‘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’ [‎35] (76/470)

|| Chap . V. The Voyages of lohn Strujs. 35
to j in Building of Temples, Religious Houfes and Towers, tothe
Honour of his Gods,which indeed are infinitely numerous and coftly
jf 1 in this Countrey j the enobling of his court, with lome unnecellary
things tending to his own Honour , about which much money is
confumed; and laftly providing of Annunition and Shipping upon
occafion of War: but as we have already mentioned, theSolda-
tefque have no Pay from the King , except a certain allowance
of Rice , and what Spoil they can take from the Enemy j and
thefe, although they goe under the Denomination of Soldiers, yet SliV "'
are but Slaves at beft, being imployed in all fervile ufes, as Labou
rers , when, and where, the King commands.
The Citizens ( which may be called Freemen or Proprietaries) rfo
are but half a remove from Soldiers, they being obliged to main-
tain and repair all the Fortifications at their own colt, and defend
them in time of need. Yet notwithftandingthofe heavy burthens
impofed on the Commonalty , in the performance whereof they
are not found remifs, or tardy, they bring up above twenty # Tun #D A
of Gold yearly , for Offerings to their , and the behoof of rum
the Spiritual) infomuch that the Priefts, with the large Offerings
of the King, and Liberality of the People, grow rich and in great '
efteem , notwithftanding their being fo numerous in this King
dom.
The King and People embrace no other Religion thah barely
Gentilifm, which, as appears by the ruins of Monaflerics and Cells
every where , has been anciently profeffed among them. Their
Ceremonies they feem to have borrowed from the , or Greek
Church, which they ape, as near as may be, with refervation of
Paganifm. They are inceffantly building , repairing and adorn
ing the Temples of their Pagods , founding Cloyfters, and erecting
of Pyramids 5 wherin they fpare not for money : for though they
fpend their whole Eftates, about them, they muft be gilded without,
and richly hung within. Their Bmtg, or Priefts, are diftinguifhed
from the Laity by a yellow Vefture , and thofe again differing
among tliemfelves by certain Badges , or tokens , denoting their
degrees: Their Beards, Head and Eiebrows are always fhaven. Ac
cording to their Order, they may not handle Money, Marry, nor
make ufe of Women, upon fevere Penalties j for if any be taken,
E 2 in