‘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’ [‎259] (320/470)

C hap . XXIV. The Voyages of Strays.
*5?
The next day we got Tidings by way of Terky , that Jjlmchm was
retaken by the Great Dukes Forces, and, that feveral Thoufands ,6 "-
of the Rebells were executed; but hearing thofe newsfo oftenrela-
ted and afterwards found them to be but falfe Rumors, fuppofed^®
to be difperied by fome Perfons whofe Interell had dependence cha'n!
thereon, we could not fo eafily be induced to take this upon Credit,
and therefore, acquiefced in the IndifFerency of the matter till we
had a Confirmation.
On the 2 of April came an Order from , to make a Gene-
ral Mufter of Girls , from 2 years of Age upward , out of which
the Beauties feleft were to be chofen out for the King of This >•«//'
Mufter paffed throughout the whole Kingdom , not refpectmg Scach "
cither JNation or Religion. The Commilfioners had Order from
the King, to complete the number of 5 00 of the beft featured, com-
plexioned and ihaped Virgins that were to be found in all the whole
Mufter. The manner of it is thus j Some time before, the King
iffues a Mandate , which is publifhed thro every Province of his
Realm and Dominions , That all the young Maids from 2 to 17
years [if there be any of that age] (hall be drawn up to their refpectiv
Metropolitans, or Chief Towns (as thefe in Media., were brought
to Scamach-f) where the Kings Commillioners fhall make choice on
the Kings behalf. This Mandate is duly and with all reverence
obey'd by the Parents of fuch Children, who, if they have but one
Child are obliged upon pain of Death to bring her to the Place ap
pointed , where thefaid Commifiloners are to view and cenfure them
if they be worthy to be culled out for the Ki ngs ufc. Deplorable it
was to fee the dejectedCountenance of the Parents, who brought their
Children where they muft take their laft leavs of them, never think
ing to fee them again > and as remarkable it v/as to confider the va
rious tempers , and differing humors of the People, whereas fom
who having a great love and efteem for their Children, would at
tire them in the ouglieft Garb, and ufc what Arts they could to make
them feem deformed and mifhapen j whilft on the contrary others
thinking it a Honour,and being either overburthened with their Chil
dren , or void of .that tendernefs, which by nature all are injoyned
to have over their IfTue, would ufe every mean they could conceiv
to render them handfom , and fpend their utmoft mite for Orna-
Kk 2 ments
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