‘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’ [‎43] (84/470)

5 C hap. Vlil. The Voyages of lohnBtruyu 43
^ In the firft rank went the Kings eldeft fon 3 aged about twenty Years,
who was only brother to the Deceafed , and was mounted upon a 1650
Young Elephant all in White: next him were two brethren of his,
by another Queen, mounted alfo upon Elephants, on each fide one :
each of thefe had a long filk Scarf faftned to the Herfe , in their
hand. On each fide the Herfe were 14 of the Kings Sons, with green
twigs of palm in their Hands, who all the time went in a heavy po-
fture, their eies dejected to the Ground, framing a fad Countenance,
and uttering many fighs and exprellions of Sorrow. On each fide
of the way, by which the Herfemuftpafs (that was about 6 foot
broad) were erected feveral ftages , for the of a meaner
rank. Thefe at the palling by of the Herfe, threw Oranges among
the common people > in fome of which were * , and
this occafioned fuch a throng of People, that feveral lay under foot,
and 7 Perfons trodden to death. When they were come to the Altar,
the Corps was taken down by the CM, with Waits and Wind-
Mufic , which made a melancholic noife > and was carried with *'"£•
great Solemnity to the Altar; where it was fet down, and laid round
with aromatic Woods , and Drugs , amongft which was poured Ficoi.
many forts of perfumes and odorous balfams. When this was done
the Princes of the blood , and the Mmdorins returned to the Kings
Palace ; but the Ladies were injoyned by the Emperour to remain at
the Altar and bewail the Dead, for two days longer > at which time
the Bodie was to be burned: and acccordingly they ftay'd there till the
time was expired , ftriving , who could manifefi: the moft forroWj
hoping fo to obtain the greater favour from the Emperour. But the
greateft folly I could obferve among them was , that when any of
them could not dilfemble , or let down tears, they were whipped
with thongs , by fome perfons , thereto appointed, till they wept
indeed} and this was duly executed without having regard to their
Perfons. Near thofe Towers , was ereded a ftage , covered with fennlT
thick gilded paper , whereupon fate the Chief of the , and a iio,lzi •,
litle lower fat the Prieft s of a lower degree and rank, of which there
was a great number j thefe (like thofe under the Hierarchy of vice in
were imployed to pour forth praiers for the Soul of the Decea-^" s
fed. Which when they had done by order of the King, there were
feveral Gifts fent them which for the molt part, confifted in Ap-'^/S
F 2 parrel,