THE First Volume OF LETTERS Writ by a Turkish Spy, Who lived Five and Forty Years, Undiscovered, at PARIS: Giving an Impartial Account to the Divan at Constantinople, of the most Re­markable Transactions of Europe; And discovering several Intrigues and Secrets of the Christian Courts, (especially of that of France) from the Year 1637, to the Year 1682.

Written Originally in Arabick, first Translated into Italian, afterwards into French, and now into English.

The Second Edition.

LONDON, Printed for Henry Rhodes, near Bride-Lane, in Fleet-street, 1691.

Mahmut The. Turkish spy. Aetatis suae 72.
F. H. Van. Hove. sculp:

TO THE READER.

I Here offer you a Book written by a Turk, whose Matter is as instructive and delight­ful, as the Manner of finding it, was strange and surprizing.

I do not doubt, but you would know where 'twas written; and perhaps, whether the Au­thor be living; and whether you must expect a Romance, or a real History. Hear then, in short, what will fully satisfie you.

The Curiosity of seeing Paris, made a Man of Letters, leave Italy, in the Year 1682; where being arrived, he found such Diversions, as cau­sed his stay longer than he intended.

Scarce had he been Two Months in Paris, when, by changing his Lodging, he discovered by meer Chance, in a Corner of his Chamber, a great heap of Papers; which seem'd more spoil'd by Dust, than Time.

He was at first surprized to see nothing but barbarous Characters, and was upon the Point of leaving them without any further search, if a Latin Sentence, which he perceived on the top of a Leaf, had not retained him:

Ʋbi amatur, non laboratur; & si
Laboratur, labor amatur.

The Surprize of the Italian was yet greater, when after having considered these Characters with more Attention, he found them to be A­rabick; which Language was not altogether un­known to him, which made him look narrow­lier into them; where he found, That they treated of Affairs of State; that they contained Relations of War and Peace; and discoursed, not only of the Affairs of France, but of those of all Christendom, till the Year 1682.

The curious Italian was in no small Impa­tience, to know how, and where these Memo­rials had been writ, and by what Adventure they came to lie so neglected in a Corner of his Chamber. But before he further informed him­self, he thought it expedient to transport these Manuscripts into another House, as a Place of greater Security.

He afterwards questioned his Landlord with great Precaution, concerning the Papers; and he inform'd him even to the least Circumstan­ces.

He told him, That a Stranger, who said he was a Native of Moldavia, Habited like an Ec­clesiastick, greatly Studious, of small Stature, of a very course Countenance, but of surpri­zing Goodness of Life, had lived long at his House. That he came to lodge there in the Year 1664, and had staid Eighteen Years with him; that being gone abroad one day, he returned no [Page]more, and they had had no certain News of him since. He was about Seventy Years old, had left Manuscripts that no Body understood, and some Moneys, which was an Argument, that his Departure was not premeditated.

He added, That he had always a Lamp Day and Night burning in his Chamber; had but few Moveables, only some Books, a small Tome of St. Austin, Tacitus, and the Alcoran, with the Picture of Massaniello, whom he praised very much, calling him the Moses of Naples. He said further, That this Strangers greatest Friend, and whom he saw often, was a Man which most People took for a Saint, some for a Jew, and o­thers suspected to be a Turk. According to the Landlord's Report, he came to Paris in the Year 1637, being then but Twenty Eight Years of Age. At first he had lodged with a Flemming; he went oft to Court, Moneys never failed him; he had Friends, and passed for very Learned. As for his End, this Man thinks he died mise­rably; it being suspected, that he had been thrown into the River.

The Italian being sufficiently instructed by what he had heard, applyed himself to the Stu­dy of the Arabian Language; and as he had already some Knowledge in it, he quickly learnt enough to Translate these Manuscripts, which he undertook a while after; and he examined with care the Truth of what the Moldavian had writ; confronting the Events he met, with the Histories of those Times; and to succeed the better, searched the most approved Memorials, having had Access into the Cabinets of Princes and their Ministers.

These Letters contain the most considerable Intrigues of the Court of France, and the most remarkable Transactions of Christendom, which have been sent to several Officers of the Otto­man Court.

By these may be known the Perspicacity of this Agent of the Turks; and by him the Pru­dence of those that command in that Nation, who chose (the better to penetrate into the Af­fairs of Christians) a Man, who could not be suspected by his Exterior; who was deform'd, but prudent and advised; and, for the better con­cealing him, destined his ordinary Abode in one of the greatest and most peopled Cities of Eu­rope.

During his being at Paris, which was Forty Five Years, he has been Eye-witness of many great Changes; has seen the Death of two great Ministers of State; has seen that King­dom involved in War, without and within. He was scarce setled in Paris, but he was witness to the Birth of a King, who surpasses those that preceded him; in a time, when the Queen's Barrenness, caused the King, her Husband, to despair of ever having a Son that should suc­ceed him.

During the Course of so many Years, he hath seen Cities revolt, and return again to the O­bedience of their Sovereign; Princes of the Blood, make War against their King; and Queen Mary de Medicis, Wife, Mother, and Mother-in-Law to some of the greatest Kings in Europe, die in Exile in Cologne.

He speaks frankly of the Princes of Christendom, [Page]and explains his Sentiments with Liberty. He saith, The Emperor commands Princes, the King of Spain Men, and the King of France sees Men and even Kings obey his Orders. He adds, That the First commands and prays, the Second sees oft times more effected than he com­manded, and that the Third commands many brave Souldiers, and is well nigh obeyed by Crowned Heads. There appears no Hate or Animosity in him, in what he writes against the Pope. In Discoursing of the Emperor and King of Spain, he says, That both of them having Provinces of such vast Extent, they are not much concerned at the Losses they sustain.

He believed that England was more powerful than the Empire, and Spain [ he might have added France] at Sea. He apprehended more the Coun­sels of the Republick of Venice, than their Arms. He magnifies what passed in the Wars of Candy, which the Venetians supported with so much Bravery against the Forces of the Ottoman Em­pire. The Genoeses with him are perfect Chy­mists. He speaks of the last Plague, and last War, that this Commonwealth hath been afflicted with; he touches something of the late Con­spiracy against this State by Raggi and Torne; and to shew, that he understood their History; he says somewhat of Vachero and Balbi.

Thou wilt see, Reader, by the Progress of the Work, what this secret Envoy of the Ottoman Port, thought of the other Princes of Italy, and those of the North: And I have drawn his Pi­cture, because thou maist understand better what I give thee of him.

This Arabian (for he declares himself in his Writings, to have been of that Nation) having been taken and made a Slave by the Christians, was brought into Sicily, where he applyed him­self to Learning. He studied Logick in his Cap­tivity, and applyed himself much to History; he overcame them by suffering with Patience the Blows of his Master, who often beat him for endeavouring to acquire those Lights, which this Brute had not. And finally, after much La­bour, great Assiduity and long Watchings, he came, as he writes himself, to understand Greek and Latin Authors; he had commerce after­wards with the best Masters; and during his sojourning in the French Court, he joyned Ex­perience to the Knowledge he had acquired.

He explains himself neatly, and speaks of Things with great Frankness. His Style shews a great liberty of Spirit, and never Passion; and if it appear that he accommodes himself to the Fashion of the Court, one may see that it is not out of design to please, but that he wisely con­forms himself sometimes to the Genius's of Na­tions.

Thou wilt find in his Letters Wit and Learn­ing. If sometimes he appears tart, 'tis to shew his Vivacity, not disoblige; and he appears all over fully instructed in Ancient and Modern Hi­story. He is very reserved when he blames, and seems perswaded when he praises. When he speaks to the great Men of the Port, his Style is very grave; and he changes when he writes to meaner Persons. He never tells News that he is not assured of, nor thinks of divining Things that seem obscure to him.

He gives rare Lessons when he writes of the Revolutions of Catalonia, the Kingdoms of Na­ples, Portugal and England, which happened in our Days; with strange Circumstances, terrible Murders, and the Death of a Potent King, Mar­tyr'd by his own Subjects upon a Scaffold, before his own Door.

He weighs much the Duke of Guise's hardy Resolution of going to Naples, to succour the Revolted there; and he reasons not as a Bar­barian, but like an able States-man, and wise Philosopher, on the Rise and Ruin of States. He always discourses with Liberty, and what he says, is filled with solid and agreeable Thoughts. He speaks sometimes of the Cruel­ty and Tyranny of the Turks, of the Violence of the Ministers of the Port, and upon the pre­cipated Death which many of the Sultans, Basha's, and Vizirs are forced to suffer. But, this Language is only to his Friends and Con­fidents.

However, though these Letters be neither Greek nor Latin, nor written by a Christian, they contain nothing of Barbarous; and though the Ignorant be in great Numbers amongst the Turks, there are yet Men of great Under­standing, that write the Annals of the Ottoman Empire, though they are not easily come by; for, their Books not being Printed, they scarce ever reach us. We may notwithstanding be­lieve, That amongst this Nation, that we term Barbarous, there are great and wise Captains, good Men, and learned Authors; as we have amongst us Generals without Conduct, Hypo­critical [Page] Votaries, and ignorant Fellows that pre­tend to be Masters.

To justifie what I affirm of the Turks, let us but consider their Victories, which have gained them so many Kingdoms, their Power at Sea, their Exactness to punish Crimes, and to re­ward Merit. As for Printing, they would ne­ver endure it amongst them. A Grand Vizir's judgment of it was remarkable, which shews rather their Prudence than any effect of their Ignorance. A famous Printer of Holland, by Religion a Jew, came to Constantinople, bringing Presses with him, with Characters of all Sorts of Idioms, particularly Arabick, Turk, Greek, and Persian Letters, with design to introduce the use of Printing into that great City. As soon as the Vizir was informed of it, he caused the Jew to be Hanged, and broke all his Engins▪ and Millions of Characters which he had brought; declaring, it would be a great Cruel­ty, that One Man should, to enrich himself, take the Bread out of the Mouths of Eleven Thou­sand Scribes, who gained their Livings at Con­stantinople by their Pens.

Peruse, Gentle Reader, what I offer, with­out fear of tiring thy self, or being deceived. As Christian Authors think of nothing ordinari­ly, but of writing Panegyricks in hopes of Re­ward, we have reason to believe not to find all the Truth in their Works. Interest and Pas­sion do often make good Princes pass for Ty­rants, and unjust and cruel Princes, are some­times transferred to Posterity for Models of Ju­stice and Clemency. This occasions Histories [Page]which issue from so corrupt a Source, to serve like a pitch'd Field for Modern Writers, where the one and the other combat for the destruction of Truth; the one falsly reporting what they have heard; and the other, by as badly repre­senting the things they seem to witness. Most Princes will have their Altars, and then 'tis no wonder if there are Priests found to sacrifice to Falshood, and Idolaters, to deface the Statue of Truth.

There is no General that will not always seem Conqueror, and Princes never confess their Losses, which occasions a Confusion, and the Actions of Men do thereby become doubtful.

How many times have we seen both the Victors and Vanquished make Bonfires for their Successes? And, in our Days, we have known the French rejoyce, and the Spaniards and Germans sing their Te Deum for the same Thing.

As we are, perhaps, now less just than in Ages past, it is difficult to write Things as they are, particularly during the Lives of Princes; whose History cannot be writ without Fear, nar the Truth said without Danger. For these Reasons, we ought not to question the Credit of our Arabian, who reports with Liberty what came to his Knowledge: Besides, he being an universal Enemy to Christianity, and a conceal­ed one, neither disobliged or gained by any, and religiously true to his Prince, whom he adores as a Divinity; it cannot be imagined, that he says any thing for Fear or Favour.

As these Relations have been read with At­tention and diligently examined, we may be assured of an exact History, abounding in con­siderable Events; and this History being sepa­rated into Letters, as the Author writ them, the Reader may read them without repining. If he will not acknowledge the Translator's Pains, let him at least receive the Labours of a dead Man with Civility, one that never dreamt his Memorials would be Printed, and that served his Master faithfully.

These Sentiments made him exactly follow that Sentence of S. Austin, found in the Front of his Works:

Where Love is, there is no Labour; and if there be Labour, the Labour is loved.

The Translator hath thought fit to retrench some Ceremonies and proud Titles of the Eastern People. What is represented here, is in a fa­miliar Style, such as the Ancient Latins used in their Writings to their Consuls, Dictators and Emperors themselves. And, if the Translation be not Elegant as the Arabick, do not accuse the Author, seeing it is not possible to reach the Force and Beauty of the Original.

Have moreover some Respect for the Memo­ry of this Mahometan; for, living unknown, he was safe from the Insults of the Great Ones, so that he might write Truth without Danger, which ordinarily is disguised by Fear or Ava­rice, having still reported the Transactions of Christians, with no less Truth than Eloquence.

If what I have said cannot satisfie the Cu­rious, expect the rest of these Letters, which will be found full of great Actions, profitable Instructions, and good Morals. Thank God however, who raises Men that employ them­selves in vanquishing Ignorance and Idleness, and in rendring Justice to Mahmut, a passionate Slave for the Interest of his Master and the Truth: Have some Goodness for the Translator; who being born free, acknowledges no Master, but God, his King, and his Reason.

A TABLE OF THE LETTERS and Matters contained in this Volume.

BOOK I.

  • LETTER I. MAhmut an Arabian, and the Grand Seignior's Vilest Slave, to Hasnadarbassy, Chief Trea­surer to his Highness, at Constantinople. p 1.

    Of the Arrival of Mahmut at Paris. Description of the Place. His Disguisement and Manner of living amongst the Christians.

  • II. To the same Hasnadarbassy. 4

    Of the Isles of St. Margaret and Honorat, taken by the Spaniards; and of the Archbishop of Bor­deaux.

  • III. To Darnish Mehemet Bassa. 6

    Touching the Te Deum, and the Rejoycings of the French, for the Victory of Leucate. 8

  • IV. To Isuf his Kinsman.

    He exhorts him to love God, his Religion, and the Grand Seignior.

  • V. To the Aga of the Janizaries. 9 [Page]

    Of the taking of Breda; of Marquiss Spinola. He exhorts him to read History.

  • VI. To Mehemet, an Eunuch Page of the Sultan Mother. 11

    He recommends to him his Interests at the Port. Of a Prodigy which happened in Germany; and of an English Ship.

  • VII. To the Invincible Vizir Azem. 12

    Of the Queen of France's Barrenness. Of the Court, the Genius of the French, and Affairs of Africk.

  • VIII. To Muslu Reis Effendi, the Chief Secretary of the Ottoman Empire. 17

    Of his Manner of living, and of the Town of Paris.

  • IX. To the Mufti, Prince of the Religion of the Turks. 20

    Touching Religion.

  • X. To the Kaimakam. 23

    Of the Pictures of the King of France; Cardinal Richlieu, and Prince of Conde's Son.

  • XI. To Bedredin, Superior of the Convent of the Der­vises, of Cogny in Natolia. 26

    Of the Conversation he had with a Jesuit, touching the Mahometan Religion.

  • XII. To Chiurgi Muhammet Bassa. 33

    Of the Queen of France's being with Child.

  • XIII. To Carcoa, at Vienna. 36

    He sends him Three Pictures, and asks of him Ne­cessaries.

  • XIV. To William Vospel, a Christian of Austria. 37

    Touching the Death of his Wife, and on the Design he had of retiring into a Convent of Carmelites.

  • XV. To Ibrahim, that renounced the Christian Re­ligion. 41

    That one should not write Falsities touching Religion.

  • XVI. To Dicheu Hussein Bassa. 42

    Of the everlasting Wars amongst Christians. Of Gustavus King of Swedeland, and Weymar's Victories.

  • [Page] XVII. To Ahmet Beig. 45

    Of Italy; of the House of Savoy; and of the War which the Spaniards and French made in Piemont.

  • XVIII. To Berber Mustapha Aga. 48

    Of the Death of Marshal de Crequy; of Magick, and of the Fort of Breme.

  • XIX. To Murat Bassa. 53

    Of Madam de Savoy; the Cardinal de Valette. Of Vercelle, and of the Duke of Rohan.

  • XX. To Dgnet Oglou. 57

    Of his Captivity at Palermo, and his Employment.

  • XXI. To the Kaimakan. 63

    Of Piemont; and of a Conspiracy discovered at Genoa.

  • XXII. To the same. 67

    Of the Siege of Fontarabia. Of the Prince of Con­de; and of the Loss of several Spanish Vessels.

  • XXIII. To Afi [...] Bassa 70

    Of a Diet held at Stockholm, where 'twas deter­mined to continue the War with Germany; and the French Design on St. Omers.

  • XXIV. To the Kaimakam. 71

    Of the French Armies; their Progress; and of Cardinal Richlieu.

  • XXV. To the same. 73

    Of the Queens drawing near her time; of Casimir taken Prisoner.

  • XXVI. To the same. 75

    Of the King of Poland's Travels into Hungary and Germany.

  • XXVII. To Kerker Hassan Bassa. 76

    Of Amurath's Exploits on the Frontiers of Persia; and of the Death of Two great Personages.

  • XXVIII. To the Kaimakan. 79

    Of the Birth of the Dauphin.

  • XXIX. To the Capitan, or Captain Bassa. 82

    Of a Sea-Fight between the French and Spaniards.

  • XXX. To the Captain Bassa. 85

    Of the Galleys of Malta.

BOOK II.

  • LETTER I. TO the Captain Bassa. 87

    Mahmut reproaches him with the Intelligence he held with the Emperor of Germany's Secretary.

  • II. To the same. 90

    Of the Galleys the Barbarians lost.

  • III. To the same. 94

    He discovers the Means of surprizing Loretto.

  • IV. To the Kaimakam. 97

    He discourses of the Ministers of Foreign Princes; and of the Affairs of Vallone and Loretto.

  • V. To the same. 101

    Touching the setting at liberty the old Renegado Durlu.

  • VI. To the same. 104

    Of the War of Piemont; Misfortunes of the House of Savoy; of the Duke of Saxony; of the taking of Brisac, by the Duke of Wimar.

  • VII. To the same. 109

    Of the Duke of Lorrain; Affairs of Germany, Swedeland, and Alsatia.

  • VIII. To Melec Amet. 114

    Of the Disgrace of Stridya Bey; and of another Adventure.

  • IX. To the same. 118

    Of a particular Accident, that happened to a Son that rejoyced at the News of his Father's Sickness.

  • X. To Enguruli Emin Cheik, a Man of the Law. 121

    Of the King's Goodness to an ancient Father of a Family, that would needs turn Souldier in his old Age, &c.

  • XI. To Cara Hali, a Physician. 125

    Of the Mountains of Sicily and Naples, which cast forth perpetual Flames: Of the Nature of these Flames, and of their Effects.

  • [Page] XII. To the Venerable Mufti, &c. 128

    On Religion; on some of his scruples, and touching the Alcoran.

  • XIII. To the Kaimakan. 131

    Of a Man that was sent as a Spy to the Court of Rome, by Cardinal Richlieu; and of other Matters.

  • XIV. To Egry Boynou, the white Eunuch. 135

    Touching the Life of Henry IV.

  • XV. To the Invincible Vizir Azem. 149

    Mahmut's Conference with Cardinal Richlieu, touching the Affairs of Jerusalem.

  • XVI. To the same. 155

    Of the Dauphin of France; and the Sultan's Voyage to Babylon.

  • XVII. To Bechir Bassa, Chief Treasurer to the Grand Signior. 156

    Of a pleasant and dangerous Adventure which hap­pened to Mahmut, and of the Jew Eliachim.

  • XVIII. To Carcoa of Vienna. 160

    Mahmut sends word, that he has lost the Money he sent him, and how.

  • XIX. To Dgnet Oglou. 161

    A Relation of the Life of Birkabeb; and of a Per­sian Prince.

  • XX. To Egry Boynou, an Eunuch. 164

    Remains of the Life of Henry the Great.

BOOK III.

  • LETTER I. TO Muslu Reis Effendi, &c. 193

    Of Assam Bassa of Algiers; his Death, and barbarous Sentiments, in respect of his Slaves.

  • II. To the Invincible Vizir Azem, at the Camp under Babylon. 195 [Page]

    Of the Memoirs which Mahmut gave to the Car­dinal Richlieu on the Lives of Illustrious Men.

  • III. To Lubano Abufei Saad, an Egyptian Knight. 210

    What Cardinal Richlieu did at a Ball.

  • IV. To Mehmet, an Eunuch Page. 211

    Of the beginning of Mahmut's Sickness, and of the Cruelty of Amurath.

  • V. To Zelim of Rhodes, Captain of a Galley. 215

    That a Man is parted expresly from Legorn, to As­sassinate him at Constantinople.

  • VI. To the Invincible Vizir Azem, &c. 217

    Of the Seige of Babylon.

  • VII. To the same. 220

    Of Brizac, Piemont, Italy, and Brandenburg.

  • VIII. To Breredin, Superior of the Dervises in Na­tolia. 224
  • IX. To Ocoumiche, his Mother at Scio. 225

    Of his Sickness.

  • X. To Pestely Haly, his Brother. 227

    Of his Sickness.

  • XI. To Dgnet Oglou. 228

    Of his Sickness, in a particular Style.

  • XII. To the Kaimakan. 231

    He discourses of the Dexterity of the Dwarf Osmin; and of the Embassador of Venice's Solicitations at Court, to induce the King to make War with the Turks.

  • XIII. To Isouf, his Kinsman. 235

    He speaks of his Sickness; entreats him to give Alms for his Recovery, and to pray to God for him.

  • XIV. To the Invincible Vizir Azem, &c. 236

    A Relation of his Sickness, and of the Death of the Duke of Wimar.

  • XV. To the Kaimakan. 239

    Of his Sickness and Cure. Of Germany and Italy; and of a Sea Fight between the Dutch and French.

  • XVI. To Dgnet Oglou. 242

    Of his perfect Cure; and of Friendship.

  • [Page] XVII. To Adonai, a Jew, at Genoa. 244

    He blames him for sending false News about the Genoeses to the Port.

  • XVIII. To the Kaimakan. 246

    Of Turin; of the new invented Bullets; of the Af­fairs of Italy, and Spanish Fleet that was lost.

  • XIX. To Dgnet Oglou. 250

    Of Mahmut's Amours, with a beautiful Greek.

  • XX. To the Invincible Vizir Azem. 257

    Of a Chiaus▪ from the Port, who came to Paris; and touching the Affairs of Persia.

  • XXI. To Cara Hali, the Physician, &c. 260

    He gives him an Account of his Recovery; of the violent Frosts at Paris, and Austerity of the Ca­puchins.

  • XXII. To the Kaimakam. 264

    Of the Troubles in Spain, Catalonia and Portugal; and a Description of the Revolt in Barcellona.

  • XXIII. To Dgnet Oglou. 268

    Letter of Consolation, on the Fire at Constantinople.

  • XXIV. To the Captain Bassa of the Sea. 273

    Of the Vessels of Africk, taken by the Christians; and of the Knights of Maltha.

  • XXV. To the Invincible Vizir Azem. 275

    A Description of the Revolution of Portugal.

  • XXVI. To Enguril Emir Cheik, &c. 287

    Of the Death of Amurath IV. of the new Sultan Ibrahim; and of the Affairs of the Seraglio.

BOOK IV.

  • LETTER I. TO the Venerable Mufti, &c. 293

    Of Cardinal Richlieu, his Craft and Policy.

  • II. To the Reis Effendi, &c. 295

    Of a Conspiracy discovered at Paris, against Cardi­nal Richlieu.

  • [Page] III. To the Kaimakan. 297

    Of Julius Mazarin, and his Negotiation in Savoy.

  • IV. To Dgnet Oglou. 300

    A particular Description of the Greatness of the Spanish Monarchy.

  • V. To the Invincible Vizir Azem. 303

    Of the Battle of Sedan; of Count Soisson's Death, and Conspiracy against the Cardinal.

  • VI. To Solyman his Cousin. 309

    Mahmut complains of his Perfidiousness.

  • VII. To Dgnet Oglou. 312

    Against the Infidelity and Inconstancy of the beau­tiful Greek.

  • VIII. To Carcoa, at Vienna. 316

    He informs him of the Receipt of his Letters, with the Money and Balm of Mecha.

  • IX. To Berber Mustapha Aga, &c. 317

    Of the Duke of Lorrain; the Loss of his Country; and of the King of France's Indignation.

  • X. To Bedredin, Superior of the Dervises, &c. 332

    On his own Age; and of a Man that lived an 129 Years.

  • XI. To the Redoubtable Vizir Azem. 325

    On the Life and Death of General Bannier; and Imprisonment of Dom Duartus, Brother to the new King of Portugal.

  • XII. To the Kaimakan. 328

    Of the Parliament of Paris; and Affairs of Ca­talonia.

  • XIII. To the Venerable Mufti, &c. 331

    Of Cardinal Richlieu, and the Calumnies published against him, touching his Design of making him­self Patriarch of France.

  • XIV. To Oucoumiche his Mother, &c. 333

    Letter of Consolation, on the Death of her second Husband; that the Countess of Soissons has greater cause of Trouble for the Death of her Son.

  • XV. To the Grand Seignior's Chief Treasurer. 338 [Page]

    Of the disgrace of the Archbishop of Bourdeaux.

  • XVI. To the Kaimakan. 339

    On the Imprisonment of Count Allie, apprehended at Turin, by Richlieu's Order.

  • XVII. To the Reis Effendi. 342

    Of a Spaniard found dead in Paris, who had in his Pocket a Catalogue of all the great Lords, whom Cardinal Richlieu caused to be destroyed.

  • XVIII. To William Vospel. 343

    Of his Retirement from the World; on Thieves, and the Invention of Keys.

  • XIX. To the Venerable Mufti. 347

    Of Cardinal Richlieu, and what he did in respect of a General of Dervises, and of the great New [...] brought him.

  • XX. To the Kaimakan. 350

    Of the Books of Geber; and of Chymistry.

  • XXI. To Mehemet, an Eunuch Page. 358

    What Cardinal Richlieu did against the Queen of France, and of his Ambition.

  • XXII. To the Kaimakam. 360

    Of Dom Sebastian, King of Portugal, who died in Africk; and of him that took on him that Name

  • XXIII. To the Mufti. 365

    Of a Mule laden with Gold, which Cardinal Rich­lieu sent to an unknown Person in a Wood.

  • XIV. To Berber Mustapha Aga. 366

    Description of Duels; of a Bill of Defiance which the Duke de Medina Celi, sent to Dom John of Braganza, the new King of Portugal.

  • XXV. To the Invincible Vizir Azem. 37 [...]

    Of a new Conspiracy discovered at Lisbon, agains [...] the new King of Portugal.

LETTERS Writ by A Spy at PARIS. VOL. I.

BOOK I.

LETTER I.
Mahmut the Arabian, and Vilest of the Grand Signior's Slaves, to Hasnadarbassy, Chief Trea­surer to his Highness at Constantinople.

I Have at length finished my Journey, after one hundred and forty days March, arriving at Paris, the 4th. of this present Moon, according to the Christians Style. I made no stay in Hun­ [...]ary, yet sojourned One and forty Days at Vienna; where I observ'd all the Motions of that Court, [...]ccording as I was ordered; of which I shall not [...]ow speak, having given a full Account to the ever [...]nvincible Vizir Azem. Being but newly arrived, scarce know any Body, and am as little known my [Page 2]self. I have suffered my Hair, to grow a little below my Ears; and as to my Lodging, 'tis in the House of an old Flemming, where my Room is so small, that Jealousie it self can scarce enter. And because I will have no Enemy near me, I will therefore admit of no Servant.

Being of low Stature, of an ill-favoured Counte­nance, ill shap'd, and by Nature not given to Talka­tiveness, I shall the better conceal my self. Instead of my Name, Mahmut the Arabian, I have taken on me, that of Titus the Moldavian; and, with a little Cassock of black Serge, which is the Habit I have chosen, I make two Figures; being in Heart what I ought to be; but Outwardly, and in Appearance, what I never intend.

Carcoa at Vienna, furnishes me with Bread and Water, supplying me with just enough to Live, and I desire no more. The Eggs here, are dearer than Pullets with you. It is to him that I will ad­dress my Letters.

Eliachim the Jew came to see me, who seems to be sufficiently informed of what passes in the World, and will be an useful Man to me: Yet I will never trust him more than I need. Although I have a Dispensation from the Mufti for Lying, and false Oaths, which I shall be obliged to make; yet, I have still, some Qualms on my Mind. How­ever, our Sovereign must be served; and, I can commit no Sin, as long as this is my sole End. A [...] for the Intelligence which I shall send, none shall come from me but what is true, unless I be first deceived my self.

It will be hard for me, to mention any thing considerable of a City which is not to be viewed in One day, I having been there but Seven. 'Tis peo­pled like the Borders of the Sea with Sand, the Inhabitants lodging to the very Cock-lofts; and Houses are built on the Bridges.

This great City is divided by a River, and both [...]arts of it are joined by a great Bridge of Stone, [...]ell built and very stately. In the midst of it is [...]en, an Horse of Brass, with the Statue of Henry [...]. which bestrides it; whose Heroick Actions [...]ave justly surnamed him The Great, and he seems [...]ill to command this Capital of the Kingdom. [...]he other Bridges, being full of Houses, are not [...]en, appearing as if they had been made for the [...]ity, not the River.

The King's Palace is an ancient Building, yet re­ [...]ains a certain Majesty, which denotes the Gran­ [...]eur of its Master: Within it appears a Desart; [...]or the Court is always abroad, or in the Army.

A Church-man, term'd at Rome a Cardinal, is [...]he principal Minister of State; his Name is Ar­ [...]and du Plessis, Cardinal of Richlieu. He is esteem'd [...] great Politician, a Man of Wit and Action, and [...]very way fitted for the Place he holds.

All the People make Vows to Heaven, That [...]heir King may become a Father; for the Queen [...]as been barren these many Years.

I go into the Churches, as a Christian; and [...]hen I seem attentive to their Mysteries, I hold [...]ur sacred Alcoran in my Hands, addressing my [...]rayers to our Holy Prophet; and thus beha­ [...]ing my self, I give no Offence. I avoid Disputes, [...]ind my own Concerns, and do nothing which [...]ay endanger my Salvation.

Preserve thy Health, and expect to hear from [...]e as oft as the Interest of our Great and Mighty Monarch requires, who is the Master of my Life [...]nd Affections.

I make thee no Present of my Services; for they [...]e devoted to that Lord, whose Slave thou art as well as I. The Letters I write for the future, shall [...]e directed to the Ministers of the Divan.

Live with the Piety of a good Mussulman, and the Prudence of an able Minister, and preserve the Treasure as thine own Heart, which (thou knowest) is the last expiring.

Paris, 11th of the 9th. Moon of the Year 1637, according to the Christian Style.

LETTER II.
To the same Hasnadarbassy.

I Had too good an Opinion of my self, and did not sufficiently consider to whom I wrote, when I attempted, in so little a time, to give thee an ac­count of the Court of France, and how this King lives. An old Arabian was wont to say, To have a perfect Knowledge of Things, we must know them more than Once, and forget them Thrice, to the end, that learn­ing them a Fourth time, they may become perfectly our own. This will instruct me how to write to my Friends hereafter; not as I understand Affairs, but as they ought to be understood: For, once well done, is better than twice ill done.

I think I may say, the Spaniards want Ground themselves, by taking an handful from others. Two and twenty of their Galleys, with some other small Vessels, have taken two small Islands named St. Margaret's and St. Honorat's, which lie over a­gainst Provence, and are barren and unprofitable Places, and will serve to little purpose, unless for Ports; and 'tis also a question, how long they will hold them.

The War betwixt these two Nations is like to continue, especially from the death of the two Ita­lian [Page 5]Princes, Victor Amade, Duke of Savoy, and Charles Gorague, Duke of Mantua.

I believe it an Effect of Providence, that these Two Nations know not their own Interest, or know­ing it neglect it. Heaven is more kind to us; for, as our Empire transcends all others in Strength and Greatness, so it does in Unity and Concord, by which means 'tis in our Power to make War or live in Peace. The Christians never consider the Ad­vantage they lose, and the Good they may acquire by attacking of us, whom they yet hate and treat as Barbarians.

The Archbishop of Bordeaux, is at present General of the French Naval Forces; who, though a Priest, is yet permitted to turn Tarpaulin and Soldier: For my part, I understand not how a Prelate of his Rank can forsake his Flock, his Altar and his Fun­ction. If what the Christians say be true, but that is nothing to us; and the King of France being so enlightned a Prince, and imploying him, as he does, he must needs be a good Seaman and Soldier.

To say no more in this Matter. For Princes of what Religion soever they be, are always sacred, and not to be approached but with Respect, seeing their Do­ings lie above the Reach of a common Capacity.

I would fain hear of the Grand Signior's Health; for, when he is well, all the World is so to me, and without him I am nothing. I will not write so soon to the Grand Vizir, being desirous to write what passes here with more Exactness.

I am in this Place like a Man lost in Confusion; for, this Town seems rather a Province than a City. All is Hurry and Noise, every Body brushing a­bout after Action. The Men for the most part are for Martial Exploits, either at Sea or Land; and as to the Women, they are not idle, employing themselves as becomes them, either in the Shops or Kitchins. Yet, they take more care to shew [Page 6]themselves, than ours do to hide themselves. D [...] thou be careful of thy Health, for I shall never b [...] Miserable having thee to my Friend.

Paris 25th of the 10th Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER III.
To Darnish Mehemet Bassa.

I Have been at a Ceremony which I am willing to see often, to give an Account of it in my Let­ters; 'tis the Te Deum, which Christian Princes cause to be sung in their Churches, on the gain­ing any considerable Advantage over their Ene­mies; which Te Deum is an Hymn composed by two of their Saints, to wit, Ambrose and Austin. When the French beat the Spaniards they sing the Te Deum, and when these vanquish their Enemies they do the same. These Two Nations do the duty of the Mussulmen, in destroying one another; and when this is done, they give God Thanks for the Evil they have committed. Whence we may judge of the Wisdom and Piety of the Mahometans, a­mongst whom there's seldom seen an open War, and if it should happen, 'tis generally Condemned.

The Rejoicing of the French proceeds hence; the Spaniards had besieged Leucate, a small Penin­sula in Languedoc, which is but four Leagues round, with Two Ports, where a few Galleys, and Four small Vessels may Anchor in safety. The Place was attack'd by the Spaniards with much Heat, but was afterwards given over with as great Loss. The Assailants being obliged to make a Retreat, [Page 7]not unlike a shameful Flight; quitted their Bag­gage, their Arms and all their other Provision.

Count Serbellon offered at first to Barris, who commanded the Place, a great Sum of Money, which was to be attended with a constant Pension; which refused, they were necessitated to betake themselves to force, by which, in short, the Spa­niards were entirely defeated. Serbellon withdrew towards Perpignan, with the Duke of Cardonn's Son, who was Viceroy of Catalonia. He lost all his Tents, his Plate, and the Moneys designed for Pay­ment of the Army: And I will say yet more, that he has lost the Reputation of a good Captain and valiant Soldier, until he can recover an Opportunity to Fight and Vanquish. This Victory must have been of Consequence, and very Glorious, seeing the King assisted in Person, together with the Queen, Two Cardinals, the Council of State, and that of the Finances, and that which they call here, the Courts Sovereign, which are a Company of Men cho­sen to judge others. Besides these, there was an innumerable Concourse of People, who testified their Joy for the Advantage gained by their King, notwithstanding it be at the Cost of their Brethren of the same Religion.

Live happily, and conserve thy Honour as thy Life.

Paris, 25th of the 10th Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER IV.
To Isouf his Kinsman.

I Tell thee I live, and am well. I have received no News from thee; perhaps thou thoughtest me Dead. I Salute thee first with my Letters, though thou oughtest to have begun. If thou art ashamed of my Kindred, accuse thy Parents, by whom thou art become of the same Family. But be not ungrateful to them, nor forgetful of the Good thou hast received from me. Thou shalt now know where I am and ought to stay, and mayest answer me if thou wilt. Believe in the mean time the Counsel I give thee, although thou dost not demand it. Be devout in thy Religion without Hy­pocrifie, and remember there is no more Gods but One; as also, that the Favourite, and sent of God, is Mahomet, his Prophet. After that, love thy Ma­ster, without desiring any thing more than the Exe­cution of his Pleasure. Embrace thy Father as from me, and give thy Mother a Kiss, saluting her as my Sister and Friend, which is the most endearing Title that Antiquity could invent for Persons, who had the same Sentiments of Affection. Live happi­ly, and conserve thy Chastity.

Paris, 25th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER V.
To the Aga of the Janisaries.

I Shall give thee some Pleasure in telling thee, that the Christians lose easier than they acquire. It seems, the Marquess Ambrose Spinola, whom all the World took for a great Captain, has lost much of his Reputation; seeing, that a Place is lost in eleven Weeks, which he had formerly besieged eleven Months, and where he had expended eleven Milli­ons. If these Circumstances are true, they are ve­ry extraordinary. However, he shall continue a Great Captain in my Opinion; and it is ordinary enough to see that lost in a little Time, by the Cowardliness of one, which has not been ac­quired in a great while by the Valour of a whole Army.

The Prince of Orange hath taken Breda, a Place of great Importance, which had been surrendred twelve Years and three Months since to the said Spinola, who commanded the Army of Spain. This Conquest is great; for, 'twas the general Opinion, the Place could not be taken but by Famine; yet hath it been constrained to yield, by the continual Fire and Valour of the Besiegers.

Had not the Hollanders become Masters of this Place, they had been, as it were, block'd up on the side of Brabant, and had the Enemy always at their Gates; whereas, now they are more at large. We ought to rejoice rather at their acquisitions, than those of the Spaniards, with whom we never have had Peace.

This Place, is fortified with much Regularity. It hath fifteen Bastions, besides some little Forts on the Moat side. There are five Horn-works with­out. The Place is considerable for its Greatness. [Page 10]It contains five thousand Houses, with great Gar­dens, and there are three principal Gates.

I mention these Particulars, because thou art a Man of War. Receive my Letter kindly; believe me thy Friend, and do not doubt of my Fidelity. If thou wilt add to thy Valour by new Merit, which will heighten the Consideration Men have for thee, I will teach thee a Secret, which will not be very Expensive, but very Delightful. Read at Times the Histories of others, and particularly those of the Greatest and most Fortunate Princes, and their Captains. Imitate rather the Wise, than those who have only signalized themselves by their Va­lour. To conclude, be conversant in Histories, but choose always the best, I mean such as cannot be suspected for Lyes. Thou canst not fail of good Books, both Greek and Arabick, which are Translated into the Turkish and Persian Tongues. Thou wilt learn to be wise by the Folly of others, and wilt become yet more Prudent, by observing the sage Conduct of such who performed great Actions: Above all Things, never neglect to make serious Reflecti­ons upon the least Events. It happens sometimes that passages are found in Books that seem of no Consequence, which may yet be of Use in important Occasions, for the clearing of Difficulties. And for Example, learn this from a great King, Henry IV. who Conquered his Kingdom by the Dint of his Sword.

I will finish with a worthy Saying of Mar­quess Spinola's, which I think is to the purpose. He saith, That a Captain's Sword must be tyed to his Heart, his Heart fixt to his Head, and Conducted by his Judgment; which ought parti­cularly to be formed by the reading of Histories. Love me as much as I esteem thee, and thou wilt never love me enough.

Paris 25th of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER VI.
To Mehemet, Page Eunuch to the Sultan Mother.

THou hast spent fourteen Years in the Seraglio, and to thy unhappiness, always been in the Service of Women; serve now a Man, who is cer­tainly somewhat more than a Woman. Thou know­est, the Confidence we have in each other is arrived to that Degree, as to discover our failings to each other, and to suffer them. Seeing I am at pre­sent far off, and by consequence the more exposed to Criticks and ill Offices, do not forget the Inte­rests of thy Friend. Watch Day and Night for the Advantage of my Life. Observe, search and endeavour to penetrate what People discourse of me, and what is said concerning me at Court. Our Great Emperor sent me hither to observe what passes here, and render him an Account. I know I am where I ought to practise what I am com­manded to do, but I do not yet know whether I shall return to the place where I would willingly end my Days. Most things are done on that side, but they are not all equally performed. I have therefore more just Reason to apprehend, that all Men do know that I shall acquit my self with Fi­delity, of the Orders I have received. Consider how far his Unhappiness doth extend, who serves another, who is Master of so many Millions of Subjects.

I will inform thee of two Things, whereof thou shalt tell the first to the Bassa of the Sea, and the other to the Musti's Vicar. We are told, that the King of England hath set forth a Vessel upon the British Ocean, of such Prodigious Greatness, [Page 12]that it exceeds all others as well in Force as Vast­ness. It is Armed with One hundred and twenty Brass Guns. It draws Unrigg'd, Seventeen Foot of Water, and its Bulk is Eleven hundred Tun. 'Tis reported, that it cost Two Millions of Piasters, and as if it were the King of all other Ships, it is called The Sovereign. The Second News is, a Pro­digy that happened in Upper Saxony, which finds but a little Credit with the Wise, but is easi­ly believed by the Women, and the Common-People.

They say, That at Dresden, one of the Duke of Saxony's Courtiers having cut a piece of boiled Beef, there issued so much blood out of it, that the Elector's Table was wholly covered with it; which extreamly troubled this Prince, looking upon the Adventure as a Presage of Famine and War. Let me hear often from thee, and of our Friends; but, make no Confidence to any, of that which is betwixt us. Thou shalt learn from me Secrets of great Importance, provided thou be Faithful and Discreet. God grant thee in an In­stant, the Good which I shall wish to acquire in my whole Lise.

Paris, 15th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER VII.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem.

SEeing thou hast acquired the Knowledge of Things present, by thy Prudence and rare Understanding, and hast desired me to inform thee of those Things which shall happen in the Places [Page 13]whither thou hast sent me; I will endeavour to penetrate the Affairs the most secret, to the end that nothing in this World may be hid from thee.

At present, there are but few Actions in Christen­dom which deserve to be reported; and, thou art sufficiently instructed in the Affairs of France, and touching the Person of her King. I expect to in­form thee of Events, which at the same time may divert thee, and instruct thee. This Prince is cal­led Henry the Just. He cannot be called the Happy; for, having as yet no Son to succeed him, there will be always Occasions of Trouble in his Kingdom: Nor is there any Hopes that the Queen may prove with Child, by Reason of her long Barrenness. If the King will resolve to be divorced from her, and take another, it cannot be effected without Rome; and Rome, the Mufti, and all their Priests, will, according to their usual Manner, raise so many Difficulties, and be so long before they determine, that it will be a hard Matter to extort from them, that Consent which the Laws of the Christians render necessary for the dissol­ving a First Marriage. Certainly, this Slavery which doth thus subject the Christian Princes, is hard; but, it is a Point of their Law, which being of no Importance to thee, I will trouble thee no more with it. This defect of a Successor in the King of France, is of great Advantage to the Spaniards, and one would think, Heaven had created this Nation to be Enemies to the French. It seems moreover, there is a secret Violence which enter­tains an Antipathy betwixt the Two Nations; which enforces a belief, that there can never be a solid Peace betwixt them.

Thou hast already understood from those I writ to, and who dare hide nothing from thee, what has happened here during the small time of my sojourn­ing in these Quarters. I will not repeat little [Page 14]Things; the Greatness of thy Genius, and the Eminency of thy Employment, have put thee far above every Thing that is not Extraordinary, that we ought to inform the of nothing but tran­scending Events.

I will not entertain thee with the taking of the Old Town of Sally, nor of the Disorders in the New. Thou wilt have learned more swiftly from the Coasts of Africk, Advices of the Hostile Acts which the English have committed with their Ships of War, against that City, which the King of Morocco protects.

The Attempt was great, and is discoursed of here as a hardy Enterprise. The Vastness of thy Under­standing will easily judge of the Consequence.

They say here, that the King of France has writ to Rome, that he will willingly resolve to make a long Cessation of Arms with his Enemies. If that happens, this Repose will serve but to encrease the Forces of both sides, which may hereafter render the War more cruel. In the mean time, 'tis thought they design a General Peace, but Time will discover to the Politicians, what we cannot at present divine.

This Court is Great and Magnificent. It stays not long in a Place, and is very seldom at Paris; being in the Camp amongst the Armies, or for Plea­sure in the Country.

The Genius of the Courtiers is different, but they have an equal Inclination for two Things very opposite, War and Love; and apply themselves to both with much Constancy.

The Religion which they call Protestant, and which has been the occasion of so much Disturbance to the Kingdom, is now low, by the Surrender of Rochell, which was, as thou knowest, the principal Bulwark of those of that Party.

It seems, this King will imitate our Mighty and Formidable Emperors, and will regulate his Con­duct by thine, in not suffering within his State two Religions which are opposite.

The Kingdom is notwithstanding, as yet, full of Trouble. Cardinal Richlieu, who holds the Helm of Affairs in France, as thou directest that of the Empire of the World, seems, as may be said, in the midst of a Tempest, and hath Reason enough to apprehend Danger; for there are an infinite num­ber of People who follow the Standards of Luther and Calvin, who have no other Thoughts but of his Ruine.

In the mean time, the Power of France seems mighty Great, and 'tis to be apprehended, it may in Time augment infinitely.

Thou knowest, Invincible Bassa, what the An­cient Gauls did in Old Time. They were called Gallogrecians; for having over-run Italy and sack'd Rome, they settled in the middle of Asia, and could not be overcome but by the Romans: because the Heavens had ordained that the Romans should sub­jugate all Nations. But now that these Gauls are no more, and there are no more of these brave Romans, we must pray the Infinite Goodness of the most High, that the Power of these Modern Gauls may be limited. If the French however would do what a Spaniard, who fled from the Passion of Philip II. counselled Henry IV. their King, which was, To set himself right with Rome, to have a great Power at Sea, and a Council composed of Wise, Secret and Faithful Men; by that means he might one day perhaps equal the Ancient Romans. I think he that gave this Advice was named Antonio Perez.

I observe every thing with care, but shall ob­serve them nearer for the future. It appears to me, that the Genius of this Nation is to aggrandize it self, and extend its Limits.

The French have a common saying, That Kings having nothing above them that may limit them, God hath given the Empire of the Earth to the strongest. They add, That Adam left no King­doms to his Children, but that they made them for themselves. They glory in certain Prophecies, which promise them the Empire of the World. In relating this, I tell what they say, not what ought to happen. They entertain here the same hatred for us, as others do when our Power is Formida­ble; but, wise Men who have Knowledge of our History, speak with more Admiration of the Otto­man Empire, than of that of the Romans; and if these last were destroyed by the Civil Wars which tore them in pieces, the other will encrease and maintain it self, by the great Pre-cautions used to hinder them, and by the Union of their Forces.

Thou knowest more of the Extent of the City of Paris, than I can tell thee. It appears to me, great and full of People; but, Constantinople is yet Greater, and more Populous.

Thou wilt pardon me after all, if I make not a certain Judgment of a Nation, which I do not yet well comprehend. However, I will assure thee, the French are no Fools, and I believe never were. They do not love Novelty through Levity, but for Reason of State; and when they are unconstant, it is not to do Ill, but to acquire Good. They are Happy and Unfortunate in Wars, like others; but, what is considerable, They do not combat their Enemies because they hate them, but in Obedience to their Prince, which occasions the great Disci­pline which is in their Armies. And, what seems worthy of Reflection, is, That they love their King by Inclination; and, this Love produces in them, that which our Attachment to the Precepts of the Law, does in the Hearts of the best Turks. I use this Comparison, which I learnt from thee, [Page 17]who art the Wisest Man in the World; from whose Mouth I have heard, as from an Oracle, That it is not much material, whether Subjects love their Ma­ster by Inclination or Fear, provided they always faithfully serve him, and are always humble.

If ever it happen I am discovered, thou wilt do me a great Honour to let me know, If I ought to avow my self an Agent from the sublime Port; or, whether I ought to die without confessing any Thing.

I end with my Head in the Dust, without ever ceasing to supplicate the most High, that he will shower his continued Happiness upon thee and the Empire.

Paris, 15th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER VIII.
To Muzlu Reis Effendi, Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire.

THis is the second Letter which I have writ to thee. My Dispatches hitherto have not been filled with Things of great Importance, by reason I have not yet had Time to learn them. I wish greatly to write what may please thee. Receive therefore what I offer kindly, and be perswaded, That I fear thy Censures, as much as if I did de­serve them.

I live here according to the Instructions which were given me, and live easie enough. The Coun­try is good and fat, the Men good Companions, are frank and seem Discreet.

I have not as yet any Acquaintance with Women, and yet it is necessary I find Means to introduce my self into their Companies. It is a Sex that will not pardon, when they think themselves neglected. They are proper to discover Things one would know, and to say them when one would have them published; and likewise, they as much penetrate into the Secrets of Hearts, as the most refined and spiritualest Courtiers. Further, there are many of them, that can conceal nothing, but what they do not know.

I frequent not the Monks but when necessita­ted. If I see them, it is to seem Devout, upon Design of being introduced by them into the House of a Minister of State, when I teach his Son the Greek Language.

We must not expect to find here the great Tran­quility which is at Constantinople. The Town is so full of Coaches, of Horses and Waggons, that the Noise surpasses Imagination. Thou wilt cer­tainly find it strange, that Men who are in Health, and have no sore Legs, should cause themselves to be drawn in an Engine with four Wheels; but I more wonder to see, these same Men can resolve to suffer the Inconveniency of the Noise, and of the Expence which they throw away out of Vanity. The more moderate French, which do not approve of this Luxury, say, That in the time of Henry III. there were but three Coaches in Paris, whereof two were the Kings. But the Number is now so great, that they are not to be counted.

I can tell thee no more of the Genius of the French, thou knowest it perfectly. There is in all their Actions a Spirit very delicate, and an Activity like that of Fire.

It seems, as if none but they knew the short Dura­tion of Man's Life; they do every Thing with so much haste, as if they had but one Day to live. [Page 19] If they go on Foot, they run; if they ride, they fly; and if they speak, they eat up half their Words. They love new Inventions passionately. I can say no­thing certain of their Fidelity, though methinks we might suspect such, who do not read as they write, nor write as they speak. They love Moneys, which they look upon as the first Matter, and second Cause of all Things: They well-nigh adore it, and that is the Original Sin of all Nations.

Paris ought to be destroyed to enrich many Ci­ties in Europe. Whence thou mayst comprehend her Greatness, her Traffick, how Rich she is, and how all Sorts of Arts do flourish in her.

The French Nobility is always ready to get on Horse-back at their King's Commands: And they love War so well, that it is to be supposed, we should have enough to do with them, if we were as near them as the Spaniards, and they did not want Infantry.

I shall hereafter observe every Circumstance with so much Care, as well in this Kingdom as elsewhere, that nothing shall escape me. In the mean Time, I shall endeavour to get Acquaintance; but shall want more Moneys than is allowed me, to answer what is expected from me. Two Chequins a-Day, are more than enough to support a Man that will live like a Cynick, but not sufficient to introduce me into Houses, to dive into their Se­crets, and enable me to discover the Affairs of most Importance, according to my Commission; so that thou must assist me to obtain more.

I hope to succeed in my Employment, if thou dost not refuse me thy Assistance, finding no Difficulty in the Execution of my Orders, but the Necessity of Lying, when I pass for a Christian. I fancy I see Mahomet in a Rage, and believe my Soul lost; though I am from my Heart more faithful in my Religion, than all the Mahometans put to­gether. [Page 20]Seeing I am resolved to do a Thing to which I have so much Aversion, thou mayest be assured, I will bear all the Evil imaginable that can happen to me with Firmness, though in all appear­ance, I ought to hope nothing but Good.

Deliver, I beseech thee, this inclosed Letter into the Hands of the most Venerable Mufti, and ex­tort from him, if possible, a Solution of my Doubts. There is nothing that touches me nearer, than what regards my Religion, and with my Religion the Service of my Emperor.

Paris, 15th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER IX.
To the Mufti, Prince of the Religion of the Turks.

I Will die a true Mussulman, though I should see all the Crosses of the Carthaginians set up for my Punishment, and had before mine Eyes, all the Instruments of the most Cruel Tortures, that the Enemies of our Holy Religion could invent. But, seeing there is no Question at present of dying, but of living to serve my Emperor, I beg of thee, Sovereign Prelate, that thou wilt be pleased to conserve my Innocence, in giving me an ample Absolution, or in imposing a Penance that may cancel all my Crimes.

Paris hath always been the Residence of the Kings of France; whence it is, that the Exercise of no other Religion but the Christian, is suffered there; and those who acknowledge the Bishop of Rome for [Page 21]their Head, have the principal Management of the Affairs of Religion; and 'tis with these that the Rites of the Latin Church are more strictly ob­served.

I live here in Appearance, as if I were a Christi­an and a Catholick. I enter into their Churches, assist at their Ceremonies, kneel before the Cross; and I appear with great Devotion and Humility be­fore the Images, which are had here in Veneration.

I know well enough, if the Life which I lead be not permitted me, as advantageous to the Affairs of State, and the Person of the Grand Signior, that I commit Sacriledge, acting as I do, contrary to the Precepts of Mahomet, expressed in his Alcoran.

I am guilty of violating the Law which is pre­scribed me, and deserve death, if thou dost not, by approving this Life I am obliged to lead, as­sure me of both my Salvation and Life. 'Tis true, thou hast already given me Absolution from all the false Oaths I shall be necessitated to take, when they are for the Service of my Master; but, I am not assured this Absolution extends far e­nough to secure my Conscience, when I abuse Ho­ly Things.

'Tis thy Province to decide this Point which is of such importance to my Repose, which makes me expect thy Resolves with impatience; if thou thinkest a Faithful Mussulman, who conserves his Religion in his Heart, and lives, as I do, amongst the Enemies of the Law, worthy this Grace.

The interest of my Conscience obliges me to demand, after what manner I ought to govern my self, when I see them, who are effectively what I seem to be, practise the same Acts of Religion.

The French will in a little Time celebrate their Carnaval or Shrove-tide. As soon as it is done, the Catholicks think of Fasting, having first assisted at a Ceremony, where Ashes are put upon their Fore­heads, [Page 22]to make them remember, they were formed out of the Dust, and shall return to Dust again. It is at this Time they go to hear Sermons, their Priests explaining that which they call the Gospel, and frequent the Church more than ordinary. They ap­ply themselves oftener to Works of Piety; and ha­ving purged their Consciences by Penances and se­cret Confessions, which one Man makes to another, they eat of a certain Bread, which they call The Sa­crament of the Eucharist; where, after certain Words pronounced by their Priest, they will have the Bo­dy of their Messiah to be really present under those Apparent Species.

This Ceremony is an Obligation that good Chri­stians cannot dispense with, it being ordained by their Law, and by their Great Prelate, the Bishop of Rome. They commonly call it Confessing, and Communicating, and Keeping Easter. Ought I hazzard my self in committing so horrid a Sacri­lege, and tempt, as I may say, God, by so great a Superstition, and so irritate our Great Prophet? It may be said, perhaps, that many Jews have done the same Thing, and do it yet every day to preserve themselves more securely. But how ma­ny of them have been chastised by visible Miracles from Heaven, and undergone terrible Punishments by the Ordinances of the Judges?

All these Reflections trouble my Spirit, O Holy Primate of the most Divine Law. I do not think it lawful to mock the Mysteries of any Religion whatso­ever. The God of the Christians, is the same that we adore: but Their Religion is quite opposite to Ours: There is a great Difference betwixt their JESƲS Crucifi'd, with all the Ignominies pos­sible, as these Infidels do believe, and a Mahomet Immortal and Triumphant, a great Legislator and the Angular Stone of the first Empire of the World.

Give me then positive Orders, to the end I may be eased of my Scruples, and may believe, That what thou permittest me, may be an Effect of thy Justice, and not of a Toleration which may be pernicious to me.

It is true, I may wave all these things, in feign­ing to have done them; but it will be more advan­tageous for my Affairs, not to exempt my self, if that may be without a Crime.

Teach then a most Obedient Slave, what thou shalt believe most conducible to the Glory of God, and most profitable for the Service of our Sovereign Lord. I do not send thee my Doubts to puzzle thee, but to draw from thy great and sublime Ge­nius, such Lights as may dissipate the Darknesses I live in.

This done, Sovereign Prelate, remember thy Humble Servant, and pray our Holy Prophet, that he will keep me from perishing.

Paris, 15th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1637.

LETTER X.
To the Kaimakam.

I Received from thy Hand the first Dispatch that has been addressed to me from the Sublime Port, and I received it at the beginning of the Year, ac­cording to the Moons of these Infidels. The Date is of the Month Mielidge. Thou order'st me to write to thee of Two Things, and to do Three. Thou wilt first know, If this King be Aged, and of perfect Health; and afterwards, If there be [Page 24]any Hopes that the Queen may have Children. Thou wouldest also have me send his Highness the Pictures of the King, the Cardinal of Richlieu, and the Eldest Son of the Prince of Condé.

As thou art one of the principal Supports of the Power of the Sublime Port, elevated above all the Thrones of the World, (after the Vizir Azem, whose Orders are the Rule of the Universe) Mi­nister and first Slave of the happy Emperor of the Ottomans; I ought to do what thou commandest me.

I tell thee then, I have seen this King thrice, nor doth he appear by his Countenance, by his Hair, or by his Shape, to be yet Old; neither would it be easie to divine the Number of his Years, if we were ignorant of the Day of his Birth; But, it is known to every Body, That this Prince was born the 27. of the Ninth Moon of the Year 1601, according to the Style of the Christians.

By this thou mayst justly calculate the Age of this Monarch, who though he is in his Flower, seems fading, because he hath as yet given no Heir to his Kingdom; besides, his Years being near Forty, surpass that of a Young Man; and 'tis ob­served, That few Princes arrive to a great Age.

The Queen may still lie in, if she prove with Child; which if it should happen after Twenty three Years of Barrenness, 'tis certain, a Fruit which hath been so long in ripening, will give an ample Subject of reasoning to the Astrologers of Europe.

For my part, I fancy this King will scarce be­come a Father, unless he Repudiate this Wife and marry another.

It is not permitted to be inquisitive into the Cause of this Sterility. Hereby thou seest the Weakness of those Christian Princes who are subjected to the Laws of Rome, which think it a Crime to give themselves Heirs that are not born of Lawful Wed­lock; [Page 25]tho' it often happens, that when such are wanting, this Kingdom is exposed to Ruine, by the Dissensions and Civil Wars, which, on these occasions, are always inevitable.

The Most High, who hath always protected the Grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, hath left the Infidels in these Errors; to the End, that he might give our most Mighty Monarch, who is the Aven­ger of the Divine Ʋnity, an Eminence Superior to that of all Kings, who are his Slaves; and at the same Time, made him Holy above all the Saints in the World; and permitted us to have Children, that may succeed us, from as many Wives as we can entertain; the Children of True Believers being always Legitimate.

I humbly beg Pardon; I forgot I spoke to thee, who art Wisdom it self, and to whom no Secrets of the Law or State are unknown.

I wlll send to Carcoa at Vienna, the Pictures of the King, of the Prince of Conde's Son, and of the Cardinal Richlieu, according to the Orders I received from thee, and they shall be dispatch'd in little Time: I would to Heaven I could as easily send thee the Originals; I should at one Stroke disarm this Kingdom, which would thereby be suddenly involved in Fire and Blood.

The Habit I wear, and the Manner after which I live, hath already gained me many Friends. I find Means to go once a week to Court. My De­formity protects me against the Jealousies of Hus­bands. Some People take me for a Wise Man, and discourse confidently in my Presence of Politicks and Affairs of State; neither do I neglect the ma­king Use of every Thing, which may be advantage­ous to me in my Ministry. Thus, in doing a Thing for the which I have much Aversion, I com­pass all I desire; and I assure thee, upon my Faith, If thou wilt continue to protect me and assist [Page 26]me with thy Counsels, I will do somewhat extra­ordinary.

I supplicate the Great God, to give a perpetual Health to thy Body, and make thy Soul enjoy, upon Earth and in Heaven, the Felicity of the Blessed.

Paris, 1st. of the 1st. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XI.
To Bedredin, Superior of the Convent of Dervises, of Cogny in Natolia.

I Write to thee, who art Venerable by thy Age, and so many long Voyages, which thou hast made. Thou, who hast been so many Times in Pilgrimage to Arabia, Tartary, Persia, and the In­dies, always bare-foot, and begging, out of pure Devotion to the Saint of Saints, our Great Prophet Mahomet.

I address this Letter to thee; Thee, who bearest the Scars of five and twenty Great Wounds; Thee, who hast pray'd nine and fifty Times in the Sacred Porch, and adored the Holy Mysteries in the most retired Sanctuary of Mecha, and hast lived more than seventy Years of Religion amongst the Der­vises, where thy Merit caused thee to be elected Superior of the Convent in Natolia.

Thou knowest well, that I serve him, who is Ar­bitrator of the Destiny of the Universe; I mean the Sultan, Sovereign of the World. Learn what I heard here from the Mouth of Christians, and pardon me, if I have not sufficiently answered them; but do not accuse me to have deserved Death, for [Page 27]having seemingly cursed our Holy Law, and Him that gave it us; and, if I have seemed to reject his Successors, Ali, Osman, and Omar, it was expedi­ent that I should commit some Evil, not to lose the Opportunity of doing much Good.

Thou knowest well, I am destined to serve; and, that being absolved from all the Perjuries I shall commit, I may transgress the Law, by being per­mitted to lye. That suffices: Read my Letter, and learn how far their Malice does extend, who are Enemies to our Religion.

To instruct thee better in what has happened to me, I must tell thee, that amongst these Infidels, there is an Order of Religious much in Vogue, called the Company of JESƲS: wherein, there is an infi­nite Company of Men, some more able than others in all Sorts of Scienes sacred and prophane; and, according to Appearance, ought to be very recom­mendable for the Holiness of their Manners.

These Religious, who are ordinarily called Je­suites, have the Education of the Youth almost in all the Cities of Europe, as well as in the Indies; and many excellent Wits are brought up in the Se­minaries they have established▪ When they preach, the People crowd to their Sermons. They are the Confessors of almost all the Princes and Monarchs of Christendom, who discover to them their Weak­nesses, their Sins, and the Vices whereunto they are enclined, and receive from them, upon their Knees, like Slaves, such Penance as they think fit to impose on them.

A Man may say of them, That being Dispen­sers of Penances, they are also the Masters of Re­compences. They are Habited in a long Vest of black Wooll, which descends to their Heels. They go not bare-foot, but their Vestments are simple. They observe great Modesty in all their Actions; they march with Gravity, never go alone, and suf­fer [Page 28]not their Beards to grow. They apply them­selves to edify the Good, and to correct the Bad.

The Founder of this Order was a Souldier, cal­led Ignatius. The Spaniards will have him to have been of their Nation; and the French affirm, that he is of that Part of Navarre, which is subject to the Crown of France. If thou wouldst have me to speak the Truth, I think this Founder was a good Man, seeing all his Disciples are Men of good Example, of great Modesty in their Actions, and very Dis­creet in all their Undertakings.

This Ignatius began to study his Grammar in his seven and thirtieth Year, which would make one believe, he took less pains to become a Saint than a Scholar. His Enemies call his Disciples, the Politicians of the Church; and I, on the contrary, call them the Camels of Esau; because, in bearing the Burthen of the Affairs of their Religion, they are loaded more than others, and forced to couch under their Burthens. There is one thing seems strange in them, to wit, That they should name themselves the Religious of the Society of Jesus; as if they had a design, to distinguish themselves from other Christians; and that this Title, which is par­ticular to them, ought not only to agree to all the other Religions, but to all the Followers of the Nazarite.

If they follow the Precepts of their Father Igna­tius, thou must needs approve their Way of living. He has taught no other [...]ay than that of Obedience, to those that profess his Order. He ordains, That those who enter into this Society, do abandon themselves to the Discretion of their Superiours: And they affirm, That if the Pope commands them to pass the Sea in a Vessel without Oars, without Sails, and without a Rudder, they would obey, and must pass. And some having reproached them, That there was Folly in such blind Obedi­ence: [Page 29]they answer, That Wisdom ought to be observed in the Commandments, and that it ought not to be searched in Obedience. Make Re­flection upon this Sentence, which is conformable to our Laws.

To inform thee of the Power and Greatness of this Order, it suffices to tell thee, That during sixteen Years that this Souldier govern'd it, he saw an Hundred Colleges in Italy, in Germany, in France, and in Spain; and that in Rome, which was founded by Borgia, hath been, as may be said, the Parent of all the rest. Judge hereby the Number of their Houses, and Disciples.

Having one day met with one of this Society, who understood the Oriental Languages; and who conversing with me, did not believe he dis­coursed with a Mussulman, I heard him vomit injurious, and fearful Imprecations against Ma­homet, against his Law, and against all true Believers. I have so much Horror to write to thee all he said, that I will tell thee but some few of them; and the rather to divert thee, by the knowledge of the Errors of our Enemies; and also, that thou maist not be afflicted at some things not very reasonable, which are observed in ma­ny of the Precepts of the Law, which we follow. Let this be said, as if I had not spoken it, seeing I pour frankly the Secrets of my Heart into thy Bosom: no ways doubting, but thou knowest to be silent in what may cause my Death. This Jesuit maintains, That the Mussulmans are not Wise in following the Pre­cepts of a Drunkard, who forbad drinking of Wine, and committed Excesses himself, when he thought he was un-observed. He maintains further, That it is foolish to give Credit to [Page 30]such a Fellow, who makes a Paradise to consist of Beautiful Women, where one may abandon himself to all sorts of Pleasure and Debau­chery, and that he hath not foreseen a Hell, where he, and all his Followers, ought to suffer the Pains due to their Crimes. He adds fur­ther, That one must be very foolish to adore a Blasphemer, who hath commanded his Law should be maintained by the Sword, when it could not be supported by Reason.

The Father did not leave off so; he said, That seeing the Alcoran is filled with Dreams, with Bestialities, with Blasphemies, and Impurities; the Mufti's, the Doctors, and Interpreters of the Law, must be in a great Blindness, not to condemn a Possessed, an Enchanter, who gives for the Precepts of his Religion, the committing of Violences, Robberies, and all that may satisfie the most Ir­regular Appetites. What Extravagancy, ur­ged he, to adore the Heel of so vile a Slave as Mahomet; and to believe, upon his Report, that Jacob's Father was his Porter, to Dei­fie his Camel, and to place it in Heaven? He adds further, That there is nothing so absurd, as to command the Turks to wash their Bodies, when their Souls are defiled with Filth; to give them at the same time Charity by Precept, and to command them Robberies by Devotion. It seems also to him foolish, to believe that Ma­homet is the only true Prophet▪ the only agree­able Person to God; and to swear afterwards by One hundred twenty four thousand Pro­phets. He still entertains me with this Sort of Discourse.

But all this (O great Dervis) is nothing; he vo­mits yet this damnable He esie, That the wick­edest [Page 31]Wretches, and the most detestable that ever liv'd, were Judas, Mahoment, and Luther; That these two last, as most impious, are the more tor­mented in Hell. Judas, he said, suffered less Pains, because if he betrayed his Lord, he was one of the Instruments of the Redemption of all Mankind; whereas the others, in damning themselves, damn'd also an infinite Number of other People. This Jesuit would have continued his Blasphemies, if Cardinal Richlieu, in whose Anti Chamber we were, had not come out of his Closet, to go to the King.

I had been silent all this while, because he gave me not a Moments liberty to speak. At length, he asked me at parting, If I was not of his Senti­ments; and I answered precisely thus; My Father, If thou art a good Man, I approve what thou sayst, because thou speakest out of true Zeal; but, If thou beest a Hypocrite, I disapprove all, because thou shalt be damned with Mahomet, and all the Mussulmans.

The Jesuit smiled, not comprehending the Venom which lay hid in my Answer. Btu, dost thou not be­lieve, thou, who art a Dervis, the most illumina­ted, That a Man, of what Religion soever he be, provided he be a Good Man, may be Happy after his Death? Tell me, I pray thee, thy Opinion herein; it is a Point very important to be de­cided.

As for me, I begin really to think, That there may be Saints, even amongst the Christians, as there are amongst Ʋs. I have seen and under­stood many Things that denote true Piety in some of them; and we must acknowledge, That the Precepts of their Law have somewhat of Just; and if they be well observed, they seem no less Holy to me than our own. They have one Article that puzzles me. They affirm, There is but one Truth; [Page 32]so that we are lost, if we are not Christians, or they are damned, if they are not Mahometans.

And this is what I had to say to thee in this Matter; but, I shall not end this Discourse, without some violent Scruples of Conscience. Pray the Great God with me, That he will illuminate my Understanding with Inward Lights, until the Man promised by our Holy Prophet; the Man, I say, who ought to be born of his Race, be descended upon the Earth; who is to see all Kings humbled in his Presence, and to unite with Jesus the Two Religions that they may make but One.

In the mean Time, let us live as honest Men, who have Sin in horror, like the Plague, which poi­sons the Soul; and apply our selves, as much as in us lies, to what is truly Good; and above all things, let us carefully observe this Precept, writ in the Book of their Law, but is not always im­printed in their Hearts, Never do to Others, no not thy Enemies, that which thou wouldst not have done to thy self. A Duke of Guise gave an Example of this to all France; and 'tis what thou oughtest to Preach in the vast Empire of the Mussulmans. This Prince surprized a Villain that would have As­sassinated him, who confessed, that the Interest of his Religion (which was that of Calvin) had obli­ged him to form a Design to take him away, to deliver himself, and those of his Party from so great an Enemy. The Duke, instead of causing him to suffer the Pains due to so black an Enter­prise, Pardoned him, contenting himself to tell him, Friend, If thy Religion Obliged thee to Kill me, without hearing me, my Religion Obliges me to give thee thy Life and Liberty, now I have heard thee: Go thy ways, and amend thy self. This Prince was then General of Charles the IX 's Army.

Sage Bedredin, our Mahomet never shewed such generous Sentiments, when he prescribed in his [Page 33]Law this Precept against Christians, that had ne­ver Offended him; When you Encounter the Infidels kill them, and cut off their Heads, imprison them, and keep them in Chains, until they have paid their Ransoms, or till you find it requisite to set them at Li­berty. Persecute them until they have all submitted, or are entirely overthrown.

Observe in this Letter, what may be of use to thee. Pardon my Friendship, the frank Manner of Writing, and remember Mahmut in thy Prayers, who personates a Christian, and is in his Heart a most faithful Mussulman. If it be in thy Power to succour me, never do me any Injury. God protect and govern thy great Age to the last Moment.

Paris, 28th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XII.
To Chiurgi Muhammet Bassa.

THE Queen is with Child, when least ex­pected, which occasions much Joy at Court, especially to the King; who, after so many Years of Marriage, will become a Father.

Thou, who hast applied thy self so long to the Studies of Astrology in the Schools of Egypt, yet makest Profession of this Divine Art, which disco­vers thee Things the most hidden to thee; who readest so learnedly in the Book of Heaven, whatever the Stars have traced there, who hast found the Moment of their Rising and Disappear­ing, with the Intervals betwixt these two Times, and the Causes which render their Motion quicker, [Page 34]or slower; thou, who penetratest into the most hidden Secrets of Men, and knowest the Seasons of Famine, of Shipwracks, of Victories, and of loss of Battels: Divine in God's Name, Great Inter­preter of the Secrets of Nature, Wiser than Albu­mazar and Ptolemy, what will become of this Im­pregnation; and whether it be true, That this Child that's to be Born, has been more than two hundred and seventy Moons in forming.

If thou believest what I writ last to thee to be im­possible, say nothing of it; it would be no Credit to me, to pass for the Author of a Novel, that has no Grounds of Truth.

The City of Paris, is in an inconceivable Joy; and this Joy is spread all over France. Thou may'st perceive by that, the Passion of this People to see their King a Father. 'Tis true, they have much to hope by it; but it is as certain, they have yet much to apprehend, seeing all their Hopes vanish in an instant.

Nature uses all her Power when she forms a Man, the most perfect of all Creatures. But, there needs but a slight Fall, to destroy this Workmanship be­fore it is finished, as well as after.

I have heard a great many People question much the Sex, and Life of that which will be born.

All the Conversation at the Court, at Paris, and in all the Kingdom, is no more of Wars, of Leagues of Peace, or Naval Preparations; they all rowl upon the bringing to Bed of Women.

There will be other reasoning in some small time in Christendom; and even amongst us, if the Queen do not miscarry; France being no less considerable amongst other Kingdoms, than the Bourbone are a­mongst Men. Harry IV. who introduced the Crown into this Branch of the Family, was a Prince very Brave; and if we live long enough to see his [Page 35]Grand-Children, we shall see, whether they will have as much Courage as the Chief of their Fa­mily.

As for thee, thou wilt have wherewith to di­vert thee, and excercise thy Talent, if this Queen be brought to Bed happily of a Prince. I shall in the mean time be very Exact to mark, not only the Days and Hours, but the least Minutes; to the End thou may'st know, by the Situation of the Planets, which ordinarily regulate the Inclinations of Men, in what manner, a Prince so long expect­ed, will regulate his Affairs, and consequently those of others.

It is a great while since we have had any Com­merce here with the Sun, there being forty nine Days since this beauteous Planet appeared to us; and the Cold is so violent, that it has changed (as I may say) the Waters of the Seine, a large River, into Crystal. Do not look upon these Ef­fects as extraordinary; it happens here frequent enough; for, when the Days are shortest, the Cold is most intense. Thou knowest, that this Cli­mate is very inconstant. I have often seen, in a little space of Time, Rain, Hail, Snow, and ter­rible Winds; and presently after, the Air become Fair and Serene. This inconstancy of the Climate, has its Advantages; for, if the fair Weather do not last long, the foul is also of less Duration.

Fail not, upon the Receipt of my Letter, to communicate the News I send thee, to the Grand Vizir, without telling him the Reflections which I make. They are of no Use to such great Ministers; particularly by us, who are, in Comparison of them, but vile Slaves; always subject to the Sentences they pronounce of us.

Love me, and consult the Stars, to know, whe­ther thou wilt be always Faithful to me; and, if it be by Force, or Inclination.

As for my self, I assure thee, that following the Inclination of my Heart, I will conserve thee that Fidelity which I owe by Obligation.

Paris, 28th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XIII.
To Carcoa, at Vienna.

THE Kaimacan commands me forthwith to send the Pictures of the King of France, the Eldest Son of the Prince of Condé, and of the Car­dinal Richlieu. I caused them suddenly to be Co­pied from the Originals, by an Italian Painter, who passes for one of the best of these Times.

These Three Heads, are the principal of France, if not of all Europe: The First, by Reason of a great and potent Kingdom, which is this Day more flou­rishing than all others: The Second by Reason of his Nobility or Royal Blood, and by his extraor­dinary Courage: And the Third, by a Wise Con­duct in a Ministry full of Difficulties; being, as it were, the absolute Master of Disgraces and Re­compences.

As soon as these Pictures are delivered to thee, whole and well conditioned, pay the Express I di­spatched to thee, the Sum contained in the Billet, which he will present to thee from me. That done, send the Packet to Constantinople, with­out loss of time, and address it to the Kaima­can.

I beseech thee, order the business of my Pension so, that I shall not need to desire the Payment of [Page 37]it. Send me presently what is order'd me for my Subsistance. Nothing in the World appears so terrible to me, as to be obliged to ask.

I have only Moneys for Six days, tho' I should eat nothing but raw Herbs and Water. Both cost Moneys here, And every Thing is sold very dear, except Civilities and obliging Terms, which you have for nothing, and whereof they are very liberal. I must Live, I must have Clothes, and go to Court; for all which there must be Bread, Cloath or Serges, and Coach-hire.

Thou knowest at present my Wants, suffer me not to languish with Expectation. Thou wilt in­jure the Emperor and not Mahmut if thou dost not readily assist his Slave.

The Great God preserve thy Life, if thou dost not forget me; and give thee Grace to be Sober, in a Country where People do not always drink Wine to quench their Thirst.

Paris, 28th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XIV.
To William Vospel, a Christian of Austria.

I Am obliged to thee for the Confidence thou hast in me, in declaring to me thy Losses. Another would have rejoiced in hearing of thy Two Ad­ventures; but, as I do not believe it is a great E­vil to lose a Wife, so I cannot think it is a con­siderable-Good to turn Monk. It is impossi­ble for me to forbear telling thee, That I find thy [Page 38]Resolution too sudden to approve of it. Thou art not the Cause of the Loss thou hast suffered, and yet retirest into a Convent to do Penance, as if thou hadst committed a Crime.

Is it necessary thou torment thy Body for the Death of a Wife, if thou hast not Murthered her? If thou didst love her, because she was Dis­creet, it is not impossible to find another as Pru­dent. If her Beauty charmed thee, there are e­nough that may please; but, if thou wert weary of being a Husband, why art thou then of being a Widower? Tell me, What wilt thou do at present in the Convent thou art shut up in? The Carme­lites are Wise indeed, but know not all Things. It is true, they are very Devout, but not exempted from Sin: Finally, they are Men, and too austere. How canst thou so suddenly accustom thy self to that kind of Life thou hast chosen, and become at once Chast and Sober? As for me, who am a Chri­stian as thou art, and more restrained in my Plea­sures than thou hast hitherto been, I cannot under­stand what I see in that Order thou art entred in­to; neither can I figure to my self, how a Man bare-footed, without a Shirt, covered with a coarse Habit of Wooll, who is no Master of Crowns, and who hath no Armies, should abso­lutely command, not only another Man, but ma­ny, who obey blindly what he requires of them.

To live well in thy Order, thou must Fast; the least Faults are not Pardon'd; thou must receive Offences with Thanks: Finally, the Combat is assured and constant, and there is but little Cer­titude of the Crown which ought to be the Re­ward. Thy greatest Friend is obliged to betray thee, and thou wilt be deprived (as it may be said) of the Elements, to make thee desire the use of Water, Air, Earth and Fire. I cannot per­swade my self, that there are so many Things re­quired [Page 39]to make a Saint; for, when thou lovest God, as much as it is in thy Power to do, and passest every Day, as if it were thy last, I believe thou wilt Live and Die a Just Man. Return me an An­swer, and let me know, If what I write to thee be Conformable to right Reason; or, that I am de­ceived in my Opinion. The Friendship I have for thee, obliges me to write as I do, and to tell thee all I think that regards thee; because, after thou hast taken thy last Resolution, I would rather see thee suffer with Constancy, all the Evils imagina­ble, than to see thee change with Confusion. There are many, who have abandoned with Shame, the Places which they entered in Triumph; and, how many have been pushed by their Despair, to com­mit Follies which seemed Actions of Piety, which they had never undertaken in their right Wits?

We see in our Histories, That many Great Men have caused themselves to be Circumcised, thereby to have Commerce with the Jews, and be Instruct­ed in their Doctrines, finding their Ancient Tem­ple Magnificent, Venerable, Holy, and full of Ma­jesty. We also read, That Pythagoras Cloathed him­self in White, and staid some time amongst the So­litaries of Mount Carmel, to learn the Mysteries of their Religion. His Curiosity was the Occasion of this great Man's Voyage, as their Ignorance had caused the same Design in others. It is not the Desire to be instructed, which made thee en­ter into the Convent; the Affliction for the loss thou hast suffered, made thee take this Resoluti­on. Take heed of quitting it by a Repentance, which would prove an Excess of Folly. The Jews are at present, Vagabonds without Law, without a King­dom, without Altars; and, according to the Al­coran, they will be Metamorphosed into Asses, to car­ry the Souls of the Wicked Mahometans into Hell. Who knows what will become of the Carmelites? [Page 40]They say Elias is not Dead, but is to return to the Earth, to combat those Men who shall rise to trou­ble the World about the establishing a New Religi­on. Stay still where thou art, or return present­ly from whence thou camest; lest after too long a stay, to come out in form, thou commit a Fault, that God will not easily pardon; which will doubt­less happen, if thou perswade thy self, That thou canst not find the Way to Heaven, but out of the Noise of this World.

If thou dost not find I advise thee well, do thou better; but, above all things, govern thy self so, that God may not reproach thee one Day, That a Moldavian gave thee good Advice, and thou didst neglect it. The worst of Turks, might give the same Advice that I do, as a good Christian; and it would be no surprizing thing, if thou Receivest better from a Mahometan. These Barbarians are suf­ficiently Instructed in Morality, to Teach others that which they do not always Practise themselves. Vertue and Truth are respected every where. Turn thee from East to West, from the South to the North, thou wilt find on all Sides impious Men who Blaspheme against the Deity; but, true Vertue has that of singular, That she is always Re­spected, and even by the most Profligate.

Consult once again thy Forces and thy Courage, and take a better Resolution, if thou art not yet well fixed in thy first. Titus salutes thee out of this World; and prays Heaven to give thee the Pleasures of the Happy, in thy Solitude, if thou beest no Hypocrite; and if thou hast not yet Re­pented of the Resolution thou hast taken.

Paris, 28th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XV.
To Ibrahim, who Renounced the Christian Religion.

THou hast Renounced thy Religion, either to save thy Life, or for some other Considera­tion. I do not say this to make thee Scrupu­lous, but in Quality of Resident in this King­dom, to serve here the Sultan Emperor of both Seas, and of the Two Parts of the Earth, Di­stributer of all Crowns; the Grandeur of whose Majesty, I beg of God, may last till the last Day of Universal Judgment. I advise thee to take heed, not to sollicite those Infidels, whose Religion thou hast abandon'd, to run the same Course that thou hast done.

Thou hast written to thy Brother, that he is become a Beggar, because he Renounces his God a Thousand Times at Play; and that thou art at present very Rich, for having Renounced him but Once, and by that thou exhortest him to turn Mus­sulman.

I thought good to write to thee, That Souls are not to be gained with a Letter and a scurvy Jest. Think of becoming a Good Man after thy Change of Religion, and give no Occasion to the Marsilians, to say, That thou art Infamous be­cause thou hast Renounced thy Faith, and that we are all damned because we are Mahometans. If thou dost not approve the Advice I give, I shall he obliged to acquaint the Port with what shall come to my Knowledge; which I shall do with Regret, because thou may'st suffer by it.

The Great God, make thee rather Wise than For­tunate.

Paris, 28th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XVI.
To Dicheu Hussein Bassa.

AS the Knowledge which I shall have of Affairs will augment daily, so I shall have the more Matter to write; and will omit no Occasion to re­mark what occurs, which I will not fail immediately to communicate. Thou, who with great Applica­tion observest what passest amongst Men, and art desirous of knowing the most secret Transactions of Potentates; thou may'st observe, That there are more violent Enmities betwixt the Christian Princes of Europe, than all the other Princes of the World.

I cannot comprehend whence it is, that these Infidels cannot live in Peace, and perhaps they do not comprehend it themselves. It seems a De­cree of Heaven, That Man ought to be contrary to Man, and that whilst there are Kingdoms there will be Wars and Enmities.

The Wars which are carried on at present in Alsace, look as if they would last long. The Death of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, the second Scourge of the Imperialists, who was slain Six Years since, did not terminate the Differences of Germa­ny; they are greater than ever; and there appears in the New Generals of the Armies, vaster Designs than those in their Predecessors. Perhaps they will revenge the Death of Gustave, who was kill'd, not [Page 43]as the Christians affirm; but by one of the Forty Germans, who had bound themselves by Oath, never to quit their Swords before they had slain him, as the Turkish Historians do write.

Duke Bernard Weymar, of no less Valour than Gustave, commands the rest of the Swedish Army, with a good Number of French Troops, and many Christian Hereticks of Germany Victory attends the Arms of this General; and, the Princes which are united for Defence of the Empire, begin to apprehend a Captain, who observes less the Rules of War than the Emotions of his Valour, and whom they perceive seconded by Fortune. But, he doth not consider, That in weakening an Empe­ror, he doth augment the Forces of a King, who will enjoy the Fruits of his Labours, and suppress him, in Spite of his Bravery, when he pleases. In the mean time, I am of Opinion, That it is our Interest, that Weymar be always Victorious. It may be said of him, That he hath sold to France, all but his Glory, having reserved nothing for himself but Hope.

All that this Duke can Conquer from the Ger­mans, is for the French King, who furnishes him with Troops, with Arms and with Moneys, be­sides wise Advice. Cardinal Richlieu, who is an able States man, fails not to perswade his Master, That the Places, which Weymar shall take in the Em­pire, with the Army which he Commands, are the Effects of his Councils, and his Majesty's Moneys. The French begin to preserve their Conquests, and know how to defend the place which are subject to their Power.

This Prince makes Acquisitions, which are in truth, of more Importance, than they seem considerable for their Greatness. He took Rhinfeld almost as soon as he had Besieged it. The Place was strong, seated near the Black Forest, where the Garrison was fur­nished [Page 44]with Abundance of all Sorts of Ammuni­tions.

John de Wert, General of the Imperial Army, had reliev'd it with Nine Regiments of Horse, and Five Thousand Foot. He defeated Weymar's Horse, took part of his Baggage and Artillery. The Duke of Rohan, a great Captain, and great States-man, was hurt, and taken Fighting; and the City relieved with Men, Ammunition, and Victuals, which ren­dered the taking of it more Glorious.

They write, that Two Imperial Generals, the said John de Wert, which had succoured Rhinfeld, En­henfort, as also Duke Savelli, had been taken in a Combat which preceded the Rendition of the Place, besides Thirty Eight Cornets and Nineteen Foot Captains. These Spoils were gained by the Blood of the Swedes, and sent to the French King; who after he had caused them to march through all the Streets of this Great City, commanded them to be hung up in the Principal Church, where I saw and considered them, as Marks of the Triumphs of Policy. The Siege of this Place lasted but Eight­teen Days.

The Duke of Weymar, after this Victory, march­ed into the Marquisate of Durlach, where he took the Castle of Rotelen. Defended by the King of Hungary; in which he found great store of Provi­sions, and all sorts of Ammunitions, which served greatly for the refreshing of his then needy Army.

In the mean time, Duke Savelli escaped out of Prison, and retired to Luzerne in Switzerland. The Officers that guarded him, were accused of Fa­vouring his Escape, which cost them their Heads.

All I write to thee is most true, and thou may'st cause my Letters to be inregister'd. God grant that Brisac, together with all Alsatia, may fall into the French Hands, and that the Emperor of Ger­many be subjected to the Laws of the Osmans. Thou [Page 45]seest the Time come, wherein the French make Con­quests, without being present at them. The King of this Nation, appears not only Happy, but is so in Reality; all Things succeeding that he undertakes. His Queen's being with Child, and the Cardinals Policy, puzzle the Spaniard, the Empire, and Italy it self. What will happen none knows, but God and Mahomet. 'Tis our Duty to humble our selves, and say what we see, and not be so rash as to pene­trate into the Future.

Do what thou canst by thy Intrigues, to aug­ment the Germans Losses, for the Reasons thou knowest; and particularly, to facilitate the Sul­tan's Conquests in Hungary. Assist, in the mean Time, the poor and faithful Mahmut, not with the Sword that cuts every Thing; but, by good Counsel, by which we ordinarily perceive, the Re­union of what the Sword hath separated: And I will pray the most High, that all the Infidels bow the Knee before Amurath, and that all that breathe, may enjoy their Lives, but by an Effect of his Cle­mency.

Paris, 20th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XVII.
To Ahmet Beig.

I Receive none of thy Letters; I receive none from the Divan; and I have none from any of my Friends. Italy, where there are so many Peo­ple proper for War, that Province which hath Com­manded the World, is at this Time troubled by [Page 46]the Arms of France. The Pope and Venetians, who appear to have the Principal Interest there, make no Advance to divert the Storm that threatens them. Piemont, which belongs to the Duke of Savoy, begins to feel the Incommodities that War draws always with it. That State is in the midst of the Spaniards who attack it, and the French Ru­ine it in defending it.

These last cannot abandon the Interest of the House of Savoy, the Dutchess being their King's Sister, and her Children his Nephews. The French are already strong on that Side, having a great Garrison in Pigneroll, a Place very conside­rable, which they call one of the Gates of Italy, whereof they have been Masters since the Year 1631. and their Power will much increase by the Accessi­on of the Fort of Breme, which may be termed a Rampart, covering Cazal and Vercelle, and which also defends both Montferrat and Piemont.

The Marquess of Leganez, Governor of Milan, having render'd himself Master of the Field, had laid Siege to Breme; and Marshal Crequi, having in the Name of the King, his Master, undertaken the Defence of the young Duke of Savoy, oppo­sed the Designs of the Spaniards. 'Tis believed, the War will be cruel in this Quarter, being these are very Strong, and the other very Expert.

Thou shalt know the Event. In the mean Time, all the Affairs of the French do not appear so For­tunate in Italy; and, at this Hour that I write to thee, the Court laments the Loss of the Gene­ral that Commanded their Armies in that Coun­try.

There is certain News of the Death of Mar­shal Crequi, who was shot with a Cannon-Bullet through the Body, as he was going to view the Spaniards Works before Breme. This Loss was by so much the more sensible to the French, in that [Page 47]they saw their Enemies make such great Rejoycings at it.

All men conclude, this Crequi was both a good Souldier, and a good Captain; a wise man, and of Excellent Conduct. He had acquired great Reputation, for the King his Master, in Italy. He slew Don Philip, Bastard of Savoy, who challenged him in the sight of Two Armies. He several Times defeated his Sovereign's Enemies in Montferrat, and in Piemont, and beat back the Duke of Feria to the Gates of Milan. There remains no more of this Great Man, who did so many brave Things, but the bare Remembrance of 'em.

Scarce any thing of his Body, save his Entrails, was left for his Souldiers to celebrate his Obsequies with. His Soul is before the Throne of God; his Friends honour his Memory with their Elogies: his Kindred mourn for him, his Sovereign Praises him, and his Souldiers Crown his Tomb with Herbs and Flowers.

The Italians say highly upon this Occasion, That Italy has been Fatal to the French, and that it will be so always. They affirm, That the Duke of Sa­voy will lose his Estate, if defeated by his Ene­mies, which he will likewise do by the Victory of his Friends. But, these are the Conjectures, and ordinary Reasonings of Men, which I write to thee; to the end thou maist not only know what is done, but also the Discourses which are entertain­ed upon the Events that happen. We shall shortly have News of the Siege of Bremen; in the mean time, it imports the French much, to conserve the Opinion had of their Valour and Goodness.

The Business in hand, is to defend a great and illustrious House, which moreover pretends to the Sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cyprus, troubled by the Ambition of Kindred, and the Politicks of the Spaniards. These Ingagements import much to [Page 48]Princes, who have as many Maxims as differing Interests; but, we have nothing to do with the Differences of others.

May it please God, that our Affairs be always attended with an Equality of good Luck, for the Ruine of these Infidels. Be thou constant in the Friendship thou promisedst me, and always faith­ful to thy Friend, who recommends himself to thee, as the Law obliges thee to be to thy Sove­reign.

Paris, 20th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XVIII.
To Berber Mustapha Aga.

I This day entertained a man which came from Italy, and hath served in the French Troops. He gives this account of the Death of Marshal Crequi.

The 17th. of this Mouth, this General having approached the Lines of the Spaniards, to view their Works, and to Fight them, in case he judg­ed it Expedient, a Cannon-Bullet separated his Body in two, and the Bullet being taken up, they were surprised to see a Cross graved upon it, a­bout which were also engraved Letters, which made these two Words, TO CREQƲI. This Bullet, the Cross, and the Letters, caused no less Astonish­ment, than the Death of this Captain did Sorrow, and every Body spoke his Sentiment of it.

Many treat the Spaniards as Magicians and Sor­cerers. Those who are perswaded of the Power [Page 49]of Negromancy, affirm, That the Devil can carry a Bullet to the Place whither 'tis designed: others are of a contrary Sentiment, and believe, there is no Power without the Commandment of the Great God. There are others, who believe neither Charms, nor Characters, nor Magick; who, despising all these Superstitions, attribute All to Destiny; and, I believe the same. Ahmet Celebi explains this per­fectly well in his Journal, which begins in the One thousand twenty sixth Year of our Hegira; when he affirms, That all things, which pass here below, are effected by the Orders of Heaven. We cannot doubt (says he) but the Events which we see, are the Effects of the Will of God; yet, we must believe, he suffers all Things to happen by Second Causes.

Had not Sultan Osman irritated the Janizaries, and Spahi's, by throwing them into the River a­live, when he ran disguised through the Streets of Constantinople, and found them drinking Wine in Taverns: And, had he not published his Design of Reforming this Militia, and transporting the Im­perial Seat elsewhere; he had not, perhaps, been murthered with so much Ignominy.

God sent him a terrible Dream before his Death. He thought he saw our Great Prophet snatching the Alcoran, which he was then reading, out of his Hand; and taking from him, by Force, his Coat of Arms; and striking him down with such a great Box on the Ear, that he could not get up again. Thou knowest, he consulted the Astrologers, and Interpreters of Dreams thereupon. I will not re­port what he, who was his Praeceptor, said, for it was plain Flattery: but we saw, what was foretold by the Astrologers, came punctually to pass. These had foretold, That the Emperor should never see the Feast of Ramezan; because the Star, which pre­sided at his Birth, was much obscured in its Con­junction [Page 50]with the Planet, that was then predomi­nant; which made 'em affirm, he would die in a very little Time. The Ignominy wherewith his Death was accompanied, was an Effect of Destiny; for, never any of the Ozmans suffer'd so much Shame. He had several Times seen the fatal Cord about his Neck without dying. A Soldier, in Charity, lent him his Handkercheif to cover his Head, which was without a Turbant.

He said, all in Tears, to his Murtherers, Ye saw this Morning your Emperor upon the Throne, and this Evening you are for throwing him into a Dung-Cart, de­signed to carry Dirt into the Sea: You cannot live al­ways, and God will require a Reason for this Cruelty. Thou knowest, his resisting of those that strangled him, caused him to suffer much Pain. They took hold of him by the Secret Parts; and one of his Ears was cut off, and carried to the Valide, who expected the News of his Death. The Will of God appears in this Adventure; as also, the Power of Second Causes. Thou may'st see all this in that Journal of Ahmet. Had not Marshal Crequi been in the Wars, he had not perhaps ended his Days by a violent Death; and had he not been so rash as to approach too near to the Enemies Works, the fatal Bullet had not touched him.

We see hereby an Effect of God's Will, accom­panied with our Consent; because we search by our own Choice, that which we might avoid.

In the mean time, accuse me not of Ignorance, or Superstition, if I have been long in entertain­ing thee, upon a Matter in Action, betwixt Man and the Devil. Thou knowest, that by Magick Art, we number the Twelve Spirits or Angels, which preside over each of the Signs of the Zodiack, which govern the Nations, People, and Cities committed to their Care. In like Manner, in the secret Cabala of the Jews, by the Twelve Anagrams [Page 51]of the great Name of God; and, according to the Colour of the Stones where these Anagrams were engraved, they judged of the Future; performing thereby Things very astonishing. They have subjected our Bodies to these Twelve Signs, and divided them into Twelve Principal Members. But, how many surprizing Things are done with the Number Seven, to which they have applied the Seven Planets; by Means whereof, they discover the Secret of the good or evil Fortune of Men? Add to this, the Invocation of Spirits, and the Power of Figures, of Words, of Herbs, of Wri­tings, of holy Characters, and so many other In­chantments, wherewith they consult the Black Angels; and thou wilt find, that Men do many Wonders by this Art, which they cannot do with­out supernatural Assistance.

The little Bits of Paper, cut Triangular-wise, which Tokta Cham. the King of Persia's Embassador, caused to be thrown in the Night, round about the Imperial Tent of the Great Vizir Afis, in (each of which there was a certain Word writ) wrought more considerable Effects, than the Spaniard's In­chanted Bullet, which killed Marshal Crequi. The Ottoman Army revolted the Day following, as if possessed with Furies. The most Seditious took and bound the Vizir, and made him raise the Siege of Babylon. And the King of Persia, who had already dismissed Mustapha Aga, our Envoy, with the Trea­ty whereby he surrendred this Place, being ad­vertised of the precipitate Retreat of our Army, caused Mustapha to be called back; tearing the Treaty he had given him, in his Presence; and bad him tell his General, He could not do so shame­ful an Action, as to surrender so important a Place, to an Army that was running away.

Hast thou ever heard of any Thing so Strange? Read this Ahmet Celibi's Book, and thou wilt see, [Page 52]that all these Prodigies arrived in one Day. The Historian makes no Judgment upon this Adven­ture; he only reports it; neither do I believe it was an Effect of the Enchantment of these Bits of Paper, and the Characters contained in them; be­cause it is certain, our Army was greatly pressed with Hunger. But in Effect, when Mustapha, all in Tears, reproached the Vizir, That if he had gained but two Days Time, he had made a Peace equal to a Victory: Afis answered him, How couldst thou with thy Tears, retain an Army pos­sessed with all the Devils of Hell, and resolved to be gone?

If thou finish the reading of so long a Letter, accuse thy Patience, and reproach not me with Tediousness for having writ many Things to thee worthy of being known. After the Death of the French General, Breme was presently delivered to the Spaniards, by the Cowardliness of the Gover­nor, who incurr'd, in time, a rigorous Destiny for it; having his Head cut off at Casal, where they had imprisoned him.

The Great God preserve thee and thine for ever; and protect thee, against the ill Will of those that do not love thee.

Paris, 20th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XIX.
To Murat Bassa.

THE Dutchess Dowager of Savoy, finds her self extreamly pressed by the continual Incur­sions which the Spaniards make into Piemont; they having besieged Vercelle, a Place which covers the Country on the Side of Milan.

She her self appears on Horse-back, with great Courage, being resolved to recover what is lost, as well as to defend the rest, which is in some danger; having joined her best Troops, with great Diligence, to those of France.

A Cardinal, which they call the Cardinal la Va­lette, commands, in the Place of Marshal Crequi, those Troops of France, which consist of Twelve thousand Foot, and Four thousand Horse.

Thou dost not know, perhaps, what these Cardi­nals are: They be the principal Priests of the Ro­man Church. Their Profession is not to command Armies; though that sometimes happens. either through want of sage Captains, which these Infidel Kings may sometimes stand in need of; or for other secret Reasons, which are not always easie to pene­trate, and must be of great Importance, France not wanting fit Seculars. A Roman Mufti, called Inno­cent IV. gave the Purple Habit to these Priests; and obliged them to wear red Hats, Caps, and Bon­nets, that this Colour might always put them in mind, they ought to shed their Blood for the Ser­vice of their Church and Religion.

I have been told, that formerly there were but Five and twenty, and now their Number is said to be Seventy two; which is that of the Disciples of the Christian Messias; but, they are seldom com­pleat. [Page 54]I was desirous of being precisely informed, what the Dignity of a Cardinal is; and an old Phy­sician, that seems an honest Man, instructs me in all things, that regard the Religion, and Politicks of the Christians. He is such an Enemy to the Cir­cumcision, that he gives often the uncleanest of all Meats to his Patients, such as we think un­wholesome, and cannot be eaten without Sin.

Thou that art a States-Man, and obliged to as­sist at Council, and in the Divan, ought to know more Things than others, and those more per­fectly.

I will inform my self, with care, of the Life, Actions, and Genius of this Cardinal la Valette, to know, whether the King, his Master, has any other reason, than that of his Valour and Experience in War, to make use of a Priest in his Armies, to shed Blood and ruine People; for, I never heard the Mussulmans did ever make use of a Cheik, to command the Armies of the Empire: Besides, they are, without Experience, Fearful and Superstiti­ous.

The Spaniards are more powerful in Infantry, and Cavalry, having Eighteen thousand Foot, and Five thousand Horse; whereby they pretend to render themselves Masters of Piemont, and drive the French wholly out of Italy. The Marquiss of Leganez, Governour of Milan, affirms, That his King will not suffer the Children of the late Duke of Savoy, to be under the Protection of Strangers. He says, That Pignerol, and other Places in the Power of the French, were usurped upon the House of Savoy, and must be restored. They affirm, That the House of Austria will hinder the Widow, her Children, and Subjects from being Oppressed.

Behold here an Example of the singular Piety of the Spainards, in Favour of a Widow and her Children; and on the other side, admire the Kind­ness [Page 55]of the French, who fight against these same Spaniards, for the Conservation of that which con­cerns neither of them. It will be difficult to disco­ver these secret Mysteries. Every Prince puts a value upon his Reasons, as he does upon his Mo­neys.

The Dutchess of Savoy came accompanied with a great number of Ladies, and the greatest of her Court. She was on Horseback at the Head of all the Company, both Horse and Foot, and ha­rangued the Army amidst the Battallions.

She conjured, not only the Captains, but even the Corporals, and private Souldiers, not to a­bandon her Defence. She showed all the Senti­ments of Grief, that a Person of Courage could have, in seeing her self exposed to lose her Estate; or to see her Children, in a manner, Captives; and, upon this Occasion, she failed not to mingle Torrents of Tears with the most charming Expres­sions, which is ordinarily the strongest Eloquence of Women.

The Army being sensible of the Dutchess's Misfor­tune, which she had represented with all possible Earnestness; the Cardinal Valette caused it to dis­camp to relieve Vercelle. He forced the Spani­ards Lines, and put Two thousand Men into the Place. The besieged, fortified with such Succours, made a great Sally, and much Infidel-Blood was shed on both Sides. But all that the Cardinal could do, with his Care, and the Dutchess with her Tears, could not hinder Vercelle to fall into the Hands of the Spaniards. 'Tis said, that the Commander o [...] this Place, and his Garrison, defended themselves to the last Extremity; and, having no more Pow­der, or Lead, they fought at Push of Pike, with Stones; and finally, when all was gone, with their Fists.

But this is not believed here, it being alledged, that the Governor, or the General, did not do their Duty. The Cardinal, say they, failed in his Duty also; for, knowing they wanted Ammunition, yet he did not send it, though he found Means to put into the Place such a great Number of Men. But the Governor is blamed yet more, that did not discover this his Necessity to the General.

I tell thee all these Particulars, to inform thee of the Manner how the French make War; many of whose Over-sights would cost us our [...]es.

There marched out of Vercelle Four Thousand Men bearing Arms. Thence thou may'st judge, that our Generals are not cruel, when they cause the Heads of Commanders to be taken off, that behave themselves so ill.

The Princess of Mantua, who has lost her Hus­band, would, they say, marry a Prince of the House of Austria, called the Cardinal Infant; which is an Effect of the Policy of the Spaniards, to have a better Pretence to attack Montferrat, and drive out the French, who entered there by Consent of the Duke of Mantua, who was Soveraign thereof.

The valiant Duke of Rohan, is at length dead in a Castle near Berne. I think I writ he was hurt, and taken Prisoner in the Battel fought by the Swedes against the Germans. He was in the Sixty eighth Year of his Age, and was very considerable for his Erudition, Valour, and Experience in War. He was bred a Souldier from his Youth; was al­ways employed in Military Affairs, and had often commanded Armies. He supported, by his Bra­very and Experience, for a long time, the Remains of a feeble and dying Party, against the Power of the King. He was illustrious by the Greatness of his House; and his Religion was that of the Cal­vinists, called the Reformed. His Body was Em­balmed, and afterwards brought to Geneva, [Page 57]with great Magnificence and Warlike Pomp. This City is the Retreat of such as the Church of Rome calls Hereticks, who are all well received here; which gives great Occasion of Complaint to the Pope's Partizans; how reasonably, I will not pre­sume to determine; but, there appears to me much more Splendour in the Ceremonies of those of the Catholick Church, and they pretend to greater Vertue and Antiquity.

These are the Transactions in Italy which came to my Knowledge. I will not fail to write, what passed in Germany these last Moons, as soon as I have the Certainty of them.

Pray God the many Differences and Wars, which are amongst the Infidels, may never end; that Italy may be humbled even to the Stirrop of the Horse, on which rides the Great Emperor of the Elect of God, the faithful Mussulmen; and, that all Germany adore the sacred Porch of Mecha.

I pray God support thee always, that thou never fall; and so conduct thee, that thou never goest astray.

Paris, 20th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XX.
To Dgnet Oglou.

THE Condition I am in at Present, makes me think of those long and tedious Days we pas­ [...]ed together at Palermo, in Slavery. How fruitless [...]ere the Tears, which the Irksomness of our Capti­ [...]ty made us shed? yet nothing befell us, but [Page 58]what is common to other Men: But, thou wert too Young to support it, and I had not Experience enough of the World, to conceive the Unhappi­ness whereunto Fortune had reduced me.

Thou art, at Present, at Constantinople, where thou hast all thy Heart can desire; and I at Paris, where I have a thousand Things to take Care for, Constantinople and Paris, are, indeed, two of the greatest Cities in the World; but, much differing in manner of Living, Cloths, Language and Re­ligion. Thou art at present in the midst of Plea­sures, with thy Friends, Children, Wife, with the Liberty of excercising thy Religion, which is the True one; and that, in the Mosques, which our Fathers established: moreover, thou art elevated in Dignity. I, on the contrary, am amongst Infi­dels, amongst Idolaters and Hereticks; obliged to live with a Nation, much differing from Ours, in their Inclinations and Customs. Finally, I live amongst the Devil's Peacocks. The excessive Liber­ty they give themselves, is not such as is enjoyed with true Satisfaction of Mind; seeing they do a thousand Things which carry Repentance along with them.

The Philosophy of the Stoicks, which I learned during my Captivity, gave me to understand, of what [...]mportance it is, for a Man to know himself. Thou may'st remember, perhaps, in the Beginning of our Slavery, that thy Master and mine, were no less opposite in their Manner of living, than our Genius's were differing.

My Enquiry was after Books and Writings; and Watching did not weary me, provided I employed it in learning some-what. On the contrary, tho [...] being always employed with different Handy-work [...] didst little think, that Heaven had designed th [...] to wear a Sword, and consequently, to the E [...] ­ployments of War.

How many things did we suffer in those Days, whereat we do now laugh? Thou wert always chained; and I in Prison, in a Den; thou wert beaten, because thou wouldst not read; and I was banged to pieces, because I would not em­broider.

The reading of Seneca, could not induce me to pardon my Master the Bastinado's he gave me. That which I endured, was greater than the Pains which thou didst suffer; I was persecuted for the Pleasure I took in Reading; and, they would oblige thee to study; whereas, thy Inclinations were quite different from mine.

This hardship made me resolve to hide my self in a Cellar, without Bread, and without Water. I had nothing but my Seneca with me; and I was resolved to deliver my self from my Servitude by Death; so far had this Stoick perswaded me not to live. Thou art so near Death (quoth he) and in the mean time art a Slave. Judge the Force of my Temptation, by the Authority of this Great Man. Whilst I was thus hid, my Master searched me in vain, in the Garden, the Stable, the Kit­chin, and had no less Pains to find me, than I had to hide my self from him. But, at length I chose the better Part, which was, to live, and to forgive.

My Master owes his life to Seneca; he taught me so well, to forget Offences, that my Despair changed into Respect. I had no more Mind to die. I felt my Courage fail, and Fear made me pardon my Master. Thou hadst no knowledge of this Adventure, because I went into the Country, and thou wast ransomed, whilst I was out of Pa­lermo. I was so very intent upon my Studies, that my Master, vanquished by my Obstinacy, gave me Liberty to apply my self to them, being himself shamed to continue ignorant, whilst I dreamt of nothing, but of improving my Mind.

In the Course of four Years and four Months, that my Captivity lasted, Nero's Master gave me the first Tincture of Morality; and after that, I went into the Academies, where I writ the Journal of my Life. Plutarch, Livy, and Tacitus, made me forget the odious Names of Master and Slave.

The Examples of so many great Men, whose Histories we find there; of so many Emperors, Kings, Captains, Masters or Slaves of their Passions; some dead by the hands of their Friends, by Poison; others by the Sword and Surprize; others perse­cuted by their Fathers or their Sons; sometimes by their Wives, and often by their Native Country and Slaves, so often saved and defended by them­selves; disposed me to suffer patiently the state whereunto I was reduced; and to acknowledge, That the honest Man is never a Slave, where ever he is, when he can find his Master within himself. I had time then to do a thousand good Things, which I should never have done, if I had not been in the Condition I then found my self in.

Consider how much we learn by Books, and more yet by the Disgraces that happen to us. We see the Ill as in a Perspective, and the Good in lit­tle. Disgraces afflict us when they happen, and good Fortune when it leaves us. When I was in my House, I lived at rest, because I fansied Ser­ving; and now I am in Service, I am in continual fear of not Pleasing. How many Souls hath Amu­rath sent into the other World, to expect the Uni­versal Day of Judgment? and how many more will he send in this Siege of Babylon, whither he goes in Person, carrying Terror with him, and Forces sufficient to destroy the Empire of the Per­sians.

He hath commanded me to observe the Actions of the Christians, with all possible Application and Exactness, to give Information of them. He [Page 61]will, in doubtful Affairs, have me to write to him my own Judgment, and not that of others. He will have me not to shorten, but extend my Ex­plications, that nothing may be left that will admit of a double Interpretation, and will rather have me tedious, than appear eloquent by the Conciseness of my Relations. He orders me to receive the Advices of Carcoa, who is at Vienna, and to inform Adonai the Jew, who resides at Genoa, in what is necessary; to the end, that all that passes in Ger­many, Italy, and France, may be dispatched to the Ministers of the Divan.

The Secretary of State, as Master of all that is written, has order to en-register my Letters, and examine them. He, according to his Capricious­ness, or Ignorance, may render the Exactness wherewith I obey, criminal; by saying, I am a Fool, or do not write the Truth. This registering puts me in Pain: for, as many mean Things may ap­pear very good at first Sight; and are often com­mended, because of their Novelty; so they may appear also very despicable, when they come to be examined; and may deserve a Check.

I tell thee what I have reason to fear, without telling thee those Things which might raise a Be­lief in thee, that I have reason to hope.

Our Soveraigns are Mighty, and they distin­guish themselves from all the Potentates of the World, by the Impetuousness wherewith they give their Orders; and, there is no Empire, where the Punishments and Rewards work so great Ef­fects. Thou knowest the rest, which is superflu­ous to tell thee, and which Princes do not willing­ly hear.

Explain to me better the News I heard of Mus­suladdin Aga, of an Action of Justice of old Berber.

He writ to me, That a Creditor to whom he owed for a Shirt, being dead, he had put the Price [Page 62]into the deceased's Hand, and went his ways. This new way of paying Debts, seems very extra­ordinary to me. There is an Author, whether Greek or Latin I have forgot, which tells another Ad­venture not unlike this, of a Man who not finding his Shooe-maker alive, threw the Price of the Shooes he had made him into his Shop. If these Actions be not done for Oftentation, they seem vertuous; but if out of Vanity, I cannot believe, that our Negligence to pay our Creditors whilst alive, can be excused by the Care we take to pay them af­ter their Death.

The Dead want nothing in the other World; they are Living that have need of Supplies in this; and who suffer sometimes very much, when they are not punctually paid. The Ancients could never sufficiently describe the Excess, which Men com­mitted by their Passions; and the Moderns do it as little. They are Just, sometimes even to Su­perstition, and sometimes Unjust even to Excess. Sultan Mustaph [...] Charity for the Poor, was very great. He was not satisfied, according to the Pre­cepts of Pythagoras, to give Life to Beasts; his Sim­plicity went yet farther, not presidented by any Prince or Saint; he threw Pieces of Gold to the Fishes, in Ponds and Rivers; alledging for his Reason, that the most Secret Alms were the most agreeable to God; and that these Animals would never tell of it.

Thou wilt answer me, when thou hast Time and Convenience, God give thee the Succour which is necessary for thee; and let our Great Prophet be always favourable to thee.

Paris, 20th of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXI.
To the Kaimakam.

MY last Letters shew what happen'd in Italy, on the Side of Piemont, which thou may'st have seen at the Divan.

I have informed the Council what the Infidels have done there; where three different Nations, which have but one Religion, fight together: The French make War upon the Spaniards, to assist the Savoyards; and these latter would drive the other out of Italy, and reduce Savoy under their Power, which does what it can to avoid the Yoke of both these Nations.

It is to be feared, that new Troubles may arise from this War; which will undoubtedly happen, if it be not suddenly terminated by a Peace. [...] will only write to thee what I know, and, perhaps, what is not come to thy Knowledge. I will not repeat what I have already written; because my Letters pass securely, by the good Order which thou hast taken.

The different Interest of the Princes of Italy oc­casion small Intelligence betwixt them. As their Estates are separated the one from the other, so they are divided by their Maxims, their Inter­ests, and Pretensions. They have, however, but one Religion, which they make to serve for a Pre­text to their Desig [...]s, which are all different; and there is not one of them, which wholly minds his Religion, which can have but one only End.

There are few that can suffer the Conquests of the French in Italy; because that Nation seems rest­less, and Men would not see the Spaniards more powerful than they are; because they play too [Page 64]much the Masters. But however, as the least of these Princes have their particular Inclinations and secret Interests with these two Nations, thou art ignorant of those of the Republick of Genoa with the Spaniards, with whom they have strong Alliances: But peradventure thou hast not been informed of a Conspiracy, which appears to have been carried on in the City, to introduce the Spaniards into it, which the Republick will in no wise suffer.

The said Conspiracy is thus related: The Mar­quiss of Montercy having finished the time of his Government of Naples, and being imbarked with some Galleys, for his Return into Spain, came incognito into Genoa; having had a Conference in a Village near the Town, with some of the Con­spirators, to render himself Master of the Port, and afterwa [...] built a Cittadel upon the highest Side of the Far. Some of the most qualified, were to open one of the Gates by Night, and receive the Troops that should be disbarked out of the Galleys. The Marquiss of Leganez, Governor of Milan, promised to send to Genoa a Chain of Slaves stronger and more numerous than ordinary, which, instead of consisting of condemned Criminals, was to be composed of the bravest Officers of Milan; and some Nobles of the Acomplices, who were to share in the Treaty, were to receive the Troops and come armed for effecting of the En­terprize.

After a Design so well laid, the Spaniards were ready to execute so hard an Undertaking; when the Republick, being suddenly advertised of the Plot, caused it to miscarry, without Noise, by redou­bling the Guards, which did not a little surprize the Conspirators.

Cardinal Richlieu's Creatures give out, That one Doria, called their Prince, did dissuade, or hin­der the Plot, which was profitable for Italy, but [Page 65]contrary to our Interests; for thence undoubtedly had sprung a War which would never have had End, whether betwixt the Subjects of this Common­wealth, who would have ruined each other, or France and Spain; and thou wilt also find, that in preferring the Liberty of their Country, and keep­ing the Spaniards at a Distance, they will maintain themselves still in a Condition advantageous for the Common-wealth, and necessary to the Crown of Spain.

They say, That the Constancy of Doria, hath ac­quired the Honour of having twice saved the Li­berty of his Country.

This Doria is descended from Andrew Doria, that great Captain, who did so many brave Acti­ons against our Nation, commanding the Maritime Armies of Charles V. Emperor of Germany; and since, those of Philip II. his Son, King of Spain, and who often combated the Invincible Ariaden.

I do not believe that Adonai, which was at Ge­noa, hath writ this Adventure to thee; either be­cause it may not be true, or because the thing be­ing very Secret, it was in a manner stifled as soon as discovered.

If thou wilt know the particular reasonings, made upon this Occasion, I will tell thee, That the most advised French believe, that the Spaniards did attempt so fair a Blow; but that the two Parties in the City, the one to preserve their Liberty, and the other to maintain their Authority, did both avoid the Conclusion.

The Discourse is, at Present, various, concerning this Republick; and the French do as much endeavour to make secret Treaties with it, as the Spaniards to hinder its change of Master. It being always of great advantage to such who have Pretences in Italy, to be in good Correspondence with this Place; which may be termed the Principal Port.

The French make a great Noise with their Pre­tences upon Genoa; and they, at Present, revive many Ancient Histories. They affirm, That the Genoese, when they had Differences amongst them­selves, have often-times changed their Laws and their Masters; and that they have been subjected to strange Powers: That Two Charles's, One Lewis, and Francis I. all Kings of France, have taken them into their Protection, having also subdued them by Force of Arms. They add, That this Fran­cis I. continued a great while to send them Gover­nors; and, that it was by the Valour and Resoluti­on of Doria, that this Republick recovered its first Liberty.

These are the Discourses that People make at Paris, the Entertainment of idle Persons, as also of our Politicians. It will be a hard Matter to tell what the King thinks, and what are the Senti­ments of his Council.

Consider, in the mean Time, with what Impu­dence People discourse here; they presume to de­c [...]e Affairs of State: they divide, and accommodate Differences; they support, and ruine Common­wealths and Kingdoms; but, this is no new Thing, the People in all Times having taken the Liberty to censure the Actions of Soveraigns.

It is not for enlarging my Letter, That I write these Particulars of the History of Genoa. But, being an Ancient Nation, which hath formerly wearied the Courage of the Romans by their En­terprizes and Opposition, and have performed, up­on our Seas, great and noble Actions. The Os­mans have her therefore in Consideration; and, the rather, because we possess many Countries, and considerable Places, that were under their Dominion, in Asia minor, upon the Black Sea, and in the Archipelago.

I shall ever recommend all thy Words and Acti­ons to Almighty God, and pray him to hinder thee from falling into Error, and prosper all thy Under­takings.

Paris, 24th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXII.
To the same.

HEnry of Bourbon, First Prince of the Blood of France, marching by Bourdeaux, came upon the Frontiers of Spain, where he besieged Fonta­rabia, strongly seated upon the brink of the O­cean. His Army is made up of Twelve Thousand Foot, and Twelve Hundred Horse. The two Na­tions have had several Encounters and Skirmish­ings, wherein the Loss and Gain have been equal on Land.

But the Spanish Affairs go so ill at Sea, that thou wilt wonder at the great Losses they recei­ved there. The French have burnt Two Gallions upon the Stock, that were a making, and six o­thers intirely finished, which had not been yet at Sea. They have further, taken Eleven great Ships, whereof Six were richly loaden for the Indies; besides the Equipage and Munitions of War; with Two old Gallions that were of no great use. They further, took a prodigious num­ber of Cannons, which lay upon the Shore, One hundred whereof were Brass, all with the Arms of Austria

If all this I write be true, as I verily be­lieve [Page 68]it is; we may say that this Prize, where there were more than a Hundred and fifty Pieces of Ordnance, was no mean Purchase.

I say nothing of the great Quantity of Artillery, mounted upon the Ships and Gallions, for fear of troubling thee with the News of so great a Victo­ry, wherein the French gained so many Vessels and such great Riches, as will suffice to equip a great Fleet.

The Prince besieges the Place and presses it, but the Spaniards defend themselves bravely; and [...]uch Blood will be shed there.

The Priest of Bourdeaux, which these Infidels call the Arch-bishop, was come thither with Sixty Sail, whereof Forty two are Men of War, and the rest Attenders; with some Fireships filled with Bitumi­nous Matter, which inflames easily to burn the Enemies Ships where they can come at them, so that there is nothing wanting in the Armies by Sea or Land.

This Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux, makes more noise at present than the Pope; and, 'tis credible, that what he has done, will gain him great Favour with his King.

He has, with as much Courage, invested Fourteen Galleys and Four Frigats, which came from the Neighbouring Ports to the Relief of Fontarabia, with Three thousand natural Spaniards.

He fought six Hours together with this new Army, which he entirely defeated, having burnt and sunk all these Ships, except one Galley, which was stranded and rendered useless. The Admiral of Spain, with Eight hundred Men, was blown up: which was no small Misfortune to the Spaniards, who lost, upon this Occasion, a great number of Souldiers and Seamen: And, 'tis believed, they will not be able to appear before their Enemies in Sea this great while.

If so many Losses suffered by a Party, are not advantageous to the Grand Seignior, because the other is grown so much the stronger thereby, he will however gain this Benefit by it, That the French and Spanish being both Enemies to our Nation and Religion, our Affairs will be in greater Security, when of two Enemies we see one suppressed.

The French publish by their Joy and continual Feastings, the Advantage they receive from these Successes: And, these Infidels have reason to re­joyce, their Victory having all the Agreements possible; it is indeed great, and their Loss very in­considerable.

They say, there were but Twelve of the Ships of France disordered, and that they lost not above a Hundred Seamen, and very few Officers. Here hath been made a large Relation of this Victory; and, 'tis graved in Copper, to the end it may be made publick in all its particulars, and the Me­mory of it conserved to future Ages. Since the Loss of the Armado, surnamed The Invincible, which Philip II. sent into England, in the Year 1588. to make War upon a Woman, we have not known that Spain suffered so great a Loss.

This is the only News I can tell thee at pre­sent. So many Armies, as are in continual Acti­on, will furnish Matter enough hereafter to di­vert thee, by reciting the Follies of these Infidels. who seem to destroy themselves daily, and ruine their Affairs to gratifie Us by their Defeats, and make Us triumph.

Paris, 17th. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXIII.
To Afis Bassa.

IF thou always followest thy Inclination, and thy natural Honesty, thou wilt be indefatigable in faithfully serving the Sultan, and thou wilt not be averse to him that esteems thee, and loves thee.

Read what I write to thee, and publish it when thou hast read it, that the Council may know, that it is resolved at the Diet held at Stockholm, the Residence of the King of Sweden, to continue the War against Austria; and, that the Duke of Weymar, and the General Banmer, begin al­ready to combat the Imperialists. Thou wilt see Spain and Germany attack'd on so many Sides, and by such powerful Enemies, that 'tis credible there may happen such vast Losses to all these Christians, that the True Believers will have Occasion to rejoyce, and to hope yet the aggrandizing of the Great and Most Mighty King of Kings, Sultan Amurath, Master and absolute Soveraign of both Seas, and Vanquisher of all Nations.

This King hath sent an Army into Picardie, un­der the Command of Marshal Chatillion, to be­siege St. Omer, a very strong Place in Artois, be­longing to the Spaniards; several Villages and Towns of Consideration, being already burnt and pillaged.

The faithful Slave Mahmut▪ salutes thee, gives thee a friendly Kiss, and wishes thee all Sort of Prosperity.

Paris 24th. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXIV.
To the Kaimakam.

THE King of France hath sent forth another Army. I have already informed thee, that this Prince hath already Three Armies in Three Parts of Europe, There is one in Piemont, comman­ded by Cardinal la Valette; another whereof Prince Henry of Condè is Generalissimo, which they hope will quickly take Fontarabia; and, a Third command­ed by Marshal Chatillion, which besieges St. Omer.

The Duke of Longueville is at the Head of the Fourth, which is entred into Burgundy, with de­sign to ruine the French County, defended by Duke Charles of Lorrain, one of the Emperor's Ge­nerals.

So many Armies, and so many Captains march against the Spaniards. This Nation sufficiently manifests her Force; she is attack'd on all Sides, and resists and defends her self on all Sides. This vast Extent of Countries, which the Austrians possess, though separated from each other, makes, that they are always employed in defending themselves; but, they will be eternally exposed to lose without any Appearance of Gain.

Thou knowest, that the true Secret of preserving Union amongst the Good, is to entertain perpe­tual Differences amongst the Bad; and, thou wilt see, that all the Adventures of this Country will render Us Invincible. What I tell thee is a true Saying. The French, at Present, are too powerful, with so many Troops, so many Armies by Sea and Land, which are seen in the Provinces of their Enemies.

The other Christians are in continual Apprehen­sions. The Embassadors of Princes, which reside in this Town and Court, observe with great dili­gence, so many extraordinary Things, but say no­thing; they do like me, they write and advertise their Masters.

I am afraid thou wilt take no Pleasure in the Relations I make thee of the Successes of so great a Power, but I ought to let thee know the Truth. Affairs are carried on here with much Art. The Ministers serve with great Fidelity, and are very secret. Cardinal Richlieu hath an entire Ascen­dant over the King's Spirit; and, to say Truth, is a Person of great Merit. They say, he aspires to true Glory, and will place the Crown, which Charle­main wore, as Emperor of the West, upon his Ma­ster's Head. If the good Fortune of France mar­ches always at this Rate, the Misfortunes of its Enemies must be excessive.

The manifold Wars which this Monarch under­takes, and Richlieu counsels him, do in the mean Time make the People (who bear the Burthen, by the Taxes which they are forced to pay) mur­mur; besides their Grief for the Loss of their Pa­rents and Friends, slain in these Wars.

The Cardinal fears Peace, and apprehends his Enemies may destroy him, if they have leisure to cabal against him. Thus he finds his Interest in the War, and the Armies support his Autho­rity.

I cannot yet make any certain Judgment of him, nor have a perfect Knowledge of his Manners, no more than of the Extent of his Genius; because, the Man hides many Things during his Life with a Dress, which will be discovered when he dies. We can see which are his good Inclinations; and it is not easie to penetrate into a Discovery of the Vices which he is inclined to.

In few Words, he has much contributed to the [...]eace of France, divided by Diversity of Religion. [...]e hath succoured Italy, and manifested there the [...]ower of the King his Sovereign; has weakened [...]e Empire of Germany, by the War he hath car­ [...]ed into her Bosom, by the joynt Forces of the [...]rinces of the North, and them of France, at once; [...]nd no less weakned the Power of the King of [...]pain.

Thou, that knowest every thing that passes, and last Intelligence from all the Parts of the World, canst truly judge of Affairs; which makes thee know, and foresee all that may prejudice the for­midable Empire of the Mussulmans.

Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXV.
To the Kaimakam.

ALL is in Peace here, the War being carried on abroad.

The Court continues to make Vows for the Queen's Health, and happy Delivery. They seem not so much concerned for the King's Welfare, as the Queen's; every Body being perswaded, That the Happiness of France depends on her safe Deli­very.

I writ to Ghiurdgi Muhamet, that he should men­tion the Queen's being with Child, as a doubtful Thing, and which might vanish; but at Present, it is most certain; for she will shortly be brought to Bed. She lives in great Repose, for fear of [Page 74]hurting her self; she scarce stirs out of her Bed-Chamber; and, every body endeavours to please her.

There is News from Provence, of the arresting of a King's Son, by that Governor. The Prison­er is Brother to Uladislaus, King of Poland.

'Tis said, that the King of Spain had made Prince Casimir Vice-Roy of Portugal, in Recompence of the Troops of Cossacks he had formerly raised to defend the County of Burgundy. They add, that being embark'd at Genoa, upon one of the Gallies of that Republick, for Spain, to take Posses­sion of the said Charge, with a small Train of Do­mesticks, and Count Konickpolski, who called him­self Uladislaus's Embassador, with the Marquiss of Gonzague, his Kinsman; being arrived in Provence, and visiting with Care, all the Ports and Fortresses; this gave no small Cause of Suspicion to the French. He staid four Days privately in Marseilles; but, his Galley was arrested at Bouc, the last Port of France, by Orders of this King.

'Tis not yet known, what obliged France to make a Person of this Quality, Prisoner, having nothing to do with Poland; and King Lewis XIII. having no particular Pique against Prince Casimir: But, the Secrets of State being only known to them that govern Kingdoms, I pretend to penetrate no fur­ther, but content my self to write what they do, and what they say. Thou, who in the Absence of the Vizir Hazem, art the Glory of his Highness's Council, art best able to discover the reason of so extraordinary a Novelty.

The most knowing Persons at Court, say, this Prisoner will suddenly be set at Liberty; and that, having no War that may authorize his Detention, it would be unjust to retain him.

The Event will teach me, who am Ignorant, and them that will divine, that which perhaps no [Page 75]body knows at present. May it please the Great God, Master, and Soveraign Moderator of all Things, that the Intelligences and Guesses which I give, may always be profitable and agreeable; and, that thy Life may be of eternal Duration, for the Happiness of our Great Emperor and his Empire.

Thou shalt suddenly know, whether Prince Ca­simir be retained longer in Prison, or set at Liber­ty. I would, that King Uladislaus were in the same misfortune, in the hands of the Janizaries; and, that he, as well as his Kingdom, were Slaves to the Invincible Sultan, King of Kings; to whose Power may it please the divine Goodness, and the wisest of his Prophets, to subject all the Countries of the Infidels; and then to place him, with his Wives and all the Prophets, in his Paradise.

Paris, 20th. of the Seventh Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXVI.
To the Kaimakam.

HAving given thee an Accompt of the Impri­sonment of Casimir, I will relate to thee the Voyage of King Ulidislaus, his Brother, who is gone a Progress into Hungary and Germany.

The News here, is, That the King of Poland was gone to make a Visit to the King of Hungary; who, to do him Honour, sent the chief of his No­bles to receive him upon the Confines of Moravia.

They write also, That Arch-duke Leopold went from Vienna to meet him: They embraced like [Page 76]Brethren; and returned together with the Queen of Poland, and her Sister, back to Court. 'Tis ad­ded, that the People received this Company with great Acclamations, with the Noise of the Can­non, and all the small Shot of the City.

The Day following having dined in the Imperial Palace, they went together to Luxemburg, to visit the Empress Eleanor, Widow to the late Emperor of Germany.

If Carcoa hath not informed thee of these Parti­culars, thou wilt receive them from Mahmut, who watches incessantly to give true Intelligence, and penetrate as much as may be, into all that occurs, and is done in this great Court, which gives mo­tion to all the Courts of Europe.

Reprove me, if I do not well; and punish me' if the Emperor be not well served, and thou satis­fied.

Paris, 15th. of the Eighth Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXVII.
To Kerker Hassan Bassa.

DO not accuse me of being ill advised, or neg­ligent, if I write to thee things that thou knowest already. I am only careful in telling thee what happens here; and my Business is not to en­quire, whether thou art better informed another way. When I am ordered to write all that comes to my Knowledge, I do my Duty in doing it, and I ought not to be reprehended for it.

I am told, that the Sultan is gone with an Army, more numerous than all the Leaves on the Trees, to destroy the Persians. Red-Heads, and conquer Babylon. I know that the Mufti, the Grand Vizir, and all the Grandees of the Divan followed him; but am ignorant of what he did in his first Expedition, when he took Revan.

An old English Merchant, who comes from Is­pahan, and has served in the Army of the faithful Mussulmans, passed this Way in his Return to Eng­land. He hath been an Eye-witness of the great Actions of Amurath. He says, that this mighty Emperor after his taking of Revan, left Twelve thousand Souldiers in Garrison there, with Two hundred thousand Crowns in Silver, besides Cop­per Moneys to pay them.

He saith also, that our mighty Monarch, being wearied to see so much Blood of the faithful, yea, of the Heretick Mussulmans, spilt, he had sent the King of Persia a Challenge; offering to fight singly in Duel with him, but he would not accept of his Defie.

He tells, how Amurath being fallen in the Wa­ter, in passing the River Haret, was in great haz­zard of being laid up in Expectation of the last Judgment Day, in the other World, had it not been for a Young lusty Solack, who took him by the Arm, and dragged him out of the River. This Accident was the Prelude of a great good Fortune, which happened to this mighty Prince upon the Bank of another River, called Mako, where he had the News of the Birth of a Son born to him in the Seraglio, at Constantinople, whom they call A­laaddin; whose Nativity hath been celebrated with infinite Demonstrations of Joy.

This English-man tells us further, that Amurath has taken Tauris, and appeared publickly there with all the Marks of a formidable Power; that he [Page 78]had destroyed the King of Persia's Seraglio, burnt the publick Markets, and caused a Million of fine Trees, which renders the Loss irreparable, to be cut down.

Let me know, when thou art at leisure, whether this News be true; and do me the Favour to tell me, our great Emperors Success in the Expedition of Babylon. The Politicians here, attend the News of it with much Impatience. 'Tis allow'd, that A­murath is the most Potent of all Princes, the strongest Man alive; and, that only he can vanquish and ruine the Kings of the Earth.

Two Strangers of differing Nations, and both of Royal Blood, are dead in this City. The one is Don Christopher, Son of Don Antonio, King of Portugal; who, after he had lived Sixty six Years, without e­ver attaining the Crown of his Father, died in a Convent of Dervises, called Cordeliers, where he was buried, in the same Place where his Father's Bro­ther had been formerly.

The other Stranger was called Zaga Christos, who was the legitimate Successor of the Kingdom of Ae­thiopia; a Young Man of Twenty five Years, Son to the Empress Nazarenne, Widow of Jacob, Empe­ror of the Abyssins, who died in a Village near Pa­ris. He quitted his Kingdom, as thou knowest, for­ced by Civil Wars; he arrived in France in the Year 1635. of the Aegyra of the Christians. After many Adventures, he composed the History of his Tra­vels, which he performed with Troubles and In­commodities which seemed insupportable.

What has he not suffered in traversing many King­doms, Arabia the Desart, Egypt, Asia Minor, and Je­rusalem, where he ran the Hazard of being arrested by the Bassa that resides there; whom he escaped by retiring by Night to Nazareth, amongst the Christian Dervises, where he concealed himself five Months?

He said here, that an Eunuch of the Bassa of Cairo, had much sollicited him to forsake the Chri­stian Religion, to which he would never consent; and refused to go to Constantinople, to humble himself, by prostrating his Face in the Dust of the Grand Signior's Feet; although the Bassa extreamly pressed him to it, with very advantageous Offers.

This King has done much Honor to the Manes of the dead Prince, whilst, perhaps, he suffers ever­lasting Torments; which neither thou nor I shall suffer, if we always live like faithful Mussulmans, according to the Precepts of the Law, ordained by Mahomet, and written in the Alcoran.

I shall gladly hear, that thy Life is safe, and my Friendship agreeable to thee.

Paris, 20th. of the Eighth Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXVIII.
To the Kaimakam.

THat which hath been so long expected, is at length happened: The Queen is brought to Bed of a Dauphin; the King is a Father; the Kingdom seems to desire nothing more, and the People wit­ness their Joy by a Thousand differing Festivities.

The Men, the Women, the Children, and the Aged, run through the Streets as at Bacchanals. They rejoyce with their Friends, they go to Church. and thank God, as if a Messiah had been born to them.

All the Priests praise God in their Temples for such a Present; and the Monks, not so content, deafen the People with the Noise of their Bells, and do more than the Drums and Trumpets of the Souldiers, and all the Cannon of the Cittadel and Arsenal. I did, in Company of others, what I should not have dared to perform, if I had been alone, or had not been observed.

Those who affirmed, the Queen would be brought to Bed of a Son, pretend now, they had been ad­vertised by some Divine Revelation, and will pass for Prophets; and, amongst these, there are ma­ny Religious. Observe how far the [...] Superstition extends.

The Court has dispatched many Expresses into all the Provinces of France; and, others have been sent to all the Embassadors, to give Notice of this Birth to their respective Princes.

A Priest, who is a Bishop, hath baptized this Child, without any Ceremony, in Presence of the Chancellor of France, the Princes, Princesses, and Grandees of the Kingdom; the further Solemnity being reserved for another time.

The King commanded Te Deum to be publick­ly sung; being the Hymn which is usual to all Christians, to thank God for extraordinary Suc­cesses.

Nothing is seen in the Streets of Paris, but Bon­fires, and Fountains of Wine, which run Day and Night. The People testifie their Joy; and the Fires are so great on all Sides, that it looks as if the City were to be reduced to Ashes.

Amongst so many Subjects of Joy, the King has wherewith to afflict him, having been for some Days tormented with a violent Tertian Ague; and, it cannot be but he must have his Spirits a­gitated with so many Wars at once. He has Ar­mies against Spain, in Flanders, Italy, Burgundy, [Page 81]and the Empire in Germany; without mentioning his Naval Forces, and the Designs and Pretentions which he doth not yet declare. Thou maist be confident, that Leagues will be formed against him, and Conspiracies against his State. The Great Ones of the Kingdom are not asleep; having long since had Designs to humble the Favourites and Mini­sters, whose Deportments displeased them, and to make themselves Masters of Affairs, and the Go­vernment.

I have a Plece of News to tell thee; but receive it as coming from a Woman, not Mahmut. I sel­dom send that for assured, which in Appearance is not Truth. What I am g [...]ing to say, will un­doubtedly seem ridiculous.

The Women give out, that the Dauphin has Teeth, and the Nurses will witness it. Those who easily believe Wonders, publish this as a most cer­tain Truth. The People, who add Faith to the most Incredible things, raise Stories upon this, and are full of pretended Augu [...]ies.

But there being no Law that obliges us to be­lieve that which we find Incredible, thou maist therefore receive this News as thou pleasest, and look upon it as useless, and excuse me.

They give the King the Title of Saint, which they add to that of Just, because of his great Pie­ty, in devoting his Son, before he was born, to the Virgin, (which the Christians say is the Mother of their Messiah) with his Kingdom, People and Person, which he hath put under the Protection of the Mother of his God; which he has made ap­pear by Prayers, Processions, and extraordinary Alms.

This Ceremony, is ordinary enough with these Infidels; who, by an inexcusable Idolatry, devote their Towns, and dedicate their Temples to Men that are dead, whom they call Saints; worship­ping [Page 82]them afterwards upon their Altars, and invo­king them in their Distress.

I have nothing more at present to write to thee. God give thee always the Grace to be just to thy self and others.

Paris, 16th. of the Ninth Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXIX.
To the Captain Bassa.

THE Birth of the Dauphin of France happened this Month, whereof I forthwith advertised the Kaimakam. I find my self in a great City, where they feast continually, to testifie the Love they have for the King, the Queen, the Young Prince and the State.

Joy spreads equally; the most miserable, to whom Fortune has given nothing but Tears, do now di­vert themselves.

The Women rejoyce yet most; and, it seems, this Adventure regards them principally. There is not one of 'em that would not lie in; all the Maids would be Mothers, and the most advanced in Years do not now despair.

It seems here, that God only hears the Prayers of the French; for, they believe the Queen had never been with Child, if the People were not ho­ly. Thus all believe, that they owe it to a Miracle of Heaven, not of Nature, that the Child is born; and for that reason he is called, Given of God.

If this be so, thou must conclude, this Prince will be very Great, and much to be redoubted, who [Page 83]hath God for his Father, and is Heir of a great Kingdom. To say the truth, France was never so flourishing, besides the great Armies they entertain by Sea and Land.

But, that which appears most important to me, is, their vanquishing the Hugonots, and defeating the Rebels. The Birth of a Successor, does much heighten these Advantages, and causes a great Happiness to this Kingdom. I have my Share in the Feasting, being obliged to do as others; for, to what purpose should I appear afflicted?

Before I relate to thee a bloody Combat of Gal­leys, which was fought in the Sea of Genoa, I will inform thee of a ludicrous one in that of Marseilles, which resembled those Spectacles the Ancient Ro­mans exhibited with so much Pomp and Magnifi­cence, called Naumachies.

The Count of Alais, Governor of Provence, caused four Galleys, two against two, to combat, first with Cannon, and afterwards with Small Shot; and lastly, to board with Swords and Pikes; which was a fatal Presage for two Nations, who ran in search of each other through all the Ocean, and exhibited a sad Spectacle by Battles, where a Num­ber of valiant Men were seen to perish.

Five and twenty Spanish Galleys appeared on the Coasts of Provence, where, it was said, they were come to surprize some Maritime Place. But, the Count of Harcour, General of the Armies of the Levant, for the King, having given them Chace, some of them retired to the Coasts of Genoa; where they were attacked by a like Number of those of France, which had still followed them since they were seen before Marseilles.

It was the First of this Month, that they fought. Never appeared more Valour; never was Com­bat more terrible; and, 'tis scarce conceivable what Blood was shed. Thou, who art a great [Page 84]Captain, and an excellent Sea-man, mayst guess.

These thirty Galleys having began their Com­bat with their Cannon and Muskers, the Sea was in a little time coloúr'd with Blood, and covered with dead Bodies. Each Galley having singled out his E­nemy, the Fight was the more bloody and obsti­nate. 'Tis said, this Battel was seen from the Walls and Tops of Houses in Genoa, which were crowded with Spectators; and looked on with the same Con­cern, as if they had fought for the Empire of Italy.

The Victory cost much Blood, which the French pretended to; seeing they took six Galleys from their Enemies, amongst which was The Royal Patron of Spain, the Captain, and the Patron of Sicily, with Eight hundred Prisoners; having themselves lost but three Galleys, which were taken by the Spani­ards. The following Night there arose so violent a Tempest, that the Sea had well-nigh swallowed the Victorious and the Vanquished. The French lost the Royal Patron of Spain; which breaking loose, retired into a little Port of the River of Genoa; where the Inhabitants of Arenzano seizing it, resto­red it to the Spaniards; which, they say here, the French will not fail to revenge.

I am perswaded, that all I write to thee is true, because I have it from disinterested Hands, and such as know the Truth of what passes.

They add only, that the Galleys of Spain, having more Slaves and Souldiers, the Victory of the French was by so much the more glorious; and they affirm, that the other had Two thousand Foot extraordina­ry, designed for Milan.

God give thee always Victory over thy Ene­mies, and make thee feared of all the World.

Paris, 24th. of the Ninth Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER XXX.
To the same.

THey do here so highly magnifie their Successes, as also those of the Allies of the Crown of France, that I know not what to believe, these Ex­aggerations being so contrary to the Glory of the Osmans. Having given thee an Account of the Fight betwixt the Galleys of France and Spain, I will at present inform thee, of the Advantage they say the Galleys of Malta have had.

They affirm, that this Squadron has defeated a very great Galley of the Bassa of Tripoli, loaden with great Store of rich Merchandise. We know well, that this Vessel and her Loading are of good Value; but not so great as the Infidels publish. They say further, that they took upon the Coast of Calabria, two great Vessels, and a Polagu, commanded by Bicoce, Admiral of Tripoli, who is a Renegado of Marseilles. They say, there were Two hundred Turks, Three hundred and fifty Prisoners taken, and Fifty Christian Slaves set at Liberty. If what they say is true, there were also a great many Brass Cannon in these Ships. They confess, that the Ge­neral of these Galleys, did all that was to be ex­pected from a Valiant Man, although he had the Gout, and that they lost but Eight Knights.

Thou who knowest the truth of this Adventure, punish so great a Lye. 'Tis true, that the Christians have taken the Vessels in Question; but, it is not true, that their Advantage hath been so great as they make it, seeing there were no Brass Cannon, but a few Christians delivered; and, they having lost much more than they acknowledge.

Thou art Valiant, thy Employment gives thee the command of the Sea; root out of the World this little Nest of obstinate Pyrates, who breath but by the Goodness of Amurath, whose Clemency hinders their Destruction.

Paris, 4th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year, 1638.
The End of the First Book.

LETTERS Writ by A Spy at PARIS.
BOOK II.

LETTER I.
To the Captain Bassa.

WHY wilt thou be more cruel than a Serpent; and give me Poyson, when I send thee so good Antidotes, to preserve thee from the Mischiefs, with which thou mayst be over-whelmed? If thou beest not satisfied with me Friendship, be at least wise with the Sincerity where with I have given my Advice. Thy proceeding, I must confess, makes me repent I did not takes another course; I should thereby, in all Probability, have put a stop to all thy ill Practices. Had I made known to the Grand Vizir, what I wrote to thee from Vienna, I should have received Thanks for my Care and Diligence, and thy Chastisement might have been of good Ex­ample: [Page 88]But, I tell thee plainly now, that I shall be obliged to accuse thee of Treason, in Case thou con­tinuest thy Commerce with the Emperor of Ger­many's Secretary.

What Interpretation wouldst thou have me give the Correspondence thou holdest with this Mini­ster; when I discover, that he sends thee continually Presents, and receives the same from thee? Be per­swaded, every time thou appearest favourable to the Christians, that the Pleasures thou dost them, render thee criminal to the Mussulmans For, in fine, what's the meaning of those Persian Horses, those Hungarian Slaves which thou sentest, and that Quantity of Magnificent Vests which thou present­edst to thy Friend? What wouldst thou have a Man think of that Silver Hercules, and Clock en­riched with Pearls, which one of the Faithful re­ceives from an Enemy of our Holy Law? It signi­fies nothing to answer my Letters with Passion, and Raging: Go to the Tribunal, where these kind of Questions are to be decided; the Judge will tell thee, whether such a Commerce is lawful, even in Times of Peace Thou much exaggeratest the Obli­gations thou hast to thy Friend at Vienna, because he used thee well, when thou wert his Prisoner of War. To this it is easie to answer, That if he behaved himself like a Gentleman, thou oughtest to imitate him, like a good Mahometan. Should he happen to be thy Prisoner, take then thy Revenge, and endeavour to requite him.

Again, supposing it should be discover'd, that this thy Friend has presented thee with this famous Cypher, composed with such Ingenuity, that it may be fitly called Arts Master-piece; what Opinion can the Mussulmans have of thy Fidelity? 'Tis known with what Application thou usest it to write into Germany, and to decypher the Answers which thou receivest. Are not these sufficient Signs, to [Page 89]shew, that the Dispatches thou writest, and their Answers, are like the Trojan Horse, concealing a­bominable and dangerous Mysteries? Be perswa­ded, that I had not writ to thee from Germany, the Letter which has so greatly offended thee, on sim­ple Conjectures. The Secretary, thy Friend, said one day, he must be a Witch or a Devil that can dis­cover the Artifice of these Characters; That an Italian, who was condemned to perpetual Impri­sonment, had wrought Twenty Years to meliorate this Art, and had brought it to such great Per­fection, that he never saw any body that could un­derstand his Letters, with the Key it self which he gave them. 'Tis said, that this Invention is wholly new; and the more admirable, that a Letter of an ordinary Style, of Domestick Affairs, of Love and Complements, may contain Secrets of the greatest Importance; without using equivocal Expressions, particular Characters, Figures, supposed Names, Hieroglyphicks, Juyce of Herbs or Liquors; it be­ing impossible ever to discover what one designs to hide. He adds, that one may write in Turkish, Arabian, French, or Italian, and conceal a Secret, written in any Tongue whatever.

Thy Friend carries it yet further, and says, he could make use of Verses to decypher Prose: And this audacious Man affirm'd, one Day, in the Em­peror's Anti-chamber, that he would put into French this horrible Blasphemy, The Tyrant Amurath will soon die; which is found in the following Verses of an Italian Poet, whereof he immediately made a Proof: And these are the Italian Verses:

Giace l'Alta Cartago, a pena i Segni
De l'alte sue ruine il lido serba
Muiono le citta, muiono i Regni
Cuope i fasti, e le pompe arena & herba
Et l'huom di ess [...]r mortal parche si
O nostra mente cupida, & superba sdegni.

If it appears, that I am too sharp against thee, I will receive thy Curses without reply: But, if thou knowest I have had just Reasons to write to thee, as I have done; why are thy Answers so full of Injury? Think better on thy Interest, and be always faithful, if thou intendest a long Life.

Paris, 4th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER II.
To the same.

THE small Success which we always meet with at Sea, obliges me to entertain thee there­on. I shall take no Notice of this to the other Grandees of the Port, no not to the Kaimakam, to whom I have not written these Three Posts. If thou hast received my Two last Letters, thou oughtest to be satisfied with the Care, which the faithful Mahmut takes to give thee sound Advice. Consider well all the Circumstances, which are re­lated here, concerning the Sea-Affairs.

The Loss of so many Galleys, great Ships, and other Vessels, made this Year, by the Friends of the Empire, the True Faithful; do much lessen the Reputation of the Ottoman Greatness.

The Discourses made hereon, by the Christians, are so many Invectives against the Honour of Amurath, against thine, and that of our Nation. If it be by a Decree of Heaven, that these Veneti­an Pyrates have taken, this Year, all the Galleys of Africk; we must then conclude, That God is offended with us, and does not hear our Prayers. [Page 91]For my part, I believe it; but I should not be a good Mussulman, should I pretend to understand the Secrets of Providence.

They write from Marseilles, That the People of Tunis, Bizerte, and Algiers, are greatly dismay'd at the Loss of their Fifteen Gallies, which General Capello has taken from them this Year. Thou knowest how the Business has happened; the In­fraction of the Treaty is manifest to all the World, as well as the Insultings over the Fortress of the Grand Signior. I cannot imagine what Excuses the Senators of this Republick can make, for what their Admiral has maliciously done against us, when they shall be obliged to give an Account of their Actions at the Fleet of Amurath. I speak to thee with all possible Humility, and thou needest not doubt but I speak with Zeal. I believe 'tis time for thee to oppose, and put a stop, not only to the Pyracies of these People, but the Incursions and continual Enterprizes of the Corsaries of Mal­ta, and so many Vessels which infest our Seas, un­der the Banner of the Duke of Tuscany, and other Infidel Princes. Thou oughtest to succour those People which are Friends and Tributaries to the Port, whose Assistance thou hast often advantage­ously used; neither dost thou want means for this, having at thy disposal the terrible Forces entrusted to thee by Amurath; and, with these, the magnani­mous Courage given to thee by Nature.

The Christians have vow'd to pierce, this Year, into the Bosphorus, and put all to Fire and Sword. Above Sixty French Knights are determined for Malta, to joyn themselves with their Comrades, to cruise our Seas with them. And thou knowest the Resolution and Courage of this Militia, and the Progress they every Day make.

Believe what Mahmut tells thee. Thou hast Two Seas to keep; and if it be true, thou hast made [Page 92] Ali Piccinino to come from Africk, with so many Galleys, designed to the keeping of the Coasts of Barbary; 'tis not to be doubted, but the Divine Pro­vidence has ordered, (it concerning so greatly Amu­rath's Honour) that the Guilty be pursued, so that not one of them may escape his Vengeance.

All People say here, that Piccinino has lost his Army for want of good Conduct. However here are great Rejoycings at our Losses; and, if possi­ble, more in Italy, where they feel the Advantage of so considerable a Prize at the same time, toge­ther with the Honour of the Victory; and where we are hated more than in any Place else besides. I beseech God to chastize these People by thy Hand; and that the Edge of thy Cymiter, in giving Death to our Enemies, may put an end to Slander and Slanderers.

Here's an impudent Fellow, who reports he has seen thee several times at Constantinople. He, with great Confidence, affirms, the Christian Cor­saries will bring thee one Day, laden with Chains, into the Arsenal of Venice, or that of Malta. He grounds his Prediction on that thou art, says he, furious when thou commandest; and that being too forward, thou canst not obey the Orders given thee. He adds, that Tobacco, Love of Boys, Wine, and [...]omen drive thee twice a Day into a Condi­tion uncapable of exercising thy Reason. He moreover says, thou wantest Courage in a Land-Fight, neither art well skill'd in Sea-Combats. I would not write these Fooleries to thee, were I not perswaded that they really are so; and that thou wantest neither Courage nor Experience. I am moreover perswaded of the Malignity of thy Accusers, touching the Debaucheries I mention­ed; and it appears to me more pertinent to write thee this, than to the Grand Vizir; though I must confess, I am enjoyned to inform the Ministers of [Page 93]the Port of whatever I hear, without any Re­serve.

'Tis said, that as to what concerns the Republick of Venice, and Capello who commands its Navy, that this General will be punished for doing too well; that this puissant State will be humbled to the kis­sing the Stirrup of our great Emperor's Horse; but, it will justifie the Lawfulness of the Prize, which this General made, as being no breach of the Treaty with the Sublime Port, whence come the Orders by which the World is to be governed; and that, in fine, the Pyrates of Africk are not comprehend­ed in the Treaties of Peace made with his Highness

And it is moreover alledged, That should this Republick be obliged to restore these Galleys which she has taken, 'twill appear, they have been lost through several Accidents.

All Christendom is perswaded, there's no Repub­lick in the World govern'd with greater Prudence; which will make her avoid all Occasions of Diffe­rence with the Port, and seek all Ways of Reconcile­ment with Amurath, to prevent a War which can­not be for her Interest.

I happened into a Company of discreet Persons, who blame Ali Piccinino's Conduct; and attribute his Misfortune to his want of Skill, and to his Rash­ness. They affirm, That had he had the Courage of a true Soldier, he would have behaved himself not only in the Archipelago, but in the Adriatick Sea, like a Captain, and not like a Thief; and, that God has given him this Mortification, as a Punish­ment for the Cruelty he shewed to the innocent Vestals, whom he made Slaves at Calabria, toge­ther with a great Multitude of Old Men, and Children; which was an Act no ways suitable to a brave Commander. And, this is the Discourse, caused by the hatred to our Nation, and especi­ally to Ali.

The Great God, Sovereign Moderator of all Things, keep thee in perfect Judgment, and make thy Valour renowned, and thy Glory proclaimed in all Places, enlightned by the Beams of the Sun.

Paris, 6th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER III.
To the same.

I Wrote to thee Yesterday, what the Sense of the World was of thee; and I write to thee this Day, what Mine is.

Although thou askest not my Advice, yet I will give thee such, as, perhaps, thou wilt approve of, and may be useful to thee in due Season.

Wilt thou be revenged of the Venetians, and all the Christians at once? Pass over into the Adriatick Seas, with Twenty small Galleys; draw near at Night to the Shoar at Ancona; and, before the Sun be up, ransack the famous Place of Loretto; thou maist carry away thence as great Booty, as ever the Consuls and Roman Emperors did else­where.

Couldst thou conceive the immense Riches, shut up in a little Chamber, (where the Christians af­firm, That a Virgin received an Embassador from Heaven, under the Form of an Angel; after whose Words she found she had conceived the Messias, whom the Christians worship) thou wouldst not defer the executing of what Mahmut counsels thee.

'Tis reported in this Kingdom, as if Piccinin [...] had such a Design. Why did not this brave Spark [Page 95]then execute, what he had so well contrived? When he was in Africk, he was to ravage all Italy; and he had no sooner come on those Coasts, but he lost all the true African Courage. He let him­self be taken Prisoner; he suffered a mighty Fleet to be lost, and the Shamefulness of his Defeat will for ever blast his Name.

If Amurath returns a Conqueror of Babylon, which is very likely to happen, and thou takest Loretto; it may be said, that the Ottoman Empire is arrived at its full Height; Loretto being the Me­cha of the Christians.

There is no Season, wherein one sees not arrive an infinite Number of Pilgrims from all Parts; who come to offer there their Devotions, with the same Zeal as the Faithful go and pray at the Tomb of our Holy Prophet; and they often joyn with their Prayers, Offerings of considerable Va­lue. A small Number of Priests of the Roman Church, have such Treasures there in their keep­ing, as cannot be fully valued: Vessels of both Gold and Silver, with Vestures, and Ornaments, and precious Stones, which serve to set forth this Temple, the most magnificent and famous amongst the Christians; an infinite Number of Lamps, Crowns and Scepters offered by the greatest Prin­ces of the Christian Belief; and, in fine, whatever can be imagined most beautiful, most great, and costly. Thou that knowest not what Fear is, thou canst foresee nothing in this Enterprize which may deter thee. The Priests of this famous Temple sleep all the Night long, and spend the Day in chanting their Masses; and the Soldiers designed for the keeping of this Place, are few in Number, and can make but small Resistance: If thou beest perswaded of the Truth of what I write, do more than Caesar; go, conquer and repose thy self. I have no more to write to thee: I send the Kaima­kam [Page 96]a Copy of this Letter. I have writ thee what­ever has come to my Knowledge, and thou wouldst further know, What Mahmut, under the Habit of Titus, has discoursed at Paris. I am wil­ling to inform thee, I have answered some People, who have had the Boldness to say; That the Otto­man Empire will be soon ruined, should it receive such another Blow; That, if Trees be not wanting in Asia, the Mahometans will not want Ships, nor Galleys; and that they will have as many Soldiers and Sea-men, as they please, if the Women do not happen all of them at once to be Barren. Thou knowest, that after the Battle of Lepanto, wherein the Great God, and our Prophet, designed to mortifie the Faithful; that Selim's Favourite maintained the Glory of his Master, in thus speaking to the Balio of Venice: There is this difference between the Losses, which thy Republick makes, and the Misfor­tunes which happen to the Mussulmans; that when we took from you the Island of Cyprus, we cut off one of your Arms; and when you defeated us in Battle, 'twas just as if you had cut off our Beards, which will soon grow up again; and if Women and Trees do not fail us, we shall soon have Ships and Men; but the Loss of your Arm can never be repaired.

The Eternal Lord, without whom nothing can subsist, make the Sea always navigable, and without Tempests, that the Winds may favour thy Designs; and when thou hast finished all thou oughtest, for the Glory of the Empire, I pray Heaven make thee Possessor of the Infidel's Countries, which thou shalt subdue.

Paris, 7th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER. IV.
To the Kaimakam.

THis Letter will perhaps prove troublesome to thee, wherein thou wilt find an odd Mixture; however, thou wilt have no cause to complain of me; for, whatever I write to thee, shall be put into such Order, that if the first News be trouble­some to thee, the last will prove otherwise. Thou hast received none of my Letters in the last Pacquets which I sent thee; and, I have found it more to the Purpose, to make thee know at once, though something later, what I could not write but at three times; whereby thou wilt be better informed than others, to whom I wrote the first Notices I had. There's nothing like to Patience; as in all other things, so more especially as to what con­cerns News; the lame Post always bringing the best Intelligence.

However, I hope thou wilt pardon me, if I wrote only to one Person, who is the Captain Bassa, those disagreeable things which I heard, that I might not make a new Recital, which would not please; besides, that he is obliged, as well as the other Ministers of the Port, to impart to thee Advices he receives from me.

Thou wilt find by the Copy of the Letter which I have written, that 'tis not without reason I am angry with him. My Design is not to learn thee, what thou knewest probably before me, but what thou maist be ignorant of, and yet oughtest to know.

The Christians express continually their Hatred against us, always speaking ill of our Affairs. Al­though there he no War declared between these In­fidels [Page 98]and the ever Invincible Sultan; yet they cease not to be our Enemies; and thou mayst know by their Discourse, they are ever laying Designs against us. Thow knowest, the usual▪ Way of the World is to discourse first of Affairs, and then take their Resolutions: The French are generally excepted from this Rule, for they have executed their Designs before they began to speak of them; so lively is their Imagination, and so ready are they to take their Resolutions. They do in Affairs of State, what we are wont to do in those of Reli­gion; they decide them by the Sword. They af­firm that Princes who have Valour have no juster Tribunal than War; and, that their Soldiers are their Lawyers. What Measures then, most wise Kaimakam, can be taken with a Nation which is in a continual Activity? The French cannot remain at Rest; and when they disturb not their Neigh­bours, they make War amongst themselves. The Ministers of Foreign Princes, who do, near the Matter, what I do; although they have a Cha­racter which I have not, are incessantly in Acti­on: They watch, without ceasing, as I do, on what passes; and thou mayst assure thy self, that the Divan shall be fully and certainly advertized of all things.

The Pope keeps here, as his Ambassador, a Pre­late, called a Nuncio. The Emperor of Germany, the King of Spain, those of England, Swedeland, Denmark and Poland; the Electors, and several o­ther Princes of the Empire, entertain also Embas­sadors, to observe the Motions of this Prince, who often breaks all their Measures. The States of Italy do also the same; there are, in this Part of Europe, Princes and Republicks: These little Sove­reigns, are more jealous than others, of their In­terests; and, do more concern themselves in all Affairs which pass. The Republicks likewise use [Page 99]greater Precautions in their Conduct, than the Monarchs do.

The Republick of Venice has acquired a great Re­putation; France keeps a good Correspondence with her; the Embassador of that State, living here with all the marks of Grandeur, and the same Pre­rogatives granted to those of Crowned Heads. Neither Persia nor Moscovia keep any Publick Mini­ster here; yet, perhaps, they may have some that give Private Intelligence to their Masters. As to what concerns the Princes of the Indies, they seem not to me, to have any Interest here; so that they have, I believe, no Agent in these Parts, either publick or private. If the name of Spy be mean, or dishonourable, I know no body that is called one; for I being unknown, my Reputation there­fore runs no hazard. I serve, without being ob­served. But to speak plainly, What are the Embas­sadors and Agents of Princes, but secret Spyes, as I am; who under pretence of keeping a Corre­spondence between their Masters, inform them of what they can discover in the Courts, where they are sent?

Thou shalt be sufficiently inform'd by the Bassa of the Sea, of Piccinino's Adventure; he will shew thee what I have written. However, here are Sixty Galleys lost; and our greatest Consolation is, that we shall not want means to be revenged: If the Christians have cut off one of our Fingers, we ought to pluck out both their Eyes.

'Tis said here, that this Admiral is made Priso­ner by the Venetians; if this be true, his Confine­ment must be very uneasie to him. But, all People are not agreed, whether he be a Prisoner or no; for, some maintain, he is at Constantinople, where he justifies himself, with his usual Arrogance; laying all the Fault on the Renegado, who comman­ded the Admiral of Algiers.

I have recommended to the Bassa of the Sea, the Enterprize of Loretto. If thou hast leisure to ex­amine the Project, thou wilt find, though I am no Captain nor Mariner, what I have hinted is worth regarding. The knowledge which I have of the World, of the Manner of living of the Christian Princes, and Priests of Rome; together with the other Notices I have required, by the reading of Hi­stories, should make me considered, as a Man that is able to offer at great Things; though I have not yet gained much Credit in the World.

The Embassador of Venice, residing in this Court, says, That their Republick will satisfie the Grand Signior; affirming that Ali is a Pyrate; that the Africans have broken the Peace; and, that the Action of their General Capello, is just and heroi­cal; and, that Amurath himself will chastise Picci­nino. He moreover pretends, that the Galleys which were taken, will not be restored, seeing it will be made apparent, they have been lost by dif­ferent Accidents: I think he says, they have been all sunk before the Isle of Corfou, by the Senate's Order, to prevent the Expectation of a Surrender, the Admiral of Algiers only excep­ted, which those Infidels have brought in Triumph into their Arsenal, to preserve the Remembrance of an Event, which they pretend to be very glorious to them; but these Misfortunes are not extream▪ nor past Remedy, if God continues the Life of our Great Emperor, and thy Health.

Paris, 7th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER V.
To the same.

THey have at length given over talking of our Losses, but I give not over devising the means to be revenged of the Christians. Remember, that the Grand Vizir keeps in Prison a Man fit for great Things at this Time, who can do the Nazarenes con­siderable Mischiefs, and procure notable Advan­tage to the Mussulmen. If the old Renegado of Dalmatia be yet alive, he is capable of destroying all Places in the Mediterranean-Sea. Advise with him about the Destruction of Lorerio. There is no Corsary, that has done more bold Exploits. He has spent Sixty Years in coursing on the Archipe­lago, and Adriatick-Sea; where he has made horrid Devastations, with infinite Prizes. He has like­wise, most considerably damnified the Cossacks, on the Black-Sea. He began the Trade at Nine Years old, in a little Vessel; has been wounded in Twenty, or Twenty two Oceasions, taken Prison­er Four times by our Pyrates, and thrice escaped out of their Hands. And not being able to fly the Fourth time, nor redeem himself by Money, he redeem'd himself by his Religion, which he quitted to em­brace Ours; and since he has been Circumcized, he has brought to Constantinople above Thirteen Thou­sand Slaves in about Thirty Years Space. He has pass'd full Five Years in the Cleft of a Rock, along the Banks of the Adriatick-Sea; which by his In­dustry he made a sure Place of Retreat. Here 'twas, that he did himself, with his Men and Ves­sel, like a wild Beast in his Den; and 'tis hard to imagine how many Snares he laid during that Time, for those of his own Religion▪ He has been [Page 102]often pursued, but could never be taken; and his Name became so terrible amongst the Christians, that there was no Place but dreaded him. But, in fine, having, as 'tis said, attempted to betray his Master, in delivering into the Christians Hands, the five Galleys he commanded; he was sent, by Order from the Grand Vizir, into the Castle of Seven Towers, although his Crime was not cer­tainly proved. 'Tis above Two and fifty Moons since he has been there kept Prisoner; and, he is not onely very old, but decrepid. The long Pe­nance which a Man has undergone, that has done such great Things, and who is accused of having done one ill one, of which he is not convicted, does plead for some Indulgence.

I shall never go about to solicit for the Liberty of a Traytor; yet I must say, That Men who have dared to execute great Crimes, are often capable of Heroick Actions. This Man was, and is still, at the end of his Life; perhaps if thou wilt endea­vour to procure him some Advantage, and make him hope still greater, he may repair his Fault, by performing something for the good of the Empire; or at least, give some good Advice. Thou knowest, the Ancient Persians had a Law, whereby their Kings were obliged, Not to put a Ma­lefactor to death for one Crime; and private Persons, not to chastise their Domesticks or Slaves for one Fault. Thou knowest, moreover, that Princes should ob­seve in the Chastisement of their Subjects, whe­ther the Services they had rendred, have not been greater than their present Failings, and pardon them if their good Deeds surpassed their bad. These Laws, although no longer observed in Persia, yet cease not to be wise Precepts; to which, if thou hast no regard, yet thou wilt have some to the Zeal and Affection of Mahmut: And if thou wilt suffer me to make here a short Digression, in com­paring [Page 103]the State wherein we are, with that of the Ancients; thou wilt find, how much our Monarchy surpasses all others. Dost thou believe, Generous Kaimakam, that the Ottoman Empire is equal, infe­rior, or superior to that of the Romans in Pom­pey's time? Let us content our selves with suppo­sing it equal, to speak without Passion, and cut the Course of Disputes, which might be made hereupon; and reflect, I pray thee, on the Con­duct which Pompey held in the War he made against those infinite Number of Pyrates, which infested the Seas of Italy, Africa, and Asia. He was made General of an Army of Five hundred Sail, with absolute Power to do what he thought sitting, without giving any Account. Thou knowest his Conduct was so prudent, and full of Valour, that embarking with Ten thousand and twenty Foot, and Six thousand Horse, he in Forty days cleared Libia, Sicily, Spain, Sardinia; and, in a word, all the Seas which depended on the Roman Power, from an infinite Number of Pyrates; who had, as it were, besieged the Capital of the Empire, by their Incursions, Rapines and Violences.

Now, although the Number of our Enemies be not so great, nor their Strength so considerable; yet 'tis to be feared, lest the Infidels be one Day bold enough, (having joyned their Forces, which now lie dispersed,) to fall upon us, and shake the vast Monarchy of the Ottomans, which they now often disturb by frequent Enterprizes in several Parts:

We have an infinite Number of Places to pre­serve. We have several Kingdoms, populous Isles: we command war-like Nations, and the Number of the Empire's Subjects are innumerable, which ought to encourage us to undertake no less than Pompey did heretofore, who was called the Agamenon of Italy, because he commanded a numerous Fleet, as this [Page 104] Hero of the Greeks formerly did. But, it being al­ready Midnight, I am forced to finish this Letter, lest it should be too late for the Post.

I shall inform thee by the first Opportunity of what has happened in Italy and Germany, and of several other things which I thought I ought to give thee Notice of by this Express; but, accuse me, not of neglect, in not having wrtiten all to thee in this Letter, and receive my Excuse, which is just and sincere, and grant me thy Favor.

The Great God encrease thy Prosperity, and con­tinue thy Health and Credit, in the Dominions of the Invincible Sultan, under whose glorious Reign we live.

Paris, 7th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER VI.
To the same.

I Pass immediately into Montferrat without lea­ving France, to tell thee, That the Spaniards have there made themselves Masters of a little Town, which the French could not keep for want of Men; and have also demolished the Fortress which guarded the Place, that their Enemies might not have any desire after a Reprisal.

The eldest Son of Amadaeus, Duke of Savoy, is now dead; he was called Lewis Amadaeus: he was but Seven Years old when declared Sovereign, and was so but few Moons. He died Four days af­ter the Ceremony of his Baptism. The King of France and the Queen of Spain were God-father and [Page 105]God-mother to this Prince. Thou wilt ask me, per­haps, how this could be, seeing they could not be there present? But thou must know, that these Nazarenes, assist often at these Ceremonies by Pro­curation. The Dutchess of Savoy seems to me wor­thy of Compassion having lost in one Year, both her Husband and her Son, and a good part of her Estate, and sees what remains to her, exposed to the Hazards of War; but she has ever shewed her self a Woman of Courage and Resolution. Her second Son has been declared his Brother's Heir, and the States have chosen her Regent, during his Minority.

The reason of the sudden Visit, which the Ele­ctor of Saxony gave the King of Hungary, is not yet known: We have had Advice of his Departure from Dresden, the Capital Town of his Country, with a great Train of Courtiers, and the Three Princes his Sons; and that he went to Leutmaritz, where this King expected him; and 'tis farther said, That in the small Time they were together, they have had several Conferences, the Subject of which is not yet discovered. The King has presented the Duke with a rich Coach, with six stately Horses, sum­ptuously harnessed; and given Diamonds and Gold Chains to his Courtiers. But thou being nearer the Place of this Conference, and the Port having every where subtle Agents, thou mayest sooner get this Secret than I: For 'tis not to be doubted, but there's something hatching against the Ottoman Empire, whilst Amurath is at that Distance, and the chief Forces of his Empire employed elsewhere.

As to what concerns the Progress of the Duke of Wimar, who carryes on the War in Alsatia, there are infinitely different News come from thence, since I wrote to thee, but, this is what is most cer­tain, After the taking of Fribourgh, this General made himself Master of the Campaign about Bri­zac; [Page 106]and his Army seizing on all the Posts there­abouts, the Imperialists put themselves in a Posture of hindring them; but for three Months Time, they could do nothing but spoil the Corn, and forrage in the Country, whereby they wasted their own Subsistance. They have also fruitlesly endeavoured to break down the Bridge, which Wimer had built at Newremberg; where they met with such Resist­ance, that they were forced to retire with their Army, which was in great Danger. But the Duke also met with no Success in his Enterprize on Of­femburgh, through the Fault of Fifteen hundred Musketeers, French and Germans, who came not soon enough to plant their Ladders against the Walls, and surprize this Place; and, he has since made different Tryals, which have proved all in vain. An Officer had already entered as far as the Ramparts, with a small Party which he com­manded by means of a false Pass-port; but, being discovered by a Sentinel, he was forced to retreat in Confusion, with the Loss of some of his Men, Wimar since defeated two Regiments of Dragoons. and Two other Regiments of Horse, and siezed on the Castle of Mauberg the Garrison of which Place surrendred at Discretion, to a Swedish Offi­cer. But I am inform'd, that the Two Armies c [...]me near one another, on the Banks of the Rhine; of which I shall say no more, than what is neces­sary.

The Emperor's Troops being discovered by Wi­mar's Vant-guard, commanded by Turenne, gained an high Ground; on which, fortifying themselves, they sheltred behind a Church and some Houses, before which there was a Battery raised of several Pieces of Cannon, to keep the Swedes at a Distance and hinder them from encamping too near. Some Franch, imprudently advancing to discover the Enemy's Posture, within less than Musket-shot, [Page 107]were almost all kill'd on the Place. By this time the Duke of Wimar, seeing he could not draw the Imperialists to fight, and it being impossible to force them on the Mountain, where they were in­trenched, retired under the Castle of Mauberg, with his Rear-guard, commanded by the Count de Gurbian, a French Gentleman, The next Day he joined the rest of his Army, and being informed by a Moor that served him, and in whom he put great Confidence; that the Imperialists began early in the Morning to retire; he immediately therefore put himself into a Condition to follow them, ma­king his Army to march in Battle-Array: His Horse consisted of Twenty four Squadrons, and his Foot of Eight Batalions; besides the Auxiliary Troops, of which he made a Reserved Body.

The French affirm, the Imperialists were the strongest, as having Four thousand Men more than the Swedes; of which, 'tis hard to know the cer­tainty; but, the Particulars of the Battle, are worth ones writing. 'Twas very bloody, the Fight being obstinately held by both Parties, and the Victory long inclining, sometimes to one side, and sometimes to another: So that the Comba­tants were ready to retire, weary of striking, and being struck; when Fortune on a sudden, decla­red her self for the Duke of Wimar, who behaved himself in the Fight, like a wise Captain and valiant Soldier. 'Tis certain, the Imperialists have lost Two thousand Men in this Occasion, with several of their principal Officers: And also above Fifteen hundred were made Prisoners, amongst which there were above Two hundred Persons considerable on the account of their Birth or Employs. I make no mention of the Number of the Cannon; neither do I reckon the Hundred Co­lours or Cornets, nor Three thousand Waggons laden with all Sorts of Ammunition, which fell [Page 108]to the Conquerors; but, I greatly value the Box of Writings of two great Commanders, wherein were found the Instructions and secret Orders of the King of Hungary, and some Treaties made with the sublime Port: to which all the Potentates of the World should pay Homage.

It cannot yet be discovered what these Trea­ties contain, yet I shall do all that's possible in order to it. The booty has been great, however Wimar seems not to set much by it, as aiming at something more considerable. He remained two Days in the Field of Battle, the better to assure his Enemy of his Conquest: he moreover pretends in his Letters to this Court, that he had not in this Expedition above Five hundred Foot, and few Cavalry; which out of a Bravado, he says he will reinforce with his Pages. This is that which our Emperors, who are the Masters of the World, would scruple to say in the Presence of their Slaves; so far would they be from speaking so, before an Army, as this Prince did, in the Pre­sence of a great King. See the Vanity of one of these Infidels's Generals.

In Obedience to the Orders which I received from thee, I here end my Letter; so that thou wilt receive a very imperfect Relation of the E­vents which I began to relate to thee; and I shall continue my Dispatch to Morrow, that thou maist the better remember what I have already written to thee, that I may not lose the Thread of the History.

Paris, 24th. of the last Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER VII.
To the same.

I Find in the Alcoran, the Chapter which speaks of Limbo's, to be very long; and, I believe I never wrote thee any Letter, wherein there were so many Words: Thou shalt not receive henceforward any from me larger than the Hundred and six Versicles of this Chapter, seeing thou enjoynest me to be short. I have therefore divided this Dispatch into two, lest it should prove tiresome to thee; al­though I believe thou wouldest have found it when entire, not so long as the Chapter which treats of Hell.

Wimar lost no time, but went and encamped be­fore Brizac; he caused the Trenches to be opened with great Diligence, and has so beset the Rhine, that nothing can pass without his Leave. This River is considerable for its Largeness, and Length of its Course; carrying Vessels of great Burthen, which makes it much frequented.

This Captain having discovered the Town wanted Provisions of all kinds, used all imaginable Artifices to surprize it, or carry it away by Assault. It is the Capital of a great Province, where he is Master of several considerable Places, and several strong Castles, from whence, one may say, the Place was already besieged.

Things were in this Condition, and there was no other Discourse in the Swedes Camp, but of Victories, Losses, and Wounds, when the News of the Birth of the Dauphin was brought there, which caused another Noise to be heard. The Horse and Foot, joyned their Shouts of Joy to the Sounds [Page 110]of the Drums, Trumpets, and the Artillery, which was several Times discharged.

The Valour of the Duke of Wimar, and that of the Troops which he commands, made not the Im­perialists to lose their Courage; having recruited their Army with new Troops. General Lambore, a Man of Courage, and good Conduct, appeared in the sight of the Swedes, having added to his Army Five Thousand Men, with the rest of the Troops of Prince Savelly, and wasted the Country which the Enemy was in possession of. If thou wouldest know the Situation of the Swedes Camp, and, in what manner they made their Trenches, and Circumvallations, I can certainly inform thee; having had some time since a very exact Draught of it. This Camp is Three German Miles in Com­pass; fortified on each side by a Trench Sixteen Foot thick, with a large deep Ditch, a double Palisado, and several Redoubts. The lower as well as upper Parts of the Town, are mightily annoyed by Two Bridges made on the Rhine. The Abundance of all sorts of Ammunition, does much hearten the Army. The Commander, although very ill, yet is incessantly watchful, and seems indefatigable. The Soldiers animated by their past Successes, think of nothing but new Conquests, and new Booty, imagining themselves invincible. The Ar­tillery which is in the Camp, is Fifty Pieces of great Cannon, with which such Batteries have been made, as drive the Besieged to despair. I mention not to thee several small Skirmishes, which continually happen; yet this is what is most considerable: Some Troops of young Soldiers of the Imperial Ar­my, having taken several Cattle from the Swedes, and made some Prisoners, had notice of the March of Colonel Sillard, who came from France, and brought a good Summ of Money for the Payment of the Troops. They went to meet him, and took [Page 111]it, together with several young. Gentlemen Priso­ners, all Men of Note; and, who had also a great deal of Money about them. At the same time, the Duke of Lorrain, a Prince of great Valour, who serves in the Imperialist's Party, has undertaken to relieve Brizac, which he knew was reduced to the utmost Extremity; and, having chosen, for this Design, Forty Companies of Foot for a Convoy of Provisions; and, being on his March, he met with the Duke of Wimar. And this is the short of the Story: The Prince was still indisposed, by rea­son of his late Sickness; yet, this could not hin­der him from embracing this Occasion, which he believed to be of great Importance to his Party; he got therefore on horseback, and marched up to the Duke.

The Combat lasted Five Hours, and Lorrain did all that could be expected from a brave and expe­rienced Commander. But, he was constrained to yield to the Duke's Fortune, and retire into a wood, with what he could save of his Troops; and the Swedes Courage was not a little increased by so great an Advantage, which will certainly be at­tended with the Surrender of Brizac. The Duke of Wimar remained Master of the Field, having en­tirely defeated the Imperialists Foot, and put the Duke of Lorrain's Horse into a horrid Disorder: There lay above Twelve Hundred dead on the Place, and all the Baggage, together with the Ammunition, fell into the Hands of the Conque­ror. A Man would think, Illustrious Kaimakam, that the God Mars has united himself with this Captain: for, notwithstanding the Weakness of his Body, he performs every Day most Heroick Actions, with his valiant Soldiers, who are ready to undertake any Thing, when he is at their Head. Whether this happens from his not valuing of Life, or his Thirst after Honour; yet, so it is, That [Page 112]That he cannot live without nourishing himself with Victories; and, he begins already to equal the famous Gustavus, under whom he has learn'd his Trade. Yet he has lost, notwithstanding his Diligence, Two Forts he built on the Rhine; which, if he retakes, 'twill not be without the Cost of much Blood on both Sides. The Germans have already lost Sixty Thousand Men there, amongst which there were Four Hundred drowned.

The Extremities of Brizac, of which we have al­ready private Advices, is at present known by all the World. The Swedes intercepted, the last Moon of October, a Letter from the Governor to the King of Hungary, wherein he laid open his Condition, and told him plainly, That Places which wanted Men, Victuals, and Ammunition, could not be de­fended but by a Miracle; adding. That the best Officers and Soldiers were already dead; and those that were alive were either sick, or lay wounded, and so greatly tired, that they could do no Ser­vice; and besides, their Victuals would last but Twelve Days. He seemed afterwards to reproach him for letting the Time slip, in which he had pro­mised him Assistance; and put him in mind, he did not believe he could hold out to the 4th. of the Moon of September; being reduced to such Extremities, that he durst not mention Particulars, lest his Let­ter should fall into other Hands. Observe the Im­prudence of the Expressions; he dares not write all, and yet he writes more than needs, to discover, that the Place will be infallibly taken.

If thou beest impatient to know the Surrender of Brizar, thou shalt be satisfied by this Dispateh. The Post is now come, which brings News of the taking of this important Place, and he has come hither in Three Days. The Place was taken ac­cording to the Rules of War, surrendring the Ninth of the last Moon of this Year, according to the [Page 113] Christians Style. The Governor procured very ho­nourable Terms; and truly, he sustained the Siege, with all the Vigor and Courage possible, to the last Extremity. He is called the Baron de Reynech: His Name deserves a Place in the Letters thou en­registers; and, that the Divan should be informed of a Man, who knows so well to defend what is in­trusted to him, that they may give to Vertue her Due. There went out of Brizac, only Four Hun­dred Foot, and Seventy Horse, who were all naked, wounded, and almost dead with Hunger; they were reduced to those Extremities, that they had already eaten the Flesh of Horses, Cats, and Dogs; and some were said to have devoured humane Flesh. As touching the Booty, there are different Discourses; but, 'tis certain, the Conqueror found above Two Hundred Pieces of Cannon in the Place.

But, there is a strange Story related of a young Lady, of admirable Beauty, who falling down at the Duke of Wimar's Feet, thus spake to him: Sir, I have but some few moments to live, Hunger having reduced me to the Gates of Death; but I shall die desperate, if you do not revenge me of a base Fellow, who has exacted of me a Diamond of great Value, which I have been forced to give him for a roasted Mouse; I am not angry with him for his taking of me a Pearl-Necklace during the Siege, for Four Ounces of Flower; but, I confess my Weakness, I cannot fee my self berea­ved of what I most valued, and die without Satisfaction. 'Tis said, this Prince could not forbear shedding Tears at so piteous a Spectacle; this Lady dying almost at the same Instant she had done speaking; but, 'tis not known, whether he called this hard-hearted Fellow to an Account, for what he had de­tained.

The Siege of Brizac lasted Four Months; almost Fourscore Thousand Men perishing in the Town, [Page 114]by Sickness, Wounds, and Famine. Bonfires are made at Paris, for so great an Advantage; and, the Duke of Wimar's Praises, are every where celebrated; and great Commendations are given him in the Letters from the Court. Our Em­pire may have one Day something to fear, from so brave, so experienced, and ambitious a Captain, were he at leisure. But, Germany is so large a Coun­try, so full of stout Men, and contains so many great Towns, and those so well fortified, as will af­ford him Work enough, without troubling Us.

'Tis pleasantly said here, That the Emperors of Germany will no more sleep quietly, for, in losing Brizac, they have lost their Pillow on which they rested, and, 'tis thought, France may one Day unite this Conquest to her Crown. The great God multi­ply the Years of thy Life, as the Sand of the Sea; and increase every Day thy Fortune, and continue thy Health.

Paris, 25th. of the last Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER VIII.
To Melec Amet.

I Have heard h [...]re [...]a confused Discourse of the Dis­grace of Stridy [...] Bey; but, thy Letters have sa­tisfied me. Thou seest, Friend, how Things go. He had the Prince's Favour, and yet could not save himself. He had moreover great Riches, and yet was obliged to undergo such great Ignominy. He [Page 115]will be more deformed than he was, having now left his Nose and Ears in the Hands of the Com­mon Executioner. Amurath, in condemning him to this Punishment, has done an Act of Justice worthy of him: For, the honestest Men in the Em­pire, have ever wished Ill to this proud and insolent Greek. This Man, who was but a pitiful Fisher­man, and Seller of Oysters, got this intolerable Pride by the prodigious Riches he acquired in this mean Occupation. His great Wealth, made him find the Means of obtaining the Favour of the Ministers and Favourites of the Prince; and his Highness himself honoured him with his Friendship, gave him Offices and heap'd up Riches on him. Thou shouldest know all, I say, but I am astonished thou shouldest write to me, That this Wretch, having been put out from the Government of Wa­lachia, by reason of his insupportable Pride and ex­tream Covetousness, should pretend to re-enter on this Office by means of Money, trying in some sort to corrupt the Justice of Amurath. Observe how many ways, he draws on him the Prince's In­dignation: The Emperor must have been more covetous than Stridya, had he favoured his Design; but, 'twas the Decree of Heaven that Stridy [...] should be punished, and, that our Master should give a terrible Example of his Justice, to terrifie those who use their Riches to commit all Sorts of Crimes, and to purchase all manner of infamous Pleasures.

The News of the Fall of this Slave, had in some sort mitigated the great Melancholy I felt, when I received the Letter: But, the Death of Zagaribasci, our common Friend, does not a little afflict me; as well as the Marriage of his Son Caragurli, made the same Day, does astonish me: For, I cannot com­prehend, how there could well be celebrated in the same Day, and at the same House, two such diffe­rent [Page 116]Ceremonies, as is a Funeral and a Wed­ding.

I find this Adventure very strange: and though our Friend indeed was very old; yet I bewail him, as if he had dyed before his Time. He was an honest Man, of great Piety, and moderately Rich; and, this is what makes Mortals Happy in this World, and the other too. But, thou dost not inform me, whe­ther the excessive Joy he had, to see his Son married to a Greek, rich with the Goods of Fortune, endued with great Vertue, and a Mute, has not caused his Death. I rather think thou wilt say, our Friend Zagarabasci is dead by some Excess, than yield to what we contested about formerly. I always found in this Friend great Marks of Honesty and Sobriety; and he also appeared to me, to have great Ten­derness for his Son. I cannot, without offending thee, accuse this old Gentleman of want of Modera­tion; yet he is dead with a Transport of Joy. Thou seest, I affirm'd no impossible thing, when I main­tained in my Youth, That an extraordinary and un­fore seen Joy, is more likely to kill, than sudden Grief, though never so violent. Didst thou think it a Matter of small Satisfaction, to a Father, that is a wise and sober Man, to obtain for his Son a Woman that is a Mure? For, what greater Plea­sure can a Husband have, than to have a Wife that is not talkative? The Christians understand not the Wisdom of the Turks, when they laugh at our Sul­tans, who find the greatest parts of their Pleasures, in the Conversation of Mutes. Is there any thing more delightful, than to hear a Man, that does not speak; and to see one reason on all Things, that has no Tongue? Thou knowest how many Things these Mutes of the Seraglio, do give one to under­stand; and what Eloquence there is in their Signs and Gestures. Thou remembrest, That when A­murath would give Thanks to the Sovereign Mode­rator [Page 117]of all the World, in that he had escaped Death, when the Lightning fell on his Bed, and burnt to his very Shirt; he seemed to offer him a great Sacrifice, in putting a Mute out of the Serag­lio, which he dearly loved by reason of her Tricks and Gestures. The Muses were one day ready to fall together a fighting, because they would not re­ceive amongst them a Tenth Companion, sent them by a Mandamus from a King of Italy: But when this Tenth Muse signified to them, That she was Dumb, all the Voices were for her. Dear Melec, 'tis not without Reason I write thee this. Thou art still young, and designest for Matrimony: Believe Mah­mut; There are few Women that are Wise; and they say little that is good: Think then what those say, who know nothing, and whose Number is infi­nite. When they have talked a whole Day, believe me, they have said nothing. If thou marriest, fol­low my Counsel: Take not a Mute; for then thou wilt marry a Beast: Neither chuse one that talketh; for, thou wilt be linked with a Monster. As to our Friend, he died by a particular Grace from Heaven: Yet I cannot but think still of his Death. How many more extraordinary Accidents wilt thou see, if thou livest to old Age; and especially, if thou livest at Constantinople; where are continually be­held strange Adventures, and extraordinary Ef­fects, both of Life and Death, Cruelty and Clemen­cy; as well as of good and bad Fortune? Being in breath, I could continue still to write to thee; but, I think it's time to end, lest I prove tiresome. And I end, in praying Heaven to keep thee in Health, where-ever thou art.

Paris, 25th. of the last Moon, of the Year 1638.

LETTER IX.
To the same.

PARIS, where I live, is a very healthful City, and so are all the Places thereabouts, free from Pestilential Airs; and yet there oft happens sud­den Deaths, as well as at Constantinople; and, they die here likewise of Joy. I will relate to thee what I have partly seen, and not what I have heard, to happen in London, the most ancient, and chiefest City of the Kingdom of England: A rich old Man falling sick, and lying on his Death-Bed, sent to his only Son, living at Paris, where he spent his time in Pleasures, to come over, that he might, with his Estate, give him his Blessing. Think what News this was to a Young Man, to whom the Life of a Father was troublesome, as being an Obstacle to his Liberty; and, who waited his Death, to take his Swing of all the Pleasures, which his corrupt Nature makes him respect as his Sove­reign Good. This Young Man intending to get upon Horseback, to run where he was called, found himself embarked for a Voyage, which he did not design to make; he fell dead on the Place, and I saw him in the same Instant, wherein he was living, and healthful, to expire. Were I of the Sect of our Philosopher Muslaadin Saadi, I would tell thee, It matters not, whether one dies suddenly, or lan­guish a long Time; whether a Man dies in his Bed, or at the Gallows. But, I being none of Zeno's Dis­ciples, and knowing no Peripatetick, or Philosopher, amongst so many Sects than were in Greece, who disputed, Whether Life or Death was to be pre­ferred: So, expect not from me any Arguings on the Morals of those Greeks, nor yet of the Per­sians. [Page 119]But, if Death be such a terrible Thing, en­deavour to live in such a Manner, that it may never affright thee, when it shall approach thee, or when thou shalt see it invade others; expecting it at all times, and in all places. Dost thou know by what Herb, or by what secret Magick Charm I do not fear it? 'Tis by the leading of an Innocent Life. Here is published, and that with great Reason, the last Words of a Man of great Birth; who died when he was very Old, by a Wound he receeived. He had served divers Kings in Places of the highest Trust; and being mortally wounded in a Battel, mark what he said to those, that exhorted him to die like a good Christian; and with the same Courage he had shewed in Life: His Reply was, That a Man who had lived well Fourscore Years, cannot be to seek how to die well for a Quarter of an Hour. This great Man, who was a famous Soldier, was also a true Philosopher; and I might say, he was a Saint, had he been of our Religion. I believe, he was a most edifying Spectacle, and the more considerable, in as much as the Example he gave of dying well, is more valuable, than that which he gave in so many Battels of courageous Fighting. He was called Anne de Montmorancy, Constable of France; whose Life I had the Curiosity of reading; being to be found in the History of the Civil Wars of that Kingdom.

But, before I end this Letter, let me denote to thee, the Difference there is between the Effects of Grief and Joy. The Messenger, from England, of whom I already spake, finding at his Return, the Old Man, whom he had left dying, still alive; he gave him such a strange Stroke, by telling to him the Death of his Son, that Grief having van­quished the Assaults of Death, restored to this unhappy Old Man, that Strength he had lost in his Health; so that coming himself, some Days [Page 120]after, to Paris, I saw him bewail the Loss of his on­ly Son.

He that said heretofore, A man should learn all his Life to die well, uttered no strange Doctrine. Our days will last long enough, if we be ready to say, at all times, We have lived enough, And, if we love, as we ought, our great Emperor, who is Invincible, Holy, and the most Just amongst Men: And, if we observe what a French Peasant said to all those that passed before his Door; Never deny your Assistance, and never do any Body any Hurt.

Let thou and, I number our Days, (as was prea­ched heretofore in the Seraglio, to the white Eunuchs, by the Persian, whose Eyes were put out because he saw too clearly.) He always insisted on the Short­ness, Ʋneertainty, and Vanity of Humane Life. He said, Twas short, considering what he had to do in it; un­certain, as to what we shall do in it; and always mix'd with what we have done, and what remains for us to do. Teach not thy Son Mehemet yet, for whom thou hast so much Affection, these Precepts. Children have not that Ripeness of Judgment, as is necessary, to hear Discourses of Death: They are too hard Bits for their Stomachs, and which, indeed, Old Men can hardly digest; and which they swallow not without feeling all the Bitterness of them.

I pray God keep the Imperial City; with those that dwell in it, and shelter it from the Storms which fall on infamous Cities; and, I beseech him, thou mayst live without Offence, that thou mayst never fear Death.

Paris, 2 [...]th. of the lest Moon of the Year 1638.

LETTER X.
To Enguruli Emin Mehemet Chuk, a Man of the Law.

WHEN I parted from Constantinople, I gave thee a Stone of excellent Virtue a­gainst the Gravel, and thou presented'st me with a Paper, which was to secure me against all bodily Evils. Time only can decide which of us two made the best Present to his Friend. Thou hast pretended to learn me in few Words, how to live amongst the Infidels; and I thought in giving thee a Stone, to give thee a Remedy against the Di­stemper thou art troubled with. I never turn my self towards the Place where Mecha lies, but I re­member where thy Amity began, and how far since it has been extended towards me. Absence has not lessened thy Kindness, nor hindred thee from sending me thy grave Counsels; but I am as yet too young, to set about the preparing my self for the other World; and too vigorous and healthful, to hearken to thy serious and melancholy Discourses.

I wish thou wert but at Paris, where thou wouldest see a great Number of People, who sell a most precious Thing, to purchase a vain and fan­tastick Title: How many with great Earnestness sue for Placeat's from the King, that they may seek their Deaths? Perhaps thou never thoughtest there were any such kind of People. What dost thou think then of the Souldiery in General; are they any others than Martyrs of Ambition, to whom one would think Life is a Burthen? 'Tis a sad Spectacle, to see how many Dead lie in the [Page 122]Streets; or carried on the Shoulders of their Friends or Kinsmen to their Graves: Yet this is so common a thing in Paris, that the People make no Wonder of it.

This way of Living, obliges me to do as the rest. I begin to consider, That what happens to another, may happen to me; there's no avoiding ones Destiny. This Preface is only to bring in a Story of this King's Goodness, which ought to be an Example to all Princes. The French have need of fresh Souldiers to fill up so many Troops as they continually entertain: Not long since then, there came a Man, full of Years, and over­whelm'd with Despair, who desired to be Listed in this Princes Service. To obtain what he desired, he told the King, That he was the Father of Twelve Children, Seven of which were Daughters, who were Marriagable; that he could no longer live, being not able to maintain such a great Family; and, that being ignorant, as yet how to die, he would learn it in the King's Service. The Prince having appointed him to wait upon him one Day pri­vately in his Closet, thus spake to him: Thy Despair makes thee desirous to be listed amongst my Soul­diers; and Charity obliges me to retain thee amongst the Citizens. Those that are Fools when they enter into Troops, commonly come out wiser; because they learn several things of which they were before ig­norant: but as to thy part, what Time hast thou to learn, who art ready to fall dead at the same mo­ment thou enterest into the School? Yet I receive thee; take this Sword; go and combat thy Folly; and take this Purse to succour thy Family, and be cured; but if thou art wise, say not from whom thou hast received thy Cure. I know not what Sum was in the Purse, no more than I do of what Mettle the Sword was. But I have this Story from an Officer of the King's Closet; with whom I [Page 123]have that strict Converse, that he told me this Pas­sage as soon as ever it happened.

I'll tell thee if thou wilt, some of the princi­pal Passages of my Life; for I conceal nothing from the Ministers, and the most venerable Muf­ti, who knows all that I do: I adore the Sove­reign Master of the Universe; and have a great Veneration for his holy Prophet: I never defiled my Hands in Blood, neither have I ever violated any Mans Bed: I easily forgive my Enemies, and hate above all things the Crime of Slandering. If this be not sufficient to merit Salvation, I do not know what is. These are all my Virtues; as to other Qualifications, I have none. I have no Knack at Thieving; my Talents lie not that way; were I qualified, I might, as most do, de­vise means to put my Art in Practice. But living according to these afore-mentioned Maxims, I doubt not but I shall find Entrance into that Para­dise, where faithful Souls will enjoy a perfect Hap­piness, and set their Feet on the Necks of the Ene­mies of our Holy Law; where, they shall suffer neither Hunger, Thirst, or Nakedness; free from the parching Heats of the Sun, and the pinching Sharpness of the Colds, caused by the Moon; where, under the agreeable Shade of Trees, they shall gather the preciousest Fruit, standing, sitting, or lying; and drink in Cups of Gold or Emerald, the most delicious Liquors, which spring from a clear Fountain; and be served with inconceivable Magnificence. In this divine Place, they shall be more beautiful and shining than the Stars in the Firmament, whose brightness enlightens the dark­est Night; their Robes shall be of finest Silk, of a Colour more green and pleasing to the Eye, than the Herbs which spring up in May; and shall fur­ther receive from the Hands of God, a Potion, more sweet and delicious, than can be imagined, [Page 124]as a Recompence for the Good they have done, during their Abode amongst Men. Thou know­est, 'tis impossible for me to go on Pilgrimage to Mecha, seeing I am obliged to abide at Paris. Thou knowest also, I cannot give my self to Contempla­tion, being forced to lead an active Life; for I must not remain among the Dervises, who pass their Days in Solitude; serving in France, as I must do, our Puissant and Invincible Emperor. Thou seest here what my Condition will bear; accuse me not therefore for neglecting the pious Advices thou givest me. I forget not so much Death, as I for­get that I must die.

Be informed of this from me, There's not a Town in the World, where People do learn better to live ill, than at Paris; neither is there any Place, where they are better taught to die. I need not tell thee, here are publick Academies (as were here­tofore amongst the Egyptians) wherein dead Bo­dies lie exposed to publick View, to make Men re­member the indispensable Necessity of dying. But I may tell thee, there's no Day, wherein in this great Town, a great quantity of Fools do not teach wiser than themselves, things they have been ever igno­rant of; for the Gibbets and Scaffolds, set up for the Punishment of the Guilty, hinder the Destru­ction of a great many People, whose Innocency is preserved by these kind of Spectacles. Here the Poor who had heretofore plentiful Subsistences, teach good Husbandry; the Proud, Humility; the debauched with Women, Chastity.

I believe, there is no Part of the World, where there are more Thieves and Pick-pockets, and who do their Work with greater Art and Subtil­ty; they exercise their Craft in all Places, in the Churches, as well as the Streets, Markets, and Bridges; so that our People of the Morea, who are thought by us to be such great Masters in [Page 125]this Science, are mere Asses to them. Adieu.

Paris, 10th. of the First Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XI.
To Cara Hali, the Physician.

I Know not whether what I thought I saw last Night in my Bed, be the effect of a Dream, or of a real Vision. I was awakned by a great Earth-quake, and which made me rise afrighted out of my Bed. But informing my self by some People, I found 'twas but a Dream.

My Adventure, has renewed the Remembrance of one, which proved of sad Consequence to one Part of Italy. Physicians are at a loss to find out the Causes of these horrible Fires, which are vo­mited up at certain times by Mount Gibel, Strom­boli, and Vesuvius; Mountains in Sicily, not far from Naples, whose Roots seem to spring from Hell; whence arise often filthy Exhalations, Smoaks and Sulphur, with Flames which cast up Stones and Ashes to the Clouds.

'Tis known, I believe, at Constantinople, That towards the Beginning of the Moon of February, there was lost near Naples a little Island, that had Four Miles in Compass. It's related as a Thing certain, That after this Isle was suddenly swallow­ed down into the Sea, the Fire which it included not finding its usual Vent, there was opened some Days after, a new Way along the Coasts of Calabria, near Messina. There did it appear, ha­ving first caused an horrible Earth-quake, which [Page 126]overthrew a great Pile of Building, which the Christians call a Steeple, that belonged to a princi­pal Church; which buried under its Ruins a vast Number of People, whose Devotion had at that Time brought hither. Some Towns of the King­dom of Naples suffered by this Earthquake, with great Multitudes of People, and Herds of Cattle, which were miserably lost in the Fire, by the Smoak and heaps of Ashes. And amongst those that have been smothered to death, are reckoned several Lords of those Countries, who are Masters but of few Subjects, and yet bear the Title of Princes.

My dear Friend, Cara Hali, These are dread­ful Effects of Nature, whose Causes will not be sound out by us. Certainly, these Countries of Italy, must be far from Paradise, seeing these Mouths of Hell (if it he true, as many People say, they are in these Mountains) do frequently ruin by these Irruptions Calabria and Sicily. Na­turalists affirm, That these Mountains nourish Sul­phurous Matter in their Bowels, which is easily inflamed, and issues out with more or less Vehe­mency, and more or less Frequency, according as the Matter is more or less disposed; and the Sub­terranean Winds kindle and eject these Fires, and open the Mass of Earth under which they are shut up. But the Opinion of certain Philosophers, who maintain, That meer Chance produces these extraordinary Events, appears to me very ridi­culous; affirming, that one Stone striking another, produces a Spark, whence happen these great In­flammations: Nay, they proceed farther, and would perswade us, That a lighted Lamp, left by Chance, by those who searched into the Bowels of these Mountains, to discover the Secrets of Na­ture, might make these Flames; which lighting on a combustible Matter, and meeting with no hing [Page 127]that is contrary to 'em to extinguish them, do cause these surprising Effects. They also say, That Lightning striking fiercely on some one of the Coasts of these Mountains, may do the same thing; as the Stones striking one against another, or the Lamp left lighted.

These Opinions would not appear so ridiculous, were it possible to make any Demonstration of 'em: But these Events being all extraordinary, and in a manner prodigious, I shall willingly suf­fer thee to believe, that 'tis a Work of Nature, or Hell, or Chance alone, which causes the perpe­tual Motions of these Fires; which are so terrible, and so greatly damnify one of the finest Coun­tries in the World, as Greece is, and this Island which is the Delight and Nurse of almost all the Provinces situated on the Banks of the Mediterra­nean-Sea.

We find also in Ireland these Mountains of Fire, yet with this Difference, that their Flames do no Hurt, which make 'em no ways dreadful to the Inhabitants. I think too I have heard my Father say, That being in Company with certain Ara­bians in our Lycia, he saw these kind of Fires come out of the Earth, but they broke out gently and caused no Damage.

I am now perswaded of one Thing, which I would never believe before; which is, That Old Pliny, intending to relate to the Emperor Titus, and leave to Posterity a Relation of the Effects of Vesuvius, and a perfect Discovery of the Causes of so many prodigious Effects, he therefore went himself on the Place; because that in his Time, this famous Mountain had cast out an horrible Quantity of Fire, Stones, and Ashes, with so great Violence, and such terrible Noise, that the Effects of it were selt in Syria, Africk, and especially in Egypt. But the Curiosity of this wretched Phi­losopher [Page 128]having cost him his Life, the Romans ex­pect still with his Return, the Discovery of the se­cret Causes of so many prodigious Effects. Take care of thine own Health, and let not any of thy Patients miscarry through thy Neglect, or Rashness. Continue to love me, though I am at a great Di­stance from thee: Write to me sometimes; and believe, that I am not able to conform my self to the way of Living of Strangers amongst whom I reside. I shall be always a good Mussul man, and a Faithful Friend.

Paris, 10th. of the First Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XII.
To the Venerable Mufti, Prince of the Religion of the Turks.

THY Decree is very cruel, to separate me, without having committed any Crime, from the Communion of the Faithful.

I have read the Holy Answer thou hast made me, with great Veneration; but this has not been without many Tears. Thou hast not untyed the Knot of the Difficulties which perplex me, but made it indissoluble. So that I only live in the Certainty of having no Certitude, and my Soul, which is encompassed with Fear, will be in Dread till Death.

If I do what thou proposest, how shall I be sure of not failing, seeing I do not understand what I ought to do? I am so dull, that I cannot distinguish, Whether thou exhortest me to do [Page 129]what I have ever done, or whether thou forbiddest me what I asked of thee.

I intreated thee to let me know, Whether I might live amongst the Christians, and do in Ap­pearance, what they do effectually in the Obser­vance of the Ceremonies of their Religion: And thou answerest me, That the Circumcised, or Faith­ful should have no Doubt in his Law, and needs no other Precepts to observe it, than the Law it self: Moreover, That the true Mussulman must be willing to lose his Estate, his Life, and Honour in the Sultan's Service; That the Christians are Ene­mies to the True God, the Emperor, and Reli­gion; and, that, in fine, one ought to sacrifice all Things not to betray this God, who is our chief Master. Tell me, I intreat thee on my bended Knees, Cannot a Man be a True Mahometan, with­out hating eternally the Followers of Jesus? And in living amongst them secretly a true Mussulman, must one shew ones self to be of another Religion, or pretend to be of theirs? Thou wilt tell me, the Alcoran speaks with great Clearness, yet how many obscure Passages do we find in the Words of our holy Prophet, wherein we need thy Expositions?

I have no Belief for Tagot, neither will I give Credit to the Devil; my Law expresly forbids it, for I believe in one only True God, who knew the Intention of our holy Lawgiver, and sees what we cannot discover. And the Prophet cries out, That he that has such Principles, leans on the strongest Prop he can ever meet with; there being nothing which is able to overthrow it.

Disperse, Reverend Sir, as much as thou canst, the Darkness of my Spirit. I conjure thee by the Almighty Father, who can make live Flesh come on the dry Bones of the Ass, which dyed an hun­dred Years past.

I do not discontinue here my usual Prayers, which I make in the Manner they are prescribed me by the Law, with my Face always turn'd to the Side of Mecha. When I fast, I eat only at Night, and I continue my Repast till Aurora advancing the Day, gives me Light enough to distinguish black Thread from white. And I pass over the Day without taking any Nourishment, till the Darkness be so great, that I cannot see the Eye of a Needle. 'Tis true, I give no Alms to the Poor, because I doubt, Whether it be lawful to do good to those who continually move Heaven against us.

The Bishops here are in great Veneration; they have not an absolute Authority, because they depend on the Roman Prelate, and the King: Yet their Jurisdiction is very large, the Kingdom be­ing full of Churches, and these Churches frequen­ted by Millions of People. They wear about their Necks a Golden Cross. They live, in pub­lick, good Lives; are obliged to know all the Points of their Law, they must be Doctors, are obliged to Gelibacy, to be Sober, Hospitable, Prudent, Irreprehensible, without coveting others Goods; they must never be drunk, or shed Hu­man Blood. Their Habit is a long Vest reaching to the Ground, of black Silk or Violet. They go little on Foot, but are carried in Coaches, to avoid the Wearisomness which would oppress them, in a Town which seems the greatest in the World; which thou wouldest do too perhaps, wert thou designed to be their Sovereign Pre­late.

The great Arbiter of the World, favour by his Mercy, or by an Effect of his Justice, the incon­ceivable Honour of suffering thee to sweep du­ring thy Life, his most Holy and only Temple of Mecha, in the Company of Ismael, and Abra­ham, [Page 131]that thou maist keep it clean, without any Filth of what Kind soever.

Paris, 10th. of the first Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XIII.
To the Kaimakam.

THE French Armies are at present in Winter-Quarters, and the Court is busied in contriving what they shall do in the Spring. I do not believe I writ thee any false News; for it is to be believed that the Sharpness of the Winter will hinder any Thing from being undertaken before that time.

The Eyes of all the Court are fixed on Three Objects, the King, the Dauphin his Son, and Cardinal Richlieu; but they more carefully ob­serve the latter, than the former. This Man has made himself Creatures by his Benefits; the Thankfulness for which, and the Hopes of new ones, has bound them to his Interests. Yet 'tis to be believed, he has more Enemies by means of the great Credit he is in with his Prince, and the Occasions he finds to increase it. His Anti-chamber is always full of Attendants, who aspire to Employs, of such as are in Offices, and several other Persons who are desirous to be Witnesses of his Actions. Those who threaten him in secret, do but increase his Courage, and make him more carefully stand on his Guard; and those who have most Experience of the World, affirm, this Cardinal knows too much to be surprised. [Page 132]Hear the Recital of one of the least of his Acti­ons, whereby thou maist figure the greatest, and give them the due Price they deserve. For Three Years together was observed in this Cardinal's Anti-chamber, a Man who was [...]ot far advanced in Years, and as assiduous to make his Court, as he was modest in his Discourse; very reserved and patient; and, which is very rare at Court, was never heard to complain. The Cardinal who pre­tends to read the Souls of Men, and who is infe­rior to none perhaps in this Art, caused this Person who had so long attended, to be called to him, and thus spake to him: I know who thou art, and how long time thou hast spent in observing me; although thou outwardly appearest a French-man, thy great Patience assures me thou art of another Climate; get thee to Rome, and wait but half the time in the Pope 's Anti-chamber as thou hast done in mine, and I doubt not but thou wilt penetrate into the most hid­den Secrets. Part then immediately for Italy, and observe the Actions and Motions of the Wisest and most Dissimulative Court in the Universe; discover not thy self to any body; send me an Account every Week what thou canst discover; and in this manner thou wilt be useful to me, and avoid Idleness. My Secretary will give thee a Cypher, and my Trea­surer has order to give thee what's necessary for thy Voyage, as well as to keep thee when thou art at Rome.

The Cardinal studies to extend the Bounds of the Kingdom, and for that purpose consults those who can any ways advance his Projects; especial­ly, the King being now certain of a Successor, by the Birth of the Dauphin, who seems very likely to live long. All Hands are employed at Toulon and Marseilles for the fitting out of Gal­leys and other Vessels; and 'tis thought the chief Designs of this Minister, are on the Coasts of [Page 133] Italy. I am told, he was heard to say, That the Romans could never have conquered all the World, as they did, had they not before been Masters of Italy; That Hannibal had the same Design, and after Hannibal, Pope Alexander VI. intended to see whether such a Design would take Effect; but his Pride and Cruelty made all his Projects prove abortive, and that he could meet with greater Success than Hannibal, could he be so happy as to obtain one Thing. And here he ended his Discourse.

He so greatly minds whatever passes in the Royal Family and Kingdom, that he can discover, as he pretends, all the Thoughts, yea and the very Dreams of the Grandees, Governors of Provinces, and those that command in Places.

He says, he has learnt several useful Things in the Relation given us of the Government of the Chineses, having from them the Way of disco­vering the most difficult Matters, without its ap­pearing he does any Thing for this Purpose. And this is the Method of governing he observes in this Kingdom, wherein are so many restless Spirits.

He maintains, near all People who are in any considerable Offices, Persons that depend only on him, and who are known to no body else; who in all Places wear mean Cloaths, and incessantly watch over the Actions of the Officers, and give him notice of whatever passes. He makes use of these kind of People about his Master's Embassa­dors in foreign Courts. He always carries a Book about with him, which he calls Richlieu's Soul; which Book contains the Designs, the Interests, the secret Practices, and Inclinations of all the Princes, who hold a Correspondence, and have any Tyes with France, and on whom France has any Pretensions. The most skilful Astrologers in Eu­rope, [Page 134]have also sent him the Horoscopes of all the Kings, and great Men, with their Judgments touching the Term of their Lives, and what they may probably undertake in all Times. This Car­dinal said on another Time, That he kept a great many Couriers, yet he could well enough spare them; That he knew what passed in remote Pla­ces, as soon as what was done near him: He once affirmed, he knew in less than Two Hours, That the King of England had signed the Warrant for the Execution of ...... If this Particular be true, this Minister must be more than a Man. Those who are his most devoted Creatures, af­firm he has in a private place in his Closet, a certain Mathematical Figure, in the Circumfe­rence of which, are written all the Letters of the Alphabet, armed with a Dart, which marks the Letters, which are also marked by their Corre­spondents: And it appears, that this Dart ripens by the Sympathy of a Stone, which those who give and receive his Advices, keep always at hand, which hath been separated from another, which the Cardinal has always by him; and 'tis affirm'd, that with such an Instrument, he gives and receives immediately Advices. This great Man, who knows all these reports, only laughs at them; yet he says with a serious Air, That God has given him Two Angels, one White and another Black, to inform him of both good and bad Matters, and that with their Assistance he shall overthrow the Cabals of his Enemies. He sent some Days past a Man to the Gallies, that was ac­cused for cutting in pieces the King's Picture; but having been better inform'd, and knowing twas his, he told those about him, That this Man should be pardoned, because he had done no Hurt to the Original. Here are Theaters and Feasts preparing to entertain the People, in Honour of the King [Page 135]and Cardinal; and 'tis whispered, that the Queen is again with Child.

Heaven preserve thee ever from the Sultan's Anger, and all other Misfortunes which may sowre the Comforts of thy Life.

Paris, 25th. of the first Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XIV.
To Egri Boynou, the white Eunuch.

IF thou goest into Prussia in Bithynin, as thou writest, above all Things remember to prepare thy self not to live long, and never to inform the young Sultan Mustapha of the Misfortune of the Grandson to Solyman the Great, and Son to poor Bajazet, whom his Grandfather caused to be strang­led in his Infancy. This unhappy place makes me fearful of thy Life, as well as that of the Prince's, the Care of whose Education is committed to thee. I cannot forbear weeping, every time I call to mind what passed between the Victim and the Execu­tioner. Thou thy self toldest me, That this un­happy Child embraced and kissed several times him that was to give the Fatal Stroke, even in the Moment when he was putting about his Neck the Silken String which was to strangle him. All Asia is informed of the rest of the History; and 'tis known, That this Child altho strang [...]ed, yet triumphed at his Death over his Murtherer: For being softned by the Caresses of this Infant, whom he was about destroying, he dropt down in a Swoon; and Bajazet's Son had by this Occasion escaped [Page 136]Death, had not the other Executioner, more cruel than the former, done the Work.

Altho thou dost not, certainly know, who is Mustapha's Father; yet thou maist well presume he is the Emperor's Son. Thy Age and Prudence so long experienced, and the-Office of Chief of all the Eunuchs of the Empire, which thou hast so long enjoyed, leaves no place of doubting, but that thy Pupil is of Royal Blood. Arm thy self then with Courage and study to perform well thy Duty in this solitary Place: Nothing is so troublesom as the instructing of Children, when they will be taught as Masters by their Slaves, and will not submit to Rules, like private Persons.

Thou maist be sure, I shall render thee all the Service I am able, seeing I consider thee as a Friend that is extream dear to me: But why dost thou seek amongst the Christians, an illustrious Subject, which may serve for a Model to form a Child born in the Religion of the Mussulmen?

Did I not know thy Wisdom, I should think thou art very simple, in searching after Examples amongst the Enemies of our holy Law, to propose them to be followed by the Ottoman Children. Thou hast chosen for this Purpose Henry of France, termed the Great; and art thou ignorant, that this so famous a King was the most implacable Enemy of the Empire? Be it known to thee, That this Prince undertook the boldest and dangerousest Design as was ever imagined, to destroy the Mo­narchy of the Mussulmen; and might probably have succeeded, had not Heaven, by an unforeseen Stroke, snatched him from the Earth, to appear before the Tribunal of the True God, who judges Kings as well as other Men. But lest thou should'st imgin, I make this a Pretence to excuse my self from satisfying thee in what thou desirest, re­ceive at least one Part of what thou expectest: [Page 137]Thou wouldst have me send thee the History of this Prince; content thy self with a short Extract of it, otherwise I must be forced to send thee a large Volume. However, make not use of his Ex­ample in all Things; the Way of Living, the Laws and Customs of the French, do not suit with the Turkish Way of Regiment. If thou wilt make thy Pupil accomplished, form him on the Model of some one of those Hero's which the East has given us. Mustapha will read with greater Profit, the History of Alexander and Pyrrhus, than that of Charlemain and Henry; and should one wonder at the Defaults of the King of Macedonia's Son, and at the small Fortune of the other? Pray shew me what Men there ever were, who had at the same time the Frailties of human Nature, and the Per­fections of the Divinity.

And if thou wilt search into Persia and Egypt, thou wilt find a Cyrus, and an Artaxerxes, Ptole­my, Psammeticus, Campson, and Tomombeis, all great Princes, whose Actions honour Antiquity. And how many Heroes wilt thou find in our Greece, if thou wilt take no Notice of those whom Rome has sent into the World? But not to go out of the Or­toman Family, thou knowest very well, that we Turks, have for Proverbial Speeches, The Modesty of Solyman; The good Mien of Alis; The Justice of Nonquirevan; The Majesty of Osman; The Gravity of Humer; and the Justice of Abubekir; not to mention the Courage and Magnanimity of Amu­rath, who is, at this Day, more valorous than a­ny of his common Soldiers; whether he be in his Seraglio of Constantinople, or in his Tents before Babylon.

Ten Days ago I received thy Letter, and I have employed a great deal of that Time, in collecting what thou hast desired of me; and to speak truly, thy Commands have suppli'd me with matter where­withal [Page 138]to divert me. Thou wilt be without doubt surprized, that Two Men who long served this King in mean Employs, have discovered several Particu­lars of his Life, with which the French themselves, perhaps, are not acquainted. My Sentiment has ever been, That 'tis more necessary to know the Manners and Customs of Men, than to know the Number of Places they have besieged or taken; and to be informed of their good Qualities and bad ones, than to learn the Manner of their Encamp­ments, and the Number of the Battles which they have won or lost. All Histories contain the Actions of Men, and the Principal is, to know these Men, to instruct others; for Histories do generally rather divert, than instruct Men. These will teach thee better what thou art to learn, than the Historians themselves. Christian Authors are, at present, like the Elements; always in War, and ever contrary to one another, and never agreeing.

These Two above-mentioned Friends, who are now very old Men, have served King Henry above Thirty Years, and ever held a strict Corresponden­cy with one another. One was his Barber; and the other's Business was to divert him with reading to him, when he was going to Rest.

That which is related of Henry's coming into the World without weeping, is certainly a Fable; but it is certain, the Queen of Navarr, his Mo­ther, sung a French Song, in the Time of his Birth; whereby this Princess seemed to shew other Wo­men, that 'tis possible to be brought to Bed with­out Crying out. The first Milk which this Royal Babe drank, was an Ambrosia, which the Gods of our Friend, the Poet Oglou, never tasted. His Father made him drink in a Golden Cup, of the strongest Wine that could be gotten; wherein he put and squeezed a Clove of Garlick, which he thought proper to strengthen his Temperament, [Page 139]and render him more vigorous. He was after­wards bred up like Cyrus; spending his first Days in Woods, and oftentimes in the Company of Sheepherds. He went always with his Head bare, whether exposed to the scorching Heats of the Summers Sun; or during Winter, to the Rain, and most rigorous Frosts, Snow and Hail. It seems as if he had began his Life in Prison; being con­fined to the Fields, distant from all Converse, clad in coarse Hair-cloth, to accustom his Body to Fa­tigues, and souple his Spirit to the Accidents of Fortune.

He was but Nine Years old, when he lost his Father Anthony, King of Navarr. The Death of this Prince may serve for a Lesson to Mustapha; for, having received his Death's Wound, at the Siege of a considerable Place, he made the Wall of the Chamber, where he lay, to be broken down, that he might be carried into his own Bed, dying as it were in Triumph, into the Town: miserable Ambition of Great Men, who strip not themselves of it, till Death strips them of their Lives. Seven Years after the Death of Anthony, the Young Henry was declared Head, and Defender of the Hugonot Party; and when Eighteen Years old, he was in a considerable Fight; but 'tis not well known, whe­ther he himself was engaged. Fortune was so contrary to him in the Beginning, that having lost a Battle, he was obliged to fly for Six Months, together with the rest of his Army; and to tra­verse almost throughout all the Provinces of the Kingdom, without taking any Rest, for Fear of being surprized. Thou hast never read, I believe, of any Captain, that made a Flight of that durance, before him. The Queen his Mother, being a Wo­man of a masculine Courage, and Firmness of Mind, dyed poysoned by a pair of Gloves. At Nineteen Years of Age, he married the King's Sister, who [Page 140]then Reigned, named Charles IX. and never any Wedding was solemnized with such bloody Trage­dies. 'Tis hard to believe what an infinite Num­ber of Hugonots was then massacred; the Design was secretly laid, during the Celebration of the Wedding, and executed Six Days after, at full Noon. 'Tis said, that in one Day, all France was died with the Blood of these poor People; there be­ing at least an Hundred thousand of them slain; amongst which were Twenty Lords of great Consi­deration, with the Great Admiral of the King­dom; and at the fewest Four thousand Soldiers massacred in Paris. Henry did not perish on that unhappy Day, but he was very near Death; and the King having called him, thus spake to him, with an angry Tone, and fierce Countenance: Henry, thou art alive, because I would spare thee; but I will not spare thee, if thou persistest in thy Here­sy: Choose one of these two things; either the Mass, or Death. If thou knowest not what the Mass is, I will shew thee in another Letter. This Prince chose to go to Mass, rather than to lose his Life; and there­fore publickly abjured the Religion he professed. These two old Men affirm, That Nero or Cali­gula's Court, were never corrupted as that of France was then. No People were more in Fashion, than Buffoons, and never did the worst sort of De­baucheries so abound; Sorceries, Empoysonings, Assassinations, and all other Sorts of Crimes, were permitted in such a Manner, that all the Laws and good Order seem'd to be overthrown. 'Tis not known, whether the King of Navarr took up his for­mer Religion through Policy, or some Corruption he saw amongst the Catholicks; however, he return'd some Time after to Calvinism, whereunto he was so obstinately addicted, that having lived several Years in this Sect, he was forced to offer great Violence to himself, to enjoy peaceably the King­dom [Page 141]of France, and accommodate himself with the Pope of Rome, and to make again publick Profession of the Roman Religion.

Never any Prince more loved Women than he did. This Passion prevailed over him all the Days of his Life, and there were Two different Natures observable in his Person; An Invincible Courage in the Field; and such a Passion for Women, as made him be often seen to Weep amongst them. He has had greater Weaknesses than Hercules, and he glo­ried in them. He challenged the bravest Man in all France, the Duke of Guise to a single Fight; but the King interposed his Authority to hinder the Combat.

This King performed an Action during his Youth, which our Dervises would have certainly set down in their Registers as greatly remarkable. On a certain Day wherein he was to fight a pitched Battle, being on Horseback in the midst of his Army, he made publick Reparation to a young Woman whom he had deflowred, and spake in these Terms: I have forced this Woman you see here; and used Threats, when Entreaties would not bring her to my Lust. Let all that hear me, detest the bad Example I have given. And as for your part whom I have thus wronged, choose an Husband, and receive from me such a Portion, as may seem in some sort, an Amends for the Injury I have done you.

It seems as if this so laudable an Action was ap­proved of by Heaven; for having immediately hereupon given Battle, he overthrew a mighty Ar­my with a few Troops.

The Ladies who bore Henry no Ill-will, for his Tenderness to their Sex, greatly interessed them­selves in the Affairs of War, wherein this Prince was always Head of the Hugonot Party; and they gave Occasion to a Proverb which lasted a great [Page 142]while. There being some, who were for making a Peace, and others for War; This War was called The Ladies War. This Prince had been in so ma­ny Fights, that I believe one may truly say in this particular, never any Prince came near him: For, who ever in one Day was in two Battles, and came off victorious?

King Charles IX. dying during this Time, the Queen-Mother sent for her other Son in great Dili­gence, who had been elected some Months before King of Poland, by the Death of Sigismond Augustus. 'Tis said, that Charles's Successor having been adver­tised of the Death of the King his Brother, fled in the Night from Cracovia, only with Two Persons who were his Confidents, and retired to Venice; and 'tis said, That the Courtisans of this famous City, having assured the Crown to our Henry, for ha­ving been infected with this Distemper, which the French call the Neapolitan Disease, and other Na­tions the French-Pox; he became incapable of ha­ving Children, to perpetuate the Crown in the Branch of Valois.

After his Death, which was violent, and perpe­trated by a Christian Dervise, Henry III. dying with­out an Heir, and his Throne being sought by dif­ferent Pretenders; Henry, to whom alone his Birth had given Right, became Master of it by his Pa­tience; his Fatigues in War, and his Courage made him vanquish all Obstacles. He maintained his Right with an unparallel'd Valour, and car­ried himself with the greatest Prudence; yet his greatest Successes, are owing to the Greatness of his Heart. He met sometimes with Disadvantage, but oftner came out Conqueror from all Engage­ments; and 'tis observable, he was the prouder after the Battles won, because he had before ap­peared extraordinary familiar with the Souldiers who had helped him to win them. He was wont [Page 143]to be often in his Stables to see his Horses, and often slept amongst these Creatures, whom he termed his most faithful Courtiers. How difficult soever the way was which was to lead him to the Throne, he would not be disheartned; these Difficulties ser­ving only to increase his Courage. He saw the Spaniards confederated with his Enemies; yet he alone, without any other Assistance, but of some few faithful Troops, sate down before Paris, which was the most famous Siege since that of Jerusalem by Titus. He reduced the Inhabitants of this Capital of the Kingdom, to live on the most abject Meats one can imagin, after they had consumed the Rats, Mice, Dogs, and Cats, which were for some time the richest Delicacies the best People of the Town could meet with. But he was for all this (after he had given several Assaults) forced to raise the Siege, and accommodate himself with the Prince who com­mands all the Priests amongst the Catholicks; and he again renounced Calvinism wherewith he was infected, and which served as a Pretence to his Ene­mies. He was crown'd in the same manner his o­ther Predecessors had been before him. He began to govern his Kingdom, ruined by so many Wars, Pillages and Concussions made by all sorts of Peo­ple, and so repaired it by his good Government, that he was soon in a Condition to embellish it. He built several magnisicent Bridges, raised stately Edi­fices, and forgot nothing which might re-establish those good Orders which the Licentiousness of the Times had overthrown.

But what this King designed against us, as soon as he was setled on the Throne, will appear at the same time to thee both dreadful and admirable. As soon as ever he had made a general Peace with his Ene­mies, he laid the Foundations of the most Heroick Design that ever Man invented, wherein he shewed himself not inferior to the first of the Caesars, nor the Conqueror of Asia.

He undertook to overthrow all the Monarchies of the World, to give a new Face to all the Affairs of it, and to destroy in a short time the Empire of the Ottomans. But before he began such a great En­terprize, he was for paying all the Debts of the Crown, and his own in particular, which amount­ed all together to near an Hundred Millions; and 'twas a prodigious thing to find so much Money, without selling the Kingdom, or engaging the Peo­ple; yet it is true, that he got this Money, and paid those Debts with it.

He was for dividing Christendom into Fifteen e­qual Dominations, Five of which should obey Kings that were so by Succession, and Six to be subject to Kings that were Elective, and the Four remaining should be Republicks.

By this Division he left the Pope the Countries belonging to the Church, and added thereunto the Kingdom of Naples, with the Homage of Sicily, and the greatest part of Italy modelled into a Republick; with Obligation to give the Pope every Year a gol­den Crucifix, and Four Thousand Sequins. Only Ve­nice was left in the Condition 'twas in, with its Laws and Customs. But there were allotted to this Republick, Kingdoms and Isles, which were to be taken from us in the Archipelago, with an Homage to the Roman Prelate of an Embassy to kis his Feet, and at the End of every Twenty five Years, a small Statue of Gold, representing St. Peter, whom they term God's Vicar on Earth.

Flanders should make a Republick with therest of the Low-Countries, which would be a Loss for the Spaniards; and to this Republick, should be added some of the neighbouring States.

The Franche County, Alsatia, Tirol and Trante, were added to the Democratical State of the Swisses, with the Homage every Fifteen Years of an Hunting Dog, with a golden Collar about [Page 145]his Neck, fastned to a Chain of Gold, which this Re­publick should present to the Emperor of Germany.

This Emperor should be obliged to renounce the aggrandizing of his Family, and only dispose of vacant Fiefs, the Investiture of which he should not bestow on any of his Kindred; and there should be a Law inviolably observed in the Empire, That never Two Princes of the same Race, should enjoy successively the Imperial Crown.

The Dutchy of Milan should be added to the o­ther. Provinces belonging to the Duke of Savoy, to­gether with the Title of King of Lombardy.

The Kingdom of Hungary should be enlarged with the Principalities of Transylvania, Walachia and Moldavia: And the King who was to be E­lective, should be chosen by the Suffrages of the Pope, the Emperor of Germany, the King of France, England, Spain, Swedeland, Poland and Denmark; and Bohemia should be submitted to the same Laws.

France, England, Spain, Poland, Swedeland and Denmark should not change their Form of Govern­ment, when for the general Affairs, these King­doms were to be subject to the Universal Repub­lick, of which the Pope was to be the Head.

Things thus established, Henry was to be the Umpire of all Christendom, to decide all Differences which might happen between the aforesaid Princes and States, with Fifteen Persons chosen from a­mongst the most famous for Learning and Arms, which could be found among these Fifteen Domi­nations; and besides these, there was to be esta­blished a great Council, consisting of Sixty other Persons, for all the Differences which might happen in all the Kingdoms and Republicks, between those who govern'd them; and this great Assembly should make their Residence in the Capital City, Rome.

Every State was to be obliged to furnish a cer­tain Number of Troops, and Summ of Mony to make War against the Turks; and the Business of Poland and Swedeland should be, to make War to­gether against the Moscovites and Tartars. There were afterwards Three Generals to be chosen by common Consent for the conquering of Asia, one for the Sea, and Two for the Land; and Three hundred Thousand Foot entertained, with One hundred and fifty Thousand Horse, and Four hun­dred Pieces of Canon; and the Naval Army was to consist of an Hundred and fifty Vessels, and one Hundred Gallies; and a Fund was to be raised for this, of an Hundred Millions of Gold.

This Treasure was to be put into the Pope's Hands; the Isle of Malta was to be the Store-house of all things belonging to the Sea, the Port of Messina the Arsenal for the Gallies, and the City of Metz one of the principal Magazins for the Land Forces.

All the Christian Princes were to be obliged to lessen their ordinary Expences, and to contribute to this great Design according to their Ability.

There were to have been several Spies in Con­stantinople in the Habit of Greeks, who were per­sectly skill'd in the Eastern Languages, to observe the Motions of our Empire: And besides these, Forty resolute Men, who were at a certain Time and Signal to set Fire to the Seraglio and Arsenal, and several other Quarters of the Town.

There was found in this Hero's Closet after his Death, a Memorial written with his own Hand, wherein he had already markt Twelve Embassa­dors for several Places in Christendom, for the ne­gotiating of so great an Affair; and the Pope and Republick of Venice and Duke of Savoy had been already acquainted with it.

In the mean time, this King had an Army [Page 147]already of Forty thousand Foot, with Eight thou­sand Horse; and he was, under Petence of visit­ing the Frontiers of Flanders, thence to begin the Execution of his Project; affirming, That as to his own part, he had no other Pretension but the Glory of delivering Christianity from the Tyranny of these Barbarians.

'Tis said, he applied himself for Ten Years together, in searching the Means to make his Pro­ject take; he gave great Pensions to the Cardi­nals at Rome, and in Germany to several Officers: and he had in France, besides the Troops I have already mentioned, Four thousand Gentlemen, who were so devoted to him, that they were ready to mount on Horseback on the least Order from him.

He had already Fifteen Millions in the Bastil; and he that had the Superintendancy of his Trea­sure, promised to add thereunto in less than Three Years Forty other Millions, without touching the ordinary Revenues.

I have no knowledge of the Manner how he would divide the Estates of the Sultan. But Henry was assassinated, just as he was ready to leave Pa­ris, to begin so great a Work; being killed in his Coach in the Arms of his most faithful Courtiers: And the Fatal Stroke which carried him out of the World, delivered the Empire of the true believers; This Empire whose Throne is so high, that it reaches up to the First Heaven, whence it scares the Infidels, and secures the good Mussulmen from the Insults of the Christians.

One of these old Men I mentioned, has assured me, he had heard the King speak these following Words, some Days before his Death: I shall ne­ver go out of this Town; I know not what with-helds me; I shall never accomplish what I design, never see the Destructiou of Constantinople; for I am to [...]d [Page 148]by Astrologers, I shall be kill'd in a Coach. I must then always go on Foot, and never stir out of Paris.

Such was the End of this Prince, so highly venerated by the French. He was really a Man of great Courage, and great Penetration; and so much the greater, in that he regarded the De­struction of the Ottoman Empire, as one of the difficultiest Things in the World. And truly, no other Prince did that Honour to Mahomet, nor his Successors. But yet not finding his own Forces sufficient to invade and destroy the Turkish Em­pire, he invented a Chymerical Project to find Possibility in a Thing which ever appeared im­possible.

In the very Moment I am Writing, I have re­ceived certain News of my Ruin. If I be not taken off this Time at Paris, I shall be perhaps more fortunate than ever, and more successfully and fully serve our great Emperor, whose Clemen­cy is equal to his Grandure, and who is above all the Powers on Earth. Cardinal Richlieu has sent for me to come to him; I therefore finish this Let­ter in hast, which perhaps will be the last I write, being greatly afraid I am discovered. If my Fear be vain, I shall learn thee in another Letter, the most remarkable Events of Henry's Life. In the mean time, I am resolved, and disposed, to suffer the Martyrdom. If I dye, my dear Egry, we shall see one another in the other World; if it be true, that we shall have Eyes there, and remember what has past here below. Pray the great God for Ma­humet, and take Care of thy Health.

Paris, 25th, of the first Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XV.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem, at the Camp under Babylon.

CArdinal Richlieu made me come in his Pre­sence, and yet I am alive; he has not at­tempted any thing against either Life or Liberty; but has done me the same Honour, as to other fo­reign Churchmen; for he believes I am of Molda­via, calling me Titus, not knowing any more of me than what I told him. It seems on the con­trary, as if he intended me Kindnesses, supposing me a bitter Enemy to the Turks; and perhaps, I shall receive some Present from him; for, having served him already as an Interpreter, I shall tell thee, Invincible Vizier, what has past between him and me, without any Fear of being tedious to thee. I serve thee faithfully, and write to thee as oft as my Duty requires.

As soon as I was in his Closet, he thus spoke to me; Titus, What dost thou do in Paris; what Busi­ness hast thou in this Town; and what is really thy Country? I answered him, That I was a poor Clerk of Moldavia, and came to study Divinity and be a Priest; that I knew no better Place to become Wise and Learned, and that I would willingly sacrifice all Things to render him Service. He afterwards askt me, Whether I was acquainted with any of the Eastern Languages, and, Whether I had ever been at Constontinople? I have been, replyed I, in this great Town when I was a Child, and, that my Fa­ther and Mother were then in Slavery. My Father is dead, and my Mother is Married again to a Chri­stian Greek; I understand Arabic and Turkish, and am perfectly skill'd in the School-Greek. What do [Page 150]you mean by School-Greek? reply'd the Cardinal: It is different from the Vulgar-Greek, answered I, which is so corrupted, that learned People will not give themselves the Trouble to understand it. He af­terwards bade me go into a little Closet, where I should find one of his Secretaries, who would need my Help; where I had no sooner entred, but the Secretary presented me with a Turkish Manuscript, to turn into Latin or Italian, if I could not do it into French. I immediately translated it into Latin, and will now inform thee (wise Minister, and Governor of the great Empire of the true Faith­ful) of the Contents of it.

The Christian Dervises, called in France Cordeliers, keep, as thou knowest, in Jerusalem, the Sepulchre of their Messias, by a Privilege which Zelim the Conqueror of Palestine granted them. These Reli­gious, have neither Peace nor Truce with the Greek Christians, and they have such Difference together, as are of ill Consequences to all; they persecute one another without ceasing, and spread abroad most bitter Satyrs against each other. Each Party makes ill Reports to his Superior of that which is opposite, and mixes among some Truths, a great many Lyes and absurd Stories. But it appears to me, That the Greeks, who naturally love Cabals, and have the Reputation of great Romancers, are more dexterous than their adverse Party to do Mischief.

The Christian Dervises have represented a great many things to this Cardinal, to authorise their Pretensions against the Greeks, by Means of the French Embassador. They not only reproach the Greeks with several Injustices and Violences, but accuse the Cadi's of Cruelty and Tyranny, and the Souldiers which guard Jerusalem of insupportable Exactions. Thou shouldest be throughly informed whether these Complaints be on just Grounds; for, [Page 151]they affirm, their Patience is beyond the Cruelty of the Officers thou employest; yet, that they can no longer suffer the insolencies which are now put on them, and are on the Point of hazarding all by a Stroak of Despair. It does not belong to me, to be Advocate in the Behalf of those who are sub­mitted to thy Authority, and especially of those who ought to bear the Yoke of the Mahometans; but, 'tis the Duty of Mahmut, thy Creature, to inform thee of the true Circumstances of Affairs which come to his Knowledge. Yet, if the Oppression of the Dervises be so great as they make it, thou that art the true Light which enlightens the Em­pire of the Faithful, and scatterest the Darkness of it; thou wilt not permit those that live under the Publick Faith to be opprest; and that Four wretch­ed Greeks shall be the Cause of such Disorders as may happen in Palestine, the Complaints of which have reached the Ears of the greatest Princes in Europe; and to whom such things may give false Idea's of the Government of those who are chosen by God to command all the World. Invincible Bassa, I have discovered the true Circumstances of this Affair, in the Turkish Manuscript which Cardi­nal Richlieu's Secretary has put into my Hands. I have fully discovered the false Reasonings of the Armenians and Greeks, who by common Consent, have offered several Things to the most Venera­ble Mufti, which I am sure thou wilt not approve of; for they make most wretched Excuses, to co­lour over their Perfidiousness. They say, the Ro­manists ought to be ill used, on purpose to get rid of them from Palestine, being, like the Jews, bit­ter Enemies in their Hearts to the Welfare of the Empire; That the Time of the Privileges granted by Zelim and his Successors is expired, and that moreover, 'tis a great Imprudence to suffer Pil­grims to come over from distant Countries, who [Page 152]under Pretence of visiting the Holy Sepulchre, and other Places, which Superstition has consecrated in Palestine, come to espy the Actions of the Turks, examin the Form of their Government, visit their Places, and measure the Roads and Ports which they possess on the Seas, which may prove of dismal con­sequence to the Honour and Interest of the Ottoman Empire. I cannot inform thee, how this Memoir came into Richlieu's Hands, but it was either sold or intercepted at Constantinople, where it was ad­dressed. However, I must not forget to tell thee one Remark which this Minister made, whence thou maist guess, whether he reasoned like a wise and prudent Man: Were I, says he the Sultan's chief Minister, I should have added Privilege to Privilege, to the Monks Cordeliers, not only because Justice requires it, but by reason of the Advantage which might redound thereby to the Turks. I would make the Ways to Jerusalem easie to all People; I would lessen the Tribute; the Pilgrims should be well used; the Christians in general, as well as the Cordeliers; and I would severely punish the Officers and Soldiers who guard Palestine, and the sacred Places, if they did otherwise. And then turning himself towards me, Does it not appear to thee, says he, that the best way to enlarge a Kingdom, is, to procure it an Advantage which increases the Number of its Subjects? 'Tis not enough that the Prince shews the Ornaments of his Principality, he must shew also the Prince, otherwise he will be like the Philosopher who was brought into Herod 's Presence. I do not see, says the King, any Thing else but the Beard and Cloak of a Philosopher. If the Turks do as the Scythians. When they made themselves Masters of Athens, they will do better; for they would not burn the Books which were gathered together in this Famous Town, alledging, that those who applied themselves to Study, were not wont to do any great Hurt. If the Christi­ans [Page 153] meditate on Death, in visiting and honouring the Sepulchres; the Mussulmen should consider, that if they make War against them, they have only to do with contrite and penitent Persons who will therefore be the more easily defeated.

And this is a Faithful and exact Account of the Conversation I had with this chief Minister of State. Suffer now that I add, as a Note of the Justice of the Christians Pretensions, what some Particulars of this Kingdom have given me to un­derstand, touching the Justice and Antiquity of the Privileges of the Religious Christians at Jerusalem. They make appear, That for above Three hun­dred Years these Places do belong to the Roman Catholicks; That, Robert d' Anjou bought them of the Soldan of Aegypt, and made thereof a Present to the Roman Church, and put them in Possession, not only of the Holy Sepulchre, but of Calvary, of Bethlchem, and their Dependancies; which Settle­ment lasted till Zelim I who therein confirm'd the Religious Christians, with an Augmentation of Pri­vileges, as soon as ever he had conquered Aegypt and Palestine.

Francis I. King of France, having made an Al­liance with Solyman II. he inserted in his Treaty an Article which confirmed the aforesaid Privileges, which were since solemnly renewed, till Amurath's Time, who is now on the Throne of the Mussulmen (an happy Emperor, and Master of the Universe, for whose Sake alone the Sun enlightens the Earth) and confirms what his Predecessors had done in favour of the Christian Roman Dervises, whom he has maintained, without any regard to the vain Pre­tension of the Greeks and Armenians, in their law­ful Possession of Calvary, the Grotto of B [...]thlehem, and the Two little Mountains thereunto belong­ing, and granted to them the keeping of the Stone on which their Saviour Christ was embalmed, as [Page 154]well as that of the Two small Domes covered with Lead, under which is the Holy Sepulchre.

Thy humble Slave Mahmut, has an unpleasant Task imposed on him by this French Minister. He desired me to give him some Memoir in general of what I know, and bad me not wonder at his Cu­riosity; it being his Maxim, to make Friendship with all Strangers of Merit, whereby he has learnt several important Matters, and discovered Secrets of great Importance; and, that it lay in my power to oblige him greatly, in giving him an exact Ac­count of the Forces of the Ottoman Empire, and where they lay most open to be attackt. I answered him very modestly, That my Business being only to say my Breviary, he could not expect any great Capacity from me in these Matters. He smiling­ly bade me try what I could do in that Matter; yet however, he would not lay any Thing upon me which might make me uneasie; adding, That tho he were a Cardinal and a Priest, yet he knew something more than Divinity, and that several Roman Prelates had made War with great Success from St. Peter's Chair. In fine, I could not but promise to gratifie him; and thou shalt know, in due time, how I discharged my self, for I shall rather part with my Life, than act contrary to my Allegiance; however, I must avoid giving him Cause to suspect me, and acquaint thee alone with the Conferences I have had with him.

The Holy Prophet multiply thy Line, that the Empire may not want Ministers of thy Linage; and, the Great God so assist thy Valour, that thou maist see the Empire of Amurath without Bounds.

Paris, 25th. of the Second Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XVI.
To the same.

THE Winter is so far advanced, that the King's Armies lie quiet. It's no Fable, That the Dauphin was born with some Teeth, and that no Nurse dare present him the Teat, for fear of being bit with them. 'Tis said also, That there being no Woman to be found about the Court which can endure the suckling of him, there is a certain Peasant, a very healthful and hardy Wo­man▪ that has undertaken that Employment.

Here are Four Posts arrived at the same Time; one comes from Rome, the rest from the Armies; but, what News they bring, is not yet known; 'tis thought, that he which comes from Germany, brings News of Alsatia and Brisac. The King of France is very well; here are great Preparations at Court for the Carnival, in which Time the Chri­stians play a Thousand mad Pranks.

'Tis commonly said, the Queen is with Child a­gain. Here are also many Reports of the Grand Seignior's Expedition, both in Prints and News-Letters; and several Prognosticks are made on his Enterprize on Babylon.

I shall inform thee by the first Opportunity, what is said here further of our ever victorious Emperor; and of Thee also, who art his Chief Mi­nister, and the Right Arm of his Empire; and at the same time tell thee, what News come from the Northern Parts, of which I suppose the Kaimakan has given thee some Notice, as well as of the most considerable Events of the War of Alsatia. The Immortal Being accord thee the taking of Babylon, and all Persia, as a Reward of thy Fidelity and Va­lour, [Page 156]and Pains thou hast taken in serving faithfully thy Master; and give thee the Good Fortune, of leading triumphantly in Chains the Sovereign of this Empire, that he may be humbled to the kissing of the Stirrop of the Invincible Amurath's Horse.

Paris, 16th. of the Second Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XVII.
To Bekir Bassa, Chief Treasurer to the Grand Seignior.

ELiachim the Jew, whom thou thoughtest so wise, and vertuous a Man, concealed his ill Qualities at Constantinople, to discover 'em more advantageously at Paris. It was not his fault, that my Affairs were not intirely ruined. The Villain gave Marks of his Treachery, in the very Moment he saw me receive the Mony from Carcon of Vienna, upon thy Order. I wrote to thee, I thought this Man would be faithful in instructing me in the Things which were necessary for me to know, and that I would be upon my Guard in those Things wherein he might do me Mischief. Thou maist easily imagin, how I am vexed at present; for I can neither accuse him, nor draw from him a just Re­venge. He made me believe, That a Lawyer's Son at Paris, a young Man of great Hopes, having received some Displeasure from his Relations, was resolved to be Circumcised, and embrace the Ma­hometan Religion; and that he would not lose so happy an Occasion of doing me Service; and there­fore had contrived to hide this young Man, in a [Page 157]close Cellar, underneath the House where I lodge, without discovering to him the Place where he should be. He added, he had promised him Mo­ny, and to procure him a considerable Employ in Constantinople; and that he had in fine, fill'd him with all the Hopes which are wont to be given to those that through Fickleness, or temporal Advanta­ges, forsake the Religion of their Fathers, to profess another. He also assured me, I should have no trou­ble by this Business, having taken all necessary Care to transport his Convert immediately to Tunis or Algiers, and from thence to Constantinople. I yield­ed to the Reasons he alledged, and this young Man was brought in the Night to the House where I lay, and hid without my seeing him. But the next Day was not opened without a strange Scene in the House. I was astonished to see a Woman in a great Rage stand before me, demanding Satisfaction for violating her Daughter, and taking away her Life; charging me, with having forcibly carried her away, and then Murthered her; and she made me all these Reproaches, in the Company of a great many Officers of Justice.

Think then the Confusion I was in; the more I denied the Crime, the more fiercely they charged it on me. I was threatned with Death, if I did not confess it, and give the Satisfaction required of me; and at the same time, this sly Jezabel gave a Sign to one of the Rogues her Companions, to go down to such a Place, and bring up her Daugh­ter, who was found alive, in Man's Cloaths, and melted into Tears. It signified nothing, to al­ledge Reasons, to prove my Innocency; so that I was forced at last to throw out to these hungry Wretches, all the Mony I had; and they with­drew not, till they had abused and reviled me, in a most bitter manner. They got from me about an Hundred and Eighty four Sequins of Gold, [Page 158]and about an Hundred Piasters of Silver. Eliachim has the Confidence to affirm, he knew nothing of the Cheat; and thinks to justify himself in saying, That if he who is a Jew was deceived by this young Man, who pretended to become a Turk; there were a Thousand French People, who had been cheated in like manner. I shall not here mention what I alledged to him to make him own his Perfi­diousness, this being fruitless. On the other Hand, reflecting on the Employ I had, and my present Circumstances; it appeared to me necessary, to dissemble this truth; and to wait for some favou­rable Occasion, to send this Villain out of Paris; and to lay some Snare for him at Constantinople. I give thee notice of this Event, for Two Reasons; that I may have more Money, and provide for my Safety; believing my self in great Danger, as long as I live where such a Fellow comes. I shall not mention the Interests of Mahmut's Life; for I shall ever think it well spent, should it be lost in the Sul­tan's Service, who is the only Prop of the Uni­verse.

Thou wilt not want Opportunities, wherein thou maist draw out of Eliachim's Purse the Mo­ny he has robbed me of; neither wilt thou want Means to remove from me so dangerous a Compa­nion. Thou shouldest know, what the Christians, who are always irreconciliable Enemies to the Jews, say of them. They affirm, That these in­famous Wretches, are the Slaves of all Nations, excepting Turkey, and especially in Constantinople, where they are Masters; they are at the same, ca­ressed and curst; in the midst of Abundance, they appear always miserable; and yet they lay Hands on all others Properties. They add, that they be Vagabonds like Ulysses, yet in whatever Place they are, they find a Country like Homer; That they are all perfidious, and, in Publick, affect to appear [Page 159]religious, but live in grievous Disorder and Luxu­ry in their own Houses, sticking at no sort of Crimes; bragging, that tho it be not permitted them to purchase Lands, yet they have found means to get into their Hands, a great part of the Gold in Europe. The Christians also say, their Number must needs be great, seeing they never go to War; and there are none amongst them that do not marry. They are, say they, ever Cowards and Paltroons where there's any Danger or Pains; but bold, when they foresee any certain Gain in the Markets they make. They never speak the Truth, but when 'tis to deceive; they are ever Lyers, and there's no Im­piety or Sacrilege at which they will scruple; and these same Christians affirm, they will commit one time or other, some horrid Crime in our great Im­perial City; being the Turks concealed Enemies, though they put great Confidence in them; and that we are willing to be deceived by them. I have writ­ten to Carcoa, to send me speedily some Assistance; and I have been forced to borrow Mony of this same Eliachim, that Traitor who has brought me in­to the Condition I am in; he could not deny me, tho he pleads (like a Rogue as he is) extream Poverty.

This Trick which has been put upon me, will oblige me henceforward to keep a Vallet, but I will take one so little, that no Man shall reproach me with choosing much of an ill Thing. Abandon not the poor Mahmut, who prays God that he would give thee all sorts of Prosperities, and make thee live in perfect Health; and wishes, that all the Mo­narchs of the Infidel Nations, may become Slaves to the Sultan, who shall be ever Invincible; and that their Riches may increase the Treasure thou guardest.

Paris, 15th. of the Second Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XVIII.
To Carcoa, at Vienna.

I Have received the Mony thou didest send me and immediately lost it; yet without my Fault▪ Bekïr the Treasurer, has been informed by my Let­ters, of the Loss I sustained, and of another Affair which is not necessary for thee to know: I also writ to him, I expected a speedy▪ Supply from thee; for I should demand it of thee. The Grand Seignior's Interest requires, that thou dost not oblige me to give thee any other Reason, and that thou defer­rest not to send me, as soon as may be, a sufficient Sum of Mony. I can only inform thee, that in the Attempt which was made on me, I lost only what I can recover. My Life is in Safety, and by a Mi­racle my Affairs are in the same Condition; for, no body has, as yet, discovered who I am. If thou writest any thing to Eliachim the Jew, be sure be careful, and do not trust him more than needs.

Send without loss of Time to the Port the Pac­ket I address'd to thee, and let me not languish in Paris in the Expectation of Mony. 'Tis true, Gold is a rare Commodity, because every Body desires it. In this great Town of Paris, one may sooner find an hundred Saints, than one liberal Person. The French say, it belongs only to Sots to be free of their Mony; that a Man should succour his Friend with good Counsel, and there's no need of anything else. Learn, Carcoa, to have no need of other Peo­ples Help, and have a care of being too free. Men that are accustomed to receive good Turns, are generally wont to reckon them as Debts.

The Vanity of that Philosopher, who dyed with Misery, is a great Example of Mens Insolency. When Pericles would give him some Succour, to prolong his Life; he had the Audaciousness to say to him, Thou carriest Oyl, O Pericles, because thou hast need of a Lamp.

The Sovereign Moderator of all Things, keep thee from falling into Necessity; this is the best Wish the poor Mahmut can make for thee, in the low Estate he finds himself.

Paris, 15th. of the First Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XIX.
To Dgnet Oglou.

BIrkabeb's Father, was a Rich Man in Arabia, and his Vertue was equal to his Riches. He had Nineteen Children, who all dyed of the same Distemper, when they arrived to some Years. Never Family was more united, and regular. Birkabeb was naturally of a quiet, soft Temper, but so holy a Man, and at last dyed so poor, that a Thief coming into his Chamber one Night to steal, and finding nothing, he called him to him, whilst he was going away, and gave him his Bed, as not being willing he should depart empty handed, and lose his Labour. Being forced after this to lye on the Floor, he received Assistance from Heaven by the Hands of his Wife; and scarce were Twenty Moons past since this Adventure, but there hap­pened another more strange than the former; for he became on a suddain very Rich; and at the [Page 162]same Instant ceased to be wise. He had a Wife of as haughty a Disposition, and noisy Humour, as his was quiet and humble. This Woman kept the Flocks, and with a florid Youthfulness, was endu­ed with great Beauty; and 'tis not known by what Accident a Prince of the Race of the Sophy of Pir­sia, who fled from his Sovereigns-Displeasure, met with her. 'Tis certain, that having recommended himself to her, and intreated her to save his Life, and not discover him, she led him into a very thick Wood, which was never frequented; where the Prince lived for Fourteen Years concealed; but growing at length tired with this sort of Life, he perswaded this Woman to go to Ispahan disguised in Mans Apparel, and find Arsamus, who had been his Covernor, and was a faithful and wise Man; who would give her Mony and Jewels, and a Water, which would so disguise his Countenance, that his nearest Friends could not know him; by which means he might hold on his Way to Rhodes, as he had determined. This Woman soon arrived at Ispahan, with the Princes Tokens; which were some strange Characters, and a Ring, which he usually wore; which Arsamus knowing, he intrust­ed her with a considerable Sum, and several Dia­monds, together with a little Golden Pot, where­in was this Water before mentioned. This Messen­ger returning in less than Forty Days Time, found the Prince dead in the Grotto where he withdrew, with a Paper in his Hand, wherein he intreated the first which Chance should bring thither, to bury his Body at the Foot of a fair Oak near by; and also intreated the Party which had his Ring, to carry it to the Sophy, and beg Par­don for the Offence he had given him. Birkabeb's Wife then discovered to him all that had hapned; led him into the Wood; shewed him the dead Prince, the Letter, the Ring and the precious▪ [Page 163]Stones; and only reserved to herself the Secret of the Water, which she would not intrust him with. Having after this resolved to go to the Sophy, they went together, by whom they were well received, and laden with Riches. Birkabeb took up his A­bode at Ispahan, tarrying there Four Years, and there led a voluptuous and dishonest Life. Whilst his Wife leaving him, ran away with a Young Per­sian, and made several different Voyages into Asia, under several Figures; and by means of the Water which she had received of Arsamus, she deceived her Husband, and as many Lovers as she pleased.

The unhappy Birkabeb being by his Wife's Lewd­ness become again Poor, resolved at last to return into his own Country, where he died in his House full of Years, and in such Repute for Holiness, that the common Report is, he wrought divers Mira­cles. He left Four Sons, of which I knew only A­baber, who is he thou mentionest in thy Letter. And this is all I can tell thee of Birkabeb, of his Son, and Grand-Son Ababer, whom I look upon as a very honest Man, and in whom I believe thou maist put Confidence; yet with this Reflection, That he which is Honest now, may cease to be so. Salute this Person from me, and continue to love me; answer my first Letter, if thou hast not done it; and this last also, if it be not too troublesom to thee. Farewell.

Paris, 15th. of the Second Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XX.
To Egry Boynou, the white Eunuch.

I Am still alive, and in Health; my Fear has pro­ved vain, and I have escaped the Cardinals Hands without any Danger; which will make me hope the same good Fortune, should he ever send for me again. But thou shalt not know his Busi­ness with me, that being a Secret I am obliged to conceal.

Thou hast, I hope, received the long Letter I wrote thee, containing several Particulars of Hen­ry IV's Life. I send thee now several of his Say­ings, which may be termed Sentences. Read them with Attention, they are as pleasant as profitable for Mustapha's Use; who will find this great King, to have had an Invincible Courage in Adversity, and great Clemency and Generosity, when he was in his Prosperity; he was Valour it self amongst the Souldiers, Wife and Pleasant amongst his Cour­tiers, terrible in Battles, easy and free amongst the Ladies, full of Heat when any Action offered it self, and Courteous and Affable to all sorts of Reople.

Henry dyed in the same Manner as most of our Sultans, that is to say, a Violent Death. He had lived Fifty Seven Years and some Months, and reigned about Twenty Years. Several of his Courtiers named him, like the First Caesar, All Womens Husband; because 'twas believed he ne­ver saw any that he fancied, but he obtained her. He had Fourteen Children, Six by the Queen, and the others by Four of his Mistrisses. She who was called the beautiful Gabrielle, of the Family of Estree, seemed to have more Power on his Heart [Page 165]than all others; he often carried her about with him in his Army, and to the Places he besieged in Person. Henry was wont to say, 'Twas as difficult to know how to Love well, to prepare a Feast, and to dance at the same time agreeably, as to draw up an Army for Battle, consisting of several Na­tions.

And when he was more advanced in Years, he said, He loved Dancing, for it made him appear Young. He loved Play, for it shewed he could be angry; and Ladies, because he said he believed a Man ought to love all the Days of his Life.

He was so impatient at Play, when he lost, that he seemed to be as much concerned at the Loss of an Hundred Crowns, as at the taking of a City from him.

He often disguised himself like a Peasant, to ap­proach his Mistrisses, without being known; and he has often carried on this Humour to that De­gree, as to drive Asses laden with Fruit, and some­times carry a Truss of Hay on his Shoulders.

When he was peaceably setled in his Kingdom, he said to those who were his greatest Intimates, That he that grew weary at Difficulties, did not de­serve those Things which might be acquired without Trouble. I saw my self a King, said he, without having a Kingdom, an Husband without a Wife, a Captain without Souldiers, and Liberal without having any thing to give. I have had in fine, a Kingdom, Children in lawful Marriage, my Troops are numerous, and I can dispose of several Millions.

This Prince has been wounded several Times, has received Three Wounds in the Wars, and Three others on his Throne, in the Calms of Peace. The Actions which have gained him most Glory, have been, the winning of Four Battles whence he came out Conqueror, having very few [Page 166]Troops, and his Enemy having very numerous Armies; the general Peace he gave to Europe; the Reconciliation of the Venetians with the Latin Church, which had excommunicated them; and the great Project I spake to thee about in my fore­going Letter.

The Pope's Nuncio having one Day asked him, How long he had made War; his Answer was, All the Days of his Life; and my Armies have never had any other General, but my self. He was seen once for Forty Hours together on Horse-back, and he led at that Time an unhappy Life, yet he bore up with invincible Courage, which made his Soul­diers call him the King of Iron. At the same time he held a Morsel of course Bread in one Hand, he would with the other form on the Ground the Design of an Entrenchment; and when he would shew his Friends the finest Gallery of his Palace, he would at the same time, lead them down into his Stables to see his Horses. He was wont to say, That a King who would reign happily, must not do all things which he may. He had such a Greatness of Mind, and was so merciful, That he pardoned those who conspired against his Life. He shewed oft to those that were about him, a Souldier that was a Stranger, and had wounded him in a Battle; whom he recompensed for doing his Duty, and made him one of his Guards.

Tho he was not Learned, yet he read Books of his Religion, and took a singular Pleasure in Hi­story, and conversing with learned Men. Hear­ing one Night the Annals of France, and being al­most half asleep in his Bed; he bade his Reader continue his Reading, for he would sleep no more that Night.

Having laid Siege to a most important Place, in a most cold Season, he slipt one Night wrapt up in his Cloak to the Places where the Labourers were [Page 167]at Work, and heard a Souldier there cursing both God and him; yet without concerning himself any further, he whisper'd in this Souldier's Ear, God hears thee, and the King too, for all thou knowest; if thou canst not Work, hold thy Peace, and be gone. The Night following, the King setting to work himself, to excite others; he caused this Souldier to be cal­led to him, and thus spake to him, Help me to re­move this Earth, and do not swear, for now the King hears thee.

To correct the Vices, the Injustices and Vio­lences of others, he did not use Lessons, but gave Examples. And one day, that he heard one of his Captains in a Rage, for that his Creditors had seized on all he had, to his Horse and Sword; he thus spake to him: I that am thy Sovereign have paid my Debts, and sold all that I am worth for that End; and thou that art my Subject, ought to do the same thing, without murmuring: And then taking him apart, he gave him some Jewels to help him out.

He often shewed the Marshal de Biron to his Friends, and thus spake to them about this Cap­tain; This Man knows to Act, as well as Talk; and I have a great Love for him. Yet he sometime after caused him to be put to Death, having Three times pardoned his Disloyalty: This Captain having con­tinued his Plots against his Life, and against the State; yet remembring he had loved him, he would spare one part of the shame of his Punishment, and therefore ordered he should be executed in Prison.

A Scholar, Two Monks, and a Fool, attempted at several times to kill him; and, as I have al­ready told thee, he was several times wounded, and at last, received a Mortal Stroke. A Wo­man that had undertaken to Poison him, was burnt alive; and this foolish Creature said at [Page 168]her Death, thinking to lessen her Crime; That ha­ving foreseen the King was to have been Stab'd to Death by the Hand of a Ruffian, she would therefore procure him a more easie and honourable Death.

Henry extreamly loved Hunting, and one day being in pursuit of a Stag, and far distant from his Company, a great Spectrum appeared to him with a black and terrible Countenance, with all the E­quipage of a Hunter, having a Lease of Dogs, and said these words to him in a dismal Tone; Expect me, and hear me, repent and amend thy Life; dost thou understand me? Thou maist easily believe, this Vision did not a little disturb him. Yet he was more troubled, at what a Peasant one day told him, who spake to him with great Freedom; and his Discourse gave him that Disturbance, which he could never get rid of. This Man talk'd to the Prince often with great Familiarity, when he found him in the Field; and one day held this Discourse to him: We are here Two Men; thou art a great King, and I a poor Peasant; yet I am perhaps a better Man, because I am more Innocent; I have said all the good I can of thy Person to my Friends, being sensible of thy Justice, thy Bounty and Libera­lity. But all these Vertues are horribly soiled by a grievous Vice, which God will never forgive thee unless thou leavest it off; thou committest great Prince, continual Adulteries.

'Tis certain, this Prince acknowledged to some of his Confidents, That he had that day heard in particular a Preacher, who without any skill in Theology and Rhetorick, had more moved him, than all the Doctors of the Sorbon put together could do. This Sorbon is a College at Paris, famous for Learned Divines.

This Prince put a pleasant Trick on his Confessor, who often urged him to forsake his Mistrisses, and content himself with the Embraces of his [Page 169]Wife: He ordered a Cook, who was wont to dress this Doctor's Victuals, to give him nothing every Meal but Partridges; which so greatly tired him, that he could not forbear complain­ing to the King himself, that this Cook was so wilful and humoursom, that he would let him have nothing but Partridges; so that he grew so weary with that kind of Food, as made him sick at the Thoughts of it; the Prince only an­swered him; Always the Queen, always Par­tridges.

He loved Learned Men, and was a great Patron of them; yet he said, that Necessity obliged him to follow Arms, but had he been left to his own Inclination, he should have chosen to have been a Scholar.

He had no great Esteem for Physicians, as be­lieving these Kind of People wish ill to Men; being of Tiberius's Mind, who thought that a Man of Thirty Years of Age, needed them not.

But on the contrary, he most esteemed Hi­storians, and gave Pensions to several of them in Germany, Italy, and other Places; saying oft, That if any one could find the Books of Titus Livy, which are wanting, and those of Tacitus, that he would willingly bestow on him the same Gift of Three Cities, which Xerxes made to a Greek Captain, the one for Bread, the Second for Wine, and the Third for Cloathing. And therefore there are above Fifty Authors, who have written his History. He envied Augustus, by reason of the Happiness of having so many Learned Men in his Reign; and, that he more esteemed Mecaenas, living a peaceable Citizen at Rome, than Alexander, triumphing over all Asia; and, That Mecaenas's patronizing and recompensing Illustrious Men that excelled in Rome in all Arts, [Page 170]had rendred his Name Immortal, together with that of his Sovereign.

He bewailed the great Pains he had taken, to obtain the Command of others, and for his having learnt nothing himself; affirming, It had been better for him to have learnt to command him­self. He was also wont to say, That a Wise Prince ought never to refuse a Peace, unless it be found more prejudicial than War.

Being one Day conversing with the Spanish Embassador, he began to walk very fast; and perceiving the Astonishment of this Minister; You see, says he, that I can still mount on Horse­back, and march on Foot too if it be necessary, and that the Gout has not deprived me of the use of my Legs. His Valour was so admirable, that a Grandee of Spain, being at a Ceremony, where­in the Sword of this Prince was carried naked before him, he stopt openly him that carried it, and kist it, saying, He did this Honour to the Sword of the first and chiefest Captain of the World.

A Chymist, one Day presented him with a Receipt to change Lead into Gold; to whom he answered, in making a great empty Coffer to be brought to him; When thou hast filled this Coffer with the Metal thou talkest of, come to me, and I will give thee as much Lead as thou wilt have.

Being at Fountain-Bleau, a Place famous since several Ages, and shewing all the Buildings there to a foreign Prince, who told him, when he had shewed him the Chapel, That he had lodged God in too narrow a Compass: He answered, That God was better lodged in the Heart, than in great Edifices of Stone.

When he drew the Designs against the Mus­sulmans, which I mentioned in my other Letter, [Page 171]he did an Action of Generosity very beneficial to the Moors, who were driven out of Spain; permitting above Fifty thousand Men, who had past the Pirenees, to embark themselves in the Ports of Provence, and Languedoc, to retire in­to Africk. I cannot call to mind that Time, without bewailing the Loss of a Million of Per­sons, who perished by diverse Accidents and Mi­series.

After a Battle, wherein Henry ran a great Ha­zard; he said, He had often fought for Victory, but at this Time he fought for his Life.

He had used more Boots thon Shooes, and he vaunted he had been less Time in Bed, than the Duke of Magenne had been at Table; this latter commanding then the Army of the League.

This King desired to be thought a real Fa­ther to his Subjects; he therefore applyed him­self in searching the Means of redressing the in­famous Abuses of the Barr; but, he advanced not much in the Business, whatever Care he used; it being impossible for him to bridle the Cove­tousness of the Lawyers, and to hinder the Length of Suits, or correct the Injustice of Judges, to leave nothing to be done by his Successors. He seemed to be much troubled many times, when he spake of these kind of Things, in that there were in Paris more Courts and Lawyers than in all the vast Empire of the Turks; his Design being, after the Example of the Mussulmans, to make all Suits, which were everlasting, by the Knavery of the Lawyers, to be decided in Three Days. And he therefore designed also to burn the Books of all those, who had written infinite Commentaries on this Subject; which served on­ly to ruin the People, and caused often Times a­mongst Relations, Friends, and Neighbours, such Broils, as may be said to do more Mischief [Page 172]than a Civil War. He affirmed, That in imita­ting herein the Turks, he should use his Subjects as his real Children, and hinder them from de­vouring one another; That he would cause sharp Nails and Rasors to be fastened to the Seats where the Judges sate, that those who suffered them­selves to be corrupted, might sit thereon; and in­deed, in this particular, I cannot but wonder at the Christians Blindness.

We see oftentimes decided in one only Campaign, the Differences of Two great States; but a Suit in Law for Twenty Sequins shall often last a Mans whole Life, and perhaps be entailed on his Heirs.

But hear a remarkable Example of the Since­rity of this Sovereign. There were who would have perswaded him to have apprehended the Duke of Savoy, who came to Paris, to termi­nate some Differences he had with him. He an­swered those that advised him with this, That Francis I. one of his Predecessors, had learnt him, A Prince was more obliged to do what he had promised, than to obtain what he desired; that 'twas in his Power to have apprehended a Prince far more considerable, but would not do it, suffe­ring the Emperor Charles V. to pass out of his Kingdom, who had come therein on his Word; af­ter this, added he, shall Henry give such an Ex­ample to Princes? If the Duke of Savoy has often broke his Word with me, it does not therefore follow I must imitate him; Crimes can never be authorised by Examples. The same Duke of Savoy having asked him, What Revenue he drew from his King­dom? He answered him in these Terms, I draw as much as I will, because I make my self beloved; whence it is, that my Subjects count all our Estates are common.

He answered very pleasantly, to a Prince's En­voy, [Page 173]who came with a Complement of Condole­ance for the Death of his Son, who had been dead near a Year; That he was no longer grieved at that Loss, seeing God had given him Two more since.

A Captain of great Reputation having said, That the Kings Liberalities, tho several Times rei­terated, could not oblige him to love him; Henry sent him Word, He would heap so many Favours on him, that he would force him at last.

He oft used this Proverb, That more Flyes are taken with a Drop of Hony, than a Tun of Vinegar.

A Monk entertaining him one Day about Mili­tary Affairs; Open your Breviary, Father, said he, and shew me, where you learnt these fine Lessons.

One Day a Taylor presenting him with a Book of Politicks, he said to the Chancellor, who was there present; Monsieur Chancellor, cut me out a Suit of Cloths, here's a Taylor who understands your Trade, and tells me how I shall govern my King­dom.

One Day when the Pope's Nuncio, was at a great Feast, where there were between Twenty and Thirty Ladies of great Beauty, he told this Prelate, He had been in several Battels; but never found himself in so great Danger before.

Nothing seems more agreeable, than the An­swer he made to the Provost of the Merchants of Paris, who was urgent with him to consent to an Impost, which was to be laid on the Fountains of the Town, to furnish the Expence of Forty De­puties of the Switzers, who came into France to renew their ancient Alliance with this Kingdom; and his Answer was, That this Magistrate should find some other Expedient, than to change Wa­ter into Wine; which was a Miracle that never any Body wrought but Jesus Christ, who is, as thou knowest, the Christian's Saviour; and for thy further Instruction, 'tis necessary for thee to know, [Page 174]The Switzers love Wine above all Things in the World, and that not without Reason.

This Prince went to the Wars at the Age of Fifteen, and at Seventeen killed an Enemy; and in the Year following, he saved the Life of one of his Captains, and had his Horse killed under him. He was in Five Battles, and in more than an hun­dred Combats, and at the Siege of above Two hundred Places. He sustained Seven different Wars, in which his Enemies aknowledged, that he had Fifty five Armies upon him at several Times, and in different Places; and always obtained some considerable Advantage.

Those that have given him the Term of Great, have given him his true Name. He was highly esteemed by all Nations, and thou knowest very well, that our Sultans, tho the mightiest Monarchs in the Universe, have admired this great Prince's Fortune and Valour.

Above Fifty Historians have written his Life; above Five hundred Poets have published his Praises.

I will leave thee at present, the Liberty of com­paring this King with those, whom thou wilt choose from amongst the Hero's.

If Mahomet XI. has not done more than him, he may be compared to him in Warlike Actions, with this Difference, That King Henry conquered the Gauls who were of his Patrimony, and Ma­homet conquered Twelve Kingdoms and an Em­pire, because he was perswaded, that all the Earth belonged to him. Henry subdued the City of Paris, and Mahomet made himself Master of Con­stantinople.

The King of France left an infinite Number of Marks behind him of his Grandure, on Marble, and in the Writings of famous Authors; and Mahomet left only on his Tomb, those which [Page 175]shewed what he had designed to execute, but never could do it; which was, to take Rhodes, and sub­due proud Italy.

We must also acknowledg, there was never found in any Mahometan Prince, the admirable Clemen­cy of Henry; shewing himself herein greater, than in vanquishing his Enemies. Contrary to Ma­homet, who shewed only great Kindness to an Ox, whom he caused to be carefully fed, because he would never forsake the Tomb of his Master, whom this Prince had killed; abiding always by it, and expressing his Sorrow by horrible Bellow­ings. In all other Occasions, he was very cruel; far from the Humor of this French King, who heapt Benefits on those, who drew Blood of him. Mahomet, by a barbarous Cruelty, caused the Bel­lies of Twenty of his innocent Pages to be ript open, to discover him that had eaten a Melon in his Garden.

Henry was a great Lover of Ladies, and an extream Admirer of that Sex; and Mahomet jea­lous of the too great Beauty of his Mistriss, cut off her Head himself in a full Divan. And far­ther, if Mahomet gave in the East a great Ex­ample of Justice, in putting his own Son to Death, for deflowring the Daughter of the Bassa Achmet in a Bath; Henry gave a greater in his own Per­son, in repairing at the Head of his Army, the Outrage offered to a young Girl, from whom he could not fear any vexatious Consequences.

Be sure, however, be silent in these Judgments I make; and, shew thy self discreet, if thou in­tendest to hold any Correspondence with me.

Imitate the Bees; gather from so many Flowers presented thee, what appears to thee sweetest, and most proper to form Mustapha's Mind, and supple his Spirit like Wax.

I could relate to thee more Things touching this Henry; but there's no Necessity of writing all; that thou maist have space to imagine, what such a Prince might have done, who had re-established his Fortune by his Valour alone.

Let me know of thy Departure; and when thou shalt arrive at the Place of thy Retreat, forget not thy faithful Friend Mahmut, who wishes thou maist prove an happpy Tutor to the Son of a Prince, and a faithful Minister of a wise Emperor.

Paris, 18th. of the Second Moon, of the Year 1639.
The End of the Second Book.

LETTERS Writ by A Spy at PARIS.
BOOK III.

LETTER I.
To Muslu Reis Effendi, Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire.

SCARCE had I finisht my Letter to Egri Boynou, when News came from the Coasts of Provence, of so extraordinary and scanda­lous an Event, that I cannot but inform thee, who art a wise and experienced Person, of it; and because I would have thee set it down in the Sacred Register-Books of the Empire, of which thou hast the Charge.

Assam Bassa, a Corsary of Algiers, dyed at the Age of 40 Years, the Relation of whose Death was [Page 194]attended with such horrid Circumstances, that even the Enemies of the Alcoran do detest them.

'Tis said, That being sensible he was near his End, he caused two young Christian Slaves to be stran­gled, who were nobly descended, and for whose Ransom great Sums of Money might have been ex­pected, without alledging any reason for his Cruel­ty; nay, after he had confessed he had no cause of Complaint against them, having observ'd from cer­tain Tokens in their Countenances, that they were of a sweet Disposition, and inclined by Nature to be Faithful. When he was laying out, there was found a kind of fine Scarf about him, with these Words embroidered on it in Letters of Gold; A­sam Bassa will have the handsomest of his Slaves to be buried alive with him, being desirous of good Com­pany in his Voyage into the other World.

The Report of so terrible an Adventure, has increased the hatred of the French against us, and that in so excessive a manner, that I am forced to keep my self concealed, lest I should by my Zeal discover my self, being not able to endure the Blas­phemies of our Enemies. There's no question, but this cruel Monster is kept by the Black Angels in the other World.

God grant, that so horrid a Crime may not corrupt the rest of Africk. However, may I be so free as to counsel you, Let the Body of this Impious Wretch Assam be dug up, and burnt, and his Ashes thrown into the Sea, to drown the Memory of him.

Mahmut salutes thee from the Town of the Uni­verse the fullest of Noise, and wishes thee at Con­stantinople, or wherever else thou art, a long sequel of happy Years, and after Death the enjoyment of the bliss of our hundred twenty four thousand Prophets.

Paris, 18th. of the Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER II.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem, at the Camp under Babylon.

BEfore I give thee an Account, Great and Mag­nanimous Vizir, of whatever I have done to satisfie the Curiosity of Cardinal Richlieu, I am ob­liged to tell thee how I spend my leisure Hours.

'Tis impossible I should observe exactly the Mo­tions of this Court, without following it, and hold­ing a Correspondence with People of all sorts, as Tradesmen, Soldiers, Scholars, Sea-men, Politicians, and even Musicians.

The Court consists of all these Professions, and there are some particular Persons who are Masters of all these Sciences, of which number is Cardinal Richlieu. He is not content with this his Know­ledge, but seeks still for further Light in the Com­merce of all Persons of Merit, who arrive here; neglecting nothing which may enrich this Kingdom with new discoveries in Arts and Sciences, out of love to his Country, and desire to render his Mini­stry more famous.

Thou seest by this, Invincible Bassa, that to keep company with Courtiers, who have so many diffe­rent▪ Qualities, a Man must have some for his share, that he may say something in his Turn, and not be always a bare Hearer of other People's Discourse.

For this purpose, the particular Study to which I applied my self, whilst I was a Slave in Sicily, does much help me, though not sufficiently. 'Twas Books I read in this Island, not Men. Now, know­ing my Business required much Dissimulation, an Awakened Mind, an Especial Prudence, Eloquence and Learning to speak properly in Occasions, great [Page 196]Reading to obtain the Knowledge of Ancient and Modern Things, a Refined Policy to discover or conceal ones self, and to counterfeit sometimes a mighty honest Man; nothing, I say, appeared to me more conducing to this purpose, than the turning over Histories. And therefore I have earnestly apply­ed my self to this Work. And, because few Books are not sufficient, and a great many breeds confusion, I have happily got Admission into the Acquaintance of an Ancient Learned Man, whose Study consists of none but choice Books, and has travelled over most Parts of the World, not like Apollonius, to learn the Language of Birds and Beasts, but to know the Customs, Laws, Virtues and Defects of Nations. I was first for informing my self of all the Prodigies, which the God of the Jews has done, in favour of that ungrateful People. I af­terwards enquired into the Life and Doctrin of the Messias, whom the Christians Worship. I also lookt into what had been done considerable at Athens and Sparta, Thebes, Rome and Carthage, and carefully remarkt what Divinities were adored in those so famous Places, and found that the Great Philoso­phers and Captains, who made such a Noise about their Religions, had at Bottom none at all. Having run over what the Christians call the Old and New Testament, the Histories of Josephus, Xenophon, Po­lybius, Thucydides, Livius and Tacitus; my great­est Application has been, and shall be for the future, to read and meditate on the Works of the Great Plutarch, especially his Lives of Illustrious Greeks and Romans, related by him with so great Exactness. And thus far have I arrived in this short space, and here I have stopt. I have learnt by the reading of Plutarch, to amuse the Cardinal Richlieu, to whom I offered my self two days ago; and have put into his Hands the following Discourse made after the manner of Chri­stians, [Page 197]and have stript my self, if a man may so speak, of the Manner and Style of the Turks, as I have done of their Habits, the better to disguise Titus, the Faithful Slave of the Great Amurath.

Great Cardinal, and most Sage Minister of the greatest Christian Kings.

Titus of Moldavia is come to wait on you according to your Commands, not to en­tertain you with the Riches of Asia, nor in what manner by the Wisdom of your Coun­sels, and Forces of the King your Soveraign, you may destroy the mighty Turkish Empire, of whom you have no reason to complain; but to tell you, what seems most agreeable to the Greatness of your Genius. Know then, Sage Moderator of the French Monarch, that I shall not offer any thing which may make you hate me, and repent of believing me, seeing, what I propose, is an easie En­terprize, and full of Glory. Thy King has a Son, who will one day inherit the Great­ness and Authority of his Father; you know not the Temper and Dispositions which this Heir may have, being as yet so much a Child, that a man cannot gather any thing certain of this matter. But, a Prince that has been so long lookt for, requires extraor­dinary Designs to be laid for him, and great Preparations made betimes, to raise a Palace that may be worthy to entertain him. [Page 198]I would propose to you a Palace, I say, of mi­raculous Architecture, the like was never seen or imagined, and which you may with your own hands rear up in Paris, which must be of a square Form, whose Corners shall regard Europe, Asia, Africa and Ameri­ca, and whose Richness shall draw all Na­tions to it. You will not need Stone, Sand, Wood nor Iron for this Work. The Archi­tects which you shall employ, shall have the Secret, with their Pen, Ink, and Paper to raise this Edifice, which shall be of a more lasting Durance than the Pancteon of A­grippa, and whereon, as on the Temple of Solomon, there should be no noise of Ham­mers.

Think not, Wise Minister, they are Chi­mera's which Titus has in his Head. Hear then the Design of this Majestical Palace, whose Foundations are already laid by Plu­tarch, with Materials more precious than Gold or Rubies. Thou knowest the Happi­ness this Philosopher had, of rendring im­mortal the Actions of so many Great Men, of whom perhaps there might have been no Mention, had Plutarch lay silent. Men now read in the most remote Provinces of the Indies, written on Leaves and Barks of Trees, the Lives of Alexander, Caesar, Scipio, Pompey, and Xerxes. Amongst [Page 199]the Solitary's of the most Desart Parts of Arabia, and amongst the Dervises, who dwell at Medina, are found written in Ara­bian Characters, the Histories of Numa, Aristides, Cato, Lycurgus, and Epami­nondas. The Spaniards and Portugueses have rendred this Author so famous in Chi­na and Japan, that these Barbarians not contented with having translated into their Languages, all the Lives of the Greeks and Romans, they have ordered (if I mis­take not) that every Five Years new Copies be made, to the end they may be eternally preserved. I have seen my self at Constan­tinople above an hundred Volumes in Silken Paper, wherein the Works of this Famous Greek are read with Veneration by the greatest Captains, Lawyers, and Divines; and these Works are enriched with most cu­rious Notes in Arabick, in Persian, and the Turkish Language, by the express Orders of the Sultans, who make them be preserved as Illustrious Monuments of the Ancient Greek Eloquence. You are not ignorant of the Esteem which Solyman the Great had of Pompey, Caesar, Pyrrhus, and Alex­ander, and that he never undertook any Military Enterprize, till he had consulted these great Masters in the Art of War; be­ing wont to say, he knew not whether Alex­ander [Page 200]or Pyrrhus, had shewed more Valour in Engagements, than Plutarch had shewed Wit and Judgment in describing them. But in a Voyage I made into Germany, what did not an old Rabin tell me, in shew­ing me the Lives of Illustrious Men of this Incomparable Author translated into He­brew, which he carried ever about with him? he assured me that the Curious of his Reli­gion set such a value on them, that there are above Ten Thousand Manuscript Copies dis­persed in the Synagogues, both in the Eastern and Western Parts.

Men, Women and Children know of what Account this Famous Author is, in all our Europe. He now speaks all Languages: The English, the Spaniards, Italians, Germans, Polanders and Hollanders have naturali­zed him among them. And you know very well, Sir, that in this Kingdom of France, the Learned not content with having him Translated into their Idiom, they carefully adorn their Libraries with this Author in his own natural Tongue, and have Collected the Latin, Italian, and Spanish Versions of him.

But 'tis now Sixteen Hundred Years since Plutarch keeps silence; so many Men Fa­mous for their Knowledge, and so many great Captains who have lived since, are [Page 201]unknown to the World, because they have met with no Plutarch to know them. And this is the stately Building which I offer you to finish, who are so great a Lover of Glory; for God has given you a Mind with a ne­cessary Power to finish what Plutarch has so profitably begun. Raise up immediately by your Authority, on the precious Foundation, which this Incomparable Philosopher has laid, the Walls and Roof of this vast Building. Order Lodgings to be made ready for all the Hero's, who could not enter into this first Edifice; I mean, those Illustrious Dead, whose Lives have not been carefully Collected, and who should honour Europe, Asia, and Africa where they were born, and the New World will yield you wherewith to fill this Palace with Atabalippa's and Montezu­ma's.

Hereby wilt thou be the Restorer of those Ruins, which Time has made; and in rai­sing the Statues of so many Excellent Per­sons in Civil Administrations, in War and in good Letters, you will raise up an infinite Number throughout the World, as the first Emperor of the Romans did. 'Tis to no purpose to say, there are a great many Au­thors that have written, since Plutarch, the Actions of several Great Commanders, Kings and Great Ministers, whose Vertues were [Page 202]eminently conspicuous, both in Peace and War. I hope I shall not give just offence in saying, That few of these Writers have ob­served Plutarch's excellent Method; for, ei­ther they appear obscure by reason of their great Conciseness, or the Facts are ordinari­ly confounded in General Histories, or Writ­ten by interessed or passionate Pens, who dis­guise the Truth, and impose Fabulous Rela­tions on the World. For a Proof of this, be pleased to examin particular Events, rela­ted in the Lives of Francis I. King of France, and of the Emperor Charles V. and you will find there are those who assure us, that Charles dyed a Saint, and that scarcely was he expired, when Flower­de-Luces were seen to spring up in his Chamber, which yielded a most admi­rable Scent: Whilst others affirm, that this Hero dyed an Heretick, by the Assistance of his Confessor, who had embraced the Luthe­ran Doctrin. And, how many Romances are made of Francis I? Has it not been said, That he fought a Duel with this Em­peror, and that this Prince passing through France, the King by a Motive of Genero­sity (beyond any Precedent) offered him his Kingdom? That Charles had one day sat on Francis's Throne, and condemned a Ma­lefactor, and afterwards reprieved him, as a [Page 203]Mark of his Authority? And has it not been moreover said, That Francis took Charles in a Battel? How many false Relations have been made of Andrew Doria, and Bar­barossa, Two famous Sea-Captains, the one a Christian, and the other a Mus­sulman, and both of them Chief Admirals of Two mighty Emperors, Charles V. and Solyman? Has it not been confidently af­firmed, That Barbarossa being in the Ar­chipelago, gave a Visit in the Disguise of a Monk to Doria? That in an Island where this Interview was made, they had sworn, one on the Gospel, the other on the Alcoran, to help one another to conserve their Autho­rity which their Employs gave them at Sea; and, to make themselves more necessary to their Soveraigns, they were always to avoid a decisive Combat, that they might not ruin one another? That they had moreover both signed this Treaty with their own Blood? Has there not been added to this Fable, That the Turkish Admiral sent to Doria a Moor; who pretended to be a Fugitive from the Ot­toman Army, and wore two Pearls of an inestimable Price in his Ears; and, that in Exchange, Doria had assured Barbarossa not to interrupt him, whenever he pleased to invade any of the Coasts of Italy?

It is time, that under thy Auspicious Con­duct, [Page 204]the Lives of Great Personages be clear­ed from those false Relations which corrupt them, and be orderly inserted into the Books of the most excellent Plutarch, which such a kind of Title:

Here's the Rest of the Lives of Il­lustrious Men, from the Emperor Tra­jan, to Lewis the Just; of those that have excelled in Arms, Learning, Affairs of State, and of those who have held the first Rank in the Church in all Parts of the World; and these Histories have been Collected by a Colledge of the Learnedest Men in Europe, consisting of Spaniards, French, Italians and Germans, under the Auspicious Conduct of his E­minency, Cardinal Richlieu.

I would have three Persons of each Nati­on to attend this Work, and who should make their Abode in Paris, as being the principal City in France. And, I propose Spaniards, Italians, Germans and French, as the most polished Nations, and who have furnished the World with the most able Men. Now, every Nation having its particular Way of Speaking and Acting, the Edi­fice will be the more agreeable, and each Ar­chitect will have greater Room to shew his Skill. Those who shall read these Works, will find in the Softness of the French Style [Page 205]wherewithal to mollifie the too severe Gravity of the Spanish Eloquence. The Sincerity of the Germans ever attended with some kind of Dryness, will appear without Rudeness with the Flowers and good Sense of the Ita­lian Writers. And, as all the World will be interessed in this magnificent Design, so we must not doubt but the wisest of all these States will take care in the choice of the Subjects which they will propose. And, in fine, if thou wilt have the chief Men in the World, thou needest not want the secret of raising up Plutarch's. Be not weary of giving Marks of thy Liberality; for, if thou wilt have Titus Livy's, become Maecenas.

It doth not belong to me, to say in what manner 'tis necessary in this occasion, to se­parate them of several Nations, and to di­stribute these Employs: Thou art equitable and prudent, so that this Work being begun, the End will have a Success answerable to its Beginning. I shall only put thee in Mind, that thou wilt not a little contribute to ren­der thy Immortality more Glorious; if thou remembrest the Turks, thy sworn Enemies, being perswaded thou mayst find amongst the Ottoman Emperors, Bassa's and Vizirs wherewithal to enrich the New Plutarch. Let not the Greatness of the Work discourage thee; how great soever it be, thy Wit and Cou­rage [Page 206]are above it, and thou wilt not want An­cient and Modern Authors to assist thee. Sue­tonius will furnish thee with the Lives of the Caesars, which may be left entire as they are. Diogenes Laertius gives as good an account of many of the Philosophers. You'll receive Advantage from the Works of Aemilius Pro­bus, Paul Jovius, and several others, who have acquired Immortal Reputation by the Books which they have given the Publick. You will find a Draught already made of the History of Two Hundred and Twenty Eight Emperors, from Julius Caesar to Ferdinand III. and Ibrahim I. the one Emperor of Ger­many, and the other of Turky; which thou shalt cause to be carefully examin'd by the Colledge, to clear up such things as are ob­scure, adding what is wanting, and retrench­ing Events of which there is no sufficient proof, and which seem fabulous; and, in a Word, for drawing up particular Lives which are to be met with in general Histo­ries, which have been the Method of most Writers of late Ages.

I would have also Plutarch's Manner fol­lowed, of comparing the Illustrious Men of one Nation with those of another; where the dis­creet Writer having weighed the Reasons which make for the one and the other, pro­nounces a Sentence which does both delight and instruct the Reader.

The most important Instruction then which can be given, being the Secret of knowing Men perfectly, who seek with so great Care to hide themselves; the true means for this, is the choice of Matter, that the Reader may not lose his Time, study in vain, but gather the Fruit which all Men of Sense search for, which is, to know what is Good, that they may follow it, and Evil to avoid it. On this ground you will be easily perswaded, there's greater Pleasure to behold the Firm­ness of Scipio, who passes with one only Gal­ly to find out Sifax, than there is in consi­dering him, when he gives Battle to Han­nibal in the Plains of Rama. We are more edifi'd in seeing this young General a Conqueror, and yet so continent, as to send the finest Woman in the World, who was his Prisoner, to Lucius the Spanish Prince her Husband, without touching her; than in the Relation of an hundred Sieges of Places, where, the Effects which the Soldiers Fury produces, Hunger and Thirst, and the ef­fusion of human Blood, yields Horror in­stead of Diversion. In like manner, Sir, you will acknowledge, That a Prince or Cap­tain will be more instructed by seeing Fran­cis, who lived like a King, though in Pri­son at Madrid, who caresses and recompenses Learned Men all the World over; and [Page 208]in seeing Fabricius, who refuses and despises the greatest Honours which are offered him with immense Riches, and who snatches away the Poyson from the Mouth of the greatest Enemy of the Roman People; than all the Combats and most bloody Battles fought by Pyrrhus, Charles V. and the great Ta­merlane.

I have made you this long Discourse, as a Mark of my Obedience; and Titus of Moldavia at the Feet of your Eminency, supplicates you to consider, That when by your Negotiations, Councils and Armies which receive your Orders, you shall have added new Kingdoms to that which your Master holds; when for the benefit of Trade and Navigation, you shall have joyned all the Seas together; and when, in a Word, you shall raise Bridges in Paris, Pyramids with more Palaces than were built by the Caesars, and all the Kings of Aegypt: These Pyles will not be Immortal, but sub­ject to the Injuries of Time; whereas, on the contrary, if you send for the Twelve Ar­chitects which I mentioned to raise the stately Palace afore-cited, all the World will bless the Name of Armand Cardinal de Richlieu, Restorer of the Republick of Lear­ning almost ruined; and who, like another Archimedes, hath known by the Examples [Page 209]of the Vertue of Illustrious Men, snatcht a­way by Death out of the World, to combat and destroy the Vices and Ignorances of the Living.

If thou approvest not, Magnanimous Vizir, what I offered to the King of France 's Minister, punish me not for a Fault which was not designed, having on the contrary imagin'd to do thee a very agreeable piece of Service. I thought I could not take a bet­ter course to conceal thy Slave Mahmut, and to di­vert this Cardinal from some Projects, which I am informed he designs against the Turkish Empire. Should he undertake the Great Work I set before him, thou feest the Sultans will have some share in it; and he will, I say again, have by this means not to mention any thing else, his Hands so full of Business, that he will not have the least Time or Ability to molest us.

I supplicate thee, prostrate at thy Feet, to call to mind, the general Dislike of what happened to Athens, when 'twas sack't and taken, such prodi­gious numbers of Books being burnt, in all Arts and Sciences, which had been a collecting several Ages, and preserved with such great Care; and so much the more, in as much as one may be assured, there's nothing to be feared from those that make Learn­ing their whole Business, who are always averse to War, as finding their reckoning only in the Tran­quility of a well established Peace.

Thou shalt receive by the first Opportunity, what­ever I can discover of Importance for thee to know, either for the Good of the Empire in which thou holdest so great a Rank, or to satisfie thy Curiosity, provided the Frosts hinder not the passage of Cou­riers, as they will assuredly retard the Progress of the Armies, which are constrained to lye still du­ring this rigorous Season.

God give thee an entire Victory over the Ene­mies of the Mighty Amurath, and make thee the Conqueror of all Nations.

Paris, 28th. of the Third Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER III.
To Lubano Abufei-Saad, an Egyptian Knight.

THe King, some days past, was present at a Ball, where there was a great number of Per­sons of Quality of both Sexes. Cardinal Richlieu, who never loses the sight of this Prince, was there also. 'Twas observed, That at the end of this Di­vertisment, the Cardinal would have went out be­fore every Body, but dared not; and indeed, could not get through the Croud, which made him so impatient, as was remarkt by all, even the King himself, who taking him a little apart, very seri­ously bid him pass on, seeing he was Master. Now, what did this Minister do in this Astonishment, but answer nothing; and taking a Flambeau out of the Hands of one of the Pages, he carried it himself before the King, with a Countenance that shewed neither Despite nor Confusion. Those that took notice of the Name of Master, which the King had given him, interpreted it in his Favour; and there were them who thought, that in a­basing himself so low, he plainly shewed the design he had of raising himself the higher; however, every one thereupon, spake what he thought most proper.

I gave thee an Account of this Passage, remem­bring what thou didst in the presence of thy Ma­ster, throwing thy self out at a Window, to take up a little Note, which Amurath had by chance let fall; which Action of thine, being known in this Country, this of the Cardinal was compared with it; yet with this difference, That the Cardinal with­out rising from the Ground, has made a greater leap than thou. God preserve thee from falling into a Praecipice, if thou bee'st Fool enough, to leap a second Time.

Paris, 28th. of the Third Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER IV.
To Mehemet, Page-Eunuch.

THou hast gotten up from a great Sickness, and I expect one. I have had, for some Days, a Faintness, which does extreamly depress me, but by the Grace of God, I need not yet the Physici­an. The Letter which I received from thee this Moon, has given me some ease in my Indisposed­ness, which is no new Thing with me, being ne­cessitated to live so far from my Friends, Country, yea, and Religion too. And though it may seem difficult to be a Saint, in passing ones days in a Prophane Place, yet think not my Piety grows luke-warm, or my Friendship diminished; seeing I have made a Mosque of my Heart, where Friends are ever present. Be then perswaded, 'tis impossi­ble for Mahmut to become unfaithful, and lose the Affection he has for his Friends; for he never cea­ses [Page 212]to love, where he has once begun. 'Tis true indeed, that I call my self Titus at present, and am cloathed in an odd sort of Dress; yet that is no Hindrance of my Affections to my Religion, my Country, and my Friends.

The Ancient Greeks have written a great deal about Friendship, and the Duties of a Friend; but there remains still behind, more than what they have said, as there remains more to do than they have done. The Word Friend is a common Name, and appropriated by most People; but where wilt thou find a Man that gives Proofs of a true and unfeigned Friendship? I think I am no Hy­pocrite; be thou as true to me at Constantinople, and inform me what passes in the Seraglio, and how it goes with our Friends and Relations in all Parts.

I shall give thee no Account of the Transactions of the Infidels, amongst which I live, being tired with writing them to the Grand Vizir and the Kai­macan. Imitate me not herein, for thou aboundest with Leasure; let me then hear from thee every Moon.

I have had several Fits of Laughter, at the plea­sant Adventure of the Chamber-Maid to the old Slave, with the Eunuch Melec-Aubi. Blessings on the Heart of Mahomet, I believe the Holy Prophet will laugh himself in his Paradise, when the Angel his Messenger, who brings him News from this World, shall give him an Account of what these two Persons have ridiculously done in Honour of him. Could there ever be a greater Simplicity, than to eat every Night a Versicle of the Alcoran written on a piece of China Sattin? Whence did this Eunuch, thy Camrade, learn this strange Su­perstition? and by what Spirit did he authorise that of this Slave, in taking the Pains to write these Versicles with his own Hand? And when could they imagine both of them, they should make [Page 213]an end of this Feast, seeing the whole Alcoran could not be eaten in less than Six Thousand Forty three Days, the Book containing so many Versicles? Pray let me know what is done to them. They deserve not, in my poor Judgement, an over rigo­rous Punishment, their Crime being only a ridicu­lous Devotion. The Great and Venerable Mufti will soon decide the Business; yet I would fain know the Manner.

I shall now impart to thee an Account of a Vi­sit which I gave a Solitary in my Travels into Ger­many, who spent his Days far from the Commerce of the World, in a little Hermitage, about fifteen Miles distance from Vienna. This man, who is now very Old, has past forty Years of his Life in great Austerity, doing every thing our Famous Santons are celebrated for; and thou shalt know what mo­ved him to this severe Penance, and to retire af­ter this manner. 'Tis said, That in his Youth, ha­ving been threatned for some Misdemeanour with Imprisonment, he hid himself in the House of a Faithful Friend, lying in a Barrel covered over with Straw, where was brought him privately his Diet. Whilst he thus lay concealed in the Vessel, a certain Person went up into the Garret, his Pri­son, with his Hosts Sister; when these two Persons thinking themselves alone, came to such Familiari­ties as much scandaliz'd this new Diogenes, who saw all that past, through the Crevices of this Tub; and being not able to contain his Resentments, he thus passionately brake out, God sees you, you Wretches, and Man too. In a Word, his Indignation was so great, that the Tub or Barrel was overthrown; with the Noise of which, and his scrambling up, the Two Lovers were so afrighted, that the Gal­lant for haste broke his Neck down Stairs, and the Nymph lay dead in a Swoon on the place. This strange Surprize to all, especially the Sight of so [Page 214]Filthy and Tragical a Spectacle, so affected this young Man, as made him retire from the World into the So­litude, where he now remains. He lives only on Bread and Water; and the Aversion which he has conceived on this occasion, to Women, is so great, that there is none dares appear before him. There were two who had the Curiosity of seeing this Her­mit, in Mens Cloaths, but they soon repented of their Visit; for this Solitary full of Rage and In­dignation, thus welcomed them; Get you gone, you Daemons, fallen from Heaven for Mens Destruction; I know very well what you are, and cannot behold you without Horrour. He makes excellent Exhortati­ons to young Men who visit him, and having shewed them the Care they ought to take to live with Pu­rity, and rule their Passions, to which corrupt Nature renders them subject; he also exhorts them to hold a Glass before their Faces when seized with Anger, or when carried forth to the Commission of any Brutish or unseemly Action.

My Letter is longer than I intended; receive, as a Mark of my Friendship, the long time I have entertained my self with thee, when I thought at first to speak all in two Words. Give this Letter, directed to thee, into Zelim's own Hands; it con­tains things which concern his Life. As to what re­mains, Love ever thy Faithful Mahmut, whilst I shall pray the Sovereign of the greatest Monarchs, as well as other Men, that he would, after this Life give us Eternal Felicity, and the Grace to appear In­nocent before his dreadful Tribunal, at which all Men shall be Judged.

Paris, 28th. of the Third Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER V.
To Zelim of Rhodes, Captain of a Gally.

MEhemet, Page of the Seraglio, will deliver, or cause to be delivered to thee, this Letter, which is written to thee by Mahmut, Slave and Faithful Minister of the Great Sultan, the Invin­cible and Happy Amurath, who commands me to serve him in these Parts. There is no necessity of my sending the Picture of a Man, who sets forth from Leghorn for Constantinople, with a design to kill thee. Thou mayst easily know him, seeing he has been Six Years a Slave in thy Gally. Adonai the Jew sent me this Advice from Genoa, so important for thy Life; adding, he set out with his Brother, being resolved to perish, or be revenged of a great Injury which thou hast done him.

He has fill'd Italy with Discourses of thy Cruel­ties. He affirms, That having tryed all Ways to make him a Turk, seeing neither Presents not Pro­mises could perswade him, thou hast made him suffer the most cruel Torments a Man can undergo; and, that being laid fast asleep, by a Potion which thou causedst him to take, thou hast made him be castrated. The Weapons he bears to rid himself of thee, will strike thee without Noise, so that thou needest be much on thy Guard. He hides that which is to do the Business, in a little Prayer-Book. Revenge, which does usually make Men industrious, has put him upon concealing in this Manual, a little poysoned Steel Dart, which is inclosed with such great Art in the Leather that covers it, that 'tis shot thence as from a Bow, and strikes with such Violence and Swiftness, that the Stroak can't be a­voided, nor scarcely felt by him that receives it, [Page 216]it causing not one drop of Blood to follow, nor Wound to be seen; so delicately tempered is the Mortal Weapon, that the Man must unavoidably dye, whom it hits.

I do not doubt, but this revengeful Spirit, will cunningly conceal himself, so that 'twill be hard to discover him. But having had this Advice, it be­longs to thee to take care of thy self. And in the mean time, correct this cruel and severe Temper of thine. Thou commandest a Gally mann'd with Slaves, who live at thy Charge; thou reckonest a­mongst thy Riches Three Hundred Christians, who dress thy Gardens, and serve thee at Sea; and thou hast never remembred, they are Men which may save, or take away thy Life; and that ranging the Seas as thou dost, 'tis possible thou mayst meet with the same Fortune, and be made a Slave thy self. Thou hast never consider'd, that Death is more supportable than Slavery, and that those that despise their own Lives, are Masters of thine. God preserve thee, and incline thine Heart to use gently thy Slaves, who are so useful to thee. Follow my Advice; thou hast Three Hundred Enemies in thine House, do what in thee lies to gain their Love. Learn this of a Famous Roman, who made his Slaves born in his House, to be nurst with the same Milk his Children were. If thou art not for such an Indulgence, at least cease to be Cruel, otherwise thou wilt be more a Slave than those that serve thee. If thou wilt not spare these People in Love to them, pity their Condition, and spare them in Love to thy self; whereby thou wilt live in so great Tranquility, as cannot be imagined. The Holy Prophet guard thee from the Danger threat­ned thee, and destroy this rash Christian, who would assassinate thee.

Paris, 28th. of the 3d Moon, of the Year. 1639.

LETTER VI.
To the Invincible Vizir Azim, at the Camp before Babylon.

THere are various Discourses here of the Grand Seignior's War-like Preparations. And 'tis common for People to confound here, the Antient Babylon, with Susa and Bagdet; but this is no great matter. 'Tis certain, all the Infidels Wishes are in thy Favour; for they desire to see thee Conque­rour, not only of Babylon, but all the East; that Amurath may be the longer in his Return to Greece, and choose a place far distant from the Seat of his Empire. 'Tis discoursed in this Court, as if the Invincible Sultan carries along with him to this War, Four Hundred Thousand Foot, an Hundred and Fifty Thousand Horse, and Two Hundred Bassa's, and moreover Twelve Princes Tributary to the Port. 'Tis also said, Bagdet is a Place not to be won by Force; that a River, the swiftest in the World, runs through the midst of it; and, that the place has an Hundred Gates of Brass, and its Walls, which are very high, be defended by three Hundred Pieces of Cannon; That the Persian For­ces are great enough to tire out the Ottoman Army, and that the example of Cha Abbas, Father to the Sophy, who now reigns over the Persians, will encrease their Valour and Obstinacy, to suffer the greatest Extremities, rather than to think of a Surrender. The rash Resolution of this King Abbas, in the last Siege of this Great City, is so cryed up, and magnifyed here, that scarce is there any Room left for the Praises of Amurath. This Prince's pas­sing and repassing more than once, in a Bark, in the Sight of Two Hundred Thousand Turks, to ad­vertize [Page 218]in Person, the besieged of the condition of Affairs, and to give them a fresh Courage, assu­ring them they should be soon succour'd, and having at the same time about him wherewith to hinder him from falling alive or dead into the Hands of his Enemies; was an Action which they think is above all Elogium's, and appears to them greater than Story could ever parallel. 'Tis said, That this King carryed in his Bark two great Stones fastned to one and the same Cord, to put them on his Neck to sink himself into the River, which was of an unfathomable Depth, in case he was discove­red. To which they add, That Amurath, who can never have his Fill of Bloud, will recompense thy Services in the same manner he did thy Predeces­sors.

These Infidels, hold moreover other Discourses, which are very impertinent, confounding such things as are true, with false; as they do the Justice and Liberality of the Generous and ever Invincible Sul­tan, with the Cruelty and Avarice wherewith they reproach him. 'Tis said likewise, That the Sequins which he distributed the Day whereon he was pro­claimed Emperour, were not by one half of the value which was set upon them; That he caused Mehe­met, Bassa of Caire to be strangled, for no other Reason but to become Master of his Wealth. 'Tis further added, That this Prince having had ad­vice that a Gally was taken, having Seventy Five considerable. Officers belonging to the Port on Board, whilst he was diverting himself in a Pleasure-House at the Entrance into Asia; he said by way of Jest, Let's drink the Health of these Stout Blades. 'Tis moreover said, That having given his Word, and promised a secure Passage to the brave Facardin, an Arabian Prince, he caused him to be stabb'd in a thousand places in his Sight. But what do not they say of his destroying the Mufti, and Cyril, the [Page 219] Greek Patriarch? In fine, they set forth Amurath as a Sacrilegious Wretch, that despises his own Re­ligion, an Heretick and Enemy to our Holy Prophet. They relate the particulars of Cyril's Death, which makes me doubt there be Traitors at the Port, who advertise the Infidels of the most secret Matters which pass there. Some say, his Eloquence ren­dred him suspected to Amurath, and that he said these Words when he was led to the Castle of Se­ven Towers, Could I speak but once to our great Em­perour, he will be forced to love me, or repent. And 'tis said, That having voyaged into England, he had learnt Magick there. Many People believed he would introduce Novelties in Religion, and for this End held strict Correspondences with the Lati­nised Monks; and 'tis known here, that when his Sentence was pronounced, he said, He would rise again to torment the Emperour, and perplex his Affairs. The French haivng blamed what I now mentioned, do extreamly praise the Moderation of Amurath, when he took the Persian Spy, who slid into his Camp in Turkish Habit, and crouded amongst the True Faithful; for he caressed him, and sent him back with Rich Presents. They also admire the Patience of this Prince, in only condemning to the Gallies the Thirty Indian Pilgrims, who occasioned his Fall from his Horse in the Capital City of his Kingdom: For the Horse was affrighted at the Ap­parel of these Men, and the strange Figure they made, when they threw themselves on the Ground to beg Mony of him; but they at the same time charge this Emperour with Brutishness, for kil­ling with his own hand immediately the Horse that threw him down. The Discourses of this Na­ture, however injurious they are, be not of great Importance. But if I be not mistaken, there is something carrying on against us with the Repub­lick of Venice. I observe, its Embassadour since [Page 220]the Loss we have made of Fifteen Gallies at Valen­tia, has frequent and secret Conferences with the King and Cardinal de Richlieu. As 'tis not doubted but that the Ottoman Empire will be reveng'd of so deep an Injury, so 'tis also judged, that the Vene­tians will use their utmost Endeavours to unite in­to a Confederacy the Christian Princes, and 'tis to be feared lest they take the Time, when the Empe­rour is employed in the Seige of Babylon, to form some Enterprize, or put themselves into a Condition wherein they cannot be attacked. I shall carefully observe all the Motions of the Venetian Embassa­dour, and if need requires, dispatch an express Messenger to the Kaimakan. I adore thy Grandure, buryed in the Dust of thy Feet.

Paris, 10th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER VII.
To the same.

THe Courier not parting till the Morrow, I make use of this short Time to write again to thee. Brizac, as I have already given Advice, was taken by the Forces of France and Swedeland; and the Duke of Wimar, who commands the Ar­my, brags, that being become Master of this Place, which has always been besieged in Vain, he shall take several others, there being none which hence­forward can resist him.

The Mareschal de Bannier, one of the Generals of the Swedish Armies, wearied out the Imperialists in Pomerania with continual Alarms. He took Gratz, a considerable place, and has beaten Galas, one of the [Page 221]Emperour of Germany's Generals. But Fortune ha­ving chang'd her Countenance, has favoured the Emperour against the Troops of the Palatin, who is taken Prisoner with Prince Robert his Brother, having been like to be drowned in the River of We­zer, whereinto he was drawn in his Coach by his Horses, who took Fright at the noise of the Cannon: And these unfortunate Princes, have lost in this occasion, with their Liberty, whatever was most precious to them. The Swedes have in the mean time encreased their Strength, by the Conjunction of new Troops. They make frequent Incursions on the Imperialists, and 'tis thought this War will last a considerable Time, by the great Preparations which are made on all Hands, and especially by the French, to whom it seems important that it should not end speedily.

There is News from Italy, That a Discovery has been made in Piemont, of new Cabals of the Prin­ces of the House of Savoy, who designed to put by the Dutchess from her Regency, and make them­selves Master of the Government, during the Mino­rity of the young Duke. There is a Cardinal of this Name, an ambitious Man, a great Lover of War, and given to Liberality. He would fain have the chief Share in the Government, and be the Master of his Nephews Fortune. This Cardinal lay con­cealed in the State of Genoa, being cloathed in an Habit little becoming his Character, and whence he sent his Orders, for the Execution of whatever he had concerted with his Partisans; but the Conspi­racy got Wind, and proved a Bloody Tragedy to his Accomplices. 'Tis said, that this Prince having twice disguised himself in the Habit of a Peasant, had entred with a Bag of Fruit on his Back, into one of the most considerable Towns of Piemont, to give by his Presence more Heat to his Party; and that with a greater Boldness he had entred into [Page 222] Turin, in the Habit of a Capuchin, with a long thick Beard, and abode there two Days; not in design of ridding himself of the Prince, or his Mother, but to become Master both of one and the other, to govern the State alone. But the Conspiracy ha­ving been discovered, and the Accomplices seized; Fourscore of them were put to Death by the Com­mon Hangman, and he escaped by a new Stratagem. A Secretary of State of Savoy is to be reckoned amongst this Number. Another Cardinal, who commands the Army of France, sent to the Assis­tance of the Duke and Dutchess, had also put to Death the Governour of Cazal, accused of Trea­son, though he was not fully convicted of it.

'Tis Written from Rome, That two Embassadours from the King of Hungary, who is lately Elected Emperour of Germany, had made a magnificent En­trance into that great City, clad after the Hungarian manner with Vests, called here a la barbaresque; That, they had above an Hundred Horse, whose Harness were of Gold, and their Shoes of Silver, and 'twas especially observed, that all the Foreign Ministers in that Court, had sent their Retinue to accompany them in their Entrance, that it might appear more Magnificent; and, that these two Embassadours of the new Emperour, being arrived in the Presence of the Infidel's Mufti, whom they call the Pope, they told him, their Prince would conti­nue to render him the Obedience which his Father Ferdinand, now deceased, paid him, and that he recommended to his Holiness his Person, his House, and his State, as a new Emperour, elected by the Suffrages of the Princes Electors of the Empire.

Observe, Magnanimous Vizir, the Authority of this Mufti: those who are so audacious, as to resist the Mussulmen, will yet abase themselves at his Feet, which they really kiss before they open their Mouths to speak to him. The greatest Christian [Page 223]Princes are wont to choose from amongst the most considerable Persons of their State, the Embassa­dors which they send with great Expence, to pay their Homage to this Supream Head of their Church. Moreover, these Embassadors of the New Caesar, have assured the Pope, as from him, that he will never cease to make War with the E­nemies of the Christian Faith; and 'tis said, they received this Answer:

That, he ever respected the King of Hungary, the late Elected Emperor, as his Son, to whom he would never be wanting in Concil, and all other necessary Assistances; and exhorted him, to employ his Victo­rious Arms against the Enemies of the Cross; and that; on his side, he would employ the Succors of his Prayers, that the Church should open her Treasures by granting Indulgences; and that, he would besides this, give Supplies of Men and Mony.

People who are idle, amuse themselves with Dis­courses on future Events, and those that consult the Stars to penetrate into what is to come, have made a Marriage between the Dauphin of France, a Prince born some Months since, and the Infanta of Spain, lately come into the World. 'Tis true, that at the moment this Princess saw the Light, the King of Spain and the Grandees of the Kingdom, tryed who should out-do one another in Feastings, to solemnize this Birth: And the like was done in France, for that of the Dauphin; both being ac­companied with extraordiary Magnificence, and prodigious Liberalities.

The Catholick King has given the Quality of Grandee to the Duke of Modena, who was Godfa­ther to the Infanta, and has declared him Genera­lissimo of the Four Seas, with a Pension of Twenty Thousand Sequins of Gold. He has moreover made magnificent Presents to the Dutchess his Wife, esteemed at an Hundred Thousand Crowns; and [Page 224]besides, made Knights of the Order of St. James, several Gentlemen of this Princes Court.

The Elector of Brandenburg, has also given seve­ral splendid Entertainments in his House and State for the Marriage consummated with the Duke of Saxony's Son; and whilst I am writing, I am told, there is a Son born to this King of Hungary, now Emperor of Germany. But whilst these Rejoycings are in several parts of Europe, an unforeseen Tem­pest has ruined whole Countries in Germany; the Damage done thereby in Franconia, and near Franc­fort, is incredible: And it lackt but little, but this same King of Hungary, now mentioned, being at the hunting of a Boar, had been slain through a Whirlwind; which having pull'd up a great Oak by the Roots, of prodigious Greatness, fell so near this Prince, that he received some slight Hurt by a Branch of it.

I pray Heavens, that all the Wisdom of our Ho­ly Prophet, and the Blessing of the Great God be always upon thee, and in thee, and ever augment thy Strength and good Fortune, to the Ruin of these Persian Hereticks, whose Country I hope will be subjected by thy Sword to our Dread Emperor.

Paris, 10th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER VIII.
To Breredin, Superiour of the Dervices, in the Convent of Cogny in Natolia.

THou art happy in living long and holily too; I cannot choose but reflect with Regret on thy great Age, considering how infirm I am. After [Page 225]Fifteen Days Illness, my Strength quite failed me, so that necessitated I was to look out for a Physici­an; for I cannot easily commit my self to the hands of those of this Country, who kill such as trust them, in the same manner as if they were their Enemies. When I discourse these Doctors about the State of my Health, they tell me I am in eminent Danger, and that my Cure is hazardous. In writing thus, think not I rave, for I speak the pure Truth. They will certainly kill me, should I discover to them under what Climat I am born; whereas, if I tell them I am of Moldavia, they may chance to do me good; though that Country Air is very different from that of Arabia, where I first drew my Breath. To how many Miseries is the Life of Man subject, especially mine, when I cannot speak the Truth, though it be to save my Life? Pray for me, Holy Dervis; and if you hear no more from me, be­lieve Mahmut is dead. Pardon likewise the Offen­ces I have given thee, which yet have been against my Will. Adieu; we shall see one another in God, with God, and in the Bosom of God.

Paris, 12th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER IX.
To Ocumiche his Mother at Scios.

PArdon me my dear Mother, if I write last to thee; pardon me moreover, if I have not written to thee, to pay thee the marks of my Duty, whilst I was in Health; and let me seek after thee, when perhaps in seeking for me, thou wilt no longer find me. I am ready to dye; afflict [Page 226]not thy self, if God calls me to him; though I am amongst Infidels, yet Death holds his Empire here, as in other places. The worst News I can tell thee is, That commonly those who desire to live longest, are soonest taken away; and I am not ashamed to tell thee, I am one of that Number. I cannot wil­lingly, as yet, leave this lower World. O unhappy Life! O unwelcom Death! What Apprehensions have I not? And with what Terrors am I not struck, since I have lived amongst the Christians? They preach against our Alcoran, and we declaim against their Gospel. They affirm that Mahomet was a great Impostor; and we worship him. They be­lieve they only know the Truth, that they be the only Saints, the Elect, and chosen of God; what then will become of us, if we be wedded to Er­rors, and our Alcoran be only a parcel of Lyes?

I have neither good nor bad News of thee, no more than of thy new Spouse: God grant the mer­ry Greek thou art married to, have the Vices of thy first Husband, my Father. Thou knowest my meaning. He called himself Vicious, because he hated the Vertues of the Vulgar.

I thank thee not for my Life, for that is what thou least thought of, when thou becamest big with me. But if thou expectest some Recompense for suckling me at thy own Breasts, expect only Words of Thanks from a poor Slave who possesses nothing. Love and Hate, all the Time of thy Life; this is the greatest Inheritance can be expected, from a Son who is just a dying. Engrave these Words in thy Heart: Love ever what is honest, and hate always what is contrary to it. Thus will these different Passions be setled on their proper Objects.

If my Brother Pesteli be still alive, give him my Love with an innocent Kiss, and a Touch in the Hand. Our Great Prophet protect and sustain thy Age with the Staff of Mount Liban, and obtain [Page 227]for thee from the Mercy of the most High, That thou mayst enjoy thy Senses to the last Hour of thy Life. Adieu.

LETTER X.
To Pestelihali, his Brother.

BElieving my Life is near its End, I therefore with all imaginable Eagerness write to thee, in the third place, although indeed thou holdest the first in my Heart. We shall see one another, Dear Pesteli, in that World, where every one receives according to his Deserts. When I arrived in this great Town, I was astonished at the Confusion I met there, but I received no other Hurt. Altho the Weather be very inconstant, yet the Air is good, and Provisions are wholsom, and agreeable to the Tast; the Water of the Seine is sweet and clear; the Men are good Company, and the Women have done me no Harm; the King has not ill used me; Cardinal Richlieu, his chief Minister, does not hin­der me from living after my own Fashion; our Great Emperor is not displeased with me, yet my Distemper is impetuous; a sad Faintness has seized my Heart, and I begin to fall into such a lan­guishing Condition, as makes me despair of Health. If thou still conservest any Affection for me, read this Letter with Compassion: Forget the ill Of­fices I may have done thee; and if I parted with­out discovering to thee the Occasion, give God Thanks for the Ability he has given me, of sacri­ficing the Tenderness which I have for so good a Brother, to the Obedience which I owe to the Em­perors Commands.

Our Mother will salute thee as from me, in gi­ving [Page 228]thee a Kiss; receive it as coming from me Keep thy Gravity, and be honest in Asia as well as Europe; and if thou goest to Africa; suffer not thy self to be corrupted by ill Examples. 'Tis not without Tears I write thee this Letter; but lament not if I dye, neither rejoyce if I escape; for I shall be thereby no less mortal; and that Tri­bute which I do not pay to day, we both shall pay, with all other Men, on a certain time. Pre­pare to part willingly; study more how thou shalt dye, than how thou shalt live; and if thou wouldst live till thou art Old, live as if thou were to dye when thou art Young.

The Great God preserve thee in the perfect Use of thy Understanding, and guide thee into all Truth; and if thou desirest to be the best Captain and Commander in the World, learn to conquer thy self. Adieu.

Paris, 12th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XI.
To Dgnet Oglou.

SHould I tell thee I am in Health, I shall write an untruth; for I am really out of order, and expect a Fit of Sickness; which I wish 'twere in my Power to avoid, though it may prove short and mortal. An Hectic Fever puts me oft in mind, how frail and brittle a thing is Man; and that he ought in Multiplicity of Business, in Times of Prosperity as well as Adversity, to think of dislodging hence. The Bread I eat has no Relish; Solitude appears dismal to me, and Company wearies me; for I [Page 229]cannot attend to what's discoursed, and yet I do not like they should say nothing; there's nothing pleases me but Drink, yet all the Sea will not quench my Thirst. I am restless in Bed, and find my self more tired thereby, than if I sat up; and that which I loved Yesterday, I hate to day. Thou knowest how I loved Books, this Humour is quite changed. If the Sun shines into my Chamber, I as soon shut my Windows, being not able to en­dure it; and having remained a Minute in Obscu­rity, I am impatient for the Light. Paris, where one may say Strangers come from all parts, to see the Varieties and Diversions there to be met with, appears to me now an Hospital of Fools: I long for nothing more than Constantinople, and to be with my Friends, imagining I shall find ease in their Company. And this is the unhappy Condi­tion of thy Friend, without hope of seeing any more Turbans and Musselmen. I loth as much the sight of an ignorant Physician, as the Emperor Se­verus did a corrupt Judge, and I look on a little Valet that serves me, as a necessary Evil: Yet I'll a little divert thee, maugre the Illness which has seiz'd me. 'Tis not above Six Months since I en­tertained this Enemy in my House, which is a French Valet, who makes himself a Fool; of a Pig­my's Stature, yet a Gyant in Roguery; he is clad like the Graces, being half naked, and wears Bus­kins like the Poetical Divinities; his ordinary Function is to sweep every day my Chamber, which yet is as nasty as Augis his Stable; when I am a­wake he's asleep, and he's always awake when I am asleep; for this Thirteen Years that he has seen the Light, he cannot remember he has been two Hours without eating: When he eats not openly and before Folks, lest he should shame me; he will yet be sure to keep his Chaps a going, on some­thing [Page 230]in Corners. When I went abroad, I was for­ced to follow him; and now that I keep my Bed, 'tis hard to judge which of us two is the Master, for he never parts with his Hat from his Head. He's more ready to pull off my Cloaths, than to put them on; which makes me chiefly care­ful of him at such times, that he leaves me not stark naked. He's moreover a Politician, as much as any Florentin: When he's to do any good Of­fice, he falls into the Spanish Pace, but to perfect a bad one, he's as nimble as Caesar was in the quick­est of his Expeditions; whence it is that I am a Debtor to my own Arm and Hand for the Ser­vice I draw from him, being like certain Drugs which never yield an Odor till well beaten: As to his Religion, a Man would imagin he held the Me­tempsycosis, so carefully does he preserve the Lice that eat him, lest in killing them he act contrary to the Precepts of Pythagoras. He is moreover be­sides an irreconcilable Enemy to all Neatness, to Water, and to Truth; and he is more stinking than a Synagogue, drunker than a Swiss, and a greater Lyer than any Oracle. In the mean time my Illness encreases, and my Domestic Enemy is so well, that he assuredly waits my Death, to live more Honourably on my Spoils. I differ much this Day from what I was Yesterday; and I know not whether I shall not to morrow go to my long Home. Pray the Immortal for me, and remember we were once in Slavery together. Should I escape, I shall have the Joy of never seeing thee in the sad condition I am; and if cannot escape Death at this time, I shall have the satisfaction of suffering it before thee. However, believe I do not despair, though I much complain. I cease writing to thee, but I'll never cease loving thee. Mahmut embraces thee in this Country of Infid [...]ls, [Page 231]having thee always in his Heart, and praying for thee continually.

Paris, 12th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XII.
To the Kaimakan.

THe King of France has a Dwarf called Osmin, born in a Village of the Morea, and carried away in his Infancy into Italy by Pyrats. He was bought by a Spanish- Lord, who afterwards made a Present of him to this King, with such a boon Grace, as entitles Magnificence to the smallest things, after the manner of that Nation. The Spaniard having presented his Dwarf, said no more, the Dwarf making this following Discourse:

Sir, I am a Christian, although my Parents be Turks. If thou willingly receivest me for thy Slave, I receive thee yet more willingly for my Master, be­ing a just and merciful Prince: But I am obliged to tell thee, That if thou wilt behave thy self like a Master, whose Liberality is guided by Prudence, thou wilt never do me any Hurt, nor ever do me any great Good. Shouldst thou give me Opportunities of ac­quiring Riches, and throw open the Gate of Honours to me: I shall thereby, perhaps, become vicious and insolent. Bestow only one thing on me, which will not be afterwards in thy Power to take away; Give me good Education, and let a Man of Learning take the Charge of me, by which means I shall be re­venged of Nature, in making me but an Atome of a Man; and perhaps make thy Courtiers, one day, re­pent of their present Laughter at me.

Osmin has behaved himself so well, and gained such Credit, by the Subtilty of his Wit, and Rea­diness of his Answers, that he is at present one of the Courts choicest Entertainments, and the Scourge of Debauched People. Coming one day to divert and comfort me in my Illness, he told me, That being in private Discourse, with one of the Wo­men belonging to a Lady of the first Rank; he was forced to conceal himself speedily behind the Hanging, to prevent being surprized in the Cham­ber, where this Lady unexpectedly entred with the Venetian Embassador, who ordinarily resides in this Court, and where he heard the following Discourse from this Ministers own Mouth:

Madam, I shall willingly discover to you now that we are alone, the Intentions of the Republick I serve, touching the Turkish Affairs, provided you promise me to do me two different good Turns. 'Tis absolutely ne­cessary, we make War with these Barbarians, before they declare it against us. The Ottoman Family is like the Mathematical Compass, which enlarges its self the more 'tis pressed. You are not to be informed of the famous Victory gained by our General Capello, who has led in Triumph all the Gallies of Africk; but though Amurath be employed on the Frontiers of Persia, in the Siege of a most important Place, yet does he already threaten to be revenged for the Defeat of these Barbarians. The Ministers of the Port do also press him to shew his Resentment; and we certainly know by secret Relations from the Turkish Camp lying before Babylon, that the Grand Seignior has said in full Council, That he will himself throw the first Fire-ball into our Arsenal. That, Madam, which lies in your Power, is, to perswade the King to engage in the Common Cause, and for this End make up a Peace with his Enemies, that he may joyn his Naval Forces with Ours. On the other Hand, we could wish you would offer the Contrary to the Cardinal Richlieu; be­cause [Page 233]this Minister usually slighting Womens Counsels, [...]ill come to our Purpose, through his obstinate Humour [...]f contradicting you: And I do not doubt but this Ar­ [...]fice will succeed, if you perswade him; the King is re­ [...]lved not to give us any Assistance. There runs a Re­ [...]rt, as if our Bailio has been laid hold on at Con­ [...]antinople, and retained Prisoner in the Castle of Se­ [...]en-Towers, by the Order of the Kaimacan. And 'tis [...]dded, that the Grand Seignior offers a Peace to [...]he Persians, to return speedily into Europe; that [...]aving no Diversion on that side, he may turn all his [...]orces against the Republick.

The Pope promises much, and we need not fear but [...]e will keep his Word, being the Person most interessed [...]n our Affairs. He will furnish Mony, joyn his Gal­ [...]ys to those of the Republick, and moreover send us [...]veral stout Men. The King of Spain promises us [...]orty Gallies, with all Necessaries, together with Fifty [...]essels of War. The Great Duke of Tuscany, will [...]ssist us with eight Vessels well set out, and six Gallies [...]ell Armed. The King of Poland promises to send [...]nto the Infidels Country, an Army of fifty Thousand Cossacks; and others shall cruise about the Levantine [...]eas with their Brigantins, and especially the Archi­ [...]elago. As to what respects the Republick, the chief [...]amilies in Venice have already proffered to set out, [...]nd entertain at their own Charge a Vessel, till the War be ended; and all the great Castles and Towns on [...]he firm Land, freely offer to furnish the Republick [...]ith Fifty Thousand Ducats a Month. This Kingdom which is so full of Men, amongst which there are so many good Officers, which are rich in Mony, and at [...]resent so considerable at Sea) must not only not trou­ [...]le so noble and necessary a Project, in continuing a War with Spain; but also gives its assistance, by Sup­ [...]lies of Men, Mony, and Vessels. If you can, Madam, [...]blige the King to enter into this League, you will me­ [...]it an Everlasting Remembrance, and have an hundred [Page 234]thousand Crown, which lye ready for you at Venice, to be paid when and where you please.

This is God's Cause, the Occasion is favourable, an [...] all things seem in a readiness. You may immortaliz [...] your Name, and with your Beauty, your Credit an [...] Eloquence, give good grounds of Hope to Christendom of Success, by obtaining the Assistance of the most pu­issant of the Christian Monarchs.

This is what the Dwarf heard, and what he en­trusted me with since; were I in a condition, Il­lustrious Kaimakan, to relate particularly the Li [...] of Osmin, I am perswaded thou wouldst give entir [...] Credit, to the Discourse he made me.

Osmin is born a Turk, he loves me dearly, an [...] has a certain Sympathy with me, which obliges hi [...] to seek me often, and entrust me with all the Ad­ventures of his Life; treating me not only as [...] Friend, but living with me, as if I were his Bro­ther.

There being some days, since I languished in Bed▪ tormented with a Distemper, which at its Begin­ning threatned me with vexatious Consequence [...] and which causes me to droop and languish; tho [...] wilt pardon me, if I reason not much on an Ad­venture so extraordinary. Should God restore m [...] to my Health, I shall double my Care and Dili­gence, in observing the Measures of this Cour [...] Order by thy Prudence and Valour, that the Prepa­rations of these Infidels against the formidable Mo­narchy of the true Believers, may vanish int [...] Smoak: And the great Soveraign of the Lower an [...] Upper World grant thee perfect Health; which [...] sought in vain by his Highnesses Slave, and th [...] Servant Mahmut.

Paris, 12th. of the Fourth Moon, of the Year 1639.

LETTER XIII.
To Isouf his Kinsman.

Notwithstanding my Weakness, I force my self to write thee this Letter, to thee with whom [...] am engaged by Interest, as well as by Blood. My Distemper lies so heavy upon me, that there re­mains only the time to speak two Words of Devo­ [...]ion to thee. Isouf, thou oughtst towards the End of [...]he Moon in May, to go to Mecha; carry me along with thee, though I am at this distance. I entreat [...]hee, when thou shalt arrive with the Caravan of Pilgrims, at the Mountain of Arafat, to offer there [...] Sacrifice in my Name; immolate a Sheep in commemoration of Abraham: And if thou ar­ [...]ivest in Health at the Holy Mosque, and in full [...]trength, offer devoutly my Prayers to our Great Prophet. I ask not Honours of Mahomet, no more [...]han Riches; I only beg, that Heaven would re­ [...]tore me what I have lost; 'tis Health I desire, whereby I may serve our great Emperor, and live more Holy than I have done. But before thy De­parture, distribute a good Dole to the Poor, and if [...]hou wantest Mony, go and find Dgnet Oglou; borrow of him in my Name seven hundred and fifty Aspers, which thou shalt immediately deal out to those that have most need.

Thou knowest how greatly the Works of Chari­ty are recommended to us; they multiply the Be­dictions of Heaven, and encrease our Wealth. I neither do, nor can do this in the infidels Coun­try; thou knowest my Inability, speedily succor me in the Necessity I am of doing Good, and let nothing hinder thee, no Argument of good Hus­bandry nor Superstition. If thou neglect my [Page 236]Prayer, the Shame of the Fault will lye at thy Door; and thou alone shalt bear the Iniquity, if thou executest not the Will of a dying Man, espe­cially having the Power. I forgot what I had of greatest Importance to tell thee, and which is the most Holy, and aimed at to obtain with the greatest Earnestness. Endeavour to get for me a little Piece of the Cloth, wherewith the Temple of Mecha is every year hung, and which the Pilgrims tear in pieces to have each of them a part; and send as soon as thou canst this Holy Relick in a little Silver Box to Carcoa at Vienna, who will take care I re­ceive it. If thou beest a good Mussulman, give speedy Help to a Disciple of the same Law; and if thou beest a real Kinsman, assist me, love me, and take on thee my Defence when necessary. I em­brace thee with all my Heart, and Strength; and though I believe my self very near Death, yet I wish thee a long and happy Life.

Paris, 12th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year, 1639.

LETTER XIV.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem, at Con­stantinople.

IF thou beest the same that commanded the Army of the true Believers before Babylon, I write to thee without congratulating thy Resurrection. Th [...] People at Paris have kill'd thee by their Discourses because they wisht thy Death, and 'tis generally said thou wast strangled by four Mutes. But if [...] write to another, raised to the chief Dignity of th [...] Empire, I pray the Great God who will one da [...] [Page 237]judge all Men, that he will long continue thee in Amurath's Service, ever happy, and always atten­ded with Victory; and give thee better Fortune than all the other Vizirs, who have governed in the vast Empire of the Mussulmen.

I have been sick during the space of Eighteen Moons, and my Health is not yet fully restored: I have lived all that time, in continual expectation of Death, and so many odd things have hapned in my Sickness, that I should fall into it again, shouldst thou oblige me to make the Recital of them.

The Charity of the Christian Dervices has been very great towards me, having neglected nothing which might be any ways serviceable to my happy Departure. The gravest of them have often attend­ed me with Discourses of the Immortality of the Soul, of Hell, their Purgatory, Paradice, and the Merits and Indulgences of the Church. Several Physicians have come to see me, and used their ut­most Skill to keep me alive, and imagin I owe my Life to them; but if it be so, they have paid themselves for their Care, by drawing so much Blood out of me, having, I think, quite emptyed my Veins, to resist, said they, the several Distem­pers which assaulted me, and to take from me the Turkish Fever which I nourished; for I assuredly brought it from Constantinople.

The greatest Sin I committed during the Course of so long a Sickness, was the pretending to con­fess my self to a Captain Dervis, as the Christians do in the principal Feasts, and when they are ready to dye. I used this Ceremony but once, and I do not think I have committed Sacrilege, for I have told no Truth; and if I may speak freely to thee, Invincible Vizir, hear what a pleasant Penance was enjoyned me, for an imaginary Crime of which I accused my self. I confessed I hindred, by an A­pology I had made, a Mahometan from embracing [Page 238]the Law of Jesus; and the Dervis said to me in a Passion, You are not then a Catholick: I am, answe­red I, and only disswaded this Barbarian on Account, I had observed it seldom happened, That a Turk wh [...] changed his Law, came to a good End; and that those who cease to be Musselmen, seldom prove any other [...] but bad Christians. Your Reasoning is also as false, replyed sharply the Monk, as the Design you have had is bad; for you never ought to hinder any thing which is good, for the fear you may have that in the End it may cease to be so. And I enjoyn you for P [...] ­nance, to scrape out with such Exactness, all the Cha­racters of your Apology, that there remain no mark of it, so that the Paper become as clean and fair, as if there had been nothing written on it, that so black and detestable a Discourse be entirely defaced by the Pain [...] which you shall take to hinder the remaining of any Trace or Mark: After which, you shall pray to God as long as you live, that he would destroy the Temple at Mecha, so famous by the Impieties committed there, and enlighten the Eyes of the blind Maho­metans. But I am constrained to stop here, being so feeble, and indisposed, that I have not the Strength to write that I am now recovering.

The Mars which has made Germany tremble, I mean the Duke of Wimar, is in fine dead at 36 Years of Age, and buried in the same Field wherein he gathered his last Lawrels, that is to say, at Bri­zac. I shall distinctly inform the Kaimakan of whatever has hapned during my Sickness, that I may not give thee the trouble to read the Relation of several Adventures, which have been already published in the World, whilst thou art employed in the great Affairs of the Empire. As soon as I am able, I shall, if possible, do with greater Dili­gence the Offices of my Place, and henceforward punctually advertise thee of the Cabals, Intrigues and Designs of the Nazareens, that thou mayst not [Page 239]be unprovided against all the Attempts of the In­fidels.

I entreat the Being of Beings, to accompany thy Life with all the Happiness thou canst desire on Earth, and that thou mayst never undertake any thing for the good of the Empire, and its Reli­gion, without Success.

Paris, 15th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year, 1640.

LETTER XV.
To the Kaimakan.

THou wert but little mistaken when thou thoughtest I was dead. I have been so near the Grave, that I may have received four of thy Let­ters, without being able to read them; so far was I from the power of answering them. I have been sick a whole year and six months, out of the Com­merce of the Living, and without receiving any Consolation from any one; abandoned to Physic, and become the Prey of the Physicians, and in short, out of hope of ever recovering; but the day wherein I am to be judged is not yet come. I am, in fine, still alive, and shall soon, I hope, be well again, if thou to o'rewhelm me, chargest not my long Malady as a Crime upon me, and suspectest me not guilty of Infidelty.

I have informed my self within these few days, of several Events which have hapned during the Course of several Moons, which I shall relate to thee, if I can, in this Letter, to make amends for the time I have lost. But in so few words, as will occasion thee to think, I am still sick; for which [Page 240]thou must not blame me, seeing thou lovest Bre­vity.

France, during the time I have not writ to thee▪ has given me marks of its Power and Policy. Fou [...] places have been besieged in the year 1639. whos [...] Success have not been equal. The French have me with disadvantage before Thionville, by the Valou [...] and Conduct of Picolomini, one of the Empero [...] Generals, who was born in Italy, and brought up from a Child in the Trade of Arms, 'Tis said, he has attackt and vanquisht his Masters Enemies, with such speed, that one may compare his Action with that of Claudius Nero, when he defeated Asdrub [...] who had entred Italy; He has broken the Enemie [...] Army, routed the Horse, took the Canon, kill' [...] the French General, and immediatly rais'd the Siege; but in revenge, the same French, who wer [...] beaten before Thionville, have made themselve [...] Masters of Hedin, Salins, and Salse; which last was taken by the Young Prince of Conde, who giver the marks of an extraordinary Valour, but the Spaniards have re taken these Places, which have cost them dear. 'Tis said, that the Governor left by the Prince of Conde [...] here, being prest by the Spaniards to surrender the Place, threw out to 'em an hot white Loaf, saying, That those who eat of this Bread, would not surrender themselves, before the Enemies came to the time, wherein they might eat Ice.

Yet the Place was surrendred, before the Spring time was come to change the Face of the Earth, so far were they from holding out till 'twas cover'd with Snow or Ice.

This King immediately appeased the Insurrecti­ons which were made in Normandy. But what wilt thou say of Casimir, the King of Poland's Brother, who being return'd a second time into France alone and disguised, was discovered and carried Prisoner [Page 241]to the Castle in the Wood of Vincennes near Paris, where he is carefully guarded.

The War has been very cruel in Italy, between the three Parties, who are extreamly animated a­gainst one another. Prince Thomas of the House of Savoy, drove out by surprize the French from Turin; but thou wilt soon understand that our Ca­pital Enemies the Spaniards, have been beaten and entirely defeated under Cazal, by the Count Har­court, of the House of Lorrain.

The Spaniards and Dutch have made a great Noise in the Ocean with their Fleets; the former came with Fourscore Vessels of War to land Fifteen Thousand Men in Flanders; but having been met by Van Tromp, a Commander of great Courage and Experience, there was a bloody Bat­tel fought, which lasted long, but at length ended in the Defeat of the Spaniards.

The Dutch have taken Thirteen Ships, and about Twenty of them have been driven by the Weather on the Coasts of England, where they are lost, and eight others have had the good Fortune to get in­to Dunkirk.

The Victory of the Dutch is compleat, having lost but one Ship in the whole Engagement, against so puissant an Enemy, and whose Subjects they were formerly.

Bear with me, Illustrious and happy Kaimakan, wanting strength to contine on writing, though it were the Victories of Amurath which I were to relate.

I shall make known to thee on the first Opportu­nity, whatever shall come to my Knowledg. In the mean time, the Creator of all thing direct thee in all thy Ways, and prosper all thy undertakings.

Paris, 15th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year, 1640.

LETTER XVI.
To Dgnet Oglou.

I Am in a manner raised from the Dead, by read­ing thy Letter; there is not a Line or Syllable, but shews the Marks of a true Heart, and a tender and real Sympathy with my Condition: I pray Heaven, we may do nothing either of us to lessen this Affection.

Thou informest me in thy Letter of the Depar­ture of Isouf for Mecha: I give thee a Thousand Thanks for the Mony thou hast given him, for the offering of a Sacrifice in my Name on the Sacred Mountain, and to distribute here below the Alms which I enjoyned him. I admire thy Bounty, and the Charitable Care thou hast had of the Salvation of thy Friend Mahmut, in sending one of our De­votes to Medina, to go the Pilgrimage, and say the Prayers for me. In a Word, I see thy Kindness makes thee foresee and provide against all my Wants; there is no Place or Time, wherein I re­ceive not Marks of thy Favour.

Seeing I am so dear to thee, and loving thee so greatly as I do, let not distance of Place, Pover­ty, Disgrace, Imprisonment; or any other Mis­fortune extinguish, or so much as damp our mu­tual Affection.

I have in a manner, stole the time I write to thee: for I have nothing which is truly mine, and I make thee a Present of a thing which I owed the Kaimakan, for whom I ought to employ more time in writing. But let us lay aside all these troublesom Affairs, and entertain one another with an entire Confidence and Familiarity. Thou wantest not Wit, employ it in the Study of History, after suf­ficient [Page 243]Instruction in the Matters which concern Religion. If thou wilt be a Prince among other Men, separate thy self from the Croud, by thy ap­plication to good Authors; read much, and yet read little; read ever good Books, there being few of them, and thus thou wilt read much. If thou canst attain to the Knowledg of whatever is known of Men, thou wilt be a kind of God amongst them; whereas thou wilt be of the number of Beasts, if thou failest of acquiring the Notices thou oughtest to have. I wish thou wouldst mind more for thy Friends sake, what passes in the Seraglio, in the Divan, and in the Prince's most secret Councils, to know what is said there against me and for me: Good and seasonable Advice does oftentimes hinder much Mischief, and does a great deal of good. Friendship makes those things which are other­wise hard, very easie: He that is not ready (says an Holy Man amongst the Christians) to suffer all things, and to lose all, and his very Will too, for the sake of him that he loves, deserves not the Name of a Friend.

Let us ever forget the Words mine and thine: Thy good Fortune is mine, even as thy Disgraces are: If we thus establish our Friendship, why may we not, though Modern Turks, compare our selves to those Antient Greeks, who have given such glo­rious Marks to the World of their Friendship? Why may we not be the Imitators of Pelopidas and Epaminondas, who contracted so strict an Union, that nothing could change it? Although we were not born the same Day, in the same Climat, and in the same Town as Polistratus and Hypoclides, who were born in the same House, at the same Hour, and lived always together, and fell sick at the same Time, and loved equally; yet let us surpass them in Affection. Love we one another more than Theseus and Piritohus; more than Damon and [Page 244] Pithias; the former of which contracted in Arms, and the other in Studies, that strict Amity that has rendred them so recommendable to Posterity. If thou knowest any Secret whereby to restore my Appetite which I have lost, send it me. I am here Spectator of a Million of Mouths, who eat four times a day, and consume 15000 Oxen every Week, and 15000 other Pieces of Animals, besides Mutton, Veal, Hogs, not to reckon all sorts of Fowl, and Fruits produced by the Earth, and the Fishes from the Seas and Rivers.

I am forced to dye with Hunger with my Meat in my Hands; and in a Town where there is an Abundance of all sorts of things, I want all things. Bread which is so pleasant to the Eye, and so savoury in the Tast, to all other People, is nauseated by me. Wine only, because 'tis forbid­den by our Law, rejoyces the sight of me, and stirs up a desire of drinking. Let me hear oft from thee; let thy Letters be instructive, and be levelled against my melancholy Temper. The God of Mahmut keep thee ever in Health, and make thee love me, as thou dost, continually.

Paris, 15th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year, 1640.

LETTER XVII.
To Adonai the Jew at Genoa.

THou art as lazy in writing, as inconsiderable in thy Judgment of things. Thou hast written to the Grand Vizir, That this Republick is disposed to joyn its Forces to that of Venice, for its Assistance in the War against the Port; but what [Page 245]Ground hast thou for this Advice? And if the Grand Vizir should oblige thee to give a Reason for this, how canst thou satisfie his Curiosity and hin­der him from accusing thee of great Lightness?

I now receiv'd a Copy of the Letter thou didst write to Constantinople, for which I thank thee: 'Twould have been better I had received the Origi­nal; for I would not have sent it. There's no likelyhood that a Republick, so desirous of esta­blishing a Peace in her Dominions, will disturb her own Quiet, for the Service of a State with which she is always at War.

Had the Genoeses any Cause of Complaint against Amurath, they would want neither Soldiers, nor Arms, nor Vessels, nor Mony to raise Enemies a­gainst him. But at present, whilst their Affairs are in a full Calm, both Abroad and at Home; they make (with greater Prudence than the Venetians▪) War in the Spanish Indies with their Registers, and Arithmetick; and they have always the Advantage in this kind of Combat, wherein there is no Exam­ple they ever lost: Let this Nation alone in Peace. Write rather to the Port, That the Genoeses, con­demned by Nature to dwell in the Rocks and De­sart Mountains; have found the means of making these, the most dilicious Abodes in Europe.

Tell the Grand Vizir, That so many extravagant Philosohers, who continually search for what they will never find, have at length shewed, That there is no other Place where are more perfect Chymists to be found, having converted into Gold almost all the Stones of their Country, changed the Horror of their Desarts into most pleasant Gardens; and the Cottages of the ancient Ligurians are transfor­med into Pallaces, enriched with Marble and Por­phyry, with so great Magnificence and Propriety, that no Houses are comparable to theirs. To which thou mayst add, That the Inheritance of the poorest [Page 246] Genoese, does at this time much surpass those of their Predecessors. Shew him, they have begun to give considerable Succours to great and puissant Monarchs by immense Sums; and that, in fine, in the Registers of particular Traders, one may see the Names of the greatest Monarchs on Earth, to whom they are become Creditors.

Be more careful of what thou writest for the Future; and when thou givest Advice, set down what thou knowest without Exaggeratings, and be reserved in what's doubtful: Never write False­hoods in thy Dispatches. Be also never the Au­thor of vulgar Rumors, and Stories made by Peo­ple at leasure, who abound with Extravagancies. God help thy Understanding, and heal thy Distem­pers if thou hast any.

Paris, 10th. of the 11th. Moon, of the Year 1640.

LETTER XVIII.
To the Kaimakan.

THE Christians are become Magicians, or to speak better, the Spaniards who make War in Piemont, have fill'd the World with Astonish­ment by an extraordinary and new Enchantment. I wrote to thee, there were two great Armies be­fore Turin, one to take it, and the other to succour it; but I have not yet made known to thee, that the Canon of the Spaniards are become Couriers, who carry their Dispatches in the Air, into the besieged Cities; and moreover, Ammunition, Pow­der, Salt-Petre, and Mony; a marvellous Inven­tion, which fills me with Admiration in writing [Page 247]it. There is a Man in the Camp of General Lega­nez, who makes brass Bullets so artificially, that having shot them into the Ditch of the Place, they have for a long time succoured the Besieged. 'Tis said, that being made in a Vice, and hollowed within, they have served for two Uses, to convey into Turin what was wanting, and to bring back into the Spaniards Camp the things they most needed. But this Industry proved in the end useless; for after several Conflicts, Turin has faln again into the Hands of King Lewis, who has there­in restablished the Dutchess of Savoy, to the great satisfaction of her People, who have thereupon shewed the Signs of the greatest Joy. This Resta­blishment is owing to the Valour and Conduct of Count Harcourt, who has sustained and repelled the Assaults of two Armies, stronger in number than his own. This Captain, has made his Name as fa­mous in Italy, as were heretofore those of the He­ro's of Rome and Athens. The Marquiss of Lega­nez undertook the Siege of Cazal, an important Place belonging to the Duke of Mantoa, situated on the famous River of Po in Italy. Count Har­court being not able with all his Army to put Suc­cours into the place, he took the Party of forcing himself the Besieged, entring on Horseback into the Lines with his Sword in his Hand, where he was followed by some of his Gentlemen. The Spaniards being surprized and astonisht, found no Safety but in Retreat, which they made disorderly; and the French under such a Captain, bore away that day, the greatest and most glorious Victory they ever won in Italy.

If thou requirest an Account of me of what has past in Germany, I can tell thee, that the War has been carryed on there this Year with equal Success and Losses to both Parties, to whom Fortune has been sometimes favourable, and otherwhiles contra­ry.

But I am informed, there's a design of making a great Assembly at Cologn, to restablish a Peace be­tween all the Christian Princes; and that the King of France has named for his Plenipotentiary there, the Cardinal Julius Mazarin, an Italian by Nation, a Man of great Parts, and Experience in Business.

Prince Casimir is set at Liberty, at the Intreaty of the King of Poland his Brother, and been since well received by the King, who made him Dine at his Table, and presented him with a rich Diamond. The Town of Arras, which the French have taken in the Spanish Netherlands, is of great Importance, and is a considerable loss to the Catholick King, who will give great Reputation to his Enemies, that have taken the Place in the sight of a great Army, commanded by the Cardinal Infant, Governour of the Low Countries; which Conquest has mightily raised the French Courage, and encreased the Glory of their Prince.

The Queen is brought to Bed of a Second Son, who was born the 21st of September, and he is named the Duke of Anjou.

The Spaniards are as unfortunate on the Sea, as at Land. Their Fleet, which return'd from the West Indies, richly laden with Commodities of all sorts, have been most of them dispersed by the French Naval Army, commanded by the Duke of Breze. The Spaniards truly fought with much Va­lour, but Fifteen Thousand of their Men were slain, and Two Hundred taken Prisoners, together with Five great Vessels richly laden. One of their great Gallions was burnt, and it is said, the other Ships were saved, having first thrown the best part of their Lading overboard, which they had brought with such great Care and Pains from the other World.

That which has past on the Ocean, has not hin­dred the Archbishop of Bordeaux from shewing [Page 249]the Strength of the King his Master on the Medi­terranean; where he has fought an Occasion, of fighting the Spaniards with a lighter Army, con­sisting for the most part of Gallies. He had sent a Defiance to the Duke de Ferrandine, General of the Spanish Gallies; who being unwilling to accept of the Challenge, this Prelate advanced towards the Coasts of Naples, where he did some Mischief.

One may say, That the Misfortunes of Philip King of Spain are as great this Year, as his Power is. But it is said, these Losses are not comparable to what he is threatned with, if Portugal and Catalonia shake off the Yoak of his Domination, as the com­mon report runs.

I have heard much talk in General, on these con­siderable Affairs, without being however informed of any certain Particulars. But henceforward, when I shall be able to leave my Chamber, to go into the Churches, Walks and Gardens about the City and the Court, I shall let nothing pass without a strict Enquiry, and give a Faithful Account of whatever deserves thy Notice; and shouldst thou desire any particular thing of thy Slave Mahmut, 'tis but men­tioning it, and thou shalt not want an exact and humble Answer.

It makes me tremble in telling thee, that a Re­port runs here of the Death of the Invincible Prop of the World, the Mighty of Mighties; in fine, of the Glorious Amurath. 'Tis false News, I hope, yet however asserted with great Confidence. The Arbiter of Heaven and Earth confound all our Enemies, and give the Grand Seignior, and thy self, a Life which knows no End, and attended with a Happiness which cannot be encreased.

Paris, 7th. of the last Moon, of the Year 1640.

LETTER XIX.
To Dgnet Oglou.

THe Lovely Greek, after whom thou enquirest so earnestly, is long since retired into France, and has been married Eighty Moons to a great French Merchant, with whom I am not acquainted, but am informed is very rich, and fortunate in his Dealings; but infinitely more fortunate in being the Husband of Daria Lena Maani, by whom he has several fine Children.

This charming Greek does now profess the Romnn Religion, which is the only Fault I find in her; I never knew Woman, whose whole Carriage is so graceful, who does all things with such a careless exactness, and whose Virtue is less morose. Meer Chance brought me acquainted with her, whom I no sooner saw, but was struck with Admiration. She came to Paris the last Year, to sollicit a Law-Suit against a Stranger about an Estate. It was at Court, and in the presence of the King himself that I first saw Daria; she spake to him so sweetly, that she soon obtained what she desired; and at the same instant I felt such inexpressible Passions and Longings after her Acquaintance—Suffer me, my dear Dgnet, to tell thee, that never any Creature made such deep Impressions in the Heart of a Man, as this charming Greek did in mine.

I drew near to her as soon as I could; I spake to her in her own Language, telling her, I was an A­rabian; and she answered me, with as great Mo­desty as Benignity. I went the day following to give her a Visit in her own Lodgings; where this adorable Person, received me with the greatest Civility, not forbidding me a Return; being plea­sed [Page 251]perhaps to meet with one, that could speak her own Language, which is very rare in these Parts.

Since then, I could not for my Life forget her; I have served her with the greatest Diligence, and so doted on her, that I forgot my self and thee, and if I may dare to say so, the Grand Seignior too. Pardon this Infidelity on the account of a Passion, which knows no Moderation, being not able to withstand the Force of so invincible an Enemy.

Daria is young, of a generous Temper, and in whose whole Deportment, there's no Grace want­ing. Her Vertue is far above Lucretia's, for this Roman Lady killed her self, having first endured the violences of a Tyrant; whereas she would dye before she would come to such a Tryal. If you have seen her at Constantinople, you must have known her Perfections: I, for my part, who only knew her at Paris, have remark four Beauties in her Person, which I believe is not to be found in any of those Ladies kept in the Seraglio. Her Eyes, her Mouth, her Teeth, and her Hands, seem to have been made only to furnish the God of Love with Darts. She is sure to strike where she will, with her fine black Eyes full of Fire: and she has also the Se­cret of healing the Wounds she makes, when she pleases. As soon as ever she opens her Mouth, the three Graces are seen to sit sporting in her Counte­nance; and her Body is moreover so proportion'd in all its parts, that had she lived in the time of Phi­dias, he had certainly taken her for the Model of his Venus, which was the Admiration of all the World.

I have plyed this fair Greek with Visits, loved her even to Idolatry; my Respect has been ever equal to her Virtue; and the greatest Favour I ob­tained from her, was to suffer me thus to speak to her; I love you, Daria; Daria, I adore you; but she [Page 252]would never suffer the least Expression which might make her understand any thing else.

This incomparable Beauty often said to me; Mahmut; I have a great Respect for thee, because thou art discreet and vertuous, and should also love thee, wert thou not a Man. Live on still as thou hast done, and thou wilt thereby oblige me to respect thee yet more; but think not to obtain from Daria any more than an innocent Affection; I owe all to my Husband, and I will never be unfaithful to him. If I ever attempted to snatch any small Favour, it was always in vain, having ever repelled me in such a manner as made me lose all Hope, and at the same time feel a new increase of Passion. Consider, Dear Oglou, what past then in my Heart, and what a War I was to sustain.

In my great Inquietudes, and sharpest and cru­ellest Pains, Philosophy supplyed me with no other Remedies but Patience; she set before me the Ex­amples of the Esteem which the Ancients had for Pudicity; but she hindred me not from also re­membring, that we find in History almost all the Philosophers more transported with Venereal Plea­sures, than retained by the Precepts of Wisdom: Diogenes and Aristotle, became they not Fools here­by? And Seneca, whose Morals are the Rules of the Wisest, was not he driven out of Rome for his Adulteries? I tell thee plainly, the Pre­cepts of Philosophy have influenced me not a whit; I derided them, and was resolved to love on, and that more excessively than all the Philosophers together. Daria's soft Severity has laid on me stronger Laws than all the Dogms of the Stoicks, so that nothing can make me change my Resolution of loving her eternally. If it be true that Love is a Weakness, only Men, who are noble Creatures, are thereunto subject; it being certain, that mean Souls cannot love, because they have no Heart: Natures Origi­nal [Page 253]is far higher than Reasons; one is the Work of God, whereas the other comes from Man. Be not then astonisht if Reason does so oft yield to Na­ture.

Daria had a mind to learn Italian, which she thought a better Language than others. I taught her a great deal of it in a little time, but business quickly deprived an unhappy Master, of the most perfect of Scholars. She said once to me, Mahmut, let us have a perpetual Amity for one another, but let us love and esteem Vertue far before Friendship. Teach me History and Geography, to the end that knowing Kingdoms, Towns, and Provinces, and those that govern them; I may know into how many Parts, this Earth which appears so admirable, is divided; I may now learn the Forces, Methods of Government, Manners, Religions of Nations, the difference of Seas and of Mountains, of Lakes and Rivers, of inhabited Places, Islands and De­sarts, that I may not confound the barbarous with the civilized Nations, and Republicks with Mo­narchies.

My worthy Friend, so noble an Inclination joi­ned with a singular Grace, and attended with so many rare Qualities, as well Spiritual as Corporal, have reduced the poor Mahmut to a Slavery, more rigorous than that which he suffered with thee in Sicily. How many Nights have I past in horrible Restlesness; and how many times have I vainly be­lieved I was with Daria, whom I sought in my Chamber; when Sleep succeeding long Watchings, represented her to me in a Dream more complai­sant than ordinary? In a Word, Daria so filled my Thoughts, that I forgot my Books, and avoided also the Company of my Friends; she alone was my daily Study, and I renounced all other Diver­tisements; the finest Ladies were nauseous to me; the finest Gardens seemed horrible Forests, which [Page 254]serve for a Retreat to Savage Beasts. In fine, my Passion (Friend Oglou) comes to that Excess, that I can find no Remedy. My Tears were of none effect to soften Daria, and I have cast my self a Thousand times in vain at her Feet; all my Cares and Re­spects have served only to give me Proofs of her Virtue. Receive as thou oughtest the Confidence I put in thee, and if thou hast not an Heart that can love so ardently, at least have some complacency towards a man whose Passion has no Bounds, and reproach me not with having had too much Weak­ness for having been vanquisht by a Woman. 'Tis Women that have always won the greatest Victo­ries; it is their Trade to conquer, and even those too, who subdue all things. It is impossible for me to comprehend how I could love so strongly without dying, neither can I imagine how I shall live, if I be long deprived of the Sight of her I love. Daria has left Paris, and is distant thence above Three Hundred Miles; consider then the condition I am in. I reckon my self in a solitary place, although there be above a Million of Inhabitants in the Town where I dwell. I stir not out of my Cham­ber; and as to my Books, they will yield me no Comfort. My only Care is to nourish my Distem­per; whereby I study to make my self more mise­rable, because it is not in my power so much as to seek the way to the only Happiness I wish for. Mahmut may be said to be the Son of Sorrow; my Beard is nasty and overgrown; I am out of love with my self, comfortless, avoiding all Society, and am become invisible to all People. I have no Hope amongst so many Causes of Despair, but the Assurance which Daria has given me, that I pos­sess a place in her Heart, and I believe it, because she says so. Heaven has given her a frank and ge­nerous Soul, and promises her great things in the course of her Life. I have secretly drawn her [Page 255]Horoscope, as as far as I could find, all the Pla­nets are favourable to her; she is to live a great while; Fortune will second her Intentions; she will enjoy an uninterrupted Health; and this lovely Person will ever gain the Advantage on all that shall oppose her. Happy is he that shall be of the number of her Friends, but more happy is he that shall be beloved of her, for he may assure himself of being beloved of the handsomest and most de­serving Lady in the World.

Read my Follies with some Indulgence, and be not angry with me when thou knowest, I was ready to renounce my Religion for that of Daria's; she began to convince me, and I began to believe that the Religion of the most perfect and most ver­tuous of Women was the best. If thou hast Interest enough in the Grand Visir, or the Kaimakan, obtain for me the Permission of leaving Paris for Six. Months only, but by no means let them know the Occasion. I love much, absent from Daria, but it seems to me I do not yet love enough: I would have more violent Transports, during her Absence, than those I suffer whilst I see her; to the end I may say, that at all times, and in all places, never any body loved so much. I have discovered to thee my whole Heart, excuse my Passion, if thou wilt not excuse thy Friend so horridly tormented with it; and remember what the Beautiful Roxalana said to the great Solyman, That the Pleasure of com­manding and making one's self obeyed, is to bereckoned but in the second Rank of Pleasures, whereas that of loving and being beloved is the first.

Henry IV. was one of the greatest Kings of France, than whom no man ever more greatly lo­ved. When he reproached the Duke de Biron with the Love he had for a Lady, mark what this Ca­vilier told him; Great King, how is it possible thou shouldst not be indulgent to Lovers, who hast so often [Page 256]said when thou wast in love, thou forgattest thy self, thy Kingdom and Subjects? And this, dear Oglou, is what has happened to me at Paris with this admi­rable Person whom thou couldst no longer find at Constantinople. But alas, I should be an unhappy Friend, if with such a Love a mine I should prove thy Rival. I will not imagin it; yet I must tell thee, that rather than yield thee Daria, I will sacrifice to thee all the time I have to live. I have given my Picture to this charming Greek, who has received it very courteously, yet rather as the Work of an excellent Painter, than the Picture of a Lover.

But being full of Goodness, and perfectly dis­creet, she said thus to me, when I gave it her: Mahmut, thank Heaven thou art not handsom; such sort of Men have not ordinarily all the success they pretend to in their Amours. Wise Ladies think these kind of People doat too much on themselves; and those that are disdainful, find them not submissive enough and respectful; and such as fear evil Tongues, dare not look on them; and also these Gentlemen imagin Ladies Favours are granted them, because they cannot withstand them, and they expect oftentimes to be en­treated to receive them: Whereas those to whom Na­ture has not been so liberal of her Favours, do more than bare love; they adore their Mistresses, they are always humble, and know how to gain the coyest Beau­ty by their Respectfulness. As to thy part, who art none of the fairest, thou wilt be happy, if thou chan­gest not thy manner of living with me.

It is impossible for me to say, whether Daria has any considerable Imperfections, being too greatly prepossessed by my Passion, to discover De­fects in a Person, whom I regard as an Angel. Time and her Promises, will one day shew me, whether she has the Vices usual to those of her Nation, which are commonly an Infidelity, cove­red [Page 257]over with the most specious Pretences, and a continued Dissimulation.

However, send me a Cask of the white Balm of Mecha, and of the best sort for Scent thou canst get; and at the same time, send me also some of that precious Eastern Wood, whose Scent is admirable to perfume the Body. I have promised the fair Daria this Present; let me soon have it, to the end I may accustom Daria to the Neatness and Delica­cies of the Mahometans. Preserve also thy Health, and if thou enviest me, love as much as I do: but love with Continency, if thou wilt love long, and be long beloved.

The Great God preserve thee from loving how­ever, so excessively as thy Friend Mahmut does; the Dolors being therein always certain, and the Frui­tion uncertain.

Paris, 10th. of the [...]st. Moon, of the Yeay 1641.

LETTER XX.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem.

THE Chiaus arrived here this same Moon in which I write to thee, and is in perfect Health, with all his Attendants.

I do not tell thee in what manner he was received by the People at Paris, it being of small Impor­tance; seeing they have no other part in the Government of the Kingdom, than that of Obey­ing.

The Populacy curiously observed his Habit, his Beard, and his Gate, all as extraordinary. 'Tis certain (Invincible Leader of his Armies, in whom [Page 258] God has placed his Authority of governing the Earth,) our Envoys are not esteemed where-eve [...] they come, unless amongst the most Rational, an [...] Honest part of Mankind; which are always the leaf Number.

Not only the Common Sort run to see our Am­bassadors, for the Vestments they wear, to which their Eyes are not accustomed; but, even considera­ble Persons, have the same Curiosity. Some silent­ly approve, others lift up their Hands, to note their Astonishment; and others, by an insolen [...] Murmur, discover their Contempt, not understan­ding the Justice due to Strangers, whose Manners and Fashions ought never to be blamed; it being im­possible, but whole Nations must have good Reasons for their Customs and Practices since so many Ages.

But he was not thus received at Court, where the King and his Ministers do all things with great Prudence; being respected as a Man that brought good News, and sent by the greatest and most pu­issant Emperor in the World. As to the Subject of his coming, every body speaks diversly. The Mi­nisters of Foreign Princes are fearful, left the new Sultan should attempt the entire Ruine of Christen­dom, and prove more terrible than Amurath. In the mean time, this Heathenish People shew incredible Joy at the burning of the Imperial City of Constan­tinople. But, the King has no part in the Sentiments of his Subjects.

Many say, that the King of Red Heads will re­new the War with the Empire, and is persuaded to this by the Great Mogol; and there are some who affirm, he has already laid Siego to Babylon. But those who speak with more Sense, and less Ha­tred, affirm, that all the Port's Enemies are like Reeds exposed to the Wind, which will be easily overthrown, if the French take not part with them; and, it is the Folly of this Nation, (who believes [Page 259]it self superiour to all others, and the Arbiter of the World,) to think too well of its self, because she is respected as a Friend to the faithful Mussul­mans.

The Jews (Invincible Vizir, principal Minister of the Empire, favoured of God,) are the cursed'st Race of all Nations; the Christians accuse them of having set Constantinople on Fire; and greatly praise the Greeks for quenching it; to which, say they, they have no less contributed by their Hands, than by the Fervency of their Prayers; and that Heaven has preserved it from a total Ruin, because of the Sacred Relicks of so many Christians, whose Bodies lie buried in our Mosques.

The News which comes from Foreign Countries, does every day denote the Disorder there is in all parts; there being nothing heard from the side of Spain, but secret Conspiracies, and publick Revolts.

The People of Catalonia are in a continual com­motion, and so irritated, that they give no farther Quarter to the Spaniards. And, from Portugal, there comes more surprizing News.

London is as full of Disquiet, new Parties every day forming themselves against their Sovereign Charles, Master of those Three so famous Islands; whence it appears, that the God of the Nazarenes is angry with these unbelieving People.

I shall not fail to inform thee in due time, of such Events as deserve thy knowledge. For if things do not soon, change their Posture, these Coun­tries, forsaken of Heaven, (seeing the true Law established by our Prophet is not received here,) will soon change their Masters, their Manners, and Religion.

I adore with the profoundest Humility, and with my Head lying at thy invincible Feet, the Autho­rity which the Sultan has intrusted thee with; [Page 260]and which thou deservest, as well for thy Faithful­ness, as the Greatness of thy Actions.

Paris, 20th. of the 1st. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER XXI.
To Cara Haly the Physician, at Constan­tinople.

SInce I received thy Letter, and the marks of thy Remembrance, I imagin my self much better. I make two Meals a day, I walk about in the Mor­ning, my Appetite increases, I have no more of those nauseous Belches, I can read longer, and I sleep a-nights more soundly. Yet I cannot say I am in perfect Health; so long an Illness has deprived me of that which I do not find return. There's wanting to my Intellectual Faculties a certain kind of Vivacity, and Readiness in their Operations, which is extreamly abated; but I know not whe­ther this be an Effect of the Pain I suffered, or whe­ther it comes not from Nature weakned; as fast as our Life advances to throw it self, as it were, into the Arms of Death, which is what is most certain for me. I would willingly entertain thee on the Con­dition wherein I find my self, could I overcome the Weakness of my Disposition, and the Coldness of the Season, which pierces me, maugre all my care to prevent it in this Icy Climate. The Ink I write with freezes on my Pen, and a Body may say, the Fire freezes too, wanting, as it does, its usual activity; the Cold being so sharp, that it extinguishes the na­tural Heat. The City where I dwell, appears on a sudden transformed into Crystal; the Northern [Page 261]Wind has in one night frozen the River; and all the Fountains, which were wont to quench the Thirst of a Million of People, are dried up. All Trade seems to have ceased, the Rich are retired to their Fires, and the Poor are creeping about the Streets; where, notwithstanding the Exercises they use to op­pose the Cold, they seem already starved. The Bread is become like Marble, or an hard Stone; all things are frozen, and ancient People affirm, never the like has happened in their Days, or in the Times of their Fathers. There has been found some few Miles from Paris, in the great Road, two Men clad in very course Stuff, without Shifts, their Legs na­ked, Heads shaved, and Cords about their middle, dead with Cold. They were found embracing one another, thinking thereby to communicate mutual Heat, to keep off, or at least, retard their Deaths. These People are Dervises of the Latin Church, which are called Capucins; whose Life is a continual Penance; they rise in the Night to their Devoti­ons, and spend their time in Contemplation. They live upon Alms which they receive of the Christians, which consist of Bread, Roots, and Herbs; and if the Charity of these Nazarenes extends to the giving any thing more, they use it with Sobriety. They sleep on Straw, and are obliged to wear the Habit Night and Day, which is dreadful to look on, and in which they are buried when they die. When their Occasions require them to travel, they are not per­mitted to go on Horseback, in a Coach, or Chair, but only in Vessels when they go by Sea, or on Rivers; so that they have only that granted them, which Cato was so afraid of, and every body else but Fools; which is, To Travel by Water.

In fine, their Life is accounted a continual Hell; and they will be finely choused, if they find not a Heaven, when stripp'd of their Mortality.

These Religious are under the direction of one General; observe a long Silence, which is a great Vertue amongst them; and with this are so exact­ly obedient to their Head, that they have no Will left.

They have very obscure Prisons under Ground, wherein they thrust those who scandalize their Or­der by their Crimes: For, notwithstanding the Holi­ness of their Rule, and the Vigilancy of their Su­periours, to make it observed; there's never wan­ting some who wander from the right way, and often make use of the Esteem which Men have of their Piety, to commit such Enormities as would be soundly punished by the Men of the World. These kind of Dervises cannot handle Money with­out being guilty of a mortal Sin. Notwithstanding this Profession of Poverty, I have seen these Der­vises drest up with greater magnificence than our M [...]fti, in the time when they celebrate their M [...]sses, ascending up to the Great Altar, covered with the finest Linnen, and thereon Vests embroidered with Gold, the most delicately wrought as can be ima­gined, and oft enriched with Pearls, and precious Stones. In their Sacrifice, they eat the consecrated Bread, which they call the Messias his Body; which they are wont to place on a Plate of fine Gold; and they also put into Cups of the same Metal a Li­quor, which they say is changed into the Blood of their God, as the Bread into the Body, assoon as they have pronounced certain Words, which they secretly mutter.

The Sacrifice is offered every day, and not only the People are present at it, but the greatest of the Kingdom, with their Monarch on his Knees, and in a supplicating posture. There stand about the Altar several stately Candlesticks, wherein burn white Wax Candles, which renders the Sacrifice still more solemn.

I relate to thee what I have often seen; for I choose to be frequently in these Infidels Churches, and at their solemn Festivals, the better to conceal who I am.

Yet happy is he that lives satisfied with himself, assured he serves God in the manner he will be ser­ved. Thou hast this good Fortune, and that of being in thy House at thine Ease; when thou goest out, thou wearest a long Vest down to thy Heels, lined with soft and warm Furrs; whilst I am obli­ged to cover my self barely with a blackshort Cloak, which scarcely reaches below my Knees, and is too thin to resist the piercing Northern Blasts; and is in truth, a very ridiculous Habit; yet which I am obliged to wear, for the service of him whose Slave I am, which cannot cover my Bandy-Legs, and ill­shap'd Body. I expect, with great impatience, the Season which o'respreads the Gardens with Flowers, the Fields with Grass, and crowns the Trees with Blossoms, and brings back the pretty Birds, who publish the joyful News of the Spring's approach; that being the Time wherein I may expect my Health.

As to what remains, thou wilt oblige me in ma­king Trial of my Friendship, that thou maist know, there's not in all the Empire of the true Believers, a more faithful Friend, and one that loves thee more cordially. Adieu.

Paris, 10th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER XXII.
To the Kaimakan.

THE Court of France is an Assembly of Poli­ticians who discover, or hide themselves accor­ding to their Interests; and are more wont to hold their peace, than to talk. They explain themselves in more than one manner, on the things which they cannot conceal; and, I draw from them what is necessary for my Instruction, and thy Informati­on. There have happened such sudden and sur­prizing Motions in Spain, as cause considerable Ad­vantages to be hoped for by France, which seems to have had a great hand in them; on which thou maist make what Reflexions thou thinkest conveni­ent.

The Mountains which divide France from Spain, are called the Pirenees. Catalonia is a Province wa­tered on one hand by the Mediterranean Sea, and bounded by Navarr; it lies situated at the Foot of these Mountains: The People have taken up Arms, and vigorously opposed the Catholick King's Ministers; and the Portugueses have done the same thing, but with different Success. This Kingdom is comprised within the States of Spain, and the richest under her Dominion. Her Situation is ad­vantageous, lying between Galicia and Castile, and watered with the Ocean, which brings her immense Riches.

The principal Town of Catalonia is Barcellona; and Lisbon is the chief Town of Portugal. The first has taken for the pretence of its Insurrection, the Insolencies committed by the Protestant Troops, which served the Catholick King, and were quartered in this Province. And the other, having long con­cealed [Page 265]its Design, has at length shaked off the Spa­nish Yoak, and set up a King of their own Royal Race.

'Tis said, that Count Olivarez, the King of Spain's Chief Minister, and Favourite, designing to mortifie the Catalonians, horribly charged that Country with Soldiers, and sent thither the most licentious Troops to Quarter; imagining to chastise the Pride of this People in this manner, without any Form of Process.

This Minister's Design has had so far its End, the Province being full of Divisions and Slaughters, there wanting nothing to compleat their Miseries. The Soldiers exercise unheard of Cruelties, they shed indifferently the Blood of Infants, Old Men, and Women; overthrowing Altars, and ruining Temples. The most couragious Peasants gather together to repel Force with Force, and revenge themselves most cruelly on as many of the Castili­ans as they can light of, without sparing the King's Ministers; killing all they meet, seeking those who are hid, to punish them with the greatest rigour, running after those who seek their Safety by flight, not pardoning the very Priests, if never so little sus­pected.

The Count of St. Colomme, commanded not long since in Catalonia, with the Title of Vice-Roy; which poor Man is now before God, where he receives the Recompences or Chastisements he has deserved, be­ing the first Victim sacrificed to the Peasants Fury: His Bloud was the Prologue of a dismal Tragedy, which will not end without more dismal Events to the Spanish Monarchy, and the Catalonians them­selves.

The Vice-Roy withdrew himself into the Arsenal of Barcellona at the first Insurrection of the Peasants, where he was besieged by a great Multitude of these Seditious People; and seeing he could not [Page 266]remain there in Safety, he went out to go on board the Gallies; but the Grossness of his Body hindring him from hastning as fast as those who accompa­nied him in his Flight, he remained alone; and be­ing tired, fell into a Swoon, and lay dead for some time on the Sand between the Rocks which lie upon the Sea. His Servant, the only one that remained with him, brought him again to himself, by casting the Sea-Water on his Face; but he opened his eyes, only to see his own Departure more nearly. He was set upon in this Condition, wherein he could not stir himself, by a crew of Blood-hounds, who first shot at him, and then hack'd him in pieces, having first stabb'd him in a thousand places. His Servant defended him as well as he could, in cove­ring him with his Body, but his Zeal was fruit­less; and all the Wounds he received, saved not one from his Master. He was an African, and had been his Slave. The Courage and Fidelity of a Man of so mean Birth, deserves at least, that it should be said of him, That he died in imitating the Vertues of those Ancient Romans, which are at this day praised and admired by all the World.

The Vice-Roy's Death stopt not the Peasants; they proceeded to Excesses scarcely imaginable; and their Barbarity made them commit such hor­rible, together with such ridiculous Actions, as can hardly be express'd.

These Wretches went to the Palace of the Mar­quiss de Ville Franche, General of the Gallies; where having cut the Throats of as many as they met with, they burnt and battered all the Houshold-Stuff, and carried in Procession on the top of a Pike, a little Brass-Figure, which they thought a black Angel; which Figure was only that of a Man, wherein a Clock was included, whose inge­nious Springs made him move his Eyes; which Sight so surprized these Peasants, who had never [Page 267]seen or heard of such a Machine, that they remai­ned in such a Stupidity, as retarded for some time the Effects of their Fury. But there was one more bold than the rest, who approaching to the Piece, cried out, 'Twas the Familiar Spirit of the Mar­quiss de Ville Franche, and ought to be seized on, and thrown into Prison, to take away its Power. Which he had no sooner said, but laid Hands on it, and tied and bound it fast on the top of a Spear, and with great Shouts, walked it about the Town. The ignorant People, capable of any ri­diculous impressions, as well as the Women, who are not hard to be deluded, followed them, convin­ced that the Marquiss's Devil was carried trium­phantly along the Streets. Having ran through all the Town of Barcellona, this Rabble gave the Clock into the Hands of the Bishop and Inquisitors, to exorcise it, and drive out the Devil, whom they thought capable of destroying their whole Pro­vince.

Affairs are carried on more seriously in Portu­gal, and at a more moderate rate; the Inhabitants of Lisbon, as well as the Nobility, have treated the Castilians with more Humanity: They immediate­ly elected a King, who reigns peaceably, as Heir of the Crown, and thereby ascertain'd of being main­tained by the Affection and Fidelity of the People. There is already News of his Coronation; the Ce­remony of which was performed with great Pomp and Magnificence. The People, as a Mark of their Affection, have presented a Million of Gold to their new Lord; the Clergy Sixty Thousand Crowns; and the Nobility Four Hundred; and the new King has taken on him the Name of John IV, King of Por­tugal, instead of that of Don John, Duke de Braganza.

Never any Plot better succeeded: The Portu­guezes have driven out from them a puissant and [Page 268]politick Nation without Bloud-shed, saving that of a Villain; but of that thou shalt hear more the next opportunity; for I shall carefully inform my self of the Particulars of so extraordinary an Event, to give an exact Account to the Vizir. 'Tis said, King Philip is the most unfortunate Prince that ever ascended the Throne, committing his Affairs to the management of another; so that it may be said, The Duke who reigns as Sovereign in Madrid, has chosen Philip IV. for his Favourite. The Minister commands, and the King obeys; the Master's Weakness, authorizes the Servant's Power; the Confusion of that Nation being so great, that those made by Heaven to receive Orders, are the only Persons who give them.

I kiss the Hem of thy Garment, with all the Submission possible to a poor and humble Slave.

Paris, 10th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER XXIII.
To Dgnet Oglou.

TO what purpose dost thou bewail the Ruins which the Fire has caused in Constantinople, if there be no Remedy for the Losses thou hast suffered? Not all the Vizirs together, nor the Prince himself, whose Authority knows no Bounds, could resist the Fury of this Element. What then can we do, Wretches as we are, liable to all Inju­ries and Disgraces? Art thou the first honest man that has been ruined? 'Tis true, Heaven had en­riched thee; thy Chambers were hung with the [Page 269]finest Persian Tapestry; thou hast a great number of Slaves, fine Gardens, and bathing-places, beset with delicate Fountains; must thou despair for the Loss of the greatest part of these? Comfort thy self, seeing thou art not in a Fault, nor hast contributed to thine own Misfortune.

Thou tellest me, that the burning of the chief City of the Universe, has deprived thee in one day of all the Commodities and Conveniences thou hast laboured for many Years: And, I answer thee, That he which gave thee these Goods, expects Thanks from thee, in that having enriched thee with what thou had'st not, he did not take from thee thy Life at the same time.

Hast thou so soon forgotten Seneca's Demetrius? Hast thou lost any thing, which thou didst not re­ceive from the Liberality of Fortune? And, if whatever thou hadst was given thee, wherefore dost thou afflict thy self, as if thou couldst not ob­tain again as much? Stretch out thy Hand to­wards Heaven; pray and beseech: He that has gi­ven thee once, is not impoverished by the Libera­lities he has shewed; but, rather ask of him Spi­ritual, than these Temporal Gifts, which do all wither and dye.

If thou livest, thou wilt see thy self in the same Condition again; I cannot give thee a better Consolation, I will not lament with thee, it seeming to me a fruitless thing. If thou beest de­sirous to forget the Losses thou hast suffered, con­sider the great Damages the same Fire has caused to so many Believers, in the same City where thou bewailest thy Misfortunes. How many People that had less than thee, have lost more? And, how ma­ny better People than thy self, as more submitting to the Will of Heaven, have suffered Miseries infi­nitely greater than thine?

So great a Conflagration, wherein the Chief City of the World saw it self near reduced to Ashes, must needs have been a very dismal spectacle. When I read the Relation which thou hast made me, I tremble with Horror, to see so many magnificent Houses, and stately Mosques devoured by the Flames, and reduced to nothing; with such Riches, Goods, Housl old-stuff, and inestimable. Merchan­dizes, publick Registers, and choice Manuscripts, whose Loss can never be repaired, being become the Prey of this Element which devours all things. But thou and I are not the first, neither shall be the last, who bewail the Ruines of our Coun­try. How many Towns in Asia, how many in Greece, have been swallowed up in an instant by dreadful Earthquakes? And, how many Ruines are to be found in the famous Cities of Syria and Macedonia? And, how many times have the Isles of Cyprus and Paphos, been entirely depopulated? We see not only the most solid Edifices perish, which are the Works of Men, but even Mountains annihilated. There are whole Countries, which have (as it were) vanished; the Sea has covered such spaces of Land as might have made whole Provinces, and which were extream populous. How many Promontories do we see, which were heretofore certain Guides to Pilots, but are now buried in the Sand, and cause oftentimes Ship­wracks? And, if the Works of Nature be exposed to such great Ruines, what may not mortal Men expect to suffer? But, I spend time in relating or­dinary Accidents, when I might remember thee of greater Ruines which the Fire made in the same Imperial City, after it had been built by the Great Constantine, to whom she owed all her Splendor, be­fore the Mighty and Successful Emperors of the Mussulmans had therein established the Seat of their Empire.

Under the Reign of the Emperor Leo, if I be not mistaken, the whole Continent lying along the Bos­phorus, between both the Seas, was entirely ruined by Fire. And Twelve Years after, under the Reign of Basil, the famous Library, so carefully collected, and with that extream Charge and Trouble, and which consisted of above Two hundred thousand Manuscripts: with the Skin of a Serpent 220 Foot long, whereon were written the entire Works of Homer, was consumed. The Fire which happe­ned in the Time of Justinian, might make one for­get others; the famous Temple of St. Sophia, which is at this day our chief Mosque, could not be preser­ved from the fury of the Flames, being almost wholly consumed by it. I shall not mention the Ru­ines which have happened by Earthquakes, under the Reign of the Emperor Zeno Izoria. There was a far greater under Bajazet II. for, in Pruzia an entire City, with its Houses, Walls, and Three Thousand Inhabitants, were buried in the Entrails of the Earth: Which must convince us, there have been in all Ages such Events, as may instruct us to bear our Misfortunes with Patience, and to believe a Providence, and submit our selves wholly to it.

Let us (my dear Friend) for once rejoyce, in an Occasion wherein all others mourn; in that we are able to persuade our selves, There's nothing here below deserves our Care. I do not say, we should laugh like Nero, when he saw Rome burning, which he himself had fired, and sang the Passage in Ho­mer, wherein the Conflagration of Troy is descri­bed: Rather do as Aeneas, who having saved from the Flames, which devoured his Countrey and Estate, his Tutelar Gods, his Father Anchises, his Family and himself, became an Hero that served for an Example to Posterity. He did not spend his time in bewailing the Goods he had lost, but always kept an undaunted Courage in the midst of [Page 272]the Tempest which threatned to overwhelm him, as soon as he was on the Sea, and which forced him to wander from Port to Port, void of all Help, persecuted by a Goddess, and other Gods who were of her Party; and having gallantly endured so ma­ny Disgraces, he became the Founder of the bravest and famousest nation of the Universe. Aeneas, in sa­ving his Gods and his Father, who were the Compa­nions of his Fortune, drew down the Graces of Hea­ven, which put an end to his Miseries, in settling him in a Country, where he laid the first Founda­tions of an Empire, which since has given Laws to all the World.

Our sins have kindled the Fire at Constantinople; the Debaucheries, Impieties, Hypocrisies, and con­tinual Rapins which remain unpunished, are the Causes of the Destruction of the famous City of the Universe.

Can we imagine, when God sends his Judgements down upon us, that we can be able to resist them? Amend thy Life, if thou desirest to be revenged of Fortune, and be Proof against all her Darts. Encrease in Vertue, if thou wouldest be invulnera­ble; be as good in Prosperity as in Adversity. Nothing but good Works can make thee happy in this World, and live when this World shall be no more.

If Reason cannot stop our Tears, Fortune I am sure will never do it. We seem herein very unrea­sonable; for, when we first see the Light, we weep; and when we leave it, we groan.

Live ever with me more nearly than an intimate Friend, and imitate (if a man may so express him­self) the Fire, which (according to what appears to us) consumes all things, and converts them in­to its own proper Substance; but which yet, accor­ding to the Rules prescribed by its Creator, burns not the Air, nor the other Elements; but keeps [Page 273]them united, warms and conserves them. God has endued them with an Instinct which ought to do the same thing; he has fastned them one to another, with such Bonds as nothing can break; I mean the Interest, and mutual Needs which they have of one another. There being no body that can be happy, and become Rich of himself; there must he Dependencies and Commerce, without which 'tis impossible to have that is most neces­sary. There is also a more refined Commerce, to wit, the Marks of Esteem which men give one another; Succors in cases of Need, whether of Money or good Counsel; the latter of which, is all that can be expected from thy faithful Mahmut.

Paris, 10th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER XXIV.
To the Bassa of the Sea.

THe Vessels of Africk have again been worsted by the Infidels, the Particulars of which must needs be known to thee before they could come here, where there is much Discourse of the Acci­dent at Goulette, and the Battel of Caraoge, to the great Disadvantage and Prejudice of the Mahome­tan Name. These Heathenish People, make publick Rejoicings for the Victories obtained by another Nation. 'Tis said, that of Five Gallies, and three other great Vessels, onely one Ship saved it self by Flight; several being sunk to the Bottom, together with the Admiral of Caraoge, the rest having been brought into Malta; and that there were Six Hundred Mussulmen kill'd; in whose [Page 274]Death, our only Consolation is, that they died Martyrs, and their Bloud will cry for Vengeance against the Infidels that have shed it.

'Tis hard to find the Isle of Malta in the Chart, and yet harder in the Sea; it being a meer Atom of invisible Earth: But, 'tis not so with the Knights, who are the Masters of it, they being a Hundred, often seen and felt by us.

Malta is a Seminary, wherein are brought up the bravest Sparks in Christendom, pick'd out from amongst the most Illustrious Families. These Per­sons, know not what Fear is; they have imposed on themselves the necessity of vanquishing▪ or dying; and therefore they get the Mastery of whatever they attempt; and with those few Vessels they have, they make the Ottoman Fleets tremble. They wear a Golden Cross on their Stomachs, which is always dipp'd in the Bloud of the faithful Mussulmen. Eclipse this impious Order, by opposing the Sacred Silver of the Ottoman Moon, against the Force of so small a number of Knights. My Zeal obliges me to say such things, as may be troublesome to thee; and which, perhaps, thou knowest as well as I; which is, That I am persuaded thou wilt be the Conque­ror of these Pirates, provided thou once resolvedst to draw out in good earnest thy Cymiter, and cast its Sheath away.

The King here is very well; he said publickly, when he heard the Victory of the Malteses, That if he were not a King, he should choose to be one of the Knights of that Place. Thou wilt gain greater Honour, and more Trophies will be raised to thee, than was to Ariademus and Cigala, if thou undertakest effectually the Destruction of this People. Thou hast my Prayers, That our Holy Prophet would strengthen thy Arm; and, that God would give thee still Favour in the Sight of our [Page 275]most puissant Emperor, chosen to be the chief Com­mander of the World.

Paris. 15th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER XXV.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem.

AN Illustrious Woman of the House of Savoy, governed not long since in Portugal, in the Name of Philip IV. King of Spain. Her Name is Margarita, and commonly resides at Lisbon; but this Princess, with the Title of Vice-Queen, had not the Credit or Authority necessary to sustain the Dig­nity; though she had otherwise all the Prudence, and Courage requisite thereunto.

Michael Vasconcelli, her chief Secretary, having usurped all the Authority, carried all things with a high Hand; to which he added a most griping Covetousness, which was no less disadvantageous to his Mistress's Reputatior. And, the Marquis de la Puebla, a Castilian Minister, an Accomplice of Vasconcelii, had established himself in this Court, as a rigid Censurer of all the Vice-Queen's Acti­ons.

The Christians call these Two Men Two Pedants, set over the Princess, as if she had been still in her Minority, to correct and regulate her Acti­ons.

The too great Authority of these Two Ministers, became at length a kind of Tyranny. The Nobi­lity complained for the loss of their Privileges, and the People at their being oppress'd with Taxes; which made the Ministry of Vasconcelli seem insup­portable, [Page 276]in which 'was seen the Vice-Queen had no part. This Princess not having the Power to stop the course of the Mischiefs which began to spring up, gave Advice of it to the Court of Spain, and expected thence the Remedy: But, whether the King was not in a Condition to give any, or his Ministers concealed from him the state of things; the Mischiefs encreased, and Vasconcelli's Friends, by excusing him, made it almost impossi­ble to avoid them.

When Margarita represented the Danger where­in Portugal lay, she was heard as a weak and cre­dulous Woman, and was often accused of being over timerous; which caused a general Revolt in this Kingdom, which was few days in contriving, and as few hours in executing.

If thou wilt hear thy humble Slave, I'll relate to thee all the Circumstances, of so great an Event; which will seem a Fable, should we refer our selves to only Reason; but which however is a real History, as is now well known throughout all Europe.

Never was there a greater Hatred between Two Nations, than that which was between the Spani­ards, and the Portugueses: And, though they had one and the same Religion, and almost the same Humour; yet 'tis not to be imagined, how far their mutual Aversions carryed them.

The Portugueses have a common Proverb, which says, That a Man is obliged to treat and love ano­ther Man as his Brother, whether he be a Turk, a Jew, a Pagan, or a Moor, without excepting the most Barbarous of Mankind; yea, though he were a Spa­niard.

They have lived with great Patience, under the Domination of Philip II. and his Successors, (since the Death of their King D. Sebastian, who was kill'd in Africa in a Battel against the Moors,) whilst [Page 277]they were suffered to enjoy the Privileges which were granted them. Moreover, they still expected the Return of their Sovereign; who was said not to have dyed in the Field, but having long wan­dred about in strange Countries, was in fine about to return. But the Example of the Catalonians, made them at length resolve upon what they now execu­ted. The Nobility were the first that began the Re­volt, and past over those Bounds, which Respect does ordinarily place between the Sovereign and his Subjects. They alledged several Pretences for their Rebellion; but the most specious was, their unwillingness to be sacrificed in unjust Wars, vvherein the most dangerous Posts vvere committed to them, as they several times reproached the Duke, Favourite and Minister of King Philip IV.

They immediately carryed on their Intelligences vvith great Secrecy; and vvhen they came to de­clare themselves, the greatest Persons consented to the Conspiracy, and the boldest amongst them have executed it vvith great Valour.

Dom Juan, Duke of Braganza, is the greatest No­ble-Man in this Kingdom, and perhaps in all Spain, and already of the Age vvherein men are vvont to have Wisdom, together vvith Strength of Body. He vvants not for Ingenuity and Svveetness of Temper. He received the Crovvn, after long pressings and refusals; and indeed, is the more vvorthy of it, as being the lawful Heir to it.

The Favourite Duke, was well enough informed of the Reputation and Authority of the Duke of Braganza; and considering him as a Prince who might lawfully pretend to the Crown, he made use of several Artifices to drive him out of Portugal, or seize him Prisoner. But having always tryed this in vain, whether by reason of the extraordinary watchfulness of Dom Juan, or that the Heavens, on which depend the things here below, had o­therwise [Page 278]ordered it, 'twas impossible for this Mini­ster to get so good a Prey into his Hands.

This crafty Minister has tryed all Ways, and sometimes made use of the Fox's Skin, and other­whiles of the Lyon's Voice, to bring about his Ends. Sometimes he tryed to draw him to Court, offering him the most honourable Employs there, perswa­ding him to accompany the Catholick King in his Voyage into Catalonia. But, the Duke knew how to defend himself against the Snare, and timely withdrew to Villa Viciosa, the ordinary place of his Abode, and whence he excused himself from going to Madrid; sometimes, for that he had not suffici­ent to bear his Charges according to his Quality in such a Journey; and otherwhiles, on other Preten­ces, with which the Favourite Duke was obliged to seem contented. Though he was not, yet he feig­ned himself to be satisfied, to put in practice the most exquisite piece of Policy he ever made use of.

He sent him Forty Thousand Pistols, to buy Ne­cessaries, and at the same time sent him also the General Command of the Troops in Portugal; with Order to come to Lisbon, and as High-Consta­ble of the Kingdom, to observe the Motions of the Ʋnited Provinces, which threatned Spain and Portu­gal with a powerfull Fleet. But he had sent the following Order to D. Lopes d' Ossio: Thou hast the Command of the Naval Army, get immediately before Lisbon. Dom Juan de Braganza has Orders to visit the Vessels; as soon as he shall enter the first Gally, clap him in Irons, and immediately depart with this Pri­soner to Cadis, where I have appointed People to convey him to Madrid.

Dom Lopes could not execute his Commission; his Army was lost on the English Seas, and 'twas written in Heaven, That Dom Juan should live, and be a King. This Artifice having fail'd, the Duke had recourse to another; which was to send an [Page 279]Order to the Duke of Braganza, to visit all the Forts on the Frontiers; where there were strict Injunctions, to detain him. But, he perceiving the Project of this Spanish Minister, knew so well to excuse himself from undertaking this Business, that he made the Designs of his Enemy to vanish this time also, and got leave to retire to Villa Viciosa. Those who penetrated not the Artifices of the Court of Spain, were astonisht at the Accumulation of so many Favours and Honours on the Person of the Duke, affirming, the Court had Intentions of raising him to the Throne, or bringing him to the Scaffold; in which last they were not mistaken.

Olivarez, who let slip no Occasion of laying Snares for Braganza, grew the more obstinate by the Difficulties he met with. He sent him a new Order to raise Troops, and to lead them himself into Catalonia, for the Chastisement of the Rebels; this being of absolute Necessity, said he in his Letters, for the upholding of the Spanish Monar­chy, to which the Revolt of this Province caused great Mischiefs.

The Duke obeyed in part; he raised a conside­rable number of Troops, at his own Charge; but he took care of his own Person. He wrote to the Court to excuse him from that Voyage, and added to his excuses most earnest Prayers; repre­senting, That being sick of the World, he had re­tired into his own Estate, to lead there a quiet Life, free from the Vexations of Business; which obliged him to entreat his Catholick Majesty, to grant him that Rest, which was the only thing he desi­red. The Duke de Braganza's Letter drew no An­swer from the Spanish Minister; but his Designs were discovered, and the Nobility foreseeing how likely they were to be brought under a more strict Subjection, began to murmur, saying, 'Twas their Duty to rid themselves of those Oppressors, who [Page 280]had so long peeled them, and set up a New Form of Government. The Poor, who suffered most by the Taxes, were the boldest, and encouraged the rest. Some were for setting up an Elective King, others proposed the raising to this Honour the Fa­mily of Braganza, who alone seemed worthy of it. Some there were, who were for putting themselves under the Domination of France; and other persons of Credit amongst the People, were for a Democra­tical Government; and others again, were for turning the Kingdom into a Republick.

The Nobility were in great Perplexity in the Choice they should make; for 'twas not known whether the Duke of Braganza would receive the Crown, in case twas offered him again; for the most qualified Persons of the Kingdom had propo­sed it to him.

There was none but D. Gaston Cattique, a Gen­tleman as Eloquent as Stout, whom Heaven design'd for the persuading of this Prince, that could ac­complish it. He pretended to fight a Duel with a Nephew he had; whom having slightly wounded, he left Lisbon, as a man that had brought himself into danger; and wandring about from thence, un­certain, as it were, of the place of Retreat he would chuse, he went at length to Villa-Viciosa; where having found Braganza in his Solitude, he thus spake to him:

I bring this day a Crown, which the Nobility of Portugal presents thee; and if thou hast the Courage to receive it, we are ready to put it on thine Head. This Kingdom belongs to thee as the undoubted Heir of our Natural and Lawful Princes. If thou acceptest of the Crown, the Kingdom justly belongs to thee; and if thou darest not receive it, we will choose another Sove­reign, of greater Resolution, and who is willing to command us. The Scepter shakes in King Philip 's Hand, by reason of the Wars made against him from all parts. Consider, if thou receivest not at present [Page 281]what Fortune presents thee, thou wilt be obliged against thy Will to obey another: Neither the Nobility, the Clergy, nor the People will any longer suffer the Ar­rogance of the Castilians. It belongs to thee at pre­sent to declare, whether thou wilt reign, and be a happy Prince. All the faithfull Portugueses breath after thee, and desire thee for their Soveraign. Re­solve to accept of what is so advantageous, and let us alone for the executing of our parts.

Dom Juan answered coldly, to such a bold Pro­position; more affrighted at the Peril there was in such an Enterprize, than flattered with the Hopes of possessing a Kingdom.

But, in another Conference, wherein the Duke was told, the Conspirators were resolved to raise on the Throne another King, if he came not to a speedy Resolution: the Dutchess his Wife, who has a Man's Heart, and is more courageous than her Husband, coming into the Conversation thus spake to him with great Assurance:

My Lord, the Catholick King has sent for thee a­gain to Court; at Madrid thou wilt certainly meet with thy Death, and in receiving the Crown which is offered thee, thou art still in danger of it: but if thou must perish, which way soever thou turnest thy self, is it not more honourable to dye a King in thine own Coun­try, than to dye with Chains in a Prison by the hands of thine Enemy?

So courageous a Discourse brought Dom Juan to a Resolution; wherefore he sent Word to the Nobi­lity, of his Readiness to comply with them.

The Conspirators were ready at the hour appoin­ted, for the Execution of their Design. Being well armed, and each of them accompanied with a good Number of Young Men, who were to fol­low them, although they knew not the Design. As soon as ever the Signal was given, they all set forth from the Places where they were assembled; [Page 282]and those that were farthest distant, joined the near­est, and all together soon possessed themselves of the Palace of the Vice-Queen; they immediately made themselves Masters of the Guard, finding no resi­stance from them, and this without spilling a Drop of Bloud, or doing any Violence. They after­wards cryed out altogether, Long live the new King, D. Juan de Braganza, and let them dye that go­vern ill. They siezed on the Vice-Queen, and en­treated her to retire into an Apartment, where she should be treated with the Respect due to a Prin­cess, but not obeyed as having Authority to com­mand them.

Vasconcelli, who knew himself faulty, and to whom his Conscience reproached his Crimes, in this moment hid himself in a great Press, under an heap of Papers; where, having been discovered by an old Woman, he had immediately his Throat cut, and his Body thrown out at a Window; where he served for some time a May-game to the People, who left not one part of his Body free from some Mark of their Indignation.

One of this Minister's Domesticks, threw himself out at the same Window his Master was thrown; not in a design of following his Fate, but of sa­ving himself; and he dyed without its being known, whether 'twas by his Fall, or the Musket-shot which he received.

The Confederates, with as little trouble, seized on the Gallies and other Vessels in the Ports, whence they drove the Spaniards; they afterwards comman­ded the Vice-Queen to retire. This Princess thought she ought in this occasion, to insist on the Greatness of her Birth; she threatned the Conspirators, and afterwards flattered them, assuring them of the Cle­mency of King Philip. She set before them the Great­ness of his Power, and forgat not to speak of the Authority of his Favourite, who must needs be [Page 283]much offended in this Occasion; exaggerating the Offence commitred against her, both as a Princess, and Depository of the Catholick King's Power. But, as well her Promises as her Threats were in vain; and she her self was at length glad to accept Condi­tions from them, who a while before, by Conni­vance from the Prince, might have executed an ab­solute Power.

In Eight days time, all the Castilians were sub­dued, or driven out of the Kingdom. All the Forts were rendered, without any trouble, to the new King, except the Castle of St. John; which having made some slight Resistance, was sold for Forty Thousand Crowns by the Governour.

The Duke of Braganza appeared immediately af­terwards in the City of Lisbon, where the People soon shewed the Affection they had for him; the Prison-Doors were set open, and all poor Debtors freed, and a great part of the Taxes taken off. Such an astonishing Success, was attended with what ever might set forth the Joy of the People, who solemnized the Festival with the Sound of Trumpets, and the Noise of the Cannon, and by Shouts and Acclamations, which reached up to Heaven, whom the Portugueses thanked for the Li­berty which they believed they had recovered. This Event was accompanied with so many mira­culous things, that the Wisest as well as the Vul­gar, were persuaded, 'twas markt in Heaven from all Eternity by the Finger of God. The Clergy, the Nobility, the Citizens and Peasants, were pro­fuse in their Liberalities on this Occasion, to give their new Soveraign ample Marks of their Affecti­on, and even the Poor hid their Misery, that they might not lessen the Publick Joy.

The Spanish Vessels which returned from the New World, which then entered into the Ports of Portugal, remained at the Disposal of the new [Page 284]King, the Pilots not knowing what had hapned; so that the Coffers of the Prince were filled there­by (as 'tis said) with some Millions.

This King was exalted to the Throne in the last Moon of the last Year; and wise Peo­ple do hope he will reign very happily, all the Planets being too well disposed, not to make him finish his Reign with the same Fortune as he began it.

The vigilant Portugueses, have ordered out se­veral Vessels, fill'd with good Soldiers, and necessa­ry Provisions, to sieze of Places and Ports, which this Nation possesses in the New World, and in the East Indies; and 'tis to be supposed, they will meet with good Success, if Fortune prove as favourable to them in America and the Indies, as she was to them in Europe.

As soon as the Duke of Braganza was proclaim'd King, he sent Manifesto's into all Parts, and dis­patched Couriers and Ambassadors, to give Ad­vice of his Promotion in the Courts of France, England, Holland, Swedeland and Denmark. 'Tis not to be imagined the Joy which this Adventure gave to the Catalonians. The King imparting to them what had happened, offered them also his Assistance; and these People answered him with the same Offers. And this is the end of Sixty Three Years of the Despotick Authority, which the Spaniards have exercised on the Portugueses.

The News of so strange a Revolution having been carried unto Madrid, hear, and consider well the unhappy Condition of the Catholick King, to whom his Favourite declared this News.

Sir, (said he,) I come to rejoyce with your Majesty at the good News I bring. Your Majesty is now become Master of a considerable Dutchy. Dom Juan de Bra­ganza, has had the boldness to make himself be pro­claimed King of Portugal; has thereby faln into the [Page 285]Crime of Laesae Majestatis; All his Estate belongs to you, and is devolv'd to the Crown, and his Person will soon be in your Power.

Dom Juan was Son to Theodosius, Duke of Bra­ganza, Grandchild to Donna Katharina, who was the Daughter of Dom Duarte, Brother to Henry King of Portugal; and Philip II. King of Spain took away the Crown from this Katharine, to whom it is said it did rightly belong.

The Titles he assumes are, King of Portugal, of Algraves, Africk on both sides of the Sea, Lord of Guinea, of the Navigation and Commerce of Aethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and the Indies.

This new King is not above 37 Years Old; of a middle Stature, but well proportioned; his Face marked with the Small Pox, his Hair enclining to Yellow, an Aquiline Nose, high Forehead, lively Eyes, his Mouth indifferent great, and a Masculine Voice. His Carriage is grave, affects great Mode­sty in his Cloaths, is temperate in his Dyet, affable to all sorts of People, unless Slaves, and such as he believes are Hypocrites, and his common Word is, That mean Cloaths will keep out the Cold, and ordinary Meats satisfie Hunger.

This Prince is not much versed in Books, is of an healthfull Constitution, loves laborious Exerci­ses, especially Hunting, wherein he's never tired. He's also Musically given, and so light of Heel, that there are few People can out-walk him. He is wont to go to Bed late, and rise early, as knowing that Sleep does take off much from Man's Life; and to compleat his Happiness, he has Children of both Sexes. His Wife is a Spanish Lady, of extraordi­nary Merit, to whose marvellous Courage and good Qualities he owes his Crown.

The Kingdom of Portugal contains 120 Leagues in Length, 40 in Breadth, and has several Millions of Subjects, comprehending those in the Two [Page 286] Indies. It has Three Archbishopricks, and Eight Bishopricks, keeping ordinarily Forty Vessels, which find Ports in Eight places of the Country. They can maintain Thirty Thousand Foot, and several Regiments of Horse. The Revenue of this King­dom may amount to Twenty Millions of Gold, reck­oning in the Riches which come from the Indies Brasil, Angola, and several other Islands.

The French Monarch, will hold a good Intel­ligence with the House of Braganza. England will enter into an Alliance with her; the Pope will concern himself on neither side; the Emperour united by Bloud and Interest to the Spaniards, will be an irreconcilable Enemy, but unable to doe them any Hurt; and, the States of Holland will find greater Advantage than all others in this strange Revolution. These are the Sentiments of those that pretend to penetrate into the Future, and to know more than others. And if it be true, that this new Soveraign has had, as all men in his place would have had, a secret desire of being King; he has so well concealed his Ambition, that 'tis to be supposed he will prove a most Judicious Prince, that will uphold his Authority more by his Wisdom and Prudence, than by Force. The Just God cut short the Course of his ill Designs, should he have the Courage and Desire of reven­ging one Day the Death of his Predecessor, Dom Sebastian, on the Faithfull Mussulmen of Africk.

Thou wilt find, invincible Vizier, the faithful and respectful Mahmut always ready to execute the Orders which thou shalt send him for the Emperor's Service; and ready to obey the least Signs of thy Victorious Hand, to Death, whether Natural or Violent.

LETTER XXVI.
To Enguril Emir Mehemet Cheik, a man of the Law.

TEll me this once, whether thou beest alive, and at Liberty; and whether thou dost real­ly love me, or onely pretend it. My Friends re­turn no answers to my Letters, which makes me strangely ignorant of all things; I know onely by Conjecture, that which is never so little doubtful; and that which is certain, cannot be known here truly as it falls out, as being related according to peoples Passions and Interests. There's no body dares write to me freely what he thinks; and there are few that will inform me of what is come to their knowledge, left their Letters should be inter­cepted.

I know very well we have a new Master, but I know not whether he be thought a more able Prince than Amurath, and has the same Courage and Fancy for War. The Chiaus that lately arrived in this Court of France, is very reserved to me, and makes a Mystery of every thing.

Armurath is dead; those who say he was Cruel, yet declare him to be the most dexterous, Valiant and Compleatest Man in his Empire. The Christi­ans are Fools, who will not hence gather, That our Monarchs most certain Maxim, to reign with Authority and perfect Security, is, To make them­selves be feared, and not to be shy of spilling the Bloud of those who serve them ill; who are suspected by them, or may prove troublesome to them. Those Troops of Mutes, which abide always in the Seraglio rea­dy to obey the least Sign of those who give them Orders; maintain, encrease and render Formida­ble [Page 288]the Ottoman Power: For, the Empire would never be at Peace, but in continual Trouble, should all the Sons and Nephews of our Sultans be suffered to live: and we should have a whole Nation of Princes who would be always a biting, and tear­ing, and ruining one another by Civil Wars, as is often seen to happen amongst the Christians. Whence this certain Maxim is practised, That it is better it should cost innocent persons their Lives, than ot to de­stroy those who may be Faulty.

Indeed, I must confess I knew not, that Amurath himself kill'd, with his own Hands, his own Sister. Thou that knowest the secret of this Tragedy, canst tell whether he was transported to that Excess, be­cause she answered with great Haughtiness to the Sultaness her Mother, who reprehended her on some Secret Love she entertained: If this be the case, she dyed not innocent, and I have a great Curiosity to know the Particulars of it.

But do not relate to me the unhappy end of his Two Brothers, Bajazet and Orcan, lest thou make an old Wound bleed afresh. Poor Princes, what Crime have they committed, if their Brother reigns? Cruel King! how great was thy Inhuma­nity, seeing they obeyed without murmuring?

But Amurath was a dreadful Lover, who tamed his Passions with a Poignard; he stabb'd the most beautiful of his Sultanesses; and for what Reason? The Christians pardon him the Bloud of his Bre­thren which he spilt of his Sister, and of the brave Fracardin, several Visirs of his Friends, and so many brave Commanders, and illustrious Persons; but they will not pardon him the Death of a Mi­stress: for, they cannot conceive how a Prince, a Mussulman, can play the Hangman, in such a deli­cious place, where he has nothing to do, but to think of giving his Love agreeable Marks of his Passion. But, you will tell me perhaps she was so [Page 289]bold as to wear in his Sight, Flowers and Perfumes which came from his Brother: It is certainly a great Crime, not to obey those who have all power to command us; but 'tis a greater Crime to lay on Commands, to have an occasion for Cruelty. They say, a man which does such an Action, is a Monster; but I do not say so.

Inform me, what the new Sultan Ibrahim does, of his Humour and Inclination. It appears, he is still infirm, and stupified with his long Imprisonment. What Alterations has his Entrance into the Empire produced? Will he be Sanguinary, as his Brother was, or gracious and merciful?

Speak to me once, my dear Friend, with all Freedom, void of Disguise; Is he amorously en­clin'd? I much value such Princes, for they are generally mild; and this Passion softens them, how cruel soever they may be; makes them libe­ral, and Strangers to Covetousness, that cruel Mon­ster, which clouds and sullies the brightest Vertues. How many persons are employed to choose fine Women for the Seraglio, to contribute to Ibrahim's Pleasure? Happy will the handsomest Woman of Asia be. But the Eyes of this Monarch will be made like other mens, which are not allways allu­red with the greatest Beauties. Hence it is, That we have seen in our Emperor's Seraglio, Ladies which surpassed in Charms all others, and yet dyed Virgins, and neglected by them to whose Pleasures they were consecrated.

The Chiaus has onely inform'd me, that Ibrahim appears often on Horseback in the City, and seems a just and merciful Prince, and designs to make the Shepherd Hassein, Prime Vizir; he that was so long the Companion of his Prison. 'Tis said, he often made it his Employment to divert Ibrahim, in his Confinement, by playing on his Pipe, and making him Discourses without Art and extream [Page 290]innocent, of what he did when he kept Sheep. He told me also, that he often went for his Diver­sion on the Black Sea, to take the Air, and enjoy that Liberty of which he was lo long deprived; That he's also much delighted with the reading of Greek Books, especially Xenophon and Plutarch; That he's very devout, though not superstitious, according to the Humour of the Devotees of our Law, who will have our Soveraigns be implacable Enemies to the Christians. If this be necessary to Salvation, to persecute a Religion contrary to Ours, what will become of all those who are dead and never did it? I am of Opinion, That true Holiness, consists in doing Good, and living in Charity with all Men.

The Infidels, with whom I live at present, for the Emperor's Service, whose Subject I am, do glory in their strict Observance of this Precept which is in their Religion, and they are happy if they keep it. But tell me, Dost thou think our Empe­rour is like to have Children, as is already repor­ted, and that he cannot live long? They are not only the idle People that talk at this rate, but those whose Interest obliges them to know, who is to be the Successor; and many of the solidest think, it will be the King of the Tartars, and that those of the Race of Mula Honkiar will be excluded.

This Race is really Illustrious, but every body knows not the Rise of it. The Head of this Fami­ly, descends from Tamerlane; thou knowest the rest, and I will not dispute with thee about Gene­alogies.

Whatever passes here below is so uncertain, that thou maist accuse me of Imprudence in discoursing of things at this distance; for, in Effect, Ibrahim may be a Father by this time. Pray to God, who disposes of Thrones, makes Races endure, or decay; merit from him, by Fastings and Prayers, and beg of him, that he would give me the Grace [Page 291]to live blameless, and die innocent; that I may en­ter with thee into Heaven, and there enjoy those unspeakable good things, which are reserved for the Faithful.

Love me, though distant from thee; and let me have Tokens of thy Friendship, by stealing some Moments of Leisure from thy ordinary Business to write to me.

Paris, 25th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1641.
The End of the Third Book.

LETTERS Writ by A Spy at PARIS.
BOOK IV.

LETTER I.
To the Venerable Mufti, Prince of the Reli­gion of the Mussulmans.

THere is now found in one man alone, what ever several Persons of great Ingenuity could acquire by long Experience; and, this man is Car­dinal de Richlieu, to whose Reputation thou art no Stranger. He was designed, like thee, for the Affairs of his Church, and dedicated to Religion; but, he is not so much employed about them, but that he applies himself with as great Care to the Affairs of the World; and 'tis he, who under the Authority of the King his Master, governs the Af­fairs [Page 294]of the French. I obey thee, Venerable Mufti; thou hast enjoyned me to inform thee of the particu­lar Actions of this famous Prelate; but I shall not say much of him, it being impossible to fathom him. He is the most dexterous and subtle Politici­an, that lives in all the Countries of the Ʋnbelie­vers. The famous Greek Lisander, was never so cunning; neither did Tiberius shew half so much Dissimulation at Rome, nor Judgment in Affairs, as he; no not in the time when he set himself to remove his Rivals, and take away all Obstacles, which might hinder his obtaining the Empire. He interprets all the Doubts which arise in his Religi­on; he's the Arbiter of Rewards and Punishments: and the King, who knows his Zeal and Ability, leaves to him the Direction of his Kingdom and People, which he governs and leads as Jacob led the Flocks of Laban. This Cardinal wants only the Art, which this great Patriarch had, to make Men be born as he pleased, as this Holy Israelite made the Sheep.

There came some days since a Person from Ger­many, who went immediately to the Palace of this Minister, and sent him word by his Captain of the Guards, that the Letter B was come. The Officer was unwilling to deliver this kind of Message to his Master, and therefore desired the German to explain this Riddle: but he only told him laughing, That the Cardinal's Alphabet was like the famous Knife of Delph, which served to all purposes; so that he needed only to mention the Arrival of the Letter B, and he would be understood; which was no soo­ner done, but the German was privately intro­duced into this Minister's Closet, where he had a long Conference: but I could never hear the Sub­ject of it.

He that by his Word created all things, encrease [Page 295]thy Health; and make thy Authority ever adored, and feared even in Rome it self.

Paris, 25th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER II.
To the Reis Effendi, Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire.

I Come but now from learning an Adventure, which yet happened some days since; but all things are carried on with such Secrecy in France, that it is almost impossible to know any thing be­fore 'tis made publick.

There were apprehended here, in the last Moon of January, certain Ruffians, in the Habit of Her­mits, who were to assassinate Cardinal Richlieu.

These Wretches confessed before the Judges, as soon as they were put on the Wrack, their Inten­tion of killing the King's Favourite, because he was no Friend to the Duke de Vandome, who is Na­tural Son to the deceased King, Henry the Great. This Adventure has greatly surpriz'd the Court; each man speaking of it according as his Interest, or Affection inclines him. The Duke of Vandome's Friends have declared themselves against the Car­dinal: and this Minister's Creatures have much aggravated this Attempt, to render this Prince's Family more odious, and heighten the Cardinal's Reputation. But, the Duke de Mercaeur, the Duke of Vandome's Son, rode immediately to Paris, with the Duke de Beaufort his Brother: the first, incogni­to, to consult his Friends, and the other, to pre­sent himself to the Cardinal, to obtain that their [Page 296]Father might justifie himself before the King, from the Accusation laid against him.

The Grand-child of Henry the Great, has since de­sired to he confronted with the Hermits, and has obtained it; but his Departure at the same time in­to England, has wrought much amazement.

Some say, he has taken an unwise Course; and others say no; because he could not prudently ex­pose himself of the Testimony of such Wretches, who would not matter what they said.

However, these Hermits were publickly executed, and their Accomplices are not yet discovered; nei­ther is it yet known whether any persons of Quality have had a part in the Conspiracy; which is not the first that has been carried on against this Favou­rite, and it is believed will not be the last. He has a great many Enemies; and the absolute Autho­rity with which he governs, by the favour of his Prince, will always raise him such Adversaries, as will either ruine his Fortune, or take away his Life.

If I write not oftner to thee, thou oughtest not to think my Affection ever the less. Set down in thy Register what I inform thee. Let me have thy Friendship, and Protection in things which are just, and change not thy Opinion of me, till I am chan­ged my self.

Paris, 15th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER III.
To the Kaimakan.

JƲlius Mazarin, a Man about 45 Years of Age, of a solid Judgment, and incredible Perspicacity; of whose Family I know no more, but that he is originally from Sicily, and born in Italy, in the chief City of it, Rome; is lately introduced into this Court. He has by his ingenious Carriage, gained the Favour and Confidence of Cardinal Richlieu; and he begins already to be employed in the most important Business. Those who make Reflexions on the Affairs of the World, and carefully exa­mine the extraordinary Talents of this Italian, are persuaded one may expect great things from him; yet however, the best way is not to be hasty in judging of the good or bad Qualities of a Man. He has already been employed in Quality of Pleni­potentiary for the King of France in Piedmont, to negotiate an Accommodation between all the Prin­ces of the House of Savoy. And he has laboured so fortunately, that every body is astonish'd, that his first Undertakings should meet with such happy Success; especially considering the Hatreds and Pretensions between the Duchess of Savoy, and her Brothers-in-law. Thou maist remember that I wrote to thee, that the Differences of this Family were like to last, and unlikely to be determined without great Bloud-shed, both of the French and Spaniards. But Mazarin, who is a most expert Courtier, and dexterous Agitant, has ended this Affair, much to his Master's Honour to the Satis­faction of the Parties interessed, and the Cardinal who procured him this Commission. He established the Peace in Piedmont, and an Union betwixt the [Page 298]Parties, by bringing over to the French Interest Two Men who were Enemies to it; who were, Prince Thomas, a Captain of great Reputation, and the Cardinal of Savoy his Brother, a Person of a consummate Policy, and an excellent Soldier, though a Church-man.

It is mentioned in the Treaty, That these Two Princes shall be receiv'd into the King of France's Protection: That if the young Duke dies without Children, and the Cardinal marries, his Children shall be the Heirs of the Estates of Savoy, and in defect of those, Prince Thomas's.

'Tis moreover declared in the same Treaty, That the King of Spain shall be sought to, touching the Liberty of the Wise and Children of Prince Thomas, who are detained Prisoners at Madrid: And he shall be also sollicited, to surrender the places he holds belonging to the Duke of Savoy. And in case the Catholick King shall not restore them, and set at Liberty the Wife and Children of this Prince, he shall be obliged to serve against the said King in the Army of France. 'Tis moreover inser­ted amongst these Articles, That the most Christian King shall procure a Marriage to be made between one of the Children of the said Prince, with the Duke of Longuevil's Daughter, who is a rich Heiress; and that France shall never make any Treaty with Spain, without comprehending the Liberty of the Princess, and the foresaid Princes.

Prince Thomas is now expected here; and it is said, he will command the Army of France in Italy, against the Spaniards; it being certain, they will ne­ver restore what they have once taken, neither will they set their Prisoners at liberty.

The King entertaining himself some days past, with the Ambassador of a Foreign Prince, said to him these Words: When the Spaniards shall restore to the Duke of Savoy, the Places they keep from [Page 299]him, I shall willingly discharge my self of the Burthen of the Government of those I keep. And the Cardinal has publickly express'd himself to this purpose: That his Master's Design was only to humble the Pride of the House of Austria, and reduce it to such a Condi­tion, as that its Neighbours might have no such great cause of fear from them; seeing the least Motion of theirs, raised Alarms among them: That his Endeavours were not laid out in aggrandizing the Dominion of France, seeing the Bounds of it were large enough al­ready; his Intentions being only to give his Sovereign the last Proof of his Zeal and Affection, by leaving the Kingdom in a profound Peace, which might make his Majesty beloved of his Neighbours, and feared by those who are jealous of his Greatness and Power; he being hereby the Arbiter of Europe, and reigning more abso­lutely by this means, than if all the Estates belonged unto him. What I have written to thee, happened some time since; but what I am now to inform thee of, is quite new.

We have an Account, That the Princes of Savoy have not kept their Word with the King, Cardinal Richlieu, and Mazarin; and Designs are now ta­king in hand, to punish so great an Affront; and these are busied, in thoughts of revenging a Wi­dow-Princess, who has been so long forced to be­hold bloudy Tragedies in her House, by the Wars which the Princes of the Blood make continually; wherein Strangers do interest themselves, who ruine the Estates, and keep them up in perpetual Dis­cord.

This Business will cause new Troubles in Italy, and thou shalt therefore not fail of Intelligence of the Particulars. However, the Princes of Savoy are blamed by all the World, and charged with want of Sincerity. But, this being almost a Rule amongst the Christians, To observe their Word no lon­ger than they find their Advantage in it; thou needest [Page 300]not therefore much wonder at what these Princes have done: Whereby thou wilt know, That a mean Interest being the Motive that sets them at work, and which is all their Reason of State; he that will one day equally judge all the World, and can over­turn all the Universe in less time than he created it, will destroy the little Powers of these weak Politi­cians, who acknowledge the Law of the Nazarite, to the immortal Glory of the Venerable and Holy Name of the faithful Mussulmans.

Paris, 15th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER IV.
To Dgnet Oglou.

I Must forget my self, if I forget thee; but think­ing often on my self, I cannot forget thee; be­cause thou art my second self. Be persuaded I speak my Heart, and that I have no other design, but that of loving thee, that thou maist answer me with the same Affection: for, I desire thy Happiness as I do my own.

I am endeavouring to procure thee the Confi­dence of the Invincible Vizir Azem, without his per­ceiving my Design; and this is the best manner I could devise of doing it. Thou shalt pretend to re­ceive from some Friend which thou shalt leave at Palermo, the Memoirs which I send thee with this Letter; and it will not be difficult to make it be be­lieved, thou holdest a Correspondence in this Town of Sicily, considering the time we have lived there together, during our Slavery.

The August Vizir, who rules and governs the Empire, under the Orders of the most Mighty and Dreadful Potentates of the Earth, will receive by this Ordinary, an ample Information of extraor­dinary Events which have happened in Portugal: And I have also inform'd him of the strange Revo­lutions of Catalonia, which do much weaken the Strength of Spain, and notably mortifie the Pride of this haughty Nation. I have made known to him, that Portugal has already made choice of a King, and that Catalonia is departing from her Al­legiance. But, I have given him no Account of the choice Memoirs, which I send thee; with which thou maist make Advantage, if thereby thou canst find the way of introducing thy self to the Grand Vizir.

Thou maist then say to this great Minister, That thou hast received the Memoirs thou presentest him with, and assure him thou hast translated them out of Italian into Arabick; and thou must transcribe them with thine own Hand, that they may not appear to come from me.

The King of Spain, Philip II. died of a shameful Disease, which happens only to base People; which appeared a Chastisement from Heaven, for having, like David, numbred the People which dwell in the Countries subject to him, to make known to all Na­tions the Greatness of his Power.

'Tis certain, this Monarch reckoned as far as 750 Cities, erected into Bishopricks; therein compre­hending 60 Arch-bishopricks: that he had Abbies 11400, Chapters 9230, as many Collegiate Cathe­drals; Parish-Churches 127000, Hospitals 4000, Confraternities 23000, Congregations of Seculars 2300, Houses of Entertainment for Pilgrims 3000, 46000 Convents of Religious People; and of Vir­gins 13500, with 15200 Chapels, wherein Mass is said, as well as in publick Churches, as particular Houses and Prisons.

And after an exact search, this King found, that to serve so great a number of Churches, Mo­nasteries, Convents, Hospitals and Chapels, there were 12900 Religious, Monks, Priests, or Clerks; amongst whom there might be found 12400 Priests, which celebrate what the Christians call the Mass. And, to maintain so many People, 'twas computed that the Revenue for this amounted to 3000000 of Roman Crowns, without reckoning the Alms which were distributed every day, which amount to the Summ of 4000000 of Gold.

The curiosity of this Prince went farther; he would know the Number of all his Royal Officers, Governours of Provinces, Towns, Castles and Cittadels; and, in fine, of all Officers as well of Sea as Land, Judges, Justiciaries of all kinds, and of all those who had Patents from him or his Viceroys. And he found they were 83000 who were employed under Letters sealed with his Hand, and 360000 who had them signed under his princi­pal Ministers.

He would not know the Number of Persons that lived in his States, lest he should become too proud; and to prevent his fall, said he, into the Sin of Da­vid. Which he yet could not avoid in his own Person, as I have already said; God having spared his Sub­jects, who had otherwise sufficiently suffered.

One may now say, that this puissant Monarchy begins to be dismembred by the loss of so many Provinces, Kingdoms, and Places; and that Philip II. knew not the full Extent of his Power: Philip III. knew not the Greatness of his Forces, nor the Riches which he possesses, because his Ministers go­verned him: and Philip IV. not seeing when he might see, could not see at last when he would.

I think I have said enough to thee to be under­stood. Do now what thou can'st, to make thy self understood by Persons to whom these Advices [Page 303]may be agreeable or profitable: And if thou believest, the Knowledge of these things may be acceptable to the Invincible Vizir, who is one of the Lights of the World. Endeavour to pro­cure the Favour of this great Man, who governs all the Faithful, and to whom the Divine Alcoran serves for a Law. I embrace thee, and cordially kiss thee, with the Lips of my Soul, if a man may so express himself. Adieu.

Paris, 4th. of 7th. Moon. of the Year 1641.

LETTER V.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem.

THe Posts which came some few days past here, have brought ill News. One of the King's Ar­mies has been defeated by an Army composed of For­reigners; at the Head of whom was a Prince of France, and several Malecontent Lords, who follow­ed him. This Loss has much afflicted the Court, and Paris [...]ms to be Thunder-struck. The Peo­ple discourse and argue hereupon according to their different Humours, most making the Loss greater than 'twas. But those who have lost their Kinsfolks, threaten Revenge; and only those that have heard of the Death of their Friends are si­lent, because their Grief is above Expression. But all in general, appear in such Consternation, as would make a man imagine this Stroak is irreparable; so true is it, that Losses are insufferable to those that are not accustomed to lose.

One would think, to hear the French talk▪ that the Spaniards are already at the Walls of Paris, and that these rebellious Princes are ready to give an Assault to this great Town. They have retired [Page 304]into a place which they say is impregnable, and which belongs to a French Lord; which Place is called Sedan, and 'tis not far hence where this Bloody Battle was fought, wherein the King's Par­ty were worsted; but the Malecontents are much afflicted at the loss of their General, who was kill'd in the heat of the Fight. Some say, he dy­ed by Treachery, others by the Enemy; and there are who affirm, That Cardinal Richlieu, got rid of him by means of an Assassin, whom he en­tertained in his Troops; others also say, he killed himself by lifting up the Visir of his Helmet with his Pistol, which discharged it self; however, there is dead in the Person of this Prince, a Prince of great Valour.

I shall make thee a Recital of this Adventure; I shall learn thee Motives of this War; inform thee who were the Malecontents, and their Quali­ties; and, in fine, by what Cabals this Tempest is raised; that thou mayest know, great and princi­pal Prop of the Ottaman Empire, that Ambition and Jealousie cause Disorders in France, as well as in other Countries.

Lewis de Bourbon, Count de Soissons, was a Prince of the Bloud; he had such a fierceness in his Youth, as drove away all from him, who once came near him; but having got over this Humour which disobliged every body, he became popular, and so courteous, that he was now followed as much as he was shun'd before. He used the Nobility as became their Quality; had acquired the Friend­ship of other Princes, and those of inferiour Rank could not enough admire him. He was adored by the Soldiery, beloved and esteemed by the Peo­ple; and he had, in a word, so behaved himself that he had gotten the general Applause.

Cardinal Richlieu has a Niece named Madam de Combalet, who having been married to a Gentle­man, [Page 305]aspired to an higher Match, seeing all things to give place and humble themselves before her Uncle.

The Cardinal designed by the Marriage of this Neece, to procure himself such a puissant Prop, that nothing should be able to overthrow his For­tune, or oppose his Authority: He pretended also, his Life would be more in safety; and that such an Alliance, with those he already had, would put him out of a Capacity of being ever attackt by any Enemies, secret or declared, whose Number encreased as fast as his Authority.

Several Affirm, this Priest had Ambition enough to give an Heir, who might one day ascend the Throne; when it appeared by the Queen's Bar­renness, the King could have no Child to succeed him.

But the State of Affairs being changed, he took other measures; and thinking of having the Count in his Alliance, he caused the Proposals of this Marriage of his Neece to be offered the Prince, by one of his most intimate Confidents; who offered him at the same time considerable Summs of Money, and Dignities, to make him Heir of all his vast Estates▪ and to procure him the greatest Of­fice in the Kingdom, which is that of Constable.

The Count of Soisson's Answer to him that made the Proposal, was a Box on the Ear; being in an extream Passion, at any one's daring to offer him a Match so greatly beneath him, when Madam de Combalet was the Widow of a Gentleman of a mean condition, and Neece to a Cardinal whom he hated, and himself a Prince of the Bloud.

The Cardinal's Messenger, desirous his Negotia­tion should succeed, was not repelled by this Af­front. He insisted on the Vertue of the Cardinal's Neece, saying she would be courted by the great­est of France: and added farther in Commenda­tion [Page 306]of this Lady. That she was a Virgin, altho' married; because her Husband out of respect, da­red not approach her; and that Heaven had so orde­red it, that this Adventure should be found written in the Anagram of her Name,

This Minister could not dissemble his Vexation at the Refusal; his Choler became excessive, and he resolved to practise his usual Maxim, of violently persecuting those, whose Friendship he had sought with most Eagerness. He therefore wholly set himself against this Prince, spake all the Ill he could of him, publickly threatned his Enemy; but he va­lued him not, looking on the Cardinal as beneath his Notice.

In the mean time, the Cardinal plotted to put his Threats into Execution, and brought the King in to countenance him by his Authority; which obliged the Count to absent himself, and make a Voyage into Italy, to avoid the Storm he was threatned with. Yet his Voyage lasted not long, and at his Return the Cardinal did all he could no [...] to win him; he procured him suitable Employs in the Armies, and made him at length be declared General of that which the King sent on the Fron­tiers of Picardy. Yet this haughty Prince, recei­ved all with Indifferency, saying openly, That a Captain was given to the Army, and not an Army to a Captain.

The Grandees of the Court, who observed afar off what past in this Intrigue, instead of mollifying the Count's Humour, did all they could to sharpe [...] it. The Duke of Orleans, the King's Brother; wh [...] was always this Minister's Enemy, linkt himself with Soissans, exhorting him not to yield to the Cardi­nal's Pursuits; and it is said, he drew a Promise from him under his Hand, that he would never accept of the Marriage proposed, and they after­wards swore Fidelity to one another; and tha [...] [Page 367]they would joyn together for the Destruction of the common Enemy; and for this effect, they took measures with Prince Thomas, of the House of Savoy, who is at present General of the Spanish Army in Flanders: They also brought the Duke de Valette, and several Lords of the Kingdom, in­to their Party. Almost all the Conspirators were for killing the Cardinal, and the time of the Stroak should be, when he visited the Quarters of the Ar­my which besieged Corbie; but the Count alone would not consent to dip his Hands in the Bloud of a Priest.

But the Duke de Vallette, who saw the Danger wherein he was, when the Conspiracy came to be discovered, resolved to shelter himself by the blackest Treachery that could be imagined; he discovered to the Cardinal all the Accomplices, of which the Count de Soissans having Notice, he speedily withdrew to Sedan. I shall not make thee (Inincible Leader) a Description of this Place, which regards on one side Luxemburg, and on the other France; it not lying in my way to make Draughts of Fortifications like an Engineer, but to give thee a full Account of what the Infidels do, and discover their Designs, whereby thou mayst gather what may make for the Advantage of our great Monarch; whose Power cannot be shaken, but by the entire overthrow of the Uni­verse.

Sedan is a Dominion which formerly belonged to the Dukes of Cleves, who were Sovereigns of it, and at the same time Dukes de Bouillon. When the Count was in this place, he thought himself safe; the Mareschal de Bouillon, who was the Master of it by the Testament of the last of this Family, de­clared himself of his Party, either to make War together against the Cardinal by open Force▪ or drive him out of this Kingdom, or to get rid of [Page 308]him by Death. Here it was they made their se­cret Treaties with those who commanded for the Spaniards in the Low Countries, and a Prince of the House of Lorrain entered into their Cabal. He bear [...] the Cardinal as much as ill will, and appears as reso­lute as the rest for his Destruction: he is called the Duke of Guise.

There wanted only to this Party the Duke of Or­leans, the King's only Brother, and therefore the Duke of Guise dispatched a Messenger to him, who sold in one day both his Master, and all the re [...] that were of the Conspiracy. He discovered a [...] the Secrets of the Cabal; and the better to carry on his Deceit, he caused himself to be apprehended and thrown into Prison, having given his Dis­patches to the King's Brother, which he had be­fore shewed the Cardinal. This Traytor was no [...] contented with revealing these Gentlemens Se­crets who had sent him, but also made it appear, That the Prince, the King's Brother, was guilty as an Accomplice of the others Rebellion. Thu [...] these great men grown desperate at the Discovery of their Projects, which were indeed contrary to their Sovereign's Interests and the Kingdoms, were forced to throw themselves into the Arms of the Spaniards, and to joyn with them.

They have raised Troops amongst their Vassals and Friends, and openly declared themselves; and fought with great Valour, as I have already men­tioned in the beginning or my Letter. The King's Army has been very ill handled, and it appear [...] that the Advantage was wholly on the Confederate [...] side; but it has cost the Count of Soissons his Life who was General, and Chief of the Party; and it is at present disputed, to whom is due the Ho­nour of the Victory.

I prostrate my self continually at thy Feet, to kiss, with all Humility, the Dust of them; assu­ring [Page 309]thee, thou hast in me a most faithful Slave, that will never change.

Paris, 15th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER VI.
To Solyman his Cousin, at Constantinople.

POntius Pilate was an honester man than thou. He, although a Pagan, excused himself of the false Sentences he should pronounce on the Christi­on's Messias, by washing his Hands before the Jews, who sought his Death: And, thou that art a Maho­ [...]etan as I am, and washest thy whole Body in the Baths at Constantinople, in the Presence of our Friends, accusest and condemnest me rashly with­out any scruple. Thou usest me like a Rogue; so maliciously art thou set against me, who am of the same Religion which thou professest. How canst thou justifie the Hatred thou bearest me, in endeavouring to make the Kaimacam believe, I have been corrupted by the Cardinal, who is the King of France's Chief Minister? Adding, that he ought no more to heed my Letters, and Relations sent to the sublime Port, (where lie prostrate all the Powers of the World,) as not written by an Arabi­an, but by a Sacrilegious Heretick; That I deceive the Mufti, so venerable for the Authority which he has in such an holy Religion, of which he is the worthy Head; and that I amuse him by my Letters, the better to conceal my Change, seeing I adore in my Heart, and publickly profess an entire Sub­mission to the Decrees of the Roman Prelate.

The Quality of thy Cousin, which I have whe­ther I will or no, is so far from with-holding thee, that 'tis made use of to carry on thy pernicious Designs. O unworthy Kinsman! Infamous Hypo­crite! Thou wilt discredit me, and break off the course of my Employment, because I serve effe­ctually the greatest Prince of the Universe. Thou approvedst not onely my Conduct when I began my Endeavours, under the Orders of the Mini­sters of the Divan; but, thou applaudest me, gave me Praises. And now, when all the Ministers ar [...] satisfied with me, and approved of my Behavi­our, and gave me their Commendations; thou art the onely Man who thinks it fitting to traverse me to obscure my Reputation, and blacken my Actions. Is this the Fruit of thy Studies with Hip­po at Athens, to whom thou owest thy Knowledge of Greek Authors, which thou so greatly braggest of? Answer me, unjust Cousin, what is thy design o [...] having me call'd away by thy base Defamations? When did I offend thee, and wherein I pray? But thy Artifices, how great and malicious soever they be, will not prevail over the sincerity of my Heart; and, as I shall always exactly perform my Duty, so I fear not the Loss of my Prince's Favour; he will approve of what I do, and thou wilt dye with En­vy and Despite.

I needed not have been mistaken: I might have seen the Falseness of thine Heart by thy Counte­nance. Thou art an Heraclitus, always melancho­ly, and out of Humour, that cannot rejoice, should Heaven favour our Invincible Monarch's Projects Thou art a false Zeno, who under the affected Ap­pearances of a Stoick, conceals a Cynical Heart, whose Critical Humour is always biting on the Actions of others. Nature has covered thy Face with Sadness, mixt with a deadly Paleness, because thou art always busied about some doleful matter. [Page 311]In like manner it appears, That Pythagoras has in­structed thee to speak little, as knowing thou art not fit to say or do any thing but what is hurtful. I know not what is become of Isouf, having no Ac­count of him. I am afraid thou hast corrupted this my Kinsman, that I might have no Ally or faithful Friend. Thou hast not failed to instruct him well, having given him so good an Example; and he has, without doubt, been so ungrateful, as to imitate thee. He is returned from Mecha, and makes me no Answer, giving me no Account whe­ther he has made the Offering for me on the Moun­tain, whether he has sacrificed the Sheep, whether he has distributed the Alms I enjoyned him, and whether he will send me, as I entreated him, a small piece of the old Hangings of the sacred Mosque. But I will not concern my self as much at what others do, my Intention being to complain only of thee, because others offences are not com­parable to thine, thou having left no Stone un­turned to ruine me.

Continue then in thine ill Nature; I write only to acquaint thee, that I am not ignorant of what­ever thou hast done against me. There's no body but old Baba thine Uncle, who can work a change in thee; go to him, be not ashamed to see a man who is imployed in the meanest Works, to have more Judgment than thee: Shew him the Infir­mities of thy Soul; or, to speak better, confess to him all the ill things thou hast done, if thou hast any Intention of becoming an honest man; altho' he be but a Carpenter he knows better than thee, to form the Mind; he can teach thee how to po­lish and square thy Soul, as he polishes a piece of Oak, though never so hard and knotty.

He is pefectly instructed in the Law; he is brought up in the Principles of Religion; he will guide thee, if thou wilt suffer him, in the way [Page 312]which leads to Perfection; he will not permit thee to lye; he will put thee on making Restitu­tions to those whose good Name thou hast unjustly taken; and he will comfort thee, if thou beest really sorrowful for the ill thou hast done, and if thou shewest any Regret at thy former purposes, of destroying a Kinsman that loved thee, and still wishes thee all kinds of Happiness; if thou repen­test of thy unjust Persecutions, and if of a bad Cousin, which thou hast been, thou wilt become a sincere and hearty Friend.

Paris, 25th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER VII.
To Dgnet Oglou.

I Say not that those are Fools who are in Love, but I must needs think, that those who believe light­ly, are not overladen with Discretion. 'Tis hard for a Man always to keep himself from falling in­to a Passion; but 'tis not so hard for a man to keep himself from believing things with too great Fa­cility, and from being caught with Falshoods, which are the most constant Attendants of Women.

Thou hast spoke the Truth to me, in sending me the Balm and Aloes I wrote for; and I shall not answer thee with Lyes, in speaking of Daria, who is the Subject of the Letter which I received from thee. Let me thank thee, without saying any thing of the Present thou madest me, which is ve­ry magnificent and acceptable; and suffer me to complain to thee freely of the Hurt which another has done me. I need not consult my Register, to re­member [Page 313]whatever I wrote to thee about this Greek, my Heart which is yet full of it, reproaches me every Moment, for having said too much to thee on that Subject.

Never any thing appeared to me so desirable, as that Herb which Homer called Nepente, to cure me of the cruel Distemper, with which I am tormen­ted. This Prince of Poets makes a Queen of our Aegypt, to present this admirable Simple to Helena, which has the Virtue of appeasing immediately all Dolours, and makes us forget the Vexations and Offences offered us. But thou wilt not under­stand me, unless I tell thee clearly, That Daria has forgotten all the Promises she made me, as soon as ever she was from me; not remembring in any sort my Love. 'Tis true, she wrote twice to me since her Departure, but in so cold a Style, that it is plainly seen, her Heart is as cold as Ice to me. As soon as ever she saw her self in the Arms of her Husband, she made him a Sacrifice of my Passion; and, the better to make her Court to him, and per­suade him of her Fidelity, she delivered to him my Letters. The Husband laughed in reading them, and said to her, in a jear to me: A man then, so desperately in love, has onely sighed and wrote? He has done something more (replyed this Dissembling Wo­man) having promised to send me a Box of white Balm of Mecha, and Aloes-Wood, to perfume me, which yet I do not expect to receive so soon, and perhaps never: For, if Mahmut be not become a Fool, he will as soon for­get me, as I shall certainly forget him. And what! hast thou promised, this Barbarian? replyed imme­diately the Husband. I promised, replyed Daria, to send with my Picture, that of the most chaste of all Women; which yet I do not pretend to do, without your Consent, nay, and Command.

What I now inform thee, comes from a place which makes me not at all doubt the certainty [Page 314]of it. But having learnt by what I related, the Virtue of this Woman, now hear what the Hus­hand's was; who having seen my Picture, and com­mended the Painter that drew it, embraced ten­derly his Wife, whom he respected as a most sin­gular Example of Conjugal Fidelity. Thou wilt wonder at Daria's Weakness, in shewing him my Picture; she did do it, and her Confidence has turned to Account, she having received a Thou­sand chaste Embraces for a Recompense. Thou seest here the Happiness of the Christian Women, who have Husbands who take so favourably the Offences done them during their Absence.

In the mean time, Daria's Picture does not come; she returns no more Answers to my Let­ters, which has discouraged me to write to her for some time. My Passion begins not to be so violent; and, this great Fire which consumed me, will soon turn into Ashes. I have been mightily mistaken; for, it is only amongst Persons of an equal Condition, where true and lasting Friendships are to be found. Let us love, my dear Dgnet; let the Bonds of our Friendship be such, as will ne­ver break nor be dissolved. Daria is really a great Example of Fidelity to her Husband; but, she is also an Example of Inconftancy and Treachery, to a Lover who had sacrificed all to her.

I am resolved henceforward, to love no Woman; and, I am certain, my dear Friend, that my Resolu­tion shall hold. Rejoyce with me at my Cure, and believe, that if a fine and charming Woman dis­ordered my Brains, the good Humour and Patience of her Husband, has brought me again to my Senses. My Adventure should make thee careful, to avoid the Inconveniences; but, thou can'st not run that Risque, being happy with the other Mus­sulmen of Constantinople, who have Laws which re­tain and hinder them from falling into the like Irre­gularities.

I hope also thou wilt give over being my Rival, if thou hast ever had any kindness for this ungrate­ful Greek. If men must love once in their Lives, let them have a care of falling into those Excesses which dep [...]ive them of their Reason, and make them repent of their Love all the days of their Lives. My Repentance is great; and though my Passion be not wholly extinct, yet I feel a Joy which makes me know, I shall by degrees lose my Passion for her.

Thou mayest well be tired with this long Dis­course; but I shall end it, in sending thee a De­scription which one of the greatest Wits in Spain has made of Women,

He says, They be the Sources of Life and Death; that they are to be considered as Fire, because they use all that come near them as that Element does, yet they give Men a certain necessary Heat: They are fine things; bring Joy to Families and whole Towns; but are dangerous to keep, enflaming all that comes near them, and reducing them commonly into Ashes. They usually give a great Lustre, but this Lustre is never without such a Smoak, as darkens the Ʋnderstanding, and makes, them often shed Tears who only behold them. He that has no Commerce with Women, spends his Life in Melancholly, and yet they are seldom seen without Danger. The way to manage them, is not to do excessive things for them, no more than wholly to neglect them, A man oft obtains them easily, and com­monly loses them more easily. Fire and a Woman, are ex­actly the same; and, be that said, Women are Fires which burn all things, has said likewife, That Fire is like Women, which consumeth all things.

But our Re [...]gious Arabians have spoken yet more Elegantly, when they wrote, that God made a par­ticular Paradise for them; because, say they, should they enter into that of Men, they would soon change it into a Hell.

Eve plaid her part so well, when she was seduced by the Serpent in the Terrestrial Paradise, that she deceived her Spouse also, that he might lie under the like Condemnation. But however, this Sex having amongst so many Defects something that is amiable; let us love them at least, because of their Usefulness for continuing the Species, but not for their Beauty; whose Enchantments corrupt the Mind, and hinder all the excellent Operations of it: For Men perhaps would be Angels, were there no Wo­men; I mean, bad ones; for good Women, as well as good Men, can do no Hurt. Adieu.

Paris, 20th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER VIII.
To Carcoa at Vienna.

THe Courier which is now arrived, has brought me Letters and Money from thee. I shall re­ceive the Money upon the Bill of Exchange, when it is due, under the name of Titus. I am extream­ly obliged to thee for the Care thou hast taken in procuring it me, being in a Country where good Words are of no Credit. I have received also the Box, wherein is the Balm and Aloes sent me by my Friend Oglou, all in good Condition, and come in good time. I want only to know, how it is with Isouf; for he writes no more to me. I am infor­med, he is returned from his Pilgrimage, and yet has not sent to thee what I desired him to bring from Mecha.

I will not complain of any body; if I do, it shall be of my self. Take care of the Letters I send [Page 317]thee and let me know, whether we may hope well from the Grand Seignior, and what is reported at the Court where thou art, and if there be any likelihood of making War afresh against the Infi­dels.

My Health is indifferent. I live here without Suspicion; and though Cardinal Richlieu be an Ar­gus, he is blind as to what concerns me; for the knows nothing of my Business, or feigns so at least; neither do I do, or say any thing which may make me suspected for an Enemy.

I assure thee, I love God, have a great Respect for his Law, and follow my Business with great Fi­delity. If thou wilt have me do more, advertise the Friend of it, whom thou knowest; shew me the Example, and live happily.

Paris, 22d. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER IX.
To Berber Mustapha Aga at Constanti­nople.

WE are arrived to the End of the Year, which the Infidels solemnize by Bonfires, and which I mark by an extraordinary Sadness. I complain not, in that Time making it self the Master of my Heart, will soon begin to weaken it. I understand the Folly of those Vows, which are made to Heaven for the obtaining of a long Life, Those that desire it, are wont to make contrary ones, when they become overwhelmed with the Infirmi­ties which attend for the most part old Age. The Oc­cas [...]o [...] of my Complaints, is of another Nature; I [Page 318]am troubled at the being so far from my Friends and Country, and at my being banish'd into an E­nemy's Country, where I must live like a Man, that is in continual Fear, amongst People who seem to matter nothing.

Thou art now above 50 Years of Age, and I not above 32, and yet I know thou reflectest not much hereupon, thinking thou hast still a long time to live. Thou art of a strong Constitution, art a lover of Pleasures, searching them every where, without any thoughts of Death, who will spare thee no more than others, whose Health is decayed; for he comes taking great strides towards us all. Thou art very fortunate, I must needs say, [...]n conserving in a Body so near Old Age, a young Man's Spirit; which is far from my Disposition: For when thou art in pursuit of Divertisements, I am continually thinking of Death; because I believe I have lived too long.

Should the King, or Cardinal, near whom I live, know this Night, that Mahmut, who writes to thee, is one of the Grand Seignior's Spies, I should lose my Life, perhaps, before the next Light; yet, the fear of such an Adventure, gives me no Disquiet; having entirely sacrificed my self to the Master I serve, who commands all Men on the Earth. Should these Barbarians put me to Death, I shall only finish a little sooner that course, which I must certainly one day put an end to; and if I live, I shall have neither Recompence to expect, nor Pain to appre­hend.

Here is much talk about the Duke of Lorrain; yet, there has been more done against him, than said. The French affirm, that in stripping this Prince of his Countries, he has been very merci­fully dealt with; for, Justice required more. There are, on the contrary, other People, who do not be­lieve [Page 319]it is possible to do a greater plece of Injustice. In fine, every man speaks after his manner.

'Tis said moreover, that this Sovereign being come again into the King's Favour, who had given him a Thousand Testimonies of good Will, after what had passed in 1634, when this Court had great rea­sons to complain of his Conduct; he drew down again afresh the Indignation of France upon him, by a Fault which cannot be excused. I think, this Duke had concluded two Treaties that Year, pro­mising a Submission and eternal Obedience. He had the Honour to dine with the King; and having ren­dred him Homage for the Dutchy of Bar, he again threw himself into the Arms of the Austrians; although he had sworn on the Gospels, (a Book as much respected amongst the Christians, as the Alco­ran is among the True Faithful,) That he would ne­ver forsake the Interests of France, what Wars so­ever she might find; that he would be perpetually fix'd to the Interests of that Crown, and never hold any Correspondence with the House of Austria. In consideration of which, Lewis should re-establish this Prince in his Estates, which he was to surren­der entirely, bating some Places, and the Capital, called Nanci, which he would retain during the War, as a Pledge for the performance of what he had sworn to; and, which yet was to be given up, after the Conclusion of the Peace. 'Tis added, That this Sovereign, having occasion to complain of the Spanish Ministers, and the Grandees of this Na­tion, who carry on the War in Flanders; he had written to the Cardinal Infant, Governor of the Low-Countries, a Letter to this purpose, and very near in these Words:

The King of Frante having required me, to joyn my self with my Troops to his Army near Sedan; I would not obey this puissant King, much less your Higness; seeing the Towns subject to the Spaniards, treat me as if I were an Enemy.

The Ladies have had a great part in this Accom­modation of the Duke of Lorrain; which has had, like all the Works of Women, a direful Event. This Prince being become amorous of a French Lady, was for repudiating his lawful Princess, to whom he owes all his Estate; beginning to separate from her, that he might give himself entirely to the Countess of Cantecroix, whom he used as his real Wife.

Good People are sorry for this Prince's Disgrace, as believing his Condition to be past Remedy. The devout part say, That having been unjustly depri­ved of his Estates, God will work Miracles in his Favour; considering, no less than Three Hundred Saints; as they say, have been of his Family, which must needs reconcile him to the Favour of Heaven; amongst which, is the famons Godfrey of Bullen, who won Jerusalem, and all Palestine from the Saracens; whom we must own to have been a great Man, whe­ther we consider his Courage, or Zeal for his Reli­gion, which ought to make his Memory famous to all Ages.

I can tell thee nothing more certain on this Sub­ject, having endeavoured to be informed of what I write to thee, to satisfie thy Curiosity: and, what­ever I now recite, has past in France with little Noise, or rather with great Silence, as to me; for indeed, I must with shame confess, that I have scarce heard in Paris this Event, so famous throughout all Europe.

Man has nothing but what comes from Heaven; and commonly the strongest, when he has Right on his side, subdues the weak, and enriches himself with his Spoils.

By the Law of Nature, every one has Right of judging his own Necessities, and the Greatness of the Danger wherein he finds himself; and, if it be contrary to Reason, I should be Judge of my own [Page 171]Danger, 'tis reasonable another should be so. But, the same Reason which establishes another Judge of what concerns me, has made me, his Judge; and con­sequently, gives me Authority to judge of the Sen­tence which he shall give against me; and to decide, whether it be just, when 'tis favourable to me, or unjust, if it be contrary to my Interests.

Nature has given all to Men, and thou and I, and all men have an equal Right to all things, and hence we have Power to do whatever we will, to possess and enjoy what we think is fitting; and yet, such an extensive Right, is just as if we had Right to nothing; For, at the same time I have Right to a thing which pleases me, another stronger than my self, by virtue of the same Right, takes it from me, and enjoys it in spight of me. Hence it is, that one man invades ano­ther with the same Right with which he defends himself, whence do, and will spring up always, the occasions of Jealousies and Discords which are amongst men; which make them at continual Defiance with one another, and keeps them in a continual Watchfulness over their Neighbours.

'Tis this Liberty founded in Nature, which makes it lawful in time of War, to resist and invade not only by open Force, but with all the secret Arts and Stratagems as can be devised; and, when a man would avoid the Danger he is in in fighting, and has his Enemy in his hands, he has right to use all means to avoid him, and secure himself from him.

Thou wilt approve of these Reflexions, which shew thee the Natural Right thou hast of comman­ding me, as being thy Inferiour; and, I hope, by what I have written, to have satisfied thy Curiosity; and, by my Submission and Obedience, to have given thee a Proof of my profound Respects to thee.

Paris, 24th. of the last Moon, of the Year 1641.

LETTER X.
To Bedredin, Superiour of the Dervises of Cogni in Natolia.

LET me, most holy and patient Dervis, salute thee with my Head bowed down to the ground, with the greatest Humility I am able. I now write to thee with my Feet naked, without either Hose or Shoes, as a Mark of my Respect and Veneration, which I have for thy Old Age, and the Admiration I have at thy incorruptible Innocency.

The kindness thou shewest me by the long Letter I have received, has given me such joy as I cannot ex­press; as makes me forget my past Pains, and hinders me from thinking of those which are to happen to me; for, I can now willingly leave this World, ha­ving had such Testimonies of thy Affection. Thy great Age does not astonish me seeing thy Father, who is yet alive, is 107 years old, and thou not above 82; which makes me hope to see a great while yet, both one and the other, draw down by their Prayers, and Merit of their good Actions, the Blessings of Heaven on the glorious Empire of the Ottomans, to whom all the Empires and Monar­chies of the World ought to submit. The Thirty Brethren who presented themselves to Selim, to be enrolled in the Troops which were to serve against the Persians, made the Father, who had them all by one Woman, to pass for the happiest of all the Mussulmans, in having the good Fortune to beget such a number of the most noble Species in Nature. But thou and thy Father, must needs be more happy than this fertil Parent. Thy Father has fought, and come out victorious from the Per­versity of the Age, full of Scars and Sufferings, [Page 323]through the Force of his Courage, the Innccency of his Manners, and his great Sobriety: And, as to thy part, what hast not thou done, to make thy self the worthy Son of so glorious a Father? Thou hast not only done, what thy Father did before thee; thou hast acquired the same Vertues, and hast so far out-done them, that one may say, thou hast surpassed Vertue it self. Thy Strength is ad­mirable, in the midst of Abstinencies, and other Au­sterities which thou undergoest; in which, 'tis cer­tain, thou canst not be imitated. But Heaven, to whom only thou livest, will recompence in this World thy pure Faith, which the Enemy of Mankind can never weaken.

The Christians say, When God gave them the Commandments, he promised only long Life to such who perfectly honoured those, who, under God, brought them into the Light. If this be true, as 'tis very likely; tis not to be doubted, but that a Long Life is the Recompence which God gives those who live well: And the Nazarenes, who are Criticks, affirm, That Sin alone is the cause, that men do not live so long as they did before the Deluge; for, then they remained such a while in Life, as would tempt one to think, they were to have been Immor­tal. They say, That after the Deluge, God chan­ged the Nature of Men; and instead of these great number of Years, which made up the Course of so long a Life, they cannot live at farthest above 120 years, and that there are few which arrive at 80; and whatever is beyond this, is Misery and Torment; or a kind of Senselesness, which makes Men like Beasts.

I know few People but what are agreed, One may cure or mitigate the Inconveniencies which happen to us; but, few are of Opinion, That Life can be lengthened; yet, if this be possible, we may then believe a Story which is believed here, and which happened the year past in Paris.

An Ancient Man, went to a Dervise of this great Town, and thus accosted him; I am come, Reve­rend Father, to know of you, whether I may in good Conscience determine to live no longer, being quite a­weary of living. I have already arrived to the 129th. year of my Age, by means of a Liquor which Chymi­stry has taught me, whereby I did scarce perceive from any thing I felt, that I was going down; yet however, this long Life appears at present to me irksome and in­tolerable. My Blood is so purified in my Veins that I have remained without any of those Passions whereunto Mankind is generally. Subject. My Taste, serves me no longer to discover the Delicacy of Meats, My Ears, although they be not deaf, yet will not let me distinguish true Harmony from what is onely a Confusion of Sounds. Mine Eyes are open to see, but are not cleared with any Object. My Faculty of Smelling, is struck with Scents, yet they make no Impressions on it. I touch, but I feel not what I touch; and I touch all things indifferently. Mine Heart is no longer sensible, nor affected with Ten­derness, and Passion for my Friends. Bile in me has no longer its usual Heat. Joy and Sorrow, Anger, De­sire of having, Hope and Hatred, are extinguished in me; whereby I am become insensible in conserving, if I may so say, all my Senses. I am resolved therefore to let my self dye, provided you can assure me I may do it without Sin; for should I remain two days with­out taking this precious Elixir, I am certain I shall soon expire, and so be delivered from the Vexation which overwhelms me. 'Tis said▪ that the Dervise answer­ed this Philosopher; That he might not desire Death, but on the contrary, preserve his Life; and supposing he made use of no Secret of Magick to prolong his Days, he should believe, that the marvellous Potion, of which he had found the Secret by his Study and Travel, was a Present from Heaven: That 'tis true, he would be rid of a troublesome Life, but he could not procure the End of it without a Crime; and that he was obliged [Page 325]to preserve it, to suffer with greater Submission the Pains he complained of, which could not be comparable to the Pleasures he had received, by enjoying the Gift which God had bestowed on him.

The Grear God preserve thy Days beyond those of this Philosopher; and, accompany them with what­ever may give thee Satisfaction: But, I beseech him above all things, that he never let slip out of thy Me­mory the Promise thou hast made me, of having al­ways a particular Respect to thy Servant Mahmut, who reverences thy Holiness.

Paris, 15th. of the 1st. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XI.
To the Redoubtable Vizir Azem.

I Make thee an Answer, invincible Warrior, by whose Counsels the formidable Empire of the Ottomans is governed, under the Orders of the most mighty of the Princes of the Earth; and, whose Arm is terrible to all the Potentates of the World. I have read thy Letter, with which thou honourest the most submissive of thy Slaves, with all the Hu­mility which is due to thy sublime Grandeur, where­unto thy Merit has raised thee. And, having cast my self at thy Feet in Spirit, seeing I cannot really kiss them, I obey the Orders thou sendest me, which are to me inviolable Laws.

Banniere, the Swedish General, is dead; when Picolicomini, one of the Generals, of the Emperor's Army, lay just by him. In half an hours time, he saved himself, the Army, all the Baggage, and Cannon, and retired with incredible Swiftness over Mountains and Forrests, where the Beasts alone [Page 326]could make Passages, having continually the Empe­ror's Army at his back. He was a Man of great Valour, had been highly serviceable to the Crown of Swedeland, and acquired the Reputation of an excellent Commander. The Emperor had offered him some time before great Recompences, and the Dignity of Prince of the Empire, if he would change his Master, and forsake the Confederates Party. He had also offered, thinking this might more move him, to make him General of his Army against the Grand Signior: but he refused all these Offers, his Fidelity being unmoveable.

This great Captain was born in Swedeland, and when a Child, he fell down from a high Window, without receiving any Hurt; which made the King imagine, Heaven design'd him for some thing extra­ordinary. He travelled much in his Youth, and he was seen never tired in running to all places where there was any War; sometimes in Poland, and other­whiles in Muscovia: And being become General of his King's Army, he soon acquired the Reputation of one of the greatest Captains of the Northern Part. He was perfectly skilled in the Art of En­camping, and no body could ever better draw up an Army for Battel. His way of Retreat from before an Army stronger than his, must needs be admired by all the World. He ever chose good Posts; and when once he was possess'd of them, he knew well how to keep them; so that he was never defeated, whatever Forces his Enemy might bring against him. He has destroy'd Fourscore Thousand Men, in diffe­rent Rencounters; and, Swedeland glories in having above Six hundred Standards. He was so like King Gustovus, tha [...] they have been often taken for one another. He was never covetous; but was observ'd to be a good Husband. Among so many Occasions wherein he signaliz'd himself, what he did when the Swedish Army was worsted at Norlinge, is most re­markable; [Page 327]he preserved the Rest, though wholly forsaken by the Allies; and so ordered the Matter, that he raised fresh Troops almost in an instant, and gave his Party Time and Courage to rise up: And, this is all I could learn of this great Captain, whose Reputation has given thee Curiosity.

Although Don Duarte de Braganza, the new King of Portugal's Brother, served with great Reputation in the Emperor's Army; yet 'tis said, the Spaniards had been very urgent with this Monarch to make him be apprehended, as soon as ever they heard the King, his Brother, was raised to the Throne. But 'tis said, the Emperor was scandaliz'd with such a Pro­position, alledging, this would be against the Rules of Hospitality: But the Empress's Confessor found such Reasons in his Divinity, as brought over the Emperor to yield, he should be delivered into the Spanish Minister's Hands, who conducted him with a very strong Party to the Castle of Milan; whence he is not like to stir out, till his Brother shall restore the Crown of Portugal to Philip IV. of Spain.

I shall write what remains behind, to the Kaima­kan, who has the Honour of being thy Lieutenant; that I may not the thee, who art to be reverenced as the instrument of the Wills of the Master of Lights, and all whose Hours are destin'd to the Go­vernment of the World.

May it please him, who of nothing has created all things, that thou maist lay one day at the Feet of the Grand Signior, the Crowns of all the Mo­narchs who command in the Infidels Countries, and become thereby the Arbiter of the Universe.

Paris, 18th. of the 1st. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XII.
To the Kaimakam at Constantinople.

THis King here has mortified his Parliament, by the Advice of Cardinal Richlieu. The Parlia­ments are Bodies of Learned Men, who decide all Affairs in the Kingdom, as well Civil, as Criminal, and the Parliament of Paris, has a larger Jurisdiction than all others, and as considerable Prerogatives. What I have to say on this Subject, has happened from the beginning of the last Year; and I now re­late it, because I forgat to do it when the thing happened: And I will inform thee, before I enter on the Matter, what obliged heretofore the Kings of France to set up this great Seat of justice.

The ancient Kings of France, gave it Authority of approving and verifying the Edicts and Declara­tions which they should make, which was a Bar which these wise Princes would fix between the People and the Sovereign Authority. Whence it appeared, that Monarchy was mix'd with Aristo­cracy; without which the Wise have thought, that States could not long subsist. And the Princes of this Age have submitted to a Tribunal re-established by themselves, the Resolutions they take; to the end they may discharge themselves towards God, to whom they are accountable, as well as other Men; and, to obtain Confidence from their Subjects, in taking from amongst them Arbiters to regulate them. Yet, they have ever reserved the Liberty of making use of their Absolute Power, as is seen in their Letters Patents, where they forget not to insert these Words, [For such is our Will and Pleasure.]

These Monarchs also thought hereby to have found out a way to defend themselves from the Impor­tunities of the Grandees, who often demanded such things which could not be granted without Prejudice to the whole Kingdom.

The Authority of the now reigning King being out of danger of being shaken or destroyed, this Monarch having his Exchequer well stored, has valiant and experienced Captains, stout Soldiers, and numerous Armies, and good Fleets of Ships at Sea; whereby he would make known to this puissant Tribunal, That if it had been set up to assist the Kings by its Counsels when required, yet it must not pretend, that its Decrees should become Laws to their Sovereigns. He went to the Parli­ament with all the Marks of Grandeur with which he is usually attended on these Days of Ceremony, and with such a great Company of Lords, as made the Power of this Monarch easily discerned. He gave these Gentlemen to understand, he would have them ratifie, without more adoe, the Orders he would send them, which they term Edicts, re­quiring them to be immediately enregistred. He afterwards gave them an express Charge, not to concern themselves henceforwards in Affairs of State; and to humble them the more, he declared to them, That he would be henceforward the Dis­poser of Graces, and Offices, and bestow Recom­pences to such as deserved them. He added here­unto an Order of giving an account every Year to his Chancellour of their Deportments and to come and receive every year his Majesty's Appro­bation to continue them in their Offices. And, as a Mark of his Indignation and Authority, he put by the President and some Counsellours from their Places.

This bold and politick Action was done (as I may say) in the midst of Dancings and Divertise­ments, [Page 330]the more to denote the Monarch's Autho­rity; and, in the time of such Magnificent Fea­stings, as became the Pomp of the greatest Empe­rors in the Palace of the Cardinal, for the Mar­riage of his Niece Mademoisselle de Breze with the Prince of Conde's Eldest Son, called the Duke D' Anguien; a Prince from whom the World expects great things, and whom all France believes will prove one of the Famousest Princes in Christendom.

The Catalonians are obstinate in their Revolt; their Deputies have been already seen in this Court, to entreat a good Supply from this King; and, it is not to be doubted, but they will earnestly sue for his Protection: And, France has already sent Troops near those Parts, and its Fleet appears on the Coasts, to encourage this Nation, and mortifie the Spaniards. There are a great many Troops rai­sed here; and, this Monarch will have in the Spring eight Armies, commanded by Generals of great Valour and Experience, besides these two Fleets; so that Germany, Lorrain, the Low Countries, Cata­lonia and Italy, are like to be Exposed to the Mise­ries of an impoverishing War. Only Germany seems to me able to defend it self.

The vast Genius of the French-Minister, astonishes all the Princes of Europe; he breaks all their Mea­sures, and makes a secret War against them in their own Courts. Nothing can escape his vigilant Care; he keeps his own Secrets so strictly, that his nearest Friends cannot discover them. His Power and Au­thority are so great, that the Princes of the Bloud are nothing in comparison of him, and his Fame makes him as much respected Abroad as at Home.

His Friends affirm, He is ignorant of nothing which is projected in Europe. England is the Place which he has last attackt, its Civil Wars owing their Original to his Designs.

I pray Heavens favour thy just Pretensions, and every day increase thy Heroick Vertues.

Paris, 15th. of the 1st. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XIII.
To the most Excellent and most Venerable Mufti, Sovereign Prelate of the Holy Religion of the Faithful Mussulmen.

HE of whom I wrote so many particulars, some Moons ago, to obey, as I ought, the express Command thou laidst upon me; not only is still living, but is more absolute than ever, in what concerns his Ministry, Yet is it false, that this Car­dinal finding nothing more (as thou writest to me, 'tis talked of in Constantinople) to satisfie his Ambition, (which puts him still upon desiring something farther, being become the absolute Ma­ster of what depends on the Kingdom of Lewis XIII.) had designs of making himself absolute Master of what concerns Religion. But, he was too knowing a Man, to design the being the Superiour General of all the French Dervises; a thing which neither the King of France, nor the Pope would per­mit. I rather think, this Minister's Design has been, to subject all the Christian Princes to his Ma­ster's Interests.

The Ottoman Empire would have some reason to be afraid, were all the Roman Prelates wise enough to chuse this Man for their Pope. We should see in a short time, all Asia agitated by his Intrigues, against the Followers of the great Mahomet; and [Page 332]those that follow Ali, would not enjoy a much greater Security. Thou knowest, that the greatest Marks which the Popes can give of their Piety du­ring their Pontificat, is to stir up Wars, and make Leagues against us to overthrow our Empire. Think then what this great Man would do, were he the Head of the Christians, with those Abilities, and great Intelligences which he every where keeps; seeing, that being only a Subject, and Minister of one Prince, he so governs himself, that there's no Nation how far so ever distant, but holds its Eyes open on his Conduct: And a Pope being always chosen from amongst the Cardinals, and the Pope now reigning being very old, it may happen that this dangerous man shall be chosen.

Thou then, whose pure Life makes us believe thou art a Saint, pray the great God to hinder such an Event, which will without question disturb the Empire of him whom he has chosen to humble all other Potentates, and shew on Earth the Great­ness of his power; and, rather than such a Mis­fortune should befall us, pray Him that has created all things, that this man's Eyes be opened to know and embrace the true Faith: For, it were better, (if I may say so without displeasing thee) that this Cardinal should be a bad Mufti at Constantinople, than a good Pope at Rome, at the Head of all the Naza­renes.

'Tis said, that a Foreign King consulted this Ora­cle, (for he is held in as great Veneration as if he was one,) what Conduct he should hold to live se­curely: And it is said, the Cardinal made this Answer: That Kings should live in Fear, and then they would live in Safety; it being certain, they would receive no Poyson from the Hands of those who do not present them their Drink, no more than they can receive Wounds from those, whom they keep at a great Distance from them. Those who will not flatter them, will not [Page 333]deceive them; and where they shall think themselves in greatest Safety, that will always be the place of great­est Danger.

I am perswaded, grave and wise Prelate, thou wilt approve of the Answer of this Minister. Ju­lius Caesar lived in the midst of Combats, but dyed in the midst of the Senate.

Next after God, it is before thee, great Minister of Heaven, that I humble my self, entreating thee to re­ceive graciously the profound Respects of thy Slave Mahmut.

Paris, 25th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XIV.
To his Mother Ocoumiche, at Constanti­nople.

IT may be said, I have escaped from a mor­tal Sickness, and remain in Life, only to hear the Complaints of my Friends, who recite to me their Misfortunes; and of my Kindred, who en­tertain me with the Losses they have sustain'd. Thou addest, my dear Mother, a new Torment to the Pains I already suffer, by shedding so many fruitless Tears, O! how cruel is my Country, that gives so many Occasions of Affliction to those to whom she has given their Birth! Thou hast lost the greatest part of thine Estate, in the Fire of Constantinople, and Death has deprived thee of thy second Husband. I was but a Child when my Fa­ther dyed, so that I could not judge then of thy Grief; neither was I sensible of my own Loss. Now that I am a Man, I enter into thy Sentiments, I share in thy Grief, and shall do all I can to comfort thee.

Thou hast lost thy first and second Husband, and thou hast reason to afflict thy self. If the first was an honest man, 'tis certain the other loved thee extreamly: And the Charms of thy Countenance have not a little served thee to acquire the Affection of these Two Husbands, which thou knewest how to keep by thy Complacencies and blind Obedience to their Wills; and by such a prudent Carriage, as, one may say, thou wouldst force them to love thee, hadst thou not done it by the Charms of thy Beauty.

But, what shall we do in this thy Extream Affli­ction, and in the troublesome Condition I am for the Grief thou endurest, which mingles my Ink with my Tears? Yet we must endeavour to be comforted with a firm Resolution, not to afflict our selves but at the Loss of such things which will never be in our power to recover. Thou, at the loss of the Reputation which thou hast acquired of a Vertuous Woman; and I, at that of an Honest Man.

When my Father dyed, 'twas not all the Philoso­phy nor Eloquence of the Greeks which could comfort thee, thy Affliction was stronger than all their Reasons: and, when those officious Comfort­ers had forsaken thee, thou soughtest Ease to thy Trouble in a new Spouse. Him now thou hast lost, but now thou art still in a Condition of hindring this Loss from being irreparable. Thy Vertue has never been questioned, and thou art not as yet so old, but thou mayst think of another Husband. Seek a Third, which may make thee forget thy Sorrow for the second. And if thou findest him not immediately, or if thou hadst some trouble in seeking a like Comfort to thy Affliction, receive in this Letter the Tears of another Mother, which will shew thee there is a Woman of a far higher Condition, that is more afflicted than thou art.

Paris is still full of the Cries and Sighs which come from a Princess of the First Rank. She has now lost a great Prince, her Son, who is slain in a Battel which he had won by a strong Army, of which he was General. Read in my Letter the lively and tender Expressions of the Grief of this illustrious Mother, which draw Compassion from his Enemies, who are forced by the Rules of Ci­vility to make her Visits. Thus does she speak every day and hour, to Persons who come to visit her; and when there's no body, she thus speaks to her self.

This unfortunate Woman is not a Moment with­out sighing; and one would think by her Language, she intended to recall the Soul which has quitted the Body of her Son, the unhappy Count of Soissons. Poor Count, a Son so tenderly loved, and so greatly deserved it; where is thy Body now to be found, dyed in bloud, and in that of the Enemies? What Victory? Where are those Glorious Marks, that should give me so great Joy, and which give me such Cause of Despair? Why did I bring thee forth into the World, unfortunate Son, if I must so soon lose thee? Miserable Mother, Ʋnhappy Son! How art thou a Conqueror, when I see no other Trophy of thy Victory, than thy Death? I hear from all Parts that the Count is Victorious and yet I hear every where that his Enemies rejoyce. I see, dear Son, all thy Domesticks that followed thee, return with­out Wounds, and yet I do not see their Master. None of them can tell me where he is, and in what place their General lies, who fought with so great Valour, and Success to his Party. But, they are all agreed, the Battel was won, that my Son is a Conqueror, and that he has lost his Life. Ʋnfortunate Fight, which has made equally bewayled, the Death of the Victo­rious General by his Mother, and the Defeat by the vanquished. Would to God thou hadst been vanquished, thou mightest have lived, I should not have bin in this [Page 336]condition of following thee. 'Twould have been no Shame to have been defeated, it would have been only a Misfortune, which would have been common to thee with Pompey and Hannibal, to whom Antiquity had nothing to impute, but their ill Fortune. A sincere Re­conciliation, a Pardon, or a Peace, might make all that is past forgotten. A voluntary Exile might have ap­peased the King's Anger, and perhaps disarm'd the Cardinal; my Son might have liv'd, France would not have been troubled, a Mother would not have been at this day comfortless, and the Count 's Enemies would not have rejoyced at his Loss. But to my Grief nothing of this has hapned. Alas! the Stay of a [...] Illustrious Family is dead; unhappy Mother, how are all thy Hopes vanished? but, good God, how was this my dear Son taken out of the World? I know but too well, that his Enemies laid continually Snares for him. Methinks I see my Son's Murtherers give him the dead­ly stroak in the Heat of the Fight, and in the instant he was going to enjoy his Victory. Ah! my dear Son, Ah! unfortunate Mother! why did not I breath out my last on the dead body of this Son, so worthy the Esteem of all the World, and whom I so dearly loved? Why didst not thou, too powerful Minister, give me the Mortal Blow, rather than let me see so sad a Tragedy? Do you kill me that hear me; or thou, my Son, give me thy Hand to descend into the Grave, where thou art to be buried.

But my Reason fails me, I must for my Son's Honour stifle these Motions of Weakness; 'tis true he lives no longer; but he dyed in the Bed of Honour with his Sword in his Hand; he dyed full of Glory; he dyed Victorious, and even in dying vanquished his Enemies.

Let us cease from shedding Tears; but what do I say? he dyed assassinated, a Victim sacrificed to the Ven­geance of his Enemies, by the blackest Treason, 'tis clear. and yet I would live: No, I must dye; let us imitate the Greatness and Courage of those illustrious Women, [Page 337]who threw themselves on the Pile whereon their Hus­ [...]ands were burnt: My Son is more dear to me; let [...]s then dye, and weep no more; These Tears are fruit­ [...]ess; but let us live, seeing Heaven ordains it, and [...]et us live to dye every day: I shall have ever present [...]efore mine Eyes, the Death of my Son; I shall see e­very day his bloudy Body; I shall continually remember his [...]espects, his Tenderness for me; and I shall never forget [...]he tender and violate Passion which I had for this Son, for whom alone I lived: but at least, cruel Cardinal, restore me his dead Body; thou hast thy Revenge, he is no longer alive; give this sad Consolation to a de­solate Mother: perhaps this Sight will work the Effect thou desirest, cruel Wretch as thou [...]rt; it will unite my Soul to that of my Son.

Dear Mother, if thou canst not comfort thy self by so great an Example of Misfortune to this Prin­cess, it will be hard for thy Son to say any thing which can diminish thy Grief. Imitate this illu­strious Woman, who having suffered whatever Sor­row and Despair can do to a Mother who loves vehemently, and with Reason suffers her self to be perswaded, not to give en entire Victory to her Enemies, who triumph still over her Son, by the Grief which they see his Death has caused. She has been ruled by the Advice of her Friends, and received great Comfort from a Letter sent her by the King, written with his own Hands:

Cousin, The Grief which you show at your late Loss, obliges me to testifie the Share which I have in it, and the Displeasure I conceive at the fault of him which has caused it. And though I ought not to be sorry by reason of the Conjuncture wherein it has hapned, yet I must heartily condole with you, and contribute what I am able to your Consolation.

I can say nothing more to thee, my most honoured mother, unless it be, that thou shalt always have [Page]in me a most obedient Son; and if thou takest a Third Husband, thou wilt be perhaps less unfortu­nate; but please thy self.

The great God, who has created all Things, and pro­vides for their Necessities by his Infinite Goodness, comfort and fill thee with his Blessings.

Paris, 25th. of the 2d. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XV.
To the Grand Signior 's Treasurer.

THE Priest which plaid the Tarpaulin, whom the French call the Archbishop of Bordeaux, of whom I believe I have given thee some Account the 10th. Moon of the year 1637. has lost the Credit which he had with the King, and is at present disgraced. The Opinion of his Valour at Court is much lessen­ed, by his not hindring, with the Fleet he com­manded, the Spaniards from putting Succours into Tarragone, a famous Sea-Port near Barcellona. They lost the last year, twelve Gallies in Fight against the French Naval Forces; but having fitted a migh­tier Fleet, they have put into this Place the Suc­cours they intended. The Archbishop could not, or would not hinder them; which will be the cause, that this Place will not come so soon under the Power of the French.

'Tis said, that this Prelate was banisht France, and was retired into a City situated on the Rhosne, named Avignon, and belongs to the Roman Prelate.

It being a thing very usual to run down the Un­fortunate, all the World blames this Prelate, having not always met with equal Success on the Sea in [Page 339]the Employs he sought, and which did not at all agree with his Function of Archbishop; which he might have performed with Applause, in imitating his Predecessor who was his Brother, the Cardinal de Sourdis; and who had left him a Diocess well regulated, rich, furnished with great store of Churches well served, Pastors of great Piety and Learning, whom this man had procured and setled in his Diocess with great Care, which made his Death extreamly lamented.

The Catalonions are at length become this King's Subjects; they maintain their Revolt with the French Forces, and strengthen themselves after the Example of the Portugueses. They fight with such Courage, that they come off continually Conque­rors; but, I shall make no Relation of their Fights, nor of the Blood which is spilt on either side, which are Matters I do not care to treat of.

God give thee a continual Tranquillity of Mind, make thee in love with Peace, and preserve in thee that vigilant Spirit, so necessary for the keeping the Treasure entrusted to thee.

LETTER XVI.
To the Kaimakam.

THe Cardinal Favourite of France, has such long Hands, that he makes Seizures in those places which are not subject to his Jurisdiction; and when he has made them, he keeps them without any thoughts of restoring them. There's no pro­bability at present, That this bold Politician will lay hands on what belongs to the Grand Signior: However, I have some Reason to write this:

There has been carry'd some days since an illu­strious Prisoner into the Castle of the Wood of Vincennes; and, thou shalt hear this new way of apprehending a great Man in another's House, and in the Court of a Foreign Sovereign, who is absolute in his own Estates. This Prisoner was apprehended in the midst of the finest Ladies in the Court of Turin, at a magnificent Ball which the Dutchess Regent of this Estate gave in her Palace. It was this Prin­cess whom I mentioned to thee, who was Widow to Victor Amadaeus Duke of Savoy, and Sister to the King which now so happily reigns over the French.

The Dutchess, who had a particular Considera­sion for this Prisoner, could not behold this Exploit of the Cardinal's without extream Vexation. His Name is, if I be not mistaken, Count Philip a' Aglie, a Person of great Quality; and, whose excellent Parts and Courage, do yet render him more illu­strious than his Birth.

'Tis not yet known, why the Cardinal undertook such a bold Stroak; though 'tis said, the Council of France has had great reasons to secure the per­son of this Favourite. The chief Motive, they say, was, That he was caarying on some Designs against the Interests of this Crown with the Cardinal of Savoy; whom 'tis thought, he would have married to the Widow of Amadaeus his Brother.

Richlieu attempted not to carry off Count Philip, till having made several Tryals to remove him from the Court of Turin, under the pretence of some Embassie, to which he would never consent; so that his Obstinacy cost him his Liberty.

The Dutchess greatly complains, and reproaches the King her Brother with the Violation of the Right of Nations and Sovereignty; but only her own Court are sensible to these Complaints, they being not heard in that of France; and her Em­bassadour [Page 341]has been seen there, in a supplicant Posture, humbly suing for the Count's Liberty; or that he might be sent on an Embassie to Rome; or at least­wise, That in leaving the Castle of Vincennes, he might be imprisoned somewhere in Paris.

The Cardinal answered the Supplications of the Ambassador of Savoy, That the King, his Master, did not apprehend Philip, and bring him into France, but out of regard to the Interests of his Sister of Savoy; and that she might be assured, that for her sake he should be well used.

Thou maist see by this Answer a great Haugh­tiness, and frivolous Reasonings, which suffici­ently denote, that this great Minister does not love to be contradicted, or opposed in the Resolutions he takes; and if an Account of what's done in the World, must be given to any one man alone, he would take it very ill, if it were to any body but himself.

I shall not fail to send thee the Books thou requir'st, and inform thee the best I can of the false or true D. Sebastian, King of Portugal, whom his Subjects do believe to be still alive, when I have made suf­ficient Enquiries into the Truth of the Matter. I kiss, with a profound Humility, the Hem of thy rich Vest, on which I fasten the Lips of a Respect­ful and Obedient Slave.

Paris, 21st. of the 3d. Moon of the Year 1642.

LETTER XVII.
To the Reis Effendy, Secretary of the Empire.

THere was found last Night, a Man dead in the Streets of Paris, who seems not to be above 30 Years old; he is a Spaniard, and had about him a Letter, or Memoir, which it seems he had written to some Confident at Madrid, in these Terms:

‘ Cardinal Richlieu told me, he did not know the Hand nor Signature of Count Olivarez's Secretary; and that when he should fill up his signed Blank; which I presented him, and let fall the pretended Letter of this Secretary into the King of Spain's Hands, he saw not what Advantage could result hence to the King of France, his Master. I am ve­ry willing added he, that the King of Spain should suspect the Count, or Secretary, of Infide­lity, and of having some Commerce with me; but, it would not be advantageous to us, he should be plainly convinced of it, seeing the greatest hap­piness France could have, is, that Count Olivarez his Ministry should be perpetual: For, being the most unhappy of all the Favourites that have ever been in the place he possesses, all good French­men are obliged to pray to God to give him a long Life, and to continue him ever in the King his Master's Favour, to perpetuate by his Counsels the Disgraces of Spain.’

He pursued his point of Raillery, in this manner:

‘Of a Duke of Braganza, Olivarez has made a King of Portugal; Of a King of France, a Count of Bar­cellona; Of a Sovereign Duke of Lorain, a Vassal; Of a Prince Cardinal, a Knight Errant; Of a Lord of Monacho, a Duke and Peer of France; and, in fine, of Philip IV. King of Spain, he has made a Count, Duke d' Olivarez.’

This is all I could get from so great and illustri­ous a Genius.

The just God, who has sent us his Prophet, ever direct thy Actions, that thou mayst enjoy an happy Eternity, and give thee Opportunities of doing Good.

Paris, 24th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XVIII.
To William Vospel, a Christian of Austria:

GOD be praised, thy Patriarch Elias, and his Companion; forasmuch, as I see thou art a Saint, and content in the Religion of the Bare-footed Fryars which thou hast embraced. Thou stirrest me up to do Good, and encouragest me to suffer, and become serious enough to renounce the Pleasures of the World, seeing thou tracest me a Way so necessa­ry to walk in, in order to arrive at Heaven. I did not believe indeed, I confess it, thou wert endued with that Constancy; and was afraid, thou wouldst change; but, seeing thou hast the courage of keeping thy Resolution, and enduring all the Incommodi­ousness which is to be met with in that kind of Life which thou hast embraced; I am sorry for my Suspi­cions, and profess I have all due Esteem for thee. I love thee as much as one honest Man ought to love another, who, having found out the True Good, has ran impetuously after it; and who has past immedi­ately from a soft and voluptuous Life, to the Seve­rities of an austere Religion, in search of an assured Port, which is more usually found in Sufferings and Macerations, than in Delights and Pleasures. There is one thing amongst others, which extreamly pleases [Page 344]me, in the Order thou hast entred; All things are in Common amongst you; one Key opens an hundred Doors; you have no Meum & Tuum; all clad in the same Fashion, and all go bare-footed; you eat at the same Table, and no body has better or worse Fare than another. In fine, your Prayers are the same, and so are your Vows of Poverty,

But, prithee tell me, What would a Thief have found in thy Cell, whom I saw yesterday hanged with a Key about his Neck? He had the Dexterity of opening with this Key all sorts of Locks, and has done a Thousand Roguish Exploits, which have at length brought him to the Gallows. He told the People, he died a most happy Man, as having pra­ctised with great Success, an Art inferiour to none; That the only Crime he thought he had been guilty of for this 30 Years, was his committing but small Thefts; That had he found the Doors always open, he had never entred into any House; and he exhor­ted Magistrates to chastise only those, who suffered themselves to be robbed.

Spanish Authors have written, There's no Law which allots Penalties to those that rob with Pru­dence and Ingenuity; thus call they those who steal wherewithal to appease the Envious, who would ac­cuse them, the Witnesses which might serve to convict them, and the Magistrates by whom they are to be judged: So that the Thief that shall have stoln for himself, and for all others I now mention'd, shall be ever sent away absolved. Which makes me think, that Theft is of the Nature of Women; for, both one, and the other seem at this day to be ne­cessary Evils, just as Keys seem only good now a­days to preserve what may be stoln, and not to hin­der it from being so.

How many things has the Injustice of some Peo­ple authorized for the Safeguard of a Town? 'Tis not enough to have a strong Garrison of Soldiers; [Page 345]Three Elements are not sufficient to defend it against a greater Power that would oppress it. The Earth is raised, to make thereof Trenches; the deepest Ditches are dried up, whatever quantity of Water may be in them; and, Fire is enclosed in Cannons; the Effects of which are terrible. If thou surveyest Italy, thou wilt find in several Towns, Palaces which have more Gates than Thebes had heretofore: And, if thou countest the Keys which serve to open them, thou wilt find the Iron they are made of, to cost more than the Doors themselves.

Men are not contented to use these Keys, accor­ding to the common Use they seem to be designed for; their Ambition makes them serve for Marks of Honour in several Princes Courts, where they be Recompences for Services, for Vertue and Valour. The Golden Key in Spain, which the great Lords wear, denotes, That they know how to open the Gate of Favour. And, 'tis the same in Germany, and especially in the Emperor's Court.

Happy was Ancient Rome, whose Citizens were so wise, that being advised to turn the Front of their Houses on that side where they could not be obser­ved by their Neighbours, they answered the Archi­tect; We rather desire our Houses may be over-look'd into, because we do nothing wherein we fear a Sur­prize. Whereas Modern Rome, on the contrary, may be termed unhappy, wherein there are not enough Gates, and Porters of them, to conceal what is done in the most retired places of their Palaces.

It is in this City, where Luxury grew to that height under the first Emperors; that all Mens Stu­dies were to find out new Pleasures.

But, I must end this Discourse of Keys, of Doors, and Door-keepers; I must not expect to reform the World, nor would I weary thy Patience. Par­don me my passing from the Cell, to the Story of the Thief whom I saw executed; and from the [Page 346]Thief, to a Discourse of Keys, and other things with which I have entertained thee. I was so full of it, that I could not forbear the Discourse, no more than I can now to speak of the Subtilty of the Spaniards, who have vaunted of the Worth of their Escurial, by the great Number of the Keys which belong to it; like that foolish Emperor, who valued the Greatness of Rome, by the great weight of Spiders Webs which were there: The Spaniards affirm, There are so many Doors to this Stately E­difice, that the Keys which serve to open them, weigh above Ten Thousand Weight.

But, 'tis time to end this tiresome Letter. Let me then counsel thee, to watch over thy Conscience, as the Parisians do over their Shops, to prevent Vi­olences. Here are so many great and small Thieves, that should they be punished, as they were chastised in Syria, where the same Punishment is imposed on him that is robbed, as him that robs; this great Town would ho [...] [...] peopled, or become a Pri­son to an infinite [...]mber of People who would be found faulty.

May it please the Great God, who should be ado­red by all Creatures, to encline the Great Prelate (after thou art delivered from the Burthen of the Flesh,) to place thee amongst the Number of those, for whom the Church has a pious Veneration; and, respect thy Ashes in such a manner, as, I hope, thy holy and exemplary Life will deserve.

Paris, 24th. of 4th. Moon. of the Year 1642.

LETTER XIX.
To the Venerable Mufti.

THou wilt not think me troublesome, if thou remembrest the Order thou haft given me; and sought rather to hazard the tiring thee by fre­quent Letters, than be accused of Neglect for not obeying thee. Obedience must needs be agreeable, where the Command is made with Wisdom. When I write to the Grand Vizir, 'tis in trembling; and, if I write to the Kaimakam, I am not without Hope; and, I send no Letter to the other Bassa's, without Inquietude, and great Trouble. As to what concerns my Friends, I divert my self in wri­ting to them. But, when it is to thee that I write, I may say 'tis, that I may hope, live, and obtain in the other World, that happy State spoken of by our Holy Prophet; that Life which is to be the Re­compence of all those, who shall perform good Acti­ons, whilst they dwell among Men.

Cardinal Richlieu would willingly be absolute in Matters of Religion, as thou art; he would also be thought a Saint; but he knows not how to be one: And, indeed, he would be every thing. How­ever, he does abundance of things which thou dost not, and pretends to be above thee, because he does not live as thou dost. This Man, whose Head is full of the Affairs of the World, concerns himself in whatever passes in Europe; one only Employ cannot satisfie him; he is not contented with being the Favourite of a great King, under whose Authority he governs all things: Some time ago, 'twas reported he would make himself a Pa­triarch. He aspires extream high, undertakes the most difficult Matters, and takes a singular Pleasure [Page 348]in making use of extraordinary Means for the Exe­cution of his Projects, that Posterity, and Histori­ans may write, That being come into the World with a small Fortune, he died Rich; and being born in the Condition of a private Man, he lived in the State of a great Prince: Observe ( Venerable Prince of that Religion, which can alone be appro­ved of by him who drew the World out of Nothing.) two remarkable Stroaks of this French Tiberius, which I have learn'd but lately.

This Cardinal sent to Madrid, incognito, a General of certain Dervises; a Man of a fit Genius to second his own, of a piercing and subtle Wit, and very un­derstanding in Secular Affairs; after having given him express Order, that assoon as ever he should be in Spain; he should do such and such a thing, and, that at his return into France, he should re­mit into his Hands alone the Memoirs of what he had transacted. This Monk succeeded very well in the Employ he undertook; but, in his Return, the Cardinal sent an express Command to him, to deliver, before he entred into France, all his Pa­pers, into the Hands of a Gentleman who brought him his Letter. This Dervis obeyed; but he was disgraced, and the Cardinal maintained; 'twas a Crime to obey in this Occasion; for, having once received an Order to entrust no body with these Pa­pers but himself, he could not be excused for de­livering them to others; and, for this Reason, he forbad him to set Foot within the Kingdom. This poor Religious died some time after, desperate at this Usage; and perhaps, this is the first time a man has been punished, for too punctual Obedi­ence.

'Tis not many Moons, since there came Post a Person of Quality from Italy, who brought consi­derable News to the Cardinal. 'Tis impossile for me, to express the Caresses this Favourite made him. [Page 349]And, to denote his Joy, he immediately presented him with a rich Diamond, and made him hope for still greater Recompences; yet, this same Person that had brought this so good News, was carried to the Bastile assoon as he came out of the Cardinal's Closet, where he remained for some Months with­out seeing any Body; so, that he imagined him­self all that while in a Dream; but, at length, his Prison-Doors were set open, and the Cardinal would see him, and made him be given as many Hundred Crowns as he had past over Days in his Solitude. He accompanied this Present he made him, with all the Civilities imaginable, and said these Words to him: Thou art not to blame, and yet I could not but punish thee for my Fault, when I made thee enter into my Closet assoon as thou camest from Italy, to bring me so advantageous News. The great Desire I had to know the Parriculars of the Business, made me forget to take off from my Table a Writing of great Importance, which thou mightest have read entire; which contained the Revolt of Catalonia, the Demands of this Province, and the Intrigues of France, which caused this Insurrection: And the Knowledge of so important a Mystery, might make my Prince lose the Acquisition of so Rich a Province; so that I could not imagine a more safe and speedy Re­medy, than to shut thee up in a Place, where it was impossible for thee to make any use of the Notices thou didst get, by my Imprudence. But, things being at pre­sent in such a Condition, wherein 'tis impossible France should receive any prejudice; I restore thee thy Liberty, and entreat thee to forget the Severity which Reasons of State have put me upon. Receive from my Hands, the Present which the King my Master makes thee; and be pleased to reckon me, amongst the Number of thy parti­cular Friends.

I prostrate my self again at thy Feet, Holy Pre­late, intreating thy Benediction, and that thou wilt [Page 350]look on me as one of thy most obedient Children; having such a Respect to thy Holiness, as is due to the greatest Minister of Heaven, that ever inter­preted the Holy Alcoran in the Empire of the Faith­ful.

I also intreat thy Prayers, that God having re­gard to the Supplications which thou shalt offer him, would give me the Grace to live honestly, and serve the Sultan faithfully, and that I may die in the Religion of my Fathers.

Paris, 24th. of the 4th. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XX.
To the Kaimakam.

THE Books of the Arabian, Geber, are not to be found in that Language which thou desirest them in; I have sought for them, I believe, in above Two Hundred Booksellers Shops, and there's not one of them knows, they were ever translated into the Tongue in which thou wouldst have them.

'Tis now some time since these Books have been common in France; and there are several persons who apply themselves to Dr. Geber's Science; but there's no Translation of them into any of the Common Languages of Europe. When I enquired for this Book, the Booksellers asked me several dif­ferent Questions; and especially, Whether I sought for Receipts to prolong Life. Some there were, who asked me grinning, Whether my Design was to fix some volatile Deity; and others answered the Question I made them on the Book of the learned Geber, only by a Silence, accompanied with [Page 351]some Smiles; and at the same time putting into my hands a Book, and saying to me, Here's what you look for; This is what you want, Monsieur Abbot: And this Book treated of Impossible Things; Of the Quadrature of the Circle in Geometry, of the Phi­losophers Stone in Chymistry, of the Perfection of the Orator in Rhetorick, of a Republick, such a one as Plato would have in his Politicks, and of the Per­perpetual Motion in the Mathematicks.

I did not seem to be much moved at these Mer­chants Dealings with me; but, I found a very ho­nest Capucin, who put me in hopes of recovering the Geber thou seekest; for, he assured me he saw it in Caldee, or in the Aegyptian Language in a learn­ed Man's Library, without giving me any Encourage­ment to think it may be purchased, because he that possesses it is not needy of Money.

Thou wilt not perhaps, be displeased to know what this Religious told me concerning Chymistry; and he appeared to me, not only to have Learning, but Experience. He assured me, there were in Paris alone, several Thousands of Men that applied themselves to this Exercise; and, that there are above Four Thousand Authors who treat of this Science: that King Geber was the most knowing and clearest in his Expressions; and yet there are none but such as are real Philosophers, and wholly bent to the Study of Nature, that can easily under­stand him. Whereunto he added, there were se­veral people who laboured with great Patience, but few with those Qualifications which are necessary to find Success: He affirm'd, that speculative Know­ledge is fruitless; that one must have a long Pra­ctice, and continual Exercise; that most People labour to no purpose, because they do not take Na­ture for their guide, no more than the Operations she makes in Minerals; because, according to Geber, the Principles of the Art, should be those of Na­ture [Page 352]it self; and that it is only in Metals, we can find Metals, and that it is, in fine, by Metals one can succeed in the making of perfect Metals.

This good Dervis maintained, That the true way to proceed to the Perfection of this great Work, consists in the Union of the Mineral-Spirits purifi­ed by Art, with the perfect Metallick Bodies, having first volatilized them, and then fixed them, in con­serving all the Radical Humidity, and in augmenting the Natural Heat, by a discreet Coction of the Composition; which comes by this marvellous Ferment, which makes all this Mass boyl, and puts it into a Fermentation: So that this marvellous Composition, insinuating it self by Penetration into the most subtle parts of the melted Mettal, by the external Fire, and radically dissolving it, it ripens it, and purges it from whatever is not of the Essence of Gold, and of Mercury, till the whole be driven out to an entire Perfection: Which made the Master of Masters; the Learned Geber say, That this perfect Elixir being the pure Substance of Metals, it seeks in the melted Me­tals that which is of the same Nature with it self and perfects it.

Now, as it is impossible for the Artist to produce any thing that is new according to his Fancy, but only to joyn or separate what Nature has produced; Raymond Lully would have us understand, that the Body in this Art is the Mettallick Being, in which lies the Mineral Spirit, because the Metals are nothing else but this Spirit, of which consists the Philosophers Stone; and this Spirit is properly the Vertue of Minerals, in which is contained the Spring of Metals. But the famous Geber has clear­ly shewed, that this Stone is wholly created and formed by Nature, to which the Artist neither adds or diminishes any thing, but only makes it change its place by his Preparation, which in every other respect is useless.

This Fryar affirms, This Mineral Body, entirely Spirituous as it is, has yet four sorts of Superflui­ties, of which it must be purged by the Hand of the Artist, viz. a great Humidity, the Earth which is found therein; the ordinary, Sulphur which burns, and the Salt which is corrosive: and it must be purified by Calcination, Dissolution, Sub­limation, and Fixation, that there may alone re­main the Radical Humidity fix'd and permanent; which being afterwards united in a indissolvible manner to the perfect Body, composes this incom­parable Body, which is so much sought and so sel­dom found, and which is an hot Elixir, powerful to ripen and purifie all imperfect Metals, and convert them into Gold or Silver.

There is afterwards given an Activity to the Gold, in refining it by new Degrees of Fire, added to that which it already had.

Thus far went our Conversation, when an old Woman came unhappily upon us, and bereaved me of the Satisfaction of learning of this Religious, some important Secret which [...]he seemed inclinable to entrust me with. This indiscreet and imperti­nent Woman, using the Liberty ordinary with the People of this Country, cruelly interrupted our Conversation; and I remained struck, as it were, with a Flash of Lightning, when this knowing Fryar told me, That the Arrival of this Woman forced him to take his leave of me; and he prepared to be gone, like a man that was expected for some weigh­ty Affair; when casting his Eyes on my Counte­nance, he perceived the Perplexity and Confusion which this Separation caused in me; and to com­fort me, he said thus in my Ear: I know very well, Friend, thou hast an inquisitive Soul, and designest great things; meet me at my Cell, and in the mean time, I'll tell thee, for thy Consolation, in plain Terms, That it has always been, and ever shall [Page 354]be my Opinion, that to labour profitably, one must follow Raymund Lully's Rules. This great Philosopher af­firms, and I am of his Mind, That to make Gold, one must have Gold and Mercury, and Mercury and Silver to make Silver; but, I understand by Mercury, that Mineral Spirit so refined and purified, that it aurifies the ve [...]y Seed of Gold, and argentises that of Silver. These are the very Words he spake to me.

But, in leaving me, I entreated him to tell me, Whether it was easie to attain to the Accomplish­ment of this great Work, and what was necessary for that great End.

He answered me, 'Twas very hard, which made almost all People despair of compassing it; there being very few People, on whom Heaven bestowed the necessary Qualifications to acquire this precious Art; that these Qualifications consisted in being a true Philosopher, and in being perfectly skilled in Naure, in having a Patience Proof against all Dis­appointments; and, that a Man should be in the Flower of his Age, strong, and vigorous, to endure Labour, well furnish'd with Wealth, and indefati­gable. Whereunto he added, That if any of these Qualities were wanting, one might be certain, that the others would be so also; That a Man who is unacquainted with Nature, works lik a blind Man; And, that should one fail of Success, the first, se­cond, third, fourth, nay, fifth, or sixth time in the Operation, he is a Fool that then grows wea­ry, and does not again begin to set at work, with the same Earnestness, and Hopes of Success; and that should a Man want a vigorous Health. La­bour would weaken and make him faint; and that, in fine, if one be without sufficient Estate, 'tis im­possible the Work should succeed; which demands an entire Man, and such a one as minds nothing else.

This Dervise moreover told me, as a thing cer­tain, That several Persons had attained to the Per­fection of this Undertaking; which employs so great a Number of Virtuoso's, in all Parts of the World: For, were it not so, there would not be that Quantity of Gold there is; for, all that of the In­dies was not sufficient to satisfie so many People, who mind nothing else but gaining of it; and that, in fine, such great Treasures which are heap'd up, and the Gold that runs in Traffick, never came out of the Mines which are in the Mountains, but that a great part has been made by Artists. He moreover assured me, That the Overseers of the Mint in France affirmed, as a thing beyond all Que­stion, That there was more Gold brought to them, than ever came from Foreign Parts; which made him conclude, that the Art is true, and that no man need doubt that there is such a thing as the Philosopher's Stone.

This Conversation, although interrupted, made me cease being incredulous; and if I were an Here­tick in this Matter yesterday, I begin now to have Faith, and believe, only 'tis a Work extream diffi­cult; and I do no longer wonder, there are so many People who deceive others, without any Design of doing it; and am not surprized, they should apply themselves to all sorts of Persons, not excepting Princes: For they believe still, they shall meet with Success; and not being able to furnish the Charges they must be at, they use all sorts of Tricks to move those whom Covetousness renders, in this Oc­casion, very easie to be persuaded; and all in ge­neral meet in their Operations, with great Hunger, Cold, Lobour, and Smoak.

It seems, as if that which hindred those who have been fortunate enough to attain the Perfection of this Work, from communicating their Knowledge in this Matter, was the dread of their Prince's [Page 356]Power; as having oft experienced, that they are jealous at the Riches of a private Person. Sove­reigns cannot endure, that a mean Wretch, born amongst the Dregs of the People, should have in his Power wherewithal to make himself happy and several others; which obliges them to deprive these Philosophers of the means of working; and makes them labour in secret, and conceal them­selves with more care, when they have finished their Work. Great Men cannot easily suffer pri­vate People to become Masters, by virtue of this Art, and to do all those Wonders which by this mar­vellous Metal may be wrought in their Closets, without going to Peru, and ransacking there the Bowels of the Earth, They know very well, that this long'd for Gold, produces every thing; gives Reputation; makes them fol'ow one, who fled from a Man before, corrupts those who appear the most incorruptible, opens the strongest Doors, overthrows whole Armies, causes a Man to change his Mind in a moment, makes him that was a poor Man, presently talk Sentences. Nay, many Christi­ans affirm this Metal to be so efficacious, that it draws the Souls out of a doleful Abode, call'd Pur­gatory; so that it seems, as if it appeased God's Wrath, and brings Men to Heaven.

These afore-mentioned Reasons, obliged the cruel Diocletian to put to Death as many Chymists as could be found in Egypt; and at the same time to cause their Books to be burnt, lest the People, who were naturally ingenious, being become too powerful by the Art of making Gold, should undertake a War against the Roman Empire. But we find, in the ancient Writings of the Arabians, that Moses having learn'd of God himself, the Art of perfectly knowing Nature, and that of the Conversion of Metals, and making Gold, to write in Letters form'd of this Metal, the Law he prescribed the Israelites: He [Page 357]taught it to Carun, a poor Man, but his intimate Friend, and near Kinsman; who being become very rich by means of this Science, had heap'd up immense Treasures, and built himself forty houses, which were filled with Gold, but were all swallowed up, and buried in the Earth, by the Virtue of Moses's Rod, with the Master of them, whom so great Riches had rendred proud, and made him think of with­drawing himself from obeying this great Servant of God; having falsly accused him before the People of divers Crimes, and especially of having abused a Virgin.

The last thing which was discovered in the Vene­ [...]ian Territories, was a great Urn, found in an hol­low Cave. In this Urn, which was considerably large, there was another less, and in it two Pots, one full of Gold reduced into Liquor, and the other of Sil­ver, of the same Fashion, and a Lamp which seem'd to have burnt for many Ages. 'Twas known by the Characters on this Urn, that they were conse­trated to the God Pluto; and there were on them Catin Verses, which shewed, That Maximus Olibous [...]ad been the Author of them. Those then who say this Art is false, that the Beginning of it is a Lye, the Middle of the Work meer Fatigue, and [...]he End Beggary, have not said true themselves; [...]nd yet one cannot accuse them, as having not, in some sort, spoke the Truth.

I beseech the Sovereign Creator of all things, [...]rom whom alone we hold what we know, as being [...]he great and wise Architect of Nature, that he [...]ould bestow on thee the Science of the learned [...]eber; that thou mayst be as rich as Solomon: but [...]bove all, that he would grant thee the Spirit of Aglaus, who was ever seen to live content.

Paris, 20th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER X.
To Mehemet, an Eunuch-Page to the Sultaness.

THE Adventure which thou relatedst happened in the Seraglio, shews, that Women are expo­sed to great Accidents. Their Condition is unhappy when they are handsome, but more when they are homely and deformed. The Fathers, Brethren, and Husbands guard the former, as Cerberus guarded the Gates of Hell; and the others guard themselves, and look on all things with Eyes of Envy and Dis­content, which makes them empoyson every thing. But that which happens amongst us, is very dif­ferent from what's in France, where Women enjoy almost a Liberty equal to that of Men. Not but that we see notable Adventures happen there; wit­ness the Queen, who is Mother to a great King now reigning, and yet lives in Exile, and as a Fugitive, amongst Strangers, through the Credit of Cardinal Richlieu, for whom she has not all the Deference he expected. And an ancient Lady, (I may call her so, now she does not hear me,) told me such things some days past, on this occasion, which I can scarce believe my self, did I not know them to be true from elsewhere.

I am farther told, that this Cardinal, not having succeeded in the design he had of marrying his Niece with a Prince of the Bloud, intended (if he could) to marry her to the King's Brother: But there's no great likelihood, but so able a Minister must see into the mischievous Consequences into which this Promotion would bring him; for, it would undoubtedly draw on him the Hatred of all the great People in the Kingdom. And, I would [Page 359]not be mentioned at Constantinople, for the Author of all the News talk'd of at Paris.

But 'tis certain, this Priest sent the Chancelor, a venerable Person, and by his Office a man of great Authority, to seize on this Princess's Papers, in hopes he might meet with some Letter which might favour that Design. The Chancellor executed the Order he had received, but found nothing of what the Cardinal pretended; so that this Persecution served only to manifest this Princess's Vertue, who lives in such a manner, as may not only serve as an Example to all Queens, but all the Women in the World.

Some time after, this same Chancellor being come to compliment the Queen on the Birth of the Dau­phin, she told him in a composed manner, but very pleasantly, That this Visit was very different from that she had received from him about a Year past.

If Persons that are seated in the highest degrees, be not secure from the bold Attempts of those who are infinitely below them, and who are born to serve them; the beautiful Ci [...]c [...]ssian should comfort her self in the Misfortune she had of being accused. If her Innocency be well proved, she will be the more pleasing to Ibrahim, and the false Accusation laid against her, will be a new Charm to him: whereas, should she be found guilty, we must grant she de­serves the most dreadful Punishments; for having violated, if I may so express my self, the Sacred Nights of the Seraglio.

However, the young Persian was found disguised in Woman's Apparel in some of the neighbouring Sta­bles: And though he, in the midst of the Torments he suffered, died without confessing any thing; yet it cannot be said, he died innocent, after such an At­tempt.

I hope thou wilt inform me what has happened since thy last Letter, and in what manner the Ad­venture [Page 360]of this beautiful Slave shall be ended. I shall be much troubled for her if she be innocent, and cannot be wholly free from Compassion for her, if she prove guilty.

Leave not off writing to me, and if it be possible, be not weary of loving me. I speak in the Pre­sence of our holy Prophet, I love thee with the same Affection as ever, and I dare not utter an Untruth before him.

Paris, 20th. of the 5 th. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XXII.
To the Kaimakam.

TIS about 60 years, since D. Sebastian King of Portugal, died in Africk, by the Hands of the Moors; and yet his Subjects will believe him still living.

He parted from Lisbon in the Year 1578. in the Design of re-establishing on his Throne Muley Mehe­met, Cheriff of Africk, whom his Uncle Muley Abde­lemelech would bereave of his Kingdom; but in ef­fect, to endeavour at the making himself Master of Barbary.

His Army consisted of a Thousand Sail, well fur­nish'd with Provisions, few Soldiers, but a great many Nobility. This Prince was not above 25 years of Age, when he formed this Enterprize; he was a strong bodied Man, of a moderate Stature, but well set; his Hair was yellow, his Eyes great, and full of Fire, his Courage was not inferiour to his Strength, and he had no violent Inclination to Pleasures, which generally take Men's Minds off [Page 361]from gallant Actions; he was temperate in all things; yet very forward in Undertakings, and al­ways firm and unmovable in greatest Dangers. He was a great Husband of his Revenues, employing them in his Subjects Defence, or to the Increase of his own Power. He was agreeable to all those that waited on him; and in the freest Conversations, he took care not to disoblige any one by sharp Rail­lery, or distastful Sayings; and so merciful was he, that he avoided all Occasions of condemning his Subjects to Death. He passionately loved War; but 'tis thought, the Expedition into Africk, wherein he perished, came from Spanish Counsels.

D. Sebastian was kill'd in fighting with an Invin­cible Courage. The Moors say, That his Enemies were so charmed with his Courage, that his Death drew Tears from their Eyes.

He was forsaken by his own; mortally wounded near the right Eye-brow; and pierced with Darts in several Parts of his Body. He had no Wound in his Head, because he was armed; but he had a great one in his Arm, which seemed to come from a Musket-Bullet. 'Tis said, he was buried in the Field, near a Moor, without any Ceremony, Pray­ers, or Company of his Relations, or Subjects. And, this was the End of this Great King, who made all Africk at first to tremble.

Although the Moors rejoyced at the Death of so puissant an Enemy; that his Friends bewailed his Misfortune: The Kingdom of Portugal celebrated his Funeral in a magnificent manner; and, the King of Spain proffered several thousand Crowns for his Body, to bury him in a manner answerable to the Dignity of his Birth and Merit; and that Four Kings have since supplied his Throne; yet was there found a Man bold enough to maintain in the Face of all Italy, that he was really D. Sebastian, King of Portugal. He presented himself at Venice in an As­sembly [Page 362]of the wisest Magistrates in Europe; he reci­ted to them the Accidents of his Life; the History of his Predecessors; the Misfortunes he met with in Africk, whence he retired into Calabria. He did more; for he stripp'd himself before this Illustri­ous Assembly; he shewed them Seventeen Marks on his Body, which were acknowledged with Asto­nishment by the Portugueses themselves, to be at least very like those which they knew their Sove­reign had on his Body; and he also shewed, that he had one Hand greater than the other, and a Lip disproportionable in the same manner, which were the well-known Marks in the Person of D. Sebastian. He talks of Ambassadors, which he sent to the Re­publick; he cites the Answers he had received; and all he says, is found conformable to the Truth: He answers without Hesitation, to all that is obje­cted; which makes several of the Senate believe him to be really the King, and others take him for a Witch.

But in fine, this Prince, right or wrong, is led away to Prison at the Solicitation of the Spanish Am­bassador; where having long lain, he is set at Li­berty, under an Obligation to leave the Venetian Countries in Three Days time.

Some Portugueses, moved with Compassion, dis­guised him in a Dervise's Habit, and conducted him secretly to Florence, to transport him afterwards to Rome; but the great Duke of Tuscany caused him to be apprehended, and sent him to the Vice-Roy of Naples. He presented himself before him with his usual Confidence▪ and surprized all that saw him, and heard him speak; and seeing the Vice-Roy un­covered, he said to him with great Assurance, and Gravity, Be covered, Count de Lemnos; which ob­liged this Minister to ask him, By what Authority he took on him this Boldness? To which, he answered, That his Authority was born with him; and, that he feigned [Page 363]not to know him; and yet he ought to remember, that King Philip, his Ʋncle, had sent him twice to him, and that the Sword which he then wore by his Side, was that which he then gave him.

The Sentence which the Vice-Roy gave of him, was, That he was an Impostor, who deserved to be sent to the Galleys, and should not long be from them; and wherein, 'tis said, he died some time after.

Yet the Portugueses have been persuaded, he was their real King; and do still continue of that Opi­n [...]on, there being nothing which is able to make them change it. Some Persons in the World will have him to be a Magician, others an Impostor, and the most ignorant will have him to be a Devil, or really the King himself.

This is not the first Example of the Boldness of an Impostor; Rome saw heretofore a Man, that had the Audaciousness to publish he was the real Pom­pey, who was killed in Egypt, by the Cruelty of the young Ptolemy. The Queen Artemisa found one Artemius, who had so great a Resemblance with An­tiochus her Husband, whom she had caused to be murthered, that he was not known, when he put himself into the Bed of the dead King, pretending to be this Prince sick; he recommended Artemisa to his Subjects, and did several things in favour of this Princess. Under the Reign of Tiberius, was there not Occasion to be surprized at the bold An­swer which a Slave made to this Emperor, who que­stioning him, How he made himself A grippa? an­swered without Hesitation; in the same manner thou hast made thy self Caesar.

The D. Sebastian I mentioned, has not been the only one in the World; there have been two others; one of which departing out of the Isle of Terceres, who had great Resemblance with this Prince, went into Portugal, where he said he had [Page 364]miraculously escaped from the Battel he lost in A­frick; that he saved himself in Woods, and retur­ned into his Kingdom to give Peace to his People, and deliver them from the Tyranny of Strangers; but having been convicted of Imposture, he was put to Death.

'Tis said, that another being come disguised in the Habit of a Pilgrim, to Madrid it self, and ha­ving had a long and secret Conference with King Philip II. (by whom it is suspected he was known for this unhappy Prince,) was, by this King's Order, said to be poysoned, in a Banquet given him by Antonio Peres,

I shall write several Things to the Invincible Vi­zir, of which I deferred to give him Notice, be­cause I would be certain of them, they being of Im­portance; and it would have been great Lightness in me, to have written them on the first Reports spread amongst the People.

Receive always with the same Goodness, the Marks I give thee of my Obedience; send me thy Orders and Counsels, which I pray him that has created all Things, may be good and profitable to the Empire of those Precious Ones, which he has enlightned with his Truth? to the end they may arrive at the Eternal Glory and Pleasures promised, as from his part, by his Holy Prophet; and I also pray him, to preserve thy Life and Authority.

Paris, 24th. of the 6th. Moon of the Year 1642.

LETTER XXIII.
To the Venerable Mufti, Prince of the Re­ligion of the Turks.

'TIs not known, whether it be the Recompence of a good or bad Action, which Cardinal Richlieu has sent with so great Secrecy. Those that give an ill Interpretation to the best Things, say it is not to be supposed, there could be sent in a dark Night, a Mule laden with Gold, to an unknown Person; but this must denote something very extraordinary, and those who pretend to know more than others, are sometimes more ignorant than those who pretend to know no­thing. For, who can penetrate into what so crafty a Minister does, in the most retired Places of his Closet? His Actions are so mysterious, that when he looks towards the East, his Designs lie a direct contrary Way. He deceives those who watch him most narrowly. I cannot inform thee then of any thing certain, The Matter is vari­ously related; but thus I think it was: The Car­dinal caused some Days past, to be loaded on a Mule, a great Summ of Money; he ordered him to whom he entrusted the Conduct of him, to go into a Wood, at such an Hour; telling him, he should find a Man of such a Stature, such a colou­red Hair, and in such a Habit, who was to say cer­tain Words to him; whereupon he was to deli­ver the Mule with his Lading into his Custody. It is said, this Person found the Party described, who would not receive the Present, it being not the full Summ agreed upon; That this being related to the Cardinal, he sent the same Person with the Supplement of what was wanting to the Summ pro­mised, [Page 366]the Night following, where the unknown Person received the full Payment. If this Story be true, as it is affirm'd here to be, this is an odd kind of Way of making Presents, or paying Debts.

But thou maist be assured, this is not the first time the Cardinal has paid his Creditors in this Sort.

I have been told for certain, that there being arrived at Paris a Stranger ill clad, of small Sta­ture, and without any Attendance, he made him be paid down immediately upon his Arrival, Six Hundred Thousand Crowns; without any bodies knowing what became of so happy a Creditor, nor from what Merit proceeded so high a Recompence; though some People affirm, that so great a Summ is fallen into the Coffers of the Swedish General.

Receive charitably, the Marks I give thee of my Obedience, and Desire, which I have of giving thee Satisfaction; and, entreat our Great Prophet, that I may be worthy in the other World to kiss thy Feet, and be acknowledged to be of the number of those, for whom he has written his Holy Alco­ran.

Paris, 25th. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XXIV.
To Berber Mustapha Aga at Constan­tinople.

I Cannot tell whether thou hast Knowledge of the Use of Defiances, which are made amongst the Christians, when they be dissatisfied or offended with [Page 367]one another; which they term Acts of Honour, or the Marks of a gallant Spirit.

This Custom of Duels, is become so common in Italy, and especially in the Kingdom of Naples, that the greatest Affairs, as well as the smallest, are therein decided by the Sword; and the Gentry affirm this, to be the best way of terminating their Disputes and Quarrels; which belonging onely to them, cannot be referred, nor so well determined, by the grave and cool proceedings of Courts of Justice.

This Invention of deciding these Differences by Arms, either with the Sword or Pistol alone, in a close or open Field, naked in their Shirts, so that one has no Treachery to fear; is a Way of drawing Satisfaction for the Injuries received, found out by Men of great Courage, who more esteem their Honour than their Lives. The offended Person, sends a Challenge to him from whom he has received the Injury; this note of Defiance, is express'd in choice and elegant Words, which in­vite and press the Offender to fight, in such a Place, on Horseback or on Foot, cloathed or in their Shirts, single or attended by an equal Number of Friends, which they call Seconds, with Sword and Dagger, or Sword alone, or pistol. If the Chal­lenge be received, he is civilly treated who brings it, and, it may be, has rich Presents given him. But before they sight, the Enemies embrace, as if they were reconciled; and then in an Instant, follow­ing the Inclinations of their Hatred and Revenge, they would one another, they spill each others Blood, and oftentimes their Souls go out furious, through the Wounds they have made.

Those that have the Honour of dying in these Combats, do oft refuse their Lives, which a gene­rous Enemy would give them, believing they can­not live without Shame, should they receive them from an Enemy.

But, the Roman Church, as a note of the Hor­ror she conceives at these Combats, shuts Heaven's Doors against the Souls of those who leave this Life without doing Pennance, denying Burial to those who dye in the Field of Battle; or, yield them onely that, which is granted in some Parts of the East-Indies to certain Women, who prostitue themselves, whose Corpse are thrown a Prey to the Birds of the Field, and other Animals, who live on Carrion.

It is not only in Italy People kill one another in single Combats; 'tis the same in France, amongst the Nobility, who manage these Combats in a dif­ferent Sort. The best Friends tear one another on the smallest occasion, and they prepare for a Du­el in such a manner, as will appear to thee with­out doubt ridiculous.

These Enemies sup together the Night before the Combat, and often lie together in the same Bed. The Friends which serve as Seconds, do the same; and when they are come to the Place where they be to fight, a Friend is forced by the Maxims of Honour, to cut his own Throat, with the Man's he perhaps most loves. Nothing happens more frequently in Paris, than these Kind of Com­bats; and, they produce several Adventures, of which I would give thee an Account, had I not a particular Story to tell thee on this Subject. It is of a Challenge of a Spanish Prince, sent to a King, whose Crown could not exempt him from a Letter of Defiance.

Thou hast without doubt heard of what has hapned in Lisbon, where D. John de Braganza has been elected and proclaimed King of Portugal, as the true Heir of the Royal Race. Thou knowest also, he drove the Spaniards out of his Kingdom, The Duke of Medina Sedonia, a Grandee of Spain, and this new King's Brother-in-law could not hin­der [Page 369]himself from being suspected, of having under­hand assisted this Prince to ascend the Throne; whether it be true, or an Artifice of his Enemies, God onely knows: But however it's certain, that the Count Duke d' Olivarez, the King of Spain's chief Minister, sent an order to him to appear at Court, to justifie himself from this Suspicion; he thought to clear himself perfectly from the Jea­lousies of the Catholick King, by sending a Challenge to D. John of Braganza, to oblige him to fight with him; which Letter of Defiance was conceived in these Terms:

D. Gaspar Alonzo Peres Gusman the Good, Duke of the Town of Medina Sedonia, Marquis, Count, and Lord of the Town of St. Lucar of Barameda, Captain General of the Ocean, and Gentleman of his Catholick Majesty's Chamber. I say, that John of Braganza, who was never but a Duke, calls himself King of Por­tugal; that his Treason, known to all the World, is de­testable, and in Abomination, for having thrown a Stain on the Faithful House of Gusman, which has never failed in any Duty to her Soveraign; and, for this reason defie, and challenge to a single Combate Body to Body, with Seconds or without Seconds, this Don John, heretofore Duke of Braganza, leaving all this to his Choice, as also the Arms or Weapons and Place of Combat. Written near Valentia d' Alcanta­ra, where I shall expect fourscore days News of him, and the last twenty Days, I shall transport my self into the Place he shall appoint accompanied, or alone, with such Arms as he shall prescribe.

Not only the Tyrant of Portugal shall be advertised of my Challenge, but all Europe, and the whole World. I pretend to make known in this Combat, the infamous Action of D. John, and in Case he does not accept of this Defiance, and fails in the Duty of one who is born a Gentleman; I desire this King, who is only a Phan­tasm, may perish in some sort or other: I promise to [Page 370]give my Town of St. Lucar, the principle Seat of the Dukes of Medina, to him that shall kill him.

In the mean time, I entreat my Lord the King of Spain, to give me no Command in his Armies, but to grant I may onely serve him as a Volunteer, with a Thousand Horse, which I will maintain at my own Charge, till that serving him in this manner, I may help to recover the Kingdom of Portugal, and may bring along with me, and cast at his Majesty's Fleet, the Duke of Braganza, if he will not fight with me in the Manner I proposed.

If thou shewest this Letter of Defiance to the Janizaries, that Militia which is terrible to all Nations, whom nothing can resist, when they ex­ecute the Grand Seignor's Orders, they will tell thee what such a Challenge requires from Men of Courage, and explain to thee the Laws which Peo­ple of Valour prescribe to themselves: For my part, who am ignorant of the Art of War, and the Maxims of such as make Profession of Arms, I shall not make any Judgement hereupon; only take the Liberty to ask of thee, If the King of Portugal accepted the Combat, and killed the Duke of Medina, which of the two would have been declared Infamous? Whether there be any Certainty in the Decisions made by Arms? I am willing to think, Justice is on the Side of the Conqueror: But, if on the contrary, the Event of the Duel be uncertain, I take it to be a foolish thing for the Duke to expose himself, and thus Affront the King his Brother-in law. In short, the Duke's Prudence is not to be admired in this Occasion, and Braganza has had the Advan­tage on his Side, seeing he has shewed by his Con­duct, that he is effectually King of Portugal.

I cannot but call these Christians Fools, who suf­fer such Customs among them, and yet adore a Messias, who is a God of Peace, and who calls us Barbarians, when they are the only People that [Page 371]teach us, and all other Nations, the Arts of single Combats, which is the most pernicious Custom that can be introduced amongst Men, who cut one ano­thers Throats oftentimes on slight Occasions, and become Prodigals of that Treasure with which the Immortal has intrusted them. Neither can I any more approve of Kings and Princes of the same Be­liefs, making War with one another, as we see every Day amongst those who profess the Christian Religi­on; which yet, as far as I can find, scarcely per­mits any Wars, but such as are Defensive.

Pardon this tedious Letter, excuse my Conjectures in it, and honour me with thy Commands, which will be respected by me as so many Obligations.

Paris, 25th. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1642.

LETTER XXV.
To the Invincible Vizir Azem at Constanti­nople.

WE hear of nothing now-a-days but Wars and Conspiracies, Seditions, Treasons, In­fidelities, and Revolutions of State, and it is in the Kingdoms of Vice, wherein these Plagues of Heaven make these Disorders, I mean, in the Chri­stians Countries. Infidelity reigns amongst the Peo­ple of Catalonia, England and Portugal; the Revolu­tions which have hapned in Barcellona have no Ex­ample; the Defiance or the Challenge of a Subject to a King, as is that of the Duke of Sidonia to the King of Portugal, as his Brother-in-law and his Enemy, does equally surprize all the World. We have reason to think, that God is angry with the [Page 372] Christians, when we consider Flanders, Germany, Italy, and the Frontiers of Spain pestered with Wars, which they make one against another. The Animosity of most of the great People of France against the Cardinal Favourite, enduces them to lay Plots against his Life; whence we may see, that great Places are good for nothing, but to expose men to great Dangers. The last Conspiracy discovered against the Life of D. John IV. of Portugal, raised to the Throne by the Nobility, and betrayed by the same Nobility, not by the whole Body of them but by a small Number of those who had taken an Oath of Fidelity to him as well as the rest, does plainly shew us, That there is nothing in this World whereon a Man may rely with any Certainty; and that here are many People who undertake just Actions, by the Motions of an unjust and turbulent Spirit, which cannot suffer Things to remain long in a quiet State, and aspire continually after Change, and to whom every Thing is good, that is new. I shall relate to thee, in few Words, this last Event. Thou hast been informed of the others, by the Letters I have written to thee (Invincible General of the Ottamon Armies, and Steward of the Em­perour's Laws, who is the Soveraign of Soveraigns). and by those which the Kaimacam and the Bassas have received from me, who are obliged to give thee an Account of whatever comes to their Knowledge.

Several of the great ones in Portugal, and amongst them, some of the new King's Kindred, hatched a Conspiracy against him, and resolved to put the Kingdom again into the Spaniard's Hands, and en­tirely ruin the Family of Braganza. The principal Author of the Conspiracy, was D. Sebastian de Mattos, Archbishop of Brague, the Count Duke d' Olivarez's Creature, to whom he owed his For­tune. The chief who conspired with this Sediti­ous [Page 373]Priest, were the Marquis de Ville Reale, and the Count d' Armamar; these two Men of great Birth and Credit, soon drew several others into their Party, some by the Hope of Recompences, and others through Weariness of obeying their new Sovereign, or weary with the new Form of State which they thought might change to their Advantage. They long held a secret Intelligence with the Catholick King's Council who promised them all possible Assistance for the Execution of their Design, and after that infinite Recompences.

This Conspiracy was to produce a dreadful Tra­gedy, wherein all the Bloud of the Royal House and Family of Braganza was to be spilt. The King was to be the first Victim, with his Children and the Queen his Wife. D. Duart also was to be put to Death, who was kept close Prisoner in the Castle of Milain. A Domestick, affectioned to his Master, and who was attentive to what past, delivered the King and Family of Braganza out of this Danger. He was ordinarily employed in secret Intrigues, and made frequent Courses into Spain to discover the Designs of the Court of Madrid. He met by chance in an Inn, a man who seemed of a mean Condition, born in the Kingdom of Bohemia, with whom ha­ving entered into a strict Friendship, as it happens usually amongst Travellers, he came to discover he was often dispatched by the Catholick King's princi­pal Minister, on Affairs of great Weight; and that he expected in a short Time to raise his Fortune to a considerable Pitch, being entrusted with Packets of Letters, containing Things of the highest Impor­tance to the State. The crafty Portuguese, soon discerning he might get out Secrets of great Con­cernment from this imprudent Man, for the good of his Master, resolved to kill him in a desart Place. where they were to pass; which he did, having first made him drunk with strong Wine. Assoon as he had [Page 374]done his Work, he stript him, and found Letters and Instructions to the Conspirators, which he speedily carried to D. John, who thereby discovered the whole Conspiracy.

Others say, that D. Alphonso of Portugal, Count de Vermissa (having been solicited by the Achbishop of Brague, who thought he could easily bring him into the Conspiracy, being discontented at the King, for taking away from him a great Office) went to his Soveraign, and freely discovered to him the Conspiracy which had been made, to deprive him both of his Crown and Life: And 'tis added, That this Count appeared since, one of the hottest of the Accomplices, till the very Instant wherein they were to execute their Project; at which Time they were apprehended, and punished as they deserved

Others say, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the King's Brother-in-law, who appeared to the Accom­plices to be of the Plot, gave notice of it to the King his Brother. In fine the Conspirators were executed in several Places after different Manners, where the People assembled, detesting their Crime, shewed great satisfaction in their Deaths, and blest Heaven for preserving their Soveraign.

They were apprehended one Day, wherein the King declared he would appear in publick; and all the Nobility being met, he caused the Guilty to be call'd one after another, who were all made Prisoners without any Disturbance. In the mean time, as many Troops as were near Li [...]bon were in Arms; and the People also took Arms to defend their Prince, if need required. The Inquisitor-Gene­ral was treated as guilty, for knowing of the Con­spiracy, and not discovering it. The Great Treasurer Lawrence Pides, who kept the Keys of the first Court of the Palace was to enter in the Night with an hundred men well armed, and begin the Tragedy. The Naval Army which rode at Anchor in the Port [Page 375]of Beleem, was to be burnt; and there were them in each Vessel, who were to set them on fire. The four Corners of the City were also to be fired; to the end, that the People, the Souldiers, and Guards, of the Palace being busied in putting it out, no­thing might hinder the Execution of their Design; and the good Archbishop was in the mean time to appear in Publick, bearing about in his Hand what they call the Holy Sacrament, crying with a loud Voice, Let the Law of Jesus flourish, and that of Moses die, and come to an End.

The Marquis de Ville Reale, and the Duke de Camine his Son, near of Kin to the King, have lost their Heads on a Scaffold, with the Count d' Arma­mar, and D. Augustin Manuel; and the People be­held their Death without any Compassion, onely shewed some Regret at the Loss of the young Duke of Camine, who passing before the Body of his Fa­ther, all bloudy, threw himself on the Ground to kiss his Feet; asking him a thousand times Pardon, though he was the Author of this Misfortune. There were others, who suffered a more Ignominious Death; who were not only hang'd, but quarter'd, and those Parts of their Bodies set up in several Places for an Example, and to put the people in Mind, that such Attempts seldom escape unpu­nished.

As to the Archbishop of Brague, and other Eccle­siasticks his Accomplices; they are kept with great Care in Prisons, in Expectation of Commissioners from Rome, without which Prelate's Consent, they can do nothing farther to them. The King wore Mourning four Hours for the Marquis de Ville Reale, and the Duke de Camine his Son; according to the Custome of the Christians, who are wont to Appa­rel themselves in Black for the Death of their Kindred, to denote the Sorrow they conceive at their Loss; and this Ceremony is term'd Mourning [Page 376]which sometimes lasts a whole Year. I will write to thee the Particulars of what may happen in the War which is now carrying on between the Spani­ards and Portugueses, who perceive already on their Frontiers Castilian Troops; and I shall not be wan­ting in any Thing, which may mark my Zeal and Exactness.

An happy Slave will Mahmut think himself, if he can acceptably serve the Invincible Vizir, by whom the great Emperor of the Faithful, discovers his Will to all the People of the Universe, whom God has created to obey him.

Paris, 25th. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1642.
The END of the First Volume.

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