‘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’ [‎34] (75/470)

34 The Voyages of V oy , L
jm , ma tars and Bucklers , which Armory is alwaies ready for ufe in the"
1650. ]^i n g S Repofitory. As for Powder they are never at a lofs thro want
of it , having fuch plenty of Salt-peter, which is the main Ingredient
thereof : fo that it is molt cercaui, the Siammers are never deftitute
of any neceflary Ammunition for W ar,either upon ofFenfiv or defenliv
Occalions. Nor yet fecond to any for true valour and courage,
which is checked by a prudent Conducl^and politic Direction of their
Power > and thereby the Prince , and the leading Officers of the
Army , become dreadfull to the Neighbouring Potentates abroad,
and awfull to the Subjecl at home.
CHAP. V.
The Revenues and. Treafury of theKingofShm. The Rcligi us x,eal ofthofe Kings
in building of Temples,and Houjes for ptons ufes. Soldiersivithoutpaj.
great Slavery and Charges of the Citi Plebeians their Obedience,
Liberality in devotion. Ample Revenues of t Habit and FunBion
of theirPriefls. The Multitude an monfirous bignefs
Their Ceremonies in Worship j w Ilomiia I
Religion,
4 • ( I
•Revenm r T -< He Revenues of the King of , as we have elfewhere faid,
ting of J- confift moftly in Cuftomes, Tolls andExcife, forallexpor-
5iani, ted Wares and Commodities , befides the Fifhing, and Growth of
the Land, as Corn, Fruit, Trees, &c. There arealfo in the Coun-
trey feveral fubterrannean and foffible things, Mines of Gold and
Silver , Lead and Pewter , befides great ftore of Sappan-wood , as
good as that of Brajilia, which is reputed a very rich Commodity,
and fent abroad both to Coromandel,Dabul ■, lapon , and other
Man^s in the Eaft. When Any that is imployed in the Kings fervice
vfthe dies, 2 Thirds of his Eftate fall to the King, and the refidue to the
Wife and Children of the deceafed 5 or elfe in lieu thereof fuch a
tniiing Salary as they are contented with. The like when any Merchant
gods'xe. Stranger comes to die within the Kingdom , two Thirds of his
Ugions Eftatearebroughtinto the ChamberofFinances.
tniTm-. King having thatfpecial mean of making the Army fupport
fits, it s felf, is at very litle Charges elfe, fave what his zeal moves him
to,