The fourth 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 VI.

To the Kaimacham.

I Am return'd to my former Lodging again, the Case of Eliachim, being not so bad as my Fears. The Occasion of his Confinement, were certain Words he spoke against the Pro∣ceedings of Cardinal Mazarini and the Court, in Company of such as were Officious to ob∣lige that Minister. This was done at St. Denis, not far from Paris; where they im∣mediately caused him to be taken into Custo∣dy by the King's Guards, who quarter'd in that Town. It has cost him a considerable Sum of Money, to purchase his Liberty; which he now enjoys, as before. I had other Thoughts, when I first heard the News of his being seized; and that it was, for some Seditious Expressions: For then I call'd to Mind, how he had Acted last Year by my Order, during the Tumults of Paris; and concluded, That some Unlucky Accident had now betray'd him. Which if it were so, would infallibly bring me into the same Danger. This made me so suddainly change my Habitation, and put a Stop to the Di∣spatches of the Sublime Port. I thought no Caution too much, to preserve the Affairs of my Commission Indemnified; and, that it were better to offend, in being too Wary, than too Secure. If I have taken wrong

Measures in thus absconding, 'tis for want of fuller Instruction from my Superiors. I wish they would honour me with Particular Rules, in Case of such Emergencies: Then I should steer my Course, without running the Hazard of Rocks or Sands. I have often desir'd to know, Whether, if I were disco∣ver'd, I should own my self an Agent for the Grand Signior. But none of the Ministers have vouchsafed to direct me in this Point: Whereby, I may commit an irreparable Mi∣stake, if such a Thing should happen.

Adonai the Jew, informs me of an At∣tempt lately made to rob the Treasury of Ve∣nice; which, according to his Description, is very Rich and Magnificent. He says, there are Twelve Crowns of pure Gold, and an e∣qual Number of Breast-plates of the same Metal, set with all Sorts of precious Stones of Inestimable Value: A Hundred Vessels of Agat: Threescore Services for the Altar, all of pure Gold, enrich'd with Dia∣monds, Sapphires, Emralds, and other Stones of Price. There is also an Ʋnicorn's Horn, above the Purchase of Money. There are Fourteen Unpolish'd Pearls, as large as a Man's Fist. The Ducal Cap, is valued at a Hundred Thousand Zechins: With many o∣ther Rareties and Costly Ornaments, too tedious to be inserted in a Letter.

Certainly, so much Wealth, was never de∣stin'd to fall into the Hands of Little Private Thieves: It is a Booty, fit for Kings and great Generals, the Licens'd Banditi of the

Earth. So many Glittering Jewels, would tempt the Honesty of an Angel: And, he would be glad to adorn the Apartments of his Heaven, with these Radiant Drops of the Sun, which he sees on Earth.

I have met with some pretty Relations of the Boldness of Robbers, but none that ever match'd the Bravery of this Enterprize; which was no less, than to Rob one of the most Potent States in the World, of her Chiefest Treasure.

He wanted not for Impudence, who, when the Emperor Charles V. was removing his Court, and all the Officers were busy in pack∣ing up the Goods, enter'd the Chamber where the Emperor was; and having made his Obei∣sance, fell roundly to pulling down the rich Hangings of Tissue, which by the Help of his Confederates, he carried away, with A∣bundance of Plate: No Body ever suspect∣ing, but that he was one of the Emperor's Servants, till the Person came, whose Office it was to remove those Goods, and then the other was known to be a Thief.

I have heard of a Spaniard, who, on a Great Festival, when the Priests had finish'd the Service of the Altar, and were retir'd to their Lodgings, went very boldly and took the Golden Vessels off the Altar, and carry'd them away under his Cloak, as though he had been the Steward of that Church, no Body suspect∣ing any other.

I kiss the Hem of thy Vest, Illustrious Kai∣macham, and pray, that thou may'st mono∣polize

the Choicest Blessings of Heaven, and have thy Share of the Riches of the Earth, without Danger of losing them to Great or Small Thieves.

Paris, 16th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1649.