presently furnished with various Turkish dishes, the ambassador sat down to eat with the _vizír_, and several gentlemen of the English nation with the other ministers. After this repast (the _vizír_ having first demanded leave for an audience) the ambassador and all the rest of the English gentlemen retired into a distant part of the gallery, which fronts the chamber of the _diván_, and other lodgings of the _seraglio_, where they were all vested, and then sat down in order till the _diván_ arose, and the several ministers proceeded to the apartments of the _Grand Signior_, the latter preceding, and the _vizír_ closing the procession. Soon after his Excellency was called to take his audience, to which himself, and four gentlemen, who were permitted to follow him, were conducted by two _capigées_, who led them on each hand, in a rude and hasty manner. By these they were thus carried from the outward gallery into a square paved court, and from thence into a railed entry, that landed them immediately in a ground room, which was the presence chamber of the _Grand Signior_. It was a small room, of a square figure, lined on the sides and floor with crimson silk, and that embellished with an high and thick embroidery of golden branches. In one corner was erected an high _sophá_ about two yards square, adorned with four rich cushions, and an answerable _minderá_, all of which were in a manner intirely covered with embroidery of pearl. On this sat the _Grand Signior_, regarding the ambassador in an oblique posture, and sinking so deep in the _minderá_, that his thighs and legs were not to be distinguished. The other ornaments of the room were two windows, each furnished with two cushions, answerable to those of the _sophá_; and more remarkable than all the rest, a royal chimney cloth, embroidered like the covering of the floor and walls, but enriched beyond these with various large jewels set in the corners of the work, such as pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and the like. The ambassador stood about three yards distance from the _Grand Signior_, where he delivered himself to _Mauro Cordato_ in Italian, and he interpreted his credentials immediately to the _Sultan_. But his Majesty’s letter being handed to _Mauro Cordato_ by his Excellency, it was by him delivered to the _nishangée_, by him to _Abdollá pashá_, and by him to the _vizír_, who laid it before the _Grand Signior’s_ feet. Upon this the _Sultan_ directed himself to the _vizír_ in these words: “We esteem the King of England as our freind. On our part, all due regard shall be had to the sacred capitulations made with him; and accordingly be it your care to see them maintained.” This said, the ambassador was dismissed the audience room, with the four gentlemen, who only were permitted to attend the ceremony. Upon which all the English immediately mounted at the outward gate of the _seraglio_, and there stood in rank and order to see the _janisaries_ dismissed; which is done in a regular