Poland

Sources from old books

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

POLAND was so called from the Planesse of the Country, which they themselves call Pole. It is a very great Country: on the North side it hath Borussia and Pomerania, on the East Massovia, and Lithuania; on the South it is enclosed with the Mountaines of Russia, and Hungaria: on the West it hath Lusatia, Silesia, and Moravia; it is 480. Miles long, and three hundred broade. The ayre of this Country is pure, but the Winters are cold and sharpe. All the Country is plaine, and yeeldeth good store of Barley, Wheate, and Pulse. It hath abundance of fruites, Waxe, Honey, and Butter. It hath also great store of Salt which is digged out of the earth. I and there are in these Mountaines Mines of Brasse, which the inhabitants call Tatri, and also Mines of Brimstone. It hath also great store of Cattell, so that Saxonie, and many Countries of Germanie, doe live by Poland Oxen. There is great variety of living creatures, and great store of cattell and wild beasts. It hath wild Oxen, Buffones, Bulls, and wild Horses, and Ounces, and the like. There are also great store of foule for Hawking. Poland was dignified with the title of a Kingdome, in the yeare 1001. in the raigne of Boleslaus Chabri, who received his royall Diadem from the Emperour Otto the third. But 77. yeares after, in the raigne of Boleslaus Audaci, or the bold, who cruelly murdered Stanislaus Bishop of Cracovia, the Pope devested it of that dignity, and tooke it away. And it was made a Kingdome againe in the yeare 1295. and Primislaus the second Duke of the greater Poland, and Pomerania was elected King. This Country is divided into the greater and lesser Poland. The greater is more Northward, and the River doth part it in the middle. The lesser is Southward, and the River Vistula runneth through it. In the greater Poland, the principall Cities are these. Posnania by the Rivers Varta, and Prosna, it is situate betweene the Hills, and walled with a double wall, it hath many faire tiled or slated houses: the Suburbs are large on the farther banke of the River Varta, & encompassed with a great Lake, and Marshes, it hath every yeare two famous Faires, and it is a Bishops seate. It hath these Townes under it Koscien among the Marshes, which is 7. Miles distant. Also Meidzyrzexze, in which the houses are built all of wood, and it is neere to Silesia and Pomerania. Also Ostresow, which is situate on a plaine betweene the Woods, and the Townes Wschow, Sremick, Prenez, and Rogozno. Calisia is a walled Citie, among the Marshes, the River Prosna runneth by it, and there are some ruines of a Castell. Vnder this Citie there are Gnesna, Pizary, Wartha, Noklo, Land, Konin, Slupeza, and Kolo. Gnesna is walled about, and seated on a Plaine, betweene Lakes and Hills. This Citie was first built by Lechus, in which Boleslaus Chabri Prince of Poland, received the Royall Diadem from the Emperour Otto the third, which the Kings of Poland doe still enjoy. Siradia is a Citie built of wood, walled about, and seated on a Plaine. Vnder it there are the Cities Vielunia, Sadeck, Petricovia, Rosprza, and Spicimiria. Petricovia is seated in a moorish ground. Lancisia is a pleasant Citie walled about, and seated on a plaine. Vnder it there are Orlovia, Piatec, Bresma, Kornazew, Biechow, and some other Townes. Cuiauia or Vladislauia is a faire Citie, and it hath under it Bistgostia by the navigable River Buda, by which commodities are transported out of Poland into Vistula. Brestia hath under it Radziciow, Crusphicia, and Cowalow. Crusphisia is the chiefe Citie of all Poland next to Gnes•a, it is built of wood, with a brick Castell, and it is seated by the Lake Goplo, out of which Lake Mice heretofore came forth, who by the just judgement of God did devoure Pompil•us Prince of Poland in that Castle. Raua is a woodden Citie by the River Raua, it hath under it these Townes Sochaczouia, Gostinin, and Gamh••. Ploozko is a pleasant Cittie seated on a Hill by the River Vistula, it is a Bishops seate: under it there are Bielsko, Raczyayaz, Steperoz, Stre•sko, Mlawa, Plonsko, and Radzanow. Dobrinta is situated on a rock by the River Vistula, it had a Castle which the Crucigerans did demolish. Vnder it there are 〈◊〉▪ Ripin, and Gorzno. In the lesser Poland there are these Principall Cit•ties, Cracovia, Sandomiria, and Lublinum. Cracovia is built on a Plaine by the River Vistula, (Peter Appiarus supposeth it to be the same, which Ptolomy calls Carrodunum) being walled with a double wall. It hath a Castle on a high rock, which they call Vanel. In this Citty the King, of Poland keepe their residence, and are buryed. It hath also a Vniversity famous for study and Arts. But the Cracovians, have no chiefe Advocate, so that the King himselfe is the Praetor of Cracovia. There are three Cities neere unto Cracovia, Clepardia, Stradonia, and Casimiria. It hath two Dukedomes under it, Biecz, Wonincz, Sandecz, Lelow, K•yaz, and Proszovice. Sandomirta is a principall Cittie, walled about, being situated on a Hill by the River Vistula, 22. Miles distant from Cracovia. It hath an ancient Castle, well fortified. Vnder which is Che•••y seated on a Plaine, and famous for Mines of Blew, in which there is also some silver found, also Korzin, Wislicia, Pilzno, Opoczno, Radomia, P••onieck, Zannichost, Zarnow, and Mologost. Lublinum is a chiefe Citty. well-fortified with a wall and a Castle. In which there are yearely three Faires, to which both Turkes, Armenians, Graecians, Germanes, Moschovites, Lithuanians, and others doe resort, the River B•sterra doth runne by the Castle. Vnder it there are Vrzendow, Lulow, Parc••, and Casimiria. Moreover the Kingdome of Poland hath many Lakes, in which there are all sorts of Fish. It is watered also with many faire Rivers, the chiefe whereof is Vandalus or Vistula, which the Germanes call De Wixel. The next are Chronus, now called Pregell, Nyennien, Ruhon, Viadrus, Varta, Tyras now called Nyester, Hypanis, now Bugh, Borysthenes, now Nyeper, there are also many other small Rivers. There are almost no Mountaines, except Southward, where it is parted from Hu•gary by the Sarmatian, and Carpathian Mountaines which the inhabitants call Taury. The Country is full of woods, which are parts of the wood Hercinia. But so much hitherto. The Politick state of the Kingdome of Poland hath 2. Members. The first are the Clergie, in which are the two Archbishopricks of Gnesna and Leopolis. The Bishops of Cracovia, of Ploczko, of Chelma, Vladislavia, Pomesania, Varmia, Culma, and Sambiensis, Posnonia. Proemislia, Cavenez, Vilna, Medinc{que} Luceoria. In Livonia the Bishops of Riga, Dirpta, Absel, and Revalia. Secondly the Nobles, in which there are Castellanus Cracowvia: the Palatine of Cracovia, Posnania, Sandomiria, Kalischy, Siradia, Lancisa, Brezeste, Inowladislavia, Russia, Podalia, Lublin, Belze, Plocense, Mozavia, Rava. Also in Lithuania the Palatines of Vilna, of Trochy Poletsho, Novogrod, and Vitellia. Also in Prussia, the Palitnes of Culma, Marienbourg, & Pomerania▪ The Counts are of P•snania, Sand miria, Kalische, Voinice, Gnesne, Siradi•, Lancise, Brizeste, Inowladeslavia, Leopolis, Camenezia, Lublin, Belze, Plocense, Geine, Ravense, Sandecia, Myedzeris, Vis•icie, Biece, Rogostia, Radom, Zawichost, Land•nse, Streme, Zarnowe, Mologost, Vi•lune, Premis•ia, Haine, Sa••e, Chelme, Dobrine, Polane•ce, Premetense, Criswinense, Czecovia, Nacle, Rospirie, Byechov•a, Bydgostia, Brezezine, Crininice, Osvecimense, Camenetz, Spicimirie, Inowlodense, Revalia, Zavoloo, Sachazonia, Vasovia, Gostine, Visne, Raciez, Sieprecense, Wisogrod, Riprin, Zabrochzinense, Circhanouia, Livense. In Lithuania there are old Palatines of Vilna, and Trochi. In Prussia of Culma, Elbingen, and Pomerania. There are many Captaines in the Kingdome of Poland. And two Mars-halls, of the Kingdome and the Court. The Ecclesiastick doth consist of these Archbishops & Bishops aforesaid. The Noble men are very sharpe witted, and they doe travell into forraigne Countries to get knowledge, and languages. They are couragious, and doe not feare the stoutest Enemie, and if the Nobles doe wrong them, all their kinsfolkes and friends doe joyne with them to revenge it, and doe never cease untill they have revengd it or lost their owne lives. Lastly they are not so liberal as Prodigall, both in Banqueting, and imoderate guifts, and also in keeping a great retinew or number of Servants, whom they cloth and feede.

SILESIA. (Book Silesia)

ANd so much concerning the Kingdome of Poland, Silesia remaineth which I will briefely unfold. It was so called from a River of the same name, as Conradus Celtes witnesseth. Others have other derivations. It is bounderd on the North and East with Polonia: on the South with Moravia, and the Wood Hercynia, on the West with part of Lusitia and Bohemia. It is 200. Mile long and 80. broade. Though the ayre be somewhat cold, yet it is milde and gentle. The Country in regard it is watered with many Brookes and Rivers is very fruitfull in most places, and it hath in some parts Veines of Gold, Silver, Lead, and Iron▪ it yeeldeth also clothing for it selfe, and many other Countries beside. The Citties are well inhabited and adorned with Lawes, and good Arts. The Metropolis thereof is Vratislavia, some would have it to be that which Ptolomie cals Budorchis, it is comonly call'd Breslaw. Duglossus writeth that it was built by Mieslaus Duke of Polonia, a little before the yeere of Christ, 1000. And 40. yeeres afterward it was adorned with a Bishoprick by Casimirus King of Poland, and it encreased so much, that the Bishops of this Citty were called the golden Bishops, in regard of their wealth and riches. In the yeere 1341. it was burnt downe. But the Emperour Charles the third made it in stead of Brick, of Gold. On the Steeple of St. Elizabeths Church there is this Inscription. Mirabilis in altis Dominus. The Situation, the beauty of the Houses, Towers, and Churches, the faire Bridges, and large Streets, doe much set forth this Citty. Nissa is an Episcopall Citty. There are besides in this Country 15. Dukes, Lignicensis, Bregensis, Teschinensis, Monsterbergensis, Olsvicensis, and Beoustadiensis, and three ancient Families, namely, Ligvicensis, Teschinensis, and Monsterbergensis. Tropaviensis, Opeliensis, Nissensis, Vratislavensis, or Breslauw, Swidnisensis, Hurensis, Glagoviensis, Ratibonensis, and Sagonensis. But these latter honours the Kings of Bohemia since the decease of their Lords have gotten. There are three Baronyes, namely, of Trachenberg, of Vertenberg, and Plessensis. The Kings high Court in Silesia is kept at Vratislavia, where there is a Bishops seate, as also at Kissa. Viadrus runneth thorow this Country, into which many Rivers and Streames doe flow, as Elsa, Ola, Bobrus, Barusins, and others.

POLAND which is situate in the Europian Sarmatia is both long and wide, and doth take up a great part of it, it was so called from the Fields and plaine ground, for Pole signifies as much as Plaine: it is a very great Country, having on the North Borussia and Pomerania: on the East Massovia, and Lithuania; on the South Russia, and the Mountaines of Hungaria: on the West Lusatia, Silesia, and Moravia. It is devided into the greater and lesser Poland. The greater is more Northward, and the River Varta runneth thorow the middle of it. The lesser is Southward, and the River Vistula glideth thorow it. The Polanders are descended from the Sclavonians, as Neugebaverus witnesseth. Lib. Rer. Polonicar. and their Kingdome was never so large as it is now, because the great Dukedome of Lituania & Livonia are joyned unto it, albeit the King of Swethland hath lately gotten a great part of these Provinces. It reacheth from the River Notes & Obrá, which doe devide it from Marchia, and from the River Odera, which doth part it from Silesia, even to Beresaia, and Borysthenes, which seperateth it from Moscovia, and so it extendeth West and East 120. Germane miles, and as much from the farthest part of Livonia, to the confines of Hungarie. And so being of a round forme, it is very wide and capacious. There are in the greater Poland these principall Citties, Posnavia, built by the Rivers Varta and Prosna betweene the Hills, with a double wall, it hath faire slated Houses, and great Suburbs by the farther banke of the River Varta, being encompassed with a great Lake and Marshes, and having two famous Faires every yeere, it is a Bishops seate, and hath many Townes under it. Calisia is a walled Citty among the Marshes, by which the River Prosna runneth. It had sometime a strong well fortified Castle, as the ruines doe testifie, there are other Townes also subject unto it. Gnesna is walled about, being situate in a Plaine betweene Lakes and Hills, and it is an Archbishops seate. This Citty was first built by Lechus, in which Boleslaus Chabri Prince of Polonia received the royall Diadem from the Emperor Otto the III. when before that time Poland was onely a Dukedome. Siradia is a woodden Citty, walled and seated on a Plaine, it hath a strong Castle by the River Varta. This Citty was honoured with the title of a Dukedome, which dignity belonged to the Kings second Sonne. It hath also many Townes under it, among which is Petricovia, which was heretofore of great note, where the Sessions for the whole Kingdome were wont to bee held, which are now translated to Warsavia. Lancicia is a pleasant Citty, seated on a Plaine, and walled about, having a walled Castle on a Rocke, by which the River Bísura glideth. Cujavia, or Vladislavia, is a faire Citty, being a Bishops seate; Bidgostia is subject unto it, which is seated by the navigable River Buda. Brestia hath under it Radzieiow, Crusphicia, and Cowalow. Crusphicia is the chiefe Citty of Poland next to Gnesna, it is built of wood with a slated Castle by the Lake Golpo. Rava is a wodden Citty situate by a River of the same name. Ploczko is a pleasant Citty seated on a Hill by the River Vistula, in which there was a Castle which the Crucigerians did demolish. In the lesser Polonia, the chiefe Citties are these, Cracovia, Sandomiria, and Lublinum. Cracovia is built on a Plaine neere the River Vistula, being fortified with a double wall and a deep ditch. It hath a Castle on a high Rock• which they call Vanel, in this Citty the Kings of Poland keepe their residence and are buried. It hath a famous Schoole for the study of Philosophie. The Castellanus of Cracovia taketh place of the Palatine in the Senate, but in other Provinces the Palatine is preferd before the Castellanus. Moreover, there are three Citties neere unto Cracovia, Clepardia, Stradomia, and Cassimiria. It hath two Dukedomes under it Zarocensis, and Oswiecimensis. It hath many Townes under it. Sandomiria is a principall Citty, walled about and situate on a Hill by the River Vistula, being 22. miles distant from Cracovia. It hath an ancient Castle well fortified, under it there are Checiny in a Plaine, which is famous for Mines of Blue, in which there is Silver also found, also Korezin, Malogast, and other Townes. Lublinum is a Citty beyond Vistula, being fortified with a Wall, a Ditch, a Lake, and a Castle. In which there are 3. Faires every yeere, unto which both Turkes, Armenians, Grecians, Germanes, Muscovites, and Lithuavians doe resort. The Iewes doe ininhabite a great part of the Suburbs, and have a Sinagogue there. The River Bystizna doth runne by the Castle Poland as we said before is a plaine Country, the most part of it is coverd with Woods, and it yeeldeth good store of Barley, Wheate, and Pulse. It hath abundance of Cattle. It hath Lakes which are full of all kindes of Fish. The chiefe Rivers are Vistula, Viadrus, commonly called Odera, Tyres, now Niester, Hypanis, which is called Bugh. Vistula, now called die Weixel, was heretofore called Vandalus, some call it Issula, and Vissula. This River riseth in the Carpathian Mountaines, and before it commeth to Cracovia it is enlarged by the receit of many Rivers, and afterward being growne very deepe and broad before it come to Dantiscum, it dischargeth it selfe into the Codan Bay. Boristhenes so well knowne of old, is now called Nieper. It hath a few Mountaines, and those Southward where it looketh toward Hungaria. The State of the Kingdome consisteth of the Clergie and Nobles. The Ecclesiastick Order hath two Bishops, the Bishop of Ghesnia who is Primate of the Kingdome, who doth also crowne the King, and the Bishop of Leopolis in blacke Russia. The Bishops are of Cracovia in lesser Poland, the Bishop of Posnia in the greater Poland, and in other Provinces the Bishops Plocensis, Chelmensis Vilnensis, Kioviensis, Lucensis, Ianoucensis, Samogitiensis, Warmensis, Culmensis, Sambiensis, Pomasaniensis, Rigensis, and others. The Politick order of the Nobles hath 26. Palatines, 60. Counts, 4. Marshals, a Chancellor, and a Vicechancellor, two Generals or Captaines: in the lesser Poland there are forty common Captaines, in the greater 30. in Massovia 12. So that the Kings when occasion requires, can raise 200000. Nobles. He that desires to know more concerning the state of this Kingdome, let him have recourse to Stanislaus Kizistanowie his description of the State of the Kingdome of Poland: or to Guagninus or Boterus their description of Germany, and Neugebaverus his Polonian History. There are also in Poland Mines of Salt by Bochnia and Veliscus, which doe exceed all others. Veliscum is 8. miles distant from Cracovia. Bochina is a faire Towne with a Castle, where the Governour of rhe Saltpits dwels, who is called Zupparius. The Country round about is barren, but this Country maketh a greater revenue out of these Mines, then some Countries doe out of Gold and Silver Mines. The people of Poland, especially the Nobles, doe now differ much from the Scythian barbarisme of the ancient Sarmatians. They have no Robberies, so that in Summer time they ride in Waggons, and in Winter time in Coaches, safely, and without danger. Most of the Nobility are very sharpe witted, and doe get experience and languages by travelling into forraine Countries. They are couragious, and will not shun the stoutest enemy: if any one bee wronged by the Nobles, all their kindred and friends doe joyne together in revenging it, and doe never cease untill they have revenged it, or lost their owne lives. Lastly, they are not so liberall as prodigall, both in their frequent Banquets, and in the great retinue and number of Servants which they keepe and clothe.

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

* 1.1POland is limited on the East with Boristhenes, which parteth it from Germany, on the West with Vistula, which parteth it from Germany, on the North with the Baltick Sea, and Sinus Frinicus, on the South with Hungary.

• 1.2The chief Merchandize that this Country affordeth for Transportation, is Barly, Oats, Anber, Wax, Honey, Hemp, Pitch, Yar, Rosin, and some Cordage, with other Commodities.

• 1.3The chief Rivers are, first Vistula, navigable 400 miles, and endeth in the Baltick Sea, Niger, Reuben, Bog, Mimel, and others. The Provinces are accounted to be 11, and the principal Towns are as followeth.

• 1.4Luconia is the first, in length 500 miles, in breadth 160; where are Riga an Archbishoprick, Derpt a Town of great Commerce, Ruialia and Narve two strong Towns.

• 1.5Lituania is the second, abounding with Beasts, which yield the Inhabitants Furs for Commodities; the chief Cities are Vilna, Vilcomire and Brescia.

• 1.6Volinia is the third, wherein are found Kiovia and Circassia.

• 1.7Samogitia is the fourth, the chief Town is Camia.

• 1.8Podolia is the fifth, affording three Harvests of one Sowing; the chief City is Camiense, held invincible, seated on high Rocks, Orkacow, Wincecsa, and others.

• 1.9Russia Nigra is the sixth, wherein are found Leinburg, Grodeck, &c.

• 1.10Prussia or Spruce is the seventh, wherin upon the Sea-coast is Amber found; the chief Cities are Dantzick, a famous Mart, especially for all sorts of Grain, 1000 Measures whereof being here daily sold. 2. Regiomount or Conisberg, a famous University. 3. Heilsperg. 4. Manberg. 5. Angenberg. 6. Culne, and others.

• 1.11Podlasia is the eighth, wherein are Ticocksin, where the Royal Treasury is kept, Biesco, Knisen, and others.

• 1.12Masovia is the ninth, the prime City being Marksow.

• 1.13Poland is the tenth, wherein is the Metropolis of Polonia which is Cracovia, seated pleasantly on the River Vistula; here are also the Cities of Lublins, Guisna, Siradia and others; and of the principal of these, or others seated in this Tract, as followeth.

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

* 1.1CRacovia is the chief, and Metropolis of all the Kingdom of Poland, where the King and his Council have their continual Residence; it is seated in a Plain, having Mountains on all sides, but somewhat distant; it is compassed with two strong Walls of Stone, and a dry Ditch; the Building is very fair, of Free-stone, 4 stories high, but covered with Tiles of Wood or Shingles, it is of round Form, in the midst whereof stands a large quadrangular Marketplace, wherein is seated the Cathedral Church, and the Senate house for the City, about which are many Shops for Merchants: upon the East-side of the City is the King's Castle, fair and well built on a Hill, lying open on the South-side, without any Building above the Wall; on the East side are the King's and Queen's Lodgings, on the North-side Lodgings for Feasting, on the West a Chappel where the Kings are interred: it hath not received any great Fame for Merchandising, many Scotch-men have attained to some Estate here by Trading, but it may more properly be called Pedlarising than Merchandising, for they have a moveable Magazine which they transport by Horse from Town to Town, wherein their Commodities are inclosed; and not a few such are found to have begun this Traffick at first by their Backs, and afterwards by Horses.

Their Coins current with their Weights and Measures I shall here insert.

• 1.2It is not above 300 years since the Polonians used Silver Coins stampt; for before that time they did traffick with little pieces of uncoined Silver, and by the Exchange of Skins, and other such Commodities; but at this day they make all Contracts by Silver Guildens, but have no such real Coin amongst them: the Coins current are these, a Gold Ducat, known by the name of Polander, is of the same value with the Hungarian Ducat, and worth 70 Polish Groshe; a Silver Guilden or Florin is worth 30 Polish Groshe, which is 2 s. sterling; a Dollar in specie is worth 40 Polish Groshe; but in all Contracts for buying and felling, the Dollar is accounted 36 Grosh; a Creitzer is worth 3 Potchanels; 18 Deniers make 1 Grosh; a Grosh of Poland or Bobenia, is worth 7 Potchanels; 16 Whites make 1 Ort, 4 Orts make a Dollar, valued at 4 s. 4 d. sterling.

• 1.3The common Weight of Cracovia is the Pound, 136 l. whereof is here acounted a Quintar, which makes in London 114 l. circa, and the 100 l. of London hath yielded here about 120 l. but the common Pound is reduced to a Stone, and to a Ship Pound, which is 10 of the said St•…es.

• 1.4The common Measure of Length is an Ell, which is ½ an English Ell, but they sell their Linen by Shocks, which produceth 57½ Ells English the Shock.

1700. The merchants map of commerce by Roberts, Lewes. CHAP. CCXXXIII. Of the Trade in general of Poland and Eastland.

* 1.1HAving thus surveyed the Trade of this Country in some particulars, it will not be amise to look upon it in the general. The Revenues both of the King and Gentlemen is here esteemed but moderate, and scarce sufficient to maintain a plentiful Table, and to exchange with Merchants for Wines and Spices, which they yet much covet, as also they do forein Stuffs of Silks and Cloth: I have noted, that this Kingdom aboundeth with Beasts as well wild as tame, and yieldeth excellent Horses, not great but quick, nimble and stirring; it aboundeth also in Flesh, Fowl, and Water-Fish, and in all kind of Pulse and Grain; it is found also towards the Carpathian Mountains of Hungary to have some Mines of Gold and Silver, of Iron and Brimstone; it yieldeth also in abundance plenty of Honey found in hollow Trees, besides the Husband-man's Hives: it yieldeth moreover, Wax, Flax, and Linen Cloths made thereof, Hemp, Pitch of both kinds, Masts for Ships, Boards and Timber, rich Furs, Salt digged out of the Earth, Amber, Soap-ashes, and Rice in abundance, which hath made Dantzick famous throughout Europe. No marvel then if Merchants bring unto them Silks from Italy, Cloth from England, Wines from France and Spain, and the very Spices and Drugs from India, since they not only sell then at good prices, but also bring thence such precious and staple Commodities. Poland it self is found within land, and Prussia with their immunities subject to this Kingdom, is sound to have the principal Traders therein inhabiting, yet have they but few Ships, using Strangers to export their Commodities. For the rest of the Polanders they are observed to live content with their own, and not by way of Merchandizing to stir much abroad; yet are they not rich, because they want the abovesaid Commodities, which the proud Gentlemen and Nobility of these Countries buy dear, and will have, though brought from far unto them, and they are noted to have so little Gold and Silver, as despising all in respect of it; they sell the rich Commodities of their Country at a low rate, especially those which are for daily Food, and thereby made unfit to be exported. The People themselves are not much addicted to Traffick into remote Regions, nor to travel far out of their own Countries; yet in imitation of other their Neighbours, they sometimes Trade with their rich Furs into other Countries, of whom I have observed some to come to Constantinople, rather making a ranging Voyage, than coming with intent to Trade and Reside. Wherein they cannot be much blamed, in regard that they have in plenty all things that naturally are wanting to mankind, if they can be contented therewith: but the Inhabitants of Pomerland, East Country, &c. are observed to be more ingenious, and far more addict to Traffick and Commerce, and have some Vessels sitter for transport and carriage than for warfare, but yet most proper for their gross Commodities and large Stowage, however their Winter-colds depriving them of almost half the years Traffick: the other half wherein their Seas are navigable, cannot make them any competent amends, and their Merchandize being altogether gross, cannot give them therefore the attribute of Eminent Merchants.