'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎355] (378/448)

Tharjhijh*
might have been accomplilhed in far lefs time than three years, feeing that Tarfifr was not
above a weeks fail from J of pa a Port twenty miles Weft from Jerufalem, and not above
three dayes fail from Scandroon ( Alexandretta of old) the moft noted Syro-Pnoenician
port at the bottom of the Streights. But thofe that think by Tharfijh is meant Ophyr, or
elfe that there was fome Countrey in India of that name, are more to ]3e credited.
Farther, from 2 Chron. 20. 36. where it is written That Jeholhaphat (hips in Euon~
geher-f which being broken were not able toga to Tharjhijh, fome judge that Tharjhijh there fig-
nifies the Sea*, and the rather, for that the word carries it in feveral other places, as
noted by feveral learned Expofitors. Saint Hierom is one, who in his Paraphrafe lately
mentioned fpeaking otOphyry Locm eft India (fay eshe) in quo Awrum optimum mfcitnr :
adds, Tharjhijh vel eft Regie IndU ut mlt Jofephus, vel certe\omne PeUgm Tharjhijh appellatur:
JLtenim-i Hebrai Tharfis Mare did generatiter antumant, fecmdpim illnd, in Spiritu vchementi
confringat Naves Tharfijh, i. e. Maris. And in his Comment upon the fecond chap. of £%,
he al fo faith that Tarjhijh in Hebrew fignifies the Sea. In Efay alfo chap. 2 3. verf. 1. Vlulate
naves Tharfijh, is interpreted, Howl ye jhips of the Sea. And in the 6 verfe. Go] over
to Tarjhijh in the Vulgar Latine it is Tranfite maria. In like fort the daughter of Tarjhijh is
in the 10 verfe tranflated//^ maris. And in Ezekz 27. 12,25. The jhips of Tarjhijh is rendred
Naves Maris in that Edition.But by being thus varioufly conftrued,thence it is that by Thar-
jhijh fometimes is underftood a Chryfolite, for the colour of that ftonehath a refemblance
with the Sea. Howbeit, to find it in an Indian Region, as that great Author I lately
named imagines, is paft my undertakingnor am I willing to prefs thefe conjedures any
further.
Return we therefore to Malacca it felf, where the Pole Artie is elevated five degrees:
a City within the Kingdom of Syam^to whofe Scepter it was fubjed until about the year of
our Lord 15 08 • when by the Portugal it was forced from Abdal at that time King *, whofe
life they alfo very inconfiderately took away, as appeared by a dangerous mutiny foon
after hapning in the Town,"which Albuquerq quieted and by Sequyr^s advice was convert
ed into a Garrifon: Ithadafufficientnumber of Ordnance planted tofortifie the place,
feeing it is reported there was no lefs than three thoufand. Alfo feiiing the Kings Exche
quer into his hands, by Inventory then taken fo much minted Coin came to the King of
Tortugals particular fhare, albeit but a fifth, as amounted unto two hundred and fifty
thoufand Ryals of eight/ But the unexpeded and undeferved death of the King was fo
ill refented by the Syam King and the neighbouring Potentates, that by a general combi
nation taking the advantage of Albuquerqs abfence they fuddenly appeared in a very great
body before the Town and by a defperate ftorm maftered both City and Cittadel j the
King very generoufly giving the Portugals leave to fhip themfelves away, but withal
commanding the Works they had made to be forthwith flighted. Howbeit,fome few years
after it was reduced under the Crown of Portugal, and fo continued until lately it hath been
wrefted from them by the Hollander ; whofe Plantations are fcattered through thofe parts
and Naval power fo increaft by the incouragment of that rich Indian commerce as hath ren
dred that induftrious Nation very formidable, and which indeed hath given them wel-
nighthe dominion of thofe Seas, and the opportunity ofingroffingto themielvesnot on-
ly the Molucca-Ifles but in a fort the fole Traffick of the Orient , to their exceeding great
advantage, but prejudice of many others •, yea more efpecially to the damage and dimi
nution of the Englifh trade and reputation in thofe parts*, for which we are juftly to be
reprehended; and imputable to our want of equal induitry, or negled of appropriating
to our felves fome convenient places for Plantation and increafe of Men as well as Mer
chandize, according to that example the Portugal and Dutch have both given ; who by
that means have made themfelves Lords of all or moft of the maritim parts of the Weit
and South coaft of Afric and Afta the great, and in a manner now give Law to the great-
eft part of thofe indefenfive people, who though they want no will, want power to ob
viate thofe intrufions. Whereas the Englijh by a joint ftock and feled Company content
themfelves in managing their Fadories under the fuperintendence and inlpedion ofPre-
fidens and Agents, who it cannot be denied live both in India and Perfia with fplendor and
reputation, and make frequent and confiderable returns unto their Matters : Neverthe-
lefs, by living wholly amongft Mahometans and Gentiles, they are doubtlefs under
ftrong temptations to wantonnefs with thofe black beauties *, and having their conftcait
refidence in places where men exercife Authority and HeatheniihSuperftition and Idola
try ^our men are under a conftant offence to leeGod di{honoured,and have not that protecti
on and indulgence they exped and merit, feeing that many times they are fubjeded to the
caufelefs bravadoes of the Military,as alfo to the craft of the Civil fort ot Indians ^and upon
Height caule and falfe information have too often been expofedto the rapine and arbi-
Zz 2 trary