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CHAP. LXXXVII.
Of CAMBALV, and the Trade thereof.
CAmbalu, the Metropolis of Catai, as Samercand is of Zagathai, is seated on the North-east border of this * 1.1 Countrey, containing both the old and the new City, through which doth run the famous River of Poli∣sanga; it is accompted 28 miles in compasse, or ra∣ther in square, each angle containing 7 miles, and in every square is placed three principall Gates which incloseth the Towne with earthen walls or rampires of 10 paces in thicknes, and every Gate comprehending a sumptuous Palace, and every angle having al∣so an excellent Pallace, where the Armours of the Garrison Sol∣diers are kept, which is 1000 Soldiers at every Gate.
The Buildings are squared out proportionably, and every street is drawne out to a line, so that every Gate yeelds a free prospect through the Citie to the opposite Gate, be beautified on each side with stately edifices and houses for the honourable of this Countrey.
In the midst of the Citie is a sumptuous Palace, wherein the grand Cham resideth, with all his Queenes and Children, and where∣in is placed a Bell, which is tolled at certaine houres of the eve∣ning, after which may no man stirre out of dores, untill the be∣ginning of the day following; the largenes, rarities, curiositie, and richnes of this palace, the partitions allowed his Queenes, and lodgings appointed for his Children, and their dayly atten∣dants, and the order, beauty, and manner thereof, I willingly o∣mit, as not pertinent to my present purpose.
Without this Citie walles are accounted 12 suburbs of 3 in 4 miles long adjoyning to each of the aforesaid 12 gates, and here all Merchants, strangers, and forreigners doe abide, each nation having a severall Cane or storehouse, where they both lodge, and exercise their Merchandise and traffique one with another, for the commodities of these severall Countries, the confluence of Merchants here cannot choose but bee wonderfull, seeing it is reported that the City is so populous, that the Cham maintaineth 5000 Astrologers heere daily, besides many thousands of Soldiers both of horse and foot that 12000 horse is accounted but as his or∣dinary and daily Guard; besides which, the neere neighbourhood of Exendu, the principall place of the grand Cham, seated not * 1.2 many dayes journey farre hence where Merchants are not per∣mitted to enter, is built in a foure square figure, every side ex∣tending