‘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’ [‎251] (312/470)

C hap . XXIII. The Voyage s of lohn Struys. " Tp
On the 31 was a great noife in Town about 2 Men that were
murthered , and the Homicides unknown. The Widows , Chil- , «7o.
dren and Friends of the Partys murthered brought the Dead Bodies ^
to the Gates of the Princes Palace as demanding Jufticej and Pu-
nifhment for the Delinquency. About two hours they fat by the Bo- rei '
dies with their Heads, and Right Arms bare, asatokenthatthofe
were their Allies and Friends, and kifled the Corpfes feveral times
for they repute thofe that are fo murthered indifputably Saints in
Heaven. Hither flocked alfo Women from all parts andCountreys
round about, efteeming it a work of merit. The Perfoas murthe
red were but ordinary People , aud Citizens of the meaneft fort,
fo that the Chm, did not ufe much diligence in hunting out the Ma-
lefaftors, for without Money Juftice is rarely don. After the Corps
had laid here about 2 hours, as was faid, they were by Order of
the Chun carried away upon Barrows and interred in the Field,
with fom few Ceremonies. Every night were fetup feveral Torches,
and by day went Hundreds of Women to perform the uTual So
lemnities and fuperftitious Rites at their Tombs. The Ceremonies
are as vain as foolifh which they do about the Dead j at their firft
coming there they bow down three times at the Grave, and as often
kifs it j adorning the Place round about with Flags of feveral Co
lours which they make faft to flicks.
On the 27 was a general Exultation exprefled at Scam achy, with
Beating of Drums, Sounding of Trumpets and variety of Wind-
Mufic, for that the Chans Son had a befto wed upon
him, and one of the Kings Wives > which were fent him for a Pre-
fent as a Mark of Loyalty: and indeed the latter is never don but
upon the fcore of an exceeding high Favour; and altho they have
the names of the Kingsmyes , yet it moftly happens that they arc
pure Virgins, it being a thing impofil'ole that he fhould make ufe
of fo many as are dayly brought to him from all parts of his wide
Dominions , which are alwaies the mo ft fele£t Beauties j however
the Grandaes of Perfta , are lefs contented when they find them
Maids, than otherwife, and for that reafon do as duly conceal it,
as others who find the contrary on privat Occafions; far, fay they,
'/« a Greater Honourtofifh in the Kings P , ; Nor
are the Women altogether fad at fuch difpofals, f*nee they live , as
I i 2 it