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THe youth and aged of both Sexes, whom Chance by tenths appropriates to the Turk, he thus disposeth; the elder in yeers he sells for Husband-men, who yet are rarely or cheap bought; for they seldom escape the Sword; their age making them less vendible.
Young men and Maidens, they con∣fine them in Seraglio's, there to be instructed in useful Arts for future times. But first, they must deny their Faith in Christ, and then be circumcifed. And thus initiated in their Ceremonies, they diligent∣ly examine their physiognomies, and the several lineaments of their bodies, and then the whole com∣posure; and according to conceived strength, forwardness of wit, and dispositions, they are destinated to learn Laws of the Country, or dis∣cipline of Wars; and in the mean time are allowed a dayly stipend of two or three Aspers, sixty whereof make five shillings, which they conceive a liberal sufficiency for diet and clothing, until they are fitted for imployments. In the elements of War, they thus are trained, according to each strength: they first have given them a light bow; skill and strength in∣creasing,
they have a greater and a heavier; so by degrees they are fitted for expedition. They have Instructors, severe Exactors of their dayly Exercises; and when∣soever they erre much from the mark, so often are they cruelly whip'd with scourges. These are inrolled in the order of Bow-men. Others are instructed and made fit for Janizaries, who have appoint∣ed Masters and Teachers every day to fight, two together with Cud∣gels. Others (an horrid thing) who have more lovely faces, are so close cut, that nothing like Man is left them; and this not done with∣out great and eminent danger to life: and if the party escape death, his health is for no other use, but their most wicked lusts; and after youth's grown aged, they are put to the offices of Eunuchs, to attend on Ladies, Concubines, Horses, Mules, and some Kitchin-imploy∣ments.