Three Hungarian miles thro the same level and naked plain brought us this day to Csege, which is a pass over the Tibiscus. In our way hither we had in view on the right hand, at the distance of about five miles, the celebrated mountain of Tokái, in compass about ten Hungarian miles, and renowned for its generous wines. At the aforesaid Csege we ferry over the Tibiscus in two large flat bottomed boats, thence we travel for some time with the river on our right hand, and then strike into the plain to Csat, a large village about one Hungarian mile from Csege, where we fix our quarters.
June vii.
His Excellency stayed this day at Csat, at which time I had some conversation with the minister, Stephanus Szirák, formerly a traveler in England. Here I took notice of the fair, white, and stately cattle of Hungary; and walked in the feilds, to enjoy a more distinct prospect of the mountain Tokái.
June viii.
We proceed one Hungarian mile and a half thro the same plain to Proszlo, which is situated on a large and diffused lake, supplied by the Tibiscus, into which it empties itself. In our way hither, we left at a near distance on our right hand the city Agria, and the mountains denominated from thence.
June ix.
We move one Hungarian mile and a half forward in the same plain, and at the same distance from the mountains of Agria, to Alány. Before diner his Excellency with a retinue went an English mile from hence, in order to visit a new country house and garden belonging to the worthy General Glychensberg; who by donation from the Emperor possesses great part of this village, as likewise of that where we lodged last night. I had here an occasion to observe the Hungarian houses under ground, having unawares like to have dropt into a chimney. We took notice likewise of a plica Polonica in the hair of his Excellency’s landlord; who told us, that it being once cut off by his wife, he became perfectly blind for three months, and did not recover his sight, till the plica was grown out and formed again. The same thing is common to most horses in this country.
June x.
From Alány we go on this day two Hungarian miles to Arokszalles, thro the same plain, the soil of which is as black as coal, and in most places overrun with weeds and marshes for want of tillage. In the midway we cross the small river Both, by which is a posthouse of the same name. Arokszalles is a popish village, the first of that sort we had seen in Hungary. It belongs to the Prince of Newburg, Grand Master of the Teutonic order, who has bought lately of the Emperor a large compass of ground on both sides the Tibiscus for a million of florins. From our quarters we have in view to the right of our road, at the foot of a pleasant tract of mountains, the city Gyongyossi, lately taken from the Protestants (as they told us at Debrecyn) by the injuries of the Jesuits and other Romanists.