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I Know not whether it be a Vice or a Vertue, to be fearful in my Circum∣stances. I am no Stoick, nor can I pre∣tend an Exemption from the Com∣mon Passions of Men. However, 'tis not for my self I am solicitous, but I consult the Good of my Commission. There is a Dif∣ference between Caution and Fear; and, Ap∣prehension
of Danger, is not to be termed Pusillanimity.
I have written Six Letters to Carcoa at Vi∣enna, but have received no Answer these Four Moons. This Neglect puts me upon Think∣ing; and I am puzzled to find out an Excuse for him. I would fain continue my good O∣pinion of his Honesty, without forfeiting my Sense. For, although I am not naturally sus∣picious, yet Experience has taught me, to number Jealousie among the Cardinal Virtues.
Not to amuse thee, I am afraid of Treachery. Carcoa knows the Secret of my Commission, and it lies in his Power to do much Mischief. Yet I may wrong the Man; perhaps he is dead: And there are no Posts that bring News from the Grave. If he be in the Region of Silence, and expired in his Integrity, the Two Black Angels shall have no Power to hurt him. But, I wonder I should have no Intelligence of his Death, neither from the Ministers of the Port, nor from Eliachim the Jew. I tell thee, I am uneasie till I know the Truth.
When I sit in my Chamber, and hear any discoursing in the House, I imagine 'tis about me; when I go along the Streets, if any Man fastens his Eyes on me, he arrests me with Fear and Apprehension. 'Tis true, I am wil∣ling to undergo the worst they can inflict; but, it would extreamly enhaunce the Sorrows of Death, to see the Secrets of the Sublime Port, become the Scorn and Derision of Infidels.
For these Reasons, I have removed my self about a League from Paris, pretending
it is for my Health, trusting the Conveyance of my Letters and other Business to Eliachim, who, for ought I know, may prove a Reed of Aegypt.
I desire thee, nay I conjure thee, to send a speedy Supply of Money, without which 'tis impossible for poor Mahmut, the Vilest Slave of the Great and Invincible Ibrahim, to per∣form what is expected of him.
The Great God, reward thy Fidelity with unfading Treasures.
Paris, 10th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642. according to the Christian Style.
THE God of War seems to espouse the Quarrel of the Suedes; and all the Pla∣nets contribute to their Prosperity; Even Ve∣nus her self, has for a while laid aside her usual Softness, appearing now in the Field arm'd Cap-a-pe, with a Train of Suedish Amazons at her Heels.
Thou wilt think I Romance in telling thee this, and only temporize with thy Genius, having often heard thee passionately admire the valiant Acts of Semiramis and other Ea∣stern
Virago's; but, assure thy Self, that the Suedes after some late Battles, when they went to bury their Dead, stripping them of their Cloaths, found several of the Fair Sex under the Disguise of Men, among which there were some of Quality.
It is said, that one of these, was seen to en∣gage Duke Albert himself, with a matchless Bravery and Courage, the Duke being twice unhorsed by her, and as often remounted by his vigilant Squires.
Those that pretend to know more than the Common Sort, say, that Revenge was the Motive which brought this Lady into the Field, having received a gross Affront from Duke Albert in the German Court. However, the Duke died of the Wounds he received of this Bellona, and she survived not to triumph over her dead Enemy.
After this, the Suedes, under the Com∣mand of General Torstenson, marched into Silesia; took Glowgow by Storm the 12th. of the 5th. Moon; and Suciniez, the 7th. of the 6th. Moon.
And, as if nothing were able to discourage or baffle the Indefatigable Mind of this Great General, he invested the strong Town of Ol∣mitz in Moravia, and took it after fourteen Days Siege. The Posts are arrived this Mor∣ning with this News.
Be strong and of good Courage, and God shall give thee Victory in Battle, when thou fightest against the Infidels. Abstain from Wine, and from Oppression. And receive this
Advice, as a Testimony of my Esteem and Friendship.
Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THou that art daily conversant with the Eldest Products of the Earth, and canst call the whole Vegetable Family by their Pro∣per Names, tell me whether there be such a Plant, as by its baneful Influence blasts all that grows within ten Cubits of its Root. I would not put such a Question to thee, had I not lately seen something in the Garden of a certain Nobleman near Paris, which makes me think 'tis true. They call it here [the ill Neigh∣bour] because it preys (they say) on all the Herbage that is near it, rising and flourishing by their Fall. Indeed, at that time I saw it, there was a wither'd Circle round it; whilst this devouring Sprout look'd gay and full, augmented by the Spoils of Neighbouring Grass. A proper Emblem of Oppression; I wish 'twere growing in the Gardens of all cru∣el Tyrants, that in this Natural Glass they might behold their Voracious Spirits.
I will not thus call in Question thy Know∣ledge
of an Herb, which shuns all humane touch. Here is one in the same Garden, which the Nobleman boasts was by thy Hands cropt from the Sultan's Garden, and being set in a Pot of Earth, presented to him. Thou didst not well consult thy Safety, in such a grand Presumption, nor yet the Honour of thy Sovereign Master, who (should it ever reach his Ears) would soon transplant thee from the Garden of the Seraglio, to the Ely∣sian Fields.
Thou oughtest to receive this Reprimand with highest Gratitude, since it will not shut thee out of those pleasant Walks and Groves within the High Imperial Walls. Use more Prudence another Time; and scorn such easie Condescensions to Infidels. Say, that I am thy Friend in this Advice; and, in Recom∣pence I only desire this good Office of thee, To watch the Motions of my Enemies. There are no less than Three Great Officers of the Seraglio, hammering out my Ruine. Thou knowest who I mean. Keep thy Integrity. The sly insinuating Words of Shashim Istham, the Black Eunuch, spoken not long ago in my Disgrace to the Principal Secretary of State, quickly echoed to my Chamber in Paris. Be Silent and Wise.
Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
IF it were lawful for me to take the Oath of our Holy Prophet, I would swear by the Hour of the Evening, that thy News is wel∣come.
I had scarce finish'd our appointed Devo∣tions after Sun-set, when the Post brought me thy Dispatch, which informs me, that Carcoa at Vienna is dead.
I rejoice not in the Death of an honest Slave to Ibrahim; l•••• Flowers spring from the Dust of his Grave. Neither can I mourn for a Man, that may be gone to New and richer Posses∣sions; Yet I am pleased, that he quitted the Old fairly, and has left behind him an Odour of Vertue. A Man in his Post, is attaqu'd with strong Temptations, and he that resists to the End, merits a Wreath gather'd from the Tree of Life.
Thou mayst think, 'tis with more ease I receive the News of Carcoa's Death than of his Infidelity; not, that I value the Rack or any other Tortures, with which the Policy of State uses to draw Confessions of Capital Crimes. But, I would not have the Grand Affairs of the Ottoman Port, come within the Verge of a Scrutiny.
This News is the best Cure for the Illness I pretended, when I exchanged Paris for the Country Air, ten Days ago; whereof Bechir Bassa has received an Account.
I am now returned to my old Lodging, and am congratulated for my speedy Recovery, by them that knew not my true Distemper.
Thou infortnest me, that by the Order of the Divan, one Nathan Ben Saddi, a Jew, is appointed Successor of Carcoa. I wish he may acquit himself as well.
The five hundred Zechins thou hast ordered me by him, will be very welcom to a Man who has been forced to retrench many Charges, that he might the better serve the Grand Sig∣nior.
The King of Spain may wish, that he could conclude a Peace on as easie Terms with the French King, as the Sophy of Persia has with Sultan Ibrahim.
None but God and his Prophet know the Zeal, with which I serve the Sublime Port.
Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Shall now acquaint thee with the Death of the Queen-Mother and Dowager of France, who fell a Sacrifice to the Ambition of the Cardinal of Richlieu, as those of her Party do commonly suggest. For, being highly disgu∣sted at his Counsels, and Intreagues, especial∣ly his playing the Incendiary, and inflaming those of the Blood Royal one against another, she departed from France, and by a kind of Voluntary Banishment, exposed her self to so many Inconveniences, Hardships, and Ri∣gors of Fortune, as seemed to hasten her End; Her Great Spirit chusing rather to break, than bow to the turbulent Cardinal.
She Sojourned in Flanders, Holland, England, and the Empire. Her Travels being chec∣quer'd all along with a Mixture of Good and Evil. Here meeting with Respect, there with Indifference and Coldness, if not Contempt. In some Places, her Misfortunes were pitied, and the Cardinal blamed for Persecuting so Great and Good a Queen: In others, the Car∣dinal was Justified, and her Conduct censu∣red and condemned. And she accused her self, for raising him to the power of doing her these Injuries. At length, tired out with the Fatigues of State, and grown sick of the World, she betook her self to a Monastery in
Colen, where, after she had spent some time in Religious Preparations for another World, she expired the 3d. of this Instant Moon.
It was placed among the Remarkables by some, that the same day she died, the Car∣dinal of Richlieu fell sick, which Sickness yet continues upon him. But, whether to appease the Ghost of his deceased Mistriss, whom he had so unjustly persecuted; or, to mollify the Resentments of the People, is uncertain. Yet, notwithstanding his dangerous Illness, he every Day ventures to the Temple, and per∣forms the Mysteries of their Law for her Soul. The whole Court and City, is in Mourning for this Great Queen; and general Murmur∣ings and Complaints, are raised against the Cardinal on this Occasion; especially among the Common People, who are so far from en∣tertaining a better Opinion of him, for his daily Appearance at the Altar on Behalf of the Queen's Soul, that they esteem it but an Offi∣cious Hypocrisie, a Medly of Priest-Craft and State Artifice.
Here is a Report about the City, that the Queen's Ghost appear'd to the Cardinal, as soon as she was dead, severely reproaching him with his Ambition and Ingratitude, and tel∣ling him, That tho' he was laying the Founda∣tion of an Immortal Project, yet he should ne∣ver live to see it thrive but warned him to pre∣pare for Judgment, for that he should not see another Year in Mortal State; upon which, they say, he immediately sickned. And here are Prophecies privately scattered about, fore∣telling
his Death in a short time. This is cer∣tain, he labours under an unaccountable Dis∣temper, his Body strangely wasting, as if it would evaporate it self into Air; for, he seems to be in a manner dried up.
My Duty and Devoir to thee, Sage Minister, would not let me be at Rest till I had preven∣ted the Posts, by giving thee a more timely Account of these Occurrences, by a Merchant for whom his Vessel waits at Marseilles. To morrow he takes his Leave of Paris, and once aboard he makes directly for Constantinople, whither he will bring the first News of the Death of one of the greatest Queens upon Earth, in whose Royal Veins ran the Blood of the Emperors, Ferdinand and Charles V. She was married to Henry the Great; and, be∣sides her Son now Reigning in France, she matched her Daughters to the Two Potent Monarchs of England and Spain.
The most High and Omnipotent, sole Mo∣narch of Heaven and Earth, reward thy Ser∣vices and Fidelity to our Invincible Sultan, with the Supream Joys of Paradise.
Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
PErmit me to enter into thy Presence, and withdraw thy Ravish'd Eyes awhile from the Contemplation of Sublimest Objects, to cast them on a Spectacle of Mortality. It is the Great and Renowned Mary de Medicis, Queen-Mother of France, who lies now dead at Cologne.
I will not trouble thee with Impertinencies; but, because I know that various Reports will reach thy Ears concerning the Cardinal of Richlieu his being Instrumental to her Death, by driving her to such a height of Indignation as was the Cause of her Voluntary Exile and wandring from France, and from one Coun∣try to another; I will here Insert a Letter from the said Cardinal to her Majesty, wherein he vindicates himself, and discovers (if not his Integrity, yet) the best Counterfeit of that Vertue, that I have seen any where penn'd. It was written to her when she was in Holland, and runs thus,
MADAM,
I Cannot but esteem it the greatest Infelicity that ever befell me, that my Enemies have prevailed so far, as to draw upon me Your
Majesty's displeasure. That they have by all the Arts of Malice, fastned the Publick Odi∣um on me, is a great Ʋnhappiness; but, this is the Master-piece of their Enmity, to render me suspected by you. I could pardon their fre∣quent Attempts upon my Life, by private Con∣spiracies and Assassinations, though Humane Nature recoils at those who are our Murderers: But, to deprive me of that, without which Life it self is a burden to me, I mean, your Royal Favour, transports me beyond my self; And, I beg, that it may pass for an Excuse of this Presumption. I could easily have pass'd over in Silence all their barbarous Plots against me! I could easily have parted with my Life, and all those Honours and Dignities with which it has been bless'd. But, to rob me of your E∣steem, which first rais'd me to this Envied Greatness, and which I value more than all the Grandeurs of the Earth, breaks the Barrs which aw'd my Tongue and Pen, and makes me bold to throw my self at your Royal Feet, with All that I have; for, I received All from your Princely Hands. Deal as you please, Ma∣dam, with your own Creature; I cannot mur∣mur at your proceedings. But, Madam, let your Native Piety prompt you to favour the Purple of the Church, with which your Bounty has Invested me. Let it not lose its proper Lustre and Esteem, because the Enemies of the Church and State, have cast such Dirt upon it. Is it possible, that a Man the most obliged of all his Race, should become the onely Pattern of the basest Ingratitude? Besides the Ties of
Conscience and the Natural Force of Inclina∣tion, my Interest chains me to your Service; How can I then withdraw my self from it, and not proclaim my self at once a Traitor to the Rest of Queens, and the most unaccountable of Fools to my self? This Consideration, Madam, being well weigh'd, is enough to acquit me of all Guiltiness before Your Majesty.
But, if it be my Destiny to be condemned unheard, I shall not appeal from your Royal Sentence, since I owe a perfect Resignation to your Will. I may complain to Heaven of my Misfortune, but I will not expostulate with my Sovereign Patroness, nor make the least Oppo∣sition against the Course of your Anger, not even by carrying my Fortune to Rome. For, wheresoever I go, all my study shall be to recover your Majesty's Favour, if it be not a Crime. And if ever I obtain that Happiness, I shall not care whither I go, tho' it be out of the World it self, because I die hourly, while your Majesty suspects that I am not what I ever was, and still continue to be,
MADAM,
Your Majesty's Most humble, Most faithful, And most obedient Servant, Armand. Card. of Rich.
I send thee this Transcript of the Cardinal's Apology, that thou comparing it with what befell afterwards, mayst give a Judgment, whe∣ther this Great Minister deserv'd the Censures that were pass'd upon him. For, he falling sick the same Day the Queen-Mother died, People said it was a Judgment on him, and that her Ghost appeared to him, as thou wilt more at large Inform thy self by the Letters I sent to the Kaimacham. But, others are of Opinion, that his present Illness proceeds from Grief of Mind for the Queen's Death, especially in that she died before he was re∣conciled to her Majesty. And, they plead in Defence of his Innocence, his daily Zeal in saying Mass for her departed Soul, and that at a time when he has more need to keep his Bed, than go to Church. This I have heard discoursed, even by some who bore no good Will to the Cardinal, yet now begin to relent towards him, seeing the very Lineaments of Sorrow in his drooping Looks, and tracing the Footsteps of a profound Grief in his mace∣rated Body. Hence they take Measures, of his real Innocence and Fidelity toward that Great Queen. I will not interpose my parti∣cular Opinion on either Side, but stand Neu∣ter among these contesting Infidels, tho' my Inclination and regard would rather sway me to the Cardinal's side. But, I leave the De∣termination of this Matter to thee, who art the Oracle of Wisdom, from whose Sentence there can be no Appeal.
In the mean while, the Body of the decea∣sed Queen, lies, as I have said, at Colen, where she spent her last Days in a Riligious Convent, a Practice not so common now a-days, as it has been formerly among Crowned Heads. And those who thus descended voluntarily, from the Height of Humane Glory, to the Austerities of a Devout Life, have commonly been Canonized for Saints. Nor do the Crea∣tures of this Queen spare to whisper about, that such an Honour were but a condign Re∣ward to her Extraordinary Merits, being al∣ready canonized in the Esteem of the Bigot∣ted Vulgar, while her Body is yet above Ground.
The Royal Carkass will be brought and in∣terr'd in the Temple of St Dennis, about three Leagues from this City. This is esteemed the Richest Church in France, being a Repository of Inestimable Jewels, Gold and Silver belong∣ing to the Relicks of their Saints. Here also generally is lodged, the Dust of all the Royal Blood of France. The Saint to whom this Church is dedicated, is esteemed the Patron of this Kingdom; for, according to their Do∣ctrine, the Saints have the Patronage of cer∣tain Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities commit∣ted to them by God, and therefore they address themselves to them, and to the Guardian-Angels both in Publick, and Private. Every one also has his peculiar Patron-Saint and Guar∣dian-Angel assigned him at his own Choice.
But, if these Christian-Saints, are set over such Places and People as they favour'd parti∣cularly
in their life-time, then one would think, when this Great Queen is Canonized, and Instated in her Saintly Government, the Hugonots here may claim her Patronage, in that she shew'd much Kindness and Friend∣ship to them while she was alive.
Pardon, Great Oracle of Truth, the Length of this Epistle; and excuse my presumption, in descanting on Matters of Religion, which belong to thee to determine. I kiss the Hem of thy Sacred Vest, in profound Humility. Vouchsafe to pray for thy faithful Slave Mah∣mut.
Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
IT is now past Midnight, and being call'd out of my Bed by the People of the House where I lodge, I knew not how to bestow my Time better, than in giving thee an Account of this Occurrence.
Here is now so violent a Tempest of Thun∣der, Lightning and Rain, that the whole He∣misphere seems to be on Fire, and the Super∣stitious are overwhelmed with Panick Fears, concluding this Storm will usher in the Day
of Judgment. It has continued these two Hours; and, they tell me, that no less than Twenty Houses are burnt to Ashes already. I had scarce taken my Pen from the last Word, when a Flash of Lightning dyed all the Pa∣pers and Books, on the Table whereon I now write, as black as Soot; whereof this scorch'd Paper may be a Testimonial, which I send en∣closed. Observe but the Colour and Smell, and thou wilt say, 'tis stamp'd with the Mark of the Thunderer. 'Tis that whereon I had begun to write to thee; but, this thirsty Fire, at a Moment, lick'd up all the Ink, so that the Impression is wholly effac'd.
The Reason of their calling me out of my Bed was, to go to Prayers with them, accor∣ding to the Custom of these Infidels, who in Time of Thunder, light certain Consecrated Candles, and fall on their Knees round about them, imagining, that whilst they are with∣in the Room where these Candles are, the Thunder cannot hurt them. I excused my self from keeping them Company, by telling them, I had a Hallowed Candle in my Cham∣ber, which I would light and say my Prayers there. They were satisfied with this Answer, and sprinkling me with Holy Water, to bless me from the Danger impending, I retired.
There is a private Stair-Case in my Cham∣ber, which leads to a Terrass on the Top of the House. My Curiosity carried me thither, where methought I beheld Nature in her Fro∣licks and Rants. The greatest part of the Sky was clear and serene, and innumerable
Stars appeared; but, round the Brims of the Horizon, a growing Bulk of Clouds encom∣passed the Earth, spouting forth Cataracts of Fire from opposite Parts. One would have thought they were impregnated with Bombs and Carcasses, and that some Armies were im∣battell'd in the Air.
After this, as if these had been the Heralds of the last and fiercest Combat, the Clouds drew up into a Point, and mingling with each other, shot forth such Showers of Fire, as made the World look like a Furnace. For my Part, I had not Courage enough to stand longer in the open Air, but came down to my Chamber, and falling prostrate on the Ground, recommended my self to the Great Creator of all Things, Lord of Nature, and Sovereign Dis∣poser of the Lives of Men.
Neither do I think my self Superstitious in this, any more than I should be, in hum∣bling my self in the Dust, before the Terrible Ibrahim when he is out of Temper.
Methinks, Nature seems to be in a Chole∣rick Fit, when it Thunders; and, 'tis neither good Manners nor Policy, to draw her Fury on our Heads by daring Carriage.
Our Holy Law, which prescribes Prayer to us at the first Appearance of the Sun and Moon, seems to intimate, that on any Emer∣gency which gives us a peculiar Occasion to contemplate an Omnipotent Power, we ought to fall down and adore the High and Eter∣nal One.
I am almost deaf with the Bells, which are rung in every Church of the City on this Ac∣count. It being the Opinion of the Nazarenes, that this Noise will chase away the Tempest, with all Evil Spirits that infest the Air. And this Opinion is grounded, on the Ceremonies which are used at the Consecratioa of their Bells. For, the Bishop, or, in his Absence, the Priest, hallows them with a kind of Bap∣tism, and a Form of Prayer; wherein, among other Petitions, they desire of God, to endue them with a Virtue to resist the Devils.
I am no Friend to Superstition, neither do I give much Credit to Charms; yet I cannot deny, but the ringing such a vast Number of Bells, must needs cause a violent Concussion of the Air; even to the dispersing of the Clouds, and producing a Calm. And Expe∣rience assures us, that this is the common Ef∣fect of a Battle, which if it happen in Tem∣pestuous Weather, yet the Discharge of many Thousand Great and Small Shot, has quieted the Storm, and hush'd the Elements into a very serene Condition.
Though this Noise of Bells be very trouble∣some, in a Time when People should take their Repose, yet here we are used to it in a less Degree, every Night throughout the Year.
For, the Christians Law, requires the Der∣vises to rise at Midnight, to say their Prayers in their Chappels; and, some are so devout and regular, as to make this their constant Custom: so that assoon as the Clocks have struck Twelve, the small Bells in some Con∣vents
begin to jangle. About Two or Three Hours afterwards, other Religious Houses ring their Bells, and so continue at certain Hours Day and Night all the Year long.
The Storm is now quite blown over, the Clouds dispers'd, and all Things hush and quiet.
He that brings forth Light out of Darkness, and converts the Terrors and Sadness of the Night, into the chearful Joys of a fair and propitious Morning, have thee in his keeping, and perpetuate our Friendship.
Paris, 24th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THere lives a Dervise in this City, with whom I often converse with the same Freedom as I do with thee; and, it is no small Alleviation of my Melancholy, to vent my Thoughts to one of an agreeable Spirit.
He is a Religious of Mount Carmel; a Man of Singular Piety and Vertue; and, were he not so Zealous a Patron of the Christian Su∣perstitions and Idolatry, I should esteem him a Saint.
I have often attempted to wean him by
Degrees, from the Errors which he imbib'd with his Mothers Milk, and which seem to be rooted in him through the Influences of his Education.
Sometimes I plant a Battery of Arguments against Images and Pictures; but, I can nei∣ther beat them down from the Posts they are allotted in his Oratory, nor am I able to de∣molish the Chappels which he has built for their Ideas in his own Breast.
Yet, after a long and close Siege, I have reduced him to Terms of Composition. In the first place, he has surrendred up a Picture which hung in his Closet, in Form of a very Ancient Man with hoary Hairs, designed by the Painter, to represent the Person of God. He yields, that it is not lawful to make any Resemblance of the Invisible Divinity. Next he allows, that it is not lawful to bow or shew any other External Respect: to the Pictures and Images of Jesus, Mary, and the Rest of the Saints, but only to use them as Historical Remembrancers of those Holy Persons, and as Natural Helps and Spurs to Devotion and Vertue.
I tell thee, my Friend Oglou, on these Ca∣pitulations I could not but raise the Siege, and yield him the Use of Pictures thus far a blame∣less Practice. For, it seems to me unreaso∣nable, to debarr those who believe the History of the Gospel, the Privilege to read it in what Language they please, whether this of Images and Pictures, or that of Letters.
Letters are but the Images of such and such
Articulate Sounds, by which we express our Inward Conception of things: But, Images and Pictures are the lively Immediate Chara∣cters of the Things themselves; and, it seems as easie to me, to look on a Picture or Image without the Danger of Idolatry, as 'tis to read a Chapter in the Alcoran without ado∣ring the Letters that compose it. Was not the Tabernacle of Moses adorned with Ima∣ges of Cherubims? Was not the Temple of Solomon deck'd in the same manner? If the presence of Images in Temples be a propha∣nation, why for so many Ages have our Vene∣rable Mufti's suffered the Two Seraphims to remain under the Cupola of the Mosque of Sancta Sophia in Constantinople? Why do they not deface the Picture of Mary the Mother of Jesus, the Two Images of Angels, with other Pieces of Sculpture and Painting in the same place? Are the Devotions of a Mussulman in this Sacred Temple tainted with Idolatry, be∣cause he prays before these Images?
Let me unbosom my Thoughts to thee with freedom; Images and Pictures are no Bug-bears to me; I can use them as Instru∣ments of Devotion, in the same manner as I do Books. Yet every one cannot do this without Danger of Idolatry; neither is a Pu∣blick Toleration of Images and Pictures in Temples to be approved. For, though some Men may look on them without Hurt, yet 'tis hard for the Generality to avoid falling in∣to a Culpable Reverence. For, while the Eye is drinking in the fair Idea, the Soul is apt to
lose her Force, and fall into Admiration of the Carver's or the Painter's Art, adoring the ele∣gant Symmetry of a Beautiful Picture or I∣mage, instead of the Original and Increated Beauty, the Majesty which has no Resem∣blance.
Therefore wisely has our Holy Law, provi∣ded against this Inconvenience, by discoura∣ging Imagery throughout the Sacred Empire of the Mussulmans.
He whose Habitation is in the Mysterious and Inaccessible Heighth of an Eternal Recess, whose Glory is beyond all Figure and Expres∣sion, augment thy Vertues, which are the truest Images of the Divine Nature.
Paris, 24th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THE present War betwixt France and Spain, however begun, seems to be carried on by a Principle of Honour, rather than of Enmity. These two Nations are per∣fect Antipodes to each other in their Humours, yet this Aversion between them, is discover'd more in Peace than in War. The Quest of Glory has invited many brave Men on both Sides into the Field; and, the Hero's strive to conquer each other, by Civilities rather than by Arms.
Catalonia and Roussilion, were the Stages of this War, in the Beginning of the Year; where the Mareschal de Breze, and the Sieur de la Mothe-Houdancourt, combated with all the Hardships of the Winter, as well as with Valiant Enemies. The Rigour of the Season did not cool the Courage of these Generals, nor divert their Resolution from taking the Field. All the Country appear'd like a frozen Lake, and there was no Place for them to encamp, but in Deep Snows or Ice: yet, for all these Discouragements, the Mare∣schal de Breze block'd up Perpignan, a Town of great Strength in Roussilion, whilst the Sieur de la Mothe kept the Arragonians in Play, and baffl'd the Enterprises of the Casti∣lians, having given them two Signal Defeats.
These successful Actions of the French Ge∣nerals, invited the King their Master to give them a Visit, being very desirous to take Per∣pignan, and settle the Affairs of Catalonia. He therefore sends another Army under the Command of the Mareschal de la Mesleraye, which he soon followed in Person.
There was now a generous Envy raised be∣tween so many Great Commanders, every one striving to advance himself in the King's E∣steem by his Services. And the particular Merits of the Sieur de la Mothe, drew a fa∣vourable Eye on him. The King made him Mareschal of France; the Staff which is the Badge of his Office, being presented to him by the Mareschal de Breze at Barcelona, to the general Satisfaction and Joy as well of the Catalonians as the French.
This Honour was conferr'd on him, pre∣sently after the great Victory obtained over the Spanish Forces, at Ville-Franche in Ca∣talonia.
In the mean while, the Mareschal de Mesleraye, invested the strong Castle of Coli∣oubre, which was surrender'd to him upon honourable Terms, by the Marquis of Mor∣tare, General of the Spanish Horse in Roussi∣lion, and Governour of that Castle.
The King flush'd with Conquests and Suc∣cesses, would not suffer his Army to lie idle, but in good earnest laid close Siege to Per∣pignan.
Yet such was the Generosity of this Prince, that before he tried the Force of his Cannon,
he ordered the Mareschal de Mesleraye, to send a Herald to the Marquis de Flores, Go∣vernour of the Town, to put him in Mind of the great Streights the Besieged were in for want of Provisions, of which his Majesty was not ignorant; and, that there was no Hopes of Relief from the Marquis de Povar, General of the Spanish Forces in Arragon, there being left alive but a few Companies of all his Army, after the great Defeat which was given them near Ville-Franche.
He offered the Governour all fair and good Usage, if he would surrender before Things came to Extremities; and, to convince him of the entire Loss of the Spanish Army (to which he trusted) he promised Safe Conduct to any Officer of the Garrison as far as Terragone, where lay all the little Remnant of the Arra∣gonian Army, that so he might inform and assure himself of the bad Condition the Spa∣nish Affairs were in.
This Favour was received with much Ci∣vility by the Marquis de Povar, who retur∣ned Humble Thanks to the King for so gene∣rous a Condescention, assuring him withal, that the Garrison was not reduced to those Streights as was pretended, but that he never∣theless accepted his Majesty's safe Conduct to a Messenger; entreating him, that he would permit him to go to Madrid, that so the King of Spain might have Advice of his Circum∣stances.
Thou wilt confess, Illustrious Kaimacham, that it was a great Magnanimity of Spirit in
the King, to grant this Request to an Enemy, who might be suspected to design no more in it than gain Time. Yet, he sent the Mes∣senger back again, with full Assurance of his Royal Leave.
Whilst this was in Agitation, many other Civilities pass'd between the French and the Besieged; Many Prisoners of Note were ex∣changed, and all Things seem'd to speak a fair Understanding between both Parties; when, on a sudden, the Cannon of the Town play'd furiously on the King's Quarters, and at the same Time the Besieged made a vigo∣rous Sally, attacking a Redoubt which the Mareschal de Mesleraye had raised.
This Contempt of the King's Favour raised his Choler, and animated the Soldiers with a desire of Revenge. All ran to their Arms, and quickly beat back the Besieged. Thus was the Face of Affairs suddenly chang'd in the Camp. It was too late now, for the Gover∣nour to expect the Courtesie he before abu∣sed. However, he sent two Deputies again, to know if the King's Resolution continued to grant Leave to send to Madrid, (for they had not as yet sent.)
The Mareschal de Mesleraye sent back the Deputies with this Answer, That if they did not engage to surrender by a prefix'd Day, and give two Hostages for Security of their Perfor∣mance, the King would not grant their Re∣quest.
This put the Besieged upon desperate Re∣solutions; they made frequent Sallies, and all things tended to Extremity.
Whilst Matters were in this Posture, the King, by the Advice of his Physicians, with∣drew from the Camp to take the Waters of Maine for his Health. This was in the last Moon, and Perpignan holds out still.
I have been the more particular in relating this Siege, in regard it is the Chief Subject of Discourse among such as are desirous of News. Which is the Reason also, that I begin this Letter with a Relation of what has been trans∣acted in Catalonia ever since the Beginning of this Year, that thou maist be able to form a Regular Idea, of this present War between France and Spain. I will continually send thee an Account of the Progress the French make in Catalonia.
God augment thy Honours, and prolong thy Days, to see the Sons of thy Grand-chil∣dren.
Paris, 26th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Should be unfaithful to my Trust, and merit a Bow-String, should I conceal from thee any Thing which reflects upon the Ho∣nour of the Sacred Empire, and the Law brought down from Heaven by the Angel Gabriel.
Thou knowest, that it is the Custom of the Christians, to make Pilgrimages from all Parts of the World to Jerusalem, and other Places in the Holy Land; even as the Faithful Mussulmen do to Mecca and Medina Tal∣nabi in Arabia, where is the Sepulchre of our Holy Prophet.
Here are Two Noblemen of the first Rank and Quality at Court, who out of Devotion to their Messias, went to visit his supposed Sepulchre; and, in their Travels, pass'd through Part of Aegypt. But when they arrived at a Place called Salhia, bordering on the Stony Arabia, they were made a Prey to the Sub∣bassee of that Place; who, understanding from the Captain of the Caravan, that these two were all the Franks he had with him, and that they were Men of Money, he exacted from them twenty Dollars apiece for their Heads, contrary to all Law, Justice or Precedent;
which they refusing to pay (as indeed it was unreasonable) the covetous old Subbassee commits them to Prison, commanding them to receive a Hundred Bastinadoes apiece on the Feet, thinking by this Means to frighten them to a Compliance with his Extortion. But they would not pay the Money, chusing rather to suffer, than encourage such Op∣pression in corrupt Officers. In the mean time, the Caravan departs, leaving these im∣prison'd Lords to the Mercy of the Subbassee; who finding them inflexible, caused his Com∣mandments to be put in Execution, and not content with this, orders his Slaves to beat them out of the Town.
The poor Lords knew not what to do un∣der this Misfortune; for they were so sore with the Blows they had received on their tender Feet, that they were incapable of tra∣velling afoot. But, with Money they prevail on the Slaves, to direct them how they might procure Camels, with a Guide. This done they overtake the Caravan at Gaza, and so finish'd their Pilgrimage. They are now at the Court here, and have made known the Business to the King, who, 'tis said, has dis∣patch'd an Express to his Ambassador at Con∣stantinople, to demand Justice on the afore∣said Subbassee; threatning, that if it be de∣ny'd, he will cover the Ocean with Ships, and raze the Palace of the Sultan to the Ground. For, these two Noblemen, are nearly allied to the Royal Family.
I know thou wilt despise the bold Bravado
of this King, and so do I, being assured, that the Invincible Sultan, can set his Foot on the Necks of Forty such Petty Kings as this. Yet, let us be the Advocates of Justice, by which the Refulgent Empire of the Mussulmen was first established. Should such a Villainy as this go unpunished, it would encourage o∣thers in like Cases, and then there would be nothing but Extortion, and cruel Insolence practis'd by Governours of Towns and Cities on the Road. So barbarous and Inhospitable Usage, would provoke all the Princes of the Christian Law, to take up Arms against us. Thus would the most Glorious Empire in the World, become a Prey to Infidels.
I know this would be misrepresented, were it to come to other Hands than thine. They would say of me openly, what they have al∣ready whispered in the Cabals of the Seraglio, That Mahmut is in Pension with the French King. They seek my Life without a Cause. But I trust it to thy generous and right no∣ble Hands, of whose Friendship I have had so late Experience.
May the First Mover of the Heavenly Orbs, lead thee as by a Clew of Thread, through the dark Labyrinth of State Affairs, and bring thee, after a long and happy Life, to the Fields of endless Light. Amen! thou Lord of Pa∣radise.
Paris, 26th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Know thee not, and, 'tis probable, that art as little acquainted with me; Yet, I have often observed more durable Friendships con∣tracted between Strangers, than betwixt those of the same Blood. Good Offices equally deserve and attract Love. There are many Opportunities for Travellers to serve one ano∣ther. And, he that obliges me in a strange Country, makes himself my Brother.
I received a Dispatch from the Reis Effendi at Constantinople, informing me of the Death of Carcoa, one of the Happy Slaves of him whom God has ordained to dispense Felicities to the World, I mean, the Grand Signior, Possessor of the most exalted Throne on Earth. He tells me likewise, that I must expect from thee the Continuance of Carcoa's Office. I con∣gratulate thy Honour, in that thou art thought worthy to serve the Great Viceroy of the Lord of the Ʋniverse, to whom is committed the Flaming Sword of Justice, that he may re∣ward Vertue, punish Vice, and reform the Corrupt Manners of all Mankind.
I am a Mussulman, that is, resigned to God, or else it would have raised some Thoughtfulness in a Man of my Circumstances, what should
be the Reason of Carcoa's so long Silence, not having received any Answer these Four Moons to the many Letters I sent him. He was en∣trusted with the Secrets of my Commission, and, had another been in my Place, he would have suspected Treachery.
Well, he is gone! gone to the Invisible Regions, to the Receptacles of Just and Faith∣ful Men, to the pleasant Woods and Groves, the Eternal Blooming Shades and Verdant Fields of Paradise. Follow his Steps, and be happy.
He was a Man true to his Trust, sedulous and active in Business; Punctual in his Ap∣pointments; Temperate in a Town flowing with Debaucheries; just toward all Men, and Devout to God.
It is necessary for him that would attain these Virtues, to begin Gradually at the lowest Step; to Guard his Sences, and set a Watch upon the Avenues of his Passions. For a Man becomes neither perfectly Virtuous nor Vicious all at once: And a Wise Man of thy own Nation, Jesus Ben Sirach, has said, He that contemns Little Things, shall fall by little and little.
I desire thee, to send me Carcoa's Journal, with what other Papers he left behind him, except such as concern his particular Estate and Affairs.
Let me know also, how the late Design of the Turks upon Rab, is resented at the German Court; whether the Emperor talks of sending an Embassador to the Sultan about
it; and, whatsoever also of Moment occurs.
The Reis Effendi tells me, that Bechir Bas∣sa, the Treasurer, has ordered me Five Hun∣dred Zechins, by the way of Vienna. I desire thou would'st be speedy and careful in remit∣ting them to Paris.
Thou needest no Instructions concerning my Lodging, or the Name I go by here; those who appointed thee this Station at Vi∣enna, have informed thee, no doubt, of all Things necessary to the Discharge of thy Duty.
Write often to me, and preserve thy Inte∣grity free from Stain.
Paris, 6th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Know thy Genius, and have observed with what Complacency thou wert wont to peruse thy Uncle Shela Raphim's Travels, a Journal writ in Arabick, and full of profita∣ble and wise Remarks; especially, that Part of it, which treats of France. I will not pre∣tend to add to his Observations; but only acquaint thee with a Novelty, which France it self ne'er knew in his Days.
The Women of Quality here of late, ad∣dict themselves to the Studies of Philosophy, as the Men; the Ladies esteeming their Edu∣cation defective, if they cannot confute Ari∣stotle and his Disciples. The Pen has almost supplanted the Exercise of the Needle; and, Ladies Closets, formerly the Shops of Female Baubles, Toys and Vanities, are now turn'd to Libraries and Sanctuaries of Learned Books. There is a new Star risen in the French Hori∣zon, whose Influence excites the Nobler Fe∣males to this pursuit of Humane Science. It is the Renowned Monsieur Des Cartes, whose Lustre far out-shines the Aged, winking▪ Ta∣pers of Peripatetick Philosophy, and has e∣clips'd the Stagyrite, with all the Ancient Lights of Greece and Rome. 'Tis this match∣less Soul, has drawn so many of the Fairer Sex to the Schools. And, they are more proud of the Title [Cartesian,] and of the Capacity to defend his Principles, than of their Noble Birth and Blood.
I know our Grave and Politick Mussulmen, will censure the Indulgence of the French to their Women, and accuse them of Weakness, in giving such Advantages to that witty Sex. But, notwithstanding this Severity of the Eastern Parts, I cannot altogether disapprove the Western Galantry. If Women are to be esteemed our Enemies, methinks it is an igno∣ble Cowardise thus to disarm them, and not allow them the same Weapons we use our selves: But, if they deserve the Title of our Friends, 'tis an Inhumane Tyranny to debar
them the Privilege of Ingenuous Education, which would also render their Friendship so much more delightful both to themselves and us. Nature is seldom observed to be niggardly of her choicest Gifts to that Sex, their Sences generally as quick as ours, their Reason as Nervous, their Judgments as ma∣ture and solid. Add but to these Natural Perfections, the Advantage of Acquir'd Lear∣ning, what polite and charming Creatures will they prove, whilst their External Beau∣ty does the Office of a Crystal to the Lamp, not shrouding but disclosing their brighter Intellects? Nor need we fear to lose our Em∣pire over them, by thus improving their Na∣tive Abilities; since, where there is most Lear∣ning, Sence and Knowledge, there is observ'd to be the greatest Modesty, and Rectitude of Manners. I see no Reason therefore, why we should make such Bug-Bears of Women, as not trust them with as Liberal Education as our selves.
I believe, thou sometimes bestowest a Com∣passionate Thought on the Exil'd Mahmut. Would'st thou do something to alleviate my Melancholy, the next time thou go∣est to the Atmidan, transcribe what is en∣graven on the Pedestalls of the Obelisks and Columns standing there, and send it enclosed in a Letter.
He that is Lord of the East and the West, from whose Throne hang Millions of Stars in Chains of Gold, encrease thy Virtues and Blessings, and preserve thee from the Poison
of ill Eyes and malicious Tongues, and bring thee to the Fields of endless Light.
Paris, 6th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THere is a Garden in this City, so near resembling that of the Invincible Vizir Azem, on the East of Pera, that I cannot but phansie my self near Constantinople, when I am walking in it. It is called the King's Gar∣den, being allotted by the Royal Bounty of the Kings of France, to the Service and Im∣provement of Students in Physick. There is a Yearly Stipend settled on an approved Physi∣cian, to take Care, that no kind of Physical Plant or Herb be wanting in this Royal Semi∣nary. Who also during the whole Summer, is obliged to read a Latin Lecture every Mor∣ning, on the Simples there growing; whilst a great Auditory of Young Students, with Books, Pen and Ink in their Hands, wait on him up and down the Alleys, and write down his Discourse. He that is now employed in this Office, is a very Learned and Ingenious Man; he takes great Pains to make all his Young Disciples perfect Herbalists; for, all the way as he passes along from one Herb to another,
he stoops down, handles the Simple, and ex∣plains his Verbal Description with his Fingers Ends; giving a most accurate account of the minutest Difference between such as seem to be alike, and demonstrating to the Eye, that those are two distinct Plants, which many take to be but one; tracing out their different Families, in the Number, Texture, Shape or Colour of their Leaves and Flowers: And, this he does with so graceful an Action, such elegant Language, and so composed a Spirit, that he charms all that happen to be present at his Lectures, and makes every Body in Love with the Botanicks. The Garden stands open to all Gentlemen, provided they leave their Swords with the Keeper of the Gate, to prevent Quarrels and Mischief.
I enter daily among the rest, and when the Physick-Lecture is over, I retire my self into one of the most pleasant Shades in the World; it is a Gravel Walk, the whole length of the Garden, on each side of which grow lofty Trees, planted so thick, and intermixing their Leaves and Branches so closely at the Top, that they compose a perfect natural Ʋmbrella over the Walk, from one End to the other, so that not a Beam of the Sun can enter. And, that which creates in me the greatest Complacency, is, that the farther End of the Walk, is not shut up by a high Wall, as is the Custom in some Gardens; but, whether you are sitting, or standing upright, it opens to you a very agreeable and large Pro∣spect of the Country adjacent to Paris, which
affects the Eye with incredible Delight; and mine so much the more, because it perfectly resembles the Country lying East of Pera and Constantinople, which you survey out of the Grotto's of the aforesaid most Illustrious Vizir Azem. 'Tis when I am in this Walk, I ima∣gine I breath the Air of Asia, and am within the Verge of the Imperial Seraglio, the San∣ctuary to which all the distress'd Princes in the World have Recourse.
There are in Paris above an Hundred Mag∣nificent Palaces, and beautiful Gardens belong∣ing to them; but, none wherein I take so particular a Delight, as in this Royal Physick-Garden. Here I spend many a solitary Hour, and sometime I meet with Company.
I tell thee, Dear Haly, that though the French are naturally the most polished and refined People in the World, yet I am ma∣ny times willing to make Excuses, and leave their Society; being by the Force of a power∣ful Inclination either drawn to this Garden, or to a famous Library in this City, in the Custo∣dy of certain Religious Dervises, who at cer∣tain Hours of the Day, are obliged to give Attendance to all Gentlemen, who are pleased to sit there and study.
Toward the Evening I visit the Hospitals, which are the finest that ever I saw in the World, and I believe the best govern'd. There is one named, the Hospital of God, where Per∣sons of Quality themselves, and those of the First Rank, come every Evening, and wait on the sick and the wounded, doing all the
meanest Offices of Inferior Servants, and this with abundance of Tenderness and Hu∣manity. I have seen the Nicest and Gayest Ladies of the Court, dressing the most squalid and putrefied Sores of Wounded Men, not seeming in the least to be disgusted at the loathsom Sight and Stench of their Ulcers. When one first enters the Place, one would imagine it to be a Chamber of Young Jani∣zaries; it being a very long and wide Gal∣lery, with Rows of Beds on both sides, where∣in the Sick are disposed according to the Or∣der of their coming, or the Nature of their Disease. The Curtains of the Beds are all of pure white Linen, prettily wrought here and there with Flowers of Needle-Work. Their Sheets as white as the Curtains; and by each Bed stands a Bason of clean Water, and a fine Towel lying by it. At the farther End of the Gallery, stands an Altar railed in, where the Priests perform their Religi∣ous Mysteries for the Sick. In fine, all Things in this Place speak an Exquisite Decorum and Order, with a generous Regard to the Health and Life of Man. Three of these Galleries make up the whole Hospital, and it is as plea∣sant to me sometimes to walk up and down in them, as in a beautiful Garden.
Certainly, if any Argument could be of Force to recommend Sickness as a desirable Thing, it must be taken from the Circum∣stances of this Hospital, or, an Equivalent Ground. I, for my own part, have often thought, That Death it self would not be
formidable amidst so many Ornaments, Sweets and Comforts. If this Publick and Charitable Regard to the Sick, be an Effect of their Religion, I cannot be so partial to deny it a due Acknowledgment; but must own, That Heroick Vertue and Piety is to be found in an eminent Degree, even among the very Infidels.
Thou wilt pardon me for detaining thee so long in the Theatre of the Sick and Wound∣ed, and presenting thee with the Tragical Scenes of Mortality; since it is thy proper Profession, to converse with the Infirmities, Diseases and Dolors of Humane Bodies, and to be frequently present in the Anti-Chambers of Death.
Suffer me to press thee to an Integrity of continual Love and Friendship between us. Let not Mistakes or Misapprehensions, cool this generous Affection. It is pity, That either the spightful Misrepresentations of insi∣nuating Back-biters, or, our own groundless Jealousies and Suspicions, should dissolve the Union of Faithful and Loving Friends. I had rather suffer a Thousand small Injuries, which I know must proceed from Frailty, and Humane Necessity, than not continue to Love where I have once pitch'd my true Affection. Nothing but apparent wilful Per∣fidiousness and Treachery, ought to break the sacred and inviolable Band of Friendship. Fidelity and Love cover a multitude of lesser Faults. He that breaks with his Friend for small Errors, discovers the Rashness and In∣constancy
of his Mind, and that his Friend∣ship was never well grounded. For, had he been a Wise Man, he would either have been more slow and cautious in the choice of his Friend; or, having once contracted Friend∣ship, he would not break it again for a less Crime than manifest Disloyalty. But thou, who hast ever pursued me with all the Of∣fices of a Generous and Faithful Friend, bear∣ing with my many Infirmities and Failings, dost not deserve this Censure. Yet, consi∣dering the Instability of all Humane Affairs, I could not forbear putting thee in Mind of these Things; lest, through the Malice of Fortune, or the Envy of Men, or any other Cause thou shouldst withdraw thy Affection from me, which I value above all Temporal Blessings. For, besides the many Favours I have received at thy Hands, whereby I am obliged in Honour and Gratitude to love thee perpetually; a Spark of Natural, or ra∣ther of Divine Affection was kindled in my Breast, from the first Time I conversed with thee; whether it proceeds from Agreeable∣ness and Harmony of Spirits, or some other secret Operation, I know not. But, sure I am, and would have thee rest confident, That there is not a Man in the World, who Loves and Honours thee with greater Fidelity than I do.
The Great and Eternal Lord of the Ʋni∣verse, encrease and multiply thy Vertues and Blessings, and make thee Illustrious in thy Generation; granting also this Happiness to
me, That after a lasting and true Friendship between us on Earth, I may drink with thee of the Rivers of Pleasure, which glide along the Fields of Paradise; and, that I may see thy Face brighter than the Stars of Heaven. Amen! Amen! O thou Lord of the Worlds.
Paris, 6th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Take the best Measures for Intelligence, yet I cannot gain a Sight or a Copy of all the Expresses that come to this Court; nor can I learn their Import, as soon as they Arrive. The Ministers of State here, are the Sepul∣chres of News, they bury all in Silence.
This is the Reason, that I sometimes have been forced to send thee an Account of many Events, long after they happened. My last Letter, was an Abstract of the French Con∣quests in Catalonia, from the Beginning of the Year, to the Moon last past.
After the King of France had retired from the Camp before Perpignan, the Mareschal de Mesleraye applied himself vigorously to perfect the Batteries, Redoubts, and other Works. Whilst the King of Spain was hour∣ly
perplexed with Cares and Anxieties, for this Important Place.
The Extremities to which it was reduc'd, hastened his Preparations of an Effectual Re∣lief. He sent Orders to the Marquises of Terracuse, of Leganez and Mortare, to raise the Flower of Arragon and Castile.
The Viceroy of Naples, furnished out a Considerable Fleet; it being the Catholick King's Resolution, either to Succour Per∣pignan, and raise that Siege, or take Barce∣lona by Way of Reprizal.
In the mean while, the new Mareschal de la Mothe, flush'd with the late Favour he received from his Master, the French King, and spurred on with the Thirst of Glory, entered like a Torrent with his Troops into Valentia, which at that time lay naked and unguarded.
The first Thing he did, was to surprize a Convoy of the Marquis of Leganez, who were carrying an Extraordinary Piece of Can∣non to Viveros.
The French broke through the Foot, with their accustomed Fury, and killed more than Thirty Horse, taking as many Prisoners. They sent the Cannon to the Camp at Reoux.
Thou seest, Sage Minister, how necessary a Qualification it is in a Sovereign Prince, to discern and reward the Merits of his Servants. Men of Vertue are animated with fresh Vi∣gour, when their Actions are acknowledg∣ed. Of this the ever Victorious Sultans of the Ottoman Empire are very sensible, who
value the Abilities and Services of their Slaves, before any Consideration of Noble Blood or Riches; raising Men from Nothing, to the Highest Dignities of the Empire.
The Mareschal, after this Exploit, took the Towns of Tamarit, and Mouson; but the Castle belonging to the latter, was sur∣rendred upon Articles, the Fourteenth of the last Moon.
Whilst these things were transacted on the Land, the Navies were not Idle by Sea: The Marquis of Breze set upon the Spanish Admiral, as he lay at Anchor near Viveros; and, not being able to disingage the Vessel from the Shallows, he set it on Fire, together with another of equal Burden.
This was only an Exploit by the by, and as it lay in his Road to Barcelona, where the whole Spanish Fleet were Arrived, with De∣sign to Assault the Town by Sea.
The Marquis de Breze, made all the Sail he could toward them; but, the Wind not favouring his Design, he was forced to make use of his Gallies. In a Word, the Spaniards lost Four Ships in this Fight, and Three more on the First of this Moon.
Thus Perpignan is in no likelihood of Re∣lief. I will send thee all the Intelligence I receive of this Important Siege.
Paris, 10th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Have received thy Letter, and congratulate thy safe Return to Constantinople. The Blessing of Mahomet be upon thee, for the Sacrifice thou madest on Abraham's Moun∣tain in my behalf, and for the Alms thou ga∣vest to blot out my Sins. Hadst thou sent me the Sacred Relique I desired, I would mul∣tiply Benedictions on Isouf my Cousin. It is but a trifling Excuse to say, thou couldst not procure that which is denied to no Pilgrim. The Emir of Mecca expects that every one who Visits that Holy of Holies, should pur∣chase a Piece of the Old Hanging, when it is Yearly taken down. This is his Fee, and thou hast at once defrauded him of his Due, fru∣strated my Hopes, and weakned the Merit of thy Pilgrimage.
But, I will not be querelous; perhaps thou wert afraid of wanting Money in the Rest of thy Journey. Thy Letter is very short and full of Reserves, hardly vouchsafing to make an Apology for thy long Silence, though it be now the Nine and Thirtieth Moon since thou first partedst from Constantinople, with∣out giving me any Account what was become of thee.
Sometimes I thought thou wert over∣whelm'd in the Sands of Arabia, or, that
some wild Beast had devoured thee. At other times, I imagined thou might'st die of Thirst, in those dry and barren Desarts. When the Caravan returned at the accustom'd Time, and no Tidings of Isouf, I could not divine that thou wert gone into Persia, or that thou wouldst travel through all the East, as thy Letter informs me.
I should be proud of my Kinsman, were I satisfied what Improvements he has made in so tedious a Journey. Thy Letter speaks thee not a Traveller, thou art a Churle in not com∣municating to me thy Adventures and Ob∣servations, in so many Countries as thou hast pass'd through.
Tell me Isouf, what was the Motive which put thee upon such a hazardous Fatigue? Thou wert a Man of great Faith to trust thy self to the Conduct of the Persian, who invited thee along with him. It is a Sign thou hast a Ro∣ving Soul, or else thou wouldst not upon such easie Terms have abandoned the Company of thy Fellow-travellers and Friends, to join thy self to a Stranger, an Enemy to thy Nation, a Heretick. 'Tis true, a Peace was just then concluded between the Grand Signior, and the Sophi of Persia; and so there was no Danger of thy being snap'd for a Spy, and Sacrificed to the Jealousie of State. But, thou exposedst thy self to the Capricio's of Fortune, and the wavering Temper of a Man, who, for ought thou knowest, might have some ill Design upon thee.
Tell me, didst not thou meet with great
Temptations at Ispahan? couldst thou with∣stand the Charms of Persian Luxury? It must needs be a surprizing Novelty, to see the La∣dies of the Court frolicking and revelling in the Houses of Pleasure without the City, so con∣trary to the austere Customs of our Women at Constantinople.
Well! I will believe thee Chast in the midst of Courtezans, sober in Company of Drunk∣ards; and, that the Spark who pick'd thee up at Medina, made no attempts to debauch thy Vertue; yet thou canst not blame this Rai∣lery, when thou considerest the dissolute Man∣ners of that Nation. And I will tell thee in∣genuously, that I find it very irksome to ab∣stain from Wine, in a Country where every Body drinks it but my self.
But, thou givest me no Character of thy Persian Friend, or his Quality. He might, for ought I know, be some Knight Errant, and thou his Squire, and so you rambled to∣gether up and down Asia to seek Adventures. For thou art not so complaisant as to tell me the Effect of thy Travels.
Had I been in thy Place, I should have made it my Business, to enquire into the Laws and Religions of those Countries through which I pass'd. I should have taken Notice of the Strength and Situation of their Cities and Castles; Their Manner of Building and Fortifications; The Discipline of their Soul∣diers; what Navigable Rivers they have, and which were the most eminent Places of Com∣merce and Traffick.
When thou wert in the Court of the Great Mogul, it had been worth thy Observation, to see the Grandure of this Monarch, who ne∣ver goes into the Field with less than two hundred Thousand Men. Thou shouldst have remark'd also the Use the Indians make of E∣lephants in their Battels. It had not been a∣miss to have cast an Eye into their Temples in this Country, where thou wouldst have beheld the Execrable Devotions of these Ido∣laters, who worship the Devil under hide∣ous Forms. But above all, I should have been greedy to see the Indian Women throw them∣selves into the Funeral Pile after their dead Husbands. And, before I parted from the Country, I should have sought the Conver∣sation of their Gymnosophists or Brachmans. These are in so great Reputation for their Wisdom, Sanctity, and Incorrupt Manners, that the greatest Potentates have Recourse to them in all Difficulties, as to Divine Oracles.
China also would have afforded thee Mat∣ter of Observation and Remark.
These People say of themselves, that they see with both Eyes, the Mahometans with one, and all the rest of the World are stark blind. But in my Opinion, the Chineses can be but pur-blind themselves, since they see no farther than the Mountains which environ their own Country; it not being permitted to the Sub∣jects of that Empire to travel. Yet, to give them their due, they are a very Ingenious People, envied by all the World for their Art in making Porphyry.
I should be glad to know, if whilst thou wert in this Country, thou ever sawest any of those Sailing Wagons, which are said to be used there.
It would be very obliging, to send me a particular Relation of thy Travels these three Years. Thou wilt not be angry, that I am soli∣citous for thy Good. The End of Travelling, is, to gain Experience and Wisdom. If thou hast attained this, I shall rejoice. The desire of Knowledge has caused many Famous Men to rome about the World. This led Pytha∣goras into Palestine and Aegypt. This made Plato leave Athens, to go and learn of Archy∣tas the Philosopher at Tarentum in Italy. And the same Motive, carried Apollonius through the greatest part of Asia and Africa.
But, I would not have thee confine thy Search to their Measures. For they only co∣veted to know the Mysteries of Nature. Where∣as, if thou travellest again, I would advise thee to acquaint thy self with the Constitutions of Kingdoms and States, whereby thou mayst be serviceable to our Great Master, the Grand Signior, Lord of the seven Clymates, for whose sake the Elements are restrained within their Bounds, and Nature it self keeps on her Course.
Cousin, I pray the great God to polish thy Soul with Rational Principles, and make thee useful in thy Generation; for, no man is born for himself. Adieu.
Paris, 13th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Sent thee a Letter in the Conclusion of the last Year, concerning the Duke of Lorrain, and the Loss of his Estate: Since which, he seems to have lost himself; being Excommu∣nicated by the Pope, who is to the Christians, what our Mufti is to true Believers.
If thou knowest not what it is to be Ex∣communicated by the Pope, I will inform thee in few Words.
Those who lie under this Censure, are for∣bid to enter into any of their Churches, or in the least to partake of what they esteem Holy. All Christians, are commanded to shun their Company; they are esteemed as bad as He∣reticks; banish'd humane Society, and given over to the Devil.
The Occasion of passing this so severe a Sentence on a Sovereign Prince, thou wilt imagine was great; and yet, it was onely for putting away his first Wife, and marrying another. A Thing commonly practised all o∣ver the East. Should our Mufti's have the same Power, there would be but few Musul∣men in the Sacred Mosques.
But, these Infidels call Marriage a Great Sacrament, and esteem it as violated when a
Man repudiates his Wife; Divorces being not allowed in any Part of Christendom, unless in Case of Adultery.
People talk variously of the Pope's Censure. Those who favour the Countess of Cantecroix, murmur at the Excommunication, calling it, A Breach of Privileges, an unheard of Innovation, an Attempt upon the Life of the Prince. They add also, that he ought first to have been cited, and his Cause heard by the Court, according to the Canons and Decrees of Councils.
On the other Hand, there are who justifie this Proceeding of the Pope, and accuse the Duke of barbarous Ingratitude, for leaving his Lawful Wife, by whom he got his Estate; and with whom he had lived many Years.
However, the Duke of Lorrain has pub∣lish'd a Protestation against the Pope's Pro∣ceedings, and caused his Procurator General to do the like; writing Letters also to the Presi∣dents and Counsellours of the Sovereign Court of Lorrain and Barois, commanding them not to take any Notice of the Pope's Censure; it being actually null and void, because con∣trary to the Fundamental Laws of the Church.
It is to be observed here, that this Excom∣municated Prince in the Conclusion of his Protest, appeals nevertheless to the Sovereign Bishop, when he shall be better informed, still professing an Eternal Obedience to the Church.
It is a strange unaccountable Power, the Popes of Rome claim over Emperours and Prin∣ces.
In his publick Letters, Briefs or Patents, he stiles himself, the Servant of the Servants of God; yet, in his Actions, he assumes a So∣vereignty over Kings, calling all the Princes in Christendom, his Sons, and chastising them as such, when he sees Occasion. All this pro∣ceeds from the Difference they make between the Temporal and the Spiritual Sword. So, that when their Forces have been Routed, the City of Rome sack'd, and themselves taken Prisoners by the Force of the former; yet they have at the same Time, by the Dint of the latter, subdued their Conquerours, and in the midst of Captivity celebrated a Triumph.
Spare not to command me, if thou canst propose any Method of doing thee Service.
God the Essence of Essences, purify us, and wash away our Imperfections.
Paris, 25th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
ART thou alive, Venerable Old Man, or must I expect my Answer in the o∣ther World? I have often writ to thee, and more often enquired after thy Health, when I had Opportunity; but have received no Answer, nor heard any News of thee these Seven Moons; which seem so many Years, to a Man who would be ready to die for Joy, could he receive the least Assurance that thou art yet alive.
Without Doubt, thou livest where-ever thou art, and livest in perfect Joy and Peace, the Rewards of thy consummate Sanctity and Vertue. Either thou still enjoyest a Heaven on Earth, thy Incorrupt Soul being a Paradise to it self; or, thou hast translated thy Resi∣dence from Earth to Heaven, to augment the Number and Joys of the Blessed.
Well! I will suppose and hope thou art a∣live, and that this Letter will come to thy Hand: I will therefore make thee an accepta∣ble Present.
Thou hast often spoke with much Af∣fection and Reverence of Jesus, the Messias of the Christians, as all Good Mussulmen
ought to do; being taught by the Alcoran in several Chapters, that he was a Holy Prophet, and in the Number of the Divine Favorites.
I have met with an Authentick Description of his Person in the King's Library, and have translated it into Arabick for thy Satisfaction. Publius Lentulus being President of Judea, sent it to the Senate of Rome, when the Fame of Jesus began to spread abroad in the World. These are his Words:
THERE lives at this Time in Judaea, a Man of singular Vertue, whose Name is Jesus Christ. Whom the Barbarians esteem a Prophet; but, his own Followers adore him as the Off-spring of the Immortal Gods. He calls back the Dead from their Graves, and heals all Sorts of Diseases with a Word or a Touch. He is tall and well-shaped; of an A∣miable, Reverend Aspect; his Hair of a Colour that can hardly be match'd, falling into Grace∣ful Curls below his Ears, and very agreeably couching on his Shoulders, parted on the Crown of the Head like the Nazarites. His Fore-head is smooth and large, his Cheeks without other Spot, save that of a lovely Red. His Nose and Mouth form'd with exquisite Symmetry. His Beard thick, and of a Colour suitable to the Hair of his Head, reaching an Inch below his Chin, and parting in the middle like a Fork. His Eyes bright, clear and serene. He rebukes with Majesty, counsels with Mildness; his whole Address, whether in Word or Deed, be∣ing Elegant and Grave. No Man has seen
him laugh, but he has wept frequently. He is very Temperate, Modest and Wise. A Man, for his Excellent Beauty and Divine Perfecti∣ons, surpassing the Children of Men.
I send thee this Picture of the Christians Messias, not drawn by the Pencil of the Pain∣ter, but by the Pen of a Roman Governour, and therefore it may pass for Authentick. I have often heard thee praise the Original, and condemn some too Superstitious Mussulmans, who, in their mistaken Zeal for the Alcoran, have Blasphem'd this Holy Prophet; a Man whom the Alcoran it self mentions in several Chapters, styling him, The Breath and Word of God.
Certainly, Malediction becomes not the Mouth of a True Believer; and he, who Curses God, or any of the Hundred and twen∣ty four Thousand Prophets, shall be excluded their Society in Paradise.
I give thee a final Adieu, O Holy Dervise; desiring, that this Character of the Messiah, may be transcribed in Letters of Gold on Silken Paper, and laid up in the Library of thy Con∣vent. Adieu. Live for ever.
Paris, 25th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
VArious are the Discourses of People in this Place concerning the Reduction of Asac. For, Paris, like Athens of old, is the Receptacle of all the News in the World.
The French are Naturally a Martial People, delighting much in the Affairs of War; and when the News came last Year of the Raising the Siege of Asac, with all the Particulars of the Defendants Bravery, notwithstanding the Union of so great Forces against them; they highly applauded the Valour and Constancy of the Cossacks, whom neither Threats nor Promises, gentle Means, nor vigorous Assaults could prevail upon to surrender up their Town, but forced the Besiegers to return Home with the Loss of above Twelve Thou∣sand Turks, besides Moldavians, Walachians, and Tartars.
But now they begin to change their Notes, and to admire the Invincible Force of the Ottoman Arms, which hew their way through the most Formidable Difficulties, to lay Em∣pires, Kingdoms and States at the Feet of our Victorious Sultan.
I have received a particular Account from Nathan Ben Saddi, of the taking of that City. He tells me, That at the News of
those great Preparations, which were making by Land and Sea against it; the Inhabitants being denied the Protection of the Moscovites, which was their sole Refuge in this Extre∣mity, abandoned the Town, carrying with them their Goods, and demolishing their Houses, so that there was but small Prey left for our Soldiers.
It is the General Discourse of this Court, that there is a Son born to Sultan Ibrahim. I should heartily rejoice, were I assured the News were true; but, there is no Dispatch as yet to confirm it. Besides, I have received Ad∣vice from Constantinople, which almost dis∣courages me from ever hoping so fortunate an Event.
God lengthen thy Days, and make thee Happy, both in this World, and in Paradise.
Paris, 25th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THOU hast no Reason to repine at the Exchange of thy Government, though thy present Power be circumscribed within narrower Limits than it was in Aegypt. That Granary of the World, never afforded thee such a Harvest of Laurels as thou hast reaped on the Banks of the Black-Sea. The Con∣quest of Asac has loaded thee with Honours, and the Moderation thou hast in the midst of Triumphs, has captivated greater Numbers of the Cossacks, than could the Dint of thy Cymetar. Though the Foundations of King∣doms are laid in Blood, yet the Superstructure is cemented with Clemency; and, the Roman Caesars, by timely sheathing their Swords, fastned to their Empire, the Provinces they had won by drawing them.
I am bound to write often to the Ministers of the Port, and all my Moments are conse∣crated to the Service of the Grand Signior, who has a Right to command all Mankind: Yet the Fame of thy late Victory reaching these Parts, and giving occasion of Discourse, I stole this time from my self, not from my Great Master (it being the Hour of Sleep) to tell thee what the World says of thee.
They do not compare thee to Hannibal, Scipio, or Alexander the Great; thou thy
self wouldst take him for a Flatterer, that should use such an Expression. But they say, the Method thou hast taken, to sweeten the Calamities of the Cossacks, and invite them back to their abandoned Habitations, has some resemblance with the Conduct of Selim, a General of Orchanes's Army; who, after he had taken the City of Prusa, forbid his Soldiers, on pain of Death, to touch the Goods of the Inhabitants, or commit any Insolent Action. The Moderation of this Conqueror, not only rendred the Citizens easie, and willing to submit to their New Lord; but, the Fame of it spreading abroad, he with little Bloodshed reduced all the ad∣joining Countrys under Subjection.
It is reported of the Great and Victorious Saladine, That he took more Pleasure in winning the Hearts of his Enemies, than in conquering their Persons. This Prince had a Saying very common in his Mouth, That he did the Office of a Barber and Gardiner, sha∣ving the Superfluities, and pruning the Ex∣crescencies of Overgrown Kingdoms and States, not destroying them Root and Branch. 'Tis certain, he endeavoured in all his Conquests to mollify the Aversion of his Enemies, by Acts of Generosity.
Thou wilt expect some News from a Man in my Post, and I cannot entertain thee with more agreeable Intelligence, than what is the common Theme of Discourse at this Time.
Edward, Duke of Parma, has entered into the Pope's Territories with Three Thousand
select Horse, where he marches Dragooning up and down the Country, bringing Terror and Confusion where-ever he comes. He Conquers without drawing his Sword, the Pope's Army flying before him.
This Prince is by Nature very Fierce and Active, and has a peculiar Gift of obliging his Souldiers, by treating them with a frank, affable Carriage, free from the stately Reser∣vedness to which Men in Authority are accu∣stomed. By this Deportment, he has insen∣sibly stole their Affections; they are ready to follow him all over the World.
When the Princes of Italy fall out with one another, they generally engage the French and the Spaniards in the Quarrel. But the Duke of Parma, refused the Assistance which the former profer'd him of Two Thousand Men, provided they might be disposed in Garrisons; he was Jealous, lest the French design'd to play their old Game; and, that when they were once Housed in his Cities and strong Holds, it would be difficult to Unkennel them.
He has a new way of winning Towns, car∣rying with him neither Infantry, Cannon, Ammunition, nor any other Provision ne∣cessary to a Campaign. Yet, when he ap∣proached towards Smola in his Road to Bo∣logna, the Governour sent the Keys of the Town to him in his March; which he made no other use of, than to give his Troops a Passage through the Place, resigning them up again. By these Noble Acts, he paved him∣self an easie Way through the Ecclesiastick
State; his Army being furnished with Vi∣ctuals in Abundance, without Plunder or In∣solency.
The first Occasion of this Quarrel, pro∣ceeded from some Contempts put upon the Prince of Parma at the Court of Rome, by the Nephews of Pope Ʋrban. And, the Dis∣gusts have since been improved to that Height, as to Engage the State of Venice, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Duke of Modena, and other Princes, in the Care of the General In∣terest of Italy.
They proceed with Mediations and Over∣tures of Peace in one Hand, while the Sword is brandish'd with the other; amuzing one another with Treaties to gain Time. The Loss of Castro, a strong Town on the Borders of the Ecclesiastick State, spurs on the Duke of Parma to Revenge himself on the Barbe∣rini's; while the Republick of Venice, strives to mitigate his Fierceness, and accommodate Affairs, espousing his Cause, but fearful of his Rashness, lest his impetuous Humour should carry him to the Walls of Rome, and bring things to Extremities. For, all the Princes in Italy profess an Inviolate Obedience to the Pope, who seems to Inherit the Authority of the Ancient Roman Emperours.
Thou maist comprehend by what I have said, how easie it were at such a Juncture (when all the Principalities in Italy are (as it were) disjointed) to bring them under the Yoke of a Foreign Power. This is what the Spaniards and French have for a long time
been nibling at: and, whereof the Rebublick of Venice are so Jealous, that they never side with one Party to the Ruine of another, but endeavour to keep all the Interests of Italy in an Aequilibrium, till they are Reconciled and United, lest the Party which finds it self most weakned, should seek the Protection of one of those Potent Crowns; who would not fail to strike two strokes for themselves, if they are desired to strike one for the Op∣pressed Italian.
The Christians call Italy, the Garden of Eu∣rope; and, if the Allusion may hold, the King of Spain has possessed himself of two stately Grotto's in it, Naples and Millan; yet, 'tis a Question, whether the Cost in main∣taining these two Cities, will countervail the Honour of being their Sovereign at such a Di∣stance. The same may be said of his Domi∣nions, in Mexico and Peru. This is the Pe∣culiar Happiness of the Ottoman Empire, that all the Members of so vast a Body, lie conti∣guous to each other.
The Monarch of the World above and this below, encrease the Territories of our Invinci∣ble Sultan, and by continually supplying our Armies with such Fortunate Leaders as Mu∣stapha, subdue all Nations to the True Faith.
Paris, 29th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Have heard with Sorrow, of the Disappoint∣ment the Sultan's Forces met in the taking of Rab. The Christians accuse him of Breach of the Capitulations, on which a Peace was concluded for Twenty Years, between the Happy Port, and the Emperour of Germany.
If the Stratagem by which they design'd to take this Town, be truly related to me, it seems to be a Copy of the Grecian Artifice in taking Troy, bating the Difference of ma∣ny Carts, and one Wooden Horse.
That Officer who discovered the Intrigue; tho' he had hunted in vain all the former part of the Day, yet returned with good Game at last, when he had ensnared our carted Sol∣diers within the Toils, got them within the Walls of the City, and drawn up the Draw-Bridge upon the Ambush which lay behind. The Emperor, it seems takes it mightily to heart; and, as I hear, has sent an Ambassa∣dor to the Port, to complain of this Trans∣action.
The Court here, is not very solicitous for his Interest, nor will they be much troubled to find that his Ambassador has but a cold Reception at Constantinople. For, the Diffe∣rences
between the Kings of France and the House of Austria, are too deeply grounded, to suffer any good Understanding or Affection to take Place between them.
And, the Cardinal of Richlieu, was heard to say not many Days ago, That, since the German Eagle was so greedy, he would give her a Bone to pick would break her Bill. This was spoken in Relation to the Emperor's En∣croachments on the Palatinate, and his Sei∣zure of Juliers and Treves.
I am glad to hear, that the League is renew∣ed between the Shining Port and the King of Persia, that so the Nerves of the Sacred Em∣pire may be wholly employed in Hungary.
Paris, 12th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THIS Western World lies drown'd in Wickedness; or rather, it is set no Fire with Sin. I sweat while I am within the Confines of the Air of Christendom. An uni∣versal Pestilence infects the Souls of Men, from whence their Words breath nothing but Contagion. Even such as one would take for Holy Saints, are meer Cheats; and, like those Fruits that grow on the Banks of the Lake Asphaltites, they are fair and beautiful without, but bring them to the Touchstone, and you will find them meer Corruption and Rottenness within. The Laity openly wal∣low in all Debauchery and Licentious Practi∣ces. Nor are the Clergy less exempt from se∣cret Enormities; while the Ecclesiastick Vest∣ments serve but as Cloaks to Pride, Ambi∣tion, Covetousness, and other concomitant Vices. The Sword of Justice it self, or at least, that which ought to be so, serves to divide the Spoils of the Poor, the Widow and the Orphan. In Court and Camp all Offices are bought and sold, without regard to Merit or the Publick Good. He that bids highest, is first preferr'd; and, the best-mony'd Chap∣man, is the most meritorious Candidate.
These are the Escapes of Princes, and the De∣signs of Favourites; whilst the Easiness of the one, abused by the Craft and Subtilty of the other, exposes Places of highest Trust, as in an Exchange, to become the Merchandize of eve∣ry Pedling Huckster; And brave and gener∣ous Souls are many Times put by, tho' the Royal Promise it self has pass'd in their Behalf. This is eminently the Unhappiness of the French Court. And, 'tis thought, the late Duke of Luynes and the present Cardinal of Richlieu, both of them Favourites to the present King, could not have swell'd their Coffers with such Heaps of Gold, but by these sinister Methods.
I am credibly Informed by an old French Courtier, That Monsieur Belville, a Gentle∣man of the Province of Languedoc, spared not to pass this Reflection on the Duke of Luynes, even in the King's Presence. Being at Bour∣deaux, while the King celebrated his Nuptials with the Infanta of Spain, in a most Magni∣ficent Manner; one Day coming to the Court in his Mourning-Coach, (his Father being new∣ly dead) he was reprehended by Monsieur Ca∣dinet, Younger Brother to the Duke of Luynes, for appearing at Court in such an extraordinary Time of Joy, with a Mourning-Coach. O, Sir, says Belville, the Bravery of your Brother's Coach, may excuse the Meanness of mine, since he borrowed all the Gold I had, to Equipp him∣self for this Triumphant Season. This I was told, by one that was present and heard the Words; and, the Occasion of them also he was not ignorant of, which was this:
Monsieur Belville being a Gentleman of a Noble Family, and one whose eminent Ver∣tues and Services might have intituled him to some suitable Dignity, but being low in his Fortune, was not regarded or taken Notice of, till he addressed himself to the Duke of Luynes; who, upon the Receipt of Fifteen Hundred Crowns, promised him to make him Cavalier of the Order of the Holy Ghost, a Dignity next to that of the Peers of the Realm, and which is a fair Step to it. But, instead of performing his Promise, after he had got his Money, he by under-hand Practi∣ces, procured him to be banished the Court, neither did he ever come near it till this Mar∣riage aforesaid was taken in Hand; at which time his Father dying at Bourdeaux, and be∣ing there also buried, he by the Mediation of some Friend, procured a Repeal of his Banish∣ment, that he might have an Opportunity of making the King sensible of the Duke's In∣justice. But, it took not the desired Effect; for, he was upon those Words, immediately imprisoned, where he soon after died of Grief. Thus is Oppression, Murder, and Violence countenanc'd by Authority among these In∣fidels.
But thou, Sage Interpreter of our Law, and Patron of Vertue, vouchsafe me thy Counsel, that I may learn not to be corrupted by con∣versing with these Ʋncircumcised.
Paris, 12th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THE Enemies of the Ottoman Interest, ever since the Time that our late Invin∣cible Sultan Amurat had caused his Uncle Mu∣stapha to be strangled, flatter'd themselves with the vain Hopes, of seeing that Royal Line ex∣tinct; it being blaz'd abroad in all the Courts of Christendom, that Sultan Amurat, by ex∣cessive Use of Wine, had quite enervated his Natural Vigor, and rendred himself incapa∣ble of getting any more Children. And the private Charge which he gave to the Bassa's and Grandees of the Empire, That in Case he died Issueless, they should translate the Impe∣rial Diadem to the Tartar, was no Secret here. Every Man look'd upon our present Happy Sovereign, Sultan Ibrahim, as a Man design'd for a Sacrifice to his Brother's Hatred, and that he would not long survive the Fate of his Uncle Mustapha.
I have heard a grave and experienc'd States∣man say, that he hoped to see the Ottoman Empire (after the Death of Amurat) rent into as many and fatal Divisions, by the Am∣bitious Beglerbegs, Bassa's and other Gove∣nors of Provinces, as the Empire of Alexander the Great was, by the Commanders of his
Army, after his Death, who shared it among themselves, and Catonized it into as many Principalities, as there were Captains to make Pretensions, either by Merit or the Sword.
But, Praise be to God, Lord of the Ʋniverse, the Sovereign Protector of the Empire esta∣blished by his own Hands, the Hopes of the Infidels are defeated. Ottoman is not left with∣out an Heir to sit upon the Throne, an Heir of his Blood, as well as of his Empire.
The Birth of Sultan Mahomet is no small News to Europe, after it had been generally reported, that his Father, Sultan Ibrahim, was Impotent. The Ladies of the Court here begin to entertain a better Opinion of him. And the Grandees frame more Masculine Idea's of our Glorious Monarch.
God augment the Imperial Off-spring, and perpetuate the Ottoman Sway, till the Day of the Balance.
I bow my Forehead to the Carpets where∣on thou treadest, and kiss the Hem of thy rich Vest. God encrease thy Graces and Fe∣licities.
Paris, 12th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
IT is not lawful for a Slave to pry into the Actions of his Sovereign Lord, much less to censure his Conduct with Boldness. But, miserable is that Prince who amongst all his pretended Friends and Servants, has none so Faithful and Discreet, as to warn him of Dan∣gers which are ready to devour him.
I cannot but highly applaud the Severity of thy Justice, in taking away the Life of that Persian Traytor last Year, who by his ac∣cursed Insinuations and Example, hastened the Death of our late Victorious Sovereign, Sultan Amurat, upon whom be the Mercies of God.
That Heretick, though an Emir, of the Race of our Holy Prophet, and adorned with the Immarcescible Colour, which is appropriated to Sanctity and Vertue; yet, refrained not from Idolatry, being a daily Votary to Bac∣chus. He it was, who first taught the Ʋn∣fortunate Sultan to drink Wine, which he afterwards practised to that Excess, as be∣tray'd him to many Inconveniences, and at last to Death it self.
But, suffer me to ask thee, why thou dost not also take an equal Revenge on Mustapha Bassa, who was as guilty as the Persian; be∣ing not only a Companion, but a zealous Promoter of the Royal Debauches? It was he,
who first propos'd that Fatal Match of drink∣ing, which cast the Sultan into a Mortal Fe∣ver, of which he died in less than a Week.
I should not presume to say these Things to thee, nor to call past Miscarriages to Re∣membrance, were I not certainly inform'd that the same Mustapha is practising his old Trade with the present Sultan Ibrahim, en∣deavouring to enervate the Royal Blood, and withdraw the Sultan from the just Observance of our Holy Law, to the Impious Prophana∣tions of the Infidels. I am commanded to give Intelligence of all Important Affairs to thee, and the other Great Ministers of State: I thought none more weighty, than that which Regards the Life of my Sovereign.
I have done my Duty, I leave the Process to thee, who art the Oracle of Government.
God direct thy Feet in the Path of Justice, which will assuredly lead thee to the Gardens of Eden, where thou shalt enjoy Eternal Re∣pose, and Supreme Felicity.
Paris, 16th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Received the Dispatch of thy Sanctity, wherein thou hast renovated my Soul, and restored me to a sound Consistence of Spirit. My Doubts are vanished, I am no longer racked with torturing Scruples about my Conduct. Thy Absolution has obliterated the Sentence my Fears had pronounced on me.
As to the Penance thou hast enjoined me, it is Rational, and adapted to the Quality of my Crime. I have counterfeited a Christian, that I might the better perform the Duty of a Mussulman. I have seemed devoutly At∣tentive to the Roman Missal, that I might be Instrumental to propagate the Alcoran. And, for this Religious Fault, thou requirest, that I should inform thee, how the Christians be∣have themselves in their Temples, where I have been so often a Spectator of their Cere∣monies. I submit with an absolute Resigna∣tion, and a willing Compliance to thy Vene∣rable Injunction; and, will briefly relate what I have observed.
These Infidels seem to be Ambitious of imi∣tating the Ʋndefiled Religion, and yet they proved but bad Mimicks; for, as we are taught to wash our Bodies before we enter the Sa∣cred
Mosque; so they, at the Entrance of their Churches, dip their Fingers in certain Vessels filled with Water and Salt, and sprinkle their Foreheads therewith; as though their Purity lay in a Swound, and was thus to be recover∣ed to life again: or, that the Uncleanness of their whole Bodies, were contracted into the Face. They esteem the Water Holy, and yet they trifle with it as an Indifferent Thing. One would think, they should be desirous to bath themselves all over, and let every Pore in their Skin imbibe the Sanctified Li∣quor: But, they seem rather to use it as a Charm; for, after they have sprinkled a few Drops on their Faces, and muttered to them∣selves Two or Three Words, they think they have chased all Impurity from them in a Fright, and boldly present themselves be∣fore the Altars. Herein also they deviate from the Practice of Former Christians, who (if their own Church-Histories be true) were accustomed to wash their Arms and Feet in certain Cisterns, before they entred the Temples; whereof the Fountains and La∣vatories remaining yet on the South Side of the Holy and Magnificent Mosque of Sancta So∣phia at Constantinople, are a standing Testi∣mony. For, the Greek Inscriptions shew That some of them, at least, were contrived by the Builders of this Glorious Temple, in the Time of Justinian the Emperor, for the Pu∣rification of such as came thither to Worship. By which 'tis manifest, That these Modern In∣fidels degenerate from those more Ancient ones.
Another Thing offends me also, which is this; They believe the Divinity is present in their Temples, after a peculiar and extraordi∣nary Manner, and yet they suffer Dogs to Prophane them with their vilest Excrements. They spare for no Cost to adorn their Churches, and their Altars are enriched with invaluable Treasures of Silver, Gold, and Precious Stones; and yet, after all, they must become the Receptacles of the Dung of Sordid A∣nimals.
These wicked Wretches also, walk up and down in these Sacred Places, talking of their Common Affairs, as though they were on the Exchange, or in the Market-Place.
But, that which is to be had in greatest A∣bomination, is, that it is common for Men to make Love to the Women in Churches: They present themselves before the Altars, but, the Saint whom they Invocate, is some beautiful Female. She engrosses all their De∣votions; to her they make their Vows. The amorous Youth adores his Mistress that kneels by him, laden perhaps with more Sins than himself. His Eyes may be fixed on the Al∣tar, or, on the Pictures and Images, but his Tongue Addresses to the more Charming Idol near him: Or, if his Eyes are attentive on his Prayer-Book, he teaches it to speak nothing but the soft and effeminate Things of Love. Thus, Assignations of Lust, are made in the House of Prayer; and the Af∣fairs of Cupid, managed under the Masque of Religion. They Fight the Battels of Ve∣nus,
under the Banner of their God.
I tell thee, Venerable Interpreter of the Di∣vine Law, that the Sight of these Things has sometimes enflamed my Zeal to that Height, as had it not been for an earnest Desire to do some extraordinary Service to the Grand Si∣gnior (which obliged me to take Care of my self) I should certainly have transfixt these prophane Mockers of God on the Spot, and Sacrificed them to a Zeal, which thou, who art Piety it self, wouldst not, I believe, re∣prehend.
I fold my Arms, most Venerable Sovereign of Religion, and wrapping my self in pro∣found Humily, I fall prostrate to the Earth; begging thy effectual Blessing and Intercession, that I may be admitted into the Number of the Happy in Paradise.
Paris, 26th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THE Notices I have of the Present State of England, (in Compliance with thy Commands) are not gained without some Difficulty. It is not easie for a Man that sits in his Chamber in Paris, to pry into the Cabinets of Foreign Courts: Yet, I will com∣municate to thee some Intelligences, which thou couldst not learn from the English Em∣bassador at the Port, nor from all the Tra∣vellours of that Nation, residing at Constanti∣nople, Smyrna and Aleppo.
There is a Jew whom they call De Lopez, a Confident and Emissary of Cardinal Richlieu, whom he employs both at Home and Abroad in several private Negotiations and Intrigues. I have insinuated into this Man's Familiarity, and (if I may so express it) I have Riveted my self into his Heart. He treats me with an Assurance void of Jealousie; and, there is no Folding or Angle in his Breast, which I do not easily penetrate. I make use of him, as an Optick, through which I peep into the Cardinal's Secrets, and, as a Mirrour, in which I behold the true Face of many disguised Af∣fairs, transacted in the remotest Corners of
Europe; there being hardly any thing of mo∣ment done in the Courts of Christian Princes, wherein the Cardinal has not a Finger. He seems to be the Genius or Soul of Christendom, communicating Motion, Activity, and Heat, to all the Grand Intrigues now on Foot in these Western Parts of the World.
The Commotions of England, seem to be a complicated Distemper of the State, arising from several Causes, drawn to a Head by the dextrous Artifice of this Busie Spirit. The Present King of that Island, came to the Crown with no small Disadvantages; his Fa∣ther having Exhausted the Treasury, and left him deeply in Debt. he had no small Number of the Blood-Royal to maintain; which kind of Charges, thou knowest, our Glorious Sultans, though they be Masters of infinite Riches, endeavour to avoid, by Marrying their Daugh∣ters and Nieces, whilst yet Infants, to some of the most Potent and Wealthy Bassa's, that so their Port may be kept up, without burden∣ing the Royal Coffers. But, the Infidel Princes are wanting in this frugal Providence. In the Reign of King James (this King's Father) England lay at Ease, slumbring in the Downy Bed of Peace; she wallowed in Pleasures, and had no other Unhappiness, but in being too Happy. Her Affluence and Idleness, af∣fected the State with a Plethory. The Publick Health cannot be long conserved, without the moderate Exercise of War. Charles, after the Death of the Old King, being Established in the Throne, committed the Affairs of State,
to the Management of his Ministers; never examining his Treasury, nor calling to an Ac∣count his Officers, but Indulged himself in the Pleasures most agreeable to his Youthful Genius. He hunted in the Forests, whilst the Grandees, whom he entrusted with his Re∣venues and the Publick Conduct, had another Game to pursue post-poning their Master's Interest, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Nation, to their own private Avarice. The Favourite Minister, held a secret Correspondence with Cardinal Richlieu, and, by this means, the Court was filled with French Pensioners; countenanced also by the Authority of the Queen, who was the Daughter of France.
It had been before agreed in the Articles of the Marriage, that the Queen of England should have a prefixed Number of French Servants. But they, not content with their Domestick Employments, and Attendance on her Person, sought the Management of that Estate, which King Charles had setled on her as a Dowry. This would by no means agree with the Constitutions of the English. That Island is a Little World by it self; and, the In∣habitants boast of an Original Freedom of Birth, which is not so much as dreamt of in all the Dominions of our Invincible Sultans. Though the English have several Times been Invaded and Subdued, by the Saxons, Danes, and French; yet, it has been rather by Com∣position than Extremity of War: Or, if it may be called a Conquest, the Victors have been forced to yield to the Vanquished, in as∣suring
them their Ancient Laws, Privileges and Customs. There is no Nation in the World, more jealous of this their pretended Birthright. And therefore to avoid all Occasions of giving Offence to the Nobles and Gentry, the King perceiving the insolent Demands and Carriage of the French Courtiers, commanded them all, save a few Creatures of the Favourite Duke, to depart the Kingdom. This much disgusted the Queen; and Cardinal Richlieu was glad of the Opportunity to incense the King of France. Lewis was netled at the Affront offered to his Sister. Yet, by the Dexterity of the Mareschal Bassompierre, his Embassador at the English Court, Things were in a way of Accommodation; when all was quash'd by the Seizure which the French made of several English Ships; and so a War com∣menced, far more fatal in its Consequences to England than to France.
The King of England rouzed from his Plea∣sures and Divertisements, by the Preparations of his Potent Neighbour, began to look about him, and consult the Publick Safety. But, when he examined his Treasury, he found it empty, or, at least, at a very low Ebb.
Behold here, Supreme Bassa, a stroke of Destiny, a Concurrence of Causes, seeming remote and small in their first Appearance; but, in their Process, uniting and involving that Kingdom in Ruine.
Charles could not carry on a War with France, without asking Aid of the Sovereign Divan (which they call the Parliament)
of that Nation. It is a Senate composed of above Seven hundred of the Nobility and Gentry of the Land. These have the Power to make Laws, raise Taxes, and redress the Grievances of the Kingdom. It was an ill Season to ask the Assistance of his Subjects, who had already conceived an Aversion for the Royal Dignity. However, a Mighty Fleet was order'd to be Rigg'd and Mann'd out. Car∣dinal Richlieu, from afar, beheld the approach∣ing Storm, and knew not how to divert it from falling on France, but by Corrupting the English Favourite. De Lopez, from whom I received this Intelligence, was employed in the Affair; he was sent to London, which is the Metropolis of England, and the Place where the King usually keeps his Court. It was an Expensive Negotiation, and cost the Cardinal Forty Thousand Dollars, which is equivalent to Three Millions and Two Hundred Thou∣sand of our Aspers. With this vast Bribe, he Proselyted the Favourite Duke to the Interest of France. The English Navy consisted of and Hundred and Fifty Sail, having also Twelve Thousand Land-Men on Board. It was agreed between them, that the English Minister should procure himself to be made Admiral of these Marine Forces. His Indulgent Master, could deny nothing to the Man whom he had entrusted with the Sway of the Government. Now the King of France might sleep at quiet, since the English Ships sailed with a French Wind. They landed upon the Island of Ree, but their Actions were altogether Theatrical;
a mere shew of War, without any real Exe∣cution. The English General, manifestly o∣mitting the proper Methods, and favourable Opportunities of winning that Island: His Conduct speaking, as if he came there rather to Complement than to Fight.
These Things made a harsh sound in Eng∣land, and the Nobles resented ill the double-dealing of the Duke of Buckingham (so was the English General call'd.) In fine, the bad Success of their Forces, the Expences they had been at, and the Disgrace they suffered in this War, (Four and Forty of their Colours being carried to Paris, and hung up in the Chief Temple of this City, as Trophies of the French Victory) incensed the Generality of the English Nation against the King and the Government; they began to accuse him in their Cabals, of Male-Administration; and, the Favourite Duke was a while after stabbed by a Ruffian, whom the Malecontents had hired to execute their Revenge.
The Affections of the English, appeared every day more and more alienated from the King. And Cardinal Richlieu had there his Agents, who were not wanting to foment the Publick Discontents, and by divers Arti∣fices to draw the Credulous People into Fa∣ctions. The French Pensioners were instructed to deport themselves in a Manner every way offensive to the Nation. Black and threat∣ning Clouds seemed to hang over the Court of England, exhaled from the ill Blood of the Subjects. The Royal Dignity went Retro∣grade;
and, all Things tended to obscure the Lustre of the Crown. Yet, there passed some Years, before Things came to Extremities; and, Matters, though ripened, yet were not brought to an open Rupture, till Scotland lanced the Sore.
This Nation is subject to the Crown of England, and makes one Half of the Island of Great Brittain. They are a Warlike People, patient of Labour, accustomed to the Rigour of an Extreme Cold Climate, great Travel∣lours, Subtle, Proud and Inconstant.
After that which some call Heresie, others a Reformation, had begun to alienate many Kingdoms and Provinces from the Roman Church; the Scots greedy of Novelties, and spurred on by the Ambitious Pretexts of one of their Grandees (who under the Mask of Religion sought the Crown) introduced In∣novations into their Church. They shook off at once all their Obedience to the Pope, and set up such a Form of Religious Discipline, as was altogether Antimonarchical; and, their Preachers ceased not to instill into the Hearts of the People, Democratick Principles. Thus continued Affairs, till King Charles, not in∣sensible of these Things, and willing to new-Model that Church, they took up Arms a∣gainst him, knowing that he would not be able to raise Forces to chastise them, with∣out calling a Parliament. The Parliament of England, was at that time full of Scotish Proselytes, Men of Seditious and Turbulent Principles; so, that the King was like to find
but little Favour among them. However, by the Assistance of some Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen, he marches into Scotland at the Head of an Army. Not a Blow was struck on either Side; but all Differences were com∣posed, and hush'd up by a Treaty. Yet, soon after, the Scots entred into England with an Army, being underhand invited in by their Partizans in England. The King is a Second Time forced to throw himself upon his Par∣liament for Money; but they, instead of grant∣ing him any, fell to examining his past Con∣duct, complaining and desiring a Redress of several Irregularities in his Administration. There were those who failed not to put in Ex∣ecution, the Designs and Instructions of Car∣dinal Richlieu; he had his Agents up and down the Kingdom, who insinuated Jealou∣sies and Heart-burnings into the Gentry and People of the Land. The King was repre∣sented every where as a Tyrant, and all his Actions were misconstrued.
Signior Rossetti, the Pope's Nuntio at the English Court, beside his Instructions from the Roman Pontiff, held a strict Intelligence with the Cardinal. His Business at this Court, was publickly to the Queen (who pro∣fessed an Obedience to the See of Rome) but privately he was order'd to Negotiate an Ac∣commodation between the Roman and Eng∣lish Churches. Cardinal Richlieu thought to strike two Marks with one Blow, that is, to embroil the State of England, and procure himself the greater Esteem with the Roman
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Court. He appears very Zealous for the Con∣version of England; and, in order to it, al∣lows a Considerable Pension to Signior Ros∣setti: Instructing him withal, to shew his ut∣most Dexterity, in gaining the Courtiers and Grandees of that Nation to his Side.
He knew the Genius of the English; and, that there was nothing so offensive to that Nation, as the Papal Power and Religion. Wherefore, De Lopez was order'd to pay Si∣gnior Rossetti vast Sums of Money, that so there might be nothing wanting to Proselyte the Courtiers; knowing that they would act insolently, and disgust the Protestants, and so encrease the Publick Aversion for the Regal Authority. There was also another Agent at the English Court, who was Secretary to Car∣dinal Barbarini, a Man no less Industrious than the other, in advancing the Roman Inte∣rest. He held a strict Correspondence with some of the Chief Ministers, especially with the Principal Secretary of State. Whilst these were doing their Master's Business at the Court, there were others no less Active in the City, where they endeavoured to create a Party and raise Factions, insinuating them∣selves into the Acquaintance of the most e∣minent Merchants and other Citizens; re∣presenting to them, the Dangerous Conse∣quences of Signior Rosetti's Residence at the Court; glancing at every Thing which look'd like a false Step in the King's Conduct; a∣larming them with Fears and Apprehensions of being subjected to a Foreign Power; and,
sing all their Arts to nourish Popular Dissa∣tisfaction.
The Scots, about this Time, made another Incursion into England. A Parliament was called, but no Good done. The King's Ne∣cessities, made them grow High in their De∣mands and Carriage, and all things tended to a General Defection.
A while after, the Irish revolted, and mas∣sacred above a Hundred Thousand English. The King is accused for being Privy to it; Tu∣mults are raised, who, in threatning manner, seem'd to besiege the Royal Palaces, calling out for Justice; not much unlike the Sedition of our Janizaries; when they are displeased with the Conduct of our Glorious Sultans, or his Prime Ministers of State.
In fine, the Misunderstandings between the King and the Parliament grew to that Height, as induced the King to withdraw from the Capital City, about the Beginning of this Year. And, in the following Moon, he sent the Queen with her Daughter into Holland, that they might pass away the time in the Court of the Prince of Orange, till this Storm was blown over.
In the Interim, the King sends Letters to the Parliament, perswading them to consult the Publick Peace; but all was to no purpose; they seize upon all the Strong Holds and Ca∣stles they could; so that, when the King came to one of his Garrison'd Towns, the Gates were shut against him, and he was denied Entrance by the Governour. The Parliament
lists an Army, and the King set up his Royal Standard in the last Moon. Since which, there has been nothing of Action between them, but the Armies are drawing near each other.
I will inform thee of all Particulars, as they come to my Knowledge. But the Packet-Boats from the Island, come not so frequenly during the Disturbance, as they have done formerly.
I beseech the Creator of all things, to de∣fend our Invincible Sultan, from the Seditious Practices of his Subjects; and make thee In∣strumental, to establish and aggrandize the Ottoman Empire.
Paris, 29th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
WHEN I write to thee, 'tis with a Respect equal to that which I pay to the Emirs, the Descendents of our Holy Prophet, since thou art sprung from the No∣ble Stem of the Ancient Saracens, the Blood of the Celebrated Omar, Successor to the Divine Law-giver, streaming in thy Veins.
I revere the Banner carried into Aegypt by thy Renowned Progenitor, before which the Grecians fled astonished, as at a Sign sent from Heaven of their approaching Ruine. This Sacred Piece of Antiquity I have seen at Medina, where 'tis reposited in the Chancel of the Babylonian Caliphs. I have honour'd it with a Pious Veneration; but, much grea∣ter is my Regard to thee, who art a Living Relique of that Illustrious House.
Permit me, Venerable Sage, to converse with thee a little, after the Manner of a Pu∣pil; with thee, I say, who art a Fountain of Sapience; For, besides thy perfect Knowledge of the Divine Law, thou art acomplished with all Humane Literature.
There is a Man in these Parts, of a large Soul and elevated Speculations, who stiffly
maintains, That the Earth moves, and the Sun stands still. He is not the first that broach'd this Doctrine, it has had several Lear∣ned Patrons; but, he has highly Improved the Theory. His Reasons for it, have almost the Force of Mathematical Demonstrations; and, nothing seems to oppose him, but the Authority of Moses, and the Hebrew Scriptures. The Christians will not approve of any Phi∣losophy, which interferes with that which they call the Bible; and yet their Practice, gives a perpetual Lye to the Contents of that Book. Surely, there is no Envy in the Deity; and, He that is Omniscient, will not punish Men for improving their Knowledge. The Study of Nature, is full of Innocent Delights; and, he that gave to Man an Appetite of Science, has not forbid him to gratifie it with its proper Objects. Nor can I see how this New Philo∣sophy, contradicts any more than the bare Letter of their Bible, (for, I have read it in several Languages;) And, the Jews, who are the Guardians of the Original Hebrew, allow a Cabalistical Interpretation far different from the Literal: So does the Arabian Prince and Philosopher, Avicen, Interpret those Versicles in our Holy Alcoran, (which treat of Para∣dise) in a Sence far more refined than the Letter seems to import. In reading such Mysterious Books, it is necessary to practise a Learned Chymistry, to sublimate the gross ex∣ternal Sence of the Words, and to extract the Spirit and Soul of the Discourse.
That the Sun is the Center of this our Pla∣netary
World, and that the Earth with the Rest of the Planets move round about it, is a Thesis which keeps exact Touch with Hu∣mane Reason, and seems naturally to square with our Intellectual Faculties. It sets all the Wheels of this Great and Wonderful Machine, in a regular and proportionate Circulation. It gives the truest Account, of the Retrograde Motions of the Planets. Ptolomey's System of the World, seems to Romance upon the Sun, Moon, and Stars, in assigning them hourly such prodigious Journeys through the Heavens, as are inconsistent with the Laws of Motion. And Tycho Brahe was but a Botch∣er, in patching up the Orbs with his Eccen∣tricks, Epicycles, &c. The former, keeps the Fixed Stars in an endless and unconceivable Hurry; the latter involves the Planets in a Heavenly Perplexity. Both come far short of Copernicus, that Excellent Astronomer, who by placing the Sun in the Center of the World, has solv'd all the Appearances of Nature with the most exact Analogy to Truth. Nor is the Argument, taken from our Sence, of any force, since it invalidates the Motion of the Sun as well as that of the Earth: nay it is more incongruous, that the Sun should move so many Hundred Thousand Miles every Hour, and we not perceive him to stir a Hairs-breadth at a time. But I will not intrench farther on thy Patience, nor run the Risque of a Ver∣tigo, by pursuing the swift Orbicular Motions of Nature. It matters not much, whether the Sun stands still, or the Earth, provided
we run the Race that is appointed us, so as to gain the Prize. Yet I will ask thy Judg∣ment on another Point, which Men of high Reaches have started.
There are some Learned Men who say, the Moon and rest of the Planets are habitable as our Globe is. For my part, to speak freely, I could wish it were true, it is a sociable Do∣ctrine. It has made me melancholy some∣times, when I have cast my Eyes upwards, to think all those Ample Tracts in the Firma∣ment should be void of Inhabitants, and yet scarce a Turf of our Dunghil Earth to be found without its Domesticks. It is demonstrable to the Eye, that the Moon is an Opake Body like this Globe whereon we tread, having no other Light, but what it borrows from the Sun. Where is the Heresie then, in suppo∣sing that it is created for a like use? I hope, the Sacred Empire of the Mussulmans, will not stain it self with such a Barbarous Mur∣der, as was committed on Vigilius a certain Christian Bishop, who was burnt by the De∣cree of the Roman Church, for Asserting the Antipodes; a Truth which all Nations are now sensible of, since the Improvement of Navi∣gation and Traffick. And yet Galilaeus had like to have undergone the same Sentence at Rome, within these Ten Years, for maintain∣ing the Earth's Motion, and that the Sun is the fixed Center of the World; Nothing but his Recantation being sufficient to have sav'd him. Such Severities choak the Growth of Learning, and stop the Progress, which would
otherwise be made in Arts and Sciences.
Happy are the Students that live under thy Auspicious Patronage, in that fruitful Semi∣nary of Philosophers, where the Mysteries of God and Nature are taught free from the Pro∣phane Licentiousness of the Ancient Pagans, or the Superstitious Rigours of Modern Infidels.
I pray the Sovereign Intelligence, not to withdraw from thee his Divine Influence, nor restrain the Floud of Light that has been let loose on thy Soul; but that thou mayst over∣flow like Nilus, and enlighten not only A∣frick, but the whole World with some New Discovery.
Paris, 29th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THE Western Philsophers, especially those who follow the Sentiments of Monsieur des Cartes, maintain, That the Souls of all living Creatures (except Men) are Material and Mortal; that a Beast is but a Machine, like a Watch or Clock, not actuated or in∣formed by any Spirit distinct from the Body, but moved to the Performance of all Natural
Actions by a mere Corporeal Mechanism, 'set on Work by various Impulses from External Objects.
In this they oppose Aristotle, and all the Sages of the East. And thou knowest, that our Arabian Doctors are of a contrary Opi∣nion, who ascribe Rea'son, Discourse, and Im∣mortality, to the Souls of Bea'sts, as well as to those of Men; having assigned particular A∣partments for Elborach, the Beast: which car∣ried our Holy Prophet from Mecca to Jeru∣salem; for the Ram which Abraham sacrificed instead of his Son Isaac; for the Cow of Mo∣ses, the Pismire of Solomon, the Whale which saved Jonas, the Raven which fed Elijah, the Ass which rebuked Balaam; and, in General, for all the Camels which have the Honour to carry the Sacred Alcoran to Mecca.
I will suspend my Belief of their being en∣tertained in Paradise, till I shall have the Happiness to see them there; but, I cannot however acquiesce to the Opinions of these Modern Philosophers, who assert their Souls to be meer Matter. The Bodies both of Men and Beasts, I own, perform all Motions by Mechanick Rules; but, that Mechanism is guided by a higher Principle than the fortui∣tous Impulse of External Agents, in Beasts as well as Men.
All Animals seem to me to be endued with a Faculty, which if it may not be called Rea∣son, yet is something Analogous to it, for which we want a Proper Name. And, of this Mind were Empedocles, Pythagoras, Plo∣tinus
and Porphyry, with many other Ancient Sages. Though this Faculty is more eminently conspicuous in some Kinds of Beasts than in others.
I cannot but admire the Regular Archi∣tecture of Bees, their Industry and Politick Oeconomy, vying with the most Excellent Form and Administration of Government a∣mong Men. 'Tis with no less Pleasure I be∣hold the Spider, when with exquisite Art she builds her little silken Palace, and lays her fine-wrought Trains to catch the unwary Fly. 'Tis equally Pleasant and Diverting to observe the Conduct of the Pismires, their prudent Forecast; how they trudge up and down all the Summer, to lay up a sufficient Stock of Provinder for the barren Winter. There is no kind of Bird, four-footed Beast or Fish, which does not confute this Cartesian Hypothesis.
It is credibly reported by Porphyry, that in the East-Indies there is a Beast which they call a Hyaena, which approaching near the Villages will imitate a Man's Voice, and calling the Inhabitants by their Names, if they come out of their Houses, 'twill seize on the first that comes to hand, and devour him. The Dog, the Ape, the Elephant, with many other four-footed Beasts, afford us manifest Specimens of Reason, or something very like it.
Who has not heard of the Love which Dol∣phins bear to Men? Pliny relates a pretty Story of a Dolphin that frequented the Lake Lucri∣nus in Italy, and being often fed from the Shore by a certain School-Boy, grew at length
so familiar as to come at a call. We also read of another, who took the Musician A∣rion on his Back (when cast into the Sea by cruel Sailers) and carried him safe to Shore.
Can all these Actions proceed from mere Matter? In my Opinion, 'tis as easie to de∣fend, That Humane Nature it self is but Mat∣ter so and so Modified, and, that all the Bustle Men keep in the World, is but the Effect of a better Composition of Body, the Result of a more perfect and refined Machine.
I easily agree, that we far excel the other Living Creatures in all the Operations of our Souls, and Exercises of our Reason: Yet, we have our defects as well as they; and, this I esteem as one of the greatest, to deny them any share in Reason, who so far excel us in Sence.
It is a culpable Pride and Envy in Men, thus to blast the Reputation of their Animal Kindred; from which Vices I know thou art free.
God, that has made use of the Tongue of a silly. Ass, to reprove the Folly of a Wise Man in his own Conceit, Illuminate our Under∣standings in the Mysteries of his Law.
Paris, 24th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THY Commands I receive as Marks of thy Esteem and good Will, which I de∣sire may be perpetual. Thou hast an Emi∣nent Share in the Favour of our August Empe∣ror; and, I shall study to Merit thy Protecti∣on, by all the dutiful Offices that can be ex∣pected from a Slave in my Station.
There is nothing so much conduces to e∣stablish a permanent Friendship, as a right Understanding. The Souls of Friends are first warp'd by Misapprehensions. I would not have thee think of me, as I do of my self; that would prompt thee to Contempt: nor, as the French do, who take me for Titus of Moldavia; but, look upon me (whatever my Failings are) as a Man that values and practises the Incorrupt Fidelity of the First Ages. I abhorr Treachery, and, for that Reason, am often forced to make an Officious Lye: Yet, I do not prostitute my Conscience, having the Mufti's Dispensation. Whenever it shall be told thee, that Mahmut degene∣rates, suspect the Slanderer; perhaps he would supplant me: I am not fond of my Commis∣sion, but I dread to loose the Sultan's Favour: Whosoever deprives me of that, robs me of my Honour, which is dearer to me than my Life.
By what I have said, thou wilt perceive, that I am not ignorant of the ill Offices which Ikingi Cap'-Oglani has done me. The Man as∣pires, and is envious: Were I in his Post, I would not exchange the Honour and Felicity of Educating the Royal Pages of the Seraglio, for an Employment attended with infinite Hazards, and no less Trouble, as is that of Mahmut. If he be expert in the French Tongue, there are those that excel him; and Language is but the Shell of more substantial Accomplishments. Every Linguist is not fit to be Employed in the Secrets of State; nei∣ther are all Paedagogues Politicians. I am startled at the Ambition of a Man, who, be∣cause he has studied at Athens, thinks him∣self worthy of the Confidences of the Myste∣rious Port, which arbitrates the Fate of all the Kingdoms in the World. If this be not his Aim, why does he daily traduce me? Why does he paint me to the Ministers of the Divan, in black and odious Colours, per∣swading them, it is my Natural Complexion? He is not content with the Calumnies he himself throws on me, but has corrupted So∣lyman my Cousin, and hired him to misrepre∣sent me to the Kaimacham: And, that he might be sure to strike home, he has drawn to his Party Shashim Istham, the Black Eunuch.
I sent Solyman a Letter last Year, full of Reproofs, not knowing who had set him at Work: I hope it had some good Effect on him, though late. 'Tis from him I received
this Intelligence. He seems to repent of his Malice, telling me, That this Ikingi Cap'-Oglani, had so Artificially possessed him with a Belief of my Perfidiousness, that he thought he did good Service to God and the Grand Signior, to rail at me; but, that the Kaima∣cham had afterwards convinced him of my Innocence. This was the Substance of his Letter, and he concludes it with begging my Pardon.
I tell thee, Illustrious Bassa, that though the Wounds which are given by the Tongue of a Slanderer, be deeper than those which are given by the Sword; and, I could sooner pardon him who sought manfully to take a∣way my Life, than he which basely Murders my good Name; yet, I attribute my Kins∣man's Fault, to Youthful Error, and a Loyal Mistake; and I love him the better, for ha∣ting any one that he could imagine would prove Unfaithful, and a Traytor to God and the Grand Signior.
May the benign Heavens bless thee with their good Influences, and prosper thee in all Things.
Paris, 1st. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THY Apology is rational and modest, and I am glad to be thus happily de∣ceiv'd. Thou seest, the Kaimacham, with the other Ministers of the Port, have too good an Opinion of me to listen to the Insi∣nuations of designing Men; and, Ikingi Cap'-Oglani was out of his Byass, when he de∣fam'd the Loyal Mahmut; and, the Black Eunuch had better been watching the Ladies than wounding my Reputation with his en∣venom'd Tongue. I wish thee hereafter to avoid all Company, that profess a Kindness to thee, which thou maist but so much as su∣spect to be forc'd.
Thou askest my Counsel how to conduct thy self toward thy First Wife, of whom thou speakest both well and ill. Thou believest her faithful and chast; thou knowest her to be industrious and careful of the Family; good-natur'd, flexible and obliging; but, thou ac∣cusest her of a violent and haughty Spirit, fiercely passionate, and of a provoking Tongue. She daily and hourly reflects upon thy Miscar∣riages; will play the School-Mistriss with thee, pretending to correct, reprove, instruct, and guide thee in all thy Actions. In fine, thou
complainest, that thou canst not enjoy Tran∣quility with her.
I tell thee, Kinsman, thou shouldst have applied thy self to the Imaum's and Dervises in this Case, or, at least, to such as have had Experience of a Married Life. Their Sentence would be more Authentick, than what thou canst expect from me. But since thou hast made choice of my Counsel, I will give thee the best I can.
Thou wilt, in my Opinion, find it difficult to be happy with or without this Woman. She is given thee by Fate, to poise the Balance of thy Life; that neither too much Ease nor Pain, excess of Joy or Grief, should turn the doubtful Scales of Sence, and make thee ei∣ther swim in Flouds of Pleasure uncontrouled, or sink in Mire of baneful Grief and Melan∣choly.
The chast Fidelity, which thou believest her endued with, cannot be valued at too high a Rate. It is a Vertue which renders Woman adorable. Likewise, her Diligence and Care, her Respect and Devoir, her easie Temper and good Nature, are Qualities which cannot but charm thee. Shouldst thou deal unkindly by her, thy generous Soul would re∣gret it the next Moment. Nay, shouldst thou take the Common Course, and dismiss her with a Bill of Divorce, according to the Law, thou wouldst repent the Deed within twice Four and Twenty Hours.
And yet, I must confess, 'tis hard to be confined to a fierce Woman's Tongue, to bear
Reproaches and Contumelies, Contempts and Defiances, Lectures and other Female Disci∣pline. Who, that's a Man, can brook such Slavery? Who, that has but a Spark of Fire within this Hulk of Clay, can stoop to such ignoble and unmanly Softness? I cannot coun∣sel thee to such an abject Tameness of Spirit. Man is Lord of all his Fellow-Creatures. The fiercest Beasts submit to his Imperial Sway; Woman alone, ambitious Woman, disputes the Government with him. But, 'tis his Right, and he disowns both God and Nature, who resigns it to that aspiring Sex. Yet, use thy Power moderately; keep the Golden Mean. Be not surly and rough as a Bear, nor yet ef∣feminate and without Gall as a Dove. But, if thou findest it impossible to keep her with∣in the Bounds of due Subjection, put her a∣way, and so preserve thy Peace. The Com∣pany of thy other Wives, will soon efface her lov'd Idea, and sweeten thy Loss with a Thou∣sand new Pleasures. But, if they should fol∣low her Steps, inheriting her Spirit, and tor∣menting thee with killing Words, divorce them all. I would counsel thee to take suc∣cessively Five Hundred Wives, rather than make thy Life miserable, by too much Love and Indulgence, to one that knows not how to use thy favours.
But, before thou beginnest to put in Exe∣cution this Advice, try all the fair and gen∣tle Methods thy Wit can suggest, to win her to a Sense of her Fault, and a Change of her Temper. For, be assured, that it will be of
less Pain to thee, to have an Eye pluck'd out of thy Head, than to tear from thy Heart, the first Object of thy Love.
In this, and all things else, have an espe∣cial Regard to thy Conscience, and to the Observing Angel, who writes down all thy Actions in a Book. Do nothing which may merit the Chastisement of the Two Black An∣gels, who shall visit thee in thy Grave. He who deals unjustly and cruelly by Women on Earth, shall be deprived of the Felicities which our Holy Prophet has promis'd us, in the Com∣pany of that beautiful Sex in Paradise.
Keep the Law, and thou wilt have thy fill of Love, both here and in the Blissful Bowers of Eden.
Paris, 1st. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THE Surrender of Perpignan to the French, startles the World; A Place inexpug∣nable by Arms, and not to be reduced but by Famine. Some that pretend to penetrate into Foreign Secrets, lay the blame on the Duke d' Olivarez. They say, that when the King of Spain first heard that Lewis laid Siege to
this Important Place, he would have gone in Person to its Relief, but that the Duke hin∣dred his Design, fearing lest his own Mis∣carriages should take Wind, when the King was got on the Frontiers: This, they say, put a stop to the Levies that were making in Arragon and Castile, and damp'd the Cou∣rage of those who were actually in Arms.
Whether this was the Effect or no, 'tis cer∣tain, the Duke d' Olivarez had sufficient Rea∣son to be Conscious, knowing, that the Grandees of Spain watched for an Opportu∣nity to dislodge him from the King's Breast. But, it is strange, that he should at such a Time, neglect any thing that might confirm him in his Master's Favour, as the saving of Perpignan must needs adone; all the Successes and Miscarriages of the State, in Peace or War, being attributed to the Favourite Minister.
Where-ever the Fault lies, I have heard no Man yet condemn the Governor of the Town. 'Tis said, he has given all the Marks of a Va∣liant Souldier, a Prudent Commander, and a Faithful Subject. These Vertues are to be honoured, even in an Enemy.
They report, That the Spanish King put a kind of Superstitious Confidence in the Mar∣quess d' Avilla, because one of the same Family and Title, had formerly Defended the Place to Extremity, till the Siege was raised. Assuredly, Vertue is not inherent in Names, nor Victory entailed to all of the same Blood. Both the one and the other, are owing, in a great Measure, to Providence and Chance.
The Romans did not gain more in the Car∣thaginian War, under the Conduct of Scipio the African, than they lost afterwards, when another of that Name, was General of their Army.
'Tis said, the Duke d' Olivarez is seized with a Phrenzy upon the Loss of this Town, or, at least, counterfeits one. I do not assert this as a Truth, Illustrious Kaimacham, but to shew thee, how People are addicted to censure, not only the Miscarriages of Great Men, but the very Regrets which attend their Misfortunes; as if it were a Crime in them, to mourn for the Calamities which they could not prevent.
In the mean time, Cardinal Richlieu has weathered a Tempest raised against him, by the Duke of Orleance and his Party. As if the Fate of these Two Ministers, ran Counter; and, One must Rise by the Other's Fall.
Olivarez had laid a Train for Cardinal Richlieu's Destruction, but fell into it him∣self. He had corrupted one of the Cardinal's Creatures, who associated himself with the Duke of Bouillon, and the Duke of Orleans. Besides private Grudges, they all suspected the Cardinal, as designing, upon the King's Death, to take the Regency into his own Hands. They acquaint Olivarez with their Grievances, and enter into a private League with him. He, in hopes to rend the King∣dom of France into fatal Divisions, as well as to ruine the Cardinal, agrees to furnish the Conspirators with Twelve Thousand Foot,
and Three Thousand Horse; Sedan was to be the Rendezvous of this Army.
But, Cardinal Richlieu, whom no Secret could escape, soon discovered the Plot, and acquaints the King with it; who, forthwith caused the Conspirators to be seized, impri∣soned, and Two of their Heads to be cut off; the rest were pardoned on Conditions of Sur∣render, and perpetual Banishment from the King's Presence.
This happened much about the Time that Perpignan surrendred, which was, on the Ninth of the Moon Ribiul.
A little before, the Conspirators had so ob∣scur'd the Cardinal's Credit at the Court, that the King denied him a Visit, when requested, in his Sickness; upon which, the Cardinal withdrew himself. But, the King was quick∣ly glad to follow him; having no other Re∣fuge in the midst of his Pressures, but him who was Master of all the Hearts, both of his Subjects and Allies. At that time, the Count de Guische, was defeated in Flanders, and, the Parisians were apprehensive, that Dom Francisco de Melo would bring his Forces into the Bowels of France. None was able to extricate the King out of so many Troubles, but the Chief Minister. Thus, by a Fortunate Concurrence of Events, the Cardinal is restored to his Master's Favour; sees his Foreign Enemies humbled, Perpignan taken, and his Domestick Foes cut off and baffled.
I pray God, whose Eye is over the Mussul∣man Empire, to preserve thee from all the Machinations of thine Enemies, and make thee to shine bright in the Favour of the Grand Signior.
Paris, 12th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THY Letter, with Carcoa's Journal, is come safe to my Hands, and the Ring which he bequeath'd me. That Legacy, demon∣strates his Affection, and that I have not ill deserved of him: For, the Actions of Dying Men, are void of Disguise.
His Memoirs will be of great Service to me, containing a more accurate History of the German Court, from the Year 1600, to the Time of his Death, than I have yet seen ex∣tant. I am not unacquainted with Relations of this Kind. The Europeans make their Hi∣stories speak, what their Affection or Fear suggests, rather than the Truth. The Liber∣ty of Printing, has debauched the Integrity of most Writers; they study rather to please, than inform the Age. For this Reason, I re∣ject
the greatest Part of Modern History; co∣veting onely, the Manuscripts of such as Car∣coa. He speaks Impartially, having no other. Byass, than the Service which he owed to the Grand Signior.
I speak this for thy Encouragement and Direction, who succeedest that honest Old Man in his Post. When thou committest any of thy Observations to Paper, let them be of Things Remarkable and True.
The Banker to whom thou didst address the Bill for my Payment, made a demurr at first, but Eliachim clear'd up his Doubts. I desire thee to order Matters so hereafter, that I may not be taken for a Cheat: That may prove of ill Consequence to us all. I would not have any sinister Accident started, which might make the French suspect me. One Misfortune seldom goes without Attendance. The least blemish upon a Man's Credit, streight infects the Air. He whose Reputation is bla∣sted, is suspected and shun'd like a walking Pestilence.
Thou wilt do well to prevent these Mis∣chiefs, by thy Care and Foresight. Take in good Part this Advice from Mahmut, who studies his Master's Interest, not his own. Adieu.
Paris, 15th of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
THOU that art a Light to the Blind, the Pole-Star to them that are bewilder'd in an Ocean of Uncertainties; the Sanctuary of the Mind, hatter'd with a Tempest of vain Opinions; tell me why it is Blasphemy to say, That God has already taken Flesh, (as the Christians Believe) since our Holy Prophet himself avouches, That God shall assume a Body at the Resurrection? I approach thy Sa∣cred Palace, with burning Coals on my Head, with fervent and enflamed Zeal in my Heart; cast a gracious Eye on thy Suppliant. Resolve my Doubts; dissipate the Mists which cloud my anxious Soul, and restore me to a right Mind.
If a Body be compatible with the Divine Essence, it seems not to me a Blasphemy in the Christians, to assert the Incarnation of the Word, whom Our Holy Prophet calls also, the Breath of God. If this Breath or Word of God, be not of the Essence of the Divinity, why is that Part of the Christian Gospel had in such Reverence, by the Faithful Mussulmans, where it is said, In the Beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and God was the WORD? If the WORD be of
the Essence of God, then it will necessarily follow, that God has taken a Humane Body, since our Holy Prophet calls him the Word of God, whom the Christians adore for God Incar∣nate. Bear with my Weakness and Impor∣tunity, and, if I err, correct me in thy Wis∣dom. And yet, let not these seem so much my Scruples, as the Arguments of Christians, whom I would gladly convince of their He∣resie; but, it must be with solid Reason.
Let not my Lord be angry, if I ask one Question more: Our Holy Doctors teach, That the dark Spots in the Moon were made, when the Angel Gabriel flew by, and brush'd the Moon with one of his Wings: I ask how great that Wing was, that could make an Im∣pression so great, as to be conspicuous to us at this prodigious Distance? Or, is Gabriel to be numbred among those Lofty Angels, who can stride from one Star to another? If he be, Was there not Room enough in the vast endless Skies, or, did he lose his Way through untrack'd Orbs, or, did he chance to wink in his Career, that he should thus unfor∣tunately dash the paler Lamp of Heaven? If he be one of those foremention'd mighty, tall, and wide-stretch'd Angels; How came he so to be contracted, when he visited Mary the Mother of Jesus in her Closet, and presented her with a Rose that grew in Paradise.
Answer me this, O Sovereign Oracle of Truth, since my Ears are frequently invaded with such Objections and Blasphemous Jests, by these Infidels. How can I hear our Holy
Law abused, and not burn in Spirit? Tell me, I pray, how I shall silence these bold Dispu∣ters, these Mockers of the Book of Glory? Think not this a frivolous Question, and Im∣pertinent to Religion; for, these Western Peo∣ple are Sagacious and Subtle; if they can find one Flaw in the Holy Alcoran, they'll cry down all the rest as false and an Imposture; at the very thought of which Blasphemy, my Heart trembles.
Not long ago, a famous Astronomer shew'd me in a Telescope the Globe of the Moon, through which it seem'd to me an Opake Body, like the Earth we tread on; and, he affirmed it to be so, giving me Mathematical Demon∣strations for it; telling me also, it was Habi∣table as our Globe; and, that the Difference of the Brighter and more Obscure Parts of the Moon, consisted only in this, That the one was Firm Land, the other Fluid Water; and, if I may believe my Eyes, when aided by that Optick Instrument, it is no otherwise than as he said.
This Astronomer, is renowned throughout the Western World, being esteemed the Best Philosopher that ever wrote of Natural Things. His Name is Renatus des Cartes. I have been often conversant with him, and took unspeakable Delight in his refined Notions of the World. He is as dextrous at unravelling the Contexture of the very Elements, as tho' he had stood by the Eternal Artist when he extracted them from the Rude Chaos. The minutest Particle of Matter, which is to the
Eye of other Men invisible, appears to him in its proper Figure; he talks as familiarly of globous, square, and triangular Atomes, as though he had a Pair of Compasses to take their true Dimensions by. Were not this admira∣ble Genius stain'd with great Impiety, in that he mocks the Book of Glory, the Holy Alcoran, true Guide to Paradise, I should believe he was inspired from above.
One Day discoursing about the Body of the Moon, he broke out into this Blasphemous Jest, The Arabian Impostor, said he, might as well have made his Followers believe what we prate to Children, That there is a Man in the Moon with a Bundle of Faggots on his Back, as to tell them that Fable, of the Angel Gabriel's brushing this Planet with his Wing. I was not able to hear any more; but took my Leave.
Furnish me therefore, O Sacred Reposi∣tory of all true Science, with such convincing Arguments, as may put to Silence these au∣dacious Infidels.
God grant I may be one of those, who shall hear the Angel Ithuriel read Lectures of Di∣vine Knowledge in Paradise.
Paris, 20th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
I Am acquainted with a Greek Merchant in Paris, who formerly lived in one of those pleasant Islands, which lie about Four Leagues from Constantinople, being situated in the Propontis.
Asking him one Day, whether Trading was the Motive which induc'd him to quit those Paradises upon Earth, and exchange them for the Stench and Noise of this Populous City; he replied, That he had sufficient to make his Life happy in the Place of his Nati∣vity, being Master of a good Estate, and of many fruitful Vineyards, having also Houses there which might vye with the most delight∣ful Chioses of the Mussulman Grandees: but, that the Janizaries and other loose Mahome∣tans frequenting those Islands, and especially that wherein he dwelt, committed so many Outrages, when heated with Wine, as render'd his Life insupportable; for, they would in these drunken Frolicks, domineer as though they were Lords of the Island, seizing upon whatsoever pleased them, spoil his Goods, and beat him like a Slave; and, if he mildly remonstrated to them the Injuries they had done him, they would give him no other Satisfaction but Oaths and Curses.
These Calamities made him sell his Estate, and travel into these Countries, where he might enjoy himself with more Liberty, Pro∣fit and Ease.
It is a Dishonour to the Ottoman Port, the Seat of Justice, the Sanctuary of the World, to suffer such Disorders to be committed with∣out due Chastisement, within Sight of the Se∣raglio, and by those who have the Honour to guard the Person of the Sultan.
I represent these Things to thee, knowing thy Justice will administer a speedy Remedy to these Distempers of the Soldiery. Other∣wise should they be suffered to go unpunish∣ed, we may expect that not only these Islands, but all Grecia will in Time be dis∣peopled.
Paris, 25th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
SUffer me to converse with thee after the Manner of Friends, with Freedom and Familiarity. I have often discovered to thee the Distempers of my Body, now I will reveal those more dangerous ones of my Mind. And
I know not, whether they are Distempers, or Cures of such. I have writ to the Mufti on the same Subject, in Part, but with Cau∣tion and Reserve. With thee I will deal frankly, and pour into thy Bosom the Secrets of my Heart.
I am dissatisfied in many Things pertaining to Religion. 'Tis true, I cannot think or speak of our Holy Prophet, but with infinite Attach and Veneration; yet, I owe something to my Reason. I will believe, the Messenger of God was true and perfect; but is it a Crime to think, his Successors were but Men, subject to Frailty and Errour? Their Divisions, imme∣diately after the Death of our Great Lawgiver, justifie this Reflection, since the fatal Schism continues to this Day. Either the Persians, or We, must be in the wrong. Grant which thou wilt, it follows, that the Truth was no sooner sown in the World, but it sprung up in Mortal Heresies; and, I find no other As∣surance that we are in the Right, but the As∣sertion of our Doctors, the Followers of Os∣man and Ebubecher; who, for ought I know, are no more exempted from Errour, than the Disciples of Haly. Both Sides believe the Holy Prophet, yet both at Infinite Distance in their Interpretations of his Law. Each Party boasts they have the True Sence of the Divine Oractes, and curses the opposite for Hereticks. Truth cannot be repugnant to it self.
From this Original Schism, well near a Hundred several Sects have sprung, each main∣taining different Interpretations of the Law.
While Truth can be but One, where shall a Man be sure to find it amongst so many Pre∣tenders to it?
Think not, that I am going to turn Chri∣stian, because of this Liberty I take to search for Truth. For, the Case is the same, or worse among them.
Jesus (whom our Holy Prophet calls the Breath and Word of God, the Reformer of the Law of Moses, knowing the Secrets of Hearts, and working Miraeles) preach'd to the Jews Repentance, good Works, the Resurrection of the Dead, the Day of Judgment, the Joys of Paradise, and the Torments of Hell. He chose Twelve Disciples, to disperse his Do∣ctrine over the World. But, they likewise had Dissentions among themselves, after that God had taken the Messias up to Paradise; Each Apostle, leaving different Traditions behind him in the Countries where he taught. Hence sprung the Difference between the Churches of the East and West, and those in Aethiopia. One following Peter and Paul, Another be∣lieving John, the Third defending the Tradi∣tions of Matthew. And, from these greater Schisms, have sprung innumerable smaller Sects and Heresies: Each Church and Party, Excommunicating, Damning and Cursing all the Rest; yet all believe they shall be saved.
Thus is the World at Odds about Religion, persecuting, biting and devouring one another, because they cannot all think alike. A singu∣lar Argument of Religion, and a special En∣couragement to gain Proselytes.
These Considerations have made me a Scep∣tick, in Controverted Points of Faith and Mat∣ters of Opinion. Onely in this I am fixed, That I believe in One Eternal God, and reve∣rence his Holy Messengers and Prophets. But, if an Angel from Heaven should tell me mon∣strous and incredible Stories, of Things repug∣nant to the common Sense and Reason of all Mankind, I would desire him to excuse me if I suspended my Belief.
I admire the Golden Age, when the Infant World had not yet learn'd Bigotry; when Humane Reason was not corrupted with Divine Fables; and, Natural Conscience, was the Oracle to which all resorted for So∣lution of their Doubts; before Superstition had begun to dress the Deity in frightful, uncouth Shapes: Then harmless Innocence could shew her naked Face, which now is fain to go disguised. No Man was put to Death for Words or Thoughts of Things a∣bove his Reach. No crafty Numa then had fobb'd upon the Credulous People his feign'd Aegeria; Nor Golden-tongu'd Pythagoras, could impose the forged Whispers of his Eagle on the silly Crotonians for Sacred Oracles. No Wonder-working Magician, had led the Rabble by the Nose with his Infernal Juggles; but, pure and undebauched Reason taught Men to lead Immortal Lives on Earth.
Tell me, O Learned Haly, canst thou be∣lieve, That the Divine Architect had no other Way to make Man, than by laying him a Thousand Years broiling in the Sun? Or, that
there is an Apple-Tree growing very near the Throne of God? Or, that the Angels can stride some Hundred Thousands of Miles at once? Can we not go to Paradise, unless we swallow these strange Notions? Is it not e∣nough to believe in God and Mahomet his Pro∣phet, except we will receive all for Truth, which the Doctors tell us? I Fast and Pray at the appointed Times, and sometimes oftner; I give Alms; I love all the Creatures of God, that remain in his Love; I am not guilty of Theft, Murder nor Adultery; I never forswore my self, nor bore False Witness. Yet, when I am recollected, I think my self the worst of all Men; I think of every Peccadillo I com∣mit, with inexpressible Regret. If all this is not sufficient to acquit me a true and good Mussulman, no Man, I hope, will blame me, if I joyn with an eminent Man in these West∣ern Parts, and wish my Soul among the Phi∣losophers.
Paris, 25th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1642.