The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. XXXVIII. A View of Persia, The Province••, Cities, Trade, Weights, Measures, and Commodities thereof.

PErsia is bounded on the East with the River Indus, on the South with the main Ocean, on the North with the Caspian Sea, and on the West with Tygris, and the Persian Gulf; and is divided into 11 Provinces, viz. Persis, Susiana, Carama∣nia, Gedrosia, Drangiania, Arica, Arachosia, Parapomisus, Saccha, Hircania, and Ormus; all large Provinces.

Persis has of late changed it's name to that of Far, and is bounded with the Per∣sian Gulph, Caramania, Susiana, and Media; and abounds in rich Merchandise, especi∣ally

Silk, Drugs, and some Spices.

Casbin is now accounted the chief Ci∣ty of Persia, and lately the residency of the Sophies, and is adorned with many stately Edifices, but chiefly Beautifyed with the Bussars or Exchanges, which are ma∣ny, and stored with Rich Commodities; as Jewels, Drugs, Spices, Silks, either in Damasks, Velvets, or Raw; where like∣wise the Merchants of several Nations Trading thither, meet in the same man∣ner as at London. Their Weights, Mea∣sures, and Coyns, agree with those of His∣phan; of which in order I shall Treat, and therefore refer the Reader to View them there.

Balsara is Seated on the Persian Gulph, upon the mouth of Euphrates; and con∣tains the Commodities of Arabia, Turky, India, and Persia, by Reason of it's com∣modious Situation, and is in Subjection to the Grand Signeour, as reduced to his Obedience by force of Armes, Anno 1550. And pays Customs to his Intendant or Vi∣zar Bashaw 5 per cent. upon Cloaths, Silks, and the like; but to every 100 a Tare, or allowance of 3 pound is Customary, and their Weights is generally the Wesun ac∣counted 16 of them to the Cantar of A∣leppo.

Casan is frequented by the Merchants of India, and the Commodities for the most part consist of the Manufacture of the Ci∣tizens, as Shashes, Turbants, Girdles, Velvets, Sattins, Dammask, Ormustus Carpets, &c. and thither are brought Diamonds, Pearles, Rubies, Turquoisies, Spices, &c. and a Law there is, that all Persons a∣bove the Age of 6 Years shall give up their Names to the Magistrate; and with a Satisfactory account by what means he or she get their Livings, and if they be found in a false Tale, they are either Bat∣tooned, or put to some Publick slavery for a time.

Caramania is a Fertile Province, as to ne∣cessary Provisions, and other ways only worthy of note, for the Cloath of Gold made there; as for Gedrosia, Drangiana, Arica, Arachosia, Parapomisis, Saccha, and Hircania, they are of little note as to Trade, and therefore I shall pass them over.

Ormus the last Province of Persia, is exceedingly in request, abounding in Com∣modities of Value, and is divided by an Arm of the Sea, of 12 Miles over from the Continent, and is much frequented by Merchants, Trading in those parts. The Commodities are chiefly Carpets, Tape∣stry,

Shashes, Grograms, Mohairs, Turky Camlets, Arabian Drugs, Indian Gems, and Spices, it being the Principal Mart, or Magazine of all the Eastern Commodities; for in April and September, the Carravans come thither strongly Guarded from A∣leppo, Syria, and other Countries, taking Ship at Balsara, and bring all manner of Rich Commodities, that are to be found in the Traffick of the Mediterranean. The most advantagious Sea-ports in those parts are Jasques, and Gombroue, where the English Ships Trade for this Kingdom, as likewise the Camels, and Drommidaries of the Indian, and other Merchants that Travel by Land. Their Weight is the Dram, 96 of which make a pound Aver∣dupois. Their Measures are the Coveda, short and long; the former is accounted 27, and the latter 37 Inches, and are used in measuring the proper Manufacture of Persia.

The Monies currant are the Bessee of Cop∣per, which is 4 Cosbags, the Shahee of Sil∣ver, which is 2 ½ Bessees, 29 Cosbegs, or 4 pence Sterling; the Abashee of Silver, which is 2 Mamothis, 40 Cosbegs, or 16 pence Sterling; the Mamothis which is 2 Shahees, 29 Cosbegs or 8 pence Sterling, The Asar of Gold which is 20 Shahees,

or 6 Shillings 6 pence Sterling. The Toman of Gold which is 10 Asars, or 3 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling, as al∣so the Larrees, which are reckoned at 10 pence Sterling.