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 XXIV.

To the Invincible Vizir Azem, at the Port.

SInce thou, who art the Center and Source of all dignity, hast drawn back one Ray of Honour into thy Self, whose Emanation before made some of thy Slaves Illustrious, with the Title and Power of Captain Bassa: Since thou thy self, I say, who art always Ge∣neralissimo by Land, vouchsafest also at this Juncture to become Bassa of the Sea; I wish that both Elements may prove propitious to thee, and Fate crown thy Arms with the Height of Success. May the King of the Wa∣ters, proclaim a Nesiraum where-ever thou sailest, and may the Winds pay Homage to the Banner of the Ottoman Empire. In a Word, may yielding Waves and timely Gales, con∣vey thee safe and prosperous to Venice; and, may Fortune always attend that Courage, which never forsook thee when thy Master's Honour lay at Stake.

The Empire of the Osmans, is highly obli∣ged to Providence, for such a Valiant and Ex∣perienced Leader of their Armies. There is need of the Resolution of Alexander the Great, to encounter with all the Formidable Difficul∣ties and Hazards of this War. Thou art not marching against the soft and effeminate Per∣sians,

Men drown'd in the Luxurious Debau∣cheries of Asia, and enervated by continual Voluptuousness: But, thou must combat with the fierce Rascians, hardy Servians, the vali∣ant Inhabitants of Dalmatia and Istria, Men inur'd to Toils and Fatigues, and steel'd in Blood and Slaughter. I tell thee, there is no State in the World, that takes more Care to breed her Subjects up in all the Discipline of War, than this Republick. Thou hast heard of the famous Arsenal of Venice, wilt thou be∣lieve what Adonai the Jew has told me, con∣cerning that Nursery of War? He is newly come from thence, and says, That this Arsenal alone is half a League in Circuit; that there is but one Gate and Channel into it, by which their Vessels pass in and out; That in this Place, as in a Seminary, are bred up an infi∣nite Number of Slaves, who are a little Com∣mon-wealth by themselves. Some of these are employ'd all the Year round, in making Gallies, Galliasses, Pinnaces, Brigantines and other Shipping, with all Materials belonging to them, as Masts, Oars, &c. Others make Bullets, Chains, Anchors, Cannon, and all kinds of Artillery. A Third sort, are busied in making Ropes, Sails, Shrouds, and such like Naval Implements.

He says moreover, that in this Magazine are contain'd 40000 Pistols; 200000 Daggers; 60000 Partizans; Javelins 100000; Cross∣bows 30000; Long-bows 50000; with 500000 Swords; Musquets 200000; 1000 Cannon; as many Sacres; 500 Culverins. All these are

preserv'd as a Treasury of War, besides Infi∣nite Quantities of all Manner of Weapons and Ammunition, which are daily carried from hence, to furnish their Ships by Sea, and their Armies and Forts by Land. Thou wilt conclude from hence, That this is a Wise and Martial Nation, and that the Conquest of Venice will cost much Sweat and Blood.

Wilt thou hear what this Jew says of their Publick Buildings, which are all made of the best Marble? He counts Sixty six Parish-Churches; Fifty two Monasteries; Twenty six Nunneries; Eighteen Chapels; Seventeen Hospitals; and Six Schools. He numbers Fifty six Courts of Justice. Ten Gates of Brass; Four hundred and fifty Stone-Bridges; Eighty Thousand Boats, which cannot be served with less than double that number of Water-men. The Inhabitants of this City are computed to be 800000. By all this, thou mayst comprehend the Greatness and Wealth of this Republick, and that it is no Inglorious Enterprize to carry on a War against it.

These Infidels, give Publick Toleration to Harlots; which is practised not only in this City, but all over Italy, and brings a vast Re∣venue into the Treasury. The Whores-pence of Venice, is said to amount Yearly to 100000 Zechins.

The Multitude of Jews also, does mighti∣ly enrich that City, who have no less than Nine Synagogues there. They are Masters of Infinite Wealth, and engross the greatest Part of the Levantine Traffick, whereby Ve∣nice

is become superlatively Wealthy, and has required the Epithete of Rich. This is grown a Fashion in Italy, That every City has its peculiar Title, as Rome the Holy, Padua the Learned, Milan the Great, Naples the Proud, and Venice the Rich.

One Thing extremely pleases me, and had it not a shew of Idolatry, I could not but ap∣plaud it, as an Argument of the Generosity of this State. Adonai tells me, That there are no less than 165 Marble, and 23 Brazen Statues, erected by the Order, and at the Charges of this Republick, in Honour of the like Number of Valiant Soldiers, who have merited well of the Publick. This is an ef∣ficacious Encouragement to Others, a Spur to Vertue, the Cherisher of Martial Ardor. And Venice herein seems to imitate the Gra∣titude of Ancient Rome, which never spared any Cost, to honour her Heroes, and render their Memory Immortal.

God grant thee Victory over these Infidels, that at thy Return, laden with the Venetian Spoils, thou mayst rejoice in the Royal Ca∣resses and Favour of our Glorious Sultan; and, that not only Constantinople, but all the Ot∣toman Empire, may celebrate Triumphs for the Success of thy Arms.

Paris, 21^st of the 11^th Moon, of the Year 1644.