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 XXXIII.

To Osman Adrooneth, an Astrologer at Scio.

I Know not whether it be an Effect of the Stars, or the Sport of Spirits, that has happened here lately; whether it proceeds from Heaven or Hell, Nature or Magick Art, Chance or Destiny; the Marks it has left be∣hind are very Terrible, and the Astonishment is not yet off from the Peoples Hearts.

Three Days ago, I was riding from Paris to St. Germain en Lay, where the Court re∣sides. When I was got about Half-Way on the Road, there arose a sudden Blast of Wind, which rushing vehemently among the Trees, made an uncouth Noise, and struck me with some Surprize and Horror: But, my Amaze∣ment was soon encreased, when I perceived the Hedges and Trees that grew along the Road side, torn up and carried away by an Invisible Hand. I was afraid, my Horse and I should have been taken up for Company. For, this Whirlwind passed very near us, twisting in all that was in its way; and, swiftly moving in a Circular Figure, it grew to such a Bigness, by the continual Addition of Trees, Hedges, Stones, Earth, &c. that it seemed like a flying Wood.

I tell thee, though I was not without some

Apprehension of Danger, yet hitherto this was the pleasantest and most diverting Spe∣ctacle that ever I saw in my Life. Trees are a very grateful Object on the Earth, but they are much more so in the Air; and, especially at that Height and Distance, they affect the Eye with unspeakable Delight. I was ravished to see a moving Forest, almost as high as the Clouds. The pendulous Gardens of Babylon, would have appear'd but a Trifle, in Com∣parison of his Noble Scene.

I followed it with my Eye as far as I could, till at length my Sight was intercepted by a thick Shower of Rain, which drove me into a House for Shelter. Where, before I came away, I was informed, that what I e∣steemed so delightful, proved very Tragical to the Neighbouring Villages. Falling down from that Height I left it at, and scatterring its former Load, it fell violently into the Groves and Orchards, tearing up some Thou∣sands of Trees by the Roots, and carrying them away like Chaff in the Air, throwing down many Hundreds of Houses, removing others from the Foundations, and doing the poor Husbandmen such irreparable Damages, as the like has not been known in the Memory of Man.

Common Humanity, taught me to pity these Infidels; and, the Natural Principle of Self-preservation, made me bless my self, That I had escaped so imminent a Danger. But tell me, Thou who art conversant in the Secrets of Nature, who knowest the Influ∣ences

of the Stars, and the Hidden Force of the Elements, What is the Cause of these wild Fits and Convulsions of the Air? The Super∣stitious here say, the Devils are let loose at such a Time from their Infernal Prisons, to keep a Carnaval, and play their wanton Pranks in open Light, there being no Holi∣days in Hell. Others believe, Magicians are at Work; and, by the Force of Spells, raise Hurricanes and Storms. But, the Learned say, That these are only the Effects of Nature, proceeding from Meteors and Exhalations in the Air. I, for my Part, never puzzle my self with a vain Search, after that which can∣not be demonstrated. If these Hurricanes be Natural, then 'tis certain, Nature does not discover her Power at all Times, nor in the constant Series of her Works; but, has her Reserves, and Times of State, wherein she displays her Self with greater Pageantry, to create Respect: Since the unthinking Part of Mankind, is sooner taken with such unusual Events as make a Noise, than with the Antient standing Miracles of the Creation, the silent and regular Motions, exquisite Order, and never ceasing Activity, of the Sun, Moon and Stars. Thus, we are never sensible of the Heat that is within us, or the Circulation of our Blood, because we are always habituated to feel it from our Embryo.

I tell thee, Sage Osman, if I have any Dread upon me, it is of Earthquakes; be∣cause they take from us all sure Footing. From Thunder, Lightning, and all the Storms

in open Air, Tiberius's Remedy may secure us: Nay, the very Beasts will be our guides to some safe Den or Cave: But, from an Earth-quake there's no Retreat; that under∣mines and blows us up without any warning, neither have we Time or Means to escape. This makes me always think, I walk upon a Cobweb; so thin and brittle is this outward Crust of Earth we tread on.

He that Founded the Earth, and has ad∣mirably kneaded this Globe together with Wa∣ter, grant us a Refuge in Time of Danger, and an Eternal Sanctuary in Paradise.

Paris, 1st. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1645.