The second volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER XVII.

To Solyman Aga, Chief Eunuch of the Women.

I Perceive by thy Letters, that our Heroick Sultan is very Industrious to take off the Scandal of Impotence, which the Ladies at his first Accession to the Throne fastned on him, having now seen a Fourth Son, born to him in the Seraglio. The Multitude of Subjects, is the Glory of a Monarch, and a strong Defence in Time of War; and, the Multitude of the Prince's Children, is the Security of his People both in War and Peace.

The Sultan's Adventure, as he was going to Scutary, puts me in mind of an Accident, which befell one of the Ancient King of Ae∣gypt; who, as he was walking in the Royal Garden at Memphis, spyed an Eagle flying toward the Place, where he was; at which Sight he stood still, gazing on the King of Birds; till at length the Eagle arriving to that part of the Air which was over his Head, lets fall a Woman's Shooe at his Feet. The King surprized at this Accident, takes up the Shooe; and, surveying its exquisite Symmetry and Form, thence took his Mea∣sures of the Lady that had worn it, and suddenly grew enamour'd of the unknown Fair; proclaiming through all Aegypt, great

Rewards to any that could discover the Owner of that Shooe. At length, a certain Beautiful Courtezan of Naucretis, named Rhodope, was proved to be the Mistress of it; who being brought to the King's Presence, he took her to his Bed, making her the Partner of his Empire.

This Lady had a much better Fate, than the tall Armenian Woman, with whom Sul∣tan Ibrahim fell in Love on the like Occasion: For, Rhodope, after she had enjoyed her Ho∣nour many Years, at last died peaceably in her Bed, and was Entombed in one of the Pyra∣mids of Aegypt: Whereas, thou tellest me, that this Armenian, soon after her Exalta∣tion to the Sultan's Embraces, was strangled by the Queen-Mother's Command. I tell thee, it was a Bold and Cruel Act; and, were the Sultan sensible how she was Murdered, he would not spare to vent his Indignation a∣gainst her that bare him.

Paris, 2d. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1644.