BY reason of the Sou­thernly Scituation of it, the Air is very hot, and offensive; so that to avoid the insupportable Heat thereof, and to have the benefit of some fresh winds, the In­habitants are accustomed to build high Towers in all their Towns, in which they use to solace, and refresh them­selves. The Soil made fruitful by the over-flowing of the River Nilus, is so exceeding plentiful of all sorts of Grain, that it was called, Horreum populi Romani, the Granary or Store­house of the People of Rome: which [Page 2] City, it did annually furnish with four months Provisions. It abounds also with Rich Pastures, in which they feed great store of Camels, Horses, Asses, Oxen, Sheep, and Goates, greater of growth then usually in most places else; and by reason of the Moorishness of the Country, they have great store of Fowls, Poultry they have in great abundance about their houses, hatched in a different manner from all other Countries, not by sitting of the Hen, but by the heat of Furna­ces, or Ovens, in which their Eggs are orderly laid in Dung, and by a gen­tle heat brought to animation. Palm­trees there are in great store, growing in couples, Male and Female, both thrusting forth their rods full of Seeds; but the Female is only fruitful, and that not except growing by the Male, and having his Seeds mixt with hers: the pith of these trees is most excellent Salad, in taste somewhat resembling a Hartichoke; of the branches of this [Page 3] tree they make Beadsteads, Latices, &c. Of the Leaves, Baskets, Mats, Fans, &c. Of the outward husk of the Cod, Cordage; of the Inner, brushes; the Fruit it bears best known by the name of a Date. Finally, it is said to bear whatsoever is necessary to the life of a man: It is the nature of this tree, though never so ponderous a weight were put upon it, not to yield to the burthen; but still to resist the heaviness, and endeavour to raise it self the more upwards. For this cause planted in Church-yards in the Eastern Countreys as an Emblem of the Re­surrection: Instead whereof we use the Yew-tree in these more colder Regions.

The People, though the Country be in the same Clime with Barbary, are not black, but Tawny; affirmed to weep and mourn over the Bodies of their Dead, daubed over with Dung; to have held it a great Impiety to burn or bury them; but having Imbalmed [Page 4] them; to lay them in some inward Room of their houses: The Men to keep themselves at home, for the houshould business, whilst the Women follow Merchandize and other Affairs abroad; the Men to carry Burdens upon their heads, and the Women theirs on their shoulders; Antipodes in these last to most other Nations; But certainly they were witty and Ingeni­ous People, the first Inventers of Ge­ometry, Arithmetick, Physick; as also Astronomy, Necromancy, and Sorcery: They first taught the use of Letters to the neighbouring Phenicians, accusto­med at first to express their conceits in the shape of Birds, Beasts, and Trees &c. which they termed Hyeroglyphicks, of which, two or three examples will not be Impertinent. For Eternity, they painted the Sun and Moon, as things which they believed to have had no beginning, nor were likely to have any ending. For a Year, they painted a Snake, with his tail in his [Page 5] mouth, to shew how one Year suc­ceeding another, kept the World still in an endless Circle. For a Month, they painted a Palm-tree, because at every new Moon, it sendeth forth a new branch. For God, they painted a Faulcon, as well for that he soared so high, as that he governed the les­ser Birds For Integrity of life, they painted Fire and Water; both because these Elements are in themselves most pure, and because all other things are putrified by them. For any thing that was abominable to the Gods, they painted a Fish, because in their Sacri­fices their Priests never used them.

NEar to the City Memphis in Egypt, stands, or did stand a Pyramide square at the bottom, supposed to take up eight Acres of ground, and each square 300 single paces long, and 255 steps from top to bottom, cach step above three foot high, and the breadth proportionable, growing by degrees narrower, till it comes to the top, which consists but of three stones only, yet so large, that sixty men may stand thereon: no stone so little in the whole, as to be drawn by any the greatest of our carriages; and yet all brought thither from the Arrabian mountains, how or by what manner is as great a Wonder as the rest; built for the Sepulcher of an Egyptian King, who imployed in it for twenty years [Page 7] together, no less then 366000 men continually at work on it; the charges they put him to in no other food then Garlick, Radishes, and Onyons, being imputed at a thousand eight hundred Tallents. Others there are of great Note, though not so Famous as this.

NEar that City, Caire in Egypt, is a place, which upon Good Friday, there appears the Heads, Leggs, and Arms of Men, rising out of the ground to a very great Number; which if a Man come near, or touch any of them, they immediatly shrink into the Earth again; supposed by some to be the Imposture of Water-men only, who stick them in the Sands over night, and keeping them secret; obtain thereby the carrying of many thousands to behold the sight: But 'tis reported by [Page 8] a sober and credible Person; who was an Eye-witness of the Wonder, that he had touched divers of them; and going so to do to the Head of a Child, a Man of Caire cryed out to him, Kali, Kali, ante Materasde; that is to say, hold, hold, you know not what you do; a strange Fore-runner (if true) of the Resurrection of the whole Body.

BOTANTER in India, is a Coun­trey very large, of three Months Journey in Extent, full of high Moun­tains; one of which may be seen five days Journey off; in which are said to dwell a sort of People with Ears of a span long, or more; whom those of the Valleys count as Apes. In those Parts which are next to Bengab; they [Page 9] are white, and Gentiles, in other pla­ces more inclining to an Olive colour; their Garments they wear close to their Bodies, so streight that one cannot see a pleat or wrinkle in them; and those they never put off by Night or Day, whilst they are able to hang on: Nor do they wash at any time, for fear of defiling so pure a Creature as the Wa­ter. Content with one Wife, and yet co-habit not with her after two or three Children; when any of them die, the South-sayers are to tell them what to do with the Body: according to whose Directions, (first consulting his Books,) they burn, bury, or eat the dead Bodies of their Friends.

IN the Country Narsinga in India, the People are in Religion, Gentiles, [Page 10] worshipping one God, as the Lord of all, who is taught them by the Light of Nature, that they joyn the Devil, or their Pa-Gods in Commission with them, whereto induced by the per­swasion of their Beastly Bramines, or Priests, who suck there-out no small advantage: Some Christians there are intermixed of the old Plantation, espe­cially in Maliapur, and the Region of Choromandel, but not so well In­structed in the Principles of their own Belief, as to be able to convince or convert the Gentiles, nor to disswade them from the use of some heathenish Customs, though barborous and In­humane, and against all reason; not used in any place, but amongst the Indians: Amongst which is reckoned for most Savage, the forcing the poor Women to burn themselves with their Husbands Bodies, the Womens kindred not the Husbands, thrusting them on these hard conditions, who reckon it a disgrace to their Family, if She [Page 11] should refuse: And because they will be sure not to have that Infamy stick upon them, they have ordered, that the Women, who shall refuse, must shave her Head, and break her Jewels, and not be suffered to eat, drink, or sleep, or accompany with any body till her Death; a life more miserable then the Flames which they seek to shun. This makes them leap into the Fire with joy and greediness, and to contend which shall be foremost: She being thought to have been most lo­ving during his life, which is now most willing to accompany him in his Death.

QVillacare is the head City, of a pe­culiar Seigneury in India, but held of the Kings of Traneanor, as their next and immediate Lord; sthough this and [Page 12] other Kings also are Feuditaries of the Throne of Narsinga, and were that the worst Tenure by which they held, it might be tollerable: But there is a matter of worse consequence; which attends these besotted Princes. The Kingdom here, is but a Pomp of twelve years continuance, and then endeth in a sad Catastrophe: For at the end of those twelve years, the King repairs to Quillacare, prayeth before an Idoll; then mounteth on a Scaffold, covered with Silk, or Tapestry, and in the sight of all his People (gathered together to behold this strange Solem­nity) cuteth off his nose, ears, lips, and other parts, which he casteth to­wards the Idoll, and in conclusion cuts his own Throat: His designed Suc­cessor being present at this bloody Sacrifice, who at the twelve years end is to do the like.

THere are in other parts of India, a sort of People called by the Name of Basadae, said to be crooked, short, and thick; but of a chearful Aspect, and clear Complexion: Of which composition are all the Inhabi­tants of the Golden Chersonese obser­ved to the Barrae, and Cudute, other People also called Sinris-Magnus; the Lestori, a thievish and Piratical people, who lived in Caves, and were affir­med to have had Skins so hard that they were not penetrable by an Arrow.

CHina is said to be a very Rich and fertile Countrey, insomuch that in many places they have two, and in some three Harvests in a year, well cultivated and sown with all manner of Grain, and planted with the best kind of Fruits, which do not only bring corn to a speedy maturity, but to more excellency and perfection then any of these western parts; par­ticularly it aboundeth with Wheat, Barly, Rice, Wooll, Cotten, Olives, Vines, Flax, Silk, all kinds of Metals, Fruits, Cattel, Sugar, Honey, Rhuburb, Camphire, Ginger, and all kind of Spices, medicinal Wood called China Wood, Musk, and Salt, it yieldeth also an Herb, out of which they press delicate juice, which serves not only [Page 15] instead of Wine, but preserveth their health; and freeth them from many of these Inconveniences, which the im­moderate use of Wine breeds in others. Such store of Poultry of all sorts, but of Ducks especially, that in the Town of Canton only, it is thought, there are eaten no less then 12000 every day, one day with an other.

The People are for the most part of a Swarthy complexion, but more or less according to their nearness to the Heat of the Sun; short nosed, black eyed, and of very thin Beards: they wear their Garments very long, with long loose Sleeves, and their Hair much longer then their neighbouring Tar­tars, who wear their Hair exceeding short, and their Cloaths much straigh­ter, to which two Fashions so addicted, that more of them take up Arms for their Hair and Habit, (when required to conform in those particulars to the will of the Conquerour) then had done either for their King, or their common [Page 16] liberty: so much delighted with their own Fashion, that as the Negroes use to paint the Devil white, as a colour contrary to their own; so when these Chinoises use to draw the Picture of a deformed person, they set him forth in a short Coat, broad Eyes, long Nose, and bushey Beard, they are much given to their Bellies, and eat thrice a day, but not Imoderately; drink their drink hot, and eat their meat with two sticks of Ivory, Ebony, or the like, not touching their meat with their hands at all.

IT is reported, that in some parts of India, there are men with Dogs­heads; men with one Leg only, yet of great Swiftness, of such as live by Scent, of men that had but one Eye [Page 17] only, and that in their foreheads; and of others, whose years hung to the ground. It is reported also, that these men by eating the Heart, and Liver of a Dragon, attain to the understan­ding of the Language of Beasts; that they can make themselves invisible, when they please; they have two tubs, whereof the one opened, yields Wine; and the other Rain, and the like. But of these I doubt not but the understanding Reader, knoweth how to judge, and what to believe.

AeThiopia, is a Country said to be parching hot, that the People dare not only go out without their shooes, but that they rost their meat by setting it in the Sun. Here is also a Lake, whose Waters are thrice [Page 18] a day, and thrice a night very salt, and unpleasant, but at all other times most sweet and deliberate to the Pallate; there are also in this Countrey two other Lakes of that poysonous nature, that who so ever drinks of them, doth either fall immediately mad, or else is troubled for a long time with a con­tinual drowsiness: Of which thus Ovid Aethiopesque Lacus; quos si quis faucibus hausit, aut furit, aut patitur mirum gravitate soporum.

Which may be thus paraphrased.

ADell in AEthiopia, is a Countrey, plentiful of Flesh, Honey, Corn, Wax, Gold, and Ivory; great Flocks of Sheep, and many of those Sheep of such burdensome Fleeces, that their Tails weigh twenty five pounds in weight; some Kine there are which have Horns like Stags; others but one Horn only, and that in the Fore-head, about a foot and half long, but ben­ding backward.

QViola in Aethiopia, is a Countrey rich and pleasant, the Inhabitants for the most part of Arrabian An­cestry; of complexion near to white. Their Women comely, and sumptuous in Attire, and of civil Carriage; neat in their Houses, which are generally well built, and richly furnished. The People of the Quiola are said to have a strange Custom amongst them, more to be mentioned for the rarity, then the decency of it: which is the sew­ing up of the private passages of Na­ture in their Female Children, leaving only a small vent for their Urine, thus sewed, they keep them careful at home, till they come to be married. And She that is by her Husband found to want this Sign of her perpetual Vir­ginity, [Page 21] is with all kind of Ignominy sent back to her Parents, and by them as disgracefully received.

THe Inhabitants of CESARIA in Aethiopia, wear for the most part no other Habits then the Skins of Beasts undrest, just as they have them from the flesh; but when they cloath themselves with Sheep-skins, they have so much Wit, as to wear the Flece next their Bodies, in cold weather; which at other times they expose (with no small Pride and Glory) to open View. Their Voices so Inarticulate, that it is hard to be distinguished into Words and Sylla­bles; which being Composed with that Bruitishness, which commonly appeareth in all their Actions, makes [Page 22] it hard to say, whether the People generally may be thought to be men in the skins of Beasts: or Beasts Crea­ted in the shape and likeness of men; but they make greater use of their Cattel, then for Garments only, their raw flesh serving them for food, and the Guts for Ornaments, which they hang about their necks uncleansed, and with all the filth in them, in as great a bravery as Ropes of Pearls, or Chains of Gold in more Civil Countreys: but amongst the several Nations which Inhabit this flourish­ing Countrey, none are more Bar­barous then those, whom they call the Imbians, dwelling not far from the Cape of good Hope; Tall, Square and Strong, addicted always to War and Rapine; feeding on the flesh, both of their Conquered Enemy, and their dying Friends; whose death they hasten for the Shambles, the Skulls of whom they use for Drinking-cups: their Weapons for poysoned Arrows, [Page 23] and Poles burnt at the end: and in their War they always carry fire be­fore them, meaning thereby to Roast, or Boyl all such as they over-come; The King, (if such a Sacred name, be­come such an Impious Monster,) they account for Lord of all the Earth: and he with the old Giant-like Arro­gancy, not only threathneth the de­struction of men, but shooteth his poysoned Arrows against Heaven it self, as often as the Rain, or heat offends him.

THe Inhabitants of the City of SIAN in India, are said to maintain amongst other strange Opi­nions, that after 2000 years, (from when I know not) the World shall be consumed with fire; and under the [Page 24] Ashes of it shall remain two Eggs, out of which shall come a Man and a Woman, who are to People the World again. 'Tis said that in the City Socotai in the Kingdom of SIAM, there is a Temple made wholly of Metal, of a great height, adorned with many high Steeples and Idols.

IT is reported by Travellers, that in some of the ORIENTAL Islands, are a sort of Hoggs that have Teeth growing out of their Snouts, and as many behind their Ears, of a span and half long. A Tree whose Western part is said to be rank poy­son, and the Eastern part an excellent preservative against it. A sort of Fruit, that whosoever eateth of it, is for the space of 12 hours out of his [Page 25] Wits. Also a Stone, on which, who­soever sitteth hath imediately a Rup­ture in his Belly; That there are Tor­toises taken there of that largeness, that 10 men may sit in one of the shells. It is also Reported that there is a River, plentifully stored with Fish, whose Water is so hot that it scalds the skin of any Beast thrown therein; that some of their men have Tails, and most of their Swine Horns, that they have Oysters so large, that they often carry Children in the Shells, and that the Cocks have a hole in their backs, wherein the Hen lays her Eggs, and Hatches her young ones.

Sumatra one of the said Islands, Famous for having a whole Moun­tain of Gold in it, as appears by a Letter written by Pedrunoa Sirie, one of the Kings of the said Isle, to Ring Iames of Great Brittain; that all the Furnitures of his House, Trappings of his Horses and Elephants; with all, his Armour, were of pure Gold: The [Page 26] Inhabitants of the Island, said to be the lovingest of all to their Enemies of any People in this World; otherwise they would never eat them, and after make use of their skulls instead of Money; which they Exchange for such other necessaries as their wants require. And he is accounted the Richest man that has most of this sort of Coyn.

IN AMERICA are said to be Beasts and Fowls, of strange shapes and colours, as their Lyons, less in greatness then those of other Coun­treys; of colour Gray, and so nimble as to climb Trees; their Doggs snow­ted like Foxes, but cannot bark at all; their Hoggs with Talons sharp as Ra­zors, and the Navil of their Bellies, [Page 27] on the ridge of their backs; their Staggs and Dear without Horns; their Sheep, not only profitable for Food and Rayment, but used to carry bur­dens, some of 150 pounds weight, another sort of Beast whose name not commonly known, whose fore-part resembleth a Fox, his hinder part an Ass, except his feet, which are like a mans; beneath her Belley is a recepta­cle like a purse, where she keeps her young ones, till they are able to shift for themselves, never coming thence, but when they suck; and then in again: The Armadilla, a Beast in form like a Barbed Horse, seeming to be Armed all over, and that with Artificial, rather then Na­tural Plates, which both shut and open. The Vicugue, some what resembling a Goat, but much larger, and of more profit; for with the Fleece is made Ruggs, Coverings and Stuffs, and in his Belly is found the Bezoar, a So­veraign Antidote against poysons, and [Page 28] venemous Diseases: A kind of Hare like a Want in his feet, and a Cat in his tail, under whose chin Nature hath fastened as it were a little bagg, which she hath also taught him to use as a Store-house; for in this (having filled his Belly,) he preserves the rest of his Provision. The Pigritia, a little Beast that in 14 or 15 days, cannot go so far as a man can throw a stone at once. Of Birds, there are several sorts, and of most excellent colours; amongst the rest one, called by the name of Tominejo, of all colours; and so little that he seems no bigger than a Butter-fly, the mouth thereof no bigger then the eye of a Needle; and yet not at all yielding to the Nigh­tingale, in sweetness of his Notes and Musick: the Bird and Nest, both put into Gold Scales, weights not above 24 Grains, yet beautified with Feathers of so many colours, especially in the Neck and Breast, that the Indians make great use of them [Page 29] in their Feather-Pictures; others, as big as these are little, as the Condore, of such strength and greatness, that they will fall upon a Sheep or Calf, open it, and eat it; The like Miracles of Nature, they have in their Fruits, Plants, &c.

The ISLE of Rhodes honoured in Ancient time with the huge Collossus, one of the Seven wonders of the World, made of Brass; in height Seventy Cubits, every finger of it as bigg as an ordinary Man, and conse­crated to the Sun, as the proper diety of the Island; 'twas 12 years in ma­king and having stood but 66 years, was thrown down in an instant by an Earth-quake, which terribly shook the whole Island; The Rhodians being [Page 30] forbidden by an Oracle to erect it a­gain, (or possibly pretending such an Oracle to save the charge) yet held the Brass and other Materials of it, in a manner Sacred, not meddled with nor Sacrilegiously purloined till Mna­ias, the General of Osmen, the Ma­hometan Caliph, finding in himself no such scruple of Conscience, (after he had subdued the Island,) made a Prey thereof, loading 900 Camels with the very Brass of it.

IN Peru, are a sort of Sheep by the Inhabitants called Pacos, profitable both for Fleece and Burden, as big as a small breed of Horses, but in tast as pleasing, and no less nourishing then our Mutton: A Creature so well ac­quainted with his own abilities, that when he findeth himself to be over­oaded, [Page 31] no Blows nor Violence shall make him move forwards, till his load be lessened; and of so cheap a Diet, that he is content with very little, and some times goes three whole days without so much as a little Water. The Camels of those parts not much unlike them, many Rarities there are both in Beasts and Plants in this Coun­try, amongst their Plants, they have a Figg-tree, the North part whereof looking towards the Mountains, brings forth its Fruits in the Summer only; the Southern part looking towards the Sea, fruitful only in Winter. Some as deservedly, account the Coca for a wonder, the leaves whereof being dried, and formed into Lozenges (or little pellets) are exceeding useful in a Journey; for melting in the mouth, they satisfie both hunger and thirst, and preserve a man in his strength, and his Spirits in vigour; and are gene­rally esteemed of such Soveraign use, that it is thought, no less then 100000 [Page 32] Baskets full of the leaves of this tree, are sold yearly at the Mines of Potosia only, each of which at some other places would yield 12 d. or 18 d. a­piece. Another Plant, they tell us off, though there is no name found for it, which if put into the hands of a sick person will instantly discover, whether he be like to live or dye: For if on the pressing it in his hand, he look merry, and chearful, it is an assu­red Sign of his recovery, as on the other side of Death, if sad and trou­bled. Here is said also to be a Lake, near the Mines of Potozi; whose Wa­ters is so hot, though the Country be exceeding cold, that they who bath themselves therein, are not able to endure the Heat of it, if they go but a little from the Banks, there being in the midst thereof a Boyling of above twenty foot square: A Lake, which never doth decrease, though they have drawn a great stream from it to serve their mettal Mills.

IN Orvietto, a City in Italy, is said to be a Church of wonderous light­ness, and yet the Windows not made of Glass, as in other Churches; but of Alablaster. And now we are in Italy, we must wander into Rome, and take a short view of the life of Pope Formosus, who was so ill beloved, and of such a general dis-esteem, that Pope Stephen the ^7th. caused his Body to be unburied: All his Acts reversed, two of his Fingers to be cut off, and then the mangled Carcass to be Inter­red again amongst the Laity. And though the Acts of Stephen were ad­iudged illegal, both by Iohn the ^10th. and Pope Romauus, two of his Suc­cessors, and the doing of Formosus justified, yet Sergius the third caused [Page 34] his corrupt and putrified Body to be taken once more out of the Grave, and his Head to be cut off, as if still alive: So little did the Infallibility of St. Peter's Chair preserve them from contraditions.

Iohn the ^12th. also a wicked cruel, and libidinous Pope, taken in Adul­tery, and slain by the Husband of the Woman.

IN Castile in Spain, in the times of our Grand-Fathers (saith mine Au­thor) was discovered in a valley scitu­ate amongst high and impassible Mountains, a kind of Patoecos or salvage People, never heard of in Spain before, the occasion of this. An Hawk of the Duke of Ava's, which he very much valued; flew over those [Page 35] Mountains, and his men not being able to find her at first, they were sent back again to seek her, clambering from one Hill to another; they hap­pened at last upon a large and pleasant valley, where they spied a company of naked salvage People; hemmed in amongst many craggy Rocks. The Salvages gazing a while upon them, ran into their Caves made in the hollows of the Rocks, the best Houses they had, which being observed by the Faulconers, they returned again to their Lord; telling him that instead of a Faulcon, they had brought him news of a new World in the midst of Spain, and of a Race of People, which came in with Tuball, strongly affirming what they said, they obtai­ned Belief, and the Duke shortly after went with a company of Musketteers, and subdued them easily; they having no offensive Weapons, but only Slings. They worshipped the Sun and Moon, fed upon nothing that had life; but [Page 36] had good store of excellent Fruits, Roots, and Springs of water, where­with a Nature was well content, and though their Language was not alto­gether understood by any, yet many of their words were found to be pure­ly Busquish, reduced on this disco­very to Christianity, but easily discer­nable by all other Spaniards by their rawney complexions, occasioned by the Reverberation of the Sun-beams, from those rocky Mountains, where­with on all sides they are incompassed.

IN Norwey, there is a little sort of Beast, called by the name of Lemers, about the bigness of a Mouse, and are by the Inhabitants said to drop out of the Clouds in tempestious Weather, like the Locusts, they devour every [Page 37] green thing on the Earth, and at a certain time die all in heaps (as it were) together; and with their stench so poyson the Air, that the poor People are long after troubled with the Jaun­dies, and a giddiness in the Head: But these Beast come not so often to infect the Land, as the Whales do to terri­fie the shores; the Seas being there so deep, and therefore a fit habitation for those great Leviathans, against whose violence and fury; the People of the Sea-coast have found a remedy, which is by casting some water inter­mixt with Oyle of Castor; the smell whereof forces them immediately to retire, without this help there were no Fishing on the Coasts.

WE read of one Zisca a Bohemian Captain, who in eleven Battells fought in defence of the Hussites a­gainst the Pope, and his Confederates; prevailed, and went away victorious: Insomuch that at his Death, he willed the Behemians to flea him, and make a Drum of his skin; perswading him­self, if they so did, they would never be overcome: a fancy no less Idle then strange.

In some of the Forrests of Bohemia, there is a little Beast called LOMIE, which hath hanging under its neck a Bladder always full of scalding water, with which when she is hunted, she so tortureth the Dogs, that she there­by easily makes her escape.

THe Country of Assiria, is said to be so fertile, that the Hedges on the high way sides, afford very good Fruit, and the adjoyning Fields affords to the Passengers the shades of Fig­trees, were it not naturally so, it would not be much helped by Art, or Industry; as being but meanly peo­pled, and those few without any en­couragement, either to the planting Fruits, or manuring the Land. Their Sheep are commonly fat and fair, but so over-laded on the Tail both with Flesh and Fleece, that they hang in long wreaths to the ground, dragged after them with no small difficulty, the Tails of these Sheep frequently weighing thirty pounds or upward. 'Tis said, that the Assirians have a [Page 40] strange way of contracting their Mar­iages, their Wives they never see till the day of their Marriage, but hearing a good report of them; they negotiate with her Friends, and when agreed, they meet in the Chancell of the Church; wherein there is a partition with a hole in it: The Bridegroom and his Friends standing on one side; and the Bride and her kindred on the other, then that Church-man biddeth the Bridgeroom to put his hand through the hole in the partition, and take his Bride by the hand, which he doth accordingly; the mother of the Bride with a sharp pointed Instrument made of purpose, pricking the Bride­grooms hand all over with sufficient eagerness, if when he feeleth the smart, he lets go her hand, they take it for a Sign, that he will not love her; but if he hold her fast, and wring her hand so hard, till She cry again; they take it as a very good Omen, and are glad, they have so well bestowed her. [Page 41] After the Marriage is consummate, if a Male child be born unto them, the Father looseth his own name, and is called after his Sons name; so as if the Fathers name be Moses, and his Sons name Ioseph; the Father is no more called Moses, but Abba Ioseph; or the Father of Ioseph, so highly do they reverence Marriage, and the Fruits thereof, Posterity.

THe Province of Quivira in Califor­mia, is a Country full of Herbage, breeding great store of Cattel, diffe­ring not much in bigness from those of Europe. but that they have an high Bunch betwixt their shoulders, bristled on the back like Bores, which some­what resemble the mane of a Horse; their legs short and clad with Fetlocks, [Page 42] their Horns short, but sharp; the whole Beast of so horrid an aspect, that a Horse will not venture near him, till well acquainted; yet in this Beast lyes all the Riches of the Inhabitants of the Country; for they are to them, as Ale to Drunkards, Meat, Drink, and Cloath, and more too; for the Hides yield them houses, or at least the co­vering of them, their Bones, Bodkins; their Hair, Thread; their Sinewes, Ropes; their Hornes, Mawes, and Bladders, Vessels; their Dung Fire; their Calfskins, Budgets to draw and keep water in; their Blood, Drink; and their Flesh Meat.

There is also said to be a Cave between two Mountains, from which the Rain descending, turns into Ala­blaster, naturally fashioned into Pillars; and other Portraitures.

IN Germany, once lived an EARL, whose Wife was called Iermentru­dis, having accused a poor Woman of Adultery, and caused her to be grie­vously punnished, for having twelve Children at a birth; was afterwards her self delivered of the same number, and all of them Sons: her Husband being absent at the time of her deli­very, She commanded the Nurse to kill eleven of them; fearing (it seems) the like shame and punishment, as by her Instigation was inflicted on the poor Woman: The Nurse going to perform this wicked command, was met by the old Earl, then returning home-ward: who asked her; what she had in her Apron, she made an­swer whelps; he desired to see them, [Page 44] she denied him: angry at this refusal, he opened her Apron, and there found eleven of his own sweet Babes, and most of them of promising counte­nances, examining the matter; he found out the truth, and enjoyning the old Nurse to be secret in it, he put the children out to Nurse; six years being expired, the Earl invited to a Feast, most of his own and his Ladies kindred, and attiring the young Boys all alike, presented them to their Mo­ther, who suspecting by the number of them, what the matter was; confest her offense, is pardoned by a good old Earl, and carefully educates her children: whom the Father comman­ded to be called Guelps, alluding to Whelps, or the Puppis which the Nurse told him, she had in her Apron.

NOva Zelina, is one of the Russian Islands, scituate on the East of Willoughby Island, (so called from Sir Hugh Willoughby, because he first dis­covered it, and was hereabout found frozen to Death the next year follow­ing) and was first discovered by such adventurers as followed Willoughby's design: Famous for having a Race of short statuted men, not above four foot high, a degree above the height of Pigmies; who by the relation of the Russes have neither Laws, nor Re­ligion, or Civility; but that they wor­shipped the Sun, Moon, and Northern Star, to which they offer a yearly Sa­crifice of their Deer; and that the Island is a woody Desart, and not easie for travel; having in it neither green [Page 46] Bough nor Grass, yet there are abun­dance of Bears, and such ravenous Beasts.

SAmogitia, is a small Province in Poland, the People thereof sup­posed to be of the Saxon race, of a good stature, well set, bold, and apt for War, but withall boysterous, rude, and barbarous; Christians in general, but many who retain still their old Idolatries: nourishing amongst them a kind of four-footed Serpents, above three handfuls in length, which they worship; as their houshould Gods, mending them with fear and reverence when they call them out to their re­pasts; and if any mischance do hap­pen; to any of their Family, it is im­puted presently to some want of due [Page 47] observations of these ugly Creatures, naturally inclined to Divinations, Charms, and Sorceries, frequently a­bused (as for the most part such People are) by Diabolical Illusions. They have some customes also as unprofitable, as these are heathenish; breaking up their Grounds as they do in Muscovy, with Spades or Stocks; and when one of their Governours observing the Husbandry of other Countries, had brought them the use of the Plough. It fortuned that for two or three years either by the Indisposition of the Weather, or some other accident, they had not so much Corn, as they used to have, which want the People at­tributed to the use of the Plough, and not believing that there was any other cause of it, grew so much incensed; that the Governour fearing some Sedi­tion like to follow on it, was forced to leave them to the old way, which before they went. An humour like [Page 48] to that of the present Irish, in plow­ing with their Horses tails.

IN some part of Livonia, are a sort of People, so simple in point of Re­ligion, and the like; that when they bury any of their Dead, every one drinks one health to him, and poureth his part upon him, when his trun comes to drink; putting into the grave with him an Hatchet, Wine, Meat, and some Money for his Voyage: And yet they are great lovers of Confession, esteemers of Holy Water, and diligent Frequenters of their Churches; but so Ignorant in matters of Religion, that there is hardly one in a Village, can say his Pater Noster.

THe Country, where the Cities of Sodom and Gomorra once stood, was called the valley of Sidim, which was exceeding fruitful; Insomuch that 'twas compared to an Earthly Paradise; but this place, so beautified and ador­ned with such a wonderful Richness of Soil, and other pleasures, that might make glad the heart of man; through the sinfulness of the Inhabi­tants, is so changed; that after the Cities and Fields were destroyed by Fire and Brimstone from Heaven, the whole Country was turned into a most horrid stinking Lake, called Mare mortuum, or the dead Sea.

The Waters whereof most thick, stinking, bitter, and salt, beyond any Sea-water; whatsoever, wherein no [Page 50] Creature liveth or can live, therefore called the dead Sea. The River Ior­dan runs into it, and is infected by it; Insomuch that the Fish of that River shun the Lake as a deadly Poyson, and if at any time by the swiftness of the River, they are driven into it, they immediately die.

No living thing can be drowned in it; which Vespasian being desirous to make trial of, came in person to see it; and caused some Persons al­together Ignorant in swimming, to be bound with their hands behind them, and thrown into the Lake, but was as it were repulsed, by a certain Spirit of the Water; and like a Rock they floated upon the superficies of the Water.

Every fair Sun-shiny day, it chan­geth the colour thrice, by reason of the Sun Beams falling either. Rightly or Oblickly upon it, as at Morning Noon and Sun set, according to which it varieth the colour, and yields [Page 51] a certain Pitchy substance, called in Latin Bitumen, which swims upon the top of the Lake, in great abun­dance, some pieces as big as an Ox; and is of such a Nature, that if any small Ships come near to fetch it away, they are caught and drawn away by the Tenacity, or Limy catching hold thereof, and not to be loosed a­gain, but by application of Urine. Tui menses mulierbres permixti sunt, saith mine Author, and with this on­ly the Bitumen is dissolved. It sendeth up a most Pestilent Air, insomuch, that one would think the very stream of Hell fire were beneath it; hereupon the Banks, and Neighbouring; Moun­tains are quite barren: if but an Aple grow near it, it is by Nature such, that it speaks the Anger of God; for with­out, 'tis beautiful and Red; but with­in nothing but dusty Smoak and Cin­ders, the like saith Tacitus.

IN ANATOLIA, stands the Mountain Taurus; a Branch where­of called by the name of Chimaera, vomiting flames of fire like Sicilian Aetna; the bottom whereof infested with Serpents, the middle part grazed upon with Goats, and the higher parts made dangerous by the dens of Lyons; hence by the Poets made a Monster, having the head of a Lyon, the Body of a Goat, and the Tail of a Serpent.

The City Cyzieus in this Countrey, famous in its time for having a Glo­rious Temple in it; the Pillars where­of being Four Cubits thick, and 50 Cubits high, were each of an Intire Stone only; the whole Fabrick all of polished Marble; every Stone joyn­ed [Page 53] to the other with a line of Gold; but at last ruined by an Earth-quake.

IN the Isle SCHELINK, in the Province of Sevenwolden in West Friezland, the Shores, and said to be well stored with Dogg-Fish, which the Inhabitants take after this man­ner; the Men attire themselves with the Skins of Beasts, which they have made for that purpose, then going to the Sea side, fall a Dancing, with which sport, the silly Fish being much de­lighted, presently make out of the water towards them, and Nets are immediately pitched betwixt them and the water: which done, the men put off their disguises, which when the affrighted Fishes see, Post to­wards the Sea, and so are caught in the Coyles.

IN the Earldom of BEGORRE near the Pyrenaean Mountains, are said to live a Leprous, and Infectious sort of People, of noisom Breaths, deformed Bodies, and gastly Visages: in which regard not suffered to have commerce with other People, nor to Inherit any Lands, but only to apply themselves to drudgery, and the basest of Mechanick Trades, from their great mis-shapen heads called Capets or Gabets.

CASCAR, a Province in Altay in Tartaria, the People thereof Ge­nerally Rude and Barbarious, inso­much that in some parts, both Sexes Indulge themselves this mutual Pri­viledge; that if the Husband or Wife be absent twenty dayes, the other party is at Liberty again to Marry.

Chesmur, Lopp, and Camull, three other Provinces in the said Countrey, whereof the Inhabitants of the first, are generally both Idolaters and In­chanters, causing the dumb Idols to speak, the Winds to rise; and the Sun to be darkened; for studying which Black-Art (if it comes to them by Study) they have many Monaste­ries, in which their Hermits, or Mo­nasticks live a strickt kind of life.

The Province of Lopp, memorable for having a great Desart of 30 days Journey in it, so true a Desart, that whosoever means not to starve him­self, must carry all his victuals with him; dangerous to Travellers, if not before-hand made acquainted with their danger; the evil Spirits calling Men by their names, and so make them stray from their Company; where they either perish with Famine, or are devoured with wild Beasts.

Camull, an Idolatrous Countrey, the People whereof account it a great honour to them, to have their Wives and Sisters at the pleasures of such, as they entertain; from which Bruitish Custom, when restrained by Mango Cham, they Petitioned at the three years end, to be restored again to their former Liberty; protesting they could never thrive since they left that Custom; which desire of theirs was at last granted, and is still in use.

IN MORAVIA, amongst other things, is said to grow great store of Frankincense, and contrary to the Nature of it; not on Trees, but on the ground: and that too (which adds much to the Miracle) in the shape and figure of those parts, which Men and Women must endeavour to conceal.

In the same Countrey, is a Town called Massa, or Messa, famous in An­cient time, for having a Temple in it; whose Beams and Rafters are of the Bones of Whales, which usually are left dead on the Sea-shores.

IN the Province of HASCORA in Moroocca, are said to grow a sort of Grapes, as large as Pullets Eggs. And not far from a Town called Tedza, in the said Countrey stands the hill Anchisa, where 'tis said that it Snoweth at all seasons of the year, notwithstanding the Inhabitants go extreamly thin clad in the sharpest Winters.

TIs reported, that in the Kingdom of TVNIS, Corn hath in for­mer time been so plentiful, that in the Reign of Augustus, were 400 Ears growing upon one stalk. And in the time of Domitius Nero, were 360 more growing upon another; and both sent to Rome.

IN GREECE, are said to be two Rivers by name Cireus, and Nileus, both of that strange Nature, that if a Sheep drink of the former, his [Page 60] Wool turneth white; and if of the latter, it turns cole-black.

There is also a Stone called Amin­thus, which is drawn into Thread like Hemp and Cloth made thereof; which when 'tis foul, instead of being clean­sed with water, as other Cloth is, 'tis thrown into the fire, and so clean­sed by burning it▪ But more of this hereafter.

IANGOMA, in the Countrey of Laos, is a mighty Nation, and a stout sort of People; by Religion Gentiles, naked from the Wast up­ward, russing up their Hair like Caps; their Countrey very Rich and Level, but very ill Neighboured, by the Gneons, who possess the Mountains, whence falling into great Companies, [Page 61] they hunt for men, whom if they take, they Kill, and Eat, as we do any sort of our Game with us.

IN some part of CHALDAEA, and other places; 'tis said that for Communicating the Success of their Affairs from Town to Town, and Stage to Stage; they make use of Pi­geons as the speediest Messengers; which is done after this manner: When the Hen Pigeon sitteth, or hath any young, they take the Cock, and set him in an open Cage: whom when they have Travelled a days Journey, they let go at Liberty, and he straight flyeth home to his Mate; when they have trained them thus from one place to another, and that there be occasion to send any advertisements; they tye [Page 62] a Letter about one of their Necks, which at their return is taken off, by some of the house; advertised there­by of the State of other places, the like is also used betwixt Ormius and Balfora.

WE Read in the Law of MOSES, Levit, the 11. ver. 22. That Locusts were allowed of to be eaten, which surely had not been done, had they not been good and fitting to eat. Plinie tell us, the Parthians fed up­on them as dainties; Strabo also af­firm▪ that the Aethiopians lived most upon them: And Galon tell us that the Egyptians, did use to eat Vipers and Adders, as familiarly as we do [Page 63] Eels, Besides St. Hierome affirmeth, that in Pontus and Phrygia, they usually eat those white Worms with black heads that lye in wood, and between the bark of Trees; And that by Te­nants they were presented to Land­lords, as special dainties; and some took them in Lieu of Rent. The Assyrians were wont to eat Land Crocodiles; and the Affricans Green Lizards: Among others, Dormise were accounted the daintiest meat. In Cozumela, and Iucatana, Islands of the East-Indies, and other places there-abouts, they fat a king of Dog, which cannot bark, as we do Swine, and eat them; the Ancients also sup­posed sucking Whelps to be so clean and pure, that they offered them their Gods in Sacrifice; The Parian Indians, did not only eat mans flesh, but also (as Apes do) Lice, Froggs, Worms, and such filthy things: The Tartarians eat the Carrion Carcasses of dead Horses, Camels, Asses, Cats, [Page 64] and Dogs, even when they stink and are full of Maggots; and hold them as dainty as we do Venison.

GALEN tell us of a certain man, that was extreamly sick of a Le­prosie, kept company a good time with some Companions of his; till one above the rest was infected with the contagion of the Disease: for he was not to be endured, by reason of the loathsom stench that proceed from his unclean Body: wherefore a Cottage was Built for him near a Town, upon a Hill remote from People, a fair spring running hard by; and herein the Lea­per was placed, with a man attending him, to carry him Victuals, and other necessaries: It happened that about the Dogg-days, sweet Wine being [Page 65] brought in an Earthen Vessel into the Field to the Mowers, near the place where this Leaper was placed; he that brought it, set it not far from them, and went his way; being gon, and some of them being thirsty, came and took up the Pitcher to pour out some Wine into a Bowl half full of Water; which they mixed with their Wine, and out falls a drowned Viper from the Pitcher into the Bowl; here­upon the men being amazed, let the Wine alone, and drank, and conten­ted themselves with Water: but when they had finished their days work, and were to go out of the Field, as it were out of pity, they gave to the Leprous man the Wine; wherein the Viper was drowned, supposing it better for him to dye, than to live in that misery; but he, when he had drank it, was as it were miraculously cured: for all that thick and most loathsom scabby swelling of the Di­sease, that covered him over, fell a­away [Page 66] from him, like the hard outside of a Crab-Fish, and new skin and flesh succeeding underneath in the place, another example hereof though upon an unlike occasion, happened in Mysia, a Town of Asia.

ANziehana in Aethiopia, hath on the west part of it, Songo and Loango; extended thence to the East, as far al­most as the Lake of Zembre; the In­habitants of it, the cruellest Canibals in the World; for they do not only eat their Enemies, but their Friends, and Kinds-folk also; and that they may be sure not to want these Dainties, they have shambles of mans Flesh, as in other places of Beef, and Mutton, so covetous with all, that if their Slaves will but yield a penny more, when [Page 67] fold joynt by joynt, then if sold alive, they will kill and cut them out in pie­ces, and sell them so upon their Sham­bles.

IN Syria, are said to be a choice of Religions, as a Christian, Mahome­tan, Pagan, and one Compound out of them all; which is that of the Drusians. The Mahometans embraced by the generality of the People throughout the whole, and by all that are in Office or Authority, is only countenanced and approved; though all the rest be tollerated: The Pagan entertained only in the mountanous Country, bordering on America, Inhabited by a sort of People, whom they call Curdi, or the Curdens, sup­posed to be so descended from the [Page 68] Ancient Parthians, as being very ex­pert in Bows and Arrows, their most usual Armes: A Race of People, who are said to worship alike, both God and the Devil; the one, that they may receive Benefits from him; the other, that he may not hurt them: but their principal Devotions are addressed to the Devil only, and that upon good reasons, as themselves conceive; for God they say, is a good man, and will do no Body harm, but the Devil is a mischievious fellow, and must be plea­sed with Sacrifices, that he do not hurt them,

THebet, is a fenny Region of Tarta­ria, full of Woods, rich in Corral; which they find on the Sea-shores, and use it instead of Money, so named from the chief City of it; the ordinary seat of the Abassi, or Pope of this Idola­trous People, much reverenced, and having in his power the disposing of all Affairs which concern the Service of their Idols: They have also good store of Musick, and abundance of wild Beasts bred in their Forersts; but no Beast wilder then the People, who in times past (if not at present) use to bury their Parents in their own bow­els, and to make drinking cups of their skuls, for fear least in the midst of their Jollity, they should forget their Progenitors. Yet not more barbarous [Page 70] then Immodest, it being contrary to their Custom to take a Wife that is a Virgin: and therefore the mothers use to prostitute their Daughters to the Merchant-strangers, who having had their pleasures of them, gratifie them with a Jewel, or some other present, which they wear on their Wedding-day, she being the most ac­ceptable Bride to her Husband, who bringeth the greatest Dowry with her of these base rewards.

THere was found in the Territory of Patavium in Italy, in former Ages, a very antient Monument, wherein were two Urnes, a greater and a less, both made of Earth, the bigger contained the less: now in the less was found a Lamp burning [Page 71] between two Viols, the one of Gold, the other of Silver, and both full of a most excellent Liquor; by the Be­nefit of which, it was supposed to have burned many years. The learned co­ming to the Monument, affirmed it to be that perpetual Fire, invented by the wonderful Industry of the antient Phylosophers, which would endure so many years: In which opinion they were confirmed, by verses written on both Urnes, which seemed to be of great Antiquity. The like Ludovicus Vives reports in his time, to have been found in antient Graves, which by Inscription had burnt above five hun­dred years. St. Augustine likewise affirms, that in the Temple of Venus, was a Lamp that never went out; which he supposed to have been done either by Art Magical, or by the In­dustry of some man, who had put La­pidem Asbestum, or the unchangeable burning stone within the said Lamp, and in the time of Pope Paulus the [Page 72] Third, the Grave of Tullio, Cicero's Daughter was found, wherein was the like Lamp burning; but as soon as 'twas opened, that the Air came to it, it presently went out; This Lamp had burnt there 15 hundred years.

TIs observable, that in CRETE, there is bred no Serpents, or Venomous Beasts, or Worms, Raven­ous or hurtful Creatures; so that their Sheep Graze very securely without any Shepheard; yet if a Woman hap­pen to bite a Man any thing hard, he will hardly be cured of it; which if true, then the last part of the Privi­ledge foregoing (of breeding no hurt­ful Creature) must needs be false. They have an Herb called Alimos, which if one chew in his mouth, he shall feel [Page 73] no hunger for that day; Here is (be­sides many Medicinal Herbs) that is called Dictamnum, or Dictamnas, of special virtue against Poyson, either, by way of Prevention, or present Cure; peculiar only to this Island: It affordeth great store of Laudanum, a Juice or Gum, forced with incredi­ble labour, out of a certain Tree Cisto, of which the Mountains yield abun­dance; good to cause sleep, if im­moderately taken, but if not very well prepared, and taken with mo­deration, it brings the last sleep upon a man, out of which not to be awa­kened, till the sound of the last Trum­pet raise him.

IN HVNGARIA, are said to be many Medicinal Waters, and more hot Baths then in any one Countrey in Europe; some Waters also of a strange Nature, whereof some falling on the ground is turned into a Stone; others about the Town of Smalnice, which falling into Ditches makes up a kind of mud, out of which tried, and mel­ted, they make an excellent Copper; and some again which flow in Winter, and freeze in Summer; and near to [...]ristice, or Mensoll, is a Spring or Fountain, out of which cometh a green Water, whereof they make a Soder for their Gold.

IN the County ARMAGH, in the Kingdom of Ireland, is a Lake; into which if one thrust a piece of Wood, he shall find that part of it which remaineth in the mud to be turned into Iron; and that in the Water to be turned into a Whet­stone. 'Tis said, that their Kine will give no Milk, if their Calves be not by them; or at least their Calf-skins stuffed out with Straw or Hay.

MADAGASCAR, one of the Affrican Islands, is a Countrey plentiful of all things necessary for the life of Man; particularly of Mill, Rice, Honey, Wax, Cotton, Wooll, Su­gars, Stags, Goats, Dear, and other Creatures both Wild and Tame; Le­mons, and other cooling Fruits, Red Sanders, Saffron, Amber, and some Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and Cop­per: Their Beefs and Mutton so good and cheap, that for a two peny Bead, or some such trifle, they will sell Beefs and Sheep of good taste and bigness▪ great store of Elephants & rare Fruits, and amongst the rest they have plenty of those they call Coco's, or Cocon-uts; a kind of Date as bigg as a Cabbage; the Liquor in it about the quantity of [Page 77] a Pint, in taste like Wine and Sugar; the Kernel bigg enough to content two Men: and like good Ale, it af­fords not only Meat and Drink, but Clothing two; as also Furniture for their Houses, Tackle for their Ships, Fewel for their Fire, and Timber for their Building; A Country far too good for so bad a People.

For as Travellers report they are Treacherous, Inhospitable, Ignorant both of Prayers and Festivals; desti­tute of the distinction of Time, into Years and Months; not knowing any proper names for the days in the week, nor able to reckon above 10; naked ex­cept their privities, which they cover with a Cotten; Idolaters in the Mid­land parts, and Mahometans on the Shores; commendable only for their hate to Poligamy, and restravning themselves to one wife; the defiling of the Marriage Bed severely puni­shed: but otherwise so eager upon Copulation, that their Boys at the [Page 78] Age of 12 years, and the Girls at Ten, think they stay too long if they keep their Virginity any longer; some of them like Quartilla in Petronius Arbiter, begin so early, ut nunquam meminerint se Virgines fuisse, that they remember not the time when they lost their Maiden-heads. Of colour they are Black, and of strong com­plexion; their Breasts and Faces Cut and Pinct, to appear more beautiful.

AMongst the Rarities of the Isle of Cuba in America, they mention a Fountain, out of which floweth a Pitchey substance, which is found fre­quently on the Seas, into which it falleth; excellent for the calking of Ships: Secondly a navigable River, (but the name not told us) the Waters [Page 79] whereof are so hot, that a man cannot hold his hand in it withont scalding; they tell us also of a Valley fifteen Leagues from St. Iago, which produ­ceth Stones exactly round, as if made for pleasure; but yet meerly natural, but these no greater Rarities then in other places, nor altogether so great as in Hispaniola: Of which they tell us of a fair River, whose Waters are salt, and yet none but fresh streames fall into it: Of another Lake (three Leagues in compass) on the top of the Mountains, into which many Rivers were known to run without any exit; yet neither of these so rare or strange as the Cucugo, a kind of a Beetle, the eyes and wings whereof when opened, give so great a light in the darkest night, or places, that a man may see to read or write by it, as well as by a Candle.

'TIs reported in the time of Tiberius the Roman Emperour, there was invented Glass of that temper, that it would abide the hamer, and be bea­ten in length or breadth like lead, and pliable to bend every way like Paper; and that the Inventor was put to death upon this occasion: He having built a magnificent Palace in Rome, which af­ter the building began to sink, and was likely to fall, which Tiberius see­ing, and having before-hand paid him for the building of it; commanded him to depart, and never to see him in the face again. He afterward ha­ving invented the way of making Glass malyable, or to abide the hamer, came to shew the same to Tiberius, in hopes of obtaining a reward for his [Page 81] nvention, but instead thereof, his whole Shop was pulled down and laid waste, least Brass, Gold, and Silver, should be undervalued in their price and esteem, Some report that Tiberius did it out of malice and envy, because he naturally hated learning, and all In­genious men: Petronius relates the matter after this manner, saying, that there was a skilful Crafts-man, who made Cups, and Vessels of Glass, of that firmness that they would no more break their Pots of Silver or Gold.

Now when he had made a Viol of this Glass, and thought it worthy to be given to Tiberius, he was brought with his present before him; Tiberius received the Viol, and much commen­ded the workmanship of it, the work­man more to amaze the beholders, and that he might make himself a further way into Tiberius favour; took the Glass-viol again into his hand, and threw it down upon the pavement with so great a force, that had it been [Page 82] made of Gold or Silver, it had been either broke or bruised. Tiberius was hereat astonished, but the maker took up his Glass again, which was only a little bruised, but no where broken; then taking a hamer out of his pocket, he beat out the bruise again, and brought it to 'its right fashion; which being done, he thought he had pur­chased Heaven, gaining at once Tibe­rius's Favour and Admiration; But it fell out otherwise, for Tiberius de­manded, if any knew that Art but him­self? He answered, none that he knew; whereupon Tiberius commanded, he should be beheaded; For, ( says he) If this Art were publickly known, Gold and Silver would be no more esteemed of then Clay.

THere was a Lady lived iu the time of Henry the third, Emperour, who brought forth at one Birth 365 Children, the just nnmber of days in the year; In memory whereof, not far from Leiden in Holland, in a Vil­lage called Lansdunen, there is to be seen a Table of Marble, which con­tains the whole story of this stupendi­ous accident. These two Verses were Ingraven uppermost being her Epitaph.

Margaret, the Wife of Herman Earl of Henenberge, and Daughter of Flo­rence, the 4 th Earl of Holland, and Zealand, Sister of William King of the [Page 84] Romans, and after Caesar, or Gover­nour of the Empire, &c. This noble Countess being about forty years of age, upon Easter day about nine of the clock in the year of our Lord God, 1276. was brought to bed of 365 Children, half Males; and half Females, the odd one an Fermophradite, all which were baptized, in the Church of Laudunen aforesaid by the names of Iohn and Elizabeth, who together with their mother, dyed the same day, and lye buried in the said Church. This happened by the meanes of a poor Woman, who carried in her Arms two Children, who were Twins, and both of them Males, which the Countess admiring, said, that she could not have them by one Father, and so shook her off with Contempt and Scorn: Whereupon the poor woman being much perplexed, presently pray­ed to God to send her as many Chil­dren, as there was days in the year, which thing beyond the course of na­ture, [Page 85] in a stupendious manner; came to pass, as is before related.

'TIs reported, that in ancient times, there was a certain kind of Flax, which the Latins called Linum vivum, whereof were made whole pieces of Linnen-cloth, and Garments, which could not be consumed by Fire, not only so, but being cast into the Fire, the Soil and Dirtiness of it would be burnt away, and taken out again; it became more white then any water could wash it. The Bodies of Empe­rours and Kings were burnt in sheets of this Linnen, least the Ashes of their Bodies should mingle with the Ashes of the Wood: This Flax is hard to be found, and as difficult to be woven, by reason of the shortness of it; but [Page 86] being found, 'tis equalled in price to the most excellent Pearls Nero is repor­ted to have had a linnen Garment of it, 'Tis also reported, that Podocatarus a Knight of Cyprius, brought some of it to Venice, or at least a sort of Flax that could not be consumed by Fire. Now the Flax of Cyprus proceedeth from no Plant, as our Flax, but from the stone of Amiantus, which being found in Cyprus, and Broken, the earthy dross being purged away, there remains fine hair threads, like to Flax which is woven into Cloth; this Flax was seen in the house of the said Pa­docatarus by many men of worth and credit; wherefore Lime being made of this stone, and Incombustible; Constantine the Emperour ordained, that it should always burn in Lamps in his Chappel at Rome: The same reports Damasus in the life of Pope Silvester. St. Augustine saith also, that he saw Lamps at Paris, whose lights never consumed. Also at Lovain, a [Page 78] Napkin taken from the table at a Feast, and thrown into the Fire; and being red as a Coal, was taken out again, cooled, and restored to the owner more white then if it had been washed with all the water and Soap in the Town.

IN CHILE, are said to be several fine Rivers; but there is one more Famous then the rest, though nameless; which in the day time runneth with a violent stream, and in the Night hath no Water at all: The reason of it is, because this River hath no constant Fountain, but is, both begun and continued by the Snow falling from the Mountains; which in the heat of the day is melted into water, and precipitately carried into the Sea; but [Page 88] congealed in the coldness of the night, yields no water at all, whereby the Channel becometh empty.

IAPAN, is a Country Mounta­nous and barren, but of a very healthy Air, if not too much subject to cold: yet in some places they have Wheat in the Month of May; but their Rice, which is their Principal sustenance, they gather not before September. The surface of the Earth clothed with Woods and Forrests, in which are some Cedars of so tall and large a body, that one of them only is sufficient to make a Pillar for a Church: the Bowels of it stored with divers Mettals; and amongst others such inexhaustible Mines of Gold, Paulus Venetus reporteth some of their [Page 89] Pallaces of their Kings, to be covered with sheets of Gold, as ours in Europe are with Lead Their fields and Mea­dows, full of Cattel, but hitherto not made acquainted with making of Butter, their Fens much visited with wild Ducks, as their yards with Pi­geons, Turtle, Quailes, and Putten. The People for the most part of a good understanding, apt to learn, and of able memories; cunning and subtile in their dealings, of Body vigorous and strong, accustomed to bear Arms till sixty years old, their Complexion of an Olive-colour, their Beards thin, and the one half of their hair of their Heads shaved off, patient they are of pain, ambitious of Glory, uncapable of suffering wrong, but can withall dissemble their resentments of it, till opportunity of Revenge.

They reproach no man for his po­verty, so it come not by his own thriftness, for which cause they detest all kind of Gaming, as the wayes or [Page 90] ill Husbandry; and Generally abhor Slandering, Swearing, and Theft. Their Mourning commonly is in White, as their Feasts in Black; their Teeth they colour black also, to make them more beautiful; they mount on the Right side of the Horse, and sit (as we use to rise) when they enter­tain. In Physiek they eat salt things, sharp and raw; and in their Saluta­tions, they put off their shooes; The very Antipodes of our World in Custom, though not in sight; In other things they much resemble those of China, if not the more Ceremonious of the two: washing their Infant children in the nearest River as soon as born, and putting on shooes when they go to meat.

The People have but one Lan­guage, but that so intermingled with the words of other Nations, that it seems rather to be many then one: they have long used the Art of Prin­ting, which probably they might have [Page 91] from China: the Characters whereof are a kind of Burchigraphy, and sig­nifie not only Letters, but some whole Words also; in matters of Religion Gentiles, Adorning Anciently the Sun, Moon, and Stars of Heaven, and giving Divine honour to wild Beasts, and the Staggs of the Forrests: but specially worshipping some of their Deceased Priests and Princes, by the names of Fotoques, and Cames; to the first of which, they use to pray for Goods of the other World, and to the last for Temporal Blessings; Two Famous Mountains there are, one of which called Figenojama, is said to Transcend the Clouds in height, the other (but without a Name,) useth to cast forth dreadful Flames like Corsican Aetna: on the top whereof the Devil environed with a white shining cloud, doth sometimes shew himself to such of his Votaries, as live about this hill an abstemious life, like the Ancient Hermits.

GILOLO, called also Batachina, one of the Oriental Islands, which our Navigators include under the Name of Del Moro, of large extent, conceived to be half as big as Italy, by that account (the truth thereof is very much doubled) greater than Zelan is in Compass, though of less Reputation; that being Governed by its own Princes, this is Subject for the most part to the King of Ternate. Sci­tuate East of the Mollucoes, exceeding plentiful of Rice, well stored with Wild Hens, and on the shores provi­ded of a kind of Shell-Fish, which in tast much resembleth Mutton; a Tree they have which they call by the Name of Sagu, of the pith thereof they make their Bread; and of the [Page 93] Sap or Juice of it, they compose a pleasing Drink, which serveth them instead of Wine; the Air Intemperate­ly hot; the People well proportioned, but Rude and Salvage; some of them Gentiles, some Mahometans; of which last Religion is their King; the chief Town of it is Batchane or Batachina, in which the Hollanders have a Fort to defend their Factory.

WEst of the CALEBS or Gilolo, lyeth the Isle of Borneo, of more Note and Greatness than any of the Oriental Islands; the Country said to be provided of all things necessary, the People generally more White the then rest of the Indians, of good Wits, and approved Integrity; though all Mahometans, or Gentiles, divided [Page 92] [...] [Page 93] [...] [Page 94] betwixt two Kings, and two Religi­ons; the Kings of Borneo and his Sub­jects, being all Mahometans; those of Laus still remaining in their Ancient Gentilism. These think the Sun and Moon to be Man and Wife, and the Stars their children, ascribing to each of them Divine honour, to the Sun especially, whom they Salute at first Rising with great Reverence, saying certain Verses; their publick business are Treated on in the Night, at which time the Counsellers of State meet and Assend some Tree, viewing the Hea­vens till the Moon rise, and then go to their Senate House, the same Ap­parrel, Generally of both Religions; but thin by reason of the great heat of the Air: a Shirt of Calico, or some such light stuff, worne more for mo­desty then for warmth.

OPposite to Borneo, towards the South lyeth the Isles of Iava, two in number, distinguished by Iava Ma­jor, and Iava Minor; Iava Major the more Northward of the two, and much the bigger, said to be in Com­pass 3000 Miles, the Country Rich and Fertile, yielding great plenty of Fruit, Corn and Rice especially, the People of a middle Stature, Corpu­lent, and broad Faces, most of them naked, or covered only with a thin Silk, and that no lower then the knee: accounted the most civillest People of all the Indians, as fetching their De­seent from China: but withall Trea­cherous, very Proud, much given to lying, and very careless of their words, to which so used, that they count it [Page 96] not amongst their faults; Cruel they are also said to be, and implacable, if once offended: accustomed of old to eat the Bodies of their Friend, ac­counting no Burial so honourable, nor Obsequie so applausive. This is also a Custom amongst the rest of the In­dians, and so hath been ever since the beginning of the Persian Monar­chy; Herodotus reporteth how Darius Hystaspes, understanding of this custom, and withall knowing how the Gre­cians use to burn their dead; sent to the Greeks, that it was his pleasure they should eat the Bodies of their dead; but they used all manner of perswasion, and intreaty, not to be forced to so Bruitish and Barbarous a Custom; then commanding the Indians to comform themselves to the fashion of the Grecians; but they all more abhorred to burn their dead, then the Greeks did to eat them; so im­possible is it for a Custom, either to be suddenly left off, or to seem un­decent [Page 97] and inconvenient, if once throughly settled.

THe Province of Fesse in Barbary, is a Countrey very Fruitful, well stored with Cattel, and exceeding Populous; the Villages whereof as bigg as the better sort of Towns, in other places; but contrary to the Customs of other Countreys, better Inhabited on the Hills, then amongst the Villages, the People making use of the Mountains, for their Habitati­ons as places of defence and safety, but Husbanding the Villages which lie nearest to them, In this Province 'tis said they have Lyons so tame, that they will gather up Bones in the Street like Dogs, without hurting a­ny Body; and other Lyons that are [Page 98] of so cowardly a Nature, that they will run away at the Voice of the least child.

PARIA in America, is a County for so much as hath been disco­vered, neither Rich nor Pleasant, and consequently, the less lookt after; covered with Shrubs and Bushes, and such unprofitable things, heretofore famed for pearl, Fishing all along the Coast, from the Gulf of Paria, to that of Venezuela, called therefore Costos de las perlas; but that gainful Trade hath long since failed it, not only in esteem for a vein of excellent Salt, found near Promontory of Araya, and the Bay of Cariaco; gathered and digged up thereabout in great a­bundance, and yet never diminishing; [Page 99] there are some strange Creatures in this Country, as the Beast called Capa, the soles of whose feet are like a shooe, a kind of Hog which lives altogether upon Ants, or Pismires; Parrots and Bats, of more then ordi­nary greatness; of the People there is nothing singullers except it be, that having plenty of good Fruits, Fish, and Flesh, they use themselves to a far worse diet, feeding on Horse­leeches, Bats, spiders, Grashoppers, Worms, Lice, and such other ver­mine. In other things they seem to have, a mixture of all ill Customs, used amongst the Salvages of Asia, Affrick, and America; as multitudes of Wives, prostituting these Wives for the first Nights lodging, to the Piacos, or Priests; and after to their Guests, taking great pains to black their Teeth, and putting strange co­lours on their Bodies instead of Gar­ments, high minded they are, Trea­cherous and revengeful, accustomed [Page 100] to the use of poysoned Arrows, which they Invenom with the blood of Snakes, and other mixtures. In one thing only different from their Neigh­bours, fencing of their grounds, Or­chards, with a Cotton thread, as high as ones wast, and an opinion which they have, that whosoever breaketh it, or goes over, or under it, shall die immediately; more safe in that opi­nion then by Brazen Walls.

THe natural Inhabitants of Numidia, are said to be a base vile People, Thieves, Murderers, Treacherous, and Ignorant of all things; feeding most commonly on Dates, Barley, and Car­rion; accounting Bread a diet for their Festival-days. But the Arrabians, who are intermingled with them, in [Page 101] most part of the Countrey, affirmed to be (comparatively with the Nations) Ingenious, liberal, and civil. The Garments of the Numidians, of the coursest Cloth, so short that they co­ver not half the Body: The Richer sort distinguished by a Jacket of blew Cotton with wide Sleeves; their Steeds are Camels, which they ride without a Stirrup, or so much as a Sadle: A leather Thrust through an hole made in the Nose of the Camel, serves them for a Bridle; and to save the charge of Spurs, they make use of a Goad; their Religion Mahometism, to which perverted (Christianity having once had footing here) in the year 710. The Azanaghi, and other People of those parts then subdued by the Sa­racens, who held them for a Nation of so little reckoning, that no man of account amongst them would descend so low, as to be their Prince; but [Page 102] left them to be ruled as in former times, by the Chiefs, or Heads, of their several Claris.

THe Country of NIGRITARVM, is said to be hot by reason of its Scituation under the torrid Zone; yet very well Inhabited, full of Peo­ple; and in some places always green, well watered, and exceeding fruitful, Especially in those parts, which lye within the compass of the over­flowing of the River Niger; and on the further side of the River Sanaga, abundantly well stored both with Corn, Cattel, and Garden-ware for the use of their Kitchings, well woo­ded, and those Woods well furnished with Elephants, and other Beasts; both wild and tame. Their greatest [Page 103] want (but such a want as may be born with) is the want of Fruit-trees, few of which they have; and those they have, bear one kind of Fruit only; which is like the Chesnut, but some what bitterer; Rain here doth neither help nor hurt; their greatest Welfare consisting in the Over-flowings of Niger, as that of Egypt in the Innun­dations of Nile. In some parts very liberally enriched with Mines of Gold and Silver, very fine and pure.

The Inhabitants, till the coming of the Portugals thither, were for the most part so rude and barbarous, that they seem to want that use of Reason, which is peculiar to man; of little Wit, and destitute of all Arts and Sciences; prone to Luxury, and for the greatest part Idolaters, though not without some admixture of Mahome­tans. When the Portugals first failed into these parts, the People took the Ships for great Birds with white wings, and after upon better acquaintance, [Page 104] they could not be brought to believe, but that the eyes which were casually painted on the Beaks of the Ships, were the eyes by which they saw how to direct themselves in their Course. Guns seemed to them for their hideous noise, to be the Works of the Devil; and for Bag-pipes they took them to be living Creatures; neither when they had been permitted to touch them, would they be perswaded, but that they were the work of Gods own hands: The very Nobles (if so noble a Name may without offence be given to such blokish People) are so dull and stupid, that they are Ignorant of all things, which belong to civil Society, and yet so reverent of their King; that when they are in his presence, they never look him in the face, but still flat on their Buttock, with their El­bows on their Knees, and their hands on their faces; they use to anoint their Hair with the Fat of Fishes, which makes them stink more wretchedly [Page 105] then they would do otherwise. Of Complexion they are for the most part cole-black, whence the name of Ne­groes; but on the South-side of the River Senaga, they are tawney: The Blacks so much in love with their own Complexion, that they use to paint the Devil White, which I find thus versified.

BENIN, a Province in the said Country, Iyeth East of Gainea, by the Portugals reckoned for a Pro­vince, or Kingdom of it: The King whereof is said to have six hun­dred Wives, withall which twice a year he goeth out in Pomp. The Gentlemen (if I abuse not the Name) have most of them eighty Wives, some more, he that is poorest, Ten or Twelve; and the more the merrier. The Peo­ple thereof cut and raze their skin, with three lines drawn to the Navel; esteeming it necessary to Salvation, they use all, both Men and Women, to go naked, till they are married; and then to be cloathed only from the wast to the Knees.

BORNVM, a large and opulent Province in the said County, ex­tending in length 500 Miles, distingui­shed equally into Hills and Villages: the Hills Inhabited by neat herds, and Sheep herds, breeding great flocks of Sheep and Cattel; the People are of no Religion, but live like Beasts without propriety, so much as in their Wives, and Children: nor are they differenced by names, as in other Countrys, but by some mark upon their Bodies; which though it seem strange to us of this present Age, yet was it thus in part with our Saxon Ancestors, whence have we else the names of White, Black, Brown, Gray, and Tawney; or those of Long, short, Low, Curle, Crisp, and others; but [Page 108] from such Originals. The name of their chief City is Borneo, where their King resideth; A Potent Prince who keepeth in continual pay 3000 Horse, and great numbers of Foot, and yet is said to have no other Revenew, then what he getteth by strong hand from his Enemies, which if it be true, those Kings must needs be good War­riours, and have great success also in undertakings: It being also said of those Kings, that all the Furniture of their Horse, all the Dishes, Cups, and Plates, which they eat or drink in; nay the very Chains of their Dogs were of purest Gold.

NOVA ALBION, is a Country abundantly replenished heards of Deer, grazing upon the Hills by [Page 109] thousands, as also a with kind of Co­nies, in their feet somewhat resem­bling a Want, and on each side a Sack, where they keep such Victuals they cannot eat; the Flesh of them serving for Food; and of their Skins, the Kings, or Chiefs of their several Tribes, make their Royal Robes. Their Men quite naked; the Women with a piece of Matt, instead of an Apron; Chast, and Obedient to their Hus­bands: their Houses made of Turf and Oyer, so wrought together, as serves to keep them from the cold; in the midst whereof they have a hearth, where they make fire; and a­bout which they lye along upon Beds of Bull-rushes.

AMongst the Rarities of Nova His­pania, (though there be many Plants in it of singuler Nature) is men­tioned that which they call Eagney or Meto, said to be one of the Principal: a Tree which they both Plant and Dress as we do our Vines; it hath on it 40 kind of leaves, fit for several uses: for when they be tender, they make of them Conserves, Paper, Flax, Mantles, Mats, Shooes, Girdles, and Cordage; upon them there grow cer­tain prickles, so strong and sharp, that the People use them instead of Staws from the top of the Tree cometh a Juice like Syrrup; which if you seeth it, will become Honey; if purified, Sugar; the Bark of it roasted maketh a good Plaister for sores; and from [Page 111] the highest of the Boughs comes a kind of Gum, a Soveraign Antidote against poysons. Nor is it less a Ra­rity, though less useful to the good of Man-kind, (except it be to keep them in continual mind of the fires of Hell) that they have a Mountain in this Country, called Propochampeche (Sci­tuate in the Province of Mexico) which vomiteth flames of Fire like Aetna: and other in the Province of Guaxaca, which sendeth forth two great streams, the one of Red Pitch, and the other of Black; they have many other Mountains, but these most memorable.

IN BRASIL, amongst other things is said to be a Plant called Copiba, the Bark of which being cut, doth send forth a Balm, the soveraign virtue so well known to the very Beasts, that being bit by venomous Serpents, they resort to it for their cure. 2. The herb called Sentida, or Viva, which roughly touched will close the leaves, and not open them again, till the man that had offended it be gon out of sight. 3. A kind of Wheat in the Valley near St. Seba­stian, which is continually growing, and always ripe; nor never wholly ripe, because always growing; for when one Ear doth Grain, another doth Bloom; when one is Ripe and Yellow, and another is Green. 4. [Page 113] The Ox, Fish, with Eyes and Eye­lids, two Arms a Cubit long, and at each and Hand with Five Fingers and Nailes, as in a Man; under the Arm two Teats, inwards like a Cow, in every Female. 5. A Creature found of Cate in the Bay of All Saints, which had the Face of an Ape, the Foot of a Lyon, and all the rest of a Man; a Beast of a most terrible as­pect. 6. Beasts of such strange shapes, such several kinds, that it may be said of Brasill, as once of Africk. Semper aliquid apportat novi; every day some new Object of Admiration.

'TIs said, the People of ARABIA, had anciently many strange and barbarous Customs amongst them; Adultery was punished with Death, as in other places; but only he was held an Adulterer, which enjoyed any that was not his own Kins-Woman, be she Sister, or Mother; and so they kept themselves in their own Families. Community of Wives or Women was esteemed no Crime; and of this there is a tale in Strabo, that a King of this Country had fifteen Sons, but one Daughter, who according to the Customs hereof, was the common Wife of all her Brethren; every of which had a staff of like making, which when he went in to his Sister, he did leave at the Door; and by so [Page 115] doing did forbid enterance to the rest, till it were removed. The young La­dy, wearied with a continual supply of Dalliance, secretly procured a staff like to the rest; which when she was desirous to prohibit their accesses to her, she left at her Chamber-Door, and by that means did many times enjoy her desired privacy: At last it happened, that all the Brothers being together, one of them departed to­wards his Sisters Lodging; where finding a staff before the Door, and knowing that he had left his Brethren in one place together, he accused her of Adultery; but the Truth being made known, the Lady was quitted, and their Visits afterward restrayned, of dead Bodies they took no care, not so much as of their Chiefs, or Princes; but left them to the custody of the next Dung-hill.

THe Country ALBANIA in Turcomania, is of so Rich a Soil, that without the least labour of the Husbandman, the Earth doth naturally and liberally afford her store; and where it is but once sowen, will yield two or three reapings: But being ill Husbands on it in former times, they occasioned Strabo to give them this note for a Remembrance, that they needed not the use of the Sea, who knew no better how to make use of the Land: The People anciently so simple, that they could not reckon above an hundred: Ignorant of Weights, Measures, and the use of Money. Old Age they had in high esteem, but hold it utterly unlawful to make Speech of the dead. Pliny [Page 117] reports, that they were gray-Headed from their very youth, and could see as well by night as by day: But with­all affirmed to be a stout and coura­gious People, strong Bodies, patient of Toil and Labour, as they are at this day. And well the men may be couragious and stout, where the Wo­men are so truly masculine; of whom it is affirmed by Authors of undoubted Credit, that they were exercised in Arms, and Martial Feats, as if descen­ded from the ancient Amazons.

THe People of FLORIDA, are said to be of an Olive-cou­lour, great stature, and well propor­tioned; naked except their Privities, which they hide with the skins of [Page 118] Stags: Their Arms and Knees stained with divers paintings, not to be washed off; their Hair black, and hanging down as low as their Thighs, cunning they be, and excellent in the Arts of dissimulation; so stomackful, that they naturally love War and Revenge: Insomuch that they are in continual War with themselves; the Women, when their Husbands are dead, use to cut off their Hair close to the ears, and strew it on his Sepulchre; and cannot marry again, till it be grown long enough to cover their shoulders. Hermophradites Hair are in great plen­ty, whom they use as Beasts to carry their Luggage, and put them to all kinds of Drudgery.

THe People of Peru, are affirmed to be (for the most part) of great simplicity; yet some of them (those especially which lie near the Equator) to be great dissemblers, and never to discover their conceptions freely. Ig­norant of Letters, but of good Cou­rage in the Wars; well skilled in Managing such weapons they have been used too, and fearless of death; the rather prompted to this last by an old Opinion held among them, that in the other World they shall Eat, and Drink, and make love to Wo­men. And therefore commonly at the Funeral of any great Person, who was attended on in his life, they use to Kill and Bury with him one or more of his Servants, to wait up­on [Page 120] him after death; The Women here less esteemed of then in other places, treated as Slaves, and some­times cruelly beaten upon slight oc­casions.