LICENCED.  
Nou. 26. 1686. Ro. L'Estrange.   

A BRIEF DISCOURSE OF THE Most assured Ways and Means to ruin and pull down the vast Monarchy OF THE OTTOMAN PRINCES. WRITTEN By a Judicious Gentleman, who for above twenty years resided at the Turkish Port, being there Employed by a great Prince, as his Ambassador.  
ALSO An Historical and Political Discourse OF THE War in HUNGARY. TOGETHER With the Battles of Kermain and Saint Gottard between the Turks and the Christians who there Defeated them. With the Articles of the last Peace, between Leopold the most August Emperor of the Romans, and Mahomet the present Sultan of the Turks. Anno 1664.  
LONDON, Printed by J. H. for B. Aylmer at the Three Pigeons in Cornhill. 1687.   

A BRIEF DISCOURSE OF The most assured means and methods to ruin and pull down the vast Monarchy of the Ottoman Princes.  
Written by a judicious Person, who for above twenty years resided at Constantinople, being there employed by a great Prince as his Ambassador.  
THE Turkish Empire is vulgarly called, the Empire of the Ottomans, from 
* Or Ottoman the first Emperor of the Turks.  Ottoman the first Prince of the Family now reigning, most of whose Successors did severally enlarge their Dominions, and by their Conquests added thereto, some of them entire Kingdoms, and the rest, great and rich Provinces. Whereby they have made themselves Sovereign Lords of part of Europe, of Asia, and many great portions of Africa.  
The Grand Seignior's Empire borders upon the Republic of Venice towards Sclavonia, and that of Raguza, situate upon the shore of the Adriatic Sea. This latter Republic is their Tributary, and can preserve itself not longer than it shall please the Grand Signior; for besides that the City is not strong of itself, its situation is very disadvantageous, being built at the foot of a great Mountain, from whose top they may by rolling down of huge stones overwhelm them, and soon become their absolute Lords and Masters. Within a quarter of a league of Raguza, there is a Port, or Harbour, named Santa Cruz, of a wonderful capacity, wherein a numerous fleet may winter with much safety.  
If the prudence and policy of this Prince were as great as his power and strength, he might long sin●e have overcome this Republic, and have made use of the said Harbour for forty or fifty of his Galleys to lie always in a readiness there, by which means scarce a Ship could go out or into the Adriatic Sea without being taken.  
The whole Coast of Puglia might very easily be ruined by the descents they might make, the distance from Raguza to Puglia being so little, that one may easily see from one shore to the other.  
Also the Republic of Venice, though great by Sea, and who get most of their richeses by Trade and Navigation, must soon have declined, and could not but under the favour and protection of a powerful Fleet have sent any forces to defend several of their Islands and places of importance; as Corfu, Zant and Cephalonia.  
They are Neighbours to Zara, a City lying in Dalmatia: Zara is on the Adriatic Sea-coast very far up within the Gulf towards Sclavonia, near to Friuli and a Fort called Palma, which the Venetians erected several years since, to hinder their frequent incursions.  
They are likewise Neighbours to the Archduke of Grats, a Prince of the House of Austria, and to the Kingdom of Bohemia. They are Sovereigns of the greatest part of the Upper and Lower Hungary, ●nd of many Cities not far from Vienna, gained by force of Arms.  
The Princes of Valachia, Bogdania and Transilvania are their Tributaries, whom they change whenever they please: Bogdania joins to Poland on one part.  
If we take our survey along the coast of the Black Sea on the European side nigh Caffa, they confine upon the Prince of Tartary. This Nation they make use of as the French Kings do of the Swiss.  
On the other side of the Black Sea which washes Asia, they border upon the Country of the Prince of Maingrelia, and are also Neighbours to the Prince of Georgia, both the one and the other are their Tributaries. Georgia lies near the Kingdom of Persia, with whom he confines; as likewise does the Grand Signior in many places.  
The Turk and Persian are frequently in debate, and at war, as well by reason of their Vicinity which creates frequent occasions of quarrel, as out of the emulation and jealousy each Prince hath of his own grandeur; besides the contrariety in Religion, the Turks calling the Persians' Heretics, and the Persians' esteeming them so too, and yet both of them hold Mahomet for a Prophet and the Messenger of God, not differing in their Belief, but in Ceremonies, and the washings they are to observe when they prepare themselves for their Devotions.  
In Egypt along the Nile the Turk confines with Prester-John, and is Lord also of Arabia Felix, of Meccha and Medina, places of their greatest Devotions; Mahomet being born at Meccha, and buried at Medina; these Cities are near the Read Sea: he likewise possesses a great deal on the Mediterranean Sea.  
Along the coast of Africa, he hath the Kingdoms of Tripoli, Barbary, Tunis and Algiers, and joins upon the countries of Fez and Morocco, who pay him homage and subsist in their dominions only because they are of the same belief with him. I shall not speak here of the great number of Vice-Roys which are under his command, nor of the innumerable Provinces he holds, my design being only to represent in few words the grandeur of this Empire, and the ways to overthrew it.  
If we surveyed what he holds in Europe, and also compute from Raguza or Belgrade, a City upon the Danube, to Arabia Felix, hardly can a horseman travelling ten or twelve leagues a day, ride from one end to the other in three months' time, and in all that vast extent of Land, there is no other Prince that hath any territory or command, he being the absolute Lord of all.  
The Ottoman Princes are want so soon as they make themselves Masters of any Kingdom or Province to observe one method, which is to seize on all the Demesns of the Vanquished Prince, all that belongs to the Church, or to those that die in battle, or those who by flight make a shift to escape the storm.  
As for those People who are content to remain in subjection to their Laws and Customs they leave to all such the possession of their Estates, and the exercise of their Religion, establishing according to the extent and richeses or strength of the Country so conquered, either Vice-Roys, or Governors of such Provinces, together with Judges to administer Justice. These Estates thus taken are shared amongst a certain number of Soldiers sufficient to guard and preserve their Conquests; they likewise bestow fomewhat upon their ecclesiastics, but no more than is necessary for their feeding and clothing.  
We must observe that the Grand Signior hath three sorts of Treasuries; 
First.  The first is managed by the Treasurers of his Port, who are three in number, to whom all others within the Dominions of his Empire aught to give an account of their administration; the expenses of those Provinces where they are employed being deducted, they sand the surplus of the revenue to the said Treasurers of the Port, who pay of the Soldiery every three months, as well as all other the expenses of the Grand Seignior's household, or whatever else belongs to the State or Governmont; 
Second.  the overplus (which makes another Treasury) is left under the keeping of an Eunuch whom they call Asenadar Baschy, and is one of the three principal Eunuches who are near the person of the Grand Signior, and who never stir out of the Seraglio, or Palace, unless to attend and follow their Master. The sums of Moneys which are put into the custody of this Eunuch, remain in Cash still and are never employed unless the most urgent affairs require it, and than oftentimes the Treasurers of the Port are feign to oblige themselves to make it up again with moneys from abroad.  
The third Treasury, is that of the Church, 
Third.  which is very great for the following reasons: The Turkish Empire, as I have said before, is wonderfully large; the devotion of that people is great; it is true they have not amongst them either Bishoprics or Abbeys, they have only very sumptuous Temples which serve them for Parishes. The Ottoman Emperors, their Pashaws, their principal Officers, and an infinite number of other devout people, have founded and given much of their wealth to these Temples, (which we will from henceforward call Parishes) which are worth an hundred or six score thousand Crowns yearly revenue; those that serve in them are few in number, and their allowance so moderate, that they must make hard shift to live thereon, so that there is much money remaining, which is put into the treasury of the Church, whereof the Grand Signior is the principal Guardian: yet cannot he make use of it, but when urgent occasions of State, and the maintenance of their Faith makes it necessary, unless he will offend his Conscience, and violate the Laws of the Empire.  
The Revenues of the Grand Signior are very vast, arising as well from the ordinary duties paid by the common people, as those contingent sums that are brought into his Coffers: he is heir to all his Soldiers and to every one that receives pay from him, if they die without Children; but if they leave Daughters he takes but two thirds of the inheritance and succession of the deceased, holding the place of Son.  
As there comes frequent complaints against such as are in eminent Offices and employments of trust, that they may have pretence to fleece them and get their Estates, they soon conclude them guilty, and seize upon all they have to apply it to the use and benefit of the Grand Signior. This injustice and cruelty is of dangerous consequence; as is that likewise of appropriating the revenues of their Temples to their own private advantage.  
To resume what I was saying of the methods they pursue when they have conquered any Kingdom or Province; after they have given to their Temples, and to those that serve in them what they think to be necessary, and also to such numbers of Soldiers designed for the guard of their new Conquests, they apply one part of it to the maintenance of the Viceroy or Governor: they do the same for Salaries to the Judges, and other Officers, all which is distributed by the Treasurer of the Province, who is accountable for the same, and who aught every three months to bring the remainder into the Grand Seignior's Coffers, upon pein of corporal punishment and confiscation of his Goods.  
Speaking of the Kingdom of Thunis, I had forgot to mention with what facility the Grand Signior might infested, yea ruin the Kingdom of Sicilia, and by the frequent cruising of his Galleys molest the coasts of Calabria, since hard by Thunis there is a Gulf which beats at the feet of the ruins of Goletta and the Cape of Carthage, able at all seasons to contain a naval force: Near the said Gulf there is a very safe and a very capacious Harbour, named Porto Farino, distant from the said Kingdom of Sicilia not above fourscore miles, and therefore may be sailed over in a very short time. Should the Turk, powerful as he is, keep always a good number of Galleys in readiness in the aforesaid Gulf of Thunis, or the  Porto Farino, they might soon be upon the Sicilian shore, keep them in perpetual alarms, which would ruin the trade of all such as sail upon the coast; hinder the Sardinians in their traffic, whilst the Islands of Malta, Corsica, Majorca, and Minorca, would be liable to the same trouble and inconveniences.  
But the ambition of the Ottoman Princes, and the inveterate hatred they bear against the Persians', having cut them out so much work on that side, they have neglected the opportunities they had to do these and other mischiefs to the European Princes; besides that their Religion obliges them to believe that there is more merit in killing one Persian Heretic in war, than if they slew threescore and ten Christians, so that their great zeal and rage carries them more that way. And this is that which hath in some measure secured the Peace of Europe, which nevertheless hath but too many times felt the weight and force of this too potent Monarchy.  
In the year 1593. the Treaties of Peace made between the Emperor Rodulphus and the Grand Signior Amurath, about the interest of the Kingdom of Hungary, (wherein both of them had shares) were broken, and they fell out, and that Agreement was converted into a dangerous and bloody war; the event proved prejudicial to Christendom, and shameful to the said Emperor, by the signal loss of a Battle, the City, Castle and Province of Agria; it was terrible and bloody for the vast numbers of Christians slain upon the place, or taken and carried away captive by the common enemies of our Faith: It was in Anno 1596 that this disaster happened.  
We must observe that this War commenced during the reign of Amurath, and ended in the reign of Mahomet his Son, who had the reputation and honour of being at the head of his Army when this Victory was gained; but he did not make use of all that advantage which fortune had put into his hands; for instead of wintering and putting part of his Army into the Cities under his command, which are numerous on that frontier, he returned to Constantinople, and lost the opportunity of making himself assuredly Lord and Master of Vienna, and of all Hungary; which gave the Emperor leisure and means to prevent his utter ruin.  
In those times the interest of the Polanders made them begin to bestir themselves, and they were making ready to join their forces with the Emperour's, foreseeing and apprehending that after the loss and ruin of Hungary, they must needs fall too; yet, notwithstanding this their fears of the power of the Prince of Tartary their neighbour, and some other obstacles mentioned elsewhere than obstructed their design.  
Before I propose the certain means whereby the Christian Princes may ruin this great Monarchy, I shall speak somewhat of its dreadful force and strength, that so such as shall take the pains to read this brief Discourse may know, what great power they have, and what forces they can bring together to trouble and molest Europe, and by consequence what care aught to be taken to hinder the dismal effects. Now we aught not to let them know their own advantages any longer, but prevent and attaque them betimes, which cannot be without a General union of the Christian forces: but before I discover the methods they aught to take, it will be necessary, (as I said above) to represent what the power of the Turk is, as well by Sea as by Land, that it may be apparent they are not easy to be beaten, or overcome, but by the way prescribed.  
This Empire hath under its command five and forty Vice-Roys, as well in Europe, as Asia and Africa, the names and titles of them in the Turkish tongue are not understood by the European Christians, (unless by such as live under their subjection) which is the reason why I shall not particularly nominate them, but refer my self to the capitulations between our Kings and the Grand Signior, (which were not long since translated and amplified) under the reigns of Amurath, Mahomet, etc. who had so much vanity, that in order to make known their grandeur and power they caused them all to be named and inserted in those agreements.  
There are in this number of five and forty Vice-Roys two of them that have each his five and twenty Provinces under his command, and in every Province they have a Governor whom they entitle Sanjacbey, as much as to say Lord of the Standard, or Banner, nay some of them, whom I shall only name, as the Viceroy of Greece, hath seven and twenty Provinces; the Viceroy of Buda eighteen, the Viceroy of Anatolia seventeen, the Viceroy of Arzeron seventeen, the Viceroy of Babylon twenty four, the Viceroy of Baseras twenty one, the Viceroy of Diarbekir nineteen, the Viceroy of Grand Cairo in Egypt more than the above named; but not to be too tedious, I shall omit to mention the rest.  
The Forces of all these Provinces as well of Foot as Horsemen, without including those that aught to serve at Sea, are very formidable: the number of them is above eight hundred thousand men, 'tis true they are not so brave and generous as they have formerly been, by reason of the Venality that hath crept in amongst them.  
During the reign of Sultan Amurath, (a covetous Prince) he began to receive great Presents from those to whom he gave considerable Commands; this authorised the Bassa's to do the like on their parts, which disorder does still continued if not increase amongst them, so that every thing is sold to any person that bids highest, even to the meanest and most servile employments. Now we must consider that those that have them may not hold them above a year or two, and having dearly bought the short lived purchase, they lay most intolerable burdens upon the people to re-imburse themselves.  
The beginning of this disorder is attributed to Sultan Solyman, who tenderly loving his Sisters and Daughters, instead of marrying them, according to the custom of other Emperors his Predecessors, to the Governors of Provinces far distant from his Port, would needs bestow them on his Bassa's residing near him, that he might the oftener and more conveniently see them. The expenses of these Pricesses being very great, being entertained within the Court of the Emperor their own Father or Brother, and their Husbands not having sufficient Estates to defray the charges, they began underhand to take bribes either in Money or Jewels of such whom they recommended or helped to Offices and Commands, being well assured the interest of their Wives would save their Heads in case they should hap to be discovered and accused: these failures have been followed by many others of no lesle importance.  
I said, in the beginning of this Discourse, that as the Ottoman Emperors went on with their Conquests, they settled in every Province a certain number of Soldiers, as well foot as horse to guard and defend the Country; as also to make use of elsewhere upon any case of necessity that might hap to the Empire. As for their Horsemen, whom they call Timars Espahi, excepting only five and twenty, or thirty thousand who attend constantly at the Grand Seignior's Port, and some others who are quartered at Grand Cairo in Egypt, and at Damascus, who are paid every three months in ready money at so much a day, some more, some lesle than the others, their pay being increased according to the merit of their Service: all the rest are Timariot, whom we shall henceforward call 
* Or Estates settled upon condition of furnishing certain numbers of armed Men and Horses for Service.  Commandry's, and accordingly as their Commandry's are in value, those that enjoy them are obliged to appear in the Field, with a certain number of men well armed and mounted, or else to remain at home to guard and defend the Country, as they shall be appointed.  
When these Commandry's were first established, the revenues of them were not so great as they are at present, for as their Empire hath increased, so these are likewise augmented so much, that there are some of them worth ten or twelve thousand Crowns a year: the Bassas, the Eunuches, the Mutes, the Dwarves, and even those Women the Grand Signior makes use of, have an exact account of the names of all the best of them in each Province, (as we have of Churches and Parishes in this Kingdom) and when ever any vacancy falls, they beg them, and put in some Domestic Servant or Slave of their own, that they may receive the advantage of those revenue● From hence arises two very great an● notorious evils to the infinite prejudice 〈◊〉 that State; The first is, that where formerly such as were provided wit● these Commandry's resided in the Province where they had Commission, and wer● commonly attending on the Governor 〈◊〉 the Province; which residence enable them to take care of their people, an● hindered passengers and strangers from abusing them, and kept them ever in 〈◊〉 readiness with their Arms and Horses t● march where they should be commande● Now since they are bestowed upon som● domestic servants or slaves belonging to some Grandee, they do not only, no● reside upon the place, but when the Governors of Provinces receive a command to appear according to order, they cannot bring those numbers of men, as the● were formerly want to do, before th● disorder happened amongst them, because those that now beg them for their Servants, will needs take the benefit of th● revenues, and not be obliged to do th● service enjoined them. This is the reason why such Governor of a Province wh● was in times passed want to bring in five o● six thousand men to any place appointe● hardly at present is able to produce half that number, and even these are but of the meanest and slightest sort of people. This disorder is not only in the Command●y's, but amongst the Soldiery who are paid monthly, for the Grandees of this Empire, to exempt themselves from paying their servants any wages, make them pass muster amongst the rest; and the great mischief of it is, that when any ●ervice is to be done, than are they not ●o be found to do their duty.  
The sale of Offices and Governments in ●he Turkish Empire hath diminished the ●ffections of those that possess them, they owing no thanks or obligation but to their own purses, and minding only, when ●hey are once settled, how to reimburse themselves of the moneys so laid out, which they are often forced to take up at great interest, and not content to recover ●nly their purchase money, they also provide a fund for some new bargain ●hen they must leave the employment ●hey are possessed of: wherefore if there ●e any rich Merchant within the limits ●f their Government, they 'cause him to ●e accused (falsely most times) of treason ●gainst the person of the Prince, or against the State, under which pretence they put him to death, and than seize upon all his goods. But often times Go● suffers them to be most severely chastised for their impiety and injustice, upon th● complaint of the people for their mal● administration, or rather by such as enus them and desire to be in their places who hire witnesses to depose or exclaim against them; whereby they are displaced, if not worse handled, and thei● whole estate confiscate to the use of th● Grand Signior. Some of them are put t● death, others escape with the loss o● goods only, and perhaps are a while a●ter restored again to their commands, an● than they are doubly diligent to feather their nests anew. Thus are the people of this Monarchy oppressed on all hand● above measure.  
The Pashaws or Bassas have no bette● fortune than the Vice-Roys and Governors of Provinces, the higher they are raised and in credit, the nearer do they approach to their ruin. During the tim● that I served the King as his Ambassador at the Grand Seignior's Port, I have observed such great and frequent changes that I cannot imagine where his Highness' could found even amongst his slave's an● one that would accept of, or adventure to be raised to the highest dignity of his Empire; that Prince observing no other rule of Justice to put a Bassa to death, or any other Officer, but an ill opinion or suspicion of their infidelity, and some disorder he fancied in his affairs; which jealousies are most commonly suggested to him by the whisper of some private enemy.  
All the form of Justice observed in putting such persons to death, as have been raised to the supremest dignities of the Empire, is, that the Grand Signior makes a demand in writing of the High Priest of their Law, whom they call Mufty, what punishment that slave or subject deserves who commits felony against his Prince and his Empire, enumerating all the reasons of his suspicions and discontents, which he puts down for truths. Now as the question presupposes the certainty of the fact, the Mufty ever concludes it to be death, and thus without any form of process the Grand Signior sends them away to be strangled, they having only a very short time allowed them to say their prayers. Immediately after the Justice appears, who takes an Inventory of the dead man's goods, as guilty of high Treason, and all the silver and household-stuff, horses or jewels, are applied to the benefit of the Imperial Treasury; as are likewise the remainders of his Estate, excepting only what the party should have enjoyed during his life, by his Prince's consent, which goes to his Children, and afterwards to his Childrens Children, and in default of such to the Church: and this is all the remedy they can found to secure somewhat to their posterity. In my time the late Sultan Amurath satisfied himself with their spoils, and did not put them to death: his Son Sultan Mahomet was more cruel; for he never deprived any one of his dignity, without taking away his life at the same time. This tyrannical custom pleases the common people, who delight in blood, and applaud the Prince for such his proceed; however the consequence is dangerous; for those that have the great and eminent Commands, and found themselves ever in danger of their lives, would easily be tempted to take part with others, if occasion presented, besides that most of those who are raised to the supremest dignity are tribute children.  
Since I have begun to make mention of the disorders that are in their Government, I shall here take notice of one no lesle considerable than the above named. Most part of their Soldiery, and especially the body of the Janissaries, who are about the number of forty thousand men, his Light-horse called Spahis-Oglan-ler, ●re likewise composed of five and twenty thousand, whom they call Legionaries; these aught to be, according to ancient custom, Tribute-childrens, and are designed to serve the Prince in war. The Gentlemen of his Chamber, who are named Montaferagas, the Servants whom they call Chechenigirler, those that have the keeping and care of all their Arms, whom ●hey name Gebegiler, the Gunners called Toupchiler, and a world of other Officers of his household, who exceed the number of forty thousand, aught likewise to be of ●he same sort. But since the corruption of money and the custom of bribery, ●nd buying and selling of places is grown ●o rise in this Empire, and particular person's have rather studied their own interest than the service of their Sovereign, ●he State is sick and in danger of falling: These levies are made every fifth year, ●s the tribute of the people, and that through all the Provinces of Greece, and generally in every Country under their command, by Commissaries deputed for that purpose out of the Body of the aforesaid Janissaries. Now, whereas in a Village containing a hundred or six score Fires, or more or a lesle number of Christians, there may be found, perhaps eight or ten Turks inhabiting amongst them, whose Children being bred and conversing daily with the others of the like Age do learn their Language and Customs, the Father's willing their Children should be chosen and taken by the Commissaries, instead of those of the Christians which are to be raised as tribute, give them up gladly, in hopes they may hereafter attain to honour and greatness: (for by these ways it is they come to be made Bassas, to command Armies, and to marry the Sisters or Daughters of their Prince) and therefore often give a good piece of Money to those Commissaries, and give their Infant Turk, some Christian name to make it pass the better; and thus are they often admitted and brought to the Grand Seignior's Port, as Tribute Children, where they are carefully bred in certain places allotted for that purpose, whence they canno● go forth, being guarded by Eunuches (as their Wives also are) they have Tutors who teach them their Belief, their Laws▪ their Customs, and especially the Obedience they aught to pay to their Superiors, with other exercises according to their several inclinations. They abide here seven years thus shut up, that they may be thoroughly instructed; such as are found to be judicious, and have a soul inclined to virtue and goodness, the chief Overseer, (who is always an Eunuch) gives an account of them to the Captain of the Grand Seignior's Palace, who 〈◊〉 named Capi Aga, to make his report; a●d thus they are brought nearer to his person, and educated with more care. The Turkish Children who are admitted, and pass for the Sons of Christians, although very young when they leave their Parents, yet when they grow up to be Men, and are entered into the Grand Seignior's Militia, or placed in some other condition, remembering their Fathers and Mothers, their blood and the place of their nativity invites them to return thither to see them. By whose complaints they come to the knowledge of all the disorders in the Government, and the tyrannical oppressions they groan under, and are thereby prompted to design a revenge, and when afterwards they meet in a Body, upon the first occasion that offers, they murmur, they complain, and call to have the State reform.  
I may truly say, that in my time during the War in Hungary, I have seen the Janissaries and Spahies in a body, march into the Grand Seignior's Palace, force him to give them audience in public, and after they had made known their complaints concerning the ill Government and mismanagement of affairs, have obliged him in their presence to take of th● Heads of his most intimate Favourites, a● the Authors of all their Grievances.  
Had not the Children of natural Turk● been received amongst other of their tribute Youths, such disorders would neve● have happened; for those of the Christia● race when once bred and educated in th● Mahometan Faith, abhor their Relations have no value or respect for them, an● own no other Protector or Father but th● Grand Signior alone, know no passion but his, and call themselves the Slave's 〈◊〉 God, being commonly strict observers o● the Mahometan Faith, and utter Enemy's of the Christian. This very thing is a mo● certain token of the decay of the Monarchy, it is true we must lend a helping han● towards the pulling of it quite down, th● we may reap both the advantage an● glory of so brave an enterprise.  
This Empire will be able for a long time without a miracle to resist both by Sea and Land the forces that shall conspire its ruin, unless they be such as I have computed they aught to be in the following part of this Discourse.  
For besides the great numbers of the Militia, who live under their command, and who are in pay, as well in times of Peace as War, all others able to bear Arms are obliged to oppose the enemies of their Faith to the last drop of their blood; but when it is upon account only of an offensive war, or design of farther conquest, than only those are obliged to march that are under pay, they call that general obligation, Nefirham. There is no Prince in Europe, nor in any other part of the world within our knowledge, that hath better conveniencies to make himself strong at Sea, than this same; he is Lord of the Black-Sea beyond Trebizond, the Country thereabouts being wonderfully populous, and wealth, and infinite Forests, the Villages and Parishes being obliged some to cut down the Woods for the building of Galleys, others to saw and hue it, besides people appointed to make Nails, Ropes, Sails; than have they Shipwrights that complete them, together with all other the several workmen requisite, and in numbers sufficient, and all this without disbursing one penny. These people are bound to perform the said duties whenever it is required, upon which consideration they are exempted from the payment of any taxes or imposts, and their Children from being taken up as Tribute by the Commissaries, delegated for that purpose; thus a Galley, which amongst us would cost to build eight or ten thousand Crowns, does not stand the Grand Signior in above one or two thousand: as for the Cannon such Galley is to be furnished with, there are infinite numbers made at Constantinople, there being several spacious places filled with them, they having all the necessary materials in their own Country for the completing of them. As for the men that sail and row these Galleys, the natural Turks pay no taxes, but only when they are to sand out Fleets to Sea, than they are to contribute as much as the Christians; this duty is called Avaris, or Avania, and is raised, as I said, indifferently upon all that are under the power of the Grand Signior, in the same manner as they do the Pioners in France; that is, that every Parish (according to the quantity of Fires there are in each of them) aught to furnish one, two or three men, and the Judges are bound, at the discretion of the Grand Signior, to bring him the quantity of men to which their circuit is liable, or else five and thirty Crowns, in lieu of each man, as he pleases, who according to the number he intends to set forth, either calls for the men, or sends for the money: To this end he makes use of Turks, not of Christians, for his greater security. By this method in lesle than two months' time, he can have enough to Man out two or three hundred Galleys; their Mariners are not of the best, although there be great numbers in constant pay for that use and service, but to help them in case of necessity they take the Seamen out of their other Ships, though they have no great skill in managing of Galleys, their navigation being very different. That which makes them the more secure is, that they seldom go to Sea but in the Summer time, whilst the season is calm, and little subject to storms and the misfortunes of winds and waves, otherwise they would often run the hazard of being lost, for want of sufficient knowledge in maritime affairs.  
As for the Soldiers they put on board their Galleys, there are some that have Commandries along the Mediterranean Shore, chief towards the Morea; who sand out one Captain of the Janissaries, one Lieutenant and other Officers, with fifty, threescore, or an hundred Janissaries for each Galley, according to the undertaking they have in hand: the Mariners are named Azabistan; they are well furnished with Cannon and want not for Ammunitions, but generally their Gunners are unskilful; and indeed that Art is very difficult, unless they have been used to Navigation, there being a great deal of skill in pointing of Guns upon the Sea, because of the motion of the Vessels and Galleys, which are ever in agitation more or lesle. As for their Provisions they have them in great quantities, their Countries abounding much in Wheat, Rice, Flesh, Butter, Oil, Cheese, and other provisions necessary for Navigation: they can endure a great deal, and that without any trouble, for from their infancy are they accustomed to live soberly. Their Galleys are not pestered nor encumbered like ours: for first they have not the use of Wine, they carry no great store of Salt-meats, as we do, besides many other things; wherefore their Galleys are much lighter than ours, cleaner, and the Rowers put to lesle labour and pains in their work, by reason the very Soldiers take a pleasure in helping of them; thus are they more fit and nimble either to follow or to fly away from an enemy if they be over-matched.  
In the Harbour or Port of Constantinople, a great number of Galleys are ordinarily to be seen riding in the Arsenal, as we see our Horses tied in rows within our Stables. Whenever the Grand Signior resolves to have a force at Sea, he can in lesle than two years' time set out three hundred Galleys.  
As for round Vessels, or as we call them, tall Ships, they have but few fit to make men of war: they have only five or six great Galleons which serve to carry Wood into Egypt proper for building, which they fetch from the Black-Sea, and from Egypt they bring back provisions to Constantinople, as well for the use of the Grand Seignior's Kitchen as for the inhabitants: viz. great quantities of Rice, Sugars, Spices and other Victuals and Merchandise: of these Galleons they make some use in case of need. There may be found also about some forty or fifty sail of Merchant Ships, which being well fitted may serve as a Convoy to the rest of the Fleet. They can likewise equip five or six Mahones (which are a sort of Galleasses) but they have but few men fit to manage them; they have some Christian Subjects whom they keep in the Island of Rhodes in a great Town named Lindo, who have large and good Vessels, they can bring about twenty of these into service: and this is all the strength they can make at Sea, which is not very considerable, if the power of Christendom would join together to attack them: And indeed, it is by Sea, that they may with most ease and certainty be destroyed, and not by Land, where they march with millions of men into the field: it being most true, that the Grand Signior can make up two or three Armies, that shall each consist of at lest two hundred and fifty thousand men, as well foot as horse, but much stronger in horse than foot. Did they understand the art of War so well as we do, they would be invincible, since they have so much strength and courage. They carry along with their Armies a great number of small brass Field-pieces, which require not above two horses to draw each of them; of these they have many, and so soon as they encamp they chain them to one another, and make a large ring, wherein they place a part of their Infantry, and there secure the Tents of their Chiefs.  
That which makes them so valiant is their opinion and belief of Predestination, and their holding that all those that die in battle for the defence of their Religion and Country die Martyrs and go into Paradise, without any obligation of giving farther account or satisfaction for their former transgressions: on the contrary, such as die with their backs towards the enemy, flying from the shock, are all damned, and if they do escape the danger they loose their honour and the Grand Seignior's pay, and oftentimes their Commanders put them to death, at lest their goods and estates are sure to be confiscate. They are ill armed, the foot who are quite naked carrying only a small Musket, and a very short Sword, which the greater part seldom know how to use, so that although they are very numerous, if they be roundly charged, they are easily overcome, whatever resistance they strive to make. Their Cavalry are better, being advantageously mounted upon very good horses; they go on to fight with much heat and fury, but will not stand any long engagement, unless they gain some apparent advantage; and if they make a retreat, it is by turning now and than back, and making a slight charge at every facing upon the enemy, which is their way.  
And although I have in this Discourse made known the power of this great Adversary, yet I dare warrant, would God permit an union of the forces belonging to the Christian Princes and Potentates, that they would be more than sufficient to destroy them in a few years. But, as I have already hinted, they must first be attacked by Sea, and the Land forces aught by all means to avoid giving battle till they have the news of a naval victory, which will be inevitable, if God for our sins should not hinder and obstruct the effect of our joint endeavours.  
The Catholic King might arm an hundred Galleys, as well such as he keeps upon the coast of Spain, as those of the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicilia, comprehending that Squadron he maintains at Genoa.  
The Republic of Venice (assisted by France with Men and Provisions) might very well furnish two hundred Galleys with all the equipage necessary for their navigation; they may likewise furnish six Galleasses, which may well be called Mountains of the Sea, for they are wonderful great Vessels, and yet are rowed like Galleys, and carry a great number of Guns, some of them fit for battery. It is observed, that when the battle of Lepanto was fought against the Turks, the Galleasses belonging to the Republic of Venice, which were there, and had their Army on board them, procured that Victory.  
Besides these numbers of Galleys, the Pope can sand eight or ten; France hath commonly twelve or fifteen, and could upon such an occasion set out fifty at lest, if not more; Savoy five or six; Tuscany ten or a dozen; Genoa eight or ten; and Malta six. All these together would make up three hundred and fourscore Galleys, and six Galleasses.  
I would afterwards join to this force, which is very great, and might easily master and command the whole Mediterranean-Sea, a hundred or two hundred of the largest and stoutest Ships that sail upon the Ocean. The King of England, the most powerful of any at Sea, might if he pleased, wonderfully help towards this enterprise; the Lords of the Low-countrieses might give a great addition, being so renowned through all the world; the King of France in his Countries and coast of Bretagne, Guienne, Normandy and Provence might forward this design, there being no Prince in all Europe that hath more Pilots and Mariners than his Majesty, who alone is able to furnish more Seamen than any of the Princes in Europe; their number is so great, that for want of employment in their own Country, they go abroad and serve in foreign Galleys and Ships of War: so that his Majesty may greatly contribute to this pious War. The King of Spain has likewise some very good and brave men of War; each of these great Monarches setting a helping hand to this work, they are able together to put out a Fleet of above two hundred stout Ships, and Galleons.  
This Fleet would be much more useful and considerable than that of the Galleys, and serve to many more purposes, that is, to fight, to carry recruits, and whatever refreshments shall be necessary where they are wanting, either to the Galleys or elsewhere: they might also have great numbers of Soldiers that might be landed on the enemy's Country in convenient places, and also trains of Artillery wherewith to besiege Forts and Castles that aught to be attacked: they can carry Arms to furnish such poor Christians (slaves to the Grand Signior) who would be willing to revolt in favour of our Army.  
If this Union and force at Sea thus projected could be brought to pass, it could never be destroyed but by the anger of the divine power in some most prodigious storms at Sea. There aught to be a place appointed where all the Galleys and Ships might have their general rendezvous to meet in a Body. At Malta there are very capacious and safe Harbours, but that is a barren Island, where they have not Corn enough to feed their Knights and their own Inhabitants, their provisions being brought thither from Sicilia.  
In Sicilia is the City of Messina, where ●hey have a Harbour both large and good, ●he rendezvous might be there, where Corn is in great abundance, together with Wines, Flesh, Oil, Cheese, and ●ll other things most necessary for Navi●ators: it is nigh enough to the Albanian ●oast, there being but three or four hun●red miles distance between it and Cape Saint Mary, neighbour to Castelnovo, the first Maritime City belonging to the Turks and from Castelnovo to the Morea the Galleys may creep all the way within sight of Land, getting refreshments from the shore upon every occasion, for all that coast is peopled with a sort of Albanians who are Christians, and utter enemies to the Turks, and who upon th● first sight of our Christian Army would take measures to revolt, and therefore the better to invite and encourage them they aught to be furnished with Arms, and some good Officers to conduct and head them.  
Passing along the Morea, they aught to do the like, the Christians of that Country being natural Greeks, and although they allow not of our Creed, and may justly fear if we had the power over them, we should oblige them to conform to another Church, yet nevertheless being so hardly used as they are, by the tyrannies of the Turkish Government, they would infallibly revolt and take up Arms against the Sultan: My opinion is, tha● in passing along, they should seize upon two Forts named the one 
* This is already done by the Venetians.  Coron, and the other Modon, which are on the Seaside, near the mouth of the Archipelago, as likewise upon the City and Castle of Scio, the Islands of Metelin and Tenedos, which are nigh the Dardanello's, and full of good Harbours for the security of the Fleets; as also to oblige them to come to their relief. This would prove a thing of no great difficulty, forasmuch as the pride of the Turk is come to that height, that he believes the power of all Christendom is not sufficient to do him any prejudice, and upon that score, they have neglected the care aught to be taken in furnishing and repairing their Forts, and keeping good garrisons and stores for their defence, of which they are generally destitute, or but slightly provided, for the reasons aforesaid.  
There must, at the same time, be a powerful Land Army likewise, which should march by Bulgaria, and go on towards Adrianople; and as I have said, all the common people of Greece, who inhabit that Country, being Christians, and there being very few Turks amongst them, they would most willingly rise: As to the number that Army should consist of, that of the Turks upon such an occasion would be very numerous and strong, and therefore ours aught in some measure, if possible, to equal them to prevent any terror or dismay at the appearance of the enemies vast numbers.  
Monsieur de la Noüe in a Treatise of hi● speaks of the way to attack and beaten the Turks, and after what methods the Christian Army aught to be disposed and conducted, also the numbers of horse and foot he judges to be necessary for that purpose. I shall add nothing to it bu● only this, that if the numbers he mentions could be doubled it would be more effectual and secure; but I should be o● opinion, that the Land Army should no● advance so far as to be forced to come to blows with the Turks till our Fleet had done their work; for, as I told you, being composed of a huge number o● Galleys, Galleasses, Galleons, and Ships of War, the Victory would be certain, and after the taking of those places beforenamed, they aught forthwith to proceed directly to the Dardanello's, which are two Castles distant two hundred miles from Constantinople, the one in Europe and the other in Asia, within Cannon shot of each other, both situate on the Seaside, which in that place is so narrow, that it seems as if Heaven had designed it for the security of Constantinople, and for the greater Majesty of him that ●s the possessor of it, that it should be so; ●or not a Ship that sails to Constantinople ●an pass or repass that Straight without ●eave of the Commanders of those Castles, which are not so strong but they may be ●asily taken, and aught to be.  
I believe, indeed, that the Turks Fleet would not stay till the Christians came up ●hither to them, but that they would ●ome out and meet them, so great is their presumption. There are divers good Ports near the said Castles capable of hol●ing any the greatest Navies; the Country thereabout abounds in Wheat, Wines, ●nd Flesh, and even the greater part of ●he Provisions that go to Constantinople ●ome from a place named the Volley, a ●ttle beyond Mount Santo, and much ●earer than Valona, and should the Fleets ●emain in that station, the City of Constan●inople must be in great want of food; ●or no Vessel would dare adventure to ●arry them Rice, Beans, Pease, Sugars, ●nd other great and necessary Provisions which are sent from Egypt by that passage, which would be interdicted and shut up, ●nd that vast and populous City could ●ot but suffer very much in a short time: ●is true they may be relieved by the Black-Sea, and principally from the Countries of Bogdania and Valachia, they being fruitful Provinces, and from whenc● they get great store of Provisions by way of the Danube which falls into the sai● Sea: there are likewise Caffa, Trebizon● and many other Cities upon that Sea tha● may help them in time of distress; wher● by one may judge of the happiness of i● situation, as being seated betwixt tw● great Seas; but we need not doubt, if th● King of Poland come into the Union, a● indeed it will be most necessary h● should, the Princes of Bogdania, Valachi● and Transilvania will soon revolt to sha● of that yoke of slavery and tyranny und●● which they daily groan, as being Tributaries to the Turk: upon which accou●● they would all of them seize on the D●nube, and hinder all manner of relief 〈◊〉 assistance that might otherwise be eas● conveyed along the Danube: the Cossas (who are Christians, and by their bi● Russians) would disturb them also the sa● way, their Country bordering upon t● same Sea.  
The Christian people of Greece revoking, (as it is rationally to be suppo●● they would do when they found b● Land and Sea filled with armed Men● th●ir own belief, marching to destroy the ●kish Power) it would greatly contri●e towards the Victory, because the aches who reside in those open Country's 〈◊〉 Villages, would be much alarmed 〈◊〉 frighted. It would be necessary to ●ke no difference betwixt those of the ●ek Church and the Roman; but indis●ntly to hear their Mass, respect their ●gy, make the sign of the Cross after ●r manner, approve their Fasts, and ●ate them as much as possible; to per●e their Churchmen to appear at the ●d of our Armies, treating the Christi● of those Countries with all the gen●ess and humanity imaginable, and ●ving great severity towards any that ●●●ld wrong them.  
●he other point is, that a great part ●e Turkish Militia are Tribute-childrens, 〈◊〉 by consequence the Sons of Christian ●ents who have been snatched and 〈◊〉 out of the arms and bosoms of their ●ents: when therefore Prisoners are ●n, and any of this sort can be discorded amongst them, they aught to be 〈◊〉 kindly treated, giving them to un●●●tand that it is well known they were ●ed away very young and compelled ●ke up a Religion contrary to the Faith of their Fathers, and that it is impossi●●● but they must have some good inclinations left towards their first Belief; th●● learn in what condition they served 〈◊〉 Turk, and provide as well for them, not better, than what they had un●● him. This would produce two v●●● excellent effects, the one that our adve●●ry would be daily weakened, the othery more importance yet, that this wo●● breed so great a distrust and jealousies the natural Turks, that they and the janissaries would soon divide from ea●● other, and, as I said before, the Ma●● forces having first done their work, (G●● granting them the Victory) the ene●● would be in such a consternation, t●● their Land Army might be overco●● without any great hazard or difficulty.  
When I was in Constantinople, I 〈◊〉 told that after the Victory the Christi●● gained at Lepanto, their fears and apprehensions were so great, that had 〈◊〉 victorious Fleet gone directly to the D●●danello's (those Castles I have already mentioned) they might have taken them wi●● out opposition, and afterwards have 〈◊〉 come Masters of that famous City.  
To embarass and distracted them, a●● make it the more easy to defeat them, would be necessary upon such an occasion, ●o prevail with the King of Persia not to ●ose the opportunity to recover the Country's wrested from him in Asia, which ●re very large and considerable: so that ●he Turk's being assaulted in divers places ●t once, would soon be ruined, and laid ●n the dust: and truly, I am of opinion ●and not without good grounds, as well ●s hopes) that they might be ruined even ●he second or third year of the expedition ●nd confederacy, which indeed aught to ●e resolved on, since it is scarce possible so ●reat a force, and composed of so many several Nations, could act long together, without falling into some controversies ●nd quarrels amongst themselves, which might proceed to blows.  
Egypt is inhabited by Moors, and a vast Number of Christians called Coftes, who ●ive under subjection of the Turk, the Moors are their most mortal Enemies, so soon as they should see them assaulted by a good Force, they would be the first that would revolt, and make War upon them. Mount Libanus is likewise stocked with a sort of Christians called Maronites, who are under obedience of the Church of Rome, there are amongst them twenty thousand Fighting-men at lest, these have enured themselves to all the hardships toils of War with the Druses who i● bitten with them in the same Moun● and are generally at handy-blows 〈◊〉 the Turks. Albeit these Druses are ●…●hometans, they believe their Father's 〈◊〉 the Offspring of the French, who in times conquered the Holy Land, 〈◊〉 the City of Jerusalem under the con●… of Godfrey of Bovillon, and Baldwi● Brother; that they were defeated a●… the Death of those two generous P●…ces, when such as could make thei● cape out of the conflict, retired into inaccessible and rough parts of M●… Libanus, where they have from Father Son preserved and maintained themse●… ever since: They are Enemies to 〈◊〉 Turks, and obey them but by compul●… upon a good occasion both they and 〈◊〉 Maronites would undoubtedly rise.  
All Asia is inhabited by Christian Gr●… and Armenians, (these latter are in g●…ter numbers and more affectionate to 〈◊〉 Latins than Greeks) upon due notice 〈◊〉 our Union and Design, I question 〈◊〉 but they would think of redeeming the● selves, and take revenge for the oppr●…sion they have so long endured, and f●… live under.  
The Prince of the Georgians, who is of the Greek Church, is able enough to do them much mischief, upon such an occasion. There is also another Nation neighbour to the former, who although Mahometans, yet does by no means desire to live under the Turkish Empire, they would be glad to found a happy opportunity to throw of their yoke and break their bonds: these are the Parthians, who at this very time are in continual feud with them.  
I shall therefore conclude by this Discourse, That the Turk aught not to be attacked with a small force, but I am well assured that if the Christian Princes would resolve upon a general union, 
* The Author saith in one years' time, but that is somewhat too Rhomantick since Miracles are ceased.  That even in a few years' time they might overthrew him both by Sea and Land, and make themselves Masters of all his Empire; the Germane Emperor, the King of Poland and the Princes of the Empire aught to have the command of the Land Forces. The Execution of this Proposition must be the work of God, unless he put forth his omnipotent hand, and inspire our Princes as well of the one as the other Church, it is impossible for mankin● to bring it about. On the other par● all doubts and jealousies and dispute concerning differences in Religion must b● waved, as well as punctilioes for precedence, and private interest, and nothing aimed at, but to pluck down this potent● this monstrous Enemy, who by his Victories, and force of Arms, hath debase● the Glory and Grandeur of Christendom I speak with the more assurance of these ways and means to attain the said ends as having lived for two and twenty years amongst these People, by order o● my Sovereign, for the Service of his Majesty and my native Country, in quality of Ambassador.  
It would likewise be very necessary, i● this Design were agreed on by the afore named Princes, (who might promis● themselves this Conquest by the Effort o● their Strength and Courage) that a project were drawn of the partage to b● shared to each; that so, if Heaven did give them Victory, all contests and after debates might be avoided betwixt them a● the conclusion and crowning of the Enterprise.  
I have not adventured in this brie● Discourse to mention the methods tha● aught to be made use of to unite all these Potentates, I shall leave that to such as are more knowing in the Politics to procure it, than myself, who should be ever ready in such a cause, and upon so pious an undertaking to serve as a Soldier, a Guide, and an Interpreter, having, during my long abode amongst them, learned their Language, and the chief Roads that lead thorough their Countries.   

AN HISTORICAL AND Political Discourse ON The Causes of the War IN HUNGARY.  
THE Spaniards, whose Words and Speeches are commonly of great weight, have a saying to this purpose, That there is no good but what is ●ure, nor no evil but hath an end. And I, on the contrary found, that the pleasures ●nd good we enjoy in this life are ever mixed with pain, and that the end of one trouble is but the beginning of another. The happiest of people have oftener reason to complain than to rejoice; and the unhappy, who are by much the greater number, do most commonly fall from a little misfortune into a bigger. I do remember that George Ragotsky Prince of Transilvania entered into Poland victorious, but he came out again flagging his wings; and that thereupon you did read me a Lecture of the inconstancy of Fortune, and shown me, that it was no new thing to see such revolutions and changes; since oftentimes those have been led about captives to make a triumphant show, who but a short time before had been themselves triumphant Conquerors.  G. 
Whatever I may have told you heretofore, I always believed, and still hold it for a certain truth, that the greater part of mankind have much more reason to praise and thank God for the benefits they do receive of him, than to implore to be delivered from the evils that afflict them: and yet we hear of more that do complain than give thanks; because we are more sensible of pain than of pleasure. A Prince feels not so much pleasure in conquering all his life-time, as affliction to found Fortune turn her back upon him but in one single Battle. A great Man, who had scarce found any thing impossible to be attained to by him, till the age of fifty years, and who had seen the most formidable enemies stoop to his power, tells us after all that Fortune is a Woman, that she loves the young better than the aged, and therefore retired into solitude, when he found the power of the greatest Emperor that ever was, could be so easily baffled. We found some persons who will needs have the liberty of undertaking whatever their capricious fancies suggest, and than loudly complain when their attempts (begun without consideration and judgement) end in misfortune and disgrace. It is certain, that Divine providence (which by the vulgar is called Fortune) does often pull down the pride of the most successful and haughty, that they may know the good they had received proceeded more from his bounty than their deserts. We found some Politicians whose Eagle eyes can see every thing abroad, are yet stark blind to what does threaten both the ruin of their Country and themselves at home. I might confirm this truth by infinite examples, but I shall pass them by in silence to listen to your questions, and to answer to them as exactly as I am able.  P. 
Let us than speak of the War that is now in Hungary: And forasmuch as a discourse you made to me about three years since, brought us within sight of a black cloud that was gathering in Transilvania, and which hath since produced such a tempest, as hath born down George Ragotsky and Jona Kemin, to raise Abafti to the Throne: entertain me with the cause and sequel of that change, that I may the better know whence it happened that the Grand Signior, who had been only an idle Spectator in the Tragedy, (which Europe was acting for thirty years together) should now attack his Neighbours without provocation, and give us occasion to take up Arms, while we are in a capacity to unite in such a manner as may give him cause to repent his undertaking. I am confident that this rapture was preceded, accompanied and followed with so many notable circumstances, that I might to good use and purpose, spend many days in canvasing and weighing them; and such as shall consider them duly afterwards may reap both pleasure and profit by it.  G. 
Although your will hath ever been a law to me, yet is it not without some kind of regret that I now undertake to satisfy you in this point, as being afraid to speak more than I should: but since you must needs know whence they fetch those remedies they will, or do intent to, apply, I shall do my best endeavour to satisfy and entertain you on that subject. And that you may have the more reason to acquiesce in what I shall tell you, I will take my rise from the very first source, and represent in Epitome, all what the Turks have done in Hungary since the time that Bajazet came thither to support their rebellion, and foment their discord. I know the ignorant will say, that the Turk hath little or no regard to justice when he undertakes a War; and that the advantage he thinks to meet with in his erterprises is ever the principal motive of his designs. For my own part, I own there is little faith to be hoped for or expected from an Infidel, and that many times the Turk hath no other aim in his attempts but his own interest: But withal it is not impossible for him to cloak those designs his ambition prompts him to act in the world, with some fair and specious pretence. And for this reason I will let you plainly see, why the Ottomans think and believe they have just cause to preserve Transilvania, and by the same means you will come to understand and know the ground we have to defend it against him, and how it comes to pass we are obliged to raise great forces, and to demand the assistance of strangers. After this I shall proceed to the resolutions were taken at Ratisbon, and satisfy such as would know in what manner our Princes do contribute towards the preservation of Germany, and to the War we have undertaken for our own defence.  P. 
I must confess I should not have had all that satisfaction I do promise myself from your discourse, had you but only barely told me what is acted on our frontiers, the forces we have here, and the merit and worth of such as command them. Those that meet with any novelty of moment desire to be informed of the true cause thereof; and our War having taken its rise from the little respect that Ragotsky shown to the Turkish Sultan, and the protection Kemin Ionas sought for and obtained of the Emperor. I cannot but be very desirous to learn the reasons, why the Turks do undertake to chastise the Princes of Transilvania, for beginning a War without their consent, and the obligations our Emperors have to protect them. Begin therefore, if you please, and relate it all as distinctly and briefly as you possibly can.  G. 
You ask and desire two things together, which seem incompatible; however, I shall endeavour to join them in one, and despair not to perform the task, provided you will be very attentive. In the year 1350, or, according to others, 1383, Lewis the first of that name reigned peaceably over the people of Transilvania, Moldavia, Valachia, Mysia, Dalmatia and Sclavonia, which were of the appurtenances of his Kingdom: but his quiet was disturbed by a misfortune as little dreamt on as foreseen. Jane Queen of Naples, a most dissolute Princess, preferring some young Neapolitans before King Andrew her Husband, she cruelly put him to death. The news whereof, and the Letters from such as were struck with horror at this Parricide, did easily prompt the Soul of Lewis to a just revenge. This generous Prince, believing that both honour and justice obliged him to take up Arms to revenge the death of his Brother, raised a great Army, and went to Naples to bring the guilty to condign punishment. His expedition was prosperous, and having put Jane to flight, and routed her Confederates, he brought the Rebels to reason, and punished the chief abettors of that detestable Parricide. Which being done, and all things appeased, he thought his own ancient Kingdom might require his presence, and therefore was contriving to return again, not neglecting at the same time any means to preserve his new one. He had divers great person● in his Army, and amongst others Stephe● the Vaivode of Transilvania, whom h● held in great esteem, although he was a● yet but young. With this Man he left a force sufficient to keep that Kingdom i● its duty, which was far distant from Hungary; and having recommended th● care thereof to him, he returned home The King's departure gave encouragement to Jane and Lewis Prince of Tare●tum, her new Husband, to make thei● effort to regain the Throne. But th● prudence, the courage and the fidelity o● the Transylvanian put by the thrusts, an● prevented the designs, till Pope Clement V● put an end to that War. These signal services, performed by the Vaivode, an● those he rendered Francis Carcarius, Prince of Milan, (a friend and Ally of the King his Master's) merited great rewards▪ wherewith his hopes did justly flatter him But these were not only forgotten, and Lewis did not only not recompense the Vaivode, but even recalled him from Naples, fearing so eminent a person, and one so worthy to reign.  P. 
Other great Monarches have done the like, both before and since that King: Narses and Gonzales have given occasion to Historians to blame the Emperor Justinian, and Ferdinand King of Arragon: But how did Stephen behave himself under this disgrace?  G. 
The Transylvanian as able a Courtier, as a Captain, concealed his resentment, while he thought it would be useless to discover 〈◊〉; and Lewis being dead, he than believed that Fortune presented a favourable opportunity for his revenge. The King had left no other Successor but only a Daughter named Mary who was betrothed to Sigismond of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia. The tender Age of that Princess, the inconstant humour of the Hungarians, and the practices of our Vaivode, caused the said Mary to be so much despised, that many openly declared they would never obey a Girl. Than this Cabal knowing the craft and dexterity of the Bishop of Zagabria, who was an Italian by birth and inclination, they sent him to Charles II. King of Naples, the Son of Andrew, and Cousin German of Mary. The Bishop exactly performed what they ordained, offered the Kingdom of Hungary to the King of Naples, and desired him to come and take possession, as an Estate that belonged of right to him. Charles listened to the Bishop favourably, and being agitated with different passions, demanded some time to resolve upon a business of so great importance. He spoke of it to the Queen his Wife, who omitted neither Arguments, nor tears to dissuade him from undertaking a thing so dangerous by reason of the inconstancy of those People, and shameful for the injustice he must commit by dispossessing one so nearly related to him, without any cause. But Ambition overcame reason and equity. Charles equipped a great Fleet and attended with an Army worthy of such a Prince, he took harbour in Dalmatia, and went in few days to Zagabria, where he met part of those Grandees that favoured his design. From thence he passed on to Buda, and although he found resistance by the resolution of Nicholas Gara, and some other faithful Servants of Queen Mary; yet did he make a shift to settle himself by the interest and favour of the Transylvanian. Than Sigismond King of Bohemia the Husband of the said Queen, perceiving the loss of Hungary to be inevitable, retired into his own Kingdom, and Charles imagined he had fixed the Wheel of Fortune. His joy notwithstanding was but short-lived, and his Usurpation of no longer duration, than other violent things are want to be. Sigismond was again invited back by the new King's Enemies, and having vanquished Charles, slain or drove away every one that opposed him, he recovered all that rightly belonged to Mary his Wife.  P. 
These were wonderful revolutions, and which were undoubtedly of very hard digestion to the Transylvanian.  G. 
The loss and defeat of the King of Naples, put that Vaivode into despair, and made him forget all that should be most precious amongst men, Viz. their Religion, and their Native Country. He laid under foot all considerations both divine and human: He had recourse to Bajazet Emperor of the Turks, to whom he promised his Daughter, upon condition he would help him to turn Sigismond and Mary out of their Kingdom of Hungary. This was the beginning of the misfortunes of that Kingdom, (till that time most flourishing) and of the hopes those Infidels conceived of subjecting it to their Empire. Bajazet took this opportunity by the Foretop, got a great Army together, advanced towards Hungary, fought a bloody Battle with King Sigismond, near to Nicopolis; where 'tis held that twenty thousand Christians and threescore thousand Turks were laid in the dust, the 28th. of September, 1396.  P. 
I think it was there that John of Burgundy was made Prisoner with the loss of a thousand Gentlemen he had brought thither: But, if I am not mistaken the Turk made no great progress during the Reign of Sigismond.  G. 
Those Burgundians kept company, and stood and fell with the Hungarians, that died in the said Battle. But this was only the beginning of the unhappiness of those People. Yet under the Reign of Sigismond, and during that of Albertus of Austria his Successor, the Turk gained little in Hungary: He would needs proceed step by step, and seized upon Constantinople,  he set his mind seriously upon other matters. However, this had taught him the way to come and visit us. Mahomet the First beaten the Hungarians near Taubemberg Anno, 1400. And thus the Infidels advanced by little and little, till after the Death of Albert of Austria. That Prince left no Children; but his Wife was big when he deceased. Her being with Child caused the division that was than bred amongst the Grandees of the Kingdom. Some would needs have them wait till the delivery of the Queen, before they thought of the Election of a King. Others making objections against their becoming subject to a Child, in case the Queen should be safely brought to bed of a Prince, they resolved to choose a King able to govern them. Hungary being thus divided, one part of the Grandees sent to offer the Kingdom to Uladislaus, the Son of Casimir, King of Poland: The other party preferred Ladislaus Son of Albertus before him, though he were yet in his Cradle; where notwithstanding they set the Crown of Hungary upon his Head.  P. 
Truth itself, nay the God of Truth hath told us, the danger of a Kingdom divided within itself: and Hungary no doubt hath felt the smarting Effects of it.  G. 
This division of minds and interests brought Amurath the II. into the Field, who taking advantage of the discords he observed in Hungary, marched into the very heart of the Country, and besieged Alba-Regalis. He could not however obtain what he desired, on the contrary he lost most of his Army, and was forced to raise the Siege. This affront enraged the Tyrant, who to be revenged, raised new forces, and entered again into Hungary, where he was defeated by John Huniades Corvinus. This action gave not more reputation to Huniades, than desire in the Turk to be revenged. To this purpose, he sent two of the bravest Generals he had to oppose Huniades, who always commanded the Armies of King Uladislaus. These were Isaac and Mezets', who falling upon Hungary and Transilvania, filled them with all the miseries of a cruel War. Huniades ran in to their Assistance, and overtook the Enemy laden with Spoil and Plunder. He charged them stoutly, but unfortunately, since he was repulsed, and put to flight. Amurath encouraged with this Victory, thought now of nothing but ravaging the Christian Countries. Mezets' returned into Hungary, put all to Fire and Sword, and having ruined it, and cut the throats of infinite numbers of People, intended a retreat. Than was it that Huniades believed he might found an opportunity to repair the former loss he had sustained. And in effect, he encountered Mezets, attacked and defeated him so entirely, that hardly was there any one left to carry the News of it to the Turkish Sultan.  P. 
This good Success aught to have raised the Spirits of the Hungarians, to fall upon him in their turn.  G. 
They did so, and had great advantage; and without doubt the Affairs of the Hungarians, and the Turks had changed its face, if particular interest had not prevailed above the general good. King Uladislaus had in his Court one Julian a Legate from his Holiness, and George the Despote of Mysia, who ever talking of the good fortune of Uladislaus, the generosity of Huniades, and the facility of recovering what was lost, inclined that King to a great undertaking. Preparations were made; and the forces being drawn together, Uladislaus sent Huniades before with the Vanguard. His Expedition was so prosperous, that he regained divers places; and had he not been put to a stop by the severity of Winter, it is believed he had penetrated and overrun a●● even to Thrace, and ruined the Turkis● Empire in Europe. In this Campagne H●niades gave eight several Battles to C●rambo, a great General of the Turks, wher● in he ever came of with advantage than the Winter forcing him to retire t● Buda, he carried Carambo along wit● him, who falling into a very dee● Snow, was become his Prisoner. These things having thus succeeded to th● honour and advantage of the Hungarian King, and the immortal renown of Joh● Huniades, the Ambassadors from dive●● Princes, from the Emperor of Constantinople, the Venetians, and Genoese, went t● congratulate Uladislaus, entreating him t● continued and prosecute a War he had s● fortunately begun. They promised and assured him that all the forces of Christendom should be his seconds, that a Flee● should be sent to obstruct the passage o● the Hellespont, and hinder the Turk from coming over there; and that the Greek● seeing such hopes and probabilities o● their deliverance, would resume thei● ancient Courage, to break their bands 〈◊〉 slavery in pieces. The Despote of Mysi● to these arguments, did add all the reasons and persuasives, that his earnes● desire for the recovery of a Kingdom, and his Children, (who were in the hands of the Turk) could possibly suggest, so that all things were tending, and disposing towards a War, not lesle beneficial than honourable to Christendom.  P. 
They might well hope for good Success, from so powerful a League.  G. 
And yet it proved unfortunate; and to the ruin of Hungary; which happened thus. Amurath II. of that Name, the Turkish Sultan, finding Europe combined against him, and fearing the Forces of Asia, consulted his own prudence, and with admirable Craft and Wisdom, obtained that Peace of Uladislaus he extremely desired. He sent Ambassadors under pretence of treating concerning the liberty of Carambo; but in effect it was to disperse that storm that threatened him. These Agents well knowing what influence the Despote had in the King's Counsel, and in the heart of John Huniades Corvinus, believed that if they could but gain him, they should gain all their ends. They planted therefore two Batteries against him, which nothing can resist, I mean Affection and Interest. They offered the restitution of his Children, and his Estate, if he could but obtain of Uladislaus what they reasonably desired of him. This proposition pleasing the Despote, he soon brought Huniades Corvinus to approve of it; and these two being thus agreed, they found no great difficulty in persuading the King to an accommodation. The Peace was made, the Turk withdrew all the Garrisons he had in Mysia, restored them effectually, and exactly performed all he had promised. But whilst the parties were thu● employed in the executing of this Teeaty; Letters arrived from Greece, which assured them that those People, who knew nothing of the conclusion of this Peace, expected every moment when the game would be begun; for that they were fully resolved not to stand with Arms accross like idle Spectators, the absence of the Sultan who was in Asia, giving them a very favourable opportunity to push on their designs. The Italian Fleet, which advanced towards the Hellespont, desired the same thing with great eagerness. These Letters having been read in the Senate, even those that had been most forward and zealous for the Peace, were now sorry it was concluded: But none durst mention the breaking of an agreement, which had been confirmed by a solemn Oath. Than Julian, the Cardinal Legate, powerful in persuasion, of great credit and eloquence, prompted by an indiscreet Zeal, and an impious piety, undertook by a discourse as learned as it was vehement, to prove that they aught to break that Treaty made with an Infidel. He chid the scrupulous, encouraged the timorous, comforted the afflicted, and wholly inclined both the King and the Grandees of Hungary to a rapture. He said, he well foresaw the disadvantages of that Peace; but had not opposed it, jest he should have seemed to accuse Huniades of imprudence, and have appeared cruel towards the Despote of Mysia, who could not have redeemed his Children from the Tyranny of the Turk, but by the said Peace. He assured them they might safely do it, since they might justly and reasonably break their Faith with the Turk, who by his finess and craft had broken the bonds of a Christian alliance: He represented how that, indeed, the Hungarians could not grant a Peace to the Sultan, without first having the consent of their Brethrens: and that an Oath unjustly made, could not oblige without injustice. He endeavoured to make out that the Oath, they had made to Amurath, was null; that it did not bind their Consciences; and that they might rely upon him in this particular as being most knowing in Affairs of that Nature; and concluded that they aught to assemble their Forces, march towards Thrace, and join with the other Christians, before the oversight they had committed should be conveyed farther into Europe. These and the like arguments and reasons, uttered with Authority, and by a most eloquent tongue, inspired the Hungarians to declare unanimously, that they would rather loose their lives, than forsake their Brethrens at this juncture. To this purpose, the Army was drawn forth, and John Huniades, marching in the Van, the King followed with the rest of the Army. This Prince being on his way, Dracula the Vaivode of Valachia went to wait upon him, and told him, he admired at the boldness of his attempt, in going to attack the Turk with so inconsiderable an Army; that his Enemy went a-hunting with as many men as he had than about him; that he advised him to return again. This Counsel was rejected, and the Vaivode having left four thousand Horse with the King under the Conduct of his own Son, he retired. Amurath being informed that Hungary was arming against him, quitted Asia, and returned into Europe, got his Forces afoot, and the soon he could possibly, attacked Uladislaus at Varnes, a City of Bulgaria, and defeated him entirely. The event of which Battle, so fatal to the Christians, and fortunate to those Infidels, made it apparent by the Death of the King of Hungary, Julian the Pope's Legate, and an infinite number of brave men besides, that we aught to keep our promised Faith; and that God will punish the perfidious, let them cloak the Crime with what pretence soever they please. It's said that Amurath, observing his men had the worst at the beginning of the Fight, drew out of his Bosom the Treaty that had been signed between him and the Hungarians, and lifting his Eyes to Heaven, said more than once with great earnestness and affection, Jesus Christ, behold the Agreement here the Christians had made with me; to which they have sworn by thy Divinity, and which they now break in Derision of thee: Now, if thou, O Christ, art God, as they do say, revenge I beseech thee, an injury done to thyself, and to me; and let even those that do not yet truly know thy Name be witness, that thou canst punish such as violate the sanctity of those promises which they had sealed with thy sacred Name. Which Prayer was followed, or answered, with the total defeat of the Christians. The King's head was fixed upon the point of a Lance, and carried into many parts of Greece and Asia, as a token of an entire Victory. The Body of the Cardinal Julian, who persuaded them to this breach of Faith, was found naked and pierced with many Wounds. The Epitaph of this King who proved both valiant and happy, so long as he was careful to make good his promises, is worthy of your notice. Thus it is, 
Romulidae Cannae, Ego Varnam Called notavi,  
Discite mortales, non temerari fidem.  
Me nisi Pontifices, non temerare fidem:  
Non ferret Scythicum Pannonis ora jugum.   
This misfortune befell Hungary, the Eleventh of November, upon St. Martin's day, in the Year, 1444.  P. 
You have often told me, that an honest Man's word, aught to be inviolable. I have ever been of the same opinion, and this Example confirms me wonderfully. But did this Hungarian's unhappiness involve the whole Army?  G. 
God intending to punish this unhappy Kingdom, yet not wholly destroy it, reserved John Huniades, who finding things were in a most desperate condition after the death of the King, saved himself by flight. The following year, the Hungarians, who till than had rejected Ladislaus, the posthumus Son of the Emperor Albertus of Austria, did unanimously acknowledge him their King, being but five years old. And forasmuch as he could not sway the Sceptre, because of his Childhood, they gave the management of all Affairs to John Huniades Corvinus, who two years afterwards augmented the Triumphs of Amurath, by the loss of two and twenty thousand men, that were sent to oppose him. Some time after Amurath the Turk died at Adrianople, and for Successor left Mahomet II. his Son, who surpassed all his Ancestors in Greatness of Courage, and Subtlety of Mind. This undertaking Prince, besieged Constantinople, in the third Year of his Reign, and took it in fifty Days, by the 29th. of May, 1453. This loss abated the Courage of the Christians, raised that of Mahomet, and gave him hopes of adding Hungary to the acquisition he had made of Greece. To this purpose he ravaged Mysia, and with two hundred and fifty thousand Men besieged the City of Belgrade; called by the Ancients Alba Greca: but the place being well defended by Huniades, he lost almost all his Army, and an hundred great pieces of Cannon: Huniades did not long survive this brave Action, for he died the 8th. of September, 1456. And the Turk turning his thoughts towards Persia, and against Italy, left Hungary in quiet: hoping the ambition of the Grandees, and the Youth of the King would created some troubles, during the peace, and that those troubles would give him an opportunity to subject that Kingdom by pretending to spare it.  P. 
It was no small Happiness, however, for King Ladislaus, that the Tyrant ceased to disturb him, during his Minority, after the death of John Huniades. Now tell me what he did when he came to Age.  G. 
History will inform you that Ladislaus, being 19 years old, made choice of Magdalen of France, Daughter of Charles VII. for his Wife: And that he died of Poison at Prague, during the Solemnity of the Marriage: So that he had but little time to make either his Virtues or his Vices to appear. However some considerable passages did hap between the Death of Huniades, and that of the King. The former having left two Sons, who being Imitators of the Virtues of their Father, gave some kind of jealousy to Ladislaus, and to his Favourites an extreme desire to be rid of them. These being envious of the Glory of Huniades, prevailed with the King to cut of the Head of Ladislaus, his Eldest Son, for killing the Count of Cilie in a duel, who had challenged him thereto. At the same ●ime they clapped Mathias the younger Brother into a Prison; and not able to en●ure the Children of that man, who had ●aved the Kingdom, they would have ●ade his process, if the death of the King, ●nd the Divine Providence who designed ●im for the Crown, had not prevented it. ●his death, which happened in the Year ●457, caused a marvellous change. Ma●●ias Corvinus, the Son of John Huniades, ●●me from the Prison to the Throne, and ●●l the Enemies of his Father's Honour, and his own merit, could not hinder this man of but a mean condition, from being preferred before the whole House of Austria, Anno, 1458.  P. 
These effects of the Divine Providence are most admirable. But did he Reign Gloriously?  G. 
Hungary hath had few King's comparable to Mathias Corvinus: He was ignorant in nothing that befits a great Prince to know, and his Reign wa● glorious both in the times of Peace and of War. Divers great Hungarian Lords, opposed his Election, and after he wa● chosen, they solicited the Emperor Frederick III. to come and be Crowned, sinc● he had the Crown of Hungary in his own power. Some writ that he did do so; and 'tis certain, he did not give up the Crown of Hungary till six years afterwards and that in exchange for threescore thousand Ducats, which were carried him t● Newstadt in Austria A while before thi● restitution, some factious Heads offer'● the Crown of Hungary, to Casimir, Son o● another Casimir King of Poland, who sen● him with a numerous Army, upon th● Frontiers of Hungary. Mathias hastened to prevent the danger, and forced th● Polander to retire. These factions gav● the Turk encouragement to undertake, and the opportunity to make himself Master of Bosnia, Rascia, and a part of Servia. But Mathias being Crowned, regained what had been lost, and reduced Valachia and Transilvania to their obedience. This Success, and the example of his Father, made Mathias prosecute the War against the Turk without intermission; and doubtless he would have cut him out work enough, had he not been diverted by the Emperor, and the Pope. This is apparently seen in the Letters he wrote upon this Subject to the Electors of the Empire, and the Cardinal of Arragon. In these Letters, he remonstrates to the first, that whilst he was posted upon the River of Save, with intention to fight the Infidels; he understood there was an Assembly held at Vienna, wherein they had concluded to fall upon them. To the other he writes, that the Pope favoured the Venetians, who without any just cause had taken the Island of Valga from him; and that to discredit him amongst his own, he would needs deprive him of the power of conferring any Ecclesiastical Benefices in his own Kingdom.  P. 
There is small reason that either of those two Princes, whom it most nearly concerns to have the Turk beaten out of Europe, should hinder those that are drawing their Swords against him.  G. 
I am of the same mind with yourself. But Peter de Reva, says that he transcribed those papers out of the Originals, and adds some other particulars far more incredible. He tells us in his fifth Century of his Hungarian Monarchy, that the Emperor made a seizure of the moneys which the Nobility and Clergy had raised to supply Mathias in the War he had undertaken against the Turk, and that the Pope helped to drain his Country of Treasure, ordering Collections to be there made for the Knights of Rhodes. All this did not hinder Stephen Battory, and Paul Canisius, fight under his auspicious Banner, from defeating Halibek, leaving threescore thousand of his men dead upon the spot. Nor himself from regaining Jaitza, and reducing Bosnia to his obedience, fight with his own hand. Notwithstanding he was forced to make a Truce with Mahomet; and that Tyrant being dead, Anno 1481. he did his utmost to renew the War to advantage. To which purpose he desired passports for some Ambassadors he intended to sand to him, but could not obtain any. He also entreated the Pope to let him have Zemini, the Son of Mahomet, that he might make use of him against his Brother Bajazet, who was newly seated in the Turkish Throne, and he refused it. This refusal was the more sensible, as being only upon the consideration of a little Sum of money he must have lost, which Bajazet had promised to pay him annually; whilst he obliged himself to confirm the same Truce with Bajazet, as had been made with Mahomet his Father. Some time after, these ssighting of the Emperor becoming insupportable to a man of his generous Spirit, brought it to an open War. Which War proved so favourable to Mathias, that having subdued the greatest part of Austria, and at length taken Vienna and Newstadt, which are the chiefest Bulwarks; He likewise carried his Arms against Bohemia, and made himself Master of the Provinces of Silesia and Moravia. Than Casimir King of Poland, willing to have his share of the quarry, came into Silesia with a powerful Army, and by the intercession of the Princes of the Empire, these two Kings were brought to an agreement: So that, Mathias, and Uladislaus the Son of King Casimir, might both bear the quality of King of Bohemia: But Uladislaus was to enjoy the Electoral dignity solely, and as to the Kingdom, Mathias to possess the Provinces of Moravia, Silesia and Lusatia, redeemable after his death for four hundred thousand Crowns. Whilst Mathias was thus employed in these Wars, the Turk broke the Truce and seized upon Killen, and Nestar-Alba, which were than considerable Forts upon the River Danube. In fine, Mathias, having reigned five years at Vienna, whilst they were treating about the surrender of it, died there the Tuesday before Easter, in the Month of March, 1450 His Body was conveyed to Alba-Regalis, where he was interred amongst the rest of the Kings of Hungary.  P. 
It was but reasonable, that so Martial a Prince should dye in the Month of March: But it was pity he did not employ his Valour against the common Enemy: and I am sorry that such as should have pushed him on, did divert and hinder him; But, who succeeded?  G. 
After the decause of Mathias Corvinus, who having no lawful Child, had wished, they would choose for his Successor, John Huniades his Natural Son, the Spirit of Division came amongst the Hungarians. Four Princes pretended to the Kingdom, and the Grandees of Hungary, divided into four Cabals, did each of them favour most that person, whom they esteemed most worthy of that honour. John, the Son of the late King Mathias had the Suffrages of such, as revered in him the eminent Virtues both of his Father and Grandfather; and who were more desirous to obey a Native, than a Stranger. The others were of different opinions: Some desired Albert Jagelon, youngest Son of the King of Poland, on whom the Pope bestowed Arms, to fight against Uladislaus his other Son, who was likewise one of the Competitors; the Father believing that Uladislaus aught to be contented and fully satisfied with the Crown of Bohemia. In fine, some inclined to Maximilian, Son of the Emperor Frederick, who was excluded from the Kingdom of Hungary, because the faction that sided with Uladislaus Jagelon, prevailed above his. During this interregnum, the Emperor recovered all that Mathias Corvinus had taken from him in Austria; and at length Uladislaus ascended the Throne. The beginning of this Reign was troublesome: Albert the Brother of Uladislaus, assisted by the Brothers of Casimir King of Poland, their Father, besieged Cassovia, the Capital of the upper Hungary, and gave him much perplexity on that side. Blaisius Magger, Servant to John Corvinus, angry his Master had been rejected, refused to give the Crown to the New King, which he had in keeping at Vicegrade, endured a Siege, and did not surrender it, till commanded so to do by Corvinus. Maximilian having regained his places in Austria, advanced towards Hungary; and being assisted by those that had favoured him, during the interregnum, he made a considerable progress there. In fine; Uladislaus, growing weary of so many disturbances, came to an agreement with Maximilian, the Articles whereof were so odious to the Hungarians, that Emericus Prini, Palatin of Hungary, caused it to be proclaimed through all the Suburbs of the City of Presburg, that he did not consent to them, nor ever would give his consent thereto. This generosity, however lasted not long: For Prini; gained by Bribes, subscribed those Articles of Peace, which gave the Crown of Hungary, to the House of Austria, in case Uladislaus should hap to dye without Children. Thus was their distemper cured by a remedy odious to the whole Kingdom, and this storm was followed by another. Albertus' the Brother of Uladislaus, seeing him seated on the Throne against his Will, did for the second time besiege Cassovia: but thinking to take, himself was taken, and forced to promise' his Brother, that he would let him live in quiet. Shortly after Ulad slaves married, and in three or four Years, he had Anne and Lewis who are so famous in History. Anne was married to Ferdinand of Austria Grandson to the Emperor Maximilian, who had divers Children by her whose posterity Reigns to this day in Germany and Hungary. The accidents of the birth, the life and death of Lewis were extraordinary. He was born without a Skin: which made his people believe he would be stripped of his Kingdom; He wore a beard at fifteen years of age, and became grey at eighteen, which made every one guests his life would be but short. He died in a Morass at M●●●at●, not being above twenty years old; and his Kingdom fell most part of it under the power of the Mahometans; which demonstrates, that those prodigies were but too true, as you shall now hear. Uladislaus having no intention to make good what he had promised to Maximilian of Austria, caused his Son Lewis to be Crowned at Alba-Regalis, by Thomas Cardinal of Strigonia, Anno 1508. and the following year caused him to be Crowned King of Bohemia at Prague, being as yet but three years of Age. These things could not be done, without an extreme dissatisfaction and disgust to the Emperor, but Uladislaus maintaining a Peace with the Turk, and having a support from Poland, his Majesty was forced to defer his resentment.  P. 
The greatest Calms are ordinarily followed by the greatest Tempests; and if it were not so here, Uladislaus was more happy than he deserved.  G. 
Towards the latter end of Uladislaus his Life, and after the death of Bajazet, Hungary begun to fall into a Civil War, which had like to have destroyed it utterly. That King having a mind to attack Selim the Great Turk, who had some disturbance at home, his Brother Achmet contending with him for the Crown. He communicated his project to Pope Julius I  
The Pope approved of it, and promised to contribute to it; but prevented by death, he left the care thereof to his Successors. In the mean while Uladislaus bethought himself, and renewed the Truce with Selim which he had formerly made with his Father Bajazet. This Truce distasted those that longed for a War: and soon after, the Cardinal Thomas, Legate of the Roman See, joined the people of Hungary, with the Nobility in a Crusado, desiring to attaque the Turk with the utmost vigour. Than the meaner sort of people, who till that instant had been treated with severity enough, imagining the Season to recover their liberty was now come, turned their weapons against the Nobility. This multitude grown insolent by their numbers, elected George Sekel for their King, who was General. And this man having done much mischief, went and laid Siege to Themiswar, where his Army was defeated, and both he, and his Brother taken Prisoners, by John Zapoliha, Vaivode of Transilvania. This action of Zopoliha's gave him so much reputation; that King Uladislaus was despised, and they talked of setting him up in his stead. But Uladislaus prevented them by his death, which happened Anno 1516.  P. 
That which you tell me of the Hungarians makes me found, that they have a great deal of affection and respect for their King, if he be valiant, and that they would willingly change him for another when he is not so.  G. 
A Warlike People do gladly see their Kings on Horseback, when any occasion requires it for the defence of their Country: And although experience teaches us, that the safety and life of a King, is the preservation of the Kingdom, yet they love to see them at the Head of their Armies. The Hungarians have reason notwithstanding to be of another mind, for History will discover, what an addition of misfortune it is to loose their King, when they loose a Battle. Lewis I. having succeeded to Uladislaus his Father in his tender youth, was despised by Sultan Solyman, who knowing his weakness, and the divisions that were than on foot betwixt the great ones in Christendom, thought it was than the only time to subdue Hungary. To this purpose, he made Peace with the Persian, and attacked Lewis with all his Forces. This young King, finding himself alone uncapable to resist so potent an Enemy, desired the other Christian Princes to sand him aid; and not suffer the Bulwark of Chistendom to fall into the hands of the common Enemies of their Faith. His prayers were in vain, while Christendom was tearing itself in pieces; and Lewis was obliged to take the Field in his own defence, before he had gotten all his own Forces together. The Turk had already past the Save, and the Drove, when meeting the Hungarians in small numbers, and ill provided of a General, he easily defeated them; and so entirely, that the King, and the greater part of those that followed him, perished in the Battle, or in their Flight.  P. 
I have heard say, that two and twenty thousand Christians died in that Battle, and that besides the Horses for service, five thousand Wagons, fourscore pieces of great Cannon, and six hundred lesser ones, with all their equipage, fell into the Victor's hands.  G. 
The loss of the Battle was but a small matter, in comparison of what did follow. The Turk took, and slew in Hungary, above two hundred thousand persons: He set his foot so far within the Country, that they could never drive him out thence; and at this time, we found how difficult a matter it is to wrist any considerable post out of his hands. So that we may well set a mark upon the 29. day of August in 1526, as one of the most fatal, that ever afflicted Christendom. This King died without Children, and his want of issue strenghtned the right and pretensions the House of Austria had to possess the Crown of Hungary. However they found the Hungarians but little inclined to favour them. John Zapoliha Count of Sebusa, Vayvode of Transilvania, who came too late to defend the Crown, thought he was come time enough to put it upon his own head. He had for a long while employed his money, and used all his industry to gain the affections of the whole Kingdom; and by the defeat of George Sekel, and of the populace who had made him their King, a little before, he had made some steps, and opened his way towards the Throne. Finding himself therefore in a condition that might justly make him hope for it, he prayed, and exhorted the Grandees, each in particular, not to suffer the Right of Election they had to fall, but to take generous resolutions in the following Diet. He represents to them that Hungary was never very fortunate under the command of a Stranger. That Sigismond the Bohemian, and Uladislaus the Polander, had made it most apparent, by their defeats, at Nicopolis, at Colembat and at Varna, that Strangers rule but very unsuccessfully in this Kingdom. He endeavoured to make them believe, that if possible a Stranger could reign gloriously in Hungary, yet it were better much to have a King of their own Nation. That divers people, and the best governed in Europe, exclude the Women from the Crown, for fear jest it should pass into the hands of Strangers. That the Hungarian Nobility were not so degenerated, but that they might found some heads amongst them worthy to wear a Crown; and although he were none of the most deserving, yet he presumed himself was not incapable either to Govern a great Kingdom, or to defend this with his Sword.  P. 
There are few Nations but do abhor the Dominion of a Stranger. But what did the Hungarians resolve?  G. 
The advice, and the merits of Zapoliha, touched the greater part of the Hungarian Nobleses so home, that they put the reinss of the Government into his hands, and caused him to be Crowned by Paul de Verda Archbishop of Strigonia, upon St. Martin's day in 1526. But as that miserable Kingdom was running to its own ruin; Stephen Battory, and some other Grandees, who with an envious Eye beheld the fortune of Zapoliha, sided with Ferdinand of Austria, and supported his interest. That Prince strengthened by hi● new Kingdom of Bohemia, by the victorious Army of the Emperor Charles V hi● Brother, by his Marriage with Anne, the Sister-German of the late King; by the pretensions which Ladislaus, Son of the Emperor Albertus I. had left his House, an● the Hungarian Lords who followed hi● party, believed that Hungary could no● escape him. In effect, Ferdinand assiste● by his Friends, and by his Right, wa● declared King, took the Field, and knowing there is no better way to destroy an● living Creature, than by striking it t● the heart, he marched directly to B●●● the Capital City of the Kingdom. Kin● John, amazed at this attempt, quitte● that place, Ferdinand seized on it, an● soon after beaten his adversary's Arm● and drove him quite out of the Kingdo● These fortunate proceed were interrupted by the Turk, who regained J●●itza, the Capital of Bosnia, which ha● been taken by Mathias Corvinus, wi●● extraordinary Valour. This loss, a●● the retreat of King John, made Ferdinand guests, he was not yet at the end of his race; but that John, and Solyman would cut him out a great deal of Work  P. 
I would feign know, whither that dethroned King retired, and what he did to recover his Kingdom?  G. 
The poor King, finding he was defeated by the revolting of his own men, and the Emperor's Forces, betook himself to his last shifts and refuge; He withdrew into Poland, to Jeremy Lascus, the Palatine of Siradia, a Person illustrious both for his birth and virtue. Lascus overjoyed to have such a guest, offered him ●ll that was in his power, and having ●ften considered of the most probable ways to restore him, he advised him to ●ave his recourse to Solyman the Grand signior. And forasmuch as those that ●ive the Council, aught to be the most ●orward to put it in execution; he under●ook to go to Constantinople, with a Letter ●●om Sigismond King of Poland. This ●●eat man, who had formerly been an ●mbassador at the Port, soon made it ●●ident he knew how to negotiate. He quickly by his presents gained Ibrahim ●●e Prime Vizier, Lustibey and Lewis ●●itti, who were in favour with the Turkish Sultan. These being instructed by the prudent directions of Lascus, easily persuaded the Grand Signior, that it would be both honourable and advantageous to him, to take a wronged King into his protection, and to restore him to his Throne. In the mean time Ferdinand, who apprehended the practices that Lascus was managing at the Port, sent thither John Oberdans, a Hungarian Lord, to desire the Amity of Solyman, and to demand the restitution of all that he had taken in Hungary, since the death of Lewis II. This demand offended Solyman, who replied, that the Ottomans did never allow of any amity to those who had offended them: That Ferdinand was mistaken in ask it, after his having invaded a Kingdom to which he had no pretence; that he thought him unworthy of what he desired, and that he would revenge the injury he had newly done him. Upon this, he commanded Oberdans forthwith to leave Constantinople, and tell his Master, that he declared War against him, and that he would come to meet him in Hungary, bringing himself the Keys of those City he demanded.  P. 
The Turk talked big, and if the effects were answerable, he must needs have made King Ferdinand repent his having disturbed the repose of Zapoliha.  G. 
Solyman could not do all he would, but desiring to make good his promise, he took the Field with a dreadful Army, and marched towards Hungary in the Spring. King John being advertised of his approach, went to receive him at Belgrade, accompanied by Lascus, and the bravest Troops of the Hungarian Nobility, he could possibly draw together, and in the presence of them all, acknowledged him for his Lord. There it was, that the Sultan rising a little from his Seat, gave him his hand, assured him, that nothing could be more delightful to him than to relieve the afflicted, who were unjustly persecuted by their Enemies; commanded him to be of good courage, and said, he would restore to him all that he could recover from his adversary. These promises were confirmed by a most solemn oath, with a great deal of pomp, after the manner of those Infidels, who ever do appear in all their actions more than in reality they are. In fine, all things being thus in readiness, Solyman advanced to Buda, and easily took it, the Germane Garrison having abandoned it, and compelled Thomas Nadasdy, to surrender the Castle, whereof he was Governor. This Victory gave the Sultan an opportunity to restore King John to his Crown; and he did so. Than overrunning all that durst oppose him, he went and laid Siege to Vienna. There it was, that Solyman's fortune Shipwrecked. He battered and assaulted the place, with all the fury, and all the skill imaginable: But if the one bravely attaqued, the other as stoutly defended. Philip, the victorious Prince Palatine of the Rhine, and Nicholas Count of Salines, forced him to retire with shame, and to confess, that to take Vienna, a Man must be very well provided, and have a good head-piece on.  P. 
That place is the mark the Ottomans have aimed at for above a whole Age: they believe that by taking the Imperial Seat of the Western Empire, they should cut of that head of the Roman Eagle yet remaining. But since he fled, rather than retreated, and was shaded with Cypress, not Crowned with Laurel, let's follow him, and know what he did upon his going of.  G. 
All that he did, being nothing to our purpose, I shall omit his cruelties, and the horrible tokens of his indignation, which he left behind him. It is sufficient you should know, that being arrived at Buda, he caused all the Regal Ornaments to be brought forth, and said to King John in the presence of a multitude of Hungarian and Turkish Lords. Brother, and Friend, since after God, thou hast had recourse to me, in thy time of Calamity; I have been gladly willing to favour and assist thee; and have so contrived it, that thou art Master of thy Kingdom; now I resign into thy hands, the City and Castle of Buda, together with all the rest of Hungary, whereof I declare thee King. Than turning towards the Grandees of Hungary, he said to them: I command you to be faithful, and obedient to your King, here present. If you do this, I shall be your Friend, and if not, my Cymiter shall destroy you. And thou, O King, my Friend, remember the good thou hast now received from God, and myself. Thou hast the Crown, which thyself, and thy Successors may happily enjoy, if you persevere in my amity, and the respect you own me. Having ●aid thus, he left Lewis Gritti with him, 〈◊〉 whom Andreas, since Duke of Venice, had begotten on a Greek Concubine) with some Cavalry, and retired towards Constantino●le.  P. 
It's a wonder, that Solyman, who came of so scurvily in Austria, did not, to repair his loss, retain Hungary for himself. For I have heard it affirmed, that the Turk takes little heed to keep his promise.  G. 
Solyman did like those that break young Horses, he made use of this mildness to allure the Hungarians, and gave up to John that which he believed he was not able to hold. Than King John, having good reason to fear the Turk would be weary of assisting him, and finding his affairs in an ill posture, sent the same Lascus to Vienna whom he had employed at the Port. This great Man obtained a truce for a year; during which the two Kings came to an agreement, which somewhat took of the edge of the former bitterness betwixt them. By this agreement John was to enjoy the Kingdom of Hungary till his death; and Ferdinand, or one of his Sons was to succeed him. And because it was not impossible but John might leave some Children, it was said, that if he had a Son, that Son should possess all the Lands, Cities and Castles, that belonged to John, before he was King of Hungary. And moreover, besides the things , he should be Prince of Transilvania. This Treaty was ill observed. Ferdinand caused Transilvania to be attaqued by Balthasar Banfy; Sclavonia, by John Coeranerus, and the Province of Sebusa, by Leonard Baron of Veltz. All these attempts proved vain, by the prudence of King John, and the valour of the Monk George Martinusias' his Favourite. And for this cause, they came to another agreement. The Calm which this King enjoyed after that Tempest was blown over, gave him leisure to think of his marriage. To this ●nd he sent unto Sigismond King of Poland, to demand Isabel, or Elizabeth, his Daughter; and having obtained her, his Nuptials, and the Coronation of the Queen were made with great Solemnities.  P. 
I believe Ferdinand did not willingly see this Marriage, whence might proceed the continuation of his troubles, and a new opposition to his Right; nor that Solyman approved of the accord, which John made with Ferdinand, unknown to him, or at lest without his assent. And I think he had reason, for the Vassal cannot innovate any thing in what he acknowledges to be in Fief, without the consent of his Sovereign.  G. 
In this affair, King John was like unto him that holds a Wolf by the Ears: He found there was as much cause of fear on the behalf of Solyman, as from his competitor to the Kingdom; and he thought he might have better hopes in a Christian Prince, than from an Infidel. Yet so it fell out, that in the end, his Successors submitted to the Turk, to preserve part of their Dignity: as we are going to see. Some while after the Marriage of King John, Stephen Maillats, and some others, took up Arms against him, in behalf of Ferdinand. Than John willing to extinguish the Fire, before it grew to a greater head, left the Queen at Buda, and went into Transilvania; where he freely pardoned those that confessed and were sorry for their faults; which Clemency caused many to return to their Duty. But Mailats' retired to the strong Castle of Pogaras, to wait for the assistance that Ferdinand was sending to him, under the conduct of Nadasdy. The King besieged him there, and took it after a long Siege. In the mean time a Couriere comes, who brings him News of the Birth of a Son, whom God had sent him. Such News being very pleasing to those that have no Children, and especially to people advanced in years, we may imagine that King John received it with great joy. This invited him to drink to some excess, after the Hungarian fashion. And that excess increasing some distemper he had, he died at Sassebes, a few days after the Birth of his Son, in the 53. year of his Age. His death was concealed, as much as it was possible; but at length it was made public with the tenor of his Will and Testament. By it, the King declared his Son the universal Heir of all his Estate: and George Martinisius Tutor to the said Prince. Some days before he died, the King had exhorted the Hungarian Nobility to have a regard to the honour of the Nation, and to prefer his Son before any other when they came to elect a King: assuring them that the Turk would take care to protect him, if they had recourse to his Arms. The prayers and request of a dying King, and the fear and aversion the Hungarians had of submitting to a stranger, obliged some to set the Crown upon the Infant's Head on the day he was Baptised, and to sand to the Port, to demand assistance of Solyman.  P. 
The Kingdom of Hungary is very unhappy, yet hath suffered no more than it have deserved. It is a most shameful thing, that a Christian King upon his deathbed, should exhort his Subjects to apply themselves to the Turk, to free his posterity from the obligation himself had imposed upon them by a Sacred Oath. It is great want of prudence and policy to Crown an Infant, when it must make him become the object of the anger and envy of a potent Prince his next neighbour. It is an unsufferable impiety, to call upon an Infidel for aid, before 'tis known, whether the person we suspect and fear, will exceed the bounds of reason in his demands. The Hungarians had lived more at ease, would they but have made good those promises their Kings had engaged them to perform, and the Turk had been confined within much narrower bounds; if the house of Austria had not been obstructed in their just pretensions.  G. 
When a Country is to be lost, every thing contributes towards its ruin. Those Kingdoms that have changed their Masters have been the chief contrivers of their own misfortunes. Hungary was become so depraved, that every one gloried in his inconstancy and treachery: But let us resume the third of our discourse, and draw nearer to our own times. King Ferdinand, being informed of the death of his adversary, sent Nicholas Count of Psalms to the Widow, to desire she would make good the treaty agreed upon betwixt her Husband, and him: to submit to that by reason, which otherwise she would be compelled to do by force: that she and her Son, would found more advantage in acquiescing to what had been promised by the late King, with mature deliberation, than by drawing the miseries of an obstinate and bloody War upon the Kingdom of Hungary. That he was ready to make good his engagements, and use her with a more than ordinary clemency and kindness. The Queen answered the Count, that her Sex, her Age, and her Grief, rendered her uncapable of resolving on an affair of so great importance, without taking the advice of her Father the King of Poland; that she desired that Ferdinand would allow her some months for these reasons; that the Emperor Charles, or himself could not in honour attaque a Woman drowned in Tears, and an Infant rocked in his Cradle. This answer displeased Ferdinand, who sent Leonard Baron of Velts with an Army, to compel her to obey. The Queen finding herself in this extremity, dispatched some Ambassadors to the Port. These were very well received by Solyman, and brought thence a Scarlet Robe embroidered; an iron Sceptre with a handle and pommel of Gold, and a Cymiter, whose Scabbard was set with precious Stones, as tokens of his amity, and protection. At the same time, the Sultan commanded the Governors of all the neighbouring places to take the Field without delay to assist that Queen. Lascus, who was gone over to serve Ferdinand, and who at that instant was his Ambassador at Constantinople, demanded the Kingdom of Hungary of the Turk, upon the conditions he had formerly given it to John Zapoliha. This demand distasted the Tyrant, who put the Ambassador into Prison; saying he deserved to die, for daring to scoff and affronted his Highness in that manner. Solyman therefore denying Ferdinand's request, and sending succours to Queen Elizabeth, Hungary became the Theatre of many and most horrible confusions. The Germane, the Turks, and the Hungarians spilt much blood there: Rogendorf, the new General of Ferdinand's forces, besieged Buda. This Siege put Solyman into a rage, and on his march to relieve it. However he might have spared his labour, for his forces had raised the Siege before his arrival. And Rogendorf having lost twenty thousand men there, saved himself by flight. Solyman notwithstanding pursued his Voyage, and being come near the City, sent some presents to the young King; But soon after desiring to make him pay for his visit and charges, he sent to entreat the Queen to let him see her Son, assuring her it was only to oblige his Children to love him the better. At the same time, the Deputies had order to tell her, that if he did not visit her, it was for fear jest it might slain her Reputation. The Queen thanked the Grand Signior for his civility and care, and doubting whether she were best to sand her Son, or not sand him, George Martinisius told her, she could not refuse it. Overcome therefore by necessity, she laid him in a Cradle worthy of such a Child; and having commanded the Nurse, and some other Matrons, together with divers Hungarian Lords to attend him, she sent him to the Camp; Solyman to show the greater respect and honour, caused them to be received by a party of Horse, saw the Infant, and caused it to be caressed by his Children. And at the same time, seized upon one of the Gates of Buda, whence his Troops got into all the streets and places of the Town. That done, he commanded the Burghers to surrender their Arms, if they would save their lives; which was performed without any disturbance Than Solyman sent back the young Prince to his Mother, and detained those Grandees who came with him. The Queen finding her City and her Officers under the power of the Turk, she weeps, and entreats; But neither her prayers, nor her tears could hinder Solyman from consulting whether he should detain the Kingdom of Hungary, or restore it to the young King.  P. 
The Turk is so absolute and so formidable to his own Subjects, that I dare assure myself, that in his Council every one speaks according to the humour and inclinations of the Prince.  G. 
It was not so here, for their opinions were debated: and the Grand Signior did not follow the most unreasonable. Mahomet and Ustrephy were of opinion, that Solyman should carry the young King, and the chief Hungarians to Constantinople, and place a Governor at Buda, who using moderation, might by insensible degrees accustom those Libertines to bear the Ottoman yoke; and in the mean time suffer them to enjoy their estates and liberty. Rostan Son-in-law to Solyman, gave him more honourable advice, persuading him to keep the Faith he was engaged to; it being impossible to do otherwise without staining his Reputation and Credit. Jahaoglis, Bassa of Belgrade, laying aside all that is human or decent, endeavoured to persuade Solyman to reduce Hungary into a Province, and free himself from the necessity of coming thither so often, to the relief of a Woman, and an Infant. He represented to him, that they could never be able to resist the Germane Forces, but by his Highness' help; and by consequence his trouble would be eternal. He said, it aught to be remembered, that within twenty years' space, Solyman had been forced to come five times into Hungaria Panonia, at vast expenses, and not without great danger to his Person; The first, to reduce the City of Belgrade, which in those days was a mere nest of Thiefs. The second to revenge an affront upon his Ambassadors, to whom he sacrificed King Lewis; and than by a prodigality beyond all example, he bestowed the Kingdom of Hungary upon a Person, no way considerable, but for the mischief he had done to the Ottoman Forces. The third, to secure the same King against Ferdinand of Austria, who molested him, when at the same time he disturbed all Germany, by the Siege of Vienna, and those incursions, which brought sixty thousand Christians into slavery. The fourth, because that retreat of Solyman's, having given the same Ferdinand the confidence and assurance to attaque King John, and the hopes of subduing his Kingdom, he was forced to come and help him: and the fifth for the affairs now before them, and which we have above related. This Bassa, who had been present in all those expeditions, exaggerated the inconveniences Solyman had undergone; the great Men he had lost, and the necessity that would oblige him to neglect his other affairs, to look after this only. Whence he concluded, that since War aught not to be made, but to procure peace and quiet, the Sultan, his Master, aught to reduce that Kingdom into a Province, which he had so often gained, and defended; sand back the Queen, to Sigismond her Father King of Poland; take the Infant Prince along with him to Constantinople, to be brought up in the Mahometan Law: slay all the Grandees of the Kingdom; demolish their forts and strong holds; transport part of their Families into Asia: and keep the rest in awe and subjection by sufficient Garrisons.  P. 
This last spoke like a true Turk, for that race are very cruel, and sworn Enemies to those of the Christian Faith.  G. 
Jahaoglis said nothing, but what Solyman was well able to do, and which many of his Predecessors would have done upon the like occasion. He resolved however to use greater moderation. He left a Garrison in Buda, entreating the Queen to allow of what he did, and to retire with her Son to Lippa, where she should Reign in Transilvania bordering upon the King of Poland, her Father's Territories. And having assured her of the affection he would still have towards her Son, he caused her to be conveyed by some of his own Guards, and gave her Wagons, and Beasts of burden; that she might conveniently, and without further danger, carry such goods along with her, as were her own. The Queen finding the necessity for her departure, endeavoured to make them believe, she willingly quitted that place, she could not hold. Some of her Grandees followed her with much joy, as being delivered out of Prison. And the Transilvanians swore fealty to the young Prince, by the consent of the Turk. And remembering how King John had mildly governed them near upon thirty years, they promised to be obedient to his Son without compulsion. The affairs of the Hungarians being in this posture, as we have told you, King Ferdinand, who stood in fear of Solyman, would needs endeavour to appease him; and to that purpose sent him some presents, worthy both of him that gave them, and he who was to receive them. Amongst other rarities there was, a Gold goblet enriched with precious Stones, and a Silver Clock of a wonderful fabric and artifice: The Body of it was a Globe, which had adorned the Closet of his Grandfather Maximilian, and shown not only the hours of the day but the motions of the Planets, the distances of the Sun and Moon, imitating the great Machine of the World, as much as art could make it; and all these would go on for a whole year together, with once winding up.  P. 
Did these presents work any good effect? Did they obtain that tranquillity which Ferdinand desired?  G. 
The Globe did please the Sultan extremely, he being well skilled in Astronomy; yet did not oblige him to any civility. Ferdinand's Amhassadors demanded the Kingdom of Hungary of the Turk, upon the same conditions he had formerly granted it to John Zapoliha; which was honourable to Solyman, and beneficial to the State. There was all the probability imaginable he would condescend to it. Yet this was the answer they received by the mouth of Rostan, That his Highness would grant a Peace to their Master, if he would surrender all the places that had belonged to King Lewis I. If he would not approach near the Frontiers of Hungary: If he would oblige the House of Austria to pay him such Tribute, as he would impose, to preserve the honour of his Ottoman Majesty; that the said Tribute should be but small in comparison of the great trouble he had been at, ●nd the immense charges in his War; And ●f these conditions appeared harsh to Ferdi●and, he would employ all his Forces to compel him to this very thing. Upon this answer Solyman retired to Constantinople, ●fter he had ransacked some Provinces. This haughty comportment of Solyman's, was at Vienna interpreted as a Declaration of War; wherefore King Ferdinand ●ade choice of three Generals to oppose his dreadful Enemy, and solicited George Martinisius, who refused not to ●erve him. This Monk, whom King John ●ad made choice of to be Tutor to his Son, Principal Minister of State, and controller of his Treasury, desiring to tyrannize over his Master, and the Queen his Mother, had always several strings to his bow. And whatever he promised either to the Queen, the Sultan, or the King of the Romans, it was but to make use of the one against the other for his own ends; and himself to reign absolutely by such policies. The ambition of this little Gentleman, who from a mean and despicable domestic Servan● of John Zapoliha's Mother was become a Monk; and from an ignorant Monk, a Servant to King John, Bishop of Varadin, and Prime Minister of State; who could endure no rival, which made the Queen apprehensive, that he would make her unfortunate, and dethrone her Son. These fears of the Queens, made her represent to Solyman, how that Martinisius had demanded aid of Ferdinand King of th● Romans, to compass the designs he ha● to reign himself, by the oppression, an● perhaps by the death of her Son. Martinisius, on the contrary represents to Fe●dinand, how he being infinitely oblige● to the late King, could do no lesle tha● endeavour to procure the Son all th● advantages, all the honour, and all th● happiness he was able. But that his quality of Prelate, did yet much more engage and bind him, to the preservation of Christianity; that he had to do with a timorous Woman, who upon the lest cause of suspicion, implored help of the Turk; and that Transilvania must infallibly fall into the hands of the Infidels, if they did not take away the Government from her. To this purpose he besought King-Ferdinand to force her to give up her right for some compensation, and judged it necessary, that they should offer to the Son, the same advantages that had been promised to the Father. Ferdinand who well knew Martinisius, did not doubt but that he would deceive him, however he resolved to reap some profit by the Monk's artifice. He applauded his Zeal, and having conjured him to persist in his worthy undertake; he sends him some pieces of Cannon, and a thousand Horse, with their whole pay for four months' service. Things being therefore in a posture of change, every one endeavoured to make his best of this juncture. Ferdinand informs the Emperor his Brother of all that happened, and of the hopes he had of making some considerable advantage, if he pleased but to assist him with his Counsel, and his Forces. The Emperor relished the proposition King Ferdinand made, and sent John Baptista Castaldo, a Spaniard, to him, a Person both wise and valiant; to whom was committed the management of their design. Queen Isabella of Jagelon, who knew and feared the practices of Martinisius, called together the States of the Country, to gain the good Will of the Grandees, believing by this means both her Son and herself might be preserved in their right and power. Martinisius apprehending jest the Assembly should take some resolutions against him, went to Agnabet, where the Diet was assembled, dissolved it, and forced the Queen to retire to Alba-Julia, and began a War against his Master. During these occurrences Castaldo arrived at Claudiopolis, called by the Hungarians Colesvar, and the Germane Clausemburgh; whence following his instructions, he desired Martinisius to make good what he had promised to the King of the Romans. Than that Prelate, knowing the Queen stood in fear of him, went to her, told her her faults, and exhorted her to make some agreement with Ferdinand, to which she consented. To this purpose the Estates were convocated at Claudiopolis: Where Castaldo produced the Commission he had to treat with the Queen; he shown them how the Queen and her Son, were unable to defend Transilvania against the Turk, and that for the greater benefit of Christendom, it would be very necessary they should make it over to Ferdinand. And that both she and her Son might be compensated. He promised to John Sigismond the Dutchies of Opelen, and Ratibor, which yielded five and twenty thousand Ducats yearly; that he should have in Marriage with the Princess Jane, the Daughter of Ferdinand, a hundred thousand Crowns for a portion; and the Queen his Mother should receive for her own use fifty thousand Crowns, together with the payment of all her debts.  P. 
Methinks, that in consideration of all Transilvania, this compensation is but small. Yet when we weigh the advantage, of being delivered from the necessity of maintaining a War against the Turk, or against the House of Austria, than it appears great. And besides the Queen's Sex, and the Infancy of her Son made them uncapable thereof: But did the Queen accept of these proffers?  G. 
This courageous and prudent Princess, desiring to throw of the yoke which Martinisius was putting on her Neck, acquiesced in the King's desires, and immediately deposited the Regal Ornaments into the hands of Castaldo. That done, she entreated the Spanish Don, to prevail so far with his Master that what had been promised her, might be forthwith accomplished; and retired to Cassovia, which was allotted for her retreat, until the whole treaty were fully executed. Castaldo, having the Crown of Hungary, believed they aught to own his Master for King: And for that reason, he desired the Grandees of Transilvania to take the Oaths of Fidelity to King Ferdinand. They did so without any more dispute, after George Martinisius had led the way, who by this Treaty had gotten the Archbishopric of Strigonia, and a Cardinal's Cap, which were procured him by the said King of the Romans. Things being in this posture, each prepared themselves fo● War: The Hungarians knew full well, the Turk would never without a resentment suffer a Province which owned him for Sovereign, to pass into other hand● without his leave. In effect he entry Transilvania, but succeeded little in hi● affairs so long as Martinisius lived, or that the Queen had hopes they would make good the agreement that had been made with her. As to what concerns Martinisius, you must observe, that desiring to serve the Christians, without too much exasperating the Turk against him, he saved Ulambey whom they could have cut in pieces upon the surrender of Lippa: and received into his Castle of Vivaria the person that gathered the Tribute which the Transilvanians paid to Solyman. These actions cost him his life; For Castaldo mistrusting him, caused him to be stabbed by Mark Antonio Ferrero his Secretary, who by reason of his employment had constant access to him. Solyman being informed of the death of Martinisius, and the Oath the Transilvanians had made to King Ferdinand, commanded Stephen Prince of Moldavia, Governor of Buda, and the neighbouring Countries thereabouts, to take up Arms and attack them. This command was not sooner given by the Port, but they felt the effects. And Transilvania had reason to say, that the death of a Tyrant had not delivered them from slavery. In the mean while Queen Elizabeth, not being able to obtain the effect of what had been promised her, did again beseech the Sultan to have pity on her Son. Solyman moved either with the tears of the poor Queen, or his own interest, assisted her powerfully, and reduced the Transilvanians to the necessity of importuning Ferdinand to permit them to treat with the Turk in the behalf and favour of John Sigismond. Ferdinand consented, though somewhat against his will; and they obtained the same kindness that had been granted to John Zapoliha, his Father; upon the submission, acknowledgement and tribute Solyman should impose. This happened in the year 1551. The Queen having reentered upon her Estate, Sigismond Augustus King of Poland her Brother, was the Mediator in another Treaty between King Ferdinand and her. By this Treaty, the Queen obtained more advantageous conditions than before. Her Son was to marry Jane the Daughter of Ferdinand, and hold in Sovereignty to him and his heirs to perpetuity all Transilvania, the Countries of Abavivar, Murant, Huszth, Marmet, and part of the revenue of the Lands of Beregh and Ugacha.  P. 
I do not think one can name many Countries, that have so often changed Masters as Transilvania, nor do I know whether I aught presently to believe that a King of the Romans, brother of the greatest Emperor that ever reigned in Germany, and Father of many Children, could resolve to lay down that Sovereignty he had gained, partly by consent, partly by force.  G. 
I know great Princes do very unwillingly resign what they have once acquired, nevertheless it is certain that Ferdinand did make the surrender I have told you of, and allowed John Sigismond to do whatever he pleased in Transilvania, excepting the assuming the title of a King: They went farther yet, and that Transylvanian supported by the Turkish Forces, demanded that the Danube might divide the Estate of Hungary from that of Transilvania; and that upon default of Males in the House of Austria, his descendants might succeed in the Kingdom of Hungary. This demand vexed Ferdinand, who took up Arms, and forced the Transylvanian to let the Tibiscus limit his Territory. This agreement displeased John Sigismond, (or the Turk, who made him stickle, as not being able to do it himself, by reason of a truce he had made for eight years.) Wherhfore the Transylvanian declared War against the Emperor Maximilian I who lately succeeded Ferdinand his Father: took from him Zachwar, Hudad and Corazo; and had taken Cassovia, had not the severity of the season hindered him. However these Voctories lasted not long, for Maximilian finding himself wronged, caused him to be assaulted briskly, recovered what he had gained, and forced him to a Peace. But Solyman being returned from Malta, where he miscarried in his affairs, renewed the War in Hungary, where he died, having besieged Zigeth, which surrendered to the Bassa Mustapha, his Lieutenant General, the 7th. of September 1566. Selim, who succeeded his Father, agreed upon a truce for eight years with the Hungarians, and included the Transylvanian, who upon the recommendation of Sigismond Augustus King of Poland his Uncle, added to his demeasn some Lands which the Emperor yielded to him, and the City of Guyla, which he bought of the Turk, Anno 1568. The Transylvanian than finding that the War was advantageous to him, endeavoured to corrupt divers Hungarians, that he might carry his Arms into Hungary with success. This design however had not its effect, for he died in the year 1570. being not yet three and thirty years of Age, and in him was extinguished the race of Zapoliha. He had taken care to make choice of Gasper Bekez, for his Successor: But he was rejected by the Grandees of the Country, who put Stephen Battory into his place the 24th. of May 1571. This Prince owned the Turk, as his Predecessor had done; and having been elected King of Poland, after the retreat of Henry of Valois, he made it appear that Fortune and Virtue are not incompatible. This man in a short compass of time was first a Baron, than a Prince, and now a King, and most of all these degrees: Stephen being thus elected King of Poland, gave up Transilvania to Christopher Battory his Brother, who not having the favour of the House of Austria, because his Brother had been preferred before Maximilian II. he was constrained to seek for support at Constantinople. This Prince was very virtuous, and having quelled the bold Bekez, who ofttimes endeavoured to supplant him; he reigned gloriously to his death, which laid him in the grave, Anno 1581. Sigismond his Son, succeeded him, being yet a Child. And King Stephen Battory, his Uncle, having allotted him three Tutors, it bred such a jealousy betwixt them, that he was forced to set them all aside, and put both the Person and Affairs of his Nephew into the hands and trust of John Geczy Governor of Varadin. This was a man of great worth, who soon gave sufficient proof that he had as much courage, as conduct: Scarce had he taken in hand the management of his Pupil's affairs, when King Stephen died, Anno 1586. Than the factions that arose in Poland about the election of a King, gave him opportunity to make his worth appear. He joined his forces with those of Samoisky, who favoured Sigismond of Sweden against Maximilian of Austria his Competitor; who was beaten, taken, and compelled to quit his pretensions to the Swede. At the same time, the Turk made a rude War in Hungary, against the Emperor Rodolphus II. And though his Majesty had brave Officers, who made the Sultan purchase the Victories he obtained very dearly: yet in Anno 1595. Sinan Lieutenant General for Selim, reduced the admirable fortress of Javarin to obedience, which had till than been esteemed impregnable.  P. 
'Tis said, that Sinan bragged he had reduced the Emperor Rodolphus to the necessity of demanding a Peace, by the loss of that wonderful and important place. Yet Sansovinus affirms, he lost fifty thousand men there, and that the War soon after began with more heat than ever.  G. 
The Emperor had too much courage to ask for Peace, upon such a loss. He knew that could not but be very disadvantageous, and for that very reason, he was resolved to carry on the War. To this end, he desired assistance of every one that was able to afford it; and drew Sigismond Battory, Prince of Transilvania, to his party. This Lord suffered himself easily to be engaged in this noble design, because he had courage, and because he thought it scandalous in a Christian to favour those that aimed only at the utter destruction of Christianity. He made an agreement, therefore with the Emperor, the chief Articles whereof were; That Sigismond taking up Arms against the Turk, the Emperor should be obliged not to make any peace, but by the joint consent of the Transylvanian; and if it came to that, the Principalities of Valachia, Moldavia and Transilvania, should be comprehended; that he should enjoy the title, the honour and the prerogative of a Prince of the Empire; that they should assign him an honourable rank amongst them; that the Emperor should bestow a Princess of the House and Blood of Austria upon him; so long as the present War should last, he should annually furnish him with an hundred thousand Florins of the Rhine, which are worth four hundred thousand French Livers, and should maintain a good body of Germane Horse and Foot for him; that all such places as he could gain by the Sword should remain in propriety to him and his Heirs of both Sexes: That if by misfortune the Turk should hap to drive him out of Transilvania, The Emperor should give him Lands in the Empire, sufficient to maintain him like a Prince; That there should be a general Amnesty for himself, and for all those that had served him in favour of the Turk against his imperial Majesty; That he should re-enter upon all those Lands he had before in Illyria and in Hungary; that the Emperor should provide him with Artillery, Powder and Ammunitions for War: And that on his part, he should take the field with fourscore thousand Combatants, Transilvanians, Null and Moldavians. This agreement was sealed, by the Marriage of Sigismond, with Maria Christina, the Daughter of Charles Archduke of Gretz; by the Order of the Golden Fleece, sent him from Philip II. King of Spain; by the consecrated Hat and Sword, presented him by Pope Clement VIII. and by huge Sums of Money granted and raised for him in several parts of Christendom. This League was pleasing to many great Potentates, and so distasteful to Sultan Amurath, the Princes of the House of Sigismond, and to the greater part of the inhabitants of Transilvania, that it was soon followed with invasions, commotions and bloodshed. Than the Transylvanian took near his person the Siculae, who were very affectionate towards him; and studying a most horrible revenge against his Kindred, and the Grandees of Transilvania, convocated the Estates at Claudiopolis. There it was that Sigismond put to death Balthasar Battory his Uncle, and divers other Lords of the Country, whom he declared guilty of Treason, and amongst the rest, Stephen and Andreas Battory, his Cousins, the Sons of Balthasar. At the same time Sigismond believing he had suppressed and stifled the rebellion, caused his League with the Emperor, against the Ottomans to be proclaimed through all his Territories; and exhorted his Subjects to take up Arms to free themselves from the tyranny they had so long endured. In few days afterwards, he had fifty thousand men on foot, and having put them under good Officers, caused them to advance towards the Danube to begin the Dance. And now, indeed, being in the Field, fortune sided with him, and kindly gave him opportunity to take seven Ships, laden with money, and other rich goods, which Sinan would have employed for the corrupting of the Officers of Vienna, that he might betray it to his Master. This prize and victory made Sigismond hope he should be able to besiege and take Themisvar: but scarce had he attacked it, when news came the Tartars ravaged his Country; so that he was forced to go back and defend it: The Siege being raised, he marches towards those Barbarians, and finding them in a place that was inaccessible, where valour would have proved but useless, he betook himself to craft; and having set fire to their quarters, he forced them to come out, and utterly defeated them without much trouble or loss.  P. 
Hitherto Prince Sigismond Battory hath been happy, and unless, upon account of the death of his Uncle, and some other Transylvanian Lords, he be stained or convicted of cruelty, I cannot found, that his conduct aught to be blamed. Now I would feign know, whether fortune did attend him to his Grave, and whether he left any Children heirs to his Virtues and Estate?  G. 
I am fair and softly drawing on towards what you desire to know. The Null and Moldavians admiring the Victories of the Transilvanians, would needs have their share, and therefore joined with them. Sultan Amurath, finding his losses caused this revolt, desired to prevent the like; and to that purpose, commanded the Bassa of Themisvar, to attack those Rebels, and to make them feel the severity of fire and sword. The Bassa willing to obey this order, went into the field: but was defeated about the latter end of the year 1564. This Victory of Sigismund's, was soon followed by another over above twenty thousand Tartars, who returning homewards, laden with booty, were set upon, and defeated by the said Sigismond: About the same time died Amurath II. and had for Successor Mahomet the third his Son, who was than aged about thirty years. Mahomet being come to the Crown, bestowed great largesses upon his Janissaries, and made great preparations for a War against the Christians. Having therefore had information, that the Cosacks, and the Podolians were entered into the League with the Transilvanians, he sent an Army of an hundred thousand men, under the conduct of Sinan, whom he commanded to chastise these rebels exemplarily. Sinan prepared himself to execute the commands he had from his Master; and whilst he was endeavouring to gain some Friends in Moldavia, he likewise raised a formidable Army to complete his design. For all this, he was but roughly handled by Sigismond, who followed him so close at his heels, when he thought to repass the Danube, that the Bridge being overcharged with the numerous Crowds of such as fled, broke down; and Sinan falling into the River, was in great danger of keeping company with an infinite number of his Men, who were than drowned. This action, added to divers others, wherein the good fortune, prudence, and valour of Sigismond had been manifested with great splendour, gained him the name of Invincible, and forced Mahomet to take the conduct of the Army upon himself. Now does he take the field with two hundred thousand fight men; and these dreadful forces gave him the confidence to advance as far as Agria. There it was that the Archduke Maximilian, and Prince Sigismond despising his great numbers, out of a custom of beating them, gave him a Battle, which might have restored the whole affairs of Christendom, had not the infamous, and insatiable desire of booty, put a stop to their farther victory and pursuit. Ours lost about twenty thousand men, and the Turks many more. But, from that time, it seemed, Fortune who till than had been favourable to the Transylvanian, now turned her back. That Prince forgetting his former Valour, resolved to exchange Transilvania for some Lands in Silesia: and to attain those ends, he raised all the force he could, to make his utmost effort. He besieged Themisvar, and was constrained to raise the same, as at the first time. Some while after, the Bassa Ibrahim besieged Varadin: And Basta having entreated our Sigismond to join his forces with those he commanded, to relieve the place, he promised it, but broke his word. Since that time, nothing appeared in him but irresolution, and inconstancy. He caused his Cousin, the Cardinal Battory, to be proclaimed Prince of Transilvania: and not being able to maintain it; he resigned his Estate to the Emperor Rodolphus II. who gave him Ratibor, and Opelen, to hold for his life, with a pension of fifty thousand Crowns, and a Cardinal's Cap, which the Emperor was to procure for him.  P. 
It appears to me, that he was married, and you say, he desired to have a Cardinals Hat.  G. 
I told you before, that Sigismond Battory, Prince of Transilvania, had married Maria Christina of Austria: But being as sluggish in the War of Venus, as he was brave and active in the field of Mars, he owned his impotence; and his marriage was declared Null. But I have not yet told you, that after several mischiefs which his departure brought upon the Estates of Transilvania, Moldavia and Valachia, which he had yielded up to the Emperor; and after he had repent it, and shown many tokens of an extreme inconstancy, he died at Prague the 17th. of March 1603. This death did not confirm the possession of Transilvania to the Emperor: For the Turk, having still some partisans in the Country, and the people believing their liberty infringed by the agreement made between the Emperor, and the Transylvanian, no body was satisfied with the present condition of things. George Basta the Emperor's Lieutenant General in Transilvania, tyrannised over the people. The Turks, the Tartars, the Polanders, and others their neighbours had made it the Theatre of a long and bloody Tragedy: insomuch as the Transilvanians breathed after nothing but their former condition. In effect, Stephen Boskay, having driven away the Decemviry the Emperor had sent into that Country, established himself with the good liking of the people, rather by reason of the failures committed by the Generals for the Emperor Rodolphus, than by any other interest or power he could make use of: The Commonalty complained of the Inquisition, the insolence of strangers, and the extinction of their privileges and immunities Boskay fomented these grievances, and improving his credit amongst the people, mightily confirmed himself in the possession of his Principality. From thence it was, that Gabriel Bethlem, (to whom the Turk had given some hopes of having Transilvania,) believing it was not yet a fit time to think of that, submitted willingly to Boskay. In the mean while, the same Bethlem, being joined with Bechtes' Bassa of Themisvar, endeavoured to surprise Lippa, and was surprised himself: So that he was forced to fly in his Shirt, his fear making him forget and leave behind him in his pocket the Treaty of his Conspiracy. This writing falling into the hands of the Count de Beljoyoso, Governor of the Country, mightily perplexed him, and consulting how to found out some remedy, it was judged to be incurable. In effect, Boskay, lost no time, vanquished Beljoyoso, reduced him to extremity, and seized upon several places. Than having the Grandees, the Cities, and the people on his side, he put himself into such a condition, that he could talk magisterially to them; but fortune, who takes delight to make herself admired, turned to Basta's side, who having gained some Victories, exhorted Boskay to quit his sword, and bow down his Neck to the Imperial Yoke. Boskay who pretended to the Principality, replied, That if they did not leave him Transilvania; if they did not put Hungarian Officers into the Provinces, and in the Cities to Govern them; if they did not remove the foreign Militia to some other places and if they did not allow him the exercise of his Religion, he would rather choose to prefer War, than Peace. Fortune, which many times favours the bold, took Boskay's part, and made him triumph over all the difficulties he met with in this War. Basta, who pressed most upon him, saw all his Victories turned to an entire and utter disobedience: His Soldiers mutined, telling him, he paid them only with words. They fell upon him in his own House, and those very men that were appointed to guard nine and twenty Wagons, laden with Silver, with Cloth and other Stores, plundered them, and escaped some into Poland, and others to the Enemies. Thus Transilvania being delivered from Basta's Army, part of the hundred Cities were taken by Boskay's Friends, and the remainder surrendered without the trouble of a Summons. This progress of Boskay's, forced the Emperor to sand Demetrius Nabradi, Bishop of Vesprin, and Sigismond Forgas to treat with him. These deputies soon found, that his prosperity had made him insolent. They received no other Answer, but only, If they came from the Grandees of Hungary, they were welcome; but if they were sent by the Emperor, they might go back again, he being now at that pass, that he could not retreat, nor change his condition. This language made the Deputies understand, that there was nothing for them to do there; and that Transilvania had changed its Master. In effect, the States of the Province, being assembled at Kerene, Boskay was confirmed in his Usurpation of that Principality: Upon condition, he would allow the Roman Religion, the Lutheran and the Swiss to be practised amongst them. Than Sigismond Ragotsky obtained the Government of Transilvania, and Valentine Homonay was made General of the forces of that Country. The Grand Signior, who had his Eyes open upon all these changes, sent a Chiaux to Boskay, who on his behalf presented him a Mace, a Scimitar, and a Flag, to confirm him in the possession of his new Principality. In acknowledgement of which favour, Boskay dispatched Stephen Corlat, and George Kikedy to the Port, to assure the Turk of his Fidelity, and to offer him some token of his obedience.  P. 
It's said that Embassy was infamous, upon account of a present of some Germane Children, which those Envoys made him.  G. 
Such as dare invade another's right, and sacrifice an infinite number of people to their ambition, think it no burden to their own Conscience, to plunge a few innocents' into slavery. Boskay would needs give Machiavelli the lie, who tells us, that men can hardly become entirely or completely wicked. For having endeavoured to debauch those places from their duty, who legally obeyed the Emperor, his treachery went farther; and although both he and his, took Religion for pretence of their disobedience, they accompanied the Turk in the incursions he made into Moravia; where having destroyed a vast number of Christians, he ●ut four thousand into Fetters. And ●othing was ever so full of zeal, as his Godly Army. They sold divers of their brothers to the Turk, and as their Crime ●as beyond all example, so by an unheard-of prodigy, there issued drops of blood ●ut of the gold they received in payment for ●hose poor Souls they thus condemned to captivity. These marks of friendship showed to ●ur common Enemy, were seconded with ●n agreement between Boskay and the Sultan; who would needs bestow the Title of King of Hungary upon the first, but he ●earing a change of Fortune, refused that ●avour saying, that indeed the Emperour ●ad been lawfully Crowned. By this agreement Transilvania was left to Boskay ●ree, for ten years' tribute, which they ●ere to advance. And that time being expired, they were to sand ten thousand ducats yearly to the Grand Signior, as a token of their Vassalage. These things passing thus in Europe, the Bassa's of Aleppo and Caramania were cutting out work for the Sultan. For which reason he would needs be excused from the obligation of assisting Boskay; and permitted him to make an agreement with the Emperor. On the other hand, his Majesty being tired with so long a War, and persuading himself that Boskay having no Children, there would quickly be some new Revolution in that State, he soon consented to whatever was propounded. The chief Articles of this Peace were, That there should be an Amnesty on both sides; that the Roman Religion, the Augsburg, and the Swiss should be tolerated thorough all Hungary; that the Palatine should be elected by votes; that the Governments of all places should be given to Hungarians, excepting Comora and Javarin, which might be given to Germane. All Transilvania, with that part of Hungary that had belonged to Sigismond Battory, should be resigned to Boskay, and that there should be added to them Zatmar, Vgoe, Tockai and Bereg; that they should endeavour to make a Peace with the Turk; and if they could not obtain it, Boskay should join his Forces with the Emperor. This Treaty was approved and sworn, by the principal Lords of Hungary, Bohemia, Austria, Silesia, Moravia and Lusatia. Many of them signed it, and there was only Melchior Clesel, than Bishop of Neustadt, and since Cardinal, who made some difficulty, because, said he, they aught not to assist Heretics: but at length he consented. This Peace was succeeded by a Truce of twenty years, which the Emperor made with the Turk. By this agreement, the Sultan obliged himself to call the Emperor Father, and the Emperor was to give the Sultan the Title of Son. They were both to bear the name of Emperor; the Controversies that might possibly arise between them, were to be determined by the Governors of Javarin, and Buda. The Forts were to remain in the same condition they were in at that time, and neither was to erect any new one. The Emperor gave the Turk two hundred thousand Crowns for once, and after that, they were every three years to bestow mutual presents on each other by their Ambassadors; that their amity might remain the more firm. These Transactions were made, 1606. and followed with the sickness and death of Boskay, who for his Successor in the Principality of Transilvania, declared Valentine Homonay; but the States of the Country preferred Sigismond Ragotsky before him. This man, loving his ease and quiet, more than the noble toils of honour, refused their offer; but finding himself forced to accept thereof, he did it with as much repugnance, as if it were only an honourable slavery.  P. 
Although it be said, that Crowns are extremely heavy, yet they rarely are refused. And if I am not deceived, this moderation of Ragotsky's showed he was the more worthy to Reign.  G. 
There is no lesle honour in refusing a Crown, than in striving to deserve one. And I must confess, did I not know that he rejected it really out of contempt, I should have believed it had been out of fear. The Emperor Rodolphus II. had some repugnance, for the Liberty of Conscience he had granted. And the promises of the Persian Ambassadors, together with the Rebellion of Gambolah, who had drawn over to his party Aleppo, Damascus and Tripoli, fomented his irresolutions. This was it that gave occasion to the Heyducks to continued their violences, and the Archduke Mathias to take up Arms to repress their audacious attempts. That Prince having his Sword in hand, pursued his point, and obliged the Emperor Rodolphus his Brother, to give him Hungary and Austria. Than did Mathias, lesle scrupulous than the Emperor, sign the Articles of the Transaction of Vienna, adding there the expulsion of the Jesuits; and received the Homage Ragotsky did him for his Principality. Soon after it was clearly seen, that Ragotsky despised worldly greatness; For being peaceable possessor of Transilvania, equally cherished by Mathias and the Turk, he transferred his dignity to Gabriel Battory, having not Reigned above one year. Achmet, the Emperor of the Turks, confirmed this choice, and the King Mathias opposed it not. Battory was not so moderate as Ragotsky had thought him to be. He became insupportable for his Lechery, and the honour of the most virtuous Matrons being no way secure under the Dominion of a Prince so horribly debauched, they conspired against his life, and he was assassinated at Valeneza Anno 1616. Bethlem Gabor, who had greatly contributed to this Murder, seized on the Estate of the defunct. And to appease Mathias, who was than become Emperor, and the Turk Achmet who were equally offended, to the first he promised all reasonable obedience; and gave up some good places into the hands of the second.  P. 
I think Gabor is renowned in History, and that he gave some trouble to the Emperor Ferdinand the II.  G. 
This Transylvanian endeavoured all his life-time to fish in troubled Waters. But the fortune of Ferdinand the Emperor, having the ascendent over his, he was forced in the end to buckle. Let us now see what happened in those parts, during the Reign of Ferdinand II. This Archduke was the most zealous Catholic in the World, and one that could the lest of any man suffer the Religions, which his Predecessors had connived at in their Countries. This zeal, and his good fortune, made the Emperor Mathias, his Cousin, prefer him, before all the other Princes of his House; and who designing he should be Emperor, after his death, caused him to be owned King of Hungary and Bohemia, before his decease. Ferdinand began his Reign, with the oppression of the Protestants: He commanded some of their Churches to be shut up, and demolished some others in Bohemia. He recalled the Jesuits into Hungary, and rejected those Articles that favoured the Religionaries, in the Treaties made between the Emperors and the Hungarians and Bohemians. This proceeding having displeased a Body, which at that time was formidable, gave the Bohemians occasion to prefer Frederick Elector Palatine, before Ferdinand: And immediately he beheld the Protestants of Bohemia, and Hungary before the walls of his Capital City. At the same time, Gabor, armed with the pretence of his Religion, entered into the League, and raised an Army of eighteen thousand men, strengthened with eighteen pieces of Cannon, wherewith he entered into Hungary; and finding their spirits inclined to a Rebellion, he made so great a progress, as gave him the confidence to be proclaimed King. During these transactions, Ferdinand was at Francfort, where he was elected Emperor. And this election having given him both authority and forces, he now thought only how to recover the Kingdoms he had newly lost, and to humble those that had dared to attaque him. He loudly complained of the injustice of his adversaries, and having remonstrated to the Electors of the Empire, to the French, and English, the just reasons he had to regain his own, he drew into his party all the Catholics of Germany, and even the Duke of Saxony, who had been one of the main Pillars of the Protestants, and held the swords of Foreigners within their Scabbards. Soon after, the Elector Palatine, who had taken the Field with very considerable Forces, was put to flight. Gabor, made a stouter resistance, and had brought the Emperor's affairs to an ill condition, had his associates played their part as well at Prague. Count Dampier, General of the Imperial Forces, lost his life in going to view the Castle of Presburg, where Gabor had a Garrison. And Charles de Longveval, Count Bucquoy, who after his subduing of Moravia, had made great progress in Hungary, died there being pierced with sixteen wounds. The death of this great man, gave opportunity to Gabor to recover many places, to vanquish those that opposed his designs, and range over the whole Country. But in fine, seeing his confederates put to flight, and his own Army much weakened, he demanded a Peace, and obtained it, Anno 1622. upon these following conditions. That he should keep all Transilvania, Tokay, Cassovia, and seven other Lordships in Hungary; That resigning with the Crown the other Cities which he held in Hungary, he should quit the name of King, contenting himself with that of Prince of the Empire, and the Principalities of Opelen and Ratibor, and that he should restore the Jesuits, where they had been settled before the War. This Peace lasted not long. Gabor gave up Vaccia to the Turk, who sent him fourscore thousand men, which the Count de la Tour, had procured for him. With these Troops he invaded Hungary, alleging they had not made good to him what was promised by the Treaty of Odimburg; that they oppressed his Religion, and did not deliver the money to him, that was his due. The Emperor to prevent this growing mischief, informed the Grand Signior, that Gabor abused his Forces, whilst he attaqued him without cause or reason; and adding his Sword to his words, forced his Enemy to an accommodation lesle advantageous than the former. By this Treaty made in the year 1624. Gabor lost the Title of Prince of the Empire, and some part of what had been granted him of Hungary. A while after this restless spirit joined his Forces with those of Charles Count Mansfield. But forty thousand Tartars having been defeated by the Polanders, he was forced to quit that design, to go and take a care of his Countries. And having enjoyed the Company of Catharine, the Daughter of John Sigismond Elector of Brandenburg, but four years, he died in Anno 1628. having endured incredible torment in his Feet. And his death made it evident he equally respected the Emperor and the Turk. To each of them he left a Horse, the harness set with Jewels, and richly embroidered, besides forty thousand Ducats in specie. His Wife had of him an hundred thousand pieces of Gold, of six pound value each, a hundred thousand Crowns of Silver, and a hundred thousand Florins, with three Lordships, which she was to enjoy during life.  P. 
That Princess, having so much ready money, and Jewels suitable to a Person of her Quality, had enough to raise some younger Brother of a good Family: And I believe it was for that reason, that Charles Duke of Saxe-Lauwemburg married her, some years after the death of her Husband. But, I would feign know who succeeded to Bethlem Gabor, and what happened to those Countries after his decease.  G. 
When the Heirs to Principalities are uncertain, the death of the Prince is ever attended with trouble. Catharine, the Widow of Gabor not being capable to Reign, named Stephen Czac, to succeed her Husband, and desired the Turk to confirm him: This Election displeased the Transilvanians, who divided their affections, and some of them made choice of Stephen Bethlem, Brother of the late Prince; while others would rather have George Ragotsky. The first was so unfortunate, that his own Children risen up against him; and the second having overcome his adversaries, complied with the Emperor, gained the Sultan's favour, and possessed Transilvania singly. Yet, was not his good fortune constant, Stephen Bethlem, who had surrendered all his pretensions to him, killed one of his Relations; and fearing the just punishment which he deserved, endeavoured to avoid it by a bigger Crime. He craved assistance of the Port, who sent him an Army of Turks and Tartars, with whom he besieged Gyula. Ragotsky abhorring the infidelity of the Turk, submitted himself to the House of Austria, and received from thence three Regiments of Foot, and one of Horse, to reinforce his Army, with the which he destroyed five and twenty thousand Turks near Szabuta. In fine, Bethlem, returning to his duty, was received into favour, and the Sultan confirmed Ragotsky in his Principality: During these occurrences, the Emperor Ferdinand II. died, leaving for Successor to the Kingdom of Hungary, and all his Estates, Ferdinand III. his Son. This Prince, who had a very dangerous War cut out for him in Germany, desired to preserve the Peace in Hungary; It was, notwithstanding broken, by the advice of such, as persuaded him that he aught to forbidden the Lutherans to frequent a Church, they had at Presburgh; and to revoke whatever had been promised in their favour. This policy appeared but very ill to such as know, that even good acts do lose of their value, when done out of season. There is nothing that shocks men so much, as a violence against their Consciences, and there are few things wherein we aught to have a greater circumspection, than when we go about to reform Religion. The Lutherans of Presburgh, not being able to suffer the loss of their Church, nor to preserve it without the assistance of Strangers, called Ragotsky to their Aid. This man fearing to put to Sea without Bisquit, and enter upon a War, wherein he should have but little succour from the Turk, who was employed in Asia; desired the Emperor and his Council, that they would vouchsafe to make good their promise to the Hungarians. The Emperor despising both the intercession and the Forces of Ragotsky, would give him no satisfaction. That Prince than believing himself to be more obliged to his Sect, than to his Friend and Benefactor, suffered himself to be overpersuaded by the Confederates Ambassadors, who sought his Alliance; and having declared War against the Emperor, he entered Hungary with an Army of seventy thousand fight men. And that it might appear he did not begin the War without good reason; he by a Manifesto set forth, that since the year 1619. they placed Hungary amongst the Hereditary Provinces belonging to the House of Austria, that they bestowed upon the Clergy, those employments that appertained to the Laity, that they kept the Protestants out of all Offices; that they would not hear their complaints and grievances, and that against their Wills, and without any thing of their consent or allowance, they had introduced the Jesuits into that Country. The first expedition of Ragotsky, was to ravage the Lands of George Homonay; after which he subdued all that opposed him even to Cassovia. The Emperor to put some stop to this torrent, opposed him with eight and twenty thousand men, under the conduct of the Count de Bouchaim, and the Palatine of Hungary; but not having been able to regain Cassovia, he most readily harkened to a proposition for Peace. By the agreement they yielded to Ragotsky seven Lordships in Hungary; in his favour they set open ninety Churches, wherein the Protestants might publicly teach their Doctrine; and the Hungarians were restored to their privileges. This Treaty, seemed disadvantageous to the Catholics; but the Suedes felt the much greater inconvenience; for the Emperor having plucked this Thorn out of his Foot, relieved Brin, and forced Torstenson to raise the Siege he had form there. Than Lewis Count de Souches, a French Gentleman, who had been the chief cause of its preservation, had the Government thereof bestowed upon him, as a reward for his signal service.  P. 
I do not believe, we can any where else, meet with such notable and frequent changes, as these in Hungary and Transilvania; and I admire, that a people that cannot stir, without drawing in upon their Country the Turks, and Germane, will not, for all that, forbear taking up Arms so often.  G. 
The people of that Country are so Warlike, they scarce know how to live in peace. And the Princes hoping to improve their condition do most commonly impair it. Ragotsky made us see it clearly, when he espoused the King of Suedens quarrel, and equally disobliged both the Emperor, and the Sultan. This Transylvanian, desiring to have a share in the glory, and conquests of King Charles Gustavus, went and joined him in Poland, with considerable Forces. And being able to do no great wonders, was constrained to retire, either with a great deal of shame, or with very little reputation. His misfortune did not however end with the loss of his Army; he was persecuted yet more, his ill fate armed the Turk against him, and slew him in a Battle, wherein he lost his life, together with that Country he might have left to his Son. Some have written that the Christians excited the Turk against him, and that was one of the chiefest causes of this present War; Kemin Janos, his Lieutenant General, endeavoured to get into his place, and to attain his ends, he did submit to his Imperial Majesty, sought for and obtained his protection. But he could not preserve that Estate, which he had seized on. It was than, that the Court of Vienna, desiring to maintain Janos, without exasperating the Ottomans, could effect neither the one, nor the other. Janos was lost in a Battle, and the Turk was dissatisfied with the Emperor, who, (as he said) had infringed the Truce, which was between them. This misunderstanding heated both parties, and occasioned several Embassies, and Negociations on either side. The Sultan declared that he intended nothing but to maintain the Peace; and his Subjects modestly complained of us, saying that we desired a War, and they would make none, unless they were compelled to it by necessity. During these wranglings, Nicholas Count Serini believed the War was already at our Doors, and imagining it would be some advantage to him, to build a Fort upon the Banks of the River Mur: he did so, and began some Hostilities. This Fort gave the Turk greater cause of complaint, who demanded it should be demolished by a Chiaux, and by an Aga, whom I saw at Vienna, in the month of January one thousand six hundred sixty two. These demands had no favourable answers; but it seemed as if they had talked to deaf man. And, to tell the truth, observing that haughtiness, and resolution to give the Turk no satisfaction, I concluded that they would have a War; and that the Fort of Serini, was a place, would make work enough for several Ottoman Armies. Yet experience hath showed us, that the said Fort was worth nothing, and that we had no need to undertake a War of such importance for it. I shall not lay down the reasons, because any one may easily guests them. It shall suffice I tell you, that the Court of Vienna seeing the Turkish Forces in Transilvania, and fearing to be taken unprovided; they sent the Counts de Montecuculi, and Souches, into the Field with two small Bodies of men: But a good part of them were destroyed without giving a blow, or preventing the loss of Kemin Janos, or the establishment of Abaffi. The Sultan, therefore seeing that Transilvania was in his power, and that Abaffi was fast in the Saddle, and obliged to serve him, demanded again with greater instance, that the Fort Serini should be demolished, and reparation made for the injuries, he said, they had done him. For all this, could they not resolve to grant him what he asked: so that without more ado, he resolved to take his own satisfaction, and try whether his first Warlike enterprise, would prove as happy, as he thought it just. He therefore began that War, which he prosecutes to this day, with much heat, and in which all Christendom seems to have a share. I conjure you to consider seriously, what I have told you till this present, and I am confident you may rightly judge of the justice of both parties in this controversy. We must now see, after what manner the Turk attaqued us in the year 1661. with what Forces we opposed him, and what either of them hath acted since the beginning of this War; that so you may the better apprehended what we are to fear; and what we may reasonably hope.  P. 
It seems to me, that the interest of his Imperial Majesty obliged him to choose rather to demolish the Fort Serini, and give satisfaction as the Grand Signior demanded, than to enter into a War against him. For Hungary and the Empire stood in need of Peace, and there was but little probability of wresting Transilvania out of the Turkish hands, which he had so lately seized upon, with some appearance of Justice.  G. 
If it were reasonable to measure Counsels, by the Events, we should have just cause to blame that which was given at Vienna. But I guests, they did not believe, that those who had stood so long with their Arms across, when they might have attaqu'd the Empire with advantage during the War, had a mind to measure their Scimitars with our Swords, when we were all in peace. We have notwithstanding seen the contrary; and Mahomet iv resolved to begin the War by the rapture he made, after he had dallied with us a while: For to tell you the truth, I do not think but all his Embassies, and that great show of moderation, were only to amuse us. The quick sighted judged rightly, that it was necessary to levy men; and the more stupid said, that there was no trusting of such, as have no faith in them. The Emperor finding he should have need of assistance, desired some; and the very formalities of giving, and of receiving it, was the cause they were not in a readiness when the business began. The Confederates offered considerable forces, which they had already on foot; but they would have the command over them; and his Majesty thought, that it would be an affront to his dignity to receive them upon those terms. The Empire making the same offers, and the same demands, met with the same difficulties; and from thence it came to pass, that the Grand Vizier being advanced as far as upper Hungary, attacked Neuheusel, by the Hungarians called Vivar; defeated three thousand men, who made a sally to surprise him, sent some prisoners to Constantinople as tokens of his Victory, and at last, forced the garrison to surrender upon composition, and triumphed over that considerable place, which gave him opportunity to make inroads to the very gates of Vienna, and harass the Frontiers of Germany.  P. 
I knew before of the taking of Neuheusel, and the incursions the Tartars made into Moravia: But I do not apprehended what you mean by the Confederates, nor what distinction you make between them and the Empire. Do me the favour to discourse of it, and than you may be pleased to give me an account of our forces, and the exploits our men performed, after the retreat of the Grand Vizier.  G. 
The Treaty that was concluded at Munster upon the 24. of October 1648, having yielded up some Lands to the French, and to the Suedes, as likewise to some Princes of Germany, they all feared that the House of Austria would repent the having bought such a Peace: that they would endeavour to recover what had been dismembered from the Empire; and that some others would demand what they had lost. To obviate these inconveniences, the Cardinal Mazarin, persuaded those that had any cause of fear, and such as desired the peace of the Empire, that it were fit they should unite more closely, and engage to defend each other mutually, in case they should hap to be molested in the possessions of what the Treaty had adjudged to them. Ten or twelve Princes, as well ecclesiastics as Seculars, and of all Religions allowed in the Empire, entered into this League. And every one having taxed himself proportionably to his forces, they to this purpose designed to have about five and twenty thousand men, under the conduct of the Prince of Psalms, and of Count Holach. The Emperor, to whom this thing was highly distasteful, endeavoured to dissolve them, and not being able to compass the same, he endeavoured to turn it to his own advantage. To this effect, finding he was now threatened with a War by the Turk, he remonstrated the approaching danger, and desired those Troops might be employed for the defence of the Empire. The Confederates consented thereto, upon condition they should be sworn to none but themselves, nor should be employed against any but the common enemy. On the contrary, his Majesty desiring they should obey him absolutely, and that they should let him have them without any conditions; the business lingered so long, that they arrived very late in Hungary. They were than under the command of Wolfang Julius Count of Hollac, and made a separate body from the Emperour's, and those belonging to the Empire. Whence you may judge, that although the greater part of those that composed this League were Germane Princes, they were however censed as somewhat differing from the body of the Germane; because several Strangers signed to it, and contributed to their maintenance; or because the two Kings, who were parties concerned, had more power than all the rest of the Confederates together.  P. 
Now speak of the forces the Vizier employed against us at that time, and how it came to pass that storm was not diverted by a conclusion of the Treaty that was than on foot?  G. 
That I may answer your question in one entire discourse, you must know, That the Turk having resolved to cut us out work, he sent his Grand Vizier into Hungary, who arrived at Belgrade the 8th of June. The Baron de Gois Ambassador from his Imperial Majesty, came thither the day after; and the eighteenth he was conducted into the presence of the Vizier. He had than on his left hand two of his Brothers, on his right the Mufti, and about his Person near two hundred Officers. In this first audience, the Baron having made his Compliment to the Vizier, he told him, he was come thither to conclude the Treaty that had been begun betwixt him and Aly Bassa. They let him know that it was too late, and that they would think further on it when they were upon our Frontiers. The Baron replied, they were than to blame to make him come thither, that he could not understand why they refused to conclude it, that they should meet with greater difficulties when the War was begun: And that God would punish those who should be the cause of shedding innocent blood. The Grand Vizier answered, that he had weighed those reasons very maturely being at Constantinople; and that in case they would than have consented, to what they now offered, he should not have undertaken that journey. Neither would he hear any thing of the Treaty of Themisvar, and made great complaints against those that had broken the peace. Upon which the Baron said, those things had been urged before, and that they were fully answered. This is what passed at the first audience. To which the Vizier added, that the Baron might yet sand an Express to Vienna, and assure the Emperor, that if he would lay down that sum of money he would demand, evacuate all the places he yet held in Transilvania, that of Zekelheid in Hungary, and raze the Fort Serini, there might be some means of making a Peace.  P. 
I fancy that by this proposition the Vizier intended to amuse the Imperialists, and that the Turk was not advanced into Hungary, with an Army of seventy thousand Men, and an hundred and thirty pieces of Cannon, to go back again without striking one blow.  G. 
I believe so too, and do not think that an Officer, how great soever in merit and reputation, durst have taken any resolutions contrary to those his Master had prescribed him. The Army therefore began to file away upon the 11th of June in the year 1663. And this was done with so much pomp, that one would have judged it to consist of two hundred thousand fight men. The noise of the Camels, the Horses, and the Mules, the rattling of the Drums and Timbals, and the sound of their Trumpets, lasted both day and night till the eighteenth of the same month. The Officers moved slowly, and although some or other marched every day, they were most of them Bassa's with their equipage, which being magnificent, made a stately show, and appeared great to admiration. In fine, the Aga of the Janissaries parted the fifteenth with four thousand of his companions, and was followed by the rest of the Army till the eighteenth, at which time the Grand Vizier went on his way, with a most royal magnificence. He sent a thousand foot before him, with each a led horse or two in their hands. After these marched the Spahi-Alagarsi, who is General of those Gentlemen that serve on horseback, preceded by his great Standard, and followed by six hundred Spahi-Edeli, who are the most valiant of all Turkey, having their Cornets very prettily adorned. These were followed by a long Staff, at the top whereof was a large brass button, from whence hung down a Horse-tail. Soon after were seen two great Guidons, which they carried before the Vizier's Brothers, and other Persons of Quality and command, who were accompanied by seven hundred Hasvadars, or Valets, most of them covered with Coats of Mail, from the crown of the head, down to the knees. At last the Grand Vizier's Ensigns and Guidons marched, and were immediately followed by sixteen led Horses, with Saddles and Housins embroidered with Gold, and Precious Stones. The Grooms that led them, had Cloth of Gold Vests, and Breeches of Crimson Velvet. Eight of the Vizier's Footmen had the like clothing, and he went in the midst of these, accompanied by two Janissaries, wearing upon his head a Turban of great price. After the Vizier came the Rosevendy, or great Chancellor; the Tesdatir, or Commissary General, and some other of the principal Officers of the Army: The Gentlemen of the Chamber, all young Fellows of twenty or thirty years, covered with Jacquets: Six hundred Hasvadars, forty Cimbalists and Trumpeters; two hundred ordinary Horsemen, and threescore Horses, that carried the Grand Vizier's Tents and Pavilions. With this magnificent and dreadful train, he arrived at Bukovar the four and twentieth; and there he was informed by the Aga whom he had sent to the Cham of Tartary, that instead of fourscore thousand men he had promised, he would sand ten thousand, under the conduct of his Son. The excuse he made for not keeping his word was, that the white Tartars and the Muscovites, had made some incursions into his Country, which obliged him to keep his men for the defence of his Frontiers. Two days after he got to Eseck, where he sojourned eight or ten days, waiting for such as were to join him. At last he passed the Bridge, which is above twelve thousand paces in length, and arrived at Buda the fifteenth of July. There it was, that after they had held divers Councils, the Siege of Neuhusel was resolved, and the seventh of August the place was invested. Three thousand men whom the Count's Forgats, Palfi, and the Marquis Pio, commanded to surprise the Enemy, fell into their Nets, and were massacred, and taken Prisoners. And the place was so closely begirt, that they were forced to capitulate, and surrender upon composition the 18. of September, in the same year.  P. 
The defeating of that great sally, did without doubt, so much weaken the Garrison, as caused the loss of the place.  G. 
It is probable they might have held out longer: but there being no relief to be expected, they must in fine, have been compelled to submit to their Enemies. They endured three assaults, wherein the Turks were vigorously repulsed. However the Count Forgats their Governor was confined, and accused for not having done his duty in that Siege. But I believe it was more his unhappiness, than his Crime, that lost it: It was reported here, when this strong Fortress was taken, that the Officers were young, and without experience. And on the contrary the Vizier was a Person about the Age of five and thirty, active, and diligent in his expeditions, skilful in the Mathematics, of an heroic courage; and who was day and night in the Trenches, both to encourage his Soldiers, and to show them a brave example. This place being taken, he caused seven pieces of Cannon to be fired in token of Victory. And having sent one of his Brothers to the Port, to carry the news of it to the Grand Signior, he began to repair the Breaches; and than retired, to prepare himself for the next Campagne. This loss awakened the Empire, which seemed to have lain asleep, and the Diet having been called at Ratisbon, some of the Princes appeared there in Person, the rest by their Ambassadors. There was the magnificence of our Germany to be seen: For although the Emperor had desired the Potentates to come without any pomp, yet nothing appeared but what was brave and stately. Divers old Officers came to offer their Swords to the Emperor. And those Princes who were no strangers to the smell of Gunpowder presented themselves to command the other. The Number and merit of the pretenders did as much puzzle his Majesty in the liberty of his choice, as the great variety of Flowers in Summer does the Ladies in a curious Garden. He must however resolve, and choose Commanders for the new Bodies they were going to raise. The Emperor who had already three Armies under the conduct of the Counts de Serini, Montecuculi and Souches, desired to make them more capable to undertake somewhat extraordinary. To this end, without changing the inferior Officers, and leaving the Sovereign command to these Counts, he joined with them Philip Prince Palatine of the branch of Sultzbac, and Count Spar, persons of merit and great reputation. The first commanded his Majesty's Horse, in quality of Captain General, and the other led the Foot, and the Cannon. Leopold William, Marquis of Baden, was General in Chief of the Army belonging to the Empire. Count Fugger, Governor of Ingolstad, commanded the Infantry under him, and Ulric Duke of Wirtemberg was General of the Cavalry. John Adolphus Duke of Holstein, and Gustavus Adolphus Marquis of Baden served in the same Army in quality of Mareshals de Camp, the one of the Horse, the other of the Foot. The Army of the Confederates having lost the Prince of Psalms, a little before the beginning of this War, they ever afterwards were under Wolfang Julius Count Holoch, who had Officers and Soldiers of great importance. Count Serini commanded the Hungarian● and Croats, who were numerous, and the Count de Souches had a flying Army, wherewith he scoured the Enemy's Countries, and covering our Frontiers, often obtained Victories. He it was who regained Neutra, and Levens in the beginning of the Campagne, than forced th● Enemies Camp who would have recovered them, that they might with the les● trouble march into Germany. This action laid six thousand of the Enemies in ●he dust, put five and twenty thousand 〈◊〉 ffight, took their Baggage and Cannon, ●nd gave great encouragement to our People.  P. 
I would gladly know the number ●f Soldiers, that made up all these Armies, by whom they were raised, by whom maintained, and who furnished ●hem with the provisions, and Ammunition they stood in need of.  G. 
Armies are ever more numerous ●pon paper, than in the Field. So that 〈◊〉 cannot precisely tell you the numbers of ●ur men It is said, that the Emperour's consisted of twenty four thousand men, and ●hat of the Confederates of twenty thou●●nd. That the Emperor was to have in Montecuculi's Army, twelve thousand ●●ght horse, seven thousand Cuirassiers, ●nd eighteen thousand Foot. In the Count Serini's five and twenty or thirty ●housand Hungarians and Croats. And ●nder Souches ten or twelve thousand of ●ll Nations. If to all these, you add the Volunteers, and French Auxiliaries, who ●mounted at the lest to four thousand Horse, and as many Foot; This number ●s one of the greatest the Christians have for a long time had in the Field, and were sufficient to have driven the Turk out of Hungary. And truly it might have been done, had they all acted by one consent, or had there been a General of such a quality, that all the rest of the Generals had been obliged to respect him for his birth, and to obey him for his absolute power, and Command. If therefore our misfortune would have it so, that we suffered some places to be taken; we must lay the blame on the little good Order, and the great Animosities betwixt the several Nations, that made up our Armies. But to proceed, the Princes being at Ratisbon, when the resolution was taken to assist his Majesty, each of them promised to do what he could, in proportion to his incomes and strength. And each of them made levies and sent in Soldiers, who were maintained by those that raised them. However it was necessary, the Emperor should provide Magazines, whence the Armies might draw their Ammunitions and Provisions, when they had need of it, for their subsistence; and if his Majesty's Orders, had been duly observed, the Forces had wanted nothing. For every Prince, Lord, and Republic, taking care to provide their Quota, it may be imagined the Soldiers were well maintained: and that nothing was wanting but the Spirit of Unity, to have obtained good Success. 'Tis true, that as this vast body of the Empire moves but slowly, the Troops were not at their rendezvous till it was late, and Canisia was relieved by the Enemy, before our Soldiers were come together.  P. 
The Gazettes assure us, that the Forts Serini, little Comorra, Vesprin and Papa were taken under the very Noses of our Armies: and the most confident believed the Vizier might go on farther.  G. 
Victories, and defeats, do commonly follow each other; because the one increases Courage, and the other diminishes it. The Vizier retiring to Constantinople, after the taking of Neuheusel, caused the Counts Serini, and Holach to be attacked. And these having repulsed the Enemy with considerable loss, they breathed nothing but Battles, and Victories. And indeed, these brave men, taking advantage of the Turk's retreat, overrun a part of Hungary, took and plundered Raboscha, Segues, and the five Churches; burnt the Bridge of Eseck, which is above twelve thousand paces long, carried a terror through all the Country, burnt to ashes all the Corn, Hay and Straw, the Enemy had on the Banks of the River Drove. The noise of these Victories spread over the whole Empire, and giving a reputation to those Generals, raised the Courage of their Soldiers, filled their Pockets with money, and furnished them plentifully with those provisions they wanted. These Noblemen therefore seeing things were disposed towards a Victory, considered by what means to effect it, went to Ratisbon, propounded some Military exploits, made them understand the Bridge of Eseck could not be repaired, till the season was very much advanced, and that in the mean time, they might besiege and take Canisia, which they held blocked up by the taking of Buzats, Zigeth, and the Garrison they kept at Serinvar. They demanded things necessary for the Siege of so important a place; and believing undoubtedly they would sand them, it was begun with great application and eagerness in the Spring. This Siege was bloody, and having weakened the Besiegers, and lasted longer than was expected, the Enemy approached, and made them raise the Siege. And before the Christian Forces could be drawn together, they took Serinvar, and little Comorra. These advantages were followed by greater. For although our Armies were now gotten together, they continued their Victories, by the taking of Vesprin. But good Fortune, being at last weary of waiting on the wrong party, turned to us, and from that time the Vizier and his men were lesle successful. Lewis Count Souches; Governor of Comorra, defeated the Infidels at Sernevits, and pursued them so vigorously, that he made them quit Barcan, and ruin'd a Bridge of Boats, they had upon the Danube. Remond Count de Montecuculi, made them repent the design they had to pass the River of Raab, and the Counts de Coligny, and dela Fueillade, cut in pieces every man of them that had passed the said River, near Saint Godards.  P. 
It is affirmed indeed, that Coligny, and la Fueillade did wonders; wherefore I should be huge glad, before this discourse be ended, to hear somewhat more at large of the Succours the Emperor demanded of Foreign Princes; for I verily believe they were one of the main Strength of our Armies, and the chief motive that obliged the Grand Vizier to incline towards and desire a Peace so soon.  G. 
There is no doubt of it: For the Emperor taking care to fortify himself against that potent Enemy, dispatched Ambassadors to implore the assistance of all such as could afford him any. These Ambassadors met with good words every where; and in some places with good effects. All Germany roused themselves, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Lorraine and France, took the business to heart, for the preserving of Hungary. Spain and Italy promised to furnish great Sums of Money; Sweden, Lorraine and France offered to sand them men to be maintained at their own charges. I cannot precisely tell wha● the others did: But, it may be truly affirmed that the zeal of the French, did upon this occasion surpass that of all the other Christians. The King heard with regret, that the Turk had begun the War, and with joy that the Emperou● desired he would assist him. The destruction and havoc the Tartars had mad● upon our Frontiers, and the Christians that were daily carried away in chains bred so much compassion, that whe● Count Strozzi limited to four thousan● Foot, and two thousand Horse, the Succours he demanded in the Name of hi● Imperial Majesty, he was sorry he had se● such narrow bounds to his liberality. He therefore exhorted his Nobility to this glorious Enterprise; and said, even to those whom he best loved, that they might make their Court with as much advantage to themselves in Hungary, as in the Lovure: He protested in presence of the Princes, and Lords of his Court, that if the Daufin his Son were but ten years old, he would sand him upon that expedition. And which is most worthy to be observed, he assured them, that if God should be pleased to afflict Christendom so much, as to suffer the Emperor to be worsted that Campagne, he would himself go the next and endeavour to repair the loss, and repulse his Enemy. These discourses did so stir up the French Nobility, that several hundreds who preferred the satisfaction of their Consciences, and the motions of their generosity to all the pleasures and delights of the Court, made preparation to go against the common Enemy. Prince Philip, Chevalier de Lorraine, knowing his Predecessors had reigned in Jerusalem, after they had driven out the Mahometans, and that his Father, the Count de Harcour, was grieved his old Age would not admit him to buckle on his Armour, nobly supplied his place, and upon this occasion shown so many proofs of his courage, that it may justly be said, he made those Lorraine Princes live again, who other-while conquered the East, as also the Duke of Mercoeur, who in the beginning of this Age was admired for his actions at the retreat of Canisia, and the taking of Alba-Regalis. The Princes of Rohan and Soubize, having a thousand Predecessors to imitate, made it appear in this service, that if the Dukes whose names they bear, knew how to defend the Protestants whilst they lived, they were not lesle forward to expose their lives for the defence of Christianity against the Infidels. The Duke of Brisac, remembering the reputation of the Mareschals de Cassé and Brisac his Ancestors, spared neither his body or heart to pursue their race, and gain the Crown of Honour. The Count de Sault, and the Marquess' de Ragny and Canaples demonstrated the ardent desire they had to equal the merit of the Constable Duke de Lesdiguieres, the Mareshals de Crequy, the Lords de Pontdormy, and an infinite more of their illustrious Predecessors, which pushed and spurred them on in the way of Military Virtue. The Duke of Bovillon, and the Count d' Auvergne his Brother, attracted by the examples of their Brother and their Uncle, as well as of the famous Godfrey, who filled all Europe with admiration in the year 1096. did so signalise themselves, that if they do not Reign in Jerusalem, as their Ancestors, they shall at lest Reign in the hearts of those that were Spectators of their prowess, and know the laudable ambition they have, to equal the ancient Counts of Bologna, Nassaw, Berg, and the Princes of Orange. The Count de Selle, the Chevalier de St. Aignan, the Marquis de Casteinau, together with all the other French Noblemen, who made up about two thousand Horse, remembering they had for their King, and for their Patron Lewis the victorious, made it fully appear, some by their noble deaths, the rest by their Heroic exploits they were resolved to tear the wreaths of Laurel out of the Vizier's hands, or fall in the gallant attempt. In fine, those Auxiliaries that Monarch sent us, under the conduct of the Count de Coligny, and the Lieutenant Generals Bodevis and Gassion, contributed highly to those Victories we have obtained: and one may affirm there was not that private Soldier amongst them, that had not been a Commander; nor one Captain that had not a great deal of experience; Insomuch, that this small body, who might have furnished Officers for an Army of fifty thousand men, had a great share in the advantages we gained upon the Turks in that Campagne, and the renowned actions of the Count de Coligny, have acquired him a reputation sufficient to make him famous in History, as well as an Andelot, an Admiral, a Francis, and a Gaspard his Ancestors.  P. 
I do not doubt but all these valiant persons did sufficiently exercise the courage of the Grand Vizier.  G. 
The havoc they made amongst all the Ottoman troops, having covered the earth with their bravest Spahi, and passed the Raab upon the carcases of the stoutest Janissaries, brought such a consternation amongst them, and did so quell the heat of the Grand Vizier's courage, that fearing a mutiny, which might have cost him his head, he than sought for nothing but how to obtain a Peace that might be honourable for him, and useful to his Master. The Emperor, on whom fortune had looked favourably, fearing her wheel might turn, and she might frown again, consented to the Grand Vizier's request; and contrary to the sentiments of the Swordmen, agreed to his propositions.  P. 
Sir, I am thus far pretty well informed how things went in this successful Campagne, but as you have related it in gross, I shall loose a great deal of the pleasure it would be to me, unless you would now relate the great action, wherein the Turk was defeated, more minute and particularly.  G. 
If you can have so much patience, I will do it punctually, in the following Relation.  

A Relation of the Campagne in Hungary: And the Battles of Kermain, and Saint Gottard, between the Germane and Confederate Forces, and the Turk's Army. Also the Articles of Agreement, made betwixt the Emperor and the Grand Signior.  
THE French King having promised to Count Strozzi that number of Men he had desired in the name of the Emperor, to assist at this Campagne against the Turk, some of his Infantry, who were marched into Provence, upon another design, and some Cavalry at that time in Modena and Parma, under the conduct of Monsieur de la Fueillade, had orders to march into Germany forthwith. The Emperor had the preceding year lost the City of Neuheusel in upper Hungary, and had seen that Province plundered, and destroyed by Fire and the Ottoman Sword, whilst himself was not able to defend it. So that judging he should not be in a capacity to make good this Campagne against such numerous forces, nor avoid the fatal consequences of the storm that threatened him, he went personally to the Diet of Ratisbon, to resolve with the Electors, what means they might best take to preserve the Empire from the approaching danger: soon after this Diet, there were levies made all over Germany, and the French King, as Count of Alsatia, obliged himself to furnish eight Companies, and forty Cornets of Horse, which were to make up a body of six thousand Men, to be defrayed during the whole Campagne at the expense of his Majesty. The Count de Coligny had the command of them, and under him de la Fueillade, and Bodvis Mareshals de Camp.  
All the young Gentlemen about the Court strove to be taken into this service, some to please the King, others out of their inclination, and a third sort from the example of the former, which was now become such a kind of necessity, the younger sort could hardly decline it.  
Coligny arrived at Metz the 25th of April, where the Horse, and those that went Volunteers in this expedition, waited for him.  
All these were divided into ten Squadrons, and the Squadrons into four Brigades, under the Gassion, Desfourneaux, and de Beauvezé.  
They received Orders to march towards Colmar, a City in Alsatia, which refused to submit to the conditions propounded to them by the Duke of Mazarin, Governor of that Province.  
Now to pass over the particulars of their March, which is not very material, the French came at length near the famous City of Vienna, and encamped within a League of that place, where the six Regiments of Piedmont, Espernon, Grancé, and the rest were joined, and after two days respite, they went forwards. The Emperor being come thither to Hunt, and lodge near their Quarters, saw the said six Regiments in Battalia, and the next day came again accompanied by divers persons of quality, and his ordinary Guards.  
The Emperor than pressed Monsieur de Coligny to go and join the Germane Army, which lay encamped behind the Fort Serin. The Turks did afterwards attack it, and raised also the siege of Canisia, and about the beginning of July, news came it was taken by assault, though assisted by the Imperial Army. Seven or eight hundred of the Men that were to maintain it perished, and the greatest part of those that endeavoured to retire towards the Bridge, which made the communication between the Fort and the Army were cut of. This unwelcome news retarded their March, and it was certainly dangerous to go to Markburg, as had been intended, to wait for the Horse that were coming from Italy, and those other that parted from us at Donavert when the Foot embarked.  
Being in the French Army myself, I shall, and cannot forbear, to call it our Army, for which you must excuse me, and therefore to go on, I must let you know, that after consultation, they changed their former measures, and took their road by the Mountains of Styria towards Rakelsburg. We began this march upon the seventh of July by the Plain near Neustadt, and the same day passed the River Leytha, which parts Austria from Hungary. From thence we went on by Odemburg, which is a pretty large Town, and so towards Furstenfelt; a City fortified with six Bastions, but ill situated.  
From thence our march was very troublesome through the Mountains to Rakelsburgh, where we arrived on the nine and twentieth. It is situate in an Island, encompassed by the River Muer, towards the Plain it is fortified with some Bastions, and half Moons, the Ditches are large, deep, and full of Water. The left arm of the River passes within a little distance of the Outworks, the right is nearer yet: but the Fortifications on this side are not so good as the other; and they were than at work with great diligence: and besides, this place is commanded by a high piece of ground, within Musquet-shot, upon which stands a Castle, guarded by some Out-forts, built at the point of the hill which faces the Town.  
After the Turks had taken, and razed the great Fort of Serini, the Imperial Army repassed the Muer, to draw the nearer to Rakelsburg, and cover the Country the most exposed to the incursions of the enemies.  
This Movement gave Coligny the greater facility to join them, which he did upon the 22d day of July, so soon as he was informed of the news, by Monsieur de Bodvis, whom he had sent purposely for intelligence.  
When we joined the Army, they were encamped in one Line; the Emperor's forces had the right; those of the Empire were in the midst, commanded by the Prince of Baden; and such as belonged to the Allies had the left, commanded by Count Hollach; ours posted themselves upon the left of these last.  
On the three and twentieth word was brought to the General Montecuculi, that the Turks marched along the River Raab to found an easy passage, with design to enter the Country. He took a resolution to march with all the Horse towards Kermain, a little Town situate upon the River, and leave the Foot and Baggage, with orders to follow him in haste.  
The seven and twentieth, Spork, General of the Germane Foot, who conducted them, sent to la Fueillade to march immediately, because he had notice that the Enemy approached: and to confirm the Message, he ordered some Volleys of Cannon to be fired from their Camp at St. Gottard, where they arrived that morning. This advice obliged us to leave the Baggage with a slender guard, and hasten the march, to join the rest of the forces at St. Gottard.  
They encamped very close to avoid some hills which reigned all along the face of the Camp, and were of too large extent to be possessed by the Infantry of three Armies.  
Our Troops had the left of the Camp, which was on the Enemy's side. The night was spent in making an entrenchment, and by morning it was pretty well finished.  
In the mean time the City Bridges were repairing, the place being but small and much ruined. It's situation is at the confluence of the Raab, and the Laufsnitz: but whatever diligence they used in making up the Bridges, the same could not be completed till the morning of the eight and twentieth.  
Than the Baggage began to go forward, and took up the passage for a whole day. The following night two thousand Foot were commanded to go and join the Horse at Kermain. But scarce had they began their march, when news came, that the Enemy, after they had been repulsed at Kermain, marched directly along the River to St. Gottard.  
This action was honourable to the French Horse, the Turks attempting their passage in two several places directly before them: the one being towards the Bridge they were repairing, and which was guarded by some Hungarians; the other at a Ford below it; and to favour the Tartars in this passage, who had undertaken it, they had caused a considerable body of Janissaries to advance to the brink of the River, who by their fire, thought to have made themselves Masters. They were repulsed every where with great vigour, and for want of Infantry to oppose them, there were some Horse commanded to serve on Foot with Musquetoons, the better to maintain this attack, where the Sieur de la Chau, a Captain who had the guard of the Ford, with fourscore Mistress, bravely repulsed all that endeavoured to pass.  
In this combat the Enemies lost a Pashaw, named Ishmael, and some considerable persons on our side were slain: the Chevalier de Saint Aignan, and Monsieur de Chasteauneuf Aide de Camp, de Sault and de Treville were wounded.  
The Turks after they had in vain attempted the passages, continued their march along the River, to found one more convenient nearer the Springhead; the season was very unfit for their design, because that River running at the foot of the Styrian Mountains, swells upon the lest Rains: and was now so full by the showers that had fallen some days before, that it was fordable in few places. Montecuculi sent us notice of their march, which was confirmed by the burning of such Villages as they met with in their way, which gave us the alarm, and obliged all the Army to make ready for the defence of our Camp, which was in a place of great disadvantage, by reason of those high grounds which commanded it. All the rest of the day and night the Soldiers stood to their Arms, although the Enemies made no attempt upon us.  
The Horse, who had taken their way by land, and were separated from the Foot at Donavert, did this day join the Army, having left part of their Baggage behind, to march with the greater speed. In the mean time the Baggage belonging to the Army was gotten over the Bridges, and upon the nine and twentieth the troops began in the morning to march towards the Camp, which had been marked out on the other side of the River, and hardly were the first of them gotten over, but the Vanguard of the Enemies began to appear upon those higher grounds before mentioned.  
General Spork, who had stayed in the Camp with the Germane Foot, caused some volleys of Cannon to be fired upon the most advanced, and afterwards retired to follow the rest of the Army, the Turks not offering to molest them.  
About ten of the clock, our Horse, who observed their march, encamped in such a manner, that they took up the ground which was opposite to the Enemies Camp.  
At the same time, they made themselves Masters of the River by placing strong guards at convenient distances, which took up the whole extent of the Front; and we passed the rest of all that day in firing our Guns at them, without any great effect.  
The Turks Camp appeared to be disposed in two lines; but the distances were not equal and regular like ours; some parts were better furnished than others, in gross, and without order, most of the Soldiers have Tents, painted green, or some other colour.  
The Grand Vizier was encamped in the centre, and the Janissaries near him. His principal Tent, which glittered in the Sun, appeared to be of Crimson Silk, it was accompanied with many others of different coloured stuffs, joined by Galleries shut up with an enclosure of green stuff, like a Wall of seven or eight foot in height; and round about this Park were an infinite number of Tents, which form a kind of a large City in the midst of that numerous Army, composed of well nigh an hundred thousand men.  
All this might easily be discerned, because the Camps, though separated by the River, were not far asunder, and that of the Turks was raised in form of an Amphitheatre upon the hills side which they had possessed. But, that which is wonderful, is, that all these vast Buildings are set up, or taken down in a very short time.  
They march ordinarily in great Bodies, without observing any regular distance: each body hath its Drum, which is very large, and because they beaten but two strokes at a certain long distance of time, the noise of them is accompanied with 
* A small shrill brass Trumpet.  Clarions.  
At the head of their greater Troops, they carry a world of read and white Ensigns, where for the most part they have a Body of Tartars, of whom they make use to overrun and spoil an Enemy's Country, and to march on the wings of their Army.  
They are a people fit for those expeditions, for besides that they are used to Fatigues, they are mounted upon very swift Horses, and well wound, on whose backs they swim over most Rivers. Few of them have any Fire-arms, and for offensive weapons, most of them use only Arrows, besides which they carry a Scimitar by their side, and another fastened to their horses Gyrths, to use upon occasion: Some of them have Javelins also, or Half-pikes, which they dart with great force and skill. Their manner of fight is not to stand their ground; so soon as they are charged, they scatter in an instant, and rally again with the same facility, to take their advantage, and fight as they see occasion.  
The Janissaries are certainly their best men, they fight on foot, and march in great battalions, but without observing, as I told you before, any order, or regularity.  
They are stout Soldiers, and make admirable use of their Scimitars, and their Muskets, which are short: they have always a good number of Cartrages, to charge with the greater speed, yet does not their firing come near that of our Infantry; but for handy blows they are dreadful and hardly can any thing withstand the shock of their great Battalions, when they are in the heat of Fight, and can come to make use of their whole force for they march in a very close order, and go onward, whatever opposition they meet with.  
For their Cavalry, they are doubtless not so much to be feared by such as kee● their ranks, and hold firm and close together, they can break our Troops no way but by their great numbers; their habiliments of War are Vests, which com● down to the Knees, of several colour and that diversity makes a very agreeabl● object; they have Bottines, and Bonne● of Stuff, the inside quilted with Cotton finger thick, like a hat without an● brim.  
So they wear them in the Campagn● but in times of peace, or some day o● Ceremony, they wrap it over with a larg● Scarf of Silk, read, or white, wherewith they make up their Turban.  
Their Artillery is as well, and as nimbly served as ours; their small pieces are ●●rried upon Carts, and supported in the ●idst by an Iron fork, which turns upon ●spindle, so that without moving the ●art, they can fire them any way.  
Their baggage is for the most carried ●pon Camels, and their great Artillery ●pon carriages much like unto ours, and ●awn by Buffaloes This is what is ●ost remarkable and considerable, and 〈◊〉 return to what happened between the ●●o Armies; that of the Turks finding ●o many difficulties to pass the River in presence of ours, because in that place 〈◊〉 Raab and the Laufnitz joined, and ●re Swollen by the rains, or else because they had discovered, within half a ●●gue of Saint Gottard, a passage much ●●re easy over the Raab, they decamped upon the one and thirtieth in the ●●rning, to post themselves before a little ●●age, where the Ford was: Our Army ●●ow'd them, always taking up the same ●●nt as theirs.  
That day they planted eleven pieces 〈◊〉 battery near the entrance of the ●●●d, where they intended to pass, and ●●m that place down to the River, they ●●●w a long retrenchment to lodge their Musqueteers, which was defended by fou● more Cannon.  
The River of Raab is about a ston● cast from shore to shore, and runs in 〈◊〉 Valley, shut up on either hand with gre●… Hills about the distance of a Cannon sho● and for the most part covered with thi●… Woods.  
The Ottoman Army not having roo● enough to encamp in the lower groun● had taken in part of the hills, whe●… there was lest wood: Ours was at t●… foot of a hill, where the Raab flows in●● the Valley (on that part where the E●…mies lay encamped) and forming a gre●… elbow, left towards us a Plain able 〈◊〉 contain seven or eight thousand men, t●… Trees and Houses belonging to the Village covered it, though it extended a lit●… beyond on the right, where it is bound●… by a Wood, joining to the Gardens, a●… the River, which after it hath taken t●… compass, runs along by the Village i●… low Field, very boggy, and at that th●… over-flowed in part.  
The first of August, which was o●… Friday, a day of enterprise with t●… Turks, because they think it fortuna●… they began in the morning to draw so●… of their Forces into a bottom, which 〈◊〉 towards that part of the River, where ●hey designed to pass, and as we could ●asily see from our Camp, what passed 〈◊〉 theirs, we soon discovered their design; ●ut did not perceive that it made our arm take any precaution to defend the ●assage, so that the new troops belonging to the Empire, commanded by Count Holach, who were behind the Village, presented themselves first to oppose the Enemy.  
The attaque began about nine in the ●orning, and upon the noise of the Cannon, and Muskets, the rest of the Army stood to their Arms.  
These new Germane Companies, could not long withstand the great efforts the Turks than made to become Masters of the passage, two Regiments of Infantry were cut in pieces, and the Count of Nassau, who commanded one of them, was killed upon the place: the Cavalry retired in disorder, and the Enemies having secured the Ford, passed into the Plain, where the better part of them drew up in Battalia, whilst the others pushed forwards even to the first Houses in the Village.  
The Prince of Baden, seeing them passed, sent immediately to give notice to Monsieur de Coligny of the ill state of affairs, and that no time was to be lost▪ Coligny was obliged in so pressing a necessity to sand the nearest Regiments to his aid; Espagny, Grancé and Thurenne marched thither with all diligence, and at first coming restored the face of affairs, and even drove the Enemy out of the enclosures of the Village; but after they had withstood their efforts for a time, they were constrained to retire towards the Houses: So that in the last charge, the Regiments of Espagny and Grancé, were so roughly handled, that being not in a condition to maintain their post, Monsieur de Guitry, had orders to 'cause the Regiment of la Ferté to advance, whom they had posted lower towards the banks of the River. Upon his arrival; he seized on the Gardens which had been disputed and began to fire very smartly at the Enemy, who during these several attacks, had filled the Plain with the best forces that had gotten over, and they had in divers parts been casting up several retrenchments pretty nigh to one another, and laying a Bridge below the Ford: Notice being given to the Generals, by the Marquis de la Ferté, it was resolved to go and attack them in the Plain, since it was impossible otherwise to drive them out of that post, where they had so well secured themselves. Monsieur de la Fueillade, whose turn it was that day, brought the Order, which was executed with so little reflection, and after so precipitate a manner, that they exposed those foot Companies as a prey to the Turkish horse, had not the French Squadrons, commanded by Beauvezé, followed by two of the Germane Squadrons, advanced immediately before that Infantry, as soon as they saw them passed the Hedges and Defiles, although their Orders were only to second them. The Regiment of Thurenne had the right hand of the attack towards the Wood, and was sustained by another of Germane. The passage was not very open, Grancé and Espagny had the midst, and La Ferté had the left towards the River, where they were to pass by a way which would not admit of above five or six men in front. Part of this last Regiment marched directly to an entrenchment of the Enemies, where they fired very thick, whilst the rest of their men drew up in Battalia behind them: but because they could not get to them without dividing, by reason of the inconveniency of the place, this disadvantage added to the novelty of a dreadful and fierce Enemy, put the Officers to a great deal of trouble to get the Soldiers on, who beheld the two Germane Regiments under their feet that had been defeated in the first attack: the dead having all their heads cut of, were laid in order of Battle upon the same ground they were to pass over, to march to the Enemy.  
Our Horse, in the mean time, who were advanced (as I said) before the Foot, charged the Turks with so much vigour, that notwithstanding their great numbers, they were shattered. The movement they made by giving ground a little, gave the Soldiers much courage, and than the Foot made such continual discharges as put them wholly into disorder: For being used to come to handy blows they could not endure to stand against such firing: And upon the second charge of our Horse their whole body began to give way, and turn their Heads toward the River, and the retrenchments they had made upon the left within forty paces of each other.  
When they were driven into that corner, they had no other choice, but either to make good their retrenchments, or fling themselves into the Water. This was the cause of that obstinate resistance they made, besides that they were helped by their shot from the great retrenchment, which raked all along from the other side of the River, whereby the Regiment of La Ferte, was much incommoded, however they gained the retrenchments on this side, though the last of them was defended for a long time by the Enemies, and that was the last effort they made in this Battle. For after that they were totally disordered in all parts, and cast themselves in great crowds into the River, whose stream is very rapid, it was wholly covered with them for above an hour; the greatest part were drowned, the remainders perished by our Soldiers, who fired incessantly upon such as endeavoured to gain the farther shore, the ground being pretty steep on either side.  
The terror and consternation grew so universal, at last, in their whole Army, that without considering whether it were easy for our Troops to pass the River and follow them, they abandoned their great retrenchment on the other side, and the two Batteries, they had made there, not daring to return the night following, during which, by reason of the obscurity and the continual rains, they might have carried of their Cannon, without the lest knowledge of any one.  
The Combat lasted about four hours, and concluded with a considerable loss on either hand, above six thousand of the best of the Turks, and the greater part of the youth who were near the grand Vizier, and had passed the River, fell in this Battle: and we had twelve, or fifteen hundred wounded or slain; amongst others the Count de Mouchy a Colonel, and the Count of Nassau, the Marquis Villeroy was wounded with an Arrow: The Counts the Serry and Beauvezé were hurt, Messieurs de Bovillon made themselves famous by their valiant performances.  
The better part of the Success of this illustrious Action is owing to the French Nation, who though but few in Number, and without any very considerable assistance of the Imperialists, were able to overcome an Enemy entrenched, and who had the advantages of the place. Who by their taking of the Fort Serini, had struck all the Germane Provinces with terror, as well as the Emperor's Army. The new raised Germane Regiments ran away above two leagues from the Camp, during the fight, though they were not attacked. The Generals with the rest of the troops expected the event. Their baggage was loaden, and every one was rather considering how to make their escape, than any ways to assist those that fought, and although such a retreat must have been difficult to be put in execution before an Enemy puffed up with good Success, and who do ordinarily fight with impetuosity; nevertheless the Imperialists had a design of throwing up a work before them in haste, from those woods which lay near them, to the River side; and our French to secure a passage for themselves upon the River of Laufnitz, had left the Regiment of Piedmont, to guard the head of the Bridge, near St. Godthard, where the baggage and the rest of the troops, were to pass, to get to Furstenfelt.  
The defeat and rout of the Enemies, which they had scarce faith to believe at first, delivered all of us from those troubles and cares, and every one was so satisfied with this good fortune, that they did not so much as consider, whether it were fit to make use of this advantage, and pass over some Forces at this Ford which the Enemies had abandoned, and likewise at St. Godthard, to attack the Turkish Camp, where the terror was so great, that the Vizier caused several principal Officers to be put to death in his own presence, who notwithstanding all he could urge, were preparing to fly. It is most certain, that if they had made use of this consternation, as it was easy to have done, we might that very day have gained the greatest Victory, that any Christian Army hath obtained for a long time, against the Infidels: But they were satisfied with guarding only those passes they had won with their Infantry, which they did all the night in great quietness, the Turks not making the lest attempt to recover their Cannon they had left behind, in their great retrenchment. During the above mentioned fight, the Turks had sent some troops directly over against the Imperial Camp, who were charged and defeated by Spork, General of the Horse, who compelled them to repass the River.  
The next day, being the second of August, the Enemy removed their Camp out of the Valley, and posted themselves upon the higher ground, where they planted their Guns, which they fired the whole day upon those works we had made to secure the troops who guarded the passage.  
The day after they continued the same thing, though the Cannon had but the same effect, and at midnight they began to decamp, and marched the same way, as they came.  
Our Army did on this side the River, make the same movements as they, and thus they marched in sight of each other till the seventh, when the Enemies retired towards Canisia: and there being great scarcity amongst our men, they were ordered to march along the Raab, that they might get provisions and forage, they remained till the twentieth in the Villages neighbouring to Oedemburg.  
About the end of the Month, they marched towards Presburg, along the shore of the Lake Neusidlesee, which is seven leagues in compass, and derives its name from the abundance of Fish taken there. And in the beginning of September the Armies being encamped near Virtemburg, there came News that the Enemies were to pass the Danube at Gran, to enter upon Hungary; this made them change the design they had concluded on to march along that River to the Cities of Raab, and Comorra, and to pass afterwards over a Bridge of Boats at Presburg, and oppose their designs.  
They marched therefore near Huesen and Tirnaw, towards the River Vagh, which runs near Neuheusel, and falls into the Danube above Comorra. Than did there come intelligence that the Turks had passed, but none could precisely tell what their resolutions were; it was at first believed they would besiege Levens, situate between Neuheusel and Gran, which had been taken at the beginning of the Campagne by Count Souches, but in the end we understood that it was but a party which they had detached to reinforce Neuheusel, and post themselves behind it to hinder the besieging it.  
A great train of Artillery which the Emperor sent to his Army, had given them this jealousy: They were than posted at the Mouth of the Vagh, behind was a Bridge on the Danube to pass into the Island of Schut, where the Forces under Count Souches were encamped. This re-inforcement made them deliberate to go and attack the Turks in their post, and several days were vainly spent in these deliberations, there being always some obstacle or other that hindered the execution, and as if there had been some contests between Count Montecuculi, and the Commanders of the French Forces, who suffered very much after the Battle, and demanded provisions with great earnestness: It was perceived that this Italian General, subtle not doubt, but of that sort of subtlety ordinary in those of his Nation, and fit for the Cabinet Council, than at the head of an Army, intended nothing lesle, than to march against the Enemy, and who affected that pretence so much, only because he saw the Army so harassed and weatherbeaten, that thereby he might in some sort diminish the honour they had acquired at St. Godthard, by the reproaches he made, that we were the cause of hindering that design; he indeed nobly proposed it the first, though he had no mind to put it in practice, as being assured that a Treaty of Peace was than on foot, which had for some time been secretly managed for his Master: But the better to conceal his intentions he had marched towards the head of the Vagh, making a show as if he would draw nearer the Enemy, for that purpose. The French Troops being ill guided in this march, found themselves upon the two and twentieth within five little leagues of Neuheusel, and distant from the rest of the Army above two, in danger of being surprised, because the River that lay before them was fordable in many places, and the mistake was not found out till towards noon. Monsieur de Coligny being fallen sick, and carried to Tirnau: Monsieur de la Fueillade in his absence caused them forthwith to march of, and rejoin the gross of the Army, the Turks not having attempted any thing upon us: They had some few days before, defeated a party of Germane Horse, and by the return of some of those Prisoners we first heard the News of the Peace in the Camp, and the Cessation of Arms was proclaimed upon the thirtieth of September, the conditions thereof were as follows.  

Articles of the Treaty of Peace between Leopold I. Emperor of the Romans, and Mahomet V Emperor of the Turks, made and concluded the 17th. of September, 1664.  

I.  
THat the present Peace shall last for twenty Years.   

II.  
All the Prisoners shall be exchanged, and surrendered on either side, as at present five hundred are exchanged.   

III.  
The City and Fort of Varadin shall be left to the Grand Signior, who shall evacuate all the Places of Transilvania by withdrawing his Garrisons, not leaving any in what manner soever hereafter: And the Emperor of the Romans, on his part, shall evacuate, and draw forth his Garrisons from the Forts of Samovisvo, Keyovart, Retelut and Hust, and restore them into the hands of Michael Abaffy.   

iv  
The said Abaffy shall be continued by the two Emperors, and they shall deal with him, as they have done with his Ancestors.   

V  
The two Jurisdictions and Lordships of Zatmar and Sabotz, wherein are the Fortresses of Zatmar, Magisbania and Etrecht, Kalo and Tockay, shall remain to the Roman Emperor in full possession and right.   

VI  
The City of Neuheusel shall remain in the hands of the Emperor of the Turks, who in exchange, shall remit to the Emperor of the Romans the Fortress of Sekelheist, and in case he will demolish the said place, the former shall be likewise razed; if not, the Emperor of the Romans may fortify some other, as he shall think fit, to be opposed to Neuheusel.   

VII.  
The Roman Emperor shall sand as considerable an Embassy, as ever was sent to Constantinople, and the like shall be done by the Emperor of the Turks to Vienna. And the said Ambassadors shall meet near Komora. And furthermore all the points agreed upon in the preceding Peace shall be punctually observed.     
FINIS.   


Some Books Printed for B. Aylmer.  
THE Works of the Learned Dr. Isaac Barrow, late Master of Trinity College in Cambridge: Published by the Reverend Dr. Tillotson, Dean of Canterbury: In three Volumes in Folio.  
Sermons and Discourses upon several Occasions: in three Volumes in 8o. By Dr. Tillotson Dean of Canterbury.  
A Discourse of the Communion in one Kind: in Answer to a Treatise of the Bishop of Meauxes of Communion under both Species lately Translated into English: in Quarto.  
Meditations Miscellaneous, Holy and Human. By I H. Master of Arts. To which is added a third Part by another Hand: in Twelves.