‘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’ [‎39] (80/470)

m
Chap. VI. The Voyages of 3^
coloured Silk which they throw about their fliouklers to cover
their breafts. To be brief the Habit ofMen and Women, as well as 16 50 "
Children , is as coftly as gaudy 3 and their Perfons ofaveryhand-
fom ftature , but rather with the fhorteft; fo that with the ftatelinefs
of attire , and comelinels of bodie, they prcfent better than thofc of
China or lapon. When they walk the ftreets, they are attended with
a retinue of Slaves conformable to their Rank and Abilitie,which are
alfo in gentile habit.
The Summers , although Pagans, have a facred veneration for
Matrimony, and are generally very chaftj Yet they do not eftecm
it a diflionour or fhame to be Adulterers. Whoredom is in lb me re- liam/
gard difpenced with ( or at lea ft connived at ) neverthelefs they mers *
are not much inclined to Venery, but content themfelves with fuch
as they are ingaged to by Wedlock : and in their honeft demeanor
towards their lawfull Conforts ( of whether fex it be meant} may
convince moft of us, that profefs the Faith of Chrift : The conjugal
Love of Man and Wife is fo mutually obferved on both fides, and
the filial Duty of Children towards their Parents , fo reciprocally
paid, that fome who pretend to a more than natural Light,need not to
reckon thofe too mean a precedent for Morality. The parents are ve
ry carefullto educate their children , when they are young, and the
children diligent in nouriftiing and providing for their parents,
when they are grown aged, and unable to help themfelves.
A Batchlour defirous to marry,and confequently having fettled his
thoughts upon a Maid, muft addrefs himfelf (or fend fome friend ) to
the Father of the party, or having none,to her Guardian, and not the
Maid her felf, with whom they may not converfe ; and thefe arc to
treat together upon the matter. But it is more ufual, that the Parents
of both the parties make the Overture,among themfelves. They have
no refped to Confanguinity or Affinity, but marry fometimes with
the neareft relations they have , Brother and Sifter only excluded,
nnlefs they have diierent Mothers. But to ftrangers they rarely mar
ry, although it were to a Family of a better rank or Fortune. They
look much after Wealth and Beauty , but not fo much after
vertuous Inclinations, as we do; neither are they prone to be led
afide with affability , or flattery , as fometimes happens among us,
which tends frequently to a future difcontent and irrevocable cala
mity.