An Account of LIVONIAThe First Letter

LETTER I.

Probable Opinions, why the North has been early Inhabited; and wherin preferable to the South.

Of the Antiquity of the Germans.

SIR,

THAT I may pay you some acknowledgment, for the many Civilities I have received from you, I thought my self obliged, according to my promise, to give you an Account of the Countries I have travelled in since I saw you; and though, perhaps the Relation may be little diverting, yet I hope the Account being new, and not much heard of in England, may render it acceptable.

You must not expect an History exactly digested, but only a short and true Narrative without Ornament, or the decoration of Words, as my Employments and Conveniencies could permit.2

This being an inquisitive Age, the Curious may be willing to know the Actions and Customs of these parts of Europe, which have so little been particularized in Modern History.

The received Opinion here, is, that the Northern Regions were first inhabited after the Deluge, and are the most Ancient Kingdoms of Europe. Though this seems a Paradox, how Mankind should prefer to inhabit the frozen North, before the more temperate and delicious Provinces of the other Quarters of the World. Perhaps the first Race of Mankind voluntarily banished themselves from the Pleasures of those warmer Countries, the better to avoid the Vices, which the hot Air inclines them to. Thus Augustus mildly sentenced Ovid to Banishment to the Pontus, where his Punishment soon effected his Cure, and he there lived to a great Age in good Heathen Morality, being far from the bewitching Allurements of Luxurious Rome.

Though the Climate may temper and allay immoderate Heats, yet it is evident, by the numerous increase of its Inhabitants, that neither the Temper of the Men, nor the Product of the Earth suffers by the Frigidity of the Region; and History speaks with Astonishment, of the numberless Inundations of these Northern 3 People, that over-ran all the South of Europe, and the amaz’d World wondered what Land could furnish such multitudes.

Puffendorf↗ tells us, that Curiosity and Love to Astrology was the Motive that carried them thither, they observing the North-Star to be fixed and immovable, whereas the other Stars seem to move and circulate, therefore they were willing to try the effects which that Star might produce in those Countries, which lay always under it.

But we may reasonably conceive, that the Sons of Japhet↗Genes. X v. 21.Vid. Helvicum in Theatr. Histor. (Noah’s eldest Son) who spread their Colonies over all Europe, multiplying exceedingly, did not only through Curiosity, but also Necessity in a very few Ages, visit and inhabit the most Northerly parts thereof. And they had fufficient encouragement to do it.

For they (probably) making their Progresses in the Spring, or Summer-time (how dismal soever the Face of things might appear in Winter) where-ever they looked, found a pleasant Prospect; the green Woods with their Pines and lofty Oaks, exciting both Admiration and Reverence, and the Fields presenting most delightful Scenes of various Flowers, and great plenty of Cattel and Fowl.

For though the most Northern parts of Europe, by their distance from the Sun, 4 do not receive its Rayes in that plenty and vigour, as to become a hot Clime, yet it has the advantage of being a Fertile and Healthy one. And that Great God whom Noah Genes. 9. v. 27. promised to enlarge Japhet, did it by sending them into these Regions where they increased so exceedingly, that some Writers have not unworthily call’d these Countries Officinas Gentium, the Shops or Magazines of Nations, and also Vaginas Gentium, the Scabbards of Nations, and from whence such a multitude of War-like People have been drawn or extracted: These cold Regions producing a more prolifick and vigorous Generation of Men, than the Eastern or Southern.

Which we need not wonder at, since those benign Influences, which are so copiously and briskly darted into the Creatures of those warmer Countries, are not a little dissipated by the heat of the Air; whereas the Cold of these Regions doth hinder that expence and profusion of Spirits and Vertue received (though in lesser measure) from the Sun here.

Besides, the Munificence of Heaven is such, that though it was not the Creator’s Pleasure, that the Sun should approach nearer to the Northern Parts, yet out of a general and infinite goodness, he placed over them such Stars, as do in great measure, recompence the Solar defect there; and in 5 fome things exceed its usual Efforts: So that those Stars are effectually a kind of Sun to the North Countries.

These Stars are a certain Number, which make that Constellation call’d by the Astronomers, Ursa Major, which as some Naturalists tell us, did from their first Constitution abound with such Natural Heat and Moisture (besides what they continually receive from the Sun and Moon) as render their Influence and Aspect very beneficial.

And by way of Explanation, the Naturalists inform us, that the heat of these Stars is from a vigorous and rich Sulphur, which makes both the Stars, and the Earth subject to their Influences, very Magnetical: So that they do not only attract the Rays of the Sun, but also detain them, so as to be able to afford them plentifully unto the Products of the Earth, under their Aspects, whose Powers and Benefits have always been found to be soo great, that the ancient Germans thought they could not do their Fifth King, the Great Hermion, or Herman, more Right and Honour, than to call this most beneficial Constellation of Ursa Major, which they compared to a Wain: Der Hermansa Wagen, i.e. Hermans Wain, from the rich and useful affluence of Necessaries, which that Wain or Wagon conveys into those Countries. 6

For ’tis through the Influence of that great and bountiful Constellation, that these Northerly Countries are exceedingly stock’d with Men and Cattel, Fish and Foul, and with the best of Grain: As also with rich Metals and Minerals; for though the North is not enrich’d by its own Product of Gold and Silver, (though some parts of it have Mines of Quicksilver, as also of Silver and Gold) yet the Gain’ it makes through the World, by its wonderful plenty of its own Tin, Iron and Copper, is not at all inferior to what is made in all other Parts, by their Gold and Silver. And as a further Evidence of the propitious Goodness of Heaven here, and of the copious, excellent and lasting Nourishment which the Earth affords, the Men of those Countries are of a large size, and the Trees big and lofty; and the Soil (being proper and good) yields such plenty of them, that their very Winters, are made comfortable and chearful to them by the Fires, which without much expence, their abundance of Fuel affords them. So that there is hence reason enough given us to believe, that these (though very cold and long frozen) Parts, were early inhabited.

Whatsoever Motive first induced them to visit these Countries is altogether uncertain; yet after Ages (’tis likely) were attracted by the renown of our beautiful 7 Women, who had Charms sufficient to detain them; notwithstanding the Ideas of their delightful fragrant Fields, and Myrtle Groves, which diffuse such Variety of odoriferous Scents, and flourish with a perpetual Spring. ’Tis beyond dispute, that the Fair Sex in these Countries infinitely excel the Southerly Women, as those of England surpass the rest; in which Island Apelles might have found many Originals for his Venus, without the trouble of a Collection to compose one: The fair Complexion, which is common to the People of the North, is there attended with an exact Shape, a graceful Mien, a lively Wit; and the Conversation of the Sex is far improved, by a discreet, free, and generous Education; and they are equally perfect in Mind as well as in Body: The Men having a grateful Sense of their Happiness, shew an Honourable, Just esteem and value for them. Fair and Noble Souls are generally suppos’d to animate the most beautiful Bodies; the Men therefore with Reason, generously confide in their Modesty and Discretion, which frees them from the perpetual inbred Torments of Jealousie; and the Women from the close Confinements, Guards, and other Abuses, inhumanly imposed on them by the East and South. 8

Here Plain-dealing and Honesty dare lift up its Head, and ’tis no necessary Qualification or Argument of Wit, to be Lewd and Profane. * Nemo enim illic vitia ridet; nec cor­rumpere & corrum­pi fæculum vocatur. Tacit. de morib. German. *Corruption and Atheistical Principles which reside in the South, have not yet spread themselves thus far; but in the North, Morality and true Religion still flourish, the Cold destroys pernicious Vermin of all sorts, which are nourished in those hot Countries, and the Inhabitants are forced to groan and labour under the inconveniencies of them. Banditti, Sicarii, Bigottry, Poyson, or Powder of Succession, Unnatural Lust, † † Nihil tale no­vere Germani, & sanctius apud Ocea­mum vivitur. Quintil: Austri & Orientis asta infamia sit; quae me mimc quidem sep­tentriones habitat, aut Frigidum ca­stumq; hunc Orbem: Lipsius supra Taci­tum de Morib. Ger­man. &c. are things not known in these Countries.

’Tis agreed that the North produces as Brave and Martial Men, as any part in the World, and some who deservedly may be stiled Heroes; though all have not had equal Justice in the Records of Fame; but the Malice of Time hath buried their Actions in Oblivion: For instance, Plettenberg, so famous in his days, that some have thought fit to make Parallels between him and the greatest Roman Captains: Yet ʼtis rare to meet with Authors that give an account of him, whereas many insignificant and 9 obscure Persons, have their Names with Honour conveyed down to Posterity; which occasion’d my Lord Bacon to observe, that Time is like a Stream wherein ponderous and valuable things sink to the bottom, whilst Straw and Stubble swim atop.

Here you may also have a lively Prospect of the Ruine, which Time brings to great Structures and Buildings, which is seen in the small Remains of those Castles, Towns, and Fortresses built by that once famous and mighty Marian Teutonick Order, who have been the first Conquerors of these Parts; and were so potent a Society, that their Forces were diffused through many Kingdoms; and for their Number, Riches, Valour and Possessions, they were dreaded by great Kings: But at length, the Divisions among themselves exposed them to their Enemies, and consequently hastened their Destruction.

Though their Power is loft, and the Order extinct in Livonia (in Germany there are still some Knights, and a great Master) yet are all those that now poffefs and rule those Countries true Germans, being the Remains of those old Noble German Families, who came in those early years out of the Circles of the Roman Empire to the assistance of those Knights, and did conquer, convert, and divide the Country 10 among them, keeping the Natives, though Christians, as Slaves for their many perfidious Dealings; therefore ’tis a mistake of some in England, that will not allow the Livonians or Curonians (which is all one) to be Germans; for they have not only the Habit, Language, Laws, Heraldry, Customs, and all the essential Parts of Germans, but keep up their Alliances, and are readily acknowledged by their Relations thro’ Germany, who are of eminent Quality in the Empire now, in Ecclesiastical Electoral Dignities; some in those of Princes of the Empire, Archbishops, Bishops, Great Masters, Commanders, Coadjutors, who have the same Extraction, Arms and Relation; nay, often when Questions arise in Germany about the Antiquity of a Noble Pedigree, they send into Lifland to vindicate by Authentick Testimonies their Descent.

’Tis as ignorant a Mistake in those, who think the Livonian, or Curonian Nobility, are no Germans, as ’twould be absurd to say, that the Teutonick Order were not Germans; whereas Teutonick signifies German: This nice distinction they may make, they are Gente & Origine Germani, sed Natione Livones, Curones, Pruffici, Piltenses, &c. though these Countries were held as Members of the Roman Empire, ’till 11 of late years, as I shall shew you hereafter.

You may well allow them to be tenacious of their just Claim of Descent, from a Nation so glorious, that hath given Monarchs to the greatest part of Europe; nor has any State ever made so considerable a Figure among its Neighbours, as when they have placed a German Ruler at the Helm.

The French lay hold of an Observation; which is, that whenever a general Use is made of a Language, there follows an Universal Monarchy to that Nation: This Argument may serve as well for the Germans, whose Language is not only as much extended, but is spoke as a Mother-Language in the Northern Courts, whereas French is only learnt like Italian, as part of Education among the rest of superfluous Qualifications: But, after all, it will be Bravery, not the Speech, that will acquire and maintain Empires.

The Germans ever since they were known in the World, were counted a Warlike Nation, their very Name being derived from War; * A se ipsis invento no­mine Germani. Tacitus de morib. germ. Lipfius in hunc locum. Germani ety­mo prisco Bellaces Viri sunt; Gerra, Bellum; invenere ergo nomen ab ipsa re, quia tales, gallice guerre. * And Tacitus says, that their Fame alone has given such a Ter­ror to their Enemies, that it had Power to prevent or 12 finish Wars, † Et ipsa pleruumq; fama bella profligant. Tacit. ibi­dem. † and their Countrey is still to this day a Nursery for good Soldiers and great Captains: And were all those Countries now ruled by Germans, in a collective Body, and could join their Interest and Inclinations, ’twould be a Monarchy sufficiently powerful to cope with all the World.

Veterisq; Famæ late vestigia manent.

If, as Aventinus affirms, the Ancient Learned Druids * Quod ad Druidum No­men attiney multi id ar­cefcunt a Germanica voce Dru vel Tru, quæ verum & fidelem sonat. Vid Spel­manni gloffarium & M. Antonii Dominicii differt. de Treuga & Pace. Alii tamen a Saxonica Voce Dry. Ita enim Saxones lingua sua magum voca­bant. Vid. Alfricum in glossario Saxonico Latino, & Berolus in quinto antiqui­tatum fit loquitur: Anno quarto Nimi literis & Legi­bus Germanos format Tuis­con. * have had Colleges established in Germany, in the Reign of their King HermanHelveticus. who by computation lived as bout the time, or not long after the time of Abraham; then the Love to Learning was as early amongst them, as in any Nation and the Romans thought them barbarous, from the little knowledge they had of them, being never able to conquer them.

I cannot forbear mentioning the Civilities which my self, and the English with me have met with in these 13 Countreys, where Feasting and Drinking is inevitable; and we being Travellers and Strangers, People of Quality make it their Pleasure to entertain and divert us; so it appears as if the Old English Hospitality were retired hither: However it must be objected, they urge Drinking to excess; and should you send a Ship full of Philosophers to perswade Sobriety here, they would sooner turn Martyrs to the Grape, than be converted to embrace their Doctrines.

The Old Philosopher Mufæus says, the Reward of Vertue is perpetual Drunkenness (though he meant it of Celestial Exhilaration): Then sure none ever had their Vertues more fully rewarded than the Germans; who are willing to apply this Saying to the Joys which they receive from the Liquor, rather than give it any other Sense. This irregular way of living must help to make my Excuse for my Errors and uncorrect Stile, not only in this, but my next Letters, wherein I design to give you some more particular Account concerning the History of these Parts; and if in any thing else you will employ me, I shall with Pleasure receive your Orders. I am, &c.