A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 109
CHAP. CIX. Pequin the now Regal City of China described.
PEquin is in compasse thirty Leagues, environed with two Walls upon which are innumerable Towers, and Bulwarks. It hath three hundred and sixty Gates, each having over it a Castellet with two Towers, and a draw-Bridge. There are in it three thousand eight hundred Temples wherein are continually sacrificed birds, and wild Beasts, and amongst these four very admirable for their curiosity, and costlinesse. The streets are long, and large; the houses fair, encompassed with Iron, and Latten grates: at each street end is a Triumphall Arch, shut up at nights, in the chief whereof are Watch-bells. There are one hundred and twenty large Channels of water, and over them eighteen hundred rich, and fair bridges: There are in this City one hundred and twenty Shambles, one hundred and twenty Market-places; besides in every street five or six shops wherein they sell flesh, poultry, and Bacon. There are without the City sixteen hundred Garden-houses belonging to persons of principal note: And twenty four thousand Sepulchres of Mandarines [Justices of Peace] with their little gilded Chappels, encompassed with Grates of Iron, and Latten with rich Arches at their entries. The Gardens, Groves, Tanks, and Fountains have their walls lined within with fine Porceland which makes a gallant shew. There are also store of other houses with great walls in which are Gardens, and Groves with game for hunting which belong to several companies.
A Description of Mosco the Imperial City of Russia.
Mosco the Regal City of Russia is almost round, and bigger then London, invironed with three strong walls circling the one within the other, and with many streets lying between: The inmost wall, and the buildings within it, fenced, and watered with the River of Moscua that runneth close by it, is all accounted the Emperours Castle. The number of houses, being formerly reckoned, was fourty one thousand five hundred. The streets instead of paving are planked with Fir-trees plained, and laid even, and close the one to the other. The houses are of wood without any lime or stone built very close, and warm with Firre-trees, which are fastened together with notches at each corner. Betwixt this timber they thrust in Mosse to keep out the ayr, so that they are very warm; the greatest danger is their aptnesse for firing whereby much hurt is many times done in that City. P. Pil.
A Description of Venice, with her Rarities.
This Wonder of Cities is seated in the bosome or betwixt the Armes of the Adriatic Sea: It is built upon sundry Islands, and is (as it were) chained together by many Bridges. The occasion which made these watry Isles a mansion for men, was, when that Northern Deluge of Goths, Vandals, Huns, and Longobards did overflow all Italy, the people of all sorts fled to these Lakes to avoid the Land torrent that was like to swallow them up; and finding the air to be gentle, and fit for habitation, and propagation, they pitched their Tents upon these Isles, and associated them by conjoyning Bridges. There are seventy two Isles that support Venice. and the nearest part of the Continent is five miles distant: There are banks, and ditches cast up to preserve her from the impetuousnesse of the waves of the Sea, extending in length above six miles. She is above eight miles in circuit, and hath of all sorts about a thousand Bridges. Besides there be above twenty thousand Gondolaes, or Boats which ply up, and down perpetually, in each of which are two rowers at least, so that upon occasion she can suddenly make an Army of above fifty thousand Gondoliers.
Her Fabriques publick, and private are extraordinary specious, and sumptuous, and her streets so neat, and evenly paved, that in the depth of winter a man may walk up, and down in a pair of Sattin Pantables, and Crimson Silk stockings, and not be dirtied. There are above two hundred Palaces fit to receive any Prince with his ordinary retinue: Her situation is so rare, every street almost having an arme of the Sea running thorow it; and her structures so magnificent, and neat, that she ravisheth therewith all strangers that come to visit her.
She hath in her one hundred and fifty Churches, and Monasteries: but especially three things worthy of sight, viz. St. Mark's Church, and Steeple; the Treasury, and the Arsenal.
S. Mark's Church is built throughout with rare Mosaique work, and yet the furniture of the Church surpasseth the Fabrique in richnesse; Her walls are inlaid in many places with precious stones of divers colours, and in such a manner that they seem rather to be the work of Nature then of Art.
It's built in the form of a Crosse, whose corners are highly vaulted, and covered with bright Lead, as all the rest of the Church is. The whole Bulk is supported with most curious Arches joyned together by marvellous Art. The inside from the middle to the highest part thereof glistereth with gold, and the concavity of the vaults is enriched with divers curious, and antick pictures. That which is from the gilding down to the pavement is excellently joyned together with goodly Tables of Marble, by whose pleasant veins in form of raies the eyes of the beholders are rather fed then satisfied. The seats below are of an extraordinary red stone like to Porphyrie, the Pavement is all of Marble engraven with divers Figures wholly different, and of various colours: There are sundry Columnes and Tables of Parian, Spartan, and Numidian work that environ the seats on both sides the Quire. The entrance into the Church on both sides is in a manner of the same trimming; while gilded Arches are sustained without by more then three hundred exquisite Pillars, the space between those Pillars being filled with choyce Tables of Marble. On the height of this entrance are four great brazen horses all gilded over, in a posture as if running, and neighing. All this beares up the highest top of the Church divided into six Steeples, every of which is like a Pyramid, and hath on the sharpest point thereof a white Marble Statue of a naked man standing upright. Divers other representations delightful to the eye, and wrought with exceeding skill do beautifie the spaces between the Steeples, and all that which is vaulted underneath is covered with gold. In sum, there is no place in the whole Church, either within, or without, but it's either adorned with Marble, gold, or precious stones; so that the two Columnes of Alabaster, and the Chalcedony stones which are in the middest of the pavement are accounted the least curiosities.
The Arsenal of Venice is one of the greatest Magazines of Armes in all the world: It's three miles in compasse, wherein there are above three hundred Artificers perpetually at work▪ who make, and repair all things that belong thereto. This Arsenal hath Armes to furnish two hundred thousand men, and hath constantly belonging to it two hundred Gallies in Dock▪ or abroad in course, besides Galliasses, and Galleons, with all provisions necessary for them.
The Treasury of St. Mark is cryed up through the world: They say there is enough in it to pay six Kings Ransomes. There are Jewels of all sorts, and sizes, Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires, Emerauds, Cups of Agate of an huge bignesse. The great Diamond which Henry the third gave when he was made a Gentleman of Venice: There you may see an Armour all of massie Gold, beset all over with great Pearles, Turkies, Rubies, and all manner of precious stones in such a quantity, and bignesse, that they alone would make a rich Treasury. There are also twelve Corslets of Gold beset with precious stones. There is an huge gold Chain that reacheth from Pillar to Pillar: Divers Chests of Gold, and amongst others one great Iron Chest with this Inscription, When this Chest shall open the whole Earth shall tremble. There are two large Unicorn's horns. A great Bottel made of a Chalcedonian stone transparent, and clear, which will hold above a quart. There is a Garnet of a vast size formed into the shape of a Kettle which will hold neer a Gallon. There are many Crosses, and Crucifixes of massie Gold beset with Jewels of all sorts: There are the Crownes of Cyprus, and Candie, as also that of the Dukes of Venice all inlaid with choice rich Diamonds, great Rubies, Emerauds, Saphires, and other stones that would beget astonishment in the beholders. In that of the Dukes there is one great Rubie worth an hundred thousand Crownes. There are Cups of sundry formes cut out of rich stones, with Dishes of sundry kinds. There are divers Presses full of Plate, huge, and massie, with Statues of silver, and large Chalices of gold, and variety of other rich things, the worth whereof no eye is able to judge. There are moreover twelve Crownes of massie Gold which were taken at the sacking of Constantinople when the French, and Venetians divided the spoyles. Pacheeo the Spanish Ambassadour coming to see this Treasury, fell a groping whether it had any bottom and being asked why? answered; In this amongst other things my great Master's Treasure differs from yours, in that his hath no bottom as I find yours to have. Alluding to the Mines in Mexico, and Potosi.
In one of its Islands called Murano Crystall Glasses are made, where you may see a whole street or t…e one side having above twenty Furnaces perpetually at work both day, and night. If one of these Furnaces be removed to any other Island, or but to the other side of the street, though they use the same men, materials, and fuel, yet can they not make Glasse in the same perfections for beauty, and lustre as in this place. Howels Survey.
Padua described.
Padua is a City within the Venetian Territories, and was erected into an Academie Anno Christi 1222. She is famous every where for a Seminary of the best Physicians, and hath a Garden of great variety of Simples. It was formerly girt with a trebble wall: but a double contents her now, which hath very deep ditches round about: For the River Brent with vast charges, and labour was brought to this City which hath much advantaged her both for strength, and Navigation: It's situated in a most pleasant, and plentiful plain, enjoying a sweet temperate Clime, with a singular good soile by reason of the neighbourhood of the Eugonian Mountains on the West side of it. Her circumference is neer upon seven miles; Her Temples, and dwelling houses both publick, and private are more magnificent then elsewhere. She hath six stately Gates: Five large Market-places; within the Walls twenty two great Churches, twenty three Monasteries, twenty nine Nunneries. She hath the most renowned Hall for publick Justice of any City in Italy, covered all over with Lead, and yet propped by no Pillars. The Council-Court hath Gates, and Columnes of Marble; She hath twenty eight Bridges Arched over the Brent which runs thorow her. She hath very spacious Piazza's: She hath six Hospitals, three for the poor, and three for Pilgrims. She hath a place called Monte de Pieta, set up on purpose to root out the Jewes usury, who used to demand twenty per Cent: for Brocage: She hath other two Hospitals for Orphans, and poor children. There are thirty eight thousand Crowns deposited in the hands of several persons of Quality to whom the poorer sort may repair with their pawnes, and if it be under thirty shillings they pay no use for their money, if it be above they pay five per Cent: for relieving the poor.
The City of Millan described.
The City of Millan in Italy lies within a stately Wall of ten miles compasse. It's situated in a great Plain, and hath about it green Hills, delightfull Medowes, Navigable Rivers, enjoyes an wholsome ayr, and the fertile Countrey about it furnisheth it with all store of necessary provision. The City it self is thronged with Artisans of all sorts. There be many stately Churches in it, and before that of St. Lorenzo there stand sixteen Marble Pillars being a remnant of the Temple of Hercules. But of all the Churches the Cathedral is most costly. 'Tis all of white Marble, and about it are five hundred Statues of the same: There is a late building added to it which is very glorious, especially for the huge Pillars of Granito, an excellent sort of Marble: Private mens houses also in Millan are not inferiour to those of other Cities in Italy. The streets are of a more then common breadth, and there are very many Gardens within the Walls. The greatest Hospital in Italy is that in Millan, which is a square of Columnes, and Porches six hundred Roods about, seeming fitter to be a Court for some King, then an Hospital for the poor. The Castle in Millan is accounted by all Engineers the fairest, and strongest Citadel in Europe. Raimund's Mer. Ital.
The City of Naples described.
Naples the Metropolis of that Kingdome stands upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea: It's reckoned the third City in Italy, and so great are the delights that nature hath allotted to this place, that it's still frequented by persons of great quality. The streets of it are generally well paved of free stone, large, and even: The Houses are very uniform, built flat on the top to walk on; a notable convenience in those hot Countreys. Another like accommodation which this City hath against the heat, is the Mole, which is an Artificial street casting it self into the Sea, whither all the Gentry at the evenings resort to take the Fresco. Amongst the Palaces that of the Vice-Kings is the fairest: It hath three Castles; and the Churches generally are very curious, and costly filled with Marble Statues. This City is exceeding populous, and consequently vicious: He that desires to live a chaste life must not set up there: For as their Gardens are well filled with Oranges, so their houses want not Lemmons; there are usually thirty thousand Courtesans Registred that pay taxes for their pleasure.
Near unto Naples is Virgil's Tomb upon an High Rock: And the Crypta Neapolitana in the rocky Mountain Pausylippus, cut thorow, very high, spacious, and well paved, so that for the space of a mile two Coaches may go on Front under the earth: In the middest is a Madonna with a Lamp perpetually burning. Not far off is the hill of Brimstone on which neither grasse nor any Herb growes; but 'tis all white with ashes, and ever casts out of several holes a contin…l smoke, with Flames making the very earth to boyl. The ground is hollow underneath, and makes an hideous noise if struck upon with an hammer. On the other side Naples is the Mountain of Vesuvius, brother to AEtna, upon the top whereof is a terrifying spectacle, viz. a Vorago, or hole about three miles in compasse, and half as much in depth, and in the middest is a new hill that still vomits thick smoke which the fire within hath raised within these few years, and it still daily encreaseth. Pliny the Naturalist being too inquisitive after the cause of this fire, changed life for death upon this Mountain. Idem.
The City of Florence described.
Florence is the Capitol City of Tuscany situated at the bottom of very high hills, and environed on all sides with the same except on the West side, before which lies a Plain Countrey. This City is divided into two by the River Arno, over which are built four Bridges of stone; upon one of the two chief is the Goldsmiths street: upon the other, which is a very stately structure, stand the four quarters of the year in Marble: Opposite unto which stands a vast Columne with a Statue of Justice in Porphyrie at the top: Hard by is the Palace of Strossie admirable for the immensity of its Fabrick; on the left hand whereof is the Merchants Vault supported with many fair Pillars, and before it a brazen Boar jetting forth water: Before that is the great Place in the middest whereof is the great Duke Cosmus on horseback in brasse, neer unto which is a Fountain the like to which Italy affords not. Round about the Laver is the Family of Neptune in brasse, with his Colosse of Marble in the middest, born up by four horses. In this same Piazza is a Porch arched and adorned with some Statues, amongst which that of Judith in brasse, with the rape of the Sabines, three persons in several postures cut all out of one stone. Just against it is the Palazzo Vechio, at the entrance whereof stand two Celossi, the one of David, the other of Hercules trampling on Cacus, excellent pieces. Within is a Court set about with Pillars of Corinthian work. Above is a very spacious Hall with divers Statues. Neer to it is the richest of Treasures, the Great Duke's Gallery, in the uppermost part whereof are contained as many wonders as things: some to be admired for the preciousnesse, and Art; others for their Rarity, and antiquity: On each side of the Gallery stand above fourscore Statues: One an Idoll brought from the Temple of Apollo in Delphos: Another of Scipio Africanus holding up his gown under his Arme: Then two curious Triumphant Pillars: Over the Statues hang rare pictures, the most famous Scholars on the one side, and Souldiers on the other.
At the right hand of this Gallery are severall Stanza's full of curiosities, wherewith the spectators are astonished both in regard of the richnesse, and rarity thereof. In the first Room is an Altar totally compacted of Jewels, and precious stones: The value inestimable. In the next is a Table with Flowers, and Birds in their natural colours of precious stones, with a Cabinet worth two hundred thousand Crownes covered with Agates, Emerauds, Amethists, &c. Within it is the History of Christ's Passion, with the twelve Apostles all in Amber. In the third is a Cabinet with Calcedonie Pillars, filled with ancient Medals of gold. Round about this Room are an infinite number of Natural, and Artificial curiosities: As the Emperour's head cut on a Turquoise bigger then a Walnut, with thousands more. Next is the Armory, wherein are the habits, and divers sorts of Armes of several ages, and people. There is likewise a Loadstone that bears up fourscore pounds weight of Iron. In the last Cabinet is the curious turned works of Ivory; A Pillar of Oriental Alabaster, &c. In another Room are twelve great Cupboards of silver Plate of all sorts, and another of all pure Massie Gold. A Saddle all Embroydered with Pearles, and Diamonds; besides many other things of great worth.
From hence is a private passage to the Duke's Court on the other side of the River: The front of which edifice is very Majestique, towards the Basis of Dorick work, in the middest of Ionick, and the uppermost story of Corinthian. In the Court is a Grotto with Statues, and a Fountain over it; and a Loadstone of a most prodigious greatnesse.
The Gardens belonging to it for their largenesse have the Face of a Forrest, for their variety of a Paradise. Here are Cypresse Groves, their Walks with Statues: Here a Sea of Fountaines; There Swans, Ostriches, and other delighting Creatures.
The Cathedral Church is of a vast Bulk, and exquisite workmanship, made of Red, White, and Black Marble. The Cupola is so high, that the brasse Globe at the top will hold sixteen persons: No lesse excellent is the Steeple composed of the same stone, and materials with the Church, but with more Art, and Ornaments.
The Chappel of St. Laurence seems more then terrestrial: It's wholly overlaid with fine polished stones, neither is there any colour upon Earth but it's there in stones naturally. Near to this is a famous Library filled with great variety of Manuscripts. In brief, the Houses of Florence are generally built high, the streets are paved with great stones even, and large, and adorned with many excellent Fountains, and other publick Ornaments.
The chiefest Cities of Italy are thus usually distinguished: Rome the Un-Holy; Venice the Rich; Naples the Gentle; Florence the Fair; Genoa the Proud; Millan the Great; Bolonia the Fat; Padua the Learned; and Verona the Ancient. Idem.
The first Invention of Printing.
Laurence Jans, a rich Citizen of Harlem in the Low-Countreys, walking forth one day into the neighbouring Woods for recreation, began to cut in pieces of wood the letters of his name, printing them on the back of his hand; which pleasing him well, he cut three or four lines which he beat with Ink, and printed them upon Paper, wherewith he much joyed, and determined to find out another kind of Ink more fastening, and holding, and so with his kinsman Thomas Peterse, found out another way to print whole sheets, but of one side onelyonly, which are yet to be seen in the said Town: afterwards he changed his letters of Wood into Lead, and after that into Tinne, and so by degrees this famous Art of Printing grew to perfection. Belg. Com. Wealth. p. 57.
The first Invention of Guns.
A German Frier of the Order of St. Francis called Bertholdus Swart, being very studious of Chymistry, as he was one Evening (for the finding out of some experiment) very busie in tempering Brimstone, Sulphureous powder of dryed earth, and certain other ingredients in a Mortar which he covered with a stone: when it grew dark he took … tinder-box to light him a candle, a spark whereof by chance flying into the Mortar, caught hold of the Brimstone, and Salt-Peter, and firing with … sudden flash blew up the stone. The cunning Chymist guessing which of his ingredients it was which wrought this effect, never left till he found out the certainty, and then taking an iron pipe he crammed it full of the said ingredient together with some stones, and so putting fire to it he saw that with great fury, and noise it discharged it self: Soon after which he communicated this his Invention to the Venetians, who, having been often vanquished by the Genowaies, did by the help of these Bombards, or Guns, give them a notable discomfiture, Anno Christi 1380. Bucholtz.
At Middleburg in Zealand, in the Steeple of the Abby-Church there is a Bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the houres on, and twenty four small ones which serve for the Chymes. Belg. Com. Wealth. ….
A Description of the situation of Utrecht in the Low-Countries.
Utrecht in the Low-Countreys is so situated, that one may go to what Town he please of fifty that lie round about it in one day. And in a Summers day, if one go early from Utrecht he may dine at any one of twenty six Townes, where he pleaseth, and return to his own house to Supper. Eodem. p. 200.
FINIS.
Erratas.
PAge 66. line 14 read mundi. p. 114. l. 4. read thereupon. p. 271. l. 29. r. Belgrade. p. 277. lin. ult. r. manly. p. 367. l. 24. r. flebo. p. 553. lin. 12. r. gamesome. p. 590. l. ult. read fifty, for fifteen. p. 593. l. 34. r. seates for slates.
Other smaller faults the intelligent Reader will easily amend.
End of the text · Samuel Clarke, A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners (1654)