Of the ISLAND of CHIO.
THE City of Chio, which gives the Island its Name, contains about thirty thou∣sand Inhabitants; where there are little less than fifteen thousand Greeks, eight thousand Latins, and six thousand Turks.
Among the several Greek and Latin Churches, the last of which hath continu'd ever since the time that the Genoeses possess'd the Island, there are some indifferent handsom Structures. The five principal Latin Churches are the Cathedral, and the Churches belonging to the Escolantines, the Dominicans, the Jesuites, and the Capuchins. The Turks have also their Mosquees, and the Jews their Synagogue.
Four Miles from the City, near to the Sea-side is to be seen a vast Stone, which was cut out of some Rock; it is almost all round, only the upper part, which is flat, and somewhat hollow; round about the upper part, and in the middle, are places like Seats, cut into the same Stone; of which there is one higher than the rest, like a School-master's Chair; and Tradition reports that this was Homer's School, where he taught his Scholars.
In this Island there is such an infinite number of Partridges, that the like is not to be found in any part of the World. But that which is a greater Rarity is this, that the Natives breed them up, as we do our Poultry, but after a more pleasant manners, for they let them go in the fields all the day long, and at night every Country-man calls his own sevèrally home to Roost by a particular Note, whither they return like a Flock of so many Geese.
There are great quantities of Damasks and Fustians wrought in the Island of Chio, which are transported to Grand-Cairo, and to all the Cities upon the Coast of Bar∣bary, Natolia, and particularly to Constantinople.
Three Leagues from the Island of Chio, upon a Mountain to the South there grows a peculiar sort of Trees; the Leaves are somewhat like a Myrtle, their Branches so long that they creep upon the ground; but which is more wonderful, that when they are down, they rise again of themselves. From the beginning of May to the end of June, the Inhabitants take great care to keep the Earth under the Tree very clean; for during those two Months there issues out a certain Gum from the joynts of the Branches, which drops upon the ground; this is that which we call Mastick, and the Turks, Sakes, according to the Name which they give the Island. The Island produces great store of this Mastick, which is spent in the Seraglio of Constantinople, where the Women continually chew it, to cleanse and keep their Teeth white. When the Mastick Season draws near, the Grand Signor every year sends a certain number of Bestangi's to take care that it be not exported, but be pre∣serv'd for the use of the Seraglio. If it be a plentiful year for Mastick the Bestangi's that cull out the lesser sort to sell, put it into little Bags and seal it up; which Bags being so seal'd, are never question'd by the Custom-house Officers. The Island also yields very good Turpentine.