A DESCRIPTION OF The Present State OF SAMOS, NICARIA, PATMOS, and Mount ATHOS.  
By Joseph Georgirenes, Archbishop of SAMOS. Now living in London.  
Translated by one that knew the Author in Constantinople.  
Dum licet, & vultum servat fortuna benignum,  
Romae laudetur Samos, & Chios, & Rhodos absens.  Hor. l. I. Epist. II. 

July 14. 1677.  
Licenced,  
W. Jane.   
LONDON, Printed by W. G. and sold by Moses Pitt, at the Angel in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1678.   


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TO THE MOST HIGH PRINCE Of Royal Birth, JAMES, DUKE of YORK, etc. JOSEPH GEORGIRENES Of SAMOS, The least of Arch-Bishops, offers his most Humble Reverence.  
Most High Born PRINCE,  
THey that aspire to the Attainment of Wisdom, do not content themselves with the Accurate Search of sublime objects, but also condescend to inquire into lower matters. In like manner, the renowned Britain's do not confine their contemplations to their own homes, or to their neighbour Nations; but enlarge their prospect unto the most remote Countries, and with a piercing Eye, diligently pursue the exact discovery of their state and condition. To which purpose, many persons of honour, and of curiosity, have importuned me to give some description of the Coasts of jonia, and the Aegaean Islands; and to declare the present Condition of those great objects of Pity and Protection, the Greeks, now under the cruel Tyranny of the Wicked and Barbarous Hagarens. The desire I had to gratify their learned curiosity, whose Judgements I had reason highly to esteem, prevailed with me to undertake a Description of some Isles of the Archipebago, namely, Samos, Nicaria, Patmos, and Mount Athos, now called The Holy Mount. But because this Work may seem to want that Elegance, or depth of learning, requisite for a Book that must appear upon the Stage of England, it stands in need of shelter and protection. Which put me upon the bold necessity of flying to the Shadow of your Royal Highness' Patronage, to escape the scorchings of Contempt, and with all humble Reverence, to shelter it under the umbrage of your Royal Highness' propitious Name. And I most humbly offer it, not as a thing of any merit; but as a manifestation of my devoir and gratitude, for those great Obligations, which I, and in me all the Greek Nation has received. I therefore most humbly beseech your Highness, that as you have thought me worthy of your Bounty, so to continue the same favourable aspect, in accepting this small demonstration of my Gratitude, and by your gracious Patronage, to secure it from their censure, who are not so forward to imitate our well intended pains, as to expose our defects. For which undeserved Favour, we can make Retribution only in our daily Prayers to Almighty God for your Highness' Health and Prosperity in this World, and Eternal Happiness in the World to come.    

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.  
THe habitable Earth, by Divine disposal, bestowed upon the Children of Men, is but one great Island. And those Four eminent Parts of it which divide the whole among them, not by equal portions, but by the casual intervention of Seas, are not totally separated one from another; but make one perpetual Continent. Africa is joined to Asia, by no very small neck of Land betwixt the Mediterranean and the Red Sea: And is no more an Island properly so called, than Peloponnesus. Europe and Asia are joined above the Lake of Maeotis with a large space of ground betwixt the Hyperborean Ocean, and that Lake. And Asia is joined to America, by the straits of Anian in all probability. There has nothing yet been discovered to the contrary, and the great Absurdities that attend the peopling of it are no way soeasily solved. Besides this Main Continent which is mounted above the Face of the Waters in one entire continuation of parts, there are many lesser Islands, entirely surrounded by the Sea, and divided from all other ground. And all these are but smaller Sisters to that great product of Nature, the Main Continent, not differing from it in kind, but in bulk and size. Whether they owe their birth to the general Deluge, or date their antiquity from the day of the Creation, the Scripture is silent, and so am I. The Opinion of several Islands being rend from the Main Continent, by the violent Incursion of Seas, has been more forwardly embraced, than convincingly proved, and owes more to Poetical Fancy, than to any solid Foundations of Philosophy. However, certain it is, that many Islands are of later Antiquity than either the Creation, or the Flood, as on the contrary, many have either subsided, or been overwhelmed.  
The same Earthquake does sometimes produce both effects; and the same time brings Birth to one, and Burial to another. But these are the irregular miscarriages of nature, labouring under a Convulsion Fit, and teach us what may be, not what must be; what nature may sometimes suffer, not what she always doth. As for the whole Globe of Earth and Water, the admirable intermixture of them both for use and beauty, doth highly bespeak the Wisdom of the Maker, and doth no less merit our contemplation, than the Canopy of Heaven. And that the rather, because the inferior World doth more nearly approach our Senses, and affords us clearer notice of their state and condition. Among all the associate Collection of Islands, that by reason of their mutual vicinity, pass under one common name, there are none more remarkable than those of the Aegean Sea, or the Archipelago. These were so eminent in the days of the Prophets of the Old Testament, that from them all the Western parts of the then known World that was planted principally by the Sons of Japhet, went under the common name of the Isles of the Gentiles, and the Islands of Chittim. The Phoenicians, the first eminent Navigators since the Flood, and the first Planters of Learning and Civility, as well as Colonies, along the shores of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Seas, began their discoveries in these Islands: And there they have left such visible Footsteps of their first Plantation, that the names they bear to this day are most of them of Phoenician Extraction. The Colonies planted in these Islands by the Phoenicians, gave beginning to all those Arts and Sciences for which the Greeks were afterwards so famous, and their Language been held in such admiration to this day. The Aethhiopic Islands are known all by Greek names; but they are as far inferior to the Cycladeses in renown, as they are in number, having neither been the Scene of Actions recorded by such Immortal pens, nor the native Soil of persons so eminent for Arts and Arms. The conceit of Elysium, or such a future happiness as the Heathens dreamt of, was thought fit by their Poets to be fixed upon some remote Islands; therefore called the Blessed, or Fortunate Islands. The Hesperideses and Canaries have been Competitors for the Title, and our modern searchers into British Antiquity do strain hard to make the Cassiterides, or the Scilly and Man, and Anglesey, put in for a claim. But the Poets have been more accurate in maintaining the Character of an earthly Paradise, and describing a felicity of state beyond that of a Platonic, or Utopian Commonwealth, than in directing us by any rules of Geography, where it is to be found. And as they have left it indifferent to the Reader to fix the Local Situation of such Islands where they will, so they have left it impossible to any Reader to find such a place in the whole World. Indeed it is the high prerogative of great and lasting Wits to affix an esteem and veneration upon those places they make the Stage of their Stories, be they true or false. But in this point of credit, the Islands of the Archipelago do far surpass any other in the World. And this is true, not only of the licentious and extravagant Fables of their Romantic Mythology; but also in the graver and more creditable Records of sober History. They did heretofore in a manner engross the Monopoly of all the Wit and Fancy both of Greece and Rome: Insomuch, that 'tis hardly possible for a man well versed in the Greek and Latin Tongues, to be a stranger to the ancient Geography of these Places: And Pliny, who was in nothing less erroneous, than in this part of his natural History of these Islands, does honour the Bay wherein they are situate, with the Title of Sinus claritatis literarum. A large Encomium, and such as no other aggregate body of Islands had equal right to. The Japan, Philippine, and Molucco Islands in the Oriental Ocean, are far beyond these for number; but the only thing they are sought for is some natural products peculiar to their Soil and Climate, in which commendation, they do not exceed the late discoveries in the American Ocean; but we find not that the World was ever beholding to the one, or the other, for the Propagation of Learning or Civility. Nor is it only famous for the early rise of Humane Learning and civil Culture, in the days of Gentilism; but also for the early appearance of the more glorious Sunshine of the Heavenly Doctrine of the Gospel. St. John the Divine, honoured in the Oracles of God, with the peculiar Title of the Disciple whom Jesus loved, was once an Inhabitant of these Islands; where he founded the Christian Religion, and writ that Divine and Mysterious Book, which was indeed to him Apocalypse, but to all future ages Apocrypha. St. Paul, that great Apostle of the Gentiles, did often cross this Sea, to plant the Doctrine of Salvation in all the neighbouring Shores of Europe and Asia. And in future ages, when the Divine Providence raised up a Christian Emperor to protect his Church from persecution, these Islands were the very centre of once the most Orthodox and learned Church in the World. To whom we owe not only the transmitting the Holy Scriptures to our knowledge; but also the digesting the Doctrine of them into Articles of Faith, the defence of Truth against all invasion of Error, the faithful Records of most pure and primitive Tradition, the clear Exposition of many obscure passages, which without their direction, might have been at this day unintelligible, and the great advantage of many bearned and elaborate Volumes of Orthodox Divinity, both Polemical and Practic. And of all those many different Sects of Christianity in the East, they have to this day most firmly retained the ancient Truths, and made the least Deviation into Error. If that ignorance which those barbarous extinguishers of learning, the Turks, keep them in, renders that afflicted Nation obnoxious to be imposed upon, and incapable of knowing better, it deserves rather our pity, than our contempt and scorn. It is rather a Miracle of God's gracious Providence, that under such tyrannous Masters, and such proud and contemptuous enemies of the common name of Christianity, the light of Evangelical Truth is not only dimmed, but utterly extinct, as it has happened in the Latin Church in Africa, once inferior to none for purity of Doctrine, and piety and learning in their Professors. Yet this cannot be denied them, but that they accord with us in many things wherein we differ from the Romish Church. I may add this more, that in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Greek Church doth not bear that conformity or similitude with the Romish Church, as the great Champions for Popery would affix upon them. And that will easily appear in these particulars. 1. They use not the Elevation of the Host. 2. No carrying it in Procession. 3. The People stand when they receive it. 4. They give it in both kinds to all. 5. The bread is of a common sort before Consecration. It is besides, the business of this Preface, to enlarge upon the present State of the Greek Church, which the reverend Author hath in some measure done in his account of Samos, and Mount Athos: And that subject is more largely handled by a late learned Author 
* Smith's remarks upon the Turks.  in the Latin and English Tongues. All that I shall add is, that scarce any part of Greece has less intermixture with the Turks than these Isles, where the Greek Language and Religion is less entrenched upon. There are no less than twenty Bishops in the Archipelago, some with the Title of Metropolite, as Metelyn and Methymia; others with the Title of Archbishop, as Samos, and Andros, and some with the bare Title of Bishop, as Sciathus. Yet neither of the two first differ from the last in any thing, but in Title, or priority of Place. Their jurisdiction is alike, it being ordinary here for a Metropolite, and an Archbishop to be without a Suffragan. The reason is, because of the great Revolutions, many of the old Bishoprics are lost, and the ancient frame of Ecclesiastical Polity much altered. The Patriarch continues the Title of Metropolite upon all the places that formerly were so, and the little of Archbishop, upon those that depend immediately upon the Patriarch, without any subjection to a Metropolite, although they have no Bishop under their jurisdiction. The following Treatise giveth an account of three Islands of the Archipelago, and Mount Athos, the Great Academy for the Greek Clergy. In all these places, he lived, and writes nothing, but what he saw, or what he received from the constant Tradition of the places: So that as to matters of fact, he may be better relied upon than those that write of places to which they are great strangers. For the Truth of what is related, is the main Postulatum of an History.   

A DESCRIPTION Of the ISLE of SAMOS: AND Of its present State at this Day.  
SAmos, is one of the greatest, and most remarkable Islands of the Archipelago, situate near the Continent of Asia. It is well known that this was the Country of Pythagoras, and once was Governed by Kings of her own, and has made stout resistance against Athens, what time they both lived under a Democratical Government. The ruins which yet are to be seen there are a Testimony of her former greatness and wealth. But this Island hath been subject to great changes and revolutions, even to utter desertion of Inhabitants for many Years. Yet it being my main intent to give an account of its present State, I shall wave the former Transactions of Ancient times, whereof there is frequent mention amongst Historians, and proceed to a survey of its condition in these Modern Times, under the Turkish Empire; how it is now Governed; what Revenues it yields, with a Geographical Description of the Country.  
It is certain, that what time it pleased God for our sins to permit the Turks to subdue Constantinople, and the Archipelago, the Island of Samos was totally dispeopled. Afterwards one Kilitch Aly Bassa arrived here, and Landing with a small Company to Hunt, was so taken with the place, that he was resolved to ask leave of the Grand Signior, to repeople the Island: Which having done, he transported several Families from all the Voisinage especially from Metelyne, so that by degrees, it became full of Inhabitants, and now counts to the number of 18 Towns and Villages, which I shall now describe according to their Situation.  
The Isle of Samos is 26, or 27 French Leagues in compass, and lies in length East and West. At the West end it has the Isle of Nicaria, some twelve Miles distant: The East end is so near the Continent of Asia, that in some places men can Discourse one with another from the two Shores. This nearness of the East end of Samos to the Continent of Asia, causes a narrow Frith about six Miles in length, no where above 3 Miles in breadth, which by reason of little Islands in it, is a great Nest of Pirates, whom no Ships that come into this Straight can escape, but by putting to Shore on each side, where they are in equal danger of being made a Prey. These Pirates for the most part are either from Malta, Legorn, Savoy, or Sardinia.  
At the entrance into this Straight, which the Turks call Dardbogazy, i. e. The Mouth of the Straight, lies all along the Mountain for the space of a Mile, the place where the Old City of Samos stood, remarkable 
Old Samos  yet for some remainders of the Walls and ruins of old Churches, and large Stones, some 3, some 4, some 5 yards long, besides many Marbles and Pillars, notwithstanding the many choice pieces carried away by the Venetians, when they were Lords of the Archipelago. But the Greeks at this day dare not touch a Stone, so much as to Build with, for fear of Imprisonment by the Turks, under colour of having found a Treasure in those old Ruins.  
And being once Imprisoned upon such a pretence, they are sure to lie fast till all they have be seized.  
These Ruins are no less than six miles in compass. Upon the same Mountain in the middle of a deep and large Grotto, stands a Church Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known there by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
* Panagia Spiliani, St. mary's of the Cave Spiliani, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  Panagia Spiliani, or The most Holy Virgin of the Grotto. All the Samians pay great Devotion to this place, not only in honour of the Virgin Mary, but for the belief of many Miracles there done. Here is also an artificial Channel, six Miles long, drawn from a River of a perpetual stream, which besides the Mills it drives, does water the Country in times of greatest drought. This water arising near the Village of the Arnhauts (of whom we shall speak more hereafter) becomes large enough by new supplies of other Currents, to deserve the name of a River, and is that which the Ancients called Imbrasus.  
At the bottom of the aforesaid Mountain, where Old Samos stood, towards Scirus, lie the Ruins of an old Haven for Galleys; the Samians call it Tegani, i. e. Basin, from its roundness. Near to which Port stands a little Church Dedicated to 
St. Nicholas.  St. Nicholas, but now become a Refuge for the Mariners, who come privately to fetch Water from a Well hard by, that has a most excellent Spring: Yet here is always a strict Watch kept, one by Day, and two by Night, to carry Intelligence to the next Aga, or the next Caddee, what Ships come in, whence they are, and whither bound; And if the Aga, or Caddee, happen to hear of any Ships coming by some other Messenger, before he that is to Watch, brings the News, he is sure to receive 500 Bastinadoes upon the Soles of his Feet for his neglect.  
Over-against the Old City, about 
* Megale Chora, or New Samos.  a Mile distant to the West, stands the New, now known by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Megale Chora, or the great Town, because it is bigger than the rest of the Isle. Here the principal Men of the Isle have their residence, i. e. the Archbishop, the Caddee, with three or four Turkish Families, the Aga, with ten or a dozen other Turks to assist him in the Execution of his Charge.  
The Caddees Office is to pronounce Law, and the Aga's to put it into Execution, and to Levy all Taxes whatsoever. There are many who submit themselves to the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop, especially the ecclesiastics. But if any Man rest unsatisfied with the Archbishops Judgement, he many appeal to the Caddee. There are very few Turks in this Isle, besides the forementioned. They had a Mosque, but the Venetians battered it down the first time they came with their Fleet to subdue the Island to their obedience, and to oblige them to contribution. But the Samians at first refused to pay Contribution, or to appear before the General, but made their escape into the Mountains, fearing the Venetians would soon be repulsed by the Turks, and they be chastised for so quick a Revolt. But when the great Town was taken, and plundered, and the Mosque in it quite battered down, the Aga and Caddee, gave permission to the Islanders to pay a yearly tribute of 80000 Dollars or Crowns to the Venetians. Yet after the Peace made, when the Turks were re-established, they would neither repair their battered Mosque, nor build a new one, for fear of some such casualty. Out of a Superstition they have, not to build a Mosque, but only where they are confident it shall never be profaned by Christian violence.  
Upon the coming of a new Caddee, or a new Aga, the Chief of the Villages assemble at the great Town, or upon any public Affair which concerns the whole Island, especially upon the coming of the Officer appointed to gather the Poll-Money, called Haratch; Which is the only Revenue the Grand Signior receives out of this Island, all other the Revenues of the place, are as they call it, 
a Vacouf amongst the Turks, are all such Lands as we in England call Church Lands, especially Collegiate Churches, to which the Great Mosques in Turkey bear a great resemblance; for they have always a Nursery of Men trained up only to Sacred Employments; and a Governor, who is called Sheich, and under him other principal Men, that are well maintained, and out of whose number a Sheich is chosen upon any vacancy. These Colleges they call Medrasa, and they are always close by the great Mosque.  to say, Consecrated to Religious use, and they belong wholly to the great Mosque at 
a Tophana, is the House of Guns, and it has its name from the use it is put to, being the great Storehouse for the Grand Signior's Ordnance, and Artillery, and the place of Residence for the Topgy-Basha, or Master of the Ordnance to the Grand Signior.  Tophana, by Galata, over against the Grand Signiors Seraglio at Constantinople.  
In other parts of the Empire, all Males that are not Turks, from 14 years and upwards, do pay yearly three Dollars a Head, but in Samos only Married Men are obliged. Yet if a Married Man dies leaving a Male Child, the Haratch shall be demanded for the Child, though he be but a sucking Infant. Strangers that come, pay this Haratch, Married or un-married. In like manner, the Samians that quit their Country to exercise any Trade or Traffic elsewhere in the Empire, do pay this Haratch, though un-married. When the Collector of this Poll-Money (whom they call Haratchgy) comes, he first goes to the Caddee, and shows him the Imperial Mandate. Whereupon the Caddee summons the chief Men of every Village, whom they call Proesti, to come before him at the great Town, where having read to them the Imperial Mandate, he charges them to take all possible care for the speedy Levying of the Tribute, which they promising, are dismissed. Then the Haratchgy goes to every Village, demanding of the Papas, or the Minister of the place an exact Catalogue of the names of those that are obliged to pay, which if the Papas fail to do, or omit any names that should have been put in, he is sure to be laid down, and drubbed. There is no excuse for any person, and he that cannot pay, is clapped into Chains, and led about as a Prisoner, till he has either sold his Goods, or begged Money to defray the charge of this Poll-Money.  
The Caddee is sent hither by one of the Caddileskers, whereof there are two, the one for Europe, called the Romily Caddilesker, the other for Asia, called the Anodal Caddilesker. These two are next to the Mufty for Dignity and Power, and take place next to him. By one of these are all the Caddees sent to their respective charges. The Perquisits of the Caddee of Samos arise from the Courts of Judicature, where he is Precedent: And upon the Death of any Person, he takes an Inventory of all his Goods, which being prized, he takes three per Cent, according to their value. But he meddles not with the Lands, being all appropriated to the aforesaid Mosque of Tophana: But if any Man die without Issue Male, the Aga has power to seize his Lands, and to sell them to whom he pleases. Neither Male nor Female can inherit the Lands of their Mother, but they fall to the Aga, who has power to sell or dispose of them as he thinks fit. If a Man leave his Lands uncultivated for seven Years, the Aga has power to sell them, and to demand satisfaction for those deuce that might have accrued to him, if the Lands had been cultivated those seven Years. We will return to the remaining part of the Description of Megale Chore, and other remarkable places of the Isle.  
The whole Town, and all the Gardens about it, are supplied with Water from two 
a Plin. l. 5. c. 31. Fontes Eucarto, Leucothea.  Fountains, that of the two, whose Water is sweeter to the taste, is called Platanoes, the other Messaki. There are but six Churches, and those small ones. Nor is it expedient in that Country, that any thing which concerns the Christian Religion should make any outward appearance of Magnificence, or costliness, lest it should provoke the envy and avarice of their proud Masters to Sacrilegious rapine. On the South side of the City lies a large plain, by a word mixed with Greek and Latin, called 
b Megalocampos.  Megalocampos, being the greatest Plain in the Isle; which by reason of abundance of standing Water wherewith it perpetually stagnates, yields no benefit, but great nuisance to the neighbouring Inhabitants: Yet is it like to continue still a Fenny Marsh, so long as the Tyrannous Government of the Country gives so small Encouragement to the improvement of Lands. The Mariners that sail by that Coast are the better for't, to whom it affords fresh Water enough to furnish a whole Fleet, in four streams that issuing from this Fen, disembogue themselves into the Sea, some six Miles distant from the Fen: Yet the Coast is so open, that no Vessel can ride there but when the Wind is in the North.  
Beyond this plain a large space of fruitful Lands, watered with the forementioned Imbrasus, belongs to 
Imbrasus.  a Monastery in Patmos, given by a Greek Architect, one of the first Planters, who dying without Issue, left all he had to the said Monastery. Beyond these Lands which belong to the Monastery of Patmos, upon the same River stands a village of some 200 Houses, with one Church; It's called 
a Mily.  Mily, or the Mills, from that abundance of Water Mills, which Imbrasus drives there. Here Lemmons and Oranges are so plentiful, that 500 may be bought for one Doller. Westward of this Village lies 
b Pagontas.  Pagontas, Situate on a Hill bedecked with Trees, the most healthful and pleasant Village of the Island. It hath no less than 300 Houses, and two Churches,, and is enriched by the Manufacture of Silks. Some three Miles distant from this Town, towards the Mountain, lies 
c Spatharei.  Spatharei, a small Village consisting of about 50 Houses, and one Church, but famous for making Pitch, which they sell at Megale Chore for three quarters of a Doller, and sometimes a Doller the Kintal. 
d Their way of making Pitch is thus. They take Sapines, that is to say, that part of Firs, or other unctuous Trees as is betwixt the Root and the Boughs, so far as it hath no Knots; and shaving away the extreme parts, they leave only that which is nearest to the middle, and the Pith: That which remains they call Dadi, (from the old Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, whence comes the Latin Taeda) These Dadi, or Torches, they cleave into small pieces, and laying them on a Furnace, put fire to the upper part, till they are all burnt, the Liquor in the mean time running from the Wood, and let out from the bottom of the Furnace into a hole made in the Ground, where it continues like Oil; Then they put Fire to't, and stir it about till it thicken, and has a consistence; Then putting out the Fire, they cast Chalk upon it, and draw it out with a Vessel, and lay it in little places cut out of the Ground, where it receives both its form, and a firmer consistence for easy Transportation.  Their way of making is like Pliny's description of it, l. 16. c. 11.  
Over-against the Village of Spatharei, about a quarter of a Mile distant from Shore lies a little Island a Mile in compass, called 
a Samio Paulo, or little Samos, formerly Narthecus.  Samio Paulo, or Little Samos; furnished with a safe Harbour against all Winds towards great Samos. This Island abounds with a peculiar sort of Flower, which from a Fragrance it hath, like unto Musk, the People call 
b Mouskoulia.  Muskoulia, others call them Coree. This Flower has that esteem in Turkey, that they are sent for as far as to Constantinople, whither they are transplanted with much care into their choicest Gardens. The Grand Signior wears it ordinarily in his Turban, and by his Example, makes it a Fashionable wear among the Grandees of his Court. It hath this quality, that time doth not decay, but augment the Fragrance of its Smell.  
Three Miles distant from Spatharei, on the Hill side, stands the Village of 
a Pyrgos.  Pyrgos, consisting of about an 100 Houses, and 2 Churches: Here is the Choicest Honey. Above this Village stands a small Village and Colony of the 
b Arnaouts Village.  Arnaouts, or Albanians; for so is that Nation at this day called by the Greeks and Turks: And they have many Colonies in the Empire, being encouraged with special privileges and immunities from the Grand Signior: yet they lose not their Language (which in all likelihood is the old Illyrian) for it is not understood by any of their Neighbour Nations; nor is it an Offspring of the Slavonic. Their Religion is the same with the Greek.  
Six Miles from Pyrgos, towards the South, lies (d) Platanoes, so 
(c) Platanoes.  called, from abundance of Plain Trees there formerly. This Town hath at least 300 Houses, and two Churches, and is remarkable for its good Air. Both the Men and Women being generally longer Lived here, than any where else in the Island. Their Waters hereabouts abound with Champinions, a great relief to the Poor, when the word is given out for public permission to Fish. Which word with them is Anoixe to libarintous.  
Six Miles from hence, towards the West, lies a Village of some 200 Houses, and two Churches, called 
a Maratha-campos.  Maratha-campos, from the abundance of 
b Gal. Fenovil. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  Fennel thereabouts, which the Greeks call Maratha. This Village looks toward Patmos, from whence it is distant some Forty Miles  
Three Miles from this Village lies a small Hermitage, by the Name of 
c Saint George's Hermitage.  St. George's Hermitage, where two or three Hermits of Patmos, commonly reside. Not far from this Hermitage is a Grotto upon the top of a Mountain of most difficult access, which the People, by Tradition do believe was Pythagoras' retiring place; it hath now a little Church, called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Or the Blessed Virgin appearing; Because of a Tradition that the Blessed Virgin Mary has here appeared, and done Miracles. The Bones of Dead Men that lie scattered hereabouts, give occasion to believe, that those that remained when the Island was deserted, made their escape hither; it being a Retreat of most difficult access: And the inner Parts of this Mountain are not well discovered, in as much as people are seen to appear, and observed to gather Chestnuts, none of the Inhabitants of the Valley knowing any thing more of them.  
This 
a Mons. Cerce●ius. Plin. l. 5. c. 3●.  Mountain is called Kerkis, the highest of the whole Island, from whose top may be seen the greatest part of the Isles of the Archipelago: It is covered with Snow almost all the Year, and hath a Lake on the very top, well stored with Eels. Here is a Chapel Consecrated to the Prophet 
a Elias' Chapel.  Elias, whither many resort for Devotion: Here is likewise a Grotto, with another Chapel, which hath no Tradition of its Name or Dedication; yet many go thither to say their Prayers, and at Easter time it is much frequented. This chapel, and Grotto stand directly over against the Isle of Nicaria, some 12 Miles from hence.  
That which increaseth the Religious esteem of this latter Chapel, is, a Tradition, That Light has often appeared in the Night time, which the People conceive to be a Warning of some Holy Relics that lies here yet undiscovered, and so neglected.  
Upon the same Mountain, some six Miles distant, towards the North, stands another Hermitage; besides which, in a spacious Grotto, stands a little Church, Dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It hath but one way of access, and that up a steep Precipice so extremely dangerous, that it is called 
b Panagia eye to Cacoperaton.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or St. Mary's, upon the bad passage. Five Miles from Maratha-campos, towards the North, is the Village of 
a Castany  Castanee, so called, from abundance of Chestnut-trees about it. It has about 50 Houses, and one Church. Not far from hence is the Hermitage of the Holy Trinity, where always two or three Hermits of the Monastery of Patmos do reside.  
Two Miles from Castany, stands 
b Leca.  Leca, a Village of 50 Houses, and one Church.  
Not far from Leca is the Monastery of 
c Saint George's Monastery.  St. George, an Hospital for the 
d Monks of Mount Sina.  Monks of Mount Sina; it hath always four or five Priests, who look after the Revenues of the Hospital, which consists chiefly in Wine.  
Higher upon the Hill-side, over against Leca, is a Covent of Monks of Elias; Men abstracted from all secular employment, and they entertain all Passengers with what they have upon free cost.  
Six Miles from hence, towards Megalocampos, lies (e) Carlovasy, 
(d) Carlovasy.  the greatest Town of this Island, next to Megale Chore. It is situate by the Seaside, over against Sio, and the Castle of Siatsky, upon the Continent of Asia. It hath no less than 500 Houses, and 5 Churches. The Inhabitants are the Richest of any in the Isle, by reason of their Traffic by Sea to Sio, Smyrna, 
Chios.  and other places. Their principal Merchandise are Onions, and Muscat Wine. Yet their Port is so exposed to the North Wind, and unsafe a Road for any Vessels, that they are forced to load their Vessels a Shore, and so to thrust them off: And at their return, without any delay they draw up their Vessels to Land.  
Three Miles Eastward, from Carlovasi is the Town of 
a Furni.  Furni, remarkable for those Earthen Jars, and Pitchers, and other Vessels, which formerly were so much in esteem by the Greeks, and Romans, and were peculiarly called Samian Vessels. The Town hath at least 200 Houses, and two Churches, and has its name from the Furnaces where these Vessels are made. Besides this Town is a Fountain, whose stream is sufficient to make a Mill go; at the Springhead is a Church, Consecrated to the Blessed Virgin, to which the Inhabitants of the Town pay great Devotion. From hence begins a row of Mountains, covered with Woods for the space of twenty Miles. It is furnished with all manner of Wood, fit for Architecture, as well for Vessels at Sea, as for Houses at Land, a great increase to the Aga's Revenue; But the Chestnuts wherewith it abounds, are free for all Comers.  
Upon the top of this Mountain is a Village called 
a Vourlioté.  Vourlioté, a Colony of Vourla, a small Town by Smyrna. It hath about an 100 Houses, and one Church. The greatest Employment of the Inhabitants, is to cut Wood, and make Pitch.  
Within half a Mile of this Town is a Monastery of a dozen Caloirs, by the name of 
b Panagia Touphronta▪  Panagia Touphronta. The Grass about this Monastery in the Spring time is Venomous to all strange Cattle; so that if an Horse brought from a strange place be put into the Grounds, in a short time he shall swell and burst: But the Horses bred up about the Monastery, and the next Village, find no such inconvenience at all.  
Ten Miles from this Monastery Eastward, stands 
a Vathy.  Vathy, a Village of 400 Houses, and four Churches, enriched with a Port, affording a safe Harbour in all Winds but the South. But four Miles toward the North East lies another so well sheltered with three little Islands, (called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or the Isles of Dirt,) that Vessels may ride safely in all Winds. These Islands are 20 Miles from Scala nova, a remarkable Port, and much frequented upon the Continent of Asia. The great Traffic of this Town is in Wine, especially Muscat, which will hold good a whole Year, whereas that of Carlovasy turns sour after six months' age. It is likewise remarkable for Fishing.  
Near to this stands 
a Palaio-Castro.  Palaio-Castro, or the Old Castle; a Village of an 100 Houses and one Church: Here also are good Wines, especially Muscat.  
Four Miles from hence is the Port 
b Vourcaria.  Vourcaria, near to which is a convenient place for making Salt. But the Inhabitants fearing a great Imposition from the Turks, will not be at the pains to make any, being content with what is brought them from Mylos, and Naxos, from which two Islands all the Archipelago is supplied.  
Two Miles from hence lies a great Plain, called 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Ho pisos campos, wherein rises a Fountain, whose only stream causes two Mills to go. This Plain is fruitful in Wheat, in Cotton, and the Grain of Turkey, which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Latins Irio, and the French peculiarly Le bled de Turquie, or the Grain of Turkey. Here is a Church Dedicated to St. John the Divine; the Church is called 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The Inhabitants have an opinion of Miracles here done, and have a Tradition, that St. John, as well as 
b Acts 20. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  St. Paul has been in Samos, which causes great resort to this place for Devotion.  
Four Miles hence, towards the North, stands Mytelene, a Village of some 200 Houses, and 2 Churches. It is a Colony of the Island Mytelene. This Village is but a Mile from Megale Chore, the principal place of the Island wherewith we begun, and so we have finished the Circuit of the whole Island, and the Geographical Description of the Villages in it. It remains, that we speak of some Monastries yet untouched.  
The Monastries hitherto omitted, are but two, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
1. Two Miles from the great Village is Stauros, or the Monastery of the Cross, wherein are 30 Caloirs. It is well endowed with Lands, and a Farm House for Lay Friars to Till their Ground. Besides it hath another Monastery depending upon it, where the Friars chief Employment is to make Cloth, to do all other necessary work for the Service and Maintenance of the great Covent.  
2. 
a Spete, and Spition, in vulgar Greek signifies an house, from Hospitium. The first corruption of that Tongue came from the mixture of Latin words.  Panagia sta Penned Spitia, which in Vulgar Greek signifies the Blessed Virgin of the five Houses. This maintains 60 Caloirs, and has a smaller Monastery at Pagondas, subservient to it, in like manner as the former. This Monastery is not subject to the Archbishop, but only to the Patriarch of Constantinople.  
The Island is well stored with Sheep and Goats; But every Sheep is redeemed with two Asper's, and every Goat with one, payable to the Vacouf or great Mosque at Tophana in Galata. Yet were this Law literally put in execution, it were well for the People; but the Agas take the boldness to levy more, as they think fit. Nor can the People help themselves, the charge of Appeal being greater than the Payment injuriously exacted. And such is the Corruption of the Turkish Court, that the event of an Appeal would be as uncertain as the attempt unsafe.  
Besides the Aga demands as his due, all the Butter he finds among the Inhabitants, what day soever he pitches upon to number their Flocks, in order to the gathering this Vacouf Money; which grievance arose by the inconsiderate bounty of a rich Samian, who to ingratiate with the Aga, presented him with a great quantity of Butter, since which time, the Aga has ever claimed it as his due from all others.  
The Aga is likewise presented by every man of stock with a Lamb and a Kid; which by a Charter obtained from the Grand Signior, the Samians have power to redeem with two Asper's and an half by the head, but the Aga exacts no less than five or six.  
And now it is no wonder if this oppression by the Turkish Officers keep the Inhabitants poor, ignorant, and low spirited. Kilitch-Aly-Basha, at his first coming to repeople the Island, brought none with him but men of low Fortunes, and the Tyranny they live under doth still keep them so. And the Malice of many slothful, but servile people among them, doth render it impossible for any person well affected to the Public good, to effect any thing toward their Liberty, or redress of Grievances. For there wants not among the Greeks perpetual spies, that for their private ends, bring intelligence to the Aga's Ministers of any motion made, or any word freely spoken towards the redress of Grievances. The Aga's principal Engines are either those of his Family, (called Musifarides) or such creatures as lie dispersed throughout the Island. Those of his Family, are his Secretaries and Interpreters: The latter sort are always Greeks; for a Turk counts it a great dishonour to learn any Christian Language.  
His Creatures abroad are the 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  Proesti, or Chief of the Villages, whom he always makes his Creatures, and they for private ends are very forward to acquaint him any thing that may please him. They are more zealous and forward to pay their Homage to a Turkish Aga's House, than to serve Almighty God in his public Worship; and as if Interest and Gain were their Godliness, they are more punctually careful to devote their time to a servile attendance in the outmost Gate of the Aga, among his Porters and meaner Servants, than in the solemn assembly of their fellow Christians in the Church of God. In so much, that though they are Christians by profession, yet on the most solemn days of public Devotion, their greatest Religion is to wait at the Aga's House, to bid him good morrow, when he goes out to attend his pleasure, to drink Coffee, and smoke Tobacco among his Servants, and to speak nothing but what may flatter his Pride, or serve his Avarice. There is no Village in the Island so small, that wants such pestilent Spirits as these.  
Samos is not inferior to any Island of the Archipelago for good Soil. They are not beholden to other Countries for any thing but Iron and Salt; and this latter they might have, did not the oppression of the Turks discourage their Industry. They are well stored with Trees of all sorts, with Pitch, Cottons, Corn, Oil, Honey, and Wine, of whose Lees they make abundance of Aqua vitae in the Month of October, by them called Asynchoretoes, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: For when 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, unforgiven.  they make their Aquavitae, all Passengers are invited to taste of it, which he that refuses, is branded with the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in these words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; If you will take none, you shall never obtain pardon.  
All the People of the Country are Labourers, excepting the Musafarides, who farm out their Lands, and make it their business to attend the Aga. Every Master of a Family is obliged to attend the Aga at such time as he puts all his Corn in a readiness to be measured. And then is one of the Musafarides sent, who is to be entertained at the charge of the Master of the Family, but instead of taking a Tenth of the Corn, which is strictly his due; he takes Money according to his own valuation of the price of Corn.  
All Wines, Aquavitae, and Oil, are Tithed according to an ancient rate set down in the Court Rolls.  
Heretofore there was no Imposition taken upon Silks, because it was a Manufacture exercised only by the hands of Women, till a certain Aga came, that desired a little to make him a Girdle; and being presented with a good handsome Basket full: The next year he demanded the like quantity every where as his due.  
The Habit of the Samians is like the Turks: A long Vest, like our Cassock, down to the Heels with a Girdle about the Loins, and over it a loose Garment, like a Bachelor of Arts Gown. The Women likewise imitate the Turkish Women in their Apparel, girded about the Loins, a white Veil over their Heads. The young Women let their hair hang down behind, in a long Look plaited, and tied at the end with a Silver or Gild Chain.  
In former times, the greatest part of the Isles of the Archipelago were under the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Rhodes; and this Isle had a Bishop that was Suffragan to that Archbishop. But since the last repeopling of the Isle, it has been under the Patriarch of Constantinople, who bestowed it upon the great Church of Constantinople, and sent a Vicar to collect all the Ecclesiastical Revenues. And in this condition it continued for an hundred years, till the People of the Isle did petition the Patriarch to let them have an Archbishop, which accordingly he did, and appointed them the Bishop of Nicaria for their Suffragan; but that Island being too poor to maintain a Bishop at this day the Archbishop of Samos has now no Suffragan at all.  
When a new Archbishop comes, he shows his Patent from the Grand Signior to the Caddee; then summons all the Proesti of the Villages, to whom having read his Patent, he has it Registered in the public Records of the Island. This done, they all accompany him to the Cathedral Church, where after the Reading of his Institutions, given by the Patriarch, he is placed in the Archiepiscopal Throne, where every one comes to kiss his Hand, and he bestows upon them his Benediction; and then makes them a Speech (if he find himself of sufficient capacity to do't.) This is the way of his Investiture into the Archbishopric of Samos and Nicaria.  
At his first coming, the Papas, or Parish Priest of the Church of his Residence presents him 15, or 20 Dollars; they of the other Churches according to their Abilities. The first year of his coming, every Parish Priest pays him 4 Dollars, and the following years 2. Every Layman pays him 48 Asper's, and the following years 24. The rest of his Revenues comes in by Ordinations and Marriages. One part of the Island come to Megale Chore, where he Resides, for Licenses to Marry, the other part to his Vicar General at Carlovasi. The Samians pay one Doller for a Licence; all Strangers two: But he that comes after first Marriage for a Licence for a second, or third, pays three or four. Since Samos has been an Archbishopric, there has been hitherto but eight; 1. Athanasius; 2. Anthimus; 3. Parthenius; 4. Cornelius; 5. Christophorus; 6. Neophytus; 7. Joseph (who writ this History in vulgar Greek) and Philaretus that now succeeds him. Of whom here is a short account.  
Athanasius, a Native of the Isle, and a Married Priest, but his Wife dying about the time of his promotion, took upon him the Habit of a Caloir, he was Archbishop 20 years,  
Anthimus, surnamed Judas, because at the Ceremony of the Patriarch's washing the Feet of twelve Priests on Maunday Thursday▪ he being one, had the name of Judas. The Patriarch of Constantinople, in imitation of our Saviour, doth every year, on Maunday Thursday, Wash the Feet of twelve Men in Holy Orders, who are at that time called the twelve Apostles; and every Priest hath at that time the name of some particular Apostle. After he had been Archbishop 15 years, upon a Complaint made against him by the Islanders to the Capitan Bassa, or Admiral of the Turkish Fleet, he was clapped into prison, whence being released by a sum of Money, he became afterwards Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.  
Parthenius a Theban, was Translated from the Archbishopric of Patras to Samos, where he presided 12 years, only under the Title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Precedent; but after he had passed 12 years under this meaner and unusual Title, he was admitted to the full Rights and Dignity of an Archbishop.  
Cornelius of Metelyne was deposed by the Patriarch of Constantinople, after he had sat six years.  
Christophorus a Samian, was clapped into the Galleys by the Venetian Admiral, for not paying Contribution to the Venetians, at the appointed time; for happening to be Archbishop in the beginning of that War between the Turks and Venetians (so calamitous to all the Greek Isles) the Venetians then Masters at Sea, forced all the Archipelago to contribution. He to secure his poor flock, the Samians, from immediate Plunder, Rapine, Captivity, and other Insolences, did engage for raising the demanded Contribution, which was an high sum for that place, but was not able to make good his promise within the appointed time; because of the People's poverty: Whereupon the Venetian Admiral, without any respect to his Religion as a Christian, or to his place and quality as an Archbishop, did most Barbarously put him into the Galleys, a punishment commonly imposed upon Turkish Captives, or such Christians only as were gross and notorious Malefactors, and judicially condemned for capital Crimes.  
Neophytus of Siphanto sat 6 years, and deceased in the Island.  
After him came Josph Georgirene, of the Island of Milos, who was Consecrated, October 7. 1666. He sat here five years, till after the taking of Candie, the Turks grew more populous, and consequently more abusive: So that wearied with their injuries, he retired to the Holy Grotto of the Apocalypse, in the Isle of Patmos.  
After he had voluntarily retired from his Archbishopric, the Patriarch of Constantinople did presently substitute in his place Philaretus of the Isle of Siphanto.  
And thus much concerning the Archbishop of Samos, his Investiture his Jurisdiction, and his Revenue. Proceed we to the Clergy, that under him have the Cure of Souls. And these not only in Samos, but throughout the whole extent of the whole Greek Church, are always dignified and distinguished by the peculiar title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Papas which signifies a Father, because in spiritual matters within the bounds of their Cure, they are Fathers, as well to Feed as to Govern.  
The Papas in the bounds of his 
(a) Of those whom the Greeks call Papas, or Parochial Priests.  Parish is obliged to perform all those sacred Offices which the Greek Ritual requires. They are not only allowed to Marry, but obliged to do't, before they enter into the Order of Priesthood. And not only those Greek Priests that live under the Patriarch of Constantinople, but also those Greeks that in Sicily, Calabria, and in the Islands under the State of Venice do embrace the Romish Religion, are by allowance of the Pope permitted to Marry. And such Men (though Married) are commonly Ordained Priests at Rome itself, by some Greek Bishop of the Romish Religion in the College of Greeks at Rome, and in that of Spain, and in that called Madonna deal Populo: Yet the Greek Church, for that esteem they have of a Monastic Life, do never advance a Parish Priest to a Bishopric, except his Wife be Dead, or Divorced from him, and he take upon him the Habit and Profession of a Caloir.  
A Married Man, that would take Orders, is required to declare, that he has been but once Married, and that his Wife was neither a Widow, nor a Slave, nor the Daughter of a Slave, or under the reproach of an Harlot: This done, he comes to a Confessor, who among other Sins, doth particularly put him upon the Confession of those Sins that by the Canon would exclude him from entering into Orders. And though his Confessor give him a good Testimony, yet a Week before the Ordination, the Bishop doth openly in the Church charge all the Assembly under the Peril of Excommunication, if they know him guilty of any Crime that may render him unworthy of Holy Orders, to reveal it before the next Sunday: Which if any Man do, and make good his Accusation, he is denied Holy Orders; if the Accuser be found to Impeach him falsely, he is Excommunicated for his false Accusation, and the other Ordained. After the Candidate for Holy Orders has thus made his way, the day before he enters into Priests Orders, he comes to the Metropolite, who having tried whether he Read and Write without false Pronunciation, or mis-spelling; and being satisfied in that point, doth presently Ordain him Sub-deacon and Deacon, and the next day Priest, if he be of sufficient Age. The Age for a Reader is 18; For a Sub-Deacon, 20; For a Deacon, 25. For a Priest, 30; Nevertheless it is left to the Discretion of the Metropolite, to dispense with the Canon, as he shall see occasion, according to the example of Anicetus, who Ordained St. Eleutherius a Priest at 18, and Bishop of Illyrium at 20. If a Papas Marry a second time, he is deprived of his Orders, and called ever after Apopapas. But nothing hinders the Widow of a Priest to Marry again.  
The Papas is obliged to Read Prayers, and Administer the Sacrament every Sunday and Holiday. The day before a Sacrament, he is to sing the Vespers, and after Supper, to rehearse a Prayer called the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; if after that Prayer said, he chance to Eat or Drink that Night, he is obliged to go to Church, and say that Prayer again: Likewise that Night he is not allowed to lie with his Wife.  
Every Parishioner is obliged to bring to Church a Loaf to the Weight of seven or eight pounds, which is marked with these three words; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: Jesus Christ overcomes. Of this Bread the Priest distributes to every one a Morsel, and the rest goes to himself.  
If any man desire the Sacrament upon other days than Sundays or Holidays, he sends to the Priest the day before, to prepare himself according to the Canon. The next Morning the Priest sends to him to bring with him what is necessary for Celebration, viz. a Loaf, marked as before, a Wax Taper of two Asper's, and Incense of one Asper, (for they never Celebrate without a lighted Taper, and Incense) and a Quart of Wine, and three Asper's in Money: What is left of the Bread and Wine, goes to the Priest with three Asper's. He that leaves it to the Priest to provide necessaries, brings with him 15 Asper's.  
The Parish Priests, excepting those that are very ancient, or Widowers, never confess any. That employment is left ordinarily to the Caloirs of the Order of St. Basil, whereof there wants not some every where dispersed throughout the whole Greek Church, to beg Alms for the Monks of Athos, from whence they are sent. Yet neither they, nor any Parish Priest confess any without a particular Licence from the Metropolite, who doth enjoin them under a Mortal Sin, not to exact any Money for Absolution. But if after Absolution, the Penitent offer any thing, they receive it. If the Penitent desires any Prayers to be said for him in some Monastery of Mount Athos, he gives Money in consideration of the Prayers to be said for him.  
If the Parish Priest have any Lands, he thinks it no shame to Till them himself. But he resides constantly in the Parish, to be ready upon all occasions for the Sick, to whom he says the Prayers appointed by the Church for Sick people.  
If a Woman be in Childbirth, he is sent for to say some Prayers appointed for that occasion; nor can the company that come to assist the Woman in her Travail leave the House, till the Priest come and perform the Sacred Ceremonies appointed by the Church, for Women in Childbed; accounting it a great contempt of God, and a thing ominous and of ill foreboding to the success of the person in Labour, to neglect their solemn address to God in the prayers appointed by public Authority for that Emergency.  
A Woman 
a Of their Women in Childbed.  after Childbirth stirs not abroad, neither to Church, nor to other Houses, till 40 days be expired. Then she is brought to the Church Door, where the Priest having said the Prayers appointed for that occasion, she is permitted to go to Church, or to other Houses.  
The Children ordinarily are not 
b Paedobaptism.  Baptised till 40 days after Birth, sometimes, under pretence of the Parents or Gossip's absence, not till half a Year, a whole Year, or more. But this is always in case the Child be healthy and strong; for upon the least suspicion of the Child's being weak, or likely to die, the Priest is sent for by the Parents, and without any further Ceremony, the Child is Baptised in this manner.  
N. N. The servant of God doth Baptise thee, in the Name of the Father, Amen. Of the Son, Amen. And of the Holy Ghost, from henceforth and for evermore, Amen.  
In private Baptism they use only Water, Oil, and a Lamp burning before the Picture of the Virgin Mary. For there is no House so poor, which has not the Picture of the Blessed Virgin, or some other Saint, before which they pray, Morning and Night, after they have lighted a Lamp.  
In public Baptism, the Child is brought to the Church Porch, where after the Priest has said ●n Exorcism, the Child is brought to the Font, and being interrogated by the Priest, the Godfather makes answer, and rehearseth the Creed thrice. Then the Priest Consecrates the Water, which being hot he pours into't Oil Olive, and Anoints the Child on several parts of the Body. The Child is Anointed on the Forehead, Mouth, Ears, Breast, Hands, Knees, and Feet with these words at every place; The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Then the Godfather claps a Cross to the Child's Breast: This done, the Priest takes the Child stark naked, and baths him all over thrice in the Water, saying the same words as you had in private Baptism. After the third Bathing, he pours some of the Water upon the Child's Head: Then delivering the Child into the hands of the Godfathers', he puts a Shirt on the Child, with these words; Jesus Christ our merciful God, clothed with Light, give thee a bright Garment.  
All the Greeks of the Island that (b) Mary, first obtain a Licence of 
Marriage.  the Archbishop, or his Grand Vicar: Then the Priest having examined if they have any Legal prohibition of affinity, or otherwise; either at the Church, or their own Houses, Marrys them in this manner. After the Reading of that part of the Liturgy which concerns Marriage, and the party's interchanging a Ring, the Priest takes two Garlands made like Crowns, and signing them with the sign of the Cross, he puts one on the Bridegroom's Head, with these words:  
The Servant of God N. N. is Crowned to the Servant of God A. A. in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, henceforth and for ever.  
The like is done to the Bride, and then the Epistle and Gospel appointed for the Occasion is Read. Then he that gives them in Marriage, first Kisses the Garlands, and all the Company, in Testimony of their wishing Joy to the Married Parties.  
On Maunday Thursday, which is an high day with the Greeks, 
* Sacrament for the Sick▪  they Consecrate Bread, and pour upon it consecrated Wine, with these words:  
The Union and Conformation of the Holy Body, and Precious Blood, Amen.  
This Bread is laid up till the first Sunday after Easter, and then the Priest in all his Formalities, lighting all the Lamps of the Altar, perfumes the Bread with Incense, and cuts it into pieces as small as a Grain of Wheat. Then being put up in a certain Vessel, it is laid up for all occasions of the Sick for that year. When any is Sick, he takes one of these Grains of Bread, and putting it into the Chalice, he carries it in his hand to the Sick Man's House: All that meet him by the way, go back with him to the sick Man's House: But at Constantinople, and other Cities where the Turks are numerous, the Priest carries it secretly under his Arm, for fear of some affront.  
The Priest is obliged to carry this Sacrament to those that have the Plague, in which case, he puts the Grain of Bread into a Raison, and gives it him at the end of a long Cane.  
When any person 
a Burial of the dead;  dies, a Lamp is lighted over the Corpse, and the House is perfumed with Incense. Then the Corpse being stripped, they dip a Sponge or Lint in warm Water, and draw it over the Face, Knees, and Feet, in form of a Cross: Then taking a white Linen Cloth, they make a Hole in the middle, large enough for the Head to come out, and sewing it up close at the Feet, they cloth him again with the best Garments the Party Deceased had. When the Corpse are ready to go to Church, the Priest goes before the Corpse with a Cross and a Taper in his hand, singing certain Prayers. At the Church, the Office for the Dead being ended, the Friends and Kindred of the Party Deceased, come and kiss the Corpse. The Corpse being brought to the Grave, the Priest takes some of the Earth, and sprinkling upon the Head, and the Feet, and the two Sides, in form of a Cross, saying these words:  
The Earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof; Take O Earth, that which is formed of thee by the hand of God, who hath received that which was made according to his likeness, and do thou take the Body which belongs to thee.  
Then the Priest throws upon the Corpse some Water, or Oil, out of one of the Church-Lamps, and a piece of flaming Incense, and so the Corpse are covered. In Samos they give Bread and Wine at the Church, to those that accompany the Corpse to Church.  
Three days after Interment, the Friends of the 
a Commemoration for the Dead.  Deceased have a solemn Office at the Church for the Dead. After the Office is ended, they have a sort of small Junket, which they distribute, and Eat in the Church, with Wine, or Strong Water, to wash it down. This sort of Junket they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Colyba, and they derive its first Institution from the time of Julian the Apostate, who to spite the Christians, commanded all the Bakers to raise their Paste with the Blood of Beasts that were Sacrificed to Idols. The Christians, ignorant of the command, were about to buy the Bread, till St. Theron, that was a Martyr under Maximin, appearing to the Patriarch Eudoxius, admonished him to forbid the Greeks to Eat any Bread of the Bakers making, because it was mixed with the Blood of Beasts offered to Idols. The Patriarch then asked the Saint what the People should Eat. He told them Colyba, and so showed him the way how to make it. But now the Greeks use it at these Funeral Commemorations, and on a Shrove-Sunday; and the Sunday before Pentecost.  
Moreover they have another Commemoration for the Dead, nine days after Burial, at the House where the Party died. Then again forty days; then at the end of three Months; then of six Months; then of nine Months, and at last of twelve Months. The first Year of the party Deceased being expired, the Commemoration is only Annual.  
Every Parish hath an anniversary Feast, in Commemoration of that peculiar Saint or Patron, to whose memory that Church is Dedicated, and by whose name it is called. All they of the Parish, and others that have a particular devotion for the Saint, carry with them a present of Bread, of a Wax-Taper and Frankincense. The Bread goes to the Arch-Bishops Vicar General; the Tapers and Incense to the service of the Church.  
And now we have finished the Description of Samos, and the story of its present State and Condition, by which one place being one of the largest of the Archipelago for Circumference, and one of the Fruitfullest for Soil, We may guests at the condition of all the rest that are rich enough to maintain a Turkish Governor. Besides it acquaints us in great part with the Religion of the whole Greek Church, which throughout the whole extent of the Patriarch of Constantinoples' Jurisdiction, is very uniform, without any variation of Rites or Ceremonies.   

A DESCRIPTION Of the ISLE of Nicaria, olim Icarus.  
THe Isle of Nicaria being under the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Samos, I thought it expedient to add this Relation of it, as a Supplement to that of Samos.  
Nicaria lies in length East and West; its prospect on the North is to Scio, on the South to Paros and Naxos, on the East to Patmos, and the West to Mycone. Three Miles distant from the Island, on the Southside towards Patmos, lie some small Islands habited; but known by the name of Furny, and furnished with good Harbours, capacious enough for all sorts of Vessels. Here the Corsairs of Malta, and other Christians, used to lay in wait for Ships that trade from Scio to Rhodes. It lies twelve Miles distant from Samos. The Sea about it was formerly called the Icarian Sea, from Icarus, so Famous among the Ancient Poets.  

Quid fuit ut tutas agitaret Daedalus alas,  
Icarus immensas nomine signet aquas?  
Tot premor adversis, ut si comprendere coner  
Icariae numerum dicere coner aquae. Ou. l. 4. El. tr. 5.  
Icarus Icariis nomina fecit aquis.  
Transit & Icarium, lapsas ubi perdidit alas  
Icarus, & vastae nomina fecit aquae. Ovid. l. 4. Fast.   
It is upwards of fourscore Miles in compass, and yet has not one Port nor Road for great Ships, but only two small Creeks for little Boats. The one called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Tun Hagion Phoca, from a Church here dedicated to St. Phocas: The other is called Keramy, so extremely bad, that they that come a shore here are forced to draw up their Boats after them. A Mile of Keramy is a little Island called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Karavostasi, or the Road for small Vessels, called Karavia. This affords a good retreat for Vessels in Tempestuous Wether. And when 'tis fair, they lad and unlade their Vessels with all possible speed, at the Shore of Icarus, and so retire, for fear of a Storm.  
All the 
a Hor. od. 7. l. 3. Scopulis surdior cari.  Island is very Mountainous and full of Rocks, which causes but few Villages, and those very small, none of them exceeding an 100 Houses. The Promontory towards Samos is called Phanari, or the Lantern; because of a Watch Tower here built, to give light to Mariners in the Night. The Tower is yet standing, and the common People are so far mistaken in the common Fable, as to pretend that Icarus and his Son were here kept Prisoners. But they are given to a Credulity of new reports more inconvenient than that of old Fables, and that the belief of Treasures hid in all old Ruins ever since the taking of Constantinople, where so much was found long after it was burned. This conceit blown up by various reports; and the Itch of talking on one side, and the great credulity of ignorant People on the other, hath increased into a vulgar Tradition, very incommodious to the Greeks, and whereat the Turks take great advantage against them, in case they meddle with any Ruins, either for Curiosity or Use. And these Islanders have a common Tradition, that about this old Tower of Icarus lies a great treasure, whereof part, though not all, they say, was carried away some 40 years ago, by some asiatics, that came over by stealth, and in the Night, dug up all the ground; And an old Man, whom I spoke with, that saw them at work, but durst not come near till they had all gone aboard, and set Sail, upon his approach, found the dead Carcase of a Man newly slain; whom they suppose was sacrificed to the Genius of the place, or the Guardian Angel of the Treasure. They add besides, that before this adventure of the asiatics, the place was haunted with a Spirit, which always appeared in black, and destroyed their Oxen, at least one in a year. But since that time, the place was no more haunted, nor did the Labourers ever complain of the loss of an Ox.  
About this Shore are the best Cockles of all the Archipelago. The principal Villages are 1. Cachoria, of 100 Houses, and two or three Ches. 2. Steli, famous for great abundance of Nut-Trees. 3. Musara, besides which is an Hermitage, and a Church, wherein are kept the Relics of St. Theoctistes', who was of Lesbos, and whom the People do think yet does Miracles at this day. Here are in the Isle, the Ruins of a greater Town than any now is. The Church is yet standing, and goes by the name of St. Helen's. The Beauty of its Fabric, is a clear argument, it was built in the days of the Constantinopolitan Emperors; and though it has no House near hand it, yet great resort is made hither for Devotion; and from time to time there never wants a Papas to say the Prayers of the Church in it.  
There are besides these three already named, a great many little Villages scattered up and down through the whole Island, which for the number of Houses, are larger of extent than those in Samos; for here every House is environed with its proper Garden, Orchard; but the Houses in Samos are commonly built closer, and their Gardens, and Orchards at a greater distance.  
The whole Island is for the most part Mountainous, and Rocky. The Valleys are few, and little in compass; so that with great labour, and difficulty, they force out of so barren a Soil, that little Corn they have; which is not sufficient to feed the Inhabitants above one half the year; and lays a necessity upon the Nicarians to traffic abroad for supplies elsewhere. But principally they trade to Scio for Corn, whither they carry Wood from Samos, and the neighbouring parts of Anatolia. They are very expert in making Boats, and small Vessels, which are in such esteem, that they are bought up by all their Neighbours. Besides their Traffic in Wood and small Vessels, they vend good store of Sheep and Goats, wherewith their Mountains are well stored. And yet their care to keep them is so small, that without either milking them, or driving them into Coats, or Folds, or making any limits or bounds, they only visit them twice a Year, to count the number of their Flocks, and to imprint the Marks of the proper Owners. Some there are, and those of the Richest, that are at the trouble of milking so many, as may supply their Family with Cheese. They vend likewise good store of Swine's Flesh. Wax, and Honey they have great plenty of, but their Honey is in no great esteem, because of that bitterness of taste which it receives from their Bees feeding upon Fir leaves, which Tree that Island abounds with.  
The most commendable thing of this Island is their Air and Water, both so healthful, that the People are very long lived, it being an ordinary thing to see persons in it of an 100 years of Age, which is a great wonder, considering how hardily they live. There is not a Bed in the Island, the Ground is their Tick, and the cold Stone their Pillow, and the clothes they wear is all the Coverlet they use. They provide no more Apparel than what they wear all at once, when that is past wearing any longer, then think of a new Suit. Betwixt their ordinary times of Eating, there is not a piece of Bread to be found in the Isle. A little before Dinner, they take as much Corn as will serve that Meal, grind it with a Hand-Mill, bake it upon a flat Stone; when 'tis Baked, the Master of the Family divides it equally among the Family; but a Woman with child has two shares. If any Stranger comes in, every one parts with a Piece of his own share to accommodate the Stranger. Their Wine is always made with a third part Water, and so very weak and small. When they drink it, so much as is thought sufficient is put into one large Bowl, and so passes round. The Nicarians are the only Islanders of all the Archipelago, that neither keep Wine to sell, nor lay it up in Wooden Vessels, but in long Jars, covered all over in the Ground. When they have a mind to Tap it, they make a Bunghole in the top, and draw it out with Canes. Their Houses are so plain, that all the Furniture you can see is an Hand-Mill, besides this, there is nothing but bare Walls: That little they have besides is all hid under Ground; not so much for fear of the Corsairs (from whom their Poverty is a sure guard) as out of Custom. Nor are they all so poor, as not to be able to buy Beds, but custom has brought them into a contempt of Beds, as merely superfluous; insomuch, that when they Travel into other Islands, they refuse the offer of a Bed. A Priest of Nicaria coming into Samos, was courteously entertained by those of his Order, and at Night was offered a Bed to lie in; he thanked them, but refused, nor could by any importunity be prevailed upon, but told them the Earth was his Mother, from whence he would not keep a distance; besides he was afraid of being Sick, if he should lie in a Bed; and therefore if they had a kindness for him, they must give him the liberty of sleeping after his own Country way.  
When I went to visit them as Archbishop, and ignorant of the custom of the Country, carried no Bed. At Night, where I first lodged, ask for a Chamber, they told me they had no other than that where I first came; then ask for a Bed, they told me it was not the Custom of the Country; then desiring to borrow some Bed clothes for Love or Money, all they brought me was one Smock made of course Dimity.  
They have no great communication one with another, any farther than the public times of Sacred Solemnities, or Civil Business doth cause them to come together. At other times they keep strictly within the narrow Sphere of their own affairs. Formal Visits, Treats, and Entertainments, are things unknown. If any business do put them upon a Visit to their Neighbour, they come not close to his Door, but stand off at a great distance, and call aloud to him; If he make them answer, they discourse the Business they came about, standing off at the same distance; except they be earnestly invited to come in. And this way of discoursing at a distance they practise more in the Fields and Mountains; their Voices being so strong, that 'tis ordinary to talk at a Miles distance; sometimes at four or five, where the Valleys interposed between two hills, give advantage to the Voice. Sometimes they can discourse at that distance, that the carriage of the Sound through the Winding of the Valleys, shall require half a Quarter of an Hours time; and yet they make distinct, and proper Answers, both audible and intelligible, without the help of a Stentorophonical Trumpet.  
Their Habit for the Men, is a Shirt, and over it a short Cassock, down to the Knees, to which, in Winter they add only a short Vest, that reaches a little below the middle. Stockings they never wear. There Shoes are only a piece of thin Copper, bowed to the shape of their Feet, and every one is his own Shoemaker. The Women have nothing but one Smock, but so large, that they wrap it double, or triple down to the Girdle, but below the Girdle single. The Priests, for greater reverence in the Church, ty two Towels about their Legs, the one is their usual Bonnet, and the other their Girdle: so that they perform sacred Offices unguirt, as well as uncovered.  
Of all the Isles of the Archipelago, this only admits of no mixture with strangers in Marriage, nor admits any stranger to settle with them: They being, as they pretend, all descended of the Imperial Blood of the Porphyrogenneti, must not slain their noble Blood with inferior Matches, or mixtures with Choriats, or Peasants, for so they term all the other Islanders.  
Porphyrogenneti, were those of the Blood Royal, in the Days of the Greek Emperors, so called, from their wearing of Purple, which was a Badge of Royalty, and allowed only to Princes of the Blood; and not from an house called Porphyra, where the Empresses were wont to lie in. But Purple was throughout the East, the known Badge of Royalty. Hence came that unsanctifyed Wit, and learned'st Writer that ever opposed the Christian Religion with his Pen, to be called Porphyrius: For his true name in the Language of Syria, his native Country, was Malchus, or King; but the Greeks did paraphrase it Porphyrius, or Purple-robed; that being a Colour peculiar to Kings.  
They have a great Happiness, by reason of their poverty, in not being molested by the Turks, who think it not worth their while to come among them, nor if they should, were they likely to enjoy any quiet, without keeping a stronger Guard than the Revenues of the Isle would maintain. Once they slew a Caddee, sent by the Grand Signior, and being summoned to Answer for their Crime, they by common consent owned the Fact, but would name no particular Man. So that the Turkish Officers looking upon their beggarly clothes, thought there was neither gain nor glory in punishing such Miscreants, and that in Justice, they must punish all, or none, dismissed them untouched. From that time no Turk ever troubled them: For they take all courses imaginable to seem poor; and wheresoever they come abroad, they count it no shame to beg Alms: Yet they make a shift every year to levy 300 Crowns for the Archbishop. They are governed by a Proesti of their own choosing, who also levys their Haratch or Tribute to the Grand Signior, and taketh care to carry it to the Aga of Scio. As for their Religion, it is the same with that of Samos; but their Priests are more ignorant.  
Thus you have an account of a small Island, the Poorest, and yet the Happiest of the whole Aegaean Sea. The Soil is Barren, but the Air is Healthful; their Wealth is but small; but their Liberty and Security is great. They are not molested with the Tyrannous Insolence of a Turkish Officer, nor with the frightful Incursions of barbarous and merciless Pirates. Their Diet and Apparel is below the Rate of Beggars in other Countries, and their Lodging is a thing of no more care, or cost, than that of the Beasts of the Field, yet their Bodies are strong and hardy, and the People generally long lived. They live with as little forecast, as if they expected not to survive a Day, being contented to satisfy the present necessities of Nature. They do properly In diem vivere, or as we say, From Hand to Mouth. They have but little, yet they never Want. Their Ignorance is equal to their Poverty, and contributes much to their content. And how well they esteem of their own condition, their contempt of their Neighbouring Islands, and scorning to mix with them in Alliance by Marriage, is a manifest sign. Whence we may learn, that they approach the nearest to Contentedness is this Life; whose desires are contracted into the narrowest compass.   

A DESCRIPTION Of the ISLE of PATMOS.  
THe Isle of Patmos, now called Patino, is 36 Miles in compass, 40 Miles from the Continent of Asia, towards Ephesus; as many Miles distant from Samos North East of it; 30 from Nicaria, North; 60 from Paros, and Naxos, West; 60 from Amurgos, South.  
The Figure is neither round nor square, but irregular, by reason of unequal Promontories and Bays. It is furnished with very commodious Havens, to which it owes its being inhabited, though not so well as in former times, as appears by the many and great Ruins in it.  
This Island was eminent for those wonderful Revelations which the Blessed Apostle, and Evangelist St. John had in it, during his banishment thither in the time of the Persecution under Domitian. The substance of what is related in that Life of St. John, that goes under the Name of Prochorus, is generally believed in Patmos to this day. And though the Author might be of later years than Prochorus, the Disciple of St. John, as the most judicious Historians of later days do pronounce him to be: Yet that the whole contents of that Book should be a mere Fable, and nothing but the Product of the Author's invention and fancy, is very improbable. For though he might take great liberty in the Manner and Circumstance of what he relates, yet the Matter and Substance were built upon some foundations of real Truth, and such as many Books now not extant, and the Streams of Tradition then nearer the Fountain, but now run dry, might acquaint him with. That the Island, at St. John's first coming were all Idolaters, had people possessed with Devils, and were misled with Magicians, is more than probable. That St. John's casting a Devil out of young Apollonides, had a great influence on the people's Conversion, and raised him the Enmity of a Magician, and all that he could draw after him, is a thing reasonably credible. The Name of Cynops the Magician, is known to all the People to this day; yea, not without some very improbable circumstances of the Story, that St. John should cause him to jump twice into the Sea, and the second time to be turned into a Rock, which now bears his name. However it is no small credit to a Place, otherwise very inconsiderable, that that great Apostle, once the peculiarly beloved Disciple; who of all the Apostles, did alone survive our Saviour's judicial coming into his Kingdom of Power and Vengeance upon the Jewish Nation: that he should be for no small time an Inhabitant of this Island, and there Pen that Mysterious and Sublime Book, which to him indeed was Apocalypse, but to all others Apocrypha, to him a Revelation, but to us yet an hidden Mystery: like the former Prophecies of the Old Testament, that were never rightly understood till actually fulfilled. The Tradition of this Island is very positive, that he writ his Gospel here likewise, and that upon the Request of the Islanders, who at his departure, after seven years' abode in the Island, did importune him to leave them in writing what they ought to believe: Whereupon he stayed eight days longer, to dictate the Gospel to his Disciples that writ it.  
They add more, that as he was beginning the Work, there happened a great Thunder and Earthquake, whereupon, looking up to Heaven, he spoke those words; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: In the beginning was the Word. Besides, it is a most confirmed Tradition, that the Cavern, which now goes by the name of the Holy Grotto, was made by the Rupture of the Earth, in that Earthquake.  
The Original of this Island, as it is at this day, is ascribed to St. Christodoulus, in the Days of Alexius Comnenus.  
It was Alexius Comnenus, the first of that name, in whose days began the Holy War, who reigned the 20 last years of the tenth Century, and the 18 first of the eleventh, and was contemporary with William the Conqueror, and Godfrey of Boulogne. This Christodoulus was Abbot of Latros, and had jurisdiction over some 20 Monasteries in Asia, near a great Lake about a days Journey and half from Ephesus. He being molested by the Turks, (whose power now mightily increased in Asia) obtained leave of the Emperor to build a Monastery in Patmos: Whither having transported his Wealth and Family, he built a Monastery near the Port of Nestia, and named it Rouvali. But not liking the place, (and as the Tradition goes, being warned by a Vision, and a Voice from Heaven,) he quitted that Monastery, and built another in the highest part of the Island, and fortified it with a strong Castle, environed with high and strong Walls: And there he built a Church. The Inhabitants that lay scattered in the Isle, desired leave to build Huts near the Monastery, for their better Shelter, and defence, in case of any sudden Attaque by Pirates. In process of time, these Huts were changed into fair Houses, and by Trade and Commerce, became a great Town, to the number of 800 Houses, and there Inhabited by rich Merchants, that traded into all parts. But the many Revolutions that have happened since, have eclipsed the former Glory of the place: And their Ships of Merchandise are all dwindled into small Fisher Boats, and the Inhabitants are all extremely poor.  
About half a mile from this place stands the Holy Grotto, where St. John the Evangelist is said to have writ the Apocalypse. Here is a small Monastery, under the Jurisdiction of a Caloir. The Inhabitants of the neighbouring Borough, pay great Devotion to this place. They talk here of a Figtree, whose Figs have naturally the Characters of the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Apocalypsis. Near the Grotto is a stone Font, where St. John the Evangelist is said to have baptised.  
The best Port of this Island, and of all the Archipelago, on the West side towards Naxos, is called Scala, or the Wharf, because of a Wharf built of stone for the convenient lading or un-lading of Ships. That which renders it free from annoyance of Winds are certain little Islands that shelter it from the East and North-east Winds. The Venetian Fleet were wont to winter here during the War of Candy.  
Besides this Port, stands an entire Village, called Phocas, without an Inhabitant. Here is likewise among old Ruins, a Church yet standing, which they say was built in St. John's days, and they show something like a Pulpit, where they say St. John used to Preach. 2. Merike, whose neighbouring Hills are well stored with Vine-yards. 3. Leukes, fortified with a Castle for the Retreat of the Labourers in the Vine-yards, and well supplied with fresh Fish, from a neighbouring Lake. 4. Myrsini, from the growth of Myrtles hereabouts. Here is a Fountain of excellent Water, which the People call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Hagiasma, or Holy-Well. 5. St. Nicholas, from a Church here dedicated to that Saint. 6. St. George's from a Church here dedicated to that Saint: This is a convenient place for Ships to take in fresh, Water at. Two Miles hence are the Ruins of an old Town called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Platys Gialos, or the Broad shore; but now it is covered with the shrub Arbutus, which the Greeks call Coumara, in old Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: it bears a Fruit like a Strawberry, but much bigger. 7. Turcolimnionos, or the Turks Port, because it is frequented by the Corsairs. Betwixt this place and Port Scala, a rich Merchant Nicholas Mathas did lately build a Tower at Livadi; it being a convenient place for Vine-yards and Fishing. 8. Agrio Livadi, before which lies St. Thecla's Isle with a little Church, dedicated to that Saint. 9 Port Sapsila, before which lies a little Island, with a Church in it, dedicated to St. Luke. 10. Port Gricou, next to Scala for commodiousness. The Island Tragonesi, or Isle of Goats, defends it from all Winds. 11. Diacopti, famous for Salt Pits, which belong to the Caloirs. Besides this Port, is a steep Rock of a very great height, which they call Cynops, from the Magician in St. John's days, whom the People report to have lodged in a great Cave in this Rock; which Cave they yet believe to be haunted by Devils. For once letting down a Man into't by a Cord for curiosity▪ to see what was in the Cave, they pulled him up dead. 12. Meloi, a Mile from Port Scala. And so we have finished the Circuit of the Island, in naming the Ports.  
The Inland Villages are 1. Livadi. 2. Vagie, well beset with Vines and Figtrees. 3. Megalocampos, rich in the same Fruits, and accommodated with a Lake well stored with Fish. 4. Hagio Theophanes, from a Church there dedicated to that Saint, and built by St. Christodoulos. 5. Sazousa, close by the Sea, near to which are hot Springs of Water, that cure many Diseases. The Island is well stored with Vines, Figg-Trees, Lemon and Orange Trees, and Corn sufficient for the Inhabitants, if they could keep what they have free from the Robbery of Pirates, as well Christian as Mahometan, that often pillage the poor People, who have no other remedy but patience, and sometimes the pleasure of seeing them perish at Sea, that have been so injurious to a Shore. The Patmians complain more of the Cruelty of the Christian Pirates, than of the Turks. And though the Islanders have procured Charters and Patents from the Pope; the King of France; from the State of Venice; from the Dukes of Tuscany; from the Grand Master of Maltha, to secure them from the Injuries of Christian Corsairs; it is so far from prevailing upon them to withhold their hands from rapine, that it does but provoke them to more fierceness. Yet these Pirates sometimes are made the visible objects of Divine Vengeance. About six years ago, the Marquis de Fleury, that carried away not only the Grazing, but the Working Cattle▪ had got no further than Paros, till his Ship sunk in the Port, and he was taken Prisoner, and clapped into custody at Corfou, by the Venetians, Another that pillaged the Monastery of Liptos, had no sooner put to Sea, but meeting with some Saiks, to which he gave earnest Chase, he run himself a Ground, and there perished he, and all his Company.  
Let us now return to the State and Government of the Place. The whole Island was given by (a) Alexius 
Circiter annum Christi 1100.  Comnenus to Christodoulus, and his successors in the Monastery, and the Islands near about, that were not inhabited. And what Culture they bestow on the little Islands, or what Cattle they put to Grazing there, becomes all a Prey to the Corsairs; so that the Revenues of this Monastery are now much diminished, and the Monks become extremely poor. And his Son Calo Johannes, gave also fourteen Villages in Candie: But the Turks left them but one small Hospital in Candie, which yields them 200 Dollars a Year, whereas their Revenues before were at least 13000. Besides the great Monastery, there is a little Nunnery, containing 40 Nuns. This was built but an age ago. They purchase their living by their labour, for they have no Revenues; only the Abbot of the great Monastery is obliged to supply them with a Reverend Ancient Monk, to do all Sacred Offices among them. Besides these, there are some small Hermitages that maintain some few Monks. 1. The Hermitage of the Holy Grotto of St. John the Divine. 2. The Hermitage of the Parasceve. 3. Of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, lately built by a Bishop in this last Century. 4. The Hermitage, called Asomati. Lastly, in a place called the Gardens, which furnish the Monk's Kitchen with all necessaries. They have certain Chapels consecrated for the Labourers, at certain Hours, to hear Prayers, and so return to their Work.  
And this is the present Condition of the Isle of Patmos, once famous for the Residence of that great Apostle St. John, and for the great and mysterious Revelation he had in it. But now groaning under the Yoke of such Lords as are common enemies to the Christian Faith, by whom they are both kept in great awe, and slavish obedience, and yet ill protected against the violent Incursion of Pirates and Robbers: so that Poverty is their best Protection against Rapine, and Patience the only Remedy against the grievous Yoke of Tyrannical Oppression.   

A DESCRIPTION OF MOUNT ATHOS.  
MOunt Athos is a demy-Isle, or Chersonese, lying betwixt the Gulf of Strymon, from a River of that name on the North, and the Gulf of Singus, from the Town Singus, on the South. The Isthmus, or Neck of Land that parts them, is not much above a Mile broad: It is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and Athonas, by the Franks, (or Western Christians) Monte Santo. It is 170 Miles in compass. Lemnos stands directly East of it, some 40 Miles distant, and a little before Sunset is overshadowed by it. Thassos' is 30 Miles distant to the North-east. Thessalonica is four days Journey to the West, and Philippopoli as many to the North. On the Land side there stands erected a great Wooden Cross, beyond which all Women are forbidden to pass. Because the Caloirs, the only Inhabitants of the place, are forbidden all communication with Women, as the principal Rule of their Profession.  
Not far from this Cross, without the Bounds, on the Waterside, stands a Village called Alladiava. The Inhabitants live most upon Fishing, and bring their Fish to sell to the Caloris. If perchance their Wives, or any Women of their Family come along with the Men, they are left in the Boat, and not suffer▪ d to step a Shore, for fear of Excommunication; for the highest Rule of Discipline, and the most strictly observed, is that of not conversing with Women. And for more caution, and better security of preserving this Rule inviolable, they suffer no other Female Creature of what kind soever, nor any Children, or young men, that are Beardless to come within the Monte  
In describing the place, we cannot pass from Town to Village, but only from Monastries to Hermitages.  
1. The first, and most ancient, 
a Sain Laura's Monastr.  St. Laura, built by Athanasius, who obtained special Licence of the Emperor of Constantinople to retire hither, and found a College of Monks; so called, from that Monastery of Laura of Bethlehem, where St. Saba lived, and his Disciple John, once Bishop of Colonia in Armenia, and afterwards Monk, after the Discipline of St. Saba; whose Disciples, from a peculiar Rule of Silence, which they did solemnly profess, and strictly practice, were called Silentiarii. Of this Order was Anastasius the Emperor, before he was advanced to the Imperial Dignity: Of whom Baronius relates, that in the Year of our Lord, 491, he was from a Professor of silence, made a Sovereign Prince, Ex Silentiario factus Imperator. The Monks of the place have a long Story, how this Athanasius, wanting Money to go on with the great Church of the Monastery, which he had begun, was met with by the Blessed Virgin, who took his staff from him, and smote a Rock, till it sent out a Spring of Water, that runs at this day; then thrusting his staff into the Ground, it became a Tree, and sent forth Boughs and Leaves. Then she bid him take no care for necessaries, she would provide, and did avow herself to be the Patroness of that Monastery, and of the whole Mountain. This Monastery is about a Mile from the Sea, on the East side, and hath a convenient Channel, that brings up Vessels to their very Walls; where they have a strong Magazine, and a Sentinel perpetually standing to give notice of any Corsairs. It hath likewise a very fair Church, and in their Hall, where they eat in common, there is a large Marble Table, where 600 Monks sit down together.  
2. The Monastery of 
a Caracale.  Caracale, the Name of its Founder, who did consecrate it to the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul. This is eight Miles from the former, towards the North. It maintains 500 Monks. The Gate of the Monastery is adorned with an exceeding high Tower. Here is likewise a Cistern cut out of a Rock 26 Fathoms deep. This also being near the Sea, has upon the shore a Watch Tower, a Magazine, and a little Port.  
3. 
b Philothe.  Philothe, from the Founder's name. This maintains but 50 Monks, though well stored with Orchards and Gardens, with its Watch Tower, and Magazine also by the Sea side. Their Church is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin.  
4. 
c Imberus.  Imberus, by the name of its Founder. This Monastery is in great repute for a Picture of the Virgin Mary upon the Gate, which Picture, by the report of Tradition, was found floating by the Shore. This Monastery has good Revenues in Imbrus, and maintains 400 Monks.  
5. 
a Coutulmousi,  Coutulmousi maintains 300 Monks; it is commodiously surrounded with Gardens, and has a fair Church dedicated to the Transfiguration of our Saviour.  
6. Porpat. Here is the general Assembly of all the Monastries in this Mountain; hither every Monastery sends a Deputy under the name of Proesti, whose business is to reside in the place, and to be ready to consult of all affairs that concern the public Good. Here is every Saturday a public Market, and the only Market within the whole circumference of the Mount. Here also dwells the Aga, with two or three other Turks, who protects them from all injuries of other Turks, especially of the Seamen from Barbary, whom they call Levents. The Bostangy-Basha appoints this Officer from amongst the Bostangies. He is to stay in his Office two years, and then another succeeds him. He is maintained at the common charge of the Caloirs, who give him a yearly Pension. And besides, upon every Church Festival, he is invited from Monastery to Monastery, by course, and there, besides the Entertainment of him and his Retinue, he is always presented with a Purse of Money, according to the abilities of the Monastery.  
7. Stauro-Nikita, or The Conquering Cross. This maintains but 30 Monks. Their Church is dedicated to St. Nicholas, where they have in great estimation his Picture upon a Board, that was found ready painted, as a Wreck, and devoutly taken up by the Monks of this Covent.  
8. Pantocratoras maintains 200 Monks; their Church is dedicated to the Transfiguration of our Blessed Saviour.  
9 Vatopedi maintains 300, their Church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.  
10. Tousimenou has but 80 Monks; the Church is dedicated to the Ascension. It is the poorest of all the Monastery, not for want of Lands, but of Men to cultivate them. For the soil about, is the best in all the Mount. It bears Olives of a singular largeness, and wants no other sort of Fruit Trees. But the number of the Monks in it amount but to 80, who being not able to make the best advantage of so much good ground continue poor in a plentiful Soil.  
In the middle of all the Mount stands 11. Chiliantary, a Monastery of the Bulgarians, who speak here their own Language, and have their Prayers (though the same with the Greek) in the Bulgarian Language. This is the largest Monastery of the whole Island, and maintains 800 Monks. They have much Land abroad, which they send their own Monks to cultivate.  
12. Touzographou, or the Painter's Convent, from the Founder, who was a Painter. The Church is consecrated to St. George, it maintains 200 Monks, all Bulgarians. There is a little Church not far from this Monastery, that stands alone, and now is useless; but having a fair Picture of St. George in it, the Monks thought fit to bring it into their own Church; but to no purpose, for so often as they brought it, so often it takes its leave, and is found the next day in the Church.  
13. Xenophon, a Burgarian Monastery, has but 30 Caloirs.  
14. Castamoniti has not above six, or seven Monks at most, yet it hath a Chapel dedicated to St. Steven.  
15. Archangeli, which had before another name, but changed to this upon this occasion. A young Caloir, that was tilling the Ground abroad, found a Treasure in an old Urn, and brought the news of it to the Superior of the Convent; he sent with the young Man two other Caloirs, who finding the Treasure, agreed between themselves to kill the Boy, and share it betwixt them; and so they tied a Stone about his neck, and cast him into the Sea, and hiding the Treasure, came to the Superior, and told him the Boy had deceived them, and was run away. Next morning the Sexton found the Boy and the Stone about his neck in the Church, who discovered all, and told that the Angels Gabriel and Raphael brought him thither. The two Caloirs thus convicted, were banished, and this stone set up as a Monument to this day.  
16. The Monastery of Russicon has a Church dedicated to Panteleimon, and maintains 20 Caloirs.  
17. Xeropotamou, dedicated to the Memory of 40 Martyrs that were drowned in the Lake of Sebaste. This Monastery has 300 Monks, and being by the Sea side, has a Magazine and a great Watch-Tower. Over against this Monastery, on the Continent of Macedonia, stands a great Village of Hermits and religious Persons, though without the bounds of the Caloirs.  
18. Simo-Petra, so called, from the Founder and the Foundation. It is situate on a Rock, and was founded by one Simon, an Hermit, who by his Prayers having cured the Daughter of a Governor of Cassandria, did move him to bestow enough for to build this Monastery, and 200 Monks. They show here an hand for a sacred Relic of St. Mary Magdalen's body, but the Fingers of it are extraordinary great.  
19 Gregorios', near the Sea, and much infested with Pirates for want of Fortification, and men to defend it, having but 60 Monks.  
20. Dionisiou, consecrated to St. John Baptist, whose Forehead they pretend to show here as a sacred Relic. Besides they show the Bones of one Nymphus, once Patriarch of Constantinople, who being weary of public employment, retired hither, unknown to any who he was; so they looking upon him as a poor Vagabond, that wanted work, employed him as their Muleteer, to fetch in their wood; in which employment he continued with great humility and faithfulness many years, not offering to ride any of the Mules going or coming, and kept all the Church Fasts strictly in the midst of all his drudgery. At his deathbed he discovered to the Superior who he was, and that he chose that manner of Life to mortify his proud Flesh. Whereupon, looking upon him as a Saint, they keep his Bones as a sacred Relic.  
21. Hagios Paulos, so named from the Founder, who was reputed a Saint. It maintains 200 Monks, all Bulgarians.  
Pass we now to the Hermitages, which are very small, but commonly so near one another, as to make the appearance of a Village. There are two places where they lie in great numbers. 1. Hagia Aena, or St. Ain, from a Church dedicated to that Saint. These are the retiring places of such Hermits as live by Manufacture, as particularly, the making of Crosses and Figures that represent our Saviour's Passion, and Seals and Marks proper for the consecrated Bread. The Caloirs that are sent abroad to confess People, and to gather Alms for pious Uses, buy up all these Manufactures to present unto people among whom they come. These Hermits live more retired and melancholy, being not above two or three, sometimes but one in an House. And they do imitate the Lives of those ancient Monks in Egypt, about Thebais, that were imitators of St. Anthony, who did himself, as did all his followers, live and maintain themselves by hand labour and manufactures, though of a very mean sort, yet enough to earn them Food and Raiment. This St. Anthony was the first Christian Monk of the World, his Food was only Bread and Water; yet he lived 150 years: His fame was so great, that Helen, the Mother of Constantine the Great, did by letters sent to him, recommend Herself and her Son to his Prayers. He died in the Wilderness. An. Dom. 361. 2. Kerasia, another plot of Ground, all strewed with such Hermitages as are at St. Aine, and they live in the very same manner.  
Besides these Hermitages that lie so near in voisinage, there are above 1000 more dispersed up and down the Island, which do all belong to some one of the Monastries. If a Man desire to live in a Cell, he gives a certain Rate to that Monastery to which it belongs, and so is empowr'd to enjoy that Cell, and the Land belonging to't for his life: when he dies, it returns to the Monastery, and the Monastery is Heir to all that he leaves behind him. There are Cells of all rates, from 5 Dollars to 150. One thing is very remarkable, that Idleness is utterly banished here, no man lives in the Isle, who is not some way employed.  
As for the maintenance of these Monastries, though their Lands be sufficient to seed them, and their Mountain furnish them with Wine enough to drink; yet as the matter is ordered, they commonly want Money to pay their Haratch, or yearly Tribute of 3 Dollars per Poll, and buy themselves clothes and Furniture for tilling their Land. So that every year they select some of their Caloirs to go abroad, and beg the Charity of Christian People, towards the relief of the respective Monastery. And these are always by two and two together. And the Monastries agree beforehand to what particular places they will send their respective Emissaries, who continue ordinarily two or three years in their perambulation. At their coming home, the Money is delivered to the Skenaphylax, or the Steward of the Monastery; for it is against the Rule of their Order, to meddle with Money. He lays it out upon necessary occasions, and what is left, is kept to defray the Charge of another Voyage. They have a Register of those that bestow any thing, and they pray for them constantly in the Monastery.  
When they are chosen to go abroad, the Chief of the Monastery names one of the Caloirs: The Person named, in token of his obedience, doth prostrate himself on the Ground before the Superior of the Monastery, and rising, kisses the Superiors hand. Then the Person first named, names those that shall go along with him, who in like obedience, first prostrate themselves before the Superior, and kiss his hand, then do the like to the Caloir first named by the Convent, and own him for their Father and Superior, to whom they owe all obedience during their mission. When they go abroad, they first apply themselves to the Metropolite of the Diocese, and show him their Letters of Obedience from their Superiors. Whereupon the Metropolite gives them Letters of Permission to ask Charity, and confess Penitents throughout his Diocese. Where they Confess any, they exact nothing of them by way of pecuniary Penance, but only receive what in charity they freely bestow.  
The beginning of Monks in Mount Athos, was from the time that the Mahometans invaded Egypt and Syria, where the Monks in those places enjoying no security of their lives, came into Gyeece, and desired of the Emperor a Place to live in, according to their Monastic way. He appointed them Mount Athos, and Athanasius sorementioned, was the first that founded a College here. They professed at first the imitation of St. Anthony of Egypt, and St. Sabas; but now the Rules of their Orders are taken from St. Basil.  
At their first coming to Mount Athos, they were a Colony of the Monks of the Holy Land, who followed the Rules of St. Anthony of Egypt, and St. Sabas; but chiefly the Rules of St. Sabas, who lived long after St. Anthony, when Monkery began to alter its mode and fashion, and from a casual Retirement of some few men to a rude and simple way of life in the Wilderness, to become subject to Rules and Orders, to incorporate into Societies, to change their Caves into Cloisters, and to remove from Deserts to good dwelling Houses, and places of better convenience and accommodation. This St. Sabas, by his eminent and singular strictness, did highly advance the Fame and Admiration of a Monastic life. He was by birth a Cappadocian, of the Village of Mutalasca, in the Diocese of Caesarea, and being left Heir to a good Estate, under the Care of his Uncle Hermias, the perverseness of his Aunt made him quit that Uncle's House, and go to Scandos, to live with another Uncle, whose name was Gregory. This breeding a Dissension between the two Uncles, he, to avoid all occasion of discord, betook himself to the Monastery of Flavianae near Mutalasca; whence at the eighteenth year of his Age, he went to Jerusalem, to visit those places which our Blessed Saviour's life and death hath made so memorable. At that time the Fame of Euthymius, than Abbot of Laura by Bethlehem, was very great in the Holy Land. This inflamed young Sabas with great desire to be admitted into his Monastery: Wherefore one day as Euthymius was going to receive the Sacrament, he fell down at his feet, begging leave to be entered into his College: But Euthymius gave him the Repulse, telling him it was not fitting that so young a Man should be admitted into Laura; yet he would recommend him to a smaller Monastery hard by, where St. Theoctistes was Abbot: Where having stayed ten years, Euthymius admitted him into a Cave by his own Monastery for five years. Then Euthymius selected him, and Domitian to vie asketick Severities in a solitary Place for four years, which having performed to great admiration, about the Fortieth year of his Age he retired to a Cave by the Brook of Siloe. By that time he had lived here five years he had a College of Disciples, to the number of 70, amongst whom was John the Silentiary, Bishop of Colonia in Cappadocia, before he entered into his Monastic life, and afterwards Abbot of this College, which was called Nova Laura. There were afterwards more Monastries of this name in Palaestin. Laura Pyrgiorum by Jordan, built by one Jacobus. Laura Malischae, built by Firminus, and Laura Marichae, by Severianus, and Laura Elcerebae, by Julianus. But this Laura, built by St. Sabas, was the most Famous, where in his life-time the number of his Monks increased to 150. He was eminent in the time of Anastasius, Justinus, and Justinianus, Emperors of Constantinople, and died in the 94th year of his Age. His name is yet very remarkable among the Eastern Christians, especially at Mount Athos, whose first Monks were but a Colony of his Disciples, and whose ancientest College is called Laura, from his Laura in Palestine.  
Their constant morning Prayer is three hours before day; their evening Prayer at Sunset. On Sundays they go to Prayers five hours before day in the morning, and before great holidays their Prayers continue all night. They have likewise other set hours of Prayer for the daytime.  
They that enter into this profession, are kept six months' Probationers; during which time they are put to all the Exercise they must undergo in their Profession. After the six months are expired, the Novitiat chooseth among the Old Caloirs a Godfather to introduce him, and to instruct him in the Ceremony of his Admission. This Godfather brings him to the Church door, where he is stripped to his Shirt, and prostrates himself, than he makes a second prostration in the middle of the Church, and a third at the Altar, and a fourth to the Superior. Then upon his knees he answers to all the Interrogatories made him by the Superior, which are commonly these.  Sup. 
My Brother, what motives have you to come to this Altar, and to this Assembly?  Nou. 
A desire to live a Monastic life.  Sup. 
Do you come of your free choice, without any constraint?  Nou. 
Yes.  Sup. 
Will you for ever stay in the Monastery, and observe its rules?  Nou. 
Yes.  Sup. 
Will you keep Chastity, Temperance, and Godliness?  Nou. 
By the Grace of God.  Sup. 
Will you all your life be obedient to the Superior, and his fraternity in Jesus Christ?  Nou. 
By the Help of God.  
After these and some more Questions of like nature, some Prayers are said out of the Euchologion, and the Superior showing him the Book of the Gospel, doth conjure him by it, if he come to that Profession of his own proper motion. He answering in the Affirmative, the Superior gives him a pair of Scissors, bidding him deliver them back into his hand: Which done, the Superior cuts off a little of his hair in the form of a Cross, saying,  
Our Brother N. N. hath his head shaved, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The rest that stand by say three times Kyrie Eleeson. Then his Monastic habit is put on in order.  
1. his Cassock, whereat the Superior says,  
Our Brother N. puts on the Garment of gladness, in the name of the Father, etc. The Company say thrice Kyrie Eleeson.  
2. His Girdle with these words.  
Our Brother girds his reins with the strength of truth, to mortify his Body, and to renew his Spirit, in the name of the Father, etc. Then follows the Kyrie Eleeson thrice.  
3. His Bonnet with these words.  
Our Brother puts on the Helmet of Hope and Salvation, in the name of the Father, etc.  
4. His Mantle, with these words:  
He puts on the Mantle as the earnest of Angelique apparel, and of incorruptible Glory, in the name of the Father, etc.  
5. His Sandals, with these words.  
He puts on the Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, in the name of the Father, etc. with the Kyrie Eleeson thrice, as in all the rest. Then after the rehearsal of an Epistle and Gospel, and some Prayers, they put a Cross into his hand with these words:  
Our Saviour saith, if any man will be my Disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me. Then a Candle lighted is put into his hands, with these words.  
Our Lord hath said, Let your Light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in Heaven.  
This done, the other Caloirs, every one salute him with a Kiss, and so the Ceremony is ended.  

The Rules are these,  
1. To renounce the World, and all that is near, and dear to them in it, as a Father and Mother, etc. according to that of our Saviour.  
2. To continue in the Monastery in obedience to the Superior and his Brethren.  
3. To suffer all afflictions, and torments for the Love of God.  
4. To have nothing of their own, but all in common among their Brethren.  
5. To keep themselves unspotted from all carnality.  
6. To be always ready to go to Prayers at the appointed Hours. At Midnight; before Day; at Noon; at three a Clock after Noon; at Sunset; and after Supper: And after all this, when they go to their Cells, where they lie, to make 60 Prostrations, which they call Metánoia's, or Pennances, with a short Prayer to every one for the Superior; for their Brethren; for the Benefactors of the Monastery, and in general, for all Christians.  
7. Not to eat or drink in secret, but in common with their Brethren; and this is so observed, that in case they are pinched with thirst betwixt Meals, they drink at the Window, or Door of the Cell, that all may see them, and before they drink, they cry aloud, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. Give thanks.  
8. Not to eat Flesh all their lives, which is so strictly observed in Mount Athos, that in no sickness they are permitted to break this rule; but the Monks that Travel, in case of sickness, may eat Flesh, if the Physician advise them to't. But in Mount Athos they are allowed on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, to eat Eggs, Butter, Cheese, and Fish; the other days they eat none of these, nor drink any thing but Water only; and those other days they have only a Dinner, at Night they eat a piece of Bread, and drink a little water at the Church-door, and so to Prayers, and thence to their Cells, where they remain in great silence. But the Sick, Aged, and such as have newly come from a Journey, are allowed to eat in the common Refectory.  
For the better Government of the Monastery, the Superior goes in person to every man's Cell, accompanied with some of the elder Caloirs, and if he find any man out of his Cell, or two or three together in another man's Cell, this is a Crime, after three reproofs very punishable. The younger Caloirs stand in great dread of this nocturnal Perambulation, and have that saying of St. Paul's very much inculcated. Heb. 13. 17.  
The Burying of the Dead is much like the way of Burying, described at Samos, with this difference, that a Year after Interment, they take up the Scull, and wash it with Wine, and put it in a Charnel, inscribing the name of the Deceased upon the Charnel.  
Thus much of Mount Athos, wherein is a thing remarkable, beyond all example, that in a space of ground, 160 Miles in compass, where no less than 6000 men constantly live, there should not be seen a Woman.    
FINIS.  

The two Books following are lately Printed for Moses Pitt at the Angel in St. Paul's Churchyard.  
THe six Voyages of John Baptist a Tavernier, Baron of Aubonne; through Turkey, into Persia, and the East-Indies, for the space of forty years. Giving an account of the present State of those Countries, viz. of the Religion, Government, Customs, and Commerce of every Country, and the Figures, Weight, and Value of the Money current all over Asia. To which is added the Deseription of the Seraglio. Added likewise a Description of the Countries which Border upon the Euxine and Caspian Seas: By an English Traveller, never before printed. Published by Dr. Daniel Cox. 1678. fol. price 20 s.  
Remarks upon the Manners, Religion, and Government of the Turks. Together with a Survey of the Seven Churches of Asia, as they now lie in their Ruins: And a Brief Description of Constantinople. By Tho. Smith, B. D. and fellow of St. Mary Magaalon College, Oxon. 1678. 8o price 3●.