Cosmography and geography in two parts, the first, containing the general and absolute part of cosmography and geography, being a translation from that eminent and much esteemed geographer Varenius : wherein are at large handled all such arts as are necessary to be understood for the true knowledge thereof : the second part, being a geographical description of all the world, taken from the notes and works of the famous Monsieur Sanson, late geographer to the French King : to which are added about an hundred cosmographical, geographical and hydrographical tables of several kingdoms and isles of the world, with their chief cities, seaports, bays, &c. drawn from the maps of the said Sanson : illustrated with maps.

• ASIA, as it is divi∣ded into
  • Firm Land; whereof the principal Paris are,
    • TURKEY in ASIA, which comprehendeth the parts and chief places of
      • Anatolia,
        • Smyrna,
        • Ephesus,
        • Lampsaco.
        • Bursa,
        • Scutari,
        • Tripoli.
      • Sourie,
        • Aleppo,
        • Tripoli,
        • Damascus,
        • Sayd.
      • Diarbeck,
        • Caraemit,
        • Achanchive,
        • Samosat.
      • Turcomanie,
        • Erzerum,
        • Cars,
        • Majaferequin.
    • GEORGIE; which comprehendeth the parts and chief places of
      • Mingrelie,
        • Fazze,
        • Savatopoli.
      • Gurgistan, — Cori.
      • Zulrie,
        • Chipeche,
        • Stranu.
      • Little Turcomanie, — Derbent.
    • ARABIA; with its parts and chief places of
      • Arabia the Stony,
        • Busseret,
        • Moab.
      • Arabia the Desert, — Anna.
      • Arabia the Happy,
        • Medina,
        • Mecca,
        • Aden.
    • PERSIA; with its chief Provinces and places of
      • Servan, — Tauris.
      • Gilan, — Gilan.
      • Gorgian, — Gorgian,
      • Churdistan, — Choy.
      • Ayrack,
        • Hispahan,
        • Casbin.
      • Chorazan, — Kayen.
      • Chusistan, — Souster.
      • Fars, — Chiraef.
      • Kherman, — Giroft.
      • Sablestan, — Zarani.
    • INDIA, as it is divided into the
      • Empire of the GREAT MO GOL; wherein are compre∣hended divers Kingdoms, the chief of which are
        • Attock, — Attock.
        • Calul, — Cabul.
        • Lahor, — Lahor.
        • Delly, — Delly.
        • Agra, — Agra.
        • Malway, — Rantipore.
        • Guzurate, or Cambaya,
          • Surat,
          • Cambava.
        • Bengala, — Bengala.
        • Decan, — Goa.
      • Peninsula of INDIA without the Ganges, with its several Kingdoms, &c. the chief of which are,
        • Golconda, — Golconda.
        • Bisnagar,
          • Bisnagar,
          • Harsingue:
        • Malabar, — Calicut.
      • Peninsula of INDIA within the Ganges; with its Kingdoms and chief places of
        • Pegu,
          • Pegu,
          • Boldia.
        • Siam, — Banckock.
        • Malacca, — Malacca.
        • Cochinchina, — Pulocacein.
        • Tunquin, — Keccio.
    • CHINA; with its chief Provinces and Cities of
      • Pequin, — Pequin.
      • Nanquin, — Nanquin.
      • Scianton, — Xanton.
      • Quicheo, — Quicheo.
      • Canton, — Canton.
      • Chequian, — Chequian.
    • TARTARIA; with its five Parts, and chief places of
      • Tartaria Deserta, — Cumbalich.
      • Usbeck, — Jarcham.
      • Turchestan, — Chialis.
      • Cathay, — Cambalu.
      • True Tartaria, — Tartan.
  • ISLES, to wit,
    • In the Ocean; as the
      • Isles of JAPON; as
        • Niphon, — Meaco.
        • Xicoco, — Sanuqui.
        • Ximo, — Bungo,
      • PHILLIPPINE Isles; as
        • Luson, — Luson.
        • Mindanao, — Mindanao.
      • Isles of MOLUCCO'S; as
        • Molucques, — Gamma.
        • Celebes, — Celebes.
        • Gilolo, — Gilolo.
      • Isles of SONDE; as
        • Sumatra,
          • Achem,
          • Aru.
        • Borneo, — Borneo.
        • Java,
          • Bantar••,
          • Jacatra.
      • Isles of LARRONS, or THEVES, — Deserte.
      • Isles of CEVLAN, — Colombo.
      • Isles of the MALDIVES, — Tilla don Matis.
    • In the Medi∣terranean Sea; as
      • In the LEVANT Sea; as
        • Cvprus, — Famagouste.
        • Rhodes, — Rhodes.
        • Scarpanto, — Scarpanto.
      • In the ARCHIPELAGO; as
        • Scio, — Scio.
        • Tenedo, — Metelin.
        • Samo, — Samo.
        • Nicaria, — Nicaria.
        • Lango, — Lango.
        • Stampalia, — Stampalia.

ASIA.

ASIA is one of the Tripartite division of our Continent; and if we consider the advantages which the Author o•• Nature hath given it, if the Actions which have passed in it both before and after the Flood;* 1.1 that the first Monar∣chies, and all Religions have here had their beginnings; that the chief Mysteries (both of the Old and New Law) have there been laid open; we may be induced to prefer in before all other parts, either of the one or other Continent.

And as of the two Continents ours is much the greater, the more noble, and most considerable; so is Asia among the three parts of our Continent, the Greatest, the most Oriental, the most Temperate, and the Richest.

Its Extent from West to East is from the 55th Meridian or degree of Longi∣tude unto the 180, containing 125 degrees of Longitude, which are about 2500 of our common Leagues;* 1.2 and from South to North from the Equator to the 72 Parallel or degree of Latitude, which is 72 degrees of Latitude, and makes about 1800 of our Leagues. In this length and breadth we do not compre∣hend the Islands which belong to Asia, which are as great, as rich, and possibly as numerous, as all the rest of the Universe.

* 1.3Its Scituation, for the most part, is between the Circular Tropick of Cancer, and the Circle of the Artick Pole scarce extending it self beyond this, but surpassing the other in divers of its Isles, which it expands under the Equator: so that almost all Asia is scituate in the Temperate Zone; what it hath under the Torrid, being either Peninsula's or Isles, which the Waters and Sea may easily refresh.

* 1.4ASIA being the greatest, the best, and most temperate part of our Conti∣nent, it must by consequence be the richest; which not only appears in the goodness and excellencies of its Grains, Vines, Fruits, Herbs, &c. but likewise in its great quantities of Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Spices, Drugs, and other Commodities and Rarities, which it sends forth and communicates to o∣ther parts, and particularly to Europe.

Amongst the three divisions of our Continent, Asia is that which hath the fairest advantage for its greatness, and for its scituation; being that Country which saw the Creation of the first Man, the making of the first Woman; which fed the first Patriarks, gave a place to the Terrestrial Paradise; that which received the Ark of Noah after the Flood; which was the Portion of Sem, the eldest Son of Noah, which built the Tower of Babel, which fur∣nished the rest of the World with Inhabitants; which established the Monar∣chies of the Assyrians, Medes, Babylonians, and Persians; which formed the

[illustration] map of Asia

A Generall MAPP of ASIA Designed by MOUNSIE^R SANSON Geographer to the FRENCH KING & Rendred into English, & Ilustrated by RIC: BLOME. By his MAJ^tis Especial Command LONDON Printed for Ric: Blome 1669

[illustration]

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms of the earls of Albemarle

To The R^t. Noble Christopher Duke of Albemarle. Earle of Torington, Baron Monk of Potheridge, Beauchamp and Teys, K^t. of y^e. most noble order of y^e Garter, Lord Leivtenant of Devon-shire & Ess ex, Captaine. of his Ma^tys. Guards of Horse, one of y^e Gentlemen of his Bed-Chamber, &c one of y^e Lords of his most Hon^bl. Privy Councell This Mapp is most humbly D.D. by R.B

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Arts and Sciences, Letters and Laws; which first and after the Law of Na∣ture received Paganism, Judaism, Christianity, and Mahumetanism; which saw the Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection of the Saviour of the World: And therefore for all these Reasons we ought to esteem Asia much above either Africa or Europe. But let us proceed to its Name, Bounds, and Divi∣sions.

* 1.5The Name of ASIA is derived diversly by sundry Authors, but whether it took its name from a Virgin-Woman, or a Philosopher; whether from some City, Country, or Marish, or from whatever it were, most certain it is, that that Name was first known to the Greeks, on that Coast opposite to them to∣wards the East; afterwards it was given to that Region which extends to the Euphrates, and which is called Asia Minor, and was communicated to all the most Oriental Regions of our Continent.

* 1.6Its Bounds are towards the North, with the Northern frozen, or Scythian Ocean, to wit, that which washes Tartary; on the East and South with the Oriental or Indian Ocean, the Parts of which are the Seas of China, India, and Arabia. Towards the West, Asia is separated from Africa by the Red-Sea, from the Streight of Babel-Mandel unto the Isthmus of Suez; and from Europe, by the Archipelago, by the Sea of Marmora, and by the Black-Sea; drawing a Line cross all these Seas, and passing by the Streight of Ga∣lipoli, or the Dardanelles; by the Streight of Constantinople, or Chanel of the Black-Sea, by the Streight of Caffa or Vospero; the Line continuing by the Sea of Zabaque, and by the Rivers of Don or Tana, of Volga and of Oby, where they are joyned the nearest one to another.

* 1.7Asia may be divided into firm Land, and Islands; the firm Land compre∣hends the Kingdoms of Turkey in Asia, Arahia, Persia, India, China, and Tar∣tary: We will follow this order, and then end with the Isles.

• TURKY in ASIA, or that which the Grand Sig∣nior doth possess in whole, or in part, in ASIA; wherein are several Re∣gions, Countries, Isies, &c. may be con∣sidered as they lie
  • Westernly, and to∣wards EUROPE; as, ANATOLIA, or ASIA. MINOR, wherein are com∣prised several Provinces; all which are at present by the Grand Signior included under four Beglerbeglies, that is, Lord Lieutenants; to wit, those of
    • Anatolia, particularly so called,
      • Smyrna,
      • Ephesus,
      • Pergama,
      • Troya,
      • Burfia,
      • Comana,
      • Chaloedoine,
      • Scutari,
      • Sinopi,
      • Castele,
      • Angouri,
      • Sardis,
      • Philadelphia.
    • Caramania,
      • Archalich,
      • Side,
      • Nigdia,
      • Tarsus,
      • Satalia,
      • Antiochia:
    • Tocat,
      • Amasia,
      • Tocat,
      • Trebisonde,
      • Caisaria,
      • Caraisar,
      • Marast,
      • Arsingan,
      • Sukas.
    • Aladuli,
      • Vardar,
      • Adana,
      • Maaraz,
      • Manbeg.
  • South-westernly; as, Divers ISLES, as they lie in the ARCHIPELAGO, ME∣DITERRANEAN, and AEGEAN Seas; the chief of which are,
    • Cyprus,
      • Nicosia,
      • Paphos,
      • Salamis,
      • Amathus,
      • Arsinoe,
      • Famagusta.
    • Rhodes, — Rhodes.
    • Metelin, of old, Lesbos,
      • Metelino,
      • Medina.
    • Samos, — Samo.
    • Tenedos, — Tenedos.
    • Scarpante, — Scarpante.
    • Lero, — Lero,
    • Negropont, — Colchis,
    • Coos, — Coos,
    • Lero, — Lero,
    • Pathmos, — Pathmos,
    • Scio, or Chios, — Scio,
    • Icaria, of old, Icarus, — Nicaria,
  • Southernly, and re∣garding Arabia and the Mediterranean Sea; as, SOURIA, or SYRIA; with its parts of
    • Syria Propria,
      • Aleppo,
      • Aman,
      • Zeugma,
      • Antioch,
      • Samosat,
      • Hemz, or Emsa,
      • Hierapolis,
      • Alexandretetts.
    • Phoenicia,
      • Tripoli,
      • Sayd, or Sidon,
      • Tyre, or Sor,
      • Damascus,
      • Acre.
    • Palestine, formerly Judea, Canaan, or the Holy-Land,
      • Jerusalem,
      • Samaria,
      • Naplouse,
      • Gaza,
      • Joppa, or Jussa,
  • Southernly, and to∣wards Arabia De∣serta; as, ASSYRIA, now DIAR∣BECK; with its parts of
    • Chaldea, or Babylonia, now Yerack,
      • Bagded, or Babylon,
      • Balsera,
      • Cousa,
      • Orchoe,
      • Sipparum.
    • Mesopotamia, or the par∣ticular Diarbeck,
      • Orpha,
      • Caraemid,
      • Merdin,
      • Asanchif,
      • Carra,
      • Sumiscasack,
      • Virta.
    • Assyria, now Arzerum,
      • Mosul, of old, Ninive,
      • Schiarazur.
  • Easternly, and re∣garding Persia; as, TURCOMANIA; with its parts of
    • Turoomans,
      • Erzerum,
      • Cars.
    • Curdes,
      • Schildir,
      • Bitlis.
    • Georgiens,
      • Derbent,
      • Tiflis.
  • North-Easternly, and towards the Caspi∣an Sea; as, GEORGIA; with its parts of
    • Avogasia, — St. Sophia,
    • Mingrelie,
      • Phazza,
      • Savatopoli.
    • Gurgista••,
      • Cori,
      • Bassachiuch.
    • Quiria,
      • Zitrach,
      • Stranu,
      • Chipicha.
  • Northernly, and to∣wards Moscovy; as, COMANIA,
    • Asof,
    • Maurolaco,
    • Serent.

[illustration]

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms of the earls of Winchilsea and Nottingham

••VERS•••• SECVNDIS

To y^e R^t Hon^ble Heanage Earle of Winchelse•• Vis^t Maidstone Baron Fitz Herbert of Eastwell Lord of the Royall Mannour of Wye and Lord Leiutenant of Kent and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 This Mapp is humbly D. D by R. B

A MAPP of THE ESTATES of the TURKISH EMPIRE in ASIA, and EUROPE Designed by Mon^sr Sanson Geographer to the French King

Turky in Asia.

UNDER the name of TƲRKY in ASIA we understand not all which the Great Turk possesses, but only certain Regions which he alone possesses, or if there be any Estates intermixed, they are inconsiderable. And in this Turky we shall find Anatolia, which the Ancients called Asia Minor; the greater Souria, which the Ancients called Syria the Great; Turcomania, by the Ancients called Armenia the Great; then Diarbeck, which answers to Mesopotamia, and to divers parts of Assyria; and the Chaldea, or Babylonia of the Ancients.

ANATOLIA is that great Peninsula, which is washed on the North by the Black-Sea, Mare Major, or Euxine Sea; and on the South by that part of the Mediterranean which we call the Levant Sea; which extends Westward to the Archipelago or Aegean Sea, and thence to the Euphrates, which bounds it on the East.

* 1.8The Ancients divided this Great Asia Minor into many lesser Regions; of which the principal are, viz. Pontus, Bithynia, Little Asia Minor; into Lycia, Galatia, Pamphilia, Cappadocia, Cilicia, Caria, Ionia, Aeolis, Lydia, Phrygia Major and Minor, Paphlagonia, Lycaonia, Pysidia, Armenia Minor, Mysia, the Isle of Rhodes, &c.

But at present the Turks do in general call this Great Asia Minor, Anatolia, which signifies Orient: That part of Anatolia, which is most exposed to the North, to wit, Pontus, Bithynia, Galatia, and Cappadocia, by the appellation of Rumla: The more Meridional parts they call Cottomandia, which are Lycia, Pamphilia, and Cilicia: The Little Asia Minor, which is on the Archipelago, hath no other name than that of Anatolia.

But all these Names are little known amongst them, much less those which are attributed to the lesser parts of Anatolia.* 1.9 The Turks divide it into four Beglerbeglies, which are as our Lord Lieutenancies; under which are 35 or 34 Sangiacats, which are as our particular Governments.

The Beglerbeglies are of Anatolia, of Caramania, of Toccat, and of Ala∣duli: The two first compose all the Western part of Anatolia; the two last all the Eastern part. The Beglerby of Anatolia, hath under him eleven or twelve Sangiacks. The Beglerby of Caramania hath only seven or eight; he of Toccat likewise seven or eight; and he of Aladuli, five or six.

The Cities where the Beglerbies keep their residence, are Cuitage or Cutage, formerly Cotyaeum, for him of Anatolia; Cogna, once Iconium; others put Cae∣saria, once Caesaria penes Anazarbum, for him of Caramania; Amasia, which keeps its ancient name; and sometimes Trebizonde, formerly Trapezus, for him of Toccat; and Maraz, for him of Aladuli. But to proceed to the Pro∣vinces of Anatolia.

* 1.10PONTƲS is a Country of a large extent, and taketh up all the length of Anatolia, and was by the Romans anciently separated into four parts; viz. Polemoniacus, Pontus Galaticus, Pontus Cappadocius, and Metapontus, or Pontus especially so called.

POLEMONIACƲS hath for its chief places, Nixaria, formerly Neo-Caesarea, which is the Metropolis; Zela, enlarged by Pompey, and called Me∣galopolis, Barbanissa, and lastly Sebastia, so called in honour of Augustus,

whom the Greeks called Sebastos; a place for strength very considerable, and contended against Tamerlane; which was no sooner taken by him, but (to satisfie his Revenge) he caused most cruelly to be buried alive in great Pits a∣bout 12000 Men, Women, and Children. Nigh to this City is Mount Stella, where Pompey gave Mithridates his fatal overthrow.* 1.11 This Mithridates was a great and eminent King of Pontus, who for 40 years withstood the Romans; not more excellent in War, than in Learning and Memory, who spake 22 seve∣ral Languages, who invented that Counter-poyson, from him named Mithri∣date; who at last, by the Rebellion of his Son, and the Valour of L. Sylla, Lu∣cullus and Pompey, was vanquished; where Pompey, upon a small Island at the entrace of the Euxine Sea, erected a Pillar, which at this day bears his name, and is by the Inhabitants shewed to Strangers, as a memorial of his Victories in these parts.

In this part of Pontus, on the rise and fall of the River Thermodon, and on the Banks thereof, the Amazons, a sort of Warlike-Women were here said to reside, so called, either because they used to cut off their right Breasts, which otherwise would be an impediment to their shooting, or because they used to live together. They were at first Scythians, and accompanied their Husbands to these parts, about the time of the Scythians first coming into Asia, in the time of Sesostris King of Egypt. These People held a great hand over the Themiscyrin, who inhabited this Region, and the Nations round about them, and at last by Treachery were murthered;* 1.12 but their Wives being grievously angred (as well through Grief and Fear, as Exile and Widdow-hood) set up∣on the Conquerors, under the conduct of Lempado and Marpesia; who not only overthrew them, but also much added to the largeness of their Domini∣ons, and for a considerable time continued in great reputation. The Names of the chiefest of the Amazon Queens were, Lampedo, Marpesia, Ortera, Antio∣pa, and Peuthesilea, who with a Troop of gallant Virago's came to the Aid of Priamus King of Troy: who at last was slain by Pyrrhus, Son to Achilles. These Amazons, in matters of Copulation, used to go to their neighbouring Men thrice in a year; and if it happened that they brought forth Males, they sent them to their Fathers; but if Females, then they kept them, and brought them up in the Discipline of War and Courage.

* 1.13PONTƲS GALATICƲS is Eastward of Pontus; its chiefest Cities are, viz. 1. Amasia, remarkable for the Martyrdom of St. Theodorus, also being the Birth-place of Strabo the famous Geographer, and in these latter times for being the residence of the eldest Sons of the Grand Signior, fent hither as spon as circumcised, who are not to return till the death of their Father. It is a great City, about 4 days Journey from the Black-Sea. 2. Themiscyra, now Favagoria, seated on a large Plain near the Sea. 3. Diopolis, remarkable for the great Overthrow Lucullus gave to Mithridates. 4. Sinope, of note for being the Birth and Sepulchre of Mithridates. 5. Castamona, the chief City of the Isfendiars, which for strength and scituation, is by them preferred be∣fore Sinope.

* 1.14PONTƲS CAPADOCIƲS hath for its chief places, viz. 1. Ceras••s, from whence Cherries were first brought into Italy by Lucullus, after he had finished his War with Mithridates. 12. Pharnacia, built by Pharnaces a King of Pontus 3. Trebezond, the Metropolis of the Comneni, famous for the Trade of Fish, caught by the People on the Euxine-shoars, here salted, and then transported in great quantities to Constantinople, Cassa, and elsewhere. In this City did anciently reside the Deputies of the Grecian Emperours, for the se∣curity of the Out-parts against the Incursions of the Persians; and now is the place of such Gallies, as by the Grand Signior are appointed for the scouring and securing their Trade on the Coasts of the Euxine Sea.

* 1.15METAPONTƲS, whose chief places were, 1. Flaviopolu, so called in honour to Flavius Vespasianus. 2. Claudiopolis, in honour to Claudius, Em∣perour of Rome. 3. Juliopolis, in honour of the Julian Family; all which are Mid-land Towns. 4. Diospobis, of grent resort, on the Euxine Sea, so named from a Temple consecrated to Jupiter. 5. Heraclia, a Colony of the

Phocians, remarkable for being the Seat of a Branch of the Imperial Family of the Comneni. But above all is Tocat, a good fair City, built at the foot of a very high Mountain, spreading it self round about a great Rock that is in the midst of the Town, on the top of which is seated a Castle, with a good Garri∣son. It is well inhabited by Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and Turks, who have the command thereof; its Houses are well built, but its Streets are narrow, and amongst its Mosques there is one very stately. Here the Christians have 12 Churches, hath an Archbishop, under whom are 7 Suffragans. Here are two Monasteries for Men, and two for Women; the greatest part of the Christians are Tradesmen, and generally Smiths: this is the only place in all Asia, where plenty of Saffron groweth. This City is one of the most remarkable Thorough∣fares in the East, where are continually lodged the Caravans from Persia, Diarbeck, Constantinople, Smyrna, Synopus, and other places; and here the Caravans turn off as they are variously bound. Here are excellent Fruits and Wine, and Provisions are had at easie rates.

* 1.16BITHYNIA hath on the North the Euxine Sea; a place famoused for the Victory of Alexander against the Persians; then for Mount Stella, where Pompey overthrew Mithridates; and Tamberlain with 800000 Tartans, en∣countred Bajazet with 500000, where 20000 lost their lives, and Bajazet in the pride of his heart being taken, and penn'd up in an Iron-Cage, beat out his own Brains against the Bars. Its chief places are, 1. Nice,* 1.17 where the first Ge∣neral Council was held by the appointment of Constantine the Great, for the expelling of the Arian Heresie. 2. Chalsedon, where the 4th General Council was, to repel the Nestorian Heresie. 3. Scutari, opposite to the Haven of Constantinople, in which place the Persians received their Tribute from the other Cities of these Parts; and lastly, 4. Bursa, once the Seat of the Ottaman Kings in Asia, till they gained Adrianople in Europe, by Mahomet the First; now inhabited by Turks, Jews, and Greeks; by some accounted as fair, rich, and populous as Constantinople, and enjoys a great Trade. It is seated on the Foot of Mount Olympus for its defence, and is adorned with fair Mosques, and many Tombs of the Ottoman Princes.

* 1.18LYCIA hath for its Southern bounds the Mediterranean Sea, and is envi∣roned on 3 sides with the Mountain Taurus, which makes it very strong: It was formerly exceeding populous, containing about 60 Cities; the greatest part whereof remained in St. Pauls time, but now are reduced to ruins. The chiefest of which were, 1. Mira, the chief City of this Province. 2. Patera, adorned with a fair Haven, and Temples; one of which was dedicated to A∣pollo, having therein an Oracle, and for Wealth and Credit suitable to that at Delphos. 3. Telmesus, whose Inhabitants are famous for interpreting of Dreams.

* 1.19GALATIA is bounded on the East with Cappadocia. Towns of note; viz. 1. Augoura, seated on the River Sangar, 16 days Journey from Constanti∣nople, famous for the Synod here held in the Primitive times, and is one of the greatest and richest places of this quarter, furnishing Turky with a great number of Chamlets and Mo-hairs. 2. Tavium, where there was a Brazen Statue of Jupiter, in whose Temple there was a priviledged Sanctuary. To this Province St. Paul did dedicate one of his Epistles.

* 1.20PAMPHYLIA hath for its Southern bounds the Mediterranean Sea. The principal Cities are, 1. Satalia, (founded by Ptolomy Philadelphus, King of Egypt,) is the strongest, and best for Traffick of all its Coasts, communica∣ting its name to the neighbouring Gulph, called Golfo di Satalia, and to the most Oriental part of the Mediterranean Sea; famous for the rich Tapestries that are here made. 2. Side, famous in the time of the Gentiles for a Temple of Pallas. 3. Perge, renowned in Old time for the Temple of Diana, and for the Annual Feasts there held in honour of her; and yet more famous for St. Pauls Preaching here. 4. Aspendus, and Inland Town, strongly scituate, once the Metropolis of the Province, famous of old for its Musicians. These Provinces were converted to Christianity by the Apostles, St. Paul (who Jour∣nied through most Cities in these quarters,) St. Peter, and St. John, as doth

appear by Holy Scripture. The Country for the most part is very Mountainous, which proceed from Mount Taurus, as branches thereof: Here are abundance of Goats, of whose Hair are made great quantities of Grograins and Chamlets, which for fineness are not inferiour to Silk, with which it serves other Coun∣tries, being its chief Commodity; but nearer the Sea it is more fruitful, being well watered and planted, more populous and pleasant.

* 1.21CAPPADOCIA hath for its chief places, 1. Mazaca, enlarged and beautified by Tiberius the Emperour; and in honour to Augustus Caesar, by him called Caesarea, being the Metropolitan City of Cappadocia, as also the E∣piscopal See of St. Basil. 2. Nyssa, the See of Gregory, Surnamed Nyssenus, and Brother to Basil. 3. Nazianzum, also the Episcopal See of another Gre∣gory, Surnamed Nazianzenus, which 3 for their admirable abilities in all kind of Learning, and for their Piety, are not to be parallel'd. 4. Comana, remark∣able of old for its Temple consecrated to Bellona, whose Priests, and other in∣feriour Officers of both Sexes, in the time of Strabo amounted to about 6000. 5. Erzirum, scituate in the Confines of Armenia Major, which is the Rendez∣vous for the Turkish Army, when they have any design against Persia; at which place they are likewise disbanded and sent home, being a Frontier Town. It is seated an the end of a large Plain, circled with Mountains; its Houses are not very well built, but hath several great Inns for entertainment of Passen∣gers, as at Tocat; and it is observable, that Barly after 40 days, and Wheat af∣ter 60, is fit to cut: And, 6. Pterium, memorable for the great Battel fought between Croesus King of Lydia, and Cyrus of Persia; in which Croesus lost not only the Field, but also his Kingdom. The Country is very rich in Mines of Silver, Iron, Brass, and Alum; hath great plenty of Wine, and several sorts of Fruits; also Crystal, Jasper, and the Onyx-stone: But the greatest Wealth which they have is their Horses. The People of this Country were anciently very Vicious, and prone to all kinds of Wickedness; but since Chri∣stianity was received amongst them, their former Vices are now changed to Vertues.

* 1.22CILICIA hath on the South the Mediterranean Sea. Places of note here found are, viz. 1. Tarsis, pleasantly seated, famous for the Birth-place of St. Paul; 2. Anchiala, on the Sea-side; both which, with some others, were built in one day by Sardanapalus King of Assyria. 3. Epiphania, the Birth-place of George the Arian, Bishop of Alexandria. 4. Adena, seated in a fruitful Soil, abounding in Corn and Wine, defended by a strong Castle. 5. Alexandria, built by Ale∣xander the Great; and to distinguish it from Alexandria in Egypt, was named Alexandretta, but now Scanderone; a famous Haven-Town, serving for the Scale to Aleppo, which is distant from it about 100 English miles, to which all Shipping, either out of the Ocean or Mediterranean, come to lade and unlade their Goods, which are hence transported by Camels to Aleppo; and here the English, French, and Venetians, have their Vice-Consuls to protect their Goods and Ships. 6. Amavarza, a City in the time of Strabo, of great antiquity. 7. Nicopolis, founded by Alexander in memory of his great Victory: And 8. Issus, seated on a large Bay, famous for the Battel here fought between Ale∣xander (with an inconsiderable Army of Macedonians) and Darius, and his vast Army, which consisted of about 600000 Assyrians; whereof about 160000 of the Persians were slain, and about 40000 taken Prisoners; in which Battel, the Wives and Daughters of Darius were taken, Alexander not losing above 200 of his Men.

On the Right-hand of Cilicia is Isauria, which may bear the name of a Province: It is fruitful in Vines, and several sorts of Fruits, having a rich Soil. The chief Cities are, 1. Claudiopolis, into which Claudius the Empe∣rour brought a Roman Colony: And, 2. Seleucia, founded by Seleucus.

* 1.23CARIA hath for its Southern bounds the Carpathian Sea. Its chief places are, 1. Miletus, not far from the Hill Latmus, the Birth-place of Thales, one of the 7 Wise-men of Greece; to this place St. Pauls called together the Bi∣shops of Ephesus and other of the adjoyning Cities. 2. Mindus, which being but a small City, and its Gates so big, made Diogenes the Cynick to cry out, to

have them shut their Gates, lest the City should run out at them. 3. Milasa, famous in old time for two Temples dedicated to Jupiter: And 4. Borgylia, where Diana also had a Temple.

In this Country is the Hill Latmus, which was the retiring place of Endy∣mion, who by the study of Astronomy did there find out the Changes and Courses of the Moon, by the Poets feigned to be her Favourite; others there be who would have it, that in a Cave under this Hill Jupiter hid him, and ca∣sting him in a deep sleep, descended sometimes to kiss him.

* 1.24IONIA, bounded on the West with the Aegean Sea. Places of note in this Country are, 1. Ephesus, famous for many things; as, First, for being the Burial-place of St. John the Evangelist, who (as some say) went here alive into the Grave. Secondly, for the Temple of Diana, which for its Greatness, Furniture, and stately Workmanship, was accounted one of the Wonders of the World. Thirdly, for St. Pauls directing an Epistle to the Inhabitants thereof. Fourthly, for being the Episcopal See of Timothy the Evangelist, first Bishop hereof: And, Fifthly, for its Ecclesiastical Council here; but now much ruined from its ancient beauty, it being now reduced to a small Village. 2. Smyrna, which is now the only City of Trade in these parts; famous for be∣ing one of the 7 Churches of Asia, to which St. John dedicated his Revelation, being one of those 7 Cities that strove for the Birth of Homer, where (in a Cave hard by) he is said to have writ his Poems: But now violated by the Mahometans, her Beauty is turned into Deformity, her Religion into Impiety, and her knowledge into Barbarism. This City is seated on the bottom of a Bay or Gulph, called the Gulph of Smyrna, where the English, French, and Venetians keep Consuls to protect their Merchants, and keep up their Trade, it being under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Signior. 3. Colophon, another of those Cities which strove for the Birth of Homer: Here the People are so well skill'd in Horsemanship, that whose side soever they took in War, were sure to gain the Victory. 4. Erythra, the habitation of one of the Sibyls, from whence called Sibylla Erythraea. 5. Ipsus, remarkable for the great Battel betwixt Antigonus and Seleucus, two of Alexanders chief Commanders, wherein An∣tigonns lost both the day, and his life. 6. Lebedus, of note in ancient times for those Plays here yearly held in honour to Bacchus. 7. Priene, the Birth-place of Bias, one of the 7 Wise-men of Greece: And, 8. Clazomene, seated on a small Ilet near the shoar, beautified with a Temple dedicated to A∣pollo.

* 1.25AEOLIS, North of Ionia, hath for its chief places, 1. Cuma, the habita∣tion of Sibylla, Surnamed Cumana. 2. Elaea, on the Mouth of Caicus, being the Port-Town to Pergamus. 3. Myrina, which in honour to Augustus is called Sebastopolis. 4. Pitane, not far from the Aegean Sea; and here they had an art in making Bricks that would swim above water.

* 1.26LYDIA: Its chief Cities are, 1. Sardis, in which was one of the 7 Churches in Asia, being the Royal Seat of Croesus, and the Kings of Lydia, until it was subdued by the Persians: and, 2. Philadelphia, on the Banks of the River Cay∣strus. Its People are said to be the first Inventers of Dice, Chess, and other such Games; as also the first Hucksters, Pedlers, and the first Coyners of Mony. The Country by reason of the great plenty of gallant Rivers renders it very fruit∣ful and pleasant, being enriched with Mines of Gold and Silver, as also pre∣cious Stones.

* 1.27PHRYGIA MAJOR, bounded on the East with Galatia. The chief places are, 1. Gordion, the Seat of Gordius, which from the Plough-tail was taken and chosen King of this Kingdom, who tied such a Knot, (called the Gordian-knot) which Alexander the Great cut in pieces, when he could not unty it. 2. Midium, the Seat of Midas, Son to this Gordius; who covetously petitioned Bacchus, that whatsoever he touched should be turned into Gold; which was granted, but soon was forced to lose the benefit of it, else he would have been starved, his Victuals turning into Gold: and falling into a second oversight in Judgment, in preferring Pan's Pipe before Apollo's Harp, he for his small Judgment in Musick, was rewarded with a comly pair of Asses-ears.

3. Colossi, to whom St. Paul writ one of his Epistles. 4. Pesinus, where the goddess Cybele was worshipped, being called Dea Pesinuncia. This City is pla∣ced in the Borders of Galatia. The Country is very rich, pleasant, and well watered with Rivers, the People being anciently more Superstitious than in any other place of Asia, as is manifest by the Rites used in their Sacrifices of Cybele, and other of their goddesses, being accounted such as use Divination. They are a People which much delight in Effeminacy. Here Reigned Tantalus, who wanting wisdom to make use of his great Riches, is by the Poets feigned to stand in Hell up to the chin in water, under a Tree whose Fruit doth touch his Lips, but yet cannot reach them.

* 1.28PHRYGIA MINOR, bounded on the South with the Aegean Sea. Places of most note, viz. 1. Dardanum, or Dardania, being the Town and Patrimony of Aeneas. 2. Troy, seated on the Banks of the River Sca∣mander, famous for having sustained a Ten years Siege against the Greeks; in which time the Trojans lost 860000 Men, and the Grecians 666000 Men, be∣ing then so famous a City, that it might be counted the glory of the East, from whence all Nations desire to derive their beginning; but now remaining no∣thing but Ruins. Four miles from which there was another City, built by Lysimachus, one of Alexanders Captains, which from other Cities there ad∣joyning was peopled; by him called Alexandria, or Troas Alexandria, or New Troy, in honour of Alexander the Great, who begun the Work, which though not so great, rich, and famous as the first, yet was the Metropolis of the Province; but now by the Turks quite ruinated, by their carrying the Stones and Pillars to Constantinople, for the beautifying of their Bashaws Houses. 3. Sigaeum, the Port-Town to Troy. 4. Assus, called by Pliny, Apollonia, in which place the Earth will consume the Bodies of the Dead in 40 days. 5. Lyrnessus, opposite to the Isle of Lesbos, destroyed by Achilles and the Greeks in the beginning of the Trojan War.

* 1.29PAPHLAGONIA hath for its chief Cities, 1. Gangra, remarkable for a Council there held in the Primitive times, called Synodus Gangrensis. 2. Pom∣peiopolis, so called by Pompey the Great: And, 3. Coniata, or Conica, fortifi∣ed by Mithridates, when he was Master of this Country.

* 1.30LYCAONIA, bounded on the East with Armenia Minor. The most e∣minent places in this Country are, 1. Iconium (now Cogni) the Regal Seat of the Aladine Kings; a place of great strength, whose scituation is in the Moun∣tains, advantagious for defence and safety. 2. Lystra, famous for the Birth-place of Timothy, and where Paul and Barnabas having healed a Cripple, were adored for Mercury and Jupiter: And, 3. Derbe, where the said Apo∣stle preached.

* 1.31PISIDIA hath for its chief places, 1. Seleucia, built by Seleucus. 2. Sa∣galassa, scituate in the most fruitful part of this Country. 3. Selge, a Colony of the Lacedemonians: And, 4. Termessus, strongly seated. This Country was famous for the Battel fought betwixt Cyrus and Artaxerxes; where Cyrus lost his life, and the Victory; out of which Xenophon made that notable Retreat with his Grecians, in the despight of 20000 Men, which pursued him.

* 1.32ARMENIA MINOR is bounded on the East with the Euphrates, which separates it from Armenia Major. Cities of hote, viz. 1. Meteline, the Metropolitan City, now called Suur, abounding in great quantities of Wine and Oil. 2. Nicopolis, built by Pompey in remembrance of a Victory he there obtained against the Forces of Tygranes, King of Syrid. 3. Garnasa, a strong Town. 4. Oromandus; and, 5. Arabyssus, remarkable for the exile of St. Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople, confined here by the malice of the Empress Eudoxia. This Country, as to its fertility, pleasantness, &c. is the same as Cappadocia afore-mentioned.

* 1.33MYSIA hath for its chief places, 1. Cyzicus, seated in the Propontis, in an Island of the same name, but so near the Continent, that it is joyned to it by two Bridges. The Metropolis of the Consular Hellespont, a place of great strength and beauty, whose Walls, Bulwarks, Towers, and Haven, were made of Marble. 3. Adramyttium where Paul took Shipping to go to Rome:

And, 4. Pergamus, seated in a goodly Plain, on the Banks of the River Caicus; a place of great strength, beautified with a Library of about 200000 Volumes or Manuscripts, all writ in Parchment; famous also for those costly Hangings known to us by Tapestry. Here was one of the 7 Churches of Asia, to which St. John writ his Revelation; and lastly, famous for the Birth-place of Galen, the eminent Physician, who lived to the Age of 140 years in good health.

* 1.34The Mountains and Rivers in Anatolia may have somewhat in particular observed of them. Mount Taurus begins between Lysia and Caria, and ex∣tends it self all the length of Asia, being a continual Ridge of Hills, running through Asia from West to East; which for its length, height, and the branches it casts forth on one side and the other, the greatest and most famous Mountain in the World. On Mount Ida, the Trojan Paris judged of the Beauty of Juno, Pallas, and Venus, and giving the Golden Apple to the last, drew on himself and his Friends the enmity of the other two. On the Mountain Tmole in Lydia, Midas, having esteemed Pan's Pipe to be more pleasant than the Harp of Apollo, was by him pulled by the Ears, not to make them greater, but so hard as gave occasion to the Poets to jeer him, and say, that he had Asses Ears. This Mountain is very fruitful, especially in Vines and Saffron. On Cra∣gus was feigned to be the Monster Chimera, which Bellerophon made tractable. On Latmus in Caria passed the Loves of the Moon, and Endymion, &c.

Amongst the Rivers,* 1.35Pactolus hath rouled down so much Gold in its Streams, since Midas washed there, that the Riches of Croesus, and others, are come from thence. The Granick was witness of the Victory of Alexander the Great, against the Satrapes of Darius; but Alexander washing himself in the cold waters of Cidnus, had near lost his life. The River Acheron, and the Lake Acherusia, near Heraclia in Bithynia, are esteemed to reach to Hell; and that this way Hercules brought up the Villain Cerberus. Halys (at pre∣sent Lali) served for the bounds and limits between the Kingdom of Croesus and the Empire of the Persians; but it proved fatal to Croesus, &c.

* 1.36There are many other things observable about, and within the lesser Asia. The Bosphorus of Thrace, or Channel of the Black-Sea, or Streight of Con∣stantinople, is so narrow, that Darius Hystaspes built a Bridge over it, and passed with his Troops over it from Asia into Europe, to make War against the Scythians. Xerxes, the Son of Darius, did as much over the Hellespont or Streight of Gallipoli, or the Dardanelles, which we call the Castles of Sestos and Abydos, which are seated three Leagues above the entrance, and at the narrowest place of the Hellespont, opposite each to other: Formerly famous for the unfortunate Loves of Hero and Leander, drowned in the merciless Surges. Here also Xerxes, whose populous Army drank Rivers dry, and made Mountains circumnavigable, is said to have passed over into Greece on a Bridge of Boats. Sestos is strongly seated on the side of a Mountain, descending to the Sea on the European shoar; Abydos, on a low Level on the Asian shoar. The Amaniden Streights, or Passes of Mount Aman, between Cilicia and Syria, are easie to keep; the Way for about 2500 Paces, being between Rocks and Crags; the Feet of which are washed with many streams which fall off from the Mountains. Here it was that Alexander the Great vanquished Darius.

The ISLANDS about ASIA MINOR.

THe ISLANDS about ASIA MINOR have been very remark∣able to Antiquity, though not so at present:* 1.37 They are almost in the Ar∣chipelago; some in the Mediterranean Sea, almost none in the Black Sea; yet at the entrance into that Sea, and near the Bosphorus of Thrace, are* 1.38 The two Islands called CYANEES, so near the one to the other, that the Ancients would make us believe they joyned.* 1.39METELIN, of old LESBOS, famous for the City Meteline, which for its greatness and ex∣cellency of its Wines, gives name to the Island. In this place was born Sappho,

the Inventress of the Sapphick Verse: Pittacus one of the Sages of Greece; and Arion, the Dolphin Harper.* 1.40SCIO, or CHIOS, distant from the Ionian shoar four Leagues, being in compass about 126 miles; remarkable for the Church of its Convent of Niomene, one of the fairest in the World. It affordeth excellent Fruits in great plenty, but of most note for its Mastick, not found elsewhere; it is now under the power of the Grand Signior.* 1.41ICA∣RIA, now called Niceria, in compass 12 Leagues; here Icarus suffered Ship∣wreck; abounding in Corn and Pasturage.* 1.42PATHMOS, in compass a∣bout ten Leagues; Mountainous, but reasonably fruitful, especially in Grain. Here it was that St. John being banished by Domitian, writ his Revelation to the Churches of Asia.* 1.43PARMACƲSA, near Miletum, where Caesar was taken by them.* 1.44CLAROS or CASAMO, about 13 Leagues in compass, very Mountainous, but hath good Harbours; in former times sacred to Apollo; abounding in great plenty of Aloes, where they are gathered and transported to other Countries.* 1.45LERO, noted also for Aloes.* 1.46COOS, seated in the bottom of the Aegean Sea, furnished with sweet and pleasant Streams, which refresh this Island, and makes it very fruitful; it is in compass 23 Leagues, having its chief place so called, fortified with a strong Tower, now a Garrison of the Turks. This Island is remarkable for being the Birth∣place of so many famous men, especially Hippocrates, the Revivor of Physick, when almost decayed, unto the ancient practice of Aesculapius, unto whom this Island was consecrated, having therein a Temple, made rich with the Offerings of those that had been sick, whose Cures were there Registred; and Apelles the famous Painter.* 1.47Scarpante, stored with the best Coral in the World.* 1.48NICOSIA, which was the Seat of the Kings of the Family of Lufigua, and the See of an Archbishop, and Peopled with 40000 Families.* 1.49FARMACƲSA, scituate on the Sea, much stronger than Nicosia.* 1.50BAPHO, of old Baphus, famous for its Temple, dedicated to Venus. Mount Olympus, now St. Michaels Mount, stands in the middle of this Island.* 1.51NEGRO-PONTE, where the Sea ebbs and flows seven times a day; which because Aristotle could not unriddle, he here drowned himself; the chief City is Colchis.* 1.52SAMOS, about 30 Leagues in compass, strongly seated almost on all sides with Rocks, having a fair Haven, fertil in Fruits, e∣specially in Oil and Olives; the Island much infected with Pirates. This is the only place in the World for Spunges, under whose Rocks they grow in the Sea; for the getting of which they have People which from their Infancy are bred up with dry Bisket, and other extenuating diet, to make them lean; then taking a Spunge wet in Oil, they hold it part in their Mouths and part without, and so they dive down into the Sea to get it; those that have been used to this trade, can abide under water almost an hour together.* 1.53TE∣NEDOS, scituate at the Mouth of the Hellespont, opposite to Troy, remark∣able for the concealing the Grecian Navy, which proved the final destruction of Troy.* 1.54RHODES, scituate in the Carpathian or Rhodian Sea, being in compass 46 Leagues; a place of great strength, its Soil fertil, its Air tempe∣rate, plentiful in all things, as well for delight as profit, full of excellent Pa∣stures, adorned with pleasant Trees, whose Leaves are alb the year long in their verdure. In this Island the Sun is so powerful and constant, as it was anciently dedicated to Phoebus. This Island, as Sandys in his Book of Travels noteth, was held Sacred to the Sun, to whom they erected that vast Colossus of Brass, which may well be accounted one of the Seven Wonders of the World: He saith,* 1.55 this Colossus was in height 70 Cubits; every Finger as big as an ordinary Statue, and the Thumb too great to be fathomed. It was 12 years a making, the bigness was such, that being erected at the entrance of the Port, Ships past between its Legs; but in 66 years, by an Earthquake it was thrown down and broken in pieces: And besides the Mass of Stones contained therein, 900 Camels were laden with the Brass, which was used about it. This City bearing the name of the Island, is seated 4 miles from the ancient City, famous of old for their Government, their expert Navigations, and since for the abode of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, now in the hands of the Turk. This City and Island

of Rhodes, as indeed Tenedos, Samos, and the rest of the Isles in this Sea, are of little or no Trade; yet they are found to produce several good Commodi∣ties: And,* 1.56CYPRƲS, which amongst all is the greatest, being in circuit about 183 Leagues distant from the Cilician shoar, about 20 Leagues it stretch∣eth it self from East to West, in form of a Fleece, and thrusting forth a great many Promontories. This Island, during the Empire of the Persians and Macedonians, was accounted for Nine Kingdoms, most of them bearing the names of their principal Towns; but by Prolomy divided into these 4 Provin∣ces, viz. 1. Lapethia, 2. Paphia, 3. Salamine, and 4. Amathusia.* 1.57 Places of most note are, 1. Nicosia, the Metropolis of the Island, being a walled City, in form round, five miles in compass, adorned with stately Buildings, resem∣bling some Cities in Florence, as well for its beauty and pleasant scituation, as for its plentifulness in People. 2. Tremitas, the Birth-place of Spiridon, a fa∣mous Bishop of the Primitive times. 3. Paphos, seated near the Sea, built by Paphos, Son of Pygmalion, King of Phoenicia and Cyprus, where stands Pyg∣malions Statue; which (as the Poets feign) was by the power of Venus turned into a Woman; where she had her so much celebrated Temple, and where her Votaries of both Sexes in their natural nakedness, did perform her Sacrifices. 4. Salamis, once the Metropolitan City in the Island, but now turned to Ruins; in which there was a famous Temple consecrated unto Jupiter. 5. Aphro∣disium, so named from Venus, where she had another Temple. 6. Famagusta, though but small, yet one of the chiefest in this Island, strongly seated. 7. Ar∣sinoe, famous for the Groves of Jupiter. 8. Amathus, renowned for the An∣nual Sacrifices made unto Adonis, the darling of Venus, where she had another Temple. 9. Episcopia, where Apollo had both a Temple and a Grove. This Temple was held so Sacred, that those which touched it were thrown into the Sea.

* 1.58This Island is seated under the Fourth Climate, which makes the longest day to be but 14 hours and a half. It is exceeding rich and fertil, abounding in Corn, Wine, Oil, Silks, Cotton, Turpentine, Wool, Hony, Salt, Verdigreace, Alum, Storax, Colloquintida, Laudanum: All sorts of Metals, &c.

To this Isle, as to all other parts of Turky, no English are suffered to Trade, except those of the Company of Levant Merchants; where they have a Fa∣ctory, and a Consul, who is generally elected by the said Levant Company, and established by the Ambassador. The People are very civil to Strangers,* 1.59 delighting in Hospitality, also addicting themselves to War, being strong and active; and the Women were in former times given to unchastity, by reason of their so great adoration of their goddess Venus, it being the custom of these Women to prostitute themselves on the Shoars to Passers by; where their Virgins would do the same. But upon their receiving of Christianity, by the Preachings of St. Paul and Barnabas, being the Birth-place of the latter, this (with other of their uncivil and barbarous Customs) were laid aside.

This ANATOLIA, or ASIA MINOR, which I have hitherto treated of, is seated (for the most part) all in a healthful and temperate Air, the Soil being generally fruitful, once very populous, and replenished with many fair and goodly Cities, now lamenting the loss of about 4000, some of which by Earthquakes, but most by the Wars the Turks brought against them. The Commodities or Merchandizes which it abounds with,* 1.60 and communicates to other Nations, are chiefly excellent Wines, Goats-hair, Camels-hair, Gro∣grain Yarn, Silk, Cotton Wool, Cotton Yarn, Cloth of a course make, Coral, Gauls, though not so good as those of Syria, Grograins, Chamlets, Mohairs, Turky-Carpets, Spunges, Turpentine the best in the World; Mastick, with some other Commodities of less note which the English, French, Venetians, and Dutch fetch from hence; but chiefly from Smyrna, it being the chief Town of Trade, being a flourishing Factory, where those Nations (as hath been said be∣fore) keep their Consuls.

SOƲRIA, or SYRIA.

* 1.61SOƲRIA, formerly SYRIA the Great, and at present Soristan with the Eastern People, is near hand that which the Romans called their Diocess of the East, as may seem by our now calling it the Levant. It extends from the Mediterranean Sea, which washes its Western Coast, to the Euphrates, which on the East divides it from Diarbeck; and from Mount Aman, or Monte-Negro, which bounds it on the North, and separates it from Cilicia unto Ara∣bia and Egypt, which border on its Southern parts.

The Ancients have divided it into three principal Parts: the particular Sy∣ria, called Syria Propria, which (as the greatest and best) held the name of all Phoenicia, and Judaea or Palestine: This last stretcheth more towards the South,* 1.62Syria towards the North, and Phoenicia remaineth in the middle; and all are along the Mediterranean Sea, from Anatolia into Egypt; the particu∣lar Syria alone touches the Euphrates, the rest upon Arabia. At present the Turks divide all Syria into two Beglerbeglies, Aleppo, and Damascus; some make a third of Tripoli of Syria: and give to this last five Sangiacats, nine or ten to Damascus, and seven to Aleppo; which in all are 16 or 20 Sangiacats, whose Names and Scituations are for the most part unknown; we will content our selves to speak something of the Cities, which have been, or which yet are, the principal of all these Quarters, beginning with those of Syria.

SYRIA PROPRIA.

* 1.63SYRIA PROPRIA is bounded on the East with the River Euphrates, and on the West with the Mediterranean Sea. It is very fertil, affording plenty of excellent Fruits, Cotton-Wool, Sheep, which have Tails that weigh about 30 pounds, with several other good Commodities. The People were formerly very industrious, but much addicted to Gluttony, as did appear by their often and great Feasting; they were subtle in their dealings, much given to Superstition, being worshippers of the goddess Fortune, and other of their Syrian goddesses, much addicted to Plays and Pastimes, and given to Scoffing and Laughter.* 1.64 The chief Places in this Country are, 1. Antioch, or Antiochia, once the Metropolis of Syria, once so fair, that it held the third or fourth de∣gree amongst the best Cities of the Roman Empire. Its Walls are yet stand∣ing, and the most beautiful that Eye ever beheld; within it is nothing but Ruins. Its scituation is on the River Orontes, so called; at present Assi, or Ha∣ser, four Leagues from the Mediterranean shoar; a place of great strength, having for its Fortification an enchosure of two strong Walls, on which for their further defence were erected about 460 Towers, together with a strong Castle. The City before its Ruins being adorned with stately Palaces, Tem∣ples, &c. fit for so great a City, being formerly the Seat of some of the Roman Emperours, and of the chief Officers of their Empire in the Orient. It was the first Seat of a Patriarch, that St. Peter established, and which held in the Infancy of the Church, 1. The Diocesses of Thrace, Asia, Pontus, and the East. 2. Daphne, about five miles from Antioch, so named from Daphne, one of the Mistresses of Apollo, who was here worshipped, famous for having here his Oracle and Grove, which was about 10 miles in compass, all encompassed with Cypresses and other Trees, so tall and close together, that the Beams of the Sun could not dart through, though in his greatest power; watered with pleasant Streams, beautified with Fountains, and enriched with abundance of Trees, which yield variety of excellent Fruits, as well for tast as tincture; for its Temples dedicated to Apollo; for its Sanctuary or Asyle, and for the place where Daphne was changed into a Laurel, that it hath been compared with

the Valley of Tempe in Thessaly. 3. Aleppo, built upon four Hills, at present is the greatest and principal Town of all Syria, and one of the most famous of the East, being the ancient Hierapolis, having large Suburbs, which are for the most part taken up by Christians. It is seated between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean Sea, and in that place where that Sea and the Euphrates make the nearest conjunction, which makes it capable of the best and greatest com∣merce of the World, to wit, of all the Levant, with the West, by the passage of the Gulph of Ormus and Balsora, which brings Commodities up the Eu∣phrates, just against the City of Aleppo; from whence the Caravans bring them by Land to Aleppo, and carry them from thence to Alexandretta or Scanderoon, scituate on the Mediterranean Sea; and thence into the parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, which border upon the Mediterranean, and farther into that Ocean. This City is the ordinary residence of a Turkish Bassa, who commands all the Country from Alexandretta to the Euphrates. 4. Aman, or Ama, seated between Tripoli and Aleppo, in the midst of a great Plain, encom∣passed on all sides with very pleasant Hills, abounding in Grains, Wines, with abundance of Orchards, stored with varieties of Fruits and Palm-Trees. It is almost encompassed with the River Orontes, and with a great Lake; the Gardens are watered with many Channels, drawn from the Rivers; there are very excellent Pastures, so that Seleucus Nicanor there fed 500 Elephants, 30000 Horses, and a great part of his Militia. And to this day this City is the best peopled of all Syria, next to Aleppo and Damascus. 5. Emsa, or Hemz, seated in the spacious and fruitful Plain of Apamene, watered with many pleasant Streams, which, for its Scituation, is almost the same with that of Aman; and because the Arabes call it Hamsi, and that name comes somewhat near to Hus, some Authors will have it to be the Country of the Patient Job. 6. Ara∣dus, seated in a Rocky Island of a mile in compass, just opposite to the Mouth of the River Eleutherus, which from the Continent is distant not above a League. 7. Seleucus, so called from him, as being the Founder of it, who was esteemed the greatest Builder in the World, founding 9 Cities of this Name, 16 in memory of his Father Antiochus, six bearing the name of his Mother Laodice, and three in remembrance of his first Wife Apamia; besides several others worthy of note in Greece and Asia, either repaired, beautified, or built by him. 8. Laodicea, built by Seleucus (as aforesaid) abounding in ex∣cellent Wine, and choice Fruits. 9. Larissa, now Laris, seated four Leagues Southwards of Laodicea, much noted in the Stories of the Holy Wars. 10. Hierapolis, a City of great note in Ancient times for their Idolatry, in adoring and worshipping the Syrian goddess. The Temple was built by Stra∣tonice, wife to Seleucus, in the midst of the City, encompassed with a double Wall about 300 Fathom in height, the Roof thereof in-laid with Gold, and built with such sweet Wood, that the Cloaths of those which came thither were as it were perfumed, Without the Temple were places for the keeping of their Oxen, and other of their Beasts for Sacrifice; as also a Lake of about 200 Fathom in depth, for the preservation of their sacred Fishes. The Priests, besides other subservient Ministers, which here attended, were about 300 in number. 11. Zeugma, seated on the Banks of the Euphrates. Here it was that Alexander the Great, with his Army, passed over on a Bridge of Boats. 12. Heraclea, nigh to which Minerva had a Temple, where, for a Sacrifice, they used once a year to offer a Virgin, which afterwards was changed to a Hart. 13. Samosat, seated near the Banks of the Euphrates, over which the was a Bridge which served for a passage to Mesopotamia. In this City was born Paulus Samosatenus, Patriarch of Antioch, who, for his teaching that our Saviour was not the Son of God, was (in a Council here held) con∣demned of Heresie. 14. Palmyre, at present Faid, seated in a Desart and Sandy Plain, was built by Solomon in the Wilderness, where one their Kings Odenat, and his wife Zenobia, have been well known for their Victories, di∣vers times gained against the Parthians; and for endeavouring to gain the Empire of the East. 15. Resapha, a Town of great note in the Holy Scripture: And, 16. Adida, memorable for the Victory that Aretas, K. of Arabia, obtained against Alexander, K. of Jewry.

PHOENICIA.

* 1.65PHOENICIA hath for its Eastern and Southern Bounds, Palestine; for its Western, the Mediterranean Sea; and for its Northern, Syria Pro∣pria. This Country was adorned with several great and beautiful Cities, though of no great extent: For the most part seated on the Sea-shoar, which makes it much frequented by Merchants, there being several good Commodi∣ties found therein, as Corn, Oil, Hony, excellent Balm, &c. The People were here held to be very ingenious and active. Places, of most note are, 1. Tyre, at present Sor or Sour, seated in a Plain so advantagious, (that is, on a Rock almost quite encompassed with the Sea) that it oft disputed the Priority with Sidon, and in the end gained it. Nebuchadonozor ruined it after a Siege of 14 years; then Alexander the Great, after a Siege of 7 or 8 months. It was many times restored to its power and splendor, by means of its Purple, and of its Trade: and when it was in its glory, it might be said, That if only its sci∣tuation were considered, it was a Fortress; if its Traffick, a Mart; if its Mag∣nificence, a Royal-Court; and if its Riches, the Treasure of the Universe. The Cities of Carthage, Ʋtica, Leptis, and others in Africa, and of Cadiz in Spain, without the Streights were its Colonies. And some have adventured to say, America was peopled by them. Its Haven is likewise the best of all Phoe∣nicia, and the Levant. 2. Sidon, at present Sayd, and sometimes Sayette, hath been much esteemed in the Ancientest of times: It was built, or at least took its name from Sidon, the eldest Son of the Children of Canaan, scituate upon a Rock along the Coast of the Sea, and with a fair Port. The Neighbouring Champain is very fertil, and watered with divers Streams which descend from Libanus, with which they watered and enriched their pleasant Orchards. It hath been very famous for Arts and Sciences, and particularly for being the first Authors of Arithmetick and Astronomy; The first Inventers of Letters; the first Navigators and Builders of Ships; the first Inventers of Glasses; and the first that exercised Arms. From hence it was that Solomon and Zorobabel had their principal Workmen, both for Stone and Timber, which were employed in the building of the Temple. It hath Peopled divers Colonies; among o∣thers, Thebes in Boeotia. The Persians were the first that ruin'd it, after them others, and at last the Turks; who at present are Masters of it, as also of Tyre. The present Sidon is built somewhat West of the Old; but of small note in re∣spect to the splendor of the Old, yet still hath some Trade. The chief Com∣modities being Corn, Galls, Wools, Cottons, Cotton-Yarn, white Silk, and Wax. 3. Damascus, called by those of the Country Scham; seated in a very fruitful Plain, and begirt about with curious and odoriferous Gardens and Orchards, which abound in all sorts of pleasant and delightful Fruits: watered with the River Chrysorrhous, which sendeth forth many Rivulets; by which the whole City is so well furnished, that not only most Houses have their Fountains; but also their Gardens and Orchards receive the benefit of the cool Streams, which gently glide through them:* 1.66 The whole Country round about being enriched with plenty of excellent Vines, which beareth Grapes all the year long; as also great plenty of Wheat. A place so surfeiting of Delights, that the vile Impostor Mahomet would never enter into it, lest by the ravishing Pleasures of this place, he should forget the business he was sent about, and make this his Paradise. This City is famous, first, for her Founders, who were Abrahams Servants; next for the Temple of Zacharias, which was garnished with 40 stately Porches, and adorned with about 9000 Lanthorns of Gold and Silver, and last of all, for the Conversion of St. Paul, who here first preached the Gospel; for which he was forced to make his escape out of the House, being let down the Walls in a Basket. Josephus believeth that it was built by Ʋs, the Son of Abraham, Grandchild to Noah: However it were, after Type and Sidon began to decay, this began to be in some repute, and hath been esteemed

the chief City of Phoenicia, and sometimes of all Syria. It is beyond Mount Libanus, in respect to Tyre and Sidon; seated in a Soll so fertil and delightful, by reason of the Rivers and Fountains, that in Holy Scripture it is called a fa∣mous City, a City of Joy, a House of Delight and Pleasure; and some Authors call it the Paradise of the World. Yet hath it felt very great changes, as well as Tyre and Sidon: It hath been taken, retaken, ruined, and re-established di∣vers times, by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Parthians, Saracens, Tartars, by the Soldans of Egypt, and in fine, by the Turks, in whose hands it is at present, very flourishing and rich. The Houses of private persons are not so fair without as within; the publick Buildings are very beautiful; the Castle is in the middle of the City, built by a Florentine. 4. Serepta, seated on the Sea Coast betwixt Tyre and Sidon, memorable in Holy Scripture for the Prophet Elijah, in raising from death the poor Widows Son. Here is found excellent Wines, accounted as good as those of Grece. 5. Acre, of old Acon, and Ptolemais, is bounded with the Sea on two sides; the third is joyned to a Plain of the Continent. The City is very strong, being walled with a double Wall, fortified throughout on the out-side with Towers and Bulwarks, and in the middle of the City a strong Castle, on the top of which there was every Night set Lights, which served to direct Ships at Sea to their Port. The Plain is fertil and well watered with Streams, which descend from the Neighbouring Mountains. The Christians took, lost, and retook this place divers times, when they made War into the Holy Land; in which, none more famous than Richard the First, and Edward the First, both Kings of England. The same did likewise the Saracens; the Soldans of Egypt ruined it, and after re-built it; and at present it remains in the hands of the Turks. 6. Tripoli of Syria, (for distinction from Tripoli of Barbary) seated in a rich Plain, is at this day by some esteemed the Metropolis of Phoenicia, thought it hath three times more Ruins than whole Houses; and seated about two miles from the Sea, but not above half a mile from its Haven, which formerly served for a Port to Aleppo, but since removed to Alexandretta or Scanderone: But yet a place of some small Trade, affording Corn, Cotton-Wool, Yarn, Silk, some Drugs, Pot-Ashes, and other Commodities. The Buildings are generally low, and the Streets narrow, excepting those which lead towards Aleppo, which are fair and broad; having many pleasant Gardens, which are watered with delightful Streams, in which Gardens they keep great quantities of Silk-Worms. The Soil is excellent good, if it were well tilled; but the Air is unhealthful. 7. Biblus, now Gibbeleth, was the habitation of Ciniras, the Father of Myr∣rha, Mother to the fair Adonis; from whence the neighbouring River took its name, remarkable in the infancy of Christianity, for being the See of a Bi∣shop; but now by the Turks made desolate. And, 8. Barutt, or Beryte, a place formerly of great Trade, but now of great concourse, and much frequented by Merchants, and others; it being the Road for all those Caravans that travel from Aleppo, Damascus, and Jerusalem; to Cairo, and Mecca. It is subject to the Grand Signior. Near to this Town is that noted Valley, where (as some Authors say) St. George by killing the Dragon, which had his abode in a Cave here, redeemed the Kings Daughter, which was to be delivered to his fury.

PALESTINE.

* 1.67PALESTINE, formerly called Judaea, Canaan, or the Holy Land, is bounded on the East with Mount Hermon, so much spoken of in Holy Scripture; on the South, with part of Arabia Petraea; on the West, with the Mediterranean Sea, and part of Phoenicia; and on the North, with the Anti-Libanus, which separates it from Syria and the rest of Phoenicia. Its scitua∣tion is between the Third and Fourth Climates, which makes the longest day to be 14 hours and a quarter. So populous, that before the coming in of the Israelites, they had 30 Kings; and afterwards David numbred 1300000

Fighting men, besides those of the Tribe of Benjamin and Levi. This last and most Meridional part of Syria, which we call Palestine, first received the name of the Land of Canaan, because the Children of Canaan first seised it, and parted it amongst them; when God had promised it to Abraham and his Poste∣rity, it was called the Land of Promise; but when it fell into the hands of the Hebrews, after their return from Egypt, and that they had divided it by Tribes, it took the name of the Land of the Hebrews, under which it was governed by Prophets, Judges, and Kings; but under these Kings it was soon divided into two Realms, which they called Judah and Israel. Under the Romans it was only known by the name of Judea, or Palestine: of Judea, because that the Tribe of Judah was always the most powerful of the Twelve; and the Kingdom of Judah the most noble, and preserved it self longer than that of Israel: of Palestina, because the Philistines, which possessed a part of the Maritim Coast of Judea, were powerful, and very well known to Strangers. After the death of our Saviour Jesus Christ, all this Country was called the Holy Land.* 1.68 The People which anciently possest this Country were the Jews, being of a middle stature, strong of body, of a black complexion, goggle-ey'd, a subtle and ingenious people, and such as will live in any place, much given to Traffick, Usury, and Brokage; not lending without Pledges, and taking the forfeitures of them. Their Law or Religion was given them by God the Fa∣ther, which, with the several Ceremonies and Rites, &c. prescribed to them, may be found in the five first Books of Moses; their Synagogues are neither fair within nor without, save only adorned with a Curtain at the upper end, together with several Lamps, and in the midst is placed a Scaffold in form of a Reading-Desk, for their Priest which readeth their Law, and sings their Li∣turgy; they read in a strange tone, and sing as bad: during the time of their Service, their heads are veiled with Linnen fringed with Knots, answerable to the number of their Laws, and observing a continual motion of their body to and fro, and often jumping up, which they account for great zeal in their devo∣tion; they observe much reverence to all the names of God, but especially to Jehovah, insomuch that they do never use it in vain talk. Their ancient Lan∣guage was Hebrew; they keep their Sabbath on Saturday, in which they are very strict; they marry their Daughters at the Age of 12 years, as not affe∣cting a single life.* 1.69 This Country is so fertil in all things, that it was termed a Land flowing with Milk and Hony; adorned with pleasant Mountains and luxurious Valleys, enriched with pleasant Streams, and where the Inhabitants are neither scorched with Heats, nor pinched with Colds. To speak of all the memorable transactions that have happen'd in this Country would require a Volume by it self; I shall only run over some of the chief, and then proceed to the description of some of the Cities and Places of most note that are found therein. It is famous for bringing our Saviour Jesus Christ into the World, where he wrought so many Miracles; but infamous for their horrid action of crucifying him,* 1.70 the Lord of Life. Here it was that the Lord appeared to Ja∣cob; here, out of the Plains of Moab, the Ark was built of Sittim Wood; here, on Mount Tabor, Christ was transfigured; on Mount Moriah, Isaac was to be sacrificed; on Mount Sion was the Tower of David; on Mount Calva∣ry, as some aver, was the Burial-place of Adam, our Forefather. Here, over the Brook Kedron, David passed in his flight from Absalom; over which our Saviour, when he went to his Passion, passed: Here runneth the River of Jordan, sufficiently famous; nigh to which stood the Cities of Sodom and Go∣morrha: Here, at a place called Endor, Saul consulted with a Witch; near to Sichem, Jacob had his Wells: Here, at Ashdod, in the Temple of Dagon, the Ark of the Lord was brought, when taken; upon the entrance of which their Idol fell down: Here, at Hebron, is the Plain of Mamre, where Abraham, sit∣ting in his Tent, was visited by God from Heaven in the likeness of a Man; this City he bought for a Burial-place, for him and his Posterity, where Sarah his Wife was first interr'd: And on Mount Seir was the habitation of Esau, after his departure from Canaan. I shall cease to trouble the Reader with the mentioning of many more remarkable Passages which were here transacted,

but only refer them to the Books of the Old and New Testament, where they shall find them recorded; also great satisfaction may be received from Jose∣phus, a Book of good repute.

This Country is at present possessed by the Turks, as Masters of it, but in∣habited by Moors, Arabians, Greeks, Turks, Jews, nay, I may say with People of all Nations and Religions; But setting aside matters of History, let us proceed to say something of the principal places found herein, and first with Jerusalem.

* 1.71Jerusalem is so well known in the Holy Scriptures, that we must confess it hath been not only one of the greatest, but one of the fairest Cities in the World, being called the City of the Lord. Its Kings, High-Priests, Temple, and Royal Palaces, have made it famous even amongst the remotest people; Its circuit was onto 50 Furlongs, which are only 6250 Geometrical Paces, but so well builded, that it was capable of the receiving of 150000 Families. Its Temple and Palaces, especially those of Solomon, were the fairest, greatest, and most magnificent which ever eye beheld: Its Gates, Walls, Towers, Ditches, cut out of the Rock; and its scituation in the Mountains made it seem impreg∣nable. This City, once sacred and glorious, elected by God for his Seat, pla∣cing it in the midst of Nations, like a Diadem, crowning the head of the Mountains, the Theater of Mysteries and Miracles, was once the glory of the World; but its Pride, and other horrid Sins in the end lost it divers times. Nebuchadonozor was the first that ruin••d it; Pompey contented himself to dismantle it of its Walls, and to fill up the Ditches; Vespasian and Titus Caesar utterly razed it and destroyed in the place 1100000 People that were assem∣bled to the Pass-over; Adrian ruined likewise some Towers and Walls, which had been left to lodge the Roman Garrison; and after caused a new City to be built, partly on its ancient Ruins, and partly without them. But with the divers changes it hath since fallen under, its beauty and magnificence is quite decayed: Yet is it not so lost, but that there are several Places yet remaining worthy of note, together with several others that were since built; as on Mount Calvary, where Christ the Saviour of the World was Crucified, there is a rich, magnificent and large Temple, built by the vertuous Helena, Daugh∣ter to Coilus, a British King, and Mother to Constantine the Great, which not only possesseth the Mount, but also all the Garden below, where his Sepulchre was; and in this Temple there are several rich Structures, as one where Christ was imprisoned before his Crucifixion, another where Christ was nailed to the Cross, another where he was Crucified; also one where the Sepulchre was, the Altar of the Holy Cross, the Altar of the Scourging, the Chapel of the Ap∣parition, the Chapel of the Angels, the Chapel of the division of his Gar∣ments, the Chapel of St. Helena, who built this Temple, the Chapel of St. John, the Sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea under ground; together with several others, too long to recite. To this place there is a great resort, as well of Protestants as Papists, though for sundry ends, which brings a great Re∣venue; none being permitted to enter without paying some Mony, which the Jews here inhabiting do Farm of the Grand Signior at a large yearly Reve∣nue, and so become Masters thereof, making a great profit by shewing them to Strangers, which come hither from all Nations. Several other places are yet remaining, as the Castle of the Pisans, the Monastery of the Franciscans, the Church of St. James; the Church of St. Mark, where once stood his House; a Mosque, where stood the House of Zebedaeus; a Chapel, where stood the House of St. Thomas; the Church of the Angels, where the Palace of Annas the High-Priest stood; the Church of St. Saviour, where the Palace of Cai∣phas stood; the Court of Solomons Temple, yet remaining; but in the room of the Temple a Mosque.

Near about Jerusalem there are several places of note yet remaining, as in the way between Jerusalem and the City of Bethlem, there are the Ruins of Davids Tower, the Tower of Simeon, Bathsheba's Fountain, the Cistern of Saget, the Monastery of Elias, Jacobs House, the Sepulchre of Rachel, the Cistern of David, the House of Joseph, the Monastery of Bethlem, the Mo∣nastery

of the Holy Cross. And at Bethlehem, over the place where Christ was born, the vertuous Helena erected also another fair and goodly Temple, which is possest by the Franciscans of Jerusalem, being called by the name of St. Maries of Bethlehem. Nigh to Jerusalem is the Desart of St. John Baptist, where is yet the Ruins of a Monastery over his Cave, and the Fountain; as also the Mountains of Judah, where is the Church of St. John Baptist, the Fountain, and the House of Elizabeth, also the Sepulchre of Zachary, a part of the Pillar of Absalon, and the Cave of St. James. At Bethania, two miles from Jerusalem, is the House of Simon the Leper, the House of Laza∣rus, as also his Sepulchre, where is the Mount of Olives, where is the Sepulchre of the Virgin Mary, where Christ was often, and from whence he ascended up into Heaven.

Joppa, or Jaffa, serves for a Port to Jerusalem, from which it is 10 miles distant; and it was thither that the Wood and Stones, taken from Mount Li∣banus, and destined to the building of the Temple of Solomon, were brought by Water, and from thence by Land to Jerusalem. This is the Port where Jonah embarked to flie from the face of the Lord. From this History the Heathens made the Fable of Andromeda, and pretended to shew in the Rock, which is before the Port, the marks of the Irons, to which Andromeda was chained, and exposed to the Sea-Monster.

After Jerusalem there rests yet Gaza, now Gazere, greater and better in∣habited than Jerusalem. 1. Jericho, seated on the River Jordan, about 30 miles distant from Jerusalem. a City once of great fame, being in the time of Chri∣stianity an Episcopal See; also noted for her beautiful Palms, but especially for her Bals••mum; but now turned to Ruins, in the place whereof stands a few poor Cottages, inhabited by the Arabians. 2. Samaria, once the Seat of the Kings of Israel, hath now nothing left but the Ruins of some proud Buildings. And, 3. Sichem, now Naplouse, hath some Samaritans, and re∣mains the Capital of that Quarter, and the best inhabited, but with many Ruins; and to speak truth, there is now scarce any place of mark in all the Holy Land; whereas under the Cananites, under the Hebrews, under the Jews, there were so many People, so many Kings, so many Cities, so rich, and so powerful, that throughout the whole Continent of the Earth there was no Country might compare with it. Jerusalem is at present governed by a Bassa, and Naplouse by another, which obey the Beglerby of Damascus.

DIARBECK.

* 1.72DIARBECK, taken particularly, answers only to Mesopotamia, which is but part of the ancient Assyria; taken in general, it answers to the three parts of that Assyria, of which the particular Assyria is now called Ar∣zerum, Mesopotamia, Diarbeck, and Chaldea or Babylonia, or Yerack. The first is the most Oriental, and almost all beyond the Tygris; the second the most Occidental, and is between the Euphrates and the Tygris; the third the most Meridional, and lies on both sides the Tygris.

* 1.73This Country of Chaldea, now Yerack, is for the most part exceeding fruit∣ful, yielding ordinarily 200 fold, the blades of their Wheat and Barly being about four fingers broad, having yearly two Harvests. The People anciently were much given to Divinations, South-sayings, and Idolatry. Places of most note are, 1. Babylon, formerly Babel, the ancientest City in the World, seated on the Bank of the Euphrates,* 1.74 first built by Nimrod, and much enlarged and beautified by Nebuchadnezzar; so that it was accounted one of the nine Wonders of the World. This City was so vast, that its Walls stretcht in cir∣cumference 365 Furlongs, in height 66 Yards, and in breadth 25, scituate on both sides of the Euphrates, which also ran through the City, emptying it self into divers Rivolets; over this River Euphrates there was a stately Bridge, at each end of which there was a sumptuous Palace, beautified also with the

Temple of the Idol Bell; the whole City being adorned with fair Buildings, stately Palaces, and Temples, with a number of fair and large Streets, famous for its Tower of Babel•• which exalted it selt 5164 Paces in height, which is something above 5 miles, having its basis or circumference equal to its height. A City once esteemed the Mistress of the World, and so rich, that it is said, that Alexander at his taking it found treasured up 200000 Talents of Gold, (a Ta∣lent of our Money being esteemed at 4500 Pounds) a vast Treasure; but the sins of the People drew the wrath of God upon it; and by reason of its Inva∣sions by the Medes, Persians, and Macedonians, who subdued it, so ru••ned, that it soon lost its pristine glory and magnificence, being reduced to Ruins; out of which was raised a new City called Bagdad,* 1.75 so named from its many Gardens therein contained, but not to compare to the old Babylon, neither in largeness nor glory, being not above 7 miles in compass, but yet re∣mains to this day a place of great Trade; between which and Aleppo are found many Caravans to travel with many thousand Camels laden with rich Commodities brought from India, and elsewhere, abounding with the same Commodities as Aleppo doth. At this place they make use also of Pigeons, as they do at Alexandretta and Aleppo, which serve instead of Posts, which, when occasion serveth, as upon the arrival of Ships, Caravans, or the like, they take these Pigeons and tie an Advertisement (which they write in a little piece of Paper) about their Necks, which done, they carry the Pigeon to a high place, and toss it up, and immediately it flieth to the other place to which it is designed, which gives notice to them. The Palaces in this City most wor∣thy of note are, the Mosque, a large and rich Structure, built of Free-stone, re∣sembling Marble, in form orbicular; then the Sultans Palace adjoyning to the Buzzar, or great Market-place, is a rich, large, but low Fabrick; next the Bridge, whose passage is over Boats, which are chained together, which, upon occasion may be separated, having resemblance to that of Roan in Normandy; and lastly, its Coho-houses, which are Houses of Good-fellowship, being in the nature of Coffee-houses with us, which in this place are many, to which a great resort of People cometh to sip Coffee, which by them is highly esteemed, as indeed by most People in these Regions: 3. Balsera, the Port-Town to Bagdad, seated near the place where Tygris loses it self in the Persian Gulph; which is likewise called the Gulph of Balsora and Ormus. This City is said to have 10000 Houses, and answers to the ancient Teredon. 4. Coufa, was sometime the Sea•• of the Califfs, and near it was Ali interr'd; whence it hath likewise been called Masad-Ali, or Merat-Ali, the House of Ali; and there is always a Horse kept ready to mount Mahomet Mahadin, the Son of Almansor, the Son of Ocem, the Son of Ali, when he shall come to convert the whole World to the Law of Mahomet; for this Conversion is to begin at Coufa: but they hitherto have had, and may for the future have time enough to curry their Horse, expecting the coming of their Cavalier. 5. Orchoe, now so called, is the Ʋrchoa of Ptolomy, and Ʋr, the place of Abrahams Nativity. 6. Bor∣sippa, by Ptolomy called Barsita, famous for the great Victory which Cyrus, the first Persian Monarch, here obtained against Nabonius King of Babylon. 7. Ctesiphon, seated on the Tygris; And, 8. Sipparum, noted for the great Trench made near it, which was made to receive the overflowings of the Eu∣phrates, which was in compass 160 miles, and in depth 20 Fathoms, which was made to preserve the City of Babylon from overflowings.

Bagdad and Balsera have each their Beglerbies, and many Sangiacs; but to speak truth, sometime the Turk, sometime the Persian possesses these Quarters; the last took Bagdad in the year 1624, which the Turks regained in 1638. Fame now speaks it the Persians.

MESOPOTAMIA.

* 1.76MESOPOTAMIA, bounded on the West with the Euphrates. The Southern part of this Country is very barren and full of Desarts, scarce affording any Herbage, nor hardly so much as Trees. But as this part is so much deficient, that towards the North hath as great plenty, which makes a∣mends, abounding with great store of Corn and Wine, together with all such hecessaries as are required for the life of man.* 1.77 Place of most note are. 1. Rohai, or Orpha, which is the ancient Edesse, being 10 miles in circuit, scituate on the River Scirtas, which passes through the midst of it, not far from the Euphra∣tes into which it falls. 2. Caraemid, anciently Amida, seated near the Tygris, encompassed with a strong Wall, a Frontier Town of great strength, being much desired by the Persians; now the chief Seat of the Bassa, which governs this Country for the Turk, where the Patriarch of the Jacobite Christians also had his residence. 3. Merdin, not above 4 or 5 miles in circuit, but is ve∣ry strongly seated on a high Mountain, and having a Castle of about a mile in circumference; not far from which, in the Monastery of Saphran, is the Patri∣archal See of the Jacobite Sectaries 4. Asanchif, esteemed the Metropolis of the Country▪ yet not being of above 4 or 5 miles compass, but hath four great Suburbs well filled with Inhabitants. 5. Carra, where Crassus and the Romans were defeated, is now called Herren, or Harrar, the City to which Abraham did remove when he went towards Canada; remarkable in former times for its famous Temple, dedicated to the Moon, which was here worship∣ped under both Sexes. 6. Sumiscasack, not far from Edesse, hath its Castle seated very advantagiously. The Castle of Corna, that is pointed, is one of the most important places the Turks possess in all these quarters, being built a∣bove the place where the Tygris and Euphrates meet, to keep in awe both these Rivers: And 7. Virta, by some Authors supposed to have been built by Ale∣xander the Great, encompassed with Walls, and fortified with Towers and Bul∣warks, that it was in a manner impregnable.

ASSYRIA.

* 1.78ASSYRIA, particularly so called, hath for its Western limits Mesopotamid, and is called at this day, Arzerum. A Country very fruitful, seated in a Plain,* 1.79 and watered with several good Rivers; the People were anciently much addicted to Marshal-affairs, yet very demure in their Habit and Behaviour, not going out of their Doors without first being perfumed, adorned with Rings on their Fingers, and a Scepter in their Hands; they were much given to Bathing, and especially after Copulation. In their Nuptial Ceremonies, they never see the Woman until they are married; but when they hear a good Re∣port of a Maiden, being such as liketh them, they go to her Parents, and with them agree; which done, on an appointed time they meet in the Church, in such a part of it as is designed for that use, where there is a Partition with a Hole in it: on one side the Bridegroom and his Friends stand, and on the other the Bride and her Friends; then the Cassisse or Priest bids the Bridegroom put his hand through the Hole, and take his Bride by the hand; which no sooner done, but her Mother, or some other of her Friends, being prepared with a sharp Instrument, pricks his hand all over; and if he doth not pull away his hand when he is so pain'd, but still holds her so fast that she cries, they hold it a sign that he will love her; and if he lets her go, a sign of no great love.

* 1.80Places of most note: 1. Ninive, first built by Nimrod, and afterwards so en∣larged by several succeeding Kings, that it became at last to exceed Babylon, as well in largeness as otherwise; its Walls being in circuit 60 miles, being about

33 yards in height, and 24 in breadth; and on whose Walls there was (for further strength) 1500 Tunrets, or Towers, which made it to be thought impreg∣ble, To this City the Lord sent Jonah the Prophet, to Preach Repentance to them; but afterwards for their Sins, it was destroyed by Astyages King of the Medes, out of whose Ruins the City, 2. Mosul was ••aised, which at present is the chief City of Assyria, seated on the Tygris, most eminent for being the re∣sidence of the Nestorian Patriarch, where, are founded 15 Christias Churches. It is enclosed within a Wall, and is the residence of a Bashaw, a place much ruined, but of note for the great concourse of Merchants, this being a thorough∣fare City. 3. Schere••e zull, or Schi••hrazur, is very near to Persia, and is the Seat of a Turkish Beglerby, or Bassa, who hath 10000 Timariots under his command, for the defence and security of this Country. It is near to, if not the same as Arbela, renowned or the Victory of Alexander the great against Darius, and is said to retain its ancient name, and to be an Arch∣bishoprick of the Jacobites. 4. G••gilamela, noted for the last and greatest Battel betwixt Alexander and Darius, King of P••••sia, in which Alexander gained the Victory. 5. ••alach, built by Nimrod, being one of the Cities to which Sa••inanassar transplanted the Ten Tribes. 6. Arbela seated on the Banks of the River Caprus, by some supposed to be the place where Noahs Ark was framed: And 7. Sittace, pleasantly seated in a fruitful Soil.

TƲRCOMANIA.

* 1.81TƲRCOMANIA, or ARMENIA MAJOR, touches the Ca••∣pian Sea between Georgia and Servan; and on the Black Sea, between Anatolia and Georgia, it extends from East to West little less than 200 Le••g••e••, and from South to North, 150 answering to the great Armenia of the Ancients.

* 1.82Some divide it only into two sorts of People, the Turcomans and the Curdes; I would add at least the Armenians and the Georgians, these possessing a great part of the Country as well as the others, who are the natural and most an••••∣ent Inhabitants: for the Turcomans are esteemed to descend from Turquestan in Tartary, from whence come the Turks, and to whom they are most resert∣bling; the Curdes descend from the ancient people of Assyria, Mesopotami••, Chaldea or Babylonia; the most Easternly of these three parts being yet cal∣led by the Turks and by the Persians, Curdistan, or the Country of the Curdes: and the Georgians descend from Georgia, which is above, and contiguous to our Turcomania.

Of these four sorts of People, the Armenians are the most indurstrious and civil, addicting themselves to Merchandize, as appears by their Manufactures, especially in their rich Tapestries, Grograins, watered Chamlets, &c. with which they drive a trade; being also proper Personages and good Archers. The Turcomans apply themselves to the Field, and to look after their Flocks▪ the Curdes are almost ever on Horse-back, having much of the Arabick Na∣ture: the Georgians are the most docil, and the most peaceable. The Tarco∣mans and the Curdes are Mahometans; the Georgians and Armenians, the greatest part Christians. And the Armenian Tongue is one of the most gene∣ral in all Asia; extending it self likewise other where, and having Armenian Patriarchs and Bishops, not only in Armenia, but likewise in Anatolia, Persie••, the Holy Land, Aegypt, Russia, and Polonia.

Amongst the Ceremonies observed by the Armenians, I shall take notice of some few, as I find them in the Travels of Tavernier. They are very costly in adorning their Churches, especially the Choir and the Altar; at the cere∣mony of the Mass they light abundance of Tapers, and after the Gospel is read, several of the Noviciates, some having Bells fixed to long Sticks, and others having Copper-plates hung about with Bells, shaking and striking them one against another, together with the Ecclesiasticks and Laity, who sing, and make an indifferent harmony; during which the Archbishop and Bishops per∣forms

several Ceremonies, and says certain Prayers; which being done, having the Chalice in his hand, and the Bread upon it, he turns towards the People, who immediately prostrate themselves on the ground, beating their Breasts, and kissing the Earth, whilst the Archbishop pronounceth these words, This is the Lord, who gave his Body and Blood for you: then he turns towards the Altar, and eats the Bread dipt in Wine, (for they never drink the Wine;) then he turns again to the People with the Chalice in his hand, and they that will receive, taking the Bread from the Archbishop; and this Bread is consecrated the day before. That which is observable amongst them, they give the Com∣munion to Children of 2 or 3 Months old; and they never administer the Sa∣crament all the time of their Lent: They have four Feasts in the year besides their Lent, at which times they observe the same Ceremonies as at Lent, eat∣ing no Flesh, Fish, Butter, Eggs, or Oib for 8 days; the Feasts are Christmas, the Ascension, the Annunciation, and St Georges.

When a man designs his Son for the Priesthood, he brings him to the Priest, who puts the Cope about his Shoulders, open on both sides; after which he takes him home, and keeps him till the age of saying Mass, which is 18 years; then he goes into the Church, out of which he is not allowed to depart for a year, during which time he is employed in the service of the Church. And the Priest that is married after he hath said Mass, must be 5 days before he re∣turns home to eat, drink, or lie with his Wife.

They generally Baptize their Children on Sundays, which is performed by putting it naked into the Water, then gives it to the Godfather, anoints it in several places in form of the Cross with holy Oil, and pronounceth these words, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and sayeth several Prayers suitable to the occasion.

In their Marriages the Ceremonies are too many here to repeat:* 1.83 I shall take notice of some few. They are permitted to marry at 3 or 4 years of age; the agreement is made betwixt the Mothers, or for want of them, by the Fe∣males next of kin; which agreement the Father stands unto, and after a Ring is presented to the intended Bride, the Contract stands. The Bridegroom and Bride never seeth one another till after the Nuptial Ceremonies are ended, both riding to the Church with their faces Vailed, the Bridegrooms is a Car∣nation Tiffany, or else Gold and Silver Net-work, and the Bride with a large white Veil, which covereth her body; thus Riding, they are attended by their Relations and Friends with Tapers in their hands, also the Drums, Trum∣pets, and other Musical Instruments wait on them to the Church-door: being entred and advanced near the Altar, they lean Forehead to Forehead, then the Priest lays the Bible on their Heads (instead of a Desk) and so pronounceth the Ceremony, which is much like ours; after the Benediction they hear Mass, and so return to the House of the Bride. At their Feasting the Men sit by themselves, and the Women by their selves; the Man goeth to Bed first, and the Woman pulleth off his Breeches, but putteth not off her Veil till Candles be put out; and at all times of the year the Woman riseth first, so that the poor Bridegroom knoweth not whether he hath met with a Beauty, or a course and ill-favoured piece of flesh; but be she what she will, he must keep her.

About their Dead; the Body is washed, wherein is put some Holy-water, then it is drest with a clean white Shirt, a pair of Breeches, a Waist-coat, and a Bonnet; then it is put in a Linnen-Sack, and sewed up; then it is carried to the Church, accompanied with the Friends and Relations of the deceased, who carry in their hands Tapers, and being come to the Altar, after some Prayers are said, they leave the Corps there all Night; the next Morning the Bishop or Priest, attended as before, says Mass; several Prayers being said, and Dirges sung, the Corps is puts in the Grave, and the Bishop casts 3 handfuls of Earth in, one after another, saying, From earth thou camest, to earth thou shalt return, and stay there till our Lord comes; then the Grave is filled up, and the Rela∣tions and Friends that will, go back to the House of the Deceased, where a Col∣lation is prepared. These, with many other Ceremonies, are performed by them.

* 1.84The Air is healthful, though its temperament be cold, because of the Moun∣tains and Hills, which overspread the Country; but intermixt with fertil and and delightful Valleys, the Soil producing more Grain and Fruits than Vines; It yields Bolearmoniack, Hony, and, towards Servan, Silk, together with some Mines of Silver. The Pastures are every where excellent, and particularly for Horses, of which they make great account; for when Armenia was subject to the ancient Kings of Persia, it furnished them yearly with 20000 Horses. At present the Turk possesses the greatest part of the Country, and keeps still, or did not long since, Beglerbies at Erzerum, Cars, Revan, Van, Schildir, Tefflis, and Derbent: besides which there are many Cities of considerable note, some of which the Persians hold.

1.* 1.85Erzerum, on the Euphrates, near the black Sea, on which, and not far from Erzerum, is Trebisonde, which facilitates a great trade between the East, West, and North; for coming from the Indian Ocean by the Gulph of Ormus, and so up the Euphrates, they may receive passing by what comes from the West to Aleppo, and carry it unto Erzerum; from whence, to Trebisonde by land, is not above 25 or 30 Leagues. 2. Gars, Chars, or likewise Chissery, is four or five days Journy from Erzerum towards the East, on the River Eu∣phrates; it hath been taken and retaken divers times by the Turks and Per∣sians. The same may be said of Revan, Schilder, and Van: this last is not great, but well Walled, and with greater Ditches, and hath a Castle whose sci∣tuation is such, as renders it almost inaccessible. 3. Tefflis is likewise in some esteem at present, but much more formerly under the name of Artaxata, which Artaxias, Father of Tigranes King of Armenia, caused to be builded and fortified at the perswasion of Hannibal. 4. Derbent, of great antiquity, being supposed to have its foundation laid by Alexander the Great; who also erected that no less great than strong Castle, which is called Kastow, adjoyning to the said City, which is the greatest and most ordinary passage between Turcomania, Persia, and other Southern Provinces of Asia, to Zuire, the Kingdom of Astracan, and other more Northern Estates of Europe and Asia. Its scituation is upon the utmost Mountains, which regard the Taberestan, or the Caspian Sea: and all is so well fortified, that the Turks have took occasion to call the place Demir, or Temir Capi, or the Port of Iron: and the name of Derbent signifies a Streight Port; and in all likelyhood these are the Caspiae Portae, so famous among the Ancients; because that in the black Sea, and the Sea of Tabarestan, which is about 3 or 400 thousand Paces: It is all high, Mountainous, and hard to be passed; and if there be any passages, they are in∣famous for Robberies and Incursions, which the Inhabitants of the Countries, or the Princes which possess them, make. This City is a place of great strength, being invironed with two strong Walls, and fortified with Towers and Iron-gates, being accounted the Key or Inlet to Persia, now in the hands of the Grand Signior. 5. Bitlis, and Manuscute, belong to the Curdes, who have here many and divers Lords, better affected to the Persians than the Turks. Bitlis is between two Mountains, watered with a River, which re∣ceives many fair Fountains. The Houses are built with Stones, which is rare in that Country; others being of nothing but Wood and Earth. The Castle is seated advantagiously, but I believe this place is not now in the hands of the Turks; and to speak truth, we have at present little knowledge of any thing concerning these quarters.

ARMENIA was much better known, and more famous in Ancient time than at present, under the name of Turcomania.* 1.86 Its Bounds are very advan∣tagious, being quite encompassed with high Mountains, large Rivers, and washed by divers Seas, and seated Northwards of the Caspian Mountains, which divides it from Media, now called Servan.

* 1.87This Country is well replenished with Mountains, Vallies, Rivers, and Lakes. The Mountain Anti-Taurus divides it East and West, almost from one

extremity to the other; whose most Easternly point is called Abus, from whence the Euphrates, Tigris, and Araxes take some of their Streams. The Gordian Mountains pour forth the greatest supplies to Tigris; and the Pariardes increase most the Streams of Euphrates, Araxes, and Farza.

* 1.88Farza turns his course towards the North, and after having passed Colchida, and pressed through 100 or 120 Bridges, falls into the Euxine Sea. Araxes turns towards the East, watering the fairest and richest Plains of Armenia; and falls into the Caspian Sea between Media and Albania. Both the one and the other Euphrates descend towards the West; but approaching the Euxine Sea, it turns again towards the South; and reunites its two Channels into one, traverses the Anti-Taurus and Taurus, divides Armenia and Mesopotamia from Asia Minor, Syria, and Arabia; descends into Chaldea, where it waters the ancient Babylon, and loses it self in the Tigris. This last descends from Mount Abus, and the Georgian Mountains, falls into divers Lakes, loses it self and rises divers times out of the Earth; cuts the Mountain Niphates, separates Mesopotamia from Assyria, washes Ninive, Seleucia, Ctesiphon; receives all the branches of the Euphrates, and discharges it self in the Persian Gulph.

* 1.89The greatest Lakes of Armenia are, Thospitis, Areessa, and Lychintes; this last is towards the Araxes and the Caspian Sea: Areessa is the same that Pliny and Solinus call Arethusa. Thospitis, according to Ptolomy, is another Lake the Tigris likewise crosses; after which it loses it self the second time. The first hath its Water so, as it will take spots out of Cloaths, but is not good to drink.

* 1.90Among the Kings of Armenia, which made themselves most known to the Romans or Parthians; Tigranes, Son-in-law to Mithridates King of Pontus, hath been the most famous. This Tigranes, after having been an Hostage in the hands of the Parthians, regained his Estates by their means, in recom∣pence of which he gave them 70 Valleys, on the confines of Media and Assy∣ria; but after he knew and had gathered together his Powers, he retook all those Vallies, beat the Parthians out of them, pillaged Assyria as far as Ni∣nive and Arbela, subjected to himself a part of Media; and afterwards all Mesopotamia, Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia. But whilst he believed himself above Fortune, Mithridates his Father-in-law was divers times defeated, and driven from his Realm of Pontus by Lucullus and the Romans, and retiring himself into Armenia to his Son-in-law, his refusal to abandon or deliver him into the hands of Lucullus, drew the Romans into Armenia, where Lucullus several times defeated Tigranes, took Tigranocerta, where was his Regal Dia∣dem, and likewise in a great Set-Battel, where Tigranes had 150000 Foot, and 1000 or 1200 Horse, flew 100000 Foot, and the greatest part of his Cavalry, constraining him to yield to the Romans the Provinces of Cilicia, Syria, Phoe∣nicia, and Mesopotamia, and content himself with Armenia only; but for the present let us lay aside History.

* 1.91Ptolomy divided Armenia into four principal Parts, and allotted to the first 7 Regions or Provinces, 6 to the second, 3 to the third, and 4 to the fourth: placing in the first part 30 Cities, 27 in the second, 12 in the third, and 18 in the fourth; which are in all 4 Parts, 20 Regions or Provinces, and 87 Cities. Pliny accounts 120 Strategies in Armenia, which are the Governments or par∣ticular Jurisdictions of every Province; six for each, and one as much as the other. Armenia is not only known in prophane History, but likewise in Holy Writ. After the Deluge, the Holy Scripture makes mention, that the Ark of Noah rested upon the Mountains of Armenia: to say precisely at present which they were (there being so many in Armenia) Authors cannot agree. We only conjecture, that they must be either Abus, which ends the Anti-Taurus, or the Pariardes, or the Gordons, which are the highest in all Arme∣nia; and from whence the Euphrates, the Tigris, the Phazza or Phasis, and Araxes descend.

Now Euphrates is called Frat or Forat, the Tigris, Diglath or Digelath; these two names, Frat and Diglath, are found among the four Rivers, which Moses saith came forth from the Terrestrial Paradise: We must therefore seek this Paradise not far from hence; the difficulty is to find the other two Rivers, Phison, and Gihou.

* 1.92Almost all Authors conclude the Nile for Gehon, and the Ganges for Phison; but as the Bible describes these Rivers no us, they must descend from the same place; which the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Nile, and the Ganges cannot do. The Tigris and the Euphrates have some Springs, which are not far distant the one from the other; but those of Ganges are more than 200 Leagues, and those of the Nile more than 1500 Leagues from those of the Tigris or Eu∣phrates; and moreover those of Nile and of Ganges, are more than 2000 Leagues one from the other.

Phasis hath its heads in the same Mountain with the Euphrates, and may therefore better answer to Phison then can the Ganges. The Araxes hath its Springs in the same Mountains with the Phasis and Euphrates, and so may better answer to the Gehon than the Nile; for as for the Gehon, or Jehun, which we now know it answers to the Oxus of the Ancients; which runs be∣tween Bactriana and Sogdiana, and discharges itself into the Caspian Sea; but it hath its Springs in Mount Caucasus in India, a little on this side the Springs of the Indus, which are likewise 8 or 900 Leagues from those of Ti∣gris and Euphrates.

Since then the Tigris, Euphrates, Phazza, and Araxes, have here their Springs, we may judge that the Terrestrial Paradise was in these Mountains. The Holy Scripture saith, that it had in the midst of it a Fountain, from whence issued a River alone, which divides itself into four others, which it names Phison, Gehon, Diglath, and Fratt. It is to be believed, that this Fountain was in the midst of the World, to the end the Rivers might have a course al∣most equal to water all parts of the World. It must likewise be concluded, that this Fountain must be in some high part of the World, to the end that Ri∣vers might have an equal fall. The Mountains of Armenia are directly in the middle of our Continent: which may easily be proved by casting the eye upon the whole Continent: they are likewise the highest in the World, since they were first discovered after the Deluge, and those on which the Ark of Noah rested; and the modern names of the Rivers not being very different from the ancients, at least the three or four; I am bold to say, that if there yet remains any marks by which we may discover the place where the Terrestrial Paradise hath been, it is rather in these quarters than any other.

GEORGIA.

* 1.93A Bove Turcomania, and between the Black Sea and the Caspian, as far as Mount Caucasus, lies GEORGIA; which is divided into three or four parts, Mingrelia, Avogasia, Gurgiston, and Quiria: Avogasia is some∣times comprehended under the name of Mingrelia; and on the other side a part of the ancient Armenia passeth likewise under the general name of Georgia: Mingrelia and Avogasia together, are the same with Colchis of the Ancients, or little more: Gurgiston, to the ancient Iberia, and sometimes like∣wise to that part of Armenia, which falls under the general name of Georgia: Quiria answers to the ancient Albania.

The Georgians are docil, peaceable, lovers of Christianity, much addicted to drinking, and the stronger the Drink the better acceptable: At Feasts the Women never eat with the Men. They are great lovers of Onions and Herbs, are much addicted to Trade, are great Travellers, are very expert at the Bow and Arrow, and are esteemed the best Souldiers in all Asia.

* 1.94The Cities of Phans, or Phazza, and Savatopoli, are the most famous of Mingrelia and formerly of Colchis. Savatopoli, once Sebastopolis, and be∣fore that Dioscurias had the confluence of 300 different Nations, and different Tongues, which came hither from the North, in way of Traffick. Phazza, anciently Phasis, on the River of the same name, was the abode of Aeetes, who kept the Golden Fleece, which the Argonauts took away, after having van∣quished all those difficulties which presented themselves to their hindrance.

* 1.95I believe that this Golden Fleece was no other thing, than a Trade of Wool, Skins, and Furrs, which all the Northern People brought to Phasis, which Jason and the Greeks, among all the People of Europe were the first Disco∣verers of: And because there was great profit, and many hazards and dangers in the first Navigations, it was feigned that the Fleece was of Gold, and that it was guarded by furious Bulls; Men well armed, and a horrible and affrightful Dragon. It may be added, That Jason with the Golden Fleece brought Me∣dea with him, which after caused so many displeasures in his Family; that is, that Riches having introduced some Luxury among the Greeks, their Women became more proud and troublesom.

* 1.96Cori and Bassachiuch are the best Cities of Gurgistan: Tefflis and Derbent the fairest of that part of Armenia, which passes under the name of Georgia; Bassachiuch may answer to the ancient Artamista; Cori to Harmastis, or Ar∣mactia; Tefflis to Artaxata; and Derbent to Caspiae Portae: Bassachiuch and Cori, with some other places of Gurgistan, have their Princes, of which there are many throughout Georgia; Cori is most advanced towards the Sea, and Bassachiuch more engaged with the Mountains. Tefflis and Derbent are in the hands of the Turks, as we have said in Turcomania.

* 1.97QƲIRIA extends it self from the particular Georgia, which lies on the West and South unto Mount Caucasus, which bounds it on the North side. Some Authors divide it into two, others into three Provinces; of which the chief Cities are Stranu, Zitrach, and Chipicha; instead of Stranu: others put Zambanach; and instead of Zitrach, Gorgora; possibly these names are not different but to divers People, though they be the same places. However it be, Stranu, or Zambanach, answer to the ancient Albana, Metropolis of Al∣bania; Zitrach, or Gorgora, answers to the ancient Getara, which the Greek Text in Ptolomy writes Gagara, and both the places are on the Sea: they have been, and may possibly yet be, rich and Merchandizing. Chipicha is far∣ther up in the Land, and was the ancient Chabala.

COMMANIA.

* 1.98A Bove Georgia lies COMMANIA, little known by the Ancients, and less at present; Mount Caucasus bounds it on the South, and separates it from Georgia; the River Don or Tana is its Northern limits, and parts it from Muscovia; the Euxine or Black Sea, and the Sea of Zabaque or Tana, doth wash it on the West, and divides it from the petty Tartars: the Caspian Sea, or the Sea of Taberestan lies to the Eastward of it, and gives it Traffick and Communication with Persia and Tartaria.

* 1.99This Region may have 300 Leagues of length from the Streight of Vospero unto the River Volga, which are its extream bounds from East to West, and about 100 from North to South.* 1.100 The People pass all under the general name of Circasses, which the Polonians call Peint Zeorstki, that is, the Inhabitants of the five Mountains. They are free, having some Chiefs or Governours, and living very near after the manner of Switzers in Europe, hiring them∣selves to War, sometimes to the Turks, their Neighbours, on the Black Sea; sometimes to the Tartars or Moscovites, which are next them on the Sea of Zabaque and River Don; and sometimes likewise to the Soldan of Persia, who is their Neighbour on the Caspian Sea. They have been Christians of the Greek Churches, but with many Superstitions; at present, for want of Teachers, many let themselves fall to Mahumetism, others to Idolatry. They are warlike, nor care they for fortifying their Towns, confiding in their Arms, and in the scituation of their Country. At their Funerals, the Rela∣tions and Friends of the Deceased scarifie their Flesh, prostrating themselves on the ground, and tear their Hair. If a man have no Children by his Wife, he may take others to raise up Issue; and Women are allowed their Gallants, and the more she hath, the more she is respected; which proceeds from her

handsomness, Beauties being admired by them; and this is no disgrace to her Husband, as amongst us: and if the Man or Woman cannot agree, they are parted. The People for the generality are of an excellent Complexion, especially the Women. All the Country People are slaves to the Lord of the Village where they live, and are employed to till his ground, and other services.

* 1.101But the People of these Quarters have been much more famous formerly, under the name of Amazons; for this was their true and natural Country, from whence they came, and made their incursions into divers parts of Eu∣rope and Asia. They had Soveraignty in Colchida, in Albania, in Cappa∣docia, in Asia the Lesser, in Cilicia in Syria; and did in divers places build many fair Cities, as Themiscyra in Cappadocia, and on the Euxine Sea; Mir∣lea in Bithynia, and on the Propontick, Pytane, Myrina, and Cuma on the Coast of Aeolia; likewise Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pyrene: On the Coast of Ionia, (these two Quarters, Aeolia and Ionia, being on the Aegean Sea,) Mitelene in the Isle of Lesbos, and Paphos in the Isle of Cyprus, who made themselves known in those Wars they sustained against Hercules, near The∣miscyra; against Theseus, near Athens, whither they carried the War against the Greeks, before Troy, whither they went in favour of Hector, against the Persians, and other People, in divers occasions. Some of them made their abode at Themiscyra, others at Alope, which was afterwards called Ephesus; and others at Zeleja, not far from Troy.

To conclude, the Ancients have spoken so many wonders of them, that the least of them have passed for Fables. It may be believed, that some Estates in these Quarters being fallen under the Government of Women, their Hus∣bands being deceased, and their Children young, or for some other reason, these Women administred the publick Affairs with so much conduct and gene∣rosity, both in Policy and War, that they excelled the greatest part of Men; from whence the Greeks, according to their ordinary custom, took occasion to speak things not only beyond the Truth, but all that came nigh to Truth. And so much for Turky in Asia.

• ARABIA, which may be consider∣ed in
  • LAND, with its three Parts, as they lie
    • Between the RED-SEA, and Gulph of BALSERA and ORMUS; as, HYAMAN, GEMEN, or ARABIA the HAPPY.
      • Medina,
      • Chaibar,
      • Algiar,
      • Egra,
      • Soquia,
      • Mecca,
      • Ziden,
      • Nageran,
      • Dhafar,
      • Magara,
      • Zerzer,
      • Cubid,
      • Gilan,
      • Zibith,
      • Sanaa,
      • Mechlaf Atherda,
      • Aden,
      • Abin,
      • Odeida,
      • Laghi,
      • Almacharama,
      • Saada,
      • Fartach,
      • Agiaz,
      • Caxem,
      • Gubit,
      • Dolfar,
      • Pescher,
      • Nerbante,
      • Guebelhaman,
      • Alibinali,
      • Calhar,
      • Cor,
      • Tybi,
      • Dayma,
      • Curiac,
      • Spalheiro,
      • Cueva,
      • Cerique,
      • Hor,
      • Calajaoe,
      • Mascates,
      • Sohar,
      • Orfacan,
      • Doba,
      • Mocandon,
      • Mirabat,
      • Masfa,
      • Syr, or Sour,
      • Mascalat,
      • Jemen,
      • Zirisdin,
      • Lalach,
      • Elcatif,
      • Bahar,
      • Ahso,
      • Manabon,
      • Fararan,
      • Jamama,
      • Borani.
    • Near PALESTINE, or the HOLY LAND; as, BARRAAB, or ARABIA the STONY,
      • Madian,
      • Medava,
      • Sur,
      • Thara,
      • Herat, of old Petras,
      • Moab,
      • Bussereth,
      • St. Catherine.
    • Near CHALDEA, and the EUPHRATES; as, BERIARA, or ARABIA the DESART,
      • Anna,
      • Mexat-Ali,
      • Mexat Ocem,
      • Sumiscasac,
      • Sukana,
      • Faraa,
      • Kadhema,
      • Anna,
      • Abadon,
      • Tangia,
      • Thaalabia,
      • Remala,
      • Maaden Alnocra.
  • ISLES ad∣jacent, as they lie
    • In the PERSIAN GULPH, or GULPH of BALSORA, and ORMUS; as,
      • Baharem, Manama.
      • Oulximi.
      • Cori.
      • Tome.
      • Andrani.
      • Quaro.
    • In the SOUTHERN OCEAN; as,
      • Mazira, Mazira.
      • Curia.
      • Muria.
    • In the RED-SEA, or Sea of MECCA; as,
      • Tincce.
      • Camaran, Camaran.
      • Decor.
      • Zaiban.
      • Turach.
      • Muchi.
      • Monte Marzoan.
      • Genaman.
      • Chifale.
      • Cajas.

[illustration] map of Arabia

••ENERALL Mapp of ARABIA, with the Red Sea and Circumiacent Lands, Designed by Monsieur Sanson.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms of the Brouncker viscounts

To the R^t. Honorable William Viscount Brouncker of Lyons, and Baron Brouncker of New Castle in the Kingdome of Ireland. This Mapp is humbly DD. by R.B.

ARABIA.

* 1.102ARABIA hath for its Eastern Limits, the Persian Gulph and Chal∣dea; for its Southern, the Ocean; for its Western, the Red Sea and some part of Egypt; and for its Northern Limits, the River Euphrates, together with some part of Palestine.

Arabia, hath been well known both to the Ancients, and at present. They commonly divided it into three parts: Baraab,* 1.103 or Arabia the Stony, which lies near the Holy Land; Berjara, or Arabia the Desart, near to Chaldea and the Euphrates; Hyaman, or Gemen, or Arabia the Hap∣py, which advances it self between the Red-Sea, which separates it from Afri∣ca and the Gulph of Ormus, which divides it from Persia, into the Indian O∣cean. And this part is the greatest, the richest, and best inhabited of all.

* 1.104Arabia the Stony hath for its chief places, 1. Petra, now called Herat, which signifies a Rock, whereon it was built with an advantagious scituation; a place of great strength, and much noted as well in prophane History as Holy Writ. 2. Bostra, now called B••sesereth, rebuilt after its former Ruins by Au∣gustus Caesar; a City of great Antiquity, and memorable for being the Birth-place of Philip, one of Alexanders Successors, who was the first of the Ro∣mans Emperours which embraced Christianity. 3. Medava, now Moab, ac∣cording to the Translation of the Septuagint; and being so, the name may be taken from Moab, Son of Lots eldest Daughter, from whence the Moabites descended, of whom mention is made in the Old Testament. 4. Berenice, so named from an Aegyptian Queen, but better known by the name of Esion-Geber; here it was that the Children of Israel did encamp; where also those Ships employed by Solomon to Ophir, did make their ordinary Harbour. 5. Sur, one of the chief Cities of the Amalekites, giving name to a Wilder∣ness there adjacent, remarkable for the great Victory which Saul gave the Amalekites, where also the Children of Israel first encamped after their passage through the Red Sea. 6. Thara, where Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were punished: And, 7. Madian, seated towards the Red Sea, being the City of Jethro, whose Daughter Zipporah, Moses took to wife.

* 1.105Besides these Cities there are some others, yet the Country is for the most part Desart, and is the same where the Children of Israel wandred 40 years; there, where then inhabited the Moabites, Amalekites, Midianites, Idumae∣ans, and others; there, where are the Mountains of Sinai and Horeb. The Israelites being in these Desarts, lay a whole year near this Mountain, and du∣ring that time Moses received from God the Decalogue, dedicated the Taber∣nacle, ordained a High Priest, Priests and Levites, and established Ecclesiasti∣cal and Political Laws. There is at present a Monastery of St. Katherine, built by Justinian,; and all sorts of Pilgrims are received by the Caloyers, that is, Religious Greeks which inhabit there. The Burning Bush, in which God appeared to Moses, was near Mount Horeb. The Rock which Moses struck to have Water, was of this Mount; and likewise on this Mountain it was that Moses besought God for the Israelites against the Amalekites: also Mount Hor, bordering on Idumea, where Aaron died.

On the Coast of the Red Sea is the Castle Tor, a Borough or Walled Town, and a Port very famous, where it is believed, that the Israelites having passed the Red Sea, entred the Desarts this way: And it is likewise a great Passage, where the Caravans stop at their return from Mecca.

* 1.106ARABIA the Desart, so called by reason of the vast Sandy Desarts; and the uninhabitableness thereof, scarce affording either food for Man or Beast; so that those which travel this Country are forced to carry with them their Provision, and guide themselves to the place design'd by the help of Stars, as they do at Sea; and are forced to go in great Companies or Caravans, for fear of being robbed and rifled by the wild Arabs (who here inhabit in Tents, which they remove as occasion serveth from place to place, either for fresh Pa∣sture, or otherwise,) and yet much travelled by Merchants, who Trade into Babylonia, Egypt, and elsewhere. Some Authors have observed in the course of their Trade, that the Sandy Desarts are their Seas, the wild Arabs their Pirates, and their Camels their Ships; each Camel carrying 600 or 1000 pound weight.

* 1.107The People are much addicted to Theft, by which they get their chief li∣ving, being stout and warlike Men, and not Tilling the Earth, and planting Fruits, Plants, or the like; their chief food being Venison, Milk, Fowls, and Herbs. They go half naked; their Wives they hire for what time they please, who in way of a Portion bring a Tent and a Spear to their Husbands. Both Sexes are much given to Carnal lusts, and when Women are delivered of a Child, they leave it without troubling themselves with it.

* 1.108There are found in Arabia the Desart two Cities of the name of Anna or Anua, one on the Euphrates, and the other on the River Astan, not far from the Gulph of Balsora: this last is least famous; the other is the most conside∣rable of the Province, seated both on the one and the other Bank of the Eu∣phrates; but the greatest part and the richest is on the Arabian side. There is in all about 4000 Houses, which have been much ruined in the late Wars be∣tween the Turks and Persians. The City contains divers Isles, on one of which is a Castle. At Suskanna, a Borough upon the great Road between Anua and Aleppo, Texera saith, That the Women are as fair as Angels; if he had like∣wise said as wise, and had spoken truth, all Men from the four Corners of the World had been obliged to go to seek them. 3. Mexat Ali, that is, the Ora∣tory of Ali, had once 6 or 7000 Houses, when the Sect of Ali bore sway in those quarters: there remains at present not above 500 Inhabitants. 4. Mexat Ocem, that is, the Oratory of Ocem, is not walled, nor hath above 4000 Houses. Saba, now Simiscasac, according to the opinion of Guillandin, is the place from whence the Three Wise-men departed to go to Bethlem, to adore the Saviour of the World.

This Arabia the Desart, according to some, hath divers Lords, which com∣mand it, and which for the most part are Vassals or Tributaries to the Great Turk; who holds likewise a part. But these People being more inclined to the Mahometan Sect of Ali, which is that of the Persians, than to that of Omaz, which is that of the Turks, are more affectionate to the Persians than to the Turks; and some of these Lords likewise hold of the Persians.

Others give all Arabia the Desart to one King, and will have the City, or rather the Court of that Prince, to have a wonderful disposition and scituation; and that the Prince can make it all a March or Walk when and as often as he pleases, which is still by going thither where they may best find food for their Horses and Camels; and they say, that the place being chosen, they dispose the Quarters and Streets after the ordinary manner: and at the same time pitch all the Tents; that of the Prince in the midst, and the others about al∣waies in the same fashion; that part which is towards the North, South, East, or West never changing. And the Quarters and Streets have their Names and their Tents in the same form; insomuch that who once knows the order, may easily find any which inhabit therein.

This moving City, or rather this Court Errant, contains not only the Militia of the Prince, which are above 2000 Men, but likewise a great number of their Nobility, Merchants, Artizans, and divers Strangers which follow this Court.

* 1.109ARABIA the Happy is a great Peninsula, which stretcheth it self from the Mountains which divide it from the other two parts of Arabia to the O∣cean, being 3, 4, and in some places 500 Leagues long and broad. The Gulph

of Balsora, and Ormus, otherwise the Persian Gulph, washes it on the left side; the Red Sea, or Sea of Mecca, otherwise the Arabian Gulph on the right; and the Oriental or Indian Ocean, which is there called the Sea of Arabia on the Front.

* 1.110Arabia the Happy may aptly be so called by reason of the fruitfulness and richness of the Soil, which produceth plenty of Corn, Wine, Fruits, Odorife∣rous Spices, great increase of Cattle; also abounding in Gold, Pearls, Balsom, Myrrhe, Frankinsence, several sorts of Drugs, together with divers useful and beneficial Commodities. Also seated in an exceeding healthful and tem∣perate Climate, and inriched with many pure and pleasant Streams and Foun∣tains, whose Waters are Medicinal.

* 1.111These People are very faithful and punctual in their Promises, boasting of their Nobility, as being descended from Jupiter; hating any base or mecha∣nical Art, but applying themselves, some to grasing of Cattle, and others to Merchandize. Here it is held Adultery for a Man to enjoy any Woman, save those of his own Kin, as his Sisters, Mother, Cousins, and the like; whom also they take as Wives. Here in this Country are great quantities of Ostriches, which for the most part abide in the Desarts.

The Ancients mentioned a great number of different People, Cities, and Kingdoms; and we at this day find the same. The Turks possess one part, the Persians another, but much less than the Turks. The Sultan, or Xecque or Mecca, another; and divers Princes, People, and some Republicks, the rest.

* 1.112Its chief Cities towards the Red Sea are, Medina, or Medina-Elnabi, or Talnabi, that is, the City of the Prophet; and Mecca: this last the Birth-place, that the Burial-place of Mahomet. Medina, though scituated in a bar∣ren and desolate place, adjoyning on Arabia the Stony; yet by reason of its being the Sepulchre of that vile Impostor Mahomet, is become a fair City (though not containing above 6000 Houses) being a place of great Trade and resort, by reason of the Pilgrims which hither flock to pay their blind Devotion. This Sepulchre or Tomb, wherein their Prophet lieth,* 1.113 is enclosed within an Iron-Grate, and covered with Green Velvet, having the supply of a new one every year from the Grand Signior, and the old one being the Fees of the Priests, they cut into little shreds and pieces, which they fell for great Relicks to the Pilgrims, which brings a great Revenue to them. In this Tem∣ple there are about 3000 Lamps of Gold and Silver, wherein is Balsom, and other such rich Odours, Oyntments, and Oils, which are continually kept burning. Thus much for his Tomb: now a word or two concerning his Life.

He was (as I said before) born at Mecca, distant from Medina about 60 Leagues, seated also in a barren Soil; but of great resort and Traffick, abound∣ing in the Commodities of Persia and India, which from hence are trans∣ported on Camels to Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and other parts of the Turks Dominions. The City is very fair, filled with about 6 or 7000 well built Houses, having a very sumptuous Temple; the place not Walled, except by Mountains, between which there are four passages, which give entrance and issues to the City. Here it is made death for any Christian to approach within five miles. But to proceed:* 1.114 The Father of this Impostor was an Idolatrous Pagan, and his Mother as perverse a Jewess; at the age of two years he was left to the tuition of his Uncle, who after he had kept him to the age of 16 years, to quit himself of further charge and trouble, sold him to the Ish∣maelites, who in their Markets sold him again to a rich Merchant; who at first was employed about servil work, till at last the Merchant perceiving him to be of so ripe a wit and solid judgment, advanced him from his Kitchin to be his Factor, sending him with his Camels laden with Merchandize, into Egypt, Persia, Syria, and other places; in which he was so fortunate, that he gained his Master a great Estate, together with no small fame and credit to himself. He was of personage low, but comly, with which his Mistress was so much taken, that upon the death of her Husband, his Master, she soon married him, and endowed him with her wealth. He was much troubled with the Falling-sickness, which he said were Heavenly raptures, in which he had conversion

with the Angel Gabriel; he was well skill'd in Magick, by which he taught a white Pigeon which he kept to feed at his Ear, where he put Barly-corns; and this Pigeon he reported was the Holy Ghost, which instructed him in the Law he afterwards published, which was a new Religion, whereby he might bring the Jews, Gentiles, and Christians into one form of Religion; where, in a Cave not far from Mecca, with the help of Sergius a Nestorian Monk, and the aid of a certain Jew, he made the Alcoran; a Book so highly adored by them, that on the Cover is written, Let none that are unclean touch this Book, 3. Ziden, seated on the Red Sea, and in the midst of all the Coast of Arabia, serves for a Port to Mecca, from which it is distant 40 miles; well built, rich, and of great resort, which hath been walled and fortified since the Portugals have made themselves known, and are become powerful in the East. 4. Egra, by the Arabians called Algier; seated on the Red Sea, serving for a Port-Town to Medina, from which it is distant about three days Journey.

Mecca, Medina, and a good part of Arabia the Happy doth belong to Xeriff, descended from Hascem, great Grandfather to Mahomet, and for this reason both the Turks and Persians do much respect him, suffering him freely to enjoy his Estates without his paying Tribute to either: for on the contrary, the Turk causeth to be given him a third part of the Revenues of Egypt, that the Pilgrims which go to Mecca may be protected against the Arabs Beduins, who by their incursions much trouble those quarters; and not only Pilgrims, but likewise Emperours, Kings, and Mahometan Monarchs, often make him great Presents. 5. Zibit, near the Mouth of the Red Sea, is fair, rich, well built, and of a good Trade in Drugs, Spices, Perfumes, &c. It was once the Seat of a Kingdom till the Turk seized it, when he did Aden, causing the King of this place to be hanged at the Yards-arm of his Ship, and the others head to be strucken off. Seated nigh the Red Sea in a large Plain, being the residence of the Turkish Beglerbeg.* 1.115 6. Aden is the strongest, fairest, and most pleasant City of all Arabia, enclosed with Walls towards the Sea, and Mountains to∣wards the Land. On the top of these Mountains are many Castles of a curious prospect; it hath about 6000 well built Houses, and inhabited by a miscellany of People, as Arabians, Turks, Indians, Persians, and Ethiopians, which here reside for the benefit of that great Trade, which is here driven from several parts of the World. It is scituate without the Red Sea, at the beginning of the great Ocean, and by the industry of the Inhabitants is made an Island, fortified with a strong Castle, which commands the Road. This City or Island is now become the Magazine for the Commodities of India, Persia, and Arabia.

* 1.116Above Aden, and farther in the main Land, are many fair Cities, as Laghi, Agiaz, Almachazane, Sanaa, and others, subject to the Xecque of Mecca. Laghi is not far from the Sea; Agiaz, or Hagias, sometime gave its name to these quarters. Almachazane is seated on the top of a very high Mountain, and of a difficult access; it hath a Cistern capable to hold Water to furnish a 100000 Men: The Xecque ofttimes keeps Court here. Sane, or Sanaa, stands at the foot of a Mountain, and is one of the greatest, fairest, and strongest of Arabia, having many Vineyards, Meadows, and Gardens within its Circuit. Its Houses are well built, its Vineyards and Gardens well cultivated, its Walls 10 Cubits high, and its Ramparts 20 Cubits thick. Its Territory is watered with many Fountains, produceth excellent Fruits, and feeds the best Horses of Arabia.

* 1.117Towards the East, and almost 150 Leagues from Aden, is Fartach, a King∣dom and City near the Sea, and having a Cape of the same name. The Tar∣quins are valiant, and their King defends himself couragiously against the Turks, having seen their treatment to his Neighbours of Aden and Zibit. The Ports of Dolfar, (which is the Turks) and Pescher, are the most renowned of this Coast, and send forth the best Frankinsence of Arabia in great quan∣tity. Higher on the Coast, and farther on the Land, are the Cities and King∣doms, or as they call them, the Sultanies of Gubel haman, Alibmahi, Ama∣zirifden, and others.

* 1.118The rest of the Coast unto Cape de Raz-al-gate is very barren; from Cape de Raz-al-gate unto that of Moccandon, the Soil is the best of all Arabia; and some would here alone confine the name of Hyaman, which signifies Hap∣py. There are here many fair Cities, both on the Sea-coast and higher in the Land; one of chief Traffick between the East and Arabia the Happy, was formerly called Sohar; but this Trade was after transported to Ormus on the Persian side. In our time it was restored to the Arabian side, to wit, at Mas∣cates held by the Portugals: Sohar and Mascates are between the Capes of Raz-al-gate, and Moccandon, and are not above 20 Leagues distant from each other. Within the Land are Masfa, a City and Kingdom, Mirabat, Sour, or Lyr, and others.

Beyond the Cape Moccandon, and advancing towards the Mouths of the Ti∣gris and Euphrates, among many other places we have Elcatif, or El-Catif, a famous Port, and which communicates its name to the adjacent Gulph, which the ancients called Sinus Bersicus, and we at present the Gulph of Bal∣sora and Ormus.

Near Elcatif is Bahar, whose Territory is called Bahareim, or Baharem; and the Isle and City before Baharem, farther in the land, is Mascalat, a City and Kingdom; Jemen, likewise a Kingdom and: City, according to some; Lazach, or Lassach, likewise a Kingdom and City; where are of the best Horses of Arabia, as at Sanaa. Lassach, Elcatif, and some other are the Turks; Elcatif is the ancient Gerra, and that part of the Gulph nearest the City called Gerraticus Sinus, and the Isle of Barem is the ancient Tylos.

There yet remains some Cities, of which some have their Kings or Sul∣tans▪ others live in Republick, which is very rare in Asia.* 1.119 Towards the mid∣dle of Arabia are the Arabs Bengebres, a free People, and which live only of the Prey and Tribute they force from their Neighbours; yet possess they 200 or 250 Leagues of Country, and are for the most part in the Mountains. The Beduins towards Mecca are of the same nature.

Bound about Arabia are a great number of Isles which belong unto it, which are dispersed either in the Southern Ocean, Red Sea, or the Persian Gulph.

* 1.120In the Southern Ocean are found three Isles, which bear the name of COCCONATI, seven by the name of ZENOBII, and two by the name of Insulae AGATHOCLIS; and lastly, CƲRIA and MƲRIA, where there is found white Tortoises, whose Shells are great curiosities.

* 1.121In the Red Sea these Islands; 1. CANARAN, very hot, but fruitful. 2. DALAQƲA, being the largest of all, in length 125 miles, and not above 12 broad, having a City of the same name, where they gather Pearls; And, 3. and lastly, the Samaritan Islands.

* 1.122In the Persian Gulph these Islands are found: BAHAREM, the most fa∣mous, because it hath the Pearl-fishing, the best in the Oriental parts. This Isle is between Balsora and Ormus, about a 100 or 120 Leagues from Balsora, and 150 from Ormus: It is near the Coast of Arabia, and directly opposite to the Coast of Elcatif, which is the Turks; but the Isle of Baharem, which is still the Persians, once belonged to the Kingdom of Ormus. The Waters here are almost all salt; but near Manama, the Capital City of the Island, there are Springs of Fresh-water at the bottom of the Sea, which the Divers go and fetch, gathering it into Borracho's or Goats-skins, with much cunning, and bringing it forth of the Sea, do afterwards sell it. The Pearls of this Isle are very much esteemed, both for their largeness and roundness; and this fishing is yearly worth 500000 Ducats, besides the value of 100000 and more, which is diverted. Those of the Isle of GIONFA are of no great value: those of the other neighbouring Isles are less; except it be at MASCATES, 60 Leagues from Ormus. They fish here all June, July, and August; if they begin sooner the Pearls are unripe, and not hard enough.

The Air of all Arabia is very healthful, but not; nor Rains it in some places above twice or thrice in 3 or 4 years: but the abundance of the Dew makes their Fruits excellent.

* 1.123The People for the most part are of a mean stature, lean, swarthy complexi∣oned, effeminate voices, very swift of foot, and expert in the Bow and Dart. They first exercise themselves in Manufactures, using all sort of Trade and Traffick far off; and some addict themselves to Learning, particularly to Phi∣losophy, Physick, the Mathematicks, and to Astrology; there have been amongst them many Grammarians, Rhetoricians, Historians, and Interpreters of the Alcoran, which is in their Tongue, and which hath made the Arabick Lan∣guage spread itself through all the East, at least in the most Southerly parts of Asia, and part of Africa, but little in Europe.

Those which range the Country are great Wanderers, and greater Thieves; they are divided into many Families, which know each other, and how to di∣stinguish the one from the other. Every Family, how numerous soever it be, hath a principal Xecque, that is, a Chief, which conducts and commands them, they living almost in the same manner as the 12 Tribes of Israel did in the Desarts: They preserve a good Intelligence amongst themselves, their chief design being only upon Strangers. They assault likewise the Caravans, if they think themselves able enough to master them, or snatch any thing from them.

Their Horses commonly are little, lean, and sparing Feeders; yet couragious, swift, and of great labour: They are so skilful in managing them, that they command them as they please; and themselves are so active, that at full speed they will shoot an Arrow within the breadth of a Shilling, take from the ground those Arrows they have shot, and avoid an Arrow flying directly to∣wards them; nor do they manage less skilfully the Sling, either in charging, retiring, or flying.

* 1.124Mahomet came not into the World till about the year 570 after Christ, and began not to publish and shew abroad his Doctrine till a little after the year 600; a Doctrine intermixed with Christianity, Judaism, and Paganism, that he might draw both the one and the other; and which established its principal end in Delights, carnal and sensual Pleasures, whereto the Oriental People were very much inclined; and withal he found the means to make use of Arms for the establishment of this Doctrine; his Califs or Successors in a short time carried their Government and Religion into the best parts of Asia and Africa, and into some places of Europe.

Its People are almost all Mahometans. There are some Greek Christians to∣wards the Mounts of Sinai and Horeb; likewise towards the Red Sea, and in the Desarts of Arabia the Stony, and Arabia the Desart. Arabia the Happy is unhappy in having the fewest; yet the Portugals hold Mascates, Calasates, and some places about it, which are Catholicks.

• PERSIA, or the Em∣pire of the SOPHY of PERSIA, with its se∣veral Pro∣vinces, as they lie
  • Towards the CASPIAN Sea, or Sea of BACCU and SALA, which makes the Northern part of PERSIA; and are those of
    • Servan,
      • Tauris,
      • Sammachi,
      • Servan,
      • Ardevil,
      • Serga,
      • Bacca,
      • ••••k••era.
    • Gilan,
      • Rast,
      • Gaxhar,
      • Mazandaran,
      • Layon,
      • Mosun,
      • Gilan,
      • Cassabi,
      • Gadiour.
    • Dilemon,
      • Allamoed,
      • Dilemon,
      • Thalekan.
    • Tabarestan,
      • A••••er••••ad,
      • Zar••••••••••,
      • Mag••••••••n.
    • Gorgian,
      • Gorgian,
      • Ob••••oen,
      • Dar••egan,
      • Semnan.
    • Rhoemus,
      • Bestan,
      • B••y••••,
      • Zabrawar,
      • Thous,
      • Mas••ndn,
      • Feraway.
  • In the MIDDLE; to wit, those of
    • Churdistan,
      • Naksivan,
      • Merend,
      • Choy,
      • Maraga,
      • Salmas,
      • Ourmaya,
      • Cormaba.
    • Ayrack, or Yerack-Age∣mi,
      • Hispahan,
      • Casbin,
      • Saltania,
      • Dankane,
      • Hamadan,
      • Hrey,
      • Sauwa,
      • Kom, or Com,
      • Kargh,
      • Cassian,
      • Yesd.
    • Chorasan,
      • Thabs Gilack,
      • Kayem,
      • Thon,
      • Zuzan,
      • Mexat,
      • Nichabour,
      • Zarchas,
      • Firabad,
      • Maruwe,
      • Bonregian,
      • Balch,
      • Herat.
    • Sablestan,
      • Zarang,
      • Bost,
      • Necbesaet,
      • Gisna-Cassaby.
    • Tocharestan, — Thaalan.
    • Candahar, — Candahar.
    • Patanes, — Grees.
    • Bach, — Balch.
  • Towards the South, and washed by the ARA∣BIAN, or INDIAN Ocean; and by the Gulph of BALSORA and ORMUS; and are those of
    • Chusistan,
      • Souster,
      • Askar Moukera••,
      • Ardgan,
      • Hawecz,
      • Ramhormoz,
      • Siapour,
      • Saurac.
    • Fars,
      • Chiraef,
      • Aftackar,
      • Lar,
      • Darabegred,
      • Stahabonon,
      • Gombroun.
    • Kherman,
      • Cherman,
      • Girost,
      • Zirgian,
      • Mocheston,
      • Guadel,
      • Nahyan,
      • Patanis.
    • Sigistan, — Sistan.
    • Mackeran,
      • Mackeran,
      • Basir.
  • Together with several ISLES, as they lie in the Gulph of BALSORA, and nigh unto PERSIA; the chief among which are,
    • Ormus, — Ormus.
    • Queixome.
    • Pulor.
    • Coyar.
    • Ficor.
    • Lar.
    • Mulugan.
    • Garge.

PERSIA.

THe Kingdom or Empire of the Sophy of the PERSIANS is one of the most famous and greatest of all Asia; it extends it self from the Tigris and Euphrates on the West, almost to the River Indus on the East; and from the Gulph of Persia and the Arabian and Indian Sea, which bounds it on the South, unto the River Gehon, and to the Caspian Sea, now the Sea of Baccu, or Tabarestan, which are its Northern limits;* 1.125 so containing about 600 Leagues of length, and 500 of breadth, being seated under the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth Climats. Nevertheless this is but a part of the ancient Empire of the Persians; for the Assyrians having ordinarily held in Asia all that which both Turk and Persian at present possess; and that Monarchy having begun under Ninus, and lasted under thirty and odd Kings 13 or 1400 years, ending in Sardanapalus, divided itself into that of the Medes and Babylonians, who continued it little less than 300 years, afterwards the Persians made themselves Masters of it: and these during 200 and odd years, which they Reigned, remitted to it the best part of what the Medes and Babylonians had possessed. But when they would have passed into Europe, and have seized on Greece, the Macedonians and Greeks leagued themselves together,* 1.126 and naming Alexander King of Mace∣don their Chief, descended into Asia, several times defeated Darius, ruined the Empire of the Persians, and gave a beginning to that of the Mace∣donians.

Alexander the Great held this Empire but few years, and dying, it was di∣vided among many of his Captains; who took in the end the title of Kings, and waged War against each other, till the Romans seized the Western, and the Parthians the Oriental part of that Monarchy; these Parthians freed them∣selves from the Rule of the Macedonians 250 years before the Birth of Jesus Christ, and Reigned near 500 years. Artaxerxes restored the Persians 228 years after Christs Nativity. The Caliphs of Bagdat became Masters about the year 650. The Tartars in 1257, or 58. The Turcomans in 1478. Xa, or Xecque Ismael-sophy re-established the Persians, a little after the year 1500; and though they possess only the Oriental part of the ancient Empire of the Persians, yet it is still very great and powerful.

* 1.127And we find at present under it, all that the Ancients knew under the names of Media, Hircania, Margiana, Assyria in part, Parthia, Aria, Paraponisa, Chaldea, or Babylonia in part, Susiana, Persia, Caramania, Drangiana, Ara∣chosia, and Gedrosia; all these Regions taken apart being great, fair, rich, and populous.

* 1.128The Province of SERVAN hath for its principal City, 1. Tauris, being the Summer-Seats of the Persian Sophies, containing in Circuit about 16 Miles, and including above 150000 Inhabitants, before its being so often taken, and re∣taken by the Turks and Persians. It is strongly fortified, seated about six days Journey from the Caspian Sea, in a cool and wholsom Country, and encom∣passed with several great Towns of note, famous for their Manufactories. The People in this part being more addicted thereunto, than unto the Sword. The Commodities that are here found,* 1.129 are Silk, raw, and in several Manu∣factures; Cottons, Wool, Galls, Alum, some Spices and Drugs, with several other Commodities. 2. Sammachi; And, 3. Servan, once both the Metropolis

[illustration]

[illustration] map of Persia

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms of the Courtenay baronetcy

To y^e Right Worshipfull S^r: William Courteney of Powderham Castle in Devonshire Bar^t. This Mapp is Hu-mbly didicated by RB

A MAPP OF THE EMPIRE OF THE SOPHIE OF PERSIA, WITH ITS SEUERALL PROUINCES. Designed by Monc^r. Sanson Geographer to y^e French King.

Metropolis of this Province, abounding in Silk and excellent Carpets, to which the People are wholly addicted. 4. Ardevil, was the Signory and Birth-place of Xeque Aidaz, Father Ismael-sophy, who restored this Empire to the Per∣sians about the year 1500. Here are many Tombs of the last Kings of Persia. 5. Bocca, a place of so great trade, that the Caspian Sea oft takes its name: Near the City there is a Spring of Black Oil, which serves to burn throughout all Persia.

* 1.130The Province of GILAN, or GƲEYLAN, contains five Governments, of which the chief Cities are Rast, Gaxhar, Layon, Gilan, Mosun, and Gadiour, besides about 30 fair and rich Cities; Mazandaran, which some separate from, others joyn to Gilan, hath in its Government 25 Cities, and in the City of Mazandaran about 50000 Souls. All these quarters would have revolted in 1594. but Xa Abbas soon brought them to their duty, and chastised them for their offence.

* 1.131The Province of DILEMON hath its Metropolis of the same name; then Allamoed, Gowar, and Thalekan. In the description that those of the Country give us of these places, Allamoed seems to answer to Dilemon.

* 1.132The Province or TABARESTAN extends more than 60 Leagues on the Coast of the Caspian Sea, which is often called TABARESTAN from the name of this Province. It stretches 100 Leagues up the Land, containing in its Territory 12 fair Cities; of which Asterabad, or Starabat, which hath something of common with the name of the Province, is the principal; then Maglasen, Zariach, and others: this Country affords quantity of Silk.

* 1.133The Province of GORGIAN touches not the Sea, the chief City is of the same name; then Obscoen, Damegan, and Semnan. Gorgian answers to the ancient Hircania Metropolis.

* 1.134The Province of RHOEMƲS is in the East of TABARESTAN and GORGIAN: Its chief Cities are, 1. Bestan; then 2. Beyad; 3. Zab∣••awer; and 4. Thous, higher in the Land; 5. Feraway; 6. Masinon, and others toward the Sea and Mouth of the River Gehon. Nassir Eddin, that excellent Mathematician, was a Native of Thous, who drove Mustalzin from his Caliphat or dignity of Babylon, because Mulstalzin had demanded of him, Where were his Horns. So dangerous it is to mock a man of Spirit and Courage. The City of Thous is esteemed very considerable, being large, and encompassed with a noble Wall, adorned with stately Structures, and among others with about 200 or 300 Towers, distant from one another a Musquets∣••ot. It is famous for the stately Sepulchre of Iman Risa of the Family of Ali, one of the Twelve Persian Saints, where great Devotions and Ceremo∣••ies are performed by them, which brings in a great Revenue to this City.

* 1.135The Province of CHƲRDISTAN is divided into three Parts or Pro∣vinces, of which Salmas is the chief City of the first, Maraga of the second, ••nd Cormaba of the third. Besides which there are a great number of fair Cities, as 1. Nakziovan, 2. Choy, 3. Guienche, &c. Salmas is near the Salt-Lake of Kannudhan, which yields Fish only at a certain time of the year. This City hath under its Jurisdiction 20 other strong and fair ones; yet is not without those wandring People which live under their Tents. Maraga is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 4 days Journey from Tauris, 5 or 6 from Salmas. Near Maraga the Per∣••ans were defeated by the Sarazens, about the year 650, and their Monarchy ••ell into the hands of the Califfs. Cormaba is on the East of Tigris, and not ••at from Bagdad and Mosul. Its Inhabitants are esteemed the true Curdes, as good at incursions as the Arabs, who lose nothing they can catch. Near Choy are the Calderonian Champains (of Chelder,) renowned for the Battle between Selim, Emperour of the Turks, and Ismael Sophy of the Persians; where this last, who had till then almost always been Victor, was defeated and lost a great Battel; and after it Tauris, where was his wife Tallucanum and his Treasures: but whilst he prepared new Forces, the Turks retired to Amasia. At Guienche, formerly a City and a Kingdom, contains likewise 7 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fair Cities, the Can Caidogli caused to be builded one of the fairest and strongest Towers that is in Persia; besides the Stone, making use of the Heads

of 540000 Turks, which he had defeated in those quarters, and which he caused to be bruised among the Morter.

* 1.136The Province of AYRACK is the fairest and richest of Persia. The So∣phies have for sometime past made here their residence; formerly at, 1. Cas∣bin, at present at. 2. Hispahan, which are two great Cities; 3. Cassian, 4. Ha∣madan, 5. Dankana, 6. Sauwa, 7. Com, 8. Yesd, 9. Soltania, 10. Hrey, 11. Cochera, 12. Kargh, with several others, are likewise very fair. Near Hrey is gathered excellent Manna. Soltan hath great quantity of the fairest Fountains, and takes its name from the Soltans, which sometimes resided here. Yesd yields the richest and fairest Tapestries in the World. Near this City, and on the Mountain Albors, there are yet some worshippers of Fire, which have used it above 3000 years. Hamadan hath born the title of a Kingdom, and had 15 Cities under it. Casian produceth many Silk and Cotton Manufactures, and hath drawn to it all the Traffick that was at Com, not suffering any Vaga∣bonds or Beggars. Com hath been as great as Constantinople; but Tamerlain having ruin'd it, it could never regain its splendor. The Inhabitants addict themselves to labour in their Vineyards and Gardens. Its Bridge is of Stone, and the fairest in all Persia. Casbin was the residence of Xa-Thamas, when the Turks had taken Tauris: Some esteem it the ancient Arsacia, others Ec∣batana. It is not well built, but great, and filled with no less than 100000 Souls; its fair Palace, its many Bazars, and its Atmaiden, are remarkable. Bazars are places or great Streets, where there are but one sort of Merchants; the Atmaiden, or greater Market, which is about a mile in Circuit.

* 1.137Hispahan, the Metropolitan City of the Persian Monarchy, seated in the Parthian Territory, which in its scituation is pleasant and delightful; in its Soil, fruitful, and well watered by the River Sindery; in its Air, serene and healthful; and for bigness, is now become the greatest City in all Persia, whose Walls are in circumference a reasonable days Journey. Its buildings, which are many, (scarce containing less than 75000 Houses) are proud and elegant, and was said to be once so populous, that it gave entertainment to 500000 Inhabitants. But after a certain Revolt, (for which they were severely chastised by the command of the Prince) it hath not had so great a quantity of People; yet it is exceeding populous, and much frequented by Strangers; rich in Trade, eminent for all sorts of Exercise, and more magnificent as being the residence of the Sophy of the Persians, who had here built divers Palaces, which are inhabited by his Nobles; so rich and stately, with Gardens so de∣lightful and magnificent, that not the industry of man, nay, scarce his thought can comprehend or imagine any thing more beautiful. This City, besides its Walls, is fenced about with a Ditch, and defended by a strong Castle. The chief buildings are the Palaces, the Mosques, the Hummums or Hot-houses, and the Mydan or Market-place, which without dispute is the fairest, richest, and noblest Building in the World, being about 1000 Places in length, and 200 in breadth: The inside resembles our Exchange, being filled with Shops, where all sorts of rich Commodities are vended; and sustained by Arches; and below, furnished with such things, both for Food and Rayment, as the Coun∣try affordeth.* 1.138 On the West-side are seated two stately Palaces or Seraglio's, for the King and his Ladies, far exceeding in state and magnificence all other the proud Buildings in this City; the Walls being of Red Marble, and pargetted with divers colours, and the whole Palace paved with fretted and Checkered work, over which it is spread with stately Carpets; the Windows are made of Alablaster, and white and spotted Marble; and the Posts and Wickets of massy Ivory, checkered with glittering Ebony, so curiously wrought in wind∣ing knots, that it may sooner stay than satisfie the eyes of the Beholder. To which stately Structure there is joyned a no less pleasant, and delightful Gar∣den, wherein are no less then 1000 several Fountains, Brooks, and Rivolets, furnished with store and variety of curious Fruits, together with what else may make a place delightful. The great place of the City is before the Palace, where the Sophy ordinarily resides. The Fruits in and about this City are the best in the World; their Vines yield in nothing to those of the Canaries:

Their Horses and Mules are fair and good; their Camels so strong, that they carry almost twice as much as those of other places. They have permitted in this City some Monasteries of Christians, as of Carmelites, Augustine Fryars, Capuchins, and others.

* 1.139The Inhabitants do all their affairs on Hors-back, as well publick as private, in the buying and vending of their Commodities. But the Slaves never ride, which makes the difference betwixt them. This City being the residence of the Sophy, and being inhabited by so many eminent persons, which always at∣tend this Monarch, makes it to have a great Trade, and be much frequented by Merchants almost from all places; as English, Dutch, Portugals, Arabians, Indians, Turks, Jews, Armenians, &c. whereby it is furnished, not only with all the Native Commodities of Persia, as Gold and Silver, Raw Silk, in such great quantity, that they furnish most part of the East; as also other places, some Drugs and Spices, Wine, Fruits, &c. Also sundry curious Manufactures, as, Carpets, Arras-work, Hangings, &c. Cloth of Gold and Silver, Fine Cotton Cloths, with several other Commodities which are here made; but also with those of Arabia, India, China, and Turky, which hither are brought in exchange for theirs, by Caravans or Camels, Dromedaries, and Mules, by reason they want the benefit of the Sea. They had formerly the benefit of several good Ports, as, Tauris and Balsora, but now in the custody of the Grand Seignior, toge∣ther with some others: The Ports that they now enjoy, and make use of, are Ormus and Jasques. In this City is erected a Column or Pillar, composed of the Heads or Skulls of Men and Beasts, being about twenty foot in circumfe∣rence at the Basis, and exalting it self near sixty foot in height. Now the rea∣son of erecting of this terrible and horrid Column and Monument, was this. The People surfeiting with Luxury, through their Pride and Impudence, denied their duty to their Soveraign, not only in refusing to contribute a small sum of money (being towards the extirpation of the Turks and Tartars, who did much annoy the Kingdom) but also audaciously opposed his entrance; where∣upon he vowed revenge: And having made a forcible entrance, in his rage fired a great part of the City, pillaged each House, and in two days, he put to the Sword near 30000; and to terrifie others, erected a Column or Pillar of their Heads.

* 1.140The Province of CHORAZAN, is the greatest of all Persia; some di∣vide it into Cohazan, Chorazan, and Chowarazan, which others esteem to be the same. It hath every where a great number of brave Cities, as, Kahen on Kayem, which yields great store of Saffron. 2. Thou abounds in Silk Manu∣factures. 3. Mesched or Mexat, is the chief of Chorazan, and shews the Tombs of many Persian Kings. It is about twelve miles in compass, and hath about 100000 Inhabitants. Its Territory is fertile, its Inhabitants well made, strong, and warlike. 4. Herat is likewise called Salgultzar; that is. The Ci∣ty of Roses; it producing greater quantities then any City, in the World be∣sides. It yields likewise Rhubarbe and Vines, which last a long time; and so much Silk, that there are sometimes 3 or 4000 Camels loaden in one day. 5. Ni∣chabour so near to Rhoemus, that some conceive it belonging to it; others make it a particular Province: The City hath been much better peopled then now it is. Tamerlane here, and hereabouts, put to death in one day about 400000 persons. 6. Bouregian, is near a great Lake of the same name. This Lake receives many Rivers, but like the Caspian Sea, sends not one to the Ocean. But let us return to the more Southerly parts of Persia; we will say nothing here of Yerack, since the Turk at present holds it, with several others.

* 1.141The Province of CHƲSISTAN, answers to the Ancient Susiana, the Soyl is so fruitful, that it often yields 100 or 200 for one. Its Cities are Souster, Ardgan, Hawecz, Asker-Moukeran, and others. 1. Souster is the Ancient Susa. Here the Prophet Daniel had the Vision concerning the determination of the Persinn Monarchy, and the beginning of the Grecian; and where Aha∣suerus kept his great Feast, which continued 183, days, for his Princes and Lords, imitated to this day by the Sultans of Persia, who do annually enter∣tain their Nobles, where Ahasuerus kept his Court, when Esther demanded

grace, in favour of the Jews; andt here where Mordecai was exalted to the place and charge of Haman, who was hanged on the same Gibbet which he prepared for Mordecai.* 1.142 It is held, that the ancient Palace was built by Mem∣non (Son of Tithonus, who in the Trojan Wars was slain by the Thessalans,) of the spoyls of the Great Thebes in Egypt; and that with such expence and magnificence, that the stones were bound together with Gold; but whether this be true or false, without doubt, it was very rich; for it is said, that Alex∣ander found here 50000 Talents of uncoyned Gold, besides Silver Wedges and Jewels of an inestimable value. This City is of about 25000 paces in circum∣ference, and is the residence of the Sophy in the Winter season. 2. Ardgan a fair City, on the borders of this Province, and not far from Hispahan. 3. Hawecz called by the Arabian of Nubia, Ahuaz, and made chief of the Cities of Chu∣sistan, which he calls Churdistan. He places next to it Askar-Mocran, alias Askar-Moukeran, on the River Mesercan, where there was a Bridge suppor∣ted by twenty Boats. 4. Tostar with a River of the same name. And 5. Sau∣rac with some other.

The heats in these parts, in the Summer season, are so great, especial∣ly towards the South part of the Mountain; that the Inhabitans are forced to forsake the Cities, and retire themselves into the Mountains for cool∣ness.

* 1.143The Province of FARS or FARC, formerly Persia, now a particular Province, hath a great number of large, rich, and beautiful Cities. As 1. Chirdef, which is said to be about 20000 paces in circumference; where some∣times the Sophy hath made his residence, scituate in a large and pleasant Plain, well built, and beautified with fair Gardens, and magnificent Mosques. Two of which are larger than the rest, and beautified with two Spires or Steeples, covered with a painting of Gold and Azure: These Mosques, by reason of 1000 Lamps which are kept burning, are as light by night, as by day. This City for its good Wine, pleafant Fruits, gallant People, and above all, for its pritty Women, may compare with the best in all Persia. The Ladies here are so fair and pleasant, that Mahomet passing through these quarters, would not enter this City for fear lest he should lose himself in its delights. The Soyl is very good, and Mastick is gathered in its Forests. The Arms they make here, are excellent. 2. Astachar was one of the greatest of these quarters, as like∣wise in the time of the Arabian of Nubia. The ruines of its Castle Chilminare, shew the remains of the ancient Palace that Alexander the Great burned, at the solicitation of the Curtisan Thais. At the taking of which City, Alex∣ander for his share found 120000 Talents of ready money, besides the Plate, Images of Gold and Silver, and Jewels of a vast value: But its beauty did sur∣pass it riches, having its Royal Palace built on a Hill, environed with a treble Wall; the first in height sixteen cubits; the second 30; and the third 60: All of them of Black polished Marble, with stately Battlements, on which were 100 Turrets. Nor was the outside more stately than the inside, which was built with Cyprus Wood, and beautified with Gold, Silver, Ivory, Amber, and such like. 3. Lar or Laar, hath been the chief of a Kingdom, and giveth name to the Larins, Pieces of very good Silver which they coyn. 4. Near Stahabonon, a pritty Town, the Momnaki-Koni, that is, the precious Momy is drawn out of a Rock; but it is onely gathered for the Sophy, who careful∣ly keeps it: Being a most assured counter-Poyson or Antidote, and an excellent Salve against all Cuts or Ruptures, even within the body. Bezar comes like∣wise from this quarter. 5. Chabonkera. 6. Darabegerd: and 7. Baesd, are on the confines of Fars and Kerman. Some esteem them under the Province of Fars, others under that of Kerman; others make that a particular Province, which takes its name from the first of them, and which certainly is the great∣est and the fairest. Darabegerd, as I believe, is the Valasegerd of the Arab, and the ancient Pasagardae; there, where sometime resided, and where was the Tomb of Cyrus, who here by this place defeated Astyages, the last King of the Medes, And 8. Gombrone, seated on the Gulph of Persia, a fair Town, well frequented; and where the English, Dutch, and Portugals, keep

their Factories for the benefit and support of the Trade; this place being now the Scale of Trade for all Persia (as was formerly Ormus and Jasques, being at present of little use.)

* 1.144The Province of KHERMAN, of old Caramania, is one of the greatest, but not one of the best of Persia; yet they send forth several Commodities, as Steel, Tarquesses, Rose-water, Tutty, Bourbatan, Hebe, or Kilworm, of which they make the Confection Alkermes, Sarmack, which are black and shi∣ning Stones, which cures sore eyes, and paints black. Carpets the best in Per∣sia, after those of Yesed (those of Chorazan hold the third degree.) Arms which the Turks buy at any rates, and Scimitars, which will cut a Head-peece without blunting the edge. The Country is somewhat uneven and Mountai∣nous, which causeth barrenness; but the Vallies are very fertil and delightful, every where adorned with Flowers, and especially Roses, of which they make a great Revenue. Amongst its Cities, which are many, 1. Cherman, which communicates its name to the Province, makes a great quantity of Cloth of Gold and Silver; As also those Scimitars aforementioned. 2. Zirgian. 3. Nahyan, and others, are likewise in some reputation; but the Coast of Ormus is of great esteem, after it Mochestan.* 1.145 4. The City of Ormus is seat∣ed in an Isle at the Mouth of the Gulph of Persia, being in compass about 20 miles; the City well built, and strongly fortified, seated at one end of the Isle, be∣ing in compass about two miles, adorned with a fair Market place, and some Churches; famous throughout the World for the great Trade, there negoti∣ated; but of itself, exceeding barren, and only composed of Salt Rocks, of which their Houses and Walls are made; and in the Summer, is found so excessive hot, that the Inhabitants are forced to ly and sleep in Wooden Cisterns made for the purpose, and filled with Water, where both the Men and Women ly naked up to their Chins. In this Island there is no fresh Water; but what they fetch from other places there adjoyning, which they keep in Cisterns; from whence they likewise get other Provision for their Food, be∣ing seated not above 12 miles from the Continent. The Commodities that are here found, are the rich Gems and Spices of India; The Tapistries, Carpets, &c. of Persia; the Grograms, Mohairs, and Chamblets, of Turky; the Drugs of Arabia, &c. The People hereof, in their Religion,* 1.146 in their per∣sons and habit, have something of the Arabians in them, but more of the Persians. 5. Mochestan is the ordinary residence of the Kings of Ormus, because it is cool, its Waters excellent to drink, and its Land fruitful in Corn and Fruits, which is not found in the Island. 6. Guadell: and 7. Patanis, are the most famous Ports of the Coast.

* 1.147The Province of SABLESTAN, inclosed with Mountains, between Chorazan and Khermon; it answers to Caramania Deserta; yet it hath many Cities and inhabited places, amongst others, Zarany towards Khermon. 2. Bost. 3. Nechesaet, and 4. Gisna-Cassaby, towards Chorazan. Some place here Bala∣san, from whence come the Balais Rubies.

* 1.148The Province of SIGISTAN, SISTAN, or SAGESTAN; PATANES, CANDAHAR, and MACKERAN, are the most Easterly Provinces of all Persia, and nearest the mouth of the Indus. Sistan is the chief City of Sigistan; Mackeran of Mackeran, which is seated on the Sea; and also Basir, which seems to keep its ancient name Parsis. The River Ilmenel, wa∣ters all these Provinces, and falls into the Indian Ocean, not far from the Gulph of Indin. Also Grees is the chief of Patanes, and Candahar of Candahar.

* 1.149These are the Estates of the Persians, and we are to observe, that his prin∣cipal neighbours are, the Turks on the West, the Tartars on the North, the Mogols on the East, and the Portugals on the South, in and about the Gulf of Ormus. These last cannot deprive him of any great part, their design be∣ing only to maintain their commerce in the Indies, yet they cease not to per∣plex him on the Sea; and have divers times taken and retaken Ormus from him. The Mogols; the Tartars, and the Turks, are troublesom neighbours unto him, and oft times his Enemies; because they are powerful and capable to seise on whole Provinces; which he recovers rather by strength, then otherwise:

For it must be confessed, that the Persians are more Active in their Arms, then all their Neighbours, except the Portugals: And they are likewise e∣steemed more courteous to strangers, more civil in their conversation, and more exact in their Policy and Government,* 1.150 then all the Mahometans. And if we would compare the manners of the Turks, with those of the Persians, we should find a great difference, and often much contrariety: For the Persians are courteous to strangers, the Turks abusive: The Persians esteem study, the Turks neglect it: The Sophies of the Persians hold in honor, their Brothers and Kinsmen, the Turks oft put them to death: The Persians have amongst them great quantity of Nobles, the Turks make account of none but the Officers sent them from the Port: The Persians have the Cavalry, the Turks the better Infantry: both the one and the other are Mahometans, but they explain their Alcoran so diversly, that that alone is capable to carry them to the ruine of one or the other Empire, if they could effect it; and it seems, that the disposition of the one, and the other estate is very different, caused by their contrary manners, which makes them follow Maxims quite different from one another.

The Empire of the Turks is divided into many parts, cut asunder by several Seas, one upon the neck of another, and bygre at navigable Rivers; as the Danube in Europe; the Nile in Africa, and the Euphrates in Asia; which gives it great advantages, both for Trade, and the transport of its Forces; Whilst the Empire of Persia, consisting of an entire and solid Mass, full of Mountains in the middle of the Countrey; few navigable Rivers, and those which are distant one from the other, and falling into divers Seas, that they can have no communication one with another. Trade cannot be commodious, but abroad; and if they have occasion to transport any Troops from one Coast to a∣nother,* 1.151 it cannot be done without the expence of much time and pains: And it is for this reason, the Persians serve themselves more of Cavalry, who at a need, are able to put into the field One hundred thousand Horse, and they have for the most part ready, 30, 40 or 50000: They entertain little Infantry, and those for the most part are strangers.

* 1.152The Empire of PERSIA, is of a large, and of so different a nature, as one would not take it to be the same, being in some places very barren, cold, and comfortless, scarce affording either Food for Man or Beast, as are the North parts which ly betwixt Mount Taurus, and the Hircanian-sea, whereas Southerly it is very fruitful, the Soil rich, affording plenty of Corne, Wine, and all things neces∣sary for the use of man, being pleasant, full of rich Pastures which are stored with abundance of Cattle, the Country watred with streams. The Persians are of a low stature,* 1.153 yet have great limbs, and strong, they are of an Olive colour complexion, hawked nos'd, and black hair'd, which they shave every eight days, and those which have not black hair naturally, by art make it so, as being in great esteem amongst them, they paint their hands and nails of a reddish colour. In their habit they follow much of the Turks, their clothes have no proportion to their bodies, hanging loose and large, much in the fashion of the Womens; their Mendits, by the Turks called Turbants, are made of Cotton, Cloth or Silk, Stuff, which is fine and of several colours, which they wear on their heads, as we do Hatts, many of them wear them of Red, but the Priests, as also his other Garments are white, their Garments they girt about their waists with a Scarf; under these Garments they wear breeches like our drawers, their stockings are for the most part made of Cloth without any shape in them their shoes are picked toed, and like slippers; by reason of their often putting them off and on, not wearing them in Houses. The Women wear much finer Stuffs then the men, and have nothing to ty about their waists, their drawers, stock∣ings, and shifts are like those of the men; they wear their hair loose about their shoulders in several tresses, having no other Ornament except it be 2 or 3 rows of Pearls, which they fasten to their fore-head, and so hangs down on each side of their face to be fastned to their chin; the young Maids wear rings, and brace∣lets about their hands and armes, also rings with precious stones in their right nostrills, as the Tartarian Women do. The Women in the Streets goe with while Vails over their faces, down to their knees. The People in this Na∣tion

as well Men as Women, according to their degrees in honour, or riches do exceed in costly habits, in which they are exceeding neat and curious, not admitting so much as a spot upon their Clothes, which neatness they like wise observe in their Houses, which are for the most part well furnished; as also in their meats and drinks, which are excellent, delightful and curious. They are great dissemblers, and much addicted to ill language if provoked to it. They are of a good nature, and very sensible of kindness done to them; but where they hate, are mortal enemies: They are couragious and good Souldiers, great haters of Cowards; very ingenious, of a ready Witt, and sound Judg∣ment, much addicted to reading several Authors, which tend to the knowledg of Poetry, Philosophy, the Law, Medicine, several of the Mathematicks,* 1.154 as Arithmetick, Geometry, Astronomy, and its influences, as Astrology, which they give much credit unto. These and the like Arts and Sciences are studied and taught young Students at several Colledges and Ʋniversities, by expe∣rienced persons in the same, who there reside. They are very ingenious in Fire and Water-works, are great lovers of their pleasure, in several recreati∣ons, as Hawking, Hunting, Riding a tilt, &c. they are very complemen∣tory, obliging, and curteous, especially to strangers, not addicted to cove∣tousness, usury being forbidden amongst them; they are generally much given to Luxury, not contenting themselves with several Wives, but must also have the use of Concubines, which is allowed them; they are also given to Sodomy, but Adultery they severely punish. When a young man desires to marry, and hath heard of a maid as he thinks he can love, he hath some of his friends to treat with her parents or friends about it; for the maid is not to be seen, and if they agree, then they proceed to Articles,* 1.155 which is to be performed by the friends of the Bridegroom, it not being there the custom for the man to receive a portion with her, as it is here with us, but contrarily, the Dower which by both of their friends is agreed on, he either sends unto her two or three days before the consummation of the Marriage, which is either in Money or Goods, as a recompence to her Parents or Kindred, for their care in her education; or else engages to pay her if in case a Divorce should happen, which is usual amongst them upon a dislike or disagreement, as being allowed of by their Law, this done their Agents, in the name of the betrothed couple, go to their Priests or Ecclesi∣astical Judge, who being satisfied that it is done by the mutual consent of their friends, marries them by the said Agents, but very privately: the Marriag day being agreed upon, the Bridegroom sends his Bride several toyes, as Pendants, Bracelets, Rings or the like Ornaments; also several dishes of meat, for the en∣tertainment of her friends and relations; who about the evening brings the Bride to the Bridegroom, being mounted on a Horse, Mule or Camel, being cove∣red with a Vail of Crimson Taffety, over her face down to her knees, and accom∣panied all the way with Musick, and being entred the Mosque, the Muloy de∣mands their liking; then the Bride requireth three things, viz. Bed-right, Food and Rayment; and the Parents having declared their consent, the Priest encir∣cles them with a cord, conjoynes their hands, takes a reciprocal Oath, and calls Mahomet to witness, which ended the Caddi enrolls their names, with the day of the month, year and hour of the day of their Nuptial, and so dismisses them; and being come to the Bridegrooms House, they take her off, and lead her into a room where she and her friends sup, the Bridegroom and his friends being in a∣nother room, and after supper is ended, they conduct her to another room where she is to ly, to which the Bridgroom is soon brought, where he receiveth his first sight of her, the campany with-drawing themselves out of the room, he falls to his embracing her, and after the first enjoyment of her, he leaves her, and goeth to his friends, to spend some hours in their company; if he finds that she hath lost her virginity before, he hath-power to cut off her Ears and Nose, and to turn her, and her relations and friends out of doors, which is a great dis∣grace unto her and them; but if she be a pure Virgin, then he sends the tok∣ens of it, by an ancient Woman, to her relations, and then for joy they con∣tinue their entertainments three or lour days together, having several diver∣tisements, as Musick, Singing, Dancing, or the like, the next day after their

Marriage, they both wash and bathe themselves, they are allowed by the Law four Wives, (of which the first hath the preemency,) but they must be of their own Religion; and for Concubines, they may be of any Religion, and have the liberty of taking as many as they please, paying them a certain stipend or salary,* 1.156 as they shall agree by they week, moneth, or longer, as they shall agree, at the end of which term, they are quit from their Obligation; and may leave each other without another agreement made betwixt them, the men are exceeding jealous of their Wives, insomuch as they are forbidden the liberty of society with any man, which custom is used among the Italians.

* 1.157In their Feasts they are very stately, having not only all varieties of Meats, as Flesh, Fowles, Fish, Baked-meats, with excellent Wine, and great attendance, but also pleasant Fruits, stately Banquets of Sweetmeats, and to make their enter∣tainments complent, they are furnished with curious Musick, as well Vocal as Instrumental, their Rooms or Halls, where they make these entertainments, are very spacious, and curiously adorned with stately Hangings of Tapestry, and beautified with varieties of Paintings, but most of them being naked Figures which amongst us would be accounted unseemly, their rooms being perfumed with sweet Odors and Waters, so that nothing is wanting for the pleasing of the senses; their way is to sit upon the ground on Carpets, being the Custom of the Turks and other Eastern Countries so to do; being also used to Collations in af∣ternoons and nights, wherein they have excellent Fruits, Sweetmeats, Wine, Musick and Dancing.* 1.158 They are great lovers of Women, insomuch that at their Feasts they are always furnished with them, being such as they call Dan∣cing-women, who being brought up in Dancing, Singing, and playing on In∣struments, make it their imployment so to do at Feasts; these Women for the most part are very handsom, and richly attired, having about them costly Jew∣els, Pendants, Rings, having about their legs Bells, like Morris-dancers; and he who hath a desire to enjoy a Woman, riseth from his Seat, and taketh which of these Dancing-women he most fancies, and goes into a private room, and after he hath enjoyed her to his content, he comes to his place, and the Woman goes to Dancing, without any shame to the one, or notice taken of the other. They are much given to drink Wine, Tea, and Coffee.

* 1.159The Persians are very strict, superstitious, and ceremonious in their Religi∣on, (as the Turk is, but differ much from them in the exposition of their Alcoran) as in their Pilgrimages to Mecca, in their Sacrificings, in their observing of days, on some of which they will not do any business, either tending to profit or pleasure, refraining from all Acts of Sin as nigh as they can, and one of these days they hold to be the next Wednesday before the Vernal Equinox, by which they begin their new year, in their processions, and celebrated Fe∣stivals in commemoration of their several Saints, which they perform with great devotion, mixt with no less state in their several Sepulchers, where their Saints are interr'd, which are very large and magnificent Structures, so rich in Gold and Silver, with which it is adorned, as well in Lamps and Candlesticks, as otherwise, that it can hardly be exprest; in which places they have their Priests, which attend and offer up their devotions and explain the Alcoran, which they read out of Books, which they have in their Library being Manu∣scripts either upon Paper or Parchment, being curiously bound, neatly pain∣ted within, and covered with Plates of Silver or Gold, caryed or imbossed, or with paintings; also the Persians have not the same Miracles, the same Saints, the same Mosques,* 1.160 and the same Ceremonies as the Turks have; they use Circum∣cision, but not till the Children are 7, 8 or 9 years old, they are very devout, espe∣cially in their prayers, which they use five times a day, as being obliged by their Religion so to do; also in their Prayers for the dead, over their Graves which de∣votion is used during the time of their Lent, which they keep for a month, in which time they neither eat nor drink betwixt Sun-rising and Sun-setting, but in the n••ghts they eat and drink what they please; yet for a sum of money they may have a dispensation: they interr their dead within three hours after the life is departed, unless it be in the night, so that then they let the corps alone untill the morning, they wash or bathe the bodies of their dead, before

they are interred, in a great Cestern,* 1.161 which they have for the same purpose near the Church, to which place they are carried on a Bier in their Clothes, and after they are stript and Washt, they put them in clean linnen, anoint them, and so bear them to the Grave, being accompanied with his Friends, Relations, Servants, &c. in this order; first goeth those of his blood, rext his Varlets, who go naked to the Waist, the rest in troozes, who to express their love, scratch, and burn their Breasts, Arms, and other parts, so that the blood oft issueth forth; then follow many youths on whose shoulders are affixed some texts taken out of the Alcoran, together with Elegies of the deceased, in the next place follow several persons of the best ranck, each holding a cord that is affixed to the Hearse; and on every side abundance of People bearing in their hands, Garlands of Flowers, Lawrels, and such things as befit the Season, then follow some Horse-men half naked, who oft times massacre their carcas∣ses, and in the last place follow weeping-Women, that is, such as are hired to weep and howle, the better to provoke others to passion; and being brought to the Grave, the Priest after he hath performed several Ceremonies which he readeth out of the Alcoran, the Corps is interred with his head towards Mec∣ca, his face towards Heaven, and his armes expanded, (as they say) to im∣brace their Prophet Mahomet, placing two Stones, one at the head, and the other at the foot of the Grave, on which are ingraven in Arabick Characters, the persons name, quality and time of burial, and so take their leave, but for a good while cease not to visit the Grave twice a day, beseeching Mahomet to succour him against his two bad Angels, of whom they have this opinion; So soon as the Corps is interred, there are two hiddeous Devils assaile him, the one they call Muengar, which is armed with an Iron Club, and the other Quarequar, armed with a Hook of Flaming brass, and in this horrid posture, they view the Carcass, and in an insolent manner, command him to raise his head, to fall prostrate upon his knees, and begg his soul, which then re-enters the body, and gives an account unto them of all the actions of his life, and upon examination and confession, if it appear that his life was good, they vanish away like Spi∣rits, and two good Angels come (apparelled in white) to be a comfort unto him, and protect him untill the day of doom, not stirring from him, but sit∣ting one at his head, and the other at his feet. But on the contrary, if it hap∣pen that his life is found bad, then these Infernal Imps are his tormentors, the one knocking him on the head such blows with his Iron Club, as beats him (as they say) ten yards into the Earth, and the other drags him up with his Flaming hook; and thus is he knockt down by one, and dragged up by the o∣ther, untill Mahomet sends him a deliverance; and this (as Sir Tho. Herbert relateth in his book of Travels) is their belief, which if it be true, I doubt they will have many a sound knock and torne place before their delivery. To persons of quality, they observe more Ceremonies than to those of the ordina∣ry degree, making Feasts on the third, seventh, and fortieth day after the Corps is laid in the Grave, at which Feasts they are charitable to the poor in their Almes Deeds.

* 1.162The King of Persia governs by an absolute power, disposing of the lives and estates of his Subjects as best pleaseth him, making his Will his Law, not any one daring so much as to murmure, though his actions are never so much un∣just. Their Kings come to the Goverment by succession, and not by e∣lection, insomuch that if the King hath no Children which are lawfully begot∣ten as by his Wives, for want of such those of his Concubines shall suc∣ceed him.

* 1.163Upon the Coronation of their Kings, amongst other Ceremonies, he is pre∣sented with a Crown, by one of their chiefest Lords, which he takes putting it to his forehead, and after kissing it thrice in the name of Mahomet, and of Aaly, he delivers it to the grand Master of the Kingdom, who puts it on his head, the People making great shouts and acclamations, kissing his feet, and presenting him with great presents, which done, the rest of the day they spend in feasting and other jovialties, but in all their Ceremonies there is not so much as an Oath imposed upon him; as, for his well governing them, and

keeping and preserving their fundamental Laws, and other of their rights; as amongst us done, but all being left to his sole power, as being absolute.

There are belonging to the Court several Officers, as Chancellor, Secretary of State, Controller, Master of the Horse, Master of the Ceremonies, toge∣ther with several other Officers,* 1.164 as amongst our Courts are found. The Admi∣nistration of Justice is decided by the King, but first tried by the secular Judges who examine the same, and deliver up their opinion to the King. They have several strict and severe punishments, which they inflict upon the offenders ac∣cording to the hainousness of their crimes, for some offences they cut off the Ears or Nose, sometimes the Feet or Hands, for others to be beheaded, for some again, they are tyed between two boards and so sawed asunder, with se∣veral other cruel deaths which are too tedious to name. In their Military affairs they are very experienced,* 1.165 their Army consisting only of Horse, who have for their Armour Darts and Javelins, yet have they some in the nature of our Dragoons, which are mounted on Horses, who have Muskets for their Arms, as for an Army of Foot, together with the assistance of great Guns by them, is not so much set by, as being troublesom, and a detarder of them from their speedy and great marches, they are very expert in all stratagems of War, which gives them a great advantage over their enemies.

Here doth inhabit a sort of People called Gaurs, and are of a much different Religion from the Persians, observing divers Ceremonies peculiar to them∣selves. In their Baptism they use no Circumsition, instead of which they wash the Child, &c. At their Nuptials after the Priest hath said some Prayers, he takes water, washes both their fore-heads, and gives the Benediction. When they are sick they make Confession to the Priest, and bestow their Almes in hopes of Pardon of their Sins. They bury not their dead, but carry them to certain enclosed places, where they fasten them to high Stakes, with their fa∣ces towards the East. They bear a great adoration to Fire. They are exceeding cleanly in all things, and wash often in Cows-piss, which they hold to be a good purification. Upon confession of their Sins to their Priests, they are constrained to Penance, in which several Ceremonies are observed. They have so great e∣steem for Doggs, that when any die they are carried out, and prayers are made for them.

They have great quantity of all sorts of Cattle, Grain and Fruits. Amongst their Fruit-trees, they have great quantities of white and black Mulberry-trees, which grow not above 5, or 6 foot high, so that one may easily reach up to the branches, and in the Spring time, when these Trees begin to shoot forth their leaves,* 1.166 they begin to hatch their Silk-worms, which they do by carrying the seed under their arm-pits in little baggs, which in seven or eight days will re∣ceive life, then they put them into a wooden dish, upon the Mulberry-leaves, which they once a day change, and take a great care that they be not wet, at the end of five days they sleep three, after which they dispose of them into Rooms or Barns, prepared for the same purpose, upon the beams of these build∣ings they fasten laths, or such like pieces of wood, upon which they lay Mul∣berry-branches, which hath the leaves on, whereon they put the Silk-worms shifting them every day, and as they grow in bigness, so oftner to twice or thrice a day; before they begin to spin, they sleep about eight days more, after which they begin, and in 12 days they have finished their Cod, the biggest they make choise of for seed; all the rest they cast into a Kettle of boyling Water; into which they often put a whisk made for the purpose, to which the Silk sticks which they immediately wind up; and that which they keep for Seed, they lay upon a Table, out of which, in the space of fifteen days comes forth great Buggs, which afterwards turn to things like Butter-flies, which in a few days they gender and lay Eggs, and then die, not eating any thing from their first spin∣ning; which is much, for things to live so great a while without eating any thing: And of these Silk-worms thus ordered they make a great Revenue.

• INDIA, or the EAST INDIES; which (ac∣cording to its form and disposition of its E∣states) may be divided into three several Parts; to wit,
  • The Empire of the GREAT MOGOLL, which comprehendeth that which is upon the Main Land, wherein are contained several King∣doms or Provinces; the chief of which are,
    • Cabul, — Cabul.
    • Attock, — Attock.
    • Multan, — Multan.
    • Candahar, — Candahar.
    • Buckor, — Buckor-Suckor.
    • Tatta,
      • Tatta,
      • Diul.
    • Soxet, — Janagar.
    • Cassimere, — Sirinaker.
    • Bankish, — Beishar.
    • Kabares, — Dankalar.
    • Naugracut, — Naugracut.
    • Siba, — Serenegar.
    • Jamba, — Jamba.
    • Bakar, — Bikaner.
    • Samball, — Samball.
    • Gor, — Gor.
    • Kanduana, — Barabantaka.
    • Patna, — Patna,
    • Jesual, — Rajapore.
    • Udessa, — Jekanac.
    • Mevat, — Narvall.
    • Pitan, — Pitan.
    • Guzurate, or Cambaya,
      • Surat,
      • Baroche,
      • Cambaya,
      • Armadabad,
      • Diu.
    • Chitor, — Chitor.
    • Malway, — Rantipore.
    • Candis, — Brampore.
    • Berar, — Shapor.
    • Gualeor, — Gualeor.
    • Narrar, — Gehud.
    • Bengala,
      • Bengala,
      • Chatigan,
      • Goura,
      • Halabass,
      • Satigan.
    • Lahor, — Lahor.
    • Jenupar, — Jenupar.
    • Jesselmere, — Gislemere.
    • Bando, — Bando.
    • Delly, — Delly.
    • Agra, — Agra.
  • The Peninsula of INDIA without the GAN∣GES, and Westwards, and between the Mouths of the INDUS and the GANGES; with its several Kingdoms, or Countries of
    • DECAN,
      • Amedanager,
      • Chaul,
      • Visapor▪
      • Paranda,
      • Goa,
      • Doltabad.
    • GOLCONDA,
      • Golconda,
      • Musulipatan.
    • BISNAGAR, or NAR∣SINGUE,
      • Onor,
      • Bisnagar,
      • Trivalur,
      • Gingi,
      • Negapatan,
      • Sadrapatan, or Fort St. George.
      • Maliapur,
      • Geld••ia.
      • Madure,
      • Tutucori, and Manancor.
    • MALABAR,
      • Calicut,
      • Cochin,
      • Cananor,
      • Coulan,
      • Cranganor,
      • Cotate,
      • Cota,
      • Changanara.
  • The Peninsula of INDIA within the GAN∣GES, and Eastwards; wherein are contained several Kingdoms, Countries, Isles, &c. the chief among which are
    • PEGU,
      • Pegu,
      • Brema,
      • Canarane,
      • Ava,
      • Tinco, and Prom.
    • SIAN,
      • Odiaa,
      • Banckock,
      • Lugor,
      • Martaban,
      • Camboya,
      • Sacortay.
    • Peninsula of MALACCA,
      • Tanasserin,
      • Juncalaon,
      • Queda,
      • Pera,
      • Malacca,
      • Ihor,
      • Patane.
    • COCHIN-CHINA,
      • Palocacein,
      • Keccio.
    • ISLES in the Gulph of SIAN, among which are
      • Macara,
      • Panian,
      • Goeteinficos.
    • ISLES in the Gulph of BENGALA, among which are,
      • Chubedu,
      • Chudube,
      • Durondiva,
      • Dos Cocos,
      • Andemaan.

• The Em∣pire of the GREAT MOGOLL; with its se∣veral King∣doms, or Provinces, as they lie
  • Westwards, and towards PERSIA, from the first Streams of the INDUS unto its falling into the Sea, are those of
    • Cabul,
      • Cabul,
      • Gaidel.
    • Attock,
      • Attock,
      • Pucko.
    • Multan,
      • Multan,
      • Seerpore.
    • Candahar,
      • Candahar,
      • Gusbecunna.
    • Buckor,
      • Buckor-Suckor,
      • Rauree.
    • Tatta,
      • Tatta,
      • Diul,
      • Lourebander.
    • Hajacan,
      • Chatzan,
      • Dunki.
    • Soret,
      • Janagar,
      • Cacha.
  • On the North, and between the Mountains which divide this Empire from TARTARIA, or between the Springs of the GANGES and the INDUS, are
    • Cassimere,
      • Syrinakar,
      • Chonab.
    • Bankish, — Beithar.
    • Kakares,
      • Dankalar,
      • Purhola,
    • Naugracut,
      • Naugracut,
      • Callamaka.
  • On this side, or without the GANGES; where are those of
    • Siba,
      • Hardware,
      • Serenegar.
    • Jamba,
      • Jamba.
      • Balcery.
    • Bakar, — Bikaner.
    • Samball,
      • Samball,
      • Menepore,
      • Chappergat.
  • Within the GANGES, are those of
    • Gor, — Gor.
    • Kanduana, — Barakantaka.
    • Patna, — Patna.
    • Jesual, — Rajapore.
    • Udessa, — Jekanac.
    • Mevat. — Narvall.
    • Pitan,
      • Pitan,
      • Camojo.
  • Southernly, and towards the Gulphs of BEN∣GALA and CAMBAYA, and the Peninsula of INDIA within the GAN∣GES, are those of
    • Guzurate, or Chambaya,
      • Surat,
      • Baroche,
      • Cambaya,
      • Armadabad,
      • Agra,
      • Diu,
      • Brodra,
      • Cheytepour,
      • Bisantagan,
      • Mangalor,
      • Jaquete.
    • Chitor,
      • Chitor,
      • Chitapur.
    • Malway,
      • Rantipore,
      • Ougel,
      • Narvar.
    • Candis,
      • Brampore,
      • Mandow,
      • Pala.
    • Ranas, — Gurchitto.
    • Berar, — Shapor.
    • Gualeor,
      • Gualeor,
      • War.
    • Narvar, — Gehud.
  • Bengala, with its Parts of
    • Patan,
      • Bengala,
      • Chatigan,
      • Goura,
      • Patana,
      • Tanda,
      • Daca, and Bannara.
    • Prurop,
      • Ragmehel,
      • Holobass.
    • Bengala,
      • Satigan,
      • Mandaran,
      • Ougely,
      • Xore,
      • Bellesor, and Angara.
  • In the Middle of the EMPIRE; and are those of
    • Lahor,
      • Lahor,
      • Fetipore,
      • Temmeri, and Guzurat.
    • Jenupar,
      • Jenupar,
      • Sirima,
      • Tanasser.
    • Hendowns,
      • Hendowne,
      • Mearta.
    • Jesselmere,
      • Gislemere,
      • Moulto,
      • Radinpore.
    • Bando,
      • Bando,
      • Toury,
      • Asmere.
    • Delly,
      • Delly,
      • Acarnapori.
    • Agra,
      • Agra,
      • Secandra,
      • Fetipore,
      • Scanderbade, and Ilay.

• The Penin∣sula of INDIA without the Ganges: In which are the se∣veral King∣doms, or Countries of
  • DECAN, with its Parts of
    • Decan, particularly so called,
      • Amedanager,
      • Chaul,
      • Dabul.
    • Cunkan,
      • Visapor,
      • Soliapor,
      • Paranda,
      • Goa,
      • Pagode,
      • Zanguizara.
    • Balaguate,
      • Lispor,
      • Beder,
      • Doltabad.
  • GOLCONDA,
    • Golconda,
    • Musulipatan,
    • Guadavari,
    • Vixaopatan,
    • Narsingupatan,
    • Orixa,
    • Palhor,
    • Calecote.
  • BISNAGAR, or NARSIN∣GUE; with its Estates and Coasts of
    • Canara,
      • Onor,
      • Gorcopa,
      • Barcelor,
      • Baticala,
      • Magalor,
      • Bacanor.
    • Bisnagar, particularly so called,
      • Bisnagar,
      • Narsingue,
      • Vellur,
      • Cangevaran,
      • Cirangapatan,
      • Trivalur,
      • Tripity.
    • Gingi,
      • Gingi,
      • Cindambaram,
      • Chistapatama.
    • Tanjaor,
      • Tanjaor,
      • Castan,
      • Trinidi.
    • Maritim Places in BISNAGAR, GINGI, and TANJAOR, bearing and known by the name of the Coast of Choro∣mandel.
      • Negapatan,
      • Triminapatan,
      • Trangabar,
      • Coloran,
      • Fort St. George, or Sadrapatan,
      • Maliapur,
      • Paliacate,
      • Chiricole,
      • Musulipatan,
      • Caletur,
      • Gueldria,
      • Pentapou••••.
    • Madure,
      • Madure,
      • Brimaon,
      • Periapata••,
      • Punicale.
    • Maritim Places of MADURE, and called the Coast of Pescheria,
      • Jacancury,
      • Manapar,
      • Vaipar,
      • Trichandur,
      • Chereacale,
      • Tutucori,
      • Isle of Kings,
      • Bembar,
      • Calecure,
      • Mananco,
      • C••••••mcir••.
  • MALABAR, with its serveral Kingdoms, or Provinces, to wit,
    • On the Sea, or Coast of Ma∣labar, as
      • Calicut, — Calicut.
      • Cochin, — Cochin.
      • Cananor, — Cananor.
      • Coulan, — Coulan.
      • Chambais, — Chambais.
      • Montigue, — Montigue.
      • Badara, — Badara.
      • Tanor, — Tanor.
      • Cranganor, — Cranganor.
      • Porca, — Porca.
      • Calecoulan, — Calecoulan.
      • Travancor, — Travancor.
      • Cotate, — Cotate.
    • In the High Land, as
      • Cota, — Cota.
      • Auriola, — Auriola.
      • Cottagan, — Cottagan.
      • Bipur, — Bipur.
      • Coucura, — Coucura.
      • Panur, — Panur.
      • Curiga, — Curiga.
      • Muterte, — Muterte.
      • Marta, — Marta.
      • Batimena, — Batimena.
    • In the Moun∣tains, as
      • Mangat, — Mangat.
      • Paru, — Paru.
      • Pimienta, — Pimienta.
      • Changanara, — Changanara.
      • Trivalar, — Trivalar.
      • Panapelli, — Panapelli.
      • Angamala, — Angamala.
      • Ticancutes, — Ticancutes.
      • Punhali, — Punhali.
      • Caranarette, — Caranarette.
      • Pande, — Pande.

• ...
  • The Penin∣sula of INDIA within the Ganges: In which are the Kingdoms, Countries, Isles, &c. of
    • PEGU, with its Kingdoms or Parts of
      • Martavan,
      • Manar,
      • Tangu,
      • Marsin,
      • Jangoma,
      • Brama,
      • Pegu,
      • Brema,
      • Canarane,
      • Pandior,
      • Mandranelle,
      • Cassubi,
      • Boldia,
      • Ava,
      • Tinco,
      • Prom,
      • Tolema,
      • Largara,
      • Tipoura,
      • Chacomas,
      • Maon,
      • Arracan,
      • Dogon,
      • Ledoa,
      • Cosmi,
      • Xara,
      • Dunbacaon,
      • Chibode.
    • SIAN, with its Kingdoms or Estates of
      • Sian,
        • Odiaa,
        • Banckock,
        • Ogmo,
        • Lugor,
        • Mirgin,
        • Sacotay,
        • Juropi••an.
      • Martaban,
        • Martaban,
        • Macur••a,
        • Cuidad de los Reyes▪
        • Macaon.
      • Jangoma, — Jangoma.
      • Camboia,
        • Camboya,
        • Ravecca,
        • Langor,
        • Carol,
        • Tarvana,
    • Peninsula of MALACCA, whose Parts
      • Towards the Gulph of BEN∣GALA, and Westwards, are
        • Tanasserin, — Tanasserin.
        • Juncaldon, — Juncaldon.
        • Queda, — Queda.
        • Pera, — Pera.
        • Malacca. — Malacca.
      • Towards the Gulph of SIAN, and Eastwards, are
        • Ihor, — Ihor.
        • Pahang, — Pahang,
        • Patane, — Patane.
        • Singora, — Singora.
        • Brodelong, — Brodelong.
        • Ligor, — Ligor.
    • COCHIN-CHINA, with its King∣doms, People, &c. of
      • COCHIN-CHINA, par∣ticularly so called, with its Provinces of
        • Chiampaa, — Pulocacein.
        • Ranran, — Baday.
        • Pulocanbis, — Naroman.
        • Quagiva, — Ciomoy.
        • Cacciam,
          • Cacciam,
          • Faifo,
          • Turaoh.
        • Sinuva, — Sinuva.
      • TUNQUIN, with its Parts or Provinces of
        • Bochin, whose chief place is Keccio.
        • Ghean, whose chief place is Keccio.
        • Tinhoa, whose chief place is Keccio.
        • Beramar, whose chief place is Keccio.
        • Kedom, whose chief place is Keccio.
        • Kenam, whose chief place is Keccio.
        • Kethay, whose chief place is Keccio.
      • The People called the Layes.
      • The Kingdom of Ciocangue.
      • The People called the
        • Gueyes.
        • Timocoves.
    • ISLES seated in the Gulph of SIAN, viz.
      • Macara.
      • Panian,
      • Cara.
      • Goeteinficos▪
      • Tyamciefi.
      • Cosyn.
    • ISLES seated in the Ocean, called the Gulph of BENGALA; viz.
      • Chubedu,
      • Chudube,
      • Ledoa,
      • Dos Alevantados,
      • Durondiva Siriaon,
      • Sobollas,
      • Dos Cocos,
      • Andemaon,
      • Dos Caboses,
      • Tanassesi,
      • Tavay,
      • Alta,
      • Crara,
      • Caremubar,
      • Raza,
      • Dos Sombreros de Palm,
      • Siano,
      • Sambilano,
      • Batun,
      • Pera,
      • Pinaon,
      • Ganal de St. Jorgo,
      • Nicubar.

[illustration] map of India

A General Mapp of the East Indies Comprehending the Estats or Kingdoms of the Great Mogol, the Kingdoms & Estats of Decan, Gol∣conde, Bisnagar, Malabar &c in the Peninsula of India with out the Ganges, & the Kingdoms Isles of Pegu, Sian, Malacca, Cochinchina &c in the Peninlula of India within the Ganges. with the Isles of Maldives. by Monsieur Sanson

[illustration]

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms of the East India Trading Company

DEUS IN DEAT

To the Honorable the Governer Deputy and Court of Committies of the Company of Marchants tradeing in to the East Indies This Mapp is humbly dedicated by Ric: Blome.

INDIA, OR THE EAST-INDIES.

* 1.167INDIA, of which we treat at present, is that which the Ancients have known under the name of India, or the Indies, and which the Moderns call the Asiatick, or East-Indies; because they likewise call America, though very improperly, the West Indies; these lying West, those East from our Meridian. But under the name of East Indies di∣vers Authors comprehend all the most Oriental parts of Asia, that is to say, all that is above and beyond the River Indus, from whence the Country takes its name; and likewise China, and the Isles of Asia, which are in the Oriental Ocean, pass under the name of these Indies.

* 1.168But leaving China and the Isles of Asia apart, we may divide India, both because of its Form and the disposition of its Estates, into three several parts; of which, the first shall comprehend that which is upon the Main Earth, the rest shall be in two Peninsula's; of which, the most Western, and between the Mouths of Indus and Ganges, shall be called The Peninsula of India without the Ganges; and the most Oriental, and beyond the Ganges, shall be called The Peninsula of India within the Ganges.

We will esteem in the first part, that which the Great Mogoll at present pos∣sesses, and what is engaged in his Empire. In the two Peninsula's we shall have a great number of Kingdoms and Principalities; neither the one nor the other having less than fifty, which by little and little are reduced into a less number, the strongest becoming Masters of the weakest. Thus the great Mo∣goll made himself Master of 35 or 40 Kingdoms, of which some had before ruined many others.

The Empire of the GREAT MOGOLL.

OF the several Provinces, or Kingdoms, under the Empire of the Great Mo∣goll, as appears in the Geographical Table of the Empire apart, have their Names common with those of their chief Cities, and are all rich, and since their separation they compose fair and powerful Estates: And first with Cabul.

* 1.169CABƲL, whose chief City bears the same name, is the most advanced towards Persia, with Ʋsbeck or Zagatha. The Springs of Nilab and Behat, which fall into the Indus, and possibly likewise of Indus, are in this Kingdom or Province. The City of Cabul is great, but the Houses low; its strength lying in the two Fortresses, and in the great Road of Lahor to Samarcand in Ʋsbeck; and to Yarchan, the chief City of Cascar, from whence they bring Silk, Musk, and Rhubarb, from China and Cathay.

ATTOCK is on the Indus;* 1.170 Its City is fair, the Fortress good; and when the Limits of the Estates of the Kings of India lay between Lahor and At∣tock, it was of greater consideration than possibly it is at present.

MƲLTAN is rich,* 1.171 by reason of the fruitfulness of its Soil and Traffick, which the Rivers of Indus, of Behat, of Nilab, and of Rawey, which fall into the Indus, do much enrich. The City of Multan is great, ancient, and not above two or three Leagues distant from the Indus. Its principal Commodi∣ties are Sugar, Galls, Opium, Brimstone; several Manufactures of Silk and Wool, &c.

CANDAHAR is far engaged towards Persia, its chief City being so cal∣led, which is great,* 1.172 and of some Trade.

BƲCKOR hath for its chief City Buckor-Suckor,* 1.173 which lies along the River Indus (which runs through the Province) which makes it very fertil. The City is of an indifferent extent, and of some Trade.

TATTA,* 1.174 whose chief City bears the same name, is divided by the River Indus into several Isles. In this City and Province are held to be the most in∣dustrious Tradesmen of the whole Kingdom, by reason of which here is found a good Trade, drove by Merchants of several Countries.

Buckor, there where the Rivers of Rawey and Caul fall into the Indus, and between Multan and Tatta; and Tatta where Sinde goes, between Buckor and the Sea: Lourebander and Diul serve for Ports to Tatta. Lourebander, there where the Indus begins to divide it self into several Branches; Diul on the great Sea. Moreover Diu and Diul are two different places, being distant 150 Leagues from each other. Diu in the Kingdom of Guzurate or Cambay, belongs to the Portugals: Diul in that of Tatta, is the Great Mogolls, who keeps there a Governour.

The Province of HAJACAN, Westwards of the Indus; of very small account,* 1.175 having no places worthy of note.

SORET is seated between the Kingdoms of Tatta on the West,* 1.176 of Gu∣zurate on the East. It hath for its chief City Janagar; the Province is but of little extent, but very fruitful, rich, and well Peopled.

* 1.177CASSIMERE or QƲERIMƲR, BANKISH, KAKARES, and NAƲGRACƲT, are between the River Indus and Ganges; all encom∣passed with the Mountains of Bimber towards the Indus, of Naugracut to∣wards the Ganges, of Caucasus towards Tartaria, of Dalanguer which crosses them, and separates the one from the other; and they, the Forests of these Mountains, which yielded so much Wood for the Vessels which Alexander the Great caused to be builded, to descend the Indus. And these are at present those Forrests which give so much divertisement of chase to the Great Mogoll. Sizinaket, or Sirinakar, though unwalled, is the chief City of Cassimere; Beishar of Bankish; Dankalar, and Purhola, of Kakares; and Naugracut of Naugracut. In this last the Temple of the Idol Marta is paved, Wans∣cotted, and Seiled with Plates of Gold: And in Callamacka there are Fountains very cold, and near to Rocks, from whence seem to flash out flames of fire.

The Province of SIBA hath for its chief City Hardware,* 1.178 which gives its rise to the River Ganges; and Serenegar on the River Mansa.

The Province of JAMBA gives name to its chief City.* 1.179

The Province of BAKAR lieth on the West of the Ganges,* 1.180 and hath for its chief City, Bikaner.

The Province of SAMBAL takes its name from its chief City so called.* 1.181

This Province is likewise called Doab, that is, two Waters; its scituation be∣ing between the Ganges and Semena: which, together with the three Pro∣vinces last mentioned, are without, or on this side the Ganges, reaching almost from its Spring-head unto the River Semena, or Gemeni.

The Province of GOR takes its name from its chief City,* 1.182 and gives its rise to the River Perselis, which falls into the Ganges; the Province being very Mountainous.

The Province of KANDƲANA hath for its chief City Karakantaka.* 1.183 This Province, and that of Gor, which is beyond the Ganges, doth end the E∣states

of the Mogoll towards the North, meeting with the Tartars of Tur∣questan.

The Province of MEVAT is very barren, whose chief City is Narval,* 1.184 which ends it towards the People called Maug; and others which we esteem to be in the Peninsula of India, which is in the Ganges.

The Province of ƲDESSA,* 1.185 is the utmost of the Mogolls Territories to∣wards the East, which is also within the Ganges; its chief place is Jebanac.

The Province of PITAN is on the West of Jamba,* 1.186 being very Moun∣tainous, whose chief City gives name to the Province. The River Randa runs through the City and Province, and falls into the Ganges.

The Province of PATNA is fruitful, whose chief City is so called,* 1.187 seated on the River Persely; but we have a very feeble and incertain knowledge of all these Parts or Kingdoms; but those which are towards the South, and par∣ticularly Guzurate or Cambaya, and Bengala, are better known.

* 1.188The Province of GƲSƲRATE, by the Portuguese called the Kingdom of CAMBAYA, hath more than 30 great Trading Cities, and is without doubt the noblest, greatest, richest, and most powerful Province of all the Mogolls Country, yielding a yearly Revenue of 15 or 20 Millions of Gold; and its King hath brought into the Field 150000 Horse, and 500000 Foot, 1000 Ca∣mels, &c. The Country likewise is esteemed the most fertil of all India; pro∣ducing all sorts of Grains, Fruits, and living Creatures, quantity of Drugs,* 1.189Spices, and precious Stones, not having any Mines of Gold or Silver, but three Plants which bring it an inestimable quantity; as well from the Gulph of Persia and the Red Sea, as from all the Coasts of India and China. These Plants are Cotton, Anniseed, and Opium: besides which there are varieties of other rich Commodities, as Oil, Sugar, Indico, Ambergreece, Soap, Comfits, Medicinal Drugs, Paper, Wax, Hony, Butter, Salt-Peter, Manufactures of Cotton, Linnen-Cloth, Carpets, Cabinets, Coffers, Cases, with a thousand other curiosities, which its Inhabitants know how to make and sell, being the ablest Merchants of India.

* 1.190They are likewise of a good Spirit, and addicted to Letters; serve them∣selves of all sorts of Arms, yet know nothing of Nobility, but by abundance of Riches: They are all Pagans or Mahometans. The Pagans for the most part are Pythagoreans, holding the immortality of the Soul,* 1.191 and that it passes from one body to another: for which reason they so much honour Beasts, that they eat them not, but keep Hospitals to receive such as are sick and lame. The Cows here are in such esteem with them, that a Merchant Banian (ac∣cording to the report of Texera) spent 10 or 12 thousand Ducats at a Nuptial, marrying his Cow with his Friends Bull. This Kingdom is in part Peninsula, between the Gulphs of the Indies and Cambaya, and in part on the Main, which stretches it self towards Decan.* 1.192 This Province though of a large ex∣tent, yet hath above 120 Leagues of Sea-Coast, on which it hath several fair and rich Cities, and of a good Trade: As also great quantities of Inland Towns and Cities, the chiefest whereof are, viz. Surat,* 1.193 seated on the River Tapta, which falls into the Sea 12 miles below the City. It is a City no less great and rich, than populous and famous, and enjoyeth as great a Trade as any City in India; being much frequented by the English and Dutch, where they have their Presidents and Factories, and where they have their Houses for the negotiation of their affairs, which are spacious and well built. This City is built four square, its Houses flat, after the Persian mode, and reasonably beautiful, having the benefit of pleasant Gardens: It hath several Mosques, but none deserves commendation; it is defended by a strong Castle, and hath a strong Wall on all sides, except on that which is seated on the River, and for its entrance hath three Gates: Its Port is six miles from the City, where the Ships are unladen, and the Commodities brought to the City by Land. The Inhabitants are either Benjans, Bramans, or Mogolls; but there are several other Nations which here reside, as Persians, Turks, Arabians, Arme∣nians, Jews, &c. driving a Trade; but none comparable to the English or Dutch. Its other places of note are. 1. Brodra,* 1.194 seated on a sandy Plain upon

a small River, well fortified with Walls and Forts, the Inhabitants being for the most part Dyers, Weavers, and other workers of Cottons, for which it is the chiefest place in the whole Province. The Governour of this City hath also under its Jurisdiction about 210 Towns and Villages.* 1.195 2. Baroche, 12 Leagues from Surat, and 8 from the Sea, seated strongly on a Mountain with Walls of Free∣stone; it is well Peopled, most following Dying, Weaving, and making of Cot∣tons, as they do at Brodra. About this City are very fertil Fields, which bring forth Wheat, Barly, Rice, and Cotton, in great abundance; and out of the Mountains they find the Agats.* 1.196 3. Cambaya, seated on a River, and on a Sandy place, encompassed with a Wall of Free-stone about 10 Leagues in circuit; its Streets are strait and broad, its Houses fair and large, having 12 Gates for en∣trance, 3 large Market-places, and 4 stately Cisterns, large enough to keep Water for the Inhabitants all the year long. They have also about this City 15 or 16 publick Gardens, for the recreation of the Inhabitants, being places of great pleasure and delight. The Inhabitants are for the most part Pagans, Benjans, or Rasboutes. This City is at the bottom of its Gulph, and so fa∣mous, and of so great Traffick, that the Kingdom sometimes bears its name, being frequented by most Nations, where the English and Dutch keep a Factory.* 1.197 4. Amadabad is the Metropolis of Guzurate, being about 7 Leagues in compass; a place of good strength, the Buildings are very stately and fair, especially the Mosques, the Governours House, and other publick Places; the Streets are large and many; is very populous, and of a great Trade, abounding in divers Indian Commodities. It is seated on a small River, which falls into the Indus about 45 Leagues from Surat, and is by the English compared to London. Here the Merchants pay no Custom; the Governour of this City is Vice-Roy of all Guzurate, being answerable for what he doth to none, but the Great Mogoll; he liveth in a greater state than any King in Europe: his Court large and stately; his attendance great, not stirring abroad without great pomp and state, as in his attendance of Nobles, and others, in his Guards of Horse and Foot, in his Elephants with brave furniture, together with several playing on certain Instruments of Musick. His Revenue is ex∣ceeding great, which by some is accounted to be about Ten Millions of Gold yearly: out of which he is at great expences, as in the maintaining the charge of the Kingdom, his own expences, and the keeping 12000 Horse and 50 Ele∣phants, for the Mogolls service. In and about this City there are great quan∣tities of pleasant Gardens, plentifully stored with variety of Fruit-trees. 5. Diu is in an Island of the same name,* 1.198 and lieth about 20 Leagues from the River Indus, and not far distant from the main Land. It is now subject to the Portugals, who have strongly fortified it. This City is well built, indifferent big, and hath a great and good Haven, being a place of great Trade, and ha∣ving a concourse of Merchants of divers Nations, by reason of which it brings a great profit to the King of Portugal, whose chief Commodities are Cotton-Linnen of sundry sorts, which we call Callicoes, Cocos-Oil, Butter, Pitch, Tar, Sugar-Candy, Iron; several sorts of curious Desks, Chests, Boxes, Standishes, which they make of Wood neatly carved, guilded, and variously coloured, and wrought with Mother of Pearl; also excellent fair Leather, which is artificially wrought with Silks of all colours, both with flowers and figures, which is there (and elsewhere) used instead of Carpets and Coverlids. 6. Bisantagan, by reason of the fertility of the Country there adjacent, is of good repute, well peopled, having in it about 20000 Houses. 7. Cheytepour, is seated on a small River, the Inhabitants being Benjans, who by Profession are Weavers, who make great quantities of Cotton-Linnen. Here are also several other Cities of less note, as Nassary, Gaudui, and Balsara, which are under the jurisdiction of Surat,* 1.199 from which they are not far distant. 8. Agra, seated on the River Gemini, which falls into the Ganges; of a very large ex∣tent, and strongly fortified with a Wall and a great Ditch. Its Houses are fair, it Streets spacious; several being inhabited by those of one Trade, each Trade having its Street alloted it. It hath a fair Market-place, and hath for the ac∣commodation of Merchants and Forreigners about 80 Caravanseraes or Inns,

which are large Houses, wherein are good Lodgings, and Ware-Houses for their Goods. In this City there are about 70 great Mosques or Churches, besides divers little ones; in the greatest of which are several Tombs of their Saints. Here are al∣so a great quantity of Baths or Hot-Houses, which are much used amongst them.

The Great Mogoll doth often change his dwelling; so that there is scarce any City of note, but what he hath abode in, and where he hath not Palaces, but there is none which hath his presence so much as this, it being the most de∣lightful of all others, where he hath a sumptuous Palace, as also several Gar∣dens and Houses for his retirement without the City. His Palace is seated upon the River Gemini, and if some Authors may be credited, is about 2 Leagues in compass; it is very strong, being encompassed with a strong Wall, and a great Ditch, or Moat, having at every Gate a Draw-bridge which are strongly guarded. For the description of this Palace, I must be beholding to J. Albert de Mandelslo, in his Book of Travels, where he saith, That being entred in at the Gate, there is a spacious Street with Shops, which leads to the Mogolls Palace; to which there is several Gates which are called by several names. Under the Gate called Cistery, is the place of Judicature, to which is adjoyned a place where all Ordinances and other Writs are sealed, and where the Records are kept: At the entrance of this Gate is the spacious Street aforesaid. The Gate called Achobarke Derwage is a place of great respect with them, and it is the place that the Singing and Dancing Women are lodged at, who are kept for the diversion of the great Mogoll, and his Family; these Women dance be∣fore him naked. There is another Gate which they call Dersame which leads to a River, to which he comes every morning to worship the Sun at his rising: Near this place it is, that his Nobles and Officers about his Court, come every day to do their submission to him; to which place he comes every day, except Fridays (which is set apart for their Devotions, (as Sunday is with us) to see the fighting of Lions, Elephants, Bulls, and the like fierce Beasts, which are here used for his recreation.) He speaketh of another Gate which leadeth into the Guard-Hall, through which, at the farther end of a Paved Court, under a Portal, there is a row of Silver Pillars, where there is a continual Guard also kept to hinder all people, except great Lords, to enter any farther, it leading to the Mo∣golls Lodgings, which are exceeding rich and magnificent; but above all is his Throne, which is made of massie Gold, and inriched with Diamonds, Pearls, and other precious Stones: Above the place where this Throne standeth, is a Gallery where he sheweth himself everyday, and receiveth the complaints of those who have received any injury; but they must be sure to prove it, else he runs a great hazard of his life, to trouble him vainly. But in his inner Lodgings there is no person to enter, save the Eunuchs, who wait upon the Ladies in his Seraglia, which is about 1000. Among the several fair Structures which are within this great inclosure, there is one great Tower, rich without (being covered with Gold) but not to compare to the wealth within; in which, are 8 spacious Vaults, which are filled with Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones of an Inestimable value.

* 1.200This City of Agra gives name to a Province or Kingdom which is of a fertile Soyl, and well peopled and frequented, and ows its beauty and enlargement to Ekebar, Emperor of the Mogolls. The Palace of the Great Mogol, as I said be∣fore, is of 2 Leagues circuit; the other Palaces of Princes and Lords, which are also seated along the River, stretching towards the North, are all proudly built, but not of so large an extent; that of the Great Mogolls being the fairest, rich∣est, and most magnificent of all the East. On the other side is the City of Secan∣dra, about 2 Leagues long, almost all inhabited by Merchants. Fetipore, that is, Desire accomplished, 12 Leagues from Agra; and towards the West, is likewise one of the works of Ekebar, who having obtained Children to succeed his E∣states, caused this place to be built for pleasure, with a very stately Palace and Musqueito or Temple; but its ill Waters have caused it to be abandoned. Biana to the West of Fetipore, hath the best Wood of all India. Scanderbad on the West of Bayana, hath been the Residence of some Kings, and the Castle above it is very advantagiously scituated, where Xa Selim kept himself, till such time as Ekebar had streightly besieged him, and forced him to retire into the Moun∣tains.

The name of this place, and likewise this of Secandra, directly opposite to Agra, retain something of the name of Alexander.

* 1.201The Province of LAHOR or PENGAB, is large, very fertile in all sorts of Fruits and Grains, which makes it considerable, its chief City bears the name of the Province; and I believe this City to be the same with Alexandria Bucephalus, which Alexander the Great built, and named of his name and that of his Horse Bucephalus. The Ancients place it by the River Hydaspes, which may at present be Bowey. The City hath been so much enlarged by Xa Selim, that it contains 24 Leagues of circuit. It is very pleasantly seated, espe∣cially towards the River, on which it hath many delightful Gardens: Its For∣tress is good, is adorned with many stately Palaces and great Houses where their Nobles and persons of quality reside; among others, that of the Kings, which is (though seated within the City,) yet separated from it with a high Wall, being magnificent, and adorned with great quantities of fair Pictures. Here is also by reason the Inhabitants are Mahometans, abundance of Mosques and Bathing-places, for their ordinary purifications, which is a ceremony much used amongst them. Here it is by many thought, that Noah seated himself af∣ter his coming out of the Ark; and likewise, that from hence Ophir and Havi∣lah, Sons of Joktan, removed towards the Ganges and Malacca. This Province is esteemed one of the most pleasant Countreys in all India, being so well shaded with Mulberry and other Trees, whose verdure is no less delightful to the eye of the beholder, then refreshing to the wearied Traveller, under whose Boughs he may rest, and shade himself from the shallure of the Sun. At Fetipore, not far from Lahor, the Sultan Gansron, the Son of Selim, but a Rebel, was by his Father defeated; from whence the place had its name, which signifies Desire accomplished: As the other Fetipore near Agra was built by Ekebar, after ha∣ving obtained Children to succeed him in his Estates. This Countrey bears the name of Peng-ab, that is, five Waters, by reason it is watred with five different Rivers.

* 1.202The Province of DELLY gives name to its capital City, which is on the Road from Lahor to Agra; watred by the River Gemini or Semena. Before the Mogolls descended into all these quarters, the Kings of India made it their Residence, were here Crowned, and here had their Tombs: There are yet found some very fair Obelisques, believed to have been erected in the time of Alex∣ander the Great, and the Greeks.

* 1.203The Kingdom of BENGALA occupies all the lower part of the Ganges, and may be divided into three parts. Prurop on this side the Ganges, Patan beyond it. The particular name of Bengala may be given to that which lies between the Branches of the Ganges, and along the Coast. This Kingdom hath been divided into 12 Provinces, which have been so many Kingdoms, and which took their names from their principal Cities; but we have no certain knowledg either of their names, or situations. Bengala likewise is placed by some be∣tween the Branches of the Ganges, by others beyond it: Some esteem Chati∣gan its chief City, when as others will have it to be Goura on the Ganges, high∣er in the Land, and more then 100 Leagues from the Sea. However it be, Ben∣gala is of so great Traffick, and so rich, that the Kingdom and Gulf of Ganges, on which it is at present, is called the Kingdom and Gulf of Bengala. The City of Chatigan is pleasantly seated on a fair and large River, whose imbosure is not far distant from that of the Ganges. This River hath so fierce a Current, that Boats and Vessels, without the help of Sails or Oars, are driven in 24 hours about 100 Miles; so that those who have no occasion to pass up and down this River, are forced to fasten their Vessels to certain Trees or other things which are for the same purpose fixed along the shore. By which means they are sheltered from the violence of the Tides, which else would spoyl them. Here are several o∣ther Cities, as Ragmehel, Daca, Banara, Tanda, Patana, Holobasse on the joyning of Gemini and Ganges, is one of the fairest and greatest Cities of India, and I esteem it in the place of the Ancient Palibothra, where the streams of the Jomanes and Ganges do meet, with other Cities of less note.

* 1.204This Kingdom of Bengala extends it self 300 Leagues from East to West, and sometimes 200 from North to South, having no less then 150 Leagues of Coast, which is much frequented by Merchants of several Countries, which hither come for their Commodities, which by reason of the temperatness of the Air, and the fertility of the Countrey do here abound. The Inhabitants are courteous,* 1.205 but deceivers: Their Kings have been esteemed as rich and as powerful as any in India.

* 1.206Between the Kingdoms of Cambaya and Bengala, are those of Candis, Chitor, Malway, Berar, Gualeor, Narvar, Ranas and Berar. Brampore is the chief City of Candis, seated on the River Tapta, which descends into the Gulph of Cambaya, below Surat. The City is great, but ill built, unhealthful, and a place which hath been unfortunate to many Children of the Great Mogolls. In the old City of Mandow, are the Sepulchres and Remains of the Palace of its Anci∣ent Kings; the new City is better built, but less.

* 1.207The Province of CHITOR, with its City of the same name, is quite engag∣ed in the Mountains, which meet in the way of Amedebat and Cambaya to Agra. The City was of 5 Leagues circuit, before Ekebar took it from Raja Cana, and ruined it. It hath now little more then the Remains of 100 and odd Temples, and of a great number of Buildings which have been stately and magnificent. The Castle was in a place so advantagious and strong, that the Kings of Delli could never take it; and Sultan Alandin was constrained to raise the siege, after ha∣ving been 12 years before it.

* 1.208The Province of MALWAY, hath its Territory fruitful, and for its princi∣pal place Rantipore, others put Ʋgen or Ougell. Its chief Fortress is Narvar, whose City is near the Spring-head of a River, and at the Foot of Mountains of the same name, and which stretch themselves from the Kingdom of Guzurate, unto that of Agra and Narvar; and in these Mountains abide some Princes which obey not the Mogoll.

* 1.209The Province of GƲALEOR takes its name from its chief City, where there is one of the best Cittadels or Fortresses of the Estate, wherein the Mogoll confines such as are Prisoners of State, and those Lords of which he hath any jealousie; and where he also keeps a great part of his Treasure.

* 1.210The Province of RANAS, hath for its chief place Gurchitto, seated on a high Hill.

* 1.211The Province of NARVAR, hath for its chief City Gehud, seated on a River which falls into the Ganges, and touches on the Mountains of Narvar.

* 1.212The Province of BERAR, hath for its capital place Shapor, which reach∣es Southward, and touches that of Guzurate, and the Mountain of Rana.

* 1.213In the midst of all the Mogolls Estates, are the provinces of JENƲPAR, HENDOWNES, JESSELMERE and BANDO. The Province of Jenupar, takes its name from its chief City. Hendowns of Hen∣downs, which is towards the Indies. Jesselmere, whose chief City is so called, in whose Castle Ammer in 1548. Zimlebege, Wife of Hymayon, flying into Persia Lay in of Ekebar, who restored the Mogolls, and made their Estates so great and powerful in the Indies. And lastly, the Province of Bando, whose chief City bears the same name, is between the Cities of Jesselmere, Delli and Agra, at 70 or 80 Leagues from the one and the other, besides its City of the same name. Asmere is famous for the Sepulchre of Hogimondee, a Mahumetan, whom the Mogolls esteem a Saint, and there where Ekebar made his devotions, to the end he might obtain a Son to succeed in his Estate; and afterwards caused to be set up at every Leagues end, a Pillar of Stone, and several Lodgings to be built on the way, to receive Passengers and Pilgrims.

* 1.214These are the Provinces or Kingdoms which the Great Mogoll possesses; whose Empire stretches from South to North 500 Leagues, and from West to East 6 or 700, is bounded either with Mountains or the Sea. Its Neighbours are the Ʋsbeck, the Cascar, the Thibet, and the Turquestan, parts of Tartary to∣wards the North; the People of Maug, and others which have been of Pegu, to∣wards the East; the Persians towards the West; and the Kingdom of Decan and Golconda towards the South. The Indian Ocean, where are the Gulfs

of Indus and Cambaya on one side, and that of Bengala on the other side, wash the rest.

* 1.215Of all his Neighbors, the Tartars and Persians are the most powerful: The Tartars, nevertheless, being divided into many Estates, where they border on him, are more likely to damage him by Inroads, then by open War. The Persian regained from him Candahar, some years past: which he lost not a∣gain, till he had at the same time to deal with the Mogolls, and Turks. The others have much ado to defend themselves against him; as the Kings of Gol∣conda and Decan; this last having lost some part of his Estates, and the other giving him some present in the way of Tribute.

But the great Mogoll would make nothing to seise both these Kingdoms, if he were not often perplexed with intestine War; and if there remained not in his E∣states divers Princes, which they call Rahias or Kings; and many people of whom he cannot absolutely dispose, neither the one nor the other obeying him, or paying any Tribute to him, but by constraint; and the greatest part paying it only when and how they please, and sometimes not at all. Amongst these little Kings and People are the Rahia Bossou,* 1.216 who resides at Temery, 50 Leagues from Lahor. The Rahia Tulluck Chan, who resides at Naugracut 80 Leagues from Lahor. The Rahia Decomperga is 150 Leagues from Agra, residing at Calsery; the Rahia Mansa is 200 Leagues from Agra, residing at Serim∣gar. The Rahia Rodorou is beyond the Ganges, residing at Camayo. The Muggi likewise beyond the Ganges to the South of Rahia Rodorou, is very powerful as well as the two last; between the Armes of the Ganges, is a Prince of the ancient family of the Kings of Delli, who likewise maintains himself. Above Cassimere the Rahia Tibbon acknowledges neither Mogoll, nor Tartar; descending often, and making incursions both on the one and the other. The People called Balloches or Bulloques, do unpunished live like Vagabonds in the Province of Haiacan; likewise the Aguvanes, and the Patanes in Candahar, likewise the Quilles or Colles, and the Resbutes in the Mountains between Cam∣baya and Decan, and sometimes the Colles of Decan, the Rebustes of Cambaya, and the Patanes of Candahar have raised Tribute.

These Kings and People are almost all Pagans, descending from divers Kings and People which possessed divers parts of the Indies before the Mogolls. There is one Rahia of the Colles above Amadebat; another the Rahia Par∣taspha near Breampure, who hath some time taken and pillaged Cambaya. The Rahia Rana resides at Gorchitto; and after having well defended himself a∣gainst the ancient Kings of India, yields now some Tribute to the Mogoll.

Yet is the Great Mogoll one of the greatest, and most powerful Princes of Asia;* 1.217 he can bring into the field 200000 Horse, 500000 Foot, and 2 or 3000 Elephants; he gives pensions to the greatest part of the Princes, Lords, Nobles and Gentry of the Country, on condition that they keep for his service, some 1, some 2, 3, 4, 5, some 10, some 100, some 1000 and upwards of Horses, which are to be always in readiness; his Armies nevertheless consist for the most part of 100000 Horse, and 200000 Foot; and this besides his ordinary Garrisons. His Subjects are strong and robustious, use all sorts of Armes, go freely to all occasions, wanting nothing but Order and Policy. They have no considerable Forces at Sea, since the Portugalls hold from them in the Kingdom of Cambaya, the City and Fortress of Diu, Daman, Basaim of the Isle of Saltette near Ben∣saim, the Fort of Manora, and the Rock of Asserim.

* 1.218The whole Country is stored with several sorts of tame and wild Creatures, as Buffes, Oxen, Cowes, Sheep, Deer, Wild-Asses, Bores, Hares, &c. Variety of Fowl and Fish; here are also found Crocodiles, some of which are 30 foot long; Cormorants, and Bats as big as Crows.

* 1.219The great Mogolls ordinary Guard consists of about 12000 men, besides 600 of his life guard; he never stirs abroad to hunt, take the Air or the like, with∣out the attendance of about 10000 men of all degrees; besides to make his stare the greater, there are 100 Elephants richly trapt, and covered with Scarlet, Velvet, or the like; on these Elephants there are seated two men, the one to guide him, and the other which supports a large Banner of Silk, richly em∣broydered

with Gold and Silver; but on some of the Elephants which go fore∣most, instead of carrying Banners, they play upon Simbretts, and other such like Instruments; after these 100 Elephants, comes the Mogoll, either mount∣ed on an excellent Persian Horse, or else in a Coach, or Sedan, attended by his Nobles and other Courtiers, after whom come about 500 Elephants, Camels,* 1.220 and Wagons which are to carry the Baggage; for commonly he encamps in the Field, in which he takes great delight by reason of the coolness, as also by reason few Cities are able to give entertainment to so great a retinue; and be∣sides his going thus to hunt or take the Air, he often changes the place of his abode according to the seasons of the year. The Mogoll celebrates with great pomp and state the first day of the year. They have several Festival daies which they keep in great triumph, wherein they have several divertisements of sports and recreations, and especially the birth day of the Mogoll. The lan∣guage which the Great Mogoll, and most people of quality speak, is the Per∣sian tongue. The Inhabitants are very expert at the Bow. The diseases which are common amongst them, are Fevers, and the Bloody Flux. Their Horses are not good, but their Oxen are excellent, being here used instead of Horses, which are very mettlesome. As in this great extent of ground (which we call the Mogolls Country) there are several sorts of People, so likewise are there divers sorts of Religions, some of which I shall speak a word or two of.

The Benjans are Pagans, they use neither Circumcision nor Baptisme; they believe there is a God who created them, and made the Universe; but they worship the Devil, believing that God created him to govern the world, and do mischief to mankind, to which end in all their Mosques they have the figure of him in Statues of Gold, Silver, Ebony, Ivory, Marble, Stone and Wood; this figure in shape is ugly and horrid to look on; it is placed on a Table of Stone, which serves for an Altar, and receives the Offerings which are made to the Pagode; on the right side of this Table is placed a Trough, in which those who intend to do their devotions wash and Purifie themselves; and on the other side there is a Chest in which is put their Offerings, night to which in the wall is a Vessel, out of which the Braman or Priest takes out a kind of yellow stuff, with which he marks the foreheads of them; this Braman sits at the foot of the Altar, from whence he riseth often to say Prayers. In their Mosques they always burn Lamps, and about the Walls of them are abundance of Figures, as Beasts, Devils, &c. which they adore. They much use as a part of their Reli∣gion corporal purification, bathing themselves every day. They are very in∣genious, subtil, and civil, there being no trade but what they apply themselves unto, and are very expert in the adulteration of all Commodities. They are civil in their Apparel, but their Children go naked untill the age of 5 or 6 years, and at 7, 8, 9 or 10 years of age they marry them, seldom staying untill the age of 12, especially the female sex, as thinking it a great shame to live so long un∣married; and in their marriages they observe several ceremonies. The Men are not only permitted to marry twice, or thrice in case of mortality, but also if their Wives prove barren; but the first hath a preeminence as being mother of the Family; their Sons are Heirs to their Fathers Estates, but withall they must maintain the Mother, and take to Wife their Sisters.

The Bramans or Priests are of great authority, and highly respected a∣mongst them, insomuch that the Benjans will hardly engage themselves in any matter of concernment, without the advice and approbation of them. These Priests besides their expounding the mysteries of their Religion according to their fancies (which soon take impression in the minds of these superstitious people) have an oversight of Schools where Children have their education. When the men are to go a journy they desire the Braman to have a care of their Wives, untill they return, and to supply their places; another custom they have, that when any are married, the Bride is brought to the Braman, and he is earnestly requested to enjoy the first fruits of her, without which they think the marriage is not blest, and for so doing he hath gifts presented him according to the qualities of the persons.

The Benjans believe the transmigration and immortality of the Soul, thinking

that the Soul of a good man is departed into the body of a Chicken or a Pigeon, that of a wicked or cruel man into a Lion, Tiger or Crocodile, that of a glutton into a Swine, that of a crafty man into a Fox, &c. for which reason they nei∣ther eat nor kill any thing that hath life; nay they are so far from destroying them, that on the contrary they will purchase them of the Mahometans, and set them at liberty, and for those that be lame, or sick, they have Hospitals for them as in Persia.

J. Albert de Mandelslo, in his Book of Travels saith, that the Benjans are divided among themselves, into 83 principal Sects, besides an infinite number of others; those of most note as comprehending all the others, are those of Samarath, Ceurawath, Bisnow and Goeghy.

* 1.221Besides the Benjans there is another sort of Pagans whom they call the Par∣sis, who for the most part reside by the Sea-coast, addicting themselves to Trades and Commerce; they believe that there is one God, preserver of the Universe, who acts alone and immediately in all things; but he hath as they fancy about 30 several Servants, to whom he giveth an absolute power over the things which he hath entrusted them with, but withall they are obliged to give an account unto him; and for these Servants they have a great veneration, who have each their particular charge, as one having the Government of the Earth, another of Fruits, another of Beasts, another of Military affairs: Others who have influences on men, some giving understanding, others wealth, &c. Another who takes the possession of the Souls departed; which conducts them to the Judges where they are examined, and according to their good or evil deeds, receive their Sentence, and are carried by the good or bad Angels, who attend the Judges to Paradise or Hell, where they think they shall abide until the end of the world, which will be 1000 years; after which time, they shall enter into other Bodies, and lead a better life then they did before. Another hath the goverment of Waters, another of Metals, another of Fire, which they hold Sacred, &c.

They have no Mosques or publick places for their Devotion; they have a very great esteem of their Teachers and Doctors, allowing them a plentiful Estate. Their Widows are suffered to marry a second time. Adultery and Fornication they severely punish. They are forbidden the eating of any thing that hath life. Drunkenness they likewise strictly punish. These People are much given to Avarice, and circumventing those they deal withal. The Ma∣homitans or Mogolls that here inhabit are of a good stature, have their Hair black and flaggy, but are of a clearer Complexion then the other sort of People aforementioned.* 1.222 They habit themselves something like the Persians; their Garments about their Waists, are close to their Bodies, but downwards wide; they use Girdles and their Shoos and the Covering of their Head, is much the same with those of the Turks. And they are likewise distinguished by their Glothes, which according to the degree and quality, and the person, doth ex∣ceed in richness. They are very civil, ingenious, and reserved, yet are expen∣sive in their Appareb, Feastings, and great lovers of Women. And so much for the Mogolls Countrey.

The Peninsula of INDIA without the Ganges.

* 1.223THe Peninsula without the Ganges, is between the Mouths of Indus and Ganges, and advances from the East of the Great Mogoll, unto the eighth degree of Latitude, on this side the Aequator. The Ocean or Indian Sea washes it on three sides; to wit, the Gulf of Bengala, once Gangeticus Sinus, on the East; the Gulph of Cambaya, anciently Barigazenus Sinus, and the Sea which regards Arabia, on the West; towards the South, that which regards Cylan on one side, and the Maldives on the other.

We will divide this Peninsula into four principal parts, which shall be De∣can, Golconda, Narsingue or Bisnagar, and Malabar. The three first,* 1.224 and the greatest, have each their King; or if there be more, they depend and hold of one alone: The fourth and last part, hath likewise formerly been a Kingdom alone; at present is many, but which hold one of another.

DECAN.

THe Kingdom of DECAN is washed on the West, by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Cambaya. It is divided into three others,* 1.225 which they call Decan, Cunkan and Balaguate; the two first on the Coast. Balaguate is East∣ward of the other two up in the Land, and composed of Vallies which are be∣low, and between the Mountains of Gate; beyond which, are the Kingdoms of Golconda and Narsingue or Bisnagar.

In the particular Decan, are the Cities of Amedanagar, Chaul, Dabul, &c. In Cunkan are the Cities of Visapor, Soliapor, Goa, Paranda, Pagode,* 1.226&c. Likewise in Balaguate, Lispor, Beder, Doltabad, Hamedanager, Visapor and Be∣der, are the principal Cities, and those where the Dealcan or Idalcan makes his residence; but none more considerable then Goa, though they are fair, well built, large, and populous.

Goa is a City as fair, rich, and of as great Traffick as any in the East; being situated in an Island of the same name, which the Rivers of Mandova and Guari make at their falling into the Sea. Alphonso Albuquerque took it in the year 1510. and since the Portugals have established themselves so powerfully, that their Vice-Roy, a Bishop, and their Council for the East-Indies have here their Residence. The Commodities found in this City (being the Staple of the Commodities of this part of the Indies, as also of Persia, Arabia, China, Ar∣menia, &c.) are Precious Stones, Gold, Silver, Pearls, Silk raw and wrought, Cotton, of which they make several Manufactures; also Spices, Druggs, Fruits, Corn, Iron, Steel, with divers others which the said Countreys afford, but the Natural Commodities of Goa are not considerable. Besides their great Traffick with several Nations, their Riches and Policy which they observe,* 1.227Vincent Blanc makes account that its Hospital is the fairest, the best accommodated and served, and the richest of any, making it exceed that of the Holy Spirit at Rome, and the Infermerica at Malta, which are the best of all Christendom. Their Streets large, their Houses fair, especially their Palaces and Publick Buildings which are very magnificent: Their Churches are stately and richly adorned; their Windows are beautified with Mother of Pearl, and Shells of Tortoises of divers colours; which are ingeniously cut in neat Works. This City is in compass above 15 miles, and though it is without Gates or Walls, yet by reason of its Castle, Forts, and the strength it receiveth from the Island, is a place of great strength and force: It hath a great and good Haven,* 1.228 which they make their Harbor for their Indian Fleet, by which they command the Seas there abouts. The Portugals here live in all manner of delight and pleasure; and with a pride and presumption so great, that the least and most beggerly among them, take to themselves the titles of Gentlemen of the House and Chamber of the King, Knights, Esquires, &c. being very highly conceited of themselves, and exceed∣ing proud and stately, but withal very civil and courteous; no person of quality walks the Streets a-foot, but are carried by their Slaves in a Palanquin, or ride on Horses, and the Women seldom go abroad publickly. Both Sexes are extreamly given to Venery, by reason of which, the Pox is very frequent among them, of which abundance dies: Their Women have an excessive love to white Men, and will use their uttermost endeavours to enjoy them. The Men are so jealous of their Wives, that they will scarce suffer their nearest Relati∣ons to see them, by reason they are so much desirous of the enjoyment of Men, and they so much of them.

In their Apparel, as also in the furniture of their Houses, they are very cost∣ly. The Women are here delivered without pain, and not having the use

of a Midwife, or any one but her self; and no sooner is she delivered, but she is about her occasions, not observing the custom among us, in keeping their Chamber a month together. Most of them live to the age of 100 years, and that in perfect health; but these are not the Portugals, but are the Natives which are Pagans and Benjans. To this City do resort Merchants from Arabia, Persia, Armenia, Cambaya, Bengala, Siam, Pegu, China, Java, Malacca, and from several other Countries, it being the Staple of all Indian Commodities. In the heart of the City, is a Street, where every morning, from seven to nine, not only the Merchants meet for the vending and buying of Commodities, which are here set forth for sale, like our Fairs; but also the Gentry of the Ci∣ty meet, as well to hear news, as to satisfie their fancies in the sight of the Com∣modities: And besides this Street, every Trade hath its particular Street, one Trade not intermixing with another.

Besides Goa, the Land of the Bardes, the Islles of Salsette, of Coran, of Divar, and some other Lands about Goa, are the Portugals: As likewise, the City of Chaul, on the Coast, where they have a great Trade of Silk; and from these places they have their provision brought them, and that at very easie rates; for the Island of it self is so barren, that it will scarce produce any thing.

Decan taken altogether, hath one King alone, which they call Idolcan or Dialcan. The Great Mogoll hath taken from him some places in the particu∣lar Decan, and the Portugals Goa, Chaul, and some other places on the Coast. This Prince is yet powerful, at least in regard of the Indians: He hath taken Dabul from the Portugals, and ruined it. He once besieged Chaul, and divers times Goa, leading in his Armies near 200000 men. In fine, he made Peace with the Portugals; the Vice-Roy of the East-Indies for the Crown of Portu∣gal, having always an Ambassador at the Idolcans Court, and the Idolcan ha∣ving one at Goa with the Vice-Roy. And though this Prince is so powerful in men, and so well provided with Ammunition, and his Artillery greater and better then any Prince about him, yet is he become Tributary to the Great Mo∣goll.

* 1.229All the Country is good, fruitful, watered with several Rivers, hath store of precious Stones, of Cotton and Silk, of which they make divers Manufactures; of Pepper, of Fruits and other Commodities.

The Inhabitants or Natives of the Country are Pagans, and for the most part Benjans, but eat any kind of Flesh, except that of an Ox, Cow, Buffe, Swine or Wild-Bore. A Swine they abhor, but have a great veneration for a Cow or an Ox. But as to the manner of their life, as in their Marrriages, Interments, Purifications, and other Ceremonies in their Religion; as also in their Habits and Houses, which are very mean, their Houses being made of Straw, and with∣al, small and low; having no light but what enters in at the door, which is not so high as a mans Waist: In which, their chiefest furniture and houshold-stuffs, are Mats to lie upon in the night, on which they also eat their Meat; their Dishes, Drinking-cups, &c. are made of Fig-leaves, which they daub and plaister together. In these, and the like Ceremonies and Customs, they imitate the Benjans aforementioned, The rest of the people which here inhabit, are Mahometans and Jews, which here enjoy the freedom of their Religion, but the Subjects of the King of Portugal are Catholicks, those of the English Pro∣testants.

GOLCONDA.

* 1.230THe name of GOLCONDA hath been known but for few years; nevertheless this is a powerful and rich Kingdom; but which hath been confounded with the name of Orixa. It is upon the Gulph of Bengala, which it regards towards the East and South, neighbouring on the Mogolls and the Kingdom of Bengala, towards the North. It stretches 200 Leagues on the Coast in length, and near 100 up in the Land in breadth. It yields 20 Millions of yearly Revenue, is very well peopled, and its People addicted to all sorts of Manufactures. They make Cotton Pintado's so artificially, and with such lively colours, that it is esteemed better than Silk. They build great Ships, trade to Mecca, Aquem, Bengala, Pegu, and throughout all the Indies:

* 1.231There are in this Estate 66 Castles and Fortresses, where the ordinary Gar∣risons are kept; and these Castles are on inaccessible Rocks, which they call Conda. Golconda, which the Persians call Hidrabrand, is the chief and resi∣dence of the King; it is distant from the Port of Musulipatan about 60 Leagues, which is a fair City seated on an Arm of the Sea; adjoyning to the Kingdom of Bisnagar, and not far from Cape Guadavari. Hath its Air pleasant, its Soil fruitful, of about 5 or 6 Leagues circuit; nor doth its King yield much to the Great Mogoll in Riches, precious Stones, in store of Elephants, or all sorts of magnificence. But his Estates being much less, and his People less warlike, constraineth him to send him every year 400000 Pagodes in form of Tribute.

* 1.232This Country moreover hath no Mines of Gold, Silver, or Copper, some it hath of Iron and Steel, but many of Diamonds and other precious Stones, so rich and abundant, that in 1622 the King caused it to be shut up, and the labour to cease, fearing lest the too great quantity should make them neglected. Others say, for fear it should draw the Great Mogoll into his Estates.

Condapoli; its chief Fortress is so great, that in circumference it contains six others; and these six are one above the other, each having Wood, Fruits, and Land sufficient to maintain the Garrisons destined for their defence, which amount to 12000 Men. Candavara is another Fortress, 15 or 16 Leagues from Condapoli; and thence at certain intervals there are Towers, on which with certain Lights they give signal of all that passes in the Country. On the Sea-Coast or Gulph of Bengala, are seated several Towns, some of which are well known by Merchants; as Guadavari, which gives name to a Cape, on which it is seated, Vixaopatan, Narsingapatan, Pulacate, Palhor, Manicapatan, Calecote, Caregara; on the Cape Segogora, or Das Palmas, Polarin, Contiri∣patan, and others. The Portugals have a Fortress at Masulipatan, which is one of the best Ports of the Country; the City is not walled, and belong to the Prince.

* 1.233The Air is every where healthful, the Soil fertil, producing twice or thrice a year Grains, Fruits, &c. almost all different from ours. Their Seasons are distinguished in three manners; they have very great heats in March, April, May, and June; and that is their Summer. Much Rain in July, August, Sep∣tember, and October; and that is their Autumn. Fresh Weather, or little heat in November, December, January, and February, which is their Spring: For Winter they have none. One of their principal Revenues comes from Salt, which alone yields 1800000 Pagodes, or so many Crowns. Their other Re∣venues are drawn from several Commodities; amongst the rest Diamonds, of which all above 5 Carats belong to the Prince; nor dare any keep them on pain of death.

BISNAGAR, or NARSINGƲE.

* 1.234SOuth of Decan and Golconda are the Estates of BISNAGAR other∣wise NARSINGƲE; these two places being the principal ones of the Realm. Narsingue, not far from the Port of Paleacate, about the midst of the Coast of Choromandel: Bisnagar, towards the Mountains of Gate, and near Canara. The whole Estate is divided into three principal quarters, and these 3 quarters into 7 Kingdoms, and extends it self on two different parts of the Indian Sea, on the Gulph of Ganges or Bengala, towards the East; and on the Gulph of Indus or Cambaya, towards the West. On this side, the Coast is 65 Leagues long; in the other 250.

The three principal quarters are called CANARA, BISNAGAR, and CHOROMANDEL. Canar•• occupies all the Western Coast, between the Estates of Decan and Malabar; Bisnagar and Choromandel hold all the Eastern Coast: the last towards the Coast of the Peschery, and Isle of Ceylan; and the first towards Golconda. Canara hath the Kingdoms of Onor and Baticala on the Sea, and that of Borsopa farther in the Land, which stretches to the Mountains of Gate. Bisnagar hath the Kingdoms of Tienlique and Bisnagar; Choromandel, those of Choromandel and Tamul.

* 1.235Onor, Baticala, and Gorcopa, are the capital Cities each of their Kingdoms; the two first to one, the last subject to a particular King; but all Tributaries to Bisnagar. Those four on the East and Gulph of Bengala, are immediately subject to the King of Bisnagar, except that the Portugals hold Maliapur and Negapatan. But moreover the Estates of the Naicques, of Tanjaor, of Gingi, and of Madure, are esteemed to be of Bisnagar, because they make part of it, and are likewise at present Vassals and Tributaries of the King of Bisnagar. Formerly these Naicques were only Governours of the Quarters they at pre∣sent possesse, these Governours revolting, and each seising his Government. The Kings of Bisnagar having long made War upon them, to reduce them to their duty: They in the end remained Naicques, that is, Hereditary Lords, and absolute over those Quarters, paying some Tribute to the Kings of Bisnagar.

The City of Gingi is esteemed one of the greatest and fairest of India, in the midst of which is a Fortress, and in that Fortress a Rock almost inaccessible; they give likewise to this Naicque the City of Cindambaram, after it Chista∣patama; and on the Coast of Choromandel, Coloran, the Princes of Trinidi and Salavacca, are subject to him.

The Naicque of Tanjaor hath his Estate between those of Gingi and Ma∣dure, and near the Port of Negapatan, which belongs to the Portugals. Besides Tanjaor and Castan in the Upland, the Cities of Triminapatan, of Trangabar, and of Triminavez, belong unto him.

The Naicque of Madure, besides Madure his capital City and a very fair one, holds almost all the Coast of the Pesoheria, and the little Isle of Manar near Ceylan. This Coast extends from the Cape of Comori unto the Cape of Negapatan, viewing in the Ocean the not far distant Isle of Ceylan: And the name of the Pescheria hath been given it, by reason of the Pearls which they yearly fish there for about the end of March and the beginning of April; and this Fishing endures only 15 or 21 days, there being then about 50 or 60000 Persons employed either to fish, or to keep the Fishermens Vessels from trouble. These Pearls are exposed to sale in July, August, and September. Tutucori and Manancor, are the best Cities of this Coast, which is of 75 Leagues length, where there is about 25 Cities. The people of Paravas are mixed along the Coast, and live in some form of a Republick, paying some rights to the Naicque of Madure; and these are they that fish or the Pearls: this fishing being all the riches of the Country, which of it self is neither fertil nor pleasant, but dry and scorched.

* 1.236Yet is the King of Bisnagar very powerful, formerly marching against the Idalcan, it hath been accounted that he had in his Army 40000 Horse, 700000 Foot, and 700 Elephants. His chief City is Bisnagar or Visnagar, a City very beautiful, seated in a temperate Air, and by reason of the fertility of the

Country about it, which brings forth sundry Commodities naturally, besides the industry and ingenuity of the Inhabitants in several Manufactures; but especi∣ally in their fine Cotton-Linnen, which they make of divers colours, and inter∣woved with several sorts of Loom-works and flowers, which are esteemed bet∣ter than Silk. Also the goodness of its Haven, hath made it a place of as great Commerce as any City on the Coast of Choromandel;* 1.237 though at Musulipatan the English have settled a Factory (both for the providing and lading hence the Commodities of the Country,) more by reason of its scituation, than for the goodness of place, it being of no beauty nor grandure; its Houses being low and ill built, and its Streets not many, and those that are, narrow and ill contrived; but above all it is seated in a barten Soil, by reason of the extraor∣dinary Heat, which here rages from March to July; them from July to No∣vember, the great Rains and Winds, which reign continually, so that their Temperate weather is but from November to March.

Vincent le Blanc saith, That the City of Bisnagar is able to set forth 100000 Horse; next to it Narsingue, on the side of a little Hill towards the Sea; Tripi∣ty, not far from Chandegry; and Cangevaran, not far from, Maliapor, or St. Thomas Trivalur, is famous for the great number of its Idols. Cirangapatan is between Chandegry and Mangalor, which is on the Coast of Canara: the Fortress of Vellur, between Chandegry and Narsingue, was the Kings Court in 1609. All the Country is healthful, rich, and fertil in Corn and Fruits,* 1.238 breeding store of Cattel and Fowl; and Diamonds are found in the Mountains of Gate, near Chandegry, and in other places quantity of Amethysts and white Saphirs. They have all sorts of Beasts, both tame and wild: their Elephants are docil, their People healthful and well disposed, but not couragious. The Pepper of Onor is esteemed the most weighty and the best of all these quarters: the Por∣tugals lade from thence 7 or 8000 Quintals a year. Baticala, a Port of Rice of several sorts, different both in price and goodness; the black Rice is esteem∣ed more healthful, and better than the white.

Between Peleagate and Narsingue, there is an obscure and deep Valley full of Trees, which still drop water like those in the Isle of Ferr in the Canaries: near this Valley there is abundance of Sugars, whose Canes prest serve to feed Beasts, among which Hogs most delight in them, which makes them contract a favour rather of Sugar than Salt; yet are they worth little.

* 1.239Some give the King of Narsingue but 10 or 1200 l. Sterling of yearly Re∣venue, whereas others report him to have 10 or 12 Millions of Gold yearly, which is most likely. He entertains ordinarily 40000 Naires, 20000 Horses; and for the service of his House 12 or 15000 Persons, 1000 Horses, and 800 Elephants.

* 1.240Almost all the People are Idolaters, some Mahumetans, and a few Catholicks. The Jesuites have two residences; one at Chandegry, and the other at Vetlur, to no small benefit. Amongst the Customs of these Barbarians, they have the inhuman custom for the Women to burn themselves with the Corps of their deceased Husbands. Texera saith, that the Naique of Madure deceasing in his time, his 400 Wives and Concubines cast themselves into the same Fire, and burnt themselves with the Kings Body. There was 375 burnt with the Naique of Taujaor, in the year 1600, and as many or more with the last Naique of Gingi.

* 1.241As for the form and custom observed in the burning of these silly wretches, I shall borrow from Sir Tho. Herbert, as he hath it in his book of Travels, p. 362. where he saith, that the Husband being dead the Wife prepares her self for her Funeral, habiting her self in transparent Lawn; her Nose, Ears, and Fin∣gers she adorns with Precious Stones, &c. but her Legs, Thighs and Arms she fettereth with Chains, which they hold as expressions of Love; in one hand she holds a Ball, and in the other a Nosegay of Flowers, both as Em∣blems of Paradise: and being thus habited, she is accompanied to the place by all her Relations, Friends, and Acquaintance; and all the way going the Branch∣man or Priest denotes the joys she is to possess, together with the assu∣rance of enjoying her Husband in the Elysium: which words do much excite her to valour; so that when she cometh to the place, seeth the flame,

and the Carcass of her dead Husband, whom she longeth to be with in Ely∣sium, being as it were like a hot-headed Lover, transported with joy, she takes leave of her Friends and Relations, and jumps into the flame, in which the Corps of her Husband was first put, which soon unites in Ashes; during which time they have several sorts of Musick: and to make the Ceremony the better, their Branchman exhorts them not to quit their Husbands, casting store of sweet Wood and Oil into the fire, to take away the unsavoury smell; and this Law was made, because the Women did frequently poyson their Husbands upon any discontent, and so took others: but as Linscot says, this is only a Custom for their Nobles and Priests, it being prohibited to the meaner People. A Cu∣stom, I think, not greatly to be desired by any; and besides this Heathenish Custom, they have several others as bad and Idolatrous, Satan having here dis∣played his Banner of Impiety, being a People for the most part averse to Law and Morality. Likewise the Custom which they observe in their Marriages is as strange; for the Branchman, with a Cow and the Man and Woman, go toge∣ther to the Water-side, where the Priest (after he hath muttered a short Prayer) joyns their hands to the Cows Tai), and having poured upon them hallowed Oil, he forceth the Cow into the River, where she continueth a good while, and being come out they unty them; and this they hold for a solemn Marriage, and sacred for ever, the Cow being a creature which by them is highly esteemed and reverenced.

* 1.242Among the places which are on the Coast of Choromandel, Negapatan, and Maliapur, belong to the Portugals, and formerly they alone of the Europe∣ans had all the Traffick; now the Hollanders hold Gueldria, the English the Fort St. George, called by the Indians Sadrapatan; and both have their Fa∣ctors throughout the Coast. Megapatan is great of Trade, though seated in an unhealthful Climate, uttering many valuable Merchandizes: They gather Rice in quantity sufficient to serve their Neighbours. Maliapur a small, but well known Town on this Coast, is the place where those of the Country be∣lieve that St. Thomas was Martyred and interr'd; and there were many Chri∣stans who called it St. Thomas, when the Portugals entred the Indies; they are still a considerable body, and may easily be made return to true Christianity. The old City is ruined, the new was rebuilt by the Portugals, where there is a Chapel dedicated to St. Thomas; and it is erected into a Bishoprick under the Archbishop of Goa.

MALABAR.

* 1.243MALABAR is the last of the four parts we have proposed in the Pe∣ninsula of Indus without the Ganges; the least in Continent, but not in goodness. All the Country is healthful, fruitful, and rich: It hath little Wheat, but instead of it, it hath great plenty of Rice, Mayz, and other Grains, Fruits, quantity of Drugs and Spices, Precious Stones, Silk, Gin∣ger, Cassia, and abundance of all sorts of Beasts, yields Wood, and such fair Trees for the Masts of great Ships, that Norway boasts not better; yet its greatest Riches consists in its Pepper and Precious Stones.

* 1.244Some extend Malabar from the River of Aliga, or from the Cape of Ra∣mos unto that of Comorin; but all that is between the River of Aliga and Cangerecora, having already passed under the name of Canara, where the Kings are Tributaries to him of Bisnagar; we will follow the others, who limit Malabar between the River of Cangerecora and the Cape of Comorin; where there are many Kings, all once subject to the Samorin of Calicut: At present those of Calicut, Cochin, Cananor, and Coulan, are the most powerful.

* 1.245The Coast of MALABAR is about 125 Leagues in length, and is divi∣ded into several Kingdoms, of which the King of Cananor holds 20 Leagues, he of Calicut 25, he of Cochin 15, and he of Coulan with Travancor, 40 and odd; the rest is possessed by many. Those of Chambais, Montigue, and Ba∣dara, are very near one another, and between Cananor and Calicut: Those of Tanor and Cranganor, are between Calicut and Cochin: Those of Porca

and Calecoulan are between Couchin and Coulan; and he of Travancor, be∣tween Coulan and Cape Comorin, near which the Country is not so good as the rest of Malabar.

In the High-lands are those of Cota near Cananor, of Auriola, of Cottagan, of Bipur, of Coucuran, of Panur, and of Curiga; above Calicut, Tanur and Cranganor; Those of Muterte, of Marta, and Batimena, towards Cochin: In the Mountains are those of Mangatt, of Paru, of Pimienta, of Changa∣nara, of Trivilar, of Panapelli, of Angamale (where there was an Archbishop of Christians of St. Thomas, reduced to a Bishoprick; and transferred to Cranganor:) two of the Ticantutes, of Punhali, of Caranaretto, and others. The people called Maledus, and those of the Mountains Pande live in the form of a Republick Cotate, near Cape de Comori, is of the Kingdom of Travanco, and hath good trading. Calicut is esteemed able to bring more than 100000 men into the Field; Cananor few less, Cochin and Coulan each 50000. They use little Cavalry, because the Country is low, moist, and divided by many streams. Calicut pretends to have some authority over all the Kings of Malabar, for which those of Cananor, Cochin, and Coulan, to which Travancor is sometime past united, seem to care little at present, a good part of the rest still hold for him.

Cananor, besides what it possesses in the firm Land, holds likewise some Islands among the Maldives, for having assisted one of their Kings against his Rebells; he possesses for the same reason the Isle of Malicut, 35 or 40 Leagues to the Northward of the Maldives: and the five Isles of Diavandorou, likewise 30 Leagues North from Malicut. All these Isles are small, Malicut of only 4 Leagues circumference, the others each 6 or 7: they are more healthful than the Maldives, their Inhabitants rich, and trade to the Continent, to Malabar, and to the Maldives, and elsewhere.

Cochin hath gained some reputation since it allied it self with the Portugals, by whose means it is freed from the tribute it ought to the King of Calicut, and hath drawn to its Estates the greatest trade of all Malabar; and the City is so increased, that it is not now inferior to Calicut.

* 1.246And in all these Kingdoms aforementioned, contained in (and along the Coasts of) Malabar, there are several good, large, and well built Cities, being well inhabited, rich, and of a considerable trade; but those of most note in the said Kingdoms are called by the same names, as that in Calicut, Calicut; that in Ca∣nanor, Cananor, &c.

* 1.247The Original Inhabitants of Malabar, are divided into Bramenis, Nayres, and People. The Bramenis are the priests, Sacrificers to Idols; some addict themselves to Arms with the Nayres, others to trade; but to whatsoever vo∣cation they apply themselves, they have a particular manner of living. The Nayres addicted themselves wholly to Arms. The People meddle only with labour, Manufactures, Fishing, &c. and are like Slaves.

Besides the Natives, there are many Strangers, who live only on the Coast, and these are called Malabares, whence the name is communicated to the Country. These Malabares are Mahumetans, whereas the others are Pagans, and very Superstitious, worshipping an Idol seated on a Brazen Throne, and Crowned, but of a horrid form, enough to fright one; and unto this Idol, be∣sides their Religious Ceremonies, they offer up the Virginity of all their Daugh∣ters before they are married, or else to their Priests. This Idol having in the place of his Privy parts, a sharp bodkin of Gold or Silver fastned, on which the Bride is forcibly set, which by reason of the sharpness forceth great store of blood to come; and if, though by her Husband, she proves with Child the first year, they believe this Idol got it, which they highly esteem; but by reason of the pain, the Priests by enjoying them first, doth quit them from the other, out of which two, all are served: they commonly marry at 10 or 12 years of age; they are very black, and well limbed; they wear their Hair long, and curl'd about their shoulders; they go naked, having only a cloth about their middle to hide their nakedness, which hangs down to their knees; they are treacherous, cruel and bloody-minded; there are likewise some Jews, and since the Portugals have set footing, many Christians, besides those which they call of St. Thomas; these being of the Mountains, and those of the Coast.

The Peninsula of INDIA, within the GANGES.

THE Peninsula of India,* 1.248 which is beyond or within the Ganges, is our third and last part of the Asiatique, or East-Indies. We will give unto it all that rests of India unto China, and bound it on the East by China, and by the Sea of the Philippine Islands; on the South with that Sea, which flows amongst the Islands of Sonde; On the West by the Sea or Gulf of Bengala, and by the Estates of the Mogoll; and on the North we will stretch it as far as the Tartars: so that it will take up all India beyond the Ganges, what is pos∣sessed by the Mogoll excepted.

* 1.249We have in this Peninsula a great number of Kingdoms, which we will con∣sider under the three Principal ones; viz. Pegu, Sian, and Cochinchina. Under the name of Pegu we will range all those Estates and Kingdoms which lie upon the River, which descend from the Lake of Chiamay unto Pegu; under the name of Sian, all the Estates and Kingdoms which are about Sian; and under that of Cochinchina, all that is nearest to and on the West West of China. This last part is most Easterly of the three, the second most Southerly, and the first more to the West; and this hath almost all been subject to the King of Pegu; the other to the King of Sian, and the last was part of China.

PEGƲ.

* 1.250THE Kingdom of PEGƲ when in its splendor was so rich and power∣ful, that some would equal it to China. Vincent Blanc saith that it con∣tained two Empires, and 26 Kingdoms or Crowned Estates; I believe that the two Empires were Pegu and Siami, or possibly Sian, this having been subject or tributary to Pegu: and the Kingdoms are Martavan, Manar, Tangu, Mar∣sin, Jangoma, and Brama, whose chief Cities are Pegu, Brema, Canarane, Pandior, Cassubi, Ava, Boldia, Mandranelle, Tinco, Prom, Dunbacaon, Tole∣ma, Maon, Arracon, Largaray, Cassubi, Ledoa, Tipoura, Xara, and Chacomas. The greatest part of these Estates taken apart, are rich, and powerful, being able to set forth to War, some 2, some 3, some 400000 men. They have in ma∣ny places Mines of Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones, besides Grains, Fruits, Herbs, Fowl, and Beasts, which are here found excellent. The Kingdoms of Tan∣gu and of Brama are the most powerful; since this hath sometime seized, and the other with that of Arracan ruined the Estates of Pegu.

* 1.251Brama besides its Mines of precious Stones, hath Benjamin, India-Lake, and certain Herbs, from which they take Silk; they make divers Manufactures, particularly Caps much esteemed. Ava abounds in all sorts of Victuals, hath divers Metals, Musk, and Rubies. Canelan hath the finest Rubies, Saphires and other Stones. Prom hath Lacque and Lead. Tinco fetches many Merchan∣dizes from China. Vincent Blanc esteems the City of Canarana as rich and mag∣nificent as any in India; he places it between the Rivers of Jiama, and of Cay∣poumo or Pegu, giving it four Leagues Circuit, and making it Metropolis of the Kingdom of Caypoumo, which is likewise called Canarana. This Country hath Turquesses, and Emeralds the fairest of all the East. Cassubi is in a Plain, bounded with high Hills, from whence descend many streams, which water the Plain, where there are excellent Fruits, among the rest Pomegranates the largest and best of India, excellent Raisins and Manna, which must be gathered before Sun-rise, which else dispatches it. Their Mountains are filled with sa∣vage Beasts, where they get the Skins and Furs of Ermines and Sables of di∣vers sorts, all very exquisite. The people of Transiana are fair, and white; the Women exceeding beautiful, and the Men very proud: They have Mines of Gold, Silver, and Diamonds; their King keeps ordinarily 50000 Horse, 1000 Ele∣phants,

and paies his tribute to the King of Pegu in Horses, which are very ex∣cellent. Their Forests have many Wild Beasts; among the rest, that which gives the Bezoar. The Inhabitants of Boldia are esteemed the most honest and civil of all these quarters: So that they cannot but be people of Trade; and indeed all these Kingdoms have divers Commodities which make them rich.

* 1.252The Kingdom of Pegu, which hath commanded, and had for Subjects or Tri∣butaries almost all these Estates, and likewise others towards Sian, and Sian it self, cannot but be extreamly rich and powerful. And truly, Gold, Silver, Pearls, and Precious Stones, have been as common in the Courts of the Kings of Pegu, as if all the Orient had brought all its Riches thither. The Floors of Buildings, the Moveables, and the Vessels, with which they served themselves for diver∣tisement, were so inriched within and without, with Gold and Azure, that it is not imaginable, if we did not know this to be the Aurea Regio, and likewise the Argentea Regio of Ptolomy: Yet this must be believed to have been long since; but however, that it is at present the richest Country of all the Indies: And for the same reason, one of the best peopled, and most powerful.

* 1.253This Country, by reason of the overflowing of the River Pegu, which runs through the Kingdom, makes it become exceeding fruitful, and of a fat and rich soyl; so that it produceth great abundance of Grains, Fruits, and other pro∣ducts of the Earth in great plenty. Also Beasts, Fowl, and Fish, great store of Civet-Cats, from whom they take Civet, Lacque, which is made by Ants, (as Bees make Wax with us) Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Drugs, Spices, Lead, Sugar, &c. This Kingdom hath plenty of good Towns and Cities,* 1.254 its Metro∣polis bearing the name of the Kingdom. It is divided into the Old and the New; the one and the other together make a Square; being encompassed with a strong Wall, and a great Ditch well fortified, having on each side five Gates, besides many Turrets richly beautified. It is large, strong, rich, and stately; the King and his Nobility and Courtiers takes up the New City, which is sepa∣rated from the Old by a Wall and Ditch well watered; in which are kept many Crocodils for the watching the place by night: The Wall hath several Gates on all sides, for the convenience of the people to pass in and out. The Streets are very fair, straight, and so broad, that fifteen men may ride a-breast on both sides. The Houses well built, having before every door Palm-trees, which are set, not only to make a pleasant show, but also to keep the Passengers from the heat of the Sun, which is very great.

* 1.255The Palace Royal is seated in the midst of the City, having its particular Wall, Moat, and other Fortifications; the Palace being very stately and large the greatest part of the Buildings being sustained by Pillars of Jet, and all the Stones so shining, that those which are without, represent the Neighbouring Gardens and Forests; and those which are within the Paved Chambers, other Rooms, and the Ceilings above, so well, that one seemeth to walk on Gold and Azure. Nor doth this his stately Palace exceed his Magnificence and Pomp, without which he is never so much as seen. The Old City is inhabited only by Merchants, Artificers, and Sea-men, where there is great store of Ware-houses strongly built of Brick to prevent fire (which the City is much subject unto,) in which the Merchants keep their Goods. And for the better encrease of Trade, the King doth constitute Eight Brokers, whose Offices are to look after and sell the Goods, as well of strangers, as the Inhabitants; giving a very just account thereof: For which, they are allowed two pence per Cent. The like is observed in the buying of Commodities. And these Brokers by their places, are obliged to provide Strangers or Merchants with a House, and orders certain Maids of the City to go to him, that out of them he may make his choice; which done, he contracts with her friends to pay them a certain sum for the use of her, as they can agree, which is not great; and this Maid serveth him as his Servant by day, doing what he commandeth; and as his Wife by night: And at the expiration of the term agreed upon, he leaveth her, and she goeth to her Friends without any disgrace at all. The People are of a mean stature,* 1.256 nimble and strong, great lovers of Women, which takes them from warlike affairs, in which they are not very expert. Their habit is but mean, contenting themselves

for the most part, with a piece of Linnen to cover their nakedness; they all black their Teeth, because they say Dogs teeth are white. They are generally all Pagans,* 1.257 and believe that God hath under him several other Gods; that he is the Author of all good which arriveth to mankind: But he leaveth all evils which belong to man, to the Devil; by reason of which, they so much adore and fear him, lest he should hurt them; which God, being good, they say, will not. Their Devotion they perform on Mundays, their Priests going about with Tin-basons, making a noise to waken the People, and inviting them to their de∣votions, in which they chiefly exhort them to Morality, as to avoid Theft, Adul∣tery, Murder, &c. and to love Vertue. They have a great esteem for their Priests, who live a very solitary and exemplary life. They have Five principal Feasts which they observe very strictly, ceremoniously, and with greast state and pomp.* 1.258 They that Marry buy their Wives of their Parents; and when he is weary of her, he may send her home, but must lose the Money he paid for her: But if she leave him, as she may do, then he may receive the Money paid for her.

SIAN or SIAM.

* 1.259THe Kingdom of SIAN, and those Estates, which we will comprehend under the name of Sian, are to the North of Pegu. We may consider them in two principal parts; of which, one shall retain the name of Sian, and the other that of Malacca. This latter is a Peninsula, which extends it self from the first degree of Latitude, unto the 11 or 12; from whence the first ad∣vances it self into the Main Land, unto the 19 or 20 degree on this side the Equator.* 1.260 They reach then each 250, and together 4 or 500 Leagues from South to North. But the Peninsula of Malacca is very streight, not being above 10 or 12 Leagues broad in the Isthmus, which separates it from Sian; in other places 20, 30, 40, and some times 80. Sian is almost of an equal length and breadth.

Under the name of Sian, separated from the Peninsula of Malacca, we com∣prehend the Kingdoms of Sian, Martaban, Jangoma, and Camboya; under the name of Malacca, those of Tanacerin, Juncalaon, Singora, Queda, Pera, Pa∣tane, Pan, Malacca, Ihor, and others, as in the Geographical Table.

* 1.261The Kingdom of Sian, especially so called, hath several Cities of note, viz.

First, Odiaa which some call Sian; the Metropolis being a City of a large ex∣tent, a place of so great strength, that in 1567. they stoutly defended themselves against an Army of 1400000 fighting Men, which the King of Pegu brought against them, for twenty Months together: By reason of which, together with several other mutations that have since hapned amongst them, the City hath been much eclipsed of its former beauty, splendor, and riches; yet by reason of its commodious scituation on the River Menam, is still a place of great Trade and Commerce, is rich, and populous. The Houses are built very high, by reason of the annual overflowing of this River about the Month of March: So that it covereth the Earth for about 120 Miles in compass; which renders these Coun∣tries very fruitful, as the Nile doth Egypt. During this Inundation, Its Inhabi∣tants retire to the upper Rooms of their Houses; and to every House there is a Boat, or other Vessel belonging; by which means, they negotiate their affairs, until the River returns to her usual bounds.

* 1.262The principal Commodities of this City, or indeed of the Kingdom, are Cotton-Linnens of several sorts, Benjamin, Lacque, of which they make excellent Hard Wax; Also that costly Wood which the Portugals call Palo Dangula, and Calamba, which is weighed against Silver and Gold; for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Perfumes; and the Wood Sapon, used by Dyers; also Spices, some Drugs, Diamonds, Gold, Camphora, Bezar-Stones, Musk, Porcelaine; and lastly, that excellent Wine, or Distilled Liquod, which they call Nipe, which they make of Cocos or Indian Nuts, being of great esteem over all India, and elsewhere.

Its other places are Bankock, noted for excellent Pepper. Lugor seated on the Sea-shore, and Socotay, famous for having a Temple only made of Metal, which

is 80 Spans high, and answerable in length and breadth, being adorned with a∣bundance of Idols, built by one of their Kings at his coming to the Crown.

* 1.263The Kingdom of MARTABAN, towards the Gulph of Bengala, is con∣tiguous to Pegu, to which it hath been subject, at present is to Sian. This Kingdom hath many Ports frequented for Trade; for besides its Grains, Fruits, Oils, and Medicinal Herbs, it is rich in Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, Lead, Steel, and Copper. It hath Rubies, Lacques, and Benjamin, &c. And they make Vessels of Earth, which they call Martabanes; of which some are so great, that they hold a Bushel. This is a kind of Porcelain varnished with black, and wherein they keep Water, Wine, Oil, and all sorts of Liquors; and for this reason they are esteemed in all the East.

* 1.264JANGOMA, on the confines of Pegu, Siam, and Brama, hath been sub∣ject or tributary sometimes to one, and sometimes to another. It hath Gold, Silver, Copper, Musk, Cotton, of which they make Manufactures, Pepper, &c. Its People are more addicted to Horse than Foot service.

CAMBOJA is the last and most Southerly part of the Peninsula,* 1.265 which is between the Gulphs of Sian and Cochin-china. The principal Cities are Ravecca and Camboja, of which the Kingdom takes it name, which is under the 10th or 11th degree of Latitude, and on the principal and most Easternly branch of the River Menam, which (as it is believed) comes from China; but it should be said from some Regions formerly subject to, or which were part of China.

* 1.266The People in their Manners and Customs resemble those of Sian, whose Subjects they have been, and whose Tributaries but lately they were.

MALACCA.

* 1.267IN the Peninsula of Malacca are divers Kingdoms, which are taken notice of in the Geographical Table; which all (except the City of Malacca) are likewise tributary to that of Sian. Tenasserin is a Country of Trade, by reason of its Archipelago, which contains several Islands; and of its Isthmus, which facili∣tates the transportation of Merchants from one Sea to another; and of its Ports, which are commodious. Its other places are Juncalaon, Zueda, Pera, and Malacca, all which places afford Nipe of burning Wines.

* 1.268IHOR is beyond Cape de Sincapura, and on the utmost point of the Pe∣ninsula: Its chief City was taken and ruined by the Portugals in 1603, who took from thence 1500 Brass Cannons. The King of Ihor for revenge besieged Malacca in 1606 with 60000 Men, but was constrained to raise his Siege; there are some petty Kings which are his Tributaries, Pahang hath Lignum Aquila and Calamba, near to that of Cochin-china; of Camphire, like to that of Bor∣neo: Gold, but of a lower alloy than ours; Petra Porea, of near as much ver∣tue as the Bezoar against poyson; Diamonds, Nutmegs, Mace, &c.

* 1.269PATANE within few years is grown famous; the Kingdom being fre∣quented by divers Nations, particularly by the Chinois, who bring thither Porcelaine, divers Manufactures and Instruments of Husbandry; instead of which they carry back Timber for Building, Cordage made of Cocos, Rice, and divers Skins, &c. The Pepper is excellent, but dearer than at Bantam. Their Saroy-Boura, that is, the matter of Swallows Nests, which we shall speak of in Cochin-china, is much sought after. The Soil is good, producing Fruit every Month in the year. Their Hens, Ducks, and Geese, often lay Eggs twice a day. Amongst an infinite number of Fowl they have white Herons and Turtles of various colours, like Paroquetoes.

Patane, Singora, Brodelong, and Ligor, are on the same Gulph, which may be called also by Patana, and makes part of that of Sian: Patane and Ligor towards the two ends; Singora and Brodelong in the midst, and at the bot∣tom of this Gulph; and these two last are head Cities of Provinces (others call them Kingdoms) under Sian; the two first Kingdoms are tributary to Sian: They have nothing particular above Patane, to which they are all united.

The chief City of Patane takes its name from its Kingdom so called,* 1.270 seated on the Sea-side betwixt Malacca and Siam. Its Houses are well and handsomly built, either of Timber or Canes. The Palace Royal is encompassed with a Pallisado, and its Mosques are made of Brick. This City (as also the whole Kingdom) is very populous, and enjoying a good Trade. Its People are inclined to a Swarthy brown complexion, well proportioned, ingenious, using Arts, e∣specially Navigation; but above all, great lovers of Women. The Country affordeth most of the Indian Commodities, by reason of which it hath a good Trade.* 1.271Malacca, a City and Kingdom, is at present the most famous of all those which of the Peninsula we have comprehended under the name of Ma∣lacca: It hath been subject to the King of Sian. A particular King had made himself Master of it, before that the Portugals entred the Indies: the Coun∣try remaining still to the Kings of Sian. That which hath made this City great, rich, and powerful, (though the Air be unhealthful, and the Soil almost barren) is the advantage of its scituation, being seated on the River Gasa, which is about 3 Leagues broad, and in the center of the firm Land, and of all the Islands of the East Indies, commanding a Streight, which is the Key which makes it the Staple of all the Indian and China Commodities; by reason of which it is a place of great Traffick, and very populous, containing about 12000 Families, besides Strangers. Its Houses are low, and not over curiously built, and the Streets narrow; the City is about 2 miles in length, and of half the breadth, being a place of good strength, and defended by a strong Wall and Castle; is watered by the River Gaza, and the chiefest place of pleasure is the Buzzar. Before, and nigh to this City, are the Islands by the Portugals, called Ilha de Naos, and Ilha de Pedra. The usance of divers Nations of the Indies hath so fashioned the Malayois Language, that it is the best and most elegant of all others.

* 1.272Among the Rarities of Malacca, or rather among the wonders of the World, may be counted Arbortristis, or the Sad Tree, which bears Flowers only after Sun set, and sheds them so soon as the Sun rises, and this it doth every Night throughout the whole year. These Flowers are almost like to (but faire•• and more odoriferous than) Orange Flowers. Some of these Trees have been transported and brought as far as Goa, and some other places of the Indies; but no care could ever preserve them unto Europe.

The Provinces of thin Kingdom of SIAN are very populous,* 1.273 especially those which have the benefit of the Sea or navigable Rivers; but inhabited by different People, but for the most part well proportioned, of a Swarthy complexion, more addicted to Venus than Mars; ingenious, but lazy, uncon∣stant, and deceivers. Their habit is a painted Cloth, which they wear about their middle, and hangeth down to their knees; besides which the Men wear short Shirts, and the Women cover their Breasts with a piece of Linnen, which they tie about their Necks, all observing one fashion; the Persons of Quality being only known by their attendance. Their Marriages, Burials, and other Ceremonies, are much the same as those aforesaid; they bring up their Chil∣dren very well, instructing them in Arts: by which, according to their abili∣ties, they are advanced to preferment. In their Punishments they are severs and different,* 1.274 according to the nature of the crime. His Army doth consist of his own Subjects in the nature of our Trained-Bands, which are to be ready upon all occasions, and not of a standing Army. Their Arms are Bows and Arrows, Swords, Pikes, and Bucklers; they have no Fire-Arms; their Horse is not good, their chief strength consisting in their Elephants.

* 1.275The Kings of Sian are esteemed absolute Monarchs in their Dominions, ma∣king and breaking Laws as they please; imposing Taxes on their Subjects; punishing, condemning and seising the Estates of those who speak or act con∣trary to their minds; make War and Peace as often as they please. These and the like actions he doth of himself, without consent of any; yet he hath a Council, which are his Nobles, of whom he will hear their Opini∣ons and Advice, but act as best pleaseth him. He hath but one Wife, who bears the title of a Queen, but hath many Concubines. In his Apparel

and Attendance he is very magnificent and stately, not stirring abroad without great pomp; by reason of which, as also through his austerity, he hath great veneration shewed him. His Revenue is very great; he bestoweth his Ho∣nour or Preferment on those who best please him, not regarding Birth and Edu∣cation, it being not hereditary. For the administration of Justice, most Cities have their Jurisdictions and Judges.

This great Kingdom is not in all places alike; for in some parts it is covered with Wood, in others Mountainous, and to the Sea-side, Marshy, Flat, and Fertil, affording divers and rich Commodities, as aforementioned; and being plentifully furnished with Rivers, Bays, and Harbours, for the conveniency of Shipping.

COCHIN-CHINA, TƲNQIN, &c.

* 1.276I Esteem under the Name of COCHIN-CHINA taken in general, all that lies to the Eastward of the Kingdoms of Camboja, Sian, Pegu, and Ava, &c. to the Westward of China, and the Gulph of Cochin-china; and which is washed on the South with the Oriental Ocean, and bounded on the North by those high Mountains which limit Tartary; extending it self from the 9th degree of Latitude on this side the Equator, unto the 34th or 35th towards the North, which make more than 6000 Leagues; the breadth not being above the 8th or 10th part of its length.

* 1.277The name of Cochin-china, according to some, signifies West China: so the Natives of the Country call it Onam or Anam, that is, the Occidental Quarter; and this extends to the view of China, of which it was once part, and whose Language, Manners, Customs, Government, Religion, and other Ceremonies they yet retain, (which having occasion to treat of in China, as more conve∣nient, for brevities sake I omit them here, referring the Reader to the de∣scription of China.) But these Quarters being retired from the subjection of the Chinois above 800 years ago, were a little after as easily divided into divers Estates. The name of Cochin-china being kept in the most Southern parts; that of Tunquin having taken the middle and more Northernly parts, passing under the name of the People called Lays, the Kingdom of Ciocangue, the People Gueyes, Timocoves, &c. who have in part taken and received the man∣ners and barbarousness of the Tartars, their Neighbours.

* 1.278Cochin-china likewise is divided into Chiampaa and Cochin-china: Chiam∣paa, between Camboja and Cochin-china, regards the Isles of Sonde towards the South; the Philippines towards the East, and touches on Tunquin to the North. Its principal City bears the same name, according to most Authors; but according to others, Pulocacein. It hath nothing which is not common to Cochin-china, and therefore we shall say no more.

Cochin-china particularly taken, is better known than all the neighbouring Countries, because it is wholly upon the Sea, having 150 Leagues of Coast, and not above 40 or 50 in breadth, between the Mountains of Kemois (a bar∣barous People) and the Sea. Its Provinces are descending from North to South: Sinuva, Cacciam, Quangiva, Quingin or Pulacambis, and Ranran. The two first touch upon Tunquin, the last touch on the Kingdom of Chiampaa. The King makes his ordinary residence in the Province of Sinuva, or at Cacciam, Cities of the same name with their Provinces.

* 1.279All the Country is fertil, abounding in Rice, Fruits, and Herbs, breeding many Fowls and Beasts, and the Sea excellent Fishes. It produces Cinnamon, Pepper, Lignum Aquilae, Calamba, and Benjamin. Its temperature is plea∣sant, though under the Torrid Zone; the Air healthful, and the Soil so abun∣dant in all things, that the Inhabitants have no knowledge either of Con∣tagion or Famine. They have Gold, Silver, Silk, Porcelain, and divers other valuable Commodities. All sorts of Nations frequent its Coast, by reason of the goodness of its Ports; and because its Inhabitants are Courteous, Liberal, kind to Strangers, and faithful in their dealings.

They are couragious, and more warlike than those of Tunquin or China, hand∣ling all sorts of Arms with no small activity. They are Idolaters: Christia∣nity was introduced in 1620, and began to flourish; but their Kings have of date very much persecuted them.

Amongst the particularities and rarities of the Country, we must place the Lutt, an Inundation, which in Autumn covers with its Waters almost all the Country; it renews from 15 to 15 days, remaining only 3 days at a time, ma∣king the Earth so fruitful, that it brings forth its increase twice or thrice a year. Their Saroy-Boura,* 1.280 or matter wherewith certain Swallows make their Nests, which after those Birds leave dry and hardned, they gather in great quantities, which being steeped and moistned in Water, serves for Sawce to all sorts of Meat; and as formerly Manna communicating such a variety of taste, that it seems to be composed of Cinnamon, Cloves, Pepper, and other Spices. Their Lignum Aquilae and Calamba come from the same Tree; the first from the Trunk of a young Tree, the last from the Trunk of an old Tree: but this last is much more esteemed than the other, both for its odour and vertue. A pound of it on the place where it is beaten down is worth 5 Ducats, being brought to the Port, 15 or 16; and if transported to Japan, 200. If some piece be found to make a whole Pillar, it is worth 3 or 400 Ducats the pound. The Lignum Aquilae amongst other things, serves to burn the dead Bodies of their Kings, Princes, and Priests.

* 1.281Among the Wood they use for Buildings, there are two sorts which they call uncorruptible, whether in Water or Earth; their Trees they call Thins: the Wood of the one is near as black as Ebony, the other near the colour of Yew. Both the one and the other taken out of the Bark is smooth and glib, so solid and weighty, that it sinks to the bottom of the Water, and serves also for Anchors for Ships. They make Pillars, on which they erect their Buildings; and before the time of the Lutt, they drive Joists and Planks be∣tween those Columns, and with Canes and Reeds accommodate divers Apart∣ments, which they take away in the time of those Inundations, that the Wa∣ter may run the freer.

TƲNQƲIN.

THe Kingdom of TƲNQƲIN is part on the Sea, and part on the Main Land;* 1.282 it bounds on the Sea at the bottom of the Gulph of Cochin-china, there where it divides China from Cochin-china, and hath about 150 Leagues of Coast. On the Land it extends it self from the seventeenth degree of Latitude, on this side the Equator, unto the twenty third, which are likewise 150 Leagues from North to South: Its breadth being only about 100 Leagues from East to West.

* 1.283This Kingdom contains Seven Provinces, of which the three most Sou∣thernly are, Bochin, Gehan, and Tinhoa; the four most Northernly are, Bera∣mar, Kedom, Kenam, and Kethay. Bochin touches on Cochin-china, and the two other advance along the Gulph towards the North; amongst the four last, Beramar and Kedun are towards China, Kenan and Kethay towards the People Layes.* 1.284 The King of Tunquin ordinarily entertains a Militia of 50000 Men, taken from the three Southernly Provinces, and paid by the four Nor∣thern, because these last lately revolted, and the other remained in obe∣dience.

* 1.285Kecchio is the chief City of the Kingdom, where the King ordinarily re∣sides. It is not above twenty miles in circuit, but hath a Million of Inhabi∣tants. Some Authors will have it called Tunquin, that is, the Court of the West, and that the Kingdom took its name from it. The Land hath beautiful Plains, and watered with many great Rivers; which with the Rains and melting of the Snow, which descends from the Mountains that separates it, from the Layes, the Kingdom of Ciocangue, China, and Cochin-china, make it

fruitful by their Inundations, rendring it better and more abundant than Cochin-china. Yet hath it neither Corn, Vines, nor Olive Trees;* 1.286 but they gather Rice twice a year, of which they make Bread; they fetch in Wine, and instead of Oil make use of the matter taken from Swallows Nests, of which they have no less quantity than Cochin-china. They have neither Asses nor Sheep, but many Horses, Elephants, and Rhinocerotes, whose Flesh, Skins, Bones, Teeth, Nails, and Horns, serve for Antidotes against Poyson; they have so much Pullain, Pigeons, Turtles, and other Fowl, that they give them almost for nothing.

Amongst their Fruits they have fair Pomgranates, which beyond the ordi∣nary excellency of that Fruit hath here a particular and delightful Juice. For Fish they make account, that in the Seasons there daily goes 10000 Barks out of their Ports to Fish.* 1.287 The Catholick Religion was so introduced here some years past, that there was esteemed to be more than 200000 Christned Souls, 200 great Churches, and a great quantity of Chapels and Oratories: there hath since happened divers changes. In these Kingdoms the Portugals have several Towns and Cities, by which they have a great Revenue.

* 1.288In the Gulph of Sian are seated several Isles, some of which are well known; as the Isle of Goeteinficos, about 27 Leagues long, and 15 broad, seated about three or four Leagues from Ligor and Bordelong, in the Penin∣sula of Malacca; and between this Isle and the Land of Malacca lieth several small Isles. The next of note are the Isles of Macaria and Panian; then the Isles of Cara, which are four in number; and the Isles of Cosyn, which are three in number; with several others of no account.

* 1.289In the Gulph called the Gulph of Bengala, are likewise seated several Isles; the chief of which are the Isles of Chubedu, Chudube, and Ledoa, of Dos Ale∣vantados, Aligada, and Durondiva, whose chief place is Siriaon; the Isles of Andemaon, which are 10 in number, two of which are indifferent large; likewise the Isles dos Cocos, dos Caboses, Tanasseri, Tavay, Alta, and Craro, which said Isles are not far distant from the Sea-shoar of the Land of Sian, two of which are each about 20 Leagues in length; and the one 10, and the other about 7 in breadth. Also in this Gulph are the Isles of Caremubar, of Raza, dos Sombreros de Palm, Siano, Sambilano, Batun, Pera, Pinaon, Canal de St. Georgo, Nicubar, and others; many of which are well known and frequented by Merchants, affording several of the Indian Commodities.

• The King∣dom of CHINA, with its Provinces and Isles, which may be consider∣ed as they lie
  • Northernly, and
    • Regarding the Sea; as
      • Leaoton,
        • Leaoton, or Leaoyang.
        • Richeo
      • Pequin,
        • Peking,
        • Quangping,
        • Himpin,
        • Tianchevoy.
      • Scianton,
        • Xanton, or Cinan,
        • Pamnihu,
        • Cincoyan,
        • Laicheu, or Lincheu.
    • On the Firm Land; as
      • Sciansi,
        • Taven,
        • Lugan,
        • Tatong,
        • Sciansi,
        • Pingans,
        • Suchio.
      • Sciensi,
        • Siganfu,
        • Jengan,
        • Pingleang,
        • Pichin,
        • Linyao.
      • Honan,
        • Honan,
        • Temechio,
        • Caifung,
        • Nanyang,
        • Chinchio.
  • Southernly, and
    • On the SEA; to wit,
      • Easternly, as
        • Nanquin,
          • Nanking,
          • Chicheu,
          • Lucheu,
          • Funiam,
          • Xanuchi.
        • Chequian, with its Isles of
          • Quinsay, now Hancheu,
          • Haugcheu,
          • Liampo,
          • Aucheo,
          • Succu,
          • Chequia.
          • Mochosa, or Cheuxan,
          • Sunkiam, or Changque,
          • Suan,
          • Olepio,
          • Avarello,
          • Chaposi.
        • Fuquien,
          • Chincheo,
          • Focheu,
          • Yenping,
          • Chining,
          • Hinghoa,
          • Isles of
            • Lanquin,
            • Baboxin.
      • Southernly, as
        • Canton,
          • Canton,
          • Nanhium,
          • Lampaca,
          • Quanycheu,
          • Uchuen,
          • Zauquin,
          • Luicheu,
        • Isles belonging to Canton; as
          • Aynan
            • Kinchensu,
            • Bancao,
          • Thinosa,
          • Amacao,
          • Omandari,
          • Pulotio.
        • Quancy,
          • Quancy,
          • Colin,
          • Nangan.
        • Zunnan,
          • Junnan,
          • Hilan.
    • Within Land; as
      • Chiamsi,
        • Nanchang,
        • Kiencham,
        • Linkiang,
        • Juencheu,
        • Nangam.
      • Huquan,
        • Cingiang,
        • Huchang,
        • Vuchang,
        • Yocheu,
        • Cangte.
      • Suchuen,
        • Paoning,
        • Xunking.
      • Quicheu,
        • Quincheo,
        • Rueyang,
        • Hiauchoau,
        • Liping,
        • Cipan,
        • Pauhu••.
  • In Isles and Peninsula's about the Coast of CHINA; as those of
    • Corey,
      • Hianking,
      • Kingzan,
      • Civenlo.
    • Larrons.
    • Fuego.
    • Lequejo Grande.
    • De los Roys Mages.
    • de Pescheurs,
      • Gillira,
      • Wankan,
      • Tayoan.
    • Formosa.
    • Tabaca Miguel.
    • Tabaca Xima.
    • Hainan.

[illustration] map of China

A New Mapp of y Empire of CHINA With its severall Provinces or kingdomes Together w^th. the adjacent Isles of Iapon or Niphon Formola Haman etc.

To y^e Worship^fl Thom•••• Robinson of y^e Inner Temple London 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cheif 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his Ma^ty Court of Comon Pleas This Mappe is humbly DD by RB

CHINA.

* 1.290CHINA is on the East of Asia, and of all our Continent; and if we consider its greatness, fruitfulness, riches, the great number and politeness of its Inhabitants, the beauty of its Cities, its Manu∣factures, and for having had the inventions of Silk, Printing, Pa∣per, Artillery, &c. it is worthy of note.

* 1.291Ptolomy knew this Country under the name of Sinarum Regio; but it hath been observable by us, that the Chinois knew not any thing of that name; and that when this great Empire falls from one Family to another, he that begins the Family gives such a new name as he pleases to the Kingdom: and these names are very specious; as formerly it had the name of Than, that is, Bound∣less; Yu, that is, Repose; Hin, which signifies, Great; Sciam, which is an Ornament; Cheu, that is, Perfect, and so others: The Family that reigns at present gave it the name of Miu, that is, Brightness; and the last Kings of the same Family have added Ta, which is, Kingdom, so that Ta-Min signifies the Kingdom of Brightness. The People neighbouring upon China take little heed of the changing of these names; but on the contrary, some name it in one manner, and some in another: Those of Cochin-china and Siam call it Cin, from whence we have formed the name of China; those of Japhan, Than: the Tartars, Han: the Saracens and Mahometans of the West call it Cathay; under which name is likewise comprehended the Eastern part of Tartary.

Its greatness extends from the 18th or 19th,* 1.292 unto the 43th or 44th degree of Latitude: and from 147 to 166 degrees of Longitude, and in some places from 145 to 172; that is about 24 degrees of Latitude, which amount to 600 Leagues from North to South; and 18 or 20, and sometimes 25 degrees of Longitude, which amount to 4, 5, or 600 Leagues from West to East: some Authors have esteemed this Kingdom greater; but the Father Jesuites have observed the height of Pequin, and its most Northern parts.

* 1.293It contains 16 Provinces, all rich, plentiful, and which might well merit the name and title of Kingdoms; they are subdivided into 28 Regions, or less Provinces, of which some have 12, some 15 fair Cities; amongst which are 180 great Cities, 319 great Towns, and 1212 lesser; in all 1771 Cities and fair Towns.

* 1.294However it be a great number, there is the same likewise of lesser places; insomuch that in Anno 1557 there was found in China more than 40 Millions of Men which paid Tribute or Tax: In 1616 there was near 60 Millions. A∣mong which the Women, Young men under 20 years, Eunuchs, Souldiers, Offi∣cers, Sick people, and those of the Kings kindred were not comprehended, which together would amount to a very great number.

* 1.295There are accounted likewise Tributaries to the King of China, 3 Kings to∣wards the East, 53 towards the West, 55 towards the South, and 3 towards the North, which are 114; and many have assured his Revenue to be 150 Millions of Gold per annum.

* 1.296The bounds of this great Monarchy are very advantagious, the Sea washing it on the South and East, where there are divers little Islands and Rocks along the Coast; a Mountain of above 500 Leagues long being its Northern bounds, and great sandy Desarts and Forests, mixt with Mountains, limit it on the West unto the South Sea: these were its natural defence; but upon the Tartars often

invading them, and being at once Master of 33 important Towns, and fearing lest they should be quite subdued, concluded a Peace with the Tartars, agreeing to pay them 2000 Picos of Silver for the defraying the charges of their Army, and they to return home and render up the 33 Towns to the Chinoises. This Peace continued a good while; but they fearing the incursion of the Tartars again, the King at a general Council with his Peers, for their further peace and safety did agree to build a Wall about their Kingdom, or rather Empire, which might serve for a Bulwark against all Invaders, in pursuance whereof there was raised 10000 Picos of Silver, which at 1500 Ducdts, each Pico amounts to 15 Millions of Gold; and entertained 25000 Men to carry on this work, whereof 3000 were appointed as Overseers of the rest; and thus in the space of 27 years,* 1.297 they quite finished the circumference of the Wall, which is 70 Jaos, in length each Jao being 3 Leagues, which is 650 miles. This Wall is 30 foot high and 10 foot broad, being made with Lime, Sand, and Plaistered on the outside, by means whereof it is so hard, that it is Cannon proof; instead of Bulwarks it hath Watch-Towers 2 Stages high, flancked with high Buttresses as thick as a Hogshead, and exceeding strong; the expences for the performing of this Work was divided into 3 parts, of which the Commonalty paid one, the Priests and Isles of Aynan another, and the King and Peers the other: and in this great enclosure there are but 5 Entries, in which both the King of China and Tartary keep Garrisons; in each of which the Chinois continually keep at great expences about 6000 Horse, and 1000 Foot, which for the most part are all Strangers of different Nations bordering upon this Empire, which are kept for defence thereof, when occasion shall serve; in all this length of Wall there is 320 Companies, each of them containing 500 Souldiers, which in all are 160000, besides Officers, &c. which will make up the number 200000, and are all maintained at the Kings charge; but most of these are Malefactors, which doth much lessen the pay, they working for nothing. But for all this strong Wall, and their great care in keeping it, the Tartars of late have al∣most over-run all China. Besides its extent, the great number of its people, and the Forces of this Kingdom, the Soil is generally exceeding rich and fertil, and abounding in all things; and so divided by Rivers and Navigable Chan∣nels, that some have affirmed that there are as many River-boats in China, as in all the World besides.

* 1.298They have all sorts of Grains and Fruits, except the Olive and the Almond, in∣stead of which they have many others not found elsewhere; and moreover their Grains, Fruits, as also their Plants and Herbs; are far beyond ours in excellency and goodness, and their Flowers more beautiful and various than ours. This Country produceth all sorts of living Creatures, as Beasts and Fowl, both tame and wild; and so excellent, that the flesh of their Camels, Mules, Asses, Dogs, &c. are sweet, and good to eat; all Provision is here found so plentiful, that a fat Cow is not worth above 10 Shillings. a Buffter a Crown, a Hog 2 Shillings; all sorts of Fowl they sell by the pound, the common rate after their Feathers are off, being not above 2 Pence, and Fish they have in such great plenty, as well in their Rivers as in the Sea, that they are not worth the selling. The like may be said of their Grains and Fruits, which are found in as great abundance; they have also as great plenty in divers rich Commodities,* 1.299 as in excellent Sugar, Wax, Hony, all sorts of Spices, several Drugs, Rice, Wool, Wines; great quan∣tities of Silk and Cotton, of which they make a great number of different Manufactures. They have all sorts of Metals, but their Gold and Silver is of a lower alloy than ours; and therefore it is that they so much esteem English Gold, and Pristols and Rials of Spain: they have much Rhubarb and Amber, quantity of Musk Civet, which would be the best in the World, if they did not falsifie it: their Capphire is not near so good as that of Borneo, and their Pearls are all Barroques. They have much Saltpeter, with which they make (besides Gunpowder) a thousand divices and artificial Fires. They have so great plenty of Salt, that the Custom only in the Town of Canter, (as Mr. Lewis Roberts reports) doth bring in to the King 180 thousand Ducats yearly.

* 1.300They have abundance of very fine Inventions, of which some are common with us, but which they had before us; as the disposition of their Poasts, their Pa∣per which they make of the bark of Bambus or Canes, but so thin, that it will bear Ink on both sides. In their writing they make use of Pencils, and not Pens, which by reason of the smoothing of the Paper, they cut their Characters ex∣ceeding neat, their writing consisteth only of Characters,* 1.301 which make so-ma∣•••••• Syllables, and the Syllables so many different names, whose signfications are various; of these Monosyllables they have neer 60 to 80000, they write from top to bottom, advancing their lines from the left hand to the right, and almost all their knowledg consists only in reading well. In their Printing, they are so expert, that they can take away, augment, or change as much or as little as they please in a moment. Their Artillery which they dismout by pieces, and their Chariots which they make run with a Saile, &c. Their Manu∣factures of Silk, which they say they have had 3 or 4000 years. They make use of Tables and Seats when they eat, and of Beds when they repose, which their Neighbours do not. Their High-ways are straight, paved, and cut sometimes out of the Mountains. They have Salt which they extract from the Sea-wa∣ter and from Mines. They make and subtract their Sugar, Honey and Wax, from diverse things, to wit, from Bees, from the fruit of certain Trees, and from cer∣tain little Worms they keep in those Trees; and this sorts is the best, the whitest, and its Candle burns the clearest of all.

Those things which they have most particularly, are their Drinks, which they make with the leaves of certain Shrubs; a Gumm, and an excellent Var∣nish, which they get from the Barks of Trees. Also their Porcelain, which they make of Earth, in the Province of Quiamsi, of which they make excellent Cups, Dishes, &c. far exceeding Glass-Metal.

* 1.302The Chinoisses are for the most part well shaped, of a good Stature; they have commonly broad faces, flat noses, little eyes; they never cut the hair of their heads, but on the contrary they wear little or no Beards, and as to their com∣plexion they differ according to the Climat under which they abide, as those in the Province of Pequin lying in the most Northern part of China, are of a fair complexion like the English, when as those towards the South, as in the Pro∣vince of Canton, &c. are like the Moors of Barbary; their Women are handsom, yet make use of Paint; they seldom are seen abroad.

* 1.303They wear their Garments very long, with long loose sleeves; those of the Northern Provinces make use of Furs, and those of the Southern wear Silk; but persons of quality are richly habited and adorned with many Pearls and Pre∣cious Stones. They are great lovers of Women, as also of their bellies, com∣monly eating thrice a day, their diet being good and cleanly drest, and they as neat in eating it, making use of Knifes and Forks.

* 1.304They are very ingenious, and much more industrious and Politick then their Neighbours, having the use and understanding of Arts and Sciences, both liberal and Mechanical, as Philosophy, Physick, Astronomy concerning the Heavens and Stars, the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, &c. in the which they have a∣bundance of vain fancies. Also they are expert in Musick and making of Musical Instruments, Navigation, Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, making of Clocks, casting of Metals in Images, Medals or the like; these with several other in∣ventions too tedious to name, they had the benefit of before us; yet are they not in that perfection as they are with us. And as for Armes, they have their courage so low,* 1.305 that both the Souldiers and the Commanders submit themselves to the whip, when they have been wanting in their duty; so that it was said that when the Tartars affaulted them, it sufficed them only to have shewed them the whip, to have put them to slight, as the Scythians their predecei∣sors once served their slaves, who during their long absence had married their Mistresses. It is likewise reported that the China Horses could not suffer the weighing of the Tartarian Coursers; and the Chinois Cavaliers being of the same humor, they were more likely to run than fight.

Moreover the Chinois are very ceremonious, courteous, and great comple∣menters, for which they have several Printed Books which they teach their children, not passing by any one, that they know, without kind salutations; and if they happen to espy any friend which comes out of the Country, besides their kind greeting, his first question will be to ask him whether he hath dined or sup∣ped; which if he hath not, he will carry him to a Tavern and give him a treat∣ment of Flesh, Fowle and Fish; and if he hath din'd, a collation of Fruits and Conserves.

They are also very costly in their Feasts and Entertainments, as in variety of Meats, Fruits, Preserves, to which may be added other delights; as Musick, Singing, Dancing, Plaies, and other pastimes. And for persons of quality they observe more state, some Feasts lasting about 15 or 20 days.

They have several days which they make great account of in Feastings and merriments, but above all others, their new years day, which is in March, where also their Priests are present at their rejoycings, adding to the solemnity of the day Sacrifices which they make to their Gods.

In their Marriages they also very expensive in their Feasts; for the Bride∣groom receives no other Portion from her friends, then what they bestow in their entertainments; but on the contrary, he gives her a Portion, which the gives to her friends in thankfulness for their care in her education.

* 1.306The Chinois may be held as Pagans and Idolaters, not knowing the true Religion, but worshipping Idolls; they invoke the Devil, they hold the im∣mortality of the Soul, and after this life it goeth to eternal bliss, or torment; they also hold a kind of Purgatory, and that their friends and relations upon their prayers and supplications, may have some ease, for which purpose they have a day set apart for the performing of this ceremony. They have four orders of Re∣ligious men; they observe all one fashion, but are distinguished by their colour; they all shave their beards and heads, they make use of Beads, and say their Matins, &c. as the European Monks do. Mandelsloe saith that they are much addicted to incantations and charmes, not doing any thing of concernment, with∣out they have first consulted it by their charmes; and if they prove not accor∣ding to their desire, they will raile and abuse their. Gods with scurrilous lan∣guage, fling them down, beat them, whip them, and tread upon them; but when their choler is asswaged, they will cogg with them, give them good words, and pretend sorrow; and if the charme favour them, then they offer to them Geese, Ducks, boiled Rice, &c. These charms are commonly two small pieces of wood, one side being flat, and the other being hallow, which they, fling upon the ground; and if it happen that the round side of both, or of one is downwards, they take it for an ill omen; if uppermost, for good. They be∣lieve that all things visible and invisible were created by Heaven, who by a Vice∣gerent governs the Universe, another who governs all Sublunary things; they also add three principal Ministers; one looks to the production of Fruits, and the generation of Men and Animals, another governs the Air, and causeth Rain, &c. and the other governeth the Waters and Sea.

Mandelsloe saith also,* 1.307 that at their Funerals they have several ceremonies; as soon as any person is deceased, they wash his body, put on his best Clothes, and set him in a Chair, where his Wife, Children, and other Relations kneeling down about him, take their leave of him, which done, they put him into the Coffin, set it upon a Table, covering him with a Winding-sheet, which reaches to the ground, on which they draw the Picture of the deceased, where they leave him 15 days, during, which time in some other Room they set on a Table Wine, Fruit and Lights, for the Priest who watcheth; after which time, they carry the Corps to the Burial place, his Relations commonly mourn∣ing for a year.

* 1.308The Government of the Kingdom or Empire of China, is wholly at the pow∣er of the King, either to change, take away, or augment Laws, when and as oft as he pleases; yet doth he not execute any rigorous Laws upon them scarce acting or imposing any thing upon his Subjects, without the Advice of his Council of State; besides this Council of State, he appoints others, as well for

the Administration of Justice, as for the oversight of other affaires in the King∣dom; but they neither inflict any punishment to Criminals, or determine any thing of themselves, but make their report to the King, who decides the same.

They are very circumspect how they condemn any person, not passing their sentence, till the offence is found so clear and evident, that the offendor is not able to justifie himself, they use fair means first for the finding out of the truth; and if that will not do, they then inflict several tortures upon them; their ex∣ecutions are various and more cruel according to the offence committed; some being hanged, some they impale, some they burn; their greatest punishment is inflicted on thieves, which they much abhor. Debtors they imprison; for which purpose there being so many, there is in every great City several Prisons, in which they are strictly kept and lookt unto; by reason of which that their lives may not be burthensome unto them, they have in their Prisons, Gardens, Courts, Walks, Fish-ponds, Drinking-houses and Shops, which furnish the Pri∣soners with such things as they have occasion for.

* 1.309The Dignity of the Crown of China is hereditary, falling to the eldest Son of the King after his decease; the King they highly reverence, calling him the Son of Heaven, the Son of God, or the like, not that they think him so, but being the chiefest of men, they esteem him dear to the Gods, and as a gift of Heaven.

The Chinois have many Books and descriptions of their Kingdom: ob∣serving exactly all that their Provinces particularly possess: what is the ex∣tent, quality, and force of each, how many Cities they have, how many Officers, how many men which study, how many which bear Armes, who pay Tribute, and a Thousand particularities; of which however writers have recounted to us but few things, scarce can we gather the Names of the sixteen Provinces, and of some Cities and Rivers; these Names being so diverse in several Authors, that it is a difficulty to reconcile them; we will say something of them giving them those names which seem to us best received.

* 1.310CHINA is divided into two principal parts, Northern, and Southern: there are six Provinces in the Northern part, and ten in the Southern: The River Jamchucquian traverses these; and the River Caramoran those. Of the six Northern parts, three are washed by the Sea, as Leaoton, Pequin and Scianton, and of these three, the two first touch the great Wall or Mountain; the three other Provinces are on the firm Land; as Sciansi, Sciensi, and Ho∣nan, likewise of these three, the two first touch the great Wall; amongst the ten Southern ones, there are six on the Sea; three towards the East, as Nan∣quin, Checquian, or Aucheo and Fuquien; and three towards the South, as Canton, Quancy, and Yunnan; the other four Provinces are up in the Land, and are called Chiamsi, Huquan, Suchuen, and Quicheu. And of these Pro∣vinces in order.

* 1.311The Province of LEAOTON is almost quite separated from the rest of China: Its chief City bears the same name; this City, as also most of the Ci∣ties in China, is well built, and of one form, being square, and with good Walls made of Brick, and plaistered over with Porcelain, which renders it exceed∣ing hard and strong; they are commonly broad, and having the benefit of se∣veral Towers, as well for beauty as defence. Its Soil amongst other things produces the Root Ginsen, which preserves the well in health and strength; strengthens and restores health to the sick; they sell it commonly at double its weight of Silver. Its Inhabitants are less civilised then the rest of China, but more robustious and proper for Warr. Its other places of most note are Richeo, and Chincheo, and both seated on the Sea.

* 1.312The Province of PEQƲIN, though of great fertility, yet by reason of its popu••••usness, occasioned by the residence of the Kings of China in its principal City lo Xunthienfu by us called Pequin, makes it that it cannot furnish Mayz, Wheat, Rice, and other Provisions enough for its Inhabitants and resort of People; which defect is supplied from the adjacent Provinces. The City of

Xunthienfu or Pequin is of a vast bigness, containing within its Walls (made of Free-stone, and strongly fortified with Bulwarks) which are in circumfe∣rence near 30 Leagues, about 3300 Pagodes or Temples, wherein are continu∣ally sacrificed a great number of Wild-Beasts and Birds: These Pagodes, espe∣cially those of the Order of the Menegrepos, Conquinys and Talagrepos, who are the Priests of the 4 Sects of Xaca, Amida, Gizan and Canon, are sump∣tuous Structures. To the Wall which encompasseth this City, for the conve∣niency of its Inhabitants are 360 Gates, to each of which is joyned a small Fort where a Guard is continually kept, as also a Register, to take the names of all Persons that pass thereat. The Streets are long, broad, and well composed, and its houses fair and lofty; each of the chief Streets having its Captain and other Officers, who are to look after the same, which every night are shut up by Gates. Here are about 120 Aquaeducts or Canals, which traverse the City, upon which are near 1800 fair Bridges sustained on Arches. Without the City in a tract of 7 Leagues long and 3 broad, are about 80000 Tombs of the Man∣darins, which are small Chapels, richly beautified, nigh unto which are about 500 great Palaces, which they call the Houses of the Sun, which are inhabi∣ted by those that can no longer bear Armes for the Emperour of China; either through age, sickness or other infirmities. Also here are about 1300 stately Houses inhabited by Religious Men and Women. There are several Streets of a great length, only possessed by People of one profession, as one by near 14000 Taverns; another by innumerable many Courtizans, and another by about 24000 Oar∣men, which belong to the Emperours Panourers. Here are also 32 great Col∣ledges for those that study the Laws. Likewise there are abundance of large Houses, with spacious inclosures of Gardens, Woods, provided of Game, near this City, which said Houses or rather Inns, serve only to give entertainment to people of all degrees, by seeing of Plaies, Combates, Bulbaitings, &c. and the Palace Royal of the Emperour, which is in this City for its largeness, fairness and richness, is not inferior to any in the East; this City being his resi∣dence for the Northern Provinces, as Nanquin is for the Southern.

And thus much for the City of Pequin; its other chief places are, first, Tian∣chevoy; secondly, Himpin; and thirdly, Cichio, seated on a fair River about 70 Miles from the Sea.

* 1.313The Province of SCIANTON, is between that of Pequin and Nanquin; it is well watered with Rivers, which makes it very fertile, abounding in so great plenty of al sorts of Flesh, Fowl, Fish, Grains, Fruits, &c. that its Inhabitants, which are esteemed about seven Millions of Persons, cannot devour the encrease but are forced to furnish other Provinces; they have also great store of Silk, and other rich Commodities. It hath several great Cities, the chief of which are, 1 Xanton, not far from the Sea; 2 Pamnihu, 3 Cincoyan, and 4 Linceu, seated in an Isle so called: Besides which, here are found in this Sea, 9 other Isles, most of which do belong to this Province, and are well known, affording many of the China Commodities.

* 1.314The Province of SCIANSI, which Purchas calls Cansas, hath many Mountains, by reason of which it is not so fertile, as that of Pequin; neither is it so large, so populous, nor so pleasant; yet with the industry of the In∣habitants, it produceth Corn, Rice and Mayz; but in recompence it breeds great quantity of Cattle, and hath so many Vines, that it furnishes the whole Kingdom with Pickled Grapes and Raisins. It hath likewise two sorts of Mines, the one of Brimstone, the other of Stones which burn, and may be called Coals. In the Sulphur Mines they make little holes, to draw out heat enough to boyl any thing they need. The Mines of Coals are inexhau∣stible, encreasing from time to time: and these Coals well prepared, will keep fire day and night without being touched.

In this Province are about 90 Cities and great Towns, six of which are of con∣siderable note; as, 1 Sciansi, 2 Taven, 3 Lugan, 4 Talong, 5 Pingans, 6 Su∣chio; all which are well built and very populous.

* 1.315The Province of SCIENSI or XEMSI, which Purchas calls Soyohin, Mendoza, Sinsay, is the most Westward of all the Six Northern Provinces, and the greatest of all the 16 Provinces; Siganfu is esteemed its chief City; the great Mountain and Wall doth bound it from the Tartars; the Soyl is dry, yet yields good store of Wheat, Mayz and Barley, but little Rice; it feeds much Cattle, and the Sheep are sheared thrice a year, in Spring, Summer and Autumn; their first shearing is the best: It yields Musk, which is the Navel of a Beast, of the bigness of a Hinde. They have Gold, which they gather amongst the Sand of the Rivers; for the Mines, though it hath some, yet they are not open. It produceth divers Perfumes and Rhubarb, which they carry into Persia, and other places: And it is through this Province, that the Caravans come from the West.

This Province is very populous, and is well stored with great Towns and Cities, having 8 great Cities, as, 1 Siganfu, its Metropolis, afore spoken of, 2 Jengun, 3 Pingleang, 4 Pichin, 5 Lynyao; with a great many of less note.

* 1.316The Province of HONAN, which Purchas calls Oyman, is very fertile, and the Climate very temperate; the freest from Mountains, and the farthest from the Sea. It produceth the best Fruits in the World, as well those known to us in Europe, as others; and that in so great quantity, that they are scarce valued. The River of Caramoran after having divided the Provinces of Sciansi, and Sciensi takes its course through the middle of Honan, and discharges it self into the Sea, by the Province of Nanquin. It comprehendeth 7 great Cities, the chief of which bears the name of the Province; its other chief places are, 1 Tem••chio, 2 Caifung, 3 Nanyang, and 4 Chinchio, besides about One hundred less ones, all well inhabited. Hitherto we have surveyed the six Northern Provinces of China; we come now to the 10 more to the South.

* 1.317The Province of NANQƲIN is the fairest and richest, and its Inhabi∣tants the most civilised of all the Kingdom; and the Kings of China did alwaies make their residence at Nanquin, till of late they have made it at Pequin. It comprehends 14 great and fair Cities, viz. 1 Ʋmthienfu or Nanquin, which is the Metropolis of the Province, 2 Chicheu, 3 Lucheu, 4 Funiam, and 5 Za∣nuchi, all which are very populous; some of which have about 200000 people, which only work in making of Calicoes: All which are commodiously seated on arms of the Sea, which make several Isles. And beside these Cities, there are about 100 small ones of less note: I shall only speak something of Nanquin.

* 1.318Ʋmthienfu or Nanquin, as we call it, yet ceases not to be the greatest, fair∣est and richest City of the whole Kingdom, next to Pequin. The form and Symmetry of its Buildings in its Palace, in its Temples, in its Gates, in its Towers, and in its Bridges, as likewise in its publick and particular Houses, and their Ornaments, are wonderful. It is situate upon the River of Batampina, and upon an indifferent high Hill; so that it commands all the Plains there ad∣jacent. The circumference is 8 Leagues, 3 long, and 1 broad, all encompassed with a strong Wall of hewed Stone; about which there are 130 Gates, at each of which there is kept a Porter with two Halberdiers, whose Office is to take the names of every one that passes every day in and out; and besides the strong Wall, there are for further defence 12 Forts or Cittadels. In this City there are accounted above 800000 Houses, besides 80000 Mandarins Houses, 60 great Market places, 130 Butchers Shambles, each containing about 80 Shops, 8000 Streets, whereof 600 are fairer and larger then the rest; all which are broad, straight and well disposed, and are compassed about with Ballisters of Copper. The Houses are about two stories high, and built of Wood, except those of the Mandarins, which are composed of Hewed Stone, and encompassed with Walls and Ditches, over which they have Stone Bridges, with rich Gates and Ar∣ches. The Houses or rather Palaces of the Chaems, Auchacys, Aytans, Tutons, and Chumbims, which are Governors of the Kingdoms or Provinces of the Em∣pire of China, under the Emperor, are stately Structures of about 6 or 7 stories high, and richly adorned with Gold, in which are kept their Magazins for Arms, Ammunition; as also their Treasuries, their Wardrops, and their Fine

Porcelain, which by them is so highly esteemed. Here are about 2300 Pa∣godes, a thousand of which were Monasteries for Religious Persons, which are exceeding rich. Here are also about thirty great Prisons which will contain about two or three thousand Prisoners a-piece: Also a great Hospital for the relief of the Poor. At the entrace of every principal Street, for the security of the Inhabitants, there are Arches and Gates which are kept shut every hight; and in most of the chief Streets are pleasant Fountains.

In this City there is accounted about ten thousand Trades for the working of Silks, which from thence are sent all over the Kingdom; which at every New and Full Moon, amongst divers other Commodities, are vended at Fairs in several places of the City. Its Traffick and Commerce bring thither so great a multitude of People, that its Streets are scarce able to be passed for the throng. Its Commodities and Manufactures are in so great esteem, that they utter bet∣ter then others; and all the neighbouring Countries make a great number of Manufactures.

The Revenue which the King receives from this Province is exceeding vast, the Inhabitants paying into his Exchequer Sixty Millions of Crowns yearly; besides great Excises upon all Commodities, if Mandelsloe may be believed; and if he receiveth so much out of one Province, judge what a vast Revenue he hath from all the Provinces, many of which are no ways inferior to this.

* 1.319The Province of CHEQƲIAN which Purchas calls Essiram, passes likewise for one of the best Provinces of China. The pleasant Rivers which run through it, and the many good Ports, with its Isles it hath on the Coast, doth facili∣tate the utterance of its Merchandizes; and particularly, both Raw Silk, and prepared in Thred, and in Stuffs, which it distributes to the other Provinces of China, and throughout all the World; the other Provinces of China, not having enough for their use. Of this Silk there is one sort which is re∣served to be employed in divers works mixed with Gold, with great art and curiosity, and those are only for the Kings Palace. This Province hath a∣bout seventy Cities,* 1.320 of which six are of considerable note, as 1 Quinsay, now called Hamceu, once the Metropolis of China; 2 Liampo, a fair City seated on the Sea; 3 Aucheo also commodiously seated on the Sea; 4 Scanutanu an In-land City, 5 Chequian also an In-land City, but fair, well built, and frequented; and 6 Succu, seated on the Sea, and about 25 Leagues from the City of Nanquin.

All which are fair, strong, well built, and very populous Cities, but not com∣parable to Quinsay, of which a word or two.

* 1.321Quinsay or Hamceu, as I said before, was once the Metropolis of China, be∣ing (if we may give credit to Authors,) 100 miles in circuit, and having in the midst thereof, a Lake of about 30 miles in compass, in which are two fair Islands, and in them two stately Palaces adorned with all necessaries, either for Majesty or Conveniency; the City having variety of stately Palaces. Its Houses as well private as publick, are fair and well built, having abundance of Pagodes, the Streets large, well ordered and paved with Free-stone. To this City are said to belong about 10000 Sail of great and small Vessels, which are inhabited by People, who there negotiate their affairs, and remove from one place and City to another, as their occasions serve them. There are said to be in this City about 15000 Priests, and besides the vast number of Inhabi∣tants, there are about 60000 persons which are employed in working of Silk. But this City, since Pequin and Fanquin are become the Residence of the King and Court, hath much-lost its former splendor.

This Province is observed to have a great number of Temples magnificently built, and the Lake Sibu bordered with stately Palaces, and encompassed with Hills covered with Trees and rare Plants. A place so pleasant and de∣lightful, that the greatest and richest of the Province pass here their time, and expend their goods.

There are also in this Province whole Forests of Mulberry-trees, by reason of which they have the greatest product of Silk, of any Province in China; which they furnish several Kindoms with, as well in Europe, as in Asia.

Along the Coast of this Province are seated several Isles, some of which are very considerable, as Mochosa and Sunkiam, which is about 25 Leagues broad, and as many long; high to the shore of which ly several others, but of a lesser bigness. Its other Isles, are 1. Suan. 2. Olepio, 3. Avarella, and 4 the Isles of Chaposi, which are a body of several small Isles.

* 1.322The Province of FƲQƲIEN is not so fertile as Chequin and Canton, between which it is situated. Its Inhabitants endeavour to repair that default by their Trade with Strangers, and principally with Japan, the Philippines, Fermosa or Fair Island, which is directly opposite to their Coast. The Earth produceth Gold, Iron, Steel, Sugar, Calamba, Spices, Drugs, Quicksilver, Precious Stones, Fruits, Grains and Cattle; also Silk and Cotton, of which they make divers Manufactures, as also they make all sorts of Paper.

There are in this Province several Cities of note, but its chief are 1 Fochen, seated on a fair River not above 17 Leagues from the Sea; 2 Chincheo, also commodiously seated on a fair River or Arm of the Rea, from which it is dist∣ant about 10 Leagues, 3 Yenping, 4 Chining, and 5 Hinghoa.

The Inhabitants of Fermosa are almost all Savages, the Spaniards have built one Fortress on the East side, and the Hollanders another on the West side and towards the Continent, which they call Zealand. The Air is temperate, and healthful, which makes the Province become very populous; and along the Coast are seated several Isles, as Lanquin, Baboxin, &c.

* 1.323The Province of CANTON or QƲANTƲNG, though one of the least Provinces of China in extent, yet by the reason of the goodness of its Soyl, and the conveniency of its situation, being the first that presents its self to those of Europe, Africa and Asia, which come to China, it abounds in Wheat, Rice, and other Grains, Sugar, Gold, Precions Stones, Pearis, Steel, Quick-silver, Silk, Salt-Peter, Calamback-wood and Copper, Iron and Tin, of which they make curious Vessels, which they varnish with Charam, and which are brought to Europe. They make also the Barrels of their Guns in that nature, that though they are never so much laden, yet they do not break.

* 1.324The Inhabitants are very civil, industrious and ingenious, but they are bet∣ter in imitation then invention; being in the first so great masters, that there is no rarity or manufacture whatsoever that comes to their sight, but they will exactly pattern as well as the Europeans; and in all manner of Goldsmiths work they far exceed them.

* 1.325In this Province are observed to be three things which are not in the other Provinces, that is, Men which spit Blood continually; Mountains without Snow; and Trees always green.

* 1.326In this Province are about 80 Cities both small and great, the chief whereof are 1 Quangchen or Canton, under which I shall include the Trade of China, as being the chiefest place of Traffick. It is well built, of great Traffick, rich, and very populous; to which the Portugals have a great Trade, being commodi∣ously seated on an Arm of the Sea.

* 1.3272. The Island and City of AMACAO is seated opposite to the City of Canton, on the North side of a Bay, which is at the mouth of the great River of Canton, which issueth out of the Lake of Quancy. This place is inhabited by the Portugals, intermixed with the natural Chinois; their particular Trade is with the City of Canton, which may be counted the Staple of all the China Commodities, whether they are permitted to come twice a year; at which time there are Fairs kept for the vending of their Commodities, which they carry to Malacta, Gon, and so into several parts of Europe. But though they are admitted the liberty of Trade, yet are they denied the freedom of lying in the City at nights, neither to enter the Walls without setting down their names in Books, which are kept by persons at each Gate for the same purpose, which when they depart at night, they cross out.

Its other chief places are 1 Xauquin, a Maritime City, 2 Luicheu, also seated on the Sea, very commodious for Traffick, and opposite to the Isle of Aynan, from which it is distant about 5 Leagues, 3 Lampaca, also seated upon the Sea, and 4 Nanhium seated far within Land, and among the Mountains which parts this Province from Chiamsi.

* 1.328The Isle of AYNAN is also comprehended under this Province, and is the greatest of all the Islands that belong to China. It is distant from Amacao, on the South 50 or 60 Leagues; it is almost as long as broad, having 50 Leagues from South to North, where it almost joyns upon the Southern Coast of China, and on the other side regards Cochinchina. It abounds in Grains, Fruits, Tame and Wild Beasts: The Sea hath Pearls, Lignum Aquilae and Calamba. Their Craw-fish taken out of the Water die, and grow hard like a Stone; which being reduced to Powder, serves for a remedy against many diseases. The Earth hath Mines of Gold and Silver, for which the Inhabitants care little. In the midst of the Island, the People are likewise half Savages: The chief City is Kincenfen, seated on the Sea-shore, and regarding the Province of Canton.

* 1.329The Province of QƲANCY, which Purchas calls Guansa, enjoys the same temperament with Canton, yields the same Commodities, and with the same plenty, but is not so much frequented by Mexchants, nor hath scarce any con∣fluence of Strangers; the reason is, because its Rivers loose and discharge themselves all in the Province, and at the City of Canton, which forces them to pass through the hands of those of Canton, to utter their Merchandizes, and receive those of others. In this Province there are Ten large Cities, of which Quancy is chief, all well built and very populous, besides about one hundred small ones.

* 1.330The Province of ZƲNNAN, which Purchas calls Vanam, is the last on the South Coast, where it is washed by the Gulf of Cochinchina, and on the West, where it touches on the Kingdom of Tunquin, and on divers People beyond those Mountains which inclose the West of China. The Women have here the liverty to go in publick to buy and sell, which those of other parts of China do not. It hath Mines which yield a kind of Amber redder and less pure then ours; but which hath some particular vertue against Fluxes. Besides this, it transports few Merchandizes into other places. This Province hath likewise good store of small and great Cities, the chief of which bears the name of the Province, and Hilan, seated on a Lake so called, which is inform of a Crescent.

* 1.331The Province of CHIAMSI, which Purchas calls Lansay, is inclosed with Mountains, which have their passages open to the Neighbouring Pro∣vinces, and particularly on the Coast of Canton. On the Mountain of Muilin there is a great concourse for the carriages of Merchandizes, which are trans∣ported from Canton to Nanquin, which is done by mounting the River of Can∣ton, unto the foot of the Mountain: From whence the carriages being taken out of the Vessels, are loaden, and born upon Mens backs to the other side of the Mountain, where there is found another navigable River, which crosses the Province Kiamsi, till it falls into the famous Jamchuquiam, which leads to Nanquin, and the Sea.

This Province is so peopled, that a part of its Inhabitants are constrained to spread themselves through all other Provinces of China, to seek their fortune. It is in one of the Cities of this Province that they make Porcelain; the Water here being fit to give it perfection: The Earth is fetched from other places, bea∣ten and fashioned at the same time; the tincture they most commonly apply, is Azure, some lay on Vermilion, others Yellow. In this Province are 12 great Cities, besides about sixty small ones, its chief City being called Nanciam, seat∣ed on a Lake, as is Quianhanfu, and others. Its other chief places are, 1 Ki∣enchan, 2 Linbiang, 3 Juencheu, 4 Nangam.

* 1.332The Province of HƲQƲAM is so abundant in Rice, that it is able to furnish a good part of China: It is likewise rich in Oyls and Fish. The Jam∣chuquian, and many other Rivers and Lakes cross it on all sides, and carry its Commodities towards Nanquin, and to Quincheu. It is very populous, con∣taining 15 great Cities, and about 100 small ones, the chief of which are, 1 Chin∣giang, 2 Huchang, 3 Suchang, 4 Yocheu, &c.

* 1.333The Province of SƲCHƲEN, which Mendoza calls Susuan; Purchas, Soin, is one of the lesser Provinces of the Kingdom; it is high scituated, and pours down its Rivers into the Neighbouring Provinces. Here is found good store of yellow Amber, and excellent Rhubarb. Its chief Cities are in number 8 together with about 120 lesser ones; all which are exceeding populous, the chief bearing the name of the Province.

* 1.334The last of the Provinces I have to treat of is QƲICHEƲ, or likewise CƲTCHEƲ, according to Purchas. It borders on the People Timocoves, Gueyes, the Kingdom of Ciocangue, and the People called Layes: Here is that famous Lake C••ncui-Hai, from whence comes divers Rivers which water China. They make here quantity of Arms of all sorts, to serve against those People which border upon them which once belonged to China; but which now, for the most part, are Enemies to it. This Province is Hilly and unever, which makes it not very fertil in Corn, Fruits, &c. but it hath abundance of Quicksilver; and also it breeds the best Horses of any Province in all China. Cities in this Province are very few, there being not above 15, both small and great; the chief of which are, 1. Quicheo, seated on the River Yanchuquian•• 2. Rueyang. 3. Hianchoau. 4. Liping. 5. Cipan. &c.

All these Provinces, or rather all these Kingdoms of China, are governed by divers Magistrates, which those of Europe call in general Mandarins. These are persons that have Patents, whom the King or chief Officer of State doth chuse, after knowledge of their capacity and honesty; the degrees given to Students, the general and particular Governments, the charges of the Militia, the receipt of, and management of Revenues, the building and repairing of Publick Buildings, the Civil and Criminal Justice, are in their hands. And there are Appeals from one to the other, according to the order and nature of Affairs. The Council of Estate always resides near the person of the King, and hath a general eye over the Kingdom.

But it shall suffice; what we have said of China let us finish by saying, That we have described it as it was before the Tartars made an irruption in ••618. These Tartars kept it wholly for some years, since which the Chinois have re∣pulsed them, and have established their former estate, receiving likewife Chri∣stianity with hopes of great fruits and progress; but of late they have broke into China again, and have committed great Spoils.

* 1.335Besides the Isles already spoken of, here are about the Coast of China several others, as the Isle of Corey in the Gulph of Nanquin, of good account, and well frequented, affording many of the China Commodities. It is of a large extent, being 100 Leagues in length, and about 50 in breadth. Its chief places are, Tauxem, seated on the Northern part of the Isle, regarding the Province of Leaoton; from which it is parted by a Streight or Gulph not above two Leagues broad. 2. Corey, seated on the Gulph of Nanquin, Southernly. 3. Tasoran, also seated on the Sea Eastwards; and on the South of this Isle are seated a Body of several Isles, called the Isles of Larrons. Likewise the Isles of Fuego, Lequeio Grande, Les Roys Mages; the Isles of Pescheurs or Fishers; of Pa••an or Formosa; of Tabaco Miguel, and Tabaco Xim••.

• TARTA∣RIA may be consider∣ed, as it is divided in∣to the Parts of
  • TARTARIA DESERTA,
    • Cumbalich,
    • Glustins,
    • Jerom,
    • Risan,
    • Frutach,
    • Centaz,
    • Risan,
    • Divasi,
    • Caracus.
  • USBECK, or ZAGATHAY, with its Provinces or Parts of
    • Usbeck, particularly so called,
      • Jarchan,
      • Samarcand,
      • Nesaph,
      • Mogalachfu,
      • Horne,
      • Xibuar,
      • Reven,
      • Targama,
      • Teras,
      • Sachi,
      • Tanchit,
      • Tersis,
      • Sachania.
    • Sacae,
      • Sachi,
      • Istigias,
      • Busdascha••,
      • Rigul,
      • Coman,
      • Termend,
      • Escalcand,
      • Sermegan,
      • Asareft,
      • Kax,
      • Etaican,
      • Nesaph.
    • Sogdlans,
      • Bachars,
      • Pogansa,
      • Madrand••n,
      • Carassat,
      • Zahaipa,
      • Corui,
      • Chiargan,
      • Corfim,
      • Bechet,
      • Siminan,
      • Cant,
      • Chesolitis,
      • Caracol.
  • TURQUESTAN, with its Kingdoms or Proviaces of
    • Chialis,
      • Chialis,
      • Turfan,
      • Cuchia,
      • Uga.
    • Chinchintalas,
      • Camul,
      • Aramul.
    • Cascar,
      • Emil,
      • Sark,
      • Cassia,
      • Taskent.
    • Thibet,
      • Andegen,
      • Raofa,
      • Tamafi.
    • Cotam,
      • Cotam,
      • Pinegle,
      • Cogricamri,
      • Peim.
    • Ciartiam,
      • Ciartiam,
      • Lop,
      • Sazechiam,
      • Carazan,
      • Vociam.
  • CATHAY, with its Kingdoms or Provinces of
    • Tainfu,
      • Cambalu,
      • Achbaluch,
      • Tinzu,
      • Xandu,
      • Caidu,
      • Gouza.
    • Tenduc,
      • Tenduc,
      • Zambir.
      • Ciandu.
    • Egrigaja,
      • Ciangli,
      • Tudinfu,
      • Serr••,
      • Suidio,
      • Mulon.
    • Tanguth,
      • Sachion,
      • Quiqui.
      • Hoyam,
      • Gauta.
    • Ergimul,
      • Campion,
      • Ergimul.
    • Serguth,— Erzina.
    • Belgian, — Belgian.
  • True TARTARIA, with its Provinces or Hords of
    • Mongul,— Mongul.
    • Molair, — Caracoran.
    • Tartar, — Tartar.
    • Bargu, — Catacoran.
    • Carli,— Taingin.
    • Naiman,— Naiman.
    • Cavona,— Cavona.
    • Colmack, — Colmack.

[illustration] map of Tartary

To the Right Worshipfull S^r Iames Shaen of Shyne in Surrey Knight and Baronet This Mapp is humbly D. D. by R. Blome.

A MAPP of y^e Kingdome of TARTARY. By Monsieur Sanson.

TARTARY.

* 1.336TARTARY, or TARTARIA, is seated in the most Northern part of all Asia, and extends it self from East to West, from the River Volga and Oby, which separates it from Europe, unto the Streight of Jesso; which separates it from America; and from South to North, from the Caspian Sea, the River Gehon, and the Mountains of Courasus; and Ʋssonte, &c. which divides it from the more Sou∣thernly part of Asia, unto the Northern Frozen or Scythian Ocean.

* 1.337It reaches in length from the 19th unto the 180th degree of Longitude, which is the half of our Hemisphere; and in breadth, from the 35th or 40th unto the 70th or 72th degree of Latitude, which is half the breadth of all Asia; So that it may contain 1500 Leagues from West to East, and 7 or 800 from North to South.

Its position is almost entirely in the Temperate Zone;* 1.338 nevertheless its more Southern parts being in the midst of this Temperate Zone, and the rest advancing to the Cold or Frozen; and its Southern parts being almost all bounded with very high Mountains, which keeps off the heat of the mid-day Sun, and ren∣ders it more cold towards the North; We may say, that Tartary in general hath its temperature much more cold than temperate.

Its Neighbours are the Moscovites, on the West; the Persians,* 1.339 the Indians or the Mogolls and the Chinois, on the South; the rest is washed by that Sea of which we have little knowledge; some place towards the East, the Streight of Anian, which should separate it from America; others, the Streight of Jesso, which divides it from the Land or Isle of Jesso, which is between Asia and America, as we shall declare after Japan. Some esteeming the Northern Ocean in one manner, and some in another.

* 1.340The name of Tartaria is apparently taken from the River, Quarter, or Hord of Tartar; from whence these People being issued, have over-run and made themselves known in all parts of Asia. Others take it from the word Tatar or Totar, which in the Syriack signifies Remnant or Forsaken, because they esteem them the Remnant of the Jews, of which Ten Tribes were trans∣ported into Media by Salmanzer. They must then add, that these Ten Tribes passed from Media into Scythia, which is not observed by the Ancients. However it be, the Persians yet call this Country Tartar, and its People Tata∣rons; the Chinois, Tagun.

The People which possess this Country differ something from one another,* 1.341 as well in Personage as in Religion and Manners; but of the most part they are of an indifferent Stature, ugly countenances, thick Lips, hollow Eyed, flat Noses, broad Fated very strong, stout, valiant and good Warriers; very active, vigilant, and exceeding quick of Foot; patient in all Afflictions; they are very rude, barbarous and revengeful, not sparing their Enemies, whom in revenge they eat, first letting out their Blood, which they keep, using it as Win•• at their Feasts.

Their Habit is very mean, which is for the most part made of course stuff,* 1.342 which reaches but to their Knees; yet are they very proud, despising all other Nations, and thinking their Cham to be the greatest Prince in the World; whom they greatly fear and reverence, being no better, than his Slaves. They are very nasty and sluttish, much given to drink of a treacherous and thievish nature.

* 1.343In matters of Religion, they are generally Pagans and Mahumetans, which about the year 1246. crept in amongst them, which since hath spread it self over their Country, and intermixing with Paganism; yet hath it not so much prevailed as to extinguish Christianity, which was first planted amongst the Scythians (which were the Ancient people of Tartary) by the preaching of two of the Apostles, St. Philip and St. Andrew, which of latter years hath much lost it self, and not only by the prevailing of the Nestorian Sect, but chiefly for want of instructing the People in the true Orthodoxal points of Christian Religion.

* 1.344Their Food is mean and very sluttishly drest; yet use they entertainments, and refuse nothing but Swines flesh, and eat all without Salt. They are much given to Hawking, and other Sports; but not much to Arts or Literature: The Women are much of the nature with the Men.

* 1.345The Government (as Heylin observeth) is Tyrannical, their great Cham or King being Lord of all, in whose breast lieth their Laws, taking the Estates and Lives away of whom he pleaseth; whom they so much reverence, that they call him the shadow of Spirits, and Son of the Immortal God, and esteem him the Monarch of the whole World. In their execution of Justice they are very severe, punishing every small offence with sudden death. His Revenue without doubt must be very great;* 1.346 for besides the sole trade of Pearl-fishing, which upon pain of death none dares to fish for, besides those employed by him; also all the Gold and Silver that is either found in, or brought into the Kingdom, he doth assume to himself, as also the Tenth of all things that the Country doth produce; and also what else he thinketh fit; as being (as I said before) Lord over them all.

Here the Men have the liberty of 2 or 3 Wives, which they never choose but out of their own Tribe: and every Tribe hath a Chief, who is one of the Nobility of the Country, and carries for his Banner a Horses-Tail fastned to a Half-Pike, and died of the colour belonging to his Tribe.

* 1.347As concerning the Forces that the Great Cham is able to raise, they may be supposed to be very great, by that which may appear by Tamerlanes Army, which consisted of a 1200000 Horse and Foot; besides, if we consider what a disturber he hath been, and how he hath enlarged his Territories of his Neigh∣bours, as the Chinois, the Moscovites, &c. we may judge him powerful; but as his power is great on Land, it is as weak by Sea, scarce being Master of any Ships, and as little doth he regard them, though other Princes esteem them as a great security to their Kingdom.

* 1.348I shall divide Tartary into five principal Parts; which are, Tartaria the De∣sart, Ʋsbeck or Zagathay, Turquestan, Cathay, and the True Tartaria; the first and last are the most Northern, barbarous, and unknown. The others more Southerly, are better civilized and known, having abundance of fair Cities, and driving a good Trade.

TARTARIA the Desart answers to the ancient Scythia intra Imaum; Ʋsbeck or Zagathay to the ancient Bactriana and Sogdiana; both the one and the other new Name retaining, in my opinion, something of the ancient; Sogdiana of Zagathay, and Bactriana of Ʋsbeck: Turquestan to the ancient Scythia extra Imdum. Cathay is the Serico Regia. As for the True Tartary it is unknown unto the Ancients, or at least it holds the most Northern part of the one and the other Scythia.

* 1.349Tartaria Deserta is bounded on the West with the Rivers Volga and Oby, which divides it from Moscovy on the East, by Mount Imaus, which separates it from the True Tartaria, and from Turquestan; on the North by the Septen∣trional Ocean; on the South by the Caspian or Tabarestan Sea, by the River Chesell, and by certain Mountains which joyn themselves with Imaus, and di∣vide it from Ʋsbeck or Zagathay. All the Country is inhabited by Peoples or Tribes, which are Troops or Bands which they call Hordes, having very few Walled places, whither they only retire themselves when forced; for they have no settled stay or abode,* 1.350 but wandring perpetually, carrying and driving with them their Tents, Chariots, Families, and all they possess,

stopping only there were they find the best food for their Cattel, to which, as also in Hunting and War, they most addict themselves. They Till not the Earth, though it be good and fertil; and hence it is that this is called Tartary the Defart. The chief places in this part are; 1. Cumbalich, seated on a Lake. 2. Gerstina, seated between the two other Lakes, which are conjoyned toge∣ther by a River. 3. Jerom, on a branch of the River Oby. 4. Risan, seated on the River Jaick. 5. Frutach. 6. Centan. 7. Caracus. 8. Organci, and 9. Da∣vasi. The People that inhabit in this part, have their rise from three several Originals, which are disposed of into many several parts; as, 1. The Circas∣sians, which are for the most part Christians, and border upon the Euxine Sea. 2. The Samoyeds, who are altogether Idolaters, inhabiting towards the Nor∣thern Ocean: and, 3. Tartars, which are Mahometans, and seated betwixt both the other. And those again are subdivided into divers Tribes or Hordes; the chiefest of which are, 1. The Nagajan Tartars,* 1.351 which are held to be more fierce and cruel, and better Warriers than the other Tartars, but void of all Arts; despising Mony, or the use of Corn, accounting Mares-milk and House-flesh their best dyet, which they are not over-curious in dressing, it sufficing if it is only heated, though with the Sun: and this Horde paies yet some Tribute to the great Duke of Moscovy, to whom likewise part of this Tartaria Desert a belongs. 2. The Thumenenses, who are also a warlike People, and much ad∣dicted to Divinations and Sorceries. 3. The Zavolhenses are very powerful. The Kirgessi are also very strong and warlike; they are partly Gentiles, and partly Mahometans: They care not to bury their Dead, because of their so after removing, thinking never to see them more, and so leaving them hang∣ing upon Trees. The Country is very fertil, if tilled, being fit to produce se∣veral good Commodities, and is also very fit for Traffick, having commodious Havens; and if they would addict themselves to it, would soon gain a good Trade with several other Nations.

ƲSBECK, or ZAGATHAT,* 1.352 extends it self from the Caspian Sea unto Turquestan, and from Persia and India unto Tartaria Deserta: possessing all that is upon the Rivers of Chesel, and of Gehan or Albiamu.

Its People are the most civil and ingenious of all the Western Tartars,* 1.353 fierce in War, being strong and active, patient in labour, not much addicted to vices, Thest they punish severely; they have a great trade with the Persians,* 1.354 to whom they have sometimes been Subjects, sometimes Enemies, and sometimes in good Intelligence; and with the Indians, where they have likewise some∣thing to do; and with Cathay, where they utter their much prized Manna, bringing back Silk, which they make into Manufactures, and sell in Mos∣covy.

This part of Tartary did contain several Provinces: 1. Zagathay, especially so called. 2. Sacoe. 3. Sogdiana, with some other of less note, in all which are not many considerable Cities, the most famous of which are S••narcand, which was both the Cradle and Grave to Tamberlan the Great, from whom the Great Mogolls boast themselves to be lineally descended, who enriched it with the fairest Spoils of Asia, and adorned it with an Academy, yet in some repute among the Mahometans: Also Bachara and Budaschan, and also Ba∣lick, according to some; but which I esteem in Chorasan, which hath divers times been in the hands of the Chams of Ʋsbeck. Badaschian is likewise on the Frontiers of Chorasan, Bochara or Bachara, where lived Avicenna one of the most famous Philosophers and Physicians of all the East.* 1.355 The Country is of a different Soil; that of Zagathay is indifferent fertil, which is much aug∣mented by the industry of the Inhabitants, who are likewise held the most in∣genious, being lovers of Arts, and well skilled in Manufactures, by reason of which they have a good trade with Merchants, which come from several places. Sacae is very barren, and ill manured, and full of wild Desarts, Forrests, and Uninhabited places, by reason of which the Inhabitants remove their Herds of Cattle from place to place, where they can find best food for them. Sogdian•• hath very rich Pastures, and watered with many good Rivers, which much conduces to its fertility; in which, as also in Zagathay, are several Towns

and Cities; as 1. Jarchan. 2. Sachi. 3. Istigiaes. 4. Busdaschan. 5. Bachara: and 6. Pogansa, which last is seated on the Sea.

* 1.356TƲRQƲESTAN lies East from Ʋsbeck or Zagathay, West from Ca∣thay, North from India, and South from True Tartary. It is subdivided into some Kingdoms, of which the best known are Castar, Cotam, Chialis, Ciartiam, Thibet, Chinchintalis, &c. A part of their chief Cities being of the same name. Some name Hiarchan instead of Cascar, and Turon or Turphan instead of Chialis, for the chief Cities of the Kingdom. That of Cascar is the richest, most fertil, and best cultivated of all: That of Ciartiam is esteemed the least, and all sandy, having in recompence many Jaspars and Cassidoines; but that of Cascar hath likewise excellent Rhubarb,* 1.357 and in great quantity. Those of Cotam and Chialis have Corn, Wine, Flax, Hemp, Cotton, &c. Thibet is more ad∣vanced towards the Mogolls of India, and the most engaged in the Mountains of Imaus, Caucasus, and Ʋssontes. It hath many wild Beasts, Musk, and Cinnamon; and they make use of Coral instead of Mony. The Relations which have been given in 1624 and 1626, have made this Estate so great and rich, that they would confound it with Cathay: but those of 1651 make the Region very cold, and always covered with Snow; esteeming its King wholly barbarous, and less powerful than him of Serenegar, who is only a Rahia in the Estates of the Great Mogoll: so little assurance is there in the most part of these Relations. The other places of note in Turquestan are, Camul, Turfan, Emil, Sark, Cassia, Andegen, Raofa, Cotain, Peim, Finegle, Lop, Ciartiam, Sazechiam, and Vociam; and in this part is the Lake of Kithay, which is 65 Leagues in length, and 40 in breadth.

CATHAY is the most Eastern part of all Tartaria,* 1.358 and esteemed the richest and most powerful Estate. It is contiguous to Turquestan, on the West, to China on the South, to True Tartary on the North; and on the East is watered by the Streight of Jessa.

Some esteem all Cathay under one only Monarch or Emperour, whom they call Chan or Ʋlacan, that is, Great Cham, and speak him one of the greatest and richest Princes in the World. Others account divers Kings, but all Subjects to the Great Cham.* 1.359 The Country is much frequented, well tilled, and in most places very fertil, abounding in Wheat, Rice, Wool, Hemp, Silk, Musk, Rhu∣burh, great Herds of Camels, of whose Hair they make Chamlets, and abun∣dance of Horses, with which they furnish other Countries, and especially China,* 1.360 with what other things can be desired. Cambalu is esteemed its Metro∣politan City, in which the Great Cham resides, pleasantly seated in a fertil Soil, and on the River Palysanga, which hath its course through the City, which is seated in the midst of the Country, being as it were the center to others. This City, besides its Suburbs, is esteemed to be 28 miles in circuit, being as it were four square, each Angle being 7 miles in length, all encompassed with a strong Wall 10 paces thick; to which, for entrance into the City, there is at each Angle 3 Gates, to every one of which there is a Palace; besides in every Angle a more sumptuous Palace, in which the Armour of the Garrison Soul∣diers are kept, which are accounted 1000 of each Gate. The Buildings are (for the most part) of Free-stone, and very proportionably built; the chief Streets large, and so strait, that one may see from one Gate to the other, which gives it a gallant prospect.

* 1.361In the midst of this City is a stately Palace, where the Great Cham resides; together with his Queens and Children. This Royal Palace is four square, and of a vast bigness, having besides its Out-walls several other enclosures; adorn∣ed with stately Structures, beautified with pleasant Walks, Gardens, Orchards, Fishponds, with several other places for Recreation. His Attendance, State, and Riches, is great. Without the Walls are 12 Suburbs, each 3 or 4 miles in length,* 1.362 adjoyning to each of the 12 Gates; and in these Suburbs the Merchants and Strangers reside, each Nation having a several Cane or Store-house, where they both lodge and exercise their Trade, bartering their Commodities for one anothers, being of a great Trade, and frequented by Merschants and Strangers of several Countries, but more especially by the Persians, Chinois, Indians,

and the Tartars themselves, which renders it very populous, it being the chief place for Trade in all Tartary, abounding not only in those Commodities afore∣said, but also in the Spices of India, the Gems of Pegu and Bengala, the Drugs of Arabia; also the Carpets, Tapestries, Silks and Manufactures of Persia, &c.

* 1.363The Mony currant here, and throughout this large Territory, is very diffe∣rent, neither is it made of Gold, Silver, or Copper, as with us; but of the mid∣dle Bark of the Mulberry Tree, which being made smooth and firm, they cut round into great and small pieces, on which they imprint the Kings Mark, as we do on our Mony; and these pieces, according to the bigness and thickness, are valued at a certain rate, and are passable for the buying of all Commodities; and it is deemed death for any one to counterfeit, or make any of this Mony. But in some places under the Great Chams jurisdiction, they use polished Coral instead of Mony: and in other places they use twigs of Gold, which is distin∣guished into several parcels by weight, but without Stamp or Character, and this is held in case of great importance: they also use in some places Porcelain instead of Mony; likewise they make a kind of Mony of Salt, which they boil until it be congealed hard, and then make it up into round lumps, on which is put the Princes Stamp. And these are the several sorts of Mony which pas∣seth amongst them; yet by reason of the Trade that this place hath with other Countries there adjacent, their Coyns are here found currant, as are those of the Grand Signior, as also those of Moscovy.

Besides this Palace aforementioned, he hath another which is esteemed the principal of his abode, which is not far from this City, which Merchants are not permitted to enter; the Palace is called Zaindu, being four square, and, if Authors may be believed, every Square is 8 miles in length, and within this Quadtant is another, whose sides are 6 miles in length, and within that ano∣ther of 4 miles square, and this is esteemed the very Palace it self, and between these several Walls are stately Walks, Gardens, Orchards, Fish-ponds, Parks, Forrests, Chases, for all manner of pleas••es and game, as also several other places for all manner of Courtly and Military exercises. This Palace is ex∣ceeding richly built, having many sumptuous Edifices; his attendance great, 12000 Horse being his daily guard, besides an exceeding great number of other Attendance and Servitures.

* 1.364The greatest and most potent Parts or Kingdoms of Cathay, are TAN∣GƲTH, whose chief City is Campion; where the Caravans of Forreign Merchants stop, it not being permitted them to go farther; a City well built, and where the Christians, in the time of Paulus Venetus, had 3 fair Churches; but of later time have much lost themselves through the great increase of the Gentiles, who have here several Monasteries, where they keep and worship their Idols, where they have also several Religious persons only dedicated to their service; and this Kingdom hath much Rhubarb. The Kingdom of TENDƲC, with its City of the same name,* 1.365 furnishes Cloth of Gold and Silver, Silks, Chamlets, &c. and it is thought that Prester John resided in these quarters; there being yet a particular King, who is a Christian, but of the Sect of the Nestorians, and subject to the Great Cham.

THAINFƲR is known for the great number of its People,* 1.366 for the ex∣cellency of its Vines, for the goodness of its Arms, and of its Cannon, &c. for the rest, all great Travellers count Marvels, of the greatness, power, and mag∣nificence and riches of this Great Cham; of the extent of his Estates,* 1.367 of the Kings subject to him, of so many Ambassadors always in his Court, of the re∣verence and respect bore him, of the power and infinite number of his Men of Arms; but it is so far from Europe, that we could scarce believe them, till he made seen his power in 1618, having possessed the Ports and Passages of that great Mountain and Wall which separates Tartaria from China; casting an in∣finite number of Men into the great Kingdom, taking and pillaging its fairest Cities, and almost all its Provinces, forced the King of China to retire himself into Canton; leaving him in possession of not above 1 or 2 of its Provinces: But the relations of 1650 gives the King of China re-entrance into the great∣est

part of his Estates; its other parts are, Egrigaja, whose chief places are Serra and Mulon: also Egrimul, whose chief place is so called; then Serguth, whose chief place is Erzina; and lastly, Belgian, whose chief place is so called.

* 1.368The People in this part of Tartaria are generally strong of body, stout, warlike, and couragious, though in the greatest dangers; also very active, and patient in afflictions, ingenious, and given to Manufactures, more civil and courteous to Strangers than the rest of the Tartars; loving to wear good Ap∣parel, and feed deliciously, which the others are negligent of; in Stature they are but of a mean size, but well proportioned, and of an indifferent good Com∣plexion.

* 1.369In matter of Religion they are either Gentiles, Christians, or Mahometans, which latter is most used, it being publickly and generally allowed amongst them, in which Religions they observe several Ceremonies, not much different from those of other Countries, especially in Christianity and Mahometism.

* 1.370The True and Ancient TARTARY, is the most Northern of all the parts of Tartary taken together, and likewise the coldest, the most untilled, and most barbarous of all: nevertheless it is from hence that the Tartars issued in the year 1200, and having made themselves Masters of 6 Hordes most adjacent to theirs, have since made themselves known, and have carried their Arms and their Government into the greatest and fairest parts of Asia. This is the place where the Ten Tribes are supposed to have rested, which were transported into Media; and some say, that the name of Dan, Nepthalim, and Zebulon, are yet found amongst them; but it is easie to forge what names men please in parts wholly unknown. The Kingdoms, Provinces, or Hordes of the Great Mogoll, of Bargu, Tartar, Nayman, Annibi, &c. are the most known. Some Authors place here Gog and Magog, which others will have to be in the Estates of the Mogoll, and of China, and towards Maug, above the Lake of Chia∣may.

* 1.371The principal Riches of the True Tartary consists in their Cattle and Furs, among which most esteem is had of their white Bears, black Foxes, Sables, &c. they live on Milk and Flesh, of which they have great plenty, neither caring for Fruits nor Grains; and in a word, have still something of the an∣cient Scythian. Some amongst them have their Kings; others live by Hordes, or Communalties; almost all are Shepherds, and the greatest part subject to the Grand Cham of Cathay.

The chief places in this part of Tartary, do commonly take their names from their Kingdoms, Provinces, or Hordes, in which they lie.

• The ISLES of JAPON, which may be consider∣ed under
  • The GREAT ISLE of JAPON, or NIPHON, with its Parts of
    • JAMAYOIT,
      • Nagato,
      • Amanguchi,
      • Juami,
      • Jezuma,
      • Aqui,
      • Bingo,
      • Bitchu▪
      • Bigen,
      • Mimalaca,
      • Janaba,
      • Foqui,
      • Isle of Oqui.
    • JETSENGO,
      • Meaco,
      • Vacasa,
      • Vechisen,
      • Tamba,
      • Tango,
      • Ozaca,
      • Sacay,
      • Cavachi,
      • Ixe,
      • Xima,
      • Quinocum,
      • Isle of Avangi.
    • JETSEGEN,
      • Yomda,
      • Inga,
      • Voari,
      • Mino,
      • Xinano,
      • Micava,
      • Tatomi,
      • Yetchu,
      • Canga,
      • Noto,
      • Isle of Sando,
      • Nivata.
    • QUANTO,
      • Yendo,
      • Conzuque,
      • Cai,
      • Surunga,
      • Idzu,
      • Sangami,
      • Canzula,
      • Ava.
    • OCHIO,
      • Aquita,
      • Aizu,
      • Voxu,
      • Fitachi,
      • Kimotauque,
      • Isles of
        • Marayxima,
        • Toy,
        • Xynoxima.
  • The ISLE of XICOCO, or TOKOESI,
    • Sanuqui,
    • Tofa,
    • Xyo.
  • The ISLES of XIMO, or SAYCOCK,
    • Fige••,
    • Bugen,
    • Funay,
    • Bungo,
    • Fingo,
    • Nanaqui,
    • with the Isles of
      • Firando,
      • Fica,
      • Goto,
      • Amacusa.

• The PHI∣LIPPINE ISLES, which may be compre∣hended un∣der
  • Great, as the ISLES of
    • LUSON,
      • Manille,
      • Luson,
      • Cagajon:
    • MINDANAO, — Mindanao.
    • PARAGOYA, — Damacan.
  • Small, and lying
    • Between the Great ISLES, as
      • Mindora, — Mindora.
      • Luban.
      • Ban••on,
      • Masbate.
      • Rebujan.
      • Negoas.
      • Cebu, — Ville de Jesus.
      • Bohol,
      • Matan.
      • Panay.
      • Coyo.
    • Eastwards, as
      • Pondam.
      • Catandanis.
      • Paracella.
      • Tandaya, — Acha••.
      • St. John,— St. Joari.
      • Das Palmas.
    • Southwards, as
      • Taylaya.
      • Carangaon.
      • Sagym.
      • Solo••.
      • Tagyma.
      • Candagari.
    • Westwards, as
      • Kapull.
      • Philippina.
    • Northwards, as —Babuyonnes.

THE Oriental Isles OF ASIA.

* 1.372THe Isles of Asia are as many in number, and as great, rich, and po∣pulous as those of all the rest of the World. They are spread here and there, in the great Oriental or Indian Ocean, and for the most part about the Indies. I shall divide them into 5 Parts or Bodies, and call the Isles of Japan, those which are on the East of China; the Philippine Isles, those which are likewise on the South East of Chi∣na; the Isles of the Moluccoes, those which are to the South of the Philippines; the Isles of the Sound, those which are to the West of the Moluccoes; and I put for the fifth Ceylan and the Maldives, which are East, and South-East from Cape Comori, the utmost point of Malabar. There are moreover many Isles which belong to Asia, but not to compare with these; of which we shall also speak a word as occasion offers.

The Isles of Japan, are on this side the Tropick of Cancer; the Philippines between the Tropick and the Equinoctial Line; the Moluccoes, the Isles of the Sound, and the Maldives, are about this Line, returning from East to West.

The Isles of JAPAN or JAPON.

* 1.373WE call the Isle or Isles of Japan, a certain multitude of Isles, and of diffe∣rent bigness, which are on the East of China, distant from it about 100 Leagues; and so are seated in the most Oriental part of our Continent: They stretch together in length about 300 Leagues from West to East, and from South to North 40, 50, 60, and sometimes 100 Leagues in breadth.

Amongst these Isles there are 3 very considerable. The first and which is much greater then the two others, is called by us Japan or Japon; by its Inhabitants, Hippon or Niphon, which signifies The Spring of Light, or of the Sun: A name proper for it, since it lies to the East, and Sun-rising of all Asia, and of all our Continent. The second is called Ximo, that is, a Low Countrey or Saycock; that that is, Nine Kingdoms. The last Tokoesi or Xicoco, that is, Four Kingdoms.

We must likewise make account that these three great Isles are cut asunder by several Channels, which divide them into several Isles; but because these Channels are very narrow, these parts are esteemed pieces contigious in regard of the others, where the Channels, or rather the Arms of the Sea which divide them, are much larger.

They have all those Fruits, Trees, Herbs and Beasts, which we have in Eu∣rope, with several others not known amongst us; as also abundance of several Fowls, both tame and wild; the surface of the Earth is well clothed with Woods and Forests, in which are found very lofty Cedars; and the bowels of the Earth stored with divers Metals, as Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Lead, Iron, &c. though not so good as in the Indies, except it be their Silver, which is excel∣lent and abundant. Their Pearls are great, red, and of no less esteem then the white ones. These with several Manufactures which are her•• made, are the chief Commodities of this Island,

* 1.374In this Island are several Cities of some note; as 1 Meaco, seated in the midst of the great Isle of Japan, a fair and large City, formerly 21 miles in compass; but now by reason of their Wars, it is reduced to the third part of what it was, in which the Jesuites did formerly esteem it to have 180000 Houses, and judg∣ed it to have near 100000 when they were there. This City is the ordinary residence of the Triumviri, or the three principal Magistrates, which rule or sway the affairs of these Islands; of whom the first is entituled the Dayri or Voo, that is, the Emperor, who hath the care of Civil Affairs; the second is the Cube or King of Tenza, who is chief of the Militia, managing the Affairs of Peace or War; and thirdly the Zazo or Xaca, who is chief in Religion and Sacred matters. The City is divided into the higher and low∣er; the one and the other together were not above 20000 paces long, and 8 or 10000 paces large. The Palace of the Dayri was in the higher City, great,* 1.375 stately and adorned with all things which may add to its luster; and the Houses or Palaces of his Conges, with the Houses of the chief Lords of all Japan, were about that of the Emperor. The lower City was almost contigious to Fuximi, which serves for a Fortress to Meaco. This City, as most of all those in these Islands, are unwalled; but its Streets in the night are chained up, and a Watch of two men at each end of every Street, who are to give account of the trans∣actions that happen in the night. Its Streets are large and well composed, its Houses well built, and most of Wood; all their Pagodes are made of Wood, they are neither large nor high; and in these Pagodes they have several ill-shapen Figures, to which they address their Prayers, and bestow on them great gifts in way of Alins, which their Priests make use of. Nobunanga was the first that lessened this City, which he did by burning a part of it in 1571 and since it hath received divers jostlings of ill fortune. 2. Amangucki, a Maritime Ci∣ty, and the fairest of the Kingdom of Nangato, hath been formerly well known for its Trade, containing few less then 10000 Families. It was burned in 1555 during some revolt; it was builded again, and again burnt, and afterwards re∣built. These fires happen often in Japan, the greatest part of their building being of Wood; but the wood is very near and curious, marbled; &c. Nanga∣saki was the most famous of the Isles of Saycock, and there are a great number of fair Cities through all Japan.

Amongst these Cities, that of Sacay, on the South of Meaco; which Ferdi∣nand Mendez Pinto (provided that he doth not lie) says, he hath known not to have depended upon any King or Lord, but was governed of it self, in form of a Republick, created all its Magistrates and Officers; and he assures us, that all the Masters of Families rich or poor, make themselves be called Kings and Queens, and their Children Princes and Princesses. This liberty and vanity is observable if it be true.

* 1.376Mandelssos in his Book of Travels, makes mention of a City called Yendo, which he makes to be a fair, large, and well built City; in which, he saith, there is a Castle about two Leagues in compass, being strongly fortified with 3 Walls, and as many Moats▪ The building is very irregular but fair, having to the Walls abundance of Gates: Within the last Gate, he saith, there is a Magazin of Arms, for 3 or 4000 men, on which all the Streets that are fair and broad take their rise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in which said Streets, on both sides, are many magnificent Palaces for the Nobles. In the midst of this Castle, is seated the Emperors Palace, ha∣ving belonging to it many stately edifices and apartments, as Halls, Chambers,

Galleries, Gardens, Orchards, Groves, Fish-Ponds, Fountains, Courts, &c. as also several Select Houses for his Wives and Concubines. And here is his ordina∣ry Residence, being in the Province of Quanto, about 120000 paces from Me∣aco, between which are abundance of stately and magnificent Palaces and Houses, for the entertainment of the Emperor in his journey between Jendo and Meaco: But the most beautiful Palace next to Yendo, is that of O Jaca on the Sea, and South of Meaco; the buildings of Yendo, are so beautified with Gold, as well without as within; that at a distance it seems to be rather a Mountain of Gold than a building.

* 1.377Amongst the Mountains of Japan, there are two very well known. Figeno∣jama, four Leagues from Meaco, renowned for its height, which stretches it self above the Clouds; and Juy or Juycan in the Kingdom Hietcheu, which vomits Fire in great abundance, as some time did Aetna in Sicilia, Vesuvius at Naples, and the Isles of Volcan and Strongoli among those of Liparia: And on the top of this Mountain, the Devil, in a white and shining Cloud, shews himself in divers forms, but only to such of his Votaries as live about this Mountain an abstemious life, like the ancient Hermits, as in Fasting, undergo∣ing many austerities, and compleating the Vow they made for this purpose.

* 1.378The Country hath hot and medicinal Waters in several places; the common Waters are healthful; the Inhabitants of a good stature, strong and active; in complexion they are inclining to an Olive colour, well disposed, judicious, apt to learn, of sound memories, subtile in their dealings, more in∣clined to Arms then Letters, though they become perfect in both, having ma∣ny Academies and Ʋniversities: They are ambitious of glory, patient in af∣fliction, hating Idleness, Gaming, or all ill-husbandry; as also slandering, swearing, lying, theft, and generally all vices, which they severely punish, and oftentimes to death.

Their Arms are esteemed the most excellent of all the Indies, they being more valiant and warlike then the Chinois, and more patient of labour; one of their Kings conceived no less then that he could conquer China, and to that pur∣pose levied 2 or 300000 men, which went against it, and brought back good booty. They have long used the Art of Printing, they are very civil, and much given to visits and entertainments; they delight in rich and costly furni∣ture in their Houses, with the adornment of Pictures, Cabinets, Arms, &c. They are very punctual in performing their promises.

* 1.379In matters of Religion they are for the most part Gentiles, adoring ancient∣ly the Sun, Moon and Stars, giving adoration to Wild Beasts; but they chiefly worship the Devil, and that partly for fear of hurting them: To which pur∣pose, they have in all their Pagodes, which are numerous, several ill-shapen Figures which they pray to. And to these Pagodes, there belongeth a great many Priests, to whom they shew a great respect, and allow a good subsistence who by their habit are known from other persons, and live a very strict life, abstaining from Flesh, even to the use of Women.

Amongst them they have several Sects, which possibly are so many different ways in performing their Devotions, in which they are not over strict, nor over devout. Some of them believe the immortality of the Soul, that the Body is reduced to its first principles, and becomes dust and ashes; and that the Soul is either raised to joy, or condemned to eternal sorrow, believing the Resurre∣ction; and that at its return into the World, it shall find good or evil, according to its actions: Whereas others make no account of the dissolution of the World nor put any difference between the Souls of Men and Beasts.

They are very jealous of their Wives and Concubines, not admitting them the liberty of walking abroad, or society with men at home; they are very mo∣dest, and not given to meddle with any kind of business that appertains to their Husbands. Adultery they severely punish, but Fornication is permitted a∣mongst them: They are very indulgent to their Children and give them good education: They are very tender of their honor, being shie of doing any thing which may eclipse it; and as they will give no injuries to others, so they will take none.

* 1.380Their Emperor dwels in great state and pomp, having attendance of Nobles and others: He is highly esteemed and reverended of his Subjects, even to ado∣ration. In his Government he is in a manner tyrannical, having in his power, the Lives and Estates of his Subjects, though he doth not often shew it; his Revenue is exceeding great, and his power, as hath been spoken of before, very strong.

All his Nobles (which are very many) live exceeding stately, and have great Revenues: And when any of them happen to die, they have a custom, that a∣bout 20 or 30 of their Slaves do voluntarily kill themselves to wait upon the Souls of their deceased Lords, which they hold to be a great honor to them, and a discharge of their fidelity and love they bear to them.

But there are many defaults observed in their government, and in their man∣ner of living: The great number of their Kings and their Princes, which still endeavour to make themselves great; The Revolts and Rebellions, to which those people are subject on the least occasion; The principal form of the Go∣vernment, which is almost wholly tyrannical. The little care they have of Tillage, and of keeping fowl at home, or Flocks in the Field, makes them of∣ten want needfull Food. And it is observed, That they have many manners and customs different, and often contrary to ours, or those of their Neighbors:* 1.381 As when they go out of the house, they leave off their Cloak, which they put not on again, till they come in; whereas we leave it off in the house, and put it on abroad. When they meet a friend, they salute him by putting off their Shoo, and shaking their foot; we salute by uncovering the head. In walking they give the left hand, esteeming it most honourable, whilst we be∣lieve the right so to be. Receiving a friend at home, they remain seated on the ground; we stand till he who comes to see us is seated. The Earth covered with Mats, serves for Bed, Table and Seat, (for they uphold themselves on their knees, on that Mat, when they eat;) our Bed, Table and Seat, are rai∣sed from the ground, for our repose or eating. They esteem Black Hair and Black Teeth; we Fair Hair and White Teeth. They mount on Horse-back from right to left; we from left to right. They set the name of their Family before their proper name; we our proper name before that of our Family. They will not that those Women they take in Marriage should bring any riches; here we seek after those who have most. So soon as their Women are married, they have no longer liberty to go abroad; here more then before. Black is their sign of joy, and White of mourning; Black our mourning, and White our joy. Their richest Tapestries are Mats, thin, close, and of divers colours; ours of Wool, Silk, and oftentimes of Gold and Silver. Their Stone Buildings have neither Morter nor Plaister; here they build not without both. They despise all Precious Stones, and esteem more their Vessels of Earth, which serve to keep their Drink; which we make little esteem of, but much value Precious Stones. They drink nothing but what is hot; those most delicate with us is cool. Their Physick is sweet and odoriferous; ours bitter and unpleasant. They ne∣ver let their sick Blood; which with us is very common upon the least occasion. These with several other customs, contrary to ours, do they observe amongst them, which are too long to set down. Nor want they fine Reasons to sustain their Customs better then ours; they say we must conserve our Blood, as one of the principal sustainers of our Life; that we must not give a sick person that which is displeasant, troublesom, and sometimes affrights him to see, much more to drink or eat; that hot water augments the natural heat, opens the conduits, and quenches thirst; that cold closes the Pores, begets the Cough, weakens the Stomach, and quenches natural heat; that their Vessels, of which they make such esteem, are necessary for many things in a Family, which Pre∣cious Stones are not; that their buildings may be easily taken down, carried other where, and erected in another manner, when they will; which ours cannot, &c.

Amongst their Manners, there are some very good; they hate Games of Hazard; they are very patient in bad fortune; they maintain themselves ho∣nestly in their Poverty; suffer hot themselves to be transported with Passion; speak not ill of the absent; know not what it is to swear, lye, or steal; suffer

easily all incommodities of heat, cold, famine, or thirst; yet all this, rather to get the honor of being esteemed constant and vertuous, then being so truly; for they are subject to Vices, as well as their Neighbors. But lot us leave their Manners, and speak a word of their Government, which of late hath encoun∣tred a diversity, and deserves to be known.

The general Estate of all these Isles, was not long since divided into 66 King∣doms; of which the Isle of Japan alone had 47, which with some little Neighbouring Isles was made up 53, that of Ximo or Saycok had 9 according to its name, and Chicock the other four.

* 1.382At present the order is much changed; the whole Estates are fallen into the hands of one alone, as it hath been formerly; and is divided into 7 Provinces, or principal parts; and those 7 parts subdivided into many others; which ought to pass under the name of Lordships; some of which yet retain the name of Kingdoms, others of Dutchies, Principalities, &c.

Those which command in the lesser parts, are called generally Tones. Caron ranges them in six different degree, and calls them Kings, Dukes, Princes, Knight-Barons, Barons and Lords, which according to our degrees of honour are distinguished by Kings, Princes, Dukes, Marquisses, Earls and Barons. Caron makes 21 Kings; some of which possess 1 or 2, and some 3, and in all 30 and odd of the 66 ancient Kingdoms. After the Kings, he puts 4 Dukes, 6 Princes, 17 Knight-Barons, 50 Barons, and 41 Lords, giving each a Re∣venue of at least 100000 Livers per annum, and so augmenting to the greatest to whom he gives 10 Millions and more; and makes account that the Cube or Cesar of Japan spends at least 100 Millions of Crowns yearly, as well in the expence of his house, as in his Militia, and what he disburses to the Tones.

* 1.383The names of the 7 principal parts, into which the Estate of Japan is divided, are Saycock, Xicoco, Jamasoit, Jetsengo, Jetsegen, Quanto and Ochio. Saycock with the Isles which belong to it, is the nearest to China; Chicock is on the East of Saycock; the other five parts are in the great Island, and extend them∣selves advancing from East to West. Jamosoit being the most Western part of all, and answering to the 12 Kingdoms, which the King of Nangato or Amanguci hath formerly possessed. Jetsenco and Jetsegen together make the middle of the great Island, and apparently that which passed under the name of Tenza, and contained 20 others. Quanto and Ochio advance themselves from the East, unto the streight of Sangaar, which divides Japan from the Land of Jesso, of which more anon; Quanto, comprehended 8 Kingdoms, and Ochio the rest, and in these parts there are abundance of Cities and Towns, which I have observed in my Geographical Tables.

But because the diversity of names of Dayri or Emperor, of Cube or Cesar, of Tones or Kings, Princes, Dukes, &c. may breed some confusion; to give a more particular knowledge, we will say succinctly, that before the year 1500 there was in all Japan only one Soveraign, which they called Voo or Dayri, that is Emperour.

The Isle or Land of JESSO.

* 1.384AFter the Isles of Japan, let us speak a word of the Isle or Land of Jesso, Yedzo or Jesso, for divers Authors write its name differently, some calling it the Isle, some the Land abovesaid, and to the East of Japan, in the manner that the English, Portugals and Hollanders deseribe it, this Land must extend from Asia to America: They say that from Tessoy, which is the most Western point of it, opposite to Coray, and near Tartary, advancing towards the East, it is 60 days journey to the Province of Matzumay; and that from Matzumay unto the most Easterly point, and neerest America, it is likewise 90 days jour∣ney, so that it is 150 days journey from one end to the other, which after only 8 Leagues a day will be 1200 of our Leagues. Its breadth is not spoke of.

* 1.385The Streight of TESSOY, which separates this Isle from Tartary, hath great currents, caused by the discharging of several Rivers which come rom the Northern parts, and from Tartary and Jesso. The other streight which separates it from America, may in all likely-hood be that Anian; and those two streights, limit the two extremities of Jesso, towards the midst, must be the Province of Matzumay and apparently beyond the Streight, which separates the Isle of Japan, from the Land of Jesso; and this streight may be called the streight of Sangaar, which is the utmost East-Land of Japan.

The traverse, or traject of this streight is not above 10 or 12 Leagues; o∣thers say not above so many miles; others there are affirm it no streight, but an Isthmus which fixes Japan to Jesso; and that both the one and the other toge∣ther are but one Isle; so difficult it is to find the truth of a thing so far distant.

This Isle or Land of JESSO is so great and vast, that the Inhabitants can∣not but have different manners; those which are nearest Japan, resembling the Japanois, those which are near Tartary, the Tartars; and those near Ameri∣ca, their neighbouring Americans; and in all likelihood they are more barba∣rous then all their neighbours.

* 1.386They are all Idolaters, covering themselves with the skins of Beasts, which they take in Hunting; having their bodies all hairy, and wearing their Beard and Mustachoes very long: they are Warlike, Cruel, and Formidable to the Japanois; In War they have no other remedy for their wounds, but washing them in salt water.

* 1.387The Land is little inhabited; it would be rich if it were well tilled; it hath many Mines of Silver, and quantity of excellent Skins and Furs, which make it appear that the Earth stretches to the Northward. They have some Trade with Aquita, which is on the East of Japan; but those of Aquita go seldom into Jesso, because they cannot with security reside with, or trust those Barbarians.

The PHILIPPINE Islands, or of LUSON and the MANILLES.

* 1.388THe PHIPPINE Islands are so called by the Castilians, because they conquered them under Philip the second, King of Castile. The People of the East call them the Isles of Luson, because of the greatest and most famous of these Isles, which they call Luson, a principal City of this Isle, being likewise* 1.389 so called. The Portugals call them Manilles, from the City them Manilles, from the City Manilla, at pre∣sent the chief City of the Isle of Luson. They are in the Oriental Ocean, to the Southward of China, to the Eastward of India, North of the Moluccoes, and Westward of the Islands of Theeves: But they are 4 or 500 Leagues distant from these, not above 100 from China, and much nearer the Moluccoes, and the the Isles of the Sound.

Their scituation is between the Equator, and the Tropick of Cancer;* 1.390 to wit, from the 5 unto the 20 degree of Septentrional Latitude: and from the 155, unto the 170 Meridian or Degree of Longitude; and so contain 15 or 16 de∣grees of Longitude and Latitude, extending themselves in length and breadth 3 or 400 Leagues,

* 1.391LƲSON, MINDANAO and PARAGOYA, are the greatest: Luson towards the North, Mindanao towards the South, and Paragoya to: wards the West; so that they form almost an Equilateral Triangle. Tandaya otherwise Philippina, Mindora, Panay, Masbate, Rebujan, St, John, Cebu or the Pintados, Negoas, Matan, Bohol, and few others are of a lesser circuit. Tan∣daya is South-East from the most Southerly point of Luson; and the streight be∣tween is called of Manilla, not because of the City Manilla, more then 100 Leagues distant; but because of the Isles of Luson, which are called likewise of Minilla. Mindora on the South of the Isle of the Gulph, and City of Manilla: The rest are between Luson and Mindanao.

We might likewise make account of Messane, Calegan and Buthuan, near Ce∣bu; of Abuyo and Capuli; of Banton, Rebujan, Vireges, Marinduque and Luban, between Masbate and Mindora; of Iloques, Mauris, Coyo, Bankingle and Ka∣pull, between Mindora and Paragoya, and between Paragoya and Mindanao; of the Little Philippine on the West; of the Babuyonnes on the North; of Ca∣tandanis, Paracalla, Linton, and others on the East of Luson; of Palmes and St. John on the East of Mindanao. But we cannot name them all, there being so great a number, that some esteem them 1000 or 1200 of considerable note, and in all 10 or 12000.

Magellan was the first of the Europeans, who discovered these Islands in 1520 In 1564 Don Lewis de Valasco, Vice-Roy of Mexico, sent Michael Lapez de Legaspes to establish some Spanish Colonies; and facilitate by that means their Traffick from Mexico with China and Japan, who seised upon Luson, Cebu, &c. The Spaniards possess at present above 50 of them, among which, Luson, Ten∣day and Cebu, are the most famous.

* 1.392Luson sometimes called New-Castle, begins before the 13, and ends after the 19 degree of Latitude on this side the Equator, which are not above 6 degrees or 150 Leagues; but it stretches one of its points towards the East: So that from Cape Bojador towards China, unto that of Caceres towards Tenday, is more then 200 Leagues, passing cross the Isle. Its breadth is very unequal, and sometimes only 20, 25, and sometimes likewise 50, 60, and 75 Leagues.

Manille is its chief City, seated in the most Southernly part of the Island; well built, after the modern way; and its Houses are of Free-stone, strong, and so great, that the Spaniards have been forced to divide some part of it from the rest, to serve them for a Cittadel, in case of necessity; by which means, they are not at so great a charge in keeping of so great a number of Soldiers, as would o∣therwise be requisite for the security of the place. They have a good Port, the entrance into which is yet somewhat difficult, by reason of the Isles and Rocks of Mirabelles, at the opening of the Gulph or Bay of Cavita or Cavite, at the bottom of which, is Manilla. The Governor or Vice-Roy of these Isles, as also an Archbishop, who hath a Spiritual Jurisdiction over all the Philip∣pine Islands, which he exercises by three Suffragan Bishops, and some Priests have here their Residence. This City is very populous, here commonly resid∣ing about 15000 Chinois, besides Japonesses, and a great number of Spaniards which drive a Trade, in several good Commodities which the Earth and their ingenuity produces, which are brought hither, as being the chief City, of which I shall speak anon.

The other Cities of the same Isle are Cagajon or Nueva Segovia, in the most Northern part; then Caseres, in the most Southern part of the Isle. The City of Luson is by all Authors described on the Coast, which regards China: And this name hath been most famous. Now it is difficult to know, whether Luson or Manilla are two Cities; Linscot thinks them one and the same.

* 1.393Mindanao is composed of three different Isles, which are almost contiguous, the greatest, which is in the middle of the other two, retains the name of Min∣danao, having about 100 Leagues of length, and little less of breadth. Canola towards the West, 75 Leagues long, and 25 or 30 broad. Las Buenas Sennales, or the Good Ensigns; or likewise St. John on the North East, hath only 25 or 30 Leagues of length and breadth: And these three together, are between the fifth and the ninth Parallel or degree of Longitude, and between the 162 and 169 Meridian or degree of Longitude, and contain little less then 200 Leagues from the Point of Galere on the West, to Cape Bicajo on the East.

They belong to divers Mahometan or Pagan Kings, who are all in good in∣telligence with the King of Ternate of the Moluccoes, and ill-affected to the Portugals. Their principal Cities are Mindanao, which others call Tabouc, Sa∣ragos or Suriaco, Lomiaton, or Lomiatan, Dapita and Canola. Of the scituation of other Cities, of which some Authors make mention, we have no assurance.

* 1.394PARAGOYA or CALIMIANES of Boterus, is the same thing as Calamian of Linscot; and as Puloam or Puloaym of Maginus, and others: it begins almost at the 8, and ends not till the 11 Degree of Latitude, stretching it selt from South-East to North-East, in length more then 100 Leagues, not ha∣ving above 10, 15, or 25 of breadth. Boterus and Pigafette say, that it bears Figs half as long and as thick as ones Arm; and others, only of a Palm long, but better then that of Dates. Its King is Vassal to him of Borneo.

* 1.395TANDAYA is about the twelfth Degree of Latitude, and the 167 of Longitude; Its utmost length is about 50 Leagues, and its breadth about 40. It hath born alone the name of Philippine, for being the first discoverer of these Islands, and that name hath been communicated to the rest. It is esteeined the best and most pleasant of all; Fruitful, rich, easie to be approached, and its In∣habitants courteous. Its chief place is Achan.

* 1.396MINDORA is not much less then Tandaya, but not so famous; yet the Streight between the Isle of Manilla and Mindora, is called Mindora; from whence it may be judged, there is likewise a City of Mindora on that Streight and that this place hath formerly been famous. There are here Mines of Gold.

* 1.397CEBƲ is in the midst of the Philippines. The Spaniards have built on the East Coast Ville-Jesus, under the 10 Degree of Latitude, and 165 of Lon∣gitude. The Port is good, and here it was that Magellan contracted Alliance with the King of this Isle, received him into the Protection of the King of Ca∣stile, and in his favour passed into the Isle of Matan, and made war upon its King, where he was killed.

* 1.398All these Isles in general, are very fruitful, and yield a great quantity of Grains, of Rice, Fruits, Wine, Honey, &c. which are given almost for nothing. They have Wine of Dates, which yields not to those of Grapes, and which are as strong as Sack: They feed much Cattle, and Fowl, as Oxen and Sheep, which they carry into New-spain; Hogs, whose Flesh is excellent, Goats, Pul∣lain, &c. They have many Wild Beasts, as Stags, and several sorts of Venison, Wild Boars, Tygers, Foxes, Bears, Lions, Apes, Civet Cats, &c. which in∣habit in their Forests and Mountains; and in their Rivers they have Croco∣diles and an infinite number of several sorts of Fish, which are likewise found in their Seas: Amongst others Tortoises, whose shels are much esteemed for the beauty, and variety of their colours, there being none found like these, and those of the Maldives.

* 1.399They produce likewise Gold, Iron, Steel, Saffron, Wax, Cinnamon, Long Pep∣per, Ginger, Sugar, with several other Metals, Spices, Drugs, and Precious Stones. They fish Pearls on their Coasts, and particularly near to Negros and Abujo.

* 1.400But besides the cheapness and abundance of Victuals which these Isles afford, and the Traffick which they have so commodiously with China, and with Mex∣ico or New Spain, hath made the Spaniards resolve to keep them: And therefore they built some Fortresses in 1589 and transported some Families from New Spain, with Horses, Sheep, and other Beasts to breed a Race.

The Chinois have a great Trade to these Islands, bringing hither all their Commodities, as Silk, Cotton of all colours, Porcelain, Brimstone, Cannon Pow∣der, Iron, Quick-silver, Steel, Copper, and other Metals; also Chests, Cabinets, Pictures, Laces, Coiffs, Vales, and other curiosities for Women. Of all these Commodities, there remains a part in the Philippines, and the Castilians take away the other, and with the Gold, Wax and Spices, which they get in these Isles, carry them to Mexico: From whence they bring what is proper, both for the Philippines, for China, and the East-Indies. And this trade which is driven by the South, or Pacifick Ocean, is a great, and frequent, as that which is between Spain and Mexico by the Ocean, or North Sea.

• The MO∣LUCCO ISLES; which may be compre∣hended un∣der the
  • The ISLES of the MOLUCCOES, particularly so called; as the Isles of
    • Ternate,
      • Gamma-Lamma,
      • Nostra Sennora
      • dello Rosaria.
    • Tidore,
      • Marieco,
      • Castello Viejo.
    • Timor, — Nassaw.
    • Machian,
      • Tabillol••.
      • Mauricio.
    • Bachian,
      • Marigoram,
      • Gammeduore.
  • The Greatest ISLES of the MO∣LUCCOES; as,
    • The Isle of the CELEBES,
      • Celebes,
      • Ciaon,
      • Bantachaja,
      • Machasar.
    • The Isle of GILOLO,
      • Gilolo,
      • Tolo,
      • Isiau,
      • Jaffougo,
    • The Land of PAPOUS,
      • Bay a Fonda.
      • Bay a de Ant-Boto.
  • Small ISLES about and be∣tween the Isles of CELEBES, GILOLO, and the Land of PAPOUS; as
    • On the South of CE∣LEBES, are the Isles of
      • Buquerones.
      • Solayo.
      • Cobana.
      • Cabinces.
      • St. Mathews.
      • Flores,
        • Lasataja,
        • Batuliar.
      • Susu.
      • Malva.
      • Cabanazze, — Timor.
      • Solar, — Adonare.
      • Ombo.
      • Teralta:
    • On the East, and North-East of CELEBES, are the Isles of
      • Wawany.
      • Xulla.
      • Paugay.
      • Tasouro.
      • Meao.
      • Saranbal.
      • Syem.
    • Between the Isles of CELEBES and GILOLO, and on the South Coast, or Sea of the Land of PAPOUS, are the Isles of
      • Bouro.
      • Rilan.
      • Manipe.
      • Attabuti.
      • Ouby.
      • Sinomo:
      • Mesol.
      • Seram-Cambello:
      • Amboyna, — Amboyna.
      • Pulorin.
      • Puloway.
      • Celayon.
      • Guligiej.
      • Subiana.
      • Corer.
      • Away.
      • Tenimber.
      • Kedguey.
      • Aru.
      • Banda,
        • London,
        • Ortattan,
        • Comber.
      • Nassau,
        • Belgleque,
        • Labetack.
      • Poloway. — Reve.
      • Gumanapy, — Gumanapy.
      • Pulorin.
    • On the North of GI∣LOLO, are the Isles of
      • Morotay, — Sian.
      • Camafo,
      • Noba.

• The ISLES of LAR∣RONS, or THEEVES, viz.
  • The ISLES of LARRONS, or THEEVES, particularly so called, where are the Isles of
    • Deserte.
    • Malabrigo.
    • Englese.
    • Angloise.
    • Mana.
    • Chemochoa.
    • Gregua.
    • Agan.
    • Artomagan:
    • Guagan.
    • Cheraguan.
    • Natan.
    • Sepan.
    • Metan.
    • Can.
    • Volia.
    • Botaba, and Bacim.
  • ISLES Westwards, and between the Isles of LARRONS and the PHI∣LIPPINE Isles; as those of
    • Pulo-Vilan.
    • De los Arecisos:
    • De los Matelotes,
    • De Bidima.
  • ISLES Southwards of the Isles of LARRONS; as those of
    • Dancers,
    • Martyrs▪
    • Birds.

THE ISLES OF THE MOLUCCOES.

* 1.401I Comprehend under the name of the MOLƲCCOES, not only the Isles of TERNATE, TIDORE, MOTILL or TIMOR, MACHIAN, and BACHIAN, which are particularly called the Moluccoes; but likewise those of GILOLO, of the Land of PA∣POƲS, which lie on their East; of CELEBES, which are on their West; of them of CEYRAM, of FLORES, and TIMOR, which are towards their South, and several others thereabouts.

They make a Body of many and divers Isles, South of the Philippines, Eastwards of those of the Sound, West of New Guiney, and North of Terra Australis, and are under or near the Equinoctial Line, stretching themselves only to the third degree on this side that Line, and to the 10th or 12th beyond it, and extending themselves from East to West, from the 160th degree of Lon∣gitude unto the 180th; and thus they have together 15 degrees of Latitude and 20 of Longitude, which are almost 400 Leagues of breadth and 500 of length. The English were the first of any Christians that traded hither.

* 1.402CELEBES, the Lands of PAPOƲS and GILOLO are the great∣est; then CERAM, FLORES, and TIMOR, those which are the parti∣cularly called the Moluccoes are the smallest, Celebes is 200 Leagues long, and about 100 broad: Gilolo about 100 Leagues long, and near as broad: Ceyram, Flones, and Timor, each 60 Leagues long; but for the most part their breadth is not above a third or quarter of their length. The True Moluccoes are only 2, 3, 4, or 5 Leagues long, and 5, 6, 10, 12, and 15 in circuit.

* 1.403Amongst all these Isles, the True Moluccoes are the most known by reason of their Cloves, with which they abound and furnish all Asia and Europe. They have neither Grains nor Mines of Gold, few Beasts, much exellent Fruit, and several Spices, as Ginger, Cinnarion, Mace, Nutmegs, &c. and divers Drugs; amongst others, a kind of Wood, that being put to the fire, burns, flames, and yet consumes not. The Cloves are their principal Riches; Ter∣nate, Tidore, and Machian have the most, and Machian fewer. Ternate yields yearly 400 Bahars of Cloves; Tidore and Machian, each 300▪ And in the great Harvests, which are but once in seven years, Machian yields 15 or 1600▪ Tidore, 12 or 1300; and Ternate, 1000 or 1200; each Baher is 600 li. Flemish.

* 1.404These Isles lie to the Westward along the Coast of Gilolo, so neat the Equator, that the most Southerly part is not above 24 or 25 Minutes beyond that Line, nor the most Northerly above 48 or 50 Minutes on this side i•••• so that together they have not above one degree of Latitude, and about 10 or 12 Minutes, which maks 30 Leagues. Their Longitude▪ is between the ••0th and 30th Minutes of the 168 Meridian, or degree of Longitude.

* 1.405TERNATE is the most North; and from it Southward are, TIDORE, TIMOR, MACHIAN, and BACHIAN, for little account is made of the rest. Bachian is 15 or 16 Leagues circuit, Ternate, Tidore, and Machian, 10 or 12; Timor, 5 or 6. the rest less.

* 1.406TRENATE is esteemed the principal Isle, being about 8 Leagues in cir∣cuit, and its Kings the most powerful, both of the True Moluccoes and of all that I have passed under the general name of Moluccoes; yet he suffers in Ternate, Nostra Seniora della Rosario, and Gammalamme in the hands of the Spaniards, Ta-comma, Talucco, and Malayo in the hands of the Hollanders, which are in good intelligence with him, as Enemies to the Spaniards. The chief place is called Gamma-Lamma, is seated on the Sea-side, more long than broad, and of an indifferent bigness; its Houses, Mosques, as also its Palace-Royal, are built of Canes or Timber; its Road and Haven is good, and fre∣quented by Ships. The Country is not bad, yet it yields but little provision be∣sides Poultry and Goats; it yields also excellent Almonds, and bigger than or∣dinary, and that in great plenty; they have also abundance of Cloves, and other Spices, some Drugs, with such other Commodities as are found in the rest of the Islands.

* 1.407TIDORE, (those of the Country say Tadura, which signifies Beauty) is a little greater than Ternate, and as fruitful. Here the People are very indu∣strious in pruning and watering the Clove-trees, by which means they are ex∣ceeding fair and strong. Here grows white Sandall-wood, which is held the best in all the Indies. Here are also found the Birds of Paradise. It hath its particular King. The Spaniards hold Taroula, Castello-Viejo, and Marieco, which the Hollanders have sometimes taken. Timor or Mother was once so ill treated by the Spaniards, that its Inhabitants abondoned it and retired to Gilolo. The Hollanders built the Fort of Nassan, and have invited near 2000 of its Inhabitants to return. Machian as well as Timor, belongs to the King of Ternate; the Hollanders hold Taffasso, Tallibola, Nuhaca or Naffaquia, and Mauritio; it is peopled with about 9 or 10000 persons.

* 1.408BACHIAN, or BAQƲIAN, is the greatest of all the Moluccoes, but ill peopled, and having but few Cloves; but in recompence it hath plenty of Fruit, and its Sea stored with Fishes. It is divided by several little Channels scarce navigable, which yet divide it into many parts, of which Marigoram is in the midst of the others, where the King of this Isle resides. The Hollan∣ders hold on the Coasts the Forts of Gammeduore and Laboua, both once cal∣led Barnevelt. This Isle is of an indifferent large extent; the King is abso∣lute, the Soil good, and would become very fertil, if the Inhabitants would leave off their Idleness, and give it Tillage.

MACHIAN is indifferent large and fertil, and well inhabited; its chief places are 1. Tassaso. 2. Tabillola: 3. Mauricio: and 4. Nubaca.

TIMOR, Motir or MOTIL, is of a less compass, and Triangular. Its chief place is Nassaw.

* 1.409GILOLO or BATOCHINE extends it self to the second Degree on this side, and only to the first beyond the Equator: It hath then 3 degrees of Latitude. Its Longitude begins a little after the 168th Meridian; and reaches to the 172, which are near 4 Degrees, which amount to little less than 100 Leagues of length and breadth; but it is composed but of 4 Penin∣sula's, of which one advances towards the North, the other three towards the East; and of these three the middle one reaches so near the Land of Papous, that there is but a Streight between them.

* 1.410It is subject in part to the King of Ternate, in part to the Kings of Gilolo and Loloda. It hath Savage People on the North part, where is the Coast of More, and in some Mountains in the middle of the Country; and the City of Mamaye is in form of a Republick. The City of Gilolo is not above six Leagues from Ternate towards the North. Those of Gilolo, Sabugo, and Aqui∣lam••, are near together Eastward of Tidore, and on the West Coast of Gilolo. On the other side, and towards the East, are the Fortresses of Tolo, Isiau, and Jaffougo; these six places are in the Spaniards hands. The Hollanders hold

Sabou and Coma; Sabou a little above Gilolo, Tacoma or Cuma on one of the three Eastern points.

* 1.411The Air of Gilolo is intemperate hot, which makes it unhealthful; the Soil not very fertil, yet hath it great plenty of Rice, wild Hens, and other Fowls. On its Shoars it hath Shell-fish, whose Meat in taste is much like Mutton, and about the Isle plenty of Trees, which they call by the name of Sagou; from which they have a Fruit which they make their Bread of; of the Sap or Juice they make a pleasing Drink, which they use instead of Wine; and of a Hair which grows on its Bark they make their Cloaths. It hath but few Cloves, neither have they many Cattle, except tame and wild Hogs. The People are well proportioned, but rude and savage; some of them Gentiles, the rest Ma∣hometans.

* 1.412CELEBES is composed of many Islands so near the one to the other, that they are commonly esteemed but one. They are fruitful in all Provisions, espe∣cially Rice; they yield Gold, Ivory, Saunders, and Cotton; feed much Cattle, and their Sea affords plenty of Fish and Pearls. The Air is healthful, though al∣most in the same scituation with Gilolo, except that they advance to the 6th degree of Latitude towards the South. They are well peopled, and its People are tall and comly. They are Idolaters, and much addicted to Piracy. Here is esteemed to be six principal Kingdoms; of which that of Macasar, which gives sometimes a name to all these Isles, is the most powerful; that of Cion the second; then those of Sanguin, Cauripana, Getigan, and Supar. the greatest Cities are Macasar and Bantachia, 30 or 40 Leagues one from the other; as also Celebes, seated on the Sea.

* 1.413The Land of PAPOƲS, that is, of Blucks is little known, yet is no other than New Guiney, and other than the Isle of Ceyram, though some would con∣found it with them. This last is to the Westward of it, and the other to the Eastward; both the one and the other more towards the South. There are some Whites among its Inhabitants, but few; all lean, deformed, and Traytors. They have Gold, Ambergreece, and Birds of Paradise, with which they pay Tribute to their Kings, and to the King of Ternate.

* 1.414CETRAM hath the same qualities, and its Inhabitants like to Papous, and well peopled. Flores, Solar, Malva, Susu, Timor, Ombo, Terralta, &c. are divers Isles under the 8th, 9th, and 10th degrees of South Latitude, and which advance from the 160th unto the 175th degree of Longitude. Timor (an other than that Timor of the Moluccoes) is the most esteemed. It pro∣duces store of Grains and Fruits, feeds many Cattle and Fowl; amongst its Drugs and Spices, it hath Ginger, Cinnamon, and whole Forrests of white and yellow Saunders. Its Inhabitants are Idolaters, half Savages, and had the use of Fire but lately. Malva on the West of Timor, hath quantity of Pep∣per. Solar is other than Soloe, or Solayo. This last is 10 Leagues from Celebes, and between the 6th and 7th degree of Latitude; that 15 or 16 Leagues from Timor, and between the 8th and 9th degree of Latitude. The City Adonare is the residence of the King of Solor, and there is a great trade for Saunders between this Isle and Cabanazza in Timor. Solor hath likewise Gold and Pearl.

Almost in the midst of these Isles, which we call in general the Moluccoes, are those of Amboyna and Banda, which are but small, yet are in great esteem. Those of Amboyna are, Amboyna, Veranula, Hittou, Noesan, and some o∣thers.

* 1.415The Isle of AMBOYNA hath its chief City of the same name, which is of some considerable note, besides several other small Towns and Villages. This Island was first discovered by the Portugals, who had here the command of a Castle and other Forts, which the Hollanders took in 1605, and have pos∣sessed likewise the Fortress of Coubella, Lovio, and the Redout of Hittou, in the Isle of Hottou. The Spaniards dispossessed them a little after 1620, and the Hollanders have regained them since, where they drive a great and profi∣table Trade. The Land at first was barren, but by their industry it is now be∣come very fertil, producing Rice, Sugar, quantity of Fruits, especially Lem∣mons

and Oranges, Coco-Nuts, Bonanas; several Spices, but principally Cloves; of which alone they receive great profit. Here it was that the Hollanders did once, with a never to be forgotten cruelty and barbarousness, murther the English that resided and traded thither, on purpose to gain the whole Trade to themselves.

* 1.416The Inhabitants were heretofore Brutish Cannibals, insomuch as they would eat one another, though their nearest Relations, when age or sickness seised them; and all Pagans: but since by reason of the Commerce they had with the Persians and Arabians, Mahometism is somewhat received amongst them, as also Christianity, by reason of the Portugals and Dutch; which in time may come to some perfection, though at present it is but very small. But notwithstanding they make use of their Paganish Superstitions, adoring the Devil, who appears to them when they invoke him; in which they are very superstitious and ceremonious. They are much given to Sorcery and Conju∣rations, very prophane, barbarous, not given to Arts or Literature. They are naturally unsaithful, thievish, covetous, stupid, and very timerous. In their Marriages they make no great Ceremonies, taking one anothers words, which as slightly they evade, leaving one another upon the least occasion of offence, and are free for another.

* 1.417The Isles of BANDA are three principal ones. Banda, which communi∣cates its name to the rest, Nera and Gumanapi, and 3 or 4 lesser ones, Wayer, Poloway, and Pulorin; some add Poelsetton, the most Western of all. Banda hath the Cities or Towns of Londor, Ortatan, and Combor; Nera hath that of Nera and Labetach; Gumanapi hath only one of its name, underneath a Mountain which vomits Fire; Nera is the chiefest of all. The Hollanders hold in the Isle of Nera the Forts of Nassau and Belgica, and in the Isle of Poloway the Fort of Revenge.

These Isles are unhealthful; the Nutmegs and Mace, which these Isles pro∣duce, make them frequented by Strangers. These Fruits they gather thrice a year, in April, August, and December.

Besides these Isles already spoken of, there are these following which are ranged and numbred with those of the Moluccoes, and are found as they lie, either on the Coast or Shoar of the Isles Celebes, Gilolo, or Land of Papous, to participate of their nature, temperature, soil, or the like; which I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table.

* 1.418The Inhabitants are Mahometans, in which they are very zealous and super∣stitious, not entring into their Mosques without washing their Feet; and when they are there, very fervent in their Prayers, which they use often. They are very obstinate, and the Men are much given to idleness, minding their Recreations, and leaving their affairs to their Wives. The People are here observed to live to a great Age. The People of all these Isles, which have passed under the names of Moluccoes, are of different humors; those which are on the Coasts most frequented by Strangers, are the most civil; yet others more barbarous. And on the Coast they are either Mahometans or Christians, the rest Idolaters; but the Spaniards and Portugals on one side, and the Hol∣landers on the other, do much trouble these Islands, making themselves Ma∣sters now of one, and then of another; for the most part making War betwixt themselves, or with the Islanders; among which there are divers Kings, some subject to the Portugals, and others to the Hollanders. Amongst all these Kings the most powerful is he of Ternate,* 1.419 to whom belong Ternate, Mothir, and Bachian; likewise Cayoa, and Gazea, amongst the True Moluccoes; and thereabout, those of Mean, where are built his Carcoles, that is, Vessels of War; Tofoura, Xullo, Buro; those of Amboyna, among which Ceyram seems to be comprized: Then part of the Land of Papo••s; part of Gilolo, and the Celebes, whose Kings are tributary to him. Argensola faith, That in 70 Islands, which are in his Estates, he can raise 200000 Men•• and that he keeps ordinarily a great number of Carcoles, with many Cannons, and all things necessary; and that the Captains of his Militia are aged Men, which have been bred and edu∣cated in Arms.

The Isles of LARRONS, or THEEVES.

* 1.420WE have almost nothing to say touching the Isles of THE EVES. They are 16 or 20 different Isles, which continue from about the 8th unto the 20th and 21st degree of Latitude on this side the Equator, and are almost all under the 188 Meridian. Their names, scituation and greatness, a guess may be given of by the Chart.

The Isle of Dancers, of Martyrs, of Birds, &c. Towards the South those of Pulo Vilan, De los Arecisos, De los Matelotes, and Bidima, &c. are to∣wards the West, and between the Larrons and Philippines: The Volcanis towards the North, where there is Cochineal: Malpelo towards the North-East, but indeed rather towards the East, and seeming to belong to America. Also the Isles of Bacim, Botaba, Volia, Can, Mata, Sepan, Natan, Chereguan, Guagan, Artomagan, Agan, Gregua, Chemochoa, Mana, Englese, Angloise, Malabrigo Deserte, &c.

All these Isles are poor, having little to live on; scarce any tame Beasts, no Metals; the Inhabitants are naked, active, great Thieves, particularly of Iron.

• The ISLES of the SONDE; which may be compre∣hended un∣der
  • Great ISLES, and particu∣larly called the Isles of the SONDE; and such are those of
    • SUMATRA, with its King∣doms of
      • Achem,
        • Achem,
        • Daya.
      • Pacem,
        • Pedir,
        • Pacem.
      • Aru,
        • Aru,
        • Bancalis.
      • Baras,
        • Baras,
        • Batham.
      • Camper, — Camper.
      • Guadahyri, — Guadahyri.
      • Priaman,
        • Priaman,
        • Potenban.
      • Menancabo,
        • Menancabo,
        • Batacapas.
      • Jamby,
        • Jamby,
        • Votaboura.
      • Baras,
        • Baros,
        • Palimbam.
    • BORNEO,
      • Borneo,
      • Hormata,
      • Bendarmassin.
    • JAVA, with its Kingdoms or Cities of
      • Bantam,
      • Jacatra,
      • Sura,
      • Japara,
      • Tuban,
      • Jortan,
      • Panarucan,
      • Balambuan,
      • Depresado,
      • Surbaja,
      • Sidajo,
      • Saraboy,
      • Carovang,
      • Materan.
  • Small ISLES; and may be considered as they lie
    • On the Coast of JAVA; among which are those of
      • Madura, — Madura.
      • Baly, — Bali.
      • Pater Noster.
      • Mulusura.
      • Luboc.
      • Graciosa.
      • Sapy.
      • Cariman Java.
      • Selam.
    • On the West, and South-West Coast of SUMATRA; as
      • Engano.
      • Nassau.
      • Good Fortune.
      • Calippes.
      • Nays.
      • Gavia.
      • Oura.
      • Cocos.
    • Between SUMATRA and BOR∣NEO, are those of
      • Pedra.
      • Bruca.
      • Bitam.
      • Linga.
      • Monpin, — Banca.
      • Billeton.
      • Lucubare.
      • Suronton.
    • On the North-West, North, and North-East Coast of BORNEO; and belonging to it are the Isles of
      • Tomveta.
      • Timbolan.
      • Ananiba.
      • Matuma.
      • Tigaon.
      • Tiga.
      • Ciumbabon,
      • St. Maria.
      • St. Michael.
      • Zolo.
      • St. John.
      • Boquerano.

• The ISLES of CEY∣LAN, with its King∣doms, Cities, and Isles, as they lie
  • North-Easternly, and on the Sea; as,
    • Jafanapatan.
    • Trimquilemale.
    • Baticalo.
  • Westernly, and on the Sea; as,
    • Punto Gallo.
    • Colombo.
    • Chilao.
  • Within Land; as,
    • Jala.
    • Ceitavaca,
    • Candea.
    • Das sette Corales.
  • Isles about, and Close to CEY∣LAN; as
    • Manar, — Manar.
    • Grande.
    • Barra de Cardiva.

• The ISLES of the MALDIVES, as they are know buy the Names of the ATTOLLONS of Tilla don Matis.
  • Milla doûe Madoûe,
  • Padypola.
  • Malos Madou.
  • A••iatollon.
  • Male Atollon.
  • Poulisdou.
  • Molucque.
  • Nillandoux.
  • Collomadous.
  • Adoumathis.
  • Sovadou.
  • Adou, and Pove Molucque,

THE ISLES OF THE SOUND.

* 1.421THE Isles of the SOƲND are those of Sumatra, Borneo, Ja∣va, the greater and lesser, and others: They are underneath and about the Equator, advancing on this side, to the seventh and eighth degree of Latitude, towards the North; and beyond it, unto the ninth or tenth degree of South Latitude; beginning at 135 Degrees of Longitude, Westward, and ending about the 160 Eastwards: So that they are together 16 or 18 Degrees of Latitude, which are 400 and odd Leagues; and 24 or 25 Degrees of Longitude, which are 600 or there∣abouts.

* 1.422The Portugals called them the Isles of the Sound, because they are to the South of Malacca, as Pyrardus saith. I believe rather, because of the Streight of the Sound, which is between the two chief, and best known of these Islands, to wit, Sumatra and Java major; or else, because of the Port of Bantam, which is called of the Sound, being the best Port, and of the greatest concourse that is in all these Islands.

* 1.423The Island of SƲMATRA is 10 or 12 Leagues from the Peninsula of Ma∣lacca, and extends from the sixth Degree of Latitude on this side, near to the sixth on the other side the Equator, which are about 11 or 12 Degrees of Lati∣tude; but it lying from North-west to South-east, stretches from its Northerly point towards Achem, unto that of Labansamora towards the South, and on the Streight of the Sound, near 400 Leagues, being not above 50, 60, or at most 80 broad.

* 1.424Some Authors divide it into 4, others into 10, and others into 30 Kingdoms. It is to be believed, that it had sometimes more, sometimes less, or that the least were Vassals or Tributaries to the greatest. At present those most famous are Achem, which holds likewise Pedir, to which it hath been subject, and Pacem on the Northern Coasts towards India; Camper almost underneath Palimbam, Jamby, Guadahyri, Priaman, Baras, and Manancabo, beyond the Equator: All which are the Seats of so many of their Kings. But a word or two of A∣chem, which is of the greatest esteem.

* 1.425The City of Achem is seated on the side of a very broad River, and in a large Plain: It hath neither Gates nor Walls to defend it self, but a Castle, which is the Palace Royal, which is fortified with a good Wall and Pallisado, and well armed, and so seated, that it commands the whole City: They enter into this Castle or Palace by seven several Gates, one after another, which are guarded by Women that are expert at their Weapons, which are also the ordinary Guard of the King's Person; and without the leave of the King, or his Guard, none are suffered to enter the Pallisado. The Buildings in this Castle are but mean, which are the same with those of the City, which by reason of the often overflowing of the River, are built upon Piles, and

covered with Coco Leaves, but the furniture which is rich and costly. On two sides of the Castle, there are pleasant Forests, well stored with Apes, Herns, and all manner of Birds, and other delights, in which the King recreates him∣self; as also in Cock-fighting, Hunting the Elephant, or Bathing Himself in the River. In all which, he seldom is without a Company of Women, in whom he most delighteth. He observes great state, seldom shewing himself; he is much reverenced by his Subjects, whom he uses no better than Slaves: In his Laws he is very severe; and in his Punishment cruel. His Government being absolute and meerly arbitrary. His Revenue, without doubt, must be great, by reason of the rich Commodities that are found here. He is so powerful, that in 1616 he put to Sea 60000 Men of War, in 200 Ships and 60 Galleys, with store of Cannons and Ammunition, to make War against the Portugals in Ma∣lacca; and he alone drove them from the Fort which they had in Pacem; and hindred them from taking footing in Sumatra.

* 1.426The Air, by reason of the great heats, is very unhealthful, but withal, is very fertile, abounding in Rice, Millet, Oyl, Beefs, Goats, Sheep, Fowls, Fish, store of Fruits; also it is rich in Gold, though of a lower alloy, in Silver, Cop∣per, Iron, Tin, in Precious Stones, in Silks, in several Spices, as long and com∣mon Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs,; also in Medicinal Drugs, in Wax, Honey, Camphire, Cassia, Bezar, Lignum, Musk, Civet, Amber, Alloes, whole Woods of white Sandale, abundance of Cotton, &c.

The Hollanders are in good intelligence with the people, and Kings of Sumatra; and particularly with him of Achem: They have no place or For∣tress in the Isle, but at Jambay, a Kingdom, City, and River of the same name; in one degree and fifty minutes beyond the Equator. They have built on this River, and 25 Leagues from the Coast, a House to accommodate their Traffick with the Islanders: Their Trade is for the most part Pepper, which they send from this House to the Sea by Canoes. The Inhabitants are many of them good Artificers and expert Mariners; they are for the most part Gentiles, yet of late Mahometism hath crept in amongst them: They are of an Olive co∣lour Complexion, flat-faced, but indifferent well proportioned, and content themselves with a mean habit.

* 1.427The Island of BORNEO, like to Sumatra, is part on this side, and part be∣yond the Equator; but it reaches on this side unto the seventeenth degree of North Latitude, and beyond only to the fourth of South Latitude. Its Form is almost round, having only 250 Leagues from North to South, and little less from West to East; containing in its Continent more than Sumatra, or any other Isle we have knowledge of in Asia; but it is not so well inhabited, nor of so great Trade as Sumatra, yet more fertile, and besides the same Commodites hath quantity of Myrabolans. Its Forests are full of Trees, which bear the most excellent Camphire in the World, which is uttered in the Indies, being too dear to be brought farther: That which comes to us from China, is so falsified, and of so little value, in respect of that which comes pure from Borneo, that one hundred pounds of the one, is not worth one pound of the other. It hath also plenty of Provision. Borneo, Bendarmissin, Lave, and Hormeta, are the fair∣est Cities, or at least the best known of the Isle; for we yet know nothing of the Eastern Coast. Borneo is on a Salt Lake, or rather at the bottom of the Gulf of the Sea, as Venice is, and is on the North-West of the Island. Its Houses are built of Wood, and upon Piles, and are accounted to be 20 or 25000. Through every Street runneth a Channel or River of Water; the Palace of the King, and the Houses of the principal Lords are of Stone, and on the firm Land, Ben∣darmassin and Lave are towards the South, regarding the great Java, and both belong to the same King: They build many Juncos at Bendarmassin. The River of Succadan, and the Neighbouring Forrests furnish them easily with Wood, and all that is necessary for the building of those Vessels. Lave is near a River of the same name; and this River, as Succadan, yields Diamonds. Hormeta, is described by the Hollanders on the Coast, Westwards of the Isle, and they esteem it to have 2 or 3000 Houses.

* 1.428The Inhabitants are great, of an Olive colour, of a good countenance; their Women brown and chaste, a thing very rare in the Neighbouring Islands. They trade little to distant places, being more inclined to Theft and Piracy, then to Trade; exercising this only with their Neighbours, the others with strangers far off. They are expert in all sorts of Arms, of good Wits, and capable of Arts. Their Apparel is much the same with the Indians, which is a Linnen Cloth about their privy Parts, and on their Heads Tur∣bets. In their Religion they are either Mahometants or Gentiles.

* 1.429About Borneo are a great quantity of little Isles, Bonquerano 3 Degrees, St. John 4. Jolo or Zolo 5. Tagyma 6. and Combahan 8 Degrees of La∣titude: This last is on the North of the Gulph, and City of Borneo; near that Gulph is Pulogitgan, &c. all these Islands belong to the King or Kings of Borneo.

* 1.430The two Islands of JAVA Major and Minor are to the South of Bor∣neo: however there is much dispute about the seat of the little one, the great∣er lies from the sixth, unto the eighth, ninth, or tenth Degree of South La∣titude, for we know not its certain breadth: And from the 145 Meridian beyond the 155, this length being 250 Leagues, and its breadth little less. We have scarce knowledge of any but the North-coast of this Island, none at all of its Southern.

* 1.431Along the North-Coast of Bantam, where is one of the greatest Trades of all the East-Indies, and where the Merchants of the East-India Com∣pany of England have their residence, and where once there was a like Com∣pany for the Hollanders, which they have transported to Jacatra or Bata∣via. Bantam is at the foot of a Hill, from which descend three Rivers; of which one passes through the middle, the others long, and on the two sides of the City, communicating by divers Channels, convenient for the Mahometans, who believe themselves purged from their sins, as often as they wash, but all too shallow for Ships to sail in; the Walls of the City are of Brick of no great strength, as also are their Gates, which makes them have the greater care in guarding them: The City is indifferent great, yet have they but three principal Streets, and these all but upon the Ca∣stle; at every corner of the Streets there stands a guard, and at Sunset they make fast all passage Boats, so that in the night there is no stirring in the Streets. The Houses are but meanly built, either of Reeds or Straw, and covered with Coco leaves; but for preservation of Goods, they have Store∣houses made of Stone; they have several places or Markets for the sale of Com∣modities, as also an Exchange where Merchants meet.

* 1.432The Commodities of Bantam are these of the Isle, as all sorts of Druggs, Pepper, Sugar, Preserved Ginger, and all sorts of Sweet-meats, both wet and dry; Rice, Honey, &c.

Also in this City is found several good Commodities, which are the product of other places, which are here had at easie rates, viz. Spices, precious Stones, Ammunition, Sandal-wood. Silk both raw and wrought into seve∣ral Fabricks, as Velvets, Sattins, Damask, Cabinets, Lacque, Porcelain, Callicoes, Frankinsence, Camphora, Benjamine, &c.

It is governed by a Supream or Sovereign Prince, whom they entitle the Mattaran, and hath four Deputies or Tetrarchs his Subordinates. It is very well peopled; the Houses of persons of quality are better built then the rest, having square Courts at their entrance; and commonly there is a Mosque be∣longing to every one of them, as also a Cistern to wash themselves in. The Palace is indifferently well built; shewing some kind of State; here the Chi∣nesses (who are great traders to this City, bring in most of the Commodities ex∣cept Pepper, Cotton, Wool, and Rice) have a place of meeting for their worship.

* 1.433Fifteen or twenty Leagues from Bantam is Jacatra, now Batavia, since the Hollanders have builded this on the ruins of the other, where they had a fair Magazine: The King of Jacatra assisted by some English, besieg∣ed it about the year 1618. the Hollanders defended themselves till March 1619. that their General Koen returning from the Moluccoes raised the

siege; took and ruined Jacatra, and rebuilt Batavia, with a very good Cittadel: This place is at present the Seat or Court of the General and Coun∣cellors of the East-India Company, for the Ʋnited Provinces.

Continuing along the Coast,* 1.434 and 100 or 120 Leagues from Batavia is JA∣PARA, a City and Kingdom with a good Port, and a fair River. TƲ∣BAN 20 or 25 Leagues from Japara, likewise a City and Kingdom, and Gulph:* 1.435 Fifty Leagues farther is the City, River, and Port of Jortan, which is of great concourse, for those that go or return from Bantam to the Moluc∣coes, and from the Moluccoes to Bantam;* 1.436Passaruam is 20 Leagues from Jor∣tan, and Panarucan yet 8 Leagues farther: This makes the most Easterly point of Java Major: Balambuan is 12 or 15 Leagues from Panarucan, in∣clining towards the South. All these Cities have each their Kings. Balam∣buan regards the Isle of Baly,* 1.437 and the streight that is between them, takes its name from Balambuan as the most famous. Many Portugals remained at Pa∣narucan to facilitate the Commerce they had of the Moluccoes, of Amboyna, Banda, Timor, &c. with Malacca, or those places they possess on this side, Panarucan being in the way between. Near this City a Sulphurous Mountain cast forth such great quantity of Stones and Cinders in 1588, that 10000 per∣sons were stifled.

In the midst of the Isle of JAVA, and towards the South Coast is the City of Maderan or Materan,* 1.438 the residence of the most powerful King of Java: This City is 100 Leagues from Bantam, 100 or 120 from Balambuan, and on∣ly 35 or 40 from Japara. This King once commanded the whole Isle; he yet commands those Kings which are in the High-land, and on the South Coast: Those on this side have freed themselves from his Rule, rendring him only certain Duties, yet some places he holds on this Coast.

* 1.439We have no certain knowledge of JAVA Minor, if we do not esteem it to be those Isles to the East of Java Major, and whose Northern Coast we only know. Mark Paul of Venice, who made the first Relation, saith that it contained 2000 Leagues Circuit, which would be more then our great Java, as we know it at present; he saith it had eight Kingdoms, of which he had seen six; gives to the soil the same qualities with the great one; but that its Inhabitants were more savage, and some Man-eaters: we shall presently speak a word or two of both Java's.

* 1.440On the East of Java is BALY Isle, which hath not above 40 Leagues Circuit, yet is peopled with 600 thousand Souls, hath its particular King, rich, and magnificent. Madura Ifle on the North-East of Jortan in the Java Ma∣jor, is likewise full of people; Its Cities are very fair; hath its particular King; its people are wicked and perfidious.

* 1.441The people of all these Isles are Mahometans on the Coast, up in the Coun∣try great Idolaters; and some Man-eaters. They have many Kings, and have hitherto been able to hinder the Spaniads, Portugals, and Hollanders, from building on their Coasts; yet these last have lately got Butavia, which they bravely maintain.

The people are corpulent, of a middle stature, broad-faced, little eyes; they wear long hair, of a Chestnut complexion; they are addicted naturally to theft, stout and couragious, very malicous when angred, very proud, de∣ceitful, and great lyars; their cloathing is as the other Indians, that is, only a piece of cloth tied about their privy parts. Yet some exceed, whereas o∣thers go quite naked. They yet retain divers barbarous Customs and Ceremo∣nies, as well in matters of Religion as otherwise. Their weapons are the Bow and Arrows, the Dart, the Lance, and Shield, and Crizes, a strange and cru∣el weapon.

* 1.442The Country or Islands are very fertile, affording very many rich Commo∣dities, as hath been spoken of already, which are all very excellent; they have several sorts of both tame and wild Beasts, abundance of Fowls and Fishes, a∣mong the rest Oysters, which if Mandelsloes may be credited, weigheth 300 pound weight; among their Serpents they have Crocodiles very large; and for their Fruits, they may compare with most places, as well for the fairness, pleasant tastes, as for the great variety of them.

This Isle is much troubled at some part of the year with dreadful Thundrings and Lightnings.

Let us now make a short observation on the one and the other Java, and the neighbouring Isles and Countries, according as Mark Paul of Venice hath described them. It seems that his great Java must be the Isle of Borneo, his Isles Sondor and Condor must be Pulo Londor, his Province of Beach, the Pe∣ninsula of Malacca, his Isle Patan, that of Sumatra, and his Java minor our present Java major: And it is to be believed that Borneo, Sumatra, and Java are likewise the three Sindes of Ptolomy.

The Isles of CEYLAN, and the MAL∣DIVES.

* 1.443NOt far from the Cape of Comori are the Isles of CEYLAN on one side, and the MALDIVES on the other. Ceylan, 60 Leagues towards the East; and the Maldives 150 between the East and the South.

* 1.444CEYLAN is the Trapobane of the Ancients, though Ptolomy makes it unmeasurably greater then Ceylan is now found. Its scituation is on this side the Ganges, and near Cape Comori, of old Comaria Extrema; likewise near Cape de Cael, of old Gori or Caligicum promont. and on the streight of Manar or Quilao, of old Argaricus Sinus, near which, or a little farther, is the Land of Madura, of old Madura Regia Pandionis, and divers other particulars making sufficient proof.

The Indians name it Tenerasin, that is, the Land of Delights; the Arabs Zeilan Dive, that is the Isle of Ceylan. It extends it self from 6 to 10 De∣grees of Latitude, and so comprehends four whole Degrees, which makes 100 Leagues from South to North: It hath but two Degrees and a half, or lit∣tle more of Longitude, which amounts to sixty and odd Leagues from East to West: The whole Circuit is about 300 Leagues; its form is almost Oval, or ra∣ther like a Pearl or Pear, whose tail is North, and its head South.

Some place in this Isle 7 Kingdoms, others 9, and others more;* 1.445 that of Ja∣fanapatan is the most Northerly; those of Trinquilemale, and Baticalo are the most Easterly; those of Chilao and Colombo the most Westerly; and that of Jaba the most Southward; those of Candea, of Sette Coralles, and Cei∣tavaca, hold the middle. Candea is at present the most famous; those of Co∣lombo and Ceitavaca have sometimes been the residence of Kings, which have commanded all the Island.

* 1.446At present the Portugals hold Colombo, Chilao, Manar Isle and Fortress, Jafanapatan, and some other places on the Coast, which regard the streight of Chilao and Manar. Columbo and Chilao are not above 60 Leagues, or little more, from Cape Comori, Manar 25 or 30 Leagues from Cape de Cael, and Jafanapatan 15 or 20 from the Cape of Negapatan.

The best Ports of this Isle are those of Gallo, Columbo, and Chilao: That of Galla is one of the best known of all Indra, because all that come, or go, are constrained to make the point of Gallo, for fear of falling on the Banks of the Maldives: Some years past the Hollanders took this important place from the Portugals.

* 1.447The Air is so temperate, and the Land so fruitful, that some esteem it the Earthly Paradise. Its Fruit, Herbs, and Plants have a marvellous pleasant odor; its Cinnamon is the best in the World, and particularly towards Colombo and Ceitavaca, there is found much Cardamom, Areca, Nutmegs, Pepper and other Spices, and several Druggs, also Lignum Aquilae, Lignum Serpen∣tis, Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron and other Metals; though the Mines are not wrought; many precious Stones, among others those which the Portugals call Oats-eyes; they have no Diamonds, but many Pearls, which they fish for in the streight between this Island and the Continent. The Soil produces Corn, Oyl, Wine, Cotton, abundance of Rice, several roots for Diers. A∣mong

their Beasts their Elephants are so excellent, and so docile, that those of other places bear honour to them as to their Superiours. They have great plen∣ty of Fowls, Cattle; and their Rivers yield great store of Fish.

As concerning the Coyns, Weights, and Measures of the Isles of Ceyland, and the Maldives, I have no certain account thereof, wherefore I omit them.

The Islanders are generally great,* 1.448 black, deformed, having their Ears long, and their Nostrils large, for the rest well disposed and active, great Dancers, insomuch that they may furnish all India with Comedians and Juglers; they are rich, and smother themselves in delights, all things agreeing to it, yet are they inclined to War. In those places possessed by the Portugals are many Christians, the rest Idolaters or Mahometans.

The MALDIVES.

* 1.449THe MALDIVES take their name from Male the chief City of these Islands, and Dive which signifies and Island; they are an infinite num∣ber of very little Islands, all seated in the Indian Ocean, on this side Cape Co∣morî, beginning at the eighth Degree of Northern Latitude, and not ending till the third or fourth of the South, the Equinoctial Line passing over them, so that they extend in length 300 Leagues, in breadth not above 15, 20 or lit∣tle more.

They are divided into thirteen Attollons, separated the one from the other by certain Channels, and containing each a great number of little Isles: From hence the King of Maldives terms himself King of 13 Provinces, and 12000 Isles; though there be many less, and the most of them desart, and which the Sea covers when it is high.

The disposition of these Attollons is admirable; then their Banks, their En∣trances, their Currents; the Attollons are almost round, or Oval; each having 30, 40, or 50 Leagues circuit; and succeeding one another from North, North-west, to South, South-east, there resting between them but certain Currents, large, little or more, but all dangerous.

These Attollons are each encompassed with a great bank of stones, there being no human Art could better wall a place, then these banks do their At∣tollons, the Sea breaking its waves against the banks, and within the Attol∣lons there being a perfect calm, and but little depth of water. The entrances are certain open places of 40, 50, some of 100, 200 common paces, which the Author of Nature hath given to every Attollon; that is four to each, to faci∣litate their passage from one Attollon to another; for the Currents which are between the Channels, being carried six Months to the East, and six Months to the West; it was impossible to pass from one Attollon to another, if there were but two openings, one opposite to another. These Currents moreover are so rapid, that when it is calm, and when the wind goes with them, they carry a Vessel sometimes to Malabar and Ceylan, and sometimes to Sumatra, without possibility of stopping of it; and on the other side, even to Arabia and Africa.

The names and order of these Attollons descending from North to South, are Tilladou Matis, that is the high point, and by the Spaniards, Cabexa das Ilhas, head of the Islands; then Milla doue, Madoue, Padypola, Ma∣los: Caridon, Ariatollon, Male Attollon, where is the Isle of Male Poulis∣dou, Moluque, Nillandoux, Collomadoux, Adoumatis, Souadou; Addou and Poue Moluque, the two last being esteemed but one.

The largest Channels, and there where the Currents are the strongest, are those of Malos, Madoue, Caridon, Aldou, and Sovadou. Francis Pirard a great Traveller was shipwrackt on the first, and remained five years in the Maldives, where at leasure he learned the tongue, situation, and manners of the Inhabitants, and hath set out a publick description of every particu∣lar.

The King of these Isles resides in the Isle of Male, which is one of the great∣est, though not above a League and a half in Circuit: It is one of the most fruitful, and seated in the middle of the Longitude of three Islands. Strangers frequent it, because of the Court. There are no Cities through all, their dis∣position being sufficiently commodious; their situation denotes a great heat, yet the days being equal to the nights, and the nights subject to great Dews, they refresh the Earth; so their Summers are without rain, and their Winters without ice; but these pouring down rain with a constant West South-west wind, the Feaver among the Maldives is very common, and dangerous to Strangers, whom it often kills in few days.

* 1.450There grows neither Rice nor Wheat; yet are Provisions better cheap than in the rest of the Indies. They have Rice from the Continent and gather at home Millet in abundance, and the Grain of Bunbi, like to Millet, but black. They have much Fruit, Citrons, Pomegranates, Oranges, Bananes; and a∣bove all, so great abundance of that Nut of India, called Cocos, that no Coun∣try in the World hath so much. All the Levant is furnished hence, lading e∣very year several Ships. They have many Animals, little Beef or Mutton; no Dogs, for they abhor them: Quantity of Fish.

* 1.451They have many little Shells, which pass in many places for Money, and they lade yearly 30 or 40 Ships with these Shells for Bengala only, besides what they lade for other parts. Their Tortoise Shells are much esteemed at Cambaya, because they are smooth, black, and well figured; with which they make Combs, Cases of Looking-glasses, &c. Their Tavarcarre or Cocos, particularly of the Maldives, is very Medicinal, and of greater value then their Amber-greece, and their black Coral. The King alone is to have this Tavarcarre and Amber∣greece, not permitting his Subjects to trade in it.

There is brought to the Maldives, in exchange of their Commodities, Rice, Cloth, Silk, Cotton, Oyl, Areca, Iron, Steel, Spices, Porcelain, Gold and Silver, which come not thence again. Its Inhabitants make use of all sorts of Arms, yet their King is neither rich, nor powerful, except in his Isles, and in regard of his own Subjects.

* 1.452Amongst the rarities of this Isle, their Candou and their Coco's are observable. They make Planks of the Wood of Candou, with which they draw out of the Sea all sorts of weights, though of 10000 pound. Their Tree is as great as our Walnut-Tree, leaved like the Aspin, and as white, but very soft: It bears no Fruit; they make Fisher-boats of it, and with rubbing two pieces of this wood together, kindle fire as we do with a Flint and Steel; yet it neither burns nor consumes.

As for the Coco's or Walnut of India, it furnishes them with all things necessa∣ry for mans life; they extract from it Wine, Honey, Sugar, Milk, Oyl, and But∣ter. Its Kernels they eat instead of Bread, with all sorts of Meat; the Leaf be∣ing green, serves for Paper to write; being dry, they fold it in little Bands, and make Panniers, Dossers, Ʋmbrello's, Hats, Coverlids, and Carpets; the Sprig which is the middle of the Leaf, being dry, hardneth, and of it they make Ca∣binets, Chests, and other Moveables; of the Shell, which incloses the Fruit, they make Ladles, Spoons, Plates, Cups, &c. They may build a whole House out of these Trees; the Trunk may serve for Beams and Joynts; the Branches cut in two or three for Pails, to pail in Gardens or Houses, and for Laths to co∣ver them; and the Leaves sewed together and disposed in ranks upon those Laths, cast off the Water as well as our Tiles. They build likewise many Ships only out of the Coco-Tree; the Keel, Sides, Planks, Pins, Hatches, Masts and Yards, Cordage, Anchors, Sails, and even all the Utensils of a Ship, are ta∣ken from this Tree, and sometimes their Lading, whether for Provision or Move∣ables, or to furnish Rigging for other Ships, is likewise taken out of this Tree alone.

And so much for the Eastern Isles and all Asia.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Asia the first place of Mo∣narchies, of all. Religions, &c.
• * 1.2

  Its length and breadth.
• * 1.3

  Its Scituation.
• * 1.4

  Asia the rich∣est of all the four Parts.
• * 1.5

  Its Name.
• * 1.6

  Its Bounds.
• * 1.7

  Its division.
• * 1.8

  The Parts of Asia Minor, or Anatolia.
• * 1.9

  The Turks di∣vision of Ana∣tolia.
• * 1.10

  The Province of Pontus de∣scribed.
• * 1.11

  Here Mithri∣dates had his overthrow.
• * 1.12

  A short ac∣count of the Amazonian Women, who here inha∣bited.
• * 1.13

  Chief places in Pontus Ga∣laticus.
• * 1.14

  Chief places in Pontus Ca∣padocius.
• * 1.15

  The chief pla∣ces of Meta∣pontus.
• * 1.16

  The Province of Bithynia bounded.
• * 1.17

  Chief places in Bithynia.
• * 1.18

  The Province of Lycia bounded, and its Cities de∣scribed.
• * 1.19

  The Province of Galatia bounded, and its chief pla∣ces treated of.
• * 1.20

  The Province of Pamphylia, and its chief places.
• * 1.21

  The Province of Cappadocia bounded.
• * 1.22

  The Province of cilicia, and its chief places.
• * 1.23

  The Province of Caria bounded, and its chief pla∣ces described.
• * 1.24

  The Province of Ionia bounded, with its chiefest pla∣ces.
• * 1.25

  The Province of Aeolis, and its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.26

  The Province of Lydia, and its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.27

  The Province of Phrygia Ma∣jor bounded, and its chief places.
• * 1.28

  The Province of Phrygia Mi∣nor bounded, with its chief places.
• * 1.29

  The Province of Paphlagonia, and its Cities.
• * 1.30

  The Province of Lycaonia, and its chief places.
• * 1.31

  The Province of Pisidia, and its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.32

  Armenia Minor, and its Cities.
• * 1.33

  The Province of Mysia, and its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.34

  Mountains in Anatolia; wor∣thy of note.
• * 1.35

  Rivers.
• * 1.36

  Things wor∣thy of note in Asia Minor.
• * 1.37

  Islands.
• * 1.38

  n="1." Cyanees.
• * 1.39

  n="2." Lesbos.
• * 1.40

  n="3." Scio.
• * 1.41

  n="4." Icaria.
• * 1.42

  n="5." Pathmos.
• * 1.43

  n="6." Parmacusa.
• * 1.44

  n="7." Claros.
• * 1.45

  n="8." Lero.
• * 1.46

  n="9." Coos.
• * 1.47

  n="10." Scarpante.
• * 1.48

  n="11." Nicosia.
• * 1.49

  n="12." Farmacusa.
• * 1.50

  n="13." Bapho.
• * 1.51

  n="14." Negroponte.
• * 1.52

  n="15." Samos.
• * 1.53

  n="16." Tenedos.
• * 1.54

  n="17." Rhodes.
• * 1.55

  The Colessus.
• * 1.56

  n="18." Cyprus.
• * 1.57

  Provinces in Cyprus.
• * 1.58

  The scitua∣tion, fertility, and Commo∣dities of Cy∣prus.
• * 1.59

  The People of Cyprus.
• * 1.60

  Commodities in Asia Minor.
• * 1.61

  Its Bounds.
• * 1.62

  Its Parts, or Division by the Turks.
• * 1.63

  Syria Propria, its bounds, fer∣tility, and peo∣ple.
• * 1.64

  Its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.65

  Phoenicia bounded, and its Cities, &c. described.
• * 1.66

  The fertility of the Coun∣try.
• * 1.67

  Palestine bounded.
• * 1.68

  A description of the Jews, and their Re∣ligion.
• * 1.69

  The fertility of the Coun∣try.
• * 1.70

  Memorable Transactions in this Coun∣try.
• * 1.71

  Jerusalem; its chief Places.
• * 1.72

  Diarbeck, and its Parts.
• * 1.73

  Its fertility and People.
• * 1.74

  Its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.75

  Babylon, now called Bagdad.
• * 1.76

  Mesopotamia bounded, and its fertility.
• * 1.77

  Its chief Pla∣c••••.
• * 1.78

  Assyria bound∣ed.
• * 1.79

  Its People, and their Customs, &c.
• * 1.80

  Chief places in Assyria.
• * 1.81

  Turcomania pou••ded.
• * 1.82

  Its People.
• * 1.83

  See Tavernier, fol. 173.
• * 1.84

  Its Air, and fertility and trade.
• * 1.85

  Its chief Pla∣ces.
• * 1.86

  The Bounds of Armenia.
• * 1.87

  The Moun∣tains of Ar∣menis.
• * 1.88

  Chief Rivers in Armenia.
• * 1.89

  Lakes of most note in Arme∣nia.
• * 1.90

  Kings of emi∣nent note in Armenia.
• * 1.91

  The division of Armenia, according to Ptolomy.
• * 1.92

  The Terrestrial Paradise in Armenia.
• * 1.93

  Georgia, and its parts.
• * 1.94

  Its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.95

  Of the Golden Fleece.
• * 1.96

  Places in Georgia.
• * 1.97

  Country of Quiria, its Pro∣vinces, and the chief Places.
• * 1.98

  Commania, and its bounds.
• * 1.99

  Its length and breadth.
• * 1.100

  Its People.
• * 1.101

  its ancient People the Amazons.
• * 1.102

  Arabia; Its Bounds.
• * 1.103

  Its Paru.
• * 1.104

  Arabia the Stony, and its chief places.
• * 1.105

  Remarkable things here transacted.
• * 1.106

  Arabia the Desart descri∣bed.
• * 1.107

  Its People.
• * 1.108

  Its chief Ci∣ties.
• * 1.109

  Arabia the Happy bound∣ed.
• * 1.110

  Its fertility and commo∣dities.
• * 1.111

  Its People.
• * 1.112

  Its chief Places.
• * 1.113

  Mahomets Tomb.
• * 1.114

  A story of the life and death of the Impo∣stor Mahomet.
• * 1.115

  Aden, and its great Trade.
• * 1.116

  Other Cities in Arabia.
• * 1.117

  Kingdom and City of Far∣tach, its People and Trade.
• * 1.118

  Other Cities and Kingdoms.
• * 1.119

  The Arabs Bengebres, a free People.
• * 1.120

  Arabian Isles in the Sou∣thern Ocean.
• * 1.121

  In the Red Sea.
• * 1.122

  In the Persian Gulph.
• * 1.123

  The People of Arabia; their Manners, &c.
• * 1.124

  The first rise of Mahometism.
• * 1.125

  The extent, bounds, scitua∣tion, &c. of Persia.
• * 1.126

  The Persian Empire for∣merly much larger than now it is.
• * 1.127

  The several Parts, or Re∣gions of Persia.
• * 1.128

  The Province of Servan.
• * 1.129

  Its Commodities.
• * 1.130

  Province of Gilan, and its chief places, &c.
• * 1.131

  Province of Dilemon.
• * 1.132

  Province of Tabarestan.
• * 1.133

  Province of Gorgian.
• * 1.134

  Province of Rhoemus.
• * 1.135

  Province of Churdistan.
• * 1.136

  Province of Ayrack, its Commodities, &c.
• * 1.137

  Hispahan the chief City of Persia.
• * 1.138

  Its Palaces and Seraglio's, ex∣ceeding stately and delightful.
• * 1.139

  The Inhabi∣tants of this Ci∣ty negotiate their affairs on Horse-back Hispahan and its Commodi∣ties.
• * 1.140

  Province of Chorazan, its chief Cities & Commodities, &c.
• * 1.141

  Province of chusistan, its chief places, &c.
• * 1.142

  The Persians observe great Feasts.
• * 1.143

  Province of Fars, its chief places, fertility &c.
• * 1.144

  Province of Kherman, its Commodities, chief places, &c.
• * 1.145

  The Isle and City of Ormus with its Trade and Commo∣dities.
• * 1.146

  The People of Ormus.
• * 1.147

  Province of Sablestan.
• * 1.148

  Province of Sigistan, Sistan, Candahar, and Mackeran.
• * 1.149

  The Neigh∣bors of the Persians.
• * 1.150

  The Persians much different from the Turks.
• * 1.151

  The Persian forces consists in Cavalry.
• * 1.152

  The Empire of Persia of a dif∣ferent Soyl.
• * 1.153

  The People of Persia, and their habits.
• * 1.154

  Their manners dispositions, &c.
• * 1.155

  Their Marri∣ages.
• * 1.156

  Men allowed many Women.
• * 1.157

  Their Feasts are munificent
• * 1.158

  They are much addicted to Women.
• * 1.159

  The Persians very supersti∣tious.
• * 1.160

  Their Religion
• * 1.161

  Ceremonies in their burials.
• * 1.162

  The King of Persia his pow∣er.
• * 1.163

  The Coronati∣on of their Kings.
• * 1.164

  Their Courts of Judicature, and their Ju∣stice.
• * 1.165

  Their Military Affairs.
• * 1.166

  A discourse of Silk-worms, and making of Silk.
• * 1.167

  Its Name.
• * 1.168

  Its bounds, and division into Parts.
• * 1.169

  Kingdom or Province of Cabul.
• * 1.170

  Attock.
• * 1.171

  Multan.
• * 1.172

  Candahar.
• * 1.173

  Buckor.
• * 1.174

  Tatta.
• * 1.175

  Hajacan.
• * 1.176

  Soret.
• * 1.177

  Cassimere, Bankish, Kakares, Naugracut.
• * 1.178

  Siba.
• * 1.179

  Jamba.
• * 1.180

  Bakar.
• * 1.181

  Sambal.
• * 1.182

  Gor.
• * 1.183

  Kanduana.
• * 1.184

  Mevat.
• * 1.185

  Udessa.
• * 1.186

  Pitan.
• * 1.187

  Patna.
• * 1.188

  Gusurate, or Cambaya, ex∣ceeding rich and fertil.
• * 1.189

  Its Commodi∣ties and Trade.
• * 1.190

  Its Inhabitants
• * 1.191

  Pythagoreans.
• * 1.192

  Its extent by Sea.
• * 1.193

  Surat.
• * 1.194

  Brodra.
• * 1.195

  Baroche.
• * 1.196

  Cambaya.
• * 1.197

  Amadabad, the Metropolis of Guazarete,
• * 1.198

  The City of Diu, its Trade and Commo∣dities.
• * 1.199

  Agra, a plea∣sant City, and much fre∣quented by the Mogoll.
• * 1.200

  Province of Agra.
• * 1.201

  Province of La∣hor.
• * 1.202

  Province of Delly.
• * 1.203

  Kingdom of Bengala▪
• * 1.204

  The extent of Bengala.
• * 1.205

  Its Inhabitants.
• * 1.206

  Province of Candis.
• * 1.207

  Province of Chitor.
• * 1.208

  Province of Malway.
• * 1.209

  Province of Gualeor.
• * 1.210

  Province of Ranas.
• * 1.211

  Province of Narvar.
• * 1.212

  Province of Berar.
• * 1.213

  Several other Provinces.
• * 1.214

  The extent bounds, &c. of the Great Mo∣golls Countrey
• * 1.215

  The Tartars & Persians, very troublesome to the Mogol.
• * 1.216

  Petty Kings & people under the Mogoll.
• * 1.217

  Mogol very potent.
• * 1.218

  The Country stored with Cattle, Fowle, and Fish.
• * 1.219

  The Mogols guard.
• * 1.220

  His State and great attend∣ance.
• * 1.221

  The Parsis and their Religion.
• * 1.222

  Their habit & behaviour.
• * 1.223

  Its bounds.
• * 1.224

  Its parts.
• * 1.225

  Kingdom of Decan.
• * 1.226

  Its chief places
• * 1.227

  Its riches beau∣ty, &c.
• * 1.228

  Its strength.
• * 1.229

  Its Commodi∣ties.
• * 1.230

  The Kingdom of Golconda; its bounds and extent.
• * 1.231

  Its chief pla∣ces or For∣tresses.
• * 1.232

  The Country rich in Dia∣monds and Precious Stones.
• * 1.233

  The Air and fertility of the Country.
• * 1.234

  The Estates of Bisnagar; and its Parts.
• * 1.235

  The chief Ci∣ties and For∣tresses.
• * 1.236

  The King of Bisnagar very powerful.
• * 1.237

  An English Factory at Musulipatan,
• * 1.238

  The fertility, temperature, &c. of the Country.
• * 1.239

  The Revenue of the King.
• * 1.240

  Its People.
• * 1.241

  Here the Wo∣men burn themselves with the Corps of their deceased Husbands.
• * 1.242

  The Coast of Choromandel, and its Trade.
• * 1.243

  Malabar, its fertility, com∣modities, &c.
• * 1.244

  Its Limits.
• * 1.245

  The Coast of Malabar, and its Parts or Kingdoms.
• * 1.246

  The chief Cities.
• * 1.247

  The Natives and Inhabitants of Malabar.
• * 1.248

  its bounds.
• * 1.249

  It Kingdoms and parts.
• * 1.250

  The Kingdom of Pegu, and its parts.
• * 1.251

  Brama and its fertility, and chief places.
• * 1.252

  Pegu exceeding rich in Gold, Silver, and Pre∣cious Stones.
• * 1.253

  Its fertility and Commo∣dities.
• * 1.254

  The City of Pegu, the chief of the King∣dom, described.
• * 1.255

  The Palace Royal.
• * 1.256

  The People, their Habit.
• * 1.257

  Their belief.
• * 1.258

  Marriage not kept during life.
• * 1.259

  Kingdom of Sian, its parts.
• * 1.260

  Its extent.
• * 1.261

  The chief places of the particular Sian.
• * 1.262

  Its Commodi∣ties and Trade.
• * 1.263

  Martaban, its commodities; &c.
• * 1.264

  Jangoma, and its commo∣dities.
• * 1.265

  Camboja.
• * 1.266

  Its People.
• * 1.267

  Peninsula of Malacca; its parts, commo∣dities, &c.
• * 1.268

  Ihor, its chief places and commodities.
• * 1.269

  Patane, and its Trade.
• * 1.270

  The City of Patane, and its Trade.
• * 1.271

  The City of Malacca, and its Trade.
• * 1.272

  Arbor tristis, a great rarity.
• * 1.273

  The People of Sian, their ha∣bit, dispositi∣on, &c.
• * 1.274

  Their Arms.
• * 1.275

  The Kings of Sian absolute Monarchs, are rich, powerful, and live in great state.
• * 1.276

  Cochin-china, its bounds and extent.
• * 1.277

  Its Name, why so called.
• * 1.278

  Its parts and chief places.
• * 1.279

  Its fertility, commoditi•• temperature, and people.
• * 1.280

  Several Rari∣ties here found.
• * 1.281

  Wood as hea∣vy as Iron, and which con∣sumes not, ex∣cept burnt.
• * 1.282

  The Kingdom of Tunquin, its bounds, ex∣tent, and sci∣tuation.
• * 1.283

  Its Parts.
• * 1.284

  The King very powerful.
• * 1.285

  Its chief Pla∣ces.
• * 1.286

  Its fertiliy and commodities.
• * 1.287

  They embrace Christianity.
• * 1.288

  Isles seated on the Gulph of Sian.
• * 1.289

  Isles seated in the Sea, called the Gulph of Bengala.
• * 1.290

  The Kingdom of China.
• * 1.291

  Its several Names.
• * 1.292

  Its extent.
• * 1.293

  The number of its Provin∣ces, Parts, Ci∣ties, and Towns.
• * 1.294

  China very populous.
• * 1.295

  Divers Kings subject to the King of China.
• * 1.296

  China bound∣ed.
• * 1.297

  A Wall about China.
• * 1.298

  Its Fertility and Fruits.
• * 1.299

  Its Commodi∣ties.
• * 1.300

  They Chinoises very ingenious
• * 1.301

  Their way of writing.
• * 1.302

  Their shape & stature.
• * 1.303

  Their habit.
• * 1.304

  They are ad∣dicted to Arts and Sciences.
• * 1.305

  Not good Soul∣diers.
• * 1.306

  Their Religion and belief.
• * 1.307

  Their funeral Ceremonies.
• * 1.308

  The King go∣verns by his own Will.
• * 1.309

  Kings of China hereditary.
• * 1.310

  The division of China into Provinces.
• * 1.311

  Province of Leaoton de∣scribed.
• * 1.312

  Province of Pequin, and its chief places.
• * 1.313

  The Province of Scianton, its fertility, &c.
• * 1.314

  The Province of Sciansi, its fertility and chief places.
• * 1.315

  The Province of Sciensi de∣scribed.
• * 1.316

  The Province of Honan, and its chief places
• * 1.317

  The Province of Nanquin its Cities.
• * 1.318

  The City of Nanquin de∣scribed.
• * 1.319

  The Province of Chequian.
• * 1.320

  Its chief places
• * 1.321

  The City of Quinsay de∣scribed.
• * 1.322

  The Province of Fuquien. Its Commodi∣ties and chief places.
• * 1.323

  The Province of Canton, its Fertility, com∣modities, &c.
• * 1.324

  Its Inhabitants:
• * 1.325

  Three things noted in this Province.
• * 1.326

  Its chief places
• * 1.327

  The Isle and City of Amacao and its Trade.
• * 1.328

  The Isle of Ay∣nan, & its com∣modities.
• * 1.329

  The Province of Quancy, and its chief Cities.
• * 1.330

  The Province of Zunnan, and its chief places.
• * 1.331

  The Province of Chiamsi, its Trade & chief places.
• * 1.332

  The Province of Huquam, and its Commodi∣ties.
• * 1.333

  The Povince of Suchuen de∣scribed.
• * 1.334

  The Province of Quicheu, and its chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.335

  The Isles a∣bout China.
• * 1.336

  Tartary, its extent.
• * 1.337

  Its length and breadth.
• * 1.338

  Its Position.
• * 1.339

  Its Neighbours.
• * 1.340

  Its Name, why so called.
• * 1.341

  Its Inhabitants.
• * 1.342

  Their Habit••
• * 1.343

  Religion.
• * 1.344

  Dyet.
• * 1.345

  Their from of Government.
• * 1.346

  The Revenue of the Cham.
• * 1.347

  Their Forces.
• * 1.348

  Tartary divi∣ded into parts.
• * 1.349

  Tartaria De∣serta, its bounds.
• * 1.350

  Its People, and the manner of their abode.
• * 1.351

  The Nagajan Tartars, &c.
• * 1.352

  Usbeck, id bounds.
• * 1.353

  Its people.
• * 1.354

  Their trade.
• * 1.355

  Its parts, chief places and fer∣tility.
• * 1.356

  Turquestan, its bounds and chief places.
• * 1.357

  Its fertility and commo∣dities, &c.
• * 1.358

  Cathay, its bounds.
• * 1.359

  Its ••ertility and commo∣dities.
• * 1.360

  Its chief place Cambalu.
• * 1.361

  The Great Chams Palace.
• * 1.362

  Its Trade and Commodities.
• * 1.363

  Their Monies.
• * 1.364

  Tanguth, and is chief pla∣ces.
• * 1.365

  Tenduc.
• * 1.366

  Thainfur.
• * 1.367

  The state and power of the Great Cham.
• * 1.368

  The People of Cathay.
• * 1.369

  Their Reli∣gion.
• * 1.370

  The True Tartary de∣scribed.
• * 1.371

  Its Commo∣dities.
• * 1.372

  The Oriental Isles of Asia.
• * 1.373

  The Isles of Japan.
• * 1.374

  Chief places. Meaco describ∣ed.
• * 1.375

  The Palace of the Dayri.
• * 1.376

  The City of Yendo.
• * 1.377

  The Moun∣tains of Japan.
• * 1.378

  The People of Japan their dispositions.
• * 1.379

  Their Religion and belief.
• * 1.380

  The state power, &c. of the Emperor.
• * 1.381

  The Japanoi∣ses differ in ma∣ny Customs from other Na∣tions.
• * 1.382

  The Estate of these Isles.
• * 1.383

  The parts of Japan.
• * 1.384

  The Isle of Jesso.
• * 1.385

  The streight of Tessoy.
• * 1.386

  Its Inhabitants.
• * 1.387

  Its fertility.
• * 1.388

  Philippine Isles
• * 1.389

  The Irnames.
• * 1.390

  Scituation.
• * 1.391

  The chief Isles and places de∣scribed.
• * 1.392

  The Isle of Luson.
• * 1.393

  The Isle of Mindanao.
• * 1.394

  The Isle of Paragoya.
• * 1.395

  The Isle of Tandays.
• * 1.396

  The Isle of Mindora.
• * 1.397

  The Isle of C••bu
• * 1.398

  Their Fertility
• * 1.399

  Their Commo∣dities.
• * 1.400

  Its Trade.
• * 1.401

  The Isles of Moluccoes ••••••∣ny.
• * 1.402

  The Isles of Celebes, Gilolo▪ &c.
• * 1.403

  Their Com∣modities and Ferillit▪
• * 1.404

  Their scitua∣tion.
• * 1.405

  The Isles of Ternate, Tidore, &c.
• * 1.406

  The Isle of Ternate, its chief places, fertility and commodities.
• * 1.407

  The Isle of Tidore, and its chief places, &c.
• * 1.408

  The Isle of Bachian de∣scribed.
• * 1.409

  The Isle of Gilolo descri∣bed.
• * 1.410

  Its People, and chief places.
• * 1.411

  The Air.
• * 1.412

  The Isle of Celebes descri∣bed.
• * 1.413

  The Land of Papous.
• * 1.414

  The Isles of Ceyram, Flores, &c.
• * 1.415

  The Isle of Amboyna, its fertility and commodities.
• * 1.416

  Its Inhabitants
• * 1.417

  The Isles of Banda, Nera, and Gumanapi described.
• * 1.418

  Its People.
• * 1.419

  Their Kings.
• * 1.420

  The Isles of Larrons de∣scribed;
• * 1.421

  The Isles of the Sound. Their situati∣on.
• * 1.422

  Their Name.
• * 1.423

  The Isle of Sumatra, in si∣tuation.
• * 1.424

  Its parts.
• * 1.425

  The City of Achem de∣scribed.
• * 1.426

  The Fertility, Commodities, &c. of these Isles.
• * 1.427

  The Isle of Bor∣neo, its situati∣on; and ferti∣lity.
• * 1.428

  Its Inhabitants
• * 1.429

  Several small Isles.
• * 1.430

  Isles of Java Major and Mi∣nor, their situa∣tion, length, and breadth.
• * 1.431

  The City of Bantam de∣scribed, with its great trade.
• * 1.432

  Its Commodi∣ties.
• * 1.433

  The Cities of Jacatra,
• * 1.434

  Japara.
• * 1.435

  Jortan.
• * 1.436

  Passaruam.
• * 1.437

  Balambuam.
• * 1.438

  Maderan de∣scribed.
• * 1.439

  The Isle of Java Minor.
• * 1.440

  The Isles of Baly and Ma∣dura.
• * 1.441

  Its People.
• * 1.442

  Its Fertility.
• * 1.443

  The Isles of Ceylan, and the Maldives.
• * 1.444

  Ceylan, its sci∣tuation and extent.
• * 1.445

  Its parts.
• * 1.446

  The Portugals here inhabit.
• * 1.447

  Its Air, Fer∣tility, and Commodities.
• * 1.448

  The Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.449

  The Isles of the Maldives, their situation, and parts or At∣tollons.
• * 1.450

  Provision very plentiful.
• * 1.451

  Shells pass in∣stead of Mo∣ney.
• * 1.452

  The Coco-Nu•• and Tree of great use for several things.