CHAP. I. Of some proper terms of Geography.

HAVING explained the Circles that are useful to this Science, we are now to consider some terms and words which are peculiar to it.

Continent is a vast space of Earth, such as that which comprehends Europe, Asia, and Affrica; it is likewise called the main Land.

Island is a piece of Land surrounded with the Sea or other Water, and so divided from the Continent.

Peninsula, that is to say, almost Island, is a part of the Earth encompassed by the Sea on all hands, except on that part which joyns it to the Continent: the Greeks call it Chersonesus, a term sometimes made use of in Geography.

Isthmus is that Neck or Piece of Land that joyns a Peninsula to the Conti­nent.

Promontory is a high Land running out into the Sea. The Moderns call it a Cape.

[Page 5] Mountain is a part of the Earth higher than the rest that is about it.

Ocean is that vast body of Water which environs the Continents, and is likewise called the Sea.

Gulph is an Arm of that Ocean running in between Lands. The Latins call it Sinus, and sometimes it has the name of Sea.

Bay is likewise an Arm of the Ocean, but whose entrance is much wider than that of a Gulf.

Port is a small part of Sea so hemb'd in by the Land, that Ships may there lie in safety.

Harbour is the same thing almost.

Streight or Frith is commonly taken for a Channel that joyns one Sea to another, or a Gulf to the Ocean; there is also a Streight or Neck of Land, which, as we have said, is called an Isthmus.

Banck is a heap of Sand in the Sea, which puts Vessels in danger.

A Shelf is much the same, on which, and on hidden Rocks near the Sur­face of the Water Ships may split and be cast away.

Archipelago is a part of the Sea, where many Islands are.

River is a running Water that loses its streams in the Sea.

CHAP. II. The Division of the Earth and Sea.

THE most common Division of the Earth is into four parts, which are Europe, Asia, Africa and America: the three first are comprehended in one Continent, and is our old World; and the other makes an Island of it self, called the new World, because it hath not been discovered but since the Year one thousand four hundred and ninety two: it is likewise called the West-Indies in distinction from the East-Indies which are in Asia.

Some Geographers divide the Earth into six parts, adding to the four which we have named, the Artick towards the Pole that gives it its name, and the Antartick towards the South Pole: this is called Terra Australis incogni­ta, or the Southern Land undiscovered, and is thought to make a Continent as big as Europe, Asia and Africa. Of these two last we shall speak at the end of this Treatise.

Europe has Asia on the East separated from it by these limits, the Egean Sea or Archipelago, the Streights of the Dardanelli, the Sea of Marmara, the Streights of Constantinople, the Black Sea, the Streights of Caffa, the Sea della Zabache, the River Tanais and a Line drawn from its most Eastern Bank to the North Sea : it hath the same Ocean on the North, the Atlantick Sea on the West, and the Streights of Gibraltar and Mediterranean Sea that divides it from Africa, on the South. From West to East, that is, from Cape St. Vincent, in Spain, to Constantinople, it contains seven hundred seventy five [Page 6] French Leagues; and from South to North, that is, from Cape Malee in Mo­rea to the Northern Cape of the Laplanders, eight hundred and twenty five Leagues.

Asia has to the West the same bounds that divide it from Europe, and the Red Sea, with the Streights of Suez, that divide it from Africa; on the South the Indian Ocean, the Ocean of China on the East, and on the North, the Sea of Tartary, called Mare Glaciale. From East to West it contains seven hun­dred and fifty Leagues, from the Archipelago to the Ocean of China: and from South to North a thousand five hundred and fifty, reckoning from Ma­lacca to the Sea of Tartary.

Africa has on the North the Mediterranean Sea, on the East the Red Sea, with the Isthmus of Suez that divide it from Asia, and the Indian Ocean: On the South the Ethiopian Sea, which with the Atlantick Ocean is likewise to the West of it. From West to East, that is, from Cape Blank, to the Cape of Guardafuy, it contains a thousand six hundred and fifty Leagues: and from South to North, that is, from the Cape of Good Hope, to the Mediter­ranean Sea, a thousand six hundred and seventy. It is on all sides encom­passed with the Sea, except that narrow track of Land between the Red Sea and Mediterranean, which is not above thirty Leagues in Length: so that it is a perfect Peninsula.

America hath the North Sea to the East, the South Sea to the West, to the South the Streights of Magellan, which divide it from the Terra del fuego, and to the North unknown Lands or Seas. It is divided into two great Pe­ninsulaes, by the narrow Ibstmus of Panama, which is but eighteen Leagues over : From South to North, that is, from the Streights of Magellan to the Northern Ocean, it contains three thousand and fifty Leagues; and from West to East, towards Mexico, two thousand nine hundred.

The Terra Australis, and that of the North, are so little known to us, that their limits and extent cannot as yet be designed.

Having taken a view of the Earth, let us now cast our eyes on the Sea, which takes divers names according to the parts of the World where it is, or the Countries it washeth. That which encompasses Continents is called the Ocean; and this likewise hath different appellations, as on the West of Eu­rope, and part of Africa, it is called the Western or Atlantick Ocean; towards the Cape of Good Hope, the Ethiopick Ocean; to the East of Africa, the In­dian Sea; to the East of Asia, the Eastern Ocean, or Sea of China; to the North of Asia, the Sea of Tartary, and on the same side, and towards Europe, Mare Glaciale or the Frozen Ocean; to the East of America, the North Sea, and to the West, the South. These are the general denominations of the Sea, but it hath also particular names from the Countreys that lie near to it.

The chief Gulfs or Bays of the Ocean are the Mediterranean Sea, which lies betwixt Europe, Africa and Asia; the Red Sea, betwixt Africa and Asia; the Gulf of Persia, and that of Bengala, in the East-Indies; the Baltick Sea en­compassed by Germany, Sweden and Denmark; the Gulf of Mexico, and that of St. Laurence, in America.

[Page 7] These Gulfs are joyned to the Ocean by Streights; the Mediterranean Sea by the Streights of Gibraltar; the Red Sea by that of Babel-mandel; the Per­sian Sea by the Streights of Bassora, otherwise of Ormus. The Gulfs, or rather Bays of Bengala, Mexico and St. Laurence have no Streights, because their mouth or entry is very large.

The Baltick Sea has the famous Streight of the Sound.

The Mediterranean Sea hath some noted Bays that well deserve to be menti­oned. Betwixt Italy and Dalmatia is the Gulf of Venice, called in antient times the Adriatick Sea. In Greece is the Gulf of Lepanto, heretofore of Corinth. And in Macedonia that of Salonica, formerly of Thessalonica.

Between the Egean Sea, now called the Archipelago, and the Propontis or Sea of Marmora, there is a Streight heretofore called the Hellespont, and at present the Streights of Gallipoli, or the Dardanelli, and St. Georges Channel; between the Sea of Marmora and the black Sea, formerly called the Euxin Sea, is the Bosphorus of Thrace, which is now a days called the Channel of the Black Sea, or Streights of Constantinople, because that famous City is seated there; betwixt the Black Sea and the Palus Meotides, at present called the Sea delle Zabache, is the Streights of Caffa, heretofore named the Cimmerian Bos­phorus.

Betwixt the Island of Euboea, at present Negropont, and Greece, there is a narrow passage of Sea, by the Ancients called Euripus, who have affirmed that it ebbed and flowed seven times a day. There are some other famous Streights which joyn several parts of the Ocean together; or to say better, the Ocean to the Ocean it self.

Towards the Northern Ocean is the Streights of Waigatz, between Tar­tary and nova Zembla; between Cathay and the Land of Jesso, is the Streights of Jesso; between Japan and the Land of Jesso, is the Streights of Sengar; between the same Land and Califurnia, is that of Anian; between Estotiland and Greenland, is that of Davis; between Greenland and the Island of Eliza­beth, is that of Forbisher.

Towards Canada is that of Hudson, which according to the new Maps is properly a Gulf.

Towards the Terra Australis is the famous Streights of Magellan, discover­ed by him who gave it the name, in the year one thousand five hundred and twenty, between America and the Terra del fuego.

Betwixt this Land and that of the States, is the Streights of Le Maire, di­scovered in the year one thousand six hundred and sixteen.

And between that Land of the States and the Terra Australis, is the Streights of Brouvers, discovered in the year one thousand six hundred and forty three. These three last Streights joyn the North and South Seas together, and serve for a passage from one to the other.

Between Califurnia and new Mexico, there is a Gut of Sea, or Streights, which is called the Vermeillian Sea, and was taken for a Bay before that Cali­furnia was discovered to be an Island.

[Page 8] We must not omit a Sea that is separated from all others, and which indeed is but a Lake of a vast extent, and that is the Caspian Sea, called at present the Sea of Bachu or Kilan. The Ancients imagined it to have been a Bay or Gulf of the North Sea, but it is now known to be on all sides encompassed with Land; it hath Persia to the South, and Tartary to the North of it: In some Relations it is reckoned to be eight hundred Leagues in Circumference.

Let us now give a hint of the greatest Rivers in the World, beginning with those that fall into the Ocean, on all sides of our Continent or old World.

In Europe are the River Tagus, the Garronne, the Loyre, the Sein, the Scheld, the Rhine and the Elbe.

In Asia the Oby, the yellow and blue Rivers, Ganges and Indus.

In Africa, Cuama, the River de Spiritu Sancto, the Zaire, and the Niger.

In America the Rivers of St. Laurence, Oranoque, the Amazons, and Rio de la Plata.

Into the Mediterranean Sea on the side of Europe, fall the Ebre, the Rhosne, and the Tiber; into the Gulf of Venice, the Po; into the Euxin Sea the Da­nube, and the Borysthenes, now called Nieper, and the River Tanais runs into the Palus Meotis.

On the African Shore the Mediterranean receives no famous River but the Nile.

In Asia, Euphrates and Tygris having mingled their streams fall into the Persian Gulf, and the Volga into the Caspian.

The Oder and the Weissel, or Vistula, discharge themselves into the Baltick; and the Duina into the White Sea.

We shall not speak of the chief Lakes till we come to describe the particu­lar Regions wherein they are:

But we will here subjoyn the most noted Mountains of the World, such as in Europe are, the Pyrenees, the Alps and Appenine-Hills. In Asia, Taurus, Caucasus and Imaus; in Africa, Atlas and the Mountains of the Moon: and in America the Cordilleras or Andes. The Islands we shall describe as we come to the several parts of the Earth near to which they lie.

Thus, Reader, you have a general description of the whole Earth, and Seas that environs it, or fall into its bosom. We must now descend to a more particular Description; and shall begin with that of Europe.

CHAP. III. Europe.

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[Page 9] EƲROPE, whereof we have already mentioned the limits, is the smallest, but most considerable for Learning and Arts of the four parts of the World: it comprehends the following Kingdoms and Regions. Spain, France, Italy, the Low Countries, Germany, Hungary, Transilvania, Moldavia, Walachia, Bessarabia, Dalmatia, Bosnia, Servia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Nor­way, Denmarke, Sweden, Poland, Prussia, Lithuania, Livonia, or Liefland, Mus­covy, and the lesser Tartary. Its chief Islands in the Ocean, are Great-Britain, Ireland, the Orcades and Hebrides, Iseland, and the Azores. In the Mediterra­nean Sea, Majorca, Minorca and Yvica, the Isle of Elbe, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Candia, Negropont, and many more in the Archipelago. We shall speak of its Rivers, Lakes, and Mountains, when we treat of the Regions wherein they are.

CHAP. IV. Spain.

SPAIN is surrounded by Seas on three sides; on the East and South it is watered with the Mediterranean, and the Famous Streights of Gibraltar divide it from Africa; to the West it hath the Atlantick Ocean, and to the North partly the Cantabrick Ocean, or Bay of Biscay, and partly the Pyrenean Mountains that reach from the Mediterranean to the Ocean, and divide it from France: most part of its Provinces are honoured with the Title of Kingdoms. On the Mediterranean are Catalonia, of which the Metropolis is Barcelonna, a large City, with a Sea-Port: the other Towns are Terragonna, an Archbi­shoprick, Tortose, Gironne, Lerde or Lerida.

The Kingdom of Valencia with a Metropolis of the same name, and Ali­cant; the Country about which produces the best Wines in Spain.

The Kingdom of Murcia, the chief City whereof carries the same name. In this Province stands Carthagena, a very good Sea-Port.

The Kingdom of Granada that hath its name from its Metropolis lies to the West of that, and hath the Cities of Malaga and Almeria.

Andalusia is partly on the Mediterranean and Streights of Gibraltar, and partly on the Ocean. Its chief City is Seville, (one of the loveliest Towns in the World) seated on the Guadalquivir. Its other Towns are Cordova, the Native place of Seneca and Lucan, Xeres from whence our Sherries come, [Page 10] Saint Lucar and the Famous Port of Cadez or Cales, which stands in a small Island of that name, very near to the Main on its East side.

The Provinces washed by the Ocean, are

The Kingdom of Algarve; its Cities are Sylvis and El Fare.

The Kingdom of Portugal, anciently called Lusitania; which hath Lisbon a large fair City, and Arch-bishoprick for its Capital: the other chief Cities thereof are Braga, an Arch-bishops See, Evora and Conimbre a Famous Uni­versity; this is now, and for many Ages hath been subject to a King of its own independent of Spain.

The Kingdom of Galicia hath Compostella, where the Body of St. James is, for its Metropolis, and Corunna a good Sea-Port: this is the North-West cor­ner of Spain.

Asturia, whereof Oviedo is the Metropolis, lies to the East of Galicia, fronting the Bay of Biscay: and yet more Easterly on the same Coast lies Biscay, whereof the chief City is Bilboe. And to this is adjoyned Guipuscoa; whereof Tolose or Tolosette is the Capital City: its other Cities are St. Sebasti­an, which hath a good Port, and Fontarabie. At the foot of the Pyrenees are the Kingdoms of Navarre and Arragon.

Pampelonna is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Navarre; its other Cities are Victoria and Estella.

Sarragossa is the Capital City of the Kingdom of Arragon, and a Univer­sity; the others are Huesca, Alharazin, Calatayud, which some take for the ancient Bilbilis, the Native Town of the Poet Martial: In the heart of Spain are Leon, the two Castilles, the old and new, and Estremadura.

The Metropolis of the Kingdom of Leon bears the same name; Astorga and Semora are its other Cities.

Bourgos, an Archbishops seat, is the Capital City of old Castille; its other chief Towns are Valladolid, where some Kings of Spain have kept their Courts : Palenca, Salamanca a famous University. Numance that heretofore resisted the Roman Forces so long, was in this Province, but there remains no Footstep of it at present.

Toledo is the Metropolis of new Castille, and the Archbishop of it is Primate of all Spain, it is a stately and large City: The other chief Towns of that Province are Madrid, the usual Residence of the Kings of Spain, and five Leagues West from that, the famous Monastery of St. Laurence, called the Escurial, built by Philip the Second, and before it was burnt, one of the most Magnificent Fabricks in the World.

Alcala de Henares, famous for the University that Cardinal Ximenes Foun­ded there.

Each of the two Castilles is qualified with the Title of Kingdom.

Estremadura hath two considerable Towns, Badajos and Merida.

The chief Capes in Spain are on the Mediterranean, Cape Palafagel in Ca­talonia Cape Martin in the Kingdom of Valencia, Cape Palos in Murcia, and Cape de Gates in the Kingdom of Granada, Cape St. Vincent in Algarbe, Cape de Spichel and de Roca in Portugal, and Cape Finisterre and Cape Ortogal in Ga­licia, and Cape de las Pennas in Asturia.

[Page 11] The chief Rivers that fall into the Mediterranean are the Ebre or Iberus, which runs through Arragon and Catalonia, and passes by Sarragossa and Tor­tose; the Guadalaviar that passes by Valencia, and the Xucar in the same King­dom; the Guadalentia in the Kingdom of Murcia: those that discharge themselves into the Ocean, are the Guadalquivir, otherways Betis, that runs through Andalusia, and passes by Cordova and Sevil, and empties it self into the Sea at St. Lucar de Barrameda: the Guadania in Estremadura, which River, a little above Merida, runs under ground for several Leagues, and then breaks out again.

The Tagus which waters new Castile and Portugal, passes by Toledo and Lisbon.

The Douero that runs through old Castile and Portugal, and the Minho that divides Portugal from Galicia.

The chief Mountains are the Pyreneans, Sierra Morena, Sierra D' Alcaraz, Sierra D' Albarazin, and the Sierra Nevada, commonly called the Granadas.

The Isles upon the Coasts of Spain, are the Isle of Cadiz in the Ocean; and near to Andalusia, the Baleares, to wit, Majorca and Minorca, the Isles of Yvica and Formentera in the Mediterranean.

The King of Spain is not at present Master of all these Provinces, for Por­tugal and Algarbe belong to the King of Portugal; and the King of France has made some incroachments in Catalonia.

There is no Religion professed in Spain but the Roman Catholick.

CHAP. V. France.

FRANCE is bounded on the East by Italy, from which it is divided by the River Var and the Alpes; by Savoy, Switzerland, the Franche Comte, Germany, and the Low-Countries, which are likewise to the North of it, with the Channel or Narrow Sea that divides it from England; on the West by the Ocean, and on the South by the Pyrenean Hills and the Mediterranean. We shall first describe its Provinces that are washed by the Ocean, proceeding from North to South.

Pieardie hath Amiens for its Capital City; the other more considerable Towns are Abbeville, Perone, Roye, Corbie, St. Quintin, Calais and Boulogne, which two are Sea-Ports; Soissons, Laon, Beauvais, Montrueil, Dourlans, Crecy, where Philip de Valois lost a Battel to the English, Guise and Rhetel.

Normandy hath Rouen its Capital; its other principal Towns are Eureux, Bayeux, Caen, Diepe, Constance, Auranche, and Havre de Grace.

Bretagne whereof Rennes is the Capital City, Nantes, Vannes, S. Malo, Beau­port, Lantriguier, Brest and Blavet, are its other Towns.

Poictou contains Poictiers its chief Towns, Luson, Maillezais, Niord, Fonte­nay, Chastelleraud: Rochel is in the Aulnis.

Xaintonge hath for its Capital Xaintes, where some Roman Antiquities are still to be seen; its other Towns are Blay and St. John d' Angeli.

Guienne hath Bourdeaux upon the Garonne for its principal City; at the mouth of that River stands the Tower of Cordouan, a stately building, and serves for a Sea Mark to Ships. Under the name of Guienne several Countries are comprehended, as the Agenois, where are Agea, Marmande, Clairae; the Condomois, where are Condom and Nerac. The County D' Armagnac, where are Auch and Lectoure; the County of Cominges, where are Bertrand, Coserans and Lombez; the other Towns of Guienne are Bazas, Ayres, Acqs and Bayonne.

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[Page] [Page 15] The Basse Navarre lies at the foot of the Pyrenees; its chief Towns are Palais, and St. John de Pied de Port.

The Principality of Bern is likewise at the foot of these Mountains; its Capital is Pau, and the other Towns of any note, are Oleron and Lescar.

Bigorre hath Tarbes for its Capital; Bagueres is likewise considerable there, because of its hot Baths from whence it has its name.

The County of Foix lies at the foot of the same Mountains; besides its chief Town of the same name, it hath the Town of Pamies.

The County of Roussillon taken from the Spaniard has the same Situation, and Perpignan is its Capital.

Languedoc comes next, and stretches along the Mediterranean which it hath to the South, being bounded on the North by the Mountains of An­vergue. The Rhosne divides it from Provence and Dauphine on the East, and Guienne borders on it to the West; its Capital City is Tholonze, Montpelier is the next: the Bishops seat was at Maguelonne, which is now ruined, nothing remaining but two Churches. It stood in an Isle in the middle of a Pool or Lake, which hath Communication with the Sea. This is that Town which Ptolomy calls Agatha, and which some Geographers take for Agde; but that Authors calls this last Agathopolis, near the Eraut, which removes all doubt: besides, that he calls Agatha an Isle and City. Now there never was any City in an Isle upon that Coast, except Maguelonne alone, which changed its name with the Fate and Wrack of the Roman Empire. It is somewhat strange that the greatest Geographers should have been ignorant of this which is so easie to be perceived by any that will consider Ptolomy and the Situation of that Country. I make this remark in favour of Montpellier, which is enlar­ged by the Ruins of Maguelonne; enriched with its spoils, and adorned with its Bishoprick which was transferred thither by Pope Paul the third, in the Reign of Francis the first, the Year one thousand five hundred and thirty six. The other Towns of Languedoc, are Narbonne, an ancient Roman Colony, as well as Nismes, which by its stately Antiquities still shews what was heretofore the splendor of that place: There is an Amphitheatre, the most entire of any that is to be seen of that kind in the World, a Royal Palace, and some other magnificent Reliques of the Roman Age. Four Leagues from this City is a stately Aqueduct, which is called the Pont du Guard, because it is upon a River of that name. Carcasson, Besiers, Agde, Viviers and Beaucaire, famous for the Fair of Magdalent, are the other Towns of this Province, which is one of the pleasantest in France.

Provence is divided from Languedoc, that lies to the West of it, by the Rhosne, and from the County of Nice, which it hath to the East, by the Var; and from Piemont by the Alpes, it hath the Mediterranean to the South, and Dau­phine to the North: its chief Towns are Aix its Capital, Marseilles, Arles, Frejul, Thoulon one of the best Sea-Ports in France, Hieres and some others: St. Maximin preserves the Body of Mary Magdalen.

The County of Venaissen that belongs to the Pope is shut in within the li­mits of this Province, its Towns are Avignon, Carpentras, Cavaillon and Vaison.

[Page 16] The Principality of Orange belonging to the Princes of the House of Nas­saw, who from thence have their Title, is inlocked within the County of Venaissin. There is no considerable Town in it, but that of Orange, where are the Ruins of an Amphitheater, and a Triumphal Arch of Marius.

Dauphine, which is divided from Languedoc by the Rhosne, and from Piemont by the Alpes, contains these principal Towns following; Grenoble its Capi­tal, and Ambrun; this upon the Durance, and that upon the Isere: Vienna and Valence upon the Rhosne, both very ancient.

The Lyonnois is to the North of Dauphine, and Lions, one of the greatest and fairest Cities of France, is its Capital; it's situated on a point where the Saone mingles its still and gentle waters with the rapid streams of the Rhosne: it hath no other Towns of great note.

Bresse is to the North of the Lyonnois; its chief Towns are Bourg in Bresse, Montluel, Pont de Vaux, and St. Julian.

The Principality of Dombes, which belongs to Madamoiselle of Montpensier, Cousin German to the King of France, is inclosed within Bresse; the chief Town of it is Trevoulx.

The Dutchy of Burgundy lies Northward from the Lyonnois, between which and it, are the Beaujolois, the chief Town whereof is Ville Franche, and the Maronnois, that takes its name from the Town of Maron: the chief Towns of Burgundy are Dijon the Capital, Authun an ancient Town, Chalons on the Saone, Beaune, Semur and Langres; some place Sens and Auxerre here.

Champaign hath Burgundy to the South, and Picardy to the North; its chief Towns are Rheins Troyes, Chalons on the Marne, Bar on the Sein, Bar on the Aube, Nogent, Chaumont in Basigny and Joinville. Seeing Champaign joyns Picardy, and that we began the Description of the Circuit of France by this, we will end it here, that we may view the middle of the Kingdom, and describe the Provinces that lie there, proceeding from North to South.

Brie lies to the West of Champaign; its chief Towns are Meaux, Province, Lagny, Bricomte-Robert and Montereau.

France, properly so called, lies West from Brie, and hath Picardy to the North; it comprehends the Prevostie and Vicecounty of Paris, the Isle of France, the Valois, the Heurepois, and the Gastinois: Paris is the Metropolis of all this Kingdom, the Residence of the Kings, and one of the fairest Cities in the World. In the Isle of France is St. Denis, the burying place of the French Kings; Poissi, St Germain, and Montmorency are the other more remarkable Towns thereof. In the Valois are Crespi, Senlis; and Beauvois, with the Beau­voisis, is by some also placed there. In the Heurepois are Melun, Corbeil, Mo­ret: in the Gastinois are Montargis, Nemours, Estampes, Milly Chastillon and Fontainbleau, where the French King has a stately House in a vast Forrest.

The Beausse hath for chief Towns, Orleans, Chartres, Dreux, Chasteaudun, Vandosme, Meun, Nogent le Roy and Blois.

Perche hath for principal Towns, Nogent Le Retrou, Molesme and Mor­tagues.

Anjou hath Angiers, Saumeur and La Fleehe.

[Page 17] Tourain hath Tours, which gives it the name, Amboise, Loches, Chinon, where Rablais was born, Loudun and some others.

Sologne hath Remorantin, Gergeau and Sully.

Berry, which is almost in the middle of France, hath Bourges its chief Town, Sancerre, Yssoudun, Vierzon, Dun Le Roy and Selles.

The Nivernois hath Nevers.

The Bourbonnois hath Moulins, Bourbon L' Ancy, and Bourbon L' Archam­band.

The Forrest hath St. Estienne de Feuran, Mont Brison, Feurs, and Rouenne.

Auvergne is divided into the upper and lower; in this are the Towns of Clermont, Ryons, Montferraud, and the Castle of Montpensier: in the upper, St. Flour and Aurilhac.

Lymoisin hath Limoges its Capital Town, Segur and Chalus, which are in the upper; and Tulles, Ʋzerche and Brive in the lower, called otherways La Marche.

Quercy hath for Capital Cahors, the other considerable Towns are Mon­tauban and Moissac.

Perigord hath Perigueux, Sarlat, Bergerac and Miremont.

Rouvergne hath Rhodez, Ville Franche, and Milland.

The Angoulmois, Angoulesme, Chateau-neuf, Coignac and Jarnac, where the bloody Battel was fought in time of Charles the Ninth, which bears that name. And this is a brief Description of all the Provinces of France.

We must now see what Rivers water it. Those that run into the Ocean are the Garonne, the Charente, the Loyre, the Sein and the Somme. Into the Mediterranean Sea, the Aude, the Eraud, and the Rhosne.

The Garonne hath its source in the Pyrenean Hills, runs through Guienne, passes by Thoulouze and Bourdeaux, receives into it the Ariege, the Lot, the Tarn and the Dordogne, and falls into the Ocean near to Bourdeaux.

The Charente passes by Angoulesme and Xaintes.

The Loyre hath its Head in Languedoc, among the Mountains of Vivarezi; from whence it enters into the Forrests, and passes by Rouenne, where it be­gins to carry Boats, it runs through the Bourbonois, the Nivernois, Beausse, Tourain and Anjou, passes by Nevers, Orleans, Blois, Amboise, Tours, Saumeur, and entring a little into Bretaign, and having washed Nantes, it discharges it self into the Ocean, carrying with it the Allier, the Clein, the Creuse, the Cher, the Vienne, the Mayne, and many Rivulets.

The Sein comes out of Burgundy, waters Champaign, the Isle of France and Normandy; it passes through Paris, and by Rouen, and being encreased by the Marne, the Youne, the Oyse, and some other Rivers, it is embraced by the Ocean near Havre De-grace.

The Somme springs out of Picardy, runs through it, and forsakes not that Province till it lose it self in the Ocean, after it hath washed Amiens, Abbeville, and several other Towns of that Country, from whence the Escaut, or Scheld, springs also.

The Aude come from the Pyrenean Mountains, and runs by Carcassonne and Narbonne.

[Page 18] The Eraud comes from the Sevenes, and passes by Agde, the Orb by Beziers,

The Rhosne has its source in Mount St. Gothard among the Alpes, runs through the Lake of Geneva, passes by Lyons, Vienne, Valence, under the Pont St. Esprit, by Avignon, Beaucaire, Arles, and receives into it the Saone, the Isere, the Droume, the Durance, the Ardeche, the Gardon; and by its Branches having made an Island which is called Camargue, (from Cajus Marius, corrup­ting Caii Marii Ager, into Camargue,) it falls into the Mediterranean

There are in France fifteen Archbishopricks, and comprehending Avignon, sixteen, which are Rouen, Tours, Bourdeaux, Auch, Thoulouze, Narbonne, Ar­les, Aix, Ambrun, Vienne, Lyons, Sens, Rheims, Paris, Bourges and Avignon, and above an hundred Bishopricks.

There are ten ancient Parliaments which are established at Paris, Rouen, Rennes, Bourdeaux, Pau, Thoulouze, Aix, Grenoble, Dijon and Metz, and two new ones, the one at Tournay for the French Conquests in the Netherlands, the other at Besancon for the Franche Comty.

Its Isles in the Ocean are Belle-Isle, on the Coast of Bretaign,; Neirmonsteir on the Coast of Poitou; the Isles of Re and Oleron on the Coasts of Aunis and Xaintonge: In the Mediterranean are the Isles of Hieres, of St. Margaret, and St. Honorat on the Coast of Provence.

Its Mountains besides the Alpes and Pyrenees, are those of Auvergne and Sevenes, which the Ancients called Montes Cebennae, the name not much as yet altered.

There are besides, Mount Jura, or St. Claude, which is towards Switzer­land, and Mount Vogese, or Faucilles, towards the Diocess of Langres.

The Catholick Religion is the publick established Religion in France, yet the Protestant is permitted there: And thus, Reader, you have a short draught of a large and flourishing Kingdom, under the Dominion of a great and powerful Prince.

Before we proceed to Italy, we must pass over into Savoy, which is inclo­sed within France: This Dutchy belonging to a Prince who carries the Title of it, hath to the North the Lake of Geneva and Switzerland, to the East Piemont, and Dauphine to the South and West; the chief Towns of it are Chambrey its Capital City, Montmelian and Foussigny. The County of Mori­enne, where St. John stands, and the Tarantaise, where Monstier is, which are in the Alpes, belong to the Duke of Savoy, as well as Piemont, and the Marquisat of Saluces, of which we shall speak in the Description of Italy. Geneva lying at the end of a great Lake that carries its name, heretofore be­longed to the Duke of Savoy, but at present it owns no Superior, and is ere­cted into a Commonwealth.

CHAP. VI. Italy.

ITALY hath on the West the River Var and the Alpes which divide it from France, and the Mediterranean Sea; it is divided from Germany by the same Mountains on the North, on part of which side also is the Gulf of Venice: it hath to the East the Ionian Sea, and to the South the Sea of Tusca­ny. This Region resembles the Leg and Thigh of a man, or (if you had rather) a Boot.

The Apennine Hills stretch along the whole length of it; and it is divided into several states under the Dominion of divers Princes. The Pope possesses [Page 22] the Ecclesiastick State, in which are the Campania of Rome, the Patrimony of St. Peter, the Dutchies of Spoleto, Ʋrbin and Ferrara the Mark of Ancona, Romania and the Boulognois: and in the Kingdom of Naples, the Dutchy of Benevent. The King of Spain possesses the Kingdom of Naples, the Dutchy of Milan, and some places on the side of Tuscany, with the Marquisat of Fi­nal, on the Frontiers of Genoa. The Duke of Florence is Master of the grea­test part of Tuscany. The Duke of Savoy holds Piemont, the Marquisat of Saluces, and the County of Nice. The Duke of Parma, the Dutchies of Parma and Placentia, and the Dutchy of Castro. The Duke of Mantua, the Dutchy of Mantua and Montferrat. The Duke of Modena, the Dutchies of of Modena and Regio. The Prince of Massa the Principality that gives him the Title. The Prince of Mirandola, the Principality of the same name. The Bishop of Trent is Prince of his own Bishoprick: it contains four Repub­licks, two that are great, to wit, of Venice and Genoa, and two lesser, of Lucca and St. Marin. The Republick of Venice possesses part of Istria, (the rest belonging to the House of Austria) Frioli, the Mark Trevisane, il Dogado, the Padonan, the Veronese, the Vicentin, the Bressian, and the Bergamaske. The Republick of Genoa possesses that which is called Riviera di Genoa; that of Lucca but little, and that of St. Marin less. We are now to take a view of of all these States in order, Coasting along by the Sea which environs that sweet Country, and proceeding from West to East.

Having passed the Var, we come into the County of Nice, wherein is a City of the same name, and that of Villa Franca.

Monaco which belongs to its own Prince; the Marquisat of Final with a Town of the same name.

The Riviera de Genoa, wherein are the Metropolis of Genoa, (which is called in Italian, La Superba, the Stately, and is one of the most beautiful Towns in Italy,) Savona, Albenga, and some others.

Tuscany is separated from the Riviera de Genoa by La Macra; it reaches to the Campania of Rome on the East, and has that Sea which carries its name on the South, and the Apennines on the North. The Duke of Florence who takes the Title of great Duke of Tuscany, is Master of the greatest part of it. The chief Towns in his Territories are Florence, the Capital City, Pisa, Siena, Volterra, Pistoia, and Legorn, a Sea-Port Town. The small State of the Re­publick of Lucca, the Principality of Massa, and the Stato delli Presidi, in which are the Towns Orbitello, Porto Hercole, and Piombino, that belong to the King of Spain, are in Tuscany; as also the Dutchy of Castro, which be­longs to the Duke of Parma, having a Town of the same name, and the Pa­trimony of St Peter, wherein are Viterbo, Montefiascone, and some others: Aquapendente, Peruga near a Lake that bears its name. Orvieta and Civita Vec­chia, a fair Port where the Pope keeps his Gallies, are likewise in Tuscany.

The Campania of Rome, in ancient times called Latium, hath to the East La Terra d' Lavoro of the Kingdom of Naples, to the South, the Sea, to the West Tuscany, from which it is separated by the Tibre, and to the North A­bruzzo; its Capital City is Rome, so famous that none can compare with it: heretofore it gave Laws to the whole World almost, and at present extends [Page 23] its power farther than ever, seeing the Popes exercise their Authority in Ame­rica, where the Consuls and Emperors of Rome were never known: There are many prints of its ancient splendor still extant, as the Pantheon, which goes by the name of Santa Maria Rotunda, the Pillars of Trajan and Antonin, Amphitheaters, Baths, Aqueducts, and many other stately remains of An­tiquity, which by their Ruins publish the Roman Magnificence and Grandeur: it stands upon the Tiber, at the mouth of which River is the Town of Ostia. The other Towns of the Campania of Rome, are Tivoli, formerly Tybur, where are excellent Waters, Avagnia, Palestrine, which is the ancient Preneste, Veletri, heretofore Velitrae, where Augustus was born, Terracine, and some others.

The Kingdom of Naples is bounded on the West, by the State of the Church, and on all other sides by the Sea; to wit, the Sea of Tuscany on the South, that of Ionia on the East, and the Gulf of Venice on the North: it is divided into several Provinces; on the Tuscan Sea are, Terra di Lavoro, of which Naples is the Capital City, that hath a good Port, the others are, Capoua, Pussoli, Cajette, and Baiae that is ruined: The Principality wherein Salerne is▪ Calabria that contains Cosenca and Regio. The Basilicate and Principality of Tarento, lie on the Ionian Sea; and on the Gulf of Venice, the Country of Otranto, that has a Town of the same name, and the Land of Bari, in which are Bari and Brindisi; Apulia, wherein is Man­fredonia; Abruzzo, whereof the Capital Town is Aquila: And in that Pro­vince also is the Dutchy of Benevento that belongs to the Church.

The Mark of Ancona lies likewise on the Gulf of Venice, in which is a Town of the same name, and that of our Lady of Loretto, that is much fre­quented upon the account of Devotion.

Next after comes Romania; its Capital City is Ravenna, and the others are, Faensa, Forli and Imola.

The Boulognois has Bononia for its Capital, which is one of the fairest Cities of Italy: The Dutchy of Ferrara with its Metropolis of the same name is Situated on the Po.

The Dutchy of Venice, wherein is comprehended that delicate City built upon Piles in the Sea.

Frioli, where are Ʋdena, and the Ruins of Aquilea.

Istria, which belongs partly to the Venetians, and partly to the Archdukes of Austria, bounds Italy on that side; the chief Towns of it are, Cabo d' Istria, Tergeste, Parentia and Pola.

The Marque, or Mark Trevisane, hath Trevisa, Verona and Vicensa.

The Bishoprick of Trent stretches along the Alpes; and its chief City is famous for the last Council held there: the Bishoprick of Bellona is in the same Province also.

The Dutchy of Milan hath the Alpes on the North, Piemont on the West, Parma on the South, and the Venetian State on the East; Milan its Capital, is one of the greatest Towns of Europe, and its Castle one of the best For­tresses: in the same Province are also Pavia, Cremona, Novarra, Lodi, Como and Vigevano. The Metropolis of Piemont, is Turin on the Po, a lovely City [Page 24] where the Dukes of Savoy keep their Court: Pignerol a strong place belong­ing to France, is in the same Province. Carmagnole is the chief Town of the Marquisat of Saluces, as Casal is in Montferrat.

The Dutchies of Parma, Placentia, Modena and Regio, have their Capital Cities of the same names.

The Dutchy of Mantua hath likewise a City of the same name, built in the middle of a Lake on the River Mince.

These Dutchies that we have now named, lie in that part of Italy which the Romans called Gallia Cisalpina, because the Gaules were planted there, and that as to them it was on this side of the Alpes; it was afterwards called Lombardy, from the Lombards that Conquered it, which name it still retains: it is on the South shut up by the Apennine Hills, the Alpes on the North and West, and by the Gulf of Venice and the River Pisaura, or Foglia, on the East. A great part of the Venetian State lies in that Region, as Crema a strong Town, Bergamo with its Territory, and Eresse, or Brescia, wirh its Depen­dances.

The Dutchy of Spoleto, and that of St. Ʋrbin, which belongs to the Holy See, have each of them a Capital Town of the same name, and are Situated upon the Apennine Mountains in the Center of Italy. In the first is the Town of Assise, where St. Francis was born; within the second is enclosed the little Republick of St. Marin, under the Protection of the Pope.

The chief Rivers of Italy that fall into the Mediterranean, are the Var, which runs through the County of Nice, and divides it from Provence; the Magra, which divides Liguria, called Riviera di Genoa, from Tuscany; the Arne, that passes by Florence and Pisa; the Tiber, that runs by Rome, and is augmented by Teverone and Chiara; the Garigliano, heretofore Liris, and the Vulturno.

Into the Gulf of Venice fall, Lofanto, Pescara, and Tronto, which are in the Kingdom of Naples, the Foglia, that is is in the Mark of Ancona.

Rubicon, at present, Pisatello, that heretofore divided Gallia Cisalpina from the West of Italy.

The Po, which is the greatest River of Italy, and rises in Mount Viso, one of the Alpes; it passes by Turin, and through the Dutchy of Milan, goes into the Lands of Mantua, and Ferrara, and from thence into the Gulf of Venice; having swallowed up in its passage the Doria, the Tezin, the Ada, the Oglio, the Mince, the Taner, and several other Rivers.

The Adige passes by Trent and Verona.

The Brenta passes by Padua.

Tagliamento and Lizousa wash Friuli: Rizano Istria; and Arsa divides it from Dalmatia.

There are considerable Lakes in Italy: in Lombardy is the Lake Major, heretofore called Verbanus, out of which comes the Tezin.

The Lake of Como, anciently called Larius, out of which comes the Ada; the Lake of Isseo, whence comes the Oglia; the Lake of Lugano, and ano­ther called de Garda, which produces the Mince.

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[Page 25] In Tuscany is the Lake Thrasimene, at present called the Lake of Perugia: the Lake Vulsin, now of Bolsena, and the Lake of Braciano, heretofore Sabu­tinus.

In the Campania of Rome, are the Lake Fucin, the Lake Fundi, and the Lake Albanus, now called Lago di Castello Gandolfo.

The chief Islands of this Country, are Elbe, Corsica, Sardinia, Ischia, Ca­prea, Sicily, and some others.

The Isle of Elbe is near the Shoar of Tuscany: it hath a Town called Cos­mopolis, and a Mountain of Loadstone: it belongs partly to the great Duke of Tuscany, and partly to the King of Spain.

Corsica is over against the Riviera of Genoa, and belongs to that Republick; its chief Town is La Bastia, and best Port that of St. Boniface.

Sardinia is divided from Corsica by an Aim of the Sea; it lies to the South of Corsica, and belongs to the King of Spain: the chief Town of it is Calari, and the others are Oristagna, Sassari and Algeri.

Near to Naples is the Isle of Ischia, with a Fort of the same name, and Caprea, famous for the Residence of Tiberius, is likewise there.

Sicily is the greatest Island of the Mediterranean, it is dis-joyned from Italy, (to which it is thought to have been anciently united) by a narrow Branch of the Sea, called the Fare of Messina; the chief Towns of it are Palermo, its Capital, the Residence of the Viceroy, Messina, Trepano, Girgenti, Syracusa, and Catanea, near to which is the famous Mount Aetna that vomiteth out fire, called at present Mount Gibello: this Island belongs to the King of Spain.

The Isles of Lipare are not far from this, some of which cast out Fire.

In the Gulf of Venice, and near to Mount Gargan, are the Isles of Diome­des, at present of Sancta Maria del Trinita.

The Mountains of Italy are the Alpes that limit it, and the Apennine Hills that run through it. Not far from Naples is Mount Vesuvius, which hath often cast out Fire, but not at present, it is now called Monte di Sommo, and produces excellent Wine. In Apulia is Mount Gargan, now di Santo Angelo.

There is no Religion but the Roman Catholick professed in Italy: and the least Towns of it are Bishopricks.

CHAP. VII. The Low-Countries.

BEFORE we pass into Germany, we must view the Low Countries, be­cause they lie between it and France. They have Germany to the East and North, the Ocean to the West, and France to the South. They are di­vided into seventeen Provinces, to wit, four Dutchies, seven Counties, five Signiories or Lordships, and the Marquisat of the holy Empire. The Dutchies are Brabant, the Capital of which is Brussels, the Residence of the Governours of the Low-Countries for the King of Spain; its other Towns are Louvain, Antwerp, Boisleduc, and many others.

The Dutchy of Limbourg, which hath a Capital of the same name.

The Dutchy of Luxembourg which hath its principal Town of the same name also: its other considerable Towns are Arlon, Thionville, Danvilliers and Montmedy.

The Dutchy of Gueldres that hath a Town likewise of the same name, and Nimeguen a place of importance.

The County of Flanders hath Gbent for its Capital; the other considerable Towns are Bruges, Ipre, Courtray, and (upon the Sea) Sluse, Newport, Ostend, Dunkirk and Graveline; which two last belong to the Crown of France.

The County of Artois hath Arras for Capital, belonging likewise to France, the other Towns are Beaupaume, Bethune, and St. Omer, taken in the late Wars by the French.

The County of Hainault has Mons for Capital, Valenciennes, Bouchain, Mariembourg and Landrecy.

The County of Namur hath its Capital of the same name, Bouvines and Charlemont.

The County of Zutphen hath its chief Town of the same name also: it is comprehended under the Dutchy of Gueldres.

The County of Holland hath very fair Cities, as Amsterdam its chief, Har­lem, Leyden, Dort, Roterdam, and several others. The Hague is but a Town, yet there the Assembly of the States, and Court of the Prince of Orange are kept.

The County of Zealand is composed of several Isles, made by the branches of the Escaut, or Scheld; the chief is the Isle of Walkeren, in which are the Towns of Middleburg and Flushing.

The Marquisat of the Holy Empire is no more but the City and Territory of Antwerp, comprehended under Brabant.

The Signiory or Province of Malines contains likewise only the Town of the same name, with its Territory inclosed within Brabant.

The Signiory or Province of Ʋtrecht hath a large and beautiful Town of the same name, and besides Rhenen, Amersfort, Montfort and Wik at Duerstede.

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[Page 29] The Signiory or Province of Over Issel is so called, because in respect of the other Provinces of the Low-Countries, it is on the other side of the Issel, which is a branch of the Rhine, and is by the Latins called Transissulana: its Towns are Deventer, Swoll, Campen, Steenwick, Cowerden, and Oldenzeel.

The Signiory or Province of West-Friesland hath these remarkable Towns, Lewarden, Dockum, Franiker, Staveren, and Harlingen.

The Signiory or Province of Groningen, hath the Town which gives it its name, and another small Town called Dam.

The Low-Countries are watered with pleasant Rivers, which are the Scheld, the Meuse, and the Rhine; the Scheld hath its Source in Picardy, passes by Va­lenciennes, Tournay, Ghent and Antwerp; and having embraced the Isles of Zealand, and received the supplies of the Lys, the Lieue, the Dender, the Ru­pel, and some other Rivers, it falls into the Ocean.

The Meuse cometh from the Mount of Vauge in the Diocess of Langres, passes by Charlemont, Bouvines, Namur, Maestricht, Grave, and joyning with the Wahal, one of the Branches of the Rhine, it receives the Sambre and some other Rivers.

We shall speak of the Rhine when we treat of Germany.

The nineteen Provinces, or Low-Countries, falling to the Crown of Spain by Mary, Heiress of the House of Burgundy, some of them Revolted, and erected themselves into a Commonwealth, by the name of the States of the United Provinces, commonly called the States of Holland: they are compo­sed of Holland, Zealand, Ʋtrecht, Over-Issel, West-Friesland, Groningen, Guel­dres, and Zutphen. The Assembly of the States General is held at the Hague, and since their settlement, the Princes of Orange have been the Generals of their Armies. Calvins Reformation is the Religion publickly established; but the Catholick, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Socinian, and many other Religions are tolerated there.

The French in the late Wars Conquered many considerable places of the Spanish Netherlands, some of which have been made over to that Crown, by the Spaniard, in the last Treaty of Peace concluded at Nimeguen; so that the Spanish Interest in these Provinces is at present much impaired and weakened.

Before we proceed further, it is to be observed, that the Cambresis and Bi­shoprick of Liege are inclosed within the Low Countries.

The Cambresis lies between Artois and Hainault, and hath Picardy to the South: the City of Cambray that gives it the name is a spacious and fair Town, belonging now to the French King.

The Bishoprick of Leige hath to the North and West Brabant, Luxemburg on the South, and Limbourg on the East. The City of Leige is very fair and spacious, lying on the Meuse; the Bishop of it is Soveraign Prince of all his Diocess, which comprehends the Dutchy of Bouillon, the Towns of Maseyk and Tongres, with the Burrough of Spa, famous for its Medicinal Waters.

CHAP. VIII, Germany.

GErmany has on the East side Prussia, Poland, and Hungary; the Baltick Sea, Denmark, and Ocean on the North; on the West the Low-Countries and France, and the Alps, which divide it from Italy, on the South. On the Baltick Sea are Pomerania, whereof Stetin is the Capital City, and Gripsuald and Colberg two others: The Dutchy of Meckelbourg, whereof the chief City is Swerin.

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[Page] [Page 33] Upon the Ocean are the Dutchy of Holsace or Holstein, in which are Ham­bourg and Lubeck.

The County of Emden, called otherways East-Friesland, to distinguish it from that whereof we spoke in the Low-Countries; its chief Town carries also the name of Emden: it has likewise another Town called Aurich.

Along the Rhine upwards lies Westphalia, whereof the most remarkable Towns are, Munster, Paderborne, Soest, Breme, Oldembourg the Capital of a County of the same name.

The Diocesses of Cologne, Mayence, and Treves, with their Metropolitan Cities of the same name; the Palatinate of the Rhine, whereof Heidelberg is the Capital City; the Dutchy of Baden; the Diocesses of Worms and Spire. High and Low Alsace; Strasbourg is the chief City of this, and Brisac and Fribourg are the chief Towns of the other, which is one of the last Conquests of France.

At the head of the Rhine, and in the Alps, are the Swisses, divided into thirteen Cantons, Zurich, Berne, Lucerne, Basle, Schaffhouzen, Fribourg, Zug, Glaris, Switz, Appeuzel, Soleurre, Ʋnderwald and Ʋri, this last hath no Towns, but Altorf is its chief Burrough: all the other Cantons have their names from their Capital Cities, and from that of Switz the people are called Switzers, and the Country Switzerland.

The Country of Valois lies along the Rhosne, and its chief City is Syon, the Bishop whereof is a Temporal Lord.

The Grisons are united with the Swisses, and Coire is their Capital City: Along the Danube are Suabia, which comprehends the Dutchy of Wittemberg, the chief Towns whereof are Tubinge and Stutgard: in Suabia, properly so called, are Ausbourg, Ʋlme and Nordlingen.

The Dutchy of Bavaria, whereof the Capital is Munich; the other Cities are Saltsbourg, Ratisbonne and Ingolstat: and in the Palatinat of Bavaria, Amberg its Capital, and Nuremberg, an Imperial City.

The Arch-Dutchy of Austria is to the East of Bavaria; its Metropolis is Vienna, the usual Residence of the Emperor. The County of Tirol is to the South of Bavaria, it hath a City of the same name, but Inspruck is the Capital thereof.

Stiria hath Grats; Carinthia hath St. Veit and Villach; and Carniola, Laubach for its Capital: these Provinces, as well as the County of Tirol, belong to the Arch-Dukes of Austria, and lie Southward of that Arch-Dutchy.

Then going from South to North, beyond Austria, lie Moravia, with Ol­mutz its Capital City.

Silesia, that hath Ʋratslavia, commonly called Breslau, for its Metropolis.

The Marquisat of Brandenbourg, divided into two Marches, the ancient, in which is Brandenbourg, and the new, wherein is Francfort upon the Oder, which are their Capitals; but the Residence of their Prince is commonly at Berlin.

Saxony is in the heart of Germany, divided into the Upper, where is Wit­temberg, and the Lower, wherein is Hall.

[Page 34] The Dutchies of Brunswick and Lunenbourg, are comprehended in the lower Saxony, with the Cities of the same name.

The Marquisat of Misnia, wherein Dresden and Leipsick are; and the County of Mansfield, with its Capital of the same name, are in lower Sax­ony also.

Turinge, a Lantgraviat, hath for Capital Erfurt, which is the greatest City in Germany, and another Town called Jena.

The Lantgraviat of Hesse, hath Cassel and Marpurg.

The Dutchy of Franconia hath for Metropolis Wirtzbourg; its other chief Towns are Bamberg, and Francfort on the Main, where the Emperor is chosen.

The Kingdom of Bohemia is almost in the middle of Germany, and its Ca­pital City is Prague.

The chief Rivers of Germany are the Rhine, the Ems, the Weser, and the Elbe, which discharge themselves in the Ocean; the Oder in the Baltick, and the Danube in the Euxine Seas.

The Rhine cometh from the Alpes, and hath its Source in the Mount Saint Gotard, from whence the Rhosne and Tesin spring also; it runs through Swit­zerland and the Lake of Constance, passeth by Schaffousen and Basle, continues its course through Alsace, by Brisac, Strasbourg, Spire and Wormes: through the palatinate, by Mayence and Cologne; and having sent out several Branches, and received the Moselle that passeth by Treves, the Neckar, that passeth by Heidelberg, and the Main that joyns it at Mayence: one of its Branches called the Mahal mingling with the Meuse, at length in Holland it loseth it self in the Sea.

The Ems runs through Frieseland, and passeth by the Town of Emdem: the Weser watereth Westphalia, and passes near to Breme.

The Elbe hath its Fountains in Bohemia, and runs through both Saxonies and the Dutchy of Holstein, and having washed Hambourg, and received the Molda that runs by Prague; the Sal, the Spree, and some other Rivers, it falleth into the Ocean.

The Oder passes by Francfort and Stetin, and empties it self into the Baltick Sea.

The Danube riseth in the Dutchy of Witemberg, passeth through Suabia, Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, Servia, Bulgaria, and by several mouths it dis­charges it self into the Black Sea; after that it hath watered Ʋlme, Ratisbonne, Vienna, and received in a great many other Rivers, the chief whereof are the Jun, the Drave, the Save and the Tibisque.

There are but six Archbishops in Germany, to wit, the three Electors of Mayence, Cologne and Treves; the Archbishops of Magdebourg, Breme and Saltzbourg; there are in Germany, free and Imperial Cities, and the Hans Towns for Commerce: the States of the Empire, which are called Diets, meet usually at Ratisbonne. The Emperor is head of the Empire, he is cho­at Francfort, and has his usual Residence at Vienna: he is Catholick, but seve­ral Princes of the Empire are Calvinists, and others Lutherans.

[Page 35] There were in former times but seven Electors, three Ecclesiastick, who are the Archbishops of Mayence, Cologn, and Treves; the Duke of Saxony, the Marquess of Brandebourg, the Count Palatine, and the King of Bohemia: but the Juncture of times hath occasioned the addition of an eighth, who is the Duke of Bavaria.