Roy, under the King of Spain; and is scituate in the most pleasant part of Italy, devided from the Territories of the Church, by the River Axofenus, being on the other parts Inviornd with the Seas; making many commodi∣ous Havens, and contains the Provinces of Lavaro, Calabria Inferior and Superior, Otranto, Apulia, Pug∣lia, Abruzzo.

In Lavaro is founded the City of Naples, from whence the Kingdom takes its Name, and many others of lesser note; but that which is most noted, is the Mountain Vesuvius lately called Somma, be∣ing exceeding high, and casting Flames out at the top of it, in a dreadful manner; though all the bor∣ders or parts of it are otherways very pleasant and fruitful, abounding in Vines, Flower-Gardens, Olive-Yards and rich Pastures; many of the Houses of the Gentry, and Country Villages; the City it self being seated at the foot of the Mountain, and other Hills that branch from it, extending from the South-West to the North-East, in a manner Triangular; and so Fruitful is the Country in Corn, that the Importation of Bread is forbidden upon great pe∣nalties.

As for the Buildings, they are of free Stone; ma∣ny of them four Stories in height, and the Tops flat, the Windows are generally covered with fine Lin∣nen or Tiffany in stead of Glass, which gives an e∣qual Light and keeps out the heat of the Sun: Nor consists the City of Naples of any more than three considerable broad Streets, called La Vicaria, La Lapuan, and La Toletano; the rest being inconsider∣able Lanes, and places of less note; having 8 Gates to∣wards the Sea, and as many towards the Land, strongly walled and defended with three Castles. The Women here, are very beautiful, and through the abundance of Silks found in these parts, the meanest Citizens Wives go clad in it; the peo∣ple are very thrifty and industruous, especially about their Gardens, from whence they derive a great part of their Food, in Fruits, Herbs, Roots, &c. as living very spare and temperate, though the Coun∣try abounds in plenty. The Estates of the Kingdom of Naples, as we may properly call them, under the Spanish Vice-Roy, are held to be 14 Princes, 25 Dukes, 30 Marquesses, 54 Earls, and 400 Barons

and Gentlemen; having 4 publick Houses, called the Segij, in which they meet to consult Affairs of Im∣portance; as also places are appointed for the meet∣ing of Merchants in the way of Trade.

Calabria is another Province of the Kingdom of Naples, bounded with the Jonian and Tyrrenean Seas, and with the River Jano, said to be 500 miles in compass, divided into the higher and lower Cala∣bria: The chief Cities of the former being Consen∣tia and Salernum, the chief resort of Italian Physi∣tians, pleasantly scituated and well inhabited; the Buildings agreeing with those of Naples, though not in the General so sumptuous, and all the Neighbour∣ing Countries are full of Villages, and very Fruitful; and in the latter Calabria, Cuterzary, is seated as prin∣cipal, being a strong City well Walled, and Forti∣fied; and formerly this Country was called Magna Graecia, from the many Greek Collonies that seated themselves in it.

Otranto is on three parts bound with the Sea, and on the other with Puglia, having Tarentum and Brun∣dusum for its chief places; formerly boasting it self one of the best Havens in Europe; but for some years past choaked up, or much obstructed by shoales of Sand carry'd in by the Sea; so that a Ship cannot without some difficulty enter, by which means the places are much reduced: Here are found likewise the Towns of Otranto and Gallipolis, very plentious in Oyls, Wines, and Manufacturies of Silks, and other matters of value; there are found great store of Corn, Mellions, Citron, Saffron, &c. and what is one thing observable, no Partridges pass the Limits of this Country.

Apulia another Province of Naples, extends it self from the confines of Brundusium, to the River Fortore, and is properly devided into two Provinces, and has for its principal City that of Manfredo; Scituate beneath the Hill of St. Angello, accommo∣dated

with many stately Buildings, and is the Seat of the Arch-Bishop of Siponto; and that which adds more to its advantage, is that it has a capacious Harbour, capable of receiving Ships and Galleys of great burthen, and is defended with a very stong Castle, the Country all about it being very Fruit∣ful.

Puglia is bounded with the Rivers Tronto and For∣tore, and has for its chief Cities Barlet, which has a good Haven belonging to it, and held to be one of the 4 strong holds of Italy; and Cannae the Country though somewhat Hilly, or Mountainous; abounds with Cattle, Saffron, and many other Commodities incident to Italy.

Abruzzo is in like manner a part of the Kingdom of Naples, having for its chiefest Cities or Towns Aquino, giving Birth of Thomas Aquinas, and Sulmo Famous for the Birth of Ovid the Poet, both plea∣santly seated and well inhabited.

The Papacy Described, &c.

AS for the Papacy, commonly called the Estate of the Pope, Inherent to the See of Rome; it consists of two Natures or Jurisdictions, as Spiritual and Temporal principalities, as touching the latter of which it has under its Jurisdiction many large Terretories lying between the River Fiore and Cajet∣ta, between Prenestae and the Truentian Straights, the Dukedom of Vrbin excepted, containing the Provin∣ces of Romandiola, Murchia, Spolletto, and that usu∣ally called St. Peters Patrimony is accounted Spiritual.

The first of these extends to the Venetian Terre∣tories on the West, and to Rubicon on the East, a lit∣tle River so called from the Redness of the Waters, over which in the flourishing time of the Romans; the Consuls were forbiden to come armed home∣wards, least the fear of any designed might bring

a terror upon the City of Rome. As for the chief Cities in this part, they are Bononia, the prime Uni∣versity of Italy, and where the Civil Law is very much studyed: This City is Round of form Built with Brick and Free-stone, commodiously scituate, and has towards the Streets, Arched Cloysters to se∣cure such as pass them from Rain, &c. Here is like∣wise found the City Ferrara, scituate on the banks of the River Po, and fortified on all other parts, with a strong Wall•• in which the former Dukes held the stately Pallace of Beluedevere, so named from its plea∣sant scituation; as also Ravenna of great antiquity, renowned in Antient History; accommodated about two miles distant with a famous Port or Haven. This Province or Country, produces Corn, Wine, Oyl, some Drugs, plenty of Cattle, and especially good Horses.

Marchia extendeth from Puglia to Otranto between the Appenine and the Sea, commodiously divided into little rising Hills, and fertile Plaines, by which means it is very Fruitful, greatly abounding with Corn, Wine, and Oyl: Its principal Empori is An∣cona, by reason of the commodiousness of its Haven, and is a fair City incompassed with three Mountains, and hath the form of a half Moon, the Streets are narrow and paved with Flint; the Haven is Trian∣gular, where are curious Walks, and a place called la Loggia, where the Merchants that resort thither for Trade, do meet and is very healthy: the other considerable Cities are Firmo, and Ascoli, aud in this Province stands Loretto, so Famous for our Ladies Miracles.

Spolletto, anciently Vmbria, has for its chief Cities Spolletto, from whence it takes its name Onietto, sci∣tuate on a high Rock and Asis, where St. Francis was born: and though this Province is not large, yet it abounds with Wine, Corn, Oyl, Saffron, Cattle, Figs, &c.

St. Peters Patrimony, so called, and accouned the Spiritual Jurisdiction, contains all the ancient Lati∣um, or Campaigna di Roma, and the chief City is Rome, formerly the Capital of the most cousiderable Empire in the World, Mistriss of the fairest part of the Universe, and said thro' the excess of her many Conquests to extend by Degrees, from 2 Miles in compass to 50, and had on her Walls 740 Towers, spreading over, or taking in her circumference 7 Mountains or Hills, viz. Pallatinus, Capitolinus, Vnivalis, Aventinus, Esquiliuus, Caelius, and Queri∣nalis; and is scituate on the banks of the Famous River Tiber; though at this day it is not accounted above 11 Miles in Circuit, however containing many stately Structures and Monuments of its ancient Greatness: But what renders it most Eminent is the Popes Pallace on the Vatican Hill, the Famous Church Dedicated to St. Peter, one of the goodli∣est Structures in the World, accounted 520 Feet in Length, aad 385 in Bredth, adorned with Paintings, Tombs, and other choice Pieces of Antiquity, al∣most Innumerable; the Vatican Library, and many Monuments of the Roman Emperors; and not far from this City is Pont Mill, where Constantine the great was shewed the Cross in the Clouds, with this Motto, viz. In hoc Vincis, in this you shall over∣come; which made him take the Insign of the Cross for his Banner; and accordingly prevailing over his Enemies he not only Imbraced the Christian Reli∣gion himself, but commanded it should be observed throughout his Empire: And indeed in Rome cen∣ters the Plenty and Glory of Italy, the Inhabitants being accounted two Hundred Thousand, most Clergy-men.

The Seignorie or Common-wealth of Venice Described, &c:

NOrth of the Alps from Roman-di-ola, are the Italian Provinces, appertaining to the State of Venice, bounded on the South with the Territories of Ferarra, and the rest of Roman di-ola; on the West with the Dukedom of Millain; on the North with the main Body of the Alps; and on the East with the Adriatick Sea, and the River Arsia which, parts them from Liburnia: besides it commands a great part of Greece, especially by the late success∣ful Acquisitions and Victories, as well as divers Islands in the Sea, and has all along been the Bulwark of Christendom against the Turks.

As for the chief City upon which the rest de∣pend, it gives a Name to the People, and is wonder∣fully situate, or seated at the bottom of the Adri∣atick Sea, or Gulf of Venice, upon 72 Islands, five Miles distant from the main Land, defended from the rage of Sea and Storms by a prodigeous work; being a bank of (some say 60 other) 35 miles in length; open in 7 places for passage, with Boats and Gallys, &c. of small burthen, of which they have commonly 1300, but for great Vessels the only pas∣sage is at Malamacco, and Castle Lido, strongly forti∣fied and yet this City is Computed no more than 8 miles in circuit; having for its better conveni∣ency 4000 bridges, one of which is very famous, pas∣sing over the Great Chanel; and the rest, pass wa∣ters of lesser note, which in divers places refresh this Maritime City.

The Arsmal is the most beautiful, bigest, and best furnished in Europe; being about 2 miles in circuit▪ and has a Magazine of all sorts of Arms, Engines and Amunition for Sea or Land Service, amongst which

are 1000 Coats of plate Garnished with Gold, and covered with Velvet; but what is most admirable is the Church of St Mark, their Titular Saint; wrought with Mosaick work, supported with Pillars of Mar∣ble and Prophery; adorn'd with Images, Tombs, &c. that for the abundance of Jewels, Pearls, Gold, and Silver, that cover and adorn them, and their Altars it may be thought that the whole Treasury of the State might be Imployed to that purpose; and besides there are found 200 Pallaces built of Marble, and adorned with Collumnes, Statues, Pictures, and other things of great Value; that for their grandure, they are capable of entertaining any Prince; They have likewise 73 rich Hospitals; 56 Tribunals, or Courts of Justice; 67 parish Churches, 26 Monaste∣ries of Nuns 54 Convents of Friars, 18 Chappels and 6 Free-Schools; and so powerful once they were that they held War with all the Prince of Eu∣rope, &c. England excepted, for the space of seven years, and wanted neither men nor money; and if we consider▪ what Wars they have had for near 200 years (at times) with the Turks; we must needs proceed to wonder how they should support them∣selves under that expence of Treasure, and loss of men; but their Income is mostly by Navigation, and the fruitfulness of their Islands; so that accord∣ing to a Modern account, it has amounted in the Treasury, (not reckoning the Effects of particular men,) to five millions and 320000 Duckets yearly: as for the City it is Governed by a Duke, and the Sennate; and so consequently all the Countries and Cities under its Jurisdiction, many of which we shall have occasion to mention hereafter, and therefore purposely omit them in this description: only by the way take notice, that the Terretories of this Signorie, are divided into Land and Sea; and in Lombardy, Marca, Trevigiana, Friuli and Istri, part of Dalmatia, Sclavoniae, Albania, and the Morea;

and in their Jurisdiction are the famous Cities of Padua, Brescia, Bergamo, Vicenza and others; as for their Islands the principal are Corfu, Cephalonia, Zant, Ithaca, and others lately regained.

The Discription of the Dukedom of Florence, or Tuscany.

THis Dukedom now under the Grand Duke of Tuscany, is divided from St. Peter's Pa∣trimony, on the East, by the River Pisco, on the West by the River Macra, from the Com∣mon-wealth of Genoa; on the North from Roman∣diola, and Marca Anconitana, by the Apennine Hills; and on the South, has for its boundar•• the Tyrrean and Tuscan Seas.

This Country formerly had its name from the City of Florence, Scituate nigh the confluence of the Ri∣ver Arno, round in form and strongly fortified with a Wall, &c. and 8 Forts, whereof the great∣est lyes towards the South; the buildings are very stately, errected with Free-stone and Marble, flat on the roofs, except the Pallaces which are adorned with Towers and Pinacles; the Pavements of the Streets being likewise for the most part broad Free-stone, a River running through the chief of them, which greatly cools and refreshes the City in the heat of Summer; and over it is a stately Bridge all∣most in the middle of the City, and towards the North East it is Encompassed with pleasant Hills, gently rising and planted with choice Fruits, and sheltered from storms by the Apennine Mountains that lye behind them; nor does the South side want the like advantage, whilest the West Exposes it to the Flowry Valleys of Arno; and without the Wall are the Garden houses and Pallaces of the Nobility and Gentry, which likewise scatter over all the plea∣sant

Fields; insomuch that it is accounted the Glo∣ry of Italy, frequently stiled its Garden, and takes its name from the Flowry Plains, and Gardens that inclose, or expend themselves about it. The next City of note is Pisa, through which the River Arno runs, from East to West, its Scituation being in a plain; and towards the North-west by North is a Gate, and a fair Cathederal Church, most cu∣riously wrought and Paved with Marble; and here the Duke of Florence or Tuscany has a Pallace, seated on the bank of the River Sienna; another City is scituate on a rising Hill, indifferently ascending a∣bove the Valleys; the streets of which, a thing un∣usual, are paved with Brick, wherefore no Carts nor Coaches are allowed to pass through them, but the burthens are carry'd by men Mules and Asses; and has in it several stately Towers and Fountains, the Women of this place being likewise reckoned the fairest of all Italy. Massa is a Town most noted for the Quarries of Marble in its neighbourhood.

In this Dukedom is the famous Legorne, so much traded to by Merchants of most Nations in Europe; opening to the Sea a spacious Port or Haven, and is a Mart or Emporis for all the principal commo∣dities of Italy, and many that are brought over-land out of remote Countries; and here our Merchants have frequently settled a Factory, the people being generally fair dealers, and wonderfully obliging to strangers; so that the Custom of this place is the greatest part of the Dukes Revenues, being very considerable▪

As for this City it is seated in a fruitful Plain, with commodious Avenews, being somewhat long in form from North to South, and is defended with two Towers that stand inward to the Sea, for the guard of the Haven, that for great Ships lying farther into the Sea, than that for Gallies and lesser Vessels, which is sheltered by a Wall drawn almost

round it; and here it is the English Merchants trad∣ing to Italy have their Lading.

The Dukedom of Milain Described, &c.

THE Dutchy of Milaine, is very pleasantly seated, in the Country of Lumbardy, amongst fruitful Plains, and little rising Hills; and held the most desirable Place of these Countrys.

Its chief City is Milain, Anciently Mediolanum, which though so often ruined, as having been taken no less than Twenty times, and besiged Forty, has still rise out of its Ashes, more fair and splendid than at first, being now accounted the greatest City of Lombardy; seated in a large Plain, and incompassed with Rivers, strongly guarded with a spacious and well fortified Castle, and other extraordinary For∣tifications. As for the Building, it is very stately and magnificent; but the most remarkable are Castles or Cittadels, the Hospital or Lazarette; the Cathedral or Dome: besides there are 36 Monastries, 30 Convents of Fryers of sundry Orders, 96 Paro∣chial, and 11 Collegate Churches, mos•• of which are beautified and adorned with Images▪ Paintings, Sculptures; there is moreover, a Cabinet of ex∣ceeding Rarieties, not to be paralelled, as report goes, in any place. The City in circuit is accounted Ten miles, very populous, imagined to contain 300000 Souls; the Inhabitants mostly Rich, as very much Trading in Merchandice, especially Silks, Gloves, Ribbons, &c. from whence our Millinary Ware-men derive the Denomination of their Trade; The City being much Traded to from France, Spain, and all parts of Italy.

As for other places of note in this Jurisdiction, they are principally Pavia, Papia, made a University by Charles the IV. guarded by a strong Castle, and has in it a fair Cathedral Church, supposed the

richest of Revenue in Italy, viz. 300000 Crowns per. Ann. And near this place, King Francis the first of France, was overthrown in a great Battle, and taken Prisoner by Lanoy the Duke of Burbone and others, commanding for Charles the V. Alexan∣dria or Alessandris, the strongest work in the whole Dutchey; Cremona seated on the Banks of the River Poe, accommodated with a good Trade, stately muildings, large Streets, and pleasant Gardens, noted for its Tower and Cathedral Church. And here it was that Vitellus his Souldiers were defeated by those of Vespatian, and the Town fired by them.

The Lakes found here are Lago, Magiore, in length 56 miles, and 6 in breadth, having in it 2 Islands, called the Boremeans, fruitful and pleasant, even to a wonder, Lago Delcoma and Lugani Lacus, and the Rivers are Olgio Adde Lambro, Tesine, &c. As for the Hills they are of no remark.

The Ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Insubres, Conquered by the Romans, then by the Gauls, and next by the Lombards, but now the Country is under the protection of the King of Spain, who appoints a Governour to reside in Mil∣lain, where St. Ambrose once was Bishop.

The Dutchy of Modena described.

THIS Part, or Province of Italy, contains the City of Modena, and Reggio, with the adjoyn∣ing Territories: As for the Capital City of Modena, it was known, and is so still in Roman History, by the Name of Mutina, famous for the first bloody bat∣tle between Marcus Antonius, and Augustus Caesar; and is at this day the Residence of the Duke, whose Pallace, though not appearing very large outwardly, is nevertheless very Famous and Magnificent, by the rich Adornments within; his Cabin or Museum be∣ing

furnished with the choice of Natural Rarities, as Jewels, &c. to an extraordinary Value: And here Otho the Emperor slew himself, upon his Army be∣ing defeated by Vitellus.

As for the Country, though it is not large, it ne∣vertheless is very fruitful, and abounds with great store of curious Fruits, Corn, Cattle, and other things fit mans for Subsistance, watered with many small Streams, and mostly plain, but that which renders it more Famous, is its being the Native Country of our present Queen Mary, Consort to his Most Sacred Majesty, King James the Second.

The People of this Dukedom are said to be bet∣ter natur'd than most of Italy; quick in their Reso∣lution, easie to be pacified when wronged, and Friendly in their Entertainment of Strangers.

A Description of the Dukedom or Princi∣pality of Parma.

THIS Country hath on the North Mantua on the South the Appennine Hills, on the West Milan, and on the East the Country of Modena. The chief City is Parma, seated on the River Pir∣ma, in a Fruitful Plain, being about 4 miles in compass; adorned with many Rich and Stately Structures, well Peopled, and much frequented by Gentry, greatly Addicted to Learning, Arts and Arms; the adjoyning Plains produce excellent Pa∣sturage, which feed abundance of Sheep, of whose Milk is made the Parmasan Cheese, so much in e∣steem in all Countries; and here the Duke's Pallace is seated, where he holds a Court in great State: as for the Churches they are beautified, and rarely im∣bellished with Pictures and Images.

Piacenza or Placentia is the second City, famous for the Resistance it made against Hannibal, and h••s

Brother Asdrubal, upon their cutting their way through the Alps, and Invading Italy; and now as much esteemed for the Fairs and Marts kept here, to which the Merchants and others resort from the Neighbouring Country to make their Exchanges: The Principal River is Trebia, where the Romans in a Fatal Battle were overthrown by the Cartha∣genians, and 40000 of them computed to be slain; and near to Placentia are many Salt-pits and Mines of Iron.

A description of the Dukedom of Mantoua.

THE Dukedom of Mantoua is a very fair Country, very plentiful in Corn, Wine, Cat∣tle, and rich Pastures, and Fruits of sundry Kinds: As for the chief City that gives it the Name, it is Seated in a Lake of 20 Miles compass, by Na∣ture very strong and fencible, there being no Land access to it but by Cause-ways, and in it stands the Dukes Pallace, very fair and stately, though he has another Pallace for Pleasure and Delight exceeding this, at Marmirolla, five Miles from this City; As for Mantoua it is in a manner round, save that the Lake on the North-East sides, enters it like a half Moon: The Buildings are partly of Brick, and part∣ly of Free Stone, and the Streets large and clean: In the midst is a large Market-place, where all manner of Strangers are admitted to vend their Ware, though the greatest Traffick is in the hands of the Jews, who grow Rich by the Impoverish∣ment of the Citizens, and is in compass 4 Miles, having 8 Gates, and strengthened by a good Wall. This City is of antient standing, and contains about 50000 People, and has often been brought into Di∣stress by the Germans, especially in the Year 1619▪ and 1630. As for the Dukes Revenue, it is count∣ed

400000 Crowns per Annum, though many will not credit it, seeing some few Years since, he made over part of his Dutchy to the French King▪ for a considerable Sum of Money; and here it is held unlawful to wear a Sword, or any other Weapon without Lisence; and in this City the Famous Vir∣gil had his Birth, as by his Ecclogus appears, &c. and to this Dukedom partly appertains the Dukedom of Montferrat, in the South-East of Piemont, and other Territories.

The Dukedom of Urbin described:

THE Dukedom of Vrbin may be said to lie within the Territories of the Church, bounded on the North with the Adriatick, on the South with the Apennine Hills, on the West with Romagna, or Roma-di-ola, and on the East with Marca Aconitania, being in length Sixty, and in breadth Thirty five Miles, and is accounted to con∣tain Two hundred Castles, and Seven Principal Towns, the chief is Vrbin seated at the bottom of the Apennine Hills, and built in the fashion of a Mi∣ter. The next to it Pisauro, containing an excel∣lent Haven, for the Reception of considerable Ve∣sels; and a Third is Belforto, more inward, and sup∣posed to be in the middle of the Country: The chief of the Castles are, the Rocks of St. Leo, and Marivolo; and at Vrbin, Polidorus Virgil was born, who being a Collector of Peter Pence in England for the Pope, wrote a History of the many remarka∣ble Transactions of our Country, and is quoted by most of our modern Historians

The Estate or Common Wealth of Genoa Described.

THE Estate of Genoa, formerly contained a large part of Italy, and were accounted the most expert in Navigation of all Eu∣rope, but of late, through the many Wars they have maintained against the Venetians, and other neighbouring Princes, their own Intestine Broils, and their neglect of Navigation and Traffick, they are greatly reduced, holding little more than Li∣guria and Corsica: The first of these has on the East the River Varus, on the West parted from Tuscany by the Magura, on the North the Apennine Hills, and on the South the Ligurian or Tyrrenian Seas.

As for the City of Genoa, it is seated on the sides of small rising Hills, tho' behind it are those of grea∣ter height, lying open on the South side to the Sea, where it has a goodly Haven, in the form of a Cre∣sant or half Moon, upon the Horn whereof, towards the East, is the Sea Bank Lamola, about 600 paces in length, keeping off the Waves that beat upon the City on the East side; and in the middle of this Bank is a Fort built to defend the Navy that may Anchor there, so that the circuit of this City is accounted Eight miles, and though the Streets are narrow, yet the Palaces of the Dey, and Houses of the Senators, are very stately; nor are their Walls less strengthned with Bull-warks, and other Forti∣fications. The Houses in the High-streets are Four Stories, and many Five, the Windows being Glazed, which is not usual in Italy, many of them built of Marble, but all of Freestone: The Streets paved with Flint, and the Suburbs full of Gardens and Houses of the Nobility and Gentry. As for the People, they are Masters of other Cities, as Noli,

Sarazena, and Savon, being noble minded and ge∣nerous in all their Actions, formerly much inclined to War and search of Adventures; insomuch that they assisted, with a great Fleet in the Holy War, and taking of Jerusalem by the Christian Army, and aided Phillip the French King with 10000 Men, a∣gainst Edward the Third of England, where in one Battle they were most of them slain. They Aided likewise the Spaniards in 1588 to Invade England, with several great Carracts and Galleys; which were either lost upon the Coast, or cast away in their Flight homeward, which loss they have never since fully recovered; yet they lately made a stout De∣fence against the Naval Power of France, which could effect no more, than beating down some part of their City, by Bombing it at a distance, as being well assured they had no Fleet capable of Engaging.

The Country abounds in all the Plenties of Italy, and here only the Women have the greatest Free∣dom, without the Jelosie or Suspition of their Husbands of any Italians; and as a further Honour to this place, it gave Birth to Christopher Columbus, the first Discoverer of the New World or Country of America.

The State of Lucca Described.

THe State of Lucca is held to be scituate within the Dukedom of Tuscany or Florence, com∣prehending the Town and Terretory of Lucca.

As for Lucca, it is seated in a fruitful Plain, strongly fortified with a good Wall, and incompas∣sed with pleasant Trees, so that at a distance it seems to stand in a Wood, and the Plain wherein it is seated, is invironed with Mountains or large Hills, except towards Pistola, where it opens to the Sea, and is three miles in compass; as for the Streets,

they are narrow and paved with broad Freestone, and in it are many Palaces, and Merchants Houses, curious built of Free-stone, according to other Building in Italy, and was formerly a place of great Trade for Silks, Stuffs, Carpets, Cloth of Gold, and the like; there being a great concourse of Mer∣chants, call'd Luccois Merchants, that were wont to meet there at several Fairs or Marts, held for that purpose, but of late the Trade is declined: however the Inhabitants inrich themselves by their Manufacture, which they send to other places of greater Trade. And here there is a strict Law, that no Person shall wear any Weapon, no not a Knife, unless it be blunted; the People being gene∣rally very courteous to Strangers. And thus much for what may be properly call'd Italy, which taken in general, is one of the most fruitful and pleasant Countrys of the World, of which Europe being call'd the Head, this is accounted the Face. But for brevity sake I must desist any further Comment, and proceed to other parts adjoyning.

The Dukedom of Lorrain Described.

THIS Country is Invironed with a part of Belgium, Alsatia, the Country of Burgundy and Campaign, and is about 180 Miles in compass, exceeding Fruitful in Corn, Wine, store of Cattle, but especially Horses of an Excellent Breed; the Rivers and Lakes abounding with Fish, and the Soil with rich Mines: The chief Town is Nancy, seated upon the River Meuse, and in it the Ducal Pallace, much resorted to for Wines, Bran∣dies, and other Commodities; the Buildings are very stately and commodious, most of them of Stone, and well fortified with a Wall of great Strength: The next to this are St. Nicholas, and

Vancoleus very strong and well Garisoned by the French into whose hands the Country fell, in the Reign of King Lewis the 13. though the present Duke of Lorain now warring in Hungary, is on all hands concluded to be the rightful Prince. As for the manners and Customs of the people they are a mixture of Germany and France, as being seated be∣tween those Countries, &c.

The Dukedom of Savoy, and Country of Peimont Described, &c.

AS for Savoy, it is a very Mountainous Country bounded by the Dauphenet, Bress, Switzer∣land, Peimont and the Alps; the Antient Inhabi∣tants were the Allobroges, who submitted to Hanibal, when he entered Italy with his Carthagenians to War against the Romans; at what time Bruncius and his Brother being at variance about the Succession to the Kingdom, he reconciled them; afterward it was made a Roman Province, and was called from one of the Kings that then Reigned being a Favorite to Augustus Caesar, Alpes Coctiae; but in the declining of the Roman Empire, it became a part of the King∣dom of Burgundy, and passed with other rights of the Empire to Germany; but now is independent under a Duke, who is soveraign Lord of the Coun∣try.

The Chief Towns of Savoy are Chambiers, Scitu∣ate in a pleasant Valley amongst Mountains, and is graced with a Ducal Pallace and many stately build∣ings of the Nobles, who are for the most part very Gentile, Active and Airy, though the Country peo∣ple on the contrary are very Imbicil and Slugish. Tarantaise, an Arch-Episcopal See, Scituate amongst Mountains as the former, full of pleasant build∣ings:

Aquabelle, Mauridune another Arch-Episco∣pal See.

Under the power and Jursdiction of the Savonian D••ke, it is Peimont unless a small part of it claim∣ed by the Duke of Mantoua, seated at the Foot of the Mountains, and bounded on the East with Mi∣lain, on the West with Savoy, on the North with Switzer-land, and on the South with the Mediter∣ranean, being more fertile than the other; contain∣ing 52 Earldoms, and 15 Marquesats, besides Bar∣ronies and Lordships; and here dwell the progeny of the Albigenses, who about the year 1100 stood, for the Liberty and Doctrine of the Church of their Pre∣decessors and about the year 1250, were near all de∣stroyed and ruined by the Popes and French Kings; when the remainder prefering their Concience be∣fore their Country, retired up into the Mountains, and by their Industry and Indefatigable Husbandry, made the very Rocks bring forth Grass and Herbage for themselves and their Cattle, &c. and here they worshiped God, according to the Worship of rhe reformed Churches; greatly increasing in num∣ber, as being followed with blessings, untill the latter end of the Reign of Francis the first, at what time happened the Massacre of Merinia∣num, or Mariguan Gallis and Chabriers, and in the year 1662 and 1663, they were again persecut∣ed by the Savoiard, and since that in the year 1684 we had a Mellancholy account of their treatment: and although there are many good Towns under the Government of Savoy; yet the Duke chiefly resides at the City Turin Scituate on the River Po and is the seat of an Arch-Bishop and a University, where Erasmus took his degree, and for Scituation is accounted one of the plesantest in Europe.

The Seignory of Geneva, and the Alps Described.

GENEVA is within the Limits of the Duke∣dom of Savoy, the whole Seignory not exceed∣ing Eight Leagues in compass, Scituate on the Lake Lemanus, and devided into two parts by the Ri∣ver Rosne. The City strongly walled and fortified, as being the head of a Free state; containing a flourishing University, Governed by a Common Council, or 200 of the chief Burghers, four of which are called Sindiques: As for the Church Government it is composed of Lay-men, Elders, and Ministers founded by John Calvin 1541. and although this City has been beseiged by the Duke of Savoy, and others who have undertaken to re∣duce it, yet it has manfully defended it self against all Invasions; and as for the revenue it is reckoned 60000 Crowns per annum. The building is gene∣rally of Free-stone, and the North side of the City lies close to the South side of the Lake, where is a little Haven for Gallies, built to keep free passage on the Lake, defended by a strong Fort; a River Issu∣ing from the Lake runs through the lower part of the City, and is passed by two commodious Bridges. And although it is a Receptacle for all manner of Religions, and people that fly from Persecution, yet such is the Law, that even a Malefactor is Con∣demned there for a Crime committed in his own Country, if proved against him, and Adultry punish∣able with death; Fornication the first time with 9 days fasting or living with Bread and Water in Prison; the second time with Whipping, and the third with banishment; notwithstanding which and although the Women be more reserved here than in

any other place, those Affairs go forward in pri∣vate.

This Signory abounds with all manner of Fruits, great store of Fish; and is much Traded to espe∣cially by the Italian Merchants for Velvets, Taffatas, Musquet Barrels, and Calevers, &c.

The Alps are the greatest Ridge of Mountains in Europe, parting Germany, France, and Italy, and in some places require five days to ascend them. There being five passages through them into Italy, viz. 3 out of France and 2 out of Germany. The 1 from France is through Provence, close upon the Tyr∣renian Seas, through Liguria, being the Easiest; the 2 through the Hill Geneara, into the Marque∣sat of Zaluzzes, and so into Lumbardy: The third is over the Mount Cenis, and through the Country of Turin. As sor those out of Germany, the first is through the Country of the Grissons, by the Province of Valtoline; the last through the County of Tirol, near to the Towns of Juspurk and Trent; and as for these Mountains, they are in many parts very fruit∣ful; divers Villages and Towns, being Scituate on them, though mostly barren, and in many places the Snow and Frost continues all the year, without the Suns having power to dissolve it, by reason the assent is so near the cold Region; and through part of them Hanibal cut, dissolving, or loosening the Rocks with Fire and Vinegar, when he broke un∣expectedly into Italy and defeated the Roman Ar∣my; and indeed in some places they are dreadfull even to look on.

The Description of the County of Roussillon and Catalonia.

ROussillon by the French Included between the branches of the Pyreenean Mountains if we be∣gin at Mount Cavo, the one extending to Colibre and C. de Creux a Promontary, that is the furthest point East of Cattalonia; as for the other it passes unto Salsas, and as for the places of note, they are Perpignan, Pupirianum; and Perpinianum built out of the ruins of Ruscinum, by Guinard Earl of Roussillon, Scituate upon the banks of the River Thelis or The∣tis, in a pleasant fruitful plain, &c. A rich and flourishing Emporie, and a strong hold against the French, till the year 1644; and of such esteem was this little Country in former times, that it was pawned by John King of Aragon in 1462, to Lewis the 11th. of France for 300000 Crowns, and restored to Ferde∣nand the Catholick, by Charles the Eight, that he might not be diverted from the Conquest of Naples. and abounds with plenty, &c.

Catalonia or as the French call it. Cattalogne, joyns to the Country of Roussillon, is accounted 170 Italian Miles in length, and in breadth 130, and held to contain the Dukedom of Cardona, 3 Mar∣quesates, 11 Earldoms, divers Barronies and Lord∣ships, and 45 Cities or walled Towns, and 600000 Inhabitants; amongst which (in the time of Bote∣rius) were 10000 French Shepherds and Husband∣men. As for the Country, some Authors inform us, that it is generally Hilly, and full of Woods, yielding but small store of Corn, Wine, and Fruits; though others speak more favourably of it, and af∣firm it affords plenty of Corn, Wine, and Oyl, though indeed it is mostly inriched by its Maritime Scituation.

The chief Town is Bracelonia seated upon the Mediterranian Sea, between the Rivers Besons and Rubricat or Lobrecat, and is a rich noted Port much Traded to: The buildings are very stately, and contain a Bishops See; an Academy, and sun∣dry other advantages of Gardens and pleasant places that render it delightful and well Inha∣bited.

A Description of Belgium, or the Nei∣therland Provinces, &c.

THE Tract now called Belgium or the Neither∣lands, is bounded on the East with Westphalia, Gulick, Cleve, Triers, and the Provinces of the higher Germany, on the West with the main Ocean, which divides it from Brittain, &c. on the North with the River Ems, which parts it from East Friez∣land, and on the South with Picardy and Campaign, two French Provinces, and upon the South-East with the Dukedom of Lorain; and as for the Coun∣try in its present Estate, it is divided into 17 Pro∣vinces, viz. The Dukedoms of Limburg, Luxenburg, Gelderland, Brabant, the Marquisate of the Holy Em∣pire, the Earldoms of Flanders, Artois, Hatndult, Namurre, Zutphan, Holland, Zealand, the Barronies of West Friezland, Vtrecht, Overysel, Machlyn, and Groyning, or Groningen, and of these in their Order.

Limburg.

THE Dukedom of Limburg is pleasantly sci∣tuate, and a very fruitful Province, hav∣ing the Famous City of Mastreich, so late∣ly renowned for its Sieges, as its Capitol, though

the Bishoprick of Leige is its appendent, in which is the City of Leige, the Bishop Regents usual Resi∣dence, the See at present vacant by the Death of the late Bishop, and hath under it 52 Barronies, and in it a University, where at one time (if the Story may be credited) Studied 9 Sons of Kings, the Sons of 24 Dukes, and 29 Earls; it being com∣modiously and healthfully scituate on the River Meuse; the Buildings very fair and spacious, and is accommodated with divers Monasteries and Abbies, the whole Bishoprick containing 24 walled Towns, and 1800 Villages; as also the Eastern part, pro∣perly termed a part of the Dutchy of Limburg, con∣tains 5 walled Towns, and 23 Villages, where Limburg (that gives the Province Name) is plea∣santly scituate on the River Wesa or Wesel, or We∣sar; and from this Fertile Country, abounding with whatever is necessary for the Support of Hu∣mane Life, is found that Stone so much used in pub∣lick, called Lapis Calaminaris.

Luxemburg.

LVxemburg is another Province of the Low Coun∣tries, having Limburg for its boundard on the North, Lorain on the South, the Bishoprick of Triers on the East, and the River Meuse on the West, and is accounted in circumference 24•• Miles, containing 23 walled Towns, and 1169 Vi••∣lages of the former, of which Luxemburg scitua•••• on the River Asnaius, Danvillees and Bostonake are chief: The upper part of this Dukedom is general∣ly Inhabited by Germans, but the French possess most of the lower part, and indeed they speak either Languages in most of the Villages, and in manners participate of both Nations; and border∣ing

upon this Dukedom is the Famous Forrest of Ardena, formerly accounted the greatest in Europe, as being 500 Miles in compass, consisting mostly of Chest-nut Trees, but now burnt, and otherways destroyed to the circumference of 90 Miles, and near it are found the Spaw Baths, so much frequent∣ed by divers Nations for the restoring them to Health, by removing sundry Malladies and Diseases; and in this Region are held to be 7 Earldoms, and many other petty Governments. The Soil is na∣turally Fruitful and Pleasant by Scituation.

Brabant.

BRabant has for its boundard on the South-East and North, the River Meuse, on the West the Schald, or the Sclade; in length it is accounted 70 Miles, and in breadth 60, containing 26 walled Towns, and 700 Villages; the principal of the former being Lovaine, a City 6 miles in compass, inclosing beside the stately Building, pleasant Hills, Valleys, Meadows, Fragrant Gardens, and is a no∣ted University, consisting of 20 stately Colledges. The next of note is Bruxelles, or Brussels, the usu∣al seat of the Governor, for the King of Spain, plea∣santly seated and Inviorned with Gardens and little riseing Hills; and near it is the City of Bergeaupzone, a garrisoned place, strongly fortified; and here is found likewise, the Town of Breda, surprised by the Prince of Orange, and taken from the Spaniards by a small number of Gentlemen, who came upon it in the night time, in a Boat covered with Turfs, and desperately setting upon the Garrison possessed themselves of it; and yet more famous for the Trea∣ty between his Late Majesty of England, and his Sub∣jects, whereupon ensued his happy Restauration; and in this Province is contained the Marquesa••e

of the Empire, whose chief Town or City is Antwerp, 7 Miles in compass, once a famous Empori, or the Scale of Europe, by reason of its Scituation on the River—having two Marts yearly, and for the more safe Resort of Strangers, qualified with extra∣ordinary Priviledges, and here the Portugals exposed their East India Goods to Sale, and dispersed them through Europe, but of late the Hollanders growing powerful at Sea, and great Traffickers, have remo∣ved the Scale for the most part to Amsterdam.

Flanders.

THIS Province which amongst the vulgar passes current for the 10, is divided into Galicam, Imperialem, and Tutonicam, the latter being separated from the two first by the Ri∣ver Ley, where is found the City of Gaunt, the Birth Place of John Duke of Lancaster, Son to Edward the Third of England, from thence called John of Gaunt; and is so large within the Walls, that there is large Pastures, and Corn Fields, besides many Gardens, and other pleasant places, and is Commodiously seated upon the River Schald, which devides it in many parts; so that for the conveniency of the Inhabi∣tants there are 98 Bridges: The next to this are Bru∣gis and Ypres, walled and well fortified, and with∣in the Jurisdiction of the Province, are the famous Sea Ports, or Frontier Towns of Dunkirk, taken from the Spainards by the Valour of the English, and since delivered to the French: Scluse, which has a spaci∣ous Haven, capable of containing 500 Sail of Ships; and to these we must add Newport and Ostend.

Imperial Flanders, so called for Distinctions sake, is devided from Brabant, by the River Dender, and in it are found the Towns of Alost and Dendermond, sci∣tuate very pleasantly upon the Banks of that River

with Hulst, a considerable Town, indifferently forti∣fied, the Country is generaly fruitful, and the people very thrifty and sparing, &c.

Gallicam, or Gallica Flanders, taking its Denomi∣nation from its dependency on the French, or the nearness to that Country, has for its chief Town, Lisle or Lile, a Town of great Trade, and much Resort, where sundry Merchants have Ware-Houses, and some petty Factories; the next to it in Dignity is Doway, much noted for its University, and the great Resort of most Christian Nations thither to see the curious Library, and other Rarities; and here like∣wise stands Tornay, taken from the French by King Henry the Eighth of England, and ransomed by the Inhabitants at 100000 Ducats; there are moreover 32 walled Towns of lesser note, and 1178 Villages, within the Jurisdiction of this Province, adorned with stately Buildings, and pleasant Gardens, re∣plenished with Fountains, and pleasant Streams; and is in all parts very Fruitful, as lying low, and not any where incumbred with Mountains, from which indeed the Provinces are generally free, &c.

Artois is a very pleasant Province, and was once intirely French; but now (as the rest I have mention∣ed) under the Government of the King of Spain, quit∣ted by Henry the Second of France, to Philip the Se∣cond of Spain, in the League of Chambray; and is said to contain 854 Villages, and 12 Towns of note; the chief being Arras, from whence our Cloath of Arras comes, and Lilliers. The Principal Frontier Towns that opposes Piccardie are Hedinfort, Ayre, Per∣nes, and St. Omers, most of them very strong and sencible.

Hainault is considerably spacious, as being Sixty Miles in length, and Fourty Eight in breadth, in which are computed 950 Villages, and 24 conside∣rable Towns, as Monts Famous for the overthrow of the French Army, under the command of the Duke

of Luxemburg, by the Dutch and Germans, under the command of the Prince of Orange, &c. routed near this Town 1676. Valenciens very commodiously seated, so that it cannot be besieged but by a consi∣derable Army, divided into three parts: Conde and Bavais, Towns of considerable strength, the latter supposed to be built upon the ruins of the antient Belgium, the Province in general is very pleasant and fruitful.

Namurre is very commodiously scituate, and yields the Inhabitants great Advantages from the Iron Mines, and Marble Quars; as also those of Free Stone, and what is indeed a wonder in nature, viz. The Stone Cole which is extinguished by Oyl, but burns the brighter for having Water cast upon it; and here are found the City Namurre, giving name to the Pro∣vince as also Charlemont, Valen-court, or Bornies, with about 182 Villages, accommodated with rich Pa∣stures, pleasant Gardens, with store of Fruits and Cattle.

Machlyn, though it is reckoned to be scituate with∣in the circuit of the Province of Brabant; yet has in it 9 Villages, with several Castles and Places of strength, as its dependences being a strong Town, seated in the midst of the Waters of the River Dole, so that upon drawing up the Sluces, the Country about it may be drowned; and was of such esteem before the Wars with Spain, that it was the seat of a Parlia∣ment; but now is somewhat impaired by a fire that happened some years since, by the blowing up of a Magazine of 800 Barrils of Gun-powder. These are those properly called the Spanish Provinces and Nei∣therlands, which were formerly free Estates, and most of them Independent, governed by their pro∣per Princes and Magistrates; but under a claim of right by Title, and the more prevailing Power of the Sword, wearied by War, they were reduced by the Spanish Kings part, of whose Dominions they are at

this day accounted: However, the 7 confederated Estates, commonly called the United Provinces, viz. Zealand, Holland, Vtretch, Guelderland, Zutphen, Gro∣ningen, Over-Yssel, and some part of Brabant, and Flanders, have yet those Priviledges the former en∣joyed, making for their better defence against the Incroachments of their powerful Neighbours, a strict League and Union in the year 1581. which has ever since inviolably continued, called now the Estates of the Low-Countries.

A Description, particularly of the Low-Countries.

ZEaland or Sealand, is a Country standing upon 7 Islands Northward in the Sea▪ commodiously scituate for Shipping, and Harbours, so that it may in a manner be questioned, whether the Inhabitants live on the Water or on the Land, and though it consists of 7 Islands only at present, it formerly was 15 whereof 8 have been swallowed up by the Waves, with their Towns and Cities, so that we may well alude.

Invenies sub Aquis, & ad-huc austendere nautae, Inclinata solent, cum maenibus opida versis, &c.

The Waters hide them, and the Sailers show, The Ruined Walls, and Steeples as they Row.

The chief Towns of this Province, are Middleburg, Famous for Traffick, and the Staple for French and Spanish Wines; Flushing, a strong and fortified Sea Town. All the Islands are fertile, much abounding with Pastures, Corn, and plenty of Cattle, yield∣ing a great deal of Madder, for dying, Wooll, &c.

HOLLAND, (the chief of the Provinces, under the Denomination of which the rest are vulgarly called, and is the most powerful in Shipping, and Navigati∣on,) comprehends the Famous City of Amsterdam, by which the River Tay flows like a large Sea, and is one of the chief Empories of Europe, Rotterdam, Leyden an University, Doort, Delph, Harlem, and other places of note, as the Hague, &c. the which, though but an In∣land Village, is much honoured by the Concourse, resorting thither, and the frequent assembling of the Estates; and this, more than any other part, abounds with Woods, esteemed though but small, to contian 400 Villages, and 20 walled Towns in its Jurisdiction.

VTRECHT, another of these Provinces has five considerable Towns in it, of which Vtrecht, Mont-fort, and Rhenen, are the principal; as also 70 Villages, many of them very fair and pleasant, all well water∣ed, and accommodated with Gardens, Pasturages, and other things necessary for the use of Man; the Province was anciently called Antonia, but since took its Name from a Ferry that was kept there, for the Transportation of Passengers, &c.

OVER-YSSEL, another of the Provinces, is memorable for the City of Daventree, won by Ro∣bert Earl of Leicester, an English Peer, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, from the Spaniard, and deli∣vered to the States, and has besides 11 good Towns of which Campene, Swall, and Daventree are the chief, 101 Villages, and abounds with good Pasture••, Med∣dows, Corn and Cattle, producing yearly a•• extra∣ordinary quantity of Butter and Cheese, and the ra∣ther Fruitful, as being well watered by the River Ys∣sel, from which it appears to take its name.

ZVTPHEN, though it claims the Jurisdiction of a Province, yet it is no more than a Town in Guel∣derland, free, and independent, before which (to the great Grief of all good Men) the Famous and Learned Sir Philip Sidney, received the Mortal

wound of which he dyed, though the Town was notwithstanding won by his Conduct and Valour, be∣ing a very antient Earldom.

GVELDERLAND is a Dukedom of considerable note, abounding with Plenty of all sorts of Provisi∣ons, and many curious Manufactures, and is held to contain 24 Towns, and 300 Villages. The chief of the Towns being Nimegen, seated on a branch of the River Rhine, and much noted for the Treaty held there, Ruremond and Arnheim, and is recounted in Historians to take its name from Geluba; once a famous Town Scituate in the Province, but now alto∣gether ruined or reduced to a strait compass.

GROINING or GRONINGEN, is a Barrony of West Friezland, so large that under its Jurisdiction it has 154 Towns and Villages, the principal being Old Haven and Keikerk, and boasts of great Plenty and much Riches.

FRIEZLAND contains 11 chief Towns, the most considerable being Harlingem, Lewarden, and Zwichen, with about 345 Villages, Incompassed with Excellent Pasture grounds, abounding in Herds of Cattle, of a more then ordinary bigness, and is in a manner, every where refresh'd with pleasant Streams; and not far from it is the Island of Scelinck, on the Coast whereof the Fishing trade is continually main∣tained; and there are found Dog-Fish in abun∣dance.

The Air in these, and the other Provinces, is at this day very temperate; so that, although the Win∣ters last long, yet are they not excessive; and as for the Summer it is gentle and mild, resembling the Spring, in the more Southern Countries; as for the People they are generally corpulent, well pro∣portioned, and great Artists, being quick of Inven∣tion, and very curious Artificers. The Women are for the most part tolerably handsome, and constant House-wifes much in subjection to their Husbands,

and very careful in the management of such Af∣fairs as they understand: They are (both Men and Women) frequently great drinkers; nor do they come behind hand, especially those of the 7 Pro∣vinces last mentioned, in eating; and as for their Warfare they are better Soldiers, and more fortu∣nate by Sea then Land, for indeed Navigation is in a manner their greatest business; many of those, we properly call the Dutch, being born on Ship-board, and there brought up; their Parents hav∣ing no Land, Houses or Tenements, but live on board for the most part, and are seldom in Lodgings which is all they take care for, rejecting any settlement; and thus much in brief for the 17 Provinces, or Lower Germany, from whence I proceed to the Higher, &c.

Germany, properly so call'd, Described in its Province and Principalitie.

GERMANY, in which at this day the Roman Empire has its Establishment, is bounded on the East with Prussia, Poland and Hungary, on the West with Belgium and France, on the North with Denmark, and the Main Sea called the Ger∣man Ocean, and on the South with the Alps, and is Scituate in the Northern Temperate Zone, under the 7 and 11 Climates having 17 hours and a half in the longest day Northward, and 14 and a half Southward; the compass of this spacious Country, being accounted 2600 English miles, held to be ef∣fectually the largest in Europe, and in most Parts is exceeding Fruitful, the Air wholsom; and conse∣quently the Natives (were they more tempe∣rate) would be exceeding healthful; however the Inhabitants for honesty of conversation and firmness to their Governors, are much to be ap∣plauded;

Valiant they are, and very deliberate in their Actions; the Women are corpulent and to∣lerably handsome great breeders, and very fruitful; though for the Vulgar sort they are generally poor, notwithstanding they are curious in invention, and performance of Arts; and the World is beholding (if we may rightly so term it) to this Nation for the Invention of Printing and Gun-powder.

GERMANY is exceeding fertile, many parts of it abounding with Corn, Wine, Cattle, Mine∣rals, as Tin, Copper, Silver, and some Gold, Quicksilver, Linnen Cloath, Allom, and many o∣ther valuable Commodities, and is properly divid∣ed into the upper and lower Germany. The first of these more bordering upon the Alps, may be reckon∣ed to contain Austria, Bavaria, Suevia, Helvetia, Switzer land and Alsatia; and of these in their order, &c.

The Upper Germany Described.

AVSTRIA, a Hereditary Province of the Em∣pire, or Arch-Dukedom of the House of Au∣stria, Antiently Pannonia Superiour, is accounted the most fertile of the Provinces, in Corn, Wine, Fish, Cattle, &c. And has for its Metropolis, the famous City of Vienna, called by the Dutch Wien; more noted for the great overthrow, the Turks re∣ceived before it, in the year 1683. after it had su∣stained a Siege of near 3 months; and is commo∣diously Scituate upon the dividing of the River Danube, antiently called Ister, adorned with a great number of stately Buildings, and has not only frequently bafled the Ottoman power, by putting a stop to their further incroachment into Christendom, but is usually the Imperial Residence, being strong∣ly defended with a Wall, and several Towers: and under the Jurisdiction of this Arch-Dukedom are

the Provinces of Styria, or Steir-Mark, Carinthia, Tyrolis and Carniola. The first Scituate on the Spurs of the Alps, yet considerably fruitful, and has for its chief Towns Gretis, Hall and Marpurg, with many pleasant Villages. The second is con∣siderably large, as containing many good Towns and Villages: Those of note being Spital, Veit, and Vellach, with good Pastures, and fruitful Plantati∣ons of Gardens, Orchards, &c.

The Third borders, or is rather Scituate on a part of the Alps, very montainous, and but indifferent∣ly Fruitful, yeilding more in Mines then in other Commodities; yet contains the noted Towns of Inspurch, Tyrol and Trent, so much known by the Council that was held there, in the year 1546. Seated on the banks of the River Odesis: The Country is in a manner square; as being 72 Miles, without any considerable difference, every way.

The Fourth is larger than any of the former as being 150 miles in length, and 45 in breadth, Invi∣roned with Sclavonia on the East, Italy on the West, Istria on the South, and Carinthia on the North; a Country, it is very fruitful, and has in it many good Towns the principal being Esling and New Marcht, Scituate on the Banks of the River Save.

BAVARIA is a large Country, and has for it's Boundards Styria and Austria on the East, Leike on the West, the Danube and part of Franconia on the North, and Carinthia together with Tyrol on the South; and has for its principal City Munich, upon the River Asser, being the Dukes principal Seat; Ingolstadt on the Danube, comprehending an University Ratisbon, Paslaw, Donow, Saltzburg, and others; and is watered with the Rivers Danube and Saltzech as principal streams, and with Rivers of lesser note; and so opulent is it, that Travellers af∣firm

34 Cities and 46 considerable Walled Towns, are found within its circumference, and is fruitful in every thing except Wine, with which it is sup∣plyed out of other Parts.

SVEVIA called by the Dutch Schwaben, is bounded Eastward on Bavaria, Westward on the Danube, Northward on Franconia, and Southward on Tyrol and Retia, or the Country of Grissens; and has for its Principal Towns Vlm or Elmus, Lindair, a free Ci∣ty Seated in a Peninsula, made by the Lake Acronius, Auspurg, Ravenspurg, Wherlingen and Norlingen; most built with Free-stone, with Houses of an extraordi∣nary height, as four and five Stories, and many stately Pallaces, Churches, &c. The Country is ge∣nerally well peopled and with those of a good Com∣plexion, tall and well set; the women Ruddy and Fair, and the Plains abound with rich Pastures, Cattle and Corn; for Hills there are none of considerable note; and the principal River that passes through it, is the Danube, receiving other Rivers into its stream; and although Auspurg is accounted a City of this Province; yet in it self and dependencies, it is a Marquizat.

HELVETIA, now more vulgarly known by the name of Switzerland, is a very Mountainous Country, as being posited amongst the Alps, for the most part, or spurs of that mountain, accounted the high∣est habitable Region in Europe, bounded on the East with Tyrol, on the North with Lorain, on the West with France, and on the South with Italy; and is at this day cantoned or divided into 13 Divisions or Jurisdictions, under a United Confederacy and League, the better to oppose the Invasion of any powerful Neighbours; and these have for their Ca∣pitals considerable distinct Cities and Countries, from which they hold their Regulation; as Zurich, Berne, Lucerne, Glaris, Prenij, Zugh, Friburg, Basil, Schaff∣hansen, Apensel, Soloturn, Vandenew and Suits; be∣sides

in the Confederacy is comprehended, the City and Marquesat of Baden, and although they are divided in Matters of Religion, 5 being of the Re∣formed Church, and the rest Roman-Catholicks, yet that makes no Separation in the common Interest, but against any opposer, they mutually joyn their Forces.

As for the length of these Countries thus United, it is accounted 240 miles and the breadth 180 miles, and from these Mountains Issue the Famous Rivers Po, and Rhone or Rosne, with others of lesser note, which pass through many Famous Kingdoms and Provinces; and indeed the Plains that are found amongst the Mountainous places, are exceed∣ing Fruitful, and produce many Cattle, and the men are accounted the best Soldiers in Europe▪ and for as much as their Country is poor, they much ad∣dict themselves to the Sword; serving for pay any Prince that will entertain them; whereby it ap∣pears, that no less than one Million of the•• have fallen in sundry Battles within One hundred years past.

ALSATIA is bounded on the East with the Rhine, on the West with Lorain, on the North with the Palatinate, and on the South Helvetia; having for its Metropolis the famous City of Stra••burg, on the Rhine; lately taken, or surprized by the French, who undertook the Quarrel of the Bishop that lay∣ed claim to that Dignity; though indeed it has been held a free City: As for the Building, it is very stately, mostly of Free-stone, and contains several fair Churches, Senate-Houses an•• Stores; the Streets, though not very wide, are in most parts refreshed by the Streams of Water that pass through them, and all the Country about it abounds with fruitful Fields, Vineyards, Cattle, Gardens, and every thing that may be termed pleasant and delight∣ful, and has in the circuit a considerable number of

Towns and Villages, and was reckoned, as is said, amongst the free Imperial Cities.

To these in this division of the Empire, we may add Rhetia, or the Country of the Grisons, bounded on the West with Switzerland, on the East with Tyrol on the South with Milain, and on the North with Suevia, lying half in Italy and half in Germany; so that the People for the most part are Familiar with either Language, and is a Region well people∣ed and plesantly Scituate, only somewhat Moun∣tainous. The chief Towns are Coyra, not far from the Rhine, Musocco and Bormia; and in these parts the Reformed and Romish Religion are indifferent∣ly Practiced; and thus much of the upper or high∣er Germany.

The Lower Germany Described, in its Provinces, Free-Towns, &c▪

THAT which we properly term the lower Germany, may be conveniently divided in∣to Franconia, and the appendant Territo∣ries, the three Electorates of the Palatinate, Branden∣burgh and Saxony; with its dependencies. Pomera∣nia, Medenburgh, Brunswick, Lameburg, Hassia, East Friezland, Westphalia, Cleveland, Wetteraw or Ve∣travia, &c. and of these in their order.

FRANCONIA, supposed by some to be the first Seat of the Franks or French, has for its boundards, on the East Saxony and Bohemia, on the West Elsas, on the North Hassia, and on the South Bavaria; and contains many fair Cities within its circle or circumference, as Bamber, Weirtzburg, and Metz or Mentz, the Seat of a Bishop, and moreover has in it the Pallace of the chief Electoral Bishop; and as for the City, it is commodiously seated upon pleasant riseing Hills, incompassed with a Valley and spacious

Plains, yielding great abundance of Corn, Fruits and Pastures; being Antiently the Seat of a King, cal∣led the King of Mentz: And in the Province are the free Cities of Noremburg, Rotenburgh, and Franc∣fort, at the latter of which the Electors of the Em∣pire meet, as occasion serves, for the Election of the Emperor; all three pleasantly Seated, either by the nature of the Soil, or the industry of the Inhabitants, well fortified and of great concourse; there being two of the most noted Fairs in Europe, held twice a year, and in one of it's streets on the East side, the Jews are permitted to Trade and Inhabit.

The Kingdom of Bohemia, is an Antient and Fa∣mous Kingdom; containing the Dukedom of Silesia, the Marquesates of Lusatia and Moravia; accounted in circuit 550 English Miles, being cast in a manner round or circular, Walled with Mountains or large Hills, and was once held to contain 78 Cities, Ca∣stles and Walled Towns, and 32000 Villages and stately Buildings of the Nobility.

As for the Soil of this Kingdom, it is generally Fruitful producing great increase of Corn and Wine, and in many parts there are Mines of Iron, Lead, Tin, Copper, Gold, Silver, and some Quicksilver: As for the Natives, they are of a chearful Counte∣nance, modest behaviour, and strong of Body; the Women very fair and comly, tall of personage and broad Shouldered. As for the King of Bohemia, which now rests in the house of Austria, he is one of the Electors of the Emperor, and has precedency in the casting voice; and is great Cup-bearer on the Coronation day

The chief Cities of this Kingdom are Prague, seated on the River Mulda, consisting of three parts, by reason of the division the River makes, though joined by Bridges, and has in it many stately Buil∣dings of Free-stone, though in the generality, the

Houses are Timber built, and the Walls of Clay or Loam; Egra, a place very commodious, and much traded to, watered with a pleasant Stream, and accommodated with curious Gardens and Orchards, ••••dweis and others.

SILESIA is a Part or Province of the Kingdom, of Bohemia, extending in length 240 Miles, and in breadth 80 Miles, divided almost in equal parts by the River Oder, into which many lesser Rivers dis∣charge themselves, and so well water the Country, that it is exceeding fruitful almost every where, though the Air is much colder than with us at all times, and what the Soil wants, the Inhabitants by their indu∣stry make out; and in it is scituate the famous City of Breslaw, or Preslaw, accounted for stately Building, and Commodiousness, one of the chief Cities be∣longing to the Emperor. There are moreover the Cities of Jadendorf, and Glogaw, with a great number of pleasant Villages.

LVSATIA, or Lusutia, is divided into the Higher and Lower Countries, and though but small, yet ex∣ceeding Populous, so that Historians affirm, that this little Province has sent 20000 Armed Men into the Field, and is in most parts Fruitful, as being water∣ed by the River Nise or Nisso, and other Streams, and has as chief Cities Trabel and Groliz, with many wal∣led Towns, and a great number of Villages, though several have been destroyed, by the Incursions of the Turks and Tartars, and the Intestine Wars.

Moravia is a very pleasant Country, affording store of Wine, Corn, and curious Fruits, with some Myrrh, and Frankincense, the Shrubs and Trees grow∣ing naturally wild, as well as in Gardens by Improve∣ment; the Country being very Wooddy and Moun∣tainous, and is a Marquisate of the Empire, the chief Towns being Almutz, an University, and Brinne, the Seat of the Marquess; the Country receiving its name (as most conjecture) from the River Moravia that

runs through it; and although the Territories are not large, the People are nevertheless divided in Language, between the Teutonick, Bohemian, and Sclavonian.

The Electorate of the Palatinate, or the Country under that Denomination, contains the Upper and Lower Palatinates, and extends for the most part a∣long the Rhine 96, and is in breadth 72 Miles, said to be the fruitfullest of all others, affording abundance of Rhenish Wines, pressed from the Grapes that grow in great plenty on the Banks of that famous River, from whence the Wine takes its Name; and in any vacan∣cy of the Empire, the Prince Elector of these Pala∣tinates has a far larger Jurisdiction, which terminates not till the Coronation of the Emperor, where he takes his place as Arch-Sewer, and in the Upper of these Palatinates is scituate, the City of Newburg, Amburg, and Castel; and in the Lower Heidelburg, the Seat of the Palsgrave of the Rhine, incompassed with high Hills, on the North-East, and South Franken∣dale, Openheim and Crutznach; and on the East-side of this Country are Lauden, and Winheim, and on the West Xeifers and Newstadt.

The Electorate of Saxony has for its Eastern boun∣dard Lusatia, for its Western Hassia, for its Northe•• Brunswick, and on the South Bohemia and Franconia; and contains the Countries commonly called Turin∣gia, Misnia, Voitland, and the proper Saxony; as for the first of these, it comprehends the Principalities of Manfieldt and Anhalt, the Prince of it being a Lant∣grave; and although the Country exceeds not 12 German Miles, either way, yet the Soil is exceeding Fruitful, and so abounds that its Fruitfulness supplies other Places of greater extent; and being divided into 12 Countries, is held to contain 44 Cities, wal∣led Towns, and strong Castles; and about 2000 Vil∣lages, and great Houses of Noble Men; as for the Duke of Saxonies chief Seat it is Ersdorf, though there

are other famous Places within his Jurisdiction, as Dresden, seated on the River Albis, in a pleasant Plain, passing between two Mountains: Leipzich, a Famous University, especially for the study of Physick, and Philosophy; built mostly with free-stone, and plea∣santly invironed with Corn-Fields: Wintenburg, the place where Faustus studied Necromancy, with ma∣ny others; and this by some is held to be the Coun∣try that gave Birth to those Saxons that invaded Eng∣land, and brought it under Subjection.

The Electorate of Brandenburg (though no more properly held than a Marquisate, notwithstanding the Elector is stiled a Duke) is a very spacious Country, bounded on the East with Saxony; on the West with Poland, on the South with Lusatia, and on the North with Pomerania; accounted 500 Miles in Circumference, containing fifty considerable Ci∣ties, and 64 walled Towns, besides a great number of Villages: This Elector being held the most potent of the Empire, as it has been evident by his contend∣ing with the Sweeds, Danes, and others.

The chief Cities are Brandenburg, curiously scituate, and adorned with many stately Buildings, and rare pieces of Antiquity: Berlin, the place of usual Resi∣dence, and where the Duke has a Magnificent Pal∣lace, seated on the River Spree: Oderam and Havel∣burg, the See or Seat of a Bishop, though the Refor∣med Religion is that which is maintained and sup∣ported by the Prince: And this Marquisate is divided into the New and Old, Water'd by the Od••r and Albis, and the Elector is great Chamberlain of the Em∣pire, all the Country being exceeding Fruitful, and naturally bringing forth abundance of Corn, Pastu∣rages, and some Wines.

POMERANIA is on the East bounded by the Ri∣ver Vistula, on the North with the Baltique Ocean, on the West with Medenburg, and on the South with Brandenburg; and here is sound the famous Stetin,

which with a very small Garrison, held a Siege of 3 Months, against the whole Power of the Elector of Brandenburg: Wolgast, Gripswald, Wallin, and New∣trepon, with many other places of strength, commo∣diously seated on the banks of Rivers, or the Sea-Coast; and although this Province is not large, it ne∣vertheless yields great store of Corn, Cattle, &c. and lies very advantageous for Sea Traffick, and to it ap∣pertain the Islands of Volinia, Wisedonian, and Rugia.

MEDENBVRG is scituate on the West part of Pomerania, and is the more Fruitful of the two, as having many Populous Cities and Towns within its Jurisdiction, the chief being Steremberg, from whence the Late Governour of Vienna derives his Title, Mal∣chaw, Wesmar and Rostock, the latter of these a Uni∣versity, and is watered with pleasant Streams, &c.

LVNBVRG, and Brunswick, have for their Nor∣thern boundard Denmark, for their Southern Sax∣ony, and Hassia, and East and West Brandenburg, and West-Phalen, being properly two Dukedoms, plea∣santly scituate; as for the chief Cities, they are Bruns∣wick, a free City of the Empire; from this place the true Mum is brought over, and is a strong fortified Garrison, no ways in Subjection to the Emperor; Halbertstadt, or Herbertstadt, a Bishops See; Wolf∣bitten, the Residence of the Duke, where he has a stately Pallace: And Lunburg the Seat of the Lun∣burg Duke, a very pleasant City, commodiously seat∣ed for Trade and Pleasure: The Country about it producing store of Fruits, and Corn, and the Pastures breeding up a great number of Cattle.

HASSIA, is governed by a Lant-Grave, and lies East-ward of Saxony, South-ward of Franconia, West-ward, and North-ward of West-Phalen, being a Mountainous Country, though in many Parts, there are fertile Plains, which yield great store of Corn, and Fruits: nor do the Mountains that rise by degrees

fail, especially about the skirts of them, to bring forth considerable encrease, and as for this Country, at present it is divided into two Families, the one of Cassel, and the other of Darmstat, being of the Younger House: As for the chief places that apper∣tain to the Lantgraves, they are Cassel, or Castel, on the River Fuld, Marpurg on the River Lohn; an University founded Anno 1426, by Lewis Bishop of Munster, and near it is a stately and well fortified Castle, seated on a Hill, high and steep, so that it is accounted impregnable, if well defended; and is the chief Place of Residence in time of War, or Danger, giving a prospect of the whole Country. Darmstadt, is another chief Town, guarded by a strong Castle, and is the Inheritance or Seat of the Younger House of the Lantgraves; and part of this Country belongs to the Abbey of Fulda, accounted one of the great∣est Revenues in Europe; and was founded by St. Bo∣niface an English-man, insomuch, that the Ab••ot is accounted a Prince of the Empire; and takes Place, as Chancellor to the Empress, stiling himself Pri∣mate of Gallia.

EAST FRIESLAND, has on the West, the River Ems; on the North, the Ocean; on the West, the Weser; and on the South, West-Phalia; and though it is a Country of no large extent, yet it is in many parts very Fruitful; and is divided by the River Ems only, from the Provinces of the Vnited Nether∣lands; and has Embden, the utmost Borders of the Empire for its chief City, pleasantly scituate, and contains many stately buildings, though in general they are built of Brick; and the next to this is Ol∣denburg, considerable for its Trade, and is of it self an Earldom.

WEST-PHALIA, has for its boundards on the East, Brunswick; on the North, the Ocean; on the South, Hassia; on the West, Belgium; being a Country full of Woods and Forrests, which yields

them notwithstanding great Commodities, by rea∣son of the abundance of Wild Hogs found therein; said to take their beginning from one Farrow, which a Sow, straying from a Farm-House, cast in these Woods; and of the Legs of these Hogs, taken in great numbers, are our West-Phalia Hams so much in E∣steem &c. And although this Country is properly West-Phalia; yet the Northern part, changes its name to that of Bremen; and is governed by a Bishop, who is Lord of this Tract; notwithstanding, the Duke of Saxony claims a part, and other parts are held to be∣long to the Bishopricks of Cullen, Munster, and Tri∣ers: The chief Cities are Asdrop, Clappenburg, and Exenburg.

As for the chief Towns under the Bishop of Mun∣ster, they are Munster, scituate on the bank of the River Ems, Warendrop, and others, and have a plea∣sant Country, all about their Neighbourhood, very Fertile, and abounding with store of Corn and Cat∣tle, plain for the most part, there being few or no considerable Hills in this Tract.

CVLLEN, or the Bishoprick of Collen, though not large, is nevertheless a very Fruitful Country, and greatly to be desired, whose Arch-Bishop is Chancellor of Italy, and held to be the second chief Elector of the Empire; and has in his Jurisdiction, besides the City of Cullen as chief, those of Lintz, Ernance, and Bonna, much noted for the Arch-Bi∣shops Pallace, held to be one of the most stately in the Empire.

TRIERS is a Bishoprick of note, and contains many fair Cities and Towns, as Triers, from whence it takes its name, Coblents, Boport, and Engers, in chief; and is pleasantly watered with the Moselle, which renders the Country in its passage very Fruit∣ful, the Bishop whereof is accounted the third Spiri∣tual Elector of the Empire.

CLEVELAND, is accounted a Dutchy, and borders upon Gelderland, a small Country, yet as the rest in this Tract of Land, by reason of its com∣modious Scituation, very Fruitful, containing the Regiments or Territories of Gulick, Cleve, and Berge: As for the Dutchy of Gulick, it contains the City of Akan in chief, and some other Towns of note, with sundry pleasant Villages, and claims the honour of the Emperors Presence, soon after his Election, as taking here a Silver Crown, and performing some other customary Ceremonies.

As for the chief Cities of the Dutchy of Cleve∣land, they are Cleve, Wesel, Emmerick, Calkar, and others, with their Villages and Dependancies; and those of the Dutchy of Berge, or Mont, are Mursburg, Dusledorp, Hattingen, very commodiously scituate, and the whole Country watered with pleasant Streams, so that the Soyl yields naturally an extraordinary increase to the Husbandmen.

VETERAVIA is another Country of this Tract, accounted a Province of the Empire, lying to the South-West of Hassia, somewhat larger than those lately mentioned, as comprehending the Countrys of Nassaw, Hannaw, and Friburg a Free City; as for Nassaw it contains many considerable Towns, and is Famous for the Princes of that House, who in de∣fence of the Netherlands, so long opposed the Power of Spain; and from which House, the Illustrious Prince of Orange is descended; this Country yields abundance of Corn, and many Vines, yet produ∣cing no great store of Wine; and in them, besides the Towns I have mentioned, are found the Towns of Dellinbourg, Windeck, Hebron, and Catzenelbogen, which latter has been accounted an Earldom.

As for the Nobility of Germany, the Title descends to all the Sons, which makes them numerous, though the Younger Houses want for the most part

Estates to support them; and thus much briefly of the Empire, and its dependencies.

Sweedland Described, in its Countryes and Provinces, &c.

SWEEDEN, or Sweedland, is a Famous Northern Country, renowned for its many great Enter∣prizes, and Undertakings; and is bounded on the West with the Dosrin Hills, dividing it from Nor∣way; and on the North with the Frozen Ocean; on the South with Denmark, Leifland, and the Baltick Sea, taking, as many hold, its Name from Sueci, Suetheans, or Suethedie; and is in length from Stockholm to the Borders of Lapland 1000 Itali••n Miles, and about 600 in breadth, reaching in a manner, from the first Parallel of the Twelfth Clime where the Pole is elevated 38 Degrees, and 26 Mi••nutes, as far as to the 71 degrees of Latitude, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which account, the longest day in the Souther•• point, exceeds not 18 Hours, though in the ex••treamest Northern parts, they have scarcely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Night for Two Months; and this Kingdom, tho••g•• posited in an extream cold Region, is notwithstand••ing kept so warm by the Mists that arise from the I••slands, that much of the Rigor other Countries 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same Latitude suffer is abated, and is a Monar∣chy, one of the Antientest in the Northern Parts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the World (if their report be true who boa•• th•• immediate Succession, from above 100 Kings; an•• that the first amongst them was the Son of Japhet, one of the Sons of Noah.)

As for the Kings of Sweedland, they stile them∣selves Kings of Sweeds, Vandals, Goths; great Prin∣ces of Finland, Dukes of Estonia and Carolia; Lords of Ingria, and bear three Royal Crowns for their Arms; and the present King of this Country is

Charles the 11. of the Family of the Palatine of Deuxponts; as for the Soil (by the industry of the people) it is render'd exceeding fertile, and the Air very healthful; unless in places where the Moorish damps arise from Fenns, by the neglect of not open∣ing the Water course; so that the Inhabitants ge∣nerally live to an extream old Age: And as for the Country it abounds with Corn, Cattle, Fruits and Minerals as Silver, Copper, Lead: There are found considerable quantities of Furs, and other Commodities, and is divided into, or distinguished by the Provinces of Lapland, Gothland, Finland, and Sweeden.

LAPLAND or LAPPIA is the most Northern Part of Scandia, and is divided into the Eastern and Western parts: The first containing Biarmia and ••orolia, which properly appertains to Russia, or the Jurisdiction of the Czars of Muscovy, and the latter comprehending Lappia and Scrisinia, under the Government of the King of Sweeden; and the people in many parts, especially the most extream are Heathen Idolaters, or such as pay Adoration to Creatures; especially such as they first see in the Morning, and are held to deal in Magick and Witchcraft, and to sell Winds to Saylors that Na∣vigate those Seas; however they are miserably poor, as living in the most barren part of the Coun∣try, and pay their acknowledgement or Tribute only in Furs of Foxes, Martins &c. which tolera∣bly abound in those parts; and they dwell for the most part in Cotts, where they are by reason of their Temperance very Healthful; some of them living to 140 years.

Next to the before mentioned Division is Fin∣land, between the Finland Bay and the Baltick Ocean of considerable Extent, and is full of plea∣sant Pastures, yielding very much Corn and Fruits, and is properly a Dutchy which some of the Swee∣dish

Kings were wont to assign, for the security of their Brothers Portions; and has for its chief Cities Albo, a Bishops See, Viburg or Viborch, a Fortress of considerable Strength; Narve, Rangia and Castle-Helm, and near a place called Razeburg; in this Country is a Province in which the Needle-touch by a Load-stone keeps continually turning.

GOTHLAND held to be the Birth-place of the antient Goths, is accounted one of the most fertil Provinces appertaining to this Monarchy, partici∣pating both of Island and Continent; as being di∣vided into both the Islands, lying in the Baltick Sea, being the biggest in these parts, containing five or six commodious Ports; and on some of the Rocks appear yet divers Inscriptions (by way of Monuments) in the Antient Gothish Characters, one Isle being 18 miles in length, and 5 in breadth; and as for what is of this Province, on the main Land, it is posited in the hithermost part of Scandia border∣ing on Denmark, where is Seated the noted City of Norkoping, commodiously on the Sea, the place from when abundance of Copper is brought: Lo∣duvisa a place much traded to, Colmar, fortified with a very strong Castle, Waldburg and others, and is in all parts very fruitful; so that it is called by many of the Sweeds Goodland, instead of Goth∣land.

SWEDLAND properly so called, though con∣tributing its name in general to the rest of the Provinces is fertil in many parts; but it holds not throughout by reason of the many Rocks and barren Hills, and the chief City is Stockholm, or Holmia, defended with a Castle Royal on a Sea Port, at the Mouth of the Lake Meler, which some of the Sweedish Kings designed to cut into the Wen∣ner, or Lake, thereby to have joyned the Baltick and the Ocean, frustrating thereby the Passage of the Sound, but it proved a Work of so much Difficulty,

that it was laid aside; and this Lake is held to re∣ceive Twenty Four Rivers, and disburthens it self with such noise and fury, that it is by some called Devils Mouth: But as for the Kings Ships, and Vessels of great Burthen, they generally lye at Elsenore, de∣fended by a strong Castle, and so shelter'd from the Wind, that they may lye without Anchors. Vpsal contains the Metropolitan Church, where the Kings are usually Crowned, and formerly held their Court; and is a University of this Kingdom, and the most remarkable Mart; Carlstat upon the Wenner, abounds with Brass and Copper: Strongues is a Bi∣shops See.

There are yet two other Provinces, or Divisions of this Kingdom; viz. Livonia, by the Germans called Liefland and Ingria, vulgarly Ingermanland; the first deliver'd by the Poles upon treaty, and the last taken from the Muscovites, and are both of them indifferently fruitful, and have in them many con∣siderable Villages and some Towns of note.

The Commodities of these Countries, in general are Copper, Brass, Lead, Ox-hides, Tallow, Furs, Goat-skins, Elks-skins, the Skins of Deer; Honey, Allom, Corn; and in many places there are Silver Mines, but of no consider able advantage. The men are Active, Naturally strong, indifferent good Seamen, and resolute Soldiers; Industrious, Inge∣nious, and very courteous to strangers; and had the Christian Faith first planted amongst them, by Ausgarius Arch-Bishop of Bremen; and in matters of Judicature, or deciding Controversies, each re∣spective Territory has its Viscount, every Province its Lans-men, or Consul, and every Town it's Lay-man or Consul; and there lyeth an Appeal from the Consul to the Laymen, and from the Lay men to the Viscount, and from him to the King, in whose only power it is absolutely to determine the matter. As for the Women they are generally

well featured, proper in person, very modest and courteous, loving to their Husbands, and affable to strangers.

A Description of Denmark, in its Coun∣tries, Provinces, &c.

DENMARK, Quasi, Danes-Mark, comprehend∣ing its intire Circuit or Territories, is bound∣ed on the East with the Baltick Sea, and a part of Sweedland, on the West with the Main Ocean on the North East, with another part of Sweedland, full North with the Frozen Ocean, and on the South with Germany; lying partly on the North temperate Zone, and partly within the Artick Cir∣cle; extending from the middle Parallel of the tenth Clime, or 55 degrees of Latitude, where it joyneth to Germany, and 71 where the Frozen Ocean bounds it; the longest day in the most Southern parts, being 17 hours and a quarter; but for 2 Months and 3 Weeks they have no Night at all in the extream North, and is commonly distin∣guished in these parts, comprehending the Appen¦dances.

The Dukedom of Holstein, containing Wagerland Dithmarsh, Stormaria and Holstein. The Kingdom of Denmark containing the two Juitlands, and the Hemodes or Baltick Islands, and the Kingdom o•• Norway (now in subjection to the Danes) with the Islands in the North Sea, &c. that properly belong to it; and of these in their order.

The Cimbrick Chersonese, in which the two Juit∣lands, and the Dukedom of Holstein are contained, is in length 120 miles, and in breadth 80, and accounted to have within that Tract of Land; be∣ing in a manner a Peninsula, 20 Royal Castles and Pallaces; 28 Cities of note; 4 Bishop Sees, and a

considerable number of Villages; in many places very Fruitful, and affording sundry curious Havens; and on the South East is Wagerland, and has for its chief Towns Hamburg on the Elbe. Lubeck seat∣ed on the confluence of the Trave and Billew, near the fall of that River into the Baltick Sea; much traded to by sundry Merchants, where they find great store of the Commodities of those Countries which are accounted the most fertile.

Dithmarsh spreads the West side of the Chersone∣sus, Scituate between the River Albis and Endera, giving Title to the Eldest Son of the King of Den∣mark, and has Meldrop and Marnes for its principal Towns; and although by reason of the many Mari∣shes and Moorish grounds, the soil in many places is not commodious for Tillage, yet nevertheless it feeds great store of Cattle.

STORMARIA or STORMARSH lying betwen the River Elbe, and the Rivers Billew and Store, and has for its chief Towns Crampe on the Bank of a lit∣tle River of the same name, falling into the Store, and is well fortified and reckoned one of the Keys of the Kingdom; nor less noted for the great re∣sistance it made against Walestein the Imperi∣al General; who's powerful Army it resisted 13 Months, and at last brought him to good terms of Composition. Tychenburgh on the Banks of the River Elbe; Bredenburg, Jetzebo, Gulick••tadt and others.

South Juitland, or the Dukedom of Sleswick, is that part of the Chersonesus that lyes next to Hol∣stein; having for its chief Towns, Fleusburg on the Baltick shoar Scituate amongst high Mountains: Sleswick on the River Slea; from which the Duke∣dom of Sleswick has its name, Goterp and Londen a Haven Town upon the Banks of the River Ender.

North Juitland is the most Northern part of the Ch••rsonesus and has for it's chief Towns Halne, Rir∣copen,

Arhausen and Nicopen; the soil very Fruitful, and much abounding with Wheat, Barly, Rice; store of Cattle, producing Butter and Cheese in great abundance; and able Horses for War, or any other service, here are also found Rich Furs.

As for those that are called the Baltick Islands; properly belonging to the King of Denmark though they are 35 in number dispersed in the Baltick Sea, many of them are Inconsiderable, and some not In∣habited; the chief are Zeland, Fionia, or Funen; Arsen or Aria, Langland, Laland, Falster, Mone, Heuen or Wern, Island and Bornholme; of which on∣ly the first is very considerable, as having in it 13 Cities, the chief of which is Copenhagen the Resi∣dence of the Danish Kings; where the Regal Pal∣lace, though not very stately, is seated; and is a City of considerable Trade, though the Buildings are generally mean, as Erected of Loam and Tim∣ber; there is a Market constantly kept, and is the only University within the Government; it is de∣fended with a strong Wall and a Castle, and thi∣ther are brought all sorts of Commodities the King∣dom affords.

SCANDIA that part which appertains to Den∣mark, is in the South of a Peninsula, divided into three Provinces; as Scandia, Hallandia, and Blesci∣da; the first of these is 72 Miles in length and 48 in breadth, reckoned the most fruitful and plea∣sant of all the Countries lying about it, as being on three parts bounded by Sea, and has for its prin∣cipal Towns, Lonpen a spacious Haven. Falskerbode, Elbogue and Elsinburg one of the Keys of the Sound.

HALLANDIA is but a small Tract of Land, yet yields much Fruits and Corn▪ many Cattle, and lying South of Scania, has Halaenego for its principal Town, from which it seems to take its name; and is well watered with pleasant Streams.

BLESCIDA lies North of Sweedland, and though it has many fertile Plains, yet it is generally Moun∣tainous or Craggy hilled, having for its chief Trade∣ing Town, Malmogia and Colmar, a strong Fortress bordering on Sweedland.

A Discription of Norway.

NORWAY, though under the King of Denmark, is however a Kingdom of it self, being boun∣ded on the East with Denmark, on the West with the Ocean, on the North with Lappia or Lapland, and on the South with Sweeden; but lying so much in the extremities of cold, though it is a vast tract of Land, it is for the most part Rocky, Mountainous and Barren, not being furnished with stores of its one Production, fit for the support of these few Peo∣ple it contains, the greatest Commodity it affords being Stock-Fish, Ship Masts, Deal Boards, Tackle for Shipping, Pitch, Tann'd Leather, Train Oyl, Furrs, and Tallow. As for the Towns or Villages, they are very thinn, and the Houses for a great part are made of Dirt and Hurdles, covered with Thatch, and windowed with Lattice; and the whole Country is divided into 5 Praefectures or Governments, ac∣cording to the Number of the Royal Castles, built for the defence of the Country, known by the Names of Bohus, Ager-Huis, Agger-Huse, Trundheim, and Ward-Huis. The chief Towns in these several Jurisdictions, are Anslo or Astoia, on a Bay opposite to Juitland, an Episcopal See, Bergen, an Episcopal Sea, and the ordinary Residence of the Governour for the King of Denmark; Marstrand seated in a half Island amongst Rocks &c. Trandiheim, Antient∣ly Nidrosia an Arch-Bishops See who is Metropo∣litan

of Norway; and Ward-huis seated in the Island of Ward; and although the Country (abounding with horrid Woods, and desolate Mountains) is naturally Poor, yet at certain Seasons little Beasts, about the bigness of Field Mice, over-spread like Locusts the Fertile Parts of the Field, &c. and con∣sume every thing that's green or pleasant in their way, and then gathering together they die in heaps, thereby occasioning a Pestilential Noisomness, that much afflicts the Inhabitants with Diseases; and these they call Lemmers, affirming them to be dropt out of the Clouds in Tempestuous Weather: Nor do the Whales, that appear on that Coast in great number, less disturb their Fishing Trade, by the indangering the sinking of their Boats and small Vessels; which monstrous Creatures they have lately found the Art of chasing away, by throwing Oyl of Castor into the Sea, at the Scent whereof they fly: And though the People are miserable Poor, they nevertheless hate dishonesty, and greatly delight in Plain Dealing.

A Description of Russia, comprehending the Dukedom of Muscovy.

THIS large Tract of Land is bounded on the West with Livonia and Finland; on the East with Tartary; on the North by the Frozen Ocean, and part of Lapland; on the South with Li∣thuania, ••rim Taytary, and the Euxine Sea; and is accounted in its greatest length from East to West 3300 Miles, and in breadth 3065, being subject to the Czar of Muscovy, or great Duke, who not∣withstanding stiles himself Emperor of Russia, or Russland, which is part in Europe, and part in Asia, divided by the River Tanais, the boundard of two parts of the World.

The chief City is Mosco, the Seat of the great Duke, and the Patriarch, and of most of the No∣bility, being very large, though not stately; there are besides this of note, Roscovia, and Novograd, Archepiscopal Sees, Vologda, Smolensko, and Ples∣covia, held to be the only walled Town in Muscovy, Vstium, Mosayce, St. Nicholas, Sugana, Gragapolis, and the chief Maritime Port is Arch-Angel, seated in the proper Russia, whither our Merchants Trade, and the Russia Company have a Factory, the Country yielding store of Furrs, as Sables, White Fox, Martins, Black Fox, Honey, Wax, Cattle, Tallow, Red Deer-skins, Hides, Hemp, Flax, Tar, Brimstone, Salt Petre, Train Oyl, Tongues, and the like; and the Soil towards the Southern Parts is exceeding Fruitful, producing abundance of Corn, and rich Pastures, with Fruits of various Kinds, watered by the River Volga, that passes from thence through a part of Tartary; but to the Extream North, which lies in upward of 76 Degrees, the Weather is so Cold, that lit∣tle but Rocks, Woods, Mountains, and Ice are found there, containing a Vicissitude of Light and Darkness; for the Day, if we have a respect to the Twy-light, lasts six Months, and a great part of the other six they see not the Sun, but have the Country covered with Snows and during Frosts, the Sea being never free from Rocks and Moun∣tains of Ice, over great Arms of which the Inhabi∣tants pass with Wagons, Sleads, and other Carria∣ges: Nor are there found any Inhabitants in those desolate Parts during the Winter Season, but in that little Summer they have, the Shepherds and Fishermen, set up Hutts or Tents, though in the Woods on this Coast, are the tallest Trees in Europe.

The Inhabitants of this Country are Thick, not tall, but rather square, habiting themselves in Furrs, course Cloth, and Feeding to excess, given greatly to Drinking, though it be strictly forbid, and are generally False and Perfidious, nor re∣garding their Words, but studying to Over-reach, or Cozen all they can, insomuch that being in other Countries, they strive to dissemble their own, the better to be Credited: The Women are tolerably handsome, well Limbed and Propor∣tioned, and have a strange Custom amongst them, not to think their Husbands either Love or Re∣gard them, unless they once or twice a day Cud∣gel their Sides. Their Religion in most things a∣grees with that of the Greek Church, not making any acknowledgment to the Pope, or See of Rome, but have a Patriarch of their own, to whom all their Ecclesiasticks submit: And as for the Go∣vernment it is absolute, the Czar, who is by the People in extraordinary Esteem and Veneration, having in his Hands the Power of Life and Death, disposing at his Pleasure both of the Body and Goods of his Subjects, and is seldom out of War with the Tartars, a Roving People that border upon the most Fruitful part of his Country; and though the Armies of the Muscovites are generally numerous, yet are they composed for the most part of stragling People, and seldom answer in va∣lour the least that may be expected from them, as has not only in times past, but lately been ma∣nifest, and the reason is, because they go poor, and unfurnished into the Field.

A Description of Poland, &c.

POLAND is a very considerable Kingdom, bounded on the East with the River Boris∣thenes, on the West with the Vistula; on the South with Hungary; and on the North with the Baltick Sea; and is for the most part plain and level, tho' in some places there are little rising Hills, abound∣ing with Woods, and is properly divided into the Provinces of Livonia, Lithuania, Volhinia, Samogitia, Prussia, Massovia, Podalia, Russia Nigri, Podlassia, and Poland; and the chief Cities are, Guesna, an Archiepiscopal See, Posnavia, Cadissia, Siradia, V∣ladistavia, Crac••via, and Caminiec; the latter in the Possession of the Turks, who hold it as their Frontier in those parts; and in Cracovia is a famous University.

The Buildings in this Kingdom, and the Pro∣vinces that compose it, are for the most part of Timber and Loam; the Land full of Forrests, with many Rivers, yielding notwithstanding abundance of Corn, but is defective in Wine; Honey and Wax, are likewise found in great store, with Fruits of divers Kinds, and a great Number of Cattle and wild Beasts; there are also Salt-pits, and in some places Mines of Brimstone, Copper and Iron. The Polanders are generally Tall, well Proportioned, Courteous, and Pleasant of Behaviour; their Gar∣ments are rich, and of divers Colours, being much conceited of their own worth, and loving to be Praised, or rather Flattered: As for Lithuania, one of the Provinces of this Kingdom, though it is a very large one, yet it is so full of Fenns, and pe∣stered by the over-flowing of Rivers, that it is not currantly passable, but when the Frosts are great, at what time they have no hindrance, neither by

Rivers nor Fenns, and their greatest Wealth con∣sists in Cattle, Honey, Wax and Furrs: As for the Language generally spoken, it is the Sclavonian; and in the North Extremities, where Villages and Towns are very scarce, the People dwell in Hutts of Straw and Loam, with Holes at the top of them to let in the Light, and give vent to the Smoak, living in miserable Poverty, as do (for the major part) the Peasants or inferiour People, being in a manner Slaves to the great ones, whose Tenants they are, though the Richer Sort are very Profuse and Expensive, rather Prodigal than Liberal, Im∣patient of Injuries, Delicious in Diet, and costly in Attire, often shaving their Heads, except one Lock, which they preserve with great care, being gene∣rally good Soldiers, and much Glory if they can kill a Turk in Battle, and bring off his Head, in Token of which, they wear Feathers in their Caps.

Theft in these Parts is very rare, especially to be committed by a Native Polander, and all Crimes are severely punished: As for the Religion they Profess, in Relation to the Government, it is that of the Romish Church, though the Reformed way of Worship is allowed and tolerated; and the King is of late Elective; the Women are tolera∣bly Fair and well Proportioned, very Witty and Ingenious, great admirers, and observers, of their Husbands, and very neat in their Houses. A Pea∣sant in this Country (unless in time of great Dan∣ger or Invasion) is not suffered to bear Arms; and when the Gospel is Read in the Churches, the Gen∣try and Nobility draw their Swords, in token that they are ready to defend it with their Lives. As for the Circumference of this Kingdom, and the Provinces appertaining to it, some Account it 2600 Miles, and is Scituate under the 8 and 12 Climates: So that the longest Day Southward, is 16 Hours,

and Northward 18; bordering upon it are the huge Carpathian Mountains, where sundry Rivers have their Springs, that Water the Provinces, and pass through many Countries.

A Description of the Kingdom of Hungary, &c.

HVNGARY, one of the Fruitfullest Countries of Europe, before Wasted and De∣stroyed by a Tedious War, is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Wallachia, on the West Sti∣ria, Austria, and Moravia, on the North with the Carpathian Mountains, on the South with Sclavo∣nia, and some part of Dacia; accounted in Length 300 English Miles, and 109 in Breadth, lying in the North Temperate Zone, between the middle Parallels of the 7 and 9 Climates, so that the longest Day in the South is 15 Hours and a half, and 16 in the North, and was Anciently called Pan∣nonia.

The People of this Country are strong of Body, boisterous of Behaviour, and have no great re∣gard to Liberal Arts, or Mechanick Occupations, as giving themselves mostly to War, and taking it for the greatest Affront Imaginable to be esteemed a Coward, which they find no other way to ob∣literate, but by killing a Turk, after which they have the Liberty of wearing a Feather, as a Tro∣phee of their Exploit; and though they are ex∣treamly Covetous, they are no ways willing to Labour, but rather desire to live upon the Spoil: As for the Females they have no claim to any In∣heritance, so that the Male Line failing, the Estate goes to the common Treasury; nor have the Daughters any other Portion given them, than a Wedding Garment, and are for the most part o∣bliged

to lie on hard Quilts, till such time as they are Married. As for their Cities and Towns, they are fortified for War, as having for upward of two Hundred Years been Imbroiled with the Turks, Transilvanians; and other Neighbouring Nations; the chief of which are, Presburg, Buda, Belgrade, Gran, New-hausel, Great Warradine, Alba Regalis, Raab, Commora, Temeswar, Gyula, Agria, Esseck, Pest, &c. which have strugled with various For∣tunes and Success, though at present most of the strong Holds of this Kingdom, through the late good success are in the Imperialists hands; the King∣dom being Hereditary to the House of Austria, of which Joseph the Emperor's Son, and Arch-duke of Austria, is now Crowned King.

The Soil, though for the most part Untilled, is notwithstanding wonderful Fruitful, yielding Corn where they Till it, thrice in a Year, and in some places the Pastures are so rank for want of Feed∣ing, that it rises the height of a Man; it abounds likewise with Fruits of all Kinds, especially abun∣dance of Rich Vines, of whose Grapes rich Wine is made, and Deer, Goats, Hares, Conies, and wild Foul are here in great Plenty, though none be for∣bidden to take them; there are likewise Mines of Silver, and in some places Gold is found; and in time of Peace the Cattle so multiply, that they are obliged to send great store of them into divers parts of Europe, to prevent their over-running the Country.

The Religion Established in the Kingdom of Hungary, is that of the Romish Communion, though at present the Reformed Worship is Tollerated: The chief Rivers are the Danube, the Gran, the Waag, and the Nitrea; though many other Water this Fruitful Country; but for Mountains there are none considerable, the Country being generally plain, unless a few pleasant rising Hills, many of

them Crowned with Vines; and here is the Fa∣mous Bridg of Esseck, 7 Miles in Length: passing over 3 Rivers, and divers Marshes, though lately it has been much ruined and destroyed.

The Description of Sclavonia.

SCLAVONIA is a considerable Country, bordering on Hungary, which bounds it on the North; as the Adriatick Sea does on the South; Carniola, Histria, and the Seignory of Venice on the West; and Servia, Epirus, and Macedonia on the East; accounted in Length 480 Miles, and in Breadth 325, of Italian Measure, Scituate in the North Temperate Zone, between the Middle Par∣allels of the 6 and 7 Climates; so that the longest Day exceeds not 15 Hours and a half.

This Country contains many small Provinces or Divisions, as Windishland, Croatia, Bosnia, Dalma∣tia, Contado-Dizara, and the Sclavonian Islands; and the chief Cities or Towns are, Zatha, Zaca∣ocz, Windisgretz, Sagona, Ragusa, scituate on the Adriatick, being a place of great Traffick, Sebeni∣cum or Sicum, Zara or Jadera, Scodra or Scutary, before which the Turks lost 100000 Men, Lissa, Gradiska, Buman, Novigrad, and Sisseg, or Sisseck, with others of lesser Note, scatter'd throughout the Provinces, which are partly in the Hands of the Turks, and partly in the Possession of the Imperia∣lists and Venetians.

These Countries for the most part afford abun∣dance of good Pasture, abound in Fruits, and are rich in Corn, yielding some Mines, and great store of Cattle, watered in many places by the Danube, Save, Drave, and other Rivers of note; and as for the People they are hardy, and inured either to War or Labour; and though they give themselves

not much to Till the Ground, because the Turks and Venetians for the most part, reap the Benefit of their Labours, yet they want nothing that is ne∣cessary for the support of Humane Life; forasmuch as the Cattle and Sheep bring forth their Young twice in the Year; and although Corn be but bare∣ly cast on the Ground, without Tillage, it will bring forth Increase.

As for the People, though they are stubborn, and much addicted to Pride, yet are they put to many servile Labours, by their more proud Conquerors, who Lord it over them as if they were no other than their Drudges; for which reason the Word Slave, is derived from these Sclaves, through the unmerciful Usage they found at the hands of the Venetians, when they were first brought into Sub∣jection by the Seigniory of Venice: As for their Re∣ligious Worship, it is in most parts according to that of the Greek Church, whose Patriarch they ac∣knowledg Supream in Ecclesiastical Matters; and here they permit their Women very rarely to marry, till they are 24 years of Age, nor the Men till 30. And at this time, the Venetians have 3000 Sclavonian Horse-men Inrolled amongst their Mili∣tia, and have at all times drained this People to assist in their Wars against the Turks and neighbour∣ing Christians: And as for the Native Sclaves, their Garb is half Sleeved Gowns, of violet Cloth, and a Bonnet of the same, much like to that of the Scots▪ shaving their Heads all but a Lock of Hair on their Crown, after the Fashion of the Turks; the Wo∣men likewise cut their Hair indifferent short, and if so it be not naturally Black, they use Art to ren∣der it of that Colour.

A Description of Dacia, in its sundry Prin∣cipalities and Provinces, &c.

DACIA, properly so held in the time of the flourishing Roman Empire, is bounded on the North with Podolia, and some other part of the Realm of Poland; on the South with part of Thrace and Macedonia; on the East with the rest of Thrace; and on the West with Hungary and Sclavonia; held at present to comprehend the Principalities of Transilvania, Moldavia, Wallachia, Rascia, Servia and Bulgaria; extending from the 7 to the 10 Clime, so that in the most Southern parts, the days are 15 hours 3 quarters at the longest, and 17 in the most Northern.

TRANSILVANIA the first Division of Dacia, takes its name from its lying behind the great Hun∣garian Woods, and is in time of Peace an exceed∣ing Fruitful Country; abounding in Fruits, Corn, Cattle, Fish, Salt-pits, Stone-quarries, Mines of Gold and Silver, Quicksilver, and other Metals; and in the Woods are found many wild Bulls, and wild Cattle; and the Pastures breed many fair Horses, the best for War in all those parts; and in the Frontiers they have Seven Towers to guard the approach from Hungary, which gives the Dutch occasion to call it Seven-Burg; though the chief Towns are Clusenburg, Carolstaat, Harmanstadt, and many o∣thers, and are Governed by a Prince of their own, who has a long time been Tributary to the Turks; but since their late bad success, put himself and his Country under the Protection of the Em∣peror.

MOLDAVIA Quasi Maetavia, said so to be called from its nearness to the Fenns of Maeotis, is a Coun∣try abounding with Woods, yet very plenteous in

Wine, Corn and Pastures, producing great store of Cattle though thinly peopled, by which means it is but slenderly Tilled; however they have out of this small Province, supplyed the great and populous City of Constantinople, with store of Provisions; so that together with what they send to Poland, the tenth Peny, by way of Custom, a∣mounts to 150000 Crowns yearly, though the Gentry and Clergy are excused from paying any thing of this nature, Constantinople receiving from hence every year 500 Ship Loads of Provision only.

The chief Towns are Occaz••ma the Seat of the Vaivod or Prince Cotiim a strong Fortress Biolo∣grade and Bender, and has in it two Arch-Bishops Sees; the people in Religious matters following the Traditions of the Greek Church.

WALACHIA is another Province of Dacia, held to derive its name from Flacous, a noble Roman, who was Governor of it in the time of Trajan the Emperor; so that the people at this day speak a kind of a corrupt Latin or Italian; and this Country is in length 500 miles, in breadth 120, be∣ing for the most part plain and full of Pastures, flourishing Medows which feed a great many Cat∣tle, and bring up excellent Horses for War and Service of any kind; here are found likewise Salt-pits and Iron Mines; Mines of Gold and Silver▪ the which for fear it should entice the Turks to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Country, they keep for the most part con∣cealed; they also in sundry places have store of Vines, yielding plenty of Wine; and have for their chief Towns Galatza on the Influx of the Ri∣ver Pruth, into the Danube; Frescortum, Prai••aba, and Zorza; and is watered with the Rivers Danube, Teln, Alluta, Fulmina, Stertius and Herasius; and is as the former, Gove•• 〈…〉〈…〉 a Vai••od▪ and de∣pendant in Religious ••gean and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church;

the Ecclesiastical Affairs being Governed by an Arch-Bishop and two Bishops, and pays at this day Tribute to the Turks.

RASCIA, another Province of Dacia, has in it the Towns of Bodon, Zarnovia, Covin, Novebard, Severine, Colambes and Columbella; but continually lying in the way of War; the Turks and Tartars, by their often marching through it, have by the Waste and Plunder they made, so impoverished the In∣habitants, that the Towns and Villages are ex∣treamly thin; and although the Soil is in many parts capable of producing Corn and Fruits, yet wanting men to Till it, it produces nothing mate∣rial; nor are those that Inhabit it any ways incou∣raged to Manure the Fields, as knowing others will reap the Fruits of their Labour.

SERVIA is a Country by Nature more Fruitful, and was Antiently very Rich and Flourishing, till the Turks made themselves masters of it, by the fa∣tal overthrow of Lazarus the Despot, on the plains of Cossovia, and was well stored with Mines of Gold and Silver, especially near the Town▪ of Zor∣benick••; but now they are either Exhausted, or thrown in, so that little advantage accrues by them; and the people indeed are degenerated from their former manners and behaviour, as being Rude, Gluttonous, and much given to Wine.

Their principal Towns are Nissa, Vidina, Cra∣••••••, Zorbenic and Semunder, and the Province is commodiously watered by the Rivers Colubra, Lem, Ibra and Moravia, with some others, very pleasant and plentiful in many places.

BVLGARIA was Antiently a Kingdom, and called by the Romans Missa Inferior, as Servia was Missa Superior; and is a Country very Mountainous and full of rugged Hills, steep Rocks, and fearful Water-falls, taking its name from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bulgars a Scythian people, who in the••••g with Woo••d, upon it, driving out

the Antient Inhabitants; and is divided from Thrace by the great Mountain Haemus, whose Spurs and Branches in a manner over-run it; yet the Kings hereof have been accounted very powerful; insomuch that they have worsted in sundry Battles, the Latin and Greek Emperors of Constantinople: and received the Christian Faith, towards the end of the Reign of Justinian the Second.

The places of most note are Mesembria, Divogatia, Axium, Nicopolis, Marcionopolis, and are watered by the Danube; which in part of this Country takes the name of Ister, and is now Tributary to the Turks; who for the most part imploy the Na∣tives in their Wars, as being very Valiant and Daring,

A Description of Greece, in its Kingdoms and Provinces, as Antiently it stood, &c.

GREECE as we now must take it, is bounded on the East with the Propontick, Hellespont, and Aegean Seas; on the West with the Adriatick; and on the North with the Mount Haemus, parting it from Servia and Bulgaria, and some part of Illiri∣cum; and on the South with the Ionian Sea; being in a manner a Peninsula, or rather a half Island, commodiously Scituate for Navigation, and has had divers notable Revolutions, being now inti•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the possession of the Turks, unless what the ••eneti∣ans have preserved, or wrested from them; and as this large Country properly stands at present, I think it highly necessary, for the better conveniency of describing it, to divide it into respective Pro∣vinces and Countries, &c.

1. Peloponesus. 2. Achaia. 3. Epirus. 4. Al∣bania. 5. Macedonia: 6. Thrace, and as for the Islands of the Ionian, Aegean and Propontick Seas;

together with the famous Creet, I shall leave them to a particular description of all the Islands of note, &c.

Peloponesus is in a manner inclosed by the Sea, only where by a small Isthmus it is joyned to the European Continent, of no more than six miles in breadth; which the Grecians and Venetians formerly fortified with a great Wall and five Castles, Anti∣ently called Hexamillium; but in the Wars with A∣murath the second Turkish Emperor they were o∣verthrown; and this Country is accounted 600 miles in circuit, and though it has passed under divers names, it is now called the Morea, and held to be the most pleasant Country of Greece, abound∣ing in fruitfulness, and all things necessary for the support of Human Life; adorned with many good∣ly Plains and pleasant rising Hills, furnished on e∣very side with sundry commodious Ports and Ha∣vens; and though for the bigness of it no Country has suffered more in the ruin of so many stately Ci∣ties, yet it remains at this day, the most populous and best Inhabited of all the Grecian Continent; and near the middle of it, in Laconia is the Mount Tay∣getus, the top whereof gives a prospect over the whole Country, which is properly divided into 7 Provinces, viz. Achaia-Propria, Elis, Messene, Ar∣cadia, Laconia, Argolis and Corinthia.

Achaia-Propria has on the East for its boundard Argolis and Corinth; on the West the Ionian Sea; on the North the Gulf of Lepanto; on the South Elis; so named from the Achaei once Inhabiting it; the Adjuncta Propria being added to difference it from Achaia in the main Land or Continent of Greece.

In this part the considerable places are Chiarenza Antiently Dymae, Scituate in the most Western point of it, on or near the Promontory, Araxum, Aegria, once the chief City of this Tract, now called Xilocastro, Chaminisa, Antiently Olneus, Patreae, a

pleasant Town Scituate opposit to the Mouth of the Gulf Lepanto; being a place of considerable Trade, and most note on the Bay of Corinth, from whence it is called Golfo-di-Patras and here the English had once a Consul for the establishment of Trade, called the Consul of the Morea, and is memorable for the death of St Andrew, the Apostle, who there suffer'd Martyrdom; and next to these are Pellene, Hellice, Buris, the latter two much ruined or rather sunk in the Sea by a Tempest, about the time of the Battle of Leuctres; Tritaea and Phera; but the chief Town which separated from the rest, we may term a Pro∣vince is Sicyon, Scituate in the most Eastern part, and gives name to the Country of Sicyonia abound∣ing in Olives, Wine, and Iron Mines; the Inha∣bitants whereof count themselves the Antientest of Greece, and have been Governed by a Succession of 26 Kings, before they fell into other Methods of Government.

The Country of Elis, is bounded on the East with Arcadia, on the West with the Ionian Sea, on the North with Achaia-Propria, and on the South Messenia; and has for its chief City Elis, giving name to the Province, and was founded as some Hi∣storians have it, by Elisha Son of Javan, and Grand∣child of Japhet; and near unto it runs the River Alpheus: In this Tract is found Olympia, near to which once stood the Statue of Jupiter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 60 Cubits in heighth, and every way proportionable, composed of Gold and Ivory, by Phidias; and here were held the Olympic Games, Instituted by Her∣cules.

MESSENIA is seated in the most Southern part of the Peninsula, and takes its name from the City of Messene Scituate on Sinus Messenaicus now called Golfo-di-Corone, lately taken and posse••led by the Vene••ians; in this Tract stood Pylos the chief City of King Nestor, but now called Navarino, a small

Village of little note Metron or Methone, is commo∣dionsly seated in a half Island, and has on the South side a capacious Bay about 3 miles over, fit for the reception of great Vessels. Corone the City that gives name to the Golfo-di-Corone, &c. Cyparissi now called Arcudia, from which the Bay adjoyning takes its name; and although this Province abound∣ing with Corn, Cattle and Fruits, was taken by the Turks in the year 1500, yet in this last War it is mostly recovered by the Venetians.

ARCADIA is bounded on the East with Laconia, on the West with Elis and Messene, on the North with Achaia-Propria; and on the South with the Sea; and is said to take its name from Arcas the Son of Jupiter and Calisto, called before that Pe∣l••••gia, and has for its chief City Mantinia; near unto which the Thebans in a mortal Battle, over∣threw the Spartans and Athenians; and then Epa∣minondas that famous Leader received his Mortal wound. This Province is exceeding fertil, a∣bounding in Cattle and rich Pastures, Fruits of sundry kinds, and divers Minerals; insomuch that for its pleasantness, many curious fancies have been ••abled upon it; and in this Country Sir Philip Sidney layed the Seene of his famous work.

LACONIA has on the East and South the Sea, on the West Arcadia, and on the North Argolis, Antiently called Lelegia; and was once reckoned to ••ontain 100 Cities, though now it comes very short of that number: The chief are Leuctres, Amyclae, Thulana, near to which Hercules is said to kill the Hydra; Salass••a, Epidaurus seated on the Bay of Malvasia, a Town well Built and Fortified; and Sparta so called from Spartus a Prince of Argos; as for this part it is wonderful fruitful, and lies ve∣ry commodious for Traffick and Navigation, greatly abounding in all the Commodities common to Greece; being pleasantly watered with the River

Eurotas, and other Streams of lesser note; having many fair Promontories, Bays, and Havens.

ARGOLIS is bounded on the South with Laco∣nia, on the West with Corinthia and Achaia-Propria, and on the East and North with the Sea; taking its name from the City Argos, its Metropolis, once the Head of a famous Kingdom; and in this City King Pyrrhus the great Grecian Conqueror, after he had Victoriously forced his entrance, was slain with a Tile thrown at him by an old Woman, from the top of a House; and besides this, it has Traezan, Tyrinthia, Nemea, and some others; and grew in times past from a small Province, to a powerful Kingdom; being once the chiefest of Greece in strength giving Birth to many renowned persons, and the most famed for the breed of Horses.

CORINTHIA, though but a little Region, is yet nevertheless exceeding pleasant and fruitful, lying towards the Istmus or neck of Land that joyns the rest of Greece to Peloponesus, between Argolis▪ and Achaia Propria; containing only the Territories of Corinth, and the chief Towns are Cincrea, Corinth, memorable for the Epistles Saint Paul wrote to the Inhabitants; commodiously Scituate for the com∣mand of all Greece, but that the Inhabitants give themselves more to Merchandise than War; and although it has been a long time in the hands of the Turks, it was the last year taken by the Veneti∣ans; and is Seated on the bottom of the neck or Istmus, the Ionian Sea being on the West, and the Aegean on the East, washing its walls; and make∣ing on each side a Capacious Haven, and was for∣merly exceedingly Fortified but of latter times the Security the Turks supposed themselves in, on that part of their Empire, made them little mind keeping it from running to decay.

And thus much may briefly suffice, as for that part of Greece called Peloponesus.

As for the other Achaia, it is properly divided into Attica, Megaris, Baetia, Phocis, Aetolia, Doris, Locris; and the chief City accounted amongst these is Athens, once the head of a famous Com∣mon-wealth, and sometime a Kingdom; and is Seated very advantagiously, making a Port into the Sea, and was once the Mistriss of Arts and Arms; and in St. Pauls time, who wrote his first and second Epistle from hence to the Thessalo∣nians a very flourishing City, but by the Wars and Misfortunes it has sustained, is now only no∣ted, for what it has been, more than for what it is.

MEGARIS is but a small Region, yet very plea∣sant and much abounding in Corn and Fruits, and has for its chief City Magaria.

BAETIA is much larger than the former, and was once all the Dominion or Kingdom of Thebes, that famous City, so much noted to be built by Cadmus the Phaenician, being the Metropolis: and in this Tract are found likewise Aulis and Platea, and is watered with divers pleasant streams.

PHOCIS is memorable for the Mountain Par∣nassus, and was much noted for the Temple of A∣pollo at the foot of it, but now that stately Structure where the Delphic Oracle gave Answers is ruined, and scarcely any part of it remaining.

AETOLIA is another considerable part of this Tract, divided by the River Pindus from Epirus; once a country of great note, and full of Towns and places of strength, but now retains at present few of note except Chalcis and Thermum; however the whole Country is pleasant, abounding in Pastures, watered with many Rivers, yielding some Mines, and great store of Cattle.

LOCRIS though it is but a small Region, yet lies Commodiously on the Sea Coast, and has for its chief Town Lepanto; in sight of which was fought the famous Battle or Sea fight, between the Turks, Venetians, and consederate Christians; in which 29000 of the Turks were killed, 4000 taken Prisoners, 140 Gallies Burnt, Taken, and Sunk, and 1200 Christian Slaves rescued, in the year 1571. and as for the Trade here, it consists in Leather, Oyl, Tobacco, Furrs, Wheat, Barly, Rice, &c. And is again in the Possession or under the Power of the Venetians.

DORIS is a small Province bounding upon, or rather appertaining to Locris, and has for its chief Town or City, Amphissa, bordering upon the Moun∣tain Parnassus; here is also found Guidas, where the stately Temple of Venus stood, and where St. Paul continued a long time: And as for this Tract it is very Pleasant and Fruitful, watered with small Rivers, but none of note.

Epirus, was once a Famous Kingdom, of which Pyrrhus (who Invaded the Romans in Italy) was King, but more memorable for being under the Regency of the great Scanderbeg, who with a handful of Men stood out against the whole Power of the Turkish Empire, in the Reigns of Amurath the Second, and Mahomet the great, defeating and destroying Prodigious Armies of the Infidels; and has for its chief Cities Cro••ja, Petrela, Petra, Alba, and Stelusia; the Country is very Fruitful, tho' somewhat Mountainous, and was once accounted next to Macedon, the most powerful in Greece, and at this day greatly abounds in Cattle, rich Pastures and Corn.

ALBANIA is bounded with Macedon, Sclavonia, Epirus, and the Adriatick Sea, and has for its chief Cities Durazzo, and Albinopolis, memorable for its Breed of Horses, which the Turks use mostly in

their Wars, and the Courage of its Inhabitants, whose Country being but Indifferently Fruitful, and too strait for the Inhabitants, they like the Swiss, rather choose the Exercise of Arms, than Husbandry.

MACEDON, once Famous for being Head of the Greek Empire, is bounded with Missa Superior, Migdonia, Epirus, and Achaia, and is a very Rich and Flourishing Country, though the Turks great∣ly oppress the Native Greeks, and make them la∣bour that they may reap the greatest Profit, and abounds not only with Cattle, Corn, and some Wine, but in it are found Mines of Gold, and o∣ther Mettals; and of this Country Alexander the Great was King, who not only Conquered the greatest part of Asia, but brought all Greece into Subjection, founding here the third Empire of the World: And as for the chief Cities, they are Aedassa, Andrastus, Eriba, Scidra, and Philippus, or Philipopolis, Built by Philip the Father of Alexan∣der; and to the People of this City it was, that St. Paul Wrote his Epistle.

THESSALY was once likewise a Kingdom, lying on the South of Macedon, abounding with Pleasant Valleys and Hills, and amongst the latter are found that of Olympus, so famed for Transcending the Clouds, Othris, Pelion, and Ossa, so often struck with Thunder, and Fabled to be laid one upon the other, when the Giants went about to Storm the Skies. The Country indeed is very Fruitful in ma∣ny Parts, and produces an Excellent Breed of Hor∣ses, the Natives being held first to Invent the Art of Breaking and Backing them: and here Achilles Reigned, who was Slain at the Siege of Troy: The chief Towns of this Country are La••ia, Tric∣ca, Pharsalia, on whose large Plains Caesar and Pom∣pey fought for the Empire of the World; as also

Philippi, in whose Fields Augustus Caesar and Marcus Antonius, overthrew Brutus and Cassius.

MIGDONIA is a small Country, and accounted by most a part of Thrace, and famous for nothing more than the Hill Athos, held to be the highest in the World, as being 3 days Journey in Ascent, and 75 Miles in Circuit; so that its shadow reach∣es (upon the declining of the Sun) 40 Miles: nor are there wanting in this Country Cities and Towns of considerable Note, as Thessalonica, commonly called Salonica (to whose Inhabitants two of St. Pauls Epistles are directed) Appollonia, Nicladia, and others.

THRACE, properly so called, though now Ro∣maniae, as it lies at present circum scribed is within these Boundards, viz. on the East the Euxine, or black Sea, the Propontis and Hellespont; on the West with Macedon; on the South with the Aegean Sea, and part of Macedon, and on the North with the large Hill Haemus; and is a large and goodly Pro∣vince, accounted 20 Days Journey in Length, and 6 in Breadth, and in Relation to the Heavens reach∣eth unto 44 Degrees North Latitude, so that the longest Day in Summer is about 15 Hours, and 3 Quarters; and in this Country is Scituate the great City of Constantinople, so Named by Constantine the Great, and made by him the Capital of the Roman Empire, and is now the like to the Turkish Em∣pire, and the chief Residence of the Grand Seig∣niour; Built in a Triangular manner, the one Angle thrusting into the Main Land, and the other two bordering upon the Sea; Adrianople, Built by Adrian the Emperor, and Trajanopolis, Found∣ed by the Emperor Trajan; with others of lesser Note.

This Country as to the Soil, is very Fruitful, but by Reason of the sharp cold Air coming off the Seas, they ripen not kindly, nor do the Inhabi∣tants

trouble themselves much with Husbandry, as knowing they labour but for others; however in their Gardens towards the Sea, they are very cu∣rious, so that much Wine is produced from the Grapes that grow there, which is properly called Greek Wine, and mostly sent into other Countries, the Turks by their Law being forbidden to Drink it: They have large Plains likewise where Corn grows indifferently Plentiful, but more Pulse which is amongst them in great use. The Natives of this Country, as indeed of all Greece, are much declined from what they formerly were, in Learn∣ing, Arts, and Arms, as being no better than Slaves to the Imperious Turks, who Lord it over them, whereby they are discouraged and dulled, even to a kind of Stupidity; nor does the Elo∣quence of their Original Language continue pure amongst them, but is mostly corrupted, insomuch that they in few parts perfectly understand the Antient Greek.

The Commodities found in the Principal Trad∣ing Towns of this, and other Sea Provinces, are Grograms, Carpets, Silks, Drugs, Leather, Cham∣lets; and indeed the chief Commodities of Eu∣rope and Asia, which Pay great Customs to the Grand Seigniour. And thus much for the main Land of Europe, whose Islands we shall hereafter consider, with those of the other Three Parts of the World, when we come to treat of the Re∣spective Seas in which they are posited, and there∣fore, for Orders Sake, Omit them here, and pro∣ceed to Asia.