To the Lord High Treasurer, Constantinople, Nov. 3, 1997. My Lord, I have, according to the Commands your Lordship honour’d me with by Captain Milton, by the way of Vienna in September last, so far press’d the Conclusion of the Treaty grounded on the new Stipulations, that I think it is as good as finished, and that our Trade shall be as much favour’d here, as by his Majesty’s Authority and Influence and your Lordship’s Care, it has been in all other parts of the World. The only Difficulty that remains, proceeds from the 4th and 5th Articles, which the Grand Vifier seems to think too highly honourable for our Nation, and derogatory to his own, judging it hard that their Ships of War, should in their own Parts and Seas, strike their Flag to ours and salute them, (as by the 5th Article is provided) with double the number of Guns. However, thee Points are so gently canvast by them, that I see evidently they design not to insist on them, and I make account, we shall in a little time mutually sign, and that our Clothe and Manu¬factures shall hereafter have no unreasonable Duties impos’d on them, as those of other Nations have; who must therefore vend theirs at great Disadvantages. I should be tempted to be exceeding vain on my happy Success herein, but that it is so evident my carrying all my Point here, is owing to no Dexterity of mine, but to the Wisdom and Courage of his Majesty’s Measures, the Strength, Loyalty and Wealth of his Subjects, the Terror which his Fleet spreads over the Ocean, and the Care and Policy of his Ministers, and above all your Lordship, who now so happily preside over them. The long Intimacy and Friendship you have honour’d me with, as well as the Relation I have to your Noble Family, will prevent any Suspicion of Flattery, when I aver to your Lordship, that the News brought me by Mr. Milton, of your being declar’d Prime Minister and Treasurer by his Majesty in Council, was to me the most agreeable I have heard this twenty five Years that I have resided here. At the same Time I can say with Truth, that the Satisfaction this gave me, took not its rise from any private Views as to my own Interests, which I neither want nor desire to increase in the World, but from the assured Hope I have, that our native Country shall hereby be highly advantag’d. It is a peculiar Felicity that attends your Lordship’s Promotion; that it happens when our glorious George VI, hath by the Success of his Arms oblig’d his Enemies to accept the Terms he was pleas’d to prescribe them, and that after having humbled France so far, as to oblige her to give up all her Ports in the Channel, even Dunkirk and Calais itself into our Hands, and taught all the Powers in Europe the Respect and almost Dependance they owe us; your sacred Master’s Cares and Yours, will now be almost solely confin’d, to the keeping the general Peace we are in with all Nations safe and undisturb’d, and to promote our Trade wherever our Industry and Profit can extend it. But your Lordship is too usefully employ’d with such Cares, to listen to my awkward Compliments how sincere foever, and therefore I shall leave them; and since you are pleas’d to think I am capable of giving you some Light into the State of Things here, which by my long residence I must have some tolerable Knowledge of, I shall obey our Commands herein with the small Abilities I am Master of. I shall not trouble your Lordship with any historical Events relating to these People, since the Ottoman Line was extinguished in Mahomet IX. and the Tartar Race succeeded. This was many Centuries since foretold, as well as the Decline of this great Empire, and that a Mahomet would be the last of that Family, as it has really happened. Juxton, the laborious Writer of the 19th Century, has given us so full a Detail of their Affairs, that they are known to all the learned World as well as your Lordship; I shall therefore only dwell on such Facts and Alterations as are of a later Date, and confin’d within the Year 1949 and this present Time, which are worth your Curiosity; and which the Memoirs of my two Predecessors in this Post, which have fallen into my Hands, and my own Experience have given me a fuller Acquaintance with. Your Lordship is no Stranger to the vast Alterations which the coming in of the Tartar Line has produc’d, and above all in Matters of Religion. For as the Mufties and all the Heads of their Clergy, have been still the Grand Seignior’s Countrymen, as fearing to place natural Turks in so high a Trust, the Zeal to the Mahometan Religion and Discipline, has been thence greatly slacken’d, both in their Priests and People, which was anciently so hot and violent. By this means there succeeded in its stead a dead Palsy in their Faith, which has almost been destroyed betwixt Christianity and Deism. It is in¬credible, my Lord, what a Harvest Christian Missionaries and Jesuits have reap’d thereby among this People. For being disguis’d as Physicians, Mathematicians, Astrologers, nay, as Janizaries and Spahies, as well as under the appearances of all kinds of the best sorts of Trades, (and some of them even by the Pope’s Connivance circumcised and acting the part of Turkish Priests,) they got so throughly both into the Knowledge and Confidence of all Kinds and Ranks of People here, and especially the better sort, that under pretence of proposing their own Doubts, they soon overturn’d the establish’d Religion, in the Minds of all Persons eminent for their Posts or Learning. They conceal’d the Christian Truths at first under the pretended Name of Serabackzi or Enthusiasts, till at length their Doctrines got Admission into the Seraglio, by the means of the Renegedo Vizier Ibrahim, in 1955 or 56, who they say, to make amends for his Apostasy, gave this Sect (whose Designs he was not only fully acquainted with, but also conducted) all possible Countenance and Encouragement. By his means it was, that so many PrintingPresses were dispers’d thro’ the whole extent of the Ottoman Empire, thereby supplanting and almost extirpating the infinite Crowd of Scribes and Hogies, who liv’d by writing the Books of the Law and the heaps of Comments on the Alcoran, and consequently were the hottest Zealots for the Glory and Honour of Mahometism. With the same Views he put down the Minarets and order’d all to be called to the Mosques at the Hours of Prayer, by founding their wind Instruments and beating of Drums. By this means he oblig’d the Missionaries by silencing the blasphemous Proclamations of the Muezins or Criers from the Minarets, who us’d to call the Turks to their Naama or Prayers; and also made the People less zealous and furious, for the Honour of their Prophet and his Religion, who us’d to have their Ears still dinn’d, and their Zeal inflam’d with the proclaiming their Mahomet for the Prophet of God. With the same subtle management, he confin’d to their own Towns all the vagabond Dervices, who us’d to run thro’ the Provinces possest with the hottest Spirit of Mahometism, and turn’d many of the Monasteries of those lazy Drones (who had all the Zeal and Igno¬rance of our worst kind of Monks in them) to Caravanseras or Inns for Travellers, or else into Timariots to maintain such a number of Soldiers. He sent such Orders thro’ the Empire and appointed such faithful Ministers to execute them, (many of whom were disguis’d Christians and even Jesuits,) that the open Profession of Christianity, was so far from being penal, that under pretence of the Christians being useful for the Arts and Sciences, the Trade and Plenty they brought with them wherever they came, they were even respected and regarded, provided they were not natural Turks or converted Renegadoes. Nor was this Work less subtilly carried on by the free Trade for all sorts of Wines, thro’ the Dominions of the Grand Seignior; the Drinking of which was so universally conniv’d at, that in the open Taverns in every Village, the Turks would be seen all Day carousing and fuddling in defiance of their Alcoran. Nay, some of them have been heard in the Freedom of their Cups, to speak contemptuously of the stupid Prophet, who thought, (they said) by the blind Hopes of an imaginary Paradise above, to deprive them of the only Heaven Men could enjoy below, a cheerful Bottle, and an openhearted Friend. But what help’d to introduce the Christian Religion still further, was the Custom he establish’d during his Ministry (almost as long as the two great Kuperlies in the 17th Century joined together) and which has been kept up ever since, of sending Ambassadors to all the Courts of Europe; these were accompanied with a great Train of the Sons of the Bassa’s and chief Men in the Empire, who return’d Home improv’d indeed, but often by the Address of the Missionaries (who waited still on the Catch for them) so prejudiced against Mahome¬tism, and so in Love with the noble Arts forbidden by their Prophet, as Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and above all the delicious VinePress, that it is incredible how far the secret Infection is spread, and how likely suddenly to break out into a violent Distemper in the State. The Translation of select Parts of the Bible with useful short Notes licens’d by the Pope, and also the number of Arabic and Turkish Books which the PrintingPresses disperst among them, help’d on the Missionaries marvellously; for they were so subtilly compos’d, as to shake and undermine the false Religion, and secretly to prepare the People for op’ning their Eyes to the Truth. Indeed, as to outward Profession Mahometism still shews its Face, but ‘tis just like the Pagan Religion under Julian the Apostate, the Religion of the State but not of the People; one third of whom are either secretly or avowedly Christians, another third Deists, and hardly as many sincere Mahometans. What adds to the wonder is, that all this has been effected chiefly by the Means and Management of the Roman See, who tho she has almost renounced the Faith herself, yet out of political Views labours to increase her Converts here. This is an odd Scene of things, my Lord, and yet as true as’tis surprising, and I doubt not in a few Years we shall see, that as the old Empire of the World forsook Rome to settle in Constantinople, so Religion possibly before this Century expires may do the same; and as the Pope is almost turn’d Pagan or Turk, the Mufti will set up for Patriarch of the Eastern World, and the great Head and Father of the Christian Church here. What the Consequences of so prodigious a Revolution may be, I shall not presume to hint, to so exquisite a Judge of such things, as your Lordship is confessedly allow’d to be; and therefore leaving them to your own judicious Reflections, I shall only observe, that had Great Britain continued her Care and Protection of the Grecian Church, with her true Christian Zeal, possibly we should have made as large an Harvest of Converts in Turky as by our Supineness and Negligence the Jesuits have done. But leaving this for another Occasion, I shall proceed to give your Lordship some Account of the State of their Army and Soldiery, their Trade and Revenue, their Laws and Customs at present; since the said Period of 1949, to which my Predecessors Memoirs and my own little Experience necessarily confines me. It is certain then, my Lord, that both the Spirit and Courage, as well as the Discipline of their Soldiery, has been sensibly declining ever since the coming in of the Tartar Race, and especially within this last 150 Years, provided we always except the small Interval of Vizier Ibrahim’s Administration. This has been chiefly owing to their taking in all sorts of People (and especially natural Turks, married Men and Tradesmen) for Money into the Body of the Janizaries; who us’d formerly to be compos’d of Christian Children taken Captives, and bred up in the strict Discipline and School of the Seraglio, in all manly and warlike Exercises. It must be confessed also, that the secret spreading of Christianity among their People and the Soldiery, has not a little contributed hereunto; for as the Success of their Arms has ever been the great Source of the Propagation of their Faith, it is not to be wonder’d at, if those who had privately made a Defection from this last, did not fight with the utmost Resolution and Obstinacy, for the Power and Glory of a Mahometan Emperor. But the dreadful Custom of giving the Soldiery such perpetual Largesses, and as it were, rewarding their Seditions whenever they resolved to depose one and set up another Emperor, (and confirm or destroy the Grand Viziers and Principal Bassa’s, as the Fancy took them) absolutely overturn’d what little Spirit, Virtue or Discipline was left among them. Let us join to this abominable Insolence, the horrible Licence of daily guzzling Wine in the Streets, and almost the very Mosques of Constantinople, and their Debaucheries of all kinds that accompany’d it, and we need not seek for any other causes of their surprizing Degeneracy. Some indeed, have also accounted for it from their frequent Defeats in their Battles with the Germans and the Poles, and their being so often vanquish’d by both the Muscovites and Persians, who have all of them strip’d this Empire of some of its strongest Fortresses and richest Provinces. But it is plain these were not the Causes but the Effects of their decay’d Valour and Discipline, by which they have by degrees lost all their Conquests in Persia, and their Territories round the black Sea, together with the greatest part of Transilvania, Moldavia and Wallachia, and almost to the Gates of Adrianople. Nor is it their Land Forces only that have thus declin’d, for their naval Power which was anciently so formidable is now so prodigious¬ly sunk, since the Defect of their Fleet by the English Squadron in 1876, and in the Seafight with the Dutch ten Years afterwards, that besides their losing both Crete and Cyprus to the Pope and Venetians, they have lost all Interest and Influence, with their old Dependants of Tunis and Algiers. Nay, the very Knights of Malta, have since so often burnt and taken their greatest Galeasses, that their few Gallies and Ships of War that remain to them, dare hardly fail now out of sight of the Dardanelles, to collect the little Tribute of the neighbouring Islands, which are every Day revolting to them and the Venetians, and refusing the Payment of their old Capitation Tax. After mentioning this I need not add that their Trade which in the 18th Century was in so poor a Way, and yet before 1876 was in so flourishing a Condition, is now entirely sunk and fallen into the Hands of the Merchants of Great Britain. For a great while indeed, they applied themselves to it with more than ordinary Vigour, and by being Masters of the best Ports in the Mediterranean, and by the Assistance of their Harbours in the Red Sea, open’d an easier and quicker Passage to the East Indies, than the Christians could have, who are forc’d to fail to them by the tedious and hazardous Naviga¬tion of the Cape of Good Hope. It was easy with such Advantages to have engross’d the whole Trade of the East, and undersell both the British and Dutch Merchants in the Mediterranean; but the Unskil¬fulness of their Mariners, the Weakness of their Vessels, with the natural Indisposition of the Turks to long Voyages, and the Toils and Hazards of the Sea, prevented their carrying these Designs so far as they might have done. But besides this, our visiting them with our Squadrons, and shutting up the Dardanelles, and at last our falling on their Fleets and destroying some of them, soon made them surrender up their Pretensions to that Branch of Trade, and indeed all others into our Hands; where I hope they will long continue to improve, and especially if this Treaty be once agreed to in all its Articles, as I doubt not, it will very suddenly. I have but little to say of the Revenues of this vast Empire, since I propose not to write to your Lordship, what is to be found in every printed Account of them, but only such Alterations as are of more modern Date, and little known in Europe. It is certain within this last forty Years, they have applied themselves much to raise them, even beyond the excessive Bounds of the late Emperors, who seem’d to strive to make up by new Taxes, the lost Revenues of their old Provinces, torn from them on every side. They have laid immense Excises on all Eatables and Drinkables, and excessive Customs on all Imports and Exports except our British Manufactures, on all Mills, Taverns, and every Trade, not only subservient to the Pleasures but the Conveniences and even Necessaries of Life. They have besides loaded their Lands with great Im¬positions, and laid Taxes on every Acre plow’d or dug, on every Cow, Horse, Bullock, Sheep, Goat, Ass or Camel throughout the Empire. Besides this and the PoleTax, every House, Boat and Ship, and every Marriage pays so much to the Grand Seignior; the Births indeed are Taxfree, to encourage them to breed; neither do they pay for their Burials for a very good Reason, the Grand Seignior being Heir in ef¬fect to every Man that dies in his Dominions. There are also Taxes on Paper and Leather, and in one Word, on everything necessary to Health or Ease, or even Life itself, and if it were possible, I am persuaded, they would Tax the only Blessing they enjoy here, their Air and Sunshine. Yet with all this grinding the Face of the miserable oppress’d Subject, these Revenues are so ill manag’d, and the Officers employ’d in the Collection of them, such wicked Stewards to their cruel and rapacious Masters, that hardly one half is brought into the Treasury of what is paid them. Indeed if it were not for the vast hereditary Revenue, the Bassa’s are obliged to pay in from their several Provinces, over and above all these Taxes, and the immense Wealth that the daily Forfeiture of their Heads, to their Master’s Avarice or Jealousy brings in, this unweildy dispirited Empire would almost sink, for want of vital Nourishment. Under all this Oppression, there is not one found who dares even lament his own and Fellowsubjects Misery, or who will not pretend at least to Glory, in calling himself the Grand Seignior’s Slave, and owning that he has no title either to his Life or Liberty, his Lands, House or Substance, but from the sole Will of his mighty Emperor. A Reflection which I cannot make, but with the honest Joy every Britton must feel, who sees himself secur’d by Laws of his own making, in his Liberty, Life and Property, above the Reach of the highest Power and the strongest Arm; and in Peace and Security under his own Vine and Figtree, enjoys from the best of Constitutions, and (the usual and natural Consequence thereof,) the best Princes, all the Blessings Men can ask for as Freemen and Christians. O Fortunati nimium, sua si bona norint, Angligenæ!* I shall detain your Lordship no further, than with two or three Words, as to some considerable Alterations of late Years in their Laws and Customs, by which they have endeavour’d to retrieve the Virtue and Majesty of this falling Empire, and which they owe chiefly to the Skill and Ability of the Renegado Vizier Ibrahim, who flourish’d in the middle of this Century. Many of them I sincerely wish with some Alterations could be transplanted into our Country and Constitution, and, if that Excess of Liberty we abound in would allow it, I doubt not we should find our Account in them. The first I shall touch upon is the Method he took to cure the Defects of their Discipline and Courage, which he found so low, and endeavour’d to raise so high. To effect this, he divided all the Troops into Battalions and Squadrons of about 1000 or 1500 Men. Each of these Bodies were raised from one particular Province, whose name they carried, from whence alone their Officers and Recruits came; and consequently whenever they fought, the Glory or Disgrace of the Country to which they belong’d, and where they were born, was directly concern’d. By this means both Men and Officers fought still with the greater Emulation and Desire of distinguishing themselves and their Country by their Valour; and also Recruits were more cheerfully and willingly rais’d, being sure to be sent to assist their own Country Men and Acquaintances. Nor was there any Danger of such Bodies uniting in Seditions in their own Province, being never disbanded; nor yet abroad in the Field, where their Strength was so small and inconsiderable, in re¬spect of the whole Army, and their Country still answerable for their Conduct. In the next place, (besides the popular Tenets of the Turks, that every one’s Fate is writ on his Forehead, and is inevitable, and all who die in the War go straight to Paradise) he took care to breed up a con¬tempt of Death or Danger in them, by remitting the half of all Taxes to the Widows and Children of the Slain, and by doubling the Pay of all that were wounded in Battle, as well as by allowing an annual Stipend for Life, to all who lost their Limbs, Eyes, or were any ways disabled. This he settled according to the following Table; for one Eye 5 l. a Year of our Money for Life, for both Eyes 12 l. for the right Arm 5 l. the left 3 l. for both 12 l. for their Hands something less, but with little difference. For one Leg 2 l. 10 s. for both Legs 6 l. and the same for a Foot or both Feet, or with a very small Disproportion, ac¬cording to the Danger and Suffering of the Soldier. Nay, so careful was he of Men so disabled, that if any one offered to wound, hurt or even strike a Soldier thus maim’d in the Service of the Empire, he was instantly sentenc’d to lose his Hand for the Offence; which was a severer Penalty than he incurr’d, if he had struck an Iman or a Cady; as they call their Priests and Judges. By this means, my Lord, it is incredible for a while, with what Zeal his Troops us’d to rush into the Battle despising Wounds; or rather wishing for them, as the very Road to Preferment and Reward. Nor did his Care end here, for out of the choicest and best Troops, he form’d two great separate Bodies of Infantry and Cavalry of 5000 Men each, of the bravest Veteran Soldiers, who receiv’d double Pay, and were sworn on the Alcoran never to turn their backs in Battle, till they had Orders to Retreat, or that two Thirds of them were kill’d, and then to yield and be immediately ransom’d, with twice the Num¬ber of the Enemies Troops. To keep them in this severe Discipline, all Officers of his Forces both Janizaries and Spahies were entirely chosen out of these two Bodies; which were in like manner ever re¬cruited out of those Men who had serv’d longest and distinguish’d themselves most, in every Provincial Corps in the Army. A method which had he liv’d to have kept up, (for it fell with him) might have bid fair for the Recovery of all the Territory and Glory, they had lost before in so many unsuccessful Battles, and had probably cost the Christian Powers, infinite Blood and Hazards to have surmounted. After all, my Lord, the Oath those Troops took was still less than the Roman Gladiators obliged themselves to perform, who us’d frequentto sell, not the Hazard but the certain Loss of their Lives, for smaller Advantages. Till this great Man found a Remedy for it, the Turkish Cavalry were generally of little Service, for tho’ their Horses were fine and beautiful to the Eye, they were lightlimb’d and so thinbodied and Fleet, that they were still ready to yield to the Shock of the European Cavalry, and to trust to their Speed to save themselves; but by banishing those sort of Horses, and obliging them only to use the largest and weightiest that could be found, he taught his Troops to trust no more to the Swiftness of their Horses, but their Strength and the Weight of them, and their Swords, to the infinite Service of the Empire. Another Method he took to improve the Soldiery, was frequently imploying them to shoot at Marks for Rewards, whence he made them excellent Marksmen with their Guns, when employed against their Enemy; saying often to them, “it was ridiculous a Soldier should not shoot as well as a Fowler, since the one shot for his Life, and the other only for his Diversion or a little silly Gain”. Nay, he carried this even to his Cannoniers, who by this means in his time, us’d to shoot as true, as with a Harquebush or Musket. Nor were his Cares and Skill in Civil Affairs less considerable than in Military Matters, for to him alone are owing those excellent Regulations (which the Christian World would be happy in) as to the Proceedings and Decisions of all Judges, who presided in Lawsuits and Processes, in their judicial Courts. By them, a Bribe being fully proved to be taken by any Judge, was Death without Remission, and Forfeiture of all his Substance, half to the Grand Seignior, and half to the injur’d Party. Nay, whenever Judges decided any Controversy, they were obliged by him to give their Reasons on which they grounded their Judgment, to both Parties in Writing; and as there was still an Appeal allow’d to a Cadelisker at Constantinople, appointed solely to receive such Decrees; if there was found either great Ignorance, or the least evident Fraud or Malice in the Decision, the Judge was instantly summoned and examin’d, and if guilty condemned to pay the whole of the Value he had given his Decree for. A Precedent, my Lord, I fear we dare not hope to see follow’d, no more than that he establish’d concerning Perjury, by which all false Witnesses were for the first Offence condemn’d with forfeiture of Goods for ten Years to the Gallies; and for the second Offence, to be torn in pieces by Horses tied to their Limbs. He also forbid all Persons but the Soldiery, to carry any Weapons about them by Night or Day, on pain of Death; by which means Robbery and Murders were in a great measure prevented, or the Malefactor more easily detected; and, which was still more useful, he made an Inten¬tion to Rob or Murder, if fully and evidently proved, equally penal with the having put the design in Execution. Nay, so far did the rigour of Justice carry him, that any kind of Fraud or Collusion, to cheat or deceive another, or even denying or avoiding artfully a just Debt, was made as punishable, as if the Offender had actually at¬tempted a Theft of equal value. He went further yet, and with the Spirit of the ancient Spartans, if any Person could justly impeach another of evident Ingratitude, he gave up the Offender to him into Slavery, for so many Years as might bear some proportion to the Heinousness of the Offence he was Convicted of. Besides, he inforc’d that excellent Law which had grown obsolete, that every Turk should effectually learn some Trade, by which he might preserve himself from Want, which he established with such Vigour and Care, as was never before seen in this Empire. A Law, my Lord, which if it were past in England, as to the Children of the ordinary People, would deliver us from those Shoals of Beggars, Thieves and useless Idlers, which are the greatest Curse of our Country. The late Emperor Achmat made also some Laws, (how ineffectual soever they proved) that deserve our Notice at least, if not our Imitation; as that, by which, for his short Reign, he effectually cur’d the growing, Crime of Suicide, by Forfeiture of Estate and Goods, and ignominiously exposing the Bodies of the Deceas’d unburied to the public View. He also ordered the substituting perpetual Slavery, as the Penalty of most Crimes formerly punish’d with Death, not ex¬cepting even Theft and Adultery; and prohibited all Playing (which spread prodigiously among the Turks) either at Games of Hazard or Skill, on pain of the severest corporal Punishment. ‘Tis to the same Emperor, that they owe those excellent Laws against Drunkenness, that occasions so many Quarrels and Murders, and destroys so many Families by Poverty and Disease; as also the appointing Clerks of the Market in all Places of the Empire, to pre¬vent Extortion of Prices from the Poor, and to seize on such Meat for their use, or condemn it to the Fire, which should be found unwholesome or merchantable. It was he also, who sentenc’d all owners of Houses, which happen’d by their neglect to be set on Fire, to make good half the Damage they bring on their Neighbours; and that all Slaves who by Negligence endangered and House by Fire, (tho’ it should be extinguished) shall be branded on both Cheeks with a red hot Iron, and their Noses cut off as a Mark of perpetual Infamy. It is certain, my Lord, many of these Laws seem too severe; but indeed, that is no more than what is necessary in Turky, both from the Nature of the People, and also because such numbers of them are now no ways restrain’d by the Injunctions of their Prophet, (which they consider no longer as the Commands of God, but the mere Inventions of Men,) and must therefore be the more severely watch’d over by the Hand of Justice, and the most sanguinary Laws. A Reflection which while I am making, I can’t but turn my Eye and Thoughts, with Grief and Shame on the Christian World, where I fear the same Necessity will call too soon for the same Severity; while we behold so many Miscreants, slighting the Restraints of our holy Religion, and deriding the Faith and Principles, that us’d to Influence the Piety of their less corrupted Ancestors. But I detain your Lordship too long, with these unimportant Matters, to which I could add much more of the same Nature, if I durst flatter myself that they deserved our Attention. In the mean Time, as I have the Fortune to be much in the good Graces of the Grand Seignior, and am often sent for to entertain him with Accounts of Europe, and the Advancement of Arts and Sciences there, which he Admires without understanding them; and as I have particularly made great Impressions on him, in behalf of our Astron¬omy: I must beg you will send me one of the best new Telescopes you can possibly procure, for I see it will be matter of infinite Delight to him. When I have the Honour to receive your further Commands, I shall venture, if you desire it, to proceed to continue your Trouble in Reading, and the Pleasure I take in Writing anything, you will vouchsafe to peruse. In the mean Time I humbly take my leave, beseeching your be¬ing persuaded of my managing the Treaty, with my best Care and Abilities, and my shewing myself with the utmost Zeal and Respect, both to my King, my Country, and your Lordship, a most faithful Subject, Friend and Servant, Stanhope. To the Lord Treasurer, Rome, Nov. 7, 1997. My Lord, Your second Express which followed close on the Heels of the first, found me here just settled in a most handsome and convenient House, assign’d by his Holiness a Day or two after my first Audience, on the 3d Instant, which past to my entire Satisfaction. The Pope, to say Truth, how heartily soever he wishes our Destruction, as the great Bulwark of the Protestant Cause and Interest; yet is so sensible of his Majesty’s Wisdom and Power, and the vast Ascendant his Fleets and Arms have procur’d him, over all the Affairs in Europe; that he shews the greatest Readiness to comply with all our Demands, and puts the best Mien on it he can. He has already confirmed Civita Viechia a free Port for us, and restor’d all our Privileges in the Adriatic, and has engag’d that after the next Consistory he holds, which will be in two or three Days, no British Subject shall be liable to the Inquisition. A Bull is to be publish’d accordingly; and in a Word, he has complied with all the less important Articles I was commanded to insist on. Matters standing thus, I see nothing to hinder our Squadron, to sail directly from Leghorn according to their Instructions, and have signified as much by this Express to Admiral Mordaunt; being persuaded that there will not be the least Objection or Obstacle arise in these Affairs, from the Roman See. In the mean Time, I shall use my utmost Industry to observe my Instructions, to get the best Intelligence possible, of all the dangerous Intrigues of this overgrown State; and give the fullest Lights, and use the fittest Means I can reach to, to enable his sacred Majesty, by your Lordship’s wife Counsels, to disappoint and overturn them. Tho’ I am settled here but a few Weeks, I have not been asleep, but pursuant to the 5th Article of my Instructions, have applied myself where I was directed, as well as to the Imperial and French Ambassadors here. I live already in no small Degree of Intimacy and Confidence with them; as they assure me, they have in Command from their Masters to do, on their parts with me, and which your Lordship well knows their own Interests tie them to. By their Information and my I Intelligence from the other Quarter, I hope to be able to observe your Directions, and answer your Enquiries concerning this tow’ring See, or rather this new Empire of the Vatican as they universally, and too justly call it here; which is risen of late to so prodigious an height, that it seems not only to rival, but outgrow the most extended Limits of old Rome, in the fullest Glory of its Strength. I shall therefore endeavour to lay before your Lordship’s discerning Eye, the whole Plan of this Spiritual Monarchy, and the Pillars on which it is built; which we shall find subsists no longer, as Cardinal Sancta Croze told Thuanus, (Aulæ nostræ Majestas stat tantum famâ & patientiâ hominum) but on the deepest and best laid Foundations Men can lay, by vast Riches, incredible Policy, and the greatest armed Strength in Europe. When I have done this to the best of my poor Capacity, I shall, as your Lordship directs me, examine whether his Holiness still pursues his prodigious Views, in Case of the present Emperor’s Demise; and what reasonable Hopes his Majesty may entertain, openly to thwart or secretly to undermine them. Your Lordship’s Knowledge of the Affairs of Europe in the 19th Century, as well as the present Times, is too extensive, to allow me to dwell long on those terrible Wars and Divisions, between the Emperor, France and Spain; which with the unhappy Dissensions here, gave the Jesuits so far the Ascendant in the Conclave at that time, as to blind the Eyes of the Cardinals, to take that fatal and deplorable Step, of placing Paul IX, a Jesuit on the Papal Throne. Nor is your Lordship less appriz’d of all the dreadful Train of Consequences that follow’d, to the infinite Increase of the Power of that aspiring Order, and thro’ their means of the Roman See. Hence it came that after they had by degrees made themselves Masters one way or another, both of Savoy, Naples, and Tuscany in less than fifty Years; they brought even Venice itself with all her Policy, to be with her Territories but a sort of Ecclesiastical Fief to the Empire of the Vatican. In a little Time they actually tore from them, Brescia, Crema, and Bergamo with their Dependencies, as having been anciently united to the Millanese, which they were long possess’d of, by the Cession of the Emperor Charles IX. in 1845. The Polesin they wrested out of their Hands, in the Wars that broke out soon after, between Innocent the XV. and the Senate; who after the fatal Battle of Verona, had like to have lost all their Dominions on the Continent, if they had not sav’d them by that infamous Peace, which has in a manner made them Vassals to this See ever since. These are Events which fill the Histories of those Times, and all that read them, with Amazement; tho’ I doubt not but your Lordship’s Wisdom considers them, but as the natural Consequences of the Power of that Church, which being entitled to seize or purchase everything she can lay her Talons on, and unable to alienate anything she has once possess’d, must necessarily have been foreseen, (if Men had Eyes) to be secure in a few Ages of becoming Mistress of the World, as she has now in a manner made herself, by enslaving Italy. A Truth, which even the Blindness of the last Age, might have discern’d with half an Eye, tho’ the Pope had not been believ’d by them, to have the Keys of Heaven and Hell absolutely in his Disposal. For this Privilege alone as it tied all pious scrupulous Minds fast to Rome, so the other as to this World, where her Power must be ever necessarily increasing, could not fail to join strongly to her, all daring and ambitious Spirits, by the Riches and Possessions, she could tempt them with, to her Interests. The Policy of this See had, for many Ages perpetually employ’d her Ecclesiastics to preach up to the People in all parts of the Earth, the vast Superiority of the spiritual Office of Priesthood, above that of the Temporal one of a worldly King. They advanc’d the Priest, as taking care of the immortal Part the Soul, infinitely above the Prince, who only had Authority over their Bodies; and as they had persuaded them that the poorest Friars, were the Moses and Aarons sent and commissioned by Heaven to be as Gods to Kings, (who were really but the Pharoahs of the World,) they had gain’d a much greater Influence over the Minds of Men, than their Governours. On these deep Foundations the Jesuits took care to build the prodigious superstructures of Wealth, Territo¬ries and Power; and join’d to that notional Empire, which ties down Men Minds and Consciences, those additional Strengths and Buttresses, that might prop it up, when length of Time and increase of Knowledge should threaten its Fall; and by every worldly Motive, secure Men Hands and Passions, and earthly Interests to support and keep it standing. But there are Reflections which lie too open to your Lordship’s Mind, to allow of my dwelling long on them, and it will be suffi¬cient to say, that as they have ever since had the ablest Hands and the wisest Heads to employ them; they have so far establish’d their Usurpations, during the Distractions of Europe and Italy which they artificially fomented, that they have taken such Root, as will probably keep them secure from tumbling in the greatest Storm. But let us carefully view the several Steps and Measures they have made use of towards the maintenance of this Power they have arriv’d at; and your Lordship will soon see the Apprehensions of the deep rooting of their Strength, to be more than probable. And in speaking to this matter, I shall not once touch on that prodigious Authority which they have ever claim’d, of disposing of the Crowns and Empires of the World, as they find good for the Service of the Church and their spiritual Kingdom below: This they have exerted these two last Centuries in all the Plenitude of their Power: And I shall only dwell on such worldly Schemes and Methods, which have rais’d this Order to be Masters of the Earth; without which power of the Sword, that of the Keys (in these Days especially) would have signified little. And first then, they are not only Masters of Italy, excepting Pied¬mont and that part of Savoy, which Geneva and the Swisse Cantons conquer’d and keep in spite of them to the great Joy of the Christian Princes; but they are Masters of it more strongly fortified, better furnish’d with Magazines, and better guarded with a standing Force of near 130000 Veteran Troops, than ever the World yet saw it. But besides this, with the Forts and Hands of Italy, they have by the Pope’s Authority amass’d together, all the Wealth of its Churches, the Hoards of its Convents and Monasteries, and all the votive Plate, Images, Jewels and Riches of Loretto. These, under Pretence of saving them from the Fury of he Wars, and the Plunder of Heretics, they have treasur’d up in the Castle of St. Angelo, to the Value of near 150 Millions, as Men generally compute it. A Fund which in such Hands, and under the Management of such artificial Craftsmen, is able not only to keep up an invincible Army as they perpetually do, but even to buy off the venal Faith and Forces of half the Princes of Europe, to their side. Along with this immense Treasure, the Pope and this Order (for they are but one and the same Body and Interest) have from their Provinces in Africk, their Territories or Empire rather of Paraguay in America and their Revenues from China, a Fund so prodigious, that it exceeds all Belief, or even Computation; the neat Produce from Paraguay alone, after all Deductions, amounting to near three Millions. To add to these, the Computation of all the Revenues of Italy, and their vast Estates in the different Parts of Europe, would be a needless Labour; since every one may see, as plainly as your Lordship, that they are already Masters of a Treasure, sufficient to carry on the largest Designs, that their Ambition or even their Religion (as they have dressed up Religion) can prompt them to. But they have Forces still unmentioned, that are equal to their Riches, for my Lord, you, who know the Courts of Europe so intimately, can vouch, that there is hardly a great Person in them, who has not a Jesuit for his Confessor, nay his Director. How few of its crown’d Heads are there, whose Prime Minister is not either a Cardinal Jesuit or so absolutely under the Influence of the Pope’s Nuncio, that they may be said to be entirely govern’d and directed by them, and the perpetual Couriers and Councels that are sent hourly from Rome, where the Nephew or Cardinal Padrone dictates measures to Europe, as if he were a fifth Evangelist. By these means it is, that they have entirely excluded all Princes from intriguing in the Conclave; for tho’ they sometimes leave the Nomination of fit Persons to the sacred Purple (provided they are Jesuits) to crown’d Heads; yet are there no longer Spanish, French or German Cardinals in the World, since whatever Nation they belong to, they are absolutely and solely Jesuits and nothing else. Thus by confining the Cardinalship and Popedom to their own Order, they have been able to avoid two Rocks, namely, long and factious Conclaves, and short Reigns. For it is not now as it was formerly, that he who went in there Pope, came out Cardinal, but even during the Pope’s Life, they settle by Agreement the next Successor, without Violence and Party Feuds, and enter the Conclave for a few Days for Form’s sake, and generally take care to choose a middleag’d and healthy Pope, by which they are the more enabled to execute their Schemes and build up their Power. Nay, so indolent are the Princes of Europe grown and so little jeal¬ous of their old Rights, or at least so conscious are they of their want of Power to influence Elections, that ‘tis grown a common Maxim with them, that Popes resemble Houses, which ‘tis better generally to buy ready made, than to be at the Expense and Care in making and raising them, when the top Stone is plac’d on the Building. And here indeed, is the great Source and Fountain of their Strength, for chiefly by this Canal (the Popedom) that feeds their lesser Streams, are the great Promotions, Rewards and Preferments, not only in their own but all other Courts, deriv’d to the Friends of the Society; and by them are the smaller Rivulets supplied, and the Land water’d and enrich’d, by their wise and artful Distribution. Thus are all kept in awe by hopes of Preferment of one kind or another. Omnibus una quies, Venter! All that stick to them zealously and serve them faithfully, being secure of Rewards and Advancement, whatever Profes¬sion or Employment they follow. From such plain Facts as these, it is, my Lord, that most People are convinc’d, that over and above the Crowds of great Men, that are lifted openly in this Society, there are still a much greater Number, who are secretly Jesuits in private, and ex Voto as they call it. Nay, the World is much deceiv’d if they have not, by this subtle Method as many Generals at their Devotion, in the Service of other Princes, as they keep in their pay in Italy, and their Territories abroad. With such incredible Assistances, is it anything wonderful, that they have been able to divide and distract the Protestant Powers, to corrupt and pervert some of them, perfidiously and atheistically to break thro’ Oaths, and the most solemn and sacred Engagements, and to embrace the Romish Communion; and purchase off the poor distress’d Branches, of the Greek and Armenian Churches, to submit to their Authority, and obtain their Protection at the Price of their Faith. For my part, my Lord, when I see them posses’d of such Power and Policy together, when I see all the Cardinals, Fathers, Prelates, nay, all the Orders of their Church, all the Ministers of their Princes, (not to say the Princes themselves,) absorb’d and sunk into this one prodigious Body; I cannot but admire at their Prudence or rather the Providence of Heaven, that keeps them from being as absolute Masters of this World, as they give themselves out, (and are believ’d) to be of the next; in spite of their flagitious Actions, and the open and flagrant Wickedness of their Conduct. These Articles, my Lord, which I have been insisting on, are the great Engines by which this vast Machine has gain’d, and now continues to exert its Strength; and let me now hint some others as use¬ful, tho’ seemingly more weak and contemptible, which this Church makes use of by her inferior Dependants. And First then, there is not an Art so mean, which these Jesuits do not stoop to, if it can be of use to them. With this View, besides their being the general Bankers and Traders of the World, they have unjustly, and by the vilest means engross’d all the Schools and Colleges of Europe, and the sole Education of the Youth there. From among those, they pick and garble all the choice Spirits and promising Genius’s; whom by Places in their Universities and Preferments when they leave them, and every Allurement that suits their natural Temper and Dispositions best, they tie fast to themselves, either as Friends or Members of their Society. But they stoop lower yet, for as they alone, or such as they license, are allowed the Privilege of being Confessors, (that is Spies over all Mankind) by the Bull of Clement XIV. in 1862; so they do not only thus keep an infinite ascendant, over the Minds of Princes and all in Authority, but they even preserve their Empire with the lower Ranks and Degrees of Men; to the poorest Tradesmen, the common Soldiers, and the very Porters and Rabble of the Streets, who are all oblig’d to Confession at least once a Month, or to be Excommunicated and Outlaw’d. In the next place, my Lord, as by the same Bull they are con¬stituted sole Inquisitors, and thereby have entirely routed their old Rivals the Dominicans and secular Clergy; they have thence got an unbounded Power, of ruining the Fortunes and destroying the Lives, of all that offer not openly to oppose, (which were vain) but even to censure them. For as by their Arts they have turn’d the holy Office of the Inquisition (as they style it,) into a mere Engine of State, to take off under Colour of Heresy, all of whom they, or the Prince conceive the least Jealousy; so the Awe which by this Method they strike their Enemies Minds with, can only be equal’d by the Hopes and Encouragement, they give their Friends both Laity and Clergy, by espousing and serving their Interests and Advancement, per fas & nefas, Right or Wrong. By the same Bull they alone are privileg’d to Exorcise the Obsessed, which gives them an huge Appearance of Sanctity with the Crowd, as if none but they among the Regulars, were able to combat with, and overcome the Rage and Fury of the Devil; and what adds not a little to their Veneration, tho’ others are allowed to marry People, which they never do (possibly as fearing they may gain more Enmity and Curses, than good Will and Thanks by it) yet they alone are empor’d to examine into, and grant Divorces where they see cause, which makes them not a little consider’d and applied to. But as tho’ these were but small Honours, which the Holy See has heap’d on them, they are constituted also sole Licensers of Books, by which means nothing appears in Public, but what is season’d to their Palate, and dress’d up by their spiritual Cooks so skilfully, as to please their Society and the relish of the World. And it is worth your Lordship’s Notice, that since 1862, there has not one Book either in Divinity or History (for on other Subjects they are very indifferent) which has seen the Light, but what have been wrote by the public Professors in those Faculties; so that both present and future Times, must either take up with the false Lights they present them with, or search out Truth from a few private conceal’d Manuscripts, which it will be difficult, if not impossible to come at. This brings to mind, what Pasquin said on this Occasion, that his Holiness had made his good Brethren the Jesuits, sole Spectaclemakers to the World; by which means they were impower’d to make all things in Print, appear dark or clear, fair or foul, great or little, as they pleas’d to represent them to the Eyes of others. But to preserve and maintain their Power yet further, as all other Ecclesiastics, are but little Agents and underwork Men to them, so the Cures in remote places are ferv’d by such; while the crowded, and most frequented Pulpits are still filled with Fathers of the Society, who are the popular Preachers admir’d and ador’d by all. Nay, to insinuate themselves the more with the Crowd, they affect to appear the Champions and Defenders of their darling Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception; in favour of which a Bull was at last procur’d for them, in spight of the Dominicans Opposition. By this means they pretend to be so peculiarly favour’d by her, as to receive particular Revelations from Heaven, nay, to work miraculous Cures and Conversions, and to be enabled as it were, to inspire the dullest Children with Learning, by her Blessing on their Prayers and Labours, all which extraordinary Gifts none of the other Orders have dar’d to set up for, or rival them in this last Century, whatever they us’d to do in the former ones. Nay, so peculiarly does she protect them, (as ‘tis generally said) and believed, that if any great Sinner enters into their Order, he either dies by her Means, or amends his Life perfectly in six Months; and as there has not these fifty Years, been one Jesuit accus’d of any Crime whatever, so it is well known, that for fifty Years before, none were accus’d who were not acquitted, and whose Accusers did not die some violent or sudden Death, by her vengeance and the judgment of Heaven; tho’ Heretics, like your Lordship, may impute it to another cause. In the last place, their Numbers and political Correspondence are of vast service to them, for tho’ there are computed to be near 170,000 known Jesuits in Europe alone, all of whom by their Friends and Relations strengthen their Party; yet are matters so regularly order’d, that each Member once a Week, gives an Account of his Conduct and Observations to his Rector, and he to the College, each College to the Provincial, each Provincial to the Nuncio, and each Nuncio to the Pope, who is always General of the Order. Their Numbers are also as exactly distributed, as the regular Forces of a Prince, and even in Great Britain, if my Intelligence be good, there are not less than 1300 quartered in different Places and Disguises; some of them as Tradesmen, Valet de Chambres, and Clerks, and not a few as Preachers and Schoolmasters, among our unhappy and unreasonably dived Sectaries. I send enclos’d a List of 75 of these Traitors Names and last Places of Residence; and I need not caution your Lordship, not to be impos’d on by Proofs of their being zealous Protestants in their gen¬eral Conversation, or keeping no Fasts, nor regarding Lent, for they have full Dispensations for these useful Acts of Hypocrisy. And thus, I shall shut up this tedious Account, of this prodigious Society, which I believe will be found to have fully deserv’d the Title, so long since given it, of the Monarchia Solipsorum. Sure I am, this vast Increase of Power, has done as much harm to the Health, not to say the very Being of the Christian Church, as the Swelling and Overgrowth of the Spleen does to the Human Body, which wastes and consumes in proportion to the Size and Excess of the other. After what I have laid before your Lordship, I fear it will appear, that there is too much Ground for my being sent hither; and to ap¬prehend that his Holiness will be able to pursue, (tho’ I hope unsuccessfully,) those prodigious Views which the Imperial and French Ambassadors are so much alarm’d with; and both establish the Inquisition in France, and in case of his Imperial Majesty’s Death, endeavour, if possible, to be chosen Emperor. This last is the more to be fear’d, because he has so far influenc’d the Electors already, as to refuse to choose a King of the Romans, and it is by all agreed here, that as Charles V. one of the ancient Heroes of the 16th Century, actually laid his Schemes to be chosen Pope, tho’ he could not carry it; so the Pope could not do better for the good of Christendom, if he made Reprisals, now when it is more than probable he may not be disappointed. Of the eleven Electors, the two last of which were made entirely by the Intrigues of this Court, it is certain he has the five Ecclesiastics at his Devotion, both as they are all Jesuits, and also as they expect the Purple for their Attachment to him; and tho’ the other six seem determined to oppose him, yet alas, what a weak Security is a little German Truth and Virtue, when tempted by all the Arts, and Wealth, and Power of this See. The Imperial Ambassador assures me, that he has actually offer’d the Electour of Bavaria to make him a King, and be acknowledg’d as such by all the crown’d Heads in Europe that are Catholics, if he will Vote for a Person he shall propose, and with some Assurances that it shall be a German. But how far this, and especially the last Particular, can be depended on, and if true, how far his Electoral Highness’s Virtue may outweigh his Vanity, which has so long thirsted after this airy and empty Title, we must wait on that great Discoverer Time to unriddle. However, amidst all our Apprehensions, it is some Comfort that his Imperial Majesty’s Health rather improves than declines; and tho’ the strong and hale Complexion of his Holiness, bids fair to survive him, yet it is possible the Goodness of Heaven may interpose, for the Peace and Liberty of Europe, which if this terrible Intrigue should succeed, would be greatly endangered. It is most sure his Britannic Majesty is consider’d here, as the greatest Obstacle to all these Schemes of the Papal Ambition; and how far the daily Terror of our Fleet on this Coast, and his Majesty’s Arms, Conduct, and personal Bravery, (hereditary to his House) may intimidate and cool the Ardour of his Hopes, is not easily to be imagin’d. In the mean time, as to the other Particular, this Court seems resolute in setting up the Inquisition in France, and has actually sent an Express last Week, by the way of Lyons, to order the Nuncio to make the most pressing Instances, that it may be no longer delay’d; and if this be complied with, the Slavery of that unhappy Nation is completed, who long since have had no other Remains of their ancient Liberty left them but the Freedom of their Tongues; whereas this infernal Office, like Satan who invented it, will accuse them for the very Guilt of their Thoughts too. A Proceeding so much the more ungenerous and unjust, as it oppresses a Nation, to whose Valour and pious Assistance, the State and Grandeur of this See is so highly indebted; but as the great Cornaro said once, that Ingratitude is the Vice of Priests, so this will be but one of many Proofs, that it is a Crime that descends ex traduce, and is hereditary to the Popedom, if I may use such an Expression of an elective Kingdom. The Study of Antiquity which is the reigning Passion of this Court, has put his Holiness on an extraordinary Project, which is, to cut a new Bed for the Tiber, by a vast Canal from its old Channel, thro’ the deep Valley hard by the Poute Molle. As it is expected, (besides, the Convenience of raising the Banks of the River, and securing it from future Inundations) that prodigious Quantities of Antiq¬uities of all kinds will be found by this Method, and much more than will answer the Charge; they propose to spare no Expense, in execut¬ing the Design with Care and Expedition, before the great Heats endanger the Health of the Inhabitants, from the Stench of the Filth and Slime of the River. I forgot to mention to your Lordship, that I was shewn here Yesterday, an old Gentleman, who is actually the lineal Descendant of one of our ancient Kings, who abdicated his Throne thro’ a violent Aversion to the Northern Heresy, and his Zeal to this See; and yet, so grateful are his good Patrons the Jesuits, that he is no farther consider’d here then as a mortify themselves with in Lent. They allow him 2000 l. a Year, and a beneficial Place, of first Valet de Chambre to his Holiness. He seems to be a grave heavy Man, and very constant at his Breviary, neither he, or his Father ever took the Title of King on them; he is near Eighty, and has a very bad Aspect. He keeps no Attendants but a few Highland Gentlemen, and has such a saturnine melancholy Severity of Manners, that he converses with none but a Rabble of Scotch and English Jesuits, and now and then an Italian Painter or Fiddler. He is certainly Great Great Grandson, to the Person who is once or twice mention’d in the Histories of the glorious Reigns of George II. and Frederick I. under the Name of the Pretender. He was never married but has five illegitimate Children; two Sons, one of whom is Bishop of Como, the other is a Colonel in the Pope’s Service, (but I know not whether Horse or Foot,) and three Daughters, who are Mother Abbesses to three Nunneries of very large Revenues. I saw him at the Opera, for he is a great Lover of Music, and we conversed together near an Hour in Italian, having no English. So fall the Idols and the Slaves of Rome. I am asham’d to have detain’d your Lordship so long and so unprofitably, and therefore shall only add, that as I shall faithfully pursue my Instructions here, so I hope my Zeal for my Country, and Attachment to your Lordship, stand in need of no Professions, and especially from one, who has so often sacrific’d his Fortune and Interest to the little Services he has been so happy to render to both, and to the Honour of being My Lord, your Lordship’s, Hertford. I write this with Mr. Secretary’s Cypher, having unhappily mislaid the one you order’d for me. To the Lord High Treasurer, Mosco, Nov. 29, 1997. My Lord, In my last of September 25, which carried my sincere Compliments on your happy Advancement, and being declar’d Prime Minister and Treasurer; I sent you the fullest Accounts I was able of the State of Things here, and the good Condition they stand in, by our last Treaty of Commerce. This Court indeed, has not forgot the fatal Blow we gave their Naval Power in the Baltick formerly, and the great Restraint we keep them under ever since; yet, as they see there is no hope of bettering their Affairs, by living on ill Terms with us, they seem determin’d to try to gain upon us, by all the Friendship and Favour they can shew us in our Commerce here. I shall omit no Opportunity, to improve this good Inclination towards us according to my former Instructions, and your Lordship’s Commands; and as this People are vastly improv’d every way, have made great advances in all polite Arts, as well as the learned Sciences, and are grown considerable in the World, by their Arms, Conquests and Riches; I doubt not but we shall find our Account, in keeping up a constant Intercourse of Friendship and Amity with them. The great Caravan for China went off Yesterday, with near twenty British Merchants in their Company, all provided with sufficient Passports, and allowed the same Privileges with the Czar’s Subjects; and I hope in time, to see this Branch of our Commerce turn to greater Account, than it has been represented to the Commissioners for Trade in London. Your Lordship, who is so well acquainted with the vast Encroachments, this powerful Empire has made, on all her Neighbours round her, both on the side of Turky, Poland, Sweden and Persia, and how dangerous an Enemy, and useful a Friend she may prove, to the Affairs of Germany; can never want Inclination to tie the Czar to our Interests, by all ways and methods that in good Policy we can make use of. All the crown’d Heads in Europe, except Sweden who is at War with them, have Envoys of Ambassadors constantly here to this end, tho’ some of them, as France or Spain, have little or no Trade with them, and therefore your Lordship’s Resolutions to keep a constant Resident here, which has been so much neglected of late Years, is certainly extremely necessary. Your Information of the great Influence the present Pope and his Jesuits have gain’d here, are but two well grounded, and I make no doubt, but in a little time, if they go on as they have of late Years, by bribing the leading Clergy and Nobility, by Places and Promises of Preferment, and by keeping up a constant Body of Missionaries to disperse their Opinions among the People and lower Clergy; but this Church and her Emperor and Patriarch, will be more obedient Sons to the triumphant Latin, than they were to the militant Greek Church. I have nothing more to add to my last Dispatches, but to shew my Obedience to your Commands, in procuring you as exact an Account as I could, of the Affair which you say has made so much Noise in London, to wit, the Laplanders Sunshine. It is certain then, my Lord, that this matter, which begun about twenty Years ago, near Novogorod, is spread to several Parts of Muscovy, and is likely to grow in Fashion at Court. It took its rise from the Knez Peter Kikin, who living near Novogorod, about the Year 1971, hir’d a Couple of Laplanders that were Brothers, for Servants. As their Master was fond of Gardening, and had got a Gardener from Moscow, he put one of these Laplanders to work there under him; and the Gardener often complaining of the Climate, the Fellow told him if his Master would give him Money to bear his Charges, he would bring him a Laplander that with his Assistance, would make Sunshine for him. This he averr’d so frequently and so positively, that at last it was told his Master; who after examining the Fellow, and knowing it was usual with the Laplanders to sell Winds, resolved to make a Trial of this Method, tho’ new to him. In a Word, he sent and had the Person hir’d and brought from Lapland, who perform’d all that his Countryman and Assistant undertook for him, and even exceeded his Masters fondest Imaginations. Tho’ Novogorod lies in the Latitude of 56 Degrees, yet by the perpetual Sunshine these Creatures produc’d in his Gardens, he had in Time as Choice Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, and Grapes, nay Pineapples (as I am assur’d) as could grow in France, at least in the more Northern Parts of it. Nay, he got some of the tenderest Plants and Flowers which before he never durst venture out of his GreenHouse till June, to thrive and flourish in the open Air from March till November; which is longer by much than they dare keep out their Orange Trees at Versailes. This look’d so like a Fable, that I could scarce give it Credit, till I enquir’d of several Persons of the greatest Worth and Honour here, who all agreed in averring it to me; and that several Muscovite Noblemen had actually got Laplanders by the Means of this Fellow, who by their amazing Art of making Sunshine (for I know not what other Term to use) had as fine Gardens for choice Fruit, Flowers, and exotic Plants, as any Gentleman in the Neighbourhood of Paris. They nam’d at least a Dozen to me, that made Use of this wonderful Method, so that there was no Room to doubt of the Fact; and being resolv’d to give your Lordship the fullest Satisfaction I could, I set out the latter End of last Month, to see the Seat and Gardens of Knez John Petrowisky, who has two of the most famous Laplanders in all Muscovy. I was receiv’d there with much Civility, he being prepar’d for my coming, and as the Knez spoke French very well, I enter’d into a long Dialogue with him on this surprizing Affair, of which I shall now relate to your Lordship the chief Particulars. The Laplanders are extremely reserv’d, in communicating the least Circumstance of their Art to any one; nor will they allow any Man, no not the least Child, to be in the Garden while they are about their Business, so that there was no talking to themselves upon it. The Knez told me that with great Difficulty he procur’d his Laplanders to leave their Country. That he was forc’d to allow them Clothes, Brandy, RainDeers dry’d Flesh, and Marrow, (their favourite Dish) which he brings yearly from Lapland, besides Tobacco and ready Money, to the Value of at least 90 l. Sterl. by the Year. That there must always be two of them, neither of which can perform the Operation alone, and that they will not leave their Country without bringing a Wife with each of them, so that it is extremely expensive to get them or keep them. They are also excessively humoursome, and will neither eat with others, or let any but their Wives dress their Food for them, and upon the least Ill humour they will leave the Garden without Sunshine for several Days, nay a whole Week; but by that Time the Fit is generally over, and they fall to Work readily of themselves. That about three Years ago being disgusted for not having RainDeers Flesh in sufficient Plenty, they left his Gardens without Sun for near a Fortnight, in the midst of a terrible Season of Frost and Snow, and the Wind all that while in the North. That he had like thereby, to have lost most of his foreign Plants and Flowers, several of the tenderest of which actually died; and the rest had followed, but that he got his Laplanders in good Humour and recovered them, by giving them fine Weather for several Weeks, and pruning away all that was decay’d of them. He told me his Men generally made three Acres of Sunshine in a Day, but that few others could come up to that, and many not over one or one and a half. That by their Contract they oblig’d themselves, to continue the Sunshine for seven Hours each Day, and when they were not lazy, would often give them eight or nine Hours; but in very foggy or rainy Weather, and especially, if accompany’d with great and high Winds, they would often toil for the whole Morning, without any tolerable Benefit. He said he had an hundred Times, seen them at Work from the Windows of his Apartment, and that they did all by the Beating of a Drum, and burning some particular Herbs, and especially wild Moss and Mint, and singing some odd Kind of Songs, which he knew not what to make of, but he believ’d they were no Psalms. He concluded with saying, that he would not prevent by an ill Description, the Pleasure of my seeing Things with my own Eyes, for if I would stay there that Night I should survey everything next Morning, as soon as I pleas’d. I very cheerfully accepted the Offer, and tho’ I rose before it was clear Daylight, I was hardly dress’d till he call’d me into his BedChamber, and plac’d me with him in the Window, to behold this as¬tonishing Scene. There I saw at about a hundred Yards Distance the two Laplanders, who seem’d to be at their Prayers, for they were both on their Knees. He assur’d me they were every Morning, an Hour and an half before Sunrise constantly employ’d thus, murmuring something in a low mournful growling Tone, (which I heard, tho’ faintly from the Window,) and reeling their Bodies back and forwards, and often beating their Foreheads violently against the Ground. He told me that the Place in the Garden, was a little Circle in one of the Walks, which they had planted round with their own Hands with Sun Flowers, common Daffodils, Marygolds, and red Daisies; under the Roots of which, they had buried many Skeletons of several Kinds of Birds, and that they allow’d no Body by their good Will, to walk or sit down in it, and much less to dig or break the Ground. In a little Time, I perceiv’d they begun to alter their Motions, and heard a Noise of a Flint and Steel in striking Fire, which he told me they were now busy about, and preparing their Moss and Herbs and stretching their Drum. In some Minutes I plainly saw it was so, by a little Smoak arising form a small Heap, they had made in the Garden Walk; and no sooner did the Smoak appear, but they both fell a singing with a low hoarse Voice, one of the vilest Songs for Words and Music I had ever heard. One of them who held the Kannus or Drum, all the while beat on it, first low and softly, and then by Degrees louder and quicker, and again with all his Force, till at last a little Blaze began to appear; upon which they got on their Feet, stamping so violently on the Ground, that I could hear them to the Window, and dancing and singing as furiously, as if they had been distracted. They then fell to running in a Circle round the Fire, and still the Fellow who had no Drum threw something in the Flame; they seem’d to be Things with Knotts on them, bawling louder than ever, every Handful he cast on it, while the other still beat the Drum higher and fiercer. This was all I could perceive they did, for above an Hour by my Watch, and then they both drop’d down beside the Fire, which went out of a suddain, and there they lay as if they were dead or asleep; and the Knez assured me the Operation was over, and bid me wait and see the Success. It was a dark cloudy Morning, as generally at that Time of the Year (the End of October) the Mornings are here, and as little Appearance of the Sun, as if it had not risen that Day; and yet in less than half a Quarter of an Hour, I perceived the Clouds break into a little small Aperture, as regularly as if one would draw the Curtains of a Bed, and a lovely Gleam of Sunshine burst on the Garden, as bright and as fair as if it had been in Summer. Immediately I perceived the Laplanders get up and rub themselves, as Men would do after a severe Sweat, and then they retired immediately out of the Garden, whither I went down with my Muscovite Landlord. I was not a little amaz’d at the Novelty and Surprize of the Thing, and had no great Inclination to go into the Sunshine, which I look’d on as the Devil’s making, and could not help thinking of the Span¬ish Proverb of going out of God’s Blessing into the warm Sun. But my Landlord laughed at my Superstition so heartily, and pull’d me into it so merrily, that I was ashamed of myself. I look’d round me and surveyed the Ground on which the Sun smote with remarkable Warmth; and to the best of my Judgment I verily believe there were about three Acres thus enlightened, while all the rest of the Garden about them, as well as the whole Country, was covered with a dark misty Fog; and what amaz’d me above all, and convinc’d me there was something supernatural in the Matter, it continu’d so all the rest of the Day. I spent some Time in it with my good Muscovite, who was very industriously shewing me his choicest Trees, Flowers, and exotic Plants, and telling me whence he had got them, and how well they throve with him; tho’ I only answer’d him with a few Monosyllables now and then, so much was my Mind taken up, with what I had seen those Devils of Laplanders perform. He perceived my uneasiness, and tho’ he laughed heartily at me, he was so civil as to take me into the House to breakfast with him. There I found his Lady and Family, who fell on talking as familiarly of their Laplanders, and how happy they were in them and their Sunshine, as if they had only been commending their dry Wood, and the Fire which was blazing finely in the Chimney. I threw off my Surprize by Degrees as well as I could, and heard all their Discourse of the Laplanders and their Way of Living; and above all their Drum and the Herbs they made use of, both which my Landlord undertook to steal me a Sight of, tho’ there is nothing the Laplanders are so jealous of, as that any should see or handle either, and above all their Kannus and the Hammer they beat it with. However, to oblige me he sent for the poor Creatures, and by giving them a great Cup of Brandy apiece, he got them to speak to me and served as Interpreter between us. But the Truth is, they were either so reserv’d, or so stupid, that I could learn nothing from them, but that their Names were Undo Marki, and Riconi Norki, and that their good Master had brought them out of their sweet Country, and gave them good Brandy, Money, Tobacco and dry’d Raindeer, for making his Sunshine. I ask’d them how they made it, and they laugh’d just as a Dog grins, and said Kannus, Kannus, meaning their Drum, and that was all I could understand from these Deep Adepts in Sunshine, who in a little Time thought fit to retire, to sleep off their Brandy. They were low, swarthy, ill looking Creatures, very lean, and stooped much, and hardly ever took of their Eyes from the Ground. In a little Time my good Muscovite followed them, and was not long away, till he returned with a World of Joy in his Face, and their Herbs, Drum, and Hammer in his Hand, which he had stole from them while they were sleeping. I look’d at them and examined all very curiously. The Herbs seemed to be chiefly Mint, Rosemary, Lavender, and wild Thyme, mix’d with a good deal of Moss and some Feathers, and all appear’d to be sprinkled with Blood, probably of some poor Birds they had murder’d, with a great deal of Injustice, to strengthen the Charm. The Drum is oval, about sixteen Inches one Way and twelve the other; and there were pained on it several Figures of Men and Beasts, two or three Sorts of Birds, a great many Stars, and the Moon in the Middle of them, and at least a Dozen Representations of the Sun, all very illfavouredly painted, and seem’d to be drawn on the Skin of the Drum with Blood. The Hammer was of Bone, and about seven Inches long, and something like a Roman T, or rather like the young Branches or Sprouts, of the Velvet Head of a five or six Year old Buck, with us in England in June both of them seem’d exactly to answer the Description Scheffer gives of them in his History of Lapland, which is too curious a Book, not to be well known to your Lordship, for the many rare and uncommon Accounts of that Country, which are contained in it. I am persuaded upon reading over his Work, that this Drum, and those described by him, are much the same, except the Painting of it; and besides their Manner of beating on it, seem’d to have a pretty close Resemblance with that he describes. I was so free with my obliging Landlord, as to ask him if he did not think it was a Sort of Magical Incantation that his Laplanders us’d, and if he believed it was by the Assistance of the Devil they made their Sunshine, or suppos’d it lawful to make Use of such Helps in obtaining it? But he answered me only with a loud laugh, and assuring me he believ’d there was no such Thing in the Matter; and tho’ for his Part he had other Thoughts, yet most of the Noble Muscovites in that bad Climate, had such a Passion for Gardens and good Weather, that they would almost be oblig’d to Magick for them, rather than want them. In short, my Lord, I left him in his Sunshine very happy and contented, and took my Leave much indebted for all his Civilities, and set out for Moscow. I fell to considering all the Way of this new Method of making Sunshine, and what Uses it might be applied to, if ever our industrious Merchants, should ship it off and with a fair Gale purchas’d in Lapland, sail directly for England, like Ulysses carrying all the Winds in his Bags. What Gardens should we see rising up on every Hill under the Direction of these lovely Laplanders, with all the Fruits, Trees, and Flowers of France and Spain, and even the East and West Indies. How many Cures might our George the Sixth make, by setling a few Acres by the Year on our Hospitals for the Sick, and our Mad People in Bedlam; and how many of our fair La¬dies, and nice peevish fine Gentlemen, would be set free from their Spleen and Vapours, by setting out a reasonable Proportion for St. James’s Park and the Mall, not forgetting his own Royal Gardens and amiable Family. How many fretful uneasy Husbands and Wives, melancholy Lovers, and sullen Beauties, not to speak a Word of our gloomy Sectaries and four Catholics, discontented Courtiers that lose Places, and zealous Patriots that want them, would he recover to plain Sense and good Humour, by this lovely Cordial. If he would settle an Acre or two on our Professors of Astronomy, what clear Accounts of our Eclipses should we have for the future, without the old lazy Excuse of dark Days and bat Weather; not to mention a Syllable of the clouded Brows, and the silent splenetic Tempers of our University Men, that would be finely clear’d up by it. In short, my Lord, I begin to be reconcil’d to this Affair, and tho’ the Devil should have a little Hand in it, we might easily get an ingenious Jesuit to bring us off that Scruple, by two or three learned Doctors Opinions, and a few good Distinctions with Probability in them. We should by the Help of these honest Drummers, be able to make our Air and Weather above Stairs as easily and as conveniently, as those ingenious underground Philosophers the Miners, can below Stairs; who by mere Perflation and Ventilation, as they term it, that is by letting Air in and out as they find proper, produce a kind of actual Circulation of it, and make it thicker or thinner, as they find best for their Business. I must take Leave to be merry on this Subject with your Lordship, to make Amends for the Fright it gave me; and if we once fall to Dealing with these admirable Fellows, we shall soon be no lon¬ger satisfied, either with the Earth, or Sun of our Forefathers, but by the Help of their Improvements in our Fields and Gardens, we shall get, as it were, new Heavens, and a new Earth, as St. Peter speaks. We shall certainly have the Advantage of the good Catholics, in taking up with this Scheme, for they will probably be fearful of dealing with these same Lords of the Air, propter metum Judæorum, and left the Clergy and Inquisition talk to them about it in private. Besides, they will probably stick to their old Way of Weathermaking by Processions, and carrying about the Shrines and Relics of their precious Saints, which we all know by Experience, never fail to produce Rain or Sunshine on all public Occasions, as the Priest and People desire them; and may with proper Regulations, be made Use of in the Way of Gardening, for the Service of private Gentlemen, that have strong Faith and large Fruiteries. The Ancients keep a great Noise with their Witches charming down the Moon, and the Priest of Jupiter Lycæus causing Rain when he pleas’d, by dipping a Branch of Oak in a certain Fountain, whose Name I’ve forgot. The Jews boast as loudly of Judha, that by unloosing one Shoe, brought a heavy Rain down in a Drought; and that had he untied the other, it would have caus’d a second Deluge; but none of them could come up to these same Laplanders, that make the Sunbeams brighten the Face of Nature, where they direct them. The famous Swedish Priest and Inquisitor, Joannes Nider, tells us, indeed, (in his 4th Chapter of his Tract about Witches,) that the learned Judge Peter Stadelein, condemn’d an old Witch for causing Tempests; who confessed, on the Torture, that she did it, by invocation of the Devil in the Field, and sacrificing a black Cock, and throwing it up to him in the Air, which when the Devil seiz’d, he immediately began the Storm. This was extraordinary enough, my Lord, but to oblige him to give us Calms, and as bright glorious Seasons in the Night of Winter, as others enjoy in the Morning or Noon of Summer, is an honest Sort of Magick that deserves public Premiums, instead of Punishment, and excels all that ever yet appeared in the World. Even our learned Countryman, Roger Bacon, tho’ he declares he could undertake to raise artificial Clouds, and cause Thunderclaps to be heard, and Lightning to flash in our Eyes along with them, and then make all end in a Shower of Rain, could never pretend to anything like these extraordinary Gentlemen; and therefore, my Lord, I leave it to your prudent Consideration, whether I had not better treat with a Colony of Laplanders, to come and settle with their Drums in England, than spend my Thoughts and Time, with keeping fair Weather with these bustling blustery Muscovites. But I must grow serious when I speak on so important a Subject as our good Agreement with Muscovy, which in so many Views, is of the highest Consequence to Great Britain. But as it becomes not me to dictate to your Capacity and Experience, and as I have Reason to hope, you think the same Way that I do on this Occasion, I shall not trouble you with a long Detail of Reasons and Motives, to persuade us to cultivate the Czar’s Friendship. It becomes me better to say, that whatever Commands your Lordship honours me with at this Court, I shall labour to perform with all my little Strength and Ability; as being conscious I am serving the best of Princes, the most generous and disinterested Minister, and where they are well govern’d, the wisest and bravest Nation, that ever gave Laws to the Earth and the Sea. I am, with the greatest Respect, My Lord, Your Lordship’s, Clare. To the Lord High Treasurer. Paris, Dec. 16, 1997. My Lord, Your last Dispatch of the 8th, found me just return’d from visiting our SeaPorts, and their Garrisons in this Kingdom, all which I left in perfect good Order. The new Works at Calais to the Seaward, have much improv’d that Port, and in the lowest nepe Tides at Dunkirk, our Ships of War of forty Guns can go out and come in without any Hazard; the Benefit of which I need not mention to your Lordship. Indeed if the eager Zeal of our Ancestors, had not with so much Industry ruin’d this Haven, while it was in the Hands of France, we might have sav’d a vast Sum in Repairing it now; and with half the Expense made it a better and safer Port, than at this Time can be hop’d for. All the British Garrisons, both Men and Officers, are in perfect good Health and Order, well fed, clothe’d, and paid, and made a fine Appearance; especially when compar’d with those of the French in the Towns I past thro’, which were as naked and lean as Beggars. This is certainly very impolitic in this Crown, for when Troops are so ill paid and fed, they will never have Heart and Spirit in Time of Action; and tho’ ‘tis peculiar to the Turkish Soldiers, to carry a Spoon tied to their Swords, as Travellers assure us; yet in Effect all Soldiers do so, and never fight well for a Prince that feeds them ill, and neglects to keep them well. France and Spain have a long Time been remarkable for this Mismanagement, and have paid dearly for their Neglect, by so many terrible Losses as they have met with for these last fifty Years, and yet the French seem no way industrious to reform it. As to the wretched State of Things here, which your Lordship is pleased to demand an Account of from me, it is almost as bad as their greatest Enemies can desire. For these many Years past, partly by the Ravage which both Famine and the Plague made with them, their unsuccessful Wars with Germany, and our Ruining their Naval Affairs and cramping their Trade, they have been much on the Decline. Besides the Quarrels Lewis the nineteenth and his present Majesty have had with the Papal See, (when the French Kind would fain have acted the Part of Henry the Eighth in England, and renouncing the Pope’s Authority, seized on all the Wealth and Revenues of the Abbies and Monasteries) ended so disgracefully for this King, and their Holinesses have held so severe an Hand over him ever since, that his Affairs have gone very untowardly. He was forc’d to give up his Patriarch of Paris, (which as your Lordship knows he set up as our Metropolitan of Canterbury) into the Pope’s Hands, who as he had been the prime Contriver of the Scheme was burnt for an Heretic; and in short, the Clergy and People joining with the See of Rome, cut out such Work for him, that he was sufficiently humbled, and glad to buy his Peace, with giving up the Regale and the Loss of two or three strong frontier Towns in Dauphine, which the Pope keeps as Keys to enter the Gates of France from Italy, now that most of Savoy is his own. Nor on the Side of Spain are the Affairs of this Crown anything better, for tho’ in the last Wars between the Crowns, both made a mighty Noise of their Advantages, singing Te Deum for every little Village they took on either Side, just like the London PrizeFighters, that with Drums and Trumpets proclaim each little Cut they give each other; and tho’ France especially pretended, that the Spaniards were not able to stand before them, yet on the upshot of the Matter, when they made the Peace that has lasted ever since, Spain forc’d them to very inglorious Conditions. Your Lordship is perfectly well appriz’d, that they are as ill circumstanc’d on the Side of Flanders and Germany, where they have lost both Lisle, Mons and Doway to the Dutch, and Strasburg to the Emperor; so that all their Conquests in the 17th and 18th Centuries, that cost them such vast Sums, and such Numbers of Men, are vanish’d into Smoak and gone, and the Pope is now the entire Object of the Fears of Europe, instead of the conquering French. The Truth is, this Nation does not seem form’d for Empire, and tho’ they’ve often made mighty Efforts, and great Conquests, they never preserve them. They seem to traffic for Prov¬inces, as Busbequius tells us the Turks do for Birds, to take them and buy them, just to let them go again, and that they may thank them for their Liberty. His present Majesty, Lewis the twentieth, does not seem sufficiently resolute, or able, to mend the ill Posture of his Affairs; and if he were, his Clergy and People seem no ways desirous to disoblige the Pope, by strength’ning the Hands of their Prince; and what is worse, they are jealous the King would take a severe Revenge for their joining with Rome against him, if he should once recover his former Power. Besides, tho’ the King is not fifty, he is grown a little crazy, and leaves his Affairs to his Ministers, who are more desirous to manage Things well at home, and remedy the Disorders that cramp their Ad¬ministrations, than quarrel with their Neighbours who use the Nation ill. Thus it is with great Difficulty, we have been able to influence them, to think of coming to an actual Rupture with the Pope, tho’ he treats them so ill, and tho’ we pay them such high Wages for it. As the King also has been always a very weak Prince, and extremely amo¬rous, and entirely under the Management of one Mistress or another by Turns, so he is now more so than formerly, which is a dead Weight on his Government. Every reigning Mistress introduces a new Set of Ministers and Officers; and this has often occasion’d vast Convulsions at Court, where the Fall of every Favourite brings on the Ruin of all his Dependants; which is but a Sort of Copy of the Custom Herodotus tells us the Scythians had, where when the King died, all his chief Officers were of necessity to be slain, and accompany him to his Grave. Judge, my Lord, if the natural Consequence of this must not be, That his Majesty will be very ill serv’d, and have only mercenary rapacious Ministers to mange his Affairs, when he neither shews Pru¬dence in choosing, nor Constancy in supporting them; and indeed the French Nobility have plaid their Game accordingly. The whole of their Endeavours, under several Administrations, for two Thirds of his Reign, has been to pillage the Kingdom, whether Affairs went well or ill, being like some Mills I have seen on the Seine, that will grind and get Toll both with Flood and Ebb. In the Meantime this unhappy Kingdom has been paying severely for these Mismanagements; tho’ every Ministry, in their Turn, have been applauding their own Conduct, and on every little Occa¬sion crying up their happy Times, and striking Medals to the Glory of their King. And certainly if future Historians were to plan out their Chronicles of these Days from such Vouchers, they would rep¬resent Writers (if they impartially represent the Distractions of his Councils, the Defeats of his Troops, the Loss of his Provinces, and the Cries and Sufferings of his oppressed Subjects) must paint him a weak, unfortunate, and contemptible Tyrant. It is true, indeed, Mr. Meneville, who is a wise and able, tho’ a corrupt Minister, and those who are at present at the Helm with him, (and depend on Mrs. Duvall, the reigning Mistress) as they seem to have an absolute Ascendant over him, and are likely to keep it, have manag’d him and his Affairs, these last four Years, something better than their Predecessors, and are endeavouring to bring Things into tolerable Order. However, after all, they have chiefly aim’d at keeping the Clergy a little humbler, and calming the Parties and Factions in the Kingdom; and by stopping the Mouths of the boldest and most seditious Leaders by Preferments, making every one pay more Submission to the King’s Decrees and Authority. Tho’ this has not sufficiently quieted the Provinces, yet at Court they have taught them all, to speak entirely the King’s Language and Sentiments; where (as in Copenhagen every body’s Clock and Watch is set to go exactly with the King’s great Clock the Palace) all are ready to answer his Majesty and his Ministers as submissively, as Menage, an ancient French Writer tells us in his Time, the Duke D’ Usez did the Queen Regent, who when she ask’d him what Hour it was, answer’d, Madam, what Hour your Majesty pleases. This great Work, tho’ it be but half done, would never have been brought about barely by Preferments and Places; for I can assure your Lordship, it has cost immense Sums too, which they have been forc’d to fleece the People for, to buy off their Demagogues, so that they whip the Subject with Rods of their own making. And indeed the Ratio ultima Regum, which us’d to be plac’d as the Motto on the Cannon of this King’s Predecessors, ought to be taken off and plac’d around his Coin, as the chief Specifick of the present Times, for Submission and Obedience to the Authority of the Crown. Their great standing military Force, has also with the Help of these Lenitives, gone of late a good Way to reestablish Peace and Order, in the Room of their former Confusion and Distractions. By the Means of so considerable a Body of Troops as they keep up, they at once overawe their Enemies and the Pope, from attempting new Disturbances; and also silence the loud Orators whom he prompts, from thundering in their Pulpits to stir up the People, as effectually as Lewis XIV. us’d to drown the Speeches of the Huguenots at the Scaffold and the Gibbet, with the Noise of the Drums, left their Words should make too strong Impressions on the Crowd, by repre¬senting how Religion and its true Professors were injur’d. Such miserable and destructive Measures is Tyranny, and its detestable Advocates forc’d to make use of, to support its own Violence, and chain down that natural Desire, which the great Author of Man¬kind has plac’d in every Breast, to weaken or overturn it. Whereas, if Princes would act with the Spirit of our glorious King, or his Royal Ancestors, and make the Laws of the Land, the Rule of their Gov¬ernment and the People’s Obedience; nay, if they would act barely as honest Men, with a common Regard to Conscience and Justice, how happy would Mankind be? What would then become, my Lord, of Generals, Officers, and Soldiers; of Infantry and Cavalry, Artillery, PowderMills, GunSmiths, SwordCutlers, Spies, Informers, Jesu¬its, and Assassins? But Sycophants and Flatterers, that are ever buzzing about the Ears of great Princes, knowing it is impossible otherwise to support themselves, and the desperate Measures they put their Masters on, are still persuading them they can never reign effectually, but when they tyrannize absolutely. To this End it is, that they so immensely increase their Troops, to tie the Subjects Chains and Bondage so fast, that ‘tis dangerous at last even for the Prince to unloose them, if Pity and Humanity should encline him to it. Thus they strain the Cords of Government, so far beyond their natural Strength, that sooner or later they break of themselves, and end in the Destruction of those Sycophants; who, while they push on Princes to aim at enlarging their Power, (just as the Devil deluded our first Parents) by telling them they shall be as Gods on Earth, turn them into Devils, and occasion their irretrievable Ruin. The Misery of this poor People, that groan under so many Burthens, is inconceivable; they pay Taxes for all that they eat or drink or wear, to an excessive Degree, even to their Salt and Bread; nay, they pay for every Beast that they keep, even to plow their Land, for every Arpent (equivalent almost to our Acre) when plow’d, and for every Mill that they grind their Corn in, for the Houses, or Cottages rather, they live in, and the very Fires in them which they warm themselves by; and also for every Marriage, Christening, and Burial in their Families. These Taxes are every Year increasing, and indeed, like Virgil’s Torrent, the longer they run, the more they swell and enlarge, till at last they lay waste whole Counties, like an Inundation, sweeping away both the Substance, Houses, and Inhabitants of the Land. By this Means the Poverty, especially among the lower Sort, is so excessive, that they want even the common Necessaries of Life; nor is it possible, in some Provinces, to prevent a general Desolation, without a Remission of many of their burthenous Gabells, unless some of those miraculous Showers should be procur’d them by the Jesuits, which Livy tells us were sometimes sent the Romans by their Gods, that rain’d down Corn and Flesh and Milt among them. In the midst of this Misery, the Luxury of the Nobility and Gen¬try is increas’d beyond all Bounds, as if they were not only insensible of, but even rejoyc’d in the public Calamities of their FellowSubjects. Their Tables are cover’d with such Profusions of Expense, in all Sorts of Delicacies, that it exceeds the Riot and Revelling of Greece and Rome, flush’d with the Glory of their Conquests, and corrupted with the Wealth and Spoils of the World. The stated Hours of dining and supping are absolutely laid aside, and thro’ a silly Affectation of mimicking their Princes, People of Distinction oblige their Cooks, to have a Dinner still ready at all Hours when they call for it, thinking it only fit for Tradesmen and Ruftics to dine at set Times. Nay, I can assure your Lordship, some are grown to such Excess and Folly, as to buy no Flesh of Beeves or Sheep for their Tables, that have not their Hair and Wool close shaven off, and curried with PumiceStones, to make the Meat sweeter and higher relish’d. Nay they have, in Imitation of the Ancients, brought into Fashion, the sowing and cultivating the famous Silphium of the Persians, with which they feed these Sheep, and make them extremely fat and high tasted; and many mingle Assa Foetida with their finest Sauces, which they reckon gives them a more exquisite Flavour, than the Spices and Ambergreace of their Ancestors. They have in all great Houses also, several different Sorts of Cooks, that preside over the particular Provinces of Luxury; as Cooks for Soops, Cooks for roasting, Cooks for boiling, Cooks of the Fishery, as they call them here, Cooks for Ragooes and Fricassies, Cooks for bak’d and stew’d Meats, Cooks, Confectioners, and Cooks of the Pastry. They have carried this wretched Pleasure of their Palates so far, that there are few No¬blemen who do not, like Fulvius Hirpinus, keep an Escargatoire, or SnailHouse, where they feed their Reservoirs of Snails, all the Year, on the choicest and finest Herbs, Fruits, and Flowers, for making their exquisite Ragoos, which this Nation is so ridiculously fond of; and have even brought the Breed of Pullets from Malabar to France, because their Flesh is reckon’d prodigiously sweet and delicious, tho’ the outward Skin and the Bones are as black as Jet, as dr. Frier tells us in his Travels. One would think, my Lord, after indulging themselves in such amazing Extravagancies this Way, they would not give into any other; and yet the violent Passion for Gaming, in both Sexes, runs so high, that the Honour and Modesty of the one, and the Fortune and Ease of the other, are entirely sacrificed to it. It eats up even their State, and their belov’d Equipage; and devours their favourite Embroidery and Jewels. The only Resource the Ladies have, under the dismal Ravage that attend this bewitching Madness, is to prostitute their Persons to the fortunate Conqueror, and at the dreadful Expense of all that should be dear to them, to prevent the irreparable Destruction that must otherwise consume, like Fire, their domestic Economy, and the Fortune of the Family. A Practice which I fear spreads too fast in some Countries, as well as here, and puts me in Mind of what Tacitus says of the Germans Love of Gaming in his Time, that when they had plaid away all their Money, they then set their Liberties and their Bodies at Stake, which became the Property of the Conqueror. The Men indeed have sometimes the happy Consolation, by turning Villains and Sharpers, to repair the Ruins of their Estates, by preying on the Ignorance and Inexperience of others; but surely, to an honest and ingenuous Mind, there is no Ruin can befall a Man equal to this, where the Repairs of their Circumstances are owing to the Sale of their Reputation? I know not, my Lord, whether it be an Alleviation of the Crime, or an Aggravation of it, that this fatal Luxury and immense Extravagance is not so much owing to the Humour of the People, as the Policy of the Court; but certain it is, that this is the main Fountain of all the sad Disorders. Frugality and Economy are the great standing Fences against the shining Temptations of ambitious Princes and de¬signing Ministers, and therefore there is a Necessity of breaking thro’ them, by rendering them unfashionable, and consequently ridiculous. The great Machiavels in the Art of Ruling, know too well the Force of this Reasoning; a luxurious Gentry must be expensive, if expensive needy, if needy they must run in Debt, and if indebted, they must either give up their Pleasures, or take Places and Preferments to support them, that render themselves Slaves to the Will of their Master, who is thereby Lord at once of their Honour and Liberty, and in them a fair Purchaser of that of his People. Behold at once, my Lord, the fatal Market of the Freedom of this Nation, and all their boasted Parliaments Rights and Privileges, which they once enjoy’d in as full a Proportion, as our own happy Countrymen. But while we lament their miserable Conduct, let us rejoice at our own, and the Blessings that, under Heaven, we owe to that glorious Race of Heroes, under and by whom we still possess those invaluable Blessings, which the false Ambition of our neigh¬bouring Princes, and the thoughtless Vanity, Pride, and Folly of their Subjects, have extirpated. But I have detain’d your Lordship too long with these grave Reflections, and shall therefore reserve any further Accounts of this People, and the Conduct of the Ministers here, who seem desirous of improving the present State of Things, till the next Dispatch I have the Honour to send you. Possibly in case what I now send be not disagreeable to you, I may be able, in my next, to entertain you better on this Head. In the mean Time, it cannot fail to give your Lordship some Satisfaction, to see this great Kingdom, that for so many Years was still enterprising on the Liberties and Dominions of her weaker Neighbours, and laying Schemes for the Ruin of GreatBritain, (as the main Step to the Empire of the World,) fallen now from the Ob¬ject of our Fears, to that of our Pity. I am sensible, your Lordship’s great Wisdom and Experience, knows all these Things that I have wrote on this Subject, or that I am able to write on it or any other, infinitely better than do. But you will be so just to consider, that I have herein rather obey’d your Commands, than follow’d my Inclinations, being sensible I have as little Desire as Ability, to speak or write on such weighty and difficult Matters, but when I am enjoin’d it by your express Direction. I send herewith two little manuscript Treatises, remarkable for their Oddness and Novelty, and more to gratify your Curiosity, than please your Taft. One of them is wrote by Monsieur Perault, first Surgeon to the King; it is entitled, An Essay on Circumcision and Embalming. On the first Head he endeavours to prove, that it is vastly serviceable to Health, in many Respects, especially in warm Climates, and particularly that it is a great Extinguisher of Lust, and chiefly for that Reason enjoin’d the Jews, and therefore advises the Renewing that Usage now. In the other Treatise, he shews the Satisfaction it would be for great Persons, instead of throwing their Friends and Relations, to rot and corrupt in Vaults and Graves, to keep them in a decent Repository, where they might survey the very Persons and Features, of the whole Race of their Ancestors, as little disfigur’d as an Ægyptian Mummy. He undertakes to do this in the greatest Perfection, and proposes it to the Public for their Encouragment, tho’ his Friends have, with much ado, prevail’d on him not to publish it. Your Lordship sees, however, these Gentlemen are not satisfied with the Work we cut out for them, which our Debaucheries and Luxury has made but too considerable; but they are for beginning with us from the Birth, and following our wretched Carcasses, even after our Death. The other Manuscript is a short History of, about, an hundred Men, remarkable for their great Wealth in this last Age, in Paris. He first gives a severe, but seemingly an impartial Account, of the vile Arts by which they obtain’d their Riches; of their several Cheats, Extortion, Oppression, sordid Avarice, slavish Toil, and mean Drudgery; their flattering the great, or ruining the Poor, by which they had risen in the World. He there shews the Pain and Uneasiness they went thro’; the Undutifulness of Children; the ill Conduct of their Wives or Widows; the Deaths of their favourite Sons, or their dying Childless, and Strangers possessing their Substance; or at least an extravagant Heir squandring it faster in base Methods, than they rais’d it. In the Conclusion he shews how few of their Families or Fortunes remain at this Day, and how much fewer of them had the Honesty or Virtue to leave, even the twentieth or fortieth Part of what they had, to public Uses, or the Poor. The Book is rather an useful Subject, than a well writ Treatise; but I wish it were translated into English, and ten Thousand of them presented to the rich Men of our Age; who, with so little Regard to the public good of their Country, or thinking of making generous Foundations of their own, or contributing to those of others, go on continually in those beautiful Expressions of the Psalmist, to heap up Riches which they cannot tell who shall gather. It is not to see the Light here, it being dangerous to publish it, for fear of provoking the Resentments of some Persons, whose Relations are hardly treated in it, tho’ I am told, with great Justice. ‘Tis writ by Father Meron a Capuchin; but this I tell only to your Lordship. The Jesuits are severely satyriz’d in it, for their Avarice, which makes it dangerous for the Author to own the Writing it. When I have obey’d your Commands, as to giving you some Account of the poor Duke D’ Aumont’s Fate and Character, who has been so differently represented to you, I shall put an End to this tiresome Letter. It is certain, he died the first of this Month at his lovely Retirement in the Country, but not of Poison, as your Lordship mentions, but of a Fit of the Apoplexy, which took him off in a few Hours. He was unquestionable a Gentleman of the most uncorrupted Integrity, the greatest Abilities, and the most universal Genius, of any Minister of State this Nation ever bred, not excepting that Hero of the Antients, Cardinal Richlieu. With all these Advantages, he carried himself in so haughty and arbitrary a Manner, with his late Majesty, who favour’d him, and his Enemies that envy’d him, that he made his Merit and great Qualifications almost useless to his Country. His Honesty had the Appearance of Ostentation and Insolence, (tho nothing was further from his Heart) and his Capacity and Knowledge, seem’d to wear an assuming and supercilious Air. He affected a Sincerity and Severity, that continually alienated the Hearts of the Courtiers from him. Not content to be unblameable himself, he thought to browbeat Corruption and Immorality, in all that had anything to do in the King’s Affairs; by reproaching them openly with any ill Conduct in their Lives and Manners. He was not satisfied in excelling all Men in the greatest Talents for the Camp, or the Cabinet, for Books or the World; unless he could drive Ignorance or Insufficiency from the Court, by severe Upbraidings of the Weakness, or Mistakes, the Folly, Incapacity or Vices of many in the Crowd of Pretenders there to Place and Power. It was easy, my Lord, to see the Consequence of such a Conduct must be the Ruin of him who gave into it. And indeed tho’ Heaven seem’d for some Time to declare in his Favour, against the Malice of the World, and to labour for his Establishment, by many Successes abroad; yet, on the first Turn of the Tide, by the Loss of the Battle at Strasburg, the whole Kingdom, or in other Words, all that was vicious and bad in it, seem’d, with one Voice, to cry out against him, and call for his Destruction; and even Lewis the Nineteenth, his Master, tho’ he esteem’d him, was so sick of his intolerable Virtue, that he readily abandon’d him to the public Hatred. He was turn’d out of any share of the Administration, banish’d the Court, and confin’d to his Country Seat for Life, where he gave himself up, with infinite Relish, to a few worthy Friends and his Studies; and where he writ those Memoirs of his Time, which I sent your Lordship, and which alone will be a lasting Proof of the Virtue and Capacity of the Man. It is certain, if he could have pardon’d his Master’s and his Courtiers Vices and Follies, or his Enemies evil Arts to defraud the Crown, by the Mismanagement of the Finances, and the usual Corruptions in the Officers of the Army, he might have rul’d the one, and triump’d over the others; but he was too much in hast to do good, and too violently virtuous to reform a corrupt World, which he profess’d to abhor. I remember a great Man one Day speaking of his Vigilance, Dexterity, and his equal Zeal and Capacity to serve his Master, and clear the Court of such troublesome Vermin; compar’d his Fate to the Duchess of Chevreuse’s Cat, who having broke her Leg, by a Fall in the Cellar, was the next Night bit to Death, and almost devour’d by the Rats, she had so often been labouring to destroy. I am impatient for your Lordship’s next Dispatches, and doubt not but this Court will oppose, with Vigour, the setting up the In¬quisition, in spite of the Intrigues of the Nuncio, and his humble and pious Masters, the Jesuits; in which, according to my Instructions, I have and shall continue to express his Majesty’s and your Lordship’s zealous Concurrence and Assistance, by all proper Measures, and am, with the highest Deference and Esteem, My Lord, Your Lorships’s, Herbert. To the Lord High Treasurer. Rome. Jan. 7, 1998. My Lord, By the last Courier, my Dispatches carried you a full Account of the fair Prospect of Success I have for all my Negotiations here. The Bull mention’d therein, ordaining that no British Subject shall any longer be jugd’d liable to, or hereafter be seized by the Inquisition, having past the usual Forms; has delivered already many of our Countrymen from the Harpies of that Court, and secur’d them from its terrible Judicature for the future. The Emperor’s happy Recovery, has, at present, pretty much suspended all our design’d Proceedings, to prevent the Intrigues of this See, in order to place his Holiness on the Imperial Throne; and above all, as the Elector of Cologne has luckily broke with this Court, I hope we shall have Time to take such Measures, as shall effectually secure in Europe from so terrible a Blow. In the mean Time, I hasten this by a very worthy English Gentleman, Mr. Lumley, which brings you an Account of as extraordinary an Undertaking, as this Court has ever attempted, tho’ it seems to be the natural Soil and Climate for Projects of all Kinds. In short, ‘tis nothing less than selling by public Auction all the vast Collection of Relics, which were brought hither many Years since, at different Times; and particularly, when the Treasures of Italy were heap’d up in the Castle of St. Angelo. This amazing Event, of selling publicly those venerable Remains, which the Bigottry and Zeal of their Ancestors had so long held sacred, is entirely occasion’d by the Avarice and Prodigality of the Cardinal Nephew; whose Expenses are as unbounded, as his Passions and Extravagancies, which this Sale is design’d to supply. It is palliated indeed with the Pretence of dispersing such holy and precious Things, thro’ all Christian Nations, to increase their Devotion and Piety, which might otherwise sicken and flag, for want of such extraordinary Incentives, but I have told your Lordship the true Cause. It is generally believ’d that this Design will bring in vast Treasures to the Cardinal Nephew’s great Relief and Comfort; and as the Pope’s managing Temper, and the rest of the Cardinals high Regard for strict Economy, prevent his squandering the Treasures of the See; they have complied with this Project, to raise a large Sum out of this holy Trumpery, which they were sick of, and which they found the Devotion of the Italians growing very cold to. I remember to have heard, that in the Beginning of the 16th Century, Vergerius, who was afterwards the Pope’s Nuncio in Germany, was employ’d by the Elector of Saxony, to buy up for him many Relics of the Saints in Italy. Accordingly he bought several, but before the Relics had been sent to Germany, Luther’s Books and Doctrines began to fly about, and lessen’d the Value of such delicate Wares so far, that the Elector order’d him to sell them with great Loss, and possibly that is one Reason that occasions the present Sale, since Italy begins to despite them. The Catalogue is not yet printed, but I have procur’d the Original from the Imperial Ambassador, who designs to lay out great Sums on them, and what follows I have copied and translated very faithfully from it, adding some few Notes of my own, in Hopes it will both surprize and entertain you. I can venture to assure your Lordship, that whether the Relics in the Catalogue be really genuine or no, there are none in it, which have not actually been maintain’d, by the gravest Writers of this Church, to have been preserv’d in the Places, from whence they are said to be brought, and which were not religiously venerated, not to say, ador’d there. Indeed the good Jesuits may have falsified some of them, to make their Collection more glorious, and raise the larger Sum; yet I have Faith enough to believe they are fully as authentic, as most of the Originals, which these poor Catholics, in different Places, preserve so religiously, and attribute so much Sanctity, and even Miracles, too. But I will detain your Lordship no longer from perusing the Catalogue, than to say, I omit the Preface, because it only contains a fulsome, affected Declamation on the Veneration due to Relics, on the vast Preference these deserve above all others; the pretended Reasons of their being exposed to Sale, in order to disperse them more equally thro’ the Christian World, and the unquestion’d Authority these ought to have, with all good Catholics. For these, my Lord, are all vouched (as the Preface speaks) by the Pope’s authentic Inspection and Direction, confirm’d by his annex’d Bull, (which I also omit) and verified before the Consistory of Cardinals, by the due and legal Proof, of having past untouch’d and undamag’d, in the Trial by Fire. But I hasten to the Catalogue, which follows. A Catalogue of the most sacred, and eminently venerable Relics, of the holy Roman Catholic Church, collected by the pious Care of their Holinesses the Popes, the most august Emperors, Kings, and Princes, Potentates, and Prelates of the Christian World, and several of them brought to Rome, by the vast Care and Expenses of the most Rever¬end Fathers, the Jesuits. All which are now to be dispos’d of by Auction, for the general Benefit and Emolument of the Christian World, at the Church of St. Peters at Rome, on Monday the 25th of April 1998, from Nine in the Morning till eight at Night, and to continue till all be fold. N.B. The whole of these said most precious Relics, with their proper Vouchers and Certificates of Verification, and his Holiness’s Bull for their being true authentic Originals, may be viewed and examined, (but not handled) at the Church of St. Peter’s aforesaid, by all Ambassadors, Prelates, and Persons of Quality, and proper Credit, Condition, and Character, till the Day of Sale. The Ark of the Covenant, the Cross of the good Thief; both somewhat Wormeaten. Judas’s Lanthorn, a little scorch’d. The Dice of the Soldiers play’d with, when they cast Lots on our Saviour’s Garment; from Umbriatico in Calabria. The Tail of Balaams Ass, that spoke when she saw the Angel. St. Joseph’s Ax, Saw, and Hammer; and a few Nails he had not driven, a little rust eaten. St. Christopher’s StoneBoat, and St. Anthony’s MillStone, on which he sail’d to Muscovy. The Loaves of Bread turn’d into Stone by St. Boniface, on a Soldier’s denying him a Piece of them when he was starving, for which he suffer’d Martyrdom, as a Sorcerer. Our B. Saviour’s Teeth, Hair, and Præputium (Emptum Charovii) another Præputium (Emptum Aquisgrani) brought thither by an Angel from Jerusalem. N.B. In all such Cases of Duplicates equally well vouched and verified, it is left to the Faith of the Buyer, which deserves the Preference; but the Præputium vouch’d by Cardinal Tolet, to be kept at Calcata, in the Church of St. Cornelius and Cyprian. and that other of Podium, as well as that preserv’d at Antwerp, and vouch’d by Theobald Archbishop of Bisonti, John Bishop of Cambray, and confirm’d by Pope Eugenius and Clement VIII. since they are all three also approv’d by Miracles, are left uncensur’d to the Piety and Veneration of the Faithful; it being certain, that the same Power that maketh his Body to be and exist, at the same Time in different Places, may exert itself in like Manner, as to this most precious and holy Relic. Several Drops of Christ’s Blood, on different Occasions, as his Circumcision, bearing his Cross, and his Crucifixion, purchased at a vast Price, and brought by the Fathers, the Jesuits from Rochel; several small Phials of it from Mantua; larger Vessels of it from St. Eustachius’s in this City of Rome. Mix’d with Water, as it came from his Side, from St. John Lateran in this City. His Cradle and Manger very old. Ditto, a Pale full of the Water of Jordan, where he was baptiz’d, fresh and clear to this Day (emptum Cassini.) The WaterPots of the Marriage at Cana in Galilee. N.B. These are not the Pots shewn at Pisa (Cluniaci & Andegavi) but the true original ones. Crums of the Bread that fed the 5000 (Romæ ad Mariæ Novæ.) A Bough of the Tree carried by Christ entring Jerusalem in Triumph, the Leaves almost fresh still; from Spain (ad Salva¬toris.) The Table on which Christ eat the last Supper, a little decayed; at Rome St. John Lateran. Some of the Bread which he broke then; from Spain ad Salvatoris. The Cup he then drank out of and gave to his Disciples (ad Mariæ Insulanæ near Lyons.) The Sacrament of his Body and Blood (from Brussells.) I assure your Lordship, this is neither more nor less than a plain small Ivory Ball. The Towel with which he wip’d his Disciples Feet, very rotten. (Rome.) Part of the Money paid Judas. Malchoos’s Lanthorn, some of the Panes crack’d, and the Door quite decay’d, from St. Denis. The following most holy and precious Relics were brought to Rome, by the blessed Father Francis Visconti, by Order of the Pope, from Aquisgranum or Aken. Part of the Wood of the Cross, a little decay’d, and a Nail of the same. Some of the Manna in the Wilderness, and of the Blossoms of Aaron’s Rod. Part of the Sudarium, of the Reed, and Spunge of our Saviour. A Girdle of our Saviour’s, and another of the Virgin’s, little worn. The Chord with which Christ was bound at his Passion, very fresh. Some of the Hair of St. John Baptist. A Ring of the Chain of St. Peter. Some of the Blood of St. Stephen, and the Oyl of St. Catharine. The Arm of St. Simeon, ill kept. The Image of the blessed Virgin, drawn by St. Luke, the Features all visible. The Relics of St. Spes, or St. Hope. Some of the Hair of the Blessed Virgin. One of her Combs, brought originally from Basançon in Burgundy, and twelve Combs of the twelve Apostles, all very little used, originally from Lyons. The Indusium or Shift, of the Blessed Virgin, when our Saviour was born. The Swathes in which our Sav¬iour was wrapped the Night of his Nativity. The holy LinenClothe upon which St. John was beheaded, wants new Hemming and Darning. The Clothe with which our Saviour was cover’d, when he hung on the Cross. The Brains of St. Peter, from Geneva. Note, these are the individual Brains which that ArchHeretic Calvin declar’d were a mere PumiceStone, sinning against God, the holy Apostle, and his own Soul. The following most venerable Relics were bought at, and brought from Prague to this City, by the Reverend Father Prinli, Je¬suit commission’d and authoris’d by the Pope. The Head and Arm of the blessed Longinus. Some Relics of Abraham. Isaac, and Jacob, very old. The Arm and some Part of the Body of Lazurus, ill kept and smells. Two Pieces of two Girdles of the Blessed Virgin. A Part of the Body of St. Mark, and a Part of his Gospel, of his own Handwriting, almost legible. A Piece of St. John the Evangelist’s Coat. A Piece of the Staff of St. Peter, and another Piece of the Staff of St. Paul. A Part of St. Peter’s Chain. A Finger of St. Ann. A Part of the Blessed Virgin’s Veil, as good as new. The Head of St. Luke. It is true, there is also another in this Catalogue, but both are so amply verified, nay avouch’d by daily Miracles, that his Holiness leaves it undecided; betwixt God and the Buyer be it. Some of the Relics of St. Catharine of Alexandria. The Head and Finger of St. Stephen, ‘tis suppos’d to be his middle Finger, but that is doubtful. Here endeth the Collection of Relics from Prague. The Staff deliver’d by our Lord to St. Patrick, and with which he drove all the venomous Creatures out of Ireland. Eight Veronicas, or holy Handkerchiefs of our Lord’s, one from Tu¬rin, another from St. John de Lateran, and a third from St. Peter’s in this City, another from Cadoin in Perigort, a fifth from Besançon, another from Compeigne, a seventh from Milan, and another from Aix le Chapelle. It is as impossible as unjust, to decide which has the best Title to be the real one, since they all have been received from Age to Age by the Faithful: but as that of Cadoin hath fourteen Bulls in its Favour, and the rest but one or two, (tho’ that of Turin produceth four in its Behalf) we leave it undecided. This we do the rather, as the Prayers and Devotions of the Pious have probably sanctified them all equally; and moreover, it is possible that they have been miraculously multiplied by the Goodness of God, for the Support and Aid of the Faithful, as the Loaves and the Fishes were to the hungry Jews. The most holy ForeFinger of John the Baptist, with which he pointed to Christ, saying, Behold the Lamb of God, brought from Jerusalem to Malta, by the Brothers of St. John’s Hospital, and since to this City. The holy Sindon, or Linen, in which Christ’s Body was buried, from Turin. The Dish in which Christ eat the Paschal Lamb, made all of one Emerald, from Genoa. A Nail of our Saviour’s Cross, fix’d for¬merly on the Church Roof of Milan, and brought hither: Another, being one of those which the Empress Helena order’d to be wrought up into the Cheek of a Bridle, for the Emperor Constantine; and a third which was thrown into the Adriatic Sea in a vast Storm, to ap¬pease it, as it actually did. Taken up since in a Fisherman’s Net, and brought to this City. The Stone upon which Abraham offer’d to sacri¬fice his Son; and another Stone on which our Lord was plac’d, when he was presented in the Temple. The Top of the Lance with which Christ’s Side was pierc’d. The Smock of St. Prisca, in which she was martyr’d 1700 Years ago, something decay’d. A Thorn of that Crown of Thorns which was put on our Saviour’s Head. The Head of the Woman of Samaria, who was converted by our Saviour, decay’d, but plainly a Head still. The Arm of St. Ann, Mother of the Blessed Vir¬gin; and the Chain of St. Paul. Scala Sancta, or the twenty eight Steps of white Marble which Christ was lead up in his Passion to Pilate’s House, and on which visibly appear the Marks of his Blood; sent by Helena from Jerusalem to the Emperor Constantine. A Picture of our Lord, said to be begun by St. Luke, and finish’d miraculously by an Angel; or (as others say) St. Luke preparing to draw it, and falling to his Prayers to God, that he might draw his Son aright, when he arose, he found the Picture finish’d. The holy Crib of our Saviour’s. The Pillar at which he was whip’d, the first of these very old and tender. Here follow some most venerable and precious Relics, brought hither from Venice by the aforesaid Father Francis Visconti. Some of our Saviour’s Blood, gather’d up at his Passion, with the Earth it was spilt on. A Thorn of the Crown of Thorns. A Finger of St. Mary Magdalen. A Piece of St. John Baptist’s Skull. A Tooth of St. Mark, a little rotten; also one of his Fingers, and his Ring with a Stone in it. A Piece of St. John Baptist’s Habit. Some of the Virgin’s Hair. The Sword of St. Peter, very rusty and old. A Piece of Christ’s white Robe when he was set at nought by Herod. One of the Stones wherewith St. Stephen was stoned. Some of St. Joseph’s Breath which an Angel enclosed in a Phial, as he was cleaving Wood violently, which was so long ador’d in France, and since brought to Venice, and from Venice to this City. The Head of St. Denys, which he carried two Miles after it was cut off under his Arm, praising God all the Way, and saying, Glory be to thee, Lord. The Rock which Moses struck in the Wilderness, with the three Holes in it of the Diameter of a Goose Quill, out of which the Water issued for the 600000 Israelites and their Cattle. Here endeth the List of the Relics from Venice. A Piece of the Rope Judas hang’d himself with, from Amras near Inspruck. Part of the Crown of Thorns from Paris. Several single Thorns from different Places, Compostella, Tholouse, and this City, to be sold separately. The Reed given our Lord for a Scepter (Romæ St. John Lateran.) His Holy Cross, a great Part of it from Jerusalem, more of it from Constantinople, more from Paris. A large Crucifix made of the Wood of it (Rome.) Several Nails belonging to it, two of Rome, two from Venice, one from Colen, two from Paris, one from Sienna, one from Naples, one from St. Denys, one from the Carmelites at Paris. N.B. We say in this as aforesaid, Which are the right Nails, he only knows, whose Body they pierced; but the Vouchers and Certifi¬cates for all are to be seen, proved, and examined, let the Purchasers determine according to the Truth. The Title fastened to the Cross, fair a legible, and thought to be Pilate’s Hand Writing, from Tholouse. The Spunge that was dipped in Vinegar, and given to our Lord; Rome. From Cassini another. The Point of the Launce, three of them, one originally of Rome, another from Paris, a third form Xaintonge, all properly vouched and evidenc’d. The Church herein decides nothing, but modestly faith, Caveat Emptor. The Footsteps which our Lord left in the Rock on his Ascension; Rome. The Marks of his Seat made on the Rock by his resting; from Rheims. Four Crucifixes, whose Beards grow regularly, seven that have spoke on several proper Occa¬sions; ten more, that have wept often and bitterly upon GoodFrydays, and the Success of Heretics, in their Wars with Catholics. Five other that have stirred and moved on different Accidents, four of them equal to any in the Christian Church; six more that have groan’d, smil’d and nodded, all vouched authentically, very little inferi¬or to the former, except the freshest being the last made. Another Crucifix, which having had its Leg broke by accident, stunk so griev¬ously, that all in the Church were forced to hold their Noses for the Stench, till proper Remedies being applied, the Bone knit again, tho’ the Place where the broken parts join’d, is still visibly thicker and larger, and that Leg near two Inches shorter than the other. Another Crucifix from Trent, under which the Synod was sworn and promulg’d, and which bow’d its Head to testify the Approbation which it gave to the learned Decrees of that Holy Assembly. N.B. As no Man could ever tell what this Crucifix was made of, so it is much doubted by the Faithful, if ever it was made with Hands; it worketh unheard of Miracles. Another Crucifix from St. Dominick the greater in Naples, which spoke one Day to St. Thomas Aquinas, Thou hast well written of me, Thomas. Another from the Church of the Benedictines in Naples, which held twice two long Conversations with his Holy Vicegerent, Pope Pius V. of blessed Memory; and another of St. Mary of the Carmelites of the same City, which bowed its Head at the Sight of a Cannon Bullet which was shot at him in 1439, (when Don Pedro of Arragon besieg’d that City) and only struck off the Crown. N.B. To cover his Head, being very bald, there is a Peruke of the Hair of the Virgin fitted to it, to be taken off in hot Weather. An Image of Christ made by himself, and sent to King Abgarus from St. Silvester, in the Field of Mars in this City. Another made by Angels, from the Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum in this City, and a Crucifix which was begun to be painted by Nicodemus, but finished by Angels; from the Cathedral of St. Martin in Lucca. N.B. All these Crucifixes have wrought incredible Miracles within these last fifty or sixty Years. Large Parcels of the Blessed Virgin’s Hair, all of one Colour, from Paris and several Places less known, and much of it of this City. Great Quantities of her Milk gathered from many Places. Some Butter and a small Cheese made of it, that never decays or corrupts, from Mexico in America. Her Skipper, and one of her Shoes. N.B. This is the origi¬nal Shoe, which the famous Rivet, in his Apology for the Virgin (Lib. II. Chap. IX.) was possessed of, and had the Figure of it grav’d, and published with Licence; and in the middle of the Sole this is written, The Measure of the most Holy Foot or our Lady; and then follows, Pope John XXII. bath granted to those who shall thrice kiss it, and rehearse three Ave Maries with Devotion to her Blessed Honour and Reverence, that they shall gain 700 Years of Pardon, and be freed from many Sins. I must add here, my Lord, what all the learned, and even those who have only seen the Cut of it published by Rivet, know to be true, that the exact Measure of this blesses Shoe, is just seven and a quarter of our Inches; which I hint to your Lordship, because some wellshap’d Catholic Ladies, may be much rejoyced in case their Feet should tally with this Measure. Her Needle, Thread, and Quasillum, (Halæ.) Her Picture by St. Luke (Romæ ad Mariæ Inviolatæ.) Another by the same Hand of that Holy Evangelist (Romæ ad Mariæ novæ.) A third from Cambray. N.B. Tho’ some Catholics maintain St. Luke only painted one, yet as these are each of them unquestionably vouched, and that allowing St. Luke was a Painter, as well a Physician, it is but reasonable to suppose he should have painted more than one; his Holiness, by the annext Bull, has thought is expedient to warrant them all for Originals, of the same divine Pencil. St. Michael’s Dag¬ger and Buckler (magni Michaelis apud Carcassonenses.) St. John Baptist’s Face, very little the worse for the keeping, (Cambiis ad Joannis Angelici.) The Hand, and part of his Head, without a Face, from Malta. Others ditto, from Nemours. His Brain very well dried and preserv’d (Novii Rantroviensis.) His whole Head (Rome, from the Convent of St. Silvester.) As to these two Heads, the pious Reader is referred to the foregoing Apology for the two Heads of St. Luke. It is true, Gregory Nazianzen has declared that his Bones were burnt by the Donatists, so that nothing remain’d but a Piece of his Skull; but ‘tis absur’d to compare the Authority of him, or one Hundred such Fathers, with the Authority of the Church, and her sacred Traditions. At the same time, far be it from the Modesty of the Holy See to maintain he had two, but both are so amply vouched and verified, that ‘tis presumptuous to decide for either. Let us say rather with Cardinal Baronius in the Sentiments of a truly pious Mind, allowing a Mistake in such cases, Quicquid sit, fides purgat facinus. It is not the Head of the Saint we adore, but the Faith for which he died. Behold, my Lord, what a delicate Plaister of Faith here is for the Wounds of Idolatry. A second Forefinger of St. John Baptist, with which he pointed at our Saviour, and said, Ecce agnus Dei, from Tholouse. As good a one from Lyons. Another from Florence wants the Nail. Another from Genoa mightily damaged. N.B. Tho’ there are not maintain’d to be Forefingers, yet they are indubitably the real Fingers of the Saint, and be they anathema and accursed who say otherwise, wounding the Sides of the Church thro’ these her blesses Relics. His Ashes (Rome St. John Lateran.) More of them from Genoa very safe and dry. Some of the Blood of our Saviour as he hung on the Cross, gathered in a Glove by Nicodemus, which being thrown by him into the Sea, for fear of the Jews, was cast up after many Ages on the Coast of Normandy, and found out by a Duke of that Country as he was Hunting, by the hunted Stag and Dogs all kneeling quietly about it. From the Abbey du Bec in Normandy, which the Duke built for it, and where it was kept till now, and the said History recorded. St. Peter and St. Paul’s Bodies mixt together, one half belonging to St. Peter’s, the other half from St. Paul’s at Rome, both equally weigh’d and divided by Pope Silvester. N.B. That Moiety at St. Peter’s (with some other precious Relics) is not to be dispos’d of to any Person whatever, but to remain to the Church. Both their Heads, from St. John Lateran, (Rome.) A Toe, a Finger, and a Slipper of St. Peter, all in good condition (Rome.) His Episcopal Chair wants a Foot. His Vestments want mending and darning greatly, but dangerous, the Cloth is so sadly decay’d. His Rochet, which he always us’d to say Mass in, and especially in this City, when he was here, much torn and greatly damag’d by Time, (all at Rome.) Another Chain, and another Sword of this blessed Apostle’s when in Prison, (all at Rome, from St. Petri ad Vincula.) A Shoulder of St. Paul’s (Rome.) St. Bartholomew’s Body. Three of them, one from Naples, another fully as well saved from St. Bartholomew’s in this City, and a third from Tholouse, very tender, and not well dried, but plainly his own. N.B. These different Bodies are as hard to have anything determin’d about them, as the Duplicates aforesaid. They are well vouched by ancient and unquestionable Tradition, and all proper Depositions and Certificates; and it suits better with good Faith and good Manners, to leave such perplexed Difficulties in suspense, as the Holy Church, and our Religious Ancestors have deliver’d them down to us, (however ambiguous and incomprehensibly obscure) than that the Temerity of these Days should overturn the Piety of the former. Let the Buyers examine and judge to the best of their Faith and Knowledge, and remember as they are blessed who believe tho’ they saw not, so much more blessed doubtless are they, who believe piously and candidly, even against that which they do see. The Skin which was flay’d off this blessed Apostle, in a sad condition, and something rotten; from Poitiers. Another of them, probably from one of the aforesaid Bodies, but wants the Buttocks, tho’ better preserved by a great deal (Rome.) St. Matthias’s Head (Romæ Petri ad Vincula.) His Rib, Shoulder, Arm, one Foot, and a Piece of another, all of them moist kept, and strong scented (from Paris Aquæ Sextiæ, and other Places of equal credit.) Another Skin of St. Bartholomew, in all human probability flay’d off one of the Bodies aforesaid (from Pisa.) His Head, and another Member, but hard to say what it is, ‘tis so much disfigur’d by Time, and the zealous Devo¬tions of pious Pilgrims and Visitants (from Pisa also.). St. Mathew’s blessed Bones (Treviris.) His left Arm (from Cassini.) His right Arm (Romæ ad Marcelli.) Another Arm (Romæ ad Nicolai. We have said enough on these Duplicates already. The complete Body of St. Anne, the Blessed Virgin’s Mother (Aptæ oppido Provinciæ.) Her Head (Treviris) another. Other Heads (Tureni apud Juliacenses.) A third (Annabergæ oppido Thuringiæ.) We have said above, what is abundantly sufficient to ease the Minds of truly pious, tho’ scrupulous Christians, concerning these dus?e?ta, these vexatious Difficulties. The faithful and sincerely religious Person will ask no more hereupon; and to Schismatics, Heretics, and Unbelievers, we speak not, as gangren’d Members cut off from the Body of Holy Church, to their eternal Destruction. St. Magadalen’s Body (Vessali prope Altissiodorum.) Another Body of hers; but as this is not well vouched, having but twenty Depositions, and those no fully confirm’d by oral Tradition, and the constant Testimony of the Church, and the Devotion of her faithful Sons; we candidly and ingenuously declare, our not being perfectly satisfied in this particular Relic, which yet we would not cast out, lest we should scandalize the devout Catholics who have so long venerated it; (apud San. Maximinum oppid. Provinciæ.) Her Head, and the Mark of the Blow, given her by our Lord on the Cheek when she would have touched him, when he said, noli me tangere, the Blow very plain still. The Head out of order. Great Quantities of her Hair, near twenty Pound from many Places. N.B. Tho’ this Quantity is large, there is nothing therein to give the least Offence to the Faithful; for on all dead Bodies, and much more on those of the Saints, the Hair, even after Death, grows most exuberantly, by which means probably these Quantities have been produced. The holy spousal Ring with which the Blessed Virgin was espoused to Joseph, for which the Clusians and Perusians waged such Wars here in Italy, as History mentions; (from Perusia.) The Bodies of the three Kings, or Magi, Melchior, Jaspar and Balthasar, all perfectly fresh and fair, and good liking from Colen or Cologne. Three other Bodies of the same Kings, fully as fair and as well preserv’d, except the Nose, the right Eye, and a part of the left Foot of King Jaspar; (from Milan ad Eustorgii.) We shall be altogether silent on these six Bodies belonging (that is, universally agreed by infallible Tradition to belong) to these three Kings; and shall content ourselves with referring the Pious Reader, and especially if a Purchaser, to the foregoing Apologies. Blessed be the pious Care of the Empress Helina, to whom we and the Christian Church are indebted for these precious Relics, by her sending them to Constantinople; and surely it is much better to have six Bodies disputing for this Honour than none at all. The Knife used at the Circumcision of our Lord; (from Compendium.) The Stone on which St. Peter’s Cock crew, and the Column which was cleft asun¬der, from top to bottom on the Day of the Passion, and the Stone on which Pilate’s Soldiers cast Lots for Christ’s Garments; all from St. John de Lateran in this City.) St. Stephen’s Body (from St. Stephen at Rome,) Several Parcels of the Bodies of the Innocents from France, Germany, and Italy. Testiculi eorum (from Friburgh in Brisgaw.) St. Lawrence’s Body (from his Church in this City) together with a Vessel full of his broil’d Flesh, and another full of his Fat when broil¬ing on the Fire (from the same.) The Gridiron on which he suffer’d Martyrdom, and the Coals wherewith this blessed Martyr was broil’d to death for the Faith, (from St. Eustachius’s in this City.) Four Bodies of St. Sebastion; one from St. Lawrence’s in this City, another from Soiffons, a third from a Town near Narbonne his native Country, and the fourth from Pelignum apud Armoricos. ‘Tis not to be denied, these undistinguishable Duplicates do return too frequently, but our former Defences, and the Confusion and too forward Zeal of those darker Times, must (and if he be Faithful and Pious) will content the Reader and Buyer. Let us only add, which is a Point full of Comfort, that the Prayers of the Church, and the Devotions of her Religious Children, have so far consecrated the Mistakes of their Forefathers, that all must allow, that each of these Bodies have wrought most prodigious Miracles, of which the proper Certificates remain with each of them. A Head of the same glorified Saint, at St. Peter’s in this City. Another Head of his, belonging most certainly to one of the above Carcasses, (from Magdeburg.) A third Head of his, in like manner (as is to be believed) fever’d from another of the said Bodies, procur’d from the Dominicans at Tholouse, who recover’d it at the immense Expense, of a tedious Law Suit. Four of his Arms, one got from the Dominicans (Andegavi.) A second from Tholouse (ad Saturnini.) A third from the Town Casedei in Avernia. And a fourth from Monbrison. Serveral of the Arrows he was shot and cruelly martyr’d with. (Lambesii in Provincia.) More of them, from the Augustine Fryers in Poitiers. Several Chests full, of the 11000 Virgins, from Colen, St. Deny’s, the Monastery of Marcian in Flanders, and many other Places, where the Bodies of those wonderful Saints were disperst. The Bones of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, very sound and well kept (Romæ Mariæ super Minvervam.) One of Aaron’s Rods (Paris ad Sacri Sacelli.) Solomon’s Candlestick, from Prague. Some of the Oyl of the Holy Sepulchre’s Lamp, which every Easter Sunday blazes up of its self, before the Eyes of the truly Faithful, got from the Alter of St. John. The Ring of St. Thomas a Becket, the Blessed Martyr, who rebell’d against his Prince, to serve the Holy See and the Cause of Truth. His Rochet sprinkled with his Blood when murder’d, so as never to be washed out. His Hair Shirt, the same which Gononus’s Chronicon assures us, the Blessed Virgin sow’d herself for him, and then hid it under his Bed; all from the Monastery of St. Martin in Arthoise, with an authentic Catalogue of Sixty Seven Miracles wrought by them. St. Apollonia’s Head and Arm, one Jaw, and several of her Teeth from two or three different Churches in this City. Her Mouth, Part of her Jaw, and one of her blessed Teeth, from Volaterræ in Etruria. Several more of her Teeth, and her lower Jaw, from Bononia, where they us’d to be solemnly venerated the 9th of February each Year by the Pope’s Legate, or ViceLegate. A Part of her Jaw from Antwerp, where frequent Miracles were wrought by it. A Part of her Tooth from Mechlin and several whole ones from Flanders. A remarkable Portion of her lower Jaw from Artois. Four other Teeth, a Rib, another Tooth and her Shoulderblade from Colen. Another Jaw from the Carthusians, a Tooth from St. Maurice’s Church, and another Lower Jaw from St. Alban’s, all in the same City. Another of her Teeth and some other blessed Relics of her’s, from the Church of St. Roch in Lisbon, and from Placentia in Spain, St. Anthony’s Beard from Colen, and a re-markable Part of his Head. His Tongue, blessed for ever, from Padua. N.B. This is the same Tongue which St. Bonaventure 30 Years after his Death, found in his Ashes still fresh and full of Juice and Blood; which before the Magistrates, he reverently took up and kiss’d, saying, O blessed Tongue, which always did bless God, and taught others to bless him; now it appears of what Merit thou wast; and so deliver’d it to them to be laid up again with his holy Ashes, as the famous Mendozius tells us. The Hay found in the Cratch where our Saviour was laid, call’d the Holy Hay; (Brought from Lorain.) Moses’s Horns, which he had coming down from Mount Sinai, and the Tail of the Ass our Saviour rode on, got from Genoa; and a Pair of Joseph’s Breeches, very old and much worn, from Aix. The blessed Navel or our Lord, form St. Mary del Popalo in this City, and the Skin or Pannicle, that came out of the most holy Body, of the Blessed Virgin with our Saviour, when he came into the World, from the Church of St. Mary the Greater, in the same City. The Stone, on which the same Blessed Virgin used to wash our Saviour’s Linen, brought from Constantinople. A Tear which Christ shed over Lazarus, enclos’d in a little Crystal by an Angel, who made a Present of it to St. Mary Magdalen. Another from the Benedictins Convent, at Vendome in France. N.B. This is the very Tear, which the learned Pere Mahillon writ so admirable a Treatise in Defence of, to the Honour of God and holy Church. But, my Lord, I propos’d to entertain you, and I am but tormenting you with so hideous a Recital of the superstitious Dreams and Inventions of these formal Hypocrites; whose Godliness is Gain, and who, under the Pretence and Cloak of exterior Sanctity, and an high Veneration of for such holy Trumpery, seek only Wealth, Ease, and Profit, and make a God of their Belly and their sacrilegious Gain. I shall therefore leave the bulky Remains of this amazing Catalogue, till I know how your Lordship relishes this Taft of it, which I send you; and shall only mention to you, that from the Beginning to the End of it, on the strictest Examination, I don’t recollect one Relic, the original of which at least, has not been actually venerated, and almost worship’d, this several hundred Years, by this blinded and deluded People; except that one of the Cheese and Butter made of the Virgin’s Milk, which is said never to corrupt, and to have been brought from Mexico. Among all the rest, there are but a very few, which I have not been at the Pains to search for, and have really, with these Eyes, seen in different authentic Lists of Relics shewn at Rome, and other Places, and either mention’d by her own Writers, or Men of Honour and Truth, that assert they have seen them in their Travels. So that I can aver, there are few or none inserted in this List, which were not publicly known, and exposed to the Veneration of pious Catholics. I have made bold, to add a few ludicrous Notes to several of them, that deserv’d much severer Remarks, on such horrible Impostures and Fables. For, alas, if all these Relics, and the infinite Number of Miracles wrought by them, were fairly to be examined, and call’d to the Proof, before equitable Judges, as the Temples in Greece and Asia, who set up Asylums, were by the Roman Senate in Tiberius’s Time; how many of them would be oblig’d, either quietly to give up all their Pretensions, or to maintain them by some silly old Tale or other, as most of the Defenders of the Temples were forc’d to do, as Tacitus assures us in the Third of his Annals, Cap. 60, 61, 62. But if this were the Case, this juggling Church, which, like a true Quack, makes Use of Infallibility and Authority as a certain cure for every Sore, has provided a sufficient Remedy, tho’ all her Relics should be prov’d counterfeit; and that is by determining, that such superstitious Relics may really work actual Miracles, because the good Intentions of those, who piously have Recourse to them, pro¬cures them that Blessing from God, as a Reward of their Devotion. She actually teaches this Doctrine, my Lord, which solves all Difficulties on this Point, and what is more, she is believ’d on it; her Con¬fidence in deceiving, and the Credulity of her People in believing, answering like two Tallies, and makes one often remember the famous Axiom, Homo est Animal credulum & mendax. In the mean Time, what a Crowd of terrible Reflections, must this Scene of Things raise in every honest and ingenuous Breast, to see this infallible Church abusing the Purity and Excellence of our Faith, and the common Sense of Mankind, with imposing on them such an Heap of senseless Fictions, and silly Bawbles, not only for their Belief, but even for their Veneration and Homage. With what Indignation! with what Resentment! with what honest Scorn! must every considering Chris¬tian, that has not blindly given up his Senses and Reason (the only Evidence to which our Blessed Saviour appealed for the Truth of his Miracles) to her groundless and usurp’d Authority, look on such horrid Trifling both with our Religion and Understanding? Can one bear, without Grief and Torment of Heart, to see this Church of Christ exceeding in the Foppery and Folly of such Conduct, the greatest Absurdities of the Heathen and Turkish Supersti¬tion; and at the same Time, by infinite insidious Arts and horrible Treasons, as well as furious Persecutions and open Wars, attempting daily against the Authority of all Protestant Princes, and the Peace and Prosperity of their Subjects in this World, and giving up both of them in the next to eternal Damnation, for daring to question her Power, or dissent from her Opinions? After saying this, can I add, (without lamenting the Blindness! the Meanness! the Dishonesty of Mankind!) that Popish Princes will probably, for political Views and worldly Motives, never fail to combine together in supporting her Authority, tho’ in their Hearts they may despise or renounce it; and consequently they will in all Likelihood, by enlarging her Power, and joining in the Schemes of her infinite Policy, perpetuate their own unreasonable Slavery, and her ridiculous Empire, to the End of the World, and this wretched Scene of Wickedness and Folly and Falsehood below! I am, My Lord, Your Lordship’s, Hertford. I beg the Favour of your Lordship to transmit to me a regular List of the Temporal Peers summon’d to this Parliament, his Holiness having desir’d to see it. To the Lord High Treasurer. London, Chelsea, Dec. 19, 1997. My Lord, I had the Pleasure of your Dispatches, of Nov. 3d, some Days since, and am thus early in returning my Thanks, where I hold myself so much oblig’d, both for your Care of the Public and of me. Your Congratulations on my Advancement were very welcome, for from one so sincere and candid, as I have ever found your Excellency, even Compliments pass for Truths, and we think ourselves oblig’d to give Credit to them. At the same Time, my Lord, you have not forgot England so much, by your long Residence at Constantinople, but that you must know, there can be no great pleasure to preside over the Councils of a People, that may almost be called a Nation of prime Ministers; that examine and suspect everything, and yet are never pleas’d or in good Humour, and least then, when they can find nothing to blame. Your Accounts, of the State of Things in Turky, were most entertaining; his Majesty did you the Honour to hear your Letters read, and to express some Satisfaction in them; and therefore you must hasten to us the Remainder of your Observations, that we do not overpay for the Pleasure, by too long Expectation. Mr. Secretary will, by this Night’s Express, by the way of Vienna, communicate to you his Majesty’s Pleasure, in Relation to the Treaty, and the Approbation which all the Steps you have hitherto taken, have met with here. His Majesty has particularly order’d me to assure you, that the Bishops and Papa’s of the Greek Church, shall be honour’d with his Protection and Favour; and all that are Needy and sincerely Scrupulous to submit to Rome, shall have proper Pen¬sions to prevent their making Shipwreck of their Faith, and selling their Birthright, like Esau, for a little Food to sustain them. I think there has been an inexcusable Negligence, in the Ministry here (tho’ I know not realy at whose Door to place it) in Relation to that unhappy neglected Church; which has neither had any Benefit drawn from our Protection at the Port, nor the least Care shewn, by sending Missionaries of our own, to prevent the Artifices of the Jesuits, and keep her steady to her Principles, as a Sister Church, who has ever abhor’d to join in their Communion. This is a Defect, which all Protestant Churches have much fail’d in, and our own as much as any; with many other Irregularities, if Providence shall be pleased to lend me Opportunity and Power. I shall be much oblig’d to your Excellency, if you can inform me if Mr. Biron or Mr. Pearson, have recover’d any choice Manuscripts, either Greek or Arabic, or valuable Medals, or any Rarities or Cu¬riosities in their Travels, which I procur’d his Majesty to send them abroad for, when I was only principal Secretary of State. I thank you for the Curiosities you sent me, and to engage you to this Kind of Traffic, I have given Orders to send you, by the Turky Fleet, an excellent Hogshead of Carolina, (our own Plantation WhiteWine) and three or Four fine pieces of Damask, made of the Silk of that Country; both which we have brought to that Perfection there, as is of vast Advantage to Great Britain, as well as the Colony. Since you think it will make the Grand Seignior encourage Astronomy, I have also sent you one of the completeest largest and best reflecting Telescopes in London, which we make with such exquisite Skill and Contrivance, that they exceed tenfold all those that were used by the Astronomers in the last Age. Tho’ it be but of a moderate Length, yet it is altogether as good as the larger Ones; and the Expense of fixing it up, much less; and you may discern evidently with this, not only the Hills, Rivers, Valleys, and Forests, but real Cities in the Moon, that seem nearly to resemble our own, and what is still more, even Mountains and Seas in Venus and the other Planets. Nay some of our Astronomers have gone so far, as to aver, they could distinguish the Times of Ploughing, and Harvest there, by the Colour of the Face of the Earth, and to specify those Times, that others might make a Judgment of their Observation, and have maintain’d, that they have plainly seen in the Moon, Conflagrations, and the Smoak arising from them. As I fancy there is more of Imagination than of Truth, in such Opinions, I would not have your Excellency quarrel with this I send you, if it does not perform all these Miracles. I will assure you, be¬forehand, you will find it magnify to so prodigious a Degree, as will perfectly astonish you, as much as you are us’d to Telescopes; while it gives you such evident Demonstrations, that all the Planets are not only habitable, but inhabited. I shall desire you only, while you are enjoying those Pleasures, to remember, that you are chiefly indebted for them, to the Bounty and generous Encouragement, with which our Royal Master contributed to the Project, for improving them so highly, without which, they would never have receiv’d the Perfection they have gain’d. As Mr. Secretary will entirely take off my Hands, to Night, the Province of the Statesman and the Minister, your Excellency will pardon me, if I only entertain you very poorly on Philosophy, and as a Brother Virtuoso, with some small Accounts of what Improvements have been made here in the polite Arts; and also, how far our Trade, and both the Laws and Manufactures of our Country, are advanc’d and regulated within these twenty-five Years, since you left us. That I may prepossess your Excellency in the best Manner I am able, in Favour of our Improvements here, I shall begin my Account with those elegant Arts, you have so long admir’d and cultivated, Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture; which, tho’ greatly encourag’d by his Majesty’s Royal Ancestors, have been shewn such extraordinary Favour and Protection, under this Reign, that there have not only Salaries been allow’d to Professors, in each of them, but a Fund of 5000 l. per Ann. establish’d by Subscription of his Majesty, and the Nobility and Gentry, which is divided equally on his Majesty’s BirthDay, in December, to the three best Pictures, Statues, and Houses, that have been made in Great Britain in that Year. Tho’ his Majesty subscribes 1500 l. a Year, he has but one Vote in determining who best deserves the Premiums; and that Parties and Factions may be excluded, and only Merit consider’d, all the Subscribers are engag’d, on their Honour, not to solicit any Member for his Vote, and as all is performed by Balloting, it is generally agreed, that nothing can be manag’d with greater Candour and Impartiality. By this single Method, we have made Great Britain, the Seat of these lovely Arts, and have drawn hither, the first Masters of the World, to contend with Emulation for the generous Rewards, which our Country bestows on their Labours and Merit. I do assure your Excellency, it has such an Effect here, that I am confident, we have better new Pictures and Statues in Great Britain, than in all Europe besides; and perhaps Italy herself, will not, in a little Time, be able to excel the Palaces we have built here, since this Scheme has taken Place. In Sculpture, particularly, we have so far excelled, that no Na¬tion comes near us in cutting in Granite, Serpentine, or Porphyry; and we alone have the Art of Working in that hardest of Stones, the Bisaltes, by the Help of Emery, prepar’d in the new Method; and by having probably found out the Secret of tempering our Steel, after the Manner of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. I am sorry to tell your Excellency, that we have gone as great Lengths as to Music, but without assigning Premiums, and am afraid you will put me in Mind of Cicero’s Maxim, in his Treatise de Legibus, Mutatâ Musicâ mutantur Mores, and the Rule he lays down for it, which is worth the Consideration of every Nation, Curandum itaque est, ut Musica quam gravissima & sedatissima retineatur. It was with this View, that several of his Majesty’s Royal Predecessors, pe¬remptorily drove the Italian Opera and Music twice from Great Britain, and forbid their acting in their Theatres, in St. James’s Square and Kensington, as enervating our Spirits, and emasculating the British Genius. George III. would never allow it to be us’d in his Troops, or by any Officers in them; and with Difficulty let it be remain’d in the Church Service, and Anthems. Some States have prohibited the Study and Practice of Music; with the same Views; and the Spartans, your Excellency knows, made a Decree against Timotheus, for im¬proving soft Music, and yet we have run into a Passion for it, with that Violence, that it has not only thriven at the Expense of the good Sense, and, almost, the Valour of our Nation, but has, in some mea¬sure, supplanted our Ambition, and our Thirst for Wealth and Power. The Fiddle, particularly, has so far got into the Hands of our Gentlemen, that, I fear, they will at last forget the Use of their Swords; and am jealous, they will set up, in Time, a new Sect of visionary Religionists amongst us, who will worship nothing but that ador’d Instrument, tho’ at the same Time, everyone knows, ‘tis as rare to see a good Fidler without a poor Understanding, as it is in Ireland to see an Harper, that is not blind. It is certain, however, that they have brought the Improvement of it here to a vast Pitch; but your Excellency observes, that this is rather what I am asham’d, than proud of, being heartily concern’d to see our brave People rivalling the Eunuchs of Italy, in so trivial an Excellence, to say no worse of it. Let me lead you now by the Hand, into the Royal College of St. George at Oxford, which, tho’ founded by his Majesty’s Ancestors in the Eighteenth Century, has been so vastly improv’d, and its Revenues so far increas’d, by the King our Master, that we may almost call it his own Foundation. Your Excellency was well acquainted with it in your Youth, and therefore, I shall only mention to you, such Ad¬ditions, and new Regulations, as have been made there of late Years. I shall begin with the great Square, all built by his Majesty, which he nam’d the College of the learned World. Here there are Apartments for Twentysix Fellows, who must be learned Foreigners in Distress, chosen by the Votes of the Nobility, Bishops, and Heads of Colleges, signifying by a sign’d and seal’d Certificate, that the Person to be elected, is a learned Foreigner in Distress, whom they think best deserving the vacant Fellowship, which is worth 50 l. the Year, and Diet, and is conferr’d on him who has the most Votes. In the old Square, adjoining to this, there are Lodgings for four new Professors, who have each of them 150 l. apiece per Ann. The First professes and teaches Agriculture and Gardening, and has (near the College) twenty Acres of Ground, which he employs in small Parcels, under the Plow and Spade, in different Methods and Experiments, in those two useful Arts; and has still a Number of Scholars, who are bred under him, to whom, in soul Weather, he reads Lectures; and in fair Day’s he instructs them, in all the practical Methods necessary to the Improving the Culture of the Field and the Garden. They are to assist him in all his Experiments to that End, which he is oblig’d to publish each Year, with their Success or Failure, and the probable Causes and Reasons of both. The King’s, and all Noblemen’s Gardener’s are bred here; and all young Gentlemen, who come to the Universities to learn nothing, are oblig’d, before they take any Degrees in Arts they are perfect Strangers to, to spend six Months under this Professor, in order to make them know something. The second is called the Weather Professor, and tho’ this was established in 1840, yet as his Salary was trebled from 50 l. to 150 l. I reckon him with the others. He is oblig’d to keep exact Diaries and Indexes of the Wind and Weather, of all Storms, Droughts and Rains, and the antecedent concomitant and consequent Circumstances, as well as the Position of the Planets; and collect all other Symptoms indicative of the Changes of the Air and Weather, with Deductions and Conjectures as to all Dearths, great Crops, healthy Seasons, and epidemical Distempers, and the Causes and Remedies of Famines and popular Sicknesses. He is to enter his Observations in regular Calendars, and to add Dissertations on all, and particularly on the Causes of such Accidents, as are occasion’d by Heat or Cold, Rain, Frost, Snow, Lightning, Blasts, Mildews, biting Winds and scorching Suns; and to set down the probable Extents of Coasting Winds, Rains and Snows, and to keep three Clerks at three different Distances of at least Eighty Miles asunder to pursue the same Methods exactly. He is also to keep carefully, and observe constantly, his Statical Hygroscopes, as to the Moisture and Dryness of the Air, how far full or new Moons, and the menstrual or annual Springtides, the Multitude or Fewness of the Solar Maculæ, the Approach of Com¬ets, the Aspects of the Planets, their Eclipses, Conjunctions, appear to affect our Atmosphere in this particular. He is to attend with the same Exactness his Weather Engines to express the Strength of the Winds, by their lifting up such and such Weights; and measure the Quantities of Rain that fall throughout the Year, the Thickness of the Ice, and Depth of Snow, the Length, Breadth, and Force of Earthquakes, as well in his Neighbourhood as by his Correspondents throughout GreatBritain, and the neighbouring Coasts of France and Ireland, and whether they move as is supposed generally from East to West, or how otherwise. Six Volumes in Folio of these Calendars have been published from 1840 to 1991, at the King’s Expense lately, and it is incredible what a Certainty we are come to in these Matters, and the Advantage thereby, as to Sieges, Campaigns, Harvests, Journeys, Sailing of Ships, Inundations, and Tempests; it being certain from them, that every Revolution of Saturn, we have the same Weather exactly, or with very small Variations. A Discovery, which your Excellency sees at one Glance the Importance of, tho’ I fear, as ‘tis probable the World will not hold out many Centuries longer, this will be like coming to a great Estate when one is past Seventy, and has no Hopes of enjoying it. The last I shall mention to your Excellency, are the two Professors of Trades, and Mechanical Arts. These divide all the most mysterious Trades between them, such as Dying, Weaving, Tanning, Turning, Carpenters, Masons, Painters, Brewers, Bakers, Spinners, Miners, Wheel, Mill and Shipwrights, Printing, Glassmaking, and such like; and are oblig’d to inspect into all possible or probable Methods to improve those in his Province. Each Year they give in their Observations or Inventions to the Board of Trade, who, after examining into them, and consulting thereon with the Hall of Tradesmen in that Mystery, give Orders for its being followed and observed by them and their Apprentices, and published, if proper, for the common Good. The Professors must be Masters of Arts in one of the Universities, and well vers’d in Experi¬mental Philosophy, and must every seven Years, present his Majesty with an History of the several Trades in their respective Provinces, and the Improvements made in them by their Care and Inspection. I cannot detain your Excellency too long, or I could reckon up many prodigious Advantages the Public has gain’d, by light’ning the Labour, short’ning the Road, removing old Mistakes, and supplying new Methods and Inventions, to the several Trades and Manufactures of these Nations. Thus I have gone thro’ the new Professors our Royal Master, following the Steps of his glorious Ancestors, has so generously and so happily established. The Queen indeed, who is the best of Princesses, and a second Caroline or Elizabeth, would have had his Majesty found a Professorship of Piety, since there was ne’er a one in either University; but he told her pleasantly, There were so many Professors of that Kind already in the World, and so few who put what they professed in Practice, that he would not hear of it, till that matter should be amended. But to shew your Excellency how much the learned World is indebted to his Majesty’s Cares, I must describe to you the Royal Printinghouse which he has erected and endow’d, and which stand in the middle of the noble Square where your Excellency and I lodg’d. It is of Portland Stone, built on such vast massy Vaults, and with such an huge Profusion of convenient Offices of all kinds, and Apartments for the Printers, Correctors, and Servants, and makes all together so august and magnificent an Appearance, that Sheldon’s Theatre would appear but as a Cottage by it. There is 500 l. per Ann. issuable out of the Treasury to the Foundation, besides the Benefit of all Copies they print. They must use no Types or Paper but of the best kind, and they work Night and Day, relieving each other by turns, and are to forfeit 5 s. each for all Erratas, so that their Copies are reckon’d the most correct extant. Over the great Gate there is a large Inscription in a vast Marble Table, in which the Causes of the Foundation are declared to be, the Service of Religion, the Good of the State, and the Benefit of the Learned World. Then it goes on to say, that as the Number of Books is infinite, and rather distract than inform the Mind, by a mix’d and confused Reading, some being well writ, but ill Books, others good Books, but ill writ; some hudled up in haste, others stinking of the Lamp; some without any strength of Reasoning, others over loaded with Arguments, half of which are insignificant; some Books being obscure through too affected a Brevity, others perspicuous through an unnecessary Redundancy of Words (like a bright Day at Sea, where yet there is nothing to be seen but Air and Water;) some treating on Subjects that thousands had handled better before, others publishing useless Trifles, because new and unthought of by others; some Writing as if they had never read anything, others as if they writ nothing but what they read, and then borrowed; therefore his Majesty decrees, no Book should be printed within those Walls but the Works of the Ancients, and such only as should be voted most proper, by two thirds of the Colleges in his two Universities, and confirmed by the Lord Chancellor, and Archbishop of Canterbury for the Time being. I have dwelt the longer on this noble Design, because I had the Honour to propose it to his Majesty, and the Happiness to bring it to Perfection for the good of Mankind; and I must now lead your Excellency, to take a View of the noble Square that surrounds the Royal PrintingHouse, which is all new built since we lodged in it. It is divided now, besides a large House for the Provost, into twenty different Buildings, each of which belongs to a Fellow, and contains Apartments for twenty Scholars who are his Pupils, and live with him as in one House, of the Door of which he keeps the Key, as also of all their Chambers. By this Means, as none can go in or out but with his Knowledge, and by his Leave, so nothing can be privately transacted or conceald in their Chambers, which he enters by his Key at Pleasure, thereby shutting out idle Visitors, and Cabals; and to prevent all Intrigues with Women, none are allow’d to come into the House. This Rule extends to all Relations except Mothers, and to their very Servants, who are all Men. To each Building there is a large Hall, where Morning and Evening his Pupils meet, and study under his Eyes four Hours, writing down his Lectures from his Mouth, or contracting the Authors he gives them; and each Saturday they are examined the Repetition of the whole. For each Morning or Evening Lecture the Tutor is absent, there is treble the Sum due for each Day’s Tuition deducted, which ensures their Attendance. There are each Year four Examinations of the whole Body of Scholars in public, divided into four Classes, and each Class into five Divisions. The Examination lasts two Days, four Hours in the Morning, and four in the Evening, each Day. The twenty Fellows are the Examiners, and return Judgments of each Scholar’s Answering on their Oaths, and the five best Answerers in each Division are paid 5 l. each in Books, and their Names hung up in the great Hall for ten Days, and opposite to them the Names of the five worst Answerers. After four complete Years they take their Degrees of Bachelors, except ten of the worst Scholars in each Class, who are constantly stopt for at least one Year more. After taking their Degrees, their Studies are continued in like manner precisely, as when Under Graduates; when they are lectur’d and examin’d by the Professors, with equal Severity and Constancy, and not allow’d to idle in private. The first of August, each Year, if there are any vacant Fellowships, and are examin’d six Days, and eight Hours each Day, by the public Professors, who, upon their Oaths, nominate the best Answerers, and distribute in like manner 40 l. apiece of the Royal Annual Bounty to those who miss, but appear to deserve the Fellowship. After eight complete Years, they commence Masters, and are dismissed the Society, if they desire it, with proper Testimoniums of their Behaviour and Scholarship; and if they continue in the Society, are allow’d 20l. a Year each, from the Royal Bounty, and are oblig’d to attend the Professors of Divinity, Mathematicks, History, and Civil Law, each of them, two Hours every Day at their public Lectures for four Years, and then they are declar’d Emeriti, and honour’d with larger Testimoniums, betake themselves to their several Professions in the World. This truly Royal Foundation, of which I omit many smaller Particulars, costs his Majesty about 3000 l, a Year, besides the Expense of a Regal Visitation every three Years, when the Morals, Learning, and Diligence of the Provosts, Professors, and Fellows, are severally enquir’d into, and all Offenders, either strictly caution’d, remov’d, or expell’d. The Numbers of admirable Scholars that this Society has sent into the World, and their having deservedly obtain’d, a large Share of all Preferments in Church and State, is the best and plainest Evidence that the Foundation is well modell’d, and will save you the Trouble of my enlarging further on it, unless I venture to add, that were the Discipline of our other Colleges proportionably strict, and the Premiums and Allowances more enlarg’d, it is impossible but a Nation so capable of exerting its natural Turn for Letters, would send out more exalted Genius’s, and excellent Scholars, than we have of late done. But the Delight I take in this Subject, and my Desire that your Excellency should have your full Share in it, has run this Letter into an unexpected Length, especially from my weak Eyes and Hands. It has perfectly tir’d me, and as the Reader is generally sick, by the Time the Writer is weary, I shall cut off half the Trouble I propos’d to give you, in relation to our late Improvements, as to our Trade, Manufacturers, and Laws; and shall reserve those for the next Dispatch, I have the Pleasure to send you. Since I wrote this, Mr. Secretary tells me he has drawn up his Majesty’s Commands for you, in relation to the poor deserted Greek Church, and the State of all Affairs where you are; to which I have nothing to add, but my best Wishes for their Success, and my earnest Entreaties for your Diligence and Vigilance, that nothing may disappoint the Hopes your Excellence has given us, and the kind Expectations I have ever had, of the skilful management of all Matters, that are to pass through your Hands. When you receive the Carolina Silks, and Whitewine, pray let me know sincerely how you approve of them, for they are much admired here. All your Relations in this Family kiss your Hands, and your good Lady’s, and long for your return once more to them and your Country, where there is no Man more desirous, not only to see but to serve you, than, My Lord, Your Excellencies most, &c Nm. To the Lord High Treasurer. Mosco, Jan. 27, 1997. My Lord, I have the Pleasure of your Command by Mr. Secretary of January the 3d, and am highly delighted that I have in some measure answer’d your Expectations by mine of the 29th of November last; and as I shall faithfully pursue my Instructions, and particularly the Hints in Cypher, so if anything new arises, I shall use my best Diligence to give the earliest Intelligence, and in the mean time shall act as my present Lights shall direct me. I find your Lordship considers me as very little employ’d here, since you seem desirous I should explain to you, upon what Grounds the common Opinion hath prevail’d, that the Muscovites, who have so long adhered to the Greek Church, are now, as it were, with all their Sails, a Trip bound for Rome. You desire I should also inform you at large, by what Methods the Jesuits have been able to overcome, that violent Aversion which has so long been manifested, against them and their Communion here; and above all, what Alterations they have been able to bring about, in order to make the Doctrines and Rites of this Church, compatible with theirs. I will make no Apologies for my Inability to perform this Task, since you have enjoyn’d it me; and shall endeavour to lay the whole of the Jesuits Plan before you, as I have been shewn it here by a very considerable Person, that you may gratify your Curiosity fully, and judge if I am right in my Conjectures, in saying Venient Romani, as the Jews said of old; and that the Greek Church will soon veil her Mitre, to the Pope’s Triple Crown. It must be confessed indeed, that the Jesuits herein have proceeded with their usual subtlety and caution, and have not hitherto attempted in an avowed manner the least public step to oblige this Church to own her Subjection to that of Rome. As they know the general stream of the People’s affection, as well as of the inferior Clergy, went violently against them; they have taken their measures accordingly, and have done all they could to remove that Aversion: while at the same time, they have by a thousand methods, secured to themselves the Czar’s favour and protection, as well as the Patriarchs, the two Metropolitans, and most of the Bishops, and the Chiefs and Heads of the regular and secular Clergy. They have managed this point so well, that they are more respected at Court than is easy to be credited, and have such interest with the Nobility, that no man can succeed with them, but as he is favoured and recommended by these pious and worthy Fathers. It is true, indeed, they owe this kind reception to the vast interest this Court finds they have all over Europe, and if that were weakened or overturned, probably they would soon sink here also; but as there is little danger of that, and as they are on all occasions vastly serviceable to the Czar’s affairs, both at home and abroad, it is certain their power will rather increase than lessen here. In the mean time, they make the utmost use of what they have, to bring over more and more the whole body of the Clergy to their Party, that by them they may gain on the People, and by degrees prepare this Church to receive the Yoke on her neck, which she has so long, and so obstinately renounced. To oblige the Clergy in the most sensible manner, they have persuaded the Czar to establish in different parts of the Empire, near two hundred Schools for the Muscovite Youth, and especially the Sons of the Clergy; and to settle the annual Præmiums on the several Universities, for such of them as distinguish themselves by their parts and diligence: and at the same time, they have those Schools, and Universities, and Præmiums, entirely under the management of persons solely dependent on them. By this means, such principles are instilled, secretly and imperceptibly, into the Youth of the Empire, as necessarily beget a horror of Schism, a love of Union, and a high veneration for the authority and doctrines of the Church of Rome. But as these counterfeit Fishers of men are generally observed not to do their work by halves, they have taken measures yet more effectual, to oblige both the People and Clergy for ever. There are, my Lord, numbers of poor mortals in this Nation, who being able just to read the service of the Church in their own tongue, and a translation of St. Chrysostome’s Homilies into it, to the People, get into Priests Orders, like the sons of Eli, to gain a piece of bread; and yet the provision made for them is so small, they are disappointed even in securing that, and are almost starving two thirds of the year. There are in the Czar’s Dominions four thousand Parishes in these circumstances, where the priest was in this wretched situation; and yet by his Majesty’s personal contributions, and by a regular tax of the tenth penny on all ecclesiastical Preferments, which they procured to be voluntarily laid on, by the Patriarch, Bishops, and richer Clergy, whose livings exceed a hundred pounds per annum, there is a fund raised, with so generous and Christian a spirit, that their poor brethren, who were daily in danger of perishing, and Religion with them, for want of support, are delivered from the contempt and misery of their condition, and have now full forty pounds per annum, settled for ever on each of their Livings. While they thus provided for the poor and the ignorant, they have not forgot the richer and more learned Clergy; and as they have their spies and emissaries everywhere, whenever they find a man of real merit confin’d to a parish in some remote corner, out of the eye and notice of the Court, where he is obliged to waste his life in instructing his Russes (the most stupid of rational Creatures) like a second St. Francis preaching to the rocks in a desert; they take care, if they find him a friend to their Order, or can make him so, to have him removed to some happier situation. Judge, my Lord, what an influence this must give them on poor Russian Monks, who though they are regular enough in their lives, and are good men at their breviary; yet, I fancy, when they pray, may now and then, as Naturalists say of the Chameleon, look at the same time with one eye to Heaven, and with the other on the Earth, where ease and convenience are pretty industriously sought after. Nay, they have even taken care of their interests, if I may so speak, after their death; and have obtained a Law, that their Widows, if poor, shall enjoy one year’s full profit of their Husband’s living, after his decease, or ten pounds per annum for life: So that here is another deep obliga¬tion laid on this powerful body, and by men that are little inclined to favour a married Clergy. I shall continue, my Lord, a little longer, to make these Jesuits panegyric (and certainly, if they did these good things to a good end, they would deserve a much nobler one than I can honour them with;) for I must confess, the Constitutions they have introduced into this Church, as to Bishops, are worthy the virtue and piety of the apostolic Age. For in the first place, they have obtained a Law, that no Bishop shall be capable during life, of being translated from the first See he is appointed to fill, (except when he is removed to be Patriarch) but he is married as effectually to his Church as to his Wife, and can never espouse another. The Russian Bishops formerly were still changing their situations, and driving about in their coaches, like the Tartars who lived perpetually in carts, journeying from one place to another for better grass, when they had eat the pasture bare where they had first settled; but they have taught them now, like Is-sachar, to know that Rest was good (at least in one sense) for them, and made them both remember and practise the good old Monkish maxim, Si qua sede sedes, quæ sit tibi commoda sedes, Illâ sede sede, nec ab illa sede recede. By this Law they have obtained two good ends. First, that the Bishops shall not dangle perpetually after the Court, but shall be less slavishly dependant on the Czar, (who before used to manage them as he pleased, and set their tongues to go faster or slower, as we do our Clocks, as he found most convenient) and in consequence hereof, that hereafter they shall be more inclinable to the interest of the Pope, and his ecclesiastical Authority, when once it shall be established here. This was certainly a most impolitic step for this Court to make, but it is grown a maximum now in this, as well as most Governments in Europe, that where the Jesuits are obliged, everything is done with prudence; and this original error sanctifies all others that flow from it. In the second place, by bolting the gate against all future Preferments, they have effectually provided that the Sees shall be faithfully watched over, and constantly resided on, to the infinite emolument of the Christian Church, and the several Cures dependant on their Bishoprics. This your Lordship will certainly allow to be an excellent regulation, and yet I have another to mention, nothing inferior to it, which is established by the same Law; and that is, that every Bishop shall on the death of any of his Clergy, before he gives away his Living, publicly receive the Sacrament in his Cathedral Church, and in the view of all his Congregation, solemnly swear on the Evangelists, that he will collate to that Living no Relation, nor be moved by any respects to solicitations of others, or blood or affinity, or any worldly regards, nec prece nec pretio, but the service of God, and his true Religion; and shall then and there (I am repeating the words of the Law to your Lordship) on the place name the person to whom he resolves to bestow it. A security so strong and binding, to have piety, learning, and true merit only considered in such sacred Preferments, that if it prevailed through the whole boy of the Popish Church, or indeed in any other, would soon give them strength and credit suf¬ficient to baffle and overturn all their adversaries, and almost give countenance and authority to the worst and weakest Doctrines she could maintain. Behold here the noblest provision for learning and merit! but the difficulty that still remains, is to find either of them in Russia. My Lord, they have taken effectual care, even of this almost insurmountable evil; for besides the new Præmiums they have got established in the Schools and Universities, which are able to rouse and awaken the drowsiest natures, the Bishop is obliged to keep a constant Library (appropriated to, and belonging to the See) in good order and condition, for the use of his Clergy; and in their turns of seniority, to have six of them residing in his house for twelve calendar months, reading under his direction for at least eight hours every day. By this means learning, that is, some reasonable degree of it, is become more general among the Clergy who formerly could hardly read their Liturgies; and surely if this obtain’d in our Country, it would be of much greater service than our larger libraries are, which like armories have few or no arms kept for constant service, but are really more for shew than use, and to give an air of strength and su¬periority to our Neighbours and Strangers that visit them. And because formerly the Russian Clergy like the rest of the Greek Church entirely neglecting preaching, never making Sermons but twice in the year, on the First of September when their year begins, and St. John Baptist’s day, they have by their influence and authority in many Diocesses prevail’d on the Bishops to oblige their Parish Priests to preach at least the first Sunday in every month, and to less¬en their labour those days they have order’d them to abbreviate the tedious Liturgies of the Greek Church, and thereby prepar’d them for the shorter and much easier one used in the Latin. It is certain indeed, with all this care and reading the Russian Sermons are miserable Performances; for tho’ they are kept by turns thus constantly pouring in their Bibles and Comments on them, and eternally turning over the best of the ancient Fathers of the Greek Church, they do not seem to relish, or at least to digest them well; and if I may be allow’d the levity of the expression, they drink Wine, but they piss Water. But methinks, my Lord, I perceive an Objection ready to be offer’d here, and which yet I will undertake the good Jesuits shall effectually answer; and that is, that by these excellent Institutions they seem to have cut short their own power of providing for the Friends of their Society and Faction. No, my Lord, never doubt them, they are not so short-sighted; for tho’ they concern themselves less in the smaller Preferments, they industriously take care of all that are considerable, and particularly as to the Bishoprics they let no Man step into the poorest See of this Church, whom they cannot absolutely depend on as a Creature of their own. There are in all Churches, and especially in this, a kind of very managing and manageable Divines, who pay their court to inter¬est and power, wherever they find it, by a servile obsequiousness in prostituting their Pens and their Pulpits to defend or explode all Tenets as they are convenient or improper for the present times, and the present views of their masters. They are a race of creatures who are still mighty sticklers for all seasonable local Truths and temporal Verities, and are too often found to be the use fullest tools that ever were set at work by the wise Matchiavels of the world: However the malice of some envious people nickname them sometimes the Professors of the Engastromythic Divinity, and rail at them a little severely as teaching trencher Truths, and writing and preaching from that lower kind of Inspiration which has set so many great Souls at work, and fills the head from the fumes of the belly. Out of this illustrious body these good Fathers fail not with infinite skill and care to garble such Spirits as they find entirely devoted to their service, and ready to act the part of mere machines, to be directed and managed as they shall find proper to employ them; and of this clay, thus temper’d and prepar’d, are the choice vessels of the Russian Church, her holy Bishops and Fathers constantly made. Next to this great circumstance (which is ever a conditio sine quâ non) there are two material considerations that have perpetually influenc’d their choice of fit Persons to fill the vacant Sees, both which deserve your Lordship’s consideration. The first is, that such as are of the families of the Nobility, and related nearly to the great Knezzes and Officers at the Court, or in the several Provinces, shall still be preferr’d to those that are meanly born, tho’ superior to them in parts and learning; by which rule they tie down their relations to support their designs, and approve of that great revolution they have projected. The second is, that unmarried and childless persons shall always be pitch’d on; because tho’ they find it impracticable to introduce Celibacy among the inferior Clergy (who by the Canons of the Greek Church must be married before they take orders, and can never marry again being widowers) yet by this method they have sufficiently establish’d it among the whole Order of Bishops. Hereby they have brought them to conform to the Latin Church in a material article, and by being childless, made them less tied down in their families and fortunes to the Civil Powers, and likelier and abler with their Wealth and Interest to support the Ecclesiastical Estate, to which they are so nearly related. A rule, my Lord, which, if it obtain’d in the Greek and Protestant Churches, which allow marriage to their Clergy, would at least have this good consequence, that men of the greatest Talents, and bless’d with a spirit and genius fit for governing others, would live unmarried, and prepare themselves by times for such important trusts; and also the little stream of wealth which is yet left undrain’d and allow’d to feed the conveniences or necessities of their Prelates, would not so often be entirely sunk in filling up the private ponds and canals of a family, but be more generally dispers’d to enrich the face of their country, to the profit and service of the public. But as these reflections are fitter for a different place, I shall dismiss them, to mention to your Lordship another maxim by which these good and pious Fathers prepare the way for the papal authority; and that is, by encouraging learning among the Nobility and Clergy of Russia. This would be a very unlikely Engine for them to work with, if they did not confine it in proper bounds and limits; but as there are few Printingpresses here, and most of them set up by themselves; and since they are in a manner the sole importers of books; they take heed, while they cherish and reward Scholars, to furnish them only with such Authors as are either secretly or openly conducive to these ends. Thus in Russia, as in many other places, Men read not to direct themselves in forming just thoughts and opinions of things, but to confirm them in those which they have already taken up, or in favour of which their Interest or their Passions are strongly engag’d. As to this people, it is beyond all question, the Jesuits could not have so effectually broken down (the main fences between the Greeks and Latins) the Zeal and Ignorance of the Laity and Clergy, as by this limited kind of learning; which is as different from true knowledge, as the light of a Lanthorn that just directs us in the night in the path we desire to walk in, is from the light of the Sun that opens the whole face of the Creation to our view. Let us now pass from their management of the Clergy, to consider the mixt body of the people in general; and we shall find there three powerful causes, that are perpetually at work to bring about the ends which the boundless ambition of this society, and the empire of the Vatican are ever persuing. The first of these is, removing a scandalous practice that prevail’d, as all historians tell us, for many ages in this country, of the landlords obliging all their poor vassals to work on Sundays as much as other days, to the intolerable burthen of their tenants, to the utter breach of the Laws of God, and the scandal of those of Men. Their remedy indeed has little regarded the former of these, but has entirely re¬moved the latter, which was nearer their hearts; for by a new constitution of the Czar’s, and a Canon of one of their Synods, they have ordain’d, that on Sunday no person shall be allow’d to labour, but shall spend the day, after attending divine service, entirely in sports and diversions of all kinds. As this was known to be their work, it is incredible what favour and respect they have gain’d by it among all the lower ranks of people; who used to abhor the least communication and correspondence with them. As this artifice takes in all the herd of the lower people, the second reaches to those who are easier in their circumstances, and endeavour by their industry to enlarge their fortune. To gain these, as the good Fathers are the great Bankers and Traders in the Catholic world, (where they have labour’d to supplant both the Dutch and us) so they have with great expense and gain establish’d trade and manufactories in the chief towns of this vast Empire, and have taught the Russians to extend their commerce and bring in wealth to their commerce and bring in wealth to their country in a surprizing manner. How far this must endear them to all, is easily conceiv’d; and therefore I shall pass on to the last main cause that favours their designs, and that is the universal Deism that has infected such crowds of persons considerable for rank, power, and fortune in this nation. This epidemical plague has spread most unaccountable among them several ill grounded and shameful causes, the falsehood and folly of which we are not to examine now: but it has prevail’d so here, that even those who still preserve some remains of respect for our holy Faith, indulge themselves in picking out of it and their particular fancies and prejudices, a mix’d Olio of a Religion of their own, which deserves to be compar’d to nothing so properly as that of their neighbouring Tartars, the Morduites; who are both circumcis’d and baptiz’d as Jews and Christians, and yet are absolute Pagans in their worshipping and sacrificing to Idols. Nay, I have known Great Men here, remarkable for more Learning than generally falls to the share of Noblemen in Russia, who were credulous enough to allow a thousand historical absurdities in Authors of credit on the slightest evidence, who believ’d, or affected to believe nothing in the Bible, tho’ supported by the strongest. Such an odd unaccountable way of thinking have some Minds contracted, that resemble the Dead Sea, as Mandeville describes it, on which Iron would swim, but a Feather would sink immediately. How far this deluge of Infidelity, overspreading and overturning the old Foundations settled here in this Church, may contribute and give opportunity to the building up the papal Authority amidst the ruins and destructions of both, I need not observe to your Lordship, who have so thorough an insight in the dependence and consequences of such things. Thus far it is obvious to remark, that in so terrible a con¬fusion, Rome and the worst of her corruptions will be preferred by the Clergy themselves, and all that have any remainder of Piety left, to no Religion at all; and even the debauch’d and immoral part of Men who have none, and find it necessary to keep up some outward pro¬fession in the world, will come into the change as the best and fittest they can find for their purpose. And indeed it must be confessed, there is no Religion upon earth, where believing or doing so little, will so effectually serve the turn (if men will be silent and obedient) as that of the Church of Rome, and these good Fathers with their distinctions and absolutions. But while I say this I would not be understood, my Lord, as if I gave credit to the reports that are spread here, as if the Jesuits secretly favour’d the growth of this devouring pestilence. Tho’ we well know by sad experience in Great Britain, what horrible sects and heresies their emissaries fow’d among our ancestors, in the calami¬tous confusions of the seventeenth Century, in hopes to overturn our Church and restore their own; yet I am unwilling to believe they can be posses’d with so infernal a spirit as that of James Mora the Surgeon and William Platen of Milan, who conspir’d to poison and infect the Citizens in the time of the Plague, in order to make themselves masters of their Fortunes, as an old Author tells us in his Travels. However I think I may without breach of charity say, that they would rather even Deism or Mahometism should prevail, so they could at last establish themselves, than that the Greek Church should flourish in opposition to Rome, and keep their ador’d St. Nicholas in his post of Porter of the gates of Heaven, in contempt of St. Peter whom they have plac’d there. And thus I shall put an end to this account of their Intrigues here, and their Schemes for obliging and serving the Russian Church and Clergy, in order to enslave them; and must own, there are some things they have done as to this last particular, that with proper Abatements I would rejoice to see copied in our own Kingdoms, whenever the wisdom and piety of our excellent Sovereign should judge it convenient. Where truth allow’d it, I have given them their due praises, and should be sorry to speak of them with any unreasonable bitterness and severity. I admire the great Talents, Learning, and Wisdom of that prodigious society as much as any man, where they are applied (as they ought solely to be) to the good of Mankind, and the glory of our Creator. But to see such excellent instruments turn’d to corrupt our Morals, to wound Religion, and raise Factions, Schisms, and Rebellions in the earth to serve their own ambition, must raise every one’s indignation. ‘Tis a detestable perverting of Wit and reason, and all the powers of the human mind, from the noble purposes they were given us for by Heaven, to the worst that can be suggested by Hell; and bears a near resemblance of their practice who make use of that soul of vegetation, and basis of nutriment, the Nitre of the Earth, to convert it into gunpowder for the destruction of their fellow creatures. It is true they pretend the good of mankind, and the peace of the Church, are the great views which all their toils and labours are directed to; tho’ they make use of such infernal methods to arrive at them, as plainly shew ‘tis the power and empire of this world they aim at. If they made a good use of their power where they are masters, Men would certainly oppose them with less violence than they do; but alas, they are perpetually employing it where they dare, to persecute and torment their Christian brethren for the least unessential differences in opinions: condemning them to dungeons and tortures, and delivering them up, as far as they are able, both to temporal and eternal fire. The savage nations in America indeed, are said to make war on their neighbours, who do not use the same customs and speak the same language; but these Gentlemen go a few steps further, and persue you to the death, nay beyond the grave, because you do not think as they do (a matter in no man’s power) in speculative points of their own contriving and imposing. For after all, my Lord, they have not only made a perfect manufacture of this commodity, but a monopoly too, and have manag’d with their Faith, as to the world, as the French King has done with his salt as to his subjects. At first it lay ready in every creek, a plain useful healthful commodity, which all that pleas’d had for taking up, till by his absolute power the King seizes it solely into his hands, makes it up his own way, and refines it as he thinks proper; and then orders every one, on pain of death, to take such a proportion of it as he thinks necessary for them, whether they want it or no, or whether they will or no; and forbids under severe penalties that any that’s foreign should be imported, and punishes all that make use of any other (tho’ ever so much better) that is privately brought in by strangers. But my zeal to satisfy your Lordship’s curiosity on this subject has made me go somewhat beyond my own intentions, and I fear a great way beyond your desires. I will not increase my fault by a long apology, and how ill forever I may have executed this, I shall wait with impatience for some new occasion of obeying any other commands you have for me, and every opportunity of shewing myself with great respect and submission, My Lord, Your Lordship’s, Clare. To the Lord High Treasurer, Constantinople, Feb. 25. 1997. My Lord, I can never sufficiently thank you for the pleasure I received from your Lordship’s of Novemb. 29. from LondonChelsea, and the agreeable accounts you gave me in it, that my little Services here are acceptable to his Majesty and your Lordship; and above all, that the King condescends to entertain himself with the imperfect ac¬counts I am able to send from hence. Your Presents were most welcome to me, and especially, the glorious Telescope you have honour’d me with, which I shall in a few days set up conveniently enough. The Grand Seignior has already heard of it, and has resolv’d to have it brought into the Seraglio for his entertainment; which I am much rejoic’d at, you may believe, for the reasons I gave you. When he has seen it, I shall write to your Lordship a full account of all passages. Your Carolina Whitewine was admirable, and the Silks much applauded here. I hardly know which to admire most, your prodigious Prudence, that has so greatly improv’d that drooping Colony in so small a time; or your Goodness, that after so long an absence can continue to re¬member me in so obliging a manner. But tho’ I have less share in it as to any pleasure or expectation of my own, your Lordship’s most exact and minute account of all the surprizing improvements made in the politer Arts, and those noble marks his Majesty has given of his zeal for Learning, gave me the highest satisfaction: and I am confident, all who have any regard to what our Country owes him, will never fail to express a due sense of the blessings they receive from him, and to beseech Heaven to continue long to us a Prince, who seems born for the good of his subjects and the world. I am glad I can now assure his sacred Majesty and your Lordship, that at last the Treaty is perfected in every article, as directed in my last instructions in Mr. Secretary’s Cypher. The Grand Seignior order’d the Vizier to sign them last Tuesday, as he accordingly did; and by this safe conveyance I transmit them for your perusal, and doubt not but your Lordship will be pleas’d to see our Trade here so happily establish’d, and that no weakness or inability of mine, has been able to disappoint the prudence and wisdom of his Majesty’s and your Lordships’s Measures. I have spoke to the Patriarch and several of the Greek Papas or Priests in a body here, and they have assur’d me they will transmit their thanks in a particular Address to his Majesty. Their miserable condition made the mention of Pensions highly welcome; and indeed if some of our learned Clergy and Books could be sent hither, to concert measures with them, it might produce uncommon consequences in favour of our Church, and to the prejudice of the Papal See, who so ridiculously stiles herself Catholic, tho’ her dominions are nothing equal to those of this Church in Europe and Asia as to extent, and very little superior as to numbers of people. And now, my Lord, I return with all submission to observe your commands, to make some additions to those imperfect Observations I had the honour to transmit you from hence relating to these people. But while you increase my desire, you almost take away the power of obeying you, by letting me know I am writing every word under my royal Master’s discerning eye. This overawes and damps my mind: for alas! what am I able to write, that can be fit to be heard or consider’d by so great a Prince, by so great a Judge as his Majesty? But your Lordship’s desires, which are to me in the place of the most absolute commands, oblige me too strongly, to admit of any excuse to disobey them: and therefore as I have already spoke sufficiently on the subjects of their Army, Navy, Trade, and Revenue, and have also touch’d on several new Customs and Laws establish’d among them of late years; I shall go on to take notice of some others, that as yet I have left unmention’d. And the first I shall point to, are several Regulations formerly quite neglected here (which possibly may not be be unuseful to ourselves or neighbours hereafter) in relation to the Plague. Your Lordship, who is so perfectly acquainted with the customs and usages of all Nations, is by no means a stranger to the stupid contempt and indifference which this Court used to shew formerly on this occasion; and though they saw every year so many millions swept away, by the ravage of that epidemical evil, yet so blindly were they given up to their prejudices of Predestination, and that every Man’s Fate was wrote in his forehead, that they never took the least measures for the common good and safety of their Subjects. But as experience (the fond wife of Wisemen, and the scornful mistress of Fools) has sufficiently convinced them of their error, they have of late issued several Orders relating to this subject, that are not unworthy your Lordship’s consideration, if ever the crying Sins and Immorality of our times should call down this severe chastisement on our Country. I shall not need to take notice to your Lordship, that in all Countries, and especially in Turky, whenever that calamity falls on them, one fifth of the People generally perish, and consequently that this is a vast drawback on the strength of the Empire, and the increase of their Subjects, and therefore that the severest Laws are requisite to remedy so dangerous an evil. As they are fully convinced of this now, they have established such Orders throughout the Empire, as they judged most necessary to prevent the spreading of so fatal a Contagion, and decreed that the most severe Quarantines must be observed in all SeaPorts, whereby it shall be death for any Mariner or Passenger to come ashore, and sufficient rewards established for every person who ingenuously discovers the infection of any Ship, and the heaviest forfeitures in case of concealment. That all CustomhouseOfficers shall have the same rewards, who discover any ship to be infected, and forfeiture of place and goods, if they connive at, or conceal such Infection: and that all ships where one fifth part of the crew are sick, shall be judged as infected, and perform the most rigid Quarantine accordingly. Thus far they strive to shut out the danger by Sea, and at Land they have taken as great precautions, both to prevent its least approach, or, if it appears, to stop its course; and in case it spreads, to put all possible bounds to its raging fury. As to the first of these, the late Emperor Achmet ordered that the whole Quarter called the Janisarchi where the Linen and Woollen Drapers, and the Druggists lived, (and where by reason of the moist earth near the Seashore, and the rotting of the vast heaps of drugs thereby, and the aptness linen and woollen packs have to retain infectious qualities, the Plague gen¬erally first broke out) should be removed into different parts of the suburbs, and adjacent villages, in the best air, and only one of those Trades to be assigned to each street. The same order obtains as to all Apothecaries, Brewers, Bakers, TallowCandlers, Butchers, Dyers, and such trades, which are apt to infect the air, and injure the health of great Cities, and are therefore obliged to live at a convenient dis¬tance from Constantinople: which I wish heartily were observed in every Metropolis in Europe, as well as in London, since I am confident it would make them abundantly more pleasant and healthful. There are Clerks of the Market also settled, who watch carefully that no corrupted or unwholesome meat, fusty corn, or rotten or decayed fruits or roots, be sold to the People, under severe Fines; nay, they are obliged also to destroy and bury those hideous tribes of wild dogs that run about their streets; and have even laid a tax on all houses that keep cats in them (though this last is so great a favourite with the Turks) those creature being reckoned to contribute much to the spreading, if not the breeding, infectious distempers. Besides these precautions, all common Beggars, Gypsies, and Dervises, who live on alms, are banished this City on pain of Death; their usual nastiness and distempers having justly rendered them suspected: and also all persons are obliged to bury their dead at least seven foot underground. Nay though they keep public Scavengers to carry away all filth and nastiness, yet every Housekeeper is to have the street clean swept before his door, and in summer time sprinkled with water to cool the air. But in the second place, my Lord, if the Infections break out, each district has public Searchers appointed to attend it, who remove all the sick who are necessitous to public Hospitals, where they are well looked after; and oblige the richer sick to live retired in the remotest part of their houses, under the care of the public Physicians of that district, who are in sufficient numbers obliged to attend them, at the general charge of the Inhabitants, on pain of the Galleys. All sick houses are marked with black strokes, to the number of the sick in them, and two slaves set to watch them by turns night and day, and to bury all that die, in their yards or gardens ten foot deep, with all their clothes and bedding, it being death to sell, or even conceal the least part of such goods, as they used to do. In each district there are Cadies and public Officers appointed to examine daily if the public rules are observ’d both as to Physicians and Apothecaries, Searchers, Watchmen, and the Sick they are to attend; and to order all proper food and provisions for such houses as are shut up, and to oblige all such attendants on the Sock to carry white wands in their hands, that all may avoid them. It is true indeed they are under some difficulties to provide a sufficient number of Physicians for all districts, and the Physicians here are really very ignorant creatures; but then by their frequent experience in this epidemical distemper, and the general rules that are printed and dispers’d among them, every little Quack, Druggist, or Apothecary is able to discharge his duty tolerably in this point, tho’ perhaps in no other. Lastly, my Lord, if the Plague in spite of all this care spreads thro’ the City, all public concourse, even at markets or the mosques, is prohibited, and no person allow’d to walk the streets without some strong scented herbs in their hands to smell to, or tobacco in their mouths or noses, and all public houses are forbid the sale of anything within doors. No Magistrates whatever are to leave the City, but must assemble once every day, to issue necessary orders, and punish all Offenders without mercy. They are to keep guards of Janissaries in every proper post, and to make vast fires in all great streets and squares, to purify the air, and in a word, to see nothing omitted for the public benefit. By these methods, my Lord, it is incredible how many millions of his subjects lives this good Emperor has saved, many of which, if established as laws in Europe, would keep us from those disorders, and panic fears which attend us when this public judgments visits us for our sins, as it has more than once this last Century. In this view I have troubled your Lordship with this tedious repetition of some of the most considerable of them, which have been practiced of late so successfully throughout this Empire. It is certain, such care is more necessary in this age than ever, when Men and Women are observ’d to grow barren, and to have fewer children than their Ancestors. Whether this proceeds from a detectable proneness to the unnatural Sin, or at least, to Whoredom, or from the waste and ravage which Luxury, Voluptuousness, and Debauchery of all kinds have made in our bodies, or the dwindling and decay of Nature, that is wasted and spent with its own labours, or, which is most likely, from all together; I leave to your Lordship to decide, and to the Governors of Nations to provide against: for as their Strength consists in the numbers of their subjects, so their Lives seem to want and deserve more care than usual. But I shall quit this melancholy topic, to observe some more agreeable regulations which have obtained here, that might be of service to our Country, if introduced among us, either by Laws, or Custom, the strongest of Laws. And the first I shall take notice of in this light, is one which has contributed to raise this City from its Ruins, and the obscurity of its dark, narrow, and irregular Streets, to the beauty and uniformi¬ty which appears in every quarter of it: and that is, that even in its smallest streets, and much more in its larger ones and open squares, all houses whether great or small, must be built of one equal height and uniform model, as to doors, windows, and corniches, according to the public plan, settled by the Grand Seignior’s Architect. By this method the meanest streets are kept so even, straight, and with so regulated a neatness and proportion, for the poorest Citizens and the greatest, and are so properly suited to and matched with the adjoining dwellings, that they make a most pleasing prospect to the eye. I have often reflected, that if this had been settled but fifty years since with us, we should have by this time a very different City, and less of that shocking mixture of good and bad, high and low, old or new-fashioned houses, which deform our streets and squares, and look more like ill-sorted different sized Ships, of all burthens, and built by several Nations, when they lie at anchor in our Harbours, than Houses of the same City and People. Another method I shall hint to your Lordship, is that of the public Schools, which are used here of late for instructing the youth in wresting, leaping, vaulting, swimming, riding, shooting, and fencing, which has prov’d of vast use in making them active, strong limbed, and able-bodied. This is of such infinite service to Mankind in the various accidents of Life, that it were to be wished, we, who have so many schools for the improvements of our Minds, would have some to provide for the service of our bodies; and not leave such matters to chance, or the humour of Children, who seldom mind them or practise them, but with danger of hazard, for want of care and skill to direct them. The next particular I shall mention, is a Law that obtains here as to houses already built, but extends not to future buildings, whereby all homesteads in every City, Town, or Village, where any house falls down, and continues four years in ruins, are immediately forfeited to the Grand Seignior, and sold at a low price to any Person, who will oblige himself to rebuild it. By this single rule they have kept their Towns from that Desolation which used to lay them waste; and if this were extended in our Country to forfeiture or fine, from the Tenant to the Landlord, and then in seven years to the King, it might keep up at least our present Tenements in repair, which are gone to ruin in so many of our Towns, to our great detriment. I know not whether so abstemious and regular a person as my constitution and course of life have obliged me to be, may venture to mention another Custom which universally prevails here, since the use of Wine has been so general; and that is, that the Jews are entirely possessed of the monopoly of Wine in this Country, who are found by experience to sell it pure and unmixed. This practice they give into out of principle, the Law of Moses strictly forbidding all mixtures; and as they scrupulously adhere to it, and dare not violate it, they are observed to keep it unadulterated, as it comes from the Vineyard. How far this might deserve to be encouraged in GreatBritain, where we consume so much Wine, and so abominably brewed and compounded, by the tricks and imposture of our Merchants; or how far at least, these Brokers of the World, who lie sucking the lifeblood of our Trade, might be made useful in this branch of our Commerce, I leave to your Lordship’s consideration, who know so well how much the health and lives of the Subjects are concerned in it, as well as the Excise on the consumption. I have but one thing further to offer to your Lordship, and I shall quit this subject for a while; and that is, the severe Penalties that everyone is liable to, who is found in the streets of this City after one o’clock at night. I am very sensible this would be very disagreeable to a Nation like ours, that glories in the very abuse and excesses of Liberty; but whether the consequences of such a regulation amongst us, by preventing Murders, Robberies, and Debaucheries of all kinds, would not make abundant amends for the restraint, I am more in doubt than possibly your Lordship may be, when you balance the two Evils together. I shall take the hint from hence to turn to another subject, and shew your Lordship that though it must be owned that there are some advantages in this absolute Monarchy, which ours, as a limited one, is deprived of; yet they are so trivial and inconsiderable, in comparison of the miseries that accompany it, that they deserve not to be mentioned. Nay, if I might trouble your Lordship with my small judgment in Politics, I am of opinion, that no sensible, not to say no just and generous Man, would rather choose to govern an Empire of Slaves, as this is, than a Nation of Subjects, as ours, merely upon the principle of ease and safety to himself, and security to his Family. For tho’ Men here are such vassals to power, that, like the Chæroneans in Bæotia of old who worshipped Agamemnon’s sceptre, (as made by Vulcan for Jove, and brought from Heaven by Mercury) they make Gods of their Rulers; yet their History shews us how often they have served their Emperors whom they worship, as the poor Heathen did his Idol that he prayed to so long in vain to ease his miseries, that at last in a rage he broke it to pieces. As on every little ill success or ill humour of the People, the heads of the Bassas are made a sacrifice to them, so on all greater misfortunes or misconduct abroad, we see how insolently and vio¬lently the rage of the Commonality and Soldiery breaks out against the Emperors themselves. They then depose one and set up another, according as their Passions or Caprice directs then, and take a full revenge for their intolerable slavery, by usurping as unjustifiable a power to themselves. How often, my Lord, since I have been Ambassador here, have I seen the worst and lowest of the People demand and obtain the heads of the wisest and the best of the Bassas, on false and ill grounded surmises? and this with such universal fury, that one would think the vengeance of Heaven fell on these Infidels, like Moses’s great miracle on Pharaoh, when the dust of the Earth was turned into Lice that swarmed everywhere, crawling into the Palaces of Kings, and defiling and devouring the Princes of the Land. It is true indeed, I have sometimes known these terrible Seditions of the People occasioned by real dangers of the State, which, like the Geese in the Capitol, they have saved by their noise and clamours, when those who should have been their best watchmen slept. But they have still been attended by such dreadful consequences to their Governors, as may make their Successors tremble to consider, that the rage of their Subjects, like the authority of their Emperor, is not circumscribed and bounded by settled and regular Laws, but their own wills. A reflection which more or less there is too much ground for in all absolute Monarchies, but especially in this; and must make every wise Man choose to govern a People, who are bound by Rules they have freely consented to, and have no temptations to break through from their own interest, than to rule over them by an absolute authority, which must ever be precarious, in proportion to the People’s temptations and advantages to overturn it. Besides, though in the hands of a good Prince the People seldom suffer by a Despotical Government; yet this Virtue will be no defence to him, if this Arms prove unsuccessful abroad, or his Admin¬istration by unforeseen accidents prove unfortunate at home; neither of which opportunities are often neglected by his oppressed Subjects, or left unrevenged by Civil Wars or Insurrections, which seldom end but in his ruin, or his Ministers. Whoever looks into the History of this Empire, will be convinced by numberless instances of these truths, and will find in them, arguments sufficient to convince the most absolute Princes, that they would be happier in a more limited Government, and make them not only privately debate, like Augustus, how to moderate their tyranny, but publicly set on foot so noble and generous a design. I am persuaded, were the Grand Seignior to travel over, as a private person, the wide depopulated Wastes of his Provinces, and with his own eyes behold the Cruelty, Extortion, Oppression, and Injustice, which, under the cover of his authority, his Governors, Cadies, and Officers, make use of to enrich themselves, and plunder his wretched Subjects; his good-natured and generous temper would be affected in the tenderest manner by it. But while he sits in his Palace or Camp, surrounded by his great Bassas, he must hear with their ears, and see with their eyes, whatever is offered to his consideration; and to pro¬pose the least abatements of the misery of his People, would be regarded only as undermining his power, which at present rather wants props to support it. In all absolute Monarchies where I have been, the inhuman treatment of the subjects had ever struck me in the most shocking manner; and surely, to see Wretches, whom the Prince who tyran¬nises over them, calls his Fellow creatures, and sometimes his Christian Brethren, us’d with less mercy or humanity than the beasts of the field; must fill every one, who has any bowels of pity in him, with horror. Indeed the lovely climates where Tyranny has generally seated herself in the World, seem to make some amends for the misery of those who groan under the burthen of such severe taskmasters. But to behold it destroying the peace and happiness of the Northern Parts of the Globe, is to see upon Earth a lively image of Hell, that is, Woe, Punishments, and Misery in the midst of an uncomfortable gloom and darkness, without the least glimpse of hope from the mercy of Heaven, or the smallest relaxation from their own complaints, or the weariness of their cruel tormentors, who must share in the tortures they are made ministers of. Many people have wonder’d how such Governments find subjects to live under them, and have generally accounted for it by the love of one’s Country, which runs thro’ all. But can Debtors love their Goal, or Felons their Dungeon? No certainly, my Lord; and therefore it must be accounted for, partly by the care these greedy shepherds take, that as few as possible of the flock they are to fleece stray from them; and partly, from seeing few of their neighbours much easier; and lastly, from their being teather’d up by little domestic ties and relations, and by customs and languages that are used by them, and thought barbarous by others. I am assur’d, that about fifty years since the Inhabitants of the Isle of Scio found out a middle way (which few I doubt will dare to imitate them in) to put an end to their slavery under the Turks. For having severe new Taxes laid on them, and on being unable to pay them, finding their Wives, and Friends, and Children carried away for Slaves; they all, Men and Women, bound themselves by the severest penalties to make their Commonwealth, as Florus speaks, Res unius ætatis, and to put an end to their Slavery by having no more Children. It is certain they kept up this resolution so many years, that their Masters were glad at last to prevent the utter depopulation of the place, to remove their obstinacy and despair by abolishing the new Gabels. This was certainly a degree of resentment and resolution greater than ever was known in former Ages, and infinitely beyond the generous Fury of the people of Saguntus the Roman Colony in Spain. For they only burnt themselves, their Wives, Children, and Wealth, rather than be taken and enslav’d by their Enemies; but these calmly and deliberately persisted in cutting off all their Race, and delivering themselves without violence or rage in a calm, quiet and regular method, from an insupportable Tyranny, which at last they conquer’d by a noble Despair. But it is time I should take your Lordship from such disagreeable Scenes of the misery of these States, to acquaint you with the happiness of a Commonwealth, which, next to your native Kingdom, you love above all others; and that is, the Commonwealth of Learning. It is with the highest pleasure I send you two of the noblest Manuscripts which possibly the Spoils of the East or Western World could furnish me with, and which our Royal Master’s generous allowance for searching out and buying up all choice Manuscripts throughout this Empire, has enabled me to lay now at his feet, through your Lordship’s hands. They are both in Arabic, and as far as I can judge with my little skill in that language, wrote in a good style, tho’ probably in the tenth Century. They are perfect and tolerably well preserv’d, though such Treasures deserv’d infinitely greater care. The first and smallest is a Translation of several of Cicero’s Tusculan Questions, which we have already; and those two invaluable Books of his De Gloria, the origi¬nal of which was preserve’d, as Paulus Manutius and several Authors tell us, till the sixteenth Century, in the Library of Bernard Justiniani; and probably stolen from thence by Alcyonius the Physician, who is said to have destroy’d them, and inserted a great many passages out of them in this Treatise De Exilio. If I had the good fortune to have Alcyonius’s Work here, I could soon inform your Lordship if the Physician was indeed the Plagiary he was suspected to be: but as I want that Treatise, I must leave that disquisition to your Lordship’s care. Besides this, there is at the end of the Manuscript a Treatise of his De Vita beata, that seems admirable in its kind, but ‘tis imperfect. I should regret this as a great loss, if the joy of recovering the rest allow’d me; where tho’ his admirable Style is still wanting, yet his manner of handling these noble Subjects, and the Reasonings and Images he adorns them with, is still preserv’d, and now happily restor’d to us. But I hasten to the other larger and in my poor judgment a more desirable Treasure; which is a fine Arabic Translation, by one who calls himself Abumepha Nezan Ali, of that noble Historian Trogus Pompeius, who writ the History of the World in forty-four Books, in so elegant and admirable a style and manner, under Augustus. Your Lordship well knows, that this admirable Work was mangled and epitomis’d by Justin, and how that wretched Abbreviation occasion’d the loss of his noble performance; like Pharaoh’s lean kine devouring the fat and wellfavour’d ones of their own fort. The Translation seems well perform’d, and has some good Notes added to it, and seems to have been wrote in the ninth, or at least in the beginning of the following Century, by the hand and style, which answers that Age. I have look’d over it carefully, with what little judgment I have in such things, and cannot without indignation observe what Treasures of Antiquity and History, as well as Geography; and what material Passages and Actions, untouch’d buy all other Writers but the learned and judicious Trogus, his poor end unskilful Abbreviator has ignorantly and carelessly pass’d over unmention’d. This excellent and admirable Person, to whom History and the learned World were so much indebted (tho’ they so ill repaid the debt, by suffering him to perish) was, as he tells us in his forty-fourth Book, a noble Roman, originally descended of the Vocontii in the Narbon Gaul, and whose Godfather of the same name was declar’d a Roman Citizen by Pom¬pey the Great in the Sertorian War. His Uncle commanded a Squadron of Horse in the War against Mithridates under the same General, and his Father serv’d under Caius Julius Cæsar, both as a Commander and his chief Secretary of State and War. Judge, my Lord, with what transport of heart I send you this incomparable Author, to be restored by you and our Royal Master’s cares to the Commonwealth of Learning, which has too long mourn’d for his loss. I beseech your giving the strictest orders to some able hand, to have him translated into an excellent Latin Style; tho’ it will be impossible to equal that of his own inimitable Elegance, which we have lost for ever. I must in justice to the care and judicious conduct of Mr. West, who carries this and them, acknowledge, that ‘tis to his industrious and unwearied labours, next to his Majesty’s bounty, that we are indebted for the recovery of this invaluable Jewel. He found it, and the Tracts of Cicero, cover’d with dust and moldiness in the Armenian Monastery at Etchmeasin near Rivan in Persia: and on this and many other accounts I zealously recommend him to your Lordship’s favour. He assures me, Mr. Pearson is still in that Country on the same account; and gives me hopes we may yet be able to retrieve some other valuable Authors, among the old Arabic and Perisan Manuscripts that lie dispers’d in the neglected Libraries of many Monasteries there, and in the Eastern Countries. Will your Lordship forgive me, if I increase the length of this tedious dispatch, by accompanying these ancient rarities with a modern one, that was perfectly so to me, tho’ I have so long resided here, and which I met the other day at a Cady’s house in Pera, where I went on some business. It was a Man of the famous African Sect of Mahomeians that are called Bumicilli, of whom I had heard so much from common report, and the Writings of Travellers, without every meeting one of them before. They set up for a very religious sort of people, who have a knowledge of, and conversation with aerial Beings, and are engag’d in perpetual war with the Devils, who are still ranging about the Earth and the Air, in order to tempt and hurt Mankind by all the arts and methods they can contrive. However, it is certain these Gentlemen of the Bumicilli Sect are at bottom but a sort of vagrant thieves, who go round this vast Empire under this pretence, and either beg or steal all the pence they can from the deluded people. I am assur’d they have by these means greatly enrich’d themselves, and their Society; who have by such collections thus gather’d, founded great Convents, and got large Possessions, to enable them to continue their constant wars with all wicked Spirits with vigour and success. Methinks, my Lord, one may see here, with half an eye, a perfect picture of that illustrious religious Society, who owe their rise to the holy Loyola, and who profess all kinds of labour and toil, both as Exorcists, to drive out evil Spirits, and to extirpate imaginary Heresies and Heretics, and defeat all such emissaries of the Devil, who distract their infallible Church. I saw this Creature from my window in the street, laying manfully about him with all his might, (for he was a tall strong black fellow) and beating the air like a Bedlamite, with a long Pike he brandished about his head, and frequently push’s most furiously with; traversing his ground, now running forwards and shouting, and then giving back, and appearing sorely hurt; and anon, recovering himself, and seeming to fall anew on his foes. The people of the house told me he was a most holy Man, and had defeated all the Devils in that neighbourhood so fortunately, that they liv’d much happier and holier than formerly; and that it had cost them very little money for so great ad¬vantages. I found myself obliged to give them a patient hearing; and especially seeing all the people in the street seem’d to be of their mind, by the zeal and joy they shewed whenever their heroic Combatant appear’d to get the better of the imaginary and invisible Devil he was engag’d with: for I need not assure your Lordship, that whether he apprehended being oppress’d with numbers, or having foul play shewn him, or other reasons best known to himself, the Devil was so cowardly as never once to let himself be seen by us, who were gazing on this furious engagement. After I had look’d on this fine battle, with equal amazement and delight, near a quarter of an hour by my watch, I saw our Warrior, to the great concern and trouble of all his religious Spectators, fall down on the earth as in a swoon. There he lay a long time, and the Cady, in whose house I was, being a very zealous and sincere Mussulman, ran out into the Street, with tears in his eyes, and with all the concern and care imaginable had him brought in. He made him be laid gently on a Sofa in the room where I was, and had two or three Slaves, sometimes throwing cold water on his face, and sometimes rubbing his limbs, and endeavouring to bring him to life. As sensible as I was that it would displease, I could not help asking the Cady in the ear, if it was possible he could think all this anything but a mere cheat to get money from them; and indeed all the people before our faces (as the custom is on these occasions) had put money into the Combatant’s bag which hung at his back. Notwithstanding all this, he lift up his hands and eyes at my infidelity, reproach’d me with our credulity as to miracles in Europe, and our false Church, tho’ we would believe none in the true one; and to convince me of my mistake, and open my blind eyes (for so he call’d them with some fury) he made the slaves pull off the wretch’s clothes, and shew me the black-and-blue marks he had receiv’d in the combat, and which appear’d plentifully all over his arms, back, and sides. The truth is, tho’ I well knew, and had been told, that their way is to make such marks by cords, and actual blows they give themselves in the night-time, in order to impose on the crowd; yet finding the good Cady so violent, I was oblig’d to seem amazed and convinc’d, and to give my assent to a number of stories they told me of the battles this holy Man had fought with unparallel’d success with a great many Devils, to the peace and comfort of all true Mussulmen in those parts. I was even under a necessity to applaud his courage and sanctity as the rest did; and at last, when they had recover’d their Warrior out of his counterfeit swoon, I very humbly sat down, and eat and drank with him and the Cady, listning attentively to his accounts of his long warfare with different Dæmons, and to shew my firm faith in all he related, and entirely appease the Cady, I gave him a Zequin for his further encouragement in so useful a method of serving his Prophet, and the good Mussulmen in Turkey. Was this a wonderful scene or no, my Lord? and is there not matter here for fine reflections? However, my Lord, I shall cut them short, having so long trespass’d on your patience already, and shall leave you to make your own remarks on the wretched impostures, and the silly credulity of that noble, that wise, that rational creature Man! I expect in some little time to be summon’d to the Seraglio to shew the Grand Seignior your admirable Telescope, of which, probably, I may give your Lordship some account in my next; and in the mean time I must acquaint your Lordship, that I find two or three packs of some of our best deepmouth’d southern Hounds would be a most acceptable present to his Highness. If you would procure some able and skilful Physician to come and attend the Grand Seignior, I am empower’d to assure him of 30 Purses at least (or 15,000 Ducats) besides Presents, with all possible good treatment, and to be Hachim Bachi or Chief Physician. As this I find would be a most agreeable Obligation, I recommend it to your Lordship’s care to procure such a one: and indeed the favour and complaisance that has been shewn to his Majesty’s desires in our late Treaty, deserve all the returns we can make them. I reserve my Compliments for another opportunity, and, if I may say so, for another sort of Man than your Lordship; to whom, and all your excellent Family, I and mine are, My Lord, your Lordship’s, &c Stanhope. My Lord, LondonChelsea, Feb. 2. 1997. I am ashamed to acknowledge so late, that through a load of affairs of importunate People, that engross my time and thoughts, I have so long referred you to Mr. Secretary, and am but now returning my thanks for two of yours Excellency’s Letters from Rome, one of November the seventh, and another of January the seventeenth; for both which I am indebted to your care and goodness, beyond all possibility of repaying you. The account you gave of your respectful and honourable reception there, is very agreeable to us in London; and as his Imperial Majesty’s health is spoke of by the last Letters (as well as the dis-agreement of the Elector of Cologne with the Court where you are) in stronger terms than ever, I doubt not we shall manage our Negotiations so happily, as to secure the Peace of Europe, and defeat the astonishing ambition of the Empire of the Vatican. It is certain, we shall stand in need of our utmost efforts to accomplish this, because the rest of the Protestant Powers are far from being well united, through the artifices of this See ever watchful to divide us, and even buy off the venal Faith of some of them from our Communion to hers. Moreover though the Protestant Interest is greatly increased in Europe, and in spite of all her snares, stronger this last Century than ever; yet they are so distrusted by their jealous Neighbours, that all offers to humble the Papal Power, are but considered as attempts, to throw their Kingdoms into confusion and rebellion. Besides, the Popish Princes have by their furious Quarrels and Wars among themselves (which this See has ever fomented) given the Pope great opportunities to raise his temporal Power, and spiritual Authority on their Weakness. Hence he has acquir’d such large accession of Subjects, Wealth, and Territory in Italy, that they are cow’d and overawed by his prodigious Strength, and the interest he keeps up even in their own Kingdoms and Councils; and seem only desirous of good conditions, to become as it were provincial Tetrarchs to this Lord of the Earth, and Vicegerent of Heaven. However, as this violent Jealousy of the Emperor, and the Scheme of introducing the Inquisition into France, are likely to unite us more than ever, in opposing her designs; and as our prodigious Naval Force has kept all the Islands in the hands of their old Sovereigns, and both prevented the Venetians being entirely swallowed up, and holds the Pope, by the means of his SeaCoasts, Ports, and Trade, in great awe; I do not despair, but we may be able to humble his aspiring hopes. The confirming Civita Vecchia a free Port, restoring all our Privileges, and declaring by his Bull that none of his Majesty’s Subjects shall be liable to his Inquisitors, are great points gained, and also shew the fear he has of us, which I hope your Excellency will improve to weightier purposes. Your accounts of the monstrous growth of this vast Empire, which has risen these two last Centuries, like a huge Mountain, from the unnatural fires and eruptions in the bowels of the Earth, have occasioned many reflections in my mind, on the blindness and folly of our Ancestors, who with proper care, might have prevented the confusion and oppression this age labours under. If instead of dread¬ing the Bruta Fulmina of Rome, they had opposed their cannon to her thunder, and instead of attacking her with a silly paperwar of Books and Writings, they had by resistance and arms contracted her power; if instead of increasing her Riches and Wealth, and loading her with the very Lands, and the Tribute, and Spoil of their Nations, they had kept her within her own bounds, humble, pious, and just; the Princes of the World, and Italy, had not worn her Chains, and groaned under her bondage now. We had not seen in these our days, her Armies and Forces under the command of Cardinals, and her Generals, that are Priests and Jesuits in secret at least, and ex voto, as they call it, haranguing her armed Troops, and turning the old word Concio (which signified the speech of a Commander to his Legions, to the Senate, or People, upon affairs of State or War) to its original signification again, and shewing themselves the true Sons of the old Soldier their Founder. It is true, what our Ancestors did, proceeded from a laudable Piety; and the Wealth and Possessions they poured into her lap, were paid by a sincere respect to their religion. But what has been the goodly consequence? only this, Religio peperit divitias, & silia devoravit matrem. The Christian Bishop has been entirely absorbed in the Temporal Prince; as the Cæsars of old sunk the Pontifex Maximus in the Imperator. In the meanwhile through a thirst to secure the Power of the latter, the holy Fathers have stuck at no Crimes or Wickedness, even of the blackest dye: And to hinder the Gates of Hell from ever prevailing against the Church, too many of her Popes, I fear, have gone thither, as eternal Hostages for her faithful alliance with it. Your Excellency, who is so well read in her Historians before the ancient Reformation of Religion, is perfectly acquainted with many of the detestable Lives of these creatures, who stile themselves the Successors of St. Peter. A name they have no other title to, than that as He contradicted and shamefully opposed the truth, of what our blessed Saviour asserted twice, and afterwards denied him thrice; so they have ever since been acting the same part, and while they are openly renouncing him, have been violently making use of the Sword, and shedding blood, under pretence of defending his cause. I shall not rake in the filth of History, to mention to your Excellency the foulness of the Crimes, so many of them were confessedly guilty of. Your Excellency and the learned World, are but too well acquainted with them: and would to God, for the honour of Christianity, they were as fully amended as known! Indeed, since the family of the Jesuits have set up for the royal Line of this Empire, the crime of Whoredom has been less frequent among them; but they have so far excelled their Predecessors in all others, that it were to be wished we had such Popes again as Paul the third, Pius the second, and Gregory the eighteenth, who, with the best titles of all other to be called Fathers of the Church, were, with all their Bastards, much better Popes than these last ages have seen. And yet these are the great pretenders to Infallibility, and to being directed immediately by the Holy Ghost; though surely common reason would allow a Man to believe as easily what a known Historian tells us (absurd and blasphemous as it is) in Peter the Hermits Crusade to the Holy Land, that a Goose he kept was believed by the Crowd to be the Holy Ghost; or what the Turks say of the same nature of Mahomet’s Pigeon; as that he speaks by the mouth of such vile and evil Popes, as these which the Jesuits have given us. Certainly if your Excellency considers their lives and history, you will be of an opinion I have often maintained, that nothing has more fatally contributed to that dreadful Deism which has infected our Gentlemen, and so long sapped the foundations of our Faith, than the actions, or in other words, the Crimes of those holy patrons of it. For where Men of sense and figure evidently see, such flagitious wicked¬ness daily practiced by them, under such sanctified professions, they enter into a distrust of their Religion, as some do of Physic, when they behold so many die by it: and as these last think the shortest way to health, is by plain constant temperance, so the others think the best and surest way to please God, is by a plain, honest, moral conduct, without regarding particular Systems of Revelation and Rules of Faith. It were easy to prove the weakness of this way of reasoning, and to shew by experience (to carry on the allusion) that both of them, when Age and Sickness overtake them, call for the Priest and the Physician: but this I need not meddle with at present, having only hinted at the cause, not the remedy, of that vile and infectious evil. The very Jesuits themselves are so sensible of this truth, that they trouble not their heads to persuade these Rulers and Pharisees to believe our blessed Religion, provided they are silent and quiet. They only aim to gain the Crowd and Rabble of mankind, and have calculated all their conduct, as Terence says he managed as to his Plays, Id fihi negotii credidit solum dari, popula ut placerent quas fecissent fabulas. And indeed, what other management could be expected from the inferior Clergy, or opinions in the sensible Laity among them; when the Popes have on all occasions shewn, that they judged themselves under no obligations to keep the sacred Commandments of Christianity inviolably, whensoever they found the good, that is, the temporal interest of the Church, advantaged by breaking through them. It is true, some of the best of them, as Gregory the twentieth, and Pius the tenth, as Popes, were blameless and worthy Men, and careful enough not to break through those sacred fences of our holy Faith; but even they, as Sovereigns, were seldom observed to regard them, where reason of State made it advisable to distinguish between their private and public Characters. Whenever your Excellency, or any impartial judge, looks into the history even of their reigns; you will find their Religion, as Temporal Princes, to be a System in which they and their Predecessors have ever moved, like flaming Comets, each in its different Orbit, not to be reduced to any known certain rules by the best Astronomers. Like them you will find them menacing in their progress, ruin and destruction to the wretched Sons of Men, and even seeming to be no otherwise influenced by God’s Power, Laws, or Will, in the circle of their Lives, than Comets in their revolutions are by the Sun; which sometimes they approach so near as to be heated, and violently set on fire by its flames, but which generally they keep themselves at such a distance from, as to be not only cold and unaffected, by its beams, but even unenlightened by its rays and splendour. But this I write to your Excellency, not as the Statesman, and my Royal Master’s Servant, but as your old Intimate and Friend. You may blame yourself for my dwelling so tediously on the subject, by the long detail you have given me of their Power and Arts to sustain it, which my heart has been too much affected by, not to let it overflow a little in my pen. Your catalogue of the Relics, and their intended sale of them, has equally surprized and scandalized his Majesty; and he is pleased to direct you to purchase some few of the most remarkable, that will come cheapest, but not to exceed ten thousand pounds in the whole. He inclines you should employ some skilful and able hand in bidding for them; and take care to have all their pretended vouchers and certificates exactly preserved, and sent over with them, with the utmost care; that we may have here the strongest evidences, of the superstition and vile conduct of this See at the same time, and try if the drowsy eyes of some of our zealous Catholics, can bear so glaring a light, without opening them effectually. I admire their usual caution and subtlety has not restrained them; from so manifest a breach of all the Laws of decency, which they do not break for unimportant reasons; but I suppose, as your Excellency observes, the greatness of the gain this sale will produce, to supply the vast expense of the CardinalNephew, has drawn them to these measures. For a small profit they would hardly have taken such a step; being like the Negroes in the Guinea Coast of Asric, who hold themselves obliged by their Religion, as Bosman tells us, not to eat a lean Fox, but that it is lawful to eat a fat one. I am confident how¬ever, it will strangely offend the Italian Gravity, and make them think on occasion of this Cardinal’s conduct, of a certain proverb of their Country, relating to their good Lords the Popes, that when God denies them Sons, the Devil sends them Nephews. Your account of their allowing no books in History or Divinity to be licensed, but such as are wrote by the public Professors, is what I was no stranger to, nor the grounds of their policy in it; for ‘tis plain, by this method, that the two great keys of Knowledge, as to the Will of God, and the Actions of Men, will be hung at their girdle. This they do under pretence of the love of truth, and to prevent falsehood; though in fact, ‘tis but to impose it on the World their own way. I must own (entre nous) I am not fully satisfied, if it were to be wish’d as to History (for as to Divinity I am certain it is) that the truth of everything was known; for possibly, if the secret springs of the actions of some of our neighbour Kings of late years, the cabals of Ministers and Courtiers, and the trivial piques, humours, and passions, in those Princes, that occasion Wars, and the destruction of millions of their fellow creatures, were nakedly and sincerely laid open to our eyes; I fear there could not be a readier way to turn the hearts and heads of Men, to hate or despise those that rule them. But these are secrets only for your Lordship’s ear; which as I believe I have pretty well tired on this subject, I shall return to one that will furnish us with more agreeable scenes of things, I mean our hap¬py Country. As it is a great while since your Excellency heard from me on that subject, I think I may venture to tell you, as news, that about ten weeks since our Parliament was dissolved, and last week a new once called. Before their dissolution, after dispatching the public Business with all possible regard, both to his Majesty’s affairs, and the interest of their Country, they past several Laws, which I cannot but congratulate you upon, as public benefits. The first of them was an Act for translating all our Writs from the old unintelligible English of the eighteenth Century, into our present modern Tongue; and also for the regulating and ascertain¬ing the Fees of all Offices and Officers, Counsellors of Law, and Attorneys; and obliging these two last names, to swear, when they take usual Oaths on being admitted to practice, never to be concerned in any base, wicked, or evidently unjust Cause. The second was a Bill for establishing a public Bank for lending small sums of money to the Poor, at the lowest interest, to carry on their trades with; such as the Monte della Pieta at Rome: but by this Act no sum larger than then pounds, or less than twenty shillings, can be borrowed, and it must be lent upon sufficient Pawns, or Citysecurity. The third was an Act for erecting the Bishoprics of London and Bristol into Archbishoprics, and enlarging their Revenues to five thousand pounds per annum; and appropriating a fund to raise all the Parishes in England under thirty pounds, to fifty pounds the year. A fourth was the so much talk’d of Law, for new modelling, and farther confirming and enlarging the two Corporations of the Royal Fishery and Plantation Company, and their Rights, Privileges, and Præmiums, as established in the Reigns of Frederick the first, and George the third. Another, was an Act to prevent any Judge, Bishop, or Archbishop, to be preferred, or translated, from any See or Place to which they were first promoted: and also one for the settling four thousand pounds per annum, for the founding a School and College, with proper Officers, for the advantage of Experimental Philosophy, according to the excellent scheme proposed by Mr. Abraham Cowley, the famous ancient Poet. The last I shall mention (though several others were past) is an Act for explaining and amending an Act in the tenth of Frederick the second, and the eighth of William the fourth, for taking away all privilege of Parliament, in case of Arrest for Debt, or Lawsuits, when the house is not sitting. And indeed, the amendments made in this Law are so favourable to the rights of the Subject, that it will endear the memory of the Contriver of it to Posterity; and will keep up that veneration for Parliaments with the People, which the burthen and abuse of Privileges, had too far undermined and supplanted. I have not time to enlarge on the vast advantages, these several Laws will probably derive to Posterity; though indeed I could dwell on them with great delight, if I had more leisure, and were not writing to one of your Lordship’s great discernment, and intimate acquaintance, with both the excellencies and defects of our Constitution in Church and State. At your Excellency’s request, I send you an exact List of all our temporal Peers, summoned to meet at this Parliament, to be held at Westminster on Tuesday the 25th of March 1997, which the old Act against creating more than one Peer in a Session, has contracted to a small number. His Royal Highness George Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness Frederick Duke of York. John Scrope, Lord HighChancellor of GreatBritain. John Earl of Nm, Lord HighTreasurer of GreatBritain. William Herbert Duke of Pembroke, Lord President of the Council. William Fitzroy Duke of Grafton, Lord PrivySeal. Charles Seymour Duke of Somerset, Lord Steward of his Majesty’s Household. Henry Lenox, Duke of Richmond. Charles Somerset, Duke of Beaufort. Richard Beauclair, Duke of St. Albans. John Pawlet, Duke of Bolton. George Wriothesly Russel, Duke of Bedford. John Churchhill, Duke of Marlborough. John Manners, Duke of Rutland. George Montague, Duke of Montague. Charles Graham, Duke of Roxburgh. George Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton. Frederick Pierrepoint, Duke of Kingston. William Holles Pelham, Duke of Newcastle. George Bentinck, Duke of Portland. John James Brydges, Duke of Chandos. George Campbell, Duke of Greenwich and Argyle. Charles Egerton, Duke of Bridgewater. George Compton, Duke of Northampton. Frederick Stanhope, Duke of Chesterfield. Robert Boyle, Duke of Burlington. John Slingsby, Duke of Warwick. John Davers, Duke of Andover. William Bridgman, Duke of Guilford. Joseph Williams, Duke of Hargrave. Robert Halsey, Duke of Preston. John Bacon, Duke of Dunsmore. Marquisses. John Stanley, Marquiss of Derby; Henry Clinton, Marquiss of Lincoln; John Hales, Marquiss of Brompton; George Edward Turner, Marquiss of Allerton; George Walpole, Marquiss of Walpole; John Parker, Marquiss of Macclesfield; Edward Vaughan, Marquiss of Richley; John Coke, Marquiss of Hilton. Earls. Henry Howard, Earl of Suffolk; James Cecil, Earl of Salisbury; Charles Sidney, Earl of Leicester; Basil Fieldings, Earl of Denbigh; John Fane, Earl of Westmorland; Charles Finch, Earl of Winchelsea and Nottingham; Philip Stanhope, Earl Stanhope; Charles Tuston, Earl of Thanet; George Spencer, Earl of Sunderland; Frederick Mountague, Earl of Sandwich; Charles Howard, Earl of Carlisle; Henry Lee, Earl of Litchfield; James Berkeley, Earl of Berkeley; John Bertie, Earl of Abingdon; James Noel, Earl of Gainsborough; Richard D’Arcy, Earl of Holderness; Frederick Lumley, Earl of Scarborough; Robert Booth, Earl of Warrington; Francis Newport, Earl of Bradford; William Zulestein de Nassau, Earl of Rochfort; George Van Keppell, Earl of Albemarle; Thomas Coventry, Earl of Grantham; Sidney Godolphin, Earl of Godolphin; Hugh Cholmondeley, Earl of Cholmondeley; James Sutherland, Earl of Sutherland; Robert Leslie, Earl of Rothes; Robert Hamilton, Earl of Hadingtown; James Campbell, Earl of Loudon; Thomas Ogilvy, Earl of Finlater; George Hamilton, Earl of Selkirk; James Hamilton, Earl of Orkney; William Dalrymple, Earl of Stair; William Campbell Earl of Ila; Robert Hume, Earl of Marchmont; Charles Paget, Earl of Uxbridge; Frederick Bennet, Earl of Tankerville; John Mountague, Earl of Hallifax; Thomas Cooper, Earl Cooper; Robert Sherrard, Earl of Harborough; George Farmer, Earl of Pomfret; George Byng, Earl of Torrington; Charles Townshend, Earl Townshend; Henry Raymond, Earl of Raymond; Frederick Offley, Earl of Stafford; Edward Scrope, Earl of Avington; Harvey Westley, Earl of Newington; Joseph Milton, Earl Milton; John Temple, Earl of Beverley; Jacob Tilson, Earl of Westbury; Roger Richmond, Earl of Malmsbury. Viscounts. William Fiennes, Viscount Say and Sele; Thomas Lowther, Viscount Lonsdale; George Obrian, Viscount Tadcaster; Frederick Temple, Viscount Cobham; William Boscawen, Viscount Falmouth; Robert Grosvenour, Viscount Grosvenour; James Wentworth, Viscount Wentworth; Wiliam Jones, Viscount Wandsworth; Robert Smith, Viscount Langston; Edward Wynn, Viscount Marston; Robert Dean, Viscount Hedesworth; Richard Wardell, Viscount Wardell; John Morecraft, Viscount Alston; Thomas Clerk, Viscount Dorington; Frederick Holmes, Viscount Rainsford. Barons. George West, Lord De la War; Charles Fortescue, Lord Clinton; John Ward, Lord Dudley and Ward; William Maynard, Lord Maynard; George Byron, Lord Byron; Robert Berkeley, Lord Berkeley of Stratton; George Carteret, Lord Carteret; Charles Waldgrave, Lord Waldgrave; William Ashburnham, Lord Ashburnham; Richard Herbert, Lord Herbert of Cherbury; Robert Gower, Lord Gower; Edward Boyle, Lord Boyle; Henry Windsor, Lord Mountjoy; Charles Granville, Lord Landsdown; Henry Bathurst, Lord Bathurst; George Onslow, Lord Onslow; John King, Lord King; George Edgecombe, Lord Edgecombe; Charles Morgan, Lord Tredegar; Henry Hobart, Lord Hobart; William Doddington, Lord Gonvill; George Pulteney, Lord Heddon; William Bowes, Lord Stretham; Edward Child, Lord Wansted; Richard Dutton, Lord Sherborne; Thomas Bateman, Lord Bateman; Edward Monson, Lord Monson; Robert Coke, Lord Beverley; John Methuen, Lord Methuen; Thomas How, Lord How; Arthur Worsley, Lord Worsley; Henry Fortescue, Lord Borlace; Robert Davers, Lord Clifton; George Windham, Lord Windham; John Mowbray, Lord Danvers; Thomas Edwards, Lord Harston; Peter Strickland, Lord Rigdeway; Frederick Bamfield, Lord Brereton; Joseph Lane, Lord Walton; John Pierce, Lord Rolston; Henry Hatson, Lord Elsington; George Gore, Lord Walford; Edward Beaumont, Lord Stoughton; Robert Bagot, Lord Cranston; Frederick Long, Lord Uption; John Pritchard, Lord Castleton; George Pitt, Lord Woodcote; John Stapleton, Lord Bromfield I have been comparing this List, with the ancient ones that remain on record with us, and I am struck with the deepest melancholy, when I see so many great and noble Families, that once made such a figure in our Country, washed away by the devouring Flood of Time; without leaving any more remembrance of their vast Fortunes, stately Houses, and magnificent Equipages, than there is of the very Beggars, that in their days were refused the scraps and crumbs of their Tables. When they flourished, and distinguished themselves by their Wealth and splendid Living, and immense Estates, surrounded with Power and Interest, Relations and Children, one would have thought they must have lasted in their glory for ever; and yet, alas! in a few years of a Century or two, how are they and their Generation swept away, like the Leaves of the Forest by the Winter’s Storms. It is true, indeed, some few among them have left Monuments of their merit and virtue by good or great Actions, that make their names dear to us, and will carry down their Memories with honour and esteem, to future ages. A few others, by the blessing of Providence on them, and their real services to their Country, have left Posterity behind them, that to this day reflect back part of the glory they receive from their Ancestors: but alas, your Excellency will perceive how few they are, to those whose Families and Fortunes have been hurried down the high and steep abyss of time. Apparent rari nantes in Gurgite Vasto! I am persuaded, that of near twelve hundred Families that have been ennobled since the Reign of Henry the first, to these days, there will hardly be found above eighty who were Peers before the great Revolution, in the end of the seventeenth Century. I cannot but put your Excellency in mind here, of our favourite Pliny’s reflection on the like occasion, when he was surveying a vast Assembly of the highest Court of Judicature at Rome, in his old age, and comparing them with the same Assembly, when he had first appeared in it a young Man; and considered within himself the terrible ravage, which so great a tract of time had made, among them and their Fortunes. Tantas conversiones aut fragilitas mortalitatis, aut fortunæ mobilitas facit. Si computes annos, exiguum tempus, si vices rerum ævum putes: and then follows that noble moral reflection, Quod potest esse documento nihil desperare, nullius rei sidere, cum videamus tot varietates, tam volubili orbe circumagi. There is something of Madness sure, in the passion that Men are generally possessed with, of spending their days in care and anxiety, to build up mighty Fortunes, and raise a Family by their toils and labours; (and too, too often, by the most flagitious actions, and the vilest, and the most dishonest conduct) in hopes that they and their Descendants shall last for ever, and at worst, enjoy their Possessions for many Ages. But they calculate that matter so ill, that generally all they are able to do, is to feed the extravagance and pride of two or three Descendants for a while, till Luxury and Debauchery have brought all the dwindled, sickly Race to the grave; as Gaming, Building and Equipage, had put an end to their Wealth and Fortunes. Now I am got into this serious way of thinking, what if your Excellency allowed me to carry it on farther, and observe to you, that even the great Empires of the World, that set the ambitious Spirits of Mankind on fire, are, in proportion, of as shortliv’d a duration, as these little private Families. For after all the Blood and Bustle, which they cost their mighty Builders and Founders to rear them up, we shall find five hundred years may be reckoned the grand Climacteric of most of them, as much as sixty-three to Men. In the Govern¬ment of the Kings of Judah, beginning with Saul, the first Kingdom continued to the Captivity of Babylon, which was five hundred years, and pretty nearly the same space of time may be assigned from the Captivity, beginning at Esdras, and reckoning down to Vespasian, who utterly extirpated the Jews and their Empire. The Assyrian Empire in Asia, was of just the same duration: and the Athenian Commonwealth, from Cecrops to Codrus, lasted four hundred ninety years, and then was changed to a Democracy. The Commonwealth of the Lacedemonians lasted about that time, under the Kings Heraclides, till Alexander the Great swallowed that up with many other States. The consular Government in Rome flourished about five hundred years, till Augustus’s Monarchy; and the same period is observed from Au¬gustus’s reign, till the fall of Valentinian, the last Emperor of the West, and that then the Western Empire failed. The same number of years were remarked a little after, from the time that Constantine the great transported the Empire from Rome to Constantinople, until Charlemain, who restor’d the Empire to the West, having chased the Lombards out of Italy. I could easily produce many other instances of the like nature, to shew that five hundred years has been frequently the age assigned to Empires by Providence. It is true, many have hardly subsisted so long, and some of them have flourished somewhat longer; yet the first of these we must consider as being formed and produced with unhealthy Constitutions, and that had naturally in their first conception, such mala stamina vitæ, that they perished in their infancy, and were not able to live out half their days: and the others we must look on as we do on men of hardy, athletick Constitutions, which are thereby enabled to outrun the common periods of life, that generally are assigned to their neighbours. Of these shortliv’d ones we may reckon that of the Persians, from Cyrus to the last Darius, continued but about two hundred thirty years: and the Monarchy of the Greeks, founded on its ruin by Alexander, and derived from him to the Kings of Egypt and Syria, lasted but two hundred and fifty, and then sunk under the Romans. In France, from Syagre the last Roman Proconsul, who was deposed, to Clovis the first Christian King, un¬til Pepin Father of Charlemain, and then after until Hugh Capet, was but two hundred thirtyseven years; and so of many more. And on the other hand, the Carthaginian Commonwealth, when destroyed by Scipio, had lasted seven hundred years: and even the ruin of the Roman Liberties, if we reckon in the seven Kings (as we justly may) which was completed under Julius Cæsar, continued full that time. All I mean to deduce from this long detail of things, is a very plain and obvious inference, which I am sure your Excellency makes before I mention it; and that is, what little, mouldering, tottering Cottages, these boasted Empires seem, which yet are the utmost efforts of human pride and ambition, with seas of Blood, and ruins of Wealth. After all, the building up noble Families, or founding great Kingdoms, are in the eye of reason as trivial performances, as the babyhouses and puppets of Children, in comparison of those generous schemes and foundations, Wealth and Power might provide, to relieve the distressed and the miserable, the poor, the sick, and the unfortunate part of Mankind, and to instruct the ignorant, or reform the savage, the brutal, or the wicked among Men. In short (for we may trust such a dangerous truth to a private Letter) all the empty noise, and pomp, and shew of Life, which Men aim at with such infinite expense and folly, is not worth one action greatly generous, hu¬mane, or honest. Well! by this time I suppose your Excellency is willing, to give me a full discharge for the two Letters I was indebted to you, when I begun this, which I believe you think is never to end: for fear therefore of enlarging too much, I will soon put all my excuses for it in a very short and a very sincere compliment; and that is, that as full as our Court is at present, I do not find there every day one like you, that I unbosom myself to, on such subjects with pleasure, being very much, My Lord, Your Excellency’s, Nm. I refer you for his Majesty’s new Instructions to Mr. Secretary’s en¬closed Pacquet, which I see is above half of it in cypher; and which I heart¬ily recommend to your care. To the Lord HighTreasurer, My Lord, Paris, Feb. 8. 1997. My last from this place to your Lordship, was of December the sixteenth; and I have since, pursuant to your commands, given Mr. Secretary the trouble of two Letters, of the first and thirteenth of last Month. I now return, because you are pleased to have it so, to go on with the long account of Affairs here, since I have sufficiently answered all other particulars, relating to our Negotiations at this Court, in those two former ones. When I broke off this subject in my last, I had acquainted your Lordship with the address of Mons. Meneville, and the present Ministers, in remedying the Disorders of their Predecessors conduct; and by Places, Preferments, and Pensions, to take off the edge of the factious Leaders of the People, and bring both the Clergy and Nobility, to the legal restraints of Duty and Allegiance to the King. I observed, that this had succeeded as it usually does, where Men mean nothing by their Clamours for the good of their Country, but to build up their own Fortunes, and make themselves considerable: but I must add here, that this would have been doing their work but by halves, if they had not cut off all occasion for new Complaints and Patriots, by remedying the evil that occasioned them. As the great diseases they laboured under, were the want of Trade and People, and scarcity of Money, frequent dearths of Breadcorn, the defrauding the Kingdom in the accounts of the Public Money, and the extream Debaucheries of the Gentry; they endeavoured to remove them all, by severe Edicts against the Causes of these Grievances. As their Trade and Manufactures had suffered by an idle affectation in the Nobility, of wearing and using everything that was foreign, high Taxes were laid on all Commodities not of the growth of the Kingdom: and as his Majesty set an example to his Subjects, by observing this rule himself, as to wearing Apparel particularly, so no Person that had any Office under him, or that ever appeared at Court, was allowed to wear anything of foreign growth. By this single point of management, the tide of the fashion was turned entirely in a new channel, to the great advantage of the French Manufacturers, and to the saving immense sums of the Cash of the Kingdom, which used to go out to feed the pride and folly of the People of condition, to the utter impoverishing of the Poor. The same care was taken to redress an evil that had gained ground extremely among the French Gentlemen, of travelling abroad. This, by a severe Tax of the fifth of all their Estates, and by being also discountenanced by the King, in a little time was quite laid aside; and remittances of near a million of Money prevented, besides a destructive importation of foreign fashions and luxury. At the same time as the long Plague, their unsuccessful War, and the Dearths and Confusions of the times that followed them, had made a vast consumption of their hands, and made their People, and especially their Gentlemen, very averse to marrying, and taking such an encumbrance on their Pleasures and Debaucheries upon them; an Edict was passed, by which no unmarried Person, if past thirty and under fifty, could hold any profitable employment, or Pension whatever; and all of them were taxed a fifth part of their yearly Income, if Gentlemen, and all others ten shillings a head. This was sufficiently strict, and yet the latter part of this Edict was more severe: for after remarking that it was unreasonable, he who ravishes a Woman, and only hurts her honour, shall be hanged; and he who debauches her by flattery, and ruins her Soul, shall be often admired by the Women, and envied by the Men, as a fine Gentleman; it enacts, That in all such cases, the Woman shall be entitled for life, on full proof of the fact, to the third part of the Person’s Estate who debauches her. Your Lordship may easily guess what a complete alteration for the better this has produced in the Beau Monde, as well as the inferior People; and I am persuaded France, in half a Century, will owe one seventh part of its inhabitants to this cause; at least in conjunction with another Law, that soon followed it, by which severe Penalties were laid on all voluntary Abortions, or unwholesome Nurses; and freedom from several Taxes to all who had ten living Children, or a proportionable reward for all who had a smaller number, if above six. The next Evil they applied themselves to remove, was the frequent Dearths; which they also effectually remedied by taking off the Taxes on ploughed Grounds, and laying them on all such Trades as are nourished by our Luxury, and prove unprofitable to the Commonwealth; as Perfumers, Confectioners, Embroiderers, Wigmakers, Vintners, Jewellers, Lacqueys, Lawyers, Toyshops, Foreign Lace, and gold and silver Laceshops; by which means numbers were kept to Agriculture and Husbandry. At the same time they kept public Granaries in all considerable Villages; by which means, by borrowing and saving from the plentiful Crops, like Joseph in Egypt, they have now near two years provision beforehand, to supply their necessities, and relieve the low condition of the Poor in times of Famine, whenever this Judgment of the Almighty happens to visit this Nation, in vengeance for their sins. The last evil this Ministry has prudently remedied, was the preventing the continual Frauds in the managing the Finances, and overreaching the King and the Nation, in the Receipts and Disbursements of the Public Money, and the Accounts of the national Taxes and Funds. Judge, my Lord, what notions I must have, of his integrity and honour who is to read this, when I speak with abhorrence and detestation, of the vile arts these Financiers, and Bankers of the Treasures of the State, made use of to enrich themselves, and impoverish their Prince and their Country. For it is evident by the facts, that have since their disgrace been proved on them, and by the immense Fortunes they so suddenly raised, that there never were greater Robbers or Villains employed, under a careless and lavish King, and a cunning Ministry. To prevent such base and dishonest management for ever, there was an excellent Edict passed, constituting seven Commissioners, with eighteen thousand Livres yearly Salaries to each of them, sworn to examine with the strictest care and fidelity, all public Accounts of the Nation; and with their utmost industry, by their examining all Officers (from the highest to the lowest) on oath, to discover all errors. These Accounts, with all proper Vouchers annexed to them, they were obliged by the first of March, to publish and print annually for the public view; with their notes and observations upon them, and to mention all errors found in them, and the several Officers who had committed them, whether by fraud or mistake. All such sums so discovered, the particular Officers and their Securities, were to make good; and the Commissioners also, to have the entire benefit of such sums, paid to them by the said Officers and their Securities. But this did not end here, for if after the publishing and printing the said Accounts, any other Person should prove and make out, any fraud or mistake omitted by them; then such Person was to be ad¬judged the whole of the said Sum, as a reward for his diligence, half to be recovered from the Commissioners, and half from the offending Officer, who by fraud or corruption had passed it over. By this means, it is hard to be believed with what honest severity, regularity, integrity, and economy, the Public Finances here have been managed of late: while in other Nations, whoever robs a private Subject of five shillings, is hanged, and those who can with dexterity rob their Country of a Million, are honoured and rewarded, if not ennobled for it. If we add to this the public Registry, for all Conveyances of Lands and Settlements, and Deeds affecting the real Estates of this Kingdom; I believe your Lordship will see in these Regulations, as great care and conduct shewn, to retrieve this People from all their misfortunes, as has been known in this Kingdom, since the days of Richlieu or Mazarine. I shall now take leave of this part of my observations, and shall proceed to such others as I have not yet touched on; if possibly I can communicate anything of this kind, that may deserve your notice. And the first I shall mention is the low ebb of Religion in this Country, which is indeed in a very dead and languishing way, be¬tween the blind Infidelity of the Laity, and the cold indifference and want of Zeal in some, and the immoral and luxurious Lives of others of the Clergy. As the first of these is greatly occasioned by the latter, so that, I fear, is too much to be charged to the conduct of the Court and the Ministry. For finding in the late contests with the Pope, that the Clergy universally preferred the interest of the Empire of the Vatican, to that of their own Country; it has been a constant maxim ever since, to sink their credit with the People, by encouraging them in a want of Zeal for Religion, and a scandalous looseness of Life and Morals, and preferring either the most lukewarm or the most luxurious and debauched among them, to all Sees, Abbeys, in the gift of the Crown. By this conduct, their influence on the Laity and the State, is perpetually sinking: and as such heads will probably prefer Men like themselves, to the Cures of Parishes in their several Dioceses, the credit and interest of the Clergy, and consequently of the Pope, must necessarily decrease; and all that they lose, must as naturally revert to the Crown, as the Power and Estates of Rebels, that are forfeited for Treason. It is grown so much the fashion here, to treat them with contempt on all occasions, and despise them, that the great Men shut them out generally from their conversations; and even at their Tables they have always a Page or Valet de Chambre, to say Grace, (which for fashion’s sake some of them keep up as an old custom in their Families) that they may not be disturbed by the Priest or the Friar. And indeed, notwithstanding the general decay of Learning and Virtue, in the Ecclesiastics of this Century, I believe there can hardly be found such notorious and flagrant instances of this nature, as in this Kingdom. Many of them are as nice and effeminate, as if, (as we read of the Clergy of Formosa, who are all Females,) they were entirely of a different sex from the Laity; or like the Prophetesses of Caria in Asia Minor, who, as Aristotle tells us, were bearded Women. But I am sure they live with such softness, nicety, and womanlike delicacy of manners, as shew their sense and notions of things, must be mean and sensual. Numbers of them are sunk and drowned, in the good Wine and Cheer of Paris; wallowing in the Bottle and the Dish, as the chief pleasure and joy of life, and are so given up to their bellies and gluttony, as if they thought our blessed Saviour was born at Bethlehem, because the word in Hebrew signifies, The House of Bread; and was designed to express thereby, that they should serve him chiefly on that account, and feed by him. Is it not a melancholy prospect, my Lord, to see the sacred repository of the divine Will, shut up from the eyes of the Laity, and confined to such despicable creatures, as stewards and dispensers of it to others? So far, indeed, they may be called faithful stewards of it, as they bestow its Treasures entirely on their neighbours, without keeping any share of it to themselves; being too often, and especially the Jesuits, in this case like Miners, who are perpetually employed to dig out the Riches of the Earth; for the use of the World, while they preserve not the least portion of it for their own service. The truth is, the pretended heads of this Church are not, as formerly, Men who by an eminence in Parts and Learning, and a Sanctity of Life and Manners, are chosen out as fit Overseers of the Christian Sheepfold, to increase their numbers, cure their disorders, and prevent their straying; but are picked out to disunite and disturb it, in hopes thereby to shake the foundations of the Papal Power. They are not, my Lord, so properly Archbishops of Paris, or Bishops of Auvranches, as Temporal Peers, and the Dukes and Barons of those places; who have these Preferments bestowed on them for life, as Pensions to oppose the Pope, and maintain the Quarrel of the Crown. How far true Religion can be served by such Creatures, or Learning, Virtue, and Piety, be kept up in this Kingdom, is easily foreseen; and especially, when neither the outward decencies of public Preaching or Praying, or even appearing in their Churches, unless on great Festivals, is made use of to palliate their irregular Lives, and corrupted Morals. A reflection, which while I make with sorrow and anguish of heart, on the State of the Church here, I cannot without pleasure and transport turn my eyes on our own Church; where we are so happy to see the greatest purity of Faith, joined with a primitive simplicity and sanctity of Manners, and an eminency in both these, made the surest road to Promotion and Preferment. Another point of policy which the new Ministers have put in practice here, in relation to the Clergy, and which deserves to be locked up inter arcana Imperii, is, forbidding all polemical Works from the Press, or Discourses of that kind from the Pulpit. For as such Disputes and Party wars of the Pen, have been ever observed to heat, and keep up the zeal and spirit of the Clergy, above all other things; such stimulative and awakening Medicines are by no means judged, proper by these StateEmpirics, for that Lethargy and drowsy Stupidity, they find it their interest to keep the Ecclesiastics in. It is certain, by this means the peace and quiet of the State, as well as the Church, is the more secured, and many eminent Genius’s employed in nobler pursuits, to the great advantage of the Commonwealth of Learning. But at the same time, this introduces a sensible decay and indifferency in all points of Faith, that lie like the Fortifications of Towns, on the Frontiers of a Country, where we are secure to have no War; mouldering, and falling away daily, being neglected, and ill maintained, in too profound a Peace. Along with this part of their conduct they have joined another, and left in any future disputes with the Pope, they should want able Pens to defend the Rights of the Crown; they have in several Universities, and especially in the Sorbonne, appointed Salaries for learned King’s Professors of Divinity; though indeed their true title should be, Professors of the King’s Divinity. These are the best Pens and the ablest Men they have, who are retained, like Lawyers, to plead the Cause of France, against the Usurpations of the Papal See, as they have often done, though never so successfully, as when they have had the Armies of the Crown for their Seconds. The truth is, they have taken up such an aversion to Learning here, from the mischiefs it has occasioned, in their disputes with the Pope; that I am persuaded I could not do them a more agreeable piece of service, than to contrive a Plan to model all the Schools and Colleges in this Kingdom anew, in such a manner that they should be entirely employed in teaching Children Nothing, educating them to Nothing, and breeding them up to read Nothing. By this means, they might have the rising Generation, ready to receive any impres¬sions they pleased, unbiased by the reigning prejudices in favour of the Pope’s Supremacy. If I set up this Scheme here, I must aim to introduce the famous Chinese Sect of Bonzes, who assemble their Followers in the Fields, where everyone is furnished with a pair of Drumbones between his fingers; and whenever the Bonzes learnedly prove to them, that all the Opinions, Pleasures, Sorrows, Hopes, and Fears of this World are Xin, that is, (in their Language) Nothing, which word ends every sentence; the whole Crowd rock their Bodies to an ecstasy of transport, and rattle their Drumbones, crying out in confirmation of their beloved Doctrine, Xin, Xin, Xin! I must also of a certainty send for some Professors, from the Academy Gli Insecondi in Italy, who write Nothing; and for crowds of Spanish Schoolmen, German Poets, Dutch Divines, English Politi¬cians, Muscovite SeaCaptains, Italian Patriots, Jewish Rabbies, and Turkish Dervises, who have above all Men the happy art of amusing others, and employing themselves in that amiable mystery, of writ¬ing, and thinking, and doing Nothing. We should have some trouble in watching carefully over a few bustling, inquisitive tempers, who are possessed with that devilish spirit, of doing, thinking, or writing something. But the usual crowd of the School or the College, might be left to the conduct of their gentle, easy Genius, and by the amiable inactivity of their Indolence, would naturally arrive at Nothing. By such a model as this, great things might be done here, to drive out the impertinence of reading and study; and in a few years we might see this Reign, rival that of Lewis the seventeenth, when Learning, and Religion, and Arts, were so happily banished that Kingdom; and Infidelity united all its divided Schisms and Parties, in one general League of Irreligion and Ignorance, against Superstition, Pedantry, and Priestcraft, or in other words, Piety, Virtue, and Knowledge. But it is time to present your Lordship with some observations of a different nature, as to the Humour and Temper of these People. I formerly took notice of the prodigious Luxury that reigns here, amidst the confusion of their affairs; which shews itself in all the amusements and diversions of the better sort, in such an infinite variety of things, that it is impossible to describe the half of them. It would be very entertaining to write an History even of the Fashions, for the last five years I have resided here, and I am confident it would make a little folio, to go thro’ them in all their different reigns and seasons. High Stays, low Stays, no Stays, shortwaisted, longwaisted Stays; short, midleg, allleg, noleg Petticoats; broad Lace, narrow Lace, Flanders Lace, English Lace, Spanish Lace, no Lace, Fringes, Knottings, Edgings; Highheads, Lowheads, three Pinners, two Pinners, one Pinner; much Powder, all Powder, little Powder, no Powder; Mantua’s with a Tail, want a Tail, false Tail; four Flounces, three Flounces, two Flounces, no Flounces; wide Sleeves, straight Sleeves, long Sleeves, short Sleeves; many Ribbons, all Ribbons, few Ribbons, broad Ribbons, narrow Ribbons, rich Ribbons, plain Rib¬bons, flowered Ribbons, stampt Ribbons, no Ribbons. Such a noble and important work as this, with the dates and rise of every Fashion, the Councils that decreed it, the Authors and Inventors, and the vast Revolutions it produced in the polite World; and dedicated to the lovely Dutchess of Monbazon, who is able, my Lord, to prescribe what Fashions she pleases, both to her own Sex and ours; would, I am sure, raise more Subscriptions here, than the Works of Cicero or Livy. I fancy an History of their Breakfasts at Paris, for these last thirty years, would be almost as diverting; for as the quickness and inconstancy of the fair Ladies Fancies, are ever on the wing for new Entertainments for us, it is comical to consider the various successions they have contrived, since the days of cold Meat and Wine of their Ancestors. How have these lovely Cooks rung the changes with Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate, Chocolate, Coffee, and Tea, backwards and forwards, sometimes drinking their Tea infused long in cold water, sometimes in hot; and when they were driven off the stage, what new scenes have they furnished out, between Sweetmeats and Creams, Tysans and Sherbets, Milk cooked in twenty different methods, Bitters for the Stomach of a thousand sorts, Wine mull’d and brew’d in several shapes, Jellies and Fruits of all kinds, Broths and Caudles dressed up in various disguises, and Possets, Syllabubs, and Gruels, in as many; till at last they have returned to Manchets and Butter, with fresh Eggs and Whey, or Milk from the Cow, which their Fathers used about three hundred years ago, in Lewis the thirteenth’s time. One of the reigning Fashions at present is, in all their Assemblies, or Visiting days, to entertain their Company with Consorts of the best Music, and to perfume all the Apartments but the Antechambers, which are at the same time adorned with the most exquisite Pictures GreatBritain or Italy can furnish them with. I take this to be the most natural and agreeable method of receiving great People with respect, that can be thought of; for besides regaling you with many kinds of Wines and Sweetmeats, almost all the Senses are gratified at once, and the everlasting, unmeaning rhapsody of Talk, that prevails in mixt Conversations here, is removed; and the Ear, Eyes, Taste, and Smell, entertained in the noblest manner. If your Lordship will allow me to mention one reigning Fashion more, that seems established here, I shall detain you no longer on this subject; and that is, the keeping Mutes in all great houses, which they generally import from Turkey at excessive rates, and employ as Valet de Chambres and Waiters at Table. I fancy this humour is likely to reach some of their neighbours in time: and indeed, where half the World act, and the other half talk things, that ought to be buried in everlasting silence, I wonder it has not been introduced among us long since. In some Provinces of France this has obtained so far, that they as commonly cut out the Tongues of Infants, as in Italy they make them Eunuchs; and the prices for them run so high, these having the advantage of hearing, which many of those that are imported want, that it is probable in time, the number of Mutes among Servants, will bear a higher proportion than they do in the letters of the alphabet. In the mean time, to encourage us to give into this practice in our Country, it is to be considered, we may furnish ourselves much cheaper with very tolerable Mutes from both our Universities; who besides, are generally happy in a more grave and sheepish Modesty than these Foreigners, and can sometimes also, on an extraordinary occasion, utter an odd monosyllable now and then, which is rather an advantage in my opinion, than otherwise. I am sorry, my Lord, that I must lengthen this tedious Letter with two pieces of news, neither of which, I fear, will be agreeable. The one is the death of Mons. Le Fevre, whom your Lordship hon¬oured formerly with managing some business for you here. He was a cheerful, well natured, honest Man, but he talked immoderately; and though he shewed a great deal of wit in his Conversation, he used to laugh so much at his own Jests, that his mirth was seldom accompanied with Sarah’s blessing, who said, God had made her to laugh, so that all that heard her laughed with her. I mention this the rather, because I was with him the day he died; and as he had raised his fortune from nothing, by your Lordship’s bounty, so he spent it extravagantly, and died almost for want. He took notice of this rise and fall in his Circumstances, and desired me to tell your Lordship, he died your humble Servant; and that for the change in his fortune, it was but in the way of the World, and according to the old axiom in Philosophy, Ex nihilo nihil fit. But I have another loss to acquaint your Lordship with, which will touch you more nearly; and that is the Danish Envoy here, Mr. Plessenburg, who died last night of an Apoplexy, as he sat at supper among a great many friends. He had no Will by him, to the ruin of a numerous Family; for his while Estate goes to his eldest Son, a Man not worthy even to inherit his Name. Your Lordship knew him per¬sonally so long, and lived so intimately with him, when he was Envoy at our Court, that I need not draw his Character. He served his Prince faithfully, and was an honour to his service, and a credit to his Country; and indeed, we may say in this case, that the Servant was greater than his Master. He was a most religious Observer of his Promise, of which he gave a glorious instance lately; when being pressed by the Nuncio to prefer a friend of the Society to a Troop in his Regiment, and put by one he had promised it to, he told him, he would not break his word to serve the true friends of Religion, and much less to serve its real enemies, the Jesuits. ‘Twas an answer worthy of Mr. Plessenburgh, of whom I cannot say a greater thing, than that he had the honour of your Lordship’s friendship, and deserved it. In my last dispatch to Mr. Secretary, I gave so full an account of the state of my Negotiations here, and the high professions they make of their obligations to his Majesty, for interesting himself in the affair of the Inquisition; that I need not report a matter to your Lordship, which I know Mr. Secretary, with his usual care, has long since laid before you. I expect very soon to have an Audience of the King, in which I hope to find their measures concerted and resolved on, pursuant to what I was instructed to lay before them, for their approbation. When it is over, I shall give your Lordship an exact account of it, and what is likely to be the result of these counsels, which you so happily direct, and so worthily preside in. By our last Letters by the way of Vienna, we have received fresh assurances, that his Imperial Majesty is so well recovered of his asthmatic disorder, that he had ventured out to take the air in the Park, and to see his Hawks, (which the Grand Seignior lately sent him as a present from Constantinople) kill two or three brace of Woodcocks. However this may be relished at Rome, I am sure it is very agreeable news at Paris, and I hope will be as much so at London; where I wish you all the Honour and Happiness you deserve, and am, with the greatest deference and regard, My Lord, Your Lordship’s Herbert. To the Lord HighTreasures, My Lord, Constantinople, April 16, 1998. In my former Letters I believe I gave you a sufficient surfeit of my political observations on this great Empire, and its present Condition, Laws, and Customs; and I shall now furnish another kind of entertainment for you, if anything I can send your Lordship can be justly called so. I shall chiefly confine myself at present to give you some imperfect accounts of my Telescope’s performances, and of several conversations I have had on it, with the Grand Seignior in person; in those secret recesses of his retirement, the Apartments of the Seraglio, and the lovely Gardens with which it is almost sur¬rounded, to the very Banks of the Sea. I have formerly told your Lordship, how extremely affable and courteous, not to say obliging and affectionate, I have on many occasions found the Grand Seignior to me; insomuch, that I am really considered here as the greatest Favourite, of any Ambassador that has appeared here from a Christian Prince, for these many years. This, I believe, has been chiefly occasioned by my speaking the Turkish Language to some perfection, and by my studying to gratify, as far as I could, his great passion for such Curiosities, as I could furnish him with from London; such as Globes, Maps, Clocks of all kinds, and Watches; Dogs, Guns, Barges, Coaches, and, in a word, whatever I found him most desirous of. It is certain, by these means I have ingratiated myself mightily with him; so that when he refuses Audiences to other Ministers, he often sends for me, and will make me sit in his presence, and dis¬course of Europe and my Travels, with a familiarity very unusual to this Court. Since my last Letters by Mr. Biron, I received his commands to wait on him, and found him in one of his Gardens, after our European Models, with Grass, Gravel, Portico’s, and Fountains, by the side of one of which he was reposing himself. He told me, he had heard of the wonderful Telescope your Lordship had sent me, and that he was impatient to see it, and try if it answered the surprizing relation the Grand Vizier had made him of it; and desired to know, if it could be set up in that place immediately. I answered every one of his demands, in the manner I knew to be most agreeable to him; and as I had been prepared for it by the Grand Vizier, I told him, I had brought it by some of his Highness’s Slaves, who, with my Servants directions, should soon set it up, and regulate it. As he expressed a great desire to make trial of it immediately, and as the Evening was very serene and cloudless, I gave my People proper directions, and with a very little time and trouble, the necessary Apparatus for it was set in order; and then, without delay, it was brought in, and made ready for using. All this time he employed in examining me about it, how much it magnified, and if it were possible we could discern Mountains, Hills, Seas, and Rivers, in the Moon by it. I assured him I had tried it, and though in the last age few magnified more than two hundred, I found it magnified Objects many thousand times bigger than they appeared to the naked Eye; and that we could not only discern Hills and Rivers, but even objects like Towns and Forests in the Moon; and that, if the Inhabitants there were as large as some great Astronomers conceived them to be, I doubted not in time, our Glasses might be so far improved, as to see even Men and their actions there. He repeated all this after me with vast surprize; and after musing on it, he turned to me, and said with some concern, Seignior Stanhope, do you think there can be living Creatures, and above all, Men in our Moon? I told him, I had great and weighty reasons to be persuaded of it; and as he himself would see Hills and Woods in it, Clouds and Vapours surrounding it, though they are very thin and small, and also actual Waters, Seas and Rivers in it, I durst undertake he would be of the same opinion. For since she is found to resemble our Earth in all such Conveniencies, what is more natural than to suppose she must have Fruits and Herbs also, as we have; and if those, unquestionably Animals to live on them; and above all others, Men, since Nature does nothing in vain. That it was absurd to suppose such a beauteous Work of God, should be so amiably and usefully adorned, and yet be furnished to no purpose, with such vast Conveniences, which might be so pleasant and useful an Habitation, for rational, intelligent Beings; who might there enjoy with so much happiness, the Beauties and Delights of the Place, and with due praise and gratitude look up to the excellent Author. That though our Eyes did not convince us by such evident appearances, that there were so many resemblances in the Moon, of what we see on our own Earth, yet it was absurd to suppose, the wise Maker would have formed such immense, solid, opaque Globes, rolling by rules, and in Orbits he has prescribed them in the Heavens, as bare useless Heaps of Matter, and unwieldy Lumps of Rock or Clay, to no end, but to give an imperfect Light to our system, and to be looked at by the Eye. And if this is not to be imagined as to the other Planets, much less as to the Moon, who enjoys the Heat and Light of the Sun, to much greater advantage than several of them, and almost as well as our Earth. I said a great deal of this sort to him; to which he made several slight objections, that were easily got over: and perceiving our Telescope was by this time near ready, I presented him with the vast Map of the Moon, which I had from London, with all the Seas, Rivers, Mountains, Hills, Valleys, Forests, and the supposed Towns that are so accurately laid down in it by the Selenographers; and especially by the Savilian Professor Dr. Bertie, who has divided it into its several Kingdoms and Provinces. He examined it with abundance of care, and was delighted with the prodigious size, as well as the beauty and exactness of the Performance, asking me many questions on it; and appeared particularly pleased to see Stamboul, and his own Dominions (which I shewed him) set down in it. But by this time our Telescope being perfectly settled, I begg’d his Highness to let his own Eyes answer his curiosity better than I could, and to compare the Map with what the Telescope would shew him; the Moon being just at the Full, and the Heavens clear and serene. He immediately set himself to make his observations, and with the greatest surprize and transport, one while applied his eye to the Telescope, and then to the Map, surveying all the different ranges of Mountains, Hills, and Valleys, the vast Surfaces of Seas, Lakes, and Rivers, in the Lunar Globe, tracing out everything with the greatest sagacity. It is hard for your Lordship to believe the amazement that appeared in his Face all this while; and as the faithful Telescope represented everything so plain and distinct, and brought the Objects he surveyed so clear and close to his eye, that he could not be more convinced of their existence, had he walked on the face of the Earth he was surveying, he would ever and anon break out into some ex¬pressions of admiration. He seem’d, indeed, to doubt a little as to the darkness of the vast Plains of the Pontus Euxinus, the Caspian, and Mediterranean, and the Baltic, and East Seas, and the great Rivers that roll into them, by so many mouths; and supposed the Sea would rather appear with a lucid brightness, and even outshine the everlasting Snows and Rocks of Mount Taurus. But I soon convinced him, without troubling him with the philosophical reasons of things, with putting him in mind, that the Earth and Sea had just this appearance from the elevated heights, of his own Mount Olympus, where he so often had been. The only scruple that remained with him, was as to the great Hyrcanian Forest, and the resemblances, to call them no more, of the several Cities, such as Rome, Stamboul, Paris, Vienna, and London. As to the Forests, I made him observe the vast difference there was between the appearance of the bright even flats and plains, and that dusky, brown roughness that swelled up in the middle of those extended fields; and that as all the higher grounds in the surface of the Moon’s Globe wear a remarkable brightness, compared with those vast levels; it was impossible these being so dark, could be high Downs, or Hills, not to insist on the even Level that their tops appeared with, which hilly Countries never have. That it is certain, besides all this, that allowing there are Woods and Forests in the Moon, (and such she must probably have, in so many different Soils as he saw there) they could appear no otherwise than they did here, because they imbibe the Sun’s rays through so many apertures of their Boughs and Shades, and therefore cannot reflect them back, as the surfaces of hard, solid bodies would: and since it is plain, there must be Woods and Forests there, and if there, they must appear in the same manner he saw them; it is most reasonable to call them, and suppose them such. For the Cities, I must own, my Lord, I had not much to say; and though it is true, the running of Rivers close by them, the white circles that like Walls seemed to surround them, and the different heights and hollows, as it were Houses and Towers, and Shade and Lights, that reflect from them within those circles; and above all, that blackness, that like a thin cloud hung over the largest, and looks like a vast collection of smoke, such as we see about Cities here; all which make it possible, they may be what the Map calls them: yet I cannot but think, they may be rather white Rocks, shaded by Woods on them, or some neighbouring Hills, than real Cities. However I endeavoured to convince the Grand Seignior, that the resemblance was so strong, and agreeable to what one would imagine Cities would make to us, if they were built there; that one could not charge the composers of the Map, with overgreat rashness or folly, for assigning such denominations to them. The Grand Seignior seemed pretty well satisfied with what I said to him, and continued some hours surveying and contemplating the beauteous Object he had before him, till the interposing of some clouds, and a little rain that fell, put an end to this agreeable amusement I had furnished him with. We retired from the Garden into the great Kiosc, or Summerhouse, where he often spends the Summer Evenings, and the beginnings of the warm Nights, with his chief Favourites and Bassas, drinking Sherbets and Coffee, and smoking Tobacco. He made me sit down on the Sofa, and begun a long discourse with me, of the wonderful instrument I had brought him, which, as he expressed it, drew down the Heavens to the Earth, and made us as it were neighbours to those celestial Orbs, which the great Author of them had placed so remote from us. He asked me of the distance between us and the Moon, and when I told him it was generally computed by Astronomers, that her mean distance was about sixty semi-diameters of the Earth, he seemed astonished that our Telescopes could bring her so near us; but he was a great deal more so, when I acquainted him with the much greater distance, betwixt us and the other Planets of our system, some of which I told him I would shew him, whenever he could have leisure for it; and, if he pleased, the next day about evening, if the Sky was serene and cloudless. He seemed much rejoiced with my undertaking, to procure him that satisfaction so soon; and telling me, he would not detain me any longer for that night, he in a very gracious manner dismist me, and left me to retire to my house, where I immediately hastened; much pleased that I had the honour, of being the first that had introduced the Turkish Moon, (the Arms of this Empire) into the acquaintance of her great Masters, that had oftener alarmed the World, with her appearance in their Standards, than ever she had been able to do, with all her Eclipses. Early in the evening of the next day, I returned to the Seraglio before it was dark, the weather being very favourable, where I found the Grand Seignior attending my coming. He immediately began to tell me, that as he was convinced by what I had said, and what he had seen the night before, that the Moon must be inhabited, he had been considering with himself, what sort of Men they must be that were placed there. I told him, that, was what no one could pretend to account for, but that probably they must in many things resemble us pretty nearly, and in all likelihood be not much more different from us, than many Nations of the Indians, which the Ancients had dis¬covered in America. But, says he, I am perplexed with a great scruple, that I know not how to get over; and that is, as we know of a certainty that Mahomet, in his passage to Heaven with the Angel Gabriel, touched there, I cannot conceive, had there been Men there, but he must have com¬municated his Law to them; and if he had done so, he must have mentioned it in that holy book his Alcoran, which he has left us. Now as he has not taken the least notice of so important a point, I am persuaded there cannot be such Inhabitants there, as you and your Philosophers have disputed for. I saw the danger immediately, of touching on this point, and therefore shifted it off, by saying, that there were so many Worlds more, as thick planted with such Colonies as the Moon was, that it was probable he chose to leave them to themselves, since had he undertaken to visit them all, they were to infinitely numerous, and so infinitely distant, it would have taken up many millions of years, to have gone through with them. Your Highness, continued I, will allow there is some weight in this reasoning, since it is as probable that every Star we see in the Heavens, and an immense number we cannot see, even with our Telescopes, are every one of them so many Suns, in the centre of as great and as noble a system, at this which we are placed in, all the Planets whereof have the same pretensions to be inhabited as the Moon. This, I observed to him, was a point which all Astronomers contend for, as in the highest degree reasonable; not only from the same arguments that evince the Moon’s being re¬plenished with living Creatures, and rational Beings, which I already touched on; but also because, in the first place, all the denser Planets are seated nearest the Sun, in regard that the denser matter requires more heat, to render it capable of natural Productions; and secondly because the nearer such Planet is to the Sun, the greater is the veloc¬ity of its motion, and consequently, the vicissitudes of its Seasons are rendered the quicker, as it is highly proper they should be, in order to favour the productions of Nature in it, of what kind soever they are. And really the presumptions on these accounts, and many others, are so exceedingly strong in favour of this opinion, that I think we must leave the Astronomers, in possession of this favourite Doctrine of theirs, till we can bring better arguments against them, than I have ever yet heard of. I perceived he was going to reply, and as I had a mind to avoid the dialogue, I told his Highness, if he pleased, we would leave those enquiries, to see what information we could get about it from Jupiter, one of the noblest Planets of our system; which, says I, (pointing to it) shines so brightly yonder, as if he had spruc’d himself out in order to shew himself to us, and entertain your Highness in the best manner, his great distance from the Sun and our Earth will allow him. Accordingly, I immediately applied my Telescope to him, and as I had seldom seen him so bright, he made a very glorious figure, dressed up with all his Belts, and Spots, and Satellites about him. I laid the fine Map your Lordship sent me of him, before the Grand Seignior, with the imaginary Regions, Mountains, and Seas, which these admirable Glasses have furnished us the prospect of. I pointed out all the most considerable tracts on his mighty Globe, and especially the bright Mount Olympus, and Athos, and the wide Atlantic Ocean, and South Sea on his Western Limb, and the vast Islands here and there disper’d in them. I then made him turn his observations, to such of his Satellites as we were able to observe, and explained to him how these attendant Moons, served to enlighten the darkness of his Inhabitants, and to make him some amends, for their being so far removed from the warmth and splendour, of that sole source of light and heat in our system, the Sun. He attended to both their appearances, in the Map and the Heavens, and the explanatory hints I added to all, with infinite surprize and delight; every now and then crying out, how wonderful it all was, and what a pity, that so immense a Globe, should be confined to so dark and gloomy a situation! To remove his concern on this account, I told him, that though Jupiter’s People, certainly received but the twenty-fifth part of our light from the Sun, and that this days were but five hours long, yet it was plain, by the very brightness he now shone with, and by the splendour of so many attendant Moons, he had abundant light to make everything agreeable, and pleasing to his inhabitants; who had probably more light and warmth than our Polar Regions, and were certainly so formed as Moles, Owls, and Batts with us, to take more delight in the gloom of the evening, than the dazzling glare of the broadday. That possibly in Jupiter, they measured not their days by sunrise and sunset, but by several successions of them, and called them only sunhours, and moonhours; after such a proportion of which, according to the strength of their bodies, they divided their times of rest and labour. But certainly, says he, how contented soever they may be with their Light, they must suffer severely by cold; nay, I am afraid their Waters are constantly frozen. I told him there was no fear of that evil, if we either supposed their Waters of a warm nature, like our mineral Springs, and HotWells, or the inhabitants so fram’d, as to delight in a cold climate, and abhor a warm one, as our northern nations do the heat of the Line; or if warmth, like ours, must be suppos’d necessary for them and their plant, possibly as Jupiter’s Diameter is 20 times greater than that of our earth, and all of it bask’d in the sun’s beams, the warmth of the sun might be greatly increas’d there by Jupiter’s so frequent rotation round its own axis, and by its acting on so much greater an extent of surface; which answer, however your Lordship may think of it, pass’d for very good reasoning at the Seraglio. But, says he, I fancy I am the more sensible of their being pinch’d by cold yonder, because I find the night air grow very uneasy; and as we have fully observ’d these wonders of the heavens for this time, let us retire to our former shelter in the Kiosc, and talk over our coffee of these amazing Discoveries. We were hardly set down on our Sofa’s, when he began to ask me, whether the Astronomers in Europe, or elsewhere, were often thus employ’d, and to what uses their laboursserv’d? I told him, unhappily Astronomy had been confin’d to Europe to its great disservice; having been banish’d Egypt, and those regions in his Empire, that by their serene skies and air were fittest for her observations, and where she first appear’d, and for many ages flourish’d considerably. That in Europe our Astronomers were perpetually taken up in watching the Stars, Comets and Planets, adjusting their places, and observing their motions. That by their labours we both discover the harmony by which the immense works of the Creator are knot together in the great Universe, the motions of the heavenly bodies, the degrees of their magnitudes, light, heat and motion, and how they act on each other, their natural intercourse and regulated circulations, with their certain returns and periods. That by their observations on each and all of these, we are oblig’d to confess and adore the infinite magnificence, power and goodness of the great Mover and Former of them all; of which we could before have no true notions, till these his glorious works were thus reveal’d to us to our equal convenience and pleasure. That besides these advantages, we also were indebted to the labours of Astronomers, for the clearing up the now establish’d system of all the Comets in their immense Orbits, as well as the perfection of our Geography and Chronology; both which would be made up of mere fables and guesses without their assistance. Nay, that we owe to the same means, that our navigation is become so safe and secure thro’ the vast seas and pathless oceans through which our commerce is extended. That his Highness might have some notion hereof by those very Satellites of Jupiter which he had been so long observing that night, the observation of whose frequent Eclipses alone, had ascertain’d the Longitude of many thousand places in our Earth, which before were utterly unknown; and had thereby made that noble Globe, I had presented him with from your Lordship, so admirably complete, as I had often shewn to him. That besides many other things, by the observations of their Eclipses, as I had explain’d them to him, men had demonstrated, by their being seen earlier when the Earth is nearer, and later than calculation when it is remoter from Jupiter, that Light was not propagated to us instantaneously, but by a successive motion; and that we can measure out its journeys from the Sun and the Planet to us, as by a stated scale, which was about 500000 miles in a minute. We had a vast deal of conversation on these subjects, in which as I gave him accounts, that probably our Earth, by its smallness, had never yet been observ’d from Jupiter, and that Jupiter’s Moons, to say nothing of Venus’s, which are vastly smaller, were as large as our Earth, and that as their days were proportion’d to their revolutions round their Axes, so they were in some of them double, and in others 16 times as long as ours. We fell again into a long discourse, whether these vast Orbs, no ways inferior to the Earth in bulk, ought not to be allow’d inhabitants as well as our Moon. As to Jupiter, the very beholding him thro’ the telescope with his seas and mountains, made it sufficiently probable to him: but tho’ I urg’d to him, that is was absurd to suppose that an infinite Creator would have such glorious parts of his Creation void and empty of proper classes of his creatures, like an extravagant builder raising more edifices than he was able to place fitting furni¬ture in, and used many arguments, which I need not repeat to your Lordship, I could hardly make him confess, that he thought it very probable that they must be inhabited. However, I had the pleasure to find that my hopes had not deceiv’d me, and that what I had said now and formerly of Astronomy’s being driven out of Egypt, and those parts of his Empire, which Nature had, as it were, cut out for an Observatory for this lovely Science, had made great impressions on him. In short, before we parted, he order’d the Vizier to take care directly for choosing a fit place there, and building and endowing an Astronomical College, as I should direct; and desir’d that I should send for some of the best Professors in Europe to settle there, with large and honourable provisions. I can assure your Lordship this is already settled so far, that a large quantity of ground near GrandCairo is set out, and by this time actually building; and as I am persuaded no delay or obstacle will arise from hence to complete this noble design, I entreat your Lordship to give such orders, that some excellent Astronomers may be prevail’d with to set out with the next fleet for Turky, whose provision and protection to their full content, I do hereby, on sufficient warrant, bind myself to be answerable for. Judge, my Lord, what progresses we shall be able to make in this noble Science, when she is restor’d to her native Empire, and the serene and cloudless skies of Egypt, where neither rains nor vapours, nor the exhalations, mists and fogs of our Northern Climate shall once interrupt her divine Contemplations. What discoveries shall we not make in the Heavens of new Stars arising, old ones decay¬ing, unobserv’d Comets, with new Suns and Planets in their several systems, arranging in the thousands and then thousands of the yet undiscover’d hosts of Heaven, in the beauteous order and array of Glory, in which their omnipotent Creator has plac’d them in his infi¬nite Wisdom and Power? But I must leave this subject, my Lord, lest I run out into too great lengths on it; and tho’ I have often since attended the Grand Signor, to shew him the rest of the Planets, and particularly Saturn with his Ring, and his Satellites, which he was infinitely pleas’d with; and had many farther conversations with him on their Eclipses, one of which I shew’d him; and also on the new discoveries and improvements in Astronomy, and the new College for its Professors in Egypt; yet as the repetition of them would be needless, after what I have said on them here, I shall not trouble you with them. On my return home from the Seraglio, I met your Lordship’s dispatches of the 28th of December; but as my last of the 25th of Febr. effectually answer’d all their Contents, I shall make no other return to them here, than my humble thanks for the care you express so obligingly for me, and to make my compliments to Mr. Secretary for the huge Pacquets of English News Papers he was pleas’d to inclose to me. It was really a surprize to me, to see such a vast spawn of the productions of these insects, that thus float and feed upon the air we breathe, and have no appearance of existence but in their constant buzzing about, hearkening out, and attending and list’ning to the noise and motions of their neighbours. They seem to make their ears as useful to them, as the Pigmies which Pigafetta tells us he saw in the Island of Aruchet near the Moluccas, who liv’d in dark high caverns (like the garrets, I suppose, of these Authors) and lay upon one ear as a bed, and cover’t themselves by way of warm bedclothes with the other. I send your Lordship, as a little return for all your favours, a very excellent statue of Constantine the Great, which was lately dug up near this city by some Greek masons, and with great difficulty preserv’d from the barbarous hands of the workmen, who maim all such statues as they meet with anywhere. It is the more curious, because it is represented with a cross to it; which (tho’ the Ecclesi¬astical Writers assure us there were many such erected to him) is, I believe, the only one to be found now in Europe. Your Lordship will observe, that it perfectly agrees with the Medals of this Emperor that are stamped with it, of which I send your Lordship two very fair and well preserv’d. He is crown’d by a victory on the reverse with this Inscription, In hoc signo Victor eris; and I am rejoic’d I have got such a treasure to adorn that admirable collection you have made, and are daily increasing. Everything here continues on the same happy foot as when I last wrote, and our merchants are treated with the greatest favour and regard we can possible desire. As I have few correspondents, I have no foreign news worth sending your Lordship, unless the late death of his Polish Majesty, who, after the most intemperate Life, died at (I think) near eighty. A great age for anyone to arrive at, and especially a King; it being observ’d by historians, that of all the Roman, Greek, French and German Emperors, but four liv’d to eighty, and but five Popes; and none of those in any late Century. He was so given up to his belly, one would have thought he could not have liv’d to fifty, unless the devil had kept him alive to procure credit to intemperance. He was a sowre, illnatur’d man, but an ex¬cellent King; for it made him inaccessible to flatterers, and not to be practis’d on by favourites, and the skilfullest courtiers, who could neither lead or blind him. He had so little Religion, that he infamously gave up that which he was born in for his Crown; and us’d to say, as it was necessary to profess some kind or other, if he was not a Prince, he would have lik’d that of the Jews best, because it allow’d railing at all the rest, and was never believ’d or minded by those that profest it. As that Crown is soon to be set to sale, I hear there are already as many new Kings set up among them, as ever were made on a twelfthnight for diversion; and will probably have the same fate, and be unking’d again, when their parties that set them up are tir’d of them and their silly play, and sick of the poppets they created. I beg the continuation of your Lordship’s undeserv’d favours, and to believe me, with all possible gratitude, my Lord, Your Lordship’s, Stanhope. To the Lord HighTreasures, Moscow, March 8. 1997. My Lord, Since mine of the 29th of November and 17th of January, I have receiv’d but one short one from your Lordship of the 26th of February, in which you acknowledge the receipt of mine, and are so good as to desire the continuance of my correspondence, and to express some satisfaction in the accounts I have hitherto had the happiness to send you. You are pleas’d also to desire the best information I can procure you, in relation to the Jesuits practicing Physick here with surprizing success; which, you are told, has contributed to their interest in this Court, as much as any one method I took notice of to your Lordship, in relation to the prodigious growth of that Society in Muscovy. As I have endeavour’d to prepare myself to obey your Lordship’s commands on this head, I shall begin such accounts as I have been able to procure for you, with ingenuously confessing, that I quite overlook’d that particular; which was chiefly occasion’d by my considering them only as Ecclesiasticks, and omitting the disguises they wear here, and in all Courts, in every kind of profession that can give them interest and favour. And indeed it must be allowed, that their great application to the study of this profession has been of infinite credit and service to them, by the prodigious success they have had in their practice at the Czar’s Court, and throughout his Empire; and tho’ this is ascrib’d, by common report, to the prayers of the Society, that bring a blessing down on all their prescriptions, yet I fancy I shall have no difficulty to persuade your Lordship, that ‘tis owing to their employing some of the most learned and ingenious men of their whole body in the business of this profession. For as by the Athenian Law, all mean, illiterate people, and slaves particularly were forbid to practice Physic; which, if put in force now, would exclude numbers of base, servile, mercenary creatures, who follow that employment, and would force them to turn Horsefarriers and Ratcatchers; so these Fathers have taken care that none of their body should study this branch of learning, who were either of mean parts or griping spirits. By this means, what between vast reading and a generous neglect of fees, as well as close attendance on their patients, and several new methods they have establish’d, it is hardly credible how few that have recourse to their medicines, have fail’d of being recover’d, where old age, or a weakness of nature, or a long course of intemperance and debauchery, did not occasion it. I have as little faith in the common run of Physicians as most people, but I must own I have alter’d my thoughts on that article, since I have seen such effects of their skill; and I fancy were the ingenious Petrarch now living, he would not write in the title page of his Hippocrates’s Aphorisms, as he did in his days that odd Axiom, Nulla certior via ad salutem quam medico caruisse, for the reverse of it is now become true. There have of late years prodigius genius’s in physick appear’d in GreatBritain, who, like new stars, have enlightned the darkness of the last age, and have plainly shewn, not to say demonstrated, the reasons of the several virtues and operations, by means of which their prescribed Medicines produce such vast changes in our bodies. Nay, Dr. Turner, in his Treatise de principiis rerum, has found out evidently the fountain and first principle of life and action in all animated and vegetable bodies, which formerly appear’d such an unfathomable mystery to our Ancestors, who were wandering about and groping in the dark after knowledge; or, at most, wishing in the dawn of its morning for that bright and glorious Day that has since broke out upon us. The Jesuits have studied the works of these great men with no small application, and by improving their hints, and introducing several new methods and rules, have been of vast service to the public; some of these I shall now lay before your Lordship, as I have observ’d them myself, or have been appriz’d of them by others. And I shall begin with that excellent one of prohibiting all Apothecaries to practice on the severest penalties. For besides the want of skill in a profession they can never be supposed masters of, it is certain those Gentlemen used to bestow their attendance on the poor Russians, merely with a view to be well paid for their drugs, (that would otherwise have rotted on their shelves) just as Vintners give a Sunday’s dinner to their customers, provided they pay for the wine they drink. After all, my Lord, there is methinks as good ground for this Law, as for one we have in GreatBritain, that forbids Drovers to be Butchers, it being unreasonable that the same persons who provide the cattle we are to make use of, should also have liberty to kill. Another method they introduc’d here, and which produc’d a great care in the physician of his patient’s recovery, was, obliging the Doctor to refund half his fees in case of the death of the sick person. This ingratiated them much with the people, as it shew’d a generous neglect of gain in the college that establish’d the rule, and also spurr’d on all practitioners to do their utmost to serve their patients, or to pay a reasonable fine for their want of success. In the next place, all that were licens’d to practice, were oblig’d to keep regular Diaries of every symptom in their patients from the least to the greatest, and to have the Friends and nursekeepers that were about them write down all things observable in their absence, and to give copies (if demanded) of their prescriptions, in case the sick person died, to the censors of the college, where any ignorant or faulty conduct was fineable. By this means the hands of those dangerous animals, officious Physicians as well as ignorant ones, were severely tied up, and caution and judgment made necessary in pre¬scribing. But further, all were obliged to see their prescriptions made up themselves, and that right and good drugs were only used; by which means thousands of lives were sav’d, that us’d to be sacrific’d to the knavery of Apothecaries, who gave bad ones, or the ignorance of their apprentices, who often gave wrong ones; both which evils were thus effectually prevented. Another method they were oblig’d to observe, was, that each practitioner was sworn to report to the college and censors all such extraordinary cases as occur’d in his practice, and his observations on them, and at least three each year; out of which a choice collection was made, and annually publish’d for the service of the public, with proper notes and reflections: and this occasion’d great helps to the advancement of the Science in general, and the improvement of each member of the college in particular. In the next place, the Czar, at their request, gave the college the lives and bodies of so many condemn’d Felons as they pleas’d, to try all such experiments on, which they judg’d useful to improve their Science. By this means many thousands of such experiments were made, to the vast emolument of the world, and at the same time the lives of as many thousand honest Russians sav’d, that us’d to be sacrific’d to the folly, the curiosity, or rashness of their Doctors, by substituting Malefactors to be purg’d, blooded, and vomited, and to run thro’ all the ordeal fire of experiments, in their room. But again, the college having divided all diseases incident to the human body into four parts, each member was oblig’d, after ten years practice, to confine themselves entirely to the list of such diseases, as they judg’d themselves best qualified to succeed in the cure of, and all the rest of their lives to meddle with no other distempers, unless in case of necessity. By this means their studies and experience being thus entirely apply’d to a narrower province, they grew in time so absolutely masters of all that lay within their own district, that they frequently perform’d cures in the most desperate cases, and were able to exert the whole force of their art in that particular branch which they apply’d their studies and practice to. And certainly, my Lord, it is to this regulation of the Jesuit Physicians in Russia, as much as anything I have observ’d, that we have found out since the 19th Century so many wonderful specificks for the Jaundice, BloodyFlux, Small Pox, Dropsy, GreenSickness, and Cholick, which otherwise would never have been discover’d, or at least not so soon. With the same sagacity they have introduc’d the use of scales into their practice, and the weighing Urine with greater caution than Bankers do Gold; from whence in many cases what advantages have arisen, is known to all. Nor with less care and judgment have they brought Music into use in particular disorders, which before their cultivating this Science, was never once thought of any service, even in melancholy or phrenetic disorders themselves. But I must not pass by unmention’d another singular method they have ever used this last forty years here, and that is, curing several disorders by milk of goats and asses, which they have brought to prodigious perfection by several methods that are reserv’d to themselves. One of these I know by experience, is dieting the animal whose milk they prescribe with particular kinds of herbs, whose juices and qualities they judge most efficacious and conducive to the circumstances of the distemper. The service, (the miracles, I may say) they have done in this way is perfectly prodigious; and indeed as they first introduc’d the skilful use of the admirable Chinese Root Ginseng with such success in most cases, so they are observed as much as possible to deal in the simplest medicines, and frequently restore men to health with as much ease as Asclepiades did, who only used cold water and wine in his method of cure. This single circumstance in the practice of Physick is surely of vast importance; and as one of the prayers in the wise Italian’s Litany, is, Da Guazzabuglio di medici; so certainly that terrible hodge¬podge of drugs, powders, and a thousand compounded recipes we are obliged to swallow for a little ease or health, is a hazardous and as unpleasant a circumstance as I know in all their method of pre¬scribing. I remember to have read in a great physician’s works, that what naturalists assert, that whoever draws the root of Moly, Cynospastus, or Mandrake, out of the earth, will die soon after, is a mere vulgar error; but I wish he could as easily convince us, that those who take their roots and drugs inwardly, are not often seiz’d with death for their pains. And indeed there is nothing I admire more in their conduct, than their banishing those heaps of drugs which used to enter into the prescriptions of most physicians, and which formerly many of them were obliged to keep up, propter metum Judæorum, tho’ thereby they sacrific’d our lives to the dishonest gain of those vermin the Apothecaries, whom they were afraid to disoblige. Their gentleness and caution to avoid violent courses, is much applauded also. Some physicians purge, bleed, blister and vomit with such haste and fury, that they may be said rather to murther the disease than to cure the man, who is left weak and spent may be for life; and, like a Country where the King gets the better by a bloody civil war, they save the man, by ruining the happy constitution he enjoyed before. This is what the Jesuits are remarkable for avoiding, unless where it is absolutely necessary indeed; which, as they manage matters, seldom happens. There is another particular, which is entirely owing to them, and which has been very serviceable to these people, that I must not forget to take notice of. Your Lordship has often heard now epidemical pleurisies used to be here, and what numbers they swept away of the poor Russians every year, like the plague in Turky. To remedy this, the Czar, at the instigation of the Jesuits, introduc’d the custom of using linseedoil by the common people with all eatables, where olive or salladoil was formerly used (on which last he laid great duties;) and by means of this medicinable kind of sustenance, they have so effectually removed this reigning kind of pestilence, as I may call it, that it is seldom known to make any ravage among them now. This was at once restoring the health of a nation, my Lord; there remain’d only to banish the gluttony and drunkenness of the Nobility and Knezzes, to have in a manner completed the cure. One would think, my Lord, I had reckon’d up enough of their performances, and yet I have one more to touch upon that is sufficiently remarkable, and that is, a pleasant Elixir which they have invented, a few drops of which, taken just going to bed, never fails to give easy rest, and, what is most extraordinary, pleasant dreams. You see, my Lord, their skill has contriv’d to reach to that half of our lives (which we give to sleep) that before lay entirely out of our power and theirs; and as they have invented a specifick, to make it not only easy but delightful to us, I think they almost deserve to have altars and monuments raised to them. But, my Lord, after what I have said to the advantage of these Gentlemen, I am sorry to add one reflection that overturns all their glory; and that is, tho’ they have made the practice of Physick ex¬tremely laborious to themselves, and useful to others (beyond what it ever was known to be) by these methods and inventions; yet they have done it all with faulty views, to enslave those they pretend to serve, and establish the Empire of the Vatican, and all its supersti¬tions and errors. Nay, my Lord, it is said, that they watch the sinking spirits and the dying hours of their patients, to screw from them, by their sollicitations and importunity, large legacies and considerable donations to their society; and, what is still more detestable, that they are as industrious and artful to dispatch their enemies out of the way, as they are to preserve the health and lives of their friends. It is certain, there have not wanted instances in this kind that have occasion’d such suspicions; yet they have entirely surmounted them, and beat down all opposition, by letting every one see it was in vain to contrive any remedy against their power; it being as useless an at¬tempt (in Caligula’s words) as Agrippina’s Antidotum versus Cæsarem. But it is time to quit this subject, to acquaint your Lordship with something more material, and that is, the apprehension everyone is in here, that the war between this Crown and Sweden is like to be carried on by both sides, with greater animosity and resolution than ever, this approaching season. They work night and day at Petersburg in their preparations to have their fleet in the Baltic, before the Swedes can be able to leave their ports; and indeed, if the frost were once gone, and the Harbours open, I believe we should soon see the Muscovite squadron at sea. They carry on their levies for their land forces with all possible application, and have made large remittances to Poland and Germany, to remount their cavalry; and tho’ I am inform’d by a sure hand, that the Swedes are doing their utmost not to be unprepared for them; yet I am very doubtful they will not prove so good a match for them this campaign as they did last. How far his Majesty’s mediation between the contending powers may be proper, your Lordship and the Kind are the best Judges; but I am privately assured, it would be very useful to the Swede, and probably not unacceptable to this Court. I know not, while the Princes of the Earth are contending for these little corners of it, whether it may entertain your Lordship, to give you a little history of an honest Gentleman here, one Rabbi Abraham Abrabanel, who has very fairly put in his claim to the whole of it. He is a mad enthusiastical Jew, who followed merchandize, and broke; and after travelling over most part of Europe, settled here at Mosco, and was employ’d at last by the Czar, as his first herald, and got a good deal of money by drawing up genealogies for the Russian Knezzes and Noblemen, whose pride he flatter’d, by tracing up the source of their families further than history or truth could carry them. He had a very numerous family, and as the Jews here paid him great respect, as being a descendant from the famous Abrabanel of the tribe of Judah, and the house of David; his pride and some losses in his fortune turned his head, and made him take up one of the oddest fancies that ever madman thought of, that he is the direct descendant from Adam in a right line by Noah, and has a full title to his father’s inheritance, the world. Tho’ he hehaved very oddly in his family and neighbourhood, yet no one ever disturbed him, till he went one day directly to the Czar’s apartments, and making way for himself thro’ all the crowd, humbly acquainted him with his pretensions, and desired him to set a good example to the princes of the world, by resigning his Empire to him. The Czar was so good as to compassionate the poor creature’s disorder, which he soon perceiv’d by his appearance and gestures, as well as his speech, and very gently desired him to give him some time to settle his private affairs, before he resigned his crown; and prom¬ised him to have all possible regard shewn in the meanwhile, both to his person and remonstrances: But as he happen’d to smile in speak¬ing these words, Rabbi Abraham’s passion was raised so high, that he called him a vile dissembling usurper, and ordered the guards to seize him. Your Lordship may easily imagine the consequence was, that they very basely neglected his commands, and convey’d him with less respect than became his station as Emperor of the World, to the public Bedlam where they confine madmen. This affair has occasion’d much mirth; and as the Czar has order’d great care to be taken of him, I had the curiosity to pay him a visit yesterday along with the Danish Envoy here, to see if we cou’d make any tolerable terms for our royal Masters. We found him in a neat, clean room, where his wife was sitting by him weeping bitterly; but he was in no manner of concern, but writing a great many letters which lay in heaps before him. As he offends no body, we began to discourse with him of his affairs, and desir’d to know calmly what his pretensions were; because we were confident if the Princes of the World could be convinc’d of the justice of them, they would rather come to an amicable treaty, than dispute it with him against Conscience and Reason, by arms. As he knew us both, and our characters, by seeing us often at Court, he seem’d mightily pleas’d; and pulling a prodigious long genealogy out of his papers, he bid us read them there, and we should find he was the lineal descendant in the right line from Adam, and consequently had an undoubted title to every acre on the globe. We look’d over his paper with great respect, and told him we should represent the affair and his pretensions at our several Courts; but would be glad to know, whether he was not inclinable to compromise matters, and accept some kind of tribute, by way of acknowledgment of his title, and allow the present possessors to hold their Crowns under him as Fiefs of his great Empire. By the Crown of David, said he, it is a very fair proposal; and tho’ I have eight sons who could fill the Thrones of Europe, to say nothing of the rest of the Earth, better than they have been for these five Centuries past, if your masters and the rest of their brethren will pay me 1 s. per acre, rough and smooth. I shall give them no farther disturbance, nor trouble my head with writing to my subjects on this dispute. It is true, says he, finding the Czar trifling with me, and putting off matters from week to week, I was drawing up manifestoes to all my vassals, and discharging them from owning their pretended masters any longer; and I have order’d all the inhabitants of the Earth to pay no further rents, taxes or customs to them; and if I can once cut off those supplies of their power and pride, I shall soon humble them so far as to submit to me. The truth is, says he, taking me aside, and whispering me in the ear, I am under some perplexity what place to receive the money they bring me in; for having at present no one of my Territories in my possession, if they should pay it me here, this Usurper the Czar might be so dishonest and base, as to seize on it for his own use, and possibly might hang up some of my poor, faithful vassals for their loyalty to me. I told him very freely as his friend, that his doubts were reasonable, and that he should first try to get into some one of his Kingdoms by the way of treaty, before he order’d any of his rents or subsidies to come into him, unless a few for his private occasions. He thank’d me very gratefully for my good advice, and told me he was resolv’d to follow it; and in the mean time, says he, I shall send four general manifestoes to the four quarters of the World, and circular letters to the several Princes and their subjects, acquainting them with my title, and commanding them to acknowledge it. After all, said he with tears in his eyes, God knows how far they may regard my remonstrances; but considering how few of them can pretend the least title under my great Ancestor; and besides that defect in their titles, how much worse they govern my poor people than I should, I think they might in conscience either submit to me, or at least pay me a few millions of Rubles by way of an annual tribute. Besides, as I should be willing to take half those taxes and rents from my subjects which they extort from them, it is certain the poor people would gladly revolt to me if they durst, and if I had a tolerable army to maintain my just title. I told him he spake very reasonably; but it was so difficult an affair, either to conquer his antagonists by force, or convince them by reason, that he must necessarily manage with the greatest caution and prudence to compass his ends. Sir, says he, you know not the circumstances of mankind as well as I do, who both from interest and inclination have so long consider’d their hardships and oppressions, and their uneasiness under their Tyrants, whose titles to their Empire are only founded in blood and violence, and a few sorry Laws which their swords have cut out for their own purposes. My people are torn in pieces by new Religions of a hundred different cuts and fashions, by unjust Laws and worse Judges, by Poisons they call Physic, and Murderers they call Doctors, by Plunderers they call Landlords, and public Villains whom they call Taxgatherers. They have departed from all the good customs of their Ancestors before the flood, and after it; and have so far deviated from the right of succession in the lineal descendants, that I can maintain there is not this day in the world a single family that has the least title to the estates they enjoy. There is no Prince in Europe, whose Genealogy I cannot trace up to people that were no later than 2000 years ago; either Pedlars or Tinkers, Lieutenants, Lacqueys or Lawyers, or at most menial Ser¬vants to several of my relations. There is not a Nobleman, Knight or Gentleman on earth, who is a lineal descendant from his own forefathers: I have search’d into their Genealogies, and I find them in their different successions the sons of Coachmen and Footmen, Soldiers and Courtiers, Priests, Friars, Jesuits, and Valet de Chambres. Besides all this, they have confounded right and wrong, vice and virtue; they take corruption for justice, hypocrisy for religion, falsehood for truth, lust for love, brutal fury for courage, cheating and fraud for honest gain, prodigality for generosity, pride for greatness of spirit, ribaldry for wit, debauchery for pleasure, purchases for legal titles, cunning for wisdom, slavery for liberty, and irreligion and infidelity for strength of reason and zeal for truth. Nay, they mistake the butchers of mankind for heroes, readers for scholars, bastards for heirs at law, soldiers for patriots, flatterers for friends, and honest advisers for open enemies; they look on atheists as moral men: and in short, their conduct in every view is so equally absurd and wicked, that I am no longer able to bear with them; and I see evidently I must take the government of them into my own hand, to be able to reform them as they ought to be. Neither in truth do I resolve on this from any interested views of power and profit to myself and children, but barely for the general good of mankind, being willing to sacrifice the unquestionable title I have to the Empire of the World, to their service, if I could otherwise contrive any way to work a proper reformation among them in this depraved state of things. I told him I very much approv’d his generous intentions to serve the public, and be as instrumental as his high birth and station en¬titled him to be: but that I was apprehensive his setting up his title, how just soever, might occasion prodigious wars and commotions in the world, which must certainly be a great affliction to him. Dear Sir, says he, what you say would deserve my consideration, if I did not certainly know, that obliging men, even by force (if force must be us’d) to acknowledge my title, would still deliver them from much greater evils. For be assur’d, says he, (in a very important whisper) all the famines, pestilences, commotions, desolations and wars that have afflicted the world these last 40 Centuries, have fallen upon men by the vengeance of a just Providence, enrag’d to see the succes¬sion and claim of my family laid aside and neglected by a wicked and degenerate race of villains and traitors. He accompanied this with a flood of tears; and turning to his wife, My dear, says he, if your Maj-esty will reach me those papers I have written, I think this will be an excellent opportunity for dispersing them through my subjects, and Gentlemen, says he, as you are the first of my vassals who have shewn a sense of your duty and inclinations to return to your allegiance, if you will send them to the several Princes they are directed to, and assist me to bring about the Revolution I have resolv’d on, I shall both consider your respective Masters, and (tho’ I can’t part with any of my dominions in Europe) I hereby promise them the best Territories in my Asian or African, or at worst in my American Continent. But by this time the farce grew too tedious; and therefore desiring a few weeks to consider of his demands, we thought fit to retire, and leave his Imperial Majesty to write his dispatches without the help of Secretaries or Counsellors. I am sorry I forgot to beg his Majesty to take care of his precious health, and to be on his guard against his mighty rivals for the Empire of the World the Jesuits, and the dangerous Monarchy of the Solipsi, who I fear are so jealous of all rivals in interest and power, they will be very apt, by fraud, or poison, or violence, to remove so dangerous a Competitor out of the way. But I must make amends to your Lordship for this trivial amusement, by a present that is really worth your consideration and regard, which I send you by this bearer; and that is no less than sixty volumes in Folio of the late Czar’s travels thro’ Europe, who, as your Lordship knows, never stirr’d out of his own Empire. He was a Prince of great natural genius and abilities; but as he did not approve of his own or any great Princes travelling, he employ’d a number of the most able and understanding men he cou’d procure, to take that trouble for him, and travel thro’ the whole tour of Europe, accompanied with excellent designers, who at all proper stations should graphically design the face of nature, and the situation of rivers, towns, palaces, castles, mountains and plains, in the very manner the eye survey’d them on the spot. Besides this, they were oblig’d to take draughts of all the finest gardens and improvements, the most famous performances in Architecture, Painting and Sculpture; and even the very habits, the very looks, shape and air of the people of every country they pass’d thro’. Nay, they were to design the very cattle, fishes, birds; and, in a word, everything that could deserve their notice in their journeys: all which they were to accompany with the best notes, remarks and observations possible. But this is not the only treasure that has enrich’d these volumes; for here are all the rarities of the best cabinets in Europe for choice collections in all kinds, express’d to the life in admirable cuts, and explained by short judicious dissertations. In these, all the best statues, and their habits, medals, seals, intaglias and bassorelievos, inscriptions, vases, mausoleums, sacrificing instruments and vessels, sepulchral and other lamps, lachrymatory and sepulchral urns, idols, engines, and instruments of war; rings, symbols of cities and countries, instruments of music, and the weights and measures of the ancients, are incomparably represented, as well as whatever relates to the temple and worship of their Gods; not omitting all the modern productions of art and nature in animals, plants, minerals, metals, and the manual improvements of the several Sciences. An immense profusion of all these, digested under their proper heads, are engrav’d on these copper plates in a beautiful and regular order, where we may at once form the clearest notions of all such things, without running the hazards of ill health, as well as the corruption of faith and manners, which travelling is generally accompanied with, and have at least all the benefits that one can borrow from the eye in performing the tour of Europe. The Czar has about 1000 Copies made of them, which are presented as the greatest favours to those they design to oblige; and as I owe this I have receiv’d to your Lordship’s friendship, by whose means I am fix’d here, I thought it a piece of justice to restore them to the hand, by whose mediation I became posses’d of it from the Czar’s bounty. If it were not for the Patriarch’s death, who died here last week, I should have no news of any consequence to communicate to your Lordship. Tho’ he was brought over, in the latter part of his life, to all the Jesuits measures in modelling this Church to submit to the Pope, yet he would have been an excellent Bishop but for one fault, which I believe few men were ever guilty of before him. He was a learned, sensible, pious man, and with the greatest zeal to serve the cause of Religion and Virtue, he had an utter contempt for that epidemical evil in the Christian Church, the building up a fortune, and making a family. But as he ow’d his advancement to the Prince Dolhorouky, thro’ a false notion of gratitude to the end of his life, he never ceas’d heaping Preferments on every relation or friend, nay, on every dependant of that Prince, how worthless soever, (against all reason, nay, against his own) on the sole merit of their belonging to that family. This is a little obscur’d the lustre of his virtues, and might teach us (but, alas! we do not want the caution) that we should not be too violently grateful; which is almost as dangerous as being too violently in love, and distracts and biases the judgment as much. But we may forgive his excellent Person this weakness, which was compensated by so many great and shining virtues; and besides, there is so little danger of his example being infectious, that I fancy he is the first man in this age, who (in his character) fell a martyr to gratitude. He is to be buried with a great solemnity, which the Jesuits are to have the management of, as well as of providing him a humble, decibel Successor, who, ‘tis said, will certainly be the Bishop of Novogorod. One very unfit for such a charge, being an old, weak, injudicious creature, without will, or even speech or passions of his own, but as he is inspir’d and mov’d, like a puppet, by the hands of these jugglers behind the curtain; and so notoriously dull, that the Knez Petrowisky told him in a violent quarrel this winter, his head was so barren (he is very bald) that it would not even bear hair. Yet to these very defects, which ought to have prevented his promotion, it is that he owes his advancement: a thing, miserable and unfortunate as it is, that often happens in the world; these Jesuits being like those mongrel sort of cure, that would never find a master to own them, but for such poor blind wretches, who cherish and feed them, that they may lead and guide them in the ways of the world. But I detain your Lordship too long with these trifles, and therefore will not increase their number by vain and useless professions of being on a thousand accounts, and by a thousand ties, My Lord, Your Lordship’s, Clare. My Lord, London, Chelsea, Feb. 24. 1999. I had the pleasure of receiving yours of December the 16th and February the 8th, and have now the shame of answering them together; but if your Excellency considers the multiplicity of affairs that have been on the carpet of late, and in which I have been more than ordinarily engag’d; you will not take it unkindly, if I am more dilatory in my answers, than my strong attachment to your noble family, and my personal regard and esteem for your merit and services, may justly demand from me. In the mean time, I have not been wanting in my care, as to those negotiations you are charg’d with, as the dispatches from Mr. Secretary Bridges will witness for me; nor in my respects for your brother, who is now one of the two Secretaries for foreign affairs. It is true, the salary, by increasing the number of Secretaries to four, is not so considerable as formerly, yet the credit and honour of the place will be of greater service than a more lucrative employment, His Majesty expects with impatience the resolutions of the French Court, as to the affair of opposing the Inquisition. As you have receiv’d his instructions on that affair from his own hand, you will do well to return as exact an account as possible of your next audience, and to shew your utmost dexterity to spirit them up to vigorous resolutions on that matter, which may produce events of vast service to that crown and this, in humbling the exorbitant power of the empire of the Vatican. Your care in reviewing our French seaports and garrisons, and the works carrying on in the harbours of Dunkirk and Calais, gave his Majesty much satisfaction; and be assur’d, I shall endeavour to improve the impressions which your diligence and skill, in observing the state of things where you are, have made on him, to the utmost. The ability and application of the French Ministers to retrieve the low condition a weak and unfortunate reign has reduced their country to, is very commendable; and as she can never recover strength enough in half a century to make her once more an object of our jealousy, it is our interest to support rather than distress her, lest she becomes a perfect province to Rome. Cæsar left her so, and there are many cowled Cæsars beyond the Alps, and in her own bowels, whose heads are as wise and bald as his, who would make her so again, if the pastoral staff and crosier did not want something of the force and vigour of his sword. Our accounts from Rome leave us no shadow of doubt of this, as well as their deep designs on Germany; but I hope the recovery of the Emperor, and a vigorous opposing the establish¬ment of the Inquisition, will give us both room and time to lay such invincible obstacles in her way, as she can never get over. But Mr. Secretary has so fully enlarged on this subject to you formerly, that there is no occasion for renewing any discourse on it now to your Excellency, who are also so well appriz’d of the state of affairs in Europe; and therefore I shall only add my earnest desires that you may continue to do service to the King and your Country, and honour to the character you sustain, by observing and taking hold of every occasion that offers, of making his Majesty’s cares for the service of the world more and more successful. I observe with pleasure (to pass to another subject) that while your Excellency is thus solicitous for the service of the public, you are perfectly regardless as to your own interest here; and particularly, as to the Royal Fishery and Plantation Companies, in both which you have so large a stock, and are so deeply engag’d. As those corporations have been entirely new modell’d by the act past this last sessions, and much improv’d from the state they have been in, since Frederick the first and George the third’s establishing them, till now, I believe it will be a pleasure to you, if I acquaint you with their present circumstances. I shall begin with the Royal Fishery, to which this act has assign’d six new ports to the ten formerly appointed, and obliges the company to keep at least 200000 hands employ’d, either as Coopers, Ship¬wrights, Smiths, Cawkers, Sawyers, Sailors, Fishers, and Sailmakers; or else in making nets, baskets, ropes, dressing and spinning hemp and flax, and weaving poledavies. Of these hands, there are to be at least 1600 lame and 1000 blind people employ’d in ropes and net making, and the hemp and flax articles. The company must keep at the least 1000 Busses employ’d, and one fifth of all their hands, boys from 11 to 16 years of age, and one third new men, who had never been at sea before, as a nursery for seamen; and are to furnish the royal nave, on forty days notice, with 4000 mariners. On these ac¬counts it is enacted, that for the encouragement of the company, and those who enter into wages with them, and enabling them who carry on the trade (tho’ less gainful to private persons, yet more serviceable to the Nation than any other) to pursue it vigorously, the fourth of all the Profit of playhouses, shows, prizefighters, operas, music meetings and gaming houses, shall be paid to them for ever; and also the 200th part of all money or land recover’d at law, and the same of all immoveables that are sold. That all common beggars and vaga¬bonds, and all foundlings, when eight years old, shall belong to the company, and be seiz’d by them, and kept in their workhouses for seven years, allowing them clothes and diet, without wages. That no person shall have more than 10000 l. stock, nor less than one, in the company’s funds, except his Majesty, who shall have 20000 l. embark’d therein; and that the tolls and customs for passage on the great canals cut by George III. and Frederick II. from Bristol to the Thames, from Southampton to Winchester, and from sea to sea from Carlisle to the Humber, be paid also to them. That for their further encouragement, each Friday in every week no person shall eat flesh, on severe penalties nam’d in the act; and every house in which are five inhabitants, besides children, shall be oblig’d to take from them one barrel of herring or other fish, at the marketprice. This is the main act, which by the nearness of our shores, and being furnish’d with all victualling and fishing necessaries within ourselves, without the taxes the Dutch pay their masters; and being nearer the Baltic, and most foreign markets, enables us to undersell all our rivals in this trade, to breed up every year several thousand Seamen, and employ numbers of our useless poor, and import immense sums of treasure to our happy Island. But the great advantages this new model of the royal Fishery has procur’d us, are best seen by its stocks having risen above five per Cent. which your Lordship will be a great gainer by. The Plantation Company for the new Colonies in the WestIndies, is by the same act favour’d by great encouragements, as to all duties of exports and imports, and a grant of three millions of acres, to be laid out and applotted equally to all planters who shall settle there, and build new towns. They have also large Premiums settled for such limited quantities of iron, pitch, tar, hemp, flax, silk, indigo, wine or oil, as they shall import from them hither. This has rais’d their stock as considerably as the former, and will probably, in a few years, make us utterly independent of our neighbours in the North for all naval stores, which us’d to drain such immense sums from us. I do not congratulate your Excellency on your particular advan¬tage herein, but on the credit and honour you have gain’d, by being so zealous for the welfare of these two glorious companies, and the prodigious addition they are likely to give to the strength and wealth of our native country. They will not only enrich us vastly beyond any of our neighbours, (and they that are richest, will be able to carry on a war longest, and consequently tire out and subdue at last their enemies;) but they also vastly increase our naval strength, employ our starving poor, and will so far enlarge and extend our colonies on the Continent (greatly encourag’d by our former laws) that our trade will be every day growing more considerable. The very wine, oil and silk imported annually from the, is incredibly great already; and tho’ in Frederick the first’s and George the third’s days, there were hardly forty engines for throwing of silk in this nation, it is certain there are now above a hundred; and yet there are daily new ones set up by the company, which throw more silk with two or three hands, than by a vast number of workmen in the ordinary way. The demands for our goods and manufactures there, are within this last century (as I am assur’d) risen to double what they were before; and I doubt not but your Excellency will live to see our Thames like the famous River the Tibiscus, of which it was said, that one third of it was water, a second fish, and another shipping and boats. The truth is, our colonies abroad have, and are likely to acquire still such an increase of hands and strength, that the greatest care will be necessary to keep the strongest of them dependent; and yet to provide that the weakest of them may not live on the blood and spirits of the mother nation, nor suck, if I may use the allusion, on her breast too long. I am confident as they will require, so they will well deserve, and fully repay this care. Besides the advantages of the commerce and navigation betwixt us, it is certain, they generally in proportion produce greater, more sublime, and warlike spirits; as being compos’d of adventurous and daring people, or, at worst, of melancholy discontented men; which last, to say nothing of the other, (who must evidently be of service to us) are the best seedbed for ingenious and inventive, as well as learned and judicious heads. It may indeed be objected to our foreign plantations, that they are in part made up of the filth and purgings of the nation, as felons and robbers; but we all know Rome itself built up all its courage and virtue on no better a foundation: and after all, even such offenders have often such resolution, subtlety, strength, sharpness and activity, as make their posterity, (by these qualities they derive from them,) sufficient amends for their descending from such evil ancestors. I am confident the new bishoprics founded among them by the piety and generosity of his Majesty’s ancestors, as well as those of Carolina, Barbadoes and Boston, establish’d by himself, will greatly contribute to the reformation of manners and principles in our colo¬nies, and to the keeping them firm in their allegiance to the crown. Besides, as the severe ecclesiastical discipline settled there against all profaneness and scandalous immorality in both laity and clergy, and the encouraging those two noble colleges, erected there by George III. have gone a great way already in their civilizing and improving them; so I doubt not but a regular continuance of them, will fully amend what is yet wanting. The melancholy prospect you have drawn, as to the corruption and debauchery of the French nobles, and the misery and excessive poverty of the lower people, must surprize every one, who considers the glory, virtue, and bravery of that nation in the last centuries, that cost her jealous neighbours such treasures of wealth and blood to prevent the universal empire she aim’d at in those days. It is true, one would not see so dangerous a rival restor’d to her former strength and vigour; but yet a generous enemy cannot see her present misfortunes, without some regret. However, a few years and a wise administration may by degrees resettle her affairs, and bring her out of that weak and languishing consumption that at present preys on her; but that deadly corruption and degeneracy of faith and manners that infects her clergy and laity, seems of a more desperate malignancy, because it does not only prey on her vitals, but is also encourag’d and increas’d by those physicians, who are only able to undertake the cure. Certainly while the King and his Ministers find their account in imitating the maxims of Venice, keeping the interest of the clergy low, and their persons and character contemptible, Religion and the influence of the mitre will be utterly absorb’d in reason of state, and the power of the crown; and the subject must necessarily become equally sceptical in their belief, corrupt in their principles, and immoral in the conduct of their lives. Now tho’ this will evidently lessen the unreasonable authority of the Pope and the Church with the nation; yet whether such measures will not at the same time unloose the sacred bonds, by which religion ties the allegiance of the people to the supreme magistrate, and make them bad subjects in proportion as they are bad Christians, is worth the consideration of the mighty Machiavels of France. Your Excellency, who is so well acquainted with the history of our own country, will be the better able to judge of such consequences by the reign of Frederick III. in the 19th Century; when the miserable infection that had corrupted both the lives and faith of one part of our people, had almost driven the other to an absolute revolt in their allegiance and principles, to Rome and her superstitions. A consequence as natural in the politick, as a consumption to and old inveterate cough in the natural body; and if that wise Prince had not in time foreseen, how unsafe all foundations must be, that were not built on a pious, prudent regulation of the establish’d church, and by professing an abhorrence for libertinism and scepticism, and a zeal for our religion, by preferring and honouring none that were known to think meanly of it as to their opinions, or that dishonoured it by their lives, I know not if we had not now been bowing to images, and adoring the Pope. The struggles and convulsions which that loose¬ness of principles we were infected with, produc’d in his father’s reign, are known to everybody, that does but cursorily look into the history of those times; and certainly, nothing but the piety and prudence of his son, could have restor’d our peace and happiness, whose calm and rational zeal for our religion, in a few years wrought as great a change in the people, as ever happen’d on such an occasion since the days of Constantine the Great, when the sincere Christian triumph’d over the dissembling Pagan. But I will not follow this subject so far as it would lead me; and shall only say, that I heartily wish our neighbours in France may not find some consequences from the maxims they are pursuing, very different from what they expect; and that they are not tumbling into a greater, to avoid a lesser evil; like him who run into the water for fear of rain. But let us leave these melancholy prospects for other nations, and let us reflect a little on the happy condition of our own country, and what it owes to that glorious Line of Hanover, that has adorned its throne with such an uninterrupted race of Heroes. What blessings have they not deriv’d on us, and our posterity, by their counsels at home, and their arms and courage abroad in the field; by giving us the best contriv’d and the best executed laws, and by raising the trade, wealth, power, and glory of our country to such heights, that our enemies may envy, but cannot lessen, and our friends may admire, but know not how to increase? And certainly, as our ancestors used to say, when they were torn in pieces by their senseless and distracted factions, That England could only be ruin’d by England; so we may as truly maintain, that our happiness, and (that greatest of all our blessings) our Liberties, as now settled under our excellent Prince, can never be destroy’d but by Parliaments; and our Church, as it now stands fenced in by human Laws, and founded on the divine Law, can only be overturn’d by the Fathers of it the Bishops. As neither of those cases can be supposed possible, unless men should break thro’ the most sacred trusts; and, in spite of the most solemn obligations that nature, religion, and honour, can bind them by, prove false to their Posterity, their Country, their King and their God; I think we may be justly secure of their continuance, and bid adieu to jealousies and fears! I return your Excellency my thanks for your two manuscript treatises, which gave me much entertainment for three days, which I stole from the hurry of affairs in this restless town, to give to my gardens in my beloved retirement at Windsor. You have so high a relish for the true rational pleasures of life, which are to be found in the silence and solitude of the country, that I shall easily persuade you to believe me, when I aver, that a debtor releas’d out of the CityMarshalsea, is not more transported with his liberty than I am, when I get loose from the crowd of importunate great beggars, (that besiege our chambers and antechambers, nay, our tables, and even our very beds, that should be sacred to peace and rest,) to breathe a little free air in that private retreat I am so fond of. This was ever my way of thinking in my best health and vigour; but I must own, it grows much upon me of late, now that I am in the decline of life, and find the business of the world increase upon me, with the additional load of age and its infirmities. You will smile at me, may be, when I tell your Excellency, that I sometimes think seriously of retiring betimes, and living no longer, as I have done this thirty years, enslav’d to the world, and the wretched business of it, but to be at last possess’d of that delightful wish, vivere sibi & musis; or, to translate it into better English, to live to myself, and the great Author of all things. When or whether ever I shall be able to put this in execution, I cannot say; but if I do not tell you my fixt resolutions, I tell you at least my sincere desires, which lie nearer my heart than anything else on this side of the grave; where, I think, I find many hints given me every hour, that I am soon to retire. I am sure the unreasonable fatigue I am forced to undergo at Court, will hurry me thither the sooner; and I often reflect on the remark in the Talmus, That there is no prophet in the Old Testament, (as they past their days without care) but they outliv’d four Kings: and that Joseph died before his breth¬ren; because, says the Talmudists, he was turmoil’d and barrass’d by being prime minister to Pharaoh. But these, you will say, are but the little fretful sallies of a mind sick of confinement, and thirsting after liberty; let us therefore leave them, without justifying them further with the least complaint of the malice, the envy, and ingratitude of the public, which, (tho’ perhaps not very successfully, yet still) we endeavour to serve; and return to the business of the world, and the worthy Creatures that make up the Crowd, and contribute to the noise of it. The best news I can send you from it (you see, my Lord, death and the grave are still in my thoughts) is the departure of sir John Wingford, the best lawyer, and the worst judge that ever appear’d in England. He was, at the bottom, extremely avaricious; he had long refus’d the place of chief Justice, which his Majesty had offer’d him, on account of his prodigious abilities, for the sake of the immense sums he got every year from the crowd of his clients. But as the severe act against lawyers exorbitant fees, and the infirmities of a bad constitution and a wasted body in the latter part of his life, at length oblig’d him to comply with the desires of his Majesty, and indeed of mankind, to accept of it; he did it with the worst grace imaginable, and as haughtily, as tho’ he had sacrific’d the interest of his family to the good of the nation. I must own, with shame for my ignorance, that I was no small instrument in settling that affair; and I can make no better atonement for it, than confessing that I have now reason to believe, this first and greatest of our lawyers, (whose memory and imagination, whose learning and judgment seem’d by turns to outdo not only mankind, but themselves,) to the disgrace of human nature, prov’d the vilest and most corrupt of judges; and found the way, as I’m told, to make a comfortable balance between the bribes given his wife, and the fees of a private pleader at the bar. But he’s gone to appear before the great Tribunal of his Maker, and therefore we shall leave him to stand or fall, as he pleases to determine; and I shall only add to the trouble I am giving your Excellency, since we are upon this subject, the death of a much honester judge, but a weaker man, my Lord Chancellor Hoskins, who died last week, a few days before him, of a fit of the apoplexy, which took him off in an instant. Tho’ his abilities were vastly meaner, yet his probity and honesty were infinitely superior to the others; but he had so perverse an integrity, that if any one attempted, or appeared to attempt, to lead or wheedle, or influence him in his decrees, he was sure to go the contrary way, wherever it lead him. He carried this so far, that my Lord D having a suit before him for a great Estate with Mr. Lp, in which he was sure to be cast, contriv’d to get a certain great man, whom I shall not name, to recommend Mr. Lp’s interest to him, with a kind of menace if the did not do him justice; by which single expedient he so turn’d the scales, that he run violently and headlong against Mr. Lp; and indeed against justice, and reason, and equity, to avoid the imaginary guilt of being influenc’d and biass’d. It is true, some of his friends have attempted to make an apology for this weakness, by asserting, that on his being advanced to that bench, he had been misled in his judgment in one of the first causes he heard, by Mr. Pl, a near relation of his Wife’s; and as he had been severely censur’d for it, like the scalded dog, he was afraid of the least shower of rain that threatened to fall on him: but surely this was but giving a stronger proof his weakness instead of excusing him, and shews more fully what vile and wretched creatures we are, when our poor scanty portion of reason is influenc’d by our passions or folly. But I will quit this ungrateful subject for one that ought to be more agreeable to you and me; and that is, my sincere assurances, that as much as I have ever been attach’d to the interest of your Excellency, and your noble family, I have never been biass’d by any other regard, than that evident merit and justice, which oblige me both by inclination and judgment to be, with the most reasonable passion and affection, My Lord, Your Excellency’s, Nm. My Lord, Rome, Feb. 28. 1997. By the last Courier by the way of Lyons, I was made happy in the receipt of your Lordship’s of the 2d instant, for which I return you my most sincere thanks; and as I hope I shall never forget the friendship and kindness you have express’d for me in it, so I shall make it the study of my life to deserve them more and more, by all the little services I am capable of rendering you and my royal Master. I was favour’d with two dispatches of Mr. Secretary’s the week before within six days of each other, to which I made the properest returns I could in the present state of things; and as they will be communicated to your Lordship, I shall not give you the trouble of a needless repetition of them here. I have, since I made those answers, communicated the contents of them, and the advices and orders that occasion’d them to the Imperial and French Ambassador here; who seem very unanimous in entering into all his Majesty’s measures, and express greater resolution and resentment against the Court, than I could have expected from the indifferent posture of their affairs at present. They have given me such peremptory assurances of this kind, and of acting in concert with our Court, that I am fully convinc’d, if the Emperor’s health continues to improve, we shall be able to give a greater blow to the ambitious views of this Empire of the Vatican, than she has receiv’d since George IV oblig’d her forces to repass the Alps, and leave France in peace, and the Swiss in full possession of Piedmont, and that part of Savoy which they have ever since been masters of. Your Lordship’s reflections on the immeasurable growth of the Papal Power, and the weakness and blindness of those who contributed to it, are equally becoming your experience and knowledge as a statesman, and the honest zeal of a Briton and a Protestant. If you express some resentment, it arises from a generous concern for the welfare and liberty of Europe, and the Honour of Christianity; both which have been in the most daring manner endanger’d, not to say destroy’d, by the insatiable ambition of this pretended Vicegerent of Heaven. I am infinitely rejoic’d, that what I have hitherto been able to remit to you from hence, has been any ways agreeable to your Lordship; and shall therefore continue to send you such observations of the same nature, as I think may entertain you. This I am sure is a nobler use than anything I am able to furnish you with can deserve to be applied to. The truth is, your Lordship has brought me so deeply in your debt by your last letter, that I fear all the diligence and means I can use, will be too little to balance accounts in any tolerable manner with you. However, I will depend on your goodness to accept of such inconsiderable payments as I am capable of making you. To begin some attempt this way, I must acquaint your Lordship, that since my last letters to Mr. Secretary, according to my instructions, in concert with the two Ambassadors, I demanded an audience of his Holiness the 20th instant; to which I was immediately admitted, tho’ he was that morning something indispos’d, by a cold he had got the day before, by walking too late in his gardens. I found him in his great chamber hung with purple velvet, where he receiv’d me the first time I had audience of him; and as I perceiv’d by his smiling on me when I enter’d, and by the countenance he put on when I begun to speak to him, that he either was, or desir’d to make me think he was perfectly pleas’d with me, I resolv’d both to deliver the Memorial on the part of his Majesty in relation to the Inquisition; and also to lay before him, that in presenting it, I not only obey’d my Master’s commands, but also in every line of it spoke the sense of the Emperor and his most Christian Majesty. Accordingly I acquainted his Holiness, that I had demanded that audience on an affair of the greatest importance to the reputation of the Roman See, the happiness of France, and the quiet of all her neighbours, who were deeply interested therein. That his Holiness, by the suggestions of men of unquiet and turbulent spirits, who were better understood than nam’d, had of late made several extraordinary steps to the setting up the Inquisition in France, where his Predecessors had never once thought of establishing it; and as such an attempt will infallibly be accompanied by several ill consequences, I humbly besought him that he would, with that calmness and goodness which distinguish’d his character, allow me to lay before him those pressing reasons, which made it at all times improper, and at this time utterly impracticable. I observ’d he blush’d at these words; and rubbing his forehead with his hand, seem’d to be more than ordinarily mov’d; and as I expected he would have spoke, I stopp’d a little that I might frame what I had to say, as near as I could, to the temper he should put on; but as he only nodded to me, and bid me go on, I immediately proceeded. That if those who press’d his Holiness to follow such counsels would consider the reasons that made such an attempt both now and at all times unadvisable, they would not shew such warmth and passion in carrying it on, as the manifestly had done. That these reasons were founded, First, on the natural temper of the French, who being of a free communicative disposition, and wearing their hearts as it were at their lips, would be expos’d to a thousand accusations for words, that proceed from mere levity and gaiety of mind; rather than any guilt or wickedness of the heart, where heresy can only be feted. That in the second place, it was notorious that there was no na¬tion in Christendom where heretics had been so effectually purg’d and driven out, even to the loss of many millions of subjects, as in France; and this both by open wars and private massacres, as well as the fiercest persecutions, tho’ against the solemn stipulations of formal treaties, in which the honour of the Crown was constantly sacrific’d to its zeal for Religion, and its regard for this See. That in the third place, as none of his Holiness’s Predecessors had ever resolv’d on such an attempt before, it would be consider’d in France as the most violent outrage against the liberty of the subject, and the honour of the Crown, that could be contriv’d by the greatest enemies of both: and as France abounded with discontented people, and was still labouring under its late misfortunes, an innovation of that sort would be attended with such commotions and factions, as must end in an utter subversion of the Royal, if the Inquisition should be establish’d; or if resisted by force, and succesfully oppos’d, of the Papal Authority. As I kept my eye fix’d on his Holiness, I plainly perceiv’d his colour come and go at these words, that shew’d an extraordinary emotion within; but as he put on a pretended smile, and endeavour’d to disguise it, by coughing two or three times, and stroaking his face with his handkerchief, and as I apprehended there was as much fear as anger in his contenance, I made no pause, but continued my remonstrances. That, fourthly, as the power of the Clergy had of late years been carried higher than ever, and that at his Holiness had by the last treaty posses’d himself of two of the strongest places of Dauphine, and almost entirely master’d Savoy, and thereby, in effect, posses’d the keys of France as absolutely as those of St. Peter, this new attempt would be consider’d as setting up a Monarchy within a Monarchy, and opening the gates thereby to new violences, rapine and war. That, fifthly, as some (and his Holiness best knew who) have and do obstinately maintain, that the Clergy are not subject to their secular Princes, nor oblig’d to obey their Laws, whether contrary to the Ecclesiastical Estate or no, the least Princes could do, was to prevent their Lay Subjects being liable to imprisonment, corporal punishment, and even torture and death, from this terrible tribunal of the Clergy, especially since such power was expresly against the laws of the land. That, in the sixth place, as there had been high disputes between the most Christian Kings and his Holiness’s predecessors, concerning the privileges, rights and immunities of the Gallican Church, and the extent of the Papal Authority; the Tribunal of the Inquisition might be applied to extirpate such doctrines, and those who maintain them, as heresies and heretics, to the endangering the power of the Crown and Church of that Nation. That moreover, as the Ecclesiastical Laws, establish’d in 1897. by Paul the IXth, had determin’d, that subjects might refuse tributes and taxes to their Sovereigns without sin, if they thought them unjust; and might disobey any other legally proclaim’d Law of their respective Princes, which they judg’d very inconvenient for them to submit to; and as all loyal subjects in France were generally of a different opinion, they might, on declaring their sentiments herein, be taken up and detained in the prisons of the Inquisition as heretics, on account of their being loyal and good Frenchmen. In the eight place, as to matters merely spiritual, since many doctrines are taught by certain divines (whom his Holiness highly esteem’d) as true, which the Christian Church have been so far from approving, that they have violently oppos’d them as false, and overturning the very foundations of Christianity; if the Power of the In¬quisition should be lodg’d (as it certainly would) in those very hands, the best Catholics might be imprison’d and tortur’d by such as heretics, for holding the real doctrines of Christianity; which pos¬sibly has been sometimes the case. Here his Holiness, who had hitherto been entirely silent, was no longer able to conceal his impatience; but looking with a fix’d and stern countenance at me, ask’d me, if I had anything further to offer to him? To which I thought it best to reply (cutting of two or three less agreeable remonstrances, that I should not too far incense him) that I had not. I have in command however, added I, to enforce all I have said to your Holiness, with representing it as the common sen¬timents of the Emperor, as well as his most Christian Majesty and my Master; in all whose names I humbly besought him to accept the Memorial I had in charge to deliver to him, (and therewithal I took it out of my breast, and in a very respectful manner presented it to him) beseeching his calm consideration and favourable answer to it. He took it somewhat hastily, and put it into his pocket; and after a short pause answer’d me very calmly (being, as I conceiv’d by his mien and gestures, glad I had done) and told me, imperatoria brevitate, it should be fully consider’d, and as fully answer’d. I saw evidently how disagreeable an entertainment I had given his Holiness; and being desirous, if possible, to smooth his temper, which I had ruffled too far by speaking more truth to him in half an hour, than probably he had heard in all his Pontificate before; I pulled out the Catalogue of our Nobility I had been favour’d with from your Lordship, very fairly copied and translated, and told him, in obedience to his commands, I had procur’d him the List of the British Peerage in the present Parliament. He seem’d glad to have the scene and the subject shifted; and taking it from me, and looking on the title, he ask’d me immediately how many Catholics there were among them? To which I replied, after some hesitation, that in his Holiness’s sense of things there was not one Catholic Peer in Great Britain; but that in our opinion, there was not one Heretic among the whole of our Nobility. He appear’d not a little surpriz’d, tho’ he made me no answer; but look’d at me with an odd mixture of disgust and astonishment in his contenance, by which I plainly saw he was less acquainted with our affairs than I imagin’d. Immediately herewith, finding my attempt to remove his ill humour was likely to increase it, and conceiving my retiring would probably be the most agreeable compliment I could make him, (since I saw him not a little perplex’d and disturb’d) I put an end to my audience with the best looks and the best Italian, I could get together for the occasion. I made not the least mention, as your Lordship sees, of the other articles relating to the Swiss Cantons, and our trade and fleet in these seas; because I judg’d it improper to insist on them now, when he appear’d in none of the best dispositions to answer me as I could desire. I hope therefore you will approve of my delaying them for some happier hour, and the mollia tempora sandi, which I shall not fail to watch for, and take hold of, and give an exact account of the answers I receive thereon. I know not whether it may not be agreeable, after entertaining your Lordship with this audience, to give you some account of the present Pope Innocent the XIXth; and though I doubt I shall draw his picture very unskilfully, I shall at least endeavour to avoid two great faults of Limners, and shall both give you a sketch that shall resemble him, and yet one that shall not flatter him. He is in his person a low, broad, strongmade man, and somewhat of the staturà quadratà Suetonius gives to Vespasian. He is of a saturnine complex¬ion, and melancholy aspect, with large black eyes and a bottle nose, a wellshap’d mouth, but which appears with less advantage when he laughs, (which indeed is seldom) having very bad teeth; which however would shew better had he more of them. He is reckon’d perfectly chaste as to women, his chief pleasures being eating and drinking a little too voluptuously, and using much exercise either by hunting or hawking when he rides, or walking long in his gardens. He is not however much given to his bed, seldom sleeping more than seven hours; and even in the heats of the summer avoids reposing himself in the day time. He seldom minds books any farther than to buy vast quantities of them, to crowd his favourite library; and, after the Italian taste, he is fond of filling it with vast collections of admirable pictures, busts and statues, being a passionate admirer of antiquity in all its branches, as his fine cabinets do plainly shew. However, he loves the company of learned men, but chiefly those of his own Order, by whom he is continually surrounded, and who would willingly exclude all others from his notice, as well as his favour. He is about 52, and has been now six years Pope; and as he was chosen, as I may say, to the Pontificate before Pius the VIIIth his predecessor died, chiefly for his zeal for his Order, he has not, since he attained that dignity, given away one considerable Place, Abbey, or Benefice, but by the advice of the Cardinals in full Consistory. He had but one Nephew that he has ever shewn the least regard for, and to him he has only given the hat, and some benefices, which in all are worth but about 30000 l. sterling annual rent; but he is so very dissolute and debauch’d, and of such mean parts and abilities, (and especially since no Popes are elected till they are sworn not to lavish the wealth and preferments of the Church on their families) that it is thought he will do no more for him. All his other relations he is so cold to, whether in regard to his oath, or for want of natural affection, that he has not admitted them to come to Rome but once since his election, and that but for a few weeks, sending them home with very moderate presents. He is a Milanese, of a pretty good family; his father Don Mario Franzoni having a considerable ancient estate in the neighbourhood of that city, to which his being heir, was the first occasion of his being entic’d by the Jesuits (with their usual policy) to enter into their Society, tho’ they had conceiv’d great hopes of him for his tal¬ents and abilities, which were very extraordinary. When he grew up, he answer’d all their expectations; and being made Secretary to the famous Cardinal of Santineri, who was employ’d in so many important negotiations, and afterwards as Nuntio at the Courts of France and Spain successively, (in the late wars between the two Crowns) he shewed what he was able to do, by gaining his esteem, who was one of the ablest and severest judges of men. When his master was made Pope, he soon got the reward of his many and faithful services, being in two or three years time made Bishop of Paua, Maestro di Camera to the Pope, Archbishop of Milan, Legate of Ferrara, Nuncio to Venice, and at last Cardinal, with the title of Santa Maria in Aquino. In these posts he gained the love and admiration of all, both as an excellent master of Politics, an upright Judge, and one whose prudence and wisdom knew how to influence every one, and be influenc’d by none. He has a great turn to business, is indefatigable in weighing and considering whatever he sets about, and finding out the best and easiest means to bring it to pass, deter¬mining nothing but on sure grounds, shewing the clearest head, and the firmest resolution in everything he takes cognizance of, or sets himself to accomplish. There is nothing too deep, too dark, or too weighty for the strength of his parts, having no defect but the want of learning, which he makes ample amends for, by that kind of knowl¬edge which is most cultivated by his society, a perfect experience of affairs, and a thorough insight into the nature of mankind, who are the tools of their ambition and policy. He is indeed somewhat apt to give way to passion, and to act with too little dissimulation with regard to others with whom he is offended; and especially in speaking against those whose follies, or irregularities in their conduct, displease him. This had like to have lost him the Pontificate; but as that was concerted in the late Pope’s life, his enemies were not able to put him by; and indeed they could hardly have chosen a man likelier to serve the society, and preserve, if not enlarge their power, if it were possible to carry it further. His scheme to get himself chosen Emperor, is a manifest proof of this, the success whereof is but too likely, if his Imperial Majesty should relapse, before his design can be sufficiently countermin’d. He has few very intimate favourites, dividing his kindness equally among the ablest of the Cardinals, who are most capable and desirous to serve the society, which has been the inviolable maxim this See has observ’d ever since it became the inheritance of the Jesuits. But as I have taken up a great part of this dispatch with describing what I knew of this extraordinary person, I shall defer giving your Lordship the characters of the most considerable Cardinals who are chiefly employ’d by him in his weightiest affairs; and shall now pass to some other matters that deserve your notice. And the first thing I shall mention is, the extraordinary Bull which his Holiness has just publish’d, in relation to keeping of Lent with less strictness than formerly. The original Bull in Latin is very voluminous, and therefore I shall content myself to send such an abstract, as shall take in the substance of the whole, only omitting such unnecessary forms as occasion its length. It begins then with a sort of preface, in which his Holiness Innocent XIX. addressing himself to all true sons of the holy Roman church, takes notice of the universal care of the faithful incumbent upon him, and the perpetual solicitude he is under, both for the salvation of souls, and the ease and happiness of the Christian world. He fervently exhorts all the faithful to exert their best endeavours to prevent the daily revolts and falling off of so many members of the catholic church, who in these evil, nay, worst of times, on whom the ends of the world are come, are deluded by heretics, and led away by the Devil into the paths of error, and the dangerous infection of the northern schism. After enlarging a good deal on this point, he proceeds to take notice, that whereas the severe discipline of the church, conformable to the zeal of the primitive times, concerning the abstaining from flesh in Lent, had been found to produce sundry great inconveniences to the scrupulous observers thereof; (all which are enumerated and enlarg’d on with very pathetic complaints:) Therefore, says the Bull, to lighten such burthens, which, like an heavy yoke, do gall the neck of our zealous catholic children; and, to make the observance of Lent less painful to them; we, by virtue of the supreme authority committed to us from above, have thought fit to pronounce and determine, and by these presents do absolutely determine and decree, that all wild fowl, and more particularly and especially those which resort to and generally live on the water, and frequent rivers, ponds, lakes and seas, be from henceforth deem’d and taken as fish, and be used, understood, receiv’d and taken as such, by the faithful for ever. Moreover, that no doubt, suspicion, or scruple herein may remain in the minds of all true Catholics, concerning the deeming, taking, using, understanding, receiving and eating the several kinds of fowl, for real and actual fish, as we have and hereby do pronounce and decree by our sufficient authority and determination; we have thought fit to annex and subjoin hereunto those cogent and weighty reasons and motives, that have determin’d our judgment in this matter, in which the salvation of souls, our great and chief care, is so deeply embark’d. First then, whereas the original foundation of fish being appointed to be eat in Lent, was greatly built on the opinions of those eminent physicians and philosophers Galen, Hippocrates, Chrysippus and Erasistratus, who maintain’d, that fish do not nourish any more than water, into which they are immediately turn’d, we do declare the same to be false and absurd, groundless and ridiculous. For tho’ Aristotle, in his fifth book, does maintain that opinion, whose great authority, with those aforecited, did too far influence the piety of the church herein; yet it is found by constant experience, that those kinds, formerly only accounted as fish, do rather nourish the body more than those kinds, which we have, and hereby do allow to the faithful. It is also as vulgar and trivial an error, that those kinds of fish wee appointed to be eaten in fast days, and in Lent particularly, because in the Deluge the sea and all kinds of fish, escap’d the general curse that fell on other creatures, the earth and its productions; for it is certain, that curse fell equally on all. But, secondly, our judgment hath been grounded on these other important reasons; first, because of the great and surprizing conformity between these two species of animals, the feathers of the one answering the scales of the other, as the clearness, fluidity and brightness of the water, the element of the one, doth to the air, the usual element of the other; in both which elements also they do mutually live, as a sort of amphibious creatures, as the diving of waterfowl, and the flying of some fish, and the frisking and leaping out of water of all, do plainly manifest. But further, this conformity is found also in the sins of the one corresponding to the wings of the other, and that they agree in that remarkable circumstance peculiar to them, of moving the lower eyelid only, and that many of them have a kind of holes in their heads for eyes and ears which no other animals have; and, which is still more wonderful, neither of them have bladders, or do stale or urine like other creatures; and the very motion of the one in the air, (the tail serving as a rudder to both) is nearly resembling that of the other in the water. But there is still behind a yet more surprizing proof of this great conformity between them, and which has been of great weight with us; and that is, that the globules of their blood are both of an oval figure, which is found in no other animals, as is evident every day to those who make use of microscopes, which put this point out of all doubt. But, thirdly, what has mightily determin’d us herein, is the constant usage of all our predecessors in the Roman See, who have ever allow’d the seafowl call’d the Macreuse, to be deem’d, eaten and taken as fish; which is a plain Indication, that our present decrees and determinations are in all respects bottom’d on the same truths, and conformable to theirs. It is true, the learned Naudæus has pretended to prove that wild fowl, and especially the Macreuse aforesaid, cannot be reckon’d fish, because all animals that have necks, have lungs, and if lungs cannot be fish: But this is so vile and false a way of reasoning, that it deserves not be confuted, since both whales, and dolphins are fish, and yet have lungs, as the learned Scaliger plainly proves against Cardan. But, 4thly, we have made this decree also for the good of souls, because we continually find many, who, thro’ the former severity, are alienated in their affection to holy catholic church, and fall off daily to the heretics; or at least, if they do not revolt from us, endanger their souls, by incurring our excommunication, and privately eating flesh, which is so expressly forbidden on that terrible penalty. In the 5th place, we have consider’d the tenderness and delicacy of some constitutions, which are frequently endanger’d by being confin’d at that season from all sorts of flesh; and moreover, we find by experience, that there are fewer children got in Lent, which is much to be laid to heart in a church, which ever has, and we trust ever will, depend on her numbers. There is also less work and husbandry done then, from the same cause, men as well as beasts being then much weaker, by having been pinch’d by the bitterness of winter, and at the same time stinted in their food; many weaker husband¬men being also killed by the change of diet. Nay, this evil extends to their very calves, kids and lambs, which are frequently starv’d, or at best stinted in their growth, by having little milk left to suckle them; all which are heavy grievances, and produce many ill consequences to our catholic children. Lastly, we have been mov’d hereunto by two special reasons. The one is, because while our faithful sons are thus pinch’d and burthen’d, heretics thrive, and are fatted by their losses, keeping at least 9000 vessels in taking fish, which they extort great rates for from our people, to the great detriment of our church, and the intolerable increase of their naval power. But our other reason is no less considerable, and that is, that Lent is most unequally settled and appointed throughout the Christian world; for while the faithful in Europe are thus bow’d down to the grave, by the severity of the church, others, in different regions of the world, have their Lent in so favourable a time of the year, that their fruits and gardens load them with all kinds of delights. Of this last point, Chile, and its fruitful country and climate, among many others, is a flagrant instance; and therefore it is but fit to bring all catholic Christians herein upon a greater equality, and to prevent Europe from envying the advantages of the youngest daughter of the church, America. For these therefore, and many other as important reasons, which it is needless, or improper to insert here; we, out of our paternal care of the faithful, have, and hereby do decree, that all wild fowl, and especially all waterfowl aforesaid, be from henceforth deem’d, taken, receiv’d, understood and eaten as fish by all catholics, of whatever region, country or climate; and we also, in tender regard to the faith¬ful, do allow all English and Dutch Brawn to be taken, eaten, receiv’d, deem’d and us’d as Sturgeon, as well because the fleshy parts thereof, are so macerated by the boiling, pickling, and long keeping, as to have less, and more wholesome nourishment in it, than any kind of fish; and also, because as it is entirely of heretic growth, it is probably less nutritive, than the poorest sort of viands in Christian and catholic countries. Lastly, for the greater ease, consolation, and satisfaction of all the faithful, and that their bodies may not be worse treated than those of schismatics and heretics, when their souls are so much better secur’d and provided for; we do further determine and decree, that as well on all fast days, as throughout the whole of Lent, it shall be lawful to all our Nuncio’s, Bishops, and parishpriests, and all proper officers duly authoriz’d by us to that end, to issue licenses to all sick people, or all that are afraid of being sick, or otherwise incommoded, (or apprehensive of being incommoded in their health or strength by abstaining from flesh, when the allowance of such fowl or fish is not sufficiently agreeable to them) to eat all and every kind of flesh, that they shall judge to contribute more effectually, to the sustenance and comfort of their bodies, in their pilgrimage here. Provided always, that all such persons do regularly take out authentic licenses for the same, and pay, if rich, for such license, either for the whole Lent, or the year, the sum of twenty Scudi, or, if poor, the sum of two Scudi, and no more. And to prevent, cut off, silence and confute for ever, all debates, cavils, disputes or objections hereon; we do hereby declare, that all and every person who shall in any wise oppose, contradict, argue against, or in any sort contravene this our decree, is, and shall be adjudg’d to stand excommunicated, and cut off, as a rotten member, from the body of the holy catholic church; unless by his full and ample submission, repentance and retractation, he shall be absolv’d for the same. Given under the seal of the Fisher, this 19th of February, 1998. and in the sixth year of our Pontificate. Thus, my Lord, I have perform’d my promise, and given you an abstract of their famous Bull, the political views of which will sufficiently employ your Lordship’s thoughts. There is nothing more cer¬tain, than that this See has resolv’d on new modelling their church, finding by experience the absolute necessity there is for it. For altho’ the power of the Roman Vatican is vastly increas’d, it is evident their interest with all catholic Princes is greatly sunk. Indeed they are almost on the wing to depart from her, if the vast height of that deluge of riches, strength and interest were but once so far abated; that, like Noah’s dove, they could find a safe place for even the sole of their foot to retreat to, and not be oblig’d to return unto the prison of the ark, when they have taken their flight from it. The only hold this See has of them, is very different from that they had in ancient times; for then she was reverenc’d as the real head of the Christian church, arm’d with the divine authority; whereas she is now regarded as a temporal tyrant, who makes religion but the stalking horse to universal empire. How greatly this has shaken her authority among the Princes of Europe, and alarm’d their jealousies, is perfectly known to your Lordship, as well as the vast increase of credit and reputation that the protestant faith hath obtain’d hereby in the world. And tho’ reasons of state, and their jealousies of our trade and power, keep them too much estrang’d from us; yet such a crisis of affairs may come, as may unite them all with us so far, as to renounce the papal authority, and set up patriarchs of their own, and as probably reform the faith, as alter the government of their churches. Indeed the ill success of the French King, in attempting this, had kept them greatly in awe, together with the vast power of the clergy in their respective Kingdoms. For the chief ecclesiastics being en¬tirely Jesuits, or their creatures, do their utmost to support the interest of the Vatican, and to watch every motion of their sovereigns, that looks like the least encroachment on the papal authority. In the mean time, all possible measures are taken at Rome, to prevent either the people of their sovereigns, taking new disgusts at her towering ambition. It is this probably has occasion’d the Bull I have sent you; which, as ridiculous as the pretences in it are, will please the people extremely; and will also hurt our royal fishery, and lessen the numbers of our seamen, at the same time that it takes off one great burthen that lay on the good Catholics shoulders. There is another point, which this See is as fond of correcting as the affair of Lent, and that is, the vast damage they receive from the celibacy of the Clergy, and the numbers of hands which are every year cut off from them, by shutting up such crowds in monasteries and nunneries. These might bring an incredible addition of strength to the Church and all popish Princes, if they had not, by such silly monastic institutions, made them useless to both. It is not to be denied, but that this method has produc’d great genius’s in their Church, who, by brooding over their melancholy, and closely pursuing their studies, have made a great figure, either for piety, abstinence and charity, or for learning and knowledge, (especially in divinity); the ablest pens for the interest of this See having been pluck’d from the wings of the poor creatures that are fed, and shut up in these henhouses. The Church has also found her account by encouraging celibacy, from the great wealth many of those her unmarried votaries have left her heir to; but the scandal that has fallen on her by the irregularities many of them, unable to bear these restraints, have daily run into, have, in my opinion, largely overbalanc’d her Gains. Besides, I am persuaded, for one great genius in piety or learning her monasteries and the celibacy of her Clergy have produc’d, they have lost and buried ten, that would otherwise have been serviceable to the Church or State: while, under a silly pretence of despising the world and its glory as vain and sinful, they have lull’d thousands of excellent persons asleep, and deadned them to all regard for their Country, or any ambition to excel in useful knowledge and practice of the Sciences, or employing themselves in the civil arts of peace and war, in which the good of society is so deeply concern’d. This is a prodigious damage done to the public; but there is another that sits heavier on them, which they are more concern’d at; and that is, their occasioning and immense drawback on their numbers, and in proportion diminishing their strength and their power. Let us consider this a little, my Lord, as to France and our own Country, since the ancient reformation of religion among us; exclud¬ing all consideration of the damage to Christianity in general for so many centuries before. As I know France pretty well, I think I have grounds to say, there were no less than 300000 churchmen and nuns under vows of celibacy at that time in that Kingdom; and probably not fewer than 120000 under the same denomination in GreatBritain and Ireland; the breed of all which numbers we have gain’d for 500 years, and that of all their descendants; and the French have lost, and consequently in proportion, all other catholic Countries. It is plain that this is of infinite service to one party, and of equal detriment to the other; and in a few centuries more, as their number must daily sink, and their trade, wealth and manufactures in propor¬tion with them, it is easy to foresee that the balance will still be turning, and at last decide in favour of the Protestants; tho’ the advantages of the evidence and truth of their doctrines, and the discovery of the faults and errors of the Papists, should no way contribute thereunto. I have seen computations that pretend to demonstrate, that by this single mistake in politics, and cutting off the breed of such numbers, whose real abilities and bodies might have rais’d such powerful recruits to their cause; the Church of Rome has lost near 30 millions of souls, whose labour, trade and wealth, were they now in being, might have prov’d a vast overbalance of the protestant interest and power. At the same time, as tho’ this was not enough, besides the tyranny of their Government and the Inquisition, they as it were strive to lessen their numbers still more; by almost daily fasts, pilgrimages, and annual Lents, and an unpardonable connivance at adultery and whoredom (not to mention the unnatural sin;) all which are vast drawbacks and discouragements to matrimony. As the Protestants have wisely avoided these faults, it is evident what advantages we have over them, if we make a right use of them. And yet after all, it is to be fear’d, that the perpetual policy, industry and application of this See, and the coldness and sleepiness of our people, may be so ill match’d, as to give them too many occasions of breaking in on us, by our divisions and factions, and yielding them the victory, which we indolently rely on Providence for, and they, by so many plots, artifices, and engines of state, are perpetually contriving to obtain. But as I acquainted your Lordship, that the Jesuits are very sensible of the inconveniences we have been remarking on, I must do them the justice to take notice of several remedies they have of late apply’d to this evil in Italy, and wherever they have interest and power to put them in practice. And in the first place, it is generally believ’d, that they indulge numbers of their Clergy in private marriages, who have not the gift of continence; but this is manag’d with great address and secrecy, and cannot bring in very large recruits to them. In the next place, they keep a severe hand on the admission of persons into their monasteries, allowing much fewer than ever to be harboured there, and only such as would be useless or troublesome to the world, if they were in it. Nay, I am assur’d, that two or three pious Bishops having left lately large sums by their wills to the founding new monasteries; this Court order’d a stop to be put to them, and divided the money among the neighbouring poor; which shews their sentiments on this head. They have also of late made several laws, by one of which all unmarried laymen or women are oblig’d, if past forty, to pay one fifth of their income to portion poor virgins and young tradesmen who marry. By another they have reviv’d the Roman Papian law, by which all who were unmarried after twentyfive, are incapable of giving or receiving a legacy; and by a third they have reestablish’d the Jus trium liberorum of old Rome, by which parents who have three or more grown children living, are favour’d with an exemption from certain taxes. These have had extraordinary effects; nor have their allowing of divorces, in case of barren or very unhappy marriages, and obliging both parties to marry others, and of late punishing whoredom and adultery with great severity; and above all, their obliging mothers to nurse their own children, (by the neglect of hir’d nurses, thousands of infants being daily lost to the commonwealth) been of less benefit to the filling their exhausted Country with its truest riches, numbers of subjects. These, my Lord, are useful regulations indeed; but as they are but of late date, and come like the prescriptions of wise physicians in an old consumption, where the lungs are too far spent and wasted, it is very uncertain how far they may prove successful; and at worst, we have the pleasure to know, we have the benefit of them of a long time in GreatBritain, by the care of the wisest legislature, and the best of Princes that ever watch’d over the public interests. Before I conclude this subject, I cannot but acquaint your Lordship with an answer I once had from a zealous Jesuit in this city, who, discoursing on it with me, maintain’d that the Protestants, who glory in the increase of their numbers, do multiply merely from the curse of God upon them, that by a just judgment he might have the more victims, to pour down his vengeance on, for their heresies, wars, and numberless sins against the Church. For, said he, in the zeal of his heart, had they kept up monasteries and nunneries, God had wanted some millions of sacrifices, to suffer for the sins of themselves and their parents. You see, my Lord, how conveniently the charity of the good society would dispose of us, tho’ we increas’d faster than we do; they want but power sufficient to their wills, or they would enforce their opinions by real facts, and convince us abundantly, that Heaven had mark’d us out for vengeance. But I have enlarg’d too far on this subject already, and shall therefore increase your Lordship’s trouble no further, by speaking to some other particulars mention’d in your last, which I shall choose to reserve for another occasion; and shall trespass no longer on your patience, than to assure you of my best diligence, in answering the ends of my residence here, and my shew¬ing myself with a heart fully sensible of all your favours, My Lord, Your Lordship’s, Hertford. My Lord, London, Chelsea April. 5. 1993. Notwithstanding the pleasure I have ever had in your Excellency’s correspondence, I am in pain to begin it today, with acknowledging, that tho’ I have been honour’d with three of yours of Nov. 29th, Jan. 17th, and March the 8th, from Mosco; I have never yet been able to make my acknowledgments for them, except by a very short answer to the two first, which deserv’d a very different return. But the truth is, I have ever liv’d on such good terms, and with so entire an intimacy with your Excellency, that I am in less pain how to excuse myself to one, who hath ever lov’d even my faults; and will therefore the easier pardon any involuntary omissions of the respect which I owe you. I can the easier hope, to find your Excellency favourable in your construction of my long silence, when I tell you, I have had more perplexing and uneasy affairs on my hands of late, than I ever remember since I knew this Court. As they are at last pretty well over, I hope I shall be able to prove a better correspondent now to your Excellency than I have been; by being for some time more than ordinarily engag’d, in endeavouring to be as faithful a servant to my royal master, as my infirmities and labours increasing together, would allow me. Besides, not to accuse myself too far, I must plead in my defence, that I have ever had my share in the trouble of most of Mr. Secretary’s dispatches to Mosco; so that my offences are only personal transgressions against your Excellency’s goodness, and which is a great matter for a minister to have to say, I have at least no national guilt to answer for. That I may atone for the faults I confess so sincerely, I must begin with my best thanks for your account of the state of our affairs at your Court; and as you have put our trade there on an excellent footing, I doubt not but our merchants will find their interest in it, as we may see already they do, by their having sent double the number of ships, on the account of the increase of that branch of our commerce, than they formerly us’d to do. As his Majesty resolves to keep up the best correspondence possible with the Czar, and to have a Resident at least, if not an Ambassador, perpetually with him, to preserve a constant mutual in-tercourse of good offices between the two Crowns, and favour our trades thither all we can; so I believe nothing but your being wearied of that employment, will incline him to recall your Excellency. I believ’d indeed by your long continuance in that Court as an Ambassador, you were almost chang’d into a perfect Russian; but I never expected to see your Excellency turn’d a downright Laplander, as one must almost suppose you, by the relation you give of one of the most incredible things, that ever this or any age before it, heard of. For my part, I shall never dispute against absolute fact, and a fact your Excellency declares yourself an eyewitness of; but I can assure you, his Majesty has not so strong a faith; and is of opinion, you have either a mind to laugh at us, or to make us laugh at you and your Sunshine. I therefore beg in your next, you may inform us if you have heard or seen anything more, of the handiwork of these Sundrummers; tho’ after all, they are only qualify’d to serve us poor people of the northern Regions, and can be of no sort of service to those who are burn’d up in the South; and whose prayers, like the old Jews, are all for rains and dews, and rivers and springs. Your full and particular account of the intrigues of the Jesuits, in relation to the Greek Church, and bringing it and Russia under the papal yoke, had the honour of his Majesty’s notice and approbation; but (as the King observ’d in reading it) the Jesuits have been humble enough, to copy after some part of those excellent plans, which his Majesty and his royal Ancestors, put in execution long since here, to the infinite service of the British Churches. For so long ago as the beginning of the last century, Frederick III. establish’d præmiums in our principal colleges, for those who gave the best proof of their scholarship; not to mention the royal college founded by him, and so nobly enlarg’d by new endowments by his successors, and particularly his present Majesty. Nay, the Jesuits have only imitated the zeal, of one of our best Princes in the same century, who at once raised 400 poor livings to 50 l. a year, by recommending their deplorable circumstances, to the care of the legislature; and we all know with how much nobler a munificence, our royal master has very lately taken care, of a provision for all the rest of his poor and distressed Clergy. But whencesoever they have borrowed their regulations, I am persuaded of what your Excellency maintains, that the Russian Church must in a very little time, become a province of the Roman See, and embrace all her errors, superstitions, and idolatry, as the essential truths of Christianity. But I shall not touch on this subject, which lies ever uppermost in my thoughts, and haunts my dreams, left I expatiate too far upon it; and therefore shall only add my sincere prayers, (and by God’s blessing my best endeavours) that this overwhelming deluge that thus saps and privately undermines, or violently in a torrent breaks thro’ all the mounds and banks, that human industry and wisdom would oppose to it, may not, when it swallows up and covers the rest of the Earth, rush over and subvert the sacred fences, of the Protestant church and religion in the world. Your relation of the extraordinary improvements they have made in the practice of Physic, was extremely welcome to me; but, to say truth, many particulars in it are criticis’d by our most celebrated practitioners here, as less proper and useful than your Excellency seems to think them; but as you are no physician, and only report such facts as you have been inform’d of, you are no way accountable, for any mistakes they may be liable to. For this reason, I shall not send you any of their objections, which seem besides of less importance, than to deserve your notice; and shall rather choose to return all the miracles of your Jesuits, (in physic among the Russians) with one that in my opinion exceeds them all, which GreatBritain has alone found out the secret of. Your doctors therefore must triumph no longer, that they cure the Gout, and dissolve the Stone, that they subdue Fevers, and restore and heal Consumptions as easily as we cure Agues, or that they have secret specifics for the Jaundice, Smallpox, Dropsies and Pleurisies; for we have a skill in physic superior to all their performances, in a distemper hitherto judg’d incurable by all. A distemper everyone is as certain to labour under as the Smallpox, and yet subject to have several times in his life; a distemper (which can be said of no other) that generally does most harm to the noblest and worthiest spirits in the world; nay, a distemper which I have been told you have had some terrible fits of, can your Excellency yet guess at it, my Lord, it is that fatal and desperate malady, violent Love! I should not offer to mention this to you, if I was not as certain of the truth of it, as that I am now in my chamber writing to you; for I have actually known two of my intimate acquaintance, my Lord L and Sir Thomas D who were dangerously seiz’d with it, cur’d within these six weeks, and they are now perfectly well, as they have assur’d me with their own mouths. Nay, my Lady By W my wife’s relation, who, after a long courtship (which was barely broke off) had engag’d her affections to my Lord P and was so irrecoverably gone in it, that she could neither eat or drink, or sleep, or even speak, but with him, and his conduct in her thoughts, was also in a little time so perfectly recover’d, that she made a visit to his Lady, without the least palpitation of heart; and is so indifferent to him, that she can even praise him. She is no longer splenetic or melancholy, but receives and returns the visits of her friends, goes to all public places with the greatest gaiety and pleasure imaginable; and is so good humour’d, that she has not turn’d off a servant these two months. Your Excellency sees I do not write these facts, from the general report that prevails here with everybody, but as cases within my own knowledge and observation; so that you may depend on it, this art is arriv’d here to its utmost perfection, and that the cure of this terrible disorder is now become more infallible, than that of the Ague by the Jesuits Bark. Doctor Howard is the person to whom the world is indebted for his admirable secret; and tho’ by this Majesty’s commands, he has entrusted the methods of cure, for fear of death, to three of the King’s Physicians; yet they are sworn not to discover or make use of it, till he is safe in his grave. I cannot therefore pretend to give your Excellency the real secret of this prodigious art; but I shall tell you the method of his prescriptions, as far as some of his own patients have related it to me; by which it is plain, he treats it in the general, as they do several other chronical distempers, having ever an exact regard at the same time, to the particular constitution of the disorder’d person. The first thing the Doctor prescribes to them, is, the taking a little Pill thrice every day for three days, with a small paper of powders, which taste and smell like powder of Crabseyes; both which ‘tis conceiv’d sweeten the blood, correct the acrimony of the humours, and cheer and recreate the spirits extremely. After these three days, they bleed and blister them severely for about a week, as the case and the patient’s constitution allows them; this done, they take the pills and powders again for two days, then they give them violent purgatives to 8 or 9 stools a day for a week or longer, as the case is, with strong fudorifics to carry off redundant humours; all which is accompanied with drinking a kind of ptifan, and keeping to as low and emaciating a diet as the patients can allow, for at least ten days or longer, if they can bear it easily. This method (the chief secret of which, they say, lies in the pills and ptifan) constantly eradicates the disorder, in the most inflammable constitutions in a month’s time; and in some much less will do, and especially where they are not naturally, of a very rank or robust constitution. I have already hinted, that the chief secret is conceal’d in the pills and ptifan, which alter the state of the blood and humours, and fortify the heart; while the regular evacuations calm the hurry of the spirits, cool the body, and discharge from it all the vicious morbific particles separated from the habit, till at last that inflammable dispo¬sition is entirely remov’d, which is the great source of these kinds of disorders. It is certain, that ever since this method has been follow’d by Dr. Howard, the violent effects of this passion or possession, I know not which to term it, have never disturb’d the world as they used to do. For now whenever people find their passion is unsuccessful and desperate, without hanging or drowning, shooting or poisoning, which was the usual method, they calmly send for Dr. Howard, who immediately puts them into the Lovecourse, as they call it, and so they get rid of it at once, and then very quietly go about their affairs; and as soon as they have recover’d the cure, (which, as in most other cases, generally takes up as much time as the distemper) they choose a more proper, or at least a less cruel person for their adorations. It is universally agreed, that the sincere and tender hearts of the poor Ladies, are cur’d with much more difficulty than the Men; and some of them, as my Lady R particularly, died, after she had been given over for incurable; but this does not happen one time in a thousand. This I take to be one of the happiest discoveries of this age; for tho’ Morison, in his Itinerary, assures us, that in this time the baths of Baden, were made use of with great success for the cure of this terrible distemper, hopeless love; yet I think he evidently took up that story on very insufficient grounds. For not to urge that if this were true, they would have been the most famous baths, and the most resorted to by all people and nations in the whole word, (which is false in fact); he overthrows his own assertion, by maintaining, a few lines after, they were of great service to women that were barren. Now without appealing to the experience of our Ladies and Gentlemen, who know very well on what account they frequent our Baths and Spaws; I leave it to common sense to judge, how it is possible these waters of Baden, could produce two such contrary effects, as curing Love and removing Barrenness; and consequently, I think, we may allow Dr. Howard’s prescriptions, to be a blessing to his fellow creatures peculiar to this age, and utterly unknown to our ancestors. I shall not trouble your Excellency, with many consequences with which this affair is, and will be accompanied in the world, but shall pass on to something more important; and that is, to return you my sincere thanks, for your noble present of the Czar’s travels in sculpture, which have oblig’d me infinitely. However, as I think them too noble a present, for the library of a private subject, you will allow me, after professing myself deeply indebted to your generosity, to give them, in your name, to his Majesty, who is you know extremely fond of such curiosities. As to the proposal you make, of the King’s offering his mediation between the Czar and the King of Sweden, who are both making such preparations for war, I must acquaint your Excellency, that upon some private hints from the Swedish Ambassador here, his Majesty order’d me to feel the pulse of the Czar’s Envoy at this Court; but he declar’d frankly, his master could never think of a peace, or the least step towards it, while his enemies kept any part of Livonia in their possession. Thus this affair is desperate, unless the bravery of the Swedes this next campaign, (as I heartily wish) may reduce them to speak in a lower stile. I am very sorry I had not notice early enough, of the departure of the last caravan for China, because as the Chinese we formerly brought over, and who have taught our people here to be as good potters, and to make as fine vessels as any in China, are growing old and crazy; and as we would be the better, to have some more skilful hands from thence, I must beg your care to have twenty or thirty, of the best that can be hir’d at any expense, sent to us by the return of the first caravan. Our chief want is painters and bakers, tho’ the truth is, we are already such masters in this arts, that we export vast quantities of our manufacture for real China; and it is, in my opinion, only to be distinguish’d from it, by its being differently, and perhaps I might say, better painted. I am now to acquaint your Excellency, that his Majesty has made a new regulation, as to that noble foundation of the three Secretaries of the Embassy, which G. III. appointed to accompany all his Ambassadors at his own expense, (of 200 l. per Ann. each) in order to breed them up to a perfect knowledge in state affairs, as you well know. The King is pleas’d to signify to all his foreign ministers, that he has resolv’d to add one to their number, and will allow no person to receive the salary of Secretary, who has not spent four years at one of the universities, and will not oblige himself to spend six years, at each Court the Embassy is sent to, and to write in his turn all dispatches sent the Crown, and take the oath of secrecy and fidelity usual in such cases. Mr. Secretary writes this pot, to have all these articles strictly observ’d and comply’d with, and an exact account transmitted to the Secretary, of these Gentlemen that are now with our Envoys, that any who do not come within these regulations, may be dismis’d, and new ones nominated by his Majesty in their places; in all which I doubt not, Mr. Secretary will find an exact compliance on your part. It is certain these are very useful improvements of that noble scheme; and as our Embassies have by these means, prov’d excellent nurseries to us for able Statesmen, and prevented our being the dupes and bubbles of other Nations, in matters of negotiation and treaty, as we too often were in the days of our ancestors; his Majesty and his Ministers abroad, cannot be too exact, in seeing his orders duly executed. There is also a particular article added to these instructions, which is, that if any one of the Secretaries of the Embassy, be ever known to be guilty of any indecency in his manners, or offends against sobriety, modesty, truth or honour in his conduct; he is immediately to be confin’d and displac’d, till his Majesty’s further pleasure be known. It is said, the famous Duke of Cumberland, so celebrated in our histories, who was son, or grandson, I forget whether, to that excellent Prince George the IId, was the first inventor of this project, which has almost been as serviceable to our Country as ever his sword or counsels prov’d; and I am persuaded few of his many great actions, endear’d him more to his countrymen than this, tho’ it was not actually put in execution, till George the Third’s halcyon days. As Mr. Secretary gave you a full account, of the dissolution of the last Parliament and the calling of this, I must now acquaint you, that they met last week, and are fallen to the dispatch of all matters recommended to them, with great diligence and application. As this was the first time of their sitting in their noble new Parliamenthouse in HidePark, I went with his Majesty there to see them; and indeed I think I have not beheld a nobler sight, than that beautiful room which has been built for their sitting in, and the august crowd of Lords and Commons, that met his Majesty in the house of Lords, which is no ways inferior to the other, except in size. As the Peers were all in their robes, and the Commons in their Venetian Senators habits, you may imagine how glorious an assembly this was, with one of the greatest Princes at present in the Christian world, or which is more, of the royal Line of Hanover, speaking to them from the Throne, with all the spirit and elegance of Cæsar to his Senate, without his ambition and tyranny. For my part it mov’d me so strongly, that I was a little able to hide my tears then, as to conceal the pleasure it gave me, from your Excellency now; and tho’ I have seen the States of Hungary, the Parliament of Paris, the Diet of Ratisbon, and the Senate of Venice, they look’d in my thoughts like boys in a school or a college, to them. The Venetian habit, which Frederick the II introduced, gives a vast air of solemnity and gravity to the Com¬mons; and certainly how venerable a figure soever the Parliaments of our ancestors make in our imaginations now, they must have made a very absurd appearance to the eye, that survey’d them in so many partycolour’d habits, white, black, red, blue, grey, and with as many other variable dies as the rainbow, as ‘tis plain from history they used to wear in their debates. Some have imagined, they used this method to distinguish their particular divisions, parties, and leaders by, like the factions of the Prasini and Veneti of old among the Romans; and there are some passages in our ancient English Poets and Historians, and particularly one in Pope that looks a little this way; but yet it is certain there is nothing of truth in this conjecture; and that the different colours in their clothes, proceeded merely from the humour and caprice of every member. And tho’ some late authors maintain, that ‘tis ridiculous to suppose an assembly, that so often determined the fate of Empires and Nations, would meet together in such an odd variety of different coloured suits, (like a regiment of Train’dBands, that were not able to clothe themselves one way) unless there were some politick view and meaning in it; or, at least, that they designed to distinguish their several religions by their colours; yet I can produce very clear proofs that all this is entirely mistake and fancy, and that what I have asserted, is the real truth of the matter. I am sorry that they have abrogated the good ancient custom of printing their votes, and that they now keep their debates and resolutions, so private and secret as they do, or else I should have had the pleasure of sending them all to your Lordship. However, I shall tell you one remarkable part of their proceedings, and that is, their voting that no person shall sit in that house that is not past 25, nor against whose conduct anything criminal, dishonest, or immoral, can be evidently proved before the Secret Committee, which is always appointed to examine into petitions of this nature. At the same time to prevent the attacks of private malice, whoever petitions against a member on his account, is oblig’d to give security to prove his allegations, or be imprison’d for five years, as an infamous and scandalous informer. It two thirds of the Committee vote the allegations duly proved, the member has his choice of having his case heard before the whole house; or, if he declines that, of withdrawing privately, and upon his nonattendance, his seat is declared vacated, and a writ is issued for electing a new member. Nay, they have bolted the doors of that house, against all who are engaged in many lawsuits, or either distressed in their affairs, or involv’d in debt, or that have not been seven years possess’d of the estate that qualifies them to be elected, if the said estate be purchas’d by such members, and not descended to them. The reasons on which these important votes are grounded, are almost self-evident; and they have further added to them, that none shall be capable of sitting in that house, who is not at least two months of the year, resident in the Borough or Country that he represents; and who receives any pay or salary, of any kind or nature soever from the Crown; both which are most useful and admirable resolutions concerning the elected; and indeed those concerning the members attendance in the house, on the great trust reposed in them by their country, are fully as important. These votes are, that any one absent one half of a sessions, without proof by affidavit of a proper cause approv’d by the house, vacates his feat; and every member who on the Speaker’s circular letter, giving warning of an approaching weighty debate, presumes to absent himself without sufficient cause, shall be reprimanded on his knees by the Speaker. Nay, they have voted that anyone who, during such debates, shall leave the house, or that shall presume to vote without hearing them, shall, at the bar, demand pardon of the house for the same. To enforce these yet farther, they have resolv’d that the house shall be called over every Tuesday and Friday; and all that are absent twenty days in the session without leave, or sufficient cause shewn, and above all, when important matters are debated, shall be severely censur’d by the House for the first and second fault, and on a third commission of it, expelled. It is believ’d they will soon order heads of a bill to be brought in, to make all those votes and resolutions pass into a law; and indeed it seems of great consequence that they should. I must confess, as a public minister, I am less fond of such severe regulations; for tho’ the loyalty and tranquillity of these times, make them less to be feared at present, yet such divisions and discontents may arise hereafter, as may make them less favourable, not to say pernicious to the interest of the Crown. But when I consider, as a friend to my country, of what infinite service they would be to the banishing corruption, and mean interested servile hirelings from that house, that should be sacred to truth, honour, loyalty, and the love, the eternal love of our country, I cannot but incline to them. I have a thousand times weigh’d the chief arguments, for and against this important point in my own mind, and I must own I have ever found the certain advantages, so much transcend the possible inconveniences, that the balance has still turn’d in favour of such regulations. Indeed our House of Commons thus model’d, would prove such a bulwark against rapacious or designing ministers, as well as against Princes of too enterprising or ambitious spirits in future ages, and wou’d be such a security, to preserve the rights and prerogative of the Crown, and the priviliges and liberty of the People, in the same equal channels in which they now run, pure and unmix’d; that I am persuaded his Majesty could not consult the happiness of, his successors or people more, than by turning these votes into a law. As the King seems to think in this way, possibly this may be done; and if not in this parliament, at least in this reign. Your Excellency will be surpriz’d, after professing that these are my sentiments, when I tell you, that there is a numerous faction, started up already in this very parliament, to oppose all the measures I am taking for the public good, and misrepresent the whole of my past administration. To mortify me the more (if such trivial changes in the most changeable of all things, the heart of Man, could mortify me) I find the faction is supported underhand by Sir J C and Mr. L. two persons that I little expected, and much less deserv’d such ungrateful returns from, after all I have done for them. In the mean time, as they keep behind the curtain, Mr. M is the person who leads the faction; and indeed his great abilities entitle him to it, for as your Excellency well knows, ‘tis with Men as with Deer, the best headed leads the herd. Yet this very Man have I favoured enough, to have tied him to my interest for ever; nor do I know any cause for his forsaking me, but that I have oblig’d him beyond a possibility of return; and when that is the case, Tacitus will tell us the natural consequence. The great outcry is rais’d about the public accounts, and I know not what millions that are clandestinely sunk and evaporated into air; as I doubt not I shall see all these clamours do, when I can properly clear myself, by laying my accounts before the house. Sir Rd B is as loud as any, and rails with his usual blundering elo-quence, but he has not talents even to serve a good cause; and tho’ his abusive tongue can bruise like a cudgel, it wants edge to wound his enemy; or, as Du Hailan the French Historian said, he can blacken like an old cold cinder, but cannot burn. In a few weeks, I shall see how far this blind and groundless malice will lead them, and shall give your Excellency an account of what these worthy intrigues produce. In the mean time, let me speak it without arrogance, I am secure, and almost careless of what may happen; for, believe me, my Lord, I am more willing to return to Fortune the trifles she has lent me, and resign the mighty envied posts which they pursue me for, (if my royal Master would approve of it) than ever I was to receive them. It is long since I have learn’d in this school of the world, where so few are educated, without feeling severely the smarting corrections of their master’s rod; that there is little to be got in it worth the pain and trouble, and above all, our virtue, which we generally pay for the knowledge and experience we lay up there. Judge therefore, if when one finds malice, and rancour, and envy, are constantly the returns which are made those who happen to succeed better in it; if one can avoid being weary and sick, of the silly pursuits we are so eagerly engag’d in there, and fond of retiring from its noise and hurry. This is not the language of the Courtier, but of the Man and the Friend, whom your Excellency has known a little too long to mistrust his professions, or imagine he can dote at this time of life on the silly fopperies of place, preferment and power, which in the vigour and sunshine of his days, he never put in balance with peace and retirement, with innocence and honour. But I begin to grow grave, and therefore it is time I should take my leave of your Excellency, to whom I wish all the happiness, pros¬perity, and favour this world can give you. I wish them not to you as real solid blessings, but as pleasing imaginary satisfactions, and the best kind of appearances of happiness here, to blunt the edge of so many real evils as we continually labour under. Above all, I wish them to you because they now and then afford us, the substantial delight of doing good to others, of relieving wanting merit, pulling down the oppressor, stripping the prosperous villain of his spoils, drying up the tears, and defending the cause of innocence in misery. May I live (for the few years I can yet live) to see this the chief employment and business of your life in this world; and may not the errors and sins of mine, prevent my seeing you crown’d with the glory of it in another. I am, my Lord, Your Excellency’s, Nm. To the Lord High Treasurer, Paris, March 4. 1997. My Lord, I was honour’d with your Lordship’s of February the 24th from London yesterday, which brought me new proofs, of that undeserved affection and regard, with which you have ever honour’d me. I know not whether to applaud most, your Lordship’s care of our Country, or affection to your friends and my family, or to make my compliments to you as the best of Ministers or Patrons. But I hope you will believe me honest enough to wish, that our family should rather be depriv’d of your favour, than our Country should ever be robb’d of so able an head, or so sincere and zealous an heart, to con¬sider and pursue her interest. If I do not deceive myself, I think I don’t say this, with any little view to my brother’s being made one of the Secretaries for foreign affairs (how greatly soever I am oblig’d by it) but from a real sense, of what the happiest Nation and the best of Princes owe you, for the labours of an illustrious life wasted in their service. But your Lordship’s mind, and the obligations you lay on your friends as well as your country, are above the little returns of words and compliments; and therefore I shall take a method to pay you my acknowledgments, that will be more agreeable to you, by shewing you that I have endeavour’d to discharge the trust, you have repos’d in me here. Pursuant to your commands therefore, and my instruc¬tions from the Secretary by his letters of the same date, on Tuesday last I demanded an Audience of his most Christian Majesty; to which I was immediately admitted, tho’ that morning the Pope’s Nuntio, and the Spanish Ambassador were both put off, with excuses of his Majesty’s indisposition. Upon account of these excuses, (as I suppose) his Majesty receiv’d me in his bedchamber, where I found him accompanied with none but Mr. Meneville, his chief minister, who, as you know, leads him as he pleases. He receiv’d me, with a very great appearance of good humour and frankness; and as he had the memorial in his hand which I had given him the Sunday before, as he came from mass, he immediately cut off the formality of a prefatory introduction to what I had to say, by telling me he had carefully read and consider’d with Monsieur Meneville, the memorial I had pre¬sented him with, on the part of his Britannic Majesty, my Master. He told me he was perfectly convinc’d of the terrible train of conse¬quences which must attend the establishing the Inquisition in France; and as he well knew the motives that made the Pope press for it, were only to increase his power, and that of the Clergy who adher’d to him in his Kingdom, he was willing and desirous to take any measures he could to prevent it. That he conceiv’d those propos’d in the memorial were well concerted, and would be of great service; but that he thought there was an omission in it, that was absolutely necessary to be supply’d, if we resolv’d to deter the Pope, from such a dangerous and insolent outrage on the honour of France, and the liberty of his subjects. As he spoke all this very quick, and with a good deal of ac¬tion and emotion, as his manner is, he made a short pause here, and seem’d to expect my reply. Upon which I told him, that I was so confident of the King my Master’s zeal, to lessen the unreasonable power of the Empire of the Vatican, and at least, prevent any new encroach¬ments, as to what regarded France, that I was certain his most Chris-tian Majesty’s proposals, for additional measures for that end, would be cheerfully embrac’d. I would have gone on to desire that his Majesty would consider, that as all the extraordinary steps taken by my Master, were barely for the interest of France, I doubted not but all possible regard would be shewn, as to any further demands, to avoid unnecessary expense to GreatBritain’ but he stopp’d me with his usual eagerness and quickness, to tell me, that the omission he complain’d of was, that of sending two Squadrons on the Coasts of Italy. I was so glad to find there was nothing further insisted on, that I told his Majesty, without hesitation, that he might depend on that assistance, whether matters came to an open rupture with the Pope or not. That his Majesty of GreatBritain seldom fail’d to send a small one into the Mediterranean every year for the protection of the trad¬ing part of his subjects; and that I doubted not but he would send two much stronger and earlier than ever, to any stations which should be thought necessary for the service of France. He seem’d extreamly pleas’d with this declaration, and turning about to Mr. Meneville, he whisper’d him so loud, that I plainly heard him ask him, have I anything more to say? To which the other having answer’d so low, that I could hear nothing; his Majesty instantly turn’d to me, and laying his hand on his breast, said, I am deeply indebted to his Britannic Maj¬esty. He repeated these expressions at least thrice; and then, as I found he continued silent for some time, I pull’d out the last Memo¬rial which I receiv’d in Mr. Secretary’s dispatch, and told his Majesty, that I was commanded to present it to him on behalf of my Master; and to let him know, that it was a copy of the several heads of things which our Ambassador at Rome was charg’d with to represent to his Holiness, against the establishment of the Inquisition in his territo¬ries. He took it from me, and just looking over the title, he gave it into Mr. Meneville’s hands, saying, it is long; you must make an ab¬stract, and report the substance of it to me; upon which words, Mr. Meneville said nothing further, but put it in his pocket, whispering something into his Master’s ear. His Majesty then turn’d to me, and ask’d me, whether our Ambassador at Rome, had already deliver’d that Memorial to his Holiness, and obtain’d a favourable answer to it; to which I could only answer, that I look’d on that as certain, but as yet I had no account of it; and that when I had, I should immediately acquaint his most Christian Majesty with my intelligence. To this he made no reply; but turning his discourse on the sudden to the ambition of the papal See, he said, with surprizing emotion to me, they think to make my Kingdom a Province to Rome; but, says he, striking his hand on his heart, not till I and half my Army are first cover’d with the sods of Dauphine; meaning, as I conceiv’d, that he would first die fighting on his frontier to Savoy and Italy. I told his Majesty, I hop’d neither of those unfortunate accidents would happen. I know not, said he, but I am sure one shall not happen without the other. If Providence had not disappointed all my best concerted projects, I had long before now secur’d the peace and honour of France; but it so pleas’d Providence, that everything went contrary to my just designs. I did my best, and used my utmost endeavours; but all was to no purpose. Everybody knows the event; I can blame no body but Provi¬dence; Providence would have it so, and I was forc’d to submit to its decrees. I observ’d he dropp’d some tears with these last words, and as I saw him in a great deal of trouble and concern, and having noth¬ing further to speak to him on; I only begg’d Mr. Meneville I might soon have an answer to my memorial, and put an end to my audience, and immediately withdrew. The complaints against Providence, that made up the whole of the latter part of my audience, seem’d to me something very extraordinary, and brought to my mind the behaviour of Francis I. a predecessor of this King’s, about 450 years ago, in somewhat the like circumstances. For when he saw his rival Charles V. had taken St. Disier, and was resolv’d to besiege him in Paris, he broke out into violent complaints against Providence, repining at its decrees; and said to his wife, my Darling, (for so he used to call her) go pray to heaven, that if against all justice Charles V. must be favour’d thus, that at least its partial providence, will allow me to die fighting in the field, before I live to be besieg’d in my capital. After all, these fine complaints of these mighty Lords of the world, that dare thus repine against and reproach the justice of their Maker, seem to me as impudent and silly, as the conduct of Sorbiere’s Abbe St. Cyran. That old Author tells us, the Abbe, as he was one day eating cherries in his room, endeavour’d still as he eat them, to throw the stones out of the window, which often hit against the bars, and fell on the floor; upon which he ever and anon flew into a fury, crying out, see how Providence takes a pleasure to oppose itself against my designs. And indeed, my Lord, the mightiest undertaking of these rivals of Heaven, are, in the eye of infinite power, neither greater or nobler than the good Abbe’s cherrystones, that he was directing with so much care and prudence. I have hinted enough to your Lordship of the weakness of this Prince in my former letters; and as in Princes more than in other Men, to be weak, is to be unhappy; I believe there are few among his subjects, (as wretched as the subjects in France are) who are more uneasy in all the chief circumstances of life than he is. Indeed, by what I have been able to observe of the world, and the mighty monarchs of it, whom we envy and admire so much; I am persuaded this is oftner the case than we are apt to imagine. Crowns are such weighty, troublesome ornaments, that there are but two things that can make them sit easy on the wearer’s head; either an ardent desire of doing great and glorious actions, and deserving well of mankind; or the senseless vanity of seeing one’s self so high above others, as to the fopperies of power, riches, palaces, high living, and all the little tinsel shew of pomp, pleasure and luxury. The first of these are seldom found, but in a few great spirits, who appear now and then like comets, to the amazement of the world; and are to be accepted from the general rules that others move by. The other indeed is often to be met with; yet so high a degree of it, and good success with it, is necessary to sweeten the cares of Princes; and so many disappointments and misfortunes in public and private life befall them, and often such ill health, and other accidents, that level them with the rest of mankind; that we must believe them seldom at ease, tho’ we should not take into the account the prodi¬gious expectations they entertain, which are therefore the harder to gratify; and the violence of their passions with which they pursue them, which makes the least ill success the more insupportable. However, this Prince has one good quality, which will make him serviceable to our present views, in spite of his weakness and unhappiness; and that is, a good degree of courage; which, with the help of two or three ill ones, much obstinacy, and a violent unforgiving temper, will probably cut out more work for his Holiness than he can easily manage. The whole Nation is in great expectation what the event of our councils will be; and I perceive the Jesuits are in prodigious apprehensions, seeing so terrible an alliance likely to be form’d against them, as GreatBritain, France and Germany. The set all engines at work, to defame and asperse our sovereign and nation as heretics and monsters, that are odious to God, and all good men; and they are as busy to expose and ridicule his most Christian Majesty, by spreading vile reports as to his personal frailties, and all the errors and mistakes imputable to him, as a Man or a King. They have writ two dangerous pamphlets lately, which are handed about in manuscript; one of them is a virulent satire against this King and his first Minister, Meneville: It is a sort of diary of his life for the last Lent, of which I shall transcribe you two days. First day of Lent. Got up betimes from Madam Du Vall, confess’d to Father L a Dominican, and got absolution; forgot to go to mass, and eat my breakfast; dress’d by the Duke of C the Count of D and Mr. P went to Mr. Meneville’s, and ask’d leave to go to council; could get no answer, till he had consulted the British Envoy; got his consent, and went thither. Resolv’d on a war with the Pope, swore the ruin of the Church to the heretics, past an arrest against schools and colleges, as opening people’s eyes too much. Another against popular preachers and zealous bishops; went to dinner as soon as Mr. Meneville was ready, eat till I was sick, drank till I was fuddled Mr. Meneville swears the Pope is an heretic deserves to be burnt, chain’d to Trajan’s pillar, and make the Churches in Rome serve for faggots. Grew very merry, sent for Mrs. Du Vall; scolded her, forgot going to confession. Went to cards, my old luck, lost everything I play’d for; cheated by mrs. Du Vall, bubbled by Monsieur Meneville, laugh’d at by everyone, pitied by no body. Went to the opera, six footsoldiers cried vive le Roy, pleas’d to see such proofs of my people’s love. British Ambassador bowed very civilly. Several of my own servants carry’d with much respect to me. Very fine music, and a world of company. Madam Du Vall the finest woman I could see there went home, supp’d upon flesh, got fuddled, threatened the Pope, swore heartily, commended the brave heretics of GreatBritain, and their almighty fleets, talk’d over the great feats I would do when they help’d me, lost my tongue and my senses, sent for Madam Du Vall, and was carried to bed. Second day; made Madam Du Vall get up first call’d for Father L the Dominican. confess’d, and absolv’d; heard mass in my chamber, while I eat my breakfast sick in my stomach, my head out of order, drank some brandy, took the air at New Marly, at noon; out of sorts, took a cordial, ask’d Mr. Meneville’s advice, and took another cordial, grew better, got home, and din’d on flesh, could eat little, drank the more. The British Ambassador came to wait on me. The Pope a villain, Bishops rascals, Jesuits rogues, and Catholics fools. The riches of the monasteries and convents, and the Lands of the Church, the best fund to maintain a war with the Pope Monsieur Meneville will manage all. Mrs. Du Vall shall make the campaign with me, will give her an estate in church lands; much pleas’d, heard a fine consort of music, order’d a new tax upon Guienne to pay the band of musicians; saw Mr. Le Blanc dance; gave him a regiment for it; a great pity he’s no soldier British Ambassador went home. Call’d for supper, bad stomach, swallow’d wine enough, and eat some Portugal hams, to shew I was a good Christian, and no Jew. Made Madam Du Vall sing, and Mr. Meneville dance. A fine gentleman, a faithful subject, and an able minister; might get his bread by dancing, better than Nero by his fiddling. Drank abundance, talk’d more; begun to think, grew dull and melancholy, fell asleep in my chair, dreamt I was drinking with the British Ambassador and the Devil; waken’d in a fright, carried to my apartment, sate on my close tool, and rail’d at the world, went to bed, and ventur’d to lie alone. The rest is all of the same nature, very malicious; and, like all true malice, very dull. For this reason, I shall not trouble your Lordship with any more than a few short hints of another; in which they pretended to prove his Brittanic Majesty and his Parliaments are the public incendiaries of Europe. That his Majesty has erected the house of commons into a sort of grand prerogative court, where the wills of all the crown’d heads of Europe are to be first duly prov’d and enter’d, with a salvo jure magnæ Britanniæ Regum si illis aliter visum fuerit; and the next heir is to be admitted or rejected, as best suits the convenience of the present state of things, and the inclinations of the good people of GreatBritain. That no such will is to be deem’d authentic, unless the deceas’d takes care to have 100000 arm’d witnesses, to prove the validity thereof. That in case such will be pronounced valid, it shall not be construed to extend to bequeath to the heir, or his subjects, any foreign trade or naval power; but so far as they shall be dependent on, and subservient to, the interest and commerce of GreatBritain, ad no further. That in case any prince or potentate, nation or people, shall presume to construe it otherwise, the said prerogative court do issue out a writ, call’d a Classis major quæ scire faciat; and settle all points of the said will thereby, as they judge proper; substituting a convenient decree and will of the said court, in the place thereof, of which the known rule is, Salus Populi Suprema lex esto. That the said court has pretended to compute, by their political arithmetic, that since the 16th Century to the 20th, the Princes of Europe have sacrific’d the lives of above 100 millions of the bravest of their subjects to Wars, begun and carried on for the most frivolous silly excuses imaginable; and sometimes, for little trivial piques of ministers and favourites against each other, for which an honest heretic would not turn off a footman. That therefore they have made a decree, that no monarchs in Europe shall presume to go to war till their quarrel is tried in the said court, and sentence presume’d there for war or peace, and to act accordingly. There is abundance of such awkward malice in the pamphlet, which is not worth repeating. I shall therefore omit it, to acquaint your Lordship with the resentments of a particular person, who may be able to do us more prejudice, with a few words to his master, whom he rules and governs as he pleases, than all the pens of the Jesuits, who think to govern the world. I need not tell your Lordship, that I mean Mr. Meneville, who expostulated with me yesterday in a very calm and civil, but at the same time in a manner that shew’d a great deal of conceal’d resentment. He met me at court, and ask’d me to walk with him in the King’s garden; he talk’d to me a little on the Memorial I had given his Master, and then began a long expostulation, that has made me apprehensive we may have disgusted him too far. He told me, I very well knew the French seaports had never remain’d in our hands, or the last treaty of peace been sign’d between France and GreatBritain, but for him; which God knows, says he, I did not do for the sake of the pension then so solemnly promis’d me, or to provide for my family, but to serve my country, that was tearing in pieces. That your Lordship and I both knew he had not got it accomplish’d, if he had not ruin’d the Marquis of M who was violently for carrying on the war with England; and persuaded the French King he was a pensioner of the Pope’s, tho’ he said Marquis was Mr. Meneville’s good friend, and as faithful and wise a minister as ever was in France. That three years after he had thus got the peace sign’d, his Majesty would have broke it again, but that he offer’d him a thousand arguments against it, and sav’d GreatBritain from that storm; and now he kept him firm to the scheme of our court, for humbling the Pope, and opposing the Inquisition; which last point, however, he insisted the lesson, because it was the true interest of the Kingdom. That I very well knew how ill his pension had been paid, ever since it was first promis’d him; that there was now two years and an half due, and not a penny offer’d him. That your Lordship, (you will pardon the freedom of reporting this) manag’d your master’s treasures like a banker, rather than a prime minister; and that if the friends of GreatBritain in foreign Courts were always thus us’d, we would find the scene chang’d suddenly. I would fain have interrupted him here, but he would not let me; so he went on to say, that if he could think of deserting GreatBritain, he might find his account much better with the Pope’s Ministers, where he had been offer’d near double what we contracted for; but his Master’s honour, and the interest of his Country, were too near his heart. However, as the forgeting real services, and remembring small disobligations, often made the best friends enemies, he desir’d I would consider well of it, and without a useless waste of words and reasons; (which, says he, you are ready to give, and I will not receive) take care to answer these complaints, with the single argument, that can only justify your conduct to me. The instant he had said this, he left me without allowing me time to reply; and as I have faithfully related the whole of his expostulations, I humbly recommend it to your Lordship’s consideration, to have the arrears of his pension instantly paid him. I am persuaded, the Pope’s Ministers would give him vastly more than we do; and tho’ he must, to oblige them, run counter to his Master’s inclinations, and the body of the people; yet he has such an ascendant over the King, that he is able to manage him, and everything by him, as he pleases. I shall add no more on this subject, but to beg I may be instructed very suddenly how to answer Mr. Meneville, with something more than good reasons and great promises, or my credit here will be but shortliv’d. In the mean time, I am persuaded, if he be kept our friend, all will go well, and we shall probably mortify the Pope sufficiently. Indeed his most Christian Majesty, has so vastly improv’d the strength of his frontier towns in Dauphine, by their new invented method of fortification, that the strongest places in France, fortified after the old manner, are not strong enough to keep sheep from wolves, or geese from foxes, when compared with them. All the troops are ordered to be completed without delay throughout France, and money is sent to Swisserland for remounting the cavalry; so that everything here looks like preparations for war, and the Jesuits and their numerous party are evidently under great apprehensions of its breaking out. However, probably their interests in all Courts is so prodigious, and they have so many spies that lie within the bosoms of their enemies, that they will manage so, if possible, as to make all this storm blow over. A few months will clear up this matter, and I shall redouble my efforts to bring everything to bear; being persuaded, such a crisis, when both France and the Emperor are warmly inclin’d to a rupture with the Pope, and to concert proper measures to curb his ambition, is not easily found. In the mean time, my Lord, allow me to pass to less busy scenes of things, and to tell you, that after I parted with Mr. Meneville yesterday, I went to see the magnificent entry of the old Marquis del Carpio, Ambassador extraordinary from Spain. He had an infinite train of rich liveries, coaches and attendants, and made an appearance becoming that Monarchy in its highest splendour; but as he is a violent enemy to GreatBritain, and will certainly serve the Jesuits, (whose creature he is) all he can, I heartily wish him and his fine shew in Madrid. I knew him when I was in Spain very well, his name is Haro, and he has very considerable estates in Andalusia; and is on that account, and his zeal and bigottry, much consider’d by the Jesuits; but otherwise, he is both in his person and understanding, infinitely despicable. This entry cost him a vast sum of money, which I suppose the Jesuits, whose errands I am sure he comes on, will answer for him. The very coach, which he rid in cost near 6000 l. and brought into my mind the rich shrines for relics, (to say nothing of some great noblemen palaces) which are so glorious and splendid without; and yet within, contain nothing but the decay’d remains of some worthless creature, which must now be reverenc’d as sacred, and regarded almost with adoration by the crowd. I shall leave no stone unturn’d, to get as early intelligence as I can, from the best hands, of the design of this embassy, which I am sure are no ways auspicious to our present views; and shall give your Lordship notice of them with all possible expedition. It is certain, that one part of his business is, to influence this Crown to give no sort of encouragement or assistance to the Portuguese, in the dispute which is arisen in America, between them and the Spaniards, and is likely to be carried on with prodigious violence. As the affair is perfectly new, and the whole of it sufficiently curious, I shall let your Lordship in a few words into so much of it, as I could learn at present. ‘Tis a matter likely to be attended with pro¬digious consequences, and to engage both the pens and the swards of the two nations, with all the rage that either glory or profit, can stir up in them; for the quarrel is about nothing less than the bounds of their several Empires in the vast Continent of America. Your Lordship must remember to have read, how Pope Alexander VI. in the 16th Century, when the discovery of the new World was thought little of, divided it into two hemispheres, the eastern and western; the first of which he bestow’d on the Portuguese, and the last on the Spaniards. For the first three or four Centuries, everything was very calm and quiet, neither Nation having been able to penetrate and discover, much less to plant and occupy, the inmost parts of that prodigious Continent. But as of late years, America is grown vastly populous, and the inhabitants for this last Century, by the help of the natives, have carried their colonies and plantations thro’ the remotest provinces; it happen’d the Portuguese and Spaniards frequently met, and had furious contests and engagements, about the boundaries of their dominions. The Portuguese maintaining, that the Spaniards have intruded too far, and the others denying it, all the Geographers of each Nation, and the Mathematicians of Europe, have been engag’d of one side or other with the utmost fury and passion; and yet cannot agree about fixing the Longitude, differing, many of them, about 19 degrees. It will, in all probability, cost much blood and treasure, before this dispute be determin’d; and ‘tis generally said, the Jesuits in Paraguay, who are jealous of them both, blow up the coals, and use all their arts to put things in a flame; which is no difficult task between two Nations sufficiently warm and resentful, and that have such vast tracts of a very rich fertile country, to contend about. The Spaniards have lost a great friend in the Duke de Richlieu, who died here last week, in spite of all the heaps of wealth he had rais’d, by cheating the Nation, and ruining 8 or 10000 families. However, he died very comfortably among his Jesuits, to whom he left 10000 l. out of near fifty times that sum, to pray his soul out of purgatory. It is currently reported here, my Lord, that he had violent disputes with his confessor, what the value of his sins might be computed at, and the masses requisite to pray his soul out of danger. Tho’ he was much afraid of going there, and heartily superstitious; yet he lov’d his dear money so well, that ‘tis said it was not without great uneasiness he inserted that sum in his will. After all, there are so many people who wish him at the Devil, that I am terribly afraid, they will be apt to outvote a few priests, who endeavour to pray him into Heaven; and that the curses of those he has ruin’d, will probably drown the sound of the prayers, of these he had paid. Your relation of the vast improvements in the royal Fishery and Plantationcompanies, were extreamly agreeable to me, on account of the advantages which our Nation, and the glory your Lordship’s administration, will reap from them; but as to my private affairs, they were of no sort of benefit to them, having unluckily sold out about two months before. ‘Tis incredible, my Lord, with what regard and honour you are consider’d in this Nation, upon the new regulations you have establish’d about those two companies, and in what terms they mention the whole of your ministry, and his Majesty’s reign. As I am convinc’d, there never were praises better deserv’d, it gives me infinite concern to find your Lordship’s stile so much chang’d from its usual spirit and force, and to hear you talk in so desponding a manner of the infirmities of age, your weariness of the world; and, which I fear is nearest your heart, the envy and malice of a generate race, and an unthankful age. But your Lordship’s spirit is of a nobler turn, than to let your virtue be alarm’d from its own shadow, envy; which is so far from injuring, that it is ornamental, and a necessary help to it, and rather serves than hurts it. ‘Tis true, your Lordship stands in need of such assistances; but in other people, the fear of its lashes makes them watch over their frailties, and avoid running into a thousand mistakes, which otherwise they would fall into. By this means, ‘tis so far from hurting virtue, that, like the clipping of the sheers to the hedge, it makes it grow thicker and stronger from its wounds. Your Lordship has been too long used to it, not to know that it accompanies the actions of the great; like the dragons, gry¬phons, and other beasts and monsters, which the heralds give them, not as blots and deformities, but for the ornaments and supports of their coats of arms. May you live many years to triumph over the groundless malice of your enemies, and enjoy the welldeserv’d gratitude and praises of your friends; may your Lordship long continue to serve his Majesty and your Country; and at last, in a good old age, loaden with years and honours, retire to that grave, which you think of so often, and I hope will wait for so long; which is the sincere wish of, my Lord, your Lordship’s, Herbert. To the Lord High Treasurer Constantinople, May 1. 1998. My Lord, Since I wrote to you the 29th of February, and the 16th of April, in return to yours of the 29th of November, I have never heard the least account from you; which is owing, I am sensible, to a want of ships sailing to this port, and no neglect or disregard of your friends, of whom your Lordship is but too observant and careful. In a few days, I flatter myself, I shall be made happy in your letters; and to know what hopes you can give me, either of the chief Physician for the Grand Signor’s own service, or the professors of Astronomy, for whose salaries and provision I became responsible. I therefore hope there will be no hesitation or delay in procuring some worthy Gentleman to come and settle in the Grand Cairo college, which is at last so happily establish’d by my interest with the Grand Signor. It is incredible, with what zeal and expedition such things are dispatch’d, when the order is once issued by the Port; for then all hands are at work, and in a few weeks they are able to raise very ex¬traordinary structures. The College at Grand Cairo, and the Astronomy school, I am inform’d, were entirely finish’d in this manner in a few weeks, tho’ there are spacious apartments, two large halls, and a noble observatory built up, pursuant to the enclos’d plan I transmit to your Lordship. I am impatient to hear something of the dogs I formerly wrote for to your Lordship; for I have been ask’d a thousand questions about them, their perfections, and their performances, by the Grand Signor, whenever he sees me; and he often sends for me, when they are the chief affair of state, he wants to settle with me. I am forc’d to answer him at random, as near as I can, to what I imagine will be the truth; and, as any disappointment would be intolerable and in supportable, I must conjure your Lordship, that all possible care to gratify his Highness, may be taken herein. I must repeat the same thing, as to a Physician, which is of vast importance: and may oblige, if complied with, considerably, and if neglected, may produce terrible consequences for so small a trifle. Since I wrote last to your Lordship, I have been three or four times at the Seraglio with the Grand Signor, entertaining him with your telescope, in which he takes more delight each day than other; and is grown so familiar with every one of the planets, that he visits them now by himself, without staying for any introduction of mine. Tho’ he is not very fond of travelling upon the Earth, he frequently makes the great tour of the Heavens, and visits all the constellations in their turns; and begins to be confi¬dent, that in another age, we shall not only be able to see the inhabitants of the Moon, which would be useless, without any other benefit, but to invent engines to carry us thither. I am so often sent for to the Seraglio on these accounts, that I am frequently call’d there the Sultan’s Astronomer; but as I have made as many delightful excursions by Land and by Sea, as well as in the Air and the Heavens, your Lordship must allow me to describe some of them to you. One of the first I made this spring with him, was, to the Isles of PapaAdasi, (as the Turks, or the Princes, as the Christians call them,) in a gilt barge, row’d by eighty slaves; and as the barge was entirely built for rowing, it is incredible with what prodigious swiftness we flew along the water, going at least three or four leagues an hour. As we went to hawk and shoot on these lovely Islands, the Grand Signor had several other barges, with his fowlers, ostragers, and falkners, and a vast number of setting dogs, spaniels, and many casts of hawks of all kinds, who followed us at some distance. The Sultan keeps several families on the great Island, who plough and sow entirely to feed the wild fowl, letting a vast many acres of grain rot every year on the ground, that they may make their haunts there; and it being death to shoot one of them, but when the Grand Signor is on the Island, it is incredible what prodigious quantities resort thither. There are of all sorts and kinds on it; for even those that are of a weak wing, and make short flights, as partridge, pheasant, quail, and which could not easily fly hither, are by the Sultan’s order carried there to breed. The Islands lie at the extremity of the Propontis, and tho’ they are not many leagues round, have great variety of grounds. In the largest, towards the north, there is a sort of mountain; and as all the plains and valleys, and even the mountain itself, abound with natural woods, mix’d with fine vineyards, and arable lands and pas¬turage, beautifully chequer’d, there is not possibly a lovelier scene to be met with. We came there early, and they having had notice the day before, the Sultan’s horses which were kept there, were all at the seashore, waiting for him and his attendants. We landed opposite to his mag¬nificent hunting lodge, with great silence, and in an instant we were all mounted, and the select band of his sportsmen, with their dogs, haws, and guns, attending us. When we were got up into the Coun¬try, this great band divided itself into eight or ten several parties, which were for different kinds of game, and then all fell to their sport with such agreeable confusion of entertainment and pleasure, as was perfectly surprizing. I am persuaded, both their falkners, fowlers, dogs and hawks, are infinitely more skilful than ours; for I saw not one that did not perform their parts to admiration all the while we were in the field; and tho’ both at our own and the Emperor’s Court I have been often delighted with such sports, yet I never saw anything comparable to these. I will give your Lordship a short account of two or three passages, that gave me most pleasure that you may judge if I am unreasonable in applauding them so highly; and as you used in your youth to be fond of such entertainments, I hope it will still be agreeable to you, to hear of those of others. I observe they use the same diversion as we do in England, of daring the larks with the Hobby, soaring over them aloft in the air, while the dogs rang’d the field till the nets are drawn over the poor birds that lie close to the ground, and are afraid to trust to their wings; but then ‘tis their custom that the moment they are taken, they are carried in a cage to the Emperor, who immediately gives them their life and liberty. Their goshawks fly the river at mallard, duck, goose, or hern, and the several kinds of large waterfowl; and all the time we were in the field, I never saw them fail to kill them at source, as they call it. But what was more surprizing, was, a large kind of falcon, which is so courageous, that I saw them seize on the fallow deer and wild goats, fastening between their horns, and flapping their wings in their eyes, till they run themselves dead, and the huntsmen come in and cut their throats. But their fowlers are yet more extraordinary than their hawks: I saw one of them, call’d Ibrahim, who drove a covey of partridges into his nets, as our shepherds would drive sheep into a pinfold; which, as it was a method unknown to me, I shall describe to your Lordship. He had an engine made of canvass, exactly cut and painted, like an horse, and stuffed with feathers or hay; with his horse and his nets he went to the partridge haunts; and having found out the covy, and pitch’d his nets below slope wise and hovering, he went above, and taking the advantage of the wind, drove downward. Then covering his face with long grass, and holding the engine so as to hide him, he stalk’d towards the partridges very slowly, raising them on their feet, but not their wings; and driving them just before him at pleasure. If they chanc’d to choose a road contrary to the path he would have them take, he cross’d them with his horse, and by artfully facing them, forced them into the path that led to the nets, to my great surprize and pleasure. But I saw this same man with more delight, taking the whole eye of pheasants, both cock, hen, and pouts, to the great entertain¬ment of the Sultan and myself, who observ’d him from the top of a neighbouring hill. He had an excellent pheasant call, all the different notes of which he understood, and made use of with such perfect skill, that having pitch’d his nets in the little pads and ways of the wood, which they make like sheep tracts in the places where they haunt; and taking the wind with him, and his canvass horse, for they still run down the wind, he drove the whole eye, or brood, into his snares, and brought them to the Sultan, who was much pleased, and rewarded him for his skill and diligence with a purse of money. It were a vain attempt, to think of describing the twentieth part of the diversion and sport we met with; but if your Lordship will represent to yourself, a vast number of swallows in a summer’s evening, on the bank of a lovely river, hunting for their prey, and pursuing with infinite swiftness and skill, the little flies and insects floating on the air or the water, or the tops of the grass, you will have a tolerable image of our sport, and the isles of Adasi this delightful day. After all, your imagination will fall vastly short, both of the numbers of the pursued and the pursuers, and the transports and delight of the beholders: All nature, not excepting the great Lord of Nature the Sun, labouring to pay its share of tribute and homage to the Grand Signor’s pleasure. But as I never should have done, if I attempted to describe half the diverting scenes and adventures of that day, I will shut them all up, with giving you an account of one of the last of them; when the Sultan being wearied, retired to a noble tent that had been set up for him, where in the shade we continued to enjoy the prodigious prospect, (for it was open from the bottom a few feet) and to refresh ourselves with drinking sherbet, chocolate and coffee. His Highness immediately order’d all the game we had kill’d that day, to be laid in their several heaps before him; deer, chamois or wild goats, on one side; and on the other, wild geese, duck and mallard, herns, cranes, pheasants, patridge, grouse, snipes, quails, rails, and a number of birds, that I know not how to name, being foreigners to our country, unless I make use of the Turkish language. But as the Grand Signor resolv’d to wait for the Visier, whom he had sent three days before, to inspect the Architects and Engineers he was employing in the island Tenedos; just as we had sufficiently, like true conquerors, refresh’d ourselves on the field of battel, possess’d ourselves of the plunder, and reckon’d the slain, the Grand Vizier came. He gave his Highness a very particular and agreeable account, of that strong and noble Arsenal and Magazine, which he is building with such vast expense, by that harbour. It is true, the Port is very ordinary; tho’ even that is improving, by the vast mole he is running out into the sea, opposite to the ruins of old Troy. The Arsenal, when finish’d, will be of great importance, and put a bridle, as it were, on the mouth of the Hellespont, the Propontis, and Thracian Bosphorus; and will contribute a good deal to preserve the dominion of the Archipelago, that is, so much as our excellent Prince is pleas’d to allow him in those seas. We had hardly receiv’d the Visier’s relation of the fortifications there, when we were all order’d to embark in our several stations and barges, where our Galleyslaves receiv’d us with their usual salutation; and in a little time, by the help of so many wellplied oars, brought us to Constantinople. However, as the night overtook us in the middle of the channel, and the wind blew very high, tho’ without danger, I observ’d the seawater perfectly seem’d to flash fire, with the violent motion against the sides of the barge; so that I read plainly by it, to my great surprize. It put me in mind of Moses’s expression in the first of Genesis, where he says the Spirit of God mov’d on the face of the waters; and then follows, God said, Let there be light, and there was light; and made me wonder some have not fancied, that as man was created out of the earth, so light was form’d out of the waters, and the divine motion given them, as suddenly and brightly as the flame starts out of gunpowder, when touch’d by the fire. I forgot to take notice to your Lordship, that as the Visier brought with him the new plan of the Dardanelles, the Sultan bid me take notice of the Romeliiskissar, (or the Castle that guards them on the side of Europe) which has been built up of late years very fine and strong, and fortified with the largest cannon in the world; and ask’d me, if I thought the ships of my King would be able to batter down that, as they had done the old one in his great Uncle’s time? I was a little surpriz’d at the question; but I avoided answering it directly, as civilly as I could, by saying, I doubted their being able, and was sure they would not be willing. But as we landed immediately at the Seraglio, the Sultan only answer’d me with a smile, and a courteous nod; and ordering the barge to convey me safely cross the water to Galata, I took my leave of this goodnatur’d and generous Sultan, who wants only our Education and Religion, to make a great figure in the world. I got to my lodgings about two hours after sunset, much pleas’d with the magnificent variety of one day’s diversions; and was hardly set down on my sofa to repose myself, after so agreeable a fatigue, when my old Druggerman or Interpreter, Abraham, a learned Jew, whose conversations often entertain my solitary hours, came to me with a good deal of surprize and amazement in his face. I immediately saw something extraordinary had happen’d, and enquir’d of him what was the matter? My Lord, says he, I bring you an account, which if it proves true, will make the enemies of my nation, and the despis’d Jewish people, glad to lick the dust of their shoes. Here is Rabbi Solomon just come from Tunis, who is sent to warn our brethren, that the ten Tribes are discover’d in the middle part of Africa, where they retir’d in the days of their Captivity and affliction. He says they have a vast Empire there, and are very powerful, having near 50 millions of souls under their Kings, who are most observant of the Law, and have preserv’d their language pure and unmix’d, as well as their rites and ceremonies. The said Rabbi Solomon avers, that the great Messiah is risen among them, and hath chosen out an army of 500000 pick’d men, all as valiant as the Maccabees; that they have left all the strong holds of their Empire of Gangara and Seneganda well garison’d, and are in motion from the frontiers of those kingdoms, to cross the deserts of Borno and Guoga, and pass the Nile, seize on Egypt, and then the land of Canaan their Inheritance, and build up the fallen glories of mount Sion and Jerusalem. As I had a map of Africa in my room, I immediately search’d it for the kingdoms and deserts, my good Druggerman had settled his friends in, and found so far all was right; but desiring to know what authorities he or Rabbi Solomon had for this report, he gave me two letters from the Synagogue of Tunis, directed to the faithful Jews of Stamboul and its Provinces, willing them to be on their guard, and behave like men, for the Kingdom was about to be restor’d to Israel. Along with these he communicated to me, under the solemnest promises of secrecy, the Messiah’s Manifesto; in which he exhorts his subjects and brethren to prepare to rise, for the restoring both the sword and sceptre, into the hands of the faithful and chosen of heaven; and commands them to be ready, to depart for Jerusalem to the solemn sacrifice, so soon as they had cer¬tain intelligence from him, of his being possess’d of Egypt and Grand Cairo. I read them all over (that is, the Turkish translation of the Hebrew) with much admiration; and asking Abraham, if he believ’d these to be genuine letters? he answer’d me very hastily and angrily, as genuine as the Talmud; and that it was universally known to all the Turks, and the merchants in Stamboul, that these things were true; and it is certain, I had heard for several days, of some commotions in the inland parts of Africk, of a strange people. I then ask’d him, what the Jews determin’d to do? Even, says he very eagerly, to obey the commands of their Messiah; and so soon as he hath conquer’d Egypt, to depart from the four winds under heaven, and be gather’d unto the brethren of the dispersion at Jerusalem, at the solemn sac¬rifice. He said this with tears in his eyes, and such emotion of heart, that I could not choose but pity him, and his deluded people, who are as credulous as malice or love; and will probably, throughout this vast Empire, be standing with their ears pricked up, and, like birds, ready to take wing with all they can carry with them, if the news of this Revolution continues. He had hardly done talking of this new risen Messiah, when the Chiaus from the Grand Signor entered my apartment, with I know not how many slaves, loaden with part of the spoils we had taken that day, and which in his Master’s name he presented me with, by his order. Your Lordship may believe, my thanks were not the only payment I made, in return for this prodigious favour; but I must own, it gave me so honest and reasonable a pleasure, to receive so extraordinary and public a mark of the Sultan’s regard for me, that I thought it cheaply purchas’d. I made the Chiaus sit down by me; and, as if some revolution planets were risen on the world, he began to tell me, that since the Sultan had come to the Seraglio, the Grand Visier had told him two surprizing pieces of news. Upon this the Chiaus related Abraham’s story, very much in the same manner I have told it your Lordship; but with this addition, that the new Messiah was the strongest and most beautiful man upon earth. The other account he gave me was, that according to a belief they ever have entertain’d in Persia, a great Prophet had lately appear’d there, who calls himself Mahomet Mahadi, the son of Hossein sec¬ond son of Ali, who solemnly avers to the people, (who so many ages have been expecting him) that he lay hid all this while in a cave of the mountains of Georgia. He declares he is come from Mahomet, and is deputed and authorized by him to refute all errors, and reunite all in one belief, that there may be no more divisions and schisms, among faithful Mussulmen and true Believers. He preaches on horseback, and made his first sermon in the city of Maradel; and seiz’d on the horse, which for so many Centuries has been kept for him there at the public cost, ready saddled and bridled. The Chiaus, who told all this with the gravest air in the world, said that he was followed by great multitudes; and that it was expected the Turks and Persians might by his means be united in Faith and Doctrine; but that the Prince of Basora and he were like to have violent struggles. As I desir’d he would explain the occasion of their difference, he told me, that the Prince of Basora† had all along pretended to a hereditary succession in the good graces and peculiar favours of the holy Prophet Mahomet. That in virtue of that interest he had in him, the Prince and all his ancestors had constantly, for such rewards and sums as they could agree for, given written assignments on the Prophet in heaven, for such places there, as the Prince recommended persons to him for. This privilege his ancestors and he, like our Popes, had posses’d undisputed, till now that unfortunately the new Prophet Mahomet Mahadi avers, that he is commission’d to declare, that the holy Prophet has abrogated the Privileges, formerly allowed to the Princes of Basora, they having recommended many unworthy people to his best post in heaven; and that now the said privileges were entirely transferr’d to Mahomet Mahadi, the son of Hossein, the son of the blessed Ali. I ask’d the Chiaus, if these accounts were well vouch’d and confirm’d? He assur’d me they were; and that all men were alarm’d with them beyond imagination, expecting vast revolu¬tions would attend them, unless some unforeseen accidents should intervene and prevent them. That the Grand Visier, by the Sultan’s desire, had sent for the Mufti to consult with him hereupon; being apprehensive very dangerous commotions may arise on the side of Persia, if the utmost care be not us’d in it; and that it was believ’d the Grand Signor would be summon’d, to give an account before the new Prophet, of the fatal schism between the Turkish and Persian Mussulmen. The Chiaus having ended his extraordinary history, was pleas’d to withdraw; and as the good Abraham retir’d along with him, they left me to my own reflections on the amazing credulity, superstition and blindness of mankind. If either of these two accounts from Africa or Persia prove true, it is possible those populous territories, may be laid waste and destroy’d in the flame they may kindle. But the Jews, my Lord, are above all other nations foolishly credulous; this Abraham my Truchman, is really more knowing and judicious than most of his Tribe, and yet he reads the Talmud, the Misnah, and all the fabulous mysteries of the Cabbala, with as much veneration as the Pentateuch. He is as much persuaded that our tears were not salt, till Lot’s wife was chang’d into a pillar of salt; that she has still her Menes; and that she was thus chang’d, because that out of malice she would not put down the salt seller on the table to the angels; as that Sodom was burnt. He believes steadfastly, that before the Decalogue was given the Israelites, God desiring it should not be confin’d to them, went to mount Seir, and offer’d it to the Idumæans descended from Isaac; but when they heard the sixth commandment, Thou shalt not kill, they got up and refused it; for that it had been said to their ancestors, (Gen. xxviii.) By thy sword thou shalt live. That upon this God offer’d it to the Ishmaelites descended from Abraham by Hagar; but when they heard the seventh, Thou shalt not commit adultery, read, they refus’d their obedience to that command, since they had receiv’d a contrary one, namely, Thou shalt increase and multiply; upon which (he avers) God was forc’d to offer it the Jews, who took it without exception. Nay, I’ve heard him maintain, that at his leisure hours in the sixth day, God created ten things privately; 1st, the earth that swallowed up Corah, Dathan, and Abiram; 2dly, the whale that swallowed up Jonas; 3dly, the rainbow which he hid in the clouds; 4thly, the ram which was sacrific’d for Isaac; 5thly, the rod with which Moses wrought his miracles; 6thly, the manna for the Jews’ 7thly, the stone of which the tables of the Law were made; 8thly, the devil and his accomplices; 9thly, hammers and pinchers, which men cou’d never have invented; and 10thly, the head of Balaam’s ass. He has been still of opinion, (among a thousand other as absurd opinions) that as women cannot be capable of the covenant of circumcision, so they cannot be entitled to happiness in the next life; and that at the day of judgment, which will be on a Friday, Adam must be complete, and therefore will reassume his rib, and so Eve will cease to be; and all women descended from her will be contracted into that rib, and be no more, and consequently not judg’d. But it were endless to reckon up the traditions he holds, and I only quote these few, to shew your Lordship the wild superstition and credulity of this people, who make a mock of our faith as absurd, and yet are capable of ruining the welfare of their country and families, by following the first Impostor that sets up for a Messiah, and begins a rebellion that for a few months appears successful. But we will dismiss him at present, to speak on something more agreeable; and to acquaint your Lordship, that I here transmit you the names of such of the Greek Popes and Bishops, as are averse to submit to, and unite to the Church of Rome, which they look on as a superstitious and idolatrous usurper; and who have join’d unanimously in the Remonstrance, to which their names are annex’d, in petitioning for his Majesty’s powerful protection against her. As it is highly reasonable, to make some provision for the necessities, and even the ease of these deserving men, I do earnestly beg, that such a moderate stipend shall be annually settled on them, as may prevent their suffering too far, from the power and oppression of the Jesuits, for their maintaining the truth of their doctrines, and the equality, if not the pre-eminence of their Church over Rome. But your Lordship must accompany me with the Grand Signor, in another excursion we made by water, for fresh air and the diversions of the field, a very few days ago; which may possibly give you some amusement to read, as it gave me infinite delight while I was enjoying it. I was summon’d last Tuesday by the Sultan, to attend early at the Seraglio the next morning; when accordingly we got aboard the same barges, with all the Falconers and Fowlers, Guns, Dogs, and Nets, that were necessary to make our diversion fully complete. Your Lordship has heard of that little wonder of the earth, for beauty and riches, the Grand Signor’s new house of pleasure, known by the name of the Fanari Kiosc, which he has finish’d with such immense expense at the lovely Promontory near Chalcedon. ‘Tis built something after the manner of the King of France’s house of pleasure at New Marli, but adorn’d with vast expatiating porticos of the finest pillars, and over them with close galleries of his Sultana’s apartments. The whole is built in the middle of the finest garden, after the European manner, that is to be met with in the world; cut out into regular plantations of fruit and forest, and parterres of flowergardens, mix’d with so agreeable an extravagance, that is seems to strike the eye and the imagination of the spectator, with too forcible a surprise. For the extent of the gardens is so unbounded, the plantation of trees, both fruit and forest, are so numerous and so large, and the whole so skilfully interspers’d, with a vast profusion of parterres and compartments of flowerbeds, fountains, cascades, vases, obelisks, temples, vistas, porticoes, walks and alleys; and all surrounded with so perpetual a serenity of the heavens, and fertility of the earth, that it looks like the Paradise, which God planted for the Lord of the world to dwell in. The gardens are so vastly extended, that they constantly allow deer to graze among them; but they are such as they breed up, and prepare for this purpose, by hamstringing them, so that they can’t run fast; and gelding them when their heads are grown, so that they never herd with other deer, nor cast their horns, but still wander about the gardens; where they strike the fancy very agreeably, with seeing so unusual an inhabitant of the parterre, browsing among the knots of flowers. The prospect from this great height is as astonishing, as all the other circumstances; for form hence we have a complete view of the Grand Seraglio, its buildings and gardens, of the vast dome of Sancta Sophia, and the chambers of the Divan; the lovely Isles of the Princes, and the smooth glassy face of the Propontis, as well as the haven of Chalcedon; the beauteous basin and gulf of Nicomedia, and the rich hills and plains of fertile Bythinia, that lie below its view, in the finest irregular level that the eye can dwell on. Nay, the whole city of Constantinople rising in its beauteous terraces, street above street, and dome above dome, with all its gilded minarets and steeples, towers and cupolas, and mix’d with the sur¬prizing verdure of the groves and gardens, and shades of cypress, and other evergreens, which beautify the prospect of that city, lies perfectly under its command; with all the crowds of shipping, saicks, skiffs, boats and barges, that perpetually cover the face of the sea be¬low it, and by their constant motion heighten the prospect extremely. To this earthly paradise were we carried, my Lord, the Bostangi Bassa steering us, as his office obliges him; and as it is not over four or five miles from the Seraglio, we flew there in our vast rowbarge in an instant, and found it surrounded by a high wall of full twenty miles circuit. This extent of ground is kept entirely under all kinds of beasts, both of forest and chase, and all sorts of wild fowl; having vast natural lakes, and artificial canals and rivers, for those that de¬light in the water, and great ranges of plow’d fields sown, and woods and coppices cut into walks and avenues, for the other kinds. Being never disturb’d, but just on odd times when the Sultan comes to hunt and fowl, the frequency and tameness of the game is surprizing; both birds and beasts starting and flying before you for a little space, and then stopping their flight, and standing at a gaze about you, till the murdering hawk or gun, or the treacherous dog, teaches them to avoid the arts and snares, that Man is contriving for their ruin. Nay, in all the noise and confusion of the field, when such numbers were hunting on the one side, hawking on another, setting in this field, and shooting in some adjacent one; yet the herds of the beasts, and the flocks of the fowl, never attempted to betake themselves to the open country, but kept still within their belov’d confinement, and the delightful boundaries of the park walls. Judge, my Lord, how lovely a scene this must make to one, who has so high a relish of the sports of the field, as the Grand Signor; where in every enclosure or coppice, you see new game rise before you, and find fresh employment for the falkner, the huntsman, and the fowler. The truth is, we were marvellously entertained, for the three or four cooler hours of the morning; but as we wanted the delicious breezes of the PapaAgasi Islands, and (besides the calmness of the day) there being not a cloud to be seen in the whole hemisphere, the Sun was so violently hot, tho’ so early in the year, that one would have thought it had been in July or August, and made it impossible to move, under the violence of its rays, with any ease. We therefore retreated to the great Salone of the royal Kiosc, where in the fine porticoes to the north of the Salone, listning to the murmuring waterfalls of one of the finest fountains in the World, we sate cool and undisturb’d by the Sunbeams. We staid a good while here, sitting on the Sofas, and musing after the fashion of the Turks, without speaking to each other, but now and then a few mono¬syllables; when we were agreeably surpriz’d, with the BostangiBassa’s approaching us with above 100 slaves, all loaden with different kinds of viands, the spoils of the field and the forest, the earth, the air, and the water. If there had been living creatures in the other element, the fire, as Aristotle pretends there are, I believe he had brought them too, and laid them as he did all the others, at the feet of his mighty Mas¬ter. While we were at our sports in the field, the Bostangi Bassa had taken the slaves and barges, with all the nets, and had brought the tribute of the ocean for his part, mix’d with the spoils of the garden, in a great many baskets and dishes, loaden with cherries, strawberries, apricots, melons, and other of their early fruits. The Sultan was much pleas’d and as it was near dinnertime, he order’d they should get it ready with all expedition; and as the Turks live on the simplest kind of food, that is as easily dress’d as ‘tis digested; in a very little time it was serv’d up, in the north portico of the great Salone, where we were sitting. The Grand Signor, with his usual goodness, commanded me to dine with him; which I did with infinite pleasure, being delighted to receive every day, new proofs of his more than ordinary regard for me. Our meal, tho’ it was chiefly rice, boil’d in the broth of different kinds of flesh, or else mix’d with bits of mutton, or the flesh of our pheasants and partridges, relished very well; having the Turkish sauce to it, temperance, and heighten’d with (the more usual one of the Christians) exercise. We had some dishes mix’d up with a sort of curdled milk, call’d Joghourt, and differently colour’d with saffron, or the juice of pomegranates and raspberries, and several other ingredients; and some fish and roast meats, or Kiabab (as the call it) of our venison and wild fowl, which we hardly tasted. To this we had the most delicious and wholesome drink, that ever the earth pour’d out of her breasts to her children, plain water, from the fountain we sate by, with a little fresh bread, (for they never eat it stale) to give it the higher flavour. Thus, without taking as many hours to it, as our gormandizing Britons, and other Europeans do, we finish’d our light, and therefore our pleasing and healthful repast; which, however, was a little lengthened out, with a lovelier desert of fruit, than I had ever seen so early in May. And now I cannot but take notice to your Lordship, of a fashion that obtains here in all meals of fruit kind, which I heartily wish were the mode in GreatBritain; and that is, the placing on the table a large China bowl, with a cover to it that slopes down into the vessel, with a wide aperture in the middle of the descent. Into this everybody throws the melon parings, the stalks and stones of the cherries, and the cores of pears and apples, the skins of gooseberries, and the stones of damsons, plumbs, all which we Christians, in so odious and filthy a manner, take out of our mouths flaver’d with our spittle, and lay expos’d to every one’s eyes, on our plates or the table: Whereas this neat and cleanly vessel hides all that vile filth, and hinders the eye from being shock’d and offended with such heaps of nastiness. They call it Ordoma, which I know no word we have to answer; but it signifies a pot or Privy for the Mouth; and it is so universal of late among them, that those who can’t buy China ones, have earthen ones of common potters ware; the Turks above all things, studying neatness and cleanliness. But it is time, my Lord, to hasten to the seashore and our barges, whither the cool evening and the declining sun is calling us. Here you must now suppose us embark’d, and floating on the loveliest of all the basins in the earth, the smooth surface of the Propontis; flying with the incredible force of so many oars with vast rapidity on its crystalline bosom, unruffled with the smallest breeze. As we sate in the boat, I ask’d the Grand Signor, if the accounts of the Jews ten tribes being discover’d in Africk, and marching with their Messiah for Egypt, and of the Prophet Mahomet Mahadi appearing in Persia, were true. He seem’d a little suprize’d with the question; but as he had no mind to punish my curiosity with a harsh reply, he told me I must wait for the lame post, to be secure of the truth of such great events; by which I found plainly, there is more in those reports than I imagin’d, tho’ probably less than Abraham, my Interpreter, and the Chiaus would have me believe. Imagine us now, my Lord, landed at Constantinople, and retir’d to our different habitations, and the trouble of this letter shall last but a very little longer, than while I describe to you the exact figure and person, of one of the Turkish Santones or Dervises, as they are generally call’d. I found this extraordinary creature, sitting in my hall when I came home, from whence he would not retire by fair means, for all that my servants could say, till I came and gave him a piece of silver, to procure the favour of his quitting my territories. He was not one of those kinds of Monks, who live together in a particular community, under certain regulations; but a vagabond member, that counterfeited abstinence and sanctity, and a scorn for the World and all that was in it, in order to be admir’d and rewarded. He was a little creeping wretch, with a long red beard, that he continually stroak’d, and had cover’d his head with a tall sugarloaf cap of blue linen, with black strings and fringe sow’d to it, which hung down to his neck. He wore two sheepskins for a coat, sow’d together like a sack, with two holes for his arms at the sides, and at the top and bottom for his head and feet: This he had tied about his middle, with a Buffaloe’s tail, which was strung round with several little rings of red and white marble. He had a bracelet of the same creature’s hide about his arms, and in his right hand he carried a wand, with a piece of ivory at the end, like a saw, to scratch his back where he could not get at it to claw it with his nails; to which splendid equipage, he had join’d a long thick club, as a weapon of defence, and an horn that hung over his shoulders by a string, to sound upon occasions, and gather the good Musselmen about him. Behold, my Lord, the dress of religion run mad, or putting on the mask of hypocrisy I would to God she never look’d better when so disguis’d, and we should have fewer of the Jesuit tribe cloaking the wickedness of their actions, under the sanctity of their habits; and yet fewer, who out of a furious zeal against such disguises, would strip religion as naked as the Savages of America! I wait with impatience for your next letters, and am, My Lord, Your Lordship’s, Stanhope. When I last parted with thee, my dear reader, with all the civility of a man that was in hopes never to meet thee again; I was just shutting up my defence, against all the objections that envy or ignorance cou’d bring, to hurt this inestimable performance. I little imagin’d then, that after having so entirely driven my enemies out of the field, they shou’d be able to bring any fresh forces against me. But, alas! I find that manyheaded monster, an ingenious reader, is like the dreadful Hydra; and that no sooner an author, with the labour of an Hercules, has cut off one envenom’d head, and laid it groveling and senseless at his feet, but instantly a crowd of others, as poisonous and spiteful, rise up in its place to attack him. Accordingly I am assur’d, since I finish’d my second Preface, that there is started up one formidable objection, which I am oblig’d to answer, as it carries an air of truth with it, and is grounded on this; that these vast discoveries and improvements, these changes and revolutions of things below, which are mention’d in the subsequent letters, cannot possibly happen, nor consequently be true, many of them are so improbable. To which I answer, in the first place, that for that very reason, because they are improbable and unlikely, I give credit to my good angel’s prediction of them, and am confident they will come to pass. I will not say with Tertullian, Certum est quia impossibile est; but I will say, with all submission and modesty, that had my good genius design’d to impose on me in these matters, or I upon the wise, the ju¬dicious and wise reader, they would have been contriv’d with a greater approximation, (as the learned speak) and verisimilitude to truth. If they were mere fables invented to deceive, they would have been model’d, to as near a conformity as possibly they could, to the least disputed realities, and would have put on the dress of probability at least, in order to impose on the credulity of mankind. There is a vast extent in invention and imagination; and if falsehoods were design’d to be obtruded on the world by these papers, they might easily have been cook’d up, in the common appearances and resemblances of such things, as are frequently found out, and discover’d every day. The small regard therefore that is shewn here, to such little tricks and subtitles, in many prodigious discoveries in arts and sciences, travels, revolutions and alterations of all kinds, and especially in the 4th and 6th volumes, ought to stand as an evidence of their truth; and that they are not forgeries and impostures, but real facts, which time will produce, and which are delivered to mankind with the carelesness and simplicity of an honest publisher; more sollicitous to reveal actual facts and events, as he receiv’d them, than to disguise them so craftily to the world, as to seem more likely to happen, and easy to be believ’d. Were there occasion for it, and were I not apprehensive of enlarging this Preface too far, I could say a great deal here on that famous observation, Aliquando insit in incredibili veritas, & in verisimili mendacium; and convince my readers, how little weight any objection ought to have with him, that is bottom’d on this sandy foundation. But I hope I need not dwell much on this point; and indeed who¬ever are knowing and learned enough, to be acquainted with the infinite incredible verities in the world of science, the vast numbers of improbable and unimaginable truths, to be met with there, and the heaps of plausible errors and delusive falsehoods, that men are so usually led away with; will never consider the improbability of some relations in this work, as an argument for anything, but their being more unseign’d and genuinely true. But, 2dly, I have to answer, that there is nothing foretold here, which will really seem so very improbable, to those who know the infinite power of the great Source of all events below; who have consider’d the vast operations of nature, the force of our minds when set on work by ambition and emulation, and the strange changes and chances, the revolutions, alterations and improvements, which attend all things here; as well as the vast fields of art and knowledge, which the new world hath brought forth among us, by the labours of different voyagers. Let such ignorant objectors therefore, that are buried in the present state of the earth, and think it will continue in a manner unimprov’d and unalter’d, let them, I say, look back, if they know anything of it in former ages. Let them consider how absurd and incredible it would have appear’d, if a man, for example, at the building of Rome, had (thus enlighten’d) foretold the vast growth of that Monarchy, the overturning all others by that embryo state, the majesty of the pagan religion there, the birth and rise of the Chris¬tian, the breaking of the Roman Empire into several little scraps and pieces, which are now miscall’d Kingdoms; the spreading conquests of the Pope and his Monks, their disposing of crowns and sceptres, and temporal and eternal happiness at their pleasure, the reforma¬tion of Religion, and all the wars, factions and revolutions, which that spiritual Monarch occasion’d, to maintain his Empire on earth, and his interests and pretended alliances with heaven: Let them reflect, I say, if such a relation (or prediction) would not be receiv’d as more ridiculous and impossible, than those that are mention’d in these six volumes. But the truth is, whoever knows anything of the history of this globe, or the little wretches that crawl on it, and call themselves men and lords of it, would never raise so weak an objection. For what is it, but one constant scene of the most surprizing and incredible changes? How have the very face and features of it (if I may so speak) been perpetually torn and dismember’d, by deluges and earthquakes, by vulcanoes, tempests and inundations? as everyone knows, that is acquainted with geography, or natural philosophy, or that will read the accounts of such matters, in good authors. Strabo particularly in his first book, and Pliny in numberless places, will instruct us sufficiently on this point; not to omit Diodorus Siculus, and especially where he gives us the account, how the vast overflowing of the Pontus Euxinus laid the whole Archipelago under water, destroying all the inhabitants, tearing up the mountains by the roots, and forming a new world of islands, that here and there peer up their rocky heads, amidst the deluge. As to the amazing alterations, in the manners and customs of particular nations, who is there that is ignorant, how power and politeness, how arts, and arms, and learning, have been, from age to age, changing their seats, and, like the ocean, gaining ground in one place, while it loses it in another? How is Greece, the seat of freedom and knowledge, philosophers and patriots, become a nest of slaves and ignorants; and instead of those renowned Architects and Sculp¬tors, that for so many ages crowded her cities with the noblest palaces, and taught her animated marbles almost to breathe and move, fill’d with rustic builders of clay cottages and huts, and cutters of saltsellers and mortars, as Tournefort calls them? How is the mighty Rome grown the mother of superstition, cowardice and cruelty, who was once the chief nurse of the opposite virtues among men? In a word, not to dwell too long on so painful a subject; how has she fallen from her once exalted character, and exchang’d the generous sentiments and conduct of her ancient heroes, for the impious dreams of visionary Monks, the furious rage of Bigots, the little craft of Hypocrites, and the silly dotage of her mitred Monarchs? As to the state of learning, to look no farther back than the last two ages; how is Aristotle, the father of science in former times, degenerated, in many respects, into the character of ignorance and infancy in this? How are the schoolmen, who gave laws to heaven and earth, depos’d and rejected, and their wrangling doctors succeeded, by the great improvers of knowledge, who have made such important and successful discoveries, in this wide world of matter and life, which the others had so long kept us strangers to? Besides, if we consider how few years are past, since we improv’d Astronomy by a true system, verified by demonstration, and founded Philosophy on actual experiments, not on imaginary notions and opinions; since the compass and the needle trac’d out the mariner’s unerring road on the ocean, and war join’d fire to the sword, or muskets banish’d bows and arrows; since the invention of printing gave new lights and aids to the arts; since music and painting had a new birth in the world; since regular posts were first invented, and set up by de Tassis in Spain, and trade and correspondence got wings by land, as well as by sea; since Physicians found out either new drugs or specifics, or even the secrets of Anatomy, or the circulation of the blood; since our own nations learn’d to weave the fleece of our sheep, or that even half of the earth had found out the other; and above all, if we reflect, that the small compass of time, which all these great events have happen’d in, seems to promise vast improvements in the growing centuries; it will not appear surprizing, and much less absurd, that such discoveries and improvements are allotted to our posterity, in these volumes. Even as to trade, riches and power, how has the new world prov’d the great nursery and prop of the old, which as so long a weak and sickly infant, hardly thought worth the rearing or owning, tho’ it is now grown one great source, of the strength, wealth and prosperity of those kingdoms, who almost grudg’d its support? Nay, as to Politeness and Literature, and the arts of Peace and War, to look no farther back than our own doors, and our own homes; how is Great Britain, within a small space of time, tho’ once so despis’d and neglected in Europe, grown, under the care of a few good Princes, the seat of trade, and power, and learning, and the glory and admiration of the whole earth, even at this present hour; to say nothing of that progress foretold in this work, which she will daily make, (except under some administrations and reigns, and certain years of reigns) and is now actually making, of growing still greater and more considerable? Away therefore with these objectors of improbability, who deserve as little to be regarded, as those who insinuate that I have copied all this work, from the famous Mazapha Einok, or Enoch’s Prophecy, which Ægidius Lochiensis brought Peireskius from Æthiopia, and which was supposed to contain the history of all things, to the end of the World; tho’ I solemnly aver, I neither handled, nor saw, or even believed such a work was, or is in being, whatever some learned men, both of the Jewish and Christian persuasion, alledge for its existence. The truth is, this last insinuation is so trivial, as well as false, that I had not thought it worth mentioning; but that I might omit nothing which my friends, (to whom I entrusted the communication of the manuscript to others) assur’d me, the most illnatur’d of their correspondents, objected against it. As I have always thought, malice should never be disregarded, how blind or stupid soever it appears; so I have left none of the silly remarks, of my opposers unconfuted; tho’ if one takes a view of these objectors, the best of them will appear but like a child playing at blindman’s buff, where the hoodwink’d trifler, catches at everything he can, and runs about, the fool and jest of all around him, in a violent fume and hurry; and after guessing wrong at whatever he blindly stumbles on, is forc’d to let it go, and then falls to again, with the same success, and lays hold on another. Without attending therefore any longer, to the answering the stupid malice of objectors, I shall proceed to give my friends, the learned world and posterity, some cautions about this work, and so conclude, and let it take its fortune. And the first caution I shall give them is, that tho’ I am confident all things deliver’d in these six Volumes, will inevitably come to pass; yet left hereafter any base attempts might be made, on the lives, hon¬ours, or fortunes, of some illustrious persons mention’d in them, in order to overturn such predictions, as seem to relate to them; I do hereby forewarn posterity, not to entertain any designs, of destroying the credit of these papers, by such indirect methods. As I freely own, I chiefly intend this caution, for my dear friends the good fathers the Jesuits, who may be too free with their pens, or their penknives, with such views, I think it would be in vain to urge against them, the Wickedness of such a procedure; for their zeal and piety is so prodigious, that if they believe it for the good of the Church; that single argument, will sufficiently sanctify any measures, which Men less holy and religiously given, would foolishly boggle at. I therefore shall only put them in mind, of the Folly of attempting such an impossible project, as the removing privately out of the way the persons, or publicly stabbing the reputation of such people, as are doom’d and foretold here to be their enemies. Let me then beg of them, and all that are capable of acting, with their honest and furious zeal or artful wisdom, to consider, that be¬sides the vanity of fighting thus, against unavoidable events, I have also in many places purposely so disguis’d Men actions and characters in this work, that it will be impossible for them, to discern the real persons, till the very facts themselves, discover them to the World. In the next place, I do hereby declare beforehand to Posterity, that if some things should seem, not to fall out exactly as they are foretold, that they, and not these incomparable productions, must bear the blame of it. Let them be assur’d, that those appearing failures, happen from one of these two causes. First, that either they do not understand what is or appears to be written, thro’ the disguises I necessarily made use of, or that people may put, on their own or others actions, in order to elude such predictions; or, 2dly, Men are deceiv’d, either by reports of others, or their own fallacious senses, persuading them they have seen things happen otherwise, than they really have, and consequently the bare appearance of events, ought not to be set up in opposition, to the undoubted truths here discover’d to them. I remember well, an impertinent objection of this nature, was once made by the Queen of Poland, to a very renown’d and illustrious Prophet of the 17th Century. who had dedicated to her an admirable work, in which he had foretold the ruin of the Mahometan Empire, by the arms of Lewis XIII. and Urban VIII; nor shall I forget the wise and judicious answer he gave her. For on his presenting his book to her Majesty, she pretended to censure one mistake he had run into, by not having known, that both the Heroes of his Prophecy, hapned to be some months dead, without having attempted what he foretold of them; to which the Author replied, (as I beg leave to do, to all silly objections of the like nature, which Posterity may raise against this Work) that pretended facts, are never to be set in compe¬tition, with unquestionable Predictions; and those that offer to do so, are not fit to be disputed with. This therefore I request of them, in return for my labours in presenting them with these Volumes, that they fully assure themselves, that all I have or shall publish is true, and then let them depend on it, that whatever comes to pass, will in due time, (sooner or later) be accommodated to, and be found to tally with everything, foretold in them. But I must go yet further with my cautions, and that I may conceal nothing from posterity, I shall own, that I am in much less pain, for the verification of any Predictions in these letters, than I am left the few copies I print of them, may thro’ envy or folly, or an utter ignorance of their worth, be entirely lost or suppress’d, before those times, when their truth and value will be confirmed. I therefore beg all, into whose hands these Repositories of truth, these invaluable Anecdotes of history shall fall, to preserve them with care, till the days of which they speak shall appear, tho’ like the Prophet Micaiah, they are kept ever so close prisoners, till their truth or falsehood be manifested to all. Besides, as it is much to be fear’d, my dear friends the Jesuits, (of whom, like that ill-boding prophet, these papers, to my great concern, do never prophecy good, but evil) may buy them up at immense prices, in order to suppress them, I must beg of posterity, that some Law may pass, that authentic copies of them; may be safely preserv’d in our public libraries, and, like the Sibylline oracles, the consulted on the emergencies of state; and that it may be death or banishment, for any person to apply the leaves of them, either under pies or pasties, to pack up groceries, to line trunks, or cover bandboxes, or make use of them in any mean filthy office whatever. As to the imitatorum servum pecus, the little tribe of copiers, who will endeavour to foist their spurious writings on the public, for the sequel of this I have now honour’d the World with; I am not much in pain, for any damage their maim’d productions may bring, to these immortal Archives of futurity. The truth is, I look on this sort of writers in the same light, as those silly kind of birds called Dotterels, which Mr. Camden tells us, by aping the motions and actions of the cunning Fowler, and imitating all he does, are soon caught hold of and destroy’d by him, whom they endeavour to mimic. Possibly the sublimity of that superior genius, which has enrich’d this nation with these treasures, may deter such creatures, from attempting so vile an insult; tho’ alas when we hear the ingenious Stephen Pasquier†, complaining so gravely and judiciously to Ronsard, that no sooner Jeane la Pucelle‡, push’d by a divine inspiration, and as it were delegated from Heaven, came to succour the arms of Charles VII. but immediately two or three impudent wretches started up in Paris, and pretended to be commission’d, in the same celestial manner as she was; how can I hope this performance, will not meet with the like treatment, from base counterfeits. However, at the worst, I am prepar’d for this little misfortune, if it must be born; and tho’ it is certain, that there seldom appear’d a glorious work, but it occasion’d a spawn of creeping plagiaries, to forge something as like it as they can; yet it is some comfort to consider, that the same thing which gives them birth, destroys these little abortions; and that like Moses’s rod, it soon devours the false serpents, that pretend to imitate the miraculous product, of a superior power. But really this sort of scribblers, does not alarm me half so much, as another race of impertinents, who are call’d Commentators, and pretend, (tho’ with very different success) to improve books, just as Gardeners do their fruit trees; upon which they graft and inoculate, all that their silly taste and fancy can furnish them with, while the mother stock is quite lost and hid in the exuberant growth, that too often converts all its wholesome juices, to feed a barren superfluity of leaves. As I have great apprehensions, the vast reputation of this work, will occasion several learned blockheads of that tribe, to attempt something of this nature upon it, I do hereby in the face of the World, enter my protest in form against such proceedings; and all notes, observations, remarks, explanations, constructions, casti¬gations, emendations, or various readings, which these animals may pretend to affix, to the native simplicity of the original text, of these venerable volumes. I am loth to be particular on this head, for fear of giving offence, by reflections that may look too national; and especially where a people honestly zealous for their country’s liberties, and that have so long been our good and faithful allies, may seem ill-treated. But as it is too shamefully notorious, that the Dutch, above, all the Earth, have a most violent turn to play the fool this way, I do hereby solemnly aver, let what will be the consequence, if any man among them, like a new Mezentius, thinks to tie the dead carcase of his comment, to this living work, I shall give him reason to wish, that his hand, like Scævola’s, was on fire, when he employ’d it in such an attempt. At the same time that I think it proper, to lay the world and them, under this severe restriction, I am ready to make them abundant amends, for my extraordinary sensibility in this point, by my easiness and condescension in another; and that is, by allowing a free liberty, for all nations and languages, not only in Europe, but the rest of the world, to translate it as often as they please, into their mother tongues, how rude or barbarous soever they may be. Far be it from me to wish, much less to endeavour, to confine that dayspring of knowledge, which by my means is about to rise upon the world, unto any particular corner of the earth, unto any little nation, sect, or tribe of people whatever! No! I have not such a narrow mind! Let it have its full course! Let all mankind make their best use of it! provided these two conditions be punctually observ’d: First, That some Englishman, who understands French, and, like the rest of our countrymen, can search to the bottom of things, may only be employ’d to translate it, for that superficial people of the other side the channel; and, secondly, That all judicious Catholics do engage, (in return for my thus freely communicating it to them) that they will read it without bigotry or prejudice, or any silly fears of the Pope’s authority, when he places it (as my good Genius has assur’d me he will) in the Index Expurgatorius, and prohibits the reading of it, under pain of lying half a century in the devil’s oven, or, which is much worse, in the prisons of the holy Inquisition, so justly rever’d by all good Christians. And now, most dear Reader, (begging thou may’st not be afflicted at it) I must hasten to a conclusion of this Geryonlike monster of a Preface, which possibly, in such a nation as this, made up of Authors and Criticks, may never be read; or if it be, may have little weight with thee. Be that as it may, I cannot but wish, for thy sake, and what it introduces to thee, it were equal either to that of Calvin before his Institutions, or Causabon’s to his Polybius, or de Thou’s to his history, which are justly esteem’d the three masterpieces of all prefatory discourses. I have ventur’d on the public, and must stand to the sentence of that everchanging Camelion, that lives only on what it catches with its tongue, to which I expect to become a prey. Yet am not I without hopes, that tho’ some may be sufficiently ignorant and malevolent, to say this work I have given them, is like Euclio’s house in Plautus, quæ inaniis oppleta est & araeneis; yet others, quorum ex meliore luto finxit præcordia Titan, whose minds are more enlighten’d, and capable of judging of the true value of things, will have nobler thoughts of it. I have taken due precaution for its protection, by dedicating it to the service of the world, thro’ the hands of that illustrious Person, who will one day prove an ornament to these nations in his life, and a blessing to mankind, in the Heroes that are to descend from him; and am resolv’d not to prostitute the subsequent parts to any but Patrons, that, like him, understand what a treasure I present with him; left I seem to copy the silly authors of this age, who dedicate their books to such ungenerous and insensible creatures, that one would think they were imitating Diogenes, who us’d to beg of statues, to teach him to bear the coldness and neglect of those persons, to whom he applied for relief, protection and favour. Nevertheless, I would not be thought in publishing this admirable performance, to have aim’t at so poor an end, as making the great men of Europe pay court to me, for any advice of instructions I may give them; or to oblige those who sit on the thrones of the world, to pay me tribute and homage, as they us’d to do to the famous Peter Aretine. On the contrary, I declare beforehand, neither Kings or Queens, Princes or Princesses, Noblemen or Ladies, Knights or Gentlemen, Ministers of State or Merchants, must expect any favour from me, or directions for their future conduct, and true interests of their descendants, but as they shew themselves real friends to my native Country, and the civil and religious Rights, of these happy Nations. To have done; As I appeal to Time, the great parent of truth, for the verification of all I publish, and to Posterity, (which, as Tacitus speaks, decus suum cuique rependit) for that honour and deference, which I already behold them paying, to my faithful labours; so I appeal to all the sensible, the learned, the judicious and worthy spirits of the present age, from the judgment and censures, of the common herd and mob of mankind; that is, Lawyers without probity, Physicians without learning, Soldiers without Courage, Citizens without honest industry, Knights and ‘Squires without common Sense, Clergymen without piety, Noblemen without honour, Senators without regard to their country, Patriots without integrity, and Scholars without genius, judgment, or taste!