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""-'^•--38 al iM -- J J i^- li THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES

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THE Third Volume LETTERS Wri by a

Who lived Five and Forty Years, PARIS:Undifcovered, at Giving an Impartial Account to the Divan at Conjlantinofle^ of the moft

remarkable Tranfadions of Europe ; and difcovering feveral Intrigues and Secrets of the ChriHinn Courts (efpecially of that of France^ continued from the Year 1645, to the Year 1682.

Written Orisrinally in Arabicic, Trmjlatcd into Ita- lian, and from thence into Englifli, by theTrmfla- tor $f thi Firft VOLUME.

C(;c €igl;tl) Cmtton. LONDON:

Printed for J. Rhodes^ D. B'ovn, R. S^rc, B. and S. Totke, G. Strahan, W. Me'rs, S. Ballard, and F. Clay, 1723. V ^HG

r U-

1 T O T H E READER. ^lJ R Arabian^ having met with fo kind Encertainmcnc j in this Nation fince he put cm the Englijh-DrcCSy is refolvei- CO continue his Garb, and vilit you as often as Convenience will, permit. He brings along with him many foreign Commodities, to gratify the various Ex- pedations of People. His Cargo confift- ing of Jewels and other Rarities, which are the genuine Product of theE*/; and fome kinds of Merchandife, which he has purchafed here in the fi'efi, during his Re fide nee at Paris. It will be pity to affront this honeil Stranger, by railing Scandals on him, as if he were a Counterfeit, and 1 know not what. This will appear inhofpitable, and unworthy of the E»^///?> Candor and Generofity. To fpeak without an JUegory, in this Ihird. Volume of Letters, as in the former tjm^ A- 5

866356 To the Reader. iivo, you'll find an exat5l Continuation of modern hiiflory, acquainting you witii all the memorable Sieges, Battles and Cam- paigns,, that were in EuropCj from the Year I64S-J to 1-649. As^alfo^, with all the remarkable J^egotiations and TranfatHons of State ^ Emhajjks, Leagues and O'vertnres of Princes ; the Policies and Intrigues of fttblick Minifiersj efpecially thofe of CanH- nal Maviarini ^ the great and ftupendous Revolutions and Civil Wars in England,

Cbinay Naples, Turk/ and Paris ; the prodigious Rife of a poor young beard- iefs Ftjinrmany to the Height of fovcreign

Power ; the difmal Tragedies of an Eng- lifh King, and Cbinefe Emperor ^ with the Ivlurder of a lurkijli Sultan. And all thefe intermixed with proper and ufe- ful Remarks, pleafant and agreeable

Stories i couch'd in a Style, which be- ing peculiar to the Arabians^ cannot be march'd in any other Writings that are extant. If his Vhilofophy wiK not abide the Teft of our learned t^'irtuofi^ yet it may pafs

Mufter in a Mahometan ; fince it is taken for granred, that the Men of that Faith rarely apply themfelves to fuch Studies; or, at leaft, not in the Method ufed in Cbrijiian Schools, They may have the fame To the Reader. fame Ideals of natural Things as we ; but they exprefs themfelves in a different Manner. As for his Morals, they are folid and grave, and fuch as couid not be repre- hended even in a Chri/llan Pf^riter^ it we reduce what he lays to UniverfaU, For abftr^ding from the particular Obliga- tions he had to his native Religion^ and to^ the Grand Signior, whofe SU've he was,, there will be found little Difference be- tween his Etbicks and ours. He every where recommends Loyalty, Jufticcv Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence, and all thofe other Virtues which are requi- fite to fill up the Charathr of sl Here, oc' a Saints And who will not bear with him, for patronifmg the Religion and Interejl in which he was bred ? it being natural for all Men, to adhere to the Notions they havs fuck*d in with their Mother'^s Al'ilk, ? In this alfo he fhews great Moderation, and a more unbyafs'd Temper, than one would expe(5t from a Turk ^ which may, in partj be afcribed to his ftudying in the Chrtfiian /Academies, his Converfaiion with the learned'lt Men in Taris^ and fome of the moft accomplifh'd Perfons. in the World, Hence it was, that he was A 4 ac- To the Reader. accus'd by his Super/ours at the Ottoman Tart^ of inclining to Chriftlanity or A he-

ifm I as he takes notice, in his Apology to

a religions Dignitary ^ in the ftrft Letter, of the third Book of this Volume^ Page 202, to which the Reader is referred for far- ther Satisfaction. In his moft familiar Letters, fuch as this laft mention'd, and others to his intimate Friends, you will find fome Expreffions; difcovsrinp; a certain Finenefs and' Strength of Thought^ which is not very' common in Cbriftian Writers. Which is vin Argument, That the Mahometans arc not all fuch Blockheads as we take them for. And though his TiBure, which we have affixed to our Tranjlation, fince we had the Italian Tomes, reprefents no extraordinary' Perfon, yet you know JuvenaVs Remark Fronti nulla Fides. And it has been a com- mon Obfervation of one of the grcac- eft Phllofophers in this Age, 7hat by bis outward Afpetl^ no Man would guefs what an illufirious Soul Udged within. If you would know how the Italian came by this Piclure, (for, in his Preface, he alTcrts it to be the true Effigies of this Arabian) he fiiys. That being acquainted with the Secretary of Cardinal Adaz,arini, and '.

To the Reader. and frequenting his Houfe, he faw a PL ftitre hang in his Clofet, with this Jnfcri- ftiun at the Bottom, TITUS D E MOLDAVIA, CLERICUS. ty£tatis fua LXXII. He asked the Gen-

" tleman who this T/r«i was, who inform'd him. That he was a ^reat Traveller^ and underftood many Languages^ efpecially the Sclavonian, Greek and Arabick-y on which Account Cardinal Richlieu, and his SuccelTor Maz,

hs Ther©^ To the Re AOER.; There needs no more to be faid^ but to acquaint the Reader, that we are going forward with the EngliJJ} TranJl.ition of thele Letters, as faft as we can. So that in all Probability, you may exj^ed a Fourth Volume before Chrifiwas. Wherein you will find more particular Remarks on cur EngliJJj AfFairs, with political Dif- courfes on the Original and Diffolution of Governments. As alfo many curious Pali-iges during the ^f'ars of Paris, which have not hitherto come to publick View. In fine, you will there be inform'd of all the rcwarkahle Events that happened at that Time, either in Teace or War, on the whole Gloh,

A TABLE TABLEA O F T H E

LETTERS and MATTERS Contained in tliis V o l u m t.

VOL III.

BOOK I.

LETTER I.

AiVT, an A nbian at Paris, to MAHJ^athan Ben Saddi, a Jew ac V^ien- nn, Page i _ He exhorts him to he frepared for

the vtorji Events : To Jlnnd upon his Guard

againfi the Chriftians ; but, above alt, to beware of himfelf. He tells him a Starj of ,Carcoa, Narhan'j Fredecejfor. ' • 6 II. 'toi\\t Kjiimacharfi. , Of r^« Tranfylvaniaf 'Agents Bufi*iefs at the French' Court: ' 6/ Monfieur Croiir)'^ ii'6 - Keg

and Mahometans ; prefers the Devotion

and Charity of the latter . And relates a pleafant Pajfage of a Chriftian that vchipt himfelf IV. To MuJIaphay Berber Aga, l^ Of the Battle of Mergeniheim, hetvceen the Germans and French : The unfottunate Ai- venture of a French Officer. y. To Sha/him JJihan?, Si Black Eunttch. i6 He pardons the Scandals cafl upon him hy the Eunuch ; commends his Apology j advifes

him to jet a PVatch on his Tongue ; and re» lates the Adventure of aBufy-Body. VI. To Zelim of t^^odes, Captain of a Galley. 18 iJe acquaints him with the Execution of tbret Witches at Naples, who were hired to iefiroy Enchantmtnts. him by . ^^ VII. To the invincible Vi:{ir As[em. 24 He compares France to the four great Mo- narchies .• J{elates the Battle of Ailerlheim, and the Progrefs of the French A^ms. yUl. To Cara Hali, a Phyjjcian at Confiantinc pie. 18 Of A blind Man who dijiinguijhed Colours by his Touch. Of enother who carted to thf Ufe. Of the ^ute Saqueda ; and of n deaf Man i*ho apprehended ones ff^rdj by tht Motim of the Uft. ,,, ^ IX. To The T A B L E: IX. To V/eph BaJJa. ^t ^ _ _ nevf Dignity . He congratulates his I informs him

. : «/ the Dijfolution of fhe Diet of Erancforr, and of the Kjng of Poland'/ dejiring the ' Qiieen of S wed eland in Marriage. X. Te Icbingi Cap Oglani, Prtfceptor to the K^yal Pages of the Seraglio. 55 He expojiulates with bim concerning his Calum- nies. XI. To the ^is Ejfendif principal Secretary of Statct 3f of the taking of Canea, and the Policy of Sul- tan Ibrahim. XII. To the magnificent and redoubtable Vi- :{ier A\em. 40 Of the Duke (f Enguien'^ Return to Pans Mahmut extols the Hardinefs of the Otto/ man Generals. He relates a. private Amour of Cardinal Mazarini. XIII. To Egri Boinou, a PVhite Eunuch. ^S He thankj him for his Intelligence of rthat is praEtifed againfi him in the Seraglio. XIV. To Mujiapha, Berber Aga. 47 Of the'EXt&.pr r/ SaxonyV falling in Love with a Swedifti Lady in Amour : And of the odd kind of Articles, Agreed on between him and General Koningfm.ark, b;t that Means. XV. To Mahummedy Hogia^ Dervife, Eremit Inhabitant of the Sacred Cave, at the Foot of Mount Vrielf in Aabia the Happy.

" He extols hts Ahflinence, and the Happinefs of ..' a retired Life ; ^hearfes thi Bleiling v>bicb the Angtl pronsunced on ihtt Cavf. XVI. To .

The TABLE. XVI. To Vfepb BaJJTa. 56 He acqua'nits him vptth the Afarriage rf Uia- diflaus, King cf Poland, vphh Louife Ma- rie, de Gonzague, Princefs of Mantua. XVII. To the Kjiimncham. 58 Hi relates the Succefs of the French Arms in Flanders, Catalonia and Italy, that Tear • with an Adventure that bapfen'd to the Duke ef Orleans, in his Camp befcre Bourburgh. XVIII. To Dgnet Oglcu. 62 He entertains him with a familiar Difcourfe cf his Sicknefs^ and cf the Mind's Tran-

(juillity : Telling him a Story of a Afan, •whcfe Brains were turn'd to a Neji of Serpents. XIX. To the Selidar Aga, or Sword-Bearer to his Highnefs. 67 Hi reproaches the Europeans, with their I^e- hellions, and other Inhumanities.. Of the Aflemblies at Munftey and Ofnaburg. Of a private Treaty between Spain and Holland. XX. To the I{eis Effendi, principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire. 70 Of the mighty Fleet the French were fitting out to Sea. Of the Prediciions and Adventure cf an old Prophet, who went to Cardinal Mazarini. Of Monfieur Chanut, the French Embaffador in Swedeland XXI. To maiAm Vofpel, a Hgclufe in Aufirial ••- •'- :-... V-- . -74 HeAdvifeshim to turn Hermir, /or the fake of Silence and Contemplation. XXII. To The TABLE.

XXII. To the Captain Bdjfa. 'jj Of the Preparations the Europeans were ma-

king, to ajfift the State cf Venice. He tells him, vphat the Chriftiansy^^ of him, XXIII. To Adonai, a Jevo at Venice. 79 He defires him to fend fame ^markj on the People he has feen in his Travels. A Jhort

Charader of Italy , with fome t{efleiiions on the Goths and Vandals. XXIV. To Muftapha, Berber Aga. %o Of the frefent War of Candy. A memorable Saying of the Duke of Orleans, at the Sur^

render of Graveling, with «» generous Action of that Prince, XXV. To Naffuff, Bajfa of hiatclia, 83 He congratulates his new Honour, puts him in mind of his Name-fal^e's Fate^ in the I{eign cf Achmet III. and gives him many good. Counfels. XXVI. To the J^aimacham. 86 Touching Morofini'j quitting the Port o/Canea to the Turks. XXVII. To Cara Hali, a Phyfician at Confian2 tinople. 88 Some l{emarks on the Spring, and tn the Dif- ference between living at Conftantinople and Paris. The ^uefi of the French Philo- fophers. XXVIII. To the Tefterdar or Lord-Treafurer. 90 Of the French Dejigns hy Sea^ and other Matters. XXIX. To JNathan Ben Saddi, zjew at Vi- enna, ^x He The TABLE. Hi- applauds his B^folution, not to take Re'igi-^ on in Tiufiy hut to enquire into the Grounds, And fends him an Abjlra^ «f the Muflul- man Hiftory. XXX. To Che fame. 91 He exhorts him, net to let Interefi hyafs him in the Clioice cf his ReJigion. Of the Duke of Brandenburgh'j demanding the Queen of Sweden in Marriage. XXX f. To the Kjiimachana. 97- 0/ a private League between the Venetians and the BalFa of Aleppo, difcovered h Ado- nai the Jew. Several Injiances of tht^ Baf- fa's Jujlice.

BOOK II. LETTER L TO the moft magnificent and illuftrious f7- s^ir /i:^em, at the Port. I o i -MahmutV Pro/eSi to divert Cardinal Maza-^ rini, from attempting againjl the Ottoman Empire. II. To ifmael Mouta Faraca, a P0}ite Eunuch. \\2 He condoles the Misfortune of Egri Boinou,^ v»hrfe Eyes ttere put out by the Grand $ig« niorV Command. JII. To Dgnet-Ogloa. T14 He difcowfes more frankly to him^ on the fame Subje^. IV. To Dicheu Huffein Baffa. 116 Of 8

The TABLE. 0/ the early Campaions the French made that Tear. The Hardinefs cf a French officer.

V. To Keeker Hajan Bajja. 1 1

He thankj him for his i'refentcf Coffee j com" fares fart of Arabia vi>itb the Fields of Tempc. Concerning his Father's hunting of Lyons, Tygers, Sec, VI. To Hujfcin Bajja. I20 I{emarl{s on the taking of Retimo in Candy. A CharaEier of Monficur Varenncs, ths French Ambaflador at the Port, VII. To the fame 122 liemarkj on the Nature of the French, and their Method cf obtaining WiBories. VIII. To the Venerable ^ufti. Sovereign Guides of the Tr«ff Beli&o^rs. 124: Touching the Books of the ancient. Pagans. Certain memorable Pajfages of Alexander the Great. IX. To Murat Bnffa. i^t Of the talking of Courtray by the French. Of the fVant cf ^ain, ard Scarcity of provi- fions at Paris. X. To iht Aga of the JaniT^aries. ij?. Of the Benefit of r^^/w^g Hi (lories, and thr * ' ill in Confc^uences of Printing Europe. , XI. To the fame, 137- Of Guftavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and of Queen Chriftina, his Daughter^ ^mai\s on Queen E'izabeth. XII. To the Seliclar Aga, ot Sword.Bearer to the Grand Signior. I4.Z Of the Duke of Orleans his J^turn to Paris, affer The T A B L E, after he had tak^n Mardyke. Of the Diet of the French. XIII. To Abubechir Halt, "Merchant at Aleppo. 144 Hi exhorts him, not to grieve for the Lofs cf one cf his H^ifes, rvho ran away vohith bis SUve I l{elatesa Story of an Italian Lord. XIV. To SclymanhisCoufin. 146 He reproves him for defjrting the publick Afc- fembUes cf the Faithful, and following cf Schifniadcks. XV. To Ha/nador.BaJf)i chief treafurer to the Grand Signioy. 14S Of the Duke of EnguienV Triumphant en- tring into Paris, aft^r the takjng cf Dun- kirk. XVI. To Ibrahim Halt Cbeick:, z Man of the Law. 150 Touching the Suppreffton of Brothel Houfts in Pars.

XV II. To Mufiapha, Bajfa of Silipia. 1 51 He attributes the Lofs of Afac, to the Valour ef the Mufcovites. /t CharnEier of that People, with the Manner of the Cs^arj Sue- CfJJion in former Times.

XVII I. To Sotyman Kj:{lar jSga, Chief of the Blacky Lunuchs. 155 He actjunlnts him with the Death of the Prince cf Conde. Th: Characier of that Prince, with a brief Account of his Life. XX To the K^

The TABLE. a fl^ange Fountain in the Ifle of E!be. XX. To Baja^et, Bajpi of Greece. i5o He acquaints him with his Sujpicion of Jeme deep Defigns in the French Court. Of a Fe/loxv xvho raijid a Sedition in Paris. XXI. To Pcflclihali his Brother. i6% He than kj him for the jourml of his Travels; Congratulates his Efcape frcm Mate and

Female Thieves ; tells hitn a Stoty cf the

MogulV Father ; ar^d another of a Mer-

chant's f-Fidow in the Indies : PP'iih other Difcourfcs of that Nature. XXII. To y^fis Bafa. I73 Of a Quarrel l^tvteen Monfieur Chanut, the French EmbalTador <»^ Stockholm, and the Svvedifli Stcrerary of State. The Repar- tee of a French Embaflador to the Kjng of Spain. XXIII. Te the Mufti, moft venerahle, and worthy of all Honour. 176 AComparifon of the three Minifters ef State, Ximcncs, Richlieu and Mzzium. XXIV. To Danecmar K^efrou, Gadilefquer ©f I{pmania. i^r Of the Perfidy cf the Scots, in felling King Charles I. to the Englifli Parliament. A Story of Biniop Hatco. XXV. To ^gel Hamet, Antiquary i o iheSul' tan. i26 B^markj on old Magical Statues and Images

Of the Palladium and Ancilia : Of the true Name of the City of Ro in e.

XXVI. To the Vi:^ir A:{em. 1 89 Mahmuc acquaints him vfith his I^etum frcm The TABLE. from Orleans, the ^enfm of the gre4t Conr flux of Strangers to that City, XXVII. To the Aga of the Jani:{aries. 191 Of Joan d'Acre, the Maid of Orleans. XXVIII. To Dgnet Oglou. 194 Of EliachimV falling in Love with a French Lady on the B^ad^ as he accompanied Mah- mut to Orleans. XXIX. To the Captain Baffa. 199 Of the bold Propofal which a Sea Captain

made to Cardinal Mazarini : And (f a magnificent Ship, which Queen Chriftina. prefented to this Miniftcr.

BOOK IIL

L E T T E R I. TO Bedredin, Superior of the Convent of Der' vifes, at Cogni in Natolia. 2oi He makfs an Apology for his Faith agaii.j} fuch as flandered him. Of A Hermit then living near Paris, who had almoji doubled the Tears of Bedreden. II. To Murat Baffa, 207 Of the Chriftians Joy, for their VlBory by Sea and Land: A Comparifon between Sultan Ibraham, and Suitan Amurat. HI. To MaJ^omet Techli, Bajfa of Bofnia, at

his Camp in Dalmatia. 2 i o lie reproaches him with Cowardice^ in decamp- ing from before Sebenico. IV. To Achmet Baffa, 2.12 He Tke TABLE. He tells him of an Attempt to murder Queeh Chriftina in her Chapel, 'y. To Cava Hali, a Phyficiamx. Conflantinople. 215 He difcourfes of the Manna in Calabria, fome of which he fends him, yi. To K?rl{erHaffan, BaJJa, 219 Of the Revolution in China. yil. To Darnijh Mehemet Baffa. 226 Of Maflianello, ^nd the Revolution in Na- ples, yill. To Solyman his^CouJin. 230 He again reprehends his Adanner tf Life^ and

ferfuades 'him , by the Example of his Grandfather, to obfeive the Laws of Pu- rity. IX. To the Kjiimacham. 234 Of the Cruelty executed by the Turkifli Gene« ral, on a Chriftan Prieft. Of the Vene- ration the ancient Mahometans paid to Scanderbeg*j Bones. Of PorfennaV GenC' rojjty. X. To the Mufti. 238 Remarks on the Spanifh Afisfortunes, the Infurre(flion in Sicily, and particularly on the Revolution in Naples. He prays him to farnijh Nathan Ben Saddi, roith religi- ous Bookj. XI. This Letter wants the Title and Begin- ning. 242 Of the Chriftian's Revenge on the Son of Ali- Sangiac-Bay of Lippa, for the Sufferings of the Chriftian Prieft. The extravagant i^ff- venge of an Italian Captain, XII. To The TABLE. XII. To the venerable Ai^fti. 244 Of Cardinal Alazarini'j fufporting the Tu- mults in Naples. R^marl^i on the Duke of Guife his Attempt to fuccour the revolted. A Deferi^titn of the Extent and Riches of that Kingdom. XI) I. To Abdel Melee Midi Omar, Superin^ tendunt of the College of Sciences at Fe:{^ 150 He difcourfes about the Duration of the World. The Vifion of Omar, SuccefTor of Mahomer. Of Adam'j firji Wife Ali- Jeth. That the Earth veas inhabited fcr many Ages before Adam. XIV. To thQ Mufti. 257 f-Je relates to him the Tragedy of the Sicilian Vefpers. Of a H^oman and har Daughter^ that were immured feventeen Tears by a Scribe in Naples. XV. To the F^imachAm. 260 He ir.f„rtns him, what I{eajbn he has to be jealous of Cardinal MazariniV Defigns a- gainjl the Ottoman Empire. Ofmin the Dwarfj Dexterity, in prying into the Car- dinal'j Secrets^ and thofe of the Grandees. XVI. To Pejiehali, his Brother. 264 He farther commends his Journal. j4 I{are Example of Indian Charity. Of the Inge- nuity of the Chinefe. Of the Conqueft of that Kingdom by the Tartars. He dif. courfes cf the Original 0/ Nations, and the unmix'd Blood of the Arabians and Tar- tars. Of a Gun at Pequin, Two thou/and Tears old. XVII. To The T A B L E. XVII. To the y^ga of the J/tm\aries. 270 Of the famous ViElory of the French obtain ti at the Battle of Lens. Cf the Tumults at Paris, and the Kjng (f France'j Speech to the Senators. Mahmut infoims him, hovo he employs certain Agents, to foment tli^ publick Sedition. XVIII. To Achmet Beig. 274. He acquaints him voith the Death c/'Uladi- ilaus, King (f Poland, forvehieh the Court cf France wrfj in Mourning; -asa'fo with the Duke of Bavaria'j Death, Of the French Campaigns in Flanders- Of a Sea Fight hetxveen the French atjd Spaniards. Of a formidable Confpiracy againjithe Czar of Mofcovy. XIX. To the Mufti. 276 He feems to approve of Sultan Ibrahim'^ being depofed, 8cc. Cenfures hi< Attempt on Sul- tan Amurat'.' PFidoxp, and his Rape cf the Mndis Daughter^ The Continence -^f the African Scipio. The Stiatagem of Athe- nodorus the Philofopher. He incites the Muftj, to encourage the Tranflation of Greek- and Latin Hiftorians. XX. To Chiargi Muhammely Baffa. 280 Of the Concliijion sf the Peace r/ Munfter. Of the Troubles «/ Paris, and the Duke of Beaufort'j Efcape out of the Gallic of the Wood of Vinciennes. XXL To D^mt Oglou. 281 He complains of the unjujl Proceedings of the

-Con^pirato s againfi Sultan Ibrahim : i^e- ftifis -to defame him after his Beath: Owns The TAB L E. cnens that he did but dijjemble in hij. lafi Letter to the Mufii. Of the Statue of a fa- mous Wreftler, which fell dovpn and crujhed to Death, a Man that through Envy went to demolijlo it. Of the Motto on Plato'i Ring. XXII. To Danecmar Kjfrou, JQidiief^uer of I{cmania. 284 ^markj on the Murder of the Englifh King Charles I. and what Cardinal Mazarini

faid, when he firft heard of the Kews of that horrid Tragedy. Of Machiavel'i corrupt Principles,

LET- LETTERS Writ by A Spy at Paris.

VOL. III.

B O O K J.

LETTER I.

Mahmut, an Arabian at Paris, to Nathan Ben Saddi, a Jew at Vienna.

Believe the News of my Imprifonmenc might fill thee with Doubts of thy own Li- I berty, and make thjfee careful to avoid ac yienna, fuch a Misfortune as befel me ac Paris. Yet if thou wert much furprized at this Accident, it is an Argument that thou art but a

Novice in the World, and art yet to learn the fir ft: Rudiments of ufeful Wifdom, which teach us. That there is no Stedfajlnefs in Humane Affairs. There has nothing happened to me in this, which I was not before provided for ; neither did the Suddennefs of the Event make me change Countenance. I fmiled at the fulfilling my own Prefages, and went to Prifoii as uncon- B ccrned, * Letters ^rit ly Vol. IH. cern'd, as I would have gone home to my Lodg* ing. Not that I would have thee think, I wa^ infenfible of a Lofs fo afflifting as that of Liber' ty ; but my Chains did not appear lb very formi" dafcle, having made them familiar to my Thoughts long before. When I firft came to Paris. I look'd on ray felf but as aPrifoner at large, owing the Freedom I had to walk about, only to the Carelefnefs of the 5r«ff, and the Favour of Deftiny. So that when that Indulgence was retrench'd, no new Thing happen'd to me. What I had expefted for Seven Years together could not feem ftrange when it came to pafs. By what I have faid, thou may'ft learn to pre- pare thy felf for the worft Events, which com- monly fteal upon the fecure and unthinking, be- ing wrapp'd up in greater Darkncfs and Silence, than the Moments which bring them to Light. Thefe illde away without our Advertiiement, un- feen, unheard : Neither can our Watches or Di- als inform us any thing of them, 'till they are pafs'd. So there is no Index to point out to us the hiddin Decrees of Fate, 'rill they are accom- plilh'd ; no Efhemtris of Dejiinjf, but our own Experience. Thou, and -all thy Nation, are fufpefted by the

Chriftiant : They efteem you Enemies of their Interefi, as well as of their Laxo. They defpife and vilify you, calling you, The accurfed tf Ged. Yet they admit you as Members of their Com- monwealth. They receive you to the Prote- ftion of their Laws, and entruft you with their Secrets, that they may ferve themfelves of your Money. Thus are you become Bankers for your fworn Enemies : And while you profefs an Eternal Obedience to the Injunftions of Mofes, you make underhand Leagues with the Difiipie* of Vol. III. a Spy aiV AKiS' ^ of >/«.'. I do not accufe your Commerce with thefe Infidels: but, I lay, you have Reafon to be upon your Guards, when you arc environed with io many Millions of Enemies. They are not Ignorant of the Intimacies between the M/- mfters o£ the Sublime Pon, and thofe of thy Na- tion : It is common in the Mouths of the French, Thatth' Jews are the Turks Intelligencgrs. Thou oughteft therefore to have a fpecial Regard to thy Conduft, that no imprudent Aftlon may ex- pole thee to the Jealoufy of the State where thou refideft. That Cturt is full of Eyes ; and thou haft need of a llrlfter Veil, than what thou weareft in the syr.egogue. The very Walls of thy Houfe will betray thee, and thy Domeftlcks may prove thy greateft Enemies; Yet fufpeft nojie more than thy felf. This will not feem harlh Counfel, if thou reflefteft twice on it, there being nothing more certain, than that it is not lb eal'y to defend ones felf from him ill whom we confide, as from one we are jealous of; And every Man is apt to put too much Truft in himfelf I believe thou art faithful and abhorreft Treachery ; yet at the lame Time, thou may 'ft be remifs and weak: What could not be extorted from thee by an open Enemy, may be difcovered by the Infinuations of a pre- tended Friend. Thy own good Nature may ca- jole thee ; and therefore it will be no fmall point of Wlfdora, T» beware ef thy felf. As for Con- tingencies, I advife thee not to be perplexed a- bout them, or be uneafy. Thou canft not avoid the inevitable Appointments of Heaven. Only be ready for the worft that may happen, fince thou canft never be certain 'of any Thing. Thy Predeceflbr Carcoa was a Man of exqui- fite Forecaft, always on his Watch, prying into the dark Accident Orb of Futurities j yet an B 2 furprlzed 4 Letters ^r// /y Vol. III. furprlzed him once, of which his ftrlfteft Caution never gave him Warning. I read it in one of his Letters to the Kaimach»m, which thou fenteft me from Fiemta. The Story Is this : As he was one Day writing Difpatchej to the Port, a certain tame Bird which ho kept for his DIvertifement, fnatches from the Table the Paper on which he was writ- ing to the Tffrsrdar ; and the Window being open flies with It out Into the Streets. The Paper was dropped In the Garden of the y^ugujiin Friars, the very Moment when the SpaniP) j^mlmjfadir was walking there with the Ginerul of that 0>der. 'TIs true, the Letter was unfinlfh'd, no Name fub- fcribed, and fo Carcta efcaped an Imminent Haz- ard of his Life But the S<:crets therein contain'd gave a vaft Sufpiclon to the Imperial Court, It be- ing foon carried to the principal Secretary of State, and by him communicated to the Emperor and Divan. Strift Inquifition was made throughout the City for the Author of that Letter A Re- ward of a thoufand Rix DoSars promls'd to any that would difcover him The Bird was feen by many to fly along with a Paper In her Bill, but from whence fhe came, none knew. Nor had any curious Eye attended her uncertain Motions back: No man divining, that that Paper was defigned to tranfmit to the eve h*ppy Port, the moft impor- tant Counfels of the German Empire. Neither was C»rcoas Hand taken notice of having lived very privately, and ufed another Charafter In his ccm^ mon Dealings. But how near was h* to a Difco- very, when he fays himfelf in his Letter, •tha^he wanted but five Words to the Conclufron, where

he would have fubfcribed his Name" ! iFrom' hence thou may'ft learn that a A/^r/wfr ma Tempeft,

amongfl: Rocks and Sands, > runs nor greater Ha- zards, than he whoAils.in thy <$*«'*«'». How. Vol. HI. a Spy ^^ Paris;: ^ However, thou may'fl now continue thy Ad- vices to Parir, but oblerve the Direftions of Elia. chim, who brings thee this Letter. He will in- form thee of whatfoever is neceflary for thee to know, taking this Journey on purpofe to prevent the wakeful Jealoufy, and aftive Inquifition of Cardinal tdaxdrini^ from whom nothing can be hid that's trufted to the Poj?/. Receive him with

lingular Honour j he is an incorruptible Friend of the Otttwatj Port. From him thou Ihalt learn the fafefl: Methods of our future Correfpondence He

is the AfoUo of thy Nation ; and his Wifdom and Fidelity will be recorded in tlie Regifier of that Empire, which ftall know no earlier Period than the Moon, whoCe. Crefcent is her Jrm.-, and the happ^ Omen of her encreaftng Lujire. When thou beholdeft that nohU Enjign of Ma- homut on the Top of the -chief Temple of J^ftn in Vienna^ let it augment thy Veneration of otir Lmv, and convince thee, that all Nations muft fubmit to the Mfjfenger of God and Seal of the Prophet/. Be feithful and wife, and thou canft ^ot mifs of Happinefs.

Paris, zSth of the yth Moon, tf thi Tear i6^.. according to tht Chriftian Style.

B ; IE T- 6 Letters H^rh ly Vol.111.

LETTER II.

To the Kaimacham.

SINCE my Releafe, I have informed my felf of Ibme PafTages, to which I was a Stranger during my Rcltralnt. The Tranfylv»fiian Agtnt

continues ftlU at this Court '^ and his NfgopatJoK is not now a Secret. Monjteur Qroiffy is gone Amhaf' fadai- Ex: raordmary to Prince Ragot,ki on the fame Errand from this Crown. The fubjeft Matter of bo5h their £w^^jj^.';^ is a League. Cardi?ial Max.** rini fufpefted Tergiverfation in that Prince, and that he would privately treat with the Emperor, if the Grand Seignior Ihould withdraw his Affiftance

and Pfoteclion from him ; or if he himfelf Ihould grow weary of the War. Wherefore Monfiear CroiJ) according to the Cardixal's Inft:ru£Hons Vould not fign the League, till Ragoi ski had called Borne his Ambajfadsrs^ who were treating with the Iwperialifi) at Tyrni, and fent away the Girman En»' 'u»y from his Camp. The League being concluded, he Infifted on the Necefllty the Prince lay under, of marching his Army nearer to Torjienfon the Swcdijh General, that fo they might fupport one another againft the Gtrman Forces.

This was the Pretence ; but in Reality It was defigned to engage the Tranfylvafiianj beyond the Power of a Retrcit, and to poft them under the Eye of the Sweciifh Gemral, who foon after pof- feded himfelf of T/rw?, the Place appointed for Treaty between the Imperiahfis and Prince Rm' gttjki. It is a Town In the Lower Hungary, not far from Preibifgh, The ivtcdet cnter'd this Place the 17th, Vol. III. a S?Y at Paris. 7

ivrTi of the 5th Moon, but left a Garrifon in it of Seven hundred Hungarian Horfe, and Three hun- dred Foot, according to their Artidei with the Befieged Thefe were foon forc'd to quit the Town by Count Forgatfch, an Impeyialij}, the Swedes and Tranfilvaman. being march'd a great DiftanceofF; -And 'tis faid, this Hungdrian Garrifon yielded not unwillingly to the Imperial At n\s. 'Tis certain, General Torftenfon puts but fmalt

Confidence in the Hungarian Soldiers : For above Six hundred of the common Sort deferred him, the 29th of the 5th Mom, and the reft raifed fuch frequent Tumults and Mutinies, that their Com- manders flood in more fear of them, than of their Enemies. It's reported likewife, Tiiat there has been lately no good Underilanding betweerr Ragotskt and Torjienfov, about the deligned Siege

of P'csburgh : The former feemlng too much to favour the Hungarians, and being rather inclined to carry his Arms into the Empercr''s Hereditary Countries. Yet he would not confent, that PreJ- iu>fh flaould be in the Hands of the Swedes. The French fay, that the Prince is humorous

and wavering, yet of a fair Intention ; but thar the greatefl part of his Officers, are corrupted by

the Emper»r ; And that therefore, both they and

the common Soldiers were for Peace ; only his- Wife, his Son, and fome few of his Councellors, perfuaded him to adhere to the Sroidei. They add, that the Tourg Prince, being inlTrruft.' ed by his Mother, one Day in a full Affembly of the chief Commanders, made the following Ora-- tion, Ragttski himfelf being alfo prefent.

B 4 * Permit? ^ i Letters U'nt hy Vol. 111. •

PErmit me,moft Serene and IJluftrious Prince, 'my Royal Father, to perform the part of a dutiful Son, a faithful Counfellor, and a loyal Subjcft. The h»to of l^»ture and of Naiievr^

entitles you to my Obedienct ; and the particular Honour you have done me, in admitting me to your Cabinet, obliges me to exemplify it. in ark humble Remonftrance of my Sentiments, at a Time when the Intereft of Traufylvanht calls for Freedom of Advice * It is with no fmall Complacency that I now behold you encompalTed with a Circle oi Heroes whofe Valour and Fidelity may give fuch a Lu- ftre to your viftorious Arms, as fliall eclipfe the Glory of the Romsn and Grecian Conquerors. The Mtxandert, Cafart, Scipio', and Hamuhalr^ Ihall no longer draw the World into an Admi- ration of their obfolete Atchievements. 7 he Regjjltr of your Deed> Ihall foil their »n'.i'qu»ted

Hijiories ; whilft Plutarch, Tacitus and Livy muft veil to mtdim Pevs^ the Recorders of your matchlefs ylBitns. ' Let not the crafty Infinuations of the Ger. man Courtj warp your Refolutions, and cajole you with the deceitful Umbrages of Peace, only to gain Time, that they may more fuccefsfully carry on the War. Neither fuffer your felves, already in part riftorious, to be amus'd with felgn'd Treaties, and Overtures which you can- not but fufpeft. We are now in a Condition

to give the Law ; and ftiould Ftrtune turn the

Scale , it will ftill be in our Power to make our own Terms of Compofition, The y^Uiance of Hwedtn and Pranct, have raifed us to a Ca-

pacity of braving all Europt ; whilft the one with a potent Army on the Rhine, the other on the DaHHke, keep the Im^erialijit in fuch perpe- * tual Vol.111, a S?T at PilKIsI p tual Aftlon, that It will be Impofllble for them to barrier Germany from our conquering Arms. Now is the Time to raife Tranfyl'vania above the Title of a Tnhutary Province, and reftore this Kingdom to her ancient Renown. If we mifs this Opportunity, we muft for ever be Slaves to the Turks or Germant. Let us not feek any longer Proteftion, but from the Juftice of our Caufe, and the Dint of our Swords Lee not France and Sweden boafl: of their Turenne^ their Torfienfan, as If no other Nations could fiirnlfh the World with iamonsGenerals ! Whilfl: Prince Ragotski lives, and lives at the Head of fuch an Army, your Fidelity and Courage fhall render his Name more terrible than that of Tam merlain, and his Attempts more profperous than thofe of Scanderkg. And our Pofterity Ihall be

obliged to ralfe Pyramids to your Honour ; and from your prefent Atchievements to date a new Epocha, the eternal Memtir of Tranfyhanias Redemption.

*TIs fald. That Ragotski was not very Well pleafed with his Son's Speech, fufpefting that he held fome private Correfpondence with Torfien- fe», for whom he had no great Affeftion. Laft Mttn he infifted earneftly on the Money and Men promifed him by Rebetifttck. But GenevAl Ttrften. Jin thought It fufficient, that he himfelf was fo near him with his Forces. Yet left he fliould take an Occafion of Dlfcontent, he fent him a

Supply of Money ; though he was not without fome Apprehenfions that the Prime, having re- ceived it, would under-hand treat with the Emm feror. 'TIs fald here, that a C^Mn/^as arrived In the Tranfylvanian Camp, exprefly forbidding Ragotski to enter into the Htrtditary Prtvinccf of the B 5 Emftrifr 10 Letters iVrit hy Vol. III.

^mpirer. But that he, truftlng to the Strength of

*^ is Army, (which confifts of Five and Twenty ^houfand Germans, Tranfyl'uanians, Hurgnnant an^ iValachi*ni) was refolved to purfue his firll Re folution. Thou knowefl: what Reafons the Ptrt had, to fend him this Prohibition. The French fay, 'twas out of Fear that he would join with the Emferors Forces. By this thou mayeft know what Opinion the Jvfideh entertain of the Meafures taken by the So- •veretgn Divan. They defcant at Liberty, whilft I fend up Fbws to Heaven for the Exaltation ot the Otttwan Empire.

Paris, ^th. «/ the i(h Moon, of the Ttar 1645.

LETTER IIL

To th InfiruBed in aU Kno-wUdge ; the Venerable Mufti.

tioJy Interpreter of the Sacred Lam HAIL, ; may the Divine Light guide thee beyond the Errors of Humane Fraily. I am amongft /»- fideh^ Enemies to the Truth ; who yet feem ai certain of being in the ^ight, as thou art fure thjey are in the Wrong. They hate us with an inevi- table Hatred I muft difTemble my Refentments; whilft, with theloweft Proftrations to the C7a/fjf, I celebrate his Glorious Mercy, who has fent us fuch a Star to guide our Feet into the Way of Peace.

The Chriftians feoff 0.1 the faithful People^ as di- vided into feveral S0i, Would my Death could wipe Vol. III. J Spy at Paris. ii wipe out thofe Reproaches, and vindicate the Honour of the Holy ProftJJion. I could retort,

that Error flaews It felf Infinite in them ; but I inuft hold my Peace, and reftrain my felf, ieft my

Zeal tranfport me beyond Difcretion ; remem- bring I am not fent here to difpute, but to aft fecretiy for my g^e-u Ma^cr, whofe Empire be ex» tended over all the habitable World. 'f hefe poor Wretches boaft much of their Tram ditions, their Sacred Synod} and Fathers^ as if we ever wanted Holy Men, working iVonders, and pe- netrating Into the profoundefl: Myfierjes, but only wiping their Eyes with the D///? of their Fiet.

They talk much of Faith and Reafon ; at which

I fmile, as knowing it to be only Education. Yer, • as the roo'ji of People have fomething that is good, fo thefe are not wholly defliltute of Devom tien. They pray often, but not fo often as the trui Believers ; it being, as thou knoweft, a juft Exception agalnft a Witnefs amongft us, That he prap not fix times a Day They pray to Men and Women deceafed, whereas, thoa knoweft, there Is no Betty but One. They faft often, but. not fo ftriftly as the afllfted with the Vertue of the fupreme Difpenfer of Graces. They are charl-.. table, but this hinders 'em not from excluding all froth the ifejl j^bodes, who are not of their

Belief : Whereas thou affirmeft (who art the RefoU ver of all tht Preb Itms of Faith) -thsit it will go well at the /»/? Day with all honeft People, feeing thefe have all the fame OhjeSf of iVorJhip ; anil their difaent Kdigions are bxit as fo many different Ways, which lead a Man to the fams Place of Refi, like 'various Reads to the fame City. Thefe QhrifHttm whip themfelves often with fmall Cords; which Humour, fay they, was fet on Foot by an H^>-?»//'s Preaching and Example. Not many Countries diftant from that where I B 6 am. 12. Letters IVnt hy VoI.IIL am, there happen'd fuch an odd Inftance of this extravagant Zeal (which was tobeheighten'd, it feems, with the Fumes of Wine) as plainly jufti- fies our Prophet^ Wifdom, in charging the Faithful to avoid it. It was particularly the Cuftom of feveral People in this Place, in their Procijfitns, to whip themfelves, 'till the Blood ftreamed down their Frocks, which were fo made as to cover their Faces, and leave only their Backs bare. One of thefe Zealots, diftrufting the Flrmnefs of his Conftitution, had taken fuch large Draughts of this intoxicating Liquor, that reeling up and down with his Whip in his Hand, and his Head againft the Walls, he was followed by all the Boys of the Town hooting after him, which fo leflened the

Repute of this fottijh Religion , as made them ab- ftain for the future from this pompous Ufage of it. What low Thoughts have thefe People of the

jilmighty Lard of aB ; when, allowing him to be Omnipotent^ yet reprefent him to themfelves and

others, as delighting in Cruelty ; whereas, thou knoweft, this Paflion is only ta be found amongft the weak and raiferable. That the Divine Prefewer of Men may conti- nue thee long for the Edification of his EltB, arc the paflionate Wifhes of the meanefl of thy Ser- vants, Mahmut.

?aris, 4f* »/ the %tb fdetn, aftheTiar i6^%.

LET- ;

Vol. III. 4 Spy at Paris. xj

LETTER IV.

To Muftapha^ Berber Aga.

\1^0 ULD to GOD I could converfe with ' ^ thee Face to Face in the Seraglio, as in former Times. I vent many paffionate Wilhes to Cenfiantintple, that happy Refidence of my beft Friends, the Nurfery of my Childhood, the School of my Youth, and I hope, the future Re- pofitory of my old Age. When I think of that City, 'tis with a Pafllon hardly fecond to that, which I cherifli for the Place of my Nati- vity. In Arabia 'tis true, I firft faw the Light of the Sun, but *twas in Gntce I received th& more friendly lUuminatim of the Mten^ the Sphut*

ders of the true Faith ; which though they difl^ clofe not to us fo clear a Profpeft of the Earth and all its Gayeties, yet they prefent us with an

unveiled Difcovery of the Heavent and Stan ;. fliewingus Paradife, with its glittering Inhabitants the purpled Colonies of true Btlienjerr, Champions and Uartyri of the Eternal Unity. In the Defart I left my Father, or rather he left me before I found my felf, being but an Infant when he died, but in the City I found Friends, which is not a lefs endearing Title. He gave me but ray Birth, whereby I entered on the Stage of Miferies with which he foon after left me to ftruggle, be- fore I could diftinguifli Mifcry from Happinefs. But they gave me Education, which taught me how to fhun thofe Evils, which are the natural Confcquences of our Birth. So that in the main, I am more indebted to them than to him^ Let it be how it will, I cannot ceafe to love them, and often wiih my felf with them. Ths is 14 Letters /^>// ly Voi-IIL*

3s "a fecond Nature. And becaufe I cannot have my Defires fulfill'd in that, I gratify my felf by often writing to them. .-Should I make Conipa- rifons, thou wilt fay I am a Flatterer, Suffice it to tell thee, that thou art one of the Number, whofe Remembrance aifects me with fenllble Complacency. Yet I cannot write to thee, nor any of my Friends, fo often as I would, without

entrenching on the Obligations I have to t\\(i. other Mmifien of the fuhiime Port. I fend Rif~^-. patches to all by turns, facrificing my private Re-' gards to the Expeiiations of the Sia'.e, and the Pleafure of my Superiors. Had I been at Liberty, I could have fent thee the earllefl: News, of the Slaughter which the Ger. mans made three Moons ago in the French Army at hCe-gentheim. 'TIs not too late now to fay fomething of it. The Imptn'alifls owe that Tri- umph to the Candor of Tunnne, and the degene-

rate Craft of the Duke of Bavan'a ; who, to lull the F'evch In a fatal Security, fent an y^g'ht Into Frame to negotiate a Pesee, with deceitful Over-

tures and Umbrages ; commanding alfo, that none of his Soldiers (hould dare to call the French their Enemies. Yet fome lay the Blame of this Over- throw to the Swedes, whofe unfeafonable Sufpi- cion of a private Treaty between the F ench and Germans^ hinder'd Tofienfon from joining with'

the former ; and expofed Turhve, with his riaw and unexperienc'd Forces, to the numerous Atmy of Veterane I»>perialifts. 'Twas a fatal Engagement, and the French loft

many brave Men ; befldes an Hundred and fifty Commanders taken Prlfoners, Fifteen hundred of the common Soldiers, Fifty Enfigns, with many Waggons, and Four Mules laden with Money. Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. if It is reported, that whilft Turenne, in the gene- ral Retreat and Flight of his Army, betook hlni- felf to Mergentheim, as he lay on his Bed the firft Night, one of his Officers was coming to alarm him with the News of the Germans Appr^^ch to that Town, but unfortunately ftumbJed at his Chamber-Door, with the Noife of which Turmns awaked; and fearing fome Attempt on his Life, leaped off his Bed with his drawn Sword, and making toward the Door, jufl: as the Officer o-. pened it, he run liim into the Heart By which Aliftake, he himfelf, and the Troops that were, in the Town with him, had like to have fallen into the Hands of the Bavarians, But receiving Notice of their Approach accidentally by fome other Means, he withdrew his Troops out of the Town by a contrary Road, and efcaped the Pur- fuit of his Enemies. This Viftory has given new Courage to the Int' ferialijis^ and has not much difpirited the French, who are by this Lofs enflamed with greater Ar- dors, mediating a fpeedy Revenge. The Gem'uf of this Court leems to be undaunted, breathing nothing but War. I lha)l not fail to fend thee fuch Intelligence, as will demonftrate, that Mahmut pafTes not away' his Time in vain. I pray the Sovereign of as many Empires as there be WorUs, to diftinguifti thee by fome particular Mark of his Favour, from the Crowd of thofe" he makes happy.

Paris, 4^/& of the 8th Moo?), of the Tear 1645:.

L E T- x6 Letters P^rit hy Vol. 111.

LETTER V.

1o Shafhim Iftham, a Black Eunuch.

length thou haft condefcended to beg ATmy Pardon, for the Calumnies thy Tongue kas loaded me with. I am nor ill pleafed with thy Letter. It abounds with elegant Exprefllons of thy Sorrow, for an Offence to which thou hadft no Provocation. Thy Submiflion, though late, abates my Refentment ; and, if thou per- formeft thy Promife, 'tis banilhed. The firft Crime fo ingenuoufly acknowledged, claims a Ti- tle to Forgivenefs. Let eternal Oblivion feal it. I am not by Nature revengeful. I rather blufh for Shame, than grow pale with Anger, at him that injures me Yet Self-Prefervation will rouze our Choler, which is the moft active Hu- mour, and precipitates many to violent Courfes. The Eifeft it has on me is to put me on my guard, left he who has wronged me, without any Signs of Repentance, fliould continue his Malice to my Deftruftion. But thou haft dif- perfed all my Sufpicions by thy feafonable Ad- drefs; and if I cannot pronounce thee innocent, I will believe thou art not Incorrigible. The beft Advice I can give thee is, henceforwards to attend to thy own Affairs, and refrain from thofe

of others ; remembring the Arabian Proverb, Be

that petfs in at his Neighbuur^i Window y may chance t$ lofe hit Ejes. There is a great deal of Wifdom couch'd In thefc Ihort Sentences. They are not the Produft of one Man's Experience, nor univerfai of a fev ; but they are the Refult of Obfervatlon. And our Conntry has been happy above others in the Choice of her Pr$v(rh. This that Vol.111. ^ Spy d/ Paris. 17

that I mentlon'd is peculiar to the Eafl^ Yet I can produce an Inftance, whereby 'twas lately verified In the l^eji. There Is hardly a Night paiFes In this populous City, wherein ibme Murder Is not committed in the Streets. Two Nights ago a Man was found

dead on the Ground ; whereupon a Tumult was gather d about his bleeding Carcale. Amongft the reft, a Fellow came crowding in, Inqidifitive what fhould be the matter. Thofe who ftood by beholding his Cloaths bloody, which he was not lenfible of himfelf, felzed on him as the Murde- rer. His wild Looks encreafed their Jealoufy; and the incoherent Words with which he endea- vour'd to excufe himfelf render'd him gxilky in the Judgment of the Rabble They carried hini before a C»di, by whom he was ftri6tly exa-

mined : He ftoutly denied the Faft ; and no- Proof could be brought againft him, but his itained Cloaths. 'Tis theCiiftom here, to put to the Torture Perfons fufpefted of capital Crimes, in order to draw a Confeffioa of the Truth.

This they did to this poor Wretch ; and in the Extremity of his Pains, he acknowledged

he had killed his Wife that Evening , but was altogether innocent of this poor Man's

Death , who was murder'd In the Streets. All the Torments they inflicVed, could force no other Confeffion from him, fave that which his real Guilt prompted him to make. For which he was condemned to Death, according to the Laws. Thou feeft by this, that had he gone about his Bufinefs, without prying into other Mens Mat- ters, he might have efcaped a DIfcovery. But that meddling Itch of the Imprudent betray'd him (not without the particular Direftion of F»tt) to a Death, which indeed he merited, but not i8 L.ETTERS Writ ly Vol. III. not on the Score ©f the murder'd Man, whom he went out of his way to .fee. Thou wilt fay, this Story is not applicable to thy Cafe, fince thou baft never yec embru'd thy Hands in any Man's Blood. I tell thee, what I havefaid, was not defign'd as a Reflexion on thy paft Offence (let it be forgotten \) but as a Caution for the future, not to engage thy felf in ^Matters out of thy Sphere. For, a bufie Body is never ithout Troubles.

. Above all, I counfel thee, to praftlfe the Go- vernment of the Tongue, which is a great Vertue, efpecJalJy In the QDurt: of Princes. The Arabiunt fay, That the Wif< Mans Soul repoftr at the Root of Tongue but^ a FooVt is Dancing his 'j ever on the Tip Thou haft no reafon to takelnill part, the Free- dom with which ladvife thee for thy Good : Un- lefs thou thinkeftthy felf too old to learn. But, I have a better Opinion of thee, than to rank the© among Pythagoras''s Affes.

I have faid enough for a Friend ; too much for an Enemy. It is in thy own Choice to make me which thou pleafeft. Adieu.

Paris, 4^th of the ith Moon, of the Year 1645.

LETTER VI

To Zelim of Rhodes, Captain ofa Galley.

THOU haft never vouchfafed to acknow. ledge the Advice I feat thee feme Years ago, of a Chrifiiatis Defign againft thy Life. Perhaps he wanted an Opportunity, to put his Revenge Vol. III. a S?Y at Paris. 19

Revenge In Execution that way ; and therefore, the Caution I gave thee looked like a falfe Alarni» Thou trufteft in thy Courage, the Strength of thy Veflel, the Multitude and Fidelity of thy Slaves, and thinkeft thy felf invulnerable. But, let me tell thee, that neither thy Courage, nor thy VefTel, can defend thee from the Stn-ke ot De- ftiny ; and thou haft no greater Enemies than thofe who eat thy Bread. Whether it be the Continu- ance of thy Cruelty, or the natural Regret-of Ser- vitude has rendered them fo, I know not ; but, if what I am informed of be true, thou art the miferableft Man in the World. Wert thou only in Danger to lofe thy Life by a Stab, a Bullet, or the fwift Effefts of Poifon, it would be a Happinefs, in Comparifon of the Method that is now taken to deftroy thee. And the iiivifible Death which thou wert formerly to receive from a Prayer-Eook, would have beea foft as the Stroke of CupicPs Arrow, in Refpeit of the Tragical and Unheard of F^te, which is now preparing for thee. Think not I go about to amufe-or affright thee with Chimera's and Tales, fuch as Nurfes ufe to. awe their Children into Compliance iind good Manners. What I tell thee is Matter of Fafr, and confirmed by many Letters from Itt^ly, to fe- veral eminent Merchant i in Paris, I have feen fome of them, and hear that the reft agree in the fame Relation. They give an Account, that at Naples, en the, fecond of the laft Moon, three iVltches were felz- ed, and accufed of pr^ftlfing diabolieal Arts ; of enchanting fcveral Perfons ; of doing great Mifchief and, in fine, of having private Com- i merce with the Devil. They ftoutly denied all at firft, and made very fubtle and plaufible Apo- logies, Infomuch, as the Inquljitors were almoft perfuaded of their Innocence ; till it was fug- geftcd, %o Letters TVrit ly Vol. III. gefted, that their Houfes fliould be fearch'd. Of. fictrs were fent accordingly ; who after a narrow Scrutiny, found fome magical Books, feveral Vials of ftrange Liquors, Pots of Ointment, with an Image of Wax^ refembling a Man, but partly melted. There were imprinted on the Breafl: of the Imagt feveral unknown Chara£Vers,

Figures and magical Symbols : And on the Fore- head was to be read ZEL/M £B£W i A- G R A ^. All thefe were brought, and expofed before the Inquijitors (of whofe Office thou art not ignorant) great Deliberation was had about this unufual Emergency. The Imautm and Chelks were fent for and confulted. The fVitchet were examined apart, and put to the Torture, as is the Cuftom in Capital Crimes. Admirable was

their Conftancy for a confiderable Time ; but at length, overcome by the Continuance and Sharp- nefs of their Pains, tltey confelTed they had for fbme Years praftifed magick Arts, convers'd with familinr Sfiritt, raifed Tempefts, Earthquakes, and done other -wicked Feats. Being examined about the Image of Wax, they declared, That it was the Image of a Turkijly Captain of a Galley,

whofe Name was written on the Forehead : And that they were hired by certain haliam, who had been Slaves in the GaBey of the faid Captain, to bewitch him to Death, in the moft llngring Me-

thod they could invent ; that in order to this,

they had made this Image ; that every Night they met together, with a fourth of their Gang, (who was not to be found) and made a Fire of the Bones of dead Men, which they flole from the Graves and Charncl-Hiufit. That they laid, this Image dewn at a convenient Diftance before this Fire, repeating certain magical tVc-ds audi Charms; and, as this />w*£f gradually melted, fo the Body of the faid Turhjh C^^tain did infenfi - bly Vol. III. Spy at Paris. ii fibly wafte and decay. And, to add to his lin- gring Death an intolerable Torment, they ba- iled the melting Image with the Oils, and other Liquors which were contained in the Vials and

Pots ; That by this Means he was perpetually racked with moft pungent and acute Pains in his Bowels, Head, and all Parts of his Body, ra- ging under moft violent Fevers, Infatiable Thirflr, and want of Sleep Finally, that this lingring kind of Death -would continue, as long as they pleas'd to protraQ: the DifTolution of the waxen Jmiige. This Cenfefton, the' extorted from the Witcbet in the midft of infufFerable Torments, yet was de- liver'd without any Inconfiftences, and with all the Demonftrations of a real Penitence. And be- ing feconded with the Teftimonies of many cre- dible Wltnefles, who had overleen them in fome of their mSiu^nal Ceremoniet ; the Inquijitars, mo- ved with a juft Horror of fo nefandous Abomina- tions, fentenced them, To be iiumt, and their jijhef to he fcattered into the Sea. Which was ac- cordingly executed on the fixth of the laft Mooriy in the Prefence of infinite Speftators. The News of this extraordinary Event is ittih. in the Mouths of almoft all the Inhabitants of this

City ; yet no Man, I dare fay, hears it with that Concern for the Turkifk Captain, as I do. Even thofe among the Chriflians who abhor Witcker^ft^ would neverthelefs rejoice, if not only thou, but all the Mujftilmans were deftroyed with Enchantm

merits ; fince they can never hope it will come to pafs by the Succefs of their Arms. 1 am not credulous of every Story that is rela- ted of Witches, being fatisfied, that SuferRition and Ignorance has lifted many in that infernal Number, who were innocent and never deferved

it ; fome having been forced by Racks and Tor- tures .xz Letters iVrit hy Vol. III^

tures, to confefs themfelves guilty of praflrifing Enchanrrncnti, when, after their Execution, there have appeared evident Proofs to the contrary. Yet I cannot be fure, but that there have been feme in all Ages and Nations, who have entered into Leagues and AHociations with DtvUs. and have been enabled thereby to perform Things a- bove tiie Power of Satnre. However, I have a particular Dellre to hear from thee, and to be informed, whether thou haft experienced the Ef- feft of their Enchantments. If thou haft not, blefs thy Stars that thou wert born and bred a MujfuU man, againft whom the Magitk of the Infidels can-

not prevail ; and that thou haft fwallowed the Imprijfton of Mahomet\ Seal, which is of Force to dilTolve and make invalid, all the Charms of Men and Dtvlls. But if thou haft felt the Force of their Enchantments, and pineft away with un- accountable Pains and Languors; then think with thy felf that thou art defeftive in keeping fome Puns of our Holy Lave ; that Mahomet is angry with thee, withdraws his Proteftion, and expofes thee to the Malice of Evil Spirits. Nei- ther perfuade thy felf, that becaufe the three Witches are put to Death, thou flialt prefently re- cover thy former Health and Eafe again : For, fo long as there is a fiurth living, and out of the reach of Juftice thou art not lafe. Nay, if Die were taken and executed too, fo long as thy Enemies are yet alive, who firft employed thele Hagj, thou art ftill at their Mercy. They will fearch every corner of Italy, and of all Eurtft^ but they will find Inftruments of their Revenge. They will rummage Hell itfelf, to gratify their Fury. The beft Counfel I can give thct in this Cafe is, To pacify thine Enemies, by extraordi- nary Afts of Civility to the Chriftianr, where-

«ver thou meeteft them ; by ufijig thy slaves mildly, Vol. III. 4 Spy d/ Paris. xj mildly, and giving them their Freedom, after a limited time of Servi(;e, without exafting a Ran- fom, which neither they nor their Relations and Friends can ever be able to pay. This will abate the Rancour of the Infidels, and turn their Re- venge into Kindnefs and Love. Thou wilt every

where be free from Dangers ; and thofe very Perfons, who now ftudy all means to take away thy Lifs, will then tiazard their own to preferve thee from Death. Think not that I go about to perfwade thee to

change Temper with thy Slaves , and from the Refolution and Bravery of a true Mujfulman, to fink into the abjeft Tlmoroufnefs of a Chrijlian, Be fearful only of thy felf, and Hand In Awe of none more than of thy own Confcienee. There is a Cato in every Man, a fevere eenftr of his

Manners ; and he that reverences this Judge, will feldom do any thing he need to repent of Let not the yiuthority of any station, rempt thee to

be cruel aad unjuft ; but. in all things, Do as thou vfouldji be done unto. This is a Precept engraven on every Man's Heart ; and he whofe Aftions write after this Copy, will always be at eafe here, and tranfcendantly happy hereafter. Follow this

Rule , and thou wilt experience the Efelf. Adieu.

Paris, jft of the ph Mitn^ I of the Tear 1^45*

LET- ;

*4 Letters ^rh ly Vol. IIL

LETTER VII.

To the Invincible Vizir Azem.

one may judge of future Events , by app'y- IFing to them the Symptoms of Things paft and if a Man may compare one Kingdom with another, I fliould think that Fr/ince wiJl in time extend the Limits of her Empire, as far any of the four great Monarchies, that have been recorded in Hifion'ei for their unive-fal Sway. I will not fay, as far as the wide-ftretch'd Empire of the ever- viftorious Ofmans : Yet the Genius of this Nation feems in fome manner to infpire the French with as ardent a Thirft of Glory and Conqueft, as that which has in all Ages appear'd to be the infiperabk Virtue of the Muffulmans. They prefs iforward to the Mark for which they take up Arms; that is, to fubdue all before them, an-d lay Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, at the Feet of their Sove~ reign. They are not difcouragcd at Difficulties and LofTes. The Checks and Oppofitions they meet with, do but animate them with new and frefti Vigours. So that it isiecome a fare Prog- noftick of fome .great Succefs to that Nation, when at any time they receive ill News from their Armies. In this, their Courage feems to be of the Quality of Napchs, which by pouring on of Water takes Fire, although, thou knoweft, thefe two Elements be contrary to each other. So this Warlike People, inftead of being dejefted, or made timorous by any Defeat given to their Ar- mies, are rather inflam'd with more aftive and valiant Refolurions, as will appear by the Repulfe given them by the Duke of Bavaris, not many Miens ago. As Vol. III. " a Spy at Paris, a-f

As foon as that News arrived in this Citf, one "U'ould have expeded to have feen fome Tokens of Fear in the People, but it wrought a con- trary EfFe6l, No Tears of Women and Children, no companionate Sighs for their flain Husbands,

Fathers or other Relations ; no down-caft Looks,

or ominous fhaking of Heads ; no melancholy VVhifpers or portentous Stories were murmured

in the Ears of the Multitude : But all Things

appeared lively and profperous ; the very Wo- men exciting the young Men to lift themfelves Soldiers, and the Boys in the Streets making all their Paftimes conflft in imitating the Mm of Atms, and learning the Difcipline pf ^«r. There was no need to force Men to the Field. No fooner was the King's Intentions to raife new Forces divulged in the Provinces, but thoufands caraie voluntarily, and took up Arms, chufing rathor to feek honourable Deaths in the Toils and Hazards of War, than to lead inglorious Lives at Home, in the foft Enjoyments of Peace Thefe Things appeared to me as certain Pre* fages of the rifmg Greatnefs of tliis Monarchyy and an evident Sign that the French Nation in this Age, Hull out-do their Anceflirt in Warlike Deeds. The Stage of that bloody Combat, between the Forces of the Duke of Bavaria, and thofe under the Command of Marefchul Turenne^ was Mergen-

theim . Since which there has been a more fierce Encounter between the Fnnch and Imferialifir at Alle ilyaim. Wherein the former have reco- vered the Honour they feemed to have loft in the Spring, owing much to the Bravery of the Landgrave of Hijfe-Cafel, who, with his Regi- ments, had a confiderable Share in the Aftions

<)f this Day j and therefore has been prefented C with ^a,^ Letters ^rit hy Vol. III. with magnificent Gifts by the §ltteen Regent. The Ba-ntirians loft in this Battle above Two thoufand common Soldiers, belldes may Officers of Note. On the French fide, the Duke of Enguitn (who

. had newly joined his Forces to thofe of Turenne) was wounded in the Arm, with two other Com- -'manders. Movfteur Gramnund was taken Prifoner, but honourably" treated and fent away with Pre- fents by the Duke of Bavaria, together with In- fti'uftions about a Neutrality, who is exchanged for a German of equal Quality. The Prtnch have alfo loft in this Battle above a Thoufand of the

common Soldiers j fo that their Vi^lory coft th«m dcdf The Duke of Enguien, notwithftanding his 'Wounds, marches on the next Day with his Army to Norlinghen^ offering to that Town a Neutrality and Liberty for the Garrifon to march out, which confifted of Three hundred Bavarian/. But re- ceiving a fierce Anfwer from the Govemour, he caufed the Approaches to be made in order to an Aflault, which was begun that very Night, and a

Breach made in the Walls ; upon which the Inha- bitants were forced to intercede with the Duke^ that there might be a CefTation of Violence till the next Morning, promifing that then the Sol-

diers Ihould furrcnder at Difcretion ; which was done accordingly. There he tarried eight Days to refrerh his Army. Then he marched to Dunkenffule^ which was defended by a Garrifon of Five hundred Bavarians. He took this Place by Storm, yet gave Quarters to the Soldiers, who laid down their Arms, and yielded themfelvcs Prifoners. French ^ Leaving a Garrifon of three hundred in the ' Town, he removed his -Forces toward Heiltran. But in regard this Place was defended T)y Fifteen hundred Men he fgrbore to aflault it, and only quartered ^

Vol. III. if Spy tf/ Paris. tj quartered his Army in the neighbouring Villa- ges- Since that Time, which was about the middle of the laft A/oen, there has been no confiderable Aftion between the F inch and the Germans. Yen thof« who pretend to be vers'd in milUary Affairs, laugh at tlie ill Condud of the Arch-Deke Leopold^ who when he had the French fhut up in a narrow Streight^ through which it was impoffible for them to pafs but by fingle Files, negleded that Oppor- tunity to cut them oif, deferring the Vi*<[iory (whereof he was too fecure) till the next Day, by reafon of the prefent Wearinefs of his Soldi- trs. In the mean Time Turenne, with his whole Army, pafs'd the Strtight in the middle of the Night, and came to Philipshurgh. This Overfight of the General is much talk'd of becaufe, had he purfued his Advantage he had not •only entirely defeated the French, but in all pro- bability, falling with the whole Force of the £»r- fire on the Svedes, he had likewife vanquifhed them, and fo put an End to the War. But ic feems as if the infc>u'»ble Prntidence had deter- mined to infatuate the Minds of the Germans, and seferve thofe two potent Nations, their Enemies, to be a farther Scourge to the Empire. Adieu, great Guardian of the eternal Monarchy and believe Mahmut, when he folemnly fwears by Mount Sinai, and by the ten:h Night of the Moon^ that he adores thy confummate Virtue and Wif- dom, which never fail thee in Extremities.

Paris, ^th of the gtb Mton, »/ {he Tear 1545-

C 2 LET- iS L^ETTEK^ IVrh ^j Vol. HL

LETTER VIII.

To Cara Hali, a Phyfician at Con- ftantinople.

1 AM weary of writing News of Battles an3

I Sieges to the Grandees ; and I know, thou feldom troubleft thy felf with the Care of foreign Tranfaftions. Befidcs, I have no certain Intelli- gence of Moment to communicate. But I can acquaint thee with fomething more agreeable to thy Studies and Genius. Here is a Man in this City who was not born blind, but by fome ill hap loft the Ufe of his Eyes. Yet Nature feems to have recompenfed that Misfortune, in the Exquifitenefs of his FeeL trig. Thou wouldeft fay he carried Eyes in his Fingers ends, fince he diftlnguifhes thofe Things by his Touch, which are the only proper Objcfts of Si^hf. Believe me, I think, there can be no Deceit of Confederacy, whereby he might blind others, inftead of being fo hlmfelf I faw him muffledJup with a Napkin which covered all his Face, then divers Pieces of Etfiem Silks, of va- rious Colours, were laid on the Table before him. He felt them attentively, and told us the Colour of each Piece exaftly. I who was never over-credulous of extraordinary Pretences, fuf^ pefting that either the Finenefs of the Linen •which veiled his Face, might give him fome Gllmpfe of the different Colours, or that fome By llander, with appointed Signs, might Inform him, caufed all the Company to withdraw, except a learned Dervife, who was Intimate with me. We thrfijv a thick Velvet Mantle over his Face which reacted down to his Navel, girding It about Vol.111, a Spy at Paris. 19 about his Walft, fo as to leave his Arms at Li- berty. Then I procured fmall Shreds of Silks^- fuch as I could conceal in the Pa'm of my Hand: Thefe I cauled him to touch with his dingers, brought up as high as his Chin, fo that 'twas im- poflible for him to fee them, had he had the Ufe

of his Eyes ; yet he made not the leaft Miftake in five feveral Colours We changed the Order of the Silks, and fomecimes gave him the fame Piece four or five Times together; yet, as foon as he had felt it, he readily told us,, 'tv^as the Hime Colour. I tell thee, O learned /*»//, fuch an uncommon Experiment, afforded me Matter both of Delight and Wonder. I concluded from hence, that t^a-, ture is no Niggard in her Gifts, but fupplies the Defects of oneSenfe, by the Super- abundant Ac- curacy of aHorher. We asked this blind Perfon, By what Diftinfticn he thus knew one Colour from another, without the Help of his Eyes He was not able to exprefs the particular Manner of

this difcrlminating JiCnfation ; but only toid us in general, that he felt as much Difference between the irtd S'lW and black, as he had formerly done during the Enjoyment of his Eye figfit, between the Silks of Perfidy and the fine Linen of Enropg z Which, thou knoweiV, are as different to the Touch as fine Paper and Vellum. Thou that daily pryeft Into the Faculties of Humane Bodies, art better able to judge whether this Man's Excellency lay in the Tenuity and Finenefs of his Skin, the bubtilty of his Spirlcs, or fome unuCual, powerful, yet delicate Lnergy of his it Soul ; or, whetlier confiiled in all thefe . together. I'he Dervife who was with me, feemed not mucli to admire at this rare Quality of tlie blind Man: Telling me moreover, Ihat about ten.

C 3 Years . 30 Letters Writ ly Vol. III. Years ago In his Travels, he had ften a bJind S?*- tu^rj at Florence^ who undertook to make the Re- lemblance of an Image in the chief TimfU of that City, which he finifli'd fo much to the Life, that his Work could no otherwile be diftinguifh'd from the Original, than by the Difference of the Ma- terials, thin being Alabafter,^/; white Clay; which he fo tempered and moulded with his Fingers, as he continually felt of the other, that no Linea- ment was left unexprefs'd. ' Indeed, when I reflefted on our Mutes in the Semglio, and the unaccountable Sagacity with w hich they apprehended thofe Words which they never heard, I ceas'd to be furprized at what I had feen the blind Man perform, or what the Der^ liife had faid of the Statuary, \ remember in SuU tan Amura'h's Time there was a Mute, In whom the Grand Si^mor took infinite Delight For, be- fides a thoufand pretty Geftures and Tricks, witfe which Ihe iifed to divert that Prince, he often luade her his Secretary, employing her in writing Letters to his Biffa's and others, whilft he difta- ted to her by Signs. Although fhe could never receive rhe Sound of Words, nor utter any that feen her tranfcribe vere articulate ; yet I have a whole Chapter in the AUoran^ containing a hun- dred and feventy Verfichs, in as fine a Character,

Hs the moft celebrated Scribes of the Empire ; and \vhen flie had done, would explain what fhe had thus written by Signs, which made it evident tliat fVe perfeftly undern-ood the Mm an. all Thefe are rare Gifts, my Friend ; yet were rhe Mutei educated with as much Diligence and Care, as was Saef'^ieda, (fo (he was called) 'tis pof- fible they would attain to greater Perfection. I have been told, that her Tutor, one of the learn- ed'ft Men in Arabia, beftowed many Years in teaching her this Method of Reading, Under- ftanding and Writing. This Vol. III. a Spy

Place of his Nativity, and how he came hither ; I took the Pen, and in the fame Language ex- prefs'd my CompaiTIon of his Misfortunes. WhenL^t he faw that I underflood Mortfco^ he writ agaia* fignifying to me, That if I opened my MourU wide at the pronouncing of every Syllable, he. could underftand my Meaning by the PoUure of my Lips and Tongue. I found his Words true, to my no fmall Aamlratlon; for he would write down what I had faid. We converfed together often; and at length I procured his Efcape in the Retinue of a Chiaus that was returning froni hence to Ctn(i*n:inople, I befeech the wife ArchlteB of Natu^'e, and R-f' fairer of Hutnane DffeBs, either to continue to us the Ufe of our Seafcs, or to fupply that Want by fome fuperlatlve Endowments of the Mind.

Paris, 2 oth of the ^th Moon, of the Yiar 1645. LET- 3^ Letters Writ By Vol. III.

LETTER IX.

To Ufeph BalTa.

THOU wilt fay, I am unmindful of my Duty in nor congratulating thy new Honour before this ; and that I forget the good Offices which formerly pafs'd between us in the Seraglio. I tell thee my Obligations are infinite, not only to thee, but to many others of my -Friends at the Port: It is impoflible for me to acquit my Self of fo many Engagements. As for the Dlgn-.tj to which the Sultan has raifed thee, I received the firft News of it within thefe fourteen Days. And I dare affirm, That none of thy Friends, or of thofe whofe Dependence is on thee, could with greater Complacency behold thee vefted by our moft auguft Etn^eror, than I read the Let- ter which conveyed to me this welcome Intelli- gence. Long mayefl: thou live to enjoy the Bleflings which thy good Fortune has heaped on thee. Yet I counfel thee to enjoy them fo, as not to forget thou mult die- Let not the Grandeur of thy Station render thee proud and wilful: But remember, when thou art furrounded with a Crowd of adorning Suppliants, that Death flail level thee with the meayuji of thy Slater. Thus the ancient Pnilofefhen fpared not to perform the Office of Monitors to their Kings and Prineei • And I hope thou wilt not take in ill Part the wholefome Advice of Mahmnt, who difcovers a Temper void of Hypocrify, in the Freedom he afTumes. If thou giveft Ear to Flatterers, they

will complemejit thee to thy Ruin ; and when thou art on the Brink of a Precipice, they .

Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 33^

will perfwade thee there is no Danger, though, if thou goeft on, they know thy I'all is inevi- table. They will pride themfelves in the IJ^x- - terity of their Malice, and infult ever thee with-- fcornful Sarcfifins, whom not long ago they ido- lized.

The eminent Command thou haft, requires • thy frequent Prefence in the jovenign Divan-. And that thou may'ft nor fit there, only as aa-

Auditor of other Men's Counfels, and incapable ••

of making one in the Number of thofe, who > become remarkable by their Orations, or Re-~ ports of foreign Events; I will now enter-

tain thee with fome Padages, which have • happened in Europe fmce the Beginning of this Year, whereof the other Baft's may poflibly be ignorant.

The Diet of francfort, which had continued for • three Years, was difTolved on the 12th of the'

4th Moon. This may be known at the Port, while •

they remain Strangers to the Reafoji of it. There • are a fort of Chrijiiav; in Germany, whom they call Evsngelicks. Thefe are oppofite to the Roman

Chu-eh, both in Religion and Jnrereji ; and their - Caufe is chiefly efpoufed by the Dnke: of Saxony and Brander^bu^gh. It was to comply with thefe, that aa ^ffembly was appointed at Ofnahurgh ; but the Emperor and the Car^s/iV^/ were either for- continuing that at Francfart, or tranflating it to Munfitr. While the contending Parties were bickering, and ftrlvingto gain their feveral Ends,- the Deputy of the Duke of Bavaria, tired out- with fuch intolerable Delays, departed from*- Francfert, whom the reft of the Deputies followed.. And this thou mayeft report for the true Occafion of the Dijfoluiion of t at Diet. Thus, at the Beginning of the Year, the Dif putes which thofe Injidtli raifed about fafe Con" C $ duft" ;4 Letters IVrit ly Vol. TIL duft, Exaftnefs of Titles, Priority of Addrefs, and many other vain PH7i5Hlio's, hindered them from coming to any Conclufion about a Pence, vh ch was the principal Caufe of theiraffembling. And this is a Folly peculiar to the tJazarencf, that

in a 1 pubUck /.jfcmb'iei the very Strength and Vi- tals nf their Counfels, are fpent in a vain adjuft- ing of tnipiy Ceremeniet. it is credibly reported here, That the King of Palajid earneftly folicites a Match with Queen Chnjiina cf Hwedelanei^ but has not hitherto had any pofitive Anfwer, or effefted any thing in it. In the fecond Moon of this Year, that Queen fent an /jmhfiffacior. to give the King of Poland an ac- count, That flie had taken tlie Govonmmt upon- her While he tarried in the Pdijh Courts there were not wanting fuch, as by the King's Order, lifted his Inclination, In Reference to this Affair, It was propofed to him that this M»tch would be u happy Occafion to unite the two Kinidomt in

a firm and durable League : That the E'9a»gf- iicks m Poland would be much eafed thereby : That UladifiAus was not much decayed in his natu-

ral Vigour ; That Svxdddnd might in the mean

while be governed by the Cottncil ; with many other Propofals and Encouragements to this Pur- pofe. Among which I muft not omit, that Ic was fuggefted, how eafy 'twould be for two fuch |iotent Crowns, in CevjnnBivn, not only to hum- ble the Germans, but alfo to put a Stop to the Viftorlous Arms of the Ottowan Empire. Buc

all this came to nothing , that wary Queen fu- fpefting that there was a deeper Defign in the Courtfhip of this old Fox; and that by fuch a Match, the Kingdom of Swiddand, in Default of the IJfue Rojial, might be fubjeCled to a foreign Crewtt.

However, ,

Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 3^ However, it is eafy to apprehend from thls- that if the Polts maintain at prefent their Accord with the fubltme Port, 'tis for want of Strength tO' break it; and that they only wait an Opporcunlty to make feme potent and firm alliance ^ whici* may fecond the Defigns formed by that Cowz a- galnft the firjl Throne on Earth, whereof thou art one of the principal Pillars. Remain firm in thy Station, and let neither the Tempeds of War, nor the Convulfions of State, which are the too frequent Produfts of Peace, fhake thy ConOancy. But above all, fuffer not thy Inttgrity, which is the Bafii of all Firtues, to be undermin'd by Bribe!, If thou followeft this Connfel, Gofl^and his Pro. fhet ftialleftablifti thee, all Men will honour thee, thy Sovereign fjiail exalt thee ; noA Mahmut will jrejolce to fee thee in Time become the ^tlas of the Eteraal Emfire.

Paris, $th af the loth Mttn^ tf tht Tear 1645.

LETTER JC.

T» Ichingi Cap* Oglani^ Prsecepcor to the Royal Pages of the Seragiio.

THERE is avaft Difference between thy Letter, and that of Shajhim Ijiham. He is eloquent in the Acknowledgment of his Crime thou rhetorical in thyownjuftificatinn. Thou haft plundered Dermjihenes and Cicert, and robb'd em of all the Flowers and Trtfes of Oratory, to drefs up a faint , lifelefs Excufe. Such an artificial Apology, inftead of cancelling, heightsas thy Oifence it might '

3^ Letters iVrh ly Vol. III. might have procured thee the Applaufe of the yfcadcmy ; but it comes fhort of giving me Satisfa- tWon for the Injuries I have received at thy

Hands. I have Reafon to efteem them fuch ; be- caufe fo defign'd, altho' they took no EiFeft. For V^rongs of this kind ought to be meafured by the Intention of the Author, not by their Succefs, The Mintjlers of the Divan will hardly be pre- vailed to fufpeft Mahmut, who has given fubftaa- tial Proofs cf his Fidelity. Tell me, in the Name of God and Mahometf tvhat was the Motive that induced thee to (lan- der me ? Wherein have I merited this Perfecution at thy Hands? It could not be Revenge, be- caufe I never gave the Occadon ; unlefs thou ftill retained a Grudge on the Score of my Study- ing in the yicademies ; and that at my Return from Paltrmo, thou wert not able to expofe me in the Prefence of the Mufti, in any Point of Lan- guage or Learning. But I had rather charitably Relieve "twas thy Ambition, not thy Malice, which gave Birth to thofe Calumnies thou haft ventured againft me. Thou envieft me the Honour of itrrving the Grand Seignior in this Station, think- ing thy felf capable of difcharging this Office more fuccefsfully than Mahmut. I cenfure not thy Abilities; but think 'tis beft for every Man to be content with his own Condition, fmce Defliny diftributes the Employments of the World a- jnong Men, by Rules into which we cannot pc netrate.

Thou art Mafter of the French Tongue ; but doft thou think that a complete Qualification

for a Man in my Poft .'* Art thou fit to converfe in the Ciurt of a foreign Prince, who canft not go* vern thy Tongue in that of thy native Sovt» reign ? Thou art yet to learn a Courtier's Mafter- picce, which is, To difTcmble even the neceflary Art Vol. IIL a Spy at Paris. 37

Art of Diflimulatlon. That Is, as the ^rah'anj- have a F^eilupon a Veil Iralisns, fay, T9 -y or as the To have a Matk with » tiaturml Face on the outfide, Thcxi art fo far from this, that thou canil not yet draw perfectly the iirft rough Strokes ofaCoun- terfcit. To fpeak plain, hadfl: thou by any artificial feigning of Fricndfliip to me, made Way to infi- nuate thy Story into the Belief of the Grandeis^ thou mighteft have praifed me to my Ruin. But to go bluntly to Work, without preventive Encomiumi^ difcovered at once the Weaknefs of

rhy Judgment, and the Strength cf thy Pafljon ; giving the Minijiers Occafion to-fhink there uas lefs of Truth, than of Defign in thy Accufa- tions. For the future, I advlfe thee to mind thy Books and Scholars, and meddle not with Mahmutf whofe Bulinefs is to fludy Men. Adieu.

Paris, ^th of the loth Mttn^ of the Tear J 645:.

LETTER XL

To the Reis EfFendi, Principal Secretary of State. WITH extreme Joy I have received the certain News of the taking of Ca»ea by the invincible Ottoman Arms. I muft confefs, when I firft apprehended the Intentions of Sultan Urahim, to make War with the Refuhlick of Venice, I was apt to hearken to fome thinking Men in this Court, who, making their Obferyations of the Sultan's indulging him' ^8 Letters H'rit ly Vol.IIT. liimfelf in Female Pleafures, conjeftured from thence (as by a common ]lule) t.'iut he would not have difcovered fuch a martial and aftive Spi- rit, in averting the Honour of the Otttman £,«. fire. His dextrous concealing his Defigns, even to the very Execution of them, has ftruck a Damp into all the Courts in Europe, inibmuch as Cardi- nal Maza^ltii this Day told the ^een Regent, That he doubted left Sultan Ibrahim would prove apother Junius Brutus, who being the Nephew of Tatquin, one of the Primitive Kivgs of Rome for fome Years, counterfeited an extraordinary Sim-

plicity and Weaknefs of Spirit : But having pri- vately fecured a Faftion to his own Interefts by popular Arts, he, to gain the Sovereignty, changed the Fo'm of Governmenf, procured him- felf to be made Gonful, and difcovered a Gem'tis, furpafling In Policy and mature Judgment, all his Predecellbrs. Though the CardinaFs Comparifon be difpro- portionate to the Grandeur of the fovcreign Em-, feror of the World, who cannot without a Vafl; Injury be poftpon'd in Virtue, Wifdom or Power,

as a Second or Imitator of any Prince upon Earth ; Yet the Charader holds good in the main, That he has timely and maturely dllTembled the mod fublime Abilities and Endowments a fovereign Prince is capable of, rendering thereby his Ene-

mies fecure and carelefs ; till at length all thofe illuftrious Attributes exert themfelves on a fud- Sun den, breaking forth like the from an Eclipfe ; at once dazling the aftonifli'd World, andfurpri- zing the Enemies of the Ottoman Empire, in the Slumbers which proceeded from the Contempt of his facred MajeJIy. I thought indeed once that the Venetians would have been in a Condition to have faced the Or- tman Navy^ and difputed their farther Progrcfs Oil Vol. III. ^SpYrt/" Paris. 39 on the Seas, I expefted no lefs than that they would have made fome hufBng Attempts on the IJles of yirchipelaga; that they would have enter'd the HeSffptnt, braved the Dardanels, and falling! forward would-iiave block'd up the Ottoman Navy in the Prcfimtfs, or driven them Into the Euxini Sea for Shelter. And who could have thought otherwife, had they been provided for a War ? But our fage £w2fc."or, by Secrecy, which is the very Soul of all great Undertakings, has antici- pated their very Fears, and leap'd upon the Prey while the Keepers were afleep r Had the Chrijlian Princei and Statet laid aflde their private PunBiUo's and Animofities, when the Ftncttans firft made their Application to them for Afliftance, it might have pioved a doubtful War. But inftead of generoufly uniting their Forces in the common Defence of Chyifiendom, they begin to divide their Intercfts and Hearts one fx'om an- other, and that upon the vaineft Motives in the World, one S'.a:e difputing with another about Precedency of Ports in the Army, which proceed- ed to that Height, as to fruftrate the main Defign: For the Pope himfelf at laft is forced to raife the States f^inicc greateft Aids the of are like to have j joining his Gallles with theirs, and fending a thoufand Foot on Board at his own Coft. Thus does Divine Providence, out of the Dlfl cords of Chriftian Princes, draw Occafions to en- large the facred Empire of the Mujfulmanf, and to fpread the Ottoman Conquefts o'er the Wefiern World.

Parlj, ^oth of 'the luh Motn, of thi Tiar i6^S, LET. 40 Letters PTrk ly Vol. III.

LETTER XIL

To the Magnificent an J Redoubtable Vizir Azem.

IT appears that the §itieen of France Is very in- dulgent to her Generals, having called home the Duke of Enguien from the Toils of War. This Prince neglefting the Wounds he received In the Battle of y^UerJbeim, not many Days after, fell In- to a violent Fever ; fo that he was carried In a Horfe-LItter to Philipsburgh, with no fmall Dan- ger of his Life. As foon as he recovered his Health, he was commanded to return to Frauct^ and the Charge of the whole Array committed to Marefchal Turenne, Such Tendernefs Is never fhew'd to the Invinci- ble Ottoman Generals, neither would they cfteem it a Favour, but a DIfgrace, When they go to tht Wars, they make no underhand Leagues with the Elements to fpare their Bodies, but are refolved to combat with Cold, Heat, Hunger, Thirft, and all the Hardiliips to which Soldiers are liable, as well as with the Swords of their Enemies. They take no otlier Armour againft the rigorous Frofls of a RuJJisn Winter, or the fcorching Sands of a Perfian Summer, but an un- fliaken Refolutlon, an invincible Patience, and a Alind incapable of bowing under the worft Misfortunes They are not angry with the Weapons of their Adverfaries, when they carve in their Limbs, the Marks of an HoROur, which will far outlaft the Pain of their Wounds ; and in Aeir Flefli hew deep Charafters of an im- Uiortal Fame, and a Renown which fhall know no Period. They are not parfimonlous of their BJr.od, Vol. III. df Spy at Paris. '4?*

Blood, but court their Enemies to fpill It on th® Ground, from whence it will fpring up in Lau' rels and Wreaths, to crown them with Tri" umphs and Glory whilft they live, and for to fweeten their Memory with the Praife of future Generations Thus, Magnanimous Vizir, do the Mujfulman Hercej, the Pivpi of the ^-Ji Emfi'-e, manifell their Courage, in defying of Dangers and Wounds, and fcornlng to capitulate with Fortune for Eafe and Exemption from Death. They knew, that when they march againft the b.fideh, 'tis in

Vf.idication of the eternal V>ii:y ; and therefore, inftead of endeavouring to fliun, they court a Death fo glorious, as that which will immediate- ly tranfport them to the Befim of our kaly Prc» phee, and to the inexpr(JJi'sle Del'ghts of the Gatm dens oi Eden. Where this Truth is firmly root- ed, there is no Room for Fear to plant it felf. But the Cafe is otherwife with h:fidels, who blafpheme that pureft undivided Ejf.nce. They afTert and believe a Plurality of Godi, and there- fore, in Time of Danger, amongll: fo many Df/- ties, they know not whom to addrefs, or whom to confide in. The Apprehenfion of Death is terri-

ble to them, whofe Hope is only In this Life ; whofe Confclences are ftaliaed with a thoufand Pollutions, and yet renounce the very Method of being clean Who not only err themfelves, but

by their evil Example and Influence, Cfor I fpeak of the Princes and Great Ones) dr&w innumerable after them, to tafte of the Tree Zacen, which grows in the twiddle of H(l/. People fpeak variouflyof the Duke of Enguiitis Conduft in the Battle of Alifrjlyeim. His Crea. tures extol his Valour and Experience with Hyperboles -^ whilfl his Enemies endeavour to leflen his Reputation. Some fay, he owes his Revo- .

4^ Letters ^rit ly Vol. III.

Revocation to the HuserCs Diflike ; others attri bute it to the extraordinary Concern (he has for his Health. But fuch as would be efteemed the ulfer fort fay, His Return Is voluntary and fought by himielf, fcorning to hold his Qamm'tf. fion any longer at the Pleafure of Cardinal Maza- rini, who, 'tis thought, firft procured him this Employment, only to have him out of the way, and take off his AppHcat'on from the domefiick Affairs of France. Thefe are the Difcourfes of the People at prefent, who yet perhaps may change their Opinions before the Sun goes down. They will always be cenfuring and defcanting on the Aftions of their Superiours- few being willing to think their Tougues were given them to lie idle. It Is but a little Member, but often does great Mifchief by its A£J:ivity. One of the /incie7its gave no good Charafter of it, when he called it a Damon. Yet we are not bound to believe aU that the Phihfofhtn fald. y£/o/> gave the moft impartial Account of this Member, when he faid, ^Twas the befl, and tht worft. Sometimes I fit Ulent raany Hours together; not for want of Company, (for here's a Glut of that in this populous City ;) nor becaufe I know not what to fay, Tfor I could fpeak a great deal more than 'tis fit for others to hear) but that I may fludy with lefs Interruption, how to ferve my great Mtfier. For much talking enervates the Judgment, and evaporates the Mind into Air. Befides, by thus praftifing Silence in private I leani the Art of rertraining my Words in publick, when It is requlfite to promote the Ends at which I aim 'Tis not for a Man in my Station to be open and talkative, but to diftinguilh Perfoni and Seafons ; to underftand the due Stops and Advances of my Tongue; fometinies to fay much in a little, at other time* to ;

Vol. III. a Spy ^/ Paris. 43 to fay little or nothing at all ; but ever fo to fpeak, as not to lay my felf naked to the Hear- ers ; yet to feem a very frank, open-hearted Man, in what I difcourfe of. I would not have thee conclude from what I have faid, that Mahmut ufes any Referve to the Minift en of the Divan, who are Mine: of Science and iVifdom, and can eafily difcern the Heart thro* the moft artificial Veil of Words. But It Is abfo- lutely neceflary for me toufe Diflimulatlonin this Ciurt, feeming many times ignorant of what I really know, that I may not be thought to know more than they would have me. I was never yet fo Indifcreet, as to publifh any Secret that was com- mitted to my Charge, whereby I have gain'd great Confidence with Men who delight to unbofome their Intelligence. They efteem me a Man of In- tegrity, and fir to be trufted. Thus am I made privy to many Intrigues of the Grandees, and a

Repofirory of the dwr News : Whllft they whlf- per in Mahmut'' % Ear v/hat Is tranfaftcd iti the Roy- al Bed- Chambers, and private Apartments. By this Means I came acquainred witk an A- mour of Cardinal Mazarini, which is known but to a few. This Minijier has none of the worft Faces, and a proportionate Elegance In his Shape: Much addifted alfo to the Love of Women yet he manages his Intrigues with that Cau- tion and Privacy, as not to expofe the Honour of his FunSion. Among the reft, he had fre- quent Accefs to the Chamber of a certain C9««- tefs Do-wager, her Husband being lately deceafed. This was not carried fo privately, but 'twas vhlfpercd about that a Man was feen often to come out of this Ladies Chamber a little before Day; but no Body knew who it was Cfor the Cardinal went difguifed ) At l»ft it came to the '^4 Letters uyit hy Vol. III. the Queens Ear, who was refolved to unravel this Intrigue. She caufed Spies to be placed at a con« venient Diftance from the Lady's Chamber-Door, which opened in a Gallery ot the Royal Palace, with Orders to trace him home. That Night the defigned IVatc^j was firft let, it fortuned that the Cardinal being In the duntejfes Chamber, her Maid, who was privy to this Amour, overheard thefe Spies talking to each other concerning her Lady, which made her more attentive (being in a Place where flie could not be feen) till at length fixe plainly difcovered, That they lay in wait to find out who it was that had beeji leen coming out of the Chamber. She quickly acquaints the Countefs with this News, bhe confuks the C/ir-. dinal what was beft to be done to avoid Difcove- ry. In fiue, it was agreed between them, that the Countefs fhould put on the CardmaPs Dliguife,

and he a Suit of her Cloaths ; that flie Ihould go out at the ufual Hour of his Retreat, and walk

in the Gaidens ; that if examined, Ihe fhould pretend this Difguife was to guard her from the rude Attempts of Men, who if they found a Lady alone in the Nlght-Time, would not fall

to offer fome Incivilities ; that foon after her Departure, the Cardinal Ihould go forth in her Drcfs, and fliifc for himfelf This was perform'd, accordingly. The Ccuntef: walked into the Gar- dens in the Carataal's Difguife, followed by the Spiet, whilft he goes to an intimate Friend's Houfe, fan Jialiau, whofe Fortune depended on. this Minifter: and changes his Female Accoutre- ments for the proper Apparel of his Sex. The Countefs having v,alked about half an Hour in the Garden, was felzed on by fome of the Guards, under Sufpicion of fome ill Dehgn. She was cairied before the ^t^w, and examined. $he then Vol. III. ^ Spy d/ Paris- 45* then difcovered herfelf, begging the ^een^s Par- don, and telling her, That a particular Devotion had obliged her to take that Courfe for feveral

Mornings ; but if It offended her M»j(fiy, llie •would hold her felf difpenfed wlrh, and would forbear. The ^ueett feeming fatisfied with this Anfwer, difmifled her. Thus the Amours of the

Cardinal and the Ctuntefr remained a Secret ; and there are but three Perfons (befides thcmfelves^ that know any thing of it, among which Makmut 'ii one. Thou ^Qt^, Illttftrious Minifier, that the Reputa- tion of my Secrecy, has gained me the Confidence of one of the C»rdinars Privado's ; for I had this Relation from the Kalian whom I mentioned, at whofe Houfe the Cardinal changed his Difguife. I am not without Hopes, by the prudent Manage- ment of this Difcovery, to penetrate farther into the Court Intrigues. For he that told me this Story, confidered not that he made me thereby Mafter of his Fortune, and that It is no longer fafe for him to deny me any Intelligence I require of him. He has put a Key into my Hand, which Will open his Breaft at my Pleafure. Yet J need not magillerlally claim DIfcoVerles from him, as the only Conditions on which he Is to expeft my concealing what he has already dif. clofed. There is a more dextrous and fervlceable way to become his Confejfor^ without fuch an In- grateful Infult; whllfl: with a well afted Candour I feign a Relation of fuch Things as I fufpeit, yet cannot be certain arc true, till attefted by himfelf, profeffing at the fame Time not to be- lieve thofe pretended Reports I heard. If I fhall i)e fo happy as to do any effeftual Service to the G^ and Seignior by cnis Engagement, it will anfwer •my Ends, and I ft all not repent of my Ciafi:.

Mahtfiut 4^ Le'tters PVrit ly Vol. Ill, Mahmut falutes thee, fovereign Bajfa, in the humbled Pofture of Adoration, lying proftrate on the Ground, in Contemplation of thy Gran- deur. Befeeching God that he would grant this Favour to thee, To live happily, and to die in thy Bed.

Paris, ^oth of the i ith Moon, cf the Ttar i6^S'

LETTER XIII.

To Egri Boignouj a White Eunuch. THOU glveft me abundant Proofs of thy Affeftlon and Friendlhip, in frankly telling me what they fay of Mahmut in the Seraglif. I do not expeft to te free from Cenfure ; and am fo far from being difcouraged at the Obloquies feme Men fallen on me, that it adds to my Com- fort ; it being an aflured Mark of Innocence, to be traduced. I am not defirous that the Arabian Proverb fhould be verified in me, which fays. That he difefves vo Mattes good Word, of whom all Men /peak well. I dread ro be popular at fuch a Price, and will rather court the Slanders of the •envious, by a Uedfaft Perfeverance in my Duty, than lay a Train for the Complements of Flatte- rers, by favouring Sedition, Thou knoweft what Reafon I have to fay this. There needs no In- terpreter between us. Though the Black Eunuch has recanted his Afperfions, yet there are others who perfift in their Malice; and it will be difficulc for the Mafttr of the PageSy with his bell: Rhtto» rick, to exempi: himfelf from the Number.

I have Vol.111. « Spy ^f Paris. 47 I have received both their Apologies, and have anfwer'd them. I wifti they would reform this

Vice ; not fo much for my fake, who am Proof

agalnft their Accufations, as for their own : For the Injury they intended to do me, will redound moft to themfelves. Mifery is on him that pcrfe- cuteth his Neighbour. He that is merciful and gracious, who hath fe- parated the Brightnefs of the Day from the Obfcu- rity of the Night, defend both thee and me from the Malice of Whifpcrers, from the Enchantments of Wizards, and fuch as breathe thrice upon the Knot of the Triple Cord.

Paris, 10th of the i \th Moom, of thi Tear 1545.

LETTER XIV.

To Muftapha, Berber Aga.

THOU wilt laugh at the Hypocriiie an3 Folly of the Nazctrenes, when 'thou JOhalc know the y^r tides agreed upon between^'the EUSfor of Saxonjf and Koningfmark^ one of the ^Swedijh Generals, on the 27th of the 8th Moon. The Svedes had prevail'd on the Son of the Ele. Bor, to intercede with his Father for a Truce; but the old Duke would not hearken to any thing of that Nature, till Torfienfon gave Orders to the Snxdijh Army in thofe Parts, that they Jliould opprefs the EleBor^ Subjefts, by exacting from them unreafonable Taxes and Contributions; and that they Ihould Jay defolate all the Countries about Drefd-n, if they refiifed to pay what was demanded of them. -Accordingly they took a Caftle, 4^ Letters Writ By Vol. III. Caftle, which commanded a large Valley of Mea- dows and Corn-Fields, The Svedes burnt the Corn on the Ground, led away the Peafants Captives, and demolifhed many Towns and Vil- lages ; yet not without fome Lofs on their fide : For the Saxons one Night ftole upon them while they werefecurely fleeping, and Hew an hundred and Twenty, taking above Three hundred Pri- foners. Thofe who were left in PoiTeffion of the

Caftle, met with no better Fortune ; being com- pelled in a few Days to furrender this their new Conquefl:, with Five Enfigns and a Hundred and fifty Prifoners, which were all carried in Triumph to Drefden. One would have thought that thefe Succefles fhould have confirmed the EleSItr in the Averfion he had already conceived for a Treaty, that he would rather have purfued his good Fortune witli

Arms ; efpecially when by cntring into a private fcparare Treaty with the Sw(des, he muft needs give a great Sufplcion to the /Jfemhly of the De- futiss. But the old Duke doted ; and what nei- tFier the repeated Solicitations of his Son, nor the continual Ravages which General Kom'nyjmark made in his Territories, could procure from him, that he granted to the charming AddrelTes of a beautiful Lady. The Elelftr^s Son adhering much to the Svedtjh Intereft-, and finding all other Means ineifeftual

to oblige his new Friends ; it was agreed upon between him and Koningfmark, that he Ihould at leaft, perfwade his Father to a Truce of a few Days; That, during the Ceflation of Arms, the Son fliould invite his Father to a Banquet, where KoningfmArk ftould be prefent, with fome of the principal Swedes In his Army. All this fuccecded accordin_^ to their Wifhes. The good x>ld Man conlented to a Cejiation of Arms, and Vol. in. if spy tf? Paris. 49 arad to give Konlngfma^k a Meeting at his Son's Banquet. The German Gallantry, and indeed that of all hlorth Eui-opn, confifts much in their excef- five Dclnking ; He is efteemed the moft polite Man who can bear moft Wine, with leafl: Altera- tion of his Temper. This they call Caroujing, The So;i had provided Plenty of thofe Wines which grow on the Banks of the Rhine, efteem'd ^:he wholfomefl: and moft: delicious of all thefe Parts. It is not necefTary to repeat particularly their f.rft: Salutes and AddrefTes : Both Parties feemed emulous to exceed in Civilities. They fell to their Wine with Freedom and Mirth, af- ter the manner of the Country. When in the raldft of their GlalTes, whilft the Heart of the old Duke was elevated wirh the Juice of the Grape, came into the Room a tall Perfcnage all in Ar- mour, and making his Obeyfance to the Compa- ny, delivered a Letter to General Koni'ngfma) k > the General having received It, the Stranger was invited by the EU£l9^\ Son to (It down with them. He was Mafter of the Feaflr, and only Kom'ngf. mark and the Stranger, befides hlmfelf, were pri- vy to the Intrigue. The Stranger unbuckled his Helmet, and pul- ling it off (for all the reft of the Company were uncovered, it being the hottefl: Day in all the Summer) difcovcred a Face and Hair, much like one of thofe iJjm^hs defcribed by Poet: and Pninterf. The Duke could not withdraw his Eyes from tMs furprizing Beauty, nor fix his roving Thoughts: Sometimes it put him in mind of

Ganymede, the difcarded Minion of 7«»/Vi'r ; but Ganym de was never Cto^a In Armour. Then he thought of yidonis, then of the Bahjiovi'aji Pjra. »*«', the Indian Atyt. In fine, he run over all the celebrated Youths of the £<»/?, to match the D Beauty ^ Letters Wxithy Vol. III. Beauty of this ilJuflrious Stranger. He drank and ga.z'd, whilft his Son and Koningfmark were pleas'd to lee the Baits take. I'roni ruminating on our

Sex, he pafb'd to that of Women ? And lemem- bring that in ibme former Battles between the Sweats and German;, feveial Ladies had difguifeJ thcmfelvcs in Armour, and followed General Tor. iienjon to the Field, he concluded pvefently, that this was fome beautiful Female of SvaedJand. This Thought put the old Duke into a pleafant F/it ot Raiiilery, yet not without fome Mixture of Fiiflion for this lovely Heroine. There was feme- thirg fo peculiarly graceful in all her Carriage and Adarefs, as charm a the EUEior's Heart. The Wo- men in rhofe Farts of Europe, are not fo precife in their Conveifation w-ith Men, as in the Bali, And 'tis a great Point of Education, fo to adjuft the PunBilio'j of their Deportment, as neither to a}>pear too open, nor too referv d. This was her Alafter piece, for fhe fo equally divided the Parts {tie was to aft, both of a Maid and Soldier, that neither entrenched on the other, but fhe acquitted herfclf With exquifite Honour and Gallantry. The next Day after the Banquet, the Son re- newed his Mediation for a Trea'jr, but the £le£tor l^em'd cold. All his Thoughts were bufied ia tuniinating on his fair Enemy.

'. Not to detain thee Icnger in Cxpcftarion of the ifTue. the Love of this >oung Aniax.m had taken fo deep Root in his Heart, that he would.grant iiQihing but for her fake, neither could he.dr;ny ajiy thing which Ihe dcfired. Thus, by this Srrata- gepi, they accoraplilh'd their Aims, andhecoijde- fcended to a Treay, after fourteen Days'X)ebate

on the y^rdcUs -. Of which 1 here fend.thee a true

and particular Copy . that thou mayeft :iind fome t)ivertifement in the Folly oi.ttx.: Iffdeli. The

Ai tides are as follow : T H A, t Vol.ru. 4 Spy ^^ Paris. $i

THAT it.iKould be lawful for the Dake to keep due Faith to ths Efnptr or ; nor

' fi^ould he be obliged to admit any thing contra- * ry to the In ereft of the Empre. ' That the EleSior fhould not lend the Ewperer ' above three Regiments of Horfe, nor fhould' ' permit him to raife Soldiers in his Principality. ' 'Th^t the^Wf'i^a Ihould have free and fafe Pallage, thrQ,ugli,,5fi-9«/, provided they came ' not wlthiii thrfQe-^liles of Drefden. *. That thererflipuld 'be. free Traffick between ' the £/f^?r';sSubjefts..and the Swedes by Land * and Water, * That at the end of three Months, each Party ' fhould be obliged to declare. Whether they * would prolong the Ttttce, or break it off. ' That the EleBtr ftould again enjoy his Reve- ' nues, except thofe which were drawn from Leipm ' feVi. That he fhould pay the Swedes iAcvcn ' thoufaiid Rix Dollars a Month, and a certain * Quantity of Corn. ' That the Elector fhould do nothing which ' might; hindci*; the Siege of Migdsburgh.

Thofe 4niMf, at firfl Sight, , appeared to b« equally favourable to the Saxons and to the Svxdet, ^ut in re^licy they ferved only as an Umbrage t» <)eeper Defigns, which the Swedes had in Agita-

tioiv. For this was the . firfl Step to draw the

Sgxon off from the Emptor's Party ; and T»rJienfon_ was now fecure, that whilft the Swedes rufhed farther into Gerntanjt^ the Saxons, would not mo-, behind. left them . ,,^ . ; ., For my Part, I neither underfland the Pelic/ nor the Integrity of the Ele&tr, in ligning thefe

Articles ; nor how he can reconcile the firft: of them with any of the refl ; To give fafe Con- D i duft. I f2 Letters J^rit hy Vol. III. ^uft, and kind Entertainment to the Enemies of l\is SovttfiiH: To be»cbliged not to lend him any more Afllftarice than his Enemies Ihall allow, nor fufer him to raiTe Forces at his own Charges: To be cheated of his o-wn Revenues, and tamely

yield to pay a monthly Tribute befides ; To be tied up from luccouring one of the principal Towns in his P'incipality, at that time beficged ;by the Swedts; this is a new Method of keeping due P*ifh to aovertigns, or of oberving common .Prudence for ones {t\i. But Wemen and Wine caufe a wife Man to fiumbJe. as the Arabians fay. And this old Prince is blelTed in a hopeful Son, who is not aftiamed to turn Pimf, that lb he may betray his Father to his mortal Enemies. But let the Chriftian proceed in their Falfliood and -Treachery one againft another, whilft every good httiffulinan pTO&Tntes KwnkM five times a Day; and prays in his Integrity for the Confummation of that Time, wherein G«/^ has determined to put. a Period to the Montirchifs of thcfe Itfideis, and to reduce them to the Faith and Obedience of his holy Lav. I wifh fome of my Friends would fend me fome

'Rektion of what palTes in the Eafl : J have heard nothing of Moment out cf -^fta thefe many Moenj. il could almofl: think my felf banifhed from the .eternal Providence, whilft I refide among (hefc

. Mtcircumcifed. Think fometimes on hfahmut; and if -thou canft not relieve his Melancholy, at Icaft, pity •him whom all the Honours and Pkafurcs of rhefe W

farls, iot^hof'iit: Mtk.'Uccp, " '' tf the Tear 16A^. LET- . .

Vol. Iir. a Spt at PariV- f^.;

LETTER XV.

To Mahummed Hogia/ Dervife, Eremir^. Inhabitant of the Sacred Cave^ at the Foot of Mount Uriel, in Arabia the Happy. TH Y Remembrance is as the D^w of the. Evening, or tl>e Midnight Breezes in. yffnfk; atrer the fcorching Fervours of a Summer's Day, when neicher Trees, nor Houfesj- nor high- eft Mountains afford any Shadow. Such are the Employments of State, keeping t!w Mind in as reftlefs an Aftivity, as that which the Philofopherf fay is the Occafion of Heat. Such alfo is the Kefrefhment I find in thinkiirg on thee, whofe Soul is a Manfion of Tranquility, an UmhreSa of Temperance, and all Virtue. Thither I retreat for Reipirarion from the Fatigues of worldly Bu- iiiit^s. Pardon th^ bold Accefs of aa humble Slave who raiinor be To happy as to vifitthee. any otherwife than by Letters, yet would be mi» ferable in the want of riiis Privilege. Ever fince I had the Honour to kift the Dnrt of thy Feet in that jacred Retirevtent, \ was filled with Love and Admiration of thy Sancllry. Thrice happy are the neighbouring Shepherds, whofe Flocks feed under thy aufpicious Protc- ftlon. No fierce Lions, no ravenous Tigers,^ dare violate that Sanftuary, oi" hunt for Prey within thofe Meadows, confecratcd by thy Pre- fence. That rich and flow'ry Vale, was fir ft fe- cured with an eternal Immunity from Spoil atwl. Rapine, by the Blefling of our holy Prrfhei. Now that Blefling feems to be redoubled by thy Prayers and Abftincncies, who inheriteft his Spirit as welLas his. Abode. *Twas in that ^f-*'/

D 3 C*TP, 54 Letters Writ ly Vol.111, Cave, the hUffengst of Gtd fafted for the fpace of

three Moont -. Tky- whole Life there is one conti- nued " Ab'ftinence. When thoii h'fteft up thy venerable Hands to Heaven in Prayer, the Eiie- mies of our holy Laro are fe'iz'd with Fear aiid Trembling : Thou art the Gue> dlan Angel of the Qtuman Empire. Thy Body attenuated with twenty Years Fafting. is purified almoft to ItnmQv. ialny ; Thcu art become a Dmizon smong the i^pi'irs. Neither the Beafts cf the Earth, nor-* the

• iowls of the Air, nor the liih of the Sea,, will ciiarge thee with their Blood. Thv Table never Imoak'd with llaughtered Dainties.' Every Tree affords thee a Feaft, and the Meadows regale thee yith a thoufand harmlefs Delicacies. Thy Thirft IS allay'd with the Cryflal Streams ; and when then arc difpofed to banquet, the y^rabi an Sheep

• iupply thee with Necfar. Thus, like a prudent i ravelJer,^ thou accuilomeft thy felf before hand, to the Diet of the Countrey whither thou art going : Thou Ilveft the Life of Paradife here on Earth. Thou art not privy to the Wickednefs of the Age : That C'elJ guards thee from other Mens Vices, while thy incomparable Humility defends thee from thy own Virtues. Thou, art not puffed cp with diy fublime Perfeftions. Pride is a Ser- pent which commonly poifons the Root of the faireH- Endowment. Hut thou haft crufh'd this icrpe^t in the Egg. In chat Solitude the //»^f/ opened the Heart of the Sent of Gcd, and took out frbm thence the Devil- Seed- Plot. J When iUhomet awaked ,' for this was done while he lay in a Trance) he faid, I am a iVorm. U'hta Gai>ri^l faw his Humility, he pronounced a Bleffing on the Place, That who-

loever would (Avell in th^t y??ff»/<^ f>e Cave, . mcik »s Abraiiam; chfijh »s Joreph, anditcwfr^^e »i '

Vol. in. a S p y at Pa r i s. ^^

Ifmael. Thou h aft: experienced fhe Efie^ of. ^s

". • Benediftlon, ^ . ,'J.' There is another Happinefi' alfo attends thy

Rerirement ; thou llveft- free from Cares and An- xieties ; thou committafl the publick Good to the Ccnduft of thy Sovereign, and thy private Wel- fare, to the Proteftion of Providence; neither tlilquleted for ths one, nor folicitous for the other. Who rifes, and who fi!Is, in the Favour of the Sultan ; who purchafes the Government of the Empire by their j\fe'rits,, or who by their Mo- ney ; whether it be 'better to remain in the S'ra- glio, or to be made Bnjfa cf \iEzyft, are Cares th:ir never moleft thee. Thou canft fit in that Sanllu- ary of Peace, and pity thofe whofe Ambition, ard the Love ef Glory, has driven into the Tails

of iVaf. Thou ca vfl: behold with CompafTion the burthenfome Attendants of the Great; their La- bours by Day, and their V/atchings by Night 5

their refllefs Thoughts and buCy Aftlons ; mace-

rated Bodies, and uneafy Souls ; while with inde- fatigable Pains they purfue mere Shadows, and endeavour to grafp the Wind, orfecure to tiiem- felves a Bubble, which is nofooner teuched, than it vani flies Thou in the mean time art fillmj thy Mind with folid Knowledge, and laying up PoircfTicns which fhall never be taken from rhee.* For the Sou] carries her Goods along with hec tcr that other World. ^

I often wifh my fclf with thee ; and the Re- membrance of what I once enjoyed in thy Con- verfation, cannot be effaced by Diftpnceof Timr and Place The farther I am from th?e, the more ardently do I long to fee tb.ce But even in thefe innocent Defires, there is a nece.Tary

Mortification ; fmce we are not born for our felves, but to comply with the w>/f'-'o«' Ends of Pate. I am appointed to ferve the Grand Sf^rJor D 4 in f5 Letters Wnt If Vol. HI.

Ja this Place ; where I endeavour to acquit my felf a faithful SUve , and a good Muffulman. If I great fail in the/r/?, my Mafter will punlfh me j if in the laji, Go.i and his- Prcphtt will revenge it. Yet I hope every Frailty will not be eflcemed a Tranfgreflion, fince the Heart and the Hands go norahvays together. I often ftrive to imitate thy Abftinence, but my Appetites are too ftrong for me: I return to my old Courfs again, like a Bo-v that is forcibly bent. Yet I fin not in this, fincc it is nor required at my Hands. Pray for me, holj Man of Gtd, that while I aim at the itf)? Things, I may not fall into the wtr^ ^ and by ftrlving to aim at PerfeElion, I may not crack chofe Powers which are requifite to keep me ftedfaft in the Fligh-way of moml Virtue. I leave thee to thy Contemplations, and the Society of thy courteous Angels, who ever wait at the Door of thy Qeil.

Paris» 20/ 4 »f the 1 itb Mtm, of the Tear 1645.

LETTER XVI To Ufeph BaiTa. Forme 3y acquainted thee, Tliat Uladijttut, 1 King of Ptlatid, fought ChriJliHa^ Queen of

^vtdtn, in Marriage ; but that his Fropofal was Tejefted. Now thou may'ft know that this Mo- narch has made a more fuccefsful Amour being married to Lsuife Marie dt Gmzagufy Privcefs of t>iant%a. The Nuptial Solemnities v;ere perform'd in this City by the ^imbafador of Fotat.d, who was his Mailer's Proxy. The greatefl part of the laft Moen was fpent in Masks, Banquets, and Court-Revels, ta honour the EffoujaU of this. <> ew Vol UT. ^Spy tf/ Paris. 57 new Queen, who Is Hnce gome towards Poland, being attended to the jprontiers by a numerous. Train of th& Nel>i It :y, With ail the Ceiemonie* and Regard due to a FerfWof her Rank. The F er.ch, who are never fparing in Words, are too Jlberal in thePrail'es they beftcw on this Princefs. For if all were true they fay of her, fhe^ might be lifted in the Number of /it.gih ; wl>ereas fome more impartial Eyes have difcovered fuel**' Imperfeftlons, " as fpeak her yet on this fide a Saint. But ordinary Virtues in Prince) dazzle the Multitude, borrowing a greater Luftre from the Nobility of their Blood, and the Eminence of

- their Quality ; whilft their Vices are either fhrou- dcd from tlie Vulgar, or made to pafs for Virtues, . in the artificial Drefs which Flatterers put on them. 'Tis under this Advantage the new Queen of Poland is cry'd up for a Diana ; rho' a late Satjm rifl vindicates her from being half fo cruel as that Goddefs. If being no Secret that a y oungJtali/m Mattjuis had fomething kinder Ulage than had^'. ABmn, when he accidentally encountered this^ Princefs, as Ihe was walking aloae one Evening' in a Grove belonging to her Palace. I am no Patron of Libels; norwould I fpeak irreverently of thofe whofe Royal Birth claims Refpeft from all Mortals. But the Stupidity of the i

But thou u'ho believeft the Doftilnes cl/ear and intelligible, and haft kifs'd the Garment of the St'it of G d. v/ilc not luffer tiiy Reaibn to be blinded by the Enchantments tf thefe deluding fair ones ; but fo love Women, as ftill to remcni- ber thou art a Man, which is Ibmething more fublime.

Paris, }fi of the 12th Meon, oj the Ttar 1645,

LETTER XVir.

To the Kaimachani.

IS- hard to guefs where the Frevch ViftorJe*. IT.. will terminate. Either Fear, or the Deilre of iSiovekJes, opens the Gates of moft Cities to them; and when that vrill not do, the Force of their Cannon makes a PafTage into tlie ftrongeft Holds of their Enemies, and puts whole Prtvivcts tinder their SubjetHon. Their Enemies fay, thiit the French n€ver, be- fiege a Town, but their firft Afiauits are-mad?^

with Bullets of Gold ; and when that wijl nelfher. prevail on the Go-ucrmur, nor .win a Party, then- they only try the Force of the coarfer Meral. Yet this v*ill appear but a Slander, if thou confidereft: a late Aftion of the Duke of Orieani, when he lay

down before Biuri?ourgh. . He had fcarce finished his Trenches, w-hen tlve next Morning an Arrow was found with a Letter faftned to it, not far from his Tenc. The Let- ter was direfted to the Duke, and fubfcribed by the Gtvernsur of the Town. The Contents of it "Were, to fjgnify to Ulm, Tk»t if he ivtuld give hivt Fifty Vol. III. /z Spy ^/ Paris. $9^

Fifty thoufani Pieces of Gold, and continue him in kns Office, he vtuld the Kixt N/'ghi cpcr, thr Q^tts, hs and let in his Army ; and that brfre Mid-day non'd fend a Mcffcrger to knaxo his Pleafwe. The' Duke vvalred the Arrival of rhe MefTenger, who- feconded what his Matter had laid. But the mag- nanimous Prime, inllead of accepting. Iris Offer' lent him back to his Mafler with this Me/Tjrge, Thar he came nut hfore the lovjncs'a Merchant, 'TO' iw!-' purchafe it at the Pric of a nrcdlefs Tie^Jun ; at the Head an Anr^y VDf-h as a Solilier, cf , fl'ijKd ctntinHfl Fiiloties ; fummoniiig him forthwith to furrender at Difcrctlon, Thatbting.tht'4inlyit^ty tot

'." ' experience his Generoft-y. ' This Year has been Hgnalized with much Aftlon F'anderi, Catalc7u'a, and Italy, Field was In The ,

-- i Ger,er/>lr- ' - • Ihared among many brave _ The Duks,o£ Orleans, had the Command'bfitlie^' Army in Fl«r>d'rs; where he took the fo>-f/ of Vandevalj Bourhugh, Link, D inghcN^ Brthtmrf S. VenaKt G>iifca,'Ltns^ Mar'dyke, UU^rs^ Mening^

• - •Awi /^''^entiars, ' '• Tiiefe Places were won by fcyeral Parties, un- d^r the- Command' of the' 'Marefi,kaii de G.iftion, it Rantzau, and the Ihtke af (?a//l',' wJid all at^led in lepara;te BodiTss, imdei' the DHktbf OrUam: Nor wafi the Ce>«^f a^hlMrconrt idlp Tn C'tiiaJor.ta, where he fucceeded in the Charge of the Mflr.JchaC dt I* Ma he. Tlie firfl Effort of his;Armswas- the retaking of /fgrajnmt, which the Spa^na'-fit had feizcd ; a flrong City, and which kept a

' large part q£ Catalmia in Subjeftion. '^ V • ' I'rom hence he marched towards ^e/Vi'/ one' nf- tfie mol> iniportant Places for Strength' un(^er tfie/ Span''fl> King's Dorhinipns, p.nd governed by an ex-* pericnced holdier, who failed not to defend the I'lacc to the laft Extremes, but after a Siege cr two Mmn, was compell'd to yield for want of Provlficms. D 6 Afcef ,

6o Letters iMt ly Vol. Ill, Atcer this, the French Gineral CMt off SQVti;\ hun- dred! S^atrards, vi\\o werc pofled to hinder his FalK'-i^e over the River. The next Day the whole Armies meeting in the Plains of Livrens, there was a furious Lncounter, in which tiie Spaniards loO ten Regiments of Horfe on the Spot j the jpefV threw down their Arms and yielded. The Aljr^ui'j of Hortare, cne of the Spamjh Generals^ was taken Captive with other Perfons of Note ;. among whkh was the Standard.Bearer oi Spain, Vet this was but the Engagement of one IVirgt For when tlie other entered the Combat, the Slaughter was dreadful. Of the Spaftia'ds were ilain Six thoufand Horfe, and Sixteen hundred

Foot ; and Three and Twenty hundred of them were made Prifoners The French loft not above Three Hundred in all, and they had but a fevsr wounded. This Battle has brought infinite Glory to the Count tfHarcturt. After which, there happened nothing remarkable in Catalonia, fave the taking, of Bataguie'r, which is like to end this Year's Gam> paign on that Side- Prince Thomas of Savtjf commanded In ftal/, but had no great Number of JVif^A in his Army the main Body being drawn off to ferve in Qatah" nia. Yet vexed to fee the Succefs of the Spani* ards, who had pofTe/Ted themfcJves of a ftrong Caf^le, and kept the Field in a Bravado, as if he were not able to face them.; lie ralfed fome Re- cruits, and enter'd the Miianeze, where he took the City and Caftle of Vigcuane. After this, de- ligning to return into Piedmont, he found all the Pafl'ages block'd up by the Spaniards, who had a, far greater Army than his. Yet afluming Cou-

rage, )ie attempted to pafs the River Moura ; aad the Enemy prefenting themfclves to oppofe his "Defign, he gave them BatcJe, and killed Five hundred Vol. III. ^ Spy tf/ Paris.' (ri

hundred and threefcore of them ; among which were nixie Officers o-f principal Command and

Quality ; On his fide were loft Two hundred common Soldiers, and twelve Officers ; among, which was his> Brother Prime MMun'ce of Savoy, Thefe are the chief Aftlons on that Side, As for Partugal, there has happened. nothiag in that Kingdom worthy of Remark. I have In this Letter, fage Governour of the Imperial Crty, obferved the Method thou enjoyu^ edft me. I have acquainted thee, « ith whatfo- ever has occurred in the prefeut Wars of France and Spain during this Year. 'Tis difcourfed here, that the Venetians will lay Siege to Canca next Spring, in hopes to recover that important Place from the Arms of the vifto- rious Ottomans. The Duke of Orleant will be on his March to Flanders, towards the latter end of the next Mof7t>, refolving to make an early Campaign, being a- larm'd with the late Lofs of Ma>djke, which th« Spaniards took by Surprize, without much Blood- fhed, having not the fourth part of a hundred Mea killed on their Side. Whereas, when the f-€V(h took it from them, it cofl: Five thoufand Lives of the beft Soldiers the IGng of France had in his Army. The Hour of the Pod: will not permit me- ta fay more, thaa that I anx the humbleft of tliy Slaves.

Paris, \^th of the i2th Moon; of the Tear 1645.

LET- 6z Letters U'rU Ij Vol. 111/

LETTER XVIII.

To Dgnet Og'oa.

Will not make Tryal of tUe Virtue of Frienil- I fhip at this Tinie, in the U'a.y that Pbilcfophsrt propofe to be u fed between fuch as own that Ti- tle. I will not complain of the Dolors J under- go, that fo by making thy CompalTion ihare them with me, I may eafe my felf of a Part. It ap^ pears to me a pufiUanimous, if not an unjuft Aftion, for a Man to transfer his SuiFerings by tlifcovering 'em to his Friend, and deiignedly throw that upon another, which is fcarce tolera- ble to himfelf. I am fick, and Cuftonr has rendered this al- moft as natural tome as Health: My Conft-itu- tion is not Proof againft the envenom'd Arrows that are fr.ot from the Stars. Nor am I conftella- ted, to refift the fecret Contagions that lurk in the Elermnts. The Herbage of, the Field lan- guifiies, when poifon'd with invifible .Itofft from above ; and all the Leaves of the Foreft U'i- rher, when touched with the baneful Emiflions'^f certain M'teers, or fcorched with the winged Exhalations of the Night. So our Bodies re- ceive a thoufand ImpreHions from Things with- out us. and not a few Ma'adies from our felves, 7 he very Channel of Life proves many Times. the Vehicle of Death, while our Lungs fuck in unwholfome Airs, and our very Breath becomes our Bane. We have radical Poifons in our Complexions, which though they do us no hurt, while we let them lie dormant, yet once excited by our Paflions and Vices, they become noxious and fatal; hurrying us into the Chambers of Deatb, '

Vol. Ill/ 4'SPy at Vkkis.^ ($3:" Death, by iinaccountable Difeafes, and Pains which are under no Predicawejit. This makes me bear my prefenr Diftemper witH an eoual Mind, becaufe I know its Original, and 'tis not in the Lift of thofe Maladies which have

BO Name ; wjrcreby I can cafily calculate its Du- ration and almoft point to a Day wlien I shall be well again. For \h in the Number oF thofe,

Phyficians call y^cti'.e ; and the Anguiflv it inflitis confirms that 7/r/f. Take' not this for a Complaint, nor what lanv about to fay for a Pa>tidox, when I tell thee, That I know not which is greater, my Pleafure or Pain, during this excruciating Rtjer. Thefe Affliftions border fo near up^ni one another, that 1 find it difficult to diftinguifh them. They feem to be Inmates to each other, and blended toge- ther in their Roots. Sure I am, they areibtwi- fled and interwoven in my Conftitution, that I never felt one without the other Every Man may experience, That his flrongeft Defires are

compounded of thefe two Paflions, and the very . Moment of Fruition itfel^ cannot feparate them.

' The Minute of Enjoyment is but- confecrated to his Lofs, while the Heighth of his Joy is the' Rife of his Grief, fince the fmal left Particle of Time cannot diflinguilJi tlxe Life and Death of

his Pleafure. ... ' ' Do but reverfe this Contemphticn, and apply it to my Sicknefs, and th^u wilt find no Riddle in my Words, when I afTure thee, that as the Torment of my Fever advances, fo does my Eafe; Pleafure and Pain, fit and.fhake Hands in my Heart, embrace, and equally divide its Syfiole an'J;I>;/»/?o/f between them • Vet I mufV needs own, I am indebted for this Aljay of my Dolors, to the Prefence of my Mind, vvhick I fuffer not to be.torn from itfelf, or ^4 Letters ^^>/V hy Vol. HI. ^X carried away by the violent Motion of my agi- tated Spirits. Were it not for this, a fcvtr would prove a Hdl upon Etrth, and every Pnlfe a tor* menting Fury. My very Drink ('which is all my Subfiftence now) would appear but the loathfome Diftillation of that Tree, whole ufipalaihle and fcalding Gum, is appointed for a Beverage to the Damned. The fofteft Entertainment of my Bed, while awake, would but be a Tranflarion of the * Torments of Ixion and Sifypkas ; and the flatter- ing Intervals of Sleep, would but renew the Suf^ ferings of Tantalus. Whereas now, whetlier afleep or awake, my Mind keeping aloft in her proper Sphere, bufied In the Contemplation and Enjoyment of her felf and fuperiour Objefts, partakes not in the Fever of my Bedy, but as if on the cool top of fome high Mountain, furveys all the Valleys beneath, without being fenfible of their raging Heats. I owe this Tranquility, in the midft of bodily Perturbations, to the Examples of ancient PhiUf«- fhers, which thou knowefV have far more Influ- ence than Precepts. Ever fince I read tliat P/oti. nus could chafe away the racking Tortures of the Gout and Stone, by thefole Force of his Thought, I daily try'd the Experiment, fpuir'd on by Emu-

lation of his Virtue ; as judging it ignoble in a Mujfulman to give the Palm to a Pagan in any point of mafculine Braveiy. 'Tis recorded of the fame Philofopher, that by the mere Strength and Majefty of his Mind, he y^poUoniui Tyanje:ti difljpated the Enchannnen'.i of ; and the tnfenial Spirits, confefs'd they were baffled

hy that th:'nk{n^ Man : As if his Soul were of the iNi'ature of Medufas Head, which turn'd all into Unaftive Statues, who did but look on it. Surely, great Is the Efficacy of Contemplation, hinted at in the /irAbian Provtri^ which fays, ids Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 6^

He thjit can fee his own Ejet without a Glafs, fhall bt ahle to move the BuUs Horns. Which myfteri- ous Expreflion is thus Interpreted by the learned A'jictn. A Prophet or Spiritual Man, who aljiays conver/es within, fhall have Power to fhi;ke the Ftundaiions of the Earth-, which, thou knoweft, refts on the Ho^ns of a Bull, according to the D»- B'ine of the Holy Law.giver. I need iay no more to convince thee, that I ani in a^Pver. My thus expatiating and running from one thing to another Cwhen I thought to have faid all in a few Wordsj will fatiify thee what Temper I am in. Yet recollefting my felf with Comfort that I know my Diftemper, I will crave Leave to tell th^e a fliort Story of a Man who was Tick for many Years, and yet rhe ablefl: Phyficitni in Pa'ti, could not difcern his Malady. This Pcrfon was an Officer of the City, whofe Bufmefs 'twas to arreft Men that were in Debt.

He Avas ebferved to be ! he lubrleH: of all his Bre. thren, and the mofl: dextrous at plotting another Man s Ruin. This augmented his Eftate, and he grew extremely rich. But in the one and for- tieth Year of his Age, he was feiz^ed with an unknown Malady, a Diftemper to which the moft skilful were Strangers He languilhed five Years in a Condition which moved all Men to Pity. It will be tedious for to lecount the Symp- toms of his lllnefs. At length he died ; and ac- cording to his own Will was difl'efted The Phy(icians found all Farts of his Body decayed and wafted ; but when they came to his Head, they were above meafure aftonllhed to fee a Nefl of Serpents iuftead of Brains This was conclu- ded by all to be the Souree of his Diftemper : and People defcant varioufly on it Some iay, 'twas a 'judt>mint of God Inflided on him, for hiss cruel Subtilty, in trapanning Men out of their Liberties $6 Letters n'rit ly Vol. III. Liberties by a thoufaad Wile"?. Others are of Opinion, that it is a natural Produ£l, it being uiual in fome Conftitutions, far this fort of Crea- ture to be bred out of their Vitals. A Merchant that had been in Pent told me, That in a Province of that Empire, there were People, who by drink- ing the Water of a certain River, had Serpents of-

ten engendred in their Bowels ; that he had fcen one prefenred to the /iT/w? of Spain which was ta- ken out of a dead Man's Heart, a Cubit in length. He faid 'twas of a crimfon Colour, without Scales

er Eyes ; neither was it venomous. This he af- ferted very folemnly, and with Imprecaticns. I tell thee, dear Friend, if thefe Things be true, who can be fure he harbours not feme fuch Joathfome Inmate in his Body; yet I would not have thee grow melancholy \ipon it, and diAurb thy Repcfe. The Day will come, when we fhall all be metamorphofed into Wirmt and Serpent: in the Gr»ve. In the mean while live thou happily, in the Favour of thy Sovereign, in the Enjoj/mer.t of thy Heal'h the Vigonr of thy Senfes, and have foir.e- times in thy Thoughts a Man full of Infimities, without murmuring, MaJnnut, that loves his Friend in all Conditions.

Pari'!, z6th of the i^tkMttni, of the Tar 164?.

LET- Vol. III. a Spy J/ Paris. 67

L E T T E R.; XlX'.t

Tj the Sclictar Aga,^ or Sword Bearer to his llighnefs.

IWiHi I could time my Letters fo, as to gratif/ all the Mivijlcrs of t.'ie blc_ffd Port, by makltiLj each alternately, the firft Relater of forrie accep- table News In the myfterious Divan, where all Human Events are fcaniied with impartial Judg- ment. i3ut every Aioon-does hot preftmt us with

Sieges or Battles ; neither can I' receive Intelli- gence of all remarkable, Events, fo foon as they come to pafs. What I. shall now tranfmit tu thee, is an Account of what has been omitted in my Difpd'.che; to zh^Oth^X Mtn-furs. .. £»»e^fr is a Field, fertile In RshSion', Tumultf, Dijcrdo-s, and untiatu- at Wan, IvJo Part of Chri' ftindom, which Is not polluted with Treafons,

Perfidies, and Mafiacres ; no Corner unddfiled with humane Blood. The Son confpires the Death of him who firfl: gave him his Life, The Brother lays Trains to enfnare the Partner of his* Jilood, the Off fpring of her that b^'re himfelf. No Bond of Affealon'or Tye cf Confanguinity,: is of Force to reftrain thefe Iffidelt fioin purfuing each other with jVIalice Neither has th"sir Reli-* gion any more Influence on their Paffions, than the Fables of the ancient Paett. In publick and private, all things are governed by Interefl:. Thus, while every Man and every State, are cnly_

, byafs'd by the narrow Principles of Self PreleFva-'

tion ; they abandon the general Good of Chriften. dim, and e.vpdfe ic aj to yaririg' a Prey the n«xc - ,. • .:. Invader. .'•' :, ,.c ,

Ther 68 Letters iVnt hy Vol. Ill:

There is no Reafon tfiat we IhoulJ grieve at this Folly of the Naz»rtnes. *Tis from their Im- piety and Vices, the Virtue and Wifdom of the viftorious Mujfulmaas receive the greater Luftre, who are created to difplant thefe uncircttwcifed, and inflrufV the Nations which they poiTefs'd, in the Faith free fttm Blcmip>. Yet fince the Depredations which the Svedts have made in Gtrmany and Denmark, the neigh- bouring Crowns and States, notwithrtanding their Infincerity, have feemingly interpofed tHeir En- deavours, to prevent the worft Effefts of a War, ft deftruftive to the common Intereft of Chnften. dora. Deputies were fent from all Parts, to Mun. fier and Ofnahurgh, with Inftru^ions from their refpeftive Sovereigns. They have fquandered

away much time in vain Overtures of Peace ; whilftthe Swedes daily get Ground on one fide of the Empire and the Fnneh are not unfucceisful on the other. The Enemies of France, fenfible that they can» not reduce this Crown by open Force, have Re» courfe to Artifice. They endeavour to corrupt her Allies, and infinuate into the Minds of the United States of the Lovo -Countries, all thofe Ap- prehenfions which may fcrve to improve thej;a- Joufy they had already conceived of the French Neighbourhood. Suggefting, that the Spanifh Nem thertands are the only liar which ftops the Armies of France from over running Hoi/and, and the reft of the United Provinces. In fine, they have prevailed on them to eater into a fepaiate yiHi'- once, a'ld not to treat in Conjunftion with the Minifi.rs at Munfler. On the other {vl^, the French^ by their jig^nts in HiUand, endeavour to unmask the Ar- tifice of the Spaniards j reprefenting, that they have no other Defign inj chefe Infmuations but Vol. III. tf Spy J/ Paris. 69

bitt to breed an ill Underftanding between this

Crown and the United Prcvincej j that fo, by their ill Offices, in time Things mn^ come to a Rup- ture, and the Statet be deprived of the Friendfhip and Proteftion of France, which alone Is able to fupporc that Cffmntonxoealth. againft the Pretenfions of their old Enemies, the Spaniards. All Eurofe is aftonifh'd to fee, that notwithftanding the ut- moft Condefcenfions of the French Court to con- ferve Peace, yet the Statei, led by their lU Dtftiny^ ftould embrace the fropofals oi Spain. This makes a great ImprefTion on all the Miniilers alTembled at Munjier and Qftiaburgh, vho now conclude, that the Spaniard} only feek Occafions to perpe- tuate the War in Europe; that whilft the Princes of the Empire are engaged in a Defence of their Territories, and the Swedes and French are bufied in purfuing their Conquefts, they may pick a Quarrel with their new Friends, wfiom they have deprived of a more powerful Proteftion, and re- eflablifli thcmfelves in the revolted Provinces. The Diputies have had feveral Conferences

about this impertant Affair ; and the Refult of their Counfels, is to foliicite iht French Cowt, to ufe its urmoft Power to prevent the ill Confe. quences which thisfeparate Treaty will bring along with it. 'Tis difcourfed.heres tkit Mon^ettr de la Tai^rre will be recalled tr'ojn the Cturt of Svftdeland, be- ing efteem'd the fitteft Man to dilTuade the HsSaH»

dcf! from this new yilli^me ; he havliig been al- ready employed in feveral Negotiations with the States, and is well ver|s'd,in the Metiioids of treat-

' ing with that Nation.' . , . riiis fome judge to be tbe-Reafon^of, the Sieu* Chanut^s helng Cent to Swedeian(i,;'ihiit he may re- fide at Stockholm, and concinueTto aft ther^-in^lio Abfence of la TuiJlerie. So ' .

7G| L E T T E R s. WritJ>y Vol. III. So. nice and deljcflfe in, tjus.Affjiir, tji^t a}l FrAKtf'

he did wKen he was fentjco mediate a Peace be-_ tween SwcddandsinA Denmark, he will receive but {lender Thanks at his Return. But if he fucceeds, 'tis faid,' That Cardinal A/jz/»>-/r; has declarad, li9; will merit to be inAalld in the O'-der oi t|te fiof^ Spirit. I have formerly fpoke of this ifijOrue ^l'; my Letters, as themoiV eniinent 6r^fr,'o£/0»f]jf/«ij keod'm Prance. ,'- .1-. , ? I wifh ihtChrijfiiant may eVejrTlni Dl^c'ultl^^.^ to obftruft the Meafures they take to eflabllfli ari univtrfai Peaci^ and may continue to amufe and

- vex one another, till the Day o^£ t^Q Scourge, ,

' Paris,' ti>e ' 5'0/i of ij^^^^pl^ ..J ' -i' of the Tear i6^6. . ^ f^

L E T T B a ^:5

To the Reis EfFendir PrmcipaP Sc^if^^raPy

IT 'hr not' -y^ ."publlcfefTy tHow^-,S!(|}?atf 'X)e/Tgns ' haV^ mdVed tnis Coiirt'to order a' mighty Fleet

to be fitted" dut to Sea : But it is prlyatgly whif.

p«er^, That they will Tail to the A

• People difcourfe' varibT3fly,'.accprding| to, thjp Strength or Wcajcnefs of tHelf ReaCohV and Five Days; ago an 'old Mah'SVent-to C^'r^i^/V/ A/*-, xarinl, prerendlrtig to. Tpeak b^ Inj^^iratfon: He. tolld hlht'/That 'tw^as'iir'vain'. to truft to their

" "" ' ' winged Vol. III. a Spy at PariV. 71 winded Caftles, (To he called the Ships) the Mul- titude of theii- Armies, or in theTrealures of their

Money ; for a Decree was fign'd in Hsaven againft all the Nations in Eurepe ; that the Pf^^r was begun above, between the Potentstes who have the Cujiody of Kingdoms and Empires ; that they should foon fee the Banner ofthe Eternal difpJay'd in the Fir. mament • that the Stan should fight in their Courfes, againft the vicked Ptofejfan of Chriftia. nit Ijhwaliies ftiotild J ; that the come out of their Holes, aind ihould flow down like a Torrent froiri the Mountaiifs of the £<^/?, over-running all Chri. fiendtm. In fine, tJiat Gerna7iy, France, Italy, and Spain, ftould be laid delblate, their beautiful Ci- ties fack'd and the Inhabitants led into Captivity, that t\\Q Pope, with all his Pflefts, fhould be exter. minated ;.and, that all Nations ihouid embrace

' •, rt :?;i - tne Lavr. •. ,;.i t / '_''_•/ They piit hini in Prifon.but he was'fourid walk- ing hejct Day in the Streets. The Keeper cliarnJ him in Irons, but in the Morning he was ftanding at the Gate ofthe Prifon. preaching to the People. Some fay he is a Chymifi, and has found our the

M'i/ier-Seetet ; others fay, He is a Prophet; but moft judge hJm to be a Magician. He feems now to have loft his Vigour, not being able tb^^leafe himlelf from the Chains, which faiten'hirrt'to the liroyjid where he lies, yet he continu<^ fo f^rctel the Ruin of Chv'fiendcm. 'Tis faid he will be fenc to R»ine, there to receive Semence of the Holy Fa^ fi'ir," according to his Demerits. I am no Admirer

of f^tfionarics ; yet there appears fomething ex- traordinary in the Conftancy of this Man. J imfe iviildemonftrate, whether he be' a true or a faifi .'' Prppjhfit.. ; ... , i; - k ,r -/ 'i " -r A Courier came to-fthJs City laft "Night frt)ni Snudeland. who brings Letters from Men/it ur cha. nut, whicli fay, That he has xeoeived great Encou- ragement 7x Letters Wrh ly Vol. ITF. ragement to hope for the Ships which he was to buy in SwedeUnd. Thou hafl: already heard, that Movjleur la Tmillcrie^ ^mbflfador from this Crewn to Queen Chriftiva. was thought the only proper Jnftrumcnc to dlflfwade the Untttd States of the Lov Countries, from encrlng into a feparate Treaty with Spai73 ; and that therefore hhnfitur Chaniit wasfent to refide in his Abfence at Sttckholm, to obferve what pafles, and to continue the ^Ui»net between the two Cnwnf.

This Miui/ler arrived in Smdeltrnd, the i fth M9t,n Dcanber, Day of the of in the laft Year ; where MonJleHr la Tuillerie, had prepared all things ready for a fpeedy Difpatch of his Negotiation ; having the Day before his Arrival made known to that Court the Pleafure of the King of Frante^ and the ^lueen Regent, whofe Letters were receiv'd by ^em Chriftina, with all the Marks of Royal

AfFe£lion ; flje telling the ArAy»^tdor, thatflie in- finitely honoured the Perfons of the King and the

Slueen Rrgent ; and, that fiie would give them fuch Proofs of the Integrity of her FriendlhJp, as would demondrate. That Ihe was fen/ible of her Obligations to them, for what they had contri- buted to the good Succefs of her Affairs : And that cliere was nothing more dear to her, not more fixed in Tier Refolution, than to conferve inviola- bly the L'ogue that was between them. She far- ther told the /imbafadors, that it was with no or- dinary Complacency fhe now beheld two Miniflert of France in ker Court ^ after flie had been without any for a long Time. In fine, ihe afTured them. That whatfoever could be fpared from the necef- iary Defence and Service of the Kingdom, whe- ther Ships, Arms or Men, fhould not be wanting fo the Aid

Vol. III. a Spy at PkKis. .7 yqc he Is defective in Naval Forces : Or, If he has Ships enough to defend his own Realms by Sea, and ro ferve as Convoys to his Merchants, ic mufl: be concluded, that fome foreign Expedition is defign'd, which has put him upon this extra- ordinary Method to encreafe his Fleet. I thought it highly neceflary to acquaint thee with this Paflage, that the Mtnijiers of the Port^ atgull and ever happy, may confult what Mea- fures to take with this Prince, if it be true, That he defigns to break the League which he made with Sultan Ibrahim four Years ago. There is but little Confidence to be repofed in the moft folemn Oaths of Chrifiian Monarch:, who hold not them- felves obliged to keep Faith with tbofe whom

they efteem Infidels '^ and, thou knoweft, that is the beft Title they can afford the Ohferven of tho mofi perfe3 Law in the IVorld. Yet the French, among all the Nations of the UeJJias, feemtobear the greateft Refpeft to the Ottoman Empire. But thsy are inconftant and changeable, which is arr Argument of Infmcerity; They are very prompt and warm in contrafting Friendftiips, and as rea- dy to infringe thofe facred Bonds, on the leafl Occafion, efpeclally where Intereft and Ambi- tion have the Afcendent. The Fenet'cin Refident at this Court makes daily Vlfitstothe §^eeH Regent, and has frequent Con- ferences with Cardinal Mazarini. Many Couriers pafs between Munfiey, S:ickholm, and this City. Yefterday one arrived from the Veristi»fi Ambafm fador at Muwfter, giving an Account that the 5^- cretary of that Embajfy, whom he had fent to Queen Chnftina, was return'd with the Promife of eight Ships of War, lent by the Queen to the Rtpublick, to afllll: them againft the All conquer- ing Mujfulman,

E It 74 Letters ?rri/ hy Vol.111. It feems as if Sweden were become the com- mon y^rfeval of Europe^ from which the other Kingdoms are fupply'd with all the Inflruments cf War. But what is moft obfervable, is, that the yenetians obtained not this Favour, without the Mediation of the French Minifiers at Sttekhtlm. By which it feems evident, that this Cturt has newly entered League Republick Into a private with the ; and that they defign to furprize the Ottom»nt with fome fudden Enterprize by Sea. I fhall not let a Moment efcape, which may prefent me with the leafl Opportunity, to difco- ver what is in the Hearts of the Infidels. If thou wilt favour me with thy Inftruftions, I fhall make the fafer Steps, God, whofe Eye penetrates into all Obfcurities, enlighten us with a Ray to that Wifdom, which once revealed to his Mejfenger the fecret Confpiracy of the CoreCs when they plotted to deftroy the Temfh built without Hands,

Paris, 1 ^th of the 2d Moon^

of the Te»r 1 646,

LETTER XXL

To William Vofpel, a Reclufe, at Hal-j merftadt in Auftria.

Received thy Letter with abundance of Com* I " placency, in that it argues the Continuance

of thy Friendfhip ; and that I trace therein no Footfteps of an angry Pen, notwithftanding the Liberty I took to defcant on thy manner of

. Life. On the contrary, thou fcjideft me an Apo- logy Vol.III. 4 Spy (f/ Paris. 75^ logy full of Meeknefs. Thy Reafons have a mar-

vellous Force in them ; they feem to fpring from a Soul vegete and living, yet dead to Paflion. Thou almoft: perfuadeft me to afFeft a monaflick Life, which may not unfitly be term'd a fociable SoUtude. I much admire what thou fay'ft concerning 5i- lence, and wifli I could praOiirc that paffivt fsr, tue. It is the firft Step of Wifdom, the Nurfe of Peace, ar.d the Guardian of Vertue, Wordsdo but ruffle and difcompofe the Mind, betraying the Soul to a thoufand Vanities- Therefore P7- th'goras enjoyn'd his Difciples five Years Si- lince, before he admitted them to his myjieriout Phii»fiphy. But tell m.e why thou didft not rather chufe to live in a Defrn-t remote from Men, where thou woudlfl: have no Temptation to fpeak, un- lels thou wert difpoled to hold a Conference with the Trees or Breafts, or hadft a mind to fport thy felf, and have thy Words retorted by mocking Echo's ? If a Reclufe Life be thy Choice, for the fake of Contemplation, I would advife thee to turn Hirmit. But perhaps thou dareft not ven- ture thy felf among the Satyrs of the Wildernefr^ or thou art afraid of the Wild Beafts. As for the

firft, they are either the Dreams of Potts ; or i£ there be any fuch Beings in reality, they will not hurt thee, fince thou voluntarily fofakefl the Company of Men, to become a Sylvan, as they are. As for the latter, I mull coafefs, I cannot difcommend thy Fear, there being no Friendftiip or Intelligence common between us and the Lyons, Tygers, Bears, &c oftheForefl-. Yet I can tell, thee for thy Comfort, that by long and afliduous Praftice, the ficrcefl: of thefe Creatures have been taught to converfe witli Men, to obey their Commands, and to perform E 2 : the -76 L E T T ETL s T^rit ly Vol. IIT. jtbe Parts of diligent Servants , and faithful .Friends. This WlUemeft will afford thee a fair Opportu- nity of ftudying the Natures of Plants and Ani- .mals, the v^aiious Alterations In the Elements, the Influence of the Winds and Rains, Meteors and Exhalations, -with many other Secrets which are hid from the greateft part of Men, who are bu- - lied alive in populous Towns and Cities, banilh'd from the Familiarity of their Mother Earth, and moft of her genuine Produfts. In the Defart, the unforced Harmony of Birds Ihall lull thy Soul in innocent and grateful Slum-

.hers ; the gentle Winds Ihall waft immortal Whifpersto thy ravlfli'd Ears, breathing unutter- .sble Sounds from Paradije. The murmuring Streams fhall warble forth their foft and fweec eternal Stories. AH fhall confpire to ferve thy Contemplation, and to tranfport thy Mind with facred EcJIa/tes. If after all this thou (Vialt prefer the monaHisk Enclofure, follow thy Refolution, and be happy. Only remember, That though thy Body be Ihut up within thofe Walls, yet if thy Mind flraggle in vain and worldly Thoughts, thou art no long- er a Reclyfe, Adieu.

gParis, 2Sth ^f the zd Mom, ef.the Tutr t6^.

LET- Vol. III. J Spy <7/ Paris.' 77

LETTER XXII.

71? thi Captain Baflii*

all be trile that I have Reafon to fufpeft^thou IF wilt find a wrani Dlvertlfement at Sea thIs' Spiing' Though the European! have feemM flow

\i\ their Preparations to afTift the State of Venice^ fufFering their feparate Interefts to fuperfede the Care of that Repuhlick, yet now they turn their Eyes thither. Their Backwardnefs hitherto is-^ owing to the Secrecy with which our fage Empem- rtr meditated the prefent War. His Couijfels- were never whifper'd out of the Seraglio, 'till the fame Winds tranfported the News, which wafted our invincible Fleet to the Shore of Candy. Now they behold the Ocean cover'd withthe Ships of"

the Eafitrn Empire, Fear flirprizes them ; the Pr/a- ces of the Nazarene! tremble. They look no long-* er on the Repuh'.ick of I^enice with the Eyes of Envy, becaufe of her Preheminence in Traffick,

but with another Regard : They confider her as the S'i/w^rjt o? Ckri(ienaom,th.Q only Bank of which has hitherto ftemm'd the Tide of the Ottoman Pu- iflance, and ftopp'd our viftorious Armies front overflowing all Europe. I have informed the Rtis Efendi, of what I knew concerning the naval Forces which are fit- ting out in feveral Parts of the North and iyeji, to aid the f^enetians; but I have not told him what the Chrifiians fay of thee, neither am I willing to believe It. They fpeak of thee^ as of

a Man not more difficult to be corrupted , than was thy Predece/Tor, who was ftrangled by the Order of the Sultanefs Mother. This Cenf ure, I hope, is an Effcft of their Impotence; while E 3 they 78 Letters Tfnt ly Vol. III. they flatter themfelves with the Imagination of bribing him, from whofe Courage and Fortune they can expeft nothing but Defeats. They truft much in the Force of thy Birth and Education, and difcourfe of' a certain rmgkal Charafter, imprinted en thy Soul, when thou wafl baptized, which, they fay, is indelible ; and they promife themfelves, that thy native Chrijiia. nity has more Influence on thy Heart, then for- ced Cinumcjion ; and that thou wilt not flght with any Zeal, againfl: Men of the fame Princi- ple, as thofe who gave thee thy Breath. But they confide more in the Charms of their Gold, with which they defign to bribe thee. In fine, they drank Healths to the hon;ji Revagado. So they term him, who commands the whole Fleet of the Ottcmaii Empire. I do not give Credit to thefe Calumnies, having good grounds to boa ft of thy Integrity. How- ever, I counfel thee, by fome extraordinary Ser- vice to thy Ma^er^ to give the Lye to thefe h^fidels : And fufler not that, which at prefent may be but a bare Sufpicion, to be improved by thy Negleft or Cowardice, into a palpable Evidence, that thou art falfe and perfidious to the Supnmt Lord of the Globe.

Paris, 6th of tie -^d Moon, ff the Ti»r i6^6.

LET- ;

Vol. III. /r Spy 4/ Paris. 79^

LETTER XXIIi;

To Monai, a Jew at Venice.

NO W thou art fixM, 'tis time to write to thee Thou hafl: been a Rambler thefe three or four Years, and no Body knew where to find thee. I have received eleven Diffatthes from

thee, fince thy fiirfi: Departure from Geaoua ; wherein thou haft informed me of many Paflages of State. Now I defire thee to fend me feme Remarks, of the dllFerent Nature of the Peo|)le thou haft feen, their various Cuftoms and Laws, with whacfoever was worthy Obfervation in thy 7y»vels. Italy is a fair Field, yet produces Darnel as well as wholfome Corn. It is a beautiful Garden, yet

bears Aanite intermlx'd with her Rofes : Great Virtues, and no lefs Vices. This Region Is famous for the WifJom of Irs Inhabitants, and for their

Provtrbi : It Is the /Arabia of Europe, In many Its Senfes ; yet much leften'd In Renown, fince the Decline of the Riman Empire. The Goihs and Vmdali turned all Into Departs where they came, and have left fuch Impreillons of their Northern Barbartfm behind them, as made the People they conquer'd half Savages. Hence came the general. Decay of Learning and Knowledge in thefe Wefiern

Parts : Hence the Corruption of ancient Man- ners The Great, the Noble, and the Wife , bowed under the Yoke of their Nero Makers , learn'd their Fafhlons, and gloried in their Shame Their Examples Influenced the Vulgar Debauchery became modifh and authentlck. Thus a general Depravation of prlftlne Integrity took place, and Men became vicious by a Law. E 4 Ne Ithei .

So Letters Writ hy Vol. HI.

Neither has Wickednefs planted it felf only in

Europe : The Sea could not Aop this boundlefs Evil. -^Jta Is infefted alfo, and the Vice of Italy is Cranfported to the Empire of the ti'ue Beltcvcrt. Thou haft: fecn all the chief Cities between the yJp! and Rkegium, which is the utmoft Angle of

Italy, to the Soutk : Tell me, whether Sodom couJd exceed any of them in Llcentioufnefs : We will not except even Rome, the Seat of the Chri~ iiian Mufti. Thefe t7>j«r<-awf/y"-'^ have learned of thy Nation, to call the ancient Philopkers, Infidels But had any of thofe Sages lived to fee the Abominations of the wttdern Naz^areans, they would have defpifed the Faith which produced no better iVorks. /jdcnai put in Praftlce the Import of thy Name, be Lord of thy felf; and if thou ftumbleft at the J^ight of the Muffuhnans, walk in that of MoftSy

but fhun the Paths of the Chrijiians ; for they are enveloped in Darknefs, and grope at Mid-day. Live according to Reaftn, and ihou Ihalt be hap- py. Adieu.

Paris, lith of the -^d Moom, of the Tear 16^6.

LETTER XXIV.

To Muftapha,' Berber Aga. TH E prefent War of Candf is like to ren- der that //74[w

became a Province of the Roman Emfire ; than of Saracens the G>-eciani ; next It fubmitted to the But in the Time of the Chrijiian Expeditions la Pahfiine, when Baldwin Earl of Flanderj wasv crownd Empersr o£ Cov^antinopU, this JJiatid cntn& into his PofTefllon ; which he gave to a certaia valiant Commander in his Army, a Man of a no-

ble Defcent, of whom the f^enetians " purchafed

it ; and in their Hands it has continned ever fmce. But now, in all probability, it will be the Prize cf Arms which nothing fublimary can refift. The Polls from Italy and the Sea Coalls of this

Kingdom confirm each other's News ; all g- greeing, That notwithftanding theutmoft Efforts of the Venetians and Candiots, to hinder the Re-- lief of Canea, yet our General is got into riiat Haven with vaft Quantities of Provi/Ions, and a fufficient Reinforcement of Men, They add, that Forty thoufand of our Soldiers have made a De- fcent in another Part of the IJIand, have galn'd the Forts of O'/iernes Celmi, and Bicorno, and were on their March towards Suda, with a Defign to befiege that Place. They accufc our General of barbarous Cruelty, in that he caufed Five, of the principal Ntblemcn of that Kingdom to be put; to Death, becaufe they refufcd to betray their

Country, or enter into the Interefls of x.\\q Grand Signiar. I muft confefs, magnificent j^ga, that what- ever may be faid In Commendation oi this Gene^ ral\ Policy, and Fidelity to his Mafttr • h Is no Argument of the Goodnefs of his Difpofition. I rather admire the Temper of the Duke of Or- Uans, who, when Graveling was furrendred to him, • iuft as he enter'd the Town, was hearcl to fay thele

Words ; Let us endeavour, by generous ABionf^ to win the Htartt of all Men i ft maj ve hope ^' ' " EY f9'r 2z Letters Wr/t ly Vol.IIT* for a daily yiEiory. Let the French learn from me, this nexp Way of Covquefi, fu fubdue Men by Msrcy and Clemency. Thefe are heroick Sentiments, and agree well with the Charafter of this Prince, who is faid ne- ver to have been the Author of any Man's Death, revenged himfelf of nor to have any Injury ; yec a valiant Soldier, an expert Commander, and no tad Politician. It is not hid from the C0urt, with what a matchlefs Virtue he difmifs'd a Gentleman that was hired to murder him. This -^'Jfaf/tn was fuf- fer'd to pafs into the 'Duke's Bed Chamber one TViorning early, pretending Bufinefs of great Mo- ment from the Queen As foon as the Dulce caft his Eyes on him, hefpoke thus ; / knev thy Bujt.

'jtefjy Friend ; thoa art fent to take away my Life : 1i/hat hurt havt I done thee ? It is ntw in my Power^ vith a Word, to have thee cut in Pieces before my Face. But I pardon thee toay, j go thy and fee my Face no more. The Gentleman, ilung with his own Guilt, and allonilh'd at the excellent Nature of this

Prince , fell on his Knees, confefs'd his Defign, and who employ'd him : And having promifed eternal Gratitude for this Royal Fav6ur, depart- ed without any other Notice taken of him ; and fearing to tarry in France, enter'd himfelf into the Service of the Spanijh King It was his For- tune afterwards to encounter the Duke of Orleans^ in a Battel in Flanders. The Duke, at this Inflant, was opprefled with a Croud of Germans who fur- rounded 'him, and. in the Conflift, he loll his Sword. Which this Gentleman perceiving, nim- bly ftepp'd to him and deliver'd one into the Duke's Hands, faying withal, Now reaf the Fruit of thy forvter Clemency. Thou gavtft me my Life, nov 2 fat thetin Capacity to defend thy #»». The Prince, mol. in. a Spy at Paris. 83 Prince, by this means, at length efcaped the Dan-

ger he was in ; and that Day the Fortune of War was on his fide. The Frtnch had a confiderable Viftory. Thou feefl: by this, that heroick Aftions have fomething divme in them, andattraft the Favours of Heaven. No Man ever was a icfer by good Works; for tho' he be not prefently rewarded^ yet in Traft of Timefome happy Lmergency or other arifes to convince him, llat ijertuous Men are the Darling! of Providence. Thou that art near the Perfon of the Grand S/gnior, niay'ft find an Opportunity to relate this Story to him, which may make no unprofitable Impreflion on his Mind. Princes ever ftand in need of faithful Monitors. Adieu, great Minifter, and favour Mahmuf with the Continuance of thy Proteftion and Friendfhip.

Paris, 2yf^. »/ the ^d Moon, of the Tear 1646.

LETTER XXV.

To Naffuf, Baffa of Natolia^

Received thy Letter as an Argument of the I Continuance of that Friendihip which was between us, when we lived together in the Stram. glif. Since that time thou and I have been em- pleyed abroad, in different Services of our *«• gufi Emperor, who now revrarded thy Fidelity

with a Command ; which, if it be »ot adequate to thy Merit; is neverthelefs agreeable to thy Willies. f. 6 I coo* 84 Letters Writ hy Vol. III. I congratulate thy Honour, and wlfh thee a gradual Increafe of it ; for fadden and violent Leaps are dangerous But our glorious Sultan difcovers his Abilities In nothing more eminently, than in adapting Places of Truft to the Deferts and Capacities of his faithful Slavts. So that if he fhould In time think fie to exalt thee to the highefl: Digfiity in the State, we might from the Choice of fo wife a Prince prefage thee a better Fortune than befel one of thy Name, in the Reign cf Sultan j4chmut III. who from a Slave fold in the Market for three Sequins, was advanced to an Honour too weighty for his Virtue ; being made rizir ^ztm, and Lard of the moft delici- ous Province in j1fi». But being ambitious of abfolute Sovereignty, he plotted Treafon againft his Ma/ier^ which being difcover'd, the fatal Firm Was fign'd, and all his Defigns were ftifled with a Bow-ftrlng. By this'thou may'ft comprehend, how necefTary it is for Princes not to over-load any Man with Dignities, beyond the Proportion of his Humility and Faithfulnefs. Yet Rewards well placed, give flew Vigour to the Endeavours of a Slave, where- as when good Services are flighted, it does but ijuench the Ardour with which they were per- form'd. Few Men are fo fpiritual, as to do great and heroick Things, purely for the fake of inter- nal Complacency. And I doubt not but the Decii themfelves, in fo freely facrificing their Lives for their Country, had regard to Human Glory. Even Seneca, whom one would take for the moft mortify'd Stoitk of that Age by his Writings, yee is conceived to have found more Encouragement in the Treafures of Gold, with which Nnts Bounty had fill.'d his Ccffers, than all his Mormh, of which he had fuch refined Sentiments, and elegant ExpreillonJi WhaC :

Vol. III. ^ Spy ^/ Paris. S^

What I have fald, thou haft WIfdom enough to apply to thy felf, without being vain glorious Let thofe whom thou em{)loyeft in any meritori- ous Services, and who dllcharge their Truft wel], be encouraged with the fame Proportions of Bounty. Munificence will not only add to thy Glory, but alfo advance thy Intereft, fince thou

wilt ever have Occafion for thy Slaves ; And he ivho has once tafted thy Liberality as a Reward for any eminent Performance, had he no other Motive than the Pleafure of renewing fo profita- ble an Experiment, will freely hazard his Life to ferve thee in an Extremity, This Method thou wilt find of no fmall Ufe to tliee, in the Wars to which thou art going, where it will be necefTary for thee to recompenfe the leaft fingular Bravery of the meaneft Soldier, not only with Applaufe, but with fome Preferment in the Army. This will not only prove a Spur to others, but even to the Perfon fo rewarded ; and put him upon new Efforts of Courage, to attraft the Eyes of his munificent General. This will be the way for thee, in time, to have an Army com- pofed all of Captains, or Men qualified for fuch. Yet let not this diminifh the Severity of that Difcipline, which is requilite to retain a profpe- rous Army in their Obedience. I counfel thee to be ftrift in requiring the leaft military Duty, and induftrious in performing thy own part, which will be an Example to the refl ; yet rather be for- ward to lead in Labours, than in Dangers: In re- gard thou wilt be more ferviceable in a Battel, by thy counfels and Orders, than by perfonally entering the Combat. In all things prefer the Welfare of the Ottoman Empire, to whatfoever elfe is moft dear to thee, even to thy own Honour, which yet ought to be dearer to thee than thy Life. u 86 Letters mit ly Vol. III.

If thou thinkcft 1 have taken too much Liberty to advife thee, accufc thy ie!f for liaving honoured me with thy Friendthip, which admits of no Refer'vej in Cenvcrjatien.

Paris, T'h of the a,th Moorty of the Tiar 1646.

LETTER XXVL

To the Kaimacham.

is a vafl: Difappolntment to the ye«etian i,tha.t IToar General in Candj has fo opportunely rc- Victuaird CATiea. Siud increas'd the Garrilbn there.

Morifini is blam'd for this, by thofe that wiili him no Good. What will not Envy fugged-, when it beholds a Man on the Top of Honour ? This Ge- neral, to give an Enemy his Due, is a Man of

Spirit and true Fortitude ; neither courting, nor " fhunning Dangers in the Service of his Country ; but when once engaged in Perils for that Caufe, he is fearlefs as a Lion. If he has nor hitherto had Occafion to give the State fo deQjerate a Proof of Loyalty, as once did the Roman Cwtius ("who bravely gallop'd into the bottomlefs Chafm to pa« cifyftheir angry Gods;) yet he iias often demon- ftrated, that his Courage and Fidelity come not ihort of the ancient Heroes. In a Word, he has done too much for the Republick of Fenicf, to e- fcape the Spleen of other Grandees. All muft be Gtmrah, or the War will not profper. Each Man's Ambition diftates this to the atate, that a Man of Conduft would foon expel the Turks out

of that 1/iand : Thus in his Conceit, laying a Train for his own Promotion. Would'ft Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 87 Would'ft thou know Mtrofint's Crime, that excites all this Pafllon ? To fpeak the Truth, ic was an Overfight advantagious to the Ottomans. He put out with his whole Fleet to Sea, and left the Port of Canea open. By which means, three of our Ships got in with Plenty cf Provifions. So that the Town is i)ow In a Condition to lu. ftain a long Siege, and the Venetiam defpair of ever recovering it. Yet /Vo «//«/ has made fo plaufible an Apology, that the Senate have scquit- red him, not judging it condftent either wirh Ju. ftice or their Intereft, to fulfer one Mifcarriage, the Eifeft of a fair Intention, to out-weigh his numerous Merits and Services. For, the Occafion of his thus fuddenly abandoning the Avenue of that Haven was, to chafe Ibme of our Veflels, then under Sail, not jiiany Leagues off; and the taking of thofe VefTels, on Board of which were abundance of Slave/, juftified- to the Senate, the Truth of his Pretenfions. However, there are not wanting fuch as fay, he held a private Cor- refpondence with our General: Others, that the prefent Governcu- of Canea has formerly taken Captive at Sea a Son of MoriJIm^s, whom he now ofFer'd to reftore, In cafe he would withdraw his Ships from before the Haven for a few Days. I know not how far this may be credited. But 'tis a certain Truth that MorcJirJ has his Son again, and he defended himfelf by pleading, that he re- deem'd him by exchanging a Mahometan Captive

of equal §l^uality , whom he had aboard his Ship. And, thou knoweft, that this manner of Bar- ter is lawful In War. Adanai the Jew fends me this Intelligence, and I dare believe him. For fmce the Inftruftlons I fent him to Genoua, he has taken care to afcertain his Reports. I wlfh jc were as true, that Mtrijini could be prevailed no 88 Letters mit ly Vol.IlL on to accept the Friendfhlp of the fublime Port. But the Charafter of that General gives me no Encouragement to hope for fo fortunate a Trea- chery, from his fevere Virtue. However, I will hope and believe, that the eternal Patron $f true Believers, will give fuch a happy IfTue to the Ottman Arms In Candy, and all other Parts, as fhall dlfpofe the Nazarenes that remain unconquer'd, to honour H/M whom they tha have hitherto defpifed and blafphemed ; even Prophet, who could neither write nor read.

Paris, 7th. of the ^tb Moon, of the Tear \6^6.

LETTER XXVIL

to Cara Hali^ a Phyfician at Con- ftantinople.

E Time of the Year Is now come, where- THin the Earth turns her infide out, and Na- ture calls forth the hidden Virtues of that Ele- ment: to grace the World with an Infinite Variety of pleafant Forms and Colours. The Eye is loft In fuch a Croud of different Beautles,and every Senfe js'raviih'd with delightful Objefts. The young Men and Virgins throng the Fields, to behold the

Refurreftion of Flowers and Herbs -, and the Old feel new Vigours fpringing in their Bodies, as though they had been in Medea's Cauldron. Even M»kmut himfelf who has droop'd all the Winter, now begins to lift up his Head, and partake in (he common Rellauracion of all Things.

If ;

Vol.ni. 'aS?Y at VakiS' 89

If I am capable of guefllng at the Occafion of my frequent SIcknefs, I believe it may in part be attributed to the want of frefh Air, in the place where I lodge. There is "a vaft Difference be- tween the Streets of Pari/, and rhofe of Conftan~ tinople. I feem to my felf to be buried alive in this clofe City, where my Chamber-Window af- fords me no farther Profpeft than I can fpit whereas in Covjiantmofle the Gardens are fo in- termix'd with Houfes, that it looks like a City in

the midft of a Forefl: ; and by the Advantage of its Situation, is always refiefhed with Breezes from t]\t Sea. Befiaes the Impurity of thefe h,fidelt, who em- pty all their Filth in the Streets, fo that the Dire of Paris may be fmelt fome Miles off;, the UiV' cleannefs of their Diet, contributes in no fmall

meafure to my Diftemper ; being forced either to £tt6. on FJefli with the Blood in it, or live on Herbs. They laugh at the Nicenefs of the Muf- fulmavf, who will eat no Meat that was knock'd down or ftrangled. They feem to be greedy of, Blood, faving it in Vcflels, and mixing it with Flower of Wheat make a certain Bread thereof, which they devour without the leaft S'queamifh- nefs. A true Believer would tremble at the Sight of fuch Impiety. I tell thee, it is impoflible to

live among them and not be polluted : They have no Methods of Purification. They wallow, and hug themfelves in their Uncleanne'fs : They are worfe than the Beafts. Now the Spring has provided a New Banquet, wherein there is no Impurity, I am refolv'd to live like a Mujfulman, and conform to the Pre- cepts of our f>o!j> Laregiver • who wherfhe beholds my Zeal and AbfVinence, will fend the y^ngei of Healt/j from his Paradife^ to repair my decay 'd Conftituticn. Th« 90 Letters Writ ly Vol, III. The French Philofopherj are buiied in an inqui» (Ition after certain kinds of Birds, which from the fecond Day cf this t4con they fay are not to be found in the whole Kingdom, though the Woods and Fields were full of them during the Winter. Some are of Opinion, That they ny to

the Moan ; aflcrting, That if their Wings will but carry them beyond the magnetick Force of the Earth, it will be no Pain to glide through the upper airy Region, 'till they arrive within the attradVIve Energy of that Planet, where they will natural/^ feek Reft. Others, with more Probabi- lity, fay, That thefe Birds take their Flight to fome other Region on Earth, wbofe Climate is more a;;re€able to their Natures, at this time of the Year. I wifli I could as eaflly once a Year take my Flight to Covftantinople, where my Heart is iVitt' tt- and Summer. Adieu, dear Ha/f, and pity Mab» nt*t, who counts himfelf unhappy in nothing fo much, as in being abfent from his Friends.

Paris, 'nth of the ^tk Man, ef the Tear 16^6.

LETTER. XXVIII.

To the Tefterdar, cr Lord-Treafurer.

T appears, that F'-a»ce has fome extraordinary 1_ Dtfign by Sea ; When and where ^cwill be put in Execution, is not yet known ; but the vafl; Preparations that are making feem to threaten fome foreign Invafions, rather than a Naval Com- bat : It looks as if they had an Expedition in

Hand greater than that of Xerxes j to make a Bridge Vol.III. aS?Yat?AKiS' 91 Bridge over the Ocean, and join the feparated Pares of the World together. New A^fenah are built in feveral Maritime Towns, and all the Fo- reflis are cut down to fill them with Timber for Ships of War; The Mountains are left naked of Trees; and the ftately Woods are tranfplanted in- to the Heavens . An infinite Number of Men %re cmploy'd in making Cordage, Chains, Bullets, Anchors, Ordnance, and all other NecefTaries belonging to a Navy. This is Cardinal Mazartn'i's Praje£t, under Pre- tence of fetting the Poor of the Kingdom at Work, and Disburthening the Co?nmonwea!th of Vagabonds and Idle Perfons. But Mabmut is not placed here, to be amufed with Srate-Umbrages. It is evident, that this M//»?/?fr defi^ns to render his Majisr formidable on both Elernents. j4gentj are fent to buy Ships in all Parts ; and the very Peafantsare forced from the Vineyards and Fields, to man the greateft Fleet that ever this Kingdom fitted out to Sea. Lafl; Moon the Siew de ^uefne \vas fenttoafiift Moijteur Chanuf, in purchaflng VefTels in Sxoedem land. It feems there had been fome Demurs in Ills Negcciatlon; to remove which this latter was fent with frefh Inflru^tions. But Monfieur

Chanut rejefted him ; and ten Days ago came an Exprefs from that Minifler, defiring, that a more intelligent Colleague might be fent him, in regard he foundit difficult t<5 treat fuccefsfully with a People too much elated with continu^ Viftories. Upon this, the C«vrt have fent a Courier to Stockholm with new Orders, whereby he is for. bid to make any further Overtures in order to the Continuance of the League between theftj two Crowns : That Franc; may not always appear in a fuppllant Poflure, whilft the Swedes {^tm- carelefs .

9^ Letters Wr^tt ly Vol. Ill carelefs to conferee a Friend (hip which they themfelves firft coveted. Thefe Mifunderftandings may in a fhcrt time

proceed to a greater Alienation ; and in the End, to an open Rupture. Which has the more Pro- bability, ia that General iO?/;wg/»w«r^ lately flop- ped fome Ffench Troops in their March, under

Pretence of feeing their Pa/T ports ; but really, as 'tis thought, to corrupt the Soldiers, and with- draw them from the Fidelity they owe their So- vereign.

This is highly refented here ; and they begin to difcourfe of making Peace with Germany. What the Iflue of thefe Thiigs will be, is yet

in the dark ; but Gtd^ from whofe Thnne hangs the Qkain of Dtftiny, which reaches to the Center of the Earth, will, I hope, fo difpofe of all Hu- man Events, that the Quarrels of the Nazarents ftall minifter occafion to the Ofmans to encreafe the Territories of our puiflant Emperor.

the Paris, \fi #/ ph Mton^ of the Tear 1*645.

LETTER XXIX.

To Nathan Ben Saddi, * Jew at Vienna.

1 Cannot but highly applaud the Refolution thou I haft taken, as thy Letter intimates, to enquire Into the Graunis of the Reltgian thou art of This Ihews, that thou fetteft a Value on thy Reafon^ and thinkeft thy felf beyond the Pupillage of a Child; that thou efteemeft thy felf of Years to make a Choice of thy Religion, asd not to take it up on the bare Credit of thy Ftre-fathsrs. 'Tis certain, ;

Vol. III. a Spy at PAKisi 95 certain, that Error may be traditional zs well as

Truth : and the Pagan Idolaters pleaded a greater ylntlquity for the ^iltars of their Gods, than could the Follorvers of Mofes, for the Temple of Jerufa. Jem, the Tabernacle in the Defart, or the Promul-

gation of the £.«» it felf on Maww/ S/«»« : Since there was fcarce a Region on the Continent, which had not eftablijh'd Rites and Ceremonies of Worjhlp, long before A/op/, or even 7*^9^, the great Father of the Ifraelites, were born. Among the reft of the Nations, Arabia^ my na- tive Country, was peculiarly blelTed with the Footfteps of the illujirious Ibrahim, Grandfather to Jfrael, from whom the Jews defcend. In this happy Country that renown'd Prophet fojourn'd,

converfed with j4»gcls : And, with the tdayfty which cannot be utter'd. He preached the Unity of the Divine Effence, converted the People from their Idolatry, built an Oratory at Meeeha, and was taken up into Paradife. ifmael his eldeft Son, and Heir of his Father's Spirit, as of his Territories, trod in the Foot- fteps of the j^JfUmpt of God. He brake down the Idols, afTerted «ne God. the RefurreSiion, the Day of Judgment, the Joys of Paradife, and the Torments of Hell. His Off.fpring multiplied, and peopled

all the Ea^ : The Princes of this holy Line iub- dued the In^del Nations, and rooted themfelves in the moft fertile Regions of y^Jia, profcfling themfelves Muffulman] or true Believers. Thus pafled the Light of Gja'from the F^ce of Ibrahmm,

ro his Pofierity by fucceflive Generations ; 'till at length ic refted on the Face of Mahmut, our holy LaTx>gi ver, :^dv7!ts encreafed with admirable Splendor, 'by the frequent Vlfits of the Angel Gabriel. He took the Root of Evil out of the Prophet's Heart, brought him down the Alcoran &om Heaven, and gave him Viftory and Honour caird 94 Letters ^W/ ly Vol. III. call'd him by a new Name, TUE. S E A L O P THE PROPHETS; carried him to the Throne of Gopi, through Legiim of Devils, that waited below the Moon to deftroy him. And finally, made his Sepnkhre glorious and reforted to, by the Believers of all Nations on the Earth. I fend thee this AhfirsB of the Mnjfulman W/io. ry, to the end thou may'ft fee what Pretenfions the Children of lfm»el have to the free Law, which you, of the Pojlenty of ifaac, would monopolize to your felves : As if God had not fent Prophets to all Nations, to lead them into the right Way, and not into the Way of Infidels, Neverthelels, take not thefe things on my Credit, but examine the Records of thy own Nation, and the Hijiory of fajl Times, Weigh all things in the Ballance ; confult thy Reafon, which is an indeficient Light to thofe who follow it. Your Laxo was once pure and uncorrupted ; but in time the Devil in- lerted many Errors? He feduced yowx Fathers ^ they return'd upon their Steps, and fell back into Idolatry. Then Gff(^raifed up the MeJJias, to re- form all Things; but him yerejefted. And when he was taken up into Paradife, ye reported, Tii^-/?? he vas hang"d on m Tree. In this the tfazaream are your

Fools, and fight againft themfelves ; Whilftthey aflert, as you do. That he who is Immorial ana Triumphant, among the Hundred and twenty four thoufand Prophets, was crucified bctvpeen tw»

Thieves : Thus bringing a Reproach on the yfpom file of God, and on their »w« Faith, in believing things inconfiftent with the Goodnefsand Power of the Divine Majefty. Without doubt, "Jefus the Son of Mary, is afcended Body ajid Soul into Para-^ difi ; who, whllft he was on Earth, faid, Wirpnf One Gtdy your Lord afui mine.

Lec Vol. III. a Spy at Vakis. 95* Let me not feem importunate, or troublefome, Ifeeknotto circumvent thy Reafon, but to di- reft it. Think feven times before thou change once, t will procure the Books of our L»v ; perufe them with Judgment^ and tell me then, whether thou haft ever ften any Writing compa- rable to the Alcoran ? The Majefiy of the Style fpeaks it above Human Original : It is exempt from Contradiftion, from the Beginning to the End; It -confirms the Old Teflament, which thou believeft: It is alfo over cloathed with Light. Doubtlefs it is no other than a Tranfcript of the Btok written in Heaven. If afcer all thy Search thou fhalt determine otherwife, follow thou thy Lav, and I will fol- low Tiitne. We both worfliip o»e God, Lord of the Vnlverfe.

Paris, joth of the %th Mot»f cf the Tear 1646.

LETTER XXX.

To the fame,

T not the Fear of difpleafing thofe of thy LENation hinder thee from embracing the Truti. Go

I have fent thee a iVatcb xi£ my making : If fhou accepted it with good Will, 'tis a fuljicient Acknowledgment.

t* May Vol. in. df Sp y at Pa riS. 97^

May Goii, whofe Prefence iills the Uaiverja^. diCdoie hlmfelf to thee, in the way of Sahation^ and continue to breathe good Motions into thy Soul.

Paris, lo'h of the $th Moon^ of the Tear 1646.

'•->!'? -.^ I ~ /"in ii . :r'

To the Kaimacham.

AD O N ^/ the Jfv has much improv'd him. felf, in his late Progrefs tiirough Italy. He

is grown a perfeft Statefman ; having found out the way to penetrate into Secrets, and todifpatch Bulinefs without any Noife, He may prove very ferviceable at yenice, during the preient War of Candy. His Acquaintance is that City gives him Accefs to the Cabals of the Senators , who fpare not, over their Wine, to whifper the Coutt< fels of the Sta^e, and to defcanc upon the Mea- fures that are taken to defend the Rxpullirk , againft the invincible Prowcfs of the Onoman Armies. It is publickly known, that they have fent £»»- bajfidors to the Crown o( Mufcovy, that of Poland^ and to the Cojfacks, inviting them to enter into a League againft the Grand Stgnior. But few are ac- quainted with the private Treaty, they are making with the BajfTa of /ileppo. V/e owe this Difcove- ry to the Diligence and Wit of this Son of Ifrael. He has drawn the Secret from the Mouths of

feveral eminent Crunfdhrs of State ; and afTures nre. That the Seyiatt have made fuch Propo* F lals 5)8 Letters ??>/> h Vol. III. fals to the Governor, as cannot fail of inducing him to revolt. _. This may prove of ill Confequence, if not timely prevented ; The pernicious Example of this Bajfii may incite others to tread in his Steps, elpecially his Neighbours of Sidtn and Damafcut, who have for a long time meditated a Sove- reignty, independant of the Th'one, which firfT: cftabliih'd theuj in thofe Charges. Eeiides, the Tingle Forces of this Bajfa will be able to give a powerful Diverfion to the Arms of the Em. fi>e, already engaged In Candy, Dalmaiia, and ethers Parts , by Sea and Land. He fays, The yemtlaMf i'penk much in the Praife of this Bajfas

Juftice, whereof they relate many Examples ; among the reft, a certain Coek among the Franks oftthac City, was accuf^d of dreding and felling putrify'd Flefh, whereby many that did eat there- of were infefted with the Plagui. Complaint being made of this to the Bajf», he fends for the CooJk, arid examines him about It: He reply'd, That ho

ibid none but good and wholelbme Meat ; for if it happen'd that at any time he was forced to

keep, any Flelh In . his Houfe above three Days, h& fo feafon'd it with Spices and Herbs, as made it very favoury, and without any ill Soent, The Bajfit, not having Patience to hear any more of this fetid Apology, commanded his Arms 5jid Legs to be cut off, and the Veins to be fear-

ed up ; ordering, That during the ihort time he had to live, he Iho.uld have no other Food, but what was made of his own Limbs. They relate one more Paflage, of a'Complaint that was made by a Peafant, whofe Daughter this

B»Jf* s only Son had ravllh'd : The S<^vCompel- Let mt Jed him to mairy her, with this < Charjgc, ks»r Vol. ItlJ'' ^IS^WPAkiS." 99

hiar 710 ma\e CorKplaims cf'thee, except thou an re. filved to leave me rvitheut a Son. It is reported here, That the King of Pe'jta has

made a Peace with the Great Magnl ; and that they will both turn their Forces againft our auguft Emperor,

Here is alfo a Courier arrived from MarfeiBer^

who brings News of the Revolt of Cav»rra ; tha Inhabitants of that Place having Ihaken off the Obedience they owe to the Sulran, and put them- felves under the Protection of the f^enecians and that General Grimani has> taken four Ships of Ram Z^f*, laden with Ammunition for our Army He adds alfo, That Morifini has thirty fmall VefTels,

beildes Gallles , under the very Walls of the Dardamlb. I long ago fuggefted to the Fizir y^zlm, that the Weaknefs of thofe Caftles would, one time or other, encourage the Chrifiiam to perform fome notable Exploit in the Hellefpotit.

But Mahmut's Counfel was not regarded •. Now the Event juftifies my Advie, the Port will con- fult the Security of that Avenue. I wKh they dofnot praQlfe the Trejan V/'iCdom. The Fenem riant have a powerful Fleet: If they block up the Hellefpont, and hinder. our Ships from failing

into the Archipelago j and the Cejfackt, in the mean while, cover the Black Sea with their Barks, committing a thoufand Piracies and Ravages, what Will become of the Imperial City ? Whence will they provide Suftenance for fo many Milli- ons of People as inhabit that City, and the Parts adjacent.

Thefe Things are worthy of Confideration : And thou, who haft the Care of that capital Seat of the Otoman Empire^ wilt nOt blame Mahmut^ for putting thee in mind of the Danger which threatens even tbe Seraglio it felf at this Junfturc. However, I have done my Duty, iage Minifier^ F a and ipo Letters Pf^rit ly Vol. III. and refer the reft to thy Wlfdom. My Letters are all reglfter'd ; and If Affairs fhould fucceed ill, it will be manifefted, that Mahmut, w-ho watches Night and Day to ferve the great Matter of the M^erld, has not been wanting to give tinic- ]y Notice of what might be advantagious to the Movarchy oi t\i& true Faitkfnl. Thou, who art celebrated for thy Juftice and Probity, pardon the Liberty which my Zeal for thy i^fitr and mine, renders worthy of Excufe,

Paris, \9th cf the $tb Mton, .cf the Tear 16^6.

The End ef the Firft Book:

LET- lOf LETTERS Writ by A Spy at Paris.

V Q L. HI.

BOOK II.

LETTER I.

To the ntofi Magnificent and lllufinetts Vizir Azem, at the Pore.

M r t^ the Dwarf, whom I formerly OSmentioa'd, remains ftill in the Court • and continues his good Offices, in com- municating to me iuch PafTages aS come to his Knowledge. He has a fubtiJe Wir, and bears no hearty love to the Chnflians, tho*^ h« be one himfelf in ProfrJJian. He Irequendy vifits me, and trufts me with his Secrets. One Day he convinced me by evident Circumftances, that Cardinal Mazarini was projefting to give fome fecret and fudden Blow to the Ottoman £w- fire, for which Ofmin feems to be concern d by a

ttitural Inclination ; bein^, as I told thee, born, of Mahmsian Parents, he was uaeafy, 'till he had F 3 acquainted I ox Letters ^>/V ly Vol. III.

acquainted me with his Apprehenfions ; and I gave him fuch InftrudHons,. as I thought mofi: proper_on this Occafioii. I fet my Thoughts on tfie Rack, to prevent fo dire a Mifchief, And ha- jving premediuted we]l on this AfF^r, I pitch 'd on a Courie, which would at o^ce clear me from

the Cardinal's Sufpicjon ; and by fecming to fe- vour his Defigns, would abfoluely overtlirow them I went to him boldly one Day, and be- ing admitted to his Chfet, I thus addref^'d that

Pilitfcan. C ., ..,

' ...... -'.' .- !^ * 'TT^HERE are now nine Years elaps'd, great * I MiniJIer, fincej firft breath'd. the^r gf ~* f'anct ; during all wliich time, I have not on- ' ly Ihared in common'with the Natives, the.Be- * nefics which have accrued to this noble King- * dom, under the aufpiclous Minifiry of QardinaX

* Riehlitu, and his no lefs eminent Succelfor ; but ' have alfo received many particular Honours * from that illuftrious Privet of the Churchy ro * which your Etf.inence has been pleafed' to make * fome undeferv'd Additions. "Tis to you both * I owe the Character which has introduced me * into the Acquaintance and Favour of the Nok.'~ ' liify who on that fcore have thought me wor- * thy to InflrrufV their Children in the Grak and

* Arabich. Tongues ; have voucbfafed to admit ' me to their Halt, and to encourage we with the * Hopes of finding a comfortable Repofe in the * Bcfom of the Ga^itcan Lhurch, after a tedious * Peregrination from my own Country ' When I rtSeft on ail the accumulated Blefi

< ^mgs I enjoy, under the Prote£tion of your fiw".

^ mnce, Bleffin^s equally tranfcending my Ambi-

tion, as they do my Merits ; I apply all my * Studies, to iin^ out rcme acceptable way of ' ' Acknow* Vol. rtl. a S p Y at Pa ri s. ' 105" Acknowreclgmenc to my gracious Benefa'ttors. And becaule nothing can be more welcome to thcGuardian of France, than the Means of ad- vancing the publick Good of the Kingdom com-

mitted to his Car^ : I now prefume, as a Tefti- mony of my Gratitude, to propofe to yoiir.fi- minence fome Speculations, which If put in Exe- cution, will, inmy Judgment, not only render France the moft formidable and abfolute Monar-

chy on Earth , but alfo the whole Catholick

World In eternal Obligatioits to her ; and give juft Reafon to change the Style of his wo/? ChrU Jfian Maj jiy, from the tlie tideji Son tfthe Churth,

to that of Father i>f ali Ckrifieridbm. * Your Eminence /wWt'.hbt wonder at the Zeal of a Stranger, or the Care that Tltur of Melda.

via takes for France : In being follicitous for this Kingdom, I confult the Welfare of my own Country, and of all the Nations whlcfi

profefs the Faith of Jefus ; fince it Is eafy to fee, that In the Fate of France, that of all Europg is Involv'd. ', ' i u' *'It is a long tlnie' fince the dlfmember'a^e- llques of the Roman Empire, bordering on '/Ijia^ found themfelves too weak to refifl: the Puif- fance of the Ottoman Arms All Greece was foon over-run by the War-like Tur,ks. Tran~ fjflvania, fVafhchia, Moldavia, Ufith the greateH: part of the Upper Hungary, quickly became Tri^ hutariei to the InVetcrate Enemies of the Chri- (iian Name. And Germany it felf is fo enfeebled by their repeated Incurfions, that aH the £»»- peo>- can do, is to make dlfhonouratle and coftly Compofitions, buying a precarious Peace with little lefs Charges, than would fcrve fome more fortunate Prince, to carry on a glorious and fucceisful War. Neither is the Scare of f Fenhe irt any bftttec Condltioh of Defence, tlie- - -• E 4 * ^«^^ ;t

104 Letters iMt ly Vol. III. Turks having pared away whole Provinces^ from that once flourifliing Commonweftlth, and by their continual Invafions and Hoftilities, re- duced her to a Necellity of merchandizing with the Ottowan Port for Peace. Which is no

iboner concluded, but (fti the. leafl: Pretence is broke again, by thofe who hold themfelves not obliged to keep Fai h with Chriftiaus. Be- hold, at this time without Provocation oa tbe part of yevke, cr a Declaration of War by the Grand Si'gniir, the late Licgne broken on a fud- dcH; and in a mOll cJandeiline manner. Behold, Candy environ'd with their Phet by Sea, and her fertile Plains covered with jirmies of hlahomtm tans by iant/. Behold her Cities in the Hands of her Enemies, and her Villages laid defolate her Nchlej put to the Sword, and her MtrchaTtts led into Captivity. In fine, behold that af. flifted Commcnretalth yet ftaiggling with her Fate, and fending her yimbaffaclors to all the Princes and S:ates of ChrificvcUm, demanding, or rather, in a fuppHant manner, imploring their AlTiftance. Yet {he finds little or no help from any but the Pope, and the Knight of Mal:a. And his Holinefs has enough to do to preferve the Patrimony of the Church from Violence. 1 he State of Gentua i« too Intent upon her Traffick, to cegard the Cala- mities of her Neighbours. And all the Princes of Italy have fuch Dlverfions at home as render their Application to Things abroad ve- ry cold and indifferent In the mean whi'e, the Turks gain Ground, double their Strength,

and encreafe their Viftories ! O deplorable

State of Chriftendmi ! Is there no Rcdrefs for thefe Miferies ? Yes furely, there Is! And

fuch a Redrefs , as only lies in your Power,

great Mimfter , to apply j wliich In the ' Expc- Vol. III. * Spy at Paris. lOf

Experiment , 1 dare afTure will prove efFd- ftual ' I do not pretend to the Vlfions and Inffiratioftf of Piter the Hermtt, who garbled fecular and

divine Offices ; and armed himfelf in Habi-- liment of Steel, went dragooning up and down Chn'fiendom, at the Head of a confufed Rabble, to render himfelf popular and acquirfe

the triple Charafter of Ptlgrim , Prisft and Captain. The ill Succefs of his ra(h ExieditiuH lliew'd, that he was only ftung with a reli". ligiffui Caprice, and that Goal approved not hi'i Foii)'. I do not go about to propofe another

Crufadf , or Contrive a Way to fhed wholft' Deluges of Human Blood, with no other coiile-- quencG. than to ftain Hili.ry with the fanguine Memoirs of Chrljiendorns Vanity and Misfortnne.

Bsfides , that would be found impracticable m this Age, which' was ealie to put in Execu^ tion, Five sr Six hundred- Years ago: Thd' World is notfo devout now, as it was in thofe

Days ; neither are Men fo prompt to run tho Rifque of their Lives on reiigioui Errand.-, for the Honour of being efteem'd Martyn, 'Twill be difficult to find out a new Uft of Godfriy\ Baldwin's, Gu/s, and other Heroes, to lead the Champions of the Crofs through all the H^rd- fhips of the Sea and Land, fo many hundred Miles,' into remote and defolare Regions, to combate not only with FJclh and Blood, buc with Famine, Pcftilence, and all the Mifrries

of Human Life : And, as if this were not enough, to Ihcath their Swords alio in €acK others Bawels, for Pun£lilio''s, mere Trifles o^

:' mifta ken Honour , and ill-timed Emuktion And ail this only to purchafe the empty 27- tie King of of "Jerujahm ; or the precanoiis

Authority of a Grecian Emperor ; Boph iborc B 5 * lived 10^ Letters IVrk ly Vol. IIL

liv'd Honours ; the ojie to be Joil In a little

time, with all Pa/ffiine, to the Saracens ; the other depending Only on the Fleafure of the

Multitude ! Such were the glorious Fruits of

the Chriftt'an Arms in thofedays ! Such the IVi-

umphs attending our Vitlories ! Thefe the Tro- phies which our Fathers erefted to their own

Difgrace ; when after a War of fo many Years they left the Holy Land in a worfe Condition,

than they found It ; and of fo many Hundred Thoufand Men as marched thither, threatning Saracen the utter Subverfion of the Empire j there fcarce return'd enough to difperfe the News of their own Overthrow. ' Waving therefore theie 'vifionayy rafli Expedi. tiotis,*! now propofe to your EnnKChce an Un- dertaking, which tho' it may make lefs Noife in the VVorld, yet carries more Probability of Succefs, and will not only promote the Intereft of France, but redound to the Advantage of all Europe. * No Man who is acquainted with Htftery, can be ignorant what Claims the Kings of France have made to the Empire of the Wefi, fmce the Days of Chartemaine, the Royal PredecciTor of* his prefent Majtfty, who was dignified with the Impfial Title, fay the Sovereign Bifbop. Neither is it unknown, by what Artifices the Houfe of ytuflria have procured the Travjlation of thtf facred yiuthority tO their own Family. * Your Eminence is fenfible by what Tyran- nous and unjuft Methods they have main- tain'd themfelves in this higheft Pitch of Hu-

man Glory ; and not content with this, how they have afpired after the Monarchy of the

whole World ! All the North have groan'd under tlie Burden of that infupportable Tyranny. And their Encroachments on the S«uth, have * render'd !

Volin. a Spy at Paris, toy

renderM that Line little lefs infamous. They fpare neither Civil nor Ecclifijfiiai Rights, in the Purfuit of their Ambition, not even the Patrimony of St. Pttir, which has ever been Ca»- fVeem'd fac-edd^nA inviolableby Chrijlien P'it.ct. They have fack'd R-ome It feJf and Jed the /»- freme PaJIar of the Church inro Cif-iiiitj. What fhould I fpeak of the Hoianders, Smi:ztr.', Grifoni, and other Nations, which, impatienc of the ^uftrian Yoke, revolted from their cruel

Makers y and have ever fince ailerted their Li- berty by the Force of their Arms ? What fhould I mention the frequent Troubles in Bohemia, Tranfjlvania and Hur^ga"), when the Inhabi- tants of thofe Countries, grown defperate with their daily Oppreflions, have bravely endea- voured to redeem themfelves and their Pofire- rity from perpetual Servitude; but for want of a powerful Prer

the renown'd Charlemaine j and which even the greateft part of the Ge mans themfelves, wifli to fee placed on the Headof iew// XIV, Moft of the Eleilors are already inclining to

the Interefts of France : It will not be difficult to

win the reft. The Huvgarians, &c. long for ft Deliverer; And the othtr Proyinets beyond the Dunnbe, will freely open the Gates of

F 6 I their io8 Letters J^yit hy Vol. HI.

^ their Cities, to Jet In hit Armies, wboin they look on as the Ho^e of all Chriflcndom. The Hel' * ven'ans, who are Allies of this Crown, will not * fail to perform their part. The Suedes have al- * ready pluck'd many fta-hers from the raiei.ent * Eagle. And the Forces of this Crovu have * blunted her Talons. Another Campaign will * quire deplume her, enervate her lalt Vigour, * and end the tedious Controverfy. ' Let not therefore an untimely Peace with ' th; Emperor, fo much talk'd of, flop the Cur- * rent of the fmjch Triumphs! Let not the * finifter Praftice of German Penlio7iirs 'in the * Svfd jh Court, occafion a Rupture between two ' the mod potent and victorious C>»ww/ in £«- ' rope } Or rarher, let no ^ueen Chr'Jihia, reap * the fole Glory of fo fortunate and profitable a * War! His Maj rfj/ h&s a formidable ^rmy hf * Lam/ ; and in a fhort time, will have an in- * vincible F/eit by Sea. Continual Viftories * Fr-er.ch court the Perfeverance of the Valour ; * whilft the Juftlce of your Caufe invites to the * Battel. • All Things confpire ta put a Period to the * ^njirian Grandeur. Only fnatch the prefenc *. Opportunity, which once loft, may never be *- recover'd again. 'Twas only the fudd^m and *- Tjnexpefted Fate of Henry IV. this Ki'ng*S * Grandfather , of eternal Memory , that hin- ^ dcr'd him from putting In Execurion tlie * fame Defjgn I now propofe. And if Lfsiis * XIII. did not profecute it, 'twas becaufe he * wanted a f.;vourable Junfture. Now, behold,

* ^'it cfcrsiP felf : 'Tis in your Power, fuprtme *:Dir'cfo- of the Statt, under his Ma^efiy, to •? build the ti'rtktie of Prance fo high, that all the ^nations of'Cbrjftertiitm may repofc under its *'Shaflovf. Purfue the Succels which H^^i"" ha,s * akeady Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 109

already granted. And Vih&nsW Europe is thus fettled in a durable Peace, either making ho- nourable Friendfhips with, er entirely lubmir*

ting to the new Gallick Empire ; then will be the Time to call the Ottomans to an Accoujif, for the Ravages and Spoils they have commir-. ted ia Chrifltan Countries, and to carry ouf Arms to the Walls of CenJIantinople, and driv6 thefe Barbarians back to their primitive Rocks and Defarts, from whence they have thus Jong ftraggled, to ruin the moll deiuable Provinca

of ^Jia and Europe j nay, and of the whott World. * There is no ether way but this, in my Ju'I<;- ment, to Hop the Progrefs of the Turkijh v ifto- ries. Since it is impcfiible to mjike a durabiiB

Peace among Chriftian Prince: , bur by Con-

queft ; I mean fuch a Peace, as will infj ire them with the Refolution, and put them into a Caps- city, to unite all their Forces in a War againft the Mahometans. As for the prefent Condition of the Refuhlick, if their Lofles were greater than they are like to be, yet they will be Inconiide- rable, in Comparifon to the mighty Gain which will afterwards accrue, not only to them, but to all the Chnfiian Nations, by advancing the Prer.ch Croxen to that height of Grandeur, de* fign'd for it by faie. Hitherto the Chriilia'n Pri7i:es have only endeavcur'd to apply a Re-

medy to the Part particularly afFefted ; from whence if by Fortune they chafed the DifleiTi- per, it foon brake out in feme ether Member ; whence it came to pafs tlut we loil Prv'uitice after Province, and the Twks are almofl; gotten into the Heart of Europe. If therefore we de- llgn to drive them thence, it is neceifary to fol- low tHs Method, which will be found the only way CO pluck this Evil up by the Roots. 'Go >iio Letters Writ ly Vol. III.

* Go on then, moH: prudent and illuftrious * Guardian of the Crcron, deftin'd to command * the E^rth : Go cn, and lift up our great * Majier to the Wreath with which the Tutelar * y^ngii o£ Europe is ready to environ his Sacred * Temples. Let not the German Deputies at A/«k, * fter any longer amufe you with feigned Over- * tures of Peace. But purfue the propitious Fate * of France, which waits to lead our Armies to * Viftories, Triumphs and Glories, and to e- ' ftablifti a new Empire in the fVorld, to which * all Nations fliali pay Homage, and ily for * Proteftion.

Thou feeft, illuflrious and ferene F^izfr, that I have ufed much Flattery in this Addrefs. It is a necelTary Vice in the Court of France, where no Ditgenes can have Audience It cannot be ex- -pefted that I fhould difcover by the CardrnaPs An- I'wer, what his Sentiments were of my Projeft. He is of a debonair Humour, and would rather feign Firtues to commend in another Man, than pot him to the Blufti by mentioning his real Vtces, This is an EfFeft of hisw-»f«f«/ Difpojitions, which he Is wife enough to improve to the Ends of P#- licy. There being no fubtiler Artifice to gain a popular Efteem, than by the Reputation of a generous Temper. However, I think I faid Nothing that could juftly offend him, unlefs he were endued with the incommunicable Gift of difcerning Hearts,

For otherwife, at the worft , he could but tax me with a Loyal Prefumptlon and Mi- flake, in propollng Things altogether imprafti* cable.

» Thefe were fuch as thou wilt eafily difcern, "when thou confiderefl, that though they appear fair and eafy in the Attempt; as the Circum- ftanc^S Vol. III. a Spy at Paris, hi

Oances of Europe are at prefent ; yet the Revolu- tion of a few Mtons may quite change the Face of Affairs ; new and unthought of Difficulties may arife : The Emperor may make a Pesce with

Swedeland ; the Pope might interpofe his Media- tion and Authority, the 4(fenihlj at Mur.fier might have a Conclufion according to their VVIIhes ;toe EleBoral Princes might be more firmly faQened to the Intereft of the Empire. Befides, another Campaigne may prove as fatal to the F^tnch^ as the former have been profperous After all, if they fliould find Encouragement to begin this Enterprize, and fhould meet with anfwerable Succeis in the Profecution of it, yet a thoufand Occurrences would emerge, to hinder them frotn enjoying their new gotten Empire long ; or fioin being able to maintain a War againft the Evf fire, whofe Subjects aie infinite, and Treafures inexhauftable. '^ If thou, who art the Light of the G/w7j» Mon. archy, Ihait approve of what I have done, my

Happinefs will be great ; neverthelefs thy Re- proofs will not make me miferable, fiiice they are Arguments of thy Condefcenfion and Favour.

Paris, loth of the 6th Mion^ ef the Tear 16^6.

L E T- ill LETTfM Wiif ^ VioLiJII.

L E t:^ e r ii.

Jo Ifiiiael Mouta Faraca, a White Eunuch.

Y Letter is come fafe to my Hands, ao THcompany'd with a muaificent Picfenc frorp Egrj Bolnou, who thou telleft me Is deprived of his Eyes by the Gr/fu^ Siguior''s Order. I condole the Calamity of my Friend, yet accule not theju- f.icc :)f him who is Mafier of us all. We are Muf- Juinans, and mufl not difpute the Pleafure of Hea. njery or x.h.t Cummar.di of our Sovereigns. It is aa Argument of their Clerhency, when they retrench their Anger, and fpare the Lives of their Slaves. "The Sultan is merciful in a higher Degree, in not his the extending Haads to Wealth of our Friend ; left thai and his Liberty untoiich'd "but has j whereby he is ftill in a Capacity of enjoying many

Plefures , wiilch are denied to thoufands who have their Sight. I do not write this, as if I were void of Com- panion toward my Friend- I owe him ftiJl the lame Aifeftion, as when he was able to read the Sincerity of it in my Face. Bat I would not fiave the Lofs of his Eyes abate the Sight of his Soul, which is his Reafjn. Let him remember, that a famous Philofoph:r has done that voluntarily ta hinilelf, for the fake of a Icfs interrupted Con- templation, which is impofed on our Friend as a Punifiiment. There is no outward Difafter can hurt the Opticksofa Mind guarded with Patience, and (hut up within the Circles of its own Light. Sttch a Soul is imi r ignable againfV all the Afiaults cf Fortune^ and Triumphs over Defimjf it felf Befides, VoI.III. J Spy tf/ Paris. 113

Befidcs, our beloved Eunuch can ftiJi converge with his Friends, which is a PriviJege the Deaf •would almoft give their Eyei to enjoy. It is hard to determine which of thofe two Senfei would be mifs'd with leaft Regret, efpecially to a Man, who, by his excellent Voice and Skill in ^i»giMg, feems to be the very Stul of Mufick What is it in all this infinite Variety of vifible Objefts, that afFeftsthcEye with fo refin d aP'ea- fure, but the harmonious Difpofition and Symme- try of the Parts, which compofe the who e Scene of the Univerfe r And may not that Pleafure be tranflated to the Ear, when it receives tjie pro- portionate Meafures, and exquifite Cadences of Sounds? Certainly Mufick is no other than Beauty to the Ear, as Beauty is Mujikk to the Eye. But our Friend Egfj needs not thele Encou-

ragements : He underftands the Way to make himfelf happy, and has Wifdom enough to put " it in pra6tic«. The GranJ Signiots Fury Is pacified. Egry lives.

He has Houfes and Gardens ; Gardens reple- nifli'd with all manner of Fruits and Flowers to gratify his Tajie and Snell. He is Mafter of much Treafure in Silver and Gold, and of many Slaves. If all thefe cannot contribute to his Feli- city, he is Mafter of himfelf^ which is ejfential Hapfinefs. Thou who fucceedeft him in that honourable Poft, and guardeft the Avenue of the wajeftjck Chamber, where the AddrefTes and Supplications of all the Princes of the Earth are made at the Feet of our augufi Emperor, watch thy Senfes, and obey thy Reafon. Remember thy Predecef,rs

Fate, and forget not Mahmut ; but above all things forget not thy felf. Adieu.

Paris, lotb c/ the 6th Moitt, of the TiBi- 1645. LET* fxi4 Letters Writly Vol. III.

LETTER IIL

To Dgnet Oglou.

A M extremely furprized, and equalJy trou- I bled at the fevere Punlftiment which Sultan Ibrahim has infli£led on Eg'-y Bei'nou. HiV Suc- ceflbr, Ifwael Mtuta Faraca, fent me the firft News of it, but faid nothing of the Eunuck\ Crime Neither would I requeft that Satisfa- ftion of a Man, who derives a new Luftre from - the tragical Edipfe of my Friend, left my Love Ihould have betray'd my Difcretion, and tempted me to utter that, which is not proper for a Slavt of the Sultaris to exprefs. Our Thoughts are our own whilfl we keep them chain'd up in our Breafl-s, but if once we fufFer them to take Air iir Words, they become another Man's, who may make ufe of them to our Ruin, I never had .Familiarity enough with Ifmael, to truft: hiin

,with , Reflexions of this Nature. Befides, his own Letter to me difcoverd to much Fieedom to be void of Defign,it being thefirft that ever

pafs'd between us ; which for that Keafon ought to have been dictated in a Style morerefervd. I fer him a Pattern in my Anfwer, not letting i» VVord efcape my Pen which might f^eak lefs •Re/ignation to the Will of our t^aftefj than Ten- dernefs for my Friend's Suffering. JJuc with thee I dare ufe greater Freedom: My long Experience of thy Integrity, will ju- ftify this BoJdnefs Tell me, my D^'-^/, was it not^ the Blindnefs of Su!tan U-'ah/tr/s Paflion, which hasrobb'd Egry of hh Sight? Anfwer me without Difguife 5 Was it not fome Caprice of Jealoufy ? \\'^s it nat becaujfc the M*fter thought lie ,

Vol, III. a Spy at Paris. 115'

he faw too much, tbait the SU've fees not now at all ? If that Senk was not judg'd .criminal in

Egry, why was it in paiiticular pxmifh'd ?. But 'tis in vain to ipf^fure; the cruel Frolkksof '^ Sovereign Monarch by a Rule^ whaanakes his fViil a Lavf. The Chtifiians fay, '.The Offcwj/iw prm>r ate

Butchers, and the whole Empire a Shambles ; where Perfons of all Degrees are facrificed to the Luft or Paitionof ^Tjranr. I tell thee, though lap-

- prove not the licentious Tongues^ of thefe lr'fi~

dels, yet ix. appears too true, (hat i'o uncontroul- able a Power as the Eafiern Monarchs are inveflr- ed with,i:prDmpts .them to. commit many Vio. lences, for which Juftice can make no Plea. It wejre to be wiih'd,, That the Praaices of the Suh~. lime Seraglio, did not too often verify it. Suffer me to be exafperated a little,, for the cruel Sen- tence executed on my Friend, the moft accom- pliiVd Perfon within the Walls of xi^&t magni^mtt Palace. Doubtlefs, he owes the Lofs. of his Eyes to the Grudge of fome.. envious. Minion, who- would not brook fo dangerous a Rival in the SuL t»n*s Favour. For this unfortunate Eunuch who charm'd all Hearts.,, made fonie In)pre(Tion alfo on the cruel Ihrahim\. He often lov'd t» iieaf him fing the lively DmVi^ Strains to chafe

,away his Melancholy : For Egry is a lecond 0>-- phtus, whofe Voice, thou knowelV, Infpired the Trees ,and Rocks with Paflloii. Befides, he has: many other Gifts, which render'd his Perfon

end Converfktion delegable to all ; and taught the whole Seraglio, new Lellons of t-iatonick SLove. When thou haft received this, I defire thee to

give him a Vifit ; Thou knoweft his Houfe at Galsta. ..Embrace Jjim in my Name, and givtf him a Kifs of faithful Friendllilp. Forget not ^T alfo ii6 Letters W^r/V /y Vol. III. alfo to return him my Acknowledgments, for the Diamonds he fent me. And cheat him with this Thought, that one Day his Eyes fkall be renew'd in P»radife , far brighter thiaa thcfe glittering Jtwels. Adicuj

Paris, 2oth of the 6th Moon,

of the rear 1 6^6,

[LETTER IV.

TV Dicheu HulTein Balla.

' nr* I S not cafy to guefs at the Motive, which X induced the Dukeo£ Orleans to begin this Year's Campaign in fo rigorous a Seafon. It was the firft Mom, and the Ground was cover'd with deep Snows (an ill-time to march in an Enemiei Country.; And when thefe Snows were dif- folv'd, Floods foJlcw'd. It feems as if he were thirfty of Fame, and would acquire the Chara-

fter of a hardy Warrior ; refolving to fhun no Fatigue, which might advance the Reputation of his Arms. The Duke of Enguiea, fpurr'd on with a glori- ous Emulation, foonfcllow'd with another Army> but by a different Road. There are Four Marr. fckals of France gone with them. Thefe early Marches make a great Noife. But little of Acti- on could be expefted, while the weary Flemminf.$ knowing the Pailes of the Country, and the Force of the Floods, having kept their Wintei^ Qiiarters, fpending th

. la !

^^oI.IIL

demn the fprightly Genius of the French, who t: feem to approach neareft the Bravery of the Mwf-'X flyman Armies /I .The Aftion of a French Officer was worthy of Remark, who being fent from the Camp with Letters to the King and Queen, arrived at the Ciurt the 24th Day of the Second Moon, whilft.j the Ground was yet frozen hard. After he had'* deliver'd his Me/Tage, the ChanibtrUin of the Rtyal Houjbold appointed him a Lodging for that Night in the King's Palace, he being to return to Flanders the next Day. But he generoufly refufed

iti faying, It became not him to lie in a Bed of Downy .. yfhen his Genenal, with the whole Armj^ tc ere forced to.fleep on the frozen Earth. Therefore, caufing foihe Sa-aw to be brought out qf the Stables, he took his Repofe thereon in the open Air. The young King, extremely pleafed with his Gal- lantry, order'd him a hundred Pieces of Gold, and recommended him to the Duke o£ Organs, zs one of the bravefl; Men In his Army. I fwear by the whiftling of the Winds, and tlie ruffling of the Leaves, that I honour fuch Ver-

tue, even ItjL an Infidel,

3P»rls,, ^oth of the 6th Mton, tf tht Ttar 1646.

IE T- L E Tit E R V.

To Kerker Haflan^ BalTai

Y Letter is come to my Hands, with the :f TH K$pha, Prefent of which is fo much thef'J more acceptable, becaufe thou broughteft it thy^^ felf from the f^alUf of Amoim, the Place of my* Nativity. It is an evident Sign that thou haft not forgot thy Countryman, in that thou condefcend- eft to oblige him in fo peculiar a Manner. Tha^i Place where we drew our firfl Breathy is always i- dear to Mortals; and the Remembrance of thaC'^ delicious Vale, afFefts Mahmut with Angular DeJ'J light. 'Tis true indeed, I was brought fronts thence before I could diftingufh once Place front "^ another; but I have vifited that Region fincd^ '^ and have Reafon to pronounce it the moft deleft* able Part of /4r»bi». Had the Grecian Poets feen rhat Psradife, they would not have fo extoll'd tho*^' celebrated Fields of Temfe in Thejfah. This hap-'} ' py Vale is the ElyxJum of ihtWtrMj blefs'd with an eternal Spring, ,'' -Thou art highly otHgM to the iS«i/«« for the ' Liberty he has given thee to vlfit tha Place of thy*i Cradle, and to fojourn fo long among^ thy Kin-""^ dred. Thy Father w^as famous in that Country for hunting of Lions, and other B^afti o£ Pey. I have heard Ibme of our Trite praife his Valour and Dexterity, in the chafe of thofe fierce Ani- mals, They told me, That in the Space of tw® Years, he had prcfented the Btghtberg with twenty

Lions Heads, kill d by his own Hand : That he had three tame ones in his Houfe, which he had taken when Whelps, from a Lionefs of prodi- gious Bulk. That the Walls of his Houfe were hung V.6LIII. a Spy at Pari's. 119- hung witli the Skins of Tigers, Panthers and LiertT^ the Trophies of his indefatigable Diligence, Skill and Courage, in Purfuit of wild Beafts, In a • word, they faid, He was the moft fuccefsful Hun- ter in all Arabin. If thou inherited: his Inclinationt as well as his Bloody (for they commonly go to- gether^ thou haft had a fair Time to range the ' Forells, and purge the Def»rt o£ thofe ravenous i Creatures Were it not for the Enmity of the.. Gnais, the £«/? would be over- run with thefe Sa-^ vages. They fay, This little defpicable InfeSf de- ftroys more Lions than all the Hunt/men In j4/i». For fwarming about them In the Heat of Summer, they chiefly feften on their Eye-lids, which they fling lb vehemently, that the Lions thinking to cafe themfelves by fcratching, often tear their own Eyes out, and fo are famlfli'd. To underfl-and well the different Natures of. ^ Beafts, is a Study fit for Kings. 'Twas the Glory of Sohmon, to be accurate in this Knowledge: And Aleyander the Great had fuch an Efteem for ^ it, that he beftowed on Arijiotle the Philofopber

'Eight hundred Talents, only for writing a Tnatife \ holy GtAninials. Our Prophet was eminent above f all other Mortals, for his Familiarity with the • Brutal Generation, underftanding their Qualities ' ' and tajiguage, and often difcourfing with thenii When he lived in the Defart, a Libard continually •waited at the Door of his C»ve, and did all the Offices of a kind and faithful Serrant. Such Grace is given but to few. But I forget my own Opportunity, of venting my Afieftions to my Country and my Friends.-' I forget that I am writing to one who is newly •• come from Afabia. Would to God I could fee ^ thee, were it but for an Hour. I have a thou- -fand Queftions to ask about my Relations, and what Changes have happen'd iince I was there*-; 11 0' L E T T E r: s H"rh ly Vol. III.

But I muft facnfice thefe nafifral Fondnefles to the V\/\\\ oi, Befiiny. I am -a double Exile: And fince It is for the Service of the Grand S'g- nur, I am refign'd.

Adieu, happy Minifier ; and If Mahmut may be admitted fometimes to mingle with the Ti ain of thy better Thoughts, he fhall count himfelf hap- py where ever he is.

Paris, id of the "jth Moon, of the Y,ar i6^6.

LETTER VI.

To Huirein BalTa

taking of Retimt in CauJ/, had fill'd TH^the Nazarettf with Apprehenfians of great- er Calamities. The firft fortunate Strokes In a War, make deep Impreflions on the Enemy ; the Vulgar look- ing on them as the Index of their future Deftiny. But repeated Succefles ciiill theirVitals, bereave them of Courage and Hope, leaving them no- thing but ominous Portents, and fuperftitlcus Prefages of their approaching Ruin. So hard a thing it Is to judge of Humane Events, without being carried into Extremes. They already give over the whole IJlmdiox loft. I wifh and believe it may prove true. Yet at the fame time I know the fortune of War is uncertain , and another (^mpaign may repair or revenge tlie Damage they have fuftained in thii and the /»r- mir. The Fenetiam loft Five thoufand Men before the Walls of that Town , among whom was General Vol. III. a S?Y at Paris. 121

General Coritaro, the Vicerty of the Wand, (lain in the firft Onfet, befides what v/ere IdU'd by our Soldiers when they enter'd with the recreating Candiots^ and facrlficed all to the Heat of jMarcial Paflion. But that which appear'd mofl ominous to their Cnufe, tho' the prefent Damage were lefs, was the falling out of the Sufyavedito>-, and the Prov:- ditor of the 1/ie : Who not agreeing about the Extent of their different Csww/^j^tw, form'd two Parties; between whom there happen'd a furious Encounter, in which Four hundred were fl^la on both Sides Thele Ixnifter Events occafion'd the Repuhlick to make frefh Applications to the Court of France • and an Amba^ador is fent from this Qroyon to Con- fianti»ople, m order to meditate a Peace. They Call him Moiijieur de Varannes, a Man of a pre- fumptuous Dirpofitlon, and who delights to at- tempt difficult Things. When there could not be found a Perfon, willing to undertake a Nego- ciation, which carries fo little Probability of fuc« ceeding, this Gentleman, in Si Bravado, ofFerd hlmfelf; telling the ^een^ that he made no doubt of Jo reprefenting jMattcrs to the Grand iigmor^ as would infallibly produce a Piace. It had been eafy for Cardmal Mazan'tii (whofe Counfel the ^een follows In all Things} to have hindered this Man's Voyage. But thole' who are acquainted with the Pique that is between them, conclude, Thar the Cardinal confented to his Ccm. rnil[Jim, on purpofe to lay a Train for his future Difgrace ; as knowing the Eoldnefs of his Tem- per, was far from being feconded with equal

WIfdom and Conduft ; and that though he was prone to undertake great and hazardous Aftuons, yet he never iiad the gcod Fortune to accomplilK any thing of Moment. G They 112, Letters IVrit hy Vol. III. They that know this Gentleman's CharaQer, fay, That any Example will encourage him to ru{h into Labyrinths and Perils. And where Ex- amples are wanting, he is ambitious to be made one himfelf. He fears not to tread in the Foot- Heeps of fuch as have mifcarried in the moll: def«.

perate Enterprizes ; but promifes himleJf Suc- cefs. where a Thoufand have fail'd. In fine, he is cfteem'd the ralheft Man living I fend thee this Defer! pt ion of the French Am. bajfador, that thou may'ft communicate it to the Sovereign Divan. It will be no fmall Advantage, to know the Temper and Qualifications offoreign

hiiniftcrs, refiding at the augufi Po^t -. EfpeciaJly at this Junfture, whereon the Fjite of Chrift,»dom depends. Befides, there cannot be too great Cau- tion us'd, to obviate the fubtile Trains of Cardi. nat Maztrini, viho, I fear, is contriving no kind Offices to the Ottoman Empire. I kifs the Hem of thy Veft, iliufiiiau: Bajjfa, and bid thee adieu.

Paris, li of the Tth M'oon^ of the Ti»T 1646.

LETTER VIL

To the fame.

E Captain B^Jfa has the Reputation of THa good Seaman among the French They highly applaud his expeditious Relief of Csnea, and no lefs commend the Secrecy with which he janded his Army, and took the Town of Retim*. The French are generally great Critich in Militavy

. Affairs, and are noc fo partial to the iionour of Vol. III. tf Spy 4f Paris. 113 of ths Chrilfiattf, as to deny the Pratfes that are due to an expert Leader among the Mujfuhnans, Yet they are inconftnat, and feldom retain the fame Sentiments long. Every Circulation of their Bloods, begets new Friendfhips, new Opinions, new Cenfures. In this they feem to inherit the Vices of the ancient Gauls, as well as their Country. A Raman Emperor^ who made War in this Na- tion, hath lefc excellent Memoirs behind him : wherein among other things, he defcribes the Na. ture of the Gauls, their Dffpofiiions, and genial IncUnaclom. He that ll'all read his Writingi which, were penn'd above Sixteen hundred Years ago, and Ihall converfe with the prefent French, will eafily conclude, That the Utter are a living Tran- fcript of the former ; and that their Humours and Actions are exaftly copied from his Words. Yet in nothing does the Charafter of the pri- mitive Gauli, fuit more truly to the prefent In- habitants, than in their furious Onfets in a Bat- tel, and their equal Readinefs to Flight. Their fi ft AiTauIt feems to fpeak 'em more than Men^

their fecoed, lefs than fVomen ; and they feldom venture on a third. Wilt thou know then, how they obtain (6 ma- ny fignal Viftories.^ It. is by Stratagems and Money. Where they cannot circumvent their Enemies, they corrupt a Party of 'em with Bribes and Penfions. Thus they purchafe their Con- quefts, with a more powerful Metal than Steel. The Force of Gold, to which all things yield, lays Cities and Pt ovinees at the Feet of this invin- cible Monarch. But, I pray Ikaven, fo to profper the Arrfiies Empire of the founded on Fertue, that this h'fidel Prince, and all the Naz.arenes, may experience their Gold to be aj ineffeftual as their Swords, a- G 2 g^in^ 114 hy^TTLKS IVrit hy VoI.IIL againft the Valour and juft Revenge of the true Biiievcrt.

Farij, id of the TthMotn, of the Ti»r 16^6.

LETTER Vlir.

To fi&e Venerable Mufci, Sovereign Guide

of the True Believers.

THOU, who art all Goodnefs, the Arch-Tj'pe of Clemency and Virtue, wilt not number me among the importunate, forfo often troubling thee with Difputes of our holy Lav, I ask thee no common Queftions, neither am I captious, feeking Occafions to darken what 1j apparent, or invalidate the Teftimony of him who touch'd the H

This is properly the Man, and lives for ever ; when the Body is confumed in the Grave, and the Statue perhaps is eac up by Tims, or Je-- moliih'd by Kuvy. Pardon this Uigredion, traculous and unerring Mouth of God. I have a dreat deal to fay, and cannoc comprehend it in a few Words. It has been ^ enjoin'd by our holy Diciors, That a vt»j]ultf,an fhould not read the Booki of frcf^hane h^dilt. But tell me, thou who art the Refolver of Dmbi, whether this Precept is extended to all, wichouc

Exception ; or, whether a Difpevfati$n may not be allow'd to fiich as read thofe Bookt with ou^ Eye, whiltl: the other is fix'd on the Law, which balances the Mind with Truth ? The Alco-ati tells us, that the DevU has infected fome Fafiiz: Writings in the beft : But, is it not poffible for a to Man feparate the go»d from the &»4 ? I read in the Book of Glo<-y, many remarakble Things-

concerning jdltxandtr the Great : But is it unlaw- G 3 ful ;

ii6 Letters Writ ly Vol. Ill, ful alfo to perufe what has been writ by others, of the Life of that famous Warrior, and holy Pro- phet ? Both Grecia?! and Roman Hifiorians have re- lated his Adventures in ^jla, his Battels with Darius the Pejian Monarch, and Porus the Indian, They praife his Continence and modeft Regard to S)jigawbis and her Daughters, when they were his Captives; his inviolable FrienJilip to Ephe.. fiien, w hi 1ft living, and the affeftlonate Tears he Aed for him after his Death. Vet they condemn him of cruel Ingratitude, for facrificing Ctitas to his Choler, and the Fumes of Wine, who was a faithful Friend, a valiant Soldier, and once had iaved his Life in a Battel, They cannot pafs over the Burning of Ferfcpeli), without fome RefleiH- ons on the unmanly Softnefs of this Warrior who, to pleafe his Coxicubine, gave Orders, that the fairelland moft magnificent City in A/i* Ihould be iet on fire. The Pojians boaft, that that City

was built all oi Cedmr ; that Cytus had wholly dli- planted, not only Mount Libanm, but the choiceft

Narleries of that fragant Wood, through all y^Jia, to build this glorious City, In Emulation of Solo~ nfon King of the7en>;, v. ho was by other Princes thought to value himfelf too high, for building the Temple of "Jerusalem of the fame Materials. They add, That Alexander found in this City nine- ty Millions of Caracks In Gold ; that after the Debauch was over, and the FJames had confum'd to Allies this Piownix cf '^ta, the Covcfutror wept, and commanded the Money he had found there Ihould be expended in rai/ing another in its room, more glorious than the former : But that Thais, who had perfuaded hlni to ruin it, was the only Obflacle to its Re edification. For fuch was her Empire over this tAtnarthf that he could deny her nothing. What Vol. III. aS^Y at Paris. 117

What I have fald of Perffpotts, is recorded by

Pe'fun Hifiariarts ; other Writers make fonie Mention of it, but not fo particularly. There are feme alfo who mention his demolifhing of 7yrus, a City fo ancient, That 'tis faid to be firft: built by one of the Gr»nd Children to Noah, of \vhom, thou knoweft, the Mcran fpeaks often. They rax him alfo with Cruelty, in caufing Two thoufand of the chief Tyrlans to be crucified, as a Sacrfice to H:rcule:. Thou art befl: able to

judge, whether this be agreeable to Truth ; foTr

vhat Mtjfulmsn will believe, that the viftori- - ous Prophet was guilty of fo barbarous an Ido. la try ? The Method he took to fubdue this impregna* ble City, is an Argument of his invincible Cou-

rage ; and that there is nothing imprafticable, to a Mind arm'd with Refolutlon and Perfeve- rance. ^ Tyrus was fitiiated above half a Mile In th& Sea, when the Macedor,inn demanded a Surren- der. The Citizens trufting to the Strength and

Height of the Rock whereon they liv'd, ( for 'twas a perfect l/Jand) and to their Diftance from the Shore of the Continent^ bid Defiance to him, whom God had ordain'd to fubdue all Nations, berwen the Extremities of India, and the PilUrf o£ H'Tculef. Th& Conqueror, enflam'd at their Refu- fal of ofFer'd Pface, prepjres far an AfTault lio attempted, without the Miracle of Mifs, to make a Path for his Army through the Sea. He fol. low'd the Stepfs of the Uabyloman Monarch, who, not three Ages before, had join'd this proud Nefl of Merchants to the firm Land. 'Twice his in. duflricus Soldiers raifed a Caufey above the Waves to the very Walls of Tyrus ; and as often was their Labour defeated by the watchful Ty. rUns. When the third time he proved fuccefs. G 4 ful}. ii8 Letters frrh ly Vol. III. ful ; and in fplght of all their Refinance by Fire

and Sword, after a Siege of Six Moon , he fcal'd the Walls of that Queen of Maritime Cities ; and convinc'd the World , that no Human Force could put a Stop to his Conquefts, whom Defiiny had appointed to chaftife the Naiions of the Earth. That Chapter In the Ahoran, which fpeaks of this renowned Worthy^ tells us, Thitt he marched fo jar Eaftward, V/// he came to a Country vkere the Stn rifes. This PaiTage the Chnfiiam ridicule, faying, that the Sun rifes and fets in all Countries; and that there is no ftated Point of Eap and ^'flt

in the Fabrick of the World ; fince the fame Place which is Eaft of one Country, is H^eft of another. Thus the Defpifers of our holy Law cavil at the yilc<^ran^ and fay, 'tis compofcd of

ctdlVirj;} Ta/ei ; a rude indigefted CoUeflion of Eafiern Romances, and fupeiftitious Fables, calcu- lated for the Meridian of Ignorance, firft pro- mulged In the favage and unpolHh'd Def.ir:s of Arabia, and afterwards propagated by the Sword through thofeCountries,whofe Vices had banifh'd their Learning, and renderd them flexible to a Religion, whofe higheft Precenfions confifted in gra'ifyitfg the Senjes. Thefe Cn'u'cks confider not at the fame time, that they argue againft the Old and New 7V- fiament, (which is efteem'd the Alcoran of the, Chrifiians) wherein there is often Mention made,

of the rifiig and going down of the Sun ; of Eafi and fi^f/, as proper Points or Marks, from which to take the Situation of Countries. Alfuredly In this they are captious: For tho' there be no flated Point of Eaji or JVeJl in the Globe, yet India being the nearell Region

of this Continent , to that Part of the Hj'izon where the Sun daily firft appears. It has not without Vol. III. J Spy tf/ Paris. 119 without Reafon, galn'd the additional EpHhet oF Eafi. And 'twas here the Macithriafi Heto' {wtatf^ becaufe he could conquer no flirther, uniefs he uould have begun a War with the f./h of the Sea There are many other PafTages related of ^Alexander's Temperance, Moderation, Juftice^ Fortitude, and iuch like Virtues, and fomerhing of his Vices. But I will nor tire thee with all that is laid of this invincible Monarch ; nor trace him in all his Marches through /^,?«. I will not trouble thee with what they fay of his Journey into Egjp(, and afpiring to be call'd the Sow of Jupiter y^maton ; his being poifon'd at Babylon, in the height of all his Triumphs j and the cantonizing his Empire, among his cbuf Captains. Whatfoever in thefe Hiliortes is agree- able to the holy Alcoran, I acquiefce to ; what is repugnant to that Summary of Truth, I rejeil as a F'ible. Tell me, thou ftvtreign [Refolver of Doukf, whether on thefe Terms I may not read the tVii. tingf cf Infidels? Bocks are a Relief to the Mind opprels'd with melancholly, and efpecially Hijh- Ties, which alfo bring Profit, by rightly inform- ing us of the Tranfa£Hons of paft Ages : So that Things, which were done thoufands of Years a- go, are made prefcnt to us. Where then is the Grime in reading thefe Memoirs of the yfncicnti ? Is it not confident with the Faith of a Mufuhnan to read thefe Hi/iortes, becaufe they were penn'd by Heathens ? Muft we rejeO: all that the Pagant did or faid ? Why then are the Works of Plutarch had in fuch Veneration by the Princtsoi onx Lav ? I tell thee, I not only read Plutarch, Livy, Ta. citui, Xemphun, Ptlyphius, with many other Hifto^. riani ^ that were Pagans^ but I improve by their Writivgs, Such rare Examples of Virtue^ futb

G <) Uluftrlous 130 Letters Wrh hy Vol. IIL

illuftrjous Patterns of Juftice Such folid Pre- cepts of Morality as thefe Authors abound with, cannot in my Opinion, hurt any Man, who de- ftres to fquare his Life by the beft Rules. I read alfo the Potts, whofe Fabla and Para- hhi, feem to me but to veil many exceJJent and profitable Maxims of Human Eafe. The Sto^y of the Birth of T)phon, his warring with Jup^ttr, and his final Overthrow, denotes the monftrous Rife of Faftions in a Stats, aiid their Ruin. The Cyclops being employ'd by Jtt^'ter in ma- king Thunderbolts, and fcilikig ^fcuUprui, for which they themfelves were afterwards flain by yifoHo, intimates the Uk which Sovereign Princes

make of cruel, covetous and unjuft Officers ; who when they have fulfill'd the Pleafure of their Mafters, are abandon'd by them to the Re- venge of the opprefs'd Subjedts. This h com- monly experienc d in all Monarchies, and efpecial- ally in the mighty Empire of the Ofmans; where the Baffas, thongh xht Grai:dSignior, forthe£nds of State, connives a while at their unjuft Op- prefllon of the Mujfulmant under their Govern- ment, yet in due time, to ftew his Abhorrence of their Villanies, configns 'em over to the Exe- tutioner. Thou knoweft to whom the Bow-ftring was fenf laft ; I wifli his Succeffir may not equally merit it. >^^rfj»*s being devour'd by his Dogs, only for jceing Diava in a Bath, might have ferv'd as a Warning to Ufeph the Black Eunuch, who could not reftrain his Tongue from babling out the private Amours of Sultan ibrakim. It was Dan- ger enough to know the Sccrti:; but to divulge it, was a furs way to incur the Reyenge of tho Prinee.

Not Vol. in. ^Spy tff Parts, ijr Not much unlike was his Error, vho tho' he did not report it to others, yet had the Prcrumi. ption to check his Sovereign to his Face, and te- I'roach him with Luxury. Had he been acquaint- ed with the Fable of Encipmon and the Mevt), ic would perhaps have taught him, that it is not the part of" a Favourite to to take notice of his Mfterr ftolen Pleafures, but rather to invite him feme- times from the Toils of ^tate^ and urtbtni his Mini with Recreations. There are many other profitable Remarks hid.

den under the Fiftions of the Poets ; which, tho* they may feem mj/fterious at firft View, yet being, examin'd with a little Attention, proves as eafy to be underftood, as the Htero'lyphicki were of old to the Egjptiani, who knew no other Letters God, thtfi'ji Intellect, who imprinted his Mind on Tablets of Marble, in Letttrs of yi abick, and

Writ the Decalogue with a Beajn of his Glorj' ; ha- ving alfo infpired all Nations with the knowledge of Lett erf, grant, That whilft I read the Records of the Gentiles^ I may not forget the Precc^n of the- jSlcoran,

Paris, I'^dof the ^th Moon, pf the Tear 1 646.

LETTER IX.

To Murec BafTa.

Courier came to this City laft Night, bring*. A ing News of the taking of Courrraj by tha-^ Fre>iih Army. This is a cOnfidera>)le Town In Flanders, and commands a great part of the Coun- try. The Duk( of Orleans invefted it on the G 6 ninth 132. Letters uyjt ly Vol. Ill

ninth of the laft M on and on the eighteenth lay down before it with the whole Army. The Sf*^ tiifh General haften'J to its Relief, and brought Thirty thoufand Men of Six Nations, to combat with the French. But they quarrel'd about Pre- cedency of Poi^. High Words pafs'd between the Duke of Lerrain and General Lamhty. Thus, while they fpend their Time in needlefs Contefts,

the F^e»ch took the Town : And having left a flrong Garrifon there, part of the Army com- manded by the Marefcbal dt G^amrmnt, is march- ed to join the HolUndtrs, with Defign to attack

yfncweyp ; and the reft follow the Duke of Of- leant, who' they fay, intends to befiege Mardyke. This Is a Sea Town that has nothing in it confi- derable enough to tempt a Ctnquersr, fave th& Haven, whicii is of great Importance in thofe Seas. We have had no Rains here thefe three Moons^ which makes the People fear a Famine. Pro-

viiions of all forts are very dear ; and thofe who have great Quantities of Corn will not bring it to the Markets. The Fruits are all blafted, and a Diftemper rages in the City, which fills all PI ces with Death and Mourning. The Cattel drop down dead in the Fields, and the Rivers are al- moft dried up Men languifh and wither, as if p^Fch'd up by {omt inward Fire Fearful j^ppa.

risicns are ittn in the Air ; each Night brings forth new Prod'gies. The People lament the pre~ .U^'f, and prefage greater Calamities to come. While MMhmut perfeveres unmovd, and neither

molefts himfelf nor others , about the inevitable Decrees and Diftiny. I keep in the Path ofmy Du- ty, without turning to the Right Hand or to the

Lefi-. I ferve the Grand Signitr faithfully : I pr^y for his Health, and for the Welfare of the Emfirt, \ neither give Alms to the Jrfideli^ nor Vol.111, a Spy at Paris^ 133 nor do them any Injuries. In fine, if I cannot reap any Profit from other Mens Firtuet, 1 take care their yicts Ihall do me no harm. 'Tis faid there will be a ProceJJion here fliortly, whereat the King, the ^etn Regent, and the who'e Court will aflin: bare foot, for an Examp.'e of o- thers. The Body of a certain Female Saira, whom they efleem the Pstrcnefj of this City, will be taken out of the Church where it lies, and will" I e carried with other Reliqurf of Saintj thro' the Streets of Pan's, to atone the Wrath of Htaven, which feems to be kindled againft them. In the mean time I pray Heaven to fend down its Blefilngs on the Ottoman Empire , and pre- ferve the true Fsithful from the three Scturges of God.

Paris, I'idef the Ttb Moon, of the Tear i6^6.

LETTER X.

To the Aga ef the Janizaries.

Perceive thou haft follow'd the Advice I for- rhee to read Hiftorles I merly gave , , wherein thy Letter fpeaks thee very converfant. Thou wilt have no Reafon to repent of a Labour that affords fo agreeable a Diverfion, efpecially to a Soldier and a State/man. They open the Graves, and call forth the Dead, without difturbing their prefent to us thofe Heroes Repofe J and Jiving,

talking and afting great Things , whofe Bodies have lain buried in Silence and Obfcurlty many Ages. They introduce us into the Clofets of PrinceJ, 134 Letters Writ hy Vol. HI. P'iucet, revealing their moft fccret Connfels- They make us familiar with the Imnegues cf Pt. liactJn!, Q.n

Ujiones, and others of the Eajl -, yet I counfel thee, not to negleft thofe of the IVfJi. The ac- fell rare cienr Roman Writers are of Examples ; and modern F^ance^ which emulates all great and glorious Undertakings, takes equal (are

to commit to Pofterity , the Ltv^s of illulVri- ous Pcrfons. I fay not this, in Contempt of other Countries in Europe. The Chnfiians of thefe Parts in general are accurate Hifioriant. 1 hey

are univeria.'ly Learned , in regard their is no Kingdom in Europe, where they have not Schotlt and /icademii', where all La-igusges and Sciences are taught. The Plough men in the Field fpeak Larin and Greek, which thou knoweft are now

grown obfolete , and no where to be learn'd Books. Meckanicks Philifephers but in The are ; and every Man fets up for an Hijlorian, or an ^nttquay. It was not fo in former Times, when the Eccltfiejiicks had engrofs'd all manner of Learmng to tiifmfelves, except fome few of the Neiilirjf and G-vttry, who had tlie Advantage of P^trimtnisi Libraries, and Leifure to apply them- felves to Study. For then it was difficult to

purchafe Book:, there being but few ; and for thofe, they were obliged to the Labour of the Scribe. Hence it came to pafs, that only fuch as Iiad Plenty of Money, and a ftrong Inclination to Knowledge, monopoliz'd the chlefeft Mann. feripts into their ftands, and bequeath d them as a Legacy to then- of-fpring. But, fmce the In- Vention^of Printir.g, Hothf arc infinitely multilpi- ed, Vol.III. a S?Y 4/ Paris, ijf

ed, grown cheap and common ; And thofe Hifi). riei and Scie?ices, which before were (hut up in the L»tin^ Greek, or fome of the Oriental LangttMge!', are now tranflated into the vulgar Speech of every

Nation ; whereby the I&weft fort of People who can but read, have the Privilege to become as knowing as their Superiors, and the Sisve may vie for Learning with Jiis Sovereign. This makes the Nazartnef upbraid the true Faithful with

Ignorance and liarbarifm , becaufe P.uKfing js not fuffer'd throughout the S:v£\!man Etrpi'/e,] They confider not the bad Ccnfequeaces cf rhrs. yirt, as well as the good: And, that the. Liberty of the Prefs has fill'd the Wcrld with Errors and

Lies ; Befides, they are Stangers to the Educa- tion of the Miti^m/txhw/, who are generally taught the Arahick and Pofian Tongues from their Child-, Language), hood : In which Two how many fa-; mous H'florics have been writ ? There is no point: ofxifeful Wifdom, which is not compriz'd in the^ Writings of the E^p-.rn Sages. And as for unpro- fitable Treatifes and Pamphlets with which the European! abound, they are fuperfluous and bur- denfome, bringing a double Lofs, both to Wri- ter and Reader; while they rob them of their; Time and Money, and commit a Rape on their; Underftandings. Add to this, the fatal EfFefts- •which this depraved Indulgence of Printing haa produced in Cfe'V/?fWe!w. What Sacrileges, Maf* facres, Rebellions and Impieties;, have over» flow'd moft Parts of the Weft in this licentious

Age .? What Hatred among Chnftiam, what Se-

ditions among Subjefts , Diverfities in Religl^ on, Contempts of all Lavn, both Di'vine, Ua^ufai, and thofe of Nations? The Vices, at which for.

mer Times would have blufh'd ; nay, at the ve« r^; naming of which our Father; would have Harf- ed, as at a Prodig/, are in thefe Days committed openly, ;

136 Letters rrr// hy Vol. III. ppenlj', without Shame, without ContraJiftion » vhilft there are Authors who dare publickly afTerC the Caufe of Impiety, and patronize all manner of Prophanations. But thou, who haft the Honour to guard the »»- corruptible Seat of Jujiice and yirtue, the bright Throne of the Ofman Emferors, who are the Sha- dow! of God on Earth, haft made fuch a Choice of Books, as commends thy Wifdom, and the Since- nty of thy Morals. Thou wilt not fuffer thy Ima- gination to be tainted, with thofe enchanting /•• deasoiEwil, which are drawn by thePens of Ibme elegant IVt iters. All that thou feekeft in Botks, is to inform thy Underftanding, reftify thy Judg- ment, and enflame thy Affedtions witk the Lcve of Virtue. To this end ferve the divine Precepts of our holj DtBon, and other learned Sages the IVri'inisoi Philof»phers, and the Examples of renown'd Heron. From thele thou gathereft. Strength, to praftife the four material Virtues^ aud all the good Qualities that fprlng from thofe Root/. Go on, and Increafe in the Graces and Accom- plifhments, which ftiall render thee worthy to be made the Suhjelf of a particular HfJIery ; while the old Ihall recommend, and the young Ihall co- vet, nothing more paflionately, timn to read the Life of CaJJim Halt, Janizar /}ga. Mahmui falutcs thee with a Kifs of Afleftion. Reverence thy felf, and all Men will honour thee» io taught Pythsgorai.

Paris, iitb of the ^th Motti, of th* Ti»r 1646.

L E T- Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 137

LETTER. XI.

To the fame.

Had forgot to perform in my other Letter, I what thou commanded^ me. Yet knowing the Lfteem thou halV for IVjmen of Virtue and rare Endowments , and with what Pleafure thou readefl: their Stories, I jliould never fend any Dif- fach to thee, wherein there is not a Relation of fome Heroine. I wll' be more diligent hereafter, to obferve the Difpofirion cf my "iuf triors ^-axxA will endeavour to procure a Colleftion of the Linjet and CharaS}en of all the famous tVomen, that have been recorded in Hijioi-y. In the mean while, hear what the FreKch fay, of Chrifiina Queen of Swcdeland, of whom thou requirefl: a Defcription. She is the only Daughter of G!

able Death, being flain in the Battle of Lmzen : Some fay, by the Treachery of Duke A.bert, who had in Appearance deferted the Etf.peror^ and offer'd himfelf a Voluntler to Guftiyvas y^dol^hus. I formerly mention'd this Duke, and that he was kill'd by a Svedijh Lady. If the Sufpicion of the Swedss be well grounded, and that Duke ^^Ibert was really guilty of the Murder of Gufiavw, it may be this was the Motive which brought thofc ylmazonj Into the Field, to revenge the Death of their Prlvce. But it is IrapolTible to be adur'd of the Truth, among fo many different Opinions, When ;

i]8 L^TTEKS U'rit ly Vol. III. When the French fpeak of Guflavus ^Jolpkus^ they cannot reftrain their Words on this fide a Patiffyrick. They fay, he was a Pr/»f» above aJl Praife. 'Tls certain his very Enemies admired his unimltable Courage, and matchlefs Fortune. I have fent thee the true Effigies of his Face, uhere thou wiit fee a moft agreeable Mixture of MajefVy and Benignity, creating Refpeft and Love at the fame time in the Beholders He was fo familiar with every one, as if he had forgot himfelf, as well as he was a Stranger to Pride. He was a great Student in his Youth, and made

himfelf Mader of Lain, Fnnch and Iiaiian ; be- ing alfoperfeftly skill'd in Ancient and iVodern Hiflories. He had a wonderful Faculty in difco- vcrlrg Impoftors ; a dextrous Wit in Time of Danger and Difficulty, bting ready at Counfel, and fwift in Execution ; a- d as cunning at a Stratagem, as he was bold at an Onlet. He was liberal to his Officers, ad to all Men of Merit but a fevere Puniflier of Diforders in his Army. And that ^^ hich crown'd all the reft of his Vir- tues, his Piety to G:cl was lingular, and worthy . cf Remark. The F,ench relate a memorable iaylng ©r this King, when he was once in his Camp before Werben. He had beenfolitary in the Cabi- net of his Pavilion fome Hours together, and none of his Attendants durft Interrui't him ; till at length a Favourite of his having fome impor- tant Matter to tell him, came foftiy to the Door, and looking in, beheld the King rery devoutly on his Knees at Prayers. Fearing to moleft him in that facred Exercifc, he was about to with- draw his Head when the King fpied him, and bid him come in ; faying unto him, Thon wondertft to ffe me in this Pojlu^e, Jii.ce I h»ve ft many thm-. fnvdi ef Subjefts to p'ay far we. But I tell thee, t^»t 09 Man haj mon need to pray far himfelf^ than- he, Vol. III. a Spy at Paris- 139 he, whs being to render an Account of his ^Ifions to none but GOD, '•>' for that Reafen tnore elofeJy af~ faulted by the DeviJ, than all other Men bjide.

Gafiavus was born in the Year t 594 at which time, they fay, a Comet was feen in the Form of a Smoi'd, with its Point direfted toward G^'waw/; which the Aflrologe>s of thofe Times interpreted as a Prefage of that King's Warlike Gfnius, ancj of his future Conquefts in the Etnpirt. He came to the Government before ho hj>d feen full fzvQn'

Xt&n Winters, and was cnf ~>ir in the eight aiad tkirtieth Year of his Age . - . It is faid. That a few D?iys before his Dcathj when his Soldiers received him with infinite Aci- clamations and all the Marks of an unufal and intemperate Joy, he feem'd to be troubled at it, faying Thai he took iha' txejjive Dinjtr^Jf ati'tn of his iiO^difTi Lo've, fur an Oinen of feme a^^ caching

Difafter ; /ini th.'-t he wai affi^rcd GOD vfould, by taking him atony, teach th't», that theie ii ntCem- j^iience ro be repofd i7t any Mortal.

Aftei- the Death of Gujiavw , the St/rtcf oFtKe

Ktfigdofn affembling, proclaim'd Chrijfiva Queen ; and, during her iMinority, committed her to the Tutelage of Five principal Officers of the Kingd^m^ who alfo took on them the whole Care of the Commen wealth.

She is perfeft In Seven Languages ; well vers'd in Ancient and Modern PhiUfQ^hy, and a com- plete Hijhrian. In fine, ftie has acquir'd the Title of the mofi learned Privet fs of her Time.

She is- of a graceful and majeftick Afpe£^ ;

has a piercing Eye ; wears part of her Hair

loofe about her Temples , and flowing down

in Curls to her Shoulders ; the rert braided up behind, in Form of a Wreath. 1 hus is ihe re- prefented by her PiEfure, which I have feen in 3 Gatlery of Cardinal Mazstrinii Palace, wha pro- fefTes 140 Letter* ^r// /y Vol. III. felTts a great Veneration for this Queen. Could I have purchafed this Portraiture, as I did her

Farlier's, I would have fent it thee : But all the Pencils in ?#»// are hardlv fufficient to fupply the Clofcts and Galleries of the Nobles, with this

admired, ^^ar*. She is become the Idol o( x.\\q Srent^ Many great Matchcj have been ofFer'd her, but fhe retufes all, either hr Realbn of State, or Diflike ©f the Perfons, or an Averfion flie has for a married Life; or through Oppofition of her Noble;, who feem to covet to be govern'd by a Maiden ^een. Soon afier her Father s Death, the King of Dtn'na>k attempted to make her

his Wife ; but his Addrels was abruptly re- jefted. No better Encouragement did the King of /*"- la7id lately meet with, who twice folJiclted the fame thing for himfelf. and was as often repulfed. But this, 'tis thought, proceeded from fome poli- tick Reafons, he being defcended of Stgifmund^

a former ahdica-ed King of SioetJen ; all whofe P». Jierity are for ever excluded from enjoying the ^Widijh Crown, by a Law. The English alfo gloried in a f^rgin ^meen the

laft Age : Her Name was Elizabeth, whom thou canft not but have heard of She was the Daugh- ter of Hinrji VIII. King of that Nation. She was a Princif' of an extraordinary Geniux, remark- able fur her Wit and Learning. 'Twas one of her Subjefts, uho the firft of all Mortals, fail d

round the Glohe : And, by his fortunate Service, Die vanquifli'd the reputed in-vin.ible A-meix of S^niri. She govern'd her Kingdom with fuch ex- quifite Condufl, as niade the greatelV Pitewa'ts revere her Wifdom. 'Tis to her Bounty the United Provtntct owe the Rife of their prefenc

Grandeur and Riches j when they addrefs'd this potent ^

Vol. III. .^^ Sp Y ^/ P A R I S. 1 4 t porent Queen in Form of humble Suppliants, en- titling themfe Ives, The Poor Difir,Jf-d Hiates. But now they're High and Mighty, pufhing for an E- quality with Swjcrtign Princes. I cannot comprize in a Letter all that may be faid of this great Qiieen. Befides, Hijivrian vary in her Character. Thofe that fpeak mod impar- tFally, fay, That fhe had extraordinary Virtues yet nor. free from great Vices, : was/ We muft not expeft in any Mortal, a Temper exempt from Malcdiftion Jefs Sr the common ; much in that «, whofe natural Weaknefs claims our Indulgence andExcufe. It is admirable to fee or hear of a Female, whofe aftlvc Soul can difingage it fclf from the common Frailties of Womin. and per- form things, fcarce below the Power of Mafculine Virtue. If thou thinkell: my Letr&r too tedious, accufe thy felf for commanding me to write of Perfons "whofe uncommon Gifts and tranfcendent Virtues, the moft accurate Hiflorians can but render in £-

fi'tme ; and the moft durable Records of Fame will injure, in not being capable to tranfmit them to Eternity. We ought not to contemn the Excellencies

of the Nazit'-ines j who, though they are un- Iiappy in not knowing the yiUeran, yet they have a Laxo engraven on their Hearts; which if they obferve, they Ihall be In the Number of the Bhj'ed I am no Stranger to thy Moderation and Juftlce, being fully fatisfied. that thou honour- eft Virtue, even in the moft prejudiced E-- nemy of cur holy Prtf Jpon. Let the Fu'-iefo'', among the Mafulmans or Chnftians fay their

Pkafure , thou and I flail be conformable to our holy Lawgiver, in believing, That the irtm n$cent •nd gotd of all Rtligions fhall have no Reajo/i 14^ Letters Writ ly Vol. III. ff-eafm to trt»i»bU st the fecond Sound af tb* Trumpet.

Paris, ijth of the %th Meort, ef the Tear 1646.

LETTER XII.

To the Selidar Aga^ or Sword-Bearer to the Grand Signior.

E Duke of OrleMnt is newly return'd from THthe Campaign in Flandcrt. He feems to be either tired with his Fatigues of War, or at leaft to be fatisfy'd with his Exploits this Summer. After the Conqueft of Courtray, of which thoU haft heard in the Divan, this Prime march'd di- reftly to Bergues, which he took, after a Siege of Six Days. Then being join'd by the Duke of EnguitTts Forces, he Jay down before Mardykt. This Town had been in the Spaniards Pofleflion •ever fince laft Winter. Now it held out to a Mi- racle ; but, after a flout Reliftance, was at laft forced to furrender. There were flain before it, many of the chief l

> The Churches here are hung with Mourning, and the Efcutchcons of the Heroes, who loft their Lives in the Bed of Honour. The Bullets which know no difference between the xtble and vulgar, feem in this Battel to have been direfted by Arc or Envy: As if the Flower of the Army had been culTd out for Marks.

la Vol. III.

Now Heaven leems to be paclfy'd ; and the ^ngcl of Death has put up his :ixoora. Yet the Scarcity of Corn, and other Neceflarles, continues fti]l ; only there is Plenty of Wine ; which the poor, who have mod Need of it, abftain from, left it ftould enrage their Appetites, already Iharpen'd with Hunger, whilft they have little or nothing to eat. Thou wilt wonder at the Diet of thofe mife- rable Wretches, whom Oppreflion and Poverty Frogs has forced to feed on and other Ftrmin ; yet they extol it for a dainty Difli. Both poor and rich reckon it a Feaft, when they can make an Addition of a few Mujbromes, which they com- monly gather ihemfelves. This is a Vegitable, of which the Italian Proverb fays, Mufhromes weH tickled with Spicei, may tit no Harm, but can do n$ Good. God, who has commanded us to feparate the clean from the impure, and has taught us what we may eat without Pollution, grant, that we may not, either through Neceflity, or to indulge our Appetites, tafte of any thing, which has in it the leaft of the [even Malediifion/,

Paris, \^th of the gtb Motn, «f the Tear l6^6.

L E T- 144 Letters JfV// ^7 Vol. III.

LETTER XIII.

To Abubechir Hali. Merchant, in Aleppo

THOU tellcH: me a rrag leal Story of one of thy iVives, that fhe is become a Tugitive, and gone away with thy i,!ave Lorenzo, wh:m I remember to liave ken. at thy Houfe at Conflan. linople. Either thou wert too unkind to them both, or gavefl: them both too much Liberty : Vy hichicever of thefe Ways thou haft exceeded, thou art in the Fault Too great an Indulgence, either to a Wife or a Servant, makes them pre- fumptuous •. And too great Severity , hardens them to Defpair. However, fince it isfo, I ad- vile thee to comfort thy felf with this Thought, that thou art rid of tixo Evils. Had they prov'd fciichful, they would not have merited that Title • but now they are neither worthy of thy Grief, nor of thy Revenge. But if thou art rffolv-'d to purfue them, ask not my Counfel or Afliftance in this Place, where I fliould have as much Reafon to apprehend Dan- ger, as they. 'Tis true, I know thy Slave ; but were I to meet him in the Streets of this City, \ fiiould be very unwilling, by difcovering him, to be made known my felf Belides, thy PalTion has made thee forget, that the Naza>-e»es would com- mend his Wit. and rejoice in his Fortune, who being a Slave to one whom they efteem an I«Ji~ del. has now, by his wife Conduft. purchafed both his Liberty, snd a beautiful Mate, with no fmall Treafure.

I rather advife thee, to apply thy felf to Jafmir Sgire Rugial^ the little y^ftrslogtr in yHUppo, who perhaps Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 141 perhaps may tell thee fome News of 'em. Tlierc is not a Star in the eighth Sphere can Air, with- out his being privy to it. And he pretends to behold in their Motions, whatever is done on Earth, But to be ferlous, thy Slave was an ungrateful Fellow, thus to abufe all thy FavouiS Thou hadft made him in a manner Mafter of all thy Riches, only refervlng thy Wives to thy felf. And if the Defire of Liberty tempted him to cfcape, he ought in Juftlce to have facrificed his Luft, to the Regards he ow'd thee. But every Slave is not a Jtfeph. Lortnzd's Villany puts me in mind of the Continence of an Italian Marm quis. This young Lord fell in Love with a Dutchcft of lingular Beauty, but knew not how to make her fenfible of it, At length Fortune fevour'd him with. an Opportunity, beyond his Expedta- tlon. One Evening, as he re?urn'd from Hawk- ing, he pafs'd thrcuigh the Fields of that DM^ehefs^ bordering on the Palace. The Duke her Husband, and ftie, were walking together, as the young Lord came by. The Duke Teeing his Train, and what Game they had been at, ask'd him fome Queftions concerning their Sport, and, being of .an hofpitable Difpofition, invited him into lijs Palace to take a Collation. Nothing could be more agreeable to the ypung Lover. He accept- ed the Offer, and here conimenc'd an Acquain* tan.ce, which made way in Time for an Afligna- tlon between the Dutchefs s^n.^. Wim. He was lee rinto the Gardens one Night, and fo conduced .priratcly to her Chamber, where iKe lay ready in •]|ied to receive him. After Tome Compliments, .the puifhefs fsiidt My Lord, Tun are ol? iged to my

^fiief^Mid for Ubii Favour : re ho, at fotn as yott were

MfJiS ,'frpm ear tloufe, i/ie fi fl time we faw yon,

> H g*vt 14^ Letters Writ ly Vol. III.

l,ave you fuch Commendatitns, as made me conceive an immediate PaJJion for jeu. Is it true, Madam? l(reply'd the young Lover already half undrefs'd) Ih-n jar bt it f om me, to -be fo ungrateful t« my Friend. With that he put on his Garments again, and took his Leave. But It caniict be expefled that fo much Vir- tue fhould be found in a S/«ftw. I would not have -thee vex thy fclf, for what cannot be recover^. Adieu.

Faris, T4?i& •/ the gth Mn»,

..»f the Tear 1646.

L E T T E R XIV.

To Solyman his Coufin.

'Cannot approve thy Singularity, in prefcribing I to thy felf a Rule of Life, different from thac wherein thou wert educated, and from the lau- 'tiable Manners of all trut Believers. Thou haft •jnt done well in deferting the publick Cong-ega*

itl ns of the Faithful, ' to follow the Suferfttritnt

of new upftart 6'fffi ; who. whilft they profefs greater Purity than others, do fecretly undermine the Credit of our- ^«/y Lawgiver, reproach all the Ai4f/7*«/w?

Paris, 24'^ e/ the loth Moon, ef the Tear 1 646.

Hz LET. 148 Letters Ifr/V /^ Vol. III. LETTER XV.

I0 Hafnadar Baffy, iihUf Tteafurtr t^ the Grand Signior.

THIS Day P*ris makesa Figure like ancient Rorm, when that Mijirefr of the M^orld ho- -lii^ur'd her General: with publick Triumphs, at their Return from the conquer'd Nations. The Streets are hung with Tapeftry, and ftrew'd witfl Lawrels: The Shops are Ihut up. The young Men and Virgins are cloathed in their beft Array. They walk up and down in Conforts, finging the

Duke o( EKguien^s Praife ; whilfl: the old and de- orepid fit at their Doors to fee the Her» make his Entry, and rehearfe the Memoirs of their former Years. With Tears of Joy they heap Bleflings on

the victorious Vouth, as he rides along ; And throwing 'heir Age and Crutches by for awhile, rhey conlecrare the reft of the Day to the pub- lick Jubilee. VVould'ft thou know the Occafion of all this Joy: 'lis to welcome this Prfiice home from the fuccefsful Toils of Wars. For let his Courage and Conduft be what it uill. if he had made a fruitlefs Campaign, his Entertainment had been diiFerent. But Fortune has. been propitious to

him ; and the happy Event of his Arms, crowns him with Glory. After the Departure ofthe Duke of Orleans from the Camp, the Command of the whole Army de- volv'don this GfK^ra/, uhofe fiery Ginitts would not let him reft, till he had done fomethlng wor- thy of thef Charafter lie aim'd at. His firrt' Attempt was on a Place of no great Strength, called fumes, which he took with Eafe, Then Vol. III. ^ Spy <7/ Paris. 149 Then he march'd to Dunkirk, one of the ftrongeft: Towns In Europe. There was in it at that time a Garrlfon of Five and twenty iiundrcd Foot, and Three hundred Horfe, commanded by a NoUeman of great Valour, I think they call him tha Mxrq-.iis de Leide. This Govemeur did fo many brare Things in Defence of this Place as even lurpaiVd his own Fame, and the Expeftacions of others, though both, were very great. Yet at length he was forc'd to yield to the Courage and Fortune of the young Duke ; and that at a Time when the other Spanijh Senerah were coming to his ReKef. The Town was furrender'd on the 7th of this J^oon. And the Duke having left the necefTary Commands to the Marefchali his Lieutenants, to come home to receive the Acclamations of ths People, the Honour of a publick Triumph, and the particular Garefles of the King, and the whole Cowt. Amidft all this AppLufe and Glory, he muQ: be content to ftand the Shock of Envy, which always endeavours to l^l'en the Reputation of tlie

brave and heroick. . ^ As for Mahmut, he neither envies nor admires!

the fading Honours of Mortality : Knowing, That when a Man is on the higheft Pinnacle of Hu-

mane Glory, he {lands uneafy ; nor can he de« fcend from thence, but by a Precipice.

Paris, 24th if the toth Moon, tf tht Tear 1646.

H J LET- 150 Letters Writ By Vol. IIL

LETTER XVI.

Tfl Ibrahim Hali Cheik,, A Man of the Law.

it be of flourllhing Statr^ when IF a Sign a f^icis are fupprtfi'd, cue would prefage, Th&x Paris IS in a thriving Condition. The Govtrr.aur of this City has newly publilh'd 2.nEdiB, Forbid- ding all iiten>s and Broihel.Houjes under feveie

Penalties ; banifliing all Harlot:, and fuch as by the Toleration of the Government have hither- to made a Profeflion of Wkoredom, getting a Live- lihood by debauching the Youth of the City. This appears a great Novelty to the French, who in this Matter have been permitted all along to live in an unbridled Licentioufnefs. The lewder fort exclaim with open Mouth againft this unfea-

fhnable Rigour, (as they call it ;) and thofe who are aftiamed to appear public k Advocates for Harlats, yet privately murmur againft the Su. ferior/, for retrenching a Liberty, without which,

they fay , their Lives would be uncomfort- able. They give a very favourable Charafter of a Whore; calling her, j4 certain kind Creature, bom t$ 7Kttigate the Labours, and fjften the Cares, of Ha- ma'.e Lift. They plead. That fach Women are

neceflary Members of a Ctmmonwealth ; whilfl: with their CarelTes, they reflrain libidinous

Youth from falling into greater Enormities : That t\\& States receive no fmall Profit from the Tribute, which is levied on thele Houfes of Plea- fure ; and that therefore they have been, and are permitted in all Countries. That the holy Father jiimfeif tolerates an infinite Number of them in i

Number of Priefts, and Religious . ferved for nc<

other End, but to atone by their Sacrifices , Prayers, Alms and Paftings, for the Sins of ths People Thefe are the DIfcourfes of fuch as patro-

nize the Corruption of Government ; and are unwilling to be wean'd from a Wickednefs, eftablifh'd by immemorial Cuftom in the Ci- ty. But thofe who cherifh an Efteem for Vir-

tue , and an incorrupt Life , applaud the Wii'^ dom and Refolution of the Magiflrate , faying, That he deferves a Statue to be created to his

Memory , who firft had the Courage to check this popular Evil, and introduce an Integrity of Manners. I, who was bred in the ProfcJJion of Puriiy, and the Lave which admits no Pollutim^ cannQt buc acquiefceto the Sentiments of the latter ; our holj/ Laio-gj'ver having exprelly forbidden the PraSbice of Uncleannefs and Fornication with Strangers, and Women that proftltutc themfeives to all Lo- vers. It being fufficient. That to gratify Human Pafllon, and to fweeten the Toils of Life, he has indulged us the Ufe of four Wives, and as many other Females as we can purchafe, either by tha Sword, or Money. Adieu, fage Cheick; and, if I have interrupt- ed thy more important Studies with fo tri- vial a Subject, believe, That it is for want of a proper Occafion to fignifie to thee, how much

thou art in my Thoughts ; and that I would H 4 noc I ^x Letters f^>/V ly Vol. III. not have our Friendfhip die, through too long Silence.

Paris, 2^fh of tke loth Moon, cf the T,*r \6c^6.

LETTER XVIL

Ja Muftapha^ Baffa of Siliitria.

THE Forttin(5 ofW^rhas ravifh'd ^/*f from the Grand Signior^ but has not robb'd thee of the Glory thou acquiredft three YeaVs ago in the Ccnqueftof that Cit>', ndr fulliedthy jirefent Arms with any Marks of DiTgrace that were of late {o vigorouily employed to relieve it. Had the Mufco'vites perform d the fame part, when thou didft encircle that Neft of Pyrates with the

Ottoman Forces, as they have now done , the Ctjffacks would not then fo tamely have abandon'd their native Seat, and left the Charaflers of their Defpair, imprinted in the Ruins of their Habita- tions. The Proreftion of that potent Crown, has given them new Vigour ; and 'tis to the Va- lour of thofe t^drt'hevn Salvages, they owe tht Liberty they now enjoy, to fit by their owh Fires. - '_ The hfufcovires are a fierc^and v^rarlike Nation, inur'd to Hardfhips from the Womb. The Mid- wives plunge the new-born Infants in cold Wa- ter ; and if they ott live not that Tryal, the Mo- ther thinks her Child not worth a Tear. Thb Women have no partial TendernefTes for their Babes, but cherllh all for £he Service of their Country. They teach th!em, when young, to rowl Vol. in. a Spy at Paris. 15"^

rowl in Snow, and bathe themfelvcs in Ice dif- folv'd to Water. They make them familiar wjrii tlie Extremities of Heat and Cold Hunger. Tfnrft and Labour, that when they come of Age. and can bear Arms, they mny go boldly to the War^^ and bravely throw their Lives away to ferve rhe- publlck Good. In this they feem to revive the Wifdom of the ancient Spartsns, who gloried irt nothing fo much, as in educating their Youth hardly, and free from the elFemina^e Softnefs of other Natio.ns. They efte'em'd Infancy and Vourli the Spring time of Good Manners, when Viwie Is

in the Bloilf^m : If that be nipp'd cr blafted, the Fruit muft prove abortive, and unprofitable. Therefore they took Care to feafon their early Years with >vhalfome Inftruftions, and, niafcu- line Exercifes. *^" ' '• Who, among the Warlike fbftTritfit, t5o«s not iaugh at the unmanly Edutatibji df'tf^ P^ffitin iT'ophi""!, who being for ^o rtiatty Years Ci^tVfin'd ft> the Company and Difcipline of Females,- feert> fitter to be made Overfeers of a Nurfery, than to afcend a Throne ?

But thou wilt fay, I take laf*e' Leaps Tixim tffe- /y"or/^ of Europe, to on6 of the 'nioft Sodc'hptn .grafts in ^fi^ I wasdifcourfing of the Afff. I palfed from rfience to thii f,lVianner of their Education. Permr't me no-y to j^divert thee with fomething peculiar und uncom- m'>n. In the Character of the' Rtn/?;.*?! Women I

. am acquainted with a Gentleman in this City, ^^ha has.travjell'd throu^gh aJl that Pare of Ev'^it^f,,

.^and refld^ fjme Years at Mofc:^v,i_ lie {-^ys,. ;jthe/?u,jj'.i« Wives thinks thelufslVes not^'lieip- 'Vcd by cnelr Husbands ,unlers they'ljeat th^n^ very Day. They talce hlsCorretii"6:i as a^/lafk : his F«yourand Efleem If thefe filK- Ftn-ra-us ' H f ..c 15'4 Letters JVrh ly Vol. III. are angry or peevlfh, he has no other way to court them into a better Humour, but by Stripes. This is the only convincing Argument of his Sovereignty over them, the Demonllratlon of his Manhood, the Charm which faftens both their Love and Obedience. He highly applauds the abfolute Refignatlon which the People Ihew to their great Duke, in that they pretend not to poflefs their Eftates and Lives, but through his Favour, and during his Plcafure. He fays, the SucceJJion of the Czan, or g>^

Mafccw : When any Czar died, his Sons, or the next of Kin, were condufted into this Field, and placed all at an equal Diftance from the Stone. Then, at a certain Signal given, they all ran to-

gether toward it ; and he that firft reach'd it, fo as to ftand on the Top of it, was eftablllh'd in the Throne. The Reverence which thefe People pay to their Pnnee, may, in part, be afcribed to his fel- dom appearing in Perfon to them, and then fur- rounded with his Btyart or Nohlet, in the moft magnificent Equipage that can be fuppofed pro- per, to ftrike a Terror and Awe into his Sub- as little je^s , and caufe them to honour him, lefs than a God. The Eyes of the Vulgar are dazled with fo many Splendors, of Silver, Gold

and Jewels ; and when the great Duke makes his folemn Apearance, or Cavalcade, they are al- moft ready to think, that Heaven has defcend- ed to Earth, to do them the Honour of a Viflt. Thefe are the Arts of Rujpan Policy, by which fuch an infinite Number of People are charm'd into an Obedience to the Sovereign. Doubtlefs the M^j'Jiy of a iCi"g, receives no fmall Lufl-re from external Vol. III.

"^.xfernal Ornaments ; the Multitude being cap* tivated with whatfoevcr is gay and glittering. Yet our glorious Sul-ans fcorn to borrow Advan- tage from, or owe their Grandeur to, any thing but their exalted Blood, and fublime, inaate Vir- tues. But every Nation have their peculiar Cuftoms, and diftinft Reafons of State. The Conftitu- tlon of all Government is not alike The Mo- del of LactclamtnUn Policy, would fuit ill with

Thou, whofe Education was in the Royxl Sera~

glio of the Oftnan Emferors ; who hafl: been ino ftrufted to imitate the Bee, which fucks Honey

from ever Fiower : Thou, that knoweft how to make a Choice of good Examples, and to rejeft praftlfe one the ill ; the Valour of Nation, the

Prudence of another, the Frugality of a third ; fo flialt thou be confummate in Virtue, and acquit thy felf a good General.

Paris, I $th of the i ith Moon, of the Tear 16^6.

LETTER XVIIL

To Solyman Kyzlar Aga, Chief of the Black Eunuchs.

Am juft now return'd to my Chamber, from I the Palace of the King. As I pafs'd along t^ie Streets, I faw In every Face the Signatures of a profound Sorrow, which feems to have difFufed

ic felf oyer their whole Bodies j for both the U 6 Courf . ^

1^6 LETTEKsWrh Ij Vol, 111,

C<»rr and Citji have put on Meuning^ for the. Death of Henrji Bturhn, Y^it Prince of Conde, He was not full fixty Years of Age, when he left this vi/lble World, to be new born in a Re- gion utterly unknown to Mortals. The Fr^ncb, not without Reafon. lament the Lofs of a Man, who. to fpeak the leaftof him, buoy'd up thedo- jneftick Intercft of this Kingdom, which feem'd otherwife inclining to totter. He, wa,s-the Bji* 3an,ce which pois'd the different Pafllons of^ the Conrc and C/r^, by iiis Prudence and Juflice, calra- ang both into a peaceable Mediocrity. He was born fome Aiocnj after his Father's Death, v.hom the mofl execrable Metliod of mur- dering would not fuffer to fpin out thole Years which Na:uye would have indulg'd him, being

liiatch'd away by Poifon, ;. , > , ^ Henrji IV. fo long as heremain'd wi|fic^iit: tflue, jix'd his Eyes on. this pofthumous young Prime an3 gave him an Education fuitable to one vhom FJie had defign'd to be the Heir of the Crown.

Yet afterwards Jealoufy cool'd his Affe

time, and ihared in ):iis Misfortunes, as well as

- his Profperity. -. . . 'jtt-.. .. During that tedious Confinerhent Ke" Became Father of a Daughter,, who was afterwards niar- ried to the Duke of Lmgneville. And when n^ was fet at Liberty, he begot the Duke of 'i"VA gtiicN J now Pi-ince o£ Conde , and" ftj&;'i*>>w«.'bf I . 1 ... Con' I. The Freftch fpeak well of the departed hrhrc^. He was of a lively Spirit, chearful and affable I^ Converfation, mixing daily Recreations with ]\Vs icverer Bufinefs, regularly obferving Oifder in all his Affairs. Yet they fay he was covetous, hi'- vlng heaped u^ great Treafure's ty a ParfinloUy, .which none of that B/ao^^ hkacl-Vver Before pr^« ^.'-. : •>.'- • aifed, - On his Death-bed hereccrpmerided tWothings Ejtpnen to the Practice of his Son, the Duke of j t

. I chofe to tranfniit to thecal the Ne.ws bf^his .Pnnceh Death, with- this, bi^.f Accwiiht, of' hts Life, and Chara£lers ofhis Diiyajltibn, in'regapd thou haiV feen him in Gc niar-y^ and'! remember to hiive heard thee fpeak iii hii rraifc.

Conrl- «:

158 Letters Writ hy Vol. III.

Continue to love Mshmut, who 1$ never forget- ful to oblige his Friends,

Paris, I ^th of the nth Mton, of the Tear 1646.

LETTER XIX.

To the Kaimachani.

TH E ?op from C»taloma came In laft Night, laden with ill News from the Army, which has been forced to decamp from before Lerida, leaving the greatell part of their Artillery to the Spaniards. That Place was always fatal to the French. Yet the Paffion of the Court vents its felf on the Count d'Harcourt, becaufe he could not reverfe the Decree! of D/iinj. All his for- mer meritorious Aftlons feem how to be cancell'd by this one Difgrace, though it was unavoidable So peeyiJh are Princes, when their Expeftations are crofs'd. Some fufpeft him guilty of private

Correfpondence ; others tax him with Cowardife. All this is during the Heat of their Refentments: The fame Perfons, it may be, will change their Cenfure.when they confider,That he had lain be- fore it feven Moonr, even 'till the Trenches of his Camp were fill'd with Snow, and that his Soldi ers died of Famine or Cold : For the Maimer be- gan to be infupporrable, and the Country was barren of all Things neceflary to fuflain fuch an Army. I cani^ot fee wherein this General de- ferves Reproach ; unlefs It be a Crime to be a Man, and to have the Command of fuch as are made of Flefliand Blood, as well as he. In Vol.III. 4 Spy 4/ Paris. 159 In Italy, the French have taken Pitmbino and Porto Ltngone. This latter is the moft important Town in the JJle oi Elbe, yet was not able to fu- flaln above nineteen Days Siege, They fay, There is a Fountain in this Ifland, whofe Waters flow at the Sun.rifmg, but in the Evening are dried up. The fuperftttious have odd Conceits of this Fountain, reliftiing of the anci- ent Pagan Vanities ; but the learned attribute ic to tTatural Caufes. So the Jerot tell of a River in the Eajl, that ftands flill on the Seventh Day of the Week. This they adduce as a Confirmation of their Law, which commands theqfi to reft from Labours on the Seventh Day, becaufe on that Day Go^refted from forming the Creatures of the IVorld. They fay alfo, That the Satyrs, and other Monflert of the Defart, Ihun the Light of the Sun that Day, hiding themfelves in Caverns of the Earth, and curfing the Sabbath becaufe it furprized God before he had quite finifird their

Forms ; for which Reafon they are ImperfcEl and vjtnflroHs to this Day. The Divine Uttity, who is the Root of all Num, hers, and has confecrated the Number Seven to many mjfltrious Ends, grant, That neither thou, nor I may forget the Anfwers we muft give to tha Seven Queftions of the Porter of Paradife,

Paris, ^th of the nth Moon, cf the TtMr 1646.

LET. 1 60 Li. t t e r s /rr/V Ij Voh IH.

LETTER XX.

To Bajazet, BaffU of Greece,

IT appears to me. by evident Symptoms that there is fome deep Defi^n a-foot in this Court, The Grandees aflcmWe ofcen, aad fie late. Ex- traordinary CoMnV'-; are lent our, and come In, at all Hours of the Night. Strange Jleports are in- duftrioufly fpread about the GIty. Trading is at a Stand, the Banqulers referv'd and little Money ftirring, which makes the Populace murmur. They complain of the Times, as is ufual in pub- lick Difcontents ; The ci^^difcourage and incenfe the youji^t l^y making ComparUons of this Age and Reign, with the happy Days of H.-vry the G'e^t. They iiH, their Ears with golden Stories <)f former Times.; and infpiring into them a J^ove of the paft, they equally introduce a "Ha- tred of the prefent Government. Thefe are

.the common Artifices of Faftion j and though none appears yet undtrany diiUnct-Name or Tiv. tie, yet 'tis ea&e to -prognofticats, from t'hefe Preludes, that e*er long iImj Mask will be ta- ken offhand Sedition wili ihe^v her felt- bare- faced T other Day a Fellow run crying through -the Streets, God fave the King, but the Devil tyihe th'e Italian Me was follow'd by a few, and thofe of the moft contemptible. Vet no Officer or Mai^iftrate in this City would caufe him to be apprehended, or attempt to fupprefs the Mu- tiny he was raifmg. The Citizens fmll'd at his Boldnefs. and Money was brougiu him from un« known Hands ; Tl>e VVome.T blels'd him as a Prop'hit, and the Virgins foil down before the V6l. IIT. tfSpYtf^ Paris/ i6r y}hars, on liis Behalf: The Temples were crowded with Votaries, Ox*'rather with tiie Fa^jtors of this, new Seditioh ; as if they ftrove to draw their Gods, into the Cabal, and would make lisfoen it felf^bet their- Tumults. His Train increas'd as he

meafur'd the Streets ; 'till at length he was feiz'd by the Ro^/tl Guards, the Rabble difperfed ai,d all things reilored to Quiet That Night a dou-

ble Waich was kept throughout rlie ( ity -, the Fellow was flriftlyexamin\f, and put to the Rack\-y yet no Confeilion could be extorted fi'om hint, fave, Tkat the Pu^Uck Good induced kiih to take ihh

' Courfs : That the Tyramiy and OpptfffloH vthid Cardinal Mazarini exercjfcd, n^erc infufportAhle'^i /ind^ That hereai ready to fftcrifite hl.< Life for the Welfare of hh Country. He is condemn d to the Galilee, during his Life. And j*Teat Endeavours are uied to find out the Author's of this Novelt^. For he is looked on but as &n Inftrument. fet .at work by Ibme Male-contents of higher Quality, and the Fore-runner of fome mere fofmidabte Infurre£Vion. Pmclamationt are iiTued out, to forbid all Dif-

courfe of State Matters : But the People fpare not to whifper their Sentiments. The yoxing /Tiw^ is taken ill, whieh augments the publick Jealoufie: Men lliake their Headi, and look dejefted, as they walk along the Streets, Some menace Revenge witli their furroU'd

Brows ; others fpeak openly, That the Kifi^d.w tt fold to Strangers. A general Ccndernatlon and Dlforder has feiz'd all. while their Fears prompt them daily to expeft a Change. To obviate the Mifchiefs which thofe popular Pailions threa-

ten , Soldiers are drawn from divers Parts of the Country by hiazarivCs Order, and by infenf- fible Companies quarter'd up and down ?/«'//. Between thefe and the Citiieni, there happei^ divers i62. LetteHs IVrit hy Vol. III. divers Quarrels, frequent Murders are commlc-

red : While the Night, which covers all Things with Daiknels, ferves to fhroud their mutual Outrages, and private Revenges Thus tke pub-

lick Calamities are cheriih'd ; What will b» the Jllue, J iine will evince In the mean while, the AfFairs of Germsny and SwedJaKd, feem to be in a fair way of Compo- fure. Divers Trcatiei are on Foot, in order to a general Peace in Chri/iendom. The Emhajf^dtrs

and Deputies of the feveral contefting Crfwns , have frequent Conferences But each Party in- fifts fo vehemently on Circumftantials, that no- thing but fruitlefs Demurs conclude their Meet- ings. France has a i;reat Stroke in all thefe Af-

fairs ; And 'tis grown to a Proverb, That Cardi* nal Mazarini c» ties all the Courts of Eurcpe in hii Bofjm.

The Svftdet treat like yiBors ; and the Germanf, tho' much enfeebled, yet cannot forget the A/i*- jeji)' of the Imperial Sceptre. The Danes have aa Intereft to profecute, and the Poles arc not with- out their Pretenfions. Rational Pride and Honour have a great Inflacnce on thefe Crowns. But the Hol/ander.', like Merchants, aft according to the Rules of Profit. They ftand on no Pun£I'ilio''s, but luch as advance their Traffick, knowing that Money is the Nerves of War. In this they are to be efteem'd W'lfe, iht'iv Qommonwealth being. as yet but in her Nonage ; her Strength not knit, nor Oe in a Capacity to wreftle with her potent Neighbours. Ef^land finds Bufinefs enough at home, to cmjloy both her Money, Wit and Arms. Nor c.-in n.e be at Leifurc to attend .to foreign Tranf- aftlons. spAin ever follows the Intereft of the German Court, it being the unalterable . Ai«x/«> of the HtHfe Vol. III. ^ Spy at Paris. kJj Hiuje of Aufiria, to rtmain united, and aggrandize it felf ^ Italy has various Interefts ; and TrmVe in parti- cular, is in ftrlft Friendfliip with this Court. Portugal is flill upon her Guard, againft the reft- lefs Spaniards : And Don Juan de Bmga/.za^ makes fbreijjn ^tltances. The fuprtme Monarch c£ the vijible and inv^^ife M^orld', wiio fits on the Th one of /idama^.t, yn- der the Covers of the eternal Tne grant, Trat the Diftraftions of thefe hfidd Princes and Sta'et may continue, till the Time appointed by Fate flalJ come, wherein thefatt/rfulOfmam flail pof- fels the fled /ifpie.

Paris, 2j/^ of the ijl Mton, of the T<.aT \6j,6.

LETTER XXI.

'To Peilelihalij bU Brother.

Thought my >felf forgotten hy the Son of my I Mother, who has fuffer'd fo many Dreads of M«of!t to meafure out the Term of his unkind

Silence , and of my Melancholy. 'Tis now three Years fince I heard from ihee : But I will not complain of a Fault fo ingenuoudy expia- ted, though late. Thou hafl: made me ample Amends, in fending me fuch an elaborate and

' fuccJnft Hift'yy of thy Travels : In reading of which, I know not whether my Pleafuro or Profit is greater. Thou hafl: fo interwoven de- llghcful Adventures of thy own, and pleafant Palfages of others, with curious and folld Ob- fervations 164 Letters JVr/t hy Vol. III. fervatlons, that a Man improves himfelf infen" fibly, whllft the charming Language and Mifcel" lany, ip.rvQ as a Spur at once to rowze and faften his Attention, to Points of moll ufeful Know- 3sdje TheC^/}f'4»/are apt to defpife the tru; Bellcm lien as a Company of ignorant People, unac- quaintei with rhe World, unpoliih'd both in tfiair Uiiderilandings and Manners, not vers'd in the liitral Sc ences, ncT, addicted to the Study of any thing but Riches and Honour, and how to aug- ment the Muffulman Empin. They confider not at the tama time, That Gj^^has made us rJa. tions he has in^pir'd fome with a Thirfl: of Knoww ledge, furnithing them alfo with the Abilities and Means to attain it. They confider not, That if Prtutine, be prohibited among us, 'tis to fupprefs the Multitude of unprofirable Booh, with which

E»r.pe too much abounds : And That in their ftead we have many thoufands of induftrious Scriber^ whole whole Employment is to tranflare the mod excellent and learned Treatifes of the An. eiertts. And, That confequently.a ftudious M*/&o- rhitan cannot be defticute of fuch Books, as may inH-rufthim in true Phiiofophy, found Mor^ilt, and the Hifit^y of mod memorable Tranfaftions in the . World. Afiuredly, our Ara.bia may boaft of het

j^vicms, M'fxei , Averroes , Halts, and Album

7haz.ars ; and that flie has brought forth many o- fhers who need not in any Point of Humsne or DiviHt Leetrnitig, yield the Palm to the mod emi- nent DcEiors, Philofophers, Orators and Pettt, a- mong the Chnfi-.art'. ^^^6. to this the equal Benefit fome of our ftf'fc/ reap, by traveH;ng into foreign Coun- tries, which crowns all their Studies with expe- rimental .

Vol. in. 4 Spy ^/ Paris. i6s rimental Knowledge and Wifdnm ; rendrlng them as familiar with the different Naturei of M<-n, and the various ConfUtutigm of Gtvernmiit, as before they were with Books. This appears evident in thy Letter, which is replenlfli'd with fo many folid Remarks and fage Comments, on the Laws and Cujiems of the ke~ gionr, through which thou haft pafs'd, their B.Ji~ gions, Strepgih and Riches, and whatfoever eJle

was worthy a TravcUer's Notice ; that were this Narrative publifli'd in ChrijfendoKi, the tiezareves would forbear to fpeak fo contemptibly of the true Belie<9 ers But they flatter themfelves with a falfe Notion, that the Ottomans never travel beyond the Limits of their own Empire, except the pui>li(kcktaufts, who are fent by the Grand Sigmor. They are ignorant, that tne ahgujl port maintains f'/'u-'rc

jfgents in all Nations ; and that there is hardly any Prince's Court in thriftendom without a MuJfuU man in it one time or other. 'Tis true, we ap- pear not in the Gari peculiar to the Eafi. Our Mijfivn requires a Conformity to the Fejhions of the Pfof/^ where we refide. But we ftill retain the interior Veftment of Mahofnetan Purity, being in

a . double Senfe circumcifed. Thus we become lyTafierSioC the Chriftiam Secrets, whilft they ac« count usftupid, ignorant, .aqd JVJ en vc^d of com-

-, mon Senfe. .; ;, ;, Eefides. had we not this Advantage iijthefe VTiflern Pans, yet the univerfal Privilege cf tra- Yeijing and maintaining free Commerce over all the £a/?» muft needs aiFord great Opportunities of AccompUlhment, .to^fome amon^ the Caran/ans of iq) many tlioufands as. vlfit Ptrfia, India, Chf-. and all «f >, I^'M ?W Places where the Fifith of the * fiijfmer of G is . W profffKd .

I am 166 Letters rrrh ly Vol. III.

I am extreamly pleas'J with thy fortunate E- fcapes frim R'hben on the Road, whofe Malice, rarely extends farther than to deprive a Man of thofe ou'veard Goods, which, if he be B»//V, hc will not call kii pv>H. Much more am I delighted with thy Deliverance from thofe Female Thieves, uho fteal from Men their Hearts and Reafon, which !aft is our nobleft. and only proper Inhe- ritance All Perfia and the Indiet abound with Co'tnczinf; and he had need ofOf?f2ans Chaftity, who would withfland fo many and flrong Temp- raticns. Thou needefl not wonder at the Effeminacy

of the preient Mogul , who fuffers himfelf and his State to be govern'd by IVomen. That fub. tie and afpiring Stx, have always fought to undermine or over reach our Race. They keep behind the Semes, yet a^ their Parts In all the Imaged!e s jinA Revolutions of the World. The Fa- ther of the prefent Indian King made an abfo- late Refignation of his Soverignty to his Queen, for four and twenty Hours. This Prince, by a ftrange Affeftatlon, called himfelf King tf the IVo In His Wife was the Daughter of an Arabian

<-aptarn, who had ferved him in the Wars : But having forfeited his Head by feme notorious TrcafoH, his Daughter went and threw her felf at the Mogul's Feet to beg his Life. He fell paffio- nately in Love with her, (for fhe had not her Equal for Beauty in all the Eaji) granted her Petition, and married her. Afterwards Ihe got fuch an Empire over him that he would do no- thing without her Advice and Confent. At her

Inftigatlon he made fVar or Peace : And to pleafe her cruel Humour, he put out the Eyes of his eldeft Son. But, not fatisfied with thefe DIfcoveries of his Love, and refolving to make her fcif famous by fome extraordinary Aftlon, ihe Vol. in. a Si>y at Paris. i6j

flie never ceas'd folliciting the King, with all the Arts of Female Policy, till Ihe had prevaiJ'd on- him, to furrender up his Authority to her for the; Space of a Day. In which lime (having prepared all things before hand ready for her Purpofej Ihe caufed two Millions of Roupie', in Silver and Gold, to be coin'd and Ikmp'd with the twelve Signs of the ZoMack, contrary to th&funiawntal Laws of the Empire, the exprgp Prohibition of our holy Prophet, and the univerfal PraBice of the Muf. fulman^ throughout xh^World, who admit not the Reprefentatiatts of any Creatures that have Life, This Relation I had from my UncJe Ufefh, v. h'> refided.in the Indiatt Court Eleven Years He added moreover, That during this ^oxtt\m ale Reign, flie cut off the Heads of Seven Grstid es, the moft zealous for the MuJJ'ulman ptith among sll the hidian Princes^ and eftablilh'd as many

Jdoiarers in their Places : And that, if her Or- ders had been fully executed, Ihe had quire changed the Government, confecrated the mofl beautiful Mtfquei to the Strvice of Idols, extermi- nated the true Faithful, and reflored the ancient

abominations of the Infidels ; which thou wilt not think imprafticable. when thou confidereft, That the Number of the Uncircumcifed in the Indies, far exceeds that of the Mujfulmaus, there being ten thoufand of thofc, to a hundred of fuch as profefs the UHity of the divine Nature, But how- ever, there was Loyalty found even among thofe Pagans', and they would not fufFer a l^lind Zeal fov the Wo'jhip of their Gods, to fupplant the Duty they ow'd their King. 1 he Defcription thou haft made of Candahar^ and the Method thou had projefted to take that imprignahle City, difcover at once thy Conduft and Diligence, In procuring LIbeity to furvey lb narrowly, the moft important Place of the

Indie: i r6i8 Letters ^rit hy Vol. III. }niies\ and thy Skill In Fortifications, with the Quicknefs of thy Invention, which has lug- geltcd to !h:e that which all the Enginctrs of ^'/Ji» have never fo much as dreamt of. This Is the right Uleof .Traveliing, when a Man returns fiom foreign Nation', cultivated with experi- mental Knowledge, and ftock'd with Improve- ments, that may render him ferviceable to his Country. Thou condemnefl the Injuftice and Avarice of

the Indian Megu/s ; who, as foon as any of the Omrahf, GT greet Men die, caufe all his Eftate and Goods to be feiz'd, to their own proper Ufe. Whereby it comes to pafs, that the Widow and ( hildren of the Deceafed, are reduced to the loweft Condition of Poverty, being many times forced to beg for a Subllftence 'Tis true, this is an OpprelHon not to be juftified, efpeciaUy in thofe who profcfs to believe in one God Creator of nX Thing!, the incorrupt Judge of the Um'verje. Bur what thinkert thou then of our Suitgns, who not having Patience to wait till a natural Death fhall make them Hefrs to the Wealth of a B»Jfa^ generally fecure their Title, and haften their Pof- leffion by a B»w.firir,g ? Thefe are Rojfal Vio-

lences : Though the Refignation of SuhjeSis muft not tax th^m, with, any Crime, who are accounta- ble to none but Gs'd. It was however a notable Piece of Raillery with which the Widow of a rich Merchant re- proved this unreafonable Cuftom in the prefent Mogul. Her Husband was an Idolater, who had heaped together an infinite Treafure by Trading andUfury;; and when he died, left her worth Ttvo hundred tfaoufand Roufies. Her ijon, fome Years after coming of Age, demanded of her a Stxjck. to-fct up with as a Afo.fAuB?. Which ifee, €itb««' jout ;Vf Avirice^ oribr other iEnds, refofed Vol. ITT. a Spy at Paris. 169 refufeJ him; furnllhing him only with fiich fmall Sums, as ferveJ to nourifii his Difcontent, and tempr him to a lewd, carelefs Life But at length, not being able to prevail on his Mother, to part with fo much as would anfwer his Expe£iations, he complained to the Mogul, difclofing alfo what Eftate his Father had left. The Mogul being in- formed of lb much Riches, fent for the young Man's Mother, and commanded her to fend him half her Money, ordering. That the other half fliould be divided between her felf and her Sen. The Widow, not being at all furprized, or caft down at this unjufl: Propofal, made the Mogul this ihort Reply: O /OV/g, txajr the Gods make tha happj. My ion has fome Reafon to require his Share 0/ hi> Father s Eflate, havtvg his Blood running in his Feins ; but I dejire to knov, what Relation thou ai-t to ynj Husband or me, that thou claimiji a, Share in his Inhtritavce. The Prir.ce abafli'd at fo fmart and bold an Addrefs, commanded her to give half her EfVate to her Son, and fo dif- miucd her. I have heaid fome of our Chiaufes praife the Magn:ficence of the Mogul's Cowt, the infinite

Number of his Attendants : But above all, they extol the inimitable Grandeur of his Throne , which is adorn'd with fo many Topazies, Rubies, Emcraulds^ Pearls, and Diamonds, as amount to thirty Millions of Roupies. But were it not much better, if inftead of all this needlefs Glory, he could bcafl:. That his Empire is founded in the Hearts of his Subj'Bs-. He does not confider. That fuch prodigious Heaps of envied Treafure are but fo many glittering Snures, golden Mana- ties, which lerve for no other Ufe, br.t to chain him up from that Freedom, and thofe more in- nocent Delights^ tiiat the meaneft of his Subjeds enjoy. I Thou lyo Letters Writ hy Vol. III.

Thou haft, I perceive, diicourfed with the In* tiian Bramins ; Doft hot thou difcover, even in thefe Idolaters, a Contempt of Riches ? What mean Thoughts have they of the Splendor and Gaycties of the Court? What a low Efteem of the long and proud Seriej ofT/tiei, with which th« Mt:t.tih endeavour to exalt themfclves ? Whilil txey are called the Lights of th( World, and Cotxm p/t-hiins of tke Sun; thefe poor ^hilojefhtrs know. That in a little time they fliall be laid in Dtt'knefr^ and have no better Sociej than that of Wornif. What fignifies thtix Pedigree, or, That the prefenc 'Mogui is but the tenth Defctrttiaytt from the nnghty Temnrltn, who made all -^/« tremble, if he has lofl the Virtue of his glorious ^Kcefhr ? 'Tis that alone makes all Men truly n?ble. Trou tellcft me, That the En.phe of the M^^W affords him more Revenues than thfi Dominions of any two the moft potent Monarchi en Earth. I have heard as much from others, which convinces me, that thou haft inform d thy fclf rightly of the pref.nt State of the Indies. But doft thou therefore eftecm this Monarch the richer ? Conliderthe vft Extent of his Ditninions, which are faid to contain more than Six hundred Leagues in length, and thou wilt find, that to maintain fo great a Traft of Ground, both ugainft his foreign and domefiick Enemies he is obligd to keep in conftant Pay, fome Millions of his Subjefl'sand Strangers; For he is in the midft of Enemies, even among his own Svbje£is. There are above an hundred 6ove~ reigfs m bis Empire, who perpetually by turns Tribute, moleft his Government , refufmg to pay and raifing Armies againft himiWhereby it comes to pafs, that he is at an infinite Expenceto dc VVafi fend himfelf, and carry on thofe endlefs ; thou thy felf having obferv'd, that once in two t„69m there is an indifpenfable Kecelfiry of paying thefe Vol. III. tf Spy J/ Paris. 17K thefe prodigious Armies: Not a Soldier through- out his Empire having any thing to live on, fave the Wages he receives of the King. Confider alio, that this Monarch always keeps forne thoufands of the fiaeft Horfes in the World near his Perfon, fuch as cofl: him thoufands of Roupi'e.' a- piece ; befides a thoufand Elephants ; with an incredible Number of Mules, Camels, and other Beafts of Burden, to carry his Wives, his

Goods and Provlfions, when he takes the Field : That whole Cities, even as large as Ccnfl/tntimple, are obliged to follow the King's Camp for Sub/i- fiience, their Livelihood altogether depending on the Army. Add to this, the immenfe Charges of his Seraglio, his Caftles and Sea-Port Towns, with all the.othar neceifary Expences of the Stste, and thou wilt conclude. That when this Potintate comes to caft up his Accounts, he will find hlni- felf a poor Man. But I fliall cloy thee with a Rehearfal of fuch things, as thou canll not be a Stranger to. Only tell me, Whether one of the Raias or Printes fubjeft to the Mogul, be the real Defccn. dent of Porus, the ancient King of India, in the Time of Alexander the Great ? I have been told by feveral Travellers, That there is fuch an one, that his Name is Rantt, and that an hundred of the idolatrous Princes pay Homage to him, as to their nntural Sovereign. Thou confirmed the Truth of what has been Co often reported in thefc Parts, That the Prince of Java had fix Fingers on each Hand, and as many Toes on his Feet. But that feems very ftrange which thou relate!?-, of a certain Language among the In^'ans, which is

not vulgarly fpoken ; but that all their Bioks of Theology, and PandcBs of their Laws, the Records of

their Nation^ and the Treaifes of Human fins and I 2 Schnees -X 7^ 'L E- T T E R s U^r/t hy Vol. M.

«S««»ftf/ are written In It. And that this Language '4s taught in their Schooh, Colleges, and y^cademies, ' even as Latin is among the Chriflians. I cannot enough admire at this; for, where and when was .'this Larguage fpoken ? How came it to be difus'd ^? There Teems to be a Myftery in It, that none of r their B acbn-.ani can give any other Account of this, javc, That it Is the Language, wherein Go^gave, to Creature •the fi ft he made, the jow Bo^ki of the Lave: which according to their Cibrowc/o^ey, was a- bove Thirty Millions of Years ago. I tell ttiee, my dear Brother, this News has Oarred fcmeodd No-

.tlons in my Mind : For when Iconfider, That this Lai.guagf, as thou fayeft, Has nothing in it common •with the /r.fl'/as that is now fpoken nor with any

other L-jKguageof >f/?j, orof the World ; and yet, and regular . that it-is a copious Z.«//|«/»fe, learn-d by G'amnoar^ like theother material. La»guagesi and that, in this ohfolcte Language, Book.' are writ- ten, wherein Itls alTerted, That the Pf-'or/^/ Is fo

many Millions of Years old ; 1 could ahnoft turn Pythagorean, and believe, The Warld to be within a Mini$*e of Eternal. And, where would be the Abfurdity ? Since Ged had equally the fame Infi- nite Power, Wifdom and Goodnefs, from all Eter- nity, as he had Five or Six thoufand Years ago. What Ihould hinder him then from exerting thefe divine yittributes ioontr"? What (hould retard him from drawing forth this glorious /iij^'/c/fe earlier, from the Womb- of Nothing ? Suffer thy Imagination to ftart backwards, -as far as thou canft, even to Alilllons of Ages, and yet thou canft nut conceive a Time, wherelji this fair unmeafurable Expaufe was not flretchMout. As If Nature her felf had engraven on our Tntfellefts, this Reetrd of the Wo/ /

tnan feature in a Trance : And thou art fo thy felf, if. after this, thou canftbe fond of any thing on- Earth. Traveller, AdieUj

Paris, 2^th of the ijl Moon, of the Tear 1647.

LETTER XXU. To Afis Baffa.

SEveral Difpatchts have been lately fent betweert^- this Court, and that of Swedeland, containing.- rathcr Matter of Complement, than any thing of great Importance. §lueen ChriHi7t» has been very ill, which has occafiond Letters of Condoleance- from the Sluftn Regent of F'ancs. Thofe which come from that Part, fay, That

General Torfienfin is made a Count ; and the Dig' Ttity entail'd to his Pofierity, in Recompence of:-

his emineat Services to the Swedijh Crovan. -^ Thefe Letters add, That there have pafs'd fomo high Words between Monjicur Chanuc, and the''

Swedifb Secretary of State. And, that the latter, . in going out of the Chamber where they difcour-» fed, laid his Hand upon his Sword, with thefe- Words: Monfieur Chanut, were it njt for the Fence- which the Law of Nations has rais d about your- Pe'-fon, I would anfwer you in another Language,- To which Monfitur Chanut replied, That he were^ a Sword to defend himfilf and hi.' private Honour, at- tftU »s any Swede >» thi Kingdpm, I 3 Tfie 174 Letters Writ ly Vol. III. The Occafion of this Quarrel was, The great Refort of Reman CathoUck Strangers to Motifiear Chanut's Chapel, which gave Dilguft to thtSvtdet, "U^ho allow not rhe Exercift of the Rcrriau Religion ivichin their Territories. They caftrate all the Priefls of that Communion whom they find, and profecute the Laicy with rigorous Penalties, iiuc

Monfieur Chanut pleaded the Law of Nations ; And when the Secretary told him, That the ^cfi per- mitted him and his Family the Liberty of th'-ir Rehgton, but defired him not to admit any other

Perfons, of uhat/^«^n« foever ; This tdinifier re- plied, That he could not receive as a Favour or Permijfion frtm h(r Majefty, the Liberty of exerci- ilng his Religion ftnce he held it only of hi; Ma- iler, the King of France, vho had fent him thither^ and that he would not jhut the Door ef his Chapel agairji any that would iotxe in : That their Law, ahic-h, accord'rg to their own CahuJe, itaf tnxde Ahrtt Two thcufand Tears after the Fcuridation of their Efrate, cctiid not abrogate the Law cf Na- tions, which i.' eternal •" That thii perpetual Law giive particular Priviiegei to certain Perfons, and ffpecialh to the MInifters of foreign Princes : That their new Law, fuch as it w«.', being inly made to maintain the publick VVorlhip, reffeSled mt what tn'as done in the Houfe •/ a forrtgn Minifte.r, ijf 0- ifeeial Privilege, it being of no Confequense tf the State, whether fuch Fo'cignis fernje God «r Kot, er vhether they xeo'jhi^fed him in a tight or wrong

Pf'ay : Th.tt no Swede came to his Chapel, but ett* ly pntf French, ^ho were SDJottrners in the Land:

That they did no: tife the Swedilh AmbafTadors /» in France, vho admitted whoin thej fleafed into their Chapels : That the Houfe where he nem diorlt, was the Hs'ift of the King of France; and th*t th'rtfcre he could not by Confe^utnce refufe 0^j Catholicks an Entrance rntt it, ef^daHj' fuch

. - , as Vol. III. a,S?Y at P AViis. 17^

fJ ve'-e htm SuhjcBs ff his Mafter : -/ftiii in fine f. That it vat very ruie to ^lig'^ him to be tke Exe~ ecutfvner of this fever e Z»\v, in rte^nhing hhn tt

thit hi-i Doors upm his Country. men. againfl tht.' common Laws of Hofpitallty, the Honour of » nublick Minifter, .

c. Reply VVliereupon Words Increafing bet'Aeen them, and the F-ench Amba^adw being refolu e to iffert his Privilege, the Secretary broke out Into a Pafllon, as T have before mentlon'd, laying his Hands upon his Sword, as he was leaving the Koom. The Swedes are naturally a rugged, furly Peo-

ple^ as are all ; the ^?u>'^Aer?; Europe ans. They are Strangers to Civility, and the gentile AddrefsoF the French. Yet the §lu!e?i, when (lie heard cf this PafTage, was angry with her Minifler, and

excufed his Rudenefs to Monfuur Chanut ; telling him, That the Secretary was a faithful Servant, bn,t had bicn educated among the Bears of the Foreff. This puts me In mind of a Story, which the

Trnich tell of another yimbaffador , whom Levols XIII fent to the Curt of Spain. The Spam^rde are of a haughty Temper, expecting mor,e than ordinary Submiflloas, from thofe who approach, the King's Prcfence. This ^mbaf^jde--, on the fam«^ Ground", was recjuired to do fome Homage, which would not eonfifl with the Infiructloiis cf hi» Majfer, and therefore he refufed to comply. The King of SpiiiM thinking to put him out of Coan-

tenance, faid aloud, What .' ha.i the King of France tij ethsr Men in his Court, That he fend: to me fnch a Fool as this ? To which the y^mba£^ador replied, ^7 Mailer has many wifr Men than -my feij about

him } but to fuch a King,, fuck an Amballador. I 4 Thou 17^ Letters Writ ly Vol. III. Thou wilt not perhaps approve fuch Raillery as this to Crown d Head% who ought to be treated with Reverence and Gravity. Vet, I lelieve, thou wilt condemn the Cruelty of a Duke of Mufm eovY, who caufed the Hat cf a F- emh /imbajfador to be nailed to his Head , for litting cover'd be- fore Iiini. This is contrary to the Genius of the £*/?, who abhor to fee a Man bare headed.

But every Nation has its Mode : And I accord- ing to the FafViicn of my Country, kifs the Bor- der of thy Vcft, In Token of my Submlfliou and Refpeft.

Paris, Tth ef the zd Moo»y of the Tear 1647.

LETTER XXllI.

To the Mufcij mop Vemrahk^ and IVerthj of all H'^nour.

THE Critickt, who fpend their Time, and manifeft their Wit, in dcfcanting on the Court and the Grandees, find perpetual Matter of Difcourfe concerning CardinaL Mazaiim His dai- ly Aftions furnifh them with new Themes, and fometimes theyrehearfe the old. They compare him with his Predcceflbr Ricklteu, and with C«'-d'/- nal Ximtnes, a Spanijh Mtnlfier. They term thefe Trinity three, the of Chriftian Staufmen j thus di- ftinguifliing their perfonal Charafters. Richfieu, they fay, was crafty, covejous and revengeful ;

Ximcne- was politick, fererc, and valiant j Maza. ritti is wife, merciful, and libera]. The ^

Vol. III. a S?Y at P A Kis* 17:5

The firft made good his Charafter, t^ieyray,

in heaping up I'ucii prodigious Treafures ; i^ raifing al thofe of his Family ot Dependence, to

the higheft Honours ; in occafioning the volun-

tary Baniftiment of the l§ltieen. Slot her -^ in ruin-

ing whomlbever he lufpefted ; and fina )y, in malcing himfelf fo much the Maftcrof all Secrets, that the King, however difgufted and averfe from him, yet could never fit fafe on his Th-c»e without him, when living, nor venture the Ma- nagement of the Pubhck to any of his Creatures, when dead. Thus fpeak they of that great Mi- niftcr. As to Cardinal Ximenes, they fay, He difcover'J the Qualities which they afcribe to him, in the Method he took to raife himfef to that envied

Greatnefs ; which was, by leeming to fliun the Honours at which ho fecretly aim d. For being a devoted Dernjife, or religious F'iar, he appear d to. be the moft morcify'd Man of the who.e Order. Which being taken Notice of, he was made Pfw

virtcial ; frcm which Dignity , he made but one Sep more to the Purple! And, growing emi- nent for his Abilities, he was made the /// Mini, Jier in thr Court of Spain. He levy'd Sixteen thoufand Men at his own CofV, invaded Ba*-i>arjf, ftorm'd their ftrongefl: Cities, and reduced the whole Kingdom of Tripum ^Igierj^ . li and to his Ma(ie>-'s Obedience. Whilft he was at the Head of his Army, orre Day there happen'd a Mutiny among his Soldiers. A certain Fellow, running up and down between the Ranks and exciting them to chufe a new Genc-alj faying. L was a shame to ferve a panr Friar' fpiri'fd : The Cardinal perceiving this, fiepp'd to the Fellow, and, with one Blo\v, fever 'd his Head from his Body This fVruck fuch a Terror into all, tliat from that time,

I 5 thero ;

17S Letters Unt hy Vol. III.

^here was not the leafl: Tumult or DIforder in his

They fay, he was In the End poifon'd by eating ©f a Ftjh, of which a Friend of bis receivd Inci- roation on the Road, as he was riding to the Place where x.\\c Cardinal was at Dinner But he came too late, to prevent the EfFefts of the Pol- fon : For though the Cardinal was but juft rlfcn from the Table yet he began to void Blood by Ms Ears, and the Extremities of his Fingers; and in a few Days drew his lalt Breath He was tall, and well Hmb'd; His two fore Teeth of the up- per Jaw grew fo far out of his Mouth, that he •wascall'd, The Ecle^nfiical Elephant. The Sutures of his Skull were fo clofely Indented, that there was no more room for Tranfpiratlon of the grof- fer Vapours, than through the mofl: folid Part of tiie Done, On this account he was ever troubled Vklth the Head.ach, contrary to Cardinal Ricblieu, v/ho ne/er felt any Pain in that Part, becaufe he. Iiad two little Holes in his Crown, through which the Fumes exhall'd. Thefe are the Remarks which are made on Cardinal Xi'menet. As to Mazarini, they fay, he lurpalfes both thefe Minifleriy in the exquifite jVloderation of his Temper : And comes fiiorc of neither, in the Contrivance or Succefs of Affairs, being folld In his Counfels, fecret and fwlft in their Execution. He has thisalfo pecu- liar In his Condufl-, that none are more fure of his Favour, thanthofe who have done hJni Inju- ries. He is magnifi^k In his Expences ; building Palaces, that may vie with the moft celebrated

Struftures of the ancient Rtmaas : A curious Colleftor of choice Paintings and Sculptures furnifliing the Houfes with Utenfils of Cedar, Ebony, Silver, Gold,, and other Ornaments, be- fitting the Palscc of a Kbs- Liberal beyond the Expectation Vol. III.

di.fcovering Cheats and Impoflors ; aiid no Jels

Dexterky in djfcerning • Men of Merit;, though never fo much obfcur'd hy Misfortune. Not long ago he catch'd a Gentieman In a Crime, which expofed him to the Laughter and Contempt of the whole Cou>-t, but not to the Csrdinai's Hatred. He had been reGommendeJ to this Minifter by a Lady of the Coart^ for whom lie had a great Efleem. On which accoujit he had free Accefs to thfr Cardinal's ^'refencC;, SU)d would always mix with his Rff/»»ff. But his curious Patron had obferv'd fome- thlng in liIs Carriage, which gave him Ground of Miftruft. For he would always place himfelf as near as he could to a certain Table in the Charnber, w^ere the Cardinal gives Audience. There is a Drawer upder this Table, which com- monly ftanas half open, It being the HJsce where all Peilnuncrs throw in the-ic Bribes or Pre- fcnts ; it n t being feemly for a Pnnce of th^ Church, to r-4ke Money himfelf. The Ca>d'na.l obferv'd, That this Spark always had his Eye gjgnping on that praw^er, as if he c.oveted what "W'as there contaln'd. However, he took no Notice, but gave him all the Opportunities ima- ginable to do his Pleafure , yet ftill one Accident Qf other, hinder'd the Gentleman from execa« ting his Defign, which AJy^i, To borrow fome of the Gold that lay In that Drawer. At length Jt happen'd. That the Cardinal having appointed ibrne curious Pageant) to be made in Honour of ike Icing's Birth.day^ 1)6, with fevcral of the Courtier^, ftood looking out of th© Windows to fee thefe triumphant Shows pafs by. The Gen- tle,nian , taking this Opportunity, whilft |ie thoii^ht all Eyes wer? intent ©ji the Gaye,ties \ 6 wloiiout, i8o Letters Tfrit hy Vol. II J. vithout, flips ro the Table and rakes out of the Drawer a Hag of God, putting it up in his Poc- ket, and retiring to the Window again. He ima- gined that no Body had feea him. and therefore hugg'd himfdf in the Thoughts of his Booty. When the Shovo was over, and the Company with-

drew from the Window ; after a while, they all

rock their leave and departed : And, among the refV, this Gentleman Thief was going out But the Cardinal defired him to tarry, in that he had inmething to fay to him. The Gentleman ftung with the Guilt of what he had done, fella trem- bling and was ready to drop down at the Cardi' nafs Feet. But he bid him be of good Comfort,

faying thus to him j My Friend, -wha: thou h^Jf iione, is not hid from me If thou haft 7iot Gold enough, J wis double ihy Sum Therewith he gave him

another Bag of equal Value ; faying withal, Go thy toay, and fee mj Face no more. I pardon^ hat (9nnot trifi thee. Would'ft thou know, by what means the Carm dinal difcover'd this Theft ? He always wears on his Finger a King, in which is fee a "Jewel of Na.ural ineftimable Value ; it being a Mirror , and difcovering all Things that are done in the Room, though behind a Man s Back. 'Twas on this Stone the Ca dinal caft his Eye, "when the Gentlemen thought he was looking out of the Window Therein he beheld him go to the

Table , take out the Money , and put it in his Pocket. Thou feeft how curious this Minifter is. ro ftock himfelf with ufeful Ra- lities.

May that f^'-eat Chancellor of Heaven , the Angel who beholds in the Divine Ejfttue. as In

% Mirror , u hatfoever is done on Earth and records all Human Aftinns in the Bock of JudimtntSj never difcern any thing in Mahmnt, which Vol. III. ^ Spy tf/ Paris. i8i which may render him worthy ta be excluded the Pnfence of God.

Paris, t7th of the idMoon, of the Ttar 1647.

LETTER XXIV.

To Danecmar KefroUj Kadilifquer of Romania.

H O U, that art Principal among the Judges T^ of high Dignity, the illuftrious Ornament of three Empires, the ftrong Support of Equity, Vho preferveft Reafon, and correftefl: Vice, I congratulate thy deferved Honour .-And in do- ing fo, I wifh Increafe of Joy to all the faithful Ojmons. The Knowledge which thou liaft acquired in the Lam of Nati'ens, and in the moft perfeft San- f>ions of our auguJI Msnitrchy, has made thee fa- mous through the feven PrecinBs of the Ea th- and has vefted thee with the Robe of fublime "Honour, the Gift of the Lieutenant of Sod. I made Choice of this Occafion at once to perform my Duty, and to acquaint thee with a t^ational Villany, lijch a Violation of the publick Fatth of a Kirgdom, as it will be difficult to pa- rallel. The Civil Wars of Engfand are known through- out the World: And thou art no Stranger to the particular Intelligences I have fent to the fublime Port, concerning that Nation. Since that time the Rehele have by degrees gaUi'd Ground of their unh.ifpy King, clwfing him iSi Letters ^^>i/ ^K Vol. HI.

him ftom one Place to aaotjjer : 'Till at length, ITnding, Tliat neither Ly i^rtn: or Tnetia, h(| could leduce them to any Terms of Reconcili- ation, and being befiejjjed in one of his Cities, which was not in a Condition to hold cut long, this unfortunitre Meiiarch was forced to dlfguile

Jilmfelf, and.efcapeby Ni^ht ; uandring through Unfrequented Ways, and enduring much Hard- fhip He at length threw himiisJf upcn theFaith of the Scots, Vi'ho hati folemnly engaged them- felves upon Oa.'^, To defend him againft all his

• - i: Enemies whatfoevei". - . -. . c i The Scu'ifo Army was then in EwgUnd, being hired to aflift the Hcheh. VV hence lome take Oc- Ci^fion to accufe this P>i»ce of Railinefs, and too much Credulity, in feeking Protection from thofe ivho firft began the RehelHon, and who had flain'd the Recfirdi of icot.'attd wijb the El»ed of many of their K.ttgs, Hat Innocency is void of Sufpi- cion ; and, therefore, I ecaule his pvyn Intenti'pns were firicere, he knew hot how to be jealo^jo^

' others-. . . However, the Scots at firfl: feemM to a^ the Parts of .'o^fl/ Men And when they were threat- ned by the E'.glijh Rebels, an4 their Pay was flopped, w'lxh DeiU^atiani ^llb ifTucd out againfl: their Proceedings they continue to afrcrt the Ju- jlice of their deportment, in receiving and de- fending their injured King, who had fled to them for Succour. They detained him thus, from the 4th of the yth Maou, of the Year 1646, to the 3cth Day of the \\\ Moon of this prefent Year. At which time having agreed with the Englijh Parliament, for the Sum of ^cooco S^uins, as the Price of their iovtreign, they deliverd him up to the Eng~ lifh CommiffuntrSf deputed by the Rebejj for that Purpofe. The Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 183 The Fremh Amhajfddor \vas at that time in the

Zcatth Army ; who having been a Witnefs of their deteftable Perjury, took his Leave : And being attended with a Guard of Light. Horfe to the ^ea Port, at parting he puU'd out a Piece of

EngU/h Aloney, valued at Haif a Crovrfi ; and ask- king the Captain of the Guards into how many Pieces of coined Silver that Half Cro»n might be divided, he anfwered, Into thirty. For Jo much ( replied the Ambaffadar ) did Judas betray ki: MalVer. Thou wilt better comprehend the Force of this Repartee^ when thou confidereft. that accor- ding to the Chripian^i Belief, this Juda.' was a slave of JeftiS, the Sen of Mary^ and that for thirty Pitcet of Silver^ he betray'd that Prophet to the y*w/. But thefe Infidels have found out Ways, to e- ]ude all Engagements and Projnlfes. They couch their Oat hi, in Words more ambiguous than the Oracles of Dilphos. As if they thought, not on- ly to circumvent Men by their Lquivocations, but alfo to deceive him who formed the Tongue

and the Ear j even God, who is ferfiB in Kmw^ ledge Such a Storj I have read of one Hatto a German Difhoi, whofe Perjury Is recorded. This Prelate Lad a Coujin who was accufed of Treafun againft jjthe Emperor. On which Account he was clofely "befieged by the Imperial Forcees, in a Cafile feated on the top of an Impregnable Rock. So that the Emperor, defpairing to take him by- Force, had withdrawn his Army, when this Bifhop came to jhim, and for a Sum of Money promlfed to be- tray his K-rifman into the Empertr''s Hands. The Batgaul being concluded, the Bifhop went to vifit bis Ctufitt-sLi the Cafile, perfwading hloi Co go and humbje lumfejfto th^ Emperor, and he woul4 184 Lett^vls prrh fy VoLlIT. would engage to procure his Pardon ; Binding hinifelf vlth a folentn Oath, That If he would rely oa him, as he carried him I'afe cur of the Cajile, fo he would bring him back alive and fafe again His Kitsfman, deluded with thefe fair Pretences, and lecured by the SanEiicn of an Oath trufts himfelf to the Conduft and Fidelity of the Prc~ late. When they had rode about half a League from the CafHey the Btjhjp pretending he had forgot Ibmt Papers of Moment, which he had left be- hind him in his Chamber, they return'd back to the Caflle-^ and when they had found the Papers, they fot forward again toward the Emperor's Camp Being arrived there, the impiousWretch deliver'd his Kinjman to the Emperor, who con- demn d him to die. He fending for the Bijh^p, reproaches him with the FioUtion of his Oarh. But the perfidious lajhop fought to acquit hlm- felf, by faying, He bad perjiinid his Prumife, in carrying him ba^k fafe t$ the Caflle, when he return'd to f>ek his Pfipfrs Thus was his Ktnfman be- trayd by a Quibble, and loft his Head The Bijh

-. And the Germans report, That he was afrerwards carried away by Z?eT/.//, and thrown alive Into the Hollo v of

Mount M'tia : A Voice being heard at the fame InlVai.t in the Air, faying, This it the Reward of Perjioy. The Nazarevei believe this fi'iming Mountain to be one of the Mouth of HtU -. The fame Opinion they have of Stromhoh and Veiuviu I am not curious, 'to pry into the Truth of fo coftly a i>e- cret, but leave the Experiment to the forfworn, treacherous Vi»^/^ who by this barbarous Aftlofl, deferve to follow the Faa of Hat to. ' Mudi Vol. III. a S?Y at Paris. i8; Much greater was the Integrity and Virtue of the ancient Romans, whom thefe Injieitli number among the damnd. They efVeem'd nothing more faced, than the puhlick Faith; building T.mplet to its H^nour^ and ftamping tbeir Money with the Figure of tvpo Htnds joined togetker, having this Motto. TH E F/l ITH O F THE ROMANS, But the Scots fliew themiclves to be of Lyfandtrs Mind, who ufed to fay, Children muji be circum» njefited vi'h gcod IVvrdf, and Men voith Oaths. This Monarch is now led in Triumph, like a Captive, by his rebellious Subje6ls, who have con- fin'd him to one o£his Country ^<»/^;f/, lufFerlng none of his Friends, or faithful Servants, to come near him, but in all things endeavouring, to ren- der his Reftralnt infupportable. Thou who art accurate in Interpreting, the Ltroi o^ Jup ice, wilt cond-mn thefe hfiiels of horrid T-eafon, yet canfl: not acquit the Mufful- matif, who have often depofed our mofl: 0ugujl Emperars. I divide my Intelligence among the Min'Sers g£ the fuhlime Port, arid the other Grar.dces of the State praying Gtd, To guard the Sultan from fe- ;

cret Machinations, and open Enemies ; and, To grant, That an Excefs of Good-Nature may not betray him to fuch MiifbrtuneS; as have befallen this imprifon^d Monarth.

Paris, i^/l cf the -^d Mqoti, •f tht 2\ar i6<^j.

LET- 1^6 Let r EKS iVritly Vol. Ill

LETTER XXV.

To Ragel Hamet, Antiquary to the Sultan.

THIS Cit;r Is pefter'd with aa innumerable Multitude of Baft, and a kind of Sofentf, >^'hich they call Uza-iis oi- Nen>t<. They breed In the Walls of their Houfes, and moleft the Inha- bitants Night and Day, fwarnilng more thaij ^or- dinary every ninth Year. , The Pa-ifians give an odd Realon for this Plague. They fay, That in former Ages, ^/cer- Taln MAgician had undertaken to free this City

from all vencmsus Creatures ; and that, according- Jy, he had made fcveral Itnagu of thofe AnimaCi, annexing to them Enchantments, and hidijigthenx in obfcure Places under the Eartli ; prdmifing al- fo , That io Jong as thofe Imagci remain'd uri- touch'd, P-aris fhould not be molefted with any hurtful Thing. This fucceeded ajccording to his

Wcrds ; 'till at a certain time, as they were dig- ging up the Foundations of an old Temple, the Workmen found feveral brazen Imtgf', fome re- prefentlng a Bit, fome a Lizard. They making fmall Account of thofe tragical Reliqut , fold' tKem to the next B-'a/ier for a Tlece of Money ^ Who being ignorant alfo of the hidden Fofce Or thcfe Images, melted them down fcr hIs.o\yn Ufe^ And, ever fince that trme, the City ha$. .t^diV

• over-run with t^ats and Lizards • .• I relate this to thee, In regard I have ofcen heard thee fpeak of the ancient Statues , that Vs'ere In the /itmidam at ConJian-inopU, and In P/V- cclier Farts of the City ; particularly cf that /•", which had three Braxen Scrpfnts winding a- bcut it; which wlxtn Mahimet the Great beheld, the ,

Vol. III. flSpYtf/ Paris. 1S7

tlie Ccnqncrcr ilruck one of them with a Battle^ Axe, and fmote off the hsser Jaw, Upon which a multitude of Serpents infefled the City, but were foon exterminated, in regard the Snltan^ being warned by the Citizens, forbore to do any

farther Injury to thofe Images , which were the GuareHam of the City. Th« AiifiaU ot the Maffii'm^i Emfire make

JVIention of thefe Statutes , as alio of Horfe of

Brafs , and a BuU of the fame jMetal : The one

ere^ed as a Charm againft the Peflilence ; the •the;-, as an oraculous Sign, that the Enemies of the Grecian Mina^chy Uionld in that Place ber repulfed, and driven out of the City. Yet k proved otherwife: For the victorious Mrr/wVa^w/ againrt: whom the Enchantments of the hifiileU

could not prevail , enter'd the Ma'ket-Piace where this Image ftood, and drove from thence

the timorous Grcciafr ; cutting in Pi^cfs all that made Rellflancc, and renJring themfelves Lords of Conp.j-.timpU, at that time the richeft City in the World. The /?(?«rii«/ were extremely addifted to thefe faperjiithtij Vanities ; believing the Safety oF their Ci ji and Empire, confifl-ed in the Prel'erva-

tlon of the Palla-dittm , an hmge which they thought fell down from Jup/tey, and was tranf- ported from Troj/ to ha!}' by /Sveas being after- •wards repofited in the Tcwple of f^'f^t, bur barnt fn that dreadful Conflffgr0tion, ^'hich happen'd irr

' • ' the Reign of N^ftf. - They had in m lefs Fentrau'tn the Bxckl-ri which they were taught dropp'd down from

Heaven , Pcmpilius into the Hands ef N-JW* ; whereon the Fate of Rome was engraven, m fuha^aBers which none could read. Fearing left this Sacred Shield might be ftoln,. they caufed Eleven oihers of the fame Figure to be made, an4 t8^ Lett EKS Writ l^y Vol.IIF. and all to' be hung up together in the TempU o^ Mars, And, to the end, the Guardian Genius of the C;- y, Ihould not be enticed from them by the En. chmnntnts of their Enemies, t\\t true Name oi x{\q City of Kjnii was kept focret, even from its ow-n Inhabitants; infomuch, xhn Faltriui So>anui was put to Death, for publilliing it to one of his

Friends. Many have guefs'd at the hidden Name ;

feme faying, It was yalencia ; others, Tl»at it was

Vdia ; a third fort call it Anthitfa. But there is no Certainty in their Conje£tures. For the Pa- gans were, above all things, careful to conceal the Namis of their Cities and Pat'tn Gods-, knowing, that thofe Spirits would net forfake rhem, till they were call'd forth by their proper tJ^ma. They us d alfo to chain the Imnges of their Gods to the Altars, left they lliould depart from them by Stealth. Thus the Tjrians, when Alexander be- fieged their Ci?;', and they underftood frcm the Pri-.Jit, that Apollt, the Guardiau of Tjre, was dif- pleafed with 'em, they faften'd his Ir^age with ftrong Fetters of Iron. So dealt the Spartans with the Image o£ Mars. And this was the common Pra£tice among thofe idalatrous Nations. As for us, who have received the Law clear and intelligible, and believe in the Unity of the

Divine Ejftnee \ We ufe no C^^rw/ ourfelves, nei- ther do we fear the Magick. of the uncircumcifed. All our Confidence is In G»d, and t!.e Proteftion

of his Prophet ; VVe go boldy to the Wars, whilfl: we fight in Defence, neither of Statues, nor/i?/- 0US Reliques, but of the Fulume replenifti'd with Truth and Light, the Beei. brought down from Heaven by an Angel.

Paris, iTth of the ^th Mooitf the Ttar i6\T, $f LET- Vol. in. ^ Spy at Paris. 1S9

X E T T E R XXVI.

To the Vizir Azem.

!T A M now returned from Orleans, whither I -*• went in Obedience to thy Appointments ; and not without abundance of Pkafure to my felf it .being the Time of Year when all things confpire to make a Traveller pais his Time away with De- light. Vet my Return was melancholy. In regard I xould noc accompllfh what I aim'd at, nor be in a

' Capacity to render thee that Satisfa6lIon thou re- ^uireO, either in buying the Jewels, or In efla- biifhlng any Correfpondence. Thofe who in- fbrm'd thee of the Ge mans inhabiting that Ciry, were mlllaken in their Charafter, they being only a Society or Co poration of Students, and no ways concerned in Traffick or Merchandize. They told thee right, in faying. There are a

great Number of Strangers In Orleans : I thmk the Imperial City, which commands the ffVerld, cannot boaft a greater Divedity of Language.', ,than are fpoken daily in the Streets and Houfes o£ Orleans. There are fome, almoft of all Nati- ons, refiding in that City. WouldTt thou knew the real Occaflon of this mighty Conflux of Foreigners. It Is, That thtay may fVudy that which the Nazarenes call ti,e Cirjil Laa> which is there profelfed as in an AKadt-my, erefted for that Purpofe by Philip the Fair, one of the Knig^ of France. If thou knoweft- not the Meaning of the Civil hp^n, it Is, A Colleftlon of the ancient Roman Laws, drawn from above Two thoufand Eookr of ^90 .L E T T £ R s W7 it hy Vol. Ill, of their Saihes. by the Command of the Emperor ^ujiini.n, for a 6ia?iiia>-fi of Equity in thofc cor- rupt Times, In that univerfal Relaxation and De- cJine of gocd Gov ernment. This is the Attraftive, which draws fo many Strangers from all Pares of Eu>spe, to that plea-

fant City : Where, belldes the Opportunity of improving themfelves in the moft-'honourable Pro. /cj(^*w among the Nazartva, next to that of the Prufitoedi tney enjoy a pure and ferene Heaven, a fruitful and delicious Part of the Earth, and the Company of the moll obliging and courteous People In allF ance. 'Tisfor this reafon the Germans, among other

N(H!«ns, flock to OrleaHi ; and, throutjh the Fa- vour of the fench Kings, have obtain'd a Privi-

lege beyond other Nations ; that Is, To Incorpo- rate (themfelves into a Society of Students. Nei- ther is rliereany fuch thing as MerchMnAix.e known among them. If I have not anfwer'd thy ExpeSatlon, fupreme Prince of the Bajfa's, blame not Hahviut, but ac- cufe the Germans of Orleans, for not exchanging

their Studies for Treffick ; or rather blame thofe who prefumed to tell thee this far fetch'd Ftible. In finifhing this Letter, I bow my Head to the Floor of my Chamber, and kifs the Paper which iliall have the Honour to te touch'd by thy Illu- jlrlous Hands.

Paris, ifl if the 6th Mccn, of the Tear 1 647.

LET- Vol. in. a Spy at Paris. i9\

LET T E R XVII.

To the Aga of- the Janizaries. TH OU haft heard of the Afyrian, Scythian, and Roman Heroines. Thefe were all valiant Leaders of Armies, Women of Honour and Re- nown. Naw I will inform thee of a Female which France has brought ilpon x\\Q Stage o^Wttr. According to the Orders which I receiv'd from the yix,ir /}ztm, I took a Journey to Orleanr laft fyovn; where, on the third Day afcer my Arrival, beholding a Iblemn Procrffi.n in the Streets of that -populous City, attended with fome uncommon Ceremonies and Rejoycings,my Curiofity prompt- ed jTie to enquire the Occaliou of it. Thou may'fl: imagine, I did not apply my fe.'f for In- :formation to the Multitude, who take up Things on the common Credit of Fame, which does not always deliver the Truth. I addrefs'd my felf to thole that were acquainted with the Records of theToaJw; who told me, That this Solemmty was •yearly obferv'd on the JEIghth Day of the Fifth M»en, in Memory of their Deliverance f:om tlte Engtijh, who befiged this Ciiy, at^d were beaten from before it by Joan d' A'c. a Maid of Lur^ rain, in the Reign of Charles I. This Virago feem'd to be the tutelar Angel of Prance: For to her Va- lour and Conduft, that Monarc-h ow'd the Recc- Vf.ry of his Kinzdom, almod loft to the K'n^;, of

EtigUnd ; this being the laft Place of Importance which had not received Englifh Garrifons Afcer flie had rais'd the Siege, flie purfued the Ene- ' jny, gave them feveral Battels, defeated them, took the Generals Captive, reduced all the Cities to their former Obedience, and never Iheath d her I pi Letters Writ ly Vol.111. iicr Swoid, 'till flie faw her Mafler folemiily crown'd at Rhemes. Vet at length flie her felf Was made a Prifoner by the Evglijk, and waspub- licky burnt for a Wita? at Rouen. The Inhabitants of OrUan, have erefted brazen S'auei in her Honour. They celebrate lier Prai- lis, and ciiccm her a Woman divnich infpired to iave her Country. Yet the more Intelligent fort lay, That llie was neither Witch nor Prophitcfs., but only a Maid of good Wit and Courage,

whom ibme of the Princes of the Blood Rojal , had inftrufted to act the Part of a Miffionary

from Heaven ; that fo, by pretending Vifions a^ Revtlarions, flie might raife the Courage of tfle Frtvch, now a'moll: dlfplrited by their many

Lofles ; and whom nothing lefs than a Mi'acle could pcrfwadc to abide the Field againft the vl^oilous Englijl) This is certain, That fHe diftinguilh'd the K

l>(a!an[, and in a Crowd of People : She went boldly up to him, and faluted him by his Title, to the Aftonilhment of thofe that ftood by. She fcnt a Meflenger to bring her a Sword of an- tique Workmanlhip, that lay hid in a Tomb in

one of their famous Mofq'tes ; (for, the Nazarenet of the Wtji bury the Dead In their Temples.) This Aftion extremely ej)hanced her Reputa- tion, in regard none knew of this Sword but the King himleif. She was therefore look'd upon as

an extraordinary Perfon ; and the People could hardly be reftrain'd from paying her divine •Honours. When they were encamped on a certain Plain of a vaft Extent, where there was no Water to bs found, fo that the Army was ready to perifh

throUjjh 1 hirll ; the King came to the lent of this Propheitfs, to confult her as a» OrmcU in the general DiHrefs, She bad him be of good Courage, Vol. III. 4 Spy at Pari's. 193 •Courage, and follow her. They went out toge- ther to the Door of her Tent, where at a little diftance, there grew a Knot of Flowers. The admirable M»id ftruck her Spear into the Ground amidft the Flowers, and incontinently their fprung ibrth a Fountain of Water, to which the whole Army repaired to allay their Thirft. They fay, the Place is Ihewn to this Day, with an Im^ge of

this Maid ftanding in on Oratory clofe by it ; a Place of Refrelhment and Devotion for Travel- lers that pafs over thofe barren Plains. However, whether it were Artifice, or that fhe was endued with feme fuptmatural Gift, it had a marvellous Influence on the Soldiers, who began to re-aflume Courage, and feared nothing under the Conduft of fuch a General. 'Twas Revenge without doubt, rather than Ju» ftice, that extorted that cruel Sentente £iom the Eng'tfh, which put a Period to the hereick Ailions tjf this illuftrious Maid, whofe Fame will live for ever. It is recorded, That whilft flie was bound fall to the Stake with ftrong Cords, they would have kindled the Fire upon her before flie had fpoke to the Speftators; but that fhe fuddenly became 'loofend, and fnatching a Lance from one of the

Soldiers ; fhe drove the Guards before her : Then returning of her own accord to the Stake, flic made her laft dying Speech , foretelling many Things to come, which afterwards proved true. And having made an end of fpeaking, Ihe bid the

Executioner fee fire to the Wood ; which he did accordingly, and fhe was burnt to Afhes. Certainly every Nation may boaft of fome Ftrfiule Warrlour, that at one time or other has done remarkable Service to her Country. And thou art not a Stranger to the Hiilory of K the 194 Letters Tfyit hy Vol. III. the Amazons, who excluded Men from their So- ciety, yet became formidable to aJl the Regions round about them. Adieu, brave Commander of the MujfulmtiH Forces, and let the Memory of thefe valiant Fe. male} infpire thee with frefli Ardours, when the Ottoman Empire is In Danger.

Tarls, \lt »f the 6th Mten, of the Tear 16^7.

-LETTER XXVIII. To Dgnet Oglou.

THOU art the Man that mufl: participate In all my Adventures. And I fhould be a Churl, in not letting thee Ihare with me, the Plea- •fure I found in a late Journey to Orleans, one of the prefttlary Towns in Fame It was by the Order of the Vlzer y^zem, I undertook that Jour- ney. Some body had inform'd him. That this Town wa<; fullof Merchant-TravcUers of feveral Nations, but efpecially in Germany, who brought '"the cholcefl Jewels of the £/»/?, to vend in this Place at ordinary Rates. That Miniftet gave me Commands to buy certain Stones, with Inftru- ftions to treat of another Affair, which it is not necefTary for thee to know. I accordingly fet

out from Paris, the third Day of the fifth Mosn ; and Eliachitn the Jew (of whom thou haft heard) bore me Company. I need not defcribe to thee, the Country

-through which we pafs'd : It exaftly refembleth

• the Plains of S. Ijldore, not far from Palermo in Sicily, Vol.111, a Spy at Paris, i^s Sicily. Thou and I have reafon to remember that Place of our Gupiivity, carrying the Marks of our Mafter''s cruel Anger yet in our Ucdies. ThofeP/«/»/, ^thou knowefV, afford a very agree- able Profpeft, efpecially at this Time of the Vear, when the Verdure of the Trees, mix'd with the JBrighmefs of the Corn-fields, and the Party- co- lour'd Meadows, tempt the Eye into a Contro- verfy of Pleafure, a Man neither knowing well how to take it off, nor yet where to fix it, in fuch an orderly Confufion and Medley of charm- ing Obje£ls. Such is the Province between Paris and OrhanSy which has this Advantage of thofe Sicilian Plaint, that here all the way one rides, innumerable mag- nificent and beautiful Palaces appear, (hooting up their glittering Turrets above the lofty Groves, which environ thoie Seats of Pleafure. Indeed this is one of the pureft Airs, an

Servants : As alfo to lie on a Bed, common to all Faffengers.

K 2 But, ig6 Letters Writ hy Vol. 'III.

But thcfe hifideli are IJke the Svine, to whom •rill Meat Is welcome, and every Ditch an accepta- ble Bed. Here are Inns all along the Roads, whereinto when you enter, the Hofi provides you both Bed, and all other Nccedarles A Man muft venture to fleep on the fame Pillow, where per- haps a Leper has lain the Night before, or fome Pcrfon infcftcd with a worlc Difeafe The H jl exam nes none, but harbours all alike, provided they have Money to pay him And as for Viftu. als, 'tis the Cuftom of all Travellers to eat toge- ther at one common Table, where fcveral Diflies of Meat are ferved up and every Man is free to eat what and how much he pleafes, paying a fla- tcJ Price for his Dinner. Thus no fooner were we come Into our Inn at Chtjlres, but the H'Ji faluting us afrer the man- r.er of the Country, invited us to fie down ac the QrdiKary, (for fo they call their pub'ick Din-

ner In an Inn ) We were not fo fcrupulous as to •refufc his Offer, butfollow'd him Into the Cham- ber, where the Dinner was prepared. There -were many Guefts at the Table, and all.bufy in feeding themfelves. We took fuch Seats as we found vacant, and without much Ceremony, fell to earing. The Jc\e trufted to the Indulgence of Mofeif and I to that of Mahomet, for eating with t\\Q uncircuTKcifed, whofe Meat is feldom free from the Polllutiovs of Blood. We knew, that nei- ther Gffi, nor his Prophets, required us to llarve fo _ There was Plenty of Wine, and that dell- c'cus, as would have tt-mptcd an Uogia to tafte it,

wirhout the Mufti's Difpenfpatlon ; to avoid Sin- gularity, I made a Shew of eating, as the reft; but the grcarefl: part of my Repaft confifted In Bread, and fome Fruits, with that exhilarating Juice of tl.e Grape. The "

Vol III. aS?Y at Pk R I s; I ^f The honefl yea* fwore 'twas a Banquet prepa- red by Cupid, to render him the moft niiferabis' of all Men. For, juft in the midlT: of our Mirth, came in a F ench Gentleman with a Lady in his Mand, who placed themfelves at the Table exaftly oppofite to us." I perceived evident Symptoms of fome Diforder in Eliachint, who feem'd to" his read Fate in that fair Creatures Face ; yec had not Power to check his wand'ring Eyes, or • guard them from inevitable Wounds. Ile'd al*? moft ailed o'er the Sto'fy of the .Egyptian Wives, whom Jojefh's Miftrefs had invited to behold his Beauty, they cut their Fingers for their Meat,

whiJft gazing [on the charming Youth : So poor Eliathlm was all Confufion, turn'd to a Statue, whilfl: he look'd on this enchanting Gjr^sr. 11,3 had forgot to eat cr drink, till I began to rouze him from his Dream. ! told him fotcly in the Ear, This Lady was but the younger Sifter of Jxi}ns Miftreis. This brought him to his Send again, bur could not reftore his Peace. Prudence taught him to dilFemble the violent Emotion of his Soul, and not to expofe himfelf in fuch a

Company ; but nothing could expel the fatal Poi« fon from hisBreaft:. When we had fufficiently repofed our felves, we bid adieu to the Inn, all joining Company, and fetting forward to OrUan'. On the Road, both Eliachim a.ad I had many Opportunitle? of converfmg with this young Lady; fuch Familia- rity with Women, being allow'd in Ti-ance. We

found her Wit furprizing as her Beauty ; and her Mien a.id Condu£l, fuch as gave Advantage to them both. In a Word, fi/Z^f^/m was loft amidft: fo many Perfections. When w-e came to our Inn at Night, and were .in our Chamber together, he vented his PafTion in

thefe Words : Mahmuc, l h»vt faf^'d thife Tturs K 3 hithertt 1^8 Letters rTr// ^ Vol. III. hitherto, vfithout any ather Stntimentt tf Ltvt, favt thofe which ;m general I owe to all our Rgie, and fome more particular Regard of Priendjhip and Du. tj. But. fince I faw this lovtly Creacure, mtthinkt my Friei.ds, and all that ought to h beloved on Earth, is now conttaBid into h:r. ^Tit net her fnowy Skin or matchUfs F'inure\ are of Force to^ Txove me i th.ugh they are ftch, :hy filf being Judge, as would h:ive foiled Apelles'x ^^r: to imi.

face ; But ^tis a Lujire which 1 can'': exfefs ! Sure- ly 'twas Lightning darted from her Eyes, thefe fair Avenues of hir brighter Soul! The fubtle Flame glanced ihrotigh my Brcaji, and in a Moment fc«rch'd

my Reafon up I The lovely BaHlisk [hot Death at

every Look t jhoit favefi how 1 fate as one transform tned ; fa itfclefs, and withtut Motion was 1, whilji- gazing on my Ruin ? ^nd to this Hour a fatal Uumb- ittjs fpreads through all my Ferns, as if I had ttuch'i- fome dire Torpedo Thus went he raving on, till I interrupted him with Laughter and Railery, endeavouring to cure him of his Love-fick Humour by ridiculing it. I told him my own Experience of this fcolilh P»f- Jion, rehearfcd my former Adventures with Daria, and how at length I got the Viftory of this vain Fondnefs by Abfence and the Exercife of my Reafon. But all that I could fay, made no Im- prefllon on the ftupid Lover. He grew but worfe, and fo I left him to feek Repofe from fleep. We came not to 0>-lea/f till the n?xt Day, where we tarried not long, hiving no other Bufi- nefs as it happen'd bur to fee the Rarities of the Town, and Inform our felves of thofe tilings it is convenient for Travellers to know.

Afccr which we rerurn'd to Pat-is : I with the fame Sentiments I had at my firft fetting out

From thence ; but it feems the IV^rld was me- tamorphofed in poor Eliafhim s Opinicn. To him ;

Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 199^^ him the Trees had now loft all their Greennefs the Flowers, and Grafs, and Corn, look'd wl- therd ; the Birds fung mournful Notes; the

Winds blew hoarfe, unlwecome Sounds ; and every thing in hlaturt feem'd to him to droop, becaufe Falante was not there (fo was the fair onecall'd as Eliachin. had learn'd of herj when we parted from Orlean/. In this melancholy Condition, the poor Brain- sick Jcro has continued ever fince. When his Cure will commence, I know not. If thou yet retaineft thy native Liberty, and haft not facrificed it to unhappy Love, learn by his Misfortune to watch thy Senfes^ which are the firft Traytors to the Stul. Adieu.

Paris, ift of the 6th Miony of (be Ti»r 1647.

LETTER XXIX.

To the Captain Balla.

THOU that haft had thy Education in Arfe- *tsls, and haft led the reft of thy Life m Shipt of IV0-. wilt be beft able to judge of the Propofal, which a certain bloody Sea Cap.ain jnade toCu'dinal Mazarini not long ago. It being the general Difccmrle of this City, with what Infult and Defiance Admiral McQ/tni, with about thirty Men of H^ar^ enter'd the Fhl/e. fpont, and braved the Dardaml/ : This Officer told the Carcfinal, i hat if he would furnifh him wirh half that Number of Ships, he would engage- to drive the Sultan out of his Seraglio, lay that Pslace in the Duft, and beat down the Ttisiri of K 4 - aii loa L E T T E R s^ Tfrit ly Vol. Ilf, all the Mof^ues in CenfianttncpU, or Jofe his Li Fe- in the Attempt. To which the Cardinal replied, ^tis impojjibie, ATonlieur, / believe if you coul < fimfli- your IVerk, before they would bca^d your Men of War with a Hundred Gallies and Salques full of arrr.ed Mtn

Ic is iaid, That Cardinal Rich/i'eu had fuch a- Projeft once, which maJe him propofe the Build- ing of prodigious high Ships, whole out-Hdcs iliould be ftuck all over with fliarp Spikes, thar iliould render it impoflible for GaiUtj to board them By this thou may 'ft know, that fuch an Attempt is not thoug,ht impracticable by the Ch/fiians. I %vifh it be not put in efFeftiial Execution by them, when the Port may leaft drean^of it. Chrifltna, ^ecn of Swedeland, has caufed a moft magnificent f^'jf^l to be bullr, with deftgn to prefentit to Zardmal Mazarini. The inner Work of the Cabin is of Cedar, curioufly overlaid with Flowers, and other Imagery of Gold. The Ex- tremity of rhe Stern, adorn'd wiih Windows, Sta- tues and Galleries ; the wooden Work all over- laid with the fame Metal. The Roof of the Ca« bin prefents the Story o^Jafons Expedition to get the Golden Fleece, painted by the beft Mafters in Svoedetand. All the Furniture fpeaks the Royal Bounty of her that gives it The Canon are of the pureft Brafs The reft of the Tackle fuch as

are fitteft to weather the Winds and Waves ; from which neither this ^teen's Sovereignty in SwedelanJ, nor the C^rdtnal'i Grandeur in France, could exempt either of them, were they expo- fed to Sea There are thofe who whifper on this Occafion, That the ^uien o{ Sv^edeland has fome Inclinations.

to the RomaK Catholiik ReligloTt ; that flie has had fcyeral Conferences with Mo»Ji:iir cl:a:uc, n.-ii that Vol. in. a Spy at Paris] 2or that Subjeft, as alfo with his Pr-Ufts ; that her Reftdint in Portugal has openly embrac'd thaC Faith, not without the §lutens private Confent and Approbation. It is material to us. what Religion the Infidds profefs, whilft they alTert Do. Brines repugnant to the Divine Unity, and the Truth of the SfWf of God. \ behold, at this time, an evident Sign of his Uraty in the H-ifJins; it is the istio Moott, juft rifing from the lower Hemif. phere. At the Sight of this Plantt, the M.^^nger of God has commanded me to fall on my Face, and adore the Eternal. Wherefore praying, That her hfluences may prove propitious to thee, whilft thou art en the Oce»n, I bid thee adieu,

Paris, 23^. of the 6th Mion, of (he Tiar 1647.

The End of the Second Book.

K y LET- 2,0 r LETTERS Wric by A Spy at Paris.

VOL. 111.

BOOK III.

LETTER I.

7o Bedredin, Superior of the Convent (f Dervifes, at Cogni in Natolia.

T more welcome are the rich Per- fntnet of y^aiiA, to a SouJ aJmoft ex- NOexpiring through Griefand Melancho- Jy, than is thy Letter to Mahmut, where- in is contain'd the €<>>: ideate of thy being yet on this Side the Sra:e of Invifiblt!. Methinks all J>j0twre fiourlfhes, while thou art alive And I feel a Spirit within me, prompts me to prefage, That thy Death, like the fall of Leaves in ^u~ tumn, will prove the Marhirger of the IVtrlds iaft Winter. W hilft thou livefV, thy Prayers and Merits, fupport che drooping Eitmentt, which are ;

Vol. III. e:, in Contemplation of thy Virtue, delays to found the gran^i ttenuni^ous B!aj! ; which, at an Inllant, fhall puff out the Light of the Sun, Moon and Stars, and blow the Breach out of the Noftrils of all the living Generations. That Day fhall be a Day of Darknefs, Horror and

Silence, 'till the Hour of Tranfmigrgtim comes ; When at the feeond Bhll the Firmament {hall rent afunder , like the opening of Curtains ; this o'd iVorli fhall fly away like a Shadow, to the Right Hand and to the Left. Then fliall tiakcd ertipty Space iuuh hang hovering in the , 'twixt Paradife and Hell. The Thront- fhall be placed, Judgment ihsW be given : And, to vi d up the M)ft ries of Fate^ a new and twmo'ttl VVorld fhall at a Moment fprlng forth from the fVomi of Eternity, and pofTefs the Place of the firmer. I write not this to InfiruQ: thee. Venerable B*- drtdin, who art a Mine of KneroUdge : But to fa- tisfy thee, that tho' I live amongfl Infi4els, yet I conferve invhUte the F»ith of my Fathers, be- lieving the Book brought down from the eternal yirchivef. Thou fcareft that I fliall turn Chripian, being accufed by fomc, of Levity in my Opini- ons ; by others of Prophanenefs and Athelfm by all, of difcovering too favourable an Inclina* tion to the Naza>-enes. Suffer me O hely Prefident of the Servants of Odd, to purge my felf of thefe falfe Imputations the Produft of Envy and Malice. Permit me to- lay at thy jaered Feet, a rxadeft j^£ology for my Faith. Let not that Defcrlptlon of the Chrifiians MJftts^ which I fent tliee in my laft Letter, create in thee an Opinion to my Dlladva.itage j nor pre- K ^ vat] 104 Letters IVrii^ by Vol. Ill, vail c\\ thee ro think, I can ever fwerve from the prof:)urd Attach, I owe to the ^ent of Ctd. \ honour Son >/»/, the of Miry -, and fo I do all Lis Bi-ttkren, flie Prophets in Paradife : This I am r.TUght in the y^Ico an. Where is then my Crime ? If 1 give Virtue its due Praife, even in the In. fiiels, I am therefore a l^azartnt ? If I fpeak witfr Reverence and Modefty of Chriflian Pn'ncef, am not I therefore a Mtijfulman ? Or, does the Book Glory of teach us Arrogance ? Surely my Traducers will blufli, when they lliall confider, that our augufl Emperors themfelves, (who are io- vereigns of all the Kmg, on Earth,) when they vouch fafe tg write to Chriflian primes, they diftate their Letters in a Style, full of AfFeftion and Regard give _ They them magnificent Titles sit the Beginning ; and at the Conclufion, they wifh theiii Encreai'e of Felicity, both here, and in Pa- radife, And would it become a Slave, to treat croivn'd Headi with lefs Refpea-, than does the Mapr of the Univerfe ? If I have contrafted Friendfhip with fome of theChriftian Dervifes, \t was to ferve the Ends of the fuhlime Port, and perform the Rites of Gratitude. I thought It no Crime, to receive a Kindnefs from any Man ^ or to return it, without examining his RcHgicn. But perhaps they fufpeft the Intimacies I had with Cardinal Richlieu, and ftill have with his Suc- ceflbr Mazarini. Reft alTured, O holy Dervife, that my Accefs to thefe Princes of the Rcmatt Church, is fo far from being criminal, that with- out it I never had been capable of penetra- ting int:) the Counfels of the Infidels, nor of do- ing any ff'c£h]al Service to the Gravd Signior, The Countenance which my Familiarity with thefe two great idiniflen affords me, has all along facilitated my Defigns: And, whilft under their

Umbrage, I am taken for a zealous Chriflian i Ife- ;

Vol. 111. a Spy at Paris; 205

I fecretly lay a Foundation, whereon, in due time, fliall be built, even in the Heart of Chri. jiendim^ triumphal Arches, for the vlftorious Muff'ulmajis. 'Tis ftrange, methinks, that after

all this, I fhould be fufpefted \ That nctwith- ftanding I have patiently endured nine Years

Confinement, to an obfcure and private Life; a. melancholy Banifliment to a flrange Country; yea, to a City for which I have a natural Aver-

fion ; a City the moft unclean, noify and vain, in

the whole Earth ; to be fliut up, for the fake of avoiding Difcovery, in a Chamber fo narrow, that Sufpicicn ic felf; nay even Thought, the Mother of that little Pajjion, would fweat and be (li- flcd,when once circumfcribed within thefe Walls and after all this, to be made a Prifetier of State,

on Jealoufy of being a MahotKetttn ; To abide that Punllhment io many Moms unmovd, un- corrupted, and at length to be releafed, to the Advantage of the Ottoman Intereft, and yet to be traduced at home, for a Trayiar ta God, his Pro- ^htt^ and my Sovereign, has furely fomething in it inconfiftent. What is then my Crime ? Or, why am I thus afpers'd ? Let my Slanderers hereafter be fi- lent. Unlefs they will lay it to my Charge, 7 hat in fome of niy Letters I have difcover'd a Super/lie Mind free from ion ; That I put a high Value on Reafon, and have no low Efteem for

fome of the ancient Philojophers ; that I endea- vour to guard my Senfe, and will not fuffer it to be muzzled with the Impofitlons of Ignorance

and Prejudice ; that I do not think it a necclTary

Qualification of a Mujfulman , to purfue with

inexorable Hatred , all Men that differ from me in Opinion. In fine, That in all my Con- Verfation, I ftrive to comport my felf as one

who aflerts the Uniij of the Divtne EJfence , the PtHraHff I

7.06 Letters PFrh ly Vol. III.

Plurality of his Prophets^ the det'.nmna e Number EleEl of the ; and who is relblved and prepared, rattier to die aThoufand Deaths, than voluntarU ]y to commit an Impiety againft thefe Principle', or the laterejl of the Gand :>ignio'-, who has a Right to command all f^ank:nd If thele be Crimes, I murt own my felf culpable ; If not, let my Acculeis lay their Hand upon their Mouth, And continue thou, [age D.Si.r of our kely Law, to inrtruft me with thy Counfels, to alTifV ms with thy Prayers, and to prote^ we wich thy Friendlliip Tnen (hall M.ihmut perfevere zt He Belieiitr, a faithful S!av'' to the Ofn,»n Emptor^ and a devout Admirer of thy Longevity and Vir- tue. I fliould fear this might be the lall Letter I ftoul;l have the Honour to fend thee, were I nor convinced by fome near Examples, that eld Age, was n>: t reO'ain'd to the Times before the FlQtd Though thou hafl far out-pafs'd the ordi- nary Years of Men, ytt there is at this time, not fer from Pa is, a Man who has near doubled thy Age He is an Htmi:, living on a Hill, where all things neceflary for Human Sufte- nance feem to be wanting The VV'alJ:; ofhis Houfe are built of Mud, with his own Hands. ( a weak Defence againft Wind and Rains ) His Bed is •ompofed of Leaves of Trees. A Scone ferves him for his Pillow. His Diet coiififts of fuch Herbs and Fruits, as that Mountain aiiords him. A neighbouring VVell allays his Thirft. He has dwelt in this Place, and in this manner, Eighty three Years, after he had travelled moft Parts of Europe and ^Jf* Ask him by what Means he preferved his Life foJong, he anfwers, By living free fr$m Csre, and by being indiferent to a. Things. He foretels Things to come with mar-

Vellou; Succef; , a$ ba$ ofcen been obrerv'd ; which Vol.111, tf Spy &t Paris^ 207 which makes the People efteem him a Pro. phet. The fench tell me of another who lived lon- ger than he, being Three hundred fixty and on& Years old whea he died. He was calJ'd, John of the Time-, in regard he liv'd from the R'ign of Charles the Grea:, to that of the Emperor Cmradt. And being ask'd what Diet he ufed, his Anfwer was, Htney within, and OH vichout. This comforts me with the Hopes of feeing thee on Earth, tho' many Years hence .- Since na Man can exceed thee in Abftinence^ Sobriety, and the Calmnefs of thy Mind The gr-e at /lu'hor of Ufe fo grant That if I may not enjoy this Felicity here yet I may not, by a- ny enormous Crimes, merit to be excluded thy Society in Paradife.

Paris, nth of the jth Metut, of the Tear 1 547.

LETTER. II. to Murat BalTa. TH E F''tnch are puffed up with the late De- feat they gave the spamfh Fleet in Sight of J^aples. Their Joy would know no Bounds, were it not curb'd by the Lofs of the Duke of Breze, who was flain by a Canon Bullet in this naval Combat. The young Pn'tiee of Cevde has been alfo for- ced to withdraw his Army from before Lerida, that Place being ever fatal to the French. This. has leflen'd the Difgrace which the Count of lUrcourt received the laft Campaign, in not being 2o8 Letters Ti'rit ly Vol. II J.

being able to carry that Town, after fix A/m»/ Siege.

liut the News from the Levant has elated all rreinh the beyond Meafure; Yet, I hope, the Re- lations that are fcatter'd abroad on that Subje

Gal.eys, and a Bafa ; that in the latter, the yme- tiani took forty Gallies, {{x Car»mufah, and fifty Saiques, laden with Men and Ammuniticnfor the Relief of our Army in Candy The Honour of this laft Victory, Is afcribed to the Valour and Conduct of Beruard Morofiui, and Gfveral Grtmani i Berna

It feems fl range and ominous to me, Thatthofe Arms which have formerly crufh'd the greatefV Mongrch'es to pieces, and have changed the Face of the whoe Harth, fhould now be foil d by a few

Defperadt 3 .' J dare be thus far a Prophet, that ei- ther the Soldle.-s are difgufted, which wll] pro>r duce a Revelution, or the mighty Ef/ipi're of the Ofm»n! Is in irs Decline, which Go^ avert. The Chrifiiant, (who are n-ot ignorant of our Affairs, nor of the very Secrets of the Seraglio) by an odd kind of Charity, pray for the long

Life of Sultan Ihahim : For, they fay, our Armies muft needs mifcarry during his Reign ; moft of th- Officers, being offended at his licentious Life, and cruel A6lions. Be(ides, they tax liim with Profufencfs, in that he has not fpared the private Treafury of Gold, which, by the Frugality of his Predecejf)''!, had been hespe.l together; and, which it was not counted lawful for them to touch, unlefs in the utmoft Peril of the Emfire-, They fay, That by the Additions whfch Suhan ylnwat had made, this Treafure was augmented

to above Thirty Millions of Sttjnim -. But that our prefent Emperor has fquander'd moft of it a- way on his Pleafure. They compare him to Hi" llozahaius, the moft effeminate Prince that ever reign'd ; praifing, at the fame time, the Magna- nimity and Valour of Sultan Jmurat ; who, they fay, was the ftouteft Man on Earth They high- ly applaud his Bravery at the Siege of BabjUn, when he accepted the Challenge of the Pe fiAn

Soldier; and entring into a fi gle Combat with the unhappy Redhead, at one Blow, with his 5a- b>e, cleft him (though in Armou-) to the mid- dle. In Memorial whereof, thou knoweiV, that yirmour hangs to this Day in the Hizvda In fine, they extol hisjuftice: Whereof he gave a re- maikabic liiftance, in punilhing a certain W'^'*» who : aio Letters H^h ly Vol. III. who had cheated a Pilgrim of his Jeveh '• Thou remembreft that Paffage. And the Stone Mortar, wherein that miferablc Wretch wa: pounded alive by his own Scnttnct, is yet t» be leen at the Gate of the Div-iti, a Monument of his Villany, and the i«/rd»'s Juftlce.

Thefe Things are not unknown In the Wfi ; for the Nazarenes have their Intelligences in the Imperial City. Hence they derive Occahons to cenfure or praife the Aftions of out »ugitfi Empe^ rerj, who are Comf»nitni of the 5«», and Brothert of the Stars. What I have faid, T truft to thy Integrity Whereof I have had Experience. Thofe who degenerate from that Virtue, may their Souls find no more Reft in the sther World than a French. Man s Hat has in thi/y which is always in Motion. Adieu.

»/" Paris, 1 5'i& the ith Motn^ of the Tear 1647.

LETTER in.

To Mahomet Techlij BaJTa offiofnia, at bis Camp in Dalmatia.

THOU art a fit Man to lead the Mt/Jfu/man Armies, who durft not hold up thy Head

againft a few Women : Perhaps thy Mother's

Milk hangs yet on thy Chin ; thou art wean'd from

the Difcipline of the Nuriery . Was the ftrong F*r. tr^J) of Seletnico cf fo fmall a Price, that thou fhouldft bafely decamp from before it, becaufe a few Females appear'd on the Walls } Is this the wav Vol. III. a Spy at Paris, hi Way to aggrandize thy Mafter ? What will the Chriftian! fay to this Cowardice ? Nay, what da they not lay already ? The News of that Siege had reach'd all Parts o£ Europe; the I^azartnes were big with Expectation of the Event. Now they know it, they lauj^h bo.h at thee, and at all the Mujf^lmans. Thou haft brought a Diigrace on the mcft exalted Emfire in the Wo) Id. Uhat If thou didft lofe Two thoufand Men be- fore the Walls of that Fort ? Is that a fufficient Juftificatlon of thy raifingthe Siege ? Our glori- ous Sultam do not ufe to win Cities and Caftles

without Blcod ? Neither do they fparc to facrifice the beft part of their Army to the Honour of their Arms, w-hllft our indefatigable Soldiers have mounted on Heaps of ilaughter'd Spahi's, and fcaled the Battlements of their Enemies. Where- as thou wert afraid of a few Stones, that th& Women hurl'd on thy Men from the Walls r Thou art more effeminate than S/irelaiifpa!us ! It were fitter for thee to handle the DiftafF, and fplm for thy Bread, than to draw a Sword in the Fi'eld of Honour. It is a wonder thy own Soldiers do not abandon thee being atham'd to ferve under fo weak a Commander. I counfel thee, fpeedlly to recover thy lofl: Reputation, by fome notable Service. Let not

Perils affright thee ; but remember. That true

Fortitude furmounts allDIfficukies ; and that thou can'ft not pafs into the Ttmpl of Hon»ur, but through that of yi'tue. It Is not my part to pro- jeft for thee: The whole Country is before

thee : Thou knoweft, or at leaft oughte'.t to know, the Motions and Strength of thy Enemies. Do fomeching fpeedlly, that Ihall Ipeak thee wile and valiant. Thou hadfl: better lofe thy Life fo, tiian by a ^v -String,

Take XII Letters JVrit 3y Vol.IIF. Take this Advice as a Mark of my Friendflilp, for Mahmut ufes not fo frankly to reprove thole whom he efteems his Enemies. Adieu.

Paris, '1 5-'^ «/ the Sth Moon, »f the Tcttr 1 647.

LETTER IV. To Achmec Baffa.

NO T long ago arrived here a Ceun'er from > SwedeUnd, bringing Letters from Queeir Chrijiina and Monjieuri^hanuty the Frenth Rejtden; at Stockholm. Among other Matters, they give an Account, That on the twenty fevcnth Day of the feventh Moon, that great Primep had like to have been llabb'd In the midft of her Guard}, furroundei with her Courtiin, before the Altar of her God -^ at an Hour when all the Suhjeiis of that Kingdom were on their Knees, to render Htaven propicious to her and the publick. That Day there was a F«J} proclaim'd through sM 6voedeli>nd-, and he was efleem'd no gcod Snhm jc£}, who did not repair to the publick SoUmnitier. The Queen, to give an Example, went at the third Hour of the Day to the A/o/^weofher Palace, attended by the gf-eat cffi.ers of Stsie, and a nu- merous Train of the Noaility. When the P'-eaker (as is the Cuftom) had made an end of fpeaking, all that were prefent fell on their Knees, to per- form the appointed Devotions. But it being the FaOilon of the tiazarenc to utter fome fecrec pre- parative Oraifom, the Men cover'd their Faces with their Hats, to be more recoUefted, While Vol. III. tf Spy <3^ Paris, xij

While all Eyes were thus veil'd, a certain Fel- low fnatching the Opportunity, fleps from his Place, and, without making any great Noife, by large Strides, advances unfeen to the Rails which enclofe the Pavement next to the /V/^(»r, where the ^een was on her Knees. But In leaping over, he was perceived by a certain tJableman, who imme-

diately cry'd out to the Guardf, to (ftp the y^Jfi>JJin. They crofs'd their Partifans, but the yJUin hurl'd them one againft another with fo great Violence, that while they were ftrivirig to recover their en- tangled Weapons, he got quite through them. Ac which time, the §lueen alio railing her felf up at the Noife, pulh'd thcCeftti/n of her Guard-, who Icnecled befide her. He ftarting from his Place, leap'd between the ^een and the Mwdenr, who was now within two Paces of her. He feizes the

Wretch ; ; and, upon immediate Search, they found two long Iharp pointed Knives about him,

without Sheaths ; one in his Bofom, the other In his Pocket. The Prifon being in the Cafile or Palace of the §lueen, under her very Apartment, fhe was not wi.ling he ftiou'd be carried thither, but order d him to be re-condufted to his own Chamber, which was in the College of Stockholm, he being an EccUJiaftick of the faid College-^ com- manding alfo a good Guard to be fet over him, which was perform'd accordingly. As fooa as the Wretch faw himfelf In his Cham- ber, he faid aloud, That whtn he vent out in the Morning, he little thought of eter returning ag»it:y having undertaken an Aliitn^ in doing of which be txpcB d to life his Life. They ufed all Diligence imaginable In dlfcover. Ing the Authors ofthis inrendedMurder ; but could learn nothing more, Than that this Fellow was a hunatick, whom at certain Sj^/otj/ an unaccounta- ble Fury fpurrcd onto many Extravagancies. Yec 214 l^RTT EKS F/rit ly VoI.IIT. Yec feme fufpeO-, that he was hired by the L«. theran Clcfy to give this execrable BIojv ; who were apprehenfivc, That the %a« heark'ning too much to the Jnfinuatioiis of hcvTutor, who was a Calvimfi, would innovate the eJiabUjh''d Rel/gitn of the Country. If this be a well-grounied Siirpicjon , it foJIows at the belt, that Religion whick ought to correft the Moja/s of Men, and have an Influence in re- ftrainlng their exorbitant Paffions, is become the Corrupter of their Manners, and the Fomenter of -the molt enormous Crimes. But this is common among th-e Chrifiianf, who being divided into in- numerable Partiei, diftlnguilh'd by as many feve- lal Names ; yet each SeB is fo fure that their Way is the only right Path to SaI'vation, that they fpare for neither Murders, Sacrileges, nor Treafons, to profelyte the reft to , their Opinion, being unwil. ling that any fhculd live, who are not of the fame JVfiud with them. The King of Fravce^^nii. the ^uten Regent, xtctWi the News of Slueen Chnftina's Delivery from this -deflgn'J Bldw,with much Joy ; the Interefts of both Crenm being at this time clofely intermingled. I can Inform thee of nothing more remarkable at prefent. fave, that certain Letters are intercept- •ed, which the Duke of Bavaria had written to the Duke of mrtembtrg, and the Eleftor of Cr. lognt The Contents : of which difcover. That ths Duke of Bavaria is not far from a Reconciliation with the Emperor; and that, in the meantime, he rnlywaitsthe Event of Things, to direahim ^n^the l.hoice of his Party. '"Gvd confirm thee in thy Integrity, That thoa •-may ft never waver or fwerve from the Service and Duty thou oweft the G'-aud Signior, -Paris, zSrh cf the ^-h Mayt •f the Tear 1^47. LET. Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 21 j*

LETTER V.

To Cara Halij a Phyfician at Con- ftancinople.

haft heap'd many Favours on me THOU ; yet I have never had an Opportunity of making the leaft Acknowledgement. Accept now a fm/tU Preftnt from Mahmut's Hands, who being not Mafter of Wealth, can make no great ones. I fend tbee neither Silver, Gold, nor Jewels, which the infatlabie Avarice of Mortals, has violently torn from the Bowels of their eor/imon Mother. Neiiher fhalt thou receive from me any of the more familiar Produfts of the Earth, fuch as grow on her Surface. Expeft no choice Fruits, or Wine, or Oil; nor any thing framed by the Arc of Man, whether for Delight, or Ufe. What I fend thee is the Dev of Heaven, a certain ^in- Tfjfence of the Element, an ^Ethereal Spirit, fir ft condensed into a Vapour, then into a more liquid Subftance, and afterwards congealed into a Gum. It is the celebrated Manna of Lalabria. .75n> . Adonai the fent It to me out of H^^y as a Rarity. I knew, not whom fo properly to oblige with this prefent, as the Studious of w/»- turai Things, Hali the fage Phyfician, and my Friend The Phtlofspher Averroes, our Country man, has written much of this excellent Subftance. He

calls it, The Feed of the ^i^j Angch ; and fays, The young Ravens crying in their Nefts, are nou- rifli a by this heavenly Diet, when the old ones

forfake them : And that the Chanelienr feek no -other Repaft during their Lives, but the Inviii- ile Manna, tliat every where floats In the Morn- ing ai6 Letters rr-r/V /)» VdI. III.

ing Air. He holds it pofTible, That a Man, after he has pafsM his^'"f<»* CHrnaHer, may live without any other Suftcnance Tave what he receives from

this heavenly Didillatitn ; that he may thus pro- loftff his Life for the Space of i'cvQn. Years, which will complete the appo nted Age of Mortals. A'.any of the fublimely inftrufted among the yf abian:, are of the iame Opin'Qrt; f® arc not a few of the Hebrew Rabbt's: But the Chriflians^ "who are Gluttons, laugh at this Doftrlne as-ridi- culous and impradicable, forgetting at the fame time what they read in their Bible, (which they pretend is the Rule of their Faith) that the Ifrae- litcs had nothing elfc to feed on for a confidera- t'eTime in the Defart^ when they were almoft Eight hundred thoufand .Souls, and the greatefl part of them in their full Strength, Men of Arms,

Jind inurdto the Toils of War. « -Certainly it were a dcllrable Thing, That this •divine Largifs were diftributed to all the Regions 'on Earth. But God fends his Blefllngs to whom, -find when he pleafes. *Tis he th^t direfteth the ^Clouds when they move through the Air, and reft not till they arrive at barren and dry Places, where they pour forth their Water .to refrefh the Earth, and render it fruitful. Godl There is but one GeH, Lord of the World ! Thefe are Signs of his I7w/V; to true Believers, hut the tHtreduioui have harden'd their Hearts. It is recorded, That in former Times, the Ground whereon this Wtfw«/»defc ended, belong'd to a certain Nobleman of the Country , who, cove- tous cf the umifual BleJJiKg. undertook to enclofe h11 that Land within a high Wall, to the end that fo rare a Gifir might not be made common taeve. ry one But, as fcon as the V/crkmen had be- gun to lay the Poundation cf this Enclofure, the Manna ceas'd to fall, aad fo continued, as long as they Vol. III. ther Region of the Earth Ic is well known, ThaC the Earth of thisCoun- tiy abounds with Veins of Sulphur, which are diffufed up and down through all Parts, and heat the Soil to an extraordinary Degree. Hence it follows, That the lovter Regien cf the Air, in this Country, muft needs acquire a greater Degree of Heat and Drynefs alfo, being perpetually rati- fied by the fiery y^tomes, which every where tran- fpire through the Pores of the Earth, as from a Furnace. This being fo, it is not hard to conceive, That the Vapours which are exhaled by the Sun Into the upper Region, in the Heat of a Summer t Day, and there become impregnated by the jE'.kereal Spirit, (which remains pure and un- cloath'd in thofe ferener Trafts, and confequent- ly, ts apt to incorporate with any proper Vehi- cle,) naturally defcend again in the Cool of the

Night } but not meeting with a congeneous Body of Vapours in the lower Region, that Air being over purify'd, and grown defecate, through the too near Neighbourhood of the burning

Soil ; fo that they cannot dlfFufe themfelves through the Air for the want of a fit Medium^ they confifting of htmogcnious Parts, and following ^ iLi8 Letters Writ hy Vol. IIL the natural Pofition of the Elemtnt^ and the La9t of Q'»vltjf ; contraft themfelves into little globular

Forms, the lower they defcend ; thus fettling on the Leaves of Trees, on the Grafs and Herbs, on Srones, and any part of the Earth, appearing like Grains of tranff>arent Gum. Hence alfo I conceive, That the fame Manna I'which is nothing elfe but an /£5i>fr

pours up ; but being moifl: and thick, the defcend- iiig Manna, inftead of contrafting it felf into glo- bular Bodies, and through its Weight finking to the Earth, dilates it felf, and incorporates with the

floating Vapours ; Juft as if you pour Drops of Water into a Veflel full of the fame Element thofe Drops do not fink to the Bottom, but find- ing an homogeneous Body, they mix with it, and, are difperfed every way; whereas, if there be no- .^'ling in the way to ilcp them, they immediately ' fall to the Ground. .fiut I fhall tire thee with my Phihfephy forgetting that 1 fpeak to a Man confummace in all Science), yt-ionai relates many remarkable Paflages of this -Country, too tedious fcr a Letter. I will only tell thee in Jhort, Tbat the Kingdom of Naples isefteem- ed one f f the moft delegable Region: on Earth, the Trees flourilhiag twice a Year and the Soil a- boundins to Prodigality with Corn, Wine, Oil and Fruits, and all things necefTary for the Life of Man Yet the Inhabitants have this Proverb com-

inong them ; The Kingdom of Naples is a Pa^adife of Delight I, but it is inhabited xoirh Devils : So corrupted are the Manners of the People, AdIeU; Vol. III. a Spy at Paris, xi^ Adieu, dear Hah\ and think not Mahmut tedi- ous in his Letters, who has no other way, at this *^ dlfVance, to converfe with his Friends.

ParlSj \^th of the toth Mtm,

ef the Tear 164 7.

LETTER VL To Kerker H^lTan BalTa. \

\ 71 /H E N this Diffatch flball come to thy VV Hands, be aiFured, That Mahmut thy Country-man, and Slave to the Slaves of the G'and s'tgnior, wiflaes thee Multiplicity of Hap- pinefs I have many Reafons to honour thee, be- iides the natural AffeSlIon, which is, or oughr to be, between thofe who w^re born in the fame "Region. The mar>y Favonrs thou haft done me, far .exceeded the Obligation which arifes from the

Vicinity of our Birth ; though that waS fo near that a ftroBg Man would have meafured the Di« ftance with one Flight of an Arrow.

The Prefent of Ktpha , for which I return'd thee Thanks in my laft, has wrought wonderful l:ffe£ts on me, being a perfeft Cure of the M«- lanchdlly, to which I was before fubjeft. It has

Treed me from many Diftempers ; and I owe t'^e prefent Eafe and Checrfulnefs I enjoy to this generous Gift. Methinks, while I am drinking this excellent Liquor. I am at Cmflanu'nofle, converfing with my Friends. It revives in me the Genius of 4fia- and fo advantageoufly transforms the Ideas of Things which I fee, that the Crops 0.1 the Tops t li Qf ,ixo Let t e r s Writ $y Vol . III. of. the Chn'piatt Temples^ appear to me as HsJf. jiHoons-j amd my Imagination prefents to rjie Tm*-- ^*«f; inflead ot Hats, as Men walk along the

: of P^rj/, • Streets . •, „ , ^ :.•,• .; Doubdefs, great is the Force of what we eaf or drink, which has occafion'd all wife Laxo.giver-^

. among other San6lions, to prefcribe certain Rules of Diet: And the Care of our hdly Prophet has been exquifite in this Point, his Prohibitions ex- tending to all uncle-an Meats and Drinks, fmce they deprave the Conflitutions of Men, and en- dine them to Vice. But, by his own Example, yfie recommended to us the Ufe of this admira-

ble Berry ; -impoflng a new Name on the Tne that bears it, when 4e called it, the Tree of Pari.

fication, . Hence it is, That all the Mujfulmans affeft to partake of the ftvBified Benefit, it being the unJverfal Beverage of the Ofman Empire. Were the Virtues of it known in the[&4Vc^ern ' Parts, it would match, if not fupplant, the Cre- dit of their Wines, fince it equally refreflies the Spirits, Without intoxicating, the Brain. I know not whether thou hal> {cqh Peftcli-haU^

V toy Brother, fmce thy Return from Ar»bia x Or, •whether thou haft heard the News he brought .with him out of the Exfi. He has furrey"d the /«- dtcs^ Tartjtry^ China, Tunquin, Perjta, and Other /?f^f(»', "whofe Names arc hardly known in fonie "Parts of the Ottoman Entpire. Indeed, w^e have formerly had but an odd Idea of thofe remote

Countries ; b^t efpecially China has been hid from rt-hc greateft Part of the Earth. In my earlier Years, I have heard Men of Gra- vity, who would be taken for knowing Perfons, fjy, That C^/n« was but a tribiitary Prtvince of y/ia, . 5?1ie 7'anars, a contemptible Corner of and fo barren, as it could hardly afford Suftenance for its Inhabitants, which is a Sign it is well Peopled. Vol.III. aS?Y at ? AKiS' irf Peopl'd. AfTuredly our Fathers were ignorant o£' this Ctuntry ^ ^\i\ch after the perpetual Monarchy df the Ofman), may'^e cfteem'd the feeond Empfre

' en Earth. • My Brother fays, It cdntains Sixteen Provt'ff- cei, each as large as a Kirgdjm -. And, That all together they fill up a Traft of Ground as big as Europe, uhTch. thou fenoweH-, is one of the Four garters pf the fVorU -. And that this vaft Do^m* nion contains above a Hundred Millions- of Inha-

, ••,.•. 'V . ! 1 bitants. ; 'The Emperor ^xho reign'd when Pejieli-Toali \va$ - there, was call'd Suvchin, a young Prince, not

«bove Thirty Years of Age ; in whofe Veins rai^ the B/W of Sixteen Emperors, his Pi'ogenitors. ' In the Year 1640, two great Officers' in hii Army, having drawii to their Party an innume.-' - I'aBte Gtlmpany oF the Soldiers, ahd being encou-* raged by foine Grandees &z the Gwr/, made a Rcr'- Volt. The Names of thefe Re^e/s ss'ere Lyangz and Ohangicji. They foon became Mafters of Five-

Provi'tjcet : But, quarrelling about their Shares,

Lycungz. caufed his AlFociare to be poifon'd ; and- ^aking on himfelf the fole Command of the /??- helf, was' procl^irhd by them, Emperor of China. After which, he'march'd direftly with his whole Forces agarnft Petjutn, a Gity whCTe the Emoerer Rept hi-s Court: Knowing that the Conquefl: of this Place wou.'d fecure to Mm all the remaining Provincet of the Empire. The Chimfe are rep.uted a mofl: ingenious Peo- ple, excelling in all manner o£ mahanick Inven- tions, and the boldeft ArchiieSfs in the World. They biiild Bridges from one Mountain to ano- ther, to -fliorten the Travellers Journey o'er ther' Plain between them, and raife Towers almoO: up to the Clouds Some of their Cities are fjud CO be.near- Thirty Leagues in Ccmpafs, ha-

L 3 vii>.£ Hi Letters H^rit hy Vol. III. ing double VValJs and Ditches. And, my Brother fays> That Pfja/w wants not much of this titent: And, That the PnUa of the Enperor is near a League in Circuit, environ'd by three Walls, and as many Moats, befides Bulwarks, and other Fortifications. He adds, That this mighty City and P»!aee, is guarded by an Hundred thoufand Soldiers. This impregnable Place the Rtbe/t took by Stra- tagem, v/hich was able to have_ refifted all the Force of y^fia. L^cungz held a private Correfpon- dence with feveral Grander within the Town and Palace By whofe Connivance he fent great Numbers of the flouted Men in his Army, dif- guifed in the Habit of Mcrehsntj, who (lodging themfelves in divers Quarters of the City, on a Day appointed, fuddenly appeared in Arms; and iurprjzing the Guards who defended the Gates, flew them all, and open'd the Gates to the Rehh. Who can exprefs the Confufion and Slaughter that filled all Parts of the City with Mourning and Blood? The barbarous Conqueror facrificei all the Loyal and Brave to his unpardonable

Ambition ; difarm'd thole who efcaped the firli

Maflacre ; and having made himfeJf abfolute A-Iafler of the City^ lays a dole Siege to the i«2. perisl Palace. The Emperor now finding that he was betray'd^ and that it was too late to defend himfelf from the cruel Perl'ecution and Ir.fult of the Tray- tors, rakes Advantage of the fhort Refiftanca which feme of his faithful Servants made, to confult his own Honour, with that of the Err-prtft and his Daughter. He had above Three thou- fand Wives, for whom he could not provide

in that Flood of Calamities , all his Care being cmploy'd to prevent tl:e lad Triumph of his Hnemies. Vol. III. a Spy at Paris, iij Enemies, in not fufFefIng the Royal Blood to be Died by the prophane Hands of thofe VIIJaiHS. He entcr'd Into the Gardem of the Palace, accompa- nied only by his Etnpref: and Daughter, with three faithful Eanuchs. The young Princtf.% (who was a Lady educated in all the Chintfe LearniHg) fee- ing rhe great Afflifton of her Royal Parents, the inevitable Ruine of her Family, and the univer- fal Defolatlon fell on her Knees, and fpoke to- her Father, as follows ;

Mf Lord, SINGE It Is the Will of the immtrtal God, thus to extinguilh the Luftre and Majefty o£ourJul/lime Race, let their Decrees be fulfiU'd,' But let nor me be a Speftator of my Parents Fall, or furvive a Tragedy, at which the Earth Ic felf muil tremble. Have this Compaflion on my- tender Yea*s, and let tliefe Eyes be clolVd, before Death feal up yours, from which mine borrow'd all their Light. Think not, becaufe

I am young, I fear to die : I long to lee our Kuidrid Goat, and reprelenc the Fate of China,

fo as to provoke their fpeedy Vengeance . Sure- ly our i^f/j7*<^ AncejUri, at my Complaint, would gather all the Thunder in the Heaven>, and ihower it down upon thefe ptrjurd and ungrat - ful Traytors. Or elfe, they'd play the Cbymi/ls, and extra^the molV envenom'd h.fliience of the the Stars, and dart the heavenly Poilbn on the Rem hell, as they lie before thefe facred Walls, and thus would put a Period to their curfed Treafon. Make no Delay, my Royal Father, but try the-

Experiment ; releafc me from thefe Chains,-

which hinder my Efcape to Paradife : And ler me be the Herald of fuch News, as ne'er before l^r^rlzd the Blefs'd above. !

iM Letters ^m /j Vol. III. The Emperor, mov'd with this pafTionate AJ* drefs of his Daughter, drew a Dagger from hi* Girdle, and therewith ftabb'd her to the Heart- And then, ftruck with Remorfe at fo unnatural a Deed, cover'd his Face with a Veil of Silk. Thus Afting /fgamtmnons Part, when to fulfil the Oracle^ he facrificed h\sDaMg\n&T Ithigmia. After this, the Emprep, overwhelm'd with fo- Tnany Scrrows, retired into a Grove, and hang'd her felf with a filkeri Cord on a Tree. The Em. fcrcr, feeing this mournful Speftacle, was refol- ved no longer to delay his own Death. Where- fore following her Example, he difpatch'd him- klf likewife by a String. But he firft bit a Vein, and with his Blood writ the following

Words ;

* Wliatisrherenow defiralde on Earth, after I * am thus betray'd by my own SubjeBs ? J accule ' not the inferior People ; They are innocent * Tis to the Maniarivs I owe my fudden Fall, * with the Ruin of this mighty Empire. Behold * in me, the RojmI Line extinft. I am the laft of * fixteen Ein^erorj. I, that was Lord of fo many * fpaclous Rfgicfis, Guardian of the Bcd.ckamher of * the Sun, fale Monarch of the Orient, Lieutenant * to the God; of the Mine), PofTciror of infinite * Treafures, at whofe Name a hundred Millions, * of my Subje6ls touched the Ground with their * Foreheads am now ready to be trampled under 'Foot by the bafeft o? rr^.y Slaves. liMt I will ' «prevent my own Difgracc, and carry this maje-

* ft ck Soul inviolate to my renown'd Futkert ; * whofe Vengeance^ join'd with that of all the * Gtds, ft,all fall on the perfidious Manda>ins, who * nave betray'd both me and this exalted State to

! Ruia. Vol. III. a at P a'r is. 1 2 Spy j A IJarrative of rhefe mournful PafTages was printed in the Chimfe Language, fuppofed to le done by the Order of the Emperor's Attendants^ who follow'd him into the Garden, and were WitnefTes of what was laid and done, A Copy- of which my Brother procured to be tranilated into Arahick, by a Mtrckant of 0"ur Nation who underftood the .C^i«

Paris,, 1-^th of the nth'Alion, 'f fif^^ffSrjC^T.

L ? LET- zz6 Letters Ifrit hy VoLlI'L

LETTER VII.

7o Darnifii Mehemer, BafTa.

'\ ?\/ H AT Obligation have I ro be concern*"^ for V V the Infidels ? Or , what Inrereft In the Umircumafea? Yet Nature has tied all our Race, in feme comnun Bonds of ^jfiBien; and Hurnanity teaches us, to fejoice at tfic Deliverance of th« Oppnfcd. The lOngdem of Nafhs has long groan'd under rhe Yoke of ^panijh Tyranny. The Labour of the People fufficed not to pay the unreafonable Tayet that were Impofed on them. They fweat Blood

to become yet more miferabJe ; whllft their cruel Mafters having fkec'd them to Nakednefs, would take Advantage of their Poverty, to rivet their Chains yet deeper,and render their Servitude paft Eedemption. The People were fenfible of their Calamity, yet knew nor how to fliake off the Yoke. It had gall'd to thtm the Nerves and Sinews ; their Strength was gone. Defpair of Redrefs" had ren- der'd them fupine, and took from them rhe very Power of meditating their Recovery. But Ht«- 'ven, which protefts the opprelfed, has ralfed up a Tfuth from among the mcamji of the People, to alfert the piiilick Liberty. A Fijherman, who has not feen Four and twenty IVinters, has underta- ken to reftore the ancient Privileges of the Nea- folitans. Who can penetrate into the Methods of eternal D fliry, whicJi makes ufe of fo contemptr- bJc Inftruments, to check the Pc^wer of the great-

This holi put h, infplred with a Zeal for the PHiJick, ran oa^DayJaxo the Streets, crying with a Joud Vol. irr. J Spy at Pakis. 2x7 a loud Voice. Long live the King of Spain, ^«r If^ the corrupt Officers perijh. He had no other VVeaf pon, fave a Reed In his Hand, but was loon fo}-' low'd by a Multltudeof Boys and young Men»- with Clubs and Staves, who went along the Streets of that populous City, repeating the Cry after him, Long live the King of Spain, but let- the corrupt Officers perijb. At firft, the Citizens' laugh'd at the Infant Tumult; but In lefs than two Hours, this Fjhirman (whole Name was Majfaniellt) had enrolled above c*o thouland~ Boys. The next Day his Numbers encreafed, by thc- Accellion of all fort of lewd and idle Per Cons, Mai Contents, Debtors, andfuch as weredeflrou* of Novelty. Nay, fome of the better Ibit of Citizens Ihut up their Shops, took Arms, and mingled with the popular Infurreftlon : So that e*er Mid day, there were above ten thoufand Mea and Boys, marching along the Streets, and burn- ing the Cuflom Houjes, with all their Bseh of -*f- ecmpts, throughout the City. When Maffanidlo beheld himfelf at the Head of fo vaft a Multitude, he thought it time to declare the Realon of his railing this Tumult. Wherefore, getting on an eminent Place in one of the MJr* kets, he fpakc to his Followers to this Effeft ;

Rfjoi'ce, O ye faithful Pecfle^ »ftd fend »p AicLima. tiont to the God of Heaven, vh» ky.h this Day put it int9 jmr liiarts and Hands to te your own Redeenurs. As for me, my Spirit bu>Mtth xoithiu me, to fee the publick Opprrffion ; and I fet no ^o- lue on my L'ft^ when 1 fi-Ji Ixg.m this glorious Ea» terpriz.e. One of the Princes thtatend mt wi'h the Galleys, if I perfjfed ; Hut here are thiufindi r»j IVitMfjfti, Thar ir.flead of fearing hint, I fmoti him »n the Brcfifi, »nd fent him away joyful^ tbat h 6 ht , .

11 8 L E T T E R s rrr// ^; Vol. III. he efcaped with his Life. O ye faithfvl People^ trufi tot the Princes cr Nobles • Th'y are the Men wht opprefs yen, and would evJJave you. T'ttji in y«ar ^rms^ avii the "Juftice »f yonr Catife. GckI haf brought yeu together ; let nothing feparate you tiS you have freed your Country^ year felves, your Children ti^tves and , from ferpetual Servitude, Chufe ytu a Lester, a Man of Courage and Refolu" t'orij -who is wiSing to facrifice his Life for the common Good, ^sfor n.e, I have hitherto liv'd a Filherman, and fe I intend to die.

The People, exceedingly mored with thi» Speech, chofe him with one Accord for their Leader^ crying out with loud Acclamations, Long iive MuiTainello, th: Patron of ths Neapolitan Li- bcrties.

The firft thing he did after he was confirm'd iti this Authority, was to fet open the Prffons, and lift the Prifoners under the Banner of the People. Then he divided this confufed Army into Regi^ nients and Companies j and fent forth a Proclamam tion throughout tJaplc, commanding all to take Arms, on pain of having their Houfes burnt. So that in a little Time he had above Fifty thoufand arm'd Men at his Heels. Thus accompanied, he marches dire£Vly toward the yicergy's Palace, vefted in Cloth of Silvery with a naked Sword in his Hand. He was ac- companied by a Card.'nal, who undertook to be a Mediator between the Ficeroy and the People. His Prefence reftrain'd the Multitude within fome Bounds of Moderation, for they reverenced him as the pith-.r of the City, Yet they burnt above fixty Pa/aca of the Naples to the Ground with all their Furniture and Goods ; and it was prefent Death for any one to refcue or purloin any thing from the Flames 5 fo rigoroufly j«j* was Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 119 was this new Lavf.giver, this Mofes of the Neapo. littnt. Ic '.was in vain for the Fueroy to oppofe Force againft fo formidable an lnfurre£iion. He entertain'd the young Fijherman with Ceremo- nies due to a Prince -. And having concluded a Trucf, gave him the Title of chi f Tribune tj the faithful People. This Increafed the Veneration the

Citizens had already concelvM for MajJianeUo -. So that in a Day or two more he faw himfelf at the Head of an hundred and fifty thoufand armed Men, He gave out all Orders for the Ripublick, publiih'd new Edifts, and all Commillions were iilbed in his Name. He procured the Gaheli to he for everaboHfli'd, reftored the People to their an- cient Liberty : And in fine, was murder'd by ^his

own Followers. ,» Let me not Teem an Advocate for Sedition, -when I tell thee there was fomething brave and^heroicfe in the Actions of this Touth. So ftrange a Revdltu tion, in fo fiicrt a Time, has fcarce been heard of

in the World : For a beardlefs Slave to raife him- felf in fixty Days to as abfolute and uncontroulable a Sovereignty, as the greateft Monarch on Earth enjoys ; to be obey'd by an Infinite Number of People, without the leaft Hefitation or Demur,

were it for Life or Death j and all this, without any Motive of Ambition or Intereft, but only to aflert the publick Liberty, Is a convincing Argu-

ment of his f^irtue ; and lliews, That Heaven ap- proved his Enterprlze. But then again, For him to lofe all this Power in four Days more, to be murder'd,in cold Blood by his own Party, by the People whofe Caufe he had fo fuccefsfully vindi-

cated ; this Ihews the Inftability of Human Af- fairs, and that there is nothing permanent on this Side the Mom.

I pray 1^0 LettekjS Jf'rit ly Vol. III.

I pray Gfd to Infpire the Wnfiers of the fub. lime Port, to take fuch Meafures as may prefervc the Mujfuiman Peace. Adieu.

Paris, ij'ib «( the nth Moon, #/ (hi Tear 1647.

LETTER VIII.

To Solyman bis Coufinj^?^ Ccnftantinople.

WH E N I clos'd up my laft, the Hour of the fefi was near expired, and the Meflen- gef who carries my Letters to him, haflen'd my Difpatch, preventing what I had farther to fay to thee, I am follicitous for thy Welfare, both, as thou art a Mujf»lnian, and fo near a Relation. Do not forfeit thofc Titles, by degenerating from thy Kindred, and from all the Illuminaied of God. Truth is compriz'd in a little room, but Error is infinite. Thou makefta wrong Inference, from the Moderation and Charity of the true Believers, when thou condudeft, That becaule they believe, it Ihall go well with all Iioneft Men, let their Opi.

nions and Ceremonies be what they will ; there- fore thou flialtbe fafe, in retrenching, the endlefs and burthenfcme H^ajhingt (as thou termeft them^ of the Mufulmani, fo long as thou leadefl a good M9ral Life Art thou fuch a Friend to Idlenefs and Impu- rity, that thou wilt by a moft pitiful Sophiftry, cheat thy felf of Salvenioji^ rather than take the Fains to wath thy felf after tre Manner, and at the Times, appointed by the Prophet o£ God, and pra^ifed ;

Vol.111 ^SpYd/PARIS. 1^1 praftls'd by our Fathers^ and all the Faithful throughout the iVorld^ If it be allow'd, That fuch as cither out of Ignorance, or hrnder'd by fome other invincible Caufe, do not embrace our holy Law, are not circumcifed. and repair not to the yijfimblies of the Faithful, (hall neverthclefs enter into Paradife, provided they obey the Law of Na.

tare, imprinted on their Hearts ; does it follow therefore, That one who has been bred up in the itnd filed Faith, who lias been circumcifed, and lift- ing up his Right hand to Heaven, has pronounced the Seven tnyjterious fV»rd', which cannot be re-

peal d ; does it follow, I fay, That fuch an one ihall be regarded by God or his Prophet, any other- wife than as a Heretick or an Infidel, if he live not up exaftly to the Graces that have been given him ? No, afTure thy felf, if thou art in tho Number of thefe, thou art an Jpofiate-, thy Vir- tues are Vices, and all thy good Works are an Abomination. Remember the Piety and magnanious Zeal of j^jfan H^li thy Grandfather; who, when he was taken Prifoner by the Cojfacks, was enter- tain d with extreme Rigour and Severity. Nc verthelefs, a certain Jew in the City who knew him, brought him every Day, by Permiflion of the Keeper, as much Water as would fuffice to wa(h him, and to quench his Thirft. But one Day, as he went with his accuftom'd Load, and was entring the Gate of the Prifon, the Keeper, either out of Malice or Wantonnefs, fpilt moft

of the Water on the Ground , forbidding the Jew, at the fame time, to bring any more that Day. The honeft Hebrew went in with the Remaind- er of the Water, and dellver'd it to the Prifoner who prefently prepared to wa(h himfelf, af- ter the accultom'a Manner of the Muff%lm»nt, The 2|ft - L E^T T E R S Wrh By Vol. III. The jev feeing that, told Jjim, There was noc Water enough to quench his Thirft. And there- with related to him what the Kaper had donfe. 1 fee there is hut a little reply 'd the vertuoas old Man^ hut he that drinks, «/• eati, before he h»s Wafh'd himftlf, is guilty of d filing his Soul, and is nof worthy to be nunuherd among the true BeJieverjS. Therefore it is better forme to die for Jhirfi^ th^tt 'violate the Law brought d9ien from Heaven, and iranfgrefi the Traditions of wy Fathers.. Having fald this, he w/i/h'a hiaifelf, being refign'd to Pro- njidcnce, Coujin, deceive not thy felf with vain Opinions, nor fuffer Hypocrites to feduce thsc. Imitate the yJdder, and flop thy Ears againrt the. crafty Infi-,' nuations of Hc>-eiukf. it is reported of tkis little Serpent, tl^at by natural Inftinct, ' b^ing fcnfible when a Magiciaf) is about to tirrer Words, which being beard will enfnareit, lay5 pn^ Baf clofe to the Ground, and with its Tail ftops the other, to the end the Enchantment may have no Effeft. Admit not any Alan to thy Ccnverfation, who

fliall attempt to warp thee from the Sim pi I city of the Faith and Oheditme whicia thou pweft to) the Apejile cJf God. Without Vi^Ater^ there is no P«- rity this on fide the Grave, .'f hat £/

the T»be^necle of the Winds ; the Straglio of the generative Spirit ; the Stage cf Wonders. Jn fine, It the Purifier of every phac if '' jthieg has '"-:'','- ,' j',„ Ureatii. ....;. , - f, ',, -;; v Thou knoweft, That to ferve tj^e NecefJities of the P'-o/>^£/andhis Army, Underjiandirrg and Spt^cb was given to a Fountain in A^ah^a^ which" having promifed to follow him to the Place of his Ke- pofe made a Channel through the Defart, and kept Pace with the Troops of the Faithful^ 'till they Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 2.33

they came to Medina Talnahi ; that i^o the fubmij^ five to the WiU of Heathen, might not want that Elerncnt, without which Life it felC, would be a

JBurden and a Curie. " .' And yet thou fpeakefl: contemptibly of U'^Jter^ as a very indifferent thing, whether we ufe it or not, any other ways than to quench our Thirft. Thus, making no Difference between the many

Advantages we reap from that Element ^ and rhaf common Ufe to which the Beafts put It. In how many Places of the Alcoran docs the Holy Prophefi record the Ma-cjf of God, in giving us VVater that is frefh and not falc? How does he celebrate his WiCdom and Goodnefs, for direfting the Clouds to barren and dry Places ? Thou can'ft not be ignorant. That it is one of the Rncomiumi of Patadife, That there are Gardens wherein flow many Rivers : And after all this, wilt thou defplfe fo holy and bleffed a Gift, without which, Eaith and Heaven, Men and AngelSj could not be com- pletely happy ? Go learn tlien of the Indian Idolaters, who have never heard of tlie Beak of Ghry .• Go learn oi tht^Q Bafbarians, to prize their fifn^>f/d Crea- tares. They travel many hundreds of Leagues to bathe themfelves in th<; Waters of G#r^^;. VVitli thole Incorruptible and all-pucging Streams,, thg Brachmans fill certain Vefftls, and tranfport th^ Invaluable Liquor, to the utmoft Parts of tha? wide Empire. They travel on Foot, fome- times Two thoufand Miles together, each Man with his Load of that precious Water, to fupply the Wants of thole who live fo remote from the River, So that a Bottle of it is many, times fold to the Princes and Nahles, for tvv'O hundre4 Sequini, or eight hundred Rtufiei '. And yet» for all this, thofe Vi^ry Princes would not di^ with a fafe Concience, Iia4 they not at leaft once :

aj4 Letters IVrit ly Vol. III. once In their Lives made a Pilgrimage to this re- nowned River, and bath'd themfelves inth& Wavet which bloc out Sim. O Qtufin, let the Example of thcfe Infidels make thee blulh at thy Impiety, and excite thee to a diligent and indifpenfible Praftice of Clc»nnefs So fhakthou have a found Mind, in a healthy Bo- dy : And the /ingel of thy Nauvitj will not Ihun thy Perfon. Adieu.

Paris, 7tb of the nth MocWy if the Tear 1(547.

LETTER IX. To the Kaimacham. TH E Defeat of the FtHetians and Mcrlaekt in Bofna, has reach'd thefe Parts. That Neus is not unwelcome to Mxhmut. But I could wifli our General had ufed his Viftory with more Mo- deration. 1\\tCbriftiansttTm.h\m. Barharian, SaL vage. Devil incarnate, and load him with Execra- tions; For, having taken Prifoner the Captain of the Morlaeks, he caufed him to be flay'd alive, and afterwards to be impaled. This Caprain was Eccl Scephano Sorieh an litfiick, they call him ; and in Honour of his Zeal and Fidelity, they entitle him, The good Pricft. They applaud his

Magnanimity and Courage in Battle ; and no Icfs do they extol his Conftancy, during the Torments of fo cruel and igjiominious a Death. But I tremble to think of the Blafph-einies and Curfes they utter agulnft our hly Prim phet, and all the Mujfulmans ! For the cruel Execution has fcandalized the Nazarenes, and iinlsitter'J- them, even to Fury. Their Rivt*>ge is Vol. III. a Spy at- P^lris. 135:

U implacable ; They would go to Fr// themfelves, provided the true Faithful might be damri'd for Qoiinpany, What will our Divine Lav-giver fay ? Or, what Apology will our Central make, when the Sent of G.d fiiaJl charge him, with driving fo many Thcufand Souls ir^to an irreconcilable Hatred of the urde/iUd Faith ? For, they look not on this as the Aftion of a frivate Man, but of one who reprefents the Perfon of our avguft Sovereign, the great ProteStr of the L»» brought down from Heaven. They fuppofe him to be honour d with the particular Inftruftions of his tdafier : A ad therefore they fay, The Sultan has authoriz'd this unheard-of Cruelty ; and, That our Religion countenances Tyranny, and the moft nefandous Method of fhedding innocents Blood.

I am ao Advocate for Infidds ; yet fuiTer me to vindicate Nature, which, is thi common Parent of us all Suffer me to be foUicitous for^ the Honour of our holy Ptofejfuin, which is blemifh'd by this inhumane Murder. What Offence had this unhappy Captain given, that deferv'd fo dire a Punifhment ? Was it, Becaiire he fought valiant- ly, and perform'd Wonders in Defence of his Country ? This is nothing but what becomes every honeft Man to do. And, had our General been truly brave, he would have entertain'd his Prifoner with a Refpeft due to his Merit, Who was a mere inveterate Enemy of ths hhjfulmans than the renown'd Ijchenderbeg, Prince of Albania ? Who mere valiant or fuccefsfu^, agaiaft the Ottcwan Armies ? It is recorded of him, That he never Ihunn'd a Battel, never fled fvofix his Enemies , never Ihrunk from Perils, nor Was ever wounded but once, in all his Life. And y«t he fuflained a continual War, from two fucceffive 236 Letters Writ By Vol. III. fiicceflive Ofman Emperors ; defeated feven VUltrs, with their Forces ; took all their Ammunition and Baggage ; and, ia feveral Combats, flew with his own Hands above Two thoufand a;«- htmitani. Our Fathers did not bafely revenge themfelves for all this, but cherifli'd a Veneration for this heroick Enemy, and honoured the very Duji of fuch an extraordinary Perfon. For, after his Death, having conquer'd y1tbi*nia, they fought eut his Totnb, where they perform 'd their Devo' Ticns, as at the Srpulchre of a Profh;t. They o- pen'd the Dorjnsnty of the defunft Warrior, and, with reh'ghut Solemnity, took up his Bones, fha. , ring the honoured Relicks among them ; and wrap^ ping them in Silk, wore them continually atr rheir Breads, efteeming them as faered AmuUtt

againfl: Misfortunef. Surely our General would bluflj at an Exam» pie of fo great Virtue But perhaps he was in- cenfed, becaufe his Ct*pttve was a Priell : Mif- takcn Zeal might prompt him to this horrid^ Butchery. Thou, who art Juftice it felf, wile not approve his bloody PalTlon, when thou con* fidereft. That the Pritfls of, Jefus are Men as well as others ; and if they live m Error, the Fault is in their Education. However, many of them are humble, chafte, fober, and Lovers of

Virtue. If there be others ^ whofe corrupt Lives have contradifted this Tharafter, let the Crime and the Punifhment reft on their Heads. It is not reafonable that the Innocent fhould fuffer for the Faults of the Guilty The Captain of the Morlatk; had the Reputation of a de- vout and juft Man, and a l^out Ch,ampion for his Country : Had he been taken fcT z'Spy, or an ^Jf*^*', the Law of ^rmt^ would have adjudg'J him^ to Death. Fet fucli wa« the Clemency of ' t'trfenn*-^ ^ Vol. III. a Spy at PariV. i^j Porfema,^ King of the Hetruriansj That, whea Mui tius Scevola, a valiant Roman, came Into hii Camp, with defign to murder him, but by Mi- flrake ftabb'd one of the Captains, thinking It had been Po'fenna; and to revenge that Mifcarriage on himfelf, thruft his Hand into the Fire, 'till

the Flefli was confum'd to the Bones : The King, aftonifli'd at his undaunted Spirit, fent him away in Peace, raifed the Siege of Ro7ne, and enter d ftrlQ-. into a Friendfliip with that Nation : Such Honour he bore to the Fortitude of his Enemy, and delign'd Murderer. But the Captain of the Morlackt was not taken under thefeCIrcumftances: He loft his Liberty in the Heat of Battel, bravely combating at the Heat of his Army. Wouldeft thou know the Grounds then of our ^General's Cruelty ? It was purely, for the fake of %.jl(fi.. T\it\Q went a Report, That when this '^^j^rifji was born his Body was all over raw, fo that Jthe P'hjficiani were forced, by Art, to fupply him "with a Skin, (inv cxwtl Qmeral , to fport him- felf in the poor Man's Mifery, cdnlmanded him to be flay'd alive; uttering at the fame time this

inhuman Sarcafm ; Thlre was m Reafon that ha fhould carry a Skin out of the Worldy who brought none in. This is attefted by two Gentlemea who were made Prlfoners with .their Captain, heard thefa Words, fawhinn executed, and afterwards

their , ; . made Efcapci , ,;.

The tJazarenes vow t© revenge • this unparal- lell'd Cruelty on all the Muffulmans that fall into their Hands, If this Butcher fas they term him) be fuffer'd to go unpunKh'd. I teli thee, fuch bar- barous Actions, draw down the f^engeance of Heam

veu ca tlxofe that commit them ; and excite ti.e Vcvy Bcn/Is oi the Earth to make fVar, and rid the f^or/^^-oiffiic^h Aio"/?^''/.

Thoq ;^

2^3^ L E T T £J^ s Writ ly Vol. III. Thou knoweft what Ufe to make oF this In- telligence: I will not pretend to inftruft the f$etnd Minifier in the Ottoman Empirg.

Farls, Tth of the izthMton, oj tht Tar 1^4 7-

L E T T E R X.

7<> iha M-ufti.

IF there be any Triith in what the ^ftrologeri tell us, That the ^t»rs have Influence on rtre Government of the Earthy one would think thift €fainYit% under fome malfgnaut y^fpilf. The Fortune of that Kingdom has for a long -time run retrograde. They have had nothing but iollcs by Sea and Land. The Revolution in P«'- -t^gal, the Rivolt of CataUnt* and Rou(p'ion, the iofs of Ormus in Perjta, and the Defeftion of Gw, with other rich Towns of Traffick in the Indiet, came one upon the Back of another. Since which there have been many Towns and Caftles taken from the Spaniardt in flanders. The French made an InfurreHiov in Pal.rmo, breaking open the Prilbns, and releafing the Prifoners And grew to fuch a Head, That the Ficeroy, fear- ing they would revenge the Tragedy of the Sicilim an f^ejpers^ to pacify the Multitude, was forced, repeal the EdiSlf for Taxes, and dilannul them for

•€ver ; and to pals an /f/? of general Indemnity both to the Rabble, and to the Prifonen whom they had freed. This tumultuous Spirit pafs'd from thence to

the Kingdom of Naplet ; and there, like an Infefti- on, Ibonr Ipread it felf through all Parts, both of Vol. III. a S^Y At Paris. 239 of City and Country : Two hundred thoufand Men took up Arms, to vindicate the PriiiUgts of the Neapolitant, under the Conduft of a poor young F.flitrmnn. I have already tranfmitted to the fublime Pert, a nidation of this formidable Sedition; wheteln It may be thought, I have dif- cover'd too muoli Tendernefs to the Infiids^ and feem'd to fologer, a confiderable .time before it happened, who pointed out the very Year wherein it fhould , .come to pafs. The extraordinary Eruptions alfa of SHuntf'cfuviut fome Years ago, were efteern'd as Prefages of fome. approaching Troubles in the State: For it rain'd Alhes on the City of Sattlet, Ifpoke :

2^0 Letters ifrit by Vol. III.

I fpoke of this Mountain in one of my former Letters. "'' 'Tis re|)orted alfo, That aljout the fame Houf therein M^jJi^viUo, the Ringleader of the Sediticas^ ivas murder'd, there was feen a W/<^/, with a Sword In his Hand, which he was putting up in his Scabbard : And that a Voice was at the fame Time heard from on high, to utter thefe Words, His Labour is Jimjb''d, give him Reft. This is certain, That whilft he was at the Head of an hundred thoufand Men, feven y^Jfiffmi were Princes hired by fome of the to (hoof him ; yet none of the Bullets could penetrate his Body, tho* unarm'd, and only cover'd with his iifhing Rags And It was evident, that thefe Bullets fmote him in divers Places, his Garments being markd with them, and he ftagger'd with the Force of the Blciws! Thefe are extraordinary Occurrences, and would terhpt one to believe, That this young Fi- fhertnan was the Inftrument of Providtnee, and that Heaven protefted both him and his Caufe. 'Tis true indeed, it feem*d,at laft, as if he were abandoned by that Divine Piver, which had car- ried him through fo important an Enterprize, jn that he was flain by his own Soldiers. But then it muft be remember'd, That this was not done till his IVsrk was finijhd, and he went be- yond his C«mmiJJ:m. Want of Sleep, the Multi- tude of Affairs, and much Wine, had impaired his Reafon. and rendered him frantick; fo that his Aftions were infupportable, and his own Ad- mirers grew weary of him. After his Death his Head was cut off, and carried up and down the Streets on a Lance, and his Body wasdragg'd through the Kennel. Yet the very next Day, the Multitude, to fliew their own Ficklenefs, took Vol.111 <2 Spy 4^ Parts. 2.4* took the dead Body out of a Ditch, where they,"

bad laid it all Night : They waflied and em-' balm'd it, and having join'd the Head to it, car-' ried it with great Fortip and Solemriiry to the principal Temple of Naples, attended wifli Drums ' and Trumpets, and above a Thouiand Prieds, with Torches in their Hands, a Crown of Gold was put on his Head, and a Scepter in his Hand. Thus -the MeaptUtans honouf*d that beardlefs Toutk, who in Ten Days time had caiifed fuch a Revalutt'on, Bs is fc-arce to be parallell d : For he was an abfolute Monarch, in efFe£J-, during thac Time. And of him it may be faid, as it was once of an Emperor, ThSt during his whole Re'S^, there was neither Spring, nor /futumn, nor ff/w- fer : For his Kojalty begun and ended in the fe- Ventii Moon. By Letters from Nathan B-n Saddi, at Vienna, \ perceive he is molefted with Scruples about his Religion, being defirous to build upcn the funfi Fouyiiation. I fent him the befl: Advice I could, without making my felf a Hypocrite^ whfch , th9u knoweft, is more offeniive to God, than an cpen sinner. \ drew up an Abfira^ of the Mu^>tlv!-*n Records, and prefented him with the faithful Genealoe^y, -from Ifmael, the Sm of the Patriareh Ibi-ahim. down to our H)ly Prophet. This I did to reftify an old inherent Error of the Jews, who boafl-, Thac only the Son of Ifaae were true Believers, I endeavour'd not to profe- lyte him , by Sophiftry and Artifice ; but refer- red him, for better Satisfaction , to the iVritinxt of 'the yi/icientf. Ipromifedto furnifh him wirli Bookf of our Larx>, and the Comnt'Hts of our holy Doffors. This is iinpoUible for me to perform, whilft I am in this Place ; iinlefs thou, who art a Quids of thole who feek the Truth, vouclifafcft M to ;2?4i' Letters Writ ly Vol. IIT,

to I'econd my Zeal. I addrefs to t\\cc, fovereign Prelate of the Faithful^ in Behalf of a Def(endent from tht )o»nger Brother of //«»«*/; in Behalf of one clrcumcifed, but not in the right Way. Fa- vour him-U'iththy Divine hiflruRions, and fupply him with Treaiijes oi Vig^t and Reafon. A fea- fonable Application may bring this Htbrew into the Number of the Mujfulmam, for he is already difgufted at the Synagogue. But if I have prefumed too far, in endeavour- ing to fnatch a Smi from the Paws of Tagot, cor- rect me in thy Wifdom, for I am but as an i«- favt btfore thee.

Paris, x$th tf the \H M(on, «f the Tear 1648.

LETTER IX.

'The Bf!.iftn'<*g «/ ihh Ill Lt!ttr ii iv4nung in the Ttaliati Tr.mp,ui07i, tht O- ' • jglmlfMptri/eitigiOin. •.„',• * ,: * ' * . . All Mens Hearts are filled with Joy, for this profperous News, whilft I mourn for the Diflionour of our Arms. No- thing but fad Tidings grate my Ears from thofe Tarts, and more melancholy Prefages pofTefs my Soul. Methinks I fee thick Clouds gathering o'er the Imfe>ial City. My Sleep is difturb'd with

^fearful Vifions : I ftart in my Bed ; and walking lay my Hand on my Sword, as if fome Danger

were at hand : I dream of Tumults and Difor-

, ders Neighing of Horfes, and Clafliing of Arms in the Streets of Cfnjiantinf^le. I pray Gtd avert the Orr.ert. It Vol. III. d Spy at Paris. X43

It Is reported here. That Mi, the Sungia.Bi/

of Lippn, is taken Prifoaer ; and that his Son was tormented to Death before his Face, in a manner peculiar to the Invention of the mcll barbarous

Tyrants : For they caufed fiiarp Thorns to be thruft between his Nails and his Flefh, which

creates an intolerable Anguilh : They laid him on a Bed of Iron Spikes, and poured melted Lead, Drop by Drop, on all Parts of his Fiefli. Then they made a fmall Fire, and roafted him flowly to Death. If he chanced to groan, or rhakc the leaft Complaint, in the midfl: of thofe grievous Tortures, they bid him remember the good Priefi Sarech, who fet him an Example of Conftancy and Courage, in that he never (hed a Tear, or fo much as ilgh'd, when he w&s fla/ti alive. Thou feefl: that Revenge is fweet, even to thofe, who having received no Injury in their own Per- ibns, yet are touched to the Quick, with the Vio- lence that is done to another. This will appear in the Humour of the Italians, who prof«cute their Enemies with irreconcileable Hatred anJ Malice whole Families being often engaged in ex- ecuting the Refentments of two fingle Perfoas,

who firfl began the Quarrel : But much more for^eable is this Pafllon in thofe, who have been notorloufly hurt themfelves. And the Revenge of

a certain Captain was extravagant ; who being in- form'd that his General had debauch'd his Wife, "took an Opportunity to fingle him out from all other Company, pretending to walk in the Fields. When he had him there alone, he clapp'd a Piftol to his Breaft, threatening to kill him ibrtwith, if he moved Hand or Foot. Then he opbraided him with what he had done, in fuch LaiTguage, as convinced the General, his Life was in extreme Danger. Wherefore he humbled M a himleif, 244 LETTERS U^rit ly Vol. III.

himfelf, and confefTed his Crime ; begging of t-lie Captain to Ipaie his Life, and he would prefer him fordnvirh to the befl: OHice in the Army, next his own. IJut the furious Italian wouid not fell his HswoKr fo cheap. He forced iiini to deny Goi, and utter many Blafphemie;, in Jiopes of fn-

ving his Life : And when he had thus done, tlie Cap! ain {aid, Norv jnjr Revenge is amphtt^ finct l P>a3 fend thee Body and Soul to the Dtvtl. With that he piftoH-d him. But, leaving thefe Ivfiddi to their diahoUtal Paffions, I am concern'd at t\\Q Captivity of thy

brother ; if it be true which->is related here, That he was taken in his Return from Oanea to Conftan- wtople. It-wiil coft the Bajpi of Algien a thou- fand Crowns to ranfom him. Adieu Rnarba. And, if thou art defirous to ralfe thy felf, take that Method which I have ;now propofed to thee. Ctd be propitious to thy Endeavours.

,Faris, 4'fe of the rd Moon, of the Tear 1648.

I. E T T E R XII. Jo the Venerable Mufti.

THOU wilt fay, The Neapolitans are a rel- iefs People, when thou flak know, tliat there have been no lefs than Forty general Iw/ar- reUions in this Kingdom, fince its firft Separation from the Grecian Empire, whereof it was former- ly a Member; and that, In the Space of two ;Yeirs, they have had five Kin^s, all of -dii&cnc One Vol. ITT. a Spy af FARtsfi i^f One would have thought, that after the r>cath'of Majjianelh, the Mug- leader of the late 'Jtfnjvafiotfy the popular Heats woiild have flacfc^ en'd, and the People return'd to their Duty*; but the paflioiute Defire of Liberty caufed them to continue in Ahiis, till the Confirmation orf their Privileges Ihould come from the King of Sparn. In the mean time, Don "John' of Auflria, who ' kybefoi^e the City with a Fleet of Fifty Gal/em*, play'd upon th6m incefiantly-with his Cannon by Sea, and the Caftles batter'd them by Land. Cardittai hfazdrjni,. v/hd hsis the earliefl: Intelli*- gence of foreign TranfaftioYis, has had a princ?- pal Hand in fomenting this Flame. For as fooft astheNew»sof Ma^a^/^/yo's jDeath arrived here, he difpatch'd away Couriers to Rome, with- Inftru- &^ions to thQ F'-ench Embajfador at- that Court, re- quiring him to ufe all poflible Means to cherifh t\\z^Tumvlti in Naples, and not negleft fo fair an Opportunity,- of reducing that Kingdom under the PiiteSiton of- France.- It will not appear ftrange, Thar this great Genius fliould aim at the Conquefl: of' Nsplet, when we confrder. That this Kingdom abounds in all manner of Riches, to which its fortunate

Situation contfibutes not a little ; for it lies

•in the moft temperate Part of the World : And the Inhabitants are not ferond to any Peo- ple of Europe, in marerial Courage and Bravery. This is a Bait which tempts the Cardin.tl; wha is not ignorant how valiantly the Anceftors of the prefent Ne»p»litans behaved themfelves in the Wars of Cafar and Pompey, and thofe between rhe Romans and Carthaginians. Nor are they lefs celebrated for the ftout Refiftance they made againft the Huns, Goths, and Vandals. So that this Kingdom, were- it once brought under tl>* Ml' French 1L4^ Letters P/rit hy Vol. II f» French Dominions, would prove a Nurfery^ from whence this Monarch might draw many thou- fands of excellent Soldiers, to ferve him in his Wars Belldes, it would be more commodious for him to make Incurfions from Ii/ence Into the Pope\ Territories, if there Ihould arife any Dif- ference between the two Courts-, as there often do, about the Rights of the GaUicaa Churchy the Franchifes of the Emhajfadors of this CrAwn in Rome, and Other Privileges, to which they pie- tend. Therefore the Frtucb Emhaffatlor, according ro the Jnftruftlons of Afazarini, fent Conivi'Jp.ners to treat privately with the People o£ Saplgs, ofterlng rhem Two Millions of Crowns, Twenty Gal- leons, with Eight and fifty Gallies, and other

VefTels. They accepted the Propofal , being weary of the Spam'Jb Government, and defirous cf Novelty, encourag'd alfo by what thofe Com. miffioners reprefented to them concerning the .Succefs of the EngUfii, who by ftanding on their Guard, and ufing that Power which God and Nature had given them, for the Defence of their Lives and Liberties, were now, In a man- aier, become a frte FeofU, havi^ig aboJifh'd the i4onarchy, and iot up a Cvnmonwealib ; And this, they told them, Was alfo done hy Cardinal Maza^ rim's Counfels and Affiftance. Now all the Cry in Naple', was. Let France and the Psaple of Eng-

land flouyijh ; and let the faithful Neapolitans (i^ert their own Liberty, So blind were thefe People, as not to confider, That in putting themfelves under the Proteftlon of the French,

: rhey did but exchange one Bondage for ano- ther, it being impoffible for any foreign Frinct to keep this Kingdom, and pay all his Officers, Civil and Military, togethci- with thofe undei- theijc Vol. III. 4 Spy at Paris; 247 their Commands with mucli lefs Charge than the Revenues amount xo. And the French are as good at inventing new Taxes, as any Court in £ui$pe. However, the Neapolitans were enchanted wItU the Thoughts of ft> much Gold, and other Afll- ftance ofFer'd by the French Connntjponers ; and fweeten'd with their fair Words, and glorious Fromifes. So that they immediately fent Depti. tin, to entreat the Dukt of Guiz.e, who was then at Rome, to come and proteft them, in taking on him the chief Command of their Arm-s This Prince thinking it a generous Aftion, to relieve the Ofprrjffed ; and, that at the lame time lie ihould do a confiderai)le Servive to the King of France, in rendering .him Ma/ief of this noble and opulent Kingdom, went to Naples : Where, at firft, he was received with Infinite Applaufe, was made their General, took an Oath of Fide- Jity to the People, did many notable Services, but was in the end betray'd, and fent Prlfoner to Spain. If the Generofity and brave Refolutlonof this Prince lias required Commendation fronl fome, in attemping to refcue thefe People from the Ty- ranny of their Governors, yet his Conduft is call'd in Queflrlon by others, who fay. He difco- Ver'd but little Prudence In trufliing himfelf to the Neapolitans, who had already facrificed two of their Generals. (For, after the Death of Ma§, avellc, they chofe another Captain, whom they called the Prince of Ma^A : This Prime falling under their Sufpicion, was beheaded by the <«- conftant People ) Tis certain, That there is little Confidence to be put In the Multitude, whofe Paflions ebb and flow, and are more tempeftuous than the Sea. Yet a brave and generous Mind will Ihun no M 4 Dangers ;

24B Letters Wrtt hy Vol. IIJ.

Dangers to- ferve his Prhce and his Cauntry ; for •whom it is a glorious Martyrdom to die. There is no great Underaking without Hazards; and he that is afraid to venture his Liberty and Life in a good Caufe, {% not worthy to bear Arms. • Had the DtiU of Guife fucceeded. his Conqueft of >7j^^f/ had made Victroy him of one of the lareeft Kinidorm Europe. in Jt is faid to be Five hun^ dred Leagues in Circuit, containing Twelve am- Provincej ple ; Twenty Archbilhopricks ; Cifliop^ Mcks, one hundred twenty feven ; thirty Caflles Barons one thoufand four hundred ; Earls fifty three; forty MarguefTes ; thirty four Dukes', and twenty Princes. The Inhabitants of this Kin o'- dom are faid to be above two Millions. The or- dinary Revenues cf the King, amount to three Millions of Crowns yearly, befides the voluntary Donatives which have been given by the Subjects of ^^'/?/f this to their Kings, within the fpace of ibrty Years, amounting to twenty eight Millions, and iix hundred thoufand Duckets. This Kt'ng. dom watered Is by a hundred and fifty Rivers, be- sides ten Lakes Hcred with all manner of Fifh ; among which is one called yivemo, over which if any Birds fiy , they Immediately dro» down dead. The ancient Pagam had flrange Opinions, of this Lake, it being the Place where they uled to facrifice Men to the infemMt Gods. And, hard by, is the Cave of ojie of the Sibyls. There are thiity high Mountains in this Coun- try, of which ^dtnai relates many flranqe and delightful Paflages. (for 'tis from him I received th\s Account of the Kingdom.) I will not trou- ble thee with a Repetition of all that this Jin tells mC; only one thing Is wonhy of Re- mark.

He Vol. III. 149V He fays, That the Bodies of the three young Hebrewt^ who were put into the burning Oven^' by the Bab)lmi»n Mtnarch, becaufe th-y wouJd- not adore his Idoh, are prefeiVd in a SUf^ne on" one of thefe Mountains. And that on the fai

and Sides ; and in'their Bottoms, have very rich Mines of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, CryOal, Alabafter, Adamant. In fine, Monai, who has rravelfd over all this Kingdom, calls it, The'fifr* tileft Region of zM-Itdj, which is -efteem'd the Pa'-adife of Europe, f

' i.Doft thou not think now, ^venerahh Guide o£ the € US}, that the Da^e of G«/s,f had rcafon to prefer the Honour jsf conquering Co renown'd a Kiugdom, to the Safety of his Perfon ? Or wile thou hot rather conclude, That the Reduftion of this happy 5/

dotn on Earth : Ithaving been the Prize, at which no lefs than Five and twenty feveral Naiioni h&we

aim'd. ...; GaKdinrl Mszarini is much tToubreir at the Duke of- Guizis Captivity, and has ofFcr'(i great

Sums of Money for his Ranfom ; but the King of S/>dr;«JrejeiSlsall Propofals of that Nature. So that *ris thought, the Cardinal will contrive feme Way for,the.p«iss Efcape, either by bribing his

• Keepers, or by fome fecret Stratagem. . •' lam not. much co.Tcern'd for the hifiitli-, buc .it would.be no fmall Joy to he.^.r, That fome Care vWer^e taken, tor -;he . Redemptioa oC Mahom.e '

- M 5 ' 'Cddi'e, i^o Letters rrrit ly Vd. tllJ Celebre, who, thou knowefV, has not defcrv'd

J 11 of the fublime Port. Adieu, holy Patriat'ch', and forget not Mahvtut in thy Addrefles to /*** ven.

Paris, iTth of the T,i Moon, of the Te*r 1647.

ifc\iiii"iiii wtirrhV

LETTER XIIL

To Abdel Melee Muli Omar, Superinten- dent «/ the College ©/"Sciences at Fez.

O U to uhom the Iffutt of PMrtdife are T.Hrevealed, and the Rend of the AngtU when they come down and go up through the Seven

Heavens ! Thou that can' ft- marfhal the Heft of the Starr, and underftandeft the Difcipline of theAr- tnies living and ftrong, the Orders of the Poten. tates encamp'd in the Fields of Light, the dome, jiick Guards of the Thrtne, blefTed for ever ; tell me the ^ge of the World, and declare the Begin. ring of Time. Refolve me, Whether this mighty Fabrick be but of Yefterday, that is, of Five or i'\x thoufaiid Years ftanding, as the Tevs and Chri^ ftians lay ; or, Whether the Years of its Duration be not paft a Calcule. The yifions of thy Pngenittr, the Lieutenant to the Seat of God, are extant in the :^-ahick Ttngue. In them it IS written, M/ Soul on a fudden became

as though it had Wings ; Spirit entered me, and a fuhtil Wind lifted me up totheTop •/Mount Uriel, where I bebild marvellous Things. 7 looked behind

me, and fsn the Ages that were paft ; and It, they Iters vithimt Numbtr, or Beginning. J beheld the four » '

Vol. III. aS?Y at Vakis, t^i four SeafonS of the Tear, ever rttwnhg at thtir accuftarnd Time, and the Sun fvrfsok not his Couife, for a Thtufand tkoufand Generations. I cbunttd Million of ^gej, and yet there appeared not an Hour^ wherein Darknefs had pojffefs*d the Abyfs of Mat- ter, or wherein the endlefs Firmament was no: itium ruinated f>y the Moon and Stars. tVhilfl I conJt~ der''d thtfe Things, a LijHcr was given me to drink by an unknown Hand, it was of the Coltttr of Ani-

ber ; when I had tafled if, I felt a marvellous Force in my Body, and my Eyes were more pierting than

*n Eagle s. Another Wind, more powerful than the former, blew out of a Cloudy and carried me up to an exceeding high Place, far above the talhfl Mourn

tains : There J trod in the ftft Air, as in a Pave, tnent Marble, ravijVd at of J was thrfe Things ; and the Exaltation *f my State made mt forget my Mortality. I bthdd the Earth at a vMft -Difianct

vnder my Feet, as one that did not' belong to it ^ it looked like a Jhiaing Globe, vit much unlike the Moon, but far bigger. Jll the living Generation •which had fucctjjively inhabited the Earth from itt

' Nativity, fafs'd by me ; and th'y appeared in

M api,et>) but to crave thy Inter. pretation of lo great a M^p^ry, and to reafon with thee aoouc die MWs Duration My Satisfaaica ^'oi;Id be fmalJ, m contemplatijig the various Beauties of the Umverfe, the Qualities of tha tlements, the Natures of living Things, the Virtues of Plants and Minerals, with the Force iJodies, were L }^'^J^'-*'"'»h I a/Tured that thefe Things were not always fo. That Thoucrhc would dajnp my greateft Enjoyments, if I were convmcd, That fo many Splendors, Riches and Pleaiures, as this viJIUt Frame affords, were noc dilclofed for Millions of Ages, but lay hid in the Bolora of Eternity. Methinks It is too low Opmion an of the ctmipaiem Goodnefs^ and looks as it the Authors of it fufpeSed God of Envy Who, when he might have made infinite Mjri»dt ot Creatures happy, in thefe vifible Emanations of \i\%Dinfinity, without either Beginning or End, mg of Time ; yet, according to their Dolirine contented hlmfelf, to let only a determinate JM amber talVe of his Munificence, for a few Otu °^ Y^*^" This is not 'cT"'' fulrablc the Chara- *.ter ot that tnfnht Being, the eternal Source of aU PerfeHions. What then is meant by thofe Four Ages, and the Four Sftcle! of Being,, which were Ihew'd to the sxalted God of in that holy Fifionf Tell me, great Light of ^frick, Is it repugnant to Reafon or Faith, to believe, That the Earth has been iahahi:ed from Eternity ; fmce our ktly DtBort teach us, That it was peopled long before die Crt^mn of Mam ? No Mufulmsn, That has ever gone ;

Vol. III. ii Spy tf/ Paris. 153 gone the facred Pilgrimage, but has vlfited Mount ^raffa, where ^dam firft faw £1;? his IVife. Where he has been inftrufted in the Hiftsry of that/'-y?

Futher of Mankind ; and how that before his Time the E.*rth was inhabited by Afigeh, who

Being commanded to adore y^dam , refufed it, and were turn'd to Devils, being expell'd from the E»rth. Thou Knowell, moreover, That it is in the facred Traditions, That God gave to Addm a Wife, whofe Name was Mileth ; but that fhe, being of the Race of thefe Devil:, refus'd to obey Jdam : Whence It came to pafs, that they lived in continual Quarrels and Enmity, for the fpace of Five hundred Years ; 'till at length y^li- leth flew up into the Air, and abandon'd her Husband. Of which, when -^fl'*^ complain'd to God, lie fenc Three mighty j^ngels In Purfuit of her, commanding them to tell her, That if fhe would return to her Husband, it ihould go well with her ; but if Ihe would net, a hundred of her Children fliouid die every Day, The Angele fol- low'd her, and over- took her on the Red Sea where they threaten'd to drown her, unlefs fhe would return to her Husband. But fl e made Excufes. and told them, She was c>'tated to defiroy jou72g Children. Then the /tr.gels laid Hands on

her ; when fhe, to pacify them, fwore by the Bottom »f Hell, That whenfoever the Names of them Three Ihould be written on any Schedule^ that fhe fliould have no Power to hurt the Infants, they difmifs'd her. After this, God compafliona- tlng /fdarns Solitude, gave him another Wife, call'd Eve. This Tradition confirms the Fifion of the /*r#-

fhet ; and we need not doubt, that the Earth

was inhabited before Adani's Time : And if thac be granted, Why might it not be peopled for Millions of Ages, as well as for the fmallefl Term i

2^4 Letters Writ ly VoI.III.

Term that Ignorance or Error may aflign to its Duration ? I have diTcourfed with feveral of the Jevijh Rabbi's, snd Chrifti'an DoHors, on this Subje^, Menofabftrufe Learning.and fublime Thoughts; yet I can find but a few, who are emancipated from the Prejudices of a fuperftitious Education. They have been, from their Infancy, prepoflefs'd with a falfe Notion of the ^orks of God ; be- Jieving them to be the Finite^ both in Extent of Spate and limf. They circumfcribe this vijible Circle World, within I know not what flamlvg j and believe thtfirfi Ma'ter it felf, to be but Five Days older than Adam^ taking each of thofe Days for the fpace of Four and twenty Hours, ^'herein the Sun fmiflies his diurnal Circuit through the Heavens. They confider not that, ficcording to their own hihU, there was Ught and "Darbief.', and confequently Day and i^ight, before the Sun was created. But how long thofe Dayt and Nights were, is not determin'd by Mofes : Yet in another Part of their Bible, it is faid. That a Day with God is a Thoufand Tears and a Thoufand Ttars is a Dajf. So that, according to this Inter- pretation, ^dam was not created 'till above Five thcufand Tiars after the Beghim'ng of the World Yet when I bring this pofitive Place of their own Scripture againft the Nazarene Sages, they fliuffle it off with empty Evadons ; and rather, than believe the tndtfiititg Antiqui:y of the tVarid, they contra* dift their own Scnfe and Reafon. invalidate the Teflimony of a Prgf>ha, deny their Faith, and appear unmask'd Infiielt. Both thej and the "Jews have corrupted the

Truth with many Errors ; and we muft feek farther, for the original Science of Nature. The Illuminated of God have always taught. That the Earth vf&s inkakitcdlong before the Ap- pearance : ^

Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 2^^ pearance of M^m. And all the Eaftern S«ge$ be- \\twtix Seriti of Generatitns to have dwelt on this Ghke, for indeterminate Ages. I have a Brother lately come from the Indtes He relates ftrange Things of certain Backs, which are only in the Hands of the Brachmans. They are written in a Language, which none underftand Pz-Ze/?; a Language as but thefe. J yet copious, as any other, and taught in their Ctlliges by Rult, Thefe Bttkf contain a Bftory of the Warld, which, they fay, Is above Thirty Millions of Years old. 1 hey divide the Term of its Duration into four j9ges ; three of which, they fay, are already paft, and a good part of the fturth. Now I would Books fain know, Who wrote thefe i and at what Time, and where this Language was ipokcn ?

They call it the Holy Language ; faying, That It was the// fpoken on £*?-f)fr. It Is ftrange, That no HiJIry Ihould mention fo Divine a Speech. Chronology Latin Greek We have the of the and ; and can give an Acccount when and where they were fpoken, though they are now grown obfo- lete, and no otherwife to be learn'd, but in the Schtils and Academies. This argues the Antiquity of the Bramint Language and Bo?kj, In regard they fall not within any other Record, fave their own, which fays, They are as old as the World. For if this Afliertion were falfe, tke Impofture would have been difcover'd as fbon as broach'd. and the learned Sages of the Eaji would quickly hare difprov'd fo manifeft a Lye. There feems to me fomething extraordinary, inthis Pretenfion of thefe Indian Philofofhers^ and I would glad- ly be convinced of the Truth. Alethinks it Is an lUuftrlous Idta of the Divine PcrfcSiions, when one conceives all this vaft and endlefs Concatena- tion of Being', to flow from the Eternal ^Nature

as Rays from the Sun ; And that they can no more %^4 Letters Jf'rjt hy Yprl.jrL

jTiore be feparated from Itj than.4:Iiore 'Beams,- can from that vifihle Fountain o£-Light.- It will not be difficult then to interpi:e£ the- Hi/lo>j lef^tfes, by this liigifter o£ the Bramins, and .reconcile the jfjf Djjf of the one, with the four Ages of the O' ther; fmce a Day, in the. D/y/»e Senfe, may a- mount to Millions of Yearv as well as to a Thou- iand. And it will.be morjs ^igr4jous artd agree- able, to believe, TfaaE aftertjje Birth of .^he pjl A/^ff^r, there ejaps^'d many 'AgeSj before it was v.'TOught into fuch an infinite Variety of Appe^*

rauces, as we now- beliold ; and th.at the five Dap which Mofes computes, before the Produhion

of /JdjtJi, might be fome hUBioat of Tears : In which time, the divine /trchiuci gradually drew

from the y^^^// oi Matter ^ the Sun, Aloon, Stars, Plants and Animals, which may fcrvealfo toiJlui ft rate the Fifion of the /?«^ Anufior, yf'xth whicbl

' begun this Difcourfe. •• ' Adieu, fublimi. IntiUigtnce of the Torrid Zone, and favour A/<»/7wj«f with a Tranfcript of thy Thoughts concerning thefc Things. But if thy Silence (ball condemn my Prcfumptions. and Im» portunity, I will wait for thy Anfwer, till the Pla-

tonickTtar, when, according to to the* Z)fl(Sr/«r qJE" that Bhihfofher, we fliall all be ialive- agaiar-

Paris, i^th of the ^th Mfon, »f tbi Tiar 1648.

LEJTt

^""IH Vol. III. a Spy at Paris* 257

LETTER XV.

To the Mufci.

a former DIfpatch to thy StnBtty, \ hare ac- INquainted thee with the Inj'urrt^lion in Palcrme^ mentioning the Fear of the Viceroy, left the French in that 1/I»nd Ihould then take their Opportunity to revenge the proverbial Cruelty of the Siciliatt Fefptrs. If thou art unacquainted with that Tr*" gedy, I will inform thee in brief About three hundred and threefcore Years agov there relgnd in Sicily one of the Royal B'ood of France, they call him, Chtr/es of /4r.jou. He had French Garrifons in all the Cities of that King- dom : Butthefe Soldiers committed fo many In* folences as rendered 'em odious and Infupporta* ble to the Native}, who'therefore rcfoiv'd to ex- terminate thenir ' The French are very licentious In their Con. ^ncfii'f neither fparing Men In their Anger, nor Women in their Luft. They make no difFerence between the Noble and the Vulgar, but facriiicealJ the Regards of Honour and Civility to their im- petuous Appetites i They were guilty of Innumerable Rapes and Violences In Siefly among the meaner People, and fometlraes extended tlieir Rudenefs to Per- ft)ns of the bift Quality It was common for them toaiFront both Virgins and Matrons as they went along the Streets, by thrufting tireir Hands under their Garments, on pretence of fearching for hidden Arms. Among the reft, the Wife of a certain Lord in Palermo, going to pay her De. votions at the Temple, was feizd by the Com- jnand of the Certain of the Guards, and -ftyipp'A naked zsS Letters Writ ly Vol. III.

naked before all the Soldiers, in ordet to difco- ver certain treafonable Papers, which they fuf-

pefted flie carried about her ; but finding none, ihe upbraided the Captsin with Inhumanity, in oiFering ib grofs an Affront taa Lad^ of her Ra»k. He feeming to be ferry for the Indignity fl:e had recelv'd, begg'd her Pardon, and retiring with his Soldiers out of the Room where fhe was, left her to put on her Apparel. In the mean while he was enfiamed with a furious Paffion

for this Latijf, (Ihe being very beautiful; ) &nd having fent the Soldiers away, he return'd to the

Room where fte was : He addrefs'd her with

much Courtlhip ; but finding that inefFeftual, he forced her. When this was made known to her Husband,

he burn'd with Defire of Revenge : And flirring up all the Sicilian tfoUes and Petpie, it was pri- vately agreed between them, That on a certain F'fiivalf when the BfUs fhould toll to Evcn-iong^ all the Sicilian) fhould take Arms, and mafTacre the French thoi^hout the /Jlanei. This Plot was carried fo fecretly. That before the French could get the leaft Intimation cf It, they were all mur- der'd on the Day appointed. I forgot to acquaint thee In my laft, with a Villany which was difcover'd in the late Tumults Uaplet. of As they were marching up and down . the Streets burning the Cuflom.Houfes, and the Habitations of thofe who bad been concerned in gathering the Taxes, they enter'd the Houfe of a certain No'-ary or ful>lick Scnhe of that City, who had been reprefented to them, as a Promoter of thofe unreafonable Impojititm : They feized on the Man, and began to carry his Goods out into the

Street, in order to be burnt : But as they were rummaging in an Apartment which was toward the Gardens, they heard a great Shrieking, as of Vol.llX. 4 Spy at Paris, xj^

of Women afFrighted ; and perceiving the Voice to proceed fiom within a Wall in the Room where they were, they fearch'd about for a Door to enter into that Place, but finding none, they broke through the Wall; where ti ey found two Women, wich their Hair hanging down to their Ancles, and rheir Nails grown like the Talons of an Eagle. Enquiring of them how long they had beCia' there, ^nd on what Occafion, the eldcfl: of

the Women plade this A nfwer : The Majier tf chit Hifufe if my own Brotherj who, when my f»thir died, WAS (Tttrufted by him to pay me Six, hundred Difiikets, iphjfh he beef ueat bed r»i as * Legacy f^r my MaiHtfrtftme, wy HMshand hetMg dmd : But my Brother, infltad *J dting we this J^ftice, immwe^ both ip: fud my Davghtir, whtm you fee here, h^ twetn thtfe IVails, where wt have lived thtfe Seinn- tetft Tears, being (tUow'd by th*s -irftel t4im^ no othfr •jFood iut Bread ond Water, Th€ People, inconfed above Meafure, at (o bar- barous a Cruelty, hang'd.up the Nar/»'-)', and gave all hisEftate to this Widow and her Daughter. An exemfUry Fiece of Jifjitce, perform'd by MutU neers, which could not have been done by the

Law, the Crime not reaching his Life ; thoV in the Senfeof all Men, he merited Death This is another Argument, That Defitny had a Hand in this

JnfurreSion ; and that M0jp»n(Ht the FijhertdtH, Vfas thz Executioner oi God. I obey thee, fovercign Prelate, with an ttnton- ditional Dcvo'ien, and revere the Idea of thy San.

ility : Vonchfafe to pray for Mahmu', That whiift he condemns the barbarous Cruelties of the Nazam renes, hs may not render himfelfinexcufable, by doing any Injuftice Wiinklf,

'•• n r h

L E T X E R, XV.

To the Kalmacham.

ArBiUn THE Proverb {iys, There it nme Danger to be fcird from tne $f the Coreis, than from a thottfani Bobecks. Thoa kndweft, both thefe v/ere nahU Fajnilief in ' Mecca, arid fworn Enemies of the Shjjfsnger- of Gffrf: But the latter, as tlieir Name imports, were too open in their Councils, to do any confiderable Execution againft the Holy One : Wh^ereas- the former were

aJways referred, and faying of fecret Trains. ' Such is Cardinal Mazarini^ the hidden Eneniy of the Ottoman Empire. _ There feems to be sm "Ambition in this great Cren/us, equal to that of his PredecefTor Richlicu, who would be efteemW the moil eminent among Men. Nothing will fa- -tisfy this Minifitr, Jefs than a Subvervfion of aJl the Monsrchies on Earth, which appear Obftaciss of that G'andiur. to which he defigns to raife his Mafier. Yet he attempts not this by open Force, knowing that is imprafticable : but afts in the dark, driving to undermine thofe States by /«- trigue, which he cannot fubdue by y^>mt. Jri« has his Agents in all the Count of CknfteHdfr?!.; and thou needed: not ftartle, if I tell thee there iff Ground to fufpeft, he is not without his Crea. ttiret at the fublime Port. AH Europe is fenfib?*, That the late Reveiuliont In Portugal and Catatonia^ tht Infurre^ii'ons in Sicily and hiaples, and the Re- beliion of the Evglijh, Scots, and hijh, are in part owing to the Policies x)£ this Miniver : And I can tell thee more on that Subje^, than is known to eyery one,

Oftnin 'Vol. III. a Spy at P Aii i s. \6i .OfwintlxQ Dwarfs whoftill retains his good In- clinations to thtfubUme Port, iinds an uniufpeded Accefs to all the Grandees, to whom the fniall- nefs of his Bulk and Stature, affords norm,all Di- VcrtifeinenC. JJelldes, they delight to pofe. him. with Piohlttns, in regard there is always fome- thing fo lucky, belides the Wit, In his Anfwers, as either creates Admiration or Laughter. But their Mirth would quickly be changed. into other Paf- fiOQS, were they fenfible that their littJe B«jfeo» is no other. tlia:n a Spy upon them. For. Ofmia. having fo many Opportunities, lurks in Cornerst like a Spider, undiicover'd, and unthought of-: HcjCreepsinto their Bed-chambers and Cabinets, where he .becomes privy to their greateft Secrets. If the.y fliould catch him in any of his Conceal- mex^ts, behind the Hangings, or under a Bed, it would only pafs for a Frolick -.to give 'em Diver-

fion ? And he never wants for a Repartee or, a

. 3*/?, to bring himfelf off. . , .1 have taught him a Cypher, which he mak^ ufe of to tranfcrlbe any Letters, or other Pa-

pers of .Moment ; with C^iir^^tr; for fpeedy WrU tihg, which comprehend whole Sentences in a Da(h or two of tlie Pen.

'Tisbut lately we Jiave pitch'd on this Method ;

. and the firft Attempt Ofmi'n made, was in Car-di- nalMAzafiWsCloiJsti ihto vvhich he flipt, under tJje Skirt of a Nohhman'.s Cloak, who jufl thea ivent In to I'peak with the Cardinal. This aftiva Dwarf, taking Advantage of the iJobleman's Ap- proach to the Table, dextroufly crept under the Carpet which cover'd It, reaching down to the Floor, where he lay unfeen till the Cardinal was gene, ^nd the Clofet lock 'd up.

. i^ring the time of theirConference, which was nc(t very long, Ojmin 4yard the Cardinal fpcak tkefeAVordsto thcL»r

x6t Letters ffrit hy Vol. Ill,

Bnfia, (faid he) zV

tirt^in\'i sn n-y Sern/Jcfy and one in whom I cotjide :

He v?ifs takni by the Turks ttt Sea ; and m fo$n as he w^i fold to- this Grandee, he acquaitttid me, m a

' Lttter, »i:h his Condition^ irnplonng my Ajfifiance

towards his Rav'oin. I premised to t edecm him, on th: Conditions I have told you • and Jtnce that, he

^as not faiVd t« pitform them ; his Mafter having entered accepted the Vi{\o\s, and in the AfTociatlon : So that I hipe, in a littk- Time, to fee that fraud ty- rannical Race extermiftafed, the Tartars fxduded frvm Succrfjiov, and the Empire divided hy the Sword of Strangers. Ragotski i^ the only Ohjla.

cle ; that Privce is "wavering, and we cant truji him The BafTa of Aleppo, vtth thefe of Sidon, Dainafcus and Babylon, are ready to cover the FtJds of Afia vith their Armies, if Things were as fccttre on the Side of Europe, the Blow fhtuld fdn be given. There pafs'd fome other Difcourfe between them, which Ofmin could not diftlngulfli, in re- gard they removed to the Window, and fpoke low. But this was enough to rouze hisCuriofity, and put him on a farther Inquifitlon. As foon as the Room was void by their Ab- fcnce, he came forth from his Retirement, and fell to examining the Papers which lay on the Table, hoping to difcovermore of this P/or-j but he, was difappointed, and only met with a few

Letters from his Agent; in England : Wherein, a- mong other Matters they gave the Cardinal an Account, That they hsd hunted the Lion into the Toils, p/»/? all Hopes of em Efcape. By which, I fuppofe, the}'' meant the EngUfh King, whom the Rebels have confin'd'to a certain Caflle in their PcfTefficn. Ofmin tranfcribed fome of thefe Let. ter, and brought them to me. A Copy of one

of tlxem, There fend thee enclofed ; Twas writ- ten Vol. III. a S?t at Paris. 263 ten from the Council of the Irifh Rcbeh. By which thou may 'ft fee what a Share the Cardinal has in abetting thefe Tractors. Elfc how ceuld they demand of him, The Performance of the Queen Re- gent s Promife, to ajjiji him with Money and Sien ? There is one alio dated this prefent Year, and fobfcribed by Monfieur BeUteu>e, the French Am.

bajfaior ill England : But Ofmin had not time to tranfcribe that, being prevented by the CardmaCs

Return , which made the Dwarf fnatch up his Tools, and abfcond under the Table. Yet he re- member'd fome of the Contents of that Letter,

and told them me at his next Vifit ; The Amhafm fador, in that Letter, informs the Cardinal, of a certain German Prtphet, who foretold. That there jbould he a g^eat RevolHtion in the Gttternmenl of England, and that one of the tnighttejl of all the Eaftern Princes, jhsuld be dcfofed this Tear, and murdered by his Subjefts. (I pray Heaven, avert the Omen from the Seraglio.) He acquaints this Minifter alfo. That he had fucceeded in his Nego- tiation with the Officers of the Rebels Army^ There were other obfcure Parages in the Letter, which ofmin has forgot. But thefe are fufficient to demonftrate, how bufy the Cardinal is, and what a Hand he has in foreign Affairs. Another Opportunity, I hope, will bring to Light more of this Minifter'; Secrets. Adieu.

'Paris, /^th of tht6rb Mcon, of the Xiar 1648.

LET- x(>4 Letters uyh hy Vol. IIL

LETTER XVr.

To Pelteli-Hali^ hU Brother. TH E ofmer I perufe the Journal of thy Tr/h •veil, the more I am delighted with it. For it is evident, That the Ceumnei through which thou has pafs'd, have been as fo many School} of

Wtfdsm to thee ; wherein thou haft learn'd, even from Men's f^icei, the Way to I'erfeffion ; much niore from their Ftrtues. Thou had found, That though Mens natural Difpofitions differ, as do the Climates, which afford them Breath ; yet they all agree mtammon Frailties. There are alio f^ites peculiar to certain Countries; 'twere to be wifh- edthey could be match'd with as many national yirtttes. But Human Nature is a rank Sfil, more fertile In Weedr, than vholefome ProduBs. Yet there are Gardens, as well as Defarts : And thou hall: Obferved fome Perfons, Illuflrlous for their Goodnefs, and the noble Endowments of their Minds I am extreamly pleafed with that rare Example of Generofity, which thou reJatefl of an Indian

Merchant ; who, not content to give Alms to all that. ask'd. him, or whom he knew to be poor, fought daily Occafions to exerclfe his Charity, hunted out the indigent and unfortunate : And

bri^hcelt virtues , and is the very Sepulchre of brayo VoL III. iSpY at Paris. 16^ brave Defigns : depriving a Man of the Means to accompllfli, what Nature has fitted him for, and ftifling the noblefl: Thoughts in their Embryo, How many illuftrious Souls may befaid, to have been dead among the Living, or buried kIIvc In the Obfcuricy of their Condition, whofe Perfe- ftions have rendred them the Darlings of ProvU deKce, Companion! and of Angeh ; yet the infupe- rable Penury of all Things, has rank'd them a- mong the Caji-aways of the Earth, in x.\\t Eyes of Men ? To fuch as thefe, our Divine Lavogiver commands us to extend our Charity, giving us certain Charafters and Marks, by which we may diftinguiih themfromthe Crowd of the Unfor- nate. And, I like the Indian's Bounty the bet- ter, in tliat he fo exaftly feems to comply with this precept of the Ahoran, generoufly prevent- ing the Requefls of the Indigent, and by an Ex- cels of Benignity, courting them to accept of Relief. In this he alfo verifies the Arabian Pro- verbf which fays, He gives doubis, who gives «»- asJCd. 'Thou commendeft the Induftry of the Chinefr^ the Advances they have made in Arts and Scien- ces, which, thou concluded, is to be attributed to the Force of their Laws^ which oblige the Son to follow his Father's Trade, throughout all Generations. In this I muft dilTent; for, Ic Teems rather a Curb, than a Spur to Ingenuit}', tb be confin'd to Employments, for which a Man may have an Averfion. The Son not feldom abhorring thofe~ Things , wherein his Parents took Delight. Or, if not fo, yet he may be caft in a finer Mold, have a more fubtle Inven- tion ; and confequently, be capable of making greater Improvements, in any Trade of his own Choice: Since, Delights ikts an Edge on ths Mind, gives Vigour to the Body, and adds Wings N to 2,66 Letters ^r// hy. Vol. III.

to Bufinefs. Befides, I do not think this to be ^o much thy own Kcmark, as the Infinuatlon of fome of that Country, who are the moft conceited

People in the World ; ever extolling their own

Policy, Laws and Govemmcncs ; and impofing them as a Pattern to all other Nations. One thing I grant they boaft of with a great deal of Truth, that is, their Antiquity and un- mix'd Race. Though fince the Conqtuft the Tar» tifs have made of that Country, they are like to undergo the Fate of other Nations, and cor- rupt their Genealogies with the Bhod oi itravgert. Thou cameft away before that Cor.quefi was begun, or, perhaps, before 'twas talk'd cf. And I can give thee but a very imperfeft Account of King^ , -it. All the Intelligence we have from that

4om of late, comes in Fragments : For the Ships which bring this Ihatter'd News, left China in

an Uproar and Confufion : Only they aflure us, That the Tartars had pafTed the celebrated Wall^ which divides them from China-. That they en- tered and fubdued the Northern Provinces, with

an Army of Six hundred thoufand Men ; That very little Refiftance was made againft them, noc even in Pequin it felf, the capital Seat of the Chinefe Empire, which the Ufurper LycuKgz had abandon'd to the Camjuerors, carrying a\» ay with him all the ineftimable Treafures of the Palace, and retiring Into one of the remote Province/^ was never heard of afterwards. Whence it was judged, that fome of his own Party had murder'd him; partly for the fake of his prodigious Wealth, which they fliared among them; and partly to iftvc.ge his Treafon againlV the fTw^crt-r, and the innumerable Calamities he had brought upon his

t Country.

- BefoEfl Vol. III. a S?Y at Paris. x6j Before thofe Merchants came away, the Chant of Tartary was prodairaed in Pe^uin, and crown'd Emf/ror of China. They fay, He was not above Thirteen Years old at that Time, which was in the 12th Moon of the Year 1644. And thac -iiaving fent for the chief I^obiltty of Tartary to Pequin, he made Preparations to purfue his Con- -^uefts. This is the beft Account we yet have of the

Affairs of that Empire ; by which thou wilt ea- fily be induced to be of my Opinion, That the Blood of the Chinefetj will in Time be mix'd with that of strangers. We muft not feek for the Originals of any People in the Country where they dwell. The moft renowned Kinj^doms and Empires in the World, had their firft Foundations laid by r^^^*- i>o»ds and Fugitives. Thou art not ignorant how vaft an Extent the ancient Roman Empire had through ^Jia, yf/r/c« and Europe; yet that City, which was call'd the Miftrefs of Nationi, the Gom vernefs of the whole Earthy was firft built by a handful of Banditti, People who lived by Pillage and Robbery, the Out- Laws and Scum of /•«//, -adembled together from divers Parts, under the Conduft of Romulus and Rhemus. Neither had that City proved any better than a Sepulchre to them and their Defigns, had they not, by

• Sabine -a witty Stratagem , over-reach'd the Women, and fo fecured to themfelves a Pofte- rity, who fhould not (tnly defend, but enlarge

the Dominions of their Fathers : Yet thefe Peo- ' pie, of fo obfcure and confufed an Original, af- terwards boafted of the Antiquity and noble Defcent of their Families. No Name more venerable in fucceeding Ages, than that of a

N a To >68 L E T T IR s J^rit ly Vol. III. To look no fayther than the great and forra*- datle Empire of the Ofmam, we fliall find it took its firft Rife from Colonies of tranfpianted Scythi-

ans ; ib that he that would have the Genealogy <")f a Tu^k, muft look in the Regifters of Greece, 4 Avhere they now live, but muft carry his Search y Leyond the Mountain Caucaftis, examine the Bor- ders of Paluj Mceotii, or hunt his Pedigree out in Cherjonefuf. What Revo'-Htims have'not happen'd in ^Jia and j^fuk, fince the y^p4nptien of the Mejfetigir oi God into Pataiifef Where fiiall we jiow find any Remains of the ancient Saracats^ or Marmahikcs ? The mighty Empire of the Ottem ffj»ns hasfwallow^d up all. Thus one Nation ex- pels another, and, there is fo general a Mixture of Foreign Blood, made by the Converfion of in- numerable diiferent Nations, to the Mujfulman Fni'h, that it is hard to know, whether cur v^«- C'ftirs were Scychians or Paythians, Jews or Gre;h

ans ; whether they were of the Mountains or the Valleys, of the Fcrefts or the Plains. In this I will except my Countrymen, the /ir». h'ttns, and thol« who feem to approach neareft

them in manner of Life the Tjriars ; the one

<; welling in Tents, the other in Waggons; both

ill a moving Pofture ; both happy in this That they are not coufin'd to the Rigors of a cold IVifi- tei-, nor the fcurching Heats of the Sumner; but change their Soil and Climate, as the Seafon of

the Year varies : Thus, €ver fecuring to themfelvcs in all Places, either a blooming .flow'ry Spring, or a moderate and fruitful Autumn Thefe were never fubdued, nor expelled thofe Regions where- in they take Delight, neither would they ever mix with Srr*ngerf, But, the Chinefe would ex- cel all the Wi:rld in the Pwity cf tJieir tinmix'd Blood, were it not for the Incurfions of their. po- itenc and yiftoriouj Neighbours. The Vol. III. a Spy af Paris. 169'"

The Ff-efich lay, That thefe People had the Vis: of GuHs and Priuting, many Hundreds of Years^ before they were found out in Europe. But the Gcrmani claim the Honour of thele lnven:ions to* themfelves Thou confirmefl. the Opinion of the former, Iri-^ telling me, Thou haft feen fome of theCannoas belonging to the City of Pcq-ji», on which was engraven, in Chirtefe CharaBtrs, a R

' I had a great deal more to fay, dear Pefiih\ buc Poji the calls on me to haftcn ; beiides, an ex- treme Dulnefs and Languifhlng of my Spirits, with which I have been perfecuted, ever finca this A/o9« fir-ft fliewed bar-CreJcent : Now f^e is in t!ie IVan', and fo, I hope, Is my Malady. The I:*.- fiuence this Planet feems to have on me, niay- malte thee concSlude me a Lunttick : We are all lb, in one Degree -or other. There are not more ' apparent Symncoir..";, That the Ffux and Rfiux of the Sej, owes 'its Original to the Neighbourhood and Motion of that Planet, than that our Confli^ lusions vary, according to its Monthly y^fpearartm ces. He that created the Mton. and the CoriJ}e3.tti'on\ not without refpeft to Mankind, give us W

Paris, x^th of the i'h Mfon, of the Tiar 1^48.

N 5 LET- %'jo Litters writ ly Vol. III. LETTER XXn.

To tht Aga of tht Janizaries.

THE Duke cf Chaplhn arrived here fix Days ago, from the Army in FUnders^ bring- ing News of a fignal Viftory obtaln'd by the young Prince of Conde, on the PJai'm of L

a Civil War ; The Pariiament thwart tiie Pro- ceedings cf the Court, taking on them the Power of the ancient Spartan Bphtri : They will be Com- ptrollers of the regal Authority, fupprefling the

King's Edicfr, calling his Expences to account ; and, pretending to reform the Cowrf, they play the Pedagogues with th©(r Sovereign. On the other fide, Cardinal Mazarini, the Duke of Orleans^ and other Grandees, do their utmoft Endeavours to dif- folve the Meetings of this Senate. They perfuade the young King, That it Is but a precarious Reign, "where the Sovsreign muft be curb'd by his Snl>^ jeifi : Thus they inftlll into his tender Years, thofe Maxim! by which they would have him rule, whea he comes of Age. There is a Man in the Parliament whom they call Moiijiew Bufels, one of their' great Counfel- Jr.fs, a bitcer Enemy of Cardinal Mazarini, and rherefore cry'd yp by the People for a Patritt : He is r

"Vol. III. aS?Y

is furious of a Temper, anrf mean Abillrles ; yec his noify Zeal for the publiek Libitty. has faften'd

to him the vulgar : He is become the Ringleader of the Seditiout. This Man was feiz'd as he return'd from the chief Temple, where Te Deum was Tung Yefter-

day, for the late Viilory in Flanders -. And i'oms are of Opinion, That 'twas this happy News which emboldened the Coarf to fn ate h from the PeopJe their Darling, their Idol, the Man from whofe' Courage they expeft a Redrefs of all their Grie- vances. Indeed, one may fay, It would feem fafer from a Traveller in the Defarts of /^i-ah'^,

to tear from a Litnefs her young one : For, the H ais of the Faffion waited but for fuch an Op- portunity to (et all in a Flame. And the ill Suc- cefs of the Court in this Aftion, Ihews, That it

is dangerous to provoke the Mitl ittide -. For pre- fcntly we were all in Confu^on, the Bu~gejfet In Arms, the Shops fliut up, the Streets chain'd, and ail the Avenues of the Palace barrlcado'd. 'I'he Rabble marched up and down the Streets, threatening Deftru£lio,i to Cardinal Mazarini, and- a'l his Party. The Parliament were forced to be- come the M JfdKg'rs of the People, to carry their Court Petitianr, or racatr their Commands, to the ;

being threaten'd alfo, if they failed of Succcft : For they procefted unanimoufly, That they would nor lay down their Arms, "till the impri- fon'd Councilor was releafed. The ^eeri appear'd at flrft Inexorable, and fent their Senators away with Denial and Scoffs, wifliing them Joy of their new Honour in be- ing made the Porters of the Rabble. And the young Monarch, incenfed to fee his vative Loyalty thus prophaned by his Su'jeBs, bent his Brows ;

and carting a Look , divided betwixt Majelly Senators utter'd tiiefe and Difdttin , on the , N 4 Words i ,-

271 Letters ^>// hy Vol. IJI.

Words, Sirs ! Shall it alvays he a Cuflom, that tt moliji the Minorlry of your Kings ? Or, 1(9 jiu think our tender Tinrs incapable of the common Senfe #/ otkcr Mortals, that )0u frefuwe thui iyifolsntly to invade our Rights ? ^ccufe not the Mulritudc, nor

make them an Umbrage 10 your Sedition : / hiow the /Authors ef thefe Tumults, ard JhaH Jtad a Time

10 make them feel the Weight of my Difpltajute : Think not, that 1 wear this Sword only f,.r Orna- ment [laying his Hand fiercely on his \\\h} or. That the Blocd of n.y Rinewmd Anceftors, // j'oww degenirate, or turned to Lees within tny ydns. Co tell your -faBious Comrades, there Jits this Day up an the Throne of Trance a King, who, thiugh he's young, yet has a Spirit and Memory wh'ch will tut lafikis Fupili'age. With that he commanded them out of his Sight. ' Vet notwlthflanding this the People threiitned to bring their Darling away by Force, if he were jiot releafed in two Hours. There were above a Hundred Thoufand of them in Arms, and it might have proved a dan-

• gerous Injumdian. J3ut, the ^een, at the fe- cond return, to the Sivatirs, hearkning to the Advice of Maztrini. and the Duke of Orleans, and remcmbring the late dreadful Efiefts of Majfaneiio's Tumult in Naples, reJeasd the Pr>

foner ; who was conduced home Jaft Night in TriumpJi, by an iniinice Crowd of People, who filled the Air with Shouts ar.tl Acclama- tions. It is difcourfed here, That tFe Prince of Conde

will fpcedily return to Paris -. From whom, both the Court and the paQion, promife thcmfelves new Grounds of Triumph. During thefe Commotions, Mahmut fails not to aft his Parr, being at no fmalJ Expence, to mainuia a certain Number of Strangers whofe Vol. III. aS?Y at Parts. 2.7J

whofe whole Dependence Is on me : Thefe I in- ftruft to jtiix themlelves with the Rabble, to ind- nuate Into them hateful Notions of Cardinal Ma, ai«r;»/ and the Court. They buz up and down the City, like Flies in this hot Seafon, and fting the Muliiiude to Fury with their Stories. I fpare no

Coft to procure the Cardinal's Ruin : That per- nicious Wit comes not Ihort of his Predeceiror RitblkUy being as aftive in embroiling foreigrt

States '• Witnefs the Revolutions of Pertvi^al, Ca:a. Ionia, England and Naples ; (In all which he had a principal Hand) and is ever projeftiiig, Howta aggrandize his Mafter. And the unlverfal Succefs of the French Arms in Germany, F^jnd^rr, lta!)\ and S/>«»«, has leftrhem nothing worth aThoug-htj but the Deftruftion of the OfmanEmpire. Eliachim brings me News. every Hour, how my Myrmidons fncceed ;" for he a6Vs abroad In the Streets while I keep my Chamber, during ths Tumults, being of£>;7»7/?/rfWf/s Mind, who, when the A'hnians were in an Uproar, took Sa7iBuary In the TerKple of Palla-, and proftrating- himfelf before the y^ltar of the Gcddip, mtcr'd theie

V/ords ; O Pallas, / fly to thee for- Proteciion -, dc^ Ign^rnnce, and IntO'Jlaiicy fend me from' Envy,- j for 1 love not the Soeistyof the Q'^V, the Qxzgon^

c:.j .h. l... , ,•• and th€?co^\e! ~^''i'-^"' .; j;,.r. .-i. Yet. whether In n^y Chamber or Abroad/'be aiTured, lUuftxiSus /"rfff^?? of the Imperial CIry, Tiiai: Mahmut divides his Time between the Vtvof he makes',,' ai^'d th^-'Servkei he does- for the G'and

Sfgntor, , J

of the r>

Jq Achmet Beig.

THIS Court is now In Mturning for the Deaili of UUdiJiaus, late King of Poland ^ whilft the Politicims are canvafing the next' El«8io».

Thofe, who fide with ti-.e Hsufe of Aujirif favour the Succejftitn of Prince Charles • but the French are for Ca/imir, their former Prifoner, The Duke of Bavaria is alfo Dead. They fay he died of Grief, to fee his Country expofed to the Infults of a 'y»'5?(»r»0K; Emmy ;for alJ his Forces were entirely defeated.

The Princt of Conde has taken Iprt in Flavdtrs ; and the ^rch.Diike of /iuftria has render'd hlm- felf Mailer of Courtray, without drawing a Sword,

©r firing a Gun : The Marefchal dc Rantzau has made an unhappy Attempt to furprize Ojicndy a Sea.Town in Flanders. For, carrying his Forces by Water, as foon as he had landed his Men, A Tempeft arofe, and drove all his Ships out to

5Sea : So that, being encompafled by a nume- jous Army of his Enemies, and having no Way *o efcape, he and all his Troops were made Pri- Ibners. From the Sea, we have Advice, That there has teen a Combat between the Duke of Ricblieu, Commander of the Naval Forces fent to affift the .Neapolitan Revolt irx, and Den Jchn of jiuftria, Adm wiral of t!;e Spanijh Fleet on that Coaft : But the

Iflue of the Battle is not yet known ; tho' rnoft People guefs the Viftory to be on the Fr,nch Side, xn regard Cardinal Mazarini had, by the Advice ©f an Jrdian Ship- Wright, caufed all the Freneb Ships to be plaifter'd oyer wivh Allm, io that no ' - - - ' - Firt- Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 17^ Fire-Shlps can hurt them. The Spaviayds make great ul'e of thefe Fire- Ships in aJJ their Sea Fights, having learn'd to their Ocfl-, from the Engtijh, what Damage thefe Veil'eJs do, when they formerly loft their whole /]ryn*/it*. which they before term'J Invincible, and with which they failed to conquer that l/iMfid. From CitaUnia the Ports bring Kcvirs^ which pleaies the Wives and Friends of the Soldiers in

thofe Parts : For the Martfchal dt Scomhcrg has ci t in pieces the Spanifh Army, taken Tortija by Af- fault, where the Soldiers found a Booty of above Fifteen hundred thoufand Livers, A Courier is come from SwcdfUnei, who bringj an Account of a late formidable Confpiracy in- RuJJia, againft the Life of the Czar. The greateft part of the Mufcaviie Granr/tei we/e concern 'd in this Plot, de/igningto change the Form o£ Gov rr. tne7it, and divide that mighty Empire into feveral Principalities, whereof every one of the Confpira- tors fliould have a Share. And that they fliould be all fubjeft to one Chief, who fliouid be ele- iied by the reft, after the Manner of Germany. To this Purpofe, they had made ^private Treaty with tlie Tartars. Morofopb, the prime Miniflir of State f and the Chanctllor Nazari, were of this Confpiracy. Perhaps thsu wilt lament the Fate of the latter, having received extraordinary Civilities from him, when thou wcrt at thac Court. BanaaHofh, Son of the Patriarch of Mofce, re- Veal'd the Piot, with tl>e Names of the Coufpiram tors^ to the grand Duke : Who fent to them next Day to his Palace, under divers Pretences, where he commanded them all to be klll'd, and their Bodies to be thrown to the Dogs in the Streets of that City.

N 6 Tftc 2,7<5 Letters Wtit hy Vol. IIH The Fnnch report flrange Things of Suhen ihrakh/t : I wiih all go welJ at the fuhlime Port, If thou hafl: the fame Defires, reveal them to none but thy Friend ; for at fome Times a Man's beft Thoughts will be interpreted for Tte^fm. Adieui-

Parls, i$th ef the toth MotVj of the nar 1648.

LETTER XIX.

To the Mufti.

Y Venerable Letters are come fafe to my THHands, bringing Light and Confolation to ^he faithful Exile. With profoundeft Reverence J kilVd and unfolded the Papers, which contain the facred Inftruftlons of the f^icar of God. I blef- isd my felf, when I read the Charge of tojal En- ormities, tfie exorbitant Paifions of a Mfptlman ^Emfercr^ and the Prophanation of the ThvBre founded on "Jujiice. Thou haft prevented the Qualms of a too fcrupulcus Loyalty, by afTuring me, That it is a funaamintal Mavim of our Law, Th»t aS Men in tkt H^orld, without refpeff of Birth »> ^Iftalhy, are obliged to appear before the Jtefitce of

God : And, That he vhi ehiys r.ot the Law, is rro

MuiTulman : And, If the Err.per or hirnfelf be in thit Huwber, he ougjot to be depefrd forthwith. This has abundantly fatlsfied my Confcience, coming from the Hands of him, from whofe Sev- rtrice there can be no y^optal on Earth. I fiiall

therefore readily obey thy Orders ; and without Demur, put in Execution what thou haft com- manded me. Wh» Vol in. ^ Spy -srf Paris* 177

Who can blame the jufl: Indignation of Sultan Marat's Widow, who in defence of her Chaftity, tlireatned to flieath her Ponyard in the Breaft of her Sowrei'gn ? But, incomparably more eminent, Was thy Daughter's Virtue, who not being abJo to refill the Force of the mighty Ravijber, after ihe was polluted, would, like another Lucretia^ have flabb d her felf, had flie not been prevent- ed by the Sultan. How has he fully'd the Gloiy of the Ofman Race, by thefe eiFemlnate yica : What an Indignity has he committed againft: our holy Law ? Againft the principal Patriarch of the EU^"^ Much more noble, was the Continence of the African Scipio, who, when at the Conqucd of N Carthage, a Virgin of admirable Beauty was chofen from among the Captives and pre- fented to him, would by no Means defrle her, but reftor'd her again without Blemifh to her Parents, faying withal, to thofe that ftood near him, If^ere I « private Man, I weuld g'atify my

Pifffiun, by the E'joyment of thit lovely Maid ; bur, it becomes not the Leader cf an ^i-my, to give fo bad

an Example ; nor a Conqueror^ to Jfteld bis Heart t» the Charms of hit Captive. But it feemSj That SuUan Ibrahim was rarher ambitious of the Chara£ter of Auguflas the Roman Enjpetor, of whom it is faid. That he never fpared

any Woman in his Lnft : But if he caft his Eye on a beautiful lady, though her Husband were of the firft Quality in the Empire, he would im. mediately fend his Officers, to bring her to him by fair Means or by Force. The Philofophcr Aihcnodoru', who was Very intimate with this Monarch took a pretty Method to reform this Vice in his Mflji^r. For, when the 'Emperor one Day had fent a clofe Sedan or Chairy for a certain Noble [Voman, of the Houfe of the CamiSi the I'hilofipher fearing fome Difafter -J might 7.7^ LetTEKS Tf'r/i ly Vol. III. might enfue, {for that Fan.ilji was very popu- lar, and highly reipefted in Rome,) he goes be>. fore to the Lady's Palace and acq-jainting^ her wirh it, flie complain d to her Husband of the Indignity was offer'd her. He boiling with Anger, threaten'd to ftab the MefTengers of the Err.peror, when they came. But the prudent Phi- lofophcr appeas'd them both, and only defir'd a Suit of the Lady's Apparel, which was granted him. He foon put it on, and hiding his Sword under his Kobes, enter'd the S(f^^», perfonating the Lady. The MefTengers, who knew no other, carried him away to the Empenr. He, heighten 'd with Defire, made hafte to open the Sedan h\rn- felf When jithcntdarui, fuddenly drawing his Sword, leap'd forth upon him, faying, Thus mighteji thou have been murde<''d: Wilt thou never quit the Vice, which is attended with fo much Dan- ger ? Jealouf/ and Revenge might have fuljihuted en AiTainn thus difguiftd in my room : But I took Warning. Care of thy Life. Hinceforth take The Emperor^ pleas d with the P'tAjufhtrs Stratagem, gave him ten Talents of Gold, thanking him for this feafonable Corre£Vion: And from that time began to reftrain unlawful Pleafures, applying Jilmfelf to a virtuous Life. Thou feeft, holy Prelate, that by perufing the Uifitries of the /trcicnts, a Man may furnifh hlm« felf with ufeful Examples, and proper Obferva- tlons. I always keep by me Plutarch's Works, as allb and thofc of Livy, a Roman Hifiorian ; Taci:us, who has left the Mnah of that formi- dable Empire to Pofterity. It were a delirable thing. That the Muptlman Soibes were employ'd in tranflating fuch Rectrds as thefe, into the ^ira. true Faithm tick or Tttrkijh Languages : That fo the conquer the ful, who are d^fiind by Gjd to World, may not be ignox-ant of the memorable Tranfaftions Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. 279 Tranfaftions of former Ages. Some of our SuU tans have been curious, to have P/utgrch''s IVrim tings render'd in the familiar Speech of the Otto, mam. There are other Memoirs, not lefs worth the Labour. If it fhall enter into my Heart, to encourage lb profitable a Work, the whole Lmfirt of the rc^gn d to God, '^\\\ be indebted to thee. JBut, who am I, that^refume to direct the great JFather of the Faithful ? Thou art enlighten'd with all Knowledge and Wifdom! Peradventurp thou haft Reafo^s to divert thee from fuch an Enterprlze, which I cannot comprehend. There- ;fore I cover my Mouth with Duft, andacquiefce. As to the late Revolutisn, I am not to difpute the Will of my Superiors. However, I receive the ~Nea"s of that Tragedy with lefs Difcontent, in re- gard, thou thy felf. who art the Orack oS the Mitptlmans, hall thought fie to depofe Sultan

Jbrahira ; ufmg herein the Advice and Confent of hlso^vn hUtkf^ and of Mahmut Bajfa, wifh that of the Janizar Aga, who, next to thy felf, aro two the moll knowing "ifges in the Empire. What remains, but that I ihall pray for the long Life oESuhan Mahmut ? Defiring alio That /ft*. ven may fo dlreft his Counfels, that he may ne- .'Ver do any thing to merle the Fa(» of his mhap^y Fitther.

Paris, iph of the nth Mmttf of the rear id^S.

LET- ftSo liET T!E RS fff^ ^ly VeL HI.

' * ! Tff Chirurgi MuhanimQl' Bafla.

length th-e I>eputiet of the N0zarcn^ Primes

AT .• at' M««/?<^"have cantlud-ed a P<«ff Tjiey •have been thefe lU Years debating about Trlfies und PimSfilio's, as is the Manner of the Chrijlianf^ even in the moft impoitant Affairs. This Treatj^ was llgn'd the 24th of the lafl- Mocji, vihen all farther Hoftilities ceasd on all Sides, except ca the Parts of Eance and Spain, whcfe Quarrel could by no means be adjufted, in this general " - ' "^^ yjgreement oi Chrijicvdsm. , Thou hart by this Time heard" Of the late

Tumults and Emotions in this City ; tlie Dil- aifeftlon between the Cowt and Parliament, with the Ihort Siege of Parii. Now Things fetm to be compos'd, and in a Calm: But ic may only prove a Truce, while both Parties take Breath, to rufli upon each other with the greater Violeiice. The City is unaieafurabiy rich and populous, and c«n arm an Hundred thouiand Men at aji "Hour's Waj'ning. The- P<»r//»/ abets their

Quarrel : This encourages them to vie with theC^wr: The Menhatits live Jike fetty Kings: Abundance of Gold fills them with Pride and Ambition'. Whilrt tlie Courf,_ in the mean time, are clofe and referv'd, projefting how to de. ftroy the FaBion, and aflert the regal yilu-hority. The Sl«ccn Regent is refolute and fevere, yet fuffers her felf to be mollify'd with the milder Counfels of Cardinal Mazarini, and the Duke of OrleaKs. 7 In the Beginning of this Rdgn, J gave an Ac- count to the Mifi'perr-oi tlie P«r/, of^he Duke of Vol. III. 4 Spy ^/ Paris. i8i

Beaufort"^ Imprlfonment In the Caftle o^ the Wttd of Vineiennes, which Is one of the King's Palaces ; This Prince Is now efcaped from his Confinement, and come into the City : The Fa^ious cry him up for a Pa not, and are refolved to proteil Kim uitli their Lives and Fortunes If thou yet retainefl: thy Health and Vigour, rhou art happy. As for me, I feel continual De- cays; yet am not troubled, perceiving at the lame time that I approach nearer to imtnortalitj. Wherefore I neither feek Rffto a'tvar, nor con- fult Phyjlciaxs; but fufferlng my felf to dllTolve gradually, Idle with Pleafure, pluming and pre- paring my felf daily, as one ready to cake Wing for a more ^»/>/7 Resist.

Paris, i^th of the \ith Afbr», of the Tear 1643.

LETTER XXI.

To Dgnet Oglou.

A jM not furprlz'd at the News of Sultan Ih ». I him's being depofed and ftrangled ? 'TIs but what I have for a long time fear'd : Thefe reftlefs Janizaries will ruin the Ottoman Empire, Neither am I ftartled to hear that his Mi'ther was accelTary to his Fall, having a double Motive, Ambition and Revenge, to Induce her Confent. She al-

ways affefted to rule ; and therefore, could noc brook the Hultari's refolute Management of Af- fairs, without following her Advice. Befides, ihe could not eafiJy forget her Dllgrace and Con- finement, on the account of the Arwinian Lady's Death. But aSi Letters Writ hy Vol. III. \ But I am aftonifh'd and vex'd to hear, that the Mufti fliould be concern'd in fo black a Tragedy. How ihall wc have the Confidence hereafter, to reproach the Chrijiiant with their Treafens Mnr(itring frequent and of their Ki?igs ; fince It will be eafy for them to retort, That the fupreme Patriarch of our Lav has enter'd Into the Secret of Rebels, confplred the Death of his Sovereign^ and caufed him to be defofed and firangled. As for the ^^a of the Janizaries, I fuppofc him rather over-aw'd into the Qonfpiracy, by the forcible Lieafens and elegant Parole of the Siufti, than any ways voluiitarily engaging himfclf la Crimes, to which he feems to have no Inclina. tlon. Beiides, he could not refufe to make one ill the Party, afcer It had once been propofed to him ; unlefs he were refolv'd to be the firft yiElim of their Jealoufy, and be murder'd hlmfelf, to prevent the Difcovery of the reft. Yet his Da- ty and Honour ought to have fuperfeded all other Confideratlons: And he fhould have chofen to die in his Allegiance, rather than to live ilain'd vith fo foul a Crime. However It be, I cannot approve their Treafon. For whatever the Fices of the Sultan were, thty had no Right to punlfh him. He was account- able to none but God : And they invaded thft Prerogative of Hfavcn, in dethroning him, who the Divine Providence had invefted with the Im. ferial Diadim. Much lefs can I approve their Impiety, In de- faming him now he Is dead. Neither can I in Conlclence comply with the Injunciiohs of the Mu'ti. who has commanded me, in a Letter, to fpread an 111 Charafter of *«/?«» I'orahlm, among the Chriftlans , that fo his own Pro:eedings may appear juft. *Tis true, I owe much tr» the a

Vol. III. a Spy at Paris. xSj the Authority of this fovertlgn Guide of true Be-

lievers ; yet 1 muft not, to pay this Debt, turn

Bankrupt of my Reafon : I owe fomething to my fell", and to the dillinguijhijig CharaSicr of- Man. I promifed him, indeed, to obey his Com-

mands in this Point : But he that has given me a Dijpenfatikn for all the Lies and Perjuries I fhali be guilty of in i^ttris, will, i hope, pardon me, if I turn my own Ctnftjfor, and abfolve my felf, for not performing my Word to him in this Point. I am not often guilty of afperfing the Liviirg,

but I abhor to infuve the Dead j left I fliould in- cur the Fate of him, who being at Enmity with a famous IVnjllir, purfued him with Malice and Revenge, even in his Grave. For envying the Honour that was due to this IVneflerls Memory, in that his Statue was fet up in a ^ublick Place, he went pirvately one Night, with defign to throw

.the Statue down : But after he had fp:ghtfully dlf- figured it in feveral Parrs with a Hammer, and was bufy in working its Overtlirow ; xht Image on a fuddcn fell on him, and crufli'd him to

Death : As if the Spirit of him whom it repre- fented, had given it this Fall, tp revenae the Ma- lice of his Ad verfary; Certainly, the ^indents were not ignorant what they faid when, among other fage Counfels, they ad vlfed Mortals, N»t t$ ffeak ili sf the Dead, but to ejieem them [acred, who are gone into the immortal State. And PLito's Rhig had this Motco on it : ft is ea/ter to provoke the Deai, than to facify them, mhen tiice f'O'Vjkcd. Intimating thereby, that the S«uls of the Departta are feii- fibe of the Injuries that afe done them by the Living. Tlierefore I will fliun Detraftion, efpecially of the Dead, And, if I cannot fay much in frai^ ra

184 Letters Writ hy .Vol.111. Praife of Sultan Ii>rahim\ P7riuet, Jet his f^cet- be hurled v.ith htm" \n fternal O^livinn. I run no Hazards in writing thus fi'ankly -to thee being adur'd of thy Fidelity. Bciides, IJeath (which is the uorft Punirtiment can be in- fliftcd on me for what I have laid. Jliould it be known,) would not be bitter, when given by-

Friend. Dear Dgmt, adieu. '

Paris, loti a/'tki-ifiMov*, of tke Tear 160,^.

LETT E R X-X;H.1 To Danecmar KefroiJ, Kaidilifquer

Romaniu'.' ' of ; —

H EN I informed tfictj how tin; ot-.^ n.ia

. their /fr«^ the i»i/l^yR.^t-7/, It W. fold to was eafy to prefage the Confequence, without a l^eve. U'.itn. When Sovsretgn Mcna'chshzzomt the Mer-

chandize of FaBions, they commonly , pay the Price with their own Blood: And, there, are fe^r Examples of.^'rimej that have ,bcea Impnfon'd;'by

' their Sa'jj ffi, and yet have elcaped .,a violent Death; For tficfe. who have 6nce 'advange

/ftbry : Thefe Infideli have out-ftrlpp'd all fcrmor :Irayto>-s, in the Contrivance and Execution of

their Regicide : They have even furpafs'd them* ieJves, and their own firft Dcfigns. •It has been ufual for Trsjtort, to take away the Life of a depos'd Monarch privately, by Poi' fon or AliafTin. either in refpeft to his royal Ulood, the or- to avoid Poffibality of a Refcue, from any ; of his loyal Friends iand Subjects. But, thefe 6

Iiifamcus Traytors : There they formally try d

their Sovereign, by a Laxp oi thch own makng : con-

dehin'd him as a Tyrant and a Tray tor : And finally, Caufed his Head to be chopt off with an Axe^ by an Exc/utiener,, before the Gates of his own Palace; in the Sight of Thoufands of his Sub^

jeSs ; that fo they might appear, not fo much to kill their King, as to deftroy the Monarchy it fel£ * and triumph in its Ruin. Haft thou, O venerable Judge of the Faithful^ ever read or heard of fuch a daring Tnaftn ? All Ettre^p iljarCles at the monftrous Faft. And Cardi- nal Mazarini himfelf, who carried on that private Web of faftious Qefign in England, whofe firft

Threads his Predecejfor Richlieu had fpun ; yet ex- preflTed an Horror, at the News of this Tragidy. And, I lo)k not on this to be an Artifice of Po-

licy in him,, to blind the World ; but a real Dif-

covtyy of h'S Sentiments : For he is_ too generous to approve fo barbarous a Proceeding againft a Sovtret^n Monarch, though his Enemy.

T'other 2:^6 Letters IVrit ly Vol. III. T'other Day he was heard to lay, That in:R&^ venge of I he King's Mutdcr, he wtuld embarrafs ihe Coftnfels of the Englifli Rebels, m»re. than he had ikne thofe of their Soverelga.. This was not fpoken lb fecretly, but Mahmut had Intelligence of It within an Hour: For I have more Ears in Paris, than thofe in my Head, to

hearken after the Intrigue! of this Mimflor ; And it will be difficult for him hereafter to fpeak,write or aft any thing ; no, not even in his private Clo- fer, which will not be difclofed to me. Yet, though I thus watch his Motions as an E- nemy, and do my utmoft; to render his Defigns againft the Ottom*n Port ineife^lual, I cannot in my Heart condemn this Minifter, who all the while afts but the part of a faithful Servant^ and an able Statffman, in ftrlving* to aggrandize his Mofter. His fupporting alfothe FaBitns in England, and

nourilhing the Difcontents of that giddy headed . People, wer« but the Refult of his Zeal for his Country, and for the Church, whereof he is ont

of the principal Pii/ar J : It being evident from his Grief at that King's Murder, That he bore no Ma- lice againft him, but only fought to humble him into 1 erms of Compliance with France, When I fay this, I fuppofe the Cardinal's Sor-

row on that account, to be free from Fiftion : But who knows when the Aftlons of Statefmen are un- difguli'd, and when not ? For I am well aiTured, That wbilft his Agents were bufy in embroiling that Nation, he promifed the exiled EngUjh §lueen, to aflift her Husband with Men and Money againft thofe very Rebels, with whom he held a private Gorrefpondence, and to whom his Coffers were really open. Moft of the European Statefmen are corrupted "w'iih. the Maximi of a certain famous IVriter whom Vol. III. ii Spy J/ Paris. iJ/ whom they call Matehiavel. This State Cafui^ has taught them, to boggle at no Crimes, which may advance the Ends they aim at ; ever^ things

in his Opinion, being honeji , that is fuccefiful. Thus, Policy among the Siazarentf, is degenerated

into fiydid Craft : And that which was once de- fervedly efteem'd a Virtue, neceflary to the Go- vermnents of the Warld, h now turn'd Into a f^ice • of which the very Out-Laws, Free-Booters and Pirates, are afliamM. Gtd^ who fuffer'd the Earth to be inhabited by A»gtls, for an infinite hlnmber of yige; before he created Aitimy and then expelling them hence for their Wickednefs, and turning them to Devils^ gave this Ghhe for a dwelling Place to Men^ grant, That the enormous Crimes of tdortahra^ not provoke him to exterminate our hmnan Race, and reftore the Devih to their ancient Habitat itns.

Paris, ^ith of the 2ti Mion, of the Tear \6^^.

The End of the Third Volume.

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