Born 1651.—Died 1716.
A native of Westphalia—Education and early Life—Becomes
secretary to the Swedish Embassy to Persia—Visits
Russia—Crosses the Caspian Sea—Visits the city of Baku—Curious
adventure—Visits the promontory of Okesra—Burning
field—Fire worshippers—Curious experiment—Fountains of white
naphtha—Hall of naphtha—Arrives at Ispahan—Visits the ruins
of Persepolis—Description of Shiraz—Tombs of Hafiz and
Saadi—Resides at Bander-Abassi—Is attacked by the endemic
fever—Recovers—Retires to the mountains of Laristân—Mountains
of Bonna—Serpent—Chameleons—Animal in whose stomach the bezoar
is found—Sails for India—Arrives at Batavia—Visits Siam—Sails
along the coast of China—Strange birds—Storms—Arrival in
Japan—Journey to Jeddo—Audience of the emperor—Manners
and customs of the Japanese—Returns to Europe—Marries—Is
unfortunate—Publishes his “Amœnitates”—Dies—His manuscripts
published by Sir Hans Sloane 271