‘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’ [‎177] (228/470)

C hap . XII. The Voyages of lohn Struys 177
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CHAP. XII.
Situation* of Aftrachan. The Inhabitants* How Aftrachan became fubjeft to the
Czjtar. Strange manner of Tents, or Cottages, Provision very cheap and Brandy
dear. A Defart ajfoarding good Salt > and a flrange kind of Fruit. The Form and
Nature Nagayan T artars. Their Habit, manner of Life and Houfe-keeping.
Their Trades and way of earning money 9 Horfefesh 7 Mares-milk^and Blood in
great efieem by them,
AS inch an lies upon the Dividing of from upon the
Ifland De/goy, in the Countrey of the Nagayan Tartars , where the
Northern Pole is elevated 46 and 22 mm. above the Horizon,
and is about 5 o Dutch Leagues from the or Sea. It is
environed with a thick ftone wall, and that time I was there furnilhed
with 500 great Brafs Cannon, belldes a very ftrong Garrifon , with
Ammunition proportionable to defend it againft the Tntars and
who have oftenhadadefign to retake it. It gives a very noble pro-
fpect from abroad, with it's manyTowers andLoftyPiles of Buildings,
as well what appertain to the Fortifications as to the Churches and
Religious Houfes. It is a famous Town for Traffic , frequented not
only by all the Regions of Tart dry adjoyning to the Sea , but
alfo by Per funs, Cdrmemam and Indians who bring their Goods and
Merchandifes in a certain fort of Shipping which they call ,
being about 80 Tun burthen a piece. But thefe Vefleis cannot Sail by
traverfe, but alwaies before the Wind. Of all the feveral kinds of
Merchandife which thofe of K^Jjlrachandeal in, Silk is the chief, fo
that this feems to be the fole Magazin of that Comodity , whence it •
is re-exported up the Wolga , and confequently through the whole
Rafim Empire.
K^/aJir ach an has been formerly the Royal Seat of the Nagayan
but making a League with the c ^>w-and was a means to
detrude the King, and bring the People under the Subjeftion of the
Grand Cza ir of Mofcoyia , for according to the Tenure of their Al
liance , each was obliged to aflift other , whether upon ofFenfiv or
defenfiv Occafions : fo that lyan BafiloTvi , declaring war againfl:
thofe of Cafm, they were affifted by the N were beat in open
field, and after both Armies defeated , feveral Holds belonging to
Z the