A Full and Juſt ACCOUNT OF THE Preſent State OF The Ottoman Empire In all its Branches: WITH The Government, and Policy, Religion, Cuſtoms, and Way of Living of the Turks, in General. FAITHFULLY RELATED From a Serious OBSERVATION, taken in many Years TRAVELS thro' thoſe Countries.
By AARON HILL, Gent.
LONDON, Printed for the Author, and are to be Sold, by John Mayo, Stationer and Printer, at the Printing-Preſs in Fleet-Street, Anno Domini, 1709.
WHEREAS our Truſty and Welbeloved AARON HILL, Gent. has Humbly Repreſented unto us, that he has, with great Care, Labour, and Expence, Compil'd and Prepar'd for the Preſs, a Book, En⯑tituled, The Preſent State of AETHIOPIA, EGYPT, the Three ARABIA's, PALESTINE, and the Whole OTTOMAN EM⯑PIRE, and has therefore Humbly beſought us, to Grant him our Royal Pri⯑viledge, and Licenſe, for the Sole Printing and Publiſhing thereof; for the Term of Fourteen Years. We, being willing to give all due Encouragement to Works of this Nature, tending to the Improvement of Uſeful Knowledge, are Graciouſly Pleas'd to Condeſcend to his Request: And we do therefore, by theſe Preſents, Grant unto him, the ſaid AARON HILL, his Executors, Adminiſtrators, and Aſſigns, OUR ROYAL LICENCE, for the Sole Printing, and Publiſhing, the Preſent State of AETHIOPIA, EGYPT, the Three ARABIA's, PALESTINE, and the Whole OTTOMAN EMPIRE, aforeſaid, for the Term of Fourteen Years from the Date hereof, ſtrictly Forbidding all our Subjects, within our Kingdoms and Do⯑minions, to Reprint the ſame, either in the like, or in any other Volume or Volumes, whatſoever, or to Import, Buy, Vend, Utter, or Diſtribute any Copies thereof, Reprinted beyond the Seas, During the aforeſaid Term, of Fourteen Years, without the Conſent, or Approbation, of the ſaid AARON HILL, his Heirs, Executors, and Aſſigns, under his or their Hands and Seals, first had and obtain'd, as they will anſwer the Contrary at their Peril, whereof the Commiſſioners, and other Officers of our CUSTOMS, the Maſter, Wardens, and Company of STATIONERS, are to take No⯑tice, that the ſame may be Entred in the Rigiſter of the ſaid Company, and that DUE OBEDIENCE be rendred thereunto.
[...]NE SOLUM FORTI P [...]OPRIUM
THE DEDICATION, To The QUEEN.
[]WERE it Poſſible for me to offer at your ROYAL FEET, a Tribute, ſo Important, as to MERIT your MAJESTY'S Acceptance, I had never paid my Debt of Duty, in ſo poor a Manner; But, ſince the [] Smile of HEAVEN, upon the WIDOWS MITE, Inſtructs us, that the WILL, not POWER, muſt Enrich the Offering; I am al⯑moſt led to hope, YOUR MAJESTY will Stoop to the Reception of ſo Low a Preſent, when you ſhall be pleas'd to know, 'tis all, I have to give; For LIFE, and FORTUNE are ſo firmly Yours already, that I cannot hope to taſt the Length of one, or Worth of t'other, but by holding BOTH in Your MAJESTY'S Diſpoſal.
THE Sacred Power of PIOUS MAJESTY, Commands not only Love, and Loyalty, from Subjects, and Dependants, but (as the Attra⯑ctive Virtue of the Wond'rous MAGNET draws the Sturdy IRON to its Sway,) may Challenge an Authority, to Rule the Salvage Minds of Independant Infidels. The Mighty Glories of your MAJESTY'S Succeſsful Reign have bent more Kingdoms than You Govern, to an Envy of the BRITONS, Hap⯑py in Your Influences; And Experience Taught me, that while BRITAINS NAME [] is NOW the Praiſe, and Wonder of ſuch Na⯑tions, as BEFORE ſcarce knew it, The Pro⯑digious Honour, paid Her NAME, is on⯑ly owing to the Virtues of Her MO⯑NARCH.
TO whom then, MIGHTY QUEEN, ſhou'd I Addreſs my Self for a Protection of my Labours, but to the THRONE of MA⯑JESTY, where CRITIC'S Malice, and the Sting of CENSURE cannot Reach me, and where HEAVEN has ſeem'd to Point our Marks of Duty, and Humility to lie, as by the Seat of MERCY, and the VICEROY of OMNI⯑POTENCE.
BE therefore pleas'd, Great Ruler of the HEARTS, as well as PERSONS of Your People, to accept this humble Offering, which I lay, with Duty at Your GRACIOUS FEET; For, as the ſmall Improvement, ma⯑ny Years continued Travels, thro' the Rougher Corners of the World, have made me Conſci⯑ous of, may ſo be Crown'd with the [] Great Honour of YOUR NOTICE, all my Future Aims, and Utmoſt Applications ſhall be, how to make my Self attain one Step a⯑bove the Character, which now I can with Honeſty, and Faithfulneſs, lay hearty Claim to, of,
THE PREFACE.
[i]IT was an admirable Obſervation of Sir ROGER L'ESTRANGE, That a Book, that Fac'd the World without a PREFACE, ſhou'd be look'd upon, as much Unfiniſh'd, as a BEAU, who comes to Court without a PERRIWIG; For it is not only grown a kind of Law, by long continu'd Cuſtom, but is even become a Neceſſary Labour for the Vindication of a Man, who dares aſſume the Name of Author, from the not alone Sharp Criticiſms, but Reflections, and Scurrilities, he will be ſure to meet with.
WE Live, it ſeems, in a Fault-finding Age, and 'tis almoſt become a Crime, or Argument of Soft⯑neſs, (a New-faſhion'd Word for Folly) in a Gen⯑tleman, to Read a Book, with any other Aim, than to Condemn, or Cenſure what he Ʋnderstands not.
I'M ſure, I have juſt Reaſon to affirm a Truth, I have been taught by the Ingratitude, (I wou'd not wil⯑lingly [ii] make uſe of a more Sharp Expreſſion) of ſome Country-Men of mine, who, by the Baſeneſs of their Tempers, and Malicious Aims of Diſappoin⯑ted Envy, took, I hope, more Pains than Ʋſual, to Con⯑vince me, that my Native BRITAIN, cou'd produce as Barbarous, and Sordid Wretches, as I ever met with in my Converſation with the Infidels.
THE Reaſons, which induc'd me to Addreſs the World, with an Account of what I had obſerv'd, in Tra⯑velling ſo many Years together, were not Vanity, Am⯑bition, Mercenary Hopes, or any of the Common Motives, which urge Great Numbers on to Write, and build them up to the Fond Name of Author: Heaven indu'd me with a Soul, too Honeſt to become a Proſtitute to the Poor Droſs of Intereſt; Nor were my Circumſtances ſuch, as might reduce me to a Want of thoſe Advantages, which have too often made a Good Man, Infamous.
HENCE, Perhaps, I found ſo many Enemies, for we are now Ʋnhappily Divided into ſuch Diſorder'd Factions, Open Diſcords, and Ʋnaccountable By-Intereſts, that Honeſty it Self is meaſur'd by Opini⯑on, and the Scale of Merit is Out-ballanc'd by Par⯑tiality; ſo that, when a Man is recommended to the World, as worth Regard, The firſt Examination, made a⯑bout him is, Who ſides he with? And a Report is given of his Capacity, or Principles, according to the Party, he may Chance to Vote for.
[iii] POSSIBLY, I have been repreſented, as a Zealous Stickler for ſome Party, or perhaps, been thought to Side with None, as not too fond of Either; which of theſe have made me Enemies, I can't determine, or if I have Enemies at all, ſince it may be, 'tis the Faſhion to Diſcourage VVriters, for endeavouring to take more Uſeful Pains than other People. Be it one, or t'other, I can only ſay, I ſhou'd (if any) be exempt from Prejudice on that Account, ſince I have been ſo little Reſident in England, that I never yet found time to think on Par⯑ties, any further than to wiſh there were no Ill-divided Ones, ſo much as dream't of in the Kingdom.
MY Friends Perſwaſions, when I came from Tra⯑velling, engag'd me to comply with their Deſires, in Pub⯑liſhing this Book, which I more readily Aſſented to, be⯑cauſe I knew, I cou'd ſay ſomewhat more, than had been ſeen, or told the World by Former Travellers, and I was naturally led to hope, my Youth might plead a Pardon for my Errors, ſince an Author, who attempts to Write at Four and Twenty, might (I thought) be readily Ex⯑cus'd for more Miſtakes, than will, I hope, in the Succeeding Sheets, diſguſt the Reader.
BƲT, there are a ſort of People, who appear ſuch Zealous Devotees to Malice, that no Reaſonable Plea is Proof againſt 'em, Innocence it ſelf is ſpurn'd by their Preſumption, and they are ſo over-fond of [iv] Warring againſt Common Senſe, Humanity, and Goodneſs, that, they generally blind their Judg⯑ments to indulge their Vices, and Attack the Caſtle, where 'tis ableſt to Repulſe them.
THIS has been my own Good-Luck, and the Ill-Fortune of my Cenſurers, whoſe Weak Objecti⯑ons, ſpread abroad for Ends, I am about to mention, were ſo Innoffenſively Ridiculous, as to ſwell up with huge, and threat'ning Venom, but then burſt like Toads, with their Self-dangerous Poyſon. Yet tho' they hurt not me, their Guilt and Baſeneſs is not leſs, than if I had been made a Sufferer by their Ground⯑leſs Malice: For as the Poet has it,
THE Society of Bookſellers have in a manner, quite engroſs'd the Preſs, and the Unhappy Circum⯑ſtances of ſome Authors, having given them Oppor⯑tunities to impoſe on their Neceſſities, by Purchaſing for almoſt Nothing, their Ingenious Labours, and by making all the Gain their own Sole Property, In⯑structed them, like Sting-leſs Drones, to feed upon the Honey of Induſtrious Bees; they made Advanta⯑ges of ſuch Occaſions, and Encroach'd ſo far, by [v] gradual Advances, that they us'd all Authors, as they did their Poor Ones, and aſſum'd not only the Prerogative of Purchaſing, for Inconſiderable Sums, the Brighteſt Copies, but pretended to be Judges of the Work it Self; when, probably, they knew not, what it Treated of.
HENCE they were Encourag'd to Impoſe upon the Town, by Printing Old Books, with New Titles, Selling Others at a Double Rate; and Authors, knowing, they cou'd reap no Profit from the Publication of their Writings, left 'em wholly to the Bookſeller's Direction; whence the Preſs was commonly Corrected, and the Book ex⯑pos'd to Publick View, with as much Nicety, and Learning, as became a Bookſeller's Capacity.
BY having Printed ſome Few Little Eſſays of my own, the Common way, I went as far, as any Line cou'd reach, towards Fathoming the Conſci⯑ence of a Bookſeller, or Two, and thence became Acquainted with their Cuſtoms, well enough to care, as little as I cou'd, for Dealing with them; and, unwilling to have This Book come out, as Un⯑correct, as it might probably have done, and ſee the Town impos'd on, by too High a Price, or let the Book come out too meanly Printed, or on Com⯑mon Paper, I reſolv'd to have it in my Power, to [vi] uſe the Buyers, as I wou'd be us'd my Self; and therefore, at my own Charge, undertook the Printing it, but was advis'd, (that I might run as little Hazard of a Loſs, as Poſſible,) to do it by Subſcription.
BƲT I was not thus deliver'd from the Impo⯑ſition of the Bookſellers, who pretended it their Right to have Two Books Gratis for Six Sub⯑ſcriptions; I refus'd to grant 'em this Extravagant Demand, and gave 'em often Publick Notice of my Reſolution, whereupon, they made it their Endeavour to decry the Book with Open Malice, and diſcourage it as much as poſſible: But leſt their Curr-like Howlings ſhou'd be ſcorn'd, alone, as Inſignificantly Noiſy, they procur'd ſome Little Penſioners of theirs to Act the Maſtiff, and by joining in the Conſort, bark the Baſe to their poor Trebles.
THE Juſtice of the Thing was, what they leaſt regarded, 'twas enough for them to ſay, 'twas Bad. Tho' being ask'd the Cauſe, they cou'd reply no more than, that 'Twas ſo, becauſe it was ſo. Ar⯑gument was a ſtrange Plant, to their thin Gar⯑dens. But it muſt be held, as an Undoubted Maxim, That it wou'd be an Unpardonable Crime, ſhou'd they promote an Author's Un⯑dertaking, [vii] who refuſes to promote their Lawleſs Intereſt.
SOME have had the Simple Honeſty to bring their Money to the Printer in a Rage, and Swear, they never had Subſcrib'd, but that their Cuſto⯑mers oblig'd 'em to it; owning freely, that they did the Book the greateſt Injury, they cou'd, becauſe the Author had refus'd to give 'em Two in Six for No⯑thing.
WELL, Sirs, go on with your Endeavours, I am above the Reach of your Detraction; Gain I ſought not, and for other Matters, let the Book henceforward ſpeak, in its own Vindication, I am only griev'd for thoſe Unhappy Writing Gentle⯑men, too much Depreſs'd by Fortune, and thence Subject to your Tyranny.
I was grown ſo weary of the Mentioning the Book⯑ſellers, that I had reſolv'd to ſay no more about 'em, when a certain Humour of a Member of that Good Fraternity, who has the Sign of the Green Dra⯑gon for Diſtinction, made me laugh at the Remem⯑brance, and record him for an admirable Bargain-Maker.
[viii] HE had, with much ado, my Promiſe, by a Friends Entreaty, to allow him Eight, as he deſir'd, with a Proviſo, he ſhou'd take 'em all Unbound. But tho' he was Solicitous for nothing more, before I granted it, he humm'd a while, with a Wiſe Air of Con⯑templation, when I ſent him Word, he might Sub⯑ſcribe ſo, and reply'd, He thought, that Nine 'twixt Man and Man, were very Reaſonable. Had I granted thoſe, he wou'd have ask'd for Ten, and ſo encreas'd, till I had found, if poſſible, the Meaſure of his Conſcience.
MY Book lay Open, at the Printers, as it paſs'd the Preſs, for free Peruſal, and the Bookſellers, and their Adherents, had thereby, an Opportunity to raiſe Objections, with Pretence of having read the Sheets, but, as I never heard one Cenſure yet, deſerving Confutation, or indeed, requiring more than Com⯑mon Senſe, to Overthrow it, ſo I thought it only fit to let 'em Sink without regard, to their Original Ob⯑ſcurity. But if there ſhall be found a Gentleman, who meets with any thing, He juſtly may Object a⯑gainſt, Let him be pleas'd to hint it, in a Letter for me, Directed to the Printer's Houſe; and then, to Sa⯑tisfie the World and him, I ſhall not think my Time Ill-ſpent, to Print it, with as large an Anſwer as is Neceſſary, in the Preface, I ſhall Publiſh, with the next Edition.
[ix] AND now, I leave the Bookſellers to their Ad⯑vantages, aſſuring them, I owe them no Ill-Will, and only ſay thus much, to Juſtifie my Book againſt their Calumnies; If Profit cou'd have brib'd my Tongue, or Hopes of their Good Character have ſtifled my Affection to Plain-Dealing, I had never been ſo Open, in my Declarations of their Artifices; Ju⯑ſtice always guides my Pen, nor can Rewards, De⯑ſire of Praiſe, or Fear of any Man's Ill-Word, divert my Courſe of Truth, from its Direct, and Un⯑corrupted Channel, Contrary to the Aſſertion of the Celebrated Juvenal.
I ſhall only add, that, as 'tis evidently True, The Methods, I have taken, were as Juſt and Honour⯑able, as was poſſible, The Malice, which inclin'd theſe People to oppoſe 'em, was a Plain Effect of ſome⯑thing [x] in their Principles, not altogether reconcilable to Juſtice; For where Honeſty Encounters Hone⯑ſty, a Sympathetic Harmony is found between 'em, and we have the Words of an Experienc'd Greek, to teach us, that,
SOME Snarlers do, and many more may Cavil at the Style, I have made uſe of, and the Weigh⯑tieſt Arguments, they bring againſt it, are, that it appears Affected, and Elaborate; That 'tis Dreſs'd in a Romantic Air, and that in ſhort, 'tis ſo like Poetry, that it runs into Blank Verſe Mea⯑ſure, and becomes a kind of Proſe-Poetic Compoſi⯑tion.
'TIS methinks, ungratefully receiv'd, if Cen⯑ſur'd, on ſo Weak a Ground-Work; For, I doubt not, but the Learned Reader will perceive no greater Difference in the Style, throughout the Book, than where 'tis purpoſely deſign'd, according to the Va⯑rious Natures of the Subjects, Treated on; and a Ju⯑dicious Taſt will eaſily distinguiſh, that the Language flows more negligently, than it Climbs Affectedly, in all the Treatiſe.
[xi] BESIDES, allowing, I had taken Pains, by an Elaborate Bent of Application, to Compoſe a Style, which I might be Deceiv'd in thinking Good, 'twou'd be but Generous, and becoming the Humani⯑ty of all, who read it, rather to excuſe the Real Er⯑rors, than create Imaginary Ones, becauſe the Fault, I had committed, cou'd proceed from Nothing, but an ardent Inclination, to endeavour more than Or⯑dinary, the Satisfaction of the Reader.
AS for its being Dreſs'd in a Romantic Air, were that Malicious Accuſation full as Juſt, as 'tis Abſurd, I cannot ſee the Reaſons, why it ſhou'd be look'd upon, as an Objection. Every Body Knows, the Language of Romances differs from more Seri⯑ous Writings, only in the Fine Deſcriptions, Flo⯑rid Speeches, Artful Turns, and Winning Elo⯑quence, which are made uſe of, to Adorn and Re⯑commend a Feign'd Relation; and by Covering the Flaws, occaſion'd by its Want of Truth, excite as Noble Thoughts, and raiſe as Emulative an E⯑ſteem of Honour, in the Reader's Soul, as if 'twere Real. And if the abovenam'd Ornaments can Shine ſo Brightly, in a Falſe Account of Things, and Places, ſurely when they are Additionally Streng⯑then'd by the Truth, as well as Novelty, of what they Treat of, vpon Second Thoughts, thoſe Self⯑confounding Critics, who have Cenſur'd me, on [xii] this Account, will find, that, what they aim'd, as an Abuſe, has prov'd a Compliment.
AND juſt as Weak an Argument is that, which blames my Language, as Poetical; For I wou'd only ask thoſe Gentlemen, who broke their Shins, by Stumbling upon that Objection, What was the Original Deſign of Poetry; and, if they know ſo much, they'll Anſwer me, 'Twas Introduc'd for Pious Ends, and Practis'd firſt, to Win Man⯑kind from Guilt and Follies, by the Sweet Inſi⯑nuation of Harmonious Doctrine; for the Force of Numbers bears a kind of Unreſiſted Charm, which, having first bewitch'd the Senſes, pene⯑trates the Ear, and Warbles Smoothly thro' the Soul, diſſolving Paſſion in a Flood of Plea⯑ſure.
WELL then, this granted me, muſt conſe⯑quently ſpeak it undeniable, That Poetry is Fitteſt to Command Attention, and it follows, that the nearer, Proſe can Imitate it, ſo much more 'twill tempt the Soul, to liſten to its Eloquence, and if that be all the Ill, my Style is Guilty of, I may pre⯑ſume, the World will eaſily forgive me.
EPITHETS are certainly the Life of an Ex⯑preſſion, and if uſing them a little oft'ner, and more Artfully, than commonly we do, will not alone adorn [xiii] our Language with a Smoother Cadence, and Com⯑pleater Harmony, but add a Sparkling kind of Vigour to the Style, they're us'd in, why ſhou'd Men perſiſt in an Old Error, rather than ſubmit to take Example, from the Practice of another.
I know not any Book, before my own, that has been Writ this way, and conſequently cou [...]d not hope to In⯑troduce a Novelty, without encount'ring Ever-arm'd Ill-Nature; Even were my Style as free from Faults, as I cou'd Wiſh it, 'twou'd have Enemies, becauſe 'tis New, and how can any Lower Aim that way, ex⯑pect to Proſper Unoppos'd, when, even the Glo⯑rious Reformations of our Church, and Go⯑vernment, have many Foes, who dare Reproach 'em.
AMONG the Few, who I heard, were Wiſe enough to think the Arguments, fore-nam'd, a Proof of their Capacities. There is it ſeems, a kind of Talking Spark, who holds an Office in the Ex⯑chequer, very fond of Raillery; He thinks, that he has Wit enough to make Atonement for his Want of Memory, or I ſhou'd take the Liberty to Blame him, for forgetting, he attempted once to make himſelf an Author; But the Itch, that Juvenal calls Scri⯑bendi Cacoethes, wanting Force to lift him higher, than the Character of Horace's Promiſſor Hiatu, [xiv] he fell down, like Icarus, and Drown'd himſelf in Infamy, thence loſing all Right of Pretence to Cenſure Others, by the Miſerable Inſufficiency of his own Labours.
SATYR is a kind of dangerous Edg'd-Tool, and, like a Razor in a Monkey's Paw, will cut the Fingers of a Fool, who trys to uſe it; Wit, like Fame, is very Coy, and Hates a Raviſher, She Sports, and Wantons, like the Nimble Dolphin, in her Native Channel, but, like Herrings, Dies immediately, and Stinks, out of her own Element.
THERE are a ſort of People, to ſo Sil⯑ly a Degree, the Enemies of their own Cha⯑racter, that Silence, tho' the only Skreen, to hide their Want of Common Senſe, is moſt a Stran⯑ger to their Daily Practice; Theſe are to be Pitied, and it wou'd be Happy, ſince they are Blind of Soul, cou'd there be found a Mental Occuliſt, of Skill enough, to Couch the Cata⯑taracts of their Obſcur'd Capacities, that when their Eyes of Reaſon, wou'd permit their Judg⯑ment to ſee Clearly, they might borrow a Latin Dictionary, and try to Conſtrue the Two Ver⯑ſes, following.
THAT I might not alone Inform, but pleaſe my Reader, I have taken care in the Succeed⯑ing Sheets, to Introduce as many Stories, as I cou'd, with different Aims, for ſome are Moral, ſome Diverting, others Melancholy, and of all Kinds ſome. The only Fault, which can be found with this, is, that it is Digreſſive from the Subject of my Book: 'Tis true, and ſo are all the Moral, and Occaſional Reflections, ſcatter'd up and down, yet doubt I not, but, as the Laſt will be acceptable to Honeſt People, on account of the Good Doctrine, they contain, (and which I ever hope to bear in my Remembrance) ſo the Firſt will find a Welcome, for the Diver⯑ſion, they may give Unprejudic'd Peruſers.
AS ſome may like my Book the better, others will, I queſtion not, complain, that my Quota⯑tions from the Claſſic Authors are too frequently Applied; to this I need reply no more, than that they ſtruck my Memory, as I was Writing, and were thence Tranſcrib'd, as they occurr'd by Ac⯑cident: Yet this I dare be pretty ſure of, that [xiv] there's none, will Cenſure me for the Reſpect, I bear the Claſſics, in ſo often mentioning their Thoughts, but ſuch Poor Wretches, as for want of Taſt, are made Incapable of Prizing, or, for Want of Learning, cannot Underſtand them.
AS I have little Reaſon to believe my Judge⯑ment, any ways Superlative, I will not ſay, but I have Injur'd them in the Tranſlation; Where the Lines wou'd bear a Literal Verſion, I have rend'red the Expreſſions Engliſh, Word for Word, but where I cou'd not come ſo near the very Words, without deſtroying all the Har⯑mony, I thought it better, to make Ʋſe of the Aſſiſtance of a Paraphraſe, yet ſtill preſerv'd En⯑tire, the Genuine Senſe of the Original.
A Literal Tranſlation commonly appears Con⯑fin'd, Uneaſy, Cloſe, and Aukward, like a Streight-Lac'd Lady in her New Made Stays, but when the Verſion has put on an Eaſy Para⯑phraſe, and the Fine Lady is compleatly Dreſs'd, with Ribbons, Manteau, and her Looſer Or⯑naments, tho' they are ſtill the ſame, they were before, they brightly double Former Graces, and become Adorn'd with an Attractive Ma⯑jeſty.
[xvii] ONE Sucking Critic, after having turn'd the Book over and over, at the Printers, with a Deſign to Practiſe the Diſcerning Art, he had ſo lately taken on him, fix'd at last upon this Tranſlation of the fol⯑lowing Line,
NOW ſays he, did ever any Mortal ſee ſo Silly a Tranſlation? I am ſure, this Author can be no Great Scholar, for Coelum here is Latin for Hea⯑ven, and you ſee, there's no ſuch Word, as Heaven, in the whole Two Verſes.
O Tempora! O Mores! to how ſtrange a Length Extends Ill-Nature, Malice, and Hypochriſy! Who knows, which way to pleaſe a World, that only can be pleas'd by their own Actions! Vanity is grown the Epidemic Plague, which robs us of our Judgment, and a Daily Proof of the Opiniated Blindneſs of Mankind in General, ſerves to ſhow us the Neceſſity of Learning, that,
PRETENDING to Condemn all Actions, but our own, is common now, from even the Cour⯑tier to the Cottage, and Deceit is Dreſs'd in ſuch an Air of Honeſty, they cannot often be diſtinguiſh'd from Each Other; Ignorance, Aſſiſted by a Grave Aſſu⯑rance, paſſes currant for the Depth of Learning; Cenſure is Eſteem'd a Proof of Judgment, and Pre⯑tended Merit Elbows from her Throne the Real Virtue. Were but Seneca now living, juſtly might he add more Sharp Invectives to the follow⯑ing Exclamation.
I hope, I need not Fear, that any Man will Carp at my attempting to Tranſlate at all, the Authors, I have Quoted, ſince the Book will probably be read by many, who can only Ʋnderſtand the Engliſh, and the Men of Letters, reading the Original, may, if they pleaſe, paſs over the Tranſlation.
THE Stretch of Malice is ſo very wide, that it has Seiz'd, among my Cenſurers, a Paſtor of the Church, of which, tho' an Unworthy, I'm an Ho⯑neſt Member, and am therefore very Sorry that, to Juſtifie my Self from the Aſperſions of his Tongue, I am oblig'd to do a thing, ſo much againſt my Nature, as expoſe the Follies, (I am loth to think 'em Worſe) of one, who has the Honour to Officiate in the Cauſe of Chriſt, and thence ſhou'd rather Merit the Profound Reſpect, my Nature teaches me to bear the Cloath, I hope, he will not long be ſo Unworthily Poſſeſs'd of; Men, tho' never ſo Religious, are not wholly free from Mortal Frailties, He may, poſſibly, Repent hereafter, tho' I ſee, as yet, but little Likelyhood of ſuch an Alteration.
[xx] I muſt own, I was ſurpriz'd, beyond Expreſſion, when, (after having urg'd him to forbear ſome Falſe, and Scurrilous Reflections, on a Dr. G--th. Gentleman of Worth, and Learning in a high Degree,) I ſaw him Strike his Fiſt upon the Table, and cry out in Paſſi⯑on, before many Witneſſes, Endeavour not to Juſtifie him, he's a V---n, R---e, and R---l, and I'll run him down, with all the Spite, and Malice, I am capable of uttering. And, to do the Lecturer Juſtice, he's as Capable of Both, as any Man in Chriſtendom.
I had not wonder'd to have heard this Speech from ſome Robuſt, and Brawny Grenadier; But when Mr. D--b--ns, a Parſon, utter'd it, from whom I look'd for better Doctrine, I was frighted at the Em⯑phaſis, he put on his Expreſſion, and ſtarting back⯑wards with uplifted Arms, cou'd ſcarce forbear repeat⯑ing, Et Tu, Brute! as the Dying Caeſar did to his Aſſaſſinate.
NAY thought I, if you, who from a Pulpit, e⯑very Week Inſtruct the World, can thus by your Ex⯑ample, contradict your Precepts, you may be as well, for ought I know, a Breaker of the Whole Contex⯑ture of Religion, which you Preach, and live a Life of Wickedneſs in every kind, as well as this. If ſo, I muſt declare with Juvenal.
'TIS true, I have leſs Cauſe to wonder at the Publick Defamations, he is pleas'd to make, on my Account, becauſe he told me to my Face, that I had better not have Contradicted him, for he had a Conſiderable Acquaintance, and wou'd do my Book more Injury than I imagin'd; and, I thank his Conſcience, he has try'd to keep his Word in this Particular.
I had not mention'd him, in Reverence to his Gown, but that the Credit, he obtains thereby, might eaſily incline all ſuch, as know me not, to judge, he ſpeaks as Truly, as he ought to do.
A Holy Aſpect, and the Juſtly Venerable Character of Clergyman, may eaſily delude Un⯑thinking Multitudes, to Groundleſs Cenſures of Ʋnguarded Honeſty. They know him not, and are Deceiv'd, by his Pretending to be free from Malice; therefore, I ow'd this Juſtice to my own Vindication; for his admirable Diſſimulation, and Set Airs of Gravity are, as Perſius ſays,
I haſten from a Subject, ſo unpleaſing, as Com⯑plaint, to the more Generous Call of Humble Gratitude, which tells me loudly, that I cannot mention the Advantages, I had of other Travellers, without Rememb'ring, and Acknowledging to [xxiii] whom I ow'd them, and declaring to my Reader, that whate'er I know, and far the Worthieſt Part of what I ſaw, was due to the Unmerited, but Boundleſs Generoſity of that Glory to his Country, The Right Honourable the LORD PAGET, many Years Reſiding at Conſtantinople, as Ambaſſador Ex⯑traordinary, and ſo Wiſely Managing that Slippery Poſt, that he deſerves in all Reſpects, the Lofty Character, he bears in Turkey, of, The only Man, who ever cou'd Preſerve the Favour of the Turks, and Intereſt of his Country, both toge⯑ther.
I went Abroad ſo very Young, that, after having Sail [...]d a Voyage, and made uſe of Accidental Opportuni⯑ties to Viſit Egypt, Paleſtine, and other Eaſtern Parts, I came to Conſtantinople time enough, to owe the Beſt Improvements of my Education, to the Ge⯑nerous Care of this Wiſe Nobleman, whoſe Inſtru⯑ctions and Example, gave me firſt a Notion of the World, and under whoſe Protection I was afterwards ſo Happy, as to ſee it to Advantage, having had the Honour to attend him, from the Turkiſh Court to England, in a Journey over Land, thro' almoſt all the Celebrated Parts of Chriſtendom.
THE Great Diſcretion, Sure Diſpatch, and admirable Policy, wherewith he manag'd the Impor⯑tant [xxiv] Buſineſs of his Embaſſy, were ſuch, as won him ſo Uncommon a Reſpect, from all the Turkiſh Miniſters of State, that under the Extenſive Um⯑brage of his Intereſt, any Man, who took upon him the Protective Name of Engliſhman, was ſure to meet, in every Part of their Dominions, more Civilities, and Toleration, than the Chriſtian Travellers, of any other Country whatſoever, cou'd pretend to hope for.
HENCE a Thouſand Marks of Favour were Conferr'd, at ſeveral Times, on many of our Countrymen, and hence I ſnatch'd the Lucky Opportunity of Seeing, with ſome other Engliſh Travellers, in the Year One Thouſand Seven Hundred and Two, the Great Seraglio at Con⯑ſtantinople, ſo much farther, than had been before permitted; The Grand Signior being then at A⯑drianople, and his Ladies with him, at his Palace in that City.
I have little now to add, but that I wiſh with all my Heart, the Reader cou'd be promis'd a ſufficient Share of Satisfaction, in the Peruſing the ſucceeding Sheets, to make Atonement for the Tedious Time, the Book has been ex⯑pected. Malice is ſo very Prevalent, and every Man ſo naturally apt, to put the Worſt Con⯑ſtruction on another's Actions, that there are [xxv] but Few, who wou'd omit ſo fair an Opportunity of Juſtifying a Delay, ſo unavoidable, from the Ex⯑amples of the Greateſt Men, who ever Publiſh'd Books this way.
BƲT, as I ſeek not the Applauſe, and very heartily deſpiſe the Cenſures of the Snarling, Ignorant, and Ungenerous Vulgar, I Addreſs my Plea to ſuch a⯑lone, as Learning, or a Native Nobleneſs of Soul has Qualify'd, for Serious, and Impartial Judges, and thoſe (I dare preſume to hope) will eaſily perceive, that if the Book has been a little longer, than it was Propos'd, in coming out; it was no Fault of mine, but owing to the Common Slowneſs of Proceed⯑ing, us'd in all Books, Printed by Subſcrip⯑tion.
HOWEVER, as the Great Incouragement, I met with, from the Numbers of Subſcribers to this Firſt Impreſſion, leaves an Inconſiderable Quantity for Sale, I am already Printing off a Second Edition, with the utmost ſpeed imaginable, and have taken care, to uſe ſuch Means, in haſt'ning on the Preſs, that if I ſet another Time, it ſhall be, when I find my Self aſſur'd, that I can keep it Punctual⯑ly.
[xxvi] AS I have heard no more Objections, that the ve⯑ry Weak Ones, I endeavour'd to Confute, in the Beginning of the Preface, I can now enlarge no further, in Defence of Book, or Author, but, ſince I have made ſo fair an Offer, of Obliging all Objectors with the utmoſt Satisfaction, Truth can give them, I wou'd willingly perſwade my Self to hope, that none will be ſo Groundlesſly Ill-Natur'd, as to force a War with one, who holds the Peaceful Palm before him, as a Tutelary Mark, for the Pro⯑tection of his Labours.
NOTHING ſure is Blacker, than Detraction; Hells Wide Store-Houſe yields no Sin, of a more Damning Nature; and methinks, no Subject of a Chriſtian Country, ſhou'd indulge his Malice, by a Bluſhleſs Declaration of Egregious Falſhoods, with Deſign to Stain a Good-Man's Character, when the Speaking Well of, nay, the Uſing Well thoſe very Men, who moſt Abuſe us, is by the Divine Decree of Chriſt Himſelf, Enjoyn'd us, as a Duty, and the very Maxim of a Heathen in the following Verſes, ſerve to Shame the Daily Pra⯑ctices of many Men, who openly Avow a Zealous Love of Conſcience, and Religion.
HOWEVER, if 'tis poſſible, there ſhou'd be found a ſort of Men, who out of Blind Affection to the Dictates of Ill-Nature, are reſolv'd to Damn, what e'er they Read, and only Read for that Baſe Pur⯑poſe, I ſhall look upon them, as Unworthy, not of the Reſentment only, but the very Notice of an Ho⯑neſt Man, and e'en Content my Self to ſay with Per⯑ſius.
A LIST OF THE SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
[]- HER moſt Gracious Majeſty, the QƲEEN.
- John Aſhlin, in Bedford-ſtreet.
- John Affleik Eſq Two Books.
- Duke of St. Albans,
- Dutcheſs of St. Albans.
- Mr. Edward Armourer,
- Henry Aſhurſt, Eſq
- Robert Auchmuty, Fleet-ſtreet.
- George Atkins, of Iſlington.
- Joſeph Alleine, Coleman-ſtreet.
- Reverend Mr. Henry Auſtin, of Bromley.
- Earl of Abercorne.
- Mr. Richard Arnold.
- Jonathan Aylworth, Gent.
- Mr. John Acton.
- Richard Allen.
- Right Honourable, The Lord Arran.
- Mr. Thomas Akers.
- Richard Amſon, Gent.
- Nathaniel Axtell, Eſq.
- JOhn Bruere, Fleet-ſtreet.
- Earl of Berkely.
- Earl of Berkſhire.
- Earl of Bathe.
- Sir Samuel Barnardiſton, Bar.
- Thomas Boteler, Eſq
- Mrs. Joan Bradſhaw.
- John Brewer, Eſq
- Duke of Buckingham.
- George Burton, Gent.
- Mr. Samuel Barkeley, Apothecary.
- Mr. Timothy Bowes.
- [] Mr. James Bowles, Seven Books.
- Langham Booth, Eſq
- Hugh Bethel, Eſq
- Mr. Bridgeman, in the Poultry.
- Mr. William Bryon, Cornhill.
- Mr. Sloman Bryon.
- Thomas Baker, Eſq
- Mr. John Busfeild.
- Charles Biſhop, Boſwel Court.
- Sir St. John Brodrick, of Surrey, Kt.
- Charles Badham, Minor.
- Mr. Edward Barker, Apothecary.
- Mr. Charles Bowles, Southwark.
- Mr. Borderie, Two Books.
- Jeremiah Buckingham.
- Mr. Anthony Baron.
- Richard Bytheway, Eſq
- Edmund Bromwich, Gent.
- Thomas Bagſhaw, of Derbyſhire, Eſq
- William Bearcroft.
- Mr. Daniel Browne, Seven Books.
- Mr. Bedford, of Castle-Yard.
- Duke of Beauford.
- Mr. George Bloodworth.
- M— Baines.
- Charles Burd, Gent.
- George Bell, Gent.
- Mr. Jonah Benjamen, Gent.
- Mr. Francis Brown, in Crutched-Fryers, Wine Cooper.
- Sir John Criſp, Bar.
- Laird of Craigens.
- The Honourable Colonel Cornwall.
- Sir Michael Cole, Kt.
- Henry Cornwel, Eſq
- John Churchill, Eſq
- Thomas Chambers, Eſq
- John Carrance, Eſq
- Mrs. Sarah Church.
- James Cavendiſh, Eſq
- Charles Crisp, Eſq
- The Right Honourable Lord, Char⯑lemont.
- John Cren [...]-oſſtey, Eſq
- Lady Francis Clarges.
- Robert Child, Eſq
- Mr. Croſs, of Weſtminster.
- Mr. Cole.
- John Cholmley, Eſq Southwark.
- William Coward, M. D.
- Mr. Iſaac Chauncy.
- Richard Cox.
- Sir Alexander Cairnes, Bar.
- The Right Honourable, Lord Capel.
- Mr. Joſeph Cerda, Merchant.
- Michael Cartwright.
- The Right Honourable, Earl of Cholmondeley.
- Mr. John Cowſell.
- Mr. John Carr, Norfolk.
- Patricius Chaworth, Eſq
- Mr. Thomas Curtis.
- Captain Sampſon Coclough.
- Andrew Cole, Gent. Twelve Books.
- William Carent, Eſq
- Edmund Cradock, Gent.
- Mr. Joſeph Cooper.
- The Right Honourable, The Lord Conesby.
- Mr. John Clark.
- Mr. Richard Cooper, of Shrowsbury.
- Mr. John Coke.
- Mr. Richard Chiſwell, of London, Merchant.
- JAcob Davers, Eſq
- William Daws, M. D.
- Dr. Charles Davenant.
- Edmund Dunch, Eſq
- Earl of Denbigh.
- Sir Thomas Dalyſon, Bar.
- Mr. William Durrad, Mercer.
- Mr. William Dilton, Fourteen Books.
- Duke of Devonſhire.
- Mrs. Mary Dutton.
- James Diskeen, Gent.
- Mr. Drift.
- Mr. Joſeph Daſh.
- Samuel Deviſcher. Gent.
- William Donning, Eſq
- Mr. Robert Donne.
- [] The Right Honourable Lord Day.
- William Dickinſon, Gent.
- His Grace the Duke of Douglaſs.
- The Right Honourable, The Lady Donnegal.
- Mr. William Dandy, of Cliffords-Inn, Gent.
- ARthur Everard, Eſq
- Thomas Ellis, Eſq
- Mrs. Ann Eeles.
- Richard Eſton, Alderſgate-ſtreet.
- The Right Honourable, Earl of Eſſex.
- Mr. John Evans.
- Mr. John Eſſington.
- Mr. Nathaniel Eſtwick.
- Mr. Thomas Eedes.
- Anthony Earbery, Gent.
- LOrd Viſcount Fitzharding.
- Mr. Benjamin Fox.
- William Feilder, Gent.
- The Right Honourable, Lord Viſcount Fermannagh.
- Mr. Henry Frith, of Long Acre.
- Mr. Finch, of the Minories.
- The Right Honourable, Lord Forbus.
- William Forteſcue, Eſq
- Mr. Stephen Fouchers.
- Mr. Lawrence Faſhions.
- THE Right Honourable, Lord Marquis of Granby.
- Mr. Thomas Grahme, Apothecary.
- Mr; Iſaac Guiger, in Mark-Lane.
- Sir James Gray, Bart.
- John Groves, Eſq
- Mr. Le-Grand.
- Richard Graham, Gent.
- Mr. John Grace.
- Mr. John Gay.
- Captain John Goodwyn.
- William Goſſelin, Eſq Seven Books.
- William Goſſelin, Eſq again Seven Books.
- The Reverend Mr. Devereux Goodinge, of St. Dunſtans, VVeſt.
- Mr. Thomas Glegg.
- The Right Honourable, Counteſs of Grenarde.
- Joſeph Girdler, Eſq
- John Gibbons, Gent.
- Mr. Charles Green, Newgate-ſtreet.
- Mountague Garrard Drake, Eſq
- Mr. John Gough.
- Sir William Gordon.
- Mr. Roger Gathorn.
- MRS Katherine Humphreys.
- Sir William Huſtler.
- The Right Honourable, Lord Ha⯑lifax.
- Arthur Hill, Eſq
- Mrs. Elizabeth Haſtings.
- Jonathan Holloway, Eſq
- Mr. Thomas Harvey.
- James Hays, Eſq
- Collonel James Harcourt.
- Collonel Henry Hawker.
- Robert Howard, Eſq
- Mr. James Hurst.
- Mrs. Hammond.
- Reverend Mr. Nathaniel Hough.
- Francis Hays, Gent.
- Mrs. Mary Hutchins.
- Mr. James Holland, Fourteen Books.
- Mr. Halton, Cateaton-ſtreet.
- Mr. Henry Hyches, Bedford-ſtreet.
- Robert Herne, Gent.
- Mr. Robert Harris.
- Mr. George Holmes.
- Mr. Helliers, Merchant.
- Sir James How, Bar.
- Mr. Thomas Himore.
- The Honourable, Sir Thomas Han⯑more.
- John Harris, Eſq
- George Huxley, Gent.
- The Rev [...]rend Mr. Charles Hum⯑phreys, A. M. Rector of VVeſt-VVickham, in Kent.
- THE Right Honourable, Lady Jermyn.
- [] Mr. Arthur Jeſſerys.
- Mr. Iſaac Jacobs, Merchant.
- William Jordan, Eſq
- Thomas Jenniſon, Eſq
- Mr. Thomas Jones.
- Mrs. Grace Johnſon.
- Edward Jones, Gent.
- THE Right Honourable, Earl of Kilmarock.
- The Reverend, Mr. James King.
- Captain James Kirk, Seven Books.
- John Kirby, Gent.
- Charles Killegrew, Eſq
- Major Robert Kempe, Two Books.
- Abel Ketelbey, of the Middle Tem⯑ple, Eſq
- Mr. Eliſha Kirkal, Engraver.
- Alexander Kellet, Gent.
- Mr. Thomas Knapper, Paper-maker.
- CHarlwood Lawton, of the Mid⯑dle Temple, Eſq
- Mr. Henry Lombard.
- Edward Loveday, Eſq
- Mrs. Hannah Lowther.
- Joſeph Lombard, Gent.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Lord.
- Richard Loyd, Eſq
- Richard Loyde, Gent.
- William Landale, Eſq
- Mr. James Lane.
- Francis Lynn, Eſq
- Mr. Thomas Lumpkin.
- Mr. Thomas Lacy.
- Mr. James Loughton.
- Mr. James Lamming.
- John Langley, Gent.
- Sir Thomas Mainwairing, Bar.
- Sir Winwood Mowet, Bar.
- Sir Humphry Miller, Bart.
- Captain Richard Marſh.
- Ralph Miller, Eſq
- William Morriſon, Eſq
- Mrs. Grace Miller.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Miller.
- Chriſtopher Muſgrave, Eſq
- Mrs. Margaret Maſſeinberg.
- Mr. George Moult, Chymiſt, Two Books.
- Henry Meriton, Eſq
- Mr. Edward Molins, Eighteen Books.
- Mr. Samuel Micklewright.
- Mr. John Marten, Surgeon.
- Mr. James Marten, Apothecary.
- Mr. Benjamin Marten, Bread-ſtreet.
- Mr. James Moſeley.
- Mr. Miles, of St. Mary Hill.
- Mr. Moody, Devonſhire-ſtreet.
- Mr. Thomas Merrifield.
- Mr. Robert Man.
- John Mills, Gent.
- Mr. John Moore, Apothecary.
- JOhn Norkett, Eſq
- Dutcheſs of Northumberland.
- Robert Norris, Eſq
- Mrs. Newton.
- Mr. Abraham Norton.
- The Honourable Thomas Newport, Eſq
- Mr. Eraſmus Norwich, Junior.
- Edward Nevil, Eſq Seven Books.
- Lady Sophia Napier.
- Fettiplace Nott, Eſq
- Sir David Neirn.
- THomas Owen, Eſq
- The Right Honourable, Counteſs of Orrery.
- Morgan Owen, Eſq
- Thomas Owen, Gent.
- Charles Orby, Eſq
- Reverend Dr. Only.
- Mr. Edmund Ogden.
- Peter Otger, Gent.
- Abraham O Neal, Eſq
- Duke of Ormond.
- Dutcheſs of Ormond.
- Mr. John Owen, of Hempſted.
- RIght Honourable, Earl of Peterborow, Six Books.
- Right Honourable, Lord Paget.
- Mr. Alexander Pendarves.
- Right Honourable, Lord Pelham.
- Mr. John Pennington.
- Joſeph Powel, Gent.
- Mr. Azariah Pinney.
- Meſſire Robert Peirce, Merchant, at Oporto.
- Mr. William Price, Seven Books.
- Sir John Percival.
- Mr. George Preſcott.
- Right Honourable, Lord Peaſeley.
- James Perry Eſq Seven Books.
- Captain Euſtace Peacock.
- Mrs. Ann Peck.
- William Peirſon, Eſq
- Thomas Pooly, Eſq
- Mr. John Pacey.
- DUke of Queensborough.
- Sir William Robinſon.
- James Rawlinſon, Eſq Seven Books.
- Mr. Edward Roe, Attorney.
- Mr. Charles Reyner.
- Mr. Andrew Raymond, Seven Books.
- Mrs. Mary Roberts.
- John Robinſon, Gent.
- Mr. Thomas Rowe.
- Charles Rogers, Junior.
- Henry Rutherford, of Southwark.
- Mr. George Roberts.
- Mr. Read, Woollen Draper.
- Mr. Thomas Robinſon, Dean-ſtreet.
- Mr. Humphry Robyns, of Oxford.
- Mr. Thomas Rayner, Cheapſide.
- Mr. Iſaac Redhouſe, Twelve Books.
- Mrs. Mary Rich.
- Mr. Rouſe, Druggiſt.
- The Honourable Ruſſel Roberts.
- Right Honourable, The Lord Ra⯑nelaugh.
- Mr. Samuel Ryley.
- Mr. George Reynolds.
- The Right Honourable, Arabella, Counteſs Dowager Rivers.
- Mr. John Street.
- Mrs. Charlot Sheffeild.
- Henry Savage, M. D.
- Gilbert Shelden, Gent.
- Mrs. Katherine Shuttleworth.
- Reverend Mr. Sprat, Arch-Deacon of Rocheſter.
- Mr. John Smith, Apothecary.
- Mrs. Singer.
- Mrs. Ann Suffeild.
- Mr. John Steventon, Goldſmith.
- James Smith, Gent. Twelve Books.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Sparks.
- Samuel Swale, Eſq
- Right Honourable, Earl of Sun⯑derland.
- Mr. John Stroud, in Broad-ſtreet.
- Mr. James Senhouſe, Eſq
- Thomas Sydenham, Eſq Seven Books.
- Mr. Robert Stonyclift.
- Mr. Charles Seward.
- — Southwell, Eſq
- Mr. Jacob Smith.
- Mr. James Smith, Seven Books.
- Mr. Henry Sedgwick.
- Mr. James Swan, Fourteen Books.
- Mrs. Katherine Sherlock.
- Mr. Charles Stratham, Merchant.
- John Stratham, Eſq Seven Books.
- Mr. Samuel Shalcroſſe, of Leicester⯑ſhire.
- Humphry Senhouſe, Eſq
- Mr. John Scarfe.
- Right Honourable, The Earl of Seafeild.
- Mr. Charles Seger.
- Mr. Robert Sutton.
- Mr. John Stuart, Merchant of Lon⯑don.
- [] William Salmon, M. D.
- John Smith, Gent.
- LIeutenant Collonel Trelawny.
- Mr. William Trueman.
- Richard Tye, Eſq
- Richard Toke, Eſq Seven Books.
- Reverend Mr. Marcus Tollet.
- Richard Tolſon, Eſq
- Mr. Benjamin Taylor.
- Mr. Thomas Tompyon, Fleetstreet.
- Mr. Benjamin Took, Seven Books.
- Mr. Tilly, Cheeſmonger.
- Mrs. Bridget Thacker.
- Mr. Thorogood.
- Mr. Thomas Tanner.
- Honourable, Brigadier Tatton
- Mr. John Taylor.
- Mr. Richard Tayler.
- WIlliam Vane, Eſq
- Henry Vaughan, Eſq
- Mrs. Mary Vaughan.
- Mr. John Ʋry.
- Mr. Humphrey Vaughton.
- Mr. John Ʋpton.
- WIlliam Baynham, in Spittle-Fields, Seven Books.
- Charles Weld, of the Inner-Temple, Eſq
- Sir John Wentworth, Bar.
- Sir William Wentworth, Bar.
- Right Honourable, Lord Warring⯑ton.
- Sir Nicholas Williams, Bar.
- Lady Wrey
- Honourable Collonel George Wade.
- Richard Wyche, Eſq
- James Willis, Eſq
- Mr. Thomas Walwyn.
- Mr. John Williams, of the Queens Printing-Houſe.
- Mr. George Walwyn.
- William Wrightſun, of Grays-Inn, Eſq
- Reverend Mr. Willick, German Mi⯑niſter.
- Mr. Edward Warren, Birchen Lane.
- Right Honourable, Counteſs of Warwick.
- Mr. Wheeler.
- Francis Wilkinſon, Eſq
- Mrs. Suſannah, Wilkins.
- Mrs. Sarah Wilkins.
- Mrs. Mary Walwyn.
- Anthony Wilſon, Eſq
- Mrs. Laetitia White.
- Mr. Ambroſe Warren, Two Books.
- Reverend Mr. Whitfeild, of Lud⯑gate, &c.
- Mr. Joſeph Whitehead.
- Mr. Joſeph Windham, Cornhill.
- Mr. Robert Welborne.
- Mr. Cornelius Wittenoom.
- William Wogan, Gent. Two Books.
- Mr. John Wharton.
- Mr. Robert Warman, Criplegate.
- Walter Weſt, Gent.
- Nathaniel Wickham, M. D. Seven Books.
- Mr. N. Weld.
- Sir Edmund Warcuppe, Kt.
- Francis Woodcock, Gent.
- Mr. John White.
- Mr. Thomas Wilſon, Apothecary.
- Doctor Waller, of Newport-Pagnel.
- Mr. Gamaliel Webb.
- The Reverend, Mr. Edward Wad⯑dington. A. M.
- Mr. Robert Worſley, in Queens-ſtreet.
- Mr. John Yarwell, Pellmell.
- John Young, Eſq
- Edward Yates, Eſq Seven Books.
- Mr. John Young, Druggiſt.
THE HEADS Of the Two and Fifty CHAPTERS Are as follow.
[]- I. OF the vaſt Extent of the Turkiſh Empire. Page 1.
- II. Of the Turkiſh Policy. P. 5.
- III. Of the Civil Government of the Turks. P. 9.
- IV. Of their Government Military. P. 18.
- V. Of their Naval Force. P. 29.
- VI. Of the Tenets of their Faith, and how differing from the Perſians. P. 38.
- VII. Of the Ceremonies of the Turkiſh Religion. P. 46.
- VIII. Of the ſeveral Sects, into which they are divided. P. 58.
- IX. Of the Turkiſh Studies, and how far Learning is encourag'd among them. P. 65.
- X. Of the Turkiſh Morals. P. 76.
- XI. Of their Trade, Foreign and Domeſtick. P. 85.
- XII. Of the Turkiſh Habits. P. 92.
- XIII. Of their Wives, Concubines, Ways of Courtſhip, and Forms of Marriage. P. 96.
- XIV. Of the Turkiſh Women in general. P. 109.
- XV. Of the Turkiſh Cuſtoms, and Ceremonies in Converſation. P. 116.
- XVI. Of the Turkiſh Funerals. P. 124.
- XVII. Of the Publick and Private Buildings in Turkey. P. 129.
- XVIII. Of the City of Conſtantinople. P. 135.
- XIX. Of the Grand Signior's Seraglio. P. 147.
- XX. Of his Revenues. P. 170.
- XXI. Of the Greeks in their Modern State. P. 173.
- XXII. Of the Graecian Religion. P. 182.
- XXIII. Of the Armenians, and their Religion. P. 185.
- XXIV. Of the Copties. P. 190.
- XXV. Of the Zinganees, or the Race of the Gypſies. P. 194.
- XXVI. Of Seſtos and Abidos, the Caſtles commanding the Helleſpont, now call'd Dardanelli, and of the Ruins of Old Troy. P. 202.
- [] XXVII Of the Iſlands in the Aegean Sea. P. 207.
- XXVIII. Of Alexandria in Egypt. P. 219.
- XIX. Of Aethiopia, and the Source of the Nile, with the Cauſe, Man⯑ner and Continuance of its Annual Inundation. P. 222.
- XXX. Of the Government of Egypt. P. 227.
- XXXI. Of the Learning and Morals of the Egyptians. P. 230.
- XXXII. Of the Beaſts, Birds, and Serpents of Egypt. P. 233.
- XXXIII. Of the Cities of Grand-Cairo, Memphis, and Babylon. P. 237.
- XXXIV. Of the Pyramids of Egypt, and ſeveral new Diſcoveries therein, never yet Publiſh'd. P. 245.
- XXXV. Of the Trade of Egypt. P. 259.
- XXXVI. Of the Revenues of Egypt, and to what Ʋſes applied. P. 262.
- XXXVII. Of the Egyptian Mummies, found in the Ancient Sepulchres of their Dead. P. 263.
- XXXVIII. Of that Part of Egypt, formerly the Land of Goſhen, and of the Paſſage of Caravans thro' the Libyan Deſarts. P. 272.
- XXXIX. Of the preſent State of the Holy-Land. P. 275.
- XL. Of Jeruſalem, the Sacred Antiquities therein contain'd, and the En⯑tertainment of Strangers in the Chriſtian Monaſtery on Mount Calvary. P. 278.
- XLI. Of the Cities of Paleſtine, as they now are. P. 291.
- XLII. Of the River Jordan, and the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah. P. 296.
- XLIII. Of the preſent State of the Chriſtian Religion in Paleſtine. P. 299.
- XLIV. Of Arabia the Stony. P. 303.
- XLV. Of Arabia the Deſart. P. 307.
- XLVI. Of Arabia the Happy. P. 312.
- XLVII. Of the Red Sea. P. 314.
- XLVIII. Of the Turks Pilgrimage to Mahomet's Tomb, with their Ce⯑remonies at Mecca and Medina Telnaby. P. 317.
- XLIX. Of the Arabians, their Government, and Way of Living. P. 325.
- L. Probable Conjectures concerning the Ten Tribes of Iſrael, which were carried away Captive, by Shalmanezer, King of Aſſyria, 2 Kings Chap. 17. P. 328.
- LI. Inſtructions to the Traveller, who would make a Safe and Profitable Journey into thoſe Parts. P. 332.
- LII. The Concluſion. P. 338.
The following ERRATA, which eſcap'd the Preſs, the Reader is deſir'd to Correct with his Pen, and pardon accidental Literal Faults, from the ſame Occaſion.
IN the two laſt Lines of the laſt Paragraph of Page 257, read, inſtead of round with ſtately Chambers, &c. round ſtately Chambers, &c. indented with, &c.
In the Preface, Page 14. Line 2. for Prentence, read Pretence.
In the Body of the Book, Page 3. Line 46. for Balſora read Balſara. P. 26 l. 17, r. Incapacitated. p. 36 l. 16, r. addreſs'd. P. 96, for [...] r. [...] P. 115 l. 1, r. Quey P. 119, for Numquam r. Nun⯑quam. P. 125 l. 1, r. [...]. P. 143, r. [...] and [...]. P. 150 l. 22, for diciſis r. deciſis. P. 167 l. 11, r. Congratulatory. P. 168 l. 11, r. Scene for Scent. P. 169. in the laſt line of the Greek, add [...] after [...]. P. 171 l. 37, r. Incapacitated. P. 196 l. 12, for Degree, r. Decree. P. 204 l. 11, r. Corn. P. 226, for [...] r. [...]. P. 206 l. 35, r. L'Hiſtoire de L'Aſie. P. 245, r. [...]. P. 320 l. 48, r. Rabbiie, inſtead of Babile. P. 321 l. 18, for Declaration, r. Declamation.
[1] The Preſent STATE OF AETHIOPIA, &c.
CHAPTER I. Of the Vaſt Extent of the Turkiſh Empire.
The Cauſe of the Turks Succeſs.THE Turks arriv'd at their amazing Grandeur from ſo obſcure an Origin, that the invaded World ſtood won⯑dering at their Growing Fortunes, while they ſhou'd have endeavour'd to repulſe, by a vigorous Oppoſition, the bold Incurſions of their encroaching Numbers. And as at this Day they owe the quiet Poſſeſſion of their former Acquiſitions to the Supine Negligence, and Civil Diſcords of the Chriſtian World; ſo the ſame Neglects, and diſſonant Intereſts and Affecti⯑ons, firſt built their Glory on the Entire Subverſion of our Jarring An⯑ceſtors. But 'twill be needleſs to inſert here any more of their Hiſtory than will be found neceſſary, for the more eaſy Comprehenſion of their preſent Condition.
The Origin of the Turks.WHETHER puſh'd on by Famine, or expell'd by the prevailing Pow⯑er of contending Neighbours, is altogether uncertain, A Body of Adven⯑turous Scythians forſook their Country, in the Year of Chriſt; 844, and, inur'd to Hardſhips by the daily Proſpects of Familiar Dangers, paſs'd o'er the Caſpian Mountains, and wreſted forcibly the Poſſeſſion of ARMENIA MAJOR from its ſurpriz'd Inhabitants. From the Appellation of its New-come Maſters, it receiv'd its preſent Name of TƲRCOMANIA, who ſtrengthen'd by the daily Acceſſion of their Wand'ring Countrymen, grew ſtrongly planted in their Conquer'd Habitation, and were, ſoon af⯑ter, able to ſend 3000 Men, under the Command of Tangrolipix the Chief of the Selzuccians, a Family Eminent among them, to the Aſſiſtance of Mahomet the Perſian Sultan, who by their prevailing Valour, gave a happy turn to his declining Fortune: But the Babylonian Caliph being Over⯑thrown, Tangrolipix offering to withdraw his Forces, was detain'd unwil⯑lingly by the Arbitrary Power of his ungrateful Ally: This bred a warm Reſentment in the Turkiſh Soldiers, who retiring to a Wood, increas'd [2] their Numbers by a daily Reception of deſerting Perſians; Their Ad⯑vancement to the Empires of Perſia and Babylon.till at laſt, they Overthrew the Sultan in a bloody Battle, and by the mutual Conſent of both Armies, Tangrolipix, in place of the deceas'd Mahomet, was declar'd Sultan of Perſia and Babylon. Stupendious Fortune favour'd the Attempts of his active Succeſſors, till the Glorious Expedition of the United Chriſti⯑ans redeem'd the Conquer'd Syria from their Uſurp'd Dominion. Their Ruin by the Tartars.Vari⯑ous was their future Fortune, ſometimes Gaining, ſometimes Loſing, till the Empire of Tangrolipix was wholly Subverted by an unexpected Inun⯑dation of the Conquering Tartars; They riſe again.To whom the Flying Turks abandon'd the Poſſeſſion of their enlarg'd Dominions, and joining with their Coun⯑try-Men of the Selzuccian Race in Aſia Minor, they follow'd the Fortunes of the Succeſsful Aladine, who Invading the neglected Corners of the Graecian Empire, then Warring with the Latines, Poſſeſs'd himſelf of Cilicia and the Neighbouring Countries, Erecting, at Sebaſtia, the Arbitrary Throne of a New-won Kingdom.
Are entirely ruin'd in all Parts.BUT they enjoy'd not long a quiet Poſſeſſion of their eaſy Conqueſts, for the [...]arring Sons of Aladine diſmembred their Dominion by a mutual Oppoſition to each others Intereſt, till the fourth King from the Founder of that Monarchy, became a Tributary Vaſſal to the Victorious Tartar, who had now entirely broken their large Empire in the Greater Aſia, as the Succeſsful Mamalukes had drove their Country-Men out of Egypt: But the Tartars neglecting their numerous Acquiſitions, the remaining Turks ſeeing no Power to prevent their Wills, divided with their Inter⯑eſts, the diſmembred Country; And he that had Strength enough to take Poſſeſſion, enjoy'd the Government of whatever Part his Inclination led him to make Choice of.
ERTOGRIEL, the Son of Solyman, a Principal Member of the Oguzian Fa⯑mily, had, with an unexpected Supply, ſucceſsfully Aſſiſted Sultan Ala⯑dine in a doubtful Battle; and was Rewarded with the Poſſeſſion of Siguta, a Bithynian Lordſhip, in which he ſettled his ſeparated Family, whoſe unſtable Reſidence had, till then, oblig'd them to wander thro' the various Mazes of an uncertain Fortune: And after a long and peaceable Poſſeſſion, having gain'd the Affection of Chriſtians and Turks by his mild Diſpoſition, he dy'd in the Year of Chriſt, 1289, and left behind him three Sons, Oſman, Saragutin, and Iundas.
The Riſe and Antiquity of the Ottoman Empire. OSMAN was Elected by the Oguzians to his Fathers Government, who taking the opportunity of reſenting ſome Outrages committed by the Neighb'ring Greeks, Invaded their Dominions, Overthrew their Armies in ſeveral Pitch'd Battles, and having made himſelf Maſter of the City of Nice, was, after the Death of Aladine, Elected to the Dignity of Sultan, and reigning 27 Years, he wreſted from the Greeks, Cappadocia, Bithynia, and moſt of the Fortify'd Towns which border'd on the Euxine Sea, till in the Year 1300, he choſe Neapolis for his Regal Seat, and from thence we date the Original of the preſent Turkiſh Empire.
Then ſucceſ⯑ſive Conqueſts. OSMAN was Succeeded by his Son Ʋrchan, whoſe ſucceſsful Attempts on the Graecian Provinces, ſo much enlarg'd his Dominions, that he fix'd his Seat of Empire at the Great City of Pruſa; which retain'd that Ho⯑nour until Mahomet the Firſt, after ſeveral Acquiſitions in the European Greece, removed it to Adrianople. The Succeſſors of this Prince continued their Invaſions on the remaining Branches of the Graecian Empire, till by the unparallell'd Negligence of the State, then diſagreeing with their Em⯑perour, they loſt their Ancient City Conſtantinople, to the prevailing For⯑ces of a Second Mahomet; who by this additional Glory, was juſtly Ho⯑nour'd with the Title of Great; the Loſs of their Metropolis was fatally ſucceeded, by an entire Subverſion of their Shatter'd Empire.
[3] Continuati⯑on of their Hiſtory.THE Succeſſors of Mahomet by yearly Acquiſitions enlarg'd their Territories in Europe and Aſia; which at laſt not contenting them, the Victorious Selym extended his Dominion over Syria and Egypt; bringing the Arabians under his Authority, and raiſing the Foundation of a Larger Power, on the bloody Ruin of the Subverted Mamalukes; ſince when, the latter Sultans have added to their Dominions moſt of the Iſlands in the Aegean Sea; Rhodes, with thoſe Noble Knights, who ſo vigorouſly De⯑fended the Seat of their Order, ſubmitted at laſt, to the Irreſiſtible Power of the Succeſsful Solyman; Cyprus was oblig'd to fall before the Conquering Armies of the Second Selym; and ſince then, ſo prodigiouſly have they ſpread their Conqueſts, that they now enjoy a free, and unmoleſted Poſ⯑ſeſſion of the Nobleſt Parts of Aſia, Europe, and the Remoter Africa, on which Extenſive Foundation, they have certainly built the moſt abſolute Empire, and Arbitrary Monarchy, that has ever flouriſh'd ſince the Worlds Original.
Extent of the Turkiſh Empire.FOR Firſt, the Weſtern Part of its European Dominion, is extended to the very Borders of the once-loſt Hungary, ſtretching to the Adriatick by the Raguſean Confines, bounded on the South by the Mediterranean Sea, on the Eaſt with Pontus, Propontis and the Aegean, even to the Scythian Cherſoneſus; Poland and Ruſſia ſcarce bound its Northern Limits. Within this vaſt Extent of Empire are contain'd, the fertil Territories of the fam'd Romania, Ser⯑via, Raſcia, and Bulgaria: Valachia and Moldavia pay Tribute to its Pow⯑er; Albania, Epirus, Macedonia, Boſnia and Greece, are now entirely Turkiſh; and the fruitful Iſlands of the Aegean Sea, with thoſe of Candy, Rhodes, and Cyprus, acknowledge now no Lord but him.
Their Em⯑pire in Aſia.HIS Aſiatick Territories contain that vaſt Tract of Land between the Euxine, Cilician, and Aegean Seas; viz. Bithynia, Pontus, Phrygia, Galatia, Lycia, Cappadocia, Pamphylia, Cilicia, and the vaſt Extent of Armenia Mi⯑nor; ſtretching Northward from Colchis to Catai, and Eaſtward to the inac⯑ceſſible Mountains of the Hardy Georgians. Armenia Major is now moſtly theirs; Babylonia, Meſopotamia, Phoenicia, Coeloſyria, and Paleſtine, are al⯑together in the Turks Poſſeſſion, as are the vaſt Dominions of the Three Arabia's.
Their Domi⯑nions in Afri⯑ca.IN Africa it ſtretches along the unmeaſur'd Coaſts of the Mediterranean, from the Red-Sea to the inmoſt Parts of the Mauritanian Country, inclu⯑ding Tripoli, Tunis, Fez, Algiers, and Morocco, ſo vaſtly Large are the uſurp'd Dominions of theſe encroaching Infidels: But that the Reader may more plainly comprehend the Whole by a Meaſure of ſome Parts, I have Calculated the following Account for his more particular Satis⯑faction.
PALƲS Moeotis entirely his, ſpreads full a Thouſand Miles into the Land; The Circuit of the Euxine or Black-Sea contains at leaſt Two Thou⯑ſand Six Hundred Miles; Three Thouſand Two Hundred Miles ſcarce compaſs Egypt; and as much of the Mediterranean Coaſt as is ſubject to the Turk, contains above Seven Thouſand Miles in compaſs; From the Caſpian Derbent to Aden on the Red-Sea is Three Thouſand and odd Miles; and near Four Thouſand Miles from Tremeſſen in Barbary to Balſora on the Per⯑ſian Gulf. So that the amazing Conqueſts of the Macedonian Alexander are ſwallow'd at a Morſel, by the ſwifter Acquiſitions of a Modern Empire; The ſtupendious Victories of the ſucceſsful Jews outdone by theſe; The mighty Power of the Egyptian Monarchs intirely baffled by the Turkiſh Soldiers; The Graecian Empire, once ſo famous for its Military Atchieve⯑ments, divided into Provinces by One far Greater; Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Lacedaemonia, and thoſe numerous Governments, ſo fam'd for their aboun⯑ding [4] Vertues, are all involved in one Common Ruin, and the Glorious Actions of their Prodigious Hero's forgotten and unimitated, by the bro⯑ken Spirits of their ſupine Poſterity.
The Conve⯑niencies of their Metropo⯑lis.NOR wants this vaſt Dominion any thing that is requiſite for the ſtrenuous Support of its exalted Splendour; its very Situation ſeems to ſpeak it built upon the Loftieſt Columns of Ʋniverſal Monarchy; for its e⯑qual Diviſion between Europe and Aſia, has plac'd it in the Center of the Surrounding World, whereby they are ever ready to enlarge their Con⯑queſts either way, and have freſh Supplies ſtill near at hand, to reinforce their broken Troops in every Corner; while his Imperial City, the Ancient Conſtantinople, ſtanding ſo Commodiouſly on the extreameſt Limits of thoſe joyning Regions, is officiouſly attended by Two Neighb'ring Seas, whoſe meeting Waters gliding by the Walls of the Magnificent Seraglio, bring Wealth and Honour to this Potent Lord, and lay the various Treaſures of the Earth, at the Worſhipp'd Feet of their Illuſtrious Monarch.
The Titles of the Turkiſh Emperour.NOTHING can in a more lively manner expreſs the Senſe they have of their extended Power, than that affected Vanity with which their haughty Sultans ſwell their Titles, as ‘"King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Ruler of the Eaſt and Weſt, and of all Parts of the World, Prince of the Holy and Chaſt City Jeruſalem. Shining with the Brightneſs of God, Thrice happy Lord of the Refulgent Mecca, Tamer of Infidels, and Scour⯑ger of the Unbelieving Race of Chriſtian Vaſſals; Lord of the White and Black Seas, The moſt Mighty and Invincible Sultan, who has Power from God to Rule all People with a Bridle, and to break open the Gates and Bars of all Cities and Strong Places, into whoſe Almighty Hands, are deliver'd all the Ends of the World, none excepted."’ Theſe and many ſuch-like Titles, are proudly Challeng'd by the Imperious Ottomans, who, in former Times, have Blaſphemouſly preſum'd to take upon them the ve⯑ry Attributes of the Almighty: But of late they are become more Modeſt, which may proceed from the numerous Diſappointments, that in the Mo⯑dern Wars, have ſo frequently baffled their preſumptuous Armies, and by curbing the Deſigns of their ambitious Sultans, taught 'em better how to know themſelves and prize their Neighbours; yet, notwithſtanding the Inglorious Reigns of ſeveral Modern Emperors, have added nothing to their Territories, they ſtill continue in a full Poſſeſſion of their former Ac⯑quiſitions, and are not only able to Defend their own, but Conquer other Countries, ſhou'd the Warlike Spirit of ſome more Active Sultan once lead 'em out to Action.
CHAP. II. Of the Turkiſh Policy.
[5]THE Political Maxims of an Arbitrary Government, may not improperly be compar'd to the ſpreading Roots and twiſting Fibres of ſome Tall Oak, whoſe elevated Heigth expoſing it to double Danger, by the raging Force of Stormy Winds a⯑mong its Branches, has no Security but the Rooted Depth, by which it is ſupported againſt the ſtrongeſt Efforts of contending Tempeſts; and certainly a Government ſo vaſtly Large, ſo inexpreſſibly Rich, and ſo ſtrangely different from all other, muſt be ſupported ſtrongly by ſome uncommon Policy; without which Guard, the daring Ambition of aſpiring Princes, and the formidable violences of inteſtine Diſcords, would like ſome ſurprizing Earthquake, break fiercely thro' the Bands of Duty, and by their factious Conſequences involve the Empire in moſt inevitable Ruin.
THAT I may with greater eaſe Deſcribe the ſolid Foundations, upon which the Turks have built their Safety, 'twill be neceſſary to di⯑vide their Maxims into Two Parts. The Firſt, are thoſe by which the Sultan ſupports ſecurely his unrival'd Grandeur, and the ſure Dominion of his extenſive Empire. The Second, are ſuch Notions as are taught his Subjects with the earlieſt Rudiments of their common Knowledge, and diffuſe with eaſe a certain Awful Duty, or almoſt Idolatrous Veneration thro' the whole Country for the Perſon of their Emperour; and are the only cauſes of that mild Obedience and miſerable Servitude, with which they own themſelves his Slaves, and endeavour vigorouſly to exert an uncommon Induſtry, in hopes to gain ſome Mark of Fa⯑vour from the ineſtimable Bounty of their Common Maſter.
The firſt Maxim of the Turkiſh Policy.I ſhall begin with the Sultan, whoſe firſt Maxim of Policy is to Depo⯑pulate as much as may be the remoter Parts of his wide Empire, the more effectually to ſtrengthen its Center. The Reaſons upon which this Maxim is founded.The Reaſons he gives to prove the Uſefulneſs of this Maxim are theſe, Firſt, That Countries far di⯑ſtant from his Eye, might with more eaſe and leſs danger be induc'd to ſome fatal Rebellion, were the Number of their Inhabitants but any way proportionable to the Conveniency of their Situation. Secondly, By the miſerable and barren Condition of a diſ-peopled Country, 'twould be found a matter of inconceivable difficulty, for an Invading Enemy to penetrate their Empire with a numerous Army; ſince their Troops without the chargeable Inconvenience of vaſt quantities of Pro⯑viſions, would never be able to ſubſiſt in a Country, whoſe flying hand⯑ful of Inhabitants, would immediately convey what little Stores their Poverty afforded them, to Woods and Mountains, and Places inacceſ⯑ſible to People unacquainted with the Paſſes of the Country: Another Reaſon is, the utter impoſſibility, which Diſcarded Favorites (by this Means) find to eſcape the Anger of their Offended Sultan; for knowing no Place capable of Aſſiſting or Concealing them, unleſs they Re⯑tire to ſome Chriſtian Country, they rather chooſe a voluntary Re⯑ſignation of their Lives and Fortunes to the undiſputed Will of their Great Maſter; and quietly ſubmit their Necks to the Sword of the Exe⯑cutioner.
[6] BUT conſidering on the other ſide, that the Strength and Glory of a Prince does chiefly conſiſt in the Numbers of his People, he is ever care⯑ful not only to draw to the Center the Conquer'd Inhabitants of his diſ⯑p [...]opled Frontiers; but by the ſubtle Bait of ſome inveigling Privi⯑leges, is conſtantly attracting innumerable Quantities of Tributary Chriſtians, to Embrace the Doctrine of their Fallacious Religion, and by becoming Members of the Mahometan Faith, enjoy the Poſſeſſion of ſome little Marks of Diſtinction, purpoſely deny'd to their more honeſt Fel⯑lows, who bravely prompted by the Dictates of their Vertue, can with⯑out concern deſpiſe thoſe gaudy Trifles of a fanſied Happineſs, and dare prefer the heavy Chains of honeſt Slavery, to all the guilty Pleaſures of an Apoſtates Liberty.
Second Maxim.HIS Second Maxim is, That the only way to preſerve a Domeſtick Quiet, is to employ the Heads and Hands of his Subjects in ſome Foreign War: Its Reaſons.The numerous Advantages which accrue from this Maxim are ſo Conſpicuous as ſcarce to need an Explanation; for by this means he is continually enlarging the Bounds of his Dominions, or at leaſt improving the vaſt Numbers of his Soldiers, in an Inſtructive Practice of all the va⯑rious and neceſſary Points of Military Diſcipline: By theſe means he pre⯑ſerves himſelf ſecure from the ſudden Violence of Domeſtick Rebellion; for the ſearch of Glory firing the Breaſts of Officers and Soldiers, they unanimouſly bend their utmoſt Endeavours to encreaſe the Power of their extended Empire, which a lazy Peace might rather prompt them to Deſtroy: For the working Brains of Men inur'd to War and Dan⯑ger, will abhor the Ruſt of idle Sloth, and ſtir up gradually an Am⯑bitious Fire in the Breaſt of the Soldier, to lay a ſudden hold on ſome inviting Opportunity, and raiſe himſelf to Power and Honour, upon the bloody Ruin of his ſurpriz'd Commander.
Third Maxim.IN the Adminiſtration of his Juſtice he holds it a neceſſary Maxim, that a tedious Legality is far more dangerous than a ſwift Injuſtice: Its Reaſons.His Reaſons for this are, Firſt, The Fear and Awe which ſo rigid a manner of Proceeding infuſes ſtrongly into the Hearts of his Subjects, making them ever ready to obey his moſt irrational Commands with an unexampled Willingneſs; and terrifying their Reflections with ſo deep a Senſe of his Power, as to deter them from the ſmalleſt Inclination to a dangerous Diſobedience; and Secondly, tho' ſome by ſo haſty a Severity may unjuſtly ſuffer, yet Numbers are by their Examples fright⯑ned from Villanous Actions, whoſe Natures and Neceſſities, would o⯑therwiſe incline them, to a conſtant Practice of the blackeſt Vices.
Fourth Max⯑im.ANOTHER Maxim teaches them, That Learning is of all things the moſt dangerous to an Arbitrary Monarchy. Its Reaſons.For Firſt, Was Knowledge encourag'd by the happy Advantages of a liberal Edu⯑cation, the Genius of their People would ſoon become much more re⯑fin'd, and conſequently the groſs Abſurdities and fictitious Leſſons of their Alcoran, be look'd upon with Indignation, when compar'd with the Brighter Doctrine of the Chriſtian Religion. They would ſoon diſcover the fallacious Dreams and vain Deluſions of their fanſied Paradiſe, and throw off (with their Ignorance) the dull Stupidity of their ſlaviſh Anceſtors, they would ſoon perceive the Felicity of other Nations in a Glorious Liberty, and caſting off the Yoak they had ſo long ſubmitted to, attempt unanimouſly ſome wondrous Revolution, and weary of a ſhameful Fate in their ſo long Subjection to a Tyrannical Govern⯑ment, redeem their Honour with their long loſt Liberties, and Tri⯑umph in the Ruin of their Subverted Sultan. Another Reaſon for this Maxim is, a Notion commonly receiv'd in Turky, that the Uſe of Letters [7] is altogether inconſiſtent with the rougher Genius of a Warlike Nation; and that Learning if encourag'd would lull their Faculties in a ſilent love of Study, till ſinking in the ſoft indulgence of a Philoſophical Solitude, they would neglect entirely the more noble Practice of thoſe Martial Exerciſes, whoſe ſucceſsful Application has bravely rais'd them to the glorious Em⯑pire, which now diſtinguiſhes them from the leſs Powerful World.
Fifth Maxim.BUT above all theſe, there is One Maxim the conſtant Care and Secu⯑rity of the Turkiſh Sultans, and that is to be ſerv'd by ſuch Men as they can Raiſe without Envy, and Deſtroy without Danger. This they put in Practice by admitting none to the Honour or Truſt of great Preferments, but ſuch as have been brought up under the ſtricteſt Diſcipline of a Seraglio Education: They are generally the Sons of Chriſtian Parents, taken Cap⯑tives by the wand'ring Incurſions of the Roving Tartar, and ſent by way of the Black Sea to Conſtantinople as to a Common Market: Out of great Numbers of theſe there are Yearly Choſen a certain Quantity for the Grand Signior's Seraglio, where at their firſt Admiſſion they are carefully In⯑ſtructed in the Rudiments of the Turkiſh Language and Religion. Thence proceeding gradually as qualified in Body or Mind, from the laborious Practices of the meaneſt Drudgeries, to the loftieſt Studies of their more Po⯑lite Accompliſhments, till their Knowledge and Experience encreaſing with their Years, they are Preferr'd at laſt to ſome Place of Honour about the Perſon of their Emperour, and thence advanc'd as Occaſion offers to the Government of ſome Principality, a Seat of Juſtice, or Command in the Army, whichſoever their Genius has chiefly ſeem'd to bend them to: Its Reaſons.And by theſe Means being Educated from their Infancy with a ſer⯑vile Awe upon their Spirits, their Endeavours are entirely bent to pleaſe their Sultan; and ſtarting from ſo ſevere a Diſcipline to the Seat of Power, without Friend or Parent to aſſiſt them in their Enterprizes, they have no poſſibility of attempting with the ſmalleſt likelihood of Succeſs the leaſt Deſign againſt the Intereſt of their Sovereign: But beſides this, The Grand Signior has another Method no leſs Politick, to prevent them from making an ill uſe of the Authority he truſts them with; and that is the frequent Change of Officers, often calling them from one Government to take Poſ⯑ſeſſion of another in ſome far diſtant Part of the Country; by which means having no time to fix an Intereſt with the People that are under them, they are abſolutely debarr'd from the ſmalleſt Hopes of Succeſs in an At⯑tempt againſt the Perſon or Power of their Sultan, who ſeldom continues them ſo long as Three Years in one Place; and as if in that time there was danger of a Revolt, takes care by other Methods to render it ſtill more impracticable, for giving them no Money, when he prefers them to a Go⯑vernment, and themſelves Poſſeſſing nothing but what they receive from his Bounty, they are oblig'd to borrow great Sums on Credit to furniſh out their Equipage, for which the Chriſtian Merchants exacting often Cent per Cent Intereſt; they have no other way to pay theſe Debts, than by a bar⯑barous Oppreſſion of the Provinces they are ſent to, and knowing their time to be but ſhort, they ſeldom fail by Arbitrary Methods to enrich them⯑ſelves for ever after, by a Three Years Plunder of the poor Inhabitants; by which means they become odious to the People, who would be ſo far from aſſiſting them againſt the Sultan, as readily to embrace the ſmalleſt Oppor⯑tunity for revenging their Misfortunes in the Death or Ruin of their Tyran⯑nick Governour; By which the Grand Signior's Power ſtands more unſhaken than that of Chriſtian Princes, who have too often ſuffer'd by the Ambitious Inclinations of Rebellious Subjects.
THESE are the moſt noted Maxims of the Eaſtern Policy, whereby the Turkiſh Emperours maintain an uncontroul'd Authority over their ſo vaſt Dominions: Others there are, which being taught the People as Eſ⯑ſential [8] Points of Duty and Religion, oblige them quietly to bend their Necks, and calmly ſtoop to the galling Yoak of an Ignoble Slavery.
Sixth Maxim.AND Firſt, Obedience to the Sultan's Will is taught them as a Duty, the neglect whereof, will draw down the Curſes of God and Mahomet up⯑on themſelves and their Poſterity: His Word muſt ever be a ſettled Law, and Infallibility a peculiar Perfection of his Nature: None dare believe he errs, and tho' his Actions appear altogether inconſiſtent with Reaſon or Humanity, they muſt rather queſtion the perſpicuity of their Senſes, than preſume to think he ever can be guilty: Nay, ſo widely has this crafty Leſſon ſpread its Doctrine, that to die by the Hand or Mandate of their Emperour, is look'd upon by theſe deluded Wretches as a never failing Paſſport to the Gates of Paradiſe; and ſo Sacred a Veneration do they pay to the Perſon of this Idoliz'd Sultan, as if his People were deſtin'd as an in⯑ferior Species of Mortality, to ſerve the mighty End of his Creation: The better to ſupport this awful Senſe of Fear and Duty, the Expounders of their Law have fix'd a Notion in the Superſtitious Breaſts of the Common Peo⯑ple, that they can never pay too deep a Veneration to the Perſon of their Emperour, ſince the good or evil Fate of the Turkiſh Empire depends entirely on the Preſervation or Extinction of the Ottoman Family.
Seventh Max⯑im.ANOTHER Maxim among the Turks declares, That Merit is the only valuable Nobility, Its Reaſons.whereby the Meaneſt of their People exert their ut⯑moſt Induſtry in the purſuit of Honour, as knowing they muſt owe their Fortune to their own Perſonal Worth, and not the Hereditary Poſſeſſion of Lands and Tenements from the ſucceſsful Labours of induſtrious Anceſtors, for the Grand Signior is the common Heir to all Mens Eſtates, and diſtri⯑buting ſome ſmall Part among the Children, leaves them to cut out their own way to Riches and Preferment, and throws in the remainder amongſt the numerous Heaps of his own prodigious Treaſure.
Eight Max⯑im.ANOTHER Opinion not a little conducive to the Turkiſh Intereſt is, That thoſe who die in Battle againſt a Chriſtian Enemy are immediately Tranſported into Paradiſe, as a Reward for their Courage. Its Reaſons.'Tis no great difficulty to gueſs the Effects of ſuch a Notion on the thoughtleſs Crowd, who are thereby at all times willing to Invade a Chriſtian Country, and hur⯑ried forward to a zealous Madneſs by ſo encouraging a Doctrine, fall raſh⯑ly on, and prove too often fatal Inſtruments of Death and Vengeance.
Ninth Maxim.THERE is another Maxim of their Policy, which ſeems to have been owing to the vaſt Succeſſes of their Arms in the Infancy of their Em⯑pire, and that is, To look upon Proſperity as an infallible Sign of God's owning the Juſtice and Legality of their Endeavours: Its Reaſons.By theſe Means they have encourag'd their Armies to a conſtant Aſſurance of repeated Succeſſes, from the favourable Conſequences of one ſingle Victory, and drawn in pro⯑digious Numbers of Voluntary Soldiers to the aſſiſtance of a Cauſe, which ſuch propitious Omens had induc'd them to believe muſt neceſſarily entitle them to the Smiles of Providence.
Tenth Maxim.THERE is a Law amongſt the Turks, which I believe was introduc'd from an ancient Maxim of their Political Government, ſtrictly prohibiting all Subjects to the Grand Signior from Travelling for Improvement of their Knowledge and Experience, into any Country not under his Authority, eſpecially ſuch Parts of the World as are enlightned by the Heavenly Rays of Chriſtian Doctrine; and ſo very nicely is this Law obſerv'd amongſt them, that he who is accus'd of having broken it without a poſitive Order or Permiſſion from the Court, is often puniſh'd in an Exemplary manner, and his Goods and Chattels forfeited thereby, to whatſoever Uſe the Sultan ſhall aſſign them.
[9] Its Reaſons,THE numerous Advantages ariſing to their Government from ſo ſtrict a Prohibition of a Cuſtom, ſo diverting to the curious Inquiſitions of our Europaean Gentlemen, are ſo obvious to the Judgment of a Common Reader, that they hardly need a farther Explanation; ſince every Body muſt per⯑ceive, the chief Deſign of this ſo uſeful Maxim was to Cloak the Fallacies of their deceitful Doctrine, from the hoodwink'd Eyes of its Profeſſors, whoſe clouded Apprehenſions, fatally Illuminated by a Chriſtian Converſa⯑tion, might probably be brought to an entire Diſcovery of that inglorious Servitude in which they live, and tempt their Courage to aſſume new Fire, and redeem their Minds from an Erroneous Superſtition, while they brave⯑ly chang'd the baſe Subjection of their Inſulted Bodies for the generous En⯑joyment of a Nobler Liberty: And how far the continuance of this ſubtle Maxim may be ſerviceable to their Intereſt, does beyond diſpute appear in the good Effects it has hitherto produc'd; and the frequent Inſurrections and inteſtine Jarrs that almoſt Yearly happen on ſuch of their Frontiers, as by their nearneſs of Situation to the Chriſtian Countries, have render'd their Inhabitants no ways Strangers to the difference of their Government.
MANY beſides theſe are the Political Maxims of the Turkiſh Nation, but I ſhall content my ſelf with having nam'd the Chief, and thoſe on which they build the Pillars of their Conſtitution; and will proceed in the next Chapter to give as full an Account as I can of the peculiar Form and artful Management of their Civil Government.
CHAP. III. Of the Civil Government of the Turks.
TIS Perhaps the moſt difficult Undertaking a Man can put himſelf upon, to write of the numerous Intricacies of Foreign Govern⯑ments, and particularly One like that of Turkey; the Native Haugh⯑tineſs of whoſe Inſulting People, and their coy Deportment to the Travelling Subjects of a Chriſtian Country, are ſo many inacceſſible Barriers to the Curioſity of their Obſervations: But 'tis a Task yet more difficult to endeavour a ſatisfactory Deſcription of that Part of their Conſti⯑tution which compoſes this Chapter, ſince the Offices of their Religion are ſo cloſely interwoven with thoſe of their Law, that 'tis almoſt impoſſible to treat of either without involving both in a promiſcuous Confuſion.
HOWEVER that I may the more eaſily avoid the diſagreeable Ob⯑ſcurity of ſo unneceſſary a Conjunction, I ſhall gradually proceed to an Ac⯑count of the Places of Truſt and great Offices of their Empire, as they now differ from, or are dependant on, each other.
BY the foregoing Chapters, the prodigious Power and unlimited Autho⯑rity of the Turkiſh Sultan has been fully taught the Reader: But tho' his Rule is Arbitrary, and his Sway Deſpotick and Tyrannical, he ſubmits the Management of his Large Dominions to the depending Government of a deputed Viceroy; and indeed it has ever been the Cuſtom of the Eaſtern [10] Emperors to Conſtitute ſome favour'd Subject in a Degree of Honour next themſelves, a Cuſtom by many Authors condemn'd, as owing its Inſtituti⯑on to the ſlothful Diſpoſition of ſome Inglorious Monarch, wholly given up to Eaſe and Luxury; The Policy of Conſtituting a Vice-roy a great Support of the Sultans Power.but in my Opinion founded on the ſubtle Maxims of a deeper Policy; for by theſe means, the Emperours may not only, when they pleaſe, unbend their Minds from the fatiguing Cares of an intangled Government, but when the growing Anger of their injur'd Subjects provoke them to a Reſentment of their oppreſſive Cruelties, they throw the odium of their own Injuſtice upon their Guiltleſs Viceroy; who skreening the Miſ⯑carriages of his Imprudent Sultan from the Revenge of a Rebellious Multi⯑tude, becomes himſelf the Object of their Hatred, and lays the Foundati⯑on of his Maſters Safety, on the Peaceful Conſequences of his own Deſtructi⯑on.
The manner of Creating a Grand Vizier.THIS Officer among the Turks is diſtinguiſh'd by the Title of Vizier Azem, or Councellour in Chief to the Grand Signior, from whom all Power is immediately deriv'd to him, and by whom he is Created without any o⯑ther Ceremony than the delivery of a large Golden Seal, whereon is En⯑grav'd the Name and Age of the then Reigning Sultan; this Seal he always carries in his Boſom, and becomes thereby Inveſted with an Authority al⯑moſt as Arbitrary and Unlimited as that of the Emperour himſelf.
The Antiqui⯑ty of this Office. AMƲRATH the Third was the Inſtitutor of this Office, at a time when breaking into Europe, he conferr'd the Dignity of General and Chief Councellour on one Lala Schabin his Tutor, ſince which time his Succeſſors have continued to appoint ſome favour'd Subject to the Dignity of Vizier Azem, and honour thoſe Officers with the Name of Tutor as often as they hold Converſation with them.
His Buſineſs and Authori⯑ty.THE Vizier Azem, as in Title, ſo in Power, is the Head and Mouth of the Turkiſh Law; to him Appeals are brought from all their Courts of Judicature, and by him the former Sentences of Inferiour Judges are frequent⯑ly diſannull'd, and the Cauſe decided in favour of the Party who before had loſt it. There lies no Appeal beyond him, unleſs to the Perſon of the Grand Signior; and that ſo very difficult, that 'tis very rarely put in Practice. The manner of Appealing to the Grand Signior.The manner of doing it is ſo odd and different from the Europaean Cuſtoms, that the Reader will be inclin'd to pardon the Digreſſion if I deſcribe the Ceremony as briefly as is poſſible: At certain Hours of the Day, when the Gates of the Seraglio are ſet open for the Admittance of great Numbers of Citizens and Others, whoſe Buſineſs with the Officers of that Place require their daily Attendance there, the Perſons who would complain of any grievous Injury they have ſuffer'd, and which the Injuſtice or Connivance of the Grand Vizier has refus'd to redreſs, enter haſtily the Outward Court, and putting Pots of Fire upon their Heads run ſwiftly forward, nor dare the greateſt Officer preſume to ſtop them, till they arrive in the Preſence of the Grand Signior, and humbling themſelves at his Feet, declare the weighty Wrongs they labour under, and implore the gracious Mark of his unqueſti⯑on'd Juſtice in a kind Redreſs of their Oppreſſive Injuries.
THERE is a private Divan or Court of Juſtice held in the Palace of the Vizier Azem every Wedneſday and Thurſday; on the other Days (ex⯑cepting Friday, which is the Turkiſh Sabbaoth) the Divan is kept in an open Chamber of the Seraglio, whither the Vizier is magnificently Attended by a great number of Purſuivants and Serjeants; at his Arrival he is ſaluted with the noiſy Acclamations of the People, and guarded by a ſort of Soldiers, maintain'd purpoſely for that Uſe, to his Place upon the Bench; where be⯑ing Seated with the Cadeeleſcheer or Lord Chief Juſtice, and Six Viziers of the Ben [...], who are Grave Men that have formerly born Offices in the Govern⯑ment, [11] and are skill'd in the Knowledge of their Law, but not permitted to give their Opinions on any Point unleſs demanded by him. He liſtens to the Judgment of the Lord Chief Juſtice, who hears and determines all Cauſes, unleſs the Vizier ſhall diſapprove his Sentence, and Reverſe it as he thinks is moſt agreeable to the Juſtice of the Cauſe, or his own pri⯑vate Inclinations.
THUS much may ſerve as to the Judicative Power of the Grand Vizier, but is far from expreſſing the utmoſt Limits of his Authority, which ex⯑tends its ſelf ſo far beyond that of the other Great Officers of the Empire, that tho' he cannot by virtue of his own immediate Order take off their Heads, or recall them from their Governments, he has ſo great an Intereſt in the Grand Signior, that he can, without the ſmalleſt Difficulty obtain his Warrant for the Diſplacing or Beheading any Officer at Court or elſe⯑where, who has unfortunately diſoblig'd him, or ſtands obnoxious to the danger of his Envy.
IN time of War he has the Command in Chief of the Sultan's Armys, and leads them where he pleaſes, without the leaſt neceſſity of waiting for his Maſter's Order. He gives Audience to the Embaſſadors of Foreign Princes, Receives and Anſwers the Contents of their Memorials, and is in ſhort the only Maſter of the Executive Power over the Grand Signior's whole Dominions.
The Splendour of his Court.ANSWERABLE to the vaſt Authority of this great Officer is the pompous State in which he Lives; his Court conſiſting frequently of Five and Twenty Hundred Servants, including the Officers about him; when he appears Abroad he is diſtinguiſh'd not only by the Splendour of his Equi⯑page, but the bearing on the fore part of his Turbant Two large Feathers, ſet on with a great Knot of Diamonds and other Jewels of ineſtimable Va⯑lue, the peculiar Mark of his Degree, the Baſhaws being permitted to wear but One, and the Sultan himſelf never appearing with more than Three: Three Horſe-tails are carried before him on a lofty Staff, another diſtinguiſhing Mark of his Authority. Great Numbers of ſtately Horſes adorn'd with Trappings of Gold and Silver ſet thick with Precious Stones are led before him; his Stirrops held by the obſequious Hands of his ſur⯑rounding Slaves, and his Garment kiſs'd with the moſt profound Reſpect by endleſs Crowds of proſtrate Officers, whoſe ſervile Souls encline their Actions to the baſeſt Practice of a vile Subjection to Men by Fortune plac'd above them, while they baſely Triumph over the miſerable Wretches that are under their Command, with all the haughty Marks of an inſul⯑ting Arrogance.
His Revenues and Advanta⯑ges.PRODIGIOUS and beyond Belief are the amazing Profits ariſing from this Poſt to the Coffers of its Poſſeſſor: For tho' the Revenues of the Grand Vizier, or his immediate Salary from the Crown does ſcarce exceed Five Thouſand Pounds per annum, 'tis yet impoſſible to gueſs the vaſt Ad⯑vantages it brings him; for beſides the great Sums of Money he receives from the Numbers of his Petitioners, who, be their Buſineſs of what nature it will, dare never move it empty Handed, there are daily Rivolets of Plenty from all Parts of the Empire flowing to his Treaſury: No Subject to the Grand Signior dares enter on a Place of Power, till by the moving Rhetorick of ſome conſiderable Preſent he has brib'd the Favour of the Grand Vizier; without which he is always ſenſible his Head will ſurely pay the Forfeit of his Avarice. There are certain times of the Year, when all the Governours of Provinces are oblig'd to ſend Preſents to the Sultan, after the manner of our New-Years-Gifts, and tho' there is no Obligation which compels them at that time to remember the Vizier, a fatal Experi⯑ence [12] of the Conſequences of ſuch a Neglect has often convinc'd them, that, tis highly Dangerous to forget him; The Rulers of the Remoteſt Branches of the Turkiſh Empire are Oblig'd to Court his Favourable Re⯑preſentation of their ſervices with the Perſwaſive Oratory of their Golden Meſſengers, and in ſhort no Man who omits his Duty this way can reaſon⯑ably hope a long Poſſeſſion of his Honours or Preferments.
BY theſe means a Vizier of a Covetous Diſpoſition, who loſes no Advantage he may Reap from his Authority, has ſuch Incredible Oppor⯑tunities of Encreaſing his Wealth, that many at the Death which generally Attends their ſhort liv'd Splendor, have been found Poſſeſſors of ſuch Im⯑menſe Heaps of Treaſure as have Equall'd if not exceeded that of the Grand Signior their Maſter; But thoſe very Riches which ſtill render this High Office deſireable in the Emulative Breaſts of the Turkiſh Candidates, are the very Poyſon of its Pleaſures, and to a Genius bleſt with a ſe⯑rious Contemplation on the Frailties of Humanity would open all the dangers of its Gawdy Glories and rather frighten him from their ſearch than allure him to their Poſſeſſion.
The Office of Vizier, a Dangerous Station.FOR few there are who long enjoy the Slippery Honours of this wiſh'd Preferment; the Sultan's Policy forbids a long Permiſſion of ſuch un⯑bounded Power, and urges him to frequent changes of ſuch dangerous Officers, nor are there many, who ſurvive the loſs of this High Poſt, for having ſome time ſerv'd like a neceſſary Sponge to gather Riches for the Sultan's uſe, he Squeezes them at laſt into his own vaſt Treaſure; and to free himſelf from all the fears of their Reſentment, invents ſome Plauſible pretence to take them off and put others in their Place, to grow up Gradually to the ſame Fate their Predeceſſors met with
IMMEDIATELY under the Vizier are theſe three Officers, viz. The Muftee, the Ries-Effendie, and the Tefterdar Baſhaw. Of the firſt of theſe I ſhall take occaſion to ſpeak largely, in the Chapter relating to the Turkiſh Religion, as being High Prieſt, and conſequently not properly to be Treated of under this Head, further than as he is concern'd in the In⯑terpretation of their Civil Law, and of that in its due Place. The Office of Ries-Effen⯑die:The Ries-Effendie, is Secretary of State and in conſtant Attendance on the Perſon of the Vizier, by whoſe Orders he diſpatches Innumerable quantities of Patents, Decrees, Commiſſions and other Inſtruments, over all Parts of the Turkiſh Empire: Its Profits.This Officer has Places of great Truſt and Profit under him, and by the Multiplicity of his Buſineſs Collects ſuch Sums of Money to his own Poſſeſſion, as often Equal the Riches of the Vizier himſelf.
The Tefterdar;THE Tefterdar Baſhaw, is Lord Treaſurer of the Publick Revenues; he Pays the Salaries of all great Officers Depending on the Sultan; by him the Souldiery is Weekly Paid, and all Publick Disburſements made. His Profits and Danger.This is an Office of great Honour and Advantage, but has the ſame Fate En⯑tail'd on its Poſſeſſors with thoſe abovenam'd, and expoſes them not only to the Danger of their Emperour's Hatred, but often Sacrifices their Lives and Fortunes to the Fatal Malice and Inordinate Caprices of a Diſcon⯑tented People.
The Muftee:I undertook to ſay as much of the Muftee, in this Place as concern'd his buſineſs in the Management of their Laws; His Dignity.He is an Officer of great Authority, Nominated to that Dignity by the Sultan's voice, who ought to chooſe a Man of Exemplary Piety, Untainted Virtues and Humility, and more Eſpecially of undoubted knowledge in the explanation of their Law: His opinion in matters Civil and Criminal, as well as in Affairs re⯑lating [13] to the State is given by Subſcribing Yes or No, with the humble Addition of God knows better, to a Paper in which the Queſtion is for that purpoſe Stated, and tho' he gives his Judgment in a Perſwaſive not Compulſive manner, his Sentence is notwithſtanding wholly Deciſive, and the Judges Verdict Regulated accordingly, without the tedious Trouble of a further Appeal, or any Dilatory Practice whatſoever, for the Reli⯑gion of the Turks, having Plac'd in this Man a Perſpicuity of Judgment al⯑moſt equal to the Peremptory Doctrine of a Roman Infallibility, no Sub⯑ject dares diſpute the Muftee's Wiſdom, nor will the Emperour himſelf contemn his Counſel, for he ſeldom undertakes a diſtant War, or any o⯑ther Buſineſs of Weighty Moment, till the Approbation of this Religious Man has Sanctified the Action. When Matters of Difficulty are Debated before the Sultan, the Muftee is always Preſent at the Council, and his ad⯑vice requir'd with the utmoſt Veneration; The Odd manner of Puniſhing them.but as his Honours are Superiour to moſt other Officers of the Empire, ſo is his Puniſhment (when his Demerits have requir'd it) in an Exemplary manner more Surprizing, for in a Caſtle at Conſtantinople, which the Turks diſtinguiſh by the Name of the Seven Towers, there is purpoſely expos'd a Brazen Mortar of un⯑common Shape and Magnitude, into which the Muftee when convicted of High-Treaſon, or Unwarrantable Practices, is Publickly thrown Head⯑long and Pounded to Death with a Maſſy Iron Peſtle.
The Office of Cadeeleſcheer.THE next Office below the Muftee, is that of Cadeeleſcheer, or their Lord Chief Juſtice, His Power.whoſe Authority tho' Originally confin'd to the Souldiery, extends its ſelf at preſent to the Determination of all ſorts of Law Suits whatſoever, with Submiſſion to the Pleaſure of ſuch Superiour Powers, to whom there lies an Appeal from the Tenour of his Sentence, for the Military Body of the Turkiſh Nation enjoy this Privilege beyond the Civil, that tho' themſelves are Subject to none beſides their own Com⯑manders, the Authority of their Officers extends Promiſcuouſly over all ſorts of People, inſomuch that all Commiſſion'd Officers of the Turkiſh Army are by Virtue of the Commiſſion they poſſeſs, Entituled to the Office of Juſtices of the Peace over all parts of the Empire, a Policy not a little Advantagious to the Grand Signior, by the vaſt En⯑couragement it gives the Souldiers, who ever were and muſt be ſtill the Pillars of his Government, this Office of Cadeeleſcheer is a ſtep from which they often Mount to that of Muftee, nor can any Man be Legally Enti⯑tuled to the one, who has not firſt Diſcharged with Univerſal Praiſe the Duty of the other.
The Mollah.THEY generally riſe to the Preferment of Cadeeleſcheer from the Office of a Mollah, the Advantages of which Poſt are different according to the Places over which they Exerciſe their Power; ſome are Judges in Chief over whole Provinces and have under their Command the Kaddees or Judges of Stately Towns and Villages; others there are, whoſe Go⯑vernment is Confin'd to Poor and Inconſiderable Places, having under them the Tatter'd Judges of a few Diſtreſt and Miſerable Cottages.
The Kaddee.THE next Inferiour Officer is the Kaddee abovemention'd or the Loweſt ſort of Judges among the Turks; the Profits ariſing from this Poſt are more or leſs according to the Places under their Juriſdicti⯑on, but is Conſiderable as being the Firſt Step towards obtaining the Dignity of Muftee, a Preferment Eagerly deſir'd by the Politeſt of their People.
THUS much may have ſerv'd to give the Judicious Reader a Sufficient Idea of the Fountain of Civil Government now Exercis'd in the Court of Turkey, whence ſlow Innumerable Streams of Policy, [14] to the Channels of remoter Governments, poſſeſs'd in their ſeveral De⯑grees by Beylerbeys, Sangiack Beys, Baſhaws, Beys and Aga's, every one of which Offices I ſhall largely Treat of in their reſpective Places.
The diviſion of their Em⯑pire.THE Formidable Empire of theſe Succeſsful Infidels is divided into Twenty Two Parts, each Diviſion of ſo vaſt Extent, as exceeds the Mag⯑nitude of many of our Europaean Kingdoms, and govern'd by its Beylerbey, or Arch-Duke, for of all Chriſtian Titles there is none which can more nearly expreſs the nature of that Office; every one of theſe Arch-Duke⯑doms is divided into certain unequal Numbers of Sangiacks or Provinces, ſome containing Twenty, ſome not more than Seven, Ten, or Fifteen, according to which Numbers the Arch-Dukedoms are more or leſs Profi⯑table to their Governours; The Sangiack Bey.over every Province there is plac'd a Ruler, diſtinguiſh'd by the Title of Sangiack-Bey, or Lord Provincial: Theſe de⯑pend upon, and are ſubſervient to, the ſeveral Arch-Dukes under whom they live.
The Bey.INFERIOR to the Lords Provincial are the Beys, or Lords of the ſeveral Partitions into which the above-nam'd Provinces are divided; The Aga.Theſe have under them another ſort of Lords, diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Aga's, or Captains of a certain Number of Towns or Villages and their Dependencies, all which Officers have their ſeveral Courts of Juſtice, pe⯑culiar to the different Nature of the Governments they hold, and yet are link'd together in the joint Promotion of one Common Intereſt, and a firm Obedience to the Sacred Will of their Great Lord the Sultan.
The Baſhaw.BESIDES theſe Arch-Dukedoms ſeverally Subject to their reſpective Beylerbeys, there are certain Parts of the Empire independant on thoſe Diviſions, and altogether Subject to the Government of Baſhaws, a Title almoſt equal to that of Prince, and generally born by ſuch Men as having gradually Aſcended from the meaneſt Offices, have inur'd their Minds and Bodies to the rougheſt Changes that can befall Mortality, and having prov'd their Knowledge by a ſucceſsful Diſintangling the occurring Intricacies of State and War, diſtinguiſhably Shine by the conſpicuity of their Me⯑rits, and Succeed alternately to the Higheſt Offices of their Unſhaken Empire.
BUT that I may explain more fully the unimagin'd Grandeur of the Turkiſh Emperors, I will particularize the ſeveral Governments of all the Beylerbeys, and the Number of thoſe extenſive Provinces over which they preſide; that by conſidering the numerous Opportunities the Grand Signior is Maſter of, whereby to Reward the Fidelity of his Subjects, the Reader may no longer wonder at the Support of his Authority.
The 22 Arch-Dukedoms of the Turkiſh Empire.THE Twenty Two Arch-Dukedoms before mention'd are diſtin⯑guiſh'd among the Turks by the following Names, Anatolia, Caramania, Diarbekir, Scham, Siwas, Eſrum, Paſcha, Childir, Cheruzul, Halep, Maraſh, Kibros, Tripoly, Terbozan, Kars, Muſul, Rika, Rumeeli, Kupudan, Boſna, Grand-Cairo and Babylon; of which the Governours of the Two Laſt receive their Salaries from the Treaſury of the Sultan: The Salaries of the Baſhaws of Cairo and Babylon.The Firſt, which is the Higheſt Government in the Grand Signior's Dominions, has a Yearly Re⯑venue of Three Hundred Thouſand Pounds; the Salary of the Laſt exceeds not Six Thouſand Pounds per annum; but the numerous Advantages which accrue from his Perquiſites afford him daily Opportunities of amaſſing vaſt heaps of Riches.
[15] THE remaining Twenty have a certain Yearly Income, appointed them out of the Annual Revenues due from their Provinces to the Coffers of the Sultan, which tho' inconſiderable in it ſelf, is conſtantly multiplied into Fifteen or Twenty times its quantity, by the griping Arts and avari⯑tious Practices whereby theſe Arbitrary Governours oppreſs their People. The fixed Allowances which they may juſtly Claim are theſe which follow.
The reſpective Salaries of the Arch-Dukes of Turkey.
| l. | |||
| The Beylerbey of | Anatolia | has a Yearly Salary of | 3000 |
| Caramania | 2500 | ||
| Diarbekir | 4000 | ||
| Scham | 3000 | ||
| Siwas | 2931 | ||
| Eſrum | 4050 | ||
| Paſcha | 4010 | ||
| Childir | 2890 | ||
| Cheruzul | 3000 | ||
| Halep | 2730 | ||
| Maraſh | 2000 | ||
| Kibros | 1500 | ||
| Tripoly | 2400 | ||
| Terbozan | 2320 | ||
| Kars | 2500 | ||
| Muſul | 1900 | ||
| Rika | 1800 | ||
| Rumeeli | 3654 | ||
| Kupudan | 2192 | ||
| Boſna | 1608. |
THESE are the certain Salaries ſettled by the Grand Signior on the ſeveral Beylerbeys above-mention'd, but as I hinted before, are ſeldom the twentieth Part of the Profits into which they improve their Em⯑ployments.
THE Provinces contain'd in theſe Twenty Two Arch-Dukedoms are at leaſt Two Hundred and Sixty Four, every one of which, as I ſaid be⯑fore, has a Lord Provincial over it, whoſe Profits may be computed about half as much as thoſe of the Beylerbeys their Superiour Governours: The Beys and Aga's poſſeſſing ſmaller Salaries in a juſt Proportion to the Infe⯑riority of their Offices: The Baſhaws are all entitled to Revenues agree⯑able to their Power, and both the one and the other are alike un⯑bounded.
BY the prodigious Sums of Money amaſs'd this way, which any Cu⯑rious Reader may nearly compute by the Account above-mention'd, and which, in compariſon with the Sultan's Revenues, are as ſo many ſmall Canals to the unfathom'd Ocean; you may gueſs at the ſurprizing Gran⯑deur and inexhauſted Riches of the Ottoman Emperours, which ſhall be particularly Treated of in a more proper Place; I ſhall now proceed to inform the Reader in what manner the Turks Adminiſter their Juſtice, and how the Forms of Law are practis'd by that People.
A Maxim of Tacitus.'TWAS the Opinion of Tacitus that thoſe Governments have moſt Laws who have leaſt Policy, and the ſtrenuous Support which the Turkiſh Empire receives from few but neceſſary Maxims, does in a great meaſure juſtifie the Truth of his Aſſertion; for they have no confounding Volumes of one Lawyers Obſervations upon the Remarks of another, no COKE upon [16] Littleton, to explain the different Interpretations of a Thing, that is, or ought to be the ſame: The Reports of ſuch a Judge, or ſuch a Lord Chancellour, have here no Power to guide the Sentence of a Court of Juſtice, by the prevailing Virtue of ſome forgotten Precedent: The ſpeedy diſpatch of Turkiſh Juſtice.Their Laws are few, but always put in Execution with the utmoſt Severity; and tho' the Sentence Pro or Con depends entirely upon the undiſputed Will of an Arbitrary Judge, whereby the Subject is depriv'd of that indulgent Liberty we taſt in Britain, and ſometimes Sacrific'd to the mercenary In⯑tereſt of a brib'd Decider, he has yet this Happineſs ſuperiour to us, that he always loſes a Cauſe before the melancholy Conſequences of a tedious Controverſy has diſabled him to ſupport that Loſs, and depriving him of all poſſible means of a future Subſiſtance, unfortunately ſink both the Cauſe and the Client in promiſcuous Ruin, by one ſingle Act of an unexpected Injuſtice.
THE Truth of this will evidently appear by the ſpeedy Diſpatch of their deciſive Sentence, having no Form of Law but this which follows. Their Deeds and Inſtru⯑ments.What⯑ever Land, Moneys, Goods, or any of the common Benefits of Life are bought by, or given to a Subject of the Grand Signior's Dominions, or any other Inhabitant of that Empire, muſt be confirm'd to his Poſſeſſion by virtue of a Seal'd Inſtrument call'd an Hodget, which being Sign'd by the Kaddee or Judge of the Place they live in, does certainly entitle them to as firm a Property as all the Deeds of Gift, Releaſes and other endleſs heaps of Parchment now in uſe amongſt us; ſuch an Inſtrument being once pro⯑duc'd admits of no evaſive Quirk to weaken its Authority; no Word miſ⯑plac'd, or Name miſtaken by the adding or omitting ſome ſingle Letter can baffle the Legality of a Subjects Endeavours by the Shock of a Nonſuit, but where the Juſtice of a Cauſe is undeniably conſpicuous they very rare⯑ly ſuffer by a partial Sentence; tho' where the Caſe is doubtful or obſcure, the native Avarice of a Turkiſh Judge will generally incline him to a favou⯑rable Opinion of that Side from whence moſt Money challenges his Grati⯑tude; Bribery com⯑mon among them.nor is the Curſe of Bribery eſteem'd ſo black a Crime in this Coun⯑try as in the Weſtern World, moſt Men practiſing it in a publick and au⯑dacious Manner, whereſoever their occurring Intereſts make it Uſefull.
Womens Oaths not taken.WOMENS Oaths are never taken but againſt a Chriſtian, nor a Chriſtians againſt a Turk. Among themſelves the concurring Evidences of a plurality of Witneſſes decide a Controverſy. Their Puniſhments are either Bodily or Pecuniary; the firſt are rarely ſuffer'd when not deſerv'd, but the latter ſometimes inflicted unjuſtly by the malicious Proſecution of re⯑vengeful People, or the partial Sentence of ſome poor and avaritious Ma⯑giſtrate.
The Office of a Saubaſhaw:THERE is no City which has not its Saubaſhaw or Head Conſtable o⯑ver it, whoſe proper Buſineſs it is, to inſpect as ſecretly and as narrowly as poſſible the Behaviour of the Inhabitants, having his inferiour Officers in e⯑very Corner to detect the Miſdemeanours of offending People, and ſeizing their Perſons, deliver them over to ſuch Puniſhments as upon Convicti⯑on of their Guilt ſhall be judg'd agreeable to the nature of their Of⯑fences.
THE Corporeal Puniſhments in uſe among the Turks are different, according to the ſeveral Crimes for which they are impos'd; the moſt Common, and that which is inflicted on Slaves, Servants, and the Practi⯑cers of Petty-larcenys, is the Baſtinado, or beating them on the Soles of the Feet. The method of putting this in Execution is as follows.
[17] Their manner of Excecuting the Puniſh⯑ment call'd Baſtinado.FIVE or more Officers ſeizing the Offender by the Arms, conduct him roughly to ſome ſmooth piece of Ground or Graſs-plat, where throw⯑ing him upon his Back, the heavieſt among them ſitting down upon his Breaſt, prevents him from ſpringing upwards to avoid the Blows, when two others by the help of a large Stick like the handle of a Broom, bor'd thro' at both ends, to receive a Rope there faſtned by two Knotts, and hanging down in a bent Form like that of a Bow, lift his Legs from the Ground, and rowling the Stick downwards as far as the Rope permits them, prevent them from moving either one way or the other; this done another with a ſtiff Hazel Wand gives him as many Strokes upon the naked Soles of his Feet as he was order'd to undergo, which are ſome⯑times ſeveral Hundred, and have often prov'd Mortal to the guilty Party.
A Comical Story of an Engliſh Mer⯑chant.I cannot forbear the Crime of a ſmall Digreſſion, to divert my Reader with the Comical Relation of a certain Paſſage, which once in this Coun⯑try afforded me the pleaſure of a very agreeable Amuſement: There was an Engliſh Merchant who had for many Years been troubled with the Gout, in a very violent and uncommon Degree, nor could the daily Application of the richeſt Medicines procure him Eaſe, much leſs the Cure he ſought in vain for, inſomuch that being in a manner tranſported by the ſharpneſs of his Pain, he became ſo very peeviſh that he could neither talk, walk, or ſit ſtill in Comfort: The preſſure of this Gentleman's extraordinary Affairs requiring his preſence at Adrianople, he undertook the Journey with a great deal of uneaſineſs, and met at the Entrance of a Town call'd Baba, a conſiderable Party of Turkiſh Soldiers, who were marching towards Con⯑ſtantinople; the Officer, as is common in thoſe Parts, took the liberty as he paſs'd, to expreſs himſelf a little diſreſpectfully in contempt of the Chri⯑ſtians in the Merchant's Company; and he, unqualified at that time by the peeviſh Effects of his Diſtemper, to bear it patiently, made an ill Uſe of his Skill in the Turkiſh Language, and return'd the Salutation as roughly as it was ſent him: The Inhabitants of that Country are of all others leaſt able to bear Reflections on their Government or Religion; and the Officer of theſe Men, forgetting that himſelf had been the Aggreſſor, reſented the Affront ſo very highly, that he order'd the Merchant to be taken from his Horſe, and undergo the Puniſhment of One Hundred and Fifty Baſti⯑nadoes in the manner above written: Vain was Reſiſtance againſt a Num⯑ber ſo much Superiour, and Complaints were altogether uſeleſs in a Country where the ſpeedy Execution of an Arbitrary Order is the high⯑eſt Qualification they believe themſelves capable of: In ſhort, the poor Merchant ſubmitted aukwardly to the unwelcome Novelty, and was ſo ſorely beaten on the Soles of his Feet, that for many Days he was oblig'd to continue in a Houſe at Baba, nor was he able to ſtand upright for a long time after; but the Jeſt of this Story comes in the Concluſion, for the Baſtinadoes it ſeems having frightned away his Gout, his Diſtemper went off with his Bruiſes, nor was he ever troubled with the return of one ſingle Fit from that time forward: The unexpected Conſequence of this lucky Beating, oblig'd the Merchant at his return to Conſtantinople to ſeek induſtriouſly after the Author of his Cure, that he might thank him for the Favour, but not being able to find him out, he contented himſelf with a grateful remembrance of the weighty Obligation, and to this Day (if he be ſtill alive) as conſtantly Drinks to the Health of his Turkiſh Doctor as he ſits down to his Table.
BUT to return to the Subject in hand, they have ſeveral Puniſhments peculiar to the Military and other Orders, which ſhall be deſcrib'd here⯑after in their proper Place: One now in common Uſe amongſt them is Impaling Alive; that is, thruſting in a ſharp Pole at their Fundaments, [18] Their man⯑ner of Impal⯑ing Alive.and Forcing it out at the Upper Parts of their Body, and ſo Faſt⯑ning the Pole upright in the Ground they leave them in ſome High way as Miſerable Examples to Deterr others from the like Practices.
Other Pu⯑niſhments in uſe there.STRANGLING in a very Expeditious manner is the Death whereby they diſtinguiſh Suffering Noblemen. Hanging they ſeldom uſe; Breaking on the Wheel very Rarely; but the moſt common way of Execution is, Beheading the Condemn'd Perſon with a Broad Scy⯑metar, while he Kneels upon a large Heap of Sand to that end pro⯑vided. Other kinds of Puniſhments there are in Turkey, but ſuch as be⯑ing very rarely put in Practice, are altogether needleſs to be here mention'd and for that reaſon purpoſely omitted.
CHAP. IV. Of the Government Military.
IF the general Experience of the knowing World allows it as a neceſſary Maxim, that every Effect of Nature and Morality muſt be Supported by thoſe very Cauſes to which they owe their Firſt Production, it will follow Undeniably that a Government not Gra⯑dually Rais'd from the continued Improvements of ſome unreſiſted Co⯑lony, but founded Violently upon the Bloody Ruin of a Conquer'd Peo⯑ple, muſt Slacken by Degrees that Nervous Strengh by which it Flou⯑riſh'd, when the long neglects of Idle Peace Corrupt its Natives with the Love of Pleaſure, and draw them by Degrees to Hate the Practice of thoſe Succeſsful Arms, by whoſe Unequall'd Force their Braver An⯑ceſtors had Cut a Paſſage to Meridian Glory.
The Effects of Peace of dangerous conſequence to Warlike Governments.'TIS this alone to which the Perſian, Graecian, Roman, and every o⯑ther Glorious Monarchy, have ow'd their Downfal; and 'tis the ſame In⯑dulgence of a Slothful eaſe has Ruſted all the Powerful Springs of Turkiſh Diſcipline, and chear'd Exceedingly the Drooping Spirits of the Eaſtern Chriſtians, with Reviving hopes to ſee the Happy Reſto⯑ration of their Religion, and their Liberty in the Entire Subverſion of their Uſurping Tyrant, for that perſwaſive Poverty which once In⯑clin'd the Turkiſh Souldiers to a Scorn of dangers, has now no more the Power to Urge a Brave Defiance of the Shocks of War, ſince they are all Poſſeſſors of a Rowling Plenty, the want of which provok'd 'em Chiefly to their Ancient Actions.
A great de⯑cay in their Military Diſ⯑cipline.BUT tho' the preſent Managment of their Military Diſcipline falls greatly ſhort of what in former Ages ſpoke them Matchleſs, they are not yet ſo ſenſibly Decayed, as to become an eaſy Conqueſt, were the United Arms of Warlike Chriſtendom now bent againſt them; for tho' their Souldiers are not now Inur'd to War and Hardſhip, nor by the Frequent Victorys they were us'd to gain, familiar with the Face of Ruin and continual Conteſt, they are not leſs in Num⯑ber [19] than they were, nor all ſo Ignorant as their Majority. The Turk⯑iſh Policy permits no loſs of Power by the loſs of Souldiers, and is perhaps the only Government that e'er grew Stonger by the Death of Subjects; for having Numbers ready upon all Occaſions to Supply the Room of ſuch as Die, their Places are Improv'd to double Worth by a ſurprizing Management peculiar to the Turks, which ſhall be told the Reader in its proper Place. They have no occaſion on declaring War, or loſing Battles, to diſpatch their Officers for freſh Recruits about the Country, and ſupply with raw unpolliſh'd Ruſticks, the Places of well diſciplin'd and skilful Soldiers; They have formidable ſtanding Armies, in every Corner of their Empire, which from time to time ſupply the Vacancies of their contending Bodies, which like the boundleſs Ocean tho' diſcharging endleſs Depths of Water appears no leſs in Ebb than Flow, but ſtands the ſame in every Seaſon, never ſubject to perceptible Di⯑minution.
IN deſcribing the preſent Eſtabliſhment of the Ottoman Forces, I will begin with that Order of Foot Soldiers commonly known by the Name of Janiſaries; for the peculiar and remarkable Privileges whereby they are di⯑ſtinguiſh'd from the ordinary Militia, may juſtly intitle them to the Ho⯑nour of a Preference. The derivati⯑on and Ori⯑ginal of the Word Janiſa⯑ry. Janiſary is nothing but a Corruption of the Word Yani-Cherr, which in the Turkiſh Language, ſignifies a New-Order; they took their Original from the Death of one Hodgy Bectaſh, an Old Religious Man of an exemplary Life and Converſation, in the Reign of Sultan Amu⯑rath, the third King of the Turks: This Man had long endeavour'd to diſſuade that Prince from dangerouſly expoſing his Perſon, by too near a Familiarity with the Subjects of Servia, often Propheſying the ſudden Death which afterwards befel the Sultan upon the Overthrow of Lazarus the Deſpot of that Country, when walking out to view the Heaps of Slain, one Miles Corbelitza, a Chriſtian Soldier, riſing heavily from a Mount of Carkaſſes, made ſhift to ſtagger in the Pangs of Death, and by expreſſive Motions of his Head and Hands deſir'd admittance to the Perſon of the Emperour, who thinking he deſign'd to beg his Life permitted him to ſuch a near Approach, that the undaunted Servian, falling on his Knees as if he would have ſued for Mercy, ſnatch'd out a Dagger from his bleeding Boſome, and ſtriking it with violence to the Sultan's Heart, reveng'd ſucceſsfully his Countries Wrongs, and liv'd and dy'd like Iſrael's Sampſon a double Scourge to an Ambitious Enemy.
THE Death of Bectaſh immediately ſucceeded that of Amurath, for having often propheſy'd the Blow and not preventing it, tho' near the Sultan's Perſon, he was cut in pieces by the furious Guards, as a Party in the Treaſon; but foreſeeing eaſily, what Fate would ſoon befall him, he rent off a long Sleeve, which he wore continually on his Right Arm, and putting it upon the Head of one of the Soldiers, cried out prophetically in the Turkiſh Language,
THIS ſaid, he Fell, a bloody Victim to the Soldiers Anger, but had his Prophecy compleatly verifi'd in the Firſt Year of the next Sultan's Reign, who reflecting ſeriouſly on the Fate of Bectaſh, reſolved to take ſome Me⯑thod of perpetuating his Memory, and Inſtituted a New Order of the Mili⯑tia, by the Name of Janiſaries, who to this Day in Imitation of the Sleeve which Bectaſh put upon the Soldiers Head, are all obliged to wear a Head⯑piece fac'd with polliſh'd Steel, to which is faſtned a large piece of Buff, that falling in a moderate Breadth from the Crown of their Head ſpreads gradually wider to the midle of their Backs.
[20] The ancient Care to ſup⯑ply the Em⯑pire with Ja⯑nizaries.THE Inſtitution of this famous and formidable Militia, was Founded Originally on the ſureſt Pillars of a deep but barbarous Policy, for Officers were continually diſpatch'd to make triennial Seiſures of the Chriſtian Children, Inhabiting the Countries unhappily fallen under the galling Yoke of Turkiſh Slavery: Theſe miſerable Wretches thus violently ra⯑viſh'd from their ſorrowful Parents, were diſtributed in Parties over all the Empire, till they reach'd the Age of Sixteen Years, at which time, com⯑pleatly verſed in the Knowledge of the Turkiſh Language and Religion, they were ſeverally diſpoſed of, in the many Seraglio's belonging to the Grand Signior, where for the ſpace of Five or Seven Years, they were in⯑ur'd to Hardſhips by the laborious Practice of continual Drudgeries, ſuch as cleaving Wood, bearing Burthens, working in Gardens, and every o⯑ther toilſome Exerciſe; till having learn'd the Art of Patience, and ſub⯑miſſive Reſignation to the Will of their Superiors, they were inſtructed diligently in the Art of War; and as the Death of other Janizaries afforded Vacancy, ſucceeded gradually to their Poſts and Privileges, where Pra⯑ctiſing with an emulative Courage, the Dictates of their Education, they give a fatal Proof how much the preſent Ties of Life exceed the Bands of weaker Nature; for not retaining the minuteſt Notion of their Parents or their Country, they bend entirely the Endeavours of their Arms for the wiſh'd Promotion of their Sultan's Intereſt; and have in former Ages, by the Excellence of their Diſcipline and Greatneſs of their Courage, been Chief Supporters of the Turkiſh Glory; and by the Juſt Rewards their Va⯑lour won, diſtinguiſh'd Honourably as the Flower of that Empire.
The preſent neglect of that Order occaſi⯑on'd by their former Inſo⯑lence.BUT far below the ancient Spirit of this Martial Order is the grovel⯑ling Genius of the Modern Janizaries, who taſting largely of the Sweets of Power in the black Succeſſes of their bold Reſentments, grew madly Inſo⯑lent, and ſo familiar with Rebellion, that having dy'd their Weapons in the guiltleſs Blood of many Sultans, they became ſo terrible to ſucceeding Emperors, that they have long endeavour'd by the ſubtle Force of undiſ⯑cover'd Policies, to Raiſe ſome Milder Order on the Ruin of the Former; leaſt like unhappy Rome's Pretorian Cohorts, the rough Effects of their au⯑dacious Violence ſhould one Day Ruin that declining Empire, whoſe Defence alone was the true Deſign of their Original Inſtitution.
Their Num⯑ber and Pri⯑vileges.THEIR Number was at firſt confin'd to Seven Thouſand, but is now improv'd to more than Forty Thouſand lawfully Enroll'd; beſides vaſt Numbers who, by the winning Virtue of an annual Preſent, to the Officers of this Order, become Poſſeſſors of thoſe innumerable Privileges, which exempt the Janizaries from Taxes, Proſecutions, or any other Ties of Ju⯑ſtice, ſo that being own'd on all Occaſions by the Muſter Maſters of that Militia, they ſtand ſecure above the Law, and practice Villanies by the favourable Connivance of an uncontroul'd Authority.
Their Way of Living.THERE are now One Hundred Sixty Two Chambers or large Buil⯑dings call'd Odaes at Conſtantinople, for the Lodging of the Janizaries, but none in any other Part of the Empire, becauſe the Sultan's having ever look'd upon this Order, as the Safety and Support of their Authority, took care to have them always near their Perſons, a Deſign well laid, but fatal in its Conſequences. Over every Chamber is an Officer appointed, under the Title of Oda Baſham, or Inſpecter of the Chamber. The Creation of a Janizary is a peculiar Prerogative of this advantageous Office, and the man⯑ner wherein it is perform'd deſerves Remark.
The manner of their Cre⯑ation.WHEN the Perſons to be Choſen have gradually proceeded thro' the tedious Counſe of their probationary Labours, they are Summon'd in their Places, to a Perſonal Appearance before the Muſter Maſter of that Order, [21] who having Regiſtred their Names in Rolls of Parchment, preſents them Ceremoniouſly to the Inſpecter of that Chamber into which they are to be admitted, who making them paſs by according to their Seniority, the Youn⯑ger holding up the Elder's Garment, ſtrikes every Man a Blow upon the Ear, to remind him of the Duty and Subjection he then takes upon him, and without the trouble of any additional Formality declares them Ja⯑nizaries.
Their Pay.THEY receive their Pay proportionable to their Merit, beginning with little more than a Penny a Day, and encreaſing their Allowances upon e⯑very worthy Action, till they reach the Salary of Seven Shillings per Week, which is the utmoſt Pay a Janizary can pretend to, till the Seniority of their Years, or peculiarity of their Actions, advances them to the Offices peculiar to their Order, and makes their Riches equal to their Authority: But by the way, the Reader muſt obſerve this Pay is only an additional Encou⯑ragement to excite their Valour, for they have not only daily Meals provi⯑ded in their Chambers, with all the other Neceſſaries of Life, but receive an annual Preſent of a Suit of Cloaths from the Bounty of their Emperour, which is generally made of very good and ſerviceable Green or Violet colour'd Cloth, the Form whereof may fully be perceived, by turning to the Cut relating to the Grecian Wedding, deſcribed at large in the One and Twen⯑tieth Chapter of this Book.
The Power and Intereſt of their Ge⯑neral.THERE is an Officer appointed over this Militia, diſtinguiſh'd by the Title of Yani-Cherr Aga, or General of the Janizaries, whoſe ſuſpected Power alarms the Court with ſuch preventive Jealouſies, that the Sultan takes a conſtant Care to give that Charge to one intirely in his Intereſt: A Policy whoſe Effects have often ſav'd the Modern Emperours from the threatned Violences of their fierce Rebellions: The boundleſs Power of this Arbitrary Officer extends it ſelf to the deciſion of every intervening Ac⯑cident, in favour of, or judgment againſt them: The common Puniſh⯑ments of their leſs hainous Crimes are generally ordered by their Inferiour Officers, and executed by the Cooks of their reſpective Chambers; The way of Executing a Janizary.but if any of that Order is detected in a Guilt deſerving Death, he is condemned immediately by the Sentence of his General, and thrown at Midnight with the greateſt Secrecy imaginable with Weights about his Neck into the middle of the Sea.
Their Arms abroad and at home.THEIR Arms in War are Scymetars and Muſquets wherewith they Fight on Foot, ſurrounding always the Perſon of their Emperour, or in his Abſence the Vizier or General, they ſeldom Fight in other Order, than the Figure which of old compos'd the Macedonian Phalanx. When at Home they are appointed a the Guards of Honour to the Chriſtiam Embaſſadors, to keep perpetual Watch in all the Gates and Avenues of their Imperial City; to Accompany and Protect, ſuch Strangers as are Curious to behold the Rarities of the Country, from the barbarous Inſolencies of the rude In⯑habitants; which they will do with all imaginable Courteſy and Fidelity, for the ſmall Reward of half a Crown a Day, and ſometimes leſ [...]. They bear no other Arms at Home than a ſmall Dagger call'd Hanjarr, which with a large ſmooth Cane, not much unlike the largeſt Staffs belonging to our Conſtables, are known ſo commonly, and ſo extreamly fear'd by all who meet them, that no Man dares preſume to offer the leaſt Affront to any Chriſtian guarded by a Janizary, leaſt his Blood ſhould pay the Forfeit of his Inſolence.
A Story of a Janizary at Conſtantinople.I remember with concern that at my firſt Arrival in that Country, while I was a perfect Stranger to their Nature and their Language, I was promp⯑ted by the Curioſity of my Temper, to walk about the Streets of Conſtanti⯑nople, [22] and make my Obſervations on the Place and its Inhabitants, under the undoubted Convoy of a faithful Janizary; we were paſſing on a Cauſ⯑way in a Publick Street, when the Misfortune of a Rude and Ignorant Pot⯑ter, led him on to ſtop our Way, by the means of an Aſs that he had loaden with brittle Ware to Sell his Cuſtomers about the City: The Janizary had already paſſed the Door of a large Shop, from whence the poor Fellow drove his Aſs upon the Cauſway, and prevented me from following my Convoy; there was a fair Deſcent not much beyond him, whereby he might have gone down to the middle of the Street, had he turn'd his Aſſes Head the other way, but whether mov'd by a Religious Zeal which na⯑turally teaches them to hate a Chriſtian, or by the Native Haughtineſs of his unpolliſh'd Temper, he preſs'd his Aſs with fury forward, and the Paſ⯑ſage wanting breadth to give him room, oblig'd me roughly to the incon⯑venient trouble of an unwilling Squeeze to give him all the way I could, but finding the unwelcome preſſure of the Aſſes Panniers a little incomo⯑dious, I was forc'd to lay my Hands upon the Creature's Side, and puſhing forward ſomewhat violently and unexpectedly together, both the Potter and his Panniers fell headlong from the Cauſway, which was al⯑moſt Five Foot high, into the middle of the Street, almoſt half a Foot deep in Mud and Water: The Fellow ſomewhat hurt by the roughneſs of his Fall, and very much enraged at the Deſtruction of his Glaſſes, drew out a long Knife, which he wore within his Girdle, and running to the Cauſway endeavour'd furiouſly to reach my Legs with a revengeful Wound: The Janizary, who had heard the Fall, and was come back to my Aſſiſtance, leap'd ſwiftly down, and drawing his Hanjarr in haſty Paſſion, ſtruck it to the Hilt in the poor Fellows Shoulder, who falling on his Knees amidſt the Dirt, cry'd out with lifted Arms, O God, and Maho⯑met his only Prophet, in what have I Offended to be made the Ʋictim of a Cur⯑ſed Infidel. Nay to ſo unreaſonable a Degree was he tranſported by his Paſſion, that finding no Redreſs, he threw the Mud upon his Face, and rowled himſelf about in Blood and Water, while the Janizary march'd for⯑ward unconcern'd and ſtately, leading me untouch'd, thro' Crowds of People, who tho' their Eyes declar'd their Anger, were oblig'd to hide their Thoughts in the deceitful Poſtures of a mild Neutrality.
A dangerous Privilege of the Militia.AMONG the numerous Privileges peculiar to the Janizaries, there is one a little inconſiſtent with the cautious Policy of the Turkiſh Government, that is a Permiſſion of increaſing their Common Treaſury, by the ſucceſſive Additions of what Sums of Money their Aga's or Generals die poſſeſſed of, and the Grant of very conſiderable Profits, ariſing from the Tenure of ſe⯑veral large Tracts of Land in Anatolia. How dangerous it is to Aſſign ſuch Power and Riches, to a Standing Army ever Quarter'd in the Metropolis of their Empire, the Turkiſh Sultans have experienc'd dearly, by the frequent Effects of that audacious Inſolence, which having long been nouriſhed by the dictates of their Plenty, has often Fleſh'd the Lawleſs Janzaries in the Murder of their Sovereigns: Nor do they only ſtudy their Revenge in the Succeſs of their Rebellion, ſince 'tis the never failing Intereſt of this Order, to out-live the Reigns of many Sultans; Their Abuſes of an Inter⯑regnum.for beſides the ſure Addition of a daily Penny to their former Pay, they gain an uncontroul'd Authority, to Rob and Plunder during the ſpace of a ſmall Interregnum, violently Poſ⯑ſeſſing as a lawful Prize whatever Goods they lay their Hands on; and committing boldly black Outrages with the plauſible Pretence of Griev⯑ing out of meaſure for the mournful Death of their Indulgent Ma⯑ſter.
THE melancholy Conſequences of this Abuſe of Power, have as is be⯑fore declar'd, induc'd the Government to ſtudy Means of ruining this Order, which not being able to accompliſh by the dint of Force, they have inven⯑ted [23] many ſubtil Wiles to Weaken Gradually the Foundations of their Power; for whereas the Matchleſs Diſcipline of Ancient Janizaries gave bright Examples to Inferiour Orders, they are now admitted frequently without the Gradual Labours of Probationary Servitude. Marriage once de⯑ny'd 'em with the Stricteſt Prohibition, is not only Suffer'd but En⯑courag'd by their Officers; Trades are follow'd, and the Weekly Muſters Slighted by Permiſſion, inſomuch that their Unfurniſh'd Chambers, once the Nurſeries of Succeſsful Valour, can furniſh few at Wars great Summons, who do not Artfully decline the Service, by the prevailing Pleas of Wife and Family, or ſome mean Shift, whoſe common Practice has al⯑ready Weaken'd and will in time Entirely Ruin the declining Columns of that Dwindling Order.
The Turkiſh Spahee's.NEXT to the Janizaries, I proceed to ſpeak of that Order of the Turkiſh Horſe, commonly diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Spahee's and di⯑vided into two Bodys, viz. the Europaean, and the Aſiatick. Theſe Light-Horſe Men, were in Ancient times the Nobleſt Cavalry the World could boaſt of, Rich and Formidable by the Plenty they were Maſters of, never coming into the Field without the Stately Splendour of a Numerous and Magnificent Attendance, and Shining Brightly over all the reſt of their Militia by the vaſt advantages they made of their Acquaintance with, or Intereſt in, the Greateſt Officers of the Empire, The Reaſons of their late Decay.but Poiſoning their Loy⯑alty with the encreaſe of their Authority, they Sacrifis'd their Honour to the Dictates of Ambition, and Inſolently Practic'd a continued Leſſon of Mutiny and Rebellion, 'till the common Fate of Falling Treachery Involv'd their Order in a general Ruin, and from the Towring Pyramids of their Unrival'd Grandeur, reduc'd them Gradually to a common Le⯑vel with the Inferior Orders of the Turks Militia.
Their Pay and Opportunities of Encreaſing it.AT preſent the Number of Spahees exceeds not Five and Thirty Thouſand, who Receive a Quarterly Payment in the Preſence of the Vizier Azem, a Cuſtom Introduc'd by the Famous Kupriuli, to prevent the Black effects of thoſe Inteſtine Diſcords, common Formerly, from their Pay Day Quarrels; The loweſt Salary of a Turkiſh Spahee is at the Rate of one Shilling a Day, to which they become Intituled to upon their firſt Pro⯑motion to that Office, and encreaſe their Pay by Gradual Steps, ſuch as the Favour of their Officers, the Addition of 2 Pence or 3 Pence a Day for the Head of every Enemy they bring their General, as much for the Infor⯑mation of a Spahee's Death out of the Pay of the Deceas'd, a Cuſtom Poli⯑tickly Inſtituted to prevent the Faſhionable Cheats Impos'd on Chriſtian Princes by their Military Officers. Beſides which caſual Opportunities of Encreaſing their Allowances, they Receive the Additional Reward of 4 Pence a Day upon the Acceſſion of every New Sultan to the Throne of his Predeceſſors, ſo that by the Favourable turns of Merit or good Fortune they go on Encreaſing by Succeſſive Additions, till they attain at laſt their Ne plus Ʋltra, and ſit down contentedly in the full Poſſeſſion of Eight Shil⯑lings and Four-Pence per Day.
Their Arms in War.THE Common Arms in uſe amongſt theſe Horſe-Men are numerous and convenient, and ſo ſtrangely differing from one another, that 'tis a Sight Compleatly curious to obſerve a Diſciplin'd Spahee, as fully Arm'd as War requires him. For firſt a Glittering Helmet rather Graces than Defends their Heads, a Back and Breaſt Piece Guard their Bodies, and on their Shoulders Hangs a Bow with a Capacious Quiver of their Eaſtern Arrows, their Girdles often hold 4 Horſe-Mens Piſtols, a long Light Muſ⯑ket Slung like ours, hangs Neatly at their Sides, and on their proper Thigh, is Faſt'ned a Large Weighty Scymetar, werewith when Broken in upon Diſorder'd Enemies they do Prodigious Execution, and Riding [24] ſhort in ſtrong and ſpacious Stirrops, lift themſelves with eaſe beyond their Saddle, and extend a Blow with double Fury: Beſides theſe Arms, they bear upon the left ſide of their Horſes beneath the Girt, ano⯑ther ſtrong and broader Back-Sword; which with an Iron headed Mace, for that purpoſe faſten'd on the contrary ſide, they uſe promiſcu⯑ouſly as they ſee Occaſion.
Their Diſci⯑pline rather deſperate than regular.THEIR Diſcipline is mean and inſignificant, for they never Form their Bodies according to the politer Practice of the Chriſtian Nations, in⯑to Regiments or Companies, Rank, File, or any other Order, but uniting ſtrongly into one groſs Multitude, obſerve attentively the Nod of their Commanders, and repeating loudly Exclamations upon God, under the Expreſſions Allah, Allah, fall raſhly on with ſpeed and vigour; and if re⯑puls'd in their two firſt Endeavours, to break the Order of their Enemies, repeat with deſperate Raſhneſs their dangerous Attempt, and if repell'd that fatal time, forget their Courage, and diſperſe confuſedly in all the hurry of a ſhameful Flight.
Their Puniſh⯑ments.IN War, the Charge of thoſe Rich Waggons, which contain the Mo⯑ney for the Payment of the Troops, is conſtantly committed to the Cuſto⯑dy of the Spahees; whoſe place it is to ſtand on Horſeback as Centinels of Honour with a Janizary on Foot, at the end of every Rope which ſupports the ſtately Pavilion of their Sultan, or in his Abſence the Vizier his Gene⯑ral. When their Crimes deſerve the Puniſhment of Death, they ſuffer pri⯑vately like the Janizaries, but when Demerits of a lower Nature, call for Puniſhments of ſmaller Rigour, they are baſtinadoed on their Feet as is be⯑fore deſcrib'd, while offending Janizaries feel the Cudgel on their fleſhy But⯑tocks, that the one may Ride and t'other Walk without uneaſineſs; by which means neither is prevented from the Service of his Sultan.
SO much ſhall ſerve to have ſpoken of the two extraordinary Orders of the Turkiſh Militia, who receive immediate Salaries from the Treaſures of the Sultan. I ſhall now proceed to Calculate as nearly as is poſſible the prodigious Numbers of their Cavalry, whoſe formidable Bodies have ſo often ſtruck a panick Fear thro' the deſpairing Armies of con⯑tending Governments.
Zaims and Ti⯑mariot [...], what [...]hey are.THE main Support and ſinewy Foundation of their Military Power, are the Orders diſtinguiſh'd in their Language by the Names of Zaim and Timariot; the Firſt of which in Rank and Title is no ways Inferiour to an Earl in Chriſtendom, the laſt may juſtly be compar'd with our Euro⯑paean Barons, and both not much unlike thoſe Perſons, who in En⯑gland poſſeſs'd Eſtates in Capite, or the ancient Tenure of Knight's Ser⯑vice.
Their Uſe and Duty.IT ever was, and ſtill continues a Cuſtom amongſt the Turks, immedi⯑ately after having Conquer'd the Dominions of an Enemy, to parcel out the Lands into certain large Diviſions; and beſtow them inſtantly upon ſuch of their Officers as had ſucceſsfully diſtinguiſh'd themſelves in the Reduction of that Country: Theſe Men in return for the Poſſeſſion of their Lands, are beſides the neceſſary Duties of a Ruſtical Improvement, oblig'd continually to maintain a ſettled Number of Men and Horſes com⯑pleatly Arm'd, and ready at a Minutes warning for the Call of War; to which they go themſelves attended by their ſeveral Numbers when the Grand Signior or Vizier appear in Perſon in the Field; but generally go or ſtay, according to the Dictates of their various Inclinations, when the Ar⯑mies are Commanded by ſome Inferior General.
[25] The Charge incumbent on a Zaim.OF theſe the Zaims, as nobleſt in their Quality are richeſt in their Poſ⯑ſeſſions, and conſequently Tax'd with a proportionable Weight of Care and Charges. The loweſt Charge incumbent on a Zaim, is Four compleat and qualified Horſemen, and the higheſt Nineteen. The higheſt of a Ti⯑mariot is Four, and the ſmalleſt One: But many of theſe Men, ambitious of Preferment, and deſirous to be taken notice of, for over-acting their Parts of Loyalty and Obedience, will often double, ſometimes treble their Proportion of the Soldiers.
THAT the Reader may be able to compute the Number of the Otto⯑man Forces, I will proceed to make a reaſonable Calculation of theſe Horſemen, from the ſeveral Farms belonging to the Two and Twenty Provinces heretofore mention'd.
| In the Province of | Anatolia | are rekon'd | 629 | Zaims, and | 8570 | Timariots. |
| Caramania | 073 | 2165 | ||||
| Diarbekir | 118 | 0873 | ||||
| Scham | 128 | 0560 | ||||
| Siwas | 108 | 3029 | ||||
| Ezrum | 122 | 5548 | ||||
| Paſcha | 185 | 0826 | ||||
| Maraſch | 027 | 0512 | ||||
| Cyprus | 040 | 1067 | ||||
| Tripoly | 063 | 0570 | ||||
| Rika | 060 | 0666 | ||||
| Terbozan | 056 | 0398 | ||||
| Halep | 117 | 1044 | ||||
| Childir | 106 | 0959 | ||||
| Kupudan | 124 | 1152 | ||||
| Rumeeli | 075 | 8194 | ||||
| Boſna | 063 | 1621 | ||||
| Kars | 078 | 2111 | ||||
| Muſul | 058 | 1340 | ||||
| Kibros | 094 | 2450 | ||||
| Babylon | 180 | 7924 |
The Militia peculiar to Grand Cairo. GRAND CAIRO is omitted here, as having a Militia peculiar to its ſelf, to be treated of hereafter, conſiſting of Twenty Thouſand Horſe and Eighty Thouſand Foot, kept conſtantly to be ready upon all Occaſi⯑ons; ſo that in the One and Twenty Arch-Dukedoms above-mention'd are contain'd at leaſt, Three Thouſand Five Hundred and Four Zaims, and Fifty One Thouſand Five Hundred Seventy Nine Timariots; and the Charges incumbent on the Firſt of theſe, being as I have ſaid before from Four to Nineteen Men, we may reaſonably conclude, that the Grandeur of One making full amends for the Deficiency of the Other, they come at⯑tended to the Field at the rate of Ten Followers to each Man, which ad⯑ded to their Maſters, compleat the Number of Thirty Eight Thouſand Five Hundred and Eighty Men.
A Calculati⯑on of the Number of the Turkiſh Horſe.THE loweſt Quota of a Turkiſh Timariot as has been told already, being One Man and the higheſt Four; and indeed there remaining few of the Former, ſince the vaſt Improvements made of ancient Farms, we may with reaſon judge Timariots to bring, one with another, Three Men beſides themſelves to ſerve in War; which make in all, the Number of Two Hundred and Seven Thouſand, Three Hundred and Eight Fighting Men; which added to the Zaims, Spahees, and Egyptian Soldiers aforemention'd, compleat their Cavalry and form a Standing Army conſiſting of at leaſt, Three Hundred Thouſand Eight Hundred and Eighty Eight accompliſh'd Horſemen.
[26] NOR is this large Account of their Prodigious Numbers Swoln be⯑yond the fix'd Reality of their Exiſtence, I might rather have ad⯑vanc'd my Calculation in a High Degree, from the Natural Dictates of Conſpicuous Probability, but ſhall Content my ſelf with having given my Reader an Account, Sincerely void of all Extravagancies, and thoſe Faſhionable Practices (whether Juſtly or Ʋnjuſtly, I ſhall not here diſpute) ſo Unfortunately Imputed to the too Prolifick Fancy's of our Modern Travellers.
The Order of the Tukiſh In⯑fantry call'd Azapi.PROPORTIONABLE to the Cavalry is the Unnumbred In⯑fantry of the Turkiſh Nation, which conſiſts of ſeveral Degrees in Honour or advantage, and all Maintain'd in War and Peace without the ſmalleſt Burthen on the Sultan's Treaſury, the moſt Unvalued, Numerous, and Unpoliſh'd Souldiers of the Turkiſh Army, are the Azapi, an Order void of Form or Diſcipline, who in the Storming Towns, defending Trenches, or Attacking Armies are like uſeleſs Blocks of Timber Puſh'd upon their Ruin, that falling Dead by Thouſands they may as it were make Blunt the Weapons of the Enemy, and with their Bodys fill a Ditch or form a Bul⯑wark for the Paſſage or Defence of their more Valued Followers.
BESIDES theſe General Bodies of the Turks Militia, every Province has ſome Peculiar Order for its own Defence, nor do the Guards of Viceroys and Provincials form an Inconſiderable Part of their Unſhaken Strength and Power; no Bey, Baſhaw, or any diſtant Governour, be⯑lieving himſelf ſecure without the Guard of certain Thouſands of Souldiers Appropriated to his Service, who when the Common Danger, or their Maſters Loyalty ſpeaks 'em neceſſary, are ſent to ſerve their Country, where any Seat of War requires their Preſence.
THERE are, beſides theſe mention'd Orders ſeveral other ſorts of Souldiery, ſuch as Gunners, Armourers, Baggage-Guarders, &c. of which in Conſtantinople only, may be Reckon'd conſtantly the Number of 12 or 14 Thouſand, whereby the Reader may be able to gueſs, what Propor⯑tionable Swarms muſt be Diſtributed in all the Spreading Corners of that Spacious Empire.
The Turks Auxiliary Forces from Valachia and Moldavia.THE Subjects of Moldavia and Valachia are Oblig'd to ſend Auxiliary Forces to the Aſſiſtance of the Turks, whenſoever their occaſions Preſs 'em to Require it, the Settled Quota of each Country is about Eight Thouſand Men, Commanded always by their Reſpective Princes, nor can the Weightieſt Plea of Incapacited Poverty, Exempt 'em from that Duty.
The Duty of the Tartar Han, in reſpect to the Grand-Sig⯑nior's Service.BUT the Greateſt aid, the Turks Receive from their depending Allies, is the fix'd Supply of Fifty Thouſand Horſe, a Tribute due to the Occaſions of the Sultan, from the Petty Tartar, to be led by the Young Han his Son, or the Chief Miniſter of the Country, when the Turkiſh Army is Commanded by the Grand Vizier, or any other Ge⯑neral, but when the Emperour Commands in Perſon, the Tartar Han or Prince himſelf muſt come and joyn him with a Furniſh'd Army of an Hundred Thouſand Men.
HAVING Dwelt ſo long upon thoſe Numerous Orders whoſe Unnum⯑ber'd Multitudes Compoſe that Formidable Power whereunto in for⯑mer Ages the Succeſsfull Turks have ow'd their Fortune, it may not be Eſteem'd Unneceſſary to deſcribe particularly that Accompliſh'd Diſcipline ſo ſtrictly Practis'd in the Longeſt Marches of their Nu⯑merous Army.
[27] THO' the Turkiſh Management of their Body Military has been Rendred void of Form and Diſcipline by the Miſtaken Repreſentations of ſome too Haſty Travellers, yet a Perſon who obſerves with a Cu⯑rious Impartiality, the Artfull methods of their Warlike Government, will ſoon percieve a Matchleſs Order Shine Conſpicuouſly throughout their Camp, whoſe Good effects Produce continually ſuch Happy Con⯑ſequences, as will more than make a full Atonment for their known Deficiency in the Art of War,
The uſe of Wine denied Souldiers of the Turkiſh Army upon pain of Death.FOR Firſt, the uſe of Wine is there Deny'd 'em by ſo Strict a Prohibi⯑tion, that the Smalleſt Quantity, when Diſcover'd, is a certain Sacri⯑fice of that Mans Life who has it in Poſſeſſion. Hereby thoſe frequent Quarrels and Audacious Villanies ſo Fatal and Pernicious to the Chri⯑ſtian Armies are Perpetually avoided, and the Noiſy Clamours of Tu⯑multuous War, Subſervient Calmly to the Milder Influence of a Peace⯑full Quietude, no Rapes or Murders Plead for Juſtice to the Baſe Abettors of a Countenanc'd Diſorder, no Hopes or Proſpect of Unlaw⯑full gain can Tempt the Officers of a Turkiſh Army, to the Looſe Permiſſion of Licentious Inſolencies; all is Mild and Serene and Silent, and the Horrid Face of Gloomy War Diſguis'd or Painted by the Brighter Marks of Form and Diſcipline.
TIS for this the Officers of any Marching Troops throughout the Turks Dominions, Diſpatch continually from Place to Place, a certain Number of the Truſtieſt Janizaries, to Search the Towns through the which their Men muſt Paſs, and Seal or Stave what Buts of Wine or other Spirituous Liquor they find therein, at Leaſt 4 Days before their Camp Arrives.
A Curious ſort of Torch⯑es us'd in Turk⯑ey.ANOTHER Cuſtom Prevalent amongſt the Turkiſh Armies is to March 'em conſtantly from Town to Town, and never ſuffer them in Peace or War to Lie ſo long in any Place, as to Contrive ſuch Miſchiefs as our Chriſtian Souldiers by their Tempting Opportunities do too often Study, and find means to Execute; nay ſo Carefull are their Chiefs to prevent Diſturbances, that they will rather Travel all Night long than give their Men the means of Plundering thoſe Miſerable Wretches on whom they Quarter; and indeed it is a Sight Extreamly Pleaſant to behold 'em Marching thro' the Thickeſt Gloom of Win⯑ter Nights, with ſo Innumerable a Quantity of Bright Illuminations as almoſt Rival Day it ſelf with their Extended Luſtre; nor are theſe Lights like our ſmall Torches, but Compos'd of Large and Maſſy Balls of Flax and Cotton, dip'd in Tarr or Turpentine, or oftner a ſort of Oily, and Bituminous Wood, which certain Arabs, Purpoſely At⯑tending on the Turkiſh Camp, and there Diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Maſſalageelar, bear aloft in Iron Cages, carried on a Tall and Eleva⯑ted Staff not much unlike thoſe Ancient Lights Deſcrib'd in Old and Valuable Tapeſttry.
The form wherein the Turkiſh Gene⯑rals Pitch their Camps.AND now, ſince I have ſo often mentioned the Turkiſh Army, 'twill no ways favour of a Diſgreſſive Prolixity, if I Deſcribe at Large that Gracefull Order and unthought Magnificence wherewith they Pitch their Camps in every Place they come to. Firſt then, the Large Pavilions of the Sultan, Grand Vizier, or any other General then Marching at their Head, are Pitch'd directly in the midſt of ſome Extenſive Plain, Surrounded at Submiſſive Diſtance by the Tents of his Lord Treaſurer, Chief Steward, Secretary and the Maſter of the Ceremonies; theſe Five Pavilions Plac'd as I have ſaid before, at a Reſpectfull Diſtance, Extend themſelves upon a vaſt Spot of Ground, leaving in the Mid⯑dle [28] one fine open Square, in whoſe delineated Center ſtand a double Row of ſtately Pillars, which ſupport a lofty Canopy, under which all Puniſh⯑ments when order'd by the General, are put in Execution: Here come the Officers of the Army, either led by Buſineſs or deſire of Converſation, and walking up and down in ſeveral Companies, form agreeably a ſort of Pro⯑menade, diverting, tho' irregular.
The Turkiſh Treaſury, how Guarded in the Camp.NOT far from hence are plac'd thoſe valuable Cheſts which bear the Treaſure for the Soldiers Payment, pil'd in gradual Order one upon the other, and riſing in a Form directly circular: Theſe Cheſts are guarded both within and without, by certain Choſen Horſe-Men, who all Night long, keep ſtrict and formidable Watch, with Spears and Fire-Arms.
THE Two abovemention'd Quarters are ſurrounded by the graceful Tents of the Baſhaws, Beys, Beylerbeys, Sangiacks, and Aga's, whoſe ſtately Form and vaſt Magnificence can never be imagin'd, but by ſuch whoſe ocular Demonſtration have convinc'd 'em of their Grandeur; for tho' the Turks delight but little in the outward Ornament of Houſes, nor aſpire in the leaſt to overdo each other in the Europaean Cuſtom of Polite and Solid Architecture, yet do they far more exceed us in the rich Ornaments and Contrivances of their Pavilions, than we outſhine their homely Hutts, and miſerable Cottages, by the ſtupendious Fabricks of our fineſt Mar⯑ble, and the moſt laſting Statelyneſs of our moſt celebrated Edi⯑fices.
The wonder⯑ful Conveni⯑ences of the Turkiſh Pavili⯑ons.'TIS every way impoſſible to deſcribe at large thoſe tripple Walls, vaſt Rooms of State, innumerable Apartments, Kitchens, Butteries, Cel⯑lars, and convenient Offices, wherein thoſe Tents abound which form the Courts of ſome conſiderable Officers in their Army; their Rooms are ſquare, and full of Windows, neatly form'd to open always from the Windy Quarter; and in ſhort, nothing either Uſeful or Ornamental is omit⯑ted to compleat them.
The Quarters of the Zaims, Timariots, &c.BEHIND their Maſters lie, in meaſur'd Order, a prodigious Number of the Zaims, Timariots and Beylerbeys, in Proportion to the Sul⯑tan's Army, who with their Horſes, Camels, Mules and Carriages, ap⯑pear a huge and formidable Body, of well-skill'd and diſciplin'd Sol⯑diers.
Quarters of the Janizaries.THe Choſen Glories of the Turkiſh Camp compoſe its Front, conſiſting chiefly of the braveſt Janizaries, and ſuch accompliſh'd Voluntiers, as ha⯑ving fully qualified themſelves by a long Experience for the Duty of an Office, expect impatiently ſome profitable Employment, by gradual Suc⯑ceſſion to the vacant Poſts of ſuch as fall, or by the long-wiſh'd Favour of ſome Great Commander. Theſe encompaſs at an aweful Diſtance, the Yani-Cherr-Aga, or General of the Janizaries, whoſe Place and Power I have lately ſpoken of, in the foregoing Part of this Chapter.
The Spahees Quarter'd in the Rear.THE Rear of their Army is generally compos'd of the Politeſt Spahees, who with many other Regular and Well-appointed Horſemen, of the moſt Eſteem'd and Honourable Orders, maintain their Poſts in caſe of need with wonderful Alacrity and Reſolution, making Good the Retreat of their diſ⯑order'd Fellows, by bravely Sacrfiſing their Lives and Liberty, for the preferable Intereſt of their Sultan and his Country.
Station of the Baggage and heavy Artil⯑lery.'TIS generally under the Guard of theſe above-nam'd Horſemen, that the Baggage, Camels, and heavy Artillery belonging to the Army are ſafely Convoy'd; and really when a Man who ſeriouſly reflects on [29] what he ſees, becomes a Witneſs of the numberleſs Attendants, Trains, and Carriages of the Turkiſh Armies, he cannot but with Wonder bleſs that God, who curbs in Mercy the Ambitious Arms of this prodigious Govern⯑ment, and has kindly plac'd a powerful Hook in the preſumptuous Noſtrils of their Great Leviathan.
THUS have I at large deſcrib'd the fatal Inſtruments of thoſe depo⯑pulating Slaughters, whoſe raging Violence in former Ages, rais'd the Mo⯑narchs of a raviſh'd Empire, to the loftieſt Throne of undivided Power and arbitrary Tyranny, which the World ſupports; and ſtill continue to main⯑tain the Swords Prerogative, whereby without reſpect to Juſtice or Religion, the Turkiſh Sultans trample proudly on the ſofter Dictates of Nature and Morality; removing violently whatever Rubs obſtruct their Will; and to whoſe Inhumane Practices nothing can be more applicable, than the Precepts of Photinus, expreſs'd as follows in the Eighth Book of Lu⯑can.
CHAP. V. Of their Naval Force.
The conveni⯑ent Situation of Conſtanti⯑nople, in re⯑ſpect to Na⯑vigation.LET us now proceed to ſearch a little into thoſe extraordinary Conveniencies for attaining the higheſt Perfection in the Art of Navigation, ſo peculiar to the Capital of the Turkiſh Empire, that it ſeems as if the Hand of Providence had fix'd at Conſtanti⯑nople the happy Seat of Univerſal Monarchy, and bleſt its Neighbourhood with all the mighty Helps that bounteous Nature can afford a Country, or the Hand of Art can poſſibly require, to extend Dominion over all the World, and ſpread Authority thro' diſtant Climates, vainly ſeparated by the Watry Deſarts of a Stormy Ocean.
NOT all the Kingdoms of the Chriſtian World, ſhou'd they reſolve to join their Forces, and partake promiſcuouſly of one anothers Bleſſings, cou'd afford conjointly more Materials for Maritime Improvements, than [30] grow commodiouſly within the beckon of the Turks Metropolis; Timber whence brought them.for round the Shores whoſe ragged Cliffs encompaſs the Euxine or Black Sea, ſtand endleſs Numbers of Tall Woods, whoſe ſtately Timber fell'd for Uſe, ſup⯑ply the City thro' the Thracian Boſphorus, with the fineſt Wood requir'd for Building.
Canvas, Hemp Tar, Pitch, Tallow and Bisket.CANVAS for Sails, and Hemp for Rigging well what Ships they build, they have beyond all poſſible Neceſſity, from thoſe Parts of Egypt which ſurround Grand-Cairo. Valachia, Moldavia, Epirus and Albania, ſupply them plentifully with Tallow, Pitch, and Tarr, the beſt in Europe; as for Bisket it abounds incredibly thro' every Corner of their vaſt Dominions.
The prodigi⯑ous Magni⯑tude of the Arſenal at Conſtantinople.THEIR Ports and Arſenals for building Ships are Numerous, and Convenient beyond Imagination; that at Conſtantinople is ſo vaſtly Large and full of Volta's or Docks for Building, as to be capable of Fitting out a⯑bove One Hundred and Thirty Five Veſſels at one and the ſame time; nor are the other Arſenals and Harbours of his Empire, leſs Convenient or Magnificently Splendid, in proportion to the ſeveral Magnitudes of the reſpective Towns or Places where they are; Whence ſup⯑plied with Gally Slaves.and as for Gally-Slaves to tugg laboriouſly at the toilſom Oar, they neither do nor can want freſh Supplies, while the Barbarian Pirates or dreadful Ravages of the Inhumane Tartars, preſent or ſell them yearly Thouſands of ſuch un⯑happy Wretches, as have fallen unwarily into their Hands, and ſo be⯑come the wretched Victims of their inſatiate Avarice.
NOW may my Reader be induc'd to fanſie from the Accounts above⯑mention'd, that the Relation I ſhall give him of the Turkiſh Fleets will be proportionable to their Conveniencies for encouraging above the Chri⯑ſtian World, the uſeful Art of Navigation; but he will find his Error with a deep Surprize, when he perceives their Naval Force, not only un⯑improv'd by an induſtrious Application, to an equal Balance with the Chriſtian Navies, but on the contrary, every way Inferior to the Maritime Improvements of thoſe Poor Republicks, whoſe ſmall Extent and inſigni⯑ficant Poſſeſſions, do ſcarce intitle them to the Name of Governments, when look'd upon in Competition with the far ſuperior Power of Confe⯑derated Chriſtendom.
Why the Turks grew weak in Navigation.YET is this great Misfortune rather owing to their Ignorance than Idle⯑neſs, having frequently Attempted to Equip vaſt Navies, and with ſome Succeſs Invaded Hoſtile Nations with their ſometime Formidable Squa⯑drons, but their want of Knowledge in the Arts of Building, Rigging, or the Management of Veſſels, ſtill occaſion'd Yearly Loſſes to the Sultan, by their dreadful Shipwracks when they met with Tempeſts, or more dreadful Overthrows when driven by the Turns of Chance to ſtand the Shock of a more Skillful Enemy, in the deſtructive Trial of ſome deciſive Battle.
Gallies now chiefly us'd.'TIS for this alone they have of late diſ-us'd their Large Maa-humes or Ships of War, and fallen wholly into building Gallies and Galleaſſes, ſo that truſting rather to the Oar, than their Strength or Courage, they preſerve their Navies from thoſe ſhocking Dangers which ſo often broke 'em, when they vainly thought themſelves a Match by Sea as well as Land for Chriſtian Enemies.
THERE are notwithſtanding now at Conſtantinople ſo many Tall and Stately Ships of War, as might compoſe a Navy of Five or Six and Thirty Sail, from Twenty Four to One Hundred and Sixteen Guns; [31] but theſe are never ſent Abroad for Uſe but Oftentation. The Form of Turkiſh Ships of War.They are beyond imagination high and broad, their Sterns and Heads built high, one Deck above another, for Conveniency of Lodging Officers, but ſo unweildy by their Form, and ſo unfit for Stormy Weather by the Green unſeaſon'd Tim⯑ber which is us'd about 'em, that tho' they put to Sea, with Drums and Trumpets Sounding, endleſs Crowds of Sailors Shouting, and their Strea⯑mers Flying with a rich Magnificence, they ſoon return Unrigg'd and Shattered, leſs in Number as in Splendour, bearing ſhamefully the ragged Marks of Weakneſs and Diſorder in their tatter'd Sails, and Planks juſt ga⯑ping to admit the Ocean.
THE Turkiſh Gallies, which as I ſaid before, are what they moſt de⯑pend on, are jointly ſubject to the ſame Misfortunes with their Larger Veſſels, and utterly unable to reſiſt the Fury of a Winter Sea, wherefore being-fix'd in dry Docks belonging to the Arſenal, till the ſharp extremity of that unfavour'd Seaſon is a little over, there are Orders given to the Sultan's Admiral, diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Capitain-Baſhaw, to call 'em from their Stations, and with all imaginable Expedition put to Sea, and Cruiſe all Summer.
The manner of their rai⯑ſing Seamen.PROCLAMATION is immediately hereupon, Iſſued carefully over all the Turks Dominions bordering on the Black and Midland Seas, that ſuch as hold their Lands in Tenour of Sea Service, ſhall ſuddenly Re⯑pair with their reſpective Quotas to their ſeveral Poſts on Board their Gal⯑lies, this is done with utmoſt ſpeed, and generally brings together about Two Thirds of that great Number which their Fleet requires upon all Occaſions.
The Pay of a Turkiſh Sailor.TO fill the Vacancies which ſtill require ſupply, they Liſt immediately prodigious Numbers of a ſort of Mariners, there diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Tchurmah, who are kept as Slaves by People in the Towns which border on the Sea, and hir'd to ſerve the Summer out on board the Gallies, where for Six Months Drudgery at the laborious Oar, they receive a good Allow⯑ance of Proviſion for the Voyage, and about the Sum of Five and Twenty Pounds at their Return, which is the ſole Right and Property of their reſpective Maſters, who live an Idle and Inglorious Life, upon the toilſom Labours and unpitied Miſeries of their Fellow Creatures.
IN caſe there ſtill requires a freſh Recruit, they ſend a certain Number of their ſturdieſt Seamen, to rove from Place to Place, about the Provin⯑ces which border on their Capital, and there Impreſs the luſtieſt Clowns they find amongſt them, till by this Addition they compleat the Number which the Service of the Sultan then demands.
An admirable Policy.THESE laſt are call'd Azaps or Clowns, and as leaſt Uſeful to the Neceſſities of their Emperour, are ſtill leaſt Burthenſome to his Treaſury, for tho' their Pay is equal to the reſt, it Coſts the Government not one ſole Farthing, for out of every Five and Twenty Families they claim a Right to one Azap, and for his Maintenance that Summer, the other Four, and Twenty Houſes are oblig'd to raiſe an equal Sum of Money to reward his Service.
BESIDES theſe ſeveral Orders of the Turkiſh Seamen, there remains another to be ſpoken of, which conſiſts of thoſe condemn'd Delinquents of the Chriſtian Churches ſubject to their Tyranny, whoſe Crimes or evil Fate have chain'd their Bodies to the Oar of Slavery, whence Death alone has Power to free them; theſe, with ſuch of the Malteſe, Venetian, Spaniſh, or Italian Mariners, as have unfortunately been the Prize of War, are kept [32] Miſery of Gal⯑ley-Slaves.together void of Hope in endleſs Miſery, never to enjoy their Raviſh'd Li⯑berty till the Pitying Sea demands their Bodies, Worn and Meagre by continual Labours, or the Happy turn of a Succeſsfull Battle, ſhall with Joy give back again that Darling Bleſſing which it once took from 'em.
The Yearly Voyage of the Turkiſh Fleet of Galleys.THE Turkiſh Galleys thus Equip'd, ſet Sail for a large Port upon the Helleſpont now call'd Gallipolis. Their Number ne'er exceeds one Hundred nor can the Mighty Power of the Turkiſh Sultan maintain a greater Fleet, tho' oft Attempted. Hence they Sail as War or Buſineſs leads their Admi⯑ral, from Iſle to Iſle round all the Tributary Iſlands of the Archepilago, to awe the Natives from Rebellion or Diſorder; or Preſerve their Shoars from the Repeated Inſults of their Chriſtian Enemies, till having ſpent the time Allotted for their Abſence, they return again to the Port of Conſtan⯑tinople, and Diſcharging all their Hired Seamen, Place the Galleys in their former Stations, and retire to their Reſpective Habitations, till Approach⯑ing Spring Invites their Officers to Renew their Care, and Summon Back the Marriners to their Abandon'd Duty.
Beyes of the Archipalago.BESIDES the Fleet Immediately depending on the Sultan's Admiral, there are a certain Number (under Twenty) of the Lords or Governours of the abovenam'd Iſlands, who by the Tenure of their ſeveral Govern⯑ments are ſtill Oblig'd to Joyn the Navy every Summer, with each a well appointed Galley under his Command, when every Prize they Chance to Take is the undoubted Right and Property of their Sultan, but when in Winter, they continue Cruizing, after the Return of their High Admiral and his Navy, whatever Prize their Fortune gives 'em, is their own by Law, and by themſelves Poſſeſs'd as Lawfull Booty.
A great Over⯑ſight in their Governments.THE Fatal cauſe of that Unſinew'd Weakneſs in the Turkiſh Nvay, may not be Improperly Aſſign'd to their Unskilfull Practice in the Art of Navigation, guiding with a ſort of Liſtleſs Application, their Un⯑poliſh'd rules of Maritine Improvements, and ſo Confiding in the ſure Perfection of the Chriſtian knowledge in that uſefull Science, that with⯑out the leaſt Examination into the Pretenſions of a Renegado, they Im⯑mediately advance him to the Poſt of Gunner, Sail-Maker, Carpenter or Boatſwain, never doubting his Accompliſhment in a Study which they look upon as natural to the Natives of a Chriſtian Country.
I know not whether it proceeds from a mean Deſpair of being able to Exceed or Equal us in Sea Affairs, or is the Luxurious Effect of their Prodigious Plenty, and thoſe Rich Dominions they Poſſeſs by Land, which Tempts their Inclinations to a Groſs and Unmoleſted Enjoyment of their Unmeaſur'd Wealth, and draws away their minds from that Induſtrious Application, they muſt long time uſe before they can Attain a full Perfection in that neglected Science. But Plain and Undeniable Demonſtration, convinces us that they Affect not in the leaſt becoming Formidable by a Powerful Navy, never Venturing into diſtant Oceans, and very Rarely out of ſight of Land, Sailing always by Direction of certain Falſe and Ill-deſign'd Sea-Charts, Mechanically Drawn without the Smalleſt knowledge of a Mathematical Proportion, and as a Cloak to Shroud the Shamefull Ignorance which Reigns among them, make Fre⯑quent uſe of an Inglorious Proverb, A Turkiſh Pro⯑verb. viz. That God hath given the Land to their Poſſeſſion, and thought fit to leave the Sea to the Dominion of the Infidels.
IN former Ages the Grand Signior cou'd by Virtue of his great Au⯑thority at any time Oblige the Algierines, with thoſe of Tunis, Tripoly, [33] Morocco, Fez, and other Parts of Africa, to come with Powerful Ships of War to his Aſſiſtance; The Pyrates of Barbary Inde⯑pendant on the Grand-Sig⯑nior.but the Princes of thoſe Country's having lately much Encreas'd their Power as well as Policy, find conſtant Means by ſome Excuſe to Quitt his Service, nor Approach his Empire, but in Order to Recruit their own, with Freſh Supplies of Men and Plunder, while they Frequently Attack ſuch Graecian Iſlands as are under the Pro⯑tection of the Turkiſh Sultan, and Artfully contrive to Play the Pirate by Lying off at Sea without the Reach of any Fort or Caſtle, that upon Complaint by thoſe they Injure to the Officers of the Grand Signior, thoſe Avaricious Miniſters who Ʋnder-hand receive their Shares of all the Booty, may have a fair Pretence for the Refuſing to demand a Legal Satisfaction, as knowing it beyond their Power to Revenge the Injury.
HAVING lately ſpoken of the Miſerable Fate wherein ſuch Wretches find themſelves Involv'd, as are by the Unhappy Chance of War be⯑come the Slaves of an Inhumane Enemy, it may not be Unwelcome to Relate a Story, of the Particulars whereof I was Inform'd by many People who were Witneſſes to the Truth of moſt of its Uncommon Paſſages.
A ſtrange Sto⯑ry of a Turkiſh Slave redeem⯑ed from Servi⯑tude. SIGNIOR PIETRO CORNARO a Young Accompliſh'd Gentleman of an Ancient Family, and conſiderable Fortune in the City of FERRARA in Italy, was led not many Years ago, to Travel thro' the Various Provinces of his Celebrated Country, that by Improving his Experience he might Entirely Satisfie his Eager Curioſity, and Enrich his Mind with ſuch Refin'd Notions, as wou'd diſtinguiſh his Perfections from the far leſs Qualifi'd and common Converſation of his Fellow Citizens.
HE came amongſt other Places to Leghorne, and took up Lodgings at an Inn, in order to Obſerve the Rarities of that well Peopled City, and Hapning to be Plac'd in an Appartment that Op'ned to the Pub⯑lick Street, wou'd often take a Morning Walk about his Room, and looking Frequently upon the Street, Divert himſelf Agreeably by a Curious Obſervation of whatever Paſs'd before him.
A Privilege of Slaves in Leghorne.TIS a Cuſtom of the Town abovemention'd, to Enlarge the Turks who ſerve 'em as their Slaves, and give them Liberty to Ply as Por⯑ters, or betake themſelves to any other Toilſome Drudgery, Obliging them to Pay their Maſters ſuch a Daily Sum of Money as is Judg'd convenient, and Permitting them to keep the little Over-plus to ſerve Occaſionally their own Neceſſities.
A Virtuous Curioſity.DIRECTLY Oppoſite to Signior Pietro's Chamber was a Bench, on which he often ſaw a Melancholy Turk ſit Thoughtfull and Dejected, Leaning Penſively his Head upon his Hand, and Dropping now and then a Silent Tear, which he Endeavour'd Secretly to Wipe away with a large Knott of Ropes the Wretched Badge of his Unfortunate Employment. The Frequent Repetition of this Mournfull Practice, tho' begun too Early for a Publick Obſervation, was perceiv'd with Won⯑der by the Compaſſionate Italian, who Earneſtly deſirous to become Acquainted with the reaſons of his Sorrow, ſent at laſt a Meſſenger to Fetch him, and having Carry'd him Directly to his own Appartment, Diſcours'd a while and Askt him ſeveral Queſtions in the Italian Lan⯑guage, wherein the Turk had then Attain'd Conſiderable Knowledge, and Receiving Anſwers Modeſt and Particular, Proceeded to demand the manner of his being Taken, and how long he had continued in that State of Slavery.
[34] WITH wringing Hands and elevated Looks which ſeem'd to blame his Starrs for his unpity'd Miſery, The poor, diſconſolate Mahometan be⯑gan his Tale, and water'd his Complaint with ſhowers of Tears, whoſe falling Streams ſpoke piercing Proofs of his ungovernable Sorrow: I am, ſays he, an honeſt Muſſe [...]man, never Friend to War or Rapine, but became a Sacrifice to both, in an unlucky Viſit to an Aged Father, then in Health, and Peace, at Cyprus; now perhaps laid Cold and Breathleſs in ſome gloomy Grave, and may have broke his Heart to hear my Miſery.
THESE ſad Complaints were follow'd mournfully by a ſincere and full Account of every Accident which had concurr'd unfortunately to re⯑duce him to this Slavery; he ſoon at large inform'd his kind Inquirer, that he had ſorrowfully ſpent Four tedious Years in that Condition, which had left Three Wives, Two Sons now Men, and Nine ſmall Children, drown'd in Grief for his unlucky Loſs, and wholly deſtitute of any means whereby to know his preſent Habitation.
THE pitying Breaſt of Signior Pietro, fram'd for tender and compas⯑ſionate Impreſſions, melted generouſly with Sympathetical Concern, to hear the wretched and forlorn Condition of this complaining Infidel, and asking him his Name, and other things he thought convenient, he gave him Money and diſmiſs'd him kindly, with a Word or two of Comfort.
A generous Compaſſion.THE Turk return'd diſconſolately back to the unwelcom Practice of his daily Labours, and the tender-natur'd Signior Pietro, ſeriouſly reflecting on his weighty Sorrow, and conſidering that the Will of Providence, or ſome unthought of Turn of fickle Chance, might one Day make the Caſe his own, and teach him by the bitter Proofs of ſad Experience, how to pity others Miſeries, by the inſupportable Extremity of his own Misfor⯑tunes; he reſolv'd to do a noble Act of Chriſtian Charity, and making In⯑tereſt with the Governour of the Town, found means to get the Turk Releas'd, for the Ranſom of about One Hundred Forty Five Duc⯑cats.
NEVER could more welcome and ſurprizing News rejoyce the Heart of Humane Sufferer, than that which brought the happy Turk the News of his Delivery; with rapid Tranſports of ungovern'd Joy he fell upon his Knees, embrac'd the Feet of his ador'd Redeemer, and with numerous Vows of hearty Gratitude, entreated Signior Pietro to inform him how he might return twice told that friendly Sum, which had ſo ge⯑nerouſly purchas'd him his valued Liberty.
An honoura⯑ble Liberality.THE Good Italian wiſh'd him well, but told him he expected no Re⯑turn, yet if his Soul was Noble and wou'd urge him to be Grateful, he only ask'd his ſolemn Promiſe that he wou'd at his Return, Redeem from Slavery ſome Chriſtian Gentleman, whom he ſhou'd think did moſt deſerve it, and ſend him back as ſoon as poſſible, to viſit once again his Native Country; This laſt Agreement was in fine c [...]ncluded on, and the deli⯑ver'd Turk, ſupplied with Cloaths and all things neceſſary, embark'd on board an Engliſh Veſſel bound for Turkey, and return'd ſucceſsfully to his former Habitation.
THERE paſs'd about Three Months beyond the Day of the Maho⯑metan's Departure from Leghorne, when Signior Pietro, having been the greateſt Part of that time in Venice, pleas'd extreamly with the City and its People, became enamour'd of a Lady Young and Beautiful, call'd Maria Margarita Delfino, who had for ſeveral Years reſided in that Town, under [35] the Roof and Care of a ſubſtantial Merchant, youngeſt Brother to her Fa⯑ther, who with her Siſters, and the major Part of her Relations, liv'd at Malta: Nothing cou'd diſſwade the Amorous Italian from a violent Ex⯑preſſion of his growing Paſſion; he ſollicited her Uncle with inceſſant Im⯑portunities, and at laſt engag'd him to permit him to Addreſs her, upon this Condition, that he ſhould accompany his Niece and him to Malta, there to gain her Father's Approbation of his Perſon and Condition. This he promis'd, and continued Four Months daily viſiting the Object of his Affection, till he gain'd entirely her Conſent to Marry him when ſhe was Authoriz'd to do it by her Father's Order; and it ſeems their Sympathetic Ornaments of Mind and Body, pointed out the Match, and ſpoke 'em only Worthy of each others Value.
A ſtrange Mis⯑fortune which befel a Lover and his Mi⯑ſtreſs.THEY Embark'd upon a Veſſel Bound for Malta, and belonging to that Iſland, which they were almoſt arriv'd in Sight of, when a Turkiſh Gally met and boarded them, making undiſtinguiſh'd Prize of all her Car⯑go, and tranſporting Signior Pietro, with his Miſtreſs and her Uncle into threatned Slavery, landing them at Smyrna, together with the Valuable Prize in which they took them.
OH! Strange Uncertainty of Humane Life, blind, mad Event of fickle Fortune! How much in vain do thoughtleſs Mortals boaſt the Bleſſings of a Worldly Grandeur, when the ſudden Turns of War, or Accident, deſtroy Tyrannically, in one poor Moment, the ſtatelieſt Pillars of that fanſied Greatneſs upon which Foundation we ſo vainly Build our Hopes of Happineſs!
A very odd and ſurprizing Turn of For⯑tune.I forgot to tell you that the Three Companions in this miſerable State, had chang'd their Cloaths, for courſe and rougher Habits, when they ſaw the Danger they were falling into, that being ſo diſguis'd they might ex⯑pect a Ranſom from a ſmaller Charge than otherwiſe would ſerve 'em; ſo that being taken with the Common People they were like them, in Chains, conducted to the Publick Market, where the Slaves are Bought and Sold like Sheep or Oxen; Signior Pietro and the young Ladies Uncle were ty'd to⯑gether, and plac'd with many more to wait the Purchaſe of the faireſt Bid⯑der; oppoſite to them the Poor, Unhappy Lady ſtood, half dead with Fear and Anguiſh, with a numerous Crowd of Chriſtian Women, Young and Old, expecting every Moment to be Bought, and torn away from any hopes of ſeeing ever more her Lover and Relation.
A grating Trial of a Lo⯑ver's Patience.WHO cou'd now expreſs the ſwelling Grief, conflicting Paſſions and tumultuous Agonies, wherewith theſe poor deſponding Lovers view'd each other, yet not daring to diſcover their Concern, for fear their Love ſhould double their Misfortunes; till at laſt a young and graceful Turk came up to the diſconſolate Maria, and bargaining immediately with the Officer who kept her, paid the Money, and throwing on a Veil he brought on purpoſe, took her from the reſt, and carry'd her away with an extraordina⯑ry Satisfaction.
MANY a Complaining Look did the deſpairing Lady give her Friends, who anſwer'd her with all the mournful Marks of ſilent Lamentation, and were now, (eſpecially the Lover) ſo confounded with their Miſery that they ſtood inſenſible like Marble Statues, looking ſtedfaſtly upon the Ground, and took no notice of the many Purchaſers, who walk'd about from Place to Place to view the Perſons of the wretched Captives.
WHILE they ſtood thus fix'd in Contemplation on the tranſitory Bleſſings of a Mortal Life, there came a Turk from Stall to Stall enquiring [36] earneſtly of every Officer, what Quality and Country their ſeveral Slaves laid claim to, and examining particularly the Slaves themſelves to the ſame Effect, at laſt he came to Signior Pietro, who holding down his Head, the Turk ſtoop'd forward to look upon his Face, a Courteſy not often put in Practice by thoſe barbarous People, who when a Slave refuſes to hold up his Face will generally take them roughly by the Chin, as when a Jockey looks upon a Horſes Mouth, and rudely force 'em to expoſe their Counte⯑nances. A lucky Ac⯑cident.The Turk no ſooner ſaw the Face, but ſtarting back in great Surprize, he rais'd his Arms and Eyes towards Heaven, and half tran⯑ſported at the ſtrange Diſcovery, cry'd out aloud, I thank thee Holy Pro⯑phet thou haſt guided well my lucky Footſteps. The griev'd Italian looking up at this ſurprizing Exclamation, ſaw before his Eyes that very Man, whom in Leghorn he had ſo kindly freed from Slavery; no Pen can tell the Rap⯑tures he muſt needs conceive at this ſo happy Meeting, ſwift Embraces follow'd their Surprize, and when the Wonder of the Turk would give him leave to ſpeak again, he thus addreſs himſelf to Signior Pietro.
A memorable Piece of gra⯑titude. I promis'd thee, ſaid he, thou beſt of Chriſtians, that I wou'd certainly redeem ſuch Slave from Servitude as I ſhou'd judge did more than any elſe deſerve that Bleſſing; and now, thank Mahomet, in thee, I have diſcover'd him; with that he order'd him who guarded them to ſend ſome Perſon to receive his Ran⯑ſom, and conduct him preſently to his own Houſe: The overjoy'd Italian heard with Pleaſure the Deſign of his accompliſh'd Gratitude, but told him, if he would be doubly kind, he might Redeem his Friend who ſuffer'd with him, and they wou'd find ſome ſpeedy Means to reimburſe his utmoſt Charges; the Propoſition was embrac'd as ſoon as offer'd, and a Perſon being ſent to take the Money, receiv'd immediately the Ranſoms he demanded, and returning to the Market left the Gentlemen in the Care of their Redeemer.
Another ſtrange Sur⯑priſe.THE Turks Two Sons, when told the Accident by which their Father met the Man to whom before he ow'd his Liberty, expreſs'd ſincere and grateful Joy, and bid them welcome with an inexpreſſible Civility, and after having heard the manner of their being Taken, and their ſor⯑rowful Complaint for loſs of an unhappy Virgin, whom they lov'd ſo dear⯑ly; he who was the Eldeſt of the Two cry'd out with earneſtneſs, Now by the Religion of our Prophet and his People, my Father's Houſe contains this Virgin; and thereupon proceeded to inform them, he had bought that ve⯑ry Morning a young Chriſtian Slave, to wait upon his Mother and his Fa⯑ther's other Wives, that ſhe had giv'n the ſame Account as they had done of the particulars of her Captivity, that ſhe was then above among the Women, and he wou'd for ſatisfaction fetch her down that very Moment.
'TIS eaſy to imagine the Diſorder of their Breaſts, poſſeſs'd alternate⯑ly by Hope and Fear; which rag'd impetuouſly and rack'd their Minds, till Doubt gave way, and boundleſs Joy o'erſpread their Souls to ſee the Perſon they ſo lately loſt, conducted to their Arms by him to whom the Laws of Turkey gave her up as lawful Purchaſe.
THEY ſtaid a Week with their kind Landlord, who wou'd not reſt till he had likewiſe Ranſom'd Two Men Servants, and a Maid who waited on the Lady; theſe together with as many of their Goods and Cloaths as he could purchaſe from the Turk who took them, he beſtow'd again upon their lawful Owners; gave them a conſiderable Sum of Money and contriv'd to get them Paſſage on a Veſſel of Marſeilles then Bound for Malta.
[37] SIGNIOR PIETRO, the young Lady, and her Uncle frequently Endeavour'd to Oblige this Honeſt Turk to take their Bills, or find ſome other method to ſecure his Money; but he Perſiſted in a Poſitive Refuſal of their ſmalleſt Proffers, telling Signior Pietro the Debt was Paid before it was Contracted; and would often lay his Hand Devoutly on his Boſom, and with a Zealous Sigh repeat this Proverb. A Turkiſh Pro⯑verb. The God of Heaven has given us Plenty, that we may give from God where need requires it.
Moral reflecti⯑ons on the In⯑ſtability of Fortune.THIS Story, tho Digreſſive from the Subject of the Chapter, may perhaps, ſo far divert the Reader as to make a full Atonement for its Undeſign'd Prolixity; ſince a Moral Obſervation may thereby be made, and Teach us happily ſo well to uſe our Charitable Opportunities, that we may reaſonably Hope, if once our Fate ſhou'd Chance to be Inverted, duely to receive that Meaſure of Compaſſion, which our former Mercy Heap'd Abundantly on thoſe who wanted it, always bearing in our Me⯑mories, that the Tranſitory Smiles of Worldly Fortune, tho' they make a Bleſſing Great, can never make it Fix'd or Permanent; that KINGS and BEGGARS are alike the Sport of Chance; and thoſe who Rule to Day may Serve to Morrow, while the Blanks and Prizes of our Frail Mortality, Pro⯑claim Alternately the Good or Ill of Humane Life uncertain as a Lottery.
BUT to return to what I Undertook to ſpeak of: Such as before De⯑ſcrib'd is now the Greateſt Naval Power which the Turkiſh Sultan's Boaſt Poſſeſſion of; and while the Reader may be led to Wonder at the Blindneſs of thoſe Enemies to Chriſtendom, he wou'd do well to Praiſe the Mercies of that God, who by his Undeſerv'd and Boundleſs Providence vouch⯑ſafes to Curb the Wild deſires of an Ambitious Government, by not Per⯑mitting them to know their Intereſt, and Improve thoſe vaſt peculiar Oppor⯑tunities, their Provinces afford them, to the Terrour or Deſtruction of his Church and People.
A Powerfull Navy the Glo⯑ry of a Nation.THE Numerous Advantages a Nation gains, defended Formidably by a Warlike Navy, are beyond diſpute the Pillars of her State, and chief Promoters of her envied Glories; ſince a People ſtrengthen'd by a Powr'full Fleet, not only reap Advantages from Foreign Traffick, and become thereby Immenſely Rich at home, but are Enabled fully to ex⯑tend their Conqueſts to the ſpacious Earths remoteſt Corners, and become free Denizons of all the Countries of the Habitable World.
The decay of Naval Force among the Turks, an O⯑men of their Downfall.THAT therefore theſe Aſpiring and Ambitious Infidels, inſtead of having gain'd a double knowledge of the uſeful Art of Navigation as their daily Conqueſts ſwell'd their Empire, have extreamly Slacken'd their once-warm Endeavours, and begin to ſlight Marine Improvements, may well be look'd upon as an undoubted Proof of their declining State and Sinking Grandeur, and many reaſonable Cauſes joyn to Prompt a Chriſtian's hope, that he may live to Triumph in the downfall of a Throne whoſe Black Foundation fix'd its Greatneſs on the Bloody Overthrow of Injur'd Princes, and the Undiſtinguiſh'd Slaughter of Invaded Na⯑tions.
NOR are the Turks inſenſible of their Weakneſs; they know they lie entirely open to the Inſults of the Muſcovites, who lately forc'd a Paſſage through the Euxine Sea, and ſent a Ship of 70 Guns, which brought on Board the Czar's Embaſſador, and coming to an Anchor at the Point of the Grand Signior's Seraglio, ſaluted and ſurpriz'd the City with a whole Broadſide, never was there ſeen a greater Conſternation, which continued with un⯑common Hurry and Deſtraction till 'twas Publickly Proclaim'd he came to bring their Emperour a Compliment from Moſcovy; ſince that, they [38] have repair'd ſome Caſtles on the Entrance of the Boſphorus and Black Sea, but never built one Veſſel more, nor taken any requiſite Precaution in order to withſtand the growing Danger, which alarm'd their Fears from ſo undreaded and remote a Corner.
CHAP. VI. Of the Tenets of their Faith, and how differing from the Perſians.
The Turkiſh Alcoran, or Body of their Faith.THREE Noted Books among the Turks, Direct their Faith and Dictate their Religion: The ALCORAN, or Body of their Law and Faith, was firſt Compil'd by the Impoſtor Mahomet, aſſiſted by the Pen of Sergius a Monk; this Book is written in Arabian Verſe, but rough and inharmonious, nor muſt be either read or written in another Language; 'tis like the Goſpel amongſt Chriſtians Sa⯑cred and Incontrovertible, and approach'd Devoutly with a zealous Kiſs, nor muſt be touch'd by Chriſtians, or the unwaſh'd Hands of Turks them⯑ſelves. The Titles under which it paſſes are agreeable to their Opinion of its Doctrine, ſuch as Light of God, Sole Guide to Paradiſe, and Divine Director unto Heavenly Glories.
The Second Book of their Religion.THE Second Book, which teaches their Religion, is the Aſſonah, or ſure Traditional Decrees of their Enlighten'd Prophets, Ebubeker, Omar, Haly and Ozmyn: The Third, by whom 'twas written.The Third is call'd, The Neceſſary Conſequences of the Books of Life; or, True Interpretation of the Prophet's Pleaſure: Which laſt was written by the Ancient Caliphs of Egypt and Babylon, whoſe vaſt Authority the Power of the Sword and Change of Governments has cen⯑tur'd in the Muftee of the Modern Turkiſh Empire.
The Five Ar⯑ticles requir'd to Conſtitute a True Maho⯑metan.NOW tho' theſe Three above-nam'd Books, contain the total Sum of their fallacious Doctrine, yet are they inverted greatly by the various Ex⯑plications and directly oppoſite Opinions of their Expounding Doctors: But notwithſtanding their Diviſions into numerous Sects, which Teach peculi⯑ar Doctrines to their ſeveral Adherents, there is a certain Standard of their Faith, containing Five Religious Articles, of Fundamental Piety and In⯑diſpenſible Neceſſity; which are requir'd to Conſtitute a True Mahome⯑tan, and allow'd by all, ſufficient Proofs to gain a Man of any Party or O⯑pinion whatſoever, the valuable Character of a True Believer: The Firſt, is frequent Cleanſing with a Pot of Water all the outward Parts of their polluted Bodies: The Second, is to Pray Five times each Day they live: The Third, to keep one Month in Twelve a Strict and Holy Faſt: The Fourth, to give according to their Wealth a large Proportion to the Poor Believers: And the Fifth, to Viſit once at leaſt before they Die, the Celebrated Tomb of their Impoſt'rous Prophet, or depute ſome Holy Perſon in their Stead, and Bear his Charges going and returning thro' the Num'rous Stages of that commanded Pilgrimage.
[39] The main Profeſſion of the Turkiſh Faith.THE only Great and Noted Article of the Turkiſh Faith is centred fully in the following Profeſſion, Allah Ekbirr, Eſaked hu enlah Ilah he Illallah ve esked hu enai Muhammed weeſuul: The meaning of which Words in our Language may be expreſs'd as follows, I verily believe there is but one God, and Mahomet is the Prophet of that God. Other Rites and Ceremonies are only look'd upon as Tryals of Obedience, and never reckon'd neceſ⯑ſary Rules to guide their Faith, or forfeit, tho' omitted, their aſſur'd Salvation.
Certain other Principles of their Religion.AMONGST theſe laſt may be eſteem'd the Duty of their Circum⯑ciſing Children, their abſtaining zealouſly from Blood and Swines-fleſh, their obſerving Friday as an holy Sabaoth, their refuſing Images or Pictures in their Churches, and a Number more of their Religious Cuſtoms.
A pleaſant Notion of the Turks, con⯑cerning the Creation.THO' they acknowledge God in all his Attributes, of Great, Good, Juſt, Omniſcient, Omnipreſent, and Incomprehenſible, they deny with violence the Doctrine of the Trinity; and not diſtinguiſhing the Sacred Union of that Heavenly Myſtery, are blindly led to think we Worſhip Three diſtinct and ſeparated Godheads: They believe that God Created both the World and all Things in it, and relate a pleaſant Story, how he form'd Man of various ſorts of colour'd Clay, which having lain for many Thouſand Years neglected in the Sun, he breath'd into him the Breath of Life, and being much delighted with his new Creation, made the Angels Kneel down and Worſhip him; But when the innate Pride of haughty Satan urg'd him to deny his God's Decree, by boldly daring to diſpute his Will, the kindled Anger of the Great Almighty threw him headlong down to Hell, with all thoſe Angels which appear'd his Friends; for which, they ſay, the envious Devils have ſince that, been unrelenting Enemies to Hu⯑mane Happineſs.
Their Opini⯑on of our Sa⯑viour.THO' they diſſavow with Heat the Nobleſt Principles of oppoſite Chri⯑ſtanity, they do not only ſpeak reſpectfully of Jeſus Chriſt, but own him as a Prophet far beyond the Hebrew Moſes, and inferiour only to their worſhipp'd Mahomet, whom he preceeded with inferior Share of Inſpiration, as he ſucceeded Moſes with a greater Portion. They deny his Crucifixion.They call him in their Books The Breath of God, but own not his Divinity, nor can be brought to credit his aſſerted Crucifixion, which they ſay was inconſiſtent with the Juſtice of a God, ſo Holy and Impartial; they can by no means think he wou'd permit a Prophet, whom he had endu'd with Vertue to reſiſt all Sin, Cure worſt Diſeaſes, Raiſe the Dead, and do all other Miracles, to be made a Sacrifice to ſo Unworthy, Baſe, and Curſt a People as the Jews then were, and die ſo Vile a Death, as Chriſtian Doctrine ſays he ſuffer'd.
A ſtrange O⯑pinion of the Turks concer⯑ning Judas.THE better to defend this Error in their Faith, they have contriv'd a ſubtle Story, how, when Chriſt was led to die, Almighty God tranſla⯑ted him inviſibly to a Place in Heaven, and deceiv'd the Eyes of the de⯑luded Jews by ſuch prevailing and miſtaking Blindneſs, that they ſeiz'd on Judas who betray'd him to their Hands, and taking him for the depar⯑ted Jeſus, nail'd him to the Croſs, and Executed him inſtead of our Re⯑deemer.
No Jew per⯑mitted to turn Turk till he becomes a Chriſtian.THEY believe him to have been a Virgins Son, and that his Mother Mary Bore him at her Breaſts; Conceiving not by Humane Help, but by the virtuous Odour of a certain Roſe: They will not ſuffer him to be Blaſphem'd, but own he will return to Judge the World ſome Years be⯑fore its Diſſolution. Nay, ſo great a Veneration do they pay his Memo⯑ry, that they refuſe to let a Jew turn Turk, till he has firſt eſpous'd [40] the Chriſtian Faith, and will from thence become a perfect Muſſul⯑man.
THEY quite deny the Doctrine of Eternal Puniſhment, believing eve⯑ry Man attended conſtantly in Life and Death by Two contending Angels, One whereof is White and Kind; the Other Black, Severe, and Cruel. Such they ſay as die Religiouſly are tranſported ſoon to Joys in Paradiſe, while ſuch as live a Careleſs, Looſe, Debauch'd, and Sinful Life, ſhall long be tortur'd by their Sooty Angel, and receive a great and tedious Puniſhment for all paſt Wickedneſs, before their White and Friendly Angel can prevail to lift 'em from the Flames of Hell, and bear 'em pure and free from Stain, to taſt the Bliſs their Paradiſe affords them.
THE groſs Abſurdities of their politeſt Notions of a Future State, are ſuch as will undoubtedly ſurprize the Reader with a wonder at their Ig⯑norance, but are not, if conſider'd rightly, void of Crafty and Deſigning Subtilties, ſince to the rude and barbarous Natures of thoſe unpoliſh'd, groſs, and ſordid People, who were firſt deluded by the Turkiſh Superſtiti⯑on, nothing cou'd have been a fairer Mark to draw away their Minds, than thoſe alluring Proſpects of a Carnal Pleaſure, which ſo entirely ſuited their extravagant Deſires and unrefin'd Capacities.
The Turks odd Notion of a general Judg⯑ment.THE Common Notion prevalent in Turkey, of a General Judgment and its neceſſary Conſequences is ridiculouſly Founded on the following Particulars; They ſay, the winding of a frightful Horn ſhall ſhake the World to ſingle Atoms, by the raging Force of unreſiſted Earthquakes, God alone ſhall Judge all Mortals, Moſes, Chriſt, and Mahomet, appearing ſeverally at the Head of their reſpective Followers, to intercede with the Almighty for the Pardon of their Sins: The Line or Bridge of Ju⯑ſtice.That Cain ſhall lead the Num⯑bers of the Damn'd, all loaden heavily with Satchels full of Crimes upon their burthen'd Shoulders, to paſs upon a ſmall and ſlippery Rope, thence call'd the Line of Juſtice, that the greateſt Sinners ſhall be forc'd to tumble on the Right-ſide into prodigious Flames and ſcenes of Torment, there to be, till having expiated all their Guilt, they ſhall be taken ſuddenly to Seats in Paradiſe, while Hell, the Devil and his wicked Angels, ſhall be⯑come annihilated by the Power of Heaven.
THOSE whoſe Sins are leſs in Weight, and fewer in their Number, falling gently to the Left of this above-nam'd Line of Juſtice, ſhall be ta⯑ken in a nearer way to endleſs Bliſs, and undergo but very ſmall and tri⯑fling Puniſhments, to purifie their Natures for the Taſt of Happineſs.
Reward of Vertue.BUT as for thoſe whoſe Pious Lives, and Exemplary Vertues have de⯑ſerv'd on Earth no juſt Reproof, they ſhall be pois'd in Paſſage by their Guardian Angels, and attain ſucceſsfully their Throne of Joy, without the trouble of the ſmalleſt Stay in either of thoſe Places, not unjuſtly call'd the Turkiſh Purgatories.
The odd Chi⯑mera's of the Turkiſh Para⯑diſe. PARADISE is by the Turks conceiv'd a ſpacious Land, o'erſpread engagingly with lofty Palaces, inviting Shades, ſoft murmuring Foun⯑tains, cooling Grotta's, verdant Bowers, and ſlow'ry Meadows, adorn'd magnificently with Trees of Gold and Rocks of Diamond; amidſt whoſe ſoft alluring Charms, the never-fading Joys of Love muſt bleſs their Hours with conſtant Pleaſure, giving each his lovely Miſtreſs, rich in Beauty, and accompliſh'd Sweetneſs both of Mind and Body, never ſubject to the Earthly Paſſions, or Deficiencies of Nature, Pure and Perfect in their Forms and Subſtance, daily gaining back their rob'd Virginities, to beſtow again on thoſe to whom before they loſt 'em, ever blooming in the Flower [41] of Youth and ſerv'd obſequiouſly by the attendant Duty of divinely Featur'd Boys, or Angels, and in ſhort, Enjoying in their fanſy'd Paradiſe, the ve⯑ry Heigth of thoſe Extravagant deſires, which are on Earth, the wild and vain Effects of an Inſatiate, Wanton, and Luxurious Appetite.
Predeſtination, Strictly held in Turkey.PREDESTINATION, in its Higheſt [...] Extended Pitch, is by the Turks moſt Zealouſly Mantain'd, nay, to ſuch ſtrange degrees of Height does this Opinion lift 'em, that they Scruple not to look on God as the Unqueſtion'd Author, both of Good and Evil.
THEY all Unanimouſly Acquieſce in one Belief: That every Man Receives upon his Forehead, at his time of Birth, the Undiſputed Mark of all his Future Good or Ill, that there is Written both the Time and Man⯑ner of his certain Death, nor can he Poſſibly by any means, avoid the Fate to which the Will of God has ſo Ordain'd him, and herein they ſeem Ex⯑actly to agree with thoſe Expreſſions of the Famous Seneca, in his Tra⯑gedy of Oedipus.
A very Strange and Humerous Cuſtom of the Turkiſh People.THEY hold the Name of God ſo Sacred and Inviolable, that they ſeldom ſpeak of the divine Omnipotence, without a Reverend Stroaking down their Beards, and Faces; nay ſo Carefull are they to Pre⯑ſerve from Diſreſpect the Power of God, that when they find the Smalleſt Piece of Paper fallen in the Street, the Graveſt Man among them will with Reverence ſtoop to take it up, and Thruſt it Cloſely into ſome ſmall Nook, or Crevice, in the Walls or Houſes as they paſs along: A Stranger wou'd be very much Surpriz'd to ſee the outward Caſes of the Turkiſh Buildings Cram'd as full as Poſſible of little Rough and Rumpled Scrips of Brown and Writing Paper.
Their Rea⯑ſons for it.THE Reaſons which they give Inquiring Chriſtians for the Practice of this Odd and Trifling Ceremony are Diverting and Particular; for Firſt, they Judge it an unſeemly Action to permit the Feet of Men, or Beaſts, or Highway Mud, which fills their Streets, to Touch, or Soil with their Polluted Filth a thing whereon the Name of God might Probably be Written.
THE other reaſon which Excites the Walking Turks to Narrow Searches for ſuch bits of Paper, is a Notion they have got amongſt them, that before they come within the Walls of their delightfull Paradiſe, they muſt be all Oblig'd to Walk Bare-Footed o'er a large and Glowing Plain of Red-Hot Iron, without Permiſſion to have any thing Beneath their Feet, but all thoſe Former Bits of Paper, which they Sav'd on Earth, from being Trampled on by the Polluted Tread of Men or Horſes.
The Turks Un⯑gratefull for their Womens Favours.WOMEN are but rarely ſuffer'd to appear in Moſques, and then are plac'd all over Veil'd, behind a large and darken'd Lettice, for the Turks however fond of Female Converſation, and wholly given up to wanton [42] Dalliances, and the warm Careſſes of their Womens Perſons, are ſo far from placing like our amorous Chriſtians, Flames and Darts, Death, Wounds, and Lightning in a Ladies Eye, that they inhumanely deny their Dovelike Women, even ſo much as one poor Place in that enchanting Pa⯑radiſe, which we like more indulgent Lovers, make our Miſtreſſes the ſole Diſpoſers of.
The Turkiſh Ladies are de⯑ny'd a Place in Paradiſe.THE fine Virginity-reſtoring Ladies I ſo lately ſpoke of, are not ſuch as here on Earth the Turks Enjoy, but fine, new-form'd, and ſhining Crea⯑tures, purpoſely Created for the Place they dwell in; while the poor for⯑gotten Objects of their Worldly Love remain without, in Places far leſs Bright and Glorious, nor are allow'd one diſtant View of thoſe tranſpor⯑ting Joys, in whoſe Poſſeſſion their once-lov'd and ſtately Lords now live in Raptures.
AND now, to give you Britiſh Ladies an enlivening Taſt of Turkiſh Arrogance to your deſerving Sex, and let you ſee how little Cauſe you have to grieve, that we poſſeſs a juſt and mild Preheminence by Natures Laws, and thoſe of Matrimony, I'll venture to Tranſlate a famous Song, now much in Vogue among the celebrated Beaux, and Belles of Turkey: You'l pardon Ladies if it wants the Spirit of a Good Tranſlation, ſince where the Subject does not pleaſe, the jaded Pen will very rarely reach Perfection. The Song ſhou'd ſeem to have been made by ſome ſucceſsleſs Lover, on his meeting a Repulſe from one he Courted for his Fourth and Favorite Conſort.
The Turks for⯑bid the Uſe of Wine.THE Uſe of Wine is in the Alcoran forbid the Turks on pain of the ſe⯑vereſt Anger of their God and Prophet; yet they Publickly expreſs their great Diſlike of that Injunction, by the frequent drinking it in largeſt Quantities; in Men of Years and grave Appearance 'tis eſteem'd a Crime beyond Excuſe, to be inclin'd to common Drunkenneſs, and Men of High and Envied Poſts, are careful how they ſhow the ſmalleſt Inclination to the like Intemperance, leſt they ſhou'd give a joyful Opportunity to their ob⯑ſerving Enemies, to blame the Follies of their ſeveral Governments, as an impure Effect of lov'd Ebriety: But Men of Gay and Sprightly Tempers, Young, and unimploy'd in State Affairs, affect the Practice of continual Drinking; Yet drink it to Extrava⯑gance.nor is the Uſe of Wine by them conceiv'd as Sovereign by its Virtues, or enlivening Qualities, but by the downright Operation of a pow'rful Quantity, which skrews their Spirits to a ſtrange Extravagance, and robs 'em wholly of their delug'd Reaſon, by the moiſt Effects of its in⯑toxicating Nature.
THERE is a Cuſtom I obſerv'd amongſt the Turks, that they will often viſit Chriſtian Merchants, at their Country Houſes, where, retir'd from fear of Publick Obſervation, they have convenient Time and Opportunity to Carouſe at Pleaſure, till becoming downright Drunk and Mad, they run immediately to mount their Horſes, and tho' ſcarce able to continue on their Feet, when fix'd ſecurely in their Saddles, begin to Spurr with reſt⯑leſs Fury, riding up and down from Hill to Valley, in a conſtant Gallop, till they grow again ſedately Sober, and return to take a formal Leave of him whoſe Wine they quaſſ'd ſo freely of.
THERE goes a pleaſant Story of the Cauſe why Mahomet prohi⯑bited the Uſe of Wine to all his Followers, which is related by the Turks themſelves with theſe Particulars.
A Story how Mahomet came to forbid his Followers the Uſe of Wine.THERE was a certain Shepherd in the Neighbourhood of Meccha, whoſe Poſſeſſions were ſo far Superior to the reſt of his Fraternity, that he was Choſen as a Ruler of their whole Society, and exercis'd a ſort of mild Authority, by the joint Permiſſion of the Shepherds of that Country.
IT happen'd that this Man oppos'd with violence the Doctrine of the Impoſtor, then but newly vented in thoſe very Parts wherein he liv'd, and all the Brotherhood depending upon him as on their Lord and Oracle, The crafty Mahomet perceiv'd it difficult without his Friendſhip to accompliſh his Deſigns, and ſo reſolv'd to court his Favour by the moſt reſpectful Marks of Honour and Civility.
ACCORDINGLY he came one Day to make a Viſit to this pow'rful Shepherd, attended pompouſly by a magnificent and numerous Retinue; it hapned that a Daughter of this honeſt Mans was that Day Marry'd, and a ſplendid Entertainment made, to feaſt thoſe many Gueſts who grac'd her Nuptials; when the Prophet enter'd, he ſaluted kindly all the Company with his moſt hearty Bleſſing, and ſat him freely down among the reſt, pretending great and wond'rous Satisfaction in their agreable and pleaſant Converſation.
[44] The firſt and beſt Effect of Wine.THE merry Company a little Elevated with the Fumes of Wine, for⯑got their Hatred to the Doctrine which he taught; and pleas'd to ſee him ſo familiar and reſpectful, grew extreamly fond of the Impoſtor's Perſon, ſhaking him by the Hand, embracing him with fervour, and ſaluting him with Kiſſes on his Cheeks and Forhead.
BUT Buſineſs leading him a little farther, he began to take his leave, and was detain'd againſt his Will by the uncommon Kindneſs of the Shep⯑herd and his Family, who wou'd by no means ſuffer him to go, till he en⯑gag'd himſelf by ſolemn Promiſe to return again as ſoon as he had ended what ſmall Buſineſs he was then to go about. He went, and finiſh'd in an Hour or Two the utmoſt of his Task, and made all haſt imaginable to be there again, imputing the Exceſs of their Civilities to the Virtue of the Wine they drank ſo plentifully, which he therefore bleſs'd, with oft repea⯑ted Orders to his numerous Diſciples, that they ſhou'd thenceforth drink a double Quantity of that Celeſtial Liquor, whoſe Effects produc'd ſuch peaceable Engagements, and had Power to change the ſharpeſt Hatred in⯑to Love, and make a Friend of a profeſs'd and open Enemy.
The laſt and worſt Effect thereof.BUT when he came again among them, he perceiv'd a mighty Change in all their Humours; they were now become entirely Drunk, and turn'd the late Expreſſions of their Kindneſs, into rude, ungovern'd and tumultu⯑ous Violence; him whom ſo lately they addreſs'd with Kiſſes, now they Curſe and ſtrive to Murder; Noiſe and Diſcord, Fighting and Diſtraction, were the only Scenes he had before him; and in ſhort, with much ado e⯑ſcap'd alive, from their oppreſſive Injuries.
THE New Effect of this miſtaken Liquor, urg'd the Prophet to a New Decree, as much againſt it, as the Firſt had been in favour of it; for per⯑ceiving now it cou'd excite Diſorder, and give birth to Broils as well as Mirth, he chang'd the Sentence he ſo lately gave, and made it an Haraum for ever after, or Abomination not to be encourag'd by the Children of his People.
The Turks and Perſians much divided in Re⯑ligious Mat⯑ters.THESE are the prevailing Tenets of the Turkiſh Faith, but differ widely from the Perſian Doctrine; which laſt Nation, tho' the Followers of Mahomet and his Religion, do notwithſtanding that, prefer before him Hali his Succeſſor, and Uſurper of his Empire, by the Claim of Marriage with the Prophet's Daughter, who in the end was overthrown and ſlain by Ebubeker, Omar and Oſmyn, whoſe Opinions are at preſent follow'd, as believ'd Inſpir'd like Mahomet himſelf, by all the Turks depending on the Government of the Grand Signior: But as for Perſia, She adheres intirely to the Thoughts of Hali, and eſteems him not Inferior even to their fam'd Impoſtor.
THESE diſſenting Notions and encreaſing Differences in Opinion, have at laſt ſo far extended their pernicious Influences, that from ſmall and gradual Breaches, they are now burſt out to open Hatred of each others Perſons; complaining mutually that either Side has added to or taken from the Subſtance of their Alcoran, as has been moſt agreable to their reſpective Intereſts, and the promotion of their own Opinions.
NAY to ſuch unbounded Madneſs does their Hate ariſe, that not con⯑tented to heap Loads of dreadful Curſes on each others Heads, they ſet themſelves in every Point directly oppoſite to one anothers Notions, the Turks remaining cenſur'd as Schiſmatical, by the adverſe Expoſition of the Perſian Creed, and Perſia Stigmatis'd for wilfull Hereſy in more than Seven⯑ty Places of the Turkiſh Alcoran.
[45] A rude and barbarous Proof of diſ⯑reſpect.THUS will the Turks revile that Hali whom the Perſians own as their Infallible Director; and the Perſians in return, to mock the Objects of the Turkiſh Worſhip, raiſe in Sugar at their Marriage Feaſts, the Figures of the Three reſpected Friends of Mahomet, viz. Ebubeker, Omar, and the forenam'd Oſmyn, when growing merry in their drunken Cups, the Bride⯑groom and his Fellows draw their Scymetars, and with a ſpightful Scoff, and noiſy Mockery, firſt cut them down from top to bottom, and then proceed to melt the numerous Pieces as a means to ſweeten their Sherbets and other Liquors.
'TIS from a natural Averſion, that the favourite Colour Green, which by the Turks is only worn about the Head and Nobleſt Parts, is by the Perſians choſen to make their Breeches, Shoes, or Drawers, and employ'd continually in all the moſt indecent, diſreſpectful Uſes which a Man can poſſibly invent to put it to.
Several diffe⯑rences be⯑tween the Turkiſh and the Perſian Tenets.THE Turks eſteem it neceſſary to reſort in frequent Numbers to the Publick Moſques, to pray conjointly for the Grace of God, and Bleſſing of their Prophet; but the Perſians hold it only needful to convene at Churches in a full Aſſembly, there to make an open Declaration of their fix'd Belief, without the Duty of a general Prayer to Heaven for Mercy.
THE Perſians never Shave the Hair upon their Upper Lip, but cut and trim the Beard upon their Chin, according to the various Forms their ſe⯑veral Fancies lead 'em to make Choice of; whereas the Turks preſerve with care a very long and ſpreading Beard, eſteeming the Deficiency of that reſpected Ornament, a ſhameful Mark of ſervile Slavery.
SWINES-FLESH, and the Uſe of Wine, deny'd the Turks with ſtricteſt Prohibition, are by the Perſians practis'd with a fond Indulgence; nor do the laſt diſtinguiſh Meats by Clean and Ʋnclean, but enjoy promi⯑ſcuouſly the common Gifts of Nature's Liberality.
THE Perſians when they waſh their Feet before they Pray, do ſeldom more than ſtroke the outward Part with their Right Hand juſt dipp'd in Water, and hold it a ſuperfluous Ceremony to rub hard as if they waſh'd a⯑way the Dirt; which laſt the Turks believe a Duty of aſſur'd and indiſpenſi⯑ble Neceſſity.
A Number more of ſuch-like oppoſite and contradictory Opinions, di⯑vide the Faith and Intereſts of theſe Powerful Neighbours, who invent a yearly Store of black Invectives to attack alternately each others Doctrine; amongſt which Curſes none are more ſurprizing, odd and comical, than theſe which follow;
The Curſes common be⯑tween the Turks and Perſians. MAY your fatigu'd and hated Soul find no more Reſt when damn'd to Purgatory, than a Chriſtian's Hat enjoys on Earth. By this I gueſs they meant to ridi⯑cule our European Cuſtom of Saluting one-another with our Heads unco⯑ver'd. May your tranſmuted Soul become in Hell an hackney Aſs, for even the Jews themſelves to ride about on: Theſe and many others, needleſs to inſert, are faſhionable Curſes, and in frequent uſe among the Hot-brain'd Zealots of each Adverſe Party.
THUS have I at large ſet down the moſt material Articles of Turkiſh Faith, which if the Reader looks upon as groſs, abſurd, and void of Rea⯑ſon, let him direct his Praiſe to that Great Being whoſe enlight'ning Rays of Mercy and Compaſſion, have inſpir'd his Soul to Steer aright, and miſs the ſtormy Seas of Pride and Ignorance.
[46] YET this the Turks agree upon with us, that tho' they differ in their Notions of the Godhead, yet they own One Great, Supreme, and Sacred Being, to whoſe unlimited and mighty Power, the Earth, Mankind, and all Things elſe owe their Exiſtence: And it is obſervable that tho' moſt Nations vary in their Opinions, yet they own conjointly One Superior Eſ⯑ſence, as is obſerv'd ingeniouſly by Lactantius in the following Expreſſions: ‘All People un⯑der different Notions own One God.OMNIƲM Sententia quamvis ſit incerta, ebdem tamen ſpectat, ut Provi⯑dentiam unam eſſe conſentiant: Sive enim Natura, ſive Aether, ſive Ratio, ſive Mens, ſive Fatalis Neceſſitas, ſive Divina Lex, idem eſt quod a nobis dicitur DEƲS.’
THE Opinions of all Men tho' never ſo uncertain, tend directly to one common Center; and agree unanimouſly upon one conſpicuous Provi⯑dence: Which is, that be it Nature, Light, Reaſon, Underſtanding, de⯑ſtin'd Fate, or the Divine Decree, 'tis ſtill the ſame with that which we diſtinguiſh by the Name of GOD.
CHAP. VII. Of the Ceremonies of the Turkiſh Religion.
The many In⯑conveniencies of Turkiſh Su⯑perſtition.A STRICT Adherence to the dangerous Tenets which Com⯑poſe the foregoing Chapter, have expos'd the Turks to conſtant Troubles; that ſtrange inhumane Tyranny and barbarous Vio⯑lence with which their haughty Arms have cruſh'd the Chriſti⯑ans, have oblig'd whole Nations to become their Enemies: The raſh and inconſiderate Doctrine of Predeſtinated Fortune has expos'd their Lives, by an imprudent and unneceſſary Scorn of Danger from the fatal Influences of contagious Peſtilence; their falſe Belief of a Sublime Reward for Death in Battle, has excited Thouſands of their braveſt Soldiers to forget the Charms of Life and Liberty, and run directly on the Mouths of Cannons.
YET tho' they ſee theſe many Inconveniencies, and have doubtleſs ſome amongſt them, who have now diſcover'd the fallacious Principles of their impure Religion, they perſiſt with obſtinacy, in the ſtricteſt Practice of its weakeſt Precepts; like thoſe whom Marius Victor cenſures ſharply in the following Verſes.
[47] The danger of entering a Tur⯑kiſh Moſque.THE Superſtitious Ceremonies of the Turkiſh Nation are as Number⯑leſs as they appear Extravagant, nor is it eaſy to obtain Admittance where we may become Eye-witneſſes of their devout Retirements, for ſo ſeverely do they Guard their Publick Moſques from Chriſtian Obſervation, that ſhou'd an heedleſs and unwary Stranger ſet his Foot within their Gates, at certain Seaſons of extraordinary Devotion, he wou'd be ſeiz'd immediately by watchful Officers, and hurry'd headlong to a partial Magiſtrate, whoſe harſh Decree admits no Bail, nor any other Means of Liberty than be⯑coming inſtantly a Member of their Faith, by publickly renouncing the Divinity of Chriſt, and owning Mahomet a Greater Prophet; which they muſt Atteſt by the commanded Seal of inſtant Circumciſion, a ſevere and barb'rous Cuſtom, but muſt ſurely be Submitted to, unleſs the Perſon ſo ſurpriz'd, will die a Martyr to the Chriſtian Faith, and bravely ſpurn with juſt Contempt the proffer'd Doctrine of their vile Impoſtor.
AND now, ſince I have ſpoken of the Circumciſion us'd amongſt the Turks, it will not be improper to begin with that, in the deſcription of their Ceremonies, and acquaint my Reader with the Form whereby they put that Act in Execution.
THEY are not, by the Precepts of their Alcoran, oblig'd to Circum⯑ciſe their Children as a Point of Duty, but continue to obſerve that ancient Practice from the Cuſtom of Arabia, long before the Time of Mahomet, and uſe it now, as an undoubted Mark, whereby they ſtamp the Faith of Muſ⯑ſulman on tender Infancy.
The manner of Circumciſing Infants in Tur⯑key.THE Act of Circumciſion is perform'd by Surgeons, when the Child has reach'd the Age of Seven Years, and is ſuppos'd ſufficiently Capacita⯑ted to profeſs his Inclination to become a Muſſulman; at which time all his Friends, Relations, School-fellows, &c. are Invited to a Feaſt, and Enter⯑tain'd as ſplendidly as their various Qualities may be thought to Merit; then the Boy is brought amongſt 'em, and demanded whether he approves of the intended Ceremony; his Aſſent is given by the lifting up his Finger, and himſelf extended on a Table, where the Surgeon ſtrait performs his Office, and having thrown the Skin upon a Chaſingdiſh of Coals, he baths the Wound in Salt and Water; after this, his Head is ſhav'd to one ſmall Lock, whereas before he wore his Hair diſhevel'd, and untouch'd by Ra⯑zor; this done, they put him on a large white Turbant, and from that time forward he becomes a Member of the Turkiſh Faith.
Their Circum⯑ciſion of a full grown Con⯑vert.WHEN any Chriſtian ripe in Years, becomes a Turk, and will Apo⯑ſtatize to baſe and ſinful Superſtition, he is led in Triumph on a ſtately Horſe, thro' all the Great and Noted Streets, to ſome conſiderable Moſque or Temple, holding in his Hand an elevated Javelin, the Point whereof he frequently affixes to his perjur'd Breaſt; a ſilent Declaration of his Will to die for that Religion he has then embrac'd: The zealous Turks who paſs along, beſtow their various Preſents on the ſhameful Wretch, with very large and bounteous Liberality; and being Circumcis'd in publick State, he is attended back with great Solemnity, receiving conſtantly ſome Means of Livelyhood, by Penſion from the Court, or ſuch Preferment in their Sea or Land Affairs, as his Profeſſion whilſt a Chriſtian ſpeaks him ſit for.
Sacrifices what, and how made in Turkey.THEY have at Publick Times, like thoſe of Circumciſion, certain Sa⯑crifices, yet not ſuch as formerly were us'd as Duties of Religion, but are commonly the Fleſh of Sheep or Lambs, the Heart cut out and burnt in Fire, while the Beaſt divided, is diſtributed with care among the Poor and Indigent about the Neighbourhood.
[48] A ſtrange, uncommon, fatal Accident, fell out about the Year 1702, when I reſided with his Excellency the Right Honourable the Lord Paget, then Embaſſador Extraordinary at Conſtantinople, Mediator and Plenipo⯑tentiary at the Treaty of Carlowitz, whoſe truly Great and Noble Services have left behind him an Immortal Character, to the Intereſt and Honour of the Britiſh Nation, and the Admiration of the Turkiſh Empire.
A moſt un⯑happy Story of the total ru⯑in of a Turkiſh Family.THERE was a Turk who liv'd in the abovenam'd City, not extrem⯑ly Rich, but moderately ſtor'd with eaſy Plenty; he had a Wife ſo tenderly belov'd and gratefully returning a reciprocal Affection, that he wou'd not uſe the freedom of his Country, in regard to tolerated and indulg'd Poly⯑gamy, but confin'd the Treaſure of his honeſt Love, to the endearing Cen⯑ter of his firſt Wife's Boſom: He had two Children by his Favorite Conſort, one was then Four Years of Age, the other lay a Speechleſs Infant in its eaſy Cradle, when his Fruitful Wife became deliver'd of a Burthen, which de⯑clar'd him Father of a Third and hopeful Son.
THE common Cuſtom of a grateful Sacrifice on ſuch Occaſions, led him to prepare a ſplendid Feaſt, and ſummon all his near Relations to be Witneſſes of his exceeding Joy for this new Bleſſing; they met together in an open Court, and after ſeveral uſual Forms proceeded to the Place where many Sheep were kill'd to give the Poor. The Perſon who perform'd the Ceremony, cutting the Throat with a large Knife peculiar to that Office, and departing with the Company, to have the Sheep divided in another Place more fit for ſuch an Action.
A ſtrange Cu⯑rioſity of a Turkiſh Infant.THERE was a Window open'd from the Room where the Child-bed Woman with her New-born Infant, lay upon a Saffrai elſewhere ſpoken of, at the Lettice of this Window ſtood the Eldeſt Son, and ſaw with pleaſure the Performance of the Ceremony: He was much diverted to behold the Blood of the expiring Sheep run trickling from their Throats, and taking notice that the Knife wherewith 'twas done, was left behind by Chance or Negligence, and that the People who attended him, were ſome gone down to ſee the Sacrifice, and thoſe above intently buſied by his Mothers Mat⯑treſs; he endeavour'd ſlyly to eſcape Diſcovery, and ſtole away without ſo much as being any ways obſerv'd by thoſe about him.
HE was no ſooner out of Sight, but he deſcended by a Caſe of Marble Steps, directly to the Place where lay the Knife, yet red and reaking with the Blood of thoſe poor Beaſts, whoſe bleating Innocence it had ſo lately Sacrific'd.
HE took it up, and hiding it with all imaginable Cunning, underneath his Veſt, return'd as ſlyly as he could, and enter'd the Appartment he ſo lately left, as unperceiv'd as he had juſt before departed from it.
A Murder innocently committed.IN a low, capacious Cradle, near the Place where then the Mother lay, his Second Brother, not above a Twelvemonth Old, was Sleeping calmly, and ſecure from any fear, by yet-unbroken Reſt, and native Innocence: To him the poor unhappy Boy immediately repair'd, and little thinking what he was about, began to practiſe on his tender Throat, the Method he ob⯑ſerv'd the Man to uſe in Butchering the Sheep deſign'd for Sacrifice; The waking Child began to cry, as quickly ſenſible it felt ſome Pain, while ſtill the Boy continued his Endeavours, drawing up and down like ſome ſmall Saw, the fatal Knife, and laughing heartily, to ſee the Blood diſtain the Cloaths wherein his Brother lay; who ſtrugling to the utmoſt of his little Strength, the other, to maintain the Sport which ſo delighted him, endeavour'd hard to keep him down, and leaning forward with too great a Weight, o'erturn'd the Cradle and the Infant in it.
[49] A melancho⯑ly Conſe⯑quence there⯑of.THE Mother, whom the Cries of the aſſaulted Babe had juſt then led to look that way, beheld her Son come tumbling out, all ſtain'd with Blood, and wounded horribly; the ſtrange ſurprize of ſuch a ſhocking Pro⯑ſpect, drew her to forget her weak Condition, ſo that riſing haſtily, ſhe ſtagger'd inconſiderately on the New-born Child, and treading on its Neck became its Murderer.
The Third Ef⯑fect of an un⯑lucky Acci⯑dent.THE guilty Son, perceiving by the Shrieks and Poſtures of his Mother, that he had ſomeway or other done amiſs, threw down the Knife, and running from her Preſence to avoid the danger of a dreaded Puniſhment, fell down the high and ſlippery Marble Steps, and broke his Neck, by that unhappy Accident.
THE Mother follow'd to the fatal Place, and Swooning at the Sight, was carried back to the unlucky Chamber; but the overſtrain'd Attempt ſhe had ſo lately made, beyond the Strength of her reduc'd Condition, ſo diſorder'd all her Body, that, unable long to bear the Burthens of her Grief and Weakneſs, ſhe died herſelf ſome few Days after.
The miſerable End of an un⯑happy Maſter of a Turkiſh Family.THE wretched Maſter of this miſerable Family ſurviv'd not long the melancholy Loſs of ſo endear'd a Conſort, and ſuch hopeful Children, but became thenceforth abandon'd over to a mournful Solitude; nor could the oft-repeated Efforts of his deareſt Friends procure him Comfort, ſo that wholly loſing all the Taſt of Mortal Pleaſures, he began to languiſh more and more, and e'er one Year was fully paſt, quite broke his Heart with weighty Sor⯑row, and compleated diſmally the laſt ſad Scene of ſuch a fatal and ſurpri⯑zing Tragedy.
I have inform'd my Reader in the foregoing Chapter, that the five noto⯑rious and eſſential Points, requir'd by Mahomet from all his Followers, are frequent Waſhings, Prayers, and Faſting one whole Month, the giving Alms proportionable to their Subſtance, and performing e'er they die, one Pilgri⯑mage to Mecca.
I ſhall diſtinctly treat of all theſe Duties in their ſeveral proper and reſpe⯑ctive Places; and as their Waſhing is a previous Ceremony to the other Four, it will be requiſite I ſhou'd begin with an Account of that.
Two ſorts of Waſhings, now in uſe among the Turks.IT is divided into Two diſtinct Formalities, the Publick Waſhing in their Baths or Bagnio's, and the Private Waſhing, in whatever Place their Inclina⯑tions or their Buſineſs find 'em.
The Turks de⯑ſcended from the Race of Eſau.NOW tho' their Prophet has expresſly order'd in the Leſſons of his Al⯑coran, that every Turk ſhall often Waſh, declaring Cleanlineſs a valuable Part of his injoin'd Religion, yet the Cuſtom is of more Antiquity than He, by many Ages; for the Turks derive it from the Days of Eſau, whoſe Poſte⯑rity they boaſt themſelves to be deſcended from, and therefore claim the Name of Iſhmaelites. But tho' the ancient Inſtitution of theſe Waſhings ow'd its being to the wholeſome Practice of a cleanly People, and was ne⯑ver meant a Sacred Ceremony, yet the fix'd Decree of their ador'd Impoſtor, has inclin'd the Turks to ſuch a ſtrange Opinion of its efficacious Virtues, that they now believe the Water they make uſe of, not alone ſufficient for the cleanſing all the outward Parts of their polluted Bodies, but of Sov'reign Power to waſh away their Sins, and free from Guilt the moſt internal Paſ⯑ſages of their impureſt Souls.
Private Bag⯑nio's in Great Men's Houſes.WE may divide their Bagnio's into two Sorts; the Firſt are ſuch as Rich and Noted Perſons build, in ſome convenient Part of their own Houſes, [50] where their Wives, themſelves, and all their Servants Bathe conveniently in different Diviſions, as often as their Duty, Inclination, or their leiſure from Employment, urge 'em to it.
The Publick Baths, and reaſon why ſo cheaply ac⯑commodated in them.THE Second ſort of Bagnio's, are thoſe Publick Places where for pay⯑ment of a Penny or Three-half-pence, they are waſh'd Politely, and ſupplied with Linen, or whatever elſe the Bath requires, by the diligent Attendance of appropriated Servants. The reaſon why they are ſo cheaply ſerv'd, is ow⯑ing to the great Revenues left to Bagnio's by deceas'd Mahometans, who 'mongſt the other Dictates of their Morality, hold it as a very meritorious Deed, to build a Publick Bagnio, Hoſpital, or other Place of Entertainment for benighted Travellers, and endow the ſame with an extenſive Liberality.
Men deny'd Entrance, while the Wo⯑men bathe.THESE Publick Baths are very common in their largeſt Cities, and receive at ſeveral Hours, prodigious Numbers of either Sex, and every Qua⯑lity, for whoſe diſtinct and ſeparate Accommodation, they afford divided and particular Conveniencies. When Women Bathe, a large and Ivory-headed Indian Cane is plac'd againſt the Door that opens from the Street, and no Man dares on pain of Death, at ſuch a time as that, claim Entrance.
THE Law of Mahomet obliges every Turk to bathe his Body when he has Careſs'd a Woman, and the Ladies are oblig'd to do the ſame, ſo that e⯑very Morning when they riſe, the firſt Employment of the Day is waſhing in the Bagnio, where they are not only cleans'd with Water, but perfum'd, and dried with ſcented Linen. Hair, how taken off without the Razor.The Heads of Men are daily Shav'd, and Men and Women are alike injoin'd to leave no Hair on any other Part. In order to obey which firm Decree, the meaner Sort make uſe of a compounded Subſtance, made of Earth from certain Iſlands of the Archipelago, and neat⯑ly mix'd with Lime and Drugs of proper Virtues; this they beat to Pow⯑der, and applying it to any Hair they wou'd remove, it takes it off as clean as poſſible.
BUT as the frequent uſe of the abovenam'd Powder is of dangerous Con⯑ſequence, if ſuffer'd to continue but a moment longer than the falling of the Hair; Some uſe Pincers.the more Polite and Faſhionable Ladies, rather chooſe to uſe the help of Pincers, and irradicate it ſwiftly by a twitching violence; Others ſhav'd by Waiting Maids.yet this is only done by ſuch as would diſtinguiſh all their Actions from the cuſto⯑mary Practices of other People, for the Generality of Turkiſh Ladies, caring little for the Pain of uſing Pincers, and unwilling to deſcend to vulgar Methods, conſtantly appoint ſome favorite Waiting-maid to play the Bar⯑ber, and perform that Office with a ſharp-edg'd Razor.
1ſt. Sort of private Waſh⯑ing, when practis'd.THE other ſort of Waſhing is divided likewiſe into two diſtinct Per⯑formances, the Firſt is practis'd after having made the neceſſary Evacuati⯑ons requir'd by Nature, and to this they uſe the three laſt Fingers of the Left Hand; on this account, the Turks of Note have Cocks of Water run⯑ning into Marble Baſons in their ſeveral Privies; and the meaner ſort of Men among them never go to ſuch-like Places, without an Earthen Pot of Water form'd commodiouſly with a narrow Spout, which ſerves their Uſe on all occaſions.
Second ſort, when pra⯑ctis'd.THE ſecond Sort of this laſt Waſhing, is in order to their Prayers, for which ſole End, a numerous Quantity of Brazen Cocks ſupply large Ciſterns plac'd in order, at the Entrance of their Churches, here they waſh by way of Preparation, firſt their Arms, Hands, Head, Neck, Teeth and Forehead, thence proceed in Summer Weather to their Naked Feet; but if the time be cold and rigid, 'tis enough to make an Outward Motion, and the Will is taken for the Duty of the Action.
[51] The ſeveral Hours where⯑in the Turks are Oblig'd to Pray.NEXT come their Prayers, and thoſe, at leaſt, Five times a Day; the Over-Zealous Bigots to their falſ belief pray always Seven; but the com⯑mon times Injoyn'd by Mahomet are, Juſt before Sun-Riſing, Juſt at Noon, Betwixt Noon-Day and Setting of the Sun, Exactly at Sun-Sett, And laſt of all, Two Hours after.
Their Forms of Prayer, by whom In⯑vented.THEIR Forms of Prayer conſiſt of Sentences Collected here and there, from ſeveral Chapters of the Alcoran; ſome few whereof were left by Mahomet, but many more Compil'd by his Succeſſors, Ebubeker, Omar, Oſmyn, and Hali; and moſt Men now of good Capacities, Compoſe their Prayers according to the Preſſures of their ſeveral Occaſions. They Praiſe therein the Mercy, Bounty, and Divine Omnipotence, of the Almighty Author of our Earthly beings, Petition Heaven for the conſtant Welfare of their Sultan and his Empire, and Conclude Inhumanely, with Numerous Curſes on the Chriſtian World.
THE Reader will be better able to perceive their manner, by the fol⯑lowing Copy of a Janizaries form of Prayer, who was appointed by the General of that Order, to be one amongſt a conſtant Guard which kept the Gate belonging to the Britiſh Embaſſadour at Conſtantinople. ‘The Prayer of a Turkiſh Ja⯑niſary.IN God's great Name, in God's great Name, and in the Holy Name of Ma⯑homet, his Mighty, Good, and only Prophet, God is Great, my God is one, I ſhall be Happy and Succeſsful while I truſt in him, may my Sword be Broken, and my Head become the Drinking Cup of Infidels, when I forget his Glory, let my Prince live long and Flouriſh like the Cypreſs, let my Order be Ʋn⯑numbred as the ſands of the Sea ſhore, that we may well defend him, and let his Lands become as large and Ʋnreſiſted as the Boundleſs Ocean: Let the Curſed Infidels be Damn'd for Ever, ſince they dare, O Mahomet, Oppoſe thy Precepts; let the Meaneſt Slave within the Territories of my Dread Sovereign put his Foot before 'tis Waſh'd, upon the Neck of that Proud King amongſt their People who once Blaſphemes the Holy Prophet, let the Infidel I Guard be Safe, whil'ſt under my Protection, but let all others Periſh Quickly, or Enlarge the Bounds of thy Reli⯑gion, God is Great, God is One, and Mahomet his only Prophet.’
Their poſtures when they Pray.WHEN they reſolve to Pray in any Moſque, they leave their Slippers at the Entrance of the Place, when they Pray, they turn their Faces to the Eaſt, becauſe their Prophet lies Entomb'd that way, then ſtanding for ſome time Ʋpright, and Silent, with their Arms a Croſs, in ſerious Contemplation on the Duty they are Summon'd to, they Elevate their Eyes and Mutter to themſelves ſome Pious Sentence, after which they ſit down Croſs Leg'd with their Hands before 'em, and repeating Slowly ſeveral ſhort Ejacu⯑lations, at the End of Each, bend forward to the Earth, and Touch it with their Foreheads; ſome will Kiſs the Ground in pure Acknowledgement of their Submiſſive Natures; this they do for ſeveral Minutes, looking now and then behind 'em, over Either Shoulder, for they think their Prophet, when he comes will ſuddenly appear behind ſome Muſſulman devoutly Praying.
Their fix'd Attention in the Act of Prayer.THEY Pray with Fervour and a fix'd, Attention, never turning like too many Inconſiderate Chriſtians in our Noiſy Churches, to behold what People paſs behind them; all is still, and ſoftly Sacred; no Man mutters Prayers of Courſe, and Gapes the while to ſee about him, how his Neigh⯑bours Cloaths are Faſhion'd; no loud Indecent Whiſpers Interrupt Devoti⯑on, to inform ſome buſie Irreligious Asker, who Addreſſes ſuch a Lady, and how much ſuch a Woman brought her Husband; no Opening Pews and Shutting them again, diſturb the Congregation with their needleſs Cla⯑mour; no Holy-Talking, and Conceited Hypocrite outruns the Parſon with [52] her zealous Lips, while her lew'd Eyes, behind a Fan, are laughing heartily at ſome poor Jeſt her Ears have liſten'd to; no turn'd-up Eye-lids ſeem to ſpeak her Thoughts on Heaven, while a Wry-mouth or Scornful turn of her affected Noſtrils, declare her Obſervation running o'er the Faults, or ill Con⯑trivance of her Neighbours Pettycoat. A Turkiſh Moſque is free from Noiſe, and all within it ſo ſedately bent on what they do, that 'tis a matter of ſuf⯑ficient Wonder, to behold ſo many met together in ſo deep a Stillneſs. A pious Nice⯑ty.And indeed, ſo very Sacred do the Turks eſteem the Act of Prayer, that if the caſual Sting of ſome ſmall Gnat, the ſcratching of their Heads, or any other common Accident but chance to interrupt them, they begin again tho' almoſt ended, thinking ſuch prevented Prayers of no Effect, or Virtue whatſoever, but neglected as unworthy the Great Ear of Heaven.
Preaching, how practis'd in Turkey.A ſmall and unadorn'd erected Pillar, bears a Caſe, not much unlike a Pulpit, whence the Prieſts ſometimes direct a monitory Sermon to the liſtning Congre⯑gation, conſiſting generally of explanatory Sentences on the Myſterious Chap⯑ters of their honour'd Alcoran, with proper Applications to the numerous Audience: The Book is held in rev'rence to its Author, almoſt even with the Reader's Eyes, and certain grave, religious Songs are intermix'd with their Devotion; which being ended, every Man begins to ſtroke his Beard, and uttering ſhort and private Praiſes to his God and Prophet, takes his leave, and goes away with an extraordinary Satisfaction.
Beads, how us'd among the Turks.THEY uſe a ſort of Beads, not much unlike the Roſarys of Roman Ca⯑tholicks, but to an End extreamly different, for whereas the latter make thoſe Trifles guides of Devotion, Men in Turkey only bear 'em in their Hands, and tell 'em over while they want ſome other Exerciſe; the Beads conſiſting generally of a ſcented Paſt, agreeably perfuming all who touch them. I mention theſe, becauſe ſome heedleſs Travellers obſerving them in common Uſe among the Turks, miſtook the Cauſe, and never ſearching into their Deſign, have confidently ſpread a noted Falſehood, on the fix'd Authority of their afform'd Experience.
No buſineſs muſt excuſe the Turks from Prayer.SUCH Turks as at the common Hours of Prayer, are on the Road, or ſo employ'd as not to find Convenience to attend the Moſques, are ſtill ob⯑lig'd to execute that Duty; nor are ever known to fail, whatever buſineſs they are then about, but pray immediately when the Hour alarms them in that very place they chance to ſtand on; inſomuch, that when a Janiſary, whom you hire to guard you up and down the City, hears the Notice which is giv'n 'em from their Steeples, he will turn about, ſtand ſtill, and beckon with his Hand, to tell his Charge he muſt have Patience for a while, when taking out his Handkerchief he ſpreads it on the Ground, ſits croſs⯑leg'd thereupon, and ſays his Prayers, tho' in the open Market; which ha⯑ving ended, he leaps briskly up, Salutes the Perſon whom he undertook to Convoy, and renews his Journey with the mild Expreſſion of Ghell John⯑num Ghell; or, Come Dear follow me.
The Creation of a Turkiſh Yemaum, or Pa⯑riſh Prieſt.THE Turks are ſummon'd at the Hours of Prayer by the repeated Ac⯑clamations of their Yemaums, or Pariſh Prieſts, a People Choſen to their Offices by the recommendatory Letters of their beſt Pariſhioners to the Vizier Azem, if near the Metropolitan, or if in Places far Remote, to the Baſhaw of the reſpective Provinces where ſuch Vacancies may chance to hap⯑pen; by him they are Examin'd, (for the Turks admit of no ſuch thing as Spiritual Authority) and if found qualified to read the Alcoran, and to have practis'd an auſtere and rigid Life, they are confirm'd by Virtue of a Sigil, in the ſought Poſſeſſion of a vacant Prieſthood.
[53] How the Turks are call'd to Prayers.THESE call, as I have ſaid above, the Turks to Prayers, by mounting to the Steeple Tops of their high Moſques, where ſtraining to a vaſt De⯑gree, the ſhrillneſs of their Voice, they oft repeat, that God is one, and Mahomet his Prophet; by conſtant Practice of this ancient Cuſtom, ſome attain a great Perfection, and ſtopping with their Fingers both their Ears, will raiſe their Voices to ſo high a Pitch, that it amazes Strangers when they hear them crying.
Bells not al⯑low'd in Tur⯑kiſh Churches.BY this Contrivance they ſupply the want of Bells, not tolerated in the Turkiſh Churches; The reaſon of their Prohibi⯑tion.the Cauſe whereof ſome Travellers aſcribe to an un⯑willingneſs they have to follow any Cuſtom of the Chriſtian Countries, which (tho' they vow a diſreſpect to our Religion and our Manners) is not altogether, the prevailing Cauſe of their forbidding Bells throughout their Government. But as the Turks are more inclin'd to groundleſs Su⯑perſtition than the Chriſtian World, there is an ancient Prophecy, which having long foretold the Greatneſs of their Empire, in the Downfall of the Greeks, adviſes them to take a conſtant Care, leaſt by the tinkling of a Bell the Walls of Conſtantinople ſhou'd be betray'd again, and the undreamt⯑of Fall of that Important Place denote the Ruin of their whole Dominions. The Words of this fear'd Prophecy, tranſlated into Engliſh, run as follows.
The meaning of the Pro⯑phecy.THIS Prophecy they look upon as verify'd in the Deſtruction of the Graecian Empire about the time that Gunpowder and the Uſe of Cannons was invented; the Swains, who were to lead the Eaſt to overthrow the Weſt were ſucceſsful Shepherds, who laid the firſt Foundation of their preſent Empire; the Croſs they look upon to ſignifie the Empire of the Greeks, al⯑luding to the Banner of Conſtantine the Great; the waning of the Moon be⯑fore her Full, they ſay, denotes the Ruin of the Ottoman Family, before they have obtain'd their Wiſh of Univerſal Monarchy; and their Inter⯑pretation of the Bell I have juſt now given you.
The Dreſs of the Yemaums how differing from the reſt.NOW tho' theſe Pariſh Prieſts are reckon'd, while they hold the Pla⯑ces they obtain, amongſt the Number of the Turkiſh Clergy, yet are they no ways differently dreſt, ſo much as to diſtinguiſh them from Laymen, but in the folding up their Turbant, which they wear a little larger than the reſt; they ſeldom Preach, or venture to expound in Great Aſſemblies the myſterious Points of their Religion, but content themſelves with leading People into Moſques, and the Inferior Buſineſſes before related; and if their Poſts are taken from them, they remain no more as Members of the Prieſt-hood, but betake themſelves at pleaſure, to ſuch different Em⯑ployments amongſt the Laity, as their ſeveral Educations may have quali⯑fied 'em for the Practice of.
[54] The Sohoigs or Preachers of the Turks.THE Common Preachers in the Turkiſh Churches are the Sohoigs, a ſort of Men Politely Bred, of Eminent Perfection both in Mind and Body, vers'd Gentelely, in a more than common knowledge of the liberal Arts and Sciences, and ſedate Profeſſors of the rules of Moderation; theſe are moſt reſpected by the Turks and Chriſtians, and are really ſo Accompliſh'd in external Carriage, and the Ʋnfeign'd Practice of an Inward Piety, that 'tis not common to behold their Fellows even in the moſt Refin'd and Po⯑liſh'd parts of Well-bred Chriſtendom.
The Muftee.THE Head of their Religion is the Muftee, an Officer of the higheſt Dignity, as to the reſpect, which all Men ſhow him, but not extreamly Powerfull, in that he is rather look'd upon as an undoubted Oracle, in Caſes of Diſpute in Juſtice or Divinity, than as Poſſeſſor of a large and Perſonal Authority. How Created, his Salary and Perquiſites.He is Created by the Sultan's Choice, who puts him on a Rich and Splendid Veſt of Sables, and confers upon him as his Places's due, the Yearly Salary of about two Thouſand Pounds, which by the Sale of certain Benefices in his Gift, belonging to the Royal Moſques of Conſtantinople, and the frequent Preſents he Receives from Foreign Miniſters and thoſe of Tur⯑key, is Improv'd to 3 times as much again.
The Emirs or Kindred of Mahomet, how reſpected.I may ſet down amongſt the Orders of the Turks Religious, the Emirs or Branches of their Prophets Family. Theſe are ſo highly Valued by all ſorts of People, that 'tis preſent Death, to lift an Hand againſt their Per⯑ſons. They are Independent on the common Government, and Subject to ſome Grave and Ancient Member of their own Fraternity: They Wear a ſort of Turbant High and Stately, in Bulk not much Inferiour to a Britiſh Buſhel: Its Colour is and muſt be Green, for that alone Diſtinguiſhes their Lineage; and is Worn, becauſe it was the Colour of their Prophet's Standard, which a Member of their Brotherhood muſt always Carry to the War, when the Grand Signior does appear himſelf in Field.
The Turkiſh Funds for Maintenance of their Cler⯑gy.IN order to maintain their Stately Moſques, and Endleſs Numbers of the Preiſts about 'em, above one Third of all the Lands within their Em⯑pire, are appointed for the Raiſing Sums of Money to defray the Charges of Religious Eſtabliſhments, and ſuch Prodigious Gifts are daily added to the Settled Income of the Lands Appropriated for the uſe of all their Royal and Inferiour Churches, The Yearly Revenue of Santa Sophia.that the fix'd Revenue of that Famous Moſque diſtinguiſh'd by the Ancient Name of Santa Sophia, does Amount to near one Hundred Thouſand Pounds per Annum.
Their Preiſts Subſervient to the civil Magiſtrates.THE Prieſts of Turkey are not, as in Chriſtendom, ſubſervient to the higher Power of Superiour Clergy, but every Man dependant wholly on the Civil Magiſtrates of his reſpective Pariſh, ſo that having no diſpute up⯑on the ſeveral Priviledges of Spiritual and Temporal Authority, they mingle mildly in a joint Obedience, the Clergy ſhowing due reſpect to the Ʋnbridled Laity, and the latter giving daily Proofs of a Profound and Decent Veneration to the Office of the former, which they ſhow ſufficiently in that reſpectfull Style wherewith they commonly Addreſs them. ‘How the Turks Addreſs their Clergy.TO you the Rich and Valued Mines of Eloquence and Wiſdom, bright Directors to the Paths of God, belov'd of Heaven, and Children of the Prophet, the Glories of Religion, and Illuſtrious Pillars of Unbyaſs'd Juſtice, may your Judgment be Encreas'd, and joys be Doubled, &c.’
The Turkiſh Ramazaan or Yearly Faſt of thirty days.I now proceed to an Account of the beforenam'd third Injunction of their Prophet to the Followers of his Doctrine, and that is, to obſerve a Faſt one Month in twelve: This Faſt they call the Ramazann, and keep it by the different Courſes of the Moon, always falling ſooner out each Year than [55] other change the Seaſon with the Month they Faſt in, and oblige 'em once in Thirty Years to Faſt each Day of every ſeaſon.
Their manner of obſerving it.THEY keep this Faſt by ſtrict, unbroken Abſtinence from the firſt ap⯑pearance of the Morning Sun, till after Sun-ſett, in which Religious time, 'tis Death to Eat, or Drink, or Smoak Tobacco; but when the Lights appear upon the Steeples of their Moſques, they lay aſide Sobriety, and bringing out the Dainties purpoſely reſerv'd, begin to revel in a loud Extravagance, turn Faſt to Feaſting, Night to Day, and Dallying with their Women, Looſe and Wanton ſpend their their Hours in Mirth and Jollity, till ſome ſhrill Cock invites their Sleep, by loudly telling them the Firſt appearance of unwelcome Morning.
Travellers, and the Sick, a little fa⯑vour'd.HOWEVER, Travellers, or Perſons Indiſpos'd, may break the Faſt of Ramazann, provided, when recover'd from their Sickneſs, or arriv'd in Safety at their Journies end, they Faſt as many Days together as they then omitted doing it.
The ſtrictneſs of the Duty.SO ſtrictly do they keep this Celebrated Faſt, that in their Noted Cities, Officers are ſent about from Place to Place, to make their Obſervations on the Peoples Actions; and it has been known, that ſome of their moſt active Sultans have rode Incognito about the Streets, attended at a diſtance by obſervant Executioners, who, at the ſmalleſt Beckon of their Maſters Fin⯑ger, were in conſtant readineſs to Strangle or Behead whatever Perſons he had found in Actual Diſobedience to the rules of their Religion.
The Feaſt of Bairamm, and manner of its Celebration.IMMEDIATELY ſubſequent to the Ramazann, is that ſhort Three Days Feast, they call Bairamm, not much unlike our Eaſter. They have two of theſe each Year; the Firſt is Introduc'd by the appearance of the firſt new Moon that cloſes up the Faſt, and is Proclaim'd by the diſcharge of all the Cannon round the Sultan's Palace, and the Airy notes of Sprightly Muſick ſounding loud from every Corner; the Second is about Threeſcore and Ten Days further in the Year. This Feaſt is kept with univerſal Mirth, and all the Sports which Turkiſh Gravity permits the Practice of; and at this time they viſit one another with a nice formality, obſerving, from the Courtier to the meaneſt Peaſant, certain Punctual and Eſtabliſh'd forms of Salutation, not inferiour to the poliſh'd complaiſance of Chriſtian Palaces.
Zacatt or giv⯑ing Alms, how order'd by their Doct⯑rine.AND now I come to treat of their Zacatt, or Fourth Injunction of their Prophet, which is nothing elſe but giving Alms, according to the Plenty God has bleſt 'em with. They are preſcrib'd the ſeveral rules of this commanded Charity, in Books the ancient Doctors of their Law have left behind 'em. The Standard rule is to beſtow one Penny in an Hundred, of their utmoſt ſubſtance on the Publick Funds, for Building Hoſpitals, maintaining Poor and Aged People, erecting Hans, or Inns upon the Road, where Pilgrims find free-coſt, a Three-days Entertainment, or for any o⯑ther publick good which ſhall be thought convenient; The different Principles of the Turks diſ⯑cover'd in their Charity.this is the loweſt they ſhou'd give, but ſome are found, whoſe ſordid, baſe, and avaritious Principles, incline them meanly to deny their Wealth, that they may ſave a Poor and Inconſiderable Portion, from the uſes they ſhou'd give it to; and others have been known, who generouſly prizing tranſient Riches at their proper Worth, refuſe to hide one number'd Penny, but, on the Contrary, beſtow the Fourth or Third of all their ſubſtance on the needy objects of a pity'd Poverty.
The Pilgri⯑mage to Mec⯑cha.FIFTHLY The Annual Pilgrimage to Meccha, is enjoyn'd the Turks, who muſt from every Part of their wide Empire, once at leaſt before they [56] die, perform that Journey, as a Typical Expreſſion of their Paſſage from this World to that hereafter. Many Thouſands Yearly undertake this celebrated Pilgrimage; Referr'd to the 48th Chapter.but as there is a large Account of all the Ceremonies of that reſpected Duty in another Part of this Book, I ſhall ſay no more in this Place, but will referr my Reader for his further Satisfaction, to the Eight and Fortieth Chapter, treating fully of ſome ſtrange Particulars.
Friday the Tur⯑kiſh Sabbaoth. FRIDAY, as I ſaid before, is ſet apart by the Mahometans for their Day of Reſt, or Sabbaoth, which they keep religiouſly till the Duties of the Moſques are fully ended; Their Puniſh⯑ment for breaking it.and if in time of their Divine Service, a Turk pre⯑ſumes to open Shop, they nail his Ears directly to his Counter, and expoſe him to the Scoffs of Publick Scorn, as one who merits not the Name of Muſſulman.
The Dervee⯑ſhes, who they are.THEY have a ſort of Prieſts amongſt 'em call'd Derveeſhes, who on theſe Days, harrangue the People in the open Moſques, and turn themſelves about in frantick Poſtures to the noiſy ſound of certain Inſtruments of Mu⯑ſick, till giddy by the frequent Rounds they make, they fall upon the Ground, and lying for a while without the ſmallest Motion, riſe at laſt, with elevated Eyes, and Arms extended, telling with a grave and artificial Look, their gaping Audience, that while entranc'd as they beheld, they have been taken into Heaven, and convers'd with Angels in the Fields of Glory, The Cheats they put upon the People in their Moſques.and ſo proceed, while ſhelter'd by the Cloak of deep Hypocriſy, to tell the People what their own Deſires wou'd have perform'd, under the prevailing Notion, that they are all the while, pronouncing Sacredly the Will of Heaven.
The Tempe⯑rance and Longaevity of the Derveeſhes.THESE Prieſts are moſt abſtemious in their Diet, and auſtere in Hu⯑mour, rarely ſpeaking but in Moſques, and never drinking Wine, or any other Liquor than the Fountain Water, whereby ſecure from thoſe Di⯑ſtempers, which the ill Effects of Gluttony and Drunkenneſs make common to luxurious and intemperate Appetites, they generally live to a prodigious Age, and ſerve to prove by undeniable Experience, the inconſiderate Follies of ſuch Rich Men, as hurry headlong to their Graves by lewd Extrava⯑gancies, and the conſtant Practice of a looſe Debauchery; on which the following Verſes in Lucan's Pharſalià, are a very eloquent and nice Re⯑flection.
AND indeed it is a very common thing, to ſee in many of thoſe Countries ſubject to the Turks, both Men and Women of amazing Ages. A very odd Diſcovery of a Man in Bul⯑garia, who had liv'd to be 162 Years old.Once I travell'd through Bulgaria and Valachia, into Germany from Adrianople, with the Right Honourable the Lord Paget, then returning from his Ten Years Embaſſy in the Turkiſh Court; we pitch'd our Tents about a Fur⯑long from a ſmall and inconſiderable Village, through whoſe midſt a ſmooth and pleaſant River gently glided; natural Curioſity and the coolneſs of the Day, invited me to take a melancholy Walk along the green and ſolitary Banks of the delightful Current; where I was ſurpriz'd to find a very old and graceful Man lie ſtretch'd upon the Graſs, and humming to himſelf the merry remnant of a Turkiſh Song.
I view'd attentively the wrinkled Viſage of this ancient Man, who ſeem'd to have been buried and return'd to Earth, with all the Furrows of deſtru⯑ctive Time engrav'd upon his Forehead: But while I wondred at the brisk⯑neſs of his Voice, he doubled my Amazement, by his leaping up with ſuch agility of Body, as became the Strength of one in all the Vigour of accompliſh'd Manhood; A cringing Method of Salutation us'd in Turkey.he came towards me bowing with a ſervile Air, peculiar to the ſlaviſh Nature of that conquer'd Nation, and endeavour'd to Salute me with a ſtrange Humility by the kiſſing of my Veſt, a cringing Cuſtom us'd in Turkey, and only proper for the ſordid Practice of a baſe, ſubmiſſive, and inglorious People.
I prevented his Deſign, and pleas'd to ſee the odd Appearance which he made, deſir'd him to follow me to yonder Camp, and I wou'd treat him with a glaſs of Wine; A ſtrange In⯑ſtance of Mirth in old Age.he ſeem'd tranſported when he ſaw the Tents, and running on before me a conſiderable way, with aukward ſteps as if he aim'd at ſomething like a Dance, he threw his Arms and Feet about him, at a merry rate, and with a very brisk and laughing Countenance, repeated in a ſort of tuneleſs Ballad, ſeveral Verſes to the following purpoſe.
The odd Ac⯑count he gave of himſelfI brought him to the Camp, where having eat roaſt Beef and drank a⯑bove a Quart of ſtrong red Wine, we ask'd him Where he liv'd, How old he was, and many other ſuch like Queſtions. He return'd for Anſwer, that he knew no more, than that he was about thirty Years of Age when the Village where he liv'd was burn'd to Aſhes; that his Children's Children, he thank'd God, were dead, and he had nothing left upon his Care but his old, brisk and honeſt Perſon, and ſo began to ſing and dance again as he had done before.
BY this time ſeveral of the Country People, who came out to look up⯑on the Tents, where gather'd round him, and inform'd us, that his Family had liv'd above two hundred Years as Farmers in that Neighbourhood, that he had long out-liv'd the period of his Race, extinct near fourteen Years be⯑fore, by the death of two of his Great Grandſons, Men full-grown, that he was now maintain'd by charitable Contributions of the Houſes in the Village, and that he was by punctual Calculation from the burning of the Place, computed, then arriv'd at the ſurprizing Age of one hundred ſixty and two Years.
[58] Teeth three times chang'd.HE cou'd eat the tougheſt Meat without the ſmalleſt trouble, leap about without a Staff, and having chang'd his Teeth three ſeveral times, the Set he had, were wholly ſound, and white as Ivory. Nor was he then, in ſeeming danger of approaching Death, but may perhaps be now alive, as healthful and untouch'd by thoſe Infirmities peculiar to Old Age, as when he was an Infant.
CHAP. VIII. Of the ſeveral Sects into which they are Divided.
Frequent Changes in Religion a certain Proof of humane Imperfection.AMONGST the num'rous Imperfections which attend Mortali⯑ty, there is none can better ſerve to prove the Frailties of our human Nature, than that diffuſive Levity which does ſo often change the Notions of Mankind in matters of Religion. To Day, we ſtrongly fix our Reſolutions to defend the Creed we now profeſs, with Lives and Fortunes; nay, ſo warmly ſtruggle to promote its Doctrine, that we ſcarce avoid the Guilt of Perſecution to enlarge its Limits; yet, to Morrow ſhakes the Pillars of our Faith, and leads us headlong to a blind Ex⯑travagance, in joyning vigorouſly with ſome new Sect, to undermine clan⯑deſtinely the mock'd Foundations of our forſaken Church, and on Her Ruins, raiſe the Columns of ſome New Opinion and prevailing Hereſy.
Intereſt the common Cauſe of new Opinions.AND if we guide our Judgment by a contemplative View of thoſe great Turns to which the Ancient or the Modern Changes in Religion ow'd their Introduction; the pricks of Conſcience will be rarely found the real Cauſes of thoſe numerous Innovations; perſwaſive Intereſt is ſtill the Motive that excites our Actions to our own Advantage; Man, is naturally prone to love himſelf, and will embrace ſuch Tenets as do beſt agree with his de⯑ſir'd Conveniency, or ſooth moſt favorably the groſs accompliſhment of his licentious Inclinations, and when the tempting Call of ſuch a Doctrine ſum⯑mons his Adherence, Nature urges him to quit a Faith more rigid and ſevere, and make himſelf a Member of ſuch new Profeſſion, as enlarges him to pra⯑ctiſe free from Cenſure, the unbounded Pleaſures of a welcome Liberty.
Men are natu⯑rally led to quit the wea⯑keſt Party.THUS every Age produces new and various Hereſies, nor can the meaneſt Doctrine want its Proſelytes, if vented at a time when Foreign Wars or Civil Diſcords ſhake the Pillars of that Faith it muſt oppoſe; for Men of ſmall and undiſcerning Judgments, will be proud of owning in its ſhining Grandeur, a Religion they will quit with ſcorn and indignation, when too weak to grant its perſecuted Sons a claim'd Protection. And as a palliating Excuſe for their abhorr'd Apoſtacy, can only ſay, with Ovid,
The means whereby Ma⯑hometaniſm gaind Succeſs.'TWAS by theſe means, Mahometaniſm, invading Aſia at a time when Wars and Tumults, Schiſms and Hereſy, and all the Plagues of fatal Diſcord [59] rent the Kingdoms of the Chriſtian World, with dire Diviſions, met a Swift and ſtrange Succeſs, perhaps beyond the very hopes or wiſhes of the Black Impoſtor.
The cauſe of the Variety of Sects among the Turks.BUT as all Men, let them change as much as poſſible their Natures and Religion, muſt notwithſtanding, ſtill retain ſome Scatter'd Notions of their for⯑mer Cuſtoms, and perhaps a ſort of native Fondneſs for their ancient Practices, ſo the Prodigious Body of the Turkiſh Church, promiſcuouſly receiving different Nations to compoſe its Grandeur, is thereby Divided into full as many Sects and different opinions, as a mixt confuſion of Mahometaniſm in its own Diviſions, with the broken Remnants of ſo many Hundred ſe⯑veral ſorts of Worſhip, cou'd produce amongſt them.
Above an Hundred dif⯑ferent Opini⯑ons, now pro⯑feſs'd in Tur⯑key.THERE are at preſent near an Hundred noted Sects among the Turks, who diſagree in very wide Contrarieties of opinion, and many more, whoſe unſupported Follies, ſinking Daily, by their want of Learning to defend their Tenets, are not worth a Stranger's obſervation, nor eſteem'd enough conſiderable by the Turks themſelves, to claim a Place in their Reli⯑gious Liſts.
TO treat Diſtinctly of the various Sects that now divide them, wou'd require more Room than can be ſpar'd from matters more Material and Diverting, and afford the Reader ſmall delight and leſs Improvement, I will therefore mention but the Heads of ſome prevailing Tenets, and proceed to what will entertain the Curious with a more uncommon, and agreeable Amuſement.
A ſort of Turks who own our Saviour for the Son of God.AND firſt, in due reſpect to the eternal Glories and Immenſe com⯑paſſion of our bleſſed Saviour, I muſt, with zealous wiſhes for the great Im⯑provement of a happy Proſpect, mention an opinion long ſince form'd, in ſe⯑veral Parts of the Grand Signior's Country, and of late encreas'd to ſuch a ſtrength that Thouſands of his Subjects openly avow it, in deſpite of danger.
The Tenets of the Sect a⯑bove-menti⯑on'd.THE Profeſſors of the Doctrine Taught by this opinion, are diſtin⯑guiſh'd by the Name of Choop-Maſſiahee or Dreamers of Meſſiah: Theſe de⯑clare that Chriſt was God, is now in Heaven, and ſhall come to Judgment, far ſuperior to their Prophet, or his followers. To prove the truth of this oppos'd Aſ⯑ſertion, they produce the words of Mahomet himſelf by a Quotation from their Alcoran, where it is ſaid, thine Eyes O Mahomet, ſhall ſee thy Lord return in Glory: They are generally Men of clear Capacities, and exquiſite Dexterity in management of Buſineſs: and by the ſacred notions they retain of the Divinity of JESƲS, appear not widely ſeparated from the Pale of his Religion. Some have gone ſo far in their enlighten'd preference of CHRIST, to MAHOMET, that they have fallen Martyrs to an unripe Faith, and even in Death, maintain'd their Principles.
The Barba⯑rous and In⯑humane Do⯑ctrine of the Morgee.ANOTHER Sect Intituled Morgee, hold with obſtinacy that all the followers of true Mahometaniſm, muſt neceſſarily attain the moſt ſublime and heightned joys of their tranſporting Paradiſe, tho' while on Earth, they liv'd in endleſs Wickedneſs, but on the contrary affirm, that any who deny their Prophet, tho' they have led a Sober, Vertuous, truely Exemplary, and Ʋnſpot⯑ted Life, will find it yet Impoſſible to be admitted into Heaven, or indeed, to ſave their Souls from tedious Scenes of Future Puniſhment.
The Chawar⯑gee.THE Chawargee maintain it an abſurd and falſe Concluſion to aſſert that ever God beſtow'd on Man the Gift of Prophecy, or thought it neceſſary to inſpire with boaſted Knowledge or Infalibillity, the bleſt Ca⯑pacity [60] of any choſen or diſtinguiſh'd Mortal; They deny the Propheti⯑cal Inſpirati⯑on of Maho⯑met.theſe allow no more to Ma⯑homet, than that he was a Man, whom Nature had endow'd with great Ac⯑compliſhments, and God afforded an enlarg'd, peculiar, and uncommon Porti⯑on of his holy Spirit, in regard to his unequal'd Zeal and unaffected Piety.
The Sephatee.THE Sephatee, affirm that God Poſſeſſes endleſs Attributes of Power, Life, Wiſdom, Truth and Juſtice, but extend their Notions to ſuch wild extravagance, as to conceive his Senſes built upon the ſame corporeal Organs which compoſe the Fabrick of our humane Bodies; they think he hears, ſmells, ſees, feels, taſtes, and underſtands as we do here; differing from Mor⯑tals only thus, that whereas our Bodies are both weak and finite, God has fram'd himſelf a Being ſtrong and infinite: This Notion they defend, or ſtrive to do it, from thoſe ſeveral Paſſages of holy Scripture, where the figurative Senſe of the Expreſſion, ſpeaks of God's creating Eve from Adam's Rib, as by the virtue of a manual Operation, his ſitting on a Throne, repenting often what he had decreed, as of the Actions of a humane Body: The groſſneſs of their Ap⯑prehenſion.They will not be diſſwaded from conceiving thoſe Expreſſions in a literal Senſe, and being for the moſt part, Men of groſs and vulgar Apprehenſions, aſcend not to the height of ſacred Contemplation, on the myſterious Attributes of the All-Great Incomprehenſible.
A Sect, among themſelves, divided into one and Thir⯑ty different Opinions.WONDERFULLY various, and ſtrangely contradictory to their own Aſſertions, are the Notions form'd of the Divine Omnipotence, by the Muhaw-Tazlee, a Sect, divided into one and thirty ſeveral Interpretations of that controverted Tenet which divides them from the reſt. And that is, GOD is Holy and Eternal, by the Virtue of his Eſſence; yet refuſe to own him eternal by his Eternity; knowing, by his Knowledge, or merciful by his Mercy. Their ſurprizing Caution and fantaſtic Notion of Almighty God, proceeds from their averſion to the Doctrine of a Trinity; ſo that to avoid a multi⯑plication of the Divine Power, they run themſelves to ſtrange, abſtruſe and in⯑coherent Dreams, of ſomething which they wou'd conceive but cannot.
A Sect who wait the com⯑ing of another Prophet.ANOTHER Sect, call'd, Zeidee, believe that long before the World ſhall end, a Perſian Prophet ſhall be ſent by God to dis-annul the Laws of Mahomet, and teach a new and ſurer way to Joys hereafter.
A Blaſphe⯑mous Opini⯑on. JABHAIAH are a ſort of People who affirm, that God created Man, the World, and all his Labours, by meer chance and accident; denying his Om⯑niſcience, and believing that he improves like Men, by Practice and Ex⯑perience.
Two Sects di⯑rectly oppo⯑ſite. MAALƲMGEE and Meizha-Chullha, are Sects directly oppoſite to one another, the firſt affirming, GOD is to be known on Earth, by the knowledge of our ſelves; and the laſt, maintaining it impoſſible either in the preſent World, or that to come, to know him otherwiſe than by a faint perception of his Rays of Glory.
A ſtoical and melan⯑choly ſort of People. KAADE-ZADEELI, are a ſtoical and melancholy Sect, who practiſe ſtrange and ſuperſtitious Ceremonies in praying for the Dead. Theſe Men profeſs a natural averſion to the ſound of Muſick, and neglect with rigid and auſtere diſdain, the chearful uſe of Mirth and Pleaſure; they ſit whole Days and Nights alone, ſtill bending forwards and repeating with a doleful and deſpon⯑ding Accent, the reſpected Name of the ſupreme Almighty.
Idolaters a⯑mong the Turks.THERE is a certain Sect call'd Sab-bin, tending ſtrongly to adore Idolatrouſly, the Sun and Moon; from the conſpicuous Influences they are found to have on Things below.
[61] A Sect among the Turks, who allow the Trinity.ANOTHER ſort of Men call'd Eſcrakee, allow the Trinity, as a Number ſpringing from the Ʋnity of God. This Sect are bleſt with a Pla⯑tonic Contemplation on the great Idea of divine Omnipotence, and diſcer⯑ning plainly all the groſs and ſordid Falſehoods of the Turkiſh Alcoran, reject the Notions built upon its Fabrick, and ſupport their Arguments upon the ſurer Principles of humane Reaſon.
A ſort of Men Profeſſors of an exemplary Modeſty.THE Hair-hetwee diffide ſo much in natures Strength, and humane Underſtanding, that they think it Sin to contradict the weakeſt Argument prefer'd againſt them; affirming, that our frail Capacities can never repre⯑ſent a true Idea, of a Being ſo ſuperior to us. Theſe Men behave themſelves with an accompliſh'd Modeſty, give no offence to Man or Beaſt, but when a Queſtion is propos'd for their deſir'd Solution, return this Anſwer, Allah Belerr, ammah Ben Yoketer, God knows all, but I am Ignorant.
A Sect who hold the Tranſ⯑migration of Souls.BUT more diverting and extraordinary will appear the Munaſahee or Py⯑thagorical Opinion, which maintains with violence, the old Metempſychoſis or the Tranſmigration of our humane Souls: To this Aſſertion are inclin'd the ableſt Phyſicians of the Turkiſh Empire, and it is a matter worth the Rea⯑ders Patience, to reflect a little on the oddneſs of their Notions, as to this particular.
THEY hold that when a Man departs this Life, his Soul ſhall enter in that very Moment, the appointed Body of ſome certain Beaſt, whoſe Nature did in Life, the moſt reſemble the prevailing Genius of the late deceas'd; thus for example, the undaunted Soul of ſome brave Warrior, ſhall be ſent to animate the Lyon; the Coward's Soul, ſhall dwell at reſt within the Hare; the Generous ſhall poſſeſs the Horſes Body, and the Goat contain the Soul of the Laſcivious. The Camel much reſpe⯑cted among the Turks.But as a Bleſſing moſt deſir'd, and the ſublimeſt Happineſs they can attain in Death, the pious, grave, religious and contented Man, ſhall ſee his Soul inform the Camel, a Beaſt of every other moſt reſpected by the fond Mahometans.
A very ſtrange Opi⯑nion.THUS cas'd and fetter'd ſhall the Souls of Mortals wander in the courſe of a refining Pilgrimage, for the full ſpace of three thouſand and five hundred Years, ſtill growing more and more polite and glorious, till the longeſt Date of their injoin'd Peregrination once expir'd, they return again to ſome bright Part of undiſcover'd Earth, where, free from thoſe unnumber'd and inſulting Imperfections, which attend Mortality in its impure and unrefin'd Exiſtence, they ſhall enjoy the choiceſt of ſuch unimagin'd Bleſſings, as will fit them joyfully, for that more bright Reception they expect to meet in the tranſpor⯑ting Manſions of a future Glory.
THERE is a Story which a very grave and ſeemingly religious Turk wou'd often tell me, with repeated Vows, and ſerious Proteſtations of the truth of his Aſſertion. He was a ſtrict Adherer to the Doctrine of Tranſmigration, and gave the following account of a ſurprizing Accident, which had oblig'd him to embrace the Articles of that till then deſpis'd Opinion.
A ſtrange Re⯑lation, of a Turk's Con⯑verſion to the Doctrine a⯑bovementi⯑on'd.I was, ſaid he, about my one and twentieth Year of Age, a violent op⯑poſer of the Tenets of Munaſahee, or ſuch as hold the Pilgrimage of Souls, (for ſo 'tis call'd among the Turks) and often us'd to laugh at the Opinion of an elder Brother, who delighted much in running Races, and was won⯑derfully ſwift of Foot; on which account he often us'd to fanſie that after Death, his Soul wou'd animate ſome Horſe or Antelope: He dy'd, and left me very ſorrowful, for he deſerv'd my love by frequent kindneſſes, and triumph'd in a more than common ſhare of my ſincere Affection. I of⯑ten hunted in the neighb'ring Woods, and took a great delight in all the [62] Practices of Rural Paſtime; when on a certain Day, with ſeveral of my Acquaintance, riding out to ſeek ſome Sport, we rows'd a Stagg of ſtately Size, and ſpreading Antlers.
Strange Acti⯑on of a Beaſt, directly con⯑trary to his Nature.THE Beaſt-no ſooner ſaw the Dogs about him, and beheld the Com⯑pany prepar'd for his Deſtruction, but inſtead of flying from impending Danger, he came running ſwiftly towards my Horſe, as if he aim'd to overthrow me with his fury.
A very odd Paſſage.SURPRIZ'D at the advance I ſaw him making, I prepar'd as well as poſſible, for Self-defence, and poizing in my hand a pointed Javelin I carried with me, was about directing it to wound his Breaſt, when (O amazing Prodigy!) I ſaw the Dogs begin to tremble, and inſtead of tearing his unhappy Limbs, lie down and fawn, with lolling Tongues upon the panting Animal; who with a timorous haſt, as ſadly apprehenſive of the threatning Weapon, rear'd himſelf upright upon his hinder Feet, and with his two fore Legs, and the expreſſive motions of his Head and Eyes, made melancholy ſigns of ſome important Secret, which his want of Speech deny'd an utterance.
A Turk diſco⯑vers his Bro⯑ther's Soul in the Body of a Stagg.METHOUGHTS, the very moment when this moving poſture of the Stagg was pleading for compaſſion, I perceiv'd a ſudden cold ſtrike thro' my Body, and imagin'd I diſtinctly heard a murmuring Whiſper ſpeak theſe Words, as ſoftly and ſerene, as if ſome gentle breath of Wind had fann'd my Temples. Pity, O unthinking Man, thy Brother's Soul, to whoſe appointed wand'rings, the intended Death of this poor Stagg, ſhall add twelve Years of tedious Pilgrimage.
ASTONISH'D at the ſtrange, and unexpected Accident, I drop'd my Javelin from my trembling hand, and ſcarce preſerv'd my ſelf from ſinking off my Horſe, by the induſtrious Favours of my Friends Aſſiſtance: But while they were buſy in endeavouring to recover me again, the Stagg was gone, nor did one Dog attempt to follow him.
AND now, continued he, you will not wonder that I hold the Do⯑ctrine you ſo much oppoſe for certain Truth, and undeniable Reality, my Brother's Soul by this ſtrange Accident converted me; and may the Will of God direct ſome Chance to lead your Judgment, firſt, to ſee the light of Mahomet, and then, the certainty of this ſure Faith, the Tenet of his Follower.
EXCUSE me, Reader, that I have ſo long detain'd you on ſo whimſical a Subject, nor believe you ſee this Story here inſerted from a fond effect of my Credulity; I tell it to divert you with the Turk's Opinion, who had fram'd hereon, a fix'd belief of Tranſmigration, and imagin'd by the whiſper which he dream'd he heard, that ſuch departed Souls as dwelt within a Beaſt that hap⯑ned to be kill'd, or die by accident before its time, ſhall loſe entirely all thoſe Years they had remain'd inclos'd before ſuch accident, and be oblig'd to wander ſo much longer, thro' the various Stages of their tedious Jour⯑ney.
Monaſteries among the Turks, by whom Or⯑dain'd.MONASTERIES, or a ſort of Cloiſters for religious Turks of ſe⯑veral Orders, were anciently ordain'd by Mahomet's Decree, in imitation of the Convents famous then, for exemplary Piety, and great Oeconomy, by the religious Practices of Solitude and Sanctity among the Christians.
Muveh lehvee an Order of Turkiſh Monks.OF theſe, are held in moſt eſteem Muveh-lehvee, an Order, ſilent, hum⯑ble, modeſt, and profeſſing Charity; they wear the courſeſt Dreſs that can [63] be poſſibly invented, and renounce the World with all its Glories, faſting every Thurſday round the Year, beſides the Ramazann, or publick Ceremo⯑ny; and neglecting piouſly all earthly Pleaſures, for the preferable Bleſſings of a future Paradiſe.
Theſe Monks, the moſt ac⯑compliſh'd Spies of Turkey. ICONIƲM is the favour'd Reſidence of theſe religious Men, there dwells the Chief, or Prior of their Order, and from thence they go like Ro⯑man Miſſionaries, up and down thro' China, Perſia, and the wide Domini⯑ons of the Great Mogul, ſtriving to convert to Turkiſh Superſtition, every Man they can commodiouſly fall in with; and by travelling without the leaſt ſuſpicion into foreign Countries, become the only able Spies of all the Sul⯑tan's vaſt Dominions.
Not much un⯑like the Capu⯑chines of Rome.THERE is no Order in the Romiſh Church, which does ſo nearly ſuit the Manners, Habit, Humour, and Deportment of theſe Turkiſh Fryars, as the Capuchines; and they agree ſo fully and exactly in their ſeveral Cuſtoms, that, were it not for ſtaining with the near Compariſon, a Chriſtian Cha⯑racter, theſe Eaſtern Prieſts, and Monk-Mahometans, might not improperly, be call'd the Capuchines of Turkey.
Nim-tulahee.ANOTHER Order of the Turkiſh Prieſts, they call Nim-tulahee; theſe have their Convents in the City of Conſtantinople, weigh their Bread by Drachms and Scruples, faſt and pray whole Days together, and avoid the Company of all Mankind. They place no value on the Bleſſings of Morta⯑lity, making frequent uſe of this grave Maxim in their common Converſa⯑tion; Their pious Maxim. Riches are the vaineſt Trifles we can poſſibly collect, ſince they ſo far poſſeſs our Thoughts, that we forget one fatal Hour may take us from them; and herein, they ſeem to ſteer the prudent Courſe of a ſincere Morality, believing the natural Frailty of our humane Bodies undeſerving half the pains we take to pamper 'em, and diſregarding with a wiſe Diſdain, thoſe tranſitory Orna⯑ments, and fading Satisfactions, which muſt periſh with the Perſons of un⯑thinking Mortals. And here they act agreable to the Notions of the admi⯑rable Horace, in the ſeventh Ode of his fourth Book.
Edheemi, a grave and ſo⯑litary Order.ANOTHER Order of the Turks Religious, call'd Edheemi, live in Woods, Cells, hollow Trees, and other lonely Places, converſe familiarly with Lyons, Tygers, and the wildeſt Beaſts which haunt the Foreſt, if we may believe the Members of their own Fraternity: They have ſome Convents in the Eaſtern Parts of the Grand Turks Dominions, but will rather chooſe to live abroad, and taſte the free, uninterrupted Pleaſures of a conſtant So⯑litude.
Santoons, a looſe, and frantic ſort of People. SANTOON's, or Holy-Men, a ſort of frantic, idle and conceited Beg⯑gars, going almoſt Naked, with their Bodies wounded deep in many Places, are eſteem'd among the Turks as Sacred, and inſpir'd by the divine Illumina⯑tion: Theſe commit the worſt extravagancies, under the deceitful Cloak of heavenly Raptures, and are allow'd the uſe of Wine, and all ſtrong Li⯑quors, to enable them the better to converſe with GOD and view his Glories.
Fools and Mad-Men, valued much among the Turks.MADMEN and Fools are by the Turks eſteem'd the Favorites of Heaven: They think 'em taken from their Tenements of Clay, to talk with Angels, in the upper Regions, and will therefore beg the bleſſing of an Ideot, when they meet him in the Streets, and bending forward, kiſs his Garment, with the moſt profound and humble Veneration.
Schiſm, more prevalent in Turkey, than in Chriſtendom.MANY other Sects and Orders are at preſent found among the Turks, ſome of which, aſſert Opinions in diametrical oppoſition to the Tenets of the others; and divide the Doctrine they profeſs from Mahomet, into ſuch in⯑teſtine Jarrs, and publick Diſagreements, that the power of Schiſm in Chriſtian Churches, falls far ſhort of that, now found in every Province of the Turkiſh Empire.
The Opinions of ſome, dia⯑metrically op⯑poſite to thoſe of others.SOME profeſs perpetual Chaſtity, and fearing Nature will incline 'em to forget the tenour of their Vow, will make themſelves unable to commit ſuch Sin, by the preventive virtue of a ſelf-Castration; others Marry freely in their very Convents, and enjoy, amidſt the rigid Ceremonies of religious Solitude, the looſeſt pleaſures, and unbounded freedom of allow'd Polygamy; ſome again muſt never Marry, but are made a full amends for that reſtriction, by the li⯑berty they have to hold a free and undiſputed Converſation, with as many Concubines as they find means to compaſs.
One common Article, in which they all agree.THUS they vary widely from each others Practice, and only join una⯑nimouſly in this One common Article; That 'tis their duty to oppoſe with Violence, the Doctrine of Chriſtianity, hate, kill, and perſecute without compaſſion, all the Members of that envied Faith, till they have rooted from the Earth the Name of Jeſus, and reduc'd the Nations of the conquer'd World, to worſhip ſingly One Great God, and Mahomet his Prophet.
BUT the never-failing Mercy of our great Protector, who prevented hi⯑therto their curſt Deſigns, has graciouſly been pleas'd to take away all Cauſe of fear from his defended Church, whoſe firm Foundation he has plac'd upon a Rock, nor ſhall the Gates of Hell prevail againſt it.
CHAP. IX. Of the Turkiſh Studies, and how far Learning is encourag'd among them.
[65]Learning, diſ⯑countenanc'd in Turkey, and the Reaſons of it.LEARNING, as inconſiſtent with the nature of a Government, whol⯑ly founded on the Power of the Sword, receives but ſmall encourage⯑ment in any Part of the Grand Signior's Empire; and as I have ſaid before, it is a Maxim of his Policy, to bend the Minds of all his Sub⯑jects to a conſtant Practice of the Art of War, imagining that, when a Man relaxes from the love of Military Toils, to the more ſoft, bewitching Charms of Books and Solitude, he grows unfit for Martial Labours, and becomes ſo deeply ſunk in pleaſing Contemplations on the Works of Nature, that he loſes by degrees, that active Vigour, which ſhou'd bravely recommend a da⯑ring Soldier to the face of Danger.
Learning, a⯑greeable to mild and gen⯑tle Govern⯑ments. ROME, the ancient, and the glorious Miſtreſs of the kneeling World, has taught the Turks by ſure Experience, that Learning, and the moral dictates of attain'd Philoſophy, agreeing ſympathetically with the noble, honeſt, and re⯑ligious Forms of milder Governments, preſerve a peaceful and unſhock'd Tran⯑quility; for Men thereby, will ſee the Bleſſings they enjoy in Liberty, and know to prize their happy Freedom: Dangerous, and fatal, to an arbitrary Monarchy.But in Governments Tyrannical and Arbitrary, Learning, like a Spurr to Horſes of a fiery Nature, only ſerves to make 'em feel, and hate their Servitude, exciting warm, and dangerous ſparks of Courage in their Breaſts, whoſe ſure Effects produce an eager, and undaun⯑ted Inclination to expoſe their valued Lives and Fortunes, for redeeming gloriouſly the raviſh'd Charms of Liberty and Property.
Rome, ſucceſs⯑ful in her priſtine Igno⯑rance.THUS, while the weak and dubious Fate of infant Rome, oblig'd her Sons to ſlight all Studies but the Art of War, ſhe triumph'd nobly in a vaſt Succeſs, and grew in time, to ſuch a pitch of Pride, that ſhe ſubdued the Monarchs of the diſtant Eaſt, and rais'd Her Emperours to all the Pow'r, that arbitrary Rule and unreſiſted Tyranny cou'd poſſibly afford them; for the conſtant Practice of a Military Toil made Dangers natural to all her Peo⯑ple, who, allur'd by hopes of freſh Succeſs, attempted freely any hazard, like the Men of whom, thus Lucan in his firſt Book,
O'erturn'd, and ruin'd, by polite Im⯑provements.BUT when the Roman Conqueſts had poſſeſs'd the World, and gain'd the heighth of univerſal Monarchy, the call of War no more alarming their forgotten Valour, they betook themſelves to ſtudy Arts and Sciences, and flouriſh'd for a while in all the Bleſſings of meridian Glory; but the dictates [66] of their Learning fatally encourag'd, ſoon inſpir'd their glowing Boſoms with a ſcorn of Slavery, and produc'd ſuch bloody and inteſtine Diſcords, as o'er⯑turn'd the Grandeur of their ſpreading Empire, and involv'd the Government in all the miſeries of divided Ruin.
HOWEVER, as 'tis natural for the working Brains of Man to fix attentively on ſome peculiar and ſelected Object, how wide ſoever from the faſhionable Practice of the Times they live in; ſo ſome are found among the Turks, whoſe native Curioſity inclines them to the ſearch of what ſmall ſhare of Knowledge they can poſſibly attain from the peruſal of thoſe few and tri⯑fling Books they have among them.
The firſt ad⯑vance of Tur⯑kiſh Learning.AND tho' for reaſons mention'd in the Chapter of the Turkiſh Policy, the Art of Printing is prohibited among thoſe People, 'tis not likely they ſhould reach ſo great Perfection in the Study of Philoſophy, and other du⯑bious Parts of Learning, as the more inlightn'd Scholars of the Chriſtian World, yet are not all ſo meanly ignorant, as the generality. The Perſon, whoſe Ambition leads him to beſtow upon ſome favourite Son a coſtly Education, generous and particular, muſt firſt begin like thoſe in Chriſten⯑dom, and ſee them taught their A, B, C, or Alphabetic Knowledge of the Turkiſh Language.
The Know⯑ledge of the Alphabet, as much as is re⯑quir'd, in any Turkiſh Mini⯑ſter of State.NOR is the Knowledge of their Orthographic Learning look'd upon as here with us, like Childrens Study, and the firſt accompliſhment of every mean Capacity: But, on the contrary, nothing further is requir'd from ſuch as are elected to the greateſt Places of the Empire, than to be qualified to read a Chapter in the Alcoran, and ſign with their reſpective Names, the written Inſtruments diſpatch'd about from Place to Place by their Au⯑thority.
Scribes, or publick Nota⯑ries, us'd much in Turkey.SCARCE One in many Hundreds of the Sultan's Subjects, tho' they read perhaps indifferently well, can write his Name, or form one ſingle Letter of the Alphabet, ſo that when any Buſineſs offers, which they would acquaint a Friend with, who reſides at any diſtance from the Towns they live in, they muſt addreſs themſelves to certain Scribes, or Publick Notaries, whoſe peculiar Trade it is to write the Letters, Wills, or other Paper In⯑ſtruments of any ſuch as will employ them.
Their Num⯑ber in Con⯑ſtantinople.NO leſs than Thirty Thouſand of theſe Publick Scribes at preſent dwell, in full Employment, in the City of Conſtantinople, and proportionable Num⯑bers are diſtributed by order of the Court, to other Cities of the Empire: They are admitted upon full Examination, by the Great Vizier, or ſome infe⯑rior Officer deputed by him. They take an Oath to keep all Secrets, no ways tending to the Sultan's prejudice, but diſcover every little Hint that looks like Treaſon; hereby 'tis difficult beyond Imagination, to maintain a treacherous or illegal Correſpondence.
Their ſeveral Buſineſſes.NOT only Letters and the little Inſtruments of private Buſineſs are diſ⯑patch'd promiſcuouſly by the Scribes abovenam'd, but all the Copies of ſuch ancient Manuſcripts, or modern Treatiſes, as are in uſe among them, muſt be frequently tranſcrib'd by ſome of theſe, the Art of Printing not allow'd, as I before inform'd you.
The art of Writing fair, in great Per⯑fection with the Turks.HOWEVER, Omne malum habet in ſe bonum, Every Ill contains ſome Good within its ſelf. The Scribes of Turkey by perpetual Practice, are become ſuch Maſters in the Art of Penmanſhip, that they have Pieces com⯑mon in their meaneſt Houſes, which for juſtneſs of Deſign, equality of Character, and accompliſh'd Beauty, Grace, and Smoothneſs, cannot be [67] exceeded, or indeed match'd by the politeſt Writing-Maſters known in Europe.
The difficulty of ſending Letters to any Part of the Turkiſh Em⯑pire.SINCE I have had occaſion here to ſpeak of Letters, 'twill not be digreſſive from the Subject of the Chapter to acquaint the Reader, that in order to prevent the ill Effects of treaſonable Correſpondences, they per⯑mit no ſettled Poſts in any Part of Turkey; ſo that he who wou'd diſpatch a Letter to a Friend, tho' hardly fifty Miles aſunder, is oblig'd to hire on purpoſe ſome Courier, or proper Meſſenger, or muſt be forc'd to ſtay the motion of a Caravan, or the departure of a certain ſort of Meſſage-bearers, Natives of Arabia, who ramble up and down on foot to every Corner of the Turkiſh Empire, and will carry Letters for a large Reward to the remoteſt Borders of the Turks Dominions.
The danger of travelling a⯑lone very great in Tur⯑key.THE Reader will conclude that wanting Poſts upon the Roads, muſt ren⯑der Travelling a vaſt expence, fatigue, and hazard; and really where a Man preſumes to truſt himſelf alone, or undefended by the Power of ſome re⯑ſpected Order, he expoſes raſhly, both his Fortune, and his Life, to the repeated Inſults he is ſure to meet with, from the barbarous Wretches he muſt paſs by in his Journey.
How a Man muſt do to travel ſafely.BUT the Man who knows the Cuſtom of the Country, will be ſure to hire a Turkiſh Janizary to accompany him; by whoſe Protection, he will not only be ſecure from Danger, but may Eat and Drink, Sleep, Ride, or what he pleaſes, free from Charge, upon the oft-invaded Property of the poor, enſlav'd, and miſerable Inhabitants.
The ſecond Step of Turkiſh Learning.BUT to return to what I was about, no ſooner has the Student gain'd a full and finiſh'd Knowledge of theſe earlieſt Rudiments, but he proceeds to change his Theory to Practice, and apply himſelf to ſtudy with the utmoſt care, and venerable induſtry, the un-numbred Intricacies of their Alcoran; for to be learn'd in that, is what they all deſire with eager Emulation, as the Means whereby they gain the reputation of accompliſh'd Scholars, and are throughly qualified for any Poſt of Honour, or Religion.
The great reſpect, the Turks ſhow to ſuch as are well vers'd in the Expoſition of their Alco⯑ran.THE Men who reach Perfection, or as great an Height as can be well attain'd, in this reſpected Study, are on all hands ſought to, by the common People, as the Oracles of their Religion, and undoubted Solvers of the moſt abſtruſe and noted Difficulties; but more than any other, are eſteem'd a ſort of Men, who by a daily running over the ſeveral Chapters which compoſe their Alcoran, in time commit it to their Memories, and can repeat in or⯑der every Sentence of its valued Doctrine, ſo that bearing as it were the Body of their whole Religion, within themſelves, they are eſteem'd as Sa⯑cred as the Book it ſelf, and every where diſtinguiſh'd by ſuch ſhining Pri⯑vileges, as declare how much the Turks (O ſhame of Chriſtendom,) encou⯑rage more than we the Study of Religion.
The Turkiſh Language, rough and be⯑holding to 3 other Dialects.THE Turkiſh Language rough and inharmonious, is oblig'd to the Ara⯑bian, Perſian, and Chaldean Tongues, for all the ſoftneſs it at preſent boaſts; which notwithſtanding, is ſo very little, and ſo ſeldom underſtood by com⯑mon People, that the Turks of late, difuſe the Practice of that borrow'd ſweetneſs, once the aim of all their Nation.
Italian, the only Weſtern Language ſtudied by the Turks.OF all the noble Languages at preſent ſpoken by the Weſtern World, Italian is the only Favourite among the Turks, and that being ſeldom un⯑derſtood, beyond the ſuperficial Knowledge of a common Converſation; the Latin, German, Spaniſh, French, or Britiſh Dialects, are altogether ſtrangers to their Learning or Affections; nor is the Graecian Tongue, that [68] poor unhappy Sufferer with her ruin'd Sons, ſo much as ſought, or any ways eſteem'd by the illiterate Subverters of that lamented Nation.
BUT tho' the native harſhneſs of their own unpoliſh'd Tongue, de⯑nys that ſmooth, enchanting Eloquence, thoſe various Tropes, and graceful Figures, which ſhou'd form the fine, and lofty Stile requir'd in Rhetorick; the Turks of Note, or lovers of Improvement, are not void of other Means, whereby to reach a wiſh'd amuſement, which the barren Study of their barbarous Language cannot give them.
The Perſian, and Arabian Romances much in vogue among the Turks.THE Method then they take to raiſe their Souls to emulative heights of Honour and Ambition, is to ſtudy an accompliſhment in all the artful Turns of Perſian and Arabian Oratory; whereby they are inſpir'd with lofty thoughts and brave deſires of equalling thoſe great and noble Actions, which they read with wonder in the generous Characters of ancient Hero's, celebrated gloriouſly in the fam'd Romances, and ingenious Novels, nume⯑rouſly ſcatter'd up and down, in both thoſe Languages.
The common Subjects of the Perſian Stories.THESE Novels and Romances are compos'd by certain famous Wri⯑ters, who poſſeſs a Genius fertilely productive of inimitable turns of Wit and Fancy; they conſiſt, for the moſt part, of broken Remnants of the ſeveral Hiſtories of worthy Men, ſet off to great advantage, by the fictitious Beauties of their ſtrange Additions; nor do they want the taking Graces, and enchanting Ornaments, which ſhine ſo ſoftly thro' the various Subjects of our Britiſh, French, and Spaniſh Novels.
How they are adorn'd.THEY boaſt their Knights relieving Ladies in Diſtreſs, and Slavery, their Tilting, Tournaments, and amorous Courtſhips, their enchanted Caſtles, Gyants, Monſters, Dwarfs and 'Squires; their delightful Meadows, murm'ring Currents, ſhady Bowers, and Groves of Myrtle; all which are there as frequent and fantaſtical, as in any Clelia, or Caſſandra of them all.
One Kederlee, the ſame with them, as St. George among the Chriſtians.AMONGST the many mighty Men of Valour and Renown, whoſe Acts of Chivalry, they record as Miracles, they relate prodigious and di⯑verting Stories of a certain Knight call'd Kederlee, who by the Actions of his Life, appears no other than the fam'd St. George, that celebrated Dra⯑gon-killer of the Britiſh Nation. The 4 Beaſts which the Turks have plac'd in Pa⯑radiſe.And ſo highly do the Turks reſpect the Memory of this illuſtrious Champion, that, in regard of his unequall'd and ſurprizing Merits, they have given his Horſe a Seat in Paradiſe, and plac'd him there, in ſtate and glory, with the Aſs whereon our Saviour rode, the Dog belonging to the Seven Sleepers, and the favourite Camel of their Prophet Mahomet.
The Turks un⯑skill'd in Hi⯑ſtory.AS for the delightful, and improving Knowledge of Hiſtory, the Turks are wholly deſtitute of any means whereby to reach the ſmalleſt Skill in that engaging Study; for tho' they take a conſtant care to keep exact and punctual Records of the Riſe and Progreſs of their own prodigious Empire, they are ſo ignorantly defective in the Study of Chronology, that by the ſtrangely rude and barbarous dictates of receiv'd Tradition, they con⯑found all Ages, Reigns, and Perſons, in the mixt diſorder of a wild irre⯑gularity.
A ſtrange O⯑pinion of the Turks, con⯑corning Solo⯑mon and Ho⯑mer.THUS they look on Solomon and Homer to have been two Brothers, who contended with each other for the Bays beſtow'd upon the moſt deſer⯑ving Poet, and believe that Homer having gain'd the univerſal Plaudit of the Judges of thoſe times, was envied by his Brother Solomon, and being baniſh'd from the Court, was forc'd to roam about the World, and beg a livelyhood from charitable Contributions.
[69] I know not how it comes to paſs, but Solomon is now the only Prince who lives in their Traditions, and ſo great a Notion have they form'd of his extenſive Power, and the ſplendour of his Government, that they have liſted all the famous Monarchs of the ancient World, as Servants to his Grandeur.
Another of Julius Caeſar, Job, and A⯑lexander the Great.THUS is the celebrated Julius Caeſar thought by all the Turks, to have been Admiral of a prodigious Fleet of Ships, belonging to the abovenam'd Solomon, conſiſting of a Thouſand and odd Hundred Sail. They ſay, that Alexander the Great, was the illuſtrious General of his victorious Armies; and that Job, ſo famous for his exemplary Patience, was the Judge of all Civil Cauſes of his large Dominions.
More vers'd in Poetry, and why enclin'd to ſtudy it.SOMEWHAT more refin'd are their Capacities in the Art of Poetry, if that indifferent Skill they boaſt may claim the honour of ſo high a Character; for the ambitious Sultans of the Turkiſh Empire, hearing that the Works of ancient Poets are eſteem'd in Chriſtendom; Ambition of the Turkiſh Sultans.and having been inform'd by Runagado's, what immortal Characters have been confer'd on former Princes, by the Pens of ſuch as writ harmoniouſly, became inſpir'd with eager Wiſhes, that their own great Actions might be copy'd to ad⯑vantage, by ſome Eaſtern Muſe, and ſo tranſmitted with a ſhining Glory, to the praiſes of Poſterity.
The Turkiſh Language too rough for Poetry.THIS flatt'ring Notion of the Turkiſh Monarchs, caus'd an eager ap⯑plication of their Subjects Fancies to the favour'd ſtudy of Poetic Excel⯑lence, but the unpoliſh'd Cadence of their guttural Language, not allowing them ſufficient Harmony, they make but dull, inſipid Verſes, unleſs they tune their Muſes to the warbling Lyre of ſmooth Arabia.
The Argu⯑ments they uſe in its defence.HOWEVER, notwithſtanding all the diſ-advantages they meet in their attempt, they ſtill continue to improve their Genius in the practice of this Study, uſing Arguments to prove the uſe, and great neceſſity of Poetic Learning, not much unlike the thoughts of Horace in the following Verſes.
The Study of Poetry, why oppos'd by certain rigid Sects.STRONGLY notwithſtanding, are theſe great Encouragers of Poetry oppos'd, by certain Sects of grave, moroſe, and rigid Principles, who raiſe Objections to the Study, from the many falſe and contradictory Aſſertions of the greateſt Poets, The Reaſons which they give for their diſlike of Po⯑etry.which beſides the ſcandal they affirm it muſt infal⯑libly create to their unſtain'd and holy Doctrine, has another ill Effect, which is, ſo painting over all the Vices of a Man or Nation, and ſo Satyri⯑cally detracting from their envied Virtues, that Poſterity will be oblig'd to read a mix'd Account of Truth and Falſehood, without the ſmalleſt poſ⯑ſibility of diſtinguiſhing with certainty, between the one and the other. And herein they ſeem to blame ſuch noted Fictions, as thoſe for which Auſonius [70] cenſures Virgil, in the following Verſes, on the Statue of Queen Dido; as I remember in the 117th Epigram.
The manner of making Turkiſh Verſe.THE Turkiſh Poetry conſiſts of certain ſhort and broken Meaſures, chain'd moſt commonly to double Rhymes, that ſo that jingle of the Numbers may atone as much as poſſible, for the unpleaſant roughneſs of the Cadence; they confine their Muſes for the moſt part, to low and doggrel Balads, or the whining Compoſition of ſome amorous Paſtoral; yet ſome few are ſound among them, of a very brisk and ſprightly Wit, who will on Weddings, Victories, or other ſuch occaſions, exert their Faculties in forming ſome⯑thing like a Panegyrick, Epithalamium, Ode, or witty Anagram, and hav⯑ing done their utmoſt, with deſign to pleaſe the Patrons they addreſs, receive a Preſent equal to the merit of the Work, or rather given accor⯑ding [71] to the generous, or avaritious Temper of the Perſon they have com⯑plimented.
Examples are the ſureſt means of teaching any thing.BUT Examples will be moſt diverting, and inform the Reader more exactly of their peculiar Taſt of ſeveral ſorts of Poetry; I therefore now proceed to come as near as I can trace their Language, to ſome remarkable and celebrated Turns of Turkiſh Wit, whereby the Authors gain'd a great and laſting Reputation.
A pleaſant Story of a Turk who hir'd Poets to make Verſes on his Wed⯑ding.THERE was a noted Turk, who liv'd in Conſtantinople, and had lately gain'd the Parents Approbation of a certain Lady, young, and beau⯑tiful; they were married, and their Nuptials celebrated with a Splendour equal to their Fortunes, which were great and plentiful: The Sports, per⯑form'd on ſuch occaſions, drew the Obſervation of all ſorts of People, who were treated and careſs'd with wonderful Civility; among the reſt, un⯑willing to omit the ſmalleſt point of lofty Liberality, the joyful Bridegroom ſent an Invitation to the moſt eſteem'd, and brighteſt Poets of the City; aſſur⯑ing them they ſhould receive an hearty welcome; and to tempt the trial of their utmoſt Skill, inform'd 'em, he deſign'd a good Reward for him, who made the fineſt Verſes, in congratulation of his Marriage.
The Poets feaſted by the Bridegroom.THE ſummon'd Bards appear'd immediately, and having feaſted plen⯑tifully on the Bridegroom's Entertainment, thought it proper to remember what they came for, and retiring ſeverally to the private Arbours of their Patron's Garden, ſoon compos'd the mercenary Praiſes he expected from them, and returning to the Place where waited the impatient Company, repeated every Man his own Performance, each ſubmitted, each in hopes of pre⯑ference, to the deciſive Judgment of a fair Majority.
THE Conſequences of this famous Battle of the Turkiſh Muſes, having made ſome noiſe about the City, many Copies of their aukward Panegyricks were diſtributed about; and ſince I was oblig'd by an Acquaintance with an Italian Tranſlation of them all, I wou'd not think the Pains too great, for the diverſion of my Reader, to preſent him with their Verſes in a Britiſh Dreſs; the firſt are theſe which follow.
I aſſure the Reader I have done the Poet Juſtice in his Fancy and Ex⯑preſſion, which tho' a little brighter in the end than the beginning, may be excus'd, in that 'tis more than tolerable in a Country where the Sun of Lear⯑ning ſhines ſo ſeldom. But here comes another ſomewhat merry and di⯑verting.
THE Author of this comical Conceit was one Morat, a brisk and airy Spark, who wou'd not loſe his Jeſt, where'er he found it; but his Muſe however miſt the Prize, and tho' the Bridegroom ſeem'd well pleas'd, and laugh'd for company, he was not maſter of a Turkiſh Nature, if he did not curſe the Poet for his odd, uncommon way of praiſing him. A third ſucceeded him more gravely, with the Lines which follow.
A comical Reward for Poetry.SOME other Poets tried their Skill, but all fell ſhort of theſe, and one Zulduc, the Author of the laſt, was judg'd deſerving of the promis'd Prize, which was accordingly beſtow'd upon him, by the Bridegroom's Or⯑der; the Preſent was a well-ſhap'd Aſs, with Saddle and Capariſon em⯑broidred richly, and the Bridle, Breaſt-piece, and the other Harneſs, all emboſs'd with poliſh'd Silver, of which Metal were the large and weigh⯑ty Stirrops, made according to the Turkiſh Faſhion.
THIS ſtrange ill-choſen Preſent, ſoon alarm'd the Town with mirth and wonder, at the novelty of our triumphant Poet's odd Reward; and 'mongſt the many others who reflected pleaſantly upon the Turks unfaſhio⯑nable Gift, a certain humerous Spaniſh Runnagado, skill'd compleatly in the Eaſtern Languages, and ſtill retaining ſprightly Reliques of his Coun⯑tries Genius, was a little ſharp upon the Subject in the following Satyr.
The Conditi⯑on of Muſick, among the Turks.PROCEED we now to Muſick's Charms, as like to thoſe of Poetry as poſſible, yet not ſo much encourag'd by the Turkiſh Nation, who are al⯑together [73] Strangers to the melting Strains of Vocal Harmony, nor under⯑ſtand the charming uſe of thoſe delightful Inſtruments, whoſe elevating ſounds have unreſiſted Power to move the Souls of dying Men, and make the poor deſponding Wretch forget his Sorrows, and erect with Joy his drooping Head, to hear the ſoft, and tunefull Call, that lulls his Cares, and huſhes for a while his loud Misfortunes.
Their Notions thereof a ſort of Paradox.THE Notion of the Turks concerning Muſick, will appear a Paradox, for they abhor the brisk and airy Tunes of Chriſtian Compoſition, and alike deſpiſe the dulcid Notes and melancholy, ſoft, complaining Strokes of grave Sonata's; The ſhape of a Turkiſh Ghit⯑tarr.yet are they never eaſy when alone, unleſs they have a kind of courſe Ghitarr, or ſuch a ſort of Inſtrument, conſiſting commonly of ſe⯑veral Wires, upon a long and ſlender wooden Body, with a round, capa⯑cious hollow head, the form whereof is repreſented in the Cutt relating to the Graecian Wedding, in the one and twentieth Chapter, above the Letter I on the right hand of the Figures.
Their manner of uſing it.WITH this dull Inſtrument the ſolitary Turks divert themſelves, in e⯑very Place, and every Company; they place it in the left hand, and tur⯑ning its unweildy Belly to their Sides, with the unheeding Fingers of their other Hand, ſtrike up and down at random all the Wires, and whine out horrid, and unpleaſant Noiſes, to the hum-drum Echo's of their barbarous Inſtrument.
The ſtrange eſteem the Turks profeſs for the above⯑nam'd Inſtru⯑ment.YET ſo bewitch'd are all the Turks to this ridiculous Amuſement, that a Stranger muſt be plagu'd in every corner of their Streets and Houſes, with repeated ſounds of dolefull Airs, and noiſy Voices void of harmony, nay to ſuch extravagant Affection are they now arriv'd, for this prevailing Faſhion, that the Soldiers go not to the War without their Fiddles; nor can any travel half a Day in Turkiſh Territories, but he ſhall ſee a grave long-bearded Muſſulman, ſit ſingly croſs-legg'd, under ſome large Oak, or ſha⯑dy Cypreſs, pleaſing his conceit with melancholy Ditties, to the Strum-ſtrum Muſick of his thrum'd Ghittarr, while his poor Horſe is turn'd to graze a⯑bout the Field, and ſeeks the pleaſure of a more ſubſtantial Entertain⯑ment.
The ſhape and uſe of the Turkiſh Baſe-Viol.ANOTHER Inſtrument in uſe among the Turks is a large wooden Trunk, not much unlike the faſhion of the former, whereto one large, and rozin'd twiſted Cats-gut is affix'd ſo ſtraitly, that by ſcraping thereupon with a proportionable Bow, a certain hoarſe, and hollow murmur ſtrikes the Ear, like the unpleaſant tuning of a bad Baſe Viol.
The form of Timbrels, and how us'd in Turkey.ANOTHER very celebrated Piece of Muſick, is the noiſe they make with jingling Timbrels, which are form'd exactly like a Sieve, the bottom made of Buff, extreamly ſtrong and durable; ſmall, long, and narrow holes about the ſides, contain a certain number of round, thin, and poliſh'd Plates of Braſs, bor'd thro' the center, and ſecurely faſtned with a liberty to play, upon a little Pin; this Timbrel they make yield a very jarring and diſcordant ſound, by ſtriking with their Fiſts, upon the middle of the Lea⯑ther, which thereby affords a ſort of drowſy Baſe, to the more ſhrill and ſprightly trebble of the clattering Plates of Braſs about it. Both theſe a⯑bovenam'd Inſtruments are likewiſe repreſented, in the Cutt aforeſaid.
Wind Muſick not in uſe a⯑mong them.WIND Muſick is not much in vogue in any part of Turkey; a ſort of Pipe, or aukward Flute they make of Reeds, is what they chiefly now de⯑light in: But the Hautboys, Trumpet, and the favour'd Inſtruments of Chriſtian Countries, even from the amorous Flute, down to the ruſtic Bag⯑pipe, are entirely ſtrangers to the Turkiſh Practice.
[74] Drums and Kettle-drums in high eſteem.DRUMS they uſe in martial Expeditions, and delight extreamly in their warlike Thunder; Kettledrums they beat with skill and pleaſure, but they underſtand no Tunes, nor boaſt the noble Theory of Muſick, but play by rote on any Inſtrument, the incoherent dictates of a wild, extrava⯑gant, and artleſs fancy.
The Turks unskill'd in Logick.THE Turkiſh Studies boaſt no Logick, nor does any Man among the moſt polite of all their People know its meaning; no tough Syllogiſms puz⯑zle their Diſcourſes; no Nego Minorem, Majorem, or Conſequentiam, confound their Students with aſſerted Contradictions; The Reaſons why they diſ⯑approve it.all is vulgar, plain, and igno⯑rant, nor do they wiſh to gain a clearer notion, of a dangerous Science, which they ſay oppoſes always, and too often overturns, the truth of Argu⯑ment, and light of Reaſon.
Their Igno⯑rance in Me⯑taphyſicks.THEY know no more of Metaphyſicks, than a trifling Conteſt on the Attributes of GOD, and that maintain'd with ſuch abſurdity and weak⯑neſs, that the artleſs Tenour of their jangling Diſputations, cannot boaſt a regular proceeding, but is founded groſly on the obſtinate profeſſion of il⯑literate Contrarieties.
Phyſick not well under⯑ſtood in Tur⯑key.PHYSICK is eſteem'd a ſacred Study, but their Ignorance therein exceeds belief; for tho' the ancient Doctors of Arabia, were the beſt Phyſi⯑tians of the times they liv'd in, and cou'd ſay with Solomon, they knew the vegetable nurſeries of Nature; nay, cou'd tell their Virtues from the Cedar to the Hyſſop, yet the modern Arabs, and the ſpacious Body of the Turkiſh Empire, are eclips'd by Clouds of ſuch ſupine Obſcurity, that they can boaſt no good Phyſician in their Nation, but reſpect a Quack, if bred in Chriſten⯑dom, as an undoubted Maſter of an uſeful Science, which their want of Learning, or neglect of Opportunities deny themſelves the ſmalleſt know⯑ledge of.
Navigation, how far known to Turkiſh Mari⯑ners.NAVIGATION, as I ſaid before, is little underſtood by Turkiſh Mariners. The Compaſs is by them, divided into Eight great Points, and the dependant Uſefullneſs of that illuſtrious Art ſo much unknown, that they can only ſail before the Wind, and while the nimble Ships of other Nations ply with eaſe their handy Tacks to ſtar-board or to lar-board Quarter, veer about, lie by, and coming up within few Points of every Wind, ſail on ſecure, in ſpight of adverſe and tempeſtuous Weather, the baffled Efforts of the Turkiſh Sailors ſailing their Deſires, the unweildy Veſſels of thoſe ignorant People muſt be forc'd to creep for hoſpitable ſhelter, to the cloſe protection of ſome neigh'bring Harbour, and expect with patience the deſir'd return of pro⯑per Winds to proſecute their Voyages.
The State of their Geogra⯑phic Learn⯑ing.GEOGRAPHY is ſo unknown among them, that they hardly find a poſſibility of reaching Skill enough to learn the ſituation of their own Dominions, and ſo very dark are their Capacities that way, that ſome the moſt refin'd among them, have deſir'd me to inform them, whether Britain did not border on the Mouth of the Mediterranean, and the King of France's Territories ſpread their Frontiers to the Weſtern Indies.
Geometry, Aſtronomy, and Aſtrolo⯑gy how far known in Turkey.GEOMETRY they cannot boaſt the ſmalleſt Notion of, and are ex⯑treamly ignorant of Aſtronomical Obſervations; yet ſome are found in Tur⯑key, who pretend to Schemes and Figures in Aſtrology, and calculate Nati⯑vities for ſuperſtitious People, when even thoſe very Men who paſs for Conjurers, and are eſteem'd as ſuch by the unthinking Populace, behold with wonder the ſurprizing Form, and advantageous Uſes of our Chriſtian Globes, Celeſtial, or Terreſtrial.
[75] BUT let us now deſcend from lofty Studies, to the Rural Practices of Country Labours, and we ſhall perceive the common Ignorance as for⯑midable there, as in their Schools of Education, and unpoliſh'd Semina⯑ries of Religion and Philoſophy.
The Turks un⯑skill'd in Husbandry.SO little are they skill'd in Agriculture, and the Art of Gardening, that where the Ground requires manuring, they are wholly ignorant of all Im⯑provements, which the ruſtic Arts of European Husbandmen have taught the Practice of, and let it lie neglected and untill'd; not uſeful to themſelves, nor advantageous to Poſterity.
Their Lands extreamly fertil.BUT Providence has ſtrangely ſo ordain'd, that they poſſeſs ſuch fertil, and productive Territories, as will yield the Bleſſings of a double Harveſt, from the eaſy Labours of an unfatigu'd and pleaſing Induſtry.
Greeks com⯑monly em⯑ploy'd to till the Ground.YET are the native Turks ſo giv'n to Luxury, that few among them care to take the ſmalleſt Pains in rural Practices, but on the contrary, they ſtill employ the ſubject Greeks to do their Drudgery, and live ſupinely like the lazy Drones, upon the plunder'd Honey of the Bees about 'em.
The Reaſon why the Turks neglect im⯑proving Lands.AND perhaps, this univerſal negligence in Country matters, may proceed from that inglorious and ſubmiſſive Slavery wherein they live, and which depreſſes weightily their unſupported Spirits, by the ſad reflections of their miſerable Servitude to an unbounded Monarch, who poſſeſſes at their Deaths, the Product of their Labours, and becomes ſole Heir to all their Lands, excluding even the Children of a frugal Father from the wiſh'd en⯑joyment of a raviſh'd Patrimony.
How a Coun⯑try Life may be unpleaſant.FOR tho' the Charms and various Pleaſures of a Country Life, may tempt the Inclinations of a thinking Man, to leave the hurries of a Town-deſtraction, and relax the Springs of wearied Life in gentle Solitude; yet is not any of theſe flattering Bleſſings to be met, or hop'd for, from a Rural Life encumbred with the plagues of noiſy Diſcord, and ſevere effects of an inſulted Slavery, where every Moment may produce ſome ſtrange and unexpected Accident, and reduce the Owner of a rolling Plenty to the ſhame of Poverty or Military Ravages, upon the ſpiteful Nod of ſome capricious Governour.
When, and how, a Coun⯑try Life is tru⯑ly happy.THEN, O ſweet and gentle Solitude, are thy Retirements truly happy, when we can enjoy, ſecure from danger, the inviting Pleaſures of thy dulcid Manſions; when the ſofter Wiſhes of our peaceful Souls, may free, and un⯑confin'd become ſucceſsful, and our undiſturb'd, and bliſsful Hours roll ſmoothly on, within the limits of Paternal Reſidence. How truly juſt are the exalted Notions of the Roman Horace on the preſent Subject, when he ſays,
BY what has been already ſaid, the Reader may conceive with eaſe, the utmoſt altitude of Turkiſh Learning; I ſhall now proceed in the enſuing Chapter, to inform him of the Morals of thoſe mighty People.
CHAP. X. Of the Turkiſh Morals.
All Men by Nature, more or leſs are taught Mora⯑lity.THE Reader can expect no elevated Notions of refin'd Morality, from ſuch as live on others Miſery, and owe the Grandeur of their lofty Fortune to the bloody Ruin of invaded Nations, yet as Natures Dictates; and the common Leſſons of a mild Huma⯑nity, excite Mankind to do the Juſtice they again expect, ſo have the Turks, in the laſt Age, been more refin'd than formerly they were, by fre⯑quent Converſe with the Chriſtian Nations, which their extended Con⯑queſts made their Neighbours.
Some Britiſh Travellers have flatter'd the Turks.STRANGELY do the Characters which all our Travellers have given the Turks, miſtake their Nature, ſome Ingenious Gentlemen the Natives of Great Britain, have thought fit to ſpeak thoſe People noble Ma⯑ſters of a ſpotleſs Vertue, and deſcribe them ſailing in a Sea of Glory, la⯑den richly with the golden Notions of Morality and Wiſdom, which diſtin⯑guiſh'd anciently the Great Inhabitants of the Countries they have con⯑quer'd.
Others have detracted from their real Merits.OTHERS, leſs obliging, but alike miſtaken, byaſs'd by the Follies of a fond Partiality, allow them owners of not one commendable or vertuous Practice, but deſcribe their Natures wholly ſunk in dull Stupidity, and univerſally inclin'd to Miſchief and Iniquity.
A Medium moſt eligible, and the near⯑eſt Truth.THESE Extreams are both to be rejected, and a modeſt Medium cho⯑ſen to direct us, we ſhall then diſcover that the ſame variety of Humour and Morality, now reigns in Turkey, that is found in Chriſtendom, and that the numerous Mahometans are like our ſelves divided into Good and Bad, accor⯑ding to the Leſſons of their different Educations, or the contrary Impulſes of a vicious Soul, or one inſpir'd with a ſublime and generous love of Vertue.
[77] Their divided Notions of Morality.NOT more divided is the Turkiſh Faith, than their infirm Morality; ſome holding lawful, meritorious, and as duty, that, which other ſome con⯑demn as odious, ſinful, and illegal; nay, to ſuch degrees of violence do they proceed herein, that ſome believe it Sin to pity Chriſtians, others hold it Charity to relieve them; ſome hate Mirth, and others Sorrow; ſome love one thing, ſome another; each oppoſing t'others Principle, with all the malice of diſcordant Obſtinacy, as is deſcrib'd by Horace in the eighteenth Epiſtle of his firſt Book.
BUT to let the Curious clearly underſtand in what Condition are main⯑tain'd the common Morals of the Turks in general, I will tranſcribe a ſort of Catechiſm taught their Children, who imbibing early what the Parents make 'em learn, continue when grown up, to juſtifie their Tenets. The In⯑terrogatories are as follow.
A Turkiſh Ca⯑techiſm.Q. Tell me thy Name?
A. My Name is Muſtapha.
Q. How wert thou made?
A. By One Great God, alone, and indiviſible, Almighty, Mercifull, Omniſcient, Sempiternal, full of Truth, and rich in Glory.
Q. By what means doſt thou hope to gain Salvation?
A. By walking ſtrictly in the Paths of Holineſs, as meaſur'd out by God's Decree, and ſet before all true Believers, by the goodneſs and compaſſion of our Paſtor Mahomet, (whoſe Name be Sacred) ſent by God to teach Mankind, and now in Heaven, his mighty, true, and only Prophet.
Q. How doſt thou expect to gain his Favour, or reward his Goodneſs?
A. By promoting his Religion, and a Charitable Pity of my Fellow Creatures.
Q. How muſt his Religion be promoted?
A. By deſtroying with the Sword and Fire, all ſuch as dare oppoſe his holy Doctrine, till the Infidels are rooted from the Earth, and all the Ʋniverſe ſubmits to own his Glory.
Q. How will you extend the Charity injoin'd you?
A. By erecting Hans, or publick Inns for entertaining poor be⯑nighted Pilgrims, building Bagnio's, and endowing Moſques with large Revenues, if the Lord of Paradiſe is pleas'd to bleſs me with a plentifull Ability: If not, by giving free⯑ly to the Poor as much as I can ſpare, redeeming Slaves, and looking upon the Beaſts which ſerve our Uſes with a mild Compaſſion.
[78] Q. How are you to pity Beaſts, or Birds which ſerve you?
A. When an Ox, Aſs, Horſe, Dog, Mule, or Camel, has for ma⯑ny Years been truly ſerviceable; I muſt let him graze in peace about my Grounds, and live the reſt of his diſabled Life, entirely free from Toil, or Drudgery, as a Reward for all his former Labours.
Q. What elſe are you requir'd to do to ſuch poor Animals?
A. I am oblig'd to load my Camels and all other Beaſts of Bur⯑then, favourably, and with pity; buy the Birds that pine in Cages for their abſent Mates, and let them fly away to ſeek loſt Liberty.
Q. Who, under Mahomet, will you obey?
A. My Prince, and Parents.
Q. How muſt you ſerve your Prince?
A. With Life and Fortune, for he is the Lord of all my Plenty, and may honour my Head by making it his Footſtool, I am to live and die when he commands it, and depend on no⯑thing but his ſacred Pleaſure.
Q. How will you reſpect your Parents?
A. With the unfeign'd Duty of a meek Humility; as becomes the Honour of thoſe Perſons, from whom, next God, I had my Being.
Q. How will you deal with your Neighbours?
A. Love thoſe, who love me; hate thoſe, who hate me; kill thoſe, who ſtrive to kill me; but never give back Ill for Good, nor Good for Evil.
Q. What is your highest Wiſh?
A. On Earth Succeſs, and Paradiſe hereafter.
Q. Is your Wiſh ſincere? If not, may Heaven refuſe it.
A. So be it to me.
THIS Catechiſm may convince the Reader, that howſoever differing their Notions are, in other Points, they all concur in one unanimous re⯑ſpect, wherewith they humbly own the Power of God, and worſhip his Divinity, of which the eldeſt Ages of Antiquity, acknowledge the aſſur'd Exiſtence, and Heſiod ſeemingly inſpir'd with more than Heatheniſh light of Reaſon, thus expreſſes.
The bad Ef⯑fect of a bad Opinion.THEIR Notions of the Duty, which obliges them to propagate the Doctrine of their Prophet, leads their Reaſon, Juſtice and Humanity ſo much aſtray, that neither Promiſe, Vow, nor ſolemn Oath, can bind their Con⯑ſcience, to omit an opportunity of adding any thing to former Acqui⯑ſitions.
The Turkiſh Trade is ma⯑nag'd by the Jews.BY this means, Chriſtians find it dangerous to deal in Turkey, and gaining no ſecurity from ſacred Oaths, nor oft-repeated Promiſes, refuſe to credit ſuch as they ſuſpect, who therefore, not regarding publick Buſineſs, leave the management of all their Trade to crafty Jews, a People wily, and induſtrious in the art of Cheating handſomely, and who are numerouſly ſpread o'er every Corner of the Turkiſh Empire; Conſtantinople, and its Neighbourhood, containing many Thouſands of thoſe ſcatter'd People.
The crime of Lying ſeldom known a⯑mong the Turks.LYING is a Crime not often known in Turkey, nor does any Man affirm for certain Truth, what is not prov'd ſo, by his own Experience; and ſpeaking generally, when a Turk has ſtroak'd his Beard, and laid his Hand with gravity upon his Breaſt, ſedately to aſſert ſome queſtion'd Point, you may ſecurely take his Word, nor is he ever known to falſifie his Promiſe.
Swearing practis'd and encourag'd.OF all the Turks immoral Practices, the Vice of Swearing to a ſtrange extravagance, is moſt in faſhion; and ſo oddly new, and different from ours, are their invented Oaths and Curſes, that it will not be a needleſs trouble, to inform the Reader, what uncommon Thoughts thoſe People exerciſe on ſuch occaſions.
Strange and unexampl'd Curſes us'd in Turkey.THUS for example, When they would expreſs their anger to a Man or Beaſt, they do it commonly in the raſh and inconſiderate manner follow⯑ing; May the Graves black Angel fry your Soul; May you vomit up your Bowels, and your Heart Strings burſt in ſunder; May the Birds of Heav'n defile your Head, and your unwaſh'd Body damn your Soul to future Vengeance. But more ridiculous, and impiouſly void of reaſon, is a Method they incourage by a conſtant Practice, curſing, with a ſtrange and ſenſeleſs fury, things inanimate and void of Underſtanding; if a Man affronts 'em, Camel, Horſe, or any other Beaſt of burthen checks their Will, or any accidental ſtumble o'er a Stone provokes their Paſſion, they proceed, without reflecting on the Object of their Rage, to vent theſe Curſes, Annah ſana Secteim Gaour, Annah ſana Yonnina Sicheim. That is, I raviſh'd your Mother, you Infidel, and I will raviſh her again as ſhe lies in her Grave.
The common Oaths in uſe among the Turks.THEIR common Oaths are ſuch as theſe, By Mahomet's Great Office; By the Throne of God; By the Roof of Heaven; By the Sea and Land; By the Sul⯑tan's Soul, and the hairy Scalp of my Mother.
Gaming, how far encou⯑rag'd.GAMING is ſo little prejudicial to the Turkiſh Government, that tho' the Natives much delight therein, as ſhall be ſhown hereafter, it was ne⯑ver known among this People, that Eſtates were ruin'd, and whole Families impoveriſh'd by the curs'd Effects of ſuch a vicious Practice.
[80] Drunkeneſs a prevailing Vice among them.EBRIETY, I have before inform'd my Reader, is unlawful by their Prophet's Prohibition of the uſe of Wine, or other ſtrong intoxicating Li⯑quors, yet how far this weak and diſregarded Barrier ſtops their progreſs in ſo lov'd a Vice, will be eaſily conceiv'd, when I aſſure him, that no Na⯑tion under Heaven is addicted more to frequent Drunkenneſs, than are the Turks in private Meetings.
Whoredom and Adultery but rarely practis'd.WHOREDOM, and Adultery, too much encourag'd by the Chri⯑ſtian's Practice, and alleviated commonly by the palliating Cloak of a pre⯑tended Gallantry, are ſeldom found among the Turks; the Puniſhments ſo great, and obviouſly known, and Difficulties of obtaining Female Corre⯑ſpondence ſo inſuperably hazardous, deterr them from attempting ſuch ille⯑gal Love, and the little value which they hold their Women at, the Slavery that poor unhappy Sex are there ſubjected to, and the unbounded Liberty their Laws afford 'em in promiſcuous Uſe of Wives and Concubines, excite no ſearch of ſuch unvalued Pleaſure.
The Turks are much inclin'd to Sodomy.BUT now, O black and horrid Shame! I muſt with all the deteſtation of a Christian Zeal, deſcend to ſpeak a ſhocking Truth, relating to the ſtrange and curs'd Pollution of inverted Nature, that ancient helliſh Crime, which ruin'd Sodom, and at preſent reigns among the Turks, with ſuch libi⯑dinous extravagance, that they will publickly avow their countenanc'd de⯑light in ſuch a beaſtly and inhuman Practice.
THEY have their favourite Pooſhts, or Catamites, as common as their Concubines, and ride attended to the Wars or diſtant Governments, by rich and ſplendid Numbers of theſe young Male Proſtitutes.
The means whereby the Turks grew fond of Sodomy.'TIS more than probable, that the raging Fire of this impetuous Luſt, began to flame from the original Confinement of the Turkiſh Janizaries, denied, like Roman Prieſts the liberty of Marriage; who, therefore not ſup⯑porting the unwelcome Prohibition with expected reſignation to the Will of their Commanders, broke out in looſe and wanton ſearches after un⯑known Pleaſures; and like Water, check'd in its incumber'd Chanel, ſoon doubled former force, and rapidly o'erflow'd the delug'd Banks, whoſe lof⯑ty Mounds had formerly confin'd them.
The Vice en⯑courag'd by Impunity.IMPUNITY for ſuch unnatural and encroaching Guilt, emboldens their Preſumption to ſo vaſt an height, that I remember with the greateſt horror and amazement, an unexampled Impudence I was my ſelf a witneſs of at Adrianople.
A Story of a Turk, at Adri⯑anople.SIR Robert Sutton, now Embaſſador from Her Preſent Majeſty to the Court of Conſtantinople, being juſt arriv'd in the abovenam'd City, where his Predeceſſor had ſome time expected him; it was my Duty to Congra⯑tulate his Entrance on that Dignity, which I did in company with many Britiſh Gentlemen at that time there: The Houſe in which Sr. Robert lodg'd, was ſeated pleaſantly upon a noble River, which runs along the City, and an open Kiosk or airy Summer Houſe look'd out upon the Water.
WE were ſtanding here extreamly pleas'd with the delightful Proſpect, when from the Plain upon the other ſide, we ſaw a Turk of middle Age and decent Habit, lead a Boy about Fourteen directly to the Bank which ſlop'd upon the River, where he thought himſelf ſecurely ſhelter'd from the People of a Village not far diſtant.
[81] An incredible Proof of Tur⯑kiſh Inſolence.DESCENDED to a Place convenient as he thought for the execu⯑tion of his Purpoſe, he began, to our ſurprize, and inexpreſſible confuſion, to prepare himſelf and his conſenting Catamite, for acting a Deſign ſo hateful to our ſight, and ſuch a ſtranger to our Cuſtoms, that we ſcarce believ'd our Eyes, when they beheld this Object: We hallow'd loudly to the luſtful Wretch, who turn'd his Head with ſeeming wonder to perceive us there, but ſtill perſiſted in his firſt Attempt, till ſnatching up a Fowling-piece, which lay by chance upon a Table in the Summer Houſe, I cock'd it, and preſented it againſt his Body, as if I would have ſhot him dead immedi⯑ately; at this he ſtarted, and adjuſting the diſorder of his looſned Dreſs, retir'd precipitately, with a thouſand Curſes on the Houſe and Company, for having baulk'd ſo impious an Intention.
A noted Proof of God's abhor⯑rence of the Crime.THERE is in Barbary upon the Coaſts of Fez, and in the Neighbour⯑hood of that Imperial City, a moſt ſtrange and dreadful Proof of God's Re⯑ſentment of this growing Guilt, in his ſurprizing Judgment on a certain Moor, inflicted in the very moment of the beaſtly Action: Why unbe⯑liev'd.'Tis unbeliev'd, at leaſt ſuſpected, tho' atteſted in the Works of ſeveral Authors; but that common fate of Travellers Aſſertions ſhall not make me backward in main⯑taining Truths I know; The folly of believing Tra⯑vellers more apt to lie than other People.nor will judicious Readers queſtion the Authority of any Man's Relation, for his having travell'd into other Countries; a poor, a weak, malicious Proof of Envy, and the mean effect of Judgments Want, or ſcarcity of Honour: For Men, by Nature favourers of Truth will ſtill continue ſo, what ever Place or Climate they may chance to viſit: For as Horace ſays,
The particu⯑lars of the Story.UPON a ſpacious wild unſhadow'd Common in the way from Fez to Arbacan, a Village not far diſtant, you perceive at near ſix Furlongs from the common Road, the Figure of a Turk committing Sodomy upon the Body of an Aſs, and coming nearer, led by wonder, or prevailing Curio⯑ſity, diſcover it to be an Image form'd in very hard and ſolid Stone, the Hoofs, Hide, Hair, Teeth, and Colour of the Aſs, as various and diſtinct as when alive; The Turbant of the poor unhappy Man ſeems half unty'd and hanging negligently o'er his Shoulders; A very won⯑derful Act of Providence.even the Eyebrows, Noſe, Mouth, Lips, and every Feature of his Face exactly form'd to ſpeak him living, nay, the very Rings upon his Fingers, and the Nails of either Hand remain di⯑ſtinguiſhably obvious to the common View, alike converted into Stony Subſtance, varying in its Colours anſwerable to the different Parts of that amazing Metamorphoſis it repreſents.
IT ſtands ſo ſtrong and deeply rooted in ſurrounding Earth, that nei⯑ther Man nor Aſs can poſſibly be ſeparated, nor the whole conjunctive Mo⯑nument of Sin remov'd from its Foundation; which, they ſay, has very of⯑ten been in vain attempted.
A traditional Account they give of the above-nam'd Accident.TRADITION teaches them, and they teach Travellers, that in ſome old forgotten Age, of which their ancient Records make no mention, the miſerable Wretch thus ſtrangely repreſented, frequently committed Sodomy upon the open Common, with Aſſes, Mares, and other Beaſts, which graz'd promiſcuouſly upon the publick Paſture; but that at laſt the weighty Juſtice of Almighty God o'ertook his Inſolence, and chang'd him into Stone, whilſt buſy'd in his Wickedneſs, that ſo he might remain to future Ages, an immortal Monument of Heavenly Vengeance.
[82] No ſort of Robbery much known in Turkey.HOUSE-BREAKING, Pocket-picking, and the meaner Practices of Petty-Larceny are altogether ſtrangers to the Natives of this Country; who ſo much abhorr the Perſon of a Thief, that where a Man accus'd of any Robbery, eſcapes the hand of Publick Juſtice, he will notwithſtanding, fall a Victim to the unreſiſted fury of the raging Populace; for all the Turks are ſo entirely free from fear of loſing Goods or Chattels, by the breaking up their Dwellings, that the richeſt Ware-houſes, which their City boaſts of, oft lie whole Nights unbarr'd, and open in their loweſt Windows, nor are theſe frequent Opportunities of Robbing any ways improv'd to eithers diſ⯑advantage.
A very comi⯑cal Bargain cuſtomarily made among them.BUT if they over-reach each other in their private Dealings, they do not only think it lawful, but a commendable diſcretion; and therefore 'tis a common Cuſtom with the Merchants of this Country, when they hire a Broker, Book-keeper, or other Servant, to agree, that he ſhall claim no Wa⯑ges; but, to make amends for that unprofitable diſadvantage, they give them free and uncontroul'd Authority, to Cheat them every way they can in managing their Buſineſs; but with this Proviſo, that they never muſt ex⯑ceed the privileg'd Advantage of ten per Cent; all under that, which they can fairly gain by blinding their reſpective Maſters in the ſettling their Accounts is properly their own, and by their Maſters Will, confirm'd to their Poſſeſſion.
THE Britiſh Merchants will be apt to cenſure theſe Proceedings as ridi⯑culous, and tending to incourage Knavery; but he will ſoften his Opinion, when he thinks upon the Reaſons, which they give for the permiſſion of this Cuſtom.
The Reaſons why the Turks allow this Cuſtom.THE Servant knowing he has nothing to depend on, but the Profits he muſt gain by an induſtrious Application to the art of Cheating, puts himſelf upon a wily Method of o'er-reaching others in the Goods he buys by order of his Maſter; whom he ſtrives again to over-reach, by reckoning them to his Ac⯑counts at full and current Prizes: The Maſter on the other hand well knowing, that unleſs he watches carefully his Servant's Managements, he will deceive him ten per Cent. And probably go far beyond thoſe tolerated Limits, becomes obſervant of his own Affairs, and keeps his Profits in his own Poſſeſſion.
Murder com⯑mon in the Turks Domi⯑nions.MURDER is ſo dangerouſly common in this Country, that there paſſes ſcarce a Day, wherein ſome Man or other is not kill'd: The Turks however, rarely butcher one another, but the hated Chriſtians fall in every Corner wretched Victims, to the blinded Zeal of ſuch Mad Pilgrims as re⯑turn from Meccha, or the lawleſs Inſolence of unreſtrain'd Levant's, or thoſe who Man their Ships of War; On what ac⯑count com⯑mitted by 2 ſorts of Peo⯑ple.the firſt of theſe, tranſported by the Di⯑ctates of deluſive Doctrine, aim at Heaven, by the Death of every Chriſti⯑an they may chance to meet, till they are kill'd themſelves by way of Ven⯑geance; and the laſt delight in Murder, by the bloody Conſequence of a licentious Education; ſo that you can hardly paſs the Streets of Tur⯑key, but you muſt be witneſs of an hundred Proofs of their inhumane Practices.
A Story of a Pilgrim who endeavour'd to kill the Author.ONE Day I went on board a Britiſh Veſſel in the Port of Conſtantino⯑ple, and returning to the Shore with ſeveral Europaean Gentlemen, all dreſs'd according to the Chriſtian Faſhion; we receiv'd a thouſand barba⯑rous Affronts as we were landing from the Boat, but being long inur'd to Turkiſh Inſolence, we took no notice of their ſcurrilous Expreſſions, but endeavour'd to have paſs'd 'em by, with an uncommon exerciſe of Pati⯑ence and Humility, till we perceiv'd a certain tatter'd Wretch, in Habit of [83] a Pilgrim, leaping up and down, with elevated Eyes, contracted Forehead, and a Viſage full of Paſſion and Deformity, he held a Dagger in his hand, and skip'd about with ſuch conceited violence, as made me take his zealous Tranſports, for an Air of Madneſs, ſo that thinking him ſome ſimple Antick, I laugh'd aloud at his extravagant Diverſion.
The barbarous Action of a zealous Mad⯑man.HE ſaw me laugh and made directly towards me, with his brandiſh'd Weapon, which a Greek Interpreter, endeavouring to turn aſide, receiv'd unhappily to the Hilt within his Boſom; I began at this, to change my hu⯑mour, and endeavour to prevent the proffer'd Salutation of the Pilgrim's Dagger, ſtepping back, I drew my Sword, and kept him at a diſtance ſtill retiring from his aggravated Fury, which being now encreas'd to double height by now and then a thruſt upon his Wriſt, he grew quite deſperate, and finding that he cou'd not come within my Sword, ſtep'd back a Foot or two to gather force, and threw the Dagger ſwiftly at my Breaſt, with all the Strength that Zeal and Anger cou'd ſupply his Arm with.
An odd way of reaching Heaven.PROVIDENCE perverted its deſign'd Effect, and led me to avoid the danger of its Point, by ſinking ſuddenly with Knees upon the Ground, but dreading the Event of his continued Villany, I made a ſtrong and lucky Thruſt, which pierc'd his Boſome through and through, and brought him ſtagg'ring to the Ground, to reach the Paradiſe he hop'd to gain, by ſuch a bloody Method, and inhumane Species of miſtaken Merit.
NOT one pretended to detain us from Eſcaping; but on the contrary, diſcontinued all their Inſolences, to gather numerouſly round the Body, and repeat a Prayer for his departing Soul, deſiring Mahomet to ſee the Piety of his Intention, and reward his Death with the aſſur'd Poſſeſſion of expected Glory.
A ſtrange and horrid Principle! alike deſtructive to the Turks them⯑ſelves, and Strangers in their Country, who ſeldom let the Death of an aſſaulted Friend go unreveng'd; by which means all the Trading Towns of Turkey, conſtantly afford ſucceſſive Scenes of Murder and Deſtraction.
THE wonderful Diſcovery of a barbarous Murder hap'ning in the time of my continuance in this Country, claims a Place in my Remarks for two great Reaſons; firſt, the oddneſs of the thing it ſelf, diſtinguiſhes the Accident in a ſurprizing Manner; and ſecondly, the never-ſleeping Juſtice of Almighty God, appears conſpicuouſly in the ſtrange Conviction of ſo black a Villany.
A Story of the wonderful diſcovery of a Murder.THE Sackah, or the Man who carry'd Water for the Uſe of our Em⯑baſſador at Conſtantinople, us'd to fill his Leathern Veſſels at a very deep and ancient Well not far beyond the Buildings of the City, where one Morning, he with great ſurprize beheld the lifeleſs Body of a Man without his Head, lie weltring in a ſtream of Blood; diſrob'd, and mangled in a thouſand Pla⯑ces, to diſguiſe him from the Knowledge of ſuch Travellers as might occaſi⯑onally paſs that way; A curſed Po⯑licy.the virile marks of Nature were entirely cut away, that ſo the Proofs of Circumciſion, or omiſſion of that Ceremony, might not ſpeak him Turk, or Chriſtian.
CONCERN'D to view ſo ſad a Spectacle, the melancholy Sackah ſoon return'd, and telling every Man he ſaw the Accident he met with, endleſs Crouds of curious People flock'd to ſee the headleſs Trunk of this unknown, and miſerable Object; for a Week or Two it made a mighty noiſe about the Town, and great Enquiries were for ſome time made, in or⯑der to diſcover the inhuman Author of this ſtrange Barbarity.
[84] An undeniable Inſtance of God's Care and Juſtice.BUT full three Months were now expir'd, and no news came of any Man ſo much as gueſs'd to be concern'd therein, ſo by degrees it was forgot and ſilenc'd, till the hand of Heaven thought fit to point out the un⯑dreading Villain, and deliver him to Juſtice, which he thought himſelf too wiſe to be detected by.
THERE was a public Shooting-Match with Bows and Arrows, appoin⯑ted to be held upon that very ſpot of Ground, wherein the Well was dug, near which the Body had before been found; unnumber'd Multitudes were gather'd to behold the Skill of the Competitors, and being heated by variety of Exerciſe, drew Water from the Well, and cool'd themſelves by drinking it.
The Murde⯑rers Name, and Quality.A Crowd of Men were gather'd round the Brink, and gave a ſudden Shout as if ſurpriz'd at ſome undream't of Novelty; from every corner of the Field the People ran to know the matter, and among the reſt, one Cara Muſul Alimet, a Scrivener of the City, preſs'd among the foremoſt, to de⯑mand Particulars.
HE was no ſooner come, but looking o'er the Shoulders of a Man or two, who ſtood before him, he perceiv'd to his confuſion and aſtoniſhment, that one who had deſign'd to draw up Water in the Bucket, had attracted to the Brim of the ſurrounded Well, a dead Man's Head, all pale and ghaſt⯑ly, hanging by the Hair upon the Iron of the Bucket.
A moſt pro⯑digious and amazing Acci⯑dent.HE had reaſon to appear amaz'd, and had begun to tremble when the Head fell ſuddenly from off the Pail, and tumbled ſwiftly o'er a ſloping Ground, till it arriv'd directly underneath his Feet, and there lay ſtill; its horrid Face, and dreadfull Viſage turn'd quite upwards, ſeeming to accuſe the ſilent Guilt of his confounded Murderer.
The Name and Quality of the Perſon murder'd.THE trembling Wretch, half dead with fear, confeſs'd he had been Author of the famous Murder that had been of late, ſo much diſcours'd of, telling thoſe about him, that the Name of him he kill'd, was Gurat Oglani, a Merchant of Aleppo, newly come from thence to ſell ſome Jewels he had bought a Pennyworth of the Eaſtern Caravan; that he had been directed to his Houſe, by Letters from a Friend, to lodge and board, while he conti⯑nued in the City, and that curſed Avarice had tempted his deſires to kill him on a certain Evening, near that Well, into which he threw the Head, and had ſo cut and mangled all the Body, that he knew 'twou'd be impoſſi⯑ble it ſhou'd be known, or gueſs'd at.
A very curi⯑ous and parti⯑cular Obſer⯑vation.CONFESSION was enough to gain a Sentence for the Villain's Death, who being broken on a Wheel directly in the Place, the Murder was committed in, acknowledg'd it to be as near as he cou'd gueſs, that ve⯑ry Spot whereto the Head had roll'd, and ſtop'd beneath his Feet, when firſt he own'd the monſtrous Action.
The Turks more prone to Vice than Vertue.THUS much ſhall ſerve to have ſpoken of the Turkiſh Morals, who are generally more inclin'd to Vice than Vertue; and tho' there are ſome Men ſincerely Pious ſound among them, yet are the greateſt Part of thoſe, who paſs for Men of zealous, and religious Principles, but ſeemingly affected [85] with the love of Piety, and rather honeſt by the fear of Puniſhment for acting wickedly, than by the pungent Dictates of a tender Conſcience; directly contrary to the Vertuous Man, whom Horace thus deſcribes in the 16th Epiſtle of his firſt Book.
I lead my Reader now to view their Trade, which with their vari⯑ous and peculiar Arts of Management therein, will be the only Subject of the following Chapter.
CHAP. XI. Of their Trade, Foreign and Domeſtick.
The Turks not ignorant of the Advanta⯑ges of Trade.THE numerous Advantages of Foreign Trade, and vaſt Improve⯑ments which thoſe Nations make, to whom, the Benefits of an extended Commerce open great and glorious Bleſſings, are ſo en⯑tirely known and envied by the Turkiſh Court, that they reflect, with grief, upon thoſe Maxims of their Policy, whoſe rigid Dictates have confin'd their Traffick to the meaner Profits of Domeſtick Correſpondence.
THEY would willingly abate the rigour of their Laws, to taſt the Sweets of ſo deſir'd a Liberty, but fear the breaking one Decree ſhould ſhock another; Why not encourag'd by their Government.for 'twould be full as dangerous to a Turkiſh Sultan to per⯑mit a Traffick Foreign and Domeſtick, and thereby, let his People grow more Rich and Wiſe, as ſhould ſome heedleſs Sailor in tempeſtuous Wea⯑ther ſtrike a Window thro the Sides of a deep loaden Veſſel to admit the Light, and thereby let in dangerous Waves to ſink the Ship in a tumul⯑tuous Ocean; however, their eſteem for Trade, and inclinations to encou⯑rage it, as far as may conſiſt with the Security of the Sultan and his Power, may be diſcover'd by the Efforts us'd to draw as many Merchants to the Harbours of their Empire, as may ſettle a continued Commerce with the Turks, from the reſpective Nations which they all belong to.
The glorious Titles of the Turks Metropo⯑lis. CONSTANTINOPLE is to this end nam'd, The Harbour of the Ʋniverſe; Throne of Splendour, and The Seat of Riches: But the common Title, which both Turks and Chriſtians give that City, is, The Ottoman Port, and by that Name alone we generally expreſs it.
[86] SINCE then their want of Skill in Maritime Affairs, and the diſcoun⯑tenance of the Supreme and Arbitrary Power, forbid their ſending Ships a⯑broad, let us proceed to ſee what Foreign Nations condeſcend to ſell the Manufactures of their Country in a Turkiſh Market.
The Britiſh Factory at Conſtantinople.AND firſt, the Trade we manage with theſe People is ſo great and ad⯑vantageous, that the Right Worſhipful the Turkey Company employ a worthy and a numerous Factory at Conſtantinople, conſiſting commonly of five or ſix and twenty Merchants, with their Servants and Dependants, for whoſe Protection and Encouragement, the Kings and Queens of En⯑gland, The Antiqui⯑ty of the Tur⯑key Company.ſince the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, have ſtill maintain'd ſome wiſe Embaſſadour at the Turkiſh Court, whoſe prudent Managements, have all along preſerv'd a ſure Eſtabliſhment of profitable Commerce, and de⯑fended both their Perſons, Character, and Factory, from thoſe affrontive In⯑ſolences, and audacious Impoſitions, which the haughty Carriage of the Sultan's Ministers, have often offer'd with ſucceſs to other Nations.
The Factory at Aleppo.ANOTHER Britiſh Factory is ſettled at Aleppo, under the direction of a Conſul of our Nation, but that City ſtanding far from any Port but Scanderoon, or Alexandrietta, a little Town which borders on Cilicia, and lies in 39 Degrees of Northern Latitude, that is the Harbour whence the Goods are carried to and from Aleppo, by the Merchant Ships of our and o⯑ther Nations.
The other at Smyrna. SMYRNA has its Factory and Conſul, and in ſome meaſure Rivals both the other in the richneſs of its Traffick; many other Places ſubject to the Turk have their peculiar Conſuls, but are inconſiderable in reſpect of the aforenam'd Cities, and dependant on the Plenipotentiary Authority of the Embaſſadour reſiding at the Port.
The Goods of Britiſh Manu⯑facture, com⯑monly expor⯑ted into Tur⯑key.THE Goods exported to theſe Wealthy Factors, on the Ships be⯑longing to the Turkey Company, are chiefly Cloath, Lead, Tin, Pewter, Li⯑nen, Coral, and the fineſt Iron, all which Merchandices are eſteem'd at profitable Rates, and turn to good Account if rightly manag'd.
Sugar how carry'd thi⯑ther. BRITISH Veſſels often ſail to Lisbon, where they take in Cargo's of Brazil, ſtrong Cheſted Sugars, which they carry on to Smyrna, Scanderoon, or Conſtantinople, and diſpoſe of to a Profit ſometimes reaching Cent per Cent, and always near it.
Gunpowder a profitable Commodity.GUN-POWDER yields conſiderable Gain, and ever finds a ſpeedy vent, the Turks not skill'd in making it ſo well, and eagerly ingroſſing any Quantity the Chriſtians will afford them.
Fire-arms how valued.FIREARMS of all ſorts, will be ſure to meet a ready Purchaſe, and the Muſquets of a ſtrong, true Britiſh Bore, are ſo eſteem'd in every Part of Turkey, that they ſtick at nothing reaſonable in the Price, provided they are ſuffer'd to approve their Value by a Shot or two's Experience.
Pitch, Tar, and Rozin. PITCH, Tarr, and Rozin, are exported thither in conſiderable Quan⯑tities; for tho' the Conqueſts of the Turks, and Nations Tributary to their Government, afford far more than they can poſſibly conſume, they not⯑withſtanding, value that which comes from Britain, and will barter for it with a double Weight of what they have among them, which is often brought again to ſeveral Parts of England, and there diſpos'd of at full the Price the firſt had coſt 'em.
[87] Clocks and Watches much eſteem'd of.ALL ſorts of Clocks and Watches made in Britain, are in Turkey vendible Commodities, with many other valuable Merchandices frequently export⯑ed into the Grand Signior's Country, and affording very large and eaſy Profit.
Goods impor⯑ted by the Turkey Mer⯑chants.THE Britiſh Merchants in return for theſe, import vaſt quantities of Grograms, Camlets, Tiſſues, Velvets, and raw Silk in great abundance; fine Rhubarb, Opium, Aloes, Balm of Gilead, Caſſia, Coffee, and a thouſand other Drugs of noted Efficacy in Medicinal Operations.
FINE Cochineal, Gum-Maſtick, Terra Sigillata, Indico and Cotton; rich Sherbets, Cavear, and Carpets of a noble Size, and wrought beyond Com⯑pariſon; Embroider'd Muſlins, Silks, and Handkerchiefs, or curious Work⯑manſhip in Gold on Leather, with a number more of ſuch like Manufactures, profitably pleaſant to induſtrious Traders, are imported with an unknown Gain, from ſeveral Harbours of the Sultan's Empire.
Shagreen, how made, and whence imported.ANOTHER ſort of Merchandice imported thence, is Leather of all ſorts, prepar'd and unprepar'd, beſides which the Country yields great quan⯑tities of Seals-Skins, Goats-Skins, and the Wild Aſs's-Hide, whereof they make the beſt Shagreen in uſe amongſt us.
PISTACHES, Almonds, Dates, dried Quinces, Marmalade, and Fruits of all ſorts, are by Foreign Merchants, bought at very low and rea⯑ſonable Prices, whence, tranſported to the ſeveral Ports of Chriſtian Coun⯑tries, they are ſold to great advantage.
The Hollan⯑ders Conveni⯑ences, in tra⯑ding with the Turks.NEXT to the Britiſh Factory, the Hollanders maintain the greateſt Trade with Turkey, dealing for the ſame Commodities; but ſending Ships much larger and at half the Charges, they (for the moſt part) make the beſt Returns, and ſpeedieſt Voyages.
The ungene⯑rous Policy of France in re⯑ſpect to Turkey.THE French as well as thoſe laſt nam'd, maintain Embaſſadours at Con⯑ſtantinople; but with this difference, that the firſt deſign thereby no other Intereſt than their Factories Proſperity, whereas the laſt have other ends di⯑rectly contrary; and by preſerving a perpetual Amity between their Mo⯑narch and the Sultan, endeavour ſtill at every favourable Opportunity, to ſtirr that People up to War againſt ſuch Nations as are Enemies to France; by ſuch unchriſtian Practices imagining to gain ſome ſure Advantage, by the great Diverſion which the Turk muſt make, invading Chriſten⯑dom.
The Jews the only Brokers for the Turkiſh Merchants.I have before inform'd my Reader, that the Jews are Brokers to the Tur⯑kiſh Merchants, and indeed on them lies all the management of publick Traffick; People fram'd by Nature with a Conſcience and Capacity, alike en⯑dued to cheat the Ʋniverſe; they grow by theſe means ſoon extreamly Great and Wealthy, but the Turkiſh Miniſters have learn'd a Leſſon, how to ſqueeze a Grape when ripe and juicy, to the beſt advantage.
Domeſtic Trade, how carry'd on.THE utmoſt of their Foreign Trade is now expreſs'd, I next proceed to ſpeak of their Domeſtic Traffick, which is partly carried on by Coaſting Veſſels ſailing cautiouſly at little diſtance from the Shore, and partly by the Caravans or Land Conveniencies, which are conſtantly in motion, and ex⯑port the Manufactures of one Part of their Dominions to another.
THEIR Navigation, as I have before declar'd, is mean and far inferior to the Chriſtian's Skill, and therefore they are backward in the hazarding Commodities by Sea, unleſs in Trade with Iſlands, or a Country they may [88] reach with eaſe and ſafety; How far the Turks employ their Ships in Trade.thus they ſend their Ships to load with Goods, from Cyprus, Candy, Rhodes, and all the Iſlands of the Archipelago, and ſometimes venture with conſiderable Fleets to Alexandria, Scanderoon, and certain other Ports of Barbary and Egypt.
The Trade of Turkey with the Euxine or Black-Sea.THE Euxine, or Black-Sea, has a peculiar Fleet of Ships appropriated to the Trade the Turks maintain, with all its Harbours, whence they deal for little elſe but Timber, and ſupplies of Slaves to ſerve their Uſes, which are ſold them annually by the ſalvage Tartars, who in their deſtructive Ra⯑vages, and deep Incurſions into Poland, Ruſſia, Muſcovy, and other bordering Chriſtian Territories, ſpare nor Sex, nor Age, nor Quality, but carry all in equal Fetters, to the ſhame and torment of perpetual Slavery.
THE Caravans of Turkey, are miſtaken generally by the vulgar notions entertain'd among our common People, who, miſled by their affinity of Name with certain Carriages in uſe amongſt us, think 'em large unweildy Waggons, which contain a multitude of Paſſengers; What a Tur⯑kiſh Caravan is.whereas the true and genuine meaning of the Turkiſh Etymology is Haraa-vahan, that is to ſay, a mix'd Conveniency, and ſuch are all the Caravans of Turkey, conſiſting of un⯑equal Numbers of aſſembled Merchants, Travellers, and Pilgrims, from Fifty to an Hundred, Thouſand, and ſo on to ſometimes Fifty, Sixty, Seven⯑ty, or an Hundred Thouſand Souls.
The Order they obſerve in all their Caravans.OVER theſe promiſcuous Multitudes preſides a certain Officer, diſtin⯑guiſh'd by the Name of Caravan-Baſhaw, or Captain of the Caravan; he con⯑ſtitutes inferiour Officers, puniſhes Diſorders, regulates Abuſes, and pre⯑ſerving fix'd tranquility and peace throughout their Journey, guards 'em with a number of ſelected Soldiers, from the ſcatter'd Parties of Arabian Horſemen, who are all profeſs'd Free-booters, and will oft attack a Number ten times larger than their own, and carry off the Merchandice and Camels in the Rear in ſpite of all the oppoſition can be made againſt them.
The method Travellers muſt take in Turkey.TRAVELLERS agree with this commanding Officer, for ſuch a ſum of ready Money, to be ſerv'd with Carriage and Proviſion (if they pleaſe) for any Journey; and by means of theſe continual motions of the Caravans from every corner, they are conſtantly ſupplied with all the richeſt Pro⯑ducts of their diſtant Manufactures, and the fineſt Jewels, Porcelane, and the reſt of the Commodities, abounding in the moſt remote Diviſions of Eaſt-India, Perſia, China, or the Aromatic Confines of Arabia Felix.
The Turks ex⯑act great Cuſtom for imported Goods.'TWAS long before the Turks had learn'd the benefit of making Fo⯑reign Goods pay Cuſtom of Admiſſion, but when once they taſted the Ad⯑vantage it might bring them, they proceeded to exact ſuch vaſt, unreaſo⯑nable Sums, that Christian Traders find themſelves oblig'd to raiſe the for⯑mer Prices of their Goods, the better to enable them to bear the Impo⯑ſition.
Mechanic Skill, divided into 2 ex⯑treams.AS for the Skill this People boaſt in their Mechanick Profeſſions, it is dif⯑ferently great or ſmall, according to the Inclinations of the Natives in gene⯑ral, or particular Genius of the Tradeſmen of that Country. Some Handi⯑crafts fall vaſtly ſhort of ours in Britain; others far excel the fam'd Artificers of even the moſt refin'd and celebrated Parts of Chriſtendom.
The Turks ex⯑cellent at Embroidery.THUS in the Art of Sowing, or Embroid'ring on Leather, with a party colour'd Silk, or golden Wire, they have reach'd ſo great a pitch of Excellence, that not the niceſt Needles of our moſt induſtrious Houſewives can by any means compare with their Perfection.
[89] Extreamly ig⯑norant in Clock-Work and Ingraving.AGAIN, in Clock-Work, or the curious Arts of Cutting or Engraving Metals, they are skill'd ſo poorly, that they underſtand not good from worthleſs Work, but will alike encourage every ignorant and idle Vagabond, and the accompliſh'd Maſter of the niceſt Operation.
The Turkiſh art of damasking their Scyme⯑tars.THE Turks have reach'd peculiar Excellence in Damasking their Scy⯑metars, whereby they do not only ſtrengthen, but adorn the Metal with a fine and ſtreaky Subſtance, yielding a delicious Scent, and odoriferous Per⯑fume, ſurprizingly agreable to ſuch as draw their Weapons unawares and ſuddenly.
THERE is a Notion commonly receiv'd, but falſe and groundleſs, as is well obſerv'd by Monſieur Tavernier, in the two hundred and thirtieth Page of his Perſian Travels; viz. That all ſuch Scymetars are brought from Damas, or Damaſcus, and can no where elſe be made, when it is certain and notorious truth, that they are done as well in many other Parts of the Grand Signior's Empire.
An Error in the Aſſertion of Monſieur Tavernier.BUT as 'tis difficult almoſt beyond ſurmounting, to avoid aſſerting ſome erroneous Probability, while we zealouſly endeavour to reform the falſe Opi⯑nions of the Men we ſpeak to, ſo the Author lately mention'd, to correct one Error hath produc'd another, for to undeceive ſuch People as imagin'd Steel was only damask'd at Damaſcus, he informs his Reader that Golconda does alone afford a Metal capable of that Impreſſion; when it is not only practis'd in the Cities of Aleppo, Smyrna, Cairo, Conſtantinople, and an hun⯑dred other Parts of Turkey; but in many Provinces of Chriſtian Countries; I my ſelf once bought a Sword at Hambourgh of a Cutler, who for ten Pence more than his demanded Price, both damask'd and perfum'd it to ſo high a pitch that it retain'd the Scent for ſome Years after.
The manner of damasking.THIS is done by heating to a moderate degree, the Metal you wou'd damask; and inſtead of cooling it as uſual, by the dipping it in Water, twiſting round it a rough Canvas Towel, purpoſely permitted for an hour or two, to lie and ſoak in Milk and Fountain Water, wherein has been diſſolv'd a certain quantity of Vitriol, Sal-Armoniac, and ſome other ſuch like Com⯑poſitions.
The Turks ex⯑quiſite at ma⯑king Bows and Arrows.BOWS and Arrows they have learn'd the Art to make with wonderful dexterity, and can in Steel or Wood, not only ſhape them to an exquiſite Perfection, but contrive them even for Ʋſe, far better and more laſting than the celebrated Archers of the Indian Countries can pretend to e⯑qual.
CARPENTERS, Joyners, Maſons, Smiths, and other Artiſans of Turkey, tho' they are extreamly skill'd in their reſpective Trades, according to the Cuſtoms of the Nations they inhabit, cannot boaſt that admirable Genius which at preſent ſhines in the conſpicuous Improvements of our Europaean Arts, but labour hardly under the oppreſſive weights of Ignorance and Tyranny.
Painting ill underſtood in Turkey.PAINTING, is in Turkey little underſtood, becauſe they look on repreſenting any human Image, or a Being bleſt with Life, as groſs Idola⯑try, and a black abomination in the ſight of God; on which account they have maliciouſly defac'd un-number'd Pieces of Antiquity, by beating off the Heads, or picking out the Eyes of every painted Figure, or accompliſh'd Sculpture, which they had the undeſerv'd good Fortune to become the Maſters of, in their ſucceſſive Conqueſts.
[90] Their manner of Painting.HOWEVER, ſome there are, who Paint in Miniature, and repreſent in fine and laſting Water Colours, great variety of Fruits and Flowers, and ſometimes Landskips, but 'tis rarely known, that any can attain a tolerable Skill in the expreſſive Doctrine of a true Proportion.
AND yet they ſeem ambitious in the ſearch of new Improvements, and wou'd gladly reach the White they aim at, while puſh'd forward to a vi⯑gorous deſire of an encreaſe of Knowledge, by the placing as ſublime a Value on the Excellence of Art, as is expreſs'd by the Greek Hipparchus, in the following Verſes.
The Cauſe of Turkiſh Igno⯑rance in Arts.BUT what ſhall Man preſume to ſay, when the Almighty Juſtice of an over-ruling Providence, permits a poor and miſerable People, to continue groaning under the reſiſtleſs Torments of a ſervile Bondage, to the arbitra⯑ry Sway of an unbounded Monarchy, whoſe barbarous Policy permits no light of Learning, to diſperſe the Gloom of an encourag'd Ignorance.
BEFORE I end the Chapter I am now upon, I will propoſe a uſe⯑ful and an eaſy way of Gain, to any, who had rather hazard and fatigue their Perſons by embracing ſuch a Proſpect as will give them more than hopes of great Advantages, than ſit contentedly in idle Shame and Poverty at Home, indulging the deficiencies of blinded Reaſon, by a long neglect of active Induſtry.
A uſefull Pro⯑ject for a skill⯑full Brewer. LONDON contains an unknown number of ingenious Brewers, who for want of Stock to carry on a creditable Trade, are forc'd to live in mean Conditions, Servants to the wealthier and more thriving Brothers of the ſame Profeſſion: Let ſuch as theſe conſider well their preſent Circum⯑ſtances, and learn by what I now proceed to treat of, how they may im⯑prove them.
BRANDY, Wine, and all ſtrong Liquors known in Turkey, are un⯑lawfull to their Uſe, by the aforeſaid Prohibition of their Prophet Mahomet, yet are theſe People ſo inclin'd to drinking, that for want of other pleaſing Be⯑verages they will often venture publick Scandal, and ſevereſt Puniſhments, to ſatisfie the Call of their inſatiate Appetites, by drinking Wine in ſuch prodigious quantities, that I forbear to mention what my Eyes have often witneſs'd, leſt it ſhou'd with difficulty gain belief.
NOW this exceſſive love of Wine, proceeds from nothing elſe but their complain'd-of Ignorance, in Brewing other Liquors, The Turks ex⯑treamly fond of Engliſh Beerfor I frequently ob⯑ſerv'd that when an Engliſh Ship had brought ſome Bottles of our Country Beer or Ale to Turkey, and preſented 'em to ſuch as afterwards wou'd com⯑pliment the noted Turks of their Acquaintance with a ſhare in drinking them, they conſtantly expreſs'd a wonderfull Eſteem, and eager Inclination to obtain a Quantity, aſſuring us repeatedly, that cou'd they make ſuch [91] Drink themſelves, they never ſhou'd be tempted to commit a Sin, by breaking thro' their Prophet's Order to forbear the Uſe of Wine and Brandy.
NOTHING can be poſſibly more eaſily accompliſh'd than the uni⯑verſal Wiſh of Turks and Graecians upon this occaſion, wou'd ſome En⯑gliſh Brewer skill'd in his Profeſſion, make a Voyage into Turkey, purpoſely to uſe his beſt endeavours for the introducing common uſe of Beer or Ale, inſtead of Water.
FOR firſt, I have ſufficiently explain'd my Reaſons, to believe the Na⯑tives of that Country wou'd with pleaſure drink it, and the Price by no means cou'd retard the Practice, Malt, incredi⯑bly Cheap in Turkey.for ſo cheap is Malt throughout their Empire, that they feed their pooreſt Horſes with the beſt of Barley, and with ſo much eaſe might he expect to thrive herein, that tho' he ſold the Liquor he ſhou'd brew, at not ſo great a Price as a Quart a Penny, he muſt ſoon grow rich, by more than Cent. per Cent. clear Profit, in his Dealings.
BUT ſo far beyond this loweſt computation, may he reckon his Ad⯑vantage, that I can experimentally aſſure him, he might ſell it (and be ne⯑ver thought too dear) at full the Price it bears in London; nor wou'd the Turks think more too much, or if they ſhou'd, the very Factory it ſelf, ex⯑cluding all the other Chriſtians there reſiding, wou'd enrich him ſpee⯑dily, provided he took care to manage well the brewing all his Liquors.
Some Ob⯑jections an⯑ſwer'd.IF any timorous Man objects the Inconvenience of ſo long a Voyage, his being altogether unacquainted with the Country and its Language, and his want of Friends to help on his Deſign, thoſe difficulties ſoon will vaniſh when I tell him, he may bargain for his Paſſage on an Engliſh Ship, and be ſupplied with all Proviſions even to Conſtantinople, for conſiderably leſs than twenty Pounds, that he will land within a few Stones throws of the Em⯑baſſadours Houſe, to whom the Captain muſt of courſe preſent him, if de⯑ſign'd to ſettle there, that he is bound to grant him his Protection and En⯑couragement, that he may have a Druggerman, or an Interpreter to wait upon him for a little Charge, and ſtill converſing with his Countrymen, maintain a Trade almoſt as free and uncontroul'd as if in England.
The probabi⯑lity of the Projects meet⯑ing with ſuc⯑ceſs.I beg the Reader's pardon now, and ſhou'd before have beg'd his Patience, for this long digreſſion, but have ſaid thus much to tempt the Inclinations of ſome more ſprightly Men than ordinary, to attempt a Project that can no ways hurt them, but can boaſt of more than ſingle probability to advance their Fortunes. If it does the Good for which it is intended, I am fully ſa⯑tisfied, if none believe it worth their while to put in Practice, I ſhall ſtill remain alike contented.
Why the Turks are more deficient in the point of Trade than we.I have ſaid as much of both their Foreign and Domeſtick Trade, as either Subject will afford, and if you think it not proportionable to that mighty Bulk, and far-extended Power of their arbitrary Government, conſider them as People altogether ſtrangers to the peaceful Practices of correſpondent Juſtice, a Nation built on Ruin and the Sword, and in its rude Original entirely void of Honesty and Commerce. If then this great unweildy Body has of late deſcended to the thoughts of Traffick, you muſt look upon it only as a Branch of their prodigious Oak, and conſequently flouriſhing in far leſs bright and e⯑mulative Splendour, than our Chriſtian Arts of Trade and Navigation, which are the ſtrong and ſtately Trunks of our more thriving Trees of Profit, by whoſe celebrated Sap, and vegetative Juice, thoſe ſpreading Limbs are ſtill ſupplied, and richly nouriſh'd with a never-failing and conſummate Plenty.
CHAP. XII. Of the Turkiſh Habits.
[92]GOVERNMENTS ſo abſolute and tyrannical as that of Turkey, give us little reaſon, by the Notions we conceive of their unpo⯑liſh'd Conſtitution, to expect Examples of a common Decency, much leſs exact Oeconomy, from the untaught and ruſtical Deport⯑ment of their rough Inhabitants.
An exemplary Prudence of the Turks in point of dreſs.YET to my great ſurprize, I found the Turks in many things, I ſpeak it with concern, more prudent, or at leaſt more orderly, than any part of Chriſtendom, particularly ſo in that accompliſh'd Regularity obſerv'd among them in reſpect to Dreſs; you may with eaſe diſtinguiſh there, the Miſtreſs from her Waiting Maid, and know the Quality of any Man you meet by the peculiar Ornaments of his reſtrain'd Appearance; there, no Footmen huff along ridiculouſly vain, as if they wore their Maſter's Honour in the lining of his Livery: Thoſe look great among the Turks, who really are ſo, and a mo⯑deſt Carriage, and ſincere Humility adorn the Perſons of the common People.
Men oblig'd to dreſs accor⯑ding to their Quality.DRESSES are as Marks, whereby to know the Men you meet, tho' Strangers to your View, and pay the nice Punctilio's of Reſpect, which are requir'd from every Quality to thoſe above and thoſe below them; but the Head, as commonly eſteem'd the nobleſt Part, is always choſe to bear the Mark of an injoin'd Diſtinction, nor is it poſſible to ſpeak in any reaſonable Compaſs, of the ſtrange Varieties among their Faſhions, every Rank of Men, or different Order, being more or leſs diſtinguiſh'd from the other, by ſome anſwerable Turn of Habit and Appearance; I proceed to treat diſtinctly of as many as may prove diverting to the Reader, or deſerving of his Notice.
The Turks obſerve the Cuſtom of the Ancients in reſpect of Habit.THE ancient Cuſtom of the Eaſtern Nations, who delighted much in long and open Habits, is to this Day prevalent among the Turks; nor do they ever change the Faſhion of their Dreſs, eſteeming little ſuch as are miſled to frequent Alterations of the Cloaths they wear, and hating with a fix'd and rancour'd Enmity, the modiſh Shape of Chriſtian Habits, aſſerting that by openly expoſing Legs and Thighs, and wearing Coats ſo ſhort and cloſe, we do not only act immodeſtly, but by the Follies of a fond, fantaſtic, and af⯑fected Levity, (for which they willfully miſtake our Conge's and genteel De⯑portment) entirely rob our ſelves of that grave Majeſty, which ſhou'd di⯑ſtinguiſh Man from other Creatures.
The Mahome⯑tan Lock.THEY ſhave their Heads as ſoon as Circumcis'd, and ſtill continue to renew that Practice through their riper Years, permitting only one ſmall Lock to grow upon their Crowns to an uncommon length, which being daily comb'd and ſcented by the Barber's Art, is twiſted with a neat and won⯑derfull dexterity, then faſt'ned in a Knot and ſuffer'd to remain unloos'd beneath their Turbants.
[93] The common Notion of it falſe and groundleſs.RIDICULOUS and groundleſs is the common Notion, that the Turks expect to be receiv'd by Mahomet from Earth to Paradiſe, their Prophet holding them by the above-nam'd Lock of Hair (thence call'd Maho⯑metan.)
An exemplary Piety of cer⯑tain poor and miſerable Chriſtians.THEY rather wear it as a voluntary Mark of their Profeſſion of his Faith, as many Chriſtians, now inhabiting the miſerable Countries of Bul⯑garia, Georgia, Servia, and Sclavonia, invent an Art, to ſtain by application of a certain Juice, the tender Foreheads of their New-born Children with the Forms of Croſſes, that when afterward, grown up, and ſubject to the arro⯑gance of Turkiſh Neighbours, they muſt keep their Faith in ſpite of Perſecuti⯑on, or expoſe their Perſons to the ſcorn of Chriſtians, and be ſhun'd for⯑ever in their baſe Apoſtacy.
The ſhape and ſubſtance of the Turkiſh Shirts.THEIR Shirts are form'd alike, for Men and Women, open in the Sleeves, which ſome Men wear near half Yard broad; they make 'em of a ſort of Callico, Crape, or Muſlin, without either Neck or Wriſt-band; never ſuff'ring any Linen to appear when they are dreſs'd; a pair of Drawers tie upon the Shirt, of the ſame Stuff, and reaching looſely to their very Ancles; Shackſheers or Drawers.over theſe they draw their Britches, call'd Shackſheers in the Turkiſh Language, made of Scarlet, or a Violet colour'd Cloath; and reaching like the former to the Inſtep, where, being gather'd at the bottom commonly three quarters round, they ſtrongly ſow 'em to a ſort of Leathern Houſe-ſhooes, ſoft and yellow, and contriv'd exactly to the ſhape of every Foot; theſe they call M [...]ſts, which ſerve within Doors while they ſit or walk on their embroidred Carpet; Papooches, or their walking Slippers.for they leave at entrance into any Houſe their walking Slippers or Papooches, made with ſmooth and yellow upper Leathers, and the Sole extreamly thin, but ſo well beaten that it will reſiſt the Dirt or Water in their Streets to admiration, they are made without the ſmalleſt Heel, inſtead of which they uſe a piece of Iron fram'd exactly like a Horſe-ſhooe; they are ſhap'd like Womens Slippers with a ſharp and picked Toe, and come not half way up the Inſtep, ſo that by the ſmoothneſs of the outſide of the inner, and the inſide of the outer Shooes, I often kick'd 'em off as I was walking in the Streets, nor can a Stranger keep 'em on his Feet till uſe has made 'em eaſy to his motion.
The Inconve⯑niencies of wearing 'em.ANOTHER Inconvenience which attends the wearing theſe above-nam'd Slippers, is the cuſtom they have got of leaving 'em without, like Womens Clogs, at every Door they chance to enter, ſo that often, when I have been preſent at their ſtately Viſits, Feaſts, or Publick Ceremonies, com⯑ing out amidſt a Crowd of People, I have ſometimes found my Slippers chang'd, and others, ſoil'd, and not worth wearing, left me in their room, nay very often have been forc'd to walk thro' all the Dirt, with nothing on my Feet but Meſts, which letting in the wet, were worſe than if I had gone home barefooted; Coaches are not found in Turkiſh Cities, as eſteem'd an idle Proof of an Effeminate Indulgence.
The ſhape of Turkiſh Boots.THEY ride on Horſe-back with a great delight, and wear a ſort of Boots unable long to keep out Water, they are ſhap'd at bottom like the Shooe's above deſcrib'd, and made, but weakly, of the ſame ſmooth Leather, reaching to their Knees, and large enough to hold with eaſe, the numerous Gathers of their ſpacious Britches.
Their Waſt-coats.A Doublet made of thin ſtrip'd Silk, or Stuff, convenient for a Summer wear, is form'd without the ſhorteſt Sleeves; and reaching to the Hipp, is folded, one ſide o'er another, and faſtned on the left with Loop and Button.
[94] Another ſort of Waſt-coat.OVER this they wear a Dolamann, or long looſe Robe of Callico or Muſlin in the heat of Summer, in the Winter made of Silks or Stuffs, em⯑broider'd richly, or not at all, according to the Quality of thoſe, who wear 'em. Theſe reach, like Ladies Night-gowns to the Ground, of ſpacious breadth at bottom; the Sleeves are cloſe and button at the Wriſt, where they turn back with Facings of the ſame; they button alſo at the Neck, whence one ſide ſloping o'er the other, they are faſtned in the ſame place and manner with the under Waſtcoat juſt now treated of.
The richneſs of their Gir⯑dles.THEY bind theſe Dolamanns with Silk or Muſlin Girdles, of a length ſufficient to allow three rounds about the Body; after which, they tie an artificial double Knot before, and twiſt each over-plus within the Girdle to the right and left; the ends of theſe long Scarfs embroider'd purpoſely, or richly flower'd with Gold and Silver, finely intermix'd with Perſian Silks of various Colours.
A ſort of Winter Gown to wear in Houſes.AT home in Summer they have nothing on beſides, ſtill turning up the Corners of their Dolamann within their Girdles; but in Winter, moſt Men in their Houſes, wear a ſort of looſe, and open Gown, which reaches to their Knees; ſome lin'd with Silk, and ſome with Furrs, ſome having open Sleeves, and ſome not any; all according to the different Inclinations of the Men who wear 'em.
A coſtly ſort of Lining.WHEN they go abroad, they let down conſtantly the Corners of their Dolomann, and put on Blue, or Scarlet, ſometimes Green, long Robes which train upon the Ground, lin'd thro' with Ermin, Squirrels-Furr, good Fox-Skins, Rats, or Sables, ſome of which are very coſtly, and can ſcarce be bought for fifteen hundred Dollars.
A noble ſort of Robe, not much unlike the Roman Mantle.SOME delight in wearing light and unlin'd Silken Robes, not much un⯑like the Dreſs wherein we often ſee the ancient Hero's painted looſely o'er their Armour, they are faſtned with a Silver, Gold, or Diamond Claſp above the Breaſt, thence falling back with admirable Grace, and ſpreading with an hundred airy Folds, wide, broad, and ſtately, from their Manly Shoulders.
The fineneſs of their Daggers.GLOVES they wear not, nor appear with Scymetars but when they Travel; all the Arms they bear about 'em, is the ſhort Hanjarr or Dagger, which I mention'd in the Chapter of their Military Government, which being thruſt within their Saſh, on the left ſide thereof, does often ſhine with precious Stones, and other rich and ſplendid Marks of the Authority and Grandeur of the Man who wears it.
The Quality of Turks, di⯑ſtinguiſh'd by their Turbants.THEIR Heads, as I have ſaid before, diſtinguiſhing their Quality, are differently dreſs'd by different degrees of People; yet they all affect the wearing Turbants, ſome of Muſlin, ſome of Silk, and ſome of Callico; the various Colours, Forms, and Magnitudes whereof, contain the Marks of Splendour or Subjection. The Muftee wears one bigger than a Buſhel, yet not heavy, nor any ways incommodious. The Sultan wears his ſomewhat leſs, and differently twiſted; the Grand-Vizier, Lord-Treaſurer, and other Officers, whether Civil, or Military, are each oblig'd to wear a Turbant anſwerable to their Quality.
Their ſeveral Colours.THE faſhionable Colour of theſe Turbants is a ſpotleſs White; tho' they are ſometimes worn of Black, Red, Yellow, or of any other unmix'd Colour, (for a ſtrip'd, or ſpeckled Turbant is a Mark whereby they know a Chriſtian, who muſt never wear one of a pure and ſingle Colour.) Green is the pecu⯑liar Property of thoſe Emir's, or Kindred of their Prophet, which I long [95] ſince ſpoke of, a Turk is Puniſh'd if he dares preſume to Wear it on his Head unleſs Intit'led to it: But a Chriſtian ſo offending, is without the ſmalleſt hopes of Pardon, inſtantly Condemn'd to a Renunciation of his Faith, or muſt aſſert it by the Trial of a Painfull Martyrdom.
The Dreſs of common Peo⯑ple.THE Meaner ſort of People go Bare-Leg'd, with Girdles twiſted round their Middles, and a Dirty Towel wrapt about their Heads, or ſometimes a ſmall Scarlet Skull-cap, covering their Crown, and reaching to the tops of both their Ears, which is the only cover that the Ser⯑vants Wear throughout all Turkey, who tho' ſomewhat better dreſs'd than are the other common People, yet in this Reſtriction are not much above them, that is, they muſt not Wear thoſe looſe Furr Gowns de⯑noting Power, but be contented with a tight cloſe-body'd Dreſs, which ſpeaks their Servitude.
The Dreſs of Turkiſh Ladies at home.THEIR Womens Dreſs at Home is juſt the ſame, in Britches, Slip⯑pers, Shirts and Waſtcoats, with the Mens before deſcrib'd, upon their Heads they Wear a ſort of Paſt-board like a four-ſquare Trencher, cover'd over with Embroid'red Muſlin; to certain Silver points on whoſe ex⯑treameſt Edges, their Perfum'd and Scented Hair is faſtn'd, ſo that, twiſted into ſeveral Locks, and Hanging with a ſort of eaſy Freedom round their Heads, adorn'd with Ribbands, Diamonds and an hundred different ſorts of Glitt'ring Stones, it gives a gracefull Look, and amiable Air to the appearance of the Turkiſh Ladies.
TIS but very rarely that they go abroad, and then to no Place but the publick Bagnio's, or the Funeral, or Marriage, of ſome near Relation; but when they do they cover their above-nam'd Head-Dreſs with a Linen Muffler, which Meeting with another Piece of Black and Shining Silk that hides the upper Part of their Faces, nothing but their Eyes and Noſe can poſſibly be ſeen.
THEY hide their Faces in Obedience to the Precepts of their Prophets Law, which tells 'em tis unlawfull to diſcover any of thoſe Beauties God has given them, but to their Husband, or their Father; Their Dreſs a⯑broad.they Wear abroad, a Gown of Blue or Scarlet-Cloath, which Buttons faſt be⯑fore, and Hangs with narrow Sleeves below their Fingers; as they Walk, they hold the Bottoms of their Gown in their Left-Hand as low as they can poſſibly Reach, and Swing their Right each ſtep they take with a Surpriſing Haughtineſs or rather Gravity. They Die their Nails with certain Drugs which yield a Colour like a Reddiſh Yellow, and delight Ex⯑treamly in the Richneſs of their Habits, tho' they very ſeldom gain an Opportunity of ſhowing them.
THE Female Slaves and Servants of the Turks are Veil'd or Muffl'd while about their Buſineſs, but meanly Dreſs'd according to the Servi⯑tude of their Condition.
BUT what I have already ſpoken of the Turkiſh Habits ſhall the rather ſerve, in that the Reader may Diſcover with his Eye the ſe⯑veral Dreſſes Repreſented in the Cutt hereto Annex'd, more fully and particularly, than can be comprehended in a Verbal and more dark Deſcription.
The Turks in all their Cu⯑ſtoms oppoſite to us.IN every Action of their Lives, the Turks oppoſe the Europaean Cuſtoms; they Wear long Cloaths, we Wear ſhort ones; we in Salutation of a Friend, eſteem it Rudeneſs not to Bow with Head uncover'd, they Receive that point of Breeding as the greateſt and moſt baſe Affront [96] that can be put upon them; we eſteem a bending of the Body gracefull and obliging, they interpret it a mean acknowledgement of our Inferiority to him we ſpeak to; they love Sadneſs and a grave Deportment, we love Gayety and briskneſs of Behaviour. Every thing in ſhort is carryed on di⯑rectly oppoſite to both our Humours and our Cuſtoms; whether one or t'o⯑ther's Airs of Breeding are the moſt conſiſtent with that Native Majeſty which Man was form'd with, muſt be judg'd by ſeveral Perſons, ſeveral Ways, and whether they or we are right or wrong, we both believe our own the worthieſt Faſhion. For as the fam'd Athenian Solon has it in his Elegies.
CHAP. XIII. Of their Wives, Concubines, Ways of Courtſhip, and Forms of Marriage.
THE inimitable Virgil was undoubtedly inſpir'd with Love and Truth, when he aſſerted this ſo oft experienc'd Max⯑im,
The Power of Love.THE rougheſt Hero's of the ancient World, amidſt the duſty Scenes of War and Ruin, red with Blood of undiſtinguiſh'd Slaughter, and encom⯑paſs'd round with Care and Danger, often ſlacken'd Nature's Springs, and ſinking calmly from the love of Glory, let their Laurels wither on their Heads, and loſt the Senſe of Honour and Renown, entirely ſtupified in all their Faculties, and ſlumbring meanly in the downy Scenes of this Le⯑thargic Paſſion.
How much that Paſſion now prevails among the Turks.EVEN the adamantine Breaſts of Icy Scythia, have admitted Love in all its fervour, and forgot entirely native roughneſs, by the ſoftening Charms of Female Converſation; nay, to ſuch exceſs does that bewitching Paſſion now prevail among the Turks, that as if they were not the Poſterity of ſuch uneffeminate, and hardy Anceſtors, they frequently neglect the great Affairs of State and Intereſt, to dally wantonly with favourite Women, and enjoy the lov'd and rapid Tranſports which attend on their Careſſes.
[97] HEREIN however they have got the ſtart of Europaean Lovers, that whereas we languiſh long, and unſucceſsfully, for ſome lov'd Ladies Fa⯑vours, they enjoy the utmoſt of their Wiſhes, in a ſpeedy Conſummation of their forwardeſt Deſires.
The Power of Turkiſh Husbands.AGAIN, (tho' I'll not give my Country Women cauſe of Anger by af⯑firming that as preferable an Advantage as the former) they boaſt a ſort of unconfin'd Authority, which makes their Wives ſubmiſſively Obedient; but ſince it ne'er allows that mutual Confidence, that generous, free, and open familiarity, ſo requiſite to make a Marriage truly happy, I cannot praiſe their Policy in robbing Wives of that well tolerated Liberty, which ſerves to ſoften Matrimonial Bondage, and proves a ſure and winning Mark of Conjugal Good-nature.
An ancient Saying.IT was the Saying of a very ancient Graecian Author, [...]. Nature did not frame the Woman to command: And Philemon a Poet, who flouriſh'd in the Reign of Alexander the Great, has left his Noti⯑ons of the Matter in the following Lines,
AND ſo entirely do the Turks adhere to this Poetic Doctrine, that for fear their Wives ſhou'd by degrees encroach on their Prerogative, they rob them barbarouſly of thoſe indifferent Liberties, without whoſe taſt 'tis mo⯑rally impoſſible for Man or Woman to be truly happy.
Submiſſion and affection of the Turkiſh Wives.THE good Effects of Turkiſh Diſcipline ſurpriz'd me much, when I perciev'd that notwithſtanding their ſevere Behaviour towards their Wives, the patient Turtles were ſo far from leſs'ning their Affection on Confinement, that they rather doubled their reſpect, and Spaniel-like fawn'd humbly on their Injurers, with the aſſurance Horace had from Lydia,
The miſtaken Notions of ſome of our Britiſh Ladies.IT is a ſtrange amazing Labyrinth of Female Wonders, to behold the contradictory Inclinations of that unintelligible Sex; while thoſe in Turkey grow good-natur'd by a brutiſh Uſage, ours in Britain ſometimes think it out of Faſhion to oblige an eaſy Husband, and inſtead of mending on the Kindneſs they receive, inſult the more, and make their Spouſes gentle Con⯑deſcention, their undoubted Privilege of Nature; theſe ſpeak in rougher Notes than thoſe above, and plead like Juvenal's unreaſonable Woman,
[98] ENCREASE and Multiply, is held a very good and neceſſary Max⯑im by the Turkiſh Nation, and indeed they loſe no time nor opportunity of putting it in execution to the beſt advantage; Wives, Slaves, and Concu⯑bines, promiſcuouſly granted them without controul, and every Tenet of their Faith, and Practice of their Lives, combining jointly to indulge their Wiſhes, in the groſs Enjoyment of a ſenſual Appetite.
POLYGAMY was by Mahomet allow'd them, freely and unbounded, but the Dictates of their Policy oblig'd 'em to reſtrain that tolerated Li⯑berty, and fix a certain Limit to that dangerous Privilege for the Reaſons following.
The Reaſons why the Turks reſtrain Poly⯑gamy.WERE Men permitted to indulge their Senſes in the various Pleaſures of promiſcuous Embraces, they wou'd Marry inconſiderately ſuch a num⯑ber of Wives, that on their Death, the major part of their Eſtates devolving to the Sultan, little wou'd be left to ſhare amongſt them, and the helpleſs Ladies conſequently forc'd to Want and Beggary.
ANOTHER Reaſon (and indeed the wiſeſt of the two) is this, The numerous Doubts, Fears, Envies, Jealouſies, and Quarrels, which al⯑ternately poſſeſs a Womans Mind, where Rivals are reſpected, wou'd by tolerating many Wives, become ſo frequent, formidable, and ungovern'd, that thoſe Fairy Pleaſures, which invite to Matrimony, vaniſhing away, wou'd leave behind 'em little elſe but Noiſe and Diſcord, Troubles and Distraction.
How many Wives the Turks may Marry.HOWEVER, they are yet permitted by the common Cuſtom, to eſpouſe four lawful Wives; and leſt their wand'ring Inclinations ſhou'd in⯑duce 'em to believe they were denied a Pleaſure Heaven deſign'd 'em, they are freely ſuffer'd to enjoy the Perſons of as many Concubines, or purchas'd Slaves, as they may think agreable, nor are the Children ſo begot eſteem'd in Turkey as in Chriſtian Countries, ſpurious and illegitimate, but equally intit'led to their Father's Love, and Honour of his Quality, with others born in Wedlock.
WITH this Proviſo, notwithſtanding, are they Freemen and Legitimate, they muſt be manumitted in a publick Form by Will and Teſtament, before ſome Judge of Civil Adminiſtration, Seal'd, Sign'd, and Given in, by their own Father's Hand, with ſolemn Ceremony. A very ſtrange and barbarous Cuſtom.This neglected, leaves 'em Servants, to their Brother's Will, who may at pleaſure uſe them as their Bondſmen.
O happy Turks! cries ſome diſconſolate, and wretched Britiſh Husband, when he hears me tell him, Turkiſh Matrimony is not quite ſo true a Gordian Knot, but that 'tis frequently untied without much difficulty; yet perhaps, were ſome Mahometan his Spouſes Conſort, he wou'd find a Bleſſing which her preſent Owner either does not know, or care to value.
The Turkiſh Marriages not perform'd by Prieſts.BUT e're we ſpeak of their Divorces, 'twill be proper to deſcribe their Matrimonial Ceremonies, and in order thereunto, I muſt acquaint my Reader, that the Act of Marriage is perform'd by the appearance of the Husband, with the Father, Ʋncle, Brother, or ſome near Relation of the Brides, before a Judge; where in a publick manner, he avows his Inclina⯑tions and Affections to the Perſon of the Lady; tho' perhaps he never ſaw one Feature of her Face, but that's no matter, Love you know is painted blind, and thence blind Bargains are become a Faſhion.
[99] PROCEEDED this large Step on his intended Journey, he is next demanded by the Judge what offers he can make deſerving her Acceptance: Settlements are made according to his Circumſtances, or the fetter'd Pri⯑vileges of Turkiſh Subjects; and the Bridegroom ſigning there an Inſtrument, whereby he owns her for his lawfull Wife, the Match is ent'red in a publick Regiſter, and ever after they are conjugally coupled.
How the Man employs the Night before.NOW then let's venture to obſerve the Conſequences of this previous Ceremony, after which the Man (tranſported to be ſure, and full of Raptures) takes his own and half-gain'd Spouſes Male Relations to his own Appart⯑ment, where he entertains them till within an Hour of Mid-night, with the faſhionable Muſick Vocal and Inſtrumental, Coffee and Sherbet; and if of brisk, and airy Conſtitutions, ſometimes treats 'em with a glaſs of Wine, but very ſparingly, for fear of Reprehenſion.
How 'tis em⯑ploy'd by the Women.BUT as for the poor Female Victim, who is trembling all this while, with dreadfull apprehenſions of ſome near Surprize, ſhe ſits unveil'd on an embroid'red Cuſhion in the midſt of a large Room, round which are plac'd her She-Acquaintance, Friends, and Kinsfolks, all invited by her Mo⯑ther, if ſhe has one, to inform her what ſhe is about to do, and read alter⯑nately, repeated Lectures of the Duty of a Wife, and Power of her Hus⯑band, while the poor half-frighted Creature, ſtares about her with a bluſh⯑ing Ignorance, amaz'd and quite confounded with their Monitory Leſſons.
THUS they paſs away the time till almoſt Midnight, when they take the Bride with one conſent, and lead her to the Bagnio, if there is one in the Houſe, if not a common Bathing Tub will ſerve the turn. Here every Goſſip plucks a Feather, till having quite undreſs'd the helpleſs Virgin, they begin to waſh and rub her ſoundly, ſmoothing o'er her Body, with a certain ſcented and balſamick Oyntment, the better to prepare her for approaching Pleaſures; after this they put her on a Shift, and wrapping Night-Gown, thence conducting her to take her Reſt till early the next Morning.
The Morning Ceremony.AT the dawning of the Day they come again, to wake the Bride, who riſing from the laſt Poſſeſſion of her Virgin Pillow, is by them attended with officious Ceremony, dreſs'd in all her richeſt Robes, and ſoon made ready for the amorous Call of her expected Husband.
HE is not tedious we'll ſuppoſe, in dreſſing, but with all the Friends he entertain'd the Night before, ſets forward from his Houſe well mounted, and attended by a gallant Troop of Gentlemen on Horſeback, Serenaded as they go, by ſeveral ſorts of Muſick, ſounding with them thro' the Streets. They come at laſt where lives the Bride, whoſe Father ſummon'd by the noiſy Inſtruments, commands his Door to be ſet wide open, and demands within it, what they want, and why they viſit him?
The manner of the Bride⯑groom's com⯑ing to de⯑mand his Wife.THE Bridegroom anſwers, ſitting on his Horſe, he comes to claim the lovely Jewel God has given him, and names her with a loud and haughty Voice; and being further ask'd, how well he can defend her, he lays his Hand directly on his Scymetar, and draws it half way from the Scabbard, every Horſeman in the Company proceeding to the ſame Expreſſion of his Friendſhip to the Married Couple; hereupon the Father ſtepping from his Door, advances ſlowly ſome few Paces to ſalute the Bridegroom, who with all his Followers, diſmounting nimbly, lays his Hand devoutly on his Breaſt, and utters this Expreſſion, True Happineſs this Moment bleſſes me; to which the Father anſwers heartily, O may that Happineſs be great, and laſting.
[100] How the Bridegroom is receiv'd at his Father-in-laws Houſe.THE Bridegroom enters full of Joy, and with his Father, flies up Stairs as nimbly as he can; his Friends mean while, conducted in and en⯑tertain'd below, according to the Turkiſh Faſhion; at the entrance of the Wo⯑mens Chamber he is met by the expecting Bride, her Mother, and Relati⯑ons, ſhe unvail'd, and aiming all her Beauties to ſurprize his Fancy; en⯑t'ring, he extends his Arms with wonder, and aſtoniſhment, and (doubt⯑leſs overwhelm'd with Rays of brightneſs,) finds himſelf unable to ſuſtain the Shock, and therefore turns him round with great Humility, in order to e⯑ſcape the danger of his Spouſes Lightning.
How the Bride receives him.BUT the tender natur'd Nymph, unwilling to confound at firſt Ap⯑pearance, calls him back with gentle Phraſes, and the mild Expreſſion of Gehl Giacquir bennum, that is to ſay, Return, my good Angel; this encou⯑ragement removes all fear, and tempts him forward till his new-made Conſort takes him by the Hand, and leads him to a Table, little higher than the Ground; ſhe ſeats him croſs-leg'd there upon a fine embroid'red Cuſhion, and ſits down herſelf in the ſame Poſture, oppoſite to him; all the Company then place themſelves on Cuſhions, ſix Foot diſtant from the ogling Spouſes, till they form a fine and ſpacious Circle round the Table.
His Entertain⯑ment.SMILES and Glances, and the common Airs of meeting Lovers, paſs the Time till there is brought upon the Board betwixt them, two ſmall Diſhes; one containing a fat roaſted Dove, the other fill'd with certain Cakes not much unlike our Barly Sugar.
Emblematical Proceedings of the married People.THE Dove is cut in four diſtinct Pieces, whereof the Head and Neck make one, the Rump the ſecond, and the Body ſlit in two, compoſes both the other. The Bridegroom firſt preſents his Lady with the Rump, and this Expreſſion, Tho' loweſt, yet acceptable. The Bride returns her Conſorts Compliment, by giving him the Head with this ſubmiſſive Motto, Be thou my Head, and I thy Footſtool.
THEN put they both their Hands together on the Table, taking each one half of the divided Pidgeon; which denotes, that they ſhou'd live like harmleſs Turtles, and that tho' the Head and Tail make ſome diſtinction, yet they ought to love and prize each other, as two diff'rent Parts of one ſole Body.
THIS done, the Bride extends her Hand, and reaching from the other Plate a piece of the abovenam'd Barley-Sugar, directs her Fingers to her Husband's Mouth, and makes him ſwallow it; he does the ſame to her a⯑gain, by this expreſſion of their ſilent Will, declaring mutually that it ſhall be always eithers chief endeavour to oblige the other, by a conſtant practice of the ſweeteſt Carriage, and moſt tender Actions which can prove Af⯑fection.
A drinking Emblem.THEY next proceed to call for Drink, which preſently is brought 'em in a China-Cup, containing fine perfum'd Sherbet of coſtly Preparation. Firſt, the Husband ſips, and then the Wife; which having done, they joint⯑ly lay their Hands upon the Cup, and ſpill the Liquor on the Table, which is thereupon remov'd immediately. This Emblem ſignifies that they muſt always join with ſympathetical Concern, or Joy, and gain or loſe the Plea⯑ſures of this Life with equal ſatisfaction.
AFTER all theſe Ceremonies are perform'd, the Bridegroom takes his leave, and goes away to his own Houſe, in order to prepare for the Noctur⯑nal Entertainment of his charming Wife, who in the cloſe of Evening, is at⯑tended to his Place of Habitation in the following manner.
[101] In what man⯑ner the Bride is carried to her Husbands Houſe.THE Bridegrooms Brother, or the neareſt of his Kindred, claims the Lady in her Husbands Name, who is deliver'd into his Poſſeſſion Veil'd all over, mounted like an Amazonian Heroine, aſtride on Horſe⯑back, and Attended by a Stately number of her Female Friends, who Ride about her and Support a ſort of Indian Canopy, which falling like a Tent below her Horſes Breaſt, becomes a perfect Cover, and pre⯑vents her being ſeen by any of the People who will always Crowd the Streets on thoſe occaſions; round this ſhining Troop of Ladies Ride a greater number of the Male Acquaintance of both Parties, who ſerve alike to grace the Cavalcade, and Guard the Women from the Inſolent Abuſes of the common People.
How ſhe is re⯑ceiv'd there.ARRIV'D at laſt, the Waiting Bridegroom ſtanding in his Door, Receives his Conſort open Arm'd, and leads her Inſtantly to ſome pre⯑par'd Appartment, where their Numerous Men Relations, who Aſſiſted in the Ceremony, enter One by One, according to their Quality, and having each beſtow'd ſome Preſent anſwerable to his Circumſtances, they with⯑draw genteely, with repeated wiſhes for a happy Bedding of the Amo⯑rous Pair, returning every Man to his particular Place of Habitation.
The Paſtimes of the Wo⯑men.THE Women, to divert the Husband and his Bride, begin to Dance, at which Profeſſion they are Skill'd but Aukwardly, performing always Singly; and Inventing Strange, and frequently Laſcivious Poſtures, to adorn their Motion, and Excite an ardent Flame of Expectation, or, to call it by its right Name, Luſt, in the already-kindled Fires which Warm the Breaſt of the Impatient Lovers.
The previous Ceremonies to the Bedding.BUT now the time, which ever Rolls along with heavy Wheels on ſuch occaſions, Summons them to haſten the uſual Preparations for the Bridal Bed, in order whereunto they lead the Bride with Songs and Muſick, to the Chamber which contains the ſtately Scene of her expected Pleaſures; here they Place her on a ſmall Square Block all cover'd oer with Silk or Velvet, and retiring to the diſtant Corners of the Room, Invite the Husband to the Comical performance of a Merry Duty, Faſhionably Incumbent on new Married People.
NO Pulling off the Bridal Garters, Throwing the Stocking, or other common Practices in uſe at Britiſh Weddings are obſerv'd among the Turks, but ſure the Reader will allow the Turkiſh Bridegroom has a Task far more Diverting, Strange and Comical.
A Comical Injunction on the Turkiſh Bridegrooms.FOR he is Firſt oblig'd to be his Spouſes Valet, and Undreſs her for his Bed; nor is this odd Injunction all is he oblig'd to, for the Young and Airy Turkiſh Ladies who delight in Dreſſing a new Married Friend, con⯑trive ſuch Strange and Artful Knots about the Silken ſtrings which Tye her Drawers, that 'tis next to a downright Impoſſibility to find out gen⯑tle means to looſen them; yet the Eager Bridegroom is Injoyn'd to kneel and Fumble with his Teeth, till he can ſome way or other get them open, which, the Young and Vigorous Lovers, all Impatient of delay, with violent endeavours bite Aſunder: none, in ſuch a Caſe, muſt uſe the leaſt Aſſiſtance either of their own or Spouſes Fingers, ſo that were there Men as well as Women preſent at this Ceremony, they would doubt⯑leſs find themſelves far more Diverted than the Merryeſt Company that ever grac'd a Chriſtian Wedding.
IT would, it is preſum'd, be altogether needleſs to Inſtruct the Male or Female Reader in the well known conſequences of theſe Preparatory Paſtimes, ſince the common knowledge of both Turks and Chriſtians will [102] direct their Fancy's to a full Diſcovery of theſe ſecret Practices, whic [...] eithers Modeſty will conſtantly incline their Will to draw a Curtain over, [...] to leave them undiſturb'd and private.
AND now, ſince I am treating of the Lover's fond Elyzium, 'twil [...] not be improper to obſerve, that thoſe bewitching Joys are ſometime [...] fruſtrated, and leſſen'd very commonly, by the Jealouſy or Malice of ſom [...] other Wife, tranſported with the fear of Scorn, at the appearance of a Riva [...] in her Lord's Affections.
Witchcraft ve⯑ry common a⯑mong the Tur⯑kiſh Women.IN Turkey nothing is more frequent than a deep and curſed Knowledge in the Practices of Witchcraft, Sorcery, and a ſort of jugling Villany, where⯑by they render impotent and ineffectual the ſtrongeſt Efforts of a vigorous Lover on his Wedding Night; and 'tis perhaps to this, the Turkiſh Matri⯑mony, tho' indulg'd in Polygamy, owes the common and amazing paucity of Children.
NAY, ſo skill'd are many in this damnable Profeſſion, that they inſo⯑lently dare pretend to force Affection from Antipathy it ſelf, to puniſh In⯑fidelity in Affairs of Love, and give a Lady ſupernatural Charms to change her humble Servant's vow'd Inconſtancy.
The Practice very ancient among the Greeks.NOR do we find ſuch Practices of Modern Date, the ancient Greece was famous for this Study, which they had Originally with their worthier Knowledge from that Source of Learning Egypt. How skill'd the Grecian Ladies were in Magic Incantations, may be gather'd plainly from Simaetha's Words to her Maid Theſtylis, in the ſecond Eidyll of Theocritus, where ſhe endeavours to bring back Delphis, who had abandon'd her Affe⯑ctions.
AND a little further in the following Words begins her Incantation.
Another ſort of Sorcery.THERE is another ſort of Sorcery much us'd in Turkey, if it may be call'd ſo, ſince perhaps the Notion took its riſe from nothing but the ſuper⯑ſtitious Fancies, and ridiculous Opinions of Hypocondriacal Perſons; they call it Magic of the Eye, or the bewitching by an evil Look; now whether there are any real grounds for this Belief, I ſhall not venture to determine. A Story of a Gentleman bewitch'd by an evil Eye.But this I can aſſure my Reader, that I knew a Gentleman at Conſtantinople, who was naturally bleſt with an uncommon Share of Wit and Judgment, yet became a downright Idiot in the ſpace of twenty four Hours, upon go⯑ing by the Invitation of a Greek of his Acquaintance, to make one among the Gueſts at an Armenian Wedding, and it was believ'd in Town by every Man, who heard the Story, that the Evil Eye of one there preſent had depriv'd him of his Senſes.
Another ſort of Marriage us'd in Turkey.THERE is among the Turks, another ſort of Marriage, generally us'd by Strangers, who reſide but little time in any City; this is call'd Hakabin, and is a Bargain made before a Judge, whereby the Man is bound to take the Woman, and maintain her as his Wife, for one, two, ſix, or more Months, and when his Buſineſs calls him to another Place, he is oblig'd to give her ſuch a Sum of Money as is mention'd in their firſt Agree⯑ment.
Concubinage, how tole⯑rated.CONCUBINAGE, as I have ſaid before, is granted to the Turks, who always keep as many Slaves as they can purchaſe and maintain, to ſerve by Day the Uſes of the Houſe, and all Night long the Pleaſures of their Maſter.
THERE is in Conſtantinople, a Slave-Market twice or thrice a Week, thither the People go, and ſee the miſerable Chriſtian Captive-Virgins, dreſs'd in all the tempting Ornaments, that can allure the Looks of amorous Paſſen⯑gers; they ſpeak to thoſe they are inclin'd to like, and having ask'd them any Queſtions they think fit to ſtart, they feel their Breaſts, Hands, Cheeks, and Foreheads; A curious Search.nay proceed, if curious in the nicety of Search, to have the young, and wretched Creatures taken privately to ſome convenient Place, where, undiſturb'd, and free to uſe the utmoſt of their Will, they find out certain ſubtle Means of boaſted Efficacy, to diſcover inſtantly by Proofs, and Demonſtration, whether the pretended Virgin has as yet been rob'd of that ſo celebrated Jewel, ſhe affirms her ſelf Poſſeſſor of.
THE Slaves they buy, they carry home, and uſe as is above-declar'd, till growing weary of their Perſons and Embraces, they have liberty again to ſell them to ſome Friend or Neighbour, taking others to their changeable Affections; nor are their Wives at all diſturb'd to ſee them uſe this tolerated Freedom; The Turkiſh Wives may claim one Night in ſeven.Cuſtom's tyranny has made them humble, none complaining of her Husband's ſlight, provided he beſtows one Night in ſeven in her conju⯑gal Careſſes; that the Law has given them as their unqueſtion'd Property, and will oblige the Man to own it as his Duty.
[104] The Turks no⯑tion of Cuck⯑oldom, more Reaſonable than ours.AN Honeſt and an Admirable Notion ſways the Judgments of the Turkiſh People in the Point of Cuckoldom, for that, which here with us is ſtrangely look'd upon as the Husbands ſhame, is in their Country plac'd more Wiſely, and with Juſtice, on the Lewd Adultreſs, and her Hornified Rela⯑tions; for where the Husband finds his Bed Diſhonour'd and Polluted, he Applies himſelf directly to ſome Judge or Governour, and ſitting forth at large the Cauſe of his Complaint, obtains relief by an Immediate Or⯑der of Divorce, and free's himſelf at once from Wife and Scandal.
Why the Turk⯑iſh Sultan's muſt not Mar⯑ry.THE Turkiſh Sultan's muſt not Marry, or it is become a Politic O⯑miſſion to forbear ſo doing; Firſt, in that 'twou'd cauſe Alliances, and diſt⯑ant Kindred to their Royal Family, a thing they always Fear'd and Hated; and Secondly becauſe the Greateſt and moſt Unexpected turns of Fate, ſhall never wound the Princes Honour, in obliging him to ſee a Wife become the Victim of Licentious Inſolence, and he himſelf an helpleſs Witneſs of her ſhameful Uſage.
The Original of the Cu⯑ſtom. BAJAZET an Ancient but Ʋnhappy Emperour, by dear Experience taught 'em this; for when the brave Victorious Tam-her-lane the Great, had won the Battle which reduc'd him to his Miſery; his Wife Deheſpeena whom he dearly Lov'd, and in whoſe Bleſſings his were Centr'ed, being taken Priſoner, was before the Face of her diſtracted Husband, Raviſh'd by the Conquerour. The Unſupported ſorrow, which the Haughty Turk con⯑ceiv'd hereat, ſhook all his Patience into Madneſs, and produc'd that Rough and Melancholy Death which put an End to all his Sufferings.
THE Princes, who ſucceded Bajazet, reſolving for the Future, to a⯑void ſo black and piercing a Misfortune, made a Law that none ſhou'd Marry ever after on the Throne of Turkey, which has been obſerv'd with ſuch Religious conſtancy, that two late Emperours have been depos'd and little urg'd againſt their Governments, but that they took the Liberty of Marriage, and thereby Infring'd the ſolemn Prohibition of their Wiſer Predeceſſors.
Four ſorts of Divorces, us'd among them.I ſpoke juſt now of their Divorces, and will here Deſcribe Four ſeveral Methods now in uſe, whereby the Turks with eaſe Untye the ſtrongeſt Cord which joyns their Matrimony.
The Firſt.THE Firſt is Regiſtred before a Judge, as are Indeed the other Three, by this the Man and Wife are only ſeparated, either free, and altogether Independant on the others Power; here the Husband is oblig'd to ſettle a ſufficient Maintenance, and keep her ſeparate as well as when they Liv'd together.
The Second.THE Second kind of ſeparation, is a Wider breach of conjugal Con⯑junction; for they then are left entirely to their Liberty, and as by joint con⯑ſent they may return again to one anothers Arms, ſo may they alſo Mar⯑ry at their Pleaſure, any other Perſon, who ſhall beſt agree with either of their Circumſtances.
The Third Di⯑vorce in Caſe of Impotence.THE Third Divorce now Practis'd by the Turks, is when a Wo⯑man is unfortunately Married to a Man unqualified for ſatisfaction of her Warm deſires, by the Natural Misfortune of an Impotent Frigidity; in ſuch a Caſe the Man refuſing to diſcharge his Wife, is Summon'd by her Friends before a Judge, and forc'd to bring her with him to the ſame Appearance; when the Charge is Read againſt him ſhe is ask'd if ſhe will then affirm the Truth of all that Accuſation, hereupon ſhe Stoops, and taking off her Slipper, Spits upon the Sole, and Strikes it [105] on her Husband's Forehead; Modeſty requires no further Confirmation from a Female Plantiff, and the Sentence is immediately pronounc'd, in favour of the Lady, who is thenceforth, free to Marry as ſhe pleaſes, and intitled not⯑withſtanding, to a large Allowance from her former Conſort's yearly In⯑come.
NOR is it hard that Women ſhou'd be favour'd in a caſe ſo reaſonable, when it is the only Plea they have for gaining a Divorce, while on the con⯑trary, the Men poſſeſs a thouſand great and boundleſs Privileges, and are at any time enabled to obtain Releaſes from their Matrimonial Chain, on e⯑very mean and ſlight Occaſion.
A very merry kind of Pra⯑ctice for the Puniſhment of Levity.BUT the moſt diverting ſort of a Divorce, that e'er was heard of, is the Oochey Tahalac, which having once disjoin'd a Pair, permits no ſecond thoughts, or change of Inclination ſo as to be reconcil'd again; till, as a Pu⯑niſhment for his ridiculous and fickle Humour, the repenting Husband will contentedly ſtand by, and ſee his Wife in open Day, enjoy'd before his face, by ſome brisk Stranger, who is led by accident to paſs the Houſe, where they expect impatiently the firſt fair Comer.
A pleaſant Paſſage hap'ning, ſome Years ſince, at Conſtantinople, will afford an entertaining and compleat Idea of this humorous Cuſtom; it fell out as follows.
A pleaſant Story of the Maſter of an Engliſh Veſſel.THE Maſter of an Engliſh Merchant Ship, who underſtood but little Turkiſh, ſcarce enough to buy an Orange as he walk'd the Streets, wou'd needs be vent'ring frequently on Shoar, ſometimes with Company and ſome⯑times without, well dreſs'd, with Turbant, Dolamann, and every other part of Habit in the Turkiſh Faſhion; he was often caution'd of the Dangers he might fall into, but never liſt'ned to his Friends Advice, returning always ſafely to his Ship, without the leaſt Affront, or meeting any who ac⯑coſted him in the Country Language.
BUT rambling on a certain Day, about the City, he was beck'ned to by ſeveral Turks who ſtood together at the entrance of a Houſe; ſurpriz'd at firſt, he wou'd have paſs'd 'em ſlowly by, as if he took no notice of their Summons; but before he got five Yards beyond the Door, he felt himſelf pull'd back by one, who ſmiling, ſpoke a long and ſpeedy Sentence, and retur⯑ning towards the Door he came from, dragg'd him as it were by force to fol⯑low him.
THE Maſter underſtood not one ſmall Syllable of what he ſaid, but went as he was led, without ſo much as ſpeaking all the way, till coming to the Door, the other Company began to laugh, and talk with eagerneſs as if they were informing him of ſomething very pleaſant, and diverting; he ſeem'd to liſten with a wonderfull attention, and to cloak the matter, laugh'd for Company, but durſt not ſpeak for fear of a Diſcovery; he then began to curſe his forwardneſs and Turkiſh Habit, and to wiſh himſelf ſecure on board his Ship, reſolving to attempt no more ſuch ſingle Wander⯑ings.
A comical Surprize.MEAN while the Turks had led him forward, and conducted him to a large Chamber, on the elevated Floor whereof there lay a Bed, with Quilt and Mattreſs, after the Faſhion of the Country; upon the Bed ſat croſs-leg'd a genteel, young Lady, gay, and beautifull, with Face unveil'd, and ſprightly Countenance, who bluſh'd at his appearance; on a Cuſhion not far diſtant ſat a grave Kaddee or Judge, the Maſter of the Houſe; and in a corner of the Room, ſtood leaning, and diſconſolate, a well-made Turk, [106] who by the ſequel, prov'd to be the Husband of the Lady on the Bed, and ſtanding there, to be Spectator of a Duty he wou'd rather have ex⯑cus'd.
A very doubt⯑full State.THE Company withdrew at the approach of the Maſter, leaving none behind but the young Lady and her Husband, ſmiling as they paſs'd him by, and pulling to the Door to keep them private. 'Tis not difficult to gueſs the wonder, which amus'd his thoughts at ſuch an odd and unexpected Ac⯑cident; he ſtar'd about him like a Man diſtracted, ignorant what he was to do, and fearing every Moment ſome Deſign, which he conceiv'd was form'd againſt him.
AT laſt, the Husband looking roughly towards him, ſpoke a few low Words, which by the accent ſeem'd uneaſy, and with a nod or two, and mo⯑tion of his Hand, made Signs, that he ſhou'd do the Duty he was call'd to without delay; the Lady likewiſe, beck'ned with her Finger, and repeated often theſe Words, Gehl Adham Gehl, that is, Come Man come; he under⯑ſtood ſo much, but no ways apprehending what they meant by thoſe ex⯑preſſive Motions, inſtead of anſwering their repeated Invitations, ſtood ſtill, and gaz'd about with mute Aſtoniſhment.
THE Husband half amaz'd to ſee his Silence, and fix'd Poſture, as al⯑ſo eager, ſince he knew it muſt be done, to have it over, came grimly up, and puſhing him with anger forward, cried out aloud. Geddi Brai, Boc Kahdin, that is, Go Fool, ſee the Lady: But the frighted Britain, all ſurpriz'd at this new ſtep, was ſo confounded with the turns of the amazing Accident, that ſcarce rememb'ring who or where he was, he forc'd himſelf with fury from the Turk, and in the Engliſh Tongue cried out, Why in the Devil's Name d'ye puſh me thus? I know not what you wou'd be at, nor underſtand one Word you ſay to me.
An odd diſ⯑covery.THE ſhock'd Mahometan with all imaginable wonder ſtarted back, to hear him ſpeak an unknown Language, and ſnatching off his Turbant, pre⯑ſently diſcover'd him a Chriſtian by the manner of his being ſhav'd; and pointing to his Head cry'd loudly to his Wife, Vollah Boo Adham Gaour. By the Lord this Man's an Infidel. With that he drew his Dagger from his Gir⯑dle, and his Wife began in paſſion to riſe up and fall upon the Maſter, when the Turk bethought him of a cunning Stratagem to ſave his Honour, and having given the Engliſh Man his Turbant back again, endeavour'd partly by fair Words and partly by his Signs, to make him underſtand, he ſhou'd go out as ſilently as he came in, and ſeem to ſmile, as if he had been pleas'd with his Adventure.
THE trembling Maſter, glad of any opportunity to get away from ſuch a dangerous Scene of Wonders, made abundance of expreſſive moti⯑ons with his Head and Hands, to thank him for his kindneſs, and was marching off, with counterfeited Smiles upon his Face, when all the Com⯑pany ſtill waiting in the outward Room, began to gather round him, and to ask him if he had been ſatisfied in his good-fortune; he anſwer'd as the Husband had made ſhift to teach him, Hevett Sultanum; that is, Yes noble Sir. A merry Acti⯑on of a Tur⯑kiſh Lady.But the expecting Wife, who had it ſeems been baulk'd of her Deſire, and was unwilling tho' ſhe loſt the Chriſtian's Kindneſs, to deprive her ſelf of ſome more qualified Perſon's, follow'd to the Door, and cried out Yoketer that is, [...], he lies, as loud as ſhe was able.
THIS alarm'd the Judge, and all the reſt, and made the Husband hang his Head like one condemn'd to Stocks, or Whipping Poſt; in ſhort they ſeiz'd upon the poor diſcover'd Maſter, and began to drag him back to do the [107] Duty they expected from him, He, unwilling to comply with their deſires, en⯑deavour'd by continued Strugling, to break looſe and get away, till in the Scuffling, he again let Fall his Turbant, and with much ado, eſcaping from their hold, ran ſwiftly thro' the Street, while all the Boys he paſs'd by, ſeeing him diſorder'd, and Bareheaded, and beſides, A Fortunate eſcape.Alarm'd by the repeated ex⯑clamations of the Turks he broke away from, who Cried out an Infidel, an Infidel, as loud as they were able, gather'd round him, and with Dirt, and Stones, purſued him thro' the City, till he came upon the Water ſide, and found among the reſt ſome Janizaries, whom he knew, and, whoſe Au⯑thority protected him from further Injury.
I cannot ſay what Second Spark the Lady found to ſerve her turn, or how the Buſineſs was perform'd among them, but the Maſters ill ſucceſs in this laſt Ramble, prov'd more Efficacious to diſſwade him from ſuch bold attempts in future Voyages, than all the Good Advice, and Solid Doctrine, which had been before, in vain, beſtow'd upon his raſh and Inconſiderate Obſtinacy.
I promis'd in the Title of this Chapter, to ſay a little of the Turkiſh ways of Courtſhip, and will now proceed to let the Reader know as much of their Amours and Gallantry as fell occaſionally within the Compaſs of my Ob⯑ſervation.
No coming in⯑to Womens Company, in Turkey.THERE is no ſuch thing in Turkey as a Publick Meeting, and pro⯑miſcuous Converſation of Sexes, at the Park, Ring, Balls or Theatre, or any other tolerated Scene of Honourable Liberty; all are Grave, Reſerv'd, and Solitary; Women ſeldom ſtirr abroad, before or after Marriage; and as there is never found the Smalleſt Opportunity of ſeeing or Converſing with the Ladies, Love is conſequently quite a Stranger to their Warmeſt Inclinati⯑ons, till they have obtain'd an object whereupon to Build it; yet there Flames amongſt the Youth of this Licentious Nation, ſuch a Raging Paſſion of Deſire, that they employ the Wiſhes of their earlieſt Man⯑hood, how to get a Wife or two to paſs their time with, and apply themſelves accordingly, to thoſe allow'd and faſhionable means, whereby, tho' Blindfold, they may gain a Miſtriſs.
Matches made by Friends.THEIR common Cuſtom then, in ſuch like Caſes, is to liſten to their Friends Propoſals; ſuch a Man has ſuch a Daughter, Neice, or Siſter, ſo and ſo poſſeſs'd of Beauty, and good Humour. Fortune they expect none with a Wife in Turkey; for the Husband there muſt buy her Perſon with a ſettled Sum according to her Value, which they ſeldom hold at Mighty Rates; or the agreement made between the Parents of the willing Couple.
A Pig in a Poke.THE Fathers word is ſometimes taken for the Daughters Merit, and the Bridegroom ſigns the Articles of Marriage before he is admitted to a ſight of his Beloved: But the Brisk and Wiſer ſort of Gentlemen, will ſeldom make ſo blind a Bargain, and refuſe to liſten to the ſmalleſt motion of a Matrimonial Treaty, till they are convinc'd by Ocular Experience, that the Miſtriſs offer'd them is really as deſerving in her Perſon, as they ſpeak her in her Character.
The Turkiſh Cuſtom in caſe of Rivals.IT ſometimes happens that two Rivals Jarr about one Lady, and in ſuch a Caſe the Parents of the Virgin will not Interpoſe their Counſel nor Au⯑thority, but by the following Method bring the Lovers to her ſight, and let her choice decide the matter; they are both appointed at a certain time to meet beneath the Window of a Chamber of the Houſe ſhe lives in, Lettic'd over ſo that nothing can be ſeen within the Room, but thoſe who ſtand within can eaſily perceive whatever paſſes in the Court before it: Here is [108] plac'd the Miſtriſs of their hopes, who having, by the Throwing down a piece of Silk, inform'd 'em ſhe is there, the Amorous Madmen ſtrait begin to ſtrip one Arm above the Elbow, drawing with the other hand their Sharp-edg'd Dagger, and exerting each his Brighteſt Faculties, in Singing, Riding, Leap⯑ing, Hurling the Geritt or Javelin, and an Hundred other Exerciſes, in which the Vanity of either has perſwaded him to think he can excell the other.
A dreadfull way of mak⯑ing Love.BUT the moſt ridiculous and ſenceleſs Method of expreſſing their Af⯑fection, is their ſinging certain amorous, and whining Songs, compos'd on purpoſe for ſuch mad occaſions, between every line whereof they cut and ſlaſh their naked Arms with the abovenam'd Daggers, each endeavouring in this emulative Madneſs, to exceed the other, by the depth and number of the Wounds he gives himſelf. Some Turks I have obſerv'd, when old, and paſt the Follies which poſſeſs'd their Youth, to ſhow their Arms all gaſh'd and ſcar'd from Wriſt to Elbow, and expreſs a great Concern, but greater Wonder at their paſt ſimplicity.
How the La⯑dy makes her Choice.THE Marble Hearted Lady, proof a while againſt theſe barbarous De⯑monſtrations of their Love, at laſt makes choice of him whoſe Air and Face ſhe beſt approves, and ſpeaks her Mind by throwing down a Ball of twiſted Silk, while he on whom her Mind is bent, is whining out her Praiſes; this produces frequently ſo great a fury in the diſappointed Soul of him who loſes her, that running furiouſly upon his happier Rival, they proceed at Daggers length, a ſecond time to try their Titles to her partial Favours, and before they can be parted, oftentimes prevent the Bliſs of either, by an interchangeable beſtowing on each others Boſoms, ſuch amazing Wounds, as bleed away their Love and Life together.
THE oddneſs of the Stile invited me to render ſome of the above-nam'd Songs, into Engliſh, which are the moſt eſteem'd, and run as follows.
Another follows as diverting as the former.
I have at large inform'd my Reader of their Matrimonial Ceremonies, and have nothing further left to tell him on that Subject, but that however looſe the Inclinations of the Turkiſh Ladies may be rendred by Confinement, it is ſeldom known that any Wife defiles her Husband's Bed; perhaps 'tis [109] owing to their want of opportunity, for I muſt own my ſelf a great and ut⯑ter Enemy to that reſtriction which the Eaſtern Nations lay upon their Wo⯑men, and believe that, where a mutual Freedom, Liberty, and Familiarity, is by Cuſtom, or Ʋnkindneſs any ways deny'd a Married Couple, 'tis impoſſible to reach that elevated Happineſs deſcrib'd by Horace, in his thirteenth Ode.
CHAP. XIV. Of the Turkiſh Women, in General.
IF by the Title of the Chapter, the Reader may be induc'd to expect a particular Account of the exterior Qualifications of the Turkiſh La⯑dies; he muſt imagine a difference in their Perſons and Complexions, anſwerable to the Climate of a hotter or colder Country; whoſe various Influences muſt unqueſtionably produce as various Effects in the Perſons of its Natives: The Turkiſh Wives ſubmiſ⯑ſive and re⯑ſpectfull to their Hus⯑bands.But as the unlimited Authority, which the Turks uſurp as a right of Nature, over their ſubmiſſive Wives, extends its force to the re⯑moteſt Borders of their unmeaſur'd Empire. The continued Practice of a Con⯑jugal Obedience, has bent the nature of their haughtieſt Women, to acknow⯑ledge readily an inferiority of Sex, and obey their Husbands with the ſtricteſt Duties of an unfeign'd Humility. This uſefull Maxim which is for ever taught 'em, with the earlieſt Rudiments of their infant Knowledge, has, among many other, this one Effect, that by repreſenting the Women, even in their own Imaginations, ſubſervient to the Will of Man, it inſpires them all with an ardent Zeal, in the daily Practice of thoſe alluring Parts of Edu⯑cation, which may render their Perſons moſt charming and agreable to the happy Object of their exalted Wiſhes.
The great Ad⯑vantages thereof.MANY, beſides this, are the great Advantages the Turks receive from their Wives Subjection; for it entirely frees 'em from the imperious Behavi⯑our of inſulting Yoke-Mates; keeps 'em ſecure from the uneaſy Diſcords of a jealous Conſort, and gives their leiſure Hours an entire Poſſeſſion of the fulleſt Pleaſures, to be found in Matrimony; while the common Plagues, and [110] bitter Minutes of ſome Europaean Marriages are altogether ſtrangers to the ſweet Enjoyment of their Conſummate Happineſs.
How Wives are kept in Turkey.'TIS a ſenſe of awfull Fear and Duty, that obliges them contentedly to live at Home, without the ſmalleſt Power in Domeſtick matters, ſhut up together in a long Appartment, divided like our Hoſpitals for ſeveral Beds, where free from Envy, Pride or Jealouſy, they Eat, Drink, and Work together, Guarded by the Watchful Obſervation of Induſtrious Eunuchs, and excluded from the Society of Men, above Ten Years Old, never Stirring from their Houſes, nor making Viſits to their Neighbours, but all entirely bent to pleaſe by turns the Wandring will of their Reſpected Husband.
THESE then are the Chief Accompliſhments of their Womens Minds, which are Moulded by the ſame Cuſtoms, to the ſame Nature, in every Part of their Country: And tho' ſome Provinces have been eſteem'd more Fa⯑mous than others for the Beauty of their Women; the Following Account will ſerve as a Deſcription of the Turkiſh Ladies.
The Excel⯑lence of their Complexions.THEIR Complexions are for the moſt Part, of a Lovely Fair, and with⯑out the help of Art ſo exquiſitely Smooth and Ruddy, that 'tis beyond the Power of Imagination to Gueſs at their Beauty, which Extraordinary Per⯑fection they owe to their ſo frequent uſe of Bathing, and Perpetual Confine⯑ment to their Houſes, by which means they are never Ruffled by the Changes of the Weather, nor ſubject to the Sultry Influences of a Scorching Sun, but 'tis obſervable that they loſe their Beauty much ſooner than the Inhabitants of the Northern World, for the daily uſe of Bagnio's, tho' it ſmooths their Skin, and ſoftens their Complexions, does notwithſtanding, prejudice their Conſtitu⯑tions by the Warm effects of its Sulphureous Quality. A Diſcription of the Perſons of the Turkiſh Ladies.Their Features are Gene⯑rally moſt agreeably Regular, of an exact and ſweet Proportion, their Eyes of a Piercing Black, almoſt Tranſparently Bright and Striking, and the larger they are, the more Eſteem'd, for ſo vaſt a Value do the Turks Profeſs for Great Ey'd Ladies, that the Enjoyment of ſuch is by Mahomet promis'd them as one of the Sublimeſt Joys of their Chimerical Paradiſe, Arch'd Eye-Brows Judg'd a Beauty by the Turks.the Arched Excel⯑lency of their Eye-brows, is no ſmall Addition to the Beauty of their Features, and ſo Nicely ſenſible they are of this Perfection, that where Nature has de⯑ny'd 'em ſo agreeable a Charm, they are never contented till by the repeat⯑ed Applications of Artificial Endeavours, they raiſe their Brows to a lofty Semicircle, meeting over their Noſe in a Sharp and Gracefull Angle.
Their Shapes and Aires.I can hardly ſpeak of their Shapes, with ſo large Encomiums as I have done of their Beauty, ſince the Looſeneſs of their Dreſs, denies them that forc'd Slenderneſs of Waſt, ſo much admir'd by our Europaean Ladies; but tho' they boaſt not that one Excellency, Nature has adorn'd 'em with a Thouſand others, which ſufficiently ſupply its want, for their Bodies have ſomewhat of an agreeable turn, and their Motions carry a Peculiar Grace in an Eaſy and un⯑affected Freedom of behaviour, the Native Chams of an Amorous Softneſs appear unfeignedly in every look, while every Step bears ſomewhat of an Air not altogether free from a Majeſtic Gravity, and yet entirely Govern'd by an Ʋncommon Eaſineſs.
The Turkiſh Ladies are Laſciviouſly inclin'd.I am ſorry (after ſo true, yet great a Character of their Perſons) to De⯑ſcend to the Weakneſs of their unguarded Vertue, which lies ſo open and Ʋn⯑fortifyed by Principle, as to be Incapable of reſiſting the ſmalleſt Temptation of a Favourable Opportunity. This Vice of Incontinency is undoubtedly no Hereditary Misfortune deriv'd from their Anceſtors, ſince moſt of the Modern Turks, eſpecially thoſe of Europe, are Deſcended from the Greeks, the old Inhabitants of that Subverted Country; a Nation ſo entirely free from Lewdneſs and Immorality, that they Inſtructed all the World in the Sublimeſt [111] Vertues. The reaſons of their Lewd⯑neſs.The warm Deſires which at preſent ſway the looſer Inclinations of the Turkiſh Ladies, are rather the effects of their unnatural Confinement, and the ſtrict Prohibition they are under from the Society of Mankind, which raiſing their Imaginations to an opinion of a more elevated Bliſs, than is really found in the Converſation of our Sex, enflames their Wiſhes, as it heightens their Curioſity, and renders the coldeſt Conſtitution of 'em all an eaſy Conqueſt to the firſt Addreſſes of an advent'rous Lover; and 'tis no wonder they have no more regard to their Vertue or their Honour, while the Duties of Religion are never taught 'em; but on the contrary, their Mind's poſſeſs'd, that as God has given them a Soul inferiour to that of Man, he exacts leſs Service from the Female Sex, whom he only created for the Ʋſe and Satisfaction of the nobler Males.
BY theſe Notions, and the want of Liberty before-mention'd, they are all led to ſo vaſt an eſteem of Men, that they ſcarce know a difference in their Merits, receiving promiſcuouſly all ſuch as Chance or Aſſurance throws in their way, and proceeding without the Ceremonies of a formal Courtſhip to a plenary Satisfaction of their lewd Deſires; The Lewd⯑neſs of the Turkiſh Ladies, when they can convey ſome Stranger into their Appart⯑ments.and ſo laſcivious are their Inclinations, that if by the ingenuity of their Contrivances they can procure the Company of ſome Stranger in their Chamber, they claim unanimouſly an equal ſhare of his Careſſes, and proceed by Lots to the Enjoyment of his Per⯑ſon; nor can he be permitted to leave them, till having exerted his utmoſt Vigour in the Embraces of the whole Company, he becomes incapable of fur⯑ther Service, and is diſpatch'd with the Thanks and Preſents of the oblig'd Family.
I will deſire my Reader's Patience while I entertain him with a fair Ex⯑ample of the Levity for which I thus accuſe the Turkiſh Ladies; 'tis not now above eight Years ſince firſt it hap'ned to a fond Mahometan, who all poſ⯑ſeſs'd with Europaean Dreams of Love and Beauty, wou'd neither marry Wife, nor take a Concubine, that was not Miſtreſs of a tender Nature, and as he thought accompliſh'd ſweetly in thoſe bright Perfections, which in ſpite of Fate, muſt make him happy; The folly of our inconſide⯑rate love of Beauty.but oh! how vainly does deluded Man de⯑pend on Beauty as a means of Bliſs, when every frail Misfortune of defici⯑ent Nature robs him of his Hope; it is a Bleſſing ever ſubject to a thou⯑ſand accidental ſhocks of Ruin, and even in its longeſt, and uninterrupted courſe of Sun-ſhine, but the tranſient Shadow of a momentary Satisfaction, excellently defin'd by Seneca in his Tragedy of Hippolytus.
THE Turk of whom I am about to ſpeak, was long an Enemy to ev'ry Thought, that led him to a Scene of Matrimony; but he was caught at laſt, and I have ever found, that thoſe, who moſt inveigh'd againſt it have been ſooneſt tempted to its Yoke, and often moſt gaul'd by it. It was a very witty Obſervation made by an old Greek Poet, in the follow⯑ing Epigram.
A pleaſant Story of the bold Adven⯑ture of an En⯑gliſh Sailor.THIS Turkiſh Nobleman, for ſmiling Fortune had enlarg'd his Circum⯑ſtances to a great and lofty pitch of Splendour, kept a very large Haramm, or Chamber of his Women, he poſſeſs'd I think, of Wives and Concubines no leſs a Number than a quarter of an Hundred, and ſo fondly doated on their amo⯑rous Converſation, that he knew no Pleaſure greater than the Enjoyment of their Company, wou'd paſs whole Days in their Apartment, and chuſe ſome one among them every Night, to carry to his Bed, and favour with the Duty of his kind Embraces.
HOWEVER, whether Nature had not qualified him for the Womens Favourite, or whether every Lady thought her turn too long in coming, is not known, but this is certain, that the whole Society of Beauties, were ex⯑treamly Melancholy, and wou'd penſively retire to a large Window, which look'd out upon a Garden on the backſide of their Apartment, and by throwing up the Lettice, let in Air, which fan'd not cool'd the warmth of their Deſires; their Lord it ſeems, was very covetous, and finding Eunuch's ſomewhat chargeable, maintain'd but one, and that an old and lazy Fellow, who wou'd always go to Bed before his Ladies, and by that means give them favourable Opportunities to open the above-nam'd Win⯑dow and look out upon the Garden, or divert themſelves with any Enter⯑tainment they thought fit to paſs the Night in.
'TWAS late one Evening and the Family ſecure in their repoſe, when a brisk Engliſh Sailor, who had loſt his Company, in coming, not an Hour before, from drinking at a little Hovel, where a Greek ſold Wine, had rambled up and down from Street to Street, till he arriv'd in a ſmall narrow Lane, one Wall whereof belong'd to the above-nam'd Garden; A lucky Curioſity.he was walking haſtily along, not knowing whereabouts he was, when he was ſtartled at the ſudden noiſe of Womens Voices, and deſirous to behold what ſort of Creatures Females were in Turkey, he was led by Wine and Curioſity together, to aſcend a ſort of Wooden Scaffold, which he found there rais'd againſt the Wall, and had been built in order to repair ſome Breaches made by Time.
THE Art of his Profeſſion had inſtructed him to climb, by which means he with eaſe got up ſo high, that hanging by his Hands and Feet, he overlook'd the ridge of the Wall, and cou'd perceive diſtinctly, by the favour of the Moon-ſhine, ſeveral Ladies almoſt in their Shifts, and ſporting wantonly together in a Window, on the other ſide the Garden; he was wonderfully pleas'd to ſee a ſight, he had been long a Stranger to, and not being able to expreſs himſelf in Turkiſh, was reſolv'd to ſhow his Breeding in the Engliſh Language, and call'd out aloud, A comical Salutation. Ha! my dear Rogues, have I caught ye faith? Egad I wiſh I was among ye.
NOTHING cou'd have been a greater ſurprize to the diſcover'd Ladies, than to hear a Voice, at once appearing to be a Man's, and Stranger to their Language or Acquaintance, but 'twas encreas'd if poſſible, when they beheld a Head, Chin high, looking o'er the Wall with ſhort thick Hair, and Hat of Engliſh Faſhion; A Surprize ſoon over.the fright at firſt oblig'd 'em to a Shriek, and drove 'em from the Window for about five Minutes, but perceiving none had overheard them in the Houſe, they gather'd Courage and return'd again, believing Providence had ſent a Man to gratifie their Wiſhes.
THE Sailor had by this time got aſtride upon the Wall, and was be⯑ginning an old Ballad in that merry Poſture, not remembring he had chang'd [113] his Wapping Reſidence, for a ſhort continuance in a Turkiſh City: But the Ladies gather'd in a knot about the Window, and by the cautionary Motions of their Fingers, huſh'd him into ſilence, and began to beckon him with ſmi⯑ling Looks and all the tempting Invitations of an amorous Deportment.
A very kind, familiar Invi⯑tation.ENCOURAG'D by their unexpected, kind Behaviour, the adven⯑t'rous Tarr forſook his Station, and leaping from the Wall into the Garden, expreſs'd his Satisfaction in their beautifull Appearances, by all the aukward Bows, and apiſh Cringes his Marine Accompliſhments had made him Ma⯑ſter of. He came at laſt, and ſtood directly under them, explaining by the Motions of his Head and Eyes, and other Signs, that he was ſorry ſuch an inacceſſible Heighth prevented him from reaching them.
An obliging Condeſcenti⯑on.THEY talk'd a while by Signs and Motions, but perceiving they cou'd reap but little Pleaſure from ſo remote a Converſation, the obliging Ladies, loth to loſe ſo rare an Opportunity, began to make ſucceſsfull uſe of thoſe inventive Faculties, which Nature conſtantly beſtows on Woman, in her amorous Exigencies; and while certain of the Company continued at the Window, ſmiling in a ſort of wanton Dalliance, with the raptur'd Sailor, others ran and tied as many of their Sheets together as wou'd reach the Ground, which having done, they came again, and making faſt the hither end to certain Hooks within the Chamber, threw the other down to him, and kindly beck'ned him to make a proper uſe of their inviting Fa⯑vours.
A bold Ad⯑venture.HE was not backward in performing their deſires, but never thinking of the Conſequences which might happen, made a ſhift to reach the Window by the help of their Contrivance; they receiv'd him joyfully, and had begun to ſtare upon the ſtrangeneſs of his Habit, when he interrupted them by roughly kiſſing all the Company, imagining, that ſince he always us'd his Engliſh Miſtreſſes in that familiar manner, it was the Faſhion ſo to do in every Foreign Place he came to.
THE Turkiſh Husbands never kiſs their Women but in Bed, and conſe⯑quently this Behaviour of our merry Britain wonderfully diverted them, they laugh'd exceedingly and gather'd round him; every one ask'd ſome particular Queſtion, but he cou'd not underſtand one Word they ſaid, and finding more than he expected in the Chamber, look'd about him with a great amazement, but began at laſt, to catch them in his Arms, embracing them by turns, with ſo much zeal and rapture, that 'twas hard to tell which Party knew moſt pleaſure; he in meeting ſuch engaging, beautifull, and willing Creatures, or the Ladies in their accidental Satisfaction of admit⯑ting to their Arms, a Lover of ſo brisk and airy a Deportment, and a Man ſo full of Mirth and Ʋigour.
A very fair Proceeding of the Turkiſh Ladies.THE Room wherein they lay, was long and broad, with Beds all laid in order along either ſide, and each deſirous firſt to offer him a part of hers, they rais'd a ſort of War among them, till it was reſolv'd that all ſhou'd draw a Lot a piece, and ſtand to the deciſion.
THIS then at laſt they all agreed to, and with Sciſſars cut a Crimſon Ribband into five and twenty Pieces, each a little longer than the former; theſe they made the Sailor hold, and drew their Lots in order; ſhe, who had the longeſt was that very Night to have him for her Bedfellow, and ſo proportionably ſhe, who had unfortunately drawn the ſhorteſt Lot, was doom'd to be the fartheſt diſtant from his wiſh'd Embraces.
[114] The Order they contriv'd to keep.THUS had they form'd almoſt an whole Months Task, for the poor Sailor, who never us'd to think on time to come, and therefore went con⯑tentedly to Bed, with his fair firſt-night Mistreſs. We will not doubt the ſatisfaction, which he met with, but proceed to tell the Reader that an hour before the break of Day, that Lady, who was next to be his Partner, came and wak'd him from a pleaſing Slumber, leſt he ſhou'd unluckily by over-ſleeping his Security, be found as ſoon as Morning broke by the Eunuch, who was al⯑ways us'd to walk his Rounds about that time; and this was the concluded order they were all to take, for their aſſur'd Security.
I ſcarce believe our amorous Tarpawlin, when the cool reflection of his waking Senſes, repreſented his condition, found himſelf ſo pleaſant as the Night before; but he had gone too far to think of going back, till he had done the Duty they expected from him, and therefore wiſely thought it beſt to ſeem tranſported with his preſent, paſt, and future Happineſs. The Contri⯑vance, which they made to hide him.In ſhort they led him to a very high and ſpacious Pr [...]ſs, or rather Wardrobe, for it was the Place, wherein they us'd to hang their Cloaths; in this Repoſitory, he was forc'd to ſtand or lie all Day, and had the Door by chance been op'ned, he had yet perhaps, continued undiſcover'd, hid all over, by the Cloaths about him.
THE Maſter of the Houſe wou'd often come, and paſs ſome Hours every Day amongſt his Women, ſo that all Day long the Sailor was con⯑fin'd to keep his Station, yet wanted little elſe but Liberty, for he had Meat and Drink, far more than he requir'd, Their good na⯑tur'd manner of getting him Proviſions.which the good humour'd La⯑dies, order'd to be ſet aſide, pretending they wou'd eat it at another time, and taking ſome convenient Opportunity, when all was ſafe, they carry'd it directly to their pounded Amoroſo.
All over⯑turn'd by an unlucky Ac⯑cident.THEY paſs'd about ten Days and Nights without the ſmalleſt fear, or danger of Diſcovery, when an unlucky Accident fell out, and ruin'd all; it hap'ned that the Lady to whoſe turn 'twas come that Night to claim the Sailor for her Bedfellow, was taken by the Turk, her Lord and Maſter, to the unexpected Favour of his own Enjoyment, ſo that ſhe, whoſe Lot came next was ſooner than ſhe thought of, Miſtreſs of her long hop'd Happineſs, but when the next turn came, the Lady, who the Night before had lawfully poſſeſs'd her Husband's Bed, renew'd her Title to the baulk'd Enjoyment of the Sailor's Perſon, which ſhe, who next expected it deny'd with fervour, urging that ſhe, having loſt her turn, ſhou'd ſtay till laſt of all, before ſhe cou'd in juſtice lay a ſecond Claim to what ſhe aim'd at.
The Sailor's dangerous Diſcovery.WORDS were multiplied to noiſy Diſputations, and from thence they fell to downright Blows about the matter, till the Houſe alarm'd by their Diſturbance, wak'd the Eunuch, who came running to the Chamber to de⯑mand the Cauſe of their ſo ſudden Diſagreement, and the firſt thing he took particular notice of, was the poor Sailor, who was got among the thickeſt of the Fray, to interpoſe the beſt of his Endeavours, for appeaſing their tumultuous Violence.
His bold At⯑tempt to get away.THE Eunuch all amaz'd to ſee a Man ſo ſtrangely dreſs'd among the La⯑dies, came and caught him roughly by the Shoulder, who ſurpriz'd as much to find himſelf diſcover'd, ſtruck the old and feeble Eunuch ſuch a Blow up⯑on the Head, as beat him to the Ground, and running to the Window, ne⯑ver ſtaid to look for Sheots, which if he had he wou'd have miſs'd, but ven⯑turing his Neck to ſave his Liberty, leap'd nimbly down, and lighting on the ſoft and yielding Mould, receiv'd no hurt, but made a ſhift, to clamber up a Gate which open'd to the Lane; and after half an hours rambling up and down, half dead with fear, came out upon the Port where lay an [115] Engliſh Veſſel, half Ʋnladen, cloſe upon the Key; He got On-board, and over⯑joy'd at his eſcape, went next Morning to the Veſſel he belong'd to, which departed two days after, bound for Alexandria.
The Liberali⯑ty of the Turk⯑iſh Ladies.HE brought off Ten or Twelve conſiderable Diamonds, of a greater Value than the Profits of a Hundred of his Voyages cou'd poſſibly a⯑mount to, every Lady gratefully beſtowing One, the Night ſhe Bedded him. Had he but ſtaid to have gone through the Family he had grown Rich by their Succeſſive Bounties, but he had cauſe to be contented with his Fortune eitherway: And what will ſerve to make this Accident the more diverting, is, that when the Eunuch roſe and look'd about him, the Ingenious Ladies joyn'd to tell him an Amazing Story, how the Man he ſaw, came in and Frighted them, which Paſſing for a truth, they ſav'd their Reputations, and perhaps their Lives, while it was commonly re⯑ported round the City, that the Devil or an Infidel had entred the Ha⯑ramm of ſuch a Nobleman, nor was it known which way he had got in, or how he cou'd find means to get away again.
A Story of the Unfortunate Intrigue of a French Embaſ⯑ſadors Secre⯑tary.LESS Fortunate, tho' equally Adventurous was the Comical Amour of a Young Gentleman, Secretary to the French Embaſſadour at Conſtantinople, a⯑bout the Year 1700, who Attempting to have Brib'd an Eunuch, of a Turkiſh Noblemans Haramm, receiv'd Encouragement to hope Admiſſion on a certain Night; when coming by Direction of the abovenam'd Eunuch to a certain Woodpile in the Yard, belonging to the Houſe where⯑in they were, he Mounted on the Loggs and waited for a Summons.
HE had not long continued there, before a certain Lady, purpoſely as 'twas reported afterwards, admitted to a Chamber very near him, came and look'd about her at the Window, the Amorous Monſieur had no ſooner fix'd his Eyes upon her, A ſilent way of making Love.but believing that to be the Future Object of his Love, he put in practice all the Lears, Bows, Cringes and Grimaces, he was capable of uſing.
BUT while thus employ'd upon the Turkiſh Woodpile, the Maſter of the Houſe, who had been told the Secret by his faithful Eunuch, came Attended by a Number of his Servants, and Apprehended him amidſt the Numerous Airs of his too diſtant Courtſhip. The bad ſuc⯑ceſs of his A⯑mour.No excuſe cou'd plead his Pardon, but he was immediately led out, and in the very Gate, ſet open purpoſely to gather Lookers on, receiv'd two Hundred Baſtinadoes on the Soles of his Feet, and was turn'd out, to hop along the Streets and reach his Home, as well as his ſore Bruiſes wou'd permit him.
The Turks ſharp anſwer to the French Embaſſadors complaint.COMPLAINTS were made by the Embaſſador his Maſter, but the Turkiſh Court return'd for anſwer, that as all their dealings with the ſe⯑veral Miniſters of Foreign Princes, had been hitherto directed by the Cu⯑ſtoms of their Country, ſo they knew not well to grant a Satisfaction for an Ac⯑cident which had not yet afforded them a Precedent: Thereby Inſinuating that the Secretary had ſo greatly and ſo openly Affronted the Turk, who Baſtinado'd him, that 'twas an Action, whoſe peculiar Inſolence was paſt Example.
Loves blind effects excuſe⯑able in all Men.LET Love excuſe the Amorous Frenchmans raſh attempt, or rather his Miſcarriage; 'tis a Flame will Burn in every Country, and the Smoak it raiſes may excuſe the Blindneſs of the objects, which it Seizes on; No Man can always run too faſt for following Indiſcretion, and you know, who tells us Nemo omnibus horis Sapit, No Man is always free from Folly. Well ſpoke that Ancient Greek, who asks this Queſtion, in the very Caſe we now are Treating on.
The Turkiſh Ladie's want of Honour ra⯑ther to be pitied than condemn'd.CONSIDER Readers, when you ſee this ſtrange Account of the Fair Sex in Turkey, 'tis not Nature, but the Rules of Education, which inſpire the moſt accompliſh'd Chaſtity with purer Notions; and if the rude and barbarous Ignorance, wherein the Turkiſh Women are oblig'd to live, has ſacrific'd their Honour to the warmth of their Deſires, rather pity, than condemn their want of Vertue, and remember in compaſſion of their Frailties, that
CHAP. XV. Of the Turkiſh Cuſtoms, and Ceremonies in Converſation.
IN deſcribing the general Cuſtoms of the Turkiſh Converſation, 'twill be the plaineſt Method to begin with their Morning Exerciſes, and trace them through the various Entertainments of a buſy Day; for when you know what manner of Living is practis'd by the richeſt and moſt active of their People, you may eaſily gueſs at the leſs ſtately or ſtirring Life of the remainder.
The firſt Em⯑ployment, whereto Great Men in Turkey put the Day.EACH then obeys for the moſt part, the Summons of the earlieſt Cock, and riſing from his Mattreſs, for Feather-Beds are never us'd in Turkey, his Slaves attend in an obſequious Reverence to wait his Motions to the Bag⯑nio, which Great Men conſtantly build in their Houſes, others muſt be contented with the Publick ones: Here, when throughly cleans'd, they rub him with Napkins till he is dry, and then attend him ſilently to that part of his Houſe he pleaſes to be dreſs'd in; every Servant knows his Office, one puts on his Shirt, another his Waſtcoat, the third his Veſt, and another his Turbant, till he is at laſt compleatly ready.
Their Diver⯑ſions when at Home.IF he intends a Viſit, he commands his Attendants to put themſelves in order, and in the mean time ſits croſs leg'd on a Cuſhion in the corner of ſome Saffrai, looking into his Gardens, ſmoaking Tobacco, drinking Coffee, or perhaps playing at Cheſs with ſome Favorite Eunuch, which are the only Do⯑mestick Diverſions in uſe amongſt them.
Their manner of making Viſits.WHEN his Horſe is ready, for they ſeldom viſit on foot, he comes gravely down to the Gate of his Houſe, thro' a double Row of his Atten⯑dants, [117] who laying their Hands on their Boſoms bow ſlowly to the Ground, and kiſs the corners of his Veſt, which is the common Salutation of the Turks to their Superiors; his Horſe is cover'd with a ſtately Capariſon of Cloath of Gold or Silver, ſometimes adorn'd with Jewels, which reaches from under the Saddle to his Heels; his Stirrops are of Silver, and ſo large as to contain his whole Foot; they are held, while he mounts, by two of his Servants, and when he moves, he is follow'd by a great number of them on Foot, walking two by two at equal diſtance; How they re⯑ceive each o⯑ther at their Houſes.in this order he proceeds to the Houſe of him he would viſit (having before given him notice) where alighting at the bottom of the Stairs, he is conducted thro' double rows of Servants to the Preſence of their Maſter, who meets him nearer to, or farther from his Room of State, according to the difference of their Quality, tho' to Chriſtians they never ſtirr out of their Places, but receive them ſitting; after the mutual Compliments of ſomewhat declining their Bodies with their Hand on their Boſom, they proceed thro' ſeveral Rooms to that, they are to ſit in; the Stranger, as they walk, always taking the left Hand, preferr'd as the nobleſt Place in Converſation, becauſe, whoever has it, is ſuppos'd to be Maſter of the others Seymetar, as I think I have in the foregoing part inform'd my Reader. When they are entred, they advance to that elevated part of the Floor, call'd the Saffrai, and place themſelves croſs-leg'd oppoſite to each other on Cuſhions richly cover'd, with their Hands upon their Laps like our Women.
How they are Enter⯑tain'd in Viſits.NOW begins Diſcourſe, which is hardly enter'd on, when ſeveral Pages richly dreſs'd bring in a Silk or Muſlin Handkerchief finely embroi⯑der'd, and ſpread it on the Strangers Lap; then comes another with a Sal⯑ver, containing ſeveral ſorts of Sweet-Meats in little Spoons, like thoſe we uſe for Tea, ſome of theſe he eats, and is immediately attended by a third with a Diſh of Coffee; that drank, the Handkerchief is taken away, and they withdraw; but the Viſiter has hardly renew'd his Diſcourſe, when they return again with another Handkerchief, which being ſpread as before, one ſprinkles Sweet-Water in his Face from a Silver Bottle, and another ſmoak⯑ing his Beard and the inſide of his Veſt with burnt Perfume from a golden Incenſe-Pan, they withdraw again; theſe two Ceremonies are uſually per⯑form'd at the Page's Diſcretion as to the time between them; but there re⯑mains a third, which they muſt wait their Maſter's call for, and that is the bringing in a large Diſh of Sherbet of an excellent Flavour, which as ſoon as the Stranger has drank, he takes leave and goes away; A very odd Cuſtom.for 'tis their Cuſtom never to call for that Liquor, till they grow weary of their Viſiter's Company.
THEY ſeldom eat above one Meal a Day, and that a Dinner; they are rarely known to be luxurious in their Appetite, and are yet extreamly covetous of heaping vaſt and numerous Sums of Money from the Offices they hold; unskill'd in that incomparable Doctrine of Horace in the twelfth Epi⯑ſtle of his firſt Book.
[118] The Turkiſh Diet.THEIR Diet is but courſe, and rarely varied, conſiſting generally of boil'd Hens, or Mutton, and a ſort of butter'd Rice, of late much us'd in Bri⯑tain, where 'tis call'd according to the Turkiſh Name Pilowe; their Butter is not made like ours, but on the contrary, is nothing elſe but Sheeps Tail Fat once melted down, and ſo preſerv'd in certain Skins for common Uſes.
Sheep with Tails ſo large, that they are forc'd to draw them after 'em on Carriages.AND ſince I mention Turkiſh Sheep, it will not be digreſſive from the Subject I'm upon, to tell you that there are in many Provinces of Perſia, and the Grand Signior's Country, Sheep, whoſe Tails are ſo prodigiouſly encumbred with an incredible load of Fat, that twenty, thirty, often forty Engliſh Pounds of Greaſe, are taken from the Tail of one ſole Sheep; nay to ſuch a bulk and weight they ſometimes grow, that 'tis a very common Scene in many Parts of Turkey, to behold 'em dragging after them their pond'rous Rumps, on two-wheel'd Carriages, contriv'd on purpoſe.
Turkiſh Pies.ANOTHER ſort of Diet us'd among the Turks are certain Pies, in⯑differently bak'd, and fill'd with Meats of various kinds, but ſo exceſſively, and paſt all reliſh mix'd with Garlick, that the ſtrongeſt Appetite of France it ſelf, cou'd ſcarce digeſt them.
Their manner of dreſſing Roaſt-Meat.THEY ſeldom roaſt, and when they do, obſerve a very different manner from the Europaean Practice; all their Fires are made in holes cut one or two Foot deep in Earth, about the ſeveral Parts of all their Kitchins; an Iron Engine, ſhap'd not much unlike a Gibbet, holds a String, which, faſt'ned to ſome part of any thing they roaſt, turns gradually round, and ſo prepares it for their eaſy Palates.
A very ſavory ſort of Diſh, in uſe among the Turks.ONE Diſh they have in frequent uſe, of reliſh not unſavory, which may be nam'd a ſort of forc'd Meat; it conſiſts of many kinds of Fleſh, all minc'd and chop'd together, with the rind of Limons, Nutmegs, Pepper, Cloves, and Cinnamon, all this they roll when ſeaſon'd, into Balls of reaſonable ſizes, wrapping them about with doubled Bay-leaves, newly gather'd, and pro⯑ceeding ſo to roaſt 'em with a gentle Fire: This I think they call Kabobb, and is if my skill'd Country Cooks will take my Word, a ſort of palatable Prepara⯑tion worth the imitating.
Their way of making Bread.AS for Bread they uſe no other than a ſort of flat and dough-back'd Cake they call Ecmeck; they make it of a courſe, and ill-ground Flour, rend'red moiſt by Milk and Water; after it is kneaded they proceed to preſs it out with heavy rolling Pins, and cutting Cakes in Trencher form, lay many on an heated Hearth by one another, throwing over them the hot and burning Aſhes, till they judge 'em bak'd ſufficiently, by which means they are very harſh and grating in the Teeth, as if ſome Sand had fallen up⯑on them.
Their manner of Eating.WHEN they eat, they uſe no Plates, Knives, Forks, or any thing but Wooden Spoons, not much unlike the faſhion of our Ladles, theſe Cakes of Bread ſupply the place of Plates or Trenchers; upon them they lay their Meat, ſo throughly boil'd or roaſted, that they tear with eaſe, what part they chuſe, by the aſſiſtance of their Fingers, eating laſt of all the Plates themſelves, as did Aeneas and his newly landed Trojans, thus deſcrib'd by Virgil in his ſeventh Aeneid.
[]
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE, Which Repreſents the Manner of DINING, Among the TURKS of QUALITY.
- THE Place they Sit in, is a Kiosk or Summer-Houſe.
- The Poſture of the Servants, the Towel that goes Round, on all their Laps, the Man, who Reaches Water from the Fountain, the Car⯑pet on the Floor, and every Figure in the Piece, is done as Natu⯑rally as is Poſſible.
[]
To her Grace Mary Dutchess of Ormond &c. This Plate is most humbly Dedicated
S Bois [...]
Their Po⯑ſtures when they eat.THEY ſit at Meals croſs-legd, about a Table ſcarce ſo much as half Foot high, made hollow, and the inſide plated o'er with Tin or Silver; in their Laps there lies a long courſe Towel, very narrow, reaching round the whole Table, whoſe uncover'd Surface contains their ſeveral Diſhes, ſtill remov'd as ſoon as taſted, to make room for others, only diff'ring in the Colour of the Soop wherein their Meat is brought before 'em.
The Drink they uſe at Meals.AS for Drink, they rarely uſe at Dinner any other than the Fountain Water, commonly at hand in all their Dining Rooms, and taken up in Sil⯑ver, Gold, or Earthen Cups that moment it is call'd for, by the Servants who attend them. It is ſeldom known that all the Family ſit down together to their Meat, one Smoaks, another Sings, a third perhaps is playing on his Fiddle, one is Eating, and a fifth employ'd at Cheſs, with ſome Companion of no greater Stomach than him ſelf; but that their ways of Eating, and their Poſtures when about it, may be underſtood more fully, I have here annex'd a Cut, wherein the Reader may behold 'em plainly repre⯑ſented.
THEY commonly delight in ſprightly Exerciſes after Dinner, as be⯑lieving 'em conducive to their Healths and Reputation; many Sports they uſe, all which I ſhall deſcribe in proper order, and will firſt proceed to treat about their Hurling the Geritt, the favourite Exerciſe of all theſe Peo⯑ple.
Hurling the Dart, a com⯑mon Exerciſe in Turkey.THIS Manly Sport is not unlike, perhaps the ſame, with that ancient Roman Cuſtom of darting Javelins from their Hands, the Vigour wherewith they threw them, and the Execution they perform'd when thrown, may be conceiv'd by the Deſcription of the Death of Turnus in Virgil's laſt Aeneid.
The Turks how skill'd therein.NOR is the Turkiſh Skill inferior to the Roman in this celebrated Exer⯑ciſe, which is ſo common, and thereby ſo exquiſitely known, that ſome are found among them, who with one ſtrong throw at fifty five Yards diſtance, will with blunt, unheaded Wooden Javelins, break a Door of near Inch thick⯑neſs into twenty Pieces.
NAY to ſuch Perfection are the Turks arriv'd in this encourag'd Pra⯑ctice, that they never miſs the ſmalleſt Mark they aim at; uſing the Diver⯑ſion both on Horſeback and on Foot, and catching with their Hands the Wea⯑pons of their Enemies, in certain Skirmiſhes by way of Single Combat, or a Party of an Hundred, Twenty, Ten, or more or leſs, againſt an equal Num⯑ber. The Beauty of their grace⯑full Forms of Exerciſing it.'Tis a curious ſight and worthy obſervation to behold their admira⯑ble Horſemanſhip, and dext'rous Management of theſe Gerits, at certain publick and appointed Trials, by the way of Challenge, where an emulative fire inſpiring either ſide with hopes of Conqueſt, leads 'em on, to act as cautiouſly as if in earneſt. 'Tis amazingly agreable to ſee theſe Men, a⯑midſt an hiſſing multitude of Darts, which fly continually from ſide to ſide, behave themſelves with free and unaffected Careleſſneſs, with eaſe defend⯑ing every Part, and turning, prancing, rearing, and curvetting on their Warlike Horſes, as if they were not two diſtinct and ſeparated Bodies.
Their dexte⯑rity in ſeveral admirable Points.THEY bear within the left ſide of their Horſes Girt, a certain Cane of crooked top, not much unlike a Crook, or Nut-hook, with which they ſuddenly ſnatch up whatever Javelin lies upon the Ground, which ſome can do without ſuch help, by bending from their Saddles in the ſwifteſt Gallop; others there are found in Turkey, who will throw a Dart with all their Strength, a little riſing as it flys, and watching eagerly the Courſe it takes, ſpurr violently on and catch it as it is inclin'd to fall, ſome Yards before it comes upon the Ground, and this they often will repeat for twenty, ſome⯑times thirty Caſts together.
AND now, ſince I occaſionally ſpoke of Turkiſh Horſemanſhip, I will deſcribe the manner of their riding, which, together with the gracefull Shape, couragious Nature, and the ſwiftneſs of their Horſes, renders them the ſureſt and politeſt Horſemen of the Ʋniverſe.
The Turkiſh Saddles, and Capariſons.THEIR Saddles are of deep and ſolid Make, of gentle riſe behind, and bearing at the Bow, a ſort of high, and round Steel, Braſs, or Silver headed Pummel, very dangerous to Men unus'd to Riding: They tie their upper Girt quite round the Saddle, under which is faſt'ned to three Buck⯑les, a Capariſon, which falling largely back, hangs almoſt to the Ground, and being made of Silk, or Cloath of various Colours, is embroider'd richly, with a Gold, or Silver Wire, and oftentimes ſet thick with pre⯑cious Stones, of a ſurprizing Lustre, and ineſtimable Value; their Bitts are excellently made of poliſh'd Steel, ſo ſharp and yet ſo eaſy, that when gently held, they cannot hurt a ſoft-mouth'd Horſe, and yet upon occaſion, will controul a Lyon: All the Bridles us'd by Gentlemen, are made about the breadth of one of our Inches, of a ſort of fine and twiſted Silk, of Green, Blue, Scarlet, White, or any other Colour.
[121] Their way of riding.BOTH their Bridles and their Breaſt-plates are adorn'd with maſſy Plates of Braſs, or Silver, gilt genteely, and their Stirrops of a very large, unweildy ſize, with four ſharp Corners, which ſupply the want of Spurrs upon their Boots, for thoſe they never wear in Turkey. They are faſt'ned ſtrongly to the Saddle Frame, but hang ſo ſhort, that they are forc'd to ride with Knees quite bent as when they ſit; Its advantage over ours.but tho' this Poſture may not ſeem ſo gracefull to the Eye, as ours in Chriſtendom, 'tis yet far more ſecure, and uſefull; for by this means, Turkiſh Horſe-men riſing in their Stirrops, and elonging all their Bodies to each Stroke they give, both reach as far a⯑gain as we can do, and ſtrike with twice the ſtrength of Europaean Caval⯑ry; and 'tis in imitation of this Eaſtern Cuſtom that the Huſſars of our Army ride ſo ſhort, and are eſteem'd ſo uſefull in Purſuits or Par⯑ties.
Their uſe of Bows and Arrows.ANOTHER Exerciſe much us'd among the Turks, is ſhooting for a Prize with Bows and Arrows, at which they are expert and dext'rous as I have ſaid before; but practiſe this Diverſion in a very dull and ſlothfull manner, always near the Mark, and ſhooting at a ſort of plaiſter'd Target, while they fit in rows upon the ſhady Graſs, and ſend their Servants for the Arrows as they uſe 'em. Their Bows how made.All their Bows are toughly made, of hard'ned Horns of Buffelo's, mix'd with Steel of admirable Workmanſhip, and finely Gilt and Painted with an airy Mixture of bright Sylvan Co⯑lours.
The Turkiſh way of Wreſt⯑ling.WRESTLERS are eſteem'd, and very common, but unskillfull in the dext'rous Art of tripping fairly; all their Method is to ſtrip their Bodys naked to the Middle, oyl their Joints, and ſtooping forward very low, run aukwardly about each other; making ſudden, ſtrange, and uncouth noiſes to ſurprize or ſtartle their Antagoniſt, and ſnatching with their Hands his Leg or Thigh ſo throw him upon his Back, without ſo much as ever making uſe of their own Legs about it.
Rope-dancers and Juglers.ROPE-DANCERS, and a ſort of Juglers are encourag'd to perform their ſeveral Tricks, to pleaſe with mean Amuſements in the open Street ſuch Perſons as will ſtand, and gather round their Exerciſes, who contribute ſomething each, to pay their Labours, when a Fellow brings about a certain wooden Diſh, to every one of the Spectators, and deſires their Penny, Two-pence, or whatever more or leſs they pleaſe to give him.
The Carriages in Turkey.THE Carriages in uſe in Turkey, are a ſort of long and heavy Wag⯑gons, drawn by Buffelo's, a kind of Beaſt not much unlike an Ox, but ſtron⯑ger far, and larger by one half; their Horns are long, and ſpread to ſuch conſiderable Breadth, that I have ſeen the Tips, or utmoſt Points, almoſt two Yards aſunder.
Their unfami⯑liar way of Living.I have told before, their manner of Saluting one another; as for Viſiting, they ſeldom uſe it, and when Buſineſs leads 'em to each other's Houſes, they are always entertain'd in outward Rooms; nor are their Wives permitted to appear, nor grow acquainted with their Neighbour's Con⯑ſorts.
Their manner of Sleeping in their Cloaths.THEY ſleep on Quilts extreamly hard, and very often in their Cloaths, by which continued Cuſtom they are ſome of them ſo louſy, that you cannot paſs a Street without obſerving three or four employ'd, while ſitting at their Door, or in their Shops, in ſearching for, and killing thoſe encroaching Ver⯑min: Nor do they bluſh to be diſcover'd in ſo ſtrange an Action, common Practice having made a Faſhion of this lazy Paſtime.
[122] They make Water like Women.WHEN they have occaſion to make Water, they withdraw from publick Obſervation, and like Women, couch themſelves almoſt upon the Ground, leaſt by an accidental drop or two upon their Cloaths, they ſhou'd become defil'd: They ſpit with ſcorn to ſee a Chriſtian ſtand againſt a Wall, and ſometimes ſtrike him as they paſs along, to ſignifie their hatred of his Action and Immodeſty.
A Story how a Gentleman was circum⯑cis'd for piſ⯑ſing againſt a Turkiſh Moſque.I very well remember that I landed once at Candy, with about four more, all Engliſhmen, and Strangers to the Cuſtoms of the Country; we were buſy in obſerving as we walk'd along, the Buildings of the City, and afforded as ſurprizing Objects as we look'd upon, by being dreſs'd in Engliſh Habits; till at laſt, an inconſiderate and unluckly Member of our Company, who found himſelf inclin'd to Ʋrinate, turn'd round with far more Confi⯑dence than Wit to do it, juſt againſt the Corner of a Turkiſh Moſque.
THE People with a ſudden hollow flew about us, and began to uſe us ſomewhat roughly, but a mild Deportment, and ſubmiſſive Carriage, ſav'd all harmleſs but the frighted Criminal; he poor Man was doom'd to ſuf⯑fer; certain inſolent and unreſtrain'd Levants, the Sailors of the Country, came about him with their Knives all drawn, and having a long time beaten him about the Head, oblig'd him to lie down upon his Back, and never waiting for the uſual Ceremonies, Circumcis'd the ſtrugling and complaining Gentleman with Butcher-like Inciſion.
THEY ſaid abundance, but to little purpoſe, for we underſtood not then one Syllable of Turkiſh, yet ſuppos'd they were upbraiding the Offender, and adviſing him to err no more, leſt he ſhou'd meet a ſecond ſort of Circum⯑ciſion, far more fatal than the former; and indeed the ſuffering Perſon was beyond expreſſion overjoy'd to find his Loſs not half ſo great as he at firſt expected it. Complaints are vain, where Remedies are never found; ſo we were glad to march contentedly away, reſolving for the future to avoid the dan⯑ger, which our Friend had met with.
A comical Humour of the Gentle⯑man, in rela⯑tion to his Miſtreſs.SHAME and regret ſo much confounded him, that he endeavour'd once or twice to drown himſelf, upon receiving a kind, amorous Letter from a Miſtreſs he had left in England, and wou'd often ſwear he never wou'd re⯑turn becauſe of his Misfortune; but it ſeems, ſome merry Gentleman of his Acquaintance writ a Letter to the Lady, and inform'd her of his Reſolution and the Accident, which caus'd it; and upon her writing to her Lover that ſhe knew the Buſineſs and was glad it was no worſe; the poor diſpirited Gallant took Courage once again, and ventur'd to go back. He Married her immediately on his return, and ſince he found her ſatisfy'd, has little reaſon to continue melancholy. I cou'd tell the Reader a more pleaſant Story of a⯑nother Gentleman, but he's unmarried, and might chance to loſe his Mi⯑ſtreſs by the Bargain.
What the Turks hunt with Dogs.HUNTING is an Exerciſe in which the Turks take great delight, ſometimes with Dogs and ſometimes without: With Dogs but far inferior to our Engliſh Breed they courſe the Stagg, Fox, Hare, and other ſwift defenſe⯑leſs Animals; but when they hunt the Lyon, Leopard, Tyger, Boar, or other Foreſt Beaſts, they uſe the Dogs for nothing but to rouſe the Game, and leave it to their Management.
How they hunt Wild Beaſts in Turkey.THEY have both Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Hunting Matches, when the Gentlemen about the Country gather in a great and formidable Body, at ſome noted Place of Rendezvous, each mounted bravely on ſome Horſe that has been train'd to Warlike Diſcipline, and arm'd with a large oval Target, full of Spikes almoſt yard long, which hangs on their left Sides; [123] upon their Shoulders certain Quivers full of the beforenam'd Geritts or Steel pointed Javelins, and in their Girdles ſtick a pair or two of ſmall skrew-barrel'd Piſtols; beſides all theſe, a crooked Backſword arms their Thigh: When thus accout'red, they obey the Summons of the Captain's Trumpets, one diſtinguiſh'd by that Title being always over them.
The Form they ride in.THE common form wherein they ride is that of an extended Creſcent, or Half-Moon, whereby encompaſſing the corner of a Wood, they ſend in Dogs to rouſe the Beaſts about it, which the cautious Currs no ſooner have perform'd, but they come barking back, and ſave themſelves from dan⯑ger by retiring underneath the Horſes Heels: If 'tis a Lyon or a Tyger they diſturb, thoſe often have the Courage to run roaring forward and attack the Party.
WHEN the Beaſt is ſeen approaching, every Man prepares his Tar⯑get for his own Defence, unknowing where he aims his Vengeance; while the furious Salvage makes directly at ſome ſingled Horſeman, who oppo⯑ſing his ſharp-pointed Shield, the leaping Beaſt is wounded deeply, and, while redoubling diſappointed Efforts, clos'd upon by the ſurrounding Par⯑ty, who diſcharge a ſhower of Javelins at his Body, till he falls and dies a⯑midſt a thouſand Wounds.
When they ſhoot Wild Beaſts with Piſtols.BUT, if, as ſometimes has been known, the Man at whom the Lyon leaps, is ignorant at his Defence, and lets him ſeize his Back or Shoulder with a dreadfull Paw, the Company no more prefer their Sport to their Companions Safety, but ride in upon the Beaſt, and ſhoot him dead with Piſtol Bul⯑lets.
How they hunt the Boar.THE Boar they often hunt on foot, with Spears of Steel, and having rows'd his briſtled anger, wait his coming, with a cautious Eye, and leaping from his Tusks as he runs ſwiftly by them, take him on the turn, with ſtrange agility, and ſtrike him through the Heart with their abovenam'd Boar Spears.
How Wild-Cats are hun⯑ted.WILD-CATS, or Cats-of-Mountains there, afford an excellent Diver⯑ſion; they frequent the Woods, and leap about from Tree to Tree, inſomuch that all, who hunt them, are oblig'd to wear a ſort of Head-piece; for 'tis very common to behold 'em jump upon the Shoulders of their Hunters, and endeavour ſo to Wound them, till they are prevented by the Dart or Piſtol-Shot of ſome behind them.
The manner of a Turkiſh Coffee-Houſe.COFFEE-HOUSES are frequented by all ſorts of People, for 'tis there they meet to talk of News, divert themſelves with Smoaking, telling Stories, or hearing Novels read; yet are theſe Coffee-Houſes different from ours, in that they only are a ſort of Stalls, like Tailors Shopboards, open to the Street, and capable of holding twelve or fourteen Men, who meeting there ſit croſs-leg'd for an hour or two, to paſs away the time, which lies upon their Hands, with ſeveral different kinds of innocent Diver⯑ſions.
Opium, how and by whom taken among the Turks.OPIUM has in former times, been taken as a Cordial by the generali⯑ty of Men among the Turks, and certainly that Cuſtom ow'd its Introdu⯑ction to the Prohibition of the Uſe of Wine; yet, now, 'tis much diſus'd, and moſtly practis'd by the Lawyers, Scribes and ſuch, whoſe Heads are ever buſied in Affairs of great and high Importance; theſe by conſtant uſe, be⯑come enabled to digeſt a Quantity, of force ſufficient to deſtroy three other Men. Its chief Effect is for a while to elevate the Senſes to a wond'rous Pitch of Mirth and Gayety; but in few hours, they muſt renew the means, or [124] their agreeable and brisk Deportment, will be ſoon Transform'd to a ſur⯑prizing Dullneſs, and ungueſs'd Stupidity.
An excellent Cuſtom to en⯑courage In⯑duſtry.THERE is an admirable Cuſtom, Firſt no doubt deſign'd as an En⯑couragement to Induſtry, by ſo perſwaſive an Example, that the Sultan's muſt profeſs ſome certain Trade, or Calling, ſo to be the better able, ſhou'd their Fate require it, to get their livings by their own Hand-Labour. Thus, ſome are Taught the Art of Turning Cups and Balls in Lignum Vitae; others learn to dreſs up Turbants; ſome make Bows, and ſome Em⯑broider; every one in ſhort, who has the ſmalleſt proſpect of Succeſſion to the Throne of Turkey, being Taught ſome uſeful and Ingenious Art, to Honour and Promote Induſtrous Applications.
I have as fully Treated of their ways of living in this Chapter, as is needful or diverting to the Reader, who may ſee thereby, that tho' they boaſt no Sun-ſhine of illuſtrious Learning, nor the more Polite and Ceremonious Cuſtoms of the Chriſtian World, they are not altogether void of form and order, in their Publick or their Private Wheels of Government: Proceed we now to trace them to their Graves, and ſee their Offices of Mourning and reſpect for ſuch as having run the courſe of Nature, drop a ſleep and make their Exits.
CHAP. XVI. Of the Turkiſh Funerals.
Moral reflecti⯑ons on the con⯑ſequences of ſuperſtition.TO what a ſtrange degree will Superſtition lead aſtray the Minds of Mortals! and how wonderfully Blinded in a Cloud of Igno⯑rance, and Obſtinacy, muſt our Senſes lie, when even the Brighteſt Ray of Truth it ſelf wants force to diſſipate our Errors?
YET ſuch a Darkneſs Sways the Judgment of the Turkiſh Nation, nor can even the plaineſt demonſtrations of their moſt Ridiculous, Self-Contradictory, and Erroneous Principles, convince them of their folly; they are hardned in their Reſolutions to perſiſt Ʋnthinkingly in what they have ſo long Maintain'd; and the encreaſing Weight of dangerous Pride has ſhut the Door againſt their Reaſon.
The Turks un⯑happy in a grounded ob⯑ſtinacy.THE follies of our Lives forſake us ſeldom, where we ſee them not, and the unhappy Turks, believing all their Superſtitious notions Sacred truth, Die as they Live, and have as ſtrange and unaccountable Opinions of a future State between their Death, and gaining Paradiſe, as of the Pleaſures, which they Dream, will there preſent themſelves: Tis pity that a People ſo prodigiouſly Succeſsfull and ſo full of Power, ſhou'd be Hood-wink'd from the knowledge of a more refin'd and Hea⯑venly Doctrine; how true is that Expreſſion of the Greek Theognis?
FOR want of that the Turks miſtake the Road to Truth, and Wander both in Life and Death, alike eſtrang'd from reaſon or the ſmal⯑leſt ſhare of ſolid Judgment.
The Ceremo⯑nies us'd by the Turks in Sickmens Chambers.WHEN any of this People, Weak and Aged by the courſe of Nature, or perhaps invaded by the raging pains of a diſtemper'd Body, are ſup⯑pos'd by their Acquaintance or Relations any ways in danger of ap⯑proaching Death, they flock in Numbers to the Sick Mans Chamber, and endeavour to perſwade him that he ought contentedly to meet his Fate, and Chearfully reſign his Soul to him, who gave it; making him repeated Proteſtations of their great affection, and aſſurances that they had ra⯑ther Die to keep him Company, than Live to loſe his valued Converſation; they Sing inceſſantly in doleful ſtrains, a kind of Melancholy Songs, where⯑by they think they Charm the Evil Angel, who attends to Kill him; the ſubject of theſe Songs is the profeſſion of their Love, not much unlike, but far leſs Tuneful than the 17th. Ode of the ſecond Book of Horace, where he thus Addreſſes his Expreſſion to the indiſpos'd Maecenas.
Their Cere⯑monies imme⯑diately on a Friends Death.BUT when the Fleeting Breath of the departed Mortal has forſook his Body, and they find no further room for hope, they tear their Cloaths, and for a while abandon o'er their reaſon to the force of Paſſion, Weeping with a long Immoderate Sorrow, till at laſt, thoſe Kinſmen fartheſt from his Blood, begin to Dry their Eyes, and ſtrive to comfort him, whoſe near⯑neſs of Alliance to the Perſon of the Deceas'd, requires him to appear Chief Mourner at his Obſequies; they Firſt Condole his loſs and then proceed to ſuch advice as the ſo late nam'd Horace gives his Brother Poet on the Death of Quinctilius.
THE melancholy Mourner muſt a while reſiſt their ſtrongeſt Argu⯑ments, but by degrees is brought to own with them, the Notions of the ſame abovenam'd Author.
SO that when their Tears are dried away, and they have time for Ceremony, they proceed to do their other Duties in the following man⯑ner.
Their way of laying out dead Bodies.THE Men by Men and Women by the help of their own Sex, are, in the midſt of ſome large Room, laid out as here in England, on a Carpet, Mat, or ſomething meaner, anſwerable to their Quality. A Crowd of Friends ſwarm round the Body, which is naked on the Ground, and having turn'd it nine times round and round, with Prayers, and Invocations for the Mer⯑cy of Almighty God, they lather it with Soap and Water, ſhaving it from head to foot with ſharp edg'd Razors.
AFTER this they waſh it clean with Milk and Water ſomewhat warm; A very ſtrange expreſſion of reſpect.then tie their Beads or other little Toys about his Limbs, which is a faſhionable method of expreſſing their Affection: But the ſtrangeſt Cuſtom I have ever found among the Practices of any Nation, is a method they have got to wound their Boſoms, with a Pin, or Bodkin, and receive as much of their own Blood upon their Fingers end, as will enable them to write diſtinctly in a crimſon Character, their Names and Ages, on the Breaſt of the Deceas'd.
How they fold the Body.THEN fold they up the Body in a Linen Sheet, which twiſts about a dozen times the compaſs of the Corps, but is left open at the top and bottom for a pleaſant ſort of reaſon, which I ſhall hereafter mention, and which Superſtition has perſwaded them to think ſufficient.
WHEN they bear 'em to the Grave, 'tis commonly about the cloſe of Day, and with a numerous Train of the Acquaintance and Relations of the late Deceas'd; the manner, you will ſee deſcrib'd at large in the Cut that is annex'd hereto; but for the Reader's further ſatisfaction, I will ſet down all the order, which the Turks obſerve at the moſt celebrated Funerals of Men of high and noted Quality.
Their forms of marching to a Funeral.FIRST march a Train of grave Derveeſhes, or the Prieſts of whom I ſpoke in a foregoing Chapter, theſe bear a certain number of large flaming Torches, and with melancholy Looks, and carefull, ſlow, and heavy Steps, foretell the People what is coming after them.
NEXT follow other Prieſts, who by their wringing Hands, and ſhaking Heads, and other ſuch expreſſive ſigns of Sorrow, ſeem as much concern'd as if the Parts they only act were true and real.
[]
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE, Which Repreſents the Proſpect of a TURKISH FUNERAL.
- A. A. THE Grave, and People, gather'd round it.
- B. B. B. The Church-Yard.
- C. The Torch Bearers.
- D. D. D. The Prieſts, and hir'd Mourners.
- E. E. E. E. Four Fine Led Horſes.
- F. F. The Trailers of the Enſigns.
- G. The Turbant, which lies at the Head of the Bier, and Marks the Quality of the Deceas'd.
- H. The Dead Body, upon the Bier.
- I. Two Prieſts, who follow the Corps.
- K. K. K. K. K. The Company, Invited to the Funeral.
- L. L. Two Chriſtian Travellers, looking on.
- M. The Guide, who attends them.
[]
To Sr Alexander Cairnes of Monaghan [...]n the Kingdom of Ireland Baronet [...]his Repreſentation of a Turkiſh Funeral is Reſpectfully Dedicated.
[127] The Turks all mourn in White.THEN come ſeveral Men, who bear along large Enſigns trailing far upon the Ground behind 'em; after them four, ſix, or Ten led Horſes, at an equal diſtance, led by Grooms on foot, come ſlowly forward, cover'd to the Heels with fine white Cloth, (for that's the Turkiſh Mourning) treading with a grave and heavy ſtep, as if they knew the Cauſe of their Appea⯑rance.
How the Bo⯑dy lies upon the Bier.NOW comes the Body, carried on a Bier by four tall Men, half cover'd over with the Mourning Cloath, which falls about 'em from the Bier and hangs upon the Ground, the Corps is born head foremoſt through the City, wrap'd in Linen, with his Face uncover'd, and a Turbant at his Crown, whoſe ſhape or magnitude denotes his Quality; they never bury them in Coffins, ſo they lie all open to the publick View, beſtrew'd with every Flower, which may happen then to flouriſh.
BEHIND the Corps immediately appear two venerable Prieſts, with Turbants of a large and ſtately ſize, who, all the way they go, with elevated Eyes, and Arms extended, ſometimes ſtriking furiouſly againſt their Breaſts, call vehemently on the Name of God, pronouncing it a thouſand times, with awfull Sound and melancholy Accent.
The Cloſe of the Proceſſion.IN the rear of the Proceſſion walk his Friends, in gracefull Order two by two, with Handkerchiefs, to wipe away the Tears they ſhed for grief or faſhion. Women go not to the Funerals of Men, nor Men to thoſe of Wo⯑men, unleſs it be a number for their Safety, and performance of the Cere⯑monies requiſite in Burials.
Their Church yards, how, and where plac'd.CHURCH-YARDS among the Turks are always plac'd without the Town, or in ſome wild and vacant Place within it; as for Ground they ne⯑ver mind to chuſe it level, Hills and Dales are all alike, and for the ſpace of ſometimes full three Miles about, you ſee a ſort of Grove or Wood (if the Expreſſion be allow'd) of lofty Stones, for at the head and foot of every Grave, is plac'd a Marble, of the ſhape and bigneſs of a common Man: The only way they have to ſignalize the Memory of Noblemen, I mean great Officers among them, is to carve the tops of both the Stones they faſten at his Grave, to repreſent a Turbant of a ſize or form, which ſpeaks his Qua⯑lity; they ſtrow the Ground with odoriferous Flowers, and often plant ſuch little Trees and Herbs as are for ever green and flouriſhing. A charitable Cuſtom of the Turkiſh Wo⯑men.Three times a Week the Women meet in all their Coemitery's, to condole the loſs of dead Relations, with continued howlings for about two Hours, leaving, when they go away, on every Grave, Meat, Drink, and Money, as a charitable Offering to the numerous Poor, who afterwards come in, and taking what they find there left, do gratefully repeat a certain number of Petitions for the Soul of the Deceas'd, proportionable to the Alms beſtow'd upon them.
Their Cere⯑monies at the Grave,HITHER then they bring the Corps, and coming to the Grave, firſt lay it on the Earth and gather round it, every one repeating Prayers for his Delivery from the Puniſhment of Purgatory, for they hold (as I have ſaid before) a middle State; this done, they bury him without a further Ceremony, and filling up the Grave with Earth, return again in order as they came.
A very ſtrange Notion of an Examination in the Grave.NOW ſays the Turkiſh Doctrine, they no ſooner leave the Body in the Ground, but up ſtart two black, horrid Angels, with their Hands of Steel, and Heads of Fire; theſe immediately rejoin the Soul and Body, and by force oblige the frighted Wretch to ſit upright, while they with great ſharp Knives of fiery Subſtance, cut the Body widely open, and examine nicely [128] all his Heart, to ſee what ſort of Life he led while here on Earth; if they perceive his good Deeds more in number than his evil Actions, they with humble Congees ſneak away, and in their room, come two bright Spirits from the Realms of Bliſs, who lay him gently down to reſt again, and ſit⯑ting, one to guard his Head, the other to protect his Feet, attend him ſo till the Great Day of Ʋniverſal Judgment.
The Puniſh⯑ments they fancy Ill-Men undergo.BUT if they find (as ten to one they do) that his ill Actions have ſur⯑paſs'd his Good ones, one black Angel with an Hammer of a thouſand Weight, with fury ſtrikes him on the Head and beats him eighteen Fathoms under Ground; by which time being turn'd in paſſage like a Shuttlecock, the other Fiend receives him at the bottom with another Blow as fatal as the former, and thereby ſends him ſwiftly up again, ſo continuing to knock him up and down, 'till Mahomet their Prince of Mercy, ſhall in gracious pity of his human Frailties, condeſcend to grant a ſhort Reprieve, which being paſs'd, the bloody Executioners ſtrait fall to work again, as roughly as before; and this Opinion ſo prevails in their Imaginations, that they always, in their prayers for Friends deceas'd, implore the Mercy of Almighty God, to eaſe them from the Torture of the two black Angels. And it is for theſe two Fiend's conveniency, that, as I ſaid before, the Winding Sheet is left unty'd at top and bottom.
NINE Days ſucceſſively the dead Man's Friends aſſemble at his Grave, and pray together for the Welfare of his Soul; that time of mourning over, they erect a Monument of little coſt, (but not unleſs he was of a diſtin⯑guiſh'd Quality) upon the flats whereof appear, engrav'd in Turkiſh Cha⯑racters, the ſeveral Graces and accompliſh'd Excellencies, which adorn'd his Perſon with peculiar Merit while he liv'd and flouriſh'd.
A pleaſant kind of Buri⯑al.SOME are buried in their Gardens, and have Tombs built over them, adorn'd with Jeſſamines, and all the odoriferous Plants, which blooming Spring perfumes the World with, whoſe delightful Shades embracing with a ſort of melancholy cloſeneſs, the half cover'd Pillars of Thebaick Mar⯑ble, afford a pleaſing and ſurprizing Proſpect, through a grated Opening in the outward Wall; form'd purpoſely to let all Paſſengers behold the Monu⯑ment.
The Mauſo⯑laeums of the Turkiſh Empe⯑rors.THE Sultans, who have built large Moſques in Conſtantinople, and, who ſhall be ſpoken of in the Chapter relating to that City, have their rich and ſtately Mauſolaeums near the Temples, where aſſemble daily numbers of poor Pilgrims, who receive a certain Alms to pray for the departed Soul, of him, whoſe Liberality they then are bleſt with; many Lamps are con⯑ſtantly kept burning, and a ſet of Prieſts maintain'd on purpoſe to inſpect the Duties of the Place, which are both numerous and ſuperſtitious even beyond imagination.
Epitaphs of Modern uſe a⯑mong the Turks.'TIS ſeldom known that any other Epitaph is plac'd upon a Tomb, than juſt a plain account of the Condition, Name, Age, Sex and time of Bu⯑rial of the Perſon there interr'd, yet 'tis of late become a Cuſtom with the Richeſt and moſt Noble of their People here and there, to order certain ſhort and witty Verſes, to be made upon the Vertues of the Dead, and either carv'd or writ in Golden Letters on the Marble Monument; I will tranſcribe and print in Engliſh one or two of different kinds; that you may better gueſs their manner of compoſing them. Here follows one, upon the Death of Iſhmael Baſhaw, the Governor of Conſtantinople, who was kill'd in Bat⯑tle, at the great Defeat the Turks receiv'd in paſſing o'er the River Raab in Hungary, to fight the German and Hungarian Forces, under the Command of General Montecuculi on the 27th of July, Anno Domini, 1664.
ANOTHER follows of a merry Strain, upon a certain Orange Merchant, who died in his firſt Wives Arms, upon his Wedding Night; in which they ſeem to ſhew a love of Puns, by jeſting on his Pro⯑feſſion.
I cou'd inſert ſome others, which I now have by me, but the two a⯑bove-written will ſuffice to ſhew their Genius, and the Turkiſh taſt of Wit in Epitaphs.
CHAP. XVII. Of the Publick and Private Buildings of Turkey.
The Reaſon why the Turks neglect great Buildings.AMONGST the various and innumerable Follies, which poſſeſs the Turks, they boaſt one Prudence and maintain it with an Argu⯑ment, that is, 'Tis indiſcreet and next to madneſs, to employ their Thoughts and conſtant Labours in the raiſing lofty and ſtu⯑pendious Palaces, whoſe ſolid Forms may probably outlive the very Memo⯑ry of their forgotten Founders. Why ſhou'd we, cry the Turks, beſtow our Cares and Riches on the vain Contrivance of magnificent and ſtately Stru⯑ctures, when we neither know if we ſhall live to Morrow, nor are ſure to leave our ſumptuous Habitations to an Heir's Poſſeſſion of our Race, or our Religion; Horace wiſely in his ſecond Book and eighteenth Ode reproves this Folly.
The ancient Buildings of Greece, quite ruin'd, and forgotten.NOR are there now remaining many of thoſe vaſt and unexampled Buildings of Antiquity, whoſe ſtately Spires and venerable Piles in former times, were wont to crown the face of Greece with an amazing Majeſty; almoſt all thoſe ancient Marks of Pride and Grandeur are entirely ruin'd, and effac'd from even the niceſt ken of curious Obſervation, and if any yet remain, they are ſo mouldred and deform'd by penetrating time and Ages Injuries, that they will hardly ſerve to any other end, than the preſenting a Memento to the Frailties of Mortality, and telling lookers on with a prevailing Silence, and the horrid Marks of an experienc'd deſolation, what Auſonius ſays, when he declares that
The Publick Buildings more magni⯑ficent.THE Turks, however negligent in the magnificent and laſting Structure of their Houſes, ſpare no Pains, no Art, nor Money in their Publick Buildings; ſuch as Moſques, or Churches, Bagnio's, Hans, and Hoſpitals, which with their common dwelling Houſes, form the Subject of this Chapter, and ſhall at large be treated of in their reſpective Places.
The ſituation of their Moſques.AND firſt their Moſques, as dedicated to the Service of the Great Al⯑mighty, tho' in an erroneous and miſtaken way of Worſhip, claim our Obſer⯑vation. They are ever ſituated on ſome elevated Hill, or riſing ſpot of Ground, thereby appearing more majeſtically Great, and Tow'ring; the common ones are ſeldom found ſo ſtately as our Country Churches, and may be more particularly conceiv'd, if the Reader will be pleas'd to look upon the Form; exactly repreſented in the Figure mark'd by the Letter (O) in the Cut of a Graecian Wedding in the one and twentieth Chap⯑ter.
BUT the Royal Moſques, or ſuch as have from Age to Age been founded by the mighty Turkiſh Emperors, deſerve a more particular and full Deſcri⯑ption, which take as follows; The Turks un⯑skill'd in the ancient Or⯑ders of Archi⯑tecture.firſt obſerving that the Turks, unskill'd in an⯑cient Orders of Iönick, Dorick, or Corinthian Buildings, practice methods independent on the Cuſtoms of our Europaean Architecture, and proceed by meaſures altogether new, and owing to the Product of their own In⯑vention.
The deſcrip⯑tion of a Royal Turkiſh Moſque.THEY are built entirely of a ſpotleſs White and ſhining Marble, round in form, and riſing to a large and ſtately Cupola, ſupported nobly by a double, ſometimes treble row of Pillars of a different Order each from other, yet without a Name whereby I can expreſs them in the Britiſh Language; their Capitals and Baſes are not ſeldom form'd of Braſs, and frequently the Columns ring'd about with a continued Piece of twining Carv'd-Work of that very Marble, which compoſes the Pillar; ſometimes other Workmanſhip adorns them, not unlike that rais'd Work, which Italian Architects diſtin⯑guiſh [131] by the Name of Baſſo relievo; very often they are left quite plain, but admirably poliſh'd by an Art which gives them laſting Luſtre.
A ſort of Turret, not unlike the Monument in London.THE Capitals of theſe high Pillars ſupport not only the above-nam'd Dome or Cupola, but a broad Marble Gallery, which running round the whole Circumference, at ſeveral Doors admits an ent'rance from four, ſix, or eight tall Turrets, which ſurround the outſide of the Moſque, and are e⯑rected of an equal magnitude from top to bottom, riſing from the Ground, and reaching half as high again as to the Center of the Cupola; at equal diſtance from each other every Turret is adorn'd with two, three, ſometimes four large Tarraſſes, exactly like the Gallery upon the Monument on Fiſh-ſtreet-Hill, in London; whence Prieſts appointed for that Duty, call the People to aſſemble in the Moſques at their divided Hours of Prayer.
A glorious Appearance.THE Cupola's, which often are ſurrounded with an hundred others, ſmall and cloſe together like a bunch of Grapes, are, with theſe ſmall ones, richly gilded, as are frequently the Spires of the above-nam'd Turrets, ſo that the Sun-beams reflected gloriouſly from their all dazling Luſtre, ſtrike the Eyes of gazing Strangers with a ſort of new, ſurprizing Plea⯑ſure.
Religious Waſhing Places.ROUND the bottom of the outward Building are erected many Ci⯑ſterns, curiouſly contriv'd with brazen Cocks, affording Water for the Cere⯑monious Waſhings of the zealous Turks, who hold it an unpardonable Crime, to enter any Moſque before their Bodies are prepar'd by Waſhings, as directed by the Precepts of their Prophet Mahomet.
The fineneſs of the Marble ſides and floors.A ſtately Portico admits them to theſe Moſques, of wonderfull contri⯑vance, and extenſive magnitude; here all, who enter, leave their Slippers, and advance bare-footed, upon Mats or Carpets, which are ſpread at large, and cover neatly all the Floor, which with the ſides, is flagg'd with admi⯑rable Squares of poliſh'd Marble, join'd ſo cloſely, that in many Places 'tis a difficult attempt to undertake a quick diſcovery of any Joynt.
Images eſteem'd Idolatrous.ALL Images, as I have ſaid before, are ſo abhorr'd by the Mahometans, that they eſteem it an Idolatrous Offence to have 'em in their Houſes, ſo that conſequently they are never found in Moſques, or Places conſecrated to the Practice of Religion; The uſe of Niches, in the Turkiſh Moſques.yet tho' Images are diſallow'd, the compaſs of the inner Wall of all their Moſques is full of Niches, ſuch as in the Europaean Piles, contain fine Statues, but are here appointed to another uſe; for be⯑ing large and deep beyond the Chriſtian Form, they fill the ſurface of thoſe ſpacious Hollows, with the oft-repeated Names of God and Mahomet, in broad and ſhining Golden Characters.
FROM the great Gallery, which I juſt now inform'd you was ſupported by the Capitals of thoſe vaſt rows of Pillars which ſecure the Building, cer⯑tain broad and ſtately Arches ſloping downwards through the Body of the Church, between the Columns and the bottom of the Cupola, ſurprize a Stranger with a diſtant Proſpect of the ſides of the Moſque and all within it, terminating nobly in the late-nam'd Niches, rendred ſtately by the golden Names of God and Mahomet.
WITHIN the Temples ever burn prodigious Numbers of Glaſs Lamps, which hang about ten Foot above the Ground, illuminating Day and Night the Body of the Church with a ſurprizing Brightneſs, and re⯑quiring ſuch an annual Charge for the ſupply of Oyl and Cotton, that Reve⯑nues are appropriated to that ſingle uſe; and ſuch amazing Numbers ſtill continue burning in their Royal Moſques, that I dare hardly hope belief [132] when I inform my Reader that in the Moſque call'd Sancta Sophia, at Constantinople, An incredible Number of e⯑ver-burning Lamps.no fewer Lamps are always lighted than Thirty Thouſand, and ſome outward Odd Ones.
A Deſcripti⯑on of the Turk⯑iſh Bagnio's.TO every Moſque belongs a Bagnio, which as, much frequented by the Turiſh People, is eſteemed a Building of no ſmall Importance; theſe are of⯑ten, tho' not always, built of Marble, Square and Spacious, all divided into ma⯑ny and convenient Chambers, Sweating Rooms and Cooling Baths, which each makes uſe as he finds himſelf inclin'd; in every one of theſe Divi⯑ſions different Cocks of Braſs admit what quantity of Water Hot or Cold they think convenient; and ſince, as I have ſaid before, the Men and Women knowing conſtantly the Hours of eithers Bathing, never offer at immodeſt Entrance, there is no Precaution taken to prevent an In⯑ſolence the Laws of Turkey Puniſh ſo ſeverely. All the Doors are therefore careleſsly left open, and the Modeſteſt of all their Women, Wives or Virgins, Bath ſecurely in unguarded Nakedneſs, as never apprehending they are liable to any kind of Danger.
A Merry Sto⯑ry of an Eng⯑liſh Cook, who caught ſome Turkiſh Ladies Naked in a Bagnio.YET what withholds the Bold preſumption of a curious Ignorance? 'tis not many Years ago ſince an Aſſembled Company of Naked Ladies, were unexpectedly ſurpriz'd by an Adventurous Tarpawlin, Cook on Board an Engliſh Merchant Ship, then lying in the Harbour: He was Rambling up and down about the City, when coming by a Turkiſh Bag⯑nio, built of Marble, Round and not extreamly Large, he took it for a Cockpitt, and perceiving Nobody deny'd him Entrance, was reſolv'd to ſee a little Sport; ſo in he went, but had not paſs'd two outward Rooms before he made a full diſcovery of his miſtake, and ſomething elſe which the poor Frighted Ladies Shreik'd their Anger at; but the Attendants of the Bagnio being Naked in performance of their Office, and the Starting Britain nimble Heel'd, and Quick to Apprehend his danger, He eſcap'd and ran directly to his Fellows whom he left upon the Waterſide, and got on board without ſuſpicion, ſo that he can truly boaſt he was Eye-Witneſs of a Curioſity unknown perhaps till then, to the moſt eſteem'd and favourite Breaſt of any Christian.
A Deſcription of the Turkiſh Hans.NEXT come their Han's a ſort of Square Stone Buildings, for the Entertainment and Reception of promiſcuous Travellers, ſome of theſe have Lodgings and Conveniencies of Diet, to deliver Gratis to whoſoever asks it, which has been the gift of ſome Deceas'd Rich Officer, as are indeed moſt Buildings of this kind throughout all Turkey.
OTHERS only give them Room for Carriages and Cattle, which are Rang'd in Rows along the Middle of the Han, whoſe Sides are all di⯑vided into large Partitions, each whereof contains a Chimney, where the Company who take it up, may dreſs their Meat, and Sleep on Mats if Wearineſs inclines them, for nothing elſe can poſſibly occaſion even the leaſt repoſe, in ſuch a Wretched Place, with ſuch Companions as are generally met withal, and in the midſt of ſuch confus'd and ſtrange variety of endleſs Noiſes.
The Inconve⯑niency of Turkiſh Hoſpi⯑tals. INFIRMARIES or Hoſpitals are commonly Stone Buildings of a large Quadrangular deſign, not much unlike our own, but that the Beds lie open to each other, no Apartments being form'd to keep the Sick of one Diſtemper from Diſeaſes of another kind, but in⯑conſiderately expoſing all to Publick View, and dangerous Conver⯑ſation.
[133] Deſcription of their common Dwelling Houſes.NOW let us look upon their common Houſes, and we ſhall perceive them poor and mean, ill-contriv'd, and never higher than one ſingle Story, they are generally built (I mean the Frames) of green, unſeaſon'd Timber, cas'd with Mud, or unbak'd Bricks half hard'ned in the Sun, which is the cauſe that, yielding to the Weather, they can ſeldom ſtand above ten Years, without expenſive trouble in a general Repair; and another Inconvenience, which attends their way of Building, is, that by the ſudden Moiſtures, and as ſudden Heats theſe Bricks are ſubject to, a ſort of black and deadly Scorpi⯑ons breed ſo frequently in all their Walls, that I have had them often fall upon my Cloaths as I have walk'd about their fineſt Houſes.
THE meaneſt of their Buildings riſe a little in the Roof, and form a low and arch-like Ridge, defended from the Rain by Slates or Tiles, of odd con⯑trivance, and have a ſort of Gallery or Balcony built quite round them: Deſcription of their fineſt Houſes.The better ſort, are ſometimes rais'd to moderate heighth by an unpoliſh'd kind of Stone of greyiſh Colour; they open from the Street with low and ill-made wooden Doors, to ſpacious Courts or Yards, which lead 'em to an ill-con⯑triv'd and timber Stair-caſe, that admits 'em to an Hall, where wait Attendants at a Door; which opens into the more rich and private Cham⯑bers.
ROUND the above-nam'd Court-Yard are the ſeveral Offices, as Stables, Kitchen, Cellar, Buttery, and the other neceſſary Places in a Great Man's Family.
Pleaſant Rooms.THE beſt Apartments, tho' not ſtately, are beyond imagination pleaſant and agreable, for ſome are floor'd with Oak, all cover'd over with fine Mats, or Carpets, painted on the Sides and Cieling with an hundred various Colours, richly intermix'd with Gold and Silver, and adorn'd with little Wands of Deal, cut long and in a ſemicircular form, the Flats where⯑of are glew'd on croſs ways to the colour'd Roof, and form a ſort of ſquare confuſion, or agreable irregularity; one half of all theſe Rooms is rais'd about a Foot above the other, call'd the Saffrai, which I have before occaſionally mention'd; and is generally that ſide of any Room, which looking out up⯑on the Gardens, adds a double beauty to the Place it ſelf, which is alone ſufficiently agreable, by being cover'd with the richeſt Carpets, and ſurrounded on the ſides with fine embroidred Velvet Cuſhions, upon which they ſit or lean by Day, to eat drink, talk, or entertain their Family; How the Tur⯑kiſh Beds are made.and where at Night their Beds are made, not ſoft with Down, but ſtuff'd with Camel's Hair, Sheeps Wool, or Cotton.
OTHER Rooms are pav'd with fine and various colour'd Marble, having Fountains of a round, triangular, ſquare, oval, or what other form their Fancy leads 'em to make choice of, in the midſt of the Apartment; A melancholy but delight⯑full Amuſe⯑ment.and ſeveral others trickling gently from the hollow Wall, and falling with a ſort of melancholy murmuring, upon thin Shells of Braſs, contriv'd on purpoſe to reſound the Notes of the complaining Waters, and compleat thereby the dulcid Entertainment, of a charming, natural, and yet uncommon Harmony.
THE Turks delight extreamly in a Country Life, retiring often to ſome rural Seat, to pleaſe themſelves in Solitude, to which end alſo, they have very large and coſtly Gardens to their City Houſes, where tho' 'tis allow'd, they neither know nor covet Chriſtian Arts of Planting Flowers, and marking out their Ground in orderly Diviſions; The Turkiſh Gardens form a ſort of na⯑tural Paradiſe.they yet contrive ſo charmingly to imitate ſoft Natures Sweetneſs, in their Wilderneſſes, Groves, and ſhady Bowers, that walking underneath the Covert of the meeting Boughs, and undiſtinguiſh'd Avenues, they ſeem poſſeſs'd of that Elyzian Happineſs, de⯑ſcrib'd as follows by Tibullus.
IT may not be improper under the Head of Turkiſh Building, to intro⯑duce a Word or two concerning their Skill in the Art of Fortificati⯑on, which, far inferior to the Chriſtian Practice, you may take as fol⯑lows.
The Turkiſh Art of Forti⯑fication.THEY have no Opinion of the lofty Baſtions, Horn-works, Ravelins, Counterſcarps, Tenaille's, or Out-works of the Chriſtians; but level all their Modern Works within a little of the Ditches, which ſurround 'em; which, tho' leſs chargeable, they hold as efficacious to oppoſe Approaches as the other Method: But their chief ſecurity, and whole dependance, is in undermining all their Works, which they do ſo dexterouſly, that by ſinking one below another, they can blow up Bull-warks after they are taken, three ſeveral times, ſo often ruining the Efforts of their Enemies.
The Turks the beſt Defen⯑ders of a Town, and why.THE Turks of any Nation are the beſt in the defence of Towns Be⯑ſieg'd, for Prieſts, or Politicks, have craftily infus'd a Notion in their Minds, that he, who being garriſon'd in any Fort belonging to the Sultan, lives to ſee the Infidels poſſeſs it, ſhall not only loſe his Prophet's Favour, but forever be excluded from the future Bleſſings of expected Para⯑diſe.
The Turkiſh Priſons, few, and weak, and why.I ſhou'd add a little of the Turkiſh Priſons, which the Reader may perhaps, expect of Strength and Number, in proportion to their Cruelty, and Arbitrary Power, which the Sultan exerciſes; but that very Cruelty is, on the contrary, the only reaſon why there are in Turkey very few, and thoſe weak Priſons; for the Juſtice or Injuſtice of the Sentence, which condemns a Criminal of any kind, is ſo ſpeedily inflicted, that there frequently are known but fourteen Hours between the Crime and Execution; ſo that any Place will hold the Guilty, ſince, for reaſons mention'd in the Part forego⯑ing, an Eſcape from Justice is eſteem'd impracticable.
CHAP. XVIII. Of the City of Conſtantinople.
[135]The Antiqui⯑ty of Conſtan⯑tinople.THIS Great and Famous Town, the Subject of this Chapter, and an ancient Seat of Grandeur and Authority, was built about the time wherein the Perſian Empire flouriſh'd o'er the Eaſtern World, her Founder's Name was Byza, whence ſhe took her firſt deno⯑mination of Byzantium, and continued an obſcure and inconſiderable City till the Reign of Pauſanias King of Sparta.
When, Con⯑quer'd by the Romans.TO him it fell the Prize of War, he won it by Aſſault, and glorious⯑ly rebuilt, enlarg'd, and ſtrengthen'd it; inſomuch, that long enjoying peacefull Plenty, ſhe continued Miſtreſs of a fix'd Security, and after three Years vigorous Defence, became a dear and bloody Victim, to the conque⯑ring Army of Severus an ambitious Roman Emperor.
How rendred Great and Glorious.SHE chang'd her Maſters, but continued notwithſtanding, in the ſame Condition as to Power or Character, till the Choice of that illuſtrious Chri⯑ſtian Emperor, Conſtantine the Great, diſtinguiſh'd her by bright and ſhining Honours from all other Cities, ſtripping Rome of all her Glories, to adorn this happy Favorite of his Fancy; and in ſhort removing from the Weſtern World the mighty Seat of univerſal Empire, to dignifie this new Elected Eaſtern City with that envied Title, and conferring on his rich and ſtately Reſidence, the celebrated Name of Conſtantinople, thereby expreſſing that he plac'd her Welfare, in an equal balance with his own Proſperity, and had elected that one Place of all the World, to be the proud and ſplendid Scene of his amazing Grandeur.
TO draw Inhabitants from Rome to this new City, he decreed that Citizens and Freemen of the one, ſhou'd all of courſe, be free of t'other, robbing Italy of many Monuments of Conqueſt and Antiquity, and tran⯑ſplanting endleſs Numbers to Constantinople, How long it flouriſh'd.which continued from the Year of Chriſt, 331, to 1453, in all the Glories of unrival'd Plenty, and ex⯑tended Power; under a ſucceſſive Race of formidable Monarchs, who poſſeſs'd a large and uncontroul'd Dominion over diſtant Territories, and enroll'd the Glories of their Great Metropolis, in the Politeſt, nay the fore⯑moſt Leaf of Fame's bright Regiſter. But how uncertain and deluſive are the Honours of Mortality! And all the ſhining Trains of Pageantry, which join to flatter us with promis'd Fortune! What Condition of our frail Humanity is permanent or ſolid? Or as Juvenal has it in his tenth Satyr.
[136] When Conſtan⯑tinople was ta⯑ken by the Turks.AMBITION and the wild diſtractions of inteſtine Diſcords, ſhook at laſt to worſe than nothing that divided Empire, and involv'd her Chil⯑dren in a bloody Ruin, by the conquering Arms of Turkiſh Enemies, who in the Year above-nam'd, won by ſtorm that miſerable City, which with different Fortunes has born different Names; and reign'd by turns the fam'd Metropolis and favour'd Reſidence of the ancient Roman, Graecian, and the preſent Turkiſh Emperors, who now have chang'd her Name from Conſtanti⯑nople, to Stambole, Her preſent Turkiſh Name.the Etymology of which Arabian Word is by the Turks in⯑terpreted, Fair Peace and Plenty.
Moral Refle⯑ctions on the inſtability of Fortune.LEARN O Mortals by the Fate of Empires, not to ſwell imprudent Thoughts with Sails of Pride for any frail and tranſitory Gifts of fickle For⯑tune, when you plainly ſee how roughly ſhe inſults, and ſwiftly tyranni⯑zes over boundleſs Monarchies, whoſe unimagin'd Paleneſs of to days decli⯑ning State, ſo ſtrongly gives the lye to the deceitfull gloſs of glittering Yeſter⯑day. Well judg'd the Greek who thus defin'd her fickle Nature.
The Beauties and Conveni⯑encies of Con⯑ſtantinople.LET us then proceed to view this City in her modern Dreſs, perhaps, not leſs illuſtrious tho' more enſlav'd, than when ſhe ſhon the Empreſs of the gazing Univerſe; her Situation as I have before obſerv'd, has open'd all the Gates of Plenty and Command to her unbounded Sway and Traffick, and the unexampled Beauties of the Proſpects ſhe affords, are ſuch as render her the Seat of Pleaſure, and the Paradiſe of Nature.
Her form and ſituation.THE Town is built of form triangular, and lies upon a Cape of Land, which gently riſes with a ſmooth acclivity, to a conſiderable imminence of Ground. The Eaſtern ſide is water'd by the Boſphorus, or Channel, which divides the Euxine from the Helleſpontic Sea, about ſeven Leagues in length, in breadth three quarters of an Engliſh Mile. A ſpacious Haven of une⯑qual'd depth, ſecurity, and beauty lies upon its Northern Line, and to the Weſt, 'tis bounded by the Continent.
The circuit of the Town, and how for⯑tified.THE Compaſs of the Town is ſixteen Miles, ſurrounded ſtrongly by a triple Wall, with Towers and Ditches, the remaining labour of the ancient Greeks, whoſe Arms and Names are yet perceivable, carv'd here and there, upon the Stones: Five Gates of four and twenty open to the Land, and nine⯑teen look upon the Sea or Haven, into which no Ship can come, which does not firſt paſs almoſt cloſely by the Point of the Great Turk's Seraglio, which compleatly forms one Angle of the City; and the Buildings riſing gradu⯑ally on ſeven eaſy Hills, each crown'd with a magnificent and ſtately Moſque, whoſe Spires and Domes are richly gilded, and moſt ſtrangely in⯑termix'd with Groves of Cypreſs in the Gardens of their Houſes, form a Scene ſo lovely and ſurprizing, that the raviſh'd Traveller believes himſelf approaching to a Place no leſs agreeable, than was the fam'd Elyzium of the ancient Poets.
[137] A wonderfull Diſappoint⯑ment.BUT nothing can be poſſibly a greater Diſappointment than I found at entrance; all thoſe bright and golden Glories, which had tempted at a di⯑ſtance loſt their Beauties in a nearer View; The Ill-condi⯑tion of the Town of Con⯑ſtantinople.and I, inſtead of an expected Heaven, was amaz'd to find a Hell of darkneſs; narrow Streets, with dir⯑ty Cauſeways on each broken ſide, and Windows hanging over, almoſt meeting in a dark conjunction; low mudd Cottages, and wide diviſions, all o'er-grown with Graſs or Buſhes, and unpleaſant Proſpects of dead Walls and crooked Lanes, no Glaſs in any of their Windows, but inſtead there⯑of, old rotten Lettices, half ſtuff'd with dirty Rags of various Colours, and half cover'd over with a ſort of thick, white, paſted Paper; every thing in ſhort, but their great Buildings, ſuch as Moſques, or Bagnio's, Han's, or Palaces of powerfull Officers, meanly repreſenting to a Stranger's View, the rougheſt ſide of ſhamefull Poverty, ſeeming to upbraid the baſe Inhabitants with their dejected Slavery, in all the ſhocking Marks of miſerable Ser⯑vitude.
HOWEVER, many ſtately Publick Edifices well deſerve a full de⯑ſcription, and in order thereunto, omitting purpoſely the Great Se⯑raglio, the South-Weſt-Wall whereof divides it from the City, becauſe I ſhall diſcourſe apart of that proud Palace of the Turkiſh Tyrants, in in the nineteenth Chapter. I proceed to ſpeak of all things elſe in proper Order.
The Sultan viſits Sancta Sophia every Friday.AND firſt, among the many Royal Moſques, which crown the higheſt Places in Conſtantinople, none comes near the fam'd Sophia, ſtanding not far diſtant from the Sultan's Palace, who reſorts thereto each Friday in a publick State. By the deſcription of this one the others Statelineſs may eaſily be comprehended.
'TWOU'D be a needleſs labour to repeat the form, ſince what I men⯑tion'd in the foregoing Chapter, may ſufficiently inform the Reader as to that particular; it ſhall ſuffice to ſay, that as no humane Imagination can conceive its wonderfull Magnificence, no mortal Pen can poſſibly deſcribe it. A deſcription of that glori⯑ous Temple.'Tis in ſhort, a faultleſs and unequal'd Edifice, yet not the Work of Turkiſh Architects, for 'twas erected in the Reign of the Emperor Juſtinian, and remains unrival'd Queen of Temples, notwithſtanding more than half her beauteous Ornaments have been maliciouſly defac'd by Turkiſh Superſti⯑tion.
How much it has been de⯑fac'd by Tur⯑kiſh Superſti⯑tion.FOR all that excellent Moſaic Work, which ſo amazingly adorn'd the Floor and Sides with ſhining Figures of a thouſand various Forms and Co⯑lours, is at preſent either hid by Mats and Carpets, effac'd by Iron Inſtru⯑ments, or quite daub'd over with an Inch-thick Plaſter. The Stone and Brazen Statues of the Graecian Emperors have loſt their Heads, and are be⯑come diſguis'd by the repeated Efforts of licentious Inſolence. The deep and admirable Cisterns, which were form'd amidſt the Vaults belonging to that Temple, and ſupplied with Water from ſtupendious Aquaeducts, now almoſt ruin'd by the mouldring ruſt of Time, and baſe Effects of Sloth and Ignorance.
Her further Encomiums.YET is the venerable Pile in ſpite of Accident adorn'd with ſuch a Sacred, Lofty, and Majeſtic Aſpect, that her tow'ring Roof, bright gilded Dome, and artfull Cupola's, her marble Pillars and unnumbred Ornaments, combine to ſtrike an awfull Reverence thro' the Breaſts of Strangers, ob⯑liging them to own they ſee in Her, a ſort of ſhining Glory, which our modern Buildings in their richeſt Splendour fail to equalize.
[138] A Sweating Pillar.AMONGST the numerous Rarities this Church affords, there is a large black Marble Pillar, plated from the Baſis to the Capital with Sheets of Copper, which at certain Hours of every Day throughout the Year, emits a ſort of vap'rous Moiſture, and is therefore call'd the Sweating Co⯑lumn; whence this odd Effect ſhou'd probably ariſe I cannot gueſs, but 'tis the common Notion of both Turks and Graecians, that it was the Pillar whereunto the Officers of Pilate bound our Saviour when they ſcourg'd him, and upon this only ground, (perſwaded to believe the Drops afford ſome ſecret Bleſſing, or prevailing Vertue;) you may ſee great numbers of promiſcuous People wiping off the Moiſture with their Cloaths or Foreheads, ſome expecting by its ſovereign Power, to be protected from the leaſt Misfortune.
A Door of Noah's Ark.FOUR Doors it boaſts, of ſtately heighth and curious Workmanſhip, the Wood whereof the largeſt is compos'd is ſaid to be a part of Noah's-Ark, and therefore, (being purpoſely left open in ſome parts, the reſt all plated over.) Multitudes of poor and ſuperſtitious People, come, and knee⯑ling in the hallow'd Portico, imprint their Kiſſes on the holy Timber, with a ſort of mad and zealous tranſport.
Deſcription of the Hippo⯑drom.WITHIN the View of the above-nam'd Temple, ſtands the Hip⯑podrom, a large round Spot of Ground like Lincolns-Inn-Fields, ſurrounded with the beſt and nobleſt Buildings of the City; about the middle of this ſpacious Circle, ſtands a very large and ſtately Obelisk, of rich Thebaick Marble; on one Pedeſtal whereof may be diſcover'd theſe remains of ſome antique Inſcription. ‘A Theban Obelisk.DIFFIC — S — QƲO — — DOMINIS PAR — JƲSS — — EXTINCTIS PALM — — — O — — — — CEDƲNT — — — — NNI T — — SIC VICTƲS CECOD — — — EBƲS. JƲDIC — — — ATƲS AD AƲR — — —’
IT is impoſſible hereby to gueſs at what the meaning was, ſo 'twou'd be vain preſumption to attempt Interpreting thoſe broken Sentences. Directly oppoſite upon another ſide of the ſame Pedeſtal remain theſe Characters. ‘ΚΙΟΝΑ ΤΕΤ — — Ρ — — ΛΕΧ — — — — ΜΟΥΝΟ — — Θ — — ΔΟSΙ — — — ΒΑSΙS — — — — ΕΠ — Κ — — — — ΔΕ — ΚΙΩΝ ΗΕΔΙΟCΕΝ — — — — — — — ΔΥΩ —’
The Pillar of Snakes.NOT far from this Thebaick Obelisk, there is a Pillar form'd of Braſs, wreath'd upwards in the ſhape of three large Serpents, looking from the top to three diſtinct corners of the City, in the figure of a juſt, proportio⯑nal Triangle; what the meaning of this ancient Hieroglyphick was, is now unknown; but this is certain, that the Turks have had ſome grounds to look upon it as an ominous remain of Magic Skill; ſince juſt two Months be⯑fore the Depoſition of their Sultan Ibrahim, one Head fell off as if it had been ſaw'd, which being faſtned on again by ſome Ingenious Artiſt, kept its Place as firm as ever; An ominous Obſervationbut about a Month before that great Rebellion ſome Years ſince, which ended in the Sultan's Death, and total ruin of his favo⯑rite Officers, another Head fell off, and was attended by as fatal Conſequences as the former.
Another Obe⯑lisk, of ſeve⯑ral Stones.ANOTHER Obelisk not far from thence, conſiſting of a wondrous number of large Stones, cemented artfully together, now entirely ruin'd, [139] ſo as ſcarce to repreſent the form it bore, upon its Baſis wears an ancient Greek Inſcription ſo defac'd by Time, that 'tis a needleſs trouble to inſert the broken Characters.
Conſtantine's Pillar.THE Pillar, commonly diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Conſtantine's, ſtands tolerably whole, but little more than twelve Foot high, excluding Capital and Baſis; this Diſtich may be read with difficulty, round the top,
A deep and moſt prodigi⯑ous Ciſtern.BENEATH this celebrated Hippodrom there is a very deep and vaulted Ciſtern, of incredible Extent, and formerly ſupplied with Water by a ſubterraneous Paſſage, in ſuch plenty, that when Conſtantinople was in⯑veſted fatally by Mahomet the Great, it yielded daily a ſufficient quantity for all the numerous Inhabitants; but whether Avarice, or their depen⯑dance on their Strength, has made the Turks neglect repairing it I cannot tell, 'tis now quite ruin'd, all the Walls being fallen in, and rend'ring the Ciſtern conſequently unfit for any future uſe or ſervice.
Whence it took the Name of Hippodrom.THIS Place was call'd the Hippodrom, from the Greek Word [...], which ſignifies a Horſe-Courſe, and to that ſole uſe it was of old appointed: The Turks at preſent, call it Hatmahdan, which is as much as Riding Place in Engliſh. 'Tis here each Friday, that the moſt accompliſh'd Horſe-Men of the Turkiſh Court and Army, meet in Parties to encounter one another in the hurling the Geritts, which I ſo lately ſpoke of: They do it always with ſuch wonderfull dexterity, that tho' their Darts are blunt, they imitate exactly even the rougheſt Shocks of real War; nor in their ſtrange agility of Body, come below thoſe youthfull Hero's, whom the tunefull Virgil celebrates as follows, in his fifth Aeneid.
The Hiſtori⯑cal Pillar.IN the Womens Market, which the Turks diſtinguiſh by the Name of Auharat-Baaſar, ſtands a Column of prodigious height, and ſuch a curious Workmanſhip, that being full even from the Baſis to the Capital with Hieroglyphic Figures repreſenting, in a twining manner, by Towns, Caſtles, Ships and Horſe-men, Battles, and a thouſand other ſtrange Devices, all the Riſe and Progreſs of the Graecian Empire from its original Succeſſes; the Fi⯑gures are contriv'd of ſuch proportionable Magnitude, that both the high⯑eſt and the loweſt ſeem alike: The Author enters it, and what he found there.This Pillar, like the Monument at London, is not ſolid, but within to be aſcended by a ſtrong and winding Stair-caſe, where the curious Enterer finds not any thing that's worth his Obſervation, but the Names of Travellers of every Country, cut upon the Stones to tell ſucceeding Comers, who were there before them; I perceiv'd among them all but three, that I cou'd think were Engliſh, which were writ as follows upon different Places. ‘H. Blunt—an Engliſh-Man, and lover of his Country.’ ‘William Dennis, in the Year 1560 was here.’ ‘George Sandys, December the 28th, 1610.’
THIS laſt is doubtleſs that Ingenious Gentleman, who has ſo much oblig'd the World, with his polite and learned Obſervations on the Eaſtern Countries.
BUT now, methinks I feel in writing it, that weighty Grief, which ſeiz'd my Spirits, when I ſaw the poor remains of ruin'd Majeſty; the great and glorious Palace of the mighty Conſtantine, where Honour breath'd as in her native Element, and all the Vertues, which adorn the Mind of Man conſpir'd to render good, a Court, whoſe Greatneſs, and Magnificence, could poſſibly admit of no Addition; even this rich Court with all its ancient State and Grandeur, is ſo ſtrangely chang'd amidſt the unexampled Mi⯑ſeries of poor ſubverted Greece, that thoſe tall Roofs, once ſhining brightly in a dreſs of Gold, are tumbled with the Columns, which ſupported them, and lie confus'd in heaps of Rubbiſh, ſcarce deſerving even the Name of Ruins: The Palace of Conſtantine the Great, now made a Stable for wild Beaſts.Thoſe bright Apartments, which in former times, were wont to ſhine with ornamental Balls, and glorious Crowds of celebrated Beauties, are at preſent made a Den, or Stable, for the ſeveral ſorts of Wild and For⯑reſt Beaſts, which ſerve the Pleaſures of the haughty Sultan.
HERE may the Proud Man read his Fate, and ſee in the Example of this fallen Empire (which by the haughty Reigns of her inſulting Monarchs, grew divided, and was conſequently weaken'd more and more, till all her Diſcords ended in her Downfall.) How admirable are the Notions of the great Tragaedian upon this Particular.
ANTIQUITY I think, can boaſt no more remains, than what I have already nam'd, of all thoſe glorious Monuments of Art and Splendour, which in former times adorn'd this City: Modern Buildings, as deſcrib'd in the foregoing Chapter, are not wanting, but as none deſerves particular re⯑mark, The number of Moſques in Conſtantinople.I only will inform you, that the Turks compute the number of their Moſques at Conſtantinople to exceed Seven Thouſand.
BUT the Reader muſt not here miſtake my meaning, as confin'd to the wall'd Town alone; for they include the Cities following, joining all in one denomination, as we do that of Weſtminster with London.
The City Scutary.THE old Chryſopolis, at preſent Scutary, a Bythinian City, ſtanding op⯑poſite upon the other Shore of the abovenam'd Boſphorus, contains within her Bounds, a great Seraglio of the Turkiſh Sultans, and is large and weal⯑thy, not much leſs than three Miles round.
The City Pera. PERA, Galata, or Cornu Byzantium anciently, reaches with conſidera⯑ble breadth, from the oppoſite Shore of the Haven, much above an Engliſh Mile, with ſteep a ſcent, even to the very ſummit of the Hills, which over⯑look the City; The uſe of a Seraglio there.here is likewiſe a Seraglio of the Sultans, ſerving as a Priſon to receive at each triennial View of the Grand Signiors Women, whole Shoals of barren, ſick, or antiquated Ladies.
ALL the Miniſters of Foreign Chriſtian Princes have their Dwelling Houſes in ſome part of Pera, ſeldom ſuffer'd to reſide within the Walls of Conſtantinople; the Buildings of this Town are ſomewhat larger, and more ſtately than the other, all the Chriſtian Factories reſiding there, The Chriſtian Privileges there.and favour'd with a ſort of privileg'd Immunity among themſelves, poſſeſſing a large Place, thence term'd the Frank-Street, or the Street of French Men, for the Turks in common Talk, call every Chriſtian by that Name, who there, with pleaſure, live promiſcuouſly, enjoying almoſt uncontroul'd, an envied liber⯑ty, which very rarely, any Turk preſumes to make Encroachments on, tho' ſome have often inſolence enough to threaten it.
SOME other Suburbs, ſuch as thoſe without the Gate of Adrianople, where the Turkiſh Sultans at a certain Tomb of ſome old Prophet, are in⯑veſted with their Power, ſpread themſelves about and much enlarge the compaſs of the City, which if taken altogether, A compariſon of London with Conſtan⯑tinople.does indeed poſſeſs a a greater ſpace of Ground than London, but, by reaſon of the Gardens join'd to every Houſe, and many vacant Places of the Town, can notwithſtanding boaſt ſcarce half her number of Inhabitants.
The Sultan common Landlord of moſt Houſes.THE Houſes, or the greateſt Part, of Conſtantinople, are the Sultan's Property, who lets 'em out at different Rents, according to their Value, and appoints Collectors to receive the Profits thence ariſing.
[142] Beſiſteens, their uſe and deſcription. BESISTEENS or large and high-roof'd Places, built of Timber, or ſometimes of Stone, are publick Markets, not unlike our Old Exchange, where Goods of every kind, are bought and ſold, each Myſtery or Trade poſſeſſing a peculiar Row or Walk: Hither reſort both Turks and Chriſtians, who wou'd purchaſe any thing of worth, for only here they can procure it; all the Streets, directly contrary to ours, made dark and cloſe in Front, no Shops appearing in them, worth the notice of a Stranger or Inhabi⯑tant.
The form of Turkiſh Wher⯑ries.THE Perſons, who inhabit the oppoſite ſides of the Haven, corre⯑ſpond at eaſe, by means of many thouſand Boats, perpetually rowing up and down, call'd Kaicks, of long and narrow form, a little riſing at each end and widening in the middle, not unlike an open'd Bean-ſhell: And now I mention their conveniencies of Rowing, I will venture to digreſs a little way, in order to divert you with a Story common in the Mouth of every Waterman, who rows you by a Caſtle founded on a Rock, that ſtands ſur⯑rounded by the Water, at about two Furlongs diſtance from the Town of Scutary.
The Maiden Tower.THIS Fort, for ſuch 'tis now, is call'd by the Inhabitants the Maiden Tower, it is ſtrong and well defended by five and twenty Cannons of conſide⯑rable Bore; the Sea between the Town and it, runs thirteen Fathom deep, yet is it plentifully ſtor'd with cool freſh Water, by a ſpacious ſubterra⯑neous Paſſage, which admitting it from a large Brook not far from Scutary, it finds a Channel, and emits vaſt quantities from a prodigious Well within the Tower, running thence through hollows in the Rock, and mixing with the Waters, which ſurround the Caſtle.
THE Story, which they tell, is ſomewhat odd, but may divert the Reader, or at leaſt, will ſerve him as a Moral Caution, to beware how much he liſtens to the tempting Calls of Loves extravagance; whereof the know⯑ing Seneca has left this Maxim.
A Story of unfortunate and melan⯑choly Love.THERE liv'd (ſay Turkiſh Chronicles) at Scutary, then Chryſopolis, a very rich and noble Earl, extreamly favour'd by the Graecian Emperor, with whom he often us'd to ride abroad on Hunting, and continue abſent ſome⯑times twelve or fourteen Days together.
THE Counteſs, an exceeding good and pious natur'd Lady, being dead, and leaving one ſole Daughter of the greateſt Beauty, Wit, and other Excel⯑lencies, which adorn a female Mind and Perſon, ſhe was us'd to mourn her Father's abſence in a ſolitary Sorrow, ſtill forſaking Company and Plea⯑ſure, to retire alone to ſigh or read, amidſt the ſhady Groves and pleaſant Meadows, which afforded ſweet Retirements, not far diſtant from her Fa⯑ther's Palace.
[143] A Father's fatal foudneſs.HER celebrated Beauties had alarm'd the Youth of Court and Country: Every Father wiſh'd his Son this Maids Poſſeſſor, and the Sons of every Pa⯑rent mad with Paſſion, loſt their ſenſe of other Pleaſures, and enchanted by her Graces, flock'd in numbers to ſollicite her Affection; but the aged Earl, entirely doating on his Daughters Converſation, never liſt'ned to their largeſt Offers, bent, if poſſible, to keep her ſingle, that he might, as long as he ſhou'd live, enjoy her Company.
An unexpe⯑cted Meeting.FORTUNE, on a certain time, the Father being abſent, led a young and amorous Gentleman, to take a penſive walk along the Bank of a de⯑lightfull Current, near the bottom of a Wood belonging to this Earl, and not ſix hundred Paces from the Houſe, whence juſt before his lovely Daugh⯑ter had walk'd out, and was by him ſurpriz'd while leaning penſively be⯑neath the ſhelter of a ſpacious Oak, and reading ſoftly with a fix'd at⯑tention.
NEVER was Joy more unexpected and tranſporting than that, which ſeiz'd the ſtarting Youth at this ſurprizing Accident; for he had long been one of thoſe, who languiſh'd for her Favour, but till now, had never gain'd the ſmalleſt Opportunity to let her know how much he lov'd her, having been, among the reſt, denied admiſſion by her Father's obſtinacy.
A ſudden Conqueſt of a Lady's Heart.LOVE I think, is ſeldom wanting upon ſuch occaſions, to inſpire his Subjects with rhetorical Aſſurance, ſo that prompted by the Dictates of pre⯑vailing Paſſion, he addreſs'd the Lady with a Modeſty ſo gracefull, yet be⯑coming Reſolution, that ſhe had no ſooner caſt her Eyes upon his Perſon, but a ſudden Inclination, and as ſudden Fright together, ſeiz'd the tender Regions of her Virgin Boſom.
VARIOUS Arguments with mutual Satisfaction paſs'd away the time in ſympathetic Pleaſures, and ſuch powerfull Charms did each diſcover in the others Perſon, that from that time forward, they agreed to meet in the adjoining Grove, at the ſame Hour every Evening, not having oppor⯑tunity elſewhere to do it, leſt the Ladies Father ſhou'd diſcover their In⯑trigue, and hinder them from proſecuting their reſolv'd affection.
I need not tell the Engliſh Ladies, that the Rules of Vertue, and her Fe⯑male Modeſty oblig'd the Daughter of the abſent Earl, to ſeem more back⯑ward than her eager Lover in the amorous Settlement of their intended Meetings; but where Occaſions are ſo ſeldom found, it is a needleſs nicety to ſtand too long on ling'ring Ceremonies; A kind and gentle conde⯑ſcention.ſo in ſhort, upon aſſurance of her Lovers honourable meaning, and indeed her Quality had plac'd her far above diſtruſting his Pretenſions; ſhe permitted him to hope he might at laſt be happy in her wiſh'd Poſſeſſion, and for many Weeks met undiſco⯑ver'd in the ſecret Grove, and taſted all thoſe innocent Delights, which Lovers may enjoy, without the ſmalleſt tincture of a guilty Converſa⯑tion.
BUT oh [...]. How ſoon decay the brighteſt Scenes of ſplendid Fortune! 'Twas not long this amorous Couple held their Bliſs unbroken and ſerene; for the Earl long ſince return'd, had oft obſerv'd his Daughter abſent in the Evenings, and wou'd frequently reflect with not a little wonder, that ſhe always choſe one certain Hour to leave the Houſe, and ſtill refus'd whatever Company propos'd attending her; A fatal Jea⯑louſy.his natural Jealouſy requir'd no fuel to encreaſe its Fire, but ſupply'd with this, burnt out in double fury, ſo that he reſolv'd to watch which way his Daughter took, and make it his endeavour to diſcover what he doub⯑ted.
[144] ACCORDINGLY one Evening, purpoſely diſguis'd in habit like a Shepherd he continued in a Meadow near his Houſe, and ſaw the poor, unthinking Lady haſten from a private Door, and croſs the Fields directly to the entrance of the Grove juſt mention'd.
An unfortu⯑nate Miſtake.LITTLE did ſhe dream her Father was ſo near, and not miſtruſting him, who at diſtance ſhe miſtook to be the Perſon he appear'd, went bold⯑ly forward to the Place appointed, where ſhe met the Object of her Love, and ſitting down upon a Bank as uſual, tenderly reclin'd her Head upon his Boſom, and began to ſay a thouſand ſoft, endearing things, believing they were then as private as before, till, in a manner ſtupified with eager Paſſion, both neglected every Object but each others Perſon, not percei⯑ving the ſuſpecting Father, who had gone a little round, below the brow of an impending Hill, and now ſtalk'd forward undiſcover'd, till he came ſo near, behind the Lovers, buſied in their Courtſhip, that he overheard with eaſe, each little Word, which paſs'd between them.
A dangerous Diſcovery.KISSES, and a thouſand other amorous Actions prompted the unfor⯑tunately raptur'd Couple to repeat with loud and ſolemn Proteſtations, old aſſurances of Love and Marriage, inſomuch that the ſurpriz'd and angry Earl tranſported by his rage to hear his Daughter give away her ſelf to one, to whom he had before denied her, and for certain family Diſputes, extreamly hated, drew a Sword, which he had privately convey'd within his Dreſs, and running violently at the ſtarting Nobleman, who drew in his defence, was kill'd upon the ſpot before the Lady almoſt dead with fear, recover'd from the fright, his Sword had put her in.
A cauſe for ſudden and tempeſtuous Sorrow.BUT none can ſurely gueſs the ſtorms of Grief and Wonder, which o'erwhelm'd her Breaſt with a tempeſtuous Hurricane, to hear the Shep⯑herd's dying Voice ſo plainly ſpeak her Fathers Accent; in ſhort, upon ap⯑proach ſhe knew him notwithſtanding his diſguiſe, and while the Lover, half diſtracted at the fatal Accident, prepar'd to ſpeak his wonder and her comfort, ran with violence about the Fields, forgetting Love and all its Conſequences but this laſt unhappy one, which ſhe proclaim'd aloud to every Servant of her Father's Houſe, whereto ſhe ſlew with ſhrieks and horror.
THE Servants ran, and ſeiz'd the Nobleman, who ſtood confounded, like a ſpeechleſs Statue, looking eagerly upon the Body of the murder'd Earl, nor aiming to defend himſelf from being taken: A cruel Sen⯑tence to di⯑vide two Lovers.News was carried to the Emperor of every circumſtance of the unlucky Action, who conſidering wiſely all particulars, gave the Gentleman a preſent Pardon, but reſolving to prevent them from converſing with each other ever after, order'd the young Lady, with two Aunts and all the Family, to be confin'd in the before-nam'd Tower, then call'd Stony Iſland, giving ſtrict command to all, who guarded it, that they ſhou'd never ſuffer her to get away, nor give admiſſion unto any Perſon, ſuch excepted as were authoriz'd to claim it by his Royal Paſsport.
A while the Lady mourn'd ſo deeply for her Father's Death; and the de⯑ſponding Lover for the Action he had done, that neither thought upon the hardſhip of their cruel ſeparation; but when fleeting Time preſented to their Minds the ſharpneſs of their Fate in that ſevere Decree, they both for⯑ſook all hopes of Comfort; ſhe, in Priſon, grew quite weary of and hated Life, and he, at large, became abandon'd to encroaching Sorrows, melancholy, ſilent, and a Priſoner to his Grief, amidſt the Tracts of diſregarded Li⯑berty.
[145] A melancholy way of Life.TWELVE tedious Months were now roll'd over, and the diſcon⯑tented Lover ſtill continued every Day to viſit the remembred Scene of former Bliſs, and preſent Miſery; he wou'd often walk diſconſolately up and down along the Bank of that delightfull River, which was us'd to mur⯑mur out a melancholy harmony to ſooth their Minds, oppreſs'd by fear of ill Succeſs in their commenc'd Affection; and reflecting on the various Words and Actions, which had paſs'd between them, wou'd now and then, let fall a mournfull Tear, to think on their Misfortunes.
AT laſt, deſpairing ever more to ſee his dear, contracted Miſtreſs, he be⯑gan to wiſh a period to his Life, which only ſerv'd to lengthen out his Mi⯑ſery, and as he walk'd one Day, perceiv'd a Rock, wherein he had heard talk of ſome dark Cave, ſo diſmally forbidding, that no Man had ever yet been found, who durſt attempt to enter it: Diſdain of danger from a wea⯑rineſs of living, urg'd him on to ſeek the Place with reſolution to go in, re⯑gardleſs of the Conſequence.
A bold and hazardous at⯑tempt.HE found at laſt, the gloomy Entrance of the horrid Place, which o⯑pen'd downwards with a very ſteep, and dangerous ſlope, and never wai⯑ting for a ſecond thought, went boldly in, and crept along the rugged ſides; a narrow Channel from the neighb'ring River, running thro' a Paſ⯑ſage 'twixt the Rocks, directly in the middle, for about an hundred Yards; he made a ſhift to crawl along with wond'rous difficulty, down a very deep and ſlippery Deſcent, but there perceiv'd the Water, which till then, had ran confin'd to proper bounds, encreas'd in breadth to ſuch a vaſt de⯑gree, that there was left no more dry Ground to ſtand upon; A ſtrange ex⯑ample of the Power of De⯑ſpair.however, as deſiring Death, he was reſolv'd to tempt it, and continued his advances thro' the Water, ſometimes ſcarce above his Knees, then almoſt to his Neck, here running ten or twenty Yards indifferently ſmooth, then falling many Foot, and roaring round his head like ſome Egyptian Cataract; ſome⯑times he fell, half drown'd with the impetuous fury of the Torrent, ſome⯑times walk'd thro' the ruſhing Streams, which almoſt tripp'd him from his Feet, with their amazing ſwiftneſs.
A ſtrange Curioſity.STILL he crept as near as poſſible to ſome one ſide, and held upon the edges of the Rocks he met with, till reflecting on the ſtrangeneſs of the Place he walk'd in, and how much it was impoſſible to reaſcend thoſe wat'ry Paſſages he had already paſs'd, he was reſolv'd to live as long as he was able, and obſerve by Touch and Ear, what further wonders the Deſcent might lead him to, for 'twas ſo void of the leaſt glimpſe of comfortable Light, that he had then no uſe of Eyes, for none cou'd pierce one Inch of the ſurrounding Darkneſs.
HE came at laſt ſo far, that he perceiv'd a ſenſible decreaſe in breadth, for he cou'd ſtretch his Arms with eaſe, and touch both ſides; but on the contrary, the depth encreas'd exceedingly, and by the Waters doubled roaring, and beating back as from ſome Wall, he found the Cavity no fur⯑ther capable of giving room to a continued Progreſs; A wonderfull ſubterraneous Paſſage.yet conſidering there muſt be ſome paſſage of emiſſion, and little caring whither it might lead, he dip'd his Head and Body under Water, and with much ado, ſhot ſwiftly with the Eddy, thro' a very ſhort and narrow Neck, and found himſelf im⯑mediatly inlarg'd, but cover'd over with a flood of Waters, which he took to be the Sea, when finding Breath grow ſhort upon him, he made uſe of ſtrong and artfull Strokes, which he had learn'd by ſwiming while a Boy, by theſe means, thinking he ſhou'd ſoon be freed, and gain the Surface, or expire amidſt the Waves, both which Events he form'd a ſwift Idea of, ex⯑pecting either with a like indifference.
[146] A ſtrange Eſcape.BUT he was much ſurpriz'd, when long before he gueſs'd it, he per⯑ceiv'd his head above the Water, and as ſoon as he could ſee, beheld him⯑ſelf within a ſort of Well or Ciſtern almoſt level with the brim: He ſwam a while about from ſide to ſide, at laſt obſerv'd a Channel, into which the Ciſtern diſengag'd her riſing Waters; there he ſoon got out, extreamly weak'ned by his ſubterraneous Journey, and the firſt fair Object he diſcover'd when he look'd about him, was his former Miſtreſs walking in a Garden, with a very ſorrowfull and penſive Countenance.
The happy meeting of two real Lovers.THE unexpected ſhock was much alike to both the Lovers, but the Lady frighted at the odd appearance of a dropping Man, who look'd like ſome Inhabitant of an inferior World, began at firſt to ſhriek and fly, but when he faintly call'd her by her Name, ſhe knew the Voice, miſtook him for a Ghoſt, and fainted to the Earth, unable to ſupport the weight of ſo ſurprizing a diſcovery.
BUT to conclude, the Guards came in upon the Ladies ſhrieking, and immediately laid hold on their advent'rous Viſitor; but when the Emperor was told the Story, he commanded both the Lover and his Miſtreſs to be brought before him, and conſidering the particulars of this amazing Acci⯑dent, immediately revers'd his former Sentence, had them Married in his Royal Preſence, grac'd them ever after with peculiar Favours, The Etymolo⯑gy of the Maiden Tower.and in me⯑mory thereof, commanded that the Caſtle ſhou'd be call'd the MAIDEN TOWER, which commemorative Name it bears at preſent.
EXCUSE me, Reader, for the length of my digreſſion, 'tis a Story con⯑fidently told amongſt the Turks, but Faith is every Man's undoubted Pro⯑perty; believe it, or believe it not, I only quote, and not aſſert it, as I heard it told me for the ſtrange Original of their old Caſtle's Etymo⯑logy.
The ſeven Towers, a ſtrong CaſtleTHE Seven Towers, an ancient Caſtle, by the Roman Emperors call'd Janicula, is now a Magazine, or ſometimes, Priſon for the nobleſt Crimi⯑nals; it is a very ſpacious Building, and was ſtrong beyond a common Fort, before the murdering uſe of Cannons was invented; the Sultan con⯑ſtantly maintains therein a numerous Garriſon: Its ſituation is upon the South-eaſt ſide of Conſtantinople.
The Aquae⯑duct of Valen⯑tinian, 34 Miles long.BUT while I treat of this illuſtrious City, 'twou'd be an Error no ways pardonable, ſhou'd I fall to mention the prodigious Aquaduct of Valentinian, which, for ſour and thirty Engliſh Miles, brings Water upon Channels built on Arches, over ſpacious Valleys, from the top of one tall Mountain to a⯑nother, till, nigh the City, it pours down from a ſtupendious height, and fills a Ciſtern, like a Lake, of fine white Marble, which contains above two hun⯑dred ſtately Pillars of the ſame, and having been repair'd by ſeveral Tur⯑kiſh Emperors, does by Pipes and Conduits, now ſupply Conſtantinople, with the fineſt Water in the Univerſe.
[]
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE, Which Repreſents, A Proſpect of the Great SERAGLIO of the TURKISH SULTAN at CONSTANTINOPLE.
- A THE Highlands of Aſia.
- B. The Point of the Seraglio.
- C. The Womens Apartment, in the Seraglio.
- D. The Grand Signior's own Quarter.
- E. A Summer-Houſe, where the Grand Signior often ſits, to look out upon the Haven, and Divert himſelf with his Ladies.
- F. The Royal Moſque of the Seraglio.
- G. The Ancient Graecian Temple, Sancta Sophia.
- H. H. H. The Haven of Conſtantinople.
[]
To the Right Honble William, Lord Paget, Baron of Beaudeſert, &c. late Ambassador Extraordinary, Mediator & Plenipotentiary from ye Court of Great Brittain, to the Ottoman Port, this Plate as an Acknowledgement of the Authors weighty obligations, is most humbly dedicated.
H. Hulſbergh facit
CHAP. XIX. Of the Grand Signior's Seraglio, and particularly the Apartment of his Women.
[147]The Introdu⯑ction.I Told the Reader in the Preface of my Book, by what uncommon means I was ſo happy as to gain admiſſion to a Palace, which for many Ages has been kept a ſecret to the ſearching Knowledge of our Europaean Travellers, and ſhall now proceed to entertain him with a wonderfull, but pleaſant and ſincere account of new Diſcoveries, which like the Golden Indian World, lay long unenter'd (as appearing barr'd againſt our View with unſurmountable Impediments,) but gain'd at laſt, will ſpread throughout our Weſtern Regions, ſuch ſurprizing Plenty of her valuable Product, as may more than recompence the patient ſtay of your expecting Curioſities.
I love not flattery from any hand, much leſs wou'd ſooth my own Perfor⯑mances, with elevated hopes of a ſucceſs beyond their Merits; Complaint againſt the malice of the faſhionable Criticks.but of this the World will give me leave to be aſſur'd, that as I write the Beau⯑ties of an earthly Paradiſe, and unimagin'd Scenes of amorous Royalty, till now unknown, not only to my Countrymen, but every part of diſtant Chriſten⯑dom, I have at leaſt deſerv'd the thanks of an impartial Reader, and may be allow'd to blame the undiſtinguiſhing Ill-nature of ſuch ſteely Criticks, as in⯑ſtead of owning an agreeable ſurprize, in meeting Subjects new and enter⯑taining, ſtrive ungenerouſly to condemn a Labour meerly out of ignorance or incredulity, becauſe they find it ſomething odd, and full of Novelty.
HOWEVER, all that baſe Ingratitude, which meanly may endea⯑vour to obſcure the Worth of what I write, ſhall never boaſt that private fear of barking Malice cou'd prevent my Pen from boldly aiming at a pub⯑lick Satisfaction: What the Rea⯑der may ex⯑pect in this Chapter.I will not therefore only entertain the World with an agreable Amuſement, but proceed by regular degrees to give the Reader an entire Idea of the fam'd Seraglio of the Turkiſh Sultan, not omitting any odd and pleaſant Obſervation, but neglecting purpoſely the trifling repetitions of thoſe things, preceding Authors were enabled to inform you of; and chiefly bending my deſign'd deſcription, to thoſe glittering Piles of ſtately Buil⯑dings, Groves of Pine, and Bowers of Cypreſs, Paths of Love, and Labyrinths of Pleaſure, which combine their Graces to adorn the Seat of one Great Lord, and render perfect the delightfull Manſions, where the amorous Sul⯑tan toys away his Minutes in the wanton Raptures of his Ladies Con⯑verſation.
The lovely ſituation of the Grand Signiors's Se⯑raglio.FIRST then, if ever Heaven decreed a part of this divided World ſhou'd ſhine conſpicuouſly above the reſt, and ſeem to beckon Ʋniverſal Monarchy to fix its Throne on her delicious Surface, 'tis the very Ground, whereon now flouriſhes the glorious Palace of the proud Mahometan; for from that eminence of Ground, on which the Temple Sancta Sophia has its Situation, runs a narrow neck of Land, deſcending gradually, and on either ſide politely ſloping downward, till it forms at laſt a charming Angle on the North-Eaſt Point of Conſtantinople.
[148] The Form thereof.THE Form of the Seraglio, which is built hereon, appears a ſort of long triangle, one whole ſide whereof is bounded by the neighb'ring Buil⯑dings of the City, both the other ſhelving downwards to the Sea, which waſhes 'em, and with their utmoſt Angle pointing out amidſt the Waves, directly oppoſite to the ſurprizing heighth, and rough appearances of cer⯑tain wild and diſtant Aſian Promontories; Thrace, with all the Beauties of her Europaean Landskips forms a proſpect full of Pleaſures on the other ſide; not one ſmall Ship can anchor in the Haven, but muſt paſs the Point of the Seraglio firſt, whoſe noble Situation leads the Eye to gaze aſtoniſh'd, at ſuch ſtrange variety, that all the raviſh'd Sweets of Art and Nature here ſeem join'd, as if they had agreed to mix their richeſt Excellencies, and com⯑pleat a modern rival Paradiſe to that of Eden.
Its ſtrength and Circuit.IT is above three Engliſh Miles in meaſur'd Circuit, quite ſurrounded by a lofty Wall, defended ſtrongly by a ſort of Quey, of five yards breadth which runs all round it, where are planted numerous Pieces of prodigious Cannon, of an unexampled ſize and monſtrous bore; One very deep and ſpaci⯑ous Ditch encompaſſes the Wall, which is moreover ſtrengthen'd by capa⯑cious Ramparts, and a ſquare Watch-Tower, at every hundred or two hun⯑dred Paces end; in theſe ſtand Day and Night, ſelected numbers of the fineſt Soldiers in the Sultan's Guard, who ſee that none preſume to venture near the Walls of his forbidden Palace; The beauty of its Proſpect at a diſtance.all the inſide is adorn'd with Spires and ſtately Balls, gilt round with Gold, and ſhining from afar with a ma⯑jeſtic Luſtre, which ſublime appearance, gently ſoften'd by the mix'd diſco⯑very of extended Groves of lofty Cypreſs Trees, there planted in a ſweet and natural Irregularity, and ſomewhat ſhadowing in many Places, the reful⯑gent brightneſs of the Spires and Cupola's, afford a Proſpect to the diſtant view ſo full of Beauty, and unknown variety, that Words want Power to celebrate the Object; therefore ſee the Cut annex'd for further Satis⯑faction.
BUT having given this ſhort deſcription of the Form, Extent, and Outward Beauties of the Sultan's Palace, I will now proceed to lead my Rea⯑der with a gradual Curioſity, through every inmoſt Part of its diſcover'd Glories; yet as the unnumber'd differences, which alternately occur to claim our obſervation, may confound the Proſpect, if I repreſent them jointly, 'twill be much the ſafeſt way to ſeparate the Building into five De⯑grees, and treat diſtinctly of them all, that ſo we may preſerve an uſefull regularity.
The firſt great Court.FIRST then, I will deſcribe the Outward Court, and all the Offices and Orders of the Buildings, which ſurround and form it, into which all Travel⯑lers, who pleaſe, have free acceſs, and uncontroul'd admiſſion.
The ſecond Court.SECONDLY I will proceed to do the like, by a more ſpacious Square within the former, and compos'd of far more rich and lofty Architecture, in⯑to which, as to the firſt, all Strangers are admitted.
The third, where all Am⯑baſſadors re⯑ceive their Au⯑dience.THIRDLY I intend to open to your View another Court within them both, and far ſuperior in its Order and Magnificence; for in the rich Apartments, which ſurround this Square, the haughty Sultans give their Audiences to every Miniſter of Foreign Nations, at their firſt arrival in the Turkiſh Court.
The Royal Lodgings.NEXT I loſe ſight of former Writers, and viſit with a Wonder equal to the Object, the prodigious Statelyneſs, and tow'ring Splendor of the ROYAL LODGINGS, ſo ſurprizingly tranſporting me with endleſs Scenes of artfull Pleaſure, Pride and Grandeur, that for want of Models to expreſs [149] their form by, which is quite unknown, nay even undreamt of in the Chri⯑ſtian World, I have been forc'd to draw in the courſe of this Chapter another Plan, of the amazing inſide of that ſtupendious Fabrick, which will give the Eye a true Idea of its wonderfull Contrivances.
The Diſcove⯑ry of the Wo⯑mens Lod⯑gings, thought by moſt to be impoſſible.BUT now appears a SECRET worth the hearing, the Diſcovery where⯑of I often (ſince 'twas made) ſtood by and heard the greateſt Travellers of ſeveral Nations, join in one old faſhionable Story, and affirm to be no leſs than a downright Impoſſibility: Yet I will not only trace the Sultan to his amorous Paſtimes with the Virgins of his Pleaſure, but admit the Reader to the cloſe Apartments of the fair SERAGLIO LADIES, nay and into the retir'd Magnificence of their Bedchambers, but ſhew him all the various Scenes of Love and Courtſhip, which are practis'd daily by their Lord and them, even to the Conſummation of their utmoſt Wiſhes; and if the Britiſh Ladies are deſirous of a further Information, ſtill advance a ſtep or two beyond it.
AS I told you in my Preface, that the abſence of the Sultan and his train of Ladies, then attending him at Adrianople, gave a liberty beyond the Wiſhes of our keenest Curioſity, as a Compliment beſtow'd for Reaſons there explain'd, A double Cu⯑rioſity.ſo I was willing to improve the opportunity as for as poſſible, and while I pleas'd my Eyes with the delightfull Proſpect of engaging Novel⯑ties, I ſatisfied my Ear with liſt'ning eagerly to the accounts our Guides thought fit to give us, of the proper uſe of every Place, and entertaining Stories of the Sultan's Cuſtoms.
Deſcription of the great Gate of the Seraglio.FIRST then, The Great Seraglio opens to the Sea on either ſide, with ſeveral low and private Gates, but ſuch as never are made uſe of but when the Emperor himſelf is pleas'd to order it; the only common Entrance faces the before-nam'd Temple, Sancta Sophia, and admits you through a vaſt and ſpacious Portal of white Marble, arch'd and ſtrengthen'd in the an⯑cient way of Building; round the edges of the Arch on either ſide appear, cut deeply in the Stone, (the hollow of the Letters, richly fill'd with lovely mixtures of Gold, Green, Red, Blue, and every other Colour,) ſome few Arabian Sentences, almoſt defac'd by mould'ring time, but ſuch as Turkiſh Scholars told us ſignified as follows. ‘Inſcriptions on the Portal.GLORY TO THE GOD Of MAHOMET, AND MAHOMET HIS PROPHET.’ ‘HONOƲR, POWER, TRƲTH AND JƲSTICE, TRAMPLING ON THE NECK OF SIN AND GRANDEƲR, HERE ERECT THE SEAT OF NEVER DYING EMPIRE.’
A Chappel built by Con⯑ſtantine the Great.YOU are no ſooner entred thro' this lofty Gate, than you perceive a Court, the Square whereof contains almoſt three hundred Yards, and is ſurrounded by a ſort of Cloyſter, which I will deſcribe immediately. A di⯑ſtant Proſpect thro' the Gate at 'tother end, preſents you with a long and lovely Scene of Cypreſs Trees and Fountains, charmingly adorning all the ſe⯑cond Court. About twelve Yards upon the left of your firſt entrance, ſtands the round and broken Wall of an old Chappel, built by Conſtantine, and by him dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has been curious for its Building and Contrivance, but has yielded now to the voracious Ruſt of Time and Ruin, whoſe prevailing force is well deſcrib'd as follows, by an old Greek Poet.
The Trophies of the Greeks hung up with⯑in it.THE unintelligible Reliques of an old Inſcription, ſpeak the Chappel Chriſtian Workmanſhip; and all about its broken Walls, are hung as Trophies of their curs'd Succeſs, the Spears, Swords, Breaſt-plates, Shields, and other Armour, of thoſe generous Greeks, who bravely ſcorning to outlive the downfall of their ſinking Country, choſe to die the Martyrs of its Liberty, and tho' they fell above three hundred Years ago, live nobly in the Praiſes of ſucceeding Ages, who behold their Spoils here hung together, ſtrange⯑ly repreſenting in a ghaſtly manner, Men in Armour, with their Arms and Legs bound croſs each other, which the Turks have done by way of Tri⯑umph to commemorate their Fortune. This may ſeem a barbarous Action, and the baſe Effect of their vain-glorious Principles; but ancient Practices of the inhumane Cuſtom, will excuſe the Turks, when Homer in his Iliads often gives us plain Examples of the like Proceedings; and Aeneas is by Virgil repreſented glorying in the Overthrow of dead Mezentius, and dreſ⯑ſing up an Oak with his inſulted Trophies.
The Quarters and Employ⯑ments of the Ajam-Olans.THE rowe of Buildings, which upon the left ſide bounds this outward Court, is low and mean, containing Lodgings for ſome thouſands of thoſe Men call'd Ajam-Olans, or a kind of People bought as Slaves, from every Country where the Turks maintain a Correſpondence, and educated from their Youth, or ſometimes, Infancy, in all the rough and ſervile Practices of a laborious Diſcipline, till being qualified with ſtrength of Mind and Body, they are order'd ſeverally by the Overſeers appointment, to the various Offices of the Seraglio.
[151] The Wood⯑yard of the Great Serag⯑lio.WITHIN the Court, and ſtill deſcending nearer to the Sea upon the Europaean ſide, there is a plain and ſpacious Square, wherein are pil'd in moſt prodigious and unnumbred heaps, the Logs of Wood, and various kinds of Faggots us'd in the Seraglio, which amount each Year to ſuch vaſt quan⯑tities that fifty thouſand Waggon-loads are conſtantly brought in, each Waggon drawn, and that not eaſily, by two ſtrong Buffelo's.
Pleaſant Places.FROM this large Wood-Yard to the Wall, which bounds the Palace on the Haven-ſide, are finely planted ſtately Cypreſs Trees, cool Groves, and ſo⯑litary Wilderneſſes, which indeed run round the whole Seraglio in the ſpace between the Buildings and the Wall about it, but, as I deſign to ſpeak par⯑ticularly of the Garden Part, I ſhall defer deſcribing this Diviſion, till its proper place requires my doing it.
The Hoſpital of the Serag⯑lio.DIRECTLY parallel to the Apartment of the late-nam'd Ajam-Olans, runs another higher and more gracefull Row of Buildings, bounded on the other ſide the Court aforeſaid; this is the Hoſpital for the Seraglio Sick, divided into Chambers and convenient Lodging Rooms for People indiſpos'd, according to the Quality of ſuch as want them. Two prime Phyſitians and as many Surgeons, are appointed by the Sultan to inſpect the Management of the diſtemper'd Perſons, who are carefully attended by great Numbers of White Eunuchs, two of which ſtand conſtantly to guard the En⯑trance.
The Lod⯑gings of the Helvagees, and their Employ⯑ment.NOT far diſtant, but behind the Hoſpital, are built the Lodging-Rooms, appointed for the Habitation of the Helvagees, a ſort of Boys, who wear a Dreſs peculiar to their Office, and are kept to carry Meſſages from Place to Place, within the Palace; or, upon occaſion, may be ſent about the Town, to bring in any thing the Servants want; for no Man, who poſſeſſes no Em⯑ployment in the Great Seraglio, ever dares, on pain of Death, attempt an entrance. The number of theſe Errand Boys, is generally reckon'd to a⯑mount to near ſeven Thouſand.
A fine rall'd Liſt, or Green for Exerciſe.ABOUT two hundred Yards below the Lodgings of the Helvagees, there lies a Green, of ſpacious breadth, and rail'd about to keep out ſuch, as have not by their Poſts, the liberty to enter: Here the Sultan often comes to ſee the Exerciſes of the Manag'd Horſe, and hurling the Geritt, be⯑fore deſcrib'd, and often orders equal numbers of his Negro Pages, to main⯑tain the Liſts againſt the Challenge of ſelected White-Ones, giving frequent⯑ly Rewards of valuable Price, to thoſe, who conquer.
Other pleaſant Places.SHELVING downwards towards the Sea on this ſide alſo, lie vaſt tracts of Ground, containing various Scenes of Rural fragrancy, tall Groves of Cypreſs, ſweetly intermix'd with riſing Banks, declining Greens, delightfull Labyrinths, and murmuring Fountains.
The Gate, and number of the Men, who guard the entrance of the ſecond Court.THE ſecond Court is enter'd through the former, by a lofty Gate, a⯑dorn'd with Trophies like the ancient Chapel, juſt now mention'd, guarded conſtantly by fifty Janizaries, arm'd with Muſquets, who oblige all Horſe⯑men, Officers or others to alight and walk, if they deſign to gain a farther entrance, for 'tis held the Duty of the Sultan's Subjects, high and low, to put off all the Marks of Pride and Grandeur, and proceed as humbly to ap⯑proach his Preſence, as they ought to do when they addreſs the Object of their daily Worſhip.
Deſcription of the ſecond Court of the Seraglio.THIS Court is far more large and ſtately than the former, near four hundred Yards the ſquare, and curiouſly adorn'd with ever-ſpouting Foun⯑tains, round whoſe brims fine Cypreſs Trees are neatly planted, forming va⯑rious [152] and delightfull Figures of a different Magnitude; all ſurrounded with a lofty Cloyſter, Gallery or Piazza, artfully ſupported by amazing numbers of white Marble Pillars, with their Capitals and Baſes of the fineſt ſort of po⯑liſh'd Marble, and of that conſiſts the ſpacious Pavements, which in ſeveral places, croſs the Court, and lead you plea antly to different Apartments, which appear at ſome conſiderable diſtance, thro' the Columns of this no⯑ble Gallery.
ABOVE the Pillars of the great Piazza, and ſupported by them, are the Lodging Rooms of ſeveral Officers of no mean Authority in the Sera⯑glio; The Stables of the Grand Signior's Seraglio.and on the left hand, at about a hundred Paces diſtance from it, are the private Stables, which contain about five, ſix, or ſeven and twenty Hor⯑ſes, for the favourite Exerciſes of the Sultan's Pleaſure; above theſe Stables are the Rooms wherein are kept the Bridles, Saddles, rich Capariſons, and other Furniture for his Led-Horſes, moſt of which are ſo adorn'd with pre⯑cious Stones, and rich Embroidery, that they amount in price to a prodigious and incredible Sum of Money. As for the Great Stables, they are plac'd behind the private ones, and keep vaſt numbers of the ſwifteſt and beſt-ma⯑nag'd Horſes, of their own and other Countries.
The Divan, or Juſtice-Hall.DIRECTLY in a line with the above-nam'd private Stables, but a lit⯑tle nearer to the third Court's entrance, ſtands a round and open Place they call Divan, a ſort of Hall or Council Chamber, where the Grand-Vi⯑zier and Lord's-Chief-Juſtices, with other Miniſters exhibit Juſtice on appoin⯑ted Days, to all the People in a publick manner.
THE Place is low, and open to the view of all the People; the Roof ſupported by large Wooden Pillars, and all leaded over in a curious manner. Wainſcot gilt is all the Ornament the inſide boaſts of: On the Floor is ſpread a Carpet, where, on Benches plac'd on purpoſe, ſit the Judges of occurring Cauſes: An excellent Policy in the Adminiſtrati⯑on of the Tur⯑kiſh Juſtice.From the Roof of this Divan, there runs along on the left ſide, a little Gallery, which leads by certain private ways, to the Grand Signior's Lodgings, who by that means, often comes, and, hid behind a Velvet Curtain, overhears the Trials, which are paſſing in the Court, and if he ſees unjuſt Proceedings, frequently reverſes, or makes void the Sentence, as he finds occaſion, puniſhing the partial or unjuſt Decider; ſo that, aw'd by doubt, and never knowing when he is or is not there, they are oblig'd to act with conſtant Caution, and againſt the grain, impartially determine every Law-Suit.
ON every Council-Day, the Turkiſh Janizaries are drawn up, and headed, every Company by their reſpective Officers, upon the Pavement underneath the Marble Gallery, which I before inform'd you runs quite round the Buildings of this ſecond Court; A piece of Turkiſh Oſten⯑tation.and there it is that they receive their Pay, upon ſuch Days as the Ambaſſadors of Chriſtian Princes are ad⯑mitted to the Audience of the Sultan or his Miniſters, that ſo they may vain-gloriouſly appear poſſeſſors of a rolling Plenty, by disburſing in the Pay⯑ment of that one Militia for a few days Service, ſuch prodigious heaps of Money.
Another Hall.BEYOND this Great Divan or Hall of Juſtice, ſtands another Buil⯑ding, not unlike it, but of far leſs magnitude, here they ſeat ſuch Chriſtian Miniſters of State, or Merchants, as may have occaſion to apply themſelves for Juſtice, to the Turkiſh Government.
The Quarters of the Balta⯑gees.THE ſpace dividing theſe two Halls, admits you to a Gate, that opens to the left, and leads you into a fine ſpacious Square, the Quarters of the Baltagees, or Hatchet Men, whoſe buſineſs 'tis to cleave and carry Wood [153] for every Part of the Grand Signior's Seraglio. The Building boaſts no Or⯑nament, but is divided humbly into many Chambers, fit for the Reception of the Slaves for whom they are provided.
THE Garden Wall prevents you from a further Inquiſition on the left of this large ſecond Court; The Kitchens of the Seraglio.ſo let us viſit the right ſide, and we ſhall find the vacant ſpace behind the Gallery, politely terminated by a ſtately row of fine ſtone Kitchens, ſeven in number, each whereof is manag'd by peculiar Cooks and other Servants, who are ſeverally buſied in providing Meat for different Tables, from the Sultan's own to thoſe of his ſuperior Officers, and from them to others of leſs Rank, and meaner Quality.
The Confecti⯑onaries.ABOVE theſe Kitchens are an equal number of Preſerving Rooms, to which belong four hundred choice Confectioners, perpetually employ'd in making Sweet-meats, ſuch as Conſerves, Preſerves, Jellies, Fruits of all ſorts, dried, or candied, ſometimes liquid Syrups in abundance, and great quanti⯑ties of Marmalade.
BESIDES theſe Sweet-meats, 'tis the buſineſs of the Confectioners to make Sherbets and Limonades, of rich and coſtly Compoſition, for the uſe of the Grand Signior's ſelf, and ſuch of his Great Officers, as will think fit to pay ſuch Prices, as from time to time are put upon theſe Rarities by thoſe, who make the Profits, The Perqui⯑ſites of the Confectioners.flowing from their Perquiſites this way the moſt conſiderable Income of their whole Employment.
BELOW the Kitchens, and the ſeven Confectionaries, which are plac'd above them, at about ſome twelve or fourteen Paces diſtance, nearer to the Gardens ending the declenſion, An admirable Aquaeduct.ſtands the great and admirable Aquaeduct, extending both above and underneath the Ground, in very ſtrong and ſtately Arches, Vaults and Ciſterns, well ſupplied with Pipes of Lead, and brazen Cocks of an uncommon magnitude, and conſtantly attended by an Officer, whoſe Title ſpeaks him Maſter of the Water-Works, under whoſe command two hundred Work-men are continually in waiting.
THE Kitchens, Butteries, Lodging-Rooms, and all the various Quarters of the Great Seraglio, are not only ſerv'd with Water from this noble Aquae⯑duct for common uſes; Strange and pleaſant Fan⯑cies.but the numerous Fountains, murmuring Currents, artificial Lakes, and ſmall meandring Streams, which dance along with tune⯑full Cadence, o'er a thouſand artfull Falls and pebbled Precipices, cover'd over with ſurrounding Boughs, or Graſs of lovely green and length incredible, are all ſupplied with never-failing Sluices, from the wonderfull Contrivances of that ſtupendious Structure.
Deſcription of the third Court of the Seraglio.WE enter now the third Diviſion, or that Part of the Seraglio, where the Sultan conſtantly receives the ſeveral Ambaſſadors of Chriſtian Princes; and you may obſerve that all the proud and haughty Carriage, which in ancient times, diſtinguiſh'd Eaſtern Monarchs, reigns conſpicuouſly, im⯑prov'd far, rather than diminiſh'd, in the Turkiſh Emperors; who do not only with a ſort of ſlight indifference, refuſe admiſſion to a ſecond Audience, even ſo much as to take leave at their Departure, but behave themſelves that ſingle time, when they permit an Interview, with ſuch diſdainfull Ar⯑rogance and ſilent Grandeur, that it will amaze the Reader to reflect upon their proud Deportment: Alas! how vainly do they ſwell their thoughts above Mortality; the common fate of Death at laſt o'ertakes them, but with this black difference, that while the humble Prince ſtill falls lamented, they are generally made the bloody Victims to their Subject's hatred, and de⯑ſerv'd reſentment; ſo that falling ſhort in their too elevated race of Power, we may apply the Words of Juvenal to their unpitied Deſtiny.
How foreign Ambaſſadors enter the Seraglio.A publick notice being given to Ambaſſadors, when 'tis the Sultan's plea⯑ſure to admit them to his Audience, they contrive to make as ſplendid an Appearance as their Quality allows, or Honour of their Country may re⯑quire them to furniſh; gallantly attended by their Retinue on Horſe-back, they proceed in order to the Great Seraglio, where alighting, as is uſual, at the entrance of the ſecond Court, they are conducted to the third by cer⯑tain Officers of mean Degree, who there deliver the Ambaſſador to the Capi⯑gee Baſhaw, or Lord Comptroler, one, who ſerves upon occaſion, for a Maſter of the Ceremonies.
'TIS here they ſtay by the appointment of their Guides, till certain Pages of the Wardrobe come among them, bearing each upon his Arm a ſort of Veſt, or upper Garment, roughly wove with Silver, Gold, and yellow Silk not neatly intermix'd, of length ſufficient to hang down and trail up⯑on the Ground.
Their way of doing Honour to Ambaſſa⯑dors and their Retinue.THEY firſt addreſs themſelves to the Ambaſſador, and having cover'd all his other Habit with this ill-contriv'd addition, next proceed as order'd to beſtow a certain number on his Followers, obſerving his direction as to their diſpoſal; thus adorn'd, the Miniſter himſelf, and ſuch of his Atten⯑dants as before receiv'd the Honour of a Veſt, are beckon'd to advance, while thoſe of meaner Rank are entertain'd by Men appointed for that Service, under the Piazza or long Gallery, by which, as I before inform'd you, all the ſecond Court is gracefully ſurrounded.
The ancient Cuſtom of giving Chan⯑ges of Rai⯑ment, ob⯑ſerv'd among the Turks.THIS giving Veſts has been a very ancient Eaſtern Ceremony, and was practis'd formerly, as now it is among the Turks, to give a Proof of the Re⯑ſpect they bore the Perſon they ſo honour'd. All Ambaſſadors, reſiding in the Turkiſh Court, may judge of the Eſteem the Sultan bears the Prince they repreſent, by the receiving more or fewer than is uſual of theſe formal Gar⯑ments; and it is by long continued Cuſtom, now become a ſort of due, for the reſpective Miniſters of different Nations to expect at leaſt as many, as ſome former Precedent may poſſibly induce them to lay claim to; A nicety a⯑bout it.and if they find the Officers of the Seraglio obſtinately bent to give them fewer, than were beſtow'd upon a Predeceſſor, they will often-times perſiſt ſo ſtrong⯑ly in the claim they lay to better Uſage, as to turn again, and leave the Pa⯑lace, ſtill refuſing to obey their Summons to an Audience of the Sultan, till the Turks conſent to let them have it on the terms they ſue for. Giving Veſts among the Ancients may be prov'd in many Places, by the indiſputa⯑ble Authority of Holy Writ, particularly in the five and thirtieth Chapter of the Book of Geneſis, and the two and twentieth Verſe, where Joſeph ſending back his Bretheren out of Egypt, it is ſaid, To all of them he gave each Man Changes of Raiment: But to Benjamin he gave three hundred Pieces of Silver, and five Changes of Raiment.
UPON a warning given, that the Sultan is arriv'd and waits his com⯑ing, the Ambaſſador proceeds, conducted by the Lord Comptroller, and at⯑tended by ſuch Perſons of his own Retinue, as are cloath'd in the above⯑nam'd Garments: Upon the entrance of the Court, which, much unlike the [155] former two, The third Court not ſo regular as the former.is built irregular, with many different Apartments independent each on other, you perceive, directly oppoſite, a lofty round and open Hall, the Roof whereof is neatly arch'd, and well ſupported by a double row of Marble Pillars.
The Gate guarded by Eunuchs.THE Gate of this third Court is kept by Eunuchs, as too near the Sul⯑tan's Lodgings to be approach'd by common Soldiers. All the Ground be⯑tween the Portal and the Hall of Audience, is enrich'd with Carpets of the coſtlieſt Workmanſhip, on which the Strangers walk, till they arrive at a fine Marble Stair-Caſe, which aſcends to the above-nam'd Hall; on either ſide whereof there iſſues from the Wall, thro' various artificial Paſſages un⯑numbred Streams of Water, falling with a different ſound, according to the bigneſs of their Channels, upon ſloping Shells of poliſh'd Braſs, and thence deſcending to a ſpacious Ciſtern, flagg'd and floor'd with exquiſite Moſaic Work of various Colours, which (eaſily perceiv'd thro' the tranſparency of the included Water) wonderfully pleaſes the obſerving Eye with a ſur⯑prizing and uncommon Scene of Beauties.
Deſcription of the Hall of Audience.THE Stairs are cover'd with the richeſt Silks, on which the introduc'd Ambaſſadors muſt tread in their aſcent to the extenſive Floor, which, tho' politely pav'd with curious ſquares of various-colour'd Marble, is all over cover'd with a Golden Carpet, if it may be call'd ſo, every thread whereof is little leſs than the genteeleſt ſort of Straws, which form our Mats in Britain.
ABOUT the middle of this ſpacious Hall, there plays a Fountain in a very odd and curious manner, from the Cieling to the Ciſtern, not unlike a Shower of Rain, The Throne of the Grand Signior.and oppoſite to the Aſcent there ſtands the Throne, of no great heighth, but ſplendidly adorn'd with an extenſive Canopy, broad Back-piece, and thick pleated Baſes, all of black and coſtly Velvet, high embroi⯑der'd over with a glorious mixture of both Gold and Silver Wyre, in the ſquares whereof are ſew'd Turquoiſes, Diamonds, Pearls and Rubys, ſo con⯑triv'd, that they not only look Magnificent, but form a ſort of eaſy Figure ſo politely pleaſing, that againſt the Will it captivates attention.
UPON this Throne ſits croſs-legg'd the diſdainfull Sultan, looking round him with a ſort of haughty Frown, to view the baſe and ſervile Poſtures of the Slaves about him.
How he is at⯑tended on it.AND firſt, the Grand Vizier ſtands humbly on his right Hand, very near him; and at more ſubmiſſive diſtance, almoſt oppoſite, appear the greateſt Officers of his Seraglio, rang'd according to their ſeveral Dignities, holding each his Hands acroſs upon his humble Boſom, not preſuming once to elevate thoſe ſervile Eyes, which are not worthy ſo ſublime an Ho⯑nour, as to gaze upon the Perſon of their mighty Emperor, thus formidably Shining in his Royal Luſtre.
The firſt ap⯑proach of the Ambaſſador.NO ſooner the Ambaſſador appears within the Hall, than there advance two Officers, who taking hold of both his Arms, attend him as he walks, and ſtill as he approaches nearer to the Perſon of the Sultan, as it were by force, incline his Body ſo much nearer to the Ground, in three low Bows. The Sultan condeſcends perhaps to look him in the Face, and now and then beſtows a gentle Nod, while the Ambaſſador is ſeated juſt before him, on an eaſy Stool all cover'd over with a rich Brocado.
The manner of his Audi⯑ence.WHILE the Credentials are produc'd and Reading by the Druggaman, in Engliſh the Interpreter, the Preſents brought, and conſtantly expected from all Foreign Miniſters upon their Audience of the Sultan, are ex⯑pos'd [156] to view; and thoſe of the Embaſſadors ſelected Train, who have been firſt diſtinguiſh'd as before, advancing with their Foreheads to the Ground, have leave to kiſs the Hem of the Grand Signior's Vest, which hav⯑ing done, they ſilently retire, and ſtand at ſome conſiderable ſpace be⯑hind the Stool of the Ambaſſador.
NO ſooner has the Sultan heard the Druggaman read loudly the Cre⯑dentials, but he preſents them to the Grand Vizier, who purpoſely ſtands near him, and the Audience being over, the Ambaſſador takes leave, but is not ſuffer'd once to turn his Back upon the Sultans Perſon, How he muſt retire.and in order to prevent it, he is led out Backwards by the Officers, who before Con⯑ducted him; from this time forward he muſt make his Application to the Grand Vizier, and other Miniſters about the Court, for the Grand Signior, tho' the Head of all their Buſineſs, is himſelf above its Practice; leaving all the Cares and Hurries of a Throne to his deputed Inſtruments of State and Power.
The Cham⯑bers of the Pages or I⯑cholans.ALONG the left ſide of the Court, there run Three Rows of Building, Parallel to one another, call'd the Oda's of the Icholans, or Apartments of the Pages, who aſcending gradually from the Meaneſt Offices among the Ajamolan's, are at laſt admitted to the loweſt Chamber of the Pages, where for full Six Years they are Inur'd to all the Practices of menial Drudgery, ſuch as Baking, Waſhing Linnen, Bruſhing Cloaths, and ſuch like Labours.
IN the Second Chamber they continue commonly about Three Years, employ'd in Exerciſes more Conducive to the Minds Improvement; thence proceeding to the Third, and after Two or Three Years ſer⯑vice there, are call'd according to their ſeveral ſtandings, to the Hazo⯑da, or Apartment for the Pages of the Preſence, to ſupply the Vacan⯑cies there made from time to time, by the Preferment of the Oldeſt to the Greateſt Places of the Empire.
THERE is an Officer appointed over every Chamber, to inſpect the Management of theſe Icholan's, commonly Amounting to almoſt a Thouſand Men; to him they are Subſervient in ſo high a manner, that no Imagination can conceive the Strictneſs, under which they live; Their reſtraint in the Seraglio.their Beds are Spread in order on each ſide of the Extended Building, and themſelves ſo rigidly deny'd a common Liberty, that they are never ſuffer'd to converſe with any other Quarter of the Great Seraglio.
The Baths of the Seraglio.DIRECTLY oppoſite to theſe Apartments are Five Rows of Baths, of different Forms and Structure, as deſign'd for the convenience of the High and Low, and every Perſon in the Sultans Palace; one Row among them is the Sultan's own, divided finely into Numerous Cham⯑bers, Pav'd with Marble of an Hundred Colours, and Adorn'd with Roofs and Walls of Chrystal, and a Thouſand other ſtrange contrivances to render them beyond example Pleaſant and Convenient.
A Barbarous Cuſtom of the Turkiſh Empe⯑rors.AMONG the Buildings of this Court, there ſtands a low Roofed Hall of no mean length, appointed for the Lodging of the Dwarfs, Dumb, Deaf, Crook-Back'd and other Blots of Nature, many of each ſort conti⯑nually maintain'd for the Diverſion of the Sultan, who delights in Sport⯑ing with thoſe Wretches Miſeries.
The Quarters of the White Eunuchs.THE large Apartments of the Powerfull White Eunuchs, much in Vogue in Eaſtern Countries, and employ'd in the moſt profitable Poſts of the Seraglio, to inſpect the Management of all the Servants, termi⯑nate []
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE, Which Repreſents The INWARD PLAN of the GRAND SIGNIORS SERAGLIO.
- 1 THE Sea, and Haven of Conſtantinople.
- 2 The Gate of the Seraglio.
- 3 Watch Towers, where Soldiers ſtand to Guard it.
- 4 The Way, between the outward and inward Wall of the Seraglio, thro' which the Soldiers paſs, to relieve the Guard of the Watch Towers.
- 5 The Great Gardens of the Se⯑raglio.
- 6 The Firſt Court Yard.
- 7 The Ruins of an Old Chappel, that was Built by Conſtantine the Great.
- 8 The Quarters of the Ajam Olans.
- 9 The Great Wood-yard.
- 10 The Hoſpital.
- 11 The Quarters of the Helvagees.
- 12 The Green, where twice or thrice a Week, they Excerciſe themſelves at Hurling the Ja⯑velin.
- 13 The Entrance of the Second Court.
- 14 The Square Piazza, with fine Lodging Rooms above it.
- 15 Quarters of the Baltagees.
- 16 Private Stables.
- 17 The Divan, or Juſtice-Hall.
- 18 The Kitchens of the Seraglio.
- 19 The Aquaeduct, and Court a⯑bout it.
- 20 The Entrance of the Third Court.
- 21 The Pages Chambers.
- 22 The Baths of the Seraglio.
- 23 The Hall of Audience.
- 24 The Mutes Apartment.
- 25 The Dwarfs Apartment.
- 26 The Royal Moſque.
- 27 The Quarters of the White Eunuchs.
- 28 A Stately Piazza.
- 29 The Semicircular Piazza's of the Treaſury.
- 30 The Four Treaſury Chambers.
- 31 The Grotto's of the Seraglio.
- 32 Two Antient Graecian Obelisks.
- 33 The Quarters of the Pages of the Preſence.
- 34 The Quarters of the Great Of⯑ficers of the Seraglio.
- 35 The Royal Lodgings.
- 36 A Triumphal Arch.
- 37 A River, which divides the Womens Quarter from the other Part of the Seraglio.
- 38 Another Triumphal Arch.
- 39 The Winding Gallery.
- 40 The Ladies Apartment.
- 41 The Apartment of the Black Eunuchs.
- 42 The Ladies Garden.
- 43 A Fine Quick-Set Hedge, which Terminates the Ladies Garden.
- 44 Two Stair-Caſes, leading from the two Apartments, thro' ſeve⯑ral Avenues, and Shady Paſſages, into the Wilderneſs, which be⯑ing adorn'd with Greens and Arbours, Rivulets and Foun⯑tains, reaches as you ſee, to the very Point of the Seraglio.
[]
To the Right Honble Charlot Counteſs of Warwick this Plate is Moſt Humbly Dedicated
[157] the Court on either ſide, and reach within twelve paces of the Gar⯑den Walls; their form is in the ſhape of large Half-Moons, embracing, as it were, the other Buildings with their horns or corners.
The Moſque of the Seraglio.ABOVE the Hall of Audience, and between the North-Eaſt ends of the two great Half-Moons, which form the Eunuch's Lodgings, ſtands a Moſque, whoſe Spires and Cupola's are richly gilded, and the Pile ſurrounded by a lovely Grove of lofty Cypreſs Trees; 'Tis here the Sultan and his Ladies daily come to their Devotion, yet unſeen by any of thoſe numerous Crowds of People, who aſſemble in the Body of the Church, in that they are divi⯑ded from the reſt by a Partition letteſs'd over with an admirable Ingenuity; but their Devotion is no ſooner ended, than they all return the way they came, and paſs thro' private Galleries, unſeen by any, to their own Apart⯑ments.
Pillars brought from Troy.DIRECTLY from the Moſque abovenam'd runs an open Gallery, near thirty paces long, and thirteen broad, its Roof ſupported by great numbers of fine Marble Pillars, ſix whereof the Turks report to have been brought from Troy to Conſtantinople, when 'twas yet Byzantium; they are all of different colour each from other, one is blue, another green, and there⯑fore held as ſacred by the Turks, and every one ſo naturally bright, that they are falſly ſaid by common Fame, to be tranſparent.
Curious Re⯑liques of An⯑tiquity.THE high rais'd Fret-work of the Floor, is wonderfully fine and ſtately, all compos'd Moſaicly of great and little Marble Squares, of all imaginable Colours, richly repreſenting ſome Historical and Kingly Figures, which the ſuperſtitious Turks have now defac'd by picking out their Eyes, and quite deforming all their Heads; however the remaining beauty of this noble Gallery ſufficiently demonſtrates, that it was the Workmanſhip of Chriſtian Architects, to grace ſome part of that illuſtrious Palace, while it flouriſh'd gloriouſly in the peacefull Reſidence of Graecian Emperors.
Deſcription of the Grand Signior's Trea⯑ſury.A very large and noble Portico, or large Piazza, terminates this Gallery, on either ſide extending to an equal diſtance, and compleatly forming a large Semicircle, at each end whereof there open two large Doors, each Door admits you to ſome one of four vaſt Chambers, which contain the Treaſure of the Turkiſh Sultans.
EVERY Chamber is alike for form and bigneſs, making four Half-Moons, or Semicircles, two on either ſide, at equal diſtance each from o⯑ther, with their horns or points directly contrary to thoſe of the Piazza juſt now mention'd, and betwixt one Building and another, all the ſpaces be⯑ing planted with the fineſt Trees, and odoriferous Flowers in various artfull Figures, form a ſort of charming Proſpect, not to be imagin'd by the moſt capacious Apprehenſion.
SIX Seals on either Door, and three large Chains ſecure the Entrance, never open'd but upon expreſs Command from the Grand Signior to the Haſnadar Baſhaw, or Lord High Treaſurer; each Room is full of Cupboards, Coffers, Iron-Cheſts, and Shelves extreamly large, all fill'd with Riches of a different kind, and ſhining brightly with collected heaps of moſt ineſtimable Wealth, and curious Rarities, which have from time to time been freely given, bought, or taken from the diſtant Corners of the ſpacious Uni⯑verſe.
The Royal Lodgings.DIRECTLY oppoſite to the Piazza, which contains the Doors, that open to this Treaſure, ſtand the Royal Lodgings, which you enter by another great Piazza, not unlike the former, but with its Points ſo well [158] diſpos'd, and ſo exactly oppoſite, that both Piazza's make a Space of Circular deſign, and large extent, the midſt whereof contains a Fountain, ſpouting from its ſides large Streams of Water, which Deſcending in a Body on the Center of the Ciſtern, form a Figure Pleaſantly un⯑common.
Two Ancient Obelisks.AMIDST the ſpace, between the Horns of the Piazza's, ſtand two Obelisks of lofty Heighth, and wonderfull contrivance, but neglected by the Turks, no Lovers of the Venerable Reliques of Antiquity, are now o'ergrown with Buſhes, and Surrounding Multitudes of Brambles.
The Wings adjoyning to the Royal Lodgings.TWO Wings are added to the Center, either enter'd by a Door, which opens at each point of the Piazza, and extending their Apart⯑ments in two large Half-Moons directly oppoſite to thoſe, which form the Treaſury, but ſtanding with their Horns the other way, and pointing to the Gardens, like the Sultans Lodgings.
ALL the ſpace between theſe Wings, and the abovenam'd Treaſury, is fill'd with Fountains, Cypreſs Trees, and curious Flower Gardens, Melancholy Grotto's.and the Vacancy on either ſide, politely terminated by a Semicircular Grotto, Built of Shells, ſet here and there upon a rough hard ſubſtance, exactly repre⯑ſenting Natural Rock, betwixt whoſe Hollows, artificial Groves of fine Im⯑pending Coral ſeem to ſprout, and thro' their dropping Branches Mur⯑muringly diſcharge, ſmall Streams of Water, gently Trickling down the Rock in many Places.
The Hazoda or Apartment of the Pages of the Preſence.THE Right of theſe two Wings, the Turks diſtinguiſh by the Name of the Hazoda, where the Forty Pages of the Preſence have their Lodg⯑ing, under the Inſpection of an Officer of high degree; here they firſt begin to taſt the ſweets of Liberty, and are permitted to converſe with whom they pleaſe, a Privilege for many Years before deny'd them.
Apartments of the Great Seraglio Offi⯑cers.THE Left Wing is divided into many fine and large Apartments, where are Lodg'd the Selictar-Aga, or Royal Sword Bearer, Hichokadar-Baſhaw, or Bearer of the Cloak, and many other of the Greateſt Officers of the Seraglio, ſuch as always have Admiſſion to the Preſence of the Sultan.
THE Sultans Quarter Boaſts no more than Three Great Rooms, but thoſe ſo Splendid, and beyond Imagination Stately and convenient, that one, who never ſaw them, cannot comprehend the Twentieth Part of their Amazing Excellences.
Deſcription of the Sultans Glorious Chambers.THE Roofs are Arch'd, and all ſet thick with Glittering Spires and Balls of Chryſtal, rim'd about with Gold and Azure, whence in many Places hang great Golden Globes, adorn'd with Diamonds of ſurprizing Luſtre, all the ſides are Richly Flagg'd in ſeparate Pannels with White, Black, Grey, Blue, Green, and other colour'd Marble, 'twixt every one of which runs one of Gold or Silver, reaching like the reſt from top to bot⯑tom; all the Floor is Veiny Marble, cover'd over with the fineſt and moſt coſtly Cloath of Gold, that can be purchas'd, neatly interwove with Twenty other different colours; cloſe againſt the Wall, all round each Chamber [159] lie large Cuſhions, of a black, green, blue, or crimſon Velvet, embroidred in the richeſt manner, with the fineſt Pearls, ſome long, ſome round, and ſome of every form and magnitude; in ſhort, no part of all thoſe Cham⯑bers but poſſeſſes Ornaments, the moſt accompliſh'd Grandeur of the ſtatelieſt Palaces of Europe cannot equalize.
A wonderfull River, flowing two ways.BEHIND the Royal Lodgings at about two hundred Paces diſtance runs a River, brought by Art from the adjoining Sea, thro' ſubterraneous Paſſages, to riſe exactly in the middle of the higheſt Ground of the Seraglio, where it forms a ſort of Lake, and thro' an artificial Channel, runs along with mighty ſwiftneſs down the Hill on either ſide, quite croſs the Palace, paſſing thro' the Garden Walls on either ſide, by a large Iron Grate, and ſo deſcending to the Sea two different ways, from which 'tis conſtantly ſup⯑ply'd, as faſt as it emits the riſing Waters.
The impoſſi⯑bility of ap⯑proaching the Womens Quarter.IT is this River, that divides the Great Seraglio from the Quarters of the Ladies, hindring all Communication 'twixt the two Diviſions, by the means of its impetuous Current, nor dares any Man, how bold ſoever, once preſume to ſtraggle from his Station, towards the Verge of this for⯑bidden Ground, ſince cou'd he paſs the numerous Guards of Eunuchs, which impede his Progreſs, tho' that barr alone is unſurmountable, he muſt un⯑doubtedly be ſeen, by the Grand Signior or his Officers, and preſent Ruin follow his Diſcovery.
Lovely Gar⯑dens.FROM the Buildings, which contain the Lodgings of the Sultan, and the ſemicircular Wings thereto adjoining, runs a ſpacious and delightfull Flower-garden, curiouſly adorn'd with every kind of odoriferous Plant, and ſhady Tree, which can afford a Smell or Proſpect any ways agreable; nu⯑merous Fountains, each of different form, illuſtrate the Appearance, and the Gardens reaching from one Wall to the other, terminate their breadth upon the Bank of the abovenam'd River, all along whoſe edge there runs a row of Breaſt-high Iron Rails, as on the other ſide appears a line of gilded Baniſters.
THERE runs a little Marble Pavement from the Sultan's Postern, through a very ſtately Wooden Arch, adorn'd with Trees and twining Jeſſamins, which twiſt about it in the middle of the Garden, not unlike the fam'd Triumphal Arches of the ancient Romans.
THIS Pavement is divided at about an hundred paces from the River, into two diſtinct and ſemicircular Galleries with Baniſters on either ſide, a⯑bout three Foot in heighth, adorn'd with Spires and Balls of Gold, Two Draw-bridges, which lead you to the Ladies Apartment.which lead to two great Draw-bridges, each guarded by a Party of White Eunuchs on the hither ſide, and croſſing the ſwift Current on each ſide of the be⯑forenam'd Source of Waters, at the other Foot of either Bridge there waits a conſtant Guard of Black, or Negro Eunuchs, and two other Galleries, ex⯑actly correſpondent to the former, lead two ways to ſuch another Pave⯑ment, running alſo thro' an Arch adorn'd and built exactly like the other.
Of the Apartments of the Women.
AND now we are arriv'd upon a Ground, where any Man, except the Sultan, is like Juvenal's Rara avis in terris, even as great a rarity as his black Swan, or any other Wonder; nothing here is ſeen but Beauty, ſtrangely in⯑termix'd with rough Deformity, each ſmall Avenue leading to the Women, who inhabit this Diviſion, Black or Ne⯑gro Eunuchs.being watch'd continually by Crowds of Blacka⯑mores, not only rob'd of all the ſtrong and virile Marks of luſty Manhood by a ſmooth Caſtration or Deciſion rather, but elected from the moſt de⯑form'd [160] and evil countenanc'd of that untempting Race, as if the curs'd in⯑ſatiate Jealouſy of the laſcivious Sultans, cou'd not think the incapacitating them from amorous Practices with their diſtruſted Women, were ſufficient to ſecure them, but they muſt inhumanely contrive a way to keep the Ladies Inclinations Chaſt, by the prevailing Virtue of a ſtrong Antipa⯑thy.
Moral Re⯑flections.HOW wide alas! does this luxurious Prince miſtake the real road to Greatneſs, who inſtead of awing his audacious Subjects by a warlike Diſpo⯑ſition, and the even Balance of impartial Juſtice, leaves his Empire to ſub⯑ſervient Managements, and meanly gives himſelf entirely over to the con⯑ſtant Practice of voluptuous Living; neither knowing nor deſiring other Grandeur than the plenary indulgment of his carnal Appetite, not conſi⯑dering that, as Seneca ſays in his Tragedy of Thyeſtes,
Moral Re⯑flections.CONTENT will make the meaneſt Object of uncover'd Poverty a happier Man, than commonly the Sultan is in all theſe elevated Scenes of Pomp and Glory. The tow'ring heighth, whereon he ſtands, does ſeldom fail to make him giddy; then he falls below the bliſs of thoſe, who can in Rags reflect on Grandeur in the following Notions of that admi⯑rable Author.
Moral Re⯑flections.NO Man, who ſeriouſly reflects upon the bloody ends, which common⯑ly attend the Turkiſh Emperors, and overtake their Pride amidſt the Sun⯑ſhine they are fondly basking in, wou'd wiſh to change degrees with their uncertain Majeſty; and ſurely Death muſt fall with double weight on ſuch, [161] as Power and Haughtineſs of Soul have lifted up beyond the apprehenſion of its ever reaching them; for, to make uſe again of Seneca's Expreſ⯑ſions.
A winding Gallery.BUT to return again to what I was about, the Pavement on the other ſide the ſecond Arch admits you to the entrance of a ſtately Gallery, perhaps the fineſt, that was ever heard of, for it reaches from one Garden Wall to the other, winding in and out exactly as we paint a folding Serpent, all the turnings at an equal diſtance from each other, and ſo often made, that thoſe, who walk upon it loſe the ſight of one another every ten or fourteen Paces.
Fine Marble Pillars.TIS ſupported nobly by two rows of Pillars, of a red and white large veiny Marble; all the Baſes and the Capitals are black; and the inverting Floor, on which they ſtand, conſiſts of ſpacious Marble Squares, politely in⯑termix'd one half of red, the other of a lovely greeniſh Colour.
YOU aſcend the top of the abovenam'd Gallery by a broad Marble Stair-caſe, with three ſtately Landing-places, rail'd on either ſide with Iron gilt, and headed with large Balls and Spires of Gold: A golden Floor.You enter with a ſtrange ſurprize, to ſee the bottom floor'd to all appearance with thick Plates of burniſh'd Gold, which is indeed no more than Copper gilt, but every Year or two renew'd or poliſh'd, ſo that it reflects a dazling Luſtre and amazing Majeſty: On either ſide is built a kind of Wall breaſt high, whoſe inſide like the Floor is plated over with the Copper gilt, and all along upon its top on either ſide, at five Foot diſtance from each other, ſtand vaſt numbers of fine golden Pyramids, each Pyramid adorn'd upon its utmoſt Point with one large Globe of Gold, by four whereof the bottom is ſup⯑ported.
THE Reader I preſume, will be inclin'd to think this Place, as I have now deſcrib'd it ſo magnificent and beautifull, that it can ſcarce admit of an additional extravagance; he will be conſequently much ſurpriz'd, A lovely walking Place.when I inform him, that on either ſide within the Wall are very deep and artifi⯑cial hollows, fill'd with Soil of a productive nature, where are planted Wood-bines, commonly call'd Hony-ſuckles, Jeſſamins, low Flowers, and Tuberoſes, which ſupported by a ſtronger and more ſpreading kind of laſting Greens, ſo ſweetly intermix with one another, meeting at the top, and growing thick upon a frame of rich gilt Box Wood, that you walk as in a dream, thro' all the odoriferous extaſies of Natures Bleſſings.
The Lodgings of the Negro Eunuchs.THE Gallery is terminated on the left by a large Door, which opens ſideways into the Apartment of the Negro Eunuchs, or Black-Guard of the ſe⯑cluded Ladies; which extends it ſelf ſtrait forward, towards the Point of the Seraglio about two hundred Yards in length, and breadth propor⯑tionable; it conſiſts of only one large Hall ſupported by large Vaults, where⯑in are all the Cellars, Landries, and Conveniencies, requir'd for the ſervice of the Ladies.
[162] THE Room is equally divided into ſpaces for the Eunuch's Lodging-Places, and its high Arch'd Roof ſupported by an Hundred Marble Pillars, Fifty on a ſide; about the Middle opens a low Wooden Door, and lets you out upon a Gallery, which fronts the Gardens; here they Eat, Drink and Divert themſelves, when out of Waiting, caſting ſtill an Eye of Ob⯑ſervation on the Womens Actions.
The Lodgings of the Sultan's Miſtreſſes.DIRECTLY oppoſite, and enter'd in the ſame manner, lie the Lodgings of the Sultans Miſtreſſes, conſiſting alſo of one Room and Gal⯑lery with Offices below it, the Length, Breadth, Heighth, and whole Proportion juſt the ſame with the Apartment of the Eunuchs.
The Furniture of their A⯑partment.BUT as for all the Ornamental part, the Roof, Sides, Floor, and Pil⯑lars of the Ladies Chamber are exactly like the Sultans own Diviſion; or if any difference appears, it is becauſe the Womens Quarter Shines more Brightly, if it's poſſible, with Gold and Chryſtal; and whereas the Rooms of the Grand Signior, as you read before, are Pannel'd from the Cieling to the Floor, with Gold and Silver every Yard or two between the Marble, here, inſtead thereof, they ſert the fineſt Looking-Glaſs, which ſo ſurpriz⯑ingly adorns the place, that viewing as you walk along, a ſtrange confus'd irregularity of proſpect, in promiſcuous mixtures of the various colour'd Marble Flags, the Cuſhions, Carpets, and the Numerous Pillars, which ſupport the Building, you are agreable amaz'd at ſo uncommon an ap⯑pearance.
Their Beds and way of Sleeping.THEIR Beds are only Quilts or Carpets five times doubled, over which is laid a Sattin Coverlet, which being turn'd aſide, they enter in their Shifts and Muſtin Drawers, and contentedly repoſe themſelves till Break of Day, beyond which hour they ſeldom are permitted to in⯑dulge themſelves in ſlumber.
How their Beds are Plac'd.FOUR Rows of Beds there are, from one end of the Chamber to the other, and the Number of the Ladies, ſometimes more, and ſome⯑times leſs, may commonly be reckon'd at about Five Hundred. Two Rows of Beds are Plac'd againſt the Wall on either ſide, and two be⯑tween the Columns, which ſupport the Chamber.
The Gover⯑nante's of the Seraglio how choſen.BETWEEN each Fourth and Fifth of all the Beds their lies a kind of Matron, if it may be proper ſo to call an Aged Virgin, for they are always choſen out of thoſe more Antiquated Ladies, whoſe hard luck has bur⯑then'd them with the Ʋnſummon'd Load of Stale Virginity, and conſequent⯑ly made them fit for a Succeſſion to the Vacancies of ſuch a Poſt, as by requiring a Malicious care to hinder Wantoneſſes they are Paſt the Taſt of, ſpeaks 'em enviouſly and extreamly Qualified for its Poſſeſſion.
How the La⯑dies live in the Seraglio.IT is the proper Buſineſs of theſe Ill-natur'd Governante's, to inſpect the Actions and Behaviour of the Young Recluſes, by day to keep 'em Strictly to their Work, which, for the moſt Part, is Embroidery in various colours, intermix'd with Gold and Silver, upon Silk or Muſlin; at other times to ſee they miſs not thoſe Genteeler parts of Education, ſuch as Sing⯑ing, Dancing and the like, according to the Turkiſh Mode, all which is Taught 'em Daily by Black Eunuchs purpoſely oblig'd to Practice ſuch Accompliſhments, as 'twill be Requiſite to Teach the Ladies.
A ſtrictneſs to prevent Im⯑modeſt Acti⯑ons.THERE Burn all Night, not far from each Beds Foot, a ſort of fine Wax Tapers, and the only reaſon for it, is, that by their Light, the Go⯑vernante may be able to Diſcover all immodeſt or indecent Paſtimes, which the Wanton Inclinations of the Youthfull Ladies, kept from the Society [163] or Sight of Man, might prompt 'em to the Practice of, did Opportunity and Darkneſs favour their Endeavours: I cou'd give my Reader ſome A⯑mazing Inſtances in that particular, but ſince it may offend the Mo⯑deſty of my more Chaſt and Vertuous Country-Women, 'twill be more Oblig⯑ing if I ſpare their Bluſhes by Omitting the Relation.
The Ladies Gallery.THE Gallery adjoyning to the Ladies Lodgings, tho exactly correſpon⯑dent, and alike in Form and Bigneſs to its Oppoſite, belonging to the Negro Eunuchs, ſhines beyond it in a High Degree, by reaſon of the Rich Em⯑broider'd Cuſhions, Cloth of Gold, and Silken Furniture, wherewith the Floor, and Saffrai are both cover'd; looking out upon a Garden, filling all the ſpace between the Buildings, and extending its Avenues, Flower-Plots, Foun⯑tains, and Cool Grotto's, from the Winding Gallery to the bottom of the Lodgings, A Stately Quick-ſett-Hedge.where it is terminated by a Quick-ſett-Hedge, of a Surprizing Heigth and Thickneſs, forming a Half-Moon, the Horns whereof Embrace the Inner Angles of the two Apartments, open in the Middle by a ſmooth and Artificial Gap, which repreſents a large Arch'd Gate-way, leading to the Entrance of a Shady Grove, the Spreading Branches of whoſe Various Trees meet over Head and form a Hundred Lovely Bowers, and cool retirements, which I ſhall hereafter largely Treat of.
Lovely Gar⯑dens.FROM the Galleries, which Front the two Apartments, you deſcend from either end by a large Marble Stair-Caſe, turning from the Quick-ſett Hedge, and Winding till they look towards the ſide Walls of the Seraglio: Theſe admit you to the Entrances of many Shady Paths and gracefull Ave⯑nues of Myrtle, Cypreſs, Orange Trees and Jeſſamins, which Wind delight⯑fully from Place to Place, ſometimes admitting you to Subterraneous Grotto's, all ſupported and adorn'd by Marble Pillars, from whoſe ſides there Iſſues Water, that by falling down from different Heights on Shells of Braſs, of different Thickneſs, makes a ſort of gentle Muſick, ſweetly full of Melancholy Harmony.
Fine Greens for the Diver⯑ſion of the Sul⯑tans Miſterſſes.SOMETIMES theſe Walks or rather Labyrinths, lead you out upon fine Greens, Round, Square, Oblong, and of all forms imaginable, Moated round by well-ſtock'd Fiſh-Ponds, in the Middle of theſe Greens, there ge⯑nerally ſtands a Tent, each Rope whereof is Guarded by an Eunuch: Here ſuch Ladies, as are graver than the Reſt, ſit Croſs Legg'd and obſerve the Paſtimes of their fellow Beauties, ſome of which run Wildly up and down the Field, and form a kind of Sport not much unlike our Engliſh Country Game of Threading the Scottiſh Needle, others Dance upon another part of the ſame Green, here ſome are Walking and converſing Merrily, there three or four are Lolling in the Shade, Stretching and Rolling up and down in Wanton Poſtures, and every now and then you may perceive ſome ſerious ſolitary Virgin, Angling in the Fiſhpond, and unmindfull of all Paſtimes but her own ſedate and innocent Diverſion,
Laſcivious Cuſtoms of the Ladies in the Seraglio.IT is not ſeldom that the Sultan does in Perſon grace their Exerciſes, and then they all contrive with eager Emulation, who ſhall moſt engage his fancy by the Artifice of her Behaviour; now Modeſty takes leave of theſe Licentious Ladies, and the Warmer Arguments of looſe deſire incline them to the Practice of the moſt Laſcivious Dances, Poſtures, and Perfor⯑mances, which ſerve to raiſe a Luſtfull Fire, and may excite the Paſſion of the Amorous Sultan to a Cooling ſatisfaction of his Heated Wiſhes, in a full Poſſeſſion of her happy charms, who more than any other moves his Inclinations.
SUCH Gardens, Groves, and fine Plantations of Delicious Fruit Trees, as I have above deſcrib'd, fill all the large remaining ſpace within the Inner [164] Wall of the Seraglio, which confines the Womens Quarter, The great Gardens of the Seraglio.and divides the whole from thoſe vaſt tracts of Garden Ground, which quite ſurround the Palace, and conſiſt of Fruits of every kind, Herbs, Cucumbers, and every in⯑dividual thing, which is requir'd even from the Kitchin to the Dining Room. Theſe larger Gardens are manur'd by Men, of common Knowledge in Af⯑fairs of Husbandry; but thoſe belonging to the Ladies Quarter, are not en⯑ter'd but by certain of the Negro Eunuchs, purpoſely inſtructed in the art of Gardening, that they may be qualified to ſerve in that Employ⯑ment.
Another Wall.ANOTHER Wall divides the largeſt Gardens from the outward Wall of the Seraglio, leaving only ſpace ſufficient for the paſſing and repaſſing of thoſe Troops of Soldiers, who from time to time relieve the Guards, perpe⯑tually employ'd to keep the Towers, which, as I ſaid before, defend the Palace.
I know the natural Curioſity of my expecting Female Readers will in⯑duce them to condemn my want of Complaiſance, if, after having led them gradually thro' every corner of the Sultan's Palace, I ſhou'd hurry 'em a⯑way without permitting them, to look a little into his Amours, the hopes perhaps, of which amuſement was the only cauſe, that brought 'em thi⯑ther.
TO this I anſwer, That I will immediately comply with their Deſires; but muſt by way of Prologue, urge 'em all to lay aſide thoſe vulgar Er⯑rors and Romantick Notions, former Authors, or perhaps, their travelling Lo⯑vers have poſſeſs'd their Minds with.
Common Fame a com⯑mon Lyar.COMMON Fame is both a Lyar, and a Magnifier of the falſities of all Mankind; where Truth is doubtful, or the Fact obſcure, ſhe ſtrait con⯑trives to fill deficiencies with a productive train of illegitimate Aſſertions; A miſtaken Notion of the Grand Signi⯑or's Courtſhip.nor ever cou'd a Subject more entirely prove the certainty of this Opinion, than the Great Seraglio of the Turkiſh Sultan, and the ceremonious Practices of his uncommon ways of Courtſhip, ſuch as walking thro' them with a Knott of Handkerchiefs faſten'd to his Girdle, one of which he drops at every Ladies Foot, he has a mind to make his Bed-fellow; yet this erroneous Story had the for⯑tune to obtain ſo good a Credit, that the Learned and Judicious Sir Paul Ricaut, has not bluſh'd to tell us in his Maxims of the Turkiſh Polity, that ſuch as is above deſcrib'd, was univerſally allow'd to be the Pattern of the Sultan's Courtſhip.
Love Affairs ſhou'd be kept ſecret.AFFAIRS of Love, the Ladies tell me, ſhou'd be kept as ſecret as Af⯑fairs of State, and certainly if ſo, 'tis doubly criminal, when we betray the cloſe Amours of Royal Monarchs; yet for once I'll venture to tranſgreſs thoſe rules of Privacy, and give as punctual an Account, as I am able, of the Scenes of Love, occaſionally practis'd 'twixt the Sultan and his Miſtreſſes. If any of my Countrywomen ſhou'd be ſo delighted with the Pleaſures I de⯑ſcribe, as to abandon England for the Turks Seraglio, the Nation will for⯑give me for the loſs they ſuffer, by conſidering the Accident as ſuch a won⯑derful ſurprize, that not the ſharpeſt Mortal gueſs cou'd ever have expected it.
The notice given by the Sultan, when he intends a Viſit to his Ladies.FIRST then the Sultan almoſt daily viſits the Apartment of his La⯑dies, and gives notice half an hour or more before he comes, by looking out from his back Windows to the Drawbridge, guarded by the Negro Eunuchs, and informing them of his intention by the Words Helvett, Gelerrum, that is, Make ready, I am coming.
[165] How he is receiv'd, and what he does among them.THIS notice is enough, and all the inner Palace rings immediately with the repeated ſounds of this Alarum, all the Ladies dreſs themſelves with haſt, Waſh, Shift, Perfume and Poliſh their Appearances for the Re⯑ception of their Maſter, who upon his Entrance, is ſaluted by the whole Aſ⯑ſembly on their Knees, he ſits, drinks Coffee, Tea, and toys away an hour or two in kiſſing and embracing them with equal familiarity, and then con⯑ducts them to the Greens, or Bowers within the Gardens, where he takes de⯑light to ſee their Emulation in the ſeveral Arts of pleaſing, which I juſt now told you they employ their time in.
How the Sul⯑tan chuſes a Miſtreſs.THIS is, however, but the method of his publick Converſation with the numbers of his Ladies, amongſt whom the Charms of one will often ſhine ſuperior to the others; Her, on ſome ſuch Day of publick Sport, ap⯑pointed purpoſely, he beckons from the reſt, and leads her to ſome Bower, to talk a while in private, and prepare her Expectation for the Honour he allots her to.
How he Courts her.THE Eunuchs, who attend, acquainted with the Reaſons of their Em⯑peror's withdrawing, ſummon the repining Remnant of the diſappointed Virgins back to their Apartment; while the new-elected Miſtreſs of the Sul⯑tan's Love, receives perhaps, the ſweet advances of a Kiſs or two, in token of the value ſhe has heard her Lord declare he bears her; after which ſhe is deliver'd by the Hand of the Grand Signior to the charge of thoſe Black Eu⯑nuchs then in Waiting.
The Reſpect the other La⯑dies are oblig'd to ſhow her.BY them ſhe is ſaluted with a low Reſpect, becoming the Addreſs of ſuch as compliment the Partner of the Sultan's Bed; and quite ſurrounded by her black Retinue, walks in State along the Chamber ſhe ſo lately was confin'd to; all the other Ladies as ſhe paſſes by, riſe up, and falling on their Knees to kiſs her Vest, congratulate the Bleſſing ſhe muſt ſoon be⯑come Poſſeſſor of.
Their Pride upon advance⯑ment.TRANSPORTED by Succeſs, beyond her ſelf, and giddy by the height of her Advancement to ſuch Fortune, Reaſon, which before perhaps, had little place within her Mind, now quite forſakes the elevated Creature, who forgetting that her happineſs depends upon the humour of a fickle Mo⯑narch, and muſt ſtand or fall as he is pleas'd or diſpleas'd with her firſt Embra⯑ces, looks about her with a ſcornful Air of Pride and Grandeur, and believes herſelf as much above them in her Merit, as ſhe then appears by the reſpect they pay her; hence ſpring a thouſand Jealouſies, malicious Wiſhes, En⯑vies and Uneaſineſſes, which are the neverfailing Conſequences of Dome⯑ſtic Preference among the Ladies, and undoubtedly gave cauſe to that old Graecian Poet, (who by the way 'tis ten to one was Married) to cry out [...] The Envy of the Women make Mens Houſes downright Bedlams.
Preparatory Ceremonies.THE Publick Wardrobe of the Ladies Lodgings is oblig'd to furniſh rich variety of Cloths and Jewels upon ſuch occaſions, and with theſe, ſhe is conducted by the grave Matrona's I before diſcours'd of, to the Bagnio's of the Sultan, where ſhe is not only ſtrip'd, and waſh'd from Head to Foot, but ſcented with Perfumes to add new Charms to thoſe of Nature, that ſhe may appear at Night, deſerving that Affection, which her Royal Lover has vouchſaf'd to crown her with.
A pleaſant Cuſtom.BESIDES the Preparation of the Bagnio, previous to her Bedding the Grand Signior, ſhe is offer'd Wine to drink without controul, that ſo, ſhe may poſſeſs at Night an artificial Vigour, more engaging than the modeſt Baſhfullneſs of her untried and native Innocence.
[166] THUS may the Reader ſee, how wantonly the Monarchs of the Turkiſh Empire ſtudy means to ſwell their Pleaſures to the utmoſt pitch of Taſt and Luxury, whereby they madly haſten on their Ends, forgetfull of that true, but much unheeded Graecian Maxim.
How the Lady is conducted to the Sultan's Chamber.WHEN Night is come, and the Grand Signior, full of Expectation, laid in Bed, the Eunuchs of his Chamber notifie his Pleaſure to the Waiting Lady, who is thereupon immediately attended by the other Virgins, Ma⯑trons, and Black Eunuchs, to the Sultan's Chamber, all the Inſtruments of Turkiſh Muſick ſounding round her, and a hundred large Wax Tapers light⯑ing her along; they leave her at the Door, and wiſhing her a Satisfaction equal to her Honour, ſeparate, and all return to their reſpective Places.
How receiv'd there.MEAN while the trembling Virgin knocks, and is admitted by the Kiſler Aga, or Great Maſter of the Negro Eunuchs, who attends her coming, to inſtruct her in ſome neceſſary Duties, ſhe muſt offer at Performing; after which he modeſtly withdraws and leaves her in the Chamber.
Her firſt Ad⯑dreſs to the Grand Signior.THE Sultan all this while expects her in the Bed, to which ſhe is di⯑rected, by two large white Tapers, burning in the Room; I ſhou'd have told you, that ſhe enters, only cover'd with a Wrapping Night-gown, and advancing to the Feet of the Grand Signior's Bed, falls down upon her Knees, and in an humble manner asks this Queſtion. ‘A Slave to your Commands, Great Monarch, waits your beckon, may, or may ſhe not be now admitted?’
YOU may be ſure the Sultan anſwers Yes, and if impatient to poſſeſs her Beauties, takes her in as ſoon and kindly as your ſelf young Reader wou'd your Miſtreſs: Their pleaſant method of creeping in at the Beds-feet.But alas poor Women! common Cuſtom generally forces them to a more humble Entrance, for, in token of Submiſſion, dropping off their Night-gown, they muſt gently raiſe the Bed Cloaths at the Feet, and ſo creep gradually up to thoſe Embraces, which an Engliſhman wou'd be ſo civil to believe deſerving of a kinder Welcome; and an Engliſhwoman, if I know them rightly, think too worthy to beſtow in ſuch a mortifying and ſubmiſſive manner.
Their Saluta⯑tion in the Morning.'TIS poſſible however, that an after-game of Love and Kindneſs may make full amends for the indifference of her firſt Reception, that we will not doubt of, but proceed to tell you, that when Morning breaks, they are a⯑waken'd by the ſound of Muſick, and the ſhriller Voices of ſome tunefull Eunuchs, ſinging certain Songs compos'd on purpoſe, not unlike the Epitha⯑lamiums of the Ancient; all theſe Songs are handed up and down the City, when the Story of ſome new Intrigue inclines the People to converſe upon that Subject; I had ſeveral preſented me, and one among the reſt I have Tranſlated, to divert the Reader.
The Preſent, he makes her in the Mor⯑ning.ALARM'D by the repeated Harmony of theſe congratulary Songs, the New-made Woman riſes from the Boſom of her amorous Partner, who be⯑ſtows at parting, (with a gratefull Kiſs) ſome precious Jewel of ineſtimable Value; as ſoon as ſhe is cover'd by the Wrapper, ſhe threw off the Night before, the Sultan pulls a Silken String, and preſently come in the Ladies and their Matrons to attend her in another Chamber, while ſhe dreſſes richly in the Cloaths I lately told you were demanded from the Wardrobe, having firſt been bath'd, and well perfum'd all over in the private Bagnio.
The Honour of a Favorite.IF ſhe has been ſo happy as to pleaſe the Sultan in a more than common manner, ſhe continues Queen of his Apartment and Affection, ſerv'd all Day upon the Knee, by his Superior Officers, and ſharing every Night the Bed of her Great Maſter, and it has been ſometimes known, that One has kept Poſſeſſion of his Heart for many Years together, inſomuch that all the other Ladies have been ſlighted, or forgotten, while their Monarch's Thoughts were wholly bent to find new Pleaſures for the Object of his Paſſion.
How the Sul⯑tan and ſhe paſs their time.WHEN any Lady is ſo fortunate as this, the daily Cuſtom of the Sul⯑tan is to lead her up and down, from Walk to Walk, and Bower to Bower a⯑bout the Garden, Courting her as amorouſly and as full of ſoftneſs, as a Chri⯑ſtian Lover wou'd a Miſtreſs he addreſs'd for Marriage; all the while they walk, the Gardens muſt be private, not ſo much as a Black Eunuch is permitted to remain, to overhear or ſee the fond Amours of the de⯑lighted Sultan.
Other Diver⯑ſions.SOMETIMES they walk or ſit in Grottoes, ſometimes in the cooleſt part of ſome ſweet Grove, where fine Caſcades and other Water Works ſeem to join Harmony with warbling Birds about their Heads, as if they ſtrove to drown from any others Ear, the whiſp'ring ſoftneſs of their Voices; ſometimes they mount a ſort of winding Stairs, that lead up to a little Plea⯑ſure Houſe, contriv'd within the Branches of an Oak or Walnut Tree, and cover'd over with Embroid'red Velvet Cuſhions, where they ſit, ſtand, lie and dally wantonly, (unſeen by any thing but Heaven) in a mutual Tran⯑ſport.
A ſtrange Contrivance for a Seat of Pleaſure.AMONGST the numerous Contrivances thoſe Gardens boaſt, one ſeems to have been copied from an Indian Model; for in certain thickeſt parts of the cloſe Groves, is left a Square about four Yards in bigneſs; at e⯑very corner of this Square is planted a large Tree, whoſe Branches, growing very high, and ſpreading far beyond the reſt, meet overhead, and form a Canopy, that ſhades all underneath from the moſt piercing Sun-ſhine: To the ſmalleſt of theſe Trees low Branches, conſequently ſuch as any weight will move moſt eaſily, are faſtned ſtrongly the four Corners of a doubled Canvaſs, cover'd over with the richeſt Velvet, which is pull'd ſo tight that it appears as even as a Table, yet when any thing of reaſonable Burthen [168] comes upon it, all the Branches giving way like Springs, it feels a very odd and pleaſant kind of Motion.
A charming Summer-Houſe.A little Wooden Stair-Caſe, Winding round each corner Tree, admits the Sultan and his valued Miſtreſs to this Velvet-Cover'd Canvas, where they ſometimes roll about, and rocking up and down, ſo toy away their Hours in Amorous Paſtime, ſometimes ſitting Croſs-legg'd Play at Cheſs, or Talk away their Minutes, in a Pleaſing Converſation, while their Raviſh'd Senſes are Enchanted in a manner, by the Twining Honey-Suckles, Jeſſa⯑mins, and other Odoriferous, Plants, and Flowers, which growing out of certain Pots of Earth, Ingeniouſly made faſt to the Top-Branches of the Trees, Hang ſweetly down between the Boughs, and form a Lovely Scent and Proſpect, not to be Imagin'd but by Perſons preſent; this Place ſo rich in Pleaſure, tempts the Paſſions of the Toying Couple to ſuch Ardent Wiſhes, that the Shady Canopy, which covers them ſo well, is often Conſcious of their Wanton Paſtime.
How the o⯑ther Ladies are diſpos'd off, after Beding the Grand Signior.BESIDES theſe Inward Scenes of the Grand Signiors Dalliances, there ſtands a Lettic'd Kiosk or Summer-Houſe, adorn'd with Cloth of Gold and Velvet Cuſhions, whence, while they are Drinking Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate, they have an open proſpect of the Aſian Mountains, all the Haven, and the Town upon the other ſide, with the Kaickgees or Boat Men Rowing up and down, and the ſaid Summer-Houſe being Built upon the outward Wall of the Seraglio, all the Gallies, Ships of War, and Trading Veſſels, Foreign, or their own, muſt neceſſarily paſs almoſt within Piſtol Shot of their Com⯑modious Situation.
THESE are the favours conſtantly beſtow'd upon thoſe happy Ladies, who obtain a Monarch's Heart in lieu of their Virginities: But the leſs ſuc⯑ceſsfull Women, after they have one Night taſted the Embraces of a Man, are carried from the Chamber, where they live when Maids, and lock'd in a Seraglio call'd Kadin Serai, or Ladies Palace, here they live a Solitary Life, confin'd within the Walls of an old Building, Waited on by Eunuchs, and can never hope for liberty, unleſs they chance to prove with Child, if ſo, they are brought back to an Apartment near the Sultans, and deliver'd in his preſence, ever after living there, with liberty to wear a Crown of different ſhape and value, according to her Quality, which is defin'd by being Firſt or Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, or Twentieth Ha⯑ſakee or Concubine.
A Barbarous Policy.AS for the Sons they are deliver'd of, the Barbarous Policy of their Jea⯑lous Government, immediately Impriſons them as ſoon as Born, in a Dark Underground Apartment, where they are Inſtructed in their Language and Religion, all their neceſſaries handed down thro' Holes bor'd thro' the Cieling, being never ſuffer'd even to ſee the Sun, till on the Death of him who Reign'd, the Eldeſt Brother is Elected from his Dungeon to the Throne of that Great Empire; who of old, as ſoon as he was Father of a Son or two himſelf, was us'd to order all his Brothers to be Strangled in the Priſon, but of late they have diſus'd this Black Inhumane Cuſtom.
THE New-Elected Emperor enjoys at pleaſure any of thoſe Women, who were brought to the Seraglio for the Pleaſure of his Predeceſſor, only the Sultana's or ſuch Ladies as he had enjoy'd, are Inſtantly remov'd to the Kadin Serai I lately ſpoke of; all the reſt remaining pure, undoubted Virgins, he poſſeſſes as he pleaſes: The care they uſe in getting Virgin.Here the Reader may take Notice, that no Women are admitted into the Seraglio after Eight Years Old, That ſo the Sultan may not be deceiv'd as to her being Innocent from even a thought of Man; nor then, unleſs their Beauties pro⯑miſe [169] by the Fineneſs of their Bloom, to ripen by degrees to full Per⯑fection.
IT now and then ſo happens that a full grown Woman, who is made the Prize of War, is ſent to the Seraglio by ſome Great Baſhaw, but then ſuch a Lady muſt be Miſtreſs of thoſe Charms, which ſeem to mark her, as a Treaſure only fit for the Grand Signior's keeping.
How the Sul⯑tan's Daugh⯑ters are diſ⯑pos'd of.THE Sultan's Daughters at five, ſix, or ſeven Years of Age, are married to Baſhaws of high Command, who in acknowledgment of the great Ho⯑nour he conferrs upon them, are oblig'd each New-Years-Day, to ſend a Pre⯑ſent to their Royal Father-in-law, of ſuch conſiderable Value, that it drains their Coffers faſter than they find fair means to fill 'em, ſo that by this lit⯑tle Artifice, the Sultan finds continual means to turn the Danger of a Sub⯑jects Riches to his own Advantage.
How the Wo⯑men of the Se⯑raglio plague the Sultan.NOW will the Reader be inclin'd to think that he, who ſwims in ſuch a Sea of Pleaſure, cannot be invaded by the Stings of Diſcontent, yet, as a Proof that every Mortal muſt be ſubject to the Imperfections, which attend Mortality, a thouſand little Anxietys torment and vex him, and the Quarrels of his Women ſo diſtract his Temper, that he often will be abſent a conſiderable time, in Hunting or ſome other Paſtime, on purpoſe to a⯑void the trouble of becoming Arbitrator of their frequent Diſputati⯑ons.
No State of Mortal Life entirely hap⯑py.THUS can no Condition of our Life be fully happy, Celibacy has its Inconveniencies, and ſo has Matrimony; we oft change ſides like Men in Fevers, yet can never reach the eaſe we aim at; there are ſome admirable Notions hereupon in a Greek Poem, which is already rendred Engliſh by ſo great a Hand, that I will give 'em you Tranſlated as I found 'em.
TO wind up my Diſcourſe of the Seraglio, I will only add, that in re⯑ſpect to the Grand Signior, Mutes are there in great eſteem, and ſuch an aweful Silence always kept, that they have learn'd a Language on their Fingers, which is not only practis'd by the Mutes, but all the Officers in the Seraglio, who can readily by Signs, expreſs themſelves as fully as they can by Speaking: Why Mutes are made the Executioners of Turkey.Another thing the Reader may take notice of, is that the Mutes are kept as Executioners, and ſent to Strangle ſuch great Men, as the Grand Signior Signs a Warrant for the Death of: I know not why they, more than others, are appointed to that Duty, unleſs it is becauſe, by be⯑ing Deaf and Dumb, they are not qualified to hear and pity thoſe they Execute.
CHAP. XX. Of the Revenues of the Turkiſh Sultan.
[170]THE Reader muſt not here expect particular Accounts of thoſe prodigious Sums of Money, wherewith the Emperors of Turkey ſtill find means to fill their Coffers; Private Trea⯑ſures, how a⯑maſs'd in Tur⯑key.I can only tell him, that beſides the Publick Treaſury I lately ſpoke of, there is kept in the Seraglio private Banks of Money in ſtrong leather Baggs, the Sum, which each contains, inſcrib'd upon a Label faſt'ned to it; Theſe have been amaſs'd by former Sultans, and are all diſtinguiſh'd from each other by the ſeveral Names of the collecting Monarchs deeply cut upon the Covers of large Iron Cheſts, which hold the leather Baggs abovenam'd.
To what Uſe reſerv'd.THESE Private Treaſures, tho' containing mighty Sums of Money, which inſtead of lying dead might be increas'd each Year by different Im⯑provements, are eſteem'd ſo Sacred by the ſuperſtitious Turks, that they believe it nothing leſs than hainous Guilt or Sacrilege it ſelf, to make the ſmalleſt uſe thereof, till it may do their Country and Religion ſignal Ser⯑vice at a time, if ſuch a time ever happen, when the Chriſtian Nations join againſt them and invade their Territories; a thing I fear, too much unlikely, but in which the Turks are apprehenſive of a Univerſal Dan⯑ger.
The yearly Revenue of the Grand Signior.AS for the Revenues of the Turkiſh Sultan, ſuch I mean as are his fix'd Propriety, and the undoubted Right of his Imperial Dignity, they are at preſent reckon'd at about eight Millions and three hundred thouſand Pounds Sterling, yearly Income; a Sum becoming the Poſſeſſion of a Prince ſo ab⯑ſolute as the Grand Signior.
The manner of Collecting it.THE manner of Collecting this prodigious Sum, is by Aſſeſſing every Subject of his Empire, at an inconſiderable Yearly Tax, which he muſt pay as an Acknowledgment of his Dependance on, and Duty to the Sultan; and it is an admirable Method, they have got, of raiſing all this Money without any charge or trouble to the Emperor.
THE Petty Governors of every little Diſtrict, are oblig'd to gather the reſpective Quota's of the Villagers about them, and ſet out with Guards ſuf⯑ficient to defend the Money towards the next great Town to their dependant Reſidences; here they muſt deliver it to the Poſſeſſion of the Aga, or the Governour of the Place, demanding his Diſcharge for their Acquittance of a Duty ſo incumbent on their Offices.
How carry'd to the Capi⯑tal.THE Aga's adding to this Sum their own Collections, guard 'em in like manner to the Sangiacks, or the Lords Provincial; they, with the addi⯑tion of their own deliver it to the Superior Beylerbeys, or Great Arch-Dukes of Turkey, and theſe laſt continue all in their Poſſeſſion, till demanded by the Guards, who undertake to carry it in Waggons ſafely to Conſtan⯑tinople.
[171] THE Quarterly Collections never are behind hand, for on pain of Ruin no Man dares refuſe immediate Payment on the Day appointed, ſo that ten Days after every Quarter, the remoteſt Provinces begin to ſend away their Money towards the City I ſo lately nam'd. In every Province, the Timari⯑ots, Zaims, and other ſtanding Soldiery, are ſummon'd to appear and form a general Muſter; How guarded on the Road.whence, with their Commanders at their Head, they all advance, and guard the Waggons to the Reſidence of the Sangiack of the adjoining Province.
HE with all his Soldiers, joining his additional Collections to the for⯑mer, there receives the Cuſtody of all together, and advances in like man⯑ner till he reaches his next Neighbour, who relieves him with another Par⯑ty; and in this ſettled Order they proceed, ſtill ſwelling their Collections, till the laſt delivers all the Revenues of one Quarter, to the Lord High Trea⯑ſurer at Conſtantinople.
IT is obſervable, that as the Provinces, which lie the neareſt to their great Metropolis, muſt undertake the Convoy of far greater Sums than the remoter Places, ſo the number of their Soldiers is proportionably greater, as they are by far more populous, for reaſons mention'd in the Chapter, treating of the Maxims of their Policy.
An admira⯑ble Policy.NOW, tho' the Sultan's Treaſure is thus brought him by the univerſal Labour of his Subjects; he is as I have ſaid entirely free from any kind of Charge; this Duty being fix'd upon his Governors of Provinces, as one of thoſe incumbent on their Places, and conſequently to be manag'd only by thoſe Officers.
Another way the Sultan has of raiſing Mo⯑ney.BUT many are the means, whereby the Sultan daily adds prodigious Sums to his Revenues, ſuch as, for Example, The obliging all the Great Baſhaws and Governours of his Dominions every New-Years-Day to ſend him Preſents, commonly in ready Money, which amounts to an incredible Amaſſment.
Another, which he of⯑ten uſes.ANOTHER way he has, when his Occaſions preſs him to Collect extraordinary Sums, by ſending Orders to the Lords Provincial of his Em⯑pire, immediately to raiſe as much as he requires, which they muſt do with⯑out reply, by Means as abſolute as the Command of their Great Maſter; oftentimes the Sultan takes occaſion to demand ſuch Sums from certain Provinces, as 'tis impoſſible they can ſupply him with; but ſending in compliance with his Will as much as they can ſpare, excuſe themſelves, as incapacited for a further Contribution.
A barbarous Avarice.HERE the Grand Signior gains his end, and finds a thouſand fair Pre⯑tences for the Execution of the Governors of all ſuch Provinces; he either ſends 'em Word that they have quite Impoveriſh'd their Governments, by tyrannous Oppreſſion of their People to enrich themſelves, or that their Lives muſt pay the forfeit of their Diſobedience, having fail'd to execute his Royal Orders, which obliges him to think them either Traitors to his Power, or unable to diſcharge the Truſt he had conferr'd upon them.
EITHER of theſe Reaſons or indeed a Weaker, often none at all, ſuf⯑fice to ruin thoſe, whoſe Riches ſpeak 'em fit for Execution, which is done as I have ſaid before, by Strangling, Why the Turks uſe Strangling.for it is eſteem'd a Crime of an un⯑pardonable nature, to ſpill the Blood of any Muſſulman: The Treaſure of ſuch Governors is inſtantly declar'd Confiſcated to the Grand Signior, and accordingly deliver'd into his capacious Coffers.
[172] The Turks ve⯑ry Covetous.THUS does Poſſeſſion of a ſplendid Wealth endanger thoſe, who own it, yet it is obſervable that Turks of every Nation are the moſt inclin'd to aim at growing Rich, more zealouſly purſuing Gain, by how much faſter it rolls in upon them; and this in every Age has been a Vice as epidemic as un⯑reaſonable. The Poor are commonly the moſt contented with their For⯑tune, and Juvenal has left it as a Maxim, that,
THE Cuſtoms upon Goods Imported and Exported, are another means of bringing in conſiderable Sums of Money to the Coffers of the Sultan, and occaſional Taxes of an hundred kinds impos'd on Chriſtians and the Turks themſelves, of which it was impoſſible to get a juſt Account, amount each Year to ſuch amazing Heaps of Wealth, that the Grand Signior cannot tell the bottom of his Income.
BUT as the violent Extortion of Superiors tempts the reſt to imitate their Methods in a private Dealing, every Man applies himſelf to ſtudy means of growing Rich, as finding a neceſſity of being ſo, if they wou'd make a Figure worth regarding.
THO' all the Nations of the World have ever diſregarded ragged Me⯑rit, none deſpiſe it like the Turkiſh People; For their Nobility becoming ſo but by the Riches they are Maſters of, the Poor are look'd upon with ſtrange Contempt, and their ſucceſsleſs Labours ſlander'd with the Stain of want of Induſtry; and the Curſe of Poverty were in any Country an inſup⯑portable Misfortune, tho' it had but that one Mark of Inconvenience, nam'd by Juvenal.
PROCEED we now to view the preſent State of the poor Modern Greeks, and ſee how much we find among them of the ancient Spirit of their Glorious Anceſtors.
CHAP. XXI. Of the Greeks in their Modern State.
[173]The Learn⯑ing and Pow⯑er of the An⯑cient Greeks.THE ſpacious Earth affords no Scene, which plainlier Repreſents to a Contemplative Genius the frail Foundation of all Human Gandeur, than the preſent Condition of Subverted Greece, that Ancient Theatre of Power and Learning, and Nurſery of the moſt Illuſtrious Propagators of Wiſdom and Morality. He, who looks back on former Ages, and Traces that unhappy Nation to its Meridian Splendour, will be ſtrangely ſtruck with an uncommon Wonder at the Degenerate Principles of their Unman'd Poſterity. The Viciſſitudes of Fortune will a⯑maze his Thoughts, when he Reflects Sedately on the Glorious State of Power and Knowledge, in which they Flouriſh'd under the Inſtructive Diſcip⯑line of their Jonick, Socratick, Cyrenaick, Platonick, Academick, Peripatetick, Stoick, and Pythagorean Philoſophers, whoſe Wiſe and Vertuous Dictates in⯑ſpir'd their Minds with an elevated Senſe of Piety and Honour; in the Practice of which, (as they exceeded and inſtructed moſt other Nations) they endeavour'd to out-vie each other: All contending with an Emu⯑lative Zeal, for a wiſh'd Superiority of Speculative Learning, till, by the long continu'd Bleſſing of ſuch Aſpiring Inclinations, they raiſed the Fame of their Illuſtrious Governments above the reſt of the Submiſſive World, and Built themſelves a Glory, whoſe encreaſing Brightneſs cou'd receive no Shadow from the affected Ignorance of contending Nations.
The Degene⯑racy of the Moderns.BUT ſtrangely different is the preſent Genius of that Metamorphos'd People, who have ſo Widely Deviated from the Footſteps of their An⯑ceſtors, that, to deſcribe them rightly, in their Modern State of Sla⯑very, we muſt place 'em in a Diametrical Oppoſition to Honour, Worth and Induſtry. Their very Nature ſeems to have been chang'd with their Condition, as if their Principles had ſunk with their Nobility, Mahomet's Maſſacre.whom Ma⯑homet the Great (on his Taking Constantinople) endeavour'd to Extir⯑pate by a general Maſſacre, imagining Politickly, that a Revolt of the Nation would be Dangerouſly, and Unſucceſsfully attempted, when they ſhould want a Head to guide the rough Reſentments of an Undiſcip⯑lin'd Multitude. An Emperor Trodden to Death.Their laſt Emperour was Trodden to Death in one of the City Gates, and the greateſt part of his Family moſt Barbarouſly Butch⯑er'd by the Inhumane Conquerors. Thoſe few, who with their Wives and Children eſcap'd the Tyrants Rage, retir'd to Woods, and Places far remote from the Imperial City; where in Diſguiſes proper to con⯑ceal their Quality, they wander'd up and down in all the Wants and Hardſhips of a Miſerable Poverty, till, by the Courſe of Time, their mean Condition reduc'd the Nature of their untaught Poſterity to ſo low an Ebb, that their ſo lofty Extract, (which ſome remaining Members of that Family now vainly boaſt of) ſerves but as an Arrow to Stab their Thoughts with the ſhamefull Idea of their preſent Miſeries. Nothing can more deeply Dictate the ſtrange Degrees and Turns of Fate a Man is ſub⯑ject to, than the Rigid Fortune of this Illuſtrious Family, whoſe remain⯑ing Branches, ſcatter'd here and there, and only known by the Name of P [...]eologus are ſo ſtrangely fallen, as to Live, for the moſt part, by a La⯑borious [174] Practice of the moſt Mechanical Employments. I was never more ſenſibly Afflicted at the Misfortunes of another, than when I ſaw at Con⯑ſtantinople, in the Houſe of Mr. Williams, an Engliſh Merchant, now at Aleppo, one Conſtantine Paleologus, at that time a Groom of his Stables. His Poſterity reduc'd to ex⯑tream Pover⯑ty.This Man demonſtrated by undeniable Proofs, that he was Lineally De⯑ſcended from the Emperors of Greece; but was moſt ſordidly Illiterate, and Inexpreſſibly Ignorant in any thing beyond the Dreſſing of his Horſes; yet he had a peculiar Majeſty in his Perſon, and ſomewhat uncommon diſtin⯑guiſh'd his Extract from the Vulgar Dictates of his meaner Education; an Awful Gravity adorn'd his Countenance, and his ſilent Poſtures had ſomewhat Naturally Noble. But it grieved me to ſee him, after having readily repeated the Numerous Misfortunes of his Wandring Family, and Proudly boaſted of Hereditary Nobility, Run unconcernedly by his Horſes Side, Trotting without Thought, thro' the Dirty Streets, with his hard⯑en'd Hand upon his Maſter's Stirrop.
THE ſame Fate, which attended the Blood-Royal, involv'd the Nume⯑rous Branches of the Grecian Nobility, ſo that ſcarce a Gentleman now re⯑mains, who can Trace his Extract to the Third Generation. All are be⯑come alike Unhappy, and alike contented; and tho' the greateſt part of the Inhabitants of Bulgaria, Romania, and ſeveral other parts of Turkey, are ſtill Greeks: The Effects of Slavery.They Poſſeſs no Land, enjoy no Liberty, nor ſtudy any manner of Learning; but, with an unaccountable Indifference, ſubmit themſelves to the Pleaſure of the Turks, paying them the greateſt Part of that Miſerable Maintenance, their Labour gets 'em; nor dare they think of ſhaking off the Turkiſh Yoke, by a general Inſurrection, tho' the faireſt Opportunity ſhould Court 'em to endeavour it; chuſing rather to Live Op⯑preſs'd by Tyranny, than by an Active Valour undergo the Fatigues of a Vigorous War, to regain the Poſſeſſion of forgotten Liberty; and the better to excuſe the palpable groſſneſs of their Ignoble Genius, they have coin'd a Maxim, now currant amongſt 'em, A Greek Maxim. That they are Wiſeſt, who chuſe to Know leaſt, where Knowledge of Things past would only encreaſe the Weight of pre⯑ſent Miſery.
BESIDES the European Greeks, Aſia Major, and part of Africa, is In⯑habited by great Numbers of theſe People: Their Glut⯑tony.But tho' Reſident in different Countries, they are all led by the ſame Genius to the Practice of little elſe but Gluttony and Ebriety, (which laſt Vice they were ever famous for) ſpending their time in Dancing, Singing, and when they Merchandize, in Cheating to ſuch a Degree, that the Faith of a Greek is now become a Jear, Proverbially thrown at a Man of Diſhoneſt Principles. Some are Maſters of ſmall Veſſels, which carry Paſſengers and Goods from Port to Port, in Coaſting Voyages: Thoſe in Europe are employed by the Turks to Till the Ground, themſelves but little Skilled in Husbandry. They are allowed to Plant Vineyards for their own uſe, and that Labour they ſeldom ſpare, re⯑taining ſo much their Ancient Vice of immoderate Drinking, that the Man is reputed a Churl, who ſuffers his Friend to depart Sober from an Enter⯑tainment; they Drink in Earthen Cups, repleniſhing them as faſt as emp⯑tied, each Man for his Neighbour, and ſending 'em round without in⯑termiſſion, till, their Brains Intoxicated with the Fumes of the Wine, they begin, without Order, to Dance, Kiſs, and Sing, Embracing one another with ſuch Antick Geſtures, and a Noiſe ſo diſagreeable, that tis very ſur⯑prizing to a Stranger, who is preſent at their Meetings.
Mens Habit.THEY differ in their Habit according to their Profeſſions, ever imi⯑tating the Turks, as nearly as they dare, which they are allow'd to do in all things but Yellow Shooes, Green Veſts, or a Turbant of one Colour; in⯑ſtead whereof moſt Greeks uſe Furr'd Caps, of what Form or Colour they [175] pleaſe: Their Ancient Habits are now quite out of Date, and they differ ſo much from them, that whereas they formerly delighted much in long and ſpreading Hair, in regard of which Homer often calls 'em [...], The long Hair'd Greeks; they now Shave all their Heads, and account it ridiculous in the Franks not to follow their Example. Womens Ha⯑bit.The Women, as the Turks, wear long Veſts, Mu⯑ſlin Shifts, and Drawers of Cambrick reaching to their Feet; their Girdles are of twiſted Silk neatly Wove, and Embos'd with Gold, Silver, or Silver Gilt, ſet thick with Saphirs, Em'ralds, Rubies, or Diamonds; and thoſe, whoſe Circumſtances will not afford 'em to follow this Faſhion, procure Sophiſticate Stones, and Counterfeited Metal to imitate it as nearly as poſſible.
Deſcription of the Graeci⯑an Women.THEIR Women are, for the moſt part, exquiſitely ſhap'd, generally of a brown Complexion, excellently featur'd, and their Diſpoſition of all People the moſt amorous; which Inclination of theirs is ſo well known to their Husbands, that they take all imaginable care to preſerve them for their own Embraces, who eſteem it no great Crime to receive anothers, as often as Opportunity favours their induſtrious Endeavours: Nature does ſo early teach 'em the advantages of Beauty, that they uſe all poſſible means not on⯑ly to preſerve their Stock but to encreaſe it, by the counterfeit addition of a ſophiſticate Complexion; And ſo much do they eſteem the Art of Painting, that they ſtain the very Nails of their Toes and Fingers, with a certain lively kind of red.
Soon decay'dIT is to this perhaps, they owe the numerous furrows of a wrinkled Forhead, before they have attain'd the Age of Forty Five, at which time, (contemn'd by their Relations,) they are employ'd in all the Buſineſs of the Houſe, and the moſt menial Offices of a common Servant.
A kiſſing Cuſtom. KISSING any but their Husbands, is eſteem'd a Crime unpardona⯑ble; unleſs, between the Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion of our Saviour, at which time both Men and Women kiſs promiſcuouſly all they meet; The Man firſt kiſſing the Woman on her left Cheek, tells her in a Voice as grave as the occaſion, God is Riſen, when ſhe upon his right Cheek yielding back the Compliment, makes anſwer zealouſly, His Bleſſing be upon us.
THEIR Houſes are for the moſt part indifferently furniſh'd, not uſing Feather-beds, but like the Turks content to ſleep on Mattreſſes: Their Lan⯑guage diffe⯑rent from the ancient Greek.Their Lan⯑guage is a much corrupted Dialect, and differs ſo extreamly from the ancient Greek, now only known to Scholars, that they hardly make a ſhift to un⯑derſtand one Word in ten, when Strangers ſpeak it.
Their four Patriarchs.NOW tho' the Greeks in all things but Religion are ſubſervient to the Laws of Turkey, they have yet four Patriarchs of their own, who exerciſe a kind of mix'd Authority over them in Temporal, as well as Spiritual Affairs; They are thoſe of Conſtantinople, Alexandria, Jeruſalem, and Antioch, or rather Damaſcus; Theſe four have their ſeveral Diſtricts of Government. He of Constantinople has by much, the largeſt Share; extending his Juriſ⯑diction over all the Greeks in the Europaean Turkey, moſt part of Aſia Minor, Colchis, and the Northern Coaſt of the Black Sea; thoſe in Egypt and Arabia, are under the Patriarch of Alexandria; he of Jeruſalem has Authority over thoſe in Paleſtine, and all the Parts adjacent; and the Greeks of Aſia Major and Armenia Minor are ſubſervient to the Juriſdiction of the Patriarch of Damaſcus.
[176] How Elected.THE Patriarchs are all Elected by a Synod of Biſhops, under whom in moſt of the abovenam'd Places, the Greeks are tolerated in a free, and un⯑moleſted Exerciſe of their Religion, in Churches and in Monaſteries, which not⯑withſtanding, they are not ſuffer'd to Rebuild, when Ruin'd, without vaſt Preſents to the Miniſters of State; By which means all the Places of their publick Worſhip decreaſing daily, they become if poſſible, each Year more ignorant than the foregoing: This, together with the tempting Opportuni⯑ties of turning Turks, made more deſirable by the oppreſſive Tyranny, with which their crafty Maſters cruſh their Spirits, draws Multitudes away to a Profeſſion of the Turkiſh Faith, chuſing rather the tranſitory Enjoyment of a few ſmall Privileges here on Earth, than the laſting Crown of Glory in a pro⯑mis'd Heaven hereafter.
What Age their Women Marry at.THE Women Marry very Young, and yet are apt to fanſie, if they tarry for a Husband till twelve or fourteen Years of Age, Good-luck has quite forſaken them. The Bargain being made between the Parents, or Relations, for till then, Love, and Good-liking muſt be kept at diſtance: A Door is open'd, and the Lover admitted to his Miſtreſſes Converſation, who is generally of too kind a Temper to put him to the trouble of a tedious Siege, and to avoid that Incivility, yields frequently upon the firſt Attack, per⯑haps becauſe inclinable by Nature, to profeſs the ſame Opinion with an an⯑cient Countryman of hers, who gives us this advice.
Deſcription of their Weddings.THE Wedding-Day appointed, certain Men are invited, after the man⯑ner of our Bride-Men, who are generally Rivals, or ſuch at leaſt, as the ſuſpicious Bridegroom thinks he has more cauſe than ordinary to be jealous of. Theſe muſt each Man preſent a Ring, which by the Prieſt is interchangea⯑bly remov'd from the Bride's to the Bridegroom's Finger; after which it is eſteem'd a Crime, almoſt of an Inceſtuous Nature, for theſe Bridemen to commit Adultery with the Wife, to whom they gave ſuch a Ring, by way of Renunciation from thence forward of all Right or Pretenſion whatſoever to her Love or Perſon.
An ancient Cuſtom.THESE lead the Bridegroom thro' the Streets, as finely Dreſs'd as his Circumſtances will permit; upon his Head he wears a flow'ry Garland, which putting me in mind of ancient Ways of crowning Oxen, when they lead 'em to the Altar, oblig'd me to reflect upon the horny Fate, which few Greek Wives fail of giving them, and made me pity the dull Victim, moving on with-the ſmalleſt apprehenſion of his Danger, for a Sacrifice to Matrimony.
HE is ſurrounded by a Company of his Relations and Acquaintance, at⯑tended by a noiſy number of Boys, and Fellows with Ghittars, Pipes, Drums, Timbrels, and other Muſick, dancing antickly about the Company, with grinning Faces and ſtrange apiſh Geſtures: As they paſs along, there follow Men with Bottles and Glaſſes, running up and down, from one place to another, and off'ring Wine to every Man to drink as they are walking thro' the Streets. Thus they reſolve to loſe no time, where Wine or Mirth invites their Application, ſtill retaining, ſpite of all their Loſſes, that vivacity of Temper in their Cups, which formerly gave birth to an Old Proverb, which deſcribing gayety of Humour, does it by theſe Words, The Original of an old Proverb. As merry as a Greek.
[]
AN EXPLANATION OF THE CUT, Annex'd, which Repreſents a GRAECIAN WEDDING.
- A. A. THE Two Janizaries, who attend, as a Guard, to defend them from the Inſults of the Turks, one in the Front, and another in the Rear of the Proceſſion.
- B. The Prieſt.
- C. The Bride.
- D. The Bridegroom.
- E. The Mother, or neareſt Female Relation of the Bride.
- F. F. The Two Bridemen.
- G. G. G. The Company, Invited to the Wedding.
- H. A Boy carrying a Torch before the Company.
- I. I. I. The Muſicians, attending the Company.
- K. K. K. Perſons, hir'd to Sing, and Dance Antickly before the Com⯑pany.
- L. A Perſon employ'd to fill Wine to the Company.
- M. A Man, who carries a Basket of Fruit for their Entertainment, as they Walk.
- N. N. Turks Obſerving the Proceſſion.
- O. A Turkiſh Moſque, or Church.
- P. A Turkiſh Houſe, as commonly Built.
[]
[...]o the Highly Honrd Sr William Wentworth [...]f Bretton Hall in Yorkſhire Baronet.
[177] AFTER the Men, the Women come, in a Knott by themſelves, and in the midſt, the Bride, all cover'd with a Veil of Lawn; which reaches to her Heels, made like a Sack, without the ſmalleſt peeping Place for her impriſon'd Eyes, ty'd pretty cloſe about the Neck, and falling widely from the Head, o'er the ſides of a ſquare piece of Paſtboard like a Trencher, over which is hung a Garland of the ſweeteſt Flowers.
IN this Order they advance, guarded before and behind by Janizaries, for fear of Inſults from the Turkiſh Rabble. At the Church, the Prieſt is ſure to meet them, and ent'ring there, A method to prevent En⯑chantments.the Bridegroom leaves his Dagger ſticking in the Door, for fear of Incantations or Enchantments, often practis'd in this Country, by which means, they pretend to render the moſt vigorous Bride⯑groom altogether Impotent upon his Wedding Night.
HOWEVER, arm'd againſt ſo unlucky a Diſappointment, they go into Church, and by the Prieſt are join'd, with ſeveral Prayers for the ſuc⯑ceſsful Iſſue of their Marriage; after which, they change their Garlands, and retire to their Houſes, where the remainder of the Day being ſpent in loud Carouſing and making merry, the New-married Couple are put to Bed, A way to prove Virgi⯑nity.and the next Morning early, the Mother, or neareſt Female Relation of the Bride, coming into their Chamber, takes poſſeſſion of the Wedding Sheets, to be preſerv'd as a perpetual Proof of her Dear Daughter's ſure Virgi⯑nity.
I'LL tell you a pleaſant Story, and leave your-ſelf to gueſs, how ad⯑mirably Nature has endued the nimble-minded Graecian Ladies, with the fineſt qualifications in the World, for Cuckolding their Husbands.
A pleaſant Story of a Graecian Lady.THERE is a little Village, call'd Belgrade, about fifteen Miles from Conſtantinople, wonderfully pleaſant for its airy Situation; here a Greek, who was grown rich by Merchandizing, kept a very pretty Country Houſe, and in it a young Wife, extreamly handſome, but, as ſomewhat brisker than he wiſh'd her, ſhe alarm'd his Jealouſy to watch her ſtrictly, nor wou'd he often let her walk alone in the adjoining Groves and Meadows.
HOWEVER, I was one Day going by a Wood-ſide, at the bottom of a Hill to Angle in a River, that ran by it, and perceiv'd upon the Bank a charming youthful Lady buſy at her Needle, with a Pot of Water ſtanding by her, I immediately imagin'd right, and gueſs'd her the fine Wife of the rich Greek abovenam'd; I muſt own I was ſurpriz'd to find her, ſo, beyond my expectation, gay and beautiful; I ſaw ſhe was alone, and ventur'd to addreſs her in Italian, ſhe return'd my Salutation in that Language, and permitted me to ſit down by her, and converſe with all the Liberties of decent Familiarity.
Her familiar Temper.SHE preſently began to make Complaint of the Reſtriction ſhe was under, by her Husbands Jealouſie, and the Reſtraint, which Women in that Country were oblig'd to undergoe, and really thence proceeded to make ſuch kind advances, and ſo prettily encourage me to hope her fa⯑vour, e'er I ask'd it, that I only wanted vanity, to think I might have met ſucceſs in any kind of offer, Youth, or Inclination might have tempted me to make her.
A wonderful Preſence of Mind.BUT on a ſudden, in the Height of her Diſcourſe and Gayety, we heard a Voice among the Trees upon the other ſide of the River, Im⯑mediately ſhe knew it was her Husband, and expecting every moment, when he wou'd appear in ſight, was ſure he muſt Diſcover me to have been talking with her, ſo the very minute, that he call'd her, ſhe fell [178] ſideways on the Ground, extended both her Arms with natural negligence, let drop the Silk ſhe was at Work upon, and ſeem'd as much Aſleep, as if ſhe really had been ſo.
TWAS no hard Task to gueſs the meaning of this Counterfeited Slum⯑ber, ſo that, willing to prevent all cauſe of Jealouſy, inſtead of ſtriving to get out of Sight, I ſtarted up, and bending forward, look'd upon her Face, as if ſurpriz'd to find a Woman in that Place and Poſture.
I had hardly time to regulate my Air of Wonder, when the Greek ap⯑pear'd upon the Bank directly oppoſite; he Started, when he ſaw the Poſture of his Wife, and me ſo near her. I pretended an Amazement equal to his own, at his appearance, and was juſt about to ask him, if he knew that Lady, when he Interrupted my deſign by Hallowing, as loud as he cou'd poſſibly, to wake his Conſort.
SHE, Poor Creature, was ſo faſt aſleep, that all his Noiſes were in vain, ſhe Slumbred on, till I, as willing to give all the Countenance Imaginable to her Politic Contrivance, took her by the Arm and ſhook her pretty roughly; An admirable Counterfeit.at this ſhe Rous'd, and having rubb'd her Eyes with admirable Cunning, look'd about her, and was, doubtleſs, much ſurpriz'd to ſee me there, it having been ſo long, ſince we Diſcours'd together.
HOWEVER, I was pleas'd to ſee, how excellently ſhe contriv'd to humour wonder, mix'd with an alloy of Modeſty, both which I fear, and ten to one, you'll think ſo by the Sequel, were alike Strangers to her Na⯑ture; ſhe ſtarted up upon her Feet, and fix'd her Eyes upon me with an Artful Wildneſs, running Backwards, as I offer'd to approach her, with a Shriek or two enough to Frighten all the Tygers in the Wilderneſs.
THE more to take all cauſe of Apprehenſion from the Staring Husband, I advanc'd, as ſhe retir'd, ſtill bowing, and aſſuring her I meant no harm, deſiring her to Apprehend no danger from my preſence, who was drawn by Accident to Walk that way, and by her Charms detain'd to gaze upon her Perſon; all this while the Subtle Female Devil kept a Side-long-glance upon her Husbands Countenance, who ſeem'd diverted at the Fright, my Compliments had put her in; ſhe ſaw him ſmile, and was reſolv'd to keep up the Conceit, wherefore, while I ſtill continued Bowing and Addreſt her with a Thouſand Congees, ſhe Inhumanely ſtoop'd down, and ſnatching up the Earthen Pot, which ſtood upon the Ground, threw full three Pints of Water in my Face and Boſom.
An unexpect⯑ed return of Civility.A Reaſonable Woman, one wou'd think, had been contented with this firſt Attack, but ſhe, it ſeems, was of another mind, for while I ſtoop'd to ſhake the Water from my Eyes and Linnen, ſhe fell upon me like a Lioneſs, Tore of my Perriwig, and laid about her at ſo Mercileſs a Rate, that I began to think the Safeſt way wou'd be to Fly, where Fighting was eſteem'd Diſhonourable.
ACCORDINGLY I turn'd about in order to eſcape, but my ſhe Adverſary caught me by the Collar on the Back-part of my Neck, and puſh'd me on as faſt as I well car'd to run, ſtill Thumping me upon the Back, and calling Names as loud as poſſible, till being got at ſome conſiderable diſtance from her Husband, who was all this while half Dead with Laugh⯑ing, A Pleaſant way of Aſſig⯑nation.ſhe depreſs'd her Voice, and in the Softest Accents ſhe cou'd utter, cry'd, Fail not to meet me here to Morrow, and as ſoon as ſhe had ſpoke theſe Words, ſhe puſh'd me forward, and ran back again as faſt as ſhe was Able.
[179] THE turn of this laſt part of the Intrigue ſurpris'd me ten times more than all the reſt; However, I ran back to fetch my Periwig, while ſhe was croſſing a ſmall Bridge a little higher to get over to her Husband, who as ſoon as his long fit of Mirth allow'd an Interval, cry'd out to me, Excuſe her Sir, the Graecian Wives are never us'd to Strangers Company, and only love their Husbands Converſation. A miſtaken Husband.As ſoon as he had made this Speech, he fell a laugh⯑ing more than ever, and it was with much ado, I cou'd forbear to follow his Example, when I ſaw the Fool begin to kiſs his loving Wife, and hug her in his Arms, till they got out of ſight in their way homeward.
I muſt confeſs I ſped ſo Ill at firſt, that I had little cauſe to think my watry Entertainment was an Omen of Succeſs in the Concluſion; Water will at any time extinguiſh Fires, that have but juſt begun to blaze, and ſhe had cool'd my Flames a little too ſoon to tempt 'em to a ſecond kindling, ſo that I forbore for many reaſons going next Day to the aforeſaid Place of Aſſignation.
A ſecond Meeting.BUT 'twas about a Fortnight after, when, as I was walking up a Lane, which ran along the backſide of her Husband's Houſe, ſhe ſaw, and bec⯑kon'd me to a ſmall Summer Houſe, in which ſhe ſat at Work, as formerly; Good-Manners led me to embraee the Invitation, where the firſt Demand was, Why I did not come the Day appointed? I excus'd it as I cou'd, and ſhe proceeded with a number of Aſſurances to tell me, how concern'd ſhe was that ſhe had been oblig'd, againſt her Will, to uſe me ſo uncivilly, and in ſhort, pro⯑ceeded to ſuch kind Expreſſions, that I every moment look'd to have another Invitation to the Rivers ſide.
A ſurprize as bad as the former.BUT in the midſt of her Diſcourſe, inſtead of anſwering my Expectati⯑on, by renewing her kind Summons, ſhe on a ſudden rais'd her Voice to double heighth, began to ſpit upon me, and abuſe me to a wonderful de⯑gree; however, I had hardly time to be ſurpriz'd, before I gueſs'd the reaſon of her Change, by ſeeing her turn round, and call as loud as ſhe cou'd ſpeak, Dear, Dear, come hither Dear, and ſhoot this Stranger thro' the Head, I cannot live in quiet for him: The moment after came the Husband, peep⯑ing over his Wives Shoulder, looking after me, who never ſtaid to juſti⯑fie my ſelf againſt the Accuſation, but made the utmoſt haſt to get away, leaſt he ſhou'd take an Opportunity to do, as his Good-natur'd Lady had com⯑manded him.
I ſtaid at Belgrade ſome Weeks longer, but took care to go no more that way, and by the ſtrange Diſcovery I made hereby of Womens Temper, I re⯑ſolv'd to bear in my Memory two Maxims of this Country, which are, if I miſtake not, left as follows.
Two Graecian Maxims.The firſt is,
And the other,
The Graecian Funerals.THEY differ little in their Modern from their Ancient Funerals, the Pa⯑rent, Wife, or neareſt of the Kindred catches the departing Breath, by join⯑ing Mouths with thoſe, who die; when dead, they waſh their Bodies with the richeſt Oils, and then, inſtead of putting on a Winding Sheet, adorn 'em in the fineſt Cloaths, they wore while living.
[180] Mercenary Mourners.THEN they lay them on an open Bier upon a Quilt, or Mattreſs, twiſted round with Garlands of a hundred various kinds of Flowers, and conduct 'em to the Place appointed for their Burial, follow'd by the weep⯑ing Friends of the Deceas'd, who are preceeded by a certain Number of bir'd Mourners, commonly of Jewiſh Women, who by conſtant Practice of their Hypocritical Concern, become ſuch Miſtreſſes of Tears and Groanings, that by howling, as they go along, with tearing off their Hair, beating their Breaſts, and lamentably weeping in a counterfeited Sorrow, they extract a real Flood of Tears, from many tender-hearted People, altogether uncon⯑cern'd in the occaſion of their Lamentations; ſo that they appear exact ob⯑ſervers of the following Advice of that admirable Tragedian Seneca.
THEY lay the Body in the Grave without a Coffin, cutting first his Cloaths to pieces with their Penknives, leſt the Corps ſhou'd be dug up by needy People for the ſake thereof; they throw great Boughs of Cypreſs on the Grave, and hang it, as we do Atcheivements, over the Door of the Deceas'd Perſon's Houſe.
An ancient Cuſtom.THE Women generally cut a Lock of Hair and tie it to the Body of their dead Relation; why they uſe ſo odd a Cuſtom none cou'd tell me, but 'tis certain they receiv'd it from the Practice of their Ancestors, for, that 'twas us'd among the ancient Greeks, appears in many Writers, but particularly in the three and twentieth Iliad of Homer, where he ſpeaks as follows of Achil⯑les, celebrating the Funeral of Patroclus.
Another an⯑cient Graecian Cuſtom.BESIDES their Hair, they often bury in the Graves of their Relations things of rich and coſtly Value, ſuch as Bracelets, Rings, Girdles and the like; this alſo is an ancient Cuſtom, for the Greeks of Note were burnt of old, and had their Funeral Piles enrich'd with precious Jewels, Gums, Sheep, Horſes, Cloaths, and every thing of worth, to ſerve their Uſes in the other World: The Ceremony may be well conceiv'd by a deſcription you may find in Statius of the ſolemn Funeral of Archemorus.
BY what has now been ſaid, the Reader will perceive the Greeks ex⯑treamly fallen from their ancient Glory; and indeed they have not only loſt their Wiſdom, but their very Induſtry, deſerving nothing leſs than the En⯑comium, Juvenal thought fit to give them upon that account.
CHAP. XXII. Of the Graecian Religion.
The Merit of the ancient Grecian Church.THE Graecian Church in former Ages has been famous for Convert⯑ing many Nations to the Doctrine of Chriſtianity, but is as much decay'd at preſent as their Temporal Affairs, a barbarous Ignorance poſſeſſing Ʋniverſally their Notions of Religion.
WIDELY do they differ, as to point of Faith, from Roman Principles, and tho' they often have profeſs'd a perfect Reconciliation to the Tenets of that Church, and frequently agree'd on certain Articles of Ʋnion, it was only at ſuch times as being pinch'd by Poverty or other Inconveniencies, they hop'd Redreſs from flattering the Papal Clergy into a Belief, that they were willing to embrace the Romiſh Doctrine.
The Igno⯑rance of the Modern.I have before inform'd you they are ſubject to the Power of four Patri⯑archs, thoſe in former times were Men of Learning, and undoubted Piety, choſen to their Offices for their Integrity of Life, and exemplary Gravity in Converſation; now the higheſt Briber carries it, and the declining Dignity is ſtrangely ſunk from ancient Worth to Ignorance and Poverty.
Two ſorts of Graecian Prieſts.HOWEVER, under theſe ſuperior Members of the Modern Graecian Church, are found two kind of Prieſts, the firſt a ſort of Monks, deſpiſers of the World, and all its Vanities, who taking leave of Temporal Affairs, im⯑mure themſelves for Life within the Walls of certain ſtrong and ancient Monaſteries, which are ſpread in Numbers over all their Country: And the ſecond are thoſe common Pariſh Prieſts, ordain'd by the abovenam'd Patriarchs to teach the People the Great Duties of Religion, a Task for which they are but ill provided, while depreſs'd by ſuch a weight of Slavery and Ignorance.
The Monks call'd Coloiero's.THE Firſt, the Greeks diſtinguiſh by the Name of Coloiero's, or Mona⯑stic's, and among the many Places, which contain the Brothers of their Or⯑der, Mount Athos is the Chief; for on that Hill alone, ſtand four and twenty ſpacious Convents, conſtantly maintaining near ſeven thouſand Monks, who live retir'd, by Oath oblig'd to a perpetual Celibacy, and a Life entirely ſe⯑parated from the Layety of their Religion.
[183] The Coloiero's way of livingTHEY wear a kind of long black Gowns and Hoods, of a courſe hairy Subſtance, letting grow their Locks to inconvenient length, in contradicti⯑on to the Shaving Cuſtom of the Roman Clergy; They live by their own La⯑bours on what poor Proviſion they can get by Tillage, Spinning, and Im⯑proving every way the Product of the Country round 'em; They are grave, auſtere, and modeſt of Behaviour, and by the Poor unknowing Greeks, ſet out to Strangers with a thouſand high Encomiums on their Learning and Capacities, but fall ſo, ſhort of expectation when convers'd with by a Traveller, and are ſo much involv'd in the Stupidity of their ſubverted Countrymen, that all I learn'd by making them a Viſit, was the truth of an Expreſſion, of the ad⯑mirable Juvenal, who tells us, Fronti nulla fides, There is no knowing a Man's Soul by his Countenance: And another honeſt Spaniſh Proverb, that declares, A Spaniſh Proverb. No es tan bravo el Leon come le pintan, that is, The Lyon is not half ſo fierce as they paint him.
The Pariſh Prieſts, de⯑ſcrib'd.THE other Prieſts of Greece, if poſſible, are ſtill more ignorant than they, and ſcatt'red numerouſly up and down the Country, not being very much reſpected by the common People, nor in Dreſs or Manners very dif⯑ferent from them; 'tis a wonder, if a Man conſiders the oppreſſive Burthen of that Slavery, which cruſhes 'em, how they have preſerv'd the very Faith of Chriſtians, which they do not only rigidly profeſs, but to ſupport its Do⯑ctrine, ſtill retain the following Principles.
Their oppoſi⯑tion to the Romiſh Church.IN oppoſition to the Romiſh Church, which they eſteem Schiſmatical, and laugh at the Aſſertion of the Papal Title to the Bleſſing of Infallibility, they hold, that the Holy Ghoſt proceeds from God the Father only.
Their Notion of the Eucha⯑riſt.THEY Adminiſter the Euchariſt in both kinds, but as if the very Pra⯑ctice of Religion ſhou'd ſubmit to the Intemperance of a licentious People, they eſteem the Wine, not any way available, unleſs they drink it in conſi⯑derable quantities, a ſign ſay they, that what we do, we do with ſatisfacti⯑on, and a heartineſs, that proves we bear reſpect to the injunction; while the moderate ſipping of your Weſtern Churches ſeems to ſpeak a kind of force upon your Inclinations.
Leaven'd Bread.THEY leaven all the Bread they uſe in Adminiſtration of the Sacra⯑ment, eſteeming ſuch, as is not ſo prepar'd, unworthy the Great Uſe they are to put it to.
Graecian Paintings.THEY admit of Paintings on the outward Walls, and inward Orna⯑ments of all their Churches, drawing frequently the Virgin, which you may obſerve, the Eaſtern Nations always repreſent a Blackamoore, the Figure of Almighty God, like an old Man with a white Beard, the Holy Ghoſt, and many of the twelve Apoſtles, with the later Fathers of the Church, as near as they can place 'em to the Altar.
The Picture of St. George.AMONGST the Paintings of the Greeks, Armenians, and ſome other Eaſtern Chriſtians, nothing is ſo common as the Repreſentation of St. George on Horſeback, fighting with a Dragon, as in the Pictures on our Sign-Poſts in Great Britain; why they have this Figure in ſuch Vogue among them, I cou'd never meet a Prieſt of ſence enough to tell me, but am apt to think that [...] Baſilius, and ſome other ancient Writers are of Opinion, that much cele⯑brated Piece is nothing but an emblematical Deſign. An Emblema⯑tical Repre⯑ſentation. St. George, as painted like a well arm'd Warriour, repreſenting a good Chriſtian, ſtrongly oppos'd by a Great Dragon, that is the Devil, who is vanquiſh'd by him, and there⯑by the Kings Daughter, that is the Church of Chriſt, preſerv'd from being de⯑vour'd by her dreadful Adverſary; and this Opinion is the more authentic, becauſe in every other Place but England, we ſhall ſeldom ſee the Picture [184] of St. George, but in ſome ancient Church, or Monaſtery, and in either of thoſe places ſeldom miſs it.
The Igno⯑rance of Mo⯑dern Greeks in Painting.NOW, tho' they ſeem to value Painting, they have nothing of the Ge⯑nius of their fam'd Apelles left among them; what they do is very flat, and ſcarce deſerves a better Name than that of daubing; and it is obſervable, that, notwithſtanding their reſpect for Pictures, they abhorr all ſorts of Sculpture, with a ſtrange antipathy, refuſing to admit them in their Chur⯑ches, or even Dwelling Houſes, out of a ridiculous Opinion, that the very looking on ſuch Pieces ſavours of Idolatry.
Ever burning Lamps.VAST quantities of Oyl they daily waſt, by burning it in Lamps, in all their Churches, never ſuffering them to extinguiſh, as believing it a ſort of Duty well receiv'd by God, and ſhewing their reſpect to the Receptacle of his Divinity.
Their Notions of the State of the Soul after Death.THEY all agree in the neceſſity of uſing Extream Ʋnction, which they practice, as inducted by St. James; they rigorouſly diſſent from the Opini⯑on of the Roman Catholicks, in relation to the Exiſtence of a Purgatory; maintaining, moſt of them at leaſt, that the departed Souls of Mortal Men are ſenſible of neither Joy nor Torment till the Day of Judgement.
The Graecian Holy Days.THE Year they reckon in the Roman way, but mark above an hundred Holy-Days, to be obſerv'd on pain of Excommunication; this I take to be an undeniable Example of their hatred to Activity, and Inclinations to the Practice of an idle and luxurious Life, forgetting Miſery, while drown'd in Sloth, and wallowing ſupinely in the Down of Idleneſs, amidſt thoſe tortu⯑ring Proofs of Slavery, which ought to ſting a generous Mind with Senſe of his Misfortunes.
Their Faſts and Feaſts.THEY Faſt on Wedneſdays, Fridays, and all Holy Eves, but Feaſt on Saturday, becauſe ſay they, it was the ancient Sabaoth, but I rather am in⯑clin'd to think, becauſe they are unwilling to omit the leaſt pretence, whereby they may indulge a craving Appetite.
How far they tolerate Ma⯑trimony.THE Clergy are allow'd to Marry once, but Bigamy is look'd upon too wanton a deſire to be permitted them, and Trigamy is ſo abhorr'd by all the Greeks, that it is never known among them, but forbidden with the ſtricteſt Prohibition even to the Laity themſelves.
Their Lents.THEY keep four Lents within the Year, ſo ſtrictly, that in either 'tis eſteem'd a damnable Tranſgreſſion, and a Sin beyond excuſe, to eat the ſmalleſt Piece of Fleſh, or Fiſh, wherein there is a drop of Blood contain'd; yet one Exception may be made to this ſtrict Rule, becauſe the Lent preceeding Eaſter, is not held ſo rigid as the other, wherefore all the Laity are then allow'd to eat what kind of Fiſh their Fancy leads 'em to, or Circumſtances can afford 'em.
Their Litur⯑gies, and uni⯑verſal Igno⯑rance, and StupidityTHEY read the Liturgy of St. Chryſoſtome, unleſs upon their Feſtivals, and then their Prieſts attir'd Pontifically, read St. Baſil's, but with little Signs of Decency or Devotion; and indeed ſo miſerably are they led away by love of Idleneſs, and long Captivity, that they poſſeſs in any kind, but few of thoſe Perfections, which, in former times, diſtinguiſh'd their Politer Countrymen, retaining nothing but their Name, their very Language be⯑ing, as I ſaid before, entirely loſt among them; and that ruin'd Nation ſunk ſo low, that from the dread and admiration of the diſtant World, they are become at preſent the contempt and pity of the vileſt Wretches of the whole Creation; ſuch is the uncertainty of humane Bleſſings, and the cer⯑tain Frailty of our weak Mortality.
CHAP. XXIII. Of the Armenians and their Religion.
[185]What the Ar⯑menians are.THAT Chriſtian Church, which calls its ſelf Armenian, is in Mag⯑nitude far more Conſiderable than the Graecian, and conſiſts of the diſplac'd Inhabitants of thoſe large Tracts of Land, which bore the Name, that now diſtinguiſhes her People, who have Widely ſpread themſelves in many Countries, and are numerouſly Scatter'd up and down the Countries ſubject to the Great Mogul, Grand Signior and the King of Perſia.
Their patri⯑archal Seat.AT Tyberis, a large City in the Territories of the laſt, they live in very great reſpect among the Natives, and are very Wealthy by the means of Traffick. Here their Patriarch has his Seat, and here the Richeſt and moſt Noble of their People fix their Dwellings.
Great Num⯑bers ſubject to the Turkiſh Sultan.BUT the occaſion of my ſpeaking of 'em here is, that there are Vaſt Numbers, like the Greeks, remaining ſubject to the Government of the Grand Signior, who poſſeſſes the Dominion of their Ancient Monarchs, by the unreſiſted force of an Illegal Uſurpation, from the Right of Conquest, Handed down from Prince to Prince, for Ages long ſince paſt, ſo that they now retain no notion of their former liberty, but live dependant on the Pow'r of a Deſpotick Tyrant.
Their Privi⯑leges.IN this however, they have better Fortune than their Fellow-Slaves, the Greeks, that they are free from that unnatural Duty of delivering their Children, to be ſent upon Triennial Seizures to Conſtantinople, and enjoy a Hundred Privileges more, Why given them.becauſe a certain Countryman of theirs, a Flatterer of Mahomets, and one, who us'd to Propheſie his Future Great⯑neſs, gain'd a Promiſe from him, that he wou'd injoin his Followers, if e⯑ver they ſhou'd ſee occaſion to Invade Armenia, and the will of God ſhou'd give it to their Power, that they wou'd diſtinguiſh the Inhabitants from other Conquer'd People, by ſuch large Immunities, as ſhou'd allevi⯑ate the Burthen of their Loſſes.
Their Cha⯑racter.THEY are very Ignorant, but very Honeſt, Induſtrious in their Na⯑tures, Slow to Anger, and extreamly willing to forgive an Injury; Abſte⯑mious in their Diet, little Drinkers, and inclin'd to Melancholy and Sedate Retirements; Devout, and Superſtitious in a High degree; Patient in Af⯑fliction, nor too ſoon Buoy'd up beyond themſelves, by the Succeſsful turns of Chance, or their Endeavours.
The Enmity between the Greeks and them.IN former Ages they were ſubject to the Graecian Patriarch of Conſtan⯑tinople, but about the time of the Eutychian Hereſy, Revolted from his Juriſdiction, and had met with ſuch unbecoming Uſage, from the Proud De⯑portment of the Greeks in thoſe Old Times, that ever ſince, they have Ab⯑horr'd their Memory, and now profeſs ſo rancour'd an Averſion to the Peo⯑ple of that Name, that if by Chance (for it but rarely happens) any Greek be⯑comes a Convert to the Faith of the Armenians, they refuſe admiting him a Member of their Church, till they have Rebaptiz'd him after their own Me⯑thod.
[186] The number, and piety of their Biſhops.THERE are above three hundred Biſhops of that Nation, ſcatter'd ſtrangely up and down, with poor Allowances for the ſupport of their De⯑gree; which notwithſtanding is ſufficiently atton'd for, by the Veneration paid 'em from the common People, and the humble dictates of their own Morality, which teaches them contentedly to ſpend their Lives in peaceful Poverty, and raiſe their Wiſhes to a Future Proſpect, far ſurpaſſing the chi⯑merical Advantages, accruing from the groſs and earthly Bleſſings, which attend the aim of Proſperous Ambition.
THE Tenets of their Faith are gather'd from the ſeveral Opinions of the Eaſtern Churches, ſtrangely ſhuffled into an obſcure Collection; hardly one in fifty can inform a Stranger in the Principles and Grounds of the Re⯑ligion he profeſſes: But the Foundation of their Faith is altogether built upon the following Articles.
Their Notion of one Na⯑ture in Chriſt.THEY will allow in Chriſt one Nature only; but yet maintain this No⯑tion with a difference from Eutyches, and the other Introducers of that Here⯑ſy; for whereas they taught the Nature of our Saviour to be one, by a com⯑mixture of Divine and Human, the Armenians hold the Ʋnion of thoſe Natures to be made by an entire Conjunction, as the Soul of Man is join'd to his corporeal Subſtance.
Some other Tenets.THEY Adminiſter the Sacrament in both kinds, but ardently deny all notion of the real Preſence in it: They hold a Purgatory, but reject all praying for the Dead; they diſallow of the Supremacy of the Roman Church, and joyn with that of Greece in their Aſſertion, that the Holy Ghoſt pro⯑ceeds but from the Father only, and that the Souls of the Departed, Good or Bad, muſt never feel the ſmalleſt ſhare of Joy or Torment, till the dread⯑ful Day of Univerſal Judgment.
The abſtemi⯑ouſneſs of their Prieſts.THEIR Clergy, like the Greeks, are once, and only once, allow'd to Marry; and ſo very rigid and auſterely Exemplary are their Lives, that they abſtain from Fleſh of any kind, nor can by any means be brought to eat it oftner than five times a Year; nor wou'd they then, but in compli⯑ance with the humour of the common People, who, as Superſtitious in a high degree, might be perſwaded to imagine it a Sin to feed on Fleſh, ſhou'd they obſerve their Prieſts refuſe to do it.
Their fre⯑quent Faſting.THEY place the greateſt Merit in the World, in duly keeping Lent, which they obſerve with wonderful Devotion and Auſterity; and indeed, the vulgar Sort, as knowing little elſe of their Religion, take ſuch care to be beforehand in this Point, that I have frequently obſerv'd them faſt Day after Day without complaining; and it may be ſaid, within the bounds of Truth, that they faſt three Days out of every ſeven.
They Faſt on Chriſtmaſs Day.AMONG the many other Days, whereon the Stamp of Cuſtom has in⯑joyn'd their Faſting, 'tis obſervable they always do it upon Chriſtmaſs-Day with double Strictneſs; what their reaſon is they cou'd not tell me; uſe has made it now a Law, and they eſteem it as their Duty to obey and keep it.
Their me⯑thods of Aſ⯑ſembling to Devotion.AS for Churches, they have very few, and thoſe they have, are ſo de⯑cay'd by Time, or Accident, that they are hardly fit to hold an Audience; wherefore they aſſemble to their publick Prayers, and other Ceremonies, in low, private Chambers, where they may be free from Noiſe, and un⯑diſturb'd in the calm Exerciſe of their Religion. They are ſeldom fond of Painting, but are ſo entirely of the Greeks Opinion, as to Sculptures, that they cannot bear to ſee 'em in their Houſes.
[187] The Turkiſh Policy to de⯑ſtroy their Churches.IT is obſervable, that tho' the Turks in many things give greater Tole⯑ration to the Armenians than their other Subjects, yet they uſe the ſame in⯑human art to ruin their Religion, never giving them Permiſſion to re-build a Church, when once decay'd; unleſs they are brib'd to it at ſo high a Rate, that 'tis a very rare attempt to ask a Licence for that purpoſe from the Turkiſh Officers, who always learn one Art, that is, to make the moſt, if not the beſt of their Preferments.
Their Po⯑ſtures of Prayer.THEIR poſtures, when at Prayers, is like the Turks, croſs-legg'd; thoſe paſt, they elevate their Bodies to a ſtraiter Pitch, and with the greateſt Silence liſten to their Prieſt, who reads from the Chaldean Tongue ſuch Chapters, as he thinks convenient, ſtill expounding, as he goes along, the Myſtery of what he reads.
Their Forms of Publick Devotion.THIS Service over, they again repeat their Prayers, in the ſame Po⯑ſture as before, the Prieſt excepted, who then always turns his Face di⯑rectly to the Altar, and with lifted Hands and Eyes invokes a Bleſſing on his zealous Auditory: Prayers once over, every Man, as he goes round the Room in order to depart, kneels down before the Prieſt, or Biſhop, if there is one preſent, and while he kiſſes his left Hand, is ſtrok'd upon the Head, and Bleſs'd devoutly by the other.
IT is at theſe Aſſemblies, that the Prieſt or Biſhop nominates the Feaſts or Faſts, which are to be obſerv'd the Week enſuing, after which no plea of Buſineſs, or extraordinary Occaſions can prevail to get a Diſpenſation, or acquit them from the Duty; and in order to prevent all expectation of ſuc⯑ceeding in Petitions of that nature, they have form'd a Sentence, which by common uſe is grown a Proverb, and is generally painted in the Letters of their Language, on the Walls or Cielings of their Places of Devotion, and the Houſes, where they dwell: The Words are theſe, An Armenian Proverb. As the Almighty God is infinitely greater than the World and all therein, by ſo much ought our earthly Buſineſs to give way to his great Worſhip.
I told my Reader in the beginning of the Chapter, that the People of this Nation are extreamly Poor, and yet entirely Honeſt; an extraordina⯑ry Character, yet what they very well deſerve, as what I am about to tell you is a fair Example.
A Story of a young Arme⯑nian, land his Honeſty.THERE was at the abovenam'd City of Tyberis, a young Man not thirty Years of Age, the only Son of an Armenian Merchant, who was yet ſo poor, as hardly to be capable of living in a tolerable Credit: This young Man was much in Love with the fair Daughter of a Countryman of his, who gratefully return'd his Paſſion with an equal value; But both theſe Families were Poor and Honeſt, therefore cou'd not ſee the ſmalleſt poſſi⯑bility of doing well, ſhou'd they by Marriage ſuffer the fond Couple to encreaſe a Charge, they found it very difficult to bear without ad⯑dition.
A bad Condi⯑tion.THE hardſhip of their Fortune, and ſincerity of their Affection half diſtracted them, when they reflected, that the Barrier, which prevented their ſo much deſir'd Bliſs, was never likely to be taken off, and found that every Day, as Love encreas'd, their Poverty grew greater.
THE Poor young Man, induſtriouſly inclin'd, had try'd all ways of bettering his Circumſtances, but had much ado by all his Labour to ſup⯑port a Livelyhood, and was become ſo melancholy by the miſery of his Condition, oppreſs'd at once by Love and Indigence, that he cou'd find no Comfort, but in the Converſation of his Miſtreſs, and that a ſort of anxious [188] Joy, An anxious Pleaſure.becauſe, as often as it repreſented to his Thoughts the Bleſſings, he ſhou'd gain by her Poſſeſſion, it recoil'd upon his Memory, that 'twas almoſt impoſ⯑ſible to obtain ſo great a happineſs.
HE often walk'd diſconſolately out of Town, and wandred up and down, unmindful of his Steps, indulging Solitude as a lov'd means of Con⯑templation; one Evening very late the Moon ſhone bright, and led him on in a ſmooth Walk, that ran along the great high Road, till he was met by a grave Man in habit of a Pilgrim, who ſaluted him and beg'd he wou'd ſup⯑port him to the Town, or he ſhou'd faint before he reach'd it; the young Armenian looking earneſtly upon his Face, perceiv'd his Colour gone, and all the Marks of ſudden Illneſs plain to be diſcover'd.
HE ask'd the Pilgrim, whither he was bound, who told him, to Con⯑ſtantinople, and again demanding, if he had any Friends within the City of Tyberis, was inform'd, that he was quite a Stranger, and deſign'd to take his Lodging in ſome publick Han, or open place of Entertainment, ſuch as is elſewhere deſcrib'd, for Inns and Houſes of Accommodation, are not met with in the Eaſtern Countrys.
A compaſſio⯑nate Action.THE good Armenian preſently conſider'd, that the Uſage he wou'd meet with in a publick Han, cou'd no ways be agreable to his weak Condition, and invited him to lie a Night or two at his Father's Houſe, by giving him a frank aſſurance of a hearty Welcome; this kind offer was immediately embrac'd with many thanks by the Sick Pilgrim, ſo he return'd again, and led his Guest back with him, uſing him with great Civility, and Entertain⯑ing him in every kind, as well as the Condition of the one requir'd, or the o⯑thers Purſe cou'd poſſibly afford him.
An Artifice, to prevent Diſcovery.FIVE Days the Pilgrim kept his Bed, and in that time wou'd often talk with the Armenian and his Father, ſtill concealing who he was, and taking, every now and then, an occaſion to complain of his Misfortunes and his Poverty, till on the fifth Day in the Evening he deſir'd the Company of the Young Man alone, who came accordingly, and as he us'd to do, began to comfort the Sick Man with hopes of quick Recovery.
AT laſt the Pilgrim, interrupting his Diſcourſe, began to weep, and ta⯑king him by the Hand, inform'd him that he found himſelf ſo weak, that he had now no longer hopes of Life, but begg'd him, as he wiſh'd for Happineſs hereafter, to comply with the Requeſt he was about to make him.
The Speech of a dying Pilgrim.I am, ſays he, a Merchant, who have traded many Years in Jewels, which by travelling on foot, and in the Habit of a Pilgrim, I have always carry'd ſafe, when others have been robb'd of all they had; Almighty God has pleas'd to bleſs me with conſiderable Subſtance, moſt of which is now about me, in rich Diamonds, neatly faſtned in ſome corners of my Cloaths; I have no Wife or Child, but one poor Mother at Conſtantinople, long main⯑tain'd by my good Fortune; her I make my Heireſs, ſhe knows beſt what poor Relations at her Death to leave it to: Now I deſign to write a Letter, and for fear ſhe loſes all, if ſent her by the Caravan, for God Al⯑mighty's Sake, do you in Perſon take the Charge of what I give you; ſee her, and inform her how I dy'd, and where you bury me: The Charges you have been ſo generouſly at, and what my private Funeral may coſt you, this ſmall Purſe contains a Sum of Gold ſufficient to repay you; but to bear the Charges of your Journey to my Mother, and in ſome degree reward your Goodneſs, I will give you two good Diamonds for your ſelf, and then deliver all the reſt to your ſafe Cuſtody.
[189] A great Sur⯑priſe.HE ended there, and from a Pocket in the boſom of his Veſt, that then lay by him, took a Purſe in which were Eighteen Gold Chequins of Turkey, value each ten Shillings, and deliver'd it to the Armenian, who was more ſurpriz'd to ſee him rip the corners of his Cloaths, and take out two and twenty noble Diamonds, which had been the Buſineſs of the Journey he fell ſhort in, Two according to his promiſe he preſented him withal, each worth about an hundred Engliſh Pounds, the other Twenty, moſt of equal value, he committed to his Charge; took Pen and Ink, and writ a Line or two, directed to his Mother, and the next Day died, as he before imagin'd.
A wonderful Example of Honeſty.HERE was a Temptation, few, I fear, in the Armenian's Circumſtan⯑ces, wou'd ſo nobly have reſiſted; he conceal'd the Jewels, leaſt his Father or his Miſtreſs ſhou'd have tempted him to keep them; own'd the Money, bu⯑ried the dead Pilgrim, who, I ſhou'd have told you, was himſelf an Armenian; writ a Letter, and enclos'd one Diamond in it, to aſſiſt his Father, and with⯑al inform'd him of the whole Concern, he left this Letter on his Chamber Table, ſold the ſecond Jewel for his own Expences, and departed early one Morning, with the Pilgrims Weeds, belonging to the late deceas'd, firſt having ſow'd all up, as they had been, before the Owner had unrip'd 'em for his Satisfaction.
IN ſhort, he brought the Jewels ſafe to Conſtantinople, gave 'em with the Letter to the Woman they were ſent to, wou'd not take the leaſt Re⯑ward, confeſſing he was paid beforehand, and prepar'd for his Return to Perſia, after a ſhort Stay of thirteen Days with the Mother of his deceas'd Countryman.
A generous Action, of a Perſian Envoy.BUT Vertue ſeldom fails Reward, the Story was immediately ſpread round the City, and among the reſt, a Perſian Envoy, then about returning to his Country, hearing the report, reſolv'd to ſee ſuch Worth encourag'd; ſent for the young Man, inform'd himſelf of his Condition, took him back to Perſia in his Train, and there preſented him before the King, as an Ex⯑ample of ſurprizing Honeſty, and an Object highly worthy of his Royal Favour.
A Reward of Vertue.THE King commanded a great Sum of Money to be given him, and learning that he was brought up a Merchant, order'd him to be the Man, with whom the Court ſhou'd for the future deal, for all their Neceſſaries in his way of Traffick; and accordingly, he ſoon grew rich by that Advan⯑tage and the many, which attended the great Character it gave him; ſo that he not only Married his old Miſtreſs, but in a few Years rais'd his Family, to be the moſt conſiderable of all his Country; a happineſs he very well de⯑ſerv'd, for ſuch a rare Example of an inborn Honeſty, and generoſity of Na⯑ture, commonly inherent to the People of that Nation.
CHAP. XXIV. Of the Copties.
[190]The Original of the Copties.TWAS in the Infancy of Chriſtian Doctrine, that the old Inhabi⯑tants of many parts of Egypt, chiefly ſuch, as border'd upon Aethi⯑opia, were Converted to the Faith of Chriſt, by the ſucceſsful Preaching of the Noble Eunuch, who had been inſpir'd by Philip with the pureſt Notions of Religion and Morality: Thoſe early Converts, who embrac'd the Goſpel there, tranſmitted it induſtriouſly to the Practice of Poſterity, and Multitudes of the Egyptians conſtantly profeſs'd the Doctrine of Chriſtianity, thro' all the Ages of inhuman Perſecution; and the Modern Offspring of thoſe Ancient People are the Sect nam'd Copties, whom this Chapter treats of.
The Cauſes of their Igno⯑rance.BUT, as humane Nature is alone too weak a Prop for Faith, and the my⯑ſterious Knowledge of Religion, ſo, the want of Spiritual Directors thro the Labyrinth of Darkneſs, which attended the diſorders of ſucceſſive Perſecutions, has involv'd them in a Gulph of zealous Ignorance, and taught 'em an unna⯑tural and incoherent mixture of the Superſtitious Practices of Pagan Ceremo⯑nies, with the heavenly Rites of their profeſs'd Chriſtianity.
Circumciſion us'd among them, and why.'TIS this Misfortune has confounded their religious Obſervation of the Sa⯑crament of Baptiſm, with the Heatheniſh Cuſtom of an early Circumciſion, which they ſtill obſerve, but rather out of Veneration to the Practice of their Anceſtors, than any Notion of its Efficacy in religious Matters: That it was an ancient Cuſtom, we are undeniably convinc'd from the Aſſertion of ſo old a Pen as that of Herodotus, who declares it to have been obſerv'd among that People, long before the Age he liv'd in, they Circumciſe their Children at eight Days old, but Baptiſe them not till on the fortieth.
Tainted with the Jacobin Herely.THEY were originally tainted with the Jacobin Hereſy, and rigidly maintain'd the Doctrine of one ſole Nature in our Saviour, long before Jaco⯑bus preach'd up that Opinion in the Eaſtern Parts of Syria; they are ſo very cautious, leaſt by chance they ſhou'd expoſe his Perſon to the Proof of a Di⯑viſion, that, tho' they own him God and Man, and perfect in both Eſſences, they will not venture to diſtinguiſh one from t'other.
How agree⯑ing with, or diſſenting from the Church of Rome.THEY adminiſter the Sacrament in both kinds, eſpecially to Infants juſt Baptiz'd: They ſtigmatize the Church of Rome with Hereſy, yet by the too prevailing vigilance of Miſſionaries ſent from many Parts of Italy, great num⯑bers of them frequently embrace the Romiſh Doctrine; they value not the Reſolutions of thoſe General Councils, held ſince that of Epheſus, and with an univerſal deteſtation of the Notions of a Purgatory, Praying for the Souls of the Deceas'd, and Extreme Ʋnction, diſſent from thoſe three favorite Points of Roman Doctrine.
THEY have a Patriarch over them, who takes his Title from the Town of Alexandria, but commonly reſides at Grand Cairo, or ſometimes at a large City call'd Saieta, An ancient City. ſix days Journey higher, on the River Nilus; all Inhabited by unmix'd numbers of the Copties; here 'tis ſaid, our Savi⯑our [191] and the Virgin Mary liv'd, when flying from the Rage of Herod, they ſojourn'd in the Land of Egypt, till the Death of that oppreſſive Tyrant. Here likewiſe may be ſeen the Ruins of a noble Structure, ſtately in the very Duſt it lies in, which the Copties tell us, was, in former times, a Cha⯑pel built by the religious Helena, Mother to Conſtantine the Great, and Con⯑ſecrated to the Virgin, in commemoration of her Reſidence in that ancient City.
The Copties keep Lent ſtrictly.THEY are almoſt as ſtrict obſervers of Lent, as the Armenians, never eating Fleſh therein, but in the Night, unleſs on Saturdays, and Sundays; but upon thoſe Days they hold it as a Sin to Faſt.
A painful form of Wor⯑ſhip.PECULIARLY Devout, and painfully Religious is their rigid form of Worſhip, for on Saturday at Midnight they are ſummon'd to their Churches, where they neither ſit, ſtand, kneel, or uſe the common Poſtures of a Man, but till the Sunday Noon, ſupport themſelves, by leaning on a kind of Crutches.
Boys admit⯑ted into Or⯑ders.THE Prieſt officiating is cover'd with a Veil of fine white Linen, and aſſiſted by three little Boys, attir'd not much unlike himſelf, on whom, as on great numbers of young Children, they conferr the minor Orders of their Prieſthood; aſſuming their Authority for ſuch a Practice, from a weak Inter⯑pretation of that part of the Goſpel, where our Saviour uſes the Expreſſion, Suffer little Children to come unto me, and prevent them not, for of ſuch is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Their publick Prayers.THEY frequently exalt their Voices, and accompany the Prieſt in ſtrange and unintelligible Noiſes, uſing ſome the ancient genuine Egyptian Language, now almoſt forgotten, ſome the Mooriſh Dialect, and ſome the Tur⯑kiſh; oftentimes the Priest, not much unlike the Romiſh elevation of the Host, lifts up, above his Head, a Cloth of Crimſon Colour, under which is plac'd the Conſecrated Sacrament.
Other Cu⯑ſtoms in uſea⯑mong them.THEY Sing the Pſalms of David through at every Meeting, ſometimes a Chapter of the Old, but oftner of the New, and more reſpected Teſtament, as Pen'd by Nicomedes; they pay no Reverence to the Pictures of our Saviour, and the Virgin Mary, nor permit them to be plac'd about the Altar, tho' they commonly are met with in the other Corners of their Churches.
Reliques of Martyrs.AT the Entrance of their Churches, which can ſeldom boaſt Magnifi⯑cence, or Ornament, you ſee on either ſide, ſquare Cheſts, pil'd one above a⯑nother, and in theſe they keep the Aſhes, Bones, or other Reliques of thoſe, who having been deluded by the ſtrong Inſinuations of the Turks to turn Mahometans, have afterwards repented their Apoſtacy, and openly profeſſing a Return to the Religion they before abandon'd, have been put to Death up⯑on it, and defended their unſhock'd, and perſecuted Recantation by the painful Tryal of a glorious Martyrdom.
Men and Wo⯑men kept a⯑part.THE Women, like the Turks, are ſeparated, in their Churches, from the Converſation of the Men, and plac'd in Galleries all lettic'd over, to pre⯑vent Inſpection: They kiſs their Hands at coming in, and lay the Right up⯑on the Left, proceeding with a Gravity becoming their Devotion.
Their Habits and Subjecti⯑on.THEIR Habits differ from the common Greeks in nothing but a kind of Skull-Cap, of a cloſe and humble Shape, which all the Copties wear upon their Head: They live in great Subjection to the Turks, pay double Taxes, and are hourly liable to the oppreſſive Violences of unbounded Tyranny, and ſwift Injuſtice.
[192] Sciences de⯑cay'd among them.THEIR Ignorance is great, and univerſal, and their Morals conſequent⯑ly weak, and poorly guarded: Sciences are almoſt loſt, at leaſt decay'd ex⯑treamly in the Practice of their Students.
HOWEVER, whether it proceeds from real Inclination, or a Notion that the Character of Conjurer, wou'd better ſuit them, than another Peo⯑ple, by the Stories, which the Scriptures, and Tradition tell the World, of the prodigious Operation of thoſe fam'd Magicians, among their Anceſtors, who ſtrove ſo wonderfully to excel the Power of God in Moſes; I ſay, I know not, which of theſe excites their Study, Great Lovers of Magick.but 'tis very certain that they all incline to practice Magick, or at leaſt ſuch juggling Arts, as with the Vul⯑gar may intitle them to that denomination.
Admirable Jugglers.THEY confidently boaſt a Power, by the aſſiſtance of Familiar Spirits, to inform Inquirers any thing they ask, particularly in Affairs of Love, and 'tis indeed a very pleaſant Entertainment, to behold how ſome of the Poli⯑teſt of theſe Jugglers will impoſe on ſimple Crowds of Liſtners by the out⯑ward Artifices of a learn'd Appearance, while by ſubtle means they learn the Buſineſs of the Queriſt from himſelf, or Company, and then amaze him with a Declaration of no more, than what he juſt before has told him.
'TIS pleaſant to behold 'em, burning Leaves, deſcribing Circles, melting Wax, and uſing all the outward Geſtures, which we read of in the Works of ancient Poets, to have been obſerv'd by Sorcerers, or others in their Magic In⯑cantations, ſuch as that of Simaetha in the ſecond Eidyl of Theocritus.
No wonder that their Mo⯑rals are not excellent.BUT certainly it cannot well be look'd upon a Wonder, that Morality ſhou'd boaſt no fix'd Impreſſion on the Minds of Men, inur'd to Artifice and Treacherous Practices by the perpetual Dangers they have been expos'd to, by the Wars and Perſecutions, Changes and Subverſions, which have conſtant⯑ly attended their unhappy Country, thro' a Courſe of Revolutions for ſo ma⯑ny Ages, when we find that even our ſelves, divided as we are from all the World, protected from the Miſeries of War and Rapine, and indulg'd by Heaven in all the Bleſſings of Productive Nature, have no great Cauſe to think our Morals, generally ſpeaking, better than our Neighbours.
A ſtrange and lab'ring Sect, among the Copties.AMONG the many Orders of Religion, now profeſs'd by theſe Cop⯑ties, there is one very odd, and new Opinion prevalent among them; a certain Sect, who, Contemplating ſeriouſly, and with inceſſant Application, on the numerous Frailties of Humanity, engage themſelves by Oath in the moſt ſolemn manner, every Year they live to take upon them ſome new Myſtery, or way of Living: till they find (if poſſible) ſome State of Life, entirely hap⯑py: Theſe by turns, are Soldiers, Merchants, Husbandmen, and every thing their Subſtance can create them; and the Good they do by this uncommon Practice of profeſs'd Variety, appears conſpicuouſly in the repeated Declarati⯑ons, which they daily make in Publick Places, telling thoſe, who gather round them, that Experience has convinc'd them True Felicity attends not ſuch and ſuch a Life, for ſuch and ſuch occurring Reaſons, weighing all the Good with all the Bad of every Man's Condition, and diſcovering how much the weighty Evils overpoize the Balance.
Their never ending La⯑bours.THUS are the Lives of theſe unwearied Wretches ſpent in ſearches of Content, a Fairy Bleſſing, talk'd of like the Phoenix, but unknown like that, and never to be gain'd on this ſide Heaven; yet they toil inceſſantly, and drudge away their Moments, in a kind of Interrogatory Contemplation, like the learn'd Auſonius, who thus expreſſes the convincing Proofs of Mortal Im⯑perfection.
The humour of the Copties.THE Generality of theſe Copties are curiouſly inclin'd to hear the Cuſtoms of remote Dominions, and are overjoy'd to get a Gentleman of Learning, who is travelling thro' their Country, into their Acquaintance; They receive and entertain him with a deep reſpect, and waiting patiently, till he has ask'd as many Queſtions as he pleaſes of their way of Living, put great num⯑bers of inquiſitive Demands on him, and liſten with a cloſe and wonderful Delight, to hear the Stories, which a Stranger tells them, either of his own or other Countries.
NOR is it any ways improbable, that this ſhou'd be the reaſon, which induces ſuch vaſt numbers to profeſs the Buſineſs of a Guide, attending Tra⯑vellers from Place to Place, as often as the Arabs will permit them; An Arbitrary Practice of the Arabs.but theſe last are Lords of them and their Pretentions, and are well acquainted with the Profits thence ariſing, wherefore they will rarely give the Copties liberty to ſerve as Guides to Chriſtian Travellers, but undertake the Task themſelves, and thence extort conſiderable Sums of Money, in proportion to their Carriage, Avarice, or Honeſty.
CHAP. XXV. Of the Zinganees, or the Race of the Gypſies.
NOW, Reader, have I brought you to a ſort of People, who for every kind of Villany, and unexampled Practices of Guilt in its moſt elevated Inſolence, may juſtly boaſt themſelves without a Rival; Impunity encourages them all to Sin, and independent Ar⯑rogance protects them in it; They are ſhun'd by all degrees of Men, and all Men equally by them deteſted; They are Nature's Outcaſt, and the black In⯑feſters of Humanity and common Goodneſs, and of all the World may beſt lay claim to the Profeſſion of a Maxim, which the Roman Satyriſt ex⯑preſſes thus,
YOU ſhall rarely apprehend a Zinganee, or execute him for a Crime, but he will readily confeſs vaſt numbers more than e'er he was detected in, their only aim is Wickedneſs, and that they grow inimitable Proficients in; They ſeldom differ one from t'other, or if ſome have accidentally been more ſucceſsful than the reſt in bringing Miſchiefs to perfection, 'tis becauſe their Op⯑portunities have been more favourable, and proceeds not from a weaker Inclination to the Practice of Iniquity: Their Guilt is thus the ſame, and therefore, I may well excuſe the univerſal Wiſhes of the honeſter Inhabitants of the Eaſtern Countries, who profeſs an open and deſerv'd Abhorrence of the Wretches and their Cuſtoms, deſiring nothing more than their very Race might wholly be extirpated.
BUT, e'er I paint the Morals, and inhuman Nature of theſe People, 'twill be proper to inform my Reader, who they are, and having trac'd 'em to their black Original, I will proceed to the Relation of their Preſent State, and lay 'em open in the ſcatt'red Baſeneſs of their Modern Cir⯑cumſtances.
The Hiſtory, and Original of the Zinga⯑nees.'TWAS in the Reign of Sultan Selym, the ſucceſsful Turkiſh Emperour, who overthrew the Government of the Circaſſian Mamalukes, and added Egypt to his own Dominions, that the few remaining Soldiers of that Name, who had eſcap'd the Slaughter, and retir'd in little Numbers to the Borders of the Deſart, were encourag'd by a certain daring Slave, nam'd Zinganeus, to aſſemble in one Body, and make uſe of thoſe offenſive Arms their haſty Flight had left them, to their beſt advantage; they conſented to the moti⯑on, and upon examination found themſelves a formidable Body, able to defend their Ground by reaſon of the difficulty of acceſs, againſt the Power of all Invaders.
A Salvage kind of Life.THUS they liv'd ſome time, made Nightly Inrodes to the fertil Pa⯑ſtures on the Banks of Nilus, plunder'd Towns, destroy'd Inhabitants, drove off their Cattle, and committed all Outrages, void of fear, and free from Pu⯑niſhment, not only keeping ſo ſecure a Guard, that they defended their Poſſeſſions, but admitting daily Numbers of their old Companions, who de⯑ſerted to their Party in conſiderable Bodies, as often as they found conveni⯑ent Opportunities.
THE Turks, who dreaded what might be the Conſequences of this threat⯑ning growth of Power, ſent Great Commanders with ſome regular Forces to reduce them to Obedience; who fell ſhort in their Deſigns, and were ſent back half ruin'd, to aſſure their Officers, they were to cope with greater Strength than they imagin'd.
[196] IN ſhort, the Turks perceiv'd ſo great a Difficulty in the Method they muſt take to bring 'em to Subjection, that they rather choſe to offer Terms of Friendſhip, and Accommodation, which the Mamalukes as rea⯑dily accepted of, as growing weary of the Dangerous Alarums they were Hourly Subject to, ſo that a Peace was ſoon concluded, Articles of Accommoda⯑tion.and the Articles thereof Obliging the Circaſſians to lay down their Arms, permitted them to exerciſe what other way of Living, their deſires wou'd lead 'em to make choice of.
BUT Civil Diſcipline agreeing rarely with the Military Genius of licen⯑tious Multitudes, they grew unruly, and became ſo prejudicial to the common Intereſt, that the offended Turks at laſt grew weary of forgiv⯑ing, and Enacted a degree, that every ZINGANEE, for they were ſo diſtin⯑guiſh'd, from the Name of their Ringleader, ſhou'd in Fourteen Days depart the Kingdom: They are Ba⯑niſh'd Egypt.This was ſo ſeverely put in Execution, that in leſs than two Months ſpace, not one remain'd, who Publickly durſt own himſelf of that Denomination, for it was made Lawfull for what Man ſoever met them, when their Date expired, to Take, Kill, Enſtave, or Ʋſe them as he thought convenient.
NO Man from that time forward e'er knew certainly, what became of Zinganeus their Commander, tho 'tis commonly believ'd he ſtaid in Egypt, where at preſent his Poſterity and that of his Companions, openly dare own themſelves. A certain Prophecy is ſpread about, relating to ſome fu⯑ture hopes, Predominant on the Opinion of the Zinganees, tho few among the Turks, regard or Value it. The Prophecy as 'tis Expreſs'd in the Egypti⯑an Language, varies nothing from the following purpoſe.
A Vain and Groundleſs hope.THIS Prophecy has won ſo far upon the Miſerable Romnant of the Zinganees in Egypt, that they all expect as certainly to ſee the Reſtoration of their Empire in the Downfall of the Turks, as the moſt Rigid Jews be⯑lieve and wait for the return of their Meſſias: But how wide from Probability their notion lies, let any Man decide, who will reflect on the Prodigious difference between the Turks and Them, in Number and Authority.
The Wan⯑dring Lives of the Baniſh'd Gypſies.THOSE Zinganees, who had not Courage to continue in their Coun⯑try in contempt of the decree, exhibited againſt them, ſpread themſelves in Baniſhment thro' every corner of the World, and finding it a neceſſary [197] prudence to conſider on ſome means of Livelyhood they took upon them the Denomination of Foretellers of the Accidents attending every Per⯑ſons Life, Pretending to a natural Gift of Prophecy, and finding it an eaſy matter to Impoſe upon the World by ſuch Pretentions, the (rather, be⯑cauſe many Families among them, had by Art or Nature, really reach'd a Wonderful Ability in ſuch like Practices) they Flouriſh'd for a while, and grew conſiderably Rich in many Countries.
Their Firſt Arrival in England.AMONG the reſt, great Numbers Flock'd to England, Travell'd up and down from Place to Place, with Children at their Backs, beg'd leave to he in Barns, told Fortunes for their Livelyhood, and when they could not fair⯑ly get Proviſions, Stole 'em with an admirable Cunning; till the many Miſ⯑chiefs which attended the Permiſſion of theſe Stroling Hypocrites, occaſi⯑on'd ſeveral Acts to paſs, in order to extirpate their Fraternity.
THE Laws which were from time to time Enacted to that end, had ſuch effect, that they were ſoon Tranſported hence in ſuch ſurprizing Numbers, that the few mean Wretches, now pretending to the Character of Gypſies, are not really ſo, but ſuch, whoſe Miſerable Circumſtances have reduc'd 'em to a ſordid Imitation of the Vices and Pretences of thoſe Baniſh'd Per⯑ſons, The Original of the Word Gypſie.to whom Originally, our Forefathers gave the Name of Gyptians or Egyptians to denote the Country they belong'd to, but the word has been corrupted by the courſe of Time to the Preſent Vulgar Pronunciation, GYPSIES.
BUT tho' the Prudence of our cautious Anceſtors, found means to rid this Nation of ſuch Troubleſome Inhabitants, few other Countries took that care to free themſelves from their Encumb'ring Multiplication, Turkey very full of Gypſies.every part of Turkey is (eſpecially) ſo Peſter'd with 'em, that you ſeldom Tra⯑vel Four and Twenty Hours without Encountring them.
Their Way of Living.THEY are Divided into Tribes, Acknowledge no dependance on, or Duty to the Power of any Government whatever; they have no Laws a⯑mong themſelves, but mingle Luſtfully together in the moſt Inceſtuous man⯑ner, never Marrying, but uſing all in common, Women, Goods, and all they Boaſt of.
THEY Wander up and down, with Aſſes, Loaden with their Tents, and other dirty Neceſſaries, always Pitching their Black Camp as near ſome Town of Note as poſſible, Excellent Smiths.and Working commonly as Smiths, particularly famous for the making Hatchets of an Edge ſo excellently temper'd, that no Nail can turn it; they are Hir'd ſometimes for every kind of Drudgery, but frequently refuſe to Work, and never tarry longer in a Place, than till they have obtain'd as much, as Stealing or their Labour can induce 'em to the hopes of.
THUS in time, they Viſit every Part of every Country, hated by Mankind and Preying on the Loſſes of their Fellow Creatures, void of Principle and con⯑ſequently of Humanity: If any of them Die, they make a Hole within his Tent, and Bury him about a Foot below the Surface, never uſing Coffin, Shrowd or Decent Ceremony; Scoffing Publickly at every Law and all Religions; Their Atheiſti⯑cal Principles.openly de⯑claring, they believe no GOD, but impiouſly uſe no other Argument, than that of Inſolent and Ignorant Obſtinacy, telling Chriſtians, who rebuke their Wickedneſs, that they have Daily reaſon to diſtruſt the Notions of a Godhead, ſince if there were a Power ſo Mighty and Omniſcient as God is repreſented, he wou'd never hear himſelf Blaſphem'd, and Ridicul'd at ſuch a Rate, as he is Hourly by their common Practice, without ſome ſpeedy Judgment on their Guilt. This Simple Notion made me think upon an Ancient Precedent, deliver'd to Poſterity by Martial in his Book of Epigrams.
Their Cu⯑ſtoms, and Humour.THEY commonly go naked, or at leaſt, the major Part affect not Dreſſing. Nature ſtains them of a tawny Hue, and the unreſiſted Influence of a continual Sun encreaſes their Deformity; they never waſh their Hands or Faces, but permit their Hair and Nails to grow to moſt amazing lengths: They will not ſuffer Travellers to paſs without accoſting them, extracting Money by repeated Declarations of the Good or Evil Fortune, which is like⯑ly to attend them: But what moſt amaz'd me, is, that they aſſume the Impudence of giving good Advice, exhorting them to Piety, and all the Graces of Humanity, concluding commonly their Hypocritic Lectures with theſe Words, Be Dutiful to God, your Parents and your Prince, and let the Bleſſings of them all be ſhowr'd upon you.
WHEN I perceiv'd that ſuch as theſe cou'd give Advice, who are the open Enemies of common Goodneſs, I reflected with a wonderful ſurprize upon the Truth of an old Maxim, I remember to have read in ſome Greek Author.
A Story of the Impu⯑dence of a cer⯑tain Zinganee.THE Native Inſolence of theſe licentious Wretches may be gueſs'd at by a Story I will tell you. At a little Country Town in Turkey, where great Numbers of the Zinganees had pitch'd their Tents, a Friend of mine, who kept a Summer Houſe, retir'd to paſs a Month or two; and having been inform'd how Skillful they were fam'd to be in making Hatchets of an ad⯑mirable temper, had the Curioſity to purchaſe one, at the dear rate of three and twenty Shillings in the Money of that Country.
HE try'd his Hatchet, which was neatly made, and had a fine turn'd Helve, and Leather Caſe to keep the Head from wet, and found it ſo ex⯑ceeding Good, that he commended it extreamly to the Man, who made it, and profeſs'd he wou'd not loſe it for its double Value.
A Cheating Temper.NOTHING cou'd have been more welcom News, or fairer Invitation to the Zinganee than this, he preſently reſolv'd to find ſome opportunity of ſtealing back the Hatchet, that he might oblige the Gentleman to buy ano⯑ther, or reward him well for the pretence of having found the old one.
IN ſhort, he watch'd a day or two, and having made his obſervation of the Place 'twas laid in, ſoon found means to get it, and was met one Mor⯑ning by the Owner, as he haſten'd from the Chamber with the mark of Theft about him; The Gentleman, ſurpriz'd to ſee a Zinganee in his Apart⯑ment, took him by the Arm as he was paſſing by, and ask'd him ſomewhat [199] roughly, what his Buſineſs was, and whither he was carrying his Hatchet; The Gypſy, an experienc'd Artiſt, anſwer'd nothing, but with elevated Eyes, and ſhaking Head, endeavour'd ſilently to get away; A wonderful Aſſurance.but when the Gentle⯑man encreas'd his anger, and began to call his Servants to ſecure him, with a bold, undaunted Look, and Tongue as nimble as his Fingers, he began to talk away his Guilt, in Speeches to the following purpoſe. ‘The Speech of a Gypſy.FOOL that you are; but Chriſtians will be blind, and who can help it? Now I know you think that I came hither with deſign to ſteal your Hatchet; O poor Frailty of your common Underſtanding! I have Skill, honeſt Infidel, and by that Skill knew certainly, that if this Hatchet was not taken from you, this Morning at Eleven a Clock, and juſt three Minutes after, you wou'd have been inclin'd to try its Metal on you Log of Wood, and ſo had ſurely cut your Right Leg half aſunder. I have Skill, and valued you, and ſo prevented it by ſeizing on the evil Inſtrument. See here, I will not be diſmay'd, I prize your Good above your Friendſhip, and will, notwithſtanding this, prevent your Danger.’
HE had no ſooner ſpoke theſe Words, but off he ran, as faſt as he was able, nor was overtaken, tho' the Servants follow'd him, till he had reach'd a Well of an unfathomable Depth, and there he ſtopp'd, but firſt threw in the Hatchet, which he knew cou'd never be recover'd from ſo deep a Bot⯑tom.
The Succeſs of a Cheat.THE Gentleman, who gueſs'd the Zinganee's Deſign, cou'd ſcarce re⯑frain from laughing at the Air with which he carry'd off his Impudence; 'twas dangerous to beat him, tho' he wish'd he cou'd have ventur'd it; in ſhort, the Gypſy won his point, and ſtill maintaining that his value for the Perſon of the Gentleman had made him throw away the former Hatchet, got the making of another like it.
I ſhould have told you, that they always chuſe ſome even ſpot of Ground to pitch their Tents, where the Men and Women Sing and Dance, in auk⯑ward Geſtures all Day long, run, hop, and toy away their Hours in various kinds of active Entertainments.
Another Story of the Gypſies.I Lay, in Company with ſeveral other Engliſh Gentlemen, at a large Town in Thrace, now call'd Romania, I think the Place was nam'd Burgoſs; upon a ſpacious Plain, without the City, ſtood the Tents of ſeve⯑ral Tribes of wand'ring Gypſies, who were us'd to entertain themſelves in Dancing till near Midnight, and expreſs'd their Satisfaction in each others Converſation by the number of their Exerciſes.
WE walk'd out one Day to take the Air upon the Plain I ſpeak of, and were very much ſurpriz'd to ſee a Company of Naked People of both Sexes, join'd promiſcuouſly in a kind of Antic Dance, and leaping up and down, with uncouth Noiſes, and indecent Poſtures, which declar'd them Strangers to the ſmalleſt Grain of common Modeſty.
WE came as near 'em as we cou'd, and were immediatly ſurrounded by their Numbers, every Perſon ſtriving to foretell our Fortunes, by inſpe⯑ction of our Hands, which we prevented them from doing, by an obſtinate refuſal to admit them near us.
An Engliſh Modeſty.ONE Young Gentleman among us, of a very modest, or indeed a baſhful Nature, was half frighted to behold himſelf encompaſs'd by a Band of Na⯑ked [200] Women, and inſtead of ſtriving to defend himſelf from their Endeavours, kept one Hand before his Eyes and all on fire with Bluſhes, turn'd his Head aſide, and beg'd us to depart from that Society of Devils.
A very dex⯑terous and pleaſant Cheat.THE Zinganees immediately perceiv'd the Opportunity he gave them, and with all imaginable expedition, joining Hands, danc'd round him in a Ring, and pulling him about from Place to Place, laugh'd, ſung, and kiſs'd him with a ſtrange Extravagance, while ſeveral others came about us with a thouſand artful Postures and Diſcourſes, to prevent us from obſerving what they did with our Companion, who was ſo amaz'd to find himſelf touch'd, kiſs'd, and pull'd about by ſuch a Naked Multitude of Females, that he knew not what they were about, till they had thrown him down, and rolling him along among themſelves, found means to pick his Pockets, of his Gold and Silver, two good Rings, and a fine Watch of Engliſh Work⯑manſhip.
The Impunity of Zinganees in Turkey.WE were ſo much diverted with the Accident, that we cou'd hardly frame our Tempers for a neceſſary Quarrel, which was all in vain, for they had done their Buſineſs, and went on with their Diverſion, never minding our repeated Exclamations that they wou'd reſtore the Gentleman the Prize ſo lately taken; we complain'd to the Chief Magiſtrate upon re-ent'ring the City, but found no Redreſs, all Men declining to concern themſelves with People, over whom they boaſted ſmall Authority, and from whoſe Puniſhment, they cou'd not hope Retaliation of an Injury receiv'd, but wou'd be ſure to ſuffer by a ſwift Revenge, and never failing Malice; ſo ex⯑treamly burthenſom and dangerous are the Gypſies in the Eaſtern World, beyond thoſe here in England, or indeed in any other Part of Weſtern Chriſtendom.
BUT, notwithſtanding the abovenam'd Character of the Zinganees in general may incline the Reader to believe the Stories he has heard of Gyp⯑ſies, and their wonderful Performances are all Chimaeras, and the wild Production of diſtemper'd Fancy, Some Gypſies better than the reſt.there are really ſome among them, in whoſe Families the Spirit of Foreknowledge ſeems to live, beyond Examples common in our Country.
THERE is nothing a more certain Truth, than that the Maſters of ſome Merchant Ships have been advis'd to wait a happy Hour, leaſt on ſuch, and ſuch a Coaſt, they ſhou'd be Shipwreck'd, which advice, when ſlighted, has appear'd of more ſolidity, than they imagin'd, by the fatal Loſs of both the Veſſel and the Lives of all her Mariners.
Strange Sto⯑ries, told of ſome of them.NOT only theſe, but many other ſuch like Accidents, and ſome more ſtrange have happen'd frequently in many Parts of Egypt, and the other Coun⯑tries, where theſe Gypſies live; I could relate ſurprizing things, which have been told me with a good Authority, but I forbear impoſing Facts upon my Reader's Faith, which, notwithſtanding the concurring Evidences of un⯑doubted Witneſſes, and ſometimes ocular Demonſtration, really ſeem to ſhock my own.
ONE Story I will here, however, tell you, and ſo leave you to your Liberty, believe or not believe, that ſome of thoſe call'd Zinganees inherit naturally the Prophetic Bleſſing of foreknowing Things to come, which they pretend to; I can only ſay, they give ſuch ſtaggering Demonſtrations of a Power beyond a common Gueſs, that tho' I was unwilling to give credit to their Atteſtations, I perceiv'd them built upon too ſure a Ground, to give me any opportunity of contradicting them.
[201] A Story of an Accident, which befel the Author in his Travels.I Travell'd once, with a conſiderable Number of my Countrymen, and other People, thro this Country, and was muſing Penſively behind my Company on Horſeback in an eaſy Pace, when from a kind of Buſhy Covert on one ſide the Road, there Started out a Man, of Venerable Age, Long Beard, and Decent Habit; In his Shrivel'd Hand he held a Staff, and a Con⯑vulſive Palſie ſhook his Head with an Inceſſant Motion.
HE came forward Slowly, Beckning me to ſtay, as if he had ſome Buſi⯑neſs of Importance to Communicate; I ſtop'd my Horſe, whoſe Main he Strok'd with his Right Hand, when he came to me, and Seizing on my Boot Top with his Left, let fall his Staff, and look'd ſo earneſtly upon my Face, that I was Struck with a Surprize at the uncommon method of his Salu⯑tation.
I ask'd him, if he knew me, or had any thing to tell me, that he look'd upon me with ſuch Eagerneſs; He Skook his Head with double force, and after having uſ'd ſome Wonderfull Expreſſions, which for certain Reaſons I forbear to mention here, he told me that a dangerous Cloud hung o'er my Head, and Threaten'd me with Sudden Death; An unwel⯑come Salutati⯑on.Perhaps, Young Man, ſays he, you have not half an Hour of Life to come, but Heaven, (which only can) avert the Omen!
YOU muſt needs Imagine I was ſomewhat Startled at this declaration, which the Old Man had no ſooner made, than he departed, Looking Back almoſt at every ſtep he took, and lifting up his Eyes in ſeeming Sign of ſome concern, which look'd like Pity.
A Wonderful Adventure.AT laſt, I fanſy'd him a kind of Madman, and converted Contempla⯑tion to a fit of Mirth, ſo Gallop'd, on as faſt as I cou'd Ride, to overtake my Company, and entertain 'em with the Story of my odd Adventure; But I had not Rode four Hundred Paces, when from a Croſs Road, lead⯑ing thro' a kind of Wood, on either ſide, appear'd ſome Horſe-men Arm'd with Javelins, who with elevated Weapons ſtop'd my Paſſage, and made ſigns that I ſhould preſently alight, or they would throw them at me.
HERE the Sudden turn of a Reflection on the Probability of that ſhort Space of Life, alloted me by the Old Man, more deeply terrify'd me than the preſence of my Enemies; A Surprizing turn of For⯑tune.I made a Shift, unknowing in a manner what I did, to lay my Hand upon a Piſtol, and had juſt preſented it when all the Horſe-men Gallop'd off together, with a Motion equally Surprizing for its Swiftneſs and Occaſion.
THAT very Moment ſtruck my Ears with the loud Sound of a large Bra⯑zen Trumpet, which a Member of our Company had carry'd with him, and the Noiſe of Horſes-Feer, as if they Gallop'd; A timely ſuc⯑cour.Preſently appear'd the Major part of my Companions, who had miſs'd me, and came Back by the Ad⯑vice of an Old Guide among them, who Inform'd 'em 'twas a Dangerous thing to Straggle from ones Company, in ſuch a part of ſuch a Country.
Reflections on the Accident.NOW, tho this ſtrange Deliverance might poſſibly have been unknown to the Old Man, who met me, and the Notice, which he gave me of it, the Effect of Chance, or a Strange whim Inſpir'd by Providence, 'tis ſurely far more Reaſonable to ſuppoſe him Maſter of a more than common ſhare of Knowledge; or at leaſt, if this Relation does not Tempt the Reader to the ſame Opinion, yet ſome Private Circumſtances, which attended it, gave me ſuch convincing Proofs of his juſt Title to a Supernatural Wiſdom, that I cannot help declaring, I muſt ſtill believe him Bleſs'd with a Pro⯑phetic Inſpiration.
CHAP. XXVI. Of Seſtos, and Abydos, the Caſtles Commanding the Helleſpont, now call'd Dardanelli; and of the Ruins of Old Troy.
[202]Seſtos and Abydos.AND now we are about to Travel into Egypt by the way of Con⯑ſtantinople, we muſt firſt ſail down the Helleſpont, whoſe Entrance from the Archipelago is defended ſtrongly by four Caſtles of conſi⯑derable Force: The outward two whereof are Seſtos and Abydos, ce⯑lebrated by the Pens of ancient Poets, for the famous Loves of Hero and Leander.
METHINKS I found a certain ſecret Pleaſure in the very looking on a Place of ſuch Antiquity; and while I ſail'd along the River, the complaining Murmurs of the rolling Waters ſeem'd to mourn Leander's Drowning, and I cou'd not look upon the venerable Turrets of thoſe aged Buildings, but they brought to my Reflection the Idea of thoſe dulcid Strains, wherein Muſaus warbles out the Circumſtances of the melancholy Story.
A caution of the Turks.AND indeed, a Traveller has here a ſpacious Opportunity to follow the Advice of this old Poet, for he is detain'd three Days, by a fix'd Cuſtom of the Country, and muſt then ſubmit to be examin'd, whither Bound, what Countryman, and wait the ſearching of the Ship by Officers, deputed from the Caſtles, e'er he may have liberty to Sail beyond the Reach of their Artillery.
Its cauſes.THIS Caution is occaſion'd by the neceſſary Policy of their ſharp Go⯑vernment, whoſe ever wary Eye forbids the clearing Foreign Ships, till after ſuch a ſtay within the Entrance of the Helleſpont, leaſt they ſhou'd have Commited any Breach of Articles, before they left the City.
Reflections on the Modern Ignorance of this Country.BUT Oh! how much in vain Muſaeus bids us ask the People of theſe Ancient Towns, for Places, which they are not only Strangers to the Know⯑ledge, but to the Names of; Ignorance and Inſolence have Clouded Learn⯑ing in the very Inclinations of the Modern Maſters of this Country; endleſs Revolutions in the very Face of Furrow'd Nature have Erac'd the Characters of Former Wiſdom, and deſtroy'd in an Obſcure and deep Oblivion thoſe Lamented Monuments of High Antiquity.
The Darda⯑nells, and why ſo call'd.THE Preſent Owners call theſe Caſtles Dardanelli, and 'tis a more than Probable Opinion, that their Etymology derives its Birth from their Vicini⯑ty in Situation to the Trojan Shore; their ſtrength is little, if compar'd with the more Artful forms of regular and modern Fortifications, and are Inca⯑pacitated to defend themſelves againſt the Power of Seiges, carried on by Land Entrenchments; all their uſe ariſes from the large and Monſtrous Bore of many Cannons, Planted on a Level with the Surface of the Water, and diſcharging Bullets made of Stone, of ſuch prodigious ſize, that tho it has been known, that Ships have paſs'd in ſafety by the favourable Opportu⯑nity of a great Gale, and Swelling Waters, 'tis a Raſh and Dangerous attempt, and ten to one but all, who hazard it, are Sunk in the Performance.
Reflections on the Preſent State of Troy.WE Sail from hence and preſently gain ſight of TROY, at leaſt the Shore, whereon TROY ſtood, that Towering City, whoſe Imperial Tur⯑rets Brav'd the Fury of Confederate Nations, and repuls'd ſo many Bloody times the Powerfull Armies of the Graecian Hero's, under whoſe Renown'd and long defended Walls, the Flowing Blood of Hoſtile Nations Bath'd a Soil, which Nouriſh'd Laurels of Immortal Memory; whoſe unbounded Sway and unexhauſted Plenty drew the Wonder of an Emulative World, as her Brave fall, and celebrated Ruin mov'd the Pens of the Sublimeſt Poets in the Ʋniverſe to Eternize her Glory; This Illuſtrious Scene of Wonders, This amazing Field of Action now lies Silent, Buried, and o'erwhelm'd in the too Melancholy fate of TROJA FƲIT, TROY WAS.
[204] NOTHING is remaining worthy of the Monument of ſo renown'd a City; the relentleſs Teeth of Iron Time have Gnaw'd away her Beauties, and the Miſerable Remnant of her Ancient Grandeur is confin'd to ſuch a Poor and little Meaſure, The Miſtake of many Tra⯑vellers.that thoſe haſty Travellers, who think it a ſuf⯑ficient Satisfaction to have ſeen a Place at diſtance, have inform'd the World, that all is now converted into Paſture Ground, or that in ſhort, a juſt Idea of the preſent State of, that ſubverted City may be comprehended fully, by the Tuneful Chorus of a good old Engliſh Ballad, which, as I remember, tells us;
HOWEVER, as I was too curious in my Inclinations to reſt content with the Reports of other Men, in Places, where I cou'd inform my ſelf by ocular experience, I reſolv'd to go on Shore, and was the more deſi⯑rous to become a Witneſs of the Miſerable Blot, which had defac'd ſo fair a Copy, The Grounds of that Mi⯑ſtake.becauſe I very well remembred to have met a Jew in Portugal, who had aſſur'd me there was more to be Diſcover'd on the Shore of Troy, than commonly was credited, but the dangerous Barbarity of the Inhabitants was ſuch, as rendred it a hazardous attempt, and conſequently frighted many People from Landing in that Country.
THE Captain of the Ship, wherein I Sail'd, oblig'd me with his Boat, while adverſe Winds detain'd us on the Coaſt, and one Franciſco Condaliſo, an Italian Prieſt, who had been long a Miſſionary in the Eaſtern Countries, and at preſent, if alive, reſides at Padua, conſented to Accompany me; The Author Lands at Troy.we Landed in a very Fair and ſpacious Harbour, probably the ſame, which formerly receiv'd the Boats of Greece, returning to and fro with Sol⯑diers and Proviſions.
WE Walk'd about three Miles up thro' the Country, on a Ground ſtill riſing from the Sea with ſmall Acclivity, but overgrown with Brakes and Brambles, as, indeed, is every part, which Borders on the Sea, for many Miles along that Land, ſo that the Firſt Remark I made in this my Trojan Expedition, was that my old Country-man the Ballad-maker, was miſtaken in his Calculation.
An account of what he Diſ⯑cover'd there.WE look'd about, as eagerly as poſſible, but look'd in vain, and had begun to doubt or even deſpair of finding any Marks or Ruins of Antiqui⯑ty, when Franciſco ſtruck his Foot with Accidental Violence againſt a Stone, and caſting down his Eyes imagin'd he Diſcover'd ſomething like a Piece of Building, ſcarce an Inch above the Ground, all over grown with Moſs, and in a manner cover'd by the Groſs about it;
A Piece of the Old Walls of Troy.UPON a cloſer view, and digging up the Obſtacles, which interpos'd themſelves, we plainly found, it was a part of ſome Old Wall, and with our Scymetars removing all the Brambles, and low Buſhes near it, we Diſco⯑ver'd it to be near Thirteen Foot in Breadth, but Narrower and Higher in ſome Places, than it was in others.
TRACING it with more than common difficulty, thro' a little Knot of Buſhes, we had ſoon loſt ſight of it, and dug in vain, as deep as we cou'd thruſt our Swords, to find if it continued farther on; However, hav⯑ing met ſo fair encouragement, we chearfully proceeded near a Quarter of a Mile, and there Diſcover'd at conſiderable diſtance, ſomething like a Rug⯑ged Wall, or broken Ruin of an Ancient Building.
[205] COMING near it, we perceiv'd it was the ſame continued Piece of Building, we had lately loſt, and on a cloſe Examination found it of a black and ſolid Stone, appearing join'd by Mortar, which the length of time had notwithſtanding, hard'ned into Subſtance, of an equal firmneſs with the Stone it ſelf.
A deſcription of it.THE Sizes of the Stones were very different, but rather ſmall, than of extraordinary Magnitude, for few exceeded half a Foot in their Diameter. The length of this old Piece of Wall was ſixteen Yards, the heighth at moſt exceeded not four Foot, but was in many Places broken, and in ſome, ſcarce half a Foot above the Ground.
'TWAS ſtrangely overgrown with little Shrubs, and divers Plants ap⯑pear'd between the Joinings of the Stone, which wore a melancholy Sylvan Dreſs of Moſt and Houſeleek: Over-grown with Laurel.But the moſt engaging Part of the whole Proſpect was a ſeeming Grove of ſpreading Laurel-Trees, which flouriſh'd on the top, and hanging down on either ſide, protecting, as it were, the Buil⯑ding from the Injuries of Weather; methoughts I never ſaw thoſe kind of Trees ſo juſtly Planted, and I cou'd not help rememb'ring, that they look'd as naturally plac'd on theſe Old Ruins, as upon the Celebrated Tomb of the harmonious Virgil, in the Neighbourhood of Naples.
A new Diſco⯑very.ABOUE an Hour we feaſted Curioſity, with a repeated Obſervation of the pleaſing Object, and had tarry'd longer in the ſame Employment, but were call'd away by the diſcovery of certain other Ruins at a little diſtance from us, which we found to be no more than a Continuance of the Wall, we had before been looking on.
Three Monu⯑ments, or Tomb-Stones.BUT, while we eagerly examin'd every Part, we both took notice of a great diſorder'd heap of Stones, near which there ſtood three things like Tomb-Stones, and upon approach we found 'em to be really ſuch, at leaſt de⯑ſign'd to repreſent them; they were two Yards long, and four Foot broad, of common Stone rais'd near two Foot in heighth, and cover'd with three fine flat Marbles, which by the Inſcriptions on 'em, ſeem'd to have been done in Chriſtendom, to gratifie the Humour of ſome curious Perſon, wil⯑ling to amuſe Poſterity, when they ſhou'd find ſuch Tombs in ſuch a Place, and never know which way they came to be there.
BY the Workmanſhip and the decay'd Condition of the Monuments, we judg'd 'em not the Children of the preſent Age, if poſſibly the laſt was old enough to Father them; with much ado, upon the firſt we came to, we cou'd read the following Epitaph, which I preſently remembred to have met with in Auſonius, on the Death of Hector.
The Tomb of King Priamus.A little farther ſtood the ſecond Tomb, which was it ſeems, deſign'd to repreſent the Monument of Priamus, the Epitaph, which like the firſt and third is borrow'd from Auſonius, ſeems to ſpeak a Royal Mourner, and Pa⯑ternal Sorrow.
The Tomb of Hecuba.THE third, a little ſhorter than the former two, contains an Epitaph upon afflicted Majeſty, in the known Name of Hecuba, the wretched Wife and Mother of the late-nam'd Priamus and Hector.
THESE are the moſt, and I may ſay, the only Things worth Obſerva⯑tion there, tho' they deſerv'd the Notice of a Traveller, and I am there⯑fore much ſurpriz'd that none have mention'd them, at leaſt no Country⯑man of mine; I have been told, how true I know not, that a French Book, publiſh'd very many Years ago, and call'd, L' Hiſtorie d' Aſia, A rare French Book. mentions theſe particulars; The Book I never met with, but am apt to think, that, ſince they only have the Notion, it was one of their own Countrymen, who found the ruinated Wall and added the three Tombs, I have ſo lately ſpoke of.
YET 'tis a certainty beyond diſpute, that Engliſhmen have landed there; at leaſt one Countryman of ours, has left behind him a convincing Argu⯑ment of his Arrival in thoſe Parts, for underneath the Marble Flat, which covers Hector's Tomb, we found theſe Lines, upon the ſide of a ſmooth Stone, they ſeem'd to have been carv'd with difficulty by a Knife, and ſpoke their Author a Salt Water Poet.
[207] WE ſtaid ſome Hours with a wonderful delight, and gaz'd about the Country with a ſatisfaction equal to our Curioſity, but finding nothing more to entertain our Obſervation, we began to think of getting back, and ſo return'd the way we came; we were not well on board before the Wind came fair, and we ſet Sail immediately.
The Iſland of Tenedos.WE paſs'd by Tenedos, an Iſland celebrated for having hid the Graecian Navy from the Trojan View, while they, believing the Beſiegers gone, took in the Horſe, which enter'd big with their Deſtruction. The Place is now not worth a Strangers notice, but upon account of the above-nam'd Story. Few Inhabitants are found upon it, and thoſe few the worſt and meaneſt of the Countries thereabouts, ſo ſtrangely ſubject is the Fate of Nations to the common Changes, and Uncertainties of frail Mortality.
CHAP. XXVII. Of the Iſlands in the Aegean Sea.
The Iſlands of the Archipelago, famous anci⯑ently.THE many Great and Little Iſlands, which compoſe the Archipe⯑lago, have been (at leaſt moſt of them) ſo extreamly famous for peculiar Attributes, appropriated to 'em in the memorable Works of ancient Poets, that I cannot paſs 'em by, without a tranſient View of ſuch, as moſt deſerve our mention; ſome there are ſo ve⯑ry ſmall, as never yet to have been honour'd with a Name, and many of the largeſt, being ſometimes ſeen and ſometimes not, in Sailing from Conſtan⯑tinople to the Coaſt of Egypt, I will only ſpeak of ſuch, as Mariners (ob⯑lig'd ſometimes to ſhift their Courſe by adverſe Weather) may by Choice or Force go nigh to touch at.
The Names of the moſt con⯑ſiderable.AND thoſe are Lemnos, Chios, Metelyn and Samos, Icaria, Patmos, Zea, Rhodes and Coos; ſometimes a Ship is driven more Weſterly, and Sails by Delos, pretty near the Continent, ſees Thebes, and Delphos, Athens, Corinth, and the famous Creto, now Candy; every one of theſe above-nam'd Places I will therefore treat of, that the Reader may conceive a juſt Idea of the wondrous difference between their Modern and their Ancient Circumſtances.
How it came to be call'd the Aegean Sea.BUT e'er I come to the particular Deſcription of theſe ſeveral Places, 'twill not be a miſs to ſpeak a Word or two in Explanation of the Sea in ge⯑neral, call'd Aegean from Aegeus, Father to the famous Theſeus, who leap'd headlong thereinto, believing that the Ship, which brought his Son from Fighting with the Monſter Minotaurus, was return'd with the account of his Miſcarriage; the abovenam'd Theſeus having fail'd in his Promiſe of conver⯑ting his black Sails into white, if he came back Victorious.
Its Extent [...]IT is a Part or Arm, and that the largeſt, of the Mediterranean; it reaches to the Entrance of the very Helleſpont, dividing Greece from Aſia Minor; [208] 'tis a dangerous Place to Sail in, but eſpecially by Night, the Iſlands lying ſo extreamly cloſe, that oftentimes a Ship is driven forcibly upon a Rocky Shore in open Day by Streſs of Weather.
Lemnos and its Product, Ter⯑ra Sigillata.NOW let us viſit Lemnos, a conſiderable Iſland, not ſo much for its extent of magnitude as the unthought Advantages, accruing to the Turks, it's preſent Maſters, from the yearly Exportation of a valuable Earth, call'd Terra Sigillata, from the ſmall Impreſſion of a Seal, which marks the Balls, wherein 'tis ſold, with Turkiſh Characters, and ſo prevents the danger of an Impoſition on the Merchant.
IT was in ancient Times eſteem'd of weighty Virtue in Medicinal Performances, and gather'd Yearly by the Prieſts of Venus with a thouſand Ceremonies, and often mingled with the Blood of Goats, in order to be of⯑fer'd as a Sacrifice to that imaginary Goddeſs.
LEMNOS was formerly of no ſmall Note, for being taken notice of by Homer, as the Place, whereon the Limping Vulcan fell, when Jupiter thought fit to kick him out of Heaven.
Chios, and its Etymology.NEXT, Chios claims our Obſervation, anciently receiving that Deno⯑mination from the Greek Word [...], ſignifying Snow, becauſe her Moun⯑tains frequently are cover'd with it, now her Name is chang'd to Zio, or, as ſome pronounce it, Sio. 'Tis near an hundred thirty odd Miles in com⯑paſs, lengthning from the Southward to the Northern Point, and ſubject to the Turks, who notwithſtanding, ſuffer many Greeks to live among them, with far greater Privileges than they give to any of their Countrymen in o⯑ther Places.
A deſcription of the City, and Inhabi⯑tants.THE Town of Sio is conſiderably large, and made convenient by a ſpacious Haven; the City is defended by a Caſtle of no little Strength, up⯑on a Hill exceeding ſteep: The Buildings of the Town are very Neat, eſpecially the Publick Ones, and the Inhabitants, I mean the Greeks, ſo ve⯑ry merry in their eaſy Slavery, that all night long a Stranger is diverted with their Songs and Dances, and their Inſtruments of Muſick ſounding briskly thro' the Streets: The Women, as eſteem'd of old, are yet the Miſtreſſes of admirable Beauties, fram'd by Nature for an amorous Con⯑verſation, and poſſeſſing ſweetly the politeſt Marks, of gentle Affability: They frequently appoint a kind of Balls, and Merry-makings, which are gi⯑ven alternately from Houſe to Houſe, and ſpend their Days in all the Gayety of Wealth and Liberty.
The Manu⯑factures of the Iſland.THE Product of the Iſland is the fineſt Corn and Oyl, ſome Silks, and Cotton, and the beſt Sherbets, which can be made, by reaſon of the Excel⯑lence of a rich kind of Honey, found in Maſtick Trees: I call them ſo, becauſe [209] the Gum of that Name is in great abundance brought from thence, and is a Diſtillation from the Rind, which being cut in Auguſt, ſtill continues to emit great Quantities thereof, till the beginning of October following. An old Tra⯑dition.They have an Old Traditional Account that, when Saint Theodore was led to Mar⯑tyrdom, he wept extreamly for the Blindneſs of the World, and every Place, which then was moiſten'd by a Tear of his, now bears the Tree affording Mastick; tho' the Tour, he took, muſt have been very large, for all the South Part of the Iſland bears them in great abundance.
ARVIS or Amista, a large Mountain, in the middle of the Country, ſtill abounds in that rich Wine, ſo Celebrated formerly by Virgil in his Eclogues, then call'd Arviſian, now, Il vino Amiſtano, an Italian Appel⯑lation.
AND indeed the preſent Owners of the Wine agree with Virgil in the ſame Opinion.
Chios challen⯑ges the Birth of Homer.AMONG the many Things for which the Iſland Chios is remarkable, ſhe claims the Honour due to Homer's Birth Place, challenging a right to that Pretention from a thouſand ſeveral Circumſtances, and ſhowing Travellers an ancient Monument, which they would fain perſwade us to believe, was Homer's Tomb; they either are miſtaken in their Claim, or the old Diſtich on that Subject, ſhou'd have mention'd Chios in the room of Iös, and have made the Verſes run as follow.
The ſeven contending Cities for him.IT wou'd be eaſy to Tranſlate the Lines verbatim, and inform the un⯑learn'd Reader, that the Towns, contending for his Birth, were Smyrna, Iös, Rhodes, Salamin, Athens, Argos, and Colophon; but I have met with an admirable Thought in ſome late Engliſh Poets Writings, tho' I cannot ſay directly, who he was, and rather chuſe to quote his Words, ſince they not only touch upon the preſent Subject, but will repreſent a very true and lively Image of the little Honour, Writers get, till paſt enjoying it.
Mitylen, or Lesbos, both thoſe Names how given. LESBOS or Mitylen, another Iſland, next appears conſiderable in her Magnitude, near two hundred Miles in Circuit, not far diſtant from the Phrygian Continent, a very healthful Country, of a temperate Air, and Soil Productive of the fineſt Corn in Chriſtendom. The Iſland takes its Name of Lesbos from the Adventurer Lesbus, Son of old Sapithus, who was ſent by the directions of the Oracle. Mitylen, from Mitylene the Siſter to Methymna, Daughter of Macarius, and the Wife of the above-nam'd Lesbus.
[210] The Town of Mitylen.THE City Mitylen upon a ſmall Peninſula, the Capital of all the Iſland, likewiſe claims from hence her Etymology. Her Buildings are magnifi⯑cently fine and beautiful, her Situation high and ſtately, and the brisk In⯑habitants of this delightful Country, gay, and honeſt in their Poverty, like thoſe of Chios, and like them now ſubject to the Turkiſh Government, which here maintains a conſtant Fleet of well appointed Gallies, to ſecure the Iſlands thereabouts belonging to the Sultan, from the daring Squadrons of the bold Malteſe, or Florentine Adventurers.
The Vertue of the Lesbian Wines.THE Wine of Lesbos is at preſent look'd upon exceeding good, and boaſting one convenient Property beyond moſt other ſorts, for let a Man Debauch as much as poſſible with an Exceſs thereof, it never hurts him, nor is troubled with thoſe heady Qualities, which Graecian Wines are gene⯑rally ſubject to.
IF you'll allow the Taſt of Horace to have been polite, and he methinks ſhou'd know its Reliſh, who ſo admirably well deſcribes its Vertues, you may ſee his Thoughts upon the matter.
Spirits, or frightful Ap⯑paritions on the Coaſts.THEY have a Notion, that in ſome few Harbours of this Iſland, frightful Apparitions flutter dreadfully about a Ship all Night, that diſmal Shrieks are often heard, and I have been inform'd by many, that they cou'd not Sleep without the trouble of the moſt tremenduous and amazing Dreams imaginable: This laſt Aſſertion is a certain Truth, but I am rather apt to think the matter an effect of the unwholſome Vapours riſing from the Sea, or Lakes about it near thoſe Harbours.
The Iſland Samos.AND now we come to Samos, not conſiderable in its ſelf, but on Ac⯑count of a Commodity thence brought in very large and frequent Quan⯑tities.
A Dangerous Tempeſt forc'd our Ship to ſeek a Shelter in a certain Creek upon the Southward of this Iſland, where we Anchor'd pretty ſafely, and were drawn by the delightful Proſpect of the Shore to Land upon it, about Six in Company.
A pleaſant Accident.WE left the Boat, which brought us from the Ship, within a little Nook or Bay, nigh Land, lock'd by the High and Rocky Ground about it, and were Walking on the Shore in order to aſcend the Country, when we Spy'd upon the Water-ſide a thing, which at a diſtance look'd not much unlike a Waſhing-Tub.
WE Walk'd directly to it, and perceiv'd it was a Veſſel of a very ſmall and Incapacious Hollow, full of Oyl, in which were Swimming up and down near Twenty little Engines, which upon Examination, we diſcover'd to be Sponges, each containing upon either ſide, a little piece of Cork, which being [211] faſtned to the middle, kept the Sponge it ſelf afloat, and only ſuffer'd half to move in, or imbibe the Oyl within the Veſſel.
WE were Buſied a conſiderable time in looking on theſe things, and wondring what ſhou'd be their uſe in ſo remote a Place, from any Town, as that appear'd, whereon we found 'em, but at laſt reſolv'd to ſit us down upon the Sand, and wait the coming of an owner to the Veſſel, for we thought it Probable there was one, and believ'd he cou'd not long be abſent.
BUT, while we Talk'd to one another of the Wondrous Smoothneſs of the Waters in the Bay, while thoſe without were Ruffled by the Storm, and caſt our Eyes upon their ſtillneſs, A Strange ſur⯑prize.we were all ſurpriz'd to ſee a thing not much unlike a Basket, pop with force above the Surface, and continue Moving up and down a little Space; then up there ſtarted ſomething like a Man, who ſhook his Head, rub'd clear his Eyes, and Swam directly in⯑wards to the Place we ſate on, puſhing in the Basket juſt before him.
THIS Second Figure really ſtartled us beyond the Firſt, and brought to our remembrance an Idea of the Sea God Neptune, for we hardly cou'd believe him Mortal, who had riſen from the Water, by whoſe ſide we had been ſitting nigh ten Minutes.
THE Man, for ſuch he prov'd to be, no ſooner ſaw us, but he ſeem'd a little Shy of Landing, till we beckon'd him, and call'd as kindly as we could, and ſo perſwaded him to come aſhore, and bring the Basket with him. He had left his Cloathes, and other things behind the Rock not ten Yards from us, and immediately ran thither for them; A Diving Bas⯑ket.in the mean time we approach'd his Basket, found it quite bound round with Cork, and co⯑ver'd with a Canvaſs, in the midſt whereof appear'd a Slit, thro which we put our hands, and drew out Sponges of a ſurprizing Bigneſs.
THE Man return'd as ſoon as dreſs'd, and finding us more civil than he had expected, told us in a kind of Lingua Franca, that thoſe Sponges grew on Rocks, Ten, Fifteen, ſometimes Twenty Fathom deep; that there were many Hundred Divers in the Iſland, ſome of whom had left him juſt before, who got their Livelyhoods like him, by gathering Sponges.
A curious Di⯑ving project.THEN he ſhew'd us how they were enabled to perform it, in the following manner. Half the Sponge, as I have ſaid, is ſoak'd in Oyl, the other half is dip'd before in certain Stiptic Waters, to prevent the Oyl from Penetrating farther than it ought to go, when ſo prepar'd, they take the Sponge, and thruſting it within their Mouths, the Oyl'd part outward (but of that, almoſt an Inch within the Lips) they preſs their Teeth a little hard upon it, and by that means force the Oyly Sponge to cloſe the En⯑trance of their Mouths againſt the Water.
How the Sponges are gather'd.THUS they Dive, and with a little difficulty in a Streighten'd Suction make a Shift to tarry under Water a conſiderable time. They ſink the Bas⯑kets by the help of Stones, which they contrive to faſten at the Bottom, and with Inſtruments, they carry down on purpoſe, cut the Sponges from the ſides of Rocks, till having fill'd the Baskets, they take off the Weights, and then they riſe with eaſe, by reaſon of the Cork about them.
How long they tarry un⯑der Water.BY conſtant Practice many of theſe Divers are arriv'd at ſuch Perfecti⯑on in the Art, that they can tarry under Water till the Oyl corrupts, which it will always do in leſs than two hours time. There is a Law among the Divers of this Iſland, that no Man ſhall be allow'd to Marry, till he can [212] demonſtrate by a Tryal, he is qualify'd to Dive for one continued quarter of an Hour: The Novelty engag'd us all to make experiment, and I, who more than moſt Men, was averſe to Diving, did without great difficulty keep my Head two Minutes under Water: But the Secret of the Stiptic Preparation he refus'd to teach us, tho' we wou'd have gladly brib'd him to it.
SAMOS boaſts no other Trade than this of Sponges, which is yet ſo profitable, that they Yearly ſend away vaſt Ship Loads of them, and grow Rich thereby, beyond the Emulation of their leſs Induſtrious, or leſs Skill⯑ful Neighbours.
Why Juno is ſaid to have been born at Samos.THE conſtant clearneſs of the Air in Samos, gave occaſion to the Poets of Antiquity to feign that Juno, taken allegorically for that Element, was Born upon this Iſland, and the excellent Pythagoras adorn'd the Country with the Honour due to the reſpected Birth-place of ſo Great a Man: They alſo ſtill pretend to ſhew the Rock, whence Aeſop was thrown headlong, and a Cave, where in the Reign of Numa Pompilius, Heriphile a Sibyl propheſy'd of Chriſt.
Deſcription of the Iſland Icaria. ICARIA now Niceria, is a ſmall and inconſiderable Iſland. Creeks it has, but no commodious Haven, bearing Corn in great abundance, but poſſeſſing very few Inhabitants; and famous for the Fornoli, a ridge of ſharp and dangerous Rocks, much fear'd by Sailors in a Foggy Night: It's ancient Name, the Poets feign'd to have been given it, together with the Sea it lies in, from the fictious Fall of Icarus, attempting to have flown with artificial Wings, of which thus Ovid in his Metamorphoſes.
AND in another Place.
THAT the Iſland took its Name from the ſame Accident, appears from Daedalus's burying his Son upon it, thus deſcrib'd by the ſame Poet, in the Book abovenam'd.
Deſcription of the Iſland Patmos. PATMOS is an Iſland, very ſmall and full of Rocks, extreamly Bar⯑ren, not affording even the common Neceſſaries for ſupport of human Life, which therefore the Inhabitants ſupply themſelves withall from other Iſlands of the Archipelago. The Land is Mountainous, and has no more [213] than one ſmall City, which Equips a Fleet of Trading Veſſels to Import Conveniencies from Foreign Parts; the ancient Name is chang'd at preſent to Palmoſa.
THIS Place is famous for the Character it has of being the Seat, St. John made Choice of, while he Pen'd his Revelations; A Monaſtery on a Hill.and upon a Moun⯑tain in the Northern Parts, there ſtands a Monaſtery of the Graecian Coloie⯑ro's, who profeſs that Saint their Patron, and pretend to ſhew ſome Reliques to inquiring Travellers.
THE Notice, which I had hereof, oblig'd me to the hopes of ſeeing Patmos, and a Tempeſt was ſo favourable to my Wiſhes, that we anchor'd in a Haven not far diſtant from the Monaſtery; and the Opportunity invi⯑ting me a Shore, I landed with deſign to Walk and Viſit it.
THE Northern ſide of Patmos is but very thinly Peopled, and as I was deſtitute thereby, of any means to get a Guide, ſo, either want of Curioſity, or Indiſpoſition by the roughneſs of the Storm, diſſwaded thoſe on board our Veſſel from conſenting to go with me.
The Author lands at Pat⯑mos.HOWEVER, ſince the Road appear'd but ſhort, and ſeemingly conſpicuous, I reſolv'd to undertake the Viſit ſingle, ſo I landed with a pair of Piſtols and a Scymetar, and croſs'd a little kind of Plain, which brought me to the bottom of a Hill, on which the Monaſtery had its Situ⯑ation.
THE Hill was overgrown with a large Wood, thro' which appear'd no other Paſſage than a ſmall Foot Path, and that not beaten, but a very unfrequented way, which led me thro' an hundred ſeveral turnings to Aſ⯑cents extreamly ſteep, and intricate as Labyrinths.
Loſes his way in a Wood.I came at laſt, where I perceiv'd the Wood grow thinner, and cou'd ſee a pretty way before me; there I ſtop'd, and looking up, diſcover'd on the Brow of an impending Precipice a little Hut, or Cave, which ſeem'd the Habitation of ſome melancholy Hermit, or unhappy Lover, like the Swains of ancient Times, who, being baffled in their Hopes, forſook the World for ſome forlorn and ſolitary Wilderneſs, to ſpend the remnant of their ſilent Days in Grief for their Misfortunes.
Diſcovers a Cave.SURPRIZ'D at firſt, by the Romantic Air of this low Cave, I ſtood a while, to think if it were ſafe to venture forward, ſince it was a probable belief, that ſome wild Beaſt had choſe that Den for the rough Scene of his Retirement; but that groundleſs Apprehenſion vaniſh'd inſtantly, for while I yet continued in ſuſpenſe, methoughts I cou'd diſcover plainly ſomething like a Door, that ſtood a jarr, and conſequently rendred it a Place improper for a Salvage Manſion.
I advanc'd with equal Doubt and Curioſity, till, having gain'd the ſummit of the Precipice, I found it was a Cell, the Door of which ſtood half way open, and contain'd upon its ſmooth outſide, a piece of courſe, and half-loſt Painting, with the following Latin Sentence in a homely Cha⯑racter.
[214] THE ſoftneſs of this firſt Diſcovery invited me to make a Step beyond it, ſo that with a gentle Force I puſh'd the Door quite open, and was all amaz'd, when I perceiv'd the inſide of the Cell as ſtill as Poſſible; no Or⯑nament appear'd to ſet it off, but juſt againſt the Entrance burnt a Lamp, on either ſide a little Altar, and the weak and broken Light, which they afforded, faintly ſtriking thro' the dullneſs of the Place, Finds a Man in a black Coffin.diſcover'd in the midſt, a large black Coffin, fill'd with ſomething not to be diſtinguiſh'd, but as black, and diſmal in its firſt appearance, as the Coffin it was laid in.
NOTHING (I then thought) cou'd add to my ſurprize, which yet was doubled, when there roſe, with a deliberate Silence from within the Coffin, ſomething like a Man, or rather Spirit, who no ſooner ſate up⯑right, than looking on me with a frightful Aſpect, he pronounc'd theſe Words in a low Voice,
BY the Language of his Salutation I perceiv'd him an Italian, and the trembling of his Limbs perſwaded me to think, that the appearance of my Scymetar and Piſtols had as much ſurpriz'd him, as he had me. I there⯑fore took immediate care to undeceive him in the apprehenſion he had fram'd, that I was ſome arm'd Robber, and inform'd him that I was a Briton, Travelling the World, and thrown by Chance upon that Iſland, where I landed with deſign to Viſit the Greek Monaſtery.
THE old Man ſeem'd tranſported with the News, made ſhift to riſe, and led me to a Seat, hewn roughly from the Rock within the Cell; he laid his Hands upon my Head, pronounc'd a grave and honeſt Bleſſing, and proceeded modeſtly to take the liberty of asking ſome few Queſtions, which I willingly oblig'd him with as ready Anſwers to.
Which proves to be a Her⯑mits Cell.HE then abandon'd all the Coyneſs of his firſt deportment, and inform'd me, he had liv'd a Hermit's Life in that poor Cell nigh two and thirty Years together, that he frequently was viſited by the Fryars of the Mona⯑ſtery not far diſtant, that they ſometimes brought him Meat and Wine, which he conſented now and then to take for the ſupport of Nature, tho' he rather choſe to live on Roots and clear Spring Water; that he always Slept in that black Coffin, never to be abſent from a ſtrong Memento of his frail Mortality; that he was born (I think) at Zant, and nam'd Antonio, Giacomo Malaviſo.
A Chappel in the Wood.I purpoſely omit ſome Hours Diſcourſe, I had with this old Hermit, becauſe digreſſive from the Cauſe for which I mention him, and only will inform my Reader, that he wou'd accompany me to a ſmall Chappel in the Wood, at no great diſtance from his Cell, built over the Stone Cave. wherein St. John is ſaid to have reſided, while he Writ his famous Book of Revelations.
HE left me there, firſt recommending me to the Civilities of certain Prieſts, who kept the Chappel: They receiv'd and treated me with won⯑derful Reſpect, and having talk'd away an Hour in Queſtioning each other, as we thought convenient, they proceeded to unlock a private Door, which open'd from a corner of the Chappel to a very dark and nar⯑row Paſſage.
[215] The Cave, wherein St. John is ſaid to have Writt his Revelati⯑ons.WE Deſcended ſome few ſteps, and having Walk'd about ſix paces far⯑ther, came upon a ſudden to a very large and lightſome Cave, the Light was introduc'd by very Artificial Hollows, from the Surface through the Rock, and in the midſt of one of the Four Squares, which form'd the Cell, was cut a Seat, exactly like the Niches made for Statues in Cathe⯑dral Churches.
JUST before this Niche, there ſtands a ſolid Rocky Table, of about a yard Square, and here they wou'd perſwade us to beleive, the Saint was ſeated at his daily Studies. Reliques in the Cave.To confirm me in belief of this Opinion, they made long Harangues of thoſe Authentic proofs, which juſtified Tradition, and deſir'd that I would take particular and ſerious Notice of a kind of round Impreſſion on the Area, or Superficies of the Table, which they ſay was caus'd by the Perpetual ſtanding of the Brazen Veſſel, which contain'd his Ink, and on the Floor, they ſhow'd me ſeveral little Marks like Spots of Black, which they aſſur'd me, were the Drops, occaſion'd by the Shaking of the Pen, where⯑with the Saint was us'd to Write the Dictates of his holy Inſpiration.
The Monaſte⯑ry of St. John.WITH theſe obliging Prieſts I viſited the Monastery, and was there receiv'd as civilly as I coud poſſibly have found an Entertainment in the Houſe of an Acquaintance or Relation, every thing was Neat, and Plen⯑tiful without Extravagance, becoming the Decorum of Religious Livers, yet not void of Reliſh, Form, or Delicacy.
A Miracle of St. John's Hand.AMONG the many Reliques they delight to boaſt of, and com⯑municate to Travellers, they ſhew'd me a large bony Hand, which ſeem'd to be a Mans, Cut off not far above the Wriſt; the Bones were dry, and full of little Holes, as if Worm-eaten, yet there ſeem'd to ſprout at all the Fingers Ends a little ſign of ſomething, which the Fryars told us were the Nails of the late-nam'd St. John.
HOW they came by St. John's Right Hand, they cou'd not tell me, but atteſted that on every Second Sunday of the Month, the Nails were Cut, as cloſe as poſſible, and that they always grew again. They brought me a large Silver Box, wherein the Parings of theſe Nails were ſafely kept, as ſacred Reliques, never to be us'd, The Virtue of his Nails.but when ſome Father of their order was ex⯑treamly Sick, and then, they ſaid, a few of thoſe, thrown piouſly upon a Fire, and the Smoke thereof aſcending at his Noſtrils, are a very quick, and never-failing Remedy, provided the Sick Man's appointed Hour of Death prevents not his Recovery.
Deſcription of the Iſland Zea.FROM Patmos let us look on Zea, a ſmall Iſland of about Twelve Miles in Compaſs, Hilly and extreamly full of Woods, productive of a large and fat'ning Acorn, of ſuch noted goodneſs, and of ſuch abundance in this Iſland, that the few Inhabitants upon it, who are generally Greeks, (but ſubject to the Turks Authority) enrich themſelves conſiderably by ex⯑porting Yearly, great Shiploads to other Iſlands, and ſome Places on the Continent.
Aſſes excel⯑lent at Climb⯑ing.BUT what is moſt worth Notice here, is the prodigious Uſefullneſs of certain Aſſes, which the Natives Saddle, and upon their Backs (ſo well do thoſe poor Creatures Climb) can Travel over Rocks and Craggy Pre⯑cipices, ſo extremely Steep and Rugged, that a Man on Foot wou'd find himſelf put to it, to aſcend without Aſſiſtance.
THE Iſland boaſts one little Town, but that entirely void of ſtately Buildings, or indeed the Pooreſt Ornaments of common decency, for not a Door in all the Place is Four Foot High, but People almoſt Creep, who [216] are oblig'd to enter them; and this they do, becauſe the Turks, who often come to buy or plunder Aſſes in this Iſland, wou'd if poſſible, make Stables of their very Houſes.
A deſcription of the Iſland Rhodes. RHODES is an Iſland famous now, as it has ever been, for all the Bleſ⯑ſings, liberal Nature can beſtow upon a Country; in ancient Times her va⯑liant People were the Envy, but withall the Wonder of their Neighbours, Skill'd in every Science, Grace, and Vertue; the temperate Air, convenient Harbours, fertil Paſtures, and unnumber'd Benefits, ſhe juſtly boaſted of, were admirable and peculiar, and the Sun ſo conſtantly was known to ſhine upon this Country, that Clara Rhodia, Rhodes the Bright, diſtinguiſh'd her among the Ancients, for that glorious Bleſſing.
Famous for two Things.TWO things of old, ſhe was particularly famous for, The firſt Diſco⯑very and Planting of the Vine, and that ſtupendious Fabrick the Coloſſus, ſtri⯑ding on the Sea, from Rock to Rock, that Ships might Sail with eaſe be⯑tween the Legs, and when thrown down, the very Braſs, whereof 'twas form'd, was found enough to load almoſt a thouſand Camels.
ABOUT the Year of Chriſt 1308, Emanuel, Emperor of Greece, be⯑ſtow'd this Iſland on the Noble Knights of St. John de Acre, juſt then beaten from their laſt Aſylum in the Holy-Land; When Con⯑quer'd by the Turks.in their Poſſeſſion it remain'd till the Year 1552, when Sultan Solyman, the Turkiſh Emperor, became its Maſter at a bloody Price, and the ſurviving Remnant of its brave Defen⯑ders were by Treaty ſuffer'd to remove to Malta.
IN the Poſſeſſion of the Turks it ſtill remains, well Fortify'd, and ſtrict⯑ly Guarded, and has often, ſince its Loſs, prov'd fatal to the Chriſtians in⯑tercepted Navigation, juſtly puniſhing their baſe neglect in the implor'd diſpatch of timely Succours, cenſur'd ſharply in the following Lines by Scaliger.
Deſcription of Coos. COOS or Longo, is a little Iſland, plain and pleaſant in its Situation, jointly Peopled by the Turks and Graecians, full of admirable Springs and Rivolets, abounding greatly with a noble Wine, fine Cypreſs Trees and Tur⯑pentine, with many rich and uſefull Druggs, exported thence to almoſt e⯑very part of Chriſtendom. But what this Iſland is moſt famous for, is, that it was the Birth-place of the great Hippocrates, that Sacred Demy-God of Phyſick, and Improver of a Science ſo extreamly Uſefull to Mankind in general.
[217] Deſcription of Delos. DELOS, now call'd Diles, is an Iſland, all encompaſs'd by a Ring of Rocks and lies conveniently, directly in the Paſſage between Greece and Aſia: 'Twas famous anciently for the Great Oracle and Temple of Apollo, and receiv'd its Name of From [...], ſignifying Clear. Delos from the clear and pertinent Reſponſes, Queriſts met with to their Queſtions of all kinds whatſoever; hence Apollo oftentimes was Worſhip'd by the Name of Delius.
The Ruins of Apollo's Tem⯑ple.THE Iſland now is Ʋninhabited, but well deſerves a Strangers View, for there remain the Ruins of Apollo's Temple, ſtill Majeſtical, and full of Grandeur, many ſtately Marble Pillars lie neglected in the Heaps of Rub⯑biſh, and a very precious kind of Stone is ſometimes brought away, to ma⯑ny Parts of Italy.
UPON the Death of Chriſt, the Oracles grew ſilent, and from thenceforth Delos loſt her Honour, and has never been frequented ſince that time. We read in Plutarch a remarkable Relation of an Ac⯑cident, which happen'd to the Knowledge of one Epitherſes, who was for⯑merly his Tutor, in the Reign of Tiberius Emperor of Rome, the Story is as follows.
A Story from Plutarch.BETWEEN Corcyra and Leucadia, lay the Paxe, two ſmall Iſlands' where this Epitherſes, Sailing for the Coaſt of Italy, was ſuddenly becalm'd; and while the Paſſengers, uneaſy at the ſlowneſs of their Voyage, walk'd upon the Deck, a frightful, ſhrill, and mournful Voice alarm'd 'em from the Shore, diſtinctly calling Thamus, Thamus, Thamus.
A Voice from an unknown Shore. THAMƲS was a Pylot, then upon the Poop, one born in Egypt, who was ſilent with amazement till the Call was thrice aloud repeated; then he anſwer'd faintly, and demanded, why he ſummon'd him? The Voice re⯑ply'd, As ſoon as thou art come to the Palodes, let it be Proclaim'd aloud, that Pan, Great Pan is Dead.
A ſudden Horror ſeiz'd the Company, to hear this ſtrange and unexpected Salutation; preſently the Wind came fair, and as the Ship drew near the Place abovenam'd, Thamus, as he was deſir'd, ſtood high upon the Poop, and with an elevated Voice, cry'd, Pan is Dead, when in a Moment, all the Air was torn with Groanings, and a mix'd Confuſion of complaining Ac⯑cents, ſo extreamly diſmal, that it cannot be imagin'd.
CAESAR, hearing this Report, commanded Thamus to be brought be⯑fore him, who atteſted it with the concurring Evidences of the Sailors then on board. The Ceſſation of Oracles.Great Pan was Chriſt, the Univerſal Shepherd, and his Death had bound the Devil's Power, no longer ſuff'ring his deluſive Oracles to impoſe upon Mankind; they therefore upon hearing this unwel⯑come News, bewail'd their Miſeries with the abovenam'd Lamentati⯑ons.
SOMETIMES it happens, that you Sail along the Continent, and ſee the ancient, venerable Thebes, renown'd of old, for admirable Vertues, Skill'd politely in all Arts and Sciences, Miſtreſs of the Rules of War and Policy; a Government, made famous by the wonderfull Succeſſes of a Race of Heroes, but particularly Glorious in the never dying Memory of Brave Epaminondas, who was yet ungratefully Rewarded for his Matchleſs Acti⯑ons, and neglected rather than encourag'd by the Factions of his Country; a very ancient Vice, and ſtill, I fear, too faſhionable in the Modern World. I wiſh it were not in my Power to quote Examples.
[218] Thebes as She now is. THEBES is now entirely ſubject to the Turkiſh Government, and groans beneath a weighty Burthen of Oppreſſive Tyranny; ſome ſtately Ruins of Antiquity may ſtill be ſeen, and feaſt the Eye with wonderful De⯑light, while with a melancholy Contemplation of the ſhort continuance of vain Magnificence they entertain the Ʋnderſtanding.
Delphos, as at preſent. DELPHOS, memorably noted for a thouſand Cauſes, humbly rears her miſerable Head, as if, rememb'ring former Splendour, ſhe reflected mournfully upon her preſent Fall, and bluſh'd to be diſcover'd in her chang'd Condition: The Mountain of Parnaſſus now no more pretends to boaſt the Muſes Reſidence, the lofty Songs of ancient Poets are forgotten on the now-neg⯑lected Streams of Helicon, and the delightfull Harmonies once celebrated there, are now converted into Howlings of ſtrange Salvage Beaſts, and Bray⯑ings of Wild Aſſes.
Athens, de⯑ſcrib'd. ATHENS ſtill may call her ſelf a City, but can only do it as the Ske⯑leton of ſome Dead Man continues long to repreſent the Shape of human Bo⯑dy; for her ancient Temples are defac'd and buryed, even beyond the Knowledge of the very Ground they ſtood upon; her exemplary Forms of Government, and Order, ruin'd, and demoliſh'd by the arrogance of Infidels, more arbitrary and unjuſt, than all the Tyrants ſhe oppos'd in former Ages: No longer now do the judicious Laws of the incomparable Solon ſway her Natives; Bribery prevails, and Juſtice yields her Balance to the Rapine of an uncontroul'd and barbarous Authority.
BUT, notwithſtanding the Deſtruction of her valuable Liberty, ſhe ſtill retains her ancient Plenty, conſtantly affording all the Delicacies, require to be obtain'd by even ſuch, as wou'd encourage Pride and pamper Luxury.
Corinth, and her Product. CORINTH, ſituated on that narrow Neck of Land, which joins Moreae to the undivided Continent, is only famous for her Mines of Braſs, in great eſteem among the Romans, and affording ſtill the fineſt Metal in the World, but that in ſmall, and inconſiderable Quantities.
Deſcription of Crete, or Candy. CRETE, or Candy, as at preſent call'd, was taken by the Turks from the Poſſeſſion of the brave Venetians, who defended it ſome Years againſt a conſtant Siege, and made the Place a bloody Purchaſe to the Turkiſh Army: It is an Iſland, very large, its Capital containing ſtately Houſes, and defended by a regular and modern Work, of admirable Strength and Artifice. Proviſions here are very Plentiful, and the Inhabitants exceeding Numerous; many Har⯑bours of commodious form, and a capacious magnitude, invite the Traffick of the Foreign Merchant; and it is obſervable, that Crete is bleſt with a ſurpri⯑zing Property, which ſome have thought peculiar to the Soil of Ireland, for nothing poyſonous is bred therein, nor can the Reptiles of another Country long ſurvive their Importation thither.
Very ſubject to Thunder.'TWAS in this Iſland, Jupiter was born, and thinking, when I ſaw the Place, upon the fiction of the Poets, I obſerv'd with Pleaſure, that the Judgment of the Ancients ſtill mov'd regularly, for nothing cou'd have been more natural than repreſenting Jove a Native of this Iſland, ſince there hard⯑ly paſſes one whole Day throughout the Year, wherein it does not Thunder with a mighty Violence.
CHAP. XXVIII. Of Alexandria in Egypt.
[219]The Origin of Alexandria.NOW have I brought you into Egypt at the common Landing Place, the ancient Alexandria, ſo call'd from the ſucceſsful Mace⯑donian, who, deſirous to perpetuate his Memory there, reſolv'd to build a City, which he did, upon, or near the Place where now the Modern Alexandria has its Situation.
Its ancient State.HE Peopled it with Greeks, and ſo amazingly adorn'd the Streets and Houſes with the richeſt Gifts of Art and Nature, that 'twas long the cele⯑brated Paradiſe of all the Eaſt: The Houſes were ſupported upon Marble Pillars, and as much of them were hid below-ground as appear'd above. Unnumbred Statues of the niceſt Workmanſhip adorn'd the Place, and every ſtately Ornament was purchas'd to compleat its Excellence.
How different from the Pre⯑ſent.BUT oh! How different from this does ſhe appear at preſent? The Houſes, which remain are low, all meanly built, and thinly Peopled, thoſe excepted, which are ſituated on the Haven: The form is almoſt ſquare, en⯑compaſs'd round by double Walls, with many Turrets in the ancient way: Theſe Walls are commonly believ'd the ſame, which Ptolemy, ſo ma⯑ny Ages ſince, commanded to be built for the Security of the then-valuable City.
Its Situation.TIS ſeated in a very Barren Deſart Country, and has no Allurement (Trade excepted) to invite Inhabitants. The Caſtle of Alexandria.Upon the Entrance of the Ha⯑ven, formerly the Iſland Pharus, now converted into Continent (ſo great a Change does Time produce in all weak ſublunary Beings) ſtands a Caſtle, ill ſupplied with Water, or Conveniencies for long Defence: The Ordnance of the Walls ſalute all Ships upon their coming to an Anchor; for the Port of Alexandria is free for Traders, of all Nations whatſoever.
THIS Pharus, which is now a part of the Main Continent, was not only divided from it, in Times paſt, but, if we may believe the Affir⯑mation of old Homer, was an Iſland ſituated at conſiderable diſtance.
THE Face of Nature has been ſtrangely alter'd ſince the Days of Homer, and the only Reaſon Men can give for this Effect is, that it has been caus'd [220] by gradual diſcharges of the Sand, brought down by Nilus in his An⯑nual Overflows, and ſo thrown up in heaps between the Iſland and the Continent, till in the courſe of time, the Sea was baniſh'd, and the whole became firm Land as it remains at preſent.
The Ancient Pharus, or Egyptian Light-Houſe.ONCE, the Pharus had a Bridge built from it, to the Shore of Egypt, and upon a very ſteep and rugged Promontory of the Iſland, ſtood the Tower, on which the Mighty Philadelphus Built his Light-houſe, which obtain'd the Honour to be Rank'd among the Worlds Seven Wonders; it took its Name of Pharos from the Place it ſtood in, and has given that old Denomination to all thoſe Buildings, which are rais'd to hang out Lights for the Directi⯑on of ſuch Ships, as elſe would Labour in a dangerous Darkneſs.
The Lake of Maroeotis.THERE is a Place, now call'd Buc-hat-ra, anciently the Lake of Ma⯑roeotis, Famous for its Depth and even incredible Extent, which took in Water at the Yearly Overflow, and by the means of Sluyces of amazing Fabrick, kept it in the whole Year round, ſupplying numerous Canals of Artificial Length, and Breadth beyond belief, on which the old Egyptians Mad with Luxury, continually delighted to Sail up and down, in Stately Barges, Gilt and Painted, full of amorous Men and Women, Brisk in Wantonneſs, and Sounding Muſick as their Oars divided the complaining Waters, Singing, and enjoying all the looſe and airy Pleaſures of a Ju⯑venile Extravagance.
BUT thoſe Canals are now, at leaſt the greateſt part, Dried up and loſt, by ever-rolling heaps of Sand; A Gloomy Labyrinth.the Lake however, ſtill remains, but quite depriv'd of all appearances of that ſtupendious Building, which con⯑ſiſted of an intricate and Artfull Labyrinth, that led by many Thouſand Windings, Dark and Diſmal, to the Seven and Thirty Glorious Palaces, appointed for the Meeting of the Seven and Thirty Jurisdictive Powers of that formidable Country, and at the End whereof we Read, that there ſtood once a Stately Square, and wonderfully vaſt, Fine Marble Pyramid, ſuppos'd to be the Sepulchre of King Iſmandes, the Original Contriver of the Lake and Labyrinth, at leaſt the Founder of the Pyramid.
THERE is not any thing in Alexandria worth the mentioning, but ſome few venerable Reliques of Antiquity, which ſtill proclaim with ſilent Elo⯑quence, the once-aſpiring and unrival'd Statelineſs, which Crown'd this City with a Dazling Majeſty.
The Tomb of Alexander the Great.AND, Firſt, they ſhow the Tomb of that brave Monarch Alexander the Great, whoſe Body, taken from Perdiccas by Ambitious Ptolemy, was brought by him to Egypt, where, when he was kill'd by Soldiers in a Deſart, Alexander's Body was by them convey'd to Alexandria, and lies entomb'd in a mean Chappel, viſited, but rarely, by ſome Curious Travel⯑lers, and held in great eſteem by the Mahometans themſelves, who pay a two-fold veneration to his Memory, as a Mighty Warrior, and a Holy Prophet, for Tradition tells them, he was both, while Living.
Joſeph's Gra⯑naries.ANOTHER Rarity, they ſhew moſt Strangers, is a very Lofty Pile of Buildings, all compos'd of ſolid Stone, but ruin'd much by na⯑tural decay, containing many large Apartments, ſtrangely wild, and void of Regularity, ſome would perſwade us to believe, that theſe were Joſeph's Granaries, or Places, which he order'd to be Built within the Seven Years of Plenty, to preſerve the Magazines of Corn, againſt the fol⯑lowing Years of Famine, in thoſe parts.
[221] Cleopatra's Palace.UPON the riſing of a Hill, which overlooks the Haven, ſtand the Ruins of a ſpacious and aſpiring Structure, probably the Palace of the fa⯑mous Cleopatra, whereof remain ſome Pillars yet entire, and ſome few Ar⯑ches of polite Contrivance: They pretend to ſhew the Ruins of a private Gallery, thro' which that Queen receiv'd Mark Anthony, on his Return from the Defeat at Actium.
Pharaoh's Needle.UPON the Place, where Alexander's Palace ſtood of old, remain two Hieroglyphic Obelisks of Theban Marble, one quite fallen, t'other ſtanding, of conſiderable height, and vulgarly diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Pharaoh's Needle.
UPON a little ſpot of riſing Ground, without the City Walls, and on the South-Weſt ſide, there ſtands a Column of a Subſtance much like Porphyry, in height near ſeventy Foot, and five and twenty in circumference; it ſtands upon a Cube or Pedeſtal, far leſs in compaſs than the bottom of the Pillar.
THE Conquering Caeſar here erected this fine Column as a memorable Trophy of his Victory over Pompey, and left it to Posterity, as an ambitious Monument of his ſucceſsfull Conduct: But to let Men ſee how vain are their Endeavours when oppos'd by Heaven, he loſt his aim, and has inſtead of Triumphing o'er routed Pompey, given the Vanquiſh'd all the Honour, he himſelf aſpir'd to gain from future Ages by the Credit of this Victory; Pompey's Pillar.for now the Chriſtians know the Column by no other Name than Pompey's Pil⯑lar, ſo that many thouſands hear him nam'd, who never read, or dreamt of ſuch a Man as Caeſar.
The Martyr⯑dom of St. Mark, at Alex⯑andria. TRAJAN was Emperor of Rome, when they condemn'd St. Mark to ſuffer Martyrdom in Alexandria, where accordingly, they burnt, and bu⯑ry'd him; his Bones were afterwards remov'd to Venice by the Natives of this City, who profeſs that Saint as Patron of their Country. There ſtands a Chappel now upon the Place, where once he lay Entomb'd, and near that Chappel is a Houſe, in which reſides the Graecian Patriarch of Alexandria.
Ceremonies there to be ob⯑ſerv'd by Strangers.THUS much of Alexandria, ſcarce worth mentioning, but as it is the Place, all Travellers muſt land at, and pay Cuſtom for the Goods, they bring; proceeding thence for Cairo or Roſetta, by the Virtue of a Teskaree, or Paſs⯑port from the Governor.
THE Chriſtian Nations, ſuch I mean as Trade, do here maintain their Conſuls or Subordinate Officers, to manage the reſpective Int'reſts of their Countrys; The mix'd In⯑habitants of Alexandria.and the few Inhabitants, reſiding there, are gather'd from all Na⯑tions under Heaven, Jews, Indians, Copties, Turks and Graecians, Moors, Ar⯑menians, French, Italians, Zinganees, and now and then an Engliſhman: There was, I think, an honeſt Gentleman or two, my Countrymen, when I was there, employ'd in managing the Buſineſs of our Traffick, but I ſtaid not there ſo long as to become acquainted with their Characters, which I the leſs deſir'd, becauſe in Company with ſome Italian Gentlemen of an a⯑greable and airy Diſpoſition, who accompany'd me throughout the Coun⯑try.
ONE thing I muſt obſerve, that, as they are a mixture of all Nations, ſo they commonly are found the worſt of each; and I may very well apply a Word or two of Juvenal's to the Inhabitants of Alexandria, the rather too becauſe it ſuits the Country as adaptly as the People.
CHAP. XXIX. Of Aethiopia, and the Source of the Nile, with the Cauſe, Manner, and Continuance, of its Annual Inundation.
BEFORE I enter on the Subject of the Chapter, promis'd by the Heads abovemention'd, 'twill poſſibly, be needfull, I ſhould ſay a Word or two, to undeceive ſuch Gentlemen, as by the General Title, I have given my Book, may be induc'd to think, I meant to Write a full Deſcription of the Preſent State of Aethiopia in regard to its Extent, Inhabitants, and Forms of Government, which, tho' perhaps my Opportunities enabled me to do more fully than moſt former Writers, yet it would require a length too tedious and digreſſive from my purpoſe to en⯑large upon that Subject.
How far the Author Treats of Aethiopia.I only mean to ſpeak ſo far of Aethiopia, as the Country interferes with my Diſcourſe upon the Source and Channel of the River Nilus, as I have had occaſion elſewhere in this Book, to mention the Religion of the Perſians, Cuſtoms of the Tartars, and ſome other points relating to ſuch Countries, as were widely diſtant from my purpoſe, and were therefore Treated of no farther than they had dependance on, or Intereſt in the Turkiſh Empire.
A Diſcourſe of Aethiopia.HOWEVER, that vaſt Tract of Land, diſtinguiſh'd amongſt Chriſtians by the Name of Aethiopia, is not as is commonly beleiv'd, commanded by the Arbitrary Nod of one Great Monarch, whom we vulgarly call Preſler John, but by corruption of the Genuine Word, which is no more than Priſſir-Jan, which in the Language of the Country, ſignifies Renown'd or Mighty Emperor.
The Govern⯑ment of Aethiopia.TIS true, he is Poſſeſſor of the Greateſt ſhare of Honour and Authority, having more than Thirty Tributary Princes under his Command, whoſe Reigns are Limited, and Power Created by his undiſputed will and Sove⯑reign Pleaſure; but there are Monarchs, wholly as Tyrannical and Abſolute as He. Nine ſeveral Kings poſſeſs vaſt Territories, free, and independant on each others Government; and all theſe Princes ſo extreamly Jealous of their Neighbouring Equals, and ſo carefull to preſerve their own Preroga⯑tive, [223] that they permit no Traffick 'twixt their Subjects, cautiouſly prevent⯑ing with the ſtricteſt Prohibition, all Communication whatſoever, and condemning to immediate Death all Subjects of a Foreign Prince, they find a⯑mongſt them.
How divided in their Inte⯑reſts,AND as the Int'reſts of theſe Princes are ſo widely ſeparated, ſo are their Profeſſions of Religion and Morality: Thoſe under the Dominion of the late nam'd Priſſir Jan are Chriſtians, or at leaſt uſurp that Title; I ſay uſurp, becauſe unfortifi'd by Truth or Learning, they have groſsly mingled ſordid Remnants of their old Idolatry with the diviner Practices of Chriſtian Duty.
THEY firſt receiv'd the Faith of Chriſt by the induſtrious Labours of the Aethiopian Eunuch, Philip's Convert, and retain a Dusky and Traditional Account of the uncertain Circumſtances of that famous Action, whereby they are miſled to ſtrange Opinions, widely differing from each others Te⯑nets, but alike miſtaken in the univerſal End they blindly aim at.
And Religion.SOME prefer our Saviour as the greateſt Perſon of the Trinity, ſome eſteem him loweſt of the Three, ſome believe not in the Trinity at all, and many, ignorantly Zealous in their Folly, ſtill prefer St. Philip's Merits to the worth of our Redeemer.
Their Cha⯑racter.THEY are a People (generally ſpeaking) of a Slothful Diſpoſition, Obſtinate and Raſh, extreamly ſwift to Anger, and of daring Courage, when provok'd by the temptation of a strong Reſentment; they are Jealous to ex⯑ceſs, and very Avaritious, Temperate in Diet, nor inclinable to Drunkenneſs; they are Tall of Stature, Strong in Conſtitution, and Robuſt in their Proporti⯑on, and as I ſaid before, moſt reſolute Defenders of their valu'd Property.
Why difficult to Travel there.IT is perhaps, to their unreaſonable Hatred of all kind of Strangers, that the Civiliz'd Inhabitants of Europe owe their Ignorance of thoſe remote and dark'ned Corners of the diſtant World; for as they are prohibited by Princi⯑ple to entertain, or even preſerve the Lives of curious Travellers, it has been hitherto impoſſible to make Diſcoveries by the Endeavours of Adventurous Men alone, or amicable Parties; and the mighty diſtance, they are at from Chriſtian Powers, the ſpacious Countries, interpoſing their extenſive Lands; the Mountains, Lakes, and Deſarts inacceſſible to all Approaches, were in e⯑very Age, and ſtill continue formidable Barriers to the aim of Curioſity or efforts of Ambition.
The Princes, who have been baffled in the Search of the head of Nilus.IT is this alone, that was enabled, many Ages ſince, to baffle the At⯑tempts of Powerful Monarchs, Men, poſſeſs'd of every help, which Power and Riches could afford their Reſolution: It is this alone, that could have foil'd the oft repeated Efforts of Egyptian Philadelphus, or the Roman Nero; it is this alone, that could have diſappointed the reſolv'd Attempts of Great Cambyſes, Fam'd Seſoſtris, and the Macedonian Alexander: All theſe Princes have at ſeveral times, endeavour'd to no purpoſe, an entire Diſcovery of that Myſterious Sourſe of Waters ſo conceal'd by Nature, that it ſeems to ſpeak our very Search unlawful and prohibited, thus nicely touch'd by Lucan.
A Diſcovery of the Sourſe of Nile.HOWEVER, if we may believe the confident Reports of ſuch Egyp⯑tians, as Inhabit Countries bordering on Aethiopia, or indeed ſuch Aethiopi⯑ans themſelves, as will or dare Converſe with Strangers, Nilus riſes in a great extent of Marſhy Grounds, ſurrounded by prodigious Mountains of an almoſt inacceſſible Aſcent; the Weeds and Ruſhes ſo incumbering the un⯑certain Waters, that no Boat can paſs from Hill to Hill, and 'tis a more than dangerous Attempt to venture any other way on ſo deceitful a Foun⯑dation; yet 'tis ſaid, that ſome have paſs'd ſecure, and ſeen a Rock of a ſtupendious Magnitude, whence guſh'd a Stream of roaring Waters with impetuous violence.
'TIS ſaid theſe Marſhes lie near twelve Degrees beyond the Aequator, and that the Nile, forſaking his entangled Bed, is found to wander in maean⯑dring Labyrinths quite thro' prodigious Deſarts, ſpacious Kingdoms, and re⯑mote Dominions, ſometimes forming wond'rous Lakes, and ſeeming to for⯑get the Order of a River, then recovering his ſpreading Waters, and con⯑tinuing a Courſe for many Leagues together, calm and gentle, ſwelling as he paſſes on, to great increaſe, by the reception of encount'ring Currents, all im⯑bib'd and carried on in his ſuperior Channel; every now and then ſur⯑rounding ſome delightful Piece of Ground and making Iſlands, pleaſant in their Situation, and agreeably Productive of the gayeſt Sweets of aided Nature.
The Courſe of the River.SOMETIMES, rolling headlong from a Mountainous and Rugged Country, to the Vallies under it, it forms thoſe loud and dreadful Cataracts, ſo famous for the noiſe created by the Waters, violently ruſhing from the lof⯑ty Precipices and reſiſting Rocks, that many Authors of Antiquity have join'd in the Reports, that ſuch Inhabitants, as liv'd too near thoſe horrid Water-Falls were by degrees made Deaf with their continual roaring.
Where divi⯑ded.THUS this great and celebrated River proſecutes his Courſe thro' many Nations, till it enters Egypt, there grown deep, it ſmoothly runs with⯑in its Banks in one broad Stream, till near five Miles below Grand Cairo it becomes divided into two diſtinct and Navigable Branches; that towards the Eaſt diſcharging all its Waters from a Mouth at Damiata, ſituated on the Mediterranean, and the Weſtern Branch, the Old Canopus, likewiſe falling in⯑to the above-nam'd Sea, not far below Roſetta in the Neighbourhood of Alexandria.
Five of the Se⯑ven Mouths of Nilus now quite loſt.EXCEPTING many Channels cut by Art, for the Convenien⯑cy of letting Waters in upon the Country in the Yearly Overflow, there now remain but theſe two Branches out of the ſo often mention'd Seven, ſometimes Nine, which Pliny, Herodotus, Ptolemy, Diodorus Siculus, and other ancient Writers tell the World of; they are now, if ever ſuch have been, choak'd up by Sand, or other common Accidents which are not ſeldom, known to change the Courſe of Rivers in our Europaean Parts as well as Egypt.
The Riſe or Increaſe of Nilus.BUT now I come to treat of the Surprizing Inundation, which this River cauſes Yearly in the Land of Egypt, where it very ſeldom Rains, and when it does tis rather Mist, and never falls but in the Winter Seaſon; about [225] the midſt of June the Nile Infallibly begins to riſe, thence Swelling by de⯑grees, till Auguſt following, and Mounting in that Space, the Height of two or three and Twenty Cubits.
WHEN thus it has encreas'd to a convenient Height, the Grand Ba⯑ſhaw of Cairo ſolemnly attended by the beſt of all his People, comes upon the Bank, and having given with his own Hand, the Warning Stroke, they cut it thro' in many Places, where the Water Ruſhes in with an impetuous Current, overflowing all the Country upon either ſide the River, ſo con⯑tinuing many Days; Its Effects.then Suddenly Decreaſing and Retiring orderly within its Banks, leaves all the Land (before a Deſart) cover'd Richly with a Propagative Slime, of ſuch an admirable Virtue, that the Corn, upon A⯑batement of the Waters, Scatter'd Careleſsly about the Surface, conſtantly produces two good Crops, and ſometimes more, with equal plenty; And Decreaſe.not quite Five Months the Waters take in Riſe, Continuance, and Abatement, for about the Firſt or Second of November, all the Country, lately Delug'd, is entirely free'd from the invading Current, which is then return'd to its ordinary Bounds and ſo continues till the Year Succeeding.
TIS a Proſpect, highly Pleaſant for a Stranger to behold a Country Sud⯑denly o'erwhelm'd, and that become a Sea, which juſt before appear'd a Deſart; Men and Women briskly rowing up and down, ſtill more rejoicing, the more deep they find the Waters; Their Pre⯑ſages by the Riſing of the River.for from the great or ſmall encreaſe of their Preſaging Nilus, they foretell with eaſe the never-failing conſequence of Plenty or a Famine.
THE great advantages, accruing to this Country from the Yearly o⯑verflow of Nilus, being ſo extreamly plain and conſtant, the Rejoicings, which are made on that occaſion, are accordingly extravagant, for when the Banks are Cut, as I juſt now inform'd you, all the Noblemen attend the Great Baſhaw of Cairo to an Ancient Caſtle, Built upon an Iſland in the Mid⯑dle of the River, where, Three Days together, they are Entertain'd and Feaſted with the greateſt Demonſtrations of delight Imaginable.
The Publick Rejoicings, made in Egypt at the Over⯑flow of Nilus.NOR are the Common People (equal Sharers in the Bleſſings of En⯑creaſe) leſs gratefull in acknowledging a Senſe thereof, but join una⯑nimouſly in a Courſe of Mirth for many joyfull Days together, forming Fireworks, Singing, Dancing, Feaſting with their Women, and Employ⯑ing all their time in one Inceſſant ſearch of Pleaſure, and the conſtant practice of Ʋninterrupted Gayety.
NOW let us ſearch a little into the Receiv'd Opinions of the Learn⯑ed World, and ſee if we can apprehend the Cauſe of this effect, ſo won⯑derfully different from the Common Courſe of gradual Nature.
Euripide's Opi⯑nion of the Cauſe thereof.AND Firſt, we find Euripides and many others, of Opinion, it pro⯑ceeded from Prodigious Thaws of Snow, then Melted by the Sun upon the Aethiopian Mountains, but, as we are certainly aſſured, the conſtant Heat of that too Sultry Climate cannot ſuffer Snow to reſt, ſince even in Egypt it is never known, not even on thoſe Mountains, which confine her Borders, ſo the Modern Judgment of Politer Naturaliſts has quite re⯑jected that miſtaken Notion.
The Opinion of Thales Mile⯑ſius. THALES MILESIƲS affirms, that he believes the Inundation to proceed from the continual Blowing of the Rough Eteſian Winds, which then begin to Bluſter from the Northern Quarter, full upon the Mouth of Nilus, hindering it thereby to enter the Mediterranean, and violently Driving back the Flood upon the low and Sandy Ground of Egypt.
[226] The Opinion of Diodorus Siculus. BUT this is controverted by the Famous Diodorus Siculus, in his Firſt Book, who, to diſprove the Argument of Thales, Nominates ſome other Rivers, equally expos'd to the Eteſian Winds, which yet are never liable to ſuch like Inundations; he therefore in diſlike of this Opinion, has prefer'd his own, that Rain or Snow, diſ [...]olv'd from diſtant Aethiopia, is the only Cauſe of an Effect ſo Wonderfull.
The Opinion of Herodotus.DIRECTLY Oppoſite to theſe, is the Aſſertion of the Learned He⯑rodotus, who imagines, that the Sun, exhaling moiſture in a great abundance from the River Nilus, as he forms his Journey in the Winter Tropick, cauſes it to run in an unnatural narrowneſs, but, when advancing towards the Northern Climates, the Recovering River ſwells again with native Gran⯑deur, then poſſeſſing all its Streams, and Flowing uncontroul'd, with full Authority, till the returning Sun again demands the Tribute of its Waters.
The moſt re⯑ceiv'd, and probable Opi⯑nion.AMONG all theſe, the moſt receiv'd and probable Opinion is, the Firſt belief of Diodorus Siculus, that the Encreaſe of the Waters is occaſion'd by continual Rains, not Melting Snow, upon the Hills of Aethiopia; and the Rea⯑ſons, which are given in defence of this Aſſertion, are as follow.
Its Reaſons. FIRST, for many Days before the Inundation happens, all the Skies are ſeen in Egypt, full of Black and Treatning Clouds, inceſſantly produc⯑ing rumbling Noiſes, and by Northern Tempeſts driven fiercely towards the Southern Parts, where always follows Rain in great abundance, frequently near Threeſcore Days together.
ANOTHER reaſon for this laſt opinion is, the Muddy thickneſs of the Waters, when they overflow the Country, for, Ruſhing violently thro' ſo many Tracts of Fertil Land, they tear up great and hourly quantities of fatning ſoil, which, mixing thickly with the ſwelling ſtreams, is left upon the ſcorch'd and barren Sands of Egypt, of a very deep and ſlimy ſubſtance.
MANY other reaſons are by the Inhabitants produc'd, to prove the Juſtice and Solidity of this accepted Modern Notion; but as tedious Ob⯑ſervations, and unneceſſary Repetitions grow Prolix and Heavy on a Reader, I will ſay no more upon the Preſent Subject, than that all the Naturaliſts, reputed Famous in the Eaſtern Countries, agree among themſelves in full belief of this Aſſertion.
The goodneſs of the Water of the Nilus.I muſt inform my Reader now, that as this River boaſts peculiar pro⯑perties in Fractifying Nations to ſo rich a Plenty, ſo its Bleſſings many other ways are equally particular; his Waters are obſerv'd to be for ever free from Miſts or Vapours, Sweet to ſuch an Admirable and uncommon reliſh, that tis difficult (if hoodwink'd) to diſtinguiſh it from Milk.
How Clari⯑fied.TIS Fam'd for many Operative Virtues in Medicinal eſſays, and has but one known Fault, which is a certain dusky thickneſs, clouding its appear⯑ance with a kind of dark unpleaſant Colour, which they Clarifie however in an Hour or two, by caſting into certain Earthen Pots (wherein the Wa⯑ter is contain'd) ſmall quantities of bitter Almonds bruis'd on purpoſe; Fiſh by reaſon of the juſt nam'd Muddineſs afford no delicate or pleaſant taſt, and therefore is by Strangers ſeldom Eaten, and neglected commonly by even the Natives of that Country.
THE breadth of Nilus, when within the Bounds of its own natural Courſe, is equal to the Thames, a Mile or two below the Bridge at London, and upon the Banks on either ſide are built ſmall, poor, and inconſiderable [227] Villages, inhabited promiſcuouſly by Turks and Arabs, The danger of Sailing on the Nile.thoſe laſt nam'd ſo inſolently daring and extreamly dangerous to unſuſpecting Travellers, who paſs in little Boats upon the River from Grand Cairo, that they frequently attempt with Javelins in their Mouths, to ſwim at dead of Night, from ſome ſmall Creek of the undreaded Shore, and coming on them unawares, kill, take or plunder them, as they may think convenient.
A neceſſary Caution.HOWEVER, led of late, to think of their own ſafety by the many fa⯑tal Accidents, which have from time to time attended ſuch, as raſhly truſted to implor'd Good-Fortune, and were diſappointed of her Favours, they have found a way to free the Paſſengers of their own Country or a Foreign one, from thoſe preſumptious Inſolences of Arabian Robbers; for at preſent, none attempt a Voyage on the Nile, without providing uſefull Fire-Arms, and ve⯑ry frequently a Guardian Janizary, by whoſe faithful Care, and honeſt Courage they may be Protected ſafely from thoſe villanous Outrages, whoſe effects have often prov'd unhappy to the headſtrong Reſolutions of unguarded Obſtinacy; ſo cautious ought a Traveller to be, who ignorant of Danger from an ignorance of Cuſtom, may, unknowingly, involve himſelf and Company in the unfear'd Misfortune of ſome treacherous, ſwift and unexpected Ruin.
CHAP. XXX. Of the Government of Egypt.
The Hiſtory of Egypt, from the Roman Conqueſt.IN Order to inform you of the preſent State of Government in Egypt, 'twill be neceſſary to inquire no further back in ancient Hiſtory, than the times in which the Great Octavius, Emperor of Rome, converted that extenſive and ſubjected Kingdom, to the meaner Title of a Roman Province, which in that Condition, was enlightned by the glorious Rays of introduc'd Christianity, from the unwearied Labours of St. Mark, who ſuffer'd Martyrdom, as I have ſaid before, at Alexandria.
Conquer'd by the Greeks.THE Graecian Emperors, upon the fatal weakning of the Weſtern Power by the Diviſion of the Roman Government, became the Lords of Egypt, and her People, till oppreſſing them inhumanly by heavy Taxes and an arbi⯑trary Tyranny, they forcibly Revolted from their Yoke of Slavery, and in order to expel the Greeks Authority, invited to their Aid the hardy Sa⯑racens.
Saracens,HOWEVER, theſe about the Year of Chriſt ſix hundred thirty five, were beaten from the Government, they gain'd in the expulſion of the Greeks by the ſucceſsful Arms of Omir, Kinſman and Succeſſor to the Power of the Impoſtor Mahomet, And Mahome⯑tans.who, ſatisfied with Tribute, left them free to the Pro⯑feſſion of their own Religion; then fell they under the Dominion of the Babylonian Caliphs.
[228] AFTERWARDS, they choſe a Caliph of their own, who was ſuc⯑ceeded in a long uninterrupted Line of full three hundred Years, when Alme⯑ric the Sixth, King of Jeruſalem, invaded and reduc'd them to a great extremity.
AMIDST this exigency, they entreated Succour from the Syrians, whoſe deſigning Sultan ſent immediately a greater Aid than was demanded from him; but as ſoon as they had beat the Chriſtians back to their Poſ⯑ſeſſions, Sarco, General of the Syrian Forces, murder'd baſely the Egyptian Caliph, and uſurp'd the Kingdom to his own Dominion.
The Original of the Circaſ⯑ſian Mama⯑lukes.THE Mighty Saladine ſucceeded Sarco, and for the ſpace of ſeventy ſix Years, the Syrians held Poſſeſſion of this Kingdom, till ambitious Melec-Salha'a, jealous of the Courage or Integrity of his Egyptian Vaſſals, yearly bought prodigious numbers of Circaſſian Slaves from their Allies, the Tartars, and depending wholly on their Valour and Fidelity, arm'd thouſands of them, till he had compleated his deſign'd and numerous Army.
BY the Aſſiſtance of theſe bold and hardy Men he grew ſucceſsfull in the Wars, he made upon his Foes the Chriſtians, till at laſt, the Slaves too well acquainted with the fatal Power, wherewith he truſted them, ungratefully Revolted from their juſt Obedience, murder'd Melec-Salha'a, and upon the bloody Ruins of his broken Power, erected a New Form of Government a⯑mong themſelves, inviting into Egypt all their Country-men, or purcha⯑ſing in every Place, as many of them, as had formerly been taken.
THUS the Government of theſe revolted Slaves became in time extreamly Powerfull, dreadfull to their Enemies, and rich in their Poſſeſſions, ſtill main⯑taining their Dominions ſtrongly and with reſolution very near three hun⯑dred Years; whereby they grew a famous People, and were known by the denomination of Circaſſian Mamalukes, Their Over⯑throw and Downfall.till Sultan Selym, Emperor of the Turks, in the Succeſs of long and bloody Wars, o'erthrew their Govern⯑ment, and ſo brought Egypt under his Subjection.
Egypt, how govern'd by the Turks.IN the Poſſeſſion of the Turks it ſtill remains, and is at preſent govern'd by a kind of Vice-Roy, full Poſſeſſor of an arbitrary Power, given him as De⯑puty, or Great Vicegerent to the abſolute Grand Signior; he takes his Title from the City of Grand Cairo, is the firſt Baſhaw of all the Turkiſh Empire, continues ſeldom in his Government above three Years, and conſtantly reſides in that Imperial City.
DEPENDANT on the Power of this great Baſhaw are the twelve Beys, or Lords Provincial, conſtantly elected from among the Natives of the Country, and Aſſiſtant, in the framing Laws and other matters, to the Grand Baſhaw, who therefore looking on them as Inſpectors of his Actions, and ſet over him as Spys, or Curbers of his Inclinations, does generally hate and contradict them; hence proceed inteſtine Jarrs, and frequent Tumults, not a little prejudicial to the Intereſt of the Turkiſh Sultan.
The Militia of Egypt.IN order to ſupport this Power, a Standing Army is Eſtabliſh'd in the Turkiſh manner, which conſiſts of twenty thouſand Horſe, and eighty thouſand Foot, accompliſh'd, hardy and experienc'd Soldiers, all de⯑pendant on reſpective Zaims, or their Timariots in the nature treated of at large, in the beginning of this Book.
Egypt in its Modern Divi⯑ſions.THE Modern Egypt is divided into three Diſtinct and Spacious Provin⯑ces, that part, which lies between Roſetta, and the famous Alexandria, is diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Herſiah; that part, which lies between Grand, [229] Cairo, Tuneſe, and Damiata, is now call'd Mar-hemha, and the Land, which lies upon the ſouth of Cairo, is in Turkiſh call'd Saihid.
The Humour of the People.THESE different Provinces produce Inhabitants, as different in their Natures; ſome are rougher than the reſt, and more unciviliz'd in com⯑mon Converſation; but it is a general obſervation, that the nearer to the Port of Alexandria, or the Sea about it, ſo much more polite is found the humour of theſe People.
Their Juſtice.THE Military Power is in Egypt, as at Conſtantinople, mixt entirely with the Civil Adminiſtration, and the Laws of both exactly Copy'd from the Turkiſh Government, ſo that neither in Religion, Cuſtoms, Habit, or the forms of Juſtice, can be found the ſmalleſt difference from what I have explain'd in the foregoing Part, relating to the Turkiſh Policy; 'Tis Money only, Arbitrary, Eloquent, perſwaſive Money can prevail in Egypt, as it e⯑ver does in Europaean Turky, to decide a Conteſt.
Their Super⯑ſtition.THE many Graces, which in former times enrich'd the Minds of their Illuſtrious Anceſtors, are all forgotten; but to ſhow how prone Man's Nature is to Ill, they ſtill retain their ancient Superſtition, and tho' they do not practiſe the aboliſh'd Ceremonies of a rank Idolatry, they yet impute ſuch power to every little Accident, or Work of Nature, that they tread as near as poſſible in the deteſted Footſteps of thoſe old Egyptians, whom the Roman Satyriſt has well derided in the following Verſes.
[230] The Effects of Miſery.THE Miſerable Poverty, whoſe ill Effects have cruſh'd the Spirits of the Warlike Graecians, and ſubverted Valour to contented Slavery, has work'd ſo deeply on the humble Minds of the depreſs'd Egyptians, that they daily more and more become Effeminate, neglecting meanly the once lov'd Practices of Martial-Diſcipline, and idly ſinking in a ſtupifi'd forgetfulneſs of all the calls of Liberty or Honour.
Their Chara⯑cter.THEY are very Lazy, Proud, and Inſolent in Carriage, Dirty in their Dreſs, and ſtiff in their Behaviour, haters and deſpiſers of all other Coun⯑tries, ſcarce affording Love to one another, and ſo very naſty in their Tents, or Houſes, that the very entrance is offenſive to a Chriſtian Stranger.
The Egyptian Moors.THERE are, beſides the Off-spring of the old Egyptians, certain tawny Natives of this Land, a Sun-burnt Mongrel kind of Race, deſcended from the Arabs, and in ſtrength of Body, Humour, Shrilneſs of their Speech, and great Agility, not much unlike them; for Diſtinctionſake, theſe Men are call'd the Moors of Egypt, but are commonly more honeſtly inclin'd than are their numerous Co-partners in that wide Denomination.
Their Govern⯑ment, a Copy of the Turkiſh.THE Towns of Egypt are not many, and thoſe few, they have but ill de⯑fended, rather truſting to the number of their People, than the ſtrength of Walls, or tedious helps of Modern Fortification; each Town and Village has its Governor; and as I ſaid before, the nature of their Government is ſo entirely Turkiſh, that I need no longer dwell upon the Subject of this Chapter, but will haſten in the next, to look a little into the condition of their Learning and Morality, and ſee if we can trace the Footſteps of their great Forefathers, in the Modern Applications of their loſt Poſterity.
CHAP. XXXI. Of the Learning and Morals of the Egyptians.
Egypt in her preſent Igno⯑rance, a Proof of Humane Frailty.THE Curious Searcher into Humane Changes, and the various Mi⯑ſeries attending Life, can never find a fairer Proof of Sublunary Frailty than he has before him, in a nice Reflection on the preſent State of the Egyptian Learning; Egypt, which of old poſſeſs'd unbounded Knowledge, and unlimited Dominion; Egypt, which out-towr'd not only the Felicity, but even the Imitation of admiring Neigh⯑bours; Egypt, from whoſe Source of Wiſdom, Greece originally drew thoſe Channels, from whoſe unexhauſted Store ſhe afterwards ſupplied the ſpaci⯑ous Univerſe; Egypt, the neglected Mother of our Arts and Sciences, is now involv'd in ſtupid Ignorance, and boaſts no more than that unpoliſh'd com⯑mon Senſe, we owe promiſcuouſly to Liberal Nature.
THE black effects of Time and Diſcord have amazingly ſubverted an⯑cient Splendor; and the glorious State of Learning, which in former Ages flouriſh'd in this Country, left her with the Bleſſings of that wealthy Peace, [231] ſhe once could boaſt of, Knowledge fell a Victim to the Sword, and the Deſtruction, which befell them, was ſo very Ʋniverſal, not alone to Power, but even the well eſtabliſh'd Principles of Literature and Morality, that when I think upon the Ruin of the Old Egyptians, who ſurviv'd the loſs of all worth living for, and then fell laſtly ſolitary Victims to their Nations Enemies, it brings to my remembrance the Expreſſions, Seneca thought fit to uſe upon the Fate of Priamus, in his Tragedy of Troas.
The Origin of the Egyptian Ignorance.THE gloomy Cloud of unaſpiring Sloth and dull Stupidity, which now poſſeſſes fallen Egypt, hence receiv'd its fatal Origin, and ever ſince has skreen'd the Sun of baniſh'd Learning from that miſerable Country, nor has even the moſt retir'd and private State of Life eſcap'd the general Ca⯑lamity, which ſpread its Influence with an uncontroul'd and Univer⯑ſal Ruin.
AND, indeed it is a vain and groundleſs hope, for an unthinking Man to flatter his Opinion, with the ſtrange Belief of even a poſſibility to live contented in a ſinking Government, or ſtand unſhock'd, in the deſtructi⯑on of his Country, tho' the ſhare, he boaſted in the management thereof, was ne'er ſo ſmall or inconſiderable, or even tho' the trifling Part, he acted in its Welfare, was ſo far from helping to ſupport the State, that he ap⯑pear'd the moſt unknown and uſeleſs Member of his Nation.
THE admirable Solon, an unequall'd Former of the wiſeſt Laws, and conſequently an undoubted Judge in Rules of Policy, has left us his Opini⯑on on the matter, in the eloquent Expreſſions following,
Sciences in⯑vented by the old Egyptians.THE old Egyptians firſt invented Muſick and Geometry, with the uſefull Knowledge of Arithmetic; they firſt inſpected Heaven, and bravely trac'd the Sun and Starrs thro' their Diurnal Motions; they firſt divided Years by Months, and from a Knowledge of the various Aſpects of Caeleſti⯑al Constellations, grew Diviners of portended Conſequences; Philoſophy, and the tranſporting Flights of a Poetic Harmony were firſt known there.
Hierogly⯑phics, what they were. MECHANIC ARTS, tho' ſince improv'd, were numerouſly owing to the deep invention of Egyptian fancy. Hieroglyphicks, us'd inſtead of Characters, explain'd the meaning of the wiſeſt thoughts by ſilent Images [232] of various kinds, whereby they ſtrangely repreſented Humane Nature in its different Paſſions, with a very ſtill, but moving Eloquence.
BUT now the very Memory of theſe Perfections is itsſelf forgotten, by the Deviated Souls of the Poſſeſſors of this Country, in its Modern State of Folly, Pride and Inſolence, and all, an Author is enabled to inform the World of the Condition of their Learning is, that they have really none among them;No Learning in Egypt now. tis a Wonder if, in many Villages of Egypt well inhabited, Ten Men are found, who boaſt capacity to Read or Write; my Reader will not there⯑fore be Surpriz'd, when I aſſure him that, for any more refin'd and ele⯑vated kind of knowledge, they are altogether Strangers to the very no⯑tion of its uſefullneſs.
NOR can I give their Morals a much fairer Character, than I have juſtly fix'd upon their Learning. Morality is commonly the good effect of Honeſt thoughts, produc'd by ſome Improvement of the Mind in ſerious Contemplation on the Worth of Vertue, and the only way to reach the Power of ſo bright a Contemplation is by aiming at as great a ſhare of com⯑mon Knowledge as we can with eaſe attain in humble Stations; Why Morali⯑ty is ſeldom found in Egypt.'tis not therefore probable or poſſible, that theſe Egyptians, void, by the Tyrannic and oppreſſive Conſtitution of their Government, of any means to reach ſuch Practice, nor indeed deſirous, by the bent of Inclination, to endea⯑vour after it, ſhould e're attain the happy end, it conſtantly produces.
I have in the Preceeding Chapter, ſpoke in general of their Obvious Principles, the leſs will therefore ſerve me here, ſince I can only uſe the ſame Expreſſions, or at leaſt in other words declare the ſame Aſſertion, ſhould I now enlarge upon the Shallow Subject; The Egyptians very covetous.I will therefore only add, that they are Avaritiouſly inclin'd almoſt beyond a Parallel, and, as deſirous eagerly of growing Rich, will ſcruple nothing to obtain the Bleſ⯑ſing; hence it will be an eaſy thing to gueſs how far from Vertue, Ho⯑neſty, or Juſtice lies the Courſe, they Darkly ſteer in,
I haſten from a Subject, Melancholy in its Truth, and thence Oppreſ⯑ſive, and a Clog upon my fanſie: But alas! we find no part of Earth, but has ſometimes experienc'd Rugged Changes, and our own Examples may convince us daily, that the Scourge of Fortune Triumphs frequently in other Parts, as well as Egypt.
CHAP. XXXII. Of the Beaſts, Birds and Serpents of Egypt.
[233]AMONG the numerous Obſervations, Travellers may make in Egypt of a thouſand things, peculiar to that Country, none deſerves remark more juſtly than the Vertue, it can boaſt of, in producing Creatures as uncommon and particular, as are the many Artificial Rarities, they have in every Age been famous for.
The Hippota⯑mus, or Sea-Horſe.AND firſt, to mention none of thoſe more common Animals, which may be found promiſcuouſly in almoſt every Country, the Hippotamus or Sea Horſe, of old more frequently obſerv'd about the River Nilus, than in later times; for Pliny, Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and many other Au⯑thors, have deſcrib'd them in their Writings, ſome of which have autho⯑riz'd their full Deſcriptions by their own Eye-witneſs.
Deſcrib'd.BUT at preſent, 'tis a Curioſity not often met with, to obtain an op⯑portunity of ſeeing any of theſe Creatures; they have Heads of a prodigious ſize, their Jaws of very large extent, and full of Tusks in colour not unlike the whiteſt Ivory, but ſharp as Needles, and their bite of very dangerous Conſequence to wounded Paſſengers.
Their ſtrength and fierceneſs.IN Shape they differ not extreamly from a Boar, but are ſo much be⯑yond him in proportion, that we ſeldom ſee an Ox of greater Magnitude: Their Colour is a dusky Brown, and all their Backs ſo arm'd with Scales of an impenetrable Subſtance, that the ſharpeſt Weapons ſeldom wound them. They are commonly of ſuch a fierce vindictive Nature, that they rarely fail to turn with violence upon a Boat, when any in it have attempted to in⯑ſnare them, and have oftentimes been known to rear themſelves ſtupendi⯑ouſly above the Water, and by overturning Veſſels prey upon the Mari⯑ners, they thence grew Maſters of.
The River Bull.THERE is another Beaſt, of an Amphibious Nature, commonly diſtin⯑guiſh'd by the Name of River Bull, not much beyond a Calf in bigneſs, nor unlike him in Appearance, only ſo ſuperior in the Strength of Body, that the ſpacious Nets, the Natives make of twiſted Ropes, have often prov'd too weak to hold him; they have Finns upon their Feet, which ſpread at bot⯑tom to conſiderable breadth, and ſerve, as Guides, to their unweildy Moti⯑ons, which, by plunging forward with an unreſiſted Violence, break fierce⯑ly thro' the ſtrongeſt obſtacles.
The Crocodile.THE Treacherous Crocodile, ſo call'd from a Traditional Account, that this deceitfull Animal commands his Tears at any Seaſon, and by coun⯑terfeiting a complaining Human Voice, allures the Curioſity of Paſſers by, and then devours them, is very common on the Banks of Nile, and ever has been look'd upon peculiar to the Land of Egypt. The Shape, exactly like a Lizard, is ſo fully known in Europe, that 'tis needleſs here to ſay much of it.
[234] Their Na⯑tures.THEIR Nature is Oviparous, and when they lay their Eggs, they hide them in the Sand with ſuch an admirable Cunning, that the overflowing of the River Nilus, never reaches them, tho' frequently it comes within a yard or two; and hence the Country People finding now and then their Art⯑full Neſts, are taught how high the Inundation will advance the Waters in that increaſe; a Turkeys Egg is equal to the Crocodiles, if not Superior in its Priſtine Magnitude, but afterwards they grow to ſuch amazing length and ſize, that many have been found eleven Yards long, and in their Bulk proportionable.
THE common notion entertain'd in Egypt is, that every Female Croco⯑dile can lay one Hundred Eggs, and that their Age has often reach'd the Hundredth Year.
Their way of Catching Men.THEIR Tails are very long and ſharpning to the End, whereby they conſtantly Entwine and Seize their Prey, and tis a very dangerous thing for Travellers, who paſs the Nile in open Boats, to Sleep with Heads inclin'd upon the ſide, for theſe obſervant Creatures gather frequently about the Veſ⯑ſel, watching cautiouſly ſome favourable Opportunity, which when they Spie, they Swim up cloſe upon the Surface of the Water, and enfolding the unwary Perſon by a ſudden Throwing out their Tails, have often ſo unhap⯑pily ſucceeded, as to draw him Headlong from the Veſſel and devour him in the River.
How Taken.THE Natives of the Country bait Sharp Iron Hooks of mighty Magni⯑tude, and ſometimes take them. They eſteem their Fleſh of Savory reliſh, and as ſuch will ſeldom Scruple Eating it; But as this Creature is ex⯑treamly hurtfull on the Water, Playing on its Surface in a Moon-light Night, ſo he is no leſs Deſtructive on the Land by Day, for then he generally Wan⯑ders up and down in ſearch of Miſchief, Preying on whatever he can meet with.
How to be a⯑voided.THEY are Mighty Swift at Running in a line; but having only one con⯑tinued joint along their Back, are tedious in a motion Circular or any ways Uneven, and thereby with eaſe avoided by a Man acquainted with the Coun⯑try and their Nature; Oftentimes they lie a Foot or two below the Surface in the Places, whence the Peaſants, living on the Banks of Nilus, fetch their Water, and have ſometimes ſeiz'd a Man or Woman by the Arm, and drawn them in: But to prevent ſuch dangers for the Future, the Egyptians generally take the Pains at preſent, to ſecure their Watering Places by a kind of Hedge, which they ſupport with Stakes, and ſo protect themſelves from theſe deſigning Animals, who have been long ſo hated by the prejudic'd Inhabitants, that they have us'd a Thouſand Arts to compaſs their De⯑ſtruction, and it is not common now to ſee a Crocodile, within the ſpace of ſome Days Journey from the City of Grand Cairo.
A Wonderful Obſervation of the Croco⯑dile and little Bird.IT is obſervable that there is found in Egypt, tho' but rarely known, a little Bird about the Bigneſs of a common Quail, its Colour of a Light⯑iſh Grey, the Bill extreamly ſharp and ſmall, and both the Wings con⯑taining Feathers, at the End whereof are certain Prickles, not unlike the Briſtles of a Hog; this Bird, as often as ſhe finds the Crocodile lie Basking in the Sun, and Slumbering, as he often does upon the Banks of Nilus, with his Mouth wide open, flies directly in, and fixing near his Teeth, erects her Prickly Wings, not much unlike a Porcupine, or Hedge Hog, ſo preventing him from cloſeing his great Mouth upon her, while ſhe feeds herſelf by picking ſomewhat from his Teeth. The Bird was formerly more taken Notice of, than ſhe has been of late, and commonly diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Trochileus.
[235] Ichneumon, or the River Rat.BUT, while the Crocodile, diverted by a kind of tickling Pleaſure, which the pecking Bill of the Bird Trochileus affords him, gapes conſiderably wider than he generally does, the River Rat, a little Beaſt about the bigneſs of a Ferret, clean in Shape, in colour Black, and of a Skin extreamly ſmooth, his Teeth long, ſharp and very numerous, his Tail of an uncommon length, his Legs but ſhort, and Ears of a peculiar roundneſs, of a Nature very bold and fierce beyond example; this ſmall Beaſt I ſay, who bears a ſtrong an⯑tipathy to the above-nam'd Crocodile, obſerving narrowly the tempting Opportunity, comes ſlily round, jumps thro' his Mouth, and with a won⯑d'rous ſwiftneſs paſſing down his Throat, gnaws forcibly a Paſſage thro' his Belly, thence eſcaping with the triumph of a ſure Deſtruction to his mortal Enemy.
Its fierceneſs, and great ha⯑tred to other Creatures.THIS River Rat is ſometimes call'd Ichneumon, which appears to have been anciently the Name, by which he was diſtinguiſh'd by the Curious and more Learn'd Egyptians, then inhabiting the Country, he is found in; they are of a miſchievous Nature, killing all the Pidgeons, Hens, and Poul⯑try, they can poſſibly find means to get at; Cats and Dogs they hate ex⯑treamly, and will kill as often as they conquer them, nor ever fail Aſſaulting them, as often as they find convenient Opportunity: But, as in ſome things they are hurtfull to the Intereſts of the People, ſo in many others they appear not only Uſefull, but even Neceſſary for the good they do, by ſeeking conſtantly the Eggs of Crocodiles, and breaking them, when they diſcover where they lie; as alſo for their Univerſal Hatred to all kinds of Serpents, Snakes, or Reptiles whatſoever, whom they often fall upon, and kill with wonderfull dexterity.
Moral Re⯑flections.HOW wiſely, and beyond the apprehenſion of our weak Capacities, has the Supream Creator of our Earthly Beings guided the Performances of his Divine Omnipotence! To what an height of Piety and neceſſary Con⯑templation on the Bounties and Omniſcience of Almighty God, muſt that Man needs arrive, who ſeriouſly reflects upon the numerous Works of his Creation, yet amongſt ſo many Millions of ſurprizing Differences, and di⯑rectly oppoſite Exiſtences in Nature, cannot find one needleſs Inſect, but perceives them ſtrangely mixt together, in the joint Advancement of one common Intereſt.
The Chamae⯑lions.IN many Orchards near Grand Cairo, may be found great numbers of thoſe Creatures call'd Chamaelions, falſely ſaid to live upon the Air, which notwithſtanding, is indeed their principal Subſiſtance, tho' they prey con⯑tinually on Flies, and extend their Tongue with wonderfull celerity, which is in length not much inferior to his Body, naturally hollow in its top, whereby he may more eaſily attain his Ends, and ſerve himſelf in the De⯑ſtruction of the late nam'd Inſects with a little trouble.
Deſcrib'd.IN Shape and Size, they are not much unlike the Lizard, their Eyes and Head extreamly large, their Necks unjointed, and of conſequence not mov'd, without the turning their whole Bodies; its native Colour is a gree⯑niſh Yellow, with ſmall Spots of white about the Belly: They are ſeen with difficulty tho' you paſs at little diſtance from them, for they conſtant⯑ly aſſume the Colour of moſt Places, which they ſtand upon, and gene⯑rally change their Hue, as often as they find occaſion to remove their Sta⯑tion.
Their Anti⯑pathy to Ser⯑pents.THESE alſo bear an innate Enmity to every kind of Serpent, and it is remarkable that, when they have diſcover'd any Sleeping underneath a Tree, they never reſt, till having climb'd the Branches, they direct a little ſhining drop of Moiſture from their Mouths exactly on his Head, which by [236] a certain natural Vertue it poſſeſſes, never fails to give immediate Death to the unwary Serpent ſo invaded.
The Ostrich.I muſt not here omit the Oſtrich, tho' but very rarely found, unleſs in the remoter and more Inland parts of Egypt. It is a Bird of Mighty ſize, long Neck and Feet, with Head and every other part of Shape extreamly near the Pictures, which we draw to repreſent them. How Hunted.They have Wings of ſpa⯑cious ſize, yet Fly but heavily, ſo near the Ground, that tis an Entertain⯑ment very Pleaſant, and not ſeldom us'd, for Gentlemen to Hunt them with a kind of Spears on Foot; for the Reſiſtance, Awkard motions and Ʋnweildy Flight, they make, afford their Hunters an agreeable Amuſement.
An Eater of Iron.BUT the moſt Remarkable, peculiar and ſurprizing Property, the Oſtrich boaſts of is, that he not only Eats, but even Digeſts the hardeſt Iron, Picking up with pleaſure broken Horſe-Shooes, ruſty Nails, and many other things, eſpecially, at certain Seaſons of the Year, when they incline (I know not for what reaſon) to take more delight than uſual in the Swal⯑lowing that Metal: And Hater of Women Preg⯑nant.It is a thing worth Notice that, from certain hidden Dictates of directing Nature, Oſtriches are led to an abhorrence of a Woman big with Child, and tis a certain truth, from a repeated Obſervation, that they are not only ſenſible, when ſuch a Perſon is brought near them, but will make directly towards her, and with lifted Feet endeavour to oblige her to withdraw, or Patiently ſubmit to their Unwelcome violence.
The Salaman⯑der.THE Salamander, Famous for reſiſting Fire, is in Egypt often found, but tis a falſe and groundleſs notion that he lives in Flames, but probably that old mi⯑ſtake Firſt took its Riſe from ſomething, that appear'd like reaſon; How reſiſting Fire.for a certain Cold and Mucous Subſtance, full of Moiſture is the only Fleſh, that Crea⯑ture boaſts of, who, when put upon the Fire, can emit a certain quantity of Black and Slimy Matter, which extinguiſhes, for ſome ſhort time, the Coals about him, but by that time he has once or twice repeated the Experiment, he becomes Exhausted, and is forc'd to yield his Body to the Irreſiſtible In⯑vaſion of the Flames, he lies in.
The Baſalisk or Cockatrice.THE Famous Serpent, call'd a Baſilisk, or in our vulgar Engliſh Tongue diſtinguiſh'd better by the Name of Cockatrice, does ſtill remain in many parts of inmoſt Egypt, but was falſely by the Ancients ſaid to be poſſeſs'd of ſuch a Penetrative Venom, that his very look gave preſent Death to every Man, he fix'd his Eyes upon, whoſe ſubtil Poyſon Lucan thus deſcribes a⯑mong the many Noxious Serpents, Cato met with in his March with the Brave Roman Army, thro' the Sands of Africa.
Why ſaid to Kill with a look.BUT thoſe, which now are call'd the Baſilisks of Egypt, are not ſo extreamly dangerous, as the abovenam'd Poet choſe to repreſent them; yet 'tis certain, that they bear a kind of natural malignity about them, which affects a Man, tho' at a conſiderable diſtance, with a ſtrange uneaſineſs, but whether Seated in their Eyes, or caus'd by the Effluviums of their Noxious [237] Bodies, does not come within my purpoſe, and is therefore left to the Opini⯑on of the Reader.
The Aſp de⯑ſcrib'd.THE Aſp, another hurtful Serpent, is in many Parts of Egypt dange⯑rouſly known, a ſmall black Creature running ſwiftly, and is generally found within the hollow Places of a Rock, or rotten Root of ſome decaying Tree: Their Bite is Mortal, and the Death, they give, attended frequently by va⯑rious Symptoms, but overtaking all, he bites with equal ſwiftneſs, ſome Die Laughing, others Weeping, many Sleeping; but this laſt effect ſhould ſeem to be the moſt peculiar to the Aſps of old, ſince Lucan thus deſcribes the Nature of that Serpent.
A Story of a Gentleman, bit by an Aſp.SOME Years ago an Engliſh Gentleman, reſiding at Aleppo, and in Com⯑pany with many Merchants, belonging to the Factory, there Eſtabliſh'd, went a Hunting, and amongſt an heap of Stones upon the Sand, perceiv'd an Aſp run ſwiftly to its Hole, which, fatally miſtaking for a little Squirrel, he immediately alighted from his Horſe, and thruſting in his Arm, as far as it would go, felt ſomething ſharper than he thought to meet withall, and drawing out his Hand upon a ſudden, brought the Aſp ſtill hanging by the Teeth upon his middle Finger: The immediate Exclamations of the Gentle⯑men in Company oblig'd him preſently to ſhake it off, but all in vain, the Poy⯑ſon had affected him too deeply, and tho' with much ado they got him on his Horſe, he ſtrait grew Mad, Laugh'd, Wept and Fainted by ſucceſſive turns, till they had brought him Home to his Ʋnhappy Family, where inſtant⯑ly he Died, by the unfortunate Event of this lamented Accident.
CHAP. XXXIII. Of the Cities of Grand-Cairo, Memphis and Babylon.
THE venerable Marks of mighty Age declare the Towns, I am about to ſpeak of, Children of Antiquity; nor did they only flouriſh, when the World was Young, but were from Time to Time the Glo⯑rious Scenes, whereon were repreſented the Prodigious Sallies of Ambition, ſtarting ſuddenly to Ʋniverſal Empire, then as ſuddenly declining [238] from its Pinacle, and yielding Fortune, for a tranſitory Spurt, to the Poſſeſſion of ſome other riſing Monarchy.
The Changes; which have hapned in Grand Cairo, Memphis and Babylon.'TWAS hence, that theſe renown'd and ſtately Cities have ſucceſſively beheld the Haughty Pharaohs, and Luxurious Ptolemies, the Roman Caeſars, and profuſe Extravagance of the Unhappy Cleopatra; have beheld 'em ſwoln above Mortality, with elevated Pomp and ſplendid Royalty, and after all the Triumphs of a ſhort-liv'd Grandeur, ſeen 'em ſink the miſerable Victims to ſome ſudden, ſtrange, and unexpected Ruin.
'TWAS here of old, that the Almighty Hand of God himſelf, per⯑form'd ſuch Miracles; 'twas here the hardned Heart of Pharaoh drew down Vengeance on his tortur'd Nation; 'twas here the Iſraelites were chain'd in long Captivity, and in returning hence, their Great Redeemer prov'd his Power by dividing Seas to let them paſs, and guiding them alternately by Clouds, and Fiery Pillars, through the numerous Dangers of a tedious Pil⯑grimage.
THIS Train of Wonders, and amazing Scene of Human Changes were in ancient Times tranſacted here; The decay theſe 3 Cities.and the above-nam'd Cities, which ſo many Ages have withſtood the Shocks of Time or Accident, and glori⯑ouſly out-liv'd the frequent Downfalls of un-numbred Rulers, now begin to ſink Themſelves, and prove by ſlow, tho' ſure, Experience, that the ſtrange Viciſſitudes of Earthly Strength, involve alike the Prince and Pea⯑ſant, Town and Hovel in a dark oblivion.
Cairo, now the beſt. CAIRO is the only City of the Three, which now retains the ſmalleſt Mark of an un-ruin'd Majeſty, and has its Situation, near four hundred Miles from Alexandria, upon the Eaſtern ſide of Nilus, not above twelve Fur⯑longs diſtant from the River.
Bow-lac, the Port to Cairo.THE Boats, which commonly bring Paſſengers to Cairo, land 'em at Bow-lac, a ſmall Port Town, ſupported by the Trade, the River brings her, where a ſort of Tax, or Impoſition by the way of Poll, is laid on every Chri⯑ſtian Traveller, who comes on Shore, amounting to about a Crown a Head; and here it is, that we are all oblig'd to hire a nimble kind of Aſſes, with their Owners, running by on Foot, to carry us to Cairo, A barbarous Baſeneſs of the Turks at Cairo.where the Reader may take notice, that the barbarous Inſolence, and blinded Zeal of the rude Turks, inhabiting the Place, oblige all Chriſtians, who wou'd ride about the City, to be mounted on thoſe Creatures, in a ſtrange deriſion of our Bleſſed Saviour's Choice, who rode upon an Aſs, when the tranſported Multitude ſaluted him, as he advanc'd, with the repeated Acclamation of Hoſanna to the Higheſt.
The Town and its Ex⯑tent.THE Town is built about the Foot of a large Mountain, call'd Muc-haat, extreamly Rocky, and extends its Buildings in a Semicircular Form above half round it; it is Wall'd but ill, and taking in the Suburbs, which are ve⯑ry large, is ſo prodigiouſly extenſive, that the meaſur'd Compaſs has been found full ſixty two Italian Miles.
Deſcription of the Houſes, and manner of their building Streets.THE Streets are crooked, long and narrow; all the Houſes (thoſe excepted, which the Turks have built of later Years) of ſolid Stone, and many Stories high; their Roofs are Flat, and open in the top with artificial Neatneſs to let in the Breezes, which at certain Seaſons of the Day, regale the Air with comfortable Coolneſs; the Streets are every Night lock'd up, at either End by well-defended Gates, at each whereof is kept a Guard of able Watchmen, ſo that all the Miſchiefs of Nocturnal Robberies are here preven⯑ted by the viſible Impoſſibility, that Thieves wou'd find to get away, if they ſhou'd chance to be diſcover'd.
[239] The Gates of Grand Cairo.THE High-Street is of a conſiderable Breadth, extending from the Gate Naufrei to that, they call Zueelia, the Firſt admitting you from the great Road, which leads to the Red Sea, the laſt directly fronting Nilus, and Bow-lac, the Ancient Town I lately ſpoke of. Theſe two Gates confine the Length of this extenſive City.
A Pleaſant Lake.ANOTHER Gate, diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Futulee, which opens on the Northern ſide, directly leads you to a Spacious Lake call'd Eſ⯑bikee, that in the overflow of Nilus is ſupplied with Water, and frequent⯑ed, while it is ſo, by the Painted Barges of the Gentlemen of Cairo, ſhaded over with the Greeneſt Boughs, and Rowing up and down with Wine and Muſick in delightfull Paſtime; But when Nilus is decreas'd, and all the Water dried within the Lake, it changes its appearance to ano⯑ther Scene, and by affording Corn in plentifull Production, yields a Pro⯑ſpect equally agreeable.
Some other Gates.BESIDES theſe Three Chief Gates, are many other, for conveniency of free Egreſs and Regreſs, thro' the City; but, as thoſe are only Portals for a Private uſe, not Publick Oſtentation, they deſerve not the unneceſſary Trouble of Remarks upon their Number, Forms, or Situation.
Their way of Darkening the Streets.THE Sun is here ſo greatly Incommodious, that to Skreen the City from its Power, they commonly place Rafters croſs their Streets, and co⯑ver them with Mats, which by preventing the above-nam'd Inconveniency, is found to cauſe another nigh as bad, for by excluding the Sun-Beams from Shining on them, they are forc'd to Walk as in the Dark, in many Places, where the Narrowneſs of Streets, and Jetting form of all their Buildings, added to the Dullneſs, they are Cloak'd in, by the Matts and Rafters, join together in a cloſe alliance to keep out the Day, and Cloud the Houſes even at Noon, with the unpleaſant Veil of counterfeited Mid-night.
Wooden Locks and Keys.ONE thing deſerves Remark among the many others, which a Stran⯑ger may obſerve in Cairo, that is, they have ſo excellent an Art in Working upon Wood, that all the Locks and Keys, they uſe about their Houſes, are of a hard kind of Tree, in Colour Blacker than the Box, and in its ſubſtance far more hard, and doubly durable.
THE Streets are all unpav'd and full of Sand, and many Lakes of half a Mile, or ſometimes more, in Compaſs, ſcatter'd every here and there about the City, which with certain Wells of no ſmall depth or Num⯑ber, ſerve the People with the Water, fit to be employ'd in common uſes, ſuch as Waſhing Houſes, Cooling Streets, or ſuch like purpoſes; Water brought on Camels Backs.but as for what they Drink, 'tis brought on Camels Backs from Nilus, that above⯑nam'd being neither Clear, nor Sweet enough for that nice purpoſe.
A Noble Mar⯑ket Place.DIRECTLY in the Center of this Spacious City, ſtands a Build⯑ing, not unlike the Beſeſteen, or Vaulted Market-Place, I ſpoke of, in the Chapter of Constantinople, and deſign'd exactly for the ſame occaſion; Hither Flock vaſt Numbers of all kinds of People, who wou'd purchaſe any thing of value; for 'tis here they may be ſure to meet with what they ſearch for; and it is obſervable in Cairo, that they never mingle Trades together, but appoint the Men of each Profeſſion, Rows of Shops by one another, every one whereof muſt Shut his Doors at Five a Clock in the Evening, the Cooks alone excepted, who by reaſon of their common uſefullneſs (few Families in Cairo dreſſing their own Meat) are ſuf⯑fer'd to continue, open till whatever Hour, they think convenient.
[240] Pleaſant Gar⯑dens.WITHIN the Walls of Cairo are vaſt Numbers of delightful Or⯑chards, Gardens and the like, in which are ever growing moſt delicious Fruits of almoſt every kind, but Apples, which are here but very rarely met withall; their Oranges and Limons, Almonds, Dates, and many o⯑ther ſorts, do here arrive to ſuch mature Perfection, that I never taſted them ſo richly pleaſant in another Country.
Their Bag⯑nios and Hoſ⯑pitals.THEIR Public Buildings are both numerous and ſtately. Bagnio's in Grand-Cairo fall not ſhort of thoſe, I mention'd to be built at Conſtantinople, and the rich Endowments of not only thoſe, but Hans, or Hoſpitals, for ſe⯑veral Uſes, are ſo very ſplendidly encreas'd in this Egyptian City, that they cannot be exceeded by the Buildings of their kind, in any part of the Grand Signior's Empire.
Moſques, an incredible Number.THEIR Moſques are ſo magnificent in Structure, and prodigious in the Number commonly reported, that 'twou'd perhaps be thought a Falſe⯑hood, ſhou'd I tell my Reader, what my Guides told me, that they ſur⯑paſs in coſtlineſs of Building all the Royal Moſques of Constantinople, and are ſo extreamly Numerous, that they are reckon'd almoſt Twenty Thouſand.
BOTH theſe Opinions I believe untrue, tho' I perceiv'd, that in the firſt they have not ſtretch'd Veracity to any great degree; but in the ſe⯑cond, I preſume they have made full amends; tho' all, a Traveller can do, is, only to purſue the dictates of a reaſonable Probability, when he directs his Judgment on that Point, ſince they are really ſo ſtupendious in their Number, that 'tis morally Impoſſible, for any ſingle Man to know ex⯑actly.
The Great Men's Pala⯑ces.THE Great Mens Palaces are very Stately, and have large Court-Yards before 'em, opening to the Street with Wooden Gates of an uncommon Magnitude. They have a very Inſolent and Idle Cuſtom here, to pull a Chriſtian from his Aſs, as he rides by the Houſe of any Turkiſh Officer of Note, and make him walk, till he is paſs'd the Wall, in token of Submiſſion and a mute acknowledgment of Inferiority.
Cairo, very Populous.THIS famous City is ſo very Populous, tho' of ſo vaſt a Magnitude, that as we rode along the Streets, about the Center, we were ſo extreamly Crowded, that our Guide, who went before with a long Pole, and clear'd the way by crying out, Bda-ha-rack Adam-lerr, Bda-ha-rack, that is, Make room good People, pray make room, had much ado to open us a Paſſage.
The Caſtle of Grand Cairo.UPON a very ſteep and lofty Precipice, upon the Southern ſide of Cairo, ſtands the Caſtle, where reſides the Grand Baſhaw, in pompous State be⯑coming his Degree, attended by a choſen Guard of Turkiſh Janizaries: Here on the three firſt Days of every Week they hold Divan, at which the Grand Baſhaw is always Preſent, and Adminiſters their Juſtice, as they Practice their Religion, both in Imitation of the ſettled Forms, and ceremonious Cuſtoms of the Turkiſh Government, Eſtabliſh'd, as before deſcrib'd, at their Metropolis Conſtantinople.
Its Aſcent, And Proſpect.THIS Caſtle is to be aſcended but by one Way only, which is hewn with admirable Art and Labour, from the ſolid Rock, and twining round, permits a Horſeman eaſily to mount its Summit: 'Tis of vaſt Extent, divi⯑ded, in the ancient manner, into Courts and Squares, which ſeem to have been formerly deſign'd for Warlike Exerciſes.
[241] And Proſpect.HENCE the City may with eaſe be over-look'd, from any of the Walls, which are all built of Maſſy Stone upon the Rock it ſelf, and entred by a Port, amazingly ſecur'd with Iron Gates, and leading to the Caſtle by ſtrange, intricate, and winding Paſſages.
Fine Reliques of Antiquity.OF Old, the Mighty Sultans of the Brave Egyptian Mamalukes reſided here, in all the Grandeur, Empire cou'd afford 'em, and tho' Sultan Selym, the Victorious Turk, defac'd its Ornaments in many Places, yet there ſtill remain ſuch tow'ring Piles, and Marble Columns of ſo ſtrange a Bulk, and Workmanſhip ſo excellent, that they to this Day, ſhow a thouſand Proofs of Regal Majeſty, and that prodigious Statelineſs, wherewith it flouriſh'd in its old Magnificence.
An Hierogly⯑phic Obelisk.DIRECTLY in the midſt of a large Court, upon the backſide of this Caſtle, ſtands an ancient Hieroglyphic Obelisk, near nineteen Foot in height, whereon are repreſented ſuch diſtinguiſhable Figures, as do plainly prove it to have been plac'd there by the Ptolemies, in Commemoration of the Victories, they had obtain'd in War, and the ſurprizing Grandeur, in whoſe Bliſs they flouriſh'd.
Several Ruins, near Grand Cairo.THERE are not many Reliques of Antiquity at preſent, to be ſeen in Cairo: Beſides this Caſtle, there remain the Ruins of ſome famous Palaces, but ſo diſguis'd by their Decay, that Travellers can only Gueſs at what they were, when many Ages ſince, they proudly flouriſh'd.
The Place, where Moſes was found by Pharaoh's Daughter.THEY ſhew ſuch Strangers, notwithstanding, as are curious in their Searches, many Things worth Obſervation, and among the reſt, a certain Bank upon the ſide of Nilus, where they ſay, of old, King Pharaoh's Daughter found young Moſes on a Bed of Ruſhes.
The Etymoli⯑gy of the Word Cairo.THE Etymology of Cairo is from the Arabian, in which Language El Cai-airo ſignifies a Forcer; as to the Original Foundation, Founder, and Hi⯑ſtorical Account of this extenſive City, Scaliger, and Leo Africanus, with a hundred other Authors, have ſo fully treated on thoſe Subjects, that I cannot judge it neceſſary to enlarge on ſuch notorious Circumſtan⯑ces.
IT only then remains, that I ſhou'd mention the Condition of the Peo⯑ple, now Inhabiting Grand Cairo, whom we found in rolling Plenty, and the bleſt Poſſeſſion of the richeſt Smiles of Providential Nature; Trading greatly, and encreaſing Wealth with wonderful Dexterity; The Plenty of that City.nor can Provi⯑ſions of all kinds be any where, more reaſonably Sold than in the well-ſtor'd Markets of this ſpacious City.
A way of hatching Eggs in Ovens.AMONG a thouſand other Cuſtoms, in ſome kind Peculiar to the People of Grand Cairo, they have got a way of hatching Eggs, by Artificial Heat, which they perform by building certain Rows of Ovens, of conſidera⯑ble depth, which they contrive on either ſide a Room, one Row above ano⯑ther; within theſe Ovens they take care to lay a kind of courſe, rough Hemp, on which they ſpread a Mat, and cover it with Camel's Dung, or that of Pidgeons, to conſiderable thickneſs, ſo that by preſerving artful Heats, by conſtant Fires within the Stoves, built under the above-nam'd Ovens, they continue from the Month of June to the declining of December, to produce vaſt quantities of Chickens, from innumerable thouſands of theſe Eggs, which, notwithſtanding, are obſerv'd to fall far ſhort of Nature's un-aſſiſted Efficacy.
[242] The Inhabi⯑tants of Cairo, famous for Inſtructing Beaſts.I cou'd not help obſerving here, that the Inhabitants of Cairo ſeem Poſſeſſors of a quicker Genius than our Weſtern People, in the Arts of teaching wonderful Performances to Aſſes, Goats, Dogs, Horſes, Mules, or any other Creatures void of Reaſon.
A Story of a Goat.I have been ſhown a Man, who kept a Goat, ſo dex'trous in the poizing his Inſtructed Body, that he cou'd not only ſtand upright upon a little Staff, ten Inches long, but climb'd with eaſe from one, to ſtand upon a⯑nother, and proceeded without falling, from that ſecond to a third, fourth, fifth, or more, till he, who own'd him, was no longer capable of adding to the height, by one Staff more.
A pleaſant Story of a Fidler and his Aſs.A merry kind of Fellow, of a Mooriſh Extract, us'd to walk about the City with a ſort of Fiddle, and divert the Paſſers by, with the re⯑peated Airs of one dull Tune; and in return for this, 'tis true, he did not beg Reward, yet by a ſubtle Stratagem came off ſo well, that he ſucceeded generally better than a Down-right Beggar cou'd have reaſonably hop'd for.
THE Ingenious Fellow kept an Aſs, that always follow'd him from Street to Street, without the trouble of his leading him along, he carried on his back a little Budget, which contain'd Proviſions, and the neceſſary Utenſils, his Maſter wanted in his daily Journeys.
An Aſs of good addreſs.EVERY Man, the Fidler met, he bow'd his Body to, by way of In⯑formation, that he hop'd for the Receipt of a ſmall piece of Money, from his grateful Liberality; and ſtill, as often as the Fidler bow'd, the Aſs bow'd too, as he had been inſtructed, in ſo ſtrange a manner, and an Air ſo truly like himſelf, that all, who paſs'd the Streets, were mov'd to Laugh⯑ter, and not ſeldom, Gentlemen have given the Man a Preſent for the Pleaſure, they receiv'd from the ſurprizing Proſpect of his Aſſe's No⯑velty, who conſtantly, with ſuch another Cringe, return'd the Compli⯑ment.
A cunning Practice.BUT, if it chanc'd, that any Man paſs'd by regardleſs of the Fidler's Muſick, or Requeſt, nor thought it worth his while to pay him for his Harmony; The Aſs, who cunningly came on behind, at a conſiderable diſtance, and obſerv'd all Paſſages, but yet pretended not to mind 'em, watch'd their coming, and took care to ſnap a Piece, from off the Brit⯑ches of the unſuſpecting Perſon; or, if he went by at too great diſtance, on the other ſide the way, he frequently turn'd back, and bit out his Revenge, as ſoon as he had overtaken him: This pleaſant Humour of the Fidler and his Aſs became at laſt ſo very noted, that Both the Maſter's Profit, and the great Reſpect, they ſhew'd the Beaſt, grew daily more and more, for really 'twas a dangerous Accident to meet 'em in the Street, for ſuch, as hap'ned to be unprovided of a Charm to ſoften his Reſentment.
ANOTHER Trick, they have of Getting Money, is by training Camels up to dance about the Streets, upon the Sounding of a Drum, or any other Inſtrument of Muſick. This they do with admira⯑abe quickneſs in the manner following.
Their way of teaching Ca⯑mels to Dance.THEY make a large ſquare hollow Place on ſome Stone Pavement, not unlike a Bath, of ſuch a depth, that nothing, let down thither, can get out again but with the ſame Aſſiſtance, he was firſt put in by. Under this pav'd Floor, conſiſting purpoſely of well experienc'd Fire-Stone, is built a Furnace, into which they put a neceſſary quantity of Wood, and heating it to what degree they pleaſe, the Stones grow hot like ſome mild Oven.
[243] THEN they put the poor meek Camel into this ſquare hollow, heated as it is, and ſtanding round the edges of the Place, begin to ſound their Drums, or other Inſtruments, continuing ſo to do, while the Ʋn-hoof'd and Tender-Footed Camel, all impatient of the Heat, firſt draws up one Leg, then another, changing ſwifter, as the Heat encreaſing, burns his Feet with greater Anguiſh, till at laſt, he rears himſelf an end, and capers nimbly on his hinder Feet, as if he ſtrove to imitate a Dancer.
A lazy kind of Living, on the Labours of a Beaſt.THUS they uſe him, till by frequent Practice, the unwellcome ſmart has made impreſſion on the Creature's Memory; at which time, they begin to lead him up and down the City; where at certain Corners of the Noted Streets, they ſuddenly ſtrike up the Tunes, they us'd to play, which the poor Beaſt no ſooner hears, but dreading the Hot-Stones, he formerly was wont to feel, when he had heard ſuch Muſick, he begins to Dance, and Skip about with ſtrange Agility, which ſoon becomes not only eaſy, but even natural to his Performance, and is daily practis'd by him, to divert the Common People, who aſſemble in great Crowds to ſee the Sport, and pay the Owner a ſmall Sum by voluntary Contribution.
The ancient Memphis.THE ancient Memphis, which has been by many Authors falſly thought the City, now Grand Cairo, was of old, the Reſidence of Egypts Monarchs, flouriſhing in all the Grandeur, Wealth and Royalty cou'd Crown her Sons with; here they kept their Apis, and had once a ſtately Temple, Sacred to his Worſhip; here alſo ſtood the Glorious Temple of the Goddeſs Venus, and a thouſand Noble Monuments of Power, and Antiquity, all buried now, and only ſhowing their defac'd and broken Reliques, Great in Ruin, and ama⯑zingly Majeſtic in thoſe Heaps of Duſt, wherein now lie confus'dly mingled, Marble Pillars, Stately Towrs, and Batter'd Statues of prodigious Workman⯑ſhip.
Why ſo call'd.THIS ancient City took the Name of Memphis, from the Daughter of King Ogdo, whom the Poets feign to have been Raviſh'd by Egyptian Nilus, in the Form of a large Bull. Its Situation.It ſtood about five Miles to the South-Eaſt of the ſo celebrated Pyramids of Egypt, and not above two Miles full Weſt of Nilus, diſtant from Grand Cairo, ſixteen Miles or ſomewhat over.
Babylon of Egypt why ſo nam'd.NOT diſtant far from the South-ſide of Cairo, lie the ruinated Ruins of Egyptian Babylon, which took that ancient Name from certain Babylonian Colonies, who, here aſſembling, join'd their Parties in one Body, and ſol⯑licited a Licence from the King of Egypt, to lay out a conſiderable Sum of Mo⯑ney in the Purchaſe of a Spot of Ground, whereon to build a Place of Habi⯑tation.
THEY obtain'd a Grant from the then Reigning Ptolemy, for the Poſ⯑ſeſſion of the Land, on which they built the Town, I lately call'd, accor⯑ding to its Old Denomination, Babylon, which now has chang'd its Name to that of Miſul-Hetic, and is known to all the People of this Country by the laſt nam'd Appellation, which I think may claim Arabian Etymology.
The Ruins of a ſtately Ci⯑ſtern.AMONG the numerous Ruins, whoſe confus'd Appearances amuſe a Traveller, there is at Babylon, the broken remnant of a ſpacious Ciſtern, for⯑merly a mighty and ſtupendious Labour, and receiving Water from the River Nilus, to ſupply the Caſtle lately mention'd, thro' a very ſtrong and artful Aquaeduct, ſupported on ſome hundreds of the loftieſt Arches, Stone cou'd build, or Reſolution finiſh; nor has Time prevail'd ſo much as yet, but that it is repair'd to a Condition, which enables it to ſerve a little for the ancient Ʋſes, to whoſe neceſſary Practice its well-meaning Founders firſt deſign'd it.
[244] The Maga⯑zines, which Joſeph built in Egypt. NOT far from hence, ſtand certain vaſt unweildy Structures, of Prodi⯑gious Height, and antique Figure, all ſupported by a Number of huge But⯑treſſes, and ſeeming to remain in that ſtrange form, they bear, to tell the Modern World, how their Deceas'd Forefathers built before 'em; we were told by the Egyptians, that theſe venerable Piles, were thoſe Seven Granaries, or Publick Magazines, which Joſeph built at the Command of Pharaoh, to pre⯑ſerve the Product of the Seven Years Plenty, which preceeded as long time of dreadfull Famine. Repairs have fitted one or two for the ſame uſe at pre⯑ſent, but the reſt are ſo expos'd to the Inclemencies of Weather, that they cannot be employ'd in ſuch a Service.
The Wonder⯑full Extent, and Proſpect of Egyptian Ruins.THERE is not in the World, a more uncommon, Mortifying Scene, than Egypt repreſents to every Stranger, for above the ſpace of Eighteen Miles, on either ſide the River Nilus, in this part of that depopulated Country; where you cannot Sail a Hundred Fathoms. but you muſt diſcover, if you look about you, the afflicting Marks of Miſery and Deſolation, anci⯑ent Turrets have diſrob'd their Tops of that aſpiring Grandeur, which their Youth once boaſted of, and Hoary Age has Whiten'd the Remainder of their Craggy Reliques with a Melancholy Aſpect, Heaps of Dirt have Buried Palaces, and every here and there appears the Half-Sunk Capital, or Baſis of ſome Noble Pillar, thoſe Prodigious Maſter-pieces of elaborate Art, which once ſupported the reſplendent Roofs of Glitt'ring Courts, and Palaces of Princes, now lie low in rough Obſcurity, nor are ſo much as ſeen by Paſſengers, while Cover'd with the Graſs, which Flouriſhing in the Deſtruction of ſuch Stately Pieces, ſeems to ſpread with a Malicious Pride, and Triumph in their Downfall.
Moral Re⯑flections on the Worlds uncertainty.OH! Blind, Willfull, Vain, Miſtaken Man! Unthinking, Weak, and Shadow-like Mortality! Why do we ſtill graſp eagerly at Riches? Why eſteem the Tranſitory Bleſſings of a Wealthy Splendor? Why delight in Worldly Grandeur, or the Noiſy Pomp of Momentary Majeſty, when not the Stony Scenes of ancient Pride, and countenanc'd Vain-Glory, can pre⯑ſerve the Memory of their forgotten Founders, but the Stongeſt and moſt Stately Cities of the Ʋniverſe ſubmit their Marble to the Teeth of Time, and prove in Ruins, the undoubted Truth of Ovid's elegant Reflections on the Worlds uncertainty.
NOW let us haſten from the Ruins of theſe fallen Cities, to ſome more laſting Structures, which in ſpite of Time, have proudly ſtood from Age to Age, and baffled ſtrangely all the Shocks of Age or Accident.
CHAP. XXXIV. Of the Pyramids of Egypt, and of ſeveral New Diſcoveries therein, which were never yet Publiſh'd.
The Pyramids of Egypt.UPON the Weſtern Side of the aforeſaid Memphis, near the Bor⯑ders of the Lybian Deſart, ſtand thoſe vaſt and tow'ring Pyramids, which have ſo long amus'd the World, with ſtrange Reflections on the ſtrong Ambition, and vain glorious Aim of their aſpiring Foun⯑ders: But before I enter on a full Deſcription of their Building, Number, Form and Situation, 'twill not be amiſs to tell my Reader, that I look upon it, as a needleſs trouble, to repeat the many various Notions and receiv'd Opinions of the ancient World, concerning the Original Deſign of ſuch Stu⯑pendious Fabricks.
What de⯑ſign'd for, by their Foun⯑ders.FOR it is now an unconteſted and apparent Truth, that they were firſt deſign'd, as laſting Sepulchres, wherein ſuch Monarchs, as might claim Interment in thoſe lofty Mauſolaeums, were induc'd to hope, they might out⯑live their Diſſolutions, and continue known to after Ages, by the ſtriking Grandeur of their barbarous Monuments.
TO this Opinion, not to mention Pliny, Strabo, Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and many other ancient Writers, Lucan ſeems to be a ſtrict Adherer, eſpecially in his eighth Book, where he exclaims againſt the baſe Injuſtice of King Ptolemy, upon the account of Pompey's Murder in the following Verſes.
AND thus in many other Places the above-nam'd Author, takes occa⯑ſion to repeat his Notions of the Uſe, to which the Ancients put the Pyra⯑mids.
One of the Worlds ſeven Wonders.'TIS certain, and has been allow'd in every Age, to whom theſe mighty Piles were known, that they deſerv'd the Character, they ever bore, of one of thoſe Stupendious Prodigies, which juſtly merited the Title of the Worlds Seven Wonders: Their amazing height, an Old Greek Writer nicely touches on, as follows,
The number of the Pyra⯑mids.THE Pyramids extend themſelves for many Miles, along the Deſart, and are near Fourſcore in Number, moſt of which are ſmall, and inconſi⯑derable in reſpect of Three, which ſtand within a little ſpace of one another, and are built upon a certain Hill of Sand, which covers Rocks of a ſtupen⯑dious depth and wond'rous magnitude.
The height and bulk of the Great Py⯑ramid.THE Altitude in perpendicular, of the moſt large and ſtately Pyramid, is near five hundred Engliſh Feet, but if we take the Height, as it inclines aſcending towards the Point, we find it equal to the Latitude of its prodi⯑gious Baſis, every way ſeven hundred Foot, by moderate Computa⯑tion.
The ſecond and a third.THE ſecond Pyramid is equal to the firſt in Height, and not above a Bow Shot diſtant from it; but the third appearing ſcarce half finiſh'd, leaves no room to make Compariſons, and only gives us Cauſe to think, by the Proportion, it at preſent bears, that, had it been compleated, as the others are, it had been higher far, and more polite than either of the for⯑mer.
The Stones of which the firſt is built.THE firſt Great Pyramid is built of vaſt and ſolid Stones, which ſome pretend were brought from Quarries in the Mountains of Arabia; but the groſs Abſurdity of that Opinion, is extreamly evident from many Demon⯑ſtrations, but by none more fully diſ-anull'd than the remaining Pieces of Sawn Stone, which lying up and down upon the Sand about the Pyramid, ſufficiently convince a thinking Man, that they were dug no farther [247] off, than from the ſolid Rocks not many Foot below the Surface of the Deſart.
SOME Stones, and thoſe not ſeldom met with, near the top of this a⯑mazing Structure, are no leſs than five and twenty, often thirty Foot in length, and depth proportionable: It is a wonderful but very pleaſant and engaging Proſpect, to obſerve the Art and ſtrange Oeconomy, whereby this mighty Pyramid, was built ſo loftily. To be aſcen⯑ded on the out-ſide.You may aſcend it gradually on the external Sides, or Steps, which lead you ſafely to the Summit of the Buil⯑ding.
The Archi⯑tecture of the Pyramids.ABOUT the bottom of the Pyramid, there runs a ſtrong degree of Stone, near five Foot high and four in breadth, upon the inner Edges of which round Degree is plac'd another, ſomewhat ſmaller, upon that a third, yet ſmaller than the ſecond, on that third a fourth, ſtill leaning in⯑wards more and more, as it advances in its Altitude, and growing leſs and leſs, till at the top thereof, it forms a Square, conſiſting of three ſeveral Stones, cloſe knit together, in the compaſs of about fifteen or ſixteen Foot of Engliſh Meaſure.
The Form thereof, and number of the Steps.THUS are the four Sides, for I ſhou'd have inform'd you, that the Pyramid is Quadrilateral, encompaſs'd by above two hundred of theſe vaſt De⯑grees or Steps, of different Height and Magnitude, which appear like long and narrow Walking Places, but are now ſo much decay'd by Time and Weather, that it is a dangerous Trial to attempt aſcending, but in cer⯑tain Places, where the Stones continue firm, unbroken, and of promiſing Appearance.
The Founder of the greateſt Pyramid.THIS Pyramid is ſaid to have been built by Cheops, King of Egypt, who by that Amuſement, kept his Subjects from the dangerous Ruſt of a Rebel⯑lious Idleneſs, and erected for himſelf a Mauſolaeum ſo prodigious, that it has already ſtood almoſt four thouſand Years, and may, according to the Dictates of undoubted probability, continue near as long again, before 'tis ruin'd.
How long in Building.SO vaſt was the Command, and great the Labour, requiſite to carry on ſo ſtrange an Undertaking, that for the ſpace of twenty Years, there were employ'd about the building it, above three hundred, threeſcore thouſand conſtant Workmen.
The ſecond Pyramid.THE Stones, whereof the ſecond Pyramid is built, are white, and ſhining, not to be aſcended on the out-ſide, which is very ſmooth, and has its ſides extreamly equal. By whom built.This Pyramid, as Herodotus and ſome other Writers tell us, was Originally built by Cephron, Brother to King Cheops the Great Founder of the former.
The third Pyramid.THE third, unfiniſh'd Pyramid, is built of a fine, hard, bright, white and clearer kind of Stone than either of the reſt, which ſome, tho' groundleſsly, affirm to have been brought, from the remoteſt Mountains of the ſultry Aethiopia.
'TIS more than probable, this Fable ſprang from thoſe Old Writers Obſervations of a mighty quantity of Theban Marble, not unlike the Pro⯑duct of an Aethiopian Quarry, which now lies in heaps, not far from this third Pyramid, and with which Stone, perhaps, they anciently deſign'd to cover it, but were prevented by ſome Cauſe, which God alone is capable of telling us.
[248] The ſeveral Perſons, ſaid to be its Founders.THERE go almoſt an Hundred different Stories, of the Founding of this Pyramid, ſome ſay, 'twas built by Macerinus Son to Cheops King of Egypt; ſome ſay by Dorica a Courtezan or Harlot; ſome again make men⯑tion of another famous Strumpet, Aeſop's Fellow Slave, call'd Rhodope, who, when grown Rich by frequent Proſtitution, built this Pile to eternize her Memory.
A Pleaſant Story of the Building a Pyramid.ANOTHER Story gives a ſtrange Romantic Air to the Original hereof, and tells us how the late-nam'd Rhodope, Inhabiting the City of Naucretis, went one Day to Waſh and Bath herſelf in a delightfull Fountain, in the Middle of her Garden, and that leaving all her Cloathes upon the Verdant Brink, a ſharp-Ey'd Eagle ſeiz'd upon her Shooe and bearing it aloft, Flew out of Sight, nor ſtaid a Moment, till he came to Memphis, where he drop'd it in the Lap of Amaſis, then King of Egypt, who ſurpriz'd at the Extraordinary event, and pleas'd extreamly with the ſhape and Beau⯑ty of the Lady's Shooe, gave Orders inſtantly, that ſtrict enquiry ſhou'd be made about his Kingdom, for the Owner of it, who at laſt, was found, and being brought to Memphis, was immediately declar'd the Wife of Amaſis, with whom ſhe Reign'd for many Years, as Queen of Egypt, and upon her Death, receiv'd a Stately Mark of his Affection to her Perſon, in the Orders, which he gave for the erecting over her ſo fine a Mo⯑nument.
The Remoter Pyramids.THERE are but very few of the Remoter Pyramids, whoſe forms or magnitude deſerve the Trouble of a Strangers Obſervation, yet have all been cloſely ſhut from Age to Age, whereby the wiſeſt Writers of Antiquity itsſelf, have been enabled to report no more, than what they gueſs'd at Ran⯑dam, or receiv'd Traditionally from the vulgar notions.
Shut cloſe in all Ages.I know not why the Entrances of all the Pyramids, (the great one only ſtill excepted) were originally clos'd againſt the view of an Adventurous Curioſity, nor by what ſtrange means they have ſo many Ages 'ſcap'd Diſcovery, from the Ingenious Scrutinies, and nice Inſpections of our later Anceſtors, or the Refin'd and more Polite Inhabitants of Egypt, when con⯑verted to the Doctrine of the Chriſtian Faith.
The Superſti⯑tion of the People, the cauſe thereof.BUT 'twill be nothing difficult to gueſs the Reaſon of their being ſtill kept cloſe, from the Eſtabliſhment of Turkiſh Government, in that ſubvert⯑ed Country; for as the ancient Nature of the true Egyptians, was defil'd extreamly with the Mud of Superſtition, and exceeding prone to look on Omens, and all Inſignificant and Idle Obſervations, as the ſure Proclaimers of Portentous Prodigies, that ſenſeleſs Vice or Humour has encreas'd of late, to double Folly, by the Curs'd Commixture of their own erroneous Principles, and the Deluſive Superſtitious Tenets of the fond Mahometans.
The Madneſs of Bigotted Zeal.THIS Ill-contriv'd Conjunction of Ignoble Follies, kept back Inclina⯑tion to the ſearch of Knowledge, and to ſuch amazing Height did their Reſentment fly, when any Man, of whatſoever Quality he was, preſum'd to offer at an Entrance of the Pyramids, that the deſires, which ſome Baſhaws of Cairo have thought fit to mention upon that account, have caus'd ſuch Mutinies in the diſtracted Nation, as the Sword of Justice was too weak to Pacifie.
NOR will it be unpleaſant to the Reader to inform himſelf of the Va⯑lidity of their Traditions, by reflecting ſeriouſly upon the following noti⯑on, which till very lately, was eſteem'd as Orthodox.
[249] A pleaſant Notion of the Egyptians, re⯑lating to Mo⯑ſes, and the Magicians.THEY told ſuch Travellers, as ask'd them, why the Entrances of eve⯑ry Pyramid but one, were clos'd ſo ſtrongly, That the Sorcerer Moſes, for it ſeems, they ſo diſtinguiſh'd that Illuſtrious Prophet, having waſted Egypt by Ten Grievous Plagues, their Great Magicians vainly ſtrove to check the Miſchiefs, he deſign'd and did them.
The Ten Plagues of Egypt, impri⯑ſon'd in the Pyramids.BUT at laſt, when tedious Practices of vain Experiments convinc'd them plainly of their want of Power, to ſtand unſhock'd againſt the Mira⯑cles, the Hebrew ſhew'd them, they reſolv'd to try another way; and fin⯑ding it impoſſible to hurt the Perſon of the hated Moſes, they invented ſtrange and admirable Taliſmans, whereon, by fixing certain Hieroglyphic Characters, and ſhutting them ſecurely up within the Pyramids, they in⯑ſtantly found means to free themſelves from all thoſe Plagues, ſuperior Pow⯑er had brought upon them.
AND hence, the Superſtitious Natives of this Country, believing, thoſe vaſt Piles, lock'd in their Miſeries, prohibited the opening any of the Pyramids, leaſt on admiſſion of excluded Air, the Charms upon the Taliſmans ſhou'd loſe their Power, and all the Plagues ruſh out again, and overwhelm the Nation with impetuous Violence.
A reſolute Baſhaw of Cairo.HOWEVER, notwithſtanding the Antiquity and Strength of this Egyptian Superſtition, ſome Years ſince, when I was happily at Cairo, there arriv'd a new Baſhaw from Conſtantinople, a Man of an uncommon Share of Courage and Ambition, eagerly deſirous of encreaſing Knowledge, and with pleaſure ſnatching every Opportunity, which offer'd a Temptation to his ſwelling Curioſity.
THIS Man, who knew full well the Power, he was Maſter of, and ſcorn'd to fear the Inſults of a poor unthinking Mob, which he was ſent to Govern, fram'd a bold and ſudden Reſolution to inform himſelf immedi⯑ately, by the convincing Proofs of Ocular Demonſtration, of the various Wonders and ſurprizing Strokes of Art, which he had often heard diſcours'd of, on occaſionally mentioning the Pyramids of Egypt.
A Journey to the Pyramids.NO ſooner was his Reſolution ſpread abroad, than he perceiv'd a thou⯑ſand Marks of Diſcontent and Anger in the Common People; but deſpiſing thoſe effects of Ignorance and Folly, he prepar'd convenient Inſtruments of every kind, and ordering a neceſſary number of his Servants to attend his Perſon, took a Journey to theſe famous Pyramids, in order to obſerve the nature of their Buildings, and procure himſelf a great and laſting Satisfacti⯑on, in the wiſh'd for Pleaſure of ſome new Diſcoveries.
NOR fell he ſhort in his expected ends of going thither, and as the Diſ⯑coveries, he made, were ſuch, as never yet were told the World, it will not be unwelcome, ſince my ſelf and five more Chriſtian Travellers were ſuffer'd to accompany him, if I here particularize the gradual advan⯑ces, which, with curious notice of the moſt minute, or great re⯑mark, then led us leiſurely thro' every part of that ſtupendious Fa⯑brick.
The Entrance of the great⯑eſt Pyramid.ARRIVING at the Place, where ſtands the great and firſt nam'd Pyramid, we all aſcended a ſteep Hill of Sand, near forty Foot in height, upon the Northern ſide thereof, which brought us to the Entrance, a Dark Hole, not four Foot broad, nor in its height exceeding ſuch a Meaſure, ſo that it appear'd deſign'd for the reception of a Stone to cloſe that Mouth, and ſo prevent the Times to come, from aiming at the Knowledge of thoſe ſilent Manſions of imperious Death, whoſe undiſturb'd and darkſom Hollows kept the Bodies of departed Majeſty.
[250] A noiſome narrow Paſ⯑ſage.WE enter'd after certain Guides, who undertook our Conduct thro' this diſmal Paſſage, and deſcended, as upon the ſteepneſs of ſome narrow Hill, almoſt one hundred Foot before we reach'd the bottom, and were all that while oblig'd to ſtoop, or rather crawl along with Torches in our Hands, an⯑noy'd extreamly by the ſuffocating heat and cloſeneſs of the Place, but more by certain black and dreadful Batts, a kind of Bird, whoſe Shape is fright⯑ful, and her Wings like Leather, flying up and down, and oftentimes with dangerous Violence repuls'd, by ſtriking on the Heads or Faces of ſuch Travellers, as entering there, muſt neceſſarily encounter them.
An open ſpace.THE bottom of this cloſe and gloomy way admits us to a Place, conſide⯑rably broad, and of an height, which frees us from the great uneaſineſs of ſtooping for a Paſſage; all the Stones about this ſpace are broken and irre⯑gular, but yet appear to have been render'd ſo by force, becauſe not an⯑ſwerable in Proportion, or Politeneſs to the univerſal Harmony, which crowns the other Building.
The firſt Gal⯑lery of the Pyramid.FROM hence we were oblig'd to clamber up an huge and maſſy kind of Stone, near ten Foot high, which brought us to the entrance of the low⯑eſt Gallery, whoſe Pavement, of a poliſh'd white and ſhining Marble, gent⯑ly riſes with a ſmooth acclivity; the breadth thereof was near five Foot, the height a little more, the Sides and Roof were flagg'd with Stones, of an unpoliſh'd, rough, and ſofter Subſtance than the Marble of the Pavement; the height of this firſt Gallery, exceeded, rather than fell ſhort of ſix ſcore Foot of Engliſh Meaſure.
THIS Gallery was terminated by a very thick and ſolid Wall, thro' which a Hole, about the bigneſs of the firſt, by which we entred to the Py⯑ramid, admitted us directly to another Gallery, of very fine and ſtately Workmanſhip, but in its length inferior to the former; A very dread⯑ful horrid Well.hence we entred on an open ſpace, which led us to the Brink of a moſt dreadful Well, a ſtrange Deſcent of ſuch forbidding horror in its black appearance, that the very ap⯑prehenſions of its Depth and Danger, has for many Ages frightned the deſire of Curious Men, from even aiming at a further Satisfaction, than by paſſing haſtily along its edges, to attain the entrance of another Paſſage, leading to Apartments, which I ſhall deſcribe hereafter: Here we ſtop'd, and by direction from the Grand Baſhaw, who was himſelf amongſt us with a lighted Torch, ſurrounded the Deſcent, whoſe Mouth was near three Yards in its Diameter.
The Bottom how diſco⯑vered.THE Light, occaſion'd by ſo many Torches, was by far too weak to penetrate the thickneſs of this gloomy Place, ſo that finding it impoſſible by their Aſſiſtance, to perceive the bottom of the Well, we ſtood by, we con⯑triv'd to caſt in certain Balls of Oakam, dipt in Pitch or other fit bituminous Ingredients, to prepare them for the blazing Offices, they might be put to.
THESE Balls, once ſet on fire and thrown down, diſcover'd, at the bottom of the Pit, a ſtrange diſorder'd heap of Sand and Rubbiſh; it was near ten Yards in depth, and had no Stairs, whereby Deſcent had formerly been made, but certain Hollows, cut like Pidgeon-Holes, quite round the inſide of the Well, directed thoſe, who would think fit to venture down, to uſe promiſcuouſly their Hands and Feet, and ſo enable them to ſatisfy their Curioſity, without great danger to their Perſons.
How clear'd from Rubbiſh.REVOLVING Ages of continued Time had Rob'd this Well of a conſiderable Depth, by filling up great part with Sand and Stones, by Accident thrown thither, but this weak Obſtacle the Reſolute Baſhaw [251] found preſent means to render void, by making ſeveral of his Men de⯑ſcend and Dig away, whate'er they met with (Stone excepted) which by ſome above, was inſtantly drawn up in little Baskets, and by thoſe means a free Paſſage open'd to the ſolid Bottom of this Rocky Hollow.
A new Diſco⯑very at the Bottom of a Well.THERE the Well grows vaſtly larger, and in Circular extent is dug on every ſide much deeper, in the ſame degree (to uſe an ordinary Compariſon) as is the Body of a common Bottle to the Neck thereof; this great Additio⯑nal extent of ſpace is Grac'd, far rather than ſupported, by a Stately Cir⯑cle of fine Pillars of Thebaic Marble, or at leaſt a Stone, not much unlike it: And in the Center of the Circle, which thoſe Pillars form, there ſtands an ancient Monument, the Tomb perhaps of that great Architect, who built the Pyramid.
A Tomb found there.THE Tomb exceeds not much ſix Foot in Length; its Breadth is hard⯑ly four, appearing hewn from the Main Rock, but cover'd with a flat of Poliſh'd Marble, on the top whereof, as on the ſides of the whole Tomb, were ſtrangely carv'd a Thouſand Hieroglyphic Images and odd De⯑vices.
A Wooden Coffin in it.WE found it no great labour to remove the Stone, which cover'd the Se⯑pulchre, and were much amaz'd, when, contrary to expectation, we beheld therein a Wooden Coffin, or at leaſt appearing to be Wood by Touch and Figure.
UPON the Coffin Lid were repreſented, in a kind of Inlaid gilt Work, the diſtinct and ſeveral Figures following.
Hieroglyphics on the Coffin Lid.AN Eagle firſt appear'd upon a ſort of Throne, ſupported by four Wing'd Faces, not unlike the notions, we conceive of Cherubims; but by their ſwelling Cheeks and bluſtering Breath, ſent forth four different ways, I rather gueſs they were at firſt, deſign'd to repreſent the four great Winds of Heaven.
THE Eagle with ſevere and ſullen aſpect lookt directly at a Man, who held in his Right Hand a pair of Compaſſes, and had his Left extend⯑ed in a form, which repreſented him demanding Mercy, while half ſinking in an opening Gulph, which looſening likewiſe the Foundations of a Towring Pyramid, which ſtood before him; that alſo ſeem'd juſt Tumb⯑ling after him, kick'd downward by the Foot of an old Man, whoſe Right Hand held a Scyth, while with his Left he drew along a Cloud, which he appear'd deſigning to throw over both the Man and Pyra⯑mid, thereby to cover their appearance in a thick obſcurity.
The meaning of them.NOW among the many Hieroglyphic Images, whereby the Old Egypti⯑ans repreſented GOD, they often choſe the Eagle in regard to the ſharp Sightedneſs, that Bird is fam'd for, as an Emblem to expreſs his Attri⯑bute of ſure Omniſcience, as the four Winds there plac'd, were meant to repreſent the vaſt extent of his unbounded Power, over every Cor⯑ner of the World, the Winds can blow upon.
THE Eagle's looking ſo ſeverely on the falling Man, may probably denote God's anger at the Pride and Vanity, wherewith he had indulg'd his Merits, on the Building that huge Fabrick, which appear'd before him; The Authors Opinion, whoſe the Tomb was.for I take this ſinking Man to have been done, for the Great Architect of the Egyptian Pyramids.
THE tumbling of the Pyramid I gueſs to ſignify, that tho' the Builder periſh'd firſt, yet even the ſtrongeſt Maſter Pieces of his artful Labour [252] muſt ſucceed him in a ſure, tho' ſlower Downfall; and to ſhew that no⯑thing, tho' of never ſo ſtupendious Strength and Grandeur, can reſiſt the Shocks of powerful Time. Old Time himſelf there repreſented, ſpurning down the Building, ſpreads a Cloud of Darkneſs over it, to prove that he is not alone enabled to deſtroy the pompous Pageantries of Human Oſtentati⯑on, but to bury even the Memory of their o'erthrown Exiſtence in a black Obſcurity.
SO that, if I may be allow'd to have gueſs'd right, in the Interpretation of theſe Hieroglyphic Figures, they'll be found to ſignify as much, as if in Com⯑mon Characters, we ſhould ſet down the following Sentences. ‘The Hiero⯑glyphic Word for Senſe Tranſlated.Almighty God, whoſe undiſputed Power extends it ſelf to Eaſt, North, Weſt and South, and every Corner of the ſpacious Ʋniverſe, Sees and deſpiſes Human Inſolence, for while Men vainly think to Raiſe themſelves beyond Mortality, by ſome proud Ʋndertaking, they are overthrown by time, and buried with their Labours, in a dusky Cloud of ever dark Oblivion.’
FROM theſe perſwaſive Circumſtances, I profeſs my ſelf induc'd to think this Monument contain'd the Body, as I ſaid before, of him, who built this wond'rous Pyramid: The Coffin broke open.But perhaps the Reader will be more inclinable to that Opinion, when I tell him that the Coffin, by Command of the Baſhaw, was with great difficulty forcibly broke open by the Blows of Pick-Axes, and that we found therein the undiminiſh'd Body of a perfect Man, Embalm'd, and wrap'd about with many thouſand folds of Aromatic Searcloth, like the Mummies, which I ſhall at large deſcribe in the ſeven and thirtieth Chap⯑ter.
A Mummy found in it, with Hiero⯑glyphics on his Breaſt.THOSE Folds, wherewith his Breaſt was cover'd, ſeem'd to have been varniſh'd over with a laſting kind of glewy Liquor, upon which were re⯑preſented all the various ſorts of Inſtruments, us'd of old by the Profeſſors of encourag'd Architecture.
WHEN we had ſeen as much as we coul'd poſſibly diſcover, in the Tomb, the Body was again enclos'd, as it had been before; and the above⯑nam'd Marble Cover plac'd again upon the Sepulchre; A further ſearch of new Diſcoveries.from whence we went about the Circle, in the midſt of which we found the Monument, to try, if we could find no Paſſage, that might lead us on to new Diſcoveries of ſome⯑thing, which we then began to form ſtrong hopes of meeting with.
Moral Re⯑flections.METHOUGHTS the ſtrange diſorder'd heaps of Duſt and broken Stones, o'er which we walk'd, and the uncertainty we had, of knowing, when thoſe maſſy Piles were built, and to what Founder they have ow'd their Origin, then ſtruck me deeply with a melancholy Thought, and often brought to my remembrance the Reflections of an Old Greek Poet, on the arbitrary Power, which Time's Prerogative entitles him to exerciſe o'er frail Mortality.
[253] A Stone Door.WE walk'd ſometime about the Place, and with our Torches narrowly in⯑ſpected every thing, we paſs'd by, till at laſt we ſpy'd a Door of Stone, ſo cloſely ſhut, and joyning with the Wall, that 'twas not eaſily diſtinguiſh'd from it; here, believing we ſhould meet with ſomewhat, worth our Obſer⯑vation, ſeveral Men were order'd to come forward, and employ their Pick-Axes and other Inſtruments in forcing open this diſcover'd Place, which ſeem'd to offer us no other hopes of gaining Entrance.
Broke open.'TWAS not without much difficulty, that the Arts, they us'd, at laſt prevail'd; the Door flew open with a mighty violence, and caus'd a ſort of frightful Sound, as ſudden as a Thunder Clap; but what was moſt remarka⯑ble, was, that the Hinges, upon which it turn'd, were all of Stone, the Joynts contriv'd with an amazing Ingenuity, to knit together cloſe and admirably, held by certain ſtrong and clumſy Iron Pins, whereby they were for ever hinder'd from all poſſibility of accidental looſning.
Dangerous Vapours.I know not, how ſo dry a place, as this, contain'd ſuch damp and noxious Vapours, as at the ſurprizing opening of the Door above-nam'd, preſently ex⯑tinguiſh'd ſeveral Torches, and ſtruck dead, for ſome conſiderable time, two ſturdy Labourers, who were foremoſt of the Company.
FOREWARN'D by the Example of theſe Men, we cautiouſly pro⯑ceeded to inſpect the entrance of a diſmal Cavity, and that we might the better ſee the nature of the Place, caſt in before us many of the Balls, I late⯑ly ſpoke of, which, by flaming greatly, did not only clear the Proſpect of that gloomy Paſſage, but diffus'd an efficacious kind of Warmth, How diſſipa⯑ted.which, diſ⯑ſipating ſoon the hurtful Vapours, or unwholeſome Cloſeneſs of the Place, encourag'd us to enter with our lighted Torches.
The Diſcove⯑ry of many ſubterraneous Chambers.WE advanc'd with equal Pleaſure and Amazement thro' a very lofty, broad, arch'd way, on either ſide whereof were hewn Elaborately from the ſolid Rock, great numbers of ſquare Chambers, every one of which had ſmall low Benches, carv'd quite round it; and in ſome, appear'd large Niches of an exquiſite Contrivance, but convincing, or at leaſt inducing us to think, they were deſign'd for other Ʋſes, by their not retaining any Marks of ha⯑ving ever held the Burden of a Statue.
Hieroglyphic Figures.UPON the Sides, Floor, Roof, and the above-nam'd Benches, we diſcover'd plainly certain ancient Hieroglyphics, moſt of which were unintel⯑ligible, or at leaſt extreamly difficult to all our Apprehenſions.
SOME however, I took pains to think upon, and flatter'd my Belief with the Opinion, that I could Interpret their Significations, and among the reſt it may not be unpleaſant, ſhould I mention One, for the Diverſion of the Reader.
Firſt Figure.NEAR half a Foot above the Bench, the Hieroglyphic took beginning in the figure of an Infant, ſleeping in a Cradle on the lowermoſt Stair of Ten, which reaching to the Roof upon the uppermoſt ſupported an Old Man, extreamly feble in his Aſpect, bending with the Weight of Age and Miſery, and ſeeming ready to fall down and die immediately.
Second Fi⯑gure.A Man, who ſeem'd to be of Middle Age, was repreſented on the ſixth or ſeventh Step, his left Hand full of certain Chains, in number equal to the Stairs, he had aſcended; to the reſpective ends of each long Chain, were faſtned many things like Globes, of different ſizes; his right Hand ſeem'd with eagerneſs employ'd, in graſping many other Chains, as he aſ⯑cended further.
[254] Theſe Fi⯑gures, what deſign'd to re⯑preſent.THE Stairs, which, as I ſaid before, were Ten in number, were in⯑tended (as I gueſs'd) to repreſent the Ten Great Stages of our human Life, which very rarely goes beyond one hundred Years: The Child there ſleeping in a Cradle on the loweſt Stair, I take to ſignify the ten firſt Years of help⯑leſs Infancy: The Weak Old Man was Lifes great Period, and the utmoſt Age of frail Mortality.
THE Man of Middle Age, upon the ſixth or ſeventh Stair, was nothing, but an Emblem of our Mortal Life, 'twixt Theeſcore Years and Seventy: The Chains with Globes of different ſizes, faſtned to one end, which he endea⯑vour'd eagerly to graſp, as he aſcended, ſignifi'd no more than that a Man, who Travels toward Old Age, ſhould make good uſe of every Moment, in collecting Knowledge, and retaining it with reſolution; How the old Egyptians in Hierogly⯑phics, repre⯑ſented Wiſ⯑dom.for the Old Egypti⯑ans repreſented Wiſdom by the Hieroglyphic Figure of a Globe or Circle, to de⯑note that it was boundleſs, and the different Magnitudes of all thoſe Balls expreſs'd the great variety of Worth in Arts and Sciences.
THE Application therefore of this Hieroglyphical Contrivance, ſeems conſpicuous to my probably miſtaken Judgement, which, by putting the above⯑nam'd Thoughts together, fram'd immediately the following Interpretati⯑on of the dubious Emblem. ‘The Inter⯑pretation of the Hiero⯑glyphic.He, who will hope to reach a good Old Age, and bear the Weak⯑neſſes and great Infirmities, 'tis always ſubject to, muſt never fail in e⯑very Stage of Life, he paſſes thro', to gather Wiſdom and improve his Mind with Learning and Morality.’
Moral Re⯑flections.AND excellently Good is the Advice, this admirable Hieroglyphic gives Mankind; how heavily and full of ſorrow ſits Old Age, on that unhappy Wretch, who in the fruitleſs Journey of his growing Life, has ſtill omitted all his Opportunities of laying up the Treaſure, of a ſerious Contemplation, or im⯑prov'd Capacity, whereby to ſoften the unpleaſant harſhneſs of the Burthen, Time miſpent has laid upon his Shoulders.
BUT the Wiſer Man, who never knew to live in vain, but daily ga⯑thers an encreaſing Stock of Learning and Diſcretion, to enrich the dry and barren Soil, Old Age muſt bring him to, will never feel the Stings of Igno⯑rance and diſcontented Solitude; but, when he finds himſelf decay'd in Strength of Body, can reflect with Solon on the Vertues of his Mind, and ba⯑niſh Grief in the tranſporting Repetition of the following Sentence.
THE Reader muſt not blame me for preſuming to Interpret the above⯑nam'd Hieroglyphics, ſince the wonderful variety of Fancy, they afford a Sub⯑ject for, gives ſcope enough to every Man's Opinion, and the dubious Mea⯑ning, cloak'd in their Diſguiſe, may very eaſily miſlead our Judgment.
A Paſſage ſtop'd with Rubbiſh.AFTER we had paſs'd with gradual Advances, from one Chamber to another, we arriv'd at last, at what repuls'd our eager Curioſity, tho' pro⯑bably it was not anciently the uttermoſt Extent of thoſe ſtrange ſubterraneous Hollows; there we found the Paſſage quite choak'd up with Stones and Rubbiſh, nor cou'd force an entrance any farther, tho' we zealouſly endeavour'd by an univerſal Labour to remove the Obſtacle.
[255] Several Opi⯑nions on the uſe, the Ca⯑verns were deſign'd for.GOD only knows, how theſe vaſt heaps of Dirt and Ruins came Origi⯑nally there, and what remains unſeen behind them; poſſibly there may be found in future Times, ſome wonderful Conveyances for Water, as the com⯑mon Notion ſeems inclin'd to credit, or perhaps theſe Chambers were de⯑ſign'd of old for Tombs; or probably they were the Habitations of a kind of ancient Prieſts, who liv'd the Life of a ſecluded Votary, or melancholy Hermit, in or near the doleful Monument of ſome Great Prince, or Man of Honour, and had all the Neceſſaries of their Life provided daily by the Legacies of the Deceas'd.
The Author's own Opinion.INDEED I am the moſt inclinable to a Belief of this laſt Gueſs, for many Reaſons; two eſpecially, the firſt, becauſe the numerous Hieroglyphics, carv'd upon the Rocks, have been ſuch, as ſeem to 'em fanſy'd for the Con⯑templation of Religious Perſons, and becauſe, had all thoſe Places been deſign'd for the conveying Water from the River Nilus, Hieroglyphic had been cer⯑tainly a very odd, and needleſs Ornament.
Its Reaſons.AND ſecondly, becauſe without the Pyramids in many Places, ſtill remain the rows of Caves, hewn deeply in the Rocks, where formerly the ſuperſtitious Prieſts of Egypt us'd to dwell, employ'd in ſeveral different Services in the Romantic Offices of their Religion.
WHATE'ER they be, we found the utmoſt of our Labour vainly ſpent in hopes of gaining further Knowledge, ſo return'd again the way, we had deſcended, till we came to the beforenam'd rugged Place, which brought us to the brink of the deep Well, I have been ſpeaking of.
A Paſſage leading to a Square, with⯑in the Pyra⯑mid.ASCENDED from the Well, we went directly forward, and exactly in a Line with the before-nam'd ſecond Gallery, we entred a ſmall Neck or Paſſage, ſcarce five Yards in length, and very narrow; this admitted us to a large Square, a little finer than the former, but in Magnitude not far exceeding it; the Stones whereof 'tis built, are ſo extreamly large, and yet ſo wonder⯑fully cloſely Jointed, that the niceſt Eye can ſcarce diſtinguiſh, where abouts they join together; and it is the mighty Size of thoſe prodigious Stones, and the Politeneſs of their Workmanſhip, that yields ſuch cauſe for Travellers A⯑mazement, when they ſee the Fabrick of thoſe towring Pyramids.
The dimenſi⯑ons of the Square.WE found this Square no leſs than near an hundred Foot, and thence proceeded to a vaulted Chamber, ſixteen Foot in height, near twenty long, and eighteen broad or thereabouts; the Stones, which flagg the angled Roof of this large Chamber, are of admirable ſmoothneſs and ſurprizing mag⯑nitude; but all the Walls are plaiſter'd over with a Limy Subſtance, wonder⯑fully firm, and not inferior even to Stone it ſelf, for its appearance or dura⯑tion.
A Niche in the Wall.JUST equidiſtant from the Eaſtern Angles of this Room, and on that ſide thereof, we found a kind of hollow Niche, which ſeem'd at firſt to have been made to hold ſome Statue, as an Ornament or Idol, but upon a nice Inſpection, we imagin'd, it was poſſible, there might be ſomething of a Paſſage into other undiſcover'd Chambers of the Pyramid, whereupon the Men had Orders to endeavour by their Inſtruments, to find it out.
A new Deſ⯑cent diſ⯑cover'd.BY Thruſting in their Iron Betties, where they thought the Joints a little of the Wideſt, they found means to force out a large Stone, which ſtop'd a Hole, near three Foot Square, and open'd to the view of all the Com⯑pany a narrow ſhelving Paſſage, leading downwards with a diſmal Gloomi⯑neſs.
[256] And Enter'd.WE Entred, and Deſcended, ſtrangely ſtruck with Grave-like Smells, and duſty odours, there was cut a Paſſage down, by certain Stairs, whoſe Winding Turns, and Labyrinth of changes led us on with wonderfull ſur⯑prize, and eager curioſity, till we imagin'd, we had gone almoſt the Height of all the Pyramid below its Bottom. All the way was Hewn laboriouſly from the Rock it ſelf, and commonly ſo very low and narrow, that but one cou'd poſſibly go down full-breaſted, and that one was forc'd to ſtoop with incommodious Forwardneſs.
A Vaulted Paſſage, un⯑der Ground.THE Bottom of theſe Stairs at laſt, admitted us to a low Vaulted Paſ⯑ſage, ſtrait but narrow, which continu'd in one form, for a conſiderable way together, letting in a Glimmering Light, which look'd like Day, thro certain little Holes, of almoſt undiſtinguiſhable ſize and Workman⯑ſhip.
A ſtrange Aſ⯑cent.IN all the Horrour and Amazement poſſible, from the ſurprizing odd⯑neſs of the Place, we Walk'd in, we proceeded, till we found the ſtrait⯑neſs of the Paſſage terminated by another Winding Stair-Caſe, leading upwards, in as ſtrange a manner as the other downwards.
The Paſſage Clos'd.WE Aſcended here, and found no difference in Form or Magnitude, be⯑tween this Paſſage and the former, till we perceiv'd it clos'd by cer⯑tain Maſſy Stones above our Heads, and ſeveral other, on each ſide the Stair-Caſe.
HERE we ſtop'd, and for a while amus'd our ſelves with ſtrange Re⯑flections on the Nature of the Place, and Thoughts, which way we might get out, without returning the ſame Road, we came; ſome Paſſage out, we were aſſur'd, there was, elſe cou'd not comprehend the uſe of all thoſe ſteps, by which we had aſcended.
A Moveable Stone Diſco⯑ver'd.AT laſt, ſome Men, belonging to the Great Baſhaw, and famous Maſters of the Art of Architecture, as in Faſhion in the Eaſtern Countries, looking earneſtly about the Place, perceiv'd one Stone, much ſmaller than the reſt, and by the Application of their Irons, after many fruitleſs efforts, found it ſtir, and by repeated Labours, ſo prevail'd at laſt, that they quite lifted it from out the Place, it ſtood in, and by forcible addition of a doubled ſtrength, quite thruſt it from the Hole, it ſtop'd.
A Storm of Sand.BUT we had little reaſon to be pleas'd with this ſucceſs, for in the very Moment, that the Stone was lifted out, there Showr'd down on us ſuch Impetuous Tides of Rolling Sand, that in the ſpace of half a Minute, we were almoſt Buried Quick, and wholly overwhelm'd with its amazing violence.
NO ſooner was this Sandy Storm, and our ſurprize thereat abated, but we open'd all our Eyes; and found our ſelves half Swallow'd by it, yet thoſe Men, who ſtood the neareſt to the Hole, perceiv'd it wider at the Top than Bottom, and the Stone, which fill'd it, being likewiſe ſo, had ſerv'd to ſtop it up effectually, and till then, prevented all that Sand, which lay upon it from a poſſibility of Entrance.
The Author and his Com⯑pany riſe, without the Pyramid.ON either ſide the Hole, and Rock below it, there were cut Square Nooks, wherein by thruſting Hands and Feet, a Man, without great difficulty, might aſcend, and by thoſe means we all got up, in order as we ſtood, and were beyond belief ſurpriz'd, not only to behold an open Sky, which plainly ſhew'd us, that we were without the Pyramid, but to perceive our ſelves within a Spacious Hollow on the lofty Head [257] of that great Rock, which Pliny, and the other Writers of Antiquity, diſtin⯑guiſh by the Name of Sphynx.
Plinys Opini⯑on of the Sphynx.THE Author, juſt abovenam'd, wou'd perſwade us to believe, that 'twas the Sepulchre of Amaſis King of Egypt, and of his Opinion are moſt Modern Writers, who have had occaſion in their Books to mention it.
The Authors Diſſent from it.FOR my part I muſt own, my Inclination leads me to diſſent from the belief, that it was ever meant for that Employment, I am rather Tempted to imagine, it was anciently an Idol, from the hollow of whoſe Head, the Prieſts deceiv'd the Common People, as they thought con⯑venient.
And the Cauſes there⯑of.AND, indeed, to what end elſe, were thoſe ſtrange Subterraneous Paſ⯑ſages contriv'd, which lead from the Great Pyramid, and Caves adjoining, for⯑merly the Habitations of a Superstitious Priesthood? Why, (but for this cauſe) ſhou'd they have Carv'd the Rock, 'tis made of, like an Aethiopian Virgin? or why elſe have made the Head ſo hollow, and the Paſſages thereto ſo very Secret?
Why call'd a Sphynx.'TWAS call'd a Sphynx, becauſe from the Breaſts upwards, it was ſaid to repreſent a Virgin, and a Lyon from the Boſom downwards; If there ever was the Lyons ſhape belonging to it, Hills of Sand have cover'd its Appearance, for there now remains no more above the Surface, than the Head and Neck, and ſomething of Foundation, which thoſe Men, who pleaſe, may take for Shoulders.
Its Situation, and Dimenſi⯑ons.IT ſtands on the East ſide of the great Pyramid, but very little di⯑ſtant from it, its Height exceeds not Seventy Foot, and is defac'd ex⯑treamly by the violence of thoſe Bigotted Turks, who hating Images, be⯑lieve it meritorious, to aboliſh the Remembrance of their very Be⯑ing.
How decay'd by time.THE Arabs call it Abul-hol-hon, and expreſs a Satisfaction in the hopes, they have conceiv'd, that it will ſhortly fall, by reaſon of the Weakneſs of the Neck, decay'd extreamly by the Shocks of Time, and fre⯑quent Tempests from the Neighb'ring Deſarts, whence the Winds, from time to time, blow ſtorms of Sand, and thence came that, which ſo unwellcomely invaded us, when firſt we forc'd the Paſſage open.
They return to the Pyra⯑mid.WE plac'd the Stone, as we had found it, by the ſtrength of certain Men, whom the Baſhaw oblig'd to ſtay above on purpoſe, and re-en⯑ter (by the common way) the Pyramid we were returning to; we faſt⯑ned in the Stone, belonging to the Niche, and going back to the above⯑nam'd Well, began to climb another Paſſage, not far from it.
A Gracefull Gallery.THIS brought us to a Gracefull Gallery, of ſix and twenty Foot in height, ſtill riſing with a very ſmooth, but ſomewhat ſteep, and difficult Acclivity. This Gallery is almoſt Seven Foot broad, and Bench'd with ſolid Seats of Stone, near two Foot high, on either ſide, and Flagg'd with Stone, politely join'd, and of a Magnitude, almoſt ſurpaſſing Credit. 'Tis in Length one Hund⯑red, Fifty and odd Feet, and leads, where it Terminates, to two Large round [...] Stately Chambers, opening into one another, and indented Square and certain Nooks, which ſeem to have been form'd for ſitting Places.
[258] A Chamber with a Tomb in itHENCE a ſquare and Marble Paſſage, brought us to the Entrance of the middle Room, the loftieſt, moſt amazing, and prodigious Building of the Pyramid, the Chamber, which contains the Tomb of him, who built it, thought, as I have ſaid before, to be King Cheops, an Egyptian Mo⯑narch.
The amazing dimenſions of the Chamber.THE length of this vaſt Room, is five and thirty Engliſh Feet, the breadth a little more than ſeventeen, the height within an Inch or two of twenty, and the Sides, Roof, Floor and every Part thereof, flagg'd richly with fine glittering Tables, of Thebaick Marble, ſo prodigiouſly extenſive, that the Place is roof'd by nine great Squares thereof, and all the Sides are flagg'd by ſix vaſt rows of equal Magnitude, and Beauty inexpreſſibly ſurprizing.
Deſcription of the Tomb.A little diſtant from the Weſtern Side of this great Chamber, ſtands the Monument, I juſt now mention'd, 'tis about ſeven Foot in length, three deep, and thereabouts in breadth; 'tis empty and uncover'd, and conſiſts of one entire Piece of admirable Porphyry, which being ſtruck by any Sword⯑hilt, Stone, or other ſolid Body, yields a ſound, not much inferior to the Tone of ſome great Bell in Chriſtian Churches.
A further Paſſage.FROM hence, a Paſſage leads you ſteeply to ſome other Chumbers, none deſerving a particular Deſcription; and continuing to aſcend, as far as poſ⯑ſible, we ſearch'd in vain for more Diſcoveries, and at laſt deſcended by the way, we came.
How the Top is to be aſ⯑cended.THE Top muſt be aſcended from without, and is not, what it ſeems to be (by reaſon of the diſtance) from below, a Point; but an exact and perfect Square, of fourteen Foot, which ſpace three ſingle Stones contain, join'd artfully together, and all over cover'd with the Names of Travellers, of every Nation, there cut deep, and left to tell ſucceeding Comers, they were there before 'em.
Other Pyra⯑mids enter'd.MANY of the other Pyramids, beſides the two adjoining this, we en⯑ter'd, finding Tombs in every one, and ſeveral things, worth ſpeaking of, but ſhou'd I name them all, it wou'd require a greater Space, than I can here allow my ſelf, and having therefore largely treated of the moſt re⯑markable Diſcoveries, we made, let it ſuffice to tell the Reader, that I have ſome Thoughts of publiſhing a Treatiſe, of theſe famous Pyramids, un⯑mix'd with any other Obſervations, when the World's Good-nature ſpeaks it ſelf deſerving, or my own ſpare Time appears permitting it.
The uncer⯑tainty of their Number.THE Number of the Pyramids was ever, as uncertain, as their Founders and Antiquity, nor are they all of the ſame Magnitude, ſome being far in⯑ferior to the ſmalleſt of the Three ſo celebrated; yet perhaps, were thoſe a⯑way, the meaneſt of the little ones wou'd well deſerve the Name of Won⯑ders.
Extent of their Situati⯑on.THEY extend themſelves in great unequal Diſtances, for near the ſpace of twenty Miles, and may be ſeen at large from the ſquare Flat upon the higheſt Pyramid; but whether it proceeds from any difficulty, owing to their ſtrange Poſition, or is caus'd by the unwary Negligence of thoſe, who ſtrive to count 'em, I am yet uncertain, but it has been found, as much im⯑poſſible to do it justly, as to tell the Monuments of Stonehenge, upon Salisbury Plain: a Task, moſt Engliſh Writers have reported difficult.
How many little Pyra⯑mids the Au⯑thor told, from the top of the great one.I look'd as nicely, as I cou'd direct my Eyes, from the abovenam'd Place, and cou'd diſtinctly tell no more than five and twenty: Other Authors have [259] reported them an hundred; many Modern Writers ſay, there are but eigh⯑teen, or at moſt, but twenty.
A probable Cauſe, of the different Ac⯑counts on this Subject.WHENCE theſe different Accounts ſhou'd riſe, I cannot gueſs, unleſs a kind of Foggy Weather, often known in Egypt, might obſcure the Proſpect, at ſuch times as thoſe, who leſſen the juſt Number of the Pyramids, have chanc'd to take their Obſervations.
A Queſtion, how the Stones were rais'd.IT is a Queſtion, not a little curious, how the Ancients cou'd contrive to carry Stones, of ſuch amazing Bulk, to ſuch an Altitude, whereby the Fabrick was erected; and to this I anſwer, that I have collected all the Notions worth Remark, To be an⯑ſwer'd in ano⯑ther Treatiſe.which, with the Draughts of ſeveral fine Machines, and admi⯑rable Engines, I deſign to Publiſh, when I find this Book ſo well receiv'd, that Gratitude, not Recompenſe may urge me to the ſetting forth the Treatiſe, I ſo lately ſpoke of.
Why the Au⯑thor is not fuller on this Subject.I hope, the Reader will not think me blameable, in that I have not dwelt much longer on the Subject, ſince it was ſo copious to afford me Matter; thoſe, who may imagine me too ſhort, muſt certainly forget, how many Things I am to treat of, equally deſerving Notice, and how much I ſhou'd out-ſwell the Volume, I propos'd, ſhou'd I enlarge to a Prolixity on every Sub⯑ject, which afforded Room enough to bear that way of Writing.
CHAP. XXXV. Of the Trade of Egypt.
The Intro⯑duction.A Conquer'd Nation muſt be Subject, among other Shocks of inauſ⯑picious Fate, to deviate from her Genius, as ſhe dwindles from her Power, and the ſame deſtructive Hand, whoſe unreſiſted Violence has cruſh'd the Liberty of a ſubverted Country, may undoubtedly be ſaid to triumph o'er the Minds of her unhappy Natives, when it has de⯑preſs'd their Courage, and enſlav'd their Perſons.
Egypt brought to Turkiſh Cu⯑ſtoms.AS therefore Egypt, wholly Subject to the Lawleſs Tyranny of an in⯑ſulting Monarch, knows no wiſh'd partiality of Freedom, nor is ſuffer'd to poſſeſs peculiar Tolerations, it muſt conſequently follow, that her fix'd De⯑pendance on the Turkiſh Government, muſt ſtrongly bend her Biaſs'd People in their Modern Slavery, to an encourag'd Practice of thoſe very Cuſtoms, Forms, and Ceremonies, which are Publickly profeſs'd by their Imperious Maſters.
Why the E⯑gyptians love not Traffick.HENCE the Reader, having long ſince been inform'd of the prevai⯑ling Genius, which has ſtill inclin'd the Warlike Turks to never reſting ſearch of Conqueſts, will be apt to gueſs, that their Egyptian Subjects, aping ea⯑gerly their ſtrange Example, cannot be inclin'd, or qualify'd indeed, for the encouragement of any thing, ſo different from the perpetual Hurries of fatiguing War, or Martial Studies, as the ſofter Practice of a Trading Life, and the leſs dangerous Rudiments of Peaceful Traffick.
[260] Extreamly fond of War.AMBITIOUS Aims and ſwelling Hopes, which take their Beings from a love of War, have chang'd this Nation, from her ancient Searches after Arts and Sciences, to an imperious diſregard of every Vertue, not ex⯑erted in a Martial manner; Arms alone are the encourag'd White, they uni⯑verſally direct their tow'ring Shafts at, and a different Cauſe has now pro⯑duc'd among them all the ſame effect, which animated gloriouſly the anci⯑ent World to ſcorn of Danger, and the Practices of War, which how eſteem'd, may plainly be diſcover'd, in the numerous Writings of thoſe early Ages, handed down to late Poſterity, with a deſerv'd Applauſe and uni⯑verſal Admiration, particularly in the following Verſes of Tyrtaeus, a Greek Poet, flouriſhing about the thirty fifth Olympiad.
YET is not Egypt wholly deſtitute of ſuch Commodities, as,Egypt not quite deſti⯑ture of Trade. notwith⯑ſtanding all theſe diſadvantages, entice the Merchant, to advent'rous ſearch of profitable Traffick: which their Sea-Port Town of Alexandria is, in its Si⯑tuation, ſo extreamly fit for; The Manu⯑factures of Egypt.Thither once a Year repair the Gallies of the Turkiſh Sultan, loading firſt with Wood from the Black-Sea (a ſcarce Com⯑modity in Egypt) and returning back, with many rich and coſtly Manu⯑factures of Grand Cairo, and the Country round it, ſuch as Drugs of excel⯑lent and noted Virtues in Medicinal Operations, fine Perfumes, the Skins of Beaſts, peculiar to this Place, vaſt quantities of Dates, much larger, and of better taſt than any other, Sugar Canes in great abundance, and a ſtately kind of Carpets, made at Cairo, in appearance richer, and by far more du⯑rable, than thoſe, they make in any other Part of the Grand Signior's Em⯑pire.
What Engliſh Ships import from Egypt.BESIDES theſe Merchandizes, which our Engliſh Ships have con⯑ſtant Trade with Egypt for, we often are ſupplied at eaſy Rates, with ma⯑ny of the rich and valuable Silks, and other Products of the Indian Countries, brought to Cairo by the Monthly Caravans, and thence exported, at conve⯑nient Opportunities, to every diſtant Part of Trading Chriſtendom.
What they export to it.BY way of Barter for the Merchandizes, we receive from thence, we load our Ships with nothing more than theſe Commodities (the Product of our own and Foreign Manufactures) which I have largely mention'd in the Chapter, treating of the Trade, at preſent carried on, between our Countrymen, and thoſe of Turkey.
How the French, Dutch, and Venetians trade with Egypt.THE French and Dutch both carry on a Trade with Egypt, but inferi⯑or much to that, we manage in the Port of Alexandria; but the Venetians deal for a peculiar kind of Aſhes, made of Lime, calcin'd with the broad Leaves of certain low and ſpreading Herbs, which grow on the elſe Barren Deſarts of this Country; of which, when they have us'd ſome Arts at home, in the refining and new moulding it, they make the famous Chryſtal, and ſo celebrated Glaſſes, which are much eſteem'd, and numerouſly ſent about to every Part of Europe.
BEFORE I cloſe this Chapter, 'twill not be digreſſive from the Sub⯑ject, I am treating on, to tell the Etymology, from whence we give the Name to Paper.
Whence our Writing Pa⯑per took its Name.THERE is a very common Herb, which grows in the Egyptian Mar⯑ſhes, call'd of old Papyrus Nilotica, from the Appellation of the River; 'tis a kind of ſtringly Leaf, of Filamental Subſtance, which the Ancients us'd to ſtrip in Flakes, of which 'tis almoſt naturally compos'd, then ſpreading them up⯑on a Board, they moiſten'd them with certain Waters of a ſtiptic Compoſition, and by preſſing them with weighty Inſtruments, ſo well enabled them to bear the Writing on, that they were us'd by all Men for that purpoſe, and com⯑pos'd moſt part of thoſe unnumber'd Volumes in the Library of Philadel⯑phus.
[262] Why the Au⯑thor is ſo ſhort upon this ſub⯑ject.'TIS needleſs to enlarge on the particulars of the abovenam'd Ma⯑nufactures, hence exported, ſince they are not only long ſince extant in the liſts of many Writers, but are now become Familiar to the Trading part of England, who alone are thoſe, to whom a full Account thereof might even formerly have been imagin'd welcome.
CHAP. XXXVI. Of the Revenues of Egypt, and to what Ʋſes they are Applied.
AS the unbounded Power of the Turkiſh Sultan Authorizes his Pretenſions, to an undiſputed ſway in the Egyptian Govern⯑ment, ſo does it thence entitle him, to the Poſſeſſion of a cer⯑tain Annual income or Revenue, The Revenue how gather'd in Egypt.which is Rais'd, Collected, and in all kinds Manag'd (as I have before Related, in the other Parts of his Dominions) till depoſited at Cairo in the Hands of the Baſhaw, then Governing, as Viceroy, for the Turkiſh Empire.
How Employ⯑ed.THENCE, Guarded by proportion'd Bodies of the Standing Forces, kept in Egypt, it is ſeverally employ'd to certain ſetled uſes, and from Hand to Hand deliver'd carefully, in order to be us'd for the reſpective purpoſes, to which it was decreed, ſince firſt the Arms of the Victorious Selym made him Maſter of this Fertile Country.
A Calculation of the whole Revenue.THE whole Revenue, as it has been Calculated juſtly by ſome late Inquirers, into the Condition of the Turkiſh Treaſures, is no more than Eighteen Hundred Thouſand Gold Chequins, that is Nine Hundred Thou⯑ſand Engliſh Pounds a Year, and ſuch a Sum is Annually rais'd, and di⯑ſtributed with great exactneſs, in the juſt proportions of the Three Di⯑viſions following.
The Firſt Third, how diſpos'd of. THREE Hundred Thouſand Pounds a Year are ſet apart, for the Poſ⯑ſeſſion of the Turkiſh Sultan, and deliver'd to the Care of certain choſen Regiments of Horſe, whoſe Duty 'tis, to Guard it ſafely to Constantinople, and receiving a Diſcharge from the Lord Tefterdar or Treaſurer, return, when they have left it in his Cuſtody, to be employ'd according to the Will and Pleaſure of his Maſter, the Grand Signior; ſometimes it hap⯑pens, that the Turkiſh Fleet, with formidable ſtrength, is ready to de⯑part from Egypt, at the time, wherein the Guards ſet forward with the Money, and in that Caſe, 'tis Embark'd on Board the Admiral, who ſaves the Soldiers their expected Trouble, and acquits them from their Charge at Alexandria, tho' this but rarely happens, and is found a very dangerous way, becauſe the Treaſure undefended by a Mighty Naval Force, would probably become a Prey, to the Induſtrious va⯑lour of the Chriſtian Squadrons, ever Cruiſing on the Coaſts of Turkey.
[263] The ſecond third, how diſpos'd of.THREE Hundred Thouſand Pounds a Year are next appropriated, to defray the Charges of the numerous Offices, dependent on the Great Baſhaw, and other neceſſary Uſes in relation to the Poſts, incumbent on ſuch Men, as are deputed by, and thence ſubſervient to the Great, Supream, and Arbitrary Monarch of the Conquer'd Egypt.
The laſt third, how apply'd.THE Third Three Hundred Thouſand Pounds a Year are ſtill employ'd, in bearing the Expences of the many thouſand zealous Pilgrims, who reſort each Year with a Bigotted Faith, to the great Rendezvous at Cairo, whence they all ſet out with wonderful Devotion, and a ſuperſtitious Ignorance, in order to compleat the neceſſary Pilgrimage to Mecca, their Falſe Prophet's Birth Place.
THESE three above-nam'd Uſes are the only ones, to which the Turks apply the Sums, they gain from the Egyptian Tribute, nor is it law⯑ful by the fix'd Decrees of the Grand Signior's Empire, that the Sums thence riſing, ſhould be any ways perverted to what Uſe ſoever, devious from the ends, to which they are appointed.
Why the Re⯑venue is ſo ſmall.'TIS true, nine hundred thouſand Pounds a Year are no great Income, from the Conqueſt of a Country, ſo exceeding famous for her known Fertility; that, when the Romans conquer'd her of old, ſhe gain'd the Name of Granary to that ſucceſsful Empire. But as Wealth decreaſes by a long continued Series of deſtractive War, 'tis no great wonder, if we now find Egypt far from the Capacity, of yielding ſuch amazing heaps of Spoil and Plenty, as in ancient Ages bleſs'd the Plunder of Victorious Legions.
How the Turks make up the defici⯑ency.HOWEVER, tho' the Sum, exacted thence by the Grand Signior, is a ſmaller Burden than they well might bear, yet are the Turks ſo dexte⯑rouſly skill'd, in managing Authority, to the Advantage of their Purſes, and their Maſter's Safety, that the vanquiſh'd Natives are not only cruſh'd, beyond all hopes of growing rich, but kept below the very poſſibility of framing, with the ſmalleſt ſhadow of Succeſs, a dangerous Rebellion.
CHAP. XXXVII. Of the Egyptian Catacombs, and the Mummys, which are found in the Ancient Sepulchres of their Dead.
BY the foregoing Deſcriptions of Cairo, Memphis, Babylon, and the Stupendious Workmanſhip of thoſe prodigious Pyramids, whoſe outward Magnitude, interior Paſſages, and ſubterraneous Cavities, have ſo deſerv'dly ſtil'd them the Worlds Chief Wonder; the Cu⯑rious Reader may have form'd a Notion, no ways diſagreable, of the valu⯑able Antiquities, whoſe ſtill remaining Splendours ſpeak amazingly, the former Grandeur of the Egyptian Nation.
[264] The Antiqui⯑ty of ſome of the Mummys.I ſhall now proceed to give a ſtrange, but true Account of thoſe vaſt Ca⯑tacombs, wherein the Old Egyptians were Embalm'd and Buried, and whoſe black, horrid Wombs do yet contain a formidable Proof, how long our Hu⯑mane Bodies may preſerve their Subſtance, when defended by the help of Art, from the deſtructive Power of a Natural Corruption: For in the dark Receſſes of thoſe Gloomy Caverns, to this Day remain unnumber'd Thou⯑ſands of thoſe very People, who liv'd and triumph'd o'er the Subject Iſraelites, before the Hand of GOD deliver'd that ungrateful Nation from their long Captivity.
'TIS a Curioſity, however Dangerous, extreamly Satisfactory for an Adventurous Traveller, to behold thoſe Lifeleſs Bodies, which from Age to Age have been Interr'd in theſe ſurprizing Monuments, and bidding ſtrong Defiance to the Courſe of Nature, remain untouch'd by piercing Putrefaction, and have for ſeveral Thouſand Years, lain undi⯑ſturb'd, entire and ſound in every Part, nor will undoubtedly for many Ages yet to come, be any ways ſubject to the ſmallest Diminution.
The Extent of the Catacombs.THESE Vaults and dark Sepulchres of their Ancient Dead, extend themſelves in greateſt Numbers, from the Neighbourhood of Memphis to the diſtant Borders of the Libyan Deſart, containing Thirty Miles in length, and breadth proportionable: Many have been broken up from time to time, and often enter'd by the daring Curioſity of European. Travellers; but many yet remain unopen'd; nor is it an Attempt, conſiſtent with the Dictates of a Self-preſerving Humour, to Viſit frequently thoſe Dusky Pa⯑laces of Death, known only by the ſight of ſome large Stone, unnatural to the Place, which turn'd aſide, diſcovers under it a narrow Deſcent, not much unlike the Mouth of ſuch a Well, as we may often ſee in Britiſh Vil⯑lages: The manner of deſcending the Vaults.The Paſſage down was form'd by gradual Steps, cut circularly thro' the Neck of this Deſcent; but Time, or accidental Ruin having now de⯑fac'd thoſe old Conveniencies, ſome Rope, or other neat Contrivance is made uſe of, to let down thoſe, who are deſirous of enlivening their Contem⯑plations, by ſuch a ſtrange and melancholy Proſpect. The bottom of this ſteep Deſcent admits them inſtantly to one large Vault, which leads to many o⯑thers, high, and diſmal, built ſecurely with a ſmall ſquare Stone, of Co⯑lour black and ſhining, not unreaſonably ſuppos'd by ſome, thoſe famous Bricks ſo Celebrated in the Scripture, for the Workmanſhip of the Poor Captiv'd Iſraelites, who labour'd hardly under the harſh Injunctions of an Egyptian Bondage.
THE greateſt part of theſe dark Arches remain entirely whole, and ſtately, but in ſome few Places are defac'd and fallen, ſo as to render the Paſſage thro' them, almoſt impracticably difficult: Some are diſtinguiſh'd by ſmall Pillars, oppoſitely plac'd in graceful Order. Others wholly un⯑adorn'd and naked, leading like the Streets of Chriſtian Cities one through another, and forming with a ſort of venerable Majeſty, a Gloomy Labyrinth of Death and Horrour: The Order, in which the Mummys lie.For on either ſide, lie rang'd in meaſur'd Order, at near Three Foot diſtance from each other, promiſcuous Bodies of Men, Women and Children; ſome whereof (ſuch likely as were Rich and Honourable) have flat Stones, a little elevated at the Head and Feet, plac'd neatly under them. Others lie meanlier in the Common Sand, but all Embalm'd; and wrap'd about with numerous folds of Searcloth-Li⯑nen, which, forcibly untwin'd from their defenceleſs Bodies, looks not much unlike the middle Rind of ſome decaying Oak, and leaves the Corps entirely Solid, Whole and Perfect in its full dimenſions; of a blackiſh Red, or dusky Brown in Colour; its Subſtance hard, like Pitch or Roſin; their Backs and Breasts are often ſtain'd with Hieroglyphick Cyphers, and on their Boſoms, lie ſmall figur'd Idols, made of Artificial Stone, Bak'd hard and dura⯑ble, [265] or ſometimes folded Scroles of rough and painted Parchment, ſome of which Devices I ſhall, in the courſe of this Chapter, deſcribe to the Judicious Reader, with my own Opinion of the likelieſt Significations of their diver⯑ting Fancies, and Hieroglyphical Contrivances.
The Danger of too great a Curioſity.THE Danger of Deſcending ſuch of theſe Repoſitories, as are moſt Curi⯑ous, is extreamly great, by the diſtance they are at, from the Cities afore⯑mention'd, which expoſes frequently the unwary Traveller, to the barbarous Violence of the Inhumane Arabs, who, watching ſecretly for a favourable Opportunity, will often cloſe the Mouth of the Sepulchre, and by that means Starving the unhappy Strangers, return ſome few Days after, to di⯑vide the Plunder of thoſe Miſcarried Gentlemen.
A ſtrange Ac⯑cident which befel the Au⯑thor in a Vault a⯑mongſt the Mummys.AN Accident occurring unexpectedly to my own Experience, may per⯑haps, divert the Reader, in the Relation of what I can with Pleaſure now reflect on, tho' it gave me little Satisfaction, when I was liable to its Dan⯑ger: About 15 Miles South-East of Memphis, lie ſeveral Famous Catacombs, but (as dangerouſly ſeen) are commonly neglected; however, a ſtrong De⯑ſire of ſeeing ſomething, that for ſo many Ages had continu'd ſhut from Mortal View, excited my Curioſity to forget the Hazard, and procure, as Guide, a Native of that Country, to conduct me with three Fellow Travellers, to the Place abovemention'd. The Fellow was a little back⯑ward, alledging, in excuſe of his unwillingneſs, that 'twas an Inconvenien⯑cy, to lie a Night abroad upon the Open Deſart; but aſſuring him, we wou'd rather Travel all Night long, he conſented to go with us. We Rode on Mules, and Travell'd with a wonderful Delight thro' a rough and ſandy Coun⯑try, till we arriv'd at a Place, where Stones of vaſt, uncommon Sizes, poin⯑ted out the Paſſages to what we look'd for. We were pleas'd to ſee the Coaſt ſo clear, that not the ſmalleſt Tract of Man or Beaſt appear'd to give us cauſe of Jealouſy. We alighted from our Mules, and tying them toge⯑ther, went towards the largeſt Stone, we ſaw amongſt them, and turning it with much ado aſide, were all ſurpriz'd to ſee ſecurely faſtned, and rowl'd up on the inſide, a Ladder of Ropes; but imagining it might have been left there, by ſome, who had deſcended formerly, we ſpar'd the trou⯑ble of making uſe of a Conveniency, our Guide had with him, and having unfolded what we found there ready, went backwards down, with each Man a Piſtol in one Hand, and a lighted Torch in the other: A ſtrange un⯑common Smell ſaluted our firſt Entrance, with an Odour, not to be imagin'd by ſuch, as have not known it by Experience, and the blazing Torches, ſtriking a faint glimmering Light thro' the thickneſs of the Gloom, diſcover'd, as we walk'd along on either ſide, the diſcolour'd Faces of the Dead, with a ſtrange and inexpreſſible Horrour: We had ſcarce paſs'd three Yards within the Vault, when the foremost of our Company, ſtumbling accidentally on ſomething, that lay in his way, fell headlong over it; whereupon, holding down our Torches, we perceiv'd two Men in Chriſtian Habits, extended croſs each other, and appearing newly Dead, with all the pale and frightful Marks of a Convulſive Horrour, in their contracted Joints and Faces: Be⯑tween the Feet of one there lay a Pocket Book and Pencil, which taking up and opening, we read with great Difficulty and more Concern the fol⯑lowing Lines, there Written in Italian, but in a Character, that was hardly legible; for beſides the Confuſion of one Letter running into another, the Lines were here and there writ upon certain others, which ſeem'd to have been deſign'd, as Memorandums for ſeveral private Buſineſſes. ‘Two Gentle⯑men found dead in a Vault. LORENZO and FERDINANDO BONAVOGLIA, Dear Unhappy Brothers, born at Piſa, a City of Italy, dy'd here by Grief and Hunger, barbarouſly ſhut in and loſt for ever, June 18th, 1701. Good Chriſtian, if thy dear Eyes ſhall read our Miſery, Pray [266] for our Souls; O Jeſus, O Mary, Mother of God, hear and pity us.’
IT ſhould ſeem by the melancholy Contents of this ſmall Pocket Book, that theſe unfortunate Gentlemen had been obſerv'd to enter, by ſome Ara⯑bian Murderers; and the ſequel of this Relation will I think, incline the Reader to the ſame Opinion. By the Date of the above-nam'd Sentences we found, they had not long been there, for to the beſt of my Remem⯑brance, 'twas on the Twenty Second of the ſame Month, that we came thither.
AMAZ'D, and half confounded at the miſerable Objects, which we ſaw before us, we began to think upon the Danger, we were in; the Ap⯑prehenſion whereof encreas'd immediately to a double Magnitude, by the ghaſtly Looks and trembling Agonies, which ſhook the heartleſs Guide with fierce Convulſions: As we knew him more familiar than our ſelves with the Cuſtoms of his Country, ſo we gueſs'd our Danger more extraordinary by the Fright, we ſaw him in; and judging it a neceſſary Prudence, to make the beſt of Time and Opportunity, we retreated with the utmoſt haſt to the Place, we came in at, A dangerous Surprizebut to our great Surprize, perceiv'd the Stone plac'd over the Mouth of the Deſcent the very Moment, we came directly under it; with all the fright imaginable we began to ſeek the Rope, by which we had Deſcended, but 'twas taken up, and all the hopes of our Deliverance from that dreadful Priſon, were entirely daſh'd to nothing, by the unexpected turn of ſuch a ſad Cataſtrophe: 'Twas here we felt the fear of Death, in all its rougheſt Attributes; and the Guide, who ſhou'd have giv'n us Comfort in our deep Extremity, encreas'd the weight of our Concern, by piercing Cries and oft-repeated Curſes on our raſh Attempt, which had involv'd our ſelves, and him in one promiſcuous Ruin; and would deſtroy in him, the chief Support and poor Subſiſtence of his unhappy Wife and Family. For my part, tho' expos'd in equal meaſure to the threatned Miſery, I was ſo ſtrongly mov'd by the Sighs, Groans, Tears, and wring⯑ing Hands of this complaining Wretch, that I forgot the Nature of the Place, I walk'd in, and forming ſtrange unreaſonable Hopes, that we might find ſome other Paſſage, urg'd the Company to ramble farther thro' thoſe diſmal Cavities; but conſidering the Horror, which in ſuch a Place, the want of Light wou'd ſoon produce, and willing to keep back the evil Hour, as long as poſſible, we extinguiſh'd Four of our Five Torches, and with the ſickly Light of the remaining One, walk'd on with heavy Hearts from Vault to Vault, quite thro' thoſe diſmal Manſions; till at a little diſtance from the Guide, who bore the Light before us, we perceiv'd with more than common Terrour, the faint Idea's of ſix Pale Faces, cloſe againſt the Wall, that ſtood before us; we ſtarted at the Sight, and ſaw them move as if they ſtalk'd to come upon us undiſcover'd; ſo that rightly gueſſing they deſign'd no good, with one conſent we fir'd our Piſtols; 'tis impoſſible to make the Reader ſenſible, of the prodigious loud Report and rumbling Noiſe this one Diſcharge created in the Vault, it roll'd above our Heads like ſome uncommon Clap of Thunder, and continued, ſtill encreaſing, a conſi⯑derable time: Whether Fear, or ſome unlucky Accident produc'd the Cauſe, I cannot well determine, but the frighted Guide let fall his Torch, which preſently extinguiſh'd, and running backwards with impetuous Fury, beat down a Gentleman of our Company, and tumbling on the Ground, lay ſtill in a moſt profound and breathleſs Silence: When the Report was over, we expected every Moment to have heard or felt the Perſons, we had ſeen before us; but all was ſtrangely ſtill, no Tread or Voice alarm'd our Fears nor could we gueſs, what Accident had rid us of our Danger; till thro' the Wall before us, we perceiv'd a ſudden Ray of Light break briskly in; and coming to the Place, found there a Hole, dug thro' the Stone, or Brick, []
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE, Which Repreſents The Strange Particulars of an Accident, that hap'ned to the Author, in The Catacombs of Egypt.
- A. THE Entrance, by which we Deſcended to the Catacomb, with the Mules, tied together about it.
- B. The Stone, that Cover'd the Mouth of the Deſcent.
- C. The Guide.
- D. The Pocket Book.
- E. The Two Italian Gentlemen, found Dead, in the firſt Vault.
- F. One of the Engliſh Gentlemen, who fell, by Stumbling over them.
- G. G. G. G. Mummies, in ſeveral Allies of the Catacomb.
- H. The Six Arabs, againſt the Wall.
- I. The Stone, that Cover'd the other Entrance of the Catacomb.
- K. Two of the Arabs, making their Eſcape from the Vault.
- L. L. Others of them, Riding away haſtily.
- M. M. Their Companions, carrying off our Mules.
- N. The Turkiſh Party of Horſe, appearing at a Diſtance.
- O. O. O. The Pyramids of Egypt.
- P. The Aethiopian Head, call'd Sphinx by Pliny, and other Writers.
[]
To the Right Hon, ble Charles Earl of Peterborow and Monmouth ye Authors Honour'd Patron & Encourager of his Undertaking this Plate is Moſt humbly dedicated.
[267] which open'd largely into another Catacomb, thro' which we ſaw the Paſ⯑ſage, that had let in ſo much Light upon us, and heard an unintelligible Noiſe of Hallowing deſcend, as from the Mouth of that uncover'd Cavity; thro' which, we could perceive diſtinctly Six Tall Men, climb ſwiftly up, and ſeem'd confus'd, as if afraid of ſome approaching Danger: The Author's ſtrange Eſcape from the Vault.The fear of dying in that horrid Place, had baniſh'd every other from our Thoughts, ſo that getting eagerly tho' the broken Wall, we ran immediately to the Entrance of the Vault, and hearing neither Voice, nor any other Sign of their conti⯑nuing above, we ventur'd to aſcend, as they had done; and certainly the Light of Heaven did never more Enliven Man, than it did our joyful Com⯑pany, at ſuch a ſtrange Deliverance.
NO ſooner were we up, but looking round, we could perceive Four Arabs, riding haſtily towards the left ſide of the Deſart, leading away our Mules, as lawful Booty, and follow'd, at ſome diſtance, by Six others: On the right of our unlucky Station, we perceiv'd a Troop of Turkiſh Horſe-Men, whom we knew by their Appearance, to belong to the Baſhaw, and to be part of thoſe convenient Forces, kept on purpoſe to Patrole from Place to Place, and guard the Country, from the preſumptuous Inſults of theſe Ara⯑bian Villanies: Till then, I never met a Turkiſh Party with the ſmalleſt Sa⯑tisfaction, but was now tranſported with a boundleſs Joy, at the welcome Proſpect of their firſt Appearance.
WE walk'd to meet them, and informing their Commanding Officer, of what had paſs'd, he ſtrait detach'd a Number of his Men to gallop after them, who were no ſooner ſeen advancing by the Wary Arabs, but they ſet our Captiv'd Mules at Liberty, and ſoon outran the hopes of their leſs-ſwift Purſuers: However, we were very well contented to have ſped ſo well, and fearing we might loſe our Safety, by the dangerous Abſence of our new-come Champions, we agreed to give the Officer the value of Five and Twenty Shillings a piece, upon Condition, he would ſee us ſafely to the Neighbourhood of Cairo; He accepted the Propoſal, and invited us to de⯑ſcend again, while he with ſeveral of his Men, would keep us Company, and leave the reſt above to watch for our Security: His offering to accom⯑pany us, convinc'd us of his Honeſty, and miſſing the poor Guide, who had been left below, They deſcend again. we ventur'd once again, to viſit the late Scene of our Mis⯑fortune; being enter'd with three Lights, which the Captain order'd to be carried, ſuch as I have elſewhere largely treated of, and which afford a Flame, much brighter and more powerful than our ſmall Torches, we proceeded gra⯑dually from Place to Place,, and ſearch'd in vain o'er all the Vaults for the poor frighted Fellow, we had left behind us, till at laſt, arriving at the fartheſt end of that firſt Catacomb, which we deſcended, we obſerv'd one Mummy higher than the reſt, and drawing near, to view it more particularly, we could perceive it ſtir, at which ſurpriz'd, and calling for the Lights, to know its meaning, the firſt thing, They find the Guide, hid under a Mummy. we ſaw, was the poor Guide, who, being crowded in between the Wall and the Mummy, was creeping under it, as far as he was able, and turn'd his Eyes upon the Lights and Company, with ſuch a diſmal Languiſh, that it threw us into a long and violent fit of Laughter. The Honeſt Man's Simplicity, had perſwaded him that, if he lay cloſe, he might paſs for a Mummy, and having crawl'd from Vault to Vault, he choſe that Place for his Aſylum from thoſe Arabs, for whom he now miſtook the Turkiſh Soldiers.
A joyful Tranſport.HE heard us laugh, and looking earneſtly about him, found with a ſur⯑prizing Joy, that he had been miſtaken in his Apprehenſions, and the rapid Tranſports, thence oppreſſing his recover'd Spirits, made him ſtart from his unneceſſary Shelter, and embracing me, who then unluckily ſtood neareſt him, expreſs'd the Senſe, he had of his ſcarce credited Delivery, with ſuch [268] Ungovernable ſigns of Satisfaction, in the Leaping up and down, that Treading frequently upon my Feet, I was oblig'd to ſhake him off with Roughneſs, unbecoming the Soft Airs of due Congratulation.
NOW had we time, without the fear of a ſucceeding Danger, to inſpect, with all the Zeal of an unlimitted Curioſity, thoſe gloomy Tracts of Death and Terrour, in whoſe diſmal Paths we had before been ſo amazing⯑ly ſurpriz'd, by dangerous Interruption.
The Obſerva⯑tions, they made in their Second Deſ⯑cent.THE Obſervations then, which, favour'd by ſo fair an Opportunity, we made, were theſe; the Bodies of the Mummies, not exceeding in their Stature thoſe of common Height now Living, are a certain confutation of that old miſtake, which Teaches many to believe that, as the World In⯑creaſes in her Age, Mankind decreaſe in Strength and Magnitude.
THE many Thouſand Folds, which Swath'd ſome Bodies in the Ca⯑tacomb, were Wound about the Corps, with ſo much ſmoothneſs, and ſuch admirable Art and Neatneſs of Contrivance, that the Niceſt Hand Modern Times would fall ſo ſhort of equalling, that they could never Imitate the Beauties of the Practice, ſhould they now attempt it.
WE all took Notice, that the Heads of many Mummies were di⯑vided from their Bodies, and perceiv'd that Part the Weakeſt, and moſt prejudic'd by Time, even in thoſe Corps, which ſeem'd intire, and no ways Rob'd of their Original Proportion.
THE Faces of ſuch Bodies, as appear'd the Richeſt, by their Orna⯑ments and ways of Lying, we obſerv'd all coverd over with a very thin and Shining Aromatic Searcloath, of ſuch admirable form and ſuch a Skilful Preparation, that it only ſerv'd to keep the Head more laſting and en⯑tire (which elſe was found a Part moſt ſubject to decay) without ob⯑ſcuring the Appearance of the Countenance, or altering even the Mi⯑nutest turn of any Feature.
The Painted Rolls.THE Rolls, which lay on many of their Breaſts, contain'd, as I have ſaid before, a Thouſand different kind of Hieroglyhic Figures, ſome done in Gold, ſome Red, ſome Blew, ſome Green, and others Black, in ſhort of every Form and Colour; thence a Man may reaſonably claim the Liberty to gueſs, he could diſtinguiſh many things, relating to the Age, Death, Quality, Life, Vertues, and Profeſſion of the Perſon, to whoſe Breaſt they are Affix'd.
THUS for Example, on the Boſom of one Mummy, whole and Fair in every there, there lay a Roll, whereon in Lines of Gold and Azure, we diſtinguiſh'd plainly among many more the following Fi⯑gures.
An Hierogly⯑phic Image, in the Catacombs.UPON a very High and Craggy Rock, there ſtood a Throne, where⯑on in all the State of Ancient Monarchs, ſat a Man in Royal Robes, and Wearing on his Head a Regal Diadem; his Right Hand highly E⯑levated, held a Sword with Threatning Fury, and his Left extended with a kind of a diſdainful Air, appear'd to Mock the Fruitleſs Efforts of a Numerous Company of Men in Arms, who ſeem'd with eagerneſs to graſp the Rocks, and vainly aim'd with angry Looks, at Reaching the De⯑fended King, who ſat ſecure, and Triumph'd in their Diſappoint⯑ments.
[]
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE, VVhich Repreſents, Exactly an Egyptian Hieroglyphic, Found upon the Boſom of a MƲMMY, in the CATACOMBS.
- A. A King, upon his Throne, or an Emblem of a Prince, who Governs Juſtly.
- B. An Emblem of Deſigning, Underhanded Treachery.
- C. An Emblematical Deſcription of the Great Stability of Juſtice, and Moderation.
- D. D. D. D. An Emblematical Repreſentation of Ungovernable, Head-Strong Treaſon, and its Difficulties.
[]
To the Right Honble Cary Counteſs of Peterborough &c This Plate is Most Humbly Dedicated
[269] An Emblem of crafty Treaſon. BƲT on the other ſide the Rock, behind the Monarch's Back, appear'd a brisk and fiery Youth, who, having mounted by the help of a tall Ladder, was juſt ſteping, from its topmoſt Round upon the Rock it ſelf, with ſeeming reſolution to attack and kill the King, with a long Spear, preſented at him, was witheld from his Intent by means of a large Chain, deſcending from a Cloud above his Head, and twining ſuddenly about his Arms, while he himſelf was wounded in the Boſom by a Sword, directed by a Hand, which iſſued likewiſe from the Cloud abovenam'd.
NOW in my Imagination, 'tis a Task of no great difficulty, to unfold the Myſtery, contain'd in this intelligible Hieroglyphic; perhaps I am miſtaken, but as probably am not; however, right, or wrong, I'll give the Reader my Opinion, let him judge, as he thinks proper.
The meaning of the Hiero⯑glyphic.THE Monarch, repreſented in his Regal Ornaments I take, to mean a King, who Rules with State and Power: The Sword denotes the Juſtice of his Office: The diſdainful Look implies a ſcorn of Treaſon, and its Pra⯑ctiſers.
THE Rock, whereon he ſits enthron'd, was doubtleſs meant, to ſigni⯑fy his Governments Solidity; its craggy Roughneſs was deſign'd to ſhow, what dangerous Precipices, we are led to by Ambition.
Emblem of Open Rebel⯑lion.THE Raſh, arm'd Multitude, who ſtrive in vain, before the Face of the above-nam'd Monarch, to aſcend and wound him, are as Emblems of of thoſe daring and imprudent Rebels, who will openly preſume to carry on their Hate to juſt Authority, and proſecute the Dictates of their Impious Wiſhes in the Face of Majeſty.
THEIR numerous Repulſes, and the fruitleſs Efforts of their eager Ap⯑plication ſerve to ſhew, how much it is impoſſible, by open Practices of Lawleſs Villany, to ſhock the Throne of an eſtabliſh'd Government, or ſucceed in the Endeavours of a treacherous Inclination.
THE ſiery Youth, juſt mounting from a Ladder to the ſummit of the Rock behind the King, and holding up a Spear, as if with deſign to kill him, ſignifies in my Opinion, that more crafty kind of Treaſon, carried on by un⯑derhand Intrigues and ſubtle Secrecy, and powerfully aſſiſted by prevailing Parties.
Emblem of Heaven's Juſtice.THE deſcending Cloud, from which appears the Chain, that binds him, and the Hand, which wounds his Boſome with a Spear, was meant by the Egyptians of Antiquity to repreſent that Great, but unknown Power, by whoſe ſure, tho' ſecret means of Juſtice, they perceiv'd the ſacred Perſons of Juſt Monarchs, ſafely guarded from deſigning Treachery, and very rarely knew a Villain Die unpuniſh'd.
NOW, if the Ingenious Reader will but put together theſe Interpretati⯑ons of the Hieroglyphic Myſtery, he will ſoon perceive a nice connexion of its ſeveral Parts, which we may read, as follows.
The Hiero⯑glyphic lite⯑rally Inter⯑preted.That Prince's Throne, who governs juſtly, is ſo ſtrongly ſeated on the Rock of Power, that he can look with ſcorn upon the vain Attempts of thoſe Mad Rebells, who, invading his Prerogative with open Vi⯑olence, encounter ſuch prodigious and undreamt of Difficulties, that they fall in their Endeavours wretched Victims, to the diſappointment of Ambition.
[270] But that more Crafty, Politic, and Private Traitor, who unge⯑nerouſly aims at a Succeſs in his Rebellion, from the undiſcover'd Practices of cloſe Diſloyalty, tho' he may proſper for a while in unde⯑tected Villanies, is, notwithſtanding his great Cautions, watch'd in e⯑very Step, he makes, by the unknown Omniſcience of ſome Hea⯑venly Being, who, when his Plot ſeems ripe for Execution, chains his Will, o'erthrows his Treaſon, and amazingly converts his un⯑ſuſpecting Malice to his own Deſtruction.
The particu⯑lar Applicati⯑on of the Hie⯑roglyphic.THIS general Interpretation led me to conclude, the Hieroglyphic was deſign'd a Monitory Lecture, to diſſwade Mankind from Practices of Treaſon, by an artful Declaration of its fatal Conſequences; and the Application in particular directed me to gueſs, the Mummy, on whoſe Body it was repre⯑ſented, had been formerly ſome Youth, made wretched by the Knowledge, if not Executed for the Practice of ſome Treaſon or Rebellion.
They reaſ⯑cend from the Catacomb.WHEN we had made as many Obſervations, as we could, we reaſ⯑cended by the way we enter'd at, and were conducted ſafely to Grand Cairo, by the faithful Captain and his Party, on the Terms before⯑nam'd
INQUIRING, when we were return'd, if any News had reach'd the City, of the loſs of two Italian Gentlemen, and hearing nothing of it, we imagin'd it our Duties to acquaint a Perſon of that Country, who reſided there in Public Buſineſs, with the ſtrange Particulars of the above-nam'd Ac⯑cident: He preſently inform'd us, that he knew too well the Gentlemen, we ſpoke of, that they had been recommended to him in their Travells thither, and had been forewarn'd, how dangerous it was to viſit thoſe remote, and diſmal Catacombs; that they refus'd to liſten to Perſwaſion, and had taken a Guide, and ſeveral Servants with them, none of which had ſince been heard of.
What became of the dead Bodies of the two Italian Gentlemen.IN ſhort, the Gentleman, with melancholy Marks of Thanks, rewarded our Civility, in giving him this ſorrowful Intelligence; he hir'd the Captain, who had been our Convoy, to remove the Bodies of the two unhappy Brothers from the Catacomb to Cairo, whence he afterwards Embark'd them on a Veſſel, which was bound for Europe, and which brought them ſoon (God knows a ſhocking and unwelcome Cargo) to their Country and Relati⯑ons.
How they were betray'd.IT ſeems their Guide (ſince taken and Impal'd alive for his abominable Villany) had held a Correſpondence with the Arabs, and betray'd his Charge, by ent'ring with them to the Catacomb, and giving them the Slip at a convenient Opportunity thro' the other Hole, ſet open purpoſely; the Servants, who remain'd above, were ſiez'd on, and made Priſoners by the Arabs, who return'd to Plunder their dead Maſters at a time, when they un⯑happily found us, an unexpected Booty in the Gin, they came to.
PROBABLY, the reaſon of their leaving the Italian Gentlemen un⯑plunder'd, when they ſhut them in, was owing to the diſtant Proſpect of ſome Turkiſh Party, frequently Patroling, as I ſaid before, from Place to Place about thoſe Deſarts.
AS our Eſcape was wonderful, ſo were our Praiſes and Thankſgiving, Great and Hearty; yet the Horror, whoſe unnatural Shock, when we ſu⯑ſtain'd the Danger, ſtartled Nature, is by time converted to a certain inex⯑preſſible Contentment in the ſweet Remembrance, and Reflection on the oddneſs of the Accident, nor is it a new thing to change our Paſſions with [271] the Change of Time, in ſuch a manner, Seneca has left us his Authority, to prove it common in the following Words,
The Cata⯑combs, nearer Cairo, not worth de⯑ſcribing.I could enlarge extreamly on the Subject of the Catacombs, but think it al⯑together needleſs, ſince the fineſt of them all are thoſe, which I have here ſo largely treated of, and which are very ſeldom viſited by any Travellers, nor to my Knowledge have been ever yet deſcrib'd, in any of their Writings; all the Wells, or little Places nearer Cairo, which contain the Bo⯑dies of Egyptian Mummies, are not only ſo inferior to theſe Catacombs, as ſcarce to merit mention, but have been already taken notice of ſo frequent⯑ly by other Travellers, in almoſt every Book of this kind, extant in our Lan⯑guage, that 'tis neither worth my Trouble in repeating the Particulars, or an Ingenious Readers in peruſing the Relation.
CHAP. XXXVIII. Of that Part of Egypt, formerly the Land of Goſhen, and of the Paſſage of Caravans, thro' the Libyan Deſarts.
[272]Delta, why ſo call'd.AMONGST the many fertil Tracts of Land, enriching Egypt with an annual Plenty, there is one, call'd Delta by the Ancients, in regard to the Reſemblance, it was thought to bear the Graecian Letter of that Name.
Two Streams of Nilus.THE River Nilus, not above four Miles below Grand Cairo, is divided into two diſtinct and navigable Streams, one running Eaſtward, and the other towards the Weſt; the firſt emits his Waters into the Mediterranean, not far diſtant from the Old Peluſium, now call'd Damiata; and the ſecond loſes his ſwift Channel in the ſame Sea, juſt below Roſetta.
THESE two abovenam'd Channels form, by their triangular Courſe, a very rich and ſpacious Iſland, even the fatteſt Soil, and moſt delightful Part of Fruitful Egypt, and it is this Portion of the Country, which, as I have ſaid before, was once diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Delta.
The Land of Goſhen.THIS, Tho' many contradict the Notion, I imagine to have been in former Times, the Land of Goſhen, and am much confirm'd in my Opinion, by the Holy Scriptures undeniable Authority. As, for Example, in the tenth Verſe of the forty fifth Chapter of Geneſis, where Joſeph tells his Fa⯑ther, ‘Gen. chap. 45. v 10And thou ſhalt dwell in the Land of Goſhen, and thou ſhalt be near unto me, thou, and thy Children, and thy Childrens Children, and thy Flocks, and thy Herds, and all, that thou haſt.’
BY the Words near unto me, in this Verſe, it's evidently certain, that we cannot gueſs with greater probability, than in believing Delta to have been the Place, ſince 'tis the neareſt fruitful Spot of Ground to Memphis, (then the Reſidence of Joſeph,) in the whole Egyptian Country.
Goſhen prov'd a fruitful Country.AND, that the Land of Goſhen was not only near the Capital, but pre⯑ferable in a thouſand other Bleſſings to the reſt of Egypt, we may be aſſur'd by the Authority, I juſt now quoted, and ſome other Places.
IN the fourth, fifth, and ſixth Verſes of the ſeven and fortieth Chapter of Geneſis, we find the Sons of Jacob pleading for, and Pharaoh granting them the Land of Goſhen in the following Sentences.
Gen. chap. 4 v. 4, 5, 6.They ſaid moreover unto Pharaoh, for to ſojourn in the Land are we come; for thy Servants have no paſture for their Flocks, for the [273] Famine is ſore in the Land of Canaan: Now therefore we pray thee, let thy Sevants dwell in the Land of Goſhen.
And Pharaoh ſpake unto Joſeph, ſaying, Thy Father and thy Brethren are come unto thee.
The Land of Egypt is before thee; in the beſt of the Land make thy Father and Brethren to dwell, in the Land of Goſhen let them dwell.
AGAIN, in the ſix and fortieth Chapter, Pharaoh ſpeaks to Joſeph in the following manner,
And take your Father, and your Houſhold, and come unto me: And I will give you the good of the Land of Egypt, and ye ſhall eat the fat of the Land.
Alſo regard not your Stuff: For the good of all the Land of Egypt is yours.
Delta, by the Author, thought to be the Land of Goſhen.BY theſe abovenam'd Paſſages of Holy Writ, we may without abſurdi⯑ty conclude, that the triangular Tract of Land, call'd Delta by the An⯑cients, or at leaſt ſome part thereof is cettainly the ſame, which formerly was dwelt in by the Bondag'd Iſraelites, and bore the Appellation of the Land of Goſhen.
The common Notion of it.BUT many are of an Opinion, oppoſite to this, and judge the Land of Goſhen to have been that part of Egypt, ſituate betwixt Grand Cairo and the Libyan Deſarts. Why abſurd.Not to enter into a Diſpute on that account, I only ſhall beg leave to make one Obſervation, and that is, A Country, ſo extreamly Barren, nor Productive of the ſmalleſt Mark of competent Encreaſe, much leſs of flowing Plenty, cannot reaſonably be imagin'd reconcilable to the Idea's of Fertility, we take from the Accounts, the Scriptures give us of the Land of Goſhen.
PROCEED we now from Egypt to the Holy-Land, to which the common Paſſage from Grand Cairo lies, thro' Part of Idumaea, and the dangerous Deſarts of Arabia the Stony.
The way of Travelling in Caravans.CARAVANS, which I have elſewhere in this Book explain'd the mea⯑ning of, paſs to and fro continually, and afford Conveniencies for Chriſtian Travellers, who either ride upon a Camel or a Dromedary, not unlike it, but a little ſmaller. Certain Bails of Merchandize are bound on either ſide the Shoul⯑ders of the Beaſt, and in the hollow, thence occaſion'd, there is plac'd a kind of Quilt, or Cuſhion, whereupon we are oblig'd to ride Croſs-legg'd, defended from the Sun by a large Canopy of Canvaſs, purpoſely erected.
'TIS a very toilſome and fatiguing way of Travelling, by reaſon of the native height of Trott, peculiar to thoſe Creatures; who without the ſmal⯑leſt ſign of diſcontent, will Travel four whole Days together, deſtitute of Water, but upon occaſion, can ſo far exert this Bleſſing of their Nature, as to live without it, near a Fortnight.
The Caravans how order'd.THE Caravans, which paſs from Paleſtine to Egypt, commonly conſiſt of ſix, ſeven, eight, nine hundred, or a thouſand Perſons, with their Ca⯑mels, and Conveniencies, which we muſt all provide from the Braſs-Kettle, to the Frying-Pan, if we wou'd Eat or Drink with Chriſtian Decency. An ad⯑mirable Order is obſerv'd among them, and continual Watch kept Night and [274] Day, to guard the Caravan from the Attacks and Robberies of the Wild Arabs, who infeſt the Deſart, and of whom I ſhall more fully treat, when I am come to the Deſcription of their Laws and Ways of Living.
Jews, who go to die at Je⯑ruſalem.'TIS really a diverting Entertainment, for a ſprightly Fancy to obſerve, what Multitudes of ſuperſtitious Jews ſwarm up and down in every Caravan; the oldeſt, uglieſt, and moſt decrepit of all Mankind, who flock from every di⯑ſtant Corner of the ſpacious Ʋniverſe, to die as near Jeruſalem as poſſible, and load themſelves and other Beaſts of Burthen, with the muſty Bones, and tatter'd Reliques of their Dead Relations.
Three Caſtles in the De⯑ſarts.YOU traverſe deſart Sands and miſerable Countries, for about a Ten-Days-Journey, then arrive at Gaza in the Holy-Land, firſt paſſing by three ſeveral Caſtles, ſtrongly Garriſon'd, who claim a certain Sum, by way of Toll from every Paſſenger, both for himſelf and Camels; nor is this the only Trouble, Travellers are ſubject to, for ſuch is the prodigious Power and inhumane Nature of the upſtart Officers. commanding in theſe Places, that they never fail exacting, with the utmoſt Inſolence and Avarice, whatever Force makes eaſy to their Rapine: The neceſſity of a Paſſport from the Ba⯑ſhaw of Cairo.So that every Stranger, who wou'd Travel unoffen⯑ded, from Grand Cairo to Jeruſalem, muſt purchaſe a full Paſſport from the Great Baſhaw, reſiding at the firſt of thoſe two Towns, by which he may be ſure of a Protection, tho' he meets with no Reſpect; but if, imprudently, he ventures, undefended by the Virtue of that neceſſary Safe-guard, ten to one, the Perſecutions, he muſt meet with, damp his Curioſity, and he returns, deep loaden with Repentance in the room of Satisfaction.
CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Preſent State of the Holy-Land.
[275]Paleſtine juſtly call'd Holy by the Christians.AT laſt the Reader is arriv'd in Paleſtine, the Land, which anciently was choſen by the Voice of God himſelf, for the Poſſeſſion of a Peo⯑ple, whom he long diſtinguiſh'd by an undeſerv'd Partiality of Fa⯑vour and Affection: A Country, juſtly call'd the Holy Land by Chriſtian Piety, becauſe our Saviour bleſs'd her Cities with his Reſidence and Converſation, and in this ſelected Climate paid the Debt of an aſſum'd Humanity in ignominious Death and bitter Agonies.
Not elſe de⯑ſerving of the Title.BUT far from Holy has it ever been, if we conſider the Rebellious Principles, incorrigible, ſtrange, and unexampled Wickedneſs of the un⯑happy Jews, her Old Inhabitants: A Nation diſregarding Laws, impos'd by God himſelf, who in their very Sight vouchſaf'd to hold a Converſation with their more Religious Leader, the neglected Moſes.
The obſtinacy of the Jews.A Nation, who in midſt of the Poſſeſſion of thoſe ſhow'ring Happineſſes, conſequent to the encreaſing favour of their Great Creator, and deliver'd by amazing Proofs of his Affection; nay defended in their greateſt Perils by a thouſand Miracles, and oft repeated Marks of the Almighty's Mercy; I ſay a Nation, who poſſeſſing theſe, and many more peculiar Bleſſings, could, a⯑midſt their Obligations, ſlight their Duty, and neglecting Him, from whom they boaſted all their Fortune, deviate from the Rules, he ſet before them, to the ſhameful Practices of black Idolatry.
How greatly Puniſh'd.BUT as the heinous Nature of theſe Peoples Sins, exceeded far the moſt enormous Crimes of other Nations, ſo does that ſurprizing Puniſhment, in⯑flicted on them, full as much exceed the Miſery, which even the moſt de⯑ſpis'd and wretched Outcaſts of the ſpacious Univerſe are forc'd to ſuf⯑fer.
Strangers in their own Country. ABHORR'D in the Society, and baniſh'd from the Habitations of Mankind in general, they wander miſerably up and down, poſſeſs no Pro⯑perty, and wiſh no Excellence in any Art but that of Cheating, ſcorn'd and perſecuted, whereſoe'er they come, and to ſo ſhocking a degree the Tennis-Balls of Fortune, and unpity'd Exiles of the World, that they are no where greater Strangers, than in Palestine it ſelf, of Old the Right of their ſub⯑verted Anceſtors, and making them, while they poſſeſs'd her, not alone the Pride, but Terrour of the Univerſe.
NOT any Country of the Habitable World is known, to have been ſub⯑ject to ſo many Changes, or has felt the ill Effects of ſuch ſtupendious, bloody, and ſucceſſive Revolutions, as if the Juſt, All-Wiſe, and Mighty Hand of Heaven inflicted never reſting Torments on the Place, for having been the Scene of our Redeemer's Sufferings, by the inſolent Decrees, and obſtinate Stupidity of her Inhumane Natives.
[276] Palestine in the Turks Poſſeſſion.AMONG the many Changes, ſhe has felt, ſhe groans at preſent under the ſevereſt Weight of galling Slavery, that ever ſhe was ſubject to, entirely in Poſſeſſion of the Turks, and Govern'd by Baſhaws, San⯑giacks and other Officers in all degrees preſiding, and exerting their Autho⯑rity, as in the other Countries, ſubject to the Government of the Ʋnli⯑mited Grand Signior.
How Inhabi⯑ted at preſent.HER Old Inhabitants, Eradicated wholly by ſucceſſive Shocks of War and Poverty, have left the Ancient Seats of their Poſſeſſion, to be Peo⯑pled by a Mixture of the Scum and Refuſe of moſt other Eaſtern Na⯑tions, ſuch as Greeks, Armenians, Moors, Egyptians and the like; for Turks, there are but very few among them, nor would thoſe continue there, but out of a deſign to Plunder and exact, as much as poſſible, from the Un⯑happy Wretches, ſubject to their Tyranny.
The Soil itſelf Chang'd.NOR is, the once ſublime, and Flouriſhing Condition of her Ancient Government, the only thing, which time has chang'd to this Surprizing diſadvantage, even the Land itſelf, as if a Curſe from Heaven attended the deteſted Climate, has diſrob'd her Surface of thoſe amiable Beauties, and attracting Excellencies of Fertility and Proſpect, which in former times, were wont to Crown, not only the Vallies, but the very Hills and Rocks themſelves, with a Productive Gayety.
Reflections.METHOUGHTS it griev'd me, when I trod the Paths, which, in forgotten Ages, have perhaps been trac'd by the repeated Foot-ſteps of the Ancient Patriarchs, and their Poſterity. Methoughts I ſay, it griev'd me then to think, that Lands, of Old, poſſeſs'd by the Religious Patrons of GODS Holy Doctrine, ſhould now be own'd by the Defiling out⯑caſts of Humanity, by Swarms of Infidels.
IT Shock'd me ſtrangely, when I caſt my Eye from Hill to Hill, a⯑bout the Country, and beheld almoſt on every Mountain, the remaning Ruins of ſome Chalky Fabrick, Mourning, as it were, its Founders Downfall: It ſhock'd me, when I ſaw ſuch rugged Reliques of o'erturn'd Antiquity; and yet by what my Guides inform'd me, was oblig'd in looking on them, to reflect, there once ſtood Jericho in all her Grandeur, there Da⯑maſcus anciently erected her aſpiring Head, there ſtood the Fam'd Metro⯑polis of Iſrael, bright Samaria, and in former Ages, yonder deſpicable Heap of Ruins was the Proud Jeruſalem.
Moral Re⯑flections.OH! How can Man be led to Flatter his ambitious Paſſions, with the Groundleſs hopes of Riches Permanence, or an unſhock'd Poſſeſſion of the Smiles of Fortune, when that very Ground is grown a Dunghill for the Filth of Nature, which the promiſes of Heaven, and the GOD of Abraham confirm'd to his Poſterity, with the repeated Character of a Land, that Flow'd with Milk and Honey, and the ſtrong aſſurances that it ſhould dwell with Him, and with his Seed for ever.
Bread made of Roots.I know not, whether it proceeds from the Defect of Nature, in ſome wondrous Alteration of the Soils Fertility, or Univerſal Negligence, or want of skill in thoſe Inhabitants, who now poſſeſs it, to improve it, as they ought to do, but this is certain, that the Land is ſo extreamly Bar⯑ren, or Deficient in producing Corn, that for the ſpace of many Miles a⯑bout Jeruſalem, the People Eat no other Bread, than what is made of Beans, or certain Roots, of an Ʋnſavory Reliſh, but they ſay, of Mighty Vertue, as to the Effects, they have on thoſe, who Eat them.
[277] IT is, indeed, a Dyet, only fit for thoſe mean Slaves, whoſe ab⯑ject Souls can ſtoop to Servitude with a regardleſs Eaſineſs, and ſuch alone would condeſcend to live among ſuch Arbitrary Tyrants, as oppreſs all kinds of People by Extortion and Injuſtice, in this miſerable Coun⯑try.
Rapine en⯑courag'd, in Turkey.'TIS true, the Practice of unbounded Rapine is allow'd, nay even en⯑courag'd in the mildeſt Scenes of Turkiſh Government, but here in ſo particular a manner, that Honour, Power, and Riches can by no means be obtain'd, but by the help of ſuch unjuſt and wicked Courſes, as by univer⯑ſal Cuſtom are become, not only ſafe but faſhionable:
The evil con⯑ſequences of Example.AND indeed, where not alone licentious Education tolerates an Evil, but an univerſal Approbation justifies its Practice, 'tis a Task, extreamly difficult for any Man to ſhun the common Courſe of Vice, he ſees before him; an Evil Converſation and the ill Examples, ſet Mankind, deceive their Sen⯑ſes into an Opinion, that ſuch Practices are juſt, as they ſee common; Hence Injuſtice is become ſo natural to the Turkiſh Government, and hence, we find, how uſeful it would be for all young Men, to ſtudy well the Pre⯑cepts of Theognis in the following Verſes.
PROCEED we now, to take a view of the remaining Tokens of Antiquity and Zeal, which yet adorn the Modern State of loſt Jeru⯑ſalem.
CHAP. XL. Of Jeruſalem. The Sacred Antiquities therein con⯑tain'd, and the Entertainment of Strangers in the Chriſtian Monaſtery on Mount-Calvary.
[278]Old Jeruſalem's Condition.NOW, Reader, we are come to a deſcription of the celebrated Queen of ancient Cities, whoſe aſpiring Turrets rais'd her Pride beyond a Rival, whoſe peculiar Bleſſings ſpoke her long the Mi⯑ſtreſs of Command, and Glory of the Univerſe, whoſe impious Walls contain'd the Scene of our Redeemers Agonies, and ſhook with Earthquakes at his mighty Crucifixion.
How different from the Mo⯑dern.BUT now, alas! She can no longer boaſt thoſe Gayeties of Nature and combining Art, which ſwell'd her Excellence in former Ages, all thoſe bright and tow'ring Marks of Splendour and Authority are ſunk to nothing, Rocky Barrenneſs, now ſtares a Stranger wildly in the Face, where once he might have charm'd his Senſes, with a glitt'ring Proſpect of refin'd Mag⯑nificence, and craggy Precipices in the very midſt of this depopulated Scene of Sorrow, ſeem to groan out in complaining Murmurs, Mortal Glory cometh up, and is cut down like a Flower, and paſſeth away like a Shadow, and is no more ſeen.
Reflections on Jeruſalem.OH! Poor, unhappy City, Great even in the Memory of what thou once wert thought deſerving of; how fully haſt thou ſeen accompliſh'd the Prophetic Sentence of thy Crucified Director; Oh! how much better had it been for thy deluded Natives, to have liſten'd gratefully to the repeated Woes, denounc'd againſt them; Then had thy ſplendid Temple ſtood unſhock'd, and not expos'd to verifie a Sentence, which, had ſhe de⯑ſerv'd no Overthrow, had never been inflicted. Math. 24. ch. v. 2. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, there ſhall not be left here one Stone upon another, that ſhall not be thrown down.
HOW evident alas! are all thy Miſeries; how vainly doſt thou groan in an unpitied Ruin; and how ſtupidly inactive muſt be that Man's Fan⯑cy, who, beholding thee ſurrounded by thy preſent Curſes, does not mournfully reflect, how much in vain our Tender Saviour pitied thy Mis⯑fortunes, when he breath'd theſe piercing Proofs of Heavenly Compaſſion mildly over thee!
Math. 24. ch. v. 37, 38.O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, thou, that killeſt the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them, which are ſent unto thee, how often would I have gather'd thy Children together, even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not!
Behold, your Houſe is left unto you deſolate.
[279] THE Shocking Weight of thoſe Oppreſſions, thou art ſubject to, give lively proofs of the juſt cauſe, our Bleſſed Saviour had to ſay, Weep not for me, but for your ſelves O ye Daughters of Jeruſalem.
New Jeruſa⯑lem, how Si⯑tuated.MODERN Jeruſalem has Chang'd her Situation, from the very Ground, on which the old one ſtood; for when ſhe Flouriſh'd in her An⯑cient Grandeur, Mount Moriah, and Mount Sion, ſtood directly in the Center of the City, and the Mount call'd Calvary, the Place of Crucifixion, was without the Northern Gate, at a conſiderable diſtance, but the New Jeruſalem is built ſo much more towards the North, that Sion is with⯑out the Wall, upon the South-ſide of the Modern City, and Mount Calva⯑ry now ſtands almoſt directly in the Middle.
The Caſtle of Jeruſalem.UPON the Right Hand of the Weſtern Gate, there ſtands an Old Decay'd Caſtle, inconſiderately Garriſon'd, and Mounted with a uſeleſs Number of Great Pieces of Artillery.
The Walls, and Gates, how Forti⯑fy'd.THE Walls are Weak, and all the Town much ſtronger by her Natural Situation than the Art, wherewith ſhe has of late been For⯑tify'd; the Gates are Guarded by a conſtant Number of Foot Soldiers, and defended by the largeſt of their Cannon; the Remaining Houſes, (for I cannot ſay there is a Street now ſtanding) are of very low and humble Fabrick, Built of Mud, and not exceeding one Poor Story, widely Straggling from each other, and without the ſmalleſt ſign of Or⯑der, or an aim of Regularity.
SOME broken Remnants of old Buildings, which the Natives tell us, were the Palace of King David, Theatre of Herod, and the like, ſerve only to remind a Traveller, that once Jeruſalem was, what ſhe now is not: No Jews ſuf⯑fer'd to Inha⯑bit Jeruſalem.No Jews are ſuffer'd to Inhabit here, the Town being wholly Peopled by Zealous Chriſtian Bigotts of promiſcuous Nations, and ſuch Turks, as Dwelling there, in hopes to uſe an Arbitrary Power to the beſt advantage, are Subſervient to the Government of a Sangiack or De⯑puty Provincial.
SINCE then there is not any thing uncommon in the form of Go⯑vernment here practis'd, and abundance of our Modern Writers have de⯑ſcrib'd the Place with Geographic Nicety, and as for the Hiſtorical Ac⯑counts thereof, they are already fully known, I'll purpoſely omit the Naming any thing, but what is ſhown moſt Travellers, as Reliques of An⯑tiquity, which, I believe is, what an Engliſh Reader will receive moſt welcomely, at leaſt 'tis, what I chiefly aim'd at, in this Treatiſe, and will conſequently lead me into no Unneceſſary Deviation from the Te⯑nour of my Subject.
FIRST then, I will inform my Reader, what we ſee within Jeruſalem, and round about it, not including the Franciſcan Monastery on Mount Calvary, or near it. Secondly at large deſcribe both that, the Sepulchre of Christ, the Temple over it, and every other thing, worth No⯑tice, thereunto belonging.
The Father Guardian, why ſo call'd.I ſhould Firſt inform you, that the Chief of the Franciſcan Monastery, is Entitled to the Name of Father Guardian, from the Privilege, he has of granting his Protection to all Chriſtian Travellers, whether Proteſtants or Roman Catholicks, who are conſtantly oblig'd, as long as they continue in the City, to take up with a Monaſtick Entertainment in the Convent; for a Stranger (not of the Mahometan Perſwaſion) is not ſuffer'd to reſide in any of the Turkiſh Houſes, or indeed in any other Corner of Jeruſalem.
[280] THe Convent at Jeruſalem, how main⯑tain'd.THE Europaean Princes of the Romiſh Church contribute largely, towards the Maintenance of theſe Religious Fryars, who expect Rewards, of far more worth, than is the Entertainment, which they give to Travellers, and leaſt ſuch Gentlemen, as Curioſity has led to ſee Jeruſalem, ſhould poſſibly be ignorant, of what is ſtill expected from their Purſes, they are ever careful by repeated Declaration of their Poverty and Want of Chriſtian Charity, on all occaſions to inſinuate, how welcomely they would receive a generous Gratuity.
How the Fry⯑ars live there.THUS live they eaſily in flowing Plenty, uſing all the pampering Gifts of Liberal Nature, with an unreſerv'd and gratifying Luxury, which is ſo fully known to the deſigning Turkiſh Governors, that they are ſeldom found to miſs the ſmalleſt Opportunity of ſqueezing their Poſſeſſions to the beſt Advantage.
A Ceremony, us'd to Stran⯑gers.THESE Politic Franciſcans, vers'd politely in the well diſſembled Pra⯑ctice of a great Humility, receive all Strangers with a wonderful reſpect, the Father Guardian always condeſcending, by a long continued Cuſtom, to kneel down and Waſh their Feet, while others Wipe them, many of the Order ſtanding round, devoutly Singing certain Hymns, appointed for that purpoſe.
How they are treated.AFTER this, a certain Number of the Fryars are directed by their Padre, to accompany the Strangers up and down, within the City and without, and ſhew them every Place, worth obſervation, which they con⯑ſtantly perform with admirable Artifice, appearing wond'rous Civil, and exciting thoſe, they guide, to think their Curioſity a Meritorious Zeal, in hopes thereby, that others may at their return to their reſpective Countries, be induc'd to undertake a Journey thither, and by that means ſwell the Perquiſites of their Dependance to additional Abundance.
A Queſtion always ask'd at Jeruſalem.IT is a Queſtion, always ask'd, if you deſign your Viſit to thoſe Holy Places, from a Motive of Religious Zeal, or Common Curioſity; If from the firſt, they peſter you with Beads, and other ſuperſtitious Tokens of Devotion, which direct the ſtrict Injunction of repeating two, four, ſix, eight, ten or twenty Pater Noſters, at ſuch and ſuch more Sacred, or leſs Holy Pla⯑ces; but if you aſſure them, that the latter Motive tempted you to Travel thither, they are complaiſantly paſſive in the matter, and accompany you about from Place to Place, without obſerving your Deportment in them.
A Regiſter kept in the Monaſtery.THE Fryars of this Monaſtery keep a Regiſter, wherein they enter both the Names and Country of ſuch Travellers, as viſit the renown'd Jeruſalem: It is impoſſible to know exactly the juſt number of our Countrymen, who have been there, becauſe the different Inclinations of ſome Men engage them to pretend themſelves Italians, when they are really Spaniards, French Men, when they are Britons, and renounce their Countries for ſome ends, which they believe moſt prudent.
How many Engliſh men have been there, theſe hundred Years.HOWEVER, we were ſuffer'd to look back upon the Books, which have been kept theſe hundred Years laſt paſt, and found there enter'd (to the beſt of my Remembrance) One Hundred and Ninety Eight, who, ſince that time, have in their Travels from the Engliſh Shore, had Will and Op⯑portunity to ſee Jeruſalem.
THE Sacred Reliques, Ancient Buildings, or whatever elſe deſerves Re⯑mark, are theſe, which follow, eagerly aſſerted by the Prieſts to be the ſame, whoſe Reputation they have taken on them.
[281] Herod's Palace.THE glorious Palace of the haughty Herod ſpeaks (in a Decay, not quite ſo bad, as Ruin) the unbounded Pride of its Imperious Founder: There ſtill remain ſome Rooms entirely whole, particularly, that, wherein he us'd to ſit, Enthron'd beneath a Canopy, and liſt'ned to the Buſineſs of his numerous Addreſſers; near which they ſhow another Square, but low Roof'd Chamber, where our Saviour Christ, derided by the Scoffs of Impious Vil⯑lains, was ſaluted on the Knee with the Ironical Addreſs of Hail King of the Jews.
SOME ſtately Arches prove the Architecture to have been Magnificent and Lofty, and the Place is now ſo well repair'd, that 'tis the Reſidence of the Sangiack or Turkiſh Governor.
Solomon's Tem⯑ple.THEY ſhow a Building, which they call the Temple of Solomon, but are neither ſuffer'd to go in themſelves, or gain Admittance for a Chriſtian Tra⯑veller, not even tho' Bribery, an almoſt never failing Orator among the Turks, ſhould plead for the Permiſſion.
Pontius Pilate's Houſe.THE Houſe of Pontius Pilate ſtill remains, and there they ſhow the Place, where ſtood our Saviour, when they crown'd him with the Thorns, and bound him to a Pillar, which ſupported the Apartment: But, oh! ſhocking Thought! and ſtrange Effect of Times vaſt Changes! that very Place, where Chriſt was Scourg'd by the Command of Pilate, is at preſent made a Shop, where an Old Man, of Seventy Years of Age, frys Cakes in Oyl, and ſells them in the Street to Common People.
The Pool of Betheſda.INCLINING to the Eaſt-ſide of the City, ſtands the Celebrated Pool of Betheſda, now almoſt dry'd up and fill'd with Rubbiſh, where the Angel formerly deſcended, and by troubling the Waters, made them efficaci⯑ous in the Cure of Great Diſeaſes.
The melan⯑choly Way.WITH melancholy Sighs we walk'd along the melancholy Way, thro' which our Saviour paſs'd, o'erloaden with the Burthen of his Croſs, in or⯑der to the Tragedy of his ſtupendious Crucifixion: Here we paſs by an old Ruinated Place, where liv'd the Pious Veronica, who beheld, when Chriſt went by, that he was fainting with his Load, and brought him out a Nap⯑kin, to wipe off the Sweat from his afflicted Face, which Napkin amongſt other Reliques, is retain'd and ſhown to Strangers in the Chappel of the Mo⯑naſtery.
The Houſes of Simon and La⯑zarus.NEXT, ſtand almoſt contiguous to each other, two old heaps of Buil⯑ding; in the firſt whereof they ſay liv'd Lazarus, whom Christ reſtor'd to Life, when he had long been buried; and the other they report, to have been formerly the Habitation of that Simon, who, perceiving Jeſus faint before his Door, took up the Croſs, and bore it for him to the Place of Exe⯑cution.
The Virgins Chappel.HARD by there ſtands a Chappel, Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where they ſay, ſhe ſtood, to ſee her Son go by, in order to be Crucifi'd, and Swoon'd, when ſhe beheld him.
St. Peter's Pri⯑ſon.THE Priſon, where St. Peter was confin'd, is ſtill remaining, and em⯑ploy'd at preſent by the Turks for the ſame Purpoſe: Here they ſhow a Hole, cut deeply in the Wall, to which they would ridiculouſly force you to believe, the Chain was faſtned, which was us'd in binding the Im⯑priſon'd Saint abovenam'd; and not far diſtant from this Place, they ſhow a Remnant of the Judgment Gate, thro' which our Saviour was conducted to the Sentence of his Condemnation.
[282] The Houſe of Annas.THEY ſhow the Houſe, wherein our Saviour, viſiting one Annas, then its Owner, ſtumbling accidentally, and almoſt falling down a little Precipice, in order to ſupport himſelf, laid hold on the ſharp Corner of a Wall, the Stones whereof, to this Day bear a Mark, which repreſents the Print of his four Fingers, if we may depend on the Aſſurances, our Fryars gave us.
A miracu⯑lous Stone.THE Houſe of Simon the Phariſee contains a Stone, whereon appears the Print of a Man's Foot, the Mark, they told us, which our Saviour made, when ſtanding on it, he forgave the Sins of Mary Magdalene. It ſeems the Sacred Vertues of this Stone are ſo extraordinary, that tho' the Turks have frequently attempted to remove it from its Place, it has not only ſtrangely baffled all their Efforts, but when once, the Governor himſelf, a mighty E⯑nemy to any, who profeſs'd Chriſtianity, endeavour'd it with Obſtinacy, Flames of Fire broke fiercely from the Floor, and ſcorch'd away his Reſo⯑lution.
The Room, where the Virgin Mary was born.BENEATH the Hollow of a certain Rock, on which was built the Houſe of Joahim and Anna, there is ſhown a ſmall, low, ſquare Apartment, where was born the Virgin Mary, as the Fathers told us.
St. Mark, and St. James.THEY ſhow the Ruins of a little Chappel, ſituated, where St Mark once liv'd, and not far from it a ſmall Church, firſt founded by the Spani⯑ards, in Commemoration of St. James, and Dedicated to him, for I think, they ſay, it ſtands upon the Ground, on which he was Beheaded.
THESE, as far as I remember, are the moſt remarkable of all the Places, we were ſhown within the City; I will now proceed to give you an Account of others, equally deſerving Obſervation, which are found without the Walls, at ſeveral diſtances.
A Monaſtery in the Place, where Jeſus met the two Diſciples in the Road to Emaus.IN the Road to Emaus, Westward of Jeruſalem near Six Miles, there ſtands a Monaſtery founded by the Pious Empreſs Helena, directly on the Place, where Jeſus met his two Diſciples: Not far from hence they ſhow a Valley, where they ſay was fought the famous Battle, before which the Sun and Moon ſtood ſtill, at the deſire of Joſhua.
The Sepul⯑chre of the Prophets.AT five Miles diſtance from the North-Weſt-Gate, are ſeveral Hollow Caves, cut deeply in the bottom of large Rocky Mountains, one whereof was formerly the Sepulchre of the Inſpir'd and Celebrated Jewiſh Pro⯑phets.
The Burying Place of the Kings of Judah.ALMOST directly oppoſite to that, remains the Burying Place of the Renown'd and Formidable Kings of Judah, which is enter'd by a ſquare De⯑ſcent, of near five Foot each way.
A narrow Paſſage.THIS leads us thro' a Paſſage, ſomewhat narrower, and ſtill deſcending with no little difficulty, by reaſon of great heaps of Rubbiſh, driven by Time to choak the Entrance: The Paſſage, fifteen Foot in length, is ter⯑minated by a broad and lofty Level, Arch'd above, and Bench'd, tho' roughly, upon either ſide.
A wonderful Door.THE end of this large Place, which I may term a Gallery, admits you to a very wide and graceful Chamber, which you muſt deſcend to from the Gallery by two or three Stone-Steps, of admirable Workmanſhip: This Cham⯑ber has a Door belonging to it, which we found quite open, of an exquiſite Contrivance, made entirely of the Rock it ſelf, with Hinges of the ſame, on which it moves, tho' of prodigious Weight and Bulk, with an incredible facility.
[283] ON either ſide the Chamber, into which you are admitted by the three Stone Steps abovenam'd, ſtand the Monuments of ſuch, as formerly were bu⯑ried there; the Number is conſiderable, and the Order, they are rang'd in, very regular.
Deſcription of the Tombs.THE Tombs are form'd alike, and of a Magnitude, exactly equal. They are ſmaller, otherwiſe they differ little from the Monument of Porphyry, I mention'd in the Chapter of the Pyramids of Egypt; ſome retain their Covers ſtill upon them, others have been open'd by the eager Curioſity of Chriſtian Travellers.
Characters, within them.UPON the inſides of them all, we found Decypher'd certain unintelligi⯑ble Characters, which, could we have interpreted their meaning, might have probably inform'd us, who was buried in each Stony and Capacious Hollow. That they were the Kings of Juda, we have no great cauſe to diſ⯑believe, but that among them were Interr'd King David, and his Son, the Mighty Solomon, (as the too credulous Inhabitants of Paleſtine are taught by their Tradition) appears too widely diſtant from the reach of Probabili⯑ty, to fix a Reputation on the groundleſs Notion.
The Corps, found in them.HOWEVER it is certain, that, at breaking open any of theſe Tombs, we may be ſure to find the Body of a Man, Embalm'd, and Ʋncorrupted, but extreamly different from the Mummies, found in the Egyptian Catacombs, for theſe are ſo incredibly diminiſh'd, both in Bulk and Stature, that they ſcarce retain the bare Reſemblance of the Shape, they once were Maſters of.
A melancholy Sight.THE broken Pieces, and disjointed Bones, left careleſly about the bot⯑tom of ſome Tombs, afford a very odd and melancholy Proſpect; and, in others, the remaining Firmneſs of the jointleſs Bodies, Light and Thin, like ſome dry'd Fiſh, which I have ſeen in England, gave our Thoughts a mourn⯑ful Subject for the following Contemplations.
Bethlehem, how Situated. WEST from Jeruſalem about ſix Miles, ſtands the Renown'd and Ancient Bethlehem, our Redeemers Birth-place; and upon the Road, which leads you to it, you are made to obſerve the following Reliques of Antiqui⯑ty, by your Guides, the Fryars, who attend you thither.
Solomons A⯑quaeduct.THE Ruins of a Great, and Noble Aquaeduct, which formerly brought Water to the Celebrated Temple of the Glorious Solomon, appear between two Rocky Mountains, every here and there, delightfully conſpicuous, high above the Superficies of a Flow'ry Valley.
Bathſheba's Fountain.THE Fountain, where Bathſheba Waſh'd her ſelf, when David ſpy'd her from a Neighbouring Turret, ſtill continues extant, or at leaſt a Spring, in⯑heriting its Reputation by the Virtue of Tradition; and a little higher, on the Summit of the utmoſt Corner of Mount Sion, ſtand the Ruins of the Tower, whence ſhe was diſcover'd by that Powerfull Monarch.
Elias's Rock.ANOTHER Rarity, they ſhow moſt Travellers, is a large Rock, whereon they zealouſly affirm, the Prophet Elias us'd to Sleep; and to con⯑firm the Story, they oblige us to take Notice of ſome Natural Hollows, which are found upon the Rock, Created, as they ſay, by the Miraculous Impreſſion, that the Prophets Body made, in his repeated Slumbers.
Jacob's Houſe.THE Ruins of a Church, or Monaſtery, point out the Ground, whereon in former Ages, ſtood the Houſe of the Old Patriarch Jacob; and the Tomb of Rachel ſtands within Six Furlongs of this Place, not far from which the Town of Rama, where the Voice was heard of Rachel, Weeping for her Chil⯑dren, ſtill continues a conſiderable Village.
THESE, and many other Rarities of venerable Age and Sacred Vir⯑tue, if the Priests may be believ'd upon their Verbum Sacerdotis, give a Stranger frequent Opportunities of Gazing round him, in the Road, which lies between Jeruſalem and Bethlehem, to which laſt, however, we are now arriv'd.
A Temple, Built by He⯑lena, at Beth⯑lehem.DIRECTLY in the Place, where ſtood the Inn, in one of whoſe Mean Stables, the neglected Virgin Mary was oblig'd to lie, when ſhe ſo greatly Bleſs'd the Sinfull World, in our Dear Saviour Chriſt's Nativity, the Pious Helena, that Happy Mother of the Glorious Conſtantine, Erected, long time ſince, a Stately Temple, repreſenting in its form, the Figure of a Croſs, near which is Built a little Monaſtery, now poſſeſs'd by certain Fryars of Franciſcan Order, and in all kinds of the ſame Fraternity with thoſe, I men⯑tion'd in the Convent at Jeruſalem.
Three diſmal Grotto's.THEY give all Strangers Torches in their Hands, and lead them thro' a Narrow Dark, and Winding Paſſage to three ſeveral Grotto's; one a Vault, wherein they ſay the Children, Murder'd by the barbarous decree of Herod, were thrown Headlong, to be Buried; and within the ſecond, ſtand the Tombs of good St. Jerom, and his Scholar, fam'd Euſebius, the Confeſſor; The last Cave, containing nothing but a Monument, erected o'er the Grave of the Fair Convert Paula, a great Roman Lady, of the Nobleſt Extract, who to⯑gether with her Son Euſtochius, was Interr'd at Bethlehem, were ſhe Built Four Monaſteries and endow'd them Richly, which are now entirely Ruin'd.
[285] The Birth Place and Manger of Chriſt.WITHIN a little ſpace of the abovenam'd Grotto's, you deſcend to a large Chappel, flagg'd with Marble, Gilt and Ornamented in the richeſt manner: Here they ſhow the very Spot of Ground, whereon the Virgin was deliver'd of her Son, the Holy Jeſus, with the Manger, into which ſhe laid him, and the Place, where 'tis reported, that the Wiſe Men of the Eaſt, directed thither by a Star, knelt down and Worſhipp'd, whilſt they offer'd up their Preſents.
Jacob's Mea⯑dow.IT is at Bethlehem, that they ſhow the Field, where Jacob ſed his Flock, and where the Angels, viſiting the Shepherds, raviſh'd them with the tran⯑ſporting News of our Great Saviours bleſs'd Nativity: The Field to this Day bears the Name of Jacob's Meadow.
Joſeph's Houſe.NOT a Mile without the Town, they ſhow the Houſe, where Joſeph liv'd before he fled to Egypt, and the Cave, wherein he hid the Virgin and her Son, while he prepar'd Conveniences for his intended Jour⯑ney.
Many other Places, worth Remark.BESIDES the Places, which I have already mention'd, there are many others, equally deſerving Obſervation; but as twou'd oblige me to an inexcuſable Prolixity, ſhould I ſo much as name them all, I will omit en⯑larging any farther, than to give you a Deſcription of ſome certain things, which juſtly claim the Reader's Notice, who may reſt aſſur'd, that not one memorable Place in Scripture has eſcap'd the Knowledge of the zealous Romans, and Bigotted Chriſtians of ſome other Churches, who will boldly un⯑dertake to ſhow you almoſt every thing, you poſſibly can ask for.
Acceldama, or the Field of Blood. SOƲTH of Jeruſalem, and not far diſtant from the Walls thereof, is that curs'd Piece of Ground, of Old Acceldama, the Field of Blood, a Purchaſe, made by the reward of Villany, return'd again by the repenting Judas: This in former Times, the Scriptures tell us, was employ'd as a Receptacle for the Dead Bodies of all kind of Strangers.
A Burying Place for Christians.NOR has Time had Power to change the Ʋſe, to which it was or⯑dain'd ſo long ago: 'Tis ſtill the common Burying Place of all thoſe Chri⯑ſtians, undiſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Franks, that is, all ſuch, as are the Subjects, or at leaſt the Tributary Slaves of the Grand Signior.
How Wall'd round.THE Field is all enclos'd by a Stone Wall, of mighty thickneſs, Roof'd with Art ſo very cloſely, that there is no Paſſage to the Soil within it, but by certain Holes, conſiderably broad, which riſe, like Cupola's, upon the top, and are from time to time, ſet open in a different Place, to let down ſuch Dead Bodies, as have right to be Interr'd within that Compaſs, Corps, that rot in a days time.where the Earth is certainly endued with ſuch a penetrative Virtue, that in two Days time, the Soundeſt Body of a Man, or Woman will be eaten to a Ske⯑leton.
TO ſearch the Cauſes, which may probably produce this odd Effect, is devious from my Subject; I will therefore only tell you, that the Stench is ſo offenſive, that 'tis no agreable Amuſement, to inſpect that horrid Manſion of Corruption, yet we ventur'd to look down the Hole, which then ſtood open, and diſcover'd, as diſtinctly as the Places Duskineſs cou'd poſſibly permit, the lately buried Bodies of ſome ſix or ſeven Perſons; A horrid Proſpect.four of which were ſo far Skeletons, that there appear'd the [...]ſhleſs Bones in many Places, and the reſt were coming on to ſuch degree, that they appear'd half rotten, and afforded ſuch a strange and diſmal Spectacle, that we were frighted from the Thoughts of an exact Remark or curious Obſervation.
[286] Ship-loads of Earth.THE Roman Catholicks have frequently Exported whole Ship-loads of this prodigious Soil, which has been long known publickly at Rome and Paris; and at Piſa, I my ſelf have ſeen a Church-Yard, cover'd four Foot deep therewith, in which they us'd to bury Perſons only of an high Di⯑stinction.
Other Sepul⯑chres.BESIDES the Sepulchres abovenam'd, all the Rocks, for a conſiderable diſtance round this Place, are full of Caves, againſt the Mouth of every one of which is roll'd a Stone of ponderous Magnitude, according to the ancient Custom, mention'd in the Holy Scriptures.
IT wou'd be endleſs to enumerate the many venerable Places, ſhown a Traveller, on every ſide, without Jeruſalem; I'll only therefore ſay in general, that we ſaw them all, but took a more than common Notice of the following Places.
Memorable Places.THE Valley of Jehoſaphat, the Old Oak Roguel, the Pool of Siloa, the Se⯑pulchre of Zachariah, and the ſtately Pillar, which was built by Abſalom with a deſign to eternize his Memory, before the Period of his black Rebel⯑lion.
Other memo⯑rable Places.WE likewiſe ſaw Mount Olivet, the famous Gethſemane, and the Gar⯑den, where our Bleſſed Saviour was betray'd by Judas, with the Place, whereon he Pray'd in his amazing Agony; the Village Bethany, the Place, where the Repenting Judas was Interr'd, and a Remainder of the Tree, whereon he hang'd himſelf; Bethphage.the Place, where once ſtood Bethphage, a conſi⯑derable Village, whence our Saviour, on an Aſſes Colt, came riding to Jeruſa⯑lem.
LET theſe ſuffice to give the Reader an Idea of the Entertainment, Chriſtian Travellers receive, who, led by Curioſity, or ſometimes Zeal, en⯑gage the Fryars to direct their Notice to the moſt conſiderable Reliques of eſteem'd Antiquity. Helena's Temple.Proceed we now to take a View of the beforenam'd Temple, founded on Mount Calvary, a very low, but craggy Hill, all cut and poliſh'd from its ancient Form, for the Conveniency of Building this Il⯑luſtrious Temple, which was left by the Religious Helena, a memorable Monu⯑ment of the Reſpect, ſhe bore profeſs'd Chriſtianity.
Its Situation.THE Temple is Magnificent, and covers not the Hill alone, but a conſi⯑derable Part of the ſurrounding Plain, one ſide whereof was that, into whoſe unfrequented Wildneſſes the ancient Jews were us'd to throw the ſtripp'd Dead Bodies of their Executed Malefactors, from which common Cuſtom it receiv'd the Name, it bore of Old, when it was call'd the Valley of Car⯑caſſes.
Its Deſcripti⯑on.THE fineſt Buildings of the Temple front the South, the Roof thereof is Arch'd and ſtately, Ornamented in two Places by a couple of indifferently large, but ſomewhat ruinated Cupola's, the one to be aſcended by a kind of Stair-Caſe on the outward ſide, the other open at the Top, and riſing from the Chappel, which encompaſſes the Sepulchre of Chriſt.
Two Tombs.YOU pay a certain Sum of Money to the Turkiſh Officers, who grant a Licence for your Entrance, which you have no ſooner made, than you per⯑ceive upon your Right Hand, an Old Faſhion'd Tomb, and on your Left ano⯑ther, which encloſe the Bodies of the famous Godfrey of Bulloigne, and King Baldwin his Succeſſor, the two firſt Chriſtian Monarchs of Redeem'd Jeru⯑ſalem.
[287] UPON the Tomb of Godfrey, on the Right Hand, as I ſaid before, is found the following Latin Epitaph.
THE other Monument upon the Left Hand of the Entrance tells the Traveller, it is King Baldwin's by the following Inſcription.
The Rent in the Rock.NOT far from thoſe two Monuments you riſe upon Mount Calvary, and there are ſhown the Cleaving of the Rock, which ſplit aſunder at our Saviour's Crucifixion, naturally rough and plainly proving, Art could have no hand in the prodigious Rent, wherein they tell us was diſcover'd Adam's Head, which had been buried there, unknown to Mortals, till the Death of Jeſus.
Chriſtian Chappels.FARTHER in the Temple there are many Chappels or Diviſions, conſtantly Inhabited by ſeveral different Sects of Chriſtians, who imagining it is a very meritorious Act to ſpend their Lives within the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre, embrace Confinement, and poſſeſs Apartments, independent each on other, never ſtirring, but on great Occaſions, from the Altars of their Worſhip.
The Hole, wherein was plac'd the Croſs of Chriſt.THE higheſt of theſe Chappels, Chequer'd over with a various colour'd Marble, which they will not let you walk upon with Shooes, is built upon the very Spot of Ground, on which our Saviour ſuffer'd on the Croſs; the Hollow of the Rock, wherein the Croſs was plac'd, remains unbroken, rich⯑ly Plated with the finest Silver gilt, and piercing thro' the midſt of a large Remnant of the Cliff, which was not cut away at the Foundation of the Chappel, [288] but continues whole, near half a Yard above the Superficies of the Marble Pave⯑ment.
The Ceremo⯑nies there perform'd by Pilgrims.HERE it is, that Chriſtian Pilgrims in a zealous Extacy, are ſeen to pra⯑ctiſe Airs and Poſtures, not much differing from down right Madneſs, rol⯑ling up and down with ſtrange Extravagance, endeavouring to creep, as near the Hole, as poſſibly they can, Embracing, Kiſſing, and half Deluging with Tears the ſolid Stones, as if they knew them not to be inſenſible, and would extract a Sympathetic Sorrow from their Rocky Hardneſs.
The two Thieves Croſſes.ON either ſide of the abovenam'd Hole, there ſtands a Croſs directly in the Places, where the Thieves, who ſuffer'd with our Saviour, hung in Cru⯑cifixion; Here, as in the other Chappels of the Temple, they adorn the Sides, and Roof, with a conſiderable Stock of ever burning Lamps, the melancho⯑ly Air of which Appearance helps to ſtrike a Sacred Terrour thro' the Breaſts of all, who enter.
The Place, where Chriſt was nail'd up⯑on the Croſs.ANOTHER Chappel, enter'd thro' the former, brings you to the Place, where Chriſt was laid upon the Ground, and nail'd, as uſual, upon the Croſs he Died on: On the Floor, which is compos'd of many colour'd Mar⯑bles, you perceive the Figure of the Croſs, directly, as the Prieſts aſſur'd us, in the Place, whereon lay that, which this is but deſign'd to repreſent the Form of; Here again, the Pilgrims of both Sexes exerciſe their Vigour, in thoſe zealous kind of Motions, I deſcrib'd ſo lately.
Another Sa⯑cred Place.WITHIN a little diſtance from theſe Places, you are ſhown a Marble Stone, which covers, as they ſay, that very Spot of Ground, whereon the Virgin Mary ſtood, when from the Croſs our Saviour recommended her and his be⯑lov'd Diſciple to a mutual Love from that time forward.
The Sepul⯑chre of Chriſt, how enclos'd.YOU paſs by many little Chappels thro' abundance of large Pillars, to the Sepulchre of Chriſt, enclos'd by a ſmall Temple, upon which is built the open Cupola, I lately mention'd; the Wood thereof is Cedar, and the Chappel quite ſurrounded by a Range of Corniſh'd Marble Pillars, ſtanding cloſe a⯑gainſt the Wall, and thence affording ſomething, that deſerves the Name of Ornament.
Deſcription of the Sepul⯑chre.DIRECTLY in the midſt appears the Sepulchre of our Bleſſed Saviour, hewn by manual Labour in the Rock it ſelf, near two Yards long, and one in breadth: 'Twas anciently expos'd to Publick View, Unpoliſh'd and in native roughneſs; but is now politely cover'd with a ſpacious Marble, to pre⯑ſerve it from the zealous Robberies of ſuch Religious Pilgrims, as, imputing a Miraculous Effect to the Poſſeſſion of ſuch Holy Reliques, often us'd to break away ſmall Pieces of the Rocky Sepulchre.
Plac'd in a narrow Space.THE Tomb, not quite a Yard in Height, enclos'd in ſuch a narrow ſpace, as ſcarce affords ſufficient room for four to Kneel, is now converted to an Altar, Ornamented brightly with a conſtant Number of fine Lamps, the dark Ef⯑fects of whoſe perpetual Smoak have daub'd the Roof with an unſightly Blackneſs.
The Stone, which the Angel roll'd away.NEAR the Entrance, in the Middle of the Floor, there lies a Stone, near two Foot ſquare, whereon ſome ſay, the Angels ſat, when they declar'd that Chriſt was riſen; Others wou'd perſwade us to believe, 'twas that, which had been roll'd againſt the Entrance of the Sepulchre, according to the Jewiſh Cuſtom, tho' they ſhow'd us in another Place, a Stone, which has with more ſucceſs aſſum'd that Reputation.
[289] The Pillar of Chriſt's Scourging.NOT far from hence they ſhow the remnant of a broken Pillar, which is ſaid to be a Part of that, whereto they bound our Saviour, while they ſcourg'd him. 'Tis four foot long, and vein'd with dusky Clouds, but ſprinkled on one ſide with certain Spots of reddiſh Colour, which they would perſwade us to believe, were made by the moſt precious Blood of the Revil'd and Tortur'd Jeſus.
The Honour paid the Re⯑lique.THIS Relique is enclos'd within an Iron Grate, thro' which it muſt be touch'd by nothing, but a certain Stick, the Prieſts provide you with, which being thence immediately convey'd to Pilgrims Mouths, is ſtedfaſtly believ'd of never failing Power to infuſe a certain balmy Virtue to the Soul of Him, who bleſſes his internal Faculties by kiſſing eagerly the holy Stick, which has been honour'd with the Touch of ſuch a Sacred Relique.
Knights of the Sepulchre.THERE was a Cuſtom Inſtituted in the Year One Thouſand and Ninety Nine, of Conſtituting Gentlemen, Knights of the Sepulchre, by knee⯑ling on the Place, and taking there a certain Oath to be Eternal Champions of the Church of Chriſt, and lead a Life ſincerely Pious, and continue Mem⯑bers of the Roman Catholick Religion, which, with certain other Ceremonies, ſuch as girding on a Sword, and hanging a Gold Croſs about his Neck, being perform'd by the Father Guardian of the Franciſcan Monaſtery upon Mount Cal⯑vary, he riſes, Dignify'd with that Religious Quality.
By whom In⯑ſtituted.THE Sovereigns of this once reſpected Order were the Kings of France, who Inſtituted it Originally, but when the Avarice of the Prieſts inclin'd them to accept of any Man, how mean ſoever, who deſir'd the Honour of this Sacred Knighthood, cou'd he but afford to bribe them highly, it became at laſt ſo very Common, that 'twas diſregarded by degrees, Now almoſt diſus'd.and now is very rarely practis'd, or ſo much as ſought for.
Chriſts Pri⯑ſon.THEY ſhow a little low and darkſome Grotto, hewn, but roughly, in the Body of the Rock, wherein they ſay our Saviour was confin'd, betwixt the Hour of his Sentence, and Moment of his Crucifixion.
The Place where they caſt Lots for his Garments.HERE likewiſe is the Place wherein the Soldiers caſt their Lotts, ac⯑cording to the Cuſtom, then in Practice with the Jews, for our condemn'd Redeemer's Garments. Not far from thence, the bottom of a tedious narrow pair of Stairs, cut alſo from the Rock it ſelf, admits you to a kind of Gallery, ſupported by four Marble Pillars of a greyiſh Colour, which, for ever ſweating, or emitting a perpetual Moiſture by the native Dampneſs of the ſubterraneous Place, wherein they ſtand, are ſhown to Strangers for a Miracle, Weeping Pil⯑lars.and ſaid to Weep with Sorrow for our Saviour's Crucifixion.
The Place where they found the Croſs.UPON the Southern ſide of Calvary, eleven Stone Stairs admit you to a Vault, which Helena firſt founded on that Part of the Valley of Carcaſſes, wherein, among vaſt heaps of Rubbiſh, Bones of Men, and Moſſy Stones, they found the Croſs of Chriſt, and thoſe of the two Thieves, who had been Cru⯑cified with him, after they had lain unthought of, and forgotten, full three hundred Years, or ſomewhat upwards.
The Conclu⯑ſion.I think that, having ſaid thus much, it wou'd be needlesſly Prolix, to tire the Reader with additional Relations, little elſe deſerving a peculiar Obſer⯑vation, gives me opportunity to ſwell the Subject, I have dwelt ſo long up⯑on, and which, when I beheld the numerous Scenes of our Redeemers Suffer⯑ings, poſſeſs'd my Boſom with an ardent Flame of Zeal for that Religion, he ſo dearly fix'd amongſt us by his Death and Paſſion.
[290] GRANT, Indulgent God of my Deſires, that I may long retain a freſh Idea of thoſe moving Scenes, which ſtirr'd the Paſſions of my melting Nature to a lively Senſe of Duty and Affection, for that Compaſſionate and Tender Sa⯑viour, who deſcended from his Father, to aſſume the Frailties of a Weak Humanity, and Died for the Offences of an undeſerving Race of ſtub⯑born Sinners.
Nothing more, worth viewing.NOTHING, after you have ſeen all this, can tempt your Stay in ſad Jeruſalem, you therefore take your leave of the Franciſcan Fryers, who pretend an humble Condeſcention to all kinds of People; but have often gi⯑ven demonſtrative occaſion to the Proteſtants, who Travel thither, to miſtruſt the Truth of their fair-fronted Compliments, by the Miſcarriage of ſome Engliſhmen, whole Companies of whom have Died within one Week, I fear by other Motives than the Complaiſant Intention of accompanying one another, to the other ſide Mortality.
CHAP. XLI. Of the Cities of Paleſtine, as they now are.
[291]I NOW proceed, to let the Reader know, that ſuch as is Jeruſalem, juſt now deſcrib'd, ſuch alſo are the other Cities of this miſerable Coun⯑try; Once they flouriſh'd in a State of Glory, if not equal, yet not much inferior to their fam'd Metropolis; But now like Her ſubverted, and diſ⯑rob'd of ancient Beauties, they exhibit to the View of every Traveller, a me⯑lancholy Cauſe of Contemplation on the Changes, Mortal Excellence is e⯑ver ſubject to, and the undoubted Truth of Seneca's aſſerted Max⯑im.
I will not, in deſcribing the Condition of the Cities of the Holy Land, obſerve the nicety of Geographic Regularity, but taking first the Sea-Port Towns in order, as they lie to the South-Eaſt of Egypt, thence come back the other way, and ſo include a full deſcription of as much, as now remains worth Notice, in that Tract of Land, extending, as of Old, from Dan even to Beerſheba.
The Sea-Port Towns of Pa⯑lestine.THE moſt remarkable of ſuch, as were of Old, or ſtill continue Sea-Port Towns, or near the Sea, are theſe, which follow; Gaza, which I elſe⯑where mention'd, Aſcalon, and Joppa, Acre, Tyrus, and the Celebrated Sidon.
The Inland Cities.THE Inland Cities, anciently of moſt Repute, and now remaining moſt deſerving of a Stranger's Obſervation, are no more than theſe, which follow: Old Damaſcus, Caeſarea, Nazareth, Samaria, Jericho, and Hebron, and to ſum up all the fam'd Beerſheba.
Gaza, de⯑ſcrib'd. GAZA, now call'd Gazra, was in ancient Times moſt Famous, for the wonderful Performances of Sampſon's Strength; 'tis ſituated on a Hill, and ſtands amidſt the fruitful Vallies of a pleaſant Country, Inhabited promiſcu⯑ouſly by Turks and Chriſtians, 'tis about a Mile in Circuit, all the Houſes low, and meanly built of muddy Subſtance, yet many Reliques, both of Marble Pillars, and a poliſh'd kind of Porphyry Buildings, give fair Proofs of her Magnificence in former Ages.
[292] Ruins of the Philiſtines Temple.THERE yet remain upon the Hill, the ſplendid Ruins of a Maſſy, Arch'd and Lofty Piece of Architecture, which is generally ſaid to have been anciently the Place, where Sampſon, ſtanding blind betwixt the Pillars, to make Sport for the Philiſtine Noblemen, pull'd down the Houſe with ſud⯑den force, and with himſelf, deſtroy'd ſuch mighty Numbers of that War⯑like People.
Sampſon's Foxes.THEY ſhow the Field, wherein the juſt nam'd Sampſon ty'd the Foxes Tail to Tail, and burnt the ſtanding Corn of the Philiſtines; and among the many Places, Famous in his Memory, oblige you to take notice of a very ſteep and craggy Hill, to which, when he had been diſturb'd in Gaza, he aſcended, with the City Gates upon his Brawny Shoulders.
An Old Ca⯑ſtle.THERE is a Caſtle now remaining, Founded by King Baldwin, in the Year One Thouſand, One Hundred and Forty Eight, a very mean and deſpicable Fabrick, where the Great Sangiack of Gazra has his Reſidence, and Rules the City and the Country round it, with an uncontroul'd and arbitrary Ty⯑ranny.
Aſcalon de⯑ſcrib'd.ABOUT twelve Miles South-Eaſt of Gazra, cloſe upon the Sea, is built the City Aſcalon, now call'd Schalon, Inhabited by Turks, and guarded by a kind of Fort, wherein they keep a ragged Garriſon. This Place deſerves Re⯑mark, in that it was of Old the City, where was built the Celebrated Tem⯑ple of the Great Philiſtine Idol, Dagon, part of whoſe decay'd Foundations they pretend upon Inquiry, to point out to Travellers. 'Tis now a kind of in⯑conſiderable Village, worth regard for nothing, but the Garriſon, the Turks maintain to guard their Caſtle.
Joppa de⯑ſcrib'd. JOPPA, Famous in the Scriptures for a Sea Port Town, is ill accom⯑modated with a dangerous Haven, open to the fury of the Northern Tempeſts; all her Buildings are of Mud, or an unpoliſh'd kind of Stone, of an-appea⯑rance, not agreeable. The Place is Peopled by promiſcuous Numbers of the Turks and Christians. Certain Merchants have their Dwellings here, in order to Export ſuch quantities of Cotton, as they can procure about the Country. Other Merchandizes they are ſeldom ſtock'd with. Annual Numbers of the Chriſtian Pilgrims, Travelling to viſit the Sepulchre of Chriſt, and other Sacred Reliques at Jeruſalem, are landed here, and by their frequent Paſſages maintain, but not enrich the miſerable Natives of this Worthleſs City, which is Famous for the boaſted height of her Antiquity, re⯑ported to have been firſt built by Japhet, Noah's Son, or as ſome ſay, before the Deluge.
Acre deſcrib'd. ACRE is a Sea Port Town, directly equidiſtant from Jeruſalem and Tripo⯑lis of Syria; 'tis built upon a Plain, its Form Triangular, two ſides whereof the Sea for ever waſhes; Once it was a Place of Strength, Impregnable, and Fortified by all the Helps of Art and Nature, which the mighty Ruins, ſtill remaining, like ſtupendious Mountains well demonſtrate.
How much Blood has been ſhed there.SUCCESSIVE Seas of Blood were ſhed between the Turks and Chri⯑ſtians in the Holy War, each ſide alternately poſſeſſing, and oblig'd to quit the fatal City; It is now entirely govern'd by a Turkiſh Sangiack, and Inha⯑bited by Men of pretty good Condition, on account of the Conveniency, the Sea affords them, of a Trade with Britain, Holland, France, and every other Navigating Part of Chriſtendom.
Tyre deſcrib'd. TYRƲS, the Fam'd Metropolis of Old Phoenicia, Celebrated anciently for Wealth and Power, and particularly Famous for her Purple Dye, which lives ſo frequently in many of the Works of former Writers, is at preſent Subject to [293] the Turkiſh Government, and Peopled by a mixture of Moors, Greeks, and o⯑ther kinds of Chriſtians and Mahometans together. It is Situated cloſe upon the Sea, to which ſhe opens on her Northern ſide, with a delightful and com⯑modious Harbour.
Her ancient State.ONCE ſhe was not only gloriouſly Magnificent in all her Buildings, but ſurrounded by ſuch Numbers of delicious Trees, and lovely Gardens, that ſhe ſeem'd to form the very Paradiſe of Nature, and miſled the Senſes of her Proud Inhabitants, to all the Practices of Villany and Arrogance, which tempted them to live a Life of Luxury, and wallow in the taſte of Carnal Bliſs, unmindful of a Truth, the ruinated Aſpect of her Modern Figure, ſadly teaches every Stranger, who may chance to viſit her,
Sidon de⯑ſcrib'd. SIDON is of rather more than leſs Antiquity than Tyre, Built and Nam'd, as moſt agree, by Sidon, Canaan's Eldeſt Son. 'Tis Situated in a very rich and healthful Country, not far diſtant from the Cedar Mountains of the Famous Lebanon, and upon the other ſide made Pleaſant and Convenient by the Sea, which waſhes it.
The modern Sidon.THE Preſent Sidon ſtands on a Foundation, ſomewhat diſtant from the ancient City, and is very meanly Built and deſpicably Peopled, ſcarce worth mention, but upon account of ſome Antiquities, particularly an Old Tomb, which they affirm to be the Sepulchre of Zebulon: It ſtands among the ruina⯑ted Buildings, which appear to mark the Place, where the proud Sidon ſtood in former Ages.
Its Manufa⯑ctures.MANY Merchants here reſide, Exporting Yearly Quantities of Cotton, Silk, and other Manufactures: The Govern⯑ment of Sidon.The Town and Country round it, are entire⯑ly ſubject to the Turkiſh Government, but in a manner ſomewhat different from other Places, for their Great Emir or Governour poſſeſſes an Hereditary Power, and free Exerciſe of a Religion, between Mahometaniſm and Chriſtiani⯑ty, by Virtue of a Patent, granted them on their Submiſſion to the Turkiſh Yoke, when they had long defended thoſe Poſſeſſions, left them by the Fa⯑mous Godfrey of Bulloigne King of Jeruſalem, who brought them from their Native Country, France, to ſerve as Chriſtian Soldiers in the Holy Land, where their Poſterity have in the Courſe of Time, degenerated both from their Religion and their Honour, to the evil Principles and mean Subjection, they profeſs at preſent.
Deſcription of Damaſcus. EASTWARD of Sidon, two Days Journey ſtands, Damaſcus, Situated on a Plain, well Water'd, and Surrounded by a graceful Ring of fruitful Mountains, now the Seat of a Baſhaw, and Peopled with the Wealthieſt In⯑land Merchants of the Turkiſh Empire. All her Houſes are indifferently built of Stone, or Brick unbak'd, and of a ſmall duration. Numerous Fountains, Fiſh Ponds, Orchards, Gardens, Avenues, and Grotto's gracefully Adorn the Celebrated City, which of Old was Famous, and in great meaſure ſtill continues ſo, for the Invention or Improvement of Ingenious Arts, and Uſeful Sciences.
[294] The Town Caeſarea. CAESAREA, once the Famous City Dan, is now extreamly chang'd to Diſadvantage, by the Courſe of Time, and Overthrow of Governments. 'Tis notwithſtanding, ſtill a Town of great Importance, Famous for a Caſtle of ſo ſtrong a Situation and Contrivance, that the Turkiſh Sultans, looking on it as a kind of Berwick upon Tweed, think fit to honour it with a perpetual mention in the Titles, they affix to every Publick Proclamation, in the following manner; I, even I, the Mighty Sultan, amongſt whoſe nume⯑rous Places of Defence, the Impregnable Caſtle of Caeſarea is eſteem'd the leaſt, and in regard to whoſe vaſt Power, the Macedonian Empire was a very Trifle.
Nazareth, in her preſent Condition. NAZARETH, the Birth Place of the Bleſſed Virgin, ſcarce deſerves a mention upon any other Conſideration. 'Tis Situated in a Valley, all the Hills about it Craggy, and Unfruitful; not above an hundred Houſes form the Village, built at preſent on the old Foundation of the Galilean Na⯑zareth.
How Inhabi⯑ted.POOR are the People, who Inhabit here, a mix'd Conjunction of the Turks and Chriſtians, yet the laſt by far the feweſt. Nothing here deſerves re⯑mark, but certain venerable Ruins on the Hills adjoining, and a kind of Chappel, which they ſay is built, upon that very Spot of Ground, where⯑on ſtood formerly the Virgin Mary's Houſe, and Room of her Nati⯑vity.
Samaria, as at preſent. SAMARIA, lying almoſt in the Center of the Holy Land, continues ſtill a Formidable City, Peopled only by Mahometans, and (but in that 'tis ſomewhat ſtrong) deſerving no Man's Obſervation, as to any thing, but ſome fine Ruins of Antiquity, which ſeem to have been formerly no leſs than Kingly Palaces, by their remaining Marks of Faded Roy⯑alty.
The City Je⯑richo.AMIDST a ſpacious Valley, nine Miles broad, upon the Ground, where once ſtood Jericho, we found a miſerable little Village, near the Wil⯑derneſs, wherein is Situated the prodigious Mountain, Quarantania, an Italian Ety⯑mology. now call'd Quaranta⯑nia, becauſe 'twas from the top thereof, the Devil tempted Chriſt, by ſhew⯑ing him the Kingdoms of the Ʋniverſe, and urging him without Succeſs, to think on Sin for Forty Days together.
JERICHO was once a Place of Fame, and the ſurrounding Country tolerably Fertil; now the very Face of Nature is ſo ſtrangely alter'd, that (the piercing Scarcity of all Lifes Neceſſaries, tempting the poor Arabs, who Inhabit the rough Mountains round it, to make Prey on all ſuch Paſſen⯑gers, as they can overcome by downright Force, or ſubtle Ambuſcadoes) 'tis become ſo dangerous an Ʋndertaking to attempt a Journey thither, and the Place it ſelf ſo Barren and Unpleaſant, that it gave occaſion in the Ho⯑ly War for the Original of an Old Proverb, The Original of the Pro⯑verb, Wou'd you were at Je⯑richo.when you wou'd revenge your ſelf on any Man, who has affronted you, to ſay in England, Wou'd you were at Jericho.
Hebron de⯑ſcrib'd. HEBRON, which was once the Reſidence of David, till his Conqueſt of the Jebuſites poſſeſs'd him of Jeruſalem, ſtands not many Miles from Ga⯑za, nor far diſtant from the Celebrated Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Place is held in much eſteem, and often Viſited with wond'rous Veneration, by Bigotted Jews, who hold it as a meritorious Deed, to make a Pilgrimage on no account, but to perform a kind of Ceremonious Mourning o'er the Tombs of their Old Patriarchs, who here lie Buried.
[295] A pleaſant Place.NOTHING certainly can yield a more delightful Proſpect, than thoſe lovely Vallies, fruitful Hills, large Plains, and flow'ry Meadows, which, combining the Perfections of their natural Beauty, ſeem to paint the Land, round Hebron with ſo odd a Gayety, that even the dulleſt Eye is ſweetly ra⯑viſh'd with an Object, ſo delightful.
Berſheba, as at preſent. BERSHEBA oppoſite to Gaza, and the Southern Boundary of Old Judea, now diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Geheblin, remains an inconſiderable Village, boaſting neither Reliques of her own Antiquity, nor taſting the Advantages of other Cities, in her Traffick, Situation, or the Character, ſhe bears, when put in Competition with the Places, I have treated of.
AND now I think, I have as briefly as is poſſible, deſcrib'd, as largely as is neceſſary, all thoſe Cities of the hapleſs Holy Land, which may de⯑ſerve Remark, or bear regard enough in Modern Servitude, to claim a Place in the Remembrance of a Traveller.
I cannot help repeating the Concern, I had upon me, to behold this Country, once the Seat of Justice and Religion, groan in a Subjection to the Enemies of Both. 'Tis true the Jews, her Old Inhabitants, had more de⯑ſerv'd a Stranger's Pity, had they leſs invited their Foretold Deſtruction, for we may be allow'd to ſay with Seneca,
CHAP. XLII. Of the River Jordan, and the Dead Sea, or Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah.
[296]I bring my Reader now to a Deſcription of a River, worth Remark, in that it is the only noted one, the Holy Land can boaſt of, and a Memo⯑rable Monument of the Almighty Vengeance on a Wicked People in the Stagnate Sea of heavy Waters, which at preſent covers thoſe once-lovely Plains, on whoſe delightful Surface ſtood the Cities, which by Obſtinate Adherence to the Blackeſt Vices, drew down Show'rs of Fire and Brim⯑ſtone, on their Ʋnrepenting and Supine Inhabitants.
The Etymolo⯑gy of Dan. DAN, of Old the Southern Boundary of Paleſtine, receiv'd its Name from a large Fountain, near to which the Town was Situated; And from a kind of Lake or Well of mighty Depth and Magnitude, ſome Miles above that Ancient City, Flows the celebrated River Jordan, running thence thro Sub⯑terraneous Paſſages to the aforenam'd Fountain Dan, emitting there (and at another Fountain ſomewhat ſmaller, very near, and Anciently diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Jor)The Etymolo⯑gy of Jordan thoſe riſing Streams, which gradually ſwell to a conſiderable Breadth, and Form by their continued Courſe, the River Jordan.
Deſcription of the River.NEITHER the Length, the Breadth, or Depth of Jordan are Extra⯑ordinary, where Broadest not exceeding half a Quarter of an Engliſh Mile, and no ways Navigable for a Bark of Burthen; Slow in motion, Smooth and Clear, in all her Channels and from North to South, dividing many Plea⯑ſant Tracts of Land, for more than half the Length of Paleſtine.
Its Courſe and Beauty.THERE is not in the Univerſe a River of a more Delightful Proſpect, or agreeable Contrivance, as to the Meandring Forms, and Winding Laby⯑rinths, wherein it glides with an Ʋncommon Gentleneſs, along the midſt of Plains and Vallies, ſometimes thro' an open Country, then Inclos'd on either ſide by riſing Ridges of fine Woody Hills, and every where adorn'd on both its Banks, with Shady Groves of Poplar, Alder-Trees, the Mournful Wil⯑low, and a Thouſand other Lovely Greens, ſurprizingly Inchanting every Eye with ſudden Wonder, at the Unaſſiſted Gayeties of Virgin Nature.
YET does the River ſometimes change its proper Form, and Wander, till tis loſt a while in certain Lakes, amongſt whoſe Number two there are, which Anciently, were Famous for their Magnitude and Depth, and ſtill continue highly worth a Strangers Obſervation.
The Lake Hoo⯑lee.THE Firſt is Situated in the Ʋpper Galilee, and now call'd Hoolee, Spa⯑cious in the Winter, but in Summer almoſt Dry, and yeilding a Production of ſuch Quantities of Reeds, that commonly Wild Beasts find Shelter there, and Dangerouſly lie in Ambuſh for the Ʋnſuſpecting Traveller.
[297] The Sea of Galilee.THE other, formerly the Lake of Tiberias, or Genezareth, and ſome⯑times call'd in Holy-Writ, the Sea of Galilee, is Fifteen Miles in Length, and Ten in Breadth, affording Numerous Kinds of Fiſh, of admirable Reliſh, and ſo Strangely Fatning all the Soil, which Borders on it, that it well deſerves the Name of the moſt Fertil Part of all the Holy Land.
Jordan, how Swallow'd up.THUS Glides the River Jordan with a natural Face of Pleaſure, till 'tis Swallow'd up in the Dead Sea, to which it enters with a full diſcharge of all its Waters, but is ſeen no more from that time forward, nor the Sea itſelf obſerv'd to ſwell, by ſuch a Tributary Affluence of Encreaſing Waters, whence 'tis reaſonably gueſs'd, that there muſt be ſome Subterraneous Channels to diſgorge the Streams, receiv'd ſo Plentifully.
Etymology of the Dead SeaTHIS Lake is call'd the Dead Sea, from the Heavy Stagnate Nature of the Water, it contains, which neither Currents, nor the Force of Tem⯑pests have the Power to ſtir from its amazing ſtillneſs, and it is obſervable, that, tho' the River Jordan runs into it, it continues a conſiderable ſpace entirely Clear, and long unmixing with thoſe Thicker Waters.
Its Extent and Original.THIS Sea, or Lake is Sixteen Miles in Breadth, and Seventy Long, now Drowning all that Paradiſe of Pleaſure, that Delightful Plain, once call'd Pentapolis, amongſt whoſe Five Aſpiring Cities, Sodom and Gomorrah were the two moſt Wealthy, ever ſince their Fatal Burning by the Fire and Brimſtone of Vindictive Heaven, entirely ſunk beneath the Surface of this diſmal Lake, which now o'erflows the Ancient Habitations of Luxurious Wickedneſs, and does at certain ſeaſons of the Year (eſpecially preceeding Rainy Weather) conſtantly emitt a kind of Mist or Smoaky Cloud, in Five di⯑ſtinct and diſtant Places, which the Superſtitious People thereabouts, wou'd needs perſwade us to believe, point out the ſeveral Situations of thoſe Mi⯑ſerable Cities.
Its Nature and Deſcrip⯑tion.THE Salt or Brackiſhneſs, peculiar to the Waters of this Lake, is ſo ex⯑treamly great, that Heavy Bodies, thrown upon the Surface, ſink not down, without much difficulty, and it is reported, that the Roman Emperor Veſpa⯑ſian Commanded certain Sentenc'd Malefactors to be Bound, and thrown in Head-long for a Proof of the Experiment, which was confirm'd by their ſtrange Floating up and down, incapable of ſinking thro' the Surface of the Waters, whoſe Sulphureous Quality prevail'd ſo far upon their Skin, that it Peel'd off in every Part, as if they had been Scalded, and this laſt effect it now produces to ſo Piercing a degree, that it will Flea the Fingers of a Man, who Raſhly goes about to Waſh his Hands, in that Untempting Monu⯑ment of Horror and Iniquity.
Why call'd Aſphaltites.IT likewiſe bears the Name Aſphaltites, from a Prodigious quantity of Pitchy or Bituminous ſubſtance, call'd Aſphaltum, which is Bred in time upon the Surface of the Lake, and being caſt on ſhore all round it, gather'd by the Country People, and employ'd in many uſes; often Anciently exported into Egypt, for Embalming the Dead Bodies of the Vulgar, not capacitated to afford the Purchaſe of an Aromatic Compoſition.
Why the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah.AMONG the many Names, it is diſtinguiſh'd by, 'twas juſtly call'd the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah, in Commemoration of the Dreadfull Puniſh⯑ment, inflicted by the Hand of our Almighty God, upon a Sinfull People, once Inhabiting the Cities, which had there their Situation.
A Vulgar Er⯑ror concern⯑ing the Dead Sea.IT has been commonly reported, and confirm'd by the Aſſertion of ſome Modern Travellers, that all ſuch Birds, as dare attempt the Flying o⯑ver it, are ſuffocated with the Vapours, riſing from the Lake, and fall down [298] dead upon its Surface: This I can aſſure my Reader, is a moſt egregious Falſehood, for I have not only ſeen vaſt quantities of Fowl fly up and down about it, but deſcend ſometimes in ſearch of Meat, upon ſuch floating Reeds, or other ſwimming Heaps, as lie upon the top thereof. Perhaps the Story took its Riſe from the Repute, which Poets gave Avernus, and ſome other Lakes on that Account. Thus touch'd on by Lucretius.
One good Quality of the Dead Sea.I ſhall only add one Obſervation more, before I end this Chapter, and that is, this Lake among its many Ill, has one Good Quality; For by the Bri⯑ny Nature of its Waters, and the Soil about it, it yields ſuch mighty Quan⯑tities of Salt, as furniſh all the Holy Land with unexhauſted Plenty of that neceſſary Product.
Lot's Wife, and the Pillar of Salt.YET one Addition more, accosting my Remembrance, muſt implore the Reader's Pardon, if I ſtay to mention it; It is, that 'mongſt a Ridge of Mountains, not far diſtant from the Lake, I have been treating of, they ſhow a Hill of an indifferent Magnitude, which is, or ſeems to be, a kind of Rocky Salt, unfit for Ʋſe, and thence unvalued upon any other reaſon, than the Re⯑putation of being, what the Scriptures call the Pillar of Salt, into which Lot's Wife was Metamorphos'd, when her Female Curioſity inclin'd her to look back againſt the Angel's Order, and behold the Ruins of her Flaming City.
CHAP. XLIII. Of the Preſent State of the Chriſtian Religion in Paleſtine.
[299]A ſhocking Contemplati⯑on.TWOU'D be perhaps impoſſible, in Travelling about the ſpacious Ʋniverſe, to find a Scene, more ſtrangely ſhocking to a Chriſtian Zeal, than what the Holy Land affords at preſent: For it cannot ſurely be a welcome Contemplation to a Man, who owns the Faith of Chriſt, to ſee that Place have least of his Religion, which had most of his Good Wiſhes.
THE vileſt Soil, the Earth poſſeſſes, yields Encreaſe, when it is Sow'd with Liberality; But this ungrateful Clime, this miſerable Country, enrich'd by the ineſtimable Blood of Chriſt himſelf, is yet ſo far from an Improvement of her not alone Prodigious, but Peculiar Bleſſings, that the diſencourag'd Practice of Repuls'd Chriſtianity is diſregarded more in Palestine, than even the moſt Remote and Barbarous Corners of the Turkiſh Territories.
The common Chriſtian Inha⯑bitants of Pa⯑leſtine.THE ſcatter'd Chriſtians, who Inhabit with the Turks, in any of thoſe Towns, I mention'd in the former Chapter, commonly are ſuch, as are at⯑tracted by the Summons of a Profitable Way of Living, and forgetting every Call of their Humanity, but that of Interest, give their Minds entirely up to a continued Practice of ſuch advantageous Courſes, as, engaging totally the Bent of their Deſires, prevent their Souls from the neglected Execution of thoſe Holy Duties, which wou'd better far become their Applicati⯑on.
Many Sects, who live in the Temple of Chriſt's Sepul⯑chre.HOWEVER, there are many different Sects of Chriſtians here, who led by Piety, and the prevailing Love of their Religion and its Practices, a⯑bandon all the gayeſt Follies of the gilded World, and ſpend their Days within Jeruſalem, nay commonly within the very Temple of our Saviour's Sepulchre, with all the Marks of a ſincere Repentance, and ingenious Re⯑ſignation to the Smarts of Poverty, and unalluring Rules of an un⯑ſeign'd Auſterity.
How Con⯑verſe with Strangers.SOME Hundreds of theſe zealous Families, perpetually reſide with⯑in the Temple, ſo as never to Eat, Drink, or Sleep, in any other Place, nor find a poſſibility of Converſation with the People of the Town, at any other time, than when they bring Proviſions thither, and by ringing one, of a great number of ſmall Bells, by different Cords made faſt within the ſeve⯑ral Apartments of the Chriſtians there, give notice to the Perſons, they de⯑ſire to ſpeak with, who immediately come out, to be acquainted with the reaſon of their Summons.
BUT ſince it may not be an unacceptable Amuſement for the Reader, to be made acquainted with the different Tenets of the different Sects, reſiding at Jeruſalem, I will enumerate the ſeveral Doctrines of ſuch Christian Zealots, as are comprehended in the following Denominations.
[300] The Names of Chriſtian Sects, reſiding in Jeruſalem. ARMENIANS, Coptees, Abyſſens and Graecians, Jacobins, Neſtorians Georgians, and a kind of People, who have many Monaſteries on Mount Lebanon, and are diſtinguiſh'd amongſt Chriſtians, by the Name of Ma⯑ronites.
The Armeni⯑ans.THE Faith of the Armenians, who are, next the Graecians, here moſt numerous, has been already told you in the three and twentieth Chapter; largely treating of thoſe Peoples Cuſtoms, and their Tenets of Reli⯑gion.
The Coptees and Graecians.I likewiſe, have inform'd you, that the Coptees are the Remnant of the Old Egyptians, and at large deſcrib'd their Doctrine and Condition, in the four and twentieth Chapter of this Treatiſe, nor can I enlarge, without a flat Pro⯑lixity, on what I have already ſaid concerning Greece, and the Religion of her Natives.
The Tolerati⯑on given them.LET it then ſuffice to ſay, that all the three abovenam'd Sects, admini⯑ſter in the reſpective Offices of their Religion, at Jeruſalem, with as un⯑bounded a Permiſſion, and the ſame degrees of Ceremony, as they are allow'd to uſe, when in their ſeveral diſtant Countries.
THE reſt I will proceed to treat of, as diſtinctly as I can, and firſt the Abyſſens, more ancient than their Fellows in Converſion to the Faith and Wor⯑ſhip of our Saviour Chriſt, require the Preference.
The Abyſſens.THEY are no other than the Aethiopian Race, whoſe Ancestors em⯑brac'd the Chriſtian Doctrine, from the Preaching of their Queen Candace's Eunuch, Philip's Convert, much about the Year of Chriſt, Four Hundred and Seventy.
The Tenets of their Religi⯑on.THEY Circumciſe their Children, Authoriz'd, as they imagine, by our Saviour's own Example, and extend the Duty of that manual Operation to both Sexes equally.
THE Man at forty Days Old, and the Woman at threeſcore they con⯑ſtantly Baptize, repeating every Year that Sacramental Ceremony, on the Twelfth Day of Chriſtmas, in Commemoration only of the Condeſcention of our Lord, who ſtoop'd that Day to be Baptiz'd in Jordan by St. John the Baptiſt.
CONFESSION, Keeping Lent, and Praying for the Dead, are Points, wherein they join exactly with the Roman Catholicks, as they oppoſe them rigidly, in not admitting Images in Churches, or the Ʋſe of Crucifixes, and permitting Prieſts to Marry freely.
A Jewiſh Incli⯑nation.IN one odd Point they ſeem to favour the Opinion of the Jews, with whom they ſide in Abſtinence from certain Meats, and keeping Saturday as Holy, as they do the Chriſtian Sahaoth.
I need not tell the Learned Reader, that the Jacobins are call'd ſo from the Founder of their Hereſy, a Syrian of mean Parentage and Fortune, nam'd Jacobus.
The Religion of the Jaco⯑bius.HIS Dictates taught his Followers, and their Poſterity, to make the Godhead of our Saviour Paſſive, and Subſervient to his Manhood. They be⯑lieve the Soul of Man Immortal, but with this Reſerve, that it continues Slumb'ring with tho Body, till the Day of Judgment.
[301] CONFESSION, Purgatory, and the Prayers of Roman Catholicks for the Deceas'd, they diſregard, as needleſs Innovations. Their Prieſts may Marry, and Adminiſter the Sacrament in both kinds, and unanimouſly join to disbelieve the Truth, and diſobey the Orders of the ancient Fathers, and their Synods, for the moſt part.
The Nestorians. NESTORIƲS in the Reign of Theodoſius, was Biſhop of Conſtantino⯑ple, and a Native of the Ʋpper Germany; he introduc'd an Hereſy, which has prevail'd extreamly in the Eaſt, and gives the Denomination of Neſtorians to its Profeſſors.
IN the Adminiſtration of the Eucharist, this Sect deny the Real Preſence, nor permit the Virgin Mary to be call'd, The Mother of God. They read the Scriptures, and pretend to practiſe a reſerv'd Humility, but make a ſtrange Diviſion in our Saviour Chriſt, between his Divine and Humane Na⯑ture.
The Georgians.THE Georgians, call'd ſo from the Country of that Name, (in ancient Days, Albania, or Iberia) are in many Ceremonies and Opinions, Imitators of the Greeks, and moſt diſtinguiſh'd by the following Principles, to which they long have been moſt ſtrict Adherers.
THEY take a Liberty from their Religion, to indulge their Senſes al⯑moſt to the higheſt Pitch of Inceſt, by permitting Marriages within the Rules of Chriſtian Prohibition. They are great Admirers of loud Inſtruments of Muſick, in their Churches, and have ſeldom deviated from an honesty of Mind, which ſpeaks 'em juſtly Qualified for the Reſpect and Care of Euro⯑paean Governments, who might with little Charge or Labour, bring them o⯑ver from their in-offenſive Ignorance, to a more lively and illuminated Know⯑ledge of the Chriſt, they Worſhip.
The Maronites.THE Maronites took Name, from Maro an Old Abbot, who won 'em o⯑ver from the Jacobin Opinion to a new one of his own; or, as ſome ſay, from a large Village, call'd Marona, ſituated near their famous Monaſtery on Mount Lebanus or Lebanon.
THERE have been frequent Conferences ſet on Foot, between the Roman Catholicks and the abovenam'd Maronites, wherein the former have ſo well ſucceeded, that they are come wholly over to the Church of Rome, ſome few Reſerves excepted, two of which are theſe: They hold it as a Su⯑perſtitious Ceremony, to make uſe of Extreme Ʋnction, one of the Seven Ro⯑miſh Sacraments, and look upon all Prayers for the Deceas'd, as helpleſs Of⯑fices of a miſtaken Zeal, or ineffectual Bigottry.
The Govern⯑ment, theſe Sects are ſub⯑ject to.THESE then are all the noted Chriſtians, now Inhabiting Jeruſalem, or any other Part of Palestine, each ſeveral Order ſubject to the Govern⯑ment of their reſpective Biſhop, Abbot, or Elected Guardian, but ſo much more ſubject to the Turkiſh Power, that they muſt miſerably ſtand, de⯑preſs'd by want of Riches or Authority, and ſee the Ground, which once the Good, the Holy Jeſus honour'd with his Habitation, made the Property, and ruin'd by the Inſolence of thoſe audacious Infidels, who dare, upon the very Scene of his prodigious Agonies, Blaſpheme his Perſon, and Deride his Crucifixion.
[302] The Conclu⯑ſion of the Chapter.IN this Condition, Reader, lies the Holy-Land at preſent, ſcarce e⯑nough eſteem'd by the few Turks, who live therein, to make 'em gueſs their Profits worth their Pains, and yet in vain deſir'd with longing Wiſhes, by many Christian Princes, who for want of a ſuffi⯑cient Power, by ſingle Efforts, to expel the Conquerors, are forc'd to ſee that Land more wretched now than any other, which was once declar'd by God himſelf, the Happieſt of the Ʋniverſe.
CHAP. XLIV. Of Arabia the Stony.
[303]Arabia, not all ſubject to the Turk.NOW, let us look a little into the Dominions of the Three Arabia's, many Parts whereof are ſubject to the Turkiſh Sultan, but far more, are not, yet do thoſe Lawleſs and Imperious Monarchs claim the Honour of the Government of all, by adding to their Titles an Illegal Claim, to the entire Poſſeſſion of the wide Arabia.
SINCE therefore, tho' not really his, he calls them ſo, I will as briefly as is poſſible, to ſatisfie the Reader, give a juſt Deſcription of the Three Diviſions of this Mighty Country, and firſt attempt a thorough View of that Arabia, call'd Petraea.
Arabia Petraea why ſo call'd. ARABIA PETRAEA, or Arabia the Stony, either took its Name from Petra, now call'd Rat-al-allah, by the Turks, its Maſters, the Metro⯑polis of Old of all the Country; or, as ſome will have it, from the Rocky Mountains, which confine it, and the great Stone Quarries, at the bottom of the Sand, in every Part within it.
The Situation of the Stony Arabia.'TIS bounded on the Northern ſide, by Syria, on the West by Egypt, on the East it borders on the Deſarts of Arabia, and the Southern Confines touch the Northern Shores of the Red Sea, and the delightful Frontiers of Arabia Felix.
Deſcription of the Soil.THE Land is very deſolate, and barren to a vaſt degree. The Ground lies waſt, o'erwhelm'd a thouſand times a Year, by fluctuating Waves of rolling Sand, if I may call them ſo, impetuouſly driven up and down, Hills chang'd to Valleys, and the Valleys ſuddenly transform'd to Mountains; nothing here can boaſt the certainty of one Half Hours Duration; all the Face of Fickle Nature varies in a moment, and you ſee no more the vaniſh'd Proſpect, you have juſt been looking on.
Its Barrenneſs.NO Tree here flouriſhes, but now and then a ſolitary Palm; the Ground unſtable, can produce no more than two or three low kind of Herbs, the Hyſſop, and another with a ſpreading Leaf, which wanting little depth for Root, grow here and there upon the Graſs-leſs Surface of the Naked Sand.
Great Want of Water.BUT what is more than all the reſt intolerable, is the melancholy want of Water, Travellers are ſubject to, who often are oblig'd to ride till almoſt Dead with Thirst, before they find a Spring, ſufficient to emit a Pint of Water for the Service of a Multitude.
The Miſery of the Inhabi⯑tants.EXCEPTING the Wild Arabs, whom I ſhall diſtinctly treat of by and by, thoſe miſerable Wretches, who Inhabit this untempting Country, commonly are ſuch, as being driven from their Native Places by a barba⯑rous Oppreſſion, chuſe to change a forc'd, for a no leſs, but voluntary Miſery.
[304] Reflections on the ill Effects of Poverty.O pinching Poverty! That Men ſhou'd yield their noblest Virtues to be cruſh'd by thee! How ſtrange are thy Effects! And to what unaccountable Attempts doſt thou puſh on the Minds of ſuch as feel thee! No Men had certainly ran headlong to theſe Deſarts, to avoid the Shame, thy Power ex⯑pos'd 'em to, unleſs thou art indeed as terrible as the Old Poet thus has re⯑preſented thee.
Reflections on the vanity of Pride.YET is it, on the other Hand, as wretched a Condition, to be ſwell'd, beyond the Knowledge of our Selves, and the Remembrance of our Frailties, by the tranſitory Preference, we gain above our Fellow Mortals by the ſhort⯑liv'd Honours, Wealth beſtows on our deluded Wiſhes; ſudden Changes, and undreamt-of Storms, invading our Poſſeſſions, may reduce us ſwiftly, even below a Level, with the meanest of our Menials, and to puniſh our Ambition, Ship-wreck our Good-Fortune.
A Story, of a Proud, Rich Man at Ham⯑burghI very well remember, once at Hamburgh to have ſeen a melancholy Inſtance of the ſtrange Viciſſitudes to which Mortality is hourly Subject: For as I was looking on the Monuments, which grac'd a Church of the above⯑nam'd City, I took notice of a certain Tomb-Stone, fix'd up ſideways to the Wall, on which, beſides a deal of Sculpture, there were deeply cut the ſtrange Particulars of the Relation following, in the German Lan⯑guage.
[...] FREDERIC LEOPOLD LAƲSSERBƲRG, a Perſon of obſcure Birth, and an Illiterate Education, grew ſo Rich by Great Mens Favour, and a thouſand unexpected Bleſſings of an undeſerv'd Good-For⯑tune, that he was advanc'd to the moſt envied Dignities, the Magistracy of the City cou'd beſtow upon him, and encreas'd in Wealth and Power to ſo prodigious a degree, that no ſix Gentlemen in all that Country, cou'd out⯑balance his Poſſeſſions.
[305] A weakneſs of Nature.PRIDE, the Conſequence, and Common Tinger of Triumphant Beg⯑gary, quite turn'd his Senſes; In this Height of Exaltation he forgot the means, by which he roſe, and look'd upon the Bleſſings, he Poſſeſs'd, as Fram'd for his Enjoyment; Inſolence and Vanity ſo Clouded his ſmall ſhare of underſtanding, that he us'd all People with ſuch Ʋnbred Haughti⯑neſs, that he became the Univerſal hate of Town and Country.
Good advice unhappily Slighted.PROVIDENCE endeavour'd to oblige him by a Warning, from the Mouth of a Free Speaker his Relation, who attempting to diſſwade him from the Odious Practice of ſo Scornfull a Deportment, urging that tho' now he was above the Malice of the World, a time might come, when he ſhou'd ceaſe to be ſo, had this vain and ſenſeleſs anſwer thrown upon him.—Alas! Poor Fool, an Aſs might ſooner learn to Play upon the Bag⯑pipes, than the Curſe of Poverty be Taught a Way to make me Miſerable.
A Midnight alarm.ADVICE was ineffectual, and the Gentleman forbore repeating it, the Haughty Lauſſerburg went ſoon that Night to Bed, and Wak'd about the Hour of Midnight with a wonderfull Surprize, to hear the Noiſe of Ruſtic Muſick in the Street (and as he thought before his Windows) with a Hundred Exclamations, ſuch as Lord deliver us, Protect us Heaven, and the like, from all the Windows, oppoſite to his, whoſe Caſements ſhutt and open'd with a ſtrange Confuſion.
A wonderfull Apparition.TEMPTED by the Noiſes, he got out of Bed, and Running to his Chamber Window, threw it open, and the firſt Remark, he caſt his Eyes on, was a kind of Phantom, repreſenting the exact reſemblance of an Aſs, erected on his hinder Legs, and Dancing up and down to an uncommon Tune, of his own Playing on a perfect Bagpipe, while the Frighted Neighbours, all amaz'd before, were now far more ſurpriz'd, to ſee the Apparition Vaniſh in the very Moment, he look'd out at Window and be⯑held it.
THE Startled Lauſſerburg, in Agonies at this Appearance, preſently Reflected on the Wicked anſwer, he had made his Friend, and from that Hour became ſo Melancholy, that he never reliſh'd former Pleaſures, but neglected ſtrangely all his Great Concerns, and ſunk almoſt to a down⯑right Stupidity.
A ſudden Downfall.AMAZING Accidents by Fire and Robbers, Law-ſuits and Neg⯑lect, in two Years time conſum'd his Wealth to ſo incredible a Change, that being hated by the Townſmen, they refus'd to give him the relief, he wanted; ſo that he, who lately Judg'd himſelf too Great to know an Equal, or Converſe with an Inferior, was by Providence, reduc'd to Beg his Bread, from Door to Door, and hope a Charity from even the meaneſt of thoſe People, whom he had before Uncharitably dealt with; A Miſerable Condition.nay ſo far Ill-Fortune Tortur'd him, that, not admitted under any Roof, That very Friend, who had forewarn'd him of the poſſibility of Falling, com⯑ing late one Moon-light Night, along the Street, in very Cold and Rainy Weather, ſaw him ſitting huddled on a Heap of Dirt, half Naked, Shel⯑tred from the Rain by nothing, but a kind of Wicker'd Basket, which being cloſe at Bottom, but as open as a Cage in every other part, he had drawn over him, to keep his Head from the Severity of Wea⯑ther.
The uſe of the Story.THIS Story, carv'd at large upon the Tombſtone, quickens Pity and Amazement at one time, and may be uſefull, as a Mirror to preſent the World, with an exact Idea of the riſe and fall of Vanity, and the Misfortunes, drawn by Pride upon the Bubbles of Mortality.
[306] Shells, and Shining Sand, upon the De⯑ſart.BEFORE I cloſe this Chapter, 'twill be proper to inform the Reader, that the Sandy Deſarts of the Stony, and indeed the other two Arabia's, are cover'd thickly with a Thouſand kinds of Little Shells, and Nitrous Atoms, which appear with Gliſtering Beauty, at a diſtance from you, which, with ſeveral other Proofs, are reaſonable Grounds for a belief, that once theſe Plains, now Deſart Sands, were a large Part of the Main Ocean.
CHAP. XLV. Of Arabia the Deſart.
[307]The Deſarts of Arabia.THE mighty Deſarts of the Wast Arabia, South of the Foregoing, are confin'd that way, by the Arabia, well call'd Happy, from the A⯑romatic Bleſſings of its Climate: But on every other ſide, run wildly on towards Babylon and Media, Meſopotomia and Armenia, in ſuch endleſs Tracts of Sand and Deſolation, that the undiſcover'd Reach of their prodigious Surface, frightens Curioſity from Thoughts of ſearching, for the juſt Extent of ſuch a dangerous Territory.
Different from the reſt of the World.HEAVEN has here laid Waſt the Work of Earth's Creation, or con⯑triv'd theſe Blots of Nature, like a Mole in a fine Face, to ſerve as Foils, and add an Ornamental Lustre to the Brighter Parts of the more Temperate Ʋni⯑verſe.
THE Elements themſelves are here at War; The Sun inflames the Sand, and the Tempeſtuous Sand invades the Air with Waves of Fire, whoſe rolling Heaps like ſtormy Billows of impetuous Heat, hiſs dreadfully againſt the Breath of thoſe prodigious Tempeſts, which remove them hour⯑ly, and make a Chaos of the horrid Deſart.
Wild Beaſts, and Serpents in the Deſarts.NOT a Shrub grows here, or any thing at all, which looks like Na⯑ture in her common Decency; the Hiſs of every kind of Poys'nous Serpent aggravates the Terrour of a trembling Traveller, who, all inviron'd by the dangerous Snakes and ſalvage Beasts, which, ſcaring others, are them⯑ſelves as often ſcar'd, by the unſtable Motion of the trackleſs Deſarts, is ob⯑lig'd to ſeem at Sea, upon the ſcorching Continent, and Travel Day and Night without the ſmalleſt Guide, but the Aſſiſtance of a Com⯑paſs.
The Virtue of Fire in the Deſarts.THE raging Heat of a perpetual Sun ſo burns the Sands, they Travel on, that they are ſcorch'd, as if they walk'd thro' half-extinguiſh'd heaps of Aſhes, yet are they ſtill oblig'd to carry Fire, and fix it round the Places, where they reſt, to fright away the Monſt'rous Creatures, who wou'd elſe aſſault 'em.
The Skill of the Arabians.THOSE Arabians, who are Knowing in the Nature of the horrid Cli⯑mate, gueſs, by certain Motions of the Clouds, the coming of a Storm of Wind from any Quarter, and the diſtance, it is at, and conſequently ſuit their Travels thro' the Deſarts, to their Beſt Conveniency.
The Miſery of Chriſtians, Travelling without a Guide in the Deſarts of Arabia.BUT Chriſtian Strangers, wholly Ignorant of all thoſe Signs, nor daring to confide ſo far in the ſuſpected Arabs, as to take 'em for their Guides, are ſometimes miſerably overtaken by the danger of a Storm, which agitates the Ground, they travel on, with all the violence of the ſevereſt Earth-quake, lifting Men and Camels from the Deſart, or at leaſt ſo fills the Air with [308] Clouds of Sand, driv'n up and down by unreſiſted Whirlwinds, that the Wretched Traveller, quite blinded with their Fury, ſtands, unknowing what to do, while the Dried Dead Bodies of Men and Women, who have periſh'd Ages ſince, in paſſing over, are with a ſurprizing Horror blown upon them, whisk'd like Paper thro' the Air, all Dreadful and Deform'd, with thoſe ſuſpended Carkaſſes, and Flocks of Serpents hurried violently thro' the Winds, with the uplifted Tracks of glowing Sand, they lately crept in.
WHO knows, but many of thoſe dead Mens Bodies, which are blown ſo frightfully about the Deſart, are the ſame, who periſh'd, when the Roman Legions, under Warlike Cato, bravely paſs'd this Sultry Climate in the Search of Glory, and on whoſe account the Poet Lucan thus deſcribes the Nature of theſe Deſarts.
The wretched Condition of Travellers, who are loſt in the De⯑ſerts.HORROR and Confuſion overtake the Traveller, who, by a thouſand little Accidents, is hourly liable to loſe his Company. Imagine, Reader, what a miſerable State you wou'd believe your ſelf reduc'd to, were you left a⯑lone, amidſt the wild, and unfrequented Sands of theſe unmeaſur'd Deſarts; Nothing near you, nor within the reach of the moſt Sanguine Hope, but dreadful Serpents, unknown Monſters, and a thouſand barbarous Enemies to Nature and Humanity; No diſtant Proſpect of a Smoaking Chimney to di⯑rect [309] your Footſteps, nor the comfortable ſight of Beaten Roads, to guide you in your Journey; Day aſſaulting you with ſcorching Heats, Ghoſts, and Apparitions, in the Deſarts.and Night con⯑founding you with the repeated Shreicks and ſhrill Complaints of Ghoſts, or Apparitions, which, it you believe the People of the Country, wander Night⯑ly up and down about theſe Deſarts.
Miſchievous Hob-goblins.THE Arabs told me fifty frightful Stories of the Miſchiefs, done by theſe Hob-goblins, who delight, (it ſeems) to exerciſe Deceit, and make poor Travellers not only loſe their way, but periſh in the Deſart.
HOWEVER, there was, ſome Years ſince, a Certain Better natur'd Spirit, than a Man has commonly an Opportunity to get acquainted with, and ſince 'tis pity ſhe ſhou'd loſe the Honour, due to her Civility, I will Re⯑cord her, for as honeſt and obliging an Hob-goblin, as ever can be found in all Arabia.
A Story of an Armenian Mer⯑chant, loſt in the Deſarts of Arabia.THERE was, as I was told by my Judicious Turkiſh Author, an Ar⯑menian Merchant, call'd Demetrio, who liv'd for many Years in Egypt, and as I remember, in the City of Grand Cairo, till, by his induſtrious Applica⯑tion to the Art, he Practis'd, he became conſiderably Rich, and Flouriſh'd mightily.
IT ſeems the Man was of a Grateful Temper, and remember'd that, when he had liv'd, while Young, in Babylon, in a Condition very Mean, and much depreſs'd by Servitude and Poverty, he had receiv'd extraordinary Civilities from a Good natur'd Turk, by whoſe Aſſiſtance only, he had been enabled to engage himſelf in that ſucceſsful way of Living, which had now ſo happily improv'd his Former Circumſtances.
The grateful Deſign of a dangerous Journey.HE made a Reſolution, that he wou'd go pay a Viſit to his Friend in Ba⯑bylon, and let him ſee that he remember'd gratefully the many Bounties, he had formerly receiv'd, and wou'd reward, at leaſt acknowledge, his exten⯑ſive Obligations; and accordingly, he went in Company with the Great Caravan, which croſs'd the Deſarts to the very Place, he had deſign'd a Journey to.
The Water falls ſhort.HE Travell'd pleaſantly enough, till he was got almoſt half thro' the danger of his Paſſage, when it hapned, that the Caravan fell ſhort of Water, which they ſearch'd in vain for among the Sands, ſo that their Thirſt encrea⯑ſing daily, almoſt all their Beaſts of Burthen fainted under it, and many of their Company, unable to ſupport the Anguiſh, it reduc'd them to, fell Sick, and Died in Miſerable Torment.
They detach Parties to ſeek a Spring.PRODIGIOUS Offers there were doubtleſs made, for the reward of any, who ſhou'd then diſcover the glad Tydings of a Spring, which tho' they cou'd not reaſonably hope to find, the Zeal of their Deſires, and Sharp⯑neſs of their Appetite, inclin'd them to endeavour it, by ſending out De⯑tachments every way, with Orders not to loſe the Sight of one ano⯑ther.
They divide, and ſtraggle from each other.THE Wants of Nature, notwithſtanding this Precaution, urg'd their Courages to a contempt of any other Danger, than the Death, they drea⯑ded from the Want of Water, wherefore little minding the Advice, they had receiv'd, they frequently divided their ſmall Parties, and wou'd ramble ſingly up and down, regarding nothing, but the Thoughts of keeping ſtill within the hearing of each others Hollow.
[310] A dangerous Wandering.AMONG the reſt one Moonlight-Night, Demetrio, (it ſeems) was gone a Water Hunting, and had ſtraggled to conſiderable diſtance from the Party, he went out with, but imagin'd, he diſcover'd all about him many Companies, belonging to the Caravan, employ'd on the ſame Errand, he was buſy in; at laſt he heard a Voice on his left Hand, which call'd, as from the Neareſt Party, with the welcome Repetition of theſe Words, Ho! This way, this way, we have found out Water.
A deluſive Proſpect.FULL of Joy he look'd about him, and perceiv'd (at leaſt imagin'd he perceiv'd) the Parties of the Caravan run all one way, as if they follow'd the Tranſporting Summons, which invited them to Crowd that way, and taſt the Water, he believ'd ſo happily diſcover'd.
IN ſhort, he ran as faſt as he was able, cloſe upon the Heels of Certain Men, whoſe Faces he was very well acquainted with, and knew them to be⯑long to the Great Caravan, he came with: The malice of a Company of Ghoſts.Till at laſt, when he had follow'd them above an Hour, they turn'd upon him, ſhook their Heads, laugh'd loud, then diſappear'd, and vaniſh'd like a Shadow.
NATURES Dictates may inform the Reader, what Convulſive Ago⯑nies alarm'd the Breaſt of the Deceiv'd Armenian, when he ſaw thoſe Guides diſſolve to Air, on whom he had depended, as his Safe-guards and Directors: But his Fright encreas'd to double horror, when he look'd all round him, and cou'd ſee no Sign of Man or Beaſt, but found he had been led away from all his Company by the deluſive Beckons of Malicious Ghoſts, and Ill-de⯑ſigning Apparitions.
A ſad Condi⯑tion.IN vain he curs'd the hapleſs Motives, which inclin'd him to the Jour⯑ney, and with bitter Cries bewail'd his Miſery; lamenting the Misfortune of his loſt Condition with a flood of Tears, which bath'd the Sands, o'er which he wand'red, void of Comfort, and inſtead of finding the far diſtant Company, he look'd for, hourly rambled farther in the Deſart, while his A king Eyes ſaw nothing in his way but trackleſs Regions of unſtable Sand, and both his Ears were deeply pierc'd, by frightful Hiſſings of the Serpents round him, and the doleful Shrieks, and horrid Yells of unſeen Ghoſts, and Hovering Hob-goblins.
A deſpairing Reſolution.TWO Days and Nights were thus paſs'd over, when deſpairing ever⯑more of ſeeing Man, and weak'ned by Fatigue, and want of Food and Water, he laid himſelf upon the Sands, and was reſolv'd to wait his Death, with an Heroic Reſignation to the Will of Providence.
HE had not lain two Hours, before he ſtarted at the Repetition of a Voice, which call'd three times, in a ſhrill, melancholy Accent, Demetrio, Demetrio, Demetrio.
A Wife good⯑natur'd even after Death.HE lifted up his Eyes, with great Amazement at the mention of his Name, in ſuch a Place as that, and ſcarce believ'd himſelf awake, when he beheld his Wife at two Yards diſtance from him, with a Pot of Water in one Hand, and a Dry Bisket in the other.
SHE plac'd 'em by him, and made Signs, that he ſhou'd Eat and Drink, which an half-famiſh'd Appetite oblig'd him to endeavour, after he had offer'd to Embrace his Wife, who glided from him like an Airy Phantom, and forbad him touching her.
The Speech of a Ghoſt to a Man in the Deſarts.I am, ſaid ſhe, no more the Partner of your Earthly Bleſſings, Death has interpos'd his Obſtacle betwixt our Meeting to Embrace as formerly: Thy [311] Friend at Babylon is alſo Dead, and thy poor Children, Motherleſs at Cairo, want thy Comfort. Follow me, and I will lead thee to thy Company, and ſhow thee Water for thy ſelf and them, which when thou haſt diſcover'd, and receiv'd the Great Reward, that will be given thee, go back with me, I'll lead thee ſafely to the Borders of the Deſart, whence thou may'ſt return to Egypt, tho' alone, in ſafety. A Check to Curioſity.But thou muſt not ask me any Queſtions of my preſent Circumſtances, too Myſterious for a Mortal's Comprehenſion.
OVERJOY'D, but wond'ring at the ſtrangeneſs of the Accident, he follow'd his Obliging Wife, quite croſs another Part of the Wide Deſart, till ſhe brought him to a Place, where ſhe aſſur'd him if he dug, he ſhou'd find Wa⯑ter; but injoin'd him not to grieve, that ſhe was Dead, repeating ma⯑ny times, that ſhe was happier now than ſhe had been, while Li⯑ving.
A lucky Diſ⯑covery.HE cou'd from hence behold the Caravan, a third Part of whoſe Num⯑ber had already Periſh'd by the Drought, they were expos'd to. He immedi⯑atly went to them, brought 'em to the Place, and ſhow'd 'em where to dig, till they found Water, in ſufficient quantity to ſatisfie them all, and fill the Veſſels for their Uſe, in the remaining part of their ſad Journey.
A dead Wife, doubles her Husband's Fortune.HIS Wife, inviſible to all, but him, attended all this while, and whiſ⯑per'd in his Ear, the beſt Directions, ſhe cou'd give him: A Conſiderable Sum of Money was preſented him by the Commanders of the Caravan, which al⯑moſt doubled what he had before obtain'd by a ſucceſsful Induſtry. A happy Eſcape from the Deſarts.He pre⯑ſently exchang'd the Preſent, for ſuch Jewels, Gold, and other Riches, as wou'd lie in the leaſt Compaſs, and conducted by his Wifes kind Spirit, left the Company, and went in ſafety back to Egypt, holding a delightful Con⯑verſation all the way, and being told a thouſand wond'rous Things by his Aerial Guide, who, having brought him to the Borders of the Deſart, left him with a Charge, to give her Love to all her Children, and adviſe 'em how to live, ſecure of Happineſs, by means, ſhe had inform'd him of.
HE did as ſhe directed him, and when he came to Cairo, found his Family in Mourning for the Death of his Dear Wife, who left the World, according to his Computation, juſt a Week, before he met her in the Deſarts.
How they mark the Wa⯑ter Places in the Deſarts.THIS Story, Reader, told me by a Turk, who thought himſelf a Man of great Sincerity, and of no ſmall Judgment, pleaſe to take as I re⯑ceiv'd it; 'twill at leaſt divert you, and may ſerve to give you an Idea of thoſe horrid Deſarts, on which Subject I ſhall add no more, than that ſuch Travellers, as find a Spring of Water, tolerably freſh, by digging in the Sands, too well acquainted with the Miſery of wanting it, endeavour to pre⯑ſerve the Memory of the Place, by fixing up a Pike, or ſometimes two, bound faſt together, to make the Mark more laſting by its length; Theſe have a kind of Enſign at the top, but ſeldom ſtand a Month, before whole Moun⯑tains of the Sand entirely bury them, at leaſt ſo cover them, that ſcarce three Foot of all the Pike appears above the Surface; Such a dreadful Viſage bears the Deſart Country of the ſcorch'd Arabia.
CHAP. XLVI. Of Arabia, the Happy.
[312]Arabia Felix, juſtly ſo nam'd.THIS Country, Aromatically Happy in the Spices, She produces, and diſtinguiſh'd from the other two by all the Bleſſings of Indulgent Nature, ſometimes known to be a Partial Mother, well deſerves the Name of Felix, not alone becauſe moſt Happy in her Wealth and Products, but as ſhe is doubly ſo, when plac'd in Competition with the two Arabia's, her Deform'd and Barren Neighbours.
Providences Bounty to this Country.PROVIDENCE has here made full amends for the Deficiencies, ſhe caus'd in both the other; and the People, who Inhabit this delightful Country, are as far ſuperior to the reſt, in their Humanity and Fair Deport⯑ment to the Strangers, they Converſe with, as their Soil exceeds the other in its Beauties and Fertility.
Arabia Felix, how Go⯑vern'd. ARABIA FELIX has a Sultan of her own, poſſeſſing Arbitrary Power, and Ruling in the Inland Countries; but the Sea-Port Towns, at leaſt moſt of them, have been long Subſervient to the Turkiſh Government, as valued moſt by that encroaching People, on account of the prodigious Profits, ri⯑ſing to their Owners, from an open Traffick with the Indian Countries, and the great Advantages, they reap by Exportation of their own rich Manufa⯑ctures, and the Product of their Climate.
The Cities of that Country.THEY have many Cities of conſiderable Magnitude, the Chief whereof, are Mocha, Zenan, Siam, Ermin, Surac, Demmar, Almacarhan, Nag-helſaamar, Raba-taaman, Tais, Mouſar, Doffar, and the Port of Aden.
Their way of Building.MOST of theſe, and many other Cities, are adorn'd with very fine and ſtately Buildings, of a laſting kind of Stone, well poliſh'd, and join'd cloſe with admirable Mortar: Gardens, Orchards, and large Ornamental Suburbs, generally grace the Towns with Beautiful Appearances, and many of them are indifferently Fortified with Walls and Out-Works.
The Merchan⯑dizes of Ara⯑bia.THE Merchandizes of Arabia Felix, are the Aromatic Gums and Spices, it was ever famous for, Olibanum and Frankincenſe, and Myrrh of many kinds, Rich Balſam, Sugar Canes, Large Coco-Nuts, and Coffee in abun⯑dance.
THEY have Grapes, and almoſt every kind of Fruit, in fulleſt Excel⯑lency; Mutton, Beef, and other Meats both Good and Plentiful, and live in the Enjoyment of the Gayeſt Pleaſures, Nature, unaſſiſted by the Helps of Art, can furniſh their Delights with.
Plenty of Wild Beaſts bred [...]THE Inland Countries are extreamly Woody, and afford convenient Shel⯑ter for the numerous Herds of Lyons, Leopards, Tygers, Wolves, and other Beaſts of Prey, abounding greatly, not alone in this, but all the Three Ara⯑bia's, I have treated of.
[313] The Air very Pleaſant, and Health⯑ful.THE Air is conſtantly ſalubrious, and notwithſtanding the warm Situ⯑ation of the Country, reaching from near Thirty to Eleven or Ten Degrees of Northern Latitude: The Heat is ſo delightfully alloy'd by frequent Breezes, which like wanton Zephyrs, fan the Air, and waſt the Scent of odoriferous Spices on their gentle Breathings, that you feaſt upon the richeſt Banquet, Nature can prepare you, as you travel on the Road from Town to City; and the moderated Climate, ſoftly mixing Vernal Mildneſs, with the Beams of Sum⯑mer, makes all Seaſons equally engaging, ſo that the Greek Poet, who in the following Verſes, Wiſhes for a Conſtant Spring, may properly be ſaid to have deſcrib'd the Bleſſing of Arabia Felix.
CHAP. XLVII. Of the Red-Sea.
[314]THE Red-Sea is ſo fully known already, by the Geographical De⯑ſcriptions of our own Country Writers, and the exquiſite Per⯑formances of the Mathematic Authors of moſt Chriſtian Nations, that I mean not here to Touch on thoſe notorious Obſerva⯑tions, which have long ago been made by others, but inform my Rea⯑der of ſome new Diſcoveries of little matters, which I made my ſelf.
BUT firſt, it will be Requiſite to ſay a Word or two, relating to the Etymology and Ports of the Red-Sea, which having done, I will proceed to mention the Remarks, I made, as they occur to my Remembrance.
Why the Red-Sea is ſo call'd. RHYTHRA, in the old Egyptian Language, ſignifying Red, was for⯑merly the Name of a great Monarch of that Country, who gave the Sea his own Denomination, which has been ſince miſtaken, by affinity of Sound, and Miſ-interpreted the Red-Sea, by thoſe, who fix'd the Name upon it, which it bears at preſent.
A Second O⯑pinion.OTHERS think, eſpecially the Jews, Inhabiting the Eaſtern Coun⯑tries, that it was call'd the Red-Sea, from the prodigious ruin, and great overthrow of Pharaohs Army, in their Paſſage over it, in the purſuit of Moſes, and his God-defended Iſraelites, but as the Blood, there Spilt, was very little, tho' ſuch Multitudes were Drown'd, I look upon this gueſs, as an Improbable Opinion.
A Third, and the moſt pro⯑bable.ANOTHER Notion, and perhaps the trueſt of the Three, is, that 'tis call'd the Red-Sea, from the Redneſs of the Sands, o'erſpreading all the Bottom, whence the Waves receive a kind of red Reflection, and the Water thence appears, as if 'twere ſtain'd with certain Juices, of a rediſh Colour; This is made more Reaſonable from the Etymology of the Euxine, com⯑monly call'd the Black-Sea, from the Blackneſs of the Sands, which lie at the Bottom.
THE Sea Port Towns are very numerous, and very different from each other, in Magnificence, or the conventency of Harbour, ſome are much ex⯑pos'd to dangerous ſhelves, and Rocky Shallows, others both commodious, large, and ſtately, Aden, the great Sea-Port Town.but the only Place, deſerving a particular Deſcription, is the Port, call'd Aden, in Poſſeſſion of the Turks, and not alone the Largeſt. but the Richeſt, and moſt celebrated Sea Port Town of all Arabia.
Its Deſcripti⯑on.IT is Situated in about thirteen Degrees of Northern Latitude, direct⯑ly in the Center of a kind of Amphitheatre, or Semicircular Ridge of Moun⯑tains, jetting out prodigious Promontories into the Sea, for a conſiderable Length, on either Horn; the Harbour is not only ſafe, but capable of holding at an Anchor near a Thouſand Sail of Ships, by the moſt modeſt Computation.
[315] The Town how built.THE Town it ſelf conſiſts of near four thouſand Houſes, built of Stone, and rendred Pleaſant by vaſt Spaces, unemploy'd to other Uſes, than the Planting Orchards, Gardens, and a kind of Favorite Wilderneſſes, much in Pra⯑ctice with the Eaſtern People.
THE General Inhabitants of Aden are conſiderably Wealthy, and enjoy their Pleaſures with a greater Guſt, than elſewhere is permitted them; Now much decay'd.yet is the City much decay'd from what it has been formerly, for once the Town extended to a double Length to that, it now contains, and all the Buildings (tho' they are not deſpicable now) were anciently adorn'd with a far grea⯑ter Beauty and Magnificence.
The Fleets of the Red-Sea.THE Turks build Veſſels in the Ports, belonging to this Sea, and con⯑ſtantly maintain a Fleet of Gallies, for ſupport of their Authority, beſides the Merchant Ships, which Trade about from Place to Place, and by the Cuſtoms, paid on the Commodities, they carry, bring conſiderable Profit to the Coffers of the Sultan.
A new Diſ⯑covery of a Monument, near the Red-Sea.UPON the Northern Shore of the Red-Sea, not far from a ſmall Haven now call'd Pozi, ſtand the Ruins of a Monumental Heap of Stones, appearing very ancient, by their Forms and way of Building: By the Remnant of the Work, we may ſuppoſe it to have been Erected Pyramidically, and about one hundred Foot in height, the breadth of each ſquare of its Baſis much the ſame; upon the bottom Stones, and certain fallen ones, we cou'd diſcover unintelligible Characters, which ſeem'd to have been Carv'd to tell ſucceeding Ages, what the Monument was there Erected to perpetuate the Memory of.
'TIS pity, Ignorance has incapacitated the Inhabitants from letting Strangers into any Light of Knowledge, in relation to Antiquity, elſe probably they had been able to inform us, what this Heap of Ruins was Originally; Thought to be the ſame, which Moſes left in Memo⯑ry of his Paſſage.Now we can no more than gueſs at random for its doubtful Origin, unleſs we will believe the not impoſſible Traditional Account, the Natives give us, who wou'd fain perſwade us to believe, 'twas built by Moſes, when the Iſraelites miraculouſly paſs'd that Sea, and left by him, a Memorandum for Poſterity, to make Mankind depend on God, and not diffide in his ſecure Pro⯑tection, tho' reduc'd to never ſo fatiguing, and oppreſſive Exigencies.
Opium made of Poppies.THERE grows upon the Shores of the Red-Sea, a certain heavy-headed Poppy, only differing, in the bigneſs of its Stalk, from ours in England: At a certain Seaſon of the Year, I think it is July or June, they gather many of theſe Poppies, beat 'em in a Mortar, lay them by for many Days, then take 'em out, and adding ſeveral unknown Herbs, make Opium of the Compoſi⯑tion, but of far leſs Efficacy than the other ſort, more frequently Exported into Foreign Countries.
Indigo, how made of an Herb.THERE likewiſe grows a little Violet colour'd Herb in mighty Plenty, all about the Sea Shore, which they take care to gather in the Sun's Meri⯑dian Height, and mixing it with certain Weeds, which float like ſcatter'd Samphire; on the Surface of the Waters, make thereof the Die, call'd Indigo, in full Perfection.
Pearls found in the Red-Sea.MIGHTY Rocks in many Parts of the Red-Sea, erect their Heads a⯑bove the Water, and it is not ſeldom, that they find upon them ſomething like a Shell-Fiſh, yet unlike an Oyſter, which is open'd with the greateſt Diffi⯑culty imaginable, and contains within it, great round Pearls, ſometimes but one, and ſometimes more, of equal Value with the richeſt of their Magni⯑tude, from any other Part, imported into Christendom.
[316] A wonderful Fiſh.AT certain Seaſons of the Year, it is a common thing to ſee a Fiſh, not much unlike an Hippotamus, or great River Horſe, whoſe Strength and Swiftneſs is ſo very wonderful, that 'tis almoſt impoſſible to take 'em, but by ſome Surprize, or Cunning Stratagem.
A rich Per⯑fume.THESE Creatures, when they happen to be caught, are carefully Diſſected; for, beſides a kind of rich Perfume, beyond the ſcent of Amber⯑greaſe it ſelf, which lies like Fat about their Spinal Joints, and yields a vaſt Advantage to the Man, who finds it, A Carbuncle, found in the Head of a Sea-Horſe.there often is diſcover'd in the Head of this ſtrange Animal, a glitt'ring Stone, which may be call'd a Carbun⯑cle, for it is of Globe-like Form, and quite Tranſparent; yielding, if produc'd in a Dark Place, a Light, ſo ſtriking, that a Man may ſee to Write by its Aſſiſtance, in the duskieſt Winter's Midnight.
The Danger of attempting more Diſco⯑veries.THESE are all the Obſervations I cou'd make, deſerving my Remem⯑brance; nor can any Man diſcover in this Sea, or upon its extenſive Shores, more Rarities, or Creatures, worth Remark, than have already been communi⯑cated in the Books of Travellers, unleſs his Curioſity, becoming Maſter of his Reaſon, tempts him to a raſh Endeavour of oppoſing Laws and Dangers, to Inſtruct himſelf in Matters, probably unworthy half his Labours.
CHAP. XLVIII. Of the Turks Pilgrimage to their Prophet's Birth-Place, and their Ceremonies at Mecca and Me⯑dina Telnabi.
[317]The force of Superſtition.NEVER ſure did a Bigotted Superſtition lead away the Minds of Thoughtleſs Mortals, to ſo wond'rous a degree, as it has done in Turkey, where the Annual Practice of a Pilgrimage to Mecca, has pre⯑vail'd ſo ſtrangely by the fix'd Injunction of their Prophet's Law, that 'tis by all believ'd the ſureſt Paſſport from Mortality to Paradiſe.
A ſtrange Notion.NAY they carry it ſtill farther, and perſiſt in the Aſſertion, that unleſs a Turk ſhall once at leaſt, before he Dies, perform that Pilgrimage, or bear the Charges of ſome other Man to do it for him, (if the want of Health pre⯑vents his Piety) it is impoſſible that he ſhould ever reach thoſe groſs En⯑joyments, they expect from the Romantic Bleſſings of another World, till they have Purified their Perſons from the Guilt of ſuch Omiſſion, by a long con⯑tinuance in the Tortures of the Grave, inſlicted on them, by the two Black Angels, as I have at large inform'd you in the Part Foregoing.
Moral Re⯑flections.OH Miſerable Frailty of deceiv'd Mortality, ſo ſtrangely open to the ſtrong Aſſaults of our miſtaken Paſſions, and unguarded commonly againſt the weakeſt Efforts, made by Nature to delude our Senſes, but by far more liable to the Perſwaſive Ills of Superſtitious Zeal, and the Deceitful Gloſs of an Ill⯑choſe Religion: There our Vices ſculk with undetected Art, behind the Maſque of a pretended Vertue. And how eaſily, alas! are we miſled in Exe⯑cution of our Duty, when the Dictates of our Reaſon are themſelves too often Biaſs'd to a Partial Sentence, and our Judgment, which ſhould ever Rule a Wiſe Man's Actions, Brib'd unfortunately by Erroneous Principles.
A vulgar Er⯑ror, concer⯑ning Maho⯑met's Tomb.HOWEVER, e'er I enter on the Subject of the Chapter, I am now a⯑bout to treat of, I will undeceive my Reader, who has probably been led a⯑stray, like many others, by a Vulgar Error, which inclines them to believe, that Mecca, as the Place, to which the Turks direct their Pilgrimage, is the Town, wherein the Great Impoſtor Mahomet lies Buried, when it really is no other, than his Birth-Place, and as ſuch, made Holy by his own Injunctions that, with ſuch and ſuch appointed Ceremonies, all his Followers ſhou'd Viſit that Great City, in Commemoration of his being thence produc'd amongſt them.
Of Mecca and Medina.SOME few Days Journey, North of Mecca, ſtands the Celebrated Tomb of Mahomet in a ſmall Town, diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Medina Telnabi, where he Died, and now lies Buried in the Form, I ſhall deſcribe hereafter: No Believer, (as they call themſelves) is by their Prophet's Law oblig'd to Viſit this Place in their Pilgrimage, but as they were aſſur'd by the Impoſtor, that, if not a Meritorious, 'twou'd at leaſt be an Acceptable [318] Acknowledgment of Zeal for their Religion and his Memory, 'tis never known, that any Annual Pilgrimage is made to Mecca, but a certain Number of the moſt Bigotted of the People, turn aſide, and pay their Offerings, (e're they return) to Medina Telnabi.
Another Vulgar Error.AND here another vulgar Error challenges a Confutation, which Expe⯑rience, as the ſureſt Judge, may be allow'd to give it; 'Tis a general Be⯑lief, that Mahomet was never Buried, but is hung, ſuſpended in the Air within an Iron Coffin, by the ſtrange attractive Force of certain wond'rous Load-Stones, ſo ſurprizingly affix'd to the high Roof of a great Temple, that they cannot be perceiv'd by the moſt exquiſite Inſpection.
Very Ground⯑leſs.THAT this is falſe the Reader will diſcover preſently; but whence it grew ſo common a Report, I can by no means gueſs, ſince I have ever found the Turks ſo far from juſtifying the Pretended Miracle, that they exert their ut⯑moſt Wit and Raillery, to ridicule the fond Credulity of Chriſtian Nations, led ſo eaſily to a Belief of ſuch a Groſs Abſurdity.
The Place of Rendezvous.THE Numbers, which compoſe the Mighty Caravan of Meccan Pilgrims, generally ſwell beyond Imagination; Zealous Turks of every Country, Quali⯑ty, Profeſſion or Capacity aſſemble at Grand Cairo, (the Great Rendezvouz, ap⯑pointed for that purpoſe) by the firſt of August, or within a few Days af⯑ter; for about the tenth, or fifteenth of that Month the Caravan moſt com⯑monly ſets forward on the Journey.
Their Publick Proclamati⯑ons.WITHIN ſix Days of their Departure, Notice is, by Publick Proclama⯑tion given the People, to get ready by the Time then ſet, and that they muſt be ſubject to the Government of ſuch a Perſon, (whom they Name,) both Go⯑ing and Returning, in whatever Caſes may require his Arbitration.
Their Chief, how choſen.THIS Officer is call'd Emir Hadgey, which ſignifies as much as Ruler of the Pilgrims: He is always choſen by the Great Baſhaw of Cairo, and makes a vaſt Advantage of his Poſt, beſides the ſettled Sum of near two thouſand Pounds, which he receives from the Grand Signior's Treaſury, by many Perquiſites and Opportunities of Gain, like theſe, which follow.
The Order obſerv'd in Regiſtring their Names.AS ſoon as the Emir-Hadgey is Proclaim'd, all People, who accompany the Caravan, muſt preſently reſort to him, or one deputed by him, paying a conſiderable Sum of Money for the Regiſt'ring their Names, the number of their Camels, and the Names, Religion, Quality and Sects of every Paſſenger, they carry on them.
The Emir-Hadgey's Pow⯑er.HIS Power is ſo Unlimited, and ſo Deciſive is his Sentence, while the Ex⯑pedition laſts, extending even to Life and Death, and every little Matter, Criminal or Civil, that to Bribe his Favour, no rich Gifts are thought too Coſtly, nor that Money ill beſtow'd, which recommending thoſe, who give it, to the favourable Eye of ſuch an Arbitrary Ruler, frequently prevents the Hand of Rapine, from Invading their moſt valuable Property.
His Perqui⯑ſites.ANOTHER Perquiſite, and that no mean one, riſes from a Law, Severe and Barbarous, by which all Chriſtians, whatſoever, are Prohibited from coming within three Days Journey of their Prophet's Birth-Place, or his Place of Burial, while the Pilgrims are employ'd at either in the Ceremoni⯑ous Practices of Zeal and Superſtition: The Turks true to In⯑tereſt.For, notwithſtanding this Decree, if any Europaean Traveller, has Courage to confide in the Fidelity of Turks (and really, where their Intereſt binds them, they are generally very Pun⯑ctual in Performance of their Articles) he may, by making a conſidera⯑ble Preſent to the Emir-Hadgey, not alone be ſure of his Protection, in the [319] Places abovemention'd, but poſſeſs an undiſputed Liberty to Travel openly throughout the Journey, and ſelect what Company he pleaſes, to Converſe with in the Caravan, which he accompanies.
WHEN every thing is ready, all the Caravan have Publick Orders pre⯑ſently, to quit the Town, and Rendezvouz Fifteen Miles from it, in an open ſandy Plain, along the Borders of a Pool, call'd Birquey.
The Gallan⯑try of the Emir-Hadgey.HITHER, two Days after, the Emir-Hadgey comes, gallantly atten⯑ded by a Company of ſuch among them, as pretend to be diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Gentlemen, and have reſolv'd that Year to make the Pilgri⯑mage: All theſe have many Servants waiting on them, with a tripple Change of Camels, to prevent the Inconveniencies, they might be otherwiſe expos'd to, by the accidental Deaths of thoſe, they rode on.
The Dreſs of his Camels.ALL the Camels are adorn'd, as finely as is poſſible, with Ribbons, Spangles, Rich Capariſons, and every other Gay Contrivance, which may ſerve to ſhew the Ʋniverſal Joy, with which they ſnatch the wiſh'd Occaſion of ſo Troubleſome and Dangerous, but Holy a Peregrination.
The Alcoran, how carried.AMONG the Camels, which compoſe the Number, for the proper uſe of the Emir-Hadgey, one Venerable Old one is elected, to be richly Orna⯑mented with Embroider'd Trappings, thick beſet with Precious Stones, of ad⯑mirable Luſtre, on whoſe Back is carried a ſquare Golden Box, which holds the Alcoran, extravagantly Bound, and all enrich'd with valuable Jewels, yearly ſent by the Grand Signior, as an Offering, due to the Great Moſque of Mecca, in reſpect to Mahomet.
Camels, how reſpected at their Return from Mecca.THIS Camel, if it happens to outlive the Journey, is for ever after free from Labour, as indeed moſt others are, which have return'd in Safety, if their Owners can afford it, and Interr'd, upon their Death, in Orchards, Gar⯑dens, or ſome other private Place, that ſo they may not be expos'd, like other Beaſts, to Dogs and Vultures.
The Depar⯑ture of the Caravan.AS ſoon as the Arrival of the Emir-Hadgey has been confirm'd through⯑out the Camp, (for they Pitch Tents like Armies) all the Caravan make ready in an Inſtant, and the Women, Children, and Acquaintance of the Pilgrims, who have hitherto accompanied them, begin with Prayers, Tears, Kiſſes, cloſe Embraces, and a Thouſand Marks of Friendſhip and Affection, to take leave of all they know, and recommend them to the Smiles and Care of Providence; ſo that for a conſiderable time, there's nothing to be ſeen, but a confus'd Extravagance of Sorrow, and its Conſequences.
Their Order in Marching.NOW the Caravan begins to March, the Emir-Hadgey riding at their Head, or ſometimes in their Center, as he thinks moſt proper: All the Camels are ty'd Tail to Tail, and follow one another in ſtrait Lines of diffe⯑rent length, ſome Hundreds often going in a Knot, their Riders ſitting on them in the Poſture, elſewhere ſpoke of in this Treatiſe, and ſome Thouſands of the moſt accompliſh'd Warriors, in a manner quite ſurrounding the whole Caravan, protect them from the Dangers, they are often ſubject to, in the Attacks, they meet with from the Wild Arabians, who inſeſt the Deſarts.
Their A⯑muſements on the RoadTHEY are generally very Merry, ſounding all the way an Hundred aukward Inſtruments of Muſick, and diverting one another with the tedious Repetitions of ſuch Old Wives Tales, as commonly paſs Current, in the Con⯑verſation of the Vulgar People, of the Eaſtern Countries.
[320] Their Lights on the Jour⯑ney.THE Violence of Heat is ſo exceſſive in the Climates, they are bound to paſs thro', that they ſeldom Travel much by Day, and therefore carry a prodigious Quantity of Links or Flambeaus, for the Lighting them along; and really, when the Moon denies her Influence, in directing their Advances, they ſupply the want, occaſion'd by her Abſence, with ſuch glorious Num⯑bers of theſe Flaming Torches, as afford a Proſpect, ſo ſurprizingly agreeable, that 'tis not to be gueſs'd by ſuch, as have not ſeen it.
The Dangers, they are ſub⯑ject to.THE Sultry Influences of a ſcorching Sun, and Peſtilential Blaſts of an unwholeſome Southern Wind, together with the want of Water, (Bitter Springs excepted) and the Scarcity of all Proviſions, with a Thouſand una⯑vordable Fatigues, they meet with, in ſo long and diſagreeable a Journey, fre⯑quently occaſion ſuch Mortality among the Caravan, that 'tis a common thing in its Return to Cairo, to have left Eight Thouſand Perſons Dead be⯑hind them.
Their com⯑mon Num⯑bersAS for the Numbers, which this Annual Caravan does commonly conſiſt of, they are ſo uncertain, that I cannot form a General Calculation better, than by telling you, that they are ſeldom known below the Full of Fifty Thouſand Souls, but very often to a great degree exceed an Hundred.
Another of the Emir's PerquiſitesALL the Goods, Cloaths, Camels, and Conveniencies, belonging to ſuch Perſons, as ſall Sick and Die upon the Journey, are the Property by Perquiſite, of the Emir-Hadgey, who (unleſs a Man of admirable Principles) is con⯑ſequently no great Well-wiſher to the Welfare of his People.
The Diſtance between Grand Cairo and Mecca.THE Diſtance between Mecca and Grand Cairo, is Five and Forty large Days Journey, in which Paſſage they are forc'd to Reſt Three Days together; ſuch is the Fatigue of Travelling upon a Deſart Country, where the Sands, unſtable to the Footſteps of their Beaſts of Burthen, ſlip away, and make the Roads extreamly tireſome.
A Remark concerning Camels.AND here we have a ſpacious Scene for Contemplation, on the All-direct⯑ing Wiſdom of the Hand of Providence, who in the Countries, naturally Stony, has provided Horſes, of a hard and ſolid Hoof, to ſerve the Ʋſes, they are there deſign'd for: But in Deſart Places, ſuch as theſe, I now am ſpeaking of, has form'd the Camel, qualified by Nature with her ſpreading Fool, to overtread more eaſily the ſinking Sands, which Horſes Hoofs with difficulty paſs thro'.
The Place, call'd Marah in the Scriptures.TWO Days from Cairo bring the Caravan to a Place, call'd Miz-Haana, anciently that Marah, ſpoke of in the Scriptures, whither Moſes brought the Iſraelites, juſt then deliver'd from Egyptian Bondage, and, Miraculouſly Aided by Almighty God's aſſiſting Hand, converted bitter Waters into ſweet, by throwing in a Tree, cut down on purpoſe, thence ſupplying all the Peoples raging Thirſt, who Murmur'd loudly, that they cou'd not Drink, for the wa⯑ters of Marah were Bitter.
The Stages of the Caravan.THENCE, proceeding onwards of their Journey, they Encamp on many of thoſe very Places, where, ſo many Ages ſince, the diſcontented Iſraelites, then wandring in the Wilderneſs, by God's Direction Pitch'd their Tents, and lay a while, in expectation of the Orders, Moſes was to give them, whither next to bend their Progreſs.
Abraham's MountainWITHIN near Threeſcore Miles of Mecca, ſtands a Village, call'd Babble, ſcarce Three Furlongs diſtant from the Mountain of that Name, on whoſe high Summit, Abraham built the Altar, upon which he had deſign'd to Sacrifice his only Son, his much-lov'd Iſaac, in Obedience to the Will of that [321] Great God, whoſe leaſt Command he knew it Sin to think of Diſre⯑garding.
Iſaac's Altar.THERE is upon the Top of this fam'd Mountain, a low kind of Turkiſh Moſque, or Chappel, built obſcurely, of an Antique Model, in the midſt whereof they ſhow a ſmall ſquare Heap of Stones, join'd faſt together with a laſting Mortar, not much leſs than three Foot high, ſix long, and four in breadth, which they have dignified with a ſtrange Reputation, and are ſure to ſhow all Pilgrims, who come thither, by the Name of Iſaac's Altar.
The Story, why impro⯑bable.'TIS, I muſt confeſs, a little inconſiſtent with my Notion of the Rules of Reaſon, to imagine Abraham, as we read the Story, ſhou'd have taken Pains to build ſo ſtrong and durable a Monument, whereon to Sacrifice his Son upon ſo ſhort a Warning; and it therefore muſt require a Romiſh Faith to look up⯑on this Altar, as a Relique of Antiquity.
The Ceremo⯑nies of the Pil⯑grims, on this Hill.THE Moſque however, which is built upon this Hill, is conſtantly In⯑habited by ſome Old Scheich, or Turkiſh Preacher, who is bound by the Con⯑ditions, upon which he claims a Salary, belonging to the Benefice, to ſtand up⯑on the Hill, and make a Declanition, or a kind of Lecture to the Pilgrims, who aſſemble round him, (thoſe, who happen to get neareſt, telling thoſe at greater diſtance, what they learn from the Perſwaſive Oratory of their Preachers Doctrine.
The Subject of a Sermon, there Preach'd.THE common Subjects, which are choſe on this Occaſion, for Employ⯑ment of the Doctor's Lungs and Faculties, are ſuch, as an Endeavour to Ingraft a Pious Notion in the Peoples Breaſt, of that Important Duty, they are now performing, the Neceſſity there is of a Repentance after it, and the innume⯑rable Bleſſings, they may certainly expect from God's Indulgence, if they ne⯑ver deviate from the Principles of Zealous Muſſul-Men, and True-Believers of the Laws of Mahomet.
The Turkiſh way of quit⯑ting Sin.THEY reſt a Day, upon the Old Man's Sermon, to digeſt the Entertainment, he has gravely given them, and then are led by the Emir-Hadgey on Foot, without obſerving Rank, all one by one, to the abovenam'd Moſque upon the Mountain Rabiie, which they enter at one Door, and go out of by another, oppoſite thereto; firſt paſſing by the Grave Old Scheich aforeſaid, who is plac'd upon a Step, near two Foot high, directly in the middle of the Moſque, and touching every Man, as he goes ſwiftly by, with a ſhort Stick, repeats theſe Words, May Sin here leave thee.
A ſtrange No⯑tion.NOW, you muſt underſtand, the Holy Wiſhes of this Favorite of Maho⯑met are ſo Succeſsful, that they never fail to crown the Perſon Bleſs'd, with an entire Deliverance from all the Vices, he was ever ſubject to; ſo that, freed happily from ſuch a weighty Burthen, they run nimbly down the Hill upon the other ſide, and never ſtop, till they have croſs'd a little Stream of Bitter Water, gliding by the Bottom, and, by dipping in their Hands, and ſprinkling all their Faces with ſome Drops thereof, from that time forward they become New-Men, as Pure, and Free from all Iniquity, as Infant Inno⯑cence, and conſequently Qualified to ſee the City, they muſt next proceed to.
A ſtranger Puniſhment.BUT you muſt take notice, that the Puniſhment of looking back, before they Croſs this Purifying Stream, is full as Exemplary to theſe Cautious Pil⯑grims, as it was of Old to Lot's too Curious Wife: For tho' their Meta⯑morphoſis appears not ſo amazingly conſpicuous, yet they'll tell you, that 'tis fully as ſevere; for in the very Moment, any Man among them turns [322] his Head, before it is permitted him, the heavy Load of his own Sins, which he had juſt before made ſhift to leave behind him, does not only overtake him in an Inſtant, but returns, enrich'd with Intereſt upon Intereſt, by the Black Addition of two other Peoples.
Their Cere⯑monies, at firſt ſight of Mec⯑ca.CAREFUL therefore, to prevent ſo Burthenſome a Miſchief, on they march with joyful Hearts to the Remainder of their Journey, and a⯑bout the middle of the third Days Progreſs, gain a Proſpect of the Moſque at Mecca; when they all alight, as if half mad, with noiſy Extaſies, and pro⯑ſtrating themſelves upon the Ground, thrice kiſs the glowing Surface of the Sand, they Travel on, and thrice Proclaim with Univerſal Clamour, Allah-Illah-Ilallab, Muhamed Reſul Allah. God is God, the only God, and Mahomet, of that ſole God, the only Prophet.
How they En⯑camp at Mec⯑ca.ARRIV'D at Mecca, they Encamp upon the Plains, without the City, as by far too numerous to find Conveniencies within the Walls, for a Commodious Entertainment of Themſelves and Camels: But I ſhould have told you, that they often turn aſide, and paſs thro' Giddah, the Port-Town to Mec⯑ca, to pay Reverence to the Grave, where Eve was Buried;The Tomb of Eve. for the Arabs there pretend to ſhow all Travellers her Sepulchre, and wou'd perſwade us to believe, our Father Adam had a very Formidable Conſort, if we are allow'd to gueſs her Strength by the Proportion, which they give her; for, from the Stone, now ſtanding at the Head, to that, which ſtands at the broad Bottom of the Grave, the Diſtance is full Five and Twenty Yards of Engliſh Mea⯑ſure: Sure a Man, if any now is Bleſs'd with ſuch a Wife, wou'd ſcarce lament her want of Stature.
Deſcription of Mecca. MECCA is about Three Miles in Compaſs, Rich and Stately in a great degree, and her Inhabitants Poſſeſſors of a Rolling Plenty, ſtill continue to encreaſe their Affluence, by Annual Profits, riſing from the Concourſe of ſuch mighty Numbers, drawn by Zeal to Travel thither.
BUT, as I only mention it, becauſe the Birth-Place of that Vile Impoſtor, whoſe ſucceſsful Impoſitions drew ſuch Numbers to profeſs his Doctrine, I will here enlarge no further, than is requiſite to give a juſt Deſcription of the Holy Houſe of God, as they preſume to call it, which is look'd upon ſo Sacred by the Turks, that in whatever Part of the wide Ʋniverſe they are, Why the Turks in Praying, turn their Fa⯑ces to the Eaſt.they never Pray, but with their Faces to the Eaſt, in Honour to this Houſe, wherein they ſay, that Mahomet was Born, and in reſpect to which, they yearly undertake ſo dangerous a Pilgrimage.
The Houſe of God, as they call it.THIS Houſe, which they diſtinguiſh by the Name of Kiabee Betulla, ſtands directly in the middle of the City, not ſurpaſſing Thirteen Foot in Breadth, in Length Eighteen or thereabouts, and near Ten Yards in Height, Flat-Roof'd, and quite ſurrounded by a ſtately Court, Wall'd in, and Orna⯑mented by Three ſeveral Rows of Marble Pillars, cloſe within the Wall, ſupporting Arches, of a Graceful Fabrick, upon either Square, divided into Four Apartments, kept by Prieſts, of the Four moſt noted Sects, among the Turks, who Pray continually with an inceſſant Fervour, for the Boundleſs Propagation of their own Religion, and the Downfal of Chriſtianity.
Two Hoops of Gold.TO ſtrengthen, as it were, the Ancient Building, which I think, conſiſts of Square Rough Stones, (tho' it is almoſt impoſſible to ſee them, being cover'd on the Inſide and the Out, by ſuch ineſtimable heaps of Riches) the Houſe is Circled round, by two prodigious Hoops, of Beaten Gold, at leaſt ap⯑pearing ſo to be; and of that valuable Metal are the Drains and Spouts, which carry off the Water, falling on the Place in Rainy Weather.
[323] A Silver Door, and ſtrange Old Faſhion'd En⯑trance.THE only Entrance, contrary to any Buildings, now in Faſhion, or in⯑deed Remembrance, is by two large Folding Silver Doors, to which you mount upon a Ladder, five Foot high, for ſo much higher than the Ground about it, reaches the Foundation of this Odd and Antique Piece of Buil⯑ding.
Stately Hang⯑ings.THIS Door is plac'd almoſt as far, as the left Corner of the Houſe, and being enter'd, preſently admits you to the only Chamber, it conſiſts of; rich⯑ly Hung with an Embroider'd Damask, Red and Green, (the last the Pro⯑phet's Favorite Colour) and ſupported by four Pillars, the Diameter of each above two Foot, entirely of a Piece, their Form eight Square, and made of a black kind of Wood, perfuming all the Chamber with the finest Scent ima⯑ginable, which the Turks aſſur'd us, were not ſo by Nature, but became thus Odoriferous, the very Moment, their Prophet Bleſs'd that Place in his Nativity.
A fine good⯑natur'd mo⯑ving Stone.WITHOUT the Houſe, they ſhow a dusky Colour'd Stone, near two Foot Square, to which they Kneel, and pay their Adoration with a thouſand Kiſſes; and indeed the Reputation, which this Stone has got, deſerves their Complaiſance for the Civility, it once was Maſter of: That was ve⯑ry Civil to Father Abra⯑ham.For you muſt know, this Houſe was built by Abraham's own Hands, who knew by Holy Inſpiration, what an Honour it was deſtin'd to in After Ages, and, unwilling therefore to abuſe the Walls, when he had rais'd them pretty high, by making Holes to fix a Scaffold in, he modeſtly reſolv'd to ſtand upon this Stone, which then lay there by chance, and build as high as he cou'd reach by its Aſſiſtance, which, it ſeems, was ſo extreamly taken with the Patriarch's Good-Nature, that it gra⯑dually roſe, and lifted him about from Place to Place, till he had made an End of all the Building.
The Ceremo⯑nies here per⯑form'd.HITHER then the Pilgrims come, as many at a time, as the Emir-Hadgey thinks fit to ſend together, leaſt they ſhou'd Affront the Holy Place, by over-crowding its Approaches. The only Ceremonies, here Perform'd, are, Falling Prostrate on the Earth, and Bleſſing God, who has permitted them to ſee a Sight ſo Sacred; then repeating certain Prayers, they paſs in Order thro' the Pillars of the four Apartments of the Sects above-nam'd, and are Bleſs'd and Kiſs'd by the reſpective Prieſts of each Opinion, after which they Walk out backwards, till they paſs the utmoſt Limits of this Venerable Fa⯑brick.
Hangings out in Pieces to make Re⯑liques.NOTHING reſts, deſerving our Remark, but that a black Silk Cano⯑py, which covers all the Roof of this Fine Houſe is chang'd, for one renew'd each Year, at the Expence of the Grand Signior, and by him ſent thither with the Caravan of Pilgrims, while the Old One, by the Priests, is cut in many thouſand Pieces, and diſtributed among the Superſtitious People, by the way of Sale, with a Pretence, that thoſe, who bear that Holy Relique ſtill about them, ſhall be ever free from ſudden Death, and unexpected Dangers, of what kind ſoever.
Medina Telna⯑bi.HENCE, ſuch People, as are led by Zeal, to think, their Duty Sum⯑mons them, to ſee their Prophet's Tomb, accompany the Caravan, which goes from Mecca to Damaſcus, and arrive in eight or ten Days time, at Medina Tel⯑nabi, much about the Magnitude of Mecca.
The Tombs of Mahomet, Oſ⯑min and Hali.HERE, in an obſcure, and narrow Corner of a Stately Moſque, which ſtands directly in the middle of the Town, are ſeen the Sepulchres of the Impo⯑ſtor Mahomet, and his two Famous Followers, Oſmin and Haly.
[324] Deſcription of the Tombs.THE Tombs are low and narrow, of a Lozenge Cut, and fram'd of Marble, of a very Black, or Dusky Colour, void of any kind of Ornament, or Writing whatſoever, and inclos'd within three round, and high built Mar⯑ble Turrets, thro' whoſe Sides are cut ſmall narrow Windows, into which the Pilgrims look, and ſee the Tombs of their reſpected Prophets, That of Ma⯑homet's the middlemoſt of all the Three.
The Towers encloſing them.THESE Turrets are adorn'd with little Galleries of Gold and Silver, which together, with the Inward and External Sides of all the Towers, are richly Ornamented with innumerable quantities of Precious Stones, of an ineſti⯑mable Value, Great Half Moons of Gold and Diamonds, Chains of Pearl, and Crowns of Jewels, Glorious Or⯑naments.every here and there appearing Writ in Golden Letters, the repeated Names of God and Mahomet, between the different kinds of Trea⯑ſure, which for many Ages, have been ſent, as Offerings, from the Superſtitious Princes, who Profeſs Mahometaniſm.
The Depar⯑ture of the Pilgrims.HERE the Pilgrims gain a ſecond Bleſſing, and return, as ſoon as they have ſeen the Tombs, to reach the Caravan, which waits their coming back at Mecca, and advance towards Egypt, in the Order, they came thence with. Many, Drunk, or Mad with Zealous Folly, bore their Eyes, or hold them over burning Irons, till they loſe their Sight, as thinking it a Sin, beyond excuſe, to look on Groveling Earthly Vileneſs, after they have once been Bleſs'd with ſo Divine and Long-deſir'd a Proſpect.
CHAP. XLIX. Of the Arabians, their Government, and way of Living.
[325]The Deſcent of the Arabs.THE Arabs are Deſcended, as is commonly believ'd, from Iſh⯑mael, dwelling now, as anciently they did, in Tents, and open Pla⯑ces, nothing differing from what they were, when the Inſpir'd Hiſtorians of the Holy Scriptures writ their Character, and handed down the Nature of thoſe Barbarous People to the Knowledge of Poſterity.
The Etymo⯑logy of Sara⯑cen.THEY are diſtinguiſh'd likewiſe by the Name of Saracens, from the Arabian Etymology of Saara-Saaken, which in Engliſh, ſignifies as much, as an Inhabitant of Deſart Countries.
Deſcription of the Arabs.THEY are generally Men of Middle Stature, ſwift and daring, very Lean, and wonderfully Bony, Tawny to a ſtrange Degree, by the perpetual Influence of an unſhadow'd Sun, which burns 'em in the Deſarts: They are ſhrill of Voice, beyond moſt Women, and inclin'd by Nature to the Cruel Practices of an unlimited Barbarity.
Their Pride.THEIR Pride exceeds moſt other Nations, for they ſcorn Dependance, and reject all Notions of a Lawful Government: They boaſt Antiquity, and not unjuſtly, Glorying in that they have, in the continued Courſe of ſuch a mighty Number of ſucceſſive Ages, kept themſelves unmix'd with other Nati⯑ons, and obtain'd an undiſputed Claim, to not alone the Ancienteſt, but Pureſt Titles of Nobility, now extant in the Ʋniverſe, by an obſtinate Contempt of all Mechanical Employments, and depending ſolely on their Arms and Cou⯑rage, for the Means of their Subſiſtance.
Their way of Living.HENCE they Ravage all, they meet with, live in Plunder, and infeſt the Deſarts, with a Lawleſs Multitude of Great and Little Parties, Robbing and Deſtroying all they Conquer, if they preſume to make Reſiſtance; after which, they ſuddenly retire behind ſuch endleſs Tracts of unknown Sand, that none can follow them with Force, ſufficient to repel their Numbers.
Why 'tis im⯑poſſible to Conquer them.'TIS eſteem'd impoſſible to Conquer throughly theſe ungovernable Peo⯑ple; for they ride on Horſes of peculiar Skill, in tracing out the Paſſages of the unſtable Deſarts, and can live on very ſmall and poor Proviſions, and by frequenting conſtantly thoſe Barren Places, know the Ground ſo very well, that no great Number can attempt purſuing them, but they muſt periſh by the want of Food and Water, e'er they can with Reaſon, hope to find the Pri⯑vate Lurking Corners of their Nimble Enemies, who never fail to watch the Moment of ſome favourable Opportunity, to fall upon 'em under Covert of the Night, with bloody Execution.
Their Arms.THEY little underſtand, and leſs eſteem the Uſe of Fire-Arms; all their Weapons are, a kind of Spears, not much unlike an Officer's Half-Pike in England, headed with a Cap of Steel, ſharp-pointed, and of admirable Temper, which they Poize with an extended Arm, and either hurl at diſtance, or can uſe in cloſe Fight with an Enemy, as they may ſee Occaſion.
[326] Their ſtrange Dexterity.SECONDLY, they are the ſureſt Archers in the World, and general⯑ly Arm themſelves with a Capacious Quiver of Steel-headed Arrows, ſome of which are always Poyſon'd; Theſe they Shoot with ſuch a ſtrange Dexterity, on Horſeback or on Foot, That, like the Ancient Parthians, fam'd in Hiſtory, they Kill more Enemies in their Retreat from a lost Battle, than they Slaugh⯑ter'd all the time before, while Face to Face, they ſtood the Shock of Open War, and Fought for Victory.
Their Roving Life.THEY live, as I have ſaid before, in Tents, and Pitch their Camps from time to time, where any little Face of Paſture for their Horſes, or the Proſpect of the moſt Advantages from Robbing Caravans, invite their Stay; Removing frequently from one Place to another, carrying with them all the Cities, they pretend to dwell in, and the Families, which they are Maſters of.
Their Form of Govern⯑ment.THEY are divided into Tribes, or Companies, and pay a kind of Reve⯑rence to certain Princes, as they call 'em, who by long Deſcent of Noble Blood beyond the reſt, are Honour'd by the Tribes, and conſtantly Preſide in all their Councils, Guiding, as they pleaſe, (tho' not aſſuming a Comman⯑ding Power) the Buſineſs of the People, who reſpect 'em greatly, tho' no o⯑therwiſe diſtinguiſh'd from the Common People, than by wearing Turbants of a different Form, but equal Bigneſs.
Their Habits and Diet, &c.THEIR Habits differ nothing from the Vulgar Turks, their Diet is not much unlike the Tartars, and their Exerciſes few, becauſe they live in a per⯑petual Motion. Their Religion is Mahometaniſm, and they look upon it, as no little Honour to their Nation, that the Prophet was their Country-Man.
Their way of diſpoſing of the Goods, they Plunder.WHEN they have Plunder'd a Conſiderable Booty, they deliver it to certain of their People, living Peaceably on every Border of the Deſarts, who are ſuffer'd to Converſe and Trade with all the Governments, about 'em, ra⯑ther out of Fear than Friendſhip.
THESE find preſent Means, to ſell the Plunder of one Nation to the Natives of another, and delivering the Money to the Party, whence they had the Goods, receive a certain fix'd Reward, proportionable to the Value of the Prize, while all the reſt is equally divided among thoſe, who ſhar'd the Danger. With this Money they will often buy fine Jewels, or whatever elſe their Inclinations lead 'em to.
Jewels for the Women.SINCE I have mention'd Jewels, 'twill be neceſſary to inform the Reader of the Ʋſes, they deſign 'em to, which is, to Ornament the Perſons of their Women, for they have as many Wives, as they think fit, and either carry them about, as they remove themſelves, or leave them, in their Expe⯑ditions, in the Towns or Camps, they have, upon the moſt Delightful, Habitable, and not quite Infertil Borders of Arabia.
The Arabian Women, dreadful Creatures.I think, I need not tell the Engliſh Ladies, that the Sun is no great Friend to Beauty, and the Poor Arabian Females find it to their Sorrows; For, but that their Husbands prove them Women, and not only ſo, but Fruitful Women too, I ſhou'd not only quite mistake their Sex, by miſſing in their Souls and Perſons, all thoſe ſoft, engaging Excellencies, which combine to Crown the Graces of my Country-Women, but really Miſinterpret their Huma⯑nity, by judging them ſome Meaner-Part of the Creation. Methinks the Painters, who, (to cover the Diſgraces, which the Christian Armies frequent⯑ly receiv'd, by being beaten in the Holy-War, by thoſe Mens Anceſtors) took care to repreſent a Saracen upon their Sign-Poſts, like a Monst'rous Gyant, ſo [327] ſo to give a terrible Idea of thoſe People, had done better far, to Paint the Figure of a Saracen's Wife, for all the World muſt have believ'd, that where the Women were ſuch frightful Creatures, All the Men muſt have been worſe than Devils.
Another kind of Arabs.SOME People notwithſtanding, bear the Name of Arabs, and are yet of Principles, directly different from theſe, ſuch, for Example, as Inhabit many Places in Arabia Felix, and ſome other Countries, where they live in Peace and Honeſty, ſubſervient to the Laws of Civil Government; But thoſe, I ſpeak of, are the Arabs, commonly diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Wild, or Indepen⯑dant, and are every way, the Men, I have deſcrib'd, abhorr'd, but dreaded, by Mankind in General, yet above the Anger of ſurrounding Enemies.
CHAP. L. Probable Conjectures, concerning the Ten Tribes of Iſrael, which were carried away Captive, by Shalmanezer, King of Aſſyria. 2 Kings. Chap, 17.
[328]I Wou'd not have my Reader led to a Miſtake of what I mean, or by the Title of this Chapter, be induc'd to think, I flatter my Belief with an Opinion, that I can inform the World more largely, than all other Writers, of the Preſent State of the Ten Captiv'd Tribes of Broken Iſrael.
The Aim of this Chapter.MY only Aim, in touching on this Subject, is, to prove, that thoſe, who gueſs the Race of Turks to be Deſcended from the Jews of the Ten Tribes a⯑bovenam'd, may at leaſt defend their Notion, by a very probable, and natural Chain of Arguments, if not incontrovertible, and certain Demonstration.
Many various Opinions.MANY notwithſtanding, and extreamly various, are the odd Opinions, commonly receiv'd, not only in the Europaean World, but even in thoſe Eaſtern Parts, which, by their Old Vicinity of Situation to that Bondag'd Peo⯑ple, may be thought to have retain'd an eager Curioſity to know, if poſſible, the Preſent Fortunes of a Formidable Nation, which in ancient Times, they not alone Esteem'd, but held uninterrupted Correſpondence with.
AMONG the ſeveral Judgments, or Conjectures, made upon this Fa⯑mous Head, it may not, poſſibly, be thought unwelcome, ſhou'd I entertain the Reader with a Few of the moſt Celebrated Notions, prevalent in the Opinions of the Knowing Ʋniverſe.
The firſt No⯑tion.ONE commonly receiv'd Opinion is, that theſe Ten Tribes of Captiv'd Jews went quite thro' Tartary to Green-Land, ſo to America, by paſſing by the Straight of Darien, where they fix'd themſelves in the Dominions of Peru, and all thoſe Parts, diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Nova Hiſpania, or the Spaniſh Weſt-Indies.
Its Proofs.TO prove the Probability of this Aſſertion, its Defenders openly avouch, that there are many Ruins, extant to this Day, whoſe own Remains, and the Tradition of the Country, join to ſpeak them formerly the Work of Jewiſh Ar⯑chitects; In many of theſe Buildings they report to have diſcover'd Well-Wrought Nails, of mighty Size, which kept the Timber join'd together; this was judg'd Remarkable, becauſe thoſe Buildings were Erected, long before the Indian Natives are ſuppos'd to have been made acquainted with the Ʋſe of Iron.
[329] AGAIN, they judge it very Probable, becauſe the Spaniſh Indians are not, of ſo Brown and Beardleſs a Complexion, as the reſt, but much inclining to the Airs, and Features of the Ancient Jews, and thence believ'd to be de⯑cended from them.
ANOTHER Reaſon, they produce, as a Perſuaſive to their Notion, is, that, when the Spaniards Conquer'd Mexico, Peru, and all thoſe Parts of the Weſt-Indies, they perceiv'd their Cuſtoms, as to Women, Altars, Jubilees, Divorces, and the Knowledge, they profeſs'd of the Creation of the World, and Ʋniverſal Deluge, with a Thouſand other of their Practices, and Ceremo⯑nies, ſo entirely moulded to the Imitation of the Jewiſh Cuſtoms, that they cou'd not help concluding, that great Numbers of the Indians were them⯑ſelves Deſcended from thoſe Jews, of the Ten Tribes aforeſaid, or at leaſt had learnt from them the Numerous Ceremonies, they ſo long continued to in⯑dulge the Practice of.
The Second Notion of the Ten Tribes of Iſrael.ANOTHER Notion, not alone receiv'd among the Jews, but almoſt every Nation in the Eaſt, perſwades them to believe, that many of thoſe Tribes may now be found in certain Inland Parts of China; and, to prove the Probability of this Opinion, they produce a Thouſand Inſtances of Roman Miſſionary Prieſts, and many other Travellers, who have diſcover'd mighty Numbers of thoſe People, in the Land above-nam'd, who retain the Practice of the Ancient Jewiſh Ceremonies, but are altogether ignorant of either the Arrival, Doctrine, or Portentous Crucifixion of our Bleſſed Sa⯑viour.
The Third Notion.'TIS no improbable Conjecture, that ſome Tribes (if not all) inhabit in a Country, to the South of Perſia, commonly diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Tabor; for the People there, obey one Great, and Arbitrary Monarch, and profeſs no other Faith than that of Judaiſm.
Its Proofs.THE Natives of this Country are divided into Tribes, which ſtill retain ſuch Names, as are entirely Conſonant with thoſe, which anciently diſtin⯑guiſh'd the Loſt Tribes of Iſrael; and the Name of Tabor, which (as I have ſaid before) their Province bears, appears not widely different from Habor, whither Salmanezer order'd them to be Tranſported, as we read in Holy Scripture, in the Second Book of Kings, and the Seventeenth Chapter.
2 Kings, Ch. 17. V. 5, 6.Then the King of Aſſyria came up throughout all the Land, and went up to Samaria, and Beſieg'd it Three Years.
In the Ninth Year of Hoſhea, the King of Aſſyria took Sama⯑ria, and carried Iſrael away into Aſſyria, and placed them in Halah, and in Habor by the River of Gozan, and in the Cities of the Medes.
The Fourth Notion.THOSE are not Few, who ſtrenuouſly maintain, that many Parts of Aethiopia are inhabited, by the Poſterity of theſe Ten Jewiſh Tribes, particu⯑larly near the Lake, whence Nilus is ſuppoſed to take his Riſe; All the Men of this Perſuaſion wou'd oblige us to believe, the Abyſſens, Coptees, and cer⯑tain other Aethiopian Chriſtians, owe the Practice of their Circumciſing Chil⯑dren, to ſome Ancient Imitation of the Cuſtom of the Jews, who found a Re⯑fuge in their then more Hoſpitable Country.
The Fifth Notion.IT is more talk'd of, than believ'd, that they may poſſibly inhabit thoſe unknown, and ſpacious Territories, on the other ſide of that Prodigious River, The Sabbati⯑cal Riverwhich Joſephus mentions to be not far diſtant from the Caſpian Sea, and call'd Sabbatical, by reaſon of a wondrous Secret in the Nature of its Stream, [330] which runs ſix Days with ſuch amazing Breadth, and rapid Violence of an Im⯑petuous Current, that by driving down the very Stones, and Sand, o'er which it rolls, it renders it impoſſible for Mortal Courage, Strength, or Artifice, to compaſs Means of paſſing it, but on the Sabbath Day, at which time all the Waters fall Miraculouſly, for the ſpace of Four and Twenty Hours, leaving dry, and paſſable the Sandy Bottom.
The Sixth Opinion.Mr. William Pen, in the Account, he gives of Penſilvania, tells us, he believes the Natives of that Place had no Original, but from the Jewiſh Tribes, and arms the Arguments, he uſes on this Subject, with the following Obſervations.
Its Reaſons.THAT God cou'd point them out with eaſe a Paſſage to America, from the Eaſtern Parts of Aſia, and that, ſince they were Ordain'd to be remov'd to an Ʋntill'd, even Ʋndiſcover'd Country, 'tis highly probable, that the Weſt-Indies was the Place, ſince that was then the only unknown Quarter of the Habitable Ʋniverſe.
AND that they rather Peopled Penſilvania, than the other Parts of the Weſt-Indies, he imagines not unlikely, ſince the Natives of that Country ſo reſemble Jews, in Features and Deportment, that they ſeem diſtinguiſhably Mark'd by God, as the Poſterity of that Unhappy Nation.
Jewiſh Cu⯑ſtoms in Pen⯑ſilvania.AGAIN, their Feaſts, Faſts, Sacrifices, and all other Rights, and Cere⯑monies, with the great Affinity, their Language bears to Hebrew, and a⯑bundance more concurring Circumſtances in their ways of Life, agree ſo evidently with the Jewiſh Inſtitutions, Government, and Cuſtoms, that he judges it a very reaſonable Notion, to conclude they are deſcended from the long Loſt Race of the Subverted Iſraelites.
The Seventh Opinion.BUT having mention'd the foregoing Notions, now moſt common in the Eaſtern World, I will proceed to let you ſee, how probable it is, that all the Turks are of the Jewiſh Race, and that the Ten above-nam'd Tribes, at leaſt the greateſt Remnant of them, now reſide in Tartary, and are the People ſo Notorious for their Inhumanity, ſo Formidable in their Government, Un⯑known in their Condition, and ſo juſtly Dreaded by the oft Invaded World, who only know them by the Name of Tartars.
The Turks De⯑ſcended from the Jews.I ſhow'd the Reader in my Entrance on the Book, that Anciently the Turks were an huge Body of Ʋngovernable Wandring Scythians, or Tartars, who forſook their Country for ſome unknown Cauſe, and over-running Turco⯑mania, and a Boundleſs Tract of Fertile Land, became a People, formidably Numerous, and ſwell'd in time to that ſurprizing Pitch of Arbitrary Sway, they boaſt at preſent.
IT hence appears 'tis Univerſally allow'd, as an Ʋndoubted Certainty, that 'tis from Tartary the Turks firſt took their Origin; It only then remains to prove, that thoſe, we now call Tartars, may be rationally thought the True Poſterity of the Ten Tribes of Iſrael, which the Conquering Salmane⯑cer carried with him Captive, as aforeſaid, which I ſhall endeavour to per⯑form, as Briefly as is poſſible.
The Etymo⯑logy of the word Tartar.AND firſt, the Reader may obſerve, that Tarut-Har, or Tartar, in the Syrian Language, ſignifies the Remnant, or Remainder of a People, which tho' alone an Argument, of no ſmall weight, is ſtrongly aided by the following Particulars.
[331] A very proba⯑ble Argu⯑ment. MEDIA, Situated near the Caſpian Sea, is now poſſeſs'd entirely by theſe Tartars, and as it appears by the abovenam'd Text of Holy Writ, that the Ten Tribes of Iſrael were Tranſported to the Cities of the Medes, ſo 'tis obſervable, that thoſe few Cities, which the Tartars have, are call'd by Names, agreeing nearly with the Ancient Towns of Iſrael, when She Flou⯑riſh'd.
Ancient Jew⯑iſh Names ſtill retain'd.THUS, the Capital of Tartary is call'd Samar-yan, which is very little different from Samaria, once the Great Metropolis of Iſrael's Monarchs, and it is obſervable, that many Pillars, Buildings, and vaſt Reliques of Antiquity are yet remaining in this Town, adorn'd in ſo demonſtrative a manner, that they plainly ſpeak themſelves, to have been Jewiſh Monuments.
A River call'd Jordan.THEY have another Town, call'd Jericho, a Mount, nam'd Sion, and a⯑nother Mount, diſtinguiſh'd by the Name of Tabor, with a River Yordan, (from the Hebrew Jordan) and a thouſand other Names of Places, plainly prove a Jewiſh Etymology.
The Tartars divided into Ten Tribes.THEY are divided into Ten Great Tribes, or Parties, bearing Names, not much unlike the Ancient Patriarchs, from whom the Iſraelites receiv'd their Appellations: All theſe Tribes, tho' wholly Subject to one Common Go⯑vernment, avoid confounding Kindred by a Marriage into one anothers Fa⯑milies, a Nicety, which never was obſerv'd, but by the Jews, and now theſe Tartars, thence with Probability ſuppo'd their Off-ſpring.
The Language of the Tartars.THE Language of the Tartars is ſo very reconcilable to Hebrew, that the Difference there is between them, may be very well accounted for, when we conſider they were mix'd ſo long with their Rough Conquerors, the Syrians, e're they found a Poſſibility to make a General Revolt, and the pro⯑digious Ignorance, and ſtrange Barbarity a Nation, for ſo many Ages, void of Arts and Sciences, or the Improvements of Humanity, by Trade or Conver⯑ſation with a more Polite, and Knowing People, muſt of Courſe degenerate to.
A Tradition of the Tartars.ANOTHER Thing, which ſerves to prove the juſt Validity of this Opinion is, that all the Tartars do not only Circumciſe, and Ʋſe the ancient Jewiſh Rights, in almoſt every Point of Worſhip, but Traditionally boaſt themſelves, to be Deſcended from thoſe Iſraelites, who Conquering their Conquerors, became Poſſeſs'd of all the Territories by the Caſpian Sea; and hence it was, that Tamerlain, or rather Tam-her-lane the Great, who led the Turkiſh Bajazet about his City, in an Iron Cage, wou'd often take occaſion to be Vaunting of his Pedigree, affirming, he was Lineally De⯑ſcended from the Tribe of Dan, in an uninterrupted Genealogy.
The two Infe⯑rences to be drawn from the foregoing Arguments.FROM the abovenam'd Obſervations, it appears but rational to draw two Inferences; Firſt, That the Great Founders of the Preſent Turkiſh Em⯑pire are Deſcended from the Tartar's Race, and Secondly that thoſe, diſtin⯑guiſh'd now by the ſaid Name of Tartars, are the Ten Tranſplanted Tribes of Iſrael, ſo juſtly Puniſh'd by Almighty God, for their Offenſive Obſtinacy, that from the moſt Eſteem'd, and Glorious Nation of the Ʋniverſe, they are Degene⯑rated into the moſt Deſpicable Outcaſts of Unbleſs'd Humanity.
CHAP. LI. Inſtructions to the Traveller, who wou'd make a Safe, and Profitable Journey into the Eaſtern Coun⯑tries.
[332]The Deſign of this Chap⯑ter.THE Generous Reader will, I doubt not, put a right Interpreta⯑tion on my Meaning, in pretending to inſtruct the World, when I my ſelf, as much as other People, want Inſtruction; All I aim at by the Subject, I am now about to take upon me, is to lay down Rules, which I have prov'd by oft Repeated, tho' but young Experience, to be ſafe and neceſſary, to the Practice of that Traveller, who wou'd to any Pur⯑poſe,ſpend his Time in Foreign Countries.
Education of Youth, the Glory of a Nation.THE Infinite Advantages, the Honour, Glory, Riches, and Proſperity, accruing to a Nation, by the careful Training up the Youth, ſhe ſhines with, and the great Neceſſity of ſowing wiſely all thoſe Seeds of Liberal Education, which they hope to ſee ſecurely Flouriſh in a full Maturity, are ſo Conſpicu⯑ous to Mankind, and Univerſally allow'd of, that I need enlarge no more, on ſo Incontrovertible an Argument.
The Advan⯑tages of Travel.IF then the Care of Youth be commonly allow'd a Duty, weightily In⯑cumbent on a Common Wealth, 'twill eaſily appear a certain Truth, both from the Practice of the Ancient, and the Modern Times, that ſending them to Travel into Foreign Parts, has ever been eſteem'd, and doubtleſs is the greateſt Bleſſing, and moſt ſure Improvement, we can lead their Minds to, ſince they Learn thereby to ſtudy Men, inſtead of Books, and by a Free and Generous Converſation with the open World, not only ſhake off their Do⯑meſtick Dregs of Baſhfulneſs, and Ignorance, but wholeſomely digeſting the Remembred Dictates of their late Minority, become Polite in the Deport⯑ment of their Perſons, and Refin'd extreamly, in the Notions of their Judg⯑ment.
The Folly of neglecting it.HENCE it follows that, as 'tis undoubtedly the greateſt Policy, as well as Honour of a Prudent People, to encourage Youth to Early Travel, 'tis an unhappy Flaw in any Nations Character, to have it ſaid, they ſtand Inſenſible of Evident Advantages, and rather ſtifle than promote a Practice, ſo Commendable.
Engliſhmen Remiſs in its Encourage⯑ment.I muſt confeſs I have with no ſmall Wonder, taken notice, that my Countrymen, of all the Europaean Nations, are the moſt Remiſs in this Af⯑fair; We ſee them commonly but thinly ſown in Foreign Courts, Camps, Schools, or Academies, while Numbers of the Natives of all other Chriſtian Countries, flock continually to every Land or City, Famous in the leaſt, be⯑yond their Neighbours.
[333] An Obſerva⯑tion on the North-Britons.I ought not to omit, (ſince I have here ſo fair an Opportunity) the do⯑ing Juſtice to our Late-Ʋnited Gallant Brothers of NORTH-BRITAIN, who are ſo effectually Senſible of the Advantages, abovenam'd, that their Gentle⯑men are commonly the Beſt Bred, and moſt Learn'd of Chriſtendom, and do not only Travel much, but to much Purpoſe alſo; for we ſeldom ſee a Celebrated Court of Europe, but the Civil ſometimes, ſometimes Military Offices thereof, are not alone Poſſeſs'd, but Ornamented greatly by the Natives of that Coun⯑try.
Travelling now more in Faſhion.HOWEVER, I may ſpare the Pains of Searching for the Cauſes of ſo Groundleſs a Neglect, ſince there appears a Brisker Turn than Formerly, to animate the Genius of the Engliſh Nation, who within ſome few Years paſt, have ſeem'd to ſeek more earneſtly than heretofore, the Benefits of Travel⯑ling.
I will therefore only wiſh for the Improvement of a Cuſtom, ſo Praiſe-Wor⯑thy, and proceed to give the Hints, I promis'd, in relation to the Methods, they ſhou'd Ʋſe in Travelling.
At what Age Young Men ſhou'd Travel.I am not for the ſpeedy ſending Youth abroad, before their Judgment is Mature enough, to give them a diſtinguiſhing Idea of the Ʋſe, as well as Proſpect of the Things, they meet with; Eighteen Years of Age is more too Early than too Late, for a Young Man to think of leaving England: This I know by Perſonal Experience, having been beholding to my Latter Travels, for a Full Digeſtion, and Improvement of the Unripe Obſervations, vainly ga⯑ther'd in my Former.
An Error common in the Engliſh Practice.IT is a Fault, too Common in our Modern Practice, to ſend Young Men Abroad, to ſee the Rarities of Italy, and other Countries, before they are at all acquainted with Domeſtick Curioſities, and Things as well deſerving Obſer⯑vation, in the Heart of our own Kingdom, as he poſſibly can meet with, in the Places, he muſt Travel thro'.
Its Follies.BESIDES, it is a kind of unaccountable Simplicity, to think a Man is Qualified for Converſation in a Foreign Land, before he Underſtands, or has the ſmalleſt Notion of the Government, or any Part of the Whole Conſtitution, or Condition of his Native Country: For ſuch an Ignorance muſt neceſſarily render him unfit for an Inquiſitive, or Learn'd Society in any Place, he comes to, and conſequently hinder him of all Advantages, he might have Reap'd from the Improvements of his Journey.
Another Error.ANOTHER Error, and no ſmall one, is that moſt Young Men are ſent Abroad, entirely Ignorant of German, Dutch, Italian, and too often French, or any Foreign Languages: This renders them depriv'd of even a Poſſibility of Living, as they ought, in Friendſhip and Acquaintance with their Equals or Superiors, where they come; for 'tis but ſeldom any Tongue but French, is thought worth bringing Home, or if ſome Few have Souls, and Memory enough to Compaſs more, by that time, they have learn'd to ſpeak them tolerably, the ſhort Space, allotted for their Abſence, is expir'd, and they muſt return, to put an End to their Vain Journey, juſt as they are grown Capacitated to improve themſelves by its Advantages.
A third Error.THERE are a kind of Gentlemen, call'd Tutors, generally ſent Abroad with a Commiſſion to Direct, and Govern their Young Travellers: Theſe are ſometimes Frenchmen, ſometimes Engliſhmen, but always of an Age by far Superior, and an Humour, often Oppoſite to thoſe, they have the Charge of.
[334] Proper to be Reform'd.THIS I think an Error, that ſhou'd be Reform'd for many Reaſons; If the Tutor be a Foreigner, I need not Nominate the many Diſadvantages, the Pupil muſt be Subject to; and if an Engliſhman, of ſuch Superior Age, as commonly they are, I humbly ask my Reader's leave, to ſay a Word or two on that Occaſion.
The Reaſons for Reforming it.YOUNG MEN are naturally Prepoſſeſs'd with a Diſlike, or Timo⯑rous Apprehenſion of ſuch Men, as are appointed for their Governors: They are their ſecond Schoolmaſters, and conſequently look'd upon, as Objects of their Spleen; They are imagin'd Spies o'er all their Actions, and Informers of their Juvenile Extravagancies: Their Beſt Advice is Coldly liſt'ned to, for want of an Affection, and their Precepts rob'd of proper Force, becauſe not back'd by Open Familiarity.
More Reaſons.AGAIN, 'tis natural for Young Men to reflect, What is this Man, who Curbs our Inclinations? Why a Tutor, that is, one, whoſe Buſineſs is to call thoſe Pleaſures Faults, which he has now, perhaps, outliv'd the Taſt of; He forgets the Inclinations of his Youth, and wou'd oblige us to a Life, as Melancholy as his own, in ſpite of all the Diſproportion, that appears betwixt our Ages. But were any of the Arguments, he us'd, made ſtrong by both the Precept, and Example of ſome Wiſe Companion, not much Older than Himſelf, they wou'd undoubted⯑ly prevail on his Belief, becauſe he cannot look upon them the Effects of Pee⯑viſh Age, or Want of Reliſh, but occaſion'd purely, by a Wiſe Reſtraint of Headſtrong Paſſions, and a Swing of Vanity.
AS I have Cenſur'd thoſe Three Common Errors in our Practice, juſt afore⯑nam'd, ſo I will, as Briefly as is Poſſible, ſet down the Rules, by which we may with eaſe avoid their Inconveniencies.
How the firſt Error might be mended.AND Firſt, I wou'd adviſe, that Children ſhou'd be put to School ſo ear⯑ly, that they may have gain'd a Competent Increaſe of Ʋnderſtanding, in a Reſidence at either of the Ʋniverſities, by that time, they have reach'd the Age of Eighteen Years at fartheſt.
THEN, it might be Proper that, in ſome Relation's Care, he might Reſide at London, one whole Winter, there to Learn the Faſhionable Gayeties, which recommend a Gentleman for Breeding and Appearance.
A neceſſary Improvement.IN the Summer following, 'twou'd be a great Improvement to his Know⯑ledge, if aſſiſted by the Recommendatory Letters of his Friends, to their Ac⯑quaintance in the Country, he ſhou'd undertake a Journey, quite thro' En⯑gland, Wales, and Part of, if not all, North Britain.
How to be [...].BUT he ſhou'd not only Travel thro' theſe Countries, but from Place to Place be Recommended to the Houſe, and Care, of ſome Conſiderable Man, of Parts and Fortune, who ſhou'd not alone contrive to Entertain him Hoſpi⯑tably, but be ſure to Introduce him to the Knowledge, and Acquaintance of the Beſt and Wiſeſt Part of all his Neighbourhood, by whoſe Aſſiſtance, and So⯑ciety, he might not only be Diverted with a Sight of every Curioſity, but Taught at large the Charters, and Antiquity of every Corporation, Privileges, Laws, and Cuſtoms of each County, Honour, and Deſcent of every Family, and all Things elſe, that might be fanſy'd requiſite to give him an entire Idea, of the Nature, and Condition of the Government, he is Sub⯑ject to.
BY theſe means he is hardned, for the Accidental Dangers, and Fatigues, he probably may meet with in his longer Journey, and enabled, when he is Abroad, to give a Foreigner an Anſwer to a Queſtion, full as eaſily, as ask one of him.
[335] A Second Er⯑ror, how Cu⯑rable.SECONDLY, in order to prevent the Inconveniencies, ariſing from a want of Knowledge, in the European Languages, I wou'd adviſe all Gen⯑tlemen, who think of Travelling, to Qualifie themſelves for true Improve⯑ment, by ſome few Years Previous, Interwoven Application to the Study of the French, Italian, Dutch, and German Languages, which they may learn with eaſe at ſeveral times, by ſeveral Maſters, or by one, while at their Latin School, or either Ʋniverſity: Then, having made themſelves indifferent Proficients, they may in their Six Months Continuance at London, after⯑wards improve them to a fuller Height, by keeping Company, as much as poſſible, with Foreign Gentlemen, who Travel Yearly into England, and wou'd be glad of their Society.
The Advan⯑tages of Lan⯑guage.THUS, wou'd they go Abroad, ſufficiently enabled to Converſe Fami⯑liarly in Foreign Countries, as they did at Home, and thence avoiding that too common Shyneſs, us'd to Strangers, they wou'd ſoon gain Friends, and pleas'd with their Acquaintance, ſwell their Knowledge to as high a Pitch Abroad, as they had done at Home, by former Application.
An Obſerva⯑tion concer⯑ning Tutors.THIRDLY, not to Rob the Gentlemen, who in the Character of Tutors, take upon them the no little Charge of Educating Youth, of thoſe accompliſh'd Merits, ſome of them are Maſters of, I wou'd offer to the ſe⯑rious Conſideration of my Countrymen, whether 'twou'd not be a Method, more Conducive to the good Improvement of a Young Man's Time, to ſend Abroad, as his Companion, ſome Young Gentleman, of Unqueſtionable Conduct, not much Older than himſelf, but one, who has by Publick Buſi⯑neſs, or his Former Travels, render'd his Experience riper, than his Years might ſpeak it.
How juſti⯑fy'dHERE, Perſuaſion and Example wou'd undoubtedly, be far more efficacious, than the Precepts of Authority; The Arguments, which might be us'd, to win him from a Folly, wou'd appear no otherwiſe, than Friend⯑ly Wiſhes for his Welfare; The Familiar Converſation, they wou'd have to⯑gether, muſt afford a Thouſand Pretty Opportunities to Cenſure the Miſcar⯑riages, he may have made, with a Brisk Air of Unſuſpected Gayety.
The only Bar no great one.IN ſhort, the only Bar to the Advantages, which muſt accrue from ſuch a Practice, is the mighty Difficulty, that muſt certainly attend the Choice of ſuch a Man, as may in every Point appear well Qualified, for the Diſcharge of ſuch a Truſt, as muſt be given him; And this, (how difficult ſoever it may ſeem) will prove an eaſier Task upon Examination, than moſt Men imagine it, and doubtleſs wou'd be eaſier yet, if once the In⯑troduction of ſo good a Cuſtom gave Encouragement for Men of Worth, to Qualifie themſelves for that Employment.
Which Parts are beſt to Travel firſt to.WHEN thus prepar'd for Foreign Travel, the Young Gentleman wou'd do a Prudent Action, to conſider what Part of the Univerſe, he may with moſt Improvement bend his Journey to; and certainly in my Opinion, 'twou'd be beſt to Viſit firſt the Eaſt, or South-Eaſt World, for there he will not only view a Scene of Nature, wholly contrary to his own Country, in Religion, Humour, Government, and every Means, and Form of Living, which he cannot well be ſaid to meet in Europe, but will learn to Contem⯑plate, (by frequent Views of the prodigious Changes, Time has made in Towns, and Kingdoms) on the Miſerable Inſtability of Worldly Grandeur, which together with the Ʋnpolite and Ruſtic Treatment, he muſt doubtleſs meet with, from the Proud Inhabitants of thoſe Self-Loving Countries, will depreſs, or curb at leaſt, the Head-ſtrong Sallies of Impetuous Youth, and Native Arrogance of Temper; ſo that afterwards returning by the way of Italy, and France, and other the Politeſt European Nations, he may ſtand [336] ſecure, againſt the ſtrong Temptations of thoſe Faſhionable Vanities, which- mix themſelves unluckily with the reſpective Excellencies, every Court is judg'd moſt Famous for.
A Great Ne⯑glect Re⯑prov'd.AGAIN, I look upon it, as a mighty Error in the Britiſh Travellers, ſo ſtrangely to neglect the Knowledge of Marine Affairs, unleſs their Educati⯑on, or Purſuit of their Preferment calls them to their Practice; Nothing cer⯑tainly can add a Brighter Ornament to any Engliſhman's Capacity, than to be fully Vers'd, at leaſt, made tolerably Knowing, in the Myſteries of Na⯑vigation, and the many uſeful Sciences, and profitable Obſervations, which a few ſhort Voyages will gild his Underſtanding with Conſiderable Noti⯑ons of.
Travelling by Sea Re⯑commended.I wou'd therefore willingly adviſe all Gentlemen, who travel, to Embark on Board ſome Trading Veſſel, (if in time of Peace) bound up the Straits from Port to Port, on either ſide; or if the ſpeed one Veſſel makes, may call him from a Place, before he has had time to make his Obſervations, he will conſtantly be ſure to meet ſome Ship, or other, Bound directly to the Port, he has a mind to be Tranſported to, no matter, whether ſhe be Eng⯑liſh, or of any other Chriſtian Nation, for the more Variety, he meets with in his Travels, ſo much more Extenſive will become his Experience.
The Courſe he ſhou'd Steer.BY theſe Means, he may at his own leiſure ſee the Kingdoms of Spain, Portugal, and Sicily; The Sea-Port Towns of Fez, Morocco, Tripoly, Algiers, and other Parts of Barbary, the numerous Iſlands of the Graecian Archipelago, with the Rich Emporiums of the Turkiſh Empire, Smyrna, and Conſtanti⯑nople.
A Further Journey.HENCE, he may proceed, by Land, and Sea, as he imagines moſt Convenient, and Diverting, on to Egypt, and the Holy Land, and thence from Place to Place, with Yearly Caravans, or Monthly ones, till he has ſatisfied his utmoſt Curioſity, with a diſtinct, and ſerious View of all the ſeveral Bran⯑ches of that Mighty Monarchy.
The Tour con⯑tinued, and ended two ſe⯑veral ways.THIS done, he may return, from any Sea-Port Town of Turkey, by the way of Italy, for Ships are conſtantly Bound thence to Venice, or Leg⯑horn; But as ſome Inconveniencies, ſuch as Performing Quarantana, and the like, attend that Voyage, 'twou'd be more Improving, and Delightful to a Genius, Temper'd with the ſmalleſt Curioſity, to Travel over Land thro' Turkey into Italy, by the Road of Philippopolis, and ſo to Venice, or into Ger⯑many, by paſſing thro' Romania, Bulgaria, Valachia, Tranſilvania, and Hun⯑gary, to the City of Vienna; either of which Roads, admitting you to a conſiderable Part of Chriſtendom, lies eaſy and convenient, to point you out a Tour, thro' all the Noted Courts of Europe, after which you will return to England, like an Indian Veſſel, whoſe ineſtimable Freight makes full amends, for the Fatigues, and Dangers of a Tedious Abſence.
NOW, that all theſe Schemes of Travel may be undertaken, and per⯑form'd, with as much Safety, and Advantage, as is poſſible, I beg the Rea⯑der's Patience, while I give a word or two of Neceſſary Caution, which will bring me on to a Concluſion of the Chapter.
Another Great Ne⯑glect.THERE is not a Neglect, more Common, nor of a more Fatal Con⯑ſequence, now ſuffer'd, than the ſending Gentlemen Abroad, without a fur⯑ther Charge of Letters, than ſuch only, as are neceſſary, to procure Supplies of Money, when their Exigencies may require it.
[337] The Uſe of Recommen⯑datory Let⯑ters.HE ought to carry Recommendatory Letters for each Noted Place, he thinks of going to; Nor are thoſe Letters worthy of that Name, which commonly are ſent by Merchants, to their Correſpondents in a Foreign Part, wherein the Gentleman, who bears them, is, in Faſhionable Words of Courſe, ſo Coldly Recommended, that a Formal Viſit, or a Drunken Entertainment is the moſt, he meets with, from the Perſons, he is addreſs'd to.
The Care, to be us'd in that Point.ALL Gentlemen, who ſend their Sons, or Friends Abroad, ſhou'd be ex⯑treamly nice in this Particular; For 'tis according to the Intereſts, or Incli⯑nations of the People, to whom Travellers are Recommended, that their Jour⯑ney turns to Good, or Ill Account, however Great may be their Quality, or Long their Abſence.
The Inconve⯑niencies of going Abroad, without them.IF they are not recommended to ſome Gentlemen of Intereſt, in the Countries, they paſs thro', they can do no more in any Town, they come to, than Walk up and down the Streets, ſee now and then a Monastery, or perhaps Peep thro' the Grates of ſome Cloſe Nunnery, ſtare aukwardly upon the Outſides of Great Buildings, and return to England, after two or three Years Abſence, juſt as Wiſe in Foreign Matters, as when they departed from it.
A Fault, pe⯑culiar to En⯑gliſh-Men, Abroad.AND here, I cannot help Complaining of a Fault, peculiar to the En⯑gliſh Gentlemen, Abroad, and call'd by Foreigners, an Ʋnbred Pride, and Haughtineſs of Temper, tho' 'tis rather owing to their want of Recommenda⯑tory Letters, well Directed. It is a kind of Separation, or Diſtinction, which they make between Themſelves, and the Inhabitants of any Town, they chance to ſtay at, earneſtly deſiring Engliſh Company, and ſeeming, as it were, averſe to any other, which entirely Robs them of the ſmalleſt Poſſibili⯑ty, of making an Improvement by their Travels, or Expences.
The Beſt Re⯑commendato⯑ry Letters.THE only way is, to make Intereſt with the Foreign Miniſters, Ambaſ⯑ſadors, or Envoys, who reſide at London, and have doubtleſs, not alone a vaſt Acquaintance, but conſiderable Power with the Beſt, and moſt Capa⯑citated Gentlemen of their own Country, and the Tenour of their Letters ſhou'd require their Favour, Friendſhip, and Good Offices in every kind, to the Young Traveller, who carries them, but more eſpecially Sollicit their Aſſiſtance, and Directions in the Obſervations, moſt deſerving a Remark, and their Advice, what Towns or Places in the Country may be worth Re⯑gard, with the Additional Civility of Letters of Recommendation, which may urge their Friends in any Parts to do, as they have done, by the depar⯑ting Traveller.
Another ne⯑ceſſary Cau⯑tion.ANOTHER kind of Letters, they ſhou'd never go without, are thoſe, directed to our own Ambaſſadors, or other Publick Miniſters, reſiding in the Courts of Foreign Princes, and a due Reſpect ſhou'd conſtantly be paid them, on your firſt Arrival. Theſe Advices, well obſerv'd, may (I have reaſon to believe) at leaſt, I wiſh they might, conduce a little to my Coun⯑try-Mens Advantage, who deſign to Travel: But as I have thoughts of Pub⯑liſhing hereafter, by its ſelf, a Regular Treatiſe on this Subject, I will now conclude, with an Aſſurance to my Reader, that Experience has convinc'd me of the Truth of what I Write, or I had ſcarce preſum'd to Recommend my Sentiments, on this Occaſion.
CHAP. LII. The CONCLUSION.
[338]AND now, I have, as well as I am able, play'd the Part of a Sincere Relater of the Obſervations, made in Foreign Countries, and com⯑mit my Book to the Ill-Nature of the Criticks, with a Scorn of all their little Malice, and a hearty Wiſh, that ſuch, as read with a Deſire to be Diverted, or Inform'd, may find therein, as full a Satisfaction, as I ſhou'd receive, in hearing that they did ſo.
The Malice of the Times.THE Faſhionable Envy of theſe Peeviſh Times, permits no Author to be over-proud of his Beſt Labours; And were I leſs Modeſt, than I think my ſelf, which wou'd, I'm ſure, be very far from any thing, like Vanity, The Age, I live in wou'd, no doubt, find Means to mortify all Self-eſteem; and were a Book to be expos'd to Publick Cenſure, as deſerving Praiſe, as thoſe of Ho⯑race, or the Roman Ovid, The Ill-Na⯑ture of Cri⯑ticks.Soft-mouth'd Criticks wou'd be nibling at the Bait, and run the hazard of breaking out their Teeth; far rather than not ſtrive to make ſome ill Impreſſion on it, which if, after all, they fail to do, they'll drivel out their Rage, and ſpit upon it harmleſly, in meer Vexation.
WERE there a Modern Ovid now alive, accompliſh'd like the Antient, he'd be look'd upon a very Monſter of Vain-Glory, ſhou'd he Crown his La⯑bours with a Self-wreath'd Gaerland, and conclude his Works as Magiſterially, as once the former did, in theſe High-ſounding Verſes.
The Author's Reſignation.SINCE therefore Truth, not Merit can ſucceſsfully lay claim to juſt Applauſe, in this ungrateful Age, I, who can only boaſt the former Virtue, will proceed more humbly, and ſubmit my Labours to the Sentence of the World, with all the Reſignation of a Man, who, having nobler Ends in Wri⯑ting, than to Flatter Faction, or expect Reward, has no occaſion to be much ſolicitous, for the Succeſs of his Endeavours.
A Word or two, concer⯑ning the Pro⯑bable Down⯑fal of the Turks.I'LL only add a Word or Two, concerning a Conſpicuous Probability of the approaching Downfal of the Turkiſh Empire, which has grown, by gra⯑dual Acquiſitions, to a moſt amazing Bulk, and Conſtitution, but at preſent ſeems ſo weaken'd, by the Natural Corruption, and Infirmities of Age, that Terrible Convulſions ſhake its Frame, as if 'twere haſtning onwards, to⯑wards a ſudden Period.
[339] Expected from the Muſ⯑covites.I have, elſewhere in this Book, occaſionally taken Notice of a Prophecy, in vogue among the Turks, That They ſhall be destroy'd by a Long-white-hair'd Northern Nation of the Christian World, and that they look upon the Muſco⯑vites to be the Nation, hinted in the Prophecy, on which Account, they ſeem extreamly Apprehenſive of the Motions of that People, and their Fright is aggravated greatly, by the means, the Muſcovites have lately found, of ſen⯑ding Ships of War, thro' the Black Sea to Conſtantinople, and the Ʋniverſal Diſpoſition of the Greeks, to look upon that Nation, as their long-decreed Delive⯑rers.
The Policy of the Czar, in his War with Sweden.IF Heaven has Ordain'd it to be ſo, 'tis probable, it may be ſuddenly Effected, for the Warlike Diſpoſition of the Preſent Czar, beyond his Anceſtors, and the Degeneracy of the Modern, from the Antient Turks, are Weighty Cir⯑cumſtances. The Victorious King of Sweden has been nothing worſe, than a Severe School-Maſter to the Muſcovites, who owe an admirable Diſcipline to the War, they're now engag'd in, and reſerve thoſe Troops, made Soldiers by a Year or two's Fatigue, in Inland Garriſons, to Exerciſe their Fellows, and Im⯑prove themſelves, while Raw, and New-Rais'd Men are ſent each Year, to face their Enemies, till they become Good Warriors, and give way to more Freſh Comers.
The Reaſons gueſs'd.IN my Opinion, theſe Proceedings wear the Air of ſome Well-laid Deſign, and the Fatigue, the Preſent Monarch of the Muſcovite Dominions has been at, in tedious Travels; The uncredited Improvement, he has made throughout his Country, (chiefly in Marine Affairs) The Great Encouragement, he gives all Foreign Officers; and Arts, he uſes to allure them to his Service; All theſe ſeem to ſpeak a further End, than the Repulſing a Weak Swediſh Enemy.
The Poſſibili⯑ty of his Con⯑quering the Turks.'TIS my Belief, he'll fall upon the Turks, as ſoon as the Maturity of his Deſigns affords him Opportunity; Nor do I queſtion, but (by God's Aſſi⯑ſtance) with the Great Advantages, he will have over them, he may entire⯑ly Overthrow their Government, and in their Ruin, gloriouſly Revenge the Bloody Falls of thoſe Brave Chriſtian Princes, who have ſunk, from Age to Age, beneath the Weight of their Oppreſſive Ʋſurpation. But the Nature of my Book, and little ſpace, I have to ſpare, forbid me to enlarge on this Particular, which, if I have foreſeen with Judgment, Heaven direct to triumph in Proſpe⯑rity, for the Great Good of ƲNIVERSAL CHRISTENDOM.
- Citation Suggestion for this Object
- TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 4891 A full and just account of the present state of the Ottoman empire in all its branches with the government and policy religion customs and way of living of the Turks in general By Aaron Hil. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-5A75-C