The merchants mappe of commerce wherein, the universall manner and matter of trade, is compendiously handled. The standerd and currant coines of sundry princes, observed. The reall and imaginary coines of accompts and exchanges, expressed. The naturall and artificiall commodities of all countries for transportation declared. The weights and measures of all eminent cities and tovvnes of traffique, collected and reduced one into another; and all to the meridian of commerce practised in the famous citie of London. By Lewes Roberts, merchant. Necessary for all such as shall be imployed in the publique affaires of princes in forreigne parts; for all gentlemen and others that travell abroad for delight or pleasure, and for all merchants or their factors that exercise the art of merchandizing in any part of the habitable world.

CHAP. LXXVIII.

Of CASAN and the Trade thereof.

CASAN is a principall faire and famous Citie in this Countrey, but much troubled with excessive heate * 1.1 by reason of its scituation in a pleasant and large plaine; it consisteth altogether of merchandizing, and the greatest trade of all the inland Countrey is found herein, and most especially frequented by Indian Mer∣chants; the Inhabitants are in generall addicted to all curious manufactures, and fabrickes, as in weaving of shashes, turbants, and girdles, in making also of velvets, sattins, damaskes, curious and fine Ormusins, and Carpets; and indeed it is accounted the very Maga∣zin * 1.2 of all the Persian Cities, for these commodities; here is also to be sold all manner of drugs, and spices, pearles, diamonds, Rubies, and turkeses, and all sorts of silkes, both raw and wrought, so that the Authour (who in this relation I follow) is verily perswaded that there is more silke yearely brought into Casan, than there is of broad cloth brought into London. The civill policie of this Citie is * 1.3 also commendable, an idle person not being permitted to live a∣mongst them, and the children after six yeares old, are presently set to worke; here being a Law to the shame of Christendome, that every Inhabitant must yearly give up his name to the Magistrate, therewith declaring how and in what manner he liveth, what art he exerciseth, and if he be found in a falshood, he is beaten on the fe•…•…te, or els imployed in some publique slavery, to the example of others: and for other notes of trading, see Hispahan in Parthia.

Caramania is the third Province, the chiefe Cities are Gadil, Co∣bin * 1.4 and Caraman, famous for the excellent fabricks here made of Cloth of gold, and for the best Semiters in the world; and here it was that Alexander being returned out of India, kept his Bacchanalian feasts.

In Gedrosia, Drangiana or Sigestan, Aria now Sablestan, Araco∣sia * 1.5 now Cabull, Parapomisus, Saca and Hircania, I find not any thing worthie the survey, therefore I willingly passe them over and close these Provinces with the Citie of Sciras, which is compre∣hended in this tract.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Casan and the trade thereof.
• * 1.2

  Commodities of Casan.
• * 1.3

  Policie of Ca∣san.
• * 1.4

  Caramania.
• * 1.5

  Gedrosia, &c.