The rarities of Turkey, gathered by one that was sold seven times a slave in the Turkish Empire, and now exposed to view for the benefit of his native countrey:.

Of their Circumcision.

THey Circumcise not on the eighth day, as the Jews do, but when the new-born arrive at the age of seven or eight yeers, and be of perfect speech: the mystery whereof, is from the words of con∣fession required before circumcisi∣on, which are some of those sen∣tences afore-mentioned in their Churches, which they repeat, and give assent thereto, by hold∣ing up the Thumbe of the right-Hand. The Youth is not for this mystery brought unto their church, but is circumcised in his Parents House. I have been often present at this solemnity, which is per∣formed in manner following: first, the friends are all invited to a feast, sufficiently furnished with all sorts of delicate flesh, lawful for them to eat; and almost everywhere, espe∣cially

amongst the wealthier sort, an Ox is killed, bowelled, and flawed; in the body whereof, they include a Sheep; and in that Sheep, a Hen; and in her, an Egge; all which are entirely roasted toge∣ther, for the solemnity and splen∣dor of that day. Then in their Feast and time of Supper, the Boy that is to be circumcised, is brought to a Physitian skilful in that Art, who fixing between a pair of pinchers the fore-skin of his privie Member, to prevent all fear in the Boy, he telleth him, that the next day he will circumcise him, and so departs; but presently feigning to have omitted something appertain∣ing to this preparation, on a sudden he cuteth off the fore-skin, apply∣ing thereunto a little salt and bom∣bace; and then he is called a Mussel∣man, that is, one circumcised. Yet their Names are given the day of their Nativity, not Circumcision.

After continuance of this Feast for three dayes, the Boy with great pompe and solemnity is accompa∣nied to the Bathes; and being re∣turned to his House, he is brought before the Guests, and by them presented with gifts prepared for him; some give Silver, Silken Vestments; some, Silver Cups; others, Money; and sometimes, Horse. Women present him like∣wise, some, with Shirts, Hand∣kerchers, and such like, according to the several pleasures and abilities of the Guests. Women are not circumcised, onely they confess the aforesaid words, and so made Musselmen. And if any Christi∣an voluntarily confess a Faith in Mahomes, and suffers Circumcision, (which often happens, by the heavy yoke and burthen of their Tri∣bute) this Man is led through all the Streets and open places of the City, to the great joy and honour

of the people, with acclamations and ringing of Bells: him also they present with gifts, and after free him from all Tribute. For covetousness of this profit, many Greeks and Albanes become cir∣cumcised. But if any be forced thereto, as he that shall strike or otherwise disgrace a Musselman, or blaspheme Mahomet, (as it befel a certain Grecian Bishop which I did see) that man is circumcised, and hath nothing presented to him, yet shall be freed from Tribute as o∣thers circumcised.