Certain brief, and special Instructions for Gentlemen, merchants, students, soldiers, mariners, etc. Employed in services abroad, or any way occasioned to converse in the kingdoms, and governements of foreign Princes. LONDON, Printed by john Wolf, 1589. To the most valiant, and renowned Knight, Sir Francis Drake, the ornament of his Country, the terror of the enemy, the Achilles of this age, P. I. wisheth, in all his honourable actions, the continuance of God's former blessings, and in his now intended service the best success. SIr, my hap was of late, overlocking a large Library, to light upon a small, but sweet book of Method, for men intending their profit and honour by the experience of the world, and access to extern and remote parts, by that means to enrol themselves in the catalogue of Homer his ” 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. seers of many Regions, and of the manners of many Nations, as Ulysses was, and yourself more than Ulysses. This Method, was composed by one M. Albertus Meier, at the command, direction, and charge of the honourable Henry Ranzou, now lord of Bredenberge, Counsellor and deputy to Christiern, the young King of Denmark in his Dukedoms of Sleswike, Holst, Stormare, and Dithmarsen, a man of singular wisdom learning, and zeal, both to his country, and the utility and furtherance of virtuous minds in general. My resolution was at the first to accommodate the same to my private use, and thereby to square myself fit for an occasion, whensoever the pleasure of God, convenient time, and good company (which I evermore wished) should draw me to travel: But considering that excellent Moral of Tully, in his golden Offices derived from the stoics: Officiorum 〈◊〉 titul. de justit. Homines hominum causa esse generatos, ut ipsi inter se alii aliis prodesse possent, & communes utilitates in medium afferre: that men are borne for men, one to do for another, and to communicate all common helps with those that want them: & withal, seeing how coherent the argument hereof is, with the occurrents of this year, not so miraculous to the Astronomer, as parturient to all men of spirit, wherein for military & marine matters, as expeditions, plantings, discoveries, & voyages of the largest compass, there is grown so universal a consent and disposition in this triumphant kingdom, that all Christianity stands now at the gaze, attending from us some notable effect & consequence; for these respects, I have deemed it a better duty both towards nature & my country, by reducing the same into our vulgar language, and so committing it to the press, to benefit many than one, more than myself only, as knowing, that (according to the ” Aristoteles▪ bonum quo communius, eo melius. prince of Philosophers) a good and profitable thing, the more common it is, the better it is. And whether this method may justly be received into the number of things of that opinion, yea or no: I appeal to no other judge than to yourself: a judge in this matter so sufficient, as that this Realm, nay many realms (I speak that which is impudence to deny) cannot produce an equal. There is no man, although but of mean and ordinary insight in the state of things, that is ignorant of the great necessity and commodity of Methods, and directions to men of all qualities: insomuch, that whosoever undertaketh any course or profession without it, is like to the foolish youth, that would needs prove a Latinist without his Grammar, or to the mad Architect, which went about to set up a house without his rule and compass, both whose beginnings were confused, and their conclusions ridiculous. I have heard speech of a wise Gentleman of Naples, who sometime for a trial dismissed his son, and gave him liberty to travel to certain other Cities, and territories of Italy, but without instructions, and upon his return, he made report that he had seen men, women, walls, houses, woods, and meadows, but of the state, manners, laws, government and natures of the people, his simple wit could make no reasonable answer. Many of our own Nation have been taken tardy and tripping in this grossness: as divers Gentlemen very studious in cases of policy, and navigation, by questions and examinations have found. In whom the ancient complaint of the Poet hath been too truly and fully verified. Coelum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt, Some by passing the seas, change airs but not minds, returning with brains nothing bettered, & spirits nothing quickened with the varieties of the world. I doubt not, but that if our men will vouchsafe the reading, portage, and practise of this pamphlet of notes, (a sovereign Antidotum, or preservative against the poison of that disease) the thick mists of ignorance, and hard conception will soon be scattered, and the same converted into a quick sight, and illumination of the senses, so that the traveler (although in that course a Novice) after his rangings and peregrinations, shall retire himself a man of skill, and bring more to his home from over-seas, than the servant did to his Master from Paul's cross, which peradventure was a hat and a cloak, but no profit by doctrine. For the patronage of this discourse, as it is the custom, or rather by custom the habit in men of industry, to commend their labours to persons of countenance and judgement, and for the most part to such as by their own experience are able to speak of that argument, which the work presented to them doth principally prosecute, if either I regard yourself, or your present business, I can not sort & single out a man more fit to whom the same may be offered. The matter is respective to travel, and who in that course this day living is your superior? And by reason of that peerelesnesse, who in the appurtenances, & circumstances thereof, can give a sounder judgement, or better censure? And as for the men of service that are at this instant to be employed under your charge and government what precepts are more convenient for their negotiation and use? So that although it may seem a fault & error, that I (as yet unknown) have in this sort pressed upon yourself: yet the love I bear by duty to my country, the care I carry (according to my standing) to further my countrymen, & the sincere affection (which abounds in me) towards your intended attempt (which the Lord of Hosts bless and prosper) may justly excuse me, and move you to accept this poor pains. I confess, that although my propension was always to endeavour something for the enlargement of your name and honour, having so well deserved of this commonwealth, and of every particular thereof, yet I was motioned to remember yourself in the impression of this Method, by my very good and learned friend, M. Richard Hackluit, a man of incredible devotion toward yourself, and of special carefulness for the good of our Nation: as the world enjoying the benefit of some of his travels can give testimony, & is possible to give better, if that rare & excellent work which he now plieth, once come to public view. In the mean time I record his diligence, and mine own petition to the grand Captain, and commander of all armies, which is fervent and incessant, for the happy egress & victorious success of the expedition present: that the issue thereof may be, his glory, the propagation of the truth, the confusion of the enemy, the terror of Antichrist, the comfort of the Church, the honour of our Prince, the renown of our kingdom, and the immortality of your own name. London the 24. of januarie, 1589. At your devotion and service, Philip jones. Ad eundem clarissimum, & fortunatissimum Equitem, D. Franciscum Dracum, eiusdem Philippi jones, de conscripto exercitu carmen conscendens. NVncage, victricis Ductor fortissime classis, Periuri tremor Hispani, tutela tuorum, Hactenus indute exwias, Regísque superbi, Primitias, manibusque arrepte insignia belli: Hinc ultrà infandi circum scandenda Tyranni Moenia pressa iugo tollendáque colla cruento, Pulsus, & antiquas Rex restituendus ad oras. Non hoc humanis opibus, non arte Magistra, Proveniet factum, neque te tua dextera servat, Maior agit Deus, atque opus ad mirabile mittit, Mittentíque cohors ipsi tua militet omnit, Militet & patriae, patriaeque parentis honori Elizabeth: faciles tum velis auguror Euros, Praesentemque Deum: cursum Deus atque recursum Tum dabit optatum, reducique extendet amoris Amplexus natale solum, Elizabetha triumphum: Nec nostrum intereà noctes sic stertere possit Ingenium, neque tam tranquilla silentia Musae, Ducere, quin vestra extemplò soluetur in arma, Resque tuas Epico cantabit carmine gestas. Perge igitur faelix, tua iustam tela ministrent Materiem scripti; & quamuis me fata volentem Dura vetant oculis tua cernere facta, relictis Insequar ipse tamen votis, pro teque, tuísque Vt benè qui victor de victis hostibus exis Bis benè post victor de victis urbibus adsis. Ad P. I. huius opellae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 T. H. Medicinae Doctoris Hexasticon. EXiguum precio, nummisque (Philippe) volumen, Imprimis, at fructu grandius illud erit. Instruit ad bellum veluti armatura paratos, Sic proficiscentes haec 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tua. Et proficiscenti Comitem hunc commendo Libellum, Lautior esse potest, nescio an utilior. Ad eundem M. B. Oxoniensis aliud Hexasticon. VIx satis ex multis nostrorum millibus unus, Quaerenti quae sint trans mare Regna facit. Non populi ingenium, mores, Respublica, lingua, Religio in Cerebrum nec cadit ipsa suum. Qui cupit huic tandem communi occurrere morbo, Consilii capiat pharmaca recta tui. The general sections, or places of this discourse are in number twelve: to some one whereof, whatsoever particular thing shall be seen, learned, offered, observed and described in any Region, may very fitly, and orderly be referred. Viz. 1 cosmography, or, the description of the world. 2 Astronomy, or, the art of skill, in the course of the stars and planets. 3 Geography, or, the drawing and proportioning of the earth. 4 chorography, or, the demonstration of Cities and Regions. 5 topography, or, the protraiture of particular places. 6 Husbandry. 7 Navigation. 8 The Political State. 9 The Ecclesiastical State. 10 Literature. 11 Histories. 12 Chronicles. The first Section. cosmography, or the description of the world: wherein is to be noted. 1 THe longitude and latitude of the place, not Geometrically, but by the degrees. 2 The declination of the pole, and of the loadstone, from the pole of the world. 3 The variation of the compass, both of the Mariner, and sun dials, from the ” Or South. Meridional line. 4 Under what ” Lines of equal distance in the sphere. Parallel the place is situated: whether under the Aequator, or between the ” A circle wherein the sun makes the days and nights of equal length. Aequator and a tropic, or under one of the Tropikes, or betwixt a tropic, and the circle ” Or northern Arctic: or under the Arctic or ” Or southern opposite to the Arctic. Antarctic circle: or betwixt the Arctic circle and the pole, or under the pole itself. 5 Under what climate or portion of the firmament betwixt North and South. 6 In what ” Whereof the Astronomers make 5. in the sphere. Zone, either temperate, or intemperate, cold, or burning. 7 In what Hemisphere, or half sphere, septentrional, or southerly. 8 Whether the place be about us, against us, or under us, as the Antipodes, which are people going with their feet to ours. 9 The manner of the shadows, or the proportion betwixt the dial and the shadow. 10 The quantity of the day, and of the night. 11 The least and greatest lights of the summer ” So called of Solstitiam which signifieth the stay of the sun when it can go neither higher nor lower. Solstitial nights. 12 The rising and the setting of the sun in the Solstitial days. 13 The beginnings, and ending, of the morning and evening twylightes. The second Section. Astronomy, or the art of skill in the course of the stars, and planets, wherein is to be observed. 1 THe ascendant ” The part of the firmament that ariseth every hour from the east. Horoscope. 2 The Medium, or heart of the heaven. 3 The Zenith, or Vertical star, which is the point of the firmament directly over a man's head, wheresoever he standeth. 4 The Topical star, or star of the place. 5 The star Dominant, or the sign of the heaven, which is the degree, or planet whereunto the place is subject. The third Section. geography, or the drawing and proportioning of the earth: wherein is to be marked. 1 whether the place be ” A midland. Mediterrane, or the part of a Continent. 2 Whether it be an Isthmus, or narrow part of a country, where two seas do almost meet. 3 Whether it be a Penyle, and place almost environed with water. 4 Whether it be an Island, little, indifferent, great, or very great. 5 Whether there be many Islands in number 30. as the Scottish islands called Orchades, 50. as the Cyclades in the sea Aegeum, or more, or less. 6 Whether it be in form ” As England and Sicilia. trianglewise, or round, or more in length then in breadth, or what other form it beareth. 7 Whether it be among many Islands the chief, or of least account. 8 Whether it be an Island lying near the continent, or far in the sea, and remote from the land, and how much. 9 Whether it be bordering upon the dominion, or dominions of any other prince, or divers princes. 10 Whether it be the sea shore of a country, or a place up in the main land. 11 Whether it be near any river, arm of the sea, or the Ocean, and main sea. 12 Whether it be near to any gulf, haven, creak, or bay. 13 Whether it stand upon a river, or at the mouth of a river. 14 Whether it be by, near to, far off, or in the mids of the sands, shoals, rocks, quick sands, or shelves in the water. The fourth section. chorography, or the demonstration of Regions, and Cities: wherein is to be regarded. 1 WHether it be a city, town, village, or what else. 2 In what Region, Kingdom, Dukedom, earldom, bishopric, presidentship it standeth. 3 Whether it be like in situation to other cities, towns, villages, houses, etc. 4 Towards what parts of the earth it stretcheth. 5 The length of the miles, & distance from place to place. 6 The coasts and borders, with what Regions, rivers, mountains, or woods, it is compassed, bounded, or separated from other places. 7 The bigness of it, in comparison of other places: the length, breadth, compass, and circuit thereof. 8 Whether the place be much, or little frequented, of travelers and merchants, or else desolate, or almost desolate. 9 Whether it be of any name & fame, for power, wealth, force, multitude of people or not. 10 The division, parts, shires, provinces, of the region. 11 ” As London. The chief, or mother city, or the place of the prince. 12 ” As Canterbury & York. The Metropolitan cities, or city thereof. 13 The markets, fairs, places of resort, and traffic. 14 The Colonies, or places where people are sent, and conducted to plant, and dwell. 15 The Cities and towns corporate, incorporate, free, ” Receiving wages as towns of garrisons. stipendary, confederate. 16 The provinces governed by deputies, vizroyes, precedents, lieutenants, or other officers, with their number, names, and situation. 17 The next bordering countries, and regions, of what nature, name, force, government, and temperature. 18 ” As Barwike upon our borders. The towns of war, frontiers, castles, and defences upon the borders, with their provisions. 19 Whether the access, ingress, and coming thereto be quiet, safe, difficult, or dangerous. 20 The public ways, streets, passages, ferries, and common travelling, with the state & quality of them and each of them. The fift Section. topography, or the portraiture of particular places, wherein is to be noted. 1 whether the city, town, village, or what place else so ever it be, be built upon the top, or side of a hill, or in a low ground. 2 Whether in a wet & marish ground, or in a plain, valley, mountain, hill, or foot of a hill. 3 Whether upon a rock, cape, or promontory. 4 Whether within the walls there be any hills, or little hills, or some places higher, and lower than others. 5 The manner, form, and figure of the city or town. 6 To what point, and from what point it stretcheth, and looketh, from North to South, or from East to West, or otherwise. 7 The geometrical bigness, breadth, length, and circuit thereof. 8 The division, parts, parishes, and wards of the city. 9 The ditch, or ditches that compass it, how broad, and how deep they be. 10 The castles, trenches, rampires, bulwarks, sconces, forts, towers, blockhouses, and fortresses thereof. 11 The entrances and gates, how large, long, broad, high, their names, number and standing, with their distance also. 12 The walls, of what matter built, stone, or timber, of what compass, height, or thickness, state and reparation, strong and fair, or ruinous. 13 Whether the walls be furnished with artillery, ordinance, and watch, yea or no. 14 The streets of the city, the length, breadth, and beauty of them, and how many of the city are of greatest account, use, and concourse, with their names. 15 The pipes, wells, and conducts of water, how many, in what places, of what plenty and abundance of water: wherehence it cometh, how far it is fet, be whether by pipes of lead, or otherwise. 16 The bridge, or bridges, with their length, making, buildings, and whether they are in the time of war to drawn, yea or no. 17 The windmills, and watermils serving the city. 18 The general buildings of the city, or country, their situation, greatness, manner, form, shape, beauty, elegancy, ornaments, prospects, courts, entries, hals, parlours, chambers, nurseries, kitchens, cellars, barns, stables, private wells, and conduits, and other ” Pertaining to the order and government of a house. economical necessaries. 19 Public houses: as Market places, shambles, alms-houses, hospitals, storehouses, theatres, labyrinths, hals of Companies, guildhals, burses, or places for the meeting of merchants, places of justice, judgement, punishment, correction, execution, signs of special use, pillars, races, spires, crosses, & other such like common ornaments. 20 The buildings of colleges, libraries, schools, and universities, with their form, beauty, stateliness, contriving, number, and situation. 21 Temples, churches, cathedral churches, with their names, bigness, and furniture: as pictures, images, (if any) altars, Idolatries, organs, dials, clocks, bells, chimes, towers, steeples, etc. 22 Monasteries, abbeys, priories, nunneries, oratory's, chapels, etc. 23 Courts of the law, common and civil, as Consistories. 24 Armouries of the Prince, subjects, noble men, special Cities and towns. 25 The chiefest houses, and dwelling places of nobility, bishops, and gentlemen. 26 The houses & palaces of the Prince: with their names, beauty, matter, and manner of building, situation, offices, gardens, orchards, walks, tilts, parks, ponds, special rooms, and other royal commodities, and appurtenances. The sixth Section. Husbandry: wherein is to be observed. 1 THe usual natures and times of the spring, summer, Autumn, and winter, in that region. 2 The winds proper, and peculiar to that place. 3 The chiefest places, and dwellings of health, free and safe, from unwholesome airs, and ill winds. 4 The quality of the air in general, with the temperature, commodity, and salubrity. 5 Whether the people live long, and come commonly to good ages, or else die in their youth, or riper years yea or no. 6 The beauty, plesantness, fertility, barrenness, of the region, soil, grounds, fields, etc. 7 Whether the land be plain, hilly, rough, uneven, full, or scant, or reasonably furnished with woods, waters, and rivers. 8 The quality and nature of the ground, whether it be moist, dry, moorish, fenny, clayish, miry, cloddy, sandy, gravelly, stony, and plentiful or scarce of necessary stone for building, coal pits, etc. 9 The tillage, and manuring of the soil, and fields, how much it is, after what sort they labour and till them, what grain or grains they sow, and how it yieldeth. 10 The natural goodness of the soil, the harvest and increase of all sorts of fruits. 11 The quantity of grass and hay, that the meadows commonly yield. 12 The gardens, sorts of herbs, flowers, arbours, knots, mounts, and places of delight. 13 The Orchards, sorts of trees, apples, pears, plumbs, berries, spices, oranges, limmons, figs, and other fruits, with their quantities and increase. 14 The medicinable herbs, and Apothecary drugs. 15 The vines, vineyards, and sorts of wine, and drinks. 16 The woods, what kind of trees be most frequent and abundant, whether like or unlike to the trees of other countries in nature, growth, and height. 17 Whether the woods yield trees to mast ships, yea or no, and what ships of burden they may serve. 18 The hills with their names, number▪ greatness, distance, situation, height, nature and form: whether having any standing waters on the tops, any springs in their sides, any metals in the bowels of them▪ whether inhabited, or desolate, and frequented of wild beasts: whether apt for the pastime of hunting: whether hollow, with caves and dens, yea or no: and all other prodigious, and memorable things of them, that are known, and visible. 19 Standing waters, pools, lakes, ponds, rivers, ditches, bogs, and qua●emires. 20 The springs and heads of rivers, with their fish: which way they run: what other rivers or seas they fall into: what towns, cities, and villages they run by: of what breadth and depth: where navigable, and where not, and how far. 21 How many bridges they run through, what, and how many mills they drive, what special uses they serve to, in those places, cities and towns, by which they run: what variety, abundance, or scarcity of fish is in them, and how far up they do ebb and flow. 22 The quality of the water, whether sweet, salt, bitter, brackish, clear, wholesome, running by any mines or metals, yea or no. 23 Baths of hot water, the number, original, cause, quality, force, and operation of them. 24 Salines, or places of making of salt, the cause, number, kinds, and manner of preparing them. 25 Minerals, mines, quarries of metal, their kinds, multitude, place, and increase. 26 Precious stones, as pearls, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, corals, and turkeys: whether these or any of these grow there yea or no. 27 Birds & fowls, their names, bigness, qualities, course, increase, and multitude. 28 Fishes both of sea, and fresh rivers, with their kinds and abundance. 29 Noisome and hurtful beasts, as serpents, Adders, vipers, basilisks, wolves, tigers, bears, and others of wild natures, with the woods & places of their breed and haunt. 30 Poisons, with the remedies, and preservatives against them there known, and used. 31 Parks, cunnigers, berries, warrens, their largeness, fruitfulness, game, situation, pleasantness, and to whom they belong. 32 Flocks, and herds of sheep, kine, oxen, swine, goats, with their common grounds, and meadows of pasture. 33 All other commodities of the place that are known, either agreeing, or not agreeing with other countries and regions, and whatsoever else that place hath, strange, new, notable, and commodious. The seventh Section. Navigation: wherein it is to be observed. 1 THe wideness, and greatness, of the seas or rivers you pass. 2 The depth, whether navigable yea, or no, and for what ships of burden. 3 The state and quality of the water, whether salt, clear, thick, and troubled. 4 The colour, whether green or Azure, etc. 5 The sand, colour, and quantity thereof. 6 The shallows, fords, and places of least depth. 7 The quick sands and dangerous places of sand, and gravel, how many, after what sort they lie, & how they may be avoided. 8 The hidden rocks of the sea that are known, their place and danger. 9 The narrow & difficult passages, like unto those rocks called Scyronia, between Attica, and Megaris, or the Symplegades in the Greekish sea. 10 straits, & narrow seas, as Gibaltar, and the straits of Magellan. 11 Famous and high rocks, used for notes and marks to the mariners. 12 Places of toll, and custom, as the sound of Denmark. 13 Promontories, capes, and heads of lands, with their names, and cause or original of such names. 14 Wracks on the sea, drownings of men, ships, goods, with the value, time, cause, and occasion of the wracks. 15 Commodious creeks, bays, harbours, and docks. 16 Ports, and havens, their largeness, narrowness, and depth: what towns, and cities they serve to: what winds are commodious to arrive at them: whether it be an open haven, or barred, and fortified, and how strong by nature, or art, with garrisons, castles, artillery, etc. 17 What store of shipping lie ordinarily in the haven, and frequent the same most usually. 18 The safest, and most commodious roads for riding, and anchoring of ships. 19 The landing places, stairs, wharfs, serving to the sea, and haven. 20 The common passages, by boats, whirries, ferries, and the breadth, and depth of them. 21 Swift streams, whirlpools, gulfs, and overfals of water. 22 The rising, and swelling of the water, the ebbing and flowing of the tides, the times, quantity, and manner. 23 The shipping of the place, of what number, bigness, force, burden, manner of making, quality, and swiftness for sailing. 24 Whether the people, and nation hath made or do intend any long voyages, or discoveries: to what places, and what number of ships and men they carry, and what commodities are brought from such places. 25 The navy of the king or prince; his ships, their names, number, burden, strength, artillery, and employment. 26 The multitude or scarcity, of Pilots, Shipwrightes, Shipmasters, Mariners, and others skilful in marine causes. 27 What men of skill in the art of navigation, and composition of sea cards, and other instruments are there famous. 28 What course and order they take, for the making and breeding of skilful and expert Pilots, and mariners. 29 What Officers & persons of name belong to the prince's Navy; as the Admiral, Vice-admiral, Treasurer, Captains, etc. and other men of principal charge, with their knowledge, diligence, and stipends. 30 What number of ships every city, port town and haven is able to make, and of what burden and force either for war, or merchandise. The eight Section. The political state, wherein is to be marked. 1 THe form of government, whether it be a Monarchy, that is the sovereignty of one person alone, as in England, France, Spain, Scotland, etc. or an aristocraty, that is, the government of the better sort, as of old in Athens and Lacedaemon, and now in Venice, and Genes: or a Democrati●, that is, a popular Regiment, as among the Cantons of Switzerland: or whether their contraries be in use, as either a tyranny, as that of the great Turk, or an oligarchy, which is, the authority of a few noble or rich men, or an Octogarchie, which is a tumultuous, and disordered confusion, swaying without reason & law: or whether the government & common wealth be mixed, & compounded of the first 3. and so made both Royal, Aristocratical & popular as in old in Rome and Carthage, and is now also somewhat represented in the state of Venice. 2 Whether the kingdom be elective, as of old the dictatorship of Rome, and in these days the Empire, the kingdoms of Polonia, Bohemia, Hungaria, Thunes Denmark, the dukedom of Venice, the popedom & the great Mastership of Malta, or else successive, and hereditary, as in England, France, etc. 3 What manner of law the place is governed by, civil or common: and whether the laws are made and corrected, according to the condition, and circumstance of times, (as our statutes of parliament) or such as may not be changed, as the Salic law in France, and the laws of the Crown in England. 4 How the cities and towns are governed, by what officers▪ of what names, state, number, continuance in office, and manner of election. 5 The multitude of the people, wherein consisteth much of the strength of the Realm. 6 The speech, and language of the country, with the manner of pronunciation, and the rules thereof. 7 Proper names of men and women, differing from those that are common in other places. 8 The fare and diet of the region, their manner and kinds of meat, drink, ale, bear, with the order of making and dressing peculiar to that people. 9 The habits and apparel of men, women, wives, maidens, citizens, countrymen, Courtiers, noblemen, officers, Magistrates, Gentlemen, Merchants, Ministers, etc. 10 The wits, and conceits of the people, whether quick, and sharp, or blunt and heavy. 11 The industry, studies, manners, honesty, humanity, hospitality, love, and other moral virtues of the Inhabitants, and wherein they chiefly exce●●. 12 The special manuary artificers, and handicrafts of the place of greatest perfection. 13 The annual fairs and markets, where they are kept, and how often, and what commodities do there principally abound, with the prizes of each good commodity. 14 The money and coin, with the value, bigness, stamp, and metal, either gold, silver, or copper. 15 The weights and measures, both in dry wares, and liquid matters, with their names: whether yards, el●es, quarts, gallons, bushels, quarters, hundreds, etc. and whether they be less or greater than ours, or of the same quantity. 16 What offences are there most common, and most punished, or tolerated. 17 The kinds and varieties of punishments for malefactors. 18 The prerogatives and privileges of special cities, towns, ports, and havens. 19 The subsidies, toules, impostes, customs, due, and paid to the prince. 20 The disposition and spirit of the people: whether warlike and valiant, or faint hearted and effeminate: their store or want of military furniture, and provisions: whether they, or their Ancestors have been famous for victories, or infamous for cowardliness and overthrows, yea or no. 21 How the king or prince is allied with his neighbour Princes, and who are his confederates, and who not. 22 The manners, rites, and ceremonies of Espousals, marriages, feasts and banquets. 23 The variety and manner of their exercises for pastime and recreation. 24 The rites, solemnities, and pomps, of common and noble funerals and burials. The ninth Section. The state Ecclesiastical, wherein is to be respected. 1 THe religion, whether true, and reform, or the Romish and superstitious. 2 The preaching, prayers, and other holy exercises, in what language, how often, and with what devotion they be used. 3 The discipline and church government, whether good, reasonable, or corrupt. 4 The superstitions, and poperies in what sort, and degree, whether it be main Idolatry, and abominable yea or no. 5 The holy days and festival times there observed. 6 The Ceremonies used or left in the ministery and Sacraments. 7 The doctrine, articles, opinions, held and taught agreeable or contrary to other Churches. 8 The greatness or smallness of auditories, assemblies, and concourse to sermons. 9 The Ministers, Divines, Preachers, and Clergy men, of greatest pains, account, learning, judgement, languages, tongues, and virtuous lives, with their names degrees, charges, offices, and dwelling places. 10 The times of public fasting, alms giving, of going on pilgrimage, if the place be superstitious. 11 The Archbishops, and Bishops, with their sees and Churches, and Dioceses: Deans, abbots, Priors, monks, Priests, and other orders, with their names, stipends, offices, revenues, & hospitalities. 12 The Heretics if any spring up, with their names and errors, absurdities, false opinions, and punishments for the same. 13 The stipends of Preachers, Pastors, Ministers, how large, how small, and how collected in tithes or otherwise. 14 The number of Churches, and congregations in every city and town, whereby the populousness may be known. 15 The special benefactors to the ministery, with their liberalities, gifts, pensions, exhibitions, and other Christian works, the fruits of faith. 16 The greatest, famous, and most ordinary preaching places. 17 The number of godly preachers, and ministers in the greatest cities. The tenth Section. Literature wherein is to be noted. 1 THe Characters, and letters of the Alphabet, in that place, both printed and written: whether different or not from the form and fashion of letters used among other nations. 2 The faculty of imprinting, of what estimation, of what exactness, and perfection: the number of Printers and Stationers, the names of the men of greatest learning and diligence in that quality. 3 The common, or private libraries of any account, with the most ancient, and rare books there preserved. 4 The monuments and antiquities of famous and learned men. 5 The names, places, and times of birth, education, and death of such men as have been most renowned for virtue, knowledge, learning and judgement, of that nation. 6 Ancient Epitaphs, and inscriptions, cut, graven, carved, or painted upon tombs, pillars, gates, Churches, and other buildings. 7 Ancient coins, as those of the Romans, or others, with their stamp, sign, posies, and sentences. 8 Ancient or late monuments, churches, tombs, pictures, pillars, and dials, of rare and exquisite workmanship, with the workmen and authors, at whose charge they were erected. 9 Ingenious epigrams, sonnets, epitaphs, orations, poems, speeches, verses, adages, proverbs, and other scholastical and learned exercises, the fruits of good wits. 10 Musical instruments public and private, with their inventions, varieties, names sweetness of harmony, and first authors. 11 Instruments of special art, and use in Geometry, Astronomy, the Mathematics, and handicrafts. 12 Excellent, and rare artificers, in arts and faculties, as ingravers, painters, builders, lapidaries, guilders, etc. 13 Universities, with their manner of government, number of Colleges, multitude of students, commodities, situation, antiquity, and privileges. 14 The manner and kinds of studies, in the liberal arts. 15 Their public and private lectures, discipline, wits, degrees, rewards, and preferments. 16 Public schools, schoolmasters, teachers, readers, lecturers, professors, governors of Colleges, with their names, stipends, diligence in government, and other good parts. 17 Men of special learning at this time, in Divinity, Philosophy, Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, Astrology, Music, Poetry, Grammar, Hebrew, Greek, rhetoric, law, physic, and histories. 18 Antiquaries, that is men excellently seen in antiquities and ancient monuments, both of the Church, and kingdom. The eleventh Section. Histories: wherein is to be searched. 1 THe Antiquity, and original of the city, town, and kingdom, when it was first erected, first built, with the parts, portions, and chiefest places thereof. 2 The conversion of the nation to christianity, when, how, and by whom. 3 The first builders, and founders of cities, towns, churches, palaces, and other public and notable edifices. 4 The ancient names & appellations of the kingdom, city, people etc. with the etymology, reason and cause of such names. 5 The arms of the kingdom, prince, noble men, and chief cities, with the signification thereof. 6 The first inhabitants of the Region, wherehence they came, when, and by what means. 7 The most ancient families, and houses of noble men, and Gentlemen. 8 The fortitude, magnanimity, behaviour, discipline, disposition, wealth, and fame of the ancient nobility. 9 The affinities old and late, alliances, and intermariages of honourable personages & families, at home or abroad. 10 The wars of their ancestors, and what acts and exploits worthy of honour, and remembrance have been done by them. 11 The Prince now living, his counsel, what they are, how many, how descended, their personages, education, experience, wisdom, liberality, and other honourable virtues. 12 The royal line of the Prince, his progenitors, grandfather, father, their virtues, his correspondence, and princely parts in all respects. 13 The chiefest men of policy, and good government, both in court and city, for peace, war, and all occurrences. The twelfth Section. Chronicles, wherein is to be learned. 1 THe wars of that nation both of old, & of late, when they were, where, against whom, and with what success, of victory, or dishonour, waged, and held. 2 The diversity of seditions, rebellions, conspiracies, insurrections, and tumults that have risen in that country: with their pacifications, and conclusions of peace, for what time, and upon what occasion. 3 The strange and memorable events, that have happened in, and upon the actions of great & noble men. 4 The births of monsters, where, when, of what parents, with the consequences thereof. 5 Prodigious signs, and apparitions in the air. 6 Comets, blazing stars, great and extraordinary eclipses, and what they wrought. 7 Great frosts, deep snows, thick and monstrous ice, cold winters, with the dangers and inconveniences of each of them. 8 Hot, and burning summers, with the discommodities there hence arising. 9 Lightnings and thunders, how terrible, strange, and perilous, and how common in those places. 10 Mischiefs, losses, and detriments by accidents of fire in cities, towns, villages, and houses. 11 The storms and tempests that have been horrible, outrageous, and fearful, with their effects. 12 Inundations, deluges, overflowings, breakings in of the sea, where, when, by what chance, occasion, or negligence, and how much ground have been lost, and harms done by that means. 13 Earthquakes, and their consequences. 14 Dearthes', famines, and extremities for want of corn and grain, how long the scarcity endured, when it ended, and how it was remedied. 15 Sicknesses, and pestilences, that have happened in any country, city, or town: the beginning & cause of them, their continuance, end, and mortality of the people. 16 Notable piracies, and pirates, with the indemnities, and losses, received by travelers, and merchants. 17 Egregious thieveries, and robberies, with the judgement of God and the law upon such persons. 18 Infamous conspirators, & traitors, with their names, treasons, and executions. 19 The horrible and just ends of malefactors. 20 Sudden deaths of great personages. 21 Messages, entreaties, gratulations, and condolements sent to foreign Princes. 22 The arrivals, feastings, lodgings, and other royal entertainments of Ambassadors, with the time of their abode, cause of coming, and dispatch of business. 23 The occasions of jars, and discontentments betwixt the Prince, and other Potentates, 24 The perpetual care of the Prince to withstand all the policies, inventions, invasions, violences, hostilities and indignities of other Princes, his or her enemies, and to preserve the realm, and people in peace, tranquillity, security, and prosperity. The opinion of Abrahamus Ortelius, the notable Geographer, concerning the use of notes and observations in travel, written by himself in his Itinerarium Belgiae. PEregrinationes nostrae futurae nobis erunt longè gratiores, si unà cum itineribus animaduertamus, & annotemus in chartis, si quid observatione dignum occurrerit, non quod speremus posse a nobis ex locis visis annotari quod non omnibus est iam notum, sed quidlibet potius commentari, quàm in toto itinere esse otiosi: tum quòd hac ratione, quae semèl vidimus, securius memoriae mandentur, & cum Regiones illas cessaveremus perlustrare, iwabit easdem quotiescúnque libuer●t nobiscum Domi, atque adeo sine itineris molestia recognoscere. In English thus. IF in our peregrinations and travels, we shall observe and note in our tables, or papers those things which do occur and seem worthy of regard, we shall make our journeys and voyages in great measure, pleasant and delectable unto us: not thinking that our diligence can search & mark any thing in any place, which other men before us have not seen, but to discourse and record any thing, rather than to pass the way, and spend the ●ime in idleness: and with all by this means, this commodity is reaped, that whatsoever the eye seethe, is the easier and the better remembered, if it be once written. And when the time cometh, that we make an end of our travels, and personal view of foreign parts, it will be a singular pleasure unto us, whensoever we are so disposed to recognise, and recount those things which we have seen, quietly & in our chambers, without any trouble of journey, or toil of body. FINIS.