‘The perillous and most unhappy voyages of John Struys, through Italy, Greece, Lifeland, Moscovia, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other places in Europe, Africa and Asia. Containing, I. Most accurate remarks and observations of the distinct qualities, religion, politie, customs, laws and properties of the inhabitants: II. A due description of the several cities, towns, forts and places of trust, as to their site and strength, fortifications by nature, or art, &c. with other things worthy of note: and III. An exact memorial of the most disastrous calamities which befell the author in those parts (viz) by ship-wrack, robberies, slavery, hunger, tortures, with other incommodities and hardships’ [‎32] (73/470)

^2. The V oyagcs of lohn Struys. V o y. L
Worflhipj although in fuch as want Difcretion , or otherwifeunable
! to perform the Ceremony , through invalidity of Body or Mind, the
Offence is either difpenced with , or expiated with fome ineonfi-
derable forfeiture. Xhis Solemn Appearance happening fo rarely,
and that with fuch Majeftie, creates great Loyalty and veneration
in the heart of the Subjects for their Prince; and furely the conclufion
and effect of every Maxim in Politic Affairs is the fecureft Index ; or
Diftmction from a Contrary , which almoft all the Kingdoms and
Dominions of the Eaft affoard an Example of, and more notedly the
Sophy of 1'erfia 3 who when with a huge Retinue he makes a Caval
cade ( which might feem to be for no other end than to be feen} none
dare prefume to appear in the ftreet , upon pain of Death ■, of which
more hereafter.
amt Gold is here in fuch plenty that not only Plates, Chargers, Gob-
^ ^ £ts 5 Bowls , Bafons , Lavers , and whatfoever els is ufefull for
the Kings Table, is alloffolidGold, but alfo greater veffels in the
Kitchin"} which had I not feen them my felf, Ihould haveheldit
incredible , if the weight and greatnefs had truly been reported.
fhlm'But what is yet more , the white Elephant, with the reft ( which
/ii-w;» ar e about 6 or 8 in Number ) kept within the Palace , areferv'din
Gold and Silver. The Gallantry of the Court, and the gorgeous
attire of the Courtiers, is unfpeakeably rich. And to be brief, if
I Ihould repeat the Maiefty of that Prince in Power and Command}
The profufe Emulation of the Courtiers in Embroydery, Jewels
and other coftly Ornaments , and the Magnificent Structure of the
Palace and other ftately Fabrics j I Ihould either prove too weak, in
the performance of fuch a Province, or, hazard my reputation, in
giving a Narrative of the Pomp which I have in reality beheld, to
fuch as have not feen it, who would in all probability be too time-
rous to take things of that nature upon Credit. This I lliall only
add, that rather than to be undefervedly tax'd with hyperbelizing
Froth , Pie content my felf with a recommendation thereof to
other modeft Gentlemen that have been there, and publillied their
Journals for the public perufalof the Curious in general.
ofthtit The prefent King of Statn , has lived in great peace and tran-
jrw. quillity, ever fince he firft fway'd the Scepter : But in the time of
the late King , that nation has been deeply ingaged in forr.eign
trou-