[(G)] Sophia, the Capital City of Bulgaria, a Province of Hungary, now in the hands of the Othomans. (The Turks are called Othomans, from Othoman, the first Founder of their Empire.) ’Tis seated on the River Ciabrum. It is famous for a General Council that met in the Year 347, which condemn’d the Proceedings of the Council of Nice, a City of Bythinia, that met in the year 325. There it another City of that name in Provence.
[(H)] Mohatz, a strong Town in Lower Hungary upon the Danube.
[(I)] Buda is the Capital of the Kingdom of Hungary formerly a rich and strong City, before it fell into the hands of the Othomans, who deftroy’d most of the stately Edifices: it lies on the west of the River Danube over-against the Town of Peste and join’d to it by a Bridge of Boats, the Stream being too rapid, and wide to admit of any other. In the year 1179 Pope Nicholas III, and Ladislaus King of Hungary held a Council here. It is divided in two Parts, the Upper and the Lower; in the Lower Town there are now many Baths, both cold and hot, very finely adorn’d by the Turks to perform their Abdest or Washing, before they enter their Mosques or Places of Devotion. It was taken by this Solyman 1526, and retaken by Ferdinand Archduke Of Austria 1527; Solyman retook it again 1529, after the Garrison had bravely defended it in eleven vigorous Assaults. Ferdinand in 1541 attack’d it, when the Siege was raised by our Solyman. It was twice besieg’d by the Christians without success in 1598, and in 1601: in 1680 the Duke of Lorrain besieg’d it without success; but in 1686 took it by storm, after a noble Defence, tho’ an Army of fifty thousand Turks look’d on. The Duke found there the famous Library of the Hungarian Kings, inlarg’d by Matthias Corvinus, entire, which he transported to Vienna; four hundred pieces of Cannon and Mortars, three hundred thousand gold Ducats, besides many rich Vessels of Gold and Silver, magnificent Furniture, and other valuable things.
[(K)] Vienna, the Capital of Germany, seated on the Danube, circled by that River, as Shrewsbury is by the Severn, it is one of the largest Cities in Germany, as well as the strongest, and the Residence of the Emperor.
[(L)] Lintz, a Capital City of the Upper Austria, built upon the Danube, with a handsome Bridge over that river; ’tis a well-fortified, strong, and populous place. The Emperor has a castle for Pleasure, where he often retires from Business. It stands about thirty Miles from Vienna.
[(M)] Circumcision is not one of the five Points which makes a true Mohametan, but by Tradition brought from the Arabians. The Othomans never perform this Ceremony, till the male Child is upwards of seven Years old. The Operator is a Surgeon. When the Child is recover’d of his Wound, he is placed on horseback, and led through the chief Streets of the Town, attended by the Iman (or Priest) with Children of its own Age. Till the Child is perfectly cured, the Parents make a great Feast, inviting their Relations and Acquaintance to partake of their Mirth. Grown People, or those that turn from the Christian Religion (called Renegadoes) ride in triumph, with a Dart in their left Hand, the Point directed to their left Breast, to signify they would sooner have it thrust thro’ their Heart, than renounce that Faiths being in the nature of Baptism with the Christians.
[(N)] Circassia is a Province that extends from the Bosphorus to the Eastern Shore of the Euxine Sea, famous for its beautiful Women; and the Seraglio is generally filled with them for the service of the Emperor.
[(O)] The Seraglio is the Emperor’s Palace, with large Gardens bordering on the Bosphorus, the Sea that parts Constantinople in Europe, and Scutari in Asia. There the Emperor’s Women are kept, each in favour having their particular Apartments, being generally attended by black Eunuchs, and those of the most deformed sort. The young Slaves are also brought up here in a large Apartment, near the Gate of the Seraglio and though the Sons of Slaves often rise to the highest Posts in the Empire; for in Turkey Birth is seldom regarded, but the greatest Merit rises to the highest Post, contrary to the Rules of other Nations, where Bribes and Favour promote the Worthless. At the age of twelve they are taken from the Seraglio, and employ’d in Business according to their Capacity.
[(P)] Guntz, a small Town, situate upon a River of the same name in Lower Hungary.
[(Q)] Gratz, the Capital City of Stiria; it stands upon the River Mure, twenty Miles from Vienna to the South.