'Collections of travels through Turky into Persia, and the East Indies. Giving an account of the present state of those countries, as also a full relation of the five years wars, between Aureng-Zebe and his brothers in their father's life time, about the succession. And a voyage made by the Great Mogul (Aureng-Zebe) with his Army from Dehli to Lahor, from Lahor to Bember, and from thence to the Kingdom of Kachemire, by the Mogols, call'd, the Paradise of the Indies. Together with a relation of the Kingdom of Japan and Tunkin, and of their particular manners and trade. To which is added a new description of the Grand Seignior's Seraglio, and also of all the Kingdoms that encompass the Euxine and Caspian Seas, being the travels of Monsieur TavernierBernier, and other great men.' [‎2] (31/1024)

The Persian Travels. Book. I t
for the Caravans, that go for Perfia or the Indies, which never fet out but at certain
times, and from certain places.
Thcfe Caravansfet out from Cenflantinomic, Smyrna, and Aleppo. And it is from
one of thefe Cities that a Traveller muft fet out, that intends for Perfia, whether he
keeps company with tfie Caravan, or will hazard himfelf alone with a Guide asonce
I did.
I will begin with Conflantinople, from whence you may go either by Land or Sea •
and either by Land or Sea there are two ways to go. The firft of thefe by Land is
that which I took with Monfieur Chapes and Monfieur St. Liebau y By the way take
notice, that PTenna is the half-way near-upon between Paris and Confiaminople. The
fecond Road is kfs frequented, but iilefs inconvenient and lefs dangerous: for there
are need of the Emperour’s Pafports, which he does not grant very freely: befides
that here-isho fear of the Pirates of Tunis or Argier y as when you embarque from
Marfeilks or Ligorn. If you intend this way, you muft go to Venice ; from Venice
to Ancona, from whence feveral Barques are bound every Week for Ragufa. From
Ragitfa you fail along by the Shore to Dura^z.o a Sea* Port of Albania j trom whence
you travel the reft of the way by Land. From Vurazzo to Albanopolis, diftant three
days journey, from thence to Moneftier, juft as far ^ from Moneftier you may either
take the left hand through Sophia, and Philippopolis,ox the right through Jnguifcher,
three days journey from Moneftier, and ten from Adrianople, fron^ whence in five
days you reach CoMantimple through Selivrea.
This laft way is part by Sea and part by Land .* but there are two other ways alto
gether by Land, above and below Italy, according to the diftinilion which Antiquity
made of the two Seas that almoft encompafs it. You may embark at Venice, and
fayling along the Gulf which is free from Pirates, you muft double the Cape of
Matapan, the moft Southern Point of all to enter into the The
other way is from Marfeilles or Ligorn, from whence feveral VdTels are bound for
the Eaft. Thefafeft way is to go'along with the Rngli^) or Holland Fleets, that u-
fually arrive at Ligorn either in the Spring or in Autumn, and part juft againft the
Morea, to the feveral parts whither they are bound. As the Wind ferves, thofe
Fleets fometimes make Sail between the Jfland of Elba and Italy, and by the Tower
of Mejfina: fometimes below and Sardigna, within fight of Malta, Thus you
muft come within fight of Candy, ,whether you are bound for Conflantinople, Smyrna,
or Alex andrett a, from whence it is but three days journey to Aleppo: from one of
which three Cities, you muft necdTarily begin your journey, if you intend for
Terjia. y
Some take Egypt in their way, ufing through Alexandria, Cairo, and Damiata,
whence feveral VefTels are bound for Joppa-, or St. Johns of Aera, which is not
far off: from thence to Jerufalem or Damafcus, and from thence to Bagdat or Babylon,
. If you will venture in a fingle Veffel not ftayingfor the Fleets, you may hire a
Veffei from Ligorn to Naples, from Naples to keeping along by the Shore, and
lying aihore every night. I took this way, and went from Meflina to Syracafe,
where are to be feen the moft remarkable footfteps of Antiquity..’Tis like a City
underground, and near to it is a great Rock which has been made hollow, at the
bottom whereof if a man whifper, they that are at the top may hear him. They
call this Rock Dionyfius the Tyrant’s Ear .* for being at the top, he eafily underftood
what the People laid of him beldw; and difeovered the Counfels of the chief Men*
of Syracufe, whom he kept prifoners there. Syracnfe has nothing of that fplendour
whichrenown’ditwhen it wasthe Miftrefsof all Sicily, and when Greece, jealous of
her power, made War upon her. But the Soil is very plentiful, and theGalliesof
Maltavtry often take in their Provifiops there. Near the City is a fair Convent of
Capuchin Friers, going out of which, you may walk for half an hour between two
very high Rocks, where there are feveral little Cells with every one a Garden, where
the Friers foriietimes retire, and it is certainly one of the moft pleafing Solitudes in
the World.
From Syracufe I went to Malta, where you muft wait for feme Ship that is bound
for. the Eaft.