The United Provinces of the Netherlands

Sources from old books

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

The Ʋnited Provinces of the Low-Countries.

THe Ʋnited Provinces are so call'd, from their Union at Ʋtrecht, in the Year 1579. They are commonly called Holland, that being the richest & most populous Province of 'em all. Their situation is towards the end of the Rivers Rhine and Meuse, in the Northern part of the Low Countries, between the Dominions of the King of Spain in Flanders, England, which is separated from 'em by the Sea, and several Principalities of the Empire. The Princes of the Empire, who are their Neighbours, are the Duke of Newbourg, in his Dutchy of Juliers, and his Barony of Ravestein; the Elector of Brandenbourg, in his Dutchy of Cleves; the Elector of Cologn, the Bishop of Munster, the Count de Bentheim, the Prince of East-Friesland, in the Territories of the same Name. The Ʋnited Provinces, which before owed subjection to the King of Spain, have since been independent of one another, or to say rather, as many Republicks; which, altogether, make now but one, under the Name of the States General of the Ʋnited Provinces of the Low Countries. The Dignity of this State residing in the States General, the Absolute authority over things reserved by reason of the alliance, has remained in the States of each Province. The Seal of the Republick, is a Lion, holding a Bundle of Seven bound Arrows, with allusion to as many confederated Provinces; these Provinces, as the Politicians say, have not always been so well united, but that they resembled a Body, which has several Heads, some of which would draw it on one side, while the others endeavour to tug it on the other. There is no State in the World of so small an Extent, which has so great a number of Fortresses, and which seems better defended by the Nature of the Places than this: It has the See, and several Rivers, which defend it; the Rhine, the Meuse, the Waal, the Issel. Notwithstanding all these Defences, the French King made surprising Conquests in the Year 1672. by the reduction of three Provinces, and sixty considerable Towns, which proceeded from raw, unexpert, meer Citizens sons, being imploid in the Soldiery.

Besides the Ʋnited Previnces, and the Places that are in them, the States General have in Flanders, the Cities of Sluyce, Middlebourg, Ardembourg, Sasvan Gaunt, Axel, Hulst: in Brabant, Lisle, Bergen-ap-Zoom, Breda, Boisleduc, Grave: and they have Maestricht in the Bishoprick of Liege; Dalem, Fauquemont, Bolduc, in the Land of Outre Meuse. These Places were taken by the French King, but restor'd to them by his Majesty, in consideration of the Peace of 1678. In Germany, they had upon the Rhine, Orsoy, Wesel, Reez, Emerik, Genep, in the Dutchy of Cleves; Rhineberg in the Electorate of Cologn; these are return'd into the hands of its true Masters, in consideration of the aforesaid Peace. Towards Westphalia, the States General have Garrisons in the City of Embden, in the Forts of Eideler and Leer-ort, which belong to the Prince of East-Friesland.

There are in Holland two Companies of Merchants, the one for the East-Indies, the other for the West. The first of these Companies seems it self to be a Potent Republick: It boasts of having subdued more Leagues of Country, than there are Acres of Land in all Holland: Of having fourteen or fifteen thousand Soldiers, and a Number of Ships in its Service: Of employing commonly above fourscore thousand Men. It had long since above twenty very considerable Fortresses, as many Magazines upon the Coasts of the Indian-Sea, where it has endeavour'd to constrain several Petty Kings, not to receive, into their States, any other Nations of Europe than their own. The West-India Company is weak and feeble in respect of the other, whether that the Portugals have had more right and more strength than the Hollanders in Brazil: Or the term of the Concession of Priviledg, obtained by these from their Sovereign, be expired: Or, in short, that the Company of the East-Indies has us'd all its efforts to ruin the other. The Hollanders have hitherto been Powerful at Sea, have often beaten the French, the Spanish Fleets; nay, made Head against the English, who are Sovereigns of the Sea: The Number of their Ships is so great, that, if we may believe their Partizans, it equals that of the rest of Europe. They have always, in their own Country, wherewith to Equip a great Number, tho' their Land neither produces Wood nor other things necessary for that purpose: They are able to Arm out above a hundred to Sea, if they had but the Mariners and Soldiers they had formerly. At their first Establishment, they only pretended to Fishing, and Trading from Port to Port; since they have drove the richest Commerce that is carried on at Sea.

Amongst the Ʋnited-Provinces, there are four towards the West; Holland, Zealand, Ʋtrecht, Guelderland: Four towards the East, Zutphen, Over-Yssel, or Trans-Isalane, Friesland, Groninghen. Those who reckon but seven, make but one of that of Guelderland and Zutphen. In the Assemblies, these Provinces have ever given their Votes in the following Order, Guelderland with Zutphen first of all; then Holland, Zealand, Ʋtrecht, Friesland, Over-Yssel; finally, Groninghen with the Ommelands. Each of 'em sends its Deputies to the Hague, where are form'd three Colledges or Assemblies of them, the States-General, the Council of State, and the Chamber of Accounts. In the Assembly of the States-General, all the Provinces above-mention'd must consent, in General and in Particular, to the Resolutions that are taken therein, and do not follow the plurality of Voices. Each Province may send thither one, two, three, four or five Deputies; but all these Deputies have, together, but one Voice, and have right to Preside therein but one Week: That of Guelderland begins, because it is the most Ancient, and its Plenipotentiaries were the first who propos'd the Union. It is the same Province, which, in the Year 1674. had offer'd the Sovereignty to the Prince of Orange. The Admiralty has five Sessions, and as many Magazines, which are those of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Horn or Enkuysan, Middlebourg, Harlingen; the three former in Holland, the fourth in Zealand, the fifth in Friesland. As touching Religion, all sorts of Sects are tolerated in this State, as we have said, but Calvinism is principally followed.

The Province of Holland, taken by it self, is a great Peninsula, which maintains it self against the Assaults of the Sea by the means of its Dikes, where a careful Watch is kept both Day and Night. It alone has always Contributed more than all the other Provinces have done together: Of a hundred Livres, it furnishes fifty nine and a half. It has still some Nobility, the Brederodes, the Wassenaers, the Egmonts; this Nobility has ever Voted there the first, tho' it has but one Voice together, whereas, that eighteen Cities of the same Provinces had there each their own, with the Sovereignty bound by Alliance. Most of the Towns, in this Province, are beautiful and pleasant, as having been built in the last Age. Six of them are reckoned Principal, that are called Great, Dort, Haerlem, Delf, Leyden, Amsterdam, Goude.

Dort, whose Situation is upon four Rivers, has the first Voice, as that where the Counts of Holland, and their Subjects, gave reciprocally the Oath to one another: It is the Place where Mony is Coined, its Inhabitants have the Priviledg of Marching with Guards. In the Year 1421. of a Town upon the Continent, it became an Island by a terrible Inundation, which drown'd above ten thousand Persons and twelve Villages. Haerlem is the Place where the finest and whitest Linnen is made of the Province. Delf is the Place of the Sepulchre of the Princes of Orange, and where Porcelain Ware is made. Leyden is the Eye, or, according to others, the Garden of Holland, by reason of the Cleanness of its Streets, and the Beauty of its Houses: 'Tis Celebrated for its Antiquity, for its University and its excellent Impressions, for the Rhine's losing it self in the Sand, where endeavours have been, to no purpose, used to make a Sea-Port, in a word, for an entire Defeat of the Spanish Army in the last Age, after that the Hollanders had broken all the Neighbouring Dikes. A Native of this Town was the Taylor, who, to his own bane, made himself King of the Anabaptists in Munster.

Amsterdam Vyes with the best Cities of the World, in the great Number of its Ships, and the conveniency it has of sitting them out; it now drives the greatest part of the Commerce that was formerly carried on by Antwerp, Sevil and Lisbon: It alone Contributes as much, or more, than all the other Cities of the Province. The Inhabitants of the Country call it the Market and the Shop of the Rarities of the Universe, by reason of the various Merchandizes wherewith it is filled, and say, it has so much Gold and Silver, that there are sometimes found several Millions of Tuns of Gold in its Banck, each of those Tuns being esteemed at near ten thousand Pounds, the Expence for its Stadt-House, or Town-House, was Prodigious; finally, Amsterdam contains so many Riches, that they have been constrained to enlarge the Circuit of it. Gouda has this advantage, as being in a Place where the Waters are running, and where Inhabitants enjoy the purest Ait that is in all Holland. Rotterdam, the Birth-place of Erasmus, is the best of the twelve Cities they call petty, by reason of its great Traffick with England, and upon the Meuse. The Hague is the Residence of the Council of the States-General, but a Town the best Built, and the most Delicious in all Europe, where the Embassadors of the Neighbouring Princes make their usual Residence. The Texel is a Harbour towards the North, famous for a Retreat of Ships. The Brill has the same advantage towards the South; the rest of the Coast is full of Downs or Hills of Sands, with some Retreats for Fisher Boats and Busses.

Zealand is the Province, which first of all set it self at Liberty, and consented last to the Peace with Spain; the Prince of Orange possesses most of its particular Lordships and Baronies: those who compare the States-General to a Ship, say, that Zealand is the Pinnace. It consists of eight Principal Islands, whereof there are four great ones: that of Walcheren is the most beautiful of all those of the Low-Countries, with the Cities of Middlebourg and Flushing, both well fortified. Middlebourg, the chief of the Province, is the general Staple of the Country for Wines, Flushing a commodious Harbour for many Ships; the Duke of Alva had a design of causing a Cittadel to be built there, as well as at Antwerp. The small Isle of Duveland is known in the History of 1575. for the bold and hardy passage of the Spaniards, across the Sea under Mondragon.

The Barony of Ʋtrecht has a Capital City of the same Name, where dwell most of the Nobility of the Country: They reckon above fifty six Cities, to which one may go by Boat from Ʋtrecht in less than a day.

Guelderland has four Quarters; that of the same Name, which is toward the South, called the High-Quarter of Guelderland, belongs to the Spaniards, who, in the Year 1627. did [to no purpose at all] endeavour to bring the Rhine to the City of Gueldres, and into the Meuse, for the depriving the Ʋnited-Provinces of its Commerce with Germany. Nimmeghen, famous for the Conclusions of the Treaties of Peace, in the the Years 1678, and 1679. is the Capital of Holland's Guelderland, in the Quarter of the Betuve, the abode of the ancient Batavians. Arnheim is in that of the Veluve.

The Province of Zutphen bears the same Name with its Capital City, and passes sometimes for a fourth Quarter of the Dutchy of Guelderland, having no Vote in the Assemblies of the States-General, but conjoyntly with this Dutchy; besides this Capital, at the Siege thereof, •ell that Ornament of our Nation, Sir Philip Sidney, as great a Wit, Courtier, Soldier and Statesman, perhaps, as ever was: There is in this Province Groll, and eight or nine small Cities.

Over-Yssel, otherwise Trans-Isaline, is so called from its Situation beyond the Yssel, where the Rhine communicates part of its Waters, by the means of a Trench or Chanel, which Drusus caused formerly to be made: There are three Countries, Salande, Tuvente, Drente, where, they would persuade us, were formerly the Salians, Tubantes and Tencterians. Saland has Deventer the Capital of the Province, a famous passage over the Yssel, Drente has Coeworden, one of the most regular Pentagones of Europe.

Friesland affords special strong Horses, and Beeves of an excessive bigness. It has had, at divers times, Princes, Dukes, and [according to some] Kings, who have resided at Staveren. Leuvarden has the States or Parliament: Dokum the Admiralty of the Province. Schelling is an Island upon the Coast, where are some Towns which serve to give signal to the Ships They Hunt the Sea-Dogs there after a pleasing manner: The Men, who mean to take them, disguise themselves like Drummers, and, with a thousand Apish Tricks, do insensibly attract, towards the midst of the Island, those poor Creatures who are over-joy'd to see them; but, in the mean while, Nets are laid, which hinder their returning to the Sea. The Passage between this Island and that of the Ʋlie is much frequented; out there go thence Ships, which are bound for the North and the Baltick-Sea.

Groninghen, which has the last Voice in the Assemblies of the States-General, has but two Cities, Groninghen and Dam. Groninghen is in so important a Situation, by reason of the Frontier, that the Duke of Alva projected the. making a Cittadel there. In the Year 1672 after the taking of several Places, the Bishop of Munster had the displeasure of not being able to compass his Design upon this. The Province has Pasturages, wherein Turfs are made, which serve for Fewel. It has several Navigable Chanels, the Key whereof seems to be contain'd in the Fortress of Delfzil at the Mouth of the Ems. The Ommelands, which make a part of it towards the East, have frequent Disputes with this Province, and would willingly pretend to make the eighth of the Ʋnited-Provinces.

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

Of the Vnited Netherlands. CHAP. X.

OF the Situation, Soil, Rivers, ancient State and History of these Provinces to the Time of their Subjection to the King of Spain, an Account hath been already given in speaking of the Netherlands in general: Wha• remains, is to give the Reader some Idea of the Rise and Establishment of this Republick, known by the Name of The States General of the Ʋnited Netherlands, before we proceed

to the Description of the Country. In order to which it is necessary to begin with the first occasions of their Defection from Spain, which were as follow.

The People of these Countries enjoyed large Privileges under the ancient Princes, who were content always to maintain 'em to them, because the smallness of their respective Dominions, made their greatest Strengths consist in the Affections of their Subjects: But when, afterwards, all these Provinces became subject to one Prince, who had also large Dominions elsewhere, the People were treated with less indulgence. Charles V. was the first of these, who, as he was King of Spain, and Emperor of Germany, as well as Duke of Burgundy, had different Interests from his Predecessors, and being engaged in a War with France, brought foreign Forces from his other Dominions into the Netherlands, notwithstanding the Laws to the contrary; but being a Native of this Country, of a gentle and generous Nature, residing long in it, and using the Native Nobility in the Government, he was generally belov'd, and his Actions gave no disgust.

But his Son Philip being born in Spain, was of the Humour of that Nation, very Austere, and had also so much Affection for his Country-men, that he conferr'd upon them all the Offices of Honour and Authority in these Countries, to the great displeasure of the Flemish Nobility; and himself also resided in Spain, governing these States by a Deputy; continu'd the Foreign Forces on foot though the War were at an end; which most of all disquieted the People, and declar'd himself very zealous for the Romish Religion; and therefore the Edicts against Luther that had been made in his Father's time, but by the Indulgence of Charles, had not been executed here, Philip •evives, and commands to be strictly executed; w•ich was very grievous here, because the number •f the Protestant Party was large.

In the yea 1550, the Dutchess of Parma the King's Sister, was made Governess of the Netherlands; she was a Person of great Wisdom and Goodness, but the chief Minister Cardinal Grandvill, whom the King appointed to assist her, was of an intolerable proud and cruel Nature, and though of an obscure men Birth, so insolent to the Nobility, that what with that, and his cruel prosecution of the Inquisition, whch was now set on foot for the suppression of Proestancy, he became universally odious, and the Nobility refus'd to assist at the Councils while he at at the Head in them: Wherefore the good Dut•hess prevail'd upon the King to remove him, and mod•rate the Edicts about Religion.

But the In•uisition was soon after reviv'd, and notwithstanding the Dutchess's good Offices, the King commands all Hereticks to be put to Death, and many we•e Executed accordingly; which created Horror a•d Rage in the minds of the People, and caused them to break out into open Mutinies, to oppose the Executions, and release the Prisoners that were con•emned for Religion. Also several of that Nobility confederated together against the Inquisition, and a great number headed by the Lord of Brederode, boldly Petition'd the Governess for abolishing it: To which she gave a calm Answer, and, representing the Matter kindly to the King, prevail'd upon him to grant their request; but the favour being long del•y'd, the People were dissatisfied, and at length broke out into Rebellion, and committed many outragious Actions; but were soon pacified by the Dutchess, and the publick Peace once more restor'd. But the King was still resolv'd to suppress this Heresie (as he call'd it) and punish these •utinous Subjects; and therefore sent his Favourite the Duke of Alva, in the year 1567, into the Netherlands, with an Army of 10000 Spanish and Italian Soldiers to assist the Dutchess in the execution of his Commands: Upon whose arrival, the People were in general so discontented, that great numbers of the richer sort retir'd our of the Provinces; and the Dutchess foreseeing the Evils that were approaching, desir'd leave of the King to resign the Government; which was soon granted, and that Charge, with greater power than usual, conferr'd on the Duke of Alva: Who immediately set himself to work to quell the Disorders, but by a different method than what had been used by the prudent Dutchess; for whereas she by mildness had pacified the People and brought them to Reason, he resolv'd by Rigor to force them to submit: And first of all, without regard to the Laws of the Land, he erected a new Court of Judicature, for Trying those that had been concerned in the late Insurrections, and many were condemned and executed thereupon. The Inquisition was set to work anew, and executed with greater Rigor than before: And many other things transacted that were contrary to the Liberties of the People, the Privileges of the Towns, and the known Laws of the Country; which though the Nobility and Peop•e were exceedingly incensed at, the Governor was not at all concern'd, but resolv'd to pursue his own Methods, and break the Strength of the discontented Party; which he thought he could not effectually do without cutting off their Heads; the chief whereof were the Prince of Orange, Count Egmont and Count Horn.

The Prince of Orange was a Person of great Interest, by the large Possessions he was Master of; and by reason of his great Wisdom and Goodness, was belov'd by all, as he had particularly been by the Emperor Charles V. who made him Governor of Holland.

Count Egmont was a great Soldier, and had enjoyed the highest places of Honour and Trust in Flanders, and was also exceedingly belov'd by the People, as was likewise Count Horn, who had a large Estate in Brabant.

These three the Duke of Alva was resolv'd take off, and accordingly the two latter were seized and imprisoned, and after some Months time Tryed and Executed for being accessary to the late Insurrection, though they had been highly instrumentall in suppressing it; but the Prince of Orange having in time retir'd into Germany, saved his Life, though with the loss of his Estate, for that was seized as forf•it•d to the King. These Arbitrary and cruel Proceedings of Alva enraged the People to the h•ghest degree, and made them resolve Revenge; and in order to it great numbers flock to the Prince of Or••ge as their Head, who with them and such other Forces as he could raise, invaded •he Provinces. But the Spanish Army was too powerful, so that the Prince was forced to return without effecting any thing. And Alva glorying in his good Fortune, insolently caused his own Statue to be erected, with two Figures, representing the Es•ates of the Low C••ntries, under his Feet; And dem•nded of the S••t•s la•ger Supplies for the Army, than they could grant: Who petition the King thereupon, but without R•dress; and persisting in their refusal, d' Alva publishes a•

Edict without their Consent, for Levying the Mony he demanded, and upon the People's refusing to pay it, caused the Soldiers to take it by force, and commanded those to be hanged upon the Sign-posts that had refused to pay; but was interrupted in his career by the arrival of News from Holland, That the Briel was seized by the Gueses: These were the Protestants, to whom the Papists had given that Name in Contempt, and who to avoid the Rigor of the Inquisition and d'Alva's Government, had fled, some into the Woods and Fastnesses, and others to Sea, where they lived upon Spoil, &c. These being grown strong by the additions of some of the remains of the Prince of Orange's Army, landed in Holland and seized the Briel; which was follow'd by the Revolt of most of the Towns of Holland and Zealand; and the Prince of Orange coming soon after out of Germany with new Forces, became so formidable, that the King found it absolutely necessary to remove the Duke of Alva, whose violent proceedings had raised such a Spirit of Hatred, not only of him, but of the whole Spanish Interest, that without very prudent and cautious management, there was little hopes of ever bringing these Provinces to Obedience. After d' Alva's departure, Requisenes had the Government for a little time, but he dying, the Administration fell of course to the Council, till a new Governor came. Don John of Austria was appointed to succeed; but before he could arrive, the People grew Mutinous, and obliged the Council to assemble the States: Who being met at Ghent in the year 1576. agreed upon the Act, call'd The Pacification of Ghent; the substance whereof was, That all Foreign Soldiers be expell'd, the ancient Forms of Government restor'd, and matters of Religion referr'd to the States of each Province: But the Foreigners refus'd to depart, and were therefore declared Rebels; in revenge whereof they plunder'd several Towns, particularly Antwerp. And when Don John arrived, the Estates refused to admit him till he had confirmed the Pacification of Ghent; but he shortly after renounced it, and seising the Castle of Namur, gave new occasions for a Breach: And immediately both Parties prepared for war. The Provinces call the Prince of Orange to Brussels, and make him Protector of Brabant, and the Spaniards draw their Armies together in Namur and Luxemburg; but Don John dying suddenly, and a new Party being risen among the Confederates, little was done till the Union of Ʋtrecht.

The UNION of ƲTRECHT, from which the Original of this Common-wealth must be dated, was a firm Alliance agree'd upon in the year 1579, by the Seven Northern Provinces of the Netherlands, and Signed at the City of Ʋtrecht: By which they united themselves, so as never to be divided, reserving however to each Province, all its former Rights, Laws and Customs. All the Provinces bound themselves to assist one another against all Enemies whatsoever, to carry on all Wars, and maintain all Frontier Towns at their united Expence; and by a joint Council of the Representatives of all the Provinces, transact all Affairs relating to the Union.

But this new-erected State found it self too weak to resist the valiant Duke of Parma, the Successor of Don John, who tho' when he came to the Government had only the Provinces of Namur and Luxemburg, free from the Confederacy, yet by his own Conduct and Valour, and the Strength of the Army he got together, was powerful enough in a little time to reduce the Confederates to such extream distress, that in the Term of Poor and Distressed States, they implored the assistance of our Queen Elizabeth, offering her the Sovereignty of their State, if she would afford them Protection: The Queen refused the Dominion, but lent them Mony and Soldiers, in the year 1585, upon the Security of the Briel, Flushing and Rammekins, which they put into her Hands. And in 1587, sent over more Forces under the Earl of Leicester, whom the States swore Obedience to, and admitted as their Governor: But his Government la••ed not long, for some differences arising between him and the States, the Queen recall'd him, but continu'd her former Assistance to the Dutch, who after Leicester's departure, chose Prince Maurice, (Son to the late Prince William of Orange, who was Assassinated at Delph by a Spaniard) for their Governor, who proved one of the greatest Captains of the Age, in wise Conduct, admiral Discipline, and excellent manner of Fortifying; which, with the diversion that Queen Elizabeth gave the Spaniards in her famous War with them, did so restore the Affairs of this State, that the valiant Duke of Parma dying, King Philip found it necessary to think of Peace, which the States were very little sollicitous of; for not only were their Forces under Prince Maurice successful enough, but their Subjects had found the way to the East-Indies, and began to supplant the Portugues and make Holland the European Staple for the Commodities of those Countries; and were powerful enough at Sea to threaten the Spanish Plate Fleets and West-Indian Dominions; so that while the Spaniard, by the management of the Arch-duke Albert, now Governor of the Netherlands, carried on the War at great Expence, in hopes of making the States ask a Peace, he found that the underhand Overtures he made them were but coldly receiv'd, and that they refused to grant a Cessation of Arms, or to be treated with upon any other Terms than as a FREE STATE, which he was at last forced to comply with: And,

In the yer 1609, a Truce was concluded for 12 Years, by which the Provinces were declared Free; both Parties allowed the full enjoyment of all that they then Possessed, and free Commerce established betwixt them.

And thus this War of 48 years continuance, ended with the total Alienation of 7 Provinces from the Spanish Dominions, and the Erection of a State, which though it rose from such poor beginning, and struggl'd with the most Potent Prince of Europe, has grown to be one of the most Powerful, Rich, Well-planted and Populous of Europe.

Of the Government of the United Netherlands in general, and of Holland in particular.

THE Supream Authority is the Assembly of the Representatives of the Seven Provinces, call'd, The Assembly of the States General; which consists of seven Voices, one for each Province, to whom belongs the power of making War or Peace, receiving and dispatching of Ambassadors, tking care of Frontier Towns, and assigning the sums to be Levied for the Defence and Service of the Union. Assistant to these there are the Council of State, and the Council of the Admiralty. The first is composed of 12 Persons, (whereof Guelderland sends two, Holland 3, Zealand 2, Ʋtrecht 2, Friezland 1, Overissel, and Groninghen 1) who previously deliberate the Matters to be brought before the States General, Form the state of Expence for the succeeding year, and propose the ways of Levying it, &c. Assistant to this Council is the Chamber of Accounts, composed of two Deputies from each Province, who Audit the publick Accounts and dispose the Finances. The Council of the Admiralty, when the States order the fitting out a Fleet, have the care of it, and the ordering of all Marine Affairs; Sub-ordinate to which are the five Colleges in Holland, Zeeland and Friezland, who execute the Orders they receive from this Council.

The Resolutions of the States General, when they concern Peace or War, Foreign Alliances, or raising Mony, are never made but by the Agreement of every Province; nor must the Provinces conclude without the Agreement of every City; so that when such a matter comes before the States, they separate, each Member returning to his respective Province, where in the assembly of every Provincial State the Matter is propos'd, with which the Deputies return to their Principals the Cities, for their consent, which makes the Resolutions very tedious and liable to interruption, by the Interest an opposite Party may make in any one of the Cities, which hath sometimes happen'd, particularly in the case of the Relief of Luxemburg, when the City of Amsterdam Dissenting, hinder'd the raising the 16000 Men propos'd to save that Place, which was for want of this Relief, taken by the French in 1684.

By which the Reader will see, that though the States General represent the Sovereignty, the Power is diffus'd, and rests indeed in the several Cities that send Deputies to the States of the Province; for every Province is a distinct State, as are also all the Cities, in matters that concern themselves only. As a Specimen of the whole, we shall instance the City of Amsterdam, and the Province of Holland.

The Sovereignty of Amsterdam is lodged in the Council or Senate, which is compos'd of 36 Persons, who serve for Life, and upon the death of one the rest chuse another of the Burghers to supply his Place. This Council chuses the Magistrates and Officers, and the Deputy, which represents the City in the Provincial State; (so that the People have no share in Elections) and also make Laws for the Government of the City, and Levy the Taxes for the publick Service of the City in particular, and its Quota for the Union in General: By its Magistrates (which are Burgomasters equal to our Lord Mayor, Schepens or Judges, and Schout or Sheriff) the City executes an independent Government, judges all Causes Civil and Criminal, and inflicts punishments even to Death, without the cognizance of any other Power whatsoever. The like Authority is found in all the Cities, but with some little variation, not needful here to be mention'd.

The Provincial State of Holland is compos'd of the Deputies of the Nobility and the Cities, which make Nineteen Voices, whereof the Nobles have One, and these Cities, viz. Dort, Harlem, Delft, Leyden, Amsterdam, Goude, Rotterdam, Gorcum, Scheidam, Schonehoven, Briel, Alcmaer, Horn, Enchuysen, Edam, Monickdam, Medenblick and Purmeren, one a piece, which make the other 18 Voices; which, as we have already said, must all concur in the making of any new Alliance, declaring War and making Peace, &c. These Assemble at the Hague, as do also the States General and the Council of State.

The States of the other Provinces are much the same, only that the Nobility in some of them being more Numerous, have a greater share; and in Ʋtrecht the Deputies of the Clergy have Session; and in Friezland and Groninhen, besides the Towns, the Lands divided into Bailiages, send Deputies to the States.

The Prince of Orange is the Person that represents the Dignity of this Sta•e, by his splendid Court, publick Guards, &c. He is Captain General and Lord High Admiral, and thereby disposes of all Military Commands. He is Statholder of five of the seven Provinces; (for Prince Cassimer of Nassaw, is Statholder of Friezland and Groninghen) and hath the Nomination of Magistrates of the Cities out of a double number presented to him: He pardons the penalties of Crimes, and hath Session in the Council of State; and though he doth not sit in the Assembly of State; General, yet do they not resolve any important Matter without his Advice. He hath also great influence in several of the Provincial States, by the large portion of Lands he is Owner of, whereby he hath many Voices in Electing the Deputies of the Nobles. He is exceeding Rich, as well by the vast Pa••••onal Estate descended to him f•• 〈◊〉 Ancestors, among which are many Sovereign Principalities and Lordships, as by the large Revenues belonging to his several Charges and Commands. All which are at present possess'd by his most Excellent Majesty William King of Great Britain &c. Whose Ancestors that have enjoyed the same Dignity in this State, are these, viz.

I. William of Nassaw, Prince of Orange, who was Governor of Holland and Zeeland, under Charles V. and Philip II. and by his excellent Wisdom, Goodness and Courage, acquir'd the greatest Esteem and Authority imaginable among the People, and was therefore the Person to whom they applied themselves for Relief from the oppressions of the Duke of Alva, &c. As we have already shewn. He was Assassinated at Delft in Holland by a Spanish Soldier, in the year 1584.

II. Maurice of Nassaw, Prince of Orange, and Son of William, by whose wise Conduct the Confederacy, (which he found Poor and Distressed) was raised to a very powerful State, and acknowledged Free by the King of Spain. He died A. D. 1625. and was Succeeded by his half-Brother

III. Henry Frederick, a Prince of great Valour, Prudence and Fortune: He died in the year 1647.

IV. William his Son Succeeded, who Married the Princess Mary, eldest Daughter to King Charles I. of England, and died A. 1650, without Issue Born, leaving his Princess then with Child of his present Majesty, which gave the Lovesteyn Faction an opportunity to endeavour to suppress the Authority and Office of Statholder, and which they did keep vacant till 1674, when the People having suffer'd a thousand Miseries by the hands of the barbarous French, forced the Magistrates to retract that Instrument they had Sworn to, and fondly call'd a Perpetual Edict, whereby the Office of Statholder was to be for ever suppress'd: I say, the People impatient of the Evils they indur'd for want of a Valiant Captain to Head their Armies, oblig'd the Magistrates to restore the Prince to the Dignity of his Ancestors.

V. William Henry of Nassaw, Prince of Orange, Son to William and Mary abovemention'd, was Born November 6, 1650, eight days after his Father's Death; lived Privately till the year 1674, when he was restored to the Stadtholdership of Holland, Zealand, Guelderland and Zutphen, Ʋtrecht and Overyssel, which by the States of each of those Provinces was confirmed to him and his Heirs for ever. In 1677, he Married Mary our Late Queen of Blessed Memory; and in 1688, Succeeded in the Throne of England, and is at present King of Great Britain, France and Ireland.

The Seven United Provinces are,

• GUELDERLAND, with ZUTPHEN.
• HOLLAND.
• ZEALAND,
• UTRECHT.
• FRIEZLAND.
• OVERYSSEL.
• GRONINGEN.

Chief Cities.

• ...Arnhem,
• ...Zutphen.
• ...Amsterdam,
• ...Middleburg,
• ...Ʋtrecht,
• ...Franeker,
• ...Deventer,
• ...Groninghen,

CHAP. XI. The Province of HOLLAND and West FRIEZLAND, Hollandia & Westfrisia.

THE first Inhabitants of this Province of Holland, were the Batavi, a Branch of the Nation of the Catti, a People of Germany; but how far their Territory extended, is Disputed. It is said in general in ancient Authors, that Batavia was included between the Maes and the Rhine; but whether it be to be understood of the old Channel of the Rhine which passes by Ʋtrecht and Leyden, or the Channel of Drusus, which turn'd a great part of that River into the Issel, is the question in Dispute. If the latter, not only this Province, but those of Ʋtrecht and Gelderland, must have belonged to them. But however it be, all Parties grant, that at least all the South part of Holland, as far as Leyden, together with the Betuwe, (now part of Geldre) Nimeguen the chief City thereof being by some said to have been their Metropolis, was the Seat of the ancient and famous Nation of the Batavians, so often mention'd by Tacitus and other ancient Writers. As for the Northern part there is good reason to believe that it was formerly contiguous with Friezland, or at least Inhabited by that Nation.

The modern name of Holland was undoubtedly given it by the Danes, who very much infesting these Coasts with their Pyracies in the IXth. Century; had this Province with the Islands lying South of it, given them by Lotharius the third Son of Lewis the Godly, (to whose share this part of the Empire of his Grand-father Charlemaigne was allotted) and by them named Zealand and Holland, from the two parts of their own Country so denominated. 'Tis true, some Etymologists will have it, that the name of Holland was given it q. d. Hollow-land, from the lowness of the Country: But since the Story of the Danes planting themselves here is Un-disputed, the former account is much the more rational.

The original of its Earldom is already mention'd in the general account before the description of the Spanish Netherlands, together with its falling into the Family of Burgundy, and by Succession to the King of Spain; and of its Revolt from him we have been just speaking; as also of its present State.

The present Bounds of •his Province (including West Friezland, or North Holland, which in all publick Acts is mention'd apart, are the German Ocean on the West, the Zuyderzee on the North, the same Sea with the Province of Ʋtrecht and the Betuwe on the East, and Brabant and Zealand on the South. It is seated between the 51st. deg. 40 min. and 53d. deg. of Latitude, and 83d. deg. 10 min. 24th. deg. 20 min. Long. containing in its utmost extent from North to South, 80 English miles, and from East to West about 25, but in some places above 40. The Soil is low and marshy; but by the Industry of the Inhabitants in draining out the Water by their artificial Channels, it is made to yield very good Pasture and some Corn; but chiefly the former, for Food to their vast Herds of Kine, from which they receive the almost sole product of the Country, Butter and Cheese. The Air is thick and moist by the Fogs arising out of the vast number of Channels and Lakes all over the Country, which make the Inhabitants in many parts of it very subject to Agues, which would be yet much worse if it were not purg'd by the Easterly Winds, which coming over the long dry Continent of Germany, purifie the Air, and cause sharp Frosts during the Months of January and February, by which the Earth is dried, and the Vermin which the moistness of the Land produces in great quantities, Destroyed. The whole Province is divided into two great Parts, North and South, which are again Subdivided thus, viz.

• NORTH, containing
  • North Holland strictly taken, divided into
    • West Friezland, the chief Towns whereof are,
      • ...Horn,
      • ...Enchuysen,
      • ...Medenblick.
    • The Islands Texel, Vlie, and Schelling.
    • Waterland.
      • ...Edam,
      • ...Munickdam,
      • ...Purmerent.
    • Kennemerland.
      • ...Alcmar,
      • ...Harlem,
      • ...Beverwyck.
  • Amstelland.
    • Amsterdam, Capital.
  • Goyland.
    • ...Narden,
    • ...Muyden,
    • ...Wesep.
  • Rhynland.
    • ...Leyden,
    • ...Woerden,
    • ...Oudewater.
  • Delsland.
    • ...Delft,
    • The Hague,
    • ...Honslaerdyck.
    • ...Maesland Sluys,
    • ...Vlardingen,
    • ...Delfs Haven.
  • Schieland.
    • ...Rotterdam,
    • ...Goude.

• SOUTH, containing
  • The Bailiwick of Dort, &c.
    • ...Dordrecht,
    • ...Guertrueyden-burg,
    • ...Willemstadt,
    • ...Klundert,
    • ...Heusden,
    • ...Crevecaeur,
    • ...Lovesteyn,
    • ...Gercum,
    • ...Worcum,
    • ...Schoonhoven,
    • ...Nieuport,
    • ...Vianen,
    • ...Yselstein,
    • ...Montfort.
  • The Land of Veorn.
    • ...Briel.
  • The Islands of
    • ...Goree,
      • ...Goree.
    • ...Overflackee.
      • ...Somerdyke.

AMSTERDAM, Amstelodamum, the chief City not only of Holland, but of all the United Netherlands, is seated on a small River named Amstel, that runs through the Town and falls into an Arm of the Sea, call'd the Y, (and by abbreviation of the Dutch Article Het, 'tY) which makes a large Haven, wherein continually lye vast numbers of Merchants Ships. The City is distant about 40 miles from Rotterdam to the North, 20 from Horn, and 30 from Medenblick to the South, 10 from Harlem, and 15 from the Sea-shoar to the East, and about 25 from Ʋtrecht to the North-west. It is but of modern Structure, being not mention'd in History before the year, 1299. nor then, but as a small Fisher-town only. Dewit hath publish'd Maps of its several Conditions, whereof the first in 1342, shews it a small Town on the East-side only of Amstel, with one Street in the middle, and 5 or 6 cross ones, which before 1400 was encreas'd to as much more on the other side the River; by 1482 it was again encreas'd on both sides and surrounded with strong Walls; in 1585 being grown populous, and beginning to be the chief Seat of Trade of this new erected State, it was much enlarged, as it was again in 1612: And again a fifth time in the year 1656, a very large space of Ground (great part of which is not yet built) was taken in and the Walls built anew of Brick, and the Gates of Stone, with a large Ditch all round; which new Addition hath made it a large Semi-circle, deriv'd from the River Y. It is an exceeding populous, rich and well-traded City, very well built and very neatly kept; the Streets are very large with Canals of Water in them, over which are a very great number of Stone-bridges. The Houses are all built of Brick or Stone, in good repair, and very beautiful, especially those in the newest part of the Town, where the Streets call'd the Heer, Konings and Keysers Grachten, or Lords, Kings and Emperors Channels, are fill'd with magnificent Houses, many of them of Free-stone, adorn'd with Colums and Chapters according to the Corinthian Architecture. The principal publick Buildings are the Old, the New, the Western and the Southern Churches, the Stadthuyse, the Exchange, the Hospitals, the Magazine of the Navy, that of the East-India Company's Shipping, and the Sluces: All which we cannot omit giving as particular a description of as our room will admit. The old Church is a Majestick Building of Stone according to the Gothick Order, with a fair Steeple of great heighth; the Church was begun to be built in 1360, but the Steeple not finished till 1566. The New Church, so call'd in distinction from the former, was founded about the year, 1414. but being burnt in 1645. was repair'd, and is at present a handsom Structure; a Tower was designed to it of exceeding Heighth, and a Foundation laid accordingly upon 6334 Piles driven into the Ground for that purpose, which was not however found strong enough, for the Building is not carried up above 30 or 40 foot: In the painted Windows of this Church is represented the Liberality of this City to the Emperor Maximilian, in presenting him with a large sum of Mony when he needed it, and his Generosity in bestowing an Imperial Crown for a Crest to its Arms. In this Church is to be seen the sumptuous Monument of Admiral de Ruyter, who was kill'd at Messina; a Schreen before the Chancel of cast Brass; which being kept bright looks very beautifully; and an Organ (supported by rich Marble Pillars) of extraordinary Workmanship for its number of Pipes and melodious imitation of Human Voices. The Western Church is a handsom Pile, and hath a beautiful Tower with a large Imperial Crown of Copper on the top of it, which is reckon'd 260 foot from the Ground. The South Church hath also a handsom Steeple of 237 foot high. The other Churches are less remarkable. The Stadthuyse or Guild-hall, is a very magnificent Structure, all of Free-stone, adorn'd with Pillasters, Chapters, Cornishes and Carvings, according to the Corinthian Architecture; it is a square Building of 282 foot broad, 235 foot deep, and 116 foot high, of which height the Ground-rooms, which are the Offices belonging to the Bank, and the Prisons with some smaller Offices take up about 20 foot, and the first and second Stories about 30 foot each, and over the middle of the Front, (which is somewhat more advanced than the rest of the Work) above the Cornish, rises a Bevel, the Face whereof is of Marble very curiously Carved, and on the top and each side of it stand three very large Statues of Brass, and just behind a handsom Tower, (being a Pavillion supported with Pillars) wherein hang a great number of Bells that compose very musical Chimes: The back Face hath also another Bevel with Carvings, on the top whereof stands a very large brazen Statue of Atlas, with a Globe of Copper on his Back. Within the House, the Gallery, and Door-cases of the Offices, are adorn'd with ingenious Carvings in Marble, and the Chambers with Marble Floors and curious Paintings on the Ceilings and Chimney-pieces: In this House the Senate of the City hold their Assemblies, the Burgomasters meet, Causes as well Criminal as Civil are Try'd, the great Bank is kept, and in general all publick Businesses transacted. This Building was begun in the year 1648, but not finished in many years; indeed not yet entirely, for the Cielings of the Gallery are design'd to be painted, and the Walls faced with Marble. The Exchange is a handsome Structure of Brick, with Pillars of Stone all along the Walks, built after the model of our old Royal Exchange, and is at least as Large. The Hospitals here are many and large; above 3000 poor Children are constantly maintain'd with Lodging Diet and Cloaths, taught to Read and Write at the publick Charge, in the Almoesniers-huys, VVeeys-huys, and Diaconis-huys, three large Hospitals, so call'd; besides which, there is a large House, wherein above 300 decrepit old Women are lodg'd and fed; these are all of modern Foundation, and maintained partly by the voluntary Charities collected by the Deacons, and partly by certain little Taxes, such as Penny upon every Person that passes through the Gate after Candle-light, half the Mony received at the Play-house, &c. and the rest supplied out of the publick Revenue: But another Hospital call'd the old Man's House, wherein 150 old Men and Women are maintained, was formerly a Monastery, the Rents whereof are assign'd for its Support: In this House a poor Traveller may have Lodging and Diet for three days gratis. Here is also an Hospital for the Sick, another for Madmen, another for Fools, and a Pest-house.

The Magazine is a handsom large Building of Brick, standing on the Water-side, in the North-east part of the Town; it is three Angles of a Square, in the middle whereof is a Yard for building Ships of War, the Front is 220, and the Wings 200 foot long. In the several Chambers of it are laid up the Rigging of the Men of War belonging to this City, with stores of Cordage, Arms, &c. all kept in very good order: This Magazine was built in 1655. Not far Eastward from hence is another stately Magazine belonging to the East-India Company; it is one range of Brick Building, behind which is a large Yard with Docks for building Ships, and Shops of Anchor-Smiths, and all other Artists belonging to Ship-building, particularly a very large Rope-yard: This House serves to lay up their Stores of Shipping, and also for Ware-houses for those Goods that they have not room for in their other Ware-houses; which with their House stands in the middle of the City.

The Sluces are Works of prodigious Expence and Art, and worth a Travellers notice. Formerly the City was frequently damaged by the overflowing of the Water, which upon the blowing of a North-east Wind was driven out of the Zu•der Zee and Ye with that violence into the Canals in the Streets, that the Water overflowing, not only run into their Cellars, but even rose to the first Floor of those Houses that stood in the lower parts of the Town; to prevent which, the Magistrates not many years since, caused these Sluces to be made at the mouth of every one of the four Channels that open to the Ye: These are strong solid Brick-works of 10 or 12 foot thick, rais'd from the bottom of the River to the Surface of the Ground, and built cross the Channels, leaving only convenient places for the passage of Ships, which are again shut up with very Strong Flood-gates, able at all times to resist the force of the Water, and secure the Inhabitants from its injuring them. Here are other publick Buildings worth a Stranger's View, such as the Rasp-house, where Rogues are Imprison'd and kept to hard Labour, as rasping Brazil-wood, &c. for 3, 4, 7, 10 years, or their whole Lives, according to the heinousness of the Crime; the Spin-house, where Whores are kept in like manner to Spinning, &c. the East and West-India Company's Houses, the Jews Synagogue, a noble Building indeed; the beautiful Stone-bridge cross the Amstel, where it enters the Town, and the Walls all round the Town which are exceeding neat and well built with Brick, and secure the City from a Surprize, as the marshiness of the Soil all round does from a formal Siege: The Gates which are 5 in number, are all built of Stone, and in the Bridge from each of them over the Ditch are 2 Draw-bridges and a Watch-house wherein, as well as in the Gates, continual Watch is kept by Soldiers maintain'd for that purpose, besides every night a company of the Train Bands of the City. And for their security from the Water-side, there are two rows of Pails all along before the Town, with narrow Gaps only at convenient places, for the passage of Ships, which are every night shut up by a Boom laid cross and lock'd. The Wealth and Trade of this City is exceeding great, the number of Shipping lying before the Pails in the Winter-time, when their East-land and other Fleets are in, is not to be computed, their Masts seeming like a great Forest, so thick they stand. The Ground here is Sand, which the Water here soaks through, and not only hinders from making the Cellars deep, but also obliges the Builders to drive a great number of Piles into the Ground, before they can lay the Foundations of the Houses. Here is no fresh Water but what they save in Cisterns when it Rains; for though the Amstell be good Water, the Ye is a branch of the Sea, and mixing with it makes it brackish for several miles above the Town.

The Supream Authority in the City is lodg'd in the Senate, which consists of 36 Persons chosen originally by the People, but at present by themselves, and continue for Life. These chuse the four Burgomasters, who are the chief Magistrates; and the nine Schepens who are the Judges of Civil and Criminal Causes; and the Scout or Sheriff, who hath the care of bringing Criminals to Justice, and executing the Law. But it is necessary to note, That the Senate have not the absolute choice of the Schepens, for they return a double number to the Stadtholder, who chuse those of them he pleases. The Burgomasters keep the Keys of the Treasury of the City, and of the great Bank lodged here and kept in the Cellars under the Stadthuys, which without doubt is a vast Mass of Treasure, but whether so great as its Credit, is not to be known, since none are permitted to see it; nor hath there ever been but once an occasion to try its Strength, viz. in 1673. when the French having overrun their Country, some People distrusted the safety of their Mony, and call'd it out of the Bank, which the Treasurers readily paying, gave satisfaction to the rest, and it hath still remain'd there, tho transfer'd every day from one to another by Bills and Accounts, without ever telling the Mony or any one desiring to see it. The compass of Amsterdam within the Walls, is reckon'd about 6 miles, but a large part of it is yet unbuilt; the number of Houses is about 25, or as some affirm 28000. The number of Inhabitants may be guess'd at by the Burials, which in the year 1685, 6245. according to the publick Account set up in the Stadthuyse. Amsterdam is seated in the Latitude of 52 deg. 25 min. Longit. 24. 2.

HARLEM, Harlemum, stands about 10 miles West from Amsterdam, not above 6 East from the Sea, about 20 North from Leyden, and as many South from Alomar; it is a large, populous and pleasant City; the Buildings are all of Brick, neat, convenient, and in good repair, the Streets large and even, and in some of them are Canals as at Amsterdam. It is a place of good Trade, which consists in Thread and Tape, Linnen-Cloath and wrought Silks made here; also Bleaching of Linnen, for which the Water is so fit, that most of the Inhabitants of Amsterdam and other neighbouring places, bring their Linnen here to be Wash'd, being curious in its whiteness. This City was made a Bishop's See in 1559. but that Dignity was soon after suppress'd. The Cathedral was Dedicated to S. Bavo, but is now only call'd the great Church; it is a strong, spacious and beautiful Building. The Stadthuys is a handsom Structure, a• is the Shambles or Flesh-market. The Walls are strong and the Ditch broad, but the Town is commanded by the Neighbouring Sand-hills. The Art of PRINTING is said to have been invented here by one Lawrence Coster, who walking in the neighbouring Wood for his diversion, fell to whitling little Sticks he took up, and at length form'd a Letter upon one of 'em, which pressing upon his Hand first, and afterwards with Ink upon Paper found it made a legible Impression; which accidental hint, being an ingenious Man, he improv'd, and had brought the Art to some perfection, when a Roguish Servant that he imploy'd in it, stole his Implements and run away to Mentz, where he set up for the Inventor. They of Mentz deny this, and affirm, That a Citizen of theirs, John Faust by name, was the sole Inventor. The Harlemers have many great and learned Men of their side in this Dispute; however, the first printed Books extant having been publish'd at Mentz, carries over many to the other Party: But wheresoever it was Invented, this ingenious Art appeared first in the World about the year 1430 or 1440. The Harlemers brag also of great Exploits done by their Townsmen who went to the Holy War with Godfrey of Bolloigne, particularly the cutting of the Chains that shut up the Haven of the City Damiata in Aegypt, which (according to the Tradition among them) was perform'd by great Saws fasten'd to the Keels of their Ships, in memory whereof the Boys yearly carry little Ships about the Streets; to which purpose they say also are the three Ships that hang up in the great Church. The Siege of this City by the Spaniards in the year 1573, was very remarkable, for it continued 7 Months, during which time the Assaults were as violent, and the resistance as obstinate as has been known, and the Defendants were reduc'd to such a necessity, that they eat Grass, Leather, and such vile things for their Subsistence. They still shew a mark in the great Church where a great Canon Bullet lodg'd.

Just without the Walls there is a pleasant Wood wherein the Citizens divert themselves; and a little to the Southward, a great Lake call'd the Harlem Meer, which begins near Amsterdam, and reaches almost as far as Leyden. From the small River Sparen which runs through the Town, a Channel was cut in the year 1657 to Leyden, whereby the Passage between these Cities hath been much facilitated.

LEYDEN, Lugdunum Batavorum, also Leyda, is esteem'd the pleasantest City in Holland at least; the Buildings being beautiful, the Streets large, the Channels commodious, but chiefly the rows of fine tall Trees in every Street, render them exceedingly agreeable; but then for want of a good Current of Water, the Canals are apt to stink in Summer. This is an ancient City, and tho formerly but small, hath by several Enlargements been made to exceed any in Holland, except Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The principal publick Buildings are, the Church of S. Peter, a handsom Pile, and had formerly a very high Tower, but it fell down in the year 1512; The Churches of S. Pancratius and S. Mary; and the new Church, of circular form and very beautiful; the Hospitals of S. Katherine and S. Elizabeth, as also those of S. James and S. Barbara, for the Entertainment of decrepid aged and sick People, which are well endow'd and carefully kept. Here is also a large Hospital for the maintenance of poor Orphans, whereof there are reckon'd to be no less than 700 in it. The Town-house is a noble large Structure. The Burg, a notable piece of Antiquity, said to have been built by the Romans, for the Defence of the Town, but stands now in the middle of it, and an Ornament only; it is a strong Fortification built of Stone in a round form, very high, the Ascent to it being of 50 Steps, and the Wall about it 21 foot high. In the year 1575, the Prince and States founded an University here, which is become the most famous of these Countries. The Schools is an ancient Building, ••ndsome enough, but not exceeding beautiful; adjoining to it is the Physick-Garden, which is well stor'd with rare Plants; near the Garden stands a Gallery in which are kept many Curiosities of Nature; also in the Theatre of Anatomy are to be seen many such Rarities, besides Skeletons and Dissections. The Professors have annual Stipends, and make a good profit by their Pupils; but the Students have no Endowments, except some Privileges. They are very numerous, and are a great advantage to the Town; besides which, here is a large Trade maintained by the making of Woollen-Cloaths. The small branch of the Rhine, which retains its name, passes through this City, and is the chief Channel in it. Leyden was Besieg'd by the Spaniards in 1574. and very well defended by the Citizens for five Months, at the end of which it was reliev'd. It is fortified with good Walls besides Ramparts, Bulwarks and large Ditches, and stands at the distance of 16 miles from Harlem to the South, 22 from Amsterdam to the South-west, 15 from Rotterdam to the North, and 27 from Ʋtrecht to the West.

The HAGƲE, call'd in Dutch, 's Gravenhague, (that is, The Grove of the Earl) in Latin Hagae Comitis, is seated about 8 or 9 miles from Leyden to the South-west, about 6 from Delft to the North-east, 1• from Rotterdam to the North-west, and not above 2 miles from the little Sea-Town Schievling. It glories in being the principal Village of Europe, for it is not wall'd, tho otherwise in all respects a City, being govern'd by its own Magistrates, and enjoying all the other Privileges, except sending Deputies to the States, as any City in Holland does. It is the Seat of the Princes and the Assemblies of the States General, of the Provincial States of Holland, and of the Council of State; as also of the supreme Courts of Judicature; and is in general the place where all the publick Affairs of the Common-wealth are transacted; where all the Foreign Ministers receive their Audience, and commonly reside: All which causes a continual Concourse of People from all Parts, and very much enriches the Town, which is a near built place: The Streets are large and adorn'd with Trees; the Houses are all of Brick and very handsom; those that stand near the Court, and in that part of the Town toward the Wood, are very stately, and Inhabited by Persons of Quality. The Palace, containing the Prince's Lodgings, the Chambers of the States General and Provincial, Council of State, &c. is a handsom Building, making two Angles of a Square, in the middle whereof stands a fair large Hall, not unlike that of Westminster in form, and in respect to the Shops in it all round, as also for the Standards taken from the Enemies, hanging up in it, but far short of it in largeness, being scarce so big as the Guild-hall of London. Adjoining to the Court stands a very noble House of Stone, built by Prince Maurice of Nassaw, and bears his Name: The whole Court is Moated round, and Guards continually kept at every Gate: On the North-side is a large square Pond call'd the Viver, and on the West the Court opens to a large Plain, that is surrounded with fine Houses. The Town is large and very populous. The great Church is a stately old Building. That of a round Figure, without any Pillars, is a neat beautiful Structure, and not of many years standing: The Town-house is built of Stone, but old and not very remarkable.

The Situation of this Town is very pleasant; for on the one side lye lovely Meadows; and on the other a large and pleasant Wood, in the middle whereof stands a House of Pleasure of the Prince's, having behind it very beautiful Gardens, and in it, besides the stately Lodgings, a very large dancing Room, with a high Roof, rising into a Cupola, and at the Top of it a Lanthorn, in which is a Gallery for Musick: The Walls and Cielings all round, adorned with Paintings of the best Masters, representing the Actions of Henry Frederick (the Father of his present Majesty) by whose Widow this House was built. On the North-side of the Town lies a Walk, paved all the way with Bricks, and shaded by Lime-Trees, planted on each side, for 2 miles in length, which leads to the little Village Schievling; from whence his late Majesty King Charles took Shipping to his Glorious and Happy Restauration.

About 12 or 14 miles South from the Hague stands Hounslaerdyke, where is a stately Palace of the Prince's, adorn'd with very fine Gardens; to which he often retired, when the Affairs of the State did not require his presence at the Hague.

DELFT, Delphi aut Delfium, is pleasantly seated among Meadows, at the distance of 5 or 6 miles from the Hague to the South-east, and about 8 from Rotterdam to the North-west, and is a very neat and well-built City, the Streets large and even, with Canals and Trees, as have most of the Cities of Holland: It is a silent Town, and inhabited by wealthy Merchants, that have retired from Business. The Trade of the Place is chiefly for a sort of Earthen Ware, in imitation of China: They had formerly a great Trade in Brewing, as also in Weaving Cloth, but that is remov'd. This City being one of the Chambers of the East-India Company, the fine Goods of those Countries, especially Porcellane or China Earthen Ware, is a main Trade of the Inhabitants. The Old and the New Churches are large and fair Buildings; in the latter is to be seen a noble Monument, erected to the Memory of William I. Prince of Orange, who was barbarously assassinated in this City. The Stadthouse is a handsom Building. Here is kept the Arsenal of the State, which undoubtedly is well stor'd with all War-like Necessaries: The Magazine of Powder belonging to it, accidentally blew up in 1654. and destroy'd a great part of the Town; besides which, it had been almost totally consumed by Fire in 1536. so that the present Buildings are but of late Structure: It is a good large City, wall'd and moated, and well inhabited.

ROTTERDAM, Roterodamum, may be reckon'd the second City of Holland for Trade, tho' it be but the seventh in the Convention of the States: It is seated on the North-side of the River Maes (which is there very broad, and makes a good Haven) at the distance of about 7 Leagues from the Sea, and 5 from the Bril to the East, 8 miles from Delft to the South-east, about 40 from Amsterdam to the South, near as many from Ʋtrecht to the South-west, and about 15 from Dort to the West. It is a large, exceeding Populous and well-traded City: The convenience of the Haven is very extraordinary, for by the Canals that run through the Streets, Ships of great Burden can come in and unlade at the Merchants Doors; which, with certain Privileges they enjoy here, hath made it very much encrease, even within 20 or 30 years past. The number of English Ships that use this City is much greater than those that come to Amsterdam, this Port being exceedingly more convenient for them than that: An Exchange is held here, where every day the Merchants meet; the Structure of it is but ordinary and doth not deserve a Description; but the great Church, dedicated to S. Lawrence, is a stately Building, and hath a high Tower, wherein hang very melodious Chimes; the Stadthouse is a fair Structure of Stone, and the great Stone-bridge in the Market-place is very spacious and neat; on it stands a stately Statue of Brass, of the famous Desid. Erasmus, a Native of this City, and near the great Church is still to be seen the House wherein he was born, with his Picture, and an Inscription in Latin, Spanish and Dutch, over the Door, intimating so much. The Houses here are of Brick, but seem older than those of the other Towns we have named; the Streets are also broad and well paved, but by reason of the multiplicity of Business (for every Canal is full of Ships) cannot be so neatly kept as at Amsterdam (where the Ships lye without the Town) and other places where less Business is transacted.

The Bril is a neat City, well built, reasonably populous, and of some Trade; it is seated on an Island, nam'd The Land of Vo•rn, and hath a convenient Haven at the Mouth of the Maes, about 5 leagues below Rotterdam, and 20 leagues from Harwich in England, whence the Pacquet-boat uses to come weekly hither, but the Port of Helveet being found more convenient, they come not hither now. The Buildings here likewise are of Brick, and tho' old are very neat, and the Streets large and handsom, especially the great one: The great Church is of Stone, and hath a Tower which serves for a direction to Sailers. The Walls are strong, and made very pleasant by Rows of Trees planted on them. This was one of the Cautionary Towns pawn'd to Queen Elizabeth, for the Assistance she gave the Dutch against Spain, and was kept by an English Garrison till King James I. restor'd it, 30 years after.

Helvoet Sluce, is a small Sea-Town, with a very convenient Haven, seated on the South-side of the same Island, and not above 3 miles distant from the Bril. The Town is not at all considerable, except for the weekly Arrival of the English Pacquet-boat, and that his present Majesty set Sail from hence, to his happy Expedition into England, in the year, 1688.

Not above a League Southward of the Land of Voorn, lies the small Island Goree, so nam'd from goed and Reed, which signifie a good Haven for Ships; its chief Town, of the same Name, was formerly a place of great Trade, but is now not at all considerable.

Eastward from Gorce lies the Island of Overslackee, or Overvlackee, which is of much larger extent than that of Goree, being about 15 miles long and 5 miles broad; and hath on it many Villages and good Towns, the chief of which is named Sommersdyck.

DORT, or Dordrecht, Dordrechta, is a very ancient City, and the first in Dignity of those that compose the States of Holland; also the Capital of a small Country round it, call'd the Bailiwick of Dort, and by some South Holland, is seated upon the River Meruwe (which, as we have said, falls into the Maes) at the distance of 15 or 16 miles from Rotterdam to the South-east, about 20 from Breda to the North, and 35 from Amsterdam to the South. It is strongly situated, being an Island between the Meruwe and Maes on the North, and a large Lake call'd the Bies-Bos on the South and East. The City is large and populous, the Houses of Brick and very high, and the Streets broad and very neat: The chief Church hath a high Steeple, from whence that of Breda may be seen. Our English Merchants enjoy great Privileges here, as being our Staple for Cloth: This City is also the Staple for Rhenish Wines, whereof the Merchants here have very great Stocks; as also of Corn, Wood and other Commodities, brought down the Rhine and the Maes. Dort boasts of being a Maiden Town, and never taken by an Enemy, tho' often besieg'd, particularly by the Duke of Brabant, in 1304. whom they repulsed and forced to return home. It hath long enjoyed the Privilege of coining Mony. This City is also noted for the famous Synod held in it, in the year 1619. for Reconciling the Points of Religion then in Debate between the Arminians and Calvinists: The Room wherein it was held is still shewn, with the Seats in it, as they then stood.

This Bailiwick of Dort was made an Island, in the Year, 1421. when a violent Tempest drove the Waters up the Maes and the Meruwe; with that Violence that it overflow'd the Banks, and swallowed a great Tract of Land that lay between Dort and Brabant, with seventy two Villages and one hundred thousand Persons.

Geertruydenberg, so named from a certain Saint Gertrude, who died in 664. is a very strong fortified Town, on the Frontiers of Holland towards Brabant, esteemed of that Consequence formerly, that the Earls of Holland used to be bound by Oath to keep it, as the Dukes of Brabant were to recover it, since the Year, 1213. that the former took it. The supream Jurisdiction of it was conferr'd upon Prince Maurice, by the States, in 1611. since when it hath been part of the Patrimony of the Illustrious House of Orange. It is seated on the South Side of the Lake call'd Bies Bos, where the River Dong falls into it; which, tho' narrow above, is here so increased that it will receive Ships of good Burden; and is distant 10 miles from Dort to the South-east, as many from Breda to the North, and near 20 from the Bosch to the West. This Town is very strongly fortified, and hath besides, the Advantage in situation common in this Country, viz. very low and marshy Grounds round it; notwithstanding which, it was taken by the States, in 1573. and by the Spaniards in 1588. and in 1595. retaken by Prince Maurice, and ever since possessed by the States General. About 15 miles Westward from hence stands

Klundert or Clundert, a strong Fortification belonging to the Prince of Orange since 1583. It was formerly call'd the Nieurwaert, and the Branch of the Roo Vaert, was a good Road for Ships. Five miles from hence stands

VVillemstadt, a strong but small Town, built in 1583. by Order of VVilliam Prince of Orange, from whom it had its Name, and on whom the Lordship of it was conferr'd by the States. It is seated upon the Water nam'd the Roo Vaert, •hat parts the Island, call'd in general the Land van Voorn, from 〈◊〉 C•ntinent, and serves to secure the Trade b••ween Holland and Zealand: It is defended by a Wall with seven Bastions and a double Ditch, besides other Fortifications.

Heusden is another well-fortified Frontier of Holland; it stands on a Stream, that running out of the Maes forms a little Island call'd the Hemerder VVaert, at the distance of 12 miles from Gertruydenberg to the East, and about 7 or 8 from the Bosch to the North-west. It is an ancient Town, and was subject to its own Lords for 500 years, by whom sold to the Duke of Brabant, who gave it to the Earl of Holland; but being afterwards claim'd by others, gave occasion to grievous Wars. A lamentable accident happen'd here in the Year 1680. for the Magazine of Powder blew up in the Night-time, suppos'd to have been fir'd by Lightning, and destroyed great part of the Castle and the neighbouring Street, shatter'd the whole Town, and kill'd near two hundred People.

Creveceur, a little Town strongly fortified, stands upon the Maes, 5 miles from Heusden to the East, and not above 3 from the B sch, and at the most extream East-part of Holland.

The Bosch or Bolduc, Breda and Bergen op Zoom, belongs to the States, but being all seated in Brabant, are already described in our Account of that Province.

Lovesteine Castle is seated on the most Western part of the Bomeler waert, at the confluence of the VVael and the Maes, and distance of 8 or 9 miles from Clundert to the South: It is a strong place, but chiefly remarkable on account of the Faction against the Prince of Orange (his present Majesty of Great Britain) who above 30 or 40 years ago using to assemble in it, gave occasion to the whole Party's being commonly call'd by its Name.

Worcum, an ancient and strong fortified Town, is seated on the South-side of the Wael, just over against Lovesteyne being parted from it by the Maes, which falls into the VVael betwixt them: It was sometime subject to the Duke of Cleeve, afterwards to the Earl of Hoorne, and in the year 1600. sold to the States by the Widow of the last Count; who was beheaded at Brussels by the Duke d' Alva.

Gorcum is seated at the mouth of the Ling, and on the North-side of the Wael, not above 2 miles from Worcum, and about 15 East from Dort. It is a neat well-built Town and very strong, as well by reason of its situation as strong Fortifications; and is also a place of good Wealth, having a good Trade by Corn, Cheese, Butter, &c. brought down the Ling to its Market, and by the Inhabitants carried to other places: The Church hath a high Tower, from whence may be seen 22 wall'd Towns, besides a great number of Villages. The Town is reasonably large, and hath a Senate and Magistracy of its own.

Vianen is a wall'd Town, formerly subject to its own Lords, seated on the South-side of the River Leck, near the Borders of the Province of Ʋtrecht, about 8 miles North from Gorcum, and as many South from Ʋtrecht: It is pleasantly seated, and a very neat Town, and hath a Castle and a stately high Tower.

Schoonhoven, so call'd for its fine Gardens, Schoon in Dutch signifying Fair or Clean, and Hof a Garden-House, stands on the North-side of the Leck, about 12 miles West from Vianen, and 15 East from Rotterdam; it was so strong, that it was able to repulse the French, who endeavoured to take it in 1672. since when it hath been also better fortified. It is a very pleasant Town, and hath an old Castle, rebuilt in 1312.

Just over against it stands Newport, formerly a rich and populous Town, but now not considerable.

Goude, corruptly call'd Ter-Gou, is a fair large City, the sixth in Dignity of those that compose the States of Holland, and seated on the small River Gouwe and the Issel, which about 10 miles below falls into the Maes, at the distance of about 12 miles from Schoonhoven to the North-west, as many from Rotterdam to the North-east, and 24 from Amsterdam to the South. It was founded in 1272. but suffer'd much by Fire, about a hundred years after, and by Wars in 1•20. and again totally consum'd by Fire, in 1438. but being rebuilt, is now an exceeding neat Place, and more than ordinary clean by means of the Flux of the Tide up the Issel into the Channels in the Streets, which carry away all their Ordure. The Houses are of Brick, and tho' old are very neat, the Market-place is very spacious, on it stands the Stadthuys, and near it the great Church; which being burnt by Lightning in 1552. hath been at vast Expence repaired, and is now a very stately Building; it is especially remarkable for its painted Glass-Windows, which are thought to exceed any others in being. This City enjoys a healthful Air, tho' it be seated upon a moorish Ground, and the Country about is so low that it may be easily overflow'd by opening their Sluces: Besides which it is secur'd by Walls and a broad Ditch, and therefore reckon'd a very strong Post and a Security to that side of the Country.

Naerden, a small City, but very strongly fortified, is seated near the Zuyder-zee, 22 miles from Goude to the North-east, and about 12 from Amsterdam to the East. It stands in low marshy Grounds, and hath of long time been a considerable Post; in 1481. it was taken by the People of Ʋtrecht: But in the same year the Nardeners not only regain'd their City, but obtain'd so signal a Victory over their Enemies, that with the Booty they gained, a Tower was erected to commemorate it. In 1572. Frederick of Toledo, the Spanish General, in revenge for their having submitted to the Prince of Orange, summoned all the Inhabitants into the Market-place, and caused his Soldiers to cut them in pieces, and burnt down the Town: Which barbarous Action encreased the Hatred of the Hollanders to the Spaniards, and made them hold our their Towns the more vigorously afterwards. It was taken by the French in 1672. and regain'd in 1673. And it being a place of great Consequence, as serving to secure Amsterdam, the States have lately bestowed great Cost in Fortifying it, the old Walls being pull'd down and new ones built of Brick, together with Ravelins, Half-Moons, Counterscarps, double Ditches, &c. so that it is now a regular Fortification, and as strong as any. This Town stood formerly more Northward, but was swallowed up by the Encroachment of the Zuyder-zee, whereof some Remains are still to be seen at Low Water.

Muyden, a small wall'd Town, seated upon the Vecht, where it falls into the Zuyder-zee, in the Midway between Naerden and Amsterdam, was made a strong Post in the late War, when the French were at Ʋtrecht; as was also

Wesep, another small Town on the Vecht, about 2 or 3 miles distant from Muyden to the South.

And now having Travell'd round, and brought the Reader back to Amsterdam, we must proceed to North Holland or Waterland, which is divided from Amstelland by the Y, Ye or Ya, call'd a River, but may be more properly esteem'd a Branch of the Zuyder-zee or South-Sea, from which it begins at the Pampus, about 3 miles West from Murden, in a Channel of about half a mile broad; which breadth it continues to Amsterdam, but grows soon after twice so broad, and receives the Sa••, out of North-H•lland, and the Sporen from Ha••lem, and then passes Northward to Beverwick, &c.

North Holland in general, is commonly understood by the Name of West-Friezland, •hough but one part of it, viz. That to the North-east (wherein stand Horn, Enchuysen and Medenblick) be the ancient Frizia Occidentalis. In this Country stand 7 of the 18 Cities that have Voices in the Provincial State, viz. Thos• three newly mention'd, and Munickdam, Edam, Purmerent and Alckmaer.

Munickendam, so named from the small River Monick that passes through it, is seated on a small Bay of the Zuyder-Sea, about 8 miles North from Amsterdam, and 3 South from Edam. It is a small Town of some Antiquity, and defended but by a Rampart, and in some places by a Wall.

Saenredam, or Sardam, seated on the Y, at the Mouth of the small River Saen, about 10 miles North-west from Amsterdam; tho' but a Village, deserves mentioning rather than some of their Cities, being so remarkable for Ship-building, that 'tis commonly said of this Town, the Shipwrights in it will undertake to build so many Ships of War in a year as there are days in it. By this Trade the place is much enrich'd and encreas'd. The old Town stands below the Dam of the River whence it hath its Name: To which hath been since added a long row of Buildings on both sides the River beyond the Dam, which is call'd the New Town, out of which Ships are hall'd over the Dam upon Rowlers.

Edam or Yedam, is seated at a little distance from the Zuyder-zee, to which it has a Channel or Haven, 3 miles from Munickendam to the North, and 10 from Hoorn to the South. It is a small Town, but is Noted for Building of Ships, and making excellent Cheese.

Purmerent, a good neat Town, fortified with a Rampart and Ditch, is seated about 5 miles from Edam to the West, and 12 from Amsterdam to the North, formerly belonging to the Lords of Egmond, who sold it to the States in the year 1590.

The Land between Edam and Purmerent, was formerly a great Lake, but by the Industry and Skill of the Inhabitants, it was Drain'd, and is at present a fruitful and pleasant Country, bearing still the name of Purmer: And Southward from Purmerent lyes the Beemster, a great Lake also before the year 1612. when after four years Labour and vast Expence (the Banks by which the Water that was thrown out by their Mills, having been broken, the Water returned, after the Work was half done) it was made dry Land, and is now so planted with Gardens, Orchards, Rows of Trees and fertil Enclosures, that Sir William Temple says, it is the pleasantest Summer Landschip he ever saw. Its extent contains 7090 Acres, besides the Highways, and the Dikes that surround it and cross it in several Places. Of the like nature are the Wormer, which lies South of it, the Schermer and the Heer Huygen Waert, to the West of the Beemster, as is also the Zype in the most North part of this Province; which last is defended from the Sea by a vast Mole, built of great Beams of Timber driven into the Ground, and the Distances fill'd with Stones.

Alcmaer is seated a little beyond the Schermer, at the distance of 12 miles from Purmerent to the North-west, and about 20 from Haerlem to the North. The Buildings are beautiful and the Streets even and neat, the Houses generally furnished with Gardens, and the Town surrounded with Meadows; all which make this place esteemed one of the pleasantest in these Countries. The Inhabitants are enriched by the great quantity of Butter and Cheese they receive from the vast Herds of Kine fed in the neighbouring Pastures. It is wall'd round, and was strong enough to resist the Spaniards, who endeavour'd to take it in the Netherland War.

Hoorne is a good large, pleasant and rich City, with a convenient Port on the Zuyder-zee, at the distance of 20 miles from Alcmar to the East, 20 from Amsterdam and 10 from Edam to the North; it is surrounded with broad Dykes for its security, large Pasture Grounds for its Profit, and fine Gardens and Walks for its Pleasure. The Trade of this place consists chiefly in Butter and Cheese, whereof they export great quantities into Spain, Portugal and other parts, especially at their annual Fair in the Month of May.

Enchuysen is seated also on the Zuyder-zee, in the most Eastern part of the Penisle of West-Friezland, at the distance of 12 miles from Hoorne to the North-east, and as many from Medenblick to the South-east, as also 30 miles from Alcmaer to the East. It is a fair, neat and large City, with a capacious Port, from whence great Fleets yearly sail to the Baltic and other parts, by which, as also by their Herring Fishing, building of Ships and refining of Salt from Brittany in France, the Inhabitants are much Enrich'd. The Buildings are mostly of Brick, for being formerly of Wood they suffer'd much by Fire, wherefore of late years no Wooden Houses have been erected. The Steeple of the great Church is remarkably high, considering the Moorishness of the Soil whereon the City stands, which is thereby secur'd, as well as by the Ramparts and other strong Fortifications about it.

Medenblick or Medemblick, is one of the most ancient Cities of North Holland, and formerly the Metropolis of it, but Enchuysen hath out-stript it in Grandeur, for this is but a small City. It is seated on the Zuyder-zee in the North-west part of West-Friezland, 12 miles from Enchusen to the North-west, as many from Hoorne to the North, and about 25 from Alcmaer to the East. It hath a very large and commodious Haven, and a Castle of very ancient Structure. The Banks are here more strong and large than any in this Country, for there being nothing to break the Sea quite from der Schelling and Flielandt Islands to this Shoar, the Waters beat violently upon it when the Northerly Winds blow. The Country about affords good Pasturage. Medenblick had formerly a Territory depending on it, and govern'd by an Officer call'd Dyck-grave.

Cross the Mouth of the Zuyder-zee lye a row of Islands, the first of which named the Texel or Tessel, is disjoined from the North Cape of North-Holland, by but a very narrow Channel; nor are the Distances between the rest much larger. The three named Texel, Flieland and der Schelling, are reckon'd part of North-Holland.

Texel is a small Island of not above 4 or 5 miles extent, but very fruitful, affording especially good Pasturage; it is defended from the sury of the Ocean partly by the Sandhills, and partly by strong Banks. Here is a large, fair Town, besides many Villages; and a strong Fort to command the Passage into the Zuyder-zee.

Flieland or Ʋlieland, lies North-west from the Texel; it is about 10 miles long but very narrow: It hath only two Villages and is not considerable, but for abundance of Muscles taken there.

Schelling lies next to Flieland, and is longer and much broader than that. Here are five Villages, the chief whereof containing near 1000 Houses was burnt, together with above 100 Sail of Merchant Ships, by our English Fleet under the Command of Sir Robert Holmes, on the 7th August, 1666.

These Islands, together with some Banks of Sand, break the Assaults of the Ocean, and make two good Harbours denominated from the two first.

Southward from the Texel and in the midway between that and Medenblick, lies another small I•land call'd the VVierings, which hath several good Villages and a rich and fertil Soil.

Sir VVilliam Temple is of Opinion, That the Zuyder-zee hath been made by some great Inundation, there being no mention made of it in ancient Authors; and the great Shoals of flat Sands that are spread almost all over it and the Row of Islands that lie like the broken Remains of a continued Coast, together with the name of VVest-Friezland, do give good reason to believe, that the outward part, at least, was anciently a continued Country from North-Holland to Friezland.

CHAP. XII. ZEELAND, Zeelandia.

ZEELAND, so call'd from its situation in the Sea, or as others say, so nam'd by the Danes, (who formerly used to infest these Coasts) in memory of their principal Island of the same name, is seated between Holland on the North, Flanders on the South, Brabant on the East, and the German Sea on the West. It is composed of several Islands, which are usually divided into two Districts, call'd the Beoster, [or the Eastern] Schelde, and the Bewester [or Western] Schelde, from the two different Channels by which that River falls into the Sea. Which Division is Political and made for the more easy Government of them, each District having one grand Magistrate in the nature of a Justiciary, with large Power to punish Vagabonds and Criminals out of the Jurisdictions of the Cities; but this Jurisdiction hath been much restrain'd, and therefore this Division less regarded: And Geographers now only mention the Islands as they are situate beyond the Ooster-Schelde, or between that and the VVestern.

Those beyond or North of the Ooster Schelde, are

Schouwen, Duyveland, Tolen and Oresand. Goree and Overflackee (already mention d in Holland) were formerly reckon'd part of Zeeland.

Those between the Ooster and the Wester Schelde, are

Walcheren, North-Beveland, South-Beveland and Wolferdyke.

These Islands were formerly subject to the same Earls with Holland (but with the enjoyment of their own proper Laws and Customs) and with that fell to the House of Burgundy, and afterwards associated with the other Provinces in the Union of Ʋtrecht (as we have already shewn) and have ever since been a considerable part of the Territories of the States General; for by reason of the situation of Zeeland, the Inhabitants are much enriched by Fishery and Navigation: They Trade into all Foreign Parts, especially the VVest-Indies and France. They have few or no Manufacturies, but have an excellent way of boiling and purifying the Salt they fetch from France.

The Land here lyes extream low, so that they are forced to be at great expence in maintaining the Banks to keep out the Sea. But then the Soil is fertile and produces very good Wheat and excellent Pasture; also Madder for Dying; and Colewort, the Seed whereof yields them good Profit. The Air is not so wholsom as in the neighbouring Countries, for by reason of the noisom Fogs and Vapours arising from many Pools of standing Waters and the neighbouring Sea, it disposes to Agues and Fevers, and other such Diseases.

The extent of Zeeland is not easie to be computed because of the intervening Waters, but reckoning Water and all, from the most Northern Banks of Schowen to the Southern Shoar of Zuyd Beveland, is about 20 miles, and from the most Eastern part of Walcheren to the Town of Tolen, near 30 miles. In this Province are 8 Wall'd Towns, and 102 Villages; the chief whereof are these, viz.

• In Walcheren the chief Island of Zeeland, situate the most South-west: For Trade, Wealth, number of Inhabitants, and splendor of its Cities and Villages, much surpassing all the rest.
  • Middleburg, Cap.
  • ...Ʋlissengen.
  • ...Arnmuyden.
  • ...Ter Vere.
• In Schowen, situate North-east from Walcheren,
  • ...Zirczee.
  • ...Browers-haven.
  • ...Bommene.
• In Duyveland, situate on the West-part of the same Continent with Schouwen, and divided from that by a small River only.
  • ...Oostduyveland.
• In Tolen, situate South from Duyveland, and North-east from South-Beveland.
  • ...Tolen.
• In North-Beveland, situate South from Schouwen, and East from Walcheren.
  • ...Cats.
• In South-Beveland, situate between Walcheren to the South-east, Flanders to the North, Brabant to the West, and Tolen, North-Beveland and Wolferdyck to the North,
  • ...Tergoes.
  • ...Romerswall.
• In Wolfersdyck a small Island, situate between the 2 Bevelands.
  • Osterlant and 2 or 3 other Villages.

MIDDLEBƲRG, the Capital City of Zeeland, is situate in the Island of Walcheren, at the distance of 40 miles from Rotterdam to the South-west, 42 from Breda to the West, and 25 from Bruges to the North-east, in the Latitude of 51 deg. 35 min. and Long. of 22 deg. 50 min. and is a large well-built and populous City, the Streets large and neat, and the publick Buildings stately, especially the Stadthuys, which is adorn'd with curious Statues. The Churches, whereof here are about twenty, are very fine; the highest Tower is exceeding costly and beautiful. Its Haven hath been made very convenient by a great Channel cut from a little Arm of the Sea, that running out at Armuyden makes a little Island, and falls in again at Rammekins, from the middle of which Branch this Channel is derived and made to bring up Ships into the Streets of the Town, by which means the City hath been exceedingly inrich'd by Trade, especially by the Staple of French, Spanish and Portugal Wines settl'd here. In the new Erection of Bishopricks which King Philip II. attempted, this City was made one, and the Abby of S. Nicholas the Seat, but it was soon alter'd and made the place of Assembly of the States of this Province, the College of its admiralty, its Mint, and other publick Offices. Middleburg is strongly fortified with a good Wall, large and deep Ditches, and a Counterscarp.

Arnmuyden, so call'd from the small River Arne that runs from hence to Middleburg, is at present but a small Wall'd Town, seated about 3 miles from Middleburg to the East, at the Mouth of that little Arm of the Sea above-mention'd, which afforded it formerly an extraordinary good Haven, and the Town was exceedingly enrich'd by the many Merchant-Ships that frequented it: But the Sands have so choaked it up, that for many years past Ships cannot enter, and therefore the Trade is now quite decayed, and the present subsistence of the Inhabitants, is by the boiling and Purifying Salt. It was formerly a Lordship, but in the last Century, purchased by the City of Middleburg, and is now a Dependent on that.

Rammekins, call'd in Dutch Zeburg, is a strong Fort, seated at the Mouth of the Harbour of Middleburg, at the distance of about 3 miles from that City to the South-east, and as many from Flushing to the East. The Creek whereon it stood is a secure Retreat for Shipping; and to the Land-side it is surrounded with pleasant Meadows and many Villages. This Fort was one of the Cautionary Towns deliver'd to Queen Elizabeth.

Flushing, call'd by the Dutch Ʋlissingen, is seated in the most Southern part of the Island, at the distance of about 3 miles from Middleburg; and tho formerly but a small place at which a Ferry was establish'd to carry Passengers to Flanders, (which is just over against it, at about half a League's distance) is at present a considerable City, well-built, and a place of good Trade by means of its excellent Port, The Buildings are not quite so good as those of Middleburg, nor the Streets so broad, but the Stadthuyse is a very stately modern Building. It was first wall'd about 140 years ago, but upon the Erection of this Republick it was very strongly fortified, as being a place of great consequence. It was formerly subject to its own Lords of the Family of the Borsals, of whom it was purchas'd by the Prince of Orange about the year 1581. who hath still the nomination of their Magistrates. This was also one of the Cautionary Towns deliver'd to Queen Elizabeth in 1585. and restor'd by King James in 1616.

Ter Vere is a strong fortified Town with two good Harbours, seated on the North-side of the Island, at the distance of three Miles from Middleburg, and hardly so much from Arnmuyden to the North. I• hath been a place of good Trade, especially for the Scotch Trade, the Staple of which was fix'd here, but is not now so considerable. It is govern'd by its own Magistrates, and is (as I have said) well fortified, having three strong Bulwarks and a broad Ditch. The Sea hath often assaulted and threatn'd the Ruin of this Town, as it actually did its Tower that stood on the North-side of the Port, in the year 1630. This Town is also subject to the Prince of Orange.

Zirczee, or Zirczee, the chief City of the Island of Schouwen, is seated on the Channel which divides Schouwen from Duyveland, at the distance of about 15 miles from Middleburg to the North-east, and as many from the Briel to the South. It is esteem'd the ancientest City of Zeeland, and is a place of Trade, having a good Haven by means of a Channel from the Sea, by which they receive Salt from France, and export Madder in great quantities; though the Harbour by being somewhat choak'd with Sand, be less convenient than formerly. It is a large place and hath several good Buildings, especially the great Church called de Monster, which is a very beautiful Structure: The Walls are old, but by reason of the low Grounds about, which are easily laid under Water, the place is strong enough, and did actually sustain a Siege of the Spaniards in 1575. for 8 Months, and at last obtain'd good Terms.

Browershawen, so call'd from the great quantities of Beer brought hither from Delft and other places, and distributed to all the Towns in this Province, is seated on the North-side of the Island over against Gorec, at the distance of 5 miles from Zirczee; and was formerly a place of good Trade, and therefore Wall'd, encreas'd in Buildings, and govern'd by its Magistrates; but it is now much declin'd, and subsists chiefly by Fishing and Agriculture.

Bommenee stands near the Sea about a mile Eastward of Browershaven, over against Goree and the West-part of Overflackee, and is a very strong Fortress, being encompass'd with a Wall and a deep Ditch, fill'd by the Sea, besides other Fortifications.

Oostduyveland, q. d. in the East of Duyveland (so nam'd from the great numbers of Doves and Pigeons found in this Country) is a Village only; as are also Oudekerke, Niewekirk, Vianen, Capelle, Swaneburg, &c. situate also in Duyveland.

Tolen or Ter Tolen, the chief City of the Island of the same Name, is seated on the Channel call'd Het Slaeck, which makes Tolen an Island and divides it from Brabant, and is distant about 10 or 12 miles from Zirczee to the South-east, and 3 or 4 from Bergen-op-zoom to the North-west. It was formerly the Seat of one of the Custom-houses of the Earls of Zeeland, whence it had its name, and is at present a well-fortified and strong Place, capable of resisting a powerful Enemy.

This Island is but small, and hath no other considerable Town in it.

Cats and Colyns Plaet, are the chief Towns of North-Beveland; the first seated on the Eastern Shoar, and the second on the Southern, but neither of them are considerable enough to deserve a particular Description. This Island was formerly exceeding pleasant, but by an Inundation in 1532. the greatest part of it was overwhelm'd, and therein the City Cortgeen (at that time a place of note) with many Villages destroy'd. The Inhabitants have recover'd a great deal of the Land, in the North and East part whereon stand the Towns above-mention'd, but cannot regain their ancient State, the place being at present not at all considerable.

Oresand or Maersand, reckon'd one of the Islands of Zeeland, is a very small Country lying North-west from North-Beveland, and divided from that but by a narrow Channel, hath no Town in it worth describing.

Wolfersdyck, another small Island of about 5 miles long, but not above one mile broad, is situate between North and South Beveland, and contains only 3 or 4 Villages, nam'd Westerland, Oosterland, Hongersdyck &c.

South Beveland may be reckon'd the largest of all the Islands of Zeeland, tho' it be at present of less extent than formerly, the Sea having encroach'd upon it several times, especially in 1532. when the Town and most of the Lordship of Borsales was swallow'd up. The length of this Island is about 24 or 25 mile; but all the Eastern part being overflow'd, it cannot be reckon'd above 15 miles, and its breadth 8 or 9. The Soil of it is in some places Woody, but the rest produces very good Corn and Fruit. The chief Town here is

Ter Goes, seated on the South-side of the Island 12 miles East from Middleburg, and 15 West from Bergen-op-Zoom. It is a reasonable large City, neatly built and well inhabited; the chief Church was burnt down in 1618. but was quickly rebuilt, and is now a stately Structure. Here are three Market-places, a Grammar-school and three Hospitals, all fair and well built. This Town was endow'd with large Privileges in 1530. wall'd round about in the year 1•40. and afterwards strongly fortified by the States in 1585. It hath a Channel to the Sea, by which Vessels of smaller Burden come up to the Town.

There are many large and populous Villages, as also several fine Mansion-houses of Gentlemen in South-Beveland; but those containing nothing very remarkable, we must omit them to speak a little of

Romerswael, formerly one of the three chief Towns of this Island, and enjoy'd large Privileges; but by the Misfortunes of six Inundati•ns and one Conflagration which all happen'd in ten years time; about the middle of the last Century was so reduc'd, that though many Attempts were made for its Restoration, the Remains of the whole Town were sold in the year, 1631. for no other than 90 Pounds Flemish or 60 Pounds Sterling. It stands on the Banks of the Ooster-Scheld 10 miles from Ter Gees to the East.

CHAP. XIII. UTRECHT, Ʋltrajectina Ditio.

THE Province of Ʋtrecht is bounded on the North by Holland and the Zuyder-zee, on the South by part of Holland and part of Guelderland, on the East by Guelderland, and on the West by Holland, containing in extent about 20 miles both in length and breadth. The Land here is higher and therefore fitter for Agriculture, and the Country much pleasanter than those we have been speaking of: It produces plenty of good Corn, and is replenished with fine Gardens and Orchards. An account hath already been given of its having been subject to its Bishops for several Ages, and of its Engagement with the other Provinces in the Union made in its Metropolis; since when it hath been always part of these States, but with the same form of Government, the Bishops excepted, as formerly; and tho' the Episcopacy be banish'd, the Canonries and Prebendaries having been disposed of to Gentlemen of the Country, retain the same share in the Government that their Predecessors the Clergy had, and send Eight Delegates to the Provincial States, who, in the name of the Clergy, have Session therein: The rest of the Members of the States being the Deputies of the Nobles and of the chief Towns, as in the other Provinces.

This Province was wholly subjected to the French in the years 1672 and 1673, their King keeping his Court in the Metropolis some part of the year 1672, and it remain'd their Head Quarters till the end of 1673.

The Chief Towns of this Province, are

• Ʋtrecht, Cap.
• ...Amersfort.
• ...Duesterde Wyck.
• ...Rheenen.

ƲTRECHT, Ʋltrajectum, Trajectum Inferius & Trajectum ad Rhenum, so nam'd from an ancient Ferry or Passage over the Rhine, is a fair, large and populous City, seated upon the old Channel of the Rhine, at the distance of 24 miles from Amsterdam to the South-east, 27 from Leyden, and about as many from Rotterdam to the East, 17 from the Zuyder-zee to the South, and 34 from Breda to the North. The Buildings are of Brick, neat and beautiful with, convenient deep Cellars, not to be found in Holland. The Streets are large, but not so well adorn'd with Trees, nor the whole City in general quite so cleanly and beautiful as some in Holland are. The Church of S. Martin, call'd the Dome, formerly the Cathedral, was a magnificent Building before a great part of it was destroy'd by Tempest in 1674. but the large square Tower of 460 Steps to the top, is still standing. The Churches of our Saviour, S. Mary, S. Peter, and S. John, were formerly Collegiate, the Chapter whereof (tho' now compos'd of Laymen, to whom the Revenues have been given) make the States of the Clergy. The other publick Buildings are stately enough, but being ancient are not particularly remarkable. The chief Excellence of this City is its pleasant Situation (in a serene and wholsome Air, among rich Meadows and Corn-fields, and within a days Journy of at least fifty Wall'd Towns) and its famous University, at first an publick School only, founded by David of Burgundy Bishop of Ʋtrecht in 1459. but erected into a University by the Magistrates, and confirm'd by the Provincial States in the year 1636. which is at present in a flourishing State. Besides the Rhine, two artificial Channels call'd de Vaert and de Nieuwe Gracht, run through the Streets, and have 35 arch'd Bridges of Brick over them. The Wall of this City is very high and hath a broad Bank within-side to sustain it (which is planted with Trees and makes a pleasant Walk) but is old and decay'd; and here being pretty large Suburbs, and no Out-works, the place cannot be esteemed fit to resist a powerful Enemy; which was the Reason the Inhabitants gave for their sending the French King the Keys of the City in 1672. But the Hollanders accuse them of Treachery and Cowardize, and say, They had beforehand made a Bargain, and therefore refus'd to permit new Fortifications to be rais'd, nor admit the Prince of Orange with the Army into the City, when the French were at Arnheim. But tho' these couragious Citizens sent above 20 miles to seek the Enemy and Present them the Keys, they fared little better than the other Conquests of that King, having been forced to pay no less than One hundred and sixty thousand Pounds Sterling to their new Guests while they tarried with them, which was from the 23d of June, 1672. to the end of November, 1673. besides above Forty thousand Pounds at their departure.

Amersfort, Amisfortia, and Amisfurtum, stands upon the little River Eems, 12 miles from Ʋtrecht to the North-east, and 7 from the Zuyder-zee to the South. It is a good large Wall'd Town, well Inhabited, and pleasantly seated between large Corn-fields to the East and South, and Pasture-Grounds to the North, which afford the Inhabitants a plentiful Subsistence, the chief Trade of the Town being Agriculture and Grazing. The Buildings are neat and handsome; among the publick ones are two Churches, several Hospitals, and a publick School. The Town is Govern'd by its own Magistrates, and is a place of great Antiquity, but hath been much Enlarged, for though it were formerly a small Place, the compass of its Walls at present is near an hours Walk. The Strength of it is not considerable. It is the usual Winter Quarters of several Troops of Horse.

At a little distance from Amersfort to the South-west lies a large Tract of Hills, Woods and barren Heaths of near 10 miles long and 4 or 5 miles broad, call'd Amersforder Bergh. Just upon the edge of which stands

SOESTDYCK, a pleasant Palace of His Majesty's, adorn'd with fine Gardens and curious Fountains, delightful Walks shaded with tall Trees, pleasant Parks fill'd with Deer, a large Volary and exceeding fine Stables.

Duesterde Wyck, or Wyck te Duesterde, Dorostatum, and Durostadium olim Batavodurum, is seated just in the place where the middle Channel of the Rhine joins with the Leck, and is distant 13 miles from Amersfort to the South, and as many from Ʋtrecht to the South-east. It is a pretty neat wall'd Town, pleasantly situated and indifferently rich. It is a place of Antiquity, being mention'd by Tacitus, and afterwards ruin'd by the Normans.

Rhenen, another Wall'd Town of great Antiquity, is seated on the Rhine 7 miles from Duesterdewyck to the East, and 14 from Amersfort to the South.

Montfort is a good neat Town, tolerably well Fortified, and seated about 7 or 8 miles from Ʋtrecht to the West, near the Frontiers of Holland. It is water'd by the small River Issel, and is the Capital of a small Territory adjoining.

CHAP. XIV. GELDERLAND and ZUTPHEN, Geldria & Zutphania.

GElderland, with Zutphen, which is reckon'd part of it, (both together composing one Province of the Ʋnited Netherlands, is bounded on the North by the Zuyder-zee and Overissel, on the South by Brabant and •he Dutchy of Cleeve, on the East by the Bishoprick of Munster, and on the West by the Provinces of Ʋtrecht and Holland, containing in extent about 50 miles from North to South, and about 45 from East to West, without reckoning the Spanish Gelderland, which is disjoined from the rest by part of the Dutchy of Cleeve. The Air of Gelderland is Clear and Healthy, the Country lying high and Inland, and consequently freed from those Fogs that infest the Maritime Provinces. The Soil of it is Fruitful (except in the Veluwe, part of which is Heathy and Barren) producing good Corn and Pasture. Zutphen is somewhat more Level and Moorish, and therefore yields not much Corn, but affords very good Grass.

This Province hath in it 25 Cities and Wall'd Towns, besides the Royal Seats of His present Majesty, Deeren and Loo; many Noblemen and Gentlemens Mansion Houses, and a great number of fine Villages, and is usually divided into these four Parts, viz.

• The Veluwe being the Northern part, and seated between the Zuyder-zee, the Issel and the Rhine, contains these chief Towns,
  • ...Arnhem.
  • ...Wageninge.
  • ...Harderwyke.
  • ...Elburg.
  • ...Hattem.
• The Betuwe lying between the Rhine and the Leck to the South, and the Maes and Merwe to the North, hath these considerable Towns.
  • ...Nimeguen.
  • ...Tiel.
  • ...Schenkenschans.
  • ...Bommel.
  • ...Buren.
  • ...Culenburg.
• Zutphen, bounded on the North by Overissel, on the South by Cleeve, on the West by Munster, and on the East by the Issel, which parts it from the Veluwe; wherein these Towns are most remarkable,
  • ...Zutphen.
  • ...Doesburg.
  • ...Groll.
  • Brevoort &c.
• The Quarter of Geldre subject to the King of Spain, lies at some distance from the rest of the Province, the Western part of the Dutchy of Cleeve intervening. Its extent is about 25 miles from East to West, and 15 from North to South; to which the Quarter of Ruremond is joined on the South, and is extended along the Banks of the Maes for about 15 miles more; in both which these are the Towns of chiefest note, viz.
  • ...Geldre.
  • ...Venloo.
  • ...Stralen.
  • ...Watchtendonk.
  • ...Ruremond.
  • ...Montfort.

ARNHEM, Arnhemum, is seated on the Southern Banks of the Rhine, at the distance of 60 miles from Ʋtrecht, and 26 from Rhenen to the East, 22 from Amersfort to the South-east, 25 from the Zuyder-zee to the South, 10 from Doesberg to the West, and 23 from the Grave to the North. It is a very large, neat and strong City, formerly the Seat of the Dukes of Geldre, and at present of the Supream Council of the Province. It is very pleasantly situated, having the River on one side and beyond it the Meadows of the Betuwe; and on the other side Heaths, Woods and Hills of the Veluwe, which afford abundance of all sorts of Game, and an exceeding wholsom Air, and is therefore Inhabited by many Gentlemen and Persons of Quality. The Buildings are neat and beautiful: The Church of S. Eusebius is a noble Structure, and adorn'd with a stately Tower: The 3 Hospitals, especially that called the Island of God, for the maintenance of decay'd Citizens, are well Endowed. Large Privileges were conferr'd on this City by Otho Earl of Geldre, in the year 1233. when it was first Wall'd about; and in 1443. it was incorporated into the Body of the Hanse Towns of Germany. It is Fortified with a Wall of Brick and strong Ramparts, but is commanded by a Hill on the North-side: However it is esteem'd a place of good Strength, and capable of making a good Defence, although the Inhabitants surrender'd it to the French in 1672. the first day they attack'd it; who remaining there all that, and the following Year, added some new Fortifications, and made it a great Magazine, to which they brought the Canon from Ʋtrecht and other places when they quitted them; till at last being forced also to quit this, they Exacted 170000 Guilders of the Inhabitants, as a Ransom for their City. In the Walls are five Gates, which are very strong; that of S. John's was in 1537. fortified with large Out-works. Near the Gate which opens to the Rhine is a Bridge of Boats over that River to the Betuwe; and on the other side is an exceeding fine large flat bottom'd Ditch lin'd with Freestone, which almosts surrounds the Town, and is fill'd with Water by a Spring arising in the neighbouring Hill.

Wageningen is a very ancient Town seated near the Rhine, about 10 miles West from Arnhem: It is Wall'd round, and stands in a Moorish Soil, which makes it a place of some Strength.

About 10 miles from Arnhem to the North-east, stands DIEREN, where His Majesty hath a stately Palace, adorned with beautiful Gardens and exceeding pleasant Walks.

And about 8 or 9 miles from Arnhem to the North, and 10 from Amersfort to the East, stands LOO, another of His Majesty's Houses, which is seated near the middle of the Veluwe, in a very sweet Air, and a Country abounding with all sorts of Game, and therefore was the Place he used commonly to reside at all the Summer. The Palace is a noble Building, and the Gardens exceeding Pleasant, being adorn'd with curious Knots of Flowers, fine shady Walks and Grotto's, and admirable Fountains, especially the Basin of Venus, and the two great Cascades or Water-falls, which are incomparably beautiful; the Water in the Cascades falling so easily out of one Basin into another, that it makes a broad Mirror from top to bottom.

Harderwyck, Hardervicum, stands on the Banks of the Zuyder-zee, 25 miles from Arnhem to the North, and 22 from Deventer to the West. It is a fair well-built City, adorn'd with an University, which was anciently a publick School only, but rais'd to this Dignity, and Sallaries settled upon the Professors, by the States of this Province in the year 1648. The Houses in general are well built, very high, and have Porches before them. The Cathedral Church of S. Mary is a stately Building, adorn'd with curious Workmanship on the Roof and Arches within-side, and an exceeding high Tower. A Staple of Fish hath of long time been estabish'd here, by which the Inhabitants are Enriched; and the Town is defended by an old Castle, a Wall round, a Rampart on the South-side, and some other Fortifications; but was however, taken by the French in 1672. as were indeed all the Towns of this Province, as well as Ʋtrecht, &c.

Elburg is seated near the Zuyder-zee, at the distance of 12 miles from Harderwyck to the North-east. It is a small City of an oblong square Form; a small River runs through it and falls into a Creek of the Zuyder-zee, which makes its Port; over this River are built five Stone Bridges. It was surrounded with Walls about A. 1400. and was sometime one of the Hanse-Towns, as was also Harderwyck.

Hattem stands about 10 miles from Elburg to the East, and hardly one from the Issel to the West: It had formerly a very good Castle and other strong Fortifications, but is at present not very considerable.

Nimeguen, or Nieumegen, Noviomagus, famous for the Treaty held in it in the years 1678, and 1679. and at last a Peace concluded between the King of France and the several Princes then at War with him, is seated on the River Waal, at the distance of 10 miles from Arnhem to the South, and 8 from the Grave to the North, 30 from Gorcum to the East, and 10 from Schencksconce to the West. It is a large City, of a semicircular form, and exceeding pleasant, being built upon five small Hills between the River on one side, and an exceeding pleasant Country, consisting of woody Hills (out of which issue many Springs) Corn-fields and Gardens, on the other. The Houses are of Brick, cover'd with Slate and very neat, and the Streets spacious and handsom. Among its ten Churches, all well-built and adorn'd with Towers, that of S. Stephen is chiefly commendable for its stately Tower and costly Structure, The Stadthuyse is a magnificent Fabrick adorn'd with the Statues of divers Emperors; as is the publick School with those of the Apostles and Doctors of the Church. Here are two Hospitals for the maintenance of poor Orphans, one for old People, and another for the Cure of the Sick. The Walls of the City are of Brick, exceeding high, and guarded by very strong Towers: The Gates are 12 in number, whereof 7 are toward the Water. This City enjoys great Privileges, and was Imperial and Free before the year 1248. at which time it was given to the Earl of Geldre; and with that Province became subject to the States General.

Schencksconce or Schencken-schanse, so named from a famous Captain Schenk, by whose direction it was built by the States in 1588. is seated upon the point of the Betuwe, where the Rhine divides into two great Arms, one whereof retains its Name and runs to Duesterde-wick, and the other is call'd the Waal, by which situation it commands both those Rivers, and the Commerce between Germany and the Netherlands. It is an exceeding strong place, having besides the Rivers on two sides, very strong Walls, with good Bastions, a large Ditch, Half-moons and other Fortifications; however, it was taken by the Spaniards in 1635. by Surprize, but the same year recover'd by the Prince of Orange; and by the French in 1672. by the Treachery of the Governor. In 1674 the French surrender'd it to the Duke of Brandenburg, who claim'd it as a dependent on Cleve; and in 1679, sold it to the Dutch. It stands about 10 miles East from Nimeguen, and 12 South from Doesburg. About 2 or 3 miles below Schencksonce on the West-side of the Rhine, stands a small Fort call'd the Tolhuys, which was also taken by the French in 1672.

Tiel stands upon the South-side of the Waal, about 12 miles East from Nimeguen, and 6 miles South from Rhenen, in a marshy Ground, which together with the narrowness of the Streets, makes the Town somwhat Unhealthy. It is well Fortified, and by reason of the Soil, not attackable but on the North-west side: However was taken by the French in 1672. The Country lying to the West-ward between the Waal and the Ling, depends on it, and is call'd the Tieler Waert.

Buren is seated about 7 or 8 m. West from Tiel, on a small Stream that falls into the Ling; it is a wall'd Town and the Capital of a small Lordship, which with the Town belong to the Prince of Orange, as do also the Town and Lordship of

Culenburg, seated on the Leck, about 5 or 6 miles from Buren to the North-west, and 12 from Ʋtrecht to the South-east.

Commel is seated on the South-side of the Wael, about 12 miles from Tiel to the West, and as many from Gorcum to the East. It is a pleasant, neat and well-built City, govern'd by its own Magistrates, and sends Deputies to the Provincial State. It is surrounded with very good Fortifications, and seated in a low and marshy Country, which renders the place exceeding strong. It was first wall'd and endow'd with Privileges by the Earl of Geldre, in 1229. and in the Low Country War very strongly fortified by the States. When the French took it, in 1672. it was surrounded with a double Ditch and Ramparts, besides the Walls and Bastions; all which they destroyed before they quitted it, in 1673. But it being a place of great consequence, the States speedily repair'd the Fortifications, and put it into a state of Defence. Bommel stands on an Island made by the two Rivers Maes and Wael, which is called the Bommeller Waert; on the West point whereof stands the Castle of Lovestein, already mention'd in the account of Holland, and on the East stand two strong Holds, call'd Fort S. Andrew and Fort Voorn, which command the Passage of these two Rivers.

The Earldom of ZƲTPHEN, reckon'd formerly one of the Provinces, but now, as we have said, only a part of Gelderland, lyes on the East side of the Issel, between Cleve to the South, and Overissel to the North; and is extended about 30 miles from North to South, and near as many from East to West. The Capital City from which the whole Province hath its Name, is,

ZƲTPHEN, Zutphania, seated upon the Issel, over which it hath a Bridge, at the distance of 25 miles from Nimeguen, 12 from Arnhem to the North-east, 42 from Ʋtrecht to the East, and 22 from Hattem to the South. The River Berkel, which rises in the Bishoprick of Munster, after it hath crossed the Province, runs through the middle of this City, and falls into the Issel, dividing the Town into two parts, call'd the Old and the New: The chief Church, dedicated to S. Peter, is a neat, sumptuous and ancient Structure, the Tower whereof being fired by Lightning, was rebuilt in 1635. in most curious manner: The Brazen Font in this Church is particularly remarkable for its curious Workmanship; and the publick Library at the East end is a reasonable good one. Here is a publick School, and several Hospitals, which, together with the high Brick Tower, call'd Drogenap's Toorn, are worth a Stranger's View. In this City dwell many Nobles and Gentlemen of Quality, and it is generally reckon'd a place of much Civility. The Buildings are fair and neat, and the Fortifications very strong, at least were so before the French took it in 1672. for then we read, that it had nine Bastions, four Half-moons a double Ditch, and treble Ramparts N•••ithstanding which, it was surrendred to them after 〈◊〉 very short Siege, on the 26 of June 1672. and kept by them till April 1674. In the Spanish War it was taken and sack'd by d'Alva's Army, and regain'd by the States by this Stratagem: A good number of Soldiers coming in the Habit of Market-women, loyter'd about the Gate till they found an opportunity to seize it, and let in the rest that lay ready to assist them. But this was after a long Siege, wherein that Ornament of our Nation, Sir Philip Sydney, was unfortunately slain. This City enjoys great Privileges, and was one of the Hanseatick Society; as also had the Royalty of Coinage: But this last they parted with to the States in 1604. for an annual Sum of Mony to be paid them in lieu.

Doesburg is seated on the Old Issel, 9 or 10 miles from Zutphen to the South: It is strongly situated between the River on one Side and a great Marsh on the other, and had good Fortifications when the French attacked it in 1672. so that it might have been expected to have made a very good Defence, but was however quickly surrendered, the French losing only 3 Men in obtaining it, and held it till the April following; when, being oblig'd to quit it, they demolish'd the Fortification.

At this place the Channel mention'd by the Ancients to be cut by Drusus, and therefore call'd Fossa Drusiana, is let into the Issel, being deriv'd from the Rhine a little above Arnhem; by which the Issel is very much enlarged, and may not improperly be reckon'd another Branch of the Rhine.

Groll stands on the small River Slinck, which falls into the Berkel, and is distant 18 miles from Zutphen to the East. It was esteemed a very important Pass from Germany, and therefore fortified by the Emperor Charles V. which was afterward improv'd by the Spaniards. The Works described by Grotius, in his account of the remarkable Siege of this Place by the States in 1627. being exceeding Strong and Regular, consisted of five Bastions, joined by strong Curtains, a lower Wall or Rampart under the Bastions, in lieu of the modern Ravelins, a broad Ditch fill'd by the River Slinck, and a Rampart or Counterscarp beyond it; yet did this Town make but very little Resistance before it surrendred to the Bishop of Munster, in 1672.

Breevoort is a good strong Town, having, besides pretty good Fortifications, a marshy Soil all round; by which it is rendred almost inaccessible: And therefore not taken without great difficulty by Prince Maurice in 1597. It stands 12 miles South from Groll, and 17 East from Doesburg.

Spanish Gelderland, or the Quarter of Geldre, contains these chief Towns, &c.

GELDRE, Geldria, altho' it hath the Honour to give Name to the whole Province, is but a small City, and not very considerable: It hath an old Castle, and is strongly fortified by the Marshes that surround it, which together with its distance from the rest of the Province, has hindred its falling into the Hands of the States. It is distant 36 miles from Doesburg to the South, and 20 from the Frontiers of Brabant to the East, 32 from Nimeguen to the South-east, and 25 from Duseldorp to the North-west.

Venloo, a City of good note, is seated in a flat fenny Country, on the East-side of the Maes, about 8 miles from Geldre to the South-west. It is a Place of great Trade for Corn, Brass, Marble, Free-stone, Coal, &c. brought from the Country of Liege and other parts of Germany, down the River to this City, whither the Hollanders and Brabanders repair to buy 'em. It was endow'd with the Privileges of a City in 1343. and was strong enough in the last Century to oppose Margaret of Austria when she besieged it; and even to keep out Charles V. till he had granted them good Conditions. The States took in in 1532. but lost it again to the Spaniards in 1536.

Wachtendonk, a very strong Town, is seated on the small Rivers Niers, •5 miles from Geldre to the South, and 7 from Venloo to the East: It is surrounded by low moorish Grounds, which hinder any access to it, and makes it one of the strongest Towns in the Province. In 1588. it held out three Months against Count Mansfeil•: In 1600. it was surpriz'd by Lodowick of Nassaw upon the Ice; but in 1605. was finally regain'd by the Spaniards.

Stralen stands about 2 miles from Wachtendonk, and almost in the mid-way between Venloo and Geldre; it is a Place of some Dignity, having a small Territory depending on it, but otherwise not very considerable.

Roermond stands upon the Maes, where the small River Roer falls into it, and is distant 22 miles from Venloo to the South; it is a rich and populous City, and remarkable for the Neatness of its Buildings, and Strength of its Walls. A Monastery of Carthusians here is much spoken of for its Grandeur and Wealth. The City was taken in 1632. by the States, but was restor'd at the Peace of Munster, and is still subject to the Spaniard.

CHAP. XV. The Province of OVERISSEL, Transissalana.

OVERISSEL, so nam'd from its situation beyond the River Issel, is bounded on the North by Groningen and Friezland, on the South by Zutphen and Gelderland, on the East by the Bishoprick of Munster, and on the West by the Zuyder-zee. Its Extent from North to South is about 60 miles, from East to West about 40 miles; but the Soil is not very Fertile, a great part of it being either Barren Heaths or Quaggy Marshes; which, together with its Inland situation, unfit for Trade, and its lying exposed to Inroads from Germany, makes this Province less inhabited than any of the others. It is divided into three Parts, viz.

• I. Iseland, Isaland, and by corruption Salland and Zalland, lies next the Issel, and contains these Chief Towns.
  • Deventer, Cap.
  • ...Swoll.
  • ...Campen.
  • Hasselt, &c.
• II, Twente, lies East of Salland, and to the Frontiers of Munster: In it are these Towns, with many others of smaller moment.
  • ...Oldensael.
  • ...Otmarsen.
  • ...Enscheden.
• III. Drent is the North part of Overissel, and contains these Towns of chiefest note,
  • ...Coeverden.
  • ...Meppel,
  • &c.
• The small Territory of Vollenhoven, on the Banks of the Zuyder-zee, is by some Geographers made a separate Part, and not included in the Drent; In it stand
  • ...Vollenhoven.
  • ...Steenwyck.
  • ...Swarte-sluys.
  • ...Blockzyl.

DEVENTER or Daventer, Daventria, is seated on the Issel, 8 miles from Zutphen to the North, and 17 from Swoll to the South, 30 from Amersfort to the East, and 22 from Arnhem to the North. It is a large and populous City, exceeding neatly built and well fortified: By means of the River it enjoys a good Trade, and was formerly one of the Hanse Towns. It still enjoys great Privileges, particularly the Royalty of Coinage. It is seated in a very fruitful and pleasant Country, and inhabited by many Noblemen and Persons of Quality. The Cathedral Church of S. Lebvin is a spacious ancient Structure, and the Stadthuys is a handsome old Building; here is a publick School, and several Hospitals, which with the remarkable round Tower, 15 foot thick, near the Noremberg-Gate, are worth a Strangers notice. The City is fortified with a double Wall and Ditch, besides several Outworks; notwithstanding which it was surrendred to the Bishop of Munster, after only 5 days Resistance, on the 21st of July, 1672.

Swoll or Zwoll is seated in a fruitful Country, between the two Rivers Issel and Vecht, at about 2 miles distance from the first and 4 from the last, and 18 miles from Deventer to the North; having also another small River, which rising near Deventer, passes through it, and a little beyond falls into the Vecht, and with it runs into the Zuyder-zee. The Buildings are fair and the Streets neat, which makes the City exceeding pleasant. It enjoys a reasonable good Trade, by means of the aforesaid River, through which the Tide flows up to the Town: The Church of S. Michael is a stately Structure, and remarkable for its fine Organ, Pulpit, harmonious Chimes and exceeding high Steeple. The publick School is considerable both for its great number of Scholars, and its College for the Study of the Sciences. Here are also divers Hospitals, a publick Granary and an Arsenal; the City enjoys great Privileges, particularly the ultimate Determination of all Causes, the Royalty of a Mint, and the Jurisdiction over 18 large and populous Villages, that stand in its Prefecture. It is surrounded with Walls, on which are 24 Towers, and a Trench; and hath three very strong Gates, which open to so many Suburbs. In 1672. it was surrendred to the Bishop of Munster, as soon as they heard of the taking of Deventer.

Campen is seated among pleasant Fields (whence it hath its name) on the South side of the Istel, near the Zuyder-zee, and 8 miles West from Swoll. It is a large, neat and well-built City, and hath a strong wooden Bridge over the Issel, which is secured by a Fortification at the End of it. The Churches here are very capacious, and of a curious Structure, as is also the Stadthuys; but the Custom-house is an exceeding fine Building and much admired. This was formerly a place of great Trade, but of late years the Mouth of the Issel hath been so choaked up with Sand that Ships of Burthen cannot enter. The Wall is high and thick, and provided with many Towers, after the old manner, but not able to resist the modern way of Attacking. This City also Capitulated upon the Surrender of Deventer, and was yielded to the Bishop of Munster; who delivering it to the French, th•y kept it to the end of the next year, and then being forc'd to quit it, exacted 80000 Gilders of the Inhab•tants to save it from Fire.

A the Mouth of the Vecht, and on a Bay of the Zuyder-zee, ca•l'd the Zwollsohe-diep, 7 miles from Zwoll to the North stands the small City Genemuyden, which had formerly a good Castle.

Vollenhoven stand• •pon the Zuyder-zee, 12 miles from Swoll and 7 from Genemuyden to the North; it is a neat and handsom Town, conveniently seated for Trade, and is a great Market for Corn brought from the Baltick Sea and other places.

Steenwick stands near the Frontiers of Friesland, 10 miles North from Vollenhoven, and 17 from Swoll: It is a small but very strong Town, having been very well fortified by Prince Maurice after he took it, in 1592. It was taken by the Bishop of Munster in the last War, and obliged to pay 10000 Gilders as a Ransom, when he quitted it in 1673.

Blockzil stands on the Zuyder-zee, 3 or 4 miles from Vollenhoven to the North, and 6 from Steemryck to the South-east. It is a strong Town, and besides, considerable for Navigation and Commerce.

Swartesluys, a Fortress standing upon the Vecht, 2 miles East from Genemuyden, and 7 North from Swoll; being taken from the Munsterians in 1672. was by them made very strong, and able to resist three several Attempts of the Dutch to regain it.

Coeverden, the chief Place of the Drente, is seated near the Frontiers of the County of Benthem, and about 12 miles from the Confines of Munster, 30 miles from Swoll, 35 from Campen to the East, and near 46 from Deventer to the North-east. It is a Fortress of very great Strength, having, besides the strong Walls and Outworks, Marshes and impassable Grounds almost all round it. It commands the Passes out of Munster into Friezland and Groningen, and being therefore a Place of great Importance, hath been often besieged. It was taken by Prince Maurice in 1592. and withstood a Siege of 7 Months by the Spaniards the next year: Yet in July 1672. it surrendred in 4 days to the Bishop of Munster, but was recover'd by surprize by the Dutch in December following: Again, in 1673. the Munsterians blockaded it, but could not take it.

Ootmersum or Otmarsen, a Town of great Antiquity, and said to be founded by Odomarus King of the Franks, is seated in the Twente, near the Borders of Benthem, and 20 miles South from Coeverden; it was formerly secured by a Rampart and a Ditch round it: But is at present not very considerable.

Oldenzyl or Oldensael, stands 8 miles South from Otmersen, and as many West from Benthem: It is a wall'd Town, but not remarkable for Strength or Grandeur; it was often taken and retaken in the Spanish War, and being taken by the Bishop of Munster in the last War, was regain'd by the Dutch in 1674.

CHAP. XVI. The Porvince of FRIEZLAND, Frisia.

COncerning the Country possess'd by the ancient Frizons there is great dispute among the Learn'd, some affirming that they spread over all Holland, Ʋtrecht, part of Gelderland, Zutphen, Overissel and Groninghen, as well as this Friezland, and the other call'd East Friezland, beyond the Ems: Others say, that of Holland, they had the North part only, which is thence call'd West Friezland, whilst others make the old Channel of the Rhine the Southern, and the River Ems the Eastern Bounds of their Country. The present Bounds of this Province is the Zuyder-zee to the West, North and South, Groninghen and Overissel to the East and South, containing in extent from North to South about 35 mises, and from East to West about 30 miles. The Land is low and marshy, and frequently overflow'd, however affords good Pasture, and in some parts store of Corn. The Province is divided into three parts, viz.

• Westergoe, or the West Part, containing these Towns,
  • ...Franeker,
  • ...Harlingen,
  • ...Bolswaert,
  • ...Sneeck,
  • ...Worcum,
  • Staveren, &c.
• Oostergoe, or the East Part, hath these,
  • ...Leuwarden,
  • ...Dockum.
• Seven-Wolden is the South-east part, which being a barren Soil, is but meanly Inhabited, and besides 77 Villages, hath only one Town of note, namely,
  • ...Sloot.

FRANEKER, Franequera, & Franekera, is seated on the Channel cut from Leuwarden to the Zuyder-zee, and is distant 40 miles from Campen to the North, 37 from Groningen to the West, not above 7 from the Shoar of the German Ocean, and in the midway between Leuwarden to the East and Harlingen to the West. It is a fair, neat, well-built City, enjoying a reasonable good Trade by means of its Cannals, and Inhabited by many Persons of Quality: Being also the Seat of an University, which was erected by the States in the year 1585, and good Revenues allotted to the Professors out of the Abbey-Lands, confiscated upon the Revolution. The Rector hath the Power of Judging Civil Causes, and the Students enjoy many immunities. The whole Town hath but one Church, which is a spacious Building, with a tall handsom Steeple: Here is an Hospital for Orphans, and a very good Grammar-School. The Town is surrounded with a good Rampart, and a deep Ditch, and hath a strong Castle built of Brick.

LEƲWARDEN, Leovardia, is distant 6 miles from Franeker to the East, 30 from Groningen to the West, and 12 from Dockum to the South; and is the largest, richest, best-built, and most populous City of Friezland, being also the Seat of the Sovereign Council and the Residence of the Stadtholder of the Province. It enjoys a good Trade by means of its Channels, whereof that from Dockum brings up large Boats with Goods from Hamburg, Bremen, &c. This Place is commended for the neatness of its Streets and Bridges, the pleasantness of its Gardens, and the splendor of its Buildings; among which the Stadtholder's Palace, the Provincial Court, and several Houses of Noble-men, together with the two Hospitals and the Churches are especially remarkable. It is well fortified, being surrounded with a thick and high Rampart, a broad Ditch and 5 Bulwarks.

Harlingen stands on the Banks of the Zuyder-zee, in which it hath a good Haven, being distant about 5 miles from Franeker to the West. It was at first a small Village only, but by several Enlargements since 1543. it is become a considerable City, and a place of good Trade, which consists in Corn and the Commodities of Norway and the Soun•; its Harbour being well frequented by Merchant Ships from those parts. It is well Fortified, which with the flatness of the Country round it (by that means easily Overflow'd) makes it a place of good Strength and Security.

Doccum is a neat and well-fortified Town, seated at the head of the Channel, leading to Leuwarden, and upon a River which makes a good Haven of 2 Leagues in length, from a Bay of the German Ocean, call'd Doccumer-diep, and is distant 12 miles from Leuwarden to the North-east, and about 5 from the Ocean to the South. The Streets and Buildings are remarkably neat; the Tower of its Church is high and stately, and the Stadthuys is a handsom Structure. The chief Bridge is of Stone and very large; besides which there are two others over the River, which runs through the Town, and communicates with the Channel of Leuwarden. The Harbour is secur'd by Piles of large Timber driven into the bottom of the River, and shut up a-nights with a strong Boom: And the Town is fortified with a Rampart, large Ditch, and Bulwarks built by the States in 1582.

Bolswaert stands about 7 Miles from Franeker to the South, and 10 from Leuwarden to the South-west. It is a good wall'd Town, formerly one of the Hanseatick, and maintaining a pretty good Commerce, by means of the Channels leading from it to Franeker, Leuwarden, Worcum, and other Places.

Worcum, stands upon the Zuyder-zee, 7 miles South from Bolswaert. It hath a small Haven, but by the Tempests from the North and West is almost choak'd up with Sand; but by the many Channels the Inhabitants Trade in small Vessels, and supply the Country with store of Fish.

Sneeck is an ancient populous, neat and well fortified Town, 6 miles distant from Bolswaert to the South-east, and as many East from Worcum, seated in a low fenny Country, near a Lake of the same name; which being well stor'd with Fish, afford the Inhabitants a good Support, by furnishing the Neighbouring Parts with that Commodity. Here is a Publick School, which for the number of its Scholars and Sallaries is very considerable.

Sloot or Sloten, stands upon a navigable Channel, which comes from a neighbouring Lake, and falls into the Zuyder-zee about a League below the Town, which is distant 8 or 9 miles from Sn•eck to the South, and by means of this Channel maintains a Commerce with Holland and other Parts. The Buildings are but ordinary, nor the Fortifications very strong. It hath one Church, a handsom Stadthuys, and one of the Gates is very large and stately.

Staveren stands on the Zuyder-zee, at the extream South-west Point of Friezland, over against Medenblick in North Holland, from which it is distant 4 Leagues to the North-east, as also 12 miles from Sloten to the West. It had formerly a capacious Harbour, and was a famous Empory; the Inhabitants still enjoy particular Privileges in the Sound, which shew the great Trade they formerly had thither, and was also the third in the Rank of the Hanse Towns: But this Trade is long since decay'd and the Haven choak'd up with Sand, so that at present the Town is not considerable, and can only brag of what it hath been; wherein they have much to say, for this was anciently the Metropolis of the Frisens, and the Seat of their Kings. It is recorded also that about 500 years ago, there was a Passage by Land almost quite cross from hence to Enchuysen, in North Holland.

CHAP. XVII. The Province of GROENINGEN, Groeningia, with the Omlands.

THIS Province is the most North-east part of the Dominions of the States General, and is seated between the German Ocean to the North, Overyssel to the South, Friezland to the East, and the Bay call'd den Dollert, which parts it from the County of Emden or East Friezland, to the West. Its Extent from North to South is about 20 miles, and from East to West about 35. The Soil of it is but poor, except the Parts lying towards the Sea, which afford very good Pasture. The Air is sharp, but wholsom enough, and the Inhabitants long liv'd. It is divided into

• Groeningen, containing
  • The Lordship of Gorecht, a narrow Tract in the middle of this Province; in which stands Groeningen, Capit.
  • The Old Ampt, lying East from Gorecht, and extending to the Bank of the Dollert, the chief Town whereof is Winschoten.
  • The Westerwold, which lies South of the Old Ampt, and runs out, in form of a Wedge, between the Drente of Overyssel and the North part of Munster. It hath several Villages, but no Town of considerable note.
• The Omlands, being
  • The West Quarter, or the West Part, lying between the River Lavica, which parts it from Friezland, and the River or Channel leading to Groeningen. In it are about 25 Villages, but no considerable Town.
  • Hunsingo, which takes up all the North Part of the Province: But hath likewise no Town of note.
  • Five-lingo, which lies between Hunsingo to the North, the Old Ampt to the South, G•recht to the West, and the Mouth of the River Ems to the East: In which District stand several Villages, and the Town of Dam.

GRONINGEN or Groeningen, Groninga, is seated upon the Confluence of two small Rivers, called the Aha and the Hunesus, with several artificial Channels, which lead to all Parts of the Province; and is distant 30 miles from Leuwarden to the East, 32 from Coeverden to the North, 13 from the Sea to the South, and 14 from the Mouth of the Ems to the West. It is a large and populous City, surrounded with strong Walls, in which are 17 large Bastions and other Fortifications, and is the Seat of an University which was founded in the year 1614. and well endow'd with the old Abbey-Lands. Besides several othe• Channels, leading from this City, there is one which running Westward falls into a Bay of the German Ocean, and another Eastward that leads to Dam, and thence to the Ems; by these the Inhabitants receive Goods from Foreign Parts, and by the other Rivers and Channels convey them to the other Places of the Province, and so maintain a pretty good Trade. The principal Church is that of S. Martin, and next is that of S. Walburgh, which hath a Tower exceeding high; there are also two other Churches, viz. S. Mary's and the New Church. The Stadthuys is an old Building and not remarkable; but the broad Market, on which it stands, is very large; as is also the Fish-Market: Upon these Markets 17 Streets meet, 6 whereof lead to so many Gates of the City. The City hath been twice enlarged since the year 1600. and may at present be reckon'd 3000 Paces in compass. Most of the Houses are furnish'd w•th Gardens, wherein grow many Fruit-Trees, and make the Place exceeding pleasant. It enjoys great Privileges, and was some Ages ago one of the Hanse Towns. In the Low Country War it sided with the Confederates in 1579. but returning to the Spaniard was taken by Prince Maurice in 1594. In 2672. it was besieg'd by the Bishop of Munster, but so bravely defended, that after a Months furious Battering it with great Shot and Bombs, he was forc'd to raise his Siege: For which Valour the Groningers were rewarded with a double Voice in the Council of State.

Dam is seated upon the Channel call'd the Damsterdiep, about 3 miles from the Mouth of the Ems to the West, and 12 from Groningen to the East. It has a rich Soil about it, and is beautified with good Buildings, but hath no Walls or Bulwarks.

Winschoten is a strong Fortress, which commands the Pass out of East Friezland into this Province, being seated between the Dollart Bay on one side, and a great Morass on the other, 17 miles from Groningen to the East, and 13 from Dam to the South. It was fortified by the States in the latter end of the last Century, in whose Hands it continued; but was taken by the Bishop of Munster in 1674.

For the better Security of this Pass there is another strong Fort about six miles South-east from Winschoten, call'd Billingworder-scence, which tho' it be very well fortified, was taken by the Bishop of Munster in 1672. but soon recovered by the Dutch.

The Bourtanger Fort, seated in the middle of a Marsh, on the very Borders of the Westerwold, towards Munster, and 12 miles South from the Dollart, is another very strong place, and a good Defence to the Country.