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.

LETTTR VI.

To the Vizir Azem, at the Port.

THOU that art the Principal Support of the Ottoman Empire under the Grand Sig∣nior, oughtest to be informed of all Things which may either threaten Damage, or pro∣mise Assistance, to the Throne which rests on thy Shoulders.

I pass away some of my Time among Sea∣men; especially such as sail in the Levant; their very Breath, is a Relief when I am Chamber-sick, or stifled with the close Va∣pours of Paris. I phancy, their Lungs trans∣port hither the Breezes of the Mediterranean, or the more wholesome Airs of Asia. I talk so familiarly with them in their Marine Dia∣lect, that they scruple not to take me for a

Tarpaulin, and therefore entertain me with∣out Reserve, as one of their Crew.

This very Evening, I was with some of these Retainers to Neptune. Among the Rest of the Discourse I had with them, we touched upon the Dardanells which guard the Hellespont. They taxed the Christian Princes with Cowardise, or, unpardonable Negligence, that they have never attempted to force their Passage through that Channel into the Pro∣pontis, and block up the Imperial City by Sea, and set it on Fire; especially the Royal Serag∣lio, from whence are issued out the Decrees of Life and Death to the whole Earth.

I told them, they were mistaken in the Strength of those Castles, which command that Important Avenue. And, that no Ships ever durst venture within their Reach, with∣out Leave. When one of them started up, and made me this Answer: Sir, we have Ves∣sels impenetrable as Rocks, which dare come to an Anchor, under the very Walls of those superannuated Forts, and defie all the Turkish Artillery, to remove us thence. We onely want a Commission from our King, to try the Experiment.

I tell thee, Supreme Minister, I found too much Reason in his Answer, to make room for a Reply. Wherefore, dissembling for a while, the Agony I was in for the Welfare of the Sublime Port, I took my Leave of the Company, and immediately set Pen to Pa∣per, to let thee know what is in the Hearts of these Infidels.

I am not vers'd in the Art and Method of Fortification; yet, pardon an Errour of Loyalty and Zeal, if I commit it, in pro∣posing to thee the Necessity of erecting Platforms all along the opposite Shores of the Hellespont, to strike Terrour, and prevent the Enemy from attempting that, which in all probability would not fail of Success.

Thou that art all Wisdom, wilt know how to make a right Use of this Hint, from the faithful Mahmut, who never thinks him∣self Happy, but when he does some accepta∣ble Service to the Invincible Sovereign of the Sea and Land.

Paris, 14th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1644.