conditions. But with much ado we refrained them, till we might agree
what course to take.

We took ourselves now for free men, seeing there was no danger of our
utter perdition; and lived most joyfully, going abroad and seeing what
was to be seen in the city and places adjacent within our tedder; and
obtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of the meanest
quality; at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom and
desire to take strangers as it were into their bosom, as was enough to
make us forget all that was dear to us in our own countries: and
continually we met with many things right worthy of observation and
relation: as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world worthy to hold
men's eyes, it is that country.

One day there were two of our company bidden to a Feast of the Family,
as they call it. A most natural, pious, and reverend custom it is,
shewing that nation to be compounded of all goodness. This is the
manner of it. It is granted to any man that shall live to see thirty
persons descended of his body alive together, and all above three
years old, to make this feast which is done at the cost of the state.
The Father of the Family, whom they call the Tirsan, two days before
the feast, taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to choose;
and is assisted also by the governor of the city or place where the
feast is celebrated; and all the persons of the family, of both sexes,
are summoned to attend him. These two days the Tirsan sitteth in
consultation concerning the good estate of the family. There, if
there be any discord or suits between any of the family, they are
compounded and appeased. There, if any of the family be distressed or
decayed, order is taken for their relief and competent means to live.
There, if any be subject to vice, or take ill courses, they are