I could never yet see any _Turkish_ Translation of the _Alcoran_; they cry up the Elegance of the Style, which being Enthusiastick and High-flown, by reason also of the tinkling of the Periods, is very delightful to their Ears, who seem to be affected with Rhime mightily. Though I suppose it is upon a more Politick Account, that they are so averse, as to the translating it into their vulgar Language, not out of respect to the Sacredness of the Original only, whose full commanding Expressions they think cannot be translated without a great diminution to the Sense; but to keep it in greater Veneration among the People, who might be apt to Slight and Dis-esteem it, should it become thus common among them. It is enough, that the Priests and Learned Men explain the difficult Passages of it to the People, and write Commentaries for the use of the more Curious and Inquisitive. The _Persians_ on the contrary think it no disparagement to the _Arabick_, or Profanation of the Sense, to Translate this cursed Book into their own Language, and Copies are frequent among them. The _Grand Signior_'s Women are usually the choicest Beauties of the Christian Spoils, presented by the _Bassa's_ or _Tartars_. The present _Sultana_, the Mother of the young Prince _Mustapha_, is a Candiot; the _Valide_ or Emperor's Mother, a _Russian_, the Daughter of a poor Priest, who with her Relations were seized upon by the _Tartars_ in an Incursion, which they made into the _Muscovites_ Country. She being receiv'd into the _Seraglio_, by her beautiful Complexion and cunning Behaviour, gain'd the Heart and Affection of _Sultan Ibrahim_ (a Man wholly addicted to soft Pleasures, and who seldom cared to be long absent from the Women's Apartment, but chose to spend his time among them) having the good fortune to be the Mother of the Prince _Mahomet_, the eldest Son of his Father, who now Reigns, she had all the Honours that could possibly be done her, and was the beloved _Hazaki_ or chief Concubine. During this height of Splendor and Glory, the Court removing from _Constantinople_ to _Adrianople_, distant about an Hundred and Twenty Miles, as she was passing in great State attended with her Guards, through the Streets of the City, in a Coach, much like our Carriage-Wagons, but that they are latticed to let in the Air (for no one must presume to stare or scarce look upon the Women, much less must they themselves suffer their Faces to be seen in this jealous Country) she out of Curiosity looking through the holes, saw a poor _Christian_ Slave in a Shop, where Sugar and such like Wares were Sold. Upon her return she sent one of her Eunuchs to enquire for the Person, and to ask him several Questions about his Country, Relations, Friends, and the time when and how long he had been a Slave: His answers were so particular and satisfactory, that she was soon convinc'd of the Truth and Certainty of her apprehensions, when she first cast her Eyes upon