‘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’ [‎37] (78/470)

C hap . VX The Voyages of lohn Struys. 37
which we have already faid to have affinity with the Church of
Rome,are. Burning of Lamps, Confecrated, or Holy-water, Au-' 6 50
ricular Confeflion, Indulgences, and Pilgrimages, under taken for r
themfelves and others, whereby they are of opinion that they me
rit much. One of them would (if I had given my Confent) have
gone on a long and tedious Pilgrimage for me. They have fome
Ipecial kindnefs for the Hollanders, in that they allow Liberty of
Confcience, and revile not their * Gods, as do the Mahumetans, *
for which reafon the Opinion of that grand Impoftor, could never thu were
get footing in this Kingdom. %nwnh
Money- catching in thofcCof.nmjs , w never ytt ftngtr it oj
CHAP. VI.
n
Good materials for building in Siam. Their manner of Houfe-tteeping, and enter
tainment of Friends. Neatnefs and cleanliness Hoafes
way of drefftng themfelves, both men and W
mony. Early marriage. Education of wei
men had in great veneration. Rites about their deceafed.
verfation. The great Jffeclion of theEmper our towards Cre.
Slam has of it felf whatfoever is recjuiUte in building either for Hou-
fes or Shipping: they neither want Lime, Stone, Lead, Iron,nor
Wood, or whatfoever elfe is necelfary. Yet notwithftanding Stone be
here in plenty enough, yet t!iey build their Dwellmg-houfes raotHy Siain *
of Wood , and referve Stone for the ufe of their F-^y, Temples,
Pyramids, Fortifications and other Public Edifices. Their Houfes
they cover with Tiles, and within havefeveral Appartments, as we
have in Europe. They ufe not many moveables in their Houfes neither
ufe they Benches, Stools, or Tables. Their Floors are all fpread with
Matts which they ufe for cleanlinefs ,. and upon thcfe they fit down, wm
But if a perfon of Eminency comes to vifit them they honour him
with another Matt, or die an Arabian Carpet, which is of excellent
ly well wrought Tapeftry. When he is fet, they give him Fair-water * w „f.
in Gold or Silver Goblets, and a * Sie , which is the chief
thing wherewith they carefs their Friends. They are very nice and JJw
curious about their Y cllels m the Kitchin and Dilhes, which for the ^
E 3 moft '• a n '