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diff --git a/old/65414-0.txt b/old/65414-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d4e2b97..0000000 --- a/old/65414-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8159 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Travels into Turkey, by Ogier Ghislain de -Busbecq - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Travels into Turkey - Containing the most accurate account of the Turks, and - neighbouring nations, their manners, customs, religion, - superstition, policy, riches, coins, &c. - -Author: Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq - -Contributor: M. Bayle - -Release Date: May 22, 2021 [eBook #65414] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Turgut Dincer and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRAVELS INTO TURKEY *** - - - - - - TRAVELS - INTO - _TURKEY_: - Containing the most accurate Account of the - TURKS, - AND - Neighbouring NATIONS, - Their MANNERS, CUSTOMS, RELIGION, - SUPERSTITION, POLICY, RICHES, - COINS, _&c._ - - The whole being a series of remarkable - observations and events, interspers’d with - great variety of entertaining incidents, - never before printed. - - Translated from the Original _Latin_ of the Learned - _A. G. BUSBEQUIUS_. - - _With Memoirs of the Life of the Illustrious Author._ - - _LONDON_: - - Printed for J. ROBINSON, at the _Golden-Lyon_ in _Ludgate-Street_; - and W. PAYNE, opposite _Durham Yard_ in the - _Strand_. M.DCC.XLIV. - - - - -EXTRACT OF THE LIFE OF The AUTHOR - -_From M. BAYLE._ - - -That he was born in _Flanders_, educated at _Paris_, _Lorrain_, _Venice_, -_Bologna_, and _Padua_; made great Progress in his Studies, having -acquir’d a Knowledge in near Ten different Languages; was sometime -in _London_, with the Emperor _Ferdinand_’s Ambassador; returned -to _Flanders_, and from thence to _Vienna_, where he was appointed -Ambassador to _Solyman the Great_, and soon set out for _Constantinople_; -but not finding him there, was obliged to go to _Amasia_, &c. and during -his long Stay in that Country, having a strong Propensity to Learning, -collected many valuable Manuscripts, Coins, _&c._ Took great Delight in -procuring rare Plants, and studying the Nature of Animals; made himself -perfect Master of the _Turkish_ State, Policy, _&c._ That the Account -he composed of his Journey, is a very good Work, and deserves the -Approbation of all good Judges; the Learned _Sadelerius_, in his Edition -of it, Printed at _Mons_, asserts it deserves a Thousand Impressions. -The Celebrated _Thuanus_ owns he transcribed many Things out of it to -insert in his History, and likewise gives a great Character of the Author -and his Work. In short, as we have no good Account of that Country and -People, an _English_ Version, ’tis presum’d, will be agreeable to the -Public. - -N. B. _Those who are inclin’d, may see a much larger Account of the -Author in ~Bayle’s~ Dictionary, ~Vol. II.~_ - - - - -_Busbequius_’s TRAVELS INTO _TURKEY_. - - - - -_SIR_, - -As I promised you, at parting, to give you a full Account of my Journey -to _Constantinople_, so, I shall now make good my Word; and I hope, with -Advantage too. For, I shall also acquaint you with my Adventures in my -Travel to _Amasia_, as well as That to _Constantinople_, the _former_ -being less used, and consequently far less known, than the _latter_. My -Design herein, is, to allow you a Part of the Solace, of what happened -pleasurable to me; for so the ancient Friendship betwixt us obliges me, -to appropriate no Joy to myself, without communicating the same to you; -but, as for what happened incommodious to me, (as, in so long and tedious -a Journey, some Things must needs do) those I take to my self; neither -would I have you concerned in them at all; for, the Danger being now -past, the more grievous they were to suffer, the more pleasant will they -be, even to myself, to remember and commit to Writing. - -Upon the Receipt of his Letter, _Ferdinand_ was at a stand; he did -not fully believe, nor yet altogether disbelieve him; he was inclined -to suspect, that the Memory of his _former_ Sufferings, and the Fear -of _future ones_, did deter him from that Employment, rather than the -Danger of his Disease; and yet, on the other side, he did not think it -creditable for himself to employ a Man that had so well deserved of him -and of the Commonwealth, in any Service against his Will. But the Death -of _Malvezius_, which followed a few Months after, did sufficiently -convince him, that his Disease was not pretended, to decline the -Employment, but was really a Mortal one. - -Upon this, I was substituted in the Place of _Malvezius_: But, being -unexperienced (as I said before) in the Affairs and Manners of the -_Turks_, King _Ferdinand_ thought it adviseable for me to bestow a Visit -upon _Malvezius_ in his Sickness, that so, by his Directions and Advice, -I might be better cautioned and armed against any Impositions of the -captious _Turks_. Two Days I staid with him, which was as much as the -straitness of my Time would permit; and I husbanded them so well, as to -be informed by him, what I was to act, and what to avoid, in my daily -Convention with the _Turks_. - -Whereupon, I posted back to _Vienna_, and began, with great Application -and Diligence, to prepare Necessaries for my Journey. But such was the -Flush of Business, and so little the Time allowed to dispatch it, that, -when the Day fixt for my Departure came, though the King did earnestly -press me forward, and I had been extremely Busy all the Day in equipping -myself, and in causing Bag and Baggage to be pack’d up, even from the -fourth Watch; yet it was the first Watch of the following Night, before -I could be quite ready; but then the Gates of _Vienna_, which at that -time of Night us’d always to be shut, were opened on purpose for me. The -Emperor went abroad a Hunting that Day, but he told his Followers, That -he did not doubt but that I would be upon my Way, before he returned from -his Sport in the Evening, and it fell out accordingly; yet so, that I was -but just gone before he came Home. - -At eleven o’Clock at Night, we came to _Ficiminum_, a Town in _Hungary_, -four Miles from _Vienna_; there we Supp’d, for our haste was so great -that we came Supperless out of Town; from thence we travelled towards -_Comora_. The Emperor, among the rest of his Commands, had enjoin’d me -to take along with me to _Buda_, one _Paul Palinai_ from _Comora_, a Man -well acquainted with the Rapins and Depredations of the _Turks_, and -so was best able to assist me in my Expostulations with the Bashaw of -_Buda_, and in my Demands for satisfaction of Injuries received. But he, -not in the least suspecting that my departure would have been so punctual -at the Day appointed, had not yet stirred from his own House, and there -was no Body could tell when he would come; which uncertainty troubled me -very much. I acquainted King _Ferdinand_ therewith by Letter, and all the -next Day stayed at _Comora_ expecting his coming. - -But the third Day, I passed over the River _Vaga_, and prosecuted my -Journey towards _Gran_, the first Garrison of the _Turks_ I came to -in _Hungary_. Col. _John Pax_, Governor of _Comora_ had sent sixteen -Horse with me (of those that the _Hungarians_ call _Hussars_) to be my -Guard; and he had given them a Charge not to leave me, till they came in -sight of the _Turkish_ Convoy; for the Governor of _Gran_ had signified -to me, that his Soldiers should meet me half way. We travelled about -three Hours through a vast Plain, when, behold! there appeared afar off -four _Turkish_ Horse; and yet, notwithstanding, my _Hungarian_ Guard -accompanied me still, till I desired them to retire; for I was afraid -that if they should come up to the _Turks_, some troublesome Bickering -would have intervened betwixt them. - -As soon as the _Turks_ saw me to draw near, they rode up to me, and -saluted me by my Coach side: thus we passed on a while together, -discoursing interchangeably one with another, (for I had a little Youth -for my Interpreter.) I expected no other Convoy, but when we descended -into a low Valley, I saw my self on a sudden, surrounded with a Party of -about a hundred and fifty Horse. It was a very pleasant Spectacle to a -Man, unaccustomed to see such Sights, for their Bucklers and Spears were -curiously Painted, their Sword-handles bedeck’d with Jewels, their Plumes -of Feathers party-coloured, and the Coverings of their Heads were twisted -with round Windings as white as Snow; their Apparel was Purple-coloured, -or at least a dark Blue; they rode upon stately Praunsers, adorn’d with -most beautiful Trappings. Their Commanders came up to me, and after -friendly Salutation they bid me Welcome; and asked me, How I had fared -on my Journey? I answer’d them as I thought fit; and thus they led me to -_Gran_, for so the Castle is called, situate on an Hill, whose Foot is -washed by the _Danow_, with a Town adjoining, built in a Plain. I retired -into the Town, the Arch-bishop whereof is Primate of _Hungary_, and for -Dignity, Authority and Opulency, is inferior to no Nobleman of that -Kingdom. - -Here I was entertained, not after a Courtly, but after a Military manner; -for instead of Beds, they spread abroad course shaggy Rugs of Tapestry -upon hard Boards; there were no Bed-ticks nor Sheets: Here my Family had -the first taste of _Turkish_ Delights (forsooth;) as for my self, I fared -better, for my Bed was carried along with me wheresoever I went. - -The Day after my Arrival, the _Sanziac_ of the Place (for so the _Turks_ -call a Governor, because a _Sanziac_ (_i. e._) a gilded brass Ball, is -carried before him on the top of a Spear, as a Cornet to a Troop of -Horse) was very earnest to speak with me; and tho’ I had no Letter, nor -any other Command to deliver to him, yet such was his importunity, that -go I must. And when I came, I found he had no Business with me, but only -to see and salute me, and to ask me something of my Errand; and thus, -exhorting me to promote a Peace, he wish’d me a happy Journey. In my -Passage, I admir’d to hear the croaking of Frogs in such a cold Season of -the Year as the Month of _December_; the cause was, the Waters stagnant -in those Places are made warm by sulphureous Exhalations. - -Leaving _Gran_, I went towards _Buda_; but to be sure, I took my -Breakfast before-hand, which was likely to be my Dinner also; for there -was no Place to bait at before I came to _Buda_. The _Sanziac_, or -Governor of the Place, with all his Family, together with the Horse which -he Commanded, came out of the Town with me, to bring me on my Way: I -could by no means persuade him to omit this Office of Respect. The Horse, -as soon as they came out of the Gates, began to shew me some sport, -curvetting and discharging one against another; they threw their Bonnets -on the Ground, and Galloping their Horses with full speed, by them, they -took them up by the Points of their Spears; and many such Ludicrous -Pranks did they perform. Amongst the rest of them, there was a _Tartar_, -who had thick Bushy Hair hanging down over his Shoulders; they told me, -that he always went bare Headed, and would never have any other Fence for -his Head, either against the Violence of the Weather, or the Hazard of a -Battle, but his own Hair. The _Sanziac_, after he had accompanied me as -far as he pleased, returned Home, but not before we had taken our Leaves -of one another, and he had left some Guides for my Journey, in my Retinue. - -When I drew near to _Buda_, a few _Turkish Chiaux_’s met me on the -Way, (they are in the Nature of Pursuivants, or Serjeants at Arms, to -carry about the Commands of the Grand Seignior, or his Bashaw’s, and -are Officers of great Esteem in that Nation) by them, I was brought -to lodge in the House of a Citizen, who was an _Hungarian_, where my -Baggage, Coach and Horses, was better provided for, than myself; for -the _Turks_ take special Care that Horses, with their Equipage, be well -accommodated; as for the Men, if they have but an House over their -Heads to shelter them from the Weather, they think they may shift well -enough for themselves. The Bashaw of _Buda_ sent one to visit me, and -bid me welcome, his Name was _Tuigon_, (which in _Turkish_, signifies a -Stork) by him he excused himself to me, that he could not admit me into -his Presence for some Days, because of a grievous Disease he laboured -under; but as soon as ever he recovered a little Strength, he said, he -would wait upon me. This Delay was the Occasion, that the aforementioned -Absence of _Palinai_ was less prejudicial to me, than otherwise it would -have been, (to say no more) for he used great Diligence to Post after, -lest he might come too late, and accordingly he overtook me a little -while after. - -I was detained at _Buda_ a long Time, by reason of the Sickness of the -Bashaw; ’twas thought his Disease was Grief, which he had conceived -for the Loss of a great Sum of Money, which was stolen from the Place -in which he had hid it, for he was commonly reported to be a Penurious -and Sordid-spirited Man. When he heard, that I had brought the Heer -_William Quacquelben_ with me, a great Philosopher, and an excellent -Physician too, he earnestly intreated me, that he might give him a Visit -to administer some Physick to him, in order to his Cure. I easily granted -his Request, but soon after, was almost ready to repent of my Facility: -For the Bashaw grew worse and worse, and, ’twas thought, he would not -have recovered; so that I was afraid, if he had died, the _Turks_ would -say, my Physician had kill’d him, and by that means, the good Man might -have run a great Hazard, and I myself also might have born Part of the -Infamy, as being accessary thereunto; but it pleased God to free me from -this Anxiety, by restoring the Bashaw to his Health. - -’Twas at _Buda_ I got the first Sight of the _Janizaries_, so the -_Turks_ call the Prætorian Foot; their Number, when it is fullest, is -twelve Thousand, and their Prince disperses them all over his Dominions, -either to Garrison his Forts against an Enemy, or to be a Safeguard to -_Christians_ and _Jews_, against the injurious Rage of the Multitude; for -there is no well Inhabited Village, Town, or City, wherein there are not -some or other of these _Janizarias_, to protect _Christians_, _Jews_, -and other helpless Persons, from the Fury of the Rabble. The Castle of -_Buda_ is always Garrison’d by them; their Habit is a long Garment down -to their Ankles, upon their Heads they wear the Sleeve of a Coat, or -Cloak (for from thence, as they say, the Pattern was drawn) their Head -is put into part of it, and part of it hangs down behind, flapping upon -their Shoulders; in the Front, or Fore-part of it, there ariseth a -Silver-Cone, somewhat long, gilt over with Gold, and wrought with Jewels, -but they were of an ordinary Sort. These _Janizaries_ usually came to -me by Couples; when they were admitted into my Dining-Room, they bowed -down their Heads and made Obeisance, and presently they ran hastily to -me, and touched either my Garment, or my Hand, as if they would have -kissed it; and then forced upon me a Bundle, or Nosegay of _Hyacinths_ or -_Narcissus_’s, and presently they retired backward, with equal Speed, to -the Door, that so they might not turn their Backs upon me, (for that is -accounted undecent, by the Rules of their Order) when they came to the -Door, there they stood, with a great deal of Modesty and Silence, with -their Hands upon their Breasts, and fixing their Eyes upon the Ground, -so that they seemed more like _our_ Monks, than _their_ Soldiers. But -when I had given them some Cash (which was the only Thing they aimed at) -they bowed their Heads again, and giving me Thanks with a loud Voice, -they wished me all happiness, and departed. The Truth is, unless I had -been told before, they were _Janizaries_, I should have thought them to -have been a kind of _Turkish_ Monks, or Fellows of some College or other -amongst them. Yet these are the _Janizaries_ that carry such a Terror -with them wheresoever they come. - -Some _Turks_ supp’d with me often at _Buda_, and were mightily taken -with the delicious sweetness of my Wine: It is a Liquor that they have -but little of in _Turkey_, and therefore, they more greedily desire -it, and drink it more profusely, when once they come where it is. They -continued Carousing till late at Night, but afterwards I grew weary of -the Sport, and therefore rose from Table, and went to my Chamber; but -as for Them, they went away sad, because they had not their full Swing -at the Goblet, but were able to stand upon their Feet. As soon as I was -gone, they sent a Youth after me, desiring me to let them have their -Fill of Wine, and that I would lend them my Silver Cups to drink it -in; for they were willing, by my Leave, to sit at it all Night in some -Corner or other of the House. I granted their Request, and ordered so -much Wine to be given them, as they desired, with Bowls to drink it in. -Being thus accommodated, they tippled it out so long, till they were even -Dead-drunk, and tumbling down, lay fast asleep upon the Ground. You must -know, that it is a great Crime in _Turkey_ to drink Wine, especially for -those who are well stricken in Years; as for the Younger Sort, they think -the Offence to be more Venial, and therefore more excusable in them. But -seeing they expect no less Punishment, after Death, for drinking a little -Wine, than if they drank ever so much, when once they have tasted of that -Liquor, they go on to drink more and more; for having once incurr’d the -Penalty of their Law, now, they think, they may Sin _gratis_, and account -Drunkenness as a Matter of Gain. This Opinion, and others more absurd -than This, do the _Turks_ hold concerning Wine, of which, I will give -you a remarkable Instance: I saw an Old Man at _Constantinople_, who, -after he had taken a Cup of Wine in his Hand to Drink, us’d first to make -a hideous Noise; I asked his Friends, Why he did so? They answered me, -that, by this Outcry, he did, as it were, warn his Soul to retire into -some secret Corner of his Body, or else, wholly to Emigrate, and pass out -of it, that she might not be guilty of that Sin which he was about to -commit, nor be defiled with the Wine that he was to guzzle down. - -But to return to _Buda_. - -’Twould be too tedious for me to give you a large Description of this -Place, and it were a Task fitter for one that writes a Book, than a -Letter; yet not to be wholly silent, _Buda_ lies in a pleasant Place, and -in a very fruitful Country, it is extended all along the Brow of an Hill, -so that on one Side it borders on a rising Ground, abounding with choice -Vineyards, and on the other Side, it is water’d by the River _Danow_, -running by it, and beyond the _Danow_, there is the Town of _Pest_, and a -large Campain adjoining, both which Prospects are in View of _Buda_, so -that this Place seems naturally designed for the Metropolis of _Hungary_. -It was antiently adorned with many stately Palaces, belonging to the -Nobles of _Hungary_; but those goodly Piles are now either quite fallen -to the Ground, or else have many Props to support them from tumbling -down; they are Inhabited mostly by the _Turkish_ Soldiers, whose daily -Pay being but enough to support them, they have no over-plus to lay out -in Tyling, or Repairing, such large Structures; and therefore they do not -much regard, whether it Rains through the Roof, or whether the Walls be -full of Clefts, provided they have a dry Place to set their Horses, and -their own Beds in; the upper Part they think concerns them not, so that -they make a great Part of the upper Stories to be Inhabited by Weazels -and Mice. - -Besides, ’tis a Piece of Religion in _Turkey_, not to covet magnificent -Buildings; for (say they) ’tis a Sign of a Proud, Lofty, and aspiring -Mind, to covet Sumptuous Houses, as if so frail a Creature as Man, did -promise a kind of Immortality, and an everlasting Habitation to himself -in this Life; when alas! we are but Pilgrims here, and therefore, ought -to use our Dwellings, as Travellers do their Inns, wherein if they -are secured from Thieves, Cold, Heat, and Rain, they seek not for any -other Conveniences. So that all over _Turkey_ you will hardly find a -stately House, tho’ the Owner of it be never so Great, or Rich a Man; -the Commonalty of them live in Huts and Cottages; the Nobles are for -handsome Orchards, Gardens and Baths; but as for their Houses, tho’ the -numerousness of their Families require large Ones, yet they have no -handsome Gate-houses, or Porches belonging to them; nor Court-yards, nor -any thing else Magnificent, or worthy of any Admiration. Herein they -resemble the _Hungarians_, for except _Buda_, and (perhaps) _Presburgh_, -there is scarce any City in _Hungary_, that you can call well Built. This -Custom I suppose, they derived from their Ancestors, for they being a -People given to Camp-discipline and therein trained, did not care a rush -for Building great Houses, but looked upon their Towns only as temporary -Habitations, which they were about to leave. - -Moreover, whilst I was at _Buda_, I was very much taken with the sight -of a strange kind of Fountain that is without the Gate of the Town, in -the way leading to _Constantinople_, the Water whereof at top was boiling -hot, and yet in the bottom there were Fishes playing up and down; so that -you would think, they must needs be throughly boiled, before you could -take them out. - -’Twas the 7th, of _December_, before the Bashaw was so well recovered -as to admit me to his Presence; and then, after I had sweetned him with -some Presents, I made my Complaint to him of the Insolency and Ravagings -of the _Turkish_ Soldiers; and demanded Restitution of what they had -wrongfully taken away, contrary to the express of the Truce made, -and which he himself, in his Letter to _Ferdinand_, had promised him -satisfaction for, if he pleased to send an Envoy to _Buda_. But he, like -a cunning Gamester, made as many Complaints of the Injuries and Losses -They had sustained by Our Soldiers: And as for his Promise to restore -the Places they had wrongfully seized and taken away from the Emperor; -he eluded it, by sheltring himself under this Dilemma: _Either I made a -Promise, or I did not_; if I made no Promise, then you can demand nothing -of me: If I did make a Promise, I know Sir, you are a Person of that -Understanding as not to conceive, that I can, or will perform it; for I -am sent hither by my Master to Enlarge, not to diminish the Bounds of his -Empire; so that I must by no means make his Condition worse than it was: -’tis my Master’s Business (Sir) not Mine; what you have to say on this -Head, pray propound it to him when you come to _Constantinople_. To be -short Sir, you know I am but newly Recovered, and therefore am not in a -Condition to maintain any further Discourse. When this course Compliment -was put upon me, I thought ’twas time to be gone, neither could I get any -thing else from him, only a Truce, till the Grand Seignior’s Mind was -known. - -I observed, that when I was introduced to the Bashaw, they observed the -old _Roman_ Custom of crying aloud, _Welcome, Welcome_: and so wishing an -happy Issue to my Negotiation. I observed also, that the _Turks_ count -the left Hand to be most Honourable in some particular Cases; the Reason -they give is, because the Sword is worn on that side, and he that is on -the right Hand has, as it were, the Command of the Sword of him that is -at his Left, whereas his Own is free. - -Matters being thus composed at _Buda_, as well as we could, my Companion -_Paliani_ returned to the Emperor; but I for my part, shipp’d my Horses, -Coaches, and all my Family on some Vessels, prepared for me on the -_Danow_, and so passed down the Stream to _Belgrade_; this was a shorter -cut, and also more secure; for my Journey by Land to _Belgrade_, would at -that Time have cost me at least twelve Days, especially, having such a -deal of heavy Baggage with me; and besides, we had been in danger to be -Robb’d by the _Heyduc_’s, so the _Hungarians_ call a sort of plundering -Thieves and Robbers; but upon the Water there was no fear at all of them; -and besides, we compassed our Journey in five Days. The Vessel in which I -was, was drawn along by a lesser Pinnace, in which there were twenty-four -Oars; the other Vessels had but two large Oars a-piece. The Mariners -rowed Night and Day without any Intermission, excepting only a few Hours -that the poor Souls borrow’d to Sleep and Eat in. In my Passage down the -River, I could not but observe the venturousness, not to say temerity of -the _Turks_, who were not afraid to Sail on in the mistiest Weather and -darkest Night, and when the Wind blew very hard too; and besides, there -were many Water-mills, with several Trunks and Boughs of Trees hanging -over the Banks, which made our Passage very Dangerous; so that some times -our Vessel, by the boisterousness of the Wind, was driven to the Bank, -and there dash’d against old stumps of Trees hanging over, so that it -was like to split; this is certain, that she lost some Planks out of -her Hulk, which made a terrible crack and noise when they were loosed -therefrom. This noise awak’d me; leaping out of my Bed, I advis’d the -Mariners to be more cautious: they lift up their Voices, and gave me no -other Answer than _Alaure_, i. e. _God will help_, and so I might go to -Bed again, if I would. - -Tho’ we speed pretty well, yet I am apt to believe, that at one Time or -other, such Dangerous Sailing will be fatal to some Passengers. In our -Passage, I saw _Tolna_, a handsome Town in _Hungary_; I cannot forbear -to mention it, because there we had very good White-wine, and, besides -the Inhabitants were very Courteous to us. Moreover, we passed in sight -of the Castle of _Walpot_, seated on an Hill, and of other Castles and -Towns besides; we saw also, where the River _Drave_, on the one side, -and the _Tibiscus_, or _Taise_, on the other, made their Influx into -the _Danow_. As for _Belgrade_ itself, it is seated at the confluence -of the _Save_ and the _Danow_; the old City is built in the extreme -Angel of the Promontory, the Building is old, it is fortified with many -Towers, and a double Wall: Two parts of it are wash’d by the _Save_, and -the _Danow_, but on that part where it is joined to the Land, it hath -a very strong Castle on high Ground, consisting of many loftly Turrets -made of square Stone; before you come into the City, there is a vast -Number of Buildings, and very large Suburbs, wherein several Nations -inhabit, _viz._ _Turks_, _Greeks_, _Jews_, _Hungarians_, _Dalmatians_, -and many others. For you must know that ordinarily over all the _Turkish_ -Dominions, the Suburbs are larger than the Towns, but take them both -together, they give the resemblance of large Cities: ’Twas at this Town, -that I first met with some ancient Coins, wherein, as you know, I take -a great delight, and my Physician aforesaid, Dr. _Quackquelben_, fitted -me to an Hair, as we say, for he was as much addicted to those Studies -as myself. I found a great many Pieces, which on one side represented a -_Roman_ Soldier, placed between a Bull and a Horse, (for ’tis known, -that the Legions of upper _Mæsia_ did anciently encamp hereabouts) -with this Inscription, _Taurunum_. This City, in the memory of our -Grandfathers, was twice violently assaulted by the _Turks_, first, -under _Almurath_; next under _Mahomet_, who took _Constantinople_; but -the _Hungarians_, under the Banner of the Cross, made such a vigorous -Defence, that the _Barbarians_ were beaten off with a great deal of -Loss. But at last, in the Year 1520. _Solomon_, in the beginning of his -Reign, came before it with a vast Army, and finding it, either by the -neglect of young King _Ludovicus_, or by the Discords of the factious -_Hungarian_ Nobles, destitute of a Garrison able to defend it, he took -that opportunity to assault it, and so easily became Master thereof. And -that Door being once opened, an _Iliad_ of Miseries broke in upon poor -_Hungary_, of which she is sadly Sensible to this Day; for this Pass -being gained, there followed the Slaughter of King _Lewis Ludovicus_, -the taking of _Buda_, the inslaving of _Transilvania_, and a flourishing -Kingdom, hereby brought under the Yoke, not without a Terror struck -into the Neighbouring Nations, least they also should partake of the -same Calamities; by which Example, Christian Princes may take warning, -never to think their Frontier Towns and Castles to be strong enough, nor -sufficiently provided against so potent an Enemy as the _Turk_. For the -Truth is, the _Ottomans_ are herein not unlike to great Rivers, whose -Swelling Waves, if they break down any part of the Bank or Jitty, that -keeps them in, spread far and near, and do abundance of Mischief; so -the _Turks_, but far more perniciously, having once broke through the -Obstacles that stopt them, make a vast spoil where-ever they come. But -to return to _Belgrade_, that I may prosecute the rest of my Journey to -_Constantinople_. - -After I had provided myself in that City of all Things necessary for a -Land Journey, I left _Semandria_, heretofore a Town or Castle, of the -despots of _Servia_, on the left side of the _Danow_; from whence we -Journied towards _Nissa_. In our way thither, the _Turks_ shewed us, -from the higher Grounds, the Mountains of _Transilvania_, with Snowey -Tops, but at a great Distance from us, and moreover, they pointed with -their Fingers, were the Ruins of _Trajans_ Bridge were: After we had past -the River called _Morava_, we came to a Town of the _Servians_, named -_Jagodna_; there I observed the Funeral Rites of that Country, which -differ very much from ours, as you may find by this Relation following. - -The dead Body was placed in a Temple, with the Face uncovered; near it -were laid Victuals, as Bread, Flesh, and a Flagon of Wine: The Wife and -Daughter of the Deceased stood by, in their best Apparel; the Daughter’s -Hat was made of Peacocks Feathers. The last Boon that the Wife bestowed -on her dead Husband, was a Purple Bonnet, such as noble Virgins us’d -to wear in that Country. Then we heard their Funeral Plaints, Mourning -and Lamentations, wherein, they asked the dead Corps, How they came to -deserve so ill at his Hands? Wherein had they been wanting in their Duty -and Observance, that he had left them in such a lonesome and disconsolate -Condition? And such like Stuff. The Priests that ministred in this -Service, were of the _Greek_ Church. In the Church-Yard, there were -erected on Poles, or long Staves, several Pictures of Stags, Hinds, and -such Kind of Creatures, cut in Wood; when I asked them the Reason of -this strange Custom, they told us, That their Husbands, or Fathers, did -thereby signify the Celerity and Diligence of their Wives or Daughters, -in managing their Houshold Affairs. Moreover, by some Sepulchres, there -hung Bushes of Hair, which Women, or Maidens, had placed in Testimony -of their Grief for the Loss of their Relations. We were also informed, -that it was the Custom of that Country, after Friends on both Sides had -accorded about the Marriage of a young Couple, for the Bridegroom to -snatch away his Bride, as it were by Force; for they do not think it -handsome, that a Maid should consent to her own Devirgination, or first -Nights Lodging with her Husband. - -At a small Distance from _Jagodna_, we met with a little River which -the Neighbouring Inhabitants called _Nissus_, and we kept it on our -right Hand almost all the Way till we came to _Nissa_; yea, and beyond -the Town, upon the Bank thereof (were there were some Remains of an old -_Roman_ Way) we saw a small Marble Pillar, yet standing, wherein there -were some _Latin_ Letters inscribed; but they were so defaced, that they -could not be read: As for the Town of _Nissa_, for that Country, it is a -decent one, and full of Inhabitants. - -’Tis Time now to acquaint you with the Entertainment we met with at our -Inns, for I believe you long to know. When I came to _Nissa_, I lodged -in a public Inn; the _Turks_ call them _Caravarsarai_, of which there -are a great many in that Country; the Form of them is thus, it is a -large Edifice, that has more of Length than Breadth; in the midst of it, -there is a kind of Yard for the placing of Carriages, Camels, Mules and -Waggons. This Yard is compassed about with a Wall about three Foot high, -which joins, and is, as it were, built in the outward Wall that incloses -the whole Building; the Top of this inner Wall is plain and level, and -is about four Foot broad. Here the _Turks_ lodge, here they sup, and -here is all the Kitchen which they have (for in the ambient Wall before -spoken of, there are ever and anon some Hearths built) and here are no -Partitions between Camels, Horses, with other Cattel, and Men, but the -Space of that inner Wall; and yet at the Foot of that Wall, they so tye -their Horses, that their Heads and Necks are above it, or at least may -lean over it; and thus, when their Masters are warming themselves at the -Fire, or else are at Supper, they stand near them as Servants us’d to do; -and sometimes they will take a Piece of Bread or Apple, or whatsoever -else is offered them, out of their Masters Hand. Upon the same Wall, the -_Turks_ make their Beds, after this Manner, first of all they spread a -broad Piece of Tapestry, which is fitted as a Saddle-cloth by Day, for -their Horses; upon that they put their Cloaks, their Saddles serve for a -Pillow, and with the long Vests they wear at Day, they cover themselves -at Night. And thus they take their rest, never provoking Sleep by any -other Allurement. There is nothing done in secret, there all is open, -and every Body may see what another does, unless the Darkness of the -Night hinder him. For my Part, I greatly abhored this Sort of Lodging, -because the Eyes of all the _Turks_ were continually upon us, staring and -wondering at our Carriage, according to the Customs of our Country. And -therefore, I always endeavoured to lodge at the mean House of some poor -Christian! but alas! their Cottages were so small, that many Times I had -not room enough in them for placing my Bed; so that sometimes I slept in -my Tent, sometimes in my Coach, and sometimes again I turned into the -_Turkish_ Hospitals; which, to give them their due, are very convenient, -and not unhandsomely built, for they have several distinct Apartments -for Lodgings in them. There is no Man forbid the Use of them, either -_Christian_ or _Jew_, Rich or Poor, they are open equally to all. Even -the _Bashaw_’s and _Sanziacs_, when they travel, make use of them. In -these I thought myself lodg’d as well as in the Palace of a Prince. - -The Custom of these Inns, like Hospitals, is this: They allow Victuals to -every particular Man, that comes in as a Guest: So that when Supper-time -came, there was a Servant that brought in a great wooden Dish almost as -big as a Table; in the middle of it was a Platter full of Barley boiled -to a Jelley, with a little Piece of Flesh, and about the Platter were -some small Loaves, and here and there a Piece of an Honey-comb. When -I saw this, at first, out of Modesty, I refused it, saying, that my -Servants were preparing my own Supper for me, and therefore, advised -them to give it to the Poor: He took it amiss, and prest it upon me, and -alledging, that I should not scorn their slender Provision, that the -Bashaw’s themselves us’d to eat it; it was the Custom of their Country -so to do; they had enough left to give to the Poor, and if I would not -eat it my self, I should give it my Servants; hereupon, I was enforced -to take it, that I might not be counted uncivil by them; and after I -had tasted a little of it, I gave him Thanks. The Relish of it pleased -me well, for that kind of Gruel, as it is commended by _Galen_, so it -is very wholesome, and not unpleasing to the Taste. Travellers may be -entertained with that kind of Diet for three Days; but when that Time is -expired, they must pack up and be gone. Here (as I told you) I was well -entertained; but I met not always with such good Quarters. Sometimes, -when I could not light upon an House, I lodged in a Stable; my People -enquired after a large and capacious one, in one part whereof was an -Hearth and a Chimney, and the other part was design’d for the Herds of -Cattle; for that is the Make of the _Turkish_ Stables, that the Herd and -the Herdsman lodge under the same Roof. I divided that part where the -Fire was from the rest, by the sides of my Tent, and then I put my Table -and my Bed by the Fire-side, and liv’d like an Emperor: As for my Family, -they wallowed in a great deal of clean Straw, in the other part of the -Stable: But some of them fell a Sleep by the Fire-side in the adjoining -Orchard or Meadow where a Supper was preparing; the heat of the Fire was -their guard against the coldness of the Night, and they had as great a -care not to let it go out, as the _Vestal Virgins_ had of old at _Rome_. - -I suppose, you will ask me, how my Family relieved themselves against the -inconvenience of their bad Lodging; especially seeing they could have -little Wine in the middle of _Turkey_, which might have been some Remedy -for their ill Lodging at Night. For the truth is, there is little Wine to -be had in several of their Villages, especially, if no _Christians_ dwell -among them: For I must tell you, that the _Christians_ being wearied -out with the Pride and Insolency of the _Turks_, do many times withdraw -themselves from the common Road into desert Places; which tho’ they are -less fruitful, yet are more secure; and so leave their better Possessions -to the domineering _Turks_. And whenever we drew near to any such Places, -where there was no Wine, the _Turks_ would very fairly tell us of it -before-hand; so that I sent my Steward the Day before, with a _Turk_ to -guide him, to procure some from the next Villages of the _Christians_. -And by this means it was, that the Distresses of my Family were something -alleviated; ’tis true, I could not get any soft Feather-beds or Pillows -for them, or other Blandishments for Sleep; the Wine was instead of all: -As for myself, I had some Flagons of choice Wine in my Chariot, so that I -wanted none; thus I and my Family were provided for, as to Wine. - -But, there was one Inconvenience, which troubled us more than the -Scarcity of Wine, and that was, our Sleep was miserably interrupted; for -we being to rise betimes in the Morning, and sometimes before Day, that -we might come the sooner to our Inns at Night; our _Turkish_ Guides being -deceived by the Light of the Moon, would sometimes call us up at, or -about Midnight, with a great deal of Noise and Clamour. For the _Turks_ -have no Clocks to distinguish Hours, nor Miles to shew the Distance -of Places: Only they have a sort of Ecclesiasticks, which they call -_Talismans_; this sort of People use a kind of Admeasurement by Water, -and when they perceive thereby, that ’tis Morning, then they cry aloud -from an high Tower, built on purpose, exhorting them to arise and worship -God. They make the same Noise in the middle between Sun-rise and Noon, -and likewise, between Noon and Sun-set; and, last of all, when the Sun -is set, they cry out with a very shrill Voice, which hath no unpleasant -Modulation, and which is heard farther than any Body would think. Thus -the _Turks_ divide the Day into four Spaces, longer or shorter, according -to the Season of the Year: But for the Night-time, they have no certain -Rule at all. - -So our _Turkish_ Guides being deceived by the exceeding Brightness of -the Night they called us up before Sun-rising, and we started out of our -Beds in great Haste, that so they might not impute any unlucky Accident, -upon the Way, to our Slothfulness; in the Morning, we pack’d up our -Baggage, and put my Bed and Tent in our Waggons, harnessed our Horses, -and were ready for our Journey, only expected the Word of Command. But -our _Turks_, when they found their Mistake, fairly went into their Nests -again, and after we had waited for them a great while, I sent to them, to -tell them, we were all ready; and now the Delay was on _their_ Side, my -Messengers brought me Word, from them, that the Moon-light had deceived -them, and therefore, they were gone to sleep again, for it would be a -great while before it would be Time to go; and they persuaded us to try -to sleep again too. And thus, we must either unpack all our Things again, -to our no small Trouble, or else, we must endure a great Part of the -Coldness of the Night in the open Air. - -To prevent this Inconvenience for the future, I charged the _Turks_ -not to be so troublesome any more, as to rouze me out of my Sleep, for -if they would but tell me over Night, at what Time they would rise in -the Morning, I would be sure to be ready at the Time appointed; for -I had Watches by me, that I intended to make Use of, which would not -fail to acquaint me with the precise Hour of the Morning; and if they -over-slept themselves, they should lay it to my Charge, so that they -need not scruple to trust me with the Hour of their rising. They seemed -to be somewhat satisfied herewith, and yet did not lay aside all their -Solicitude neither; for in the Morning betimes, they awakened my _Valet -de Chambre_, desiring him to go to me, and to see how the Index of my -Watches did pointed; he so, and returned Answer to them, as well as he -could, That ’twas very near Sun-rising, according as he found it. When -they had thus tried him once or twice, and found that he hit the Time -right, they trusted me for the future, and admired the Structure of our -Watches, that could so faithfully declare the Time; so that ever after, -we slept out our Sleep, without any Disturbances from them. - -From _Nissa_ we came to _S. Sophia_; the Journey thither, and the -Weather, for that Time of the Year, was very tolerable. _Sophia_ is a -Town big enough, and well inhabited both by Citizens and Strangers: It -was heretofore the Royal Seat of the King of _Bulgaria_; and afterwards, -if I mistake not, of the _Despots_ of _Servia_, whilst that House stood, -before it was overthrown by the _Turkish_ Arms. - -Afterwards, we continued our Journey, for many Days, through the -pleasant, and not unfruitful, Valley of _Bulgaria_; all the Time we were -in that Country, we had little other Bread, but only Cakes bak’d under -Ashes upon the Hearth, which they call _Togatch_. The Women and Maids -sell them, for they have no Bakers in those Parts; and when they perceive -any Guests a-coming, that are likely to pay for what they have, presently -they knead a little Dough, with Water, without any Leaven, and lay it -upon Tiles, under the Ashes, and so bring it out piping hot, and sell -them for a very small Matter; other Victuals is also very cheap there, a -good Weather-sheep may be bought for thirty-five Aspers; a Chicken and -a Hen for an Asper, a sort of Coin with them, of which fifty make but a -Crown. - -I must not omit to acquaint you with the Habit of these _Bulgarian_ -Women. They commonly wear nothing but a Smock or Shift, made of no finer -Linnen-thread, than that we make Sacks of. And yet, these course Garments -are wrought by them, with several sorts of strip’d Needle-work, after a -homely Fashion: With this lose party-coloured Habit they mightily pleased -themselves, so that when they saw our Shifts, made of the finest Linnen, -yet they wondered at our Modesty, that we could be contented to wear them -without various Works of divers Colours wrought in them. - -But that which I most of all admired in them, was the Tower, which they -wore on their Heads, for such was the Form of their Hats. They were made -of Straw, braided with Webs over them. The Figure of them differs from -the Hats Women wear in our Country, for ours hang down on the Shoulders, -and the lowest Part of it is the broadest, and so it rises as it were -into a Pyramid at top; but theirs is narrowest below, and so rises up -like a top, almost nine Inches above the Head; but that Part of it that -looks upwards, towards the Sky, is both very capacious, and also very -open, so that it seems made to take in Rain, as ours are to shelter us -against them; but in that Space, interjacent between their upper and -lower Part, their hang Pieces of Coin, little Pictures or Images, small -Parcels of painted Glass, or whatever is resplendent, though never so -mean, which are accounted very ornamental among them. - -Those kind of Hats makes them look taller, and also more Matron-like, -though they are easily blown off their Heads, by a blast of Wind, or by -any light Motion they fall off themselves. - -When they appeared to us in this Dress, I thought they resembled -_Clytemnestra_, or some _Hecuba_ or other, in the flourishing Time of -_Troy_, coming upon the Stage. This Sight suggested to me some pious -Meditations, _viz._ How frail and mutable a Thing that which is called -_Nobleness of Birth_, _is_; for when I asked of some of these Lasses, -they that seemed to be the handsomest among them, concerning their Stock -and Lineage, they told me, They were descended from the Chief Nobles of -that Country; and some of them were of a Royal Progeny, though now it -was their Fate, to marry Herdsmen or Shepherds: For Nobility is very -little esteemed in the _Turkish_ Dominions. For, I my self did afterwards -see at _Constantinople_, and other Places, some Descendants from the -Imperial Families of the _Catacuzeni_, and the _Palæologi_, living more -contemptuously among the _Turks_, than ever _Dionysius_ did of old at -_Corinth_; nay, the _Turks_ esteem no Men for their Birth, but only for -their own perform’d Accomplishments, excepting only the _Ottoman Family_; -for that they have a high Veneration, upon Account of its Original. - -It is thought that these _Bulgarians_ had their Original from _Seythia_, -near the River _Volga_, and that they changed their Habitations and -came into these Parts, when other Nations, either compelled by Force, -or prompted by Choice, changed theirs; and that they were called -_Bulgarians_, i. e. _Volgarians_, from the River _Volga_, aforesaid. -Upon this Transmigration, they fix’d their Habitation upon those Parts -of Mount _Hæmus_, that lie between _Sophia_ and _Philippopolis_, which -are Places naturally strong; where they, for a long Time, baffled all the -Power of the _Grecian_ Emperors, and killed _Baldwin_ the Elder, Earl of -_Flanders_, then Emperor of _Constantinople_, after they had taken him -in an hot Skirmish. Yet, for all this, they were not able to resist the -Power of the _Turks_, but were overcome and miserably enslaved by them. -They use the _Illyrian_, or _Slavonian_ Tongue, as the _Servians_ and -_Rascians_ also do. - -Before a Man descends into that Plain that lies over against -_Philippopolis_, he must go through a Forest and a craggy Mountain, -which the _Turks_ call _Carpi Dervent_, i. e. _The Gate of the strait or -narrow Passage_; but in the Plain before-mentioned, we met with the River -_Hebrus_, having its Original from the adjoining Mountain _Rhodope_. -Before we could pass the said Straits, we saw the Top of Mount _Rhodope_ -all cover’d over with deep Snow. The Inhabitants, as I remember, call it -_Rulla_. From hence flows the River _Hebrus_, as _Pliny_ says, and _Ovid_ -also affirms the same in this Distick. - - _Qua patet umbrosum Rhodope glacialis ad Hœmum,_ - _Et sacer amissas exigit Hebrus aquas._ - - _Where Icy ~Rhodope~ ope’s to shady ~Hœme~,_ - _And sacred ~Hebrus~ wants part of her Stream._ - -In which Verses, the Poet seems to intimate the Shallowness of that -River for want of Water. For though it is a great and famous River, -yet, in most Places it is fordable: For, I remember, in my return from -_Constantinople_, we forded over it near _Philippopolis_, to an Island on -the other Side, where we lay in Tents all Night; but it happened, that -the Waters swelled that Night by reason of Rain, that next Morning we -could not repass the River, to come into the Road, without a great deal -of Trouble. - -The City of _Philippopolis_ is situate on one of the three little Hills, -disjoyned, and, as it were, rent from the rest of the Mountains, and is, -as the Grace of those little Hillocks. While we were at _Philippopolis_, -we saw Rice growing like Wheat, in the watry and marshy Grounds. The -whole Plain, about the Town, is full of little round Hills of Earth, -which the _Turks_ say, were raised on Purpose, as Monuments of the -frequent Battles fought in those Fields, and the Graves such as were -slain there. From hence, leaving the River _Hebrus_ something on the -Right, and Mount _Hæmus_, which runs forth into _Pontus_, on the left, at -last we passed over the _Hebrus_ on a famous Bridge, made by _Mustapha_, -and so came to _Hadrianople_, which the _Turks_ call _Endrene_. - -This City was formerly called _Orestia_, before the Emperor _Hadrian_ -inlarged it, and called it by his own Name. It is seated at the -confluence of the River _Mariza_ or _Hebrus_, and the two small Currents -of _Thinsa_ and _Harda_, which there meeting in a joint Stream run into -the _Egean Sea_. This City is not very large within the Walls; but, if -you take in the Suburbs, and the Buildings which the _Turks_ have added -without, it is very capacious. - -We staid but one Day at _Hadrianople_, and then went forward on the -last Stage of our Journey towards _Constantinople_. In my Way thither -there grew abundance of _Narcissus’s Hyacinth’s_, and (as the _Turks_ -call them) _Tulips_, which we beheld, not without Admiration, that -in the midst of Winter, which is not favourable to such Flowers in -other Countries, the Ground should be so garnished by them. As for -_Narcissus’s_, and _Hyacinths_, all _Greece_ abound with them; and -they are so odoriferous, that, by reason of their Multitude, they -are offensive to those Heads that are unaccustomed to such Kind of -Smells. But the _Tulip_, hath little or no Smell, but its gaudiness and -party-colouredness is its greatest Commendation. The _Turks_ are great -Admirers of Flowers, so that, though they are Parsimonious enough in -other Cases, yet for a stately Flower, they will not scruple to give -some _Aspers_. And the Truth is, these kind of Flowers, though they were -presented to me as a Gift, yet they cost me a great deal of Money; for -some _Aspers_ were always expelled in requital. Neither is there any -other way of treating with a _Turk_, but by opening the Purse-strings, -as soon as any _Christian_ comes among them; neither must he think to -shut them again, till he go out of their Country: While he is there, -he must scatter his Coin, and if he get no other Advantage by it, yet -it makes them more tractable. For the _Turks_ are so ill-natured, and -such under-valuers of all Nations but their own, that without this -Open-handedness, there were no more living among them, for Strangers, -than in the most desolate and uninhabited Places, by reason of the -excessiveness either of Cold or Heat; but with the Bait of Liberality, -you may catch a _Turk_ at any Time. - -About the mid-way between _Hadrianople_ and _Constantinople_, there is -a little Town, called _Chiurli_, memorable for the _Overthrow_ which -_Selimus_ received in a Battle against his Father _Bajazet_, out of which -he escaped by the Swiftness of his Horse, called _Carabonluch_, i. e. a -_Black Cloud_, and so fled to the _Cham_, or the _Precopeian Tartar_, who -was his Father-in-Law. - -Before we came to _Selimbria_, which is a Town standing on the Sea-side -in our Way, we saw the Ruins of an old Wall and Ditch, which were made -by the later Emperors of _Greece_, which reached from that Sea to the -_Danow_, to secure all that was contained within that Fortification to -the _Constantinopolitans_, against the Incursions of the _Barbarians_; -and there goes a Story, that when that Wall was a Building, a certain old -Man delivered his Opinion to his Wife, _viz._ That that Wall would not -so much secure what was within it, from the Hands of the Infidels, as it -would expose and subject it to their Rage and Fury, in regard it would -add Courage to the _Barbarians_ to assault it, and weaken the Courage of -the _Grecians_ to defend it. - -At _Selimbria_ we had a most pleasant Prospect of a calm Sea; and ’twas -very pleasant to us to behold the smooth Water, and to gather Cockles on -the Shore; yea, to behold Sholes of _Dolphins_ sporting in the Water, -which, with the Warmness of the Air, was exceeding delightful. It can -hardly be imagined, how mild the Weather was in those Parts, though -sometimes it be a little more boisterous at _Chiurli_; but here there is, -as I may call it, a _Thracian Gale_, and an incredible Sweetness of Air. - -When we came near to _Constantinople_, we passed over two pleasant Arms -of the Sea, upon a Bridge built over them. I may safely say, That if -those Places were cultivated by Art, as they are naturally pleasant, the -Sun never shone on a better Country; but, alas! they seem to mourn for -the Neglect put upon them by the insulting _Barbarian_. Here we had our -Fill of choice Sea-fishes, which were even taken in our Sight. - -When I lodged in those Inns the _Turks_ call _Imaret_, I usually -observed, that the Cracks of the Walls were all full of Pieces of Paper; -and thinking something was the Matter, but not knowing what, I took out -some of them, and finding nothing writ therein of any Consequence, I -was more earnest to know of the _Turks_ the Reason of their so doing; -especially as I had observed the same Thing in other Places of _Turkey_ -before. At first they scrupled to tell me, as thinking perhaps that I -would not believe them; or else, not being willing to impart so great -a Mystery of Things to such an Alien as myself. This made me the more -inquisitive, till at last some of them, with whom I became more familiar, -told me, That the _Turks_ gave a great deal of Difference to Paper, -because the Name of God may be written in it: And, therefore, they will -not suffer the least Bit of Paper to lie upon the Ground, but presently -they take it up, and thrust it into some Chink or Hole or other, that -so it may not be trampled under Foot; and hitherto, perhaps, their -Superstition may be tollerable, but mark what follows. - -In the Day of Judgment, say they, when _Mahomet_ shall call up his -Followers from their _Purgatory_, (to which they were condemned for their -Sins) to Heaven, to be there made Partakers of Eternal Blessedness; there -will no Way be left for them to come to their Prophet, but over an huge -red-hot Iron Grate, which they must run over bare-foot, (how painfully, -you may guess, when you imagine a Cock to skip thro’ hot-burning Coals.) -But at that Instant, (believe it if you can!) all those Bundles of -Papers, which they have preserved from being trod upon, will immediately -appear, and put themselves under their Feet; by which Means they will -pass the red-hot Iron-Grate with less Damage; so necessary do they count -the Work of saving a little Paper. And, to add to the Story, I remember -that my _Turkish_ Guides were once very angry with my Servants, for -making use of Paper to cleanse their _Posteriors_, and thereupon made a -grievous Complaint to me of their horrid Offence therein: I had no Way -to put them off, but by telling them, ’twas no Wonder my Servants did -such strange Things, seeing they also used to eat Swines Flesh, which -the _Turks_ abhor. Thus I have given you a Taste of the _Turkish_ -Superstition; I shall add, That they account it a damnable Sin, if -any of their own People chance (though unwillingly) to sit upon the -_Alcoran_, (which is a Book containing the Rites of their Religion) and, -if a _Christian_ do it, ’tis Death by their Law. Moreover, they will not -suffer _Rose-Leaves_ to lie upon the Ground, because, as the Ancients did -fable, the Roses spring out of the Blood of _Venus_; so the _Turks_ hold, -That it had its Rise from the Sweat of _Mahomet_. - -I came to _Constantinople_ on the 20th Day of _January_, and there found -my Collegues above-mentioned, _Anthony Wrantzius_ and _Francis Zay_; -as for the _Grand Seignior_ himself, he was, at that Time, at the Head -of his Army in _Asia_, and had only left at _Constantinople_, _Ebrahim -Bashaw_, an Eunuch, as Governor of the City, and _Rustan_, but deprived -of his Vizier-ship; however I gave him a Visit and made him Presents, as -being mindful of his former Dignity, and of the fair Prospect there was -of his speedy Restitution thereunto. - -It may, perhaps, divert you, and besides it is not wholly foreign to -my Design, to acquaint you how this _Rustan_ came to be strip’d of -all his former Honours. Know then, That _Solyman_ had a Son, called -_Mustapha_, on a Concubine of his, born by the _Bosphorus_, (if I -mistake not.) This Youth was in the prime of his Age, and in great -Favour among the Soldiers. But the same _Solyman_ had several other -Children by _Roxolana_, whom he doated on so much, that he made her -his Wife, by appointing her a Dowry; for that’s the Way of making and -confirming a Marriage among the _Turks_. This _Solyman_ did, contrary to -the Custom of former Emperors, none of which had ever married a Wife, -since the Days of _Bajazet_ the Elder; the Reason was, because the said -_Bajazet_, being overthrown by _Tamerlane_, was, with his Wife, taken -Prisoner by him, where he suffered many Indignities, but none affected -him more, than the Uncivilities and Reproaches which he saw offered to -his _Sultaness_, before his Face. The Memory of which Affronts made such -a deep Impression on all those that succeeded _Bajazet_ in the Empire, -that, to this very Day, none of them will marry a Wife, that so, whatever -Chance should happen, they might never fall into the like Indignity; so -that, ever since, they beget Children on Women of a servile Condition, -in whose Misfortunes they may be less concerned, than if they were their -lawful Wives. And yet the Children begot on such Concubines, are as much -esteemed by the _Turks_, as if they were born in lawful Wedlock, and they -have as much right to their Fathers Estates. - -So then, _Mustapha_, being of a promising Ingenuity, and in the Flower -of his Age; and besides, being the Darling of the Soldiers, and the -common People too, having so many favourable Circumstances attending him, -he, after his Father’s Death, was by the Votes of all designed for his -Successor in the Empire. - -On the other Side, his Stepmother, _Roxalana_, with Might and -Main, laboured to prevent it, and to secure the Empire for the -Children begotten on her own Body, and thereupon presuming on her -Marriage-Relation, she ceased not to disparage _Mustapha_, and to prefer -a younger Son of her own before him. In this Design _Rustan_ was both -her Counsellor, and Assistant; they drew both in one Yoke, for _Rustan_ -having married a Daughter of _Solyman_’s, by _Roxalana_, their Interests -thereupon were reciprocal. - -This _Rustan_ was the Chief of the Bashaw’s, and _Solyman_’s Prime -Vizier, having the chief Power and Authority with him: He was a Man -of a sharp and very capacious Wit, and a great Grace to _Solyman_’s -Government. As for his Original, he was the Son but of a Shepherd, and -yet he seemed worthy of that Dignity to which he was advanced, if his -sordid Avarice had not been a Blot in his Escutcheon. And to speak truly, -_Solyman_ himself observed this Vice in him, though upon all other -Accounts, he was his choice and only Favourite: And yet this Crime of his -turned to his Master’s Advantage; for being appointed by _Solyman_ to -preside over his Treasury, or Exchequer, which sometimes was very low, he -was so thrifty in the Management of that Office, that he did not spare to -raise Money, even by the meanest and most contemptible Ways. For he laid -a Tax on Herbs, Roses, and Violets, which grew in great Men’s Gardens; he -caused the Armour, Coats of Mail, Warrior’s Horses, of such as were taken -Prisoners in War, to be sold, and by such Ways as those he got together -such a Mass of Money, that _Solyman_ was very secure on that Part; upon -this Occasion, I remember, that a great Man among the _Turks_, who are -usually vindictive enough, that was a great Enemy to _Rustan_, yet (to -my Surprize) told me, That he would do _Rustan_ no hurt, tho’ it were -never so much in his Power, because his Care and Industry had advanced -his Master’s Treasury to so prodigious a Sum. There is a Chamber in the -_Seraglio_, at _Constantinople_, over which there is this Inscription, -_Here is the Cash obtained by the Diligence of ~Rustan~_. - -When _Rustan_ was Grand Vizier, and had the intire Administration of -all Things in his Hands, he was able to turn his Master’s Mind, as he -pleased, so that ’twas commonly reported among the _Turks_, That partly -by the Accusation of _Rustan_, and partly by the Witchcraft of his Wife -_Roxolana_, (for she was accounted little better than a Sorceress) -_Solyman_ was so alienated from his Son _Mustapha_, that he took Counsel -to put him to Death. As to what some alledge, that _Mustapha_ being -sensible of the Designs of _Rustan_ and his Step-Mother _Roxolana_, -against his Life, did labour to preserve them, by taking off his Father, -and so seizing the Empire by force; very few do believe that Story, but -look upon it as a Fiction. - -On this Occasion, let me tell you, that the Sons of the _Turkish_ -Emperors are the miserablest Creatures in the World; for if any one of -them succeed his father in the Empire, the rest are inevitably put to -Death by him. For the _Turks_ cannot endure any Corrival in Government; -and besides they are egged on to this severity by their _Prætorian_ -Bands, (_Janizaries_ and _Spahies_) who, as long as there is any one of -the _Grand Seigniors_ Brothers alive, never cease craving of Largesses -and Boons, and if the present Emperor refuses to grant them, they -presently cry out, _God save your Brother, God send your Brother a long -Life_; by which Words, they more than intimate their Wishes, that he were -on the Throne. So that the _Turkish_ Emperors are in a manner compelled -to put their Brethren to Death, and so begin their Reign with Blood. But -_Mustapha_ was afraid of such a fatal end; or else _Roxolana_ was willing -to translate the said Destiny from her own Children upon _Mustapha_: Upon -one or other of these Grounds, it was, that _Solymon_ entertain’d the -thought of putting his Son _Mustapha_ to Death. And the occasion fell out -opportunely, for he had War at that Time, with _Sagthama_ King of the -_Persians_, thither _Rustan_ was sent with a vast Army. When he drew near -to the Borders of _Persia_, upon a sudden he made a stop, and wrote back -fearful Missives to _Solyman_, telling him, _That the whole Empire was in -great hazard, there was nothing but Treason studied in the Army, they all -cry’d out ~A Mustapha! A Mustapha!~ yea, the Disease was grown to such a -height, that ’twas past his skill to cure it; and therefore the Emperor -himself must come immediately, if he would have the Crown sit safe on his -Head._ - -_Solyman_ was mightily disturb’d at the News, and therefore posted away -for the Army, and sends Letters to _Mustapha_ to come to him, to purge -himself from those Crimes, whereof he was formerly suspected, but now -openly accused; if he could do it, he told him, he need not fear to -approach his Presence. Upon the Receipt of this Letter, _Mustapha_ was in -a great Streight, if he should go to his Father, in such an angry Mood, -he ran upon his Death; if he refused, that would be interpreted, as a -plain Confession of the objected Crimes. Under this Dilemma, he resolved -upon that course, which as it had more of Resolution in it, so it was -fullest of Danger. Away goes he from _Amasia_, of which he was Governor, -to his Father’s Camp, which was pitch’d not far from the place. This he -did either out of confidence of his own Innocency, or else presuming on -the Assistance of the Army, if any Severity were meditated against him; -whatever was the Motive of his Journey, this is certain, that he run -unavoidably upon his own Destruction; For _Solyman_ ever since he was at -_Constantinople_, had resolved to put his Son to Death; and to make the -Matter more plausable, he consulted the _Mufty_, (so the _Turks_ call the -chief of their Priests, as _Romanists_ call theirs the Pope,) and that -he might not speak to him in favour of _Mustapha_, he propounded to him -a feign’d Case, thus, ‘There was a Wealthy Merchant at _Constantinople_, -who having occasion to Travel a long Journey from Home, left the care -of his Family, his Wife and Children, and all his Affairs to a Slave -of his, in whose Fidelity he put a great deal of Confidence; now this -Slave, immediately after his departure, designed to destroy his Masters -Wife and Children, committed to his Care, and Embezil his Estate, and -to work against his Masters own Life, in case he should ever get him -into his Power; What may be Lawfully done, said he, to the _Mufty_, with -such a Slave.’ _He deserves_ says the _Mufty_ _to be Rack’d to Death._ -Whether he spoke really as he thought, or whither he did not do it to -curry favour with _Rustan_ and _Roxolana_; This is certain, that the -Resolution of the _Grand Seignior_ was greatly confirmed thereby to put -his Son to Death, for he was of Opinion, _Mustapha_’s Offence against -him, was as great, as that supposed Slaves against his Master. However it -were, _Mustapha_ came into his Fathers Camp, the whole Army being very -sollicitous about the event of their Congress. - -Soon after he was brought into his Fathers Tent, where all things were -hush; not a Soldier of the Guards to be seen, no Serjeant, no Executioner -in view, nor nothing of Treachery that was visible; but when he was come -into an inner Tent, Lo! upon a sudden, there started up four Mutes, -strong and lusty Fellows to be his Executioners; they set upon him with -all their strength and might, and endeavoured to cast a Cord about his -Neck; he defended himself stoutly for a while, (for he was a Robust young -Man,) as if he had contended not only for Life, but for the Empire. For -without Question, if he had escaped that danger, and had come in among -the _Janizaries_, they either out of Affection to him, whom they dearly -Loved; or else moved with the Indignity of the Thing, would not only -have saved his Life, but have gone near to have Proclaimed him Emperor: -And that was the very thing, which _Solyman_ fear’d of all things in -the World; and therefore perceiving, as he stood behind a Linnen Vail -in the Tent to behold the Tragedy, that unexpected stop was put to his -Bloody Design; he peep’d out his Head, and gave the Mutes such a sour -and minacious Look, in reproach of their remisness; thereupon they -assaulted him with renew’d Force, and then threw poor _Mustapha_ down on -the Ground, and Strangled him; and after they had done, they carried his -Corps out of the Tent, and laid it on a piece of Tapestry, that so the -_Janizaries_ might behold their design’d Emperor. - -As soon as the Matter was divulged, Commiseration and Grief seized on the -whole Camp, and there was scarce a Man of any Consideration in the whole -Army, that did not approach to behold so sad a Spectacle, especially the -_Janizaries_, whose Confirmation and Rage was such, that they would have -ventured to attempt any Manner of Mischief whatsoever, if they had had -a Leader. As for him whom they hoped to be their Conductor, he lay dead -on the Ground, and therefore now there was no Way but one, to take that -patiently which was past all Remedy. - -Thus they silently departed with blubber’d Eyes, and sad Hearts, to their -Tents, where they both lamented and pitied the woful Fate of unhappy -_Mustapha_, sometimes inveighing against the Madness and Rage of his old -doating Father, at other Times exclaiming at the Fraud and Cruelty of his -Step-Mother, and anon cursing the Wickedness of _Rustan_, with direful -Imprecations for extinguishing so great a Light of the _Ottoman_ Family, -so that all that Day was a Fasting-day to them, they did not sip so much -as a drop of Water; yea, some of them continued their Abstinence for many -Days after. In short, there was such a Face of Mourning over the whole -Army, which was not like to cease in many Days, that _Solyman_ in Policy, -and in a seeming Compliance with the Sentiments of his People, deprived -_Rustan_ of his Office (it being thought by his own Consent) and Banished -him, as a private Person to _Constantinople_, substituting _Achmat_ -Bashaw to the _Grand-Vizier-ship_ in his Room, a Man of more Courage than -Conduct. - -Upon this Alteration, the public Grief was somewhat abated, and the -Soldiers Rage pacified; for the Commonalty was made to believe, That -_Solyman_ at last had found out the Wickedness of _Rustan_, and the -Inchantments of his Wife; and that now he repented, though it were late, -first of his Cruelty to _Mustapha_. and thereupon had banished _Rustan_ -from his Presence, and that he would not spare his Wife neither, as soon -as he came to _Constantinople_. As for _Rustan_, he pretended great -Sorrow, and departed to _Constantinople_, without seeming to have the -least hope, ever to be restored to his former Dignity. - -But alas! _Roxolana_ was not content with the Destruction of _Mustapha_, -as long as he had an only Son, who was yet in his Minority, alive; for -she did not think her own, or her Childrens Security, to be sufficiently -provided for, as long as any of _Mustapha_’s Race were alive; but -she wanted a fair pretence to accomplish her Design, nor was it long -before she found One. She represented to _Solyman_, that as often as -his Grand-child, _Mustapha_’s Son went abroad at _Prusa_, where he was -brought up, the Youth of that City were wont to flock about him, to wish -him all Happiness, and particularly to pray, _That he might long survive -his Father_. And whither (said she) can this tend, but to prompt him -to mount the Throne, and revenge his Father’s Death? And to be sure, -the _Janizaries_ will take his Part, (added She;) and thus the Death -of _Mustapha_ alone, will add little Security to the public Peace and -Tranquility. Religion (proceeded she) is to be preferred before even the -Lives of our own Children; and seeing that of the _Musselmans_, (for -so they call their Religion, as counting it the best) stands and falls -with the _Ottoman_ Family; if that House fail, farewel Religion also. -And how can that House stand, if Domestic Discord undermine it? And -therefore Sir, if you prevent the Ruin of your House, your Empire and -your Religion, you must use all manner of means; nay, you must not stick -at Parricide itself; if homebred Disagreement and Feud may be thereby -prevented; for the safety of Religion will over-ballance the Loss, even -of a Man’s own Children. As for _Mustapha_’s Son, you have the less -Reason to spare him, because his Father’s Crime hath already infected -him, and there is do doubt, but, if he be suffered to Live, he will soon -endeavour to Head a Party, to revenge his Father’s Death. - -By these Reasons _Solyman_ was induced to yield to the Murder of his -Grandchild, and thereupon sent _Ebrahim_ Bashaw to _Prusa_, to destroy -the innocent Youth. As soon as the Bashaw came thither, he made it his -great Business to conceal his intended Design from the Child’s Mother; -for, he thought, it would be look’d upon as an inhuman Thing in him, to -cut off a Youth, with the Privity of his Mother, and, as it were, before -her Eyes. And, besides, he was afraid the People would rise in Arms upon -the Perpetration of so cruel a Fact; and therefore at first, Fox like, -he sets his Wits at work to deceive the Mother. He pretended that he was -sent by _Solyman_, out of Respect to her and her Son, to visit them; that -his Master saw his Error in putting his Son to Death, which he now, too -late repented of; but that the crueller he had been to the Father, the -more indulgent he would be to his Son; and many such colloguing Words -he used, whereby he imposed upon the too credulous Mother, who was the -rather induced to believe him, because of _Rustan_’s Disgrace and Fall; -and to crown his Flattery, he presented them with many Gifts. This past -on for a Day or two, and then some Discourse was administred concerning -their going abroad, out of the City, to enjoy the fresh Air. And the -Bashaw, being an Eunuch, persuaded her the next Day to take a Turn in -the Suburbs, she in her Coach, and himself, with her Son, would ride -afore on Horseback. The Matter seemed not to afford any Suspicion, and -therefore she consented, and a Chariot is prepared for her; but (mark -the Fraud!) the Axle-Tree of the Coach was so made, on Purpose, that it -must needs break, when it came to be jogged in any rough Way. Thus she, -in an unlucky Time, began her Journey out of the City. The Eunuch and the -Child rode a pretty Way before, as if they had Occasion for some private -Discourse, and the Mother speeded after as fast as she was able; but -when the Coach came to the designed craggy Place, the Wheel violently hit -against the Rocks, and so the Axle-Tree broke. This the Mother looked -upon as an unlucky Omen, and therefore, in a great Fright, she could not -long be restrained from leaving her Coach, and with a few of her Maids, -from following her Son on Foot. But, alas! ’twas too late; for the Eunuch -being come to the House designed for the Slaughter, without any more -ado, shewed the Child the Emperor’s Mandate for his Death. He answered, -according to the Principles of their Religion, That he looked upon that -Command as proceeding not from the Emperor, but from God, which must -necessarily be obeyed, and so he yielded his Neck to the Bow-String. - -Thus died this innocent and hopeful Youth. When the Eunuch had -perpetrated this wicked Fact, he stole out at a Back-door, and fled as -fast as he could. The Mother, soon after, beginning to smell out the -Fraud, knocks at the Door; when they thought fit they opened it, and -there she saw her Son sprawling on the Ground, his Breath being yet -hardly out of his Body. Here let me draw a Vail; for a Mother’s Affection -to a Son in such a lamentable Juncture, may be better conceived than -expressed. Upon this dismal Sight she was hurried back to _Prusa_, -where she tore her Hair, rent her Garments, filled the whole Town with -Howlings, Moans, &c. The _Prusian_ Ladies, with their Daughters and -Waiting-Maids, came in Multitudes to her, and were stark Mad to hear of -so great a Butchery; and running in that raving Manner out of the Gates, -all the Cry was, _Where’s the Eunuch? Where’s the Eunuch? Let’s have -him to tear him to pieces_: But he foreseeing what would happen, and -fearing, like another _Orpheus_, to be torn Peace-meal by those raging -Furies, had cunningly withdrawn himself. - -But to return to my Purpose. As soon as I came to _Constantinople_, -Letters were sent to _Solyman_, then at _Amasia_, to acquaint him with my -Arrival; and, till his Answer was return’d, I had Leisure to take a View -of the City of _Constantinople_; and first, I had a Mind to visit the -Temple of St. _Sophia_, which I was not admitted to do, but by special -Favour; for the _Turks_ think that their Temples are prophaned, if a -_Christian_ do but put his Foot within them. - -That Church is a magnificent Pile, and a worthy Structure to behold. It -hath a great Arch or Hemisphere in the Middle, which hath no Light but -only from the Sky: All the _Turkish Mosks_ are built after the Form of -this. Some say, that heretofore it was much larger, and contained many -Apartments, which were all destroyed by the _Turks_, and only the _Quire_ -and _Nave_, in the Middle of it, standing. - -As for the Situation of the City itself, it seemed to me, to be naturally -placed as fit to be the Mistress of the World; it stands in _Europe_, -and hath _Asia_ in view, and on its right, hath _Egypt_ and _Africa_; -which, though Countries not adjacent to it, yet by reason of frequent -Intercourse and Naval Commerce, they seem as it were, contiguous. On -its left Hand is the _Euxin Sea_, and the _Palus Mætis_, whose Banks -are inhabited round about by many Nations, and so many navigable Rivers -have their Influx into them, that there is nothing grows in any of the -Countries thereabout, fit for Man’s Use; but there is a great Conveniency -of transporting it by Sea to _Constantinople_. - -On the one Side, it is wash’d with the _Propontis_; on the other, the -River makes an Haven, which _Strabo_ calls, _The Golden Horn_, from the -Similitude it hath to an Horn; on the other Side, it is joined to the -rest of the Continent, so that it almost resembles a Peninsule; and with -the continued back of a Promontory, it runs out into the Sea and a Bay, -which is made there by the River and the Sea. So that from the middle of -_Constantinople_, there is a most pleasant Prospect into the Sea, and -even to the Mount _Olympus_, in _Asia_, which bears a snowy Head all the -Year long. The Sea there, is wonderful full of Fish, which sometimes swim -down from the _Mæotis_ and the _Euxine_, through the _Bosphorus_ and -_Propontis_, into the _Ægæan_ and _Mediterranean Seas_, and sometimes -they swim from thence into the _Euxin_, according to the Nature of the -Fish; and that in Shoals so thick and numerous, that you may catch -them with your Hands. So that here is excellent fishing for _Mackrel_, -_Tunny_, _Cod_, _Porpois_ and _Sword-Fish_. But the _Greeks_ fish more -than the _Turks_, though these latter love Fish well enough; provided, -they be of the Number of those, which they count _clean_; as for others, -they had rather eat Poison than taste them, for a _Turk_ had rather his -Tongue or his Teeth were pluck’d out of his Head, than taste of any Thing -they think to be _unclean_, as a _Frog_, a _Snail_, or a _Tortoise_. And -herein, the _Greeks_ are every jot as Superstitious as they; of which I -will give you the Instance following. - -I entertain’d in my Family, a Youth of the _Greek_ Religion; I employed -him as my Steward. The rest of my Servants could never persuade him to -eat any _Periwinkles_ or _Cockles_; but at last, they put a Trick upon -him; they caused them to be so high-season’d and disguis’d, that he, -mistaking them for another sort of Fish, fed upon them most heartily. -Whereupon, my People set up a Laughter, and threw down the Shells before -him, where by he perceiv’d himself to be cozen’d: Whereupon, ’tis -incredible to relate how much he was troubled. He went presently to his -Chamber, and there fell a Vomiting, Weeping, and Afflicting himself most -grievously, without any Intermission; insomuch, that two Months Sallary -was not sufficient to expiate this Offence; for that’s the Guise of -_Greek_ Priests, according to the kind and greatness of the Offence, they -lay a pecuniary Mulct upon those who come to _Confess_, and they never -_Absolve_ them till they pay it down to a Penny. - -In the furthest Point of that Promontory which I mentioned before, stands -the Palace, or _Seraglio_, of the _Turkish_ Emperors: To me, it did not -seem very magnificent, either for Work or Workmanship (for you must know, -that as yet, I had not made an Entrance into it.) Under the Palace, in a -low Ground, and as it were, upon the Sea-shore, are the Gardens of the -_Grand Seignior_, where the greatest Part of _Old Bysantium_ is thought -to have stood. - -I hope you do not expect to be informed by me, why the _Chalcedonians_, -who built a City over-against _Byzantium_ (the Ruins whereof are yet -to be seen) were Sirnam’d _The Blind_; nor shall I tell you the Nature -of that Sea, which always runs downward with a vast Stream, but never -recoils with any Tide; nor will I spend Time to speak of those _Hautgis_ -which were brought to _Constantinople_ from the _Palus Mæotis_, such -as the _Italians_ call _Moronella’s Botargues_ and _Caviare_; the -Description of all these Particulars would swell my Epistle to too great -a Bulk, and besides, it would be needless; for both the _Antients_, and -also _Modern_ Writers, have given Information of those Particulars at -large. - -To return then to the Site of _Constantinople_. There is no Place in the -World more pleasantly seated to the Eye, nor more convenient for Trade. -But, let me tell you, the Buildings therein (as in all other _Turkish_ -Cities) are not magnificent, nor are their Streets stately or large; -nay, in _Constantinople_, they are so narrow, that they much eclipse the -Beauty of the Place. Yet there are in it some valuable Relicks of old -Monuments to be seen; but not so many as a Man would imagine, considering -how many _Constantine_ brought thither from _Rome_. It is not my Purpose -to insist upon each of these Particulars; yet, a Word or two of the -principal ones. - -In the _Area_ of the old _Hippodrome_, there are two Serpents cut in -Brass; as also, a mighty _Obelisk_. Moreover, _Constantinople_ doth -gratifie us with the Sight of two memorable Pillars; _One_ over-against -the _Caravaserai_, where I lodged, and the _Other_ in the _Forum_, called -by the _Turks_, _Aurat-basar_, i. e. _The Womens Court_, wherein, from -Bottom to Top, is engraven the History of a certain Expedition of one -_Arcadius_, who built it, and whose Statue, for a long time, stood on -the Top of it. And yet it may rather be called a _Stair-Case_, than a -_Pillar_, because it goes winding up like a Pair of Stairs. I caused -the Shape of this Pillar to be drawn, which I have by me. But the other -Pillar, over-against the House the _German_ Ambassadors used to lodge -in, the whole Structure, besides the Basis and the Chapiter, consists -of eight solid Marble or Red _Porphyry_ Stones, so curiously joined -together, that they seem but one continued Stone. For, where the Stones -are jointed one into another, upon that Commissure, there is wrought a -circular Garland of Lawrels round about the Pillar, which hides the -jointing, so that they which look upon it from the Ground, perceive no -jointing at all. That Pillar hath been so often shaken by Earthquakes, -and so battered by Fires happening near it, that it is cleft in many -Places, and they are forced to bind it about with Iron Hoops, that it may -not fall to pieces. - -They say, That the Statue of _Apollo_ once stood upon that Pillar, and -that afterwards the Statues of _Constantine_, and of _Theodosius_ the -Elder, were erected there; but they are all thrown down, either by the -Force of the Winds, or by Earthquakes. - -The _Greeks_ tell this Story concerning the _Obelisk_, in the -_Hippodrome_, which I mentioned before, _viz._ - -That it fell from its Basis, and lay for many Ages upon the Ground; but -in the Time of the later Emperors, there was an Architect found, who -undertook to raise it up to its Place; but he demanded a vast Reward for -his Pains. After the Price was agreed on, he prepared abundance of Ropes, -Pullies, and other Instruments, and by those means, he lifted up that -vast Stone, within one Inch of the Place where it was to stand; but his -present _Apparatus_ being able to raise it no higher, the People, who in -great Numbers were his Spectators, were of Opinion, that all his former -Cost and Pains were lost, and he must begin anew to try to do the Feat -some other way, to his vast Expence and Charge. The Artist himself was -not discouraged; but being skilful in _Mechanick Philosophy_, he caused -abundance of Water to be brought up to him, which, for many Hours, he -cast upon the Ropes, to which the _Obelisk_ hung; and those Ropes, being -often wet and dry, shrunk a little, and by that means, lifted up the -Weight to its designed Station, to the great Admiration and Applause of -the Vulgar. - -At _Constantinople_ I saw several Sorts of wild Beasts, such as _Lynxes_, -_Cat-a-Mountains_, _Panthers_, _Leopards_, and _Lyons_; but they were -so gentle and tame, that I saw one of the Keepers pull a _Sheep_ out of -a _Lyon_’s Mouth, so that he only moistened his Jaws with the Blood, -without devouring it. I saw also a young _Elephant_, so wanton, that he -would dance, and play at Ball. Sure you cannot chuse but laugh, when I -tell you of an _Elephant_’s dancing and playing at Ball; but if I should -say no more, why may you not believe me as well as _Seneca_, who tells -us of one that could dance upon the Rope? Or as _Pliny_, who speaks -of another that understood _Greek_? But that you may not think me an -egregious Forger, give me leave to explain myself: When this _Elephant_ -was bid to dance, he did so caper or quaver with his whole Body, and -interchangeably move his Feet, that he seemed to represent a kind of a -Jig; and as for playing at Ball, he very prettily took up the Ball in his -Trunk, and sent it packing therewith, as we do with the Palm of the Hand. - -Among those wild Beasts, there had been a _Camelopardalis_, but she died -a little before I came to _Constantinople_; however, I caused her Bones, -which had been buried in the Earth, to be digged up, that I might inspect -the Make of this Creature. It is an Animal a great deal taller in the -Forepart than in the Hinder; and, for that Reason, it is unfit to carry -a Man, or any other Burden. It hath an Head and a Neck like a _Camel_, -but a spotted Skin like a _Leopard_, and therefore it is called by a Name -derived from both, (_i. e._) _Camelopardalis_. - -It might have been imputed as a Piece of great Neglect in me, not to -have visited the _Euxine_, especially as I had an Opportunity of sailing -thither; seeing the Ancients used to account it as great a Piece of -Curiosity to see _Pontus_, as to visit _Corinth_. Thither, therefore, I -sailed with a prosperous Gale, and had the Privilege to be admitted into -some of the Pleasure-Houses of the _Grand Seignior_. - -In the Valves of one of them, I beheld the famous Fight of _Selimus_ with -_Ishmael_ King of the _Persians_, excellently described in Checker-Work. -I had also the View of many of the Orchards and Groves of the _Turkish_ -Emperor, which were seated in most pleasant Vallies. This I may say -of them, That they ow’d little to Art, but almost all to Nature; so -that I could not chuse but entertain such _Epiphonema’s_ as these in -my Thoughts, O most pleasant Houses for Nymphs! O choise Seats for the -Muses! O Retirements fit for the Learned! To deal plainly with you (as -I told you before) they seemed to me, as it were, sensibly to bewail -their present Posture, and to cry aloud to _Christians_ for their better -Cultivation; and not they only, but much more _Constantinople_ itself, -yea, and all _Greece_ too; which being, heretofore, the most flourishing -Country in the World, is now wofully enslaved by _Barbarians_. Formerly -it was the Mother and Nurse of all good Arts and liberal Sciences, but -now, alas! it seems to call for that Culture and Humanity which once it -delivered down to us; and, by Way of Requital, claims the Redemption of -our common Religion from that _Scythian Barbarism_ under which it groans; -and call it may long enough, for (with Grief may we speak it) _Christian_ -Princes, now a-days, are otherwise employed; so that the _Turks_ do -not more domineer over the poor _Greeks_, than Vices, such as Luxury, -Gluttony, Sloth, Lust, Pride, _&c._ do over _Christians_, which so clog, -enervate, and depress our Minds, that we can hardly look Heaven-ward, or -aspire to any Thing that is truly Great and Excellent. - -Methinks, Duty and Piety should have been sufficient Motives to us to -help our afflicted Brethren; but if we had been proof against those -Incentives, so that neither brave nor praise-worthy Actions could unthaw -our frozen Courage; yet Profit and Advantage, which are now the great -Bias of the World, might have stirred us up to recover such opulent and -commodious Countries from Infidels, and to possess them ourselves: But, -on the contrary, we plow the Ocean, even as far as the _Indies_, and the -very _Antipodes_, because there we get rich Prey and Spoil at a cheap -Rate, even without Bloodshed, by imposing on the simple and uncrafty -_Indians_. ’Tis true, we pretend the Conversion of the _Heathens_, but, -if we go to the Root of the Matter, (to our Shame be it spoken) ’tis -their Gold, not their Godliness, is the Gain we seek for. Our Ancestors -carried it at quite another Rate, who did not, like trading Merchants, -seek after those Places where there was most Wealth, but where there -was greater Opportunity for noble and virtuous Atchievements; so that -it was not Profit, but Honour, which put them upon hazardous and remote -Expeditions: And when they came home, they were more laden with Glory -than with Plunder. I speak this in your Ear; for others, perhaps, may -think it a peculiar thing in me, to detract from the Manners of the -present Age. But, let them think what they will, I see that the Arrow -is drawn to the Head to destroy us; and I am afraid, that we, who would -not fight for Glory, shall be forced to do it to save our Lives. But to -return to _Pontus_. - -The _Turks_ call the _Euxine_, _Caradenis_, (i. e.) _The Black Sea_. -It falls down thro’ narrow Streights into the _Thracian Bosphorus_, -where its Waters are tossed up and down by many Vortices, Turnings, -and Windings, occasioned by several Promontories jutting out into it; -and thus, in one Day’s Passage, it descends to _Constantinople_, and -from thence, almost by the like strait Passage, it breaks out into the -_Propontis_. In the Middle of the Bay, where it makes its Influx into the -_Bosphorus_, there is a Rock with an erected Pillar, in the Basis whereof -is writ the Name of a certain _Roman_, called _Octavian_, (if my Memory -fail not) in _Latin_ Letters. - -On the _European_ Shore there is a Tower, called _Pharos_, where they -hang out Lights in the Night, to guide Sailors by. Not far from this -Place, a River falls into the Sea, in the Channel whereof there are -found Stones, little inferior to _Onyxes_ or _Sardonyxes_, and, if they -be polished, are as shining as they. A few Miles from that Bay, which I -lately spoke of, we may see those Streights over which _Darius_ wasted -his Army against the _European Scythians_: And about the Middle, between -the two Mouths of the _Bosphorus_, there are two Castles, one of which is -in _Europe_, and the other on the opposite Shore, in _Asia_. This latter -was possessed by the _Turks_ long before _Mahomet_ took _Constantinople_. -The other was built by him some few Years after he became Master of -that City. The _Turks_ make use of it, at this Day, as a Prison for the -nobler Sort of their Captives. _Lazarus_, a Commander, or Prince of -the _Epitots_ not long ago was taken Prisoner by the _Turks_, together -with some _Spaniards_ at _Castlenovo_, and committed to this Tower; -from whence making his Escape, and being retaken, he was impal’d, (_i. -e._) put to a most cruel Death, by having a Pole thrust thro’ his Body, -from his Fundament to his very Neck; yet he indured it with incredible -Patience. - -Perhaps you expect that I should here give you an Account of those -floating Islands, called _Cyaneæ_ or _Symplegades_. But, to deal freely -with you, those few Hours that I spent on the _Pontus_, I saw no such -Islands at all; whether they had been carried to any other Place, I know -not: If you desire to have a more particular Information concerning -them, you may consult _Peter Gyllius_, who was an exact Enquirer into -such Curiosities; for my Part, I shall record only what I saw, or know -to be true. Yet I think it is not fit for me to conceal a Mistake that -_Polybius_ is guilty of; for he proposes many Arguments, to prove that, -in Tract of Time, the _Euxine_ will be choaked up with Sand and other -Trash, brought in by the _Danow_, the _Borysthenes_, and other great -Rivers falling into it, that it would be made unfit for Navigation; -whereas, the contrary appeared to me; for that Sea is every jot as -navigable, at this Day, as it was of old in the Days of _Polybius_. And -though he seemed to have some Grounds for his Opinion, that to him were -irrefragable, yet Time hath shewed them to be weak. The like Observation -holds in other Cases; for, of old, who would not believe the Ancients, -who affirmed, upon seemingly imaginable Grounds, That the Torrid Zone -was inhabitable? whereas, later Discoveries have fully convinced us, -That those hot Countries are as well inhabited as any other Part of the -Terrestial Globe; nay, when the Sun is at the highest with them, and -darts down its Rays perpendicularly upon them; even at that very Time -the Ardency of the Heat is so tempered and cooled by continued Rains, -that those Countries are rendered very fit for human Habitations. But to -return. - -After the _Grand Seignior_ was informed, by Letters, of my Arrival (as -I said before) he sent to the Governor of _Constantinople_, intimating -his Pleasure, that he should send us to him into _Asia_, as far as -the City of _Amasia_, or (as it is writ on ancient Coins) _Amazeia_, -where he then was. Upon this Advice we prepared all Things for our -Journey; and, with our Guides, on the 9th of _March_ we were wafted -over into _Natolia_, (for so the _Turks_ call _Asia_ at this Day.) -That Day we went no farther than _Scutari_, a Town on the _Asiatick_ -Shore, opposite to Old _Byzantium_; where, or very little above it, the -noble City of _Chalcedon_ was formerly thought to stand. The _Turks_ -were of Opinion, That when our Horses, Coaches, Baggage, and Train, -together with ourselves, were all got over the _Hellespont_, ’twas -enough for one Day’s Journey; especially considering, that if we had -forgot any of the necessary Accoutrements for our Journey, or had left -them behind at _Constantinople_, (as it sometimes happened) we might -bethink ourselves before we went any farther, and fetch them over. The -next Day we continued our Journey from _Scutari_, over fragrant Fields, -full of odoriferous Plants, and especially _Stæchas’s_, a sweet smelling -Spike. There we saw a vast Number of _Tortoises_, stalking over all the -Field, without any Fear at all. We had certainly seized upon a great -many of them, as a Prey grateful to our Palates, had it not been for our -_Turkish_ Guides, whom we were afraid to disoblige; for if they had seen -any of them brought to our Table, much more, if they had touched them, -they would have thought themselves so defiled, that I know not how many -Washings would not have cleansed their imagined Pollution. For, as I told -you before, the _Turks_, and the _Greeks_ too, are so superstitious, that -they abhor ever to touch of that Animal; so that, it being no hurtful -Creature, and no body endeavouring to catch them, the whole Country -abounds with _Tortoises_. I kept one of them by me a great while, which -had two Heads, and it would have lived much longer, if I had been as -careful of it as I might. That Day’s Journey brought us to a Village, -called _Cartaly_, which I mention, because I shall, for the future, -gratify you with the Knowledge of the several Stages of this Voyage. For -tho’ the Journey from _Vienna_ to _Constantinople_ hath been performed -by many, yet this from _Constantinople_ to _Amasia_, hath, as yet, been -undergone by no _Christian_ that I know of. From _Cartaly_ we came to -_Gabise_, a Town of _Bithynia_, which some think was anciently called -_Libyssa_, and is famous for the Sepulchre of _Hannibal_, who was there -interred. From thence there is a most pleasant Prospect into the Sea, and -into the Bay of _Nicomedia_; here also grow _Cyprus_ Trees of a wonderful -Bulk and Tallness. - -Our fourth Day’s Journey from _Constantinople_ brought us to _Nicomedia_, -a City, anciently of great Note; but we saw nothing remarkable in it, but -the Ruins and Rubbish of old Walls, with some broken Pieces of Pillars -with their Chapiters, which were all the Remainders of its ancient -Splendor, except one Castle on an Hill, which was somewhat more entire. -A little before we came to this Place, some Workmen, that were digging -under Ground, discovered a long Wall made with Marble, which (it may be) -was part of the ancient Palace of the Kings of _Bithynia_. - -From _Nicomedia_, we passed over a Cliff or Ridge of Mount _Olympus_, -and came to a Village called _Kasockly_, and from thence to _Nice_; but -it was so late before we came thither, that the first Watch was set. Not -far from that Place, I heard a mighty Noise, as if it had been of Men -that jeer’d and mock’d us. I asked what was the Matter? Whether any of -the Mariners, rowing on the Lake _Ascanius_, (which was not far off) did -deride us, for travelling at that unusual Time of Night? I was answered, -No, but it was only the howling of certain Beasts, which the _Turks_ call -_Ciacals_, or _Jacals_. They are a Sort of Wolves, somewhat bigger than -Foxes, but less than common Wolves; yet as greedy and devouring as the -most ravenous Wolves or Foxes of all. They go in Flocks, and seldom or -never hurt either Man or Beast, but get their Food by Craft and Stealth, -more than by open Force. Thence it is, that the _Turks_ call subtle and -crafty Persons, especially the _Asiaticks_, by the Metaphorical Name -of _Ciacals_. Their Manner is to enter into the Tents or Houses of the -_Turks_, in the Night-Time, and what they can catch that is eatable, -that they eat; and if they find nothing else to devour, then they fall -a gnawing of all Kinds of Leather Things, as Shoes, Boots, Girdles, -Scabbards of Swords, and the like; and they are as cunning as they are -thievish; but in this they are very ridiculous, that they discover -themselves by the Noise they make. For whilst they are most busy in a -House, devouring their Prey, if any one of their Herd, that stays without -Doors, chance to howl, they all set up a howling likewise; and thus, -forgetting where they are, they raise up the People of the House, who -leap out of their Beds, and cudgel them soundly. - -All the next Day we staid at _Nice_; I believe my Lodging was in the same -House where the Council of _Nice_ was heretofore celebrated. As for the -Town itself, it is seated on the Bank of the Lake _Ascanius_. The Walls -of it are almost entire, so are the Gates, which are but four, and may -all may be seen from the Middle of the Market-Place; in each of them -there were old Inscriptions in _Latin_, which shew that the Town was -repaired by _Antoninus_: which of them I do not well remember; but sure -it must be by _Antoninus_ the Emperor. There are also some Remainders of -his Baths, and whilst the _Turks_ were digging out Stones from thence -to build Houses at _Constantinople_, they found the Statue of a Soldier -in his Armour, curiously wrought, and almost entire; but they quickly -battered it with their Hammers, even in our View; and when we shewed -ourselves displeased at their rude Violence, they paid us with a Jeer, -_What_, said the Labourers, _will you bow down to worship this Statue, as -you ~Christians~ used to do to yours?_ - -From _Nice_ we continued our Journey to a Place called _Jenysar_. From -_Jenysar_ to _Ackbyuck_, from _Ackbyuck_ to _Bazargyck_, from _Bazargyck_ -to _Bosowick_, otherwise called _Cassumbasa_, seated in the narrowest -Streights of Mount _Olympus_; for almost all our Way from _Nice_ -thither, lay through the Cliff of that Mountain. At _Nice_ we lodged in -a _Turkish_ Inn, or Hospital, and just against it was a Rock, standing -on high Ground, wherein there was a square deep Trench cut, and from the -Bottom thereof there issued out a Canal, that reached to the Highway. -That Trench or Ditch, the ancient Inhabitants of that Place used, in -the Winter Time, to fill with Snow; that so the melted Snow-Water -gently dropping down into the Road, by the fore-mentioned Canal, might -quench the Thirst of parched Travellers. Such Works as these the _Turks_ -count _Eleemosynary_ ones; because they are for the publick Benefit and -Advantage of Mankind. - -Not far from this Place, on the Right Hand, we saw a Town, called -_Otmanlick_, borrowing its Name, (as I conceive) from _Ottoman_, the -Founder of the _Ottoman_ Family, who lived there. - -From those Streights we descended into an open Campaign; and when we came -thither, we lay the first Night in our Tents, whereby the Heat did not so -much incommode us, as otherwise it would have done; the Place was called -_Chiausada_. The most remarkable Things we saw here, was a subterraneous -House, that had no Light, but only what stole in at the Roof: We saw also -that Sort of _Goats_, of whose Hair, (or Fleece, if you had rather call -it so) they make the Shagreen or watered Stuff, called Camlet. If you -would know the Nature of that Creature, I shall not entertain you with a -Flam, but give you the true Description of it. - -The Hair of this Creature is very fine, and extreamly white, and it hangs -down from their Bodies to the Ground. The Goat-herds do not sheer, but -kemb it off, and it is almost as fine as Silk. These _Goats_ are often -washed in the neighbouring Rivers, and feed upon the Grass growing there, -which is very tender and dry, and that certainly contributes much to the -Fineness of their Wool; for if they are removed to another Place, their -Fleece changes with their Pasture, and their Kids do so degenerate, -that one would hardly think them of the same Breed. The Thread that is -spun of that Hair or Wool, is carried, by the Women of that Country, to -_Ancyra_, a City of _Galatia_, where it is woven into Cloth and dy’d, as -I shall tell you anon. - -Moreover the Sheep of those Countries have very fat and weighty Tails, -(their Sheep-Flocks consist hardly of any other.) The Tail of any one of -them weighs sometimes three or four Pound, and sometimes eight or ten; -yea, they grow so big in some old Sheep, that they are forc’d to lay them -upon a Plank, running on two little Wheels, that so they may draw them -after them, not being otherwise able to trail them along. - -Perhaps you will think I tell you a Romance; but, take it on my Word, it -is a certain Truth. I grant, such bulky Tails may be of some Advantage, -because they are full of Fat; but the Flesh of the Sheep seemed more -harsh and rank to me, than our own Mutton. The Shepherds that tend them -lie Day and Night in the Fields, and carry their Wives and Children about -with them, in Waggons, which serve them instead of Houses; only sometimes -they erect small Tents to lie under. They wander far and near, sometimes -in the open Campaign, sometimes over Hills, sometimes over Dales, as the -Season of the Year, and the Necessity of Pasturage, doth require. - -I saw also in those Countries, some Sort of Birds, unknown to us, and -such as I never saw before. Among the rest, there is a Kind of _Ducks_, -which gives a Sound like Trumpeters, or such as blow the Cornet; the -Noise they make is almost like the Sound of a Post-Boy’s Horn. It is a -Bird, which though it hath nothing wherewith to defend itself, yet is -very strong and daring. - -The _Turks_ are verily persuaded, that the Devils are afraid of these -Birds. This is certain, they are so tenaciously sensible of their -Liberty, that tho’ they have been kept up tame in a Coop, for three Years -together, yet if they can but get an Opportunity to escape away, they fly -to their wonted Haunts, as preferring their natural Seats before their -confined Prisons, though they be cramm’d and fatten’d there. - -We passed on from _Chiousada_ to _Karali_; from _Karali_ to _Hazdengri_; -from thence to _Mazotthoy_; from _Mazotthoy_ we passed over the -River _Sangar_, which runs into _Pontus_ out of _Phrygia_, and came -to _Mahathli_, from thence to _Zugli_, thence to _Chilancyck_; from -_Chilancyck_ to _Ialancich_; from thence to _Portughin_; and from -_Portughin_ we reached to _Ancyra_, called by the _Turks_, _Angur_. We -staid one whole Day at _Ancyra_, partly because the _Turks_ did not -hasten us; for, in regard the _Persian_ Embassador made an Halt, we -were desired to do so too, that we might make our Entrances, both at -one Time, into _Amasia_. I saw nothing remarkable in all the Villages -aforementioned, save that sometimes, among the _Turkish_ Sepulchres, -we happened to see some Pillars, or ancient Stones of curious Marble, -wherein there were several Remains of _Latin_ or _Greek_ Inscriptions, -but so defaced, that they could not be read; which Disappointment I -very much resented, for all my Delight was, as soon as I came to my Inn -at Night, to enquire after old Inscriptions, together with _Latin_ and -_Greek_ Coins; and sometimes for rare Kinds of Plants. - -As for the Sepulchres, or Graves of the _Turks_, their Custom is, not to -fill them with Earth, but throw great Stones upon them for a Covering. -Would you know the Reason? ’tis Superstitious enough. The _Turks_ -believe, that whenever the Devil accuses the Deceased, and calls upon -him to give an Account how he spent his Life; then his good Genius will -defend him, and this Stone is the Place upon which the Ghost must sit, -that he may plead his Cause with more Care; and it is so huge and bulky, -that Dogs, Wolves, or other ravenous Beasts, especially the _Hyænæ_, may -not injure his Corps as it lies in the Earth. - -The _Hyæna_ is a Beast common in these Countries; she uses to dig up -Graves, and taking out the dead Bodies from thence, carries them to her -Den, near which you shall see a great Heap of Bones of Men, Horses, -and other Creatures. She is a little lower than a Wolf, and quite as -long; she hath a Skin like a Wolf, only her Hair is rougher and full -of great black Spots; her Head is contiguous to her _Spina dorsi_, -without any _vertebræ_ at all; so that, when she looks backward, she -must of necessity turn her whole Body: Instead of a Row of Teeth, she -hath but one continued Bone. The _Turks_ do ascribe great Vertue to this -Beast, in _Philtres_, as did the Antients: there were two of them at -_Constantinople_, when I was there; I cheapned them, but their Owners -were unwilling to sell them, because they kept them for the _Sultaness_, -who was thought, by Love-Portions, and Magic Art, to have engaged her -Husband’s Love to her. Here I cannot chuse but take Notice of a Mistake -in _Bellonius_, who thinks the _Hyæna_ to be the same Creature with that -we call the _Zibeth_ or _Musk-Cat_. - -The _Turks_ have a Tradition, that the _Hyæna_, which they call -_Zirtlan_, understands what Men say one to another. The Antients -affirm’d, that they could also imitate Man’s Voice, and thereupon Hunters -catch them by this Wile. They find out her Den, which they may easily -do by the heap of Bones lying by it; and then one of them goes in with -a Rope, leaving the other End of the Rope in the Hands of his Fellows -without; and when he is creeping in, he cries with a loud Voice, _Joctur, -Joctur, Ucala!_ i. e. _She is not here, She is not here!_ or, _I cannot -find her!_ whereupon, the _Hyæna_, thinking she is not discovered, lies -close, and he ties one end of the Rope about her Leg; and then he goes -forth, still crying, _I cannot find her!_ but when he is escaped quite -out of the Hole, he cries out aloud, _She is within, She is within!_ -which the _Hyæna_ hearing, and understanding the meaning of it, leaps -out, thinking to escape; but then they hold her back by the Rope, tied to -her Leg, and either kill her, or, if they use Care and Diligence, lake -her alive, for she is a fierce Creature, and defends herself desperately. - -I found abundance of Old Coins all up and down this Country, especially -of the later Emperors, _viz._ the _Constantines_, the _Constantius_’s, -the _Justin_’s, the _Valens_’s, the _Valentine_’s, the _Numerian_’s, the -_Probus_’s, the _Tacitus_’s, and such like. In many Places the _Turks_ -use them for Weight, _viz._ of a Drachm, or half a Drachm; and they call -it _Giaur Manguri_, i. e. the Money of the _Pagans_ or _Infidels_. The -like Coins I found in the neighbouring Cities of _Asia_, as at _Amysus_, -at _Synopis_, at _Cumana_, at _Amastris_, and _Amasia_ itself, whither we -were going. There was a Brasier of that City which grieved me very much; -for demanding of him, whether he had any Old Coins to sell? He answered -me, That a few Days ago, he had a large Room full of them, but had melted -them down to make Brass Kettles, as thinking them of little Value, and -fit for no other Use. When I heard this Story, it troubled me much to -lose so many choice Monuments of Antiquity; but I paid him back in his -own Coin, by telling; him, That I would have given him a hundred Guilders -for them; so that my Revenge was suited to his Injury; for I sent him -away as sorrowful, as he did me for losing the Coins. - -As for Plants, I saw very few in my Journey in those Parts, which were -unknown to us in _Europe_. They were almost all of the same Kind; -only they were more or less flourishing, according to the Richness or -Poverty of the Soil. The _Amomum_, which, _Dioscorides_ says, grows near -_Pontus_, I very diligently sought for, but in vain; so that I knew not -whether that Plant did not fail in that Country, or else was transplanted -into another. - -This Town of _Ancyra_, was our 9th Stage from _Constantinople_. It is a -Town of _Galatia_, sometimes the Seat of the _Gauls_, called by _Pliny_, -_Tectosagum_; nor was it unknown to _Strabo_: Though perhaps the present -Town is but part of the old Town, called in the Canons, _Anguira_. Here -we saw a stately Superscription, and a Sampler of those Tables, wherein -the Atchievments of _Augustus_ were summarily comprehended. I caused -as much of it, as we could read, to be transcribed. It is cut in the -Marble Walls of that Structure, which heretofore was the Town-hall; but -is now demolished, so that one part of it is visible to those that enter -on the right Hand, and the other to those that enter upon the left. -The top Chapiters are almost entire; the Middle is full of Clefts, and -the lowermost Part of it is so battered with Clubs and Hatchets, that -it cannot be read; which Loss cannot be sufficiently lamented by all -Lovers of Learning; and so much the more, because the Commons of _Asia_, -dedicated this City to _Augustus_. Here also, we were Eye-witnesses of -the dying of that Cloth, I spake of before, made of Goats-wool, and how -they Camlet it, or give it its Water-colour; ’tis done thus. They pour -Water upon it, and by means of a Cloth-press, cause it to receive that -Colour. That is counted the best, which is most variegated in every part; -and if, in any Piece, the Water-colours do not deeply and uniformly -appear, that Piece, though of the same Colour, and made of the same Wool, -is valued at some Gilders less than another, because it is not so deeply -tinctured. The better sort of _Turks_, in their old Age, are usually -clothed with this Sort of Cloth, and _Solyman_ himself used to wear -Vests of it; but Green is a Colour disused much by _Christians_; and the -rather, because the _Turks_ commend it upon a Superstituous Account, as -being worn by their Prophet _Mahomet_ in his older Days. - -A black Colour is counted unfortunate, and is disliked by them; and, when -they see any Man so clad, they look on it as an ill _Omen_; so that when -any of ours did approach the _Bashaw’s_, in a black Habit, they look’d -a-squint on us, and made sad Complaints; and the Truth is, none of their -own appear in black, but either one that is desperately poor, or else so -overwhelm’d with some great Calamity, that he regards not what Cloaths -he wears. A Purple Colour is a creditable Colour with them; only it is -an Omen of much Bloodshed in Time of War: But the ordinary approved -Colours among them, are the _White_, the _Yellow_, the _Sea-Green_, the -_Violet-Colour_, and _Mouse-Colour_, &c. - -The _Turks_ ascribe very much to _Augury_, and _Omens_, Good or Bad, so -that it hath been known, that some _Bashaws_ have been removed from their -Places and Offices, by reason of a Fall from their Horse; as if that were -an _Omen_ of some ill Luck, which is averted from the Publick, by falling -on the Head of that private and particular Person; who is thereupon -degraded. - -From _Ancyra_, we came to a Village called _Balygazar_, and from thence -to _Zarekuct_; from _Zarekuct_ to _Zermeczii_, and to the Bank of the -River _Halys_: As we past through a Village called _Algii_, we saw, at -some Distance, the neighbouring Mountains of _Synopi_, which were red, -like Vermillion; and from which Red Lead is called _Synopi_. - -This _Halys_ is the famous River which was heretofore the Boundary of -the two Kingdoms of the _Medes_ and _Lydians_; concerning which, there -was an ancient Oracle, That when _Crœsus_ pass’d it to make War on the -_Persians_, he should overthrow a great Empire, which fell out to be his -Own; whereas he thought it would have been the _Persians_. Near the Bank -of this River, there was a Wood, which seemed to us, to bear an unknown -Shrub; but when we drew near, we found it to be _Liquorice_, and with the -Juice of its Root, we refreshed our selves abundantly. - -Near that River, we met with a Countryman, and asking him, by an -Interpreter, Whether that River did abound with Fish? And how they used -to catch them? He answered, That there were Fishes enough; but no Body -could catch them. When he saw we wondred at his Answer, he proceeded: -For, _says he_, if a Man strive to take them up in his Hands, away -presently they swim, and will not stay to be catched. This Answer was the -less surprizing to me, because, when we had lighted upon some unknown -Birds, and demanded of the Country-men, _how we might take them?_ One -or other of them told us, That they could not be taken; for if any Body -endeavoured to lay Hands on them, they would fly away. - -But one of my Collegues, _Francis Hay_, having some Nets with him, caused -them to be cast for the catching of Fish; we took a great Draught of -them, and especially the _Silurus_, or _Sheathfish_, which are common in -the _Danow_. Besides, there is in that River, good Store of Sea-Crabs, -or else, a Sort of Fish very like them. Whereupon, the _Turks_, who saw -our Fishing, wondered at the Industry and Ingenuity of _Christians_, who -would catch Fish at that Rate. Hereupon, perhaps, you will say, What, -are there no Fishermen in _Turkey_? I grant there are; but very few of -them live in those Parts. And, I remember, in another Place, when the -_Turks_ saw us turn the Stream out of its Course to catch Gudgeons at the -Bottom, they laughed much at us. _What_, said they, _do you catch such -small guddling Fish? what are they good for?_ This Ninny-Hammer did not -understand, that a great many of those Fishes would make a dainty Dish, -enough to suffice many Guests. But the _Turks_ are so parsimonious, that -they don’t study their Bellies at all; give them but Bread and Garlic, or -an Onion, with a Sort of _Bonniclabber_, or sour Milk, known in _Galen_’s -Time, by the Name of _Syllabub_, but called by them, _Ingurthe_; they -feed like Farmers, and desire nothing more. - -They make this Drink thus; they dilute this Milk with cold Water, and -then cram Bread into it. This they use in the hottest Weather, and when -they are more athirst; and we our selves found great Benefit by it, in -our greatest Droughts. It is a Repast very grateful to the Palate and -Stomach, and of admirable Vertue in quenching the most vehement Thirst: -There is abundance of it ready made for Sale in all the _Turkish_ Inns, -or _Caravasera’s_, as well as all other Sorts of Soop. As for hot Meat, -or Flesh, the _Turks_ don’t much use them in their Travels; their usual -Dyet, on the Road, are _Syllabubs_, _Cheese_, _dry’d Plumbs_, _Pears_, -_Peaches_, _Quinces_, _Figs_, _Raisins_, and _Cornel-berries_; all these -are exposed to sale in great earthen Platters boiled in clean Water; -every one takes what he likes best. Those Fruits, with Bread, is his -Food; and the Water which remains, serves for Drink. Thus their Meat and -Drink stand them in very little; so that I dare say, one _Christian_ -spends more Money, on his Belly, in one Day, than a _Turk_ doth in -twelve; yea, their most solemn Feasts consist of _Wafers_, _Cakes_, and -such-like Junkets, together with several Dishes of _Rice_, with some -_Mutton_, and _Pullet_; for _Capons_ are not yet known in _Turkey_; but -as for _Pheasants_, _Thrushes_, and Birds called _Figeaters_, they never -so much as heard of their Names. But, if _Honey_ and _Sugar_ be mix’d -with the Water, the Drink is like _Jove’s Nectar_ to them. One Sort of -their Liquors I had almost forgot, ’tis this. They take _Raisins of -the Sun_, and bruise, or grind them in a Mill, and then put them into -a wooden Vessel, pouring a certain Proportion of hot Water upon them. -This Mixture they stir about a little, and then cover the Vessel close, -and suffer it to ferment a Day or two; if it works well, then they add -Lees of Wine to quicken the Operation. When it first begins to ferment, -if you taste it, ’tis over-sweet, and that makes it more unpalatable; -but afterwards it acquires something of an Acid Taste, which, mix’d -with the Sweet, is very grateful to the Palate for about three or four -Days; especially if it be mixed with Snow, of which there is plenty at -_Constantinople_ at all times. This Drink they call _Arabsorbet_, i. e. -the _Arabian Potion_. It will not keep long, but grows sour in a very -little Time. ’Twill fly up in your Head, and make you reel as bad as -any Wine, if you drink too much of it; and therefore, the _Turks_, by -the rules of their Religion, are forbidden to drink it. For my Part, I -liked it very well; yea, that sort of Grapes was very acceptable and -refreshing; in many Places they keep them all Summer long. The way of -preserving them, they told me, was this: They take large Bunches of -Grapes ston’d (as the hot Sun quickly ripens them in those Countries); -these they put into a Wooden or Earthen Vessel, in the Bottom whereof, -they first lay a Line of groun’d Mustard-Seed; then they spread a Line -of Grapes upon it; thus with a Lay of Grapes, and a Lay of grinded -Mustard-Seed, they fill it up to the Top; and, when the Vessel is full, -then they pour in new _Must_, as much as will fill all the Interstice; -then they shut it close, and so let it stand till the hot Time of the -next Year, when Men stand most in need of Drink. Then these Vessels are -broach’d, and the Grapes, with its Liquor, are set to sale. The _Turks_ -like the Liquor as well as the Grapes; but I did not so well like the -Taste of the Mustard-Seed, and, therefore, I caused the Grapes to be -washed, and then, when I was most thirsty, they gave me great Relief. I -hope you will give me leave to commend a Food to you, that did me so much -good, seeing the _Egyptians_ esteemed their Herbs and Plants, which were -contributory to their Health, as so many _Deities_. But ’tis Time for a -Wanderer to return back into the Way. - -From the Bank of the River _Halys_, which the _Turks_ call _Aitoczu_, we -came to _Gonkurthoy_; from thence to _Choron_, and from thence to _Theke -Thioi_, where the _Turks_ have a stately Monastry for their _Priests_ -and _Monks_, called _Dervises_. Those _Dervises_ told us a great Story -of a certain Man, called _Chederles_, of an huge Stature, and graveness -of Mind answerable thereto. They suppose it was the same with our St. -_George_, and ascribe the same Exploits to him; as the saving of a Virgin -by the Slaughter of a huge and terrible _Dragon_. To which they add many -Fables and Imaginations of idle Brains; as that he travelled over several -Countries far and near, and at last came to a River, whose Waters made -those that drank them immortal; but in what Part of the World this River -is, they cannot tell us; they say, moreover, that it lies somewhere in -a great Cloud, or Mist of Darkness, and that never a Man saw it since -_Chederles_. As for _Chederles_ himself, he was made Immortal, and so -was his Horse, by drinking the same Water, who now, both do invisibly -travel over the World, delighting in Wars, and appearing therein to the -most Valiant, or to those who implore his Aid, of what Religion soever -they be: Such ridiculous Fancies do they please themselves with! To which -we may add, other Things as absurd as those before-mentioned, That he -was one of the Friends and Companions of _Alexander the Great_. For, the -Truth is, the _Turks_ keep no just Account either of Times or Ages, but -makes a confused Hodge-podge of all History. When they have a Mind to it, -they scruple not to say, _That ~Job~ was Master of the Horse to King -~Solomon~, and that ~Alexander the Great~ was General of his Army_; with -such-like Stuff. - -In that Monastry, or Mosque, there is a Fountain that bubbles forth -very clear and limpid Water; it is built about and cover’d with most -excellent Marble, and they ridiculously would have People believe, that -it had its Original from _Chederles_’s Horses, which he pissed in great -Plenty in that Place. They also told us many _Rodomontado_’s concerning -the Companions of _Chederles_, concerning his chief Groom, and also -concerning his Nephew by his Sister, all which were buried near at -hand, and their Sepulchres there to be seen; and when any Suppliants -come to pay their Devotions to them, they would have persuaded us, that -they receive great Relief thereby; yea, they superstitiously affirm, -That the Fragments of the Stones, and the very Earth itself, on which -_Chederles_’s Feet stood, when he staid for the Dragon, if drank in any -Liquor, are very good against Fevers, the Head-Ach, and the Diseases of -the Eyes. All the Country thereabout, is full of Dragons and Vipers, -so that, in the hot Season of the Year, they are so thick, basking -themselves in the Sun, that the Ways are almost unpassable for Travellers. - -I had almost forgot to tell you, that, whereas, the _Greeks_ do usually -paint St. _George_ on Horseback in their Temples, with his Squire behind -him, holding out to him a Cup of Wine as to his Master, he being (as they -believe) their _Chederles_; they laugh heartily at that Spectacle. - -At this Place, we were near our Journey’s End, for now we had but one -Stage more to _Amasia_; and that was _Baglison_; from thence we reached -_Amasia_, _April 7_, and thirty Days after, we left _Constantinople_. As -we were coming, some _Turks_ met us, to gratulate our Arrival, and to -introduce us with Honour. - -_Amasia_ is, in a manner, the chief City of _Cappadocia_, where the -_Turkish_ Governor of that Province usually had his Residence, for the -Administration of Justice, and where he usually forms his Camp. But -that Town, ever since _Bajazet_’s Time, seemed to be very unlucky, and -of late, the miserable Case of _Mustapha_ hath confirmed it to be an -unfortunate Seat. _Strabo_ writes, that he was born there. It lies on the -Side of two opposite Hills, the River _Iris_ dividing the City of the -midst, running between them; so that from each Part you may look down -upon the River, as from the Seats or Stairs of a Theatre; and one Side of -it is conspicuous and open to the view of the other. It is so encompassed -with Hills, that there is but one way to it, either for Coach or Waggon. - -The same Night we came thither, there happened a great Fire, which the -_Janizaries_ quenched, as their manner is, by plucking down the Houses -adjoining. Upon occasion of this Accident, give me leave to inform you, -that the _Turkish_ Soldiers are well-pleased when a Fire happens; for, -whereas they must be employed to quench it, and usually do it by ruining -the contiguous Houses, they have thereby an opportunity to rifle and -plunder both; so that they themselves do oftentimes privily set Houses -on Fire, that so they may filch and steal what they can out of them; as -I remember once, when I was at _Constantinople_, there were frequent -Conflagrations of Houses. ’Twas plain, they could not happen casually, -but must be set on Fire a purpose, and yet the Authors could not be -found; but the Fault was commonly cast on some _Persian_ Spies that were -in Town: At last, upon a diligent Search, ’twas found that the Soldiers -had stirr’d up their Fellows, that were a Ship-board, to do the Feat; -that so, during the Fire, they might enrich themselves with the Spoils. - -Upon an high Hill, that hangs over and commands _Amasia_, there is a -strong Castle, wherein the _Turks_ have a continual Garrison, either to -curb the _Asiaticks_, who are not very well pleased with the _Ottoman_ -Yoke (as I shall shew anon) or else to bridle the _Persian_, who many -times make large Excursions even as far as this Town, though at such a -vast distance from them. In this Hill there are some ancient Monuments, -which, perhaps, were the Sepulchres of the _Cappadocian_ Kings. - -As for the Houses and Streets of _Amasia_, there is little or no Beauty -in them. Their Houses are built of Loom, as they are in _Spain_, plain at -top without any Roof, and what covering they have is of Loom or Clay too. -They have some old piece of a Pillar, Cylinder or Roller, which they turn -up and down to stop any Chink or Crevice, made either by Rain or Wind. -The Inhabitants, in former Times, lay down to sleep in the open Air. As -for Rains, they are not great, nor frequent in those Parts; but if at -any time a Shower falls, the Loomy Droppings from the Eaves, do wofully -dirty the Cloths of those that pass under them. I saw there a certain -young noble Person, living not far from me, at his Supper, after the old -_Roman_ fashion, lying on a Bed. As soon as I came to _Amasia_, we were -introduced to compliment the supreme Vizier _Achmet_, and the rest of the -_Bashaw_’s, for their Emperor was then gone abroad; we treated with them -a while concerning the Contents of our Embassy; and because they would -not seem to prejudice us, they lent us a favourable Ear; referring all, -however, to the Will and Pleasure of their Emperor. When he came home, we -were led into his Presence, for Audience; but he entertain’d us (and the -Reasons we alledg’d in the Speech we made him, according to the Command -of my Master) with a sour and frowning Look. He sate upon a low Throne, -not above a Foot from the Ground, but it was all covered over with rich -Tapestry, and with Cushions exquisitely wrought. His Bow and Arrows lay -by his side, he himself (as I said) looked sternly upon us; and yet -there was a certain Majesty, mix’d with Severity, in his Countenance. -Each of us, as we entred the Room, was led up towards him by some of -his Bed-chamber Officers, who held us by the Arm, (for so they use to -introduce Ambassadors, ever since a certain _Croatian_, desiring to speak -with _Amurath_, and drawing near to him so to do, slew him in revenge of -the death of his Master, _Mark_ the _Despot_ of _Servia_, who was killed -by the said _Amurath_): and afterwards, as if we had kiss’d his Hand, we -were led backward to the opposite part of the Room; for the _Turks_ count -it an unmannerly thing to turn any of their Back-parts to their Prince. -From thence I had liberty to declare our Master’s Commands; but they -suited not with his lofty, imperious Spirit, who thought that nothing -ought to be denied him, for they were daring and high; so that he, as -disdaining them, said nothing but _Giusel, Giusel!_ (i. e.) _Well, Well!_ -And so we were dismissed to our Lodgings. - -At our Audience there was a very full Court, for a great many Governors -of Provinces were there with their Presents; and, besides the Imperial -Horse, _Spahi’s_, _Janipagits_ and _Ululags_, there were also a great -number of _Janizaries_. But, among this vast number of Courtiers, there -was not so much as one more eminent for Birth and Parentage; each one, by -his Valour and adventurous Atchievements, was the Carver out of his own -Fortune. Their Honour ariseth from their Preferments; so that there is -no dispute about Precedency, but every Man’s Pre-eminces is according to -the Office which he bears. And those Offices are distributed at the meer -Will and Pleasure of the Prince, who does not regard the empty Name of -Nobility, nor value a Rush the Favour of the Multitude, or of any other -particular Man; but, considering only the Merits and Disposition of the -Man, he rewards him accordingly. And, by that means, Employments are -bestowed upon such Persons as are best able to manage them; and every -Man hath an opportunity to be the Hammerer out of his own Honour and -Preferment. Those which at present are the greatest Officers under their -Emperor, were mostly the Sons of Shepherds or Neatherds; and they are so -far from being ashamed of the Meanness of their Original, that they glory -therein among one another; and account it more Praise-worthy to be the -Advancers of themselves, than if they had Honour transmitted down to them -from their Ancestors. - -For thus they argue, Virtue is not propagated from our Parents, but is -partly the Gift of God, and partly acquired by good Discipline, and by -our own Labour and Industry; so that, as no Son hath his Father’s Skill -in Music, Arithmetic or Geometry, derived to him from his Birth, so -neither can Fathers bequeath Virtue as an Inheritance to their Children; -for the Soul, say they, is not communicated with the Father’s Seed (so -that a Son must necessarily be born alike qualified as his Father was) -but it is infus’d into his Body from the God of Heaven. Thus in that -Nation, Dignities, Honours, Offices, _&c._ are the Rewards of Virtue and -Merit; as on the other side, Dishonesty, Sloth, and Idleness, are among -them the most despicable things in the whole World. And by this means -they flourish, bear sway, and enlarge the Bounds of their Empire every -day more and more. But we, _Christians_, to our shame be it spoken, -live at another manner of rate; Virtue is little esteemed among us, but -Nobleness of Birth (forsooth) carries away all the Honour and Preferment. -But enough of this at present: More may be spoken on this Argument -hereafter; and what I have now said about it, pray keep it to your self, -for other Men may not be able to bear my Freedom herein. - -To return, then, to my Subject; I shall now present you with a surprizing -Spectacle, even a multitude of Persons with picket Turbants on their -Heads, made of pure white Linnen folded together in Plates; their other -Apparel was very costly, of several Sorts and Colours, all most radiantly -shining with Gold, Silver, Purple, Silk, Velvet, _&c._ I am not able -to describe the Gaudiness of the _Show_; in one Word, ’twas the most -glorious one I ever saw in all my Life. And yet, in all this Splendor, -there was a great deal of Simplicity and Parsimony too. Those who were -of one Order had Cloathing all of one sort; there were no foolish Hems, -Lacings, Fringes or Borders, as among us, which cost a great deal of -Money, and yet wear out in a day or two. The Silk and Velvet Suits, which -many of them wore, though mightily embroidered, yet cost not above a -Ducat the making and embroidering. They did as much admire to see the -Fashion of our Cloaths, as we did that of theirs. Their Vests are very -long, almost down to their Heels, which is more graceful, and makes them -seem taller than they are; but our Apparel (forsooth) is so curtail’d -and short, that it hardly covers the Parts which Nature would have to -be concealed; on which Account it is less decent. Besides, it seems to -take away some Inches from the Tallness of our Stature, and look more -_Dwarf-like_. And yet, among so great a Multitude, I took notice of -this most laudable Circumstance; ’twas all _hush_; not so much as a -word spoken among them all, nor no humming Noise, as among a tumultuous -Multitude; no justling one of another, but every particular Man quietly -kept his own Station. The Heads of them, which they call _Aga’s_, had -Seats to sit upon, such as their _Serasquiers_, or _Generals_, their -_Brigadiers_, _Colonels_ and _Captains_; but the Commonalty stood on -their Feet. Among the rest, I most admir’d the _Janizaries_; though -there were some Thousands of them, yet they stood at a distance one from -another; Stock-still, (as we say) as if they had been Statues: So that I, -who was at some distance from them, thought verily they had been so, till -being advised to salute them, as the manner is, I saw them all bow their -Heads, by way of Resalutation, unto me. When we passed from this Shew, -behold there was another pleasurable one, which entertain’d us; and that -was their Horse-Guards, in their March to their Quarters. They rode upon -gallant stately Prancers, excellently well trapped, equipped, and Shod. -Thus we were dismissed, but with little hopes of obtaining what we came -for. - -On the 10th of _May_, the _Persian_ Ambassador came to _Amasia_, and -brought with him rich and gallant Presents, as many choice sorts of -Hangings, _Babylonian_ Tents, curiously wrought within with many sorts -of Needle-work, gallant Horse-Trappings, and Saddles, Scymiters made -at _Damascus_, whose Handles were studded with Jewels, and Shields of -curious Workmanship; but that which exceeded them all, was the _Alcoran_, -so they call the Book containing the Rites and Ceremonies of their -Religion, which they fancy _Mahomet_ compos’d by Divine Inspiration, and -which is accounted the most noble Present of all. They quickly accorded -with him on Terms of Peace, so that it concern’d us to be cautious, who -were to find greater obstruction in our Negotiations with them. And, to -assure us that the Peace was confirm’d betwixt them, they omitted no -manner of extraordinary Respect to their Ambassador. For the manner of -the _Turks_ is, (as I told you before,) to be excessive on both Sides, -either in bestowing Honour on their Friends, or in heaping Reproaches on -their Enemies. _Haly Basha_, Deputy to the _Grand Vizier_, treated the -_Persian_ with a sumptuous Dinner, which he made in his Garden, a Place -far distant from us, and separated also by the interposal of the River, -yet we could see the Manner of it well enough; for, I told you, the -Place was seated so high on both sides of the Hill, that the Eye might -easily discover what was done on each side. This _Haly_ is a _Dalmatian_ -by Birth, a Man of much Wit, and, which is strange in _Turkey_, very -courteous to Strangers. The Table, at which the _Bashaw_ and the -_Persian_ Embassador sate, was covered over with a Canopy, and the Dishes -were served up after this manner. There were one hundred Youths, which -attended, like Waiters, all of them alike habited. First of all, they -entered one by one, at a small distance from each other, till the Train -of them reached up to the Table where the Guests were sitting. They had -nothing at all in their Hands, that so they might not be hindered in -saluting the Guests, which was done in this manner; they laid their Hands -on their Thighs, and bowed their Heads downwards to the Ground; when -this Ceremony was perform’d, then he that stood next the Kitchen, took a -Dish and gave it to the next Page immediately before him; he handed it -to a Third, and he to a Fourth, and so from one to another till it came -to him who stood next the Table, and he delivered it to the Hands of the -Gentleman-Sewer, who plac’d it on the Table. And thus one hundred Dishes, -or more, were serv’d up to the Table in excellent Order, without any -Noise at all; and, when that was done, those Waiters, or Pages, saluted -the Guests a second time, and so returned in the same Order they came in; -only, of course, those that were last before went out first, and those -which were nearest the Table brought up the Rear. Thus the second Course -was also serv’d up; so that the _Turks_ are great Admirers of Orders, -even in the smallest matters, which we _Christians_ are apt to neglect, -even in things of greatest Moment. At some distant from the Ambassador -sate his Attendants with some _Turks_ of Quality with them. - -Peace being thus made with the _Persians_, as I told you before, yet we -could get no good Terms of them at all, only we obtain’d an half year’s -Truce, till I could send to my Master, and know his Answer. I was sent to -be _Leiger_ Ambassador there; but, in regard there was no Peace settl’d -betwixt both Empires, the _Bashaws_ thought it adviseable for me to -return to my Master with Letters from _Solyman_ their Emperor; and I was -to return with an Answer from his Imperial Majesty, if he thought fit. -Hereupon I was again introduced into _Solyman_’s Presence, and had two -large embroider’d Veils, reaching down to my Ancles, clap’d upon me; they -were so heavy, that I could hardly stand under them. My Family also, that -attended me, were all clad with silk Garments of divers Colours; in this -Posture I stalked along, like _Agamemnon_, or some such piece of Gravity, -in a _Tragedy_; and so I took my leave of their Emperor, having first -receiv’d Letters from him to my Master, seal’d and wrap’d up in Cloth of -Gold, and the chief of my Attendants were also admitted to take their -Leaves; and thus, after we had taken our leaves of the _Bashaws_, I and -my Collegues departed from _Amasia_, _June_ the 2d. The Custom is, that -Ambassadors at their Departure, have a Dinner provided for them in the -_Divan_, (so they call the place where the _Bashaws_ sit to administer -Justice,) but this is done only to their Friends; that Compliment was -omitted to me, because Affairs were not yet in an amicable Posture -between them and us. - -If you ask me, what manner of Man _Solyman_ was, I’ll tell you. He was -an ancient Man, his Countenance, and the Mien of his Body, were very -majestick, well becoming the Dignity which he bore; he was frugal and -temperate, even from his Youth, though he might have taken a greater -Liberty to himself by the Rules of their own Religion. In his younger -Days he was not given to Wine, nor to masculine Venery, which the -_Turks_ much delight in; to that his very Enemies could object nothing -against him on those Accounts, but that he was too uxurious, and his -over-indulgence to his Wife made him give way to the Death of his Son -_Mustapha_: Yet that Crime was vulgarly imputed to an Ascendent she -had over him, by reason of her Inchantments and Love-Portions. This is -certain, that, after he once took her for his lawful Wife, he never had -carnal Knowledge of any other Woman, though their Laws did not forbid -him. He is a very strict Observer of the _Mahumetan_ Religion, and is as -desirous to propagate that, as to enlarge the Bounds of his Empire. - -He is now sixty years of Age; and, for a Man of his Years, he enjoys a -moderate proportion of Health, and yet his Countenance doth discover, -that he carries about him some hidden Disease, ’tis thought a Gangrene, -or Ulcer, in the Thigh; yet at solemn Audiences of Ambassadors, he hath -a _Fucus_ to paint his Cheeks with, that he may appear sound and healthy -to them, and thereupon be more dreaded by foreign Princes, their Masters. -Methought, I discovered some such thing at my Dismission; for his -Countenance was as sour when I left him, as it was at my first Audience. - -Having thus taken my leave, I began my Journey in the Month of _June_, -and the Heat thereof was so excessive, that it cast me into a Fever. ’Tis -true, it was a remiss and gentle one, yet it came every Day; to which was -added an Hoarseness, and Defluction of Rheum from the Head, and it held -me till I came to _Constantinople_. - -The _Persian_ Embassador left _Amasia_ the self-same Day that I did, -and we went both out of the City the same way; for, (as I told you -before) there is but one Passage into, or out of, that Town, it is so -shut in by the circumjacent and unpassable Hills: But the Way quickly -doth divide into two, one to the _East_, which the _Persians_ took; and -another to the _West_. which was our Road. In the open Fields about -the Town, we saw the _Turkish_ Camp pitch’d, with abundance of Tents. -I shall not entertain you with the Stages of my Return, they being -the same with those of my Journey thither, only we made a little more -Speed, and sometimes rode two Day’s Journey in one. In fine, we came to -_Constantinople_, _June_ the 2d. You must needs think I had a troublesome -Journey of it, having such a Companion with me, as a _Quotidian Ague_, -all the way; so that, when I came thither, I was almost nothing but Skin -and Bone: Yet, lean as I was, when I came to rest, and by the advice of -_Quaquelben_, my Physician, used warm Baths, I quickly recovered. One -thing I observed in the method of my Cure, that, when I came out of the -warm Bath, he would sprinkle me over with cold Water, which, though it -were troublesome to me at the present, yet I found that it did me much -good. - -Whilst I staid at _Constantinople_, there was a certain Person, that came -from the _Turkish_ Camp in _Asia_, who told me a Story, which I shall -acquaint you with, because it shows that the _Asiaticks_ are not very -well pleased, either with the Religion, or the Government of the _Turks_. -’Twas this: _Solyman_, says he, as he was returning home, was forc’d to -lodge one Night in the House of a certain _Asiatick_, and when he went -away in the Morning, his Host brought a great deal of Perfume, and us’d a -great many Ceremonies, to cleanse and purge his House, as if it had been -polluted by such a Guest as _Solyman_; when _Solyman_ heard of it, he -caused the Man to be slain, and his House to be levelled with the Ground. -This Punishment the poor Man underwent for his Aversion to the _Turks_, -and his Propensity to favour the _Persians_. - -I staid about fourteen Days at _Constantinople_ to refresh my self, and -then I entred on my Journey back again to _Vienna_: But I was entertain’d -with an inauspicious Omen, even a very sad Spectacle; just as I was -gone out of the Gates of _Constantinople_, I met whole Waggon-Loads of -Boys and Girls, which were brought out of _Hungary_ to _Constantinople_ -to be sold; no Merchandize is more frequent amongst them than that. -For, as when we leave _Antwerp_, we meet with all sorts of merchantable -Commodities importing into the Town, so here, ever now and then, there -passed by us abundance of poor miserable _Christian_ Slaves, which were -going to be sold in the Markets to a perpetual Bondage. There was no -distinction of Age; Old and Young were driven in Herds, or Companies, -or else were tied in a long Chain, as we use to tail Horses when we -carry them to Fairs. When I beheld this woful sight, I could not forbear -weeping and bemoaning the unhappy State of poor _Christendom_. And if -that miserable Spectacle were not afflicting enough to a new Traveller, -take another bad and mortifying Occurrence: My Collegues had recommended -some of their Retinue to me, which were weary of living in _Turkey_, that -they might be of my Train, in returning to their own Country. I granted -their Request, and having travelled two Day’s Journey, I perceiv’d -one that was Chief among them, (called a _Vaivode_, from his Office,) -was carried sick in a Coach; one of his Feet being bare, without any -Stockings, he would not suffer it to be covered, for he had in it a -Plague-sore, which he found more easy to keep open. We were much troubled -at this sight, as fearing that infectious Disease would spread farther; -but the poor Man liv’d till we came to _Adrianople_, and there departed -this Life. Upon his Death another Mischief did succeed; as soon as the -Breath was out of his Body, the rest of the _Hungarians_ ran in greedily -to the Prey, one caught up his Stockings, another his Doublet, a third -his Shirt, a fourth his other Linnen; thus casting themselves, and us -too, into a great deal of Danger. Nor was there any way in the World to -hinder them. - -’Tis true, my Physician, like an honest Man, ran in amongst them, and -intreated them, for God’s sake, to throw the Things away, because they -would infect us all; but they were deaf to his Advice. The Day after -we left _Adrianople_, those very Persons came to him, and complain’d -of a Pain in their Heads, with a dejection of their Spirits, and -a Listlessness both of Body and Mind, and desired his Advice; he, -suspecting the Symptoms of the Plague in the case, told them, they were -well enough serv’d, for not harkening to his Counsel; yet he would do -them what good he could, only, being on his Journey, he was unprovided -of proper Medicines. The same Day I walked abroad into the Field, as -I us’d to do, as soon as ever I came to my Inn, to see if I could -find any thing worthy of my Notice in those Countries, where I met -with an unknown Herb in the Meadow, which smelt like _Garlick_. After -I had pluck’d some Leaves of it, I gave them to my Physician to know -his Judgment; he looked wistly upon it, and told me, ’twas _Scordium_, -and lifting up his Hands to Heaven, he gave God thanks for sending us -so opportune a Remedy against the Plague; hereupon he gathers a great -quantity of it, and putting it into a large Pot, boiled it over the -Fire. Then he bid the _Hungarians_ take heart, and parted the Decoction -amongst them, prescribing the taking of it very hot, as they were going -to Bed, mix’d with some _Lemnian_ Earth, and _Diascordium_, and that they -should not sleep till they had fallen into a great Sweat. Observing his -Directions, the next Day after they were much better, and desired the -same Portion again, and when they had drunk it, they grew perfectly well. -And thus, by God’s Blessing, we avoided that Infection. - -And yet, the residue of our Journey was not without Peril. After we had -passed the Country of the _Thracians_ and _Bulgarians_, which reaches -as far as _Nissa_, and came into the _Servians_ Country, reaching from -_Nissa_ to _Simandria_, where the _Rascians_ Country begins; we came at -last to _Belgrade_, the Weather being excessively hot and parching, for -’twas the hottest time of the _Dog-days_. - -At _Belgrade_, upon one of our Fish-days, we were presented with -abundance of choice Fish, and amongst the rest, with large full-bodied -_Carps_, taken in the _Danube_, whose _Carps_ are very much commended: My -People did eat very greedily of them, and that was either the cause, or -the occasion, which cast many of them into a Fever; yet all that quantity -of Fish, which was enough to satisfy forty Men, cost but half a Dollar; -and the Truth is, other Things are as cheap. As for Hay, ’tis little -or nothing worth; the Meadows are so laden with it, that every Man may -take what he will, provided he pay for the Mowing and Carriage; which -made us admire the Wisdom of the old _Hungarians_, after they had passed -the _Save_, who chose so fertile a Country, as _Hungary_, to dwell in; -where there were all manner of Conveniences for Human Life. We passed -over a great Tract of Land, both beyond and on this side the _Save_, and -we found the Grass, Barley, Oats and Wheat, almost parch’d and withered -with Drought; but as soon as we entred _Hungary_, the Grass was so tall, -that a Coach, that went before, could hardly be seen by another that came -after; which is a great Argument of the goodness of the Soil. - -The _Rascians_, as I told you before, begin at _Simandria_, and reach -as far as the River _Drave_; they are reputed to be a fudling sort of -People, and not very faithful to Strangers. Whence they had their Name -and Original, I do not certainly know; but truly they were kind enough -to us; we passed through some Villages of theirs of less Note, and at -last arrived at _Esseck_, which is almost inclosed with muddy Marshes, -and is famous for the slaughter of _Catzianerus_, and the overthrow -of the _Christians_. Here I was taken with a _Tertian Ague_, I was so -parch’d with Heat, in travelling the open Fields of _Hungary_; and at -_Esseck_ we passed the _Drave_, and came to _Lasque_, where being weary -with the Heat of my Journey, and my Ague, I laid me down to Rest. There -the chiefest of the Place came to me to bid me welcome; and presented me -with large Melons, Pears, and Plumbs of several Sorts, besides Wine, and -other Provisions, all of them very good; the noted Country of _Campania_ -in _Italy_ hardly bears better. In the Room where I lodged, there was -a long Table all furnished with these Viands: My Servants desired the -_Hungarians_ to stay to Supper, excusing my Absence, because of my -Sickness. As soon as I awoke, and saw such a full-spread Table before my -Eyes, I thought verily I had been in a Dream, and ask’d my Physician, -how that came about? He told me plainly, that he himself had caused the -Table to be furnished, that so the very Sight of it might refresh me. -But must I not taste of it, said I? Yes, said he, but you must only -taste; and so I eat a little of it, and seem’d to be much the better for -it. The Day after the _Hungarians_ came to me again to present their -Service, desiring me to represent their Condition to the Emperor, in -regard of the Wrongs they received from some of their Neighbours. From -thence we came to _Mohatz_, noted for the Overthrow and Death of _Lewis_ -King of _Hungary_; not far from that Town, I saw a River whose Water was -deep, and its Banks very steep; here that unhappy Prince leapt in with -his Horse, and was drown’d, being for his Fall as much to be lamented, -as for his Imprudence, in venturing with a small and newly rais’d -Army of his Country-Men, to cope with the more numerous, veteran, and -well-disciplin’d Forces of _Solyman_. - -From _Mohatz_, we travelled on to _Tulna_, and from thence to _Felduar_. -There I passed over the _Danube_, into an Island, pretty large, called -_Cophis_, inhabited by _Rascians_; and so repassing the _Danube_, I -arrived at _Buda_ twelve Days after I left _Belgrade_, _August_ the 4th, -having lost many of my Horses by the way, who were choaked with eating -new Barley, and drinking over-cold Water. Besides, I narrowly escaped -Robbers, which these Countries are much infested with, especially by -those they call _Heydukes_, some of which were afterwards taken, and -put to death at _Buda_, where they confessed to the _Bashaw_ thereof, -that they lay in wait for me and my Train, under a broken Bridge we -were to pass, that so they might assault us unawares. The Truth is, a -few may very easily circumvent and destroy a great many Passengers on -such Bridges; for the Bridges are ill-built, and the Planks are set so -wide, and gaping one from another, that you can scarce go over them safe -on Horseback, without danger of falling, if you are never so careful; -and if some meet you before, others will fall on your Rear, and others -start out from the Reeds and Sedges below, where they hide themselves, -and so accost you in the Flank, and you can hardly manage your Horse for -Self-defence, by reason of the badness of the Bridge: No doubt you may -be treated as the _Romans_ were in the _Caudine Streights_; be either -taken, or killed, at Pleasure. I know not what it was that deterred them -from assaulting us; whether it were our Numbers, or the Sight of the -_Hungarians_ with us; or because we were in a long Train, and all were -not on the Bridge at once; or whatever else it was that withheld them, -by God’s Blessing, we got safe to _Buda_. The _Bashaw_ of the Town was -not then at home; he was gone to _Pest_, on the other side of the River, -where they had a Council of War, after the manner of the _Hungarians_, -they call them _Rachi_. Many _Sanziacks_ were already come thither, but -more were expected; for which Cause, when I desired Audience, ’twas put -off for three Days, that the _Janizaries_ and military Persons might make -a greater Show. Then I was sent for over, and conveyed to his Tent, where -he made Complaints to me of the Injuries that some _Hungarians_ had done -him. It is usual, in those frontier Garrisons, both for _Hungarians_ and -_Turks_, mutually to complain of one another; yea, sometimes they, that -are most in Fault, begin to complain first. The _Turkish_ Bashaw also -added some threatning Expressions of Revenge. It may be, he thought that -the Sight of his Army would terrify me; but he was mistaken. I answered -him roundly, that the _Hungarians_ might rather find Fault with the -_Turks_, than on the contrary; for I my self, in my Travels, had seen -some of his Soldiers plunder some _Hungarians_, Subjects of his Imperial -Majesty, and carry away their Goods. He answered me, he had indeed put -some contumacious _Christians_ under military Execution; but they were -such as were under his Master, not the Emperor. Thus, after a mutual -Altercation, I was dismissed, being in very bad plight, for my Ague-Fit -was strong upon me all that Day. - -The Day after, I went to _Gran_, having a _Turkish_ Guard of Horse along -with me. I had a mind to be wafted over the _Danube_, and for one Night -to lodge in a Village over against the Castle of _Gran_, that the Day -after I might come the sooner to _Commara_, and be better able to endure -my Ague-Fit, which I expected that Day; and therefore I entreated that -Favour of my Guide, that he would send some body over, to bring the -Ferry-Boat, that was on the other Side, that so our Passage might be -the easier. I found some Difficulty in having my Request granted; yet, -partly to gratify me, and partly to acquaint the _Sanziacks_ with my -Arrival there, he sent over two Persons. When they were gone an Hour -before, they spied four Horsemen standing under a Tree, a little from -the High-way-side. They judged them, by their Habits, to be _Turks_, -and therefore turned aside to accost them; and, as they drew near, they -ask’d them, What News? They answered not a Word; but made at them with -their drawn Swords, and gave one of them such a Blow, athwart his Face, -that he made the greatest Part of his Nose to hang down over his Chin; -and then catching at his Horse, which he held by the Bridle, he left his -own Beast, and mounting it, set Spurs, and away. The _Turks_ presently -came back to us, especially he with the maim’d Face, and, with a woful -Lamentation, bid us prepare for the Combat, for we were Way-laid. I, to -encourage my Men, got presently on Horse-back; but we came too late, -when the Scuffle was over; for they had more mind to preserve the Prey -they had got, than to fight; and thereupon fled speedily to _Javarin_, -a Garrison of ours, to which they did belong: The _Turks_ shewed them -to us, as they were scouring over the neighbouring Hills that led to -_Javarin_. Thus we came to _Gran_; the _Sanziack_ very friendly gave me -a Visit, and, among other Discourse, he put me in mind of the Insolency -of the _Hungarian_ Soldiers, who could not be kept from Thieving (said -he) though you, the Emperor’s Ambassador, were in company of those they -robbed; and therefore he desired of me, that the Horse they took away -yesterday might be restored. In the mean Time, the _Turk_, that was -wounded the Day before, stood without in the Entry, with his Nose sewed -together, through which he made a lamentable Moan, desiring me to pity -his Condition. I told him, I would give him what was enough for his Cure, -and so I bestowed two Duckets upon him. He would have had more; but the -_Sanziack_ told him, ’twas enough; his Misfortune was not to be charged -upon me. - -Being thus dismissed by the _Sanziack_, I came the same Day to _Commara_, -where I expected my Ague-Fit; but when the usual Period of it drew -near, I found it had left me, as if a Fever, got in _Turkey_, durst -not accompany me into the _Christian_ Territories. Hereupon I gave God -thanks, who had both freed me of my Ague, and had also brought me safe to -the end of my long and tedious Journey. - -Two Days after, I came to _Vienna_, where the Emperor _Ferdinand_, my -most gracious Master, was not at present, only I found _Maximilian_, -King of _Bohemia_, there in his Room; whole courteous Reception of me -made me almost forget the Toil of my Journey. But I must tell you, I -was so emaciated with my Sickness, and the Inconveniences of my Journey -together, that many thought the _Turks_ had given me a poisonous -Dose; for, truly, when I went lately to pay my Duty to the Arch-Duke -_Ferdinand_, he asked one of his Domesticks, who I was? who answered, -I was one that came lately from _Turkey_, and that it was no wonder I -looked so ill, for they, who returned from those Parts, usually did so. - -Perhaps he was willing to have it believed, that I had taken the Emperor -_Claudius_’s Dose; but, for my part, I know of no such thing; neither do -I question, but after resting a while, to recover the tediousness of my -Journey, I shall look as well as ever I did: I find my self something -mended already. - -In the mean time, I acquainted the Emperor with my Return, by Letter, -and of the half Year’s Truce I had obtained; and the sum of my whole -Negotiation; and that, when he came home from the _Diet_, I would inform -him of all Particulars more punctually and distinctly. - -One thing more I shall acquaint you with. There were many Persons who -refused to accompany me to _Constantinople_, either for Fear, or I know -not what other Motive, who wished they had given me any Money to go along -with me, now they saw me return in safety. But what says he in _Plautus_? -_If you will eat the Kernel, you must take the Pains to break the Nut_: -He does himself Wrong, that thinks to reap part of the Fruit, who took no -part of the Pains. - -Thus, Sir, I have given you an account of my Journey, both to -_Constantinople_, and also to _Amasia_. I have not dress’d up my -Narrative with Flowers of Rhetoric, but have presented you with it, just -as I would have related it to you by Word of Mouth. I know you will bear -with the Coarseness of my Style, it being occasioned by my over-eager -Desire to gratify you; nor can you well expect Elegancy from me now in my -Heat and Throng of Business, which I was never Master of in my greatest -Retirements. This I assure you, both for your Information and my own -Content, that I am not conscious to myself of any Falshood in the whole -Narration, which is the principal Ornament of such Relations as these. -Thus I bid you Farewell. - - _Vienna, September 1st._ - - - - -_SIR_, - -I received your Letter, wherein you acquaint me, that you have heard -of my second Voyage into _Turkey_; on which Account you express your -Wonderment, that I would venture to visit that uncouth and barbarous -Country, once more. And withal, you desire to know the Issue of my -Journey: How I found Matters at my Return to _Constantinople_; what -Entertainment I met with there; what proportion of Health I enjoy; -whether my Life be pleasant to me, or not; and, in fine, what Hopes there -may be of my speedy return to _Germany_. To all which you oblige me, -upon the score of our ancient Friendship, to give particular and express -Answers; which, to gratify you, I shall accordingly do. - -Know then, in the first Place, that you were not mis-informed as to my -Return into _Turkey_; the thing is most true: Neither could I avoid the -Journey, as being oblig’d thereunto by Promise; and you know every honest -Man is as good as his Word. My Case was this: The Emperor _Ferdinand_, -my most gracious Lord and Master, designed me as his Lieger Ambassador -to _Constantinople_; but his Design was grounded on this Supposition, -that a Peace would be first settled betwixt the two Empires. Articles -of Agreement, however, being not yet fully accorded to, nor wholly -rejected, there was no reason I should slip my Neck out of the Collar, -till the Matter was brought to some certain Issue; either a firm Peace, -or a perfect Rupture. And therefore, when I foresaw what a Bushel of -Troubles I should run my self into, by my Return, I had much rather -a fitter Person had been substituted for the Employment; but no body -being willing to accept the Charge, I was, in a manner, forced into -the Service; it being my Duty to comply with, and obey, the Will and -Pleasure of my gracious Master: For as soon as ever he return’d from the -Imperial Diet to _Vienna_, and was informed by me of my Transactions -with _Solyman_, the _Ottoman_ Emperor, he immediately laid his Commands -upon me to prepare my self to return, and to carry back his Answer to -_Solyman_’s Letters. ’Tis true, it was the depth of Winter, when I was -commanded to return to _Constantinople_; and, besides, ’twas a very -rainy, cold and tempestuous Season; and my Message too was so severe, -that I was like to have no Thanks for my Labour. Here, perhaps, you may -twit me in the Teeth, what! Twice to the same Place? To which I answer, -twice, and oftner, if there be need; for commendable Enterprizes, the -mere hazardous, the more Praise-worthy. - -’Twas in _November_ when I left _Vienna_, to undertake my second Voyage -to unhospitable _Pontus_. I will not grate your Ears with the Relation of -the Enterprizes of my _second_ Journey: I was too vexatious, I fear, in -giving you an Account of my _first_. - -It may suffice to tell you, that I went the same Stages, in a manner, -that I did at first. So then, to _Constantinople_ I came, in the -beginning of _January_, having lost one of my Retinue, who died of a -Fever in the way. There I found my Collegues in good Health; but a -mighty Change was made in the _Turkish_ Affairs: _Bajazet_, _Solyman_’s -youngest Son, had escap’d a great Danger, and was reconciled to his -Father: _Achmet Bassa_, the _Grand Vizier_, had been strangled, -and _Rustan_, his Predecessor, was restored to his Place of _Grand -Viziership_, of whom more hereafter. But, at present, I shall acquaint -you what coarse Entertainment I met with from their _Emperor_, his -Bashaws, and other great Men among them. For their Bashaws (as the -manner is, before they introduce an Ambassador to their Prince) being -desirous to hear of me, in general, the purport of my Message; as soon -as they understood, that my Master _Cæsar_ would not recede a jot from -his Right, but did punctually insist upon it, as just and equal, that the -Transactions with the Widow of _John_ late _Vaivode_ of _Transylvania_ -and her Son (being made without Fraud, Force or Covin,) should be -strictly observed, they were in a mighty Chafe: For you must know, that -a long Series of happy Success, hath so elevated the Minds of this -People, that they make their own Wills, forsooth, the sole Rule of all -Reason, Right or Wrong. On which presumptuous Principle, they carried it -very haughtily towards us; and told us the extream Danger we should run -into, if we offer’d to appear before that Prince with such an imperious -Message. When such menacing Words could not deter us from demanding -Audience, they gave us to understand, that they would have no hand in our -Admittance; for do ye think, (said they) that we are such brazen-fac’d -Fellows as to bring you, with such sawcy Answers, to our King? No, said -they; it will be a plain Mockery to him, which he will never take well at -your Hands. Do you not know, proceeded they, that he is come back from -_Persia_ with a victorious Army; where, his Successes have so exalted -him, that he hath put his own Son to death, as emulous of the Empire? -Whereby you may guess at the severity of his Passion. He longs for, and -courts, a fair Occasion to send his hardy and well-disciplin’d Army into -_Hungary_, to enrich them with the Spoils of that Country, and to add the -residue thereof to his Empire. And therefore, if you be wife, don’t rouze -a sleeping _Lyon_; for thereby you will but hasten your own Miseries, -which are coming on fast enough of themselves. Such were the Harangues of -the Bashaws to us; and the rest of the _Turks_ were of the same Mind. The -mildest Punishment they denounced against us, was, that two of us would -be cast into a nasty Dungeon; and the third (which was to be my share) -would have his Nose and Ears cut off, and so sent back to his Master. - -And, to strike the greater Terror into us, the _Turks_, who passed by -our Lodgings, gave us many a sour Look; which was an Argument, that they -intended some cruel Deportment towards us. And the truth is, from that -Day forward, they used us more coarsely than ever; they kept us up close -as Prisoners rather than Ambassadors: They suffer’d no body to come to -us, nor permitted any of us to go forth, and the rest of their Carriage -was as intolerable. Thus have they treated us these six Months past; and -I know not how long they will continue these Severities; but, come what -will, we submit to the Will of God, our Cause is just and honourable, and -that gives us Relief against their vigorous Extremities. But leaving the -Narration of our own Misfortunes, I shall answer your Desire, in giving -you an Account of the Story of _Bajazet_. For the clearer Explication -thereof, I must acquaint you, that _Solyman_ had five Sons; the -Eldest, begot by him on a Concubine, near the _Bosphorus_, was called -_Mustapha_, of whose unhappy End you have heard before; but by another -Wife, named _Roxolana_, he had four, _Mahomet_, _Selimus_, _Bajazet_ -and _Giangir_. _Mahomet_ liv’d till he was married, (for the _Turks_ -call their Concubines, Wives) but died soon after; so that _Selimus_ and -_Bajazet_ of this latter Venter only remain’d alive. As for _Giangir_, -he came thus to his end: When News was brought to _Constantinople_, -that his Half-brother _Mustapha_ was put to death, the Youth, being of -a timorous Mind and infirm Body (for he was crook-back’d) fell into a -grievous Passion, upon the Imagination that the like Fate did hang over -his own Head; for he could promise safety to himself no longer than his -Father liv’d. If his Head were once laid, he that was his Successor, -would certainly kill all his Brethren, as emulous of the Kingdom; not one -of them would be excepted, and himself, being among the Number, must look -for the same Fate. This Thought struck him into a Disease, even as if the -Bow-string had been already about his Neck, which cost him his Life; so -that now only _Selimus_ and _Bajazet_ remained. _Selimus_ was the Elder, -and ’twas known to all, that his Father design’d him for the Empire; but -_Bajazet_ was most favoured and doted upon by his Mother. Whether it -were out of Commiseration to prevent his inevitable Ruin, or else out of -motherly Indulgence, or whatever else the Reason was; this is certain, if -her Vote could have carried it, _Bajazet_ had certainly succeeded in the -Empire after his Father’s Death. But she must give way to his Father’s -Will, who was fully resolv’d, come what would, that _Selimus_, and -none else, should succeed him. _Bajazet_ was not ignorant thereof, and -therefore he turned every Stone to stave off his impending Fate, and, if -possible, to prevent his Ruin by grasping at the Throne. And his Hopes -were encreased by the favour of his Mother, and of _Rustan_ the _Grand -Vizier_, who was thought to have espoused his Interests. Having two such -Pillars to support him, he thought with himself, ’twas far more glorious -to hazard his Life in contending with his Brother for the Empire, than to -die obscurely by the Bow-string, as a Victim to his Cruelty. - -_Bajazet_ having this Project in his Head, began to pick Quarrels with -his Brother, and to maintain a Faction against him; neither was it long -before a proper Occasion offered itself for him to begin his design’d -Enterprize, of rising in Arms upon the account of _Mustapha_’s Death, and -the Disgust of many thereupon. For the Truth is, _Mustapha_ was so well -belov’d in his Life-time, and so much lamented at his Death, that those -who had placed all their Hopes of Advancement in him alone, were almost -unwilling to live after him; so that they did but wait for an Opportunity -to revenge his Death, or to die as he did. Others, who were conscious to -themselves that they had favoured his Party, and therefore were obnoxious -to the present Power, did not care what Hurley-burlies they made; ready -they were for any Innovation, only they wanted a Leader. In this case, -they did not well know what to do. As for _Mustapha_ himself, they knew -he could not be recalled from the Dead; yet it was in their power to -suborn and set up a feigned _Mustapha_ in his head, as if the true one -had been yet alive. This Design pleased _Bajazet_ (who was the contriver -of the Plot) best of all, as most conducing to the accomplishment of -his Purpose. Hereupon, by his Emissaries, he procures a mean Fellow, -but bold and ready witted, to counterfeit himself to be _Mustapha_; and -his Pretence was the more plausible, because his Stature, Physiognomy -and Meen of his Body did somewhat resemble _Mustapha_’s. This Man -began first, to shew himself in that part of _Thrace_ which was above -_Constantinople_, towards the _Danube_, _Moldavia_, and _Valachia_. This -Place he thought the most opportune to raise a Party, because it was -full of Horse; and that part of the _Turkish Militia_ did most favour -_Mustapha_. Here he starts up, as if he had fled in Post-haste from some -remote Place, with a few in his Company; which he pretended were for his -own Security. His Followers being asked by the Country, who he was? They -answered, at first, whisperingly, that he was _Mustapha_. Hereupon they -were more desirous to know the Truth; and then he was forced to declare -himself, that he was _Mustapha_, indeed. Having made this prosperous -Beginning, he goes on to congratulate his Safety among them, and to give -God thanks. _First_, he told them, _That, when he was sent for by his -angry Father, he durst not trust himself to come into his Presence; but, -by his Friend’s Advice, suborned one, somewhat like him, to represent -his Person, that, by another Man’s Hazard rather than his own, he might -make Trial of his incensed Father’s Inclination towards him. This Man -he hired with great Promises of Reward; but as soon as he came to his -Father, he was strangled at his Tent-door, before he had any opportunity -to make his Defence; and his dead Body was exposed to the View of the -Soldiery. At which time_, said he, _there were some few that smelt out -the Project; but most part was deceived by the disguised Lineaments of -the deceased Body, and thought it was he himself that was slain. As soon -as I heard of this_, said he, _I saw there was no Stay for me, but I must -consult my Safety by a speedy Flight. I took but few in my Company, that -I might be the less taken notice of and thus passing over ~Pontus~ and -the ~Bosphoran~ Country, I am_, said he, _come hither; where I promise my -self much Aid from your Fidelity, and, therefore, I beseech you lend me -your helping Hand; and, seeing I am oppress’d by a wretched Step-mother, -be you as forward to help me in my Affliction, as you were all ready to -do so in my Prosperity. For my part, I am resolved to revenge my Wrongs, -and to maintain my Life by force of Arms. For what other Course, pray, -can I take? I owe my Life to my Father’s Mistake, who killed another -Man instead of me; so that I plainly see, what Fate attends me, if -ever I come into his Power. The miserable old Man is imposed on by the -enchanting Passions of a Step-mother, whom he doats upon, and by the -Ministry of ~Rustan~, to whatsoever Attempt they please. But, thanks be -to God_, said he, _I have got some Friends left to revenge my Wrongs, and -to punish my Enemies. And, besides, I am not quite daunted, but have a -great stock yet of Courage left; for I know that the ~Janizaries~, and -most of all my Father’s Court are on my side; and, then, upon hearing of -my Name, I know all those who lamented me, when dead (as they thought), -will joyn me, now they hear I am alive; only be you pleased to vouchsafe -me a favourable Reception, and to protect me till sufficient Aid come -in to me._ These were his private, and also his public Harangues, -where-ever he came; and his instructed Followers ecchoed forth the same -Report; yea, some Men of Note whom _Bajazet_ had suborned, sung Notes -to the same Tune. Thus a great party of Men, unknown to _Bajazet_, were -brought into the Noose. For the Matter was carried on so cunningly, that -those who knew _Mustapha_, and saw him lie dead before his Father’s -Tent, yet were afraid to believe their own Eyes, but suffered themselves -to be persuaded, that this was the true _Mustapha_ indeed: Yea, some -of _Mustapha_’s Intimates, who knew this was but a Cheat, were yet so -overfond of his Memory, that, blinded either with Fear, Grief, or Anger, -they were the first that listed themselves under this _Pseudo-Mustapha_, -as being weary of their Lives without him; which made others certainly -think, that this was the true _Mustapha_ indeed, whom Report had falsely -given out to be slain. And, besides, the Impostor himself, by large -Promises and great Presents, which he said were the Relicks of his former -Acquisitions, (but indeed were the Supplies that _Bajazet_ had provided -under-hand) did not cease to cajole and engage his Followers. So that in -a very few Days he got a handsome body of Men together, fit for a little -Army; and they encreased every day. - -When _Solyman_ was made acquainted by Messages and Letters, which the -neighbouring _Sanziacks_, had, in great trepidation, sent him, what -hazard he was in by reason of the resort of such Multitudes, to this -_Pseudo-Mustapha_; the cunning old Man knew one of his Sons must needs be -privy to the Plot, and therefore, he made haste to disappoint it; chiding -his _Sanziacks_, by Letter, that they suffered the Matter to come to such -a Head, and had not rather crush’d the Cockatrice in the Egg; but, seeing -they had been negligent hitherto, he commanded them to make amends for -their former Remissness, and to send him presently, the Traitor and his -Followers, Prisoners, in Chains, to receive their condign Punishment; -and, to facilitate the Matter, he would send Aid to them, by one of -his _Viziers_, _Partan Bassa_ who had married the Widow of _Mahomet_ -aforesaid. However, he advised them, if they would purge themselves -of their criminal Neglect, they should quell the Insurrection before -his Succour came. _Partan_ had but a few Troops with him; but they were -choice Men, eminent for Courage and Faithfulness. _Solyman_ took care to -cull out Colonels, Captains, and other Commanders of that Inclination -for this Service, as suspecting that others might have been corrupted, -or enticed to pass over to the Tents of the Rebels; for, the Truth was, -the ordinary sort of _Janizaries_, upon account of _Mustapha_’s Name, did -not seem much averse from the Party; and, therefore, did not care what -further Confusions might enhance the Danger on that side. - -The _Sanziacks_, as soon as ever they received _Solyman_’s threatning -Dispatches, began to bestir themselves, and to rouze up one another so -that happy was he, that could do most Damage to the growing Party of the -Impostor. Some of those that were going in to him, they intercepted; -those that had already join’d him, they laboured to discourage by -terrible Menaces and Denunciations of the Danger they were in. In the -mean time, the Forces of _Partan Bassa_ were marching on, and being -almost come up to the Place, the Party of the Tumultuous, which were -not yet fully settled, seeing so great Preparations, made against them, -began to be discouraged, (as is usual with Men in such Circumstances) -and to drop off one by one; and at last the whole Body of them most -shamefully left their Leader, and shifted for themselves, the belt they -could. Their feigned _Mustapha_, with his chief Partisans and Setters -on, would willingly have done so too; but he was so watch’d by the -_Janizaries_, that he was taken alive, and sent Prisoner to _Partan_, -who, with a strong Guard, sent him to _Constantinople_. When he came -thither, _Solyman_ put him on the Rack, and by that means found out -the whole Plot; how his Son _Bajazet_ was at the bottom of it, and had -resolved, if they had not been so soon dissipated, to have join’d them -with a considerable Force, and so either to have marched directly to -_Constantinople_, or else (if Opportunity had served him) to have fought -out his Brother; but being slow in his Actings, his Design was nipp’d -in the very Bud. When _Solyman_ had thus ferreted out the Design to the -bottom, he caused him and his Abettors to be thrown into the Sea at -Midnight, not thinking it convenient to have the Matter divulg’d among -his own People, or that foreign Princes should be acquainted with the -domestic Differences of his own Family. - -As for his Son _Bajazet_, he was mightily exasperated against him for his -foul Offence, and was meditating in his Mind what grievous Punishment he -should inflict upon him. In the mean time, his Wife being a prying Woman, -and therefore allowing him but little space for his Anger to vent and -cool itself, at last falling into Discourse with him of the Affair, she -began to excuse her Son, laying all the Fault on his youthful Imprudence; -and that some of his Ancestors also had been necessitated to undertake -the like Attempts. For (says she) ’tis a natural Instinct in all Men to -do what they can for themselves and their Friends, and to save their -Lives, if they can; especially, young Men, in the fervour of Youth, -are apt to be drawn aside by ill Counsellors to pernicious Attempts; -and, therefore, it was but reasonable that his first Fault should be -pardoned, because, if he repented, his Father had gained a great Point in -preserving his Son; but if he relapsed again into the same Crime, then -the Father was at liberty to inflict deserved Punishment on him, for -both Offences, at one and the same time. But, proceeded she, if you will -not pardon him for his own sake, yet be pleased to do it for mine; and -spare our own common Flesh and Blood: For how, think you, can I bear it, -that, of two Sons which God hath yet left me, your Severity should rend -one of them from me? And, therefore, she intreated him to moderate his -Anger, and not to let loose the Reins to Cruelty, though he had never so -just an Occasion. Almighty God (said she) though most Powerful and Just, -yet doth not always exert his highest Severities, but tempers them with -Indulgence, else Mankind would be quickly destroyed. And, if Clemency -may be shew’d to any, to whom, pray, more properly than to a Man’s own -Children? _Bajazet_, for the future, will certainly keep within the -bounds of his Duty, and the Fear, wherein he now is, will certainly be -turned into the highest Degree of filial Obedience for the future. If you -please to spare his Life, the Sense of your Indulgence will work this; -for nothing is so obliging to generous Minds as Courtesies received. The -Memory of his Pardon will restrain him from running a second time into -the like Offence; and I my self will undertake for him, that for the -future he will carry it towards you, as a most dutiful and obedient Son. - -To these Intreaties she added Tears and Caresses, so that the old -Man, who was Uxorious enough before, could no longer withstand her -Importunities, but changed his Mind; and, instead of punishing, resolved -to pardon his Son; but on this Condition, that he was to come into his -Presence, and receive his Commands. His Mother, being exceeding glad at -the good Success of her Interposal, was not wanting to the Occasion; -but presently acquainted _Bajazet_ by Letters that, whenever he was sent -for, he should not scruple in the least to come to his Father, for she -had wrought a Reconciliation betwixt them, so that not the least spark -of Discontent lay now covered in his Mind against him. Upon the Receipt -of this good News, _Bajazet_ resolves to trust his Father, yet not -without some Relicks of Fear; he reflected ever and anon on his Brother -_Mustapha_, whose Example warned him of the Danger he underwent. However, -conquering his Fear, come he did to the place of Conference appointed -by his Father; it was called _Carestrane_, some few Miles distant from -_Constantinople_. - -You must know; that, now-a-days, ’tis the custom of the _Turkish_ -Emperors, never to permit any one of their Sons, when once they are grown -up, to set their Foot within the Gates of _Constantinople_, (whilst they -are alive) for fear they should ingratiate themselves with the Soldiery, -and so set up for themselves. As he was alighting from his Horse, some -of his Father’s Servants were at hand to take away his Sword and Dagger. -This struck his guilty Conscience into a little Fear, though it were -accustomed to be done to others, that they might come unarmed into their -Emperor’s Presence: But his Mother, who had placed her self on purpose -near his Passage, looked out at a Window, using these Expressions, _Chear -up, chear up, my Son!_ By which Antidote he was very much heartened and -relieved. - -As soon as ever he came into his Father’s Presence, the old Man bid him -sit down, and then began to blame him very severely for his Rashness, -in taking up Arms so causelesly. They may be looked upon, said he, as -taken up against my self: But, grant you took them up only against your -Brother, yet it takes off little from your Offence; for, if you had had -your Wish, the _Ottoman_ Religion would have been quite shaken, if not -overthrown, by the domestic Discords among our Family, (on the Heirs -whereof it doth depend); so that, if you be a true _Mussulman_, such a -Crime ought to have been far from your Thoughts. I might aggravate your -Crime (said he) by telling you, that you aspired to the Government in -my Life-time, which is so contemptuous a Thing, that your Offence is -almost inexpiable: Nevertheless, I am resolved to pardon you, and to -shew my self a loving Father, rather than a just Judge, that so for the -future you may leave all to God; for Kingdoms, and the Governments of -them are not disposed of by Man’s Pleasure, but by the Will of God. If -he hath decreed that you shall have the Kingdom after me, no Man living -will be able to hinder it: But, if God had otherwise determined, ’twas a -mad Thing in you to go about to resist his Will; for that were to fight -against God. And, therefore, let me advise you to be quiet; and not -disturb your peaceable Brother, nor interrupt the Quiet of my old Age; -for, I will assure you, if you commit a second Offence of this Nature, I -will be so far from Pardoning you, that you shall have the Severity of -Justice. - -_Bajazet_’s Answer was very submissive, acknowledging his Fault, and -promising Subjection for the future. Whereupon _Solyman_ called for -Drink, and caused it to be given to his Son, (as the Custom is) which -was a Sherbet, made of Sugar, and the Juice of certain Fruit. _Bajazet_ -had rather have let it alone, as fearing it might have been his last -Draught, but he could not handsomely refuse it: So he drank a little, and -his Father drank a little after him; which freed him of his Fear. Thus -_Bajazet_ was dismissed, and sent away to his Government, his Congress -with his Father having been far more auspicious, than his Brother -_Mustapha_’s was. - -As for the Death of _Achmet Bassa_, another of your Enquiries, I shall -give this short Relation. Some say, he was put to Death for being too -much affected to _Mustapha_, and for favouring underhand the counterfeit -_Mustapha_, and encouraging _Bajazet_ in his Designs. Others say, that -being a mere Robber or Swash-Buckler at first, but advanced for his -Audacity, Valour and Skill in military Affairs, to that high Dignity, the -Punishment of his former flagitious Life, was only deferred to the last -Period of it. And some were of Opinion, he was executed only to make Way -for _Rustan_; for _Solyman_, having promised _Achmet_ never to take away -the Seal from him, so long as he lived, to make a collusive Performance -of his Word, he caused him to be put to Death, before he did it. Some -said, that _Solyman_ gave it out, ’Twas better to die once, than a -thousand Times over; for the Fear of the Loss of his _Grand Viziership_, -and much more his Survival thereupon, would have been as a thousand -Deaths to him. Whatever was the Cause, the Manner of it was this: He -came early in the Morning into the Divan, (or Council-Chamber) being -ignorant of what was designed against him: By and by comes the Messenger -to him from the _Sultan_, telling him, that he must die. He was a Man of -a great Spirit, and received the Message as undauntedly, as if it had -nothing concerned him; only, when the Executioner drew near, to do his -Office, he pushed him away, as thinking it dishonourable for a Man of his -Dignity to die by the Hands of an ordinary Executioner: But, casting his -Eyes round about the Company, he espied a creditable Person, that was -his Friend; him he desired to do that last Office for him, and he should -take it as a great Kindness at his Hands. His Friend, upon his iterated -Request, undertook it: Only _Achmet_ advised, not to draw the Cord, or -Bow-string, so as to dispatch him at once, but when he had strained it a -little, then to remit it, that he might breath a while, and afterwards -to pull it as hard as he could, until he were dead; wherein his Desire -was answered. Thus _Achmet_ was willing to taste (as it were) of Death, -before he drank his full Draught of it. Upon his Decease _Rustan_ had the -_Grand-Viziership_ bestowed upon him. - -As for my Return out of this Country, which you desire to hear of, all I -can say is, _Facilis descensus Averni_. He that brought me hither, will, -when he sees good, bring me back: In the Interim, I solace my self in the -Company of my old Friends, my Books, which never fail to afford me Relief -both Day and Night. - - _Constantinople, June 12._ - - - - -_SIR_, - -What you have heard, is very true, in every particular; for it is most -certain, that all my Collegues are returned Home, and poor I am left -behind, alone. And, whereas you put several Questions to me, as, what -Fate, or what malevolent Star, kept me back from accompanying them in -their Return? And why I did not shake Hands with that barbarous Country, -to enjoy the wish’d for Comforts of my own? And withal, you demand, what -memorable Matters I have seen or heard of since I wrote last? Promising -to give Credit to whatever drops from my Pen, as if it were as true as -Gospel. And moreover, you desire to know the course of my Studies, and -how I relieve my self, both in my Solitudes and Sufferings? And whether I -go abroad, or always stay at home? All these Demands put together, will -engage me to write rather Commentaries or Diaries, than a single Letter, -especially, since you are very earnest to know, how _Bajazet_’s Matters -stand, concerning which, you say, there are various Reports with you. -You claim a Promise from me, and unless I perform it, you tell me you -will commence an Action against me, and have already drawn your Breviat. -To pursue your Metaphor, let me persuade you to stay a while, _Leniter -qui sæviunt, sapiunt magis_, says the old Proverb, no Haste to kill true -Men: But if you are so much given to Law, take Use and Principal too, -rather than I will answer your Suit, for I am averse from _Lawing_. And -besides, the distance of Place is so great between us, that if I should -put in an Exception to your _Plea_, yet your Writ would hardly abate. -But, however it be, I will rather satisfy your Desires, than contend -with you in the least. When my Collegues (whose Names I gave you in my -last Letters) perceived, that our three Years Abode in this Place had -produced little Good hitherto, either to the making of a firm Peace, -or the continuing the Truce; and that small Hopes of either did appear -for the future, they laboured with Might and Main to be dismissed by -this Court; and when, with much ado, _Solyman_’s Consent was obtained -therein, (for ’tis no easy matter to get a Dismission from hence) the -only Question was, whether we should all go, or only those of us that -came first, and so had been longest there? For cunning _Solyman_, that -he might not seem over desirous of Peace, by retaining one of us, -remitted the Matter wholly to our own Choice. In these Circumstances, -my Companions thought it very adviseable, and for our Master’s Service, -that one of us should stay behind; and I my self was of the same Mind: -But we resolved to dissemble our Sentiments, and conceal them from the -_Turks_, so that, as often as we had any Discourse with them on that -Subject, I always pretended an utter Unwillingness to stay behind. ’Tis -true, I told them I came thither to reside as Ambassador in Ordinary; but -it was on Supposition, that Peace would be made between both Empires. -That not being yet done, I did not see how I could well stay, but to the -Damage, and against the Will of my Master, and therefore it was best -that we should all return together. Thus I reasoned before them, that -so I might stay on better Terms, rather by their Entreaty than by my -own voluntary Offer. I knew well enough, that, if we all went away, it -would not only open a wide Door for a War, but it would even quite shut -out all Hopes of Peace; which latter was not despaired of, if I staid -behind: For, whilst Dispatches were sent to and from both Princes, it -would spin out a great deal of Time, in which Interval something or other -might fall out of advantage to our Cause; so that it was better to do any -thing, than to precipitate our selves into a fierce and cruel War; and -yet I was not ignorant, how prejudicial my Stay would be to my self, for -thereby my Care and Labour would be doubled, in regard one was to do the -Work of two or three: Besides, many Inconveniencies might occasionally -arise, especially, if the Issue of my Transactions did terminate in a -War: And yet, I must tell you, he that undertakes the Office of a public -Ambassador, must post-pone all such private Difficulties, and make light -of them, in comparison of the public Good of his Prince and Country. -And I had a fair Opportunity to manage this Affair by the Complaisance -of _Rustan_, who was very desirous of my Stay; for that subtle _Vizier_ -easily foresaw, what a shrewd Step towards a War it would be, if we -should all be gone and leave the Negotiation for a Peace unfinished. The -old Fox was averse from War, upon this Account principally; he foresaw -that, if _Solyman_ made an Expedition into _Hungary_, it was impossible -to prevent the Discords of his Children; for if _Selimus_ were willing to -be quiet, yet _Bajazet_ would attempt Innovation, especially since he was -favoured by himself, his Wife, and Mother-in-law; and such Commotions, -he knew, would be fatal to him: And therefore, when we were once at his -House, he made a long Harangue to my Colleagues, advising them what to -say to their Master at their Return, in order to a Peace. As for me, he -advised me by all means to stay behind, and not to desert a Business so -well begun, till it came to the desired Issue; and there’s no doubt, said -he, but the Emperor, your Master, who always shewed himself inclining to -Peace, will approve well-enough of your Stay. However, I continued deaf -to his Request, as far as with Safety I could, and insisted on my Return; -which egg’d him on the more, to persuade me to stay: What, says he, will -you cut off all Hopes of Peace for ever? Our Emperor longs for nothing -more than to send an Army into _Hungary_, and he had long since done it, -if I had not made use of some female Instruments (meaning his Wife and -Mother-in-law) to dissuade him; yea, as it were to pluck him back by the -Sleeve; and therefore, if you be wife, don’t rouze a sleeping Lyon to -destroy you. Upon this I began to yield a little, and was less peremptory -in my Refusal to stay; only I told them, my greatest Remora was, I was -afraid of their unjust Reproaches; that, if Matters succeeded not as they -would have them, the whole Blame would be cast upon me (though it was not -in my Power to help it) and therefore they would make me feel the Fruits -of their Indignation. But _Rustan_ bid me be of good Cheer, whatever the -Event were; if unsuccessful, it should not be imputed to me; if I would -but stay, he promised to take me under his Protection, and next he would -treat me (to use his own Words) as if I were his natural Brother. I told -him, I would consider of it; and so we parted for that Time. - -The next Day we were called into the _Divan_, (so they called their -Council-Chamber) and then the same Part was acted over again; only -_Rustan_ carried it a little more covertly, and reservedly, because -of the Presence of other _Bashaws_. There, at last, I yeilded to stay -behind, only leaving a Memorial with them of this Import, that I -staid behind unknown to my Master, and therefore I would leave all my -Concessions to his Arbitrement, to cancel or confirm: As for myself, -I would be responsible for nothing, nor oblige myself by any Promise, -whatever issue God were pleased to give of my Negotiation. This Memorial -was of great Service to me afterwards, in difficult Circumstances, so -that the _Bashaws_ could not, for shame, treat me so severely in their -Resentments, as otherwise they would have done. - -Thus, Sir, you have an Account of my Stay behind my Fellows, with -the Reason of it. They left _Constantinople_ about the latter end of -_August_, 1557. The Winter following, the _Grand Seignior_ went to -_Adrianople_, as his Custom was, both to strike a greater Terror into -_Hungary_, upon the Report of his nearer approach thither, and also for -the Conveniencies of his Hunting, (for there the Winters are colder than -at _Constantinople_,) both which he thought conducive to his Health. The -Country thereabout is full of Marshes and Stagnant Waters, by reason of -the nearness of many Rivers; so that there are abundance of Water-Fowl, -as wild-Ducks, Geese, Herons, Storks, Cranes, Bitterns, _&c._ To catch -them, he makes use of Hawks, or a lesser sort of Eagles, which are so -used to the Sport, that, though the Fowl fly up to the Clouds, they’ll -fetch him down from thence; but, if they fly lower, then they truss them, -and with a mighty Force strike them with their Bills to the Ground. I am -told, that some of his Falcons are so disciplin’d and expert, that they -will venture on a Crane, even in that part of the Body where the Wing -joyns it; and by this means the Crane’s Bill can do them no hurt, and so -they tumble to the Ground with their Prey: And yet sometimes the Hawk -pays dear for his Boldness; for, if he do but miss his Gripe never so -little, presently the Crane runs him through with his Bill, and down he -tumbles dead to the Ground. - -For this Reason, the _Grand Seignior_ ordinarily every Year, a -little before Winter, goes to _Adrianople_, and returns not again to -_Constantinople_, till the Frogs begin to be troublesome to him by their -croaking. Thither _Rustan_, a while after, sent for me by Letter; he -appointed some Horse to guard me on the Way, and Sixteen _Janizaries_; -whether as a Guard to me, or upon me, I leave to you to judge. We made -long Journeys; for he advised us to make hast. On the Third Day my -_Janizaries_, being on Foot, began to grumble; the Ways were dirty, as is -usual at that Time of the Year, and they complained, that they were often -forced to march more Miles in a Day, than they were used to do; and that, -if their Emperor were there, they could hardly endure it. - -Their Complaints troubled me not a little, because I was loth to -disoblige this sort of People, and therefore I consulted with my -Servants, how I might allay their Discontents, and make them willinger to -Travel. One of mine told me, he had observed that they were much taken -with a certain kind of Caudle, Gruel or Pottage, which my Cook used to -make of Wine, Eggs, Sugar and Spices: Perhaps (says he) if they have some -of that for their Break-fast, they will be plyable. This seemed but a -mean Expedient, yet we resolved to try it, and the Success answered our -Expectation; for, after this sweet Soop, it being also further heated -with a Glass or two of Wine, away they trudged as merrily as could be, -and told me, they would accompany me, on the same Terms, to _Buda_, if I -pleased. - -When I came to _Adrianople_, I was forced to hear the Railings, rather -than the Complaints of _Rustan_, concerning the plundering Excursions of -the _Hungarians_. And, by way of Answer, I was as ready to complain to -him of the frequent Depredations and Mischiefs, which the _Turks_ did in -_Christian_ Countries. No marvel, said I, if we retort like for like; for -I had just then received an Express from _Cæsar_, my Master, informing -me, what Breaches and Contraventions the _Turks_ had made of that Truce, -which at the Departure of my Collegues, was agreed upon: How they vexed -the poor Peasants with continual Inrodes, robbing them of their Goods, -and made themselves, their Wives and Children, Slaves. - -I must not forget to acquaint you, that the same Day, a Messenger -came to me with an Express from _Cæsar_, my Master. There happened an -Earthquake at _Adrianople_, from which he took an occasion to tell me, -that he perceived the same (so he judged it) at _Nissa_, _S. Sophia_ -and other Places through which he Travelled, so that the Air, included -in the Bowels of the Earth, did seem to have kept Pace with him, by -some subterraneous Passages or Caverns, and to have travelled as far -in a Day under Ground, as he himself had done on the Surface of it. -This Conjecture afterward seemed to be confirmed, upon the Relation we -received of an Earthquake that happened in _Constantinople_ four Days -after, which seemed to be the same imprisoned Air, that had made its Way, -under Ground, even to that City also. - -I leave the Matter to your Judgment; but this is certain, that -Earthquakes are very frequent at _Constantinople_; for once, when I was -there, about Mid-Night, my Lodgings did so shake, that it was almost -ready to fall. This Accident awakened me, though fast asleep, and, having -a Watch-Light burning by me all Night, when I saw here a Cup, there a -Book, a Table, Board and Stone all tumbled in a Heap together, I was at -first astonished at the Novelty of the Spectacle, till I had recollected -myself; and judging it to be the Effects of an Earthquake, I then retired -to that part of the House which I thought most secure from falling. -The same Commotion of the Earth continued some Days, but not with like -Violence. Yea, over all that great City, and especially in my Lodgings, -and in the Temple of S. _Sophia_, you might see the Walls, though very -thick, to crack and gape by reason of the Clefts made by such Earthquakes. - -Well; I staid about three Months at _Adrianople_, made a Truce there for -Seven Months, and in _March_ was attended back again to _Constantinople_. -When I came thither, I was quite weary of being mew’d up in my old -Lodging, it was so close, and therefore I dealt with my _Chiaux_, (a -sort of Officers among the _Turks_, which serve for divers Employments, -of which Attendance on Ambassadors is one) that I might have Liberty, -as other Ambassadors had before me, to hire an House at my own Charge, -where I may have the Benefits of Gardens, Orchards, and a free Air to -breath in. The _Chiaux_ was not averse to my Proposal, for he saw that -the _Grand Seignior_’s Interest was concerned therein, who was wont -to hire Houses for Ambassadors, at the yearly Rent of 400 Ducats; and -now all that Expence would be saved: Hereupon I went to a House, or -Island rather, hired with my own Money, where there was a broad Field -adjoyning, which I resolved to turn into a Garden, and to relieve my -wearisom Embassy, in managing and planting it: But, see the Spight of -it! When the _Chiaux_ found, by Experience, that he could not have so -strict an Eye over me in an open House that had many Ways to it, with -a large space of Ground near it, as he had in a _Caravansera_ (which -Word you know the meaning of, by my former Letters) because this latter -was fenced with Cross-barr’d Windows, and, besides, had but one Passage -into it, he began to change his Mind, and thereupon made his Address to -the _Bashaws_, who by this Time were returned from _Adrianople_, that I -might retire from my former Lodging: And I was to look upon this as a -great Courtesy too; for some of the _Bashaws_, in a Debate betwixt them, -concerning the Disposal of me, were of Opinion, that, now I was alone, -a less House would serve my turn, and so some Charge might be saved; -But the more moderate Party carried it, that I should return to my old -Quarters. - -If you desire a Description of the House I lodged in, take it thus. -It is situate on a Rising Ground, in the most celebrated part of -_Constantinople_; in the Back-side of it there is a pleasant, but -somewhat distant, Prospect to the Sea, which yet is not so remote from -it, but that you may easily discern the Dolphins skipping and playing -therein: And also at a vast distance a Man may see Mount _Olympus_ in -_Asia_, which wears a snowy-white Cap all the Year; it lies open to the -Wind from every Quarter, which by ventilating the Air, makes it more -wholsom and healthy. But the _Turks_ are so envious to their _Christian_ -Tenants, that they would cut them off from as many Conveniencies as they -can, and therefore they do not only set Iron Grates before their Windows, -but also add Iron Boards and Planks to hinder the Prospect, and the -free Passage of their Air; and by this means they stop the Mouths of -Neighbouring _Turks_, who are apt to complain, that they can do nothing -in their Houses but the Christians must overlook them. The House is built -in a Quadrangular Form, with a large Square in the midst, wherein there -is a Well. - -The upper part of the House, which is all of it that is inhabited, is -divided into Galleries, which go round it, and into Lodging Chambers. -The Galleries look down into the Quadrangle within, and without are the -Lodgings, which have all a Passage into them; there are a great many of -them, but they are small and uniform, as the Cells or Chambers of Monks -are with us. The Front stands over against the High Way leading to the -_Seraglio_; and the _Grand Seignior_, every _Friday_ (which is their -Sabbath, as the Lord’s Day is with us) passes by it to his Devotions, so -that Ambassadors may easily see him out of their Windows. And the Family, -together with the _Chiaux_ and the _Janizaries_, do obeysance to him in -the Porch, or do re-salute him rather; for the Fashion of the _Turks_ -is, that the Greater doth first of all salute the Less, and therefore -the _Grand Seignior_ as he passes, first salutes the People with a Nod -of his Head; and then they very officiously pay their Court to him, with -Acclamations and Shouts. - -The lower Part of the House is designed for the Stabling of Horses; and, -to preserve it from Fire within, it is all built with Vaults or arched -Roofs, and without it is covered with Lead. ’Tis true, such kind of -Building hath some Advantages; and it hath as many Inconveniencies to -ballance them: For all things are made therein for necessary Use, but -nothing for Delight and Pleasure. There is nothing of Beauty or Novelty -that can entertain your Fancy; no Garden belonging to it, to give a Man -the Pleasure of a Walk; there is neither Tree, Shrub nor green Herb, to -delight your Eye; you have only many wild Beasts as your troublesome -Inmates and Companions. Snakes you have in abundance, store of Weesels, -Lizards and Scorpions; so that sometimes when you would fetch your Hat -in the Morning, from the Place you left it in the Night before, you find -it surrounded with a Snake, as with a terrible Hat-Band; And yet these -Animals afforded me some kind of Diversion in my Solitude, (for you must -give me leave to tell you all my Entertainments). I once saw a Weesel -fiercely combating with a Snake, and though the whole Family look’d -upon her, yet she was not terrified therewith; but though her Adversary -struggled, and made what Defence he could, yet she victoriously haled him -into her Hole. Another Time I saw a Weesel carrying her young Weesling -from one part of the House to another; and, as she was so doing, she -leap’d down upon the middle of the Table, where I and some of my Guests -were sitting after Dinner, having the young one in her Mouth, which -she very fairly left among us on the Table, and skip’d no farther than -the Door, as if she had waited what Event would betide her Youngling. -When we had satisfied ourselves with the Sight of that (yet sharpless) -Animal, we laid it down upon the Ground, and then the Dam ran hastily, -and snatching it up, carried it to her desired Place. Another time I saw -either a Snake, or a Dragon, or a Serpent, trod to pieces by the Horse’s -Feet, in the Stable; her Belly was very big, and, after I had caused it -to be opened, I found three huge Mice therein. ’Twas a wonder to me, -how such a slow and creeping Animal could catch so swift and so running -a one; and, after he had catch’d him, how he could swallow him down, -by reason of the narrowness of his Throat and Jaws. But my Wonderment -was soon abated, when I beheld another Snake seize upon a mighty Toad; -and, after he had him in his Mouth, he began at the hinder Part, and had -devoured a great deal of it; and yet the Toad was still alive, and did -what he could with his Fore-Feet to deliver himself from his Enemy. ’Twas -in this very Posture, when I saw it first; which made me admire, and to -be almost of the Opinion, that I saw a Monster, an Animal with two Feet, -and a Tail as long as a Serpent; but when I drew nearer, and perceived -what it was, I hit the Snake with my Staff, to make him let go his Prey, -which at last he endeavoured to do, that he might creep the nimbler away; -but, whether he would or no, the Toad stuck in his Throat; yet, at last, -when with much-a-do, he had shaken him out, he could not shut his Mouth, -but continued gaping, in an ugly Posture, till we killed him. Such a -Staff, if we may believe _Pliny_, hath a kind of magical Virtue to help -Child-bearing Women in the Time of their Labour. - -But, for my Part, I was not content with the Native Animals of that -Country, but fill’d my House with Outlandish ones too; and my Family -busied themselves, by my Order, to our mutual Contents, in feeding -them, that we might the better bear the Absence from our own Country: -For seeing we were debarred of human Society, what better Conversation -could we have to drive Grief out of our Minds, than among wild Beasts? -Otherwise, Stones, Walls and Solitudes had been but lamentable Amusements -for us. - -Amongst these, Apes led the Van, which making us good Sport, occasioned -great Laughter amongst us, and therefore you should seldom see them -without a whole Ring of my People about them, delighting to observe their -antick Tricks and Gestures. I also bred up some Wolves, some Bears, some -broad-horned Stags (vulgarly miscalled, Bucks) and common Deers; also -Hinds, Lynx’s, Ichneumons or _Indian_ Rats, Weesels of that sort which -you call Ferrets and Fairies: And, if you would know all, I kept also -a Hog, whose noisome Smell was wholsome for my Horses, as my Grooms -persuaded me: So that, in my Nomenclature of other Creatures, ’tis not -fit I should omit my Hog, which made my House to be mightily frequented -by the _Asiaticks_. They came thick and three-fold to see that Creature, -which is counted unclean by them, and by the Books of their Religion they -are forbid to eat it, so that, it being a prohibited Animal among them, -they never saw one before. Yea, all _Turks_ are as much afraid to touch -a Hog, as Christians are to come near to those who are infected with the -Plague. This Humour of theirs being known, we put a pretty Trick upon -them; when any body had a mind to send me a secret Message, which he -would not have my _Chiaux_ know of, he put it into a little Bag, together -with a Roasting-Pig, and send it by a Youth: When my _Chiaux_ met him, -he would ask, what he had there? Then the Boy, being instructed before, -whisper’d him in the Ear, and say, that a Friend of mine had sent me a -Roasting-Pig, for a Present: The _Chiaux_, thereupon, would punch the Bag -with his Stick, to see whether the Boy spake Truth or no; and when he -heard the Pig grunt, he would run back as far as ever he could, saying, -_Get thee in, with the nasty Present!_ Then, spitting on the Ground, and -turning to his Fellows, he would say; _’Tis strange to see how these -Christians do dote on this filthy impure Beast; they cannot forbear -eating of it, though their Lives lay at stake._ Thus he was handsomely -choused, and the Boy brought me what secret Message was sent me. I kept -also a great many sorts of Birds, as Eagles, Jack-daws, _Muscovy_ Ducks, -_Balearick_ Cranes, and Partridges; yea, my House is so full of them, -that, if a Painter were to draw it, he may take from thence the Copy of -_Noah_’s Ark. Besides the Delight that I and my Family take in these -Creatures, to counterpoise our long Absence from our own Country, I got -also this Advantage by them, that now I know, by Experience, what I could -hardly believe when I read it in Books. You know a great many Books -are full of strange Stories, what ardent Love some wild Beasts have to -Mankind: I could never give Credit to such Relations, but looked upon -them as Romances, till I saw with my Eyes, a Lynx, which I got out of -_Assyria_, so passionately affected towards one of my Servants, though -known to him but a little while before, that for my part I could not -think but she was in Love with him: For, whenever he was present, she -would mightily fawn upon him, and in a manner embrace him, and almost -kiss him. Whenever she was about to go away from him, she would gently -lay her Claws on his Cloaths, as labouring to retain him; and, when he -was gone, she would eye him; and whensoever he was in Sight, would hardly -ever remove her Eye from that Quarter. During the Time of his Absence, -she was very sad, but upon his Return she would skip and be jocund; she -could not endure he should be at any Time absent; for one Time, when he -went with me beyond Sea, to the _Turkish_ Camp, the Lynx pined away by -degrees, would not eat a bit, but at length died. - -I was troubled for his Loss, for I had designed him, with another choice -Ichneumon (which I had) as a Present for my Master _Cæsar_; and the -rather, because of the exceeding Beauty of his Skin, which made him -look quite different from other Lynxes: The best of the kind are bred -in _Assyria_, from whence this came, and their Skins are sold here for -fifteen or sixteen Crowns of Gold apiece. I question not, but these -were the _Babilonian_ Pells or Skins, so much famed and valued amongst -the Ancients, of which mention is made in Law-Books; in the Title of -_Publicans_. - -If you please to hear me, I’ll tell you another story of a Bird: I have, -among my other Birds, a _Balearic_ Crane, which differs from the ordinary -sort of Cranes by a white Plume of Feathers, that grows hanging down from -both her Ears; and besides, all the fore-part of her Neck-Feathers were -black, and the _Turks_ adorn their Turbants with it; and there is some -Difference in their Bigness. This _Balearic_ Bird was mightily affected -with a _Spanish_ Soldier, whom I had redeemed out of his Chains; when -he walked abroad, the Bird would walk with him, though for many Hours -together; when he stood still, so did the Crane; when he sat down, she -would stand by him, and suffer him to handle her, and stroke down her -Feathers, whereas she would not suffer any body else so much as to touch -her; whenever he was gone from Home, she would come to his Chamber-door -and knock against it with her Beak; if any body open’d it, she would look -all about, to see whether he were in the Room; and, not finding him, she -would traverse it about, making such a shrill Din and Noise, that nothing -living could endure it; so that we were forced to shut her up, that her -Noise might not offend us. But when he returned, as soon as ever she -fixed her Eyes on him, she would make to him, clapping her Wings with -such an antick Posture of her Body as Dancers in a Jig use to do; or as -if she had been to prepare herself for Combat with a Pygmy. In fine, she -at last used to lie under his Bed at Night, where she laid him an Egg. -Thus I have given the story of the Loves of brute Animals towards Man, -now prepare your Ears for another Story of a contrary Import, _viz._ the -Cruelty and Ingratitude of another Brute towards Man. I had a Hart, that -lived very quiet and tame with me for many Months; but, when her rutting -or coupling Time came, she grew on a sudden so wild, that, forgetting -all our Respects, she flew upon every body that she met, as if she would -have killed them with her Horns, so that we were compelled, for our own -Security, to hamper her, and to shut her up in a walled Place; but one -Night, she broke from her Prison, and ran amongst all the Horses, which, -as I told you, in _Turkey_, use to stand all Night in the Yard, and where -she made such a Tumult amongst them, that she forced the Grooms to drive -her to her Hold; she wounded many of them, which set them into a Rage, so -that at last they drove her into a large Stable, and there I gave them -leave, with what Weapons came next to hand, to destroy her: She defended -her self stoutly at first; but they, being forty to one, at last felled -her, and made her pay for her breach of Hospitality. When she was dead, I -cut her in pieces, and made a Feast for the Ambassadors that then resided -at _Constantinople_. It was a Hart or Stag, of a huge Bulk, such as use -to come in the beginning of _Autumn_, out of _Hungary_ into _Austria_, -at rutting Times. I bought him of some Beggars, that made a Gain of that -Trade; they used to carry him about, and where they ask’d Alms for God’s -Sake, at the name of God they used to bow their Heads, and the Stag by -Custom had learned to do so too; so that the Vulgar did admire the Beast, -as if he had some Sense of a Deity, and therefore he got a deal of Gain -to his Keepers. This Stag, by reason of his Talness, I also designed as a -Present to _Cæsar_. - -Having made mention of _Turkish_ Beggars, give me leave to acquaint you -with the nature of those kind of People in this Country. There are fewer -Beggars here than amongst us, and they are commonly Pilgrims that travel -up and down, pretending some appearance of Piety or religious Profession. -Some of them, besides their Poverty, pretend Distraction and Simplicity; -and this sort is very much esteemed among them, for the _Turks_ count -all Madmen and Fools to be certainly designed for Heaven; and therefore -they look upon them as Demi-Gods here on Earth. Some of those Wanderers -are _Arabians_, who carry Banners before them, wherewith, as they say, -their Ancestors fought against the Christians, for the Propagation of -the _Mussulman_ Religion. Those that are of this Rank are not ordinary -Beggars, neither do they ask Alms of all Passengers, but in the Evening -they offer you a Tallow-Candle, a Lemon or a Pomegranate, and force it -upon you; but you must give them double or treble the Worth; and by this -means they seem rather to sell than to receive _gratis_. For the rest, -they which beg amongst Christians are set to do servile Offices amongst -the _Turks_. If a Slave become lame, his Master is bound to maintain -him, and yet the veriest Cripple amongst them brings in his Master some -Profit. I remember, once I redeemed a _Spanish_ Officer, bought by a -_Turk_, who was maimed in all his Limbs, by reason of his Wounds, and yet -his Master found means how to make him get his Living; he sent him over -into _Asia_, to look to the Flocks of Geese which he kept there; and by -his Care in feeding them, he brought in sufficient Gain to his Matter. - -Now we talk of Slaves, give me leave to digress a little, and to -propose a _Quære_, whether he did well or ill with _Christendom_, who -first brought up the use of Slaves among them? I know there are many -Inconveniencies that attend the Condition of Slaves, but they are -over-balanced by the Advantages accruing thereby; especially if a just -and merciful Slavery were allowed by some public Law, as was of old among -the _Romans_; for then, perhaps, we should not need so many Gallows’s and -Gibbets as we have among us, to restrain those, who set an high Price on -their Life and Liberty; to maintain which, their Poverty prompts them -to the most audacious Attempts: Liberty, without an Estate to maintain -it, is none of the best Counsellors. All Men cannot bear Poverty and -Freedom; Mankind, in general, is not so form’d by Nature, as to rightly -to govern himself. No, he stands in need of a better and wiser Conduct -than his own; otherwise, there will be no end of his Transgressing; for -so some Beasts will always be terrible to Men, unless their Fierceness be -restrain’d by Manacles and Bonds. But in this case of Slavery, the weaker -Mind of the Slave is govern’d and steer’d by the Authority of his Patron -or Master; and, on the other side, the Master is maintained by the Labour -of his Slave. The Truth is, both publickly and privately, the _Turks_ -make a very great Advantage of their Slaves; if any Houshold-work be -to be done, the Slave is ready to perform it; and, therefore, they have -a Proverb among them, _He can never be poor, that hath but one Slave_. -But then for Works without Doors, if there be any Rubbish to be carried -out, or Preparation made for any great Building, the assiduity of Slaves -quickly performs what is enjoined them. This I take to be one Reason, why -our present Buildings do not arrive to the Magnificence of the Ancients; -we want Hands (or Slaves) to carry on the Work. I might instance also, -that servile Hands and Heads have been great helps to the Learned, to -attain their so much celebrated Learning and Knowledge. What I have -hitherto discoursed about Slaves, you will look upon as an Amusement; and -so, pray, take it. - -This I can a assure you of, that the _Turks_, in their way, do make a -huge Advantage of Slaves; for if an ordinary _Turk_ bring home one or two -Slaves, whom he hath taken Prisoners in War, he accounts he hath made a -good Campaign of it, and his Prize is worth his Labour. An ordinary Slave -is sold among them for 40 or 50 Crowns; but if he be young, beautiful, -and have Skill in some Trade besides, then they rate him at twice as -much. By this you may know, how advantageous the _Turkish_ Depredations -are to them, when many times, from one Expedition, they bring home five -or six thousand Prisoners. - -The _Romans_ of old, were not ignorant of this gainful Trade; which made -them set an high Rate on 20 or 30 thousand Persons, which they sometimes -took at the sacking of Cities, as their Writings shew. But a _Turk_, upon -the like Sack, would make ten times five hundred Crowns of his Prize, -though by the rules of their Religion they are not to make Slaves of any -of their own Sect; nor to disfranchize them, or set any Price on their -Heads. - -But to return from this large Digression: I formerly acquainted you -with my Sport in _Hunting_; it follows, in course, that I must say -something of my _Fowling_. The _Turks_ are favourable to all Beasts, as -also to Birds; and especially to Kites, because, they say, they eat up -the Carrion, and keep the Streets clean and wholsome; and, therefore, -abundance of these Birds fly up and down the Town, as fearless of Gin or -Snare, so that they are almost tame; and when you whistle to them, they -come about you; throw them up Meat in the Air, they’ll catch it with -their Claws. Once I caused a Sheep to be killed, and called the Kites to -prey upon the Entrails. I cut them in pieces, and threw them up into the -Air; by and by came ten or twelve or twenty Kites, and a while after so -many of them, that they almost shaded the House; and they are so bold, -withal, that if you hold out a piece of Flesh, they will be ready to -snatch it out of your Hands. In the mean time, I stood with my Cross-Bow -behind the Pillar, and sometimes when I shot, I made the Tail or Feathers -of one or other of them to fly off, and sometimes I gave one or two -a mortal Wound, and made them tumble down; but this I did privately, -when the Doors were shut, that so I might not provoke the _Turks_ to -Indignation. - -I must tell you, I have _Partridges_ too (to acquaint you with my whole -Stock of pleasurable Recreations). You would wonder, as I my self did at -first, how tame they are. They were brought from _Chios_ with red Feet -and Beaks; they were so troublesome to me, by standing at my Feet, and -picking the Dust out of my Velvet Pantofle, with their Beaks, that they -might dust themselves therewith, that, to be rid of the Molestation, I -was forced to shut them up in a Chamber, where, in a short time, they -grew over-fat and died, as my Servants told me; yet _Pliny_ says, in a -certain Place, that _Hares_ and _Partridges_ never grow fat. You have yet -but small ground for your Wonderment; but, pray, prepare your Ears for -what follows. - -The Isle of _Chios_ is full of these Birds, and they live with the -Inhabitants in their Houses; every Country-man, almost, keeps more or -less of them under his Roof, as their Estates are, or their Minds serve -them. A public Keeper whistles them out in a Morning, and they run to -him in the Highway, and follow him into the Field (as Flocks of Sheep -do their Shepherds with us): There they stay all Day to feed and bask -themselves, and in the Evening he whistles for them again, and then they -covey together, and return to their old Lodgings. The Custom arose from -hence, as they say: As soon as ever the Partridges are hatch’d, the -Country-men take them up and put them in their Bosoms, between their -Skin and their Shirts; thus they carry them about a day or two, ever and -anon moist’ning their Mouths with their own Spittle. This Courtesy doth -so oblige the young Birds (for Partridges, as well as other Birds, are -mindful of human Civilities, if I may so speak) that they cannot forget -their Fosterers; and yet Care is to be taken, that they stay not out -in the Field all Night; if they do so two or three times, they quickly -forget human Hospitality, and return to their own natural free Life in -the open Field. I have taken a great deal of Pains to procure such a -Fosterer of Partridges to send him to _Cæsar_, to teach Emperors that -aviary Discipline. ’Tis true, I never saw this done with my own Eyes; -yet so many credible Witnesses have affirm’d the Truth thereof, and I -believe it as well as if I had seen it. And I give equal Credit to the -Story, I am now about to tell you. - -It is so known a Truth in this Country, that he were an absurd Man that -would offer to deny it. They that come to _Constantinople_ from _Egypt_, -(as many do continually) affirm it for certain, that Chicken are not -hatched, as with us, by a Hen sitting abrood upon them, but there are -some appointed Officers, that, in Spring-time, gather all the Eggs of the -Neighbourhood and put them in a certain kind of Oven, which they make -of Dung and Trash heaped up together, and by the heat of the Sun and -the hot putrid Vapours, the Chicken in due time, are animated and break -their Shells; and then the Owners come to claim the Chickens, which the -Overseers of the Work deliver out to them, not by Tale, for that would be -too tedious, but by Admeasurement. I mention this the rather, because I -read of such a Passage in _Vopiscus_, where the Emperor _Adrian_, being -angry with the _Egyptians_, inveighs against them with this Sarcasm; _I -wish them_, says he, _no greater Curse, than that they may always feed on -their own Chicken, which, how they are hatch’d, I am asham’d to tell._ -So that, without Question, this was an old Custom among the _Egyptians_; -and, therefore, _Adrian_ upbraided them with their Food, which he looked -upon as obscene, being begotten by Dung and Dirt. You may think, perhaps, -that I am mistaken; but I leave the Matter with you, and shall now hasten -to acquaint you with the rest of my Diversions. - -Be pleased then to know, that I have also a breed of brave Horses; some -from _Syria_, others from _Cilicia_, _Arabia_, _Cappadocia_, together -with divers Camels, Sumpture-horses, and all Utensils fit for a Journey. -For I would have the _Turks_ believe, that I have now executed all my -Master’s Commands, and wait only for my Dismission to return home, which -I press with great Importunity, knowing that, by reason of the present -Discord among them, and the War between the two Brothers, I may obtain -the better Conditions of Peace from them. - -As I take Pleasure in my Horses on other Accounts, so especially when in -an Evening I behold them brought, one by one, out of their Stables, and -placed in the Yard, that so they may enjoy the Night-Air in Summer-time, -and rest more sweetly. They march out so stately, shaking their Manes on -their high Necks, as if they were proud to be seen; and they have Fetters -on their Forefeet, and one of their hinder Feet is tied with a Cord to a -Stake. - -There is no Creature so gentle as a _Turkish_ Horse; nor more respectful -to his Master, or the Groom that dresses him. The reason is, because -they treat their Horses with great Lenity. I my self saw when I was in -_Pontus_, passing through a part of _Bithynia_, called _Axilos_, towards -_Cappadocia_, how indulgent the Country-men were to young Colts, and how -kindly they used them soon after they were foled; they would stroke them, -bring them into their Parlours, and almost to their Tables, and use them -even like Children. They hung something about their Necks, like a Jewel, -even a Garter which was full of Amulets against Poison, which they are -most afraid of; and the Grooms, that are to dress them, are as indulgent -as their Masters; they frequently sleek them down with their Hands, and -never use any Cudgel to bang their Sides, but in case of great Necessity. -This makes their Horses great Lovers of Mankind; and they are so far from -kicking, wincing, or growing untractable by this gentle usage, that you -shall hardly find a masterless Horse among them. - -But, alas! our Christian Grooms treat Horses at quite another rate; they -never think them rightly curried, till they thunder at them with their -Voice, and let their Club or Horse-whip, dwell, as it were, on their -Sides. This makes some Horses even to tremble when their Keepers come -into the Stable, so that they hate and fear them too: But the _Turks_ -love to have their Horses very gentle, that, at a word of Command, they -may fall down on their Knees, and in this Posture receive their Riders. - -They will take up a Staff or Club upon the Road, which their Rider hath -let fall, with their Teeth, and hold it up to him again; and when they -are perfect in this Lesson, then, for their Credit, they have Rings of -Silver hung on their Nostrils, as a Badge of Honour and good Discipline. -I saw some Horses, when their Master was fallen from the Saddle, that -would stand Stock-still, without wagging a Foot, till he got up again. -Another time, I saw a Groom standing at a distance, in the midst of a -whole Ring of Horses about him, and, at a word of Command, they would -either go round, or stand still. Once I saw some Horses, when their -Master was at Dinner with me in an upper Room, prick up their Ears to -hear his Voice; and when they did so, they neighed for Joy. - -And yet this is usual and common to all _Turkish_ Horses, that they run -forward with a stiff and stretch’d-out Neck, so that they cannot easily -be stopp’d or hinder’d in their Course, but by fetching a large compass -about. This in my Judgment, is the fault of the Bridles they wear, which -all over _Turky_ are of one Make, and not contrived harsher or tenderer, -according to the Tenderness of the Horse’s Mouth. I must also acquaint -you, that the _Turks_ do not Shoe their Horses as we _Christians_ do; our -Shoes are very open in the middle, but theirs are broad-web’d Shoes, that -so their Feet may be less endangered in Travelling. Their Horses do also -live longer than Ours. - -I have seen a Horse of theirs as lusty at 20 Years old, as ours are at -eight; yea, they say, in the Stables of the Emperor, there are Horses -of 50 Years old; and which, for some great Merit, are exempt from -Labour, and feed daily at the _Grand Seignior_’s Charge. The _Turks_, in -Summer-nights, when the Weather is very hot, do not keep their Horses in -their Stables, as we do; but cover their Backs with Horse-cloths, and -so bring them forth into the open Air (as I told you before); and for -Litter, they have only dry’d Horse-dung, which they save all the Year -long, and spread under them for their Bedding: As for Straw, they make -no use of it at all, either for Litter or Feed. Their usual Food is a -little Hay, and a small quantity of Barley; with this Meat they grow not -fat, for their Masters love lean Horses as being fitter for Race, and -Burden, than foul-bodies ones. The cover them with Horse-cloths, both in -the Winter and Summer, only they are thinner in One than in the Other. -This contributes much to the smoothness of their Hair, and is also a good -relief to their chilly Horses, which cannot endure the Cold. - -In those Steeds, as I lately told you, I take a great deal of Delight; -when, about Sun-set, they are brought out of their Stables, and placed in -a row in the Yard; where I call each Horse by his usual Name, as _Arabs_, -_Caramanian_, &c. whereupon they fall a Neighing and give a Glance of -their Eyes and stare at me. Sometimes I go down among them, and give -to each of them a piece of Melon-rind out of my Hand, which makes them -know me so well. Thus you see, what Shifts I am put to, to drive away my -Melancholly. - -I have also six She-Camels, which I keep by me, ready to carry my -Baggage, as I pretend to the _Turks_; but my true Design is, to bring -them to my Master the Emperor; if peradventure he, or other Christian -Princes, may have a Fancy to breed out of them because of their great use. - -There are two things which the _Turks_ make mighty Advantage of, and -those are _Rice_ among the Fruits of the Earth, and _Camels_ among the -Beasts of the Field; both of them very convenient in their several Kinds, -for long Expeditions. As for _Rice_, it is not easily spoil’d; it affords -very wholsome Nourishment, and a little of it will serve a great many -People. And for _Camels_, they’ll carry huge Burdens; they will endure -Hunger and Thirst to admiration; and also they require little Attendance. -One Keeper will look after six or eight of them, and no Creature in the -World is more obsequious to his Owner than the _Camel_; and for currying -of them, they do it not with a Curry-Comb as we do, but with Brushes, -as we do our wearing Apparel; they rather kneel than lie down, on the -naked Ground; and in this Posture they offer themselves to be loaded; if -you lay too much on their Backs they’ll grumble a little, and refuse to -rise; for their Backs will be easily broken under over-great Burdens, -especially in Ways that are slippery and dirty. I was mightily pleased -to see them stand all round in a Ring, and with their joined Heads, take -Water or other Food, out of the same Bason or other Vessel, with such -agreement among them. When Fodder is scarce, they live upon tops of -Brambles or Thorns; and, when their Chops are bloodied in gathering them, -they eat them down most sweetly. - -The _Scythians_ send a great many _Camels_ to _Constantinople_; but the -most part come from _China_ and _Assyria_: From those Countries, there -are whole Droves of them; and they are so cheap, that a _Mare_ of a good -Breed is worth an 100 _Camels_; wherein, perhaps, they respect more the -Scarcity of _Mares_ than the Cheapness of _Camels_; for good _Mares_ -are so scarce in that Country, that he that gets but one, of that sort, -thinks himself a very _Crœsus_ for Wealth. They try whether they are good -or no, if they can run down a steep Hill, and not trip or stumble. When -the _Grand Seignior_ goes upon a Military Expedition into the Field, he -carries above 40,000 of these _Camels_ with him, and as many _Mules_ for -Burden; and these he loads with all sorts of Victuals, especially with -_Rice_. They also carry Tents, Arms, and other Utensils of War, upon -them; especially when he marches into _Persia_. - -For, you must know, that the Countries over which the _Sophi_, or, as the -_Turks_ call him, _Chisilbas_ of _Persia_ reigns, are not so fruitful of -Provisions, as our _European_ Countries are. The Reason is, because the -Custom of the Inhabitants is, upon the Approach of an Enemy, to destroy -all before them, that so Fire and Famine may send him farther off; so -that if the Invader bring not great Store of Provision with him, he will -be in danger of Starving; and if he once do approach his Enemy, yet he -doth not presently open his Store of Provision, but reserves it for his -Retreat; which, he knows, must be through those Places already wasted -by such a Multitude of Men and Beasts, that, like Locusts, have before -pillaged all the Country. Then, indeed, the _Grand Seignior_’s Stores are -opened, and some small Allowance given out daily to the _Janizaries_, -and other Dependents of that Prince, enough to keep them alive, and -that’s all. As for others, it goes hard with them, unless they have made -some Provision for themselves before-hand; and some of their Soldiers, -especially the Horse, are so fore-sighted that, in Prospect of such -Difficulties, they carry a led Horse along with them, with Viands and -other things to support them, if need be. Upon this Horse they usually -carry some Blankets, that they may spread abroad, as Tents, to defend -them from Sun and Rain; also some other Cloaths to wear, and withal two -or three Wicker Baskets, full of the best Flower they can get, with -a small Pot for Butter, some Spice and Salt; with these, in case of -Necessity, they kill their Hunger. They take out a few Spoonfuls of their -Meal or Flower, and pour Water upon it; then they add a little Butter, -and so seasoning it with Spice and Salt, they set it on the Fire, and -when it boils, it swells so that it will fill a large Platter. - -They eat of this twice or thrice a Day, as their Store holds out, but -without eating Bread with it, unless they have brought some Biskets along -with them: And with this thin Diet, for want of better, they can live a -Month or two, till they come to richer Quarters. There are some of them -who carry dried Beef, grounded to Powder, in a kind of Snap-sack; that’s -a more nutritive and choice Viand amongst them: And sometimes they eat -Horse-Flesh, for in a vast Army a great many Horses must needs die, and -if any of them be more fleshy than others, they make a great Feast for -hungry Stomachs. And those who have thus lost their Horses, (for you must -know that too) when the _Grand Seignior_ or _Vizier_ removes his Camp, -stand in a row before him in the Way he is to march, with their Saddles -on their Heads, signifying hereby the Loss of their Horses, and by that -mute Sign begging Relief towards buying a new one; and their Prince -gratifies them, at his Pleasure. - -Thus the _Turks_ surmount huge Difficulties in War, with a great -deal of Patience, Sobriety and Parsimony, reserving themselves for -more favourable Circumstances. But our _Christian_ Soldiers carry it -otherwise; they scorn homely Fare in their Camps; they must have dainty -bits, forsooth, such as Thrushes, Black-birds, and banquetting Stuff. If -they have not these they are ready to mutiny, as if they were famished; -and if they have them, they are undone: Their own Intemperance kills -them, if their Enemy spare their Lives. - -When I compare the Difference between their Soldiers and ours, I stand -amazed to think what will be the Event; for certainly their Soldiers -must needs conquer, and ours must needs be vanquished; both cannot stand -prosperously together: For on their side, there is a mighty, strong and -wealthy Empire, great Armies, Experience in War, a veteran Soldiery, a -long Series of Victories, Patience in Toil, Concord, Order, Discipline, -Frugality and Vigilance. On our side, there is public Want, private -Luxury, Strength weakened, Minds Discouraged, an unaccustomedness to -Labour or Arms, Soldiers refractory, Commanders covetous, a Contempt of -Discipline, Licentiousness, Rashness, Drunkenness, Gluttony; and, what -is worst of all, they used to conquer, we to be conquered. Can any Man -doubt, in this case, what the Event will be? ’Tis only the _Persian_ -stands between us and Ruin. The _Turks_ would fain be upon us, but -he keeps him back; his War with him affords us only a Respite, not a -Deliverance: When he once makes Peace with him, he will bring all the -Power of the East upon us, and how ready we are to receive him, I am -afraid to speak. But to return from whence I digressed. - -I told you before, that the _Turks_ use to carry their Arms and Tents -on Horse-Back to the War; but they are such as chiefly belong to the -_Janizaries_, for the _Turks_ are very careful to have their Army -healthy, and fenced against the Weather; let him defend himself as well -as he can against the Enemy, that’s to his own Peril; but the Public -takes care for his Health. Hence it is, that the _Turkish_ Army is better -cloathed than armed. They are afraid of Cold, as of their greatest -Enemy; and therefore, even in Summer-time, they are treble-clothed, and -their inmost Garment (call it a Waistcoat, or whatever you will,) is -made of coarse Thread, which keeps them very warm. And, to defend them -also against the Cold and Showers, Tents are carried about for them at -the Public Charge; and every _Janizary_ is allowed as much Space in the -Tent as the Dimensions of his Body are; so that one Tent can hold twenty -five or thirty _Janizaries_; and that thick Cloath, I speak of, is also -supplied out of the public Store. When it is distributed among them, -they take this Course, to prevent Quarrels; the Soldiers are ranged in -the Night in Files, in a Place appointed for that purpose, and so many -Cloaths are brought out of the Store as there are Soldiers, and every one -takes his Dole in the Dark; so that, if it be better or worse, he has no -cause to complain. And, for the same Reason, their Pay is weighed out, -not told, to them, lest any one should say, he was forced to receive -light or clipt Money; nor do they stay till the very Pay-day, but receive -it the Day before. The Arms that are carried are chiefly for the use of -the Horse, called _Spahi’s_; for the _Janizaries_ do usually fight on -Foot with Musquets, at a Distance, and therefore, when an Enemy is near, -and a Battle expected, the Armour is produced; but usually such as is -of an old Make, and are part of the Spoils obtained from former Fights -and Victories: These are distributed among the Horse; their other Armour -is but a light Buckler. You may easily think, how odly such Armour will -fit on a Man which is given out so hastily. One’s Breast-plate is too -narrow; another Man’s Helmet is too loose; another Coat of Mail is too -heavy for him to bear. Every Piece hath some Fault or other; and yet they -must not complain: They count it Cowardly so to do; for they resolve -to fight, be their Arms what they will, so great Confidence have they -in their Victories, and in the frequent Use of their Arms. Hence it is -also, that they put their old Foot on Horse-service, which they were not -used to before; for an experienced Soldier (they say) will do valiantly, -either on Horse or Foot-service. In my Judgment, the _Old Romans_ were -of the same Mind, and especially _Julius Cæsar_, who was wont to say, -_That his Soldiers would fight well, even though they were perfumed_; -for when he horsed the ten Legions, upon a Conference he was to have -with _Ariovistus_, what was his Intent, think we? but that they should -fight on Horse-back, if there had been need, though they were used to -Foot-service before; and we know amongst the _Romans_, their Foot-service -was quite another thing from Horse-service. But if you say, _Cæsar_’s -Design was only to horse his Men for Carriage, but to make use of their -Service on Foot, certainly he had run a great Hazard thereby, if when -_Ariovistus_’s choice Horse were within a Stone’s Call of the _Romans_, -and might have fallen upon them, the Legion was then to dismount their -Horses, to be disposed of, and ranged into a _Foot-Tertia_, or Brigade, -in an instant: With us, this would seem very absurd. However it be, -this is certain, that experienced Soldiers will manage a Fight after -a different Order than we do; so the _Romans_ did of old, and so the -_Turks_ do at this Day, with too good Success. So much for that Subject. - -I return, further to acquaint you, how indulgent the _Turks_ are to all -irrational Animals. ’Tis true, a Dog is counted an obscene and nasty -Creature by them, and therefore they will not harbour him in their -Houses; but they nourish a Cat as a chaster and modester Creature, -in their Judgments. This Custom they received from _Mahomet_, their -Law-giver, who was so much in love with a Cat, that, when one of them -fell asleep upon his Sleeve, as he was reading at a Table, and the time -of his Devotion drew near, he caused his Sleeve to be cut off, that he -might not awake the Cat by his going to the Mosque. - -However, though the _Turks_ have so ill an opinion of Dogs, that they -wander up and down the City of _Constantinople_, and have no certain -Masters, so that they are Keepers of Streets and Lanes, rather than of -any certain House, and they live upon the Offal which is cast out of -their Houses; yet, if they see any Bitch great with young, in their -Neighbourhood, they give it Bones, and some Relicks of their Table: This -they count an office of Pity amongst them. When, on this Account, I -blamed them for performing such Offices to a _Brute_, which they would -hardly do to a _Man_, though a reasonable Creature, like themselves, and -to be sure, not to a _Christian_; their Answer was, that God had given -Reason to Man, as a Fence against all Perils, and yet he did abuse it, -so that if any Inconvenience or Trouble happened to him, it was his -own Fault, and therefore he deserved less Pity: But God had bestowed -no Boon on Brutes, but some natural Notions and Appetites, which of -Necessity they must obey; and therefore they were to be relieved by -Man’s Help and Commiseration; and for this Reason they take it very -ill, if any brute Creature be put to Torment at his Death, or that Men -should take any Pleasure in tormenting them. This had like to cost a -_Venetian_ Goldsmith, that lived here, very dear, of late. The Story is -worth telling. This Goldsmith did delight in the art of Fowling, and -among other Birds, he once took one about the bigness of a Cuckow, and -almost of the same Colour; he had no great Beak, but his Jaws were so -wide and large, that, when they stretch’d asunder, they did gape most -prodigiously, so that a Man’s Fist might be thrust into them. The Man -wondering at this strange kind of Bird, caus’d him to be fastened to the -upper Lintel of his Gate, with his Wings spread abroad, and his Jaws so -extended with a Stick, that he gaped hideously. The _Turks_ came often by -his Door, stood still, and looked upon it; but when they saw the Bird did -move, and was alive, then taking Pity on it, _Out!_ they cried, _What an -abominable thing is this, that an harmless Bird should be so tormented?_ -Whereupon, out they call the Man of the House, and drag him presently, by -Head and Shoulders, to their criminal Judge, where Sentence was likely to -be pronounced upon him, to be soundly bastinadoed; but the _Bailo_ of -_Venice_ (so they call their Ambassadors or Residents there) hearing of -the Matter, sent presently one of his Servants to demand the Man, and the -_Turkish Cadi_ was so merciful as to let him go; but many of the _Turks_ -grumbled at his Freedom. Thus the poor Goldsmith scaped a Scouring: I -laughed heartily at the Story, for he told it me himself, as coming -often to my House, and in what a terrible Fright he was in for the time; -and, to oblige me the more, he brought me the Bird to look upon. ’Tis -of the same Form, as I lately described; it flies about in the Night, -and (as they say) will suck Milch-Kine, so that I am apt to believe ’tis -the Goat-Sucker of the Ancients. Such Commiseration do the _Turks_ use -towards all sorts of brute Animals, especially those of the winged Kind. - -Over against my Lodgings there is a tall _Plane-tree_, whose spreading -Boughs make a delightsome Shade; under that Tree, sometimes Fowlers sit -with abundance of such Birds to sell in Cages. You shall have the _Turks_ -buy several of these Birds for a small Matter; and when they have bought -them, they’ll let them fly out of their Hands. The Bird presently flies -up to the Tree; there she picks her Feathers, and cleanseth them from the -Filth contracted in the Cage, and then she spreads abroad her Wings, and -chirps. The _Turks_ that bought them, say, don’t you hear how glad this -Bird is, and how he gives me Thanks for his Liberty? - -If this be so, you’ll say, What! are the _Turks_ such _Pythagoreans_, -that they count all Brutes sacred, and will eat none of their Flesh? I -lay not so; but, on the contrary, they’ll eat any Flesh set before them, -either boil’d or roasted; only they count Mutton the properest Meat, -because Sheep are made for the Shambles, as they say; yet they would -not have Men to make a Sport at killing of them, as if they rejoyced in -their Torment. Some of them will by no means be persuaded to kill small -Birds which sing in their Fields and Woods; nay, they think it some -Injury done them, to restrain their Liberty by caging them up. But all -_Turks_ are not of that Mind; some of them keep _Nightingales_ in their -Houses, for the Melodiousness of their Tunes, and in Spring-time they let -them out to hire, to sing. I knew some, that carried _Linnets_ about, so -well instructed, that if a Man shew’d them a piece of Money out of his -Chamber, though it were at a great distance from them, yet they would fly -up to fetch it; and if the Man would not let it go, they would sit upon -his Hand, and so accompany him from one Room to another, still pulling at -the Money; and when they had got it, as if they remembred their Errand on -which they were sent, when their Master whistled to them in the High-way, -down they would fly to him again; and, as a Reward for the Money in -their Bills, he would give them a little Hemp-seed. But I shall proceed -no further in such Stories as these, lest you should think me a second -_Pliny_, or an _Ælian_, and that I were designing to write an History of -Animals. - -I preceed then to other Matters, and shall give you an Example of the -Chastity of _Turkish_ Women. The _Turks_ take more Pains to have their -Wives modest, than any other Nation; and, therefore, they ordinarily -keep them close up at home, and hardly suffer them to see the Sun; but -if any necessity calls them abroad, they go so hooded and veil’d, as if -they were Hobgoblins or Ghosts. ’Tis true, they can see Men through their -Veils or Hoods, but no part of their Bodies is open to Man’s View; for -they have this Tradition among them, that it is impossible for a Man -to look on a Woman, especially if she be young and handsome, without -desiring to enjoy her; and by that Desire the Mind is excited, and -therefore they keep them all covered. Their own Brothers have Liberty to -see them; but their Husband’s Brothers have not the same Permission. The -nobler and richer sort, when they marry, do it with this Condition, that -their Wives shall never set a Foot out of Door; and no Person living, -either Male or Female, be the Cause what it will, shall ever have leave -to see them; no, not their nearest Alliance in Blood, except only the -Father and Mother, who, at _Easter_, (their _Bairam_) are permitted to -see their Daughter; and, in lieu of this Strictness, if the Wife have -Parents of the better sort, and she bring her Husband a large Dowry, the -Husband, on his part promiseth, that he will never have any Concubines, -but will keep to her alone. - -In other Cases, the _Turks_ have as many Concubines as they will, besides -their lawful Wives; and the Children of both are equally respected, and -have as much Privilege one as the other. Their Concubines they either -buy, or take them in War, and, when they are weary of them, may sell -them in the open Market; only if they have Children by them, then they -obtain their Liberty. This made _Roxolana_ stand upon her Terms with -_Solyman_, in having brought him forth a Son, when she was a Slave, and -thereby obtain’d Manumission. Hereupon she refused to submit to his Will -any longer, unless he married her; which he, doting for Love, wou’d do, -against the Custom of the _Ottoman_ Princes. - -A lawful Wife, with them, differs from a Concubine, only upon the account -of her Dowry, which a lawful Wife hath, but a Concubine hath not. And -when once her Dowry is assigned her, then she is a Mistress; Governess of -the House, and all the other Women under her. And yet the Husband hath -leave to lie with which of them he pleases at his Choice; and when he -makes known his Pleasure to his Wife, she bids the Maid of his desires -prepare herself for his Bed; and she obeys; perhaps, more joyfully than -her Mistress commands her. Only _Friday_ Night, which is their _Sabbath_, -the Wife claims as her due, and she thinks herself wrong’d, if her -Husband defraud her thereof; other Nights he may lie with which of his -Slaves he pleases. - -Divorces are made among them for many Causes, which Men easily pretend; -and when a Wife is divorced, her Dowry is restored, unless she be put -away on a dishonest Account: But Women have but few; to instance some -among those few, this is one, if their Husband do not allow them due -Maintenance; and if they offer to abuse them against Nature, (a Crime -usual among them) then the Wife goes to the Judge, and tells him, she can -no longer endure to live with her Husband; when he asks the Cause, they -say nothing, but pull off their Shoe from their Feet, and turn it up and -down, which is a Sign among them of the unlawful use of Copulation. The -greatest sort among them, that have abundance of Women, set _Eunuchs_ -to guard them, not such as have only their Stones taken out, but such -whose Yards are also impaired; because other wise they think, such as -have lost their Stones only, may desire the use of a Woman, tho’ not for -Generation, yet for Pleasure. The great Men also have Baths at their own -Houses, wherein they and their Women do wash; but the meaner sort use -public Baths. - -A _Turk_ hates bodily Filthiness and Nastiness, worse than -Soul-Defilement; and, therefore, they wash very often, and they never -ease themselves, by going to Stool, but they carry Water with them for -their Posteriors. But ordinarily the Women bathe by themselves, Bond and -Free together; so that you shall many times see young Maids, exceeding -beautiful, gathered from all Parts of the World, exposed Naked to the -view of other Women, who thereupon fall in Love with them, as young Men -do with us, at the sight of Virgins. - -By this you may guess, what the strict Watch over Females comes to, and -that it is not enough to avoid the Company of an adulterous Man, for the -_Females_ burn in Love one towards another; and the Pandaresses to such -refined Loves are the Baths; and, therefore, some _Turks_ will deny their -Wives the use of their public Baths, but they cannot do it altogether, -because their Law allows them. But these Offences happen among the -ordinary sort; the richer sort of Persons have Baths at home, as I told -you before. - -It happened one time, that at the public Baths for Women, an old Woman -fell in Love with a Girl, the Daughter of a poor Man, a Citizen of -_Constantinople_; and, when neither by wooing nor flattering her, she -could obtain that of her which her mad Affection aim’d at, she attempted -to perform an Exploit almost incredible; she feign’d herself to be a Man, -changed her Habit, hired an House near the Maid’s Father, and pretended -she was one of the _Chiauxes_ of the _Grand Seignior_; and thus, by -reason of his Neighbourhood, she insinuated herself into the Man’s -Acquaintance, and after some time, acquaints him with the desire of -his Daughter. In short, he being a Man in such a prosperous Condition, -the Matter was agreed on, a Portion was settled, such as they were able -to give, and a Day appointed for the Marriage; when the Ceremonies -were over, and this doughty Bridegroom went into the Bride-chamber to -his Spouse; after some Discourse, and plucking off her Headgeer, she -was found to be a Woman. Whereupon the Maid runs out, and calls up her -Parents, who soon found that they had married her, not to a _Man_, but a -_Woman_: Whereupon, they carried the supposed Man, the next day, to the -General of the _Janizaries_, who, in the Absence of the _Grand Seignior_, -was Governor of the City. When she was brought before him, he chide her -soundly for her beastly Love; what, says he, are you not asham’d, an old -Beldam as you are, to attempt so notorious a Bestiality, and so filthy a -Fact? - -Away, Sir, says she! You do not know the Force of Love, and God grant -you never may. At this absurd Reply, the Governor could scarce forbear -Laughter, but commanded her, presently, to be pack’d away and drown’d in -the Deep; such was the unfortunate Issue of her wild Amours. For you must -know, that the _Turks_ make no noise when _secret_ Offences are committed -by them, that they may not open the Mouths of Scandal and Reproach; -but _open_ and _manifest_ ones they punish most severely. I am afraid -the Relation of that dismal Example hath grated your Ears. I shall, -therefore, now endeavour to make you amends, by acquainting you with a -pleasant Story, which, I believe, will go near to make you smile. ’Tis -this. - -Upon the Account of the Troubles in _Hungary_, there came lately a -Messenger to me, with an Express from my Master, the Emperor. The -_Bashaws_ would not let him bring his Letters directly to me, as they -were wont to be brought, but they carried him first into the _Divan_. -The Reason of this their unusual Procedure, was, because they would fain -know what _Cæsar_’s Letters did contain, before they were delivered, in -regard they suspected I dealt not faithfully with them, in communicating -my Master’s Sense, but that I suppressed some of his Concessions. The -Messenger was cunning enough for them; for, having some inkling of the -Matter before-hand, he hid _Cæsar_’s Letters, and only shew’d them -those that were directed to me, from some particular Friends. Their -interpreter, _Ebrahim_, a _Polander_ by Birth, had acquainted them -before, that the Letters, that brought any secret Commands to me, were -not written in an ordinary Character, but in a new kind of Marks, called -_Cyphers_. As they were searching all my Letters, at last they light upon -One, that was wrote to me by a Friend of mine, a Secretary of _Burgundy_. -_Ebrahim_ saw, through the thinness of the Paper wherein ’twas writ, some -shining Letters, which were not of an ordinary sort. O! says he, now I -have found it out; don’t you meddle with any of the rest of the Packet, -for here’s the Secrecy in this. Whereupon the _Bashaws_ commanded him -to open, read, and interpret it to them, and they all stood listning to -hear the News; but _Ebrahim_ told them plainly, that he could not read -one Letter of it. That’s strange, says the _Bashaws_; what, did you never -learn the _Christian_ Alphabet; or have you forgot it? Says _Ebrahim_, -this sort of Character is only known to those who are Secretaries to -Princes: They did not well understand him; but however, say they, if it -be so, why dost thou not make haste to the Secretary of the _Bailo_ of -_Venice_, or of _Florence_? _Ebrahim_ presently makes haste to them, and -shews them the Letters; (they were writ in might such a Character that -a Child ten Years old have read them;) but both those Secretaries, when -they saw the Letter was superscrib’d to me, threw it back again before -they had well look’d upon it; alledging, in Excuse, that such kind of -Letters could be read by none, unless by him who had another Cypher to -unfold them. This was all the Answer _Ebrahim_ could get of them. Upon -his Return to the _Bashaws_ therewith, they could not tell what in the -World to do: At last, starts up one (I could not tell his Name) saying, -there is a Patriarch in Town, and old Man, and a _Christian_, and, -besides, a great Scholar; if any Man can read these Letters, it must be -he. When they came to the Patriarch, he told them, he could not read a -Tittle of them, for they were not writ in _Greek_, _Latin_, _Hebrew_ or -_Chaldee_. Thus they were disappointed there also. At last, _Haly Bassa_ -runs to _Rustan_ (otherwise a Man not ready to jest) and says to him -_Cardassi_ (Brother in _Turkish_), I remember, I had once a Servant, an -_Italian_, who was skilled in all Letters and Tongues, I do not question -but he could have read the Letter; but, alas! he is lately dead. At -last, they being at a stand what to do, thought it best to send the -Letters, which they could make no use of, to me. I knew all the Matter -by _Ebrahim_ beforehand, (neither could it be kept secret); whereupon I -began to stamp and fret that they had intercepted my Letters against the -Law of Nations, and in Contempt of _Cæsar_ who sent them; and, withal, I -bid _Ebrahim_ stay, and to Morrow he should see that Letter translated -for the _Bashaws_. The next day, when _Ebrahim_ appeared in the _Divan_, -they asked of him, whether I could read those Letters? Read them, says -he! as easily as his own Name; and thereupon he produced some of them -translated before them, _viz._ what I had a mind to discover. Whereupon, -says _Rustan_, this Ambassador is but a young Man, and yet we see he can -understand what the old Patriarch could not so much as read; without -doubt, if he live to be old, he will prove a very _Nonsuch_ of a Man. For -that reason it was, or perhaps some other, that a while after, having -Conference with _Rustan_ about our Affairs, he treated me more familiarly -than he used to do, (which was a rare thing in him) and at last he ask’d -me, why I would not turn to their Religion, and to the true Worship of -God? If I would do so, he promised me great Honour and a large Reward -from their Emperor _Solyman_. I told him, I was resolved to continue in -that Religion, wherein I was born, and which my Master, _Cæsar_, did -profess. Be it so, replied he; but what then will become of your Soul? I -subjoined, I hope well for that too; whereupon he, after a little Pause, -broke forth into these Words. ’Tis true, indeed, and I am almost of your -Mind, that they who live holy and modest Lives in this present World, -shall obtain eternal Life in the next, be they of what Religion they -will. That’s an Heresy, that some of the _Turks_ have taken up, neither -is _Rustan_ thought to be a true _Mussulman_ in all Points. The _Turks_ -thinks it a Duty, and a work of Piety in them, to persuade a _Christian_ -they have any good Opinion of, to their Religion; for then they think, -they shall save a Soul from Destruction, and that they count a great -Honour to themselves, and the greatest Charity they can do another Man, -to make him a Convert to their Religion. - -I shall now acquaint you with the Effects of another Conference I had -with _Rustan_, whereby you may see what daily Feuds are between the -_Turks_ and _Persians_, upon the account of Religion. He ask’d me, one -time, whether the War did continue between _Spain_ and _France_? I told -him, it did. ’Tis strange, says he, that they should fall out that are of -one and the same Religion: I replied, ’tis no otherwise between those two -Princes, than ’tis betwixt _you_ and the _Persians_. The Dispute is not -about Religion, but about civil Right; Provinces, Cities and Kingdoms, -which both lay claim to. You are quite mistaken, says _Rustan_, we are -not of the same Religion with the _Persians_, but do count them a more -Profane and _Heathenish_ sort of People than you _Christians_ are. But to -return to the Affairs of _Hungary_. - -Since my last Return to _Constantinople_, Matters in _Hungary_ have -received a very great Alteration, it would be too tedious to describe -them particularly; and, besides, it were not conducive to my Design. -_Isabella_, Wife to King _John_, is returned into _Transilvania_, -together with her Son, having refused the Transactions and broken the -League made with the Emperor _Ferdinand_; and the _Transilvanians_, -terrified by the _Turkish_ Arms, have again submitted their Necks to -the old _Ottoman_ Yoke. Matters succeeding thus prosperously with the -_Turks_, they are not therewith contented, but grasp at all _Hungary_ -too; and, besides other Places, they resolved to besiege _Sigeth_, which -signifies in the _Hungarian_ Language, an _Island_, or Place naturally -very strongly situated. And for this purpose they chose a General, who, -upon the account of the Prosperity of his Arms in former times, created -great Confidence in his own Men, and struck as much Terror into his -Enemy: His Name was _Haly Bassa_, an _Epirot_, who had had good Success -in _Hungary_ before, and especially in the Battel, wherein he overthrew -_Sforza Palavicino_, and the Bishop of Five Churches. He was sent for -from the utmost Bounds of the _Turkish_ Empire towards _Persia_, and came -with great Expectation to _Constantinople_: My Collegues were yet here -with me, pressing for a Dismission. ’Twas the pleasure of the _Bashaws_ -that we should see him, in regard we counted him, as they thought, the -very Thunder-bolt of War. - -When we came to him, he received us courteously, and made a great -Harangue to this purpose: That, “we should study Peace, and rather than -suffer _Hungary_ to be wasted with Fire and Sword, we should accept those -Conditions, which the _Grand Seignior_ had offered us.” We answered him, -that “we desired nothing more than Peace; provided it might be had upon -tolerable Conditions; but those which they offered, were against the -Honour and Dignity of our Master.” Thus we took our leaves, after he had -treated us with a Cup of Water diluted with Sugar. This _Haly_ was an -Eunuch, but the Constitution of his Body did seem to add to the vigour of -his Mind: He was low of Stature, bloted in his Body, of a Bay-coloured -Countenance, a sour Look, frowning Eyes, broad Shoulders and sticking up, -between which stood his Head, as in a Valley. Two Teeth were prominent -in his Mouth, like Boar’s Tusks, his Voice hoarse; in a Word, he was the -Fourth Fury. - -The Day after he makes great Preparation for his Expedition into -_Hungary_; where having spent some Time to provide Materials, he at -last marches against _Sigeth_, and beats off those which were repairing -_Babock_, a Castle of _Cæsar_’s; but _Cæsar_, being acquainted long -before with his Design, lends _Ferdinand_, one of his three Sons, a young -Man, yet comparable, for greatness of Mind, to any of the old Generals, -to oppose the Torrent of _Haly Bassa_’s Force, and by his Valour to -retrieve Affairs in _Hungary_: He had no great Forces with him, but with -a select Body of Horse he faces _Haly_’s Army; the _Turks_ that were -present, related to me, that ’twas a goodly Sight to behold the Splendor, -Order and Boldness of those Forces. _Haly_, being naturally of a fierce -Disposition, and having a far greater Army, was even mad to think that a -handful of _Christians_ should dare to look him in the Face. - -There was a moorish Piece of Ground between both Armies, which could not -be passed without great Danger; _Ferdinand_ had no need to pass it, for -his Design was only to relieve _Sigeth_, and to raise the Siege: But -_Haly Bassa_, was not in the same Circumstances; for, unless he would -make a base and unhandsome Retreat (as the Event afterwards shewed) ’twas -altogether necessary for him to do it; So that he, seeing to what Straits -he was brought, resolved to put all upon hazard, and accordingly he bent -his Bridle, to turn his Horse towards that inconvenient Place; when, -behold! one of the _Sanziacks_, that was near him, whose Name I remember -not, taking Notice of the extream Danger he was running into, leap’d from -his Horse, and taking the _Bashaw_’s Horse by the Bridle, _Sultan_, says -he (for so the _Turks_ call the great Dignitaries among them) _Here you -see into what a Jeopardy you were like to cast both yourself and your -whole Army; you don’t consider what an incommodious Place this Marish -is: The ~Christians~ are ready on the other side with Arms in Hand and -Courage in their Hearts, to receive us, when we are half drowned and half -covered with Mud; and thus they in good Order will assault us, being -disordered and out of our Ranks, and will make use of all our Imprudence, -to obtain a most assured Victory over us: Nay, rather moderate your -Anger, and return to yourself and reserve so many brave Men, with -yourself for the Service of your Prince, and for better Times._ Upon this -Speech, _Haly_, as if he had recollected himself, drew back; and there -was not any _Turk_ amongst them, but was forced to confess, that the -whole Army was sav’d by the Advice of that _Sanziack_. - -When this matter was carried to _Constantinople_, though the _Vizier_ -and the Chief _Bashaws_ could not deny the Thing, yet they thought it -dangerous to suffer the Example of so audacious a Fact in the _Sanziack_ -to pass unpunished: ’Tis true, they did mutteringly commend both his -Fidelity and his Prudence; yet to suffer Disobedience to a superior -Officer to pass without due Punishment, they thought it a dangerous Case -in Military Discipline, so that he was called back to _Constantinople_, -and there was cashiered for a Time; and when this Offence was -sufficiently punished, as they thought, they bestowed upon him as good a -Command; so that every Body saw his Punishment was inflicted rather for -the preservation of the Discipline of War, than for any dire Merit of his -Offence. - -_Haly_, a while after, having lost a great Part of his Army, by the -Charges and Ambuscades of the _Hungarians_, made an ignoble and shameful -Retreat to _Buda_, where for very Grief he breathed out his hateful Soul. - -But Arch-duke _Ferdinand_, on the other side, returned to _Ferdinand_ his -Father, with the deserved Laurel of Victory, having performed an Exploit, -not only of great Advantage for the present, but of much greater Benefit -to future Ages, by the Example it gave; for hereby he made the _Turks_ to -know that if they proceeded on to press upon _Cæsar_, he wanted neither -able Soldiers, nor expert Commanders to chastise their Insolency. - -Yet the _Turks_ of those Borders did not carry it with any great Modesty; -for, while _Haly_ was yet encamped at _Sigeth_, our Men had scaled the -Walls of _Gran_, and taken the City, having a Castle near it of the -same Name, where they got a great deal of Booty, and carried away the -Inhabitants, being mostly Women and Children. - -A Messenger was sent immediately to _Haly_, to acquaint him of the -Loss; who coming into his Presence, by the very Consternation of his -Countenance portended some great Mischief to have happened to them. The -_Bassa_ presently asked him, how Things went? and what was the Cause of -his great Fear? _Sir_, says he, _the Enemy hath taken and plundered -~Gran~; which great Blow occasions my Grief_. _A Blow, Fool_, says the -_Bassa_! _tell me of a Blow when I have lost my Genitals_ (to which he -pointed with his Hand) _that shew me to be a Man_. Thus did he scoff -at the Consternation of the Messenger, not without the Laughter of -the By-standers, and undervalued the Loss of _Gran_, which was easily -recoverable. - -Moreover, in _Croatia_ and the adjoyning Countries, several Inroads were -made by both Parties, and each side did alternately suffer for their -over-boldness and supine Security. Let me give you an Instance, which, -as it gave me joy, will not, I dare say, be unpleasant, to you to hear -of. It happened, indeed, some what before the Passage at _Sigeth_ lately -mentioned; but in Writing an Epistle, I do not strictly observe the Order -of Time. - -News was brought to _Rustan_, from those Parts, that a certain Confident -of his, whom he highly esteemed, and called Cousin, had fallen upon a -Party of _Christians_, as they were celebrating a Wedding, and being -at a sufficient Distance, as they thought, from the _Turks_, counted -themselves secure; when behold this bold and unwelcome Guest, with Armed -Forces, came in upon them, spoiled their Mirth, slew some, and took some -Prisoners, among whom was the unfortunate Bridegroom, with his un-bedded -Spouse: _Rustan_ did much rejoyce at this Exploit, and in all Companies -highly commended the Stratagem of his Kinsman, for performing it. - -A pitiful Case, you will say, rather to be lamented than related: But -these are the Tragical Sports of insolent Fortune; yet Revenge followed -him at the Heels, _Rustan_’s Laughter was soon turned to Sadness: For a -little while after one of the _Deli’s_, or mad Sparks, a sort of furious -Horsemen among the _Turks_, so called by their outragious Boldness, came -post to him out of _Dalmatia_, and told him, that a parcel of _Turks_ had -made an Excursion into the Enemies Country, and had got great Booty, but -seting no bounds to their Avarice, they, at last were encountered with -a Party of _Christians_, _Dragoons_ or _Musketeers_, who totally routed -them, slew many _Sanziacks_, and among them his _Achillean_ Cousin, -lately so much extolled by him. This sad News made _Rustan_ burst out -into Tears, so that his fit of Laughter was justly requited. But hearken -to the close of the Story, which is not unpleasant: When this _Dalmatian_ -Trooper, who brought the News, was asked by the _Bassa_, in the _Divan_, -How many were there of you? He answered, above two thousand five hundred: -And how many of the _Christians_? I think, says he, they were not above -five hundred, unless there were more of them in ambush, as we suspected. -Fie for Shame, said the fretting _Bassas_! what! a regular Army of -_Mussulmans_ (so they call the Men of their own Religion) to be beaten -by so small a handful of _Christians_! You are goodly Warriors indeed! -fit to eat the _Sultan_’s Bread, are, you not? The blunt Fellow, nothing -dismay’d, replied, you are quit beside the Cushion; did I not tell you -that we were beaten by Musketeers? ’Twas the Fire defeated us, not the -Valour of our Enemies. We had come off Conquerors, if we had contested by -Valour only; but who can fight against Fire, the fiercest of Elements? -and what Mortal can stand, if the very Elements fight against him? This -bold Answer of his, being as saucily pronounced, made the By-standers -ready to burst out into a Laughter, though on this sad occasion to them. - -This Matter did very much raise my Spirits, which were quite sunk at -the Remembrance of the former Mis-hap of the Marriage-Feast. This -Story informs us, that our Pistols and Carbines, which are used on -Horseback, are a great Terror to the _Turks_, as I hear they are to the -_Persians_ also; for once, there was a Fellow that persuaded _Rustan_, -when he accompanied his Prince in a War against _Persia_, to arm two -hundred Horse of his Domesticks with Pistols: For those, said he, will -be terrible to our Enemy, and will also do great execution upon them. -_Rustan_ hearkned to his Counsel, and furnished out a Party, as advised; -but, before they had marched half way, their Carbines or Pistols were -ever now and then out of Order; one thing or other was broke or lost, -and scarce any Body could mend them: Hereupon this Party was useless. -The _Turks_ were also against this Armature, because it was slovenly -(the _Turks_, you must know, are much for cleanliness in War); for -the Troopers Hands were black and sooty, their Cloaths full of Spots, -and their Case-boxes that hung by their Sides made them ridiculous -to their Fellow-Soldiers, who therefore jeered them, with the Title -_Medicamentarii_, or _Mountebank Soldiers_; hereupon they apply -themselves to _Rustan_, complaining of this broken, useless Armour, which -could do no Service against an Enemy, and entreating to have their usual -Weapons again, their Bows and Arrows; which, are readily granted them. - -The mention I made a while ago of things acted in the Confines of -_Hungary_, gives me occasion to tell you, what the _Turks_ think of -Duels, which amongst _Christians_ is accounted a singular Proof of -personal Valour. There was one _Arslambeg_, a _Sanziack_, that lived in -the Frontiers of _Hungary_, who was very much famed for a robust Person; -he was very expert at the Bow; no Man brandished his Sword with more -Strength, or was more terrible to his Enemy. Not far from him there dwelt -one _Uliber_, a _Sanziack_ also, who was emulous of the same Praise; -and this Emulation (heighten’d, perhaps, by other Motives) at length -occasioned Hatred and many bloody Combats between them. It happened thus, -_Uliber_ was sent for to _Constantinople_; upon what occasion I know not. -When he came thither, and the _Bashaws_ had asked many Questions of him, -in the _Divan_, concerning other Matters, at last they demanded how he -and _Arslambeg_ (_Arsla_ signifies a Lion in _Turkey_) came to fall out? -Hereupon he makes a long Narration of the Grudges between them, with -their Causes and Progress; and to put a fairer Gloss on his own Cause, -he added, that once _Arslambeg_ had laid an Ambush, and wounded him -treacherously: And that, said he, he needed not have done, if he would -have shewed himself worthy the Name he bears; for I have often challenged -him to fight Hand to Hand, and never shun’d to meet him in the Field. The -_Bashaws_, much offended, thus replied, _How durst thou challenge thy -Fellow-Soldier to a Duel? What, was there never a ~Christian~ to fight -with? Do not both of you eat your Emperor’s Bread? And yet, forsooth, you -must go about to take away one another’s Lives! What Precedent had you -for this? Don’t you know, that whoever of the two had died, the Emperor -had lost a Subject?_ Whereupon, by their Command, he was haled to Prison, -where he lay pining many Months, and was, at last, with Difficulty, -released; yet with the loss of his Reputation. - -Among us _Christians_, many who have never come in sight of a public -Enemy, draw their Swords upon one another, and think it a brave and -honourable Thing. What shall a Man do in such a Case, when Vice usurps -the seat of Virtue, and that which deserves Punishment, is counted noble -and glorious? But to return, I know you are inquisitive, and therefore -give me leave to acquaint you with the public Entrance, which the King of -_Cholchos_ made into this City. His Kingdom is by the River _Phasis_, in -a Creek or Bay of the _Euxine_ Sea, not far from Mount _Caucasus_. His -Name is _Dadianus_, a Man of a tall Stature and grateful Countenance, but -of a rough-hew’n Disposition, as some say. He came with a great Train, -but in a very Thread-bare, and old-fashion’d Garb. The _Italians_, at -this Day, call the _Colchians Mingrelians_: They are some of that People, -inhabiting between the _Caspian Gates_, (called by the _Turks_, _Demit -capi_, i. e. _Iron Gates_,) and the _Potic_ and _Hyrcanian_-Seas: They -are at this Day called _Georgians_; whether from that sort of Christian -Religion, which they profess, or whether that be their ancient Name -(which seems most probable,) is not fully determined. The _Albanians_ -and _Iberians_ are reckoned a Part of them. The Cause of his coming is -uncertain: Some say, he was sent for by the _Turk_; for, when he makes -Wars upon the _Persian_, if the _Colchians_ and the People of that Tract -join with him, they may give him notable Assistance. But the vulgar and -more credible Opinion was, that he came to desire the Assistance of some -Gallies against his Neighbour, the _Iberian_, who had slain his Father; -which if he could obtain, then he would become Tributary to the _Sultan_. -For, you must know, that there is an old and inveterate Hatred between -the _Colchians_ and the _Iberians_. Once there were some Overtures of -Accommodation between them, and a Conference was had thereupon, between -great Numbers of both Nations. At this Meeting, they began, first, -to try who should be the greatest Drinkers; in which Contest, the -_Colchians_, fell fast asleep. The treacherous _Iberians_ made use of -this Opportunity, and hurried away honest _Dadianus_ as yet snoring, into -a Chariot, and shut him up Prisoner in a high Tower, as if he had been -lawful Prize taken in War. To revenge this Injury, and to recover their -King, the _Colchians_ levied an Army of 30,000 Men, who were commanded by -the Wife of the captive King, a Woman of great Spirit, and not unskill’d -in Horsemanship, or handling of Arms. The Commanders, in this Army, -wore huge and unwieldy Coats of Mail, and were also armed with Swords -and Spears pointed with Iron. They had also amongst them, a party of -Musketeers, a strange sight in that Country. As for the common Soldiers, -they had no Arms, but Arrows, or Stakes burnt at one end, or great wooden -Clubs. Thus they rode on Horseback, without Saddle or other Furnture. - -This rude and discomposed Multitude, drew near to the Place where their -King was in Custody, but were soon terrified with the Discharge of a few -Guns from the Castle, and ran back a full Mile; but then taking Heart, -on they came again, but were repulsed with the like Noise as before. -_Dadianus_, perceiving help so near, cut his Bedcloaths into a kind of -Ropes, and so let himself down by Night, through his Window, and fled to -his own People. This Stratagem of their King, and the successful Issue of -it, is highly praised by that People, even to this very day. - -The Country of _Colchis_ abounds with all sorts of Fruits, growing almost -naturally, except Bread-Corn, Wheat and Barley; and these Grains would -grow there also, if due Tillage were used about them: But the People are -very idle, they only sow Millet at randum, which yields such an Encrease, -that one Crop serves them for two Years; their chief Subsistence is -thereon, neither desire they any other Corn. Their Vines grow at the -foot of high Trees, and mounting up to their Boughs, yield them much -Wine, and pretty good. These Vines last for many Years. Their Bees, like -themselves, live in the Woods, and supply them with Wax and Honey; all -the Pains they take, is, to find them out. The same Woods yield them -plenty of Venison; as for Pheasants and Partridges, they abound all over -the Country. A great proof of the Fertility of their Land, are their -Melons, which, besides their extraordinary Sweetness, do oft grow three -Foot long. - -As for coin’d Silver, they have little or none, and of Gold less; few -of them know what it is: So that they may seem a very happy People, who -are without so great a Temptation to Mischief. And yet I think few of us -do envy them this Happiness, because none can grow rich among them; yet -they have that value for Silver, that when they receive any in Traffick -with Foreigners, as some of them must needs do, they transfer it all to -he use of their Temples, for making Crucifixes, Chalices and such like -Ornaments, which sometimes their King, on pretence of Public Necessity, -doth seize upon, and amass it all to his own use. - -Their only way of Commerce among themselves is by exchange of Wares. If -one have overmuch of a Commodity, he brings it to Market, and receives -what he wants in Exchange; so that there is no need of Money, their -Commerce is by bartering of Commodities. - -They pay also their Tribute to their King in the Products of the Earth; -they supply him with all Necessaries largely, both for Meat, Drink, and -Apparel, for maintaining of his Houshold, and is reward the Deserving. -And, indeed, he hath an unexhausted Revenue, not only from Tenths, and -settled Customs, but from those Gifts which are daily bellowed upon him; -and yet he is as liberal in bellowing them, as he is ready to receive -them. - -His Palace is, as a public Granary, stored with all manner of Provisions, -which are disposed to all that need, out of his royal Bounty; especially -if that Year’s Harvest hath disappointed the Husbandman. The Custom is, -that if any Merchant come with his Ship thither, he makes a Present to -the King, either small or great, nothing is refused, and the King bestows -a Banquet on them ashore. The manner is thus. - -There is a large Building, on both sides of which are the King’s Stables, -where a long Table is plac’d for the King; he himself fits at the upper -end, and, at a moderate Distance, fit the rest. The Table is well -furnished, especially with Venison, and with Wine enough; the largest -Drinkers are the welcomest Guests. The Queen, with her female Attendants, -hath a Table in the same Room, but apart by themselves; and then they -junket freely without much regard to Modesty; they carry themselves like -Anticks, fleering, nodding, tipping the Wink, like so many _Medea’s_, if -there were _Jasons_ ready for them. - -After Dinner, the King, with his Guests, goes a Hunting; and, in Woods, -under the Shadow of large Trees, the common People divert themselves, -and keep Holy-day in Drinking, Dancing and Singing. They hang their -Fiddles on long Poles or Boards, and then striking them with a Stick, -make Musick, and sing to it the Praise of their Mistresses, or of their -valiant Men. Among their Heroes (unless I am misinformed) they often -mention one _Rowland_; how he came into that Country I know not, unless -he passed thither with _Godfrey_ of _Bullogne_. They tell many prodigious -Stories of this _Rowland_, as ridiculous and improbable as any Romance -among us. - -Whilst they are thus given to Idleness and Luxury, Dissoluteness must -needs follow; and, to speak Truth, Chastity is a Virtue rarely found -among them. The Husband will offer his own Wife or his Sister, to the -Pleasure of a Stranger; and, if they can but thus please their Wives, -they care for little else. Neither are their Daughters kept under any -stricter Discipline. ’Tis hard to find a Damsel unvitiated among them; -nay, some have born Children at ten Years old; and, if you scruple to -believe it, because of the smallness of their Bodies, at your Request -they will produce you an Infant, not much bigger than a large Frog. -Whereas, otherwise, they are a tall and comely bodied People. But they -are so void of all Civility and courteous Behaviour, that they think they -pay you a great Compliment, if among other Barbarities, when they meet -you, they make a certain Sound from their Throats like Belching. - -In one thing they shew a great Dexterity of Wit, and that is in Stealing. -He that pilfers most neatly, is counted a brave Fellow; but he that does -it bungingly, is esteemed a Dunce and a Blockhead, not worthy to live; -and even his own Father or his Son, will sell or exchange him for a small -Matter to Merchant-strangers, to be carried away they care not whither. - -An _Italian_ Merchant who had been in these Parts, told me, that a -certain Priest of theirs, stole his Knife as he was in their Temple. He -perceived the Theft, but dissembling it, gave him the Sheath also, that -he might put up his stol’n Ware. - -When they go into their Temples, they have some esteem for the Images of -the Virgin _Mary_, of _Peter_ and _Paul_, and other Saints; but their -greatest Veneration is for the Image of St. _George_ on Horseback. -They fall down prostrate before it, kissing every part of it; even his -Horse’s Shoes. They say, he was a valiant Man, a great Warrior, that in a -single Combat did openly fight Hand to Hand with the _Devil_, and either -conquer’d, or, at least, foil’d him. - -I’ll acquaint you with one Passage more, which you cannot but stand -amazed at. ’Tis this. - -The Princes of the East are always presented with Gifts at any Audience. -_Dadianus_, in compliance with this Custom, brought _Solyman_ a Cup -or Dish of Carbuncle, so bright and shining, that in a dark Night a -Man might travel by the Light of it, as well as at Noon-day. I cannot -believe it, you’ll say: Nor do I: Neither can I be angry with you -for suspending your Belief; but, whatever you and I do, let me tell -you, there are enough that do believe it. The more judicious think -it to be a small Goblet of _Carbuncle_, or _Granate_, which was lost -in Shipwrack, when a certain Prince of _Persia_ was flying from his -Father to _Constantinople_, and driven, by a Tempest, to the _Colchian_ -Shore, where it was taken up. He brought also 20 white _Hawks_, called -_Falcons_, there being Plenty of them in that Country of _Colchis_. - -This is all I can inform you of, concerning the _Colchians_ and their -Manners; let me now proceed to answer your Demands concerning my self, -and my own way of Living. I seldom go abroad, unless I receive Letters -from my Master to be delivered at the Court; or, unless I am commanded -to expostulate with the _Bashaws_ concerning the Rapines and Cruelties -of the _Turkish_ Garrisons, which is ordinarily twice or thrice a Year. -Perhaps, if I would desire leave to ride about the City with my Keeper, -it would not be denied me: But I have no mind to be so much beholding to -them; for I would have them think that the strictness of my Confinement -or Imprisonment is not valued at all by me; and, to speak Truth, what -Comfort can I have to ride up and down among a parcel of _Turks_, who -will either slight, or else jeer and reproach me? No, I like the Country -and the Champaign better than the City; especially that City which is so -full of Ruins, and which retains nothing of its ancient Glory, besides -its Situation. ’Tis true, it was once a Rival to _Rome_ it self; but -now, alas! it is shamefully inslaved; who can without Pity behold it? -Who so hard-hearted, as not to be affected with the mutability of human -Affairs? And who knows how near we are to the same Fate? I keep my self -within my own Doors, conversing with my old Friends, I mean, my Books, in -which is all my Delight. ’Tis true, for my Health’s Sake, I have made a -Bowling-Green, where, before Dinner, I use to play; and, after Dinner, I -practise the _Turkish_ Bow. - -The _Turks_ are wondrous expert at shooting with the Bow; they accustom -themselves to that Exercise from 7 or 8, to 18 or 20 Years of Age, and -hereby their Arms grow stronger, and their Skill so great, that they -will hit the smallest Mark with their Arrows. Their Bows are not much -stronger, but for their shortness much handier than ours; they are not -made of plain Wood, but of a String and Ox’s Horn, fastened with much -Glew and Flax. These sort of Bows, though never so strong, the _Turks_, -who are used to the Sport, can easily draw even to their very Ear; and -yet one that is not accustom’d thereto, though never so strong a Man, -cannot draw to that height, so as to strike a piece of Money, set upright -between the Bow and the String, in the Angle where it is put into the -Notch. - -They aim their Arrows so sure, that in a Fight they will hit a Man’s -very Eye, or any other Part they design to strike. In the place where -they exercise, you may see them direct by their stroke so artificially, -that 5 or 6 of their Arrows will stick round about the White in the -Butt, (which is usually less than a Dollar) and yet not hurt or touch -it. They stand not above 30 Foot from the Butt: In the Thumb of their -Right Hand, they use Rings of Bone, on which the String lies, when -they draw it; and with the Thumb of their Left Hand, they draw the -Arrow by a knot bearing outwards; far otherwise than they do with us. -Their Butt is made of a Bank of sandy, gravelly Earth, raised about -four Foot high from the Ground, and strongly surrounded with Boards. -But the _Bashaws_, and those that have great Families, train up their -Servants in this Exercise, at their own Houses, where the more skilful -teach the unexperienced. Some of these in their solemn _Bayram_, (for -they also have their _Easter_) assemble themselves together in a great -Plain about _Pera_, where sitting over-against one another cross-legg’d, -as Taylors do with us, (for that is the manner of their sitting) they -begin with Prayer (so the _Turks_ begin all their Enterprizes) and then -they strive, who shall shoot an Arrow farthest. The whole Contest is -managed with a great deal of Decency and Silence, though the number of -Spectators be very great. Their Bows are very short for this Exercise, -and the shorter the better, so that they are hardly bendable, but by -well-practised Persons: Their Arrows also are of a peculiar kind. He -that conquers hath a Linnen-Handkerchief, such as we use to wipe off our -Sweat, wrought with embroidered Needle-work, for his Reward; but his -greatest Encouragement, is the Commendation and Renown he gets. ’Tis -almost incredible how far they will shoot an Arrow; they mark the place, -with a Stone, where the farthest Arrow, for that Year, was lodg’d. There -are many such Stones in the Field, placed there Time out of Mind, which -are farther than they are able to shoot now a-days, they say. These -were the Marks of their Ancestor’s Archery, whose Skill and Strength in -Shooting, they acknowledge, they cannot reach to. In divers Streets and -Cross-ways of the City of _Constantinople_, there are also such Sports, -wherein not only Children and young Men, but even the graver sort do -exercise themselves. There is one that takes care of the Butt, who -waters it every Day, otherwise it would be so dry, that an Arrow (the -_Turkish_ Arrows being always blunt) would not stick therein. And he that -thus oversees the Mark is very diligent to draw out and to cleanse the -Arrows, and throw them back to the Archers, and he hath a Stipend from -them sufficient to maintain him. The Front of the Butt is like a little -Door, whence, perhaps, came the _Greek_ Proverb; that, when a Man miss’d -the Mark, he is said to shoot _extra januam_, besides the Door; for, I -suppose, the _Greeks_ used this way of Butting, and that the _Turks_ -borrowed it from them. I grant the use of the Bow is very ancient among -the _Turks_; but that hinders not, but, when they conquered the _Grecian_ -Cities, they might still retain their way of butting and bounding their -Arrows. For no Nation scruples to transfer the profitable Inventions of -other Nations to themselves, as I might instance in _Great Ordnance_, and -in _Muskets_, and other things, which, though not our Inventions, yet the -_Turks_ borrow their use of from us. - -’Tis true, they could never yet be brought to the Printing of Books, nor -to the setting up public Clocks. The Reasons are, that their Scripture -(_i. e._) _Alchoran_, would no longer be called Scripture, or Writing, -if it were Printed, (that’s their Fancy); and for Clocks, they suppose, -that the Authority of their _Emraim_, and of their ancient Rites would be -diminished, if they should permit the Use of them. In other Cases, they -ascribe much to the ancient Institutions of other Nations, even almost to -the prejudice of their own Religion. I speak of their Commonalty. - -All Men know how averse they are from the approving of _Christian_ Rites -and Ceremonies; and, yet, let me tell you, that, whereas the _Greek_ -Priests do use, at Spring-time, a certain way of Consecration to open -the Sea for Sailors (before which time, they will hardly commit their -Vessels to the Waters) the _Turks_ also observe the same Ceremony: For, -when their Vessels are ready to sail, they repair to the _Grecians_, -and ask them, whether they have consecrated the Sea? If they say _No_, -they desist; if _Yea_, then they set sail and away. ’Twas also a Custom -of the _Greeks_ not to open the Pits, in the Isle of _Lemnos_, for the -digging out of the Earth, called, _Agosphragod_, before the Feast of -the Transfiguration of our Lord, _viz._ _August_ 6. The _Turks_ also -observe the same Custom; and, whereas the _Grecian_ Priests did anciently -celebrate the Liturgy at that time, the _Turks_ will have them do so -still; and they themselves stand at a distance, as Spectators only: -And, if you ask them, why they do this? Their Answer is, that there are -useful Customs practised of old, the Causes whereof are not known. The -Ancients, they say, saw and knew more than we; and, therefore, we will -not violate their Customs, lest we do it to our loss. This Opinion hath -so far prevailed against many of them, that I know some, who in private -will baptize their Children, alledging, there is some good in that Rite, -and that it was not instituted, at first, without just Cause. - -Having acquainted you thus far with the _Turkish_ Exercises, let me add -one more. They have a Custom derived from the _Parthians_, that they -counterfeit flying away on Horseback, and presently turn back and kill -their unwary Pursuers. The way they learn to do it, is this: They erect a -high Pole, almost in plain Ground, with a brass Globe on the top of it; -about this they spur their Horses, and having got a little beyond, the -Horse still galloping, they presently turn about, and flying along, shoot -an Arrow into that Globe. The frequent Use hereof makes them expect, -that their Bow being turn’d in their Flight, their unwary Enemy is shot -through. - -’Tis time now, you’ll say, that I return to my Lodging, lest my Keeper -should be angry with me. Well, then; what time is left me from beholding -these Exercises, I bestow entirely on my Books, or in Conferences with -my Friends the Citizens of _Pera_, originally _Genoese_, or others; yet -not without the leave of my _Chiauxes_. These Fellows are not always -in the same Humour; they have their lucid Intervals, in which they are -more tractable than at other times. When ’tis fair Weather with them, -the _Ragustæans_, the _Florentines_, the _Venetians_, and sometimes -the _Greeks_, with other Nations, come to visit me, on one Account or -another; sometimes, also, I converse with Men of more remote Countries, -that come hither, whose Conversation much delights me. - -A few Months ago, there came hither a Merchant from _Dantzick_, who had -the sole vending of Amber. He wondred to what Use the _Turks_ could -put so great a Quantity of it, as they bought; or, whither they sent -it: At last he was told, that they sent it into _Persia_, where that -kind of Juice, or Bitumen, is highly esteemed; for they adorn Parlors, -Studies, and Temples with it. He bestowed upon me, a wooden Vessel full -of that Liquor, they call _Juppenbier_. It was most excellent Stuff: -But I laughed heartily at my Guests, both _Greeks_ and _Italians_, who, -not being accustomed to this Liquor, could not tell what to call it. At -length, because I told them ’twas good to preserve Health, they thought -it was some medicinal Drug, and called it a _Syrup_; but they sipp’d and -syrupp’d it about so long, that, at one Dinner, they emptied my Barrel. - -This Liberty my _Chiauxes_ (who now and then are changed) do sometimes -give me. They are not only willing I should go abroad, but often invite -me so to do: But I, as I told you before, always refuse them, that so -they may not think they can do me either good or hurt; and the Pretence I -make use of is this, that I have tarried so long at Home, that now I am -grown to the Walls of the House, so that if I go forth, it would fall. I -will not, therefore, stir abroad, say I, till I go for good and all into -my own Country. - -As for my Family, I am glad that they go abroad sometimes, for thereby -they learn to bear the long Absence from their own Country, the better. - -But yet when they make use of this Liberty, the drunken _Turks_ often -meet and quarrel with them in the Streets, especially, if no _Janizaries_ -be with them; and, though there be, yet sometimes Blows happen on both -sides: And, therefore, it is troublesome to me, to excuse my Domesticks, -when they are clamour’d against; yet, I confess, the surliness and -vigilance of my _Chiauxes_, in keeping fast my Doors, do in a great -Measure ease me of that troublesome Office. Let me give you a late -Instance of this kind. - -There came lately to me a Messenger from my Master, the Emperor, one -_Philip Baldus_, an _Italian_. He was 66 Years old; and, riding faster -than his Age could bear, he fell into a Fever. My Physician prescribed -him a Clyster, and the same being brought by the Apothecary, my _Chiaux_ -would not let him in, nor suffer the Medicine to be brought to the sick -Man. Inhumanely enough, you’ll say; especially, as that _Chiaux_ had -carried it courteously to me for a long time; but now he was so inraged -on a sudden, that ’twas intolerable, for he threatned to cudgel every -body that came to me. After he had thus affronted me, I thought of -a way to let him know, how little I valued all his bug-bear Threats; -which was thus. I set one of my Servants to stand within my Gate, and to -bar it; charging him, to open to none, but at my Command. The _Chiaux_ -comes in the Morning to unlock the Gate, as his Custom was; but his Key -availed not, for ’twas bolted. On the in-side he spied my Man, through -the Chinks, and calls out to him to open it. Not I, says he; hereupon -the _Chiaux_ began to be angry, to curse and call Names. Prate while you -will, says my Servant, neither thy self nor any of thine shall come in -here: For why should I open to thee, more than thou to us? Thou keepest -us shut in, and we’ll keep thee shut out; do thou shut the Door without, -and to be sure I’ll shut it within. What, says he, did your Master -command you so to do? Yes, said I: However, says the _Chiaux_, let me -come in and put my Horse in the Stable: No Stabling for your Horse here, -said he. Let me then have some Hay and Provender out for him: Not a bit, -says he; go and buy it in the Neighbourhood, there’s enough to be sold. -I used frequently to make the _Chiaux_ sit down at Meat with me, or else -send him something from my Table; But now the Case was altered; he stood, -fasting as he was, at my Door, his Horse being tied to a _Plane-Tree_, -over against it. - -The _Bashaws_, and other Grandees, as they passed by that Place in their -return from Court, and knew, by its Trappings, that it was the _Chiaux_’s -Horse, eating his Hay under the _Plane-Tree_, they demanded the Reason, -why he was not shut up in a Stable, as heretofore? He readily told them -all the Matter; that as he shut us up, so he and his Horse were shut out, -so that the one could not get Food, or the other Provender. When the -rest of the _Bashaws_ heard this Story, they laugh’d heartily, and from -that Time held it fruitless to think of terrifying me with such frivolous -Vexations as the shutting my Doors. - -But a while after that _Chiaux_ was removed, and then we had more -Liberty. _Rustan_ himself was satisfied how vain his Menaces were by this -Story, I shall now relate. - -There came a certain aged _Sancto_, of great Esteem among them for his -Piety, to pay his Court to him; and, among other Discourses, he asked -_Rustan_ why, since the _Sultan_’s Children were at Discord one with -another, which was likely to occasion great Troubles in their Empire, he -did not make Peace with the _German_ Emperor, that _Solyman_ might be -secure from Danger on that side? I desire nothing more, says _Rustan_; -but how can I bring it about? His Demands I cannot yield to, and my -Demands he will not accept, nor can I compel him so to do. I have tried -all Ways to bring him to my Terms; I have kept him in the nature of a -Prisoner these many Years, I have dealt coarsely enough with him; and -yet, alas! he is but hardened the more thereby. When I would shut him -up as a close Prisoner in his own House, then he bars his Door on the -Inside, that no body can come at him; thus all my Labour is in vain. If -another Man had been so hardly dealt with, to avoid the Durance, he would -have turned to our Religion; as for him, he cares not a Rush. - -This was _Rustan_’s Discourse, as some present thereat informed me. - -The reason of their surly Carriage, is this: The _Turks_ are very -suspicious, that the Agents of Christian Princes have a great Latitude in -their Commissions; so that they have Power to alter them, as occasion -serves; if they cannot at first get favourable, then they may except of -harder Terms. To get out of them the full of their Commissions, they -vex their Persons, shut them up close, threaten War, and abuse them all -manner of ways. - -Some think, that a certain _Venetian_ Resident did much encourage the -_Turks_ to these Courses; for when the Dispute was between the _Venetian_ -and _Turk_, about _Napoli di Romania_, their Agent had a Charge to try -all other ways of Accommodation, without surrendering the City; but if no -milder Terms would do, then he had Liberty to part with that City, rather -than to engage in a War with the Port: Some _Venetian_ Traytor declared -this part of his Commission to the _Turks_, unknown to the Resident -himself; who rather denied that he had any other Commands, than what he -had then proposed, which were the gentlest Terms. The _Bashaws_ judging -themselves to be deluded, were very angry, and bid him have a care what -he said; their Master was not to be mock’d; they knew well enough that he -had other Commands, and thereupon, they recited to him the full of his -Commission; so that now, said they, if you do not tell us, we shall look -on you as a Liar and an Impostor, and then he would be punished as such; -and his Commonwealth would certainly be ruined, if the implacable Anger -of _Solyman_ did once, on this Occasion, stir him up to War against him; -and, therefore, speak now, or for ever hereafter hold your Peace: Our -Master will not use Entreaties; he hath not Power enough, God be thanked, -to command Obedience. - -The _Venetian_ Agent was so surprized at this Discourse, which he did -not so much as dream of, that he very frankly told them all; for which, -however, he was very much blamed in his own Country. - -Ever since that time, the _Turks_ have indulged their Suspicions, that -the Christian Agents deal but partially with them; and, therefore, they -must humble them to get out all the Truth. Upon this they imprisoned -_Velduvic_, the Emperor _Charles_’s Ambassador, 18 Months, and my -Collegues more than three Years, and at last sent them away, without -doing any thing. As for my self, I know not how long I shall be kept in -this Durance; for my part, I see no end of it. - -When _Baldus_, that ancient Man of whom I spake before, came to me, they -suspected that he had brought me new Commands, which allowed me to yield -to harder Conditions of Peace; and they feared that I would conceal them, -because I knew well enough their intestine Discords; so that, by dealing -harshly with me, they thought to extort the whole Truth from me. Upon the -same Design, _Rustan_ once sent a large Gourd, called by the _Germans -Wasser-plutzer_. They ripen to a delicious Sweetness at _Constantinople_; -their Seeds are red within, and they came originally from _Rhodes_. -By this Present, sent to me by my Secretary, _Rustan_ did jestingly -insinuate the fear of a War; it was brought me when the Weather was very -hot, and the Juice is good to cool inward Heat. He sent this Compliment -with it, that I should make use of the Fruit suitable to the hot Season, -for it is an excellent Cooler; but I should know, withal, that a great -number of those Plants did grow about _Buda_ and _Belgrade_, of a much -larger size than that which he sent me, meaning thereby _Cannon-Balls_. -I returned Thanks for my Present, and told him, I should make use of it; -but, for _Buda_ and _Belgrade_, ’twas no great wonder they grew there, -since there was Plenty of them, even of a larger size, at _Vienna_. It -was a pleasure to me, to let _Rustan_ know by my Answer, that I could -retort Quibble for Quibble. - -But to return to the Affairs of _Bajazet_, which you desired to be -further informed in. - -You may remember that his Father dismissed him some Years ago, upon -this Condition, That he should never hereafter affront his Brother, nor -raise new Tumults in the Empire, but live quietly and peaceably, as a -Brother ought to do. He should remember his Promise made to himself, and -not vex him in his old Age; if he did, woe be to him! These Threats had -weight with _Bajazet_, as long as his Mother lived; he kept his Word, -rather to retain her good Will and Indulgence towards him, than as having -any Consideration either for his Brother’s Love or Father’s good Will. -However, quiet he was, for his Mother’s sake: But two Years after her -Death, looking upon himself as desperate, he cut the Cords of all filial -Obedience, and began to resume his former Designs against his Brother, -and to execute his Animosity with great spight: Sometimes he laid -Ambushes for his Life; at other times he attempted it by open force, and -now and then he sent Parties of Men into his Brother’s Province, (their -Provinces being contiguous one to the other) and if he could catch any -of his Domesticks, he used them ill for their Master’s sake; in fine, he -left no Stone unturned, to lessen his Brother’s Credit, finding he was -not able to reach his Life. - -Besides, he had several Partisans at _Constantinople_, who endeavoured -to draw over the _Grand Seignior_’s Guard to his side; and he did not -doubt but, as his Design ripened, to come privately to _Constantinople_, -and there to abscond among his Friends, till he could have a fair -opportunity to make his appearance in public. _Solyman_ was soon let into -all his Designs, particularly by Letters from his Son _Selimus_, who -warned him to take care of his Life; and that, if he did not look upon -these Villainous Attempts of _Bajazet_, as pointed at himself, he was -much mistaken: For he cared not what he did either against God or Man, -provided he might gain the Kingdom. Your Life, Sir, said he, is aimed at -as well as mine, and he would wound you through my sides. His Design was -contrived long ago, but now he only seeks an opportunity to execute it; -and, therefore, pray prevent his Wickedness before you are circumvented -by him too late to find any Help: As for myself, I can easily bear all -his Injuries; but the greatness of your Danger doth more nearly concern -me. - -These Informations from _Selimus_ did more and more incense _Solyman_ -against _Bajazet_; so that he put him in mind of his Duty, by Letter, -telling him what great Clemency he had used towards him, and what -Promises he had reciprocally made to him. Call to mind, said he, those -Ancient things, ’tis not so easie for you to get a new Pardon. Leave off -wronging your Brother, and creating trouble to me. I have but a little -time to live; when I am gone, God will shew which of you shall Reign; in -the mean time, don’t you disturb the public Peace, nor the Tranquillity -of my grey Hairs. - -But these Expostulations wrought little upon _Bajazet_, who was fully -determin’d to do his utmost, rather than to yield his Neck tamely to his -Brother’s Sword; for he saw plainly, that would be his Fate, if ever -_Selimus_ mounted the Throne. However, he answered his Father’s Letters -submissively enough; but his Words and his Deeds did not agree, neither -did he drop the prosecution of his intended Design. - -When _Solyman_ saw this, he resolved to try another Course, and to remove -his two Sons to a greater Distance one from the other; and, therefore, -he commands each of them, on a prefix’d Day, to leave his Province -(_Chiuta_ was _Bajazet_’s, and _Magnetia_ _Selimus_’s) _Bajazet_ to go -to _Amasia_, and _Selimus_ to _Iconium_. This was done, not out of any -disfavour to _Selimus_, but only to please _Bajazet_, lest he should -break out into Extremes, when he was removed from his Government, and -not his Brother from his. Withal, he laid his Commands on them, that, -the more they were severed by distance of Place, the more they should -be united by Concord of Mind. For (said he) Vicinity of Habitation doth -often breed Discord betwixt Brethren, and Servants on both sides do ill -Offices to enrage and exasperate the Minds of their Masters, one against -the other; and, therefore, obey my Commands: Him that refuses, I shall -count a rebellious Son. _Selimus_ immediately left his Province, as being -confident of his Father’s Favour; but _Bajazet_ made many Hesitations, -and when he was gone a little way he stopt his Journey, complaining that -the unlucky Province of _Amasia_ was allotted, as a bad Omen to him; -because his Brother was slain there. I should rather, said he, go to any -other Province besides, than where the miserable End of my Relations -will constantly come to my Mind, and wound my very Soul; and, therefore -he desired his Father to suffer him to winter at least where he was, -or else in his Brother’s Province: But _Solyman_ would grant neither -of those Requests. By this Time, _Selimus_ was marched with an Army -which was augmented with some Forces from his Father _Solyman_, (for -they were both afraid of _Bajazet_’s Plots) against his Brother, who -yet made many Halts and Delays; when, on a sudden, he fetch’d a compass -about, and appeared with his Army on the Rear of his Brother, going -towards _Prusias_, a City of _Bithynia_ over against _Constantinople_ -on the _Asiatic_ Shore; his Father gave consent to his March, as not -well pleased with the Delays of _Bajazet_. For they thought thus with -themselves, that, if _Bajazet_ could win over the Guards to himself, and -march to _Prusias_, or even to _Constantinople_ itself, their Matters, -as to _Solyman_ and _Selimus_, would be in great hazard; and, therefore, -out of a common fear, ’twas thought most adviseable for _Selimus_ to stay -there, where he might expect most Aid, in case of Necessity, from the -Nearness of the capital Cities. For _Selimus_ had not yet Forces enough -to encounter his Brother in open Field, with any hopes of Success. - -When _Bajazet_ saw his Brother’s Army in his Rear, and that he got -nothing by his Delay, but the certain Knowledge, that _Selimus_ should -Reign if his Father died, as his Fear added to his Sickness gave some -Likelihood thereof; hereupon, he wrote Letters to his Father, wherein -he laid grievous Things to the Charge of his Brother _Selimus_, as, -that his present March did plainly declare, what a wicked Intent he had -towards his Father, who was come so near the _Metropolis_, that he might -treacherously compass the Empire, and that he might have but a short -Passage over, if his Father died. But, if his Father’s Life should balk -his desire, then he would suborn some Parricide or other to take it away; -and yet, this is the Son, forsooth, said he, that you have in your Bosom; -as if he were a very Nonsuch for filial Obedience; whereas I, who never -entertained a bad Thought against you in all my Life, but was always -observant of your very Becks, am rejected and call out of Favour; and -yet the Sum of my Demands is only this, that an unlucky Province may not -be designed for my Government; either that which my Brother left, or any -other more fortunate one than that of _Amasia_; and, says he, I shall -expect an Answer in the Place where I now abide, lest, if my Suit be -granted, I be forced to march a great way back; but if your Ears be deaf -to my Request, then I will march to what Province you shall command me. - -And the truth is, _Bajazet_ had reason to be averse from _Amasia_; for -’tis a Custom among them to build much on Auguries and ill Omens, even in -the smallest Matters. - -But these Letters were otherwise understood by _Solyman_, who was well -acquainted with his Son’s Fears, and knew that he affected a Government -not so remote, but nearer to _Constantinople_, that thereby he might have -the better opportunity for Innovations. - -Thus _Bajazet_ made one Excuse after another for his Delay, and seemed -to retard his Father’s Pleasure; he listed Soldiers, increased his Army, -rais’d Money, and provided all things necessary for his own Defence, -and the Conquest of his Brother. _Solyman_ looked upon his Design as -against himself, yet the crafty old Man dissembled it what he could; for -he was unwilling to make _Bajazet_ quite desperate. He was now grieved -that the Eyes of all Nations were fix’d on that Dissention between his -Sons, and therefore he design’d to use some Delay, that the Matter, if -possible, might be composed with as little Noise as possible. He answered -_Bajazet_’s Letters mildly, telling him, that, as for the Change of -Provinces, he was fully resolved to be obey’d therein; and, therefore, he -and his Brother would do well immediately to repair to their respective -Armies. - -As for other Concerns, he need not take care of them, for he himself -would so order Matters, that neither his Brother nor he should have any -Cause to complain. _Solyman_ chose _Pertau_, the Fourth Vizier _Bashaw_, -to carry those Letters to _Bajazet_; and, that he might seem to deal -impartially between them both, he sent _Mehemet_, the third Vizier -_Bashaw_, to _Selimus_. He also laid a Charge on both those _Bashaws_, -not to stir a step from either of his Sons, till they had both entred on -their respective Governments. This was wisely done by _Solyman_ to leave -such faithful Moniters with his Children, which would daily put them in -Mind of their Duties. - -Accordingly, _Selimus_ did willingly admit his Father’s _Bashaw_; but -_Bajazet_, whose Mind was wholly set upon imbroiling the State, could -not endure to have one of his Father’s Counsellors obtruded upon him, -to be a Witness of his Designs, and to be a Tell-tale to his Father. -And, therefore, he dismissed the _Bashaw_, who was willing to have -staid, having first courteously treated and presented him with Gifts, -according to his present Ability; and he did it with this Pretence, -that he had none else to represent his Cause impartially to his Father, -but only himself; and, if he would do him so good Offices, he promised -not to be ungrateful to him. He desir’d him also to tell his Father, -that his Commands should always be to him as a Law, but that he was -forced to do what he did, for fear of his Brother _Selimus_, whose -Injuries and Affronts he could no longer endure. By this Message of -_Pertau_, _Solyman_ was assured of _Bajazet_’s Design, though, to colour -the Matter, and to put a Blind on his Father’s Embassy, he pretended -he would hasten to _Amasia_. However, _Solyman_ was not slow in his -Preparations against _Bajazet_, for he commanded the _Beglerbeg_ of -_Asia_, though sick of the Gout, to assist his Son _Selimus_ with a Body -of Horse; and he sent also the most faithful of his Guards to accompany -_Mehemet Bassa_, (who was also returned from his Embassies) into _Asia_ -on the same Errand; and he himself pretended he would gird on his Sword -and follow them. But, alas! the Guards shew’d themselves very unwilling -to the Service; for they abominated the War betwixt Brothers, as an -impious Thing. For against whom should they draw their Sword? Was not -_Bajazet_ Heir of the Crown too? This unnecessary Discussion (said they) -may be compass’d without Blood; neither are we to be forc’d to sheath our -Swords in one another’s Bowels: As for _Bajazet_, he is forced to do what -he doth, in a way of Self-preservation. - -When these Rumours came to _Solyman_’s Ears, he sent for the _Mufti_ (the -High-Priest of the _Turks_, from whom, as from an Oracle, they expect -Answers to their Doubts) and puts a Case to him in these Terms. - -“How ought that Man to be dealt with, who durst disturb the Peace of the -Empire, by taking Towns, and raising Men and Money, while he was alive? -As also, What he thought of those, who were assistant to him in that -Design, and fought under his Ensigns? and, lastly, what was to be done -with those who refused to engage against him, but rather justified his -Practises?” - -The _Mufti_’s Answer was, “That such a Person with all his Followers were -worthy of Death; and they that refused to Fight against him were to be -abominated, as Prophane, and Deserters of their Religion.” - -This Answer was divulged among the Commonalty, and by the Chief of the -_Chiauxes_ was transmitted to _Bajazet_. - -A while after there came a _Chiaux_ to _Constantinople_, who had been -sent by _Solyman_ to _Selimus_, but had been intercepted by _Bajazet_; -by whom he sent a Message to their Father, to this effect; that he would -never fail in expressing his Duty to his Father, and that he never took -up Arms against him, but was resolved to be obedient to him in all -Things. The Dispute was only between his Brother and himself, who sought -his Life, so that he must fall by his Brother’s Sword, or his Brother -by his. This difference might be decided in his Father’s Life; and, -therefore, he desired him not to interpose or assist his Brother, but -to carry himself in an exact Neutrality; but if (said he) you pass over -into _Asia_, (as Report says you will) to assist _Selimus_, don’t think -I shall be speedily reduced, for I know whither to retreat; and, let me -tell you, the first Day you set Foot in _Asia_, I will destroy all by -Fire and Sword, and make it as desolate, as _Tamerlane_, or any of our -fiercest Enemies, ever did. - -When this Message was delivered to _Solyman_, it did much disturb him, -especially when Word was brought to him, that the Town of _Axuar_, which -_Selimus_, his Son, was _Sanziach_ of, was taken by _Bajazet_; who, after -he had exacted a great Sum of Money from the Inhabitants, plundered and -sack’d it shamefully. - -But _Selimus_, when he heard that his Brother march’d towards _Amasia_, -and was already come as far as _Ancyra_, being now freed from the -Suspicion of Treachery, which he fear’d in his March, hastened towards -_Iconium_, where a Garrison was kept for his Arrival. - -’Twas none of the least of _Solyman_’s Cares, which distracted his Mind, -lest _Bajazet_ should seize on _Iconium_, and so march into _Syria_, -from whence there is a large Passage into _Egypt_, a Province not fully -settled in Subjection to the _Turks_, and somewhat mindful of the ancient -Governors of the _Circassians_ or _Mamalukes_, longed for a Change. And -if _Bajazet_ once got thither, he foresaw it would be a very hard Matter -to beat him out, should the neighbouring _Arabians_ assist him; who, in -hopes of Booty, were ready to take any side. And if, with much ado, he -could have been driven out of _Egypt_, yet from thence he might easily be -wafted over into any of the _Christian_ Countries; whereupon _Solyman_, -by all means, sought to stop his March thither, because he thought it -would be _Bajazet_’s last Shift; and to that end he had written to most -of the Governors of lesser _Asia_, to be watchful, ever and to assist -_Selimus_, when he called for their Aid. Accordingly _Selimus_ formed a -Camp before the Walls of _Iconium_: For he thought it best to wait there -for the Auxiliaries of his Father, and not to hazard his All on the -doubtful Issue of a Battel. - -On the other side, _Bajazet_, knowing what a hazardous Enterprize he had -undertaken, was as vigorous to support his Cause. He hired a great body -of Horse, called _Chiurts_, perhaps formerly _Gordianes_, Men noted for -Valour, in whom he put Confidence. - -They, as soon as ever they came to this Army, began their Representation -of a Battel on Horseback, which had so much of Reality in it, that many -of them were slain, but more wounded. - -His Camp was pitch’d in the plain and open Fields of _Ancyra_, from which -City he was supplied with many Necessaries; and at the Castle thereof -he placed his Concubines and Children. From those Merchants, that were -rich, he borrowed Money, upon Terms of Re-payment with Interest, if God -gave him Success. From thence, also, he was furnished with Arms for his -Soldiers. - -Besides his own Family (consisting of very many among the higher sort -of _Turks_) and the _Chiurts_ before-mentioned, those that were of his -Mother’s, or his Sister’s, or of _Rustan_’s Faction, came in to him; -so did very many of _Mustapha_’s and _Achmet_’s Favourites, fierce and -skilful Warriors; for they grudging at the undeserved Deaths of their -Masters; were resolved to revenge them with the hazard of their Blood: -some also came under his Banner out of Commiseration of the depressed -Condition of _Bajazet_, as being necessitated to fly to Arms, his last -and only Refuge. - -A great many favoured _Bajazet_, because he was like his Father; whereas -_Selimus_ had not one Feature in his Face resembling him. ’Tis true, he -was very like his Mother, a Woman hated while she was alive. He was a -big-bellied Man, with swoln Cheeks, and his Face of a deep and uncomely -Redness; insomuch, that the Soldiers would seemingly say, _He was cramm’d -with Barley-Pudding_. Besides, he liv’d a slothful, banquetting, idle -Life; neither was he courteous, or of easy Access, nor did he oblige -by any act of Generosity. The Reason he gave, was, that he would not -offend his Father, by aiming at popular Applause. Thus he became dear -to his Father only, but odious to every body else; yea, those Persons -did most disdain him, who coveted a munificent and an active Emperor. -The same Soldiers that were wont to call _Bajazet_, _Softi_ (a sedentary -Man, and given up to his Studies) when they saw that he took up Arms, -and ventured his All to defend himself and his Children, now extolled -him to the Skies, as a Man of extraordinary Valour. Why (said they, -reasoning among themselves) should his Father abdicate a Son that is his -express Image? Why should he prefer his slothful, pot-bellied Brother, -that has nothing of his Father’s Disposition in him? As for _Bajazet_’s -taking Arms, Necessity forces him to it, and therefore, he is not to be -blamed; for did not _Selimus_, his Grandfather, do the same? What great -Precedent could there be? For he did not only arm against his Brother, -but Necessity also compelled him to hasten his Father’s Death; and yet by -this Procedure he established the Kingdom to himself and his Posterity. -Now, if _Solyman_ did rightfully possess that Kingdom, so gotten, why -should his Son be denied to take the same Course? Why should that Fact be -thought so heinous in him, which was accounted lawful in his Grandfather? -And yet the Case is much different (said they); for _Bajazet_ did not -take up Arms against his Father, but wishes him a long Life; nay, he -would not hurt an Hair of his Brother’s Head, if he could be sure of his -own Life, against him: But ’tis always lawful to resist Force by Force, -and, if possible, to prevent one’s own certain Ruin. These Discourses -caused many to fly to _Bajazet_, and his Army being now of a moderate -Size, without delay, he marches towards his Brother, putting his Life, -Fortune, and the hope of his Empire, upon the Event of the Battel; for -thus, thought he, my Valour (at least) will be commended, if it be not -prosperous; I will endeavour if I can, to break my way into _Syria_, and, -if I succeed therein, my Business is done. - -_Selimus_ waited for him under the Walls of _Iconium_, having a vast -Army, encreased by Forces sent him from his Father, and well furnished -with skilful Commanders; and, besides all other Necessaries, secured with -great Ordnance on every side. _Bajazet_ was nothing terrified at all -those Disadvantages, but as soon as he came in sight of his Brother’s -Army, he exhorted his Own, though inferior in Number, in this manner. - -_Now, ~says he~, the long wished for Hour is come, wherein you may shew -your Valour; do you act as Men, and let me alone to reward you. All my -Fortune is in your Hands; my Misfortunes have been irksome some time, but -now here is an open Campaign, wherein I may change them for the better, -and forget all the Miseries of my former Life. If you conquer, you may -expect from me Honour, Dignity, and all kinds of Rewards, befitting Men -of Valour. One Victory will crown all our Hopes, though never so vast, -and that you may get by your superabounding Valour. As for my Brother’s -Troops before your Eyes, they are a Company of ~Buffoons~ under a -slothful General; you may easily make way through them with your Swords; -what Forces he hath with him of my Father’s, though they are his in Body, -yet they are mine at Heart. ’Tis ~Selimus~ alone that stands in the -way, both of my Vassals, and of your Happiness too, and therefore, let -us both revenge our selves on a common Enemy. And for their Multitude, -don’t fear them; Conquest is got by Valour, not by Number. God Almighty -uses to assist the ~Best~, not the ~Most~. Certainly, if you consider -how the savage Enemy thirsts after your Blood, you will preserve yours, -by shedding theirs. In fine, ~said he~, I will not only speak, but do. -Let me be your Pattern. Do you fight but as valiantly for my Safety, as -I shall do for your Advancement, and I’ll warrant you the Battel is our -own._ - -Having finished his Oration, he made towards the Enemy with an undaunted -Courage, and in the Front of his Army shew’d himself both a brave -Soldier and a skilful Commander, so that he was renowned also by his -very Enemies. The Battel was bloody, and many fell on both Sides, and -Victory seem’d to hover with doubtful Wings; but at last she inclin’d -to that side, where was more Force, a juster Cause, and better Counsel. -Just in the nick, there arose such a Wind that it carried the smoke of -the Ordnance into the very Faces of _Bajazet_’s Army, so that they fought -blindfold, as it were; whereupon _Bajazet_, after much Blood-shed on -both sides, was forced to sound a Retreat; but he made it with so little -Disorder, and so leisurely, that he seemed a Conqueror, rather than to -have lost the Day. Neither did _Selimus_ move out of his Camp to pursue -him, being well contented to see his Enemies turn their Backs. - -After this, _Bajazet_, considering he had disobeyed his Father’s -Commands, by indulging his own Humour, and being cut off from his March -into _Syria_, which he had design’d, resolved to move in good earnest -towards _Amasia_. - -_Solyman_ had presently a Messenger sent him of this Victory, and -immediately he posted over into _Asia_. His _Bashaws_ would not let -him go before; _But now_ (said they) _you must make haste to press -upon ~Bajazet~ in his Misfortune and to prevent his Recruit; for if -his secret Favourites should declare for him, they might cut them out -further Work. The Report of your Passage over, will both discourage your -Son and terrify all his Followers; and, therefore, make haste, lest he -serve you as sometime your Father did, who was more formidable after he -was conquered than before, so that his very Overthrow at first was the -cause of his Victory in the End._ Neither did they thus speak without -Cause; for ’tis incredible how much that Fight, though unfortunate, had -added to _Bajazet_’s Renown. That he was so hardily valorous, as, with -a small handful in comparison, to set upon the well-disciplin’d Army -of his Brother, strengthened too with his Father’s Forces; that he was -not daunted with the disadvantage of the Place, nor the roaring of the -great Ordnance, and that he carried himself in the very Battel, not as -a raw Officer, but an expert General. ’Tis true, said they, his Success -was not answerable, but his Valour was not inferior; and, therefore, -let _Selimus_ boast never so much of his Victory to his Father, this we -are sure of, that, of the two, _Bajazet_ deserved to be Conqueror; and -that we may attribute his Brother’s being so to any thing rather than to -his own Valour. These Discourses concerning _Bajazet_, shew’d him to be -Popular, and thereupon they double his Father’s Grief and Pain, and his -Desire to ruin him. Resolved he was, none but _Selimus_ should succeed -him in the Empire: For, besides that he was his eldest Son, he had been -always faithful and obedient to him; but _Bajazet_ had been rebellious, -and gaped after the Throne in his Lifetime; and he feared him the more, -because he was esteem’d a very valiant Prince, and because also he had -openly assisted _Selimus_ against him. - -For these Reasons he pass’d the Sea into _Asia_, but with a Resolution -not to stir from the Shore, but to assist his Son _Selimus_’s Affairs, -only at a distance. For why, thought he, should I run any Hazard to -bring my own Forces nearer, lest my Army, not fully settled in their -Obedience, should be tempted to a Revolt. - -I my self saw _Solyman_ march out of _Constantinople_ in the Year 1559, -_June 5th_, tho’ against the Will of my _Chiaux_. Let me here present you -with a Scene of Mirth, and like a Braggadocio-soldier, tell you of two -Battels I had at once; for why, I have Leisure enough (unless you count -my Cares my Study) and the larger I am in my Scribling, the more time do -I borrow from my Troubles. Hear then, what were my Quarrels. - -When I was certainly inform’d that the _Sultan_ was ready to pass over -into _Asia_, and that the Day was fix’d for his Departure, I told my -_Chiaux_ that I had a mind to see him march out, and therefore he should -come betimes in the Morning and open the Doors, for he used to carry the -Keys of my Doors home with him at Night; he promised me courteously, he -would do so. Then I order’d my _Janizaries_ and my Interpreters, to take -me an upper Room in the way the Emperor was to pass, convenient for my -View: They obeyed my Commands. When the Day was come, I rose before ’twas -light, and expected that my _Chiaux_ had opened my Doors; but finding -them shut, I sent several Messengers to him, to come and let me out, both -my _Janizaries_ that waited within Doors, and _Druggermen_ that waited to -come in: This I did, through the Chinks of the Gate, which was very old; -but the _Chiaux_ still spun Delays, pretending he would come presently. -Thus I spent some time, till I heard the noise of the Guns, which the -_Janizaries_ use to fire, when their Emperor takes Horse; then I began -to fret and fume, seeing my self so deluded. My Disappointment and just -Indignation did affect the _Janizaries_ themselves: they told me, that -if my People would thrust hard with them, they without would so press -upon the Valves, which were loose and old, that the Bars would fall out. -I took their Counsel; the Doors flew open accordingly, and out we went, -hastening to the Room I had hired. - -My _Chiaux_ had a mind to frustrate my Desire, and yet he was no bad Man -neither; for having communicated my Request to the _Bashaws_, they were -not willing that any Christian should behold their Prince marching with -so small Force against his own Son, and therefore, said they to him, do -you promise him fair, but be sure to delay him till the _Sultan_ is a -Shipboard; then you may think of some Excuse or other to bring you off. - -When I came to the House where a Room was hired for me, the Door was -shut, so that I could no more enter into that, than I could go out of my -own; when I knock’d, no body answered. Hereupon the _Janizaries_ again -told me, that, if I commanded them, they would either break open the -Doors, or get in at Window and open them. I told them, they should not -break open any thing; but if they would go up to the Windows, they might: -they presently did so, and opened the Door. When I went up Stairs, I -found the House full of _Jews_, a whole _Synagogue_ of them. They looked -upon it as a Miracle, that I should enter, when the Doors were shut; -but being informed of the Truth, an old grave Matron, in comely Habit, -address’d herself, and complained to me, in _Spanish_, of the Violence -I had offered to the House; I told her, she had done me wrong, in not -keeping her Word, and that I was not a Man to be thus deluded; she seem’d -dissatisfied, and the Time would not admit of further Discourse. In -short, I was allowed one Window, which on the back side looked out into -the Street, and from thence, with a great deal of Pleasure, I saw all the -grand Procession. - -The _Gulupagi_ and _Ulufagi_ marched two by two; the _Selchers_ one -by one, and _Spahi’s_ (which are the Names of the _Grand Seignior_’s -Horse-Guards) distinguished by their Ranks and Troops; they were about -6000, besides a vast number of the Domesticks of the Prime _Vizier_, -and of other _Bashaws_. The _Turkish_ Horsemen make a gallant Show; the -best Breed of Horses is from _Cappadocia_ and _Syria_, and the adjacent -Countries; he is set out with Silver Trappings, studded with Gold and -Jewels. His Rider is clad with a Coat or Vest made of Silk Velvet, or -other fine Cloth of Scarlet, Purple or dark blue Colour, intermixed with -Gold and Silver. He hath two Cases hanging by his sides, one holds his -Bow, the other his Arrows, both of neat _Babylonian_ Workmanship; and -so is his Buckler which he bears on his Left Arm, and is Proof against -Arrows, Clubs, or Swords. In his Right Hand, unless he desire to have it -free, he carries a light Spear, for the most part painted with Green. -His Scimiter is studded with Jewels, and made of steel, and it hangs -down from his Saddle. What need so much Armour, say you? I’ll tell you. -They use them all; and that dextrously too. You’ll reply, how can he use -that Spear and the Bow too? What! will he take up his Spear when he hath -broken, or thrown away, his Bow? Not so neither; for he keeps his Spear, -as long as he can: But, when he hath occasion to use his Bow, the Spear, -being light and easily manag’d, he puts between his Saddle and his Thigh; -so that the Point of it sticks out backward; and thus he presses it down -with his Knee, as long as he pleases. But, if he fights only with the -Spear, then he puts up his Bow into his Case, or else with his left Hand -places it behind his Shield. It is not however my present Design to -acquaint you with the _Turks_ Expertness at Arms; they have obtain’d it -by long Use and Experience in War. Their Heads are covered with very fine -white Cotton-Linnen, in the midst whereof stands up a Tuft made of Purple -Silk, plaighted; some of them wear black Feathers a-top. - -After the Horse, a large Body of _Janizaries_ followed, being Foot, and -seldom taking any other Arms than Muskets. The Make and Colour of their -Cloaths are almost the same, so that you would judge them all to be the -Servants of one Man. They have no ungainly Habit among them, nor any -thing rent or torn; their Cloaths will wear out soon enough, they say, -without their tearing them; yet, in their Feathers, Crests, and such-like -military Ornaments, they are over-curious, or rather proud; especially, -the _Veterans_ in the Rear, you would think a whole Wood of walking -Feathers were in their Fire-stars and Frontals; after them their Officer -and Commanders follow on Horseback, distinguished each by his proper -Ensign. In the last Place marches their _Aga_, or General. Then succeed -the chief Courtiers, amongst whom are the _Bashaws_; then the Foot of -their Prince’s Life-Guard in a particular Habit, carrying their Bows bent -in their Hands, for they are all Archers; next the Prince’s Led-Horses, -all with curious Trappings. He himself rode on a stately Prancer, looking -sour, with his Brows bent, as if he had been angry; behind him came three -Youths, one carrying a Flagon of Water, another his Cloak, another his -Bow. Then followed some Eunuchs of the Bed-Chamber; and, at last, a Troop -of about Two Hundred Horse closed the Procession. - -After I had the Satisfaction of viewing all this, my only care was now -to appease my Hostess, she that at my entrance spake to me in _Spanish_, -for I heard she was very familiar with _Rustan_’s Wife, and therefore -I was afraid she would represent things unhandsomely against me; to -prevent which, I sent for her, and told her she should have remembered -her Bargain, and not have shut her Door against me who had hired a Room; -but, though you, said I, don’t remember your Promise, I’ll perform mine; -yea, I will be better than my word: I promis’d you but seven Pistoles, -but here’s ten for you, that so you may not repent your Admittance of me -into your House. When the Woman thus unexpectedly saw her Hand fill’d -with Gold, she was presently melted down into a Compliance, and the -whole Synagogue of them fell to Compliments and giving me thanks; and -the Woman that was Crony to _Rustan_’s Wife, made one in the Consort, -for she always, in my Landlady’s name, gave me great Thanks. They -offered me _Grecian_ Wine and a Banquet, which I refused, but with great -Acclamations of all the _Jews_, made haste to be gone, that I might -manage a new Dispute with my _Chiaux_, for keeping my Doors fasten’d, -when I should have come forth. - -I found him sitting mournfully in my Porch, where he began a long -Complaint, that I ought not to have gone abroad without his Consent, -nor have broke open the Door: that I had violated the Law of Nations -thereby, and such like stuff. I replied, in short, that, if he had come -betimes in the Morning as he promised, he had prevented all this; his -breach of Promise had occasioned it, for his Intent was only to deceive -me. I demanded also of him, whether he look’d upon me as an Ambassador, -or a Prisoner? As an Ambassador, says he. If you think me a Prisoner, -said I, then I am not an fit Instrument to make a Peace, for a Prisoner -is not his own Man; but if an Ambassador, as you confess, then why am I -not a Free-man? Why can’t I go abroad when I will? Captives use to be -shut up, not Ambassadors: Liberty is granted to such in all Nations; they -may claim it as their publick due: He ought to know, that he was not -appointed to be my Serjeant, or Keeper, but to assist me, (as he himself -used to say) with his good Offices, that so no other Man might do any -Injury to me or mine. - -Hereupon he turns to the _Janizaries_, and quarrels with them, for giving -me Advice, and helping my Servants, to break open the Doors. They said, -I had no need of their Advice: I commanded them to open them, and they -obeyed; there was no great Difficulty in it, the Doors were old, and -flew open presently; there was nothing either lost or broken. Thus the -_Chiaux_ was forced to hold his Peace, and I never heard any more of the -matter. - -A while after, I had also leave to pass over the Sea, for the _Turks_ -judged it conducing to their Affairs, to treat me nobly in their Camp, -as the Ambassador of a Prince in Alliance with them; and to that end, -I had a handsome Lodging provided for me near their Camp, where I had -all the Conveniences imaginable. I lived there three Months, and had -the opportunity to view the Camp of the _Turks_, which was extended -all over the neighbouring Fields, and to discover some parts of their -Discipline: You will not find fault with me, if I acquaint you with -something thereof. Know then, that I cloathed myself as _Christians_ do -in that Country, and with one or two Attendants walked up and down their -Camp _incognito_. The first thing I saw, was, the Soldiers of each Body -quartered with great Order in their several Ranks, and that with a great -deal of Silence, (’tis far otherwise in _Christian_ Camps) all hush; -not a Quarrel, nor the least Disorder or Noise amongst them in their -Jollities. Besides, they are wonderfully cleanly; no Dung-hill or Noisom -smell to offend the Eye or Ear; all their Ordure they bury under Ground, -or throw it far enough off. When they have occasion to ease Nature, they -dig a Pit with a Spade, and there bury their Excrements; so that there -is no ill smell at all. Besides, there are no Drinking-matches amongst -them, no playing with Cards or Dice, (the Bane of the _Christian_ Army!) -I only heard one _Hungarian_ common Soldier playing a doleful Ditty on a -ill-tuned Harp, and his Companions were howling rather than singing to -it; it was the last Words of a Fellow-Soldier, who died of his Wounds on -the grassy Bank of the _Danow_; he adjured that River, as her Streams -were gliding to his own Country, to commend him to his Friends there, and -tell them that he died no ignoble, nor unrevenged Death for the glory of -their Nation, and encrease of their Religion. His Fellows groaned out, -_Thrice happy he! O that our Case were like his!_ For you must know, the -_Turks_ are of opinion, That no Souls go more directly to Heaven, than -those of valiant Men, who lost their lives in the Field; and that Virgins -do pour out daily Prayers to God for their Safety. - -I had a mind to pass through the Shambles, that I might see what Flesh -was sold there; I saw only four or five Weathers at most, hung up -dress’d; they were the Shambles of the _Janizaries_, who were at least -4000. I wondred so little Flesh could suffice so many; and was answered, -They used but little Flesh, but great part of their Diet was brought from -_Constantinople_. When I demanded, _What that was_, they shewed me a -_Janizary_ near at hand, who was lying down, and boiling Turnips, Leeks, -Garlick, Parsnips, and Cucumbers. He seasoned them with Salt and Vinegar, -and, Hunger being his best Sauce, eat them as heartily, as if they had -been Partridge or Pheasant. - -Their Drink was that which is common to all Animals, _viz._ _Water_; by -this frugality, they consult the Health of their Bodies, and also the -saving of their Money. And the very time wherein they did this, caused -me to admire the more; it was their Fast, (or, as we call it, _Lent_) at -which time among _Christians_, even in well-govern’d Cities, as well as -in Camps, there is nothing but Sporting, Dancing, Singing, Revelling, -Drunkenness, and such like Madness; insomuch, that a _Turkish_ Envoy -coming once, at that time of the Year, reported at his return, That -the _Christians_ at certain times grew mad and raging, but sprinkling -themselves with a sort of Ashes in their Temples, they recovered their -Wits again, so that they did not seem the same Men; thereby denoting -_Ash-Wednesday_, and its Eve. The _Turks_, hearing this, were struck with -a great Amazement, because they have many Medicines amongst them which -cause Madness, but very few that procure a speedy recovery from it. - -For the Days immediately preceding their Fasts, they do not alter their -private way of living in their Worshipping; rather on the contrary, they -abridge themselves of some of their daily Commons, that they may prepare -for their Fasts, lest a sudden Abstinence might be prejudicial to their -Healths. - -The time of their Fast is so appointed, that every Year it comes fifteen -Days sooner than the former; the reason is, because they fill not the -twelve yearly spaces of the Moon: Hence it comes to pass, that their -Fast kept in the early Spring, after six Years, happens at the beginning -of Summer; for they measure their Fasts by the course of the Moon, and -there are none more irksom to them, than those which fall out in the -long Summer-days; for, while they Fast, not a bit, nor so much as a drop -of Water, goes down (neither dare they so much as wash their Mouths -therewith) before the Star appear in the Evening, the longest Day of -Abstinence, being hot, and of course dusty, must needs be very tedious, -especially to the poorer sort, who live by their Labour: Yet, before -Sun-rise (though not after) while yet the Stars shine in the Firmament, -it is lawful for them to eat; and therefore they better endure their -Winter Fasts. And that they may not be deceived by the darkness of the -Weather, their Priests hang out Lights in Paper-Lanthorns from the top -of their _Mosque_, (from whence they are wont, by sound of Voice to -call them to the Prayers, as we do by Bells): And this shews that their -Eating-time is come; whereupon entring presently into their Temples, and -worshipping God in their way, they return to Supper. - -In the close of their Summer-Falls, I once saw a great many of them go -into a Tavern over-against my Lodging, (where Ice from Mount _Olympus_ in -_Asia_ was always to be sold) and there they ask’d for Icy water, which -they drank jetting strangely backwards; for the _Turks_ count it profane -either to Eat, Drink or Piss in a standing posture, unless in case of -Necessity; but they do it bending their Bodies, as Women do with us when -they make Water. And whereas in the dusk of the Evening I could not well -discern the meaning of that Posture, I was told that most of them drank a -draught of cold Water, to make way for their Meat, for otherwise it would -stick to their Jaws and they could not swallow it; and, besides, this -moisture of their Palate did quicken their Appetites. - -In their Diet they are not choice, and after their Fasts they may eat any -Meat which was lawful for them to do at other Times. If they fall sick, -they omit their Fasts, but with this condition, that when they recover -they must fast so many Days over, as they neglected before. But when they -are near an Enemy, and ready to fight, lest Fasting should weaken their -Bodies, they are allowed to eat; and if a blind Superstition restrains -some of them, then their Emperor, at Noon, in the sight of his whole Army -eats his Dinner, and by his Example they are all encouraged to do the -same. - -They use Wine at no time of the Year, they count it profane and -irreligious so to do; especially, they abhor it on their Fasts; then no -Man is so much as to smell to it, much less to taste it. - -I often ask’d, why _Mahomet_ was so strict, as to forbid his Followers -the use of Wine? In answer to my demand, they told me this Story, that -_Mahomet_ making a Journey to his Friend, at Noon entred into a House -where there was a Marriage-Feast, and setting down with the Guests, he -observed them to be very merry and jovial, kissing and embracing one -another, which was attributed to the chearfulness of their Spirits raised -by the Wine; so that he blessed the sacred Juice, as being an Inspirer of -much Love amongst Men: But returning to the same House the next Day, he -beheld another face of Things; as Gore-blood on the ground, a Hand cut -off, an Arm, Foot, and other Limbs dismember’d; and these, he was told, -were the effects of the Brawls and Fightings occasioned by the Wine, -which made them mad, and destroy one another: Whereupon he changed his -Mind, turning his former _Blessing_ into a _Curse_, and forbidding it, as -an Abomination, to all his Disciples for ever. - -For this Reason all was quiet in the Camp, and the greatest Composure -imaginable, especially at their Feast-time: So much did Camp-Discipline, -and a Strictness received from their Ancestors prevail upon them! - -The _Turks_ punish all Vice and Wickedness very severely; their -Punishments are, loss of their Places, sale of their Goods, basting -with Clubs, Death: But Club-basting is most common, from which the -_Janizaries_ themselves are not free; though they may not, as such, -be put to death. Their lighter Offences are chastised by the Club; -their more heinous by cashiering or degrading, which they count worse -than Death, because commonly they are put to Death afterwards; for -being stripp’d of the Ensigns of _Janizaries_, they are banish’d to -the farthest Garrison of the Empire, where they live contemptible and -inglorious, till, upon any light Occasion, they are put to Death; yet not -as _Janizaries_, but as common Soldiers only. - -And here let me acquaint you with the Patience of the _Turks_ in -receiving that Punishment; they’ll receive sometimes an hundred Blows -on their Legs, their Feet and Buttocks, with wonderful Patience; so -that diver’s Clubs are broke, and the Executioner cries out, _Give me -another!_ Yea, sometimes the Chastisement is so severe, that several -pieces of torn Flesh must be cut off from the wounded Parts, before any -thing can be applied to cure them. Yet for all this, they must go to -their Officer, who commanded them to be punish’d; they must kiss his -Hand, and give him Thanks; nay, they must also give the Executioner a -Reward for beating them. The Club they are beaten with, they count -_sacred_, and that it fell down from Heaven, as the _Romans_ counted -their _Shield_ to do; and, as some Relief to their Misery, they count -those Parts wounded with the Rod or Club, to be free from any Purgations, -and Expiations after this Life. - -When I told you, that the _Turk_’s Camps were free from Broils and -Tumults, I must except one, which was made by my own Men: The occasion of -it was this. Some of my Servants had a mind to ramble out of the Camp, -without any _Janizaries_ to attend them; only taking some _Italian_ -Renegadoes that professed the _Turk’s Religion_. Let me tell you, by the -way, that these _Italians_ are of good use in that Country, especially -in redeeming Captives; for they come to their Masters, and pretend they -are either their Kinsmen, or their Countrymen, and therefore, out of -Compassion to them, they desire to buy them as their Patrons, for a Price -agreed, and so they set them free: But if a _Christian_ should make the -same proffer to them, they would either refuse, or hold him to a far -higher Rate. - -But to return: Some of my People, as I told you, gadding abroad, they -happened to meet some _Janizaries_, who came from Swimming and Washing -themselves in the Sea, without the Badges of their Order on their -Heads, only some Linnen being very slightly wrapped about them. These -_Janizaries_ revil’d my People, knowing them to be _Christians_; for -that’s the way of the _Turks_, to reproach _Christians_; ’tis a Principle -of their Religion, and they think thereby to incline us to exchange -our Religion for a better, as they count theirs to be. My Folks being -thus provoked, return Jeer for Jeer, from Words they came to Blows, -the _Italians_ assisting my Men. The cause of the Scuffle was, that one -of the _Janizaries_ lost the Linnen Covering off his Head, which was -thrown I know not whither: Hereupon the _Janizaries_ hurry away to their -General, complaining of their Wrongs and Damage received by my Servants; -for they watch’d them, and found them return’d to my House. Their General -presently sent for my Interpreter, who was present at the Conflict: He -was seiz’d upon sitting at my Door, and they were pulling him away. I -beheld it from a Gallery above, and was much concern’d, that any of my -Family should be taken forcibly from me without my Consent, to be carried -to the _Bastinado_, (for I understood something of the Matter before); -and I could not imagine he would be return’d to me without being well -beaten, he being one of the _Turk_’s Subjects. Whereupon I ran down, and -laid hold on him, commanding them to let him go. They quitted him with -much ado, but hasted immediately with far more grievous Complaints to -their General, who commanded more of their Company to go and seize those -_Italians_, who of _Christians_ are said to have become _Turks_; yet he -charged them to offer no Violence to me, or to the House where I lodged. -They came back presently, and with a great Noise and many Threats, -demanded those _Italians_; but they, foreseeing what would come to pass, -had sailed back to _Constantinople_. Much Clamour there was on both -sides; at last my _Chiaux_ at that time, who was an old decrepid Man, out -of a jeer thrust some Pistoles into their Hands unknown to me, to buy -a new Bonnet in the room of that which was lost; and thus the Dispute -ended. - -I have been the more punctual in relating this Story, because, on this -occasion, I understood from _Rustan_’s own Mouth, what Opinion the -_Sultan_ had of the _Janizaries_: For he, hearing of this Scuffle, sent -a Messenger to me, to desire me to cut off all occasion of Dispute with -the _Janizaries_ as the worst of Men. You know, said he, ’tis a time of -War, whereby _they_ may be said to reign, rather than the _Sultan_, who -himself stands in fear of them. This he spake, as being well acquainted -with the Sentiments of _Solyman_, who always suspected some Men of their -own to lie in wait against their _Militia_, who would break out when he -had no Opportunity to prevent them. - -And the Truth is, though there may be some use of a standing Guard and -_Militia_, yet there are also many Inconveniences attending it, of which -this is the chief. Their Emperor is very fearful of them, lest, having -the Sword in their Hands, they should alter the Government as they -pleas’d, of which there had been many Precedents; yet, there are ways -also, whereby this may be prevented. - -While I was in their Camp, there came _Albertus de Ubiis_, a worthy and -learned Person, born I think at _Amsterdam_, as an Envoy from my Master -_Cæsar_. He brought with him some Presents for their _Sultan_, as some -Goblets gilt with Gold, with a Clock neatly made, and carried like a -Tower on an Elephant’s Back; as also some Money to be distributed, -amongst the _Bashaws_. _Solyman_ would have me deliver these Presents -in the Camp, that the Amity betwixt Him and my Master might be more -publickly known, and so no Danger at all to be feared from the -_Christian_ Arms. - -But to return to _Bajazet_, after the Fight at _Iconium_, who retired -to his Government of _Amasia_, pretending to live quietly there, if his -Father would permit him so to do. For why? He had sown his wild Oats, and -for the future seem’d pliable to obey his Father’s Will; and for this -he employed sundry Persons to carry submissive Letters to his Father, -begging his Pardon: Neither did _Solyman_ pretend that he was averse to -a Reconciliation with his Son, and therefore he admitted his Messengers -into his Presence. He read his Letters, and answered them mildly: So that -the Report was spread over all the Army, what an Agreement was like to be -between Father and Son; what he had done amiss, was to be imputed to the -hot Blood of his youthful Age, provided he would shew himself obsequious -for the residue of his Life. This _Solyman_ did by the Advice of his -_Bashaws_; for the cunning old Man would not declare himself, till he -had brought _Bajazet_ into the Noose of his own Power. He was terribly -afraid, lest out of Desperation he should march furiously into _Persia_ -(his only place of Refuge,) with such furious Expedition, that all his -_Sanziacks_ should not be able to get before him. To prevent which -Mistakes, he sent many Letters to all the Governors upon the Borders, to -watch _Bajazet_, and not to suffer him to escape, if he should attempt it. - -In the mean time, he put all those of _Bajazet_’s Party, that he could -get into his Hands, to the Rack; and when he had sifted out of them what -he could, he put them privately to Death; amongst which were some that -_Bajazet_ had sent to clear him to his Father. - -The Kingdom of _Persia_ at that time contained all the Countries between -the _Caspian_ Sea, and the Seas of _Persia_, with some part of _Armenia_ -the Greater, (though _Solyman_, by taking _Babylon_, _Mesopotamia_, and -part of _Media_, had abridged their Empire very much) and other distant -Countries even to the Empire of the _Homamia Patisach_, as the _Turks_ -call him, and over that last part of Land _Sagthamas_ was King: The -Father had been formerly over-thrown by _Selimus_ in a great Fight in the -field of _Chalderon_; and from that time the _Persian_ Affairs began to -decline, for _Solyman_ a fierce Engineer press’d upon the very Face of -them; and _Thamas_, being much inferior to his Father in Courage, made -but weak Defence: For he was wholly given up to Sloth and Idleness, and -would sit in his Palace amongst a croud of Harlots, amorously pleasing -his Humour; and sometimes consulting Magicians concerning future Events: -He had little Care of administring public Justice to his People. This -Neglect of his opened the Door to all Injustice and Oppression in every -part of his Empire: For the Strong oppressed the Weaker, and Innocence -could find no Justice or Defence in his Court. - -The _Persians_, however, have so sacred an Opinion of their Prince, that -they believe him happy, that can but kiss the Gates of his Palace; and -the Water wherein he washes his Hands, they use for the cure of several -Diseases. He hath many Children, but the most promising is _Ismael_, -like his Grandfather both in Name and Nature; a beautiful Prince, and a -capital Enemy to the Race of the _Ottomans_. ’Tis reported that he was -brought forth into the World, with his Fist all bloody, whence it was in -every body’s Mouth, that he would be a warlike Person; and when he was -but young he confirmed that Report, by obtaining a great Victory over the -_Turks_. But when his Father made Peace with _Solyman_, ’twas agreed -betwixt them, that _Ismael_ should be sent Prisoner into the Bowels of -his Kingdom, that he might be no Obstacle to the intended Agreement: And -yet, as ill us’d as he is, after his Father’s Death, ’tis thought, he -will succeed in the Empire. - -But _Solyman_ fearing that _Sagthamas_, (or, as we call him, the _Sophi_) -would be more mindful of old Grudges, than of the late Peace to which -he was in a manner compell’d; and that, if his Son went thither, he -should have much ado to get him thence; and perhaps it might occasion -a long War between the Empires, did use his utmost endeavour to stop -or take him, before he could come thither. The old Man had not forgot -that, a few Years before, _Helcas_, _Thamas_’s Brother, had fled to him, -and had been supported by him, and it cost his Brother dear to recover -him; and therefore he feared that _Thamas_ would pay him in his own -Coin, and perhaps recover by the Sword all the Countries he had taken -from him. The Design of _Solyman_ was kept very secret, yet _Bajazet_’s -Friends smelt it out, and therefore advised him by no means to trust -his Father, but to consult his own Safety, by what way soever he could. -And _Bajazet_ was persuaded so to do upon a small occasion, as little -Matters often give Weight to greater. There was a Soldier of _Bajazet_’s -taken in _Solyman_’s Camp, and hang’d up as a Spy, because _Bajazet_ had -listed him, after his Father had given him strict Charge to list no more -Soldiers. This was warning enough to _Bajazet_ to pack up and be gone. -Now _Solyman_ thought himself sure of _Bajazet_; and, to deceive him -the more, he caused his Army to begin their March to _Constantinople_ -the Day after _Easter_. But _Bajazet_, immediately after Prayers upon -_Easter-Day_, gave Orders for marching with Bag and Baggage, and began -his unfortunate Voyage to _Persia_. He knew well enough that he went to -the old Enemy of the _Ottoman_ House, but was resolv’d to try the mercy -of any body, rather than fall into his Father’s Hands. There marched out -with him all that were able to bear Arms; none were left behind but weak -Persons, Women and Children, that were not able to bear the fatigue of so -long a Journey; amongst which was a new-born Child of his own, with his -Mother, whose Innocency he thought would protect them from his Father’s -Cruelty, and therefore he thought it best to leave them to his Clemency, -rather than make them Companions of his woeful and miserable Fight; -and the truth is, _Solyman_, as yet uncertain what would become of the -Father, spared the Life of his Infant-Son at present, and sent him to be -educated at _Prusia_. - -I would have return’d to _Constantinople_, the Day before _Easter_, but -had a great mind to see, how the _Turks_ did observe that Festival; and I -was not sure that ever I should have so fair an Opportunity again. They -were to celebrate it in the open Field, before the Emperor’s own Tent. I, -therefore, ordered my Servants to take a Room in the Tent of a _Turkish_ -Soldier, that stood on a rising Ground, and look’d down on _Solyman_’s -Tent, which was over against it. Thither went I at Sun-rising, where, -in an open Plain, I beheld a vast multitude of turbanted Heads silently -standing, and taking down the last Words of their Priest. Every Rank -was ranged orderly, and standing, that in the open Field they seemed to -be a Wall one to another: The most Honourable had their Station next -the Emperor’s Train, uppermost in the Camp, and their Turbants as white -as Snow. Such diversity of Colours did affect me with a great deal of -Pleasure, and the rather, because they stood unmoveable, as if they had -grown upon the Place; not a Cough hawking to spit, nor any Sound to be -heard; no, nor the least moving of the Head to look backward, or about -them. At the Name of _Mahomet_, they all, as one Man, bowed their Heads, -even to the Knee; but when the Name of God was pronounced, they all fell -prostrate on their Faces, and kissed the Ground. - -And the Truth is, the _Turks_ are very ceremonious and attentive in the -acts of their religious Worship; for, if a Man doth but scratch his Head -when he prays, they think his Prayer is lost. For thus say they, if a Man -composes his Body so reverently, even when he speaks but to a _Bashaw_, -how much more becoming is that Observance towards God, who is infinitely -greater than the greatest of Men? - -After Prayers, the whole Congregation was discharged, and they ran up -and down ranging over the Fields. A while after the Emperor’s Dinner is -served up, which the _Janizaries_ carry away Dish by Dish, and eat it -with a great deal of Mirth and Drollery. ’Tis an old allowed Custom for -them so to do, on that day, their Emperor being provided of a Dinner -elsewhere. When I had beheld their Show, I returned with great Pleasure -to _Constantinople_. - -The remainder of my Talk, is, to acquaint you what become of _Bajazet_, -and then I shall ease you of the trouble of Reading, and my self of -Writing. He, as I told you, with his invincible Band, march’d out of -_Amasia_ with such Speed, that his coming prevented the Report thereof; -and those _Bashaws_, who designed to observe his Motion, he came upon -unawares. He put a notable Cheat upon the _Bashaw_ of _Suvas_; for -whereas, there were two ways in his Province by which he might march, -and the _Bashaw_ had beset the chiefest of them; he sent some before him -that pretended to be Run-a-ways, to inform him, he was gone the farthest -way about; which giving Credit to, he removed his Troops thither to -prevent him, and so left _Bajazet_ a free Passage. - -He put the like Trick upon the _Bashaw_ of _Erzerumen_; for, knowing that -the Passage through the Province would be very hazardous, he sent some -before him with a counterfeit Message, to salute him, and tell him, that -his Misfortunes had reduced him to the most miserable Condition, and -therefore he desired him that he might rest a day or two in his Province, -at least to get his Horses fed, and new shod. - -The _Bashaw_ granted his Request, whereas, it was not a commiserating his -Case, or that he favoured his Side, but, perhaps, that he might amuse -him a little till he had got all his Troops together to ensnare him; -for they were scattered, as not dreaming he would be so soon upon him. -However, _Bajazet_ march’d continually on, allowing his Men no rest by -day, and very little at Night. The _Bashaw_ of _Erzerumen_ seeing himself -deceived, made haste to join himself with the other _Bashaws_ in his -Flight. - -For, you must know, as soon as _Solyman_ heard his Son was gone from -_Amasia_, he commanded a great many _Sanziacks_ and _Bashaw_ to follow, -and upon pain of Death, to bring him either alive or dead: But all in -vain, for _Bajazet_ fled faster than they could pursue. The _Bashaws_ -aforementioned, paid dear enough for letting him escape; for _Solyman_ -put him out of his Place, but _Selimus_ put him to Death, together with -his two Boys, though not before they had been most detestably used. -_Selimus_ and _Mehemet Bassa_, and the _Beglerbeg_ of _Greece_, pursued -_Bajazet_ at a greater distance. _Solyman_ was much troubled when he -heard of his Escape, as being well assured, he would make towards -_Persia_; and thereupon he was about to gather all his Forces, both Horse -and Foot, together, and so march away to declare War against _Persia_: -But his wiser Counsellors stopped his March, alledging the hazard he -would run amongst an ungrateful Soldiery: And besides, say they, what if -_Bajazet_ out of his Temerity and Rashness should send a Company about -_Pontus_ and the _Palus Mæotis_, and so march back to _Constantinople_, -in the Emperor’s Absence, where he might, by promising Liberty to -Captives, and to the _Agiamoglans_, get upon the Throne, now vacant? -These Advices restrained _Solyman_ from his Intention. - -_Bajazet_, all along his March, caused Labels to be fixed to the Doors -of the Houses, that he would give double Pay to all the Soldiers that -would revolt to him; which made _Solyman_’s Soldiers suspected by -their Officers, and the rather, because the common Soldiers talked -very freely in favour of _Bajazet_. After much ado, _Bajazet_ escaped -to the River _Araxes_, which is the Bounds betwixt the two Empires of -_Turkey_ and _Persia_; and after he had pass’d this River, he scarce -thought himself secure, but appointed some of his own Soldiers to guard -the Banks, that so the pursuing _Sanziacks_ might not pass over: They, -however, being but few, were easily discomfited before the _Turkish_ -Commanders pass’d farther into _Persia_; till at last they met with a -great Body of _Persian_ Horse, whose Commanders demanded of them, why -they invaded another Prince’s Territories? Their Answer was, they were -to fetch the fugitive Son of their own Prince. The _Persians_ told -’em, ’twas contrary to the League to come armed into their Dominions; -there was Peace betwixt _Sagthamas_ and _Solyman_, which they ought not -to violate: As for _Bajazet_, their Prince would do what was fitting; -in the mean time they should retreat to their own Country. With this -Reprimand they direct their March backward. In the mean time Messengers -are immediately sent from _Persia_ to _Bajazet_, to bid him return, and -to know the cause of his coming, and also to spy out what Forces he had -brought with him. _Bajazet_ answers, that his Brother’s Insolency, and -his Father’s Displeasure, had driven him out of his own Country, and he -was come to _Persia_, as the only Refuge for an oppressed Prince; and -therefore, in consideration of the uncertainty of future Affairs, he -hoped he would afford him Protection, being destitute of all Things. The -_Persian_ answered, he was not well advised to repair to him who had made -a Peace with his Father; by which they were both bound to serve the same -Friend and Enemy, and that League he could not violate: Nevertheless, -since he was come, he bid him welcome, and promised he would do his -utmost to reconcile him to his Father. Thus his first Entertainment in -_Persia_ was promising enough; nought but Congratulations, Feastings, -friendly Entertainments, and Merrymakings, by which subtle Men disguise -their Meanings; nay, there was a talk of a Match between _Orchanes_, -_Bajazet_’s Son, and one of the _Sophi_’s Daughters; and they gave him -Hopes, that the _Sophi_ would never be at quiet, till _Solyman_ had -bestowed upon him the Government of _Mesopotamia_, or _Babylon_, or -_Arzerum_; for there, say they, you may live commodiously without Fear, -as being at a great distance, both from your Brother and your Father -too; and if either of them should deal hardly with you, you will have a -Father-in-law to fly to, who will afford you Sanctuary. Such Discourses -were received among the Vulgar, to divert _Bajazet_’s thoughts from the -apprehension of present Danger. The _Sophi_ sent many Ambassadors to -_Solyman_ on this Errand; but whether he dealt sincerely with _Bajazet_ -to reconcile him to his Father, or no, might be a great question, since -in the mean time, he contrived all ways to destroy him; for _Sagthamas_ -was in a mighty Fear, lest he should nourish a Serpent in his Bosom, and -that which encreased his Rancour, was, the wicked design of some, who -persuaded _Bajazet_ to attempt the destroying of _Sagthamas_; for one -of _Bajazet_’s Commanders was heard to say, _Why do we not kill this -Heretick, and possess his Kingdoms? For, without doubt, he will one day -be the Ruin of us all._ These wild Discourses coming to _Sagthamas_’s -Ears, put him upon a Project more necessary than plausible; for _Bajazet_ -had not many Forces, but very warlike ones; and there were many valiant -Men among them that were ready to attempt any Invasion, and therefore -he had reason to fear. He was conscious, also, that he had added new -Kingdoms to his own, as being conquer’d on pretence of Religion; and -who would secure such sickly Subjects, who were weary of their present -State, and coveted a Change? To these nothing could be more reasonable -than the coming of _Bajazet_. As yet, however, he is more in my Power, -than I am in his, and therefore it were best to improve the Opportunity, -and treat him no longer as a Guest, but as an Enemy to be chained up. -To compass which, no Method was more adviseable than to sever him from -his Forces, for then he may be more easily trapp’d; by open Force ’tis -hard to seize him, his Soldiers being well train’d and disciplin’d, but -mine slothful, unaccustomed to Arms, and, besides, at a great Distance -one from another. Hereupon _Bajazet_ was advised to disband his Army as -unnecessary. He could not withstand the Proposal, though Intelligent Men -foresaw the Danger and Consequence: But, alas! He that was under another -Man’s Roof, must now be at their Beck, who maintained him; especially, -since it would breed a Suspicion, if he entertained so much as a thought -of Perfidiousness in his Host that entertained him. Hereupon his Men -were divided, never to see one another again, and quartered where the -_Persians_ pleased; and, being put here and there, were, very shortly -after slain by them, and their Arms, Horses, and all else they had, -fell a prey to the superior Numbers of the Destroyers. At the same time -_Bajazet_ was clapp’d up in Prison, with his Children; and, to encrease -the indignity of the Thing, he was haled even from a Feast, to a Dungeon. - -Thus have I satisfied your Desire, in acquainting you with what has -been hitherto done with _Bajazet_: ’Tis time now to consider what will -become of him for the future: Some think he will retreat to _Babylon_, -or such-like Province, on the Borders of each Empire, to be _Sanziack_ -thereof. Others think it a desperate Case, and that there is no hope of -his Life, either from _Solyman_ or _Sagthamas_; but that he will either -be sent back hither to be put to Death, or strangled in Prison there. - -For the _Persian_ weighed every thing in his Thoughts, when he put -_Bajazet_ in Prison; he knew him to be of an aspiring and courageous -Spirit, far superior to his Brother; and that, if he should succeed -his Father in the Empire, it might do _Persia_ much more Mischief than -ever _Selimus_ could; for he was but a slothful Prince, and not at all -for a War, and therefore some thought he would never escape out of his -Hands; for to be sure he can never be a Friend to one he hath injured so -much. Some think one thing, and some another: For my part, I think it -will be an intricate Business. For, as _Bajazet_ is in Troubles, and the -Issue undetermin’d, they will not easily make War on _Christendom_ at -this Juncture. They labour to obtrude on me certain conditions of Peace, -having some Letters that will please my Master, but they allow me no -Copy of them, as heretofore they used to do; so that I suspect Fraud in -the case, and therefore do peremptorily refuse to send those Letters to -_Cæsar_, unless I first know their Contents; and if they deceive me by a -false Copy, then the Blame lies at their Door, not at mine: By this means -I shall free my Master from answering their captious Letters; for I am -sure he will accept of no conditions of Peace but such as are honourable. -But, you’ll say, if you refuse to accept of their conditions of Peace, -’tis one step towards a War. Let that be as it will, I judge it more -adviseable to leave all free to the events of future Ages: But the not -sending their Letters, if that be a Crime, I shall take up on my self; -and I shall easily clear my self, if the Issue of _Bajazet_’s Affairs do -not answer their Expectation; since it is yet very difficult, though not -impossible, for the _Turks_ are not irreconcileable to those Ambassadors, -who study to do their Master the best Service they can amongst them. And -besides, the declining Age of my Prince will be some advantage to me, who -the _Bashaws_ thinks is fitter for rest and quiet, than for the Fatigues -of an unnecessary War. ’Tis true, my Pains will be prolonged hereby, but -I shall think them best bestowed, if they succeed at last. - -Thus, Sir, I have written you a Book rather than a Letter; and if I -have offended you in it, the fault is yours rather than mine: What I -did was at your Request, and Readiness to please a Friend, hath always -been counted a Vertue in Friendship. Yet I hope these Things will be -as pleasant for you to Read, as they were delightful for me to Write; -for, let me tell you, as soon as I put Pen to Paper, I love to wander -abroad in my Mind, that so I may as it were, deceive my Confinement -as long as I can, and converse with you as if we were together. What -things seem frivolous and needless, you must take, as proceeding by word -of Mouth in familiar Conferences among Friends. Men may be allow’d to -tittle tattle in a Letter, as well as in common Discourse. If I were -to write Inscriptions for Churches and Temples, to be seen of all Men, -Circumspection and Care must be used; but not when I write to you and a -few private Friends. I aim not at Fame; if my Lines please you, I have -enough. You will say, perhaps, I might have written better Latin: I -grant it; but what if it were beyond my Ability? It was not for want of -any good will; and yet, let me ask you, what good Latin can come out of -uncouth _Greece_, or barbarous _Turkey_? If you have any Value for my -Letters, you shall have more of them after my Return to _Vienna_, if ever -God permit me to return: If not, excuse the last Trouble I shall give -you. Farewell. - - _Constantinople_, June 1st. - - - - -_SIR_, - -I Acknowledge the fresh Proof you give me of Old Friendship, in -congratulating my Return; and, as you require an Account of the Residue -of my Embassy, and what Occurrences have happened since my last to -you, I will remember my Promise to you, and never disoblige so choice -a Friend. Take them all in a Medley together, what comes next into my -Head, as my Memory suggests things more, or less serious. My beginning -is upon the mournful; it is this. I was scarce settled in my Mind, which -was troubled for _Bajazet_’s Misfortunes and Death, when, lo! I was -struck with another Message as sorrowful as the former. We were all in -great Expectation of the Success of the _Turkish_ Fleet, which sailed -toward the Isle of _Meninge_, (now called _Gerse_,) upon News that the -_Spaniards_ had prevailed there. For _Solyman_ (being assured that Island -was taken by the _Christians_, and that they had added new Fortifications -to the old Castle therein, in which they had yet a very strong Garrison,) -could not endure to be thus check’d in the midst of all the Prosperities -of his flourishing Empire. Hereupon he equipp’d a Navy with Auxiliaries -to relieve those that were _Mahometans_ like himself; and made _Pihal -Bassa_ Commander of his Fleet. He furnish’d his Ships with a select -Company of Soldiers, and yet was doubtful of the Event; because the -Voyage was long, and they were to engage with a formidable Enemy. For you -may please to be inform’d, that the _Turks_, for a long time, have had a -great Opinion of the Valour of the _Spaniards_, as knowing that they have -waged great Wars, and came off with good Success. They had heard of the -Emperor _Charles_, and of his Son _Philip_, the Heir of his Valour, as -well as of his Kingdoms. The Report of his Power made the _Turks_ very -solicitous; so that those that went the Voyage, made their last Wills, as -if they were never to return to _Constantinople_ again. Thus the whole -City, both those that went, and those that staid at Home, was filled with -Anxiety. But, alas! their Fleet sailed with a prosperous Gale, and came -upon the _Christians_ unawares; which struck such a Terror into them, -that they knew not how to fight or fly: Some nimble Vessels made their -Escape; the rest were either taken by the Enemy, or split and dash’d in -pieces on the Sands. The Duke of _Medina_ the General, and _John Andrea -Doria_ the Admiral, fled to the Castle, from whence they escap’d in a -dark Night, undiscovered, through the Enemy’s Fleet to _Sicily_. - -_Pihal_ sent hither a Galley to give an account of this Victory, and, as -a further Testimony thereof, he caused a Banner, wherein was the Image -of our Saviour Christ upon the Cross, to be pulled along the Sea, at the -stern of the Vessel. As soon as it arrived in the Haven, the Loss of the -_Christians_ was presently noised abroad, and the _Turks_ congratulated -one another upon their Victory. They came thick and three-fold to my -Door, and asked my Servants in a Jeer, whether they had any Brother, or -other Friend, in the _Spanish_ Fleet? If you had, said they, you may -shortly have the opportunity of seeing their Faces here. - -Besides, they highly extoll’d their own Valour, and blam’d the Cowardise -of the _Christians_. Who, say they, shall now be able to stand before us, -seeing we have conquered the _Spaniards_? My People were forced to hear -this sad News to their great Grief; but God’s Will must be done! Our only -Hope was, that the Castle, in which was a strong Garrison, might hold out -against the _Turks_ till the Winter, or some other Accident had rais’d -the Siege. And yet our Hopes were mix’d with Fears, that the Conqueror -would take that too; and so it fell out, for the Besieged wanted all -things, especially Water; so that _Don Alvarez de Sande_, the Governor -thereof, a courageous Man, and an old Soldier, perceiving that it could -be defended no longer, got a Boat, and made his Escape, with a few -Companions, towards _Sicily_, that so he might not behold the Surrender -of so important a Place, which he thought would be look’d upon as a Blot -in his Escutcheon, though the extreamest Necessity had compelled it. -When he was gone, the Soldiers opened the Gates, and let in the _Turks_, -hoping to find them the more merciful, because of their easy Admittance. -_Don John_ of _Castile_, however, would by no means leave the Fort which -he commanded, but he and his Brother valiantly repulsing the Enemy, -were at last wounded and taken. The Castle was stoutly defended by the -_Spaniards_ for three Month’s Space, though they wanted many Necessaries, -and, which was worst of all, had no prospect of Relief. The Weather was -hot, and they almost parched with Thirst. They had but one Cistern to -hold Water in, which was not big enough to serve them all; so that they -were compelled to weigh out their Water to each Man by Measure, only -enough to keep Life and Soul together. This Cistern-Water was increased -with a Mixture of Sea-Water, and by some curious Art made fresh. This -Secret was very opportunely told them by a certain Alchymist: But all -had not the Benefit of it; for you should see some lie parching on the -Ground, ready to give up the Ghost for very Thirst, continually crying -out, as well as they could speak, _Water! Water!_ and, if a little was -brought, they were relieved for the present; but, when that Moisture was -spent, they relapsed to their former Drought, and died thereof. Thus many -perished, besides the Wounded, who could have no help of Surgery to cure -them in that desolate Place. - -In the Month of _September_, the victorious Navy of the _Turks_ returned -to _Constantinople_, bringing the _Christians_ Captives, with their -Gallies along with them. A joyful Spectacle to the _Turks_; but a sad -one to the _Christians_ that lived amongst them! That Night it lay at -Anchor near the Rocks over against _Byzantium_, that so they might enter -the Port the next Day in greater Pomp and Splendor. _Solyman_ came down -into an Apartment in his Gardens near the Sea-side, that from thence he -might see the Prisoners entring in. _Don Alvarez de Sande_ was in the -stern of his Admiral Galley, and with him, _Don Sancho de Leyva_, and -_Don Bellinger de Requesne_, one Commander of the _Sicilian_ Galleys, the -other of the _Neapolitan_. The Galleys of the _Christians_ were despoiled -of their Ornaments, as Streamers, _&c._ and hall’d in Barques, that -they might appear little and contemptible in the sight of the _Turks_. -They who observ’d _Solyman_’s Countenance at that time say, that they -perceived no sign of insolent Mirth therein. This is certain, that when I -saw him go to his Devotion the next day, his Countenance was not altered -from its usual Hue, as if that Victory had not concern’d him at all; so -well was this cunning old Man able to bear the breath of his smiling -Fortune, that he was unmov’d under it. - -The Prisoners were afterwards brought into the _Seraglio_, but so -miserably hunger-starv’d before, that some could hardly stand on their -Legs, others fell down in a Swoon for very Feebleness; others had Arms in -a Jeer put upon them, in which posture they died; the _Turks_ insulting -over them on every Hand, and promising to themselves the Empire of -the whole World; for who now shall be able to stand before us, (said -they) since we have overcome the _Spaniards_? There was a Commander in -the _Turkish_ Fleet, with whom I had some Acquaintance, who had taken -the great Banner of the _Neapolitans_ Galleys, being Imperial Eagles -embracing one another; being inform’d that he was about to present it -to _Solyman_, I thought good to prevent him; and sending him two silken -Garments, I obtained the Banner, that so the Ensign of _Charles_ the -Fifth might not remain in the Hands of Infidels, to the eternal Infamy of -the Christian Name. - -There were amongst the Prisoners, besides those above-mentioned, these -two eminent Persons, _Don John_ of _Cordona_, the Son in Law of _Don -Bellinger_, and _Don Gasto_, the Son of the Duke of _Medina_, who, though -but a Youth, had an honourable Post in his Father’s Army, _Don John_ -promised to give a great Sum of Money to be left Prisoner at _Chios_, -(which was inhabited by the old _Genoese_) which was accordingly done. -As for _Don Gasto_, he was concealed by _Pihal_, in hopes to have a -large Price for his Redemption; which Project of his had like to have -proved his Ruin: For _Solyman_, by some means or other, smelt out the -Cheat, and was grievously vex’d that _Pihal_ should serve him such a -Trick. He resolv’d, at the Instigation also of _Rustan_, that _Gasto_ -should be brought to Light, that so _Pihal_ might be punish’d; but -_Gasto_ died in the Search; some say, of the Plague, others by the -procurement of _Pihal_ himself, that he might tell no Tales. This is -certain, that, upon the most diligent Search, he could not be found. -However, _Pihal_ was afraid to come to _Constantinople_ to appear before -his angry Master, lest he might be imprisoned there; but he hovered with -a few Galleys about several Islands of the _Ægæan_ Sea, pretending divers -Excuses for so doing. But at last _Solyman_, by the persuasion of the -chief Eunuch of his Son _Selimus_ gave him his Pardon in these Words: _I, -for my part, forgive him his great Offence; but God Almighty, the just -Revenger of all Wickedness, inflict just Punishment on him in the Life to -come!_ So strongly are the _Turks_ persuaded, that no evil Fact should -pass unpunished! - -_Don John_ of _Cordona_ fared better; for, by the care of _Adam a -Ditrichstein_, Baron of _Austria_, who married his Sister, and by my -engaging for him, he returned safe into _Spain_. As for _de Sande_, -he was brought into the _Divan_, and there _Rustan_ demanded of him, -what his Master meant by invading other Men’s Rights, when he could not -maintain his own? _De Sande_ answered, the Question belonged not to -him to answer; ’twas his part only to execute his Master’s Commands as -faithfully as he could, wherein Fortune had been against him. However, -he begged the _Bashaws_ upon his Knees, that, in regard he had a Wife -and Children at Home, they would speak a good Word for him to _Solyman_. -_Rustan_ answered, that their Emperor was of a merciful Disposition, -and that they would intercede for him. Thus was he sent Prisoner to -the Castle called _Caradenis_, that is, _of the Black Sea_: He was not -gone far, before he was sent for back again, because the Chief of the -Bed-Chamber had not seen him; who, I have find before, is a Man of great -Authority with his Prince. Upon this Countermand, some say, that, though -otherwise undaunted, he was a little faint-hearted, as fearing he was -brought back to his Ruin; but it proved otherwise. As for the other -Prisoners, the chief of them, as _Sancho de Leyva_ with his two natural -Sons, and _Don Bellinger_ himself, were sent into the Castle of _Pera_, -or _Galata_. - -As soon as I was made acquainted with their Condition, and in what want -of all Things they were, I thought it my Duty to do my best to relieve -them; and thereupon I sent some to comfort them, and to promise them -all the good Offices that lay in my power: And, from that Day forward, -my House was a common Receptacle for all the Prisoners; and I did them -all the Kindness I could. For, you must know, the _Turks_ think their -Prisoners well enough provided for, if they allow them Bread and Water. -They have no regard to any Man’s Age or Constitution, or to the time of -the Year; whether they be Sick or Well, Strong or Weak, Old or Young, -’tis all one to them; they are all treated after one and the same manner. -Hereupon, I was forced to provide several sorts of Relief for several -Necessities, different Diseases requiring different Cures. There lay a -multitude of sick Persons in a certain Temple of _Pera_, a Town over -against _Byzantium_, whom the _Turks_ cast out as Abjects; and many -of them perished for want of convenient Broths to relieve their sick -Stomachs, and recover their lost Strength by degrees. When I was told -thereof, I dealt with a Friend of mine, a Citizen of _Pera_, desiring him -to buy some Weather-Sheep every day, and boil them at his own House, to -distribute the Flesh to some, and the Broth to others, as their Stomachs -could bear; which was a great Relief to abundance of them: But those -which were in Health, required another sort of Assistance. My House was -full from Morning to Night with several Complaints. Some were used to -good Diet, and a piece of brown Bread, which was their daily Allowance, -would not go down so well with them; some, that used to drink Wine, could -not bear the perpetual use of Water only; some wanted Blankets to cover -them, having never known what it was to lie on the bare Ground; some -wanted Coats, others Shoes; but the most part desired some Footing-Money -to gratify their Keepers, that they might deal the more mercifully with -them. Money was the only Remedy for these Mischiefs, so that every day -some Guilders were expended by me on these Accounts. But these Expences -were tolerable, compared with greater Sums which were desired of me; or -else they prayed me to be their Surety for payment of their Ransom-Money; -and herein every one, was very forward with his Pretences; one alledged -Nobleness of Birth; another, that he had great Friends and Alliances; a -Third, that he was a Commander in the Army, and had much Pay due to him; -a Fourth, that he had Cash enough at Home, and was able to imburse me. -Some boasted of their Valour in the Fight; every one had something to -say for himself. When I demanded of them, whether they would be sure to -repay me? God forbid, said they! For what is more unjust, than to defraud -a Man who hath restored us to our Liberty, even out of the Jaws of Death? - -And the Truth is, it was very grievous to me, to hear a Man come and tell -me, unless I can lay down 200 Guilders for my Redemption, I am undone -for ever; I shall be sent over into _Asia_ to be made a Galley-Slave, to -tug at the Oar, without any hope to see my own Country again. There is a -Merchant, Sir, that will deposit Wares amounting to that Value, provided -you will promise Repayment. This was the Allegation of almost all of -them; which could not but affect me, as knowing it to be most true, that, -if they were not relieved, many of them must needs perish; and none could -better do it, nor could they more justly expect it from any Man, than -my self. But, you will say, there is no trusting any Body; to which I -answer, can any Man be so prodigiously ungrateful, as not to repay what -was laid out to save his Life; and, grant that one or two may not have -Ability to reimburse me, what’s that to the purpose? ’Tis not lost, that -which is laid out to relieve the Oppressed: But sure the greater part of -them will perform their Promise. For these Reasons, I was induced to pass -my Word for 1000 Ducats, and have thereby run my self so much in Debt, -that I know not how to get out; but I fear have freed them from Fetters, -and clapp’d them on my own Legs. - -I am the larger upon this Subject, to purge my self from too much -Weakness, which I know some will accuse me of, in being ready to trust -every body; and, in some Measure, to take the blame upon my self for -the slackness of some, for whom I have undertaken in their Repayments. I -foresee I shall be a great loser by the Business; for I must necessarily -make Payment on the Day, when my Word was once passed: And besides, I -heard that some whom I had released, had laughed at my easy Nature, in -believing what they said to be true; so that my Case is bad, if I should -judge of the rest by them. But, be it as it will, I thank my God, that I -have been able to do so many good Offices to so many distressed Persons. -I do not repent it; for Virtue is a sufficient Reward to it self. I covet -not, that any Honours should be conferred on me, nor any Statue erected -for my Beneficence; I only wish, that they would be so grateful, as to -pay me what I am out of Pocket, to save their Lives; of which I despair -not from so cordial a Nation as the _Spaniards_ are. For my part, I -rejoice not only that I did them a good turn, but that thereby I gave an -Example and Invitation to others to do the same. - -There live many Merchants in _Pera_, _Italians_ by Birth, who are very -assistant in relieving Christian-Prisoners; but one of them deserves to -be particularly mentioned, for the absurdity of his Opinion, differing -from all the rest. He was an _Italian Greek_, that is, one who resembles -both those Nations in his Birth and Manners. When his Country-men were -mercifully busied in relieving Prisoners, he could never be persuaded to -give one Farthing towards so pious a Work; and, being blamed for it, his -Answer was, (which he uttered in a barbarous and blunt _Italian_ Style, -the _Greek_ being more familiar to him,) I know not, what these Men are; -but this I know, that the just Judgment of God hath brought them into -this miserable Condition. For my part, I will not oppose the Will of God; -let them abide in that Place God hath allotted them. You, who so boldly -withstand what God hath decreed, may pity them if you please; but I will -not spare a Doit to release them, though you use never so many Arguments -to persuade me: But enough of this vain and foolish Fellow. This Loss at -Sea, together with the Misfortune of _Bajazet_, struck a great Terror -into me, that the _Turks_, made more insolent thereby, would hearken to -no Conditions of Peace. This publick Calamity was seconded by a private -one; the Plague was got into my House; one of my faithful Servant died of -it, and the rest were terribly afraid of the Infection. - -But, before I speak of that, there was another Case surprised me, arising -on this account. - -_Solyman_ grows every Day more and more Superstitious in his Religion. He -used to delight himself in Musick, and in the chanting of young Singers; -but all this was laid aside, by means of a certain old Sibyl, noted for -Sanctity, who told him, that, if he left not off that Sport, he would -be severely punished after his Death. He was so moved herewith, that he -cast his Musical Instruments, though richly studded with Gold and Jewels, -into the Fire and burnt them: And, whereas he formerly eat his Meat out -of Silver Dishes, now he was persuaded to use none but Earthen Platters. -He was also prevailed upon by her to forbid the use of Wine, wherein she -told him too great a liberty was used, which his Prophet would be angry -at, if he longer suffered it. Hereupon an Edict was published, that for -the future no Wine should be imported into _Constantinople_, either for -_Christians_ or _Jews_. - -This Edict did much concern me and mine, who had never used to drink -Water; and what Wine could we have, if it were forbid? Our long -absence from our Country, and the uncertain issue of our Embassy, were -a sufficient Mortification to us, without this other Inconvenience of -change of Diet, which must needs indanger our Health. Hereupon I desired -my Interpreters to intercede for me in the _Divan_, that I might retain -my ancient Right. The _Bashaws_ Men were of different Opinions in the -Case; some alledged, we ought to be content with Water as well as they; -for what would the Neighbourhood say, if _Christians_ may drink Wine, -and themselves be strictly forbid the use of it? If _Christians_ in the -midst of _Constantinople_, might guzzle what Wine they please, the stink -of it will spread far and near, and profane all; yea, the _Mussulmen_ -themselves, when they came to us, would return belching out the smell of -Wine. - -Hereupon we were likely to be cast in our Cause; but at last a more -favourable Judgment went for us. That the sudden change would be -intolerable, and occasion many Diseases if not Death itself. Whereupon -we were allowed the freedom of one Night, to get in what Wine we could, -which was brought to the nearest Landing-place, from whence we were -furnished with Horse-Carriage to convey it to my Lodging with as little -Observation as might be, all being done in the Night. Thus I stor’d -myself, and kept my Priviledge. - -Some of the _Grecians_ play’d a pretty prank with the Sultan on this -Account. When they knew that he was to pass through a Road full of -Vineyards on both sides, they set a great many Labourers at work to root -out the Vines; some of them they laid in the Highway; others they loaded -on Carts. The Emperor passing by, and demanding the Reason for so doing, -they answered, That since by his Edict they were forbid the use of Wine, -they were cutting down their Vines to make Fuel for the Fire. For shame, -says _Solyman_, forbear! you do not understand my Command aright; though -I forbid the use of Wine, yet I allow the eating of Grapes, as one of -the best Fruits that God hath allotted to Mankind; only you are not to -squeeze out their Juice, and tun it up in Hogsheads, and so you may make -a pernicious use of it. What will you cut down Apple-trees also, because -they bear not Wine? Get you gone you Buzzards, and spare your Vines! Thus -the _Greeks_ were fool’d in their Project. - -But to return to the Story of the Pestilence which was within the Walls -of my House. I went to _Rustan_ to beg leave for me and my Family to -remove into a less contagious Air; this I desired not with any great -confidence of obtaining my Request, (for I knew the Rigidness of his -Nature,) but only to shew my care for the Health of my Family. He told -the Messenger, he would acquaint _Solyman_ with my Desire, and, if I came -the next Day, I should have his Answer. Accordingly I sent and received -this from him; that the Emperor wondered what I mean in desiring to move -my Habitation; Is not the Pestilence God’s Arrow, which will always -hit his Mark? If God would visit me herewith, how could I avoid it? Is -not the Plague, said he, in my own palace, and yet I do not think of -removing? And so I was forced to stay in a Pestilential and Infected -House. - -But _Rustan_ died of a Dropsy soon after, and _Haly_, then Second Vizier -succeeded him. He was a prudent and courteous Person as any was among -the _Turks_. I sent him a Present, a large Garment of Silk, by way of -Congratulation upon his new Dignity. He returned me this obliging Answer, -That he would always be my Friend, and upon any occasion I should not -scruple to make my Address to him. And I found him as good as his Word; -for, when my House a while after was re-visited with the Plague, which -swept away many of my Servants, and amongst others, my chief Physician; -I sent the same Message to _Haly_ which I had done to _Rustan_ before; -who answered me, for his part he was very willing I should remove my -Habitation; but that it were better for me to ask leave of the Sultan -himself, lest, said he, if he casually light upon any of your Servants -walking at random up and down, he should take it very ill that so much -liberty was granted them without his knowledge: And yet, proceeded he, I -shall propose the matter so cautiously to the Prince, that I do not doubt -of his Assent. And accordingly, soon after I received a Message from him, -that I might remove whither I pleased. Whereupon I chose an Island called -_Principo_, for my Dwelling, about four Hours Sail from _Constantinople_. -It was the pleasantest of all the little Isles contiguous to that City, -for the rest have no Village at all in them, or but one at most; but this -has two. - -The Physician, I lately told you died at my House of the Plague, was my -old Friend Dr. _Williams_, the Faithful Companion of my long and tedious -Pilgrimage. The occasion of the Sickness was this: It seems, among the -rest of the Prisoners I had redeemed, one, as the Event declared, who was -sick of the Plague. My Physician constantly attended him, till he got the -Infection himself. He had that Angularity of Opinion, that there was no -more Fear than Danger; for at the same time, said he, there are wont to -arise other Diseases, which Men are apt to think is the Pestilence; so -that Pestilential Remedies are usually applied to every common Sore or -Boyl. Thus he flattered himself, even when he was deeply infected; yet -he did not suspect it to be the Plague, till it was past Remedy, and -he was ready to die under the Hands of his Attendance. The Day before -he died, he sent me word he was better; and desired to see me, if I -pleased to bestow a Visit upon him. I did so, and sat a great while by -his Bed-side. He told me how very ill he had been, and that his Sight, -as well as his other Senses, had been so weakened, that he knew no body; -but now, said he, my Senses are restored, and if I could be freed from -a Distillation that almost stops my Breath, I should presently be well; -and at my Departure, I told him, I heard he had a Tumour in his Breast. -I have so, says he; and thereupon he threw aside his Blanket, and shewed -me his Breast: But there is no Danger, says he, in it; for it came from -buttoning my Doublet, which I put on too strait. Towards the Evening, -according to custom, I sent two of my Servants to watch with him, and -while they were putting on him a clean Shirt, he himself espied a Purple -Spot in his Breast, which they told him was but a Flea-bite; and by and -by he discovered more Spots and larger ones. No, said he, there are not -Flea-bites, but Tokens of near approaching Death; and therefore us spend -this Night in Prayer and holy Conference preparatory to my latter end; -which he did, and in the Morning, with full assurance of God’s Mercy, he -departed this Life. - -Thus was I bereaved of my dearest and most useful Friend, and the -Common-wealth of Learning had also a great Loss of him; for he had made -many curious Observations in his Travels which he intended to publish, -and would have been very useful to the World, if Death had not prevented -his laudable Designs. His Skill and Faithfulness was so much prized by -me, that, if the Times had differed me to return, I knew none fitter to -leave in my place at _Constantinople_ than himself, had he out-lived me. - -After his Death, my Cares seemed to be doubled; nay, if I should have -left him behind, I had returned but half myself, as it were. Well! his -Soul is at Rest, and I erected a Monument, as a due testimony to his -Vertue. But to return to our Island. - -I lived there very pleasantly for three Months. It was a private Place, -without any Crowd or Noise. There were only a few _Greeks_, with whom I -diverted myself; but never a _Turk_ to interrupt my Mirth. As for the -_Turks_ of my Houshold, they created no trouble to me; I might go whither -I would, and pass from one of these Islands to another at my pleasure, -without any molestation from them. There grew several sorts of Plants, as -_French_ Lavender, sharp-pointed Myrtle, Cotton-weed, and abundance more. -The Sea is full of divers sorts of Fishes, which I took sometimes with -Net, sometimes with Hook and Line. Several _Grecian_ Fishers with their -Boats attended me, and where we had hopes of the greatest sport, thither -we sailed and cast our Nets. Sometimes we played above board, and when we -saw a Crab or a Lobster at the bottom, where the Sea was very clear, we -ran him through with a Fish-spear, and so halled him up into a Vessel. -But our best and most profitable sport, was with a drag-Net; where we -thought most Fish were, there we cast it in a round; it took up a great -compass, with the long Ropes tied to the ends of it, which were to draw -it to Land. To those Ropes the Seamen tied green Boughs very thick, so -that the Fish might be frightned, and not seek to escape. Thus we brought -great Sholes of trembling Fishes near the Shore. And yet in this danger -they were naturally instigated how to save themselves; some would leap -over the Net, others would cover themselves in the Sand, that they might -not be taken; others strove to bite the Meashes of the Net, though made -of coarse Flax or Hemp, of which kind were the _Synodontes_, Fish armed -with strong Teeth; and if one made way for himself, all would follow -him, and so the whole Draught would escape, and not a Fish left for the -Fisher. To remedy this Inconvenience, (for I was aware of it) I stood -with a Pole in my Hand, beating the Water, that I might keep the Fish -from biting the Net. At which my Attendants could not choose but laugh; -yet, for all this, many of them escaped: So sagacious are Fishes where -they are in extream danger! But notwithstanding the Fugitives, we brought -a great many Fishes ashore, a Sea-Bream, Scorpion-Fishes, Dragon-Fishes, -Scare-Fish, Jule-Fish, Chane or Ruff-Fish, whose Variety did delight my -Eye, and the enquiry into their Nature, did hugely please my Fancy: So -that at Night I return’d home with my trimphant Vessel laden with Prey. -The next Day I presented _Hali Bassa_, and his Chief Steward, with Part -of what I had taken, who thought it a very acceptable Present. - -Sometimes I took delight, with an Iron Spear made on purpose, to bring up -Shrimps or Cramps, which are there so thick, as if that Sea were stock’d -with them. Where I observed the Master-Shrimps lying two by two, the Male -and the Female, and sometimes more of them, of which _Cicero_, _Pliny_, -and _Athenæus_ speak so much. I confess, I think some of these Relations -concerning them are rather fabulous than true: For they say, that this -Shell-Fish doth gape in order to catch other small Fishes; and when she -hath got them, yet she shuts not her Shell till the _Pinncphylax_ bite -it, and by this warning she closes her Shell, and divides the Prey with -the _Pinncphylax_. The Figure of these _Pinnæ_ you have in _Bellonious_. -The sharp part of it sticks in the bottom of the Sea, as if it grew -there; and by these sticking Fibres, she draws in her Nourishment; as -appears by this, that when she is loosed from her hold, she dies for -want of Sustenance, as Herbs and Plants do. And it is probable, that -the _Pinnophylax_ chose this sort, as a Defence against other ravenous -Fishes, where it may lye quiet even in stormy Weather, and go in and out -at her pleasure. Yet I speak not this, to detract from the Credit of -those worthy Authors I mentioned before; but only to leave the matter to -more curious Enquirers. We quickly laded our Boat with these _Pinnæ_; -they are but coarse Fare, like Muscles, of which you would be soon weary; -but the Fishermen advised me to keep the _Pinnophylaxes_ apart, for they -are a grateful and nourishing Food. - -Amongst the rest of the Islands, there is one untilled and uninhabited, -whither all sorts of Monsters do resort, Star-Fish, Saw-Fish, Grape-Fish, -Sea-Horses, prodigious Cockles, a round yellow Fish like an Orange; no -ordinary Fish there, but Thornback, and a certain Fork-Fish, with a -terrible Prickle. I remember, we took one of them, who, making at us, ran -herself through. - -When tempestuous Weather kept me from Sea, I delighted myself in finding -out strange and unusual Plants at Land. I would sometimes go a-foot all -ever the Island, having a young _Franciscan_ Monk in my Company, a jolly -Fellow, but very Fat, and not used to travel on Foot. I took him out of a -Monastry at _Pera_, to be my Partner in my Walks; he was so corpulent and -pursy, that when I went on a-pace to catch myself a Heat, he would follow -me at a Distance panting and blowing, with these Words in his Mouth, What -need all this haste? Whom do we run from, or whom do we pursue? What -are we Carriers or Posts that must make speed to deliver some important -Letters? Thus he mutter’d, till the very Sweat pierced through all his -Cloaths. In fine, when we came back to our Lodgings, he threw himself -upon his Bed, wofully complaining, and crying out, he was undone: What -Injury have I done, said he, that you thus hurry on to destroy me? And, -in this fretting Posture, we had much ado to persuade him to eat a bit of -Dinner. - -Now and then, some Friends visited from _Constantinople_, and from -_Pera_; yea, and some _Germans_ also of _Holy_’s own Family; of whom when -I asked whether the Plague was abated? Mightily, said they. How many -then die in a Day? Scarce Five Hundred, said they. Good God! quoth I, -call you that to abate? when then doth it rage? They replied, when about -a Thousand or Twelve Hundred die in a Day. The _Turks_ entertain this -Opinion concerning the Pestilence, that every Man’s Destiny is written by -God in his Forehead; so that ’tis a foolish thing in them, to think to -decline or avoid it. This Opinion makes them fearless of the Plague, but -not secure from it: So that, as soon as any Man dies of the Pestilence, -they will take off their Cloaths, yet sweaty, and Linnen, and rub their -Faces with them. If it be the Will of God, say they, that I shall die -this way, it will most certainly come to pass; if not, it will not hurt -me. Thus a large Field is open for Infection; so that whole Families are -sometimes swept away by that Disease. Whilst I abode in these Islands, I -got acquaintance with one _Metrophanes_, a _Metropolitan_ who presided -over a Monastry in _Chalcis_, one of those Islands. He was a Learned and -a Vertuous Man, very desirous of an Agreement between the _Latin_ and the -_Greek_ Churches; so that he differed from the Humour of the rest of the -_Grecians_, who esteem the _Latins_ as Men of an impure and profane Sect. -So much doth every Man abound in his own Sense! - -When I had lived about two Months in those Islands, some of the -_Bashaws_ began to suspect my long Absence, and told _Haly_, that -perhaps I might make my escape, for I had Ships ready at my command, -and other Conveniences might easily be procured; and therefore it was -more advisable I should return into the City. He answered them, he -had that Confidence in my Word, that he believed I designed no such -thing: Nevertheless he sent a _Chiaux_ to advertise me thereof. The -_Chiaux_ very cunningly pried about, to see if he could discover the -least Preparation for an Escape but finding none, after I had made him -a Present, he returned to his Master with his Message from me, that -he might rest secure, for I never intended to break my Word. Thus I -continued three Months in my Retirement, and returned of my own accord -into the City without any Compulsion. - -From that time forward l had a Familiarity with _Haly_, and our Discourse -was still of Peace. He is a _Dalmatian_ by Birth, and only Courteous -Man I found in that barbarous Country: His Nature, mild and gentle; -his Person of easy Access; he is of a deep Understanding, capable of -managing the greatest Affairs, having much skill in Military as well -as Political Matters, for he is an old Man, and hath passed through -the greatest Offices of that Common-wealth. His Stature is tall, and -his Countenance filled with a lovely Gravity. He hath a mighty Love -for his Master, and consults by all means imaginable his Repose in -his Old and Sickly Age. What _Rustan_ thought to do by Austerity, -Severeness and menacing Expressions, _Haly_ endeavours to compass by -Mildness, Moderation and Friendship. _Rustan_ was always severe, fierce, -self-will’d; his Word must pass for a Law. ’Tis true, he knew well enough -his own Circumstances, and what the Times did exact of him, and what the -Old Age of his Prince required; but he was afraid, that, if he shew’d any -Indulgence, either by Word or Deed, it would be said he did it out of -Covetousness, of which his Prince did much suspect him: And therefore, -though he was desirous of a Peace, he would abate nothing of his usual -Stiffness; but if Propositions were offered to him, not pleasing to his -Fancy, he was ready to thrust a Man out of Doors; so that I scarce ever -parted from him but in an angry Mood. One time, when I was treating -with him of Peace, if I had nothing else to say, he bid me _be gone_: -I presently rose up and went my way, only telling him, _That I could -propose no other Conditions than what my Master commanded me to do_. -Which Words I pronouncing with more Fervour and Passion than I was wont -to do, he called back my Interpreter and asked him, whether I were angry? -He answered, _No: What_, said he, _if I should obtain what he desires -of the ~Sultan~, dost thou think he will perform his Word to me, in -presenting me with the Sum he promised me?_ _No question_, said the -_Drugger-man_, _but he will be as good as his Word to a Tittle._ _Then_, -says _Rustan_, _go home and ask him._ I had then 5000 Ducats, which -make 6000 Crowns, lying by me for any sudden Emergency; I loaded my -Interpreter with them, and bid him carry that to _Rustan_ and tell him, -that this Sum was only an Earnest of what I had promised him; but the -rest would follow, if my Negotiation were brought to an happy Issue, -for by no means would I be worse than my Word. He seem’d to be pleased -with the sight of the Money, but returned it again to me, bidding my -_Drugger-man_ tell me, that he no ways doubted of my Faithfulness, but -the matter of the Peace stood yet on ambiguous Terms; neither could he -certainly promise a good Issue, for he did not fully know his Master’s -Mind. _But let the Ambassador_, said he, _keep it for me, as my -Treasurer, till he sees the Event._ Thus was the Money brought me -back again, and _Rustan_ died soon after. - -Here give me leave to acquaint you with the Bounty of my Master, the best -of Emperors; for that Money lying dead by me, I acquainted his Imperial -Majesty, that I would lay it out for one Year’s Expence (which amounted -to just so much) in my Embassy. But I repented afterwards of this my -Frankness; especially considering what Pains I had taken in my Employment -for so many Years together. My Mind gave me I was deficient to my self, -in not desiring that Sum for my self, since I knew I serv’d a liberal -Master, who put a just Value upon every Man’s Service, and rewarded him -accordingly; and therefore I might have desired that Money (which was -snatch’d, as it were, out of the Fire) for my own use; for I knew some -Courtiers would have asked greater Sums for less Merit and Service. Upon -second Thoughts, I put my Master in mind of my over-sight, and desired -his Favour, that the said Sum might be returned entire to me. He was -graciously pleased to grant my Request, and commanded so many Ducats to -be told out for me from his own Exchequer: Which Bounty of his, so freely -bestowed, if I should be unmindful of, I were not worthy to live a Day -longer: But to return from whence I digressed. - -_Haly_ and _Rustan_ were of quite different Humours and Dispositions: -_Haly_ lived a blameless Life, free from Sordidness, and never feared -that his courteous Deportment would procure him the _Sultan_’s Ill-will; -but _Rustan_, on the contrary, was a Money-monger, Avaritious, and -his Conscience hing’d at his Purse-strings. _Rustan_’s Conferences -with me were very short and concise; but _Haly_ would spin out Time on -purpose; and, that he might entertain me the longer, he would season -his Discourse with a great deal of Facetiousness; insomuch that the -_Turks_, who attended on the account of Business or otherwise, would -murmur and grumble that he spent so much Time with me, thereby they had -not convenient Opportunity to transact their own Concerns with him. And -the Truth is, there was somewhat of Mortification to my self in it too; -for I usually was sent for to him in the Afternoon, and I went Fasting, -that I might be readier to deal with so acute a Man. In our Conferences -he pressed this as a principal Point, that each of us would propose that -which we thought most conducive to the service of our respective Masters. -He knew his Master desired Repose in his old Age, which was sated with -Success and Victory; and he thought my Master also desired Peace and -Quietness; and therefore, if he studied the Tranquillity of his Realm, he -should by no means rouse a sleeping Lion. _The minds of Princes_, says -he, _are like Looking-glasses having no innate Shape, yet the Shapes of -all Objects pass through them; so Princes Souls, free of themselves, -are impress’d by the Images of all Things, as they are represented; and -therefore we must lay nothing before them, but what stands to their -Reason: For as good Cooks temper their Sauces, not to this or that Man’s -Palate, But for the Relish of all the Guests; so we, in Propositions of -Peace, must weigh Circumstances on either side._ This, and much more, -did he frankly communicate to me; yea, at all times he shewed himself -courteous, and when I required his Courtesy with any extraordinary piece -of Respect, he thought himself doubly oblig’d. Once, as he was returning -from the _Divan_, and came to a cross way where he was wont to salute his -Fellow _Bashaws_ at parting, turning his Horse too nimbly, and leaning -on his Neck, both Horse and Man fell to the Ground: When I heard of -his Mischance, I sent to know whether he had got any hurt by his Fall? -He returned me Thanks, and told me, he got no hurt, but ’twas usual -for an old Soldier to be apt to stumble and fall. Then, turning to the -By-standers, _This Christian Agent_, says he, _has, I thank him, a mighty -Love for me._ Sometimes in Discourse he would tell me, that he had got -Wealth and Honour enough; so that now he studied only to leave a savoury -Memory behind him, by doing good to Posterity. - -When our Treaty of Peace had proceeded on fairly a long time, and I -was in good Hopes of a happy Conclusion, an unlucky Accident happened, -which might have embarrassed the whole Affair: A certain _Greek -Despote_, by the help of _Cæsar_’s Soldiers which guarded the Frontiers -of _Hungary_, had broke into _Moldavia_, and driven out the _Vaivode_ -thereof, possessing it for himself. This Business gave a great Alarm to -the _Turks_, as not knowing but such Beginnings might end in greater -Mischief; and indeed the Danger was considerable, though the _Turks_ -thought it Prudence to dissemble their Forces. _Haly_ intended to -speak with me about it, as I understood by one of his Domesticks; and -accordingly he sent for me a few Hours after. I confess I was somewhat -startled at the Message; I was afraid, that, my Negotiation being in a -promising way to a good Issue, this Matter would spoil all. When I came, -he entertain’d me with his usual Courtesy, and after much Discourse -tending to a conclusion of the Peace, he shew’d no sign of Discontent at -all in his Words or Looks, till I was just going to take my leave of him, -and then he bid me sit down again, for something was come to his Memory -which he had forgot: _Don’t you hear_, said he, _that your ~Germans~ have -made an Inroad into ~Moldavia~?_ _No_, said I, _neither do I believe -it; for how should the ~Germans~ come to a Place so very remote from -them as ~Moldavia~?_ _’Tis most certainly true_, said he; _I have it by -several Expresses, and I will send one of your own Countrymen to convince -you._ This Onset gave me occasion to tell him, that, if any of this were -true, I was sure it was not done by the command or consent of my Master -_Cæsar_. _The ~Germans~_, said I, _are a free People, and used to serve -other Nations in their War; and perhaps some of them had taken Pay under -Foreigners: But, in my Judgment, the cause of these Commotions arises -from the ~Hungarian~ Nobles of that Neighbourhood, who being provoked by -the daily Injuries of the ~Turks~, resolve to be even with them. And, to -speak the Truth, I think they are not much to be blamed, if upon so great -Provocations, they labour to revenge themselves. Do not your Soldiers -take the same Liberties on the Borders of ~Hungary~? What Plunderings and -Devastations have they not made in the Emperor’s Territories there! Here -we talk of Peace; there is nothing but War and Bloodshed: And, for my own -part, I am held as a Prisoner, neither do my Friends know whether I am -alive or dead? And truly they that have long suffered so much Damage from -you, are worthy rather of Praise than Blame, if they take any opportunity -of Revenge._ _Let them retaliate_, said _Haly_, _provided it be within -~Hungary~, and the Borders of it; but ’tis intolerable they should range -as far as ~Moldavia~, which is but ten day’s Journey from ~Adrianople~._ -To which I replied, _Men of the Sword do not much study points of the Law -or Civility, but use to take the first Opportunity to revenge themselves -where-ever it was offered._ Thus I departed from him, neither did he seem -at all to be angry, nor was a jot more morose in my After-addresses to -him. - -During these Transactions with the Vizier, the _French_ Ambassador did me -a great Favour; there were thirteen young Gentlemen (some of whom were -_Germans_, and some _Hollanders_) in prison at Constantinople upon this -remarkable occasion. They took Ship at _Venice_, in a Vessel every Year -carried Pilgrims to _Jerusalem_, under Protection; some of them travelled -on the account of Religion, others to see foreign Countries: but they all -met with an unlucky Omen; for just at the time they landed in _Syria_, -the Knights of _Malta_ had landed some Soldiers, and plunder’d the -Sea-Coast of _Phœnicia_, carrying away some of the Inhabitants Prisoners: -Whereupon those _Syrians_ who had lost Parents, Children and Friends, -having no other visible way of Satisfaction, seiz’d on these Gentlemen in -the _Venetian_ Vessel, pretending they were some of the Pyrates; and if -they did not procure their Friends to be released, they should be kept -in Slavery themselves: And though they were shewed the Privilege from -the Government of _Venice_, and were put in mind of the Public Faith, -and the League betwixt them, yet all was one, away they must be sent -Prisoners to _Constantinople_: And their Youth was a great Prejudice -to them, for the _Bashaws_ thought such young Striplings would never -undertake so long a Voyage on the account of Religion, for the _Turks_ -never begin their Pilgrimage till they are well in Years. - -When I heard of this Disaster, I did what I could to release them, but -all to no purpose. The _Bailo_ of _Venice_ was applied to, because under -the Protection of that Republick they fell into this Danger: He granted -there was all the reason in the World they should be released; _But what -Justice_, said he, _can we obtain among such an inhuman and barbarous -People?_ In the mean time I applied all the Relief I was able, to their -distressed Condition: But one day, far beyond my Expectation, they all -came to my House, and told me, they were sent as a Present to me by the -_French_ Ambassador, who had obtained their Liberty. I was mighty glad of -their Releasement, and sent great Thanks to the Ambassador, whose Name -was _La Vigne_. The manner was thus; when he was about to take his leave -of the Sultan, and to kiss his Hand, as the Custom is, he thrust a piece -of Paper into it, wherein he desired that the Gentlemen might be released -in favour to his Prince, because their Voyage was occasioned upon the -account of a Pilgrimage for Religion. _Solyman_ granted his Request, and -released them presently: Whereupon I supplied them with Accommodations -for their Voyage, and sent them first to _Vienna_, and then home into -their own Country. - -This _La Vigne_ at first was very strict and vexatious to me, and used -all his Arts to bring me into the _Bashaws_ Dislike without any Fault of -mine: He told them, I was a Subject to the King of _Spain_, born in the -_Low-Countries_, and that I served the _Spaniard_ more than the Emperor; -that I acquainted him with every thing that was done at _Constantinople_, -and had Emissaries in Pay, who related to me the very Secrets of that -Empire, amongst whom was _Ebrahim_ the chief _Druggerman_ of _Turkey_. -This he did, before the Peace was made between _Spain_ and _France_; but, -when those two Princes were agreed, he took the first opportunity to -retract what he had spoken. - -_La Vigne_ was a Man of a prodigious Liberty of Speech; he would tell -all he knew, let it be taken how it would. This made _Rustan_ himself -to avoid his Company; whilst at the same time others were backward -to converse with _Rustan_, because of the sourness of his Humour. He -sent once to _Rustan_ to desire Audience: He told the Messengers, his -Interpreters, that he might send his Errand by them, for his Business -might be as well done in his Absence as in his Presence. Yet _La Vigne_ -would needs come himself, where he spoke that which grated _Rustan_’s -Ears. _What do you think_, says he, _that you have got ~Buda~, ~Gran~, -~Alba Regalis~, and other ~Hungarian~ Towns, from the Christians by Force? -No, I deny it utterly; ’tis our Dissention that gave you Opportunity to -take them: If there had not been continual Wars between the Kings of -~France~ and ~Spain~, you would have been so far from possessing those -Towns, that ~Charles V.~ would hardly have suffered you to live quiet -at ~Constantinople~ it self._ At which Speech _Rustan_ was so provoked, -that he told him, _What dost thou tell me of the Kings of ~Spain~ and -~France~? If all the Christian Princes join their Arms together against -my Master, he cares not a Rush; he will easily conquer them all._ -And thereupon he withdrew himself into his Bed-chamber, and bid the -Ambassador be gone. I must needs acquaint you, in this place, with the -Relations I have heard concerning that People which inhabit the _Tauric -Chersonese_, who are reported to have been originally _Germans_, as -their Speech, Manners and Countenances seem to declare. I had a great -desire to meet with any body of that Nation, from whom I might procure -some Tracts written in that Language, but I could not obtain it; yet at -last I met with an Accident which in part satisfied my Desires. There -came two Envoys from that Nation to the Sultan, to make some Complaint -or other; and my Interpreters lighting upon them, did (as I had desired -them, if ever they had Opportunity) invite them to Dinner to my House. -One was a tall Man, carrying an ingenuous Simplicity in his Countenance, -so that he seemed either a _Flemming_ or a _Batavian_: The other was -shorter, of a well-set Body, and browner Colour, a _Greek_ by Birth, but -by frequent Commerce with that People, he had got much of their Language, -and seemed to forget his own. Being asked concerning the Nature and -Manners of that People, he answered very pertinently, that they were a -warlike Nation, that inhabited many Towns thereabouts, from whence the -Cham of _Tartary_, when he pleased, used to draw forth 800 Musketeers, -the chief Prop of his Army. Their chief Cities were two, one called -_Mancup_ the other _Scivarin_. He added much more concerning the Tartars -and their Barbarity; yet he confessed that there was some very ingenious -Men amongst them. If you asked of the highest Affairs, they would answer -briefly, yet very much to the purpose. Insomuch, that the _Turks_ said -frequently and justly of them, that _other Nations had their Learning -in their Books, but the ~Tartars~ had eaten their Books, and had their -Wisdom in their Breasts, from whence they could draw it out as they had -occasion, as Divine Oracles._ - -They are slovenly in their Deportment; for, if you set any Soop before -them, they eat it not with a Spoon, but with the hollow of their Hands. -Their Meat is Horse-flesh; not roasted, but heated under the Saddles of -their Horses, to which Hunger was their best Sauce. - -Their Prince is served in Silver, his first and last Dish being a Horse’s -Head, as Butter is served up first and last with us. He repeated many -_German_ Words, amongst others, which were unintelligible to us; perhaps -his Memory fail’d him, so that he mix’d home-bred and foreign Words -together; to every Word he added the Article _Tho_ or _The_. The Words -which were ours, or little different from them, were these: - - Broe, _Bread_. - Plut, _Blood_. - Stul, _a Stool or Seat_. - Hus, _a House_. - Wingart, _a Vine_. - Reghen, _Rain_. - Bruder, _Brother_. - Schwester, _Sister_. - Alt, _Old Man_. - Wintch, _Wind_. - Silvir, _Silver_. - Goltz, _Gold_. - Kor, _Wheat_. - Salt, _Salt_. - Fisct, _Fish_. - Hoef, _the Head_. - Thurn, _a Gate_. - Stern, _a Star_. - Sune, _the Sun_. - Mine, _the Moon_. - Tag, _a Day_. - Oeghene, _the Eyes_. - Bars, _a Beard_. - Handa, _the Hands_. - Boga, _a Bow_. - Miera, _an Ant_. - Rinck, _or_ Ringo, _a Ring_. - Brunna, _a Fountain_. - Waghen, _a Waggon or Coach_. - Apel, _an Apple_. - Schieten _to shoot an Arrow_. - Schlipen, _to Sleep_. - Kommen, _to come_. - Singhen, _to Sing_. - Lachen, _to Laugh_. - Criten, _to Weep_. - Geen, _to go_. - Breen, _to roast_. - Schwalch, _Death_. - -_Knauen Tag_ was _Good-day_ with him; _Knauen_ was _Good_; and several -such Words he used, not well agreeing with ours, as, - - Jel, _Life, or Health_. - Jelisch, _alive, or well_. - Jeluburt, _let it be well_. - Marzus, _Marriage_. - Schuos, _a Spouse_. - Baar, _a Boy_. - Ael, _a Stone_. - Menus, _Flesh_. - Rintsch, _a Mountain_. - Fers, _a Man_. - Statz, _the Earth_. - Ada, _an Egg_. - Ano, _an Hen_. - Telich, _a Fool_. - Stap, _a Goat_. - Gadeltha, _Beautiful_. - Atochta, _Evil_. - Wichtgata, _White_. - Mycha, _a Sword_. - Lista, _a little_. - Schedit, _Light_. - Borrotsch, _the Will_. - Cadariou, _a Soldier_. - Kilemschkop, _drink up your Cup_. - Tzo Warthata, _as thou hast done_. - Jes Varthata, _he did it_. - Ich malthata, _I say_. - -When he was desired to number, he said thus, _Ita, tua, tria, fyder, -fyuf, seis, sevene_, just as we _Flemmings_; for you _Brabanters_, who -speak _German-like_, do highly value your selves, and laugh at us, as -if we pronounced _Seven_ more coarsely: He went on reckoning _Athe, -nyne, thiine, thiinita, thiinetua, thiinetria_, &c. _Twenty_ he called -_Stega_, Thirty _Treithyen_, Forty _Furdeithien_, an Hundred _Sada_, a -Thousand _Hazer_. He also sung us a Song in that Language, which began -thus: - - _Wara wara ingdolou:_ - _Scu te gira Galizu._ - _Hæmisclep dorbiza ea._ - -Whether these People be _Goths_ or _Saxons_, I cannot tell; If _Saxons_, -then, I suppose, they were transplanted thither in the time of _Charles_ -the Great, who dispersed that Nation into many remote Countries, as -appears by the Cities of _Transilvania_, which to this day are inhabited -by _Saxons_; and possibly he might transplant the rest of the Nation -as far as _Tauric Chersonese_, where they still retain the Christian -Religion, though surrounded by the Enemies of it: But if they are -_Goths_, then I judge they chose their Inhabitants there next to the -_Getes_, and perhaps most of that Tract of Land between the _Gothick_ -Isle and _Procopia_, (as now ’tis called) was heretofore inhabited by -_Goths_. Hence we read of the Names of sundry _Goths_, as _West-Goths_, -and _East_ or _Ostro-Goths_, who over-ran the World with their Victory, -and were the great Seminary of Multitudes of Barbarians. This is all I -could hear of these _Procopiensians_ concerning the _Tauric Chersonese_. - -Let me now tell you something of the City and Country of _Cathay_, which -I learned of a certain _Turkish_ Pilgrim, who use to travel over the -World on account of Religion, and to worship God on high Mountains and -desert Places. He had travelled over a great part of the East-Country, -where he was acquainted with the _Portuguese_; but, having a desire to -visit _Cathay_ also, he joined himself to some Merchants, who in great -Numbers used to travel to this Country. ’Tis a Journey that not many -will undertake, it being so dangerous, and the way thither so full of -strange Nations, who use to plunder Travellers in their passage. When he -left _Persia_ behind him, he came to _Samarchand_, to _Borchar_, and to -_Taschan_, and other Towns inhabited by the Successors of _Tamerlane_. -When he had passed by these Places there were large Desarts, and some -Countries inhabited by wild, and others by a more civilized People; yet -the Country was generally poor, so that they were forced to carry their -Victuals along with them on a drove of Camels: This Company they call -_Caravans_. After some Month’s Travel they came to the _Streights_, -entring into _Cathay_, (for you must know, that a great part of that -Country is _Mediterranean_, and encompassed by such huge Mountains and -Rocks, that it is accessible but in a very few Passages, where their King -hath his Guards and Garrisons). When the Merchants come thither, they are -asked what they bring? Whence they came? and how many they are? When the -Guard is informed of the Truth, they make a Smoak by day, or else kindle -a Beacon by night, which gives warning to the next Beacon, and so from -one to another, till they come to _Cathay_. This Advice cost them but -some Hours, which otherwise would take up many Days, the way is so long. -When News is brought to the King, he sends backward by the same way of -Conveyance what his Pleasure is, whether they shall _all_ be admitted -to enter, or only _some_, the rest being either excluded, or made to -stay longer. When they are admitted, they are guarded all along to their -several Inns or Lodging-places, where they may have all things for their -Money, till they come to the King himself. Here every one brings forth -his respective Ware, and offers it the King, whose Privilege it is, to -buy what Ware he pleaseth in the first Place; and then they sell the rest -to the best Chapman. This they must do within certain limits of Time, and -then they must return; for the _Carthayans_ cannot endure that Strangers -should live long amongst them, for fear they should infect their -Country-Manners. Thus the Merchants are dismissed in a very friendly -Manner, and return by the same Stages they went. - -This Traveller told me, that they were a very wise People, and lived -in good Order and Government, having a distinct Religion of their own, -differing from the _Christian_, _Jewish_ or _Mahometan_; but nearest to -the _Jewish_, except their Ceremonies. - -Printing hath been in use among them for many Ages, as appears by their -several printed Books: For Paper, they use the Cases of _Silk-worms_; -it is so thin that it will bear Printing on one side only, the other is -blank. In this City, he said, there were a great many Shops full of Musk, -which was the fresh foame of a certain Beast as big as a Kid. A Lion is -highly prized amongst them; there are none of them in that Country, and -therefore they value it at a great Rate, and will pay well for it. This -is what I could learn of this Wanderer concerning _Cathay_; believe it -as you please. I asked him further, whether he had brought back any rare -Root, Fruit or Stone, out of that Country? He told me, he had brought -nothing but a little Root for his own Use, which he bit and eat a little -of, when he was faint or cold, and it would presently warm and relieve -him; and thereupon he gave me a piece of it, telling me I must use it -very sparingly: I desired Dr. _Williams_, my Physician, then alive, to -taste of it, who, by its biting and inflaming the Mouth, judged it to be -a root of the _Wolfleaf-tree_. - -Let me now tell you another wondrous Story of another wandering _Turkish_ -Monk. He wore a Cap and white Cloak down to his Heels, with long -Hair, such as Painters draw the _Apostles_ with. He had a promising -Countenance, but was a meer Impostor; and, yet the _Turks_ admired him -as a miraculous Man. My Interpreters were persuaded to bring him to -me, that I might see him. He dined with me soberly and modesty enough; -afterwards he goes down into the Yard, and upon his return, he takes up -a huge Stone, and struck with it divers times upon his naked Breast, as -many Blows as would have felled an Ox: Then he took a piece of Iron, that -was heated in the Fire on purpose, and thrust it into his Mouth, where -he stirred it up and down so that his Spittle hiss’d again; ’twas a long -piece of Iron, thick and quadrangular in that part which he thrust into -his Mouth, and it was red-hot as a live Coal: Then he put the Iron into -the Fire again, and after I had made him a Present, he saluted me and -departed. My Domesticks wonder’d at the Trick, all but one, who pretended -he knew more than all the rest; _Oh_, says he, _he is a meer Cheat_; and -thereupon he takes hold of the stronger part of the Iron, pretending -he could do as much as the Juggler. He had no sooner grasped it in his -Hands, than he threw it away, and his Fingers were well burnt for his -Audaciousness, so that they were many days a curing. This Accident caused -his Fellows to laugh, and jearingly to ask, whether the Iron were hot -enough yet, and whether he would touch it again or not? - -The same _Turk_, while he was at Dinner, told me, that the Prior of their -Monastery was a Man famous for Sanctity and Miracles, for he would spread -his Cloak over a Lake near adjoining, and sitting on it, would row up -and down whither he pleased: And that he would strip himself naked, and -be tied to a Sheep newly kill’d, tying Arms to Arms, and Leg to Leg, and -so would be thrown into the hot Oven till the Sheep were bak’d fit to be -eaten, then he himself would be taken out without any harm at all: You -will not believe this; neither do I, only I relate what he told me; but -that part concerning the red-hot Iron I saw with my own Eyes. - -And yet I must tell you, the Matter is not so much to be admired; for, -without doubt, the Fellow, when he went down into the Yard to fetch a -Stone, had fortified his Mouth, against the Violence of the Fire, with -some such Medicines as you know are to be met with; for I remember once -in the Market-place at _Venice_, I saw a Juggler take melted Lead, and -wash his Hands with it, as if it had been common Water: But enough of -this. - -I told you before, that I had a little more Freedom some time before -_Rustan_’s Death, which was very grateful to me on one Account, because -it gave me an Opportunity to converse with Strangers and others which -frequented my House, whole Acquaintance might be instructive to me; and -yet this Liberty was not without its Inconvenience; it gave my Servants -opportunity to straggle abroad, and sometimes without the _Janizaries_, -and so they met with many Affronts, which cost me some trouble: I’ll -tell you of one, by which you may judge of the rest. - -Two of my Servants passed over in a Boat to _Pera_; they went alone, -either because the _Janizaries_ were not at home, or else they thought -it needless to take them; one was my Apothecary, the other Master of my -Wine-Cellar. When they had done what they went for, they hired a Boat to -carry them back to _Constantinople_; they were scarce sat down in the -Boat, but there came a Youth from the _Caddy_, or Judge of that Place, -commanding them to come forth, for the _Caddy_ must be wafted over in -that Boat: My Servants told him, there were Boats enough to carry over -the _Caddy_, besides that which they had hired, and therefore they would -not stir: Hereupon he endeavoured to force them; so that from Words they -came to Blows. This being done in sight of the _Caddy_, who was coming -down to the Boat, it made him run to help the Boy, (who was thought to be -his _Ganymede_) but the Steps towards the Sea being slippery, by reason -of Ice, (for it was Winter) he fell head-long into the Sea, and had been -drown’d if his Companions had not relieved him: Hereupon a Clamour was -raised all over _Pera_, and the _Turks_ would have it that my Servants -had laid Violent Hands on the Judge, and had almost drown’d him. My -Servants were seized and carried before the Judge in Capital Cases: They -fetch out Clubs, and Stocks to put their Feet in, that they might beat -them, as their manner is, on the Soles of them. In the interim one of -my Servants, an _Italian_, cried out in a Rage, _Beat, strike, Dogs, -strike! we are wronged, we are innocent! we are Servants to ~Cæsar~’s -Ambassador, and doubtless when your own Emperor shall know how we are -abused, he will make you smart for it_. One of the _Turks_, hearing him -cry out so boldly: _D’ye think_, said he, that One-ey’d thing is a Man? -No; for certain, he _is an One-ey’d ~Cacodæmon~_, (for he had a Blemish -in one of his Eyes.) The _Waywode_ also, that is, in their Language, the -Judge, perceiving the Boldness of the Man, was at a stand what to do; but -thought it best to send them to _Rustan_: Thither went the whole Rout, -with a pack of false Witnesses, ready to give their Testimonies against -the Innocent; for the _Turks_ count it meritorious to give in false -Evidence against a _Christian_; you need not summon them to appear, they -came of their own accords, as it happened in this Case: They all cried -out before the _Grand Vizier_, that those Rogues had beaten their Judge, -and, if they had not been seiz’d, would have drowned him: My Servants -denied the Crime they were charged with, alledging that they were falsly -accused, and that they were my menial Servants. By this Time _Rustan_ -perceived that there was more Noise than Truth on his Countrymens side; -yet, to still the Fury of the inraged Multitude, he told them he would -punish them severely; and he sent them to Prison. The Prison was a -Safeguard to them against the Fury of the Multitude; he then examined -Witnesses, the most credible among them, and found my Servants were -Guiltless, and that all the Fault lay at the _Caddy_’s Door. In the mean -time I sent my Interpreters to demand my Servants; but _Rustan_ thought -fit to refer the Matter to the _Divan_, lest, if the _Sultan_ should hear -of it, he might suspect, that a Bribe had made him partial and negligent -in the _Caddy_’s Case. I had at this time some intimate acquaintance with -_Haly_, to whom I sent my _Druggerman_ with a grievous Complaint, that -I might not suffer Wrong to the end of the Chapter; _Haly_ undertook my -Cause, and bid me rest confident that the Business would soon end to -my Satisfaction. But _Rustan_ came not off so handsomely; he feared -it might be thought that Money had inclined him more to favour me, and -therefore had rather the Business were made up with the _Caddy_; he -wished, therefore, I would offer him a few Ducats to appease him, 25 -were enough. I gave him Thanks for his Advice, and told him, that if -he desired me to throw so many Ducats into the Sea, I would willingly -do it for his sake; but that Money was not so much to be considered in -this case, as Example: _For_, said I, _if he that did my Servants an -Injury, must be paid for his Labour, a larger Fund than mine would not -suffice; for if a Man tear his Clothes, while he is intending to do my -People an Injury, he knew where to have Money to buy new ones, which was -an unworthy thing, and by no means to be indured by me._ Thus were my -Servants, by the Mediations of _Haly_ sent home to me. When the _Bailo_ -of _Venice_ heard of their Release, he sent for one of my Servants -present, and desired to know of him, what that Business had cost me? -_Not a Doit_, said he. Then said the _Bailo_, _It would have cost me 200 -Ducats before I could have come off._ But the poor Judge suffered most -of all; for he was put out of his Office, the _Turks_ accounting it an -absurd and hainous thing to be beaten by a _Christian_, as he confessed -he had been. - -As for the Release of the _Spanish_ Commanders, it was obtained by my -Mediation; they were these, _De Sande_ Commander of the Land Forces, -and _Leyva_, and _Requesne_, the one Admiral of the _Neapolitan_, the -other of the _Sicilian_ Gallies. In short, I’ll tell you how I compassed -their Release: The Peace made between the Kings of _Spain_ and _France_, -did much trouble the _Turks_, as being inconvenient to their Affairs, -especially considering that they were not comprehended in it, as at first -they thought they should be; yet they dissembled the matter at present, -but sought for an Opportunity to shew their dislike of it. _Solyman_ had -writ to the King of _France_, that he agreed to the Peace, yet would have -him remember, _That Old Friends are not easily made Enemies, nor Old -Enemies, Friends_. - -This Disgust of the _Turks_ was of no small Advantage to my Affairs: To -which _Haly Bassa_’s Affection, and _Ebrahim_’s great desire to shew his -Gratitude to me, did very much contribute. - -You may remember, I told you before, that, when _La Vigne_ did accuse me -to the _Bashaw_, at the same time he forgot not _Ebrahim_, but told them, -that he discovered all the secret Counsels of the _Turks_ to me. This -_Ebrahim_ was the chief _Druggerman_, (_i. e._ Interpreter of _Solyman_) -a _Polander_, and therefore more hated by _La Vigne_, because, in a -deadly Feud with _Codognatus_, a former Ambassador of the same King, he -seem’d to take _Codognatus_ his part. I shall not trouble you with the -Contest betwixt them, it being little to my purpose: This is certain, -that _La Vigne_ was mindful of the Affront, and could never endure -_Ebrahim_; but when he had Access to the _Bashaw_, every third Word was -against him; neither did he desist from complaining, till _Ebrahim_ -was remov’d out of his Place. For my part, I was not much concern’d at -_Ebrahim_’s Disgrace; I had never such an extraordinary kindness for him, -as to lament his Loss, for I found him many times thwarting my Affairs; -only it troubled me, that ’twas noised abroad, he lost his Place for my -sake. Hereupon, I assisted him in his Privacy what I could; for I knew -it troubled him, to be turned out of his Office, and therefore I us’d -him as an Interpreter or Messenger, betwixt me and the _Bashaws_ in my -Transactions about the Peace. And _Haly_ admitted him, out of Respect -to me, and because he was degraded without any just Cause. In short, I -never rested till I got him restored to his Place; and that piece of -Service did so oblige him, that in Gratitude he returned me all the good -Offices he could, in all Company, and upon all Occasions: And he had the -greater Opportunity so to do, because of the Offence the _Turks_ had -taken at the _French_, for making Peace with the _Spaniard_. On this -Account, when the Noble _Salviatus_ was sent by the _Most Christian -King_, to procure _de Sande_’s Liberty, he was wholly and absolutely -refused. _De Sande_ was in great Expectation of that Embassy, believing -he should never be released, if that Negotiation did not effect it; -and, therefore, he was at a great Expence in Presents for the _Grand -Seignior_, and other great Men upon his Release. All which signified -nothing, for _Salviatus_ went away without doing any thing. When he -was gone, the Servants and Solicitors of _de Sande_ came to me in a -great Fright; and told me, they durst not acquaint their Master with -the unsuccessful News of _Salviatus_’s Intercession for his Liberty; -for all his Hopes depending thereon, they were afraid the Transaction -would either make him desperate, or bring some fatal Disease upon him; -and, therefore, they desired me to acquaint him first by Writing. I -refused, alledging, That I had not _Common Places_ enough to draw -Comfort from, for a Man in so deep Distress. For _de Sande_ was a Man -of a great Spirit, full of Hope, and without any Fear; and Men of such -Dispositions, hope for every Thing they desire; and if they meet with any -Disappointment of their Hopes, they are so cast down, that ’tis hard to -raise them to any tolerable frame of Spirit. - -Whilst Matters stood thus at a Hand, in comes _Ebrahim_, my Interpreter, -very opportunely; and falling into Discourse about these _Spanish -Prisoners_, he told me plainly, that if I did but demand their Liberty, -I should certainly obtain it; and what he spake was upon good Grounds. -He had formerly given me some blind Hopes, that I might procure their -Release if I set my self about it: But, I gave little heed to this -Suggestion; for not being certain of a Peace, how could I attempt such -a Thing? Besides, I was afraid, lest my Interposition might hinder the -Success of _Salviatus_’s Negotiation: But he was gone, and _Ebrahim_, -whom I had so much obliged, persisted in the same Opinion. I began to -hearken to him; but told him, he should have a Care he did not engage -me, who was his Friend, in a ridiculous Business; for, without doubt, -I should be laugh’d at, if I did not succeed in it, the Matter being -thought difficult to be compared in common Opinion, and _Salviatus_ -having attempted it in vain; yet he advised me to proceed therein, and -amused me with the Assurance of good Success. - -Upon this Encouragement, I wrote to _de Sande_, how fruitless -_Salviatus_’s Embassy had been, yet I advised him not to despair; for, if -any Credit were at all to be given to a _Turk_, there was good hope of -his Affairs; and then I related what _Ebrahim_ had told me. - -Having laid this Foundation, I advised with some Friends who were well -skill’d in _Turkish Affairs_. They wish’d me all good Success, but were -very doubtful of it; especially since the King of _France_’s Ambassador -had been denied, and the Issue of a Peace was yet undetermined; and -moreover, as the _Turks_ are hardly ever induced to release great Men; -yet I wrote to my Master the Emperor, to let him know what Hopes I -had, and desired that I might, in his Name, beg the Release of those -Prisoners. In short, upon great Gifts, and fair Promises made to the -_Bashaws_, for their Favour in this Case; the Day before St. _Laurence_’s -Day, all the Prisoners were released and sent to my Lodgings. _De -Sande_ and _Leyva_ were so odious to each other, that they would not eat -together, but I was forced to spread their Tables a-part; _Requesne_ -eat with _Leyva_, and _de Sande_ with me. While we were at Supper, -the _French Ambassador_’s Steward came to me, with a small Pacquet of -Letters. _De Sande_ ask’d, if he knew him? Yes Sir, said he, I think you -are _Don Alvarez_. I am so, said he, pray remember me to your Master, -and tell him, that I have obtained my Liberty by means of the Emperor’s -Ambassador, and that you have seen me Abroad with your own Eyes. I see -you, indeed, Sir, said he; but so, that I can scarce believe my own Eyes. -_De Sande_ did thus accost him, because his Master, the _French Agent_, -would never believe that _Solyman_ would release those great Men at the -Emperor’s Instance: And the Truth is, before they could obtain their -Liberty, their _Mufti_, who is an _Archbishop_ amongst the _Turks_, was -consulted, Whether a great many _Turks_ might not be released for a -few _Christians_; for I had promised, that about forty _Turks_, of an -ordinary Rank, who were Prisoners with us, should be released for them. -The _Mufti_ answered, That there were two Opinions on the Case; one -_Pro_, the other _Con_; but he was for the Affirmative. - -It now remains that I acquaint you with the last End of _Bajazet_, who, I -told you before, was put in Prison by the _Persians_. Many Messages had -passed between those two Princes on that Occasion; and an Ambassador came -once from _Persia_ with Presents, a Tent curiously wrought, _Assyrian_ -and _Persian_ Tapestry, with the _Alcoran_, and some Beasts of an unusual -Sort; as, an _Indian Ant_, as big as an ordinary Dog; a fierce and biting -Present. The Cause of the Embassy was pretended to be, the Reconciliation -of _Bajazet_ with his Father; and they were received very honourably, -entertained with rich Banquets, of which _Haly_ sent me a part; eight -huge Dishes full of Sweetmeats, and plenty of the richest Wines. ’Twas -the Custom of the _Romans_ to send Dishes from their Feasts to their -Friends; the _Spaniards_ do it to this Day; and the _Turks_ from their -great Feasts carry home something, especially if they have Wives and -Children. They many times carried home whole Napkins full of good Bits -from my Table; and tho’ they pretend to Cleanliness, yet they would -sometimes daub their Silk-cloaths with some Collation-drops. - -Let me tell you a Story to this purpose, which I know will make you -laugh heartily, as it did me at the first hearing it: For we are not -such _Cato’s_, but that sometimes we may season our Care with moderate -Laughter, which shews that we are _Men_. - -’Tis the custom of the _Turkish Bashaws_, some Days before their Fast, -(which we call _Lent_) to make a public Feast or Entertainment for all -Comers, none are excluded; yet generally none but Servants, Friends, and -Relations come. There is a Napkin made of Leather, spread over a long -Tapestry on the Ground, full of Dishes; the Table will hold abundance -of Guests; the _Bashaw_ himself sits at the upper end, and the choicest -Guests next to him, and then the ordinary Guests, in Ranks, till the -Table be full. It will not hold all at once, but some stand by till -others have din’d, which they do with great Decency and Silence; and then -drinking a draught of Honey diluted with Water, salute their Landlord, -and away they go. In their Places, others sit down, and a third Class -after them; the Servants still taking off the old Dishes and setting on -new. A certain _Bashaw_ making such a Feast, invited a _Sinziack_ to -sit next to him; an old Man of the Sect which the _Turks_ call _Hogies_, -(_i. e._ Learned Men) sat next to him. This _Hogi_ seeing such plenty of -Victuals before him, had a mind to carry home some to his Wife, after he -had filled his own Belly; but looking for his Handkerchief to fill it -with Victuals, he found he had left it at home; being then in a straight, -he bethought himself, and resolv’d to fill his Sleeve that hang’d on -his Back; but, mistaken the _Sinziack_’s for his own, he stuft it full -of Dainties, and stops it in with a piece of Bread that nothing might -fall out. He was not to touch his Sleeve till he had laid his Hands on -his Breast or Thigh, and so saluted his Entertainer, as their Custom is; -when he had done that, he took up his own Sleeve and finds it empty, at -which he was much amaz’d, and return’d home very sad. A while after, the -_Sinziack_ also rose from the Table, and having saluted the _Bashaw_ at -every Step, his Sleeve cast out the Dainties it was replenished with, -unknown to him; and seeing a train of Junkets behind him, he blush’d -for shame. The Company fell a laughing, but the _Bashaw_ imagining how -it came to pass, desired him to sit down again, and so he sent for the -_Hogi_, and when he came, he accosted him thus: _I wonder that you, -an old Friend, and having a Wife and Children at home, did carry home -nothing to them, seeing my Table was so well furnished._ _Truly, Sir_, -said he, _’twas no Fault of mine; but of my Evil ~Genius~; for I stuff’d -my Sleeve with Viands, and yet, when I came out, I found it empty._ Thus -the _Sinziack_ was cleared, and the Disappointment of the _Hogi_, -together with the Novelty of the Case, occasioned no small Laughter -throughout all the Company. But to return to _Bajazet_. - -His Case was desperate, between an _angry Father_ that required to -have him given up, and a _false Friend_, who pretended to detain him. -Sometimes _Solyman_ dealt mildly with the _Persian_, putting him in mind -of the League between them, that they were to have the same Enemies and -Friends: Sometimes he threaten’d him with War, if _Bajazet_ were not -surrendered; and thereupon he placed strong Garrisons on all the Confines -of _Persia_; he filled _Mesopotamia_ and the Banks of _Euphrates_ with -the Soldiers, especially the Veteran ones, whom he had employed against -_Bajazet_, over whom _Mahomet_ the third of the _Vizier’s Bashaws_, and -_Beglerbeg_ of _Greece_, was made General, for _Selimus_ was returned -home: Moreover, he solicited the _Georgians_ dwelling between the -_Hircan_ Sea and _Pontus_, bordering on _Persia_ to aid him against -them: They answered courageously, That they were not strong enough of -themselves to cope with the _Persian_; but if he himself came upon the -Place with an Army, they would then shew themselves Men of Courage -against the _Persian_ as their common Enemy. The _Hircanians_ also and -the Posterity of _Tamerlane_ were solicitous to join Arms. _Solyman_ -himself gave out, that he would go to _Aleppo_, (a City of _Syria_, -seated on the Banks of _Euphrates_) that from thence he might make War -on the _Persian_: Nor was the _Persian_ himself without Fear; for he -had often experienced the Dint of _Solyman_’s Sword. But the generality -of the _Turks_ were averse to the War, and look’d on it as a wicked -and detestable one; and this cooled the _Sultan_. A great many of the -Soldiers, especially the Horse, forsook their Colours, and return’d to -_Constantinople_ without leave of their Officers; and being commanded -immediately to return, they did so; but so unwillingly, that _Solyman_ -plainly saw their Aversion from the Service. - -Whereupon _Solyman_, seeing he could not get _Bajazet_ alive out of -the _Persian_’s Hands, (who feared his Revenge, if ever he came off -clear,) thought of the next thing, which was, to have him strangled -there; and he hop’d to obtain his End this way, because the _Persian_ -had lately acquainted him by Letter, that he had been very remiss in so -great an Affair. I have sent divers Ambassadors to you, said he, but -you send nothing to me but empty Letters, or Messengers; and therefore, -to convince me that you are real in the Business, send considerable -Ambassadors of your prime Nobility with whom I may transact, according -to the greatness of the Affair. As for himself, _Bajazet_ had been a -great Charge to him, before he could be taken, and therefore ’twas fit an -Account should be had of those Expences. _Solyman_ thereby saw that Money -was requir’d, and therefore by the Advice of his _Bashaw_, he resolved to -take any other Course, rather than to involve himself in an unnecessary -War with the _Persians_. Hereupon _Hassan Aga_, together with an old -_Bashaw_, one of the Bed-Chamber, was sent by _Solyman_ into _Persia_. -They departed with ample Commission, in the midst of Winter; they made -great haste, insomuch that they lost several of their Retinue in the -way: At last, they came to _Casbia_ to the _Sophia_, and desired to see -_Bajazet_; they found him in a nasty filthy Prison, his Beard and Hair so -long, that till he was shav’d he could hardly be known; but then _Hassan_ -knew him by the lineaments of his Face, having been brought up with him -from a Child, and therefore he was chosen as the fittest Person for this -Embassy. It was agreed, that the _Persian_ should be repaid what he had -laid out, and should have many rich Presents besides, and then _Bajazet_ -was to be put to Death. _Hassan_ returns and gives an account to his -Master, who thereupon sent the Expences by him, with the Gifts, which -were guarded by the _Turks_ to the Confines of _Persia_. Thus _Hassan_ -again returned to be the Executioner of unfortunate _Bajazet_ with his -own Hand, for so _Solyman_ had commanded. When the Bow-string was about -his Neck, he desired but one thing before his Death, which was, to see -his Children, and to take his last farewell of them, by the only Thing -he had left to give, a parting Kiss; but that was deny’d. This was the -end of _Bajazet_ and his unfortunate Designs; the way he took to save -himself was his Ruin. His four Children under-went the same Fate. As for -the new-born Infant which he left at _Amasia_, whom his Grandfather had -removed to _Persia_ to be educated there, when his Father was dead, a -trusty _Eunuch_ was sent to _Persia_ to destroy him too; but the _Eunuch_ -being somewhat tender-hearted, procured a certain Porter, a hard-hearted -Fellow, who car’d not what desperate things he undertook, to dispatch -the Child. This Fellow went into the Room, and as he was fitting the -String to the Child’s Neck, the poor Infant lifted up its self as well -as he could, and embracing him in his Arms, offered to kiss him; which -did so mollifie his wretched Heart, that he fell down in a Swoon. The -_Eunuch_ stood at the Door, and wondering at the Delay, went in and found -the Fellow lying flat on the Ground; whereupon he was forced to execute -the Charge himself, and so strangled the poor innocent Child. By this -Passage it appears, that _Solyman_ spar’d his Nephew hitherto, not out -of any Principle of Mercy, but out of an Opinion the _Turks_ have, that -Matters, if they succeed well, are pleasing to God; and therefore, as -long as ’twas uncertain, what might be the event of _Bajazet_’s Designs, -he would not imbrue his Hands in his Child’s Blood, lest, if _Bajazet_ -had succeeded, he might seem to have resisted the Will of God: But, when -_Bajazet_ was slain, he thought God had determined the Controversie, -and that his Son also might not be spared, lest the Proverb should be -verified, _Of an ill Crow, an evil Egg_. I had along Discourse with my -_Chiaux_ upon this Subject, when I was in the Island before mentioned, -and had liberty to sail from one to the other. It happened once, that as -we were returning in our Skiff, the Wind being against us, we could not -double a Promontary that reach’d pretty far into the Sea, but were forced -to land and take our Dinner a-shoar; for I always carried ready-dress’d -Provision along with me in the Vessel for fear of the worst; and their -_Turks_ were also forced to land, by the same Stress of Weather. Our -Table was spread in a green Meadow; my _Chiaux_ and my Interpreter -sate at Table with me. Mention being occasionally made of _Bajazet_, -the _Chiaux_ began to inveigh bitterly against him for taking up Arms -against his Brother. I pleaded for him, and said, he was worthy of Pity, -who was forced to do what he did: There was an inevitable Necessity -upon him, either to submit himself to a certain Death, or to save his -Life by taking Arms. However the _Chiaux_ persisted still to call it an -execrable Undertaking; whereupon I argued thus; you accuse _Bajazet_ as -guilty of an horrid Offence; but you acquit _Solyman_, the Father of your -present Emperor, who took up Arms against his Father. We do so, said -the _Chiaux_, and with Reason; for the Event shew’d, that what he did, -was by God’s Approbation, and predestinated in Heaven. If you argue from -Success, said I, then the wickedest Fact, if it prosper, may be imputed -to God as the Author; and then he may be made the Author of Sin, if -_Good_ and _Evil_ must be interpreted only by Events. We dwelt a while on -this Discourse, and were very eager upon it, whilst either of us defended -his own Opinion. We alledg’d many places of Scriptures; _Can the Vessel -say to the Potter, why hast thou made me thus? I will harden ~Pharaoh~’s -Heart: ~Jacob~ have I loved; but ~Esau~ have I hated_: and others of like -import. - -The _Turks_, that were not far from us, wonder’d what we were so earnest -about; and after we rose from the Table, my _Chiaux_ went to them. They -gathered themselves in a Ring about him, and I saw them hearkening to the -Discourse he made, with great Attention; and at last, at Noon, they were -all silent, and worshipped God according to their Custom. I thought it -long till my _Chiaux_ returned to me, that I might know why he prated so -amongst his Comrades; I was afraid, though I had ever found him a good -Man, that he might represent what I had spoken to him, to my Prejudice: -At last, when the Wind ceased, we went aboard again, and followed our -intended Course. The first thing I did, was, to ask of my _Chiaux_, what -serious Discourse he held with his Country-men? He smil’d, and made me -this Answer: _We were disputing about ~Predestination~, and I told them -what you had alledg’d ~Pro~ and ~Con~; by which it was plain, that you -had read our Books, and was well read in the ~Scriptures~, so that there -was nothing wanting to your Happiness, but to turn to our ~Religion~, -which, in the Prayers you saw us make, we desired of God._ When News was -brought to _Constantinople_ that _Bajazet_ was dispatched, I was afraid -that our Affairs, which were in a hopeful way of Conclusion, would now -meet with a Rub at last; the Misfortune of _Bajazet_ might over-turn all, -make the _Turks_ more Insolent, undo what was done, and propose harder -Conditions. I had passed over some Difficulties, as the Loss of _Gerba_, -and the Imprisonment of _Bajazet_, and the _Vaivode_’s Expulsion out of -_Moldavia_; but there were two terrible ones, _Bajazet_’s Death, and -another, which I shall speak of by and by. - -_Haly_ sent one of his Domesticks, to tell me, that _Bazajet_ was dead -for certain; that therefore, I should not defer the Peace, in hopes of -his Success: That I should remember, Princes of the same Religion are -more easily reconcil’d, than those of contrary ones are; and, therefore, -I should hesitate no longer, nor seek Knots in a Bulrush, as the Proverb -is. - -This Message troubled me much; yet, because I thought the Account might -not be true, I sent up and down the Town amongst my Friends, to know what -Certainty they had of _Bajazet_’s Death: They all returned me answer, -_That he was most certainly dispatched_: Whereupon, I resolved to draw -in my Sails; there were no Hopes for me to obtain better Conditions; it -were well, if I could maintain my Ground, and stick to my former without -any change: The Emperor of the _Turks_ had seen them, and was not much -averse to them; some small Alterations were made; something I wished -I could have added; other Things were dubiously expressed, which an -ill-natured Interpretation might raise Scruples about. I did my Endeavour -that these might be taken out, or corrected, and made more favourable -on our Side. My Master _Cæsar_ had seen and approved those Conditions; -yet still I could not satisfy my self, till something more favourable was -added. Whilst I was doing this, I was accosted with _Haly_’s Message as -aforesaid. - -I met also with another grievous Rub; some Noblemen of _Hungary_ had -revolted from the _Vaivode_ of _Transilvania_ to the Emperor, that is, -to speak the Truth, had returned to their Duty; and the Garrisons also, -which they commanded, yielded to _Cæsar_. This new Accident might have -disturbed all; for the _Turks_ had a specious Pretence to alledge, That, -while Conditions of Peace were once on foot, such Alteration ought not -to have been made; if Peace were cordially desired, all Things were to -be returned to their pristine State: but, let Revolters speed as they -pleased, what they had possessed ought to be returned to the _Vaivode_, -their Client and Vassal. But, _Haly_ was so far from pressing this, -that one express Condition was, that those Things should be ratified; -which he willingly assented to. But the Ambassadors who came lately -from the _Vaivode_, were very much troubled at it; they rub’d upon the -gall’d Place, and filled the whole Court with their Clamours, that their -miserable Matter was deserted, the Law of Allegiance broken, and Enemies -preferred before ancient Friends. All the rest of the _Bashaws_ were -moved with their Complaints, only _Haly_ stood firm to me, so that the -Articles of the Peace were not altered at all. For my part, though I -knew that the Terms would be allowed by my Master _Cæsar_, yet, because -there want not Sycophants in Princes Courts, who go about to obscure the -best Services of their Ministers, especially if Strangers: I therefore -thought it fit to leave all to the Pleasure of my Master: I told _Haly_, -that, though the proposed Condition did not fully answer the Expectation -of my Master, I hoped, however, he would acquiesce therein, if an Agent -of theirs were sent along with me to explain the Things that were -obscure, upon which any Controversy might arise; and that _Ebrahim_ -seemed to be the fittest Man for this purpose, by whom _Cæsar_ might -write back his full Mind concerning the whole Project; this was easily -assented to. Thus an End was put to a long and tedious Business. - -’Tis a Custom, that when Ambassadors depart from _Constantinople_ upon -fair Terms, the _Bashaws_ do entertain them with a Feast in the _Divan_; -but I was willing to wave that Badge of Esteem, because I would have all -left in suspence, and referred to the good Will and Pleasure of my Master. - -I had a mind before my Departure, to buy some gallant Horses, and -therefore, ordered my Servants to go often to the Markets, to see if -they could find any such. _Haly_ being informed thereof, sent one of the -best of his own Horses to the Fair to be sold; my Servants had their -Eye presently on him, and asking the Price, they told them 120 Ducats; -they offered 80, not knowing whose it was; but that was refused. A Day -or two after, the same Horse, with two more quite as good, were sent me -by _Haly_, for a Present; one was an _Arabian_ ambling Nag, exceedingly -well shaped. When I gave him Thanks for my noble Present, he asked me, -whether I did not think that Horse which my Servant’s offered 80 Ducats -for, was worth more? Yes, a good deal more, said I; but my Orders were, -that they should not exceed that Price, for fear of losing too much, -in case of any hidden Defect afterwards shew that I had bought Horses -too dear. He advised me also, how to manage their _Turkish_ Horses; as -that I should give them but little Meat; that I should make but short -Journeys at first, till they were us’d to the Roads; and that I should -make nine or ten Days Journey to _Adrianople_, which used to be performed -in five: He gave me also a curious Veil wrought with gold, and a Box full -of _Alexandrian_ Treacle, the best in the World; and a Glass full of -Balsam, which last he highly prized, complimenting me thus: _Any other -Present_, said he, _are such as Money can procure; but this is a rare -Gift, that my Master cannot send a choicer to the best Friend or Ally he -hath. I got it_, said he, _when I was Governor of ~Egypt~, which Place I -held some Years: There are two sorts of that juicy Substance; one which -is drawn from the Oil of the decocted Leaves of the Shrub on which they -grow, which is black and not much worth; the other distils from the Bark -of the Tree when it is cut, which is yellow and genuine; and mine was of -that sort._ He desired likewise, that I would send him some Presents, -as a Coat of Mail fitted to his large and full Body, and a strong Horse -that was sure-footed (for he was so big and pursy, that no Horse could be -easily found, fit to carry him) and with all kind of varnishing Matter -coming from the _Maple_, or any other Tree, wherewith our Artists use -to inlay their Tables. As for _Solyman_, he gave me no Gifts but common -ones, such as other Ambassadors have had at their Departure, and such as -I received from him formerly at my Audience of Leave; only he inveighed -against the _Heydukes_, and the Insolency of the Garrison of _Syeth_: To -what Purpose, is it, _said he_, to make Peace here, if they continue the -War thus? _I told him_, I would acquaint my Master, and that I did not -doubt, but he would redress it; and, thus by good Fortune, about the End -of _August_, I entered upon my desired Journey, carrying with me a Truce -of eight Years, the Fruits of my eight Years Abroad there, which may be -continued for a longer Time, unless some considerable Change happens. - -When we came to _Sophia_, where the Way parts, one to _Rhagusa_, the -other to _Belgrade, Leyva_ and _Requesne_ desired me to part Company, -and go to _Rhagusa_, that so they might more easily pass to _Venice_ -and _Italy_, and procure those Gifts which they promised to lend to the -_Bashaws_, and repay the Money they had borrowed at _Constantinople_; and -that they would send Letters of Thanks by me to _Cæsar_, to give him due -Acknowledgments for their Release: Which Service they would willingly -have performed in Person, if their other Occasions had not hindered. I -easily consented to their Requests, and was the better pleased, because -_Requesne_, being a very old Man, died before he came to _Rhagusa_: If -I had denied their Request, it might have been thought my Refusal had -contributed to his Disease. - -_De Sande_ and my self passed the rest of our Journey without any great -Inconvenience; for the Truth is, he is a very facetious Man, and, if -he is troubled with Grief, he knows how to cover it, and to pretend -Mirth outwardly. In our way, many diverting Things offered themselves; -sometimes we would alight, and try which of us could run fastest; I, -being lean, could easily out-run him, who was fat and pursy, and just -come out of Prison. When we came near to a Village, _Ebrahim_ would -ride up to us (for he with his _Turks_ followed gravely on Horseback) -and beseeched us, by all that was dear to us, not to be seen on foot -by the Villagers, for it would be accounted a Disgrace to us among the -_Turks_. His Advice made us sometimes get into our Chariot again, but -the Pleasure of walking afoot still got the better. - -One of _de Sande_’s many facetious Sayings, I must give you. When we -came from _Constantinople_, the Weather was very hot, and it continued -so sultry all the Way, that it palled my Appetite, and a very little -Food served my Turn; but _de Sande_, being a robust healthy Person, eat -like a Horse, and would ever now and then tell me, that I must follow -his Example and eat like a Man of Mettle. Yet, all his Advice was to -no Purpose, till about the Beginning of _October_, I drew near to the -Borders of _Austria_; and there, partly from the Country, and partly from -the Season of the Year, I began to be more healthy, and to take a larger -proportion of Food. - -When _de Sande_ observed that I had a better Stomach than formerly, he -began to triumph over me exceedingly, boasting that ’twas by his Advice -and Example, that I had learned to eat Meat, and that I, who was so many -Years older, had need of a Monitor to advise me to take due Sustenance -for my Body; so that if he were obliged to me for his Release, I was as -much beholding to him for teaching me to recover my Appetite. In these -ludicrous Repartees we came to _Tulna_, where we met with some Trouble. -_De Sande_ used to lye in the same House, if it were large enough to -hold us both; if not, he took his Lodgings at some Neighbouring House, -that he might not incommode me. He was willing to do so at _Tulna_, -and therefore, desired the _Janizaries_ whom I brought with me from -_Constantinople_ to _Buda_, to be my Harbingers on the Way, and to find -out a convenient Lodging for him. One of my Servants a Doctor of Physic, -and a _Spaniard_, whom _de Sande_ had released at _Constantinople_ at his -own Charge, went along with the _Janizaries_. They happened to go to the -House of another _Janizary_ hard by, who was appointed as Governor of -the Place to guard Passengers; for the _Turks_ use to appoint one or two -_Janizaries_ in every noted Town to protect _Christian_ Passengers from -Violence; by which Office they get no small Profit: But this Man, for -some Offence or other, had been put out of his Office, and therefore, was -of a very surly Temper. My People viewed his House, and not finding it -for their Turn, were going away; the _Janizary_ first, my Servant next, -and the Physician last. In the _Interim_, the _Janizary_, Master of the -House, walking in his Garden, was told, that some _Christian_ Passengers -were seeking for a Lodging at his House: Whereupon, he came in a great -Rage, with a Club like _Hercules_’s, in his Hand, and without speaking a -Word, strikes the Physician a great Blow on the Shoulders, as hard as he -was able; the Physician, to avoid a second Blow, ran out of the House. My -Servant, looking back, saw him lift up his Club to strike him also; but -he, having a Thing like a Hatchet in his Hand, held it cross-ways over -his Head, and so kept off many a lusty Blow, till at last the Handle of -the Hatchet, by his often stricking, began to break. Then my Servant was -forced to close in with the _Janizary_, and was about to cleave his Skull -with his Weapon: Whereupon, the _Janizary_ fled, and my Servant not being -able to overtake him, threw the Hatchet after him, which cut him in the -Hams, and fell’d him to the Ground; by which Accident, my People escaped: -But the Physician cryed out, that he was a dead Man, and that all his -Bones were broken in Pieces. _De Sande_ heard his Complaint; yet, though -he was vext, could not choose but smile, as thinking that the Doctor was -more afraid than hurt: But, that which most tormented him, was, lest on -this Occasion he should be carried back to _Constantinople_: He was of -Opinion that the _Bashaws_ had not dealt sincerely in his Case, but had -made only a Pretence of releasing him to gratify me, and really sought an -Occasion to drag him back again, to rot in Prison. For the same Cause, -he was much offended with my Servant who had wounded the _Janizary_, -especially for saying, _That he was very sorry that he had not killed him -upon the Spot_. His Words to him were these; _Honest ~Henry~, Prithee be -not so Passionate; ’tis no Time nor Place to shew thy Valour here; we -must bear Affronts patiently, without any just Imputation of Cowardice, -whether we will or no; we are in their Power: This unreasonable Passion -may bring great Mischief to us; perhaps it may occasion us to be brought -back to ~Constantinople~, and there our whole Negotiation may be -reversed, or at least become very dubious. I beseech thee, therefore, for -my Sake among the rest, govern thy Passion._ - -But _Henry_ was deaf to all his Persuasions; he being an obstinate -Fellow, and when angry, would not hearken to Reason. _What care I_, -replied he, _if I had killed him? Did he not design to kill me? If one -of his many Blows had gone home, he had knock’d me down like an Ox. Were -I to be blamed, if I slew him who would have slain me first? I am sorry -with all my Heart, I did not give him his Death’s Wound: But, for the -future (take my Word for it) I’ll spare never a ~Turk~ of them all; for, -if he assaults me, I’ll give him as good as he brings, though it cost me -my Life._ - -_De Sande_ did not like this surly Answer; but the _Janizary_ who had -received the Wound, made the worst of it; upon whose Complaint, two -Jews, who could speak _Spanish_, came to me, and told me, that he was -dangerously hurt, and if he did not give him Satisfaction, the Matter -would not so soon be passed over, but would create great Trouble to me. I -answered them as I thought fit; but, because I knew the malicious Natures -of the _Turks_, I thought it best speedily to guard against them; and, -therefore, sent presently one of the Youths to _Ebrahim_, desiring him to -let one of his Servants be a Guide to one of mine to _Constantinople_, -a sudden Emergency had made this Journey necessary. _Ebrahim_ wondered -what the Matter was, and came presently to me to know. I told him, I -desired a better Convoy from _Hali Bassa_, otherwise I was out of Hopes -ever to reach Home, for my two Servants were like to be killed; and then -I told him the whole Story, with all its Circumstances. _Ebrahim_ soon -perceived how much his own Interest was concerned, and therefore desired -me to have a little Patience till he had spoken with the _Janizary_; to -whom he presently went, and found him in Bed. He chid him very warmly for -being so abusive to us, and told him I had made Peace with the _Port_, -and was in great Favour with _Solyman_, and all the _Bashaws_; that they -had denied none of my Requests, but had granted me several Concessions -for my own Sake, and that he was sent back to convoy me safe into my own -Country, and to take Care that I might be honourably treated by the Way: -That he was the first Man that offered me the least Affront; and that I -was sending back one to _Constantinople_ to complain thereof; and if I -did, it might cost him his Head. This took down my _Janizary_’s Crest, -and put him into a terrible Panick besides. - -The next Day we continued our Journey to _Buda_; and the Physician, -notwithstanding his Bruises, was as well able to travel as any of us. -When we came in Sight of _Buda_, the _Bashaw_ thereof sent some of his -own Family, with several _Chiauxes_ to meet us; and among the rest, there -was a Troop of young Men on Horseback, which drew our Eyes after them in -respect of the Novelty of their Garb; their Heads were uncovered, and -their Crowns shav’d; there was a long Line cut with a Knife, and in the -Wound they stuck Feathers of several Sorts; and, though Drops of Blood -distilled down from their Wounds, yet they dissembled their Pain, and -rode merrily on, as if they ailed nothing at all. Just before me, there -walked some Footmen; one of them had his naked Arms a-kembow, and both -had a Knife, (such as we call _Pragensian_) run through them above the -Elbow; another was naked, all the upper Parts, to his Navel, the Skin of -his Loyns being so cut in two Places, both above and below, that a Club -being run through them, hung down from thence as from a Girdle; another -had a Horshoe nail’d to the Crown of his Head, and it was so old, that -the Shoe and the Skin grew together. - -In this Pomp we entered _Buda_, and were introduced to the _Bashaw_, with -whom, in the Presence of _de Sande_, I had a long Discourse concerning -the Validity of the Truce I had made. In the Passage to him there stood -those hardy Youngsters who were regardless of their Pain; casting my -Eye upon them, the _Bashaw_ demanded, what I thought of them? I think, -said I, that they are hardy Fellows; only they do that to their Skins, -which I would not do to my Cloaths, for I had rather have them whole than -slash’d. Whereupon, the _Bashaw_ laughed, and dismissed us. - -The Day after we came to _Gran_; from thence to _Comara_, the Frontier -Garrison of the Empire, situate on the River _Wage_; on both sides -its Banks the Garrison of the Place, with the Seamen, called their -_Nassadists_, waited for us. Before I passed over the River, _de Sande_ -came to me, and embracing me in his Arms, gave me Thanks for completing -his Liberty: He told me plainly, he thought the _Turks_ had but -dissembled with him, and therefore, he was in continual Fear, lest he -should be haled back to _Constantinople_ to die in Prison; but now, being -in the Emperor’s Territories, he acknowleged himself to be eternally -obliged to me. - -A few Days more brought us to _Vienna_. _Ferdinand_ the Emperor, was -then at the Imperial Diet, with his Son _Maximilian_, about Inaugurating -him _King of the Romans_. I acquainted _Cæsar_ with my Return, and with -_Ebrahim_’s coming, and desired to receive his Commands concerning him; -for he had a great Desire to wait upon the Emperor at _Francfort_. His -Highness’s first Answer was, That ’twere best for the _Turks_ to stay -at _Vienna_ till his Return, it being not adviseable to carry an Enemy -thro’ the very Heart of the Country, so long a Way as from _Vienna_ to -_Francfort_. And, on the other side, Delays were dangerous, and might -create Suspicion in the _Turks_ of some unfair Dealing. As for _Ebrahim_, -and his Retinue, there was no danger in suffering them to pass through -the most flourishing Part of the Empire; it was, indeed, desirable -rather, that thereby they might take an Estimate of the Strength and -Greatness of it, especially having now so fair an Opportunity of -observing at _Francfort_, with how great Unanimity Prince _Maximilian_ -was chosen and designed Successor to the Emperor his Father. When I wrote -back to the Emperor according to the Purport aforesaid, he consented -that _Ebrahim_ and his Retinue should come to _Francfort_. We began our -Journey thither by the Way of _Prague_, _Bamberg_, and _Wirtzburg_. - -_Ebrahim_ passing through _Bohemia_, was willing to pay his Court to -Arch-Duke _Ferdinand_; but the Arch-Duke would have it _incognito_. When -we were a few Days Journey from _Francfort_, I thought proper to ride a -Day or two’s Journey before, to acquaint the Emperor with some Things -relating to my Embassy; which I did, and came to _Francfort_ that Day -seven Years on which I set out from _Vienna_ to _Constantinople_. I was -received by my Master with all imaginable Kindness, (not that I deserv’d -it) but ’twas all owing to his innate Goodness and Custom so to do. You -may imagine with yourself how joyful a Thing it was to me, after so -many Years Absence, to return safe to the Presence of my Royal Master, -who was pleased kindly to accept of the Fruits of my Embassy, and told -me, that I had done all Things well, and that I should find the Effects -of his Favour. He came to _Francfort_ the Day before the Inauguration, -late in the Evening, when the Gates were shut; and all the following Day -they were not to be opened, by ancient Custom: But his Imperial Majesty -gave express Command that they should be opened for the _Turks_. They -had a Place assigned them, from whence they might behold _Cæsar_ Elect -pass by with great Pomp and Splendor; it appear’d to them a glorious and -magnificent Sight to see, amongst others of _Cæsar_’s honourable Train, -three Princes, who could raise great Armies in their own Territories; to -wit, the Dukes of _Saxony_, _Bavaria_ and _Brandenburg_: They saw also, -many other Monuments of the Dignity and Greatness of the Emperor. A few -Days after, _Ebrahim_ was introduced into his Presence, and delivered -the noble Presents the _Sultan_ had sent him. The Emperor confirm’d the -Peace, rewarded him amply, and sent him back with large Presents to -_Solyman_. - -I am very willing to leave the Court, as not being pleased with that -kind of Life; but some private Affairs as yet detain me. I know the -Tediousness of Court-Attendance; much Mischief lies under an Appearance -of Splendor; much Disguise, but little of Sincerity is there; all Courts -are subject to Envy; faithful Friendship is hard to be found, and a -change of Mind may occasion a Man’s sudden Ruin: For Princes themselves -are but Men. I have seen a Man come to Court with a thousand Attendants, -whom his Prince’s Displeasure has sent away with scarce one in his -Company. A Court does not know what is truly good, till too late; it is -altogether led by Shews, Shadows, Fallacies, and popular Mistakes. Those -are fortunate Men who can lead such a Life in safety; but oh! may I live -to the Muses and to my self, and grow old in a Country-Cottage, with a -few trusty Friends! If any Life be desirable in this earthly Pilgrimage, -’tis this. Look upon the Court, and you will find there a Noble Buffoon -preferred before a good Man: So that if you would represent a good Man -amongst Courtiers, you may paint an Ass amongst Apes. I speak of common -Courts in general; for I know that our Court, as well as some others, -are adorn’d with many excellent and noble Personages: However, Solitude -and Quiet affording Vacation to Study, is preferr’d by me before the -Crowd and Noise of Courts. But, I am afraid, my best of Princes will -not vouchsafe me the Retreat I beg for. ’Tis true, he gave me leave to -depart, but upon this Condition, that I should return when call’d upon. -If he commands me to Court again (for who can withstand the Desire of so -gracious a Prince?) this only Comfort will be left me, that I shall every -Day behold the Face of the most sacred of all Emperors; or (to phrase it -otherwise) shall contemplate the living Image of true Vertue: For assure -yourself, that the Sun never shone upon a better Prince than this, nor -one who governs more justly. Though his true, that the Majesty of Empire -is a glorious Thing, yet to desire Empire, and to carry ones self worthy -of it, is more Glorious. I speak not of his Birth, nor of the Nobleness -of his Ancestors, he needs not such far-fetch’d Helps; his own Vertue -is sufficient. Many Emperors have been (though unworthy) raised to the -Throne; but his own Vertue exalted him. - -Again, some have managed the Beginning of their Reign innocently and -justly, but soon after they have degenerated into Licentiousness and -Corruption, _Forgetting they are Men, they would be esteem’d as Gods, -and ador’d as such, endeavouring to be placed among the Gods; whereas -they were unworthy to be reckon’d among Men_. All men’s Necks cannot -bear the Burthen of a high Estate, to which if they are advanced, they -forget themselves: ’Tis a hard Thing to be able to compass all that a Man -desires; and yet ’tis as hard to desire nothing but that which is good. - -As for our Prince, his Eyes are not dazzled by Greatness; no Man retains -Vertue more steadily he, nor takes greater heed that his pure Mind be not -defiled by the Taint of his Fortune. He was always of this Opinion, That, -as Majestic Robes attract the Eyes of Spectators, the Sanctity of Manners -should much more incline their Minds. Therefore, he chiefly studies -Piety, worships and adores his God, and lives always as in his Sight -and Presence; he squares all his Actions throughout the whole Course -of his Life by a Divine Rule and Prescript: Whatever happens either -Prosperous or Adverse, he looks upon God as the Author, and receives it -gratefully, as proceeding from his Hand. Thus he lives an Heavenly Life -even upon Earth; he is not ignorant whole image he bears; and therefore, -all his Words and Deeds are directed for the Public Good, for which -he thinks he was born, and therefore prefers it before Advantages; He -is so intent herein, that some blame him for being overmuch addicted -to the Common-wealth, and neglecting his own Children and Family. He -is extremely Courteous to all his Subjects, as if they were under his -particular Care, and Himself were the Father of so vast a Family. What -poor Man hath ever desired his help in vain? Who is there that hath not -experienced his Liberality? He thinks that Day lost wherein he hath not -done Good to somebody. He is beneficient to all, and in a singular Manner -kind to his Domesticks; not a Man of them can say, that ever he was -neglected by them. He knows their way of Life, the Deserts, yea, and the -very Names even of the meanest of them. Tho’ he is so great a Prince, yet -he thinks it not below himself, at convenient Opportunities to warn the -negligent, and put them in mind of their Duty; and, if they mend their -Manners, to reward them accordingly: So that they depart from him, rather -as from a Father than a Master. He administers Justice with great Equity; -for he thinks it unreasonable to prescribe Law’s to others, and break -them himself; or to punish them in others, which he allows in himself. -He never speaks rudely of any Man, and always honourably of the Absent. -Probity is safe under his Guardianship; but Malice, Force, Fraud, evil -and corrupt Ministers are exterminated, Offences and Wickednesses duly -punish’d. The old _Romans_ had Censors of Manners imposed upon them, to -keep the People to their Duty; but here there is no need of any Censor, -the Life of the Prince is a sufficient Censor, he is a shining Example -to all, in what they should avoid, and what they should pursue. Good -and learned Men which may profit the Commonwealth, he highly esteems; -with these he is conversant, and, laying aside his Majesty, treats them -as Friends and Equals; yea, he emulates their Virtues without Respect, -whether they are Paternal and Hereditary, or acquired by their own -Industry. With these, he spends the little Time he can spare from public -Business: These are the Persons highly esteem’d by him, as judging it a -public Benefit to restore due Honour to Vertue. He himself being curious -by Nature, and desirous to know something worthy of a Man, has always -some Questions to propose to the Learned; and sometimes he brings in -some smart and genteel Repartees of his own, to the Admiration of his -Hearers. Thus he hath laid in so considerable a Stock of Learning, that -you cannot question him in any Thing, but he can give you some Account -of it. He understands many Languages; first, the _Spanish_, which is his -_Mother-Tongue_; next the _French_, _German_, _Latin_, and _Italian_: He -can express his Meaning pretty well in the _Latin_, yet not so exactly, -but that sometimes he breaks _Priscian_’s Head; a Fault blameworthy in a -_Gramarian_, but excusable in an _Emperor_. - -What I have said of him, all Men living know to be true; but, perhaps, -some may think it a Defect, that he is not enough given to Arms, and -Atchievements worthy of the Laurel: For, say they, the _Turks_ carry -all in _Hungary_, and we do not help nor relieve them, as we ought; we -should have join’d Armies in the Field, that it might be known whom -Providence would have to bear Rule. I confess this Objection savours of -Bravery, more than of Prudence, and therefore, let me trace the Matter -a little higher. I am of his Opinion, That the _Genius_ of Emperors -are to be judged of rather by their Councils, than by their Fortunes -or Events; and that, by those Councils, the Times, our own Strength, -the Nature and Power of our Enemies are to be regulated. If a common -Enemy, well known to us, and famous for no Victory, should invade our -Borders, ’twere Cowardice not to oppose him, if we have Forces enough. -But if the Enemy be such as seem to be sent as a Scourge from God (such -was _Atila_ of old, _Tamerlane_ in the Days of our Forefathers, and the -_Ottoman Princes_ in our Age) whom nothing can withstand, who lays all -waste before him; to oppose such an Enemy with small and new-levied -Forces, would not only be rash, but even Madness itself. _Solyman_ -comes terrible, by his own and his Ancestor’s Successes: He invades -_Hungary_ with 200,000 Horse, he draws near to _Austria_, and threatens -the rest of _Germany_; his Troops are fetched from the very Confines of -_Persia_; his Army is furnished from many Nations; each of the Three -known Parts of the World conspire therein for our Destruction: He, like -Lightning, strikes down all before him with his battering Army, and -fills all Places with the Terror of his Name; he roars and Hovers round -our Borders, striving to break in sometimes here, sometimes there. Many -Nations of old, when they have been threatned with such Potent Enemies, -have left their Native Country, and sought out other Habitations. To be -unmoved in small Dangers, is but a mean kind of Praise; but not to be -terrify’d by the coming of so great an Enemy, who has laid waste so many -bordering Kingdoms, seems to me an _Herculean_ kind of Constancy. Amidst -these Dangers, _Ferdinand_ heroically keeps his Station, and being of -an unconquered Spirit, will not quit that, or his State. He could wish -his Forces were sufficient to put all to the Hazard of a Battel, and -that nothing of Madness were imputable to him upon that Account; but -Prudence restrains his generous Efforts: He sees with what great Hazard -his faithful Subjects, and the Ruin of all Christendom, _an unsuccessful -Battel would prove_, and is very unwilling that the Public should pay for -his Rashness. He considers how great the Odds would be, between 25 or -30,000 Foot, with a small Number of Horse, and 200,000 Horse, supported -by a Veteran Body of Foot. What Hopes there may be of Success in that -Case, the Example of former Times, and the Blood-shed at _Nicopolis_, -and at _Varna_, and the Fields of _Mohac_, as yet white with the Bones -of _Christians_ slain there, sufficiently inform us. ’Tis the Part of -a foolish Commander, without duly weighing his own and the Enemy’s -Strength, to rush into Battel, where his Loss can find no wiser an Excuse -than, _I had not thought_. ’Tis all in all, what the Enemy is with whom -we are to cope; this is an infallible Rule, laid down by all the gravest -Authors that ever wrote of Military Affairs: such was _Cæsar_; he counted -it a Happiness to _Lucullus_ and to _Pompey_, that they had to do with a -slothful Enemy, over whom they got Victories without Dust or Sweat; and -when he had obtained such an easy Victory over _Pharnaces_, he jestingly -said, _I came, I saw, I overcame_: But were to make War with the People -of those Countries (then effeminated by Luxury, but now harden’d by -Want, Frugality, Hunger, Cold, Heat, continual Fatigue, and Severity of -Discipline, to do and suffer any thing) he would tell us another Story. -Hence it is, that _Livy_ reasons upon good Grounds, that _Alexander_ -the _Macedonian_ would not have had the same Success against the _Roman -Enemy_, as against the _Persian_, or the Womanish _Indian_: There is -a good deal of Difference between a Warlike, and a Luxurious People, -unaccustomed to Arms. ’Tis true, the Multitude of _Persians_ made it an -Admiration, _That there was more Toil in Killing, than in Overcoming -them_. In my Judgment, _Hannibal_’s three Victories at _Trebia_, at -_Thrasymene_, and at _Cannæ_, did far exceed all the Exploits of -_Alexander_: For why? the one overcame valiant Warriors, the other had to -do with the slothful People of _Asia_. - -_Fabius Maximus_ had as much Courage, as _Titus Sempronius_, _Caius -Flaminius_, or _Varro_; and more Judgment: That great Commander knew that -he had to do with an Enemy educated in the Camp, well vers’d in Arms, -skilful in Military Discipline, who by a singular Fate, or Felicity, had -obtained many Victories; therefore he was not rashly to venture all, -but to use Delay to weary him out; that was the only Hope left against -so great an Enemy, to evade his Assaults, and to drill on the Combat -till an Opportunity was afforded for a Remedy. In the mean time, he was -to be watch’d, restrain’d, and, as it were, nibbled at; wherein he was -so happy, that _Fabius_ was as much Renown’d as _Scipio_ himself, who -ended the War against _Hannibal_; for who knows whether _Scipio_ would -have ever overcome him, if _Fabius_ had not first stopped the Course of -his Victories? To overcome by Prudence is as highly to be priz’d, as to -overcome by Force. The former has nothing common with Beasts, but Force -has. - -The Emperor _Ferdinand_ had the same Design with _Fabius Maximus_, if his -and _Solyman_’s Forces had been equal. His first Work would have been, -to put all to the hazard of a Battel; but the Inequality considered, -his next Design was, to stop an over-flowing Flood in Walls and Banks; -and herein he employ’d his utmost Endeavours. ’Tis about Forty Years -since _Solyman_, in the Beginning of his Reign, took _Belgrade_, slew -_Lewis_ King of _Hungary_, and thereby promised himself the Possession -of that and other Countries; in hopes whereof he besieged _Vienna_, and, -renewing the War, he reduced _Gonitzium_ again, threaten’d _Vienna_ at a -Distance. But what did he get by this great Armament: He was forced to -stick in that Part of _Hungary_ which he had already taken. He that was -wont to conquer great Kingdoms by one Expedition, now subdued only some -weak Castles and small Towns, which cost him dear: ’Tis true, he saw -_Vienna_ once, but never after. ’Tis said, that _Solyman_ wished his Life -to be prolonged, to see three Things finished, _viz._ The Structure of -his Temple, a sumptuous and magnificent Work! the repairing of the old -Aquæducts to bring Water enough into _Constantinople_, and the Conquest -of _Vienna_. The two first he hath accomplished; but at the third he -sticks, and I hope ever will; so that he always calls _Vienna_ his -_Ignominy_ and _Disgrace_. But to return. - -The Emperor _Ferdinand_ may, doubtless, be register’d among the most -famous Generals; for, though he had far less Aid than the Danger -required, he yet was Master of himself, and principally by his Courage, -he hath endured the Efforts of a powerful Enemy, for so many Years -together: So that a greater Praise is due to him for preserving a great -Part of _Hungary_ for better Times, than to many Warriors, who with -multitude of Military Preparations, and favourable Opportunities, have -got many Victories over Kings and their Armies. The less Assistance -he has had in a necessary Time, by so much the more the Valour of his -Mind hath eminently appeared. Whosoever doth not put all upon one Event -in the height of Success, not considering the Power of the Enemy, and -the Seasonableness of assaulting him, must needs conclude, _That ’tis -next to a ~PRODIGY~, that the open and extensive Kingdom of ~Hungary~, -distracted with long Discords, could be defended so long, and that all -of it is not already brought under the Yoke of so powerful an Enemy. ’Tis -God’s great Mercy, and our Prince’s infinite Care that hath prevented -it; whilst he is combating with one Difficulty, another arises in view -greater than the former. The Enemy is in sight, Friends afar off, the -Auxiliary Forces of his Brother ~Charles~ too at a great Distance; -~Germany~, though next to the Fire, yet weary in sending Aid; the -Hereditary Countries exhausted by Contribution, and the Ears of many -~Christian~ Princes deaf when Assistance is desired of them, rather doing -any thing, than that which is incumbent upon them; so that he is forced -to withstand the Enemy only by his own Arms, with the Assistance of some -~Hungarians~, ~Austrians~, and ~Bohemians~, and sometimes by hiring some -~Italian~ or ~Spanish~ Soldiers at a vast Expence. He defends the Confines -of ~Hungary~, with Garrisons fifteen Days Journey long; and has always -Soldiers in Pay, even in Time of Truce. A Truce is sometimes necessary, -and when the coming of a Tyrant is fear’d, and the Time affords no -Opportunity of Resistance, ’tis seasonable to send Embassies to pacify -him, that so great a Calamity may be averted from miserable ~Hungary~._ - -Whilst our _Prince_ has such a Burthen upon his Mind, he can hardly sleep -for a whole Night together; he watches for the good of the Commonwealth; -so great a Concern requires a perpetual Vigilance and constant Care. Do -not think I flatter him: what I write is true. He hath but few Assistants -in his Government, but those are very good Men; the chief of whom, not -unknown to you by Name, are, _Johannes Trantzen_, _Rudolphus a Harrach_, -both eminent for their Faithfulness and Prudence. - -I shall detain you no longer than to give you some Account of our -Prince’s private Deportment. He rises every Day at Five o’Clock in the -Morning, even in the coldest Winter Months; and first, he performs his -Devotion to God, then he goes to the Council to consult of Matters -tending to the Public Good, ’till Dinner-time; he follows the same Course -in the Afternoon, till Supper-time; I mean the Time of his Counsellors -Supper, not his own: he never sups, he eats but once a Day, and that -sparingly too; and is as abstemious in Drinking; he closes his Dinner -with a double Glass of Wine: He passes the Night chastly, ever since -the Loss of his Royal Consort: He cannot endure the trifling Amusements -which many are taken with, and will have nothing to do with Jesters, -Jugglers, Buffoons, Parasites, the common Delights, and yet Plagues, of -Courts. He hates Idleness, is a very great Husband of his Time; if he has -any to spare from public Business, which but rarely happens, he spends -it in Conferences with good and learned Men, who (as I told you before) -are his chief Delight, and usual Attendants whilst he is at Dinner. I -believe that several of the Commons would not change their Life for his, -’tis so thrifty and severe: What Man is there that does not set apart -some small Portion of his Time to indulge himself? Who would willingly -deprive himself of all Delights? To whom would it not seem irksom to grow -old in perpetual Care and Business. This looks more like Servitude than -Sovereignty: But our Prince is of another Mind; neither doth he dissemble -it in his ordinary Discourse: He says, he was advanced to so great an -Office by God, not for his own Sake; that the Reins of Government were -not put into his Hands, to wallow in Pleasures and Delights: The case of -Succession in Kingdoms and Empires differs from the Condition of private -Inheritances; in these latter, no Man is denied to indulge himself in the -Conveniencies of his Patrimony. But so many Nations are intrusted to him -by God, that he might have the Care and Labour, and they the Benefit of -his Care, so as to obtain Rest and Quiet by his Sweat. - -In Hunting only he spends a little Time, not so much for Pleasure, as for -Health; for when he finds his Body fall away, and his Spirits flag by -continual sitting for many Days together, he chooses one Day to refresh -himself with the freer Air in the open Field; and in Summer very early -in the Morning, and in Winter some Hours before Sun-rising, what Weather -soever it be, he goes Abroad to Hunting, and sometimes he does so in the -Afternoon; for I remember when I attended him at Dinner, I heard him say, -_I have done my Duty this Day; I have dispatched all Business that are -on the File; I may now spend the rest of the Day for the Health of my -Body_. Thus he returns late at Night from the Death of a Boar, Stag, or -Bear, and betakes his wearied Limbs to rest, without Eating or Drinking. -Let no Man then upbraid us with the want of _Trajans_, _Varus_’s, and -_Theodosius_’s; those Miracles of the Ancients in our Days: I dare take -my Oath, that there is more true Vertue in our Emperor, than there was in -all of them put together. But the Admiration of so great a Man transports -me: ’Tis not my Design to speak of his Merits, they would make up a -Volume rather than an Epistle; besides, they require an Ingenuity far -exceeding mine; and, therefore, my Aim was only to give you some Hints, -_That you may know what a Master I serv’d_. I close all with this public -Prayer, _That he may return late to Heaven, whose vertuous and holy -Presence alleviates the Miseries of our Age_. - -As to the _Greek Books_ which you enquire after, and the Rarities, and -the wild Beasts of a strange Kind, which you hear I have brought back, -they are hardly worth mentioning: Among them, there is one _Ichneumon_ -very gentle, which is known for its deadly Quarrels with the _Crocodile_ -and the _Asp_. I had also a _Weesel_ of that kind they call an _Ermine_, -very beautiful; but I lost it on the Way. I have many brave Horses, such -as no Man ever brought from thence before, and six She-Camels. I brought -back no Shrubs nor Herbs, but in Painting, which I left to the Care of -_Matthiolus_, with some other Things, many Years ago. I sent him Tapestry -and Linnen after the _Babylonian_ Fashion, with Swords, Bows, and other -Trappings: I have also many other Things made of Horses-hides, curiously -wrought after the _Turkish_ Fashion, or rather I may say, I had them; -for in so great an Assembly of principal Men and Women at _Francfort_, -one beg’d one Thing, and another another; so that I have but a small -Matter left. The rest of my Gifts was well bestowed; but I am very sorry -that I was lavish of one Balsam, because Physicians call the Truth of -it in question, as not answering all the Marks that _Pliny_ gives of -it: Whether it be that the Virtue of those ancient Plants from whence -it flows, be weakned by Age, or from any other Cause; this I know for -certain, that it trickles down from Shrubs in the _Mattarcan Gardens_ -near _Cairo_. - -Before I left _Constantinople_, I sent one _Albacarus_, a _Spanish -Physician_, into _Lemnos_, on the sixth Day of _August_, to be present at -the digging out that famous Earth, desiring him to write me the Certainty -of its Place, Origin, manner of Extracting and Use; which I know he will -do, if he is not hindered. I had a Mind to go thither my self to be an -Eye-witness of it; but, the _Turks_ not giving me leave, I deputed him in -my Stead. I have brought back also abundance of old Coins, the chief of -which I shall present my Master with. Besides, I have whole Waggon-loads, -if not Ship-loads, of _Greek Manuscripts_, and about 240 Books, which I -sent by Sea to _Venice_, from thence to be carried to _Vienna_: I design -them for _Cæsar_’s Library; there are many of them common, but some -choice; I rummaged every Corner to procure such Kind of Merchandize, as -my last gleaning. - -I left one very old Manuscript behind me at _Constantinople_, all very -well written in large Characters; it was _Diascorides_, with the Figures -of Plants, wherein there were some few Things of _Crativa_, and the Book -of Birds; ’tis in the Possession of a _Jew_, the Son of _Hammon_, who in -his Life-time was _Solyman_’s Physician: I desir’d to buy it, but the -Price frightned me; he rated it at 100 Ducats, a Price fit for _Cæsar_’s -Purse, not mine. However, I will not cease to press _Cæsar_ to redeem so -famous an Author from that Bondage: ’tis very much injur’d by Time, and -so eaten with Worms on the out-side, that a Man would hardly take it up, -if it lay in the Streets. - -But to conclude, you may expect me in a very short Time. I shall reserve -what remains, till we meet: In the mean Time, do you take Care to provide -some good and learned Men, by whose Conversation I may drive away the -dull Thoughts remaining in my Mind, from my long Aboad among the _Turks_. -Farewell! - - -_FINIS._ - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRAVELS INTO TURKEY *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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