CHAP. XXX. A View of Syria, and the Trade thereof.

SYria is bounded with the Mediterranean Sea on the West, on the East with Euphrates, on the South with Palestine, and on the North with Cilicia, and contains 3 Provinces, viz. Phaenicia, Caelosyria, and Sy∣rophaenicia.

In Phaenicia, are Principally found the Ci∣ties of Acria, and Sidon, where the chief Trade and Commerce is with the Vene∣tians, Page  111 and French, who Traffick with the Inhabitants for Corn, Galls, Wool, and Wax, and in the lieu thereof give them Spices, and Europian Cloath.

Their Weights are the Cantar of Acria which makes 603 pound English, and the Rottolo which is 4 pound 5 ½ Ounces Eng∣lish, and 650 Drams. Their Measures are the Brace, with which they Measure their Cloath, and other Commodities. Their Coyns, especially theirs of Sidon, and the Ryals of 8/• Spanish, and Chickqeens of Gold, the Ryal going currant for 70 As∣pers, and the Chickqeens at 108, but seldom continue long at a setled value; and thus much for the Province of Phaenicia.

Syrophaenicia, contains the City of Baruti, formerly called Julia Felix, once a City of great Trade, but of late reduced to strait∣er Limits and little Trade; all they have with Europe, is from the Venetians. Their Commodities are Wax, Drugs, some Silks, and such like Commodities common to Asia.

Their Weights is the Cantar, contain∣ing 100 Rotolo's, each Rotolo being accounted 502 pound English.

Their Measure is the Pico, 100 con∣taining 86 Venetian Braces.

Their Trade for the most parts is with Page  112 the Merchants of Arabia, Persia, and Turky, who bring thither their Merchandise, at certain Seasons, when the Carravan sets out, not otherwise daring to venture for fear of the Rovers that Rob in great Troops.

The chief Metropolis of Caelosyria, is Da∣mascus; which is the Principal Scale of Trade in that Province. Therefore so that in describing the Trade of that, the rest will be included.