Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. III.

The Muftie, Cadileschiers, Diuans: Manners and attire of the Turkes. The Sultan described, and his Customes and Court. The Customes of the Greekes. Sir THO: GLOVER.

THE dignitie of the Chaliph amongst the Turkes, with much abatement, doth now re∣maine [ 40] * 1.1 in the Mufties (which name doth signifie An Oracle, or Answerer of doubts) as Successors to Ebbubecher, Omar and Ozman; the other being both High-Priests and Princes; these Patriarchs, as it were, and Soueraignes of their Religion. Through∣out the whole Turkish Territories, there is but one, who euer resideth in the Royall Citie, or fol∣lowes the person of the Emperour. He is equall to the ancient Popes, or rather greater both in repute and authoritie. The Grand Signior doth rise at his approach to salute him, and sets him by him, and giues him much reuerence. His life is onely free from the Sword, and his fortunes most rarely subiect to subuersion. The Emperour vndertaketh no high designe without his ap∣prouement. He hath power to reuerse both his sentence, and the sentence of the Divan, if they be not adiudged by him conformable to the Alcoran, but his owne is irreuocable. In matters of [ 50] difficultie they repaire to him, and his exposition standeth for a Law. To conclude, he is the su∣preme Iudge, and rectifier of all actions, as well Ciuill as Ecclesiasticall, and an approuer of the Iustice of the Militarie. The place is giuen by the Grand Signiors, to men profoundly learned in their Law, and of knowne integritie. He seldome stirres abroad, and neuer admits of imperti∣nent conuersation. Graue is his looke, graue is his behauiour; Highly affecting silence, and most spare of speech. For when any come to him for iudgement, they deliuer him in writing the state of the question, who in writing briefly returnes his oraculous answer. He commonly weareth a vest of greene, and the greatest Turbant in the Empire: I should not speake much out of com∣passe, should I say as large in compasse as a bushell. I oft haue beene in this mans Serraglio, which [ 60] is neither great in receit nor beautie, yet answerable to his small dependancie, and infrequencie of Sutors. He keepeth in his house a Seminarie of Boyes, who are instructed in the mysteries of their Law. He is not restrained, nor restaineth himselfe from pluralitie of Women. His in∣comes are great, his disbursings little, and consequently his wealth infinite; yet he is a bad pay∣master

of his debts, though they be but trifles. He much delighteth in Clockes and Watches, whereof, as some say, he hath not so few as a thousand.

Next in place to the Muftie, are the Cadileschiers, that are Iudges of the Armies, (but not to meddle with the Ianisarie) and accompany the Beglerbegs when they goe into the field. Of * 1.2 these there are onely two; one of the European part of the Empire, and another of the Asian. These are also elected by the Grand Signior, as the Cadies by them, (yet to bee allowed by the other, and to kisse his Vest:) of whom there is one in euery Towne, who besides their spirituall Functions, doe adminster Iustice betweene partie and partie, and punish offenders. Of inferior Priests, there be some particularly appointed to sing at the tops of their steeples, and to congre∣gate the people; some to looke to the Ceremonies, and some to reade and interpret the Alcoran. [ 10] There are also other religious Orders, which I omit to speak of, being of their owne taking vp, neither commanded nor commended, and rather to be esteemed Vagabonds then religious per∣sons, consider we either their life or their habits.

Among the Turkish Commandements, one is that drawne originally from our Sauiours, Thou * 1.3 shalt not doe what thou wouldst not haue done to thee: whereupon for the most part their Ciuill Iu∣stice is grounded, not disagreeing greatly from the Lawes of Moses. All euictions there, as else∣where depend vpon Witnesses: yet will not the oath of a Christian or a Iew be receiued against a Turke, as will a Turkes against them, and theirs one against another. But the kindred of Ma∣homet haue their single testimonies in equall value with the testimonies of two others: notwith∣standing the oath of a Mahometan will not be taken, if impeached for a drinker of Wine, or ea∣ter [ 20] of Swines flesh. Euery Bassa keepes a Divan (so they call the Court of Iustice) within his Prouince: but the highest of all, and to which they may appeale from all other, is that, which * 1.4 is kept foure daies of the weeke in the Grand Signiors Serraglio, from whence no appeale is admitted but to the person of the Muftie. Here the Vizier Bassas of the Port, who are nine in number (or as many as then are not otherwise employed) doe sit in Iustice (where also they * 1.5 consult of matters of State, and that publikely, not excepting against Embassadours Droger∣men, lightly alwaies present: so presume they of strong hand) assisted by the * 1.6 Admirall, and * 1.7 Chancellor, (the * 1.8 Treasurer in the same roome keeping his Court) where all causes whatsoe∣ter that are heard, within the space of three daies are determined, the Great Viziers Bassa being President of the rest. But Briberie, not knowne vntill lately amongst them, hath so corrupted [ 30] their integritie, that whose causes (if they beare but a colour of right) doe seldome miscarrie where gifts are the Aduocates: yet this is the best of the worst, that they quickly know their successes. But many times when the oppressed subiects can haue no Iustice, they will in troupes attend the comming forth of the Emperor, and by burning Straw on their heads, or holding vp Torches, prouoke his regard: who brought vnto him by his Mutes, doth receiue their petition, which oftentimes turnes to the ruine of some of those great ones. For assurances of Purcha∣ses, they haue no Indentures, no fines and recoueries. The omitting of a word cannot frustrate * 1.9 their estates; nor Quirks of Law preuaile against Conscience. All that they haue to shew, is a little Scedule, called a Hodget or Sigil, onely manifesting the possession of the Seller, as his of whom he bought it, or from whom it descended vnto him, which vnder-written by the Cadie [ 40] of the place, doth frustrate all after-claimes whatsoeuer.

Now the punishments for offenders, be either Pecuniarie or Corporall. To impose the for∣mer, they will forge all the slanders that they can, to eate vpon the lesse circumspect Christi∣ans, * 1.10 but the other are seldome vniustly inflicted. Their formes of putting to death, (besides such as are common else-where) are impaling vpon stakes, ganching (which is to be let fall from on high vpon hookes, and there to hang vntill they die by the anguish of their wounds, or more miserable famine,) and another inuented (but now not here vsed) to the terror of man∣kind, by some deuillish Perillus, who deserued to haue first tasted of his owne inuention, viz: they twitch the offender about the waste with a Towell, enforcing him to draw vp his breath [ 50] by often pricking him in the body, vntill they haue drawne him within the compasse of a spanne; then tying it hard, they cut him off in the middle, and setting the body on a hot plate of Copper, which seareth the veines, they so vp-propping him during their cruell pleasure: who not onely retaineth his sense, but the faculties of Discourse, vntill hee be taken downe, and then departeth in an instant. But little faults are chastised by blowes, receiued on the soles of the feet with a bastinado, by hundred at a time, according to the qualitie of the misde∣meanor. A terrible paine that extendeth to all the part of the body, yet haue I seene them ta∣ken for money. The Master also in this sort doth correct his Slaue; but Parents their Children with stripes on the belly. The Subashie is as the Constable of a Citie, both to search out, and pu∣nish offences. [ 60]

It remayneth now that we speake of the persons of the Turkes, their dispositions, manners * 1.11 and fashions. They be generally well complexioned, of good statures, and full bodies, propor∣tionably compacted. They nourish no haire about them, but a Locke on the crowne, and on their faces onely; esteeming it more cleanly, and to bee the better prepared for their superstiti∣ous washings. But their Beards they weare at full length, the marke of their affected grauitie,

and token of freedome, (for slaues haue theirs shauen) insomuch that they will scoffe at such Christians as cut, or naturally want them, as if suffering themselues to be abused against nature. All of them weare on their heads white Shashes and Turbants, the badge of their Religion, as is * 1.12 the folding of the one, and size of the other, of their vocations and qualitie. Shashes are long Towels of Callico woond about their heads: Turbants are made like great Globes of Callico too, and thwarted with Rols of the same; hauing little copped Caps on the top, of Greene or Red Veluet, being onely worne by persons of ranke, and he the greatest that weareth the grea∣test, the Mufties excepted, which ouer-sizes the Emperours. And though many Orders haue particular Ornaments appointed for their heads, yet weare they these promiscuously. It is an especiall fauour in the Turke to suffer the Christian Tributarie Princes and their chiefest Nobles [ 10] to weare white heads in the Citie: but in them, what better then an Apostaticall Insinuation? But to beginne from the skinne, the next that they weare is a Smock of Callico, with ample * 1.13 sleeues, much longer then their Armes: vnder this a paire of Calsouns of the same, which reach to their ancles, the rest naked; and going in Yellow or Red Slip-shooes, picked at the toe, and plated on the sole: ouer all they weare a halfe-sleeued Coate girt vnto them with a Towell: their necke all bare, and this within doores is their Sommer accoutrement. Ouer all when they goe abroad they weare Gownes, some with wide halfe sleeues, (which more particularly belong * 1.14 to the Grecians,) others with long hanging sleeues, and the Gownes buttened before, and a third sort worne by the meaner sort, reaching but a little below the knee, with hanging sleeues not much longer then the arme, and open before; but all of them vngathered in the shoulders. In the Winter they adde to the former, Calsouns of Cloth, which about the small of the legge are [ 20] sewed to short smooth Buskins of Leather without soles, fit for the foote as a Gloue for the hand, lining their Gownes with Furre, as they doe their Coats; hauing then the sleeues (or quil∣ted Waist-coats vnder them) reaching close to their wrists. They weare no Gloues. At their Girdles they weare long Handkerchers, some of them admirable for value and workmanship. They neuer alter their fashions, not greatly differing in the great and vulgar, more then in the richnesse. Cloth of Tissue, of Gold and Siluer, Veluet, Scarlet, Sattin, Damaske, Chamolets, lined with Sables, and other costly Furres, and with Martins, Squerrils, Foxes and Cony-skins; worne according to their seuerall qualities. But the common weare is Violet Cloth. They re∣tayne the old Worlds custome in giuing change of Garments, which they may aptly doe, when one Vest fitteth all men, and is of euery mans fashion. [ 30]

The Clergie goe much in Greene, it being Mahomets colour; and his Kinsmen in greene Sha∣shes, * 1.15 who are called Emers, which is Lords: the women also weare something of Greene on their heads, to be knowne. There liues not a Race of ill-fauoureder people; branded perhaps by God for the sinne of their seducing Ancestor, and their owne wicked assuming of hereditary holinesse. But if a Christian out of ignorance weare Greene, hee shall haue his clothes torne off from his backe, and perhaps be well beaten. They carrie no Weapons about them in the Citie; * 1.16 onely they thrust vnder their Girdles great crooked Kniues of a Dagger-like size, in sheathes * 1.17 of Metall; the Hafts and Sheathes of many beeing set with stones, and some of them worth fiue hundred Sultanies. They beare their bodies vpright, of a stately gate, and elated [ 40] countenance. In their familiar salutations they lay their hands on their bosomes, and a little de∣cline their bodies: but when they salute a person of great ranke, they bow almost to the ground, and kisse the hemme of his Garment. The ornaments of their heads they neuer put off vpon any occasion. Some of them perfume their Beards with Amber, and the in-sides of their Tur∣bants: and all of them affect cleanlinesse so religiously, that besides their customarie Lotions, and daily frequenting of the Bannias, they neuer so much as make water, but they wash both * 1.18 their hands and priuities: at which businesse they sequester themselues, and couch to the Earth; reuiling the Christian whom they see pissing against a wall, and sometimes striking him. This they doe to preuent that any part of either excrement should touch their Garments, esteeming * 1.19 it a pollution, and hindering the acceptation of Prayer, who then are to bee most pure in heart and habite. [ 50]

So slouthfull they be, that they neuer walke vp and downe for recreation, nor vse any other * 1.20 exercise but shooting, wherein they take as little paines as may bee, sitting on Carpets in the shadow, and sending their Slaues for their Arrowes. They also shoote against Earthen wals, euer * 1.21 kept moyst in shops and priuate houses for that purpose, standing not aboue sixe paces from the marke, and that with such violence, that the Arrow passes not seldome through: nay, I haue seene their Arrowes shot by our Embassadour through Targets of Steele, pieces of Brasse two inches thicke; and through wood, with an Arrow headed with wood, of eight inches. Their Bowes are for forme and length, not vnlike the Lath of a large Crosse bow, made of the hornes * 1.22 of Buffoloes, intermixed with sinewes, of admirable workmanship, and some of them exquisitely gilded. Although there bee Wrastlers amongst them, yet they bee such as doe it to delight the [ 60] people, and do make it their profession; as do those that walke vpon Ropes, wherein the Turkes * 1.23 are most expert; going about when they haue done, to euery particular Spectator for his volun∣tary beneuolence. Of Cards and Dice they are happily ignorant; but at Chesse they will play all * 1.24

the day long: a sport that agreeth well with their sedentarie vacancie; wherein notwithstan∣ding they auoyde the dishonest hazard of money.

The better sort take great delight in their Horses, which are beautifull to the eye, and well ridden for seruice, but quickly iaded if held to a good round trot (for amble they doe not) in an * 1.25 indifferent Iourney. But the Turkes doe not lightly ride so fast as to put them vnto eyther. Their Saddles be hard and deepe, though not great, plated behind and before; and some of them with Siluer, as are their massie Stirrops, and the Reines of their Bridles, suted vnto their costly Caparisons. When they stand in the Stable they feed them for the most part, if not altogether, with Barley; being heere of small value, and onely seruing for that purpose. They litter them in their owne dung, first dryed in the Sunne and puluerated, which keepes their skinnes cleane, [ 10] smoth, and shining.

The Turkes doe greatly reuerence their Parents, (so commanded to doe by their Law) as the * 1.26 Inferiour his Superiour, and the young aged, readily giuing the prioritie to whom it belongeth, (the left hand as they goe in the streets preferd before the right, in that made Masters thereby of the Sword of the other, and the chiefest place the farthest from the wall) liuing together as if all of a Brother-hood. Yet giue they no entertaynment vnto one another, nor come there any into their houses but vpon speciall occasion, and those but into the publike parts thereof; their wo∣men being neuer seene but by the Nurses and Eunuches which attend on them. Yea, so iealous * 1.27 they are, that their Sonnes when they come to growth are separated from them. As their houses are meane, so are their furnitures: hauing nothing on the in-side but bare white walls, vnlesse it [ 20] be some especiall roome, in the house of some of high qualitie. But the Roofes of many of them are curiously seeled with in-laid wood, adorned with Gold and Azure of an excessiue cost∣linesse; the greater part of the floore, and that a little aduanced, beeing couered with Turkie Carpets, whereon when they tread they doe put off their slip-shooes. Many of their roomes haue great out windowes, where they sit on Cushions in the heate of the day. They lye vpon Mattresses, some of Silke, some of stayned Linnen, with Bolsters of the same, and Quilts that are sutable, but much in their clothes, the cause perhaps that they are so lousie. Nor shame they thereat, many shall you see sit publikely a lousing themselues in the Sunne; and those no meane persons.

They haue neither Tables nor stooles in their houses, but sit crosse-leg'd on the floore at their [ 30] * 1.28 victuals, all in a Ring. In stead of a cloth, they haue a Skinne spread before them; but the better sort sit about a round boord, standing on a foot not past halfe a foot high, and brimd like a Char∣ger. Their Dishes haue feet like standing Bolls, and are so set one vpon another, that you may eat of each without the remoouing of any. Their most ordinarie food is Pillaw, that is, Rice which hath beene sod with the fat of Mutton. Pottage they vse of sundry kinds, Egges fryed in Ho∣ney, * 1.29 Tansies, (or something like them) Pasties of sundry Ingredients: the little flesh which they eate is cut into gobbets, and either sod, or tosted in a Furnace. But I thinke there is more in London spent in one day then is in this Citie in twentie. Fish they haue in indifferent quan∣titie. But the Commons doe commonly feed on Herbes, Fruits, Rootes, Onions, Garlicke, a beastly kind of vnpressed Cheese that lyeth in a lumpe; hodge-podges made of Flower, Milke, [ 40] and Honey, &c. so that they liue for little or nothing, considering their fare, and the plentie of all things. They are wayted vpon by their slaues giuen them, or purchased with their Swords, or Money: of these to haue many it is accounted for great Riches. When one hath fed suffici∣ently * 1.30 he riseth, and another taketh his roome, and so continue to doe vntill all be satisfied. They eate three times a day, but when they feast they sit all the day long, vnlesse they rise to exone∣rate Nature, and forth with returne againe. They abstaine from Hogs-flesh, from bloud, and * 1.31 from what hath dyed of it selfe, vnlesse in cases of necessitie. Their vsuall drinke is pure water, yet haue they sundry Sherbets, (so call they the Confections which they infuse into it) some made of Sugar and Limons, some of Violets, and the like, (whereof some are mixed with Am∣ber) which the Richer sort dissolue thereinto. The Honey of Sio is excellent for that purpose, [ 50] and they make another of the iuyce of Raisins, of little cost, and most vsually drunke of. Wine is prohibited them by their Alcoran, they plant none, they buy none: but now to that libertie they are growne (the naturall Turke excepted) that they will quaffe freely when they come to the house of a Christian: insomuch, as I haue seene but few goe away vnled from the Embassa∣dors Table. Yet the feared disorders that might ensue thereof, haue beene an occasion that di∣uers times all the Wine in the Citie hath beene staued (except in Embassadors houses) and death hath beene made the penaltie vnto such as presumed to bring any in. They preferre our Beere aboue all other drinkes. And considering that Wine is forbidden, that water is with the rawest (especially in this Clime) the dearenesse of Sherbets, and plentie of Barley (being here sold not for aboue nine pence a bushell) no doubt but it would proue infinitely profitable to such as should [ 60] bring in the vse thereof amongst them.

Although they be destitute of Tauernes, yet haue they their Coffa-houses, which something resemble them. There sit they chatting most of the day, and sippe of a drinke called Coffa (of * 1.32 the Berrie that it is made of) in little China dishes, as hot as they can suffer it: blacke as soote,

and tasting not much vnlike it (why not that blacke broth which was in vse amongst the Lace∣demonians?) which helpeth, as they say, digestion, and procureth alacritie: many of the Cof∣famen keeping beautifull boyes, who serue as stales to procure them customers. The Turkes are also incredible takers of Opium, whereof the lesser Asia affoordeth them plentie: carrying it a∣bout * 1.33 them both in peace and in warre; which they say expelleth all feare, and makes them cou∣ragious: but I rather thinke giddy headed, and turbulent dreamers; by them, as should seeme by what hath beene said, religiously affected. And perhaps for the selfe-same cause they * 1.34 also delight in Tobacco; they take it through reeds that haue ioyned vnto them great heads of wood to contayne it, I doubt not but lately taught them, as brought them by the English: and were it not sometimes lookt into (for Morat Bassa not long since commanded a Pipe to bee thrust through the nose of a Turke, and so to be led in derision through the Citie,) no question [ 10] but it would proue a principall commoditie. Neuerthelesse, they will take it in corners, and are so ignorant therein, that that which in England is not saleable, doth passe here amongst them for most excellent.

They are by their law in generall exhorted to marrie, for the propagation of their Religion: * 1.35 and hee ill reputed of, that forbeareth so to doe vntill the age of fiue and twentie. Euery man is allowed foure wiues, who are to be of his owne Religion, and as many Concubine slaues as hee is able to keepe, of what Religion soeuer. For God (sayth the Alcoran) that is good and gracious, exacteth not of vs what is harsh and burdensome; but permits vs the nightly com∣panie of women, well knowing that abstinency in that kind is both grieuous, and impossible. [ 20] Yet are they to meddle with none but their owne peculiars: the offending woman they * 1.36 drowne, and the man they gansh. They buy their wiues of their parents, and record the con∣tract before the Cadi, which they after solemnize in this manner. Many women are inuited by the mother of the Bride, to accompanie her the night before the marriage day, whereof they spend a great part in feasting; then leade they her into a Bath, where they anoint and bathe her: so breaking companie they depart vnto their seuerall rests, and in the morning returne to her chamber, where they tricke her in her richest ornaments, tying on her silken Buskins with knots easily not vnknit. The Bridegroom hauing feasted a number in like manner, in the morning they also repaire to his house, in their best apparell, and gallantly mounted, from whence they set forward by two and by two, to fetch home the Bride, accompanied with Musike, and con∣ducted [ 30] by Sagdich, who is the neerest of his kindred; vnto whom the Bride is deliuered, with her face close couered. Who set astride on horse-backe, hath a Canopie carried ouer her, in such sort as no part of her is to bee discerned. So the troope returning in order as they came, after them are carried in Serpets (a kind of baskets) their presents and apparell; then followeth she, and lastly her slaues, if any haue beene giuen her. The Bride-groome standeth at his doore to receiue her, who is honoured by his guests (yet goe they not in) with sundrie presents before their departure. If shee be of qualitie, shee is led to the Bride chamber by an Eunuch, where women stand prepared to vndresse her. But the Bride-groome himselfe must vntye her Bus∣kins (as amongst the Romanes they did their Girdles) to which hee is fayne to applie his teeth. Now, he is to entertaine his wiues with an equall respect, alike is their diet, alike is [ 40] their apparell, alike his beneuolence (for such sweet stuffe is contayned in the precepts of their Doctors) vnlesse they consent to giue or change turnes; or else they may complaine to the Cadi, * 1.37 and procure a diuorcement. But the husband may put away his wife at his pleasure: who may marrie vnto another within foure moneths after, prouided shee proue not with child, and then not vntill so long after her deliuery. But if he will haue her againe, hee must buy her: and if after the third diuorce, another is first to lie with her, as a punishment inflicted for his leuitie: They giue him the reuerence of a master; they are at no time to denie him their embracements, whom he toucheth not againe vntill they haue beene at the Bannias. They receiue chastisement from him, and that they hold to be an argument of his affection. They feed apart, and inter∣meddle not with houshold affaires. All that is required at their hands, is, to content their hus∣bands, to nurse their owne children, and to liue peaceably together: which they doe (and which * 1.38 [ 50] is strange) with no great iealousie, or enuie. No male accompanies them aboue twelue yeeres old, except they be Eunuchs: and so strictly are they guarded, as seldome seene to looke out at their doores. They be women of elegant beauties, for the most part ruddie, cleere, and smooth as the polished Iuorie; being neuer ruffled by the weather, and daily frequenting the Bannias, but withall by the selfe-same meanes they sodainly wither. Great eyes they haue in principall repute: affected both by the Turks and the Grecians, as it should seeme, from the beginning. For Mahomet doth promise women with such, (nay as big as Egges) in his imaginarie Paradise. And of those the blacker they be, the more amiable: insomuch that they put betweene the eye-lids and the eye a certaine blacke powder with a fine long pensill, made of a minerall brought from [ 60] the Kingdome of Fez, and called Alcohole; which by the not disgracefully stayning of the lids doth better set forth the whitenesse of the eye; and though it trouble for a time, yet it comfor∣teth the sight, and repelleth ill humours. Into the same hue (but likely they naturally are so) doe they die their eye-breies, and eye-browes (the later by Arte made high, halfe circular, and

to meet, if naturally they doe not) so doe they the haire of their heads, as a foyle that maketh the white seeme whiter, and more becomming their other perfections. They part it before the midst, and plaite it behind, yet sometimes wearing it disheueled. They paint their nayles with a yellowish red. They weare on the top of their heads a Cap not vnlike a Sugar-loafe, yet a little flat, of paist-boord, and couered with Cloth of siluer or Tissue. Their vnder-garments (which within doores are their vppermost) doe little differ from those that bee worne by the men, which wee will present to the eye to auoide repetition.

[illustration]

The better sort about the vpper part of their armes, and smalls of their legs weare bracelets, and are elsewhere adorned with Iewels. When they goe abroad they weare ouer all long Gowns of violet cloth, or scarlet, tyed close before, the large sleeues hanging ouer their hands, hauing Buskins on their legs, and their heads and faces so mabbled in fine linnen, that no more is to be seene of them then their eyes: nor that of some, who looke as through the sight of a Beuer. For they are forbidden by the Alcoran to disclose their beauties vnto any, but vnto their fathers * 1.39 and husbands. They neuer stirre forth, but (and then alwayes in troupes) to pray at the graues, [ 50] and to the publike Bannias: which for excellency of buildings are next to their Mosques. But hauing in part alreadie described some of their formes, I will a little treate of their vse; which * 1.40 haue beene in times past, and are at this present, in such request with these Nations (as once with the Romanes, as may appeare by their regardable ruines) that few but frequent them twice in the weeke, as well for their health, as for delight and cleanlinesse. For the stomackes crudi∣ties, proceeding from their vsuall eating of fruits, and drinking of water, is thereby concocted: which also after exercise and trauell restoreth to the wearied bodie a wonderfull alacritie. The men take them vp in the morning, and in the afternoone the women. But both amongst the Ro∣manes did ordinarily frequent them together: a custome, as they say, continutd in Switserland at this day, and that amongst the most modest. The men are attended vpon by men, and the [ 60] women by women; in the outermost roome they put off their clothes, and hauing Aporns of stayned linnen tyed about their wastes, then entring the Baths to what degree of heate that they please, (for seuerall roomes, and seuerall parts of them are of seuerall temperatures, as is the water let in by cocks to wash the sweat and filth of the bodie) the seruitors wash them, rub

them, stretch out their ioynts, and cleanse their skins with a piece of rough Grogeram; which done, they shaue the heads and bodies of men, or take away the haire with a composition of Rusma (a minerall of Cyprus) and vnsleakt Lime; who returning to the place where they left their clothes, are dryed with fresh linnen; and for all this they pay not aboue three or foure As∣pers: so little, in that endued with reuenues by their Founders. But the women, doe anoint their bodies with an oyntment made of the earth of Chios, which maketh the skin soft, white, and shining; extending that on the face, and freeing it from wrinkles. Much vnnaturall and * 1.41 filthie lust is said to bee committed daily in the remote closets of the darkesome Bannias: yea, women with women; a thing vncredible, if former times had not giuen thereunto both dete∣ction and punishment. They haue generally the sweetest children that euer I saw; partly pro∣ceeding [ 10] * 1.42 from their frequent hathings, and affected cleanlinesse. As wee beare ours in our armes, so they doe theirs astride on their shoulders.

Now, next to their wiues wee may speake of their slaues: for little difference is there made * 1.43 betweene them: who are Christians taken in the Warres, or purchased with their Money. Of these there are weekly Markets in the Citie, where they are to be sold as Horses in Faires: the * 1.44 men being rated according to their faculties, or personall abilities, as the Women for their youths and beauties, who are set out in best becomming attires, and with their aspects of pitie and affection, endeuour to allure the Christians to buy them, as expecting from them a more easie seruitude, and continuance of Religion: when being thrall to the Turke, they are often inforced to renounce it for their better entertainment. Of them there bee many of excellent [ 20] outward perfection; and when the buyer hath agreed of the price (but yet conditionally) they are carryed aside into a roome, euen to the search of her mouth, and assurance (if so she be said to be) of her virginitie. Their Masters may lye with them, chastise them, exchange, and sell * 1.45 them at their pleasure. But a Christian will not lightly sell her whom he hath layne with, but giue her her libertie. If any of their Slaues will become Mahometans, they are discharged of their bondage: but if a Slaue to a Turke, he onely is the better intreated. The Turkes do vse their Bond-women with little lesse respect then their Wiues, and make no difference betweene the Children begotten both of the one and the other: who liue together without ielousie, it be∣ing allowed by their irresigious Religion. Notwithstanding, their Wiues doe onely receiue, as proper vnto them, their Sabbaths beneuolence. The old and most deformed, are put to most [ 30] drudgerie.

The Men-slaues may compell their Masters before the Cadie, to limit the time of their bon∣dage, or set a price of their redemption, or else to sell them vnto another: but whether of the two, they lightly referre to the Slaues election. If they bee onely fit for labour, they will ac∣cept of the time; but if skilfull in any craft, of the price: which expired or payed, they may returne into their Countries. But Gally-slaues are seldome released, in regard of their small number, and much employment which they haue for them; nor those that are Slaues vnto great ones, to whom the Cadies authoritie extends not. Many of the Children that the Turkes * 1.46 doe buy (for these Markets doe affoord of all Ages) they castrate, making all smooth as the backe of the hand, (whereof diuers doe dye in the cutting) who supply the vses of Nature with [ 40] a Siluer Quill, which they weare in their Turbants. In times past, they did but onely geld them, but being admitted to the free conuerse of their women, it was obserued by some, that they more then befittingly delighted in their societies.

But others say, that Selymus the second, hauing seene a Gelding couer a Mare, brought in a∣mongst them that inhumane custome. The first that euer made Eunuch, was Semiramis. They are heere in great repute with their Masters, trusted with their States, the Gouernment of their Women and Houses in their absence; hauing for the most part beene approoued faith∣full, wise, and couragious; insomuch as not a few of them haue come to sit at the sterne of State, (the second Vizer of the Port being now an Eunuch,) and others to the Gouern∣ment of Armies.

But now speake we of their Funerals. After their death, the Men by the Men, and the Wo∣men [ 50] * 1.47 by the Women, are laid out in the midst of the roome. When diuers of their Priests do as∣semble, and hauing performed certaine idle ceremonies, as in wrapping their beades about it, and in the often turning it, inuoking God to haue mercy on the departed; which done, they wash it, shaue it, and shroud it in Linnen, which they leaue vntied both at the head and feet. Then lay they the Corse on a Beere, placing a Turbant at the vpper end, and carrying it to the Graue with the head forward: some of the Deruises going before with Tapers, the Priests after singing, and lastly, his friends and acquaintance. But persons of principall qualitie haue their Horses led be∣fore them, with Ensignes trailed on the earth, and other rites of that nature; diuers of the San∣tons going before, naming of God, and shaking of their heads, and turning about vntill they fall [ 60] downe giddy. The sides and bottome of the graue are boorded, and a boord laid ouer the Corse, to keepe the earth from it, leauing a sufficient compasse to kneele in. For they are of opinion, that two terrible Angels, called Mongir and Gua••equir, doe presently repaire vnto the graue, and

put the soule againe into the body, as if (saith the Alcoran) a man should put on a shirt, and raising him on his knees, with his head vncouered, (the win••••ng-••••ieete being left vnknit for that purpose) demand of him in particular, how he hath behaued himselfe in this life: which if not well, the one strikes him on the head with a hammer nine fathoms into the earth, the other tearing him with an Iron hooke; and so continue to torment him vntill the day of Iudgement. A Purgatory so feared, that in their Mattins they petition God to deliuer them from the exami∣nations of the blacke Angels, the tortures of the Graue, and their euill iourney. But if he haue satisfied them in his reply, they vanish away, and two white Angels come in their places; the onelaying his arme vnder his head; the other sitting at his feet, and so protect him vntill doomes day. The Emperors, and some of the great Bassas (whereof we haue spoken sufficiently before [ 10] haue their particular Mausoleums. Those of a second condition are buried in their Gardens, in Se∣pulchers without couers, filled within with earth, and set with varietie of Flowers: But the common sort are buried by the high-way sides, and fields of most frequency, adioyning to the Citie, hauing a stone of white Marble more then a foote broad, and foure foote high, ingrauen with Turkish Characters, erected at the head, and another at the feete, the grant betweene lying low like a trough. To these the women flocke euery. Thursday in multitudes, weeping ouer their Children, Husbands, Kinsfolkes, and dead Progenitors, often killing the stones, and praying for their deliuery from the aforesaid blacke Torturers: many times leauing bread and meate on their graues, (a custome also of the Pagans) for Dogges and Birds to deuoure, as well as to relieue the poore, being held an auailable almes for the deceassed. The better sort doe mourne [ 20] in white (as for blacke, I neuer saw it worne by a Turke) and but for a little season. And the Women are not to marry by their law, vntill foure moneths and ten daies after the death * 1.48 of their Husbands.

To speake a word or two of their Sciences and Trades: some of them haue some little knowledge in Philosophie. Necessitie hath taught them Physicke, rather had from experi∣ence then the grounds of Art. In Astronomy they haue some in-sight; and many there are that * 1.49 vndertake to tell fortunes. These frequently sit in the streetes of the Citie, resorted vnto by such as are to take a iourney, or goe about any businesse of importance. They haue a good gift in Poetry, wherein they chant their Armours in the Persian tongue to vile Musicke; yet are they forbidden so to doe by their Law: Citternes, Harpes and Recorders, being their principall In∣struments. * 1.50 [ 30] But their lowd Instruments doe rather affright, then delight the hearing. On a time * 1.51 the Grand Signior was perswaded to heare some choise Italian Musicke: but the foolish Musicians (whose wit lay onely in the ends of their fingers) spent so much time in vnseasonable tuning, that he commanded them to auoid, belike esteeming the the rest to be answerable. They studie not Rhetorick, as sufficiently therein instructed by Nature; nor Logick, since it serues as well to * 1.52 delude as informe, and that wisedome (according to the opinion of the Epicures) may be com∣prehended in plaine and direct expressions. Some there be amongst them that write Histories, but few reade them, thinking that none can write of times past truly, since none dare write the truth of the present. Printing they reiect, perhaps for feare lest the vniuersalitie of learning, * 1.53 should subuert their false grounded religion and policie, which is better preserued by an ignorant obedience: Moreouer, a number that liue by writing would bee vndone, who are for the most [ 40] part of the Priest-hood. The Turkish tongue is loftie in sound, but poore of it selfe in substance. For being originally the Tartarian, who were needie ignorant Pastors, they were constray∣ned * 1.54 to borrow their Termes of State and Office from the Persians, (vpon whose ruines they erected their Greatnesse) of Religion (being formerly Pagans) from the Arabians; as they did of Maritime Names (together with the skill) from the Greekes and Italians. In Natolia it is most generally spoken. They vse (as the Persians) the Arabique Character. In * 1.55 writing they leaue out the vowels, vnlesse it be in the end of a word, so that much is contriued in a little roome. They curiously sleeke their Paper, which is thicke, much of it being coloured and dapled like Chamolets, done by a tricke they haue in dipping it in the water. They haue Painters amongst them, exquisite in their kind, (for they are not to draw by their Law, nor to [ 50] * 1.56 haue the figure of any thing liuing) yet now many priuatly begin to infringe that precept, and the Grand Signior himselfe hath a fanne, whereon the battels of Hungarie are painted. Colours also they haue, nor lesse faire then durable.

Euery one hath some Trade or other, not so much as the Grand Signior excepted. Their Trades * 1.57 are lightly such as serue for their owne vses, neither much supplying forraine Marts, nor fre∣quenting them. A lazy people, that worke but by fits, and more esteeme of their ease then their profit, yet are they excessiue couetous. And although they haue not the wit to deceiue (for they be grosse-headed) yet haue they the will, breaking all compacts with the Christians that they find discommodious, so that they seldome will deale with them. But with one another they [ 60] buy and sell onely for ready Money, wherein the most of their substance consisteth: the occasion that few suites doe happen amongst them. I haue spoken sufficiently, at least what I can of this Nation in generall, now conuert we to the Person and Court of this Sultan.

He is, in this yeare 1610. about the age of three and twentie, strongly limmed, and of a iust * 1.58 stature, yet greatly inclining to be fat: insomuch as sometimes he is ready to choake as he feeds, and some doe purposely attend to free him from that danger. His face is full and duly proporti∣oned, onely his eyes are extraordinary great, by them esteemed (as is said before) an excellency in beauty. Fleame hath the predominancy in his complexion. He hath a little haire on his vp∣per lip, but lesse on his chin, of a darksome colour. His aspect is as haughty as his Empire is large, he beginneth already to abstaine from exercise, yet are there pillars with inscriptions in his Serraglio, betweene which he threw a great Iron Mace, that memorize both his strength and ac∣tiuitie. Being on a time rebuked by his Father Mahomet, that he neglected so much his exer∣cises * 1.59 and studies, he made his reply: That now he was too old to beginne to learne, intimating [ 10] thereby, that his life was to determine with his Fathers, whereat the Sultan wept bitterly. For he then had two elder Brothers, of whom the eldest was strangled in the presence of his Father vpon a false suspition of treason, and the other by a naturall death did open his way to the Em∣pire. Perhaps the consideration thereof hath made him keepe his younger Brother aliue, con∣trary to their cruell custome; yet strongly guarded, and kept within his Serraglio. For hee is of no bloudy disposition, nor otherwise notoriously vicious, considering the austeritie of that go∣uernment, and immunities of their Religion. Yet is he an vnrelenting punisher of offences, euen * 1.60 in his owne Houshold: hauing caused eight of his Pages, at my being there, to be throwne into the Sea for Sodomy (an ordinary crime, if esteemed a crime in that Nation) in the night time, being let to know by the report of a Canon, that his will was fulfilled. Amongst whom, it was [ 20] giuen out that the Vice-royes naturall Sonne of Sicilia was one, (a youth lately taken Prisoner, and presented vnto him) yet but so said to be, to dishearten such as should practise his escape. His valour rests yet vntried, hauing made no war but by disputation, nor is it thought that he greatly affects it, despairing of long life in regard of his corpulency. Whereupon he is now building a magnificent Mosque, for the health of his soule, all of white Marble; at the East end, and South∣side of the Hippodrom, where he first broke the Earth, and wrought three houres in person. The like did the Bassas, bringing with them presents of Money, and Slaues to further the building. His occupation (for they are all tyed to haue one) is the making of Iuory Rings, which they * 1.61 weare on their Thumbs when they shoote, whereupon he workes daily. His Turbant is like in shape to a Pumpion, but thrice as great. His vnder and vpper garments, are lightly of white [ 30] Sattin, or cloath of Siluer Tissued with an eye of Greene, and wrought in great branches. Hee hath not so few as foure thousand persons that feede and liue within his Serraglio, besides Capa∣gies, * 1.62 of whom there are fiue hundred attired like Ianizaries, but onely that they want the soc∣ket in the front of their Bonnets, who waite by fifties at euery gate. The chiefe Officers of his Court are the Master (as we may terme him) of the Requests, the Treasurer, and Steward of his Houshold, his Cup-bearer, the Aga of the Women, the Controller of the Iemoglans: who also stee∣reth his Barge, and is the principall Gardiner. Diuers of these Iemoglans marching before the Grand Signior at solemne shewes, in a vaine ostentation of what they would vndergoe for their Lord, gathering vp the skinne of their Temples to thrust Quils through, and sticke therein Fea∣thers for a greater brauery, so wearing them to their no small trouble, vntill the place putrifie; [ 40] some when the old breakes out, cutting new holes close to the broken. Yea the Standard-bearers of this Crue, thrust the staues sometimes of their Sandards through the skinne and fat of their bellies, resting the lower end on a stirrop of Leather, and so beare them through the Citie. Fiftly, Mutes he hath borne deafe and dumbe, whereof some few be his daily companions; the rest are his Pages. It is a wonderfull thing to see how readily they can apprehend, and relate by signes, euen matters of great difficultie. Not to speake of the multitude of Eunuchs, the Foot-men of his Guard, Cookes, Sherbet-men, (who make the foresaid beurage) Gardiners and Horse∣keepers. * 1.63 Relate we now of his Women, wherein we will include those as well without as within his Serraglio.

And first begin we with his Virgins, of whom there seldome are so few as fiue hundred, kept in a Serraglio by themselues, and attended on onely by Women, and Eunuches. They all of them [ 50] are his Slaues, either taken in the warres, or from their Christian Parents, and are indeed the choisest beauties of the Empire. They are not to be presented to the Emperour, vntill certaine moneths be expired after their entrance, in which time they are purged and dieted, according to the custome of the ancient Persians. When it is his pleasure to haue one, they stand ranckt in a Gallery, and she prepareth for his bed to whom he giueth his Handkerchiefe, who is deliue∣red to the aforesaid Aga of the Women, (a Negro Eunuch) and conducted by him into the Sultans Serraglio. She that beareth him the first Sonne, is honoured with the Title of Sultana. * 1.64 But for all his multitude of Women, he hath yet begotten but two Sonnes and three Daughters, though he be that way vnsatiably giuen, (perhaps the cause that he hath so few) and vseth all [ 60] sorts of foods that may inable performance. He cannot make a free Woman his Concubine, nor haue to doe with her whom he hath freed, vnlesse hee doe marry her, it being well knowne to the wickedly witty Roxolana: who pretending deuotion, and desirous for the health, forsooth, * 1.65 of her soule to erect a Temple, with an Hospitall, imparting her mind to the Mufti, was told

by him that it would not be acceptable to God, if built by a Bond-woman. Whereupon she put on a habite of a counterfeit sorrow, which possessest the doting Solyman with such a compassion, that he forth-with gaue her her freedome, that she might pursue her intention. But hauing after a while sent for her by an Eunuch, shee cunningly excused her not comming, as touched in Conscience with the vnlawfulnesse of the fact; now being free, and therefore not to consent vnto his pleasure. So he whose soule did abide in her, and not able to liue without her, was constrained to marrie her. The onely marke that shee aymed at, and whereon she grounded her succeeding Tragedies. This also hath married his Concubine, the mother of his younger Sonne, (she being dead by whom hee had the eldest) who with all the practises of a politicke Stepdame, endeuours to settle the succession on her owne, adding, as it is thought, the power of [ 10] Witch-craft to that of her beautie, she being passionately beloued of the Sultan. Yet is she cal∣led Casek Cadoun, which is, the Lady without haire: by Nature her selfe, both graced and sha∣med. Now when one Sultan dieth, all his women are carried into another Serraglio, where those remaine that were his predecessors, being there both strictly lookt vnto, and liberally prouided for. The Grand Signior not seldome bestowing some of them (as of his Virgins, and the women of his owne Serraglio) vpon his great Bassas and others, which is accounted a principall honour. But for his Daughters, Sisters, and Aunts, they haue the Bassas giuen them for their Husbands: the Sultan saying thus, Here Sister, I giue thee this man to thy Slaue, together with this dagger, that if he please thee not, thou maist kill him. Their husbands come not vnto them vntill they be called: if but for speech onely, their shooes which they put off at the doore, are there suffered to remaine: [ 20] * 1.66 but if to lye with them, they are laid ouer the bed by an Eunuch, a signe for them to approach, who creep in vnto them at the beds feete. Mustapha and Hadir, (two of the Uizers of the Port) haue married this Sultans Sister, and Neece; and Mahomet Bassa of Cairo, his daughter, a child of sixe yeares old, and he about fiftie, hauing had presents sent according to the Turkish solemnities, who giueth two hundred thousand Sultanies in dowry. Not much in habite doe the Women of the Serraglio differ from other, but that the Fauourite weares the ornament of her head more high, and of a particular fashion, of beaten Gold, and inchaced with Gems; from the top where∣of there hangeth a veile that reacheth to her anckles, the rest haue their Bonets more depressed, yet rich; with their haire disheueled.

When the Sultan entertayneth Embassadours, hee sitteth in a roome of white Marble, gli∣string * 1.67 [ 30] with Gold and Stones, vpon a low Throne, spred with curious Carpets, and accommoda∣ted with Cushions of admirable workmanship; the Bassas of the Bench being by, who stand like so many Statues without speech or motion. It is now a custome that none doe come into his presence without presents, first fastned vpon his Bassas, as they say, by a Persian Embassa∣dour; who thereupon sent word to the Sophy his master that hee had conquered Turkie. The stranger that approacheth him is led betweene two: a custome obserued euer since the first A∣murath was slaine by the Seruian Cobelitz, a common Souldier, who in the ouerthrow of Cossoua, rising from among the dead bodies, and reeling with his wounds, made towards the Sultan then taking a view of the slaine, as if hee had something to say; by whom admitted to speech, hee forthwith stabd him with a Dagger, hid vnder his Cassocke for that purpose. They goe back∣ward [ 40] from him, and neuer put off their Hats; the shewing of the head being held by the Turke to bee an opprobrious indecency. Now, when hee goeth abroad, which is lightly euery other Friday (besides at other times vpon other occasions) vnto the Mosque: and when in state, there * 1.68 is not in the world to be seene a greater spectacle of humane glorie, and (if so I may speake) of sublimated manhood. For although (as hath beene said) the Temple of Sancta Sophia, which he most vsually frenquenteth, is not aboue a stones cast from the out most gate of the Serraglio, yet hath he not so few as a thousand Horse (besides the Archers of his Guard, and other Foot-men) in that short procession; the way on each side inclosed, as well within as without, Capa∣gies and Ianizaries, in their scarlet Gownes, and particular head-ornaments. The Chauses ride formost with their gilded Maces; then the Captaines of the Ianizaries with their Aga, next [ 50] the Chieftaines of the Spachies, after them their Sanziaks; those of the soulderie wearing in the fronts of their Bonnets the Feathers of the Birds of Paradise, brought out of Arabia, and by, some esteemed the Phoenix. Then follow the Bassas and Beglerbegs: after them the Pretorian foot-men, called the Solacchi, whereof there be in number three hundred; these are attired in Calsouns and Smockes of Callico, wearing no more ouer them then halfe-sleeued Coates of Crimson Damaske, the skirts tuckt vnder their girdles: hauing Plumes of Feathers in the top of their copped Bonnets; bearing Quiuers at their backes, with Bowes ready bent in their left hands, and Arrowes in their right, gliding along with a maruellous celeritie. After them seuen or nine goodly Horses are led, hauing Caparisons and Trappings of inestimable value, followed by the idolized Sultan gallantly mounted. About whom there runne fortie Peichi (so called in [ 60] that they are naturally Persians) in high-crowned brimlesse Caps of beaten Gold, with Coats of Cloath of Gold girt to them, with a girdle called Chochiach: the Pages following in the reare, and other Officers of the Houshold. But what most deserueth admiration amongst so great a concourse of people, is their generall silence: insomuch, as had you but onely eares, you might * 1.69

suppose (except when they salute him with a soft and short murmur) that men were then fol∣ded in sleepe, and the World in mid-night. He that brings him good newes (as vnto others of inferiour condition) receiueth his reward, which they call Mustolooke. But this Sultan to auoid abuses in that kind, doth forth-with commit them to Prison, vntill their reports bee found true or false; and then rewards or punisheth accordingly. Although he spends most of his time with his women, yet sometimes he recreates himselfe in hawking, who for that purpose hath (I * 1.70 dare not name) how many thousand Faulkners in pension, dispersed throughout his Dominions: and many of them euer attendant. Their long-winged Hawkes they whistle not off as wee doe, but putting a bridle about their neckes, they make them couch to their fists, and so galloping to the Brooke, fling them off at the fowle, being reared sodainly by the noyse of a Drumme that hangs at their Pummels, by vse made cunning in that kind of preying. They carrie them on [ 10] the right hand. A hardie Hawke is highly esteemed; and they haue a kind of them called Sha∣hans, much lesse then a Falcon: yet so strangely couragious, that nothing flyeth in the Ayre that they will not bind with. They also hawke at the field, for I haue seene them carrie Spaniels with them: yet those in beautie not like vnto ours, but of a bastard Generation. They feed their Hawkes with hard Egges when flesh is wanting, and seldome bestow of them the mewing. Although he affects not hunting, yet entertaynes he a number of Huntsmen. Their Dogs they * 1.71 let goe out of slips in pursuit of the Wolfe, the Stagge, the Bore, the Leopard, &c. Those that serue for that purpose are stickle haired, and not vnlike to the Irish Grey-hounds.

Now the yearely Reuenue which he hath to defray his excessiue disbursements, such a World of people depending vpon him, amounts not aboue fifteene Millions of Sultanies, (besides the [ 20] entertaynment for his Timariots) which is no great matter, considering the amplitude of his Dominions: being possessed of two Empires, aboue twentie Kingdomes, beside diuers rich and populous Cities; together with the Red, most of the Mid-land, the Aegean Euxine, and Propon∣ticke Seas. But it may be imputed to the barbarous wastes of the Turkish Conquests, who de∣populate whole Countries, and neuer re-edifie what they ruine. So that a great part of his Em∣pire is but thinly inhabited, (I except the Cities) and that for the most part by Christians, whose pouertie is their onely safetie and protectresse. But his casuall in-comes doe giue a mayne ac∣cession to his Treasurie: as Taxes, Customes, Spoiles, and Extortions. For as in the Sea the greater fishes doe feed on the lesse, so doe the Great ones here on their Inferiours, and hee on them all: being, as afore-said, the Commander of their liues, and generall Heire of their sub∣stances. [ 30] He hath diuers Mines of Gold and Siluer within his Dominion, that of Siderocapsa in Macedon, hauing beene as beneficiall vnto him as the largest Citie of his Empire, called anci∣ently Chrysites: and not vnknowne to Philip the Father of Alexander; who had the Gold from thence wherewith he coyned his Philips, as also from those of Cranider, from whence he yeare∣ly extracted a thousand Talents. He hath onely two sorts of Coine, the Sultanie and the Asper. The Sultanie is equall in value to the Venice Zecceene, and sixe score Aspers amount to a Sultanie, called rather Aspro, of the whitenesse thereof, in that consisting of siluer.

Constantinople is said to contayne seuen hundred thousand persons: halfe of them Turkes, and the other halfe Iewes and Christians, and those for the generall Grecians. But Pera hath three * 1.72 Christians for one Mahometan: for no Iew dwels in Pera, though they haue their shops there. [ 40] We omit to speake of the Iewes vntill we come into Iewrie; and now will bend our discourse to the Grecians: a Nation no lesse scattered then they, but infinitely more populous. For not onely three parts of the Inhabitants of all Greece and Romania are Grecians, but almost all that dwell in the Ilands of the Mid-land Sea, Propontis and Aegeum. Infinite numbers there are of them both in the Lesse, and the Greater Asia, and in Africa not a few. For (besides diuers Colonies by them formerly planted) when Antipater, Perdiccas, Seleucus, Lysimacus, Antigonus, Ptolomie, and the rest of the Successors of Alexander had shared his Empire among them, they endeuoured as much as they could to plant their new-got Kingdomes with their Countrey men: whose Posteritie in part remayneth to this day, though vassalled to the often changes of forraine Go∣uernours: supplyed by the extension of the latter Greeke Empire, who yet retayne wheresoeuer [ 50] they liue, their Name, their Religion, and particular Language. A Nation once so excellent, that their Precepts and Examples doe still remayne as approued Canons to direct the mind that en∣deauoureth vertue. Admirable in Arts, and glorious in Armes; famous for gouernment, affectors of freedome, euery way noble: and to whom the rest of the World were reputed Barbarians. But now their knowledge is conuerted, as I may say, into affected ignorance, (for they haue no Schooles of Learning amongst them) their libertie into contented slauery, hauing lost their minds with their Empire. Now they delight in ease, in shades, in dancing and drinking: and no further for the most part endeauour their profit, then their bellies compell them. They are generally axed by the stranger Christians of perfidiousnesse, insomuch, as it is growne into a Pro∣uerbe, [ 60] Chi side in Grego, sara intrigo, in them more anciently noted. There be diuers rich men of them in Pera, but those I thinke were descended of the Genoes; who were as hath beene said, the owners of that Citie. Many of them exercise Merchandize in Vessels called Carmafals, and haue of late gotten the vse of the Compasse, yet dare they not aduenture into the Ocean. They

are of diuers Trades in Cities, and in the Countrey doe till the Earth (for the European Turkes doe little meddle with Husbandry) and dresse their Vines, by them onely planted. They haue a Ceremonie of baptizing of their Wines, which is the reason that the Iewes will not drinke thereof: performed in the memorie, and on that day wherein Christ conuerted water into wine: the Priest in the midst of his Oraisons powring thereinto a small quantitie of water.

And although the Greekes doe now for the most part imitate the Turkes, (I meane heere in Turkie) in sitting at their meate, yet retaine they still that vice of immoderate drinking. They * 1.73 pledge one another in order; and he that cals for wine out of his turne, is reputed vnciuill. Their Glasses are little, but at euery draught emptied; and when they haue once drunke hard, they obserue no Rule, but prouoke one another to excesse. Neuer silent; and euer and anon kis∣sing [ 10] those that sit next them on the cheeke and fore-head: and so likewise they doe in their sa∣lutations after a long absence, and to those to whom they would giue an assurance of their good will. Vsed of long, as appeareth by the Scriptures, amongst these Easterne Nations. But to kisse their women is an vnsufferable wrong; vnlesse it be betweene the Resurrection and As∣cention; vsing also this greeting, that, Our Sauiour is risen. The women for the most part are browne of complexion, but exceedingly wel-fauoured, and excessiuely amorous. Their Gar∣ments differ little from theirs amongst whom they liue. They couer not their faces (the Vir∣gins * 1.74 excepted) vnlesse it bee with Painting; vsing all the suppliment of a sophisticate beautie. And not without cause, for when they grow old, they most grow contemptible, beeing put to doe the drudgeries of the house, and many times to waite on their children. They are costly in [ 20] their attyre, and will complaine to the Patriarke, if their Husbands maintayne them not ac∣cording to their substances. The Greekes, as the Turkes doe vse little houshold stuffe; and lye vpon Mattresses.

Now the Grecians themselues, (except some few) are ignorant in the ancient Greeke, it be∣ing called the Latine Greeke, and is a Language peculiar to the Learned. Yet the vulgar Greeke * 1.75 doth not differ so farre from the same, as the Italian from the Latine, corrupted not so much by the mixture of other Tongues, as through a supine wretchlesnesse. In some places they speake it more purely than in others. For the Boyes of Pera will laugh, when they heare the more barbarous Dialect of other maritime Grecians. And there be yet of the Laconians that speake so good Greeke, (though not Grammatically) that they vnderstand the Learned; and vnderstand [ 30] not the vulgar. Their Liturgie is read in the ancient Greeke, with not much more profit per∣haps to the rude people, then the Latine Seruice of the Romish Church to the illiterate Papists.

They haue foure Patriarchs: One of Constantinople, another of Alexandria, the third of Ie∣rusalem, * 1.76 and the fourth of Antioch. He of Constantinople hath vnder his Iurisdiction all Pe∣loponnesus, Grecia, Thracia, Dacia, Moesia, Macedonia, Epirus, Albania, Dalmatia, Illyria, a great part of Polonia, Russia, the Ilands of the Adriaticke Sea, and of the Archipelagus, with Candie, Rhodes, Coos, almost all the lesser Asia, Colchis, not a few that inhabit about the Fennes of M••∣tis, and Northerne shoare of Euxinus: as Sicilia and Calabria were, vntill they returned vnto the Sea of Rome. Vnder the Patriarch of Alexandria, are those of Egypt and Arabia. The Greekes of Palestine, and of the Countries thereabout, doe obey the Patriarch of Ierusalem. [ 40] And he of Antioch, who hath his seate in Damascus, (for Antiochia is now desolate) hath subiect vnto him the Grecians of the lesser Armenia, Celicia, Beritus, Tripoly, Aleppo, and other places of the greater Asia. In all these parts they haue the free exercise of their Religion: with publike Temples, and numbers of strong Monasteries. If a Patriarch dye, another is elected by a Synod of Bishops. But the Patriarch of Constantinople hath the Supremacie of the rest assigned him by the Councell of Chalcedon, as Metropolitan of the Imperiall Citie: whose Diocesse excee∣deth the other so much, in that most of those Northerne Nations were wonne to Christianitie by the Industry of his Predecessors, and reduced to their Gouernment. So if we doe consider it, the Grecian Religion both in extent and number exceedeth the Romane. And as the Papists at∣tribute [ 50] an extraordinarie holinesse to Rome, so doe the Grockes vnto Athos, a Mountaine of Ma∣cedona; so named of Athon the Sonne of Neptune, deckt with still-flourishing Trees, and aboun∣ding with Fountaines: called also the Holy Mountayne by the Christians. A place from the beginning dedicated to Religion; lying directly West from Lemnos: and so high, that though it be seuen hundred furlongs distant; yet is it said a little before the setting of the Sunne, to cast a shadow on that Iland.

This stretcheth out into the Sea, and ioynes vnto the Continent by an Isthmos, about a mile and halfe broad: which was cut through by Xerxes, (as hath beene intimated before) and made circumnauigable. But time hath left now no impressions of his barbarous labour. It is well nigh three dayes iourney in length, considering the difficultie of the way; and halfe a dayes ouer. The [ 60] top thereof resembleth the forme of a man, stretched on his backe from West vnto East; and formed (according to Strabo) to the similitude of Alexander. This Mountayne is onely inhabi∣ted by Grecian Monkes, whom they call Caloieros, vn-intermixed with the Laitie: of whom * 1.77 there are there residing not so few as sixe thousand, that liue in Monasteries strongly munited against the Incursious of Robbers and Pirats. Of these there be in number twentie foure. The

Caloieros weare Gownes of blacke, of a homely stuffe, with Hoods of the same; and their haire at full length. They neuer marrie, abstaine from flesh, and often (especially during their Lents) from fish that hath bloud in it. They liue hardly, feeding on Biscot, Onions, Oliues, Herbs, and such fish as they take in the adioyning Seas. For they all of them labour for their sustenance, leauing their Monasteries betimes in the mornings; and imploying the day, some in tillage, some in the Vineyards, some in making of Boats, some in fishing, others at home spinne, weaue, few, and doe all the Offices that belong vnto women: so that none but are busied about one thing or another, to the behoofe of their particular Couents: and men they bee that are onely meete for such Drudgeries. For amongst so many, not past three or foure can write or reade, throughout a whole Monasterie: insomuch, that at their Lyturgies, that is read to them first, which they are [ 10] to sing after. In these Monasteries many excellent Manu-scripts haue beene preserued, but those that now are, be onely of Diuinitie, all other Learning (as amongst the Turkes) at this day de∣tested by the Religious. The Coloieros of this place haue a repute aboue all others: and for their strictnesse of life, and obseruance of Ceremonies, are in their seuerall Monasteries relieued from seuerall Nations. The Patriarch of Constantinople is said to pay yearely for the Priests and Coloieros, that are vnder his Iurisdiction within the Turkish Dominions, twelue thousand Sultanies.

The Patriarchs of Constantinople were heretofore men of singular grauitie and learning; but now nothing lesse: rather chosen for temporall respects, then either for their knowledge or de∣uotion; admitted not seldome to the place at the age of fortie, though prohibited, if vnder three∣score, [ 20] by an ancient Canon. Although elected by their owne Bishops; yet often appointed, and euer to be allowed by the Grand Signior: frequently displanted, and banished vnto the Rhodes, by the briberie of their Successors. Some few of their Priests are learned. For them it is lawful to marrie, but Bigamie is forbidden them, and Trigamie detested in the Laitie. There are no o∣ther Orders amongst them besides the foresaid Coloieros, and certaine Nunnes whom they call Coloieras. Yet of the last but a few, who are for the most part poore old Widdowes, that exercise themselues in sweeping of the Churches, attending on the sicke, and actions of like nature. Their Churches are many of them well set forth and painted with the represents of Saints, but they haue no carued nor imbossed Images. Lampes they haue continually burning. Their ordinarie Lyturgie is Saint Chrysostomes; but on Festiuall Dayes they doe reade Saint Basils, and then atti∣red [ 30] in their Pontificals. Their behauiour therein expresseth there, to my vnderstanding, no great either decencie or deuotion. They administer the Eucharist in both kinds: if the bread bee not leauened, they thinke it not auaileable; and they drinke of the cup very liberally. One Article they hold against the Catholicke Creed; which is, that the Holy Ghost proceedeth onely from the Father.

Foure Lents they haue in the yeare, and then a damnable sinne it is to eate flesh, or fish that hath bloud in it (except in the Lent before Easter, when all sorts of fish may bee eaten by the Laitie:) but shel-fish they eate, and the Cuttle: whose bloud, if I may so tearme it, is like Inke; a delicate food, and in great request. They fast on Wednesdayes, Fridayes, and on holy Eeues: but on Saturdayes they feast, in regard that it was the old Sabbath. They compute the yeare as [ 40] we doe. They yeeld no Supremacie to the Romane Papacie, but hold that Church for Schisma∣ticall. And although many times out of the necessitie of their Affaires, and to purchase reliefe, they haue treated of a Conciliation; and sometimes it hath beene by their Agents concluded: yet what they haue done hath beene generally reiected vpon their returne, both by the Greekes and those other Nations that professe their Religion. Of their Marriages I haue else-where spoken, and now conclude wee will with their Funerals: wherein they retayne not a few of their ancient and Heathen Ceremonies. Their lamentaions are the same that they were, and beyond all ciuilitie.

The women betimes in the morning doe meete at appointed places, and then cry out maine∣ly; beating of their breasts, tearing their haire, their faces and garments. And that the clamour [ 50] may be the greater, they hire certaine Iewish women, that haue lowdest voyces, ioyning there∣with the prayses of the dead, from the houre of his Natiuitie vnto the houre of his dissolution: and keeping time with the melancholicke Musicke. Nor want they store of Spectators, partly drawne thither to delight their eyes, and partly by iealousie. For then the choice, and prime women of the Citie (if the deceassed were of note) doe ass••st their Obsequies; with bosomes dis∣plaid, and their haire dis-sheueled: glad that they haue the occasion to manifest their beauties, which at other times is secluded from Admirers.

The reason why the Grecians did burne their dead, was, because that part which was diuine in them, should as it were in a fierie Chariot againe re-ascend to the Celestiall Habitations, as vnto Earth the Earthly returned. They vsed to quench the fire with Red Wine, and gathering [ 60] the bones together to include them in Vrnes as the Vrnes in Sepulchres, (which had no title, vn∣lesse they were slaine in fighting for their Countrey) exhibiting games, and prizes for the Vi∣ctors in honour of the deceassed. Notwithstanding all were not burnt, but some buried in their apparell, as now being Christians they are: who vse Extreme-vnction, as inducted by S. Iames;

yet not onely denie the Romane opinion of Purgatorie, but furthermore erroniously maintayne, that neither the soules of the blessed nor damned doe suffer either ioy or torment, or shall till the generall Iudgement. But enough of the Grecians.

The Germane Emperour, the Kings of England and of France, haue heere their Liedger Em∣bassadours: as the Venetians their Baily, and diuers tributarie Princes their Agents. Some meer∣ly * 1.78 employed about State Affaires; others together therewith, about the trafficke of their Nati∣ons. But the English onely negotiates for the Merchants, hauing two in the hundred vpon eue∣rie ship, besides a large Pension: with the name of a great proportion of prouision from the Grand Signior. The English Consulship of Chios is in his disposing, and accountable to him; and out of that of Alexandria hee hath no small share, though serued by a French man. There hath [ 10] bin some contention between him and the French, about the protection of the Dutch Merchants: but now they doe diuide the profits. The English Consul of Aleppo is absolute of himselfe, yet hath from hence his redresses of iniuries: whose chiefe employment is to protect the persons and goods of our Nation, to labour a reuenge of wrongs, and a restitution of losses. And to giue * 1.79 this no more then his due, for this place none can be more sufficient; expert in their Language, and by a long experience in their natures and practises: being moreouer of such a spirit, as not to be danted. And surely, his chiefest fault hath beene his misfortune; in the too violent, charge∣able, and successelesse solliciting of the restitution of the Prince of Moldauia, (whom aduersitie hath rather made crafty then honest:) whose house doth harbour both him and his dependents; beeing open also to all of our Nation: a Sanctuary for poore Christian slaues that secretly flye hither, whom hee causeth to bee conueyed into their Countries, and redeemeth not a few with [ 20] his money.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Mufti.
• * 1.2

  Cadilesc••iers.
• * 1.3

  Testimonie.
• * 1.4

  The Divan.
• * 1.5

  They were for∣merly but foure, to whom Mahomet the third added fiue.
• * 1.6

  Caputain Bassa.
• * 1.7

  Ricekitab.
• * 1.8

  Testedar.
• * 1.9

  Assurances and writings.
• * 1.10

  Punishments.
• * 1.11

  Their persons and Manners.
• * 1.12

  Their Tur∣bants. Shashes.
• * 1.13

  Callico smockes.
• * 1.14

  Gownes.
• * 1.15

  Clergie attire. Emers defor∣med.
• * 1.16

  Their Kniues
• * 1.17

  Gate.
• * 1.18

  Cleannesse.
• * 1.19

  Offices of na∣ture.
• * 1.20

  Sloth.
• * 1.21

  Shooting.
• * 1.22

  Bowes.
• * 1.23

  Wrastlers.
• * 1.24

  Games.
• * 1.25

  Horses.
• * 1.26

  Reuerence to Superiors. Left hand be∣fore right.
• * 1.27

  Hospitalitie. Houshold.
• * 1.28

  Sit crosse∣legged.
• * 1.29

  Dyet.
• * 1.30

  Meales and Feasts.
• * 1.31

  Drinke.
• * 1.32

  Coffa-houses.
• * 1.33

  Opium.
• * 1.34

  Tobacco ta∣king punished,
• * 1.35

  Marriage.
• * 1.36

  Punishment of Adulterie.
• * 1.37

  After the first, sayth Laonic. Chal••ocon. l. 3. pag. 237.
• * 1.38

  Iealousie.
• * 1.39

  Women kept close.
• * 1.40

  Baths and manner of bathing.
• * 1.41

  Vnnatural lust.
• * 1.42

  Children.
• * 1.43

  Slaues.
• * 1.44

  Sale of them in Markets.
• * 1.45

  Their condi∣tion.
• * 1.46

  Gelded Eu∣nuch.
• * 1.47

  Funerals.
• * 1.48

  White and Blacke.
• * 1.49

  Physicke.
• * 1.50

  Poetry.
• * 1.51

  Musicke.
• * 1.52

  Liberall Arts.
• * 1.53

  Printing reie∣cted.
• * 1.54

  Language.
• * 1.55

  Paper.
• * 1.56

  Painters.
• * 1.57

  Euery man hath a Trade.
• * 1.58

  Sultan descri∣bed.
• * 1.59

  Cruell policy.
• * 1.60

  His Acts.
• * 1.61

  His occupati∣on. His attire.
• * 1.62

  His Court.
• * 1.63

  His Women and Virgins.
• * 1.64

  Sultana.
• * 1.65

  Roxolanas story.
• * 1.66

  Husbands of his Sisters and Daughters.
• * 1.67

  Entertainment of Embassadors
• * 1.68

  Going to the Mosque.
• * 1.69

  Generall silence.
• * 1.70

  Hawking and Hawkes.
• * 1.71

  Huntsmen.
• * 1.72

  Greekes.
• * 1.73

  Drinkings.
• * 1.74

  Women.
• * 1.75

  Their lan∣guage.
• * 1.76

  The foure Pa∣triarkes.
• * 1.77

  Caloieros.
• * 1.78

  English Em∣bassador.
• * 1.79

  Sir Thomas Glouer.