Russia

Etymology and other names

Modern	Russia
Modern Russian	Rossiya
Mercator, 17th	Roxolonia
17th	Moscovia
Blome, 17th	Russia Alba
Blome, 17th	Sarmatia Europaeana
Duval, 17th	Great Russia
Duval, 17th	White Russia

Duval: "It is called Great and White Russia, from the name of the ancient Roxolan People"

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

RUSSIA, OR MOSCOVIA. (Book Russia)

RUSSIA which is called also Roxolonia, is twofold, the Blacke and the White: The former bordereth on Polonia, the latter is a part of Moscovia. Moscovie was without doubt so called from the River Moschus or Morava▪ which giveth its name also to the chiefe Citie Mosco through which it floweth.

The Territories thereof are extended farre and wide, and it is bounded on the North with the Icie Sea, on the East it hath the Tartarians, on the south the Turkes and Polonians, and on the West the Livonians and the Kingdome of Swethland. In all which spaces of ground many large countries are contained, and therefore the Duke of Moscovie doth thus enstile himselfe.

The Great Lord, and by the grace of God Emperour and Governour of all Russia, also Great Duke of Volodimiria, Moscovia, great Novogrodia, Pskovia, Smolonskia, Thweria, Iugaria, Permia, Viathkia, Bulgaria, &c. Governour and Great Prince of Novogrodia the Lesse, of Czernigovia, Rezania, Wolochdia, Resovia, Bielloia, Rostovia, Iaroslania, Poloskia, Biellozeria, Vdoria, Obdoria, and Condimia, &c. The temperature of the Aire in Muscovia is immoderately cold and sharpe, yet it is so wholsome, that beyond the head of Tanais toward the North and East, there is never any plague knowne, although they have a disease not much unlike unto it, which doth so lye in the head and inward parts, that they die in few daies of it. The Countrie in generall neither bringeth forth Vine nor Olive, nor any fruit-bearing tree except it be Mellons and Cherries, in regard that the more tender fruits are blasted with the cold North windes. The corne fields do beare Wheat, Millet, a graine which the Latines call Panicum, and all kinde of Pulse. But their most certaine harvest consists in waxe and honey. Here is the wood Hercynia being full of wild beasts. In that part which lyeth toward Prussia great and fierce Bugles or Buffes are found, which they call Bison. And also the beast called by the Latines Alces like an Hart save that hee hath a fleshie snout like an Elephant, long legges, and no bending of the hough, and this creature the Moscovites call Iozzi, and the Germans Hellene. Besides, there are Beares of an incredible bignesse, and great and terrible Wolves of a blacke colour. No Countrie hath better hunting and hawking than this. For they take all kinde of wild beasts with Dogges and Nets, and with Haukes which the Countrie of Pecerra doth plentifully yeeld, they kill not onely Pheasants, and Ducks with them but also Swannes and Cranes. The Countries of Russia or Moscovia are very large. All the Cities, Townes, Castles, Villages, Woods, fields, Lakes, and Rivers are under the command and government of one Prince, whom the Inhabitants do call the great Czar, that is King or Emperour, and all the revenues that arise from them, are brought into the Princes exchequer. There are no Dukes or Counts, which can possesse any thing by a Tenure of Freehold, or can passe the same unto their heires. Hee doth bestow some villages and Townes upon some, but yet hee useth the labour of the husbandman, and when he list taketh them away againe. So that hee hath absolute command over his Subjects, and againe his Subjects honour and reverence him as a God, and do shew obedience to him in all things, without any refusall.

The chiefe Metropolis or mother Citie of the whole Kingdome is Moscovia commonly called Moschwa, being conveniently situated, as it is thought, in the middle of the Countrie. It is a famous Citie as for the many Rivers which meete there, so for the largenesse, and number of the houses, and for the strength of the Castle. For it lyeth neere the River Moschus with a long row of houses. The houses are all of wood, and divided into Parlers, Kitchings, and Bed-chambers: all of them have private gardens both for profit, and for pleasure. The severall parts of the Citie have severall Churches. It hath two Castles one called Kataigorod, the other Bolsigorod, both which are washed with the Rivers Moschus, and Neglinna. Moreover in Russia there are many Countries, as first, the Dukedome of Volodimiria, which title the Great Duke doth assume to himselfe, it is named fom the chiefe citie Volodomire being seated on the bankes of the River Desma, which runneth into Volga. This Province is of so fruitfull a soile, that the increase of one bushell of wheat being sowne is oftentimes twentie bushells.

Secondly, Novogrodia which though it be inferiour unto the aforenamed Countrie in pasturage, yet not in the fruitfulnes of the soile. It hath a woodden citie, called by the same name with the whole Dukedome Novogrod, being seated where the Rivers Volga and Occa do flow one into another. This citie had alwaies the chiefe preheminence in regard of the incredible number of houses, for the commoditie of a broad and fishie Lake, and in regard of an ancient Temple much reverenced by that Nation, which about five hundred yeares agoe was dedicated to S. Sophia. Here is a memorable Castle built of stone upon a rocke at the great Charge of the Duke Basilius. This Citie is distant from the Citie Moscovia an hundred Polish miles, and from Riga, the next haven towne, it is little lesse than five hundred.

Thirdly Rhezan which is a Province betweene the River Occa and Tanais, having store of Corne, Honey, Fish, and Fowle: it hath these Cities built of wood, Rhezan seated on the banke of Occa, Corsira, Colluga, and Tulla, neare to which are the Spring-heads of the River Tanais.

Fourthly the Dukedome of Worotinia, which hath a Citie and a Castle of the same name.

Fifthly, Severia which is a great Dukedome abounding with all things, it hath great desart fields, and many Towns among which the chiefe are these, Starodub, Stewiarkser, and Czernigow. The bees in the woods do yeeld them great store of honey. The Nation in regard of their continuall warres with the Tartarians is accustowed to armes, and ready of hands.

Sixthly, the Dukedome of Smolensko, which being seated neare the River Borysthenes hath a Citie of the same name, watered on the one side with Borysthenes, and on the other side environed with deepe ditches, and rampiers armed with sharpe stakes.

There are also these Dukedomes and Provinces, Mosat•kia, B•elskia, Rescovia, Tweria, Pleskovia, Vodzka, Correllia, Biele•zioro, Wolochda, Vstiuga, Iaroslavia, Rostow, Dwina, Susdali, Wrathka, Permia, Sibior, Iugra, Petzora, and Novogrodia the Greater, which they call Novogrod Wi•lki in which is a very great Citie of the same name, bigger than Rome it selfe. Petzora taketh its name from the River which the mountaines and rockes do hemme in on both sides. There are spacious countries which pay Tribute to the great Duke lying northward in a great space of Land; as Obdora, in which is the Idoll called Zolota Baba, that 〈…〉 Golden old woman, also Condora, Lucomoria, and Lappia. There are many great Lakes in Moscovia, as Ilmen or Ilmer, also Ladoga, and the White Lake which the Inhabitants call Biele•ezioro.

There are also many lane Rivers, as first Boristhenes or Pripetus, commonly called Nioper and Nest•r, o• by the addition of a letter Dnieper & Dnester. Secondly, Tu•••t•• which is that same with Ptolemie, which Herbersterntus calleth Rubo, but the Inhabitants Duina and Oby. Thirdly, the River Rha, which Ptolemie mentions, and is now called Volga and Edel.

There is in this countrie the River Tanais, which the Italians call Tana, the Inhabitants Don. Beside, the river Occa and the lesser Duina, called likewise Onega, &c.

Here are the Moates Hyperboret or Riphaean mountaines, mentioned by Pliny in his 4 Booke Chap. 12. and by Mela in his 3 Booke, which are impassable,* 1.15 because they are cover'd over with continuall snow and ice. The wood Hercyma which Isidorus calleth the Riphaean wood, taketh up a great part of Moscovia, it is inhabited, having some few scattering houses in it, & now by long labour is made so thinne that it cannot, as most suppose, shew such thick woods, & impenetrable forrests as heretofore. Moscovia hath innumerable costly Temples or Churches, and very many Monasteries. The Duke lookes to matters of government, and administration of Justice by the helpe and assistance of twelve Counsel¦lors who are daily present in the Court. Among them, the Pre•ec•u•e ships of all the Castles and Cities are distributed: and they receive the letters and Petitions which are directed to the Prince, and do answer them in his name. For the Prince himselfe receiveth no letters, neither doth hee set his hand to any that are written to his Subjects, or any forraine Prince. The Bishops are chosen out of the Friars as men of a sanctimonious and holy life: There are many Monasteries of these Friars in the Kingdome of Moscovia, and yet all of the same habit and Order, of which they say that S. Basil was the first founder. There are in the whole Kingdome of Moscovia eleven Bishops which they call Wladdicks, that is, in their language Stewards or Dispensers. They call their Priests Poppes or Archipoppes. The Metropolitan Bishop liveth in Moscovia, who was heretofore confirmed by the Patriarch of Constantinople, but now being chosen by the great Duke onely, he is consecrated by two or three Bishops, and is displaced at the Kings pleasure. Under this Metropolitan are two Archbishops, the one at N•vogarais the Greater neare the River Low•a, the other at Rodovia. There are no Universities or Colledges in all the Empire of M•••otia. The Moscovi•es are of the Greek religion, which they received in the yeare of our Lord 987. They suppose that the Holy Spirit, being the third person in the Trinitie, doth proceed from the Father alone. They tooke the Sacrament of the Eucharist with leavened bread, and permit the people to use the Cuppe. They beleeve not that Priests Dirges, or the pietie or godlinesse of kindred or friends can be avaleable to the dead, and they beleeve that there is no Purgatorie. They read the Scripture in their owne language, and do not deny the people the use thereof. They have Saint Ambrose, Augustine, Hierome, and Gregorie translated into the Illyrian tongue, and out of these, as also out of Chrysostome, Basil and Nazianzenus, the Priests do publikely read Homilies instead of Sermons; for they hold it not convenient (as Iovius saith) to admit of those hooded Orators, who are wont to Preach too curiously & subtlely to the people concerning divine matters, because they thinke that the rude mindes of the ignorant may sooner attaine to holinesse and sanctitie of life by plaine Doctrine, than by deepe interpretations and disputations of things secret. They make matrimoniall contracts, and do permit Bigamie, but they scarcely suppose it to be lawfull marriage. They do not call it adulterie, unlesse one take and keepe another mans wife. They are a craftie and deceitfull Nation, and delighting more in servitude than libertie. For all do professe themselves to be the Dukes servants. The Moscovite line rather prodigally than bountifully, for their tables are furnished with all kinde of luxurious meats that can be desired, and yet not costly. For they sell a Cocke and a Duck oftentimes for one little single piece of silver. Their more delicate provision is gotten by hunting and hawking as with us. They have no wine made in the Countrie, and therefore they drinke that which is brought thither, and that onely at Feasts and Bankets. They have also a kinde of Beere, which they coole in Summer by casting in pieces of ice. And some delight in the juice prest out of sowre cherries, which hath as cleare and pure a colour, and as pleasant a tast as any wine. The Moscovites do send into all parts of Europe excellent Hempe and Flaxe for rope-making, many Oxe-hides, and great store of Waxe.

1664. A briefe description of the whole world by George Abbot.

Of Russia, or Moscovia.

ON the East side of Sweden, beginne•…h the Dominion of the Em•…eror or R•…ssia, although Russia or Moscovia it self, do lye somewhat more into the East, which is a great and mighty Monarchy, extending it selfe even from Lapland, and Finmarke, m•…ny thousand miles in length, unto the Caspian sea: so that it containeth in it a great part of Europe, and much of Asia also.

The Governour there, calleth himselfe Emperour of Russia, Great Duke of Moscovia, with many other Titles of Princedomes and Cities, whose Dominion was very much inlarged by the Emperor not long since dead, whom in Russia they call Ivan Vasiliwich, in the Latine, Iohannes Basilides, who raigning long, and being fortunate in warre, did very much inlarge this mighty Dominion.

This man, •…s in his younger 〈◊〉 he was very fortunate, and added very much unto the Glory of his Ancestors, winning something from the Tartars, and something from the Christians in Livonia, and Lituania, and other confines of his Countrey: so in his latter age growing more unweld•…, and lesse beloved of his Subjects, he proved as unfortunate, whereby it came to passe, that Stephen Bacour, King of 〈◊〉, had •…very great hand of him, winning from him▪ large Provinces, which he before had conquered. Gregory the thirteenth Bishop of Rome, thinking by his in•…reaty for peace, between those two Princes, to have won the whole Russian Monarchy, to the subjection and acknowledgment of the Papacy, sent Rober•…us Possevi•…us, a Jesui•…e (but yet a great States-man) as his Agent to take up Controversies▪ between the Moscovit•…, and the King of Polone, who prevailed so farre, as that •…e d•…ew them to torlerable conditions, for both parties; but when he began to exhort him to the accepting of the Romish Faith, the 〈◊〉 being therefore informed by the English Embassadors (who he very much favoured, for his Lady, and Mistresse, Queen Elizabeths sake) that the Bishop of Rome was •… proud Pr•…late, and would exercise his pretended authority so far, as to make Kings▪ and Princes hold his stirrop, yea to kisse his very feet; he utterly and with much scorne rejected all obedience to him. Whereunto, when Possevinus did reply, that the Princes of Europe indeed in acknowledgement of their sub•…ection to •…im, as the Vi•…ar of Christ, & successor of S. Peter, did offer him that service, as to kisse his feet, but that the Pope remembring himselfe to be •… mortall man, did not take that honor as due unto himself b•… did use to have on his Part•…phie the Caucifix, or Picture of Christ, hanging upon the Crosse, and that in truth he would have the Reverence don•… thereunto; the Emperor did grow into an exceeding r•…ge, reputing h•…s pride to be so much th•… greater, when he would put th•… Cruci•…ix upon his shooe; in as much as the Russians do hold, that so h•…ly a thing as that is highly prophaned, if any resemblance of it be worn above th•… girdle.

Possevinus in a Treatise written of his Embassage into that Country where he discourseth this whole matter, confesseth that he was much afraid, lest the Emperor would have strucken him, and beaten out his brains with a shrewd staffe which then he had in his hands, and did ordinarily carry with him: & he had the more reason so to fe•…r, because that Prince was such a Tyrant, that he had not only •…laire, and with cruel torture put to death very many of his subjects, and Nobility before, shewing himselfe more brutishly cruel to them, than ever Nero and Caligulu were among the Romanes; but he had with his owne hands, and with the same staffe, upon a small occasion of anger, ki•…led his eldest Son, who should have succeeded him in his whole Empire.

The people of this Countrey are rude and unlearned, so that there i•… very little or no knowledge amongst them of any liberall or ingenious Art: yea, their very Priests & Monks (whereof they have many) are almost unlettered▪ so that they can hardly do any thing more then read their ordinary Service: And the rest of the People are, by reason of their ignorant Education, dull and uncapable of any high understanding; but very superstitious, having many Ceremonies, and Idolatrous Solemnities; as the consecrating of their rivers by their Patriarch at one time of the yeare, when they think themselves much sanctified by the receiving of those hallowed waters; yea, and they bathe their horses and Cattell in them; and also the burying of most of their people with a paire of shooes on their feet, as supposing that they have a long journey to go, and a letter in their hand to St. Nicolas, whom they reverence as a speciall St. and think that he may give them entertainment, for their readier admission into heaven.

The Moscovites generally have received the Christian Faith; but yet so, that rather they do hold of the Greek and the Eastern, then of the Western Romane Church.

The doctrines wherein the Greek Church differs from the Latine, are these. First, they hold that the holy Ghost proceeds from the Father alone, and not from the Sonne. Secondly that the Bishop of Rome is not the universall Bishop. Thirdly, that there is no purgation. Fourthly, their Priests do marry: and fifthly, they do differ in divers of their Ceremonies, as in having 4 Lents in the yeare, whereof they do call one Lent, their great Lent.

At the time of the Councill of Florence, there was some shew made by the Agents of the Greek Church, that they would have joyned in opinion with the Latines: but when they returned home, their Countrey-men would in no sort assent thereunto.

In the Northern parts of the Dominion of the Emperour of Russia, which have lately been joyned unto his Territories, as specially Lapland,Biarmia, and thereabouts, they are people so rude and heathenish, that (as Olaus Magnus writeth of them) looke whatsoever living thing they doe see in the morning at their going out of their doors, yea, if it be a bird, or a worm▪ or some such other creeping thing, they do yield a Divine W•…ship, and Reverence thereunto for all that day, as if it were some inferiour God. Damianus à Goes h•…th written a pretty Treatise, describing the manner of those Lappians: The greatest part of the Country of Russia, is in the winter so exceeding cold, that both •…he Rivers are frozen over, the land covered with snow, and such is the sharpnesse of the aire, that if any go abroad bare-faced it causeth their flesh in a short time to rot, which befalleth to the fingers and toes of divers of them: therefore for a great part of winter, they live in stoves and hot-houses, and if they be occasioned to go abroad, they use many furs, whereof there is great plenty in that Country, as also wood to make fire; but yet in the summer time, the face of the soyle and the aire is very strangely altered, insomuch, that the Countrey seemeth hot, the birds sing very merrily, and the trees, grasse and co•…n, in a short sp•…ce do appear so chearfully green, and pleasant, that it is scant to be beleeved, but of them which have seen it.

Their building is most of wood, even in the chiefe City of Mosco, insomuch, that the Tartars (who lie in the North-east of them) breaking oft into their Countries, even unto the very Mosco, do set fire on their Cities, which by reason of their woodden buildings, are quickly destroyed.

The manner of government which of late years hath been used in Russia is very barbarous, and little less than tyrannous: for the Emperour that last was, did suffer his people to be kept in great servility, and permitted the Rulers and chief Officers at their pleasures, to pil and ransack the common sort; but to no other end, but that himself might take occasion when he thought good to call them in question for their misdemeanor, and so fill his own coffers with flee cing of them: which was the same course the old Roman Empire did use, calling the Deputies of the Provinces, by the name of Spunges, whose property is to suck up water, but when it is full, then it selfe is crushed, and yi ldeth forth liquor for the behalfe of another.

The passage by Sea into this country, which was wont to be through the Sound, and so afterward by land, was first discovered by the English: who with great danger of the frozen Seas, did first adventure to saile so far North, as to compass Lapland, Finmark Scricfinia & arrow_backBiarmiaarrow_forward, and so passing to the East by Nova Zembla, halfe the way almost to Cathaio, have entred the River called Ob, by which they disperse themselves for Merchandize both by water and land, into the most parts of the dominion of the Emperor of Russia.

The first attempt which was made by the English, for the entrance of Moscovia, by the North seas, was in the daies of King Edw. the sixt, at which time the Merchants of London procuring leave of the King, did send forth Sir Hugh Willoby, with shipping and men, who went so far toward the North, that he Coasted the corner of Scricfinia Biarmia, and so turned toward the East: but the wheather proved so extream, the snowing so great, and the freezing of the water so vehement, that his ship was set fast in the ice; and there he & his people were frozen to death, and the next year some other comming from England, found both the ship, and their bodies in it, and a perfect Remembrance in writing of all things which they had done and dis covered; where amongst the rest, mention was made of a land which they had touch'd, which to this day is known by the name of Sir Hugh Willobies Land. The Merchants of London did not desist to pursue this discovery, but have so far prevailed, as that they have reached one halfe of the way toward the East part of Chyna and Cathaio; but the whole passage is not yet opened.

This Empire is at this day one of the greatest dominions in the world, both for compasse of ground, & for multitude of men; saving that it lyeth far North, and so yieldeth not pleasure for good Traffick, with many other of the best situated nations.

Among other things which do argue the magnificence of the Emperour of Russia, this one is recorded by many who have travelled into those parts, that when the great Duke is disposed to sit in his magnificence, besides great store of Jewels, and abundance of massie plate, both of Gold and Silver, which is openly shewed in his Hall, there do sit as his Princes, and great Nobles, cloached in very rich and sumptuous attyre, divers men, ancient for their yeares, very seemly of countenance, and grave, with white long beards, which is a goodly shew, besides the rich state of the thing. But Olaus Magnus, a man well experienced in those Northern parts, doth say (how truely I cannot tell) that the manner of their sitting is a notable fraud and cunning of the Russian, in as much as they are not men of any worth, but ordinary Citizens of the gravest, and seemliest countenance, which against such a solemnity, are picked out of Mosco, and other places adjoining, and have robes put on them, which are not their own, but taken out of the Emperours Wardrobe.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The Estates of the Great Duke of MOSCOVY or RUSSIA ALBA.

• To the West, and towards SWEDEN and POLAND,
  • Part of LAPLAND; where are the People of
    • Mouremanscoy Leporie, — Kola.
    • Terskoy Leporie,— Jockena.
    • Be•••ces•oy Lepori•,
      • Kandalax,
      • Om••y,
      • •ie•z,
      • So•••,
    • ...〈…〉
      • ...〈◊〉
      • Colmogorod,
      • P•eg•,
      • St. Nicola,
      • Arc-Angel.
  • Towards the North, and between the Kingdoms of SWEDEN and NORWAY, and the •iver DWINE; where are the Estates or Provinces of.
    • Cargapol,— Cargapol.
    • Wologda, Wologda.
    • Biele•ero, — Biele•ero.
    • Pleskow,
      • Pleskow,
      • Opoliko.
    • Novogrodeck,
      • Novogrodeck,
      • Stara Russa,
      • Ladoga.
  • Towards the South and the Kingdom of POLAND, and between the Rivers Don and Boristene; where are the Estates of
    • Moscovia, particularly so called,
      • Mosco,
      • Mitrow,
      • Salboda,
      • Czirpach.
    • Wolodomme,
      • Wolodimer,
      • Muron.
    • Twer
      • Twer,
      • Tersack.
    • Reschowa,
      • Reschowa,
      • Woloczk.
    • Rezan,
      • Rezan,
      • Coloma,
      • Cassira,
      • Tula,
      • Odojou,
      • Coluga.
    • Worotin, — Worotin.
    • Biesski, Biela,
    • Jaroslau, — Jaroslau.
    • Rostow,
      • Rostow,
      • Uglitz,
      • Calopigorod,
      • Pereslaw.
    • Susdal,
      • Susdal,
      • Cast•om,
      • Gali••.
• To the East, and towards TARTARIA,
  • Towards the North, and between the Rivers Dwine and Oby, where are the Estates of
    • Ou•tiouga,— Ustio•ga.
    • Condora, W•••curia.
    • Juhor•ki, — Juhora.
    • Petzora,
      • Pusteoziero,
      • Papinowgorod.
    • Be•••ski, — Per•••w Weliki.
    • Wiatka,
      • Chlinow,
      • Orlow,
      • Slawa•a,
      • Cotelnicz.
  • Towards the South, and about the Rivers Don and Volga; where are
    • The Cities of
      • Nifi Novogorod,
      • Vafiligorod,
      • Sura.
    • The People, called the
      • Czeremissi Logoway,
      • Czeremissi Nagornoy,
      • Morduates,
      • Machines,
      • Nagaiski,
      • Meschoraki.
    • The Fortresses of
      • Perwolog Carawool,
      • Cameni Caraw.
      • Stapnio Car.
      • Polooy Car.
      • Keezujur Car.
      • Ichke•re Car.
      • Uchoog Carawool.
• In the •uc TARTARIA, or
  • Upon, and beyond the River Oby, are the Estates and places of
    • Obdora,
      • Tara,
      • Zergolta.
    • Calami,
      • Calami,
      • Japhanim,
      • Tumen.
    • S••evia, — Tobolk.
    • Tingoefi, Narinskoia.
    • Ginstiuski, Besowia.
    • Loppia, Loppi.
    • Samojedae, To•ma,
    • Vogulichi, — Tara.
    • Locomoria,
      • Zergolta,
      • Pohem;
    • Pega Horda,
      • Comgoskoja,
      • Lopin.
  • Upon, and beyond the River Volga, are the
    • Kingdoms of
      • Casan,
        • Casan,
        • Belater.
      • Bulgaria,
        • Bulgar,
        • Samara,
        • Marnloria.
      • Astracan,
        • Astracan,
        • Gi•ildecha,
        • Tsier.
    • Estates, or Parts of
      • Scibanski.
      • Cosaski.
      • Nagaja Horda.

MOSCOVIA, OR Russia Alba, OR BLANCHE.

MOSCOVY, or RƲSSIA ALBA, (so called to distinguish if from Russia Nigra, a Province in Poland) answers to the whole Sarmatia of the Ancients, which they divided into Sarmatia Europaeana and Sarmatia Asiatica; the most Eastern part of Moscovy answering to this last, and the more W•••• to the former; and this distinction hath made some to esteem it partly in Asia and partly in Europe; but it is by the generality esteemed all in Europe.

The whole Estate of the great Duke of Moscovy is of a larger extent than any other in Europe, stretching it self 5 or 600 Leagues in length and bread••▪ reaching from the 48th degree of Latitude unto the 70th or 72; and from the 50th of Longitude unto the 100th, and sometimes to the 110th.

Moscovy hath its Estates bounded on the East by Tartary, and beyond the Rivers Volga and Oby; on the South, by the Caspian or Euxine Seas; on the North, by the Septentrional or frozen Ocean; and on the West, by Norway, the Estates of Sweden and Poland.

The Commodities that this Empire yieldeth are, rich Furrs of divers sorts Pot-ashes, Hemp, Flax, Honey, Wax, Cables, Yarn, and other Cordage, Feathers', Linnen Cloth both course and fine, Train-oyle, Rozin, Pitch, Caviare, Tallow, Iron, Salt, Sea-horse Teeth, Astracan-hides, Tann'd-hides, Raw•hides, dried-Fish, great increase of Grains, with many other good Commo•dities; here are great store of Cattle, Elkes, Stags, Bears, Wolves, Venison, Tigres, Linxes, Hares, &c. great plenty of Fowl and Fish, common with us in England; and the Earth affordeth them plenty of Fruits, Roots, and Herbs,

The Air is exceeding sharp and piercing in the Winter, and subject to ex•cessive great Frosts; but what with their warm clothing with Furrs and their Stoves in their Houses, they endure it well enough: and as their Winte• is thus cold, their Summer is as hot and troublesome, the Sun being as it wer• above their Horizon.

The Country hath every where many Lakes, and those of as large an ex•tent as any in Europe, as those of Lodaga, Ouega, Biela, Osera, Ilmen, an• others towards the North; those of Resanskoi-osera, of Iwanow-osera, an• others towards the South. Here are many Forests, among which the most re•nowned is that of Epiphanow, very well clothed with Wood and stored with wild Beasts and Fowl. Mountains here are but few, except those of Roglowi, between the Rivers Tana and Volga; and those of Camenopoij or Stolp, that is, the Pillars of the World, which are between the Dwine and the Oby.

This Country (according to some) is called the Mother of Rivers, amongst which the Volga, the Don or Tana, and the Dovine or Dwine, are the most famous; and especially the Volga, which is the greatest and noblest in all Europe, both for its course and the force of its Water, running 7 or 800 Leagues, and receives abundance of other Rivers.

Moscovy for the most part is ill Inhabited, and especially towards the North and East; these quarters being cold, full of Forests, and some of their People Idolaters: that which is towards Sweden and Poland is more frequented, more civiliz'd, and its Cities and Towns better built: that which lieth towards the South, and in all likelyhood should be the best, is partly Mahometan, and often infected by the Petit Tartars. But a word or two of its People about Mosco, which by reason of its being the residence of the Great Duke, are supposed to be the most civiliz'd and ingenious.

The People are naturally ingenious enough, yet they addict themselves neither to Arts or Sciences, but chiefly to Traffick and Husbandry, in which they are very subtle; they are observed to be great Liars, perfidious, treacherous, distrustful, crafty, revengeful, quarrelsom, proud, much addicted to Women and strong Drink, but Tobacco is forbidden amongst them. Their Houses are but mean, and as ill furnished, contenting themselves to lie on Matts or Straw, instead of Beds; they are gross feeders, yet have wherewithal to feed deliciously. Their habit (which they seldom or never change) is much the same with the ancient Greeks, wearing long Robes of Cloth, Sattin, Silk, Cloth of Gold or Silver, which is beset with Pearls, according to the quality of the person, by which, together with their attendance, they are known; and under these Robes they wear close Goats and Drawers, begirting themselves with Swashes; on their feet they wear Buskins, and on their heads, Caps (instead of Hats) adorned with Pearl and precious Stones, which in their Salutations they move not, only bow their bodies. They are for the most part fat and corpulent, esteeming great Bellies, and long and great Beards, for a comliness; the Women, though indifferent handsom, yet make use of Paint. In the performance of their Nuptial Rites they use many Ceremonies, which are largely treated of by Adam Olearius, in his Book entituled the Ambassadours Travels into Moscovy and Persin, whose description I shall make use of, wherein he saith, That young Men and Maids being debarr'd the Society of each other, Maidens not being allowed the freedom of the Street, or society with Men; it happens that no Marriages are made but by the consent of the Parents; and the bargain being agreed on by them, the Wedding-day is appointed, the Night before which the young Man makes his never yet seen Bride a Present, according to their Qualities. He saith further, that there are two Women appointed by them, who are to take order for the making the Nuptial Bed, &c. which is made upon about 40 sheaves of Rye, which are encompassed with a great many Barrels of Wheat and other Grains. All things being made ready, the Bridegroom late in the Evening goes to the Brides, accompanied with his Friends and Relations, together with the Priest who is to marry them, riding before them; and being received in, are brought to a Table where three Dishes of Meat are brought, but none eats thereof; then after some Ceremonies, the Bride is brought in richly clad in a sitting dress for that Solemnity by the said Women, who places her by the Bridegroom; and to prevent their seeing one another, besides the Va•l over the Brides face, they are parted by a piece of crimson Tassety, which is held by two Youths: which done, the said Woman ties up her Hair in two knots, paints her, puts a Crown neatly made and gilded on her head, and habits her like a married Woman; the other Woman chosen by them paints the Bridegroom, and whilst this is doing, the Women get up on Benches and sing several Songs; then after several ridiculous Ceremonies they go to the Church, and before the Priest gives them the Benediction, he carries them to the Offering, which consists of fryed Meats, Fish, and Pastry: the Benediction is given by holding Images over their heads, and the Priest taking the Bridegroom by the right hand, and the Bride by the left, and asks them three times, if they will love one another as Man and Wife ought, and whether it be by their consent; to which both answer, Yes: then all the People joyn hands and dance, whilst they and the Priest sing the 128 Psalm, which ended, he puts a Garland of Rue about their heads, saying, Increase and multiply; and then consummating the Marriage, saith, Whom God hath joyned together, let no man separate; which being pronounced, several Wax-Candles are lighted, and the Priest is presented with a Glass of Claret, and being pledg'd by the Married couple, he throws down the Glass, and he and the Bride tread it under their feet, saying, May they thus fall at our feet, and be trodden to pieces, who shall endeavour to sow discontent betwixt us. Then after several other Ceremonies, the Bride is put in a Sledge and drawn to the Bridegrooms house, where the Wedding is kept, and he following her on Horseback, and as soon as they are come, the said Woman conducts the Bride to her Chamber, undresses her, and lays her in Bed, during which time the Bridegroom and his Friends are seated at a Table well furnished with Meat; the Bride being laid in her Bed, the Woman fetches the Bridegroom from the Table, who is accompanied with about eight young Men, beating in their hands lighted Torches to conduct him to the Chamber, which being entred, they put them in the said Barrels of Corn, and void the Room, being each of them presented with two Martins Skins the Bride perceiving him coming, gets out of the Bed, putting a Gown about her, and receives him very submissively; and this is the first time he hath the sight of her face: then they sit down at Table, and having eaten go to Bed, all quitting the Room; and at the Door is placed one of the Old Servants, who is to demand, if the business is done; and when he saith, it is, the Timbrels, Trumpets, &c. play, till such time as the Stoves are made ready, where they hath themselves, but apart, and the two next days are spent in dancing, entertainments, and diversions; but for Citizens and Persons of a meaner Degree, less Ceremonies are used, and with lesser-state and cost. The Wedding being past, the Bride betakes her self to a retir'd condition, being not much permitted the liberty of the Streets, nor do their Husbands, especially the Richer sort, care they should be brought to Houswifry, so that they bestow their time in Idleness, and playing with their Maids; and as some say, they are not well contented unless their Husbands gives them b•ating, being like Spaniels, the more they are beaten the better they love. Divorcements are frequent amongst them, for when they have a desire to part, they accuse her of Adultery, or want of Devotion, by suborning of false Witnesses, by which they are contented, without answering for themselves.

Their Religion is the same with the Greek Church, of which they are a Member, but full of Superstition, as considering the Virgin Mary, the Evangelists, Apostles, with abundance of other Saints, not only as simple Intercessors, but also Co-operators and Causes of their Salvation, giving to their Saints and Images the same honour as is due only to God. They differ from the Romish and Reformed Churches in several points, as 1. Forbidding extream Ʋnction, Confirmation, and fourth Marriages. 2. Denying the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son. 3. Denying Purgatory, but allow praying for the Dead. 4. They hold it unlawful to fast on Saturdays. 5. They reject graven or carved Images, but allow of the painted. 6. They observe four Lents every year. 7. Communicating in both kinds, but mixing warm Water with the Wine, and using leavened Bread, which they distribute both together with a Spoon. 8. They admit Children of seven years of Age to come to the Sucrament. 9. They admit of none to Orders, but such as are married, and forbidding the same to those that are in actual Orders. And 10. Believing that Holy men (before the Resurrection) enjoy not the presence of God; and for these and the like Tenents, there is a great feud and hatred between them and the Papists.

The Moscovites suffer all Nations to live amongst them in quietness, and give toleration to all Religions, except the Jews and Papists, whom they will not permit amongst them.

They are great observers of Festival-days, of which they have abundance, all which are not observed, except by the Priests; but their great Festival-days are strictly observed, as also Sundays, on which they go thrice a day to their Devotions: Their Service consisteth in reading of Chapters and Psalms, saying, or rather singing of certain Prayers, St. Athanasius's Creed, together with a Homily out of St. Chrysostom; they are such great Adorers of the Cross, that they will undertake no business, neither eat or drink before they have made the sign of the Cross; also they are as great worshippers of painted Images, there being scarce a Family without them; and also have them placed about the walls of their Churches, directing their Prayers to them; and these Images are adorned with Pearls and Precious Stones; and if it happen that any person is Excommunicated, both He and his Images are not allowed the liberty of the Churches, which are esteemed Sacred places by them, and are built round, and vaulted like a Dove-house in imitation of Heaven. Their Devotion is performed standing or kneeling, having no Seats in their Churches; and in their Communions they hold Transubstantiation. They are strict observers of Fasts, of which they have a great many, besides every Wednesday and Friday, on which they will not eat any kind of Flesh, nor that which comes from it.

In their Funerals they also observe several Ceremonies. As soon as the sick person is deceased, they send for all his Relations and Friends near at hand, who stand by him lamenting his loss in a howling tone, demanding why he would die? whether he wanted any thing? whether his Wife was constant to him? or the like ridiculous Questions. Also they send to the Priest a Present of Aqua-vitae, Hydromel and Beer, that he may pray for the Soul of the deceased. Their Lamentations being ended, they wash the Body of the deceased, put a clean Shift and Shroud about him, as also a pair of new Buskins on his feet, and so lay him in the Coffin and carry him to Church, the Priest going first, who carrieth the Image of his Saint; and being come to the Grave the Coffin is uncovered, and whilst the Priest says certain Prayers, the said Image is held over the Corps, and the Wife, Relation and Friends kiss him, and take their last farewel in grievous Lamentations; then the Priest puts betwixt his fingers a piece of Paper, which is a Pass directed to St. Peter, signed by the Patriarch or the Metropolitan of the place, wherein is declared what he is, how he lived in obedience to the Church, &c. as also a penny in his Mouth; after which the Coffin is covered and the Corps interr'd with his face to the East: then the People doing their devotions to the Images, return to the House of the deceased, where they dine and comfort up the Widow. Their usual time of Mourning is forty days, in which time they make three Feasts for the Friends of the deceased.

They hold Baptism of great importance, insomuch that they Baptize their Children so soon as born; and if it happen that through weakness the Child cannot be brought to the Church, then it is baptized at home; and in this they observe several Ceremonies. And the Child being baptized, the Priest assigns it a particular Saint, the Image of which he delivers to the Godfather, charging him to instruct the Child to have a devotion to his Saint.

Their Ecclesiastical Government consists of a Patriarch, which is the Head of the Church, and as it were Pope, who hath under him several Metropolitans, Archbishops, Bishops, Arch-Deacons, Proto-Popes, and Priests.

The Grand Duke of Moscovy is absolute Lord both of the Lives and Estates of his Subjects, whom he treats little better than Slaves, his chiefest aim being for what he can get, more than the good and welfare of his People, being, not subject to Laws, but makes what seemeth good unto him, which, though never so tyrannical, are strictly obeyed; yet he will seem to take advice of his Knez and Bojares, who are as his Privy Council. His Revenues and Riches cannot but be great from the several ways from which he raiseth it, as by Illegal Taxes, Customes, his Lands, and what he taketh from his Subjects at pleasure. He is apparelled like a King and a Bishop, wearing with the Royal Robes a Miter and a Crosiers-Staff, and observeth a great deal of state and grandure.

The Estates of MOSCOVY comprehend 3 Kingdoms, about 30 Dutchies or Provinces, and about 20 People or Nations, who live by hoords or Communalties, all which I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Moscovy. The Country is not so populous as spacious, nor very well frequented by Strangers, so that I cannot give so good account thereof, as otherwise I would, of which in order.

DWINA, a Province of a large extent, but very barren, hath for its chief places Dwina, seated on the River so called, which falls into the Northern Ocean; and on the Mouth of the said River, on the Sea-shoar is seated the City of St. Michael (commonly called Arch-Angel) a place of note for its great Trade, and much resorted unto by the English.

PLESKOW, a large Province, whose chief place is so called, being large and fain, and the only walled City in the Empire; a place of great strength, very populous, and dignified with an Episcopal See.

NOVOGRODECK, very Northernly seated, a Province also of a large extent, whose chief place is so called, seated on the River Naf, dignified with and Episcopal See, a City which for fairness and largness, might once compare with any in Russia, being formerly one of the Mart-Towns of Europe, which is now removed to St. Nicholas, a Port-Town, more convenient for the Moscovian Trade.

CARGAPOL, WOLOGDA, and BIELEZERO, whose chief places bear their names, are Provinces of this Dukedom.

MOSCOVIA is one of the largest Provinces in all Russia, and seated in the midst of this large Estate, so called from Mosco its Metropolitan City, seated on a River so called, dignified with the Imperial Seat, as also with the See of the Patriarch. This City, before its firing by the Tartars, was 9 or 10 miles in circuit, but now not above half the compass; it is very populous, and hath for Divine worship 16 Churches, of which about half are made of Wood and Dirt, as are most of the Houses. The Palace of the Great Duke is seated in the heart of the City, a large Structure, well fortified with 17 Turrets and 3 great Bulwarks, which are always guarded with about 25000 Souldiers, which, with two Castles seated in the outward parts of this City, is its only defence, being without a Wall or Ditch.

WOLODOMIRE is a Dutchy very fertil in Corn, its chief City being so called, once dignified with the residence of the Great Duke till removed to Mosco, from which it is distant 36 Leagues, now dignified with an Episcopal See.

TWER is a fair, fertil and populous Province, washed by the Volga; its chief place is so called, dignified with the See of a Bishop, which for beauty and largness may compare with Mosco, from which it is distant about 140 miles.

RESCHOWA, a Dutchy, which takes its name from its chief City; as doth the Dutchy of BIELSKI, from Biela.

REZAN is a Dutchy so fertil that its fellow cannot be found in all these parts yielding Corn to admiration; its, chief City also hears the same name, which is seated on the River Occa, dignified with an Episcopal See.

WOROTIN, a Province also, so called from its chief City, seated on the said River Occa, and defended by a strong Castle.

PERMSKI, a Province of a large extent; its chief City is so called, seated on the River Vischora.

WIATKA, a barren and woody Country, and much pester'd with the Incursions of the Crim Tartars; its chief place being so called.

PETZORA is a Province fenced on all sides by losty Mountains and Rocks;* 2.142 its chief place takes the name of the Province, seated on a River so called near its fall into the Sea, and on these Mountains are found excellent Hawks and Sables, which bring some profit to the Inhabitants.

INHORSKI, CONDORA, OƲSTIOƲGA, SƲSDAL, ROSTHOW, and JAROSLAƲ, are Provinces of this Dukedom.

Towards the South, and about the Don and the Volga, are several Cities, People, and Fortresses, as are mentioned in the Geographical Table; as are several Provinces or Estates upon and beyond the River Oby.

Besides these Provinces, the Grand Duke holds at present towards Asia, the Kingdoms of Casan, Bulgaria, and Astracan.

CASAN is a Kingdom in Tartaria Deserta, whose chief place is so called, seated on the Volga; now dignified with the See of a Bishop, is in the Kingdom of BƲLGARIA, whose chief place is so called.

ASTRACAN lieth on the Volga, whose chief place is so called, enjoyeth a good Trade, especially by the Armenians, by reason of its commodious scituation, on the branches of the Volga, about 20 Italian miles from the Caspian Sea.

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

Of Muscovy.

This is the vastest Country of all Europe, stiled formerly Sarmatia, now Muscovy. It is called Great and White Russia, from the name of the ancient Roxolan People, and upon the account of its great extent, and of the Snow, which so covers the Ground near two thirds of the year, that to Travel there at that time, one would have occasion to veil ones Eyes with black Crape, so as formerly Xenophon made his Souldiers do in the retreat of the ten thousand Greeks. The Soyl of Muscovy is cold, humid, full of Woods and Bogs, which make it little inhabited.

What makes it believed that it is better populated than it really is, is that the Country People by express order, go to the avenues of the Citties, through which the Embassadours of forreign Princes pass. The cold there does often hinder the Corn from coming to its perfection. It is there sometimes so violent, that the Earth is wholly opened by it; the Inhabitants find it no extraordinary matter to see their Nose, Ears and Feet frozen; they only sow in them parts in the Month of June; the heats of July and of August do visibly forward the Harvest. The Muscovites do not willingly afford the entrance of their Countrey to other Nations; they care not to know any other Tongues than their own; they only have their Children taught to write and read, that is sufficient to be a Doctor. They take for their Sirname the proper Name of their Father; they write upon Roles of Paper cut into Welts and glued together, to the length of twenty or five and twenty Yards; they reckon the first day of the Month of September for the first of the Year: they wear long Garments, and put their Girdle below their Belly. Their Collations are performed with the Bread of Spices, of Brandy and of Honey. The Peasants have recourse to somewhat an extraordinary means for the securing themselves from the quartering of Souldiers; they provoke and set upon them their Bees. The Office of Executioner is not dishonourable amongst the Muscovites. od, •ir Armies are offten of a hundred and two hundred thousand Men. They are divided into five Bodies, as ours are into three. Boris Foederowits Great Duke of Muscovy, towards the beginning of this age, saw himself in the Head of an Army of three hundred thousand Men. Alexis Michaelowits after the defeat of Stepan Radzin, had no less considerable Army, when the Desiign was to hinder the Progress of the Turks. The Infantry is there in more esteem than the Cavalry; It sustains well a Siege, and suffers patiently all imaginable hardship rather than yield; which it did in our time in the Castle of Vilna, and in the Fortress of Noteburg. As for besieging of a Town, the Muscovites understand nothing at all of that Art, which they have made evident before Smolensko in 1633. before Riga in the year 1656. before Azac in the year 1673. Their Forts are commonly of Wood and of Earth upon the sinuosities of Rivers or else in Lakes. The greatest strength of the State consists in forreign Troops; and good pay and Pensions are given to the Officers when they have occasion for them. The Prince has the Title of the Great Duke, says he is discended from Augustus; stiles himself Grand Tzaar or Gzar, that is to say, Gaesar and Emperour. The Habiliments he is bound to wear, make him appear like a Prelate. When the Ministers of Forreign Princes are to treat with his Embassadours, they have all the pain imaginable to agree upon his Titles by reason of his extraordinary Pretensions. In the year 1654. for the ma¦king war in Poland, and for supporting the Rebel Gosaques; thener at Duke took for Pretext, that some Polisheek •ords had not given him his due Titles, and that they had caused to be printed in Poland Books to his disadvantage. One of the two present Zars Predecessours, was so cruel, as to cause an Italian Embassadours Hat to be nailed to his Head, for that he had put it on in his Presence. His Government is Despotick; the Muscovites call themselves Slaves, and he calls them out of conrempt, by a diminutive Name, little John, little Peter; his will alone is the Rule of his Subjects, who hold themselves certain that the will of God and of the Grand Duke, are immutable. The Zarrs Treasures are said to be great, he shuts up the most he can of Gold and Silver in his Fortresses of Bioliczero and Vologde, and only makes his Presents and his Payments in Skins and Fish, or in giving some Hides or Cloaths of Gold. They have in esteem the Corn of Resan and of Volodimere, the Hides of Jaroslau, the Wax and Honey of Plescou, the Suet of Vologde, The Oyl of the Country about the Wolga, the Flax and Hemp of great Novogorod, the Pitch of Duvine, the Salt of Astracan, the Sables and other Furrs of Siberia, where the Hunters have the dexterity to hit the Beast upon its Nose, for the having the Spoils entire. The Country bordering upon the lesser Tartars is wholly Desart by the incursions of those People who go thither to make Slaves to sell them in the Crim, from, whence they are led to Constantinople; as there are very handsom Women amongst those slaves, they ever meet with Chapmen who take them off their hands. The Palisado'd Hedges of Wood, and the Ditch that was made a hundred Leagues in length, have not been capable to stop those Incursions. They have treated the Russians with so many indignities in the foregoing ages, that besides the Tribute, the Prince of Muscovy was bound to light off his Horse before the Embassadour of Tartary, to offer him a Dish of Milck, to lick up what by chance might fall upon the Horses Crest, to keep standing and bare headed, the Tartar being seated. The Religion of the Muscovite is little different from that of the Greeks, all their Images are in Board Pictures; St. Nicholas is the Protectour of their Nation, they have seldom any Festivals but on the day of the Blessed Virgins Anunciation; they have at Mosco a Patriarch the head of their Religion, three Archbishops and Metropolitans at Rosthou, at Susdal, and at Great Novogorode, Bishop of Wologda, Resan, Susdal, Tuvere, Tobelesca, Astracan, Casan, Plescou, Colomna and almost in all the Provinces of the Great Duke, where they are chosen out of the Body of the Monks. The Muscovites have this good property, as they do not constrain any body for Religion: they hate the Roman Catholicks, because of the excesses committed by the Polanders, when they rendred themselves Masters of Moscow in the year 1611. There be still some Idolaters towards the North.

Muscovy is divided into two parts Southern and Northern, the former towards the Wolga, the latter towares the Duvine, which Wolga the greatest River of Europe, falls into the Caspian Sea, after having run a course of about seven hundred Leagues. The Duvine which waters the most trading Towns of Muscovy, empties it self by six or seven Mouths into the Gulph of St. Nicholas, which is called the White Sea, by reason of the Snow of the Country thereabouts. The Dom which seperates Europe from Asia has its beginning a hundred Leagues from its end; its Course is about six hundred Leagues, first towards the East, afterwards towards the West; the conjunction of these three Rivers was formerly proposed for the communication of the principal Seas of our Continent, that is to say for the facillitating the Commerce of the Ocean, Mediterranean and Caspian Seas. But this design did not succeed by reason of the divers Interests of the Neighbouring Princes. The Rivers of Muscovy have this in particular, that they have not any Carps. There be few good Towns in all those Parts, they are not paved, some that are boarded with Wood, nor walled for the most part, the Lands being till'd and plow'd between the streets: the Houses below made of Wood and Mud; in the Markets their Houses are to be sold, wholly prepared, and ready to be set up. There often happen Fires by reason of that combustible matter, which is easily lighted and enflamed by the number of Candles that are lighted before the Images, and which the Muscovites, who are commonly drunk, do not take care to extinguish.

Mosco the Capital City, and the Residence of the Great Duke seems rather a heap of several Boroughs, than a good City. It has had forty thousand Houses, but has less since, it has been pillaged at divers times by the lesser Tartars, by the Polanders, and since the late burning down of most part of its Houses. Its two Castles were built by Italian Ingeniers after the Model of that of Milan. Volodimere the Residence of the Prince before that of Moscow, is in the most fertile part of all Muscovy, accompanied with a Castle. The Rivers of Moscow and of Occa furnish the Inhabitants of Moscow with the means of making their Merchandize descend upon the Volga. The lesser Novogorod is the last City of Europe towards the East. Plescou is well fortifyed, as being a Bulwark against the Polanders and the Suedes. Great Novogorod was one of the four Magazines of the Hanse-Towns, and a Town so rich and puissant, that it was formerly a saying of its Citizens, that nothing could oppose God or great Novogorod. In the year 1577. the Great Duke took it, and is said to have carried away from thence three hundred Waggons loaded with Gold and Silver. It is still at this day a Town of great Commerce. Archangel or St. Michael the Archangel is the staple of all Muscovy, by reason of its Sea-Port. The Customs there mount to above six hundred thousand Crowns a year. This place was both first discovered and first frequented by the English Ships, but have been followed by other Nations of Europe. Before, the Commerce of Muscovy was carryed on by passing through the Sound, and resorting to Nerva; the great Impositions laid upon Merchandize by the Princes through whose Territories they were to pass, have made Merchants abandon that way. St. Nicholas drives also a great Trade at the entrance of the Duvin these are the only good. Places of the Grea Duke upon the Ocean. Colmogorod is noted for the faires that are held there in Winter. The Duvine there receives great Ships. Oustioug is in the Center of the Countrey, where its traffick is pretty considerable by means of its Scituation at the meeting of two Rivers. The Interest of the Great Duke of Muscovy would be to have a place upon the Baltick Sea, for the Cannons, Muskets and other ammunition of War which he has brought him from Hamburgh and Lubeck, are conveyed by the North of Norway with extraordinary pain and trouble. Besides, the White Sea has Banks and Rocks at its entrance; the Snow thaw'd and melted, and the Torrents which augment it in the Spring, carry its Waters with such impetuosity, that the Ships can hardly enter therein: true it is that abundance of Salmon are taken there. Kola and Pitzora in Lapland receive Merchants Ships.

As concerning the Conquest of the Great Duke in Asiatick Tartary, there is principally Astracan and Casan with Titles of Kingdoms, and the Hurdes of Zavolha and Nagaia: Astracan towards the Mouth of the Wolga drives a great traffick upon the Caspian Sea. In this Country is the Plant Zoophite which resembles a Lamb; it eats the Herbs round about its Root, and if it be cut it casts forth a red Liquor like to bloud; the Wolves devour it with as much greediness and avidity as if it were a Sheep. Locomoria towards the Obi, has Inhabitants which be said to be frozen up six months of the year, because that during a that time they dwell in Tents environed and covered with Snow, and do not stir out from thence until it be thaw'd and melted away. The Samoiedes are seldom above four foot tall: they are said to have a very broad Face, little Eyes, the head on one side is much greater than the proportion of the Body does require it, short Legs, extraordinary great Feet, because they seem so in the Skins of Animals they cloath themselves with, and the stuff whereof they make their shoes; they wear those Skins in such manner, that in Winter they turn the hairy side inwards, and wear it outwards in Summer: to sow them they have the bones of Fish, and the Nerves of Animals instead of Needles and thread; they have the best Archers in the World. The Tingoeses express their thoughts better with their Throats than with their Tongues. Those People inhabit Siberia a Province which furnishes the finest and richest Furrs; the Malefactours of Moscovy are transported thither, and such Noble Men as are out of Favour with the Prince. The River Pesida is the bound of it towards the East; they have not yet ventured to go beyond it, though they have seen there several Horses and other things, which make some believe that it is a Country as considerable as Cathai, which cannot be very far distance from it.

1700. The merchants map of commerce by Roberts, Lewes. CHAP. CCXIX. Of Moscovia, and the Trade thereof.

Moscovia is bounded on the East with Tartary, on the West with Livonia, Lituania, and part of Sweden; on the North with the Frozen Ocean, and on the South with the Caspian Sea, the Turks, and Palus Moeotis.

This Country afforded for Merchandise, Furs of many sorts, Flax, Hemp, Whales-grease, Honey, Wax, Canvas, Ropes, Cables, Caveare, Astrican Hides, Tallow, Raw-hides and Bulgars.

The many Rivers that are found to be in this Country do much further Trading in general: First Tanais, which disburthened it self into Palus Moeotis. Secondly, Dunia, which entreth into the Scythian Seas, at the Abby of St. Nicholas, where our English, since the Discovery of the Northern Passage, use to land and disperse themselves into all parts of this vast Empire. Thirdly, Boristhenes, that entreth into Pontus Euxinus. Fourthly, Onega, which openeth it self into the Baltik Sea. And lastly Volga, which with no less than 70 mouths disgorgeth it self into the Caspian.

This Empire is divided into nine principal Provinces, which together with the chief Towns thereof I shall only touch.

• Novogradia is first, the chief Town being Novograde, seated on the Dunia, and once one of the four ancient Mart-Towns of Europe, now of late decayed, since the Discovery of the new Passage unto the Town of St. Nicholas, by the River Obye.

• Plescovia is the second, wherein is the City Plescove, the only walled City in Moscovia, and yet of no great Eminence.

• Valadomira is the next, having also a Town of that Name.

• Rhesen is the fourth, wonderful plenty in Corn, that neither can Birds fly, nor Horses run through it for thickness; the chief Town Rhesen was the Metropolis of Russia, it is the first part of Moscovia, abounding in Grain, Honey, Fish, and Fowl without number.

• Servia is the fifth, the chief Towns are Staradab and Pativola.

• Permia is the sixth, the chief City is Sickwiardley, abounding in Stags.

• Candora is the seventh.

• Petrosa is the eighth: in both these Countries the Inhabitants do live under ground, and have for half the year together perpetual Day, and the other half perpetual Night, as situated beyond the Arctick.

• Moscovia is the ninth,

• and so named of the principal City Mosco, being about five miles round, having therein 16 Churches, of which the one half are made of Wood and Dirt, as most of the Houses are: the Emperours Palace standeth in the midst, and is fortified with 3 Bulwarks, and 17 Turrets, continually guarded with 25000 Souldiers. This is the most populous Province of all this great Empire: for it extendeth 2000 miles in Length.

• Besides these, there are yet some petty Provinces wherein are found the Towns of Smalensko, then Toropiers, next Colopigrod, Landiskron, and some others of lesser note, which I willingly omit, till my Observation be better.

The Trade of the English was begun here in the time of Queen Elizabeth of England, and Basiliades King of this Country, about the year 1575, and within 10 years after it was perfectly setled: and because the Trade of Moscovia is confined to a small Circuit in these vast Dominions, it will not be improper that I comprehend the same under the Title of the Metropolis of this Kingdom, Mosco.

1700. The merchants map of commerce by Roberts, Lewes. CHAP. CCXX. Of Mosco, and the Trade thereof.

Mosco is the Metropolis of all this large Kingdom, to which the Emperour some years past repair'd, most fit for the Government of so large an Empire, as accounted the midst of all his Dominions. It is pleasantly seated on the River Mosca, running into Tanais, where it loseth its name; and passing Assaw, disgorgeth into the Palus Meotis, and so into the Euxinus. About fifty years past it was esteemed ten miles in circuit, and in its height of Greatness then burnt by the Tartars wherein 80000 Persons were consumed, and since reduced to five miles compass, beautified with 16 Churches, some of Stone, some of Timber and Earth, and with the Palace of the Great Duke situate in the very Heart thereof, enriched with the Branches of two Rivers for Use and Ornament, which water two strong Forts that defend the place.

At the Abby of St. Nicholas the Patron of this Country upon the River of Dunia, or Obby, the English Merchants use to land, and thence disperse themselves to Smalensko, Novograde, hither and into all other parts of this vast Empire, amongst whom they find kind entertainment, and by the Favour of the Prince have larger Immunities granted unto them than to any other Nation, their trafficking attributed to the never dying Fame of Queen Elizabeth, in whose days the Trade was here first settled, and to the plausible Behaviour of the English Merchants in general.

The Merchants here are observed to keep their accounts in several manners; some as the English, by Rubbles and Pence, or as the Inhabitants term them, Muskofkins, 200 whereof making a Rubble, which is accounted two Rix Dollars. Some again, as the Dutch and other Nations, by Rubbles, Grevens, and Muskofkins or Pence, accounting 20 pence to a Greven, and 10 Grevens to a Rubble, which is most in use here, this Rubble being found an imaginary Coin, and not real.

The Current Money here is a Capeck, in value a Stiver Flemish, and somewhat more than as English Penny; for 10 Capecks is a Greven, which the English call 12 pence sterling, because that 10 Grevens is a Rubble, which is 10 shillings sterling. Three Capecks they call an Altine, by which name all Receipts and Payments are made in bargaining and Contracts, 33 Altius and 1 Capeck making a Rubble.

At Archangel is sound practised amongst the Merchants an Exchange for Moneys, rising and falling, according as the Russ Moneys are observed to be plentiful or scarce; the English sometimes among themselves giving 11 shillings, and 11 shillings 6 pence sterling in England for the Rubble here; and the Moneys commonly taken there in August to be paid in London the last of December following.

The Weight of Moscovia common in use is the Pood for fine Goods, and the Bercovet for gross Goods, the one being derived from the other.

By the Pood is weighed Silk, Bever-wooll, Yefts, &c. and is accounted for 40 l. Russ weight: and 3 Pood hath been observed to make 112 l. English, which by this computation should make 37⅓ l. Averdupois, and all Goods there bought by the Pood is 10 per cent. Loss in England.

By the Bercovet is weighed Tallow, Hemp, Cable, Yarn, Coil or Lard-ropes, and all gross Commodities, and is a Russ Ship pound: 10 Poods makes a Bercovet, which makes 300 l. suttle Averdupois, so that all Goods being bought there by the Bercovet or Ship pound is hell 10 per cent. Profit: for commonly the English Merchants reckon the over-weight to pay the Freight of some Goods so bought.

The Measure in Length here generally used is called an Archin, being a Brabant Ell and ½ a Nail, or something more than ¼ of an English Yard, reckoned by the English Merchants there resident two per cent. more, and may be incirca 28 inches, so that the 100 Archins may produce in London 77 in 78 Yards, and the 100 Yards be here 128½ Archins, or thereabout.

The Native Commodities of this Country in general I have already nominated, it will not be amiss I should particularly view them, and the ordinary Rates they carry in price, together with the Marks whereby their Goodness and Quality is discerned.

Their most precious Commodities and Merchandize hence exported by forein Nations are their rich Furs; the principal is the Sables, bought commonly by the Timber, which contains 40 Skins, which must be large and well-colour'd, and are found of all Prices as in Goodness, from 15 to 200 Rubbles the Timber.

Black Fox-Skins are known amongst all Northern Merchants for the richest Fur in the World, and is here found in great store, bearing a Price as in Largeness and Growth, from 5 to 200 Rubbles apiece.

Oter-Skins are here found plenty, by reason of the many Rivers of this Country, accounted the Region of Springs and Streams, sold by the Timber of 40 Skins, from 5 to 40 Rubbles the Timber.

Minikins are sold by the Timber of 40 Skins, and commonly sold about 6 Rubbles the Timber.

Martins are also sold by the Timber of 40 Skins, about 15 Rubbles per Timber, rising as found in richness of Hair.

Ermins sold also by the Timber of 40 Skins, about 2 Rubbles per Timber.

Grawert or Squirrels sold by the thousand, as in Goodness, from 14 to 30 Rubbles the thousand.

Red Foxes by the 10 Skins, at 10 or 15 Nobles the 10 Skins.

White Foxes by the Piece, about 5 Altins the piece.

Dun Foxes by the Piece, about 40 Altins the Piece.

Sable Rands sold by the Pair, from 2 to 6 Rubbles the Pair.

Bever-wooll is a Staple Commodity also of this Kingdom, and sold by the Pound about 2½ Rubbles per Pound.

Bever Wombs also by the Pound, being a thin Skin and well grown, is commonly worth 1½ Rubble per Pound.

These are the ordinary Furs which their Northern Climate affords for Merchandize, the next found are these.

Yellow Wax is here found made by the Industry of the Bee and hands of Man, in great abundance, sold by the Pood, which is 40 l. here; the hardest and best colourd bear Price here commonly about 4 in 5 Rubbles the Pood.

Tallow is sold by the Berquet, which is 10 Pood, being clean, white and hard, about 7 in 8 Rubbles the Berquet.

Tar is sold by the Hogshead, being thick, as the best is commonly worth (…) per Hogshead of (…) Gallons English.

Train Oyl is sold by the Barrel, which is half a Hogshead, and discerned by its Clearness without Grounds, and of a whitish Colour, about 4 Rubbles per Barrel, of (…) Gallons English.

Hemp is sold by the Berquet of 10 Poods, being clean and green, bears price commonly from 3 to 5 Rubbles the 10 Pood.

Flax is sold by the Bercovet; the bright Silver-colour is held the best, commonly about 7 Rubbles the Bercovet.

Cable Yarn is sold by the Bercovet, and being well spun round and not too much twisted, from 67½ Rubbles the Bercovet.

Coyls or Tard Ropes by the Bercovet, about 7 Rubbles the Bercovet: where note, That the English and other Nations hither trading, buy here great quantity of Hemp, and spin it out here into Yarn, to save the charges of Fraight: every 1000 Poods do cost about 100 or 110 Rubbles Charges; and, if the Hemp prove good, there is found near ¼ Loss; if bad, so much more, and worth, being in Cable Yarn, as I said above, from 6 to 7½ Rubbles the Bercovet.

Dried Cow-hides, being large and weighty, are sold by the 100 Hide, worth from 40 to 44 Rubbles the 100.

Red Evits by the Pair, at 2½ Rubbles per Pair, and sometimes sold by the Pood, at 40 Rubbles per Pood: And note, That the White are commonly worst esteemed by ⅕ in price.

Losh-hides are sold by the Piece, the largest and not worm-eaten is the best, from 6 Grevens to 5 Rubbles the Piece, as in Goodness.

Duck-Feathers sold by the Pood, as in Goodness, from 3 to 5 Rubbles the Pood.

Caviare is also a principal Commodity here sold by the Pood, and commonly worth 40 Altines the Pood.

Coarse Linen is made here in great quantity, sold by the 1000 Archins of ½ Yard, and ¾ the broad from 15 to 20 Rubbles the 1000 Archins, as found in Fineness.

Some other Commodities this Country affordeth, which I omit, as of no great consequence.

1700. The merchants map of commerce by Roberts, Lewes. CHAP. CCXXI. Of the Trade in general of Moscovia.

THE excellent Commodity of the great Rivers that in all places of this large Empire are found to water and enrich this Country, should much incite this Nation to the Trade of Merchandize; but it is often found, that where Nature is most liberal in her Furtherances, the Inhabitants prove most backward in their Endeavours; the natural Coldness of the Climate inclosing the People into their warm Stoves, and the Neighbourhood of the Tartars (who in some respect resembling Dogs, neither suffering the Moscovites to traffick, nor yet traffick themselves) by their continual harrying of the Country, and the often Incursions and Wars of the Swedes, may in some sort serve them for a reasonable Excuse; yet it is sound, that these Wars prove main Helps sometimes to their Traffick, especially in Furs, for their Bodies thereby inured to Cold and Hardness, make the Pastime of Hunting a profitable Exercise in the worst Season of the year, the rest of their Merchandize come to them very near in the same kind: for it wholly depends upon Manufactures and Labour for Cordage; Linens and Yarn they have from the Earth, as their Hides, Tallow and Wax upon the same; the Caveare and Train Oyl, and some other such by Fishing: so that it may be supposed they are more addicted to Husbandry and Fishing than to Merchandising. The English about the year 1575 first discovered the Trade, and found here good Entertainment and great Privileges from the then reigning Prince, and the first Discoverers were in London incorporated into a Society of Merchants, by the name of the Moscovia Company, by Grant of Queen Elizabeth; which Company hath been subject to some Alterations and Contingencies of their Trade, by reason of some cross Accidents happening; but being in England ordered by the Advice of a Governour, Deputy, and certain select Committee, and in Moscovia by an Agent, who regulate the same, by whose Wisdom they have of late so prudently setled their Trade in general, and reformed their past Errors, that it is now seen to flourish, and in likelihood to increase daily, to the particular Benefit of that Company, and the Good both of this and that Kingdom in general.