AN ACCOUNT OF SPAIN: BEING A New Description of that COUNTRY and PEOPLE; And of the SEA PORTS along the Mediterranean: Of Ceuta, Tangier, etc. Written by a French Gentleman, who was in disguise Aboard the English Fleet: With an Account of the most Remarkable Transactions of that Fleet. To which is added, A Large Preface concerning the Establishment of the Spanish Crown, on the DUKE of ANJOU.  
LONDON, Printed for Joseph wild, at the Elephant at Charing-Cross, 1700.   

TO THE Most Noble PRINCE HENRY DUKE of NORFOLK, Earl Marshal of England. One of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, etc.  
May it please your Grace,  
THE following Letters contain some general remarks of what happened in the English Fleet, that was sent to the Mediterranean toward the letter end of the last War; with some observations of the posture and disposition of the Spanish Nation as it then stood. The Account is not so particular as it might have been, I wish something more had been said of the History and Politics of that People, that it might have been more seasonable for this present juncture, when the eyes of all the World are pointed to that Empire: But to make amends for that Omission, I take every thing in it to be very justly described, most of it having occurred to my own experience, and to the Knowledge of all the Curious in that Voyage: And as I can affirm the Account to be just, so there is little or nothing said that ever has been mentioned by any other Author.  
I have formed it into a Book for your Grace's perusal, and am happy that I can lay it at your feet in a time when your confinement at home by a troublesome pain, and sometimes your want of Company gives you leisure to read it over: And tho' I know your Grace's Palate to be exceeding Nice in all sorts of reading, yet I am not more discouraged at that, than I am animated with your Goodness and Indulgence.  
The opportunities I have had of your Conversation were very fortunate to me: by them I had the Honour of being known to your Grace; By them I have been present at some of the Politest Discourses that I have met with, and by them I have, of consequence, refined my own Capacity; and I can't choose but say, I was astonished to hear the first Peer of England, whose Nobility has been of late years less Curious of these finer Studies▪ talk so well. My next thought was, (may my Lord pardon me) that if the Duke of Norfolk were stripped of all his Titles, and could come upon the Square to converse with such as me, there is not a Man on earth whose Society I should so much covet: But in the pleasure of that thought I forgot my distance, not considering that Nature, as well as the situation of your Birth, had put so great a Bar betwixt you and me, that like the Sun, you can't be looked at, but with the Clouds between. My Lord, I was born with an antipathy to flattery, and I hope, I have said nothing that can be so understood; I'm sure I would avoid it if I knew where it looked like it, but in your Grace's Character, 'twould be hard to say too much, and it is the World's unhappiness not to know you as well as I do.  
I am at a loss, My Lord, how to acknowledge the Honours I have already received, and nothing but your Permission could make me sin again by laying this trifle under your Patronage: but when I considered the Curiosity your Grace has for Books, and the particular inquiries you made of the Country here mentioned, I thought I had a fair occasion of putting your Name before this, which I hope will give you some satisfaction: I wish it were in my Power to cover something better than this Imperfect Account with your Illustrious Protection, but 'tis the Debtor's curse to be always in Arrears, and I don't know how to offer your Grace any thing that will not want a blush to hid it: But your Grace is often exercised in Acts of Clemency, and 'tis but the habit of your Goodness to Pardon. The Contemplation of that Virtue gives me unspeakable pleasure, therefore with the greater assurance I address this Book, and with profound humility remain,  
Your Graces most Dutiful Servant, E. LEWIS.   

THE PREFACE.  
THis Year will be famous in Chronicle for the Death of the two greatest Monarches in Europe, the Pope, and the King of Spain; and of one who might have been as great as either, the Duke of Gloucester; whose short life has been as much lamented, as that of any young Prince who was ever born with a relation to the English Throne: But for the first that I named, one would think he had prevailed with Nature to allow him a few Months longer than his Natural Lease, on purpose that he might live to see the end of the Century, and to perform all the sacred Ceremonies of opening the year of Grace; that he himself might hammer down the Gates of Eternal life, to be sent up to Heaven on the Wings of a Million Jubilee indulgences of his own granting: The good Old Man is now with the Conclave of the Fathers, shut up in the limbo of everlasting darkness, and bound up with the rest of that gang to be tried at the last day, as well as we. The other lived till he had lost all hopes of an Heir, and when he found he could raise no posterity to take his mantle from him, he left it to be scrambled for by them that can catch it, just in such a distracted manner, as a better Man did once before him, that is, to him that best deserves it; and 'tis more than I expect if this late Monarch of Spain has not by his Will laid a Foundation for a War of as Menacing consequences, as that Macedonian did, when he bequeathed the World to him who had the longest Sword, and the best Army. This Saint of a King is now laid down in the regions of Night, and his Death has left all Europe as much in the dark, as he himself now lies in the Royal Pantheon. The amazement that the World now stands in, is, because he has Named the Duke of Anjou his successor, who in all probability will be invested with that Empire, and for aught I see, there's no opposition made against him.  
I hope our Politicians who are of another Opinion will not be offended with me for saying so, especially when they shall hear that I am, as much as they can be, against the Crown of Spain's falling into the House of Bourbon; But since there's so little stir among those Powers who are most concerned against it, I can't foresee what interruption the young King can meet with.  
I wish with all my heart the Emperor and the Princes of Europe would look about 'em before it be too late, before the Sceptre is put into his hands, and the Court of Madrid sworn to their allegiance; for when once that is done, and the Duke upon the Throne, taking upon him the Name of the Catholic King, and the Administration of Public Affairs, and making himself esteemed by his People, by Acts of bounty and insinuating Declarations, it will be a harder matter than we imagine to dispossess him of it. There is not upon Earth a People more tenacious of what they have once resolved than the Spaniards are, nor fonder in all the observations of their Duty to their Kings, whether Dead or Alive: And if they can be persuaded to think well of the present establishment, I know their Nature to be such, that they'll stand by him to the loss of all that they are worth: And since this Book is so far concerned in the Description of that Country and People, it will be expected that something should be said of the present posture of affairs, though whatever can be said must be purely but matter of Opinion, and a blind conjecture of what may, or may not happen.  
And here it falls into our way to inquire whether the greatest part of the Nobility and Populace of that Kingdom, are pleased to have upon their Throne a Son of that Family, that for many Ages has been in Arms against 'em, always the rivals of their fame, and the invaders of their Provinces: One would think it strange if they should, for several reasons; First, because of that invincible antipathy in their Natures; Secondly, because he comes upon a wrong Foundation, he having renounced all right and title; and his breach of that vow denoting him faithless and never to be trusted; not to mention the affront put upon the memory of their great Minister De Haro, by making such a jest of that solemn League. Thirdly, because in all their Histories they have no Example of a French King, who was King of Spain; it being the interest of their own State, as well as that of their Neighbours, to keep France on the outside of their Frontiers: With many such reasons as might be produced: But to Answer E Contrario; we know that the Archduke was pitched upon for Successor some considerable time before the King's Death, and that the Succession of the Crown was so entirely invested in him, that there was no manner of Provision made for the French Line: Of this settlement the Court was well satisfied, and there was no other interest made in Public, nor any Heir talked of but He who was already Named: Thus it continued a long time before the King died, and might have done so still, but for a zealous  Church Man, who by being so near the King's Conscience had opportunities of Cajoling him which way he would.  
This Cardinal being by some means or other brought into the French faction, whispers the King with the injury that would be done to France, if the succession was given away from her, and that there was no right (notwithstanding the treaty of Saint John de Luz) but what was absolutely in the Children of that Marriage: The Pious King more afraid of doing a thing that hazarded the Health of his Soul, than consenting to a project that might undo all the Country's round him, listened to the Cardinal and gave him hopes of succeeding.  
While this was depending at Madrid, measures were concerted elsewhere for the safety of the rest of Europe, by preventing the Crown of Spain from falling into any one Monarchy, whether that of Germany or France. The Watchful Guardian of England, was at the head of that project, and the States of Holland being every way guided by so good a Pilot, followed him into it; Then having agreed upon terms according to the most reasonable way of securing the Peace of Europe, they proposed those terms to France and to the Emperor: France, doubtful of his success at Madrid, consented to what was offered him, and seeing no probability of getting all, he was glad to be content with a part: The Emperor on the contrary, well assured of his right, and not doubting but his Son would be declared Successor, refused to engage in that partition, which was the dismembering of an Empire one day actually to be his; and in this assurance he stood out to the last.  
But now comes the great turn, the unexpected Catastrophe of the Spanish Policy. The Cardinal Archbishop engages for the French, and being of great credit in the Court and with the Credulous King, he forms a Confederacy to help him to turn the stream into that Channel; and in the very moment of Death, when the King was given up to contemplations of another Life, and was willing to forget every thing that might bring back his mind to earth again, this Spiritual tempter came in with a Will of his own making, and told the King plainly, that he would not send him to Heaven, till he had revoked his first Will, and Signed that: The good King now upon the Verge of Life, consents to any thing, rather than not be absolved; and so to release himself, he has bound us all to more terrible circumstances than those he was to endure in Purgatory. The Will was then signed for the Duke of Anjou, and when he had done that, the Cardinal told him he might die when he would; So he shut his eyes, and departed.  
Now I would fain know what this Gigantic Will is that looks so big, and Bullies the Empire of Germany out of her Right and Title: Is there force enough in such a piece of Writing to put by the Heir from his possession? Can the Archbishop of Toledo make a King of Spain in defiance of Leagues and Inheritance? by his Office he invests the King with the Regalia, but what is that to the making of a King? Or is the Crown of Spain so precarious, that the King himself can give it away at his pleasure to the right or the wrong, as he thinks fit? I don't remember any History of a Successive Monarchy that can produce an Example like it. Queen Elizabeth, a little before her Death was very much pressed to Name her Heir, not that she could make him an Heir that was not so already, but because there were several pretenders that made their claims, and this was an expedient to prevent animosities and parties among the People: Accordingly the King of Scots was declared the immediate Successor, who afterwards came in, and all England were happy in him. This was another matter: Here was no invading the rights of others, here was no bequest made of the Crown, nor a Legacy that could not be countenanced by Justice and the consent of all the Laws: The King of Scotland was the invincible rightful Heir, and there has not been a Sovereign on the Throne of England of a fairer Title, and not many of so fair, so that this Example gives this circumstance no advantage; for tho' this Will had been considered, made and signed in the time of the King's Health, 'tis beyond all controversy, that it could do the D. of Anjou no Service, when he has no other Title to support him.  
But there has been so much said of this by others, that I shall mention it no more, and I shall say as little as I can of any thing that I have read elsewhere, tho' it is hard on such a Subject to escape the same Arguments which have been used before.  
It concerns us now to reflect on the Establishment of the Succession, as it stands at this time, and to see what remedy we have left us to help ourselves, if there be occasion: We are all sensible it would be a dreadful thing to see the Sceptres of F. and S. United into one Hand, and if so, why not into one Family? Have the Ancestors of this present French King been more faithful in keeping their Leagues than he? I believe not, and I remember formerly to have seen a Book, Called An Account of the Contraventions of France; that made out, that all the Leagues and Alliances whasoever made with F. have been to all Intents and Purposes broke, when she had opportunities of bettering herself; and that it was a Maxim there (as all particular Countries have particular Maxims) to make their Covenants with such reservations to themselves, as to be at Liberty to evade 'em, when they could get more by such a breach, than the terms of the League came to: And if their Ancestors have been so perfidious, why may not their Posterity? For my part, I expect nothing but universal War in Europe, even in our Days, to set up an Universal Monarchy; and 'tis plain, we all have reason to apprehend it, seeing the balance of power now absolutely broke; but whatever becomes of us in the beginning of this Century, 'tis certain there will be most fatal Changes before the end of it: Perhaps he who now sits upon the French Throne, may not live to do the World much more mischief than he has already done, yet he who shall succeed him, may follow his Example, in his perfidy and contempt of Treaties, and as he sees opportunity, work by easy degrees the entire inheritance of Spain, into their own line, never to be interrupted.  
But why may not this alteration be made in our Days? Whoever considers the weakness, the Effeminacy and Dejection of the Spaniards at this time, will think it no hard matter. They who have read the Story of the Erection of the Roman Empire out of the Roman Commonwealth, have found, that tho' that was a Republic, supported by the bravest Spirits in the World, Composed of a People rigorously fond of their Liberties, and had lasted in that form for 6 or 700 Years, with an invincible abhorrence of all Kingly Government; yet 'twas all too little for Caesar, who by one Step after another brought it out of that form, and raised it into a Monarchy, and when he had done that, he made it hereditary to his own Family.  
The Design was very great, but nothing was too great for Caesar; he had a powerful Army to back him, and an Exchequer to distribute to those he found necessary to his Design.  
The King of F. will have to do with a People already Degenerated to the lowest pitch of Infamy, and while he has so good an Army without, and so much Money to give away within Doors, What may he not do when he sets about it? And that the Spanish Nobility will be Corrupted, is no hard matter to make out: Else why such Zeal and Obstinacy for a Prince so far out of the way, as the D. of Anjou was? Why such an imposition upon the easy King, as the forcing a Will upon him, which he refused to Sign till he was threatened with Damnation? Why such impatience for the bringing the Young King to Madrid? Why such fulsome Hyperboles as De los Rios at Paris every Morning Salutes his New Master with? Why such Largesses to be scattered among the People? Not to mention any more, 'tis apparent that all the measures they take tend directly to create a Title, and not demand it: And indeed his Policy in this is very Machiavilian, for he knows the Title is a Foundation, upon which it were ridiculous to depend, and therefore what he wants in that, he'll make out in Ostentation and Caresses: Then, when the Sceptre is settled as he would have it, and the Genius of Spain, made conformable to that of France, than 'twill be too late too look out; then, in good earnest (as the Spanish Ambassador said in a Compliment) The Pyranee will be melted down, and the Barriers between the two Kingdoms utterly taken away. And this carries me to consider the only Objection of Force which can be admitted; namely, That the D. of Anjou will enter into the Custom and Manners of Spain, Rule all together by their Politics, and forget that he was Born a Bourbon. But however probable this may seem, let us not deceive ourselves; 'tis a dangerous Trial, and not to be trusted in the Hands of one descended from a Race of Kings, notorious for their Apostasy from all the bonds of Honour and Alliances.  
'Tis ill Policy to trust a Pirate with our Merchandise, who has so often plundered us already; or not to make a Metaphor of so literal a Truth, it will be a Melancholy Reflection, to think, that all the Commerce of the World shall be at the pleasure of two consenting Monarches, the Grandfather and the Grandchild.  
Here I shall be interrupted— But what harm can that cause us, if the D. of Anjou stands up for an interest of his own, and renounces the Ties of Blood to depend enteirly upon himself?  
Suppose he does so, which, for Arguments sake we'll grant: But when he Dies, and it is again in the power of France to give a King to Spain, Why may it not be questioned, whether he who then sits upon the French Throne, won't as soon make himself King of Spain, as make the D. of Berry so, considering the right was first in him, or in the Elder Blood? To me it does not at all seem unreasonable: for now it could not be done, because there is a Force in Europe to awe him, as long as the English and Dutch stand together: But that such a thing may happen hearafter is more than probable; for by that time there may be changes in other Governments; England may want such a King as she now has: Holland may want such a Stateholder to head her Army, and an English King to Unite the English and Dutch powers, and make 'em act together: By these means the two Nations, most able to keep up the Balance, may come to be divided between themselves, and who shall then oppose what violence may be offered to make F. and S. one? Nor is this a trifling Supposition. When the Lords and Commons of Denmark fell out among ' emselves about Prerogatives, the King took advantage of their quarrels, and while they were rivalling each other, he stepped over 'em both, and made himself Absolute, and his Government independent of 'em, which else he never could ha' done. The parallel is good in tother: For when the two Balancing Nations come (as they oft have done) to clash one with another, What Enemies will be able to confine France? Germany will not then be a Match for her; the Emperor has no Naval Force to contend for the Sea: The Northern Crowns have little to do with it: Italy can do nothing, 'twill be more than she can do to save herself, and in this perplexity, what can be expected but absolute  Dominion, not to be confined? And let not the distance of these Events make us negligent now; they may be certain, tho' they are remote; and the Children of the next Generation may have reason to Curse us for suffering a Prince, whom we had so much Reason to mistrust, to get into his Hands and the Management of a Crown that ought never to be annexed to that of France.  
To what extremity was Europe reduced by Charles the 5th. till Francis the first stopped him! 'Twas well there was a Prince then in being, who had Strength and Courage to check his great Successes, and to keep down his swelling Empire from such a prodigious impostumation. Till than he had met with nothing that opposed him, or he Conquered all that did: And 'tis past dispute, that he would ha' made himself universal Emperor, if he had not been interrupted by this Rival King: There he found his good Fortune to fail him; there the God of War, that had given him so many Victories, held up the Standard of his Enemy, against him, and overthrew that Favourites he had so long espoused; so that, from that time; to his abdication of the Imper●ial Diadem, he found every thing go backward with him; and lest he should live to see himself stripped of all that he had got, he withdrew from the World, before the glory of his Arms was quite departed from him, and in a humour, left the Empire to his Son, who lost it fast enough.  
But if we turn to the comparison upon France, the Event will not be the same: for if France be so formidable of herself, what will she be, when the Sea Ports of the Bay of Biscay, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean; when the Mines of America, and the richest Islands of the World, shall be added to her? Nor can the Emperor do much to hinder him. The Turk is ready to divert him, whenever France has a mind to put 'em by the Ears; England and Holland may be engaged in Emulations of their own; and if these shall not be at leisure to oppose him, where is that Power in Europe, that can Face him in the Field, much less upon the Ocean? I hope this needs no proving; every one can Prophecy the Misery of such a Reign, if ever it comes to pass. Nor can it be supposed, that when a King of France is got to such a height of Power, he will descend from it, as Charles did; for as long as the Posterity of this House will be in being (and that may be to the end of the World, for they are a numerous Issue) there's too much Ambition in their Natures to give away their Laurel while they are able to to keep it.  
But perhaps this may never happen; perhaps, as we said before, the D. of Anjou will prove more a Spaniard than a French Man: Well, be it so; I wish it may: But will not the King, whether it be his Grand Father, or his Father, resent such a Defection? Most certainly they will, and if in his New Government he acts any thing in contrariety to the interest of that wherein he was Born, How easy will it be to set up the Elder Brother against him, especially since Renunciations go for nothing, and so take him down from that precarious Throne, which he holds but by their Favour.  
Or on the other hand, suppose the D. becomes a good Spaniard. The time may come when He or his Heirs may have a right to the Succession of France: Can it then be thought, that he who is in possession of so wealthy, so vast an Empire, will surrender it to another, because the Will has so ordained it? 'Tis absurd to think it; and he'll be so far from quitting such a glorious So'vrain●ty, that the Spaniards themselves will help him to recover his Right, and be proud of the occasion of aggrandizing themselves, by having the reputation of giving their Monarch another Empire.  
This Article must be easily granted, for the D. has left a Declaration behind him to secure his turn in the Succession of France, as one of his Ancestors did before him, who was made King of Poland: The Story is eminent in the French Chronicle, which says, That when Henry the Third was elected King of Poland, he left behind him a Specification of his Title; and when the Crown devolved upon him, he stole out of Poland, and came to France to claim it, which was allowed him, and he was thereupon King of France.  
Be how it will, as near as we can guests at the uncertain dependences of futurity, the result of this present Establishment, must be unhappy one time or other: And by how much the longer the D. of A. is in possession, so much the greater will be, either his Power, or the Power of France, according as he acts, either for his own, or the interest of the other.  
What then is to be done? There the wisest Politicians are at a loss: Our cautious King fell upon the only Method to prevent the Calamities we are to dread: And he had so far Established t, that if he had to do with a Man of any Faith or Honour, we had been secure by those Measures he had formed. But as the King of France has broke through all ties of Treaties and Leagues, there is nothing hereafter to be trusted to his Word, and that being forfeited, we must of necessity be always in Arms to watch him.  
I would be far from advising the People of England to a War, who are but lately come out of one, which cost 'em so much: But surely there is something to be considered for our own security, if France be now intriguing for an Union of the two Crowns. I must confess, 'tis more the Emperor's business than ours to call him to Account, for he is positively affronted by having the Arch Duke Post poned of his Right; but let it be his never so much, 'tis ours so far as to oppose the conjunction of F. and S. with all our Vigour; that's undeniable.  
But besides that, What can the Emperor do of himself? His Country is so unhappily situated, that nothing can be like it: For Spain is not only a great way from him, but France interposes so directly between 'em, that it is impossible to come at any part of Spain, but thro' F. And one would think, that as Nature has contrived the Pyrenees to keep Spain out of the power of France, so she had, given to the French the power of keeping out every Body else: By this unfortunate situation, it will be hard for the Emperor to do much in Spain, or, indeed in Italy,, unless he can outbid the K. of F. for marching of his Men through the Grisons.  
But to make amends for this Misfortune, the Emperor has an Army not inferior to that of France; some of his Veteranes being the best and eldest standing Force in Europe; and if he had Ships to Transport 'em through our Channel, and a good Fleet to second him, he might bid fair for the Bay of Biscay, and the Straits.  
But this will be practicable at no time, but at this very juncture: For if the Young King, who is going to his Throne, has leisure to ingratiate himself with his People, and to buy up the Concurrence and Hearts of the Nobility; his Grandfather, who has been used to that sort of Traffic, can put him in away how to do it, and help him to Money into the bargin. To prevent this, it ought to be the consideration of all Europe, especially the Emperor's Duty, and the Princes of Italy, and next Ours, and Hollands to look about us.  
That there should be always a strong Fleet at Sea, every way superior to the French, is absolutely necessary; and that to be under the conduct of the Renowned Orford, so successful in our own Channel, and so beloved in Spain: If this be not done, and by such a neglect, we give France the opportunity of Triumphing every where over us, How dismal will it be, to have these things issue in an Union of these two Monarchies and to so forma●ble a Power as France already has; to see a Dominion of Thirty Eight Thousand Miles in circumference in all parts of the Globe Allied, if not added to it.   

AN ACCOUNT OF SPAIN, In several Letters.  

LETTER I.  
My Dear Brunet.  
NOthing could give me greater satisfaction than the Commands you honoured me with at parting: My own curiosity agrees so well with yours, that I find double pleasure in obeying you; for while I am contriving to gratify your Desires, I am indulging my own. And when I writ to the generous Brunet, I do't with the greater complacency in myself, because I know I am to stand before a Judge, who will not too severely censure my imperfections: I remain indebted to your Clemency, for several favours which are yet unacknowledged; and I consider that I am running into a new Score before the old be paid off, like a Bankrupt who has nothing to afford for his Disability, but Thanks and Gratitude: However I'll venture a little further on your good Nature, and with the same assurance that I relied upon't in our former Correspondences, I begin my Narration.  
When I left St. Maloes, I embarked on a Danish Ship that was bound for England: The Port where we Anchored was the same where the Royal Armado of that Country then Rode. It fell out very opportunely for my Design, that I should come there at that juncture; for the Day after our arrival, there was an order for all the Squadrons to Sail, and immediately the Signal was made by haling home the foretop-Sail Sheets. As soon as I came a shore I shifted my , and having furnished myself with the habit which their Sailors wore, I changed the form of my dress, and disguised myself as like one of them as I could: You may remember that I had been Master of the English Tongue a great while, for I had formerly been in London, where I resided four Years, and had in that time acquired so much of it, that I could express myself perfectly in whatever I had occasion to say: This was of great use to me afterwards; and even at first I might have met with some difficulty if I had given them any jealousy of my coming so lately out of France, by being destitute of it. But I was now provided against all suspicion; for feigning myself a Huguenot, (which is a sufficient pass for a French Man among these credulous People) I got admittance into company of some of the Seamen; and having easily persuaded them, that I had been a sufferer for my Religion, and that I fled from the rage of the Persecution, they become fond of me to such a degree that it had almost proved a quarrel among the several Competitors who courted me to ship myself among them, which of them should enjoy my company. These sort of People are stubborn and quarrelsome, apt for all manner of mischief, turbulent and hard to be subdued, and highly jealous of their affronted Honour, for they have a notion of something which they take to to be a point of Honour, which amounts to no more than this, That every one thinks himself a better Man than his fellow. The dispute which they had about me was of this kind, every Man courted me to himself, and each opposed the other.  
I who was not yet well enough acquainted with the nature of these fierce Islanders, was at a loss how to behave myself among them on this nice occasion: I saw plainly if I should determine in favour, or in prejudice of any of their Persons, by seeming to prefer one to another, Civil Wars would have ensued. But after some consideration, I believed the only way would be to let them know that I had already resolved how to dispose of myself, to give them every one thanks for their kindness, and to unite all their differences by concluding in favour of none of them, but to assure them, that I had long ago intended to ship myself upon the Admiral (of which I had heard great Fame) and was then come to enter myself Aboard. The Speech which I made to to this purpose had like to have undone me; for I forgot to change my stile, and they began to find out that I did not talk like a Sailor. This bred a Mutiny, and I was going to have a Council of War called upon me, when an Officer passing our Room, heard the noise and came in, Demanding the cause of this uproar, every one stood up and would undertake to tell him the Adventure; then from one end of the Room to tother there was such a general din, that I verily thought I had been in one of Quevedo's Visions, and that I saw the Devils going again to macerate the poor damned Traitor Judas. The presence of the Officer put at last an end to their Fury, and away they marched.  
This Gentleman was a Lieutenant, of the very Ship I looked for, who enquiring whence and what I was, I gave him the same account I had done to my Companions, only adding, that I had formerly lived in a better Capacity, but was now reduced to circumstances of great necessity; and having some insight into Navigation, I could not dispose of myself better than into the service of a Prince, who had filled all the World with the Fame of his Arms.  
The Gentleman might perceive by the manner in which I spoke, that I had not always been so wretched as I now seemed to be, for I did it on purpose to prevail with him for good quarter, and he very civilly assured me, he would distinguish me from the rest of the Crew. Then he took me with him, and appointed me conveniences better than I could in reason expect.  
One might think, that he who had seen the lofty Navy of France, could not be much transported with what he saw in any other Country; But I can't forbear acquainting my Dear Friend with what amazement I beheld this glorious Show. Never was the Bosom of the Sea insulted by such a Fleet, never was so Magnificent a Pomp. Oh Brunet! 'Tis inconceivable and above description: Let it suffice that all the Kingdoms of the Universe come infinitely short of England for the Strength, Number and Beauty of their Shipping. 'Tis true, our present glorious Monarch has done wonders that way, but trust me Friend, 'tis all but Pageantry to this.  
Soon after my Embarkment, I gave myself up to consider of every thing I saw round me: To speak of all that pleased me, would run me into such confusion, that I should not clear myself a great while. I beheld every where matter of sufficient contemplation; but that which struck me with most wonder, was the suprizing Brittania, the Ship wherein I entered myself, and the Capital of the whole Navy. To describe this noble Structure, would be a Task of immense difficulty; In all the fabrications I had seen, I never met with any thing came near her. I know what Opinion you at home have of your own Power, but be assured from one who was well acquainted with the Naval Force of France, That she bears no proportion to this, neither in Number, Fabric, Ornament, nor Discipline, tho' I confess, it may be said with some justice, That the Rising Sun (which was once the glory of the  Fleet) had many excellencies to make Her remarkable; but when She stands in comparison with the Bratannia, it may be said the Kite is compared to the Eagle: Not that I want Ceremony for my own Country; but that my Opinion in this, and every other particular may be impartial, I shall all along speak my mind as if I had no interest in the one side or the other.  
The Signal for Sailing being made, one might behold in this Ship a Thousand Hands at work in an instant; such a multitude loaded her Decks, that her strong Floors groaned with the oppressing Weight, and seemed to bend beneath it: There appeared in every Face such an alacrity, and in their Hands such readiness, that I could not choose but be delighted with it.  
Our Anchors being up, we made Sail, stretching over to the Coast of France, and standing towards Breast. Here it was that I began to feel some reluctance for what I had undertaken, for I found there was a design of attempting something against that Harbour; and it grieved me to the Soul, that I should be constrained to take up arms against my native Country. I had not been long in this apprehension, ere I perceived the Squadrons to part several ways: That wherein I was, and two more stood back again to Sea, and the remainder stayed behind and plied upon the Coast. This relieved me from my Fears of Fight against my Country, but I was not a little mortified, that the English and Dutch should thus Lord it in the Channel, and drive us under the Protection of our Harbours. It was now rumoured that their Design was against Breast, both by the Course they Steered, and by the great preparation which was made for a Descent; They on the other Side had early Intelligence of the Design, and were so well prepared to receive 'em, that when the English landed, expecting little or no Opposition, they soon saw their fatal Mistake, and that they had now besides all the Castles and Forts, a huge Army to Encounter. This was the most deplorable Enterprise that ever the English undertook, and it was almost a pity to see so many miserable Souls run headlong to their Destruction, which they themselves now easily saw, but had not power to avoid. This memorable Exploit is known by the Name of Cameret-Bay-Fight, and will be Famous to all Posterity for the bloody Execution, and for the Death of the most Renowned General Talmash, who was one of the first who fell. Our Squadrons, which now made up a Fleet of about 40 English, and 20 Dutch, besides small Frigates not in the Line of Battle, Fireships, Store-ships and Tenders, changed their Course as soon as they were out of Sight, and stood out for the Main, and we all jumped right in our Opinions that we were going to the Straits.  
At this time our Toulon Fleet had been Bombarding the Coasts of Spain in the Meditteranean. Malaga and Alicant and some other Places had already felt the fury of their Bombs, and Barcelona was to be the last Scene of their Hostility; and by the way I can't choose but admire the wonderful Intelligence our Master keeps in these Foreign Courts; for he had long known of this intended Voyage, and not caring to hazard his weaker Fleet against the best of his Enemies, he sent Orders to his Admiral before Barcelona to dislodge. And what is very remarkable, the French withdrew from thence the very same Day the English hoist Sail in the Channel: 'Twas a Masterpiece of Care so soon to foresee this Storm, and to prevent it; for had they surprised them at Sea, the Consequences might have been fatal.  
Our Voyage (I speak of the English) went prosperously on, without encountering any extraordinary Adventure: Some Prizes the Cruisers brought in, but I think our Countrymen made sufficient Reprizals on 'em in all parts of the World. In twenty Days, or thereabouts, we came within sight of Cales, and there another Squadron, commanded by a Rear-Admiral, joined us: This last Squadron was the remainder of that commanded by Sir Francis Wheeler, who was Drowned at the back of Gibraltar, by that terrible Levant which cast away His and Thirteen other Ships, and dashed 'em into Pieces: This Gentleman was of great Reputation for his Skill and Courage; but I don't know what can be said for the First, after so notorious a Mistake as he made of the Land; for at the close of the Evening he perfectly saw the Shoar, but he mistook his Marks, and thought he had been to Leeward of the Hill, when he was to Windward; and that cost him his Life, and the loss of many good Ships, both Men of War and Merchants.  
We were now 70 Men of War in the Line of Battle complete, besides innumerable other Vessels of inferior Order, which made in all a glorious Appearance.  
The Spaniards were alarmed at this stupendious Navy, because they had never, in their Opinions, seen any thing much better than their own.  
We had not been long cruising off the Island,  the Spaniards got ready what little force they had, which consisted in all but of Ten Ships of War and Two Fire Ships: With these they joined us, and a great many Compliments we received from their Guns, which our General Answered.  
Of these Ten there were but Three or Four that were fit for Company, the rest were such Hospitals that they were a scandal to the Navy: And though they had been Five Years in fitting out these, and boasted to the World what a power they would bring; yet after Six days sail, most of 'em were disabled, and they could hardly crawl under their Crutches up to Barcelona: However, at their Return, they failed not to give out, that it was for fear of them that the French ran away, and the ignorant People, who have a high Conceit of their own power, believed all that was said. 'Tis a ridiculous Story to tell, how they were exalted with this Summer's Expedition, they verily thought the whole Navy of France was not able to Encounter their Ten Ships; and though they came home Crippled and Maimed, because indeed they went out so, yet nothing could undeceive 'em, but that it was the bare appearance of their Ten Ships that set the Enemy a running, and scoured the Sea. When we came up to Barcelona, we found the Road clear, and no Marks of an Enemy but what they left with their Mortars. We Anchored, and it was some satisfaction to us to see that we were now in a part of Spain, that could acknowledge the benefit they received by us, and that we were welcomed ashore as the Friends and Protectors of Catalonia.  
There being nothing to be done here, we stayed awhile to water and divert ourselves, and then prepared for our Return; and by the way we put in at Alicant, to see what devastation the French had made, and perhaps every one but I was mortified at the sight. Malaga fared not much better; but because I intent not this as a Journal, I shall make haste to Cales, which was appointed for our Winter Quarters, and say nothing of Barcelona, and the other places we touched at, till next Voyage.  
After some time of Abode and Conversation, the English and Spanish grew more familiar: Our General and the Governor had interviews of Ceremony, and every thing tended to a good Understanding. Our Ships were laid up, and every man began to be idle.  
In this Interval of Ease, when all the world was at quiet, and War set aside till the Return of the Spring, pleasure was all the study of the Fleet: Every Captain had now his House and his Mistress ashore, every Seaman Surfeited with good Wine and fresh Provision, and his short Allowance-money bought him a Spanish Whore and a Clap: Above all, our Noble General lived in great Royalty at his House, which a Don bestowed on him for his use and diversion, as long as he stayed: He kept a plentiful Table, and began already to amaze the thrifty Spaniards with that Excess and Profusion which every day appeared on the board. But when the Fourth of November was drawing near, which is the Birthday of the King of England, there was such an Entertainment talked of, as hardly was outdone by any of the Gluttonous Emperors, who are Chronicled for their Luxury. I shall presume so much on your inclination as to be a little particular in this description; for it made so great a noise all over the World, that you must needs hear on't, but perhaps not know any thing of it, but as you had it in gross.  
On this great Holiday the General intended to Entertain all the English, Dutch, and Spanish Officers with a Dinner and a Bowl of Punch, to Celebrate the Birth of his Master, and to keep up that Amity that was between themselves: It was already rumoured as an extraordinary thing; and believing there might be something in't worth my Curiosity, I crowded in to see it, and I can assure you I was so strict an observer of all that past, that nothing escaped me, nor shall I relate any thing but what I really saw with my own Eyes.  
The Feast was in every respect beyond what I could imagine; and if I had not been a Witness to every singular transaction, you might perhaps doubt the truth of what I am going to tell you.  
There were Four Tables spread in all: At the First sat the General, the Spanish General, and Vice-Admiral: The Dutch Admirals, and Two or Three men of Quality besides; At another Table in the same Room sat all the English Merchants of the Neighbouring Towns; At the Third which was without, were all the chief English Officers to the number of a Hundred or thereabouts, and in the adjoining Room the inferior Officers. I never beheld greater plenty at any Feast I had seen at Paris, nor sent in better order: There was such variety of every thing that was in season, that one might have said, the Lakes had been drained of their Fish, the Air had been stripped of its Fowls, and the Fields of their ; That the Vines had been unloaded for Wine, and all the Gardens in the Province plundered for Fruit: The vainest Epicure could hardly ha' named that thing that was wanting; and in short, I never saw a more beautiful Confusion: Every Element had some share in't, and I can say nothing greater of it, than that it was a Banquet fit for the generous Giver, and the august Occasion it Commemorated. When Dinner was over, the General rose, and all the Company after him, and the Scene was removed to the Garden. When they came there, they found the Punch ready.  
I don't know whether Brunet is acquainted with this sort of Liquor, but he may guests, when he has heard what the Ingredients are, what an unpalatable Drink it must be. That which they called the Bowl, was a large Fountain in the centre of the Garden, shaded with Lemmon Trees, and looking into the Four principal Walks that terminated at the end of the Garden; Now you'll say this seems a little Romantic, but I do assure you I shall write nothing but what was literally true, at least as well as I can remember. There were in this Fountain-Bowl first of all a Dozen English Barrels of Water, amounting to 432 Gallons: Of Brandy there was 188 Gallons: Of Sugar 400 weight, of Lemons, which the Garden itself afforded, about Six Thousand: A Pound of Nutmegs, and there was ordered a 100 weight of Biscuits, but there was none put in. Thus this Giant-bowl was compounded, and they who were Critics in this Sort of Liquor, said they never drunk better in their Lives; for the General had taken great Care to have it well made, and for that end had named three Captains, whom he styled the Commissioners of the Punch, to see it duly prepared: The Fountain was brim full, and for the Merriment of the Frolic, there was a small Boat built on purpose to float about this Lake of Sulphur, with Oars and a Boy to Row, and to Skink to the Company in Silver Pints that lay thick about the brim of the Fountain: Now the Healths went plentifully round; The Princes of the Confederacy were first huzzaed in Pint Brimmers, as the Emperor, Kings of Spain and Britain, than the States of Holland, and last of all the Generals with an universal Huzza, which echoed to the Skies. This fearful Noise put me in Mind of the Ottoman way of Warring, for when they begin the Charge, every one Hallows as loud as ever he can, and tears his Throat for the shrillest Voice, and then with a general Shout they fall to: Just so 'twas here; The Punch was the Enemy they were to engage, they fell to Work with a most outrageous Din, and their Engagement had so much of a real Battle in't, that several were Killed and Wounded in the Assault. Round the Bowl were several Tables spread with Hams, Tongues, Pickles, and all sorts of dried Meats in great variety; and behind 'em, in the Walks, were Consorts of Music, so far from one another that they were just heard, and distinguished without Confusion. Now tell me (my Friend) was ever any thing more Magnificent? Was ever any thing more Romantic?  
This Noble Company (tho' most of 'em had more than they could carry off) sunk not the Bowl above an Inch, but when they withdrew to let in the Sailors to't, there was such a Torrent of these Drunken Rogues, that in half an Hours time there was not one Drop left, for with their Hats and Buckets they laved it as dry, as an honest Drunkard does his Glass when he Drinks to a Supernaculum; and well the Gluttons might, for they were now thirsty after having fed upon a whole Ox that was roasted for 'em, which they cut off the Spit, and swallowed down burning Hot: So ended this sumptuous Banquet.  
The Winter being our long Vacation, I had nothing else to do but to make my remarks of the Disposition of the People I was engaged with. 'Twere a needless Trouble to tell the well Read Brunet what a Temper the English are of, the Neighbourhood of our Countries has always afforded great Commerce with 'em, and there is hardly a French Man of any Curiosity, but is perfectly acquainted with their Humours. As for the Spaniards, there is such an Antipathy between us and them, that we seldom speak well of 'em, but tho' I were divested of all my Country prejudices, yet I could hardly say any thing to their Advantage, and to tell thee the Truth, I hate 'em hearty: But the present bent of my Inclination lying another way, I shan't spend my Time in giving Characters, but considering that Brunet is at this time a Lover, I would fain entertain him with some amorous Adventure that's more suitable to his Genius: This idle Time furnished us with variety of Intrigues, but as I am no good Historian at such Novelties, so I would not render your Time heavy t'ye by relating 'em in my own Style, but I'll make you amends with a Manuscript, which with much difficulty I purchased of a Traveller who was concerned in the Ship which was the Scene of the Amour, and which I have transcribed and sent enclosed: But I send it t'ye with such Caution, that I would have you value the Gift, as you would a fairy Treasure, which (they say) is dangerous to reveal. The Author has shadowed his Lovers with imaginary Names, to darken a little so late an Adventure, because the Matter of Fact is true, and of so great Importance. The Story runs thus.  

THE STORY.  
THE Monarchy of Philippia had been long governed by a Race of warlike Kings, no Chronicle can produce a Series of greater Heroes, nor Actions more astonishing than what we find in the Histories of that Empire: For from the first Prince Pelagius, who for his great Exploits against the first barbarous Invaders was chosen King, down to the present Sovereign Catolinus, there was hardly one who enlarged not the Bounds of his Sovereignty, and planted not his Arms in some far distant Region. A Thousand Ages they were reputed the first Monarches of Asia, and their spacious Dominions reached from one end of the Globe to the other.  
In this Posture stood the Kingdom, when from an Infant Catolinus was saluted King: Never was a People in greater Expectation than of this young Hero: They looked in him for all the gallant Accomplishments of his Ancestors, and the Eyes of all the World were bend on him as the Successor of such an illustrious Progeny, and as a Prince of wondrous Promises. There wanted nothing to render his Education complete, Masters of all Sciences were brought from the Academies to give him Discipline; the Sun shined with a double Force upon him, and every thing conspired to animate him with all the Vigour that his Years could bear: The Subjects which he was to Rule, were a People who had been very Famous in the Ages that are past, for their Courage and Successes; but of later Years, since Religion has usurped so much over the Temporal Power, and effeminated their Spirits, they have been enslaved to the Church, and changed beyond all belief from what they were. Yet in the midst of this depravity they still retained some Notions of Honour, and were now in Hopes of a King that should restore 'em to their Courage and their Glory: His first Minority gave 'em all the Encouragement they could wish for, and they hoped to find him one Day such as they had formed him in their Imaginations, and for many Years he blossomed so beautifully, that they doubted not but he would prove the Summer's Blessing. Thus every thing flourished, and there seemed no want, but of a Maturity of Years to ripen the young Monarch, and to make 'em a happy People: But now behold what a turn, what a fatal Disappointment of their exalted Hopes!  
The Inhabitants of Philippia, are (as was said) ridiculous Bigots to their Religion: The Patriarch of all the Eastern Churches has not throughout the extent of his Jurisdiction, a People more devoted to his Interest, nor more violent Defenders of his Usurpation: This is the Reason that this Country swarms with an ignorant and superstitious Clergy, Zealous of the Interest of the Church, and absolute in their Power: The Laity stands in profound Awe of their Frowns, and when any Affair of Importance is to be controverted, wherein there may be a Party made for the advantage of the Church, they ride upon the humility of the People, and get all things into their Government.  
'Twas thus with this infatuated Nation, when the tender Catolinus arrived to Years that made him fit for their Management, and the Patriarch knowing what benefit it would be to him if this Young King was betimes made his Creature, prevailed by his insinuating Ministers that he might be put into the hands of the ecclesiastics, and Educated with a fond Affection to the Church, and a prejudice to all Secular Affairs. They prospered so well in their design, that even in his Pupillage he became a passionate Lover of his Religion, and seemed already to be wrapped up in it to such a degree, that he took no notice of those Exercises which were fit for his Youth, but gave himself wholly up to Amusement and Meditation. This unmanly weakness was the cause that afterwards he could relish nothing of the Duty of so great a Monarch; but having neglected to accomplish himself as a Prince, instead of becoming a Soldier as his Ancestors had been, he degenerated into a stupidity of Godliness, and Reigned more like a Priest than a King.  
'Twas a melancholy Reflection to see such a military People now diminished into the most sordid slothful Wretches that ever lived: Arms were now forgot, their rusty Swords lay idle, their Garrisons were unregarded, and their neglected Shipping, which for many Ages had been the wonder of all their Neighbours, now became their disgrace. The King's Example corrupted all the Youth, he became a Bigot to the Church, and they became Bigots to him, not that they could commend his Genius, but it indulged their idleness, and unmanned their Souls: Never was so hideous a sight of Corruption and Apostasy, their Friends pitied 'em, their Enemies derided 'em, and the distant parts of the World could hardly believe it. Near Thirty years he held the Sceptre without doing any Action fit for so sublime a Monarch, he saw himself invaded on all sides, whole Provinces were snatched from his Crown; and he who had no disposition for War, saw all with little or no opposition, and sat down at last contented with the loss. At length his miserable Subjects became sensible of their Shame; and as they found it too late to hope for redress from the present King, they concerted means to furnish the Kingdom with an Heir who might in time redeem their prostituted Honour, and awake 'em from their inglorious Lethargy. In order to this, it was advised that the King should marry, his Councillors looked around the World for a Lady fit for so high a Dignity; and at last, they cast their Eyes on a Daughter to one of the Chief Princes that Compose the great Body of the First Empire of Asia, the Celebrated beautiful Nuberia now appointed the tutelar Goddess of this perishing Empire.  
This charming Princess was the Idol of the Country where she lived, a Lady of such excelling Beauty, and such uncommon accomplishments of mind, that 'tis hard to say, whether her Virtue or her Beauty was most admirable: Fame had long ago filled the Universe with the Acclamation of her Perfections, and Princes from the remotest parts of the Earth languished for her. Every sighing Lover, when he would say any thing extraordinary of his Divine Mistress, could say nothing finer of her, than by comparing her to the Princess Nuberia; for in that all the glory of the Sex was determined, and there could be nothing more said than what they copied from her. Soon as they had concluded on this illustrious Lady, Ambassadors were sent to her Father's Court to treat of a Marriage. But tho' the incurious Catolinus had given his consent to this Embassy; yet he found in himself but little inclination to the Alliance, having intoxicated his Brain with other matters, and made himself utterly insensible of Gallantry, or the softer Impressions of Love: The Ambassadors being dispatched, came in few days to the Court where she resided; The grateful Arsaces her Father read their Message with great Acknowledgements of the honour; and though he had already matched his other Daughters to the best Monarchies in Asia; yet he esteemed this the greatest honour he had received, and no wonder than he showed his readiness to consent to the proposal.  
The disconsolate Nuberia had quite another opinion of this Match; she had heard no advantageous Character of Catolinus; and the first emotions she felt at the proposal, were resentment and reluctancy. But 'twas in vain to contend with her Father's Authority; Ambition was his God, tho' Love was hers: At length his frequent solicit made her descend to't whether she would or no; and she who had never disobeyed him, at last consented. The Ambassadors returned with their Commissions prosperously discharged; and the next thing to be considered was her Transportation to Philippia.  
It happened at this time that the Crown of Philippia was in Confederacy with the King of the famous Island Neptunia, against the common Enemy the Tyrant of Asia.  
This King of Neptunia had above all his Ancestors in that Monarchy so great a Force every Summer at Sea, that he was looked upon as the entire support of the War; and by being himself present with the Allied Armies in the Field, he had acquired immortal Renown by his great Conduct and Gallantry. And on the Ocean he triumphed so securely, that since the fatal Defeat which he gave the Tyrant's Ships even upon their own Coast, the Dominion of the Oriental Seas became entirely his. Catolinus having the opportunity of so good a Friend, and being ill provided of Shipping himself, bethought himself of sending to his Ambassador who always resides at that Court, to beg that a Squadron of Men of War might be detatcht out of so numerous a Fleet, and sent on this important Errand. This being immediately granted, it was ordered, that his Chief General Saladine, famous for a Thousand glories, should Sail with the Capital Squadron to the Imperial Shore, and wait for her Arrival.  
This General, whom we shall describe because of his importance in this Story, was a Gentleman of one of the first Houses in the Kingdom of Neptunia; his Ancestors had been for many Ages famous in the Records of that Country; and though he himself was but a younger Branch of that illustrious Stock, yet at this time his Family boasted of one of the best Estates, and the best Titles in the Land, and even he himself enjoyed an honourable Report, and a Spacious Fortune, besides what he held by his Noble Employments, and was all along one of the leading Subjects of the Nation: He had been Educated with all the advantages the Court could give him; and besides those outward Accomplishments, he was of a graceful person, and exceeding suavity of Manners. When he received his Instructions, he made what haste he could to get ready, and with much celerity he furnished himself with all things fitting so high a trust. As he was a man of great Address, he spared for nothing that was proper for the Entertainment of so Royal a Guest, and his liberality was on this occasion so particular, that he put himself and all his Retinue into magnificent Garbs, and loaded his Ship with profusion of all manner of Necessaries, and adorned the Royal Apartment with all the beauty he could purchase for it, insomuch that after her Embarking, it may be admitted a Question if ever the Princess had been more magnificently regaled in her Father's, or any of the Courts of the Empire, tho' all the Treasures of the Province were laid upon the Board.  
'Twas in this manner the gallant Saladine waited for the coming of the Celebrated Dame, and after some few days expectation, the Bruit of her approach gave him notice to prepare, and he now began to set all things in order for her Reception. In few Hours after he heard the Guns from the Shoar, proclaimed her Entrance into the Port Town, and he answered 'em with his and all the Ordnance of his Squadron: When she first beheld the Neptunian Fleet, tho' at a distance, she felt in herself all the Convulsions of joy and terror: The first arose from the pleasure she had in beholding such a noble preparation for her, and the latter from the reluctance she had to this unwelcome Voyage: But the Ceremonies of the place not giving her leisure to reflect on any thing, she must of necessity render herself to the Civilities of those Princes and other great Personages who came to pay her their Gratulations. When the Ceremonials were over, and she no longer restrained, she withdrew to her Closet, to overrule as much as she could her Sorrows, and to be at liberty to fortify herself against the approaching Fate: But in vain was all her Philosophy; for tho' she had an entire resignation to the Will of her Father in every thing, yet in this Circumstance she could not choose but condemn him for disposing of her without her own Approbation: Night drew on, and she retired to her Repose, having first sent to Saladine, that the next Morning she would come Aboard.  
When the Morning came, the Shore was crowded with infinite Numbers of People who pressed to see Her. The Cannon again founded her Triumph, and the Clamours of the Amazed Spectators returned it to the Skies. The Nobles who attended Her were now dismissed; and they who were parting with Her, wholly resigned her to the care of the happier Saladine. 'Twas visible in every Eye the grief they had to part with Her, but most of all in Her own, when She considered She was to take Her everlasting leave of Her own Country, in exchange for another. She could not think of without Tears: She bid 'em all adieu with exceeding regret; and having turned her Eyes to the Fleet, she gave herself up to her expected destiny. The hasty Oars carried her off, and the last sight she took of the Shore, drew some sighs which She had not strength to stifle.  
At length She came Aboard, and the Sumptuous Saladine received her at the side. But good Gods! the Astonishment he was in when he beheld the immortal Charmer! The Tongues of Angels tuned to Celestial Music cannot utter his surprise; He thought he had received something immortal, and he was within a thought of prostrating himself at her Feet, to show how much he was enchanted: 'Tis inexpressible his Wonder and Amaze; for tho' at another time he could ha' played the Orator, now Excessive Splendour struck him dumb. He gazed at the fair Divinity, as if he had never beheld any Human Creature before; and notwithstanding all his good breeding, he was struck into silence and stupidity; just as a Traveller who unawares is surprised with some superb Building, whose marvellous Fabric of a sudden strikes him with inconceivable Transports. At length he tries to speak, but the power was wanting; for the Organs of his Voice were bound up in Rapture, and he remained like a Statue stiff and void of Motion. His Mind was agitated with a thousand different Labours; and in his Breast he already felt a Fire which scorched him to the Heart: His Eyes were fixed not to be removed, his Countenance changed with the Anguish of his Passion, and he trembled as if an Earthquake had shaken the Foundations of the World. At last he burst out— Ye Gods! what can this be? Why do I gaze on this Celestial Creature, to whom 'tis even Sacrilege to speak? He stopped and gave his Senses leave to renew their Contemplation. Still his Amazement continued; and tho' the Credit of his Character lay at stake for so profound stupidity, yet he was so lost in wild Confusion, that 'twas in vain to endeavour recovery.  
The quicksighted Princess saw all his disorder, and could not choose but ascribe it to some extraordinary Cause, his handsome appearance spoke him no Clown, and she believed perhaps on another occasion he could ha' carried himself another manner, yet far from divining the true reason, she considered him as a man under some dissatisfaction, and gave herself not Curiosity to examine it further.  
These were the first Impressions they had of each other, he was Thunderstruck with the Figure of so excellent a Creature, and she was pleased to have so Renowned a General to accompany her in her Voyage.  
Upon her Embarking all the Ordnance was thrice discharged, Volleys of welcome were shouted by the Seamen, and nothing was omitted to express the Triumph of the day.  
The beautiful Nuberia had among other Ladies, one whom she admitted into all her Affairs. This Lady she chose for her Bedfellow, and for the Partner of her secrets: To her she began now to reveal her displeasure of this Marriage; and tho' she had not engaged her Heart in any Passion elsewhere; yet she found in her inclinations no promptness to the Alliance. She failed not to tell her, that the Temper of the Philippian Monarch would by no means suit with hers, that she had heard how his Government had run him into discredit with his own People, and that he was too much a Saint to be a good Lover.  
The indulgent Maid agreed with her in what she said, and humoured her Melancholy with more than an affected pity; for she really lamented her condition: The ingenious Fidelia had been brought up with her Mistress in her Father's Court. In their Infancy they had been Companions, and from time to time as they grew up together, their Pleasures and their Exercises had been always the same, and nothing happened to one, but the other shared in the satisfaction or distress: 'Twas thus that by a long Trial of her Virtue the Cautious Princess knew the value of her Friend, and she never had than now more need of her Consolation. And being so well assured of her integrity, she unbosomed herself of all those oppressions which she laboured with.  
By this time the amazed Saladine began to recover, he now ruminates on what he had seen, and the manner of his behaviour: He remembered he had been too remiss in the Ceremony with which he ought to have received so illustrious a Passenger, and torments himself with the apprehension of having given her an ill Opinion of his Carriage, he was afraid his ill behaviour would be interpreted to proceed from want of Address, or what was Ten thousand times worse, from want of respect, and the dread of such an impression gave him unspeakable trouble. In this distraction he could hardly contain from running into the , and prostrating himself at her Feet: But that extravagance left him when he considered he should have opportunities sufficient to clear himself of that imputation: And immediately while it was unseasonable to pay any further Civilities to the Princess, he called together his Captains and other Officers of his Ship, and gave 'em strictly in charge to treat with most profound respect all such of her Country who had the honour of attending her. This piece of Gallantry was presently reported to Nuberia, and she seemed extremely pleased to find herself mistaken in the Conduct of a man who knew how to regard her, and one that took such early care to make himself obliging.  
After she had been Aboard a while, and contemplated the Magnificence of the Provision that was made for her, she was highly delighted with it, and confessed that upon another occasion she could ha' been well contented with such an Abode; so showing some inclination to walk upon the Deck for a prospect of the Neptunian Fleet, she had no sooner said it, but the News was carried to Saladine, who hastened to the Cabbin-Door to receive her: She did not expect him there, but she was not unpleasantly surprised to see him so obsequious, and to find him a little more complaisant than he had been at her entrance: She than gave him her Hand, and walked forwards with him: The confounded General trembled with the unexpected honour, he now felt her tender delicate Hand, and the joy which he conceived at it threw him again into a Lethargy of Silence and Confusion. Ye Heavens (he muttered to himself) what can this be? Whither will ye hurry the undone defenceless Saladine? If this I feel be love, first strike me dead, rather than let me fear a Fire which must consume me to nothing: How can a Wretch like I look up to so much brightness! 'tis Insolence, 'tis Arrogance, 'tis Blasphemy to speak to her: Oh Charming Excellence! with that he sunk his Eyes down to the Deck, and durst not raise 'em up for fear of meeting hers.  
The penetrating Princess, spite of all his Caution, saw his glances; but whatever effect they had upon her, she showed neither pleasure nor resentment; but passing on as if she had not minded him, she suffered him to lead her to the Balisters, and there she stopped: She thought she had now given him an opportunity of saying something to her of the delightful prospect they had; but she was quite out of her Aim; for even now again the poor sufferer had no Language for her, but that of his Eyes. This gave her extreme impatience, and she could not conjecture the cause of his continued reservedness; but being no longer able to hid her Curiosity, she began the Conversation by ask him if that were the whole Navy of Neptunia. Her Voice awaked him; but not being so much at leisure to himself to consider what she said, he Answered her in broken Accents very far from the purpose; this increased her Wonder and his Confusion; and for an Hour together, he could not recover from his Amazement. Never was the lost Saladine in such a Labyrinth of Misery, he saw himself entering into a Passion which might prove fatal to him, and he now began to lose all hopes of arming against it: Every sight he had of her gave him less and less assurance of his Recovery, and still plunged him deeper. The cautious Princess was in some confusion as well as he, to see him thus; not that she altogether believed she had any interest in his disorder; but 'tis very likely she wished the happy Saladine so well, that she could suffer with him in all his Adversities: She began to condole and pity him, and tho' she found no violent Inclination to Love him as yet, yet she conceived for him such an ardent Friendship as was not many degrees from it. She believed she might without an Injury to her high Quality consider him as her Friend, and not making any further Reflections on the State of her present Disposition, she gave her Heart leave to act as it would.  
'Tis indeed to be allowed, that bating that Melancholy which had overcast him, The gallant Saladine wanted no Ornament to recommend him, his Person was exceeding Graceful, his Mien and Air had something of uncommon agreableness, and besides the advantage of his Person, he had a happy Genius in his Dress, which never failed of serving him to good purpose. Nuberia was a good Judge of these Things, she had been always used to the best of both Sexes, and that in a Country very much addicted to show and Gallantry; so that when she beheld our General attentively, she persuaded herself she had never seen any thing that pleased her better. After some stay, and a little Conversation, she again gave him her Hand to lead her back, and having waited on her to the  Door, he made her a profound Reverence, and withdrew. When she entered the , she found the Table covered with a magnificent Banquet prepared for her; She was pleased with the Surprise, and could no longer think but her General knew in what manner to entertain her, and thinking it no breach of Order to desire his Company, she sent to him, and begged that he would favour her with it. The well Bred Saladine would have excused his sitting in her Presence, and desired no greater Honour than to wait at her Chair, but no Excuse would be received, she was resolved to dispense with all Ceremonies, and by beginning a more intimate Acquaintance to try if she could find out the Cause of his Perplexity; seeing it better became him to obey, than to refuse a Civility from one so much above him, he took a little more assurance, and placed himself at the lower end of the Table. Soon as the Meal began the Music struck up, and now every Sense was delighted; She had every Thing that was agreeable to her Taste, her Sight and her Ears, and she seemed at this time to be so present to her natural good Humour, that for a long while she forgot her Afflictions, and gave herself up to Ease and Pleasure.  
There is not on Earth any Thing that softens the Soul so much as Music, it must be a stubborn inflexible Nature that can't be alarmed at it, not such as that of the generous Saladine, who was strangely moved with the exciting Sounds, his Heart was touched with the piercing Echo, and now languishing upon the Strings, grew so very Amorous, that his ecstasy carried him almost beyond the Apprehension of his Sufferings: He could not forbear Wishing it might have the same influence on the Divine Nuberia, and he could not wish for any thing more happily, for the tender Princess had a sensible Breast, and being exceedingly pleased with the splendour of her Entertainment, she found in herself an Inclination not much to his Disadvantage: She could ha' been satisfied to have had her intended Bridegroom just such a Man as Saladine, and the more she considered him, the more she lamented her Misfortune that she was to be suddenly deprived of him, to be thrown into the Arms of one, for whom she had an unconquerable Prejudice. In this adversity of Thought, she regarded him with more Address, and as her Indulgence increased, so did his Flame. His Faculties now regained their wont Vigour, his Assiduities were doubled, and every thing he did and said tended to her good liking. In a little time she grew more familiar, and he more assured; their Conversation was now grown unreserved, and distances were laid aside: She began to consider him with something more than indifference, and he gazed on her as he would devour her with his Eyes. 'Twas then the accomplished General began to display himself, he was no longer awed with Majesty, nor fettered with the Terror of Offending her: His Discourse was free and eloquent, and to whatever he uttered, her Ears were open and attentive. Sometimes his stolen Glances met her Eyes, and sometime he was resolved to declare he knew not what, but as yet his Courage was not sufficient when he considered what he was going to do, but stifling his Temerity he forbore to be so presumptuous. He knew very well the danger of the Design, and while he was in Temper to Reflect, he trembled for his Arrogance. She on her part behaved herself with much Condescension, but not so far as to encourage his Hopes, and when he considered the Happiness he had already received, he saw he had good reason to be contented with his Condition,  
The Time being come that it was seasonable to departed, he remembered that it was not decent to take too much advantage of the Honour she did him, and making a handsome Compliment to that purpose, he left her with her belov'd Fidelia, well pleased with what had past.  
The Apartment where this charming Princess lay was directly under that where Saladine took up his Lodgings, The Roof that parted them was but thin, so that it was not difficult for the wakeful Lover to hear what Discourse passed between her faithful Confident and her. His Pains kept his Eyes from Slumber, and he had not long laid down, ere he heard his lovely Passenger address herself to Fidelia in these Terms. Oh my Fidelia! Whither has my Father's Ambition hurried me? Why must I be made the Sacrifice of his Glory, by becoming the Wife of one for whom I can have no Inclination? Is there in a Crown any thing can make me happy? No my Fidelia, 'tis worth no more than the Riches that adorn it, and I despise it as a Trifle not worth my Heart: Why am I then enslaved to Greatness without the liberty of choosing for myself? Oh unhappy State of Women Born for such Alliances! Were this Philippian Monarch Generous, he would release me from my Fears, and not betray me to a Marriage in which I have not consulted my Eyes. Why must I Marry whether I Love or no? Am I not a Woman, Born with Passions like other Women? Have I not a Heart to give, and can I not Love? Oh Yes, my dear Fidelia! I have all the tenderness of my Sex, my Bosom is soft and gentle, my Heart is flexible and relenting, and I have a force of Nature in me, which tells me, without being Beloved, I never can be Happy.  
The pitying confident heard her Mistress with infinite Sorrow, she endeavoured not to persuade her it was for her Glory, but consented to every thing she said, and lamented with her the Severity of her Condition. On the contrary she told her, the Court of Philippia was an absolute Prison to all the Queens who entered into it, and the nature of the People was to be excessively jealous of their Wives. What then will become of me, she cried? Can I endure to have my Honour suspected, and to be guarded like a Criminal? Oh wretched Fate! Unhappy lost Nuberia! These Words were pronounced aloud, and the attentive Saladine echoed her Sighs with his: He wished it were not so, but alas, how could he oppose it? He saw she was going to Execution, and that he himself was to carry her to the fatal Place. This Thought racked him to Death, and made him Ten Thousand times more uneasy than the poor Sufferer below: He could ha' died to rid her of that tormenting Destiny, and a Thousand times he resolved, if she would consent, rather than to obey his Orders, to carry her into some far distant Country, where she should never hear more of that unfortunate Contract. But yet he had some Consolation from her Aversion to't, because he hoped it might make better way for him, not that he could aspire to make her his, for that was infinitely above his expectation, but yet he hoped, she would not be altogether insensible of his Passion, since her Heart was disengaged, and at liberty to please itself. Thus this disconsolate Company were condoling their several Misfortunes, when Word was brought to the General that the Wind was fair.  
He who had taken no rest, was now weary of his Pillow, and upon this Summons rises. He found the Wind presented, and that 'twas necessary to use it, so gave Orders for Sailing. Then were his Pains renewed, when he considered he was now advancing to his and the mourning Nuberia's Destiny, every Wave his Ship cut carried 'em further on, but much happier would he have thought it, if those Waves had buried him. The Noise that is at such a time reached the watchful Princess; and when she was told she was on her Voyage, she abandoned herself to Despair; and in her innumerable Torments invoked the God of Tempests to end her unhappy Being: But in vain were all her Prayers, the uncertain Elements were never more certain, and the God of the Waters disobeyed her.  
The Wind continued fair for many Days, fair for their Voyage, but adverse to their Wishes, and 'twas not now long ere they expected to see the unwelcome Shore. Then was it that all the Pangs and Agonies of Grief surrounded 'em, the drooping Fair sunk under her approaching Calamity, the weeping Fidelia kept her beloved Princess Company in her Melancholy, but the Rage, the Torment, the Distraction of the lost Saladine is not to be expressed. He Cursed the prosperous Wind, he railed at Heaven, he Cursed himself, and only Blessed Nuberia: He saw too late that he now lov●d her, he saw her going to her Grave, he saw himself going to be deprived of her for ever, and all this confusion of Misery not to be shunned. Thus was he fretting like a Lion in the Toil, champing the Chain that held him to his Fate, and calling for Thunder to dash him into Pieces, when of a sudden the Wind came about, and as it had been for four Days directy for 'em, it was now as directly against ' 'em.  
Never was so successful a Turn as this: Their Curses were all changed into Blessings, and the Deity which just before they had Blasphemed, was now the God of their Thanksgivings. The overjoyed Saladine, ran in haste to carry the News to the disconsolate fair One, covering his Joy with as much Temper as he could, not to give her any Jealousy that he knew of her Aversion to the Voyage, and she received the News with wonderful Serenity, tho' her Heart was in no good Condition to disguise her Satisfaction. Soon after this lucky turn it fell flat Calm, not a Breath of Wind ruffled the Face of the Deep, the Elements were in perfect Tranquillity, the floating Palaces lay wantoning on the Bosom of the Ocean; the sporting Nercids danced around 'em, wondering at this universal Stillness. Now they moved neither one way nor other, their Ships road on the smooth Pacifick as they had been held by their Anchors, their Sails flatted against the Masts, and the idle Sailors had nothing to employ 'em: The Face of Heaven had not one Cloud that threatened them, the Wether seemed to be settled in this Halcyon, and Morning and Evening Fogs demonstrated not near approach of an alteration. It seemed indeed, as Fate had contrived it for the Wishes of the labouring Saladine, who desired nothing more than to dwell for ever in the Company of his charming Princess.  
The fair Nuberia too could not hear of this revolution without warm emotions of Joy, as it delayed a while her arrival to her Destiny, and gave her a longer enjoyment of the noble General, whom she began to value with a more than ordinary Esteem. She had been sensible in this part of her Voyage of his frequent Diligences, and a thousand Turns of Gallantry with which he hoped to please her, she saw in all his Actions an Air of Nobility, and such a profound Submission, that even her exalted Quality could hardly countenance it: But above all she distinguished that Desire which she perceived he had to please her, which with the rest of his Tenders took such root in her Heart, that she could not forbear showing on all Occasions the Satisfaction she received in his Services. She now thought it no Crime to wish him well, and if a little Tenderness mixed with it, she had not Power to control it. 'Tis true, she considered she was going to tie herself for everlasting to the Embraces of her contracted Husband, and that her Duty would not warrant her Inclination for any other Person, but tho' she was of an inviolable Virtue, and in all Things paid a solemn deference to her Honour, and to her Father's Will, yet the Image of the generous Saladine would break in upon her most serious Reflections, and make her whither she would or no regard him with some concern.  
He on the other hand grew every Day more inflamed, he found he loved in good earnest, but the dread of offending her kept him from revealing it: This constraint he put upon his Passion served but to increase it, and the more he strove to conquer it, the more unconquerable it grew. This set him sometimes on extravagant Projects; now he would resolve to let her see it, but presently he apprehended the discovery might be fatal, if she should receive it with Displeasure: Sometimes he determined to prepare her by making an interest with Fidelia, but knowing the uncorrupted Duty that Lady paid her Princess, he was afraid it might miscarry on that side too.  
Never was a poor Lover agitated with so many different resolutions; as he was, he felt intolerable Pains, yet if he should attempt to ease 'em, it might add to his Afflictions by seeing her offended. He found he now loved with all the fury of Distraction, his mind was never at rest, but when his Eyes were on her, his Visage changed, his Health left him, his Body sickened, and all the Faculties of his Soul were at War one with another. He no longer took any Care of the Expedition, the Business of the Voyage was quite out of his Memory, and the charge of his Commission lay buried in profound Oblivion. These violent Convulsions threw him into a Fever, yet he chose to suffer on with invincible Fortitude, rather than divulge the Cause of his Pain. But tho' he strove with his Passion, 'twas in vain to strive with his Distemper, his Illness daily increased, and all his Physicians were in consultation about his Recovery. They readily found out his Disease, but the Cause was beyond their Search, to no Purpose were their Applications made, the Symptoms of Death had already marked him for another World, and they had nothing in their Art that could remove ' 'em.  
When the News of his Danger was carried to the Princess, she was extremely grieved, and the more, because she doubted if it would consist with her Character to visit him: She could have been contented to have eased him of one half of his Illness, for she looked on him with the same tenderness, as if she had a Brother in his Condition: But Maugre all Ceremonies, she found she could contain herself no longer, and sending her dear Confident to know if a Visit would be agreeable to him, that Maid ran to his Apartment, and found him almost in the Arms of Death.  
At the Name of the Princess he started from the Verge of Life, and looking up to see who sounded that charming Name, he saw it was the Faithful Fidelia: He held forth his Hand to let the welcome Messenger know nothing could give him greater Comfort, and tho' his Tongue had not power to utter his Joy, his Eyes confessed it. When the frighted Maid returned to her Mistress, she related to her the deplorable Condition he was in, and the trembling Princess hearing her with infinite Pity, she hastened with her to the Scene where the expiring Lover lay: At the first Sight of her, his Spirits forsook him, but striving to recover, he would have raised his Head to pay her his Acknowledgements for so undeserved an Honour; but she approached his Bed time enough to prevent him, and took her Seat by the Bedside. The poor unthinking fair here dispensed with the Decorum of her Quality, as a Princess, and as a Wife, she considered the occasion too pressing to insist upon Formalities, and she chose rather to deny for once her duty to her Honour, than to the Necessity of her Friendship for the dying Patient: She than beheld him in the Agonies of Death, changed from what he was, and she thought it Charity to administer all her good Offices for his recovery.  
The Apprehension she had of his danger made him now almost dear to her, who perhaps for want of such an occasion might have still kept her Heart secure; but so it is, that we oftentimes begin to Love, when there is any danger of losing what before we only esteemed. Now it was that the Crisis of his Fate was at the highest, there was but one way of saving his Life, and that was guarded with innumerable Difficulties. He had the pleasure of beholding his Divine Nuberia; but where was that Tongue that could reveal his Sufferings? His Eyes languished on the beloved Object as they were riveted to't, but his Voice was shut up with Awe and Terror.  
This moving sight struck our generous Princess with mortal Anguish, the compassionate Fidelia wept over him, and it was hard to say which of the Three bore the most significant Characters of Despair.  
The Princess omitted nothing that could express her infinite sorrow; nor to comfort him while there were any hopes he yet might do well: At last she tried by Questions to find out the unsearchable Cause, but all her inquiries returned without satisfaction.  
If the gallant Saladine (said she) has so much confidence in my Friendship as to trust me with the secret of his mysterious illness, he shall find I shall concern myself in his sufferings as if they were my own: I Conjure you therefore, no longer to hid the cause of your indisposition; but if I have any prevalence over you, or you value the repose of one who has an interest in your welfare, declare what it is that burdens your Spirits, and presses down your noble Nature to such an extremity.  
Tho' there was a great deal of kindness in these words, yet the guilty Blood stole into his Cheeks, his Eyes were sunk down, and a fatal shivering shook the Foundations of the Bed: He still had a check of shame on him, tho' she seemed so much interested in his Affliction, and to encourage the discovery: But at last assuming more resolution, he raised his Eyes up to hers, and she encountering 'em in the very minute of his greatest langour, she saw there was something in his Heart which he fain would reveal, but that he was withheld by some secret reluctance: He struggled long between his pains and his fears, she saw him in perplexity, and he saw her in trouble for him. This indeed seemed a fair opportunity for him, he thought now to hazard all, not doubting but he should soon be out of a capacity of seeing her displeased with him, by the approach of that Hour which he had been impatlently expecting; but he was not long of that Opinion, his fears returned upon him, and after all his struggle he was forced to resolve rather to die than to tell her.  
Just as he had thus determined, the Physicians came in, and cut off all farther Conversation for that time.  
The impatient Princess felt violent vexation at this cross Adventure, and she had rather have spared 'em that visit, than have been so unseasonably interrupted: But not thinking it convenient to tarry longer; and being already a little resented to be found in his , she quitted it, not without great regret to leave him in that condition.  
But now behold what a turn of Fortune! for while the indulgent Princess had been conversing with him, Fidelia spying a Paper folded up in the Form of a Letter sealed, and carefully laid by his Pillow, she took it up, and was amazed to find it inscribed, to the Princess Nuberia. She made sure of so happy an Accident; and carrying it with her into the Princess' Apartment, she gave it her to read, who opened it with eager haste and found it thus:  
When I am Dead and my torments at an end, let it be known to the Divine Nuberia that for her I die: I could not live to see her another's; and being unworthy to possess her, I chose rather to end my Passion with my Life, than to live in perpetual Misery: Let this be a Memorial of my Love, and let me be pitied by all succeeding Lovers.  
Saladine.  
'Tis impossible to describe the different effects this Letter produced in the Breast of the Astonished Princess, she could not but look upon this discovery, as an injury to her Birth, and to the Circumstances of her Condition, she knew it was not fit for her to hear of Love from any person, at such a critical juncture when she was just going to be the Wife of another: But then she considered the deplorable state of the dying Saladine, and how much he chose to suffer rather than make it known; and then she really wished him happier: A long time her duty and her inclination contended for possession, and spite of all opposition at last her pity triumphed. She his considered herself the cause of mortal dejection, she considered how full of respect his behaviour had all along been, and to what an extremity he was now reduced: And these Reflections wrought upon her more than all the Rhetoric he could have used: The tender hearted Fidelia was no less moved than she, that faithful Maid had a high Opinion of his Virtues; and now endeavoured to confirm the Princess in those kind Sentiments: She Advises her again to visit him, and represented to her the necessity of saving so precious a Life; to which the Princess replied, What can I do Fidelia? Thou knowst I'm not at liberty to hear of such a passion, my cruel Father has sacrificed me to his Ambition, and how shall I withstand the force of my Destiny?  
But Madam (she was presently interrupted) you may see him, you may allow him to be so far happy, as to let him see you pity him, if you can allow him no more: You're not yet in the Court of Philippia, here are no Eyes to watch you, nor Tell-tales to publish any Breach of Decorum; you are not yet subjected to the Austerity of those Rules, that misfortune will come soon enough; In the mean time therefore ask yourself how necessary it is to save a Life which you confess is not indifferent t' you, and resolve over all Scruples to visit him again.  
The disconsolate Princess was at a stand how to carry herself in such a perplexity, she found but little inclination to disobey her, but she could not easily consent to put herself into the opportunity of an Amour which by no means consisted with her Honour. But when she consulted her Heart, these Obstacles were of little force, and after she had determined what to do, she prepared to see him again.  
The dying desponding Saladine knew nothing of this Accident; he every Hour expected Death; and had framed that Letter to let his beloved Princess know he died for his insolent Passion: While he was now musing on the approaches of his fate, he was amazed to see them enter his  again. The Princess held in her Hand the guilty Paper, and he knowing it to be his, his Astonishment and Shame was beyond all Confinement: Then no longer doubting but that she knew all, he was ready to yield up his Breath with Remorse and Confusion. He cried out in an ecstasy of penitence, Oh heavens! what have I done? How has my treacherous Hand betrayed me? Oh Madam! Let me not live to meet your Eyes: My guilty Flame has undone me, and I now deserve to become your detestation. The Queen looked on him with some glances of Compassion; and tho' she still remembered this tenderness was not to be justified; yet she could not forbear saying, Here Unhappy Saladine, Take back your guilty Declaration and with it— My good wishes for your Health; and if you Value my satisfaction, preserve your life. These unexpected words were life itself, he needed no other remedy to restore his Health, and already he felt his Heart relieved, and the powers of his Soul quickened up to Joy and Rapture: Then looking on her with Eyes divided between Awe and Ecstasy, he told her if he deserved not to die for what he had done, he would live to make the remainder of his Life the witness of her indulgent Goodness.  
Then in a Moment his illness began to abate, his Fever left him, his Countenance resumed its usual lustre, and through all his Veins the vital Blood ran temperate and healthful: All Signs of dangers were removed, his Reason returned, and his Senses possessed their former Occupations. No Marks of Desperation appeared any longer, nor any Raptures but what he uttered in the admiration of her Mercy.  
The Princess was much joyed at this alteration; she told him, That if the recovery of his Health depended so much on her power, she was sorry she could not always be his Physician; that she had consideration enough for the Merits of so generous a Man; but it was entirely against her Honour to Answer his Passion as it deserved; but if he could be satisfied with such a place in her Heart as would not invade her Duty, she should conceive for him the most tender Friendship; but that if she were at liberty to choose a Lover that could be most grateful to her, she could not fix better than on the Gallant Saladine.  
There needed no more to finish his recovery, he could not hope to break off the Nuptials she was going to Celebrate, and all the Ambition he coveted, was but to see himself in her good Opinion, and in some possession of her Heart: He heard her last words with transporting joy, and tho' there was a great deal due to the presence of so illustrious a Princess, yet he broke out from all Constraints of Decency into an extravagance of Passion. Oh ye Celestial Powers (he cried) too happy, Happy Saladine! and can the generous Princess pardon me? Can she forget my daring Insolence, and forgiving me the Sentence of Death which was my due, raise me to Life? and bid me live for ever? Oh let me rave a while with boundless Ecstasy, till I have uttered this excess of joy that fills my grateful Soul: Yes, I will live, since you command me, and live a thousand thousand Ages, till I become immortal as my Love, and carry to the end of Nature the Triumph of your Eyes.  
She would have checked his Transport, but he was in no condition to hear Reason; his Flight was too lavish to be bound up to Rules, and he spared nothing that expressed his Gratitude and her Generosity. At length he stopped, and she Answered in such Terms as these.  
I have already done more for the brave Saladine than I can justify to the present dependence of my Affairs; but I have considered every thing, and I find all too weak for my Inclination: It becomes me not to say more, perhaps I have said too much already. Only that if our Fortunes had so ordained it, I could have been content without the Temptation of a Crown, to have shared my happiness with him. She blushed for what she had said, and not able to look up, she let fall her Eyes, and wish she had not said so much. As it gave her confusion, so it increased his Happiness; and now the revived Lover, who a moment before would have parted with his Life for an Expiation of his Gild, lived to see himself forgiven, and what was infinitely more, beloved: Now be undertaken to talk with the freedom of a Lover; and while his Tongue was recounting the violence of his Flame, his Heart and his Sighs kept time with his passionate Relation: His languishing Looks pleaded powerfully for him, and he who knew to a syllable the way to a Lady's Heart, made every gesture humour the distressful Tale: Now he played the Orator indeed, his Tongue was Tipped with softness, his Eyes with Fire, his Breast beat to the Accents of his Voice, and every thing he uttered was Music to the attentive Princess, ' Twoved be very hard to describe our General with all the advantages which he now possessed; for notwithstanding his Illness, he had an Air of sweetness in his Face, and in every Action such a persuasive Allurement, as was not to be resisted. The Princess received a sensible Impression of all he said and did, she found her Heart already tottered, and when she would again have consulted her Reason, she had no power to think. She represented to her Fancy that she had never seen any thing more worthy of her, and now she was not determining whether she should love him or no; for that was already decided, and 'twas too far gone to be recalled: Her Heart became absolutely his, and there wanted but the consent of Fortune to make 'em the happiest Couple in the World. Now the distances of their Quality and all reservation was laid aside, our Lover grew more assured by the encouragement she had given him; and taking her fair Hand, he held it to his Lips with such ardency as very much affected her: She grew less scrupulous as he grew more assured, and she mistrusted not those innocent allowances in the possession of one she esteemed so much, and whom she had found so worthy of her Confidence.  
Thus were they highly satisfied with each other, she was exceedingly pleased to see she had such power over him as to restore him to Life at her pleasure; and he was in no ordinary degree of rapture, to see such a change in his condition, to be redeemed from the jaws of Death and Despair, and to see himself raised from such dejected Miseries to a felicity infinitely above his hopes. But alas how short were these starts of joy! they presently called to mind that they were not ordained for one another, that they were within few days of parting, never to behold each other more. Soon as that dismal thought seized 'em, they were both cast down into mortal Affliction: All the Terrors of Despair sat in their Faces, and they became the pity of the sorrowful Fidelia.  
And now to increase their Grief, the Wether grew Cloudy, the Calm was blown away with a boisterous Eastern Gale, their Sails were all trimmed for the pursuit of their Voyage, and they hurried on with such precipitancy, that to their insupportable sorrow they saw the fatal Shore where they were to part for ever. Who can describe the extremity of their sufferings at the discovery of that infernal Coast? The Weeping Princess was past all Comfort, and the furious Saladine ready to plunge into the bottomless deep to prevent the parting moment, which was but preventing one Death by another. But vain were their Complaints, the remorseless Wind increased, and they fled before it with such fury, that they plainly saw the Shore within few Hours Sail of ' 'em.  
The nearer they approached it, the more deplorable were their sorrows, and they now macerated and tore ' emselves with the utmost apprehensions of Despair, abandoned to their Sufferings and Distress. The Princess lay like one bereft of Reason, Fidelia sympathised with the Melancholy of her dear Mistress, and the inconsolable Saladine had hers as well as his own Torments to afflict him. In that Frenzy he could not forbear running into her , where he found his Charmer overwhelmed with trouble; and throwing himself at her Feet, begged to die in that posture rather than to see her torn from him to an Everlasting Separation. What did he not say to move her? But there needed no further Arguments to make her pity him, she already found him so dear to her, that she was within a moment's consideration of running the hazard of disobeying her Father, and flying to some far distant safety with her belov'd Saladine. But these were only Chimeras of a Distempered Brain, she talked of things impossible, and now there was no way to escape her Destiny.  
The Storm began to sing louder, and the faster it blew, the nearer they drew to the unwelcome Scene: The Sea was now grown outrageous, the Billows tossed 'em to the Skies, and the darkened Heaven (as if it mourned for their Calamity) was painted with the Visage of horror and death. In this Tempest they hoped for some unexpected adventure, as being on an Element apt for Changes, at least to delay a while their parting; but the Wind had no compassion of 'em, it Whistled still louder, and drove 'em forwards with such impetuosity that now the Shore was just under their Bows, and spite of all their care, the Ships in hazard of perishing. The alarm of this danger frighted all but the despairing Lovers; the Officers ran to the General for Orders in this extremity; but they might as well talk to the Clouds as to him: He was not at leisure to regard the safety of his Fleet, being agitated with a greater Storm in his Breast, and whatever should become of 'em, he was in no condition to prevent it: Immediately they dropped their Anchors, hoping to ride out the Storm; but all their caution was little enough to secure ' 'em. The Gulf of of Moco has always been notorious for Shipwreck, the Sea runs there with incredible fury, and a thousand Vessels have found their destruction in its implacable jaws. No Wonder therefore at this time the danger astonished all them who were tender of their safety; for throughout the whole Fleet there was not one who expected not Death, and who did not make it his business to shift for himself. All but the desperate Saladine and his Princess were fearful of being stranded on the Shore, but they had so little taste of Happiness, that Death would have been more welcome to 'em than Life, on any terms but of enjoying each other for ever. But seeing no hopes of such a Fortune, they gave ' emselves up with ready Resignation to whatever should befall ' 'em. In few Hours they could behold several of their Ships cast on the Shore, and the drowned Mariners tossed on the relentless Beach, as a Token of what they were now to expect.  
This dreadful sight gave all the Spectators unspeakable horror, but to our disconsolate Lovers it appeared with a quite different Face: Not that they wanted pity for those miserable Wretches who were perished; but it gave 'em hopes of suffering the same Death themselves, and they were prepared to receive it with wonderful Alacrity.  
The Princess felt not those fears which were common to her Sex in such Emergencies, her Courage was as much as was necessary, fortified with the presence of her Saladine, and in his Arms she was resolved to end her Life. He too who was grown careless of his own Life, neglected for a while even hers; and because he saw he could not be hers in Life, he rejoiced to think they should die together. This indeed was grateful to him for a time; but at length he considered, she deserved better Fortune than to perish for want of the means of safety, and he now was of Opinion to prevail with her to have some regard to herself. Accordingly he went to her, and Conjured her by all the happiness she wished him, not to remain longer Aboard, but to give him leave to get a pinnace ready to carry her ashore, and to leave him to the Mercy of the Sea, who was willing to die if he could secure her from the ruin which threatened her. He told her, there was less danger in venturing out than in remaining where she was, that if she would consent to go, he would give in charge to his chief Officers to Pilot her ashore, and to set her safe from the hazard of Shipwreck: That indeed he would attend her himself, but he could by no means set his Feet on the Country where she was to be for ever lost to him; and that the torture which he should feel to part with her, would be too conspicuous, and might give her Subject's occasion of censuring that Reluctance, with which he was to see her torn from him.  
Tho' there was a great deal of Reason in what he urged, she could not hear it without a Resentment, which showed her violently offended; no Sir, she cried, there is no safety for me where I have not the gallant Saladine to bear me Company, and as we are now in the Moment of eternal Perdition, I can rather consent to perish with you, than to endure the anguish of parting with you to sustain a Crown which will prove a Torment to me under the fatal Separation which it makes betwixt us. Then abandoned to Distraction, she cried, Oh forgive my Honour! If I transgress the Bounds of Decency to tell the faithful Saladine how much I Love him! Hence— away— with all Impediments of Duty, of strict Obedience and contracted Vows, let me be Mad till I have raved enough, and told the generous Man how dearly I adore him! Oh take me to your Arms, and hid my Blushes, let me be wrapped within your fast Embraces, and never wake but to behold you mine.  
The Amorous Saladine was ravished with this sudden Tenderness, in all his Joys he never hoped for such a Declaration, but now his Soul was all on Fire. Ye bounteous Gods! (he cried) What Words are these? Oh let me hang upon your lovely Knees, and prostrate on the Earth receive this Blessing! Then starting from that Posture, he flew out into a Transport, Let the Seas roar, and let Destruction reign, since I am made thus happy: Then running to her Arms, he added, Now— now— thou God of Whirlwinds strike us down, sink us together to the vast Abyss, but let no Bolt of Thunder part our Arms! Oh Joy too great to bear!— here his Breath failed him, and the weeping Princess ready to expire with the moving Spectacle, sunk down into his Arms, and they both remained as if they had been Dead. The diligent Fidelia, who never left 'em, was in little better Condition, but knowing the Danger of calling for help, she used all the Means she could to bring 'em to Life. Saladine first recovered, and finding the Princess entranced in his Arms, 'tis impossible to tell the various Passions that possessed him: He held her still in his Embraces, and looking on her with Eyes that languished with the heaviness of his Heart, he was ready again to sink to Death, but seeing her in that insensible Condition, he ventured to let down his Cheek to hers, and to touch those Lips that now could not be opened to accuse him: But 'twas with so much Awe, that if she had awaked and felt him, she could not be offended with the Violence. His busy Eyes ran over all her Perfections, and he gazed at her, as if indeed he never were to behold her more; and he could have wished to Die that very Moment, without the desire of any further Happiness.  
At length she opened her Eyes, and finding herself in his Embraces, she was a little staggered at her Weakness, and at another time could not have pardoned herself such a Confession of her Love: But now 'twas too late to hid her Passion, she was entirely resigned to her Inclinations, and she thought nothing too much for that charming Man, who knew how to use her Indulgence without invading her Honour: Soon as she collected her Spirits, she looked on him with such Tenderness as could proceed from nothing but her Excellency of Pity and Generosity, and he met those Glances with such a Languishment, that nothing could be more moving than this dumb Conversation: He raised her up, and as well as he could, desired her to be composed, but her Trouble was too great to be comforted, and he was in no good State to give it her. Fidelia, who was least concerned, tho' not without her share of their Misery, prevailed with her to retire, she suffered herself to be carried whither she would, and giving Saladine her Hand to support her, she was conducted to her Bed: She strove not to oppose 'em, but finding in her tortured Breast no Disposition to Rest, she laid her down, while the lamenting Maid did what she could to divert her. But in vain was all she said, her Heart was overcome with Melancholy, and she could think of nothing but of the dreadful Hour that was approaching. She now lost all Hopes of perishing in the Storm, for the Sky cleared, and the Face of the Deep was grown smooth and calm; and every Minute she expected the fatal Summons to debarque.  
Saladine being withdrawn to his own Apartment, begun to ruminate on his miserable Condition, he saw nothing before him but Misery, yet 'twas some comfort to him to think he was beloved; but how short was that Comfort! For he soon concluded his Condition the worse, that being advanced to so great a Happiness he was in a Moment to be deprived of it for ever. When he perceived the Wether grow fair, his Torture was doubled; he now looked for the Ambassadors from Shore that were sent to receive her, and every thing he heard, he thought was they. He was not long deceived, for upon the ceasing of the Storm, they who were appointed to attend her to the Court came Aboard, and now Spite of all his Afflictions he was constrained to meet 'em, and to give 'em the Honours that were due to their Characters.  
When the Dying Nuberia, saw the fatal Messengers, 'tis inexpressible her Anguish and Dejection; she looked on 'em as they had been her Executioners, and she had hardly Fortitude enough to support herself to receive their Homage: She showed so little Complacency for the Errand they came upon, that the quick sighted Philippians were at a loss how to behave themselves; but not daring to press beyond her Pleasure, they withdrew to give her Time to prepare for her solemn Departure.  
Tho' she had been a great while arming for this unavoidable Necessity, yet again her Grief returned, when she considered her lost Saladine: She had but another Moment to see him, and that was to be spent in utmost Sorrow: But being resolved to have her eternal Farewell, she sent privately for him, and he was conducted by the faithful Confident to the last Scene of their Interviews: This Meeting, as it was the last of their Lives, so it was attended with the most deplorable Circumstances: She now omitted nothing that could assure him of that indearing Esteem she had of him, and taking a Bracelet from her Arm, put it upon his, conjuring him never to part with it till some happier Occasion should make her capable of sending to him again: She hoped one Day to make him better Acknowledgements, if she had Strength enough to Survive this doleful Parting, and ending her Discourse with Repetitions of her everlasting Friendship; she gave way to that torrent of Tears which burst from her deluged Eyes.  
The unhappy Lover received her Present with such a dejected Air, as if it were only to put him in Mind of his eternal Misery; but the Assurances she made him of being eternally his Friend, was yet some small Mitigation: He yet hoped the varieties of War might give him an occasion of seeing her Country again, that he might hear how she lived in her new Majesty, and what Remembrances she still preserved of him: After this, he would have thrown himself at her Feet to take his final Adieu, but she raised him by the Hand, and suffered him to take her once more into his Arms, as being the only Happiness she had now remaining for him. He pressed her lovely Bosom close to his, and with a Groan that brought up his very Soul, he cried— farewel: She had but just Strength enough to echo him, and with a fainting Voice she replied— eternally Adieu. He then let fall his Arms, and turning away his Eyes, he strove to hid that Weakness which deprived him of any further Speech; and staggering to the Door, he went he knew not whither. All Things being got ready for her departure, she prepared for't without ask any Questions, and without any further Ceremony entered her Pinnace; still keeping her Eyes fixed on the expiring Saladine; and as the Vessel bore her away to the fatal Shore, the unfortunate Lover gazed at her till he could behold her no more.  
Thus (my dear Brunet) you have the Story of that unfortunate Princess, which some time ago made a great Noise in that part of the World where it was acted: The best thing that can be said of it, is, that it is true, and our Author has omitted all flourishes, to keep to Reality: The Princess of this Story is still alive, and I am told, the royal Catolinus proved just a Bridegroom, as she prophesied of him; but the poor Philippians were disappointed in their Hopes of an Heir, for Heaven has not Blest that Crown with any Issue from that renowned Woman, tho' they were Daily in expectation of one, which they hoped to obtain through the intercession of their Friends in Heaven, which were constantly plied to for that Purpose. And now I shall shut up my long Letter, without troubling you with any other Adventures, but I hope in few Months more to find you some other Diversion, for I have made an Acquaintance in this Place which will furnish me with all Occurrences that are worth hearing: Till than I release you from any further importunity, and remain  
Your most Devoted Friend, R— Cadiz Dec. 4th, 1694.   

POSTCRIPT.  
IF you intent to Honour me with any of yours, let 'em be directed for me here: The Method of this Post-Office is very extraordinary, and I can't miss of any of your Favours, if you writ between this and May. There's such a Number of Strangers in this City, that ' twound be impossible to know every Man by his Name, or almost by the Place of his Dwelling; therefore the Officers of the Postage order their Business thus. When the Mail arrives, the Clerks writ down the Number upon every Letter, from One perhaps to 1000, as many as there are, and then the Copy of the Names as they are Superscribed, is writ down on a Table kept for that Purpose, putting opposite to the Name the Number that lies upon his Letter, and this Table always hangs in the Passage, where every one, who comes to inquire, looks if there be one for him, and if he finds his Name in the Alphabet of the Table, he takes notice of the Number, and goes in to the Clerk, who always attends for that end, and reporting his Number, his Letter is presently found.    

LETTER II.  
NOW again I have got something to entertain my dear Brunet with, but how agreeable it may be to him, I am not positive to determine, tho' I have taken some Pains to find him Matter of Diversion, and if I give him half so much Entertainment as I receive in furnishing myself with Adventures to please him, I shall think my Time and my Toil amply rewarded.  
As I told you in my last, I had now leisure enough to make my Observation of every thing I saw and heard, and when I got leave to go Ashore to Cales, which I informed you, were our Winter Quarters, I dressed myself in the Habit of my own Country, and went to see some French Merchants I was recommended to, who were very glad to receive me: And I so well pleased them with the Relation of my Undertaking, that I made myself many good Friends among ' 'em. There are great Numbers of French over all this Kingdom, and I have been told that in Madrid alone there are Forty Thousand, who follow their several Vocations, generally under the disguise of Flemings. Whenever I had any curiosity to see the Rarities of this Town, one or other of my Friends always accompanied me, to protect me from the insults of the Spaniards, who are very Inhospitable to Strangers: And where ever we went, I found our Countrymen well esteemed, notwithstanding their national Prejudices, for being accounted, as indeed they generally are, Wealthy, the Fame of such a Character draws some Veneration from the People.  
The City of Cadiz is a very ancient City, the Foundation of it having been laid by the Phoenicians: It is Situate on the Skirt of the Island, famous heretofore for being the Habitation of Geryon, the Antagonist of Hercules, who is said to have carried away the Herds of Cattle which grazed in this Fruitful Pasture; and at this Day the Pasture is so rich, that Cattle will die of Fatness within 30 Days, unless they be let Blood; and, to say true, the whole Province is so exuberantly Rich, that in the Time of the Carthaginians, before the first Punic War, it was a Temptation to those warlike Invaders to make War against it, which they did so successfully, that all that part of Spain was Conquered by 'em, tho' afterwards the Romans sent their Armies hither against the Carthaginians, and in process of Time the African Scipio Conquered it, and made it an Appendix of the Roman Empire. This Island by Mariana's Account was formerly 700 Paces from the Continent, and had 300 Leagues circumference: What he means by so extravagant a Measure, is beyond my Apprehension, for tho' I have often Pac d it round to examine if there were any Footsteps of so unlikely a Compass, I could never find 'em, for at this Day it is no more than 3 Leagues about, and the River that parts it from the Continent is so narrow, that a Bridge of 6 Arches strides it over. But as to the Situation of the Land, every Schoolboy knows, Hercules concluded his Ramble here, and left his Name to those Two great Hills Calpe and Abyla, which front each other from Africa and Europe, which are to this Day, and will be to all Posterity called his Pillars, as if he had erected 'em for the Boundaries of his Conquest. It was many Years afterwards the Vrbs Gaditana of the Romans, and, one of their Magazines for furnishing their Transports in their Maritime Expeditions. The City is not extraordinary large, but so full of People, that no Habitation in the World can boast of greater Numbers, and for Magnificence of Churches, Convents and private Houses, neither Paris nor London, Germany or Italy can out go it: The Fortifications are not the best that I have seen, for all the backside which fronts the Southward, is naked; but on the Angle they have built a small Fort into the Sea, which they call St. Sebastian's, and in time of War it may serve to prevent a descent on that Quarter: But the front which looks upon the Bay is well walled, and mounted with good store of fine Brass Cannon, and serves for the Evening Walk of the Merchants and other Inhabitants. Higher up towards the Bay is a Neck of Land which runs like an Isthmus between the two Seas, lately Fortified, and indeed I think, impregnable, and they have good Reason to guard that Place well, for it was on that Side the famous Descent was made by the English Generals, Essex, and Raleigh, who● in one Day they Sacked this wealthy City, and laid it in Ashes. A Mile without these Works stands the Castle of Puntal, a small well built Garrison, but ill Armed, and more negligently Guarded: For I don't know what use they make of it, but to lay up the Plate and Money, which, contrary to the Statutes of their Country, they provide for the Genoeses, and other Ships which come here for that Purpose; and from hence to convey it aboard. 'Tis true this Castle, and the other opposite to't on the other side of the Bay, made some resistance when Essex invaded 'em, but it was so small, that he was not twelve Hours in gaining 'em, and in beating the Garrison out: The other that I named is built on purpose to Countenance this, and to oppose the Passage of an Enemy into the Creeks, and not being above a Cannon Shot asunder, it would prove hard for a Man of War to go between 'em, if they were well Manned.  
Within the City I observed no regular Militia, only a Muster of a few ragged Rogues, which don't deserve the Name of a Regiment, for neither Government nor Discipline appears among 'em, yet these Rascals are so Insolent, that a Stranger would be in danger of his Life if he should refuse to give the most beggarly among 'em the Wall and the Salute. They have three Gates, which are opened and shut every Morning and Evening, each of 'em guarded with the Officers of the Customs, and I think they make little use of 'em but to that purpose, nor that neither effectually, for nothing here is more common, than to run Goods ashore, and carry Money out, either by Stratagem, or the Connivance of the Officers: At the Sounding of the Oraison Bell these Gates are all shut, and the Keys carried to the Governor, and upon no Terms to be delivered out again, unless on very important Necessities. The first and principal is called Puerta de la Sevilla, because the Boats which Trade between Sevil and this City lie before it; the Second is called Puerta de la Mar, because here the Captains and Masters of Ships generally come a Shore; and the third Puerta de la Tierra, because it is the Key which opens to the Island: But since I have mentioned the Oration, give me leave to acquaint you, That the custom of the Evening Prayer is here performed with wonderful Devotion; not but that I know 'tis in all Catholic Countries observed less or more; but here it is done with so much severity, that not one Person, be who he will, who is at that time in the Streets, tho' the weather be never so dirty, but falls down on his Knees in the very place where he stood, and in that Posture gives up his Thanksgivings for the Mercies of the Day: And surely there is in this custom, an exceeding show of Piety not to be met with among our pretended reformers, those zealots who have eloped from the Church, and now set up for Christians more Spiritualised than we. It was no small pleasure to me (My Dear Brunet) to see those obstinate Heretics obey this custom of falling down on their Knees at the call of a Catholic Signal, and bemire their laced Coats to conform with a Religion they so much rail against; but 'twas their Fear of being knocked on the Head, and not their Devotion, which made 'em comply, and they were so much in the right on't as to save their Bones, tho' they ventured at what they themselves call Idolatry, as indeed they impiously call most of our Devotions. Soon as this is over, the City is on all Sides shut in, and 'tis then impossible to get out, and this is the only Face of a Garrison which I could see among ' 'em.  
'Tis almost incredible the Opulence and Traffic of this City, there's scarce a Nation upon Earth that has not sent some of its Natives to Trade here; and among these there's such Diversity and Confusion of Habits and Languages, that at high Change, which is always at Eleven in the Morning, the Scene looks like an Opera, and the Eye is filled with Show and Figure. But 'tis a strange Thing to consider, that among such Crowds of all Countries, there is hardly one Spaniard to be seen, these are so Lazy, or so Proud, that they give ' emselves no manner of Exercise, for they had rather Starve than Work: If they had not the best Country in the World, their Condition would be very Miserable, and as it is, they can but barely Live, for notwithstanding their Ostentation, there's the Curse of Poverty in all their Families. At the time of Exchange one may see some of all the Kingdoms of the Earth negotiating their private Affairs, which are mostly leveled against the Interest of Spain; so that when I considered this strange Medley, I could not choose but commend what I had once in Holland seen of a Picture, which showed the King of Spain lolling on a Table covered with Pieces of Eight, with the King of England and the States of Holland on each Hand, raking from under his Arms the shining Metal; the Genoeses behind his Chair making Grimaces at him, and the King of France snatching it before his Face, whether he would or no: And indeed 'tis literally true, for all Nation's prey upon him, and either by Wile or Force get most of his Treasure out of his Country. How should it else be? For there's not another Kingdom in Europe has any Mines of its own, and tho' the French and English have a small Trade with Guinea, and bring sometimes Dust from thence; yet that is so small a Parcel of the Riches of both Countries, that it must be confessed, the Body of their Treasure must come from hence, and so be dispersed through all Parts of the World, to the utter Subversion of the Spanish Power: And were it not for their Possessions which they still hold in America, they would inevitably fall before every Prince that could draw an Army against 'em, and be reduced to Nothing. But to return to Cadiz.  
The Government of the City is in the Hands, first of the Government, and next to him of the Alcalde; the first is for the Regulation of the Military, as the latter of the Civil Affairs; and between these Two are frequent Disputes about Prerogatives, which are generally determined in Favour of the Governor, who has a Power (such as it is) to awe and intimidate the Civil Magistrate, who in so depraved a Reign may complain of the Usurpation of his Rival to no Purpose in the World: At our first Arrival Don Pedro de Velasco was Governor, who was afterwards presented to the Viceroyate of Catalonia; a Man supposed to be in the Interests of France, and supported by the Authority of his Father, who is Constable of Castille, and one of the prime Ministers of State: The Conduct of this Governor was highly Censured when Admiral Tourvile lay before this Place; for as it is reported, there was a private Correspondence between 'em, and the Governor openly regaled him with several great Presents, to Bribe him from any Hostilities, and to gain the good Will of the French Merchants, who were not wanting to reward him.  
Here is an excellent Market for Fish and Fruit; but as for Meat, I have seen more on one Butcher's Stall in London, than in all the Shambles here: All manner of tame and wild Fowl are scarce, tho' I have sometimes seen of both Sorts exceeding good, but in no plentiful manner, for these are Forestalled before they come to Market, and they who can't go to the Price of 'em, must Feast on Herbs▪ or eat their Fish as their Daily Food, and thank God for Blessing 'em with the Neighbourhood of the Sea. Their Pork indeed is the best in the World, but their Mutton, Beef and Veal the worst; for whatever becomes of all their , there is little to be found of 'em in their Markets; and even that that is, is so strangely mamockt in the cutting up, that with that, and the beating of the Sun all Day upon't, it looks like Carrion. To sum up all in a word, nothing can show more Sumptuous than the outside of their Houses; and nothing more Beggarly than their Poverty within.  
Some Months after our arrival, several Visits were made between the English General, and the Governor, but if you were to see the gaudy Pomp of the Spaniard when he puts on all his gallantry for a Visit, you would think yourself in the Holiday Show of some overgrown Citizen, when the Pedlar puts of his blue Apron to strut along in Silks and Ribbons. Certainly nothing can be more Ridiculous than this Pageantry, and yet you may as well persuade 'em that they're not the Ancienest People of the Creation, as that they're not the most accomplished in Breeding and Gallantry. The height of their Mode is but to mimic the French in their Garb; and you know they do this to such a pitch of Deformity, that it is become a Proverb, when we would speak of any Body very awkard, to say, He looks like a Spaniard in a French dress. To mention the English, tho' they are our Apes as well as they, yet they wear their  with a tolerable good grace, and bating that sullen Air which is inseparable from all Northern People, they come nearest us of any of our Neighbours.  
Whenever the General made his Visit, he went attended with the flower of his Officers, as there are many among 'em fine Gentlemen. Once there was a solemn Invitation, from his Excellency a Shore, to hls Excellency a Board, to an Entertainment at his House; the chief Diversion was to be a Comedy, and to this Invitation, the General went with the best appearance he could make; and indeed the procession was Magnificent beyond what is commonly seen here: For as the General Landed, the Governor in his own Person received him at the Water side, and led him to his House, between his Guards and the Soldiers (if I may so call them) of the Garrison, with such Music as the place afforded, and a general discharge of Cannon: At his House he was regaled after a handsome manner, and the Comedy Acted to the best advantage they could, which yet was very miserable: When the General came away, he left a large Munificence behind him, which consisted of Sixty Pistoles for the Comedians, and Sixty more for the Governors' Servants. This liberality of the General, made a great noise, and the Spaniards ever after expressed a high Opinion of his Generosity, and began to treat the English with more respect.  
Without question, their Comedies (as they call 'em, for they have hardly any distinction between Comedy and Tragedy) are the vilest things on Earth, and can be out done by nothing but the scandalous manner they Act 'em in, and the pitiful Decoration of their Stage: You who are a Critic in these Studies, may judge what they are, when I have told you, that in three Days time they can patch up a Play, even in verse, for they are all in Rhyme, and get it Acted in three more, but after such a barbarous manner, as would sooner raise your Contempt than your Diversion: I have heard that the Famous Calderon seldom took more time; and tho' his are the most correct of any in the Language, yet if they were brought on the French Stage, the Audience would think the Poet out of his Wits, and a Ballad Sung in a Country Market a better jest: As for their Scenes and Ornaments, a Mountebanks Scaffold is an illustrious contrivance to 'em: Two or three dirty Blankets pined across the Stage, serves for the Curtain, that is, The flat Scene before which they Act, and when they have any thing to show behind that, they draw the  Scene, and then the Audience may suppose what they will: One would think they should be ashamed of Day light, they Play in such abominable Habits, and yet they never use Candles, but stand in full view of the Sun, and defy the Devil and the Critic. My Friend, Even in these trifles we may observe the dissimilitude between this Country and all others, for I think 'em altogether and in every thing the most contrary People on Earth.  
And as if these People had contrived on purpose to be opposite to all the World beside, they erect their Boxes just where our Galleries stand, and the Pit which with us is taken up only by the Gentry, is with them prostituted to the Vulgar at the Price of about a Tester: But with this remarkable difference, That the Benches are locked up, like the Pews in Protestant Churches, sometimes purchased by particular Families, but generally to be opened to every Scoundrel who starves a Dinner to treat himself with Sixpeny worth of the Play. As to the Boxes, they are built on high from each side of the Stage to the end of the House, not near so commodiously as our Galleries; and the charge of one of them amounts to about Twelve Shillings, and that finds room for half a dozen: But for the most part, these boxes belong to such and such Houses of Quality; and as we say, This is the King's Box, etc. They say, This is such a Ones, and this is such a Ones— But when any of them are not taken up by the Owners, the Box-keepers make Money of them to others.  
Another Bar besides the situation, to render these Boxes more inconvenient, are, the Grates which they always put before ' 'em. This Custom arises from the Care the Women take, or the Men for 'em, that they shan't be seen; and because they must deprive others from seeing them, they deprive themselves of seeing the Play.  
One of the Plays which I was at, invited me there by the curiosity of the Title; it was the Story of the English Earl of Essex, and Qneen Elizabeth; which because I had read both in French and in English, I was resolved to see what they made of it in Spanish; and to be ingenious, I could not choose but be extremely Scandalised at the Character which they make of that Princess; for she is there represented as the blackest and most deformed Monster in Nature, a Tyrant, Homicide, an Usurper, Bastard and a Witch: And even out of the Playhouse, the People have the same Opinion of Her; and which is more intolerable, I have heard a well read Gentleman, but hot and zealous, affirm, That she was contracted to the Devil, and that she was branded with a great black Beard, which made Her horrible to behold.  
When I considered this, I found these Impressions are conveyed to the Laity by the Artifices of the Priests, to give 'em an invincible abhorrence of those they call Heretics, and tho' nothing is more evident, than that this is as Lie, yet the common People are so tenacious of what the Church tells ' 'em. That they'll sooner quarrel in defence of such a falsehood, than admit of any Conviction. I saw several other of their Plays, but as they are cramped into short Verses, and the sense very much pinched in for the sake of the Rhimes, so I was sometimes puzzled to understand 'em; in the main, I believe, there may be Wit in some of 'em, or else the People are easily provoked to Laughter and Admiration; for their Applauses are often expressed by crying, Vita, Vita, which is contracted out of Victoria, a Word that signifies their good Liking and Satisfaction: I observed in most of their Plays that they are very happy in what we commonly fail, and that is, in the Oeconomy of the Fable: Their Plots are neither so intricate as to confound, nor so transparent as to be seen through, but substantial, clear and surprising: Their Verse is every First and Fourth, and Second and Third; and their Acts, which they call Jornadas, are never more than Three, only at the end of each, they bring in a scurrilous Interlude of Farce and Nonsense, disgraced with a Guittar and Harp, to make the Rabble Laugh.  
I shan't delay you with any more Remarks of this Place, I have already too far Transgressed, for indeed there can be but little Pleasure, either in Writing or Reading any Thing that can be said on such a wretched Subject. Give me leave only to add, that this Country is intolerably Hot, which makes good what one said of Hell, that if he were to place it in Africa, Libya should be his Choice, but if in Europe, no Place so fit as Spain for the burning Mansion. This extremity of Heat is the Reason, that from Twelve to Four in the Afternoon, every Body goes to what they call their Cesto, that is, to Sleep, and the Streets for that time are as silent as at Midnight, and no greater appearance of a Trade than if it were the Sabbath; so that when the English, who were not accustomed to Sleep at such Hours, would be about the Streets, the Spaniards made a byword of 'em, and said that at such a time nothing but Englishmen and Dogs walked about.  
But now I have been mortifying you with these heavy Complaints, let me try if I can lighten your Spleen a little with something more relishing: As you are a Friend to a Bottle and an Intrigue, you can't choose but be pleased with the Conversation of some honest jolly Friars that are here: Those of Spain are commonly more Temperate than the French, the French yet more than the English, and indeed that's no Wonder, for the English can hardly produce any Nation that excels 'em in all manner of Lewdness: Here are in this City of all Countries some, and of all Orders, from the stately Castilian, down to the humble Irishman, and from the proud Jesuit to the lousy Capuchin: The Clergy are so numerous and so Rich, that I have been faithfully told, near a third Part of this well Built City is in their Possession, either given 'em by pious Legacies, or purchased with ready Money: Besides some fourteen Convents of Monks and Nuns, there's a Hospital called, St. Juan de Dios, which is maintained with the Profits of the Playhouse, the Stage being interdicted, unless it pays (as I remember) about 2 thirds of their Daily receipt to its maintenance: The Occasion of this heavy Tax on the Theatre, was the result of the Bustle which the Spanish Jesuits made to get it suppressed: The Story is very Famous under the Name of Pedro de Guzman, a zealous Churchman, who wrote a Book, wherein he vilifies the Stage, seeming to be much scandalised at its Impiety, and giving it all the Opprobrious Terms he could gather out of the discontented Fathers; and concludes, that it is equally Shameful to the Catholic Religion, to bear with this (which he calls) Pagan Lewdness, as to suffer the Bull-Feasts, which gave it at all times such infinite Scandal. The Latter is a Custom which they derive from the Moors, who once Inhabited their Country, and was among other Sports, in mixture with a deal of gross Superstition, left to these Spaniards their Successors after they were expelled Spain, and which are still highly prevailing at this Day: I shan't go about to describe this heathenish Sport, it being already done by every Author who has writ any Thing of the Country; only I shall tell you, that once I had the Curiosity to be present at one of 'em, are which Time I saw 33 Bulls cut down, and macerated alive one by one, by these inhuman Butchers. Tho' I found much Cruelty in this kind of Pastime, yet I could not choose but be diverted with the Dexterity of the Spaniards, in amusing and shunning those fierce Creatures: The Bulls which are designed for the Sacrifice are all managed, for they are kept wild, and for some time before the Day of Sport, shut up in Darkness, to render 'em more Furious when they are let out into the Light and the Crowd: The Combatants of this Day were some Gentlemen, whose Relations had been formerly Foiled by the Bulls, and then lying under (what they call) an Impena, to revenge the Disgrace, which is a Puntilio of Honour they never fail to observes: They came into the Lists, dressed up like Morris-Dancers, Riding upon Mules, as fine as themselves; and one after another, they ran their Course: This Impena (if I call it right) is reckoned a Disgrace of the highest Degree, if any Cavalier comes off without Killing his Bull, tho' he himself be Wounded, or perhaps Killed, as it sometimes happens, there lies an Infamy on that Family, till some other Branch of it takes off the Attainder, by Slaying one of the Savages with his own Hand, which at last, tho' perhaps with the Sacrifice of most of the Family, they never fail to do. These Gentlemen were reputed great Dabs' at the Game, and so they proved, for by one Shift or other, they all came off unhurt, having redeemed the Disgrace of their Friends, and acquired to themselves universal Applause. But on these Holidays of Bull-Fighting, every Fellow gets ready his Dart or his Spear, and with that in one Hand, and his Cloak in tother, he Wounds the Bull, and defends himself; for as soon as he strikes, he throws his Cloak about his Eyes, which catching on his Horns, muffles him, and gives the Assailant an opportunity of Escaping.  
This dexterity of the Spaniards makes all Stranger's wonder: Among the rest there was a drunken English Sailor, who was extremely pleased with the Sport, and was resolved to take a run himself; he thought himself as good a Man as the best of 'em, and why should not he show his Courage as well as they? It happened immediately that there was a fierce Bull turned out, and now was the time to show himself: Out than he steps into the Lists, with nothing in his Hand but his little Hat, which was not much bigger than one of the Bulls Eyes, and in a daring manner waits for his running at him: Soon as the roaring beast saw him, he ran furiously towards him, and there being no Body else in the Lists, the Sailor must now make the best of a bad Market; the poor Fellow still stood his Ground, and when the Bull came near him, he tried to amuse him with his Hat, as he had seen the Spaniards do with their Cloaks, and throwing it between his Horns, it signified as much as if he had held his Hand against a Thunderbolt, for down he came upon his Back, with his Face to the Bulls, one of the Bulls Feet on his Stomach, and one of his Horns through his Cheek and out at his Mouth.  
One would have thought these Braves that saw him, should have run in to his Rescue, but not one of 'em stirred, tho' the defeated Hero lay every Moment expecting Death; till of his own accord the generous Beast got out his Horn, and as if he had been sensible of his Conquest, left him on the Ground, and walked on as if he were satisfied with his Victory. Soon as the Bull quitted him, than they run Races who should first see if he were living, and finding no other hurt about him but that of his Cheek, he was carried to the Hospital, and soon afterwards Cured.  
If you have the Curiosity to ask on what Occasion these Bull-Feasts are generally made, take this Account which was given me of that which I was at. The Duke of Medina Sidonia, Captain General of Andaluzia, had a Son at the point of Death; his Life being given up by the Physicians, the Duke had recourse to the Prayers of the Church, as his last Remedy; and particularly addressed a Monastery of Augustine's in the Town where he Dwelled, to offer up their Intercession for him: In some Time after the Gentleman recovered: and the glad Father, thinking his Recovery had been an effect of the Prayers of the Convent, presented it with these 33 Bulls, to be first Baited for public Diversion, and as a Token of his Gratitude, their Carcases to be devoted to the Holy Fathers.  
This is not always the Reason of 'em, for sometimes the King, or some Grandee, entertains Ambassadors with them, before the royal Palace at Madrid; or, for want of a better Occasion, sometimes the Mob: When ever the latter happens, it is done to pacify their Clamours, for they are always Mutinous in a Time of Scarcity, and then the King appoints 'em a Bull-Feast, which is both Sport and Supply to ' 'em. Tho' generally this is performed here with Circumstances of great Ostentation, yet in Barbary they have 'em in ten times more Splendour. Those African People being lovers of all sorts of Cruelty, and not to be pleased but with such savage Diversions. But so much for their public Sports— I could now make you merry with another kind of Gallantry very much in practice among these Spaniards; I mean that of Pimping and Intriguing: And tho' these two Excellencies are chief prevailing among the Laity, yet to give the Church its due, the Clergy are very dextrous at any thing wherein a Woman is concerned.  
But since I have mentioned the Reverend Clergy, let me not traduce 'em without entering their Convents and Chapels, and examine what sort of private Devotion they practise; and I can assure my Friend whoever sees 'em in their cells, tho' they are zealous pretenders, and carry to the World such a Face of Austerity, will find nothing less than Mortification among ' 'em.  
Consider, My Friend, I am not speaking of all that are in Religious Orders, God forbidden I should accuse so solemn a Life with general Prophannes: No Brunet, I have a profound Reverence for that Monastic Holiness which inspires the greatest part of 'em; but yet as in all other Societies, there are even among these, some Corrupt Members which shame the Sanctity of our most Holy Communion, and are Weeds that ought to be torn from the Earth, and Rooted out from the Churches of the Faithful: I am now speaking of those abandoned Hypocrites, who have other secret Causes for their entering into holy Orders, than Contrition and Repentance. That there are such, every Age hath informed us, and every Convent, or there would be a little work for public Scandal, or for Confession, and such severe Chastisemenas' as are often exercised in ' 'em. It was my Fortune to be acquainted with some of these we are now speaking of, Brave Fellows, My Friend, Men who would stick at nothing to gratify their Appetites, or to serve a Companion. If a Husband or a Brother be in the way, they have devices to remove 'em, and such subtle Stratagems as will hardly admit of Opposition: That what I say is true, every English and Dutch Officer that's here will bear me witness; for there's hardly a Gentleman in the Navy that loves an Intrigue, and can part with his Money, but has been helped by one Friar or other of his acquaintance. Tho' I am very much scandalised at so great an infamy, which gives occasion to our Adversaries to reproach us; yet in spite of all shame 'tis an absolute truth, and so much the more deplorable.  
It may well be answered, if it should be asked how these Vermin have a knack at Pimping above any other People, that by the power they have when they receive the confessions, they discover who are Corrupt; and having known that the rest is easy. And that these Villains are sometimes as successful in Debauching innocent Maids, as they are in continuing the pollutions of others already Defiled, has been notoriously proved by Examples, that have occurred to my particular knowledge; and the reason is plain, why the Priesthood is more mischeivious that way, because the doors of every Family lie open to them, and that reservation which Parents use in guarding their Children from all the World beside, is put by at the approaches of a Priest, who, wherever he comes, is as familiar as if he were one of the Domestics. The liberty which they thus assume, as it is the particular privilege of the Church, so it is very serviceable to 'em in their Designs of every kind, but principally to insinuate for Alms and Benevolences, in which they are so dextrous, that 'tis a hard matter to avoid 'em: For besides the Artifices they use by fair means, they have always the necessities of the Church to pretend, and when good words won't do, they have a Purgatory and Damnation to awe the unknowing Vulgar. I would not say this of the Roman Clergy if I did not know it to be literally true; for as I would be thought impartial in my remarks of every thing I undertake to Relate; so in this particular I would shun all detraction, and cover as much as I could the nudities of the Catholic Communion; but to deal plainly with a Friend, I found within these holy Societies very much Corruption and Degeneracy; I found Abstinence and Chastity, which are their Principal vows, no more than nominal Virtues, but I saw every where an egregious abundance of Slothfulness and Luxury, with a disguise of Hypocrisy to cover it, and to keep up the reputation of the Cloister. I say not this universally of Religious Orders, it were pity if this should be generally true of these recluses; without question, there are multitudes of Saints among 'em; but granting that, yet 'tis beyond all controversy true, that they have extremely degenerated from their first institution, and instead of giving themselves up to Works of Piety, and the study of the sacred Scriptures, as their Primitive Fathers did, they are sunk down into a Lethargy of Ignorance and Stupidity.  
I believe, my Friend, it would not be very difficult to find a reason for this Apostasy, when we consider, how easily they give admission to every lazy indigent Wretch that can give little or no Account of his Faith, taking the sacred Habit only to screen him against the Gripes of Poverty, and the injuries of Fortune. But one would think, notwithstanding all this, that among so many idle People, who have nothing to mind but their Prayers and their Study, that there should not be a greater show of Learning, not to mention any thing else; but let Brunet believe what I now tell him, that in all the Conversation I have had with 'em, I scarce met with one in twenty, that had any other Language than that he was born with; or at the best, if his Practice at the Altar had furnished him with some lose Fragments of Latin, it was commonly no more than would serve to ask me what Countryman I was, or to tell me how many Masses are said in a Day: Not but that there are some of 'em great Masters, but these are so few, that a Traveller may weary out his Patience, before he can meet with one who can satisfy his Curiosity in any question of importance.  
The Jesuits are the only Order by whom the more polite Studies are encouraged; of these indeed there are many great Critics in all manner of Sciences, and 'tis with which Wisdom, that they are appointed the Missionaries to go Abroad, for the first thing they study, is Humanity, and that in the chief place fits 'em for these wonderful Expeditions which they are sent upon into the parts of the World. Besides this, they are perfect Proficients in all the parts of the Mathematics, than which nothing can be more necessary for the conversion of the Eastern Nations, who are extremely  to Augury and the study of the Stars.  
The Method which these cunning People have to recruite their Order with a succession of ingenious Men, is very remarkable; for in all Countries where they are, they engross to themselves the Education of all the Youth, and when they find a Boy of a toward sprightly wit, as it's easy out of sometimes a Thousand, as I have known in one School, they secure him to themselves, and bring him up to their Order. By these means they never want a supply of able Men to carry on their Designs, and to preserve their Superiority over every other fraternity.  
At this time I was recommended to make a Journey to a Monastery of Carthusians, distant some four Leagues from hence: My company was a French Merchant and a Religious of his acquaintance; so crossing the Bay, we rid it in two Hours, but after such a barbarous manner, that as bad as I love walking, it had been much for the advantage of my Bones, if I had footed it through all the bad ways.  
Our Mules (for here are rarely any Horses) were some of them which always ply at the landing Place, covered with Packsaddles instead of Padsaddles, and Reined with Halters instead of Bridles. The seats of these Saddles are as flat as a Cushion, but not half so soft; and the fall on each side stretched out so wide, that 'tis as bad as the rack to sit on 'em: And to all this the saucy Muleteer, tho' there be but the Tail to ride on, will be sure to be up behind you, if you done't out gallop him, or threaten him with more than bare words. In this manner we went, and when we came within sight of the Monastery, we dismounted, giving our Mules in charge to the Owners, who footed it as fast as we rid. Here we took out a Bottle, and some Provision, and what was remaining after we had done, we sent to our Jockeys; but the proud Spaniards tho' they were ready to starve for Victuals, refused our leave, and sent us back in answer, That if we thought 'em not good enough to sit down with us, they thought ' emselves too good to take up with our Orts.  
This was Demonstration beyond whatever I had heard of the Pride of these rascally Peasants; but indeed in every thing else that we had to do with 'em, we found 'em always the same  
We entered the Monastery, and because I was mightily smitten with this superb Building, I can hardly forbear you giving its Description. I was so delighted with every thing I saw, that tho' I had seen that in Lions which is justly counted the finest in France, I could not suffer any comparison between this and that, neither in the Architecture nor Decoration.  
Thro'out the World the Houses of this order are the most Magnificent of any and as much as they outdo all others, so much does this exceed all that I had seen of the same Foundation. The reason of this grandeur is evident, for they admit none into their Habit, but Persons of the highest Quality, who generally bring all, or the best part of their Estates in along with 'em, and dedicate 'em to the Monastery. This which we now speak of has such prodigious Revenues, that in a Year of scarcity, in the City of Cales, they undertook to supply that populous place with Provision of all kinds for Twelve Months out of their own Magazines. The number of Fathers in the House was Originally limited to Thirty Three, but at this time, there were no more than Eighteen; and we were informed, there seldom are more, because of the rigid and insupportable severities of their Vows. We were likewise told, that when it was first Erected, the reputation of the House brought from all parts of the Kingdom, such as offered ' emselves to it; but when they had a while groaned under the rigours they were forced to observe, they were no longer able to endure 'em; and because there was no returning to the World, they sent ' emselves down to Hell by desperate and violent Deaths.  
For five Days of the Week they are denied all Conversation, or so much as the sight of one another, only Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Afternoon they enjoy for their Relaxation, and 'tis upon these Days the House is open for Strangers to see: When we went in, we met with some of the Father's coming out, they surprised us  we expected 'em, and I confess, I was never so terrified with the sight of human Creatures before. In their Faces they bear such marks of Austerity, and such Reveence, that to them who are affected with Solitude and Contemplation nothing could be more moving. We were carried by our Guide to the apartment of the Procurador, and he entertained us very courteously with Wine, Oranges and Citrons, which grew in his own Garden. He had two Rooms to himself, as they all have, one for his Study and Refection, the other for his Dormitory. They eat nothing but Fish, but of that they have such variety, that they never want change either of what they are to eat, or the manner of dressing it: In the common Garden we saw a Fountain full of tame Carp, which at the call of the Feeder, would put their Mouths above Water, and take their food from his Hand. The Duke of Medina Sidonia, has a little House Built within the Walls, where he lies when he comes to his Devotion, though he lives a good way off; invited here, I suppose, by the Healthfulness of the Air, and the Beauty of the Monastery.  
I could say much more of this Noble Structure, for on such a pleasant Subject, 'tis harder to say little than a great deal; but I consider, that I have been already too prolix, and because here I found the best retirement, I took an afternoon to myself, to piece together my Prayers, and to fit 'em up to what you see they are. Therefore i'll shut up this Letter, only putting you in mind, that you are indebted now two to me, who am,  
Yours, R. R. January, 12th. 94.   

LETTER III.  
I Make haste to back my Second Letter with a miscellany of Observations which I made after my return from Xeres, because I would not be thought▪ idle, or forgetful of my Duty. And the first remark that occurred, was that of the Spanish manner of Eating, and dressing their Meat: And certainly no People upon Earth enjoy ' emselves so little in their Appetites. Whether their Temperance be the cause of their ill Cookery, or their ill Cookery the cause of their Temperance, is a Question; for as the first is a Quality they value themselves upon, so the latter is a shameful Truth, for in all my Life, I never saw such Mammock and Sluttery. Not that what they eat is in itself offensive, but between the Butcher and the Cook 'tis so miserably handled, that our Prisons would hardly receive it: And yet 'tis a thing impossible to persuade a Spaniard, that they are not the only Nation in the World that knows how to eat well; if you object to him his Safron, he tells you, 'tis Savory; if you find fault with his Oil, he answers you, That Oil was one of the Blessings of the Land of Canaan, but when you come to touch his Sacred Garlic, he brushes up his Whiskers, flies into a Rage, and wonders at your folly.  
When the Table is covered, your Meal is served up in Plates, or very small Dishes, and hewn into so many Diminutive Pieces, that your Knife may lie by till it grows into a Sword before you have occasion to use it: and if you should dare to call for a Fork, the good Man will stare at you as if your Temples were forked with a pair of Horns. I myself have been at an Entertainment, of no mean Figure, where we had all the services in Plate, but not a Fork to be seen, where above half the Company had not Knives, and of Twenty Dishes of Lenten Diet, Red Herring was the chief. The best on't is, the Wine is good, and the desert is excellent, and without much ado an honest Drunkard may make a plentiful Meal among ' 'em. That which, at the end of the Entertainment gave me the greatest surprise, was, to see a large Silver Bason brought in, that almost covered the Table, for every Body to wash together: And as with us 'tis counted rude to dip into another's Glass; so here they count it rude not to dip altogether: when we washed, a Servant that stood at the end of the Table, threw a large Diaper Napkin among us, and every one took a part to wipe him.  
I, who yet had an inclination for the fair Sex, was very uneasy that the good Woman of the House did not sit with us, and bring two Daughters she had, which were reported to be very pretty: My impatience to see those hidden Charmers, made me importunate with Don Francisca Castiliano to speak to the Man of the House to send for 'em; but he told me, such a request would offend him, and he would not by any means as'k him; then I turned to an Italian Gentleman who sat next me, and he assured me, 'twas to no purpose; for he had lodged in the House two Years, and never had seen the Daughters, I was hearty vexed at this nicety, and thought it a little uncourteous to disappoint a stranger's Curiosity.  
And now I am upon the Subject of Women, give me leave to make you what Description I can of them.  
The better sort are very Beautiful, fair of Complexion, if compared with the Vulgar, for which there can be no better Reason, than that they stay altogether within Doors, and escape the injuries of the Sun and Wether: Of shape they are exceeding fine, and indeed that may be generally said of the Spaniards both Men and Women for to my remembrance, I never saw any there either Deformed or ill Made.  
There is but one Day in the Year when they are allowed their Liberty: and then 'tis so absolute, that a Woman may Cuckold her Husband to his, Face, and defy every thing but his Dagger. On this Day (which is Corpus Christi) the Churches are all open, and a deal of fine Pageantry spread without the Houses to Solemnize the Festival. The Women walk the round of their Devotion to all the Churches and under, the umbrage of that, commit those things which at another Season they have not the freedom to do: And I have been told, that they'll intrigue the Year round to finish it at that time, while their Husbands and Fathers are busy in the general Procession that takes up all their Leisure; nor are the Duegna's so dreaded for their watchfulness, able to prevent ' 'em. Besides the Beauty of their Persons.  
Their dress is so singular, that a stranger must needs be pleased with it: Their Heads are not embarast with Commodes, nor their Wastes with Stays. On their Shoulders they beware laced Handkerchiefs, instead of Nightrails, and their Hair, which is the finest in the World, is richly pleated with Ribbons, and falls down to their Seats. The outside is yet far inferior to what is underneath, (for they affect an outward show of gravity) but under their Waistcoats and Petticoats, they wear the most sumptuous Ornaments they can can purchase. But the most singular fancy they have, is that of admiring little Feet, and to this end, they cramp their Children when they are Young, and as their Feet are straitened, their Legs are enlarged, which is likewise accounted graceful: I was offended at this Custom, and when at the Playhouse I saw a Woman Act a Man's part, who had large Carman's Legs, I complained of it to my Friend, who told me, that was the only Beautiful Part about her. But tho' they take such pains to Beautify their Feet they are extremely shy of showing 'em, and 'tis held a Favour as great as any thing can be afforded, when one of 'em uncovers her Feet to show 'em; after this and a Kiss nothing is denied, for he who has these two, is Master of the rest of her Person.  
The Men of Spain are not so fair as the Women, they are well in Shape and Stature, Active, but unwilling to show it: I need not say much of 'em, every History being particular in this, and every thing else that concerns the general Description of the Country. Their Habit is for the most part the Castilian, tho' I observe, of later Years, they begin to affect the French, especially they in the Maritime Provinces, distant from the Court; or such as have been abroad; and as this dress is plain and cheap, so it is the most advantageous in the World to display the Elegancy of their Shapes, for every thing from the shoulders down sits to the Skin as close as the Skin does to the Flesh: But about the Neck they're always lose: One Reason of that, is, to show their Linen, for tho' that is not very fine, yet 'tis of an excellent Colour, and the work which they bestow about the Neck and Hands is so amazing, that I really knew a Butcher in Cales that gave Fifty pieces of Eight only for making of his wedding Shirt.  
Their Beds are the worst that can be, stuffed only with Wool, and quilted down; their Sheets no larger than Aprons, but always clean and white; the Frames of the Beds are made to fold up like an Old Woman's Stool and to be removed from place to place: Of these, I have seen Twenty in a Room, set close one to another, which tho' it makes the Chamber look like an Hospital, yet we found it very sociable.  
Next to their Beds, the greaest plague was that of the Musketoes, these are a small kind of Flies, which in the Night buzzes about your Face, and stings most intolerably: Strangers never fail of being marked with 'em the first Night they lie a Shore, which makes 'em in the Morning look as if the small Pox was broke out upon 'em: Some have fine Gawze Nets to keep 'em off, but that's very rare.  
Curtains here are as scarce as a shade about Madrid on a Sunshiny Day, hardly any to be heard of: And all the while I lay a Shore, I met but with one Bed so provided: The insides of their Houses are unhung, unless it be with Pictures, bare Walls being cooler, and the colour of these Walls is whiter than a Lady's Skin: They use no Chimneys, and rarely have their windows glazed; the two Reasons are, Glass is very dear, and very hot. The security of their Windows lies in the Iron Bars, before which they have a Lattice, which does as well as Glass.  
The Spaniards are very Idle, and consequently much given to Gaming: They know the use of Dice very well, but their chief Diversion is in Cards. Ombre is a Game as common with them as Triumph is with us, but the difference that is in every thing between them and others, is even in this most provoking, that as all People upon Earth deal the Cards to the left, they deal to the right, and handle 'em a quite contrary way to us and every Body. And now we are upon this Subject, I have a fair occasion of reckoning up the differences of particular Humours between them and us.  
And first in general, tho' we are parted but by a ridge of passable Hills; yet it would seem, we live under a strange diversity of Constellations, for even in the Actions of the Soul we are quite different, as well as in those of the Body: for the French Man is Active and Mercurial, the Spaniard Speculative and Saturnine; the one Sociable and Discursive, the other reserved, and full of Thought; the one so open, that you cannot hire him to keep a secret; the other so secret, that the Rack cannot force him to discover: Next in their Fashion and Apparel: The French go thin and open, as if there were continual Summer; the Spaniard so Wrapped and Cloaked, as if it were always Winter: The French Button downward, the other upward: The last constant to their Mode, the first more wavering than a Silkworm: The French walk as fast as if they were running from an Arrest; the Spaniards as slowly, as if they were newly come out of quartan Agues: The French Parade in clusters; the Spaniards never walk above two: The French as Airy, as if they were galliardizing in the Street; the other as solemn, as if they were marching in a Procession. Whence this prodigious discord should arise is very unaccountable, whether by Antipathy, by Emulation, of Derision, or whatever it is, there's not such another instance upon the Face of the Globe. I might have added, That the French walk with Swords no longer than Woman's Bodkins, and the Spaniards wear 'em so long, that their Rumps seem as if they were Spitted. I was alarmed at this excessive length, and it was told me, That the standard for a Blade was four Feet, but the Cutler always adds another Foot, and then they're about as long again as ours: And because this great length makes 'em awkard and hard to be drawn, they have contrived for the better dispatch of Execution, to have their Scabbards open from the Hilt to the Chape, as if it were no more than a Case, and the upper end is locked with a spring, which opens with a touch, and the too sides of the Scabbard parting, the Instrument of Death comes forth. To this unconscionable measure of their Swords, they have likewise great skill in Fencing, but after another manner than ours, for as we keep a Guard even with our Breasts, they keep theirs even with their Eyes, and the Arm a little bent at the Elbow, as ours is always straight; and yet I seldom heard of Duels among 'em, but of Assassinations without number.  
I am afraid, My Dear Brunet, of being too particular, lest I grow tedious, or else I could sit up a whole Winter's Night upon this one Topick of Assassinating: Let it suffice instead of more, that there hardly passes a Day here when we don't hear of some new Murder committed the Night before, and yet the Authors are never enquired after, or never punished: This Scandalous contempt of the Law arises from the implacable desire they have of revenging their injuries with their own Hands, and many times when a Court of Justice would redress 'em, they Laugh at such a Proposal, and scorn to give away the opportunity of doing ' emselves right.  
As to the Laws of Spain, I believe they are very well Executed, where the Church's claim does not interfere with it; they have many Courts of Judicature, and the method of Prosecuting Business is easier than any where else, for often a Trial is called and determined before the parties know any thing of the matter. I take the Rule to be thus: The Merits of both sides are got ready, and entered into some inferior Office, deputed by the Chief, where Officers wait for such purposes, and there being all that can be said by both Parties made out plainly, and what ever they can bring material, by their Witnesses, or any other Testimony summed up in order. The depositions are packed up in two Bags among a Thousand more, and so sent to Toledo, Sevil, or some other Court, where they are carefully examined, and afterwards dispatched to their respective Countries, without sending for, or seeing the Parties or Witnesses.  
In every House in Spain is the King's Picture, almost in equal veneration with the Virgin's and our Saviour's, tho' certainly he makes the worst Picture that ever I saw. His Face is Fair, Long, Lean, sunk in the Cheeks, sharp Chin, turning towards his Nose; his Nose Romanized, great Ears, and his Hair most frightfully tucked behind 'em: His Eyes are good, his Body small, and his Legs every where alike: I enquired of his Disposition, and it was Answered, That he is infirm and apt to be disordered, That he is of an exceeding sweetness of Nature, fond of his People, Mildred and a great Lover of Jesting: No correct Politician, nor very studious of Politics, choosing rather to rule by the indulgence of Nature, than the Maxims of Art: His Diversions are Comedies and Bull baitings; his Exercises, the great Horse and the Prayer Book, and his Dress the plainest in the Court: He Loves the Queen fond, and She him, nor do the prejudices of their different Countries ever divide 'em, tho' sometimes the Factions of both sides are Clamorous. But the greatest unhappiness is, the want of an Heir, which tho' every Day Prayed for, comes to nothing. This is an unspeakable Misfortune, and Ages yet to come may feel the Consequences of it.  
Spain is crowded with as great number of Men of Quality as any Kingdom of Europe, excepting Poland, and with a Clergy of the best endowments in the World. And tho' the ordinary standing force of the Kingdom is not so great as that of France, yet without question the King can raise incredible numbers when he is hearty put to it.  
And because I would not say any thing without a Reason, I believe it may be easy to prove that this King can produce as numerous Armies as the King of France, if he would pursue the same Course. For,  
First, Spain abounds with a great many idle fellows, who had rather Starve than Work, and being all fond of wearing Swords, they would gladly take the Title of Soldiers, if the King gave 'em encouragement.  
In the next Place: They are so well affected to their King, that if his Affairs required their Lives, they would stick at nothing to serve him; and so fond of their own Liberties, that if there were danger of losing them, no constraint of Estates or Families could keep 'em from their Arms: Again, His Provinces (tho' not so well peopled as those of France) are infinitely more, and larger, and if as the Grand Signior does, he were to Levy so many Men out of every Village by the proportion of Estates, the amount would be prodigious; but as he never had occasion to make so great a Muster, so to ease his People, he sits at as little charge as he can; his frontiers being Man'd with few Regiments, and the inner parts of his Empire requiring none. To this purpose, was the answer of a Courtier to a Stranger, who seemed to wonder at so small a Guard as the King kept about him, for when the Stranger demanded, If that were all his Guard? The Answer was, Are not we all his Defenders? What need is there of more?  
But the principal Augmentation of the Spanish Force, will arise from the assistance of the nobless, and the vast numbers they can bring of their Vassals and Dependants: And as this August Body Subsists entirely on the Crown by tenors of one kind or other, so it is at the pleasure of the Crown to command 'em to service, when any urgency presses it; and their territories and revenues being so spacious, it is thought, the least Muster they can produce would be a Hundred Thousand. Add to this, That the Clergy too, being for the most part feud a tory to the Crown, and bound (though not personally) to assist in the defence of the Realm, their produce must be very considerable. But as to the Noble Men, their Services are the more certain, because their Honours descend not the jure from Father to Son, unless confirmed to the Son by the King's Acknowledgement and Compellation, which makes them more observant of him, than in France or England, where it is demanded as a Birthright; and because out of the gross Body of these Noble Men, the King honours some with the Title of Grandees, privileged to stand covered before him, which being the highest pitch of Grandeur the State can give, it keeps those great Ones in readiness to Obey his Pleasure, in hopes of being sometime called to it.  
Here it must be confessed, that the People of France are more Military, and that the King of France has a better Exchequer, and consequently his Armies are fuller; but consider, The King of Spain of late makes no Conquests abroad, and therefore is not necessitated to be always in Arms; and if his Exchequer be low, it is because he seldom Taxes, but slides on in Tranquillity with his ordinary Intrado, and as well as he can, bears up, without oppressing his People: but if an unavoidable necessity threatens him, and he be forced to Arm as many as he can, 'tis beyond Controversy, That he can fill a Campaign to as great an extent as France, and saying That, I have comprehended any Kingdom in Europe. It may be subjoined here, that his Country is naturally Strong, defended on one side by the Pyrenes, his shore every where guarded with good Forts, and the other side secured with difficult Approaches, good Garrisons, and the Warlike Nation of the Catalauns: So that upon the whole, his charge is very easy, which is a happiness to himself and his Subjects.  
Of the Language of Spain, 'tis a comely Sonorous Majestic kind of speaking; 'tis generally the same all over the Kingdom, except in Biscay, where they still use their own Barbarous Original: but every where else 'tis the same, only distinguished in some remote Provinces, by idioms particular to every place; tho' in Catalonia and the contiguous Towns it is Corrupted into a sort of Languedock. It has a very near affinity with the Latin, the Roman Conquerors having here more than any where else, left their Language behind ' 'em. 'Tis not very hard to be learned, for foreseeing the usefulness of knowing it, I gave myself up to it, and in three Months I became so good a Proficient, that I understood every thing that was said.  
But before I end this Miscellaneous Letter, take as near as I can Collect, all the vast Kingdoms and Dominions that make up the Body of this Magnificent Empire. In Europe, there is Spain itself, of two Thousand five Hundred Miles Circumference: Catalonia, Naples, Milan and Flanders. In the Mediterranean, the Islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Majorca, Minorca, Yvica, and Fermentera. In the Atlantic, the Canaries, Madera, Cape Verde, and some other small Possessions. In the Oriental Seas, the Ladrones, Philippines and innumerable lesser Isles in America, almost the whole Continent, with the great Island of California; in Africa, Ceuta, Maragan, and several small Plantations in all the parts of the World; but there having been no Account published of 'em since the defection of Portugal, the List is not so exact as I could wish it, but enough has been said to prove that the Crown of Spain has a larger tract of Land than any Monarchy in the World, amounting to more than Thirty Seven Thousand Miles in circuit: and as his Dominions on Land are of so great extent, so on the Coasts he has Harbours of the greatest security from Storms, and Forts of invincible Defence against an Enemy. And certainly nothing can be more delightful than to Sail up the Mediterranean, almost every where in sight of Land; the Country of Spain yielding the finest Prospect of any upon the Face of Nature, which appears charming to the Ships that go by because of the colour of the Soil, the numbers of the Towns, and the Beauty of their Buildings, the Houses being all Built of a white Stone, and so raised one above another, that every distinct House may be perceived at a great distance; but this is not the Beauty of Spain alone, for all the Towns of Barbary are built in the same manner; above all, the lovely Town of Algiers, which without doubt for the bigness, is the most delectable Fabric upon the Ocean.  
I might here enlarge my Letter, by reviving the old Records, which talk so ostentatiously of the great Actions that have been performed in this Country by the Romans, but I have been too tedious already, and as I intent this but as a Postscript to my last, and have all along said very little of the History of the Country, 'tis time I should pay my Compliment and bid you adieu.  
But before I shut up, and while it is in my Head, let me ease my Spleen against two things which I abominate here; one is the most odoriferous Custom of Watering and Dunging the Streets with what comes out of their Close-Stools; and this they do in such an outrageous manner, that I have seen the high Streets of several Towns paved in a Morning with that soft matter, and a Tide of Urine rolling down the Kennels: But what is most wonderful, by Noon all this is all gone, and not the least appearance of all that Filth that we saw when we risen: The Air is so incredibly fine, that it rarefies whatever it meets with to pray upon; and the Spaniards hold it a Physical prevention thus to furnish the street with Matter for that voracious Planet, lest it should pray upon their own Carcases.  
The other Offence, is the universal use of Oil in every thing they dress, which is so venomously bad that it infects the Air around: and this is altogether the Sauce the ordinary People have; so that for a whole Streets length you shall see no sky for the thick Fog that comes out of their Frying-pans'; and that makes such an intolerable stink that I don't know any thing more nauseous.  
When I was discoursing of their Pride, I might ha' told you that I have seen a Smith at work upon a Horseshooe with a Sword at his Side, and a Dagger behind him: His Man held the Shoe, and the Master (who never works but upon pressing necessities) gave it the finishing Stroke. They hammer their Iron all cold, and that's the Reason that a Horse need be shod but three or four times a Year.  
I might ha' said something of their Gravity, and by how many ridiculous Affectations they would be thought reserved and demure, but I have been as good as my word in making this a mad Miscellany, and I hope you'll pardon the Confusion,  
I Remain Yours R.   

LETTER IU.  
AT last I have the favour of yours, and the Account you send me, of the Great Exploits our Sovereign has Acted on the Continent, gave me Infinite Satisfaction. Certainly he's the greatest Monarch that ever came after Augustus, and if his Sea Expeditions had the same Success, there would be nothing wanting to Chronicle him, the first, in all the Annals of Glory. But alas! When I Reflect on the Insults these People his Enemies, have made on this side of his Dominions, I am strangely Mortified; for without Complementing their Power, it must be acknowledged, that they have an Invincible Navy, and 'tis happy for us, that our Harbours Protected us from 'em, or there would have been no safety from their Arms. The Fatal Defeat at La Hogue, is a bitter Evidence of this Truth, and I wish for the Glory of my King, we may never come so inopportunely into their Power again: What is there in the World but the Power of this Rival English Monarch, to Eclipse him? The Genius of that Prince is a Check to the Career of his Ambition; and tho' it never shall be said, that he can blot out the Honours of France, yet give me leave to say, his Emulous Gallantries Interpose a Cloud of Darkness before 'em, and make 'em less Visible to Impartial Judges: But to my Business.  
About the Latter End of April, we Sailed from the Bay of Cales, and there being Occasion to send a Scout a Cruizing, the General Ordered, that some of the Britania's Crew, should be Shipped Aboard Her, of which Number, I had the good Fortune to be One. This unexpected change pleased me, because I thought I should see something more in a Cruizer, than by Remaining where I was; for the great Ships scarcely put in any where, while the Frigates are in continual Employment, and I was not mistaken in my Opinion.  
Being now Shipped anew, I showed myself very forward, in whatever was to be done, partly to get to myself a good Character, but chief that I might be in the Opportunities of seeing all Adventures; we had not been long from the Fleet,  we took a small Bark, and tho' this was no extraordinary Prize, yet it gave us occasion to put into Tangier, the only thing in the World that suited with my Curiosity. There being a War between the English and the Moors, we durst not come in near the Shore, but Anchoring about a League without, we saw a Pinnace making towards us, under a White Flag; the Signal of Peace. Immediately the Captain ordered his Barge to be Manned, and putting White Flag to be Hoist; and putting a Lieutanant in Her, he Commanded him to meet the Tangerine, and Compliment him in Civil Terms. The Lieutenant obeyed his Instructions, and being Met, he delivered by an Interpreter, the Business of his Errand, and after Mutual Civilities they parted.  
Soon after, a Gentleman from the Town, came aboard, with a Present to the Captain, of Mutton, Kid, and other Provisions, which he Returned in English Glasses, Racking Bottles, and other Toys, which were very acceptable to the Mahometans. They then Treated about the Prize, and she was Bought and Sold, in half an Hour.  
The City of Tangier makes a fair Prospect to the Sea; It was Abandoned to Alphonso, K. of Portugal, in the Year 1471, after his Successes at Arzila, and has been ever since in their Possession, till Katherine had it for part of her Dowry, and it now being in the hands of the English, the Moors thought it easier to be recovered, by being so far distant from its Master; and accordingly they sell to Work under the Conduct of that Tempestuous General Gaylan; who after several Defeats which he Received, and the loss of his own Brother, at last Played the English so foul a Trick, that in an Ambuscade, which he made for the L. Tiveott, the English General, he cut to Pieces most of the Garrison, and the General himself. 'Tis Built on a Rising Ground, of White Stone, and seems to be well Fortified: The Hills on both Sides are Guarded with Walls, and before it is a Peer, Rebuilt by the Moors, after it was Demolished by the English. You may remember this City was once in Possession of England, being part of the Dowry of the Sister of Portugal, who was Married to Charles the 2d, than King of Great Britain; but the continual Assaults of the Moors, kept 'em always in Alarm, and after a Thousand Skirmishes, it was found too Great a Charge, for that Remote Island to be every Year sending Succours to relieve it; and I am persuaded, that it is Impossible for any European Nation to be long Master of it, since the Provinces under the Emperor of Morocco, are so much Improved in the Art of War, by those Instructions they have received by the French, who are at this Day in all their Camps. I need not say what Advantage it would be to him if our Monarch had it in his Hands; for 'tis a better Curb to the passage into the Mediterranean, than any on the Spanish Shore; but I Prophecy, that whosoever undertakes to Besiege it, will be Losers by more than their Cost; and I doubt not but in time, those Moors will Recover the rest of their Country out of the Hands of the Spaniards; who are now Possessed but of Ceuta, and Two more small Towns, of all the Coast which was once theirs.  
And now I have mentioned Ceuta, let me say something of that, more than Trojan Siege; which has already lasted Six Years, and is like to Last as many more. I know the World has Looked upon this Siege, with some Contempt, both of the Besiegers, and the Besieged; because in so many Years time, there is neither One way nor other, any Period put to't, neither the Town Conquered by the Moors; nor the Moors beaten from before the Town: But let us see, if there may be an excuse made, for the slow Progress of the Moors, or the weak Defence of the Spaniards.  
In the first place, the Camp of the Moors (according to what the Musters amount in general) never consists of more than 15000 Men, and they a Medley of Divers Nations, collected into that great Empire, who till of late knew nothing of the Modern way of Besieging. 'Tis true, the Engineers are mostly French, and whatever little Success they have already had, must be ascribed to them: I don't know if it be worth your Hearing, what the Current Opinion is concerning this Undertaking; but I have heard that the General, who has the Command of the Siege, had formerly committed some Unpardonable Crime, and it was given him in Choice, either to enlarge the City of Macchaness, the 2d Metropolis of the Empire, to Redeem Ceuta out of the Hands of the Spaniards, or in the 3d place, to Forfeit his Head: Tho' I believe this to be a Fable, yet so much of it is True, that if the General miscarries in his Design, his Head will be in good earnest Forfeited, to the Emperor's implacable Resentment: For he rarely Pardons any who fail of what they Undertake.  
In the 2d place, the Kingdom of Morocco, is but very ill supplied with Ammunition: We all know they would be Bartering with all the Courts in Europe, for Arms, and other Necessaries of War; but 'tis not the Interest of any Christian King, to put into their Hands the Power of Injuring their Trade, and making Insults on their Coasts: So that they have little of Warlike Provision, but what they get from the Dutch, who will Traffic with any People for their own private Interests, tho' all their Neighbours are to Suffer for their Avarice. By this Indigency of Military Stores, it follows, that their Attempts in War must be less Vigorous. Besides this, the Garrison is strongly Fortified towards their Camp, and it being open at Sea, for Succours to be continually poured in, their Opposition of the Garrison must consequently be great, and their Sallies frequent and Numerous. To add to all this, Morocco is perpetually in War with the Republic of Algiers, and being a little Pressed in that, they are less at leisure to regard this.  
On the other Hand, if it be Objected to Spain, that they are too remiss, now they have little else to do, that they don't drive their Enemies from before their Walls, and Dislodge such a Confusion of Vagabonds, it may be answered, That, as they are but on the defensive, they have no more to do, but to prevent 'em from making any considerable Progress; and tho' it would be highly necessary for their Honour and Interest, to Raise the Siege; yet the Exchequer of Spain is always kept so low, that they have hardly Money to Pay their Soldiers; and of course, the Work must go on with little Resolution: Besides, they who are sent thither, are for the most part such who are taken out of the Streets, and sent into the Service, and who must needs be a great while Training up, and Disciplining, before they can be made fit for a Sally. The Governor is a Grandee of Spain, and a Gentleman of Gallantry, but wanting a Force of Men and Money to answer the Necessities of so long a Siege, he is able to do little: His Lady is an English Woman, Sister to the present Duke of Norfolk, the first Peer of that Kingdom; and when our Ship came before the Town, the Captain went ashore, and was entertained with a hearty welcome by her and her Lord. When the Entertainment was over, the Governor took all the English Gentlemen, and showed 'em the Moorish Camp, & to do the K. of England Honour, in the Persons of those his Subjects, he caused to be planted on the walls the Royal Standard of Great Britain, which when the Moors saw, they wondered what it meant. The French could presently inform 'em what it was, and by that Signal, supposing there were English Strangers in the Garrison, they fell to Firing and Bombarding, as if now they were in a humour of taking the City by Storm, and soon made the Ramparts too hot for the Curiosity of the Beholders. Then they fell to't Pellmell, both from the Garrison and Camp, and this Fury lasted on both sides, all that Night, and part of the next day, and for several hours sailing we heard 'em still at it. Ceuta was taken by the Portuguese in the year 1415, and was annexed with the rest of the Dominions of the Crown of Portugal, to the Monarchy of Philip the Second of Spain; but when Portugal recovered herself out of her Usurper's Power, most of her Colonies abroad deserted the Spanish Yoke, except this Garrison, and some Islands in the Atlantic and Eastern Seas.  
Next morning we joined the Fleet, and we who had been removed, were now restored to our own Ship.  
After some days Sailing, we came up to Barcelona, where we all Anchored; And now the Catalauns began to treat us like Friends; for as soon as we arrived before the City, we were saluted with all the Guns, and they were answered with as many of ours. The Viceroy, who was the Marquis de Leganez, came Aboard us, with a considerable Pomp of Barges and Equipage, and the General received him with great satisfaction: At his debarquing, he was complemented with all the Guns of the English Fleet, except of one Squadron, who (for some private Reason) did not fire: The next day he visited the Dutch Admiral, and at his Departure was saluted with all their Guns.  
The City of Barcelona is the Capital of the Kingdom of Catalonia, an ancient City, it being formerly called Barsino, and then a Roman Colony, inhabited by a more industrious People than the Spaniards; for here they are all employed in one Occupation or other; and though the King favours 'em with larger Privileges than any other of his Dominions, yet 'tis with much difficulty they are kept in their Allegiance: The Reason of this is, because the Power of Spain can't preserve 'em from the Invasions of the French, who are their near Neighbours, and upon every opportunity, molest 'em in their Trade. This Country has at all times been very apt for Mutinies, and Popular Commotions, being as nearly related to the French, by the disposition of their Humours, as they are by their Situation; and to prevent 'em from revolting, the King caresses 'em with great Immunities, and when that fails, he has a standing Force to awe 'em into Subjection.  
In this City, there are (as near as I can remember) about 30 Monasteries of both Sexes, well endowed besides some Churches, and a Cathedral of great Ostentation. The Vice-king's Palace is a large plain Structure, neither well built, nor well furnished, tho' the Spanish Historian Mariana commends it highly, tho' he never saw it; it stands at the side of a great Square, which is the Parade of the Militia: The other Buildings are high and fair, and the Shops of the Citizens display a great deal of Wealth. 'Tis here, that the Galleys of Spain are laid up, there being an excellent Mole to shelter 'em from ill Wether, and convenient Houses to lay 'em up in the Winter. At this time all the Galleys, as well of Sicily as Spain, were together; and it must be confessed, spite of all Detraction, that the King of Spain is well provided with such sort of Navigation: These Galleys are sumptuously decked, and carry one with another between 50 and 60 Oars, manned with four Slaves each, who are chained to their Seats, and stripped to the Skin. I believe there might be about 30 in all, which being together, side by side, made a fine show, and surprised us with pleasure, when we turned short into the Mole to go ashore. The Command of these Vessels is held superior to the Command of Men of War, and the Captain of each is a Man of Quality, and the General, a Duke.  
On the Shore, before the Mole, the Nobility and Gentry of the City (which are very numerous) take the Air every Evening, where one may see at one time a 100 Coaches lined with the Beauty of the Country, whom the Cavaliers wait upon on Horseback, and gallant with more than Spanish Gallantry. The City is walled round, and mounted with brass Canon, formerly in such a Number, that there were reckoned above 300 round the Works, but there are not half so many now, the rest having been taken down by some of the former Viceroys, who represented to the King, that they were disabled and unfit for Use, tho' in reality they were very good, and so converted 'em to their own Advantage. The M. de L— has been a Notorious Offender this way, and when he was deposed from his Government, he feigned himself mad, to elude the Examination they were going to make, and so escaped an Account.  
There is not in the world better Artillery than is in the Dominions of the King of Spain, and this is so strong a Temptation to the covetous Governors, that they are every year diminished under one Pretence or other, and put into their Pockets. What can be a greater Demonstration of the Remissness of the Spanish Government?  
After some little stay here, the Fleet weighed, and stood to the Eastward, their design being to Bombard Toulon, or Marselles, and to burn the Ships: It was (my Friend) good sport to me, to see 'em go about a Project which was like to cost 'em so much trouble to so little purpose. I knew it would be in vain to attempt any thing against either of those Harbours; and I was well pleased to find they had contrived an Expedition, which would turn to their own Disgrace. Soon as we reached the Latitude of Toulon, there was an Order for all the Long Boats, and Pinnaces, to be Armed, and the Rear Flag of Red, was Hoist Aboard a 3d Rate, to Conduct this Diminutive Armado, within the Isles of Hieres; but before this was put in Execution, a small Frigate was sent in to Spy the Condition of the Enemy, who made a quick Return, having with much ado, escaped the Galleys, who were sent after Her, and Reported to the General, that it was Impracticable to Attempt any thing there, the Harbour being Lined with invincible Forts, and a Stout Resistance provided round the Shore: This Disappointment Galled 'em shrewdly, but then turning their Design towards Marselles, the General Detacht other Frigates, to Discover where it was most convenient to Enter, who came back with the same Account they had done from Toulon; adding, that they were every where so Impregnable, that 'twou'd be but to Sacrifice their Ships, and their Lives to Assault ' 'em.  
Thus being on all sides prevented, we withdrew further off, and Cruized off the Isles; when a Furious North-West Blew us quite out of Sight of Land, and put us to a Necessity of Shifting for our Safety. This Storm continued for a Fortnight, and was so Violent, that the Birds were blown from Shore, and came to Rest their Weary Wings, on the Decks, and Rigging of our Ships. These Poor Creatures were Grown so Tame, with Famine, and Fateigue, that it was an easy matter to take 'em with our Hands; and there was hardly a Ship that had not Quails, and Turtle-Doves, sitting on their Yards. The Tempest continuing still Obstinate, and the Sea Running High, as it always does in the Gulf of Lions, at length it was Determined to stand before it, and Steer for the Island of Sardinia; there was a Necessity for this, for we began to want Water extremely; and in few days Arriving there, we Anchored in an open Road, within four Leagues of Cagliari. Here we found a Fresh Stream, that Supplied us immediately; and when we had been a while at an Anchor, the Country Peasants brought down Provisions in such Plenty, that now all the Mariners Fed upon Fresh Meat.  
Sardinia, is an Island near adjoining to Corsica, opposite to the Republic of Genoa, and the Dukedom of Tuscany; the People of both Islands are Accounted Barbarous, but we found 'em quite otherwise, unless we Value their Capacities by the Good Bargains we made, and count 'em Fools because they Sold us Good Pennyworths: They are indeed Notoriously Ignorant, and Superstitious, but far from being such Savages as they are Accounted in History; and unless the Character belongs to the English, who Riffled and Pillaged the Poor Wretches, I don't know of any Barbarity I saw while I was abroad. The English, to give 'em their Due, are exquisite at that sort of Mischief; for when they had any of those Poor Creatures in their Power, they made no Conscience of Plundering them of what they had and turning 'em lose to Nakedness and Beggarly. I'll give you one Instance of this Kind, because I would not fix a Scandal on a People without good Reason; and that is thus.  
Two Soldiers having got Leave to go a Shore, under pretence of Buying Fresh Provision, bethought 'em selves of a Cheaper way of being Supplied, than by their Money, and Marching up into the Country, came to a Poor Peasant's House, who Lived Far from Neighbours, an Honest, Simple Wretch, who Fed and Clothed himself with the Profits of his own Industry, and kept about his House all that he was worth in the World: It was this Poor Man's Unhappiness to be at Home, when those Stroalers entered his House without any Ceremony, who seeing a strange People within his Doors, Imagined 'em to be some of the English, who, he had heard, were come into their Country, and designing to Treat 'em with what he had, he offered 'em the Bounty of his House, sparing nor Meat, nor Wine, nor any thing that could express his Satisfaction of seeing 'em there: After he had given them of what he had, and they had Glutted with all sorts of Plenty, he loaded 'em with Fruits and other Good things, and Offered 'em what Accommodation he could make for their Lodging, if they would be so kind as to stay with him that Night: They liking well their Entertainment, thought this was a good Opportunity to Enrich themselves, and making their way up stairs in a Riotous manner, they amazed the unwary Landlord, who could not guests what they meant by Running up and down, in such Tumultuous Hast: But The Poor amazed fellow, who saw himself going to be Undone by these Rogues, made what Opposition he could to hinder 'em, and as he Struggled, and Prayed, that they would offer him no Violence, one of the Villains with his Dagger, Stabbed him to the Heart, and laid him Dead at his Feet; and when they had committed that Execrable Deed, they Stripped the House bore, and marched away with the Spoils of their Villainy. This Bloody Action was afterwards made known to the Viceroy, who Demanded Justice of the General; the General making inquiry after the Criminals, found 'em out, and Sentenced the Principal to Death: When this was Reported to the Viceroy, he Desired no greater Satisfaction than to see 'em Condemned; and being a Man of Generosity, himself interceded for their lives, only desiring they might be made sensible of their Crimes, but that they might not be Executed. The General with some Regret, granted his Request, but would not let the Murderers yet know what had been determined; so appointing a day for the Execution of the Principal, and the Punishment of the other after the Military manner, they were drawn out under a Strong Guard, and a Battalion was Commanded ashore to attend the Execution: And now behold a turn, and the Justice of Providence on the Guilty Malefactor. The Ruffian who gave the Fatal Blow, was pinioned, and upon his Knees ready for Death, which he was to receive from a File of Muskets, drawn out for that Purpose; and his Companion placed close by him to Suffer the Terror of his Execution: He who Headed the Battalion, and carried the Pardon in his Pocket, gave Orders that the Musketeers should not Fire, till he made the Signal; but that all the Ceremony should be made to Terrify him a while with the Prospect of his Death; the Lieutenant who had charge of the File, knew nothing of the Pardon, but supposing he was to be Shot, according to his Sentence, gave the Signal for Firing, without ask any further Direction; and in a Moment the Murderer was Torn to Pieces. Judge now my Friend of the Precipitancy of these English, but chief of the Divine Justice, that would not let such a Notorious Offender Escape the Punishment of his Bloodshed. The other Delinquent was Punished at the same time, tho' not by Death, and the Blood of the Murdered Peasant so far atoned: The Officer who Commanded the File, was Broke for his Rashness, and the Colonel that should have taken more care, was made Prisoner, but soon afterwards Released.  
The City of Cagliari is the chief of the Island, exceeding strong, and the Seat of the Viceroy; this formerly was accounted so Noble a City, when Gracchus took it for the Use of the Romans, that Florus, by way of Excellency, called it Vrbs Vrbium, tho' afterwards it was demolished by the same Gracchus, to disable the Natives; but in more settled times it was Rebuilt, and a second time Taken by the Saracens, and at last restored by the Pisans to its Primitive Lustre. I never in all my Life, saw so plentiful a Market as here, nor every thing Sold at so cheap a Rate; a dozen Chickens might be bought for a Shilling, a Kid for 2, a Mutton for 4, and a Beef for a Pound, all excellent in their kind. It was evident, this proceeded from the Scarcity of Money among 'em, as well as from the plenty of the Market; for the ordinary People were so little conversant in Money, that they hardly knew the different Species of Coyn. Yet here, as well as in Spain, 'twas easy to discover the Natural Pride that is in all, who have any Relation to the Crown; and one unanswerable sign of it, is, that notwithstanding their wondrous Simplicity, their Poverty, and abject Condition, they esteem ' emselves beyond the Spaniards, in Riches and Power: and as in Spain, the Natives of Galicia, value ' emselves above all the provinces of the Kingdom; so here, they triumph over the Galicians, in the same degree of self-destinction. But certainly nothing can be more ridiculous than this Vanity; for there's not the least pretence for such a Comparison, not even in the Fruitfulness of their Country, which is their chief Glory; for tho' their Corn Harvests are very successful, and they swarm with variety of all Living Food, yet they are so unlearned and ignorant in Commerce, that their Neighbours on all sides fetch away their Commodities for half the Value, & leave the inhabitants, nothing but the disgrace of being cheated, and ready to Starve in the midst of Plenty.  
One thing I observed, from the top of a Steeple, which was very remarkable; 'twas a lake of about a mile in circumference, which the Sun seemed to have diminished from twice that Compass, and to have candied all the edges round it into an excellent white Salt: I enquired of our Guide, if the City made use of the Salt, but he told me, that the Physicians held it to be unwholesome, and forbade the eating it, under the Penalties of Fluxes, and Fevers; but that indeed the better reason was, that there were several salt Works in the Town, and 'twou'd be a fatal disappointment to the Proprietors of these Works, who paid dear for their Licences, if this were used, and that the Physicians were in Fee to Cry it down. I was satisfied with the latter Reason, knowing the first to be a fiction; for what could there be of malignity in this Lake, more than in that Rock of Salt, a little to the Eastward of Barcelona, which was so Fine, and White, that the General himself used no other at his Table?  
The great Church here, is very Old, and very Stately; the outside and Roof, seemed to me like the Musaeum in Oxford, and because I had once seen that in my Ramble through England, I gazed at this with the greater delight. The rest of the sacred Buildings are less magnificent than in Spain; but beneath all, the Royal Palace is the most humble Piece of Grandeur (If you'll pardon the Solecism) that I ever saw. 'Twas Large, 'tis true, but in no other respect, suitable to the Pride of such a People; for a private Gentleman of France, would be ashamed to have such a House, accounted the Seat of his abode, or indeed of his Retirement. Some half a score ragged tawdry fellows, are the Viceroy's Guard; and these so miserable, that the English Sailors made sport of 'em, when they would hinder 'em from Entering. But to make amends for our disappointed Curiosity, we found the Viceroy, a Gentleman of so much Courtesy, that there was not the least appearance in him of that sullen Pride, which is natural to the Spaniards, tho' he was a Spaniard Born, and Educated in the Court, the Original of all Vanity. He lived in no manner of Majesty, which for his sake we Lamented, and thought it pity a Man of such Merit, should not enjoy all the Honours of his Place, and we hearty wished him better Fortune. I don't know how to urge it upon him, for a weakness that which he did out of an excess of affability, and good Nature: I must own I did think it beneath the dignity of so exalted a Station, to do what he did, but as he did not seem to want sense to know his Distinction, and the quality of his Royal Office, so it must be understood the Effect of complacency to Gentlemen of a Foreign Nation which was in alliance with his Master. The thing I speak of was this, That when some English Officers came ashore, he sent his Coaches to bring 'em up to his Palace, where He himself stood ready to receive 'em, I myself was one of the retinue, and saw every thing that past. When they were within the House, he accosted 'em one by one, and the first civilities being over, he led 'em himself from Room to Room, quite throughout the Palace, Naming, by particulars, what every Apartment was, omitting only that, where his women were, which was not open. This, and other Condescensions of the same Nature, was, what looked very oddly to the English. But if we consider the Satisfaction that must arise to him, by seeing strangers in his Government, who were come to defend his Master's Country, and the few opportunities he had of conversing with any but his own People, we can't blame him for the Pleasure he took in serving ' 'em.  
The Women here are in no Comparison with them of Spain, they have indeed in their Conversation, a freedom more engaging than the Spanish Ladies have; but even in that they are so awkard, that a Man of ordinary Gallantry, would hardly find an inclination for an amour with ' 'em. The Women of Spain, tho' they are in Public more Reserved, have yet Infinite Charms, to make amends for the Toil of coming at 'em; and as they are very Beautiful (I mean the better sort, for the rest are all Gipsies) so they have such an insinuating Wit, that a Man of intriegue, may be exceedingly delighted with ' 'em. But the Sardinians are the most stupid Jades in the World, not, I believe, that they want a Force of Inclination equal with others, but they want that address to set off, and to engage the Hearts, as well as the Persons of their Lovers, which the Spanish Ladies excel in.  
After the Fleet had Watered, they prepared for their return Down: In the Night we passed between the Isles of Majorca and Minorca, and before the shutting in of the Evening, we made the Land, and it appeared so like that of Catalonia, that we thought we had been upon the Continent sooner than we expected; but finding ourselves here, some were of opinion, we had Steered a wrong course. Next Day we reached Barcelona, and now it was talked of, as if here we were to take up our Winter Quarters; at least, that the Four Regiments which we brought from England, should quarter here with the 7000 Germans we took in at Final. I had forgot to tell you, that it had been agreed by the Confederate Princes, to lay Siege to some French Garrison in Catalonia, and to that end, 7000 Germans were detacht from the Armies on the Rhine, under the Command of the Prince of Hesse, to join the English and Spanish, who were already in the Field, in the Leaguer of some important place; which afterwards proved to be Palamos: The Germans being arrived at Final, some English and Dutch Transports were sent to take 'em in; and when they joined the Fleet, the Galleys were ordered out of the Mole to attend us, and to carry ashore such who were to disembark.  
At this time there was an Order for some of the great Ships to be sent back to Cales, and there to Join others who were cast for England, and together to make the best of their way home: The remaining part of the Fleet Steered for Palamos, and being come before it, the Army landed, and joined the Spaniards, who were about 18000 Horse and Foot: The Germans being 7000, and the English 4000, when they were together, they made up a Considerable Body. The French were about the same Number, and hearing that the Enemy intended to Besiege Palamos, they marched their Army within Sight of the Town, and of the Confederates. Both Armies now being in view of one another, seemed to Watch each other for the Rising Blow, but neither caring to Fight, the Town was invested, and the Siege begun. I need not acquaint you with the general Story of the Siege, without question you have Read it in the Prints, but I can't forbear telling what a hideous sight this Spanish Army was: They had about 4000 Horse, which was their only Serviceable Body; for the Foot was the most Miserable rout of Vagabonds, that ever took the Field. They had neither , Arms, nor Provision; the English out of Compassion supplied 'em with what they wanted, but they made no use of any thing but the Food. Among such a Number, there were not 1000 Tents in all, but the greatest part of 'em lay on the parched Earth without any Covering but the Heavens. However, with the Germans and the English, the Siege was carried on, and in 5 days, even in sight of their own Army, the French quitted the Garrison, and dismantled all the Works.  
There being nothing more to do, the English embarked again with the loss of half a Score Killed, and about 40 Wounded; tho' they Sustained the Fire of the Garrison, and were the principal cause of its desertion; when we returned to Barcelona, we heard the Camp was broke up, not without a Battle which the French forced upon the Spaniards, in which, as the Spaniards themselves report, they had the better; and you may be sure there was nothing wanting to Celebrate the pretended Victory with the greatest Ostentation. It was a Deplorable Spectacle, afterwards to see those Naked Wretches come home, without , or Arms, and almost Famished with Hunger: And tho' it may be supposed, the Infantry had but a small Share in the Fight, yet they spared not to give out, that they alone had defeated the French, and overthrown all the Glory of France down to the Ground.  
The Prince of Hesse, at his entering Barcelona, had all the Honours that were due to his Character and great Services; and afterwards for a Reward of his Signal Performances, was possessed of the Vice-Royalty of that Kingdom. But the Catalauns (who are an uneasy People) grew Emulous of his Power, and were busy to Prejudice him, in the Favour of the Court, and to  him; which they did at last, with such Success, that he had much ado to preserve his Government, but that he had a Party at Court, and the Queen's Inclination to support him, and even with all his address, he had much ado to keep himself upright, against the frequent Complaints of the Catalonians, and the King's Indulgence to ' 'em.  
The Fleet now Steered for the Straits Mouth, and when they were opposite to Algiers, the Dutch Squadron, which was always to Wind-ward, saw two Ships of that Republic, which stood into the Fleet, to pay their Compliment to the English General, his Country being at Peace with the Republic, but the Dutch at War: After they remained one Day and Night among us, they Saluted and were dismissed. The Dutch Admiral seeing an opportunity of two such considerable Prizes, made the Signal for two of his Men of War to give 'em Chase; who with some difficulty came up with 'em, and brought 'em to their Fleet. The English General was highly exasperated at his breach of Discipline and Hospitality; he knew that as the Dutch were absolutely under his Command, that this was an insolence he could not Pardon, and that the Admiral might know he resented such an Affront, he sent an Officer to order him to release 'em, but the Obstinate Churl refused, returning in answer, that they were the Enemies of his Country, and that he would keep ' 'em. The General having more Consideration than to use any means of Violence, became his humble petitioner, and in the Language of Humility, besought him, that as they had put ' emselves into his Protection, and came but with a design to pay their friendship to the King of England, that he would suffer 'em to pass unmolested, and that he would answer it to the States, his Masters: So after much Entreaty they were discharged.  
Almost such another Punctilio of Honour was disputed between the French Envoy at Algiers, and the Captain of an Englishman of War, who was sent there to renew the Peace between England, and that Republic; for when the Man of War arrived, which was a Ship of 70 Guns, the Envoy told the Dey she was but a Frigate, and that all the Ships of England were no better: The Captain hearing how the Dey had been abused, waited on him, and told him the Envoy had imposed upon him; and for his satisfaction, begged that he would do him the Honour of his presence Aboard her: The Dey consented, and after a splendid Entertainment, the Captain took him to view her all over, and the Dey in his own Person counted all her Guns one by one, and found 'em, as the Captain had told 'em, 70. When he saw the Deceit, he was enraged at the Envoy, and at his Return, sent for him in the presence of the Captain; and being come, the Dey, with his open Hand, hit him over the Face, spit at him (which are the highest Marks of Infamy in these Countries) and turned him out of Doors. I had at first some Suspicion of the Truth of this Story, but when I heard, that it was carried to France, and that our King Resented, and threatened to Revenge it, it was no longer to be doubted. I was extremely mortified at this pitiful shift of our Envoy's, and am hearty sorry his Zeal made him so indiscreet: Our Master has no need of such impostures, and if he had punished his Minister instead of menacing the Dey, his Justice had been more commendable. Our Passage down was now a delight, we kept near the Shore, and had the Pleasure of beholding the Country all the way we Sailed: From a wonderful distance, we perceived the Hills of Granada, always covered with Snow, tho' they lay in the Hottest Region of Europe.  
In Murcia, is the City of Cartagena, first Built by Asdrubal of Carthage, as a receptacle, for Men and Money, arriving from afric; Scituate in a Peninsula, but so impregnably Fortified in the time of Scipio, that but for a Stratagem he would never have taken it: Memorable likewise for the Piety of that General, who would not see those Spanish Beauties, which were presented to him, lest they should betray him to Incontinency. By Constantine it was made the chief City of the Province, which took its Name from it; but this not being intended for a History, I have done. 'Tis now a Populous and Beautiful City, well Fortified, and has a good Harbour. I should have mentioned Alicant in the Kingdom of Valentia, famous for the Wines it sends to all Parts. Over this City is a Castle on the Top of a Prodigious High, and Steep Hill; 'tis a hard Journey to't, if you set out at Noon, as we did, and when you are in it, you meet with very little to reward your Labour: the only thing I Remember worth Writing, is, that at our going in, our Company were stripped of their Swords, but had them restored at their going away; this Caution may be necessary, for 'twou'd be no difficult matter, for half a Dozen Brisk fellows to roll the Garrison down the Hill. At the bottom of this, stands that Celebrated Place, well known to the English Sailors, by the Name of Mount-Whoredom, and it well deserves such an Epithet; for there is not such another spot of Ground in Europe, for all manner of Pollutions. Lower down, lies Malaga, and Velez Malaga, the first (not to mention the History) is a Town of great Traffic for Almonds, Raisins, and the Wines of that Name: 'Tis a Rich, Populous, and Strong Place, full of all Nations, but especially of English, whose Merchandise is its chief Reputation: The latter is still Famous, for being in the Neighbourhood of those Hills, where there is a small remnant of the old Moors, who still speak the Arabic Language; from those hills may be seen the whole course of the Straits of Gibraltar, the Cities of Ceuta and Tangier in afric. Next we come to Gibraltar, formerly Heracela, Built by Hercules, at the very entrance into the Mediterranean, a small Town, but very Strong, of little or no Commerce; the English Consul here being in Deputation from him of Malaga: Here the Sea is so narrow, that 'tis a common thing for the Moors from afric, to cross and Land in the Night, and carry a way whole Villages into Slavery. On the point of the Calpe, one of the Fabulous Pillars of Hercules, stands a little Chapel, sacred to all Catholics who sail by, who always Salute it with their Guns, because it is the most Westerly in Europe.  
I'll Close this Letter with acquainting you, That after a Pleasant Voyage, we arrived at Cales, where we were Welcomed after a more grateful manner than ever, and where nothing was to be heard, but Universal applause of the General, for the whole Series of this Summer's Expedition; Health and long Life to him, and Prosperity to the Arms of England, remaining, in the Sincerest manner,  
Your most Devoted Friend and Servant, R.— Cadiz, September 18th. 95.   

LETTER V.  
My Dear Brunett,  
THE Winter being again our long Vacation, I began to indulge my ●elf in all the Pleasures so much leisure might afford me. The first undertaking I had, was to Ride to St. Lucar, in company with my old Friend, the French Merchant, who had an acquaintance in that place: But before I would undertake my Journey, I would make my Comrade promise, to Club for a Calash, having had enough of their Packsaddles, and Mules, in my ramble to Xeres: I found no difficulty in persuading him, I sound much more to prevail with him, to let me bear half the Charge, in which I would not be denied. I had not rid one of the 4 Leagues, we were to go, but the dam'd Calash was so uneasy, that I could not choose but think of the death of being broken on the Wheel: Certainly next to the Wheel, there is no Rack on Earth, like this sort of Carriages; but tho' our Calash was the Devil, our Mules were swift, which in an Hour and a half, ran us to St. Lucar, which was four long Leagues, and the end of our Stage.  
St. Lucar was the Templum Luciferi of the Ancients, from the Temple of Venus which stood there, that Star being sometimes called Lucifer, and of later years very famous for being the Port belonging to Sevil, where that Wonder of Cities, loaded and unloaded all her Bullion which came to her from America. But since Cales has got the Ascendant of Sevil in her Trade, she is mightily decayed, and consequently this Town, which sits upon the Channel that goes up to't, is proportionably lessened: Not that 'tis now poor, or ill built, but as formerly she was so large, that she contended for the place of the Second City in Andaluzia, so we now wonder there should be so little to show for all that Boast which she made in the fullness of her Glory. It is still a good Town, and has daily Intercourse with Cales and Sevil by its Barco Longoes, which pass every Tide between the two great Cities, and is indifferently supported by this Second-hand Trade: The Governor has a stately House situate on a Hill, almost inaccessible, that looks all over the Town, the River, and the Country, almost as high as Sevil. Here are but few Monasteries, but those very well built, and richly endowed: Among 'em is a little College, erected for the English Refugees, and dedicated to St. George. The Foundation of this College, is just as Ancient as what the English call the Reformation; that is, as their Apostasy from the Catholic Church, and was laid for the Reception of those persecuted Catholics, who fled for their Religion in the Reign of that Scourge of the Catholic Faith, Queen Elizabeth.  
At this time there were but three Fathers in't, but they live the better for their being so few, having all the Revenues in their own disposal. We saw but little here to please our Curiosity, unless you'll esteem this one, that tho' the Fathers were Englishmen; born and bred in England, yet by so long a disuse of their own Language, they had almost forgot to speak it; and when I would have talked to 'em in their own Tongue, they answered in Spanish, and were not to be got out of that Language into their own. In my many Conversations with these Religious, I had more than once met with such an Adventure before; particularly after I had seen the Carthusian Monastery at Xeres, I went into the Town to visit an English Nun, who had been much famed for her Beauty: She indeed deserved that Character which was given her, for I never saw any thing more Charming. Her Name was Philippe Ward, Daughter to an eminent Merchant of that Name, who lived at Puerto desancta Maria, and in her Infancy had put this Girl into this Convent: When I found this fair Creature so agreeable, I devoted to her all my spare hours, while I remained in that Town, and at other times, when I could be spared from my Attendance on Shipboard.  
I found her in every respect so Charming, that it was a Violence to take myself from her: And to this very day, I feel such a tenderness for her that I never think of her without Pleasure. This Beautiful Maid had in her first prattling days, learned the English Tongue perfectly well, her Father's Family had generally English Servants in't, and while she was at home it was impossible for her to forget the Language of her Parents, but she no sooner went into the Nunnery, and associated with those of another Tongue, but she left off her own, and in some Years after, so entirely forgot it, that when I went to see her, she hardly knew how to pronounce her own Name after the English Accent. And now I have mentioned this poor Creature, suffer me to digress a little, to ease my spleen of those resentments, which every generous Man ought to have against the usage commonly practised in the dedication of these young Women to Monastic lives.  
If a family be over loaded with Children beyond the Father's Capacity of preferring, the youngest are Sacrificed to Cloisters, at an age wherein they are not able to understand what they are to undergo. This Lady was a deplorable instance of that sort of Cruelty: Her Father died when she was young, and there being other Children elder than she, the Estate was divided among them, and but a Competency for this to introduce her into the Monastery, with some inconsiderable allowance for her Life, entrusted in the hands of her Uncle, her Father's Brother, who as she told me herself, lives now in London; but the Condition of the Will ran thus, That if she should survive her Brothers and Sisters, that then all their several Fortunes to descend upon her, and this Uncle to take it into his hands, and to see it paid: When she first was put into the Nunnery, she was but 5 Years of age, in her 6th her Father died; and before she was 12, she was the only Survivor of of all his Family: She now having a Title to the whole, applied herself to her Uncle for her ample fortune; but soon as the rest were Dead, he seized all into his own hands, and came away into England, and 'twas in vain to require the performance of her Father's Will, from one whose temper was not to do her Justice. In short, he cajoled the Abbess with bribes, to wheedle the unhappy Girl to remain in the Convent, and while the Abbess on one side was enchanting her with Stories of that blessed kind of Life, the Uncle on the other side, trifled her out of her hopes of her due; so that at length, when it was proposed if she would profess for good and all, she seeing no likelihood of receiving her Fortune, took the habit, and devoted herself forever to the Monastery. After this, it was impossible to think of getting out, and he being now secure that she would never trouble him more, enjoyed her Estate, and lives upon't to this day. To such an extremity was she at last reduced, that even her small annuity was stopped, and she lived with no other subsistence but that of the House, and about 4 l. Sterling Yearly, allowed her by one Malbrank a charitable English Merchant in Cales. In this Condition she was when I came acquainted with her, and when she told me this Melancholy Story, I could not choose but suffer with her in her misfortunes. So great was my concern for her, that tho' I knew the danger of taking her out of the Convent, yet a Thousand times I importuned her to trust herself with me, and I would have run the hazard of my Life for her deliverance, if she would have consented, but 'twas too bold an undertaking for her, and all my prayers were lost.  
I expect it will here be objected, that no body is compelled to take the habit: but when the time of profession is appointed, the Person who is to profess, is at liberty to stay or go; but of how little advantage is this liberty, when the poor Victims have been spoiled of their Fortunes, and Nursed up in a superstitious Faith of the Sanctity of a Religious Life, which wants no allurements to make it grateful during the time of the Noviciate? Not but that I know several who have, after a long abode in a Nunnery, released ' emselves again, particularly a Dutch Woman in Cales, who lived 45 Years there, came out and was married. But these are such who have no Estates to Tempt their covetous Guardians to keep 'em in, and are of so little account, that the matter was not much what became of ' 'em. Thus far I have digressed— but to return to my company—  
From St. Lucar, I was persuaded to take a tour to Sevil, the chief City, not only of this Province, but of all the Kingdom, for Beauty, buildings and antiquity. And here I found Entertainment for my Eyes, and every Sense I had; for in all my life I never saw any thing pleased me more. Paris, Lions, and Rouen, and 20 such places afford not such variety of wonders. Not but that I had heard and Read much of its Fame, which did in some measure prepare me for what I was to expect, but I found it all infinitely short of the Truth, as much as they, who drawn by the great Report of our King's Palace at Versailes, find it so prodigiously surpassing their expectation: As 'twill be impossible to give you particular descriptions of every thing I saw, so I am prevented by several Books which are published of it, to which I refer you. I shall only in gross, acquaint you, that for the Elegancy of the public and private Structures, the strength and beauty of its Walls, the number and opulence of its Monasteries, the prodigious revenues of their Endowments, and the Pompous Furniture within 'em, its extent and spacious streets, its Antiquity and Reputation for the Moorish Wars, and other innumerable excellencies, there is not within the whole Compass of the Globe a finer City. I could not for a whole week be drawn from this pleasant contemplation, tho' my friend, who had less Curiosity than I, importuned me every morning to be gone: But after I had remained here 7 days, I took my leave with as much reluctance as I should have done with a Mistress I had been so many years courting for her company, and was that moment to leave her forever.  
Our next design was to return to Cales, but because I had been twice jaded on Land, first by their Mules, and now by their Calashes, I was resolved, ill as I loved the Water, (for I never had a disposition for't but for my Curiosity) to trust that Element with my Body; so hiring Places in a Barco-longo, we shipped in the Morning, and rolled down the stream with Pleasure enough, till we came to St. Lucar, and there we entered on the Ocean again. These Barco-longo's (if you'll pardon the ill Grammar) are excellent Sailors, and will lie nearer the Wind by two Points than any of our Ships. They are extremely sharp before and behind, and that makes 'em fly when they are before the Wind, but when they come to be close halled, then are leewardly, and make but little way.  
There are several dangerous Rocks between St. Lucar and Cales, and tho' the Pilots of these Boats are dextrous in avoiding 'em, yet for want of a fair Wind, they are sometimes put to their shifts; and when they attempt, as sometimes they do, to go to windward of 'em, they hazard by their obstinacy their own, and the lives of their passengers. It fared just so with us, for the Wind taking us short, just as we were abreast of Rota, where there runs a great Sea, our Pilot thought to weather the Rock, but was forced in all haste, to bear away and go to leeward of it. This was the devil again I thought, and now I was ready to Conclude there was no safety in travailing this Country, neither by Land nor Water, and to aggravate my ill Humour, just as we entered the Bay, we were again beset with another Rock, called the Diamond, which we had much ado to shun. But at last the danger was past, and we got safe in to my great Satisfaction, who was hearty vexed to think of being drowned in a Bay, who had tempted the Main in so many Voyages.  
I shall not trouble you with any thing that past this winter, having met with no adventure worth relating, only such as Regarded the Church, which I am a littte tender of repeating, and wish with all my heart, I had no occasion given me of being Scandalised at ' 'em. But I hope it will be no offence to say, that really the present Clergy are exceedingly corrupted, and that the artifices, with which they delude the ignorant multitude are the highest reproach that any Communion can sustain. Among many more, give me leave to name one, which is one of the most reigning scandals in our Churches, and that is, the protection they give to every Rakehell and Villain, from the punishment of his Crimes. What a defamation is it to the Altars of the holy Catholic Church, to defend Murderers and Assassins'? And yet nothing is more frequent all over the Roman Christendom, especially in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. In France, tho' our Churches have the same Sacredness, yet we allow no shelter but in cases of great Oppression; for there Justice can force its execution, and this indulgence is not granted to Wretches, who for their evil deeds stand forfeited to the Civil Power. I could tell you surprising stories of the Transactions of the inquisition, which come to the purpose I am speaking of, but 'tis a dangerous topic, and I shall forbear meddling with it. But that this evil is notoriously Eminent in Spain, let this story inform you, which is directly true, and told me by one who was an Eye Witness. The Calla Nueva of Cales (as I told you) is the Exchange, where the Merchants meet in the Morning to Negotiate their affairs; this street at that time is extremely crowded, and was so, when a Boy pressing very rudely through the Crowd, happened to tread on a Gentleman's Toes, the Gentleman being hurt, turned round, and seeing the boy, who stood staring at him as if he dared his anger, hit him over the Face, and put him away. The lad taking this for an affront, went away murmuring, and presently after came back with a Stiletto, and finding the Gentleman still there, got behind him, and with his Dagger Stabbed him into the Reins, and at that one stroke laid him flat: His fall drew the Eyes of all the Exchange that way, and when they saw the boy with his Stiletto bloody yet in his hand, every body was inquisitive to know the cause of such an accident, the Gentleman's company knew how he had struck the Boy, and now they had seen him Revenge the affront, they as well as the rest opened a way through the Crowd, and made a lane for the young Murderer to escape to the next Convent, which he immediately did, and was there protected by the Friars, till some account could be given of the Wound. The Gentleman in three days died, and still the Boy remained in his Sanctuary, and was afterwards made a Servant to the Convent, and lives there to this day, unpunished and unexamined. Now what can be more derogatory to the Sanctity of our Religion than thus to protect such impieties? Believe me, my friend, it gives great occasion of reproach for the Enemies of our Faith to lay upon us, and I can't well blame 'em for speaking truth.  
The Winter being now far advanced without any memorable adventure, the General was called home, and another ordered to receive him. He Sailed for England with the greatest part of his Fleet, and a Numerous Convoy of Merchants, and I still remained on board the same Ship I was first embarked in. I can give you no further account of what the English did in those Seas, but that I afterwards heard, they did all they could to waylay the Toulon Fleet which were now on their Voyage to Breast, but that they miscarried in their designs, and the Renowned Tourvile brought it home in safety to the great disappointment and disgrace of his Enemies.  
When I came to England I was discharged with the rest of the Ship's Company, and got Money and my Liberty, and sufficient Satisfaction in what I undertook, especially if I have contributed to your Diversion, and acquitted myself of the Charge you laid upon me according to the desires I had of pleasing you, which is the Sum of all my wishes and Happiness. Adieu:  
Yours R— London: January 15th, 95.   
FINIS.