The Turkish history from the original of that nation, to the growth of the Ottoman empire with the lives and conquests of their princes and emperours / by Richard Knolles ... ; with a continuation to this present year MDCLXXXVII ; whereunto is added, The present state of the Ottoman empire, by Sir Paul Rycaut ...

THE MAXIMS OF THE Turkish Polity. BOOK. I. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. The Constitution of the Turkish Government, being different from most others in the World, hath need of peculiar Maxims and Rules whereon to establish and con∣firm it self.

I Have begun a Work which seems very full of Difficulty and Labour: for to trace the Footsteps of Government in the best formed and moulded Common-Wealths, (such as are supported with Reason and with Religion) is no less than to unriddle and resolve a Mystery.* 1.1 For as a Common-Wealth, by many Authors, hath not been unaptly compared to a Ship, in divers respects, and proper Allegories; so principally the small Impression or Sign of Track, the float∣ing Habitation leaves behind it on the Sea, in all the Traverses it makes, according to the diffe∣rent Winds, to attain its Port, is a lively Emblem of the various Motions of good Government, which by reason of Circumstances, Times, and multiplicity of Changes and Events, leaves lit∣tle or no Path in all the Ocean of Humane Af∣fairs.

But there must be yet certain Rules in every Government, which are the Foundations and Pil∣lars of it; not subject to the Alteration of Time, or any other Accident; and so essential to it, that they admit of no change, until the whole Model of Polity suffer a Convulsion, and be shaken into some other Form; which is either effected by the new Laws of a Conqueror, or by intestine and civil Revolutions. Of such Maxims as these, (obvious to all who have had any practice in the Ottoman Court) I have made a Collection, sub∣joining to every Head some Reflexions and Con∣siderations of my own, which at my leisure Hours I have weighed and examined, b••••nging them (according to the proportion of my weak Judgment and Ability) to the Measure and Test of Reason and Vertue; as also to a Similitude and Congruity with the Maxims of other Em∣pires, to which God hath given the largest extent of Dominion.

But indeed, when I have considered seriously the Contexture of the Turkish Government, the absoluteness of an Emperor, without Reason, without Vertue, whose Speeches may be Irratio∣nal, and yet must be Laws; whose Actions Irre∣gular, and yet Examples; whose Sentence and Judgment, if in Matters of the Imperial Con∣cernment, are most commonly corrupt, and yet Decrees irresistible: When I consider what little rewards these are for Vertue, and no Punishment for profitable and thriving Vice; how Men are raised at once by Adulation, Chance, and the sole Favour of the Prince, without any Title of Noble Blood, or the Motives of Previous De∣serts, or former Testimonies and Experience of Parts and Abilities, to the weightiest, the rich∣est, and most honourable Charges of the Em∣pire; when I consider how short their continu∣ance is in them, how with one Frown of their Prince they are cut off; with what greediness, above all people in the World, they thirst and haste to be Rich, and yet know their Treasure is but their Snare; what they labour for, is but as Slaves for their great Patron and Master, and what will inevitably effect their Ruin and De∣struction, though they have all the Arguments of Faithfulness, Vertue, and moral Honesty (which are rare in a Turk) to be their Advocates, and plead for them.

When I consider many other things of like Nature, (which may more at large hereafter be discoursed of) one might admire the long conti∣nuance of this great and vast Empire, and attri∣bute the stability thereof without change within it self, and the increase of Dominions and con∣stant progress of its Arms, rather to some super∣natural Cause, than to the ordinary Maxims of State, or Wisdom of the Governors; as if the Divine Will of the All-knowing Creator, had chosen for the good of his Church, and chastise∣ment of the Sins and Vices of Christians, to raise and support this mighty People. Mihi quanto

plura recentium s••u veterum revolvo,* 1.2 tanto magis lu∣dibria rerum mortalium cunctis in negotiis observan∣tur.

But that which cements all Breaches, and cures all those Wounds in this Body Politick, is the quickness and severity of their Justice, which not considering much the strict division and parts of distributive and commutative, makes almost every Crime equal, and punishes it with the last and extreamest chastisement, which is Death; I mean those which have relation to the Govern∣ment, and are of common and publick Interest. Without this Remedy, which I lay down as a principal Prevention of the greatest Disorders, this mighty Body would burst with the Poison of its own ill Humors, and soon divide it self into several Signories, as the Ambition and Power of the Governors, most remote from the Imperial Seat, administred them hopes and security of becoming Absolute.

In this Government, Severity, Violence and Cruelty are natural to it, and it were as great an Error to begin to loose the Reins, and ease the People of that Oppression to which they and their Fore-fathers have, since their first original, been accustomed, as it would be in a Nation free∣born, and used to live under the Protection of good Laws, and the Clemency of a vertuous and Christian Prince, to exercise a Tyrannical Power over their Estates and Lives, and change their Liberty into Servitude and Slavery. The Turks had the original of their Civil Government ••ound••d in the time of the War: for when they ••ir••t came out of Scythia, and took Arms in their Hands, and submitted unto one General, it is to be supposed, that they had no Laws but what were Arbitrary and Martial, and most agreeable to the enterprise and Design they had then in hand, when Tangrolipix overthrew the Persian Sultan, possessed himself of his Dominions and Power, and called and opened the way for his Companions out of Armenia; when Cutlumuses revolted from him, and made a distinct Kingdom in Arabia: when other Princes of the Seleuccian Family in the infancy of the Turkish Power had by Wars among themselves, or by Testament made division of their Possessions; when (An∣no 1300.) Ottoman, by strange Fortunes, and from small beginnings swallowed up all the other Governments into the Ogusian Tribe, and united them under one Head, until at last it arrived to that greatness and power it now enjoys.* 1.3 The whole condition of this People was but a con∣tinued state of War; wherefore it is not strange, if their Laws are severe, and in most things ar∣bitrary; that the Emperor should be Absolute and above Law, and that most of their Customs should run in a certain Chanel and Course most answerable to the height and unlimited Power of the Governor, and consequently to the Op∣pression and Subjection of the People, and that they should thrive most by servitude, be most happy, prosperous and contented under Tyran∣ny, is as natural to them, as to a Body to be nourished with that Diet which it had from its Infancy or Birth been acquainted with. But not only is Tyranny requisite for this People, and a stiff reign to curb them, lest by an unknown Li∣berty they grow mutinous and unruly, but like∣wise the large Territories and remote parts of the Empire require speedy preventions, without Processes of Law, or formal Indictment: jea∣lousie and suspicion of Mis-government being Licence and Authority enough for the Emperor to inflict his severest Punishments; all which de∣pends upon the Absoluteness of the Prince; which because it is that whereby the Turks are principally supported in their Greatness, and is the prime Maxim and Foundation of their State, we shall make it the Discourse and Subject of the following Chapter.

CHAP. II. The Absoluteness of the Emperor is a great support of the Turkish Empire.

THE Turks having (as is before declared) laid the first foundation of their Govern∣ment with the Principles most agreeable to Mi∣litay Discipline, their Generals or Princes, whose Will and Lusts they served, became ab∣solute Masters of their Lives and Estates; so that what they gained and acquired by the Sword, with Labours, Perils and Sufferings, was appropriated to the use and benefit of their Great Master. All the delightful Fields of Asia, the pleasant Plains of Tempe and Thrace,* 1.4 all the Plenty of Egypt, and Fruitfulness of the Nile, the Luxury of Corinth, the Substance of Pelo∣ponnesus, Athens, Lemnos, Scio and Mitylene, with other Isles of the Aegean Sea, the Spices of Arabia, and the Riches of a great part of Persia, all Armenia, the Provinces of Ponius, Galatia, Bythinia, Phrygia, Lycia, Pamphylia, Palestine, Coe∣losyria and Phoenicia, Colchis, and great part of Georgia, the Tributary Principalities of Molda∣via and Walachia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ser∣via, and the best part of Hungary, concur all together to satifie the Appetite of one single Per∣son; all the extent of this vast Territory, the Lands and Houses, as well as the Castles and Arms, are the proper Goods of the Grand Signior, in his sole Disposal and Gift they remain, whose Possession and Right they are; only to Lands de∣dicated to Religious uses, the Grand Signior dis∣claims all Right or Claim; and this he so piously observes (to the shame of our Sectaries in Eng∣land, who violate the penetralia of the Sanctua∣ry) that when a Bashaw, though afterwards convicted of Treason, bestows any Lands or Rents on any certain Mosch or Temple, that Grant or Gift is good and exempted from any Disposal or Power of the Grand Signior. The Lands being thus originally in the Grand Signior, after the Conquests were made, and the Coun∣try secured, and in condition to be distributed, Divisions were made of the Houses, Manors and Farms among the Souldiery, whom they call Ti∣mars, as the Reward and Recompence of their Valour and Labour; in consideration of which, every one proportionably to his Revenue and Possession, is obliged to maintain Horse and Men to be always ready when the Grand Signior shall call him forth to serve him in the Wars; by which means the whole Country being in the hands of the Souldiery, all places are the better strengthened, and the conquered People more easily kept from Mutiny and Rebellion; not muc•• unlike our Tenure of Knights-service in England, and Lands held of the Crown, but with this difference, that we enjoy them by the Title of a fixed and settled Law, never to be forfeited but upon Treason and Rebellion; they enjoy them also by Inheritance derived from the Father to the Son, but yet as usufructuary during the pleasure of the Emperor, in whom the Pro∣priety is always reserved, and who doth often, as his Humor and Fancy leads him to please and

gratifie a Stranger, dispossess an ancient Pos∣sessor, whose Family hath for many generations enjoyed that Inheritance. Sometimes I have heard, with the Sighs of some, and the Curse of others, how the Grand Signior heated in his Hunting, and pleased with the refreshment of a little cool and crystal Water, presented him by a poor Paisant, hath in recompence thereof freed the Tenant from the Rent of his Landlord, and by his sole Word confirmed to him the Cottage he lived in, the Woods, Gardens and Fields he manured, with as sound a Title, as our long Deeds and Conveyances secure our Purchases and Inheritances in England; and this the former Master dares not name Injustice, because this Te∣nant is now made Proprietor by the Will of the Grand Signior, which was the same Title and Claim with his; Prescription, Tenant-right, and Custom availing nothing in this Case. For if the inheritance hath been anciently derived from Father to the Son, the more is the Goodness and Bounty of the Emperor to be acknowledged, that hath permitted so long as Succession of his Favou••s to run in one Family, in whose Power it was to transfer it to others.

The absolute and unlimited Power of this Prince is more evident by the Titles they give, as God on Earth, the Shadow of God, Brother to the Sun and Moon, the Giver of all Earthly Crowns, &c. And though they do not build and erect Altars to him, as was done to the Roman Emperors, when that People degenerated into a fashion of deformed Adulation, wherein Italy is at present corrupted; yet the Conception they have of his Power, the Ray they conceive to be in him of Divine Illumination, is a kind of imagery and idolatrous Fancy they frame of his Divinity. It is an ordinary saying among the Turkish Cadees and Lawyers, That the Grand Signior is above the Law; that is, whatsoever Law is written, is controllable, and may be con∣tradicted by him: his Mouth is the Law it self, and the Power of an Infallible Interpretation is in him; and though the M••f••i is many times, for custom, formality, and satisfaction of the People consulted with, yet when his Sentences have not been agreeable to the Designs intended, I have known him, in an instant, thrown from his Office to make room for another Oracle bet∣ter prepared for the purpose of his Master.

Some maintain that the very Oaths and Pro∣mises of the Grand Signior are always revoca∣ble, when the performance of his Vow is a re∣striction to the absolute Power of the Empire. And I remember when my Lord Ambassador hath sometimes complained of the Breach of our Ca∣pitulations, and pleaded that the Grand Signior had no Power by single Commands to infringe Articles of Peace, to which he had obliged him∣self by solemn Oaths and Vows; the Interpre∣ters have gently touched that Point, and been as nice to question how far the Power of the Grand Signior extended, as we ought to be in the sub∣tile Points of the Divine Omnipotence, but ra∣ther in contemplation of the Grand Signior's Justice, Wisdom, Faith and Clemency, insinua∣ted Arguments of Honour, Convenience and Ju∣stice in maintaining the League inviolate with the King of England. It was Iustinian's Rule concerning the Prerogative of Princes, Etsi legi∣bus soluti sumus, tamen legibus vivimus: That is, although the Majesty of Princes, and the ne∣cessity of having a Supreme Head in all Govern∣ments, did free and privilege them from all Punishment, and exempt them from the Censure and Correction of the Law, that no earthly Power could call them to account for their Er∣rors or Disorders in this World; yet it is ne∣cessary to the being of an absolute Monarch, to be a severe Executioner of the Laws of his Coun∣try; and it is more his Interest and Security, than to act without Rule, and always to make use of the Power of Absolute Dominion, which is to be applied like Physick, when the ordinary force of Nature cannot remove the malignancy of some peccant Humours.

The Grand Signior himself is also restrained by Laws, but without impeachment to his Abso∣lute Jurisdiction. For when there is a new Em∣peror, it is the custom to conduct him with great Pomp and Triumph to a place in the Suburbs of Constantinople called Iob, where is an ancient Monument of some certain Prophet, or Holy Man, whom the Turks, for want of knowledg in An∣tiquity and History, style that Iob, who was recorded for the mirror of Constancy and Patience. For they confound all History in Chronology, saying, That Iob was Solomon's Judg of the Court, and Alexander the Great, Captain of his Army. At this Place solemn Prayers are made, that God would prosper, and infuse Wisdom into him, who is to manage so great a Charge. Then the Mufti embracing him, bestows his Benediction, and the Grand Signior swears and promises solemnly to maintain the Musleman Faith, and Laws of the Prophet Mahomet; and then the Viziers of the Bench, and other Bashaws, with profound reverence and humility, kissing the Ground first, and then the Hemm of his Vest, acknowledg him their lawful and undoubted Emperor: And after this Form of Inauguration, he returns with the like Solemnity and Magnificence to the Seraglio (which is always the Seat of the Ottoman Em∣perors.) And thus the Grand Signior retains, and obliges himself to govern within the com∣pass of Laws; but they give him so large a lati∣tude, that he can no more be said to be Bound or Limited, than a Man who hath the World to rove in can be termed a Prisoner, because he can∣not exceed the Inclosure of the Universe. For though he be obliged to the execution of the Mahometan Law, yet that Law calls the Emperor the Mouth and Interpreter of it, and endues him with power to alter and annul the most settled and fixed Rules, at least to wave and dispense with them when they are an Obstacle to his Go∣vernment, and contradict (as we said before) any great Design of the Empire. But the lear∣ned Doctors among the Turks more clearly re∣strain the Imperial Power only to the observa∣tion of that which is Religious in the Mahometan Law, saying, That in Matters which are Civil, his Law is Arbitrary, and needs to other Judg or Legislator than his own Will. Hence it is that they say, the Grand Signior can never be depo∣sed or made accountable to any for his Crimes, whilst he destroys carelesly of his Subjects un∣der the number of an hundred a day. And in like manner hence it is, that though the Maho∣metan Law determines the Testimony of two Witnesses of that Faith to be valid for the de∣termation of all Cases of Difference, yet by our Capitulation it is provided, that no Turkish Wit∣nesses, of what number or quality soever, can avail any of the English Nation, by reason that the Case being Civil, is dispensible by the Im∣perial Power; but I doubt, were any Matter in question Criminal (as we have never, God be praised, had occasion to put it to trial) the Ca∣pitulations would be forced to yield to the Ma∣hometan Law, as being both Religious and Di∣vine,

with which the Sultan hath no power to dispense.

Of what Consequence and Benefit this Abso∣lute Power hath been to the Turks, is evident by the extent of their Empire, and success of their Arms. For if the Sultan pleases the Souldiery, no matter how the People in this constitution is contented; and this was the conclusion of Machiavil upon this Government, in the 19th Chapter of his Book del Pincipe. And it must needs be a great advantage to a Commander, when the Vtile and Iustum are reconciled and made the same, and that he meets no contra∣diction or opposition at Home, which may re∣tard or cross the great Designs Abroad. The Emperor of Germany had doubtless sooner en∣countred the Turks, and given a stop to his free entrance the first Year of the late War into Hungary, had he been Absolute of the whole Empire, and not necessitated to expect the con∣sent of his several Princes, and the result of a Diet, when the Turks were even ready to enter Germany. For when many Heads or Hands are required, all Business moves slowly, and more Time is spent in agreement of the manner of Action, in Arguments and Debates (which are most commonly carried on by Faction) than in the most difficult Point of execution. It would seem a great Clog to the Grand Signior to be obliged to depend on the Bounty of his Sub∣jects, when he would make a War, or on the Judgment of a Lawyer that should contradict and censure the Actions of his Prince as irregu∣lar, and exceeding the Priviledges of his Prero∣gative. It is very difficult to understand how it is possible with these Fetters for any Country or City ever to arrive to that height, as to be termed the Mistress of a great Empire, or a Prince be said to have a long Arm, or em∣brace a large Compass of the Globe, who is pinion'd with the Bands of his own Laws. But I confess it is a Blessing, and wonderful Happi∣ness of a People, to be Subjects of a gracious Prince, who hath prescribed his Power within the compass of wholsome Laws, acknowledged a right of Possession and Propriety of Estate as well in his Subjects as himself, who doth not punish the Innocent with the Guilty, nor oppress without distinction, nor act the part of that King whom God gives in his Wrath. But then they must content themselves with their own Borders, or some neighbouring Conquest, and this is better, and a greater Glory and Content, than the Honour of being Slaves to the Lust of a Monarch, whose Titles comprehend the great∣est part of the World.

CHAP. III. The Lesson of Obedience to the Emperor is taught by the Turks, as a Principle of Religion rather than of State.

THE absolute Power in the Prince implies an exact Obedience in the Subjects; and to instil and confirm that Principle, no Art or In∣dustry is wanting in the education of those who are placed in the Seraglio, with design of pre∣ferment to Offices and great Charges; so that even the Oath of Obedience, which Friars and other Religious Men vow to their Superiors at their first initiation into Ecclesiastial Orders, is not more exactly or devoutly observed or professed by them, than this Doctrine of Submission to the Will of their great Master, is carefully taught to his Young Scholars who stand Probationers and Candidates for all the Government of the Empire. To die by the hand or command of the Grand Signior, when the blow is submitted to, with entire resignation, is taught to be the highest point of Martyrdom; and whose good Fortune it is so to suffer, is immediately transported to Paradise. Kara Mustapha Passaw (a great Vi∣sier) after he had been so successful in all Matters of his Charge, and proved so excellent an In∣strument of Victories and Services to his Ma∣ster, that he was applauded by all to be a most happy and fortunate Minister, was so sensible of his own Condition, and the favour of his Prince, that he confessed he was now arrived to the greatest Glory and Perfection he could in this Life aspire to, and only wanted the Holy Mar∣tyrdom, to die by the Order and Sentence of the Grand Signior, as the Reward of his Faith∣fulness, and the Consummation of all his Ho∣nours.

Such as receive any Wages or pay, coming from the Exchequer, or any Office depending on the Crown, have the title of Kul, which is, the Grand Signior's Slave: such is the great Vi∣zier and all the Bashaws of the Empire, and it is more honourable than the Condition and Name of Subject; for they have a priviledg over these, and can revile, beat and abuse them with Au∣thority; but the Subject cannot offer the least injury to the Slave, without danger of severe punishment. Slavery amongst the Turks denotes a condition of entire resignation to the Will and Command of the Emperor, to perform whatso∣ever he signifies; or, if possible, what he con∣ceives: though he command whole Armies of them to precipitate themselves from a Rock, or build a Bridg with Piles of their Bodies for him to pass Rivers, or to kill one another to afford him pastime and pleasure. They that have been where they have seen and known the man∣ner of this blind Obedience, may well cry out, O homines ad servitutem paratos! And doubtless the flattery used in the Seraglio towards the Prince, by those that are near his Person, is proportionable to this condition of slavery they profess, and cannot but fansie a strange kind of projected baseness in all the deportment within the Walls of the Seraglio, when there appears so much condescension Abroad to all the lusts and evil inclinations of their Master; so that a generous Prince (as some have been found among the Ottoman Emperors) though he desired not the publick Liberty, would yet be weary of this slavish compliance, and seek other counsel and means to inform himself of the true state of his own and other Kings Dominions,* 1.5 than such as proceed from Men unexperienced in any other Court or Country than that they live in. This flattery and immoderate subjection hath doubtless been the cause of the decay of the Turkish Di∣scipline in the Time of Sultan Ibrahim, when Women governed, and now in this present Age of Sultan Mahomet, whose Counsels are given chiefly by his Mother, Negroes, Eunuchs, and some handsome young Mosayp or Favourite; seldom any from without being permitted, or have their Spirits emboldened to declare a Truth, or are called to give their counsel in Matters of greatest importance. So that this Obedience which brave and wise Emperors have made use of in the advancement of noble Exploits, and enlargement of their Empire, is with effeminate Princes (delighted with flattery) the Snare of

their own Greatness, and occasion of weak Coun∣sels and Means in the management of great Designs. If a Man seriously consider the whole composition of the Turkish Court, he will find it to be a Prison and Banniard of Slaves, dif∣fering from that where the Galley-slaves are immured, only the Ornaments and glittering out-side and appearances: here their Chains are made of Iron, and there of Gold and the dif∣ference is only in a painted shining servitude, from that which is a squalid, sordid and a noi∣some slavery. For the Youths educated in the Seraglio (which we shall have occasion to dis∣course of in the next Chapter) are kept as it were within a Prison, under a strange severity of Discipline, some for twenty, thirty, others forty Years, others the whole time of the Age of Man, and grow gray under the correction of their Hogiaes or Tutors. The two Brothers of this present Grand Signior are also impri∣soned here, restrained with a faithfull and care∣full Guard, and perhaps are sometimes permit∣ted, out of Grace and Favour, into the presence of their Brother, to kiss his Vest, and to per∣form the offices of Duty and Humility before their Prince. The Ladies also of the Seraglio have their faithful Keepers of the Black Guard to at∣tend them, and can only have the liberty of enjoying the Air, which passes through Grates and Lattices, unless sometime they obtain licence to sport and recreate themselves in the Garden, separated from the sight of Men, by Walls higher than those of any Nunnery.

Nay, if a Man considers the Contexture of the whole Turkish Government, he will find it such a Fabrick of slavery, that it is a wonder if any amongst them should be born of a free in∣gen••ous Spirit. The Grand Signior is born of a Slave, the Mother of the present being a Cir∣casian, taken perhaps by the Tartars in their incursions into that Country. The Visiers them∣selves are not always free-born by Father or Mo∣ther; for the Turks get more Children by their Slaves than by their Wives, and the continual supply of Slaves sent in by the Tartars, taken from different Nations, by way of the Black Sea, (as hereafter we shall have occasion to speak more fully) fills Constantinople with such a strange Race, Mixture, and Medly of different sorts of Blood, that it is hard to find many that can derive a clear Line from ingenuous Parents: So that it is no wonder that amongst the Turks a disposition be found fitted and disposed for Servitude, and that is better governed with a severe and tyrannous Hand, than with sweet∣ness and Lenity, unknown to them and their Forefathers: as Grotius takes this Maxim out of Aristotle, Quosdam homines naturâ esse servos; i. e. ad servitutem aptos; & ita populi quidem, eo sunt ingenio, ut regi quam regere norint rectius. But since it appears that Submission and Subjection are so incident to the Nature of the Turks, and Obedience taught, and so carefully instilled in∣to them with their first Rudiments; it may be a pertinent question, How it comes to pass, that there are so many Mutinies and Rebellions as are seen and known amongst the Turks, and those commonly the most insolent, violent and de∣sperate that we read of in Story. To let pass the Mutinies of former Times in the Ottoman Camp, and the usual, though short Rebellions of ancient Days: I shall instance in the Causes and Beginnings of two notorious Disturbances, or rather Madnesses of the Souldiery, not men∣tioned in any History, which being passages of our Age, deserve greatly to be recorded.

This Obedience then that is so diligently taught and instilled into the Turkish Militia (as to the Spahees in their Seraglios, or Seminaries;* 1.6 the Janisaries in their Chambers) sometimes is for∣got, when the Passions & Animosities of the Court (by which inferior Affections are most commonly regulated) corrupt that Discipline, which its Reason and Sobriety instituted. For the affecti∣ons of Princes are endued with a general Influ∣ence, when two powerful Parties aspiring both to Greatness and Authority, allure the Souldiers to their respective Factions, and engage them in a Civil War amongst themselves; and hence proceed Seditions, destruction of Empires, the Overthrow of Common-Wealths, and the vio∣lent Death of great Ministers of State.

And so it happened, when ill Government, and unprosperous Successes of War, caused Disobe∣dience in the Souldiery, which some emulous of the Greatness of those that were in Power, nourished and raised to make place for them∣selves or their Party. For in the time of Sultan Mahomet, the present Grand Signior, when the whole Government of the Empire rested in the hands of one Mulki Kadin, a young audacious Woman, by the extraordinary Favour and Love of the Queen-Mother, (who, as it was divul∣ged, exercised an unnatural kind of Carnality with the said Queen) so that nothing was left to the Counsel and Order of the Vizier and grave Seniors, but was first to receive Approba∣tion and Authority from her; the black Eunuchs and Negroes gave Laws to all, and the Cabinet-Councils were held in the secret Apartments of the Women; and there were Proscriptions made, Officers discharged, or ordained as were most proper to advance the Interest of this Feminine Government. But at length the Souldiery (not used to the Tyranny of Women) no longer sup∣porting this kind of Servitude, in a moment re∣solved on a Remedy, and in great Tumults came to the Seraglio, where commanding the Grand Signior himself to the Kiosch, or Banquetting-house, they demanded, without farther Prologue, the Heads of the Favourite Eunuchs; there was no Argument or Rhetorick to be proposed to this unreasonable Multitude, nor Time given for delays, or consultation; but every one of the accused, as he was entred into the Souldiers Roll or Catalogue, and required, being first strang∣led, was afterwards thrown headlong from the Wall of the Garden, and committed to the far∣ther satisfaction of their Enemies Revenge, by whom from thence they were dragged to the Hip∣podromo, and before the new Mosque cut into small pieces, and their Flesh roasted and eaten by them. The day following, they apprehended Mulki, and her Husband Schaban Kalfa, both whom they put to Death; nor ended this Tu∣mult here, until by means of dissention between the Spahees and Janisaries, the principal Mini∣sters found means and opportunity to interpose their Power; and having executed several of the Spahees, and performed other exemplary parts of Justice, reduced Matters to some kind of quietness and composure; and thus Order re∣sults often from Confusion, and Tumults in cor∣rupted Common-Wealths have operated good Effects to the redress of several Evils. But be∣sides this Insurrection or Mutiny of the Janisa∣ries, have succeeded divers other; but because there hath been no disorder amongst them so no∣torious and memorable, as that which occasioned the Death of Kiosem, Grandmother to the pre∣sent Sultan, we have thought fit to record the certain Particulars of it to all Posterity.

CHAP. IV. A True Relation of the Designs managed by the old Queen, Wife of Sultan Ahmet, and Mother of Sultan Morat, and Sultan Ibrahim, against her Grand-Child Sultan Mahomet, who now Reigns; and of the Death of the said Queen and her Compli∣ces.

AFter the murther of Sultan Ibrahim, by con∣spiracy of the Janisaries, Sultan Mahomet, (••ldest Son of the late deceased Emperor, a Child of nine Years old) succeeded in the Throne of his Father; and the Tuition of him, and Administration of the Government (du∣ring his minority) was committed to the old Queen, the Grandmother, called Kiosem; a Lady, who through her long experience, and practice in Affairs, was able, and proper for so considerable an Office; and so the young Sultan was conducted to the Mosch of Eiub, where with the accustomed Ceremonies, his Sword was girt to his side, and he proclaimed Emperor through all the Kingdoms and Provinces of his Domi∣nions.

For some time this old Queen governed all things according to her pleasure, until the Mo∣ther of this young Sultan, as yet trembling with the thoughts of the horrid Death of her Lord; and fearing lest the subtile and old Politician the Grandmother (who had compassed the Death of her Husband) should likewise contrive the Mur∣ther of her Son, grew hourly more jealous of his Life and Safety; which suspicion of hers was augmented by the knowledg she had of the am∣bitious and haughty Spirit of the Grandmother, and the private Treaties, and secret Correspon∣dence she held with the Janisaries, which com∣pelled her to a resolution of making a Faction likewise with the Spahees, and Pashaws, and Beyes, who had received their Education in the Seraglio, being a party always opposite to the Janisaries. These she courted by Letters and Messages, complaining of the Death and Mur∣ther of the Sultan her Husband, the Pride and Insolence of the Janizaries; and small esteem was had of her Son, their undoubted Prince; adding, that if they provided not for their own Safety, the old Queen would abolish both the Name and Order of Spahees. The Asiatick Spahees awakened hereat, with a considerable Army, marched to Scutari, under the conduct of Gurgi Nebi, and demanded the Heads of those who had been the Traytors and Conspirators against the sacred Life of their late Sovereign; all which were then under the protection of the Janisaries, and supported by the powerful Au∣thority of the Queen Regent. Upon this Alarm the Grand Visier, (called Morat Pashaw) who had had his Education among the Janisaries, being adored by them as an Oracle, and engaged with them in the late Treason against the Sultan, speedily passed over from Constantinople to Scu∣tari, with an Army of Janisaries, and others of his Favourites and Followers, transporting like∣wise Artillery and all necessaries for entrench∣ment; some Skirmishes passed between the Van∣guard of the Spahees and the Deli (which are the Visier's Guard) and thereby had engaged both the Armies; but that the two Chief Ju∣stices of Anatolia and Greece interposing with their grave and religious Countenances, prea∣ched to them of the Danger and Impiety there was in the effusion of Musselmens or Believers Blood; and that, had they any just Pretences, their Plea should be heard, and all Differences decided by the Law. These, and such like Per∣suasions made impression on Gurgi Nebi and other Spahees: and the posture they found their Ad∣versaries in, to give them battel, made them in∣clinable to hearken to Proposals for accommo∣dation; but especially their Courages were aba∣ted by what the Justices had declared, that in case they repaired not to their own Homes, the Vizier was resolved to burn all the Rolls, and proclaim a general Nesiraum through the whole Empire: which is an Edict of the King and Muf∣ti, commanding all the Turks of his Kingdoms, from seven Years old and upward, to arm and follow him to the War.

The Spahees hereupon dispersed themselves; and from their Retreat, encreased the Pride of the Janisaries Faction, and of their chief Com∣manders, viz. Bectas Aga, highly favoured by the Queen Regent; Kul Kiahia Lieutenant of the Janisaries, and Kara Chiaus a follower of Bectas, who now esteemed themselves absolute Masters of the Empire. These three now go∣verned all Matters, contriving in their secret Councils the destruction of the Spahees; especi∣ally those famed for Riches and Valour; and as one of the first Rank, gave order to the Pasha of Anatolia, to take away the Life of Gurgi Ne∣bi; whom accordingly he one day assaulted in his Quarters, and being abandoned by his So••l∣diers, shot him with a Pistol, and sent his head to Constantinople.

The Spahees exasperated hereat, entred into private Councils and Conspiracies in Anatolia against the Janisaries, drawing to their party several Beyes and Pashaws of Asia (and par∣ticularly one Ipsir a Circasian born, but educated in the Seraglio, a Person of a couragious Spirit, and powerful in Men and Treasure) assaulted many Quarters of the Janisaries in Asia, and cutting off their Arms and Noses, miserably slaughtered as many as fell into their hands.

On the other party Bectas Aga, secure in his condition, amassed Wealth with both hands, by new Impositions, Rapine, and other Arts; cau∣sing to be coined at Belgrade three hundred thou∣sand Aspers, one third Silver, and two of Tin; these Aspers he dispersed amongst the Trades∣men and Artisans, forcing others to exchange his false Metal for Gold, at the value of 160 Aspers for the Hungarian Ducat. The people sensible of the Cheat, began a Mutiny in the Quarter of the Sadlers at Constantinople, which encreas••d so fast, that the whole City was im∣mediately in a general Uproar: This Tumult was violently carried to the place of the Mufti, whom they forced with the Seigh (who is the Grand Signior's Preacher) and the Nakib Esrif, a Primate of the Mahometan Race, to accompa∣ny them to the Seraglio; where at the inward Gate of the Royal Lodgings, with Clamours and Out-cries, they made their Complaint. In this Danger the Grand Signior was advis••d by the Capi Agasi, and Solyman Aga, the Kuzlir Aga or chief Eunuch of the Women, that this happy Conjuncture was to be embraced for the destruction of Bectas and his Complices; but fear, and too much caution hindred that Design for the present; only it was j••dged fit, ••or sa∣tisfaction of the Multitude, that Melek Ahmet Pashaw (then Prime Vizier, and yet a Slave to the Lusts of the Janisaries) should be deprived of his Office; which was immediately effected;

and the Seal taken from him, was delivered to Siaus Pashaw, a stout and valiant Person. This Vizier being jealous of his own Honour, and jealous for the safety of the Empire, cast about all ways to suppress the arrogance of Bectas and his Adherents; lest the like shame and misfor∣tune should befal him, as did to Murad Pashaw one of his late Predecessors in the Office of Vi∣zier; who for dissenting from Bectas in Opini∣on, had lost his Life, had he not escaped his Fury by flying into Greece.

The times were also troublesome, and full of danger; the Janisaries kept Guard in the Streets, not suffering so much as two Citizens to walk together, for prevention of secret Consultati∣ons: many Artisans, or Handy-craftsmen, were imprisoned, as principally in the late Tumult, against the Consent and Order of the new Vi∣zier; the Court was also divided; The Sultan's Party contrived to surprize and kill the rebel∣lious Commanders of the Janisaries, and that the day following, the Lieutenant of the Bal∣tagees, or Hatchetmen, should encounter Kul∣chiachia as he came according to custom to the Divan, and slay him; but the Old Queen being of a contrary Faction, with Threats and Mena∣ces frighted that Officer from his design. The two Queens were exasperated highly against each other; one to maintain the Authority of her Son, and the other her own: in the City the confu∣sion grew greater; the Janisaries were not plea∣sed with the election of Siaus Passa, knowing him to be averse to their Faction; but yet conside∣ring the state of the Times, they endeavoured, with fair Promises, to allure him to their Party. The old Queen, by Letters, advised Bectas of all Matters that were discoursed in the Seraglio, intimating that the young Queen was Author of all these Disturbances, and that therefore, as a remedy of all these Evils, it was necessary that Sultan Mahomet should be deposed, and his younger Brother Solyman placed in his stead, who having a Mother, would be absolutely subject to her Tuition: she added likewise that Soly∣man was a lusty Youth, corpulent and Majestical, whereas Sultan Mahomet was lean, weakly and unable for the Crown. Bectas having received this Message from the Queen Regent, assembled a Council at Orta-giami (that is the Janisaries Mosch) where was a great and solemn appear∣ance both of the Souldiery and Lawyers, (which latter are of the Spiritual Function amongst them) some out of friendship to their Party, and others for fear of their Power; only the Vi∣zier was wanting, whom they sent to invite, out of an Opinion that he might be drawn to their side; and in case they found him opposite, then not to suffer him to escape alive from their Councils. It was then two hours in the Night, when this Message came to the Vizier; and though it was against the State and Gravity of a Vizier to go to any, but his Master; yet he thought it now time to dissemble, and overcome the greatness of his Mind; and so with a private Retinue went to the Mosch, where the first he encountred, was a Guard of Ten thousand Janisaries, armed with their Muskets and Matches lighted, which at first so dismayed him, that he had some thoughts of returning, but afterwards recovering himself, and taking Courage, resolved to proceed; and coming to the Mosch, Bectas vouchsafed not to meet him, but sent another to perform that Ce∣remony; at which neglect, though the great∣ness of his Spirit could scarce contain it self, yet suppressing his choler, he addressed himself to the Feet of Bectas, who scarce arising, gave him a faint welcome; and setting him on his left hand (which is the upper hand with the Turkish Souldiery) began to propound to him his new Designs; and first, That it was neces∣sary, that the present King should be deposed, and Solyman Crowned in his place. That the Canons of the Imperial Seraglio should be re∣formed; and that whereas the Children of di∣vers Nations were yearly collected for the Service of the Grand Signior, none should for the future have admission there, but the Sons of Janisaries. The Vizier consented to all that was proposed, professing a sincere affection and reality to them and their Party, swearing upon the Alchoran, with the most horrid Imprecations on himself, and his Family, if he were not faithful to Him and his Designs; which gave Bectas that satisfaction, that he began to persuade himselfe that the Vizier was really a confiding Person, and one affectio∣nate to their Interest; and so partly from this consideration, and partly out of a confidence of his own strength, and inability of the Vizier to hurt him, fairly took his leave of him, and so dis∣missed his Kalaba Divan, or his confused Coun∣cil.

But the Chiachia Bei (or Lieutenant-General of the Janisaries) and Kara-Chiaus reproved ve∣ry much Bectas for permitting the Vizier to escape with his Life, saying, he had done ill in suffering the Bird to escape out of the Cage; that he had released one, and permitted him to carry his Head on his Shoulders, who would shortly take off theirs; with many words of the like effect. But Bectas slighted their Reproof, as proceeding from want of Courage, and the Ignorance of their own Power; and that the time until morn∣ing was so short, that should the Vizier intend to countermine them, he was wholly unable, be∣ing unprovided both of Power and Council. The Vizier being got free, went apace to the Se∣raglio, with two Men only, thanked God as he walked, that he was freed from the Hands of those Tyrants and Villains; and coming to the Iron-gate, intending to pass through the Gar∣den, he found it open, contrary to the custom; and enquiring of the Bostangees, or Gardiners, the reason, he could learn nothing farther from them, than that it was the order of the old Queen: who (as it appeared afterwards) expected her Confidents who might withdraw her that Night into some retirement where she might remain se∣cure from the Dangers of the ensuing Day. The Vizier being entred, went softly to the Sultan's Apartments, and in his way, by good chance, met with the Kuzlir Agasi, Solyman Aga, the chief Eunuch of the Women, who in the dark was making his rounds about the old Queen's Lodgings; by the Vizier's voice Solyman knew who he was, but was amazed at his unsea∣sonable visit; yet understanding the Business, thanked him for his Vigilance; adding, that he had also observed that the old Queen, contrary to her custom, was not yet gone to Bed, who did at other times at two hours in the Night dispose her self to rest, only this Evening she had entertained her self in company of her Eunuchs, and Favourites, with Musick, Singing, and other unusual Delights. Wherefore, after some short deliberation, the Vizier, Solyman Aga, and others of the King's Eunuchs, went to the quarters of the old Queen, and offering to enter forcibly, were repulsed by the Queen's Eunuchs; but Solyman Aga being a stout Man, drew his Dagger and struck the chief Chamber∣lain Bash Kapa Oglar on the Face; upon which the other Eunuchs who accompanied Solyman en∣tred

furiously with their Daggers, at which the Eunuchs of the Queen f••ying, she remained alone in the Chamber, where she was committed to the custody of the King's Eunuchs. The fu∣gitive Eunuchs would immediately have escaped out of the Seraglio, but the Gates were first shut by order of Solyman Aga, so that they, with all other Favourites of the said Queen, were taken and secured in safe hands. This Victory was so secretly obtained, that they received no Alarm in the Royal Lodgings, though near adjoining; so that the Vizier and Solyman Aga went to the Chamber where the King slept, and lifting up the Antiport, made a sign of silence to the Ladies of the Guard, commanding, by dumb motions, that the young Queen should be awakened (for it is the custom in the Grand Signior's Court to speak by signs, to prevent noise, and as if there were some point in it of Majesty and Decency, they have practised this mute Language so fully, that they are able to recount Stories in it.) The Lad••es h••reupon gently rubbing the Queen's Feet, raised her out of her sleep, and gave her to understand the Solyman Aga would speak with her; whereat the Queen surprized, leapt from her Bed to speak with him, and was scarce in∣formed of the Business, before she became so af∣frighted, that she could not contain her self within the Bounds of Moderation or Silence, but with great Cry ran to take her Son as one distracted, and catching him up in her Arms, cried out, O Son! thou and I are dead; the Grand Signior likewise as a Child bewailed himself, and falling at the feet of Solyman Aga, said, Lala, Lala Kurtar-beni, which is, Tutor, Tutor save me: He not without Tears took his Lord into his Arms, and with the Vizier encouraged the Child and his Mother, protesting that they would rather die, than live to behold so horrid a ruine; and so accompanied him, (some Ladies carrying before Torches lighted in their hands) to the Hozoda, which is the Presence Chamber, or place where the principal Officers of the Court attend. Up∣on the approach of the Torches, the Guard which watched in this Chamber was amazed, and walking towards the light to discover what there was, perceived that the Grand Signior was coming thither, and thereupon returned again with all haste to awaken their Compani∣ons, and calling them immediately to repair to their due service.

The Grand Signior being seated on a Throne, which is always remaining in the Presence Cham∣ber; the Officers hereof (which are in number forty) presented themselves before him, de∣siring to know if his Majesty had any thing wherein to employ their Fidelity and Service. Hereat Solyman Aga said, He that eats the King's Bread, should apply himself to the King's Service; we suffered the Traitors to destroy Sultan Ibrahim, and now they would also take this out of our hands; To you it belongs, who are his Majesty's Principal Servitors, to afford him your utmost assistance. Eigiusi Mussapha Passa, Sword-bearer to the Grand Signior, and chief of the Presence Chamber, a Man of a Lion's Heart, and undaunted Resolu∣tion, understanding something formerly of the Bad inclinations of the old Queen towards the King, readily replied, Great Master, be not trou∣bled, to morrow you shall see (God willing) the Heads of your Enemies at your Feet. The Vizier and others in the mean time after a short Con∣sult fell to act, the exigency of their Affairs ad∣mitting no delays; and in the first place, Pen and Ink being brought, an Order was presented to the Grand Signior to be subscribed for the ar∣resting the Bossangi-Pasha as a Traitor, for ha∣ving, against the rule of the night, kept open the Gate of the King's Garden. This was done in an instant, he removed from his Office, and another constituted in his place; and at the same time the Oath of Allegiance was administred to him, who calling together the Gardiners, in number, about 500, caused them also all to swear faithful Obedience to the Grand Signior, and to remain all that Night, keeping good Guard at the Gates and Walls of the Gardens. In the next place the Ichoglans were called up (who are the Grand Signior's Pages) and to proceed with the more privacy and least confu∣sion, they went first to the Chamber of the Capa Agasi (who by his Office is over all the Youth of the Seraglio) and knocking gently at the Window, the Guards came at the noise, and de∣manded what the matter was? they answered, Awake the Capa Aga, and let him speak to us at the Window. But the Capa Aga would first know who they were that would speak with him: and when it was told him that it was the Vizier and the Kuslir Aga, he answered, I am indisposed and cannot rise, but utter what you have to say at the Window; so they said, By his Majesty's Order, go and raise all the Ichoglans in the Seraglio, upon an important occasion; and yet the Capa Agasi would not stir, so that some be∣lieved him confederate in the Conspiracy; but the truth was, he was an ancient Man of 90 Years, and unhealthful in his Body. Wherefore Solyman Aga cried out with a loud voice, Aga raise the Ichoglans, our King is ready to be taken out of our hands; but the Capa Aga persisted that he would not raise the Ichoglans or Pages, un∣less he brought a Command in writing from the King. In the interim the Servants of the Capa Aga awakened, and hearing this discourse, could not contain themselves, but with without far∣ther Order ran to both the greater and lesser Chamber of the Pages; the Butler came to that which is called the greater Chamber; it was then five hours in the night when he entred in, and running to the middle of the Chamber, which was 80 Paces in length, he made a stop and clapped his hands together; (To make such a noise in the Seraglio at night was a high Misde∣meanor) at which some being awakened, rai∣sed up their Heads, and startled at such an un∣usual Alarm, enquired the reason of it; at which he again clapping his hands, and crying out, Arise the Grand Signior is like to be taken out of our hands, the whole Chamber was raised; so that you might have seen all the Ichoglans in num∣ber above 600 to arise and run in a confused man∣ner, some without Cloaths, some without Arms to fight, some supposing the Janisaries were al∣ready entred the Seraglio. In this amaze came a Guard of Black and White Eunuchs to the Door, advising them to arm themselves with what Weapons were next at hand, and there to remain until they received farther Orders. All the other Chambers of the Pages and Officers were in the same confusion, and were com∣manded in the like manner to arm themselves.

The Grand Signior fearing all this while he should be put to death as his Father was, could not be pacified untill Mustapha Pasha his Sword-bearer taking him by the hand shewed him his Attendants all armed, and ready at his com∣mand; and passing by one of the Windows of the Lodgings, was descried by a young Man, who cried out with a loud voice (God grant our King Ten thousand Years of Life) at which all the Chamber shouted, * 1.7 Allah, Allah; this Ac∣clamation

rang through all the Seraglio, so that it reached the more remote quarters of the Dro∣gists, Cooks, Pole-axe-men, Faulconers, and others; who being ready and armed as the others, answered with the like shout.

These Preparations were not only in the Se∣raglio, but likewise without; for the Vizier had given order to all the Pashaws and Beglerbegs, and other his Friends, that without delay they should repair to the Seraglio with all the force they could make, bringing with them three days Provision, obliging them, under pain of Death, to this Duty. In a short space so great was this concourse, that all the Gardens of the Se∣raglio, the outward Courts, and all the adjoin∣ing Streets, were filled with armed Men: from Galata and Tophana came Boats and Barges loa∣den with Powder and Ammunition, and other Necessaries; so that in the morning, by break of day, appeared such an Army of Horse and Foot in the Streets, and Ships and Gallies on the Sea, as administred no small terrour to the Janisaries; of which being advised, and seeing the concourse of the People run to the assistance of the King, they thought it high time to bestir themselves; and therefore armed a great company of Alba∣neses, Greeks, and other Christians, to whom they offered Mony, and the Title and Privileges of Janisaries, promising to free them from Ha∣rach, or Impositions paid by the Christians; which Arguments were so prevalent, that most taking Arms, you might see the Court and City divided, and ready to enter into a most dreadful confusion of a Civil War.

In the Seraglio all things were in good order, the Morning Devotions being finished, the Bal∣tagees, (who are a guard that carry Poleaxes) called to the Pages to join with them, and ac∣company them to the Presence Chamber. These Baltagees were in number about 200, strong, of large stature, and of admirable agility; at whose beck the Pages ran with all alacrity to the door of the Chamber, where they at first re∣ceived a repulse from the Master of the Cham∣ber who was an Eunuch, and one faithful to the old Queen's Interest, who to yield all possi∣ble furtherance towards the protection of her Person, reproved the insolence of the Rout in coming so boisterously to the Royal Lodgings; to which they unanimously answered, that they would speak to his Majesty, that it was their de∣sire to have the old Queen (Enemy to the King, and the Mahometan Faith) put to Death; at which words he being enraged, and relying on his Authority, reproved them with Terms of Rebels and Traitors to their Master. What have you to do with the Queen, said he? Are you wor∣thy to open your Mouths against ••er serene Name? He reiterating these and the like words, one of this Rabble said, Kill that Cuckold, for he also is an Enemy of the Faith. And whilst one lifted up his hand to strike him, he fled by the way of the Tarras into the Garden, whither being pursued by five or six of them, he was overtaken, and catching him by the Collar, would have cut his Throat, but that at his earnest entreaty, they gave him so much liberty as first to cast himself at the Feet of the Sultan: whither being drag∣ged, he delivered to the King a Seal and a Key of secret Treasure, and being about to say some∣thing in his own behalf and defence of his Life, a bold Youth of these Baltages, called Ialch-Le∣ferli struck him on the Head with his Ax, and cleft it in two pieces; the others seeing this first blow given him, fell on him with their Scimiters and cut him to pieces; his Blood and Brains were dashed on the rich Carpets, which moved fear in many, who were secretly of the Conspi∣racy with the old Queen. The young King himself, ignorant of the good Intentions of his Servants, at the sight of blood-shed, being yet tender-hearted, cryed, and closely embraced the Selihtar who then held him in his Arms; but upon the removal of the Corpse out of his sight, and some smooth words, as that it was a Sacri∣fice of Love to him, and the like, his childish Tears were soon wiped away.

In this interim the new created Mufti, and Kenan Pasha, one of the Viziers of the Bench, and Balyzade Efende, who was formerly Lord Chief Justice, and well affected to the Spahee's Party, entring the Hazoda, or Presence-Cham∣ber, perceiving a Tumult in his Majesty's pre∣sence, with different Voices and Languages, for some cryed in Georgian, others Albanian, Bos∣nian, Mengrelian, Turkish and Italian, remained in great confusion how to proceed with Order and Reason in this important Affair; for the Mufti, and others, were of Opinion, that the Sentence against the old Queen was not rashly to be pronounced, and so the Matter might calmly be debated, and if possible, an expedient might be found for saving her Life, and securing the Sultan: But the Rabble impatient of Delay, cryed out, defer not the Sentence; for other∣wise we shall esteem thee as one of her Adhe∣rents.

By this time news was come to the young Queen, that there had been a Fight in the Streets; who as yet doubtful of the success, and fearing if the Janisaries should gain the Ad∣vantage, Bectas would revenge the Blood of the old Queen by her Death, came covered with a Veil into the Presence-Chamber, saying, as she passed, Is this the Reverence you owe to the King your Lord? Do you know the place where you are? What would you have of a Woman? Why do you busie your selves in the King's Affairs? Some pre∣sently apprehended that this was only a Plot of the young Queen to make the World believe she would rather assist the Grandmother, than con∣trive against her; which made the Pages the more importunately to persist with the Mufti for the Fetfa or Sentence against her. But one of the Pages suspecting that this Woman so veiled, might be the old Queen her self, cried out, This is she you seek for, she is in your Hands, take your Revenge upon her. At which some bestirring themselves to seise her, she ran to the Feet of her Son, and laying hold on him, cryed out, No, no, I am not the Grandmother, I am the Mother of this his Majesty; and wiping the Tears from the Eyes of her Son with her Handkerchief, made signs to keep back, which restrained the forwardness of some who pressed to lay violent hands upon her. The Mufti, who observed the carriage of the Rout, and their earnest desires which could not be resisted, feared, if he gave not his concurrence, he himself should be killed, and the rather because he over-heard the old Kenan Pasha discourse with the Vizier to the like effect. So that after some pause and con∣sultation with the other chief Ministers, it was resolved to supplicate his Majesty for his con∣sent; which was done in these words; Sir, The Will of God is, that you consign your Grandmother into the hands of Iustice, if you would have these Mutinies appeased; a little Mischief is better than a great One; there is no other Remedy, God willing the end shall be prosperous. Pen and Ink being brought, the Mufti wrote the Sentence, and the Grand Signior subscribed it, which was, that

the old Queen should be strangled, but nei∣ther cut with Sword, nor bruised with Blows. The Writing was delivered into the hands of one of the Chamberlains, to whom, by word of Mouth, it was ordered that they should carry the Queen out by Cushana, (or the Gate of the Birds) so as she might not die in sight or hear∣ing of the Grand Signior. The Ichoglans ad∣vancing the Royal Command on high with their hands, went out of the Presence with a great shout, crying, Allah, Allah, to the Door of the Womens Lodgings, where they met some black Eunuchs keeping Guard, who upon the sight of the Imperial Firme, and the command of Soly∣man Aga, gave them admittance, upon condi∣tion that twenty Persons only should enter the Chambers. Those who were best armed went in, and passing through the Chambers of the Virgins, were met by the Queen's Buffone with a Pistol in her hand, who demanded what they would have? they answered, the King's Grand∣mother; she replied, I am she, and with that offered to discharge her Pistol, but it took fire only in the Pan; with that the Ichoglans laid hold on her, supposing her to be the Queen; but being better advised by Solyman the Kuzlir Aga, and directed to the Chamber where the Queen was; the Door being opened, they per∣ceived the Room to be dark (for the Womens quarters in the Seraglio for the most part are made obscure and close, and Lights are burnt in them Day and Night) and the old Queen had at the approach of these Officers extinguished her Candles and got into a great Press, and there covered her self with Quilts and Carpets; but Torches being brought in, they looked all about and descryed nothing; at which they were en∣raged against Solyman, and would have killed him, saying, That he was the cause the Queen had escaped. But Solyman advising them to search more narrowly, one called Deli Dogangi, got upon the Press, and removing the Clothes, discovered the Queen, who had thrust her self into a corner; at which she shortly thus entreats him, O brave Man be not cruel unto me; and pro∣mised she would give to every Ichoglan five Pur∣ses a Man (each Purse consisting of 500 Dollars) if they would save her life. It is not the time of Ransome, Traitor, said he; and taking her by the Feet, drew her forth: the Queen rising up, put her hand into her Pocket, and threw out handfulls of Zaichins, hoping that whilst they were scrambling for the Gold, she might have an opportunity to escape; some of the young Men gathered up the Mony, but the Dogangi, like a Dog of the Game, left her not, and at length, though she were heavy, cast her down. The others offered at her Life, and particularly an Albanese, called Ali Bostangi, who seeing two great Jewels at h••r Ears, immediately catched at them, and tore them thence. They were two Diamonds of the bigness of Chesnuts cut angularly, and beneath each Diamond was a Ru∣by to set it off. Those Earings were given her by Sultan Achmet in the time of her most flou∣rishing Age, and his greatest affection. 'Tis said, that such Jewels cannot be found in all the Great Turks Treasure, and were esteemed by the most skilful Jewellers, worth a Years Revenue of Grand Cairo. This Ali shewed the Jewels to his Camrade, demanding the value of them, and his counsel whether to reveal or conceal them: but the Camrade prized them at that rate that the stout young Man could not sleep Day nor Night, being always in fear lest the Jewels should not be kept hid; and apprehend∣ing that they became none but the Grand Signi∣nor to wear, went and delivered them to Soly∣man Aga, who in recompence thereof, presented him with sixteen Zaichins, which he accepted, desiring also to be admitted into the Chamber of the Treasury, which was granted him. Others also plucked her, some by the Hands, others by the Feet; some rifled her Clothes, for she was furnished throughout with things of great va∣lue sewed in her Garments, and especially in her Sable Furs, which contain'd also certain Magick Spells, by which she conceived she had tied the Tongues of all the Emperours living in her Time. The person who gave me this Relation, infor∣med me, that he had seen a certain Lock admi∣rably made, and engraved with the Names of Murad and Sultan Ibrahim; it was made by a famous Gindgi, a very ignorant Fellow, but a superstitious crafty Liar, by which Arts finding access, in short time he became a chief Favou∣rite of Sultan Ibrahim, and from a poor Student called by the Turks a Sof••a, he grew so rich in two Years that none in Constantinople was com∣parable to him.

But to return to the Queen now assaulted by furious young Men, greedy of Riches; she was in a moment despoiled of her Garments; her Furs were torn off into small pieces; and being stript of her Rings, Bracelets, Garters and other things, she was left naked without a Rag to co∣ver her, and dragged by the feet to the Chusha∣na: and being at the Place of her execution, the young Officers found themselves unprovided of a Cord to strangle her, so that crying out for a Cord, one ran to the Royal Chappel, and thence took the Cord that upheld the great Antiport of the Mosch, which being twined about the Queen's Neck, the aforesaid Dogangi getting up∣on her back, pitched her neck with his hands, whilst the others drew the Cord. The Queen, though she were by this time besides her Senses, and worn out with Age, being above 80 Years old, and without Teeth; yet she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gums only did bite the Thumb of his left ••and, which by chance came into her Mouth, so hard, that he could not deliver himself until with the haft of his Poniard he struck her on the Forehead near her right Eye. There were four that strangled her, but being young Executioners, la∣boured long to dispatch her, till at length the Queen leaving to struggle, lay stretched out, and was supposed to be dead, and so crying (Vldi, Vldi) she is dead, she is dead, ran to car∣ry the news thereof to his Majesty; but being scarce out of sight, the Queen raised her self up, and turned her Head about; upon which the Executioners being again called back, the Cord was a second time applied, and wrung so hard with the haft of a hatchet, that at length she was dispatched, and the News carried to the Royal Chamber. The black Eunuchs immedi∣ately took up the Corpse, and in a reverend manner laid it stretched forth in the Royal Mosch, with about 400 of the Queen's Slaves encompassing it round about with Howling and Lamentations, tearing the Hair from their Heads after their barbarous fashion, moved compassion in all the Court.

This Work being over, the Vizier having gi∣ven thanks to the Ichoglans, or Pages, for their pains, gave order to produce the Banner of Ma∣homet, which is carefully and reverently kept in the Treasury; which being produced, obliges all of that Faith, from seven Years and upward, to arm and come under it. The Banner being brought forth, with a rich Covering, was ad∣vanc'd

with great shouts of Allah, Allah: and carried by the Ichoglans out of the chief Gate of the Seraglio, where it was shewn to the Peo∣ple, who with wonderful admiration and devo∣tion, beheld their glorious Standard; order was also given to proclaim, through the whole City, the Procession of the Heavenly Banner; for they say, that the Angel Gabriel brought it to Mahomet in the time of a great War made against the Christians, as an infallible Sign and Evidence of Victory.

The opinion of this superstitious Flag so pre∣vailed, as it brought, not only the Young and Healthful to fight under it, but Sick and Old; and Women judged themselves obliged to run to the defence of this Holy Ensign. The news hereof, and the death of the old Queen coming to the old Chamber of the Janisaries; several of them, and those also of the principal Heads, began to murmure, that it was now necessary to lay aside their private Interests, and have a re∣spect to their Faith and their Souls; for should they oppose the Heavenly Banner, they should run themselves into the State of Gaurs and Infi∣dels, and become liable to the same censure or punishment which is inflicted upon unbelievers. But in the new Chambers Bectas endeavoured to remove this apprehension from the mind of his Souldiers, by large Presents both of Gold and Silver, perswading them to uphold their Fame and Reputation; for that the Grand Signior and his Mother were Enemies to their Name and Designs, and resolved to abase or destroy the order of that Militia; and with assurance of Victory and encouragement against a People un∣armed and undisciplined, animated them to fight; and to make the business more easie, advised them to fire the City in several parts, that so the People might be diverted and divided for safety of their own Goods and Dwellings. But this proposition took not with the Officers and Soul∣diers, who had many of them Houses and Pos∣sessions of their own in Constantinople, but put them into great Distractions and Divisions in their Counsels. In this pause, came an Officer from the Grand Signior (who to venture his life, had the promise of a good Reward) with a command in Writing which he threw in amongst them, and galloped away as fast as he could; crying out as he rode, He that comes not under the Banner of the Prophet, is a Pagan, and his Wife divorced. The Writing was taken up and carried to the presence of the principal Officers, which being opened and read, was to this purpose; Bectas Aga, I have made Pasha of Bosna, Kara-chiaus I have made Captain-General of the Sea; Kul-kahya I have made Pasha of Temiswar; and Kara Hassan Ogle I have made Janisar Agasi; and I require, at sight of these Presents, that every one of you, upon pain of Death, and ruine of his Family, repair to his Duty and Sta∣tion.

In this instant came news that the old Cham∣ber of Janisaries had left their station, and were run under the Banner without Arms, and had refused Bectas's Mony, and deserted his Cause; and that the Spahees in great Troops, and the Jebegees (who command the Ordnance) ap∣proached with Artillery to beat upon their Cham∣bers. The Spahees came thundring in upon the Janisaries in remembrance of their past Inju∣ries, and had certainly cut them off, had not the Vizier, with his Sword in his hand, by good and bad words, restrained them, and appeased their Animosity. The Janisaries of the new Chamber proclaimed their new Commander, and visited him with their usual form of Con∣gratulation, running afterwards confusedly ••n∣der the Banner. Kara Hassan the new elected Aga of the Janisaries, went to the Seraglio to thank the Grand Signior for the Honour done him, and with ten of his principal Friends was admitted to the Grand Signior's Presence; who humbly kissing the Ground, received the accu∣stomed Vests, and with some Admonitions, was fairly dismissed, and ordered to reduce his Jani∣saries to better Obedience.

By this time Bectas, Kuskahya, and Kara Chi∣aus, with some of their Favourites, remained wholly abandoned, looking one upon the other, full of Complaints and Railings, each at other, for the miscarriage of the Action. But since it was not now time to condole, but to save their Lives, every one made to his House. First, Bectas fled to his Home, where having ordered his Affairs, he clothed himself in the Albanian fashion, and escaped to the House of a poor Man formerly his Friend and Confident; but the next day being discovered by a Youth, was taken, and being set on a Mule, was with the scorn and de∣rision of the People conducted to the Grand Signior's Seraglio, and there strangled. This Person was held in so much detestation by the common People, that after his Death, the Cooks and inferiour sort of Servants, run Spits and Pitch-forks through his Body; and plucking the Hairs out of his Beard, sent them for Presents to their acquaintance through all Constantinople, saying, These are the Hairs of that Traitor, who gloried, that before he would lose his Head, there should be raised a Mountain of Heads as high as St. Sophia. But Kulkahya being come to his House, filled his Portmantles with Gold and Jew∣els, and accompanied with sixty Horse, resolved to fly to the Mountains of Albania, places so in∣accessible, that they have never yielded to the Turkish Yoke: but finding himself hotly pursu∣ed in his Journey, and that it was impossible to escape with so great a Number, freely distribu∣ted a great part of his Gold upon his Retinue, and thanking them for their Affection, and good Intentions, dismissed them all excepting one Ser∣vant, with whom he journied with four laden Horses, with Gold, Jewels, and other Riches; and perceiving that this also was too great an incumbrance, they buried a Treasure to the va∣lue of 600 thousand Dollars in the Country as they travelled; which was afterwards found out by certain Shepherds, who disagreeing about the division thereof, the Matter came to be known to the Judg of that Country, who seised upon it all, and sent it to the Grand Signior's Treasury. But Kulkahya travelling still farther with his sin∣gle Page, came to a Town, where wanting Bread, and forced for the Paiment of it to exchange Gold, fell into a suspicion of being one of those Rebels lately escaped from Constantinople; which news being brought to a Captain of Horse that Commanded the place, he came immediate∣ly with some Men to take him; but Kulkahya re∣solving not to fall into their hands alive, resisted them until he was killed by a Musket-shot, and so his Head being severed from his Body, was sent to the Grand Signior.

Kara Chiaus in this interim being with two hundred Men retired into his Garden, was as∣saulted by an Aga of the Spahees (called Par∣maksis) with 500 Men; but that this Enterprise might be acquired with a little Blood, a Person was sent secretly to advise that Party, that if they opposed the Royal Command, they should every one be put to death; at which the People

fled and dispersed themselves. At that instant came in this Aga and took him, and yet comfor∣ted him with the Clemency and Mercy of the Grand Signior, promising also himself to inter∣cede for him. And so bringing him to the Se∣raglio by the Garden Gate, his Majesty had no∣tice of it, and looking out of the Window, and seeing him upon his Knees begging pardon, the Grand Signior gave a Sign to the Executioner to strangle him, which was accordingly perfor∣med. The new Ianisar Aga who knew all the Officers, formerly affected to the rebellious Par∣ty, for several Nights caused some or other of them to be strangled, to the number of thirty eight Persons; which struck such a terrour into the Janisaries, that for a long time after they kept themselves within the bounds of Humility and Obedience. And thus concluded this Tra∣gedy, remarkable, as well for the Dispatch, as for the Action it self, being but the work of fourteen Hours. And in this manner it is appa∣rent, how the lessons of Obedience which are so carefully taught, and instilled into the Minds of those who serve and depend upon the Grand Sig∣nior are corrupted; and by the Pride, Discord, and Faction of the Governours, seduced from their natural Principles.

By the Premisses we may consider more ge∣nerally, that it hath always been the misfortune of unlimited Powers to be subject to Dangers and Violence, arising from the Discontents and Un∣constancy of the Souldiery: for they coming to be sensible of their own Strength, and knowing that the Power of the Emperor is but fortified with their Hands and Heart, like unruly Beasts throw their Riders, and shew that the Principles of Obedience taught them, are easily corrupted and defaced by evil Perswasions, or Sedition in a Commander or common Souldier. Thus we see in the time of the latter Roman Emperors, who usurped Power unknown in the days of the pure and happy Constitution of that Common-Wealth, and governed all by the Sword and their own Lusts; few of them ended their days fortunately, or died in their Beds in Peace, without becom∣ing a Sacrifice to the same Power that first pro∣claimed them Emperors. And though the Mu∣tinies and Rebellions in the Turkish Militia can hardly operate any durable alteration in the State (as we shall more at large hereafter dis∣course) yet doubtless the Tyranny in the Otto∣man Emperors, had provoked the People long since to have proved the benefit of another Race, but that there is a strange kind of Devotion and Religion in their Minds as to the Ottoman Blood, which having been the Original of their Em∣pire and Greatness, will ever be maintained in high Reverence and Honour. Nor is it likely that the fair Speeches and Allurements of a re∣bellious Slave, will ever prevail to perswade this People from their Religion to this Prince, or that their Arms can ever be prosperous under the Ensign and Conduct of an Usurper.

And may all Christians learn this Lesson from the Turks, and add this Principle to the Fun∣damentals of their Religion, as well as to their Laws. None can more experimentally preach this Doctrine to the World than England, who no sooner threw off her Obedience and Religion to her Prince, but (as if that Vertue had been the only bar to all other Enormities and Sins) she was deprived of all other Ecclesiastical and Civil Rights, and in all her Capacities and Re∣lations deflowred and prophaned by impious and unhallowed Hands.

And thus having given a Relation of the Turks Religion, and first Principles in order to their Obedience to their Prince, let us proceed a little into the penetralia of the Seraglio, and there see what farther care is taken of the Youth, in all Points of their Education, to fit and prepare them for the management and performance of the highest and weightiest Offices of State; which I judg to be one of the chiefest of the Turkish Po∣lities, and is certainly an extraordinary Support and Security of the Empire.

CHAP. V. The Education of young Men in the Seraglio, out of which those who are to discharge the great Offices of the Empire are elected. It being a Maxim of the Turkish Polity, to have the Prince served by such whom he can raise without Envy, and destroy without Danger.

IT is a special point of Wisdom in Princes, to provide and prefer Men of deserving Parts and Abilities, to the discharge of the great and important Offices of State, not such whom Chance and Fortune casually throws on them, because they will not take the pains of a narrow and severe Scrutiny to seek Men able and fit for Trust; nor such whom Flattery, Riches, Gifts or Nobility promote, but those whom the Prince, by his own experience of their Wisdom, Ver∣tues, and Diligence, or the Testimony of his Councellors and other Confidents, judges capable to improve their Advancement to the Honour of the King, and the Blessing of their Country: and not like vast Mountains which hide their Heads in the Clouds, and yet remain without Fruit or Herbage; whose barrenness makes their height accursed. Some wise Princes, and great Mini∣sters of our Modern Times,* 1.8 have kept Rolls and Registers of the most eminent Men famed for their Vertue, and Knowledg in any parts, with an account of their Family, Lineage and Con∣dition, out of which (if in their own jurisdi∣ction) they culled and elected such, proper for their Occasions and vacant Offices.

The Turk is no less careful in the choice of his Officers, and loves to be served by his own, such as to whom he hath given Breeding and Education, and are obliged to employ those Parts in his Service which he hath bestowed, whose Minds he hath cultivated with Wisdom and Vertue, as well as nourished their Bodies with Food, until they arrive to a mature Age, that renders the profit of his Care and Expence; such as these he is served by, whom he can raise without Envy, and destroy without Danger.

The Youths then that are designed for the great Offices of the Empire, called by the Turks Ichoglans, must be such as are of Christian Pa∣rents, taken in War, or presented from remote parts; as I have observed that the Algierines, always amongst other Gifts, present some Youths whom they have taken by Piracy; the Policy herein is very obvious, because the Sons of Chri∣stians will hate their Parents being educated with other Principles and Customs; or coming from distant Places, have contracted no acquaintance, so that starting from their Schools into Govern∣ment, they will find no Relations or Depen∣dences on their Interests than that of their great Master, to whom they are taught, and necessity compels them to be faithful.

* 1.9In the next place, these Youths must be of ad∣mirable Features, and pleasing Looks, well sha∣ped in their Bodies, and without any defects of Nature; For it is conceived, that a corrupt and sordid Soul can scarce inhabit in a serene and in∣genious Aspect; and I have observed, not only in the Seraglio, but also in the Courts of great Men, their personal Attendants have been of comely lusty Youths, well habited, deporting themselves with singular Modesty and Respect in the presence of their Master: So that when a Pascha, Aga, Spahee travels, he is always attend∣ed with a comely Equipage, followed by flourish∣ing Youths, well cloathed and mounted in great numbers, that one may guess at the greatness of this Empire, by the Retinue, Pomp, and num∣ber of Servants which accompany Persons of Quality in their Journies; whereas in the parts of Christendom, where I have travelled, I have not observed (no not in Attendance of Princes) such ostentation in Servants as is amongst the Turks, which is the Life and Ornament of a Court. And this was always the custom in the Eastern Countries, as Q. Curtius reports, Lib. 6. Quippe, omnibus barbaris in corporum Majestate ve∣neratio est, magnorúmque operum non alios capaces putant, quam quos eximiâ specie donare natura dig∣nara est. But these Youths before they are ad∣mitted, are presented before the Grand Signior, whom according to his pleasure he disposes in his Seraglio at Pera, or Adrianople, or his great Se∣raglio at Constantinople, which is accounted the Imperial Seat of the Ottoman Emperors. For these are the three Schools or Colledges of Edu∣cation. Those that are preferred to the last na∣med, are commonly marked out by special de∣signation, and are a nearer step to Degrees of Pre∣ferment, and are delivered to the charge of the Capa Aga, or chief of the White Eunuchs.

The Eunuchs have the care of these Scholars committed unto them, whom they treat with an extraordinary severity; for these, being the Censores morum, punish every slight Omission or Fault with extreme Rigour. For Eunuchs are naturally cruel, whether it be out of envy to the Masculine Sex which is perfect and entire; or that they decline to the disposition of Women, which is many times more cruel and revengeful than that of Men; they will not let slip the smallest Peccadillo without its due chastisement, either by blows on the soals of the Feet, or long Fasting, Watchings, or other Penance; so that he who hath run through the several Schools, Orders and Degrees of the Seraglio, must needs be an extraordinary mortified Man, patient of all Labours, Services and Injunctions, which are imposed on him with a strictness beyond the dis∣cipline that Religious Novices are acquainted with in Monasteries, or the severity of Capu∣chins, or Holy Votaries. But yet methinks these Men that have been used all their lives to Servi∣tude and Subjection, should have their Spirits abased, and when licensed from the Seraglio to places of Trust and Government, should be so acquainted how to obey, as to be ignorant how to Rule, and to be dazled with the Light and Li∣berty, and overjoyed with the sense of their pre∣sent Condition and past Sufferings, passing from one extreme to another, that they should lose their Reason, and forget themselves and others. But in answer hereunto the Turks affirm, That none know so well how to govern, as those who have learned how to obey; though at first the sense of their freedom may distract them, yet afterwards the Discipline, Lectures and Mora∣lity in their younger Years, will begin to ope∣rate, and collect their scattered Senses into their due and natural places.

But to return from whence we have a little digressed; These young Men, before they are disposed into their Schools, which are called Oda, their Names, Age,* 1.10 Country and Parents are Re∣gistred in a Book, with their allowance from the Grand Signior of four Aspers a day; the Copy of this Book is sent to the Tefterdar, or Lord Treasurer, that so quarterly they may receive their Pension.

Being thus admitted, they are entred into one of the two Schools;* 1.11 that is to say into the Bo∣juck Oda, which is the great Chamber, or the less; the former commonly contains 400, and the other about 200 or 250. These two Schools may be said to be of the same Form or Rank; and what is taught in one, is likewise in the o∣ther, neither of them hath the precedency, all of them equally near to Preferment: Their first Lessons are Silence, Reverence, humble and mo∣dest Behaviour, holding their Heads downwards; and their Hands across before them▪ Their Ma∣sters the Hogias, instruct them in all the Rights, Discipline and Superstition of the Mahometan Religion, and to say their Prayers, and under∣stand them in the Arabick Language; and to speak, read, and write Turkish perfectly. After∣wards having made proficiency in the former, they proceed in the study of the Persian and Ara∣bick Tongues, which may be of benefit to them if their Lot chance to call them to the Govern∣ment of the Eastern parts, and is a help to the Improvement of their Knowledg in the Turkish▪ which being of it self barren, is beholden to those Tongues for its copiousness and enrich∣ment.

Their Cloathing is good English Cloth and Li∣nen,* 1.12 neither fine nor course; their Diet is chiefly Rice, and other wholsom Meats which become the Table of Scholars, where there is nothing of superfluity, as there is nothing of want: Their Manners and Behaviour are strictly watched by the Eunuchs their careful Guardians, so as they cannot be familiar one with another at any time, without Modesty, and respect to the Presence they are in: If they go to perform the necessary Offices of Nature, or to the Bath, they are ne∣ver out of the Eye of an Eunuch▪ who will ad∣mit none of their nearest Relations to speak with them, or see them, unless special Licenee be obtained from the Capa Aga, or chief of the Eunuchs. Their Bed-chambers are long Cham∣bers, where all Night Lamps are kept burning;* 1.13 their Beds are laid in ranks one by another, upon Safrawes or Boards raised from the Ground; and between every five or six lies an Eunuch, so as conveniently to see or over-hear if there be any wanton or lewd behaviour or discourse a∣mongst them.

When they are arrived to some proficiency, and almost to Man's Estate, and strength of Bo∣dy, fit for Manly Exercises, they are trained up in handling the Lance, throwing the Iron Bar, drawing the Bow, and throwing the Ge••i•• or Dart. In all these Exercises they spend many hours, being constant in all or some of them, and are severely corrected by their Eunuchs, if they seem to be remiss or negligent therein: Many of them spend much time principally in drawing the Bow, in which they proceed from a weaker to one more strong, and by continual exercise and use, come at last to draw Bows of an incre∣dible strength, more by Art and Custom, than of pure Force; and thus by constant bodily Ex∣ercise, they become Men of great Strength,

Health, and Agility, fit for Wars, and all active Employments. Amongst their other Exercises, Horsemanship is a principal Lesson,* 1.14 both to sit in a handsom posture, and to manage their Horse with dexterity; to draw the Bow on Horseback, forwards, backwards, and on either side; which they learn with that agility and pliantness of their Joints, in the full carriere or speed of the Horse as is admirable. They learn also to throw the Gerit or Dart out of their hands on Horseback;* 1.15 which because it is a Sport or Recreation the present Grand Signior de∣lights in above all others, every one in hopes of Preferment, and in emulation one of the other, endeavours to be a Master in it; and most are become so dextrous, that they will dart a Stick of above three quarters of a yard long, with that force, that where it hits, it will endanger breaking of a Bone. The Grand Signior every day passes his Time with seeing his Pages exer∣cised in this Sport, in which ordinarily one knocks another from his Horse; and seldom a day passes, in which some receive not Bruises or desperate Wounds. This Sultan doth many times appoint days of Combat between the Black Eunuchs, and some of his White Pages on Horseback, in this manner with the Gerit; and then happens such a Skirmish with such emulation, each side contending for the honour of his Colour, Race, and Dignity, with that Heat and Courage, as if they contended for the Empire; this Pastime seldom concluding without some Blood. But it is to be noted, that none of these Exercises are performed by any of those that belong to the two Chambers, unless within the Walls of the Seraglio: the other Pages who accompanied the Grand Signior abroad, are such as are preferred to farther and higher Chambers, as hereafter we shall discourse.

To the former Lessons of School-learning, and Exercise abroad, are added some other accomplish∣ments of a Trade, Handy-craft, or Mystery, in which a Man may be useful to the Service of the Grand Signior, as to sew and embroider in Lea∣ther, (in which the Turks exceed all other Na∣tions) to make Arrows, and embroider Quivers and Saddles, and make all sorts of Furniture for Horses; some learn to fold up a Turbant, others to fold up, clean and brush Vests; to wash and clean in the Bath, to keep Dogs and Hawks; others to excel in the Turkish manner of Mu∣sick, and all other Services which may keep them from Idleness, and wherein they may be of future use to their great Master. And according hereunto Pashaes and great Men have been deno∣minated and surnamed after their departure from the Seraglio, to their places of Office and Trust.

Such as have before made good proficiency in their Studies, and attained to a dexterity in their bodily Exercises, are transplanted to the first step of Preferment, which is the washing the Grand Signior's Linnen; and here they first change their Cloth for Satten Vests and Cloth of Gold, and their Pay and Sallery is augmented from four or five Aspers a day, to eight or more; thence they pass, as places fall, to the Hazna-Oda, or Chamber of the Treasury, or to the Kilar or Dispensatory, where the Drugs, Cor∣dials, and rich Drinks for the Grand Signior's Service are kept; out of those two Chambers they are elected, in order to the highest and supreme place in the Seraglio, which is called the Haz Oda, which consists of forty Pages; these attend immediately on the Person of the Grand Signior, and amongst them twelve hold the chief Offices of the Court, viz.

• 1. The Selictar-Aga, the King's Sword-bearer.
• 2. The Chiohadar-Aga, he who carries his Cloak or Vest for rainy Weather.
• 3. The Rechinthar-Aga, he that holds his Stir∣rup.
• 4. The Ebrictar-Aga, he that carries his Water to drink or wash.
• 5. The Tulbentar-Aga, he that makes up his Turbant.
• 6. The Kem Husar-Aga, he who keeps the Wardrobe; and oversees the washing the Linen.
• 7. The Chesneghir Bashee, the chief Sewer.
• 8. Zagergee Bashee, the chief over the Dogs.
• 9. Turnackgee Bashee, he who pairs his Nails.
• 10. Berber Bashee, chief Barber.
• 11. Muhasebegee Bashee, the chief Accomp∣tant.
• 12. Teskeregee Bashee, his Secretary.

There are also two other Officers in the Court of great respect, which are the Dogan Bashee, or chief Falconer; and the Humaungee Bashee, or chief over the Baths; but these have their Offi∣ces and Lodgings apart, and not entring into the Royal Chamber, are not capable of higher Pre∣ferment.

There are nine also are called Ars Agalar, who have the privilege of presenting Petitions; like Masters of the Requests; of these, four are of the Hasoda, as the Shiletar-Aga, Tcohadar-Aga, Rikiabrar-Aga, Tulban Oglanii; and the others are of different Offices, as the Hazna Kiahaiasi, who is the second Officer of the Treasury; Ki∣ler Kiahaiasi, who is Overseer of the Provisions of Sherbets, Sugar, Sweetmeats, &c. Dogangi Bashi, or chief Falconer; the Hazodabaschi, or principal Commander of the Royal Chamber; and Kapa Agasi, or chief Commander of the Pa∣ges; all which are first and nearest to Prefer∣ment, and to be employed Abroad, in the Office of Pacha, as Places are void.

Those that are thus, through the Grace and Favour of the Sultan, arrived to the Dignity of being of the Royal Chamber, where they enjoy the Honour and Privilege of being constantly in his Eye and Presence, are often presented by him with Swords, Vests, Bows, and the like; and are permitted to take Rewards, for the Inter∣cessions and Applications they make in behalf of others. Sometimes he sends them on Message to Pashees; sometimes for the confirmation of the Princes, either in Transilvania, Moldavia, or Wa∣lachia; sometimes to carry Presents to the Vizier and great Men: In all which Employments they are greatly entertained, both with Mony, Jewels, and rich Furniture for Horses; so that very few of these Forty, but in a short time gain Estates of their own, sit to equippe and furnish them to enter into any Office of the Empire.

As Offices fall in order, Supplies are made out of these,* 1.16 others arising from lower Chambers successively in their places; whether it be to the four most considerable Governments, which are Cairo, Aleppo, Damascus, and Buda; or if none of these Places be void, to be Beglerbegs of Gre∣cia, or of Natolia; to be Aga of the Ianisaries, Spaheeler Agasee, or General of the Horse; or to some small Pashalicks or Governments scattered in several places of the Empire.

But we shall not here need to discourse of the particular Offices and Dignities within the Power and Gift of the Grand Signior, intending to make a distinct Chapter of the several Offi∣ces, Governments, Dignities and Places, from

whence the Grand Signior's Profits arise, that so we may the better describe the Wealth of this Empire, and the Importance of those Offices, for discharge of which young Men are educated with the care beforementioned.

But before the conclusion of this Chapter, it will be necessary to add, that none, unless by special Grace, are advanced from the Seraglio, until the Age of about forty Years, by which time they are ripe and mature for Government, and the wantonness and heat of Youth allayed. Before their departure to their places of Trust, they are courted and honoured by all with Pre∣sents; the Queen-Mother, the Sultanaes, the rich Eunuchs, the Great Vizier, and Officers Abroad, concur all to adorn them with Gifts and Riches at their Advancements, as undoubted Conse∣quents of the Grand Signior's Favour. And at the farewel, with much submission they visit the Capa Aga, or chief of the Eunuchs, and other principal Officers of the Seraglio, recommending themselves, in the time of their absence, to their good Grace and Favour, desiring to live in their good Opinion and Friendship; and this is done with as much Ceremony and Complement as is exercised in the most civil Parts of Christendom. For though the Turks, out of Pride and Scorn, comport themselves to Christians with a strange kind of barbarous haughtiness and neglect, they are yet among themselves as courtly and precise in their own Rules of Complement and Civility, as they are at Rome, or any other parts of the ci∣vilized World.

CHAP. VI. Of the Method of the Turkish Studies and Learning in the Seraglio.

WE have rather shewed in the foregoing Chapter, the Education of young Scho∣lars, in reference to exercise of Body, and dex∣terity in Arms, than the method of their Studies and Speculations, according to the manner of our Seminaries and Colledges, which more respect the cultivation of the Mind, with the Principles of Vertue and Morality, and the Notions of sublime Reason, than the Improvements of the Body by assiduity of Exercise, which makes them become active, and begets an agility in the management of Arms. And though the latter is a Business most attended to by sprightly and ingenious Spirits, who know Preferments in the Ottoman Court have always depended, and still do, on the virtue of the Sword; yet Specula∣tion and Knowledg in Sciences are not wholly estranged from their Schools, which we shall in brief touch upon to satisfy the curiosity of our Academies, who I know would gladly be resol∣ved what sort of Physical or Moral Philosophy, what Tongues and Sciences fall within the con∣templation of that barbarous Ignorance of the Turks. To dilucide which the most clearly as I can, according to the best information of the Learned Turks; it is reported by the Kalfaes, or Pedagogues of the Seraglio, that their chief Design is to instruct their Scholars in reading and writing, so as they may have some inspecti∣on into the Books of their Law and Religion; especially the Alchoran, whereby may be pro∣duced in their Minds a greater reverence to them. For being once passed from the first form of their A, B, C, and joyning Syllables, they are then instructed in the Arabian Tongue, wherein all the Secrets and Treasure of their Religion and Laws are contained, and is a necessary ac∣complishment of a Pasha, or any great Minister, in relation to the better discharge of his Office, being thereby enabled to have an inspection into the Writings and Sentences of the Kadees, or other Officers of the Law within his Jurisdicti∣on, as well as furnished with Knowledg and Matter of Discourse concerning Religion. And to adorn these young Candidates of the Grand Signior's Favour, with more Polity and ingeni∣ous Endowments, the next Lesson is the Persian Tongue, which fits them with quaint Words and Eloquence, becoming the Court of their Prince, and corrects the grossness, and enriches the barrenness of the Turkish Tongue, which in it self is void both of Expression, and sweetness of Accent. It teaches them also a handsome and gentle deportment, instructs them in Roman∣ces, raises their thoughts to aspire to the gene∣rous and vertuous Actions they read of in the Persian Novellaries, and endues them with a kind of Platonick Love each to other, which is accompanied with a true Friendship amongst some few, and with as much gallantry as is exer∣cised in any part of the World. But for their Amours to Women, the restraint and strictness of Discipline, makes them altogether strangers to that Sex; for want of Conversation with them, they burn in Lust one towards another; and the amorous disposition of Youth wanting more natural Objcts of Affection, is transported to a most passionate admiration of Beauty whereso∣ever it finds it, which because it is much talked of by the Turks, we will make it a distinct Discourse by it self.

The Books they read commonly in the Persian Language, are Danisten, Schaihdi, Pend-a••tar, Giulistin, Bostan Hafiz, and the Turkish Books cal∣led Mulemma, or a mixture of the Arabian and Persian words, both in Prose and Verse, faceti∣ous and full of quick and lively Expressions. Of these sorts of Books, those most commonly read are called Kirkwizir, Humaiunname, or delile we Kemine, El fulc••ase, Seidbatal, and various other Romances: these are usually the study of the most aiery and ingenious Spirits amongst them. Those others who are of a Complexion more melancholick, and inclinable to contemplation, proceed with more patience of Method, and are more exact in their Studies, intending to become Masters of their Pen, and by that means to ar∣rive to Honour and Office, either of Rest Efendi, or Secretary of State, Lord Treasurer, or Se∣cretary of the Treasury, or Dispensatory, &c. or else to be Emaums, or Parish Priests of some principal Moschs of Royal Foundation, in which they pass an easy, quiet, and secure Life, with a considerable competency of livelihood. Others aim in their Studies to become Hazifizi, which signifies a Conserver of the Alchoran, who get the whole Alchoran by Heart, and for that rea∣son are held in great esteem, and their Persons as sacred as the place which is the Repository of the Law.

Those who are observed to be more addicted to their Books than others, are named by them Talibulilmi, or lovers of Philosophy; tho very few amongst them arrive to any Learning really so called, yet they attain to the degree of Giuz∣chon, or Readers of the Alchoran, for Benefit and Relief of the Souls of those departed, who for that end have bequeathed them Legacies. At certain Houses, they read Books that treat of the Matters of their Faith, and render them out of

Arabick into Turkish, and these Books are, Schu∣r••t, Salut, Mukad, Multcka, Hidaie, &c. which they discant upon in an Expository manner; in∣structing the more ignorant and of lower form, by way of Catechism. They have also some Books of Poetry; written both in Persian and Arabick, which run in Rhime and Meeter, like the Golden Verses in Pythagoras, containing ex∣cellent Sentences of Morality, being directions for a Godly Life, and contemplation of the Mise∣ries and Fallacies of this World, which many of them do commit to memory, and repeat occa∣sionally as they fall into discourse.

For other Sciences, as Logick, Physick, Me∣taphysick, Mathematicks, and other our Uni∣versity Learning, they are wholly ignorant; un∣less in the latter, as far as Musick is a part of the Mathem••ticks, whereof there is a School a∣part in the Seraglio. Only some that live in Constantinople, have learned some certain Rules of Astrology, which they exercise upon all oc∣casions, and b••sy themselves in Prophesies of futu••e Contingencies of the Affairs of the Em∣pire, and the unconstant Estate of great Mini∣ster••, in which their Predictions seldom divine grateful or pleasing Stories. Neither have the wisest and most active Ministers or Souldiers a∣mongst them, the least inspection into Geogra∣phy, whereby to be acquainted with the situation of Countries, or disposition of the Globe, tho they themselves enjoy the possession of so large a proportion of the Universe.

Their Seamen, who seldom venture beyond sight of Land (unless they be those of Barbary, who are Renegadoes, and practised in the Chri∣stian Arts of Navigation) have certain Sea-Charts ill framed, and the Capes and Headlands so ill laid down, that in their Voyages from Con∣stantinople to Alexandria, the richest place of their Trade, they trust more to their Eye and Experience, than the Direction of their Maps; nor could I ever see any Chart of the Black Sea, made either by Turk or Greek, which could give the least light to a knowing Seaman, so as to en∣courage him, according to the Rules of Art, to lay any confidence thereon in his Navigation.

The Art of Printing (a Matter disputable whether it hath brought more of Benefit or Mis∣chief to the World) is absolutely prohibited amongst them, because it may give a beginning to that subtilty of Learning, which is inconsi∣stent with, as well as dangerous to the grossness of their Government, and a means to deprive many of their Livelihood, who gain their Bread only by their Pen, and occasion the loss of that singular Art of fair Writing, wherein they excel or equal most Nations: The Effect of which is evident amongst the Western People, where Printing hath taken footing. And though there be few Historians among them who have any knowledg of past Times, or the being of other Empires before the Ottoman, mixing all Stories in confusion together (as we have said before) without distinction of Persons, or respect of Chronology; yet as to the Successes and Pro∣gress of Affairs in their own Dominions, they keep most strict Registers and Records, which serve them as Presidents and Rules for the present Government of their Affairs.

And thus the Reader may sound the depth of the Turks Philosophy; who tho they reach not those Contemplations of our profound Sophies, have yet so much Knowledg, as neither to be over-reached in their Treaties with the Wits of the World, nor for want of good Conduct of Affairs lose one inch of their Empire.

CHAP. VII. Of the Affection and Friendship the Pages in the Seraglio bear each other.

SInce in the foregoing Chapter we have made mention of the amorous Disposition that is to be found among these Youths each to other; it will not be from our purpose to acquaint the Reader, that the Doctrine of Platonick Love hath found Disciples in the Schools of the Turks, that they call it a Passion very laudable and ver∣tuous, and a step to that perfect Love of God, whereof Mankind is only capable, proceeding by way of Love and Admiration of his Image and Beauty enstamped on the Creature. This is the colour of Vertue, they paint over the defor∣mity of their depraved Inclinations; but in re∣ality this Love of theirs, is nothing but libidi∣nous Flames each to other, with which they burn so violently, that Banishment and Death have not been Examples sufficient to deter them from making Demonstrations of such-like Addresses; so that in their Chambers, though watched by their Eunuchs, they learn a certain Language with the motion of their Eyes, their Gestures, and their Fingers, to express their Amours; and this Passion hath boiled sometimes to that heat, that Jealousies and Rivalties have broken forth in their Chambers, without respect to the seve∣rity of their Guardians, and good Orders have been brought into confusion, and have not been again redressed, until some of them have been expelled the Seraglio, with the Tippets of their Vests cut off, banished into the Islands, and bea∣ten almost to death.

Nor is this Passion only amongst the young Men each to other; but Persons of eminent degree in the Seraglio, become inveigled in this sort of love, watching occasions to have a sight of the young Pages that they fansy, either at the Windows of their Chamber, or as they go to the Mosque, or to their Washings or Baths; offer them Service and Presents, and so engage them, as to induce them to desire to be made of the Retinue of him that uses this Courtship to∣wards them, which they many times obtain; and being entertained in the Service of a Master who so highly fancies and admires them, they become often sharers with him in his Riches and Fortune.

The Grand Signior's themselves have also been Slaves to this inordinate Passion. For Sul∣tan Morat became so enamoured of an Armenian Boy, called Musa, as betrayed him, though o∣therwise a discreet Prince, to a thousand Fol∣lies; and at another time preferred a Youth for his Beauty only from the Novitiate of Galata, to be one of the Pages of his Haz Oda, or Cham∣ber of his Royal Presence, and in a short time made hime Silahtar Aga, or Sword-bearer, one of the greatest Offices in the Seraglio. And this present Sultan became so enamoured of a Con∣stantinopolitan Youth, one of the Pages of his Musitians School, called Kulogli, or Son of a Slave, that he made him his chief Favourite, ne∣ver could content himself without his compa∣ny; cloathed him like himself, made him ride by his side, commanded all to present and ho∣nour him, in the same manner as if he had made him Companion of the Empire.

This Passion likewise reigns in the Society of Women; they die with amorous Affections one to the other; especially the old Women court

the Young, present them with rich Garments, Jewels, Mony, even to their own impoverish∣ment and ruin; and these Darts of Cupid are shot through all the Empire, especially Constanti∣nople, the Seraglio of the Grand Signior, and the Apartments of the Sultans.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Mutes and Dwarfs.

BEsides the Pages, there is a sort of Atten∣dants to make up the Ottoman Court, called Bizebani, or Mutes, Men naturally born deaf, and so consequently, for want of receiving the sound of words, are dumb: These are in num∣ber about forty, who by Night are lodged a∣mongst the Pages in the two Chambers, but in the day time have their Stations before the Mosque belonging to the Pages, where they learn and perfect themselves in the Language of the Mutes, which is made up of several Signs, in which by custom they can discourse and fully ex∣press themselves; not only to signify their sense in familiar Questions, but to recount Stories, un∣derstand the Fables of their own Religion, the Laws and Precepts of the Alchoran, the name of Mahomet, and what else may be capable of being expressed by the Tongue. The most ancient a∣mongst them, to the number of about eight or nine, are called the Favourite Mutes, and are ad∣mitted to attendance in the Haz Oda; who only serve in the place of Buffoons, for the Grand Signior to sport with, whom he sometimes kicks, sometimes throws in the Cisterns of Water, sometimes make fight together like the Combat of Clineas and Dametas. But this Language of the Mutes is so much in fashion in the Ottoman Court, that none almost but can deliver his sense in it, and is of much use to those who attend the Presence of the Grand Signior, before whom it is not reverent or seemly so much as to whis∣per.

The Dwarfs are called Ging••; these also have their Quarters among the Pages of the two Chambers, until they have learned, with due Reverence and Humility, to stand in the Pre∣sence of the Grand Signior. And if one of these have that benefit, as by Natures fortunate Error, to be both a Dwarf and Dumb, and afterwards, by the help of Art, to be castrated and made an Eunuch; he is much more esteemed, than if Na∣ture and Art had concurred together to make him the perfectest Creature in the World; one of this sort was presented by a certain Pasha, to the Grand Signior, who was so acceptable to him and the Queen-Mother, that he attired him immediately in Cloth of Gold, and gave him li∣berty through all the Gates of the Seraglio.

CHAP. IX. Of the Eunuchs.

THis libidinous flame of depraved Nature, is so common a Disease among the Turks, and so ancient a Vice, that both for State, and pre∣vention of this unnatural Crime, it hath not been esteemed safe or orderly in the Courts of Eastern Princes, to constitute others for the principal Officers of their Houshold than Eunuchs: The like is observed in the Seraglio of the Grand Sig∣nior, where two Eunuchs especially have the principal Command, and are Persons of the highest and eminentest esteem, viz. the Kuzlir-Agasi, who is Superintendent over the Women, and is a Black Eunuch.

The other is Capa Agasi, or Master of the Gate, who is White, and commands all the Pa∣ges, and White Eunuchs residing in the Court; under him are all the Officers that are Eunuchs; as first the Haz Odabaschi, or Lord Chamber∣lain, who commands the Gentlemen of the Bed∣chamber.

2. The Serai Kiahaiasi, Lord Steward of the Houshould, who oversees the Chambers of the Pages, and the Seferli Odasi, or the Chambers of those Pages who are designed to follow the Grand Signior upon any Journy, and of these he hath care to see them provided of Cloaths and all other Necessaries for the Service they undertake.

3. The Haznadar Bashi, or Lord Treasurer of the Seraglio, who commands those Pages that attend the Treasury; I mean not that which is of present use, as to pay the Souldiery, or serve the publick and present Occasions of the Empire, for that is in the Hand of the Tef••••rdar; but that Riches that is laid apart for the Expen∣ces of the Court, and that which is amassed and piled up in several Rooms of the Seraglio, of which there have been Collections and Additions in the Time almost of every Emperor, distin∣guished and divided by the Names of the Sul∣tans, through whose industry and frugality they had been accquired; but this Wealth is conser∣ved as Sacred, not to be used or exposed, unless on Occasions of extreme Emergency.

4. The Kilargi Bashi, that is, the chief Com∣mander over the Pages, to whose care the charge of the Dispensatory is committed, or Expences for the daily Provisions.

Other Officers there are of Eunuchs, as he that is first Master of Scholars for their Books, called Ikingi Capa Oglani, and his Usher; the chief Miergidgi or Priest of the Grand Signior's Mosque; under whom are two other Assistants, for cleansing and well ordering of the Mosques.

These are the only Officers of the White Eu∣nuchs, the others are of Commonalty, which are in number about fifty, and have ordinarily twelve Aspers a day pay, which also are aug∣mented according to the Wakfi or Legacies of the Deceased.

Those that are Curates of the Royal Mosques, and have Pluralities of Benefices of that nature, have sometimes a Revenue of 100 Chequins a day: among these also due order is observed, the Younger, or Juniors in the Seraglio, always giving respect and reverence to Seniority.

Of the Black Eunuchs.

THE Black Eunuchs are ordained for the service of the Women in the Seraglio; as the White are to the attendance of the Grand Signior, it not seeming a sufficient Remedy by wholly dismembring them, to take the Women off from their inclinations to them, as retaining some relation still to the Masculine Sex; but to create an abhorrency in them; they are not only castrated, but Black, chosen with the worst Features that are to be found among the most hard-favoured of that African Race.

The prime Officer of them all, as we have said before, is the Kuzlir Aga, or Master of the Maids or Virgins.

2. Valide Agasi, the Eunuch of the Queen-Mother.

3. Schahzadeler Agasi, or the Eunuch to whose charge is committed the Royal Progeny, and in whose custody at present are three Sons of Sultan Ibrahim, Brothers to the present Emperor, viz. Solyman, on whom the Turks at present found their principal Hopes and Expectation; Bajazet and Orchan, the Mother of which two last is still living, and confined to the old Seraglio in Con∣stantinople, which is the Monastery of the decay∣ed Wives and Mistresses of former Grand Sig∣niors, from whence there is no Redemption, un∣til either their Sons die, or by good fortune one becomes Emperor.

4. Is Fazna Agasi, or the Eunuch that is Trea∣surer to the Queen-Mother, and commands those Damsels that are Servants in the said Chamber.

5. Kilar Agasi, or he that keeps the Sugar, Serbets, and Drugs of the Queen-Mother.

6. Bujuck Oda Agasi, Commander of the greater Chamber.

7. Kulchuk Oda Agasi, Commander of the lesser Chamber.

8. Bash Capa Oglani, the chief Porter of the Womens Apartment.

9, & 10. Two Mesgidgi Barchi, or the two Emaums or Priests of the Royal Mosque belong∣ing to the Queen-Mother, ordained for the Wo∣mens Prayers.

The Apartments of the Women.

AND since I have brought my Reader into the Quarters of these Eunuchs, which are the Black Guard of the sequestred Ladies of the Seraglio, he may chance to take it unkindly, should I leave him at the Door, and not intro∣duce him into those Apartments, where the Grand Signior's Mistresses are lodged: And though I ingenuously confess my acquaintance there (as all other my conversation with Wo∣men in Turkey) is but strange and unfamiliar; yet not to be guilty of this discourtesie, I shall to the best of my information write a short Account of these Captivated Ladies, how they are trea∣ted, immured, educated and prepared for the great Atchievements of the Sultan's Affection; and as in other Stories the Knight consumes him∣self with Combats, Watching, and Penance, to acquire the love of one fair Damsel; here an Army of Virgins make it the only study and bu∣siness of their Life to obtain the single nodd of invitation to the Bed of their great Master.

The Reader then must know, that this As∣sembly of fair Women (for it is probable there is no other in the Seraglio) are commonly Pri∣zes of the Sword; taken at Sea and at Land, as far fetched as the Turk commands, or the wandring Tartar makes his Incursions, composed almost of as many Nations as there are Coun∣tries of the World, none of which are esteemed worthy of this Preferment, unless Beautiful and undoubted Virgins.

As the Pages before mentioned are divided in∣to two Chambers, so likewise are these Maids into two Odaes, where they are to work, sew and embroider, and are there lodged on Safawes, every one with her Bed apart, between every five of which is a Kadun or grave Matron laid to oversee and hear what Actions or Discourse passes either immodest or undecent. Besides this School, they have their Chambers for Musick and Dancing, for acquiring a handsome Air in their carriage and comportment, to which they are most diligent and intent, as that which opens the Door of the Sultan's Affections, and intro∣duces them into Preferment and Esteem.

Out of these the Queen-Mother chuses her Court, and orderly draws from the Schools such as she marks out for the most Beauteous, Face∣tious, or most corresponding with the harmony of her own Disposition, and prefers them to a ••ear attendance on her Person, or to other Offi∣ces of her Court. These are always richly at∣tired and adorned with all sorts of precious Stones, fit to receive the Addresses and Amours of the Sultan: over them is placed the Kadun Kahia, or Mother of the Maids, who is careful to correct any Immodest or light Behaviour a∣mongst them, and instructs them in all the Rules and Orders of the Court.

When the Grand Signior is pleased to dally with a certain number of these Ladies in the Gar∣••en; Helvet is cry'd, which rings through all the Seraglio; at which word all People withdraw themselves at a distance, and Eunuchs are placed at every Avenue, it being at that time death to approach near those Walls. Here the Women strive with their Dances, Songs, and Discourse, to make themselves Mistresses of the Grand Sig∣nior's Affection, and then let themselves loose to all kind of lasciviousness and wanton Carriage, acquitting themselves as much of all respect to Majesty, as they do to Modesty.

When the Grand Signior resolves to chuse himself a Bed-fellow, he retires into the Lodg∣ings of his Women, where (according to the Story in every place reported, when the Turkish Seraglio falls into Discourse) the Damsels being ranged in order by the Mother of the Maids, he throws his Handkerchief to her, where his eye and fancy best directs, it being a Token of her election to his Bed. The surprised Virgin snatches at this Prize and good Fortune, with that ea∣gerness, that she is ravished with the Joy before she is deflowered by the Sultan, and kneeling down, first kisses the Handkerchief, and then puts it in her Bosom, when immediately she is congratulated by all the Ladies of the Court, for the great Honour and Favour she hath received. And after she hath been first washed, bathed, and perfumed, she is adorned with Jewels, and what other Attire can make her appear Glorious and Beautiful; she is conducted at Night with Mu∣sick and Songs of her Companions chanting be∣fore her to the Bed-chamber of the Sultan; at the Door of which attends some Favourite Eu∣nuch, who upon her approaching, gives Advice to the Grand Signior, and permission being gi∣ven her to enter in, she comes running and kneels before him, and sometimes enters in at the Feet of the Bed, according to the ancient Ceremo∣ny, or otherwise, as he chances to like her, is taken in a nearer way with the Embraces of the Grand Signior.

This private Entertainment being ended, she is delivered to the care of the Kadan Kahia, or Mother of the Maids, by whom she is again con∣ducted back with the same Musick as before, and having first washed and bathed, hath afterwards the lodging and attendants that belongs to Hun∣kiar Asa-kisi, that is, the Royal Concubine: if it be her good Fortune to conceive and bring forth a Son, she is called Hasaki Sultana, and is honoured with a solemn Coronation, and Crow∣ned with a small Coronet of Gold beset with precious Stones. Other Ladies who produce

like Fruits from the Grand Signior's Bed, have not yet the like Honour, but only the Name of Bash Hasaki, Inkingi Hasaki, the first and second Concubine, and so forward.

The Daughters that are born from the Grand Signior, are oftentimes at four or five years of Age wedded to some great Pasha, or Beglerbeg, with all the Pomp and Solemnities of Marriage, who from that time hath care of her Education, to provide a Palace for her Court, and to main∣tain her with that State and Honour as becomes the Dignity of a Daughter to the Sultan. At this tenderness of Age, Sultan Ibrahim, Father of the present Grand Signior, married three of his Daughters; one of which called Gheaher Han Sultan, hath had already five Husbands, and yet, as is reported by the World, remains a Virgin; the last Husband deceased was Ishmael Pasha, who was slain in the passage of the River Raab; and is now again married to Gurgi Mahomet Pa∣sha of Buda, a Man of 90 Years of Age, but rich and able to maintain the greatness of her Court, though not to comply with the youthful∣ness of her Bed, to which he is a stranger like the rest of her preceding Husbands.

After the death of the Grand Signior, the Mo∣thers of Daughters have liberty to come forth from the Seraglio and marry with any Person of Quality; but those who have brought forth Sons, are transplanted to the old Seraglio, where they pass a retired Life without Redemption; un∣less the Son of any of those Mothers, by death of the first Heir, succeeding, release his Mother from that Restraint, and make her sharer with him in all his Happiness and Glory.

CHAP. X. Of the Agiam-Oglans.

WE have hitherto spoken of the Ichoglans, or Pages, Mutes, Dwarfs, Eunuchs, and the Feminine Court; it will now be necessary to speak of the under Officers and Servants called Agiam-Oglans, who are designed to the meaner Uses of the Seraglio: These are also Captives taken in War, or bought of the Tartar, but most commonly the Sons of Christians taken from their Parents at the Age of ten or twelve Years; in whom appearing more strength of Bo∣dy than of Mind, they are set apart for labour and menial Services: These are,

• 1. Porters.
• 2. Bostangies, or Gardiners.
• 3. Baltagies, or Hatchetmen, who cut and car∣ry Wood.
• 4. Asgees, or Cooks, with all the Offices of the Kitchin.
• 5. Paicks and Solacks.
• 6. Butchers.
• 7. Holvagees, or Confectioners.
• 8. The Attendants of the Hospital of sick Pages.

And all other set apart for servile Offices.

These are seldom the Sons of natural born Turks, but yearly collected (as I said) from the increase of poor Christians in the Morea and Albania; by which means those Countries are greatly dis-peopled; the yearly number of those thus collected, amount most commonly, as I am given to understand, to about 2000, which be∣ing brought to Constantinople, are first presented before the Vizier, who (according as his Hu∣mour directs him) are placed in divers Stations, either in the Seraglioes of Galata Okmedon, or Adrianople; others are put forth to learn divers Trades in the City; others to be Seamen, and learn Navigation; others especially are placed in the great Seraglio, where they are made to serve in the Stables, in the Kitchin, to dig in the Gar∣dens, to cleave Wood, to row in the Grand Signior's Barge, and to do what other Services they are commanded by the Superiors set over them, called Odahashees, who are Men of An∣cienter standing than the rest, having about fif∣teen Aspers a day Salary, two Vests of Cloth a Year, and two pieces of Linen Cloth for Shirts and Hankerchiefs, &c. and these are subject to the Bostangi Pasha, who is the Head and absolute Commander of all those who have the Name of Bostangees, or Gardiners, of which there may be 10000 in and about the Seraglioes and Garden of the Grand Signior.

Of these Bostangees, some are raised to a higher degree, and called Hasaki, which signifies Royal, and attend only to Messages sent by the Grand Signior himself, and are Men of special Authority. Their Habit or Cloathing nothing differs from the Bostangees, unless in the fineness of their Cloth.

The Power of the Bostangi Pasha is very great; for though he himself arose but from the Agia∣moglans, and wore a felt Cap, yet he hath the command of all the Grand Signior's Gardens and Houses of Pleasure; oversees all his Water∣works, and hath Power and Jurisdiction along the Bosphorus, unto the Mouth of the Black Sea; commands also the Country at a large distance from Constantinople; having power to punish all Debaucheries and Extravagancies in and about the Country Villages, and is capable, by the Grand Signior's Favour, to become Pasha of Grand Cairo, Babylon, Buda, &c. and of the first degree, which is Vizier Azem.

The Agiamoglans who are designed to the Grand Signior's Seraglio, are of the choicest amongst the whole number, the strongest Bodies, and most promising Aspects, and are distributed into several Companies as they want to make up their Complement. This Discipline is very se∣vere and strict, so that they are taught Obedi∣ence, and readiness to serve, with Watchings, Fastings, and other Penances.

Their Cloathing is of course Cloth made at Salonica, anciently called Thessalonica; their Caps of Felt, after the form of a Sugar-loaf, of a Hair colour. Some of them are taught to Read and Write, who are esteemed the most acute and fit to receive ingenious Learning: but the most part are exercised in activity of Body, in Running, Leaping, Wrestling, throwing the Iron Bar, and other Agility, wherein the strength and acti∣vity of Body is best practised. Their Lodgings are under several Pent-houses or Sheds, built under the Walls of the Seraglio; their Dyet is Flesh and Rice, sufficient, though not luxu∣rious.

Out of these belonging to the Seraglio, none are drawn out for Janisaries, but are sometimes preferred to service of Pashaes for their Fidelity or good Deserts, and by those Masters arise to considerable Riches, and commodious manner of Livelihood; others of these, in great numbers, are made use of for attendance on the Grand Sig∣nior's Tents, when he gooes to the Wars, and in

other Journies are useful for the management of the Grand Signior's Carriages and travelling Ne∣cessaries. Such Agiamoglans (as we have said before) that are distributed into other Quarters besides the Royal Seraglio, are principally de∣signed, as they grow ripe, and of strength of Body, to be made Janisaries in the place of the deceased; so that their principal Education is in order thereunto, of whom we shall speak more largely when we treat of the Militia.

The Names of the Agiamoglans are written in a Book, with the Places where they are di∣stributed, their several Pays of two, three, or five Aspers a Day, which Book is under-written by the Grand Signior, and consigned to the Tefterdar, or Lord Treasurer, who pays their Salaries every three Months, being obliged at that time to enquire who is dead or removed, and so accordingly to make a true report to the Grand Signior.

And thus I have given you a brief account of the Grand Siginor's Seraglio, and the Regiment of it, which, if well considerd and weighed, is one of the most Politick Constitutions in the World, and none of the meanest Supports of the Ottoman Empire: which Relation I had from the Mouth of one who had spent nineteen Years in the Schools of the Seraglio. I must confess I have not treated so amply thereof as the Sub∣ject might require, because the Rules and Oeco∣nomy observed among the Women, Mutes, Eunuchs, and other of the retired Apartments, I conceive to be a kind of digression from my purpose, my intention being principally to de∣scribe the Government, Maxims, and Polities of the Turk. And therefore I proceed to treat of the diversities of Offices, and Places of great Riches and Trust, which remain in the power of the Sultan to confer on those Favourites, Minions, and Creatures, whom thus at his own Charge he hath nourished, like a Father, from their Infancy, to invest in their riper Years with great Honours, for security of his own Person, and flourishing Estate of his Dominions.

CHAP. XI. Of the Vizier Azem, or Prime Vizier, his Office, the other six Viziers of the Bench, and of the Divan or place of Iudicature.

THE Prime Vizier, called in Turkish Vizier Azem, is as much as chief Counsellor; he is sometimes termed the Grand Signior's Deputy or Representative, or Vicarius Imperii, because to him all the Power of the Sultan is immediately devolved; there is no other Solemnity, as I know of, in the creating a Vizier, than the deli∣very of the Grand Signior's Seal, which he al∣ways carries about him in his Bosom, on which is engraven the Emperor's Name, by which he becomes invested in all the Power of the Empire, and can, without the formality and process of Law, remove all Obstacles and Impediments which hinder the free sway of his Government. It hath always been the Policy of the great Prin∣ces of the East, to erect one as Superintendent over all the rest of their Ministers; so Daniel was constituted by Darius over the Presidents and Princes,* 1.17 because of the admirable Spirit and Wisdom that was in him: and Ioseph was made chief Governor and absolute Commander over all Egypt; and by this means those Princes who gave themselves much over to softness and luxury, could with more ease demand account of Miscarriages in the Rule of their Empire, it being their Policy to constitute one on whom all the blame of Miscarriages in Government might be thrown.

The first constitution that we meet with in History of the first Vizier, was in the time of Amurath the third, King of the Turks, who pas∣ing into Europe with his Tutor called Lala Scha∣bin, he made him his chief Counsellor, and com∣mitted to him the Charge of his Army, with which he won Adrianople, formerly called Ore∣stias, and ever since the Grand Signior hath con∣tinued to maintain that Office of Vizier, using that common appellation of Lala, which signi∣fies Tutor, whensoever in familiar Discourse he speaks to him.

There are besides the first, commonly six other Viziers, who are called Viziers of the Bench, that have no Power nor Authority in the Go∣vernment, but only are grave Men, that have perhaps had Charges and Offices, and are know∣ing in the Laws, and sit together with the first Vizier in the Divan or Court where Causes are tryed, but are mute, and cannot give their Sen∣tence or Opinion in any Matter, unless the first Vizier please to demand their Counsel or Judg∣ment in point of Law, which he seldom does, not to disparage his own Reason and Experi∣ence. Their Pay proceeds from the Grand Sig∣nior's Treasury, and is not above 2000 Dollars a Year: any of these six can write the Grand Signior's Firme or Autogra upon all Commands or Decrees that are sent abroad; and because their Riches are but moderate, and the Office they are in treats not much with the dangerous Parts of State, they live long without Envy or Emulation, or being subject to that inconstancy of Fortune and Alteration, to which greater degrees of Place are exposed. And yet when any great Matter is in consult, and of con∣siderable Importance, these six, with the first Vi∣zier, the Mufti and Caddeelescheers, or Lord Chief Justices, are admitted into the Cabinet-Council, and are often permitted freedom to de∣liver their Opinions on the matter of Question.

The State and Greatness the Prime Vizier lives in, is agreeable to the Honour of him whom he represents, having commonly in his Court about 2000 Officers and Servants; when he ap∣pears in any solemnity or publick Show, he car∣ries on his Turbant before two Feathers, as the Grand Signior wears three, set on with a handle of Diamonds, and other rich Stones; and be∣fore him are carried three Horse Tails, called the Tugh, upon a long Staff, upon the top of which is a gilded Knob; the like distinction of Honour is permitted only to the three other prin∣cipal Pashaes within their Jurisdiction, viz. the Pasha of Babylon, of Cairo, and of Buda; the other inferior Pashaes have only one Horse Tail carried before them, without other Distinction or Badg os Authority; and these three fore∣mentioned Pashaes have a right to be Viziers of the Bench, and can take their places in the Di∣van, when the Time of their Offices are expired, and any of them found at the Court in entire Grace and Favour.

The Prime Vizier, as he is the Representa∣tive of the Grand Signior, so he is the Head or Mouth of the Law; to him Appeals may be made, and any one may decline the ordinary course of Justice, to have his Case decided by his Determination, unless the Vizier, through the mul∣tiplicity of his Affairs, and a small considerati∣on

of the Case, thinks fit to refer it to the Law. And that he may evidence his care of the Publick Good, he is always present at the Divan, four times a Week, that is, Saturday, Sunday, Mon∣day, Tuesday, and the other days (excepting Fri∣days) keeps Divan in his own House; so diligent and watchful are these Men to discharge the Acts of Justice, and their own Office.

He is attended to the Divan, which is the Chamber of the Seraglio, by a great number of Chiauses, and their Commanders in chief, who are a sort of Pursevants, and other Officers, who only serve to attend him to the Divan, called Muta-faracan, and may be termed Serjeants or Tipstaffs; as he descends from his Horse, and enters the Divan, or upon his return goes into his House, he is with a loud Voice of his Atten∣dants, prayed for, and wished all happiness and long Life; not unlike the Salutations the Roman Souldiers used to their Emperors; Cum sub au∣spiciis Caesaris omnia prospera & felicia precaban∣tur. When he is set upon the Bench, all Causes are brought before the Caddeelescheer, who is Lord Chief Justice, and by him all Judgments pass, unless the Prime Vizier shall think the Cause proper for his Cognisance, or shall disapprove at any time the Sentence of the Judg; and then by virtue of his unlimited Power, he can reverse the Verdict, and determine as he pleases. All Officers in the Divan wear a strange sort of dress upon their Heads, called in Turkish Mugeve∣zee.

The Lord Chief Justices which sit with the Grand Vizier, are two of Romelia and Asia, cal∣led Kadilescher, or Judges of the Army. And this shall in short serve for what is necessary to speak of the Divan in this place, in regard we only touch upon it for the better explanation of the Vizier's Office.

The Prime Vizier hath his Power as ample as his Master who gives it him, except only that he cannot (though he is the Elder Brother of all the Pashaes) take off any of their Heads with∣out the Imperial Signature, or immediate Hand∣writing of the Grand Signior; nor can he punish a Spahee or Janisary, or any other Souldier, but by means of their Commanders, (the Militia having reserved themselves that Privilege, which secures them from several oppressions) in other Matters he is wholly Absolute, and hath so great a Power with the Grand Signior, that whomso∣ever he shall think fit of all the Officers in the Empire to proscribe, he can speedily obtain the Imperial Hand to put it in execution.

Whatsoever Petitions and Addresses are made, in what Business soever, ought first to pass through the Hands of the Vizier: but yet when a Party hath suffered some notorious Injury, in which the Vizier is combined, or hath refused him Justice, he hath liberty then to appeal to the Grand Signior himself, which is permitted by an ancient custom; the aggrieved Person put∣ting Fire on his Head, enters the Seraglio, runs in haste, and can be stopt by no Body until he comes to the presence of the Grand Signior, to whom he hath licence to declare his wrong. The like was done by Sir Thomas Bendysh, when Am∣bassador at Constantinople, putting Pots of Fire at the Yard-Arms of some English Ships then in Port, and came to an Anchor near the Seraglio. The reason thereof was, the violent seizure of the Merchants Goods, as soon as arrived in Port, for the Service of the Grand Signior, without Bargain or Account of them; which being taken up by those Officers and great Persons who were out of the reach of Law, forced the worthy Am∣bassador at that time Resident to represent his Grievances with much resolution, signifying them to the Grand Signior, by Fire on the Yards of eleven English Ships then in Port, which were drawn off from the Scale, where they usually lay, to the side of the Seraglio; which coming to be discovered first to the Vizier, before the Grand Signior had notice thereof, he immediate∣ly extinguished those Fires by a fair Accommoda∣tion, before they burst into a more dangerous Flame, by the knowledg of the Grand Signior, who might justly destroy him for suffering such notorious Injustice to run to that publick and known extremity.

The Persians in like cases put on a Vest of white Paper, signifying, the aggravation of their Injury is not to be described in as much Paper as can cover their Bodies.

This great Office of Charge and Trust, as it is the highest, so it is the nearest to Iove's Thun∣der-bolt, and most exposed to Envy and Emula∣tion; strange Stories are read and confirmed by Eye-witnesses in our days, concerning the un∣expected rise and ascent of unworthy Men, on a sudden, without degrees, steps or approaches, to this mighty Power and Glory, and as soon have been thrown down, and been the Subject of the Peoples Cruelty and Revenge; some have been the Sons but of a few days growth, and the Sun hath scarce set, before their Greatness and Glory hath declined; others have continued but a Month, some a Year, others two or three; and withal, even in those who have lived longest and happiest, Fortune sports with that wantonness and inconstancy, ••hat it may serve to be the Mirror and Emblem of the World's Vanity, and uncertain Riches: It is the Fate of great Fa∣vourites, with barbarous Princes, to be but short-liv'd. For either the Prince delights to exercise his Power in debasing some, and advancing others, or hath bestowed so largely, that his Bounty is at a stop, and begins to be wea∣ried with heaping of Favours, as the other is glutted and satiated with receiving them; Fa∣to potentiae raro sempiternae, an satias capit aut illos cum omnia tribuerunt, aut hos quod nihil reliquum est quod capiant. Tacit. Lib. 3. Emulation and Flattery are likewise great, and the Factions are commonly many in the Ottoman Court, whereby the State of the first Minister is endangered. In∣sita mortalibus natura recentem aliorum felicitatem aegris oculis introspicere, modumque fortunae à nullis magis exigere, quam quos in aequo vident. Tacit. Lib. 3. Sometimes the Queen-Mother rules, sometimes the Kuslir Aga commands; perhaps a beautiful Woman is Mistress of the Power, as well as of the Affections of the Sultan; every one of these have some Favourites, some or o∣ther who watch Preferments, and are intent to observe all Miscarriages of State, which may re∣flect on, or question the Judgment or Honesty of the first Author, by which means the unhappy Vizier, either by the Sultan's immediate Com∣mand, or Tumults of the Souldiery raised by the powerful Factions afore-mentioned, yields up his Life and Government together; whose Power and Greatness being only borrowed from his Master, and depending on another's Pleasure, by its short continuance and mutability, verifies that true saying of Tacitus, Lib. 12. Nihil rerum mor∣talium tam instabile & fluxum est, quàm fama po∣tentiae non suâ vi nixae.

But it doth nor always happen that the Prime Vizier, because he is deprived of his Office, should therefore lose his Life; for many times, especially if he be a Man whose Disposition is not

greatly suspected of Malice or Revenge to the Contrivers of his Fall, or be not of a generous Spirit, and great Abilities and Popularity, whereby he may be venturous and capable of raising Rebellion or Mutiny, he is permitted calm∣ly to retire, and quietly to descend from his high Throne of Honour, to enter into a lower Re∣gion and Air of a small and petty Government of a Pasha; as not many Years past the Predecessors of Kuperli, Father of this present Vizier, be∣ing degraded, had the Pashalick of Kanisia (which is accounted one of the meanest of all the Governments which are subject to a Pasha) conferred on him; and here I cannot tell whe∣ther such a Vizier hath not more reason to bless and congratulate his Fortune, than accuse it; for in this condition he is more free from Cares and Dangers, and much more happy, if his Ambi∣tion and greatness of Spirit render not his Re∣pose and Ease less pleasing, because it is not in the highest Lodgings of Honour and Command. But it is seldom so among the Turks, for with them it is esteemed no disgrace to be transplanted from the Mountains to the Valleys; they know their Original and Composition partakes not much of Heavenly Fire, and that the Clay they are framed of, is but of common Earth, which is in the Hand of the Grand Signior, as the Pot to frame and mould, as is most agreeable to his Pleasure and Will. And as it is no disparage∣ment to decline and go backward in Honour a∣mongst the Turks, so it is no new thing, or Ab∣surdity in their Politicks, to see Menrise like Mush∣romes in a Night, and from the meanest and most abject Offices, without Degrees or conve∣nient Approaches, at once leap into the Seat and Quality of the Prime Vizier: I shall instance in one Example worthy of Record, which was of late days, and as yet that I know of, hath had no place in History. It happened that in Con∣stantinople, there was either great scarcity of Flesh, or the negligence of the Butchers had made it so; so that they who were not so early abroad as to watch their usual time of making their days Provision, or came any thing late, were necessitated to pass that day with a Lenten Diet; among those who had missed one morning their common proportion of Flesh, was one Dervise, a Cook of a Chamber of Janizaries; this Man knew the Blows and Punishment he was to suffer from the chief of the Chamber; that through his sloth and want of care, the whole Company should that day pass without their Din∣ner, which caused him in great passion, with loud Exclamations, as he passed the Streets, to accuse the ill Government, and little care was had to rectify these common Abuses: It fortuned that at that time that Dervise was lamenting his Case to all the World, and cursing the principal Offi∣cers, that the Grand Signior in disguise passed by, and seeing a Man in such disorder of Mind, came in a courteous manner to demand the Rea∣son of his Passion; to whom the Dervise replied,

It was vain for him to be inquisitive; or for me, said he, to inform you what you are able to af∣ford no Remedy unto; for none but the Grand Signior himself is of sufficient Power to redress that for which I have so much cause to be trou∣bled. At last, with much importunity, he told, what great Abuse there was in the Butchery, that the Shambles were ill served, that he had missed the usual proportion of Flesh that morn∣ing for his Janisaries Chamber; and what Pu∣nishment he was likely to suffer, for having come short only one moment of his due time.

He ad∣ded further,

That the Vizier, and other Offi∣cers, were negligent in rectifying these mean and low Disorders, being wholly taken up in enriching themselves, and intent to their own Interest: But if I were first Vizier, I would not only cause great plenty of Flesh in this City, but at all times of the day it should be found by those who wanted it. And now, what be∣nefit have either you, said he, by hearing this Story, or what release am I like to have of Pu∣nishment by repeating it to you?

The Grand Signior afterwards returning Home, and considering of the Discourse the Ja∣nisaries Cook had made him, whether to prove the Abilities of the Man, or because he conceived Providence had offered this Encounter; or that Princes delight to exercise their Power in crea∣ting great Men from Nothing, he sent imme∣diatly for the Dervise; who being come into his Presence, and sensible of the familiar Discourse he had made him, trembling, cast himself down at his Feet, supposing that the free Language he used of the Vizier and the Government, was the cause he was now to lose his Life. But it hap∣pened quite contrary, for the Grand Signior en∣couraging him to lay aside his fear, told him, he was resolved to make him first Vizier, to try an Ex∣periment, whether he was able to amend those Abuses he complained of. And that herein he might not transgress the Degrees whereby he was gradually to pass, he first made him chief of his Chamber, the next day Captain, the day following Aga or General of the Janisaries, and thence with one step to be great Vizier, who not only remedied the Abuse in the Shambles, according to his pro∣mise, but proved a famous and excellent Minister of State. And though Examples of the like na∣ture are frequent among the Turks, yet this may serve at present to shew in part the Fortune and Fate by which Men are raised, and the uncon∣stancy of Greatness and Glory amongst the Turks, above any other part of the World be∣sides.

It was a hard Problem in the Turkish Policy, which as a wise Prime Vizier proposed to certain Pashaes, amongst other Questions, What courses were possible to be found out for a first Vizier to maintain and continue his Office, and acquit this so dangerous Charge, from the hazard and un∣certainty to which it is liable; For you see, Bro∣thers, said he, how few enjoy or grow Old herein; their Vertue, their Care, and their Innocence, are no protection; some remain a Day, a Week, a Month; others protract the Thred to a Year or two, but at length they are (to use our own Proverb) like the A••t, to whom God gives Wings for their speedier destruction. The Pashaes were for a while all si∣lent, not knowing what Reply to make, or how to resolve so difficult and knotty a Point, until Kuperli (who was then the most ancient, and perhaps the wisest Pasha, as the Actions of his following Life have sufficiently testified) first re∣plied, That in his Opinion, the only and most probable Means for a tottering Vizier to fecure himself, is to divert the Mind of the Grand Sig∣nior, and other working Brains, upon some Fo∣reign War; for Peace is that which corrupts the Dispositions of Men, and sets them on work to raise themselves with Intestine and Civil Evils; when War busies their Spirits, and employs them to gain Renown and Glory by Martial Actions, by which means Plots and Treachery are droven from our own Homes; Consiliis & astu res exter∣nas moliri, arma procul habere. Tacit. Lib. 6. And it is possible that Achmet the Son of Kuperli, who began the last War with Germany, might go upon this Maxim of his Fathers; for in all Mat∣ters

of his Government, he is observed to walk by the same Rules and Directions, which were bequeathed to him as well as his Inheritance.

And yet for all this doubful Estate of the Prime Viziers, some have been known to ma∣nage this Office eighteen or nineteen Years, and afterwards wearied with Care and Pains, to ac∣quit it by a natural Death; from whence this Question may arise, Whether the Favour or Dis∣pleasure of the Prince depends on the Destiny or Fortune we are born to, or whether humane Counsel can assign a way between Contumacious∣ness and Flattery, wherein to steer free from Danger and Ambition? Vnde dubitare cogor, fa∣to & sorte nascendi, ut caetera, ita Principum in∣clinatio in hos, offensio in illos, an sit aliquid in no∣stris consiliis, lice atque inter abruptam contumaciam, & deforme obsequium pergere iter, ambitione & pe∣riculis vacuum. Tacit. Lib. 4. But we find but few Examples of this kind; for if Viziers have been Evil, their own Cruelty and Covetousness have hastned their Fate; if Good, their Merits have been their Ruin; lest the great Benefits their Merits have procured to their Prince should seem to want Reward, or be dangerous or diffi∣cult to requite; Beneficia eousque laeta, dum viden∣tur exsolvi posse; ubi maltum antevenere, pro gratia odium redditur. Tacit. Lib. 4.

The Revenues of the first Vizier, which issue immediately from the Crown, and are certain appendages to the Office, are not great, being not above 20000 Dollars yearly, which arise from certain Villages in Romelia; the rest of the Immense Riches which accrues to this Charge so full of Cares and Danger, flows from all the Quarters of the Empire. For no B••shaw, or Mi∣nister of Trust, enters his place without his Present and Offering to the first Vizier, to ob∣tain his Consent, and purchasea continuance of his Favour. Those that have Governments a∣broad, have always their Agents at Court, who with Gifts continually mollify the Vizier's Mind, entreating him to represent their Service to the Grand Signior in an acceptable and grateful man∣ner. And though at the Equinoctial in the Spring, all Pashaes, and any that have Govern∣ments of note, are obliged to make their Pre∣sents to the Grand Signior of considerable value, at which time the first Vizier neither will not want his own acknowledgments, he is yet farther trea∣ted by all Persons with Sums of Mony, as the Na∣ture of their Business is, which is not secretly, but boldly and confidently demanded, and the Bargain beaten as in matters of Merchandize and Trade; and Justice and Favours made as vendi∣ble, and set as publick to sale, as Wares and Commodities are in the Shops and Places of com∣mon Mart; so that if the first Vizier proves co∣vetous, (as commonly they do who are raised from nothing, and used always to thrift, and re∣solves to lose nothing of what he may get) his Income is incredible, and may equal that which is the Rent of the Grand Signior, and in a few Years amass immense Riches and Wealth. But of this the Prince and the Turkish Policy is not ig∣norant, and accordingly provides Remedies to drain the Inundations of the Vizier's Coffers; at first, by extorting great Sums of Mony from him at his entrance to the Charge; then, under colour of Friendship and Favour, the Grand Sig∣nior makes him Visits, in requital whereof, rich Presents are made him, as gratitude for so much Honour; next, he many times sends to him for a Gift of 100000 Dollars, for Jewels, Horses, and other things of great value; and in this man∣ner several Contrivances are used to turn these Rivulets to pay their Tribute to the great O∣cean; amongst which this present Grand Signi∣or Mahomet the Fourth, hath found out one way amongst the rest, putting the Vizier often to the charges of his Dinner, sending to his Kitchin for twenty Dishes of Meat, which is the usual proportion of the Grand Signior's ordinary Ta∣ble, and by inviting himself to a Banquet many times at the Vizier's Expences; and this being done so frequently, gives the World occasion to believe, that he demands it out of no other De∣sign than narrowness of Soul to save the Char∣ges of his own Dinner; and the rather it is so believed, because this Emperor is reputed of a covetous Disposition, and of no affinity with Solyman the Magnificent. But the Ways and Means by which the Grand Signior comes in the end to be possessed of the Gains and Profits col∣lected by his Vizier, and other Officers, requires a particular Discourse apart, which shall in its due time and place be treated of; and this shall for the present suffice to have spoken concern∣ing the Prime Vizier and his Office.

CHAP. XII. The Offices, Dignities, and several Govern∣ments of the Empire.

HE that will describe the Polities of a Coun∣try, must endeavour, especially in the most exact and punctual manner possible, to declare the several Offices, Dignities, and Riches of it, that so a more easy computation may be calcula∣ted of its Strength, numbers of Men, Fortifica∣tions, Forces by Sea, where best defended, and where most easily vulnerable and exposed.

The next to the Vizier Azem, or the first Vi∣zier, are the several Beglerbegs (which may not unaptly be compared to Arch-dukes in some parts of Christendom) having under their Jurisdicti∣on many Sangiacks or Provinces, Beyes, Agaes, and others: To every one of these, the Grand Signior in honour bestows three Ensigns (called in Turkish Tugh) which are Staves trimmed with the Tail of a Horse, with a Golden Bull upon the top, and this is to distinghish them from Bashaws who have two Ensigns; and the Sanziach-beg, who hath also the name of Pascha, and hath but one.

When a Pascha is made, the Solemnity used at the conferring his Office, is a Flag or Banner carried before him, and accompanied with Mu∣sick and Songs by the Merialem, who is an Officer for this purpose only, for investiture of Pashaes in their Office.

The Government of Beglerbegs, who have se∣veral Provinces called Sangiacks under their Com∣mand, are two sorts; the first is called Has ile Beglerbeglik, which hath a certain Rent assigned out of the Cities, Countries, and Signiories al∣lotted to the Principality; the second is called Saliane Beglerbeglik, for maintenance of which is annexed a certain Salery or Rent, collected by the Grand Signior's Officers with the Treasure of the whole Government, out of which are paid also the Sangiack Beglers, that is, the Lords of the several Counties, Towns, or Cities, and the Militia of the Country.

It is impossible exactly to describe the Wealth and ways of Gains exercised by these potent Go∣vernors to enrich themselves; for a Turk is in∣genious to get Wealth, and hasty to grow

Rich; howsoever we will succinctly set down the certain Sums of Revenue which are granted them by Commission from the Grand Signior, as∣signed them out of every particular place of their Government; besides which, they have the Profits of all Wefts and Strays, goods of Felons, sale of vacant Church-Offices, Mules, Horses and Cattel, which by Mortality, or o∣ther Accidents, have no certain Master; to which may be added the benefit of their Avanias or false Accusations, whereby they invade the Right and Estates of their Subjects; as also of the Robberies of their People and Strangers, by their own Slaves and Servants, whom they send abroad with that design; and having committed the Robberies themselve••, under pretence of dis∣covery of the Crime, and doing Justice, they seize the Innocent People, torture and imprison them, and perhaps put some to death for expia∣tion of their own Offences.

To come nearer to this purpose; The Beg∣lerbegs of the first sort are in number 22, who have their Revenue allotted them in the places that they Govern, collected by their own Officers according to Commission, of which the first is of Anatolia, anciently called Asia Minor, after∣wards Anatolia, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from its more Eastern situation in respect of Greece; the year∣ly Revenue of which, in the Grand Signior's Books, called the Old Canon, is a Million of As∣pers,* 1.18 and hath under its Jurisdiction 14 Sangiack Kiotahi, where the Beglerbeg resides, in Phrygia Major▪ Sarahan, Aidin, Kastamoni, Hadanendig∣hiar, Boli, Mentesche, Augora, otherwise Ancy∣ra, Karahysar, Teke ili, Kiangri, Hamid, Sultan Vghi, Karesi, with the command of twenty two Castles.

2. Caramania, anciently called Cilicia, and was the last Province which held out belonging to the Caramanian Princes, when all places gave way to the flourishing progress of the Ottoman Arms; The Revenue hereof is 660074 Aspers, and hath under its Jurisdiction seven Sangiacks, viz. Iconium, which is the Court of the Begler∣beg in Cappadocia, Nigkde, Kaisani, otherwise Cesanca, Ienischeheri, Kyrschehri, Akschehri, Ak∣serai: And in this Principality are three Castles, at Iconium one, at Larende and Mendui, under the Pasha's immediate Command, and 17 others in several Sangiacks.

* 1.193. Diarbekir, otherwise Mesopotamia, hath a Revenue of a Million two hundred thousand and six hundred and sixty Aspers, and hath under its Jurisdiction 19 Sangiacks, with five other Govern∣ments called Hukinmet in Turkish; eleven of which Sangiacks are properly belonging to the Ottoman Royalties, and eight are Curdian Coun∣tries, or of the People called Kurts; for when Curdia was conquered, the Country was divided, and distinguished into the Nature of Sangiacks; but with this difference, of right Inheritance and Succession to the Goods and Possessions of their Parents, and succeed as Lords of Mannors, or to other petty Governments by Blood and Kind∣red. And as other Lords of Sangiacks, Tima∣riots, or Barons, pay the Grand Signior's Du∣ties, and hold their Lands in Knights Service, or other Tenure, whereby they are obliged to at∣tend and follow their Commanders to the Wars, whensoever they are called thereunto by the Grand Signior's Summons: these that are regi∣stred for Hukiumet, have no Timariots or Lords to command them, but are free from all Duties and Impositions, and are absolute Masters of their own Lands and Estates. Those Sangiacks which are properly belonging to the Ottoman Royalties, are C. Harpu, Ezani, Syureck, Nes∣bin, Chatenghif, Tchemischekrek, Seared, Mufar∣kin, Aktchie, Kala, Habur, Sangiar, otherwise Diarbekir, which is the place of residence of the Beglerbeg. Those Sangiacks which are entailed upon Families, are Sagman, Kulab, Mechrani, Ter∣gil, Atak, Pertek, Tchifakichur, Tchirmek.

4. Of Scham, otherwise Damascus, the cer∣tain Revenue of which is a Million of Aspers, and hath under it Sangiacks seven with Has, where the Contributions by the Beglerbeg's Officers are collected upon the Country, and are Kuddesche∣rif, aliàs Ierusalem, Gaza, Sifad, Nabolos, aliàs Naples in Syria, Aglun, Bahura and Damascus, the City where the Beglerbeg resides. He hath farther three with Siliane, for account of which he is paid by the King's Officers, and those are Kadmar, Saida, Beru, Kiurk, Schubeck, where are no Timariots, but the Inhabitants are true and absolute Masters of their own Estates, in the same manner as the Curdi are, which we have before-mentioned; the Castles here are for the most part demolished, and scarce worthy our notice.

5. Is of Siwas a City in Armenia Major, hath a Revenue of Nine hundred thousand Aspers, and hath under his Dominions six Sangiacks, viz. A∣masia, Tchurum, Buradick, Demurki, Gianick, A∣rebkir, the Castles of which are nineteen.

6. Is the Government of the Pascha of Erz∣ram, on the Confines of Georgia, hath a Reve∣nue of a Million two hundred thousand six hun∣dred and sixty Aspers, and hath under his Go∣vernment 11 Sangiacks, viz. Karahizar, Schàrki, Kieifi, Pasm, Esber, Hanes, Tekman, Turtum, Mayenkerd, Mamervan, Kyzutchan, Melazkerd, and hath 13 Castles.

7. Is the Government of the Pascha of Wan, or Van, a City in Media, hath a Revenue of a Million one hundred and thirty two thousand two hundred and nine Aspers, and commands 14 San∣giacks, viz. Adilgiwar, Ergisch, Musch, Barkiri, Kiarkian, Kisani, Espaird, Agakis, Ekrad, Be∣nikutur, Kalaibaierid, Berdea and Edegick.

8. Is the Government of the Pascha of Tchil∣dir on the Confines of Georgia, hath a Revenue of Nine hundred twenty five thousand Aspers, and commands nine Sangiacks, viz. Olti, Har∣tus, Ardnug, Erdehamburek, Hagrek, Pusenhaf, aliàs Pusenhal, Machgil, Igiare, Penbeck, Pertek∣rek.

9. Is the Government of Scheherezul in Assy∣ria, the Pascha of which hath a Revenue of a Million of Aspers, and commands 20 Sangiacks, viz. Suruikuk, Erbil, Kiuschaf, Schehribazar, Chahkiule, Geblhamrin, Hezurd Merd, Dulchuran, Merghiaue, Haninudevin, Agiur, Neitutari, Se∣peuzengire, Ebruuan, Tauudan, Badeberend, Bel∣kas, Vicheni, Garikalo, Renghone.

10. Is the Government of Halep, or Aleppo, hath Eight hundred and seventeen thousand se∣ven hundred and seventy two Aspers Revenue, and commands seven Sangiacks with Has, and two with Saliane: Of the first sort are Adana, Ekrad, Kelis, Beregek, Mearre, Gazir, Balis: Of the other are Matick and Turman which is Turcomania, of these at this day the Revenue is farmed, and are not called Sangiacks, but Aga∣lik, for in them are no Timariots, but every Man is Lord and Master of his own Lands. This Government hath five Castles.

11. Is the Government of Marasch near the River Euphrates, situated between Mesopotamia and Aleppo, otherwise called by the Turks, Zul∣kadrie, hath a Revenue of 628450 Aspers, and commands four Sangiacks only, viz. Malatia,

Asab, Kars, and Samsad, and hath four Castles.

12. Is the Government of Kibros, otherwise called Cyprus, hath a Revenue of Five hundred thousand six hundred and fifty Aspers, and commands seven Sangiacks, viz. four with Has, and are Itchili, Tarsus, Alaine, Schis; the other three with Saliane, are Kenine Baf Mausa, Lef∣kuscha or Larnica, the place of the Pascha's re∣sidence is Nicosia.

13. Is the Government of Tarabolos Scham, otherwise Tripoly of Syria, hath a Revenue of Eight hundred thousand Aspers; at this place the Pascha resides, and hath under him four Sangiacks, viz. Hams, Hama, Gemele and Sele∣mie, and hath only one Castle in the Sangiack of Hams called Faslulekrad.

14. Is the Government of Terbozan, other∣wise Trabezond, encompassed with a ridge of Mountains, according to a Poet born in that place,

Vertice Montano Trapezus inclusa recessit.

Formerly the Imperial Seat of the Comneni reign∣ing over Cappadocia, Galatia, and the parts of Pontus founded by Alexius Comnenus, who upon the taking of Constantinople by the Western Christians f••ed to this place, which flourished un∣til taken by Mahomet the Great; it is situate on the Euxine or Black Sea, and still a place of con∣siderable Traffick, especially made rich for the Fishing, out of which and the Customs, the Pascha, though he hath no Sangiacks under his Government, hath yet a Revenue allotted of 734850 Aspers, with fourteen Castles to de∣fend the City, and the Dominions belonging thereunto.

15. The Government of the Pascha of Kars, a City near Erzrum, hath a Revenue of Eight hundred twenty thousand six hundred and fifty Aspers, and commands six Sangiacks, viz. Erde∣hankitutchuk, Gingewan, Zaruschan, Ghegran, Kughizman, Pasin.

16. The Government of the Pascha of Mu∣sul, otherwise called Nineve in Assyria, hath a Revenue of Six hundred eighty one thousand fifty six Aspers, and commands five Sangiacks, viz. Bagiwanlu, Tekrit, Zerbit, Eski Musul, or old Nineve, and Hurun.

17. The Government of the Pascha of Rika hath a Revenue of 680000 Aspers, and com∣mands seven Sangiacks, viz. Ghemasche, Chabur, Dizirhebe, Banirabue, Serug, Biregek Ane.

These are all the Governments which are in Asia with Has; let us now pass into Europe.

18. Is the Government of the Pascha of Ru∣muli, otherwise Romania, which is the most ho∣nourable Turkish charge in Europe, hath a Re∣venue of a Million and one hundred thousand Aspers, the seat of the Pascha is Sofia, and com∣mands 24 Sangiacks, viz. Kiostendit otherwise Iustiniana, Mora otherwise Morea, Skenderi, Tirhala, Silistra, Nigeboli, Vchri, Awlona, Ia∣nia, Ilbrazan, Tchirmen, Selanik otherwise Sa∣lonica, Wize, Deluniia, Vskiup, Kirkkelisa, Du∣kakin, Wedin, Alagehizar, Serzerin, Waltcharin, Bender, Akkerman, Ozi, Azak; But it is to be observed, that though Morea, according to the ancient Canon, was under the jurisdiction of the Pascha of Romania, yet now it is divided and made part of the Revenue of the Valede or Queen-Mother, where a Farmer of her Rents and Incomes now resides.

19. Is the charge of the Kupudan, otherwise Captain Pascha, or as the Turks call him Gene∣ral of the White Seas, hath a Revenue of 885000 Aspers; he is Admiral of the Grand Signior's Fleet, and commands as far as the Turkish Power by Sea extends; and commands 13 Sangiacks, viz. Galipoli, which is the proper place of the Pascha's residence, Egribuz otherwise Negropont, Karlieli, Ainebahti, Rhodes, Midillu or Metilene, Kogia Eli, Betga, Sifla, Mezestra, Sakis, or the Island of Scio, Beneksche or Malvatia; some o∣thers add Nicomedia, Lemnos, and Nixia.

20. Is the Government of the Pascha of Bu∣dun, otherwise Buda in Hungary, hath a Reve∣nue and commands 20 San∣giacks, viz. Agri, Kanysia, Samandra, Petchui, Vstunubilgrad or Stultwissemberg, Ostrogon or Stri∣gonium, Sekdin, Chatwan, Semutum, Sirem, Ku∣pan, Filek, Sekitwar, Sektches, Setchre, Novi∣grad, Seksard, Belgrade or Alba Regalis. And now lately in the Year 1663, that Wiwar or Newhawsel was taken, a new Sangiack is since added.

21. The Pascha of Temeswar in Hungary, hath a Revenue and hath under his com∣mand 6 Sangiacks, viz. Lipona, Tchanad, Ghiola, Mundava, Waradin, to which also Ianova is ad∣ded, conquered in the Year 1663.

22. Is the Government of the Pascha of Bos∣na, which is part of Illyrium, divided formerly into Liburnia and Dalmatia, now called Sclavo∣nia; his Revenue is a and commands 8 Sangiacks, viz. Hersek, Kelis, Ezdernick, Puz∣ga, Feraigne, Zagine, Kirka, Rahvige.

There are other Paschas of Coffa, Theodesia in Taurica Ch••rsonesus, which having no Sangiacks, no Timariots, nor Ziamets under them, but only a few beggarly Villages which we shall purposely omit, as not worthy the notice. And so much shall be said for the Paschaes or Beglerbegs with Has, or with the Revenue imposed upon Coun∣tries under their command, collected by their own Officers.

Those that are with Saliane, or paid out of the Grand Signior's Treasury, are:

1. The Pascha of Grand Cairo, called by the Turks Misir, hath a Revenue of Six hundred thousand Scheriffs or Zechins a Year, which he may justly and honestly pretend to; as much is the Tribute yearly paid the Grand Signior from that place; which is most commonly brought since the War with Venice upon Camels backs by Land, with a guard of 500 Men, not to expose it to the danger of being intercepted at Sea; another Sum of Six hundred thousand Zechins yearly goes to the payment of the Turks Forces in Egypt; besides the vast Sums of Mony this Pascha extorts with insupportable Avarice and Tyranny from the Natives of the Country, du∣ring the space of his three Years Government; by which means he grows excessive rich, and able to refund a good stream into the Grand Signior's Coffers at his return, as hereafter shall be the subject of our more large discourse; he commands 16 Sangiacks as is reported, but not being registred in the King's Book, I let them pass without naming them.

2. Is the Government of Bagdat, otherwise Babylon, and hath a Revenue of a Million and seven hundred thousand Aspers, and commands 22 Sangiacks, viz. Dertenk, Gezan, Gewazir, Renk Aidiie, Gelle, Semwat, Remaliie, Beiare, Derne, Debare, Wasit, Gebkiule, Gedide, Kesend, Kasrschirin, Ghiilan, Karag, Anne, Asebah De∣markapn, Deirberhiie, Karaniie.

3. Is the Government of the Pascha of Yemen, which is in Arabia Faelix, whose place of Resi∣dence

is at Adem upon the Red Sea; which Place and Country being recovered for the most part again from the Turk by the Arabians, it is neither needful to mention the Revenue, nor the Sangiacks it formerly commanded.

4. The Pasha of the Abissines hath his Resi∣dence at Saquen, a small Isle in the Red Sea, and commands the Ports of Mesauna and Erkiko, which the Turks lately took from the Abissines, but this Pasha being very poor, and far distant from the Succours of the Turks, we cannot assign any Sangiacks, or render any thing certain of his Estate.

5. In the Government also of Bosra, on the Confines of Persia, were reckoned 26 Sangiacks, but now not held by the Turk, who hath no o∣ther Power there, nor Benefit thence, excepting only that Prayers are made constantly for the Sultan.

6. In the Government of Lahsa, on the Con∣fines of Ormus in Persia, are accounted six San∣giacks, viz. Aiwen, Sakul, Negniie, Netif, Ben∣derazir, Giriz; but these Countries are poor, and have scarce any place in the Grand Sig∣nior's Registers.

To these we should add the Governments of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoly in Barbary; but that being much fallen off from the Turks Obedience, and become almost independent of them, we shall pass by the Discourse of them, especially because of late Years the mutual Treaties with Barbary, and interchanges of War and Peace with those Countries, hath made the State and Condition of that People well known and fa∣miliar in England.

The use of the particular Catalogue forego∣ing, is to demonstrate the Greatness and Power of the Ottoman Empire, which hath so many considerable Governments and Principalities in its Possession, wherewith to encourage and excite the endeavours of Heroick Spirits to an ambition of great and noble Enterprizes, whereby to me∣rit the Rewards which remain in the Power of the Sultan to gratify them with. And also to help in the just computation of the number of Men the Turk can bring into the Field, every Pascha being obliged, for every 5000 Aspers ••••••nt, to bring a Souldier to the War; though notwithstanding, they often appear, for osten∣tation and gain of the Grand Signior's Favour, with more Men than their own Complement: as in the last War with Germany, the Beglerbeg of Romania brought 10000 effective Men into the Field.

Of these Beglerbegs, five have the Titles of Viziers, which signifies as much as Counsellors, viz. the Pascha's of Anatolia, Babylon, Cairo, Ro∣mania and Buda; which are charges of the greatest Riches, Power, and Fame; the others have their pre-eminence, rank or order, ac∣cording to the priority of Conquest, and Anti∣quity in the possession of the Turks.

These are all the great Governments of the Empire, in whose respective Jurisdictions are al∣ways three principal Officers, viz. the Mufti, the Reis Efendi, otherwise called Reis Kitab, which is, Lord Chancellor, or Secretary of State, or rather those two Offices united into one; the third is T••fterdar Pashaw, or Lord Treasurer. These three Officers are near Councellors and Attendants on their Pashaws; and so also they are on the Prime Vizier, whose Mufti, Reis Efendi, and Tefterdar, have a Superiority and dignity above others, and are to them as the Original to the Copy.

Of the Mufti we shall speak in due place. The Reis Efendi, which signifies chief of the Writers or Book-men; (for the Turks call always Men of the Law, and Professors of the Pen, and Paro∣chial Priests by the Title of Efendi) is always present and attending on the Vizier, for passing Orders, Decrees, Patents and Commissions in∣to all parts of the Empire; which are daily dis∣patched in those Numbers into all Places, as is incredible; for the Turks governing more by their Arbitrary Power, and according to the Exi∣gencies of Affairs, than by a set Rule or Form, every Business requires its distinct Order; and the very Courts of Justice are moderated ac∣cording to the Commands and Directions they receive from Above; by which means the Reis Efendi's Hands are filled with such a multitude of Business, as employs great numbers of Writers; and consequently brings in Riches flowing to his Coffers; some in which Office, who by their Parts, Industry, and Courage, have gained Au∣thority and Respect, have amassed Wealth, which might compare with the Riches and Trea∣sure of Princes; We shall here instance in one of late years, famous in Turky, for his Know∣ledg and Riches, called Samozade; one who had piled those heaps of all things that were rich and curious, as were too tedious and long to in∣sert in a Catalogue in this place. It may suffice, that being executed in the time of the last Wars against the Emperor of Germany, for some Con∣spiracy against the Great Vizier, such a Treasure was found appertaining to him (all which was confiscated to the Grand Signior) as was suffi∣cient to have enriched and raised his Prince, had he been impoverished, and in a declining condition.

The other great Officer, is the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer, who receives the Revenue of the Grand Signior, and pays the Souldiery, and makes other publick Disbursements; this Office is different from the Treasurer of the Seraglio (of whom we have already spoken) who attends to nothing else but the Expences of the Court, and to gather in the accidental Profits and Pre∣sents paid to the Grand Signior; which is so considerable, that every Sultan (for the most part) amasses a particular Treasure of his own, which after his death is inclosed in a certain Chamber, and shut with an Iron Gate, and the Key-hole stopped with Lead; and over the Port is writ, in Golden Letters, The Treasures of such a Sultan. And this shall suffice to have been spo∣ken of the Offices and Dignities of the Empire.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Tartars and Tartar Han, and in what manner they depend upon the Turks.

THE Tartars may very well be accounted a∣mongst the other Princes subject to the Ot∣toman Power; I mean not the Asiatick Tartars, or the Tartar of Eusbeck (though so much Ma∣hometan as to wear green Turbants, and to de∣duce their Race from the Line of Mahomet him∣self) for having conquered China, and possessing a greater Empire than the Ottoman, they are far from acknowledging any subjection or degree of Inferiority to the Turk: nor are all the European Tartars Subjects to the Sultan; for the Kalmuk and Citrahan Tartars (Men of strange barbari∣ty, and countenance different from all the other Race of Mankind) though Professors of the Ma∣hometan Religion, are yet faithfully and piously

obedient to the Duke of Muscovy their lawful Prince.

But the Precopentian Tartar, which inhabits Taurica Chersonesus, now called Crim, the prin∣cipal City of which is Theodosia, now Cafa, and the Nagaentian Tartar, which inhabits by the Palus Meotis, between the Rivers of Volga and Tanais, are the People which may be accounted amongst the Subjects, or at least Confederates of this Empire; though only the City of Cafa, of all those Dominions, is immediatly in Possession and Government of the Turk, which in my opi∣nion appears to be a cautionary Town and Pledg for their Obedience; and though the Han, or Prince of the Country, is Elective, yet he is cho∣sen out of that true Line, and confirmed by the Grand Signiors, who have always taken upon them a Power to depose the Father, and in his place constitute the Son, or next of the Lineage, when found remiss in affording their Auxiliary helps to the War, or guilty of any disrespect or want of Duty to the Ottoman Port.

This present Han which now governs, called Mahomet Ghirei, (for that is the Sirname of his Family) remained, during the Life of his Fa∣ther (according to the custom of the eldest Son of this Prince) a Hostage to the Turk in Ian∣boli, a Town in Thrace, four days journey di∣stant from Adrianople, situate on the Euxine or Black Sea; but from thence, upon jealousy of too near a vicinity to his own Country, was re∣moved to Rhodes, where he passed an obscure and melancholy Life until the Death of his Fa∣ther; and then being recalled to Constantinople, had there his Sword girt on, swore Fealty to the Grand Signior, with all other Formalities per∣formed according to their Custom of Regal In∣auguration: But being setled in his Kingdom, and mindful of his Sufferings at Rhodes, he had ever stomached the Pride of the Ottoman Empe∣ror; by which, and the dissuasion of the Polo∣nians, and the other Neighbouring Tartars, as a thing dishonourable to so ancient and powerful a People, to resign the Heir of their Kingdom a Hostage to their Neighbours; this present Prince hath refused this part of Subjection, which the Vizier Kupriuli often complained of; but not be∣ing in a condition to afford a Remedy unto it, thought it prudent to dissemble.

But yet these People are esteemed as Brothers, or near Allies with the Turk, to whom, for want of Heirs Male in the Ottoman Line, the Empire is by ancient Compact to descend; the expecta∣tion of which, though afar off, and but almost imaginary, doth yet conserve the Tartar in as much observance to the Turk, as the hopes of an Estate doth a young Gallant, who is allured to a complacency and obsequiousness, with the petu∣lant Humour of a Father that adopts him, who is resolved never to want Heirs of his own Fami∣ly. And thus the Tartar is as obedient as other Subjects; and though the Turk exercises not his Power there by Commands, as in other places of his Dominions, but treats all his Business by way of Letters; yet these Letters serve in the place of Warrants, for the signification of the Grand Signior's Pleasure, and are as available as the * 1.20 Autogra, and other Formalities of the Impe∣rial Edict, are in other places (in subjection to the Turk).

When the Sultan writes to the Cham of Tar∣tary, he uses this style,

To the Government wherein flourishes the Mass, and Original of Regency, on which Fortune depends, and by which Felicity is obtained. Possessor of Excel∣lent Power, and Established Glory, ele∣cted by the Favour of that King from whom Succours are to be demanded. The King of Grim, Gian, Begh, Ghirai Chaw, whose Heighth be for ever maintained.

After respect had to those Blessings, which are freighted with Amber, and Salutations per∣fumed with Narcissus, proceeding from the Imperial Grace. Be it known unto you, &c.

By ancient Compact between the Empire and the Kingdom of Tartary, it is agreed, that when∣soever the Grand Signior goes in Person to the War••, the Tartar Han is to accompany him in Person, with an Army of one hundred thousand Men; but if the Vizier, or some other General be in the Field, then is he only obliged to send forty or fifty thousand under the command of his Son, or some principal Officer of his Kingdom, who are paid and maintained out of the Booty and Pillage they acquire.

In the Year 1663, the Tartar called on occa∣sion of the War in Hungary, to the assistance of the Turk, they made such Incursions into that Country, Moravia and Silesia, sacking and burn∣ing all Cities and Towns, that they carried away One hundred and sixty thousand Capti••e Souls in one Year; which precise number I am infor∣med from those who had received good infor∣mation of the Pengick or Certificates that were given upon every Head; for the Tartar being an absolute Free-booter, makes prize of all that comes within his Power; and lest he should prey on the Subjects of the Turk, they are bound to take out Attestations from certain Registers, of the Names, Countries, and Age of their Cap∣tives, lest they should deceive the Turk with the sale of those, who are already their own Sub∣jects and Slaves.

The Tartar is to the Turk, as the Giacal to the Lion, who hunts and finds the Prey for the Lion to overcome and feed: And so the Tartars make Incursions into the Neighbouring Coun∣tries round about, and pass in great Bodies, sometimes ten or twelve days, without doing the least damage or spoil in their Journey outward; but as soon as they turn their Faces Home, they rob, spoil, burn, and carry all the Inhabitants, of what Age of Sect soever, like a Torrent be∣fore them; and every one of them leading three or four Horses apiece, on which they mount their Captives, and load their Prey, make a running march Day and Night with few hours intermis∣sion for natural Repose, too fast for any order∣ly Army to overtake; and any other, that is not so, is not able to give them Battel. Such of their Slaves as in their journey are wounded and infirm, and not able to accompany the Camp, they kill; those which they bring safe into their own Country they sell to the Turks, who come thither to trade for this Merchandise, which is the most profitable Commodity that Tartary af∣fords. Young Boys and Girls are rated at the highest Price, the latter of which being beau∣tiful are like Jewels held at an unknown value; but few of them escape the lust of the Tartars, who deflower them even in the Years of their very infancy. This sort of People were by the Ancients called Sarmati, and were always fa∣mous for their exploits on Horseback, but heavy and ignorant of Foot-service; which Character Tacitus gives of them, Lib. 1. Hist. Omnis Sar∣matum

virtus quasi extra ipsos, nihil ad pedestrem pugnam, tam ignavum ubi per turmas advenere, v••x ulla acies obstiterit, iners videtur sudore acqui∣rere, quod possis sanguine parare, mirâ diversitate naturae cum iidem homines sic ament inertiam, & oderint quietem: They live very hardly, and feed especially on Horse-flesh, which dying in their march, they never examine his Diseases, whe∣ther surfeited or overheated; but distributing his Flesh amongst their Companions, place it under their Saddles: and thus baked between the heat of the Man and the Horse, chafed with that day's labour, is a night judged sufficiently prepared, as a Dish fit for the Table of their Prince.

And as the Men are nourished with a Diet of raw Flesh, Herbs and Roots, or such as the Earth naturally produces, without the concoction of the Fire to prepare it for their Stomachs, so also their Horses are of a hardy temperament, pa∣tient of Hunger and Cold; and in the sharp Winter of those Countries, when the ground is covered with Snow, nourish themselves with the B••rks of Trees, and such Herbage as they can find at the bottom of the deep Snow.

Their Towns or Villages consist of Huts ra∣ther than Houses, or Hurdles made with Sticks and covered with a course hair-Cloth; of which Villages there are accounted Two hundred thou∣sand, so that taking one Man out of every Vil∣l••ge (as their custome is when they go to the War) they speedily form an Army of Two hun∣dred thousand fighting Men. But now having carried great Riches out of Poland, and gained a considerable Wealth by the Market of their Sla••es, some of them throw off their homely Plads to wear Sables, and some more frugal, employ their Mony for building Houses; the riotous and dissolute are addicted to strong Wa∣ters, and a drink called Boza made of a certain Seed (which drank in a great quantity doth in∣toxicate, and is now much in use amongst the Turks) and give themselves up to a gluttony, as brutish, as that which is natural unto Swine, having no art of Sauces to provoke their Appe∣tite, but rest delighted with the mere content∣ment of Idleness and a full Stomach.

But this shall be sufficient to have spoken of the relation the Tartars have to the Government of the Turk, and their subjection to this Empire, their Customs and Manners being more amply and fully described in other Books.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Tributary Princes to the Grand Sig∣nior, viz. Moldavians, Walachians, Tran∣sylvanians, Raguseans, &c.

THE Power and Puissance of an Empire is not more judged of by the many Go∣vernours, the rich Offices it can dispose of, the multitude of Provinces it contains in Obedience, and the necessity it can impose on other Princes to seek its confederacy (which we have already treated of) than it is by the many Tributaries which to redeem the remainder of their worldly Goods, willingly sacrifice the best part to ap∣pease his Fury, in whose Power it is to master all: and so these distressed Nations, long wea∣ried out with tedious Wars, oppressed between the Emperor of Germany, the Polander, and the Turk, and more damaged by their own Civil Dis∣sentions, and Domestick Perfidiousness, than vanquished by the Force of Arms, were forced at last to surrender up their fruitfull Provinces to the devotion of the Turk, which are now harassed and oppressed beyond all expression, and are the meerest Slaves to the Turk of all o∣ther his Subjects; and may well be compared to the industrious Bee and profitable Sheep, whom he cares for and maintains alive for the sake of their Honey, and the interest of their Wool; and as if all this were too little, when it shall be so thought fit, he opens the Gate to the Incursions of the Tartar, who having gained a considerable booty of Goods and Captives, sells to the Turks for Slaves, those which were before his Subjects. These three poor Provinces formerly called the Daci, which withstood so long the Roman Arms, were always esteemed a valiant and warlike Peo∣ple, according to that of Virgil, lib. 8. Aen.

Indomitique Dacae, & pontem Indignatus Araxes.

Et Juvenal. Sat. 5.

Dacius & scripto radiat Germanicus antro.

Which Countries have been the Graves and Cemeteries of the Turks, and in these modern Times been the Stage on which so many Trage∣dies of War have been acted, being defended with as much valour and variety of Successes, as could humanely be expected in so unequal a Match as was between those Provinces singly and the Ottoman Empire. But now at last they are for∣ced to yield, and become not only Tributaries, but Slaves and Subjects to the Turk, who having deprived them of the true Line of their natural Princes suceeding in a lawful Inheritance, place over them some Christians of the Greek Church, without consideration of their Conditions or Riches, or Qualifications; nay rather chuse to give the Standard (which is the sign of the Grand Signior's Confirmation of the Prince) to some inferiour Person, as Taverners, Fishmongers, or other meaner Professions, purposely to disparage the People with the baseness of their Gover∣nours, and expose them to the oppressions of Men of no Worth or Dexterity in their Office. It hath several times been under the considera∣tion of the Turks, at length to reduce these three Provinces to the command of so many Pashaws; contrary to the Original Capitulations agreed on at the time that these People first sub∣mitted to the Ottoman Yoke: but as yet it hath been carried to the contrary, as more profita∣ble, and better serving the Ends of the Empire; for hereby Christians become the Instruments of Torment to their own Brethren; Outrages and Spoils may be the more boldly acted; more Turkish Officers employed on every slight Occa∣sion on gainful Messages; and the People, by long Oppressions, living under the Jurisdiction of a Prince, who can rather spoil than protect, may be reconciled more willingly to the Turkish Government, and learn to value the Gentleness and Power of a Pasha, compared with the re∣membrance of their former Agrievances. But of this Government they will rather let them imagine the Ease and Sweetness, than enjoy it; for were a Pashaw the Governor, the Power of a Turk would be concerned for their Protection, he would esteem himself their Patron, and his Honour engaged in their Defence, by which Means these Countries would be relieved in a great measure of Extortions and Violences, which is not so beneficial to the Turk, as the pre∣sent miserable Estate in which they remain.

* 2.1Moldavia called by the Turks Bugdan, was first made Tributary to the Turks by Mahomet the Great, but under the small Tribute of 2000 Crowns per Annum;* 2.2 afterwards Bogdanus, Vay∣vod thereof, Anno 1485, fearing to become ab∣solute Vassal to the Turk, taking to his Associati∣on the Kingom of Poland, took up Arms against Selymus the Second, by whom being drawn out from his Country, Iohn a Moldavian born, but one who had embraced the Mahometan Super∣stition, was preferred by Selymus to the Princi∣pality; but no sooner was he setled therein, but he returned to his former Religion, for which cause the Turk taking into his assistence the Pro∣vince of Walachia, made War upon Moldavia; but Iohn the Vayvod by treachery losing his Life, this Province fell totally into the Power of the Turk, and was united to his Empire in the Year 1574. The Tribute in those days of this Pro∣vince is recorded in the Turkish History to have been 40000 Zechins, or 80000 Dollars; but now whatsoever may be reported, the Tribute of these Countries is, or was, the Reader may take this following Account for what is certainly paid, being related to me from one who had many Years been employed for Vayvod, both in Moldavia and Walachia by the Turk, viz. the yearly Tribute of Moldavia is,

• * 2.31. To the Grand Signior, 120 Purses of Mo∣ny; each Purse containing 500 Dollars, makes 60000 Dollars.
• 2. Ten thousand Okes of Wax, each Oke being two pounds and a half English weight.
• 3. Ten thousand Okes of Honey.
• 4. Six hundred Quintals of Tallow for the Arsenal.
• 5. Five hundred Ox Hides.
• 6. Five hundred Pieces of Canvas for Cloa∣thing, and Shirts for the Slaves, and others Ser∣vices for the Gallies.
• 7. One thousand three hundred and thirty Okes of Wax, for the service of the Arsenal.
• 8. To the chief Vizier ten Purses of Mony, or 5000 Dollars, and a Sables Fur for a Vest.
• 9. To the Viziers Kahija, or chief Steward, one Purse, or 500 Dollars.
• 10. To the Tefterdar, or Lord Treasurer, the same as to the Kahija.

This is the ordinary and annual Tribute this Country acknowledges to the Supremacy of the Sultan; and it were well and happy for this Peo∣ple were it all; but there are so many acciden∣tal Expences, Pretensions, and Artifices of the Turks, framed and contrived Messages merely to extract Mony and Presents from this oppres∣sed and harassed People, as do more than equal, and sometimes double the charge of their year∣ly Tribute.

To which you may add the Price paid for the Principality, which is every three Years set to sale, and is,

* 2.4To the Grand Signior 150 Purses, or 75000 Dollars.

To the Valede or Queen-mother 50 Purses, or 25000 Dollars.

To the Grand Signior's Favourite, who is commonly some handsome young Youth, 10 Pur∣ses, or 5000 Dollars.

And to the Kuslir Aga or chief Black Eunuch, who is Superintendent over the Ladies in the Se∣raglio, 10 Purses of Mony.

And lastly, To the Prime Vizier and other Officers, for as much as they can beat the Bar∣gain.

All which Mony is taken up at Interest at 40 or 50 per Cent. and sometimes on condition to be doubled; and this is done by Men, who having no Estates of their own, the Debt comes to be charged on their Country, which is pillaged and poled for it to the very Bones, first to sa∣tisfy the Price of the Principality with the In∣terest-mony, for what it is valued, then to pay the annual Tribute, then to satisfy the multi∣tude of covetou•• Turks, who like so many Vul∣tures pursue after the Skeleton of this consumed Carkass.

And lastly, the Prince himself must take his Accounts, and take his Measures to be capable for the future, after he hath laid aside the Or∣nament of his Office, to live in some proporti∣on agreeable to his past Condition; and this is neither done moderately nor modestly, but with a covetousness and greedy Appetite, com∣monly incident to the nature of Men born of mean Parentage, and educated with the parsi∣mony of a scanty House; who also thereunto add many grains of allowance to the limits of ther Gains, in consideration of the yearly Gra∣tuities they must make to reconcile the Friend∣ship of the Turkish Ministers, whereby they may enjoy protection for their Persons and Estates.

The State and Condition of the Province of Walachia is not better, but rather worse, and more afflicted than that of Moldavia; for this Country, is now equally with the former in the sole and entire disposal and possession of the Turk, to whom it became first Tributary under their own Princes in the time of Sultan Bajazet: Afterward in the Year 1462, Mahomet the Great undertook the entire Conquest of it, then governed by its Vayvod Wladus, whose younger Brother supported by the Turks, and Factious Party in that Country, possessed himself of the Principality, contenting himself to be Vassal to the Turkish Empire; afterwards in the Year 1595, Michael and Vayvod thereof joining himself with Sigismund of Transylvania, and with the Vayvod of Moldavia, waged a long and terrible War against the Turks, until Revolutions, Un∣quietness and Factions have so spent them, as that they are at length become another addition to the Empire of the Turks, who now impose on them a heavy Yoke and strait Curb, not to be imputed to any thing more than to Divine Justice, which takes occasion to exercise a hand of Severity against the unseasonable negligence, Sedition, and Variance of Christians amongst themselves, at a time when the common Enemy to their profession attended only the opportunity of their own Dissentions, to enter and devour them.

The Tribute of Walachia to the Grand Signi∣or was formerly 120 Purses of Mony, or 60000 Dollars yearly, according to that of Moldavia, and so still continued, had not lately Mathew the Vayvod about the Year 1655, grown rich, and therefore forgetful of his Condition (having by Friends and large Presents at the Port, procured a continuation of his Office for the space of nine∣teen or twenty Years) rebelled against the Turk, taking false measures of his Wealth and Power, as able to encounter with the puissance of the Ottoman Empire; but being soon put to the worst, and forced to yield, his Life was spared and the safety of his Country redeemed upon the augmentation of their Tribute; so that now, that which was yearly paid, being 120 Purses of Mony,

• 1. Is become to the Grand Signior 260 Purses,* 2.5 or 130000 Dollars.
• 2. There is paid 15000 Okes of Honey▪
• 3. Nine thousand Okes of Wax.
• ...

• 4. To the Prime Vizier ten Purses of Mony, or 5000 Dollars, and a Vest of Sables.
• 5. To the Tefterdar, or Lord Treasurer, one Purse of Mony, or 50 Dollars, and a Vest of Sables.
• 6. To the Kuslir Aga, or chief Eunuch of the Women 12000 Aspers.
• 7. To the Vizier's Kahija or Steward 500 Dol∣lars, and a Vest of Sables.

The other Charges and Value set on this Pro∣vince, when triennially sold, is no less than that of Moldavia; the Method and Art used for ex∣torting Mony from thence are the same, the Op∣pression in every point equal, unless the remem∣brance of the extravagant disorder of Matthew the Vayvod still kept in mind, emboldens the Turk, with more confident Pretences, to work more Desolation and Impoverishment in this Province.

Now lately a Prince was setled there by Or∣der of the Grand Signior, in the Year 1664, called Stridia Bei by the Greeks, which signifies a Lord that had gained some Fortune from selling Oysters and Fish; this Person succeeded Gre∣gorasco the late Prince, who fearing the Anger of the Prime Vizier for returning Home with his Army without Licence, defeated by General Susa near Lewa, fled for safety of his Life into the Dominions of the Emperor. The Turks, who always avenge the Crimes of the Govern∣ours on the People, or of the Subjects on the Governours, raised the Price of the Principality to a higher value, causing Stridia Bei (as I am confidently informed, who was contented to ac∣cept it at any Rate) to pay for it 800 Purses of Mony, or 400000 Dollars; to which being added the Interest before-mentioned, the Sum may easily be computed that this new Vayvod en∣gulfed himself in; and I leave the Reader to imagine with what glad Hearts and Blessings the People of that Country went forth to receive their Bankrupt Prince.

Nor is Transylvania wholly exempted from the Oppression of the Turk; for after several Re∣volutions, from the time of Huniades made Vay∣vod by Vladislaus the fourth King of Hungary, Anno 1450, a great Defender of his Country against the Infidels, until the time of Stephen the Seventh, sirnamed Ragotzki, Patronized by the Turks, Anno 1450. This Principality remained sometimes at the Devotion and Disposal of the King of Hungary, of Poland, of the Emperor, and sometimes of the Turk; until by the grow∣ing greatness of the Ottomans, the Turks became Masters of the best part of this Country. But yet Transylvania is more tenderly and more ho∣nourably treated than the other two Provinces, their Tribute being much less, and their Prin∣ces chosen for the most part more regularly from the ancient Line, or at least from the honoura∣ble Houses of the Boyars or Nobility, who have an affinity or alliance with the true Blood of the former Vayvods. Their ancient Tribute was only 6000 Zechins yearly, but afterwards were added 9000 more annually, for acknowledgment of certain Castles which Ragotzki had taken from Poland, which the Turk demanded to have resig∣ned into his possession, were for that Sum re∣deemed, and still detained in the Hands of the Transylvanians; over and above which they only pay 300 Dollars and two Silver Bowls to the seven Viziers of the Bench: And this is all the acknowledgment they make to the Turk, who demonstrates more respect always to this Prince and his Messages, than those of the Neighbour Provinces, by reason that that Country is not to∣tally in his Power (certain strong Fortresses be∣ing in the hand of the Emperor of Germany) for whose sake this People is more gently dealt with, lest too much severity should occasion them to revolt; and this consideration induced the Turks to treat modestly with Michael Apafi the Prince of this Country in the late Wars in Hungary, by trusting much to his Conduct, by using him like an honourable Confederate, by permitting him freely to possess Zekelhyd after its voluntary Surrender in a Mutiny, without the controllment or superintendency of a Turk as his Superiour; and for his farther encourage∣ment, gave out, that when the Sultan had to∣tally subdued Hungary, those parts which were not subject to Pashaws, should be annexed to his Dominions, and he honoured with the Title of King of Hungary.

These Princes of the three foregoing Provin∣ces, are farther obliged to serve the Grand Sig∣nior in his Wars, whensoever summoned there∣to; but with what number, and in what man∣ner, we reserve for its due place in the Treatise of the Turks Militia and Auxiliaries.

The City and small Dominion of Ragusi, is also another Tributary to the Turk; which is a petty Common-Wealth, not vouchsafed the Ti∣tle of a Republick, neither by the Venetians, nor the Pope, and only styled la Communità di Ragusi, which is a Town in Dalmatia, commanding over a narrow and barren Territory of a few Villages, which for the space of 150 miles ex∣tends it self along the Sea Coast, and some lit∣tle Islands of no great consideration: It was anciently called Epidaurus (of which name there were two other Cities in Peloponnesus) but that being razed by the Goths, the Inhabitants after their departure rebuilt again this City of Ragusi, giving it a new Name, as well as a new Founda∣tion. The Government of it, in the nature of a Common-Wealth, is more ancient than that of Venice, having preserved it self more by Art and Submission to some powerful Protector, than to its own Force; which caused them to court the Friendship of the Turk, before he was Master of any part of Europe; and as their Re∣cords report, it was upon the Advice of a Holy Nun, esteemed a great Saint amongst them, who prophesying of the future greatness of the Turkish Empire, assured them, That the only Means to preserve, for many Ages, their Com∣mon-Wealth free and happy, was, to submit themselves to one of the most prosperous of Princes, to whose Dominion the best part of the World should be subdued. Whereupon two Ambassadors were dispatched to the City of Prusa, (then the Regal Seat, before the utter ruin of the Grecian Empire) with Presents to the Sultan Orchanes, desiring to become his Tri∣butaries; and in consideration thereof to strengthen their weak Common-Wealth with as∣sistance, under the shadow of his prevalent Pro∣tection. There is no doubt, but the Sultan then received them the more courteously, and pro∣mised the maintenance of a former League, by how much the distance they were at as yet, gave them the less cause to fear his Arms; wherefore the Tribute being agreed on, of Twelve thou∣sand and five hundred Zechins yearly, they were returned Home with all demonstrations of Cour∣tesy, and assurances of Defence: Orchanes en∣tred into Articles with them, bestowed on them a Grant of all the Immunities and Priviledges they desired, the which he signed with the form of his whole hand wetted in Ink, and clapped on the Paper, which was all the Firm and Seal

in those days, and is now reverenced amongst the Turks with the same esteem, as the Iews do the Tables of Moses, or we the most Sacred and Holy Reliques; ever since that time this Tribute hath yearly continued, and been brought always in the month of Iuly by two Ambassadors, who reside at the Turkish Court for the space of a Year, the former returning Home; these are re∣lieved at the same Season of the following Year, by the accession of two others with the like Tri∣bute; which with the Presents they also bring to the Prime Vizier, chief Eunuch of the Wo∣men, the Queen-Mother and other Sultans, with the Charges and Expences of the Embassy, is computed to amount yearly to the Sum of twen∣ty thousand Zechins.

They were in Times past, before the War be∣tween the Republick of Venice and the Turk, ve∣ry Poor, and put to hard Shifts and Arts to raise the Turkish Tribute; but this War hath opened their Scale, and made it the Port for transmitting the Manufactures of Venice, and all Italy into Turkey, which yields them such consi∣derable Customs, as thereby their Tribute is supplied with Advance, and other Necessities provided for: So that now the old Ornaments of the Ambassadors, as their black Velvet Bon∣nets, and Gowns of Crimson Satten, lined here∣tofore with Martins Fur, but now with Sables, are not laid up in the common Wardrobe for the Ambassadors of the succeeding Year, but a new Equipage and Accoutrements are yearly supplied at the common Charge: and thus they pass honestly and in good esteem at the Ottoman Court, being called the Dowbrai Vendick by the Turks, or the Good Venetian.

This petty Republick hath always supported it self by submission, and addresses for Favour and Defence to divers powerful Princes, cour∣ting the Favour of every one, never offering In∣juries, and when they receive them, patiently support them; which is the cause the Italians call them le sette Bandiere, or the seven Bannerers, sig∣nifying that for their Being and Maintenance of the name of a free Republick, they are contented to become Slaves to all parts of the World. And it is observable on what a strange form of jea∣lous Policy their Government is founded; for their chief Officer, who is in imitation of their Doge at Venice, is changed every month, others weekly; and the Governour of the principal Castle of the City, is but of 24 hours continu∣ance; every night one is nominated by the Se∣nate for Governor, who is without any Prepara∣tion or Ceremony taken up as he walks the Streets, having a Handkerchief thrown over his Face, is led away blindfold to the Castle, so that none can discover who it is that commands that Night; and by that means all possibility of Con∣spiracy or Combination of betraying the Town, prevented.

These People, in former Times, were great Traders into the Western Parts of the World; and it is said, that those vast Caracks called Ar∣gosies, which are so much famed for the vastness of their Burthen and Bulk, were corruptly so denominated from Ragosies, and from the Name of this City, whose Port is rather forced by Art and Industry, than framed by Nature.

* 2.6Some of the Provinces also of Georgia, for∣merly Iberia; but now supposed to be called from St. George the Cappadocian Martyr, and the poor Country of Mengrelia, are also Tributaries to the Turk, who every three Years send Messen∣gers with their Sacrifice to the Grand Siginior of seven young Boys, and as many Virgins a-piece, besides other Slaves, for Presents to great Men; this People chuse rather this sort of Tribute than any other, because Custom hath introduced a forwardness in the Parents, without remorse, to sell their Children, and to account Slavery a Preferment, and the miseries of Servitude a better Condition than Poverty with Freedom. Of the whole retinue which these Beggarly Am∣bassadors bring with them, (for so the Turks cal∣led them) being about seventy or eighty Per∣sons, a crue of miserable People are all set to sale, to the very Secretary and Steward, to de∣fray the Charge of the Embassy, and bring back some Revenue to the Publick Stock; so that the Ambassadors return without their Pomp, reser∣ving only the Interpreter as a necessary Atten∣dant to their Voyage home.

The Emperor of Germany may also not im∣properly be termed one of the Tributaries to the Ottoman Empire, (whom for Honour's sake we mention in the last place in so ungrateful an Office) being obliged, according to the Articles made with Solyman the Magnificent, to pay a yearly Tribute of 3000 Hungars; but it was only paid the first two Years after the conclusion of the Peace; afterwards it was excused by the Germans, and dissembled by the Turks; until taking a resolution to make a War on Hungary, made that one Ground and Occasion of the Breach: for upon the Truce made for eight Years, between Sultan Solyman, and the Empe∣ror Ferdinand, as Augerius Busbeck reports in those Capitulations, that the Tribute is made the Foundation of the Accord. Cujus concordiae, pacis ac confoederationis hae conditiones sunto primè ut tua dilectio quotannis ad aulam nostram pro arra induciarum 30000 Hungaricos Ducatos mittere te∣neatur, unà cum residuo, quod nobis proxime prae∣terlapsum biennium reservetur.

CHAP. XV. The Desolation and Ruin which the Turks make of their own Countries in Asia, and the Parts most remote from the Imperial Seat, esteemed one cause of the conserva∣tion of their Empire.

THIS Position will appear a Paradox at first sight to most Men who have read and con∣sider'd the Roman Conquest, whose ••urisdiction and Dominions were far larger than this present Empire; and yet we do not find that they so stu∣diously endeavoured to dispeople, and lay waste the Nations they subdued, but rather encoura∣ged industry in Plantations, gave Privileges to Cities meanly stored, invited People to inhabit them, endeavoured to improve Countries rude and uncultivated, with good Husbandry, and Maritime Towns with Traffick and Commerce; made Citizens of their Confederates, and con∣ferred on their conquered Subjects oftentimes greater Benefits than they could expect or hope for under their true and natural Princes; and certainly the Romans thrived, and were richer and more powerful by their Policy; and there∣fore why the Turk might not proceed in the same manner, and yet with the same advantage, is worth our consideration.

For the Solution of which Difficulty, it will be necessary to consider, that these two Empires being compared, there will be found a vast dif∣ference in the Original, Foundation, Progress

and Maxim•• each of other. For the Romans built their City in Peace, made Laws, by which the Arbitrary Will of the Prince was corrected; and afterward, as their Arms succeeded, and their Dominions were extended, they accommo∣dated themselves often to present Necessities and Humours, and Constitutions of the People they had conquered, and accordingly made Provi∣sion, and used proper Arts to keep them in Obe∣dience; and next, by their Generosity and Wisdom, won those Nations to admire and imi∣tate their Vertues, and to be contented in their Subjection.

But the Turks have but one sole Means to maintain their Countries, which is the same by which they were gained, and that is the cruelty of the Sword in the most rigorous way of exe∣cution, by Killing, Consuming, and laying de∣solate the Countries, and transplanting unto parts where they are nearest under the Command and Age of a Governor; being wholly destitute and ignorant of other resined Arts, which more civi∣lized Nations have in part made to serve in the place of Violence. And yet the Turks made this course alone answer to all the Intents and Ends of their Government.

For the Subjects of this Empire being go∣verned better by Tyranny than Gentleness, it is necessary, that courses should be taken, whereby these People may remain more within compass and reach of Authority; which they would hard∣ly be, were every part of this Empire so well inhabited to afford entertainment within the Fortifications of its vast Mountains and Woods, to the many unquiet and discontented Spirits that live in it. And this may be one cause, that so rarely Rebellions arise amongst the Turks, though in the remotest parts of Asia; and when they do, are easily suppressed. This also is one Cause, why great Men so easily resign themselves up the Will of the Grand Signior to Punish∣ment and Death, whether the Sentence be ac∣cording to Law, or only Arbitrary: This is the reason that Fugitives and Homicides cannot escape; for having no place for flight, neither the inhabited Cities, which are immediately un∣der the Eye of a vigilant Commander, will af∣ford them refuge, nor can the desolate Coun∣tries entertain them; and Christendom is so abhorred by them, that they will never take it for their Sanctuary. And thus deprived of all means of Safety, they wholly attend to please and serve their Great Master, in whose Favour and Hands alone is the Reward and Punish∣ment.

Another Advantage, and that not inconside∣rable, that this manner of dispeopling the Coun∣try brings to this Empire, is the difficulty an Enemy would find in their March, should they with a Land Army attempt to penetrate far into the Country; for without great quantities of Provision they could not possibly be sustained; from the Country none can be expected; what little it affords, the Inhabitants will conceal or carry away, and leave all Places as naked and barren of Food for Man as the Sea it self.

And though it is known often, that in Asia the Troops of some discontented Bei or Aga, to the number of three or four hundred Men, in the Summer-time, having their retirements in the Woods and Mountains, assault Caravans, and rob all Passengers from whom there is any hope of Booty; yet in the Winter they are disper∣sed, because they have no Quarters against the Weather, nor Provisions for humane Suste∣nance, every one shifting for himself in some place where his Condition is the least known or suspected.

And it may not be here from our Purpose to admonish the Reader, that as the Turks account it one good part of their Policy, to lay a consi∣derable part of their Empire desolate; so on the contrary, they observe in their new Conquests to fortify, strengthen and confirm, what they have gained, by numbers of People, and new Colonies of their own; and when they have reduced any considerable Country to their sub∣jection, they commonly are inclined to make Peace with that Prince from whom they have won it, so as to have time to settle and secure their new Conquests; for Countries over-run in haste, are almost as speedily again recovered, and are like Tempests and sudden Storms, which are the sooner dispersed for being violent. Au∣gustus Caesar, who was a wise and judicious Prince, considering the extent of the Roman Empire, wrote a Book, saith Tacitus, which was published after his Death, wherein he described the publick Re••enue, the number of Citizens and Confederate, listed for the War, the Fleets, Kingdoms, Provinces, Tributes, Customs, &c. Addideratque insuper Consilium coercendi intra ter∣minos imperii, incertum, (saith that Author, Tac. Lib. 1. Annal.) metu, an per invidiam: Which doubtless this wise Emperor meant of a mode∣rate, and not a precipitate progress of their Arms, as well as of prescribing fixed limits to the ultimate Confines of the Empire, beyond which a Statute should be made of Non plus ultra, notwithstanding the most promising Designs and Incitements that could offer.

CHAP. XVI. All Hereditary Succession in Government, as also the preservation of an Ancient No∣bility, against the Maxims of the Tur∣kish Po••ity.

HAving formerly entred into Discourse of the several great Officers of State, it will be necessary to declare what care the Turks take to preserve the Body of their Empire free of Faction and Rebellion: for there being many Provinces in the Sultan's Gift, which are remote, rich, and powerful, and so administer temptation to the Governors to throw off the Yoke of their Dependance, and make themselves and their Posterity Absolute; great care is taken to pre∣vent this Mischief by several Arts, none of which hath been more effectual amongst the Turks, nor more sedulously practised, than the destruction of an Ancient Nobility; and admitting no suc∣cession to Offices of Riches, but only in the di∣rect Ottoman Line, as my Lord Verulam says, Essay 14. A Monarchy, where there is no Nobility at all, is ever pure and absolute Tyranny, as that of the Turks; for Nobility attempers Sovereignty, and draws the People somewhat aside from the Line Royal. By which means it comes to pass, that Pashaws Education in the Seraglio, (in the man∣ner as we have said before) without knowledg of their Blood or Family, and without the sup∣port of powerful Relations or Dependencies, being sent abroad to Foreign Governments, where they continue but for a short season, have no opportunity or possibility of advancing any Interest of their own above that of the Sultan.

And though some have, out of an aspiring and ambitious Spirit, assumed a blind Confidence of renting away part of the Empire; as Asan Aga Pashaw of Aleppo of late Years, with a strong and powerful Army marched as far as Scutary, threatning the Imperial City; and the Turkish History tells us of the revolt of several Pashaws; yet all these Rebellions have been but of short durance; the Grand Signior never design∣ing, by open Force and Dint of Sword, to try his Title to the Empire with his own Slaves, but only by some secret Plot and Strata∣gem, getting the Head of the Rebel, he is assu∣red of the Victory without other hazard or dispute of War: for immediately thereupon the whole Army disperses, and every one shifts by flight to save himself from the Sultan's Anger. Nor is it imaginable it can be otherwise; for these Men are but Strangers and Foreigners in the Countries they ruled, have no Relations there, or Kindred, to second or revenge their Quarrel, have no ancient Blood or Possessions which might entitle their Heirs to the Succession, or out of Affection or Pity, move their Subjects to interest themselves in their behalf; but being cut off themselves, and falls with them, which affords the strangest Spectacle, and Example of Fortune's unconstancy in the World; for a Turk is never reverenced but for his Office, that is made the sole Measure and Rule of his Greatness and Honour, without other considerations of Vertue or Nobility. And this is the Reason the Turks value not their great Men when taken by the Enemy; for not otherwise looking on them than on ordinary Souldiers, they exchange them not with Commanders and Persons of Quality on the Christians; for the Favour of the Sultan makes the Pashaw, and not the Noble Blood or Vertues; so that the Pashaw imprisoned, losing the influ∣ence of his Sovereign's Protection and Greatness, loses that also which render'd him noble and con∣siderable above other Persons.

There are notwithstanding some Pashaws of petty Governments, who have obtained to them∣selves, through some ancient Grace and Privilege from the Sultan, an Hereditary Succession in their Government, and as I can learn, those are only the Pashaws of Gaza, Cordistan, and three Sangiacks formerly mentioned under the Pashaw of Damascus and Matick, and Tur••man, under the Pashaw of Aleppo.

And since I have mentioned the Pashaw of Gaza, it will be but requisite to recal to mind the Memory of one lately of that place, with much Honour and Reverence, being one whose Actions and Devotion to the Christian Wor∣ship might conclude him not far from the King∣dom of God: for besides his favourable inclina∣tion in general, to all who professed the Christian Faith, he was much devoted to the Religious of Ierusalem, to whom he often made Presents, as Provisions of Rice and other Supplies for their Monastery; and when once the Father Guardian of the Holy Sepulchre came to make him a Visit, with great respect and reverence, he met him at a good distance from his House, giving him a reception much different from what the Turks usually bestow on any, who profess other than the Mahometan Faith: and might deserve the Cha∣racter that Tacitus gives of L. Volusius, that he was, Egregia fama, cui Septaginta quinque anni spatium vivendi, praecipueque opes bonis artibus, in∣offensa tot Imperatorum malitia fuit. And yet this good Man having for Seventy five Years lived Innocently in that Government, and recei∣ved the Inheritance from his Father, was by pro∣mise of fair Treatment allured to the Port, where without farher Process, or any accusation, his hoary Head was severed from his Body, for no other Reason, than lest the Permission and Indulgence to this long continuance and successi∣on in Office, should prove too ample a devia∣tion from the Rules of the Turkish Polity.

And that all means of attaining ancient Ri∣ches, which is the next degree to Nobility, may be cut off, the Turk observes this Maxime of Machiavel, à reprimere la insolensa di uno, non vie piu sicuro, emeno scandoloso modo, che preoccupargli quelle vie, per le quale viene quella potenza. And so the Grand Signior suffers no possibility of ar∣riving to ancient Wealth; for as eldest Bro∣ther to great Men, he makes seisure of the Estates of all Pashaws that die, who having Children, such part is bestowed on them for their maintenance as the Grand Signior shall think fit and requisite. If a Pashaw dies that is married to a Soltana, which is the Grand Signi∣or's Sister, Daughter, or other Relation, her Kabin or Dowry is first deducted from the Estate (which is commonly 100000 Dollars) and the remainder accrues to the Sultan, as Heir to the rest; and by this means all ancient Nobility is suppressed, and you shall find the Daughters of ancient Greek Houses espoused to Shepherds and Carters, and the ancient Reliques of the Noble Families of Catacuzeno and Paleologi, living more contemptuously at Constantinople, than ever Di∣ionysius did at Corinth.

But not only in Pashaws and great Men is care taken to clip their Wings, which may hinder them from soaring too high, but also in the Ottoman Family it self greater severity and strictness is exercised than in others, to keep them from growing great in Offices or Wealth, whereby to have possibility of aspiring to the Su∣preme Power; and therefore by the Original and Fundamental Laws of the Turks, the Children of a Soltana married to a Pashaw are not capable of any Office in the Empire, and at most cannot rise higher, than to be in the quality of a Capugiba∣shee, which is one of the Porters of the Grand Signior's Gate. They that are of this Race never dare vaunt of their Pedigree, it is a contu∣maciousness and almost Treason to name it; nor have I learned that there is any Family amongst the Turks of this Line, of any account or esteem, but one alone, who is called Ibrahim Hun Ogleri, or the Off-spring of Sultan Ibrahim, their Father being a Son of the Grand Signior's Sister, and married to a Sultana (and are said to be of the Race of the Tartars) so that pro∣ceeding by the Womens side only, the less no∣tice is taken of their Blood: their Rent or Re∣venue is yearly about 70000 Dollars, Quibus magnae opes, innocenter partae, & modeste habitae, which they manage with prudence and discreti∣on, live honourably without Ostentation, seek no Office, or intermeddle in the Affairs of State; by which means they hitherto have preserved themselves from envy and suspicion in the re∣volutions of the Turkish Government.

The Grand Signior, many times, when he fears the Greatness of any Pashaw, under colour and pretence of Honour, prefers him to the Marriage of his Sister,* 2.7 or some other of his Fe∣minine Kindred; by which means, instead of in∣creasing Power and Glory, he becomes the mi∣serablest Slave in the World, to the Tyranny and Pride of an insulting Woman: For, first, he cannot refuse the Honour, lest he should seem to neglect and contemn the Sultan's Favour; then before the Espousals, he must resolve to

continue constant to Her alone, and not suffer his Affections to wander on other Wives, Sla••es, or Distractions of his Love: If he hath a Wife whom he loves, whose long Conversati∣on and Children she hath brought him, have en∣deared his Affections too far to be ••orgotten; he must yet banish Her and all other Relations f••om his Home, to entertain the embraces of his unknown Sultana. Before the Espousals, what Mony, Jewels or rich Furs she sends for, he must, with complement and chearfulness, pre∣sent, which is called Aghirlick; besides this, he makes h••r a Dowry called Kabin, of as much as Friends that make the Match can agree; when the Kabin is concluded and passed before the Ju∣stice in form or nature of a Recognisance; the Bridegroom i•• conducted to the Chamber of his Bride by a B••ack Eunuch, at whose entrance the custome is, for the Sultana to draw her Dag∣ger, and imperiously to dem••nd the reason of hi•• bold Acc••ss, which he with much submission replies to, and shews the Emmeri Podeshaw, or the ••mperial Firm for his Marriage; the Sultana then arises, and with more kindness, admits him to nearer familiarity. The Eunuch takes up his S••ippers and lays them over the Door, (which is a sign of his good Reception) then he bows with all reverence before her to the ground, and retires a few paces back, making some brief Oration to her full of Complement and Admi∣ration of her Worth and Honour; and remain∣ing afterwards a while silent, in an humble po∣sture, bowing forward with his hands before him, until the Sultana commands him to bring her Water, which he readily obeys, taking a Pot of Water provided for that purpose, and kneeling before her, delivers it to her hand; then she takes off her red Veil from before her Face, embroidered with Gold and Silver Flow∣ers, and so drinks; in the mean time her Ser∣ving-maids bring in a low Table, on which are set a pair of Pigeons roasted, and a Plate of Sugar-candy; the Bridegroom then invites his coy Spouse to the Collation, which she refuses, until other Presents are brought her, which lie prepared in the outward Room; with which her Modesty being overcome, and her Stomach brought down, she is perswaded to the Table, and sitting down, recei••es a Leg of a Pigeon from the hand of her Bridegroom; tastes a little, and then puts a pi••ce of Sugar-candy into his Mouth; and so rising up, returns to her place. All the Attendants then retire, and leave the Bride∣groom a••one with his Soltana for the space of an ho••r to court her singly; that time being past, the Musick sounding, he is invited forth by his Friends to an outward Room where having past most of the Night with Songs and Sports, at the approach of the Morning, the Soltana weary of her pastime, retires to her Bed, which is richly adorned and perfumed, sit to entertain Nuptial Joys: The Bridegroom advised hereof by the n••d of the Eunuch, creeps silently into the Bride-chamber, where stripping himself of his upper Garments, he kneels a-while at the fe••t of the Bed, and then by little and little turn∣ing up the Clo••ths, gently rub•• her feet with his hand, and kissing of them, ascends higher to the embraces of his Spouse, which she wil∣lingly admits him to, and wishes her self and him a happy Bedding: in the morning betimes the Bridegroom is called by his Friends to the Bath; at whose call arising, he is presented by the Bride with all sorts of Linen to be used in B••thing. After these Ceremonies are past, they are better acqu••inted, yet in publick she keeps him at a distance, wears her Haniarre or Dagger by her side, in token of her Superiority; and so frequently commands Gifts and Riches from him, until she hath exhausted him to the bottom of all his Wealth.

Nor is this esteemed sufficient to mortify these poor Slaves by Womens Tyranny, but they are always put forward upon desperate attempts, as lately Ishmael Pashaw, who was killed passing the River Raab, in the overthrow given the Turks by the Emperor's Forces under Montecucu∣li: and others I could name in like manner; lest the honour of their Marriage in the Royal Family, without the crosses and mortifications which attend it, should puff them up with the ambition and proud thought, which is not law∣ful for them to imagine.

But it may well be objected how it came to pass that the present Prime Vizi••r, called Ahmet,* 2.8 should succed his Father Kuperlee in the Govern∣ment of the Empire. 'Tis true, it was a strange deviation from the general Rule of their Policy, and perhaps su••h a President as may never here∣after be brought into Example; but Accidents concur oftentimes to the Fortune of some Men without Order or Reason; and yet Kuperlee the Father, had so well deserved of the Sultan, and his whole Dominions, for having by his own Wisdom and Resolution saved the Empire from being rent in pieces by the Faction and ambi∣tion of some aspiring Persons, and by the Blood of thousands of Mutinous and Rebellious Heads, had cemented and made firm the Throne of his Master, that no Honour could be thought sufficient to be paid to his Ghost, unless it were the succession of his Son in his place; which the more unusual and irregular it was esteemed, the greater Glory it was to that Family; and here∣in also this subtile Fox plaid his Master-piece, by representing the state of Affairs to remain in that posture, as was necessary to be carried on with the same Method as begun; which he had entrusted to the knowledg of his Son; and this was the Reason why this young Vizier then scarce arrived to thirty Years, and but an ordinary Kadee or Justice of the Law, was both, as to his Age and Relation, thus irregularly preferred to the Office of Vizier.

Nor hath Hereditary Succession, nor long con∣tinuance in Authority, been only avoided a∣mongst the Turks; but we find that the Romans often changed their Governors, and never suf∣fered them to continue long in one Province. And so the King of Spain doth at present in the Government of Flanders, the Indies, the King∣dom of Naples, and other parts, the space of three Years being commonly allotted them for their Residence.

But amongst the Turks there is no fixed term of Time appointed to their Pashaws, but only they remain as Tenants at Will of the Grand Signior; who, according to his Pleasure, and as he sees Reason, cuts them off, recalls them, or transplants them to another Province; only the Pashaw of Grand Cairo in Egypt, hath a cer∣tain space of three Years appointed, to which his Government is confined; and there may be very good reason for it, for it being a place of great Trust, Riches, and Power, in which Pa∣shaws grow in a short time vastly wealthy, it cannot be wisdom to continue them long there; the Revenue of which we have had occasion al∣ready to discourse of. And therefore the Grand Signior doth often, not only abbreviate their time, but also at their return shares in the best part of the Prizes they have made.

The Romans had that Opinion of the Wealth and Power of Egypt, that Augustus made a De∣cree, and held it inter alia dominationis arcana, that it should not be lawful for any, without particular Licence to enter Egypt, and expresly forbids Senators and Gentlemen of Rome, with∣out Order from the Prince, or for the Affairs of State,* 2.9 to visit those Parts. And Tacitus gives this reason for it; Ne fama urgeret Italiam quis∣quis eam Provinciam, clustraque terrae ac maris, quamvis levi praesidio adversum ingentes exercitus insedisset.

Another Danger to the Empire, which the Turks sedulously avoid, besides Hereditary Suc∣cession in Office, is Rivalry among Princes of the Blood, during the time of their Father's Life; for afterwards the Successor takes care to secure his Brethren beyond possibility of competition. The Story of Selymus and Bajazet, the Sons of Solyman the Magnificent, is a perfect Experi∣ment of the Feud and Dissention which is bred in the Desires of Barbarous Princes; so that when they arrive to any maturity of Age, they are always transplanted to different S••raglio's Abroad, where they keep their Courts distinct, and cannot enter within the Walls Constantinople, during the Life of their Father; lest by inter∣view with each other, their Minds should be mo∣ved with Emulation, or inhabiti••g in the Impe∣rial City, should be provided with Means before their Time to attempt the Throne of their Fa∣ther. And for this Reason the Grand Signior hath scarce performed the Ceremonies of his Inauguration, before he hath seasoned his en∣trance to his Throne with the Blood of his Bro∣thers; which barbarous custom began in the time of Sultan Bajazet.

But if the Brothers are but few, and the Grand Signior of a disposition more naturally inclined to Clemency than Cruelty, he secures them in the Seraglio, under the tuition of Ma∣sters, and care of a faithful Guard; differing nothing from Imprisonment, but in the Name, prohibiting them the Socity and Conversation of all: and thus the two Brothers of this pre∣sent Sultan Mahomet, live in as much obscurity and forgetfulness, as if they had never been born, or having past a private Life, were de∣parted to the place where all things were for∣gotten.

It is no great digression from our purpose here, to take notice of two sorts of Govern∣ments purely popular; the one hath already had its Period, and the other is of late beginning, and at present flourishes; and those are the Common-Wealths of Egypt under the Mama∣lukes, and the other in our days in the Domi∣nions of Algier: The first not only deposed the whole Family of their Prince from having Power in the Government, and from all Succession, but also made it an immutable Law, that the Sons of the Mamalukes might succeed their Father in the Inheritance of their Estates, as Lands and Goods, but could not assume the Title or Go∣vernment of a Mamaluke; nor not only so, but that all that were born in the Mahometan or Iewish Faith, were uncapable, ipso facto, of the Order of a Mamaluke; and only such preferred thereunto, who had been Sons of Christians, and become Slaves, instructed and educated in the Mahometan Superstition; or else Men of ma∣ture Age, who having abjured God and their Country, were come thither to seek Preferment in that Kingdom of Darkness. And this slavish and strange Constitution of Government, flou∣rished for the space of two hundred sixty seven Years, until overthrown in the Year of our Lord 15••7, by the Arms of S••limus that victo∣rious Emperor of the Turks.

The persent Government of Algier is but of a few Years; the first Original of which was by one Barbarose a famous Pyrat, and afterwards by the accession of great quantities of Turks out of the Levant, the Protection of the Grand Sig∣nior was craved, and a Pasha received from the Port; but now the Pasha remains without any Power: the whole Government being trans∣ferred to the Scum of the People, who fearing lest the Power should at last become subject to the Natives, have made it a Law, that no Sons of a Turk born in that Country, whom they call Co∣lolies, can be capable of an Office in their Com∣mon-Wealth, but only such, who having been born Christians, are perverted ••o the Turkish Sect, or else such who come from parts of the Turkish Dominions, to be Members of their Republick.

And thus much shall serve to have declared how much the Turks are jealous of all Succes∣sions in Office and Authority, which may pre∣judice the Absolute Monarchy of their great Sul∣tan.

CHAP. XVII. The frequent Exchange of Officers, viz. the setting up of one, and degrading another, a Rule always practised as wholsome, and conducing to the Welfare of the Turkish State.

HE that is an Eye-witness, and strict ob∣server of the various changes in Great∣ness, Honours, and Riches of the Tu••ks, hath a lively Emblem of Contemplation before him, of the unconstancy and mutability of Humane Affairs; Fortune so strangely sports with his People, that a Comedy or Tragedy on the Stage, with all its Scenes, is scarce sooner opened and ended, than the Fate of divers Great Men, who in the Day-time being exalted to high Sublimi∣ty, by the powerful Rays of the Sultan's Fa∣vour, in the Night fall, or vanish like a Me∣teor.

The Reason hereof, if duly considered, may be of great use as Things stand here, that is, to the Power of the Grand Signior; for in this Constitution, the Health and Benefit of the Emperor is consulted, before the Welfare of the People: And the Power of the Emperor is in no Action more exercised and evidenced, than by withdrawing and conferring his Favours; for by these Means, having many whom he hath educated and prepared for Offices, and stand Candidates to receive them, his Power would seem to be at a Nonplus, and appear like an in∣considerable Father, who had spent more Mony in the breeding of his Sons, than the Patrimony amounted to he had to bestow upon them: and therefore the Grand Signior, to imitate the Sun, benights some part of the World to enlighten others, that so, by a general in••luence and com∣munication of his Beams, he may be acknow∣ledged the common Parent of them all.

And this Course doth not evidence the Power of the Grand Signior, but likewise encreases it; for none are advanced in these times to Office, but pay the Grand Signior vast Sums of Mony for it, according to the Riches and Expectations

of Profit from the Charge; some pay, as the Pashaws of Grand Cairo and Babylon, three or ••our hundred thousand Dollars upon passing the Commission; others one, others two hundred thousand, some fifty thousand, as their Places are more or less considerable: and this Mony is most commonly taken up at Interest, at forty or ••ifty per Cent. for the Year, and sometimes at double, when they are constrained to become Debtors to the Covetous Eunuchs of the Se∣raglio; so that every one, upon his first en∣trance into O••fice, looks on himself (as indeed he is) greatly indebted and obliged, by Justice or Injustice, right or wrong, speedily to disbur∣then himself of the Debts, and improve his own Principal in the World; and this Design must not be long in performance, lest the hasty Edict overtake him before his Work is done, and call him to account for the improvement of his Ta∣lent.

Think then (taking all Circumstances toge∣ther of the covetous Disposition of a Turk, the cruelty and narrowness of Soul in those Men commonly that are born and educated in want) what Oppression, what Rapine and Violence must be exercised to satisfy the Appetite of these Men, who come famished with immense Desires, and strange Considerations to satisfy! Diu sor∣didus repente dives mutationem fortunae male regit, accensis egestate long a cupidinibus immoderatus. Tac. Lib. 1. Hist. So that Justice in its common course is set to sale; and it is very rare, when any Law-Suit is in Hand, but Bargains are made for the Sentence, and he hath most Right who hath most Mony to make him rectus in Curia, and advance his Cause. And it is the common course for both Parties at difference, before they appear together in presence of the Judg, to ap∣ply themselves singly to him, and try whose Do∣native and Present hath the most in it of temp∣tation; and it is no wonder if corrupt Men ex∣ercise this kind of Trade in Trafficking with Justice; for having before bought the Office, of consequence they must sell the Truth.

Vendere jure potest, emerat ille prius.

Add hereunto a strange kind of Facility in the Turks, for a Trifle or small Hire to give false Witness in any case, especially, and that with a word, when the Controversy happens between a Christian and a Turk,* 2.10 and then the Pretence is for the Musselmanleck, as they call it; the Cause is Religious, hallows all Falseness and forgery in the Testimony; so that I believe in no part of the World can Justice run more out of the Current and Stream than in Turkey, where such Maxims and Considerations corrupt both the Judg and Witnesses. Turcae magnae pietatis loco ducunt dicere falsum testimonium adversus ho∣minem Christianum; non expectant ut rogentur; in∣jussi adsunt seque ultro ingerunt.

This Consideration and Practice, made an English Ambassador, upon renewing the Capitu∣lations, to insert an Article of Caution against the Testimony of Turks, as never to be admit∣ted nor pleaded in any Court of Turkish Justice, against the English Interest; and nothing to be admitted as evidence in that Case, but only a Hoget, which is the Nature of a Recognizance made before a Judg, or a Bill or Writing under the Hand of him on whom the Demand is made; which Article, as it was very advisedly, and with great Prudence and Wisdom obtained, so it hath proved of admirable Consequence and Security to the Trafique, and Merchants Estates; which before being liable to the Forgeries and false Pretences of every dissolute Turk, hath now this Point as a Defence and Fo••ification, by which false Pretences and Suits for considerable Sums of Mony, and Matters of great value have been blown away, and decided with great Faci∣lity and little Expence.

In the time of Bajazet,* 2.11 the fourth King of the Turks, the Courts of Justice were in like manner corrupted, as at present; for reforma∣tion of which, the Prince resolved to execute a great Number of the Lawyers, until it was plea∣santly represented by his Jester, (to whom, be∣tween Jest and Earnest, he had given liberty to speak the Truth, which soberer Men durst not) that all the cause of Bribery and Corruption in the Judges, proceeded for want of Stipends and necessary Maintenance: Whereupon Bajazet growing cooler, and sensible of the Cause of that Evil, applied a Remedy, by granting their Pardon, allowing them Salaries and Stipends, with additional Fees of twenty Aspers in all Causes exceeding a Thousand; and twelve A∣spers for every Writing and Instrument out of Court.

And in the Times of the best Emperors, when Vertue and Deserts were considered, and the Empire flourished and encreased, Men had Offi∣ces conferred for their Merits, and good Ser∣vices were rewarded freely and with bounty, without Sums of Mony, and Payments, to be a foil to the lustre of their better Parts: But now it is quite contrary, and all Matters run out of course; a manifest Token, in my Opinion, of the declension and decay of the Ottoman Empire, as Livy saith, Omnia prospera sequentibus Deos, adversa autem spernentibus. Howsoever in part this serves the great End of the Empire, for Pashaws and great Men, having a kind of neces∣sity upon them to oppress their Subjects, the People thereby lose their Courages; and by con∣tinual Taxes and Seisures on what they gain, Poverty subdues their Spirits, and makes them more patiently suffer all kinds of Injustice and Violence that can be offered them, without thoughts or motion to Rebellion: And so the Lord Verulam says in his Essays, That it is Im∣possible for a People over-laden with Taxes,* 2.12 ever to become Martial or Valiant; for no Na∣tion can be the Lion's Whelp, and the Ass be∣tween Burthens: By which means the Turk preserves so many different sort of People, as he hath conquered, in due Obedience, using no other help than a severe hand joined to all kind of Oppression: but such as are Turks, and bear any Name of Office or Degree in the Service of the Empire, feel but part of this Oppression, and live with all freedom, having their Spirits raised by a Licence, they attain to insult over others that dare not resist them.

But the Issue and Conclusion of the Spoils these great Men make on Subjects, is very re∣markable; for as if God were pleased to evi∣dence his just Punishment more evidently and plainly here, than in other Sins; scarce any of all those Pashaws who have made haste to be Rich, have escaped the Grand Signior's Hands, but he either devests them of all, or will share the best part of the Prey with them. Amongst which I have observed none passes so hardly as the Pashaws of Grand Cairo, because it is the richest and most powerful of all the Govern∣ments of this Empire; and so either in his Journey home, or after his return, he loses his Life by publick Command, or at least is rifled of his Goods as ill got, which are condemned

to the Grand Signior's Treasury: And it is strange to see, yet with what heat these Men labour to amass Riches, which they know, by often Experiences, have proved but Collections for their Master; and only the Odium and Cur∣ses which the oppressed Wretches have vented against their Rapine, remain to themselves; Rebus secundis avidi, adversis autem incauti. Tac. And this is like the Policy that Caesar Borgia used, otherwise called Il Duca Valentine, who the better to reduce Romagna, lately subdued to Obedience, made one Messer Romiro d' Orco his Deputy, a Man of a cruel and tyrannical Dispo∣sition, who by Rigour and Force reduced Affairs to the Will and Order of his Prince: And the Work now done, and the People remaining ex∣traordinarily discontented, the Duke thought it time to purge the Minds of his People of the ill apprehension they had of his Government, by demonstrating that the former hard usage proceeded from the bad Inclination of his Mi∣nister; commanding the same Romiro d' Orco, at Cesanna to be cut in pieces, and exposed to the publick view of the People, with a piece of Wood, and a bloody Knife by his side. This saith Machiavil, Lib. del Principe, cap. 7. Fece aquelli popoli in un tempo remanere stupidi & sodis∣fatti; and the Turk understands well how profi∣table in the same manner it is for the constitu∣tion of his Estate, to use evil Instruments, who may oppress and poll his People, intending af∣terwards for himself the whole Harvest of their Labours; they remaining with the hatred, whilst the Prince, under colour of perform∣ing Justice, procures both Riches and Fame to∣gether.

If it be suspected that any great Man intends to make Combustion or Mutiny in his Govern∣ment, or that his Wealth or natural Abilities render him formidable; without farther inqui∣sition or scrutiny, all discontent of the Grand Signior is dissembled, and perhaps an Horse, a Sword, or Sables Vest is reported to be presen∣ted, and all fair Treatment is counterfeited, un∣til the Executioner gets the Bow-string about his Neck, and then they care not how rudely they deal with him:* 2.13 just like the Birds in Plutarch, who beat the Cuckow, for fear that in time he should become a Hawk.

And to make more room for the multitude of Officers who crowd for Preferments, and to act the cruel Edicts of the Empire with the least noise; times when a great Personage is removed from his place of Trust, and sent with a new Commission to the Charge, perhaps, of a grea∣ter Government; and though he depart from the Regal Seat with all fair demonstrations of Favour, before he hath advanced three days in his journey, triumphing in the multitude of his Servants, and his late Hopes, the fatal com∣mand Overtakes him; and without any Accusa∣tion or Cause, other than the Will of the Sultan, he is barbarously put to death, and his Body thrown into the Dirt of a foreign and unknown Country, without solemnity of Funeral or Mo∣nument; that he is no sooner in the Grave, than his Memory is forgotten. And this methinks is somewhat agreeable to the crafty Policy of Ti∣berius, who sometimes would commissionate Men for Government of Provinces, to whom before∣hand he had designed not to permit licence to depart the City; Postremò eò provectus est, ut mandaverit quibusdam provincias quos egredi urbe non erat passurus.

Hence are apparent the Causes of the decay of Arts amongst the Turks, of the neglect, want of care in manuring and cultivating their Lands; why their Houses and private Buildings are made slight, not durable for more than ten or twenty Years; why you find no delightful Or∣chards and pleasant Gardens and Plantations; and why in those Countries, where Nature hath contributed so much on her part, there are no additional labours of Art to complete all, and turn it to a Paradise; for Men knowing no cer∣tain Heir, nor who shall succed them in their Labours, contrive only for a few Years enjoy∣ment. And moreover, Men are fearful of shew∣ing too much ostentation or magnificen••e in their Palaces, or ingenuity in the pleasures of their Gardens, lest they should bring on them the same Fate that Nabal's Vineyard occasion'd to his Master: and therefore Men neglect all ap∣plication to the Studies of Arts and Sciences, but only such as are necessary and conducing to the mere course of living; for the very Fear and Crime of being known to be Rich, makes them appear outwardly Poor, and become naturally Stoicks and Philosophers in all the points of a reserved and cautious Life. And here I am at a stand, and cannot conclude this Chapter without contemplating a while, and pleasing my self with the thoughts of the Blessedness, the Hap∣piness, the liberty of my own Country; where Men, under the protection and safe influence of a gratious and the best of Princes in the World, enjoy and eat of the Fruit of their own Labour, and purchase to themselves, with security, Fields and Manors, and dare acknowledg and glory in their Wealth and Pomp, and yet leave the Inhe∣ritance to their Posterity.

CHAP. XVIII. The several Arts the Turks use to encrease their People, is a principal Policy, with∣out which the greatness of their Empire cannot continue nor be encreased.

THere was never any People that laid Foun∣dations and Designs of a great Empire, but first thought how to make it populous, and by which means they might best supply them with People, not only sufficient for the Sacrifice and Slaughter of the War, but for the Planta∣tion of Colonies, Possession and Security of what the Sword hath conquered. We never under∣derstood how one People alone that was Mar∣tial, and by successes in War had framed a large Empire, was able, from the mere original of its own Stock, to abound with issue of natural Sub∣jects, to bear proportion with the stronger Na∣tions; nor how a handful of People, with the greatest Policy and Courage in the World, was able to embrace a large extent of Dominion and Empire: It is true, that Alexander did with an Army, for the most part, composed of Mace∣donians, as it were in a Rant, make a Conquest of the best part of the Eastern World; but this Empire, like a Ship that had much Sail, and no Ballast, or a fair Tree over-charged with Boughs too heavy for its Stem, became a Wind∣fall on a sudden.

The Turks therefore, during the continuance of their Empire, have not been ignorant of this Truth; for no People in the World have ever been more open to receive all sorts of Na∣tions to them, than they, nor have used more Arts to encrease the number of those that are

called Turks; and it is strange to consider, that from all parts of the World, some of the most dissolute and desperate in Wickedness, should flock to these Dominions, to become Members and Professours of the Mahometan Superstition; in that manner that at present, the Blood of the Turks is so mixed with that of all sorts of Langua••es and Nations, that none of them can derive his Lineage from the ancient Blood of the Saracens.

The Romans, who well knew the benefit of re∣ceiving Strangers into their Bosome, called this freedom they gave Ius Civitatis, whereby Fo∣reigners became as lawful Possessours of Estates and Inheritances, and had as much right to the common Priviledges, as any that were born in the Walls of Rome; and this Ius Civitatis was given to whole Families;* 2.14 so that as Sir F. B. says well, that the Romans did not over-spread the World, but the World it self. The Eng∣lish call it Naturalization, the French Enfran∣chisement, and the Turks call it Becoming a Believer; for they joining with it a point of Religion, not only the Proffers of the Goods of this World, but also of Delights in the World to come, make the Allurements and Arguments the more prevalent; and it being an Opinion amongst them, as over all the World, that it is a Meritorious Work to create Proselytes, scarce any who hath Mony to purchase a Slave, but will procure one young and fit for any Impressi∣on, whom he may name his Convert, and gain Reputation amongst his Neighbours of having added to the number of the Faithful. Of all this Number, which yearly are added to the Professors of Mahomet, none can retreat on low∣er Terms than Death and Martyrdom for Christ; which causes may whose Consciences, though touched with the sense of the denial of their Saviour; yet having not Grace or Courage to assert their Faith on so hard a Lesson, grow de∣sperate or careless, and die in their Sin. This sort of People become really Turks, and some through Custom and their own Lusts, are re∣ally perswaded of the truth of this Profession, and have proved more inveterate and fatal Ene∣mies to Christianity, than the natural Turks; which will appear, if we consider, that all the Successes they have had, and Exploits they have done at Sea, have been performed by such who have denied the Christian Faith, as namely Chi∣gal Ogli, and others.

It was the custom formerly amongst the Turks, every five Years, to take away the Christians Children, and Educate them in the Mahometan Superstition; by which means they encreased their own People, and diminished and enfeebled the Force of the Christians; but now that cu∣stom, in a great part, is grown out of use, through the abundance of Greeks, Armenians, Iews, and all Nations where the Iron Rod of the Turks Tyranny extends, who flock in to en∣joy the imaginary Honour and Priviledge of a Turk. And indeed it is no wonder to humane Reason, that considers the Oppression and Con∣tempt that poor Christians are exposed to, and the Ignorance in their Churches, occasioned through Poverty in the Clergy, that many should be found who retreat from the Faith; but it is rather a Miracle, and a true verification of those words of Christ, That the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail against his Church, that there is conserved still amidst so much Opposition, and in despight of all Tyranny and Arts contrived against it, an open and publick Profession of the Christian Faith; which next to God's Provi∣dence; considering the stupid Ignorance of the Greek and Armenan Churches, their conservation of their Faith is not to be attributed to any in∣stance more, than to the strict observation of the Feasts and Fasts of their Churches; for ha∣ving rarely the helps of Catechisms or Sermons, they learn yet from these outward Ceremonies, some confused Notions and Precepts of Religion, and exercise with severity and rigour this sort of Devotion; when through Custom, Confusion, and scarcity of knowing Guides, all other ser∣vice is become obsolete and forgotten amongst them.

The Turks have another extraordinary supply of People from the Black Sea, sent them in by the Tartars, who with their light Bodies of Horse make incursions into the Territories of the neighbouring Christians, and carry with them a Booty of whole Cities and Countries of People, most of which they send to Constantino∣ple to be sold, and is the chief Trade and Com∣modity of their Country (as we have already discoursed.)

It is sad to see what numbers of Saykes, or Turkish Vessels, come sailing through the Bospho∣rus, fraighted with poor Christian Captives of both Sexes, and all Ages, carrying on the Main∣top a Flag, either as a Note of Triumph, or else as a Mark of the Ware and Merchandise they carry.

The number of the Slaves brought yearly to Constantinople is uncertain; for sometimes it is more, and sometimes less, according to the Wars and Successes of the Tartars; but as it is apparent in the Registers of the Customs at Con∣stantinople only, one Year with another at the least 20000 are yearly imported; amongst which the greatest part being Women and Children, with easie Persuasions, and fair Promises become Turks; the Men being ignorant, and generally of the Russian or Moscovite Nation (who are re∣ported not to be over-devout, or of famed con∣stancy and perseverance in Religion) partly by Menaces and Fear, partly by good words and allurements of Reward, despairing of Liberty, and return to their own Country, renounce all Interest in the Christian Faith.

Of this sort of Metal most of the Turks are in these days composed, and by the ••ecundity of this Generation, the Dominions of this Em∣pire flow; for the Turks of themselves, though they have the liberty of Polygamy, and freer use of divers Women allowed them by their Law, than the severity of Christian Religion doth per∣mit, are yet observed to be less fruitful in Chil∣dren, than those who confine themselves to the chast embraces of one Wife. It is true, we have heard how in former Times there have been par∣ticular Men amongst the Turks, that have se∣verally been Fathers to an hundred Sons; but now, through that abominable Vice of Sodomy, which the Turks pretend to have learned from the Italians, and is now the common and pro∣fessed shame of that People, few fecundio••s Fa∣milies are found amongst them; especially amongst the Persons of the greater Quality, who have Means and Time to act and contrive their filthiness with the most deformity. And in this manner the natural use of the Women being neglected amongst them, as St. Paul saith,* 2.15 Men burning in lust one towards another; so little is Mankind propagated, that many think, were it not for the abundant supplies of Slaves, which daily come from the Black Sea (as before we have declared) considering the Summer-slaugh∣ters of the Plague, and destructions of War,

the Turk would have little cause to boast of the vast Numbers of his People: and that a principal Means to begin the ruine of this Em∣pire, were, to prevent the taking of so many Captives, or intercept those numbers of Slaves which are daily transported to nourish and feed the Body of this great Babylon; by which means, in time, they would not only find a want of Ser∣vants, but a decay and scarcity of Masters; since as it is before-mentioned, these Slaves becoming Turk••, are capable of all Priviledges, and being commonly Manumised by their Patrons, through the help of Fortune, arrive equally to Prefer∣ments with those who are of the ancient Maho∣metan Race: This is the true Reason the Turk can spend so many People in his Wars, and va∣lues not the lives of Ten thousand Men to win him but a span of Ground, and yet almost with∣out any sensible diminution of his People; and on the contrary, the invention, of an Inquisiti∣on, and the distinction between Christianos vieios, and Nuevos in Spain and Portugal, have caused that decay and scarcity of People in those Coun∣tries, as hath laid the best part of those fruit∣ful Soils desolate, and forced them both to a necessity of entetaining a mercenary Soldi∣ery.

It is no small inducement to the vulgar People, who is most commonly won with outward Allure∣ments, to become Turks; that when they are so, by a white Turbant, or such a particular Note of Honour, they shall be distinguished from other-like Sects, (all People amongst the Turks being known by their Heads, of what Religion or Quality they are) and so may the better be directed where they may have a priviledge to domineer and injure with the most impunity.

If we consider how delightful the Mode is in England and France, especially to those who are of a vain and gay Humour, and that nothing seems handsome or comely, but what is dressed in the Fashion and Air of the Times; we shall not wonder, if the ignorant and vain amongst Christians, born and educated in those Coun∣tries▪ should be catched and entrapt with the fancy and enticement of the Turkish Mode, and be contented to despoil themselves of the Gar∣ment of Christian Vertues, to assume a dress more Courtly and pleasing to the Eyes of the World; for so the Britains, and other Nations, after Conquered by the Romans, began to delight themselves in their Language and Habit, their Banquets and Buildings, which they accounted to be Humanity, and refinement of their Man∣ners; but Tacitus saith, Pars servitutis erat, a signal Symptom of their subjection.* 2.16

And it is worth a wise Man's observation, how gladly the Greeks and Armenian Christians imitate the Turkish Habit, and come as near to it as they dare; and how proud they are, when they are priviledged, upon some extraordinary Occasion to appear without their Christian di∣stinction. And thus the Turk makes his very Habit a bait to draw some to his Superstition; Riches to allure the Covetous; Rewards and Hopes, to rule the Ambitious; fears and terrours of Death, the cowardly and timorous; and by all means works on the Dispositions and Humours of Men, to make additions to his Kingdom. Such as adhere to the Christian Faith, the Turk makes no account of, and values no otherwise in the place of Subjects, than a Man doth of his Ox or Ass, merely to carry the Burthens, and to be useful and servile in slavish Offices: they are oppressed, and are subject to all advantages and Pretences; and their Goods and Estates gained with Labour, and the Sweat of their Brows, liable to the Rapine of every great Man; they are disarmed, and never exercised in War, by which means they become Effemi∣nate, and less dangerous in Rebellion: only the People of Transylvania, Moldavia and Walachia, under the conduct of their respective Princes, that the Grand Signior sets over them, serve him in their Persons in the War, and are the first thrust forward in all desperate Enterprises; so that the oppression of the poor Christians under the Turk, is worthy our compassion, how poor they are become, how their former Wealth is exhausted, how the fatness of their rich Soil is drained, and made barren by poisonous Suckers; so that it is evident that the Turks Design is no other, than by improverishment and enfee∣bling the Interest of Christianity, to draw Pro∣selytes and Strength to his own Kingdom.

Wherefore some sort of poor Christians, ei∣ther actually Subjects to the Turkish Tyranny, or Borderers on them, who often feel the misery of their Incursions, being fearful of their own constancy in the Faith, have contrived ways to preserve themselves from any other Profession: wherefore in Mengrelia, the Christians, at the Baptism of their Children, make a Cross on their Hands; and in Servia their custome is to make it on their Foreheads, with the Juice of a certain Herb, the stain of which never wears out; so that some of these Nations, who be∣come Renegadoes to the Christian Faith, bear always a Badge and Note of designation about them to a Holy Profession, which may serve to upbraid their Perfidious desertion of the Faith; the Cross on their Forehead appearing for a shame and discountenance to the White Turbant on their Heads. By which pious Art, many of these distressed Christians have, notwithstanding fear and despair of Liberty, and promises of reward, through the apprehension of this in∣congruity between the Cross and the Banner of Mahomet, preserved themselves firm to their first Colours.

CHAP. XIX. The manner of Reception of Foreign Ambas∣sadours amongst the Turks, and the esteem they have of them.

THere was no Nation in the World ever so barbarous, that did not acknowledg the Office of an Ambassadour Sacred and Neces∣sary.

Sanctum populis per soecula nomen.

And Cicero saith, Sic enim sentio jus legatorum cum hominum praesidio munitum,* 2.17 tum etiam divino jure esse vallatum; the Alchoran it self calls this Office inviolable; and it is a Turkish Canon, Elchi za∣val yoketer, Do not hurt an Ambassadour; so that the Turks do confess themselves obliged by their own Law to Rules of Civilities, Cour∣teous Treatment and Protection of Ambassa∣dors.

The greatest honour they shew to any Fo∣reign Minister, is to him who comes from the Em∣peror, because his Confines are contiguous with theirs, and have had occasion more frequently, than with other Christian Princes, to try the Power of the Imperial Sword.

An Ambassador coming from the Emperor, as soon as he enters the Ottoman Dominions, hath his Charges defrayed by the Sultan, according to the importance of the Business and Negotiation he is designed to, until the time of his return; and a Resident continuing in ordinary, hath in like manner his constant Allowance. As it hath always been a Custom amongst the Eastern Prin∣ces to send Presents each to other, as Tokens of Friendship and Amity; so the Emperor is, by an ancient Custom and Agreement, obliged to accompany his Ambassador to this Court with Presents and Gifts, as Offerings of Peace: and on the contrary, that the Emperor may not re∣main with the Disadvantage, the Grand Signior is bound to recompence the Embassy with ano∣ther from himself, and adorn it with Presents of equal value with those that were sent him.

But Ambassadors and Representatives, from other Princes, who have their Dominions more remote, and whose principal Design is esteemed for the promotion of Trade and Commerce, as the English, French and Dutch, are always ad∣mitted with their Presents, which the Turk by custom calls his right, and judges not himself obliged to return the like, esteeming his Ca∣pitulations and Articles he makes with those Princes, Privileges and Immunities granted their Subjects.

The Ceremonies they use at the Audience of every Ambassador are acted (as in all parts of the World) most to set off the Glory of the Empire; and represented with such Advanta∣ges, as may best afford a Theme for an Ambas∣sadour's Pen to describe the Riches, Magnifi∣cence, and Terror of the Ottoman Power.

The Audience with the Grand Signior (ha∣ving first passed a Complement with the Prime Vizier) is commonly contrived on days appoin∣ted for paiment of the Janisaries, which is every three Months; and with that occasion, the Order and Discipline of the Mi••itia, the Mony and Stipends that are issued forth, are there ex∣posed to the observation of the publick Mini∣ster. The Mony is brought into the Divan, and there piled in heaps, where the Ambassa∣dor is first introduced, and seated on a Stool covered with Crimson-velvet, placed near the first Vizier, and other Viziers of the Bench: as soon as the Mony is paid out to the chief of every Oda or Chamber, who afterwards distri∣bute it amongst their Souldiers▪ a plentiful Din∣ner is prepared for the Ambassador; who to∣gether with the first Vizier, and other Viziers of the Bench, and Teftardar, or Lord Treasurer, are seated at the same Table, which is not raised as high as the Tables we use, but something lower, covered over with a capacious Voyder of Silver, in which the Dishes are set, without ceremony of Table-cloth or Knives. In the same Room are two other Tables for the prin∣cipal Attendants of the Ambassador, and other Personages amongst the Turks of chief Note and Quality: the Dishes are served in by one at a time, which as soon as touched, or tasted, are taken off to make room for another; and thus there is a succession of threescore or fore∣score Services, all the Dishes being of China, worth about an hundred and fifty Dollars a piece; which are reported to have a virtue con∣trary to Poison, and to break with the least in∣fusion thereof, and for that reason esteemed more useful for the Service of the Grand Signior;

Nam nulla aconita bibuntur Fictilib••s, &c. Juvenal.

The Banquet being ended, the Chaousbashee, or chief of the Pursivants, conducts the Am∣bassador, with some of his Retinue, to a place apart, where several gay Vests,* 2.18 or long Gar∣ments, made of Silk, with divers Figures, are presented them (as a sign of the Grand Signi∣or's Favour) which the Ambassador first putting on, and then the others, to the number of eigh∣teen or nineteen, attended with two Capugiba∣shees, or chief of the Porters, Persons of good esteem in that Court, with Silver Staves in their Hands, he is conducted nearer towards the Grand Signior's Presence; then follow the Presents brought by the Ambassador, which are carried to the best advantage for appearance, and are delivered to Officers appointed to receive them. The Courts without are filled with Janisaries, amongst whom is observed so profound a silence, that there is not the least noise or whisper un∣derstood; and the Salutation they give their principal Officers as they pass, bowing alto∣gether at the same time, is warlike, and yet courtly, and savours of good Discipline and Obedience.

The Ambassador is then brought to a great Gate near the Audience, the Porch of which is filled with white Eunuchs, clothed in Silks and Cloth of Gold; farther than this, none is suf∣fered to proceed, besides the Secretary, Inter∣preter, and some other Persons of best Quali∣ty: at the door of the Chamber of Audience is a deep silence, and the murmuring of a Foun∣tain near by adds to the melancholy; and no other Guard is there but a white Eunuch: and here a pause is made, and they tread softly in token of fear and reverence, so as not to di∣sturb with the least noise the Majesty of the Sultan: for access to the Eastern Princes was always difficult, and not permitted with the same familiarity as hath been practised amongst the Romans, and at present with us, where the sight of the King is his own Glory, and the Satisfaction of his Subjects: For it is with the Turks, as it was with the Parthians, when they received Vonones their King, educated in the Roman Court, who conforming to those manners, saith Tacitus, Irridebantur Graeci Co∣mites, prompti aditus, obvia comitas,* 2.19 ignota Par∣this virtutes; the affability and easiness of ad∣dress to their Prince, was a scandal to the Na∣tion.

At the entrance of the Chamber of Audi∣ence, hangs a Ball of Gold, studded with pre∣tious Stones, and about it great Chains of rich Pearl; the Floor is covered with Carpets of Crimson-velvet, embroidered with Gold-Wire, in many places beset with Seed-pearl. The Throne where the Grand Sig••ior sits, is raised a small height from the ground, supported with four Pillars plated with Gold; the Roof is richly gilded, from which hang Balls, that seem to be of Gold; the Cushions he leaned upon, as also those which lay by, were richly embroidered with Gold and Jewels: In this Chamber with this occasion remains no other Attendance besides the first Vizier, who stands at the right Hand of the Grand Signior with modesty and reverence. When the Ambassa∣dor comes to appear before the Grand Signior, he is led in, and supported under the Arms by the two Capugibashees before-mentioned; who bringing him to a convenient distance, laying their hands upon his Neck, make him bow un∣til his Forehead almost touches the Ground; and then raising him again, retire backwards to the farther parts of the Room: The like

Ceremony is used with all the others, who at∣tend the Ambassador, only that they make them bow somewhat lower than him: The Reason of this Custom, as Busbequius saith, was, be∣cause that a Croat being admitted near to Amu∣rath, to communicate something to him, made use of that opportunity to kill him, in revenge of the Death of his Master Marcus; but the Turkish History saith, That this was done by one Miles Corbelitz, who after the defeat given Lazarus the Despot of Servia, rising from a∣mongst the Dead, had near access to the presence of Amurath.

The Ambassador, at this Audience, hath no Chair set him, but standing, informs the Grand Signior, by his Interpreter, the several Demands of his Master, and the Business he comes upon; which is all penned first in Writing; which when read, is, with the Letter of Credence, consigned into the Hands of the Great Vizier, from whom the Answer and farther Treaty is to be received.

This was the manner of the Audience given to the Earl of Winchelsea, when Ambassador there for his Majesty, and is (as is there said) the Form used to others, who come from a Prince equally honoured and respected.

But though the Turks make these outward Demonstrations of all due Reverence, and Re∣ligious Care to preserve the Persons of Am∣bassadors Sacred, and free from Violence; yet it is apparent, by their Treatment and Usage towards them, in all Emergencies and Differen∣ces between the Prince they come from, and themselves, that they have no esteem of the Law of Nations, or place any Religion in the maintenance of their Faith. For when a War is proclaimed, the Ambassador immediately is either committed to close Imprisonment, or at least to the custody of a careful Guard, con∣fined within the Limits of his own House. In this manner, the Representative of Venice, cal∣led there the Bailo, by name Sor••nzo, in a strait Chamber of a Castle, situated on the Bosphorus, endured a severe Imprisonment, having his Interpreter strangled, for no other cause than performing his Office in the true Interpreta∣tion of his Master's Sense.

Afterwards this Bailo (for so they call there the Ambassors from Venice) was removed to another Prison at Adrianople, where he con∣tinued some Years; and in fine, by force of Presents, mollifying the Turks with Mony, (with which their Nature is easily made gen∣tle and pliable) he obtained liberty to remain in the House appropriated to the Represen∣tatives of Venice, but under a Guard, whose Office was to secure him from escape, and ob∣serve his Action•••• and yet with Liberality and Presents, whi••h overcome the Turks more than any Consideration in the World, he enjoyed, as he pleased, licence for his Health to take the fresh Air, and use what freedom was reasonable.

Nor less injurious to the Law of Nations, have been the Examples of Violence and Rage, acted on the Persons of the French Ambassadors; first on the Sieur Sensi, accused upon suspicion of having contrived the escape of Konispolski, Gene∣ral of the Polish Army, taken Captive in a Fight, and sent Prisoner to the above-said Castle on the Bosphorus; the means was, by a silken Cord sent in a Pye, with Limes and Files to cut the Iron Bars; and having first secured his Guard with the strength of Wine, in the dead of the Night, let him down by the Cord from the highest Tower; where finding Horses ready, he got safe into Poland. The contrivance of this Stra∣tagem, and the Instruments of the Escape, was laid to the Charge of the French Ambassador; who was committed, for that Reason, to the Prison of the Seven Towers, where he remained for the space of four Months, until his Mony, and the French King his Master mediated for him, promising to send another speedily to suc∣ceed him; he was delivered from his Imprison∣ment, and returned home by the way of Poland.

The Successor of this Ambassado•• was the Count Cesi, a Man too generous and splendid, to live amongst covetous and craving Turks, exhausted most of his Wealth in Gifts an•• Pre∣sents; to which adding a vanity and ambition to court the Grand Signior's Mistresses in the Seraglio (as is said) he paid such vast Sums of Mony to the Eunuchs for his admittance, that in few Years he became so indebted, and impor∣tuned with the Clamours of his Creditors, as wholly discredited and lost the Honour and Au∣thority of his Embassy; so that the French King thinking it dishonourable to continue his Mini∣ster, in that Charge, who was failed and undone in the reputation of the World, sent his Letter of Revocation to recal him Home; but the Turks gave a stop to his return, pretending, that their Law which was indulgent to the Per∣sons of Ambassadors, did not acquit them from paiment of their Debts, or privilege them with impunity to rob the Believers, and other Sub∣jects of the Grand Signior, contrary to that Rule of Grotius, who not only exempts the Per∣sons, but the Servants and Moveables of Am∣bassadors from Attachments; and no Law can compel him to the satisfaction of Debts by Force, but by friendly perswasion only, till be∣ing returned to his own Country, and put off the quality of a publick Person, he becomes lia∣ble to common Process; Si quid ergo debiti con∣traxit, & ut fit, res soli eo loco nullas possideat,* 2.20 ipse compellandus erit amice, & si detrectet, is qui misit, ita ut ad postremum usurpentur ea, quae ad∣versus debitores extra territorium positos usurpari solent.

Nor less remarkable was the barbarous usage of the Sieur la Haye, Ambassador also from the French King to the Port, under the Government of the great Vizier Kuperli.

The Court being then at Adrianople, and the Treaty in hand between the Grand Signior and the Republick of Venice, through the Mediation of the French Ambassador, by Consent and Com∣mand of his Master, certain Letters of his wrote in Characters, were intercepted by the Turks; by what Means, and upon what Infor∣mation, the Matter was too evident then, to be apprehended other than an Italian Contrivance. The Cipher, as containing Matter prejudicial to the State, was carried to Adrianople; and being known, by examination and confession of the Messenger, to have been delivered to him by the Secretary of the French Affairs, immediately in all haste, the Ambassador then at Constantinople was cited to appear at Court; but being ancient, and indisposed in his Health with the Gout and the Stone, dispatched his Son as his Procurator, with Instructions and Orders how to answer what might be objected; hoping by that means to excuse the Inconvenience of a Winter's Journey.

The Son being arrived there, immediately was called to Audience, accompanied with the Chancellor, or Secretary for the Merchants (for the other Secretary of the Private Affairs of the

Embassy, apprehending the Fury and Injustice of the Turks, had timely secured himself by flight). Discourse was first had concerning the Contents of the Characters; the Turks insolent in their Speeches, provoked this Sieur La Haye the Younger, to utter something tending to∣wards a contempt of that Power the Turks had over him, encouraging himself with the thoughts of the protection of the King his Master; who was soon sensible, and moved with the least In∣juries offered his Ministers. The Turks who can endure nothing less than Menaces, and Ku∣perl••, through natural Cruelty, and choler of old Age, and particular Malice against the French Nation, moved with this Reply, com∣manded the Caousbashee, who is chief of the Purse••ants, to strike him on the Mouth; which he did with that force, being a rude robustious F••llow, that with a few blows of his Fist, he struck out two of his Teeth before, and in a most undecent and barbarous manner, dragged him, with the Secretary for the Merchants, to a Dungeon so loathsome and moist, that the ill Vapours oft-times extinguished the Candle. The old Amb••ssador the Father, was with the like Turkish Fury sent for, the Turks executing all they do with strange haste and violence, Barba∣ris co••••atio servilis,* 2.21 statem exequi regium videtur; and being arrived at Adrianople, was also com∣mitted to Custody, though not with that rigor and severity of Imprisonment as the Son, until the space of two Months passing with Presents and Solicitations, they both obtained their Li∣berty, and returned again to Constantinople; where scarce were they arrived, before News coming of a French Ship, which had loaded Goods of Turks, and run away with the Car∣gason, the Ambassador was again committed to another Prison in Constantinople, called the Seven Towers, where he remained, until with Gifts and Mony, the Anger of the Turks was aba∣ted.

And still the Malice of Kuperlee persecuted this Sieur la Haye, until after his Embassy of 25 Years continuance, unfortunate only at the Conclusion, he was dispatched Home obscurely and in disgrace, without Letters of Revocation from his Master, or other intimation to the Grand Signior, which might signify the desire of this Ambassador's return.

The Reason of this irreverent Carriage in the Turks towards the Persons of Ambassadors, contrary to the custom of the Ancient Romans, and other gallant and civilized People, is an ap∣prehension and Maxim they have received, that an Ambassador is endued with two Qualificati∣ons▪ one of representing to the Grand Signior the Desires of his Prince, the Breach of Articles or League, the Aggrievances and Abuses of Mer∣chants trading in his Dominions, that so Satis∣faction and Amendment may be made: And the other, that he remains in nature of a Hostage, called by themselves Mahapous, or Pledg; by which he becomes responsible for what is acted by his Prince, contrary to the Capitulations of Peace, and remaines for a Pawn for the faithful and sincere carriage of his Nation, and as Secu∣rity to ins••re what Goods belonging to Turks are loaden on their Vessels.

As the Resident from Holland was in the Year 1663, imprisoned at Adrianople, for miscarriage of a Ship belonging to his Nation, taken by Maltese Men of War, whereon at Alexandria were Goods loaden belonging to the Grand Sig∣nior, and other considerable Persons of State, and was not released, until he engaged to Eigh∣ty five thousand Dollars, in the space of One hundred and twenty days, which was the full import of the Turkish Interest.

Nor hath this Law of Nations, to the Sacred esteem of Ambassadors, found better observa∣tion towards the Representatives of the German Emperor, who have, upon all conjectures of Discord, and breaches of Peace between those two powerful Princes, been subject to Con••ine∣ments and Custody of a Guard, nothing dif∣fering from formal Imprisonment: or else, as it happened to the German Resident in the last War, are transported from Place to place, ac∣cording to the motion of the Armies, as a bar∣barous Trophy in the Time of their prosperous Successes, and as a Means at hand to reconcile and mediate when evil Fortune compells them to composition.

What ill Fate soever hath attended the Mi∣nisters of other Princes in this Court, the Am∣bassadors from his Majesty of Great Britain, our Sacred King, have never incurred this Dishonour and Violation of their Office; the Negotiati∣ons and Differences since the English Trade hath been opened in Turkey, have been various and considerable, and Matters as to the security of the Ambassador and Merchants, have been often re∣duced to a doubtful Condition, as far as Words and rude Speeches, full of Menaces and Cho∣ler, might make a sober Man suspicious of a greater Ruin: And yet through the Constancy, Prudence, and good Fortune of Ambassadors▪ the Turkish Rashness hath not drawn upo•• themselves the guilt of violating their Persons, but have either prevented Troubles in the begin∣ning, or wisely compounded them before they made too far a Breach.

It is worth observation, that the Turks make no difference in the Name, between an Ambassador, Resident, Agent, or any petty Messenger, sent or residing upon a publick Af∣fair; the Name Elchi serves them to express all; though they have the Name of Kapikahya, which signifies an Agent at Court, and is commonly at∣tributed to those who reside at the Port, for the Princes of Transylvania, Moldavia, and Wa∣lachia, and also for the Agents of Pascha's, every one of which hath his Minister at the Court, to send ••••m Advices, and to answer for him, if any thing should be amiss represented. And though the Turks, on occasion of Rup∣tures, and other Discontents, lose their Re∣spect towards the Person of Ambassadors, yet still it is commendable in them, that they com∣monly abstain from the Spoil and Plunder of the Merchants Estates, with whose Prince they are at Enmity; for they look on Merchants as Men, whose Profession is best advanced by Peace; and as their own Comparison is, like to the laborious Bee which brings Hony to the Hive, and is innocent, industrious, and profita∣ble, and therefore an Object of their Compas∣sion and Defence.

CHAP. XX. How Ambassadors and Publick Ministers go∣vern themselves in their Negotiations and Residence amongst the Turks.

AMbassadors in this Country, have need both of Courage and Circumspection, wisdom to dissemble with Honour, and discreet pati∣ence, seemingly to take no notice of Affronts and Contempts, from which this uncivilized People cannot temperate their Tongues, even when they would seem to put on the most courteous deportment and respect toward Chri∣stians.

The French Ambassador, Monsieur le Haye, sent once to advise the great Vizier Kuperli, that his Master had taken the strong City of Arras from the Spaniard, and had obtained o∣ther Victories in Flanders, supposing that the Turk outwardly have evidenced some signs of Joy, and return an Answer of Congratulation; but the Reply the Vizier gave, was no other than this, (What matters it me, whether the Dog worries the Hog, or the Hog the Dog, so my Master's Head be but safe?) intimating, that he had no other esteem of Christians, than as Savages or Beasts, and with no other Answer than this, due to an officious Court∣ship towards a Turk, the Messenger retur∣ned.

There is no doubt, but of all those means wherewith Kingdoms and States are suppor∣ted, there are two more principal and chief of all others: The one is the substantial and real Strength and force of the Prince, which con∣sists in his Armies and Interest; and the o∣ther is the Honour and Reputation he gains A∣broad, which hath sometimes proved of that Authority and Consequence, as to make the State of the weaker Prince to appear more con∣siderable, or at least, equal to the greater For∣ces of the other.

This Reputation is principally maintained by a prudent manner of Negotiation, and depends on the discretion of the Representa∣tive, in which, for many Years, the Republick of Venice had great Advantages in the Turkish Court, through the Caution and Policy of their Ministers, who nourished in the Turks an opinion of their strength of Arms, and force of Wisdom, beyond the reality thereof; that before the War broke forth, no Nation in Amity with the Turk had their Affairs treated with more honour and respect than this Com∣mon-Wealth.

An Ambassador in this Court ought to be circumspect and careful to avoid the occasion of having his Honour blemished, or of in∣curring the least violation of his Person; for afterward, as one baffled in his Reputation, he becomes scorned, loses his Power and In∣terest, and all esteem of his Worth and Wis∣dom; for having endured one Affront, their Insolence soon presumes farther to trespass on his Patience: For certainly Turks, of all Nations in the World, are most apt to crush and trample on those that lie under their Feet. As on the contrary, those who have a Reputation with them, may make the best and most advantageous Treaties of any part of the World; according to that of Busbe∣quius, Ep. 1. Sunt Turci in utramque partem ni∣mii sive indulgentia, cum pro amicis se probare volunt, sive acerbitate cum irati sunt. To reply, according to the Pride and Ignorance of a Turk, is properly to blow up Fire into a Flame; to support with submission, and a pusillani∣mous Spirit, his Affronts and Indignities, by negotiating faintly or coldly, is to add Fuel and Wood to the burning Piles; but solid Reason and Discourse, accompanied with chear∣ful Expressions, vivacity and courage in Ar∣gument, is the only manner of dealing and treating with the Turks.

That which is called good Nature, or flexi∣ble Disposition, is of little use to a Publick Minister in his Treaty with Turks: A pun∣ctual adherence to former Customs and Ex∣amples, even to Obstinacy, is the best and safest Rule; for the concession of one Point serves to embolden them to demand another, and then a third; and so their Hopes increase with the Success, having no Modesty nor Wis∣dom to terminate their Desires; one Act or two of Favour is enough afterwards to introduce a Custom, (which is the chiefest part of their Law) and to make that which is merely voluntary, and of Grace, to become of Obligation.

But a principal Matter, which a publick Mi∣nister ought to look to, is to provide him∣self of spirited, eloquent, and intelligent In∣terpreters; spirited, I say, because many times the Presence is great they appear before, and the Looks big and sour of a barbarous Ty∣rant; and it hath been known, that the Am∣bassador hath been forced to interpose his own Person, between the Fury of the Vizier and his Interpreter, whose Offence was only the delivery of the words of his Master; some of whom have notwithstanding been impri∣soned, or executed, for this Cause, as we have partly intimated in the foregoing Chapter: The reason of which Tyranny and Presump∣tion in these prime Officers over the Inter∣preters, is, because they are most commonly born Subjects of the Grand Signior, and there∣fore ill support the least word mis-placed, or savouring of Contest from them, not di∣stinguishing between the Sense of the Ambas∣sador, and the Explication of the Interpre∣ter; and therefore it were very useful to breed up a Seminary of young English Men, of sprightly and ingenious Parts, to be qua∣lified for that Office, who may, with less dan∣ger to themselves, Honour to their Master, and Advantage to the Publick, express boldly, without the usual mincing and submission of other Interpreters, whatsoever is commanded and de∣clared by their Master.

The French Nation hath taken a very good course, in breeding up Youths to make their Drugger-men or Interpreters; some few Years past, twelve were sent to Smyrna, where be∣ing a while instructed in the Convent of Ca∣puchins, and there taught the Turkish and Vulgar Greek, they are afterwards dispersed to the several Factories; such as were of most pregnant Parts, being placed with the Ambassador at Constantinople. Such a provision of young Drugger-men, at least twelve, ought to be allowed, for some of them die, some grow weary of the Country, and are desirous to return Home; others not having a suffi∣ciency of Parts, nor Health, answer not Ex∣pectation;

so that if two or three of such a Number happen to succeed well, they are a great help to the Ambassador, and the Con∣sul where they serve.

The English Ambassador had once three Youths sent Aboard on this Design, but they are now all three dead, and one alone came into Em∣ployment.

It is certainly a good Maxim for an Am∣bassador in this Country, not to be over-stu∣dious in pr••curing a familiar Friendship with Turks; a fair comportment towards all in a moderate way, is cheap and secure; for a Turk is not capable of real Friendship to∣wards a Christian; and to have him called only, and thought a Friend who is in Power, is an Expence without Profit; for in great Emergencies, and Times of Necessity, when their Assistance is most useful, he must be bought again, and his Friendship renewed with Presents, and farther Expectations: howso∣ever this way of Negotiating by Presents and Gratuities, is so much in custom amongst the Turks, that to speak truly, scarce any thing can be obtained without it; but is the Wis∣dom of the Minister, to dispose and place them with Honour, Decency, and Advantage. For there are, and have been always, two or three powerful Persons in this Court, which in all Times carry the principal sway, and command of all; these must necessarily be treated with Respect, and often sweetned with Gratuities: He that hath Mony, may doubtless make Friends when he needs them, and with that secure his Capitulation and his Privilege, purchase Justice, and if his Stock will hold out, act any thing that can reasonably be imagined; yet it is the most profitable and prudent way, to refer something to Friendship and good Correspondence, and not all to mere force and strength of Mony.

CHAP. XXI. How Foreign Princes in particular stand in the Esteem and Opinion of the Turks.

THE Turks, as we have occasionally in∣stanced before, are naturally a proud and insolent People, confident, and conceited of their own Vertue, Valour, and Forces, which proceeds from their ignorance of the strength and constitution of other Countries; so that when the Danger which may arise from the Conjunction and Union of Christian Princes to the Mahometan Interest, is discoursed of, they compare the Grand Signior to the Lion, and other Kings to little Dogs, which may serve (as they say) to rouse and discompose the quiet and Majesty of the Lion, but can never bite him, but with their utmost peril.

They say farther, as by an ingenuous Con∣fession, that they are unable to encounter the Christians at Sea, to whom God hath given that unstable Element for Dominion and Pos∣session; but that the Earth is the Lot and In∣heritance of the Turks, which is demonstra∣ble by that great Circuit of Empire, obedient to the Mahometan Arms.

These are the Thoughts and Apprehensions of the Commonalty concerning Christendom in general, (which I have heard often discour∣sed amongst them) but the Opinion and E∣steem wh••ch knowing Men and Ministers frame of Foreign Kingdoms and States distinct∣ly, is for the most part according to these fol∣lowing Particulars.

Of all the Princes so for remote as Eng∣land, none amongst this People stands in bet∣ter account than his Majesty of Great Britain; not only for the convenience of the Trade, which provides the Empire with many neces∣sary Commodities, but for the fame of His Shipping, and Power at Sea, which makes him, though divided from all parts of the World, yet a Borderer on every Countrey, where the Ocean extends: And this Esteem and Honour the Sultan bears towards His Ma∣jesty, hath been evidenced in several Particu∣lars, and by none more than by the s••curity and freedom his Merchants live in in these Do∣minions, and a readiness always in every rea∣sonable Request, to gratify His Majesty's Ambas∣sadors.

As for the Emperor, the Turk knows that his own proper and peculiar Force in it self, is inconsiderable, but that with the conjuncti∣on and assistance of the German Princes, they are assured, and have proved it to their ex∣perience, in the Year 1664, that his Strength is equivalent to the Ottoman Power; but yet they are not ignorant, that the diversity of Religions and Sects in Germany, abate much of that vigor and coalition amongst them∣selves, which is requisite to the vigorous oppo∣sition of so potent an Enemy.

And it is evident, that the Emperor's un∣seasonable Severity against the Protestants in Hungary, disobliging his whole Dominion there, by depriving them of their Churches, and exercising other courses for suppression of the Reformed Religion, ripened the Turk's De∣sign of War, first laid in the Year 1663, conceiving in that conjuncture, holding forth the specious pretence of Liberty in Religion and Conscience, the Hungarians would either wholly desert the Emperor, or very coldly and faintly apply themselves to his Succour: The Effect of which was in the succeeding Wars plainly verified, and known, that the Hungarians were not only sparing in their Contribution and Supplies of Men in the Ser∣vice of the Emperor, but held secret Juntoes and Councils, Whether it were not better to accept the Turk's Soveraignty, on the Con∣ditions proposed, with Liberty of their Re∣ligion, rather than to continue in Allegiance to the Emperor, who neither afforded them freedom of Conscience, which is the Destru∣ction of their Spiritual Estate, nor was able to withstand the Turk, which argued insuf∣ficiency to yield them Protection in their Tem∣poral.

The Emperor sends his Ambassador to the Turk, under Notion of the King of Hunga∣ry, because at his Instalment as Emperor, he swears to make a perpetual War with the Turk; and indeed their Peace is little better than a War, considering their frequent Incur∣sions into each others Territories; and that to skirmish or fight in Bodies, under the number of five thousand, not taking Forts, or bringing Cannons in the Field, is no Breach of the Capi∣tulations.

The French King, though the first Christi∣an Prince, that having no Confines bordering on these Dominions, entred into Capitulati∣ons with the Turk for a free and open Com∣merce

and Traffick; and obtained the Title of Podeshaw, which signifies as much as Em∣peror, and is denied to all other Christian Kings, and even to the German Emperor himself, being adjudged an Honour amongst the Turks, proper and peculiar only to the Grand Signior: Yet their esteem of the French is not so great as some would perswade the World it is, having (as we have at large declared in the foregoing Chapter) given ample Testimonies in the Persons of the Am∣bassador, of their scorn and neglect of the Prince he represented.

I have heard the wise Lord Chancellor Sa∣mosade say, That the French gained that Ti∣tle of Podeshaw to their King, by Craft and Subtilty, and was never fully examined nor considered: and in that Business there is a strange Romance told of a fair French Lady, preferred to the Seraglio, whom the Turks were willing to receive for a Princes, and thence challenging Affinity with the King of France, was the more profuse in the honour of his Titles.

It is true, there was a time when the French Ambassadors was called to secret Councils, and admitted within the Walls of the Serag∣lio, to private Meetings and Debates of the Turk; but it was when the French plotted, and openly assisted in transportation of the Turks, for the Invasion of Italy; but since that time, and especially in the Year 1664, through the Force given the Emperor, and the Bravado upon Barbary, the French hath always (and that not without some reason) gone de∣clining in the good Opinion and Esteem in the Ottoman Court.

The Pope is more esteemed, as a Prince a∣ble to blow the Coals, and excite other Prin∣ces to the Damage of the Mahometan State, rather than by his own Power or Force to effect any thing himself; and having no Con∣fines bordering on the Turks, his Riches, Power, or Greatness, seldom falls as a Subject for their consideration.

As little account would they make of the King of Spain, but that the Granadine Turks, of which there remains in Constantinople a con∣siderable number since their Expulsion, through an extreme Affection, naturally inherent in them to Spain, discourse of it with a Passion, not altogether free of a little Rodomontado, and Vain-glory, Vices incident to their Coun∣try; whereby they create in the Turks a con∣ceit of the Greatness, Riches, and Force of Spain, according as it flourished in the Time that the Moors possessed their Seat and Habi∣tation there.

But yet the Turks, though a People inju∣rious and negligent of the accurate state of other Places, besides their own, are not alto∣gether ignorant of the decay of Spain, the Wars in Portugal, and the Menaces from France, which makes them aim at one of the Venetian Ports in Dalmatia, to have the better prospect and easier passage into Sicily, or the Kingdom of Naples.

The esteem the Venetians are in at this time amongst them, is greater than when the War first began, for then they entertained an Opinion of their Force, much inferior to the real estimation thereof; as they do now the contrary beyond their true Strength, making always calculates from the Effect and Success of Things.

Yet the Turk knows, that the Venetian Power is not comparable to his by Land, and that nothing but Friuli stands between him and the mastery of Venice; which makes him a∣shamed and angry, that after so many Years Wars, no greater Additions should be acquired to the Empire, than his footing in Candia, the whole possession of which was imagined at the beginning of the War, would, upon a bare De∣mand, been quietly presented as the Price and Purchase of the Peace.

The King of Poland is none of the least amongst the Christian Princes esteemed at the Ottoman Court, by reason of his great Power, consisting chiefly in Horse, which in the Opi∣nion of the Turks, is the most Warlike; and looks on the People as Martial, and with much difficulty brought under their subjecti∣on.

But by reason of the great Combustions and Intestine Troubles of that Country, the Polanders apply themselves with much Dexte∣rity and Caution in their Treaties with the Turks; and especially, being Borderers with them, and subject to their Incursions and Rob∣beries of Men and Cattel, they endeavour all means of fair and reasonable complyance. And on the other side, the Turk is well inclined to the Polander, and desires his prosperity beyond others of his Neighbour-Princes; be∣cause he looks on him as the only Curb, up∣on all Occasions, of the Muscovites, and whom they may make use of, to give some stop and ar∣rest unto the progress of his Arms.

The Moscovite hath yet a greater Fame and Renown with the Turks, being reported to make One hundred and fifty thousand Horse; so that he treats with the Turk on equal Terms, and fills his Letters with high Threats and Hyperbolical Expressions of his Power, and with as swelling Titles as the Turk.

The Greeks have also an inclination to the Moscovite beyond any other Christian Prince, as being of their Rites in Religion, terming him their Emperor and Protector; from whom, according to the ancient Prophesies and modern Predictions, they expect delivery and freedom to their Church.

But the greatest dread the Turk hath of the Moscovite, is from the Union with the Soffi, or Persian, which two uniting together, would be too unequal a Match for the Ottoman Empire.

But above all the great Potentates of the World, the King of Persia was most feared and esteemed by the Turk, not only by rea∣son of his great Force, and that the Borders of his Dominions run a long space on the Confines of the Turks; but because it is al∣most impossible, by reason of the vast Desarts, and uninhabited Places, to carry a War in∣to his Country, without the cumbersome car∣riages of all necessary Provisions, which with how much difficulty and incommodity were performed in the last Wars between these two great Princes, the History sufficiently relates; but since the Conquest of Babylon, and decay of their Riches, they are now the subjects of the Turkish scorn and contempt.

The nearness of their Faith, though de∣rived from the same Founder, but afterwards receiving some difference by the interpretati∣on of Haly, is in no-wise a reconcilement of their Affections; but rather a ground and mat∣ter of their Fear and Jealousy, lest at any time, waging a War against the Persian, that

Heresy should begin to be set on foot amongst the People, which, like a Spark that causes the Con••lagration of a whole City, may breed those inte••tine Civil distractions, which may prove of more danger and ruin than the for∣mer War.

It will not be necessary to speak much of the Hollanders, in regard, that though they have a Resident there, they are scarce taken notice of as a Nation different, but depending on the English.

These foregoing words of Holland, have been liable to censure amongst the Dutch; but for my Apology therein, I have thus much to say, That though the Assertion may seem strange in these our Times, yet when it was first wrote, which is now above seventeen Years past, it might have past for Current Truth; Distingue tempora & bene doces.

When I came first into Turky, which was in the Year 1660, there were very few of the Dutch Nation then in Turky, and their Trade very inconsiderable.

At Aleppo they had no Consul, till some Years after my arrival Levinus Warner, Resi∣dent at Constantinople, sent his Brother first to that place; but before that time, they always lived under the English protection.

At Smyrna they had no other for their Con∣sul, than one Evan Ogle a Greek, of whom either the Dutch or Turks took little notice, having recourse very often to the English Consul for his Advice, and Assistance.

At Constantinople, for many Years, the Dutch lived under the English Ambassador, which was the occasion of those differences debated in the Divan between ours, and the French Am∣bassador. Likewise Levinus Warner, a German born, lived for some Years in the House of the English Ambassador, until afterwards, that by the Lords the States, he was promoted to be their Resident at the Port.

All which happening in so short time after my arrival in Turky, it will not appear strange to considering Men, that the Dutch Nation should not at that time, by the generality of the People (though the Ministers of State might know otherwise) be distinguished from ours, or their Puissance, and Greatness so well un∣derstood as it is at present. The Heer Co∣lyer, formerly Resident, but now dignified with the Title of Ambassador at the Port, and the several Consuls in their respective Factories being much respected and esteemed.

And these are all the Nations considerable, with whom the Turk hath occasion to Treat, or that fall under his Cognisance of Busi∣ness.

When the Grand Signior hath occasion to write unto any of the Christian Princes, he commonly uses these Expressions, at the begin∣ning of the Letter.

To the Glory of the great Princes of JE∣SUS, Elected by the Reverend Sena∣tors of the Religion of the Messiah, Composer of the Publick Affairs of the Christian Nation. Patron (or Master) of a Courteous and Modest Train, Lord of those Ways which lead to Ho∣nour and Glory, whose End may it be happy, &c.

CHAP. XXII. The regard the Turks have to their Leagues with Foreign Princes.

AS the Christian Religion teaches Humili∣ty, Charity, Courtesie, and Faith to∣wards all that are within the Pale of Humane Nature, to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; so the Turkish Superstition furnishes its Follow∣ers with Principles, not only to abhor the Doctrines, but also the Persons of such whom they term not Believers. The sordidness of their Blood, and ungentleness of their Edu∣cation, makes them insolent and swelled in Prosperity; and their Victories and Spoils upon Christians, render the Arms and Force of other parts contemptible in respect of theirs.

Upon these Considerations of the vileness of Christianity, and scorn of their Power, they assume this into a Maxime, That they ought not to regard the Leagues they have with any Prince, or the Reasons and Ground of a Quarrel, whilst the Breach tends to the enlargement of their Empire, which conse∣quently infers the propagation of their Faith.

Many and various are the Examples and Stories in all Ages, since the beginning and increase of the Turkish Power, of the Per∣fidiousness and Treachery of this People; that it may be a Question, Whether their Valour and Force hath prevailed more in the time of War, or the little care of their Faith, and maintenance in their Leagues hath avai∣led them in the time of Peace?

Thus Didymotichum in the time of Peace, under Amurath, third King of the Turks, whilst the Walls and Fortifications were build∣ing, was by the Asian Labourers, which were entertained in the Work, and the help of other Turks which lay near in Ambush, sur∣prized and taken.

So also * 2.22 Rodestum, in the time of Peace, by command of Amurath, was by Eurenoses assaul∣ted and taken by strategem.

So Adrianople in the Reign of the same Emperor, after Peace made again, and Assu∣rances given of better Faith, was by the Art and Disguise of Chasis-Ilbeg, pretending to be a discontented Captain, and a Fugi∣tive from the Turks, by fair Speeches, and some Actions and Skirmishes Abroad, gained such confidence amongst the credulous Greeks, as enabled him afterwards to set the Gates open to Amurath's Army, which after some Conflict, was taken, and never recovered again by the power of the Greeks.

It is an old and practised Subtilty of the Turks, immediately after some notable Misfortune, to entreat of Peace, by which means they may gain time to recollect their Forces and Provi∣sions to prosecute the War.

It is notable and worthy of Record, the Treachery of the Treaty used the Year 1604, begun in the time of Mahomet the Third, and broken off by Achmet his Successour. The Overtures for a Treaty were first propounded by the Turks; and Commissioners from the Emperor appointed, and met the Turks at Buda; twelve days Truce were concluded for

consideration of the Articles, and Presents sent by the Turks to the Emperor, to per∣suade of the reality of their Intentions. Ma∣homet dying, Sultan Achmet renews his Com∣mission to the Bassa of Buda to continue the Treaty; whereupon the Christian and Turks Commissioners have another meeting at Pest; where whilst the Christians were courteously treating the Infidels in Tents near the Town, and they to create in the Christians an assu∣rance of their faithful Dealings, were produ∣cing Letters from their Sultan, and Prime Vizier, filled with Oaths and Protestations, as by the God of Heaven and Earth, by the Book of Moses, by the Souls of their Ance∣stors, and the like, that their Intentions for Peace were real, and meant nothing but what was honourable and just: At that very time the Turks of Buda, conceiving, that in the time of this great Jollity and Confidence, the Walls of Pest were neglected and slightly manned, issued out in great numbers to surprize it; the Alarm of which ended the Banquet, and the Turks finding Matters contrary to their Expectation, returned only with the shame of their Treachery.

It is no wonder the Disciples should, in a Point of so great Liberty and Advantage, fol∣low the Example and Doctrine of their Ma∣ster; for the like Mahomet did when over∣thrown, and repulsed at the Siege of Mecha, made a firm League with the Inhabitants of strict Peace and Amity: but the next Summer, having again recruited his Forces, easily sur∣prized and took the City, whilst that People relying on the late Agreement, suspected no∣thing less than the Prophet's Treachery.

And that such prefidiousness as this might not be Chronicled in future Ages, in disparage∣ment of his Sanctity; he made it lawful for his Believers, in Cases of like Nature, when the Matter concerned those who are Infidels, and of a different Perswasion, neither to re∣gard Promises, Leagues, or other Engage∣ments; and this is read in the Book of the Institutions of the Mahometan Law, called Ki∣tab Hadaia.

It is the usual Form and Custom, when a noble Advantage is espied on any Country, with which they have not sufficient ground of Quarrel, to demand the Opinion of the Muf∣tee, for the lawfulness of War; who without consulting other Consideration and Judgment of the reasonable Occasions, than the utility of▪ the Empire, in conformity to the forego∣ing President of his Prophet, passes his Fetfa, or Sentence; by which the War becomes war∣rantable, and the Cause justified and allow∣ed.

It is not to be denied, but even amongst Christian Princes, and other the most gallant People of the World, Advantages have been taken, contrary to Leagues, and Faith, and Wars commenced upon frivolous and slight Pretences; and the States have never wanted Reasons for the breach of Leagues; though confirmed by Oaths, and all the Rites of Re∣ligious Vows: We know it is controverted in the Schools, whether Faith is to be maintained with Infidels, with Hereticks, and wicked Men; which in my Opinion were more honou∣rable to be out of Question.

But we never read that Perfidiousness, by Act and Proclamation, was allowable, or that it was wholly to be Faithless, until the Doctors of the Mahometan Law, by the Example of their Prophet, recorded and commanded this Lesson, as a beneficial and useful Axiom to their Disciples.

And here I cannot but wonder at what I have heard and read in some Books of the Honesty and Justice of the Turks, extolling and applauding them, as Men accomplished with all the Vertues of a Moral Life; thence seeming to infer, that Christianity it self im∣poses none of those Engagements of Goodness on Mens Natures, as the Professors of it do imagine. But such Men, I believe, have nei∣ther read the Histories, nor consulted the Rules of their Religion, nor practised their Conver∣sation: and in all Points, being ignorant of the truth of the Turks dealing, it is not strange, if through a charitable Opinion of what they know not, they err in the Apprehension and Character they pass upon them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  O navis re∣ferent in mar•• te novi fluctus. Hor. 14. Ode. Lib. 1.
• * 1.2

  Tacit. l. 3. An.
• * 1.3

  M•• Espe∣rati che gli hanno, eche cominciano ad effere in veneratio∣ne, &c. Machi. c. 6. del Pren∣cipe.
• * 1.4

  The large∣ness of the Turkish Empire.
• * 1.5

  Qui liber∣tatem pub∣licam nollet, eum project•• servientiu•••• patientiae tedebat. Tac.
• * 1.6

  Spahees. the Turkish Horse.
• * 1.7

  A Shout used by the Turks when they fight.
• * 1.8

  Bolzac de la Cour, leur sterlle••e fait manu∣dire leu•• e∣levation. Cardinal Rich••••••u.
• * 1.9

  Magnaque est comitum aemulatio, quibus pri∣mus apud principem su••s locus, & Princi∣pani cui plurimi & ac••rrimi co∣metes. Haec digni∣tas, hae vi∣res, Magno semper ele∣ctoru•• ju∣venum glo∣bo circun∣dari, in pa∣•••• decus, in bello pr••si∣dium.
• * 1.10

  Oda signi∣fies a Chamber.
• * 1.11

  The two Odaes.
• * 1.12

  Cloathing and other necessaries.
• * 1.13

  Their Re∣tirement. Bed-cham∣bers:
• * 1.14

  Horsman∣ship.
• * 1.15

  T•••• Dart or G••rit.
• * 1.16

  The degrees of Successi∣ons greatly observed.
• * 1.17

  Dan. 6.
• * 1.18

  An Asper is about the value of an Halfpenny.
• * 1.19

  Which sig∣nifies a free command.
• * 1.20

  The great Character of the Em∣peror's Name af∣fixed at the top of every Command.
• * 2.1

  Moldavia.
• * 2.2

  The word Vayvod signifies as much as Praefectus Militiae, or the General of an Army.
• * 2.3

  Its Annual Tribute.
• * 2.4

  The Price of the Prin∣cipality.
• * 2.5

  Every Oke is two pounds and an half English.
• * 2.6

  The Tribu∣taries of Georgia and Men∣grelia.
• * 2.7

  The Marri∣age of a Pashaw with a Sultana.
• * 2.8

  The reason why Ah∣met Pasha late Vizier, suc••eded his Father Ku∣perlee in the Gov••••••∣ment.
• * 2.9

  Lib. 1.
• * 2.10

  ••us••e{que} Ep. 4. de Leg. Tur.
• * 2.11

  Turkish Hi∣story in the Reign of Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks.
• * 2.12

  Essay 29.
• * 2.13

  Lib. 6. A∣poth.
• * 2.14

  Essays.
• * 2.15

  Rom. c. 1.
• * 2.16

  De Vita Agric.
• * 2.17

  De H••∣rusp. re∣sponsis.
• * 2.18

  The Audi∣ence of Ambassa∣dours.
• * 2.19

  Lib. 2. ann.
• * 2.20

  Grot. lib. de Jure Belli & Pac.
• * 2.21

  Tac. lib. 6.
• * 2.22

  Now cal∣led Rode∣sto.