A new account of East-India and Persia, in eight letters being nine years travels begun 1672 and finished 1681 : containing observations made of the moral, natural and artifical estate of those countries ... / by John Fryer ... ; illustrated with maps, figures and useful tables.

THE Present State OF PERSIA.

CHAP. XI.

Of the various Names, Situation, and Bounds; the Temper of the Air; of the Seasons and Winds; of the High and Stupendious Mountains, their Advantage and Conveniency; of the Fruit∣fulness of the Valleys, occasioned by Snow upon the Hills: Of the Vegetables, Plants, and Minerals; of their Fowl, Four∣footed Beasts, and Fishes: Their Caravans, Mosques, Hum∣mums, Buzzars, Houses, and Bridges. The City Suffahaun proposed as a Patern of their Government.

PERSIA by Classick Authors is fabled to have its Name from King Perseus,* 1.1 Son of Andromeda; it was anciently called Elam by the Hebrews, and now by the Inhabitants, Phursistan.

It is sited in the Temperate Zone,* 1.2 under the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Climates: In time of Yore the Monarchy of the whole World devolved upon it, and which is miraculous, is not quite ex∣tinguished to this day; although the Bounds of the Empire were straitned or enlarged, according to the ebbing or flowing of Fortune. In its Infancy it was mighty, for Nimrod was a Powerful Hunter, that is, a great Prince; and as it grew up it increased in Strength; but from the Grand Cyrus to Darius the Mede, it seemed to be in the Flower of its Age, when it was Mistress of all the Earth which the vast Ocean washes on this side, and the Hellespont on the other. After the Death of Alexander the Great, it was miserably divided by the Contentions of his Captains; and long since by the Incur∣sions

of the Saracens it has been declining, unless where it has healed its self towards those Parts bordering on India; by which means it has not lost much of its Modern Greatness, though the Turks within this Century have forced the Low Countries of Babylon and Mesopo∣tamia, which the Persians were as willing to resign as they to take, they being a continual Charge to defend, and no Advantage to the Persians, but rather an unnecessary Trouble: On which Reflections there is nothing forbids, but that with the Judicious Boterus we may state its Limits between the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulph, the Lake Stoke, with the Rivers Oxus and Tigris, and the Bay and Kingdom of Cambaia; which Tract contains in it from East to West more than Twenty Degrees, and from North to South above Eighteen, whereby the Days are prolonged or shortned three Hours.

Under this Account is to be reckoned the greater part of Georgia, with the Islands in either Seas.

It is distinguished into Provinces; the exact Number whereof, as divided at present, (they as often changing Names as Governors), I have not been certainly informed.

Quintus Curtius erred something when he said,* 1.3 Regio non alia in tota Asiâ salubrior habetur, temperatum Coelum; hinc perpetuum jugum opacum et umbrosum, quod Aestas laevat; illinc Mare adjunctum quod mo∣dico tepore terras fovet. There is not a Region in all Asia esteemed healthier, the Air being temperate; on this hand the Heaven is shaded and the Vales defended by the Tops of Mountains, which qualifies the Heat; on the other, surrounded with Seas and Rivers, which by a friendly Warmth cherish the Land; for that Places near the Tropicks make some Exceptions, where in the Summer they en∣dure great Heat, not only from the nearness of the Sun (because we often observe strange differences to happen in the same Climate), but from the Sands, and Sulphurous Exhalations steaming from the Mountains, which are impregnated herewith; whenas Reason per∣suades, the Time must be hotter than in other Seasons of the Year: As also in the Midland Country the Cause holds good for its intense Coldness in Winter, and almost through every Quarter at Nights; the Penury of Vapours where the Earth is Rocky and Mountainous, the Rivers are scarce and small, the Snows lye undissolved, nor are there any Woods of that Bigness to hinder the freedom of the Blasts descending pure upon the Vales: On which account immoderate Driness invades the Mediterranean Parts, the Air is Serene and Vo∣latile, which as it is highly serviceable to the Respiration of all Li∣ving Creatures, so it mightily contributes to their Preservation as well as Generation: Moreover, from this Rarity of the Air, follows an undeniable Argument of its Frigidity, and thence a farther con∣comitant of its Siccity; from all which results a Dry Constitution; for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Siccitas hu∣mores facit qualitate sicciores; Driness of the Air makes the Hu∣mours drier, which the Inland of Persia enjoys from a Concatena∣tion of Causes both of Heat and Cold.

The whole Region is very fruitful of Barren Mountains,* 1.4 inclosing the Valleys, being Excrescencies of the Mountain Taurus; nor can I disbelieve in many places, but that the Plains do more than enough

abound with Plenty, since no Place is unprovided with store of all good things; but on the contrary, like the Promised Land, it over∣flows. What Archiseles relates of the Island Ithica, may be applied to this Country, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; fragosum esse quidem, sed juvencularum optimum nutritorem: That it was craggy indeed, but an excellent Breeder of Cattel; the Sheep it brings forth are prodigiously large, trailing Tails after them, of the Weight, some of them, of Thirty Pound, full of Fat, they being stalled to that pitch, that Hogs fed among us with the most Care and Skill, cut not thicker than these do, especially after Vintage, and the Cotton-Harvest, when they are turned in to crop the Leafs and tender Branches of the Vine, and gather up the scattered Seeds of the Cot∣ton, with which they thrive so infinitely, that little Flesh is to be seen, it all being converted to Suet: At other times, for want of Pasture they brouze on Shrubs and Thistles spread to and again, and in Winter are foddered with Barley-Straw, and now and then with a little Barley.

Their Neat, though small, are sleek and well-liking, whose Milk is very good for present spending, but it's better to make Butter on than Cheese. This Country has Goats in Herds, Tame ones, as well as both Sheep and Goats on the Mountains, which are Fierce and Wild, producing Bezoar; which together with Stags and Antelopes are caught by Hawks instructed for that purpose.

Their Horses,* 1.5 though they have degenerated from their Primitive Race, (inest enim Equis patrum virtus; for even in Horses the Vir∣tue of their Sires are communicated to their Breed;) still are they the best of all the East, unless the Arabian be preferred for swifter Coursers and light Horses: However for Charging Horses, and Stout Warlike Steeds, they are valued above all others.

The Asses, though little, yet will they amble with a quick Pace over Mountains where Horses cannot pass, and those used to Packs are such as no other Nation can equal. The Mules and Camels are their over Land Ships, by which they transport their Merchandise over all the Earth.

Hyrcania brings forth Wild Beasts, such as Foxes, Wolves, and Tygres, but for want of Dens and Lurking-places, and by reason of the untilled and waste Desarts being devoid of Food, is less in∣fested with them than other places; wherefore in long travelling here they go more unconcerned than in those parts where they are constantly alarmed by them, and are forced to be on their Guard, lest at unawares they should be surprized, they snorting every where securely under the wide Canopy of Heaven; and those that set upon the Flocks by chance are easily mastered by the Shepherds Curs, which are sharp Biters.

Wild Fowl, both for Wing and Water,* 1.6 are brought forth in great Plenty of all sorts, near the Fountain-heads, and Inundations of the melted Snow, falling not into Channels, but overspreading the Bot∣toms, where they dissolve, whereby they seldom stretch into Rivers at length, but stagnate in the Low Grounds, which they wash.

In which Washes sometimes are spawned Mud-Fish,* 1.7 and such as Fens and Lakes are famous for. The Caspian Sea nourishes Salmon,

Trouts, and Sturgion, and the Persian Gulph sends abroad much Fish for salting; the Rivers are not very full, nor are they stocked with great Variety.

Bread••Corn in many places admits a threefold Crop,* 1.8 and generally without that Toil by Water-Courses as between the Tropicks, the Rains in most places bestowing a more welcome Nutriment; but more especially from the white Spume of the Celestial Waters (with which the Hills are coated all the Seasons of the Year), in Winter crusted by Frost, in Summer (by reason of the Sun's Heat, and more exalted Motion) thawed, thereby constantly distilling on the humble Vales an inexhausted Store, as wealthy as what flows from Aemus Tops to enrich the Thessalian Fields.

Where these Supplies are not so lasting (or altogether wanting) as nearer the Zodiac, there often under Ground a Vault is continued for many Leagues, with open Pits at a fit distance to let in the Air, and the Water carried deep to keep it from tasting of the Salt Sur∣face (after the manner of common Sewers in our great Cities), which it would do, were not the Wells Mouths left open: For Houshold Service Rain-Water is only used.

In all this Country neither Oats nor Grass are found, because lon∣ger Time is required to their springing up, than either the Intervals of Heat or Cold will grant; for no sooner does the Spring enter, than the Sun defaces their Verdure by parching up the Blades of either; and when Autumn claims Preeminence at its Equinox, then no soon∣er do they peep out, than they are nipped by the Recess of the Innate Heat: Wherefore no Green Meadows or spangled Fields are here ex∣pected, but such as are created by indefatigable Labour, unless they be hoped to be seen in Vintages, or under Groves or Orchards, or by Rivulets sides gliding from the declining Hills.

The first are set generally on Fruitful Ridges of the Eastern Mounts,

—Denique apertos Bacchus amat Colles—Virg. Georg. 2.

The latter are the frequent Advantages to Villages, and the sweet Pleasure of the larger Towns; where Trees and Flowers grow up together, that the one may yield a safe shelter to the other, against the Extremes of Heat or Cold; in both whose Prime a fragrant Blandishment conspire no less, than to entice the willing Senses: But for Elegancy of Culture and choice of Slips, I see them not over emulous; which Neglect gives just occasion of Wonder, since their Worldly Happiness is placed in fine Gardens, which no Nation ap∣pears to me more to Idolize.

For Fuel,* 1.9 the combustible Heath is more common than flourish∣ing Trees for Timber; but for Sallads it yields all that are desirable, both Herbs and Roots; and some of the most Medicinal Plants are of the Natural Growth of this Country.

There is an heavy Tax laid upon Tobacco,* 1.10 though it be the choicest in these Parts.

To these Blessings for Pleasure,* 1.11 Necessity, and Physick, are added others for Profit: Gums, the most Rich, distil every where: From Carmania, Goats-Wool (as much to be prized as Jason's Golden Fleece)

with which our Hatters know well how to falsify their Bevers; and the Natives how more honestly to weave both Cloth and Carpets very fine, which they sell at dear Rates. The Flocks and courser Wool of their Sheep stand them in some stead, they kneading it into Felts, for Seamless Coats for the ordinary sort of People, for their common wearing; and their Skins with the Wool on, are both an Ornament and Safeguard against the roughest Weather: But Lambs-skins with their crisped Wool are of more Credit, (they being excellent Artists to make them keep their Curl), and not disdained to be worn by the chiefest Gentry; of whose Leather they make good Merchandise, it being esteemed better than Turkish, their Tan∣ners being expert at dressing, not only these and Kid, but other Hides of larger size, which therefore are bought up with Greediness by all Foreigners, for their real Excellency.

Goats and Camels, after other good Services performed, be∣queath their Hair to their Weavers, of which they make water'd Camlets.

But above all, the Wool-bearing Cotton-Shrub renders by its Wealthy Down those Riches which are deeper digg'd for.

Nor does the Silk-worm lay it self out less for the Publick Weal, while it spins out its own Bowels, until nothing be left within its Cask but Air; contrary to the Trite Saying of Aristotle, Ex nihilo nihil fit; Out of Nothing comes Nothing; for by the Industry of this Infect, the first Foundation of the Persian Silks, Velvets, and Rich Embroider'd Carpets, are laid, with which the greatest part of the habitable World do Pride themselves.

And since we descend to these busy Tutors of Mankind, who up∣braid the slothful and oscitantly idle, let us step through the Mo∣narchy of the Bees, and taste the Sweets they suck from Nature's ample Storehouse, and see how they return with Thighs laden with Honey, to stock themselves, and build their Mansionss to nourish their young, and enough to spare to feed Mankind besides; and in their Last Testament make the Persians Legatees, by leaving them huge Cakes of Wax.

Let's look a little lower,* 1.12 and ransack the Deep, and we shall find the Persian Pearls excelling all others that are generated in Sea-shells, from which Beds are brought forth Ʋnions, adorning the Necks and Ears of the greatest Princesses, and the Crowns and Diadems of the mightiest Emperors, begot at certain Seasons of the Year in the Flesh of Oysters, as the Concrete Grains or Hardness in Swines-Flesh (I suppose scrophulous Tumors), by the Dew of Heaven, says Tertullian. Whence if it Thunders or Lightens, says Pliny, the Oysters are straitned, or miscarry; but others render it quite con∣trary: So that I should leave their Original as disputable here as ever, if no Belief could be fixed on Experience, which confirms their Increase to be chiefly owing to the Virtue both of Showers and Thunder.

Before we launch too far,* 1.13 let us examine with what Faculties this Land is endued: Indeed it is blessed with many more than at first landing the Superficies does promise; for besides the already enume∣rated Excellencies, it is not altogether a dead Soil, though it be

right enough termed so by Paracelsus, speaking generally; for it is not to be understood as comprehensible in the Element, but as it subsists and lives impregnated in the Microcosm, it receiving its Foe∣cundity through its Virtue, whereby it vegetates, and takes upon it the Nature of Minerals, Stones, Gaults, or Clay, and of Animals, as well as Plants. We having yet but lightly turned up the Glebe, have hardly given the Potter his handful of White Marble to form into Vessels without Fucus, deservedly challenging the Superiority; unless the Ancient Chinese would restore the true Porcelin, which they cannot, it requiring the Growth of some Ages, which their late Civil Wars and Tumults has forbidden to be effected, while they wreak their Anger on these Treasuries, to the Ruin of their Enemies, and the utter loss of their own Reputation in that Point.

Lapis Tutiae & Manatae from Carmania;* 1.14 and the best Brimstone from the County of Lhor.

Bole, famed for its Power by the general Consent of all the Phy∣sicians in the World, is carried from Armenia and its Neighbouring Territories, for their Use.

Deeper in the Bowels of the Mines,* 1.15 the Turquoise (the most lively of any) endures the Rape of those that search for it.

But the Lapis Lazuli,* 1.16 vulgarly called the Armenian Stone, is imputed to be a Native of that Region; for the true Lapis Lazuli is brought hither only by the Tartars inhabiting beyond the Caspian Sea; and then, but when they come on Embassies to the Suffee, (for others of their Nation are not permitted to expatiate the Uni∣verse, or wander from their own Homes, nor for Strangers is it law∣ful to enter their Dominions): Wherefore neither can they trans∣port it on this side, nor on the other side will they hold any Cor∣respondence with these: However it happens, under these Difficul∣ties and Restraints the Armenians sometimes do attempt to acquire it, leaving no Stone unturn'd to purchase it; and having once gained it, they suck thence as much Profit, as they please to value the Hazard of the Enterprize at, wherein they use little Conscience; whence it comes to pass it is sold for such vast Rates to the Europeans. From this Stone is made that Colour they name Ʋltra-marine Blue, though the Azure be made of the German Stone: It is besides com∣mended for purging all Melancholy Affects.

The Mountains produce Marbles hard enough to endure the Polish,* 1.17 if they knew how to bestow it; yet besides the Monuments of Per∣sepolis, where Statues and Columns are beholden for their Splen∣dor to that Science, and the Dens and Caves Mouths of the old Gaurs bear some deformed ones, (unless the King's Palaces have some Tanks, and the Princes and Great Men some Gate-Posts and Lintels smoothly polished), few others are seen; for what reason I know not, unless their Religion prohibit, or they delight more in Brick and Muddy Walls, though less durable, or that it is so decreed by Fate, even as Things or Times naturally decline from bad to worse: Thus it is, from Marble Cities they are now become hardly Brick; by which means the most sumptuous Tombs of the foregoing Emperors hardly declare to the succeeding Generation in whose Memory they were intended.

As the Mountains bring forth Marble, so the Earth dispenseth Hot Baths and Mineral Waters for their Commodity;* 1.18 in like manner, Natural Mummy, and a Liquid Bitumen in the Lake from whence Semiramis took Cement to unite the Wall she built round Babylon; and from about Thirty Mountains near the same place about Scha∣machia, as it is conjectured, springs the famous Naphtha.

At the Foot of the high Mountain Barmuch are found several sorts of Minerals,* 1.19 with which its prodigious Womb is pregnant: But at finding of these, as their Ingenuity is slow, so for certain they are less apt to put themselves upon extraordinary Labours in Spagyrical Ope∣rations; having hitherto been content with the dull Metals of Lead and Iron, had not lately Hermes Wand directed them to the Scru∣tiny of a Copper Vein; from whence they reap not greater Emolu∣ment than the Hollanders do Detriment: For formerly as they brought great Quantities from Japan, that turned to good Account, now that Trade falls off; and whereas before it yielded them besides Cloth of Gold and Silver, Silks and Velvets, Carpets and other Ma∣nufactories, which they are obliged by Compact to take off their hands every Year, to the entire Sum of Fifty thousand Thomands, all which they more than cleared, carrying away moreover several Tuns of Gold and Silver in Coin; at present they can but just pay, and make even the aforesaid Indenture.

About Siras are to be digged Mines of Gold and Silver, but they quit neither Cost nor Pains, wherefore they have laid aside the far∣ther Inquest into them.

Hitherto we have run through a spacious Field, though perhaps not every where equally fortunate in every thing; for,

Hic Segetes, illic veniunt foelicius Ʋvae Arborei foetus alibi.—

Here Corn grows best, there Vines do flourish more; Woods in another place produce their Store.

Though for the most part this is an hospitable Soil, cherishing in its Matrice whatever is kindly sowed.

And this Increase is continued without any notable River,* 1.20 that hath either Breadth or Depth for to bear laden Vessels of any Bulk: For, as Varenius writes, the manner whereby any Rivers of conside∣rable or indifferent Bigness exist, are twofold; either from the con∣junction of many Rivulets into one Stream, or that they flow from great Lakes; the former of which every one hinders, while they draw every Brook to their own Use; so that instead of filling large Channels, they almost drein them quite, which might otherwise merit to be called great Rivers; to wit, that of Siras and Persepo∣lis, which washing its Plain, makes a long Journy before it mixes with the Salt Sea: And lastly, the River at Suffahaun, which never runs with a full Current, only about the Autumnal Quarter, when sometimes by Rain, but always by the dissolved Snows after Summer is over, the Husbandmen breaking down their Dams, purposely rai∣sed to keep the Waters up for the sake of the Rice, the Waters being

let loose, return to the Main Channel, and raise themselves to the Brims of its Banks, otherwise passable in most places: This first way failing, we shall see what Supply is to be expected from the Lake Stoke, which lies too low to ascend the High Countries; and for the Caspian Sea or Lake, I doubt not it will appear as impossi∣ble, if it be true what is said in behalf of it, That many mighty Rivers empty themselves into it, which it receives without the least Augmentation, and therefore cannot return their Kindness recipro∣cally.

Which being consider'd,* 1.21 this Land is chiefly beholden to whole∣some Springs of Living Water, to quench the Thirst of Plants as well as living Creatures, which are to that End bestowed on them apart by a more Liberal Providence, than either of the former by a joint Consent.

Notwithstanding the impending Clouds,* 1.22 they are mostly without Rain; and though they lowre some Weeks together, they rarely drop Moisture.

The sudden Gusts and impetuous Blasts from the Mountains hin∣dring them,* 1.23 oftner cause near the Maritime Coasts, Hurricanes of Wind, and wonderful Tempests of Sand, so Thick and Black, that the Clouds raised thereby benight the very Day, and while the Storm lasts (which is not long) induces a Darkness to be felt; and the Fury over, it leaves the Effects of a Fired Air: Unless when the Seven Stars arise on this Horizon at the beginning of Spring, when a mellifluous Dew lies not long on the Trees and the Plants,* 1.24 before it be concrete into the choicest Manna.

And although at stated Times the Snow does furnish them with Water, yet it suffers in nothing more than in extreme Drought. Which is the reason Eminent Cities and Market-Towns stand not thick, but are at vast distances one from another; nor are the Villa∣ges less straggling, two scarcely falling under the Eye from the Tops of their highest Mountains, excepting in some few of their Wealthi∣est Plains.

The most principal Cities I have seen, are Gombroon, and Bunder-Congo, two great Ports in the Gulph of Persia, famous for Traffick on that side of the World. Lhor, the Granary for these Ports. Je∣rom, excelling in Dates. Siras, like another Phoenix-sprung out of the Ashes of Persepolis, which still retains the Dignity and Majesty of the Metropolis of Persia, strictly so called; after the same man∣ner as Ispahaun, Spahaun, or Suffahaun, most properly is of Parthia; only so much the more Honourable, by how long it shall please the Emperor to fix his Throne there.

Those Cities which Fame has brought to our Ears,* 1.25 are Casbin, ano∣ther Royal City, bordering on the Caspian, sicklier than Spahaun, tho it exceed it in Plenty of all things. Taberez, i. e. Taurus in Arme∣nia, not far from Mount Ararat, now the Seat of the Chief Pa∣triarchate; it is conterminous to the Turks, and the most Trading Empory on that side. For weaving and transporting Silks and Vel∣vets, Gillan stands in the first Rank; in the second, Sherwan. Jouscan sells excellent Wool, and from Mushat is brought the best Iron and Copper, these being Cities in Carmania. At Derab is the true Pissa∣sphaltus:

At Nerez, Assa Foetida: At Shabanat are the best Bezoar-Stones.

The Buildings of their Cities are of Three Sorts,* 1.26 the Houses being diversified in respect of the Place, Time, and Persons; for the Forms of those of the Citizens, Nobles, and Peasants, are not all alike: As those in Sandy and Hot Places are of one Shape, and those in Rocky, Stony, and Cold Parts of another: So likewise the Anniversary Mu∣tations in any of these, make them fit their Habitations for those Quarters.

The Palaces of the Potentates are built mostly after this manner: Towards the Street appears little or no Frontispiece, more than the Porch, which makes a square stately Building, arched at top, under which is a stately Balcony, open on every side, over the Hastle, which compasses neat Apartments, and are defended from the Sun's Heat by large Umbrelloes or Penthouses, stretching themselves wide to draw in the cool Air, the embowed parts whereof are fretted, and the out-parts shine with Blue inlaid with Gold: The Casements, or Folding-doors rather, sparkle with Glorious Panes of Glass of several Colours, and declare the Workmanship of the Carvers; as does the outside Slates the Skill of the Tilers in Glazing and Painting, as well as the Marble Facing the Ingenious Design of the Surveyor.

From the Portal runs on each hand round the Garden a Mud-Wall very high, though not very thick, which another Wall thwarts just in the middle, from the Porch to the main Building, thereby to part the Mens Quarters from the Womens; the latter whereof encloses the Kitchen-Garden; the other is destined for Fragrant Plants, Aro∣matick Flowers, and outstretching Trees for Pleasure, as well as bearing Fruit for Use. The Houses are so contrived, that in the Summer they are open Banqueting-Houses, refreshed with Fountains as they sit in Frisco, which descend thence to all the Quadrangles by Water-Courses. Since the greatest part of this Empire is not far off the Northern Tropick, it is therefore no wonder it should com∣plain of Heat, especially in the Summer, at which Season the Sun strikes the Earth more directly with its Rays; for which cause, amongst all of them, Aquaducts and Fountains in the very Rooms below Stairs, are mightily prized, with Water-works playing to cool the burning Particles of the incensed Air; and the whole Structure is constituted so, that it may receive these Refreshments every way it is capable: Wherefore they defend their Dwellings from the Sun, and are constantly sprinkling Water around their Seats from these Currents; and from their Tops have many Breathing-places to re∣ceive the Wind, which are so fixed, that whatever Breezes stir, they shall suck them in, and transmit them to all the Rooms of the House, as they list.

In Winter, if they be remote from the Sea, they shut up their open Halls and Parlours, and make them close Apartments, by let∣ting-down those Umbrelloes that shaded them in Summer, to keep them warm in the cold Winter, till its Severity be past, spreading all the Floor with Quilts thick and warm, and kindling Stoves in all their Bedchambers: These also are of a different Model from those nearer the Sea, They being mostly flat, These arched: Their Roofs

are made of Wood fetch'd from India, with transverse Beams upon Clay walls, or Stone with untempered Mortar, till they come to the just Altitude of their Houses, when the Interstitia or Spaces be∣tween Beam and Beam are filled with Palm-Leafs neatly laid and painted, which serve for Cieling.

It is universally common to Spherical, Arched, or Plain Buildings, to lay vast Loads of Mud at top; and what is more wonderful, only with Mud and Clay, they will rear most spacious Arches, without other matter of Assistance; whereupon either against Snows or Rains, should they continue (which they never do long) they would make but faint Resistance; for being soaked thoroughly, they would re∣solve into their first Entity: Whence in great Snows, to defend and keep their Dwellings standing, they shovel it all from the Tops of their Houses into the Lanes, and thereby obstruct the Passages of their most Publick Streets, when the Snow has not fallen above two days, and also endanger the Foundations; which the Rich bet∣ter secure by Brick Bottoms, than the Poor, whose Fabricks often totter on such occasions: However, they have a better Opportunity against Fire, their Mansions affording little combustible Substance for that to feed on.

The Citizens are not so sumptuous as the Nobles; and the Villages are content with Cottages, with either Plain or Arched Roofs, nei∣ther presuming to exalt them to an unbecoming Height, in regard of either of their Stations: Their Casements are latticed, not going to the Price of Glass, which is Foreign, and for that reason scarce. Concluding then with these Tenements, we are brought to view on what Basis their Government stands: For the Welfare and Support of Cities, are the Observation of their Laws;

Salus Civium in Legibus consistit.

Wholsome Laws the City's Safety are, Against all Violence the surest Bar.

Justitia una alias virtutes continet omnes.

Justice alone all other Virtues holds.

And as a Patern of all their Politicks, I shall propose Spahaun (or rather Suffahaun,* 1.27 as by and by shall be declared), not only the Head of Parthia, but of the whole Nation; which Region by Mercator is named Arac, placed between Media, Persia, Carmania, and Hyrcania: By some is is called Charasan; by the Inhabitants, Airoon; it lies al∣most under the Fifth Climate, in Thirty seven Degrees of Latitude North, and Eighty six of Longitude East; the Days differ Three Hours in the Course of the Year: Nor are the Seasons so calm and sedate, that they should be esteemed temperate, so as not to exceed in either Extreme, where in Summer they must use Caves, Vaults, and Grottoes, and in Winter Stoves and Hot-houses.

The Air is very rare at Spahaun, and the Wind drying: The City has no need of Walls, where so many Marble Mountains stand as a

Guard, or Bulwark of Defence; it has indeed a Tower, but it is a Mud one, rather serving as an Armory, than to be relied on as a place of Strength; so that I shrewdly suspect whether ever this were the Hecatompylos of Ortellius, as is related by more than one. The Circumference of the Body of the City I guess may measure Seven Miles; but if the dispersed Gardens and Seats of the Great Men, with the Palace Royal be brought into that Computation, we must allow it as many Pharsangs.

The Journy to it is difficult in Bands, Troops, or Companies, by reason of the uneven Way encompassing every side for many Miles together; therefore to attempt coming to it with an Army or Warlike Force, must not be ascribed to Prudence of Conduct or Valour, unless there should arise another Alexander (which must be imputed to his good Fortune, rather than Prowess or Virtue) hairbrain'dly resolute to undergo no Repulse, tho the Exterprize sur∣pass all human Probability: For it must unavoidably fare with him literally, as it did hyperbolically only with Xerxes his Host, who are reported to have been so numerous as to drink whole Rivers dry as they passed; what then would Cisterns of Rain-water do, or now and then a small Brook, to quench the Thirst even of an ordinary Detachment, not likely to put so Populous a City in the least Con∣sternation? But to find Food in such Bye and Desolate Paths for any considerable Force, would be past possibility, unless at the Expence of a Miracle. By these Bars, whereby the Passes are easily secured (an Handful of Men being able to withstand an Host) and the Avenues inaccessible, the Hostile Arms of the Turks have been put to a stop, who otherwise would have set no Bounds to th••••r Desires, could they have conquered these Obstacles, whereby they would at the same time have carried the Empire too.

The small Attendance we carried up to Spahaun, was demonstra∣tion enough of this Truth; for though we fared well, yet it was tiresome, and few else meet with the like Conveniences, they being assured that we would more than reward their readiness to provide for us, whereby we the better overcame those Straits, which prepa∣red an Entrance into the large Field where this invincible City lay open to us; deriving its Annual Nutriment from a clear River, which it bestows plentifully from its hollow Womb: But that which it bears the Bays away for, is its being seated in the very Heart of the Empire.

For sake whereof,* 1.28 its Founder (or at least, Adorner) Shaw Abas the Great, advisedly chose it for his Imperial Throne, that thence he might more readily disperse his Mandates, and be assisting by his Auxiliaries, to any suffering Part, assaulted by the bold Incursions of his Enemies; irradiating like the Sun in the Firmament (by the In∣fluence of his Power) all within the Sphere of his Government: So that while the utmost of his Dominions are seasonably supplied with the comfortable Warmth of his Protection, he safely resides within, invulnerable from Foreign Strokes, and reigns in this his Capital City without Controul. And as the Founders of Old Rome promi∣sed Eternity to their Empire as well as City, in digging up a Man's Skull, and thence, as from the best Omen, were encouraged; as

not being persuaded the Capitol could be a fit Basis for the Monar∣chy of the World, unless it were built on the Foundation that was so luckily offered them: So from the same Auspicious Sign Shaw Abas presaged the like happy Event, building a Pillar of his Enemies Heads, raised as a Trophy to his Valour. What else is August in Suffa∣haun, are the remaining Products of his Brain, more truly than Mi∣nerva was said to be the Offspring of Jove.

The magnificently-arch'd Buzzars, which form the Noble Square to the Palace; the several Publick Inns, which are so many Sera∣glios; the stately Rows of Sycamores, which the World cannot pa∣rallel; the glorious Summer-houses, and pleasant Gardens, the stu∣pendious Bridges, sumptuous Temples, the Religious Convents, the College for the Professors of Astronomy, are so many lasting Pyra∣mids and Monuments of his Fame; though many of them begin to sink in their own Ruin, for want of timely Repair; such is the fatal Calamity of human Structures, Time corroding the most durable: But to speak properly and truly, the Cause of so early a Decay is the slothful Nature, and disregard of their Forefathers Honour, that possesses the improvident Persians, lest any thing tending to perpe∣tuate their Memories, should by reviving their Virtues be made use of as a Reproach to their instant Supineness; and for that reason they let all fall to the Ground, never offering to underprop a decli∣ning Building.

This City has Caesar for its principal Patron;* 1.29 under him the Caun, who is President of the Province, or County-Sheriff, (who is ever one of the Prime Nobility, and of the highest Rank among the Courtiers ••lways on Duty near the Emperor's Person, that he may be ready to give an account of his Charge upon demand, and at hand to introduce all Addresses that concern his Office to represent; being as it were a Skreen between so high a Majesty, and the meanness of the Popularity under his Protection, lest they should intrude too pro∣phanely, or be struck blind by the too bright Rays of an Absolute Power) is interposed as a fit Medium, to qualify by a suitable Intercession the necessary distance each Condition ought to be kept at, to maintain the mutual Benefit expected on both sides. Whilst he is thus employed, and receives the greatest Profits of his Lordship, he deputes his Lieutenant to the Trust of governing, who transacts all in his Name, as his Chief Vicar.

But the Suffee's Vicar-General is by his Place the Second Person in the Empire,* 1.30 and always the First Minister of State, called by them Etimundoulet, The Chief Slave; under whose Jurisdiction the Provinces of lesser Note do fall, and are at his disposing immediate∣ly next the Emperor's; whose Cauns or Dukes therefore are obliged to constant Residence in their several Districts; and if it fortune that at any time they have Business with the Emperor, they apply them∣selves to the Etimundoulet, as to the Lord Chancellor of the whole Kingdom, to whose Management they commit themselves and their Cause; who cannot be absent from their Metropolis at any time, be∣fore they have constituted a Ganizeen, which is an Under-Sheriff, who, thereby transmit their Authority to him, only reserving the Ho∣nour to themselves.

All these Prefects in their Dominions behave themselves after the Example of the Emperor himself,* 1.31 in respect of Grandeur as well as Rule, only remembring they are but Tenants at Will, and therefore fail not to present their Master and his Family with the First Fruits of the Growth of each Province; which Annual Commemoration is a Monitor of their Homage and Fealty to their Supreme Lord, which he exacts as a due Debt, and they pay as an acknowledgment of their Servitude to him; in which as long as they continue in his Grace, at every New-Year's Day he sends them a Livery, or Robe of Honour, to be retained his Slaves, which they receive as a Mark of the highest Favour; and to be called a Goloomy Shaw, The King's Vassal, is the highest Apex of their Ambition.

Subordinate to the forementioned Officers,* 1.32 is the Droger, or Mayor of the City, or Captain of the Watch or the Rounds: It is his Duty to preside with the Main Guard a-nights before the Palace-Gates, and thence to make Excursions through the City, to disperse, secure, and apprehend Idle and Vagrant Persons, that can give no Account of themselves, to punish Offenders of that nature, and to keep the Peace.

In all their Buzzars, which are locked up in the dead of the Night, there are Watches to prevent Thieves, at the common Expence of every Shopkeeper.

The next in Office is the Questor Zygostates,* 1.33 or Clerk of the Mar∣ket, known among them by the Title of Calenture; he fixes the Price of Corn, has the Oversight of all Bakers, Cooks, &c. and by his own Authority can not only confiscate their Goods to the Poor, but mulct with loss of Life such Offenders as are notoriously irre∣claimable otherwise; many times throwing a Baker into his own Red-hot Furnace, that vends poysonous Corn, or cheats in the Weight; and the Cook into his own Boiling Caldron, for imposing on the People Carrion, or ill-nourishing Flesh, found in Highways or Ditches: Thus deals he with Malefactors of this Batch. Besides, he is Receiver of all the Rents of the City, and pays it into the King's Treasury.

The last Person to be treated of is the Cazy,* 1.34 or Publick Justiciary, who will deserve a special Treatise by himself, and therefore is to be reserved for a fitter season.

But in the mean time we may observe,* 1.35 That by such Cyclops as these are formed the Thunderbolts of the Almighty Jove, whereby he both makes the whole Olympus shake, and preserves the Laws of every private City as well as Country to which they belong. As all things by a Natural Tendency move from the Circumference to the Centre, so from the Confluence of all Nations of the World hither, it becomes the Chief Empory, as well as an Exemplar of their Go∣vernment; although it hath declined much since the Europeans have discovered the way by Sea to India: For long before that it was the Storehouse and general Market for Indian Wares as well as its own; and by consequence, as it was the Staple of the Universe, it was the common Receptacle of all the Money ebbing and flowing from all Parts: But this Bosphorus being stopped, from a Sea it became a

Lake, in which Riches do now stagnate, not circulate, or at least not with that Force they did before.

However, as long as the busy Merchant from the uttermost Coasts, gapes after its Commodities to advance his Pelf, and for his sake the Publick Buzzars are kept in better Repair than less-frequented Buil∣dings, it must be allowed it is so far from a Total Decay of Trade, that few Cities in the World surpass it for Wealth, and none come near it for those stately Buildings; which for that reason are kept entire, while others made of Lime and Slate, belonging to private Persons, hardly last their Founders Lives, for want of timely Care.

For the Citizens rather chuse to dwell in a tottering House,* 1.36 than appear lavish in Costly Building or Apparel, for fear their Governors should suspect they have too much Riches, when they are sure ne∣ver to be at rest till they have dived into the bottom of their Trea∣suries; which Extortion is returned by the King upon their Rulers, whereby the Emperor's Treasure grows exuberantly great: Which is the cause the Citizens so often lay up their Talents in Napkins, since it is a Crime to expose their Wealth by specious or luxurious Shews, according to the accustomed Pride of Wealthiest Corpora∣tions among us.

Whence it proceeds that only Courtiers and Soldiers in this Coun∣try,* 1.37 who are maintained by Annual Pensions, are permitted to live gallantly; whose regard of the Publick Utility is rarely so much considered, as to spare any thing from their manner of enjoying themselves, either to adorn or benefit the Cities in which they reside: On which ground it is, that their best Cities seldom have splendid Edifices to commend them, from mean or private Hands; though in the Suburbs of their Capital City Spahaun, there are many by the Rivers side, both of the Nobles and the Emperors stately Palaces.

But what celebrates it most, are the covered Buzzars, or Market∣places, continued through the whole City; and the Inns of Stran∣gers, occupying them in the time of their Business; their Baths, Temples, and Convents, which have Stipends to support them from being an Eyesore and Blemish in their principal Places; all which deserve a particular Description.

And therefore I shall begin with their Inns,* 1.38 or Caravan Ser Raws, which are divided into Three Species, both in respect of their Site and Form, as well as Matter, through the whole Empire. Those near the Sea-shore for Seven Days Journey or thereabouts, are com∣monly of this Figure; they are reared of unpolished Stones, on an Area Three Foot high, to keep out the Horses, and leave an out∣ward Space for Servants to lye on, whereon are erected Four Pillars, which support Four bowed Roofs, surrounding an Hemispherical Arch in the middle, where at each side over head are large open Windows (or Doors rather) to receive the Air, and at every Cor∣ner of the Square, Forms within a separate Apartment for their Men of Note, which are in open Cloysters; and without, Four more, close, for those that connot endure the Air, or for their Women; every Quarter has a wide Entrance or open Gate to add to its Airy∣ness; to which Inns are no Stables or shady Places for the Beasts of Burthen, unless there happen to be Trees, which is a great chance in

such Sandy, Wild, and Desert Places. To the most famous of these now and then happens to be an Host provided with Necessaries for Travellers, slenderly provided to furnish them at easy Rates with Cheese and Fruit, Bread and Barley, the first whereof the Poor make their Meals on, and their Beasts on the latter: But they must dress both their Victuals and their Beasts themselves, for he affords neither Cook nor any other to the best that come, no more than to the lowest; offering at no more than to sell Mans-Meat and Horse-Meat.

They mostly nest in common,* 1.39 and observe no distinction among themselves either at Church, in the Bath, or in the Caravan Ser Raw; he that comes first, is first served, none give way to another; where∣by there is in the same Inn a multitude of all sorts, Footmen, Horse∣men, Merchants, together with an hideous Confusion of People within, and the Noise of Beasts, Packers, and Servants.

Notwithstanding which, if a Foreign Ambassador with a great Retinue arrive, or any of their Nobles (whom they only respect as Men among them) pitch his Tent, or take up his Quarters with them, these will remove, and proffer him Room, seeking Lodgings on the Outward Lodge, or Advance-Border of the Caravan Ser Raw for themselves; but then this must be esteemed a great Mark of their Compliance, and indeed almost forced, they usually stomaching such a Disturbance with frowning Countenances, and sometimes open Revilings.

This Form, after Seven Days travelling, is from an huddled Stack of Buildings expatiated into a large Square in the middle of the Area, where in the Summer-time both the Cattel and Packs are shut in by Doors lock'd a-nights, and open'd early in the Morn, to keep in the straying Troop together, and for the safety of their Bundles, lest any should be stollen: In the heart of this Square is raised a place as large as a Mountebank's Stage, where the Gelabdar, or Master Muliteer, with his prime Passengers or Servants, have an opportunity to view their whole Caphala.

This Office in Turky is held a Place of Trust and Honour,* 1.40 he being Captain of all the Troops going together, and hires Soldiers, and lists them in his Pay, being a Churlish Nabal to Christians; but he is here of no other Account than to look after his Number of Mules, Camels, or Asses, and to see they bring their Lading safe where consigned, and often becomes subject himself to Bastinadoes on the Soles of the Feet: Whereas the other in his Journey takes upon him a kind of a Bassaship, and never fails to lay any Miscarri∣age or Misfortune on the Bones of the Fringi, or Franks: But it is otherwise here, because of the Rhadary undertaking to secure Tra∣vellers; which is easily done in an entirely-subjected Empire, not liable to Treacherous Insults of Ravening Thieves in Companies, as they are to the Wild Arabs and other Outlaws.

In Winter-time there are Stables capacious of holding Four hun∣dred Carriers Horses together with their Burthens, on the backside of little Chambers, fronting the Peristylium or Cloyster'd Entry, all black with Smoke when they retire into them in the Winter; lying else before them on open Cloysters, which are so many Anticham∣bers

to every one of them, and at first appearance make a Piatza, were not every distinct Arch on each side separated by a Party-Wall, being all alike, and did not the Middle Arch of each side make a diffe∣rence by a more spacious and exalted distinction, each answering the Loftiness of the Porch within, though that rises higher into an aspiring square Tower, with lightsome Summer-Chambers aloft, which makes a Magnificent Entry; and thence the Covering of the Caravan runs on a plain Terras, convenient for the whole Number of Guests to spread their Carpets, Matrasses, Plads, or Beds, for lodg∣ing in the Night time.

Since the Architecture to these in View and Variety (by their alternate Chambers and Cloysters,* 1.41 which by distinct Arches keep their due Order) is no deformed sight, it yields besides a double Utility, for the defence of Strangers against both the Injuries of Heat and Cold: And those of them that are built of Stone or Brick, have not once only stood it out in the nature of strong Forts against their Opposers, but have many times been made tenable, being stored with Ammunition and Provision.

Those nearer Spahaun have most an end the same Form or Shape below, but are oftner tubilated than tabulated above, and are made of Mud for the most part; but in Spahaun its self, where Strangers abide longer, they are more splendid, and larger than any where else; for to this lower Order we have been describing, they add ano∣ther, and sometimes a third, which bear Proportion and exact Syme∣try with each other.

Their Temples represent no great Bulk to the Beholders,* 1.42 nor exalt themselves much towards Heaven, unless some Obelisks, which are sometimes joined with, at other times separate from them: But most an end they observe this Form; The Foundation being laid in a Square, the Roof is supported by four Pillars, in whose middle a great Cupilo lifts up its Head, which the Priests visit Day and Night at every Fourth Hour to call the people to Prayers; the Whole par∣ticipates more of Mosaick than any other Work. In the Dome is no Ornament, nor Seat; on the Ground Mats are strewed; any manner of Carving or Representation whatsoever is banish'd hence.

From the Pomaerium to the outward Court they ascend by Steps, where they bare their Feet, alluding to the Command in Moses his Vision, Pull off thy shooes, for the place whereon thou standest is holy Ground. As soon as they have washed themselves in the Porch, where always is a Baptistery, or Tank for that purpose, they pluck off their upper Garments, especially if they be Cloth of Gold, for Gold also is to them Nigess, i. e. unclean; wherefore they cast from them Gold Rings, or whatever is set in Gold, not being suffered either to sleep or pray with them upon them; but at the same time they open their Silver Phylacteries and Rosaries, wherein in Aggat are engraven some Scraps of their Alcoran, and uncovering their Heads they enter their Churches, and fall down on the Ground, and as they recite their Prayers, often kiss the same, always bowing towards the rising and setting of the Sun, and agree with the Indian Moors in saluting their Genii, and then they depart; unless on their Sabbath-day, which is Friday every Week, the Mullah detain them by a Preach∣ment,

or with a Chapter out of the Alcoran,* 1.43 which he undertakes to expound by a large, and, no doubt, learned Periphrasis, to whom on the South-side they have appropriated a Pulpit raised on Steps, if it may be said to be one without any Desk or Rails, on which he sits, not stands, it being placed in an Oratory apart.

Sometimes they pass about by little Portals to the Door of the Temple, such an Ostle being left open, as we see in great Gates of Noblemens Houses, that he who is about to go in, must first take heed lest he break his Shins, before he stoop to make his Entrance: This Place carries something solemn about it; when it is shut up, the Pulpit receives a small Light through Grates instead of Windows.

The Colleges in Spahaun are mostly founded and endowed by Royal Donation,* 1.44 partly by others.

There are Twenty or Thirty Fair Ones that have Incomes, and many more whose Mannors are devolved by a tacit Prescript into Secular Hands. To every College there is a President over the Stu∣dents, and another over the Fabrick, who lets out the Chambers, and receives the Rents, disposing them as he pleases, and displacing at pleasure: Every Chamber has One, Two, Three, or more Stu∣dents, where they sit and lye; to this the ordinary Door stands for a Window; there are no Forms or Benches, more than an old Moth-eaten Carpet, not fit for a Gypsy's Mantle, for to use, either for Repose or other purpose.

The Number of Scholars in each depends upon the Number of Chambers, and the Constancy of the Revenues, there being in some not above Forty, in others from an Hundred to an Hundred and fifty: He who is elected into these, lives sparingly and sepa∣rately, not eating in common Halls, having no more allowed than two or three Gosbeeks a Day, which is about so many Stivers or Far∣things, from the President; if these are not enough, then he assigns the Transcription of such and such Books to his Aid, for which they are paid. There are also three, four, or more Servants in con∣stant Salary from the College, which any Student may of Right command to buy Fruit for their Food, and fetch them other Neces∣saries; who sometimes, Illiterate as they are, go away with some of the College Revenues, and are reckoned among the Students; being fitter to shooe Horses, or drive a Wain with Vespasian's Cha∣rioteer, than to share in that Character.

Their Balneos or Hummums are the most sumptuous,* 1.45 which are in all their Cities, always hot; and it is lawful for every one of both Sexes, on stated times of the Day to bath for a small Price: The Prepositor of each House gives Notice to all Comers by blowing an Horn, when the Houses are ready to attend them; of which there are innumerable destined to these uses, each striving to outshine the other; insomuch that no time either of Day or Night passes, but you shall hear perpetual Noises of Horns to invite you to them; for no sooner is the Fire kindled under them, but they let every one know by those loud Instruments.

In which Places the Treatment is alike to all; for as before was said in the Church and Inns, so in the Hot-Houses all things are com∣mon to all: Wherefore if any one desire to be freed from the Vul∣gar

Rout, he must hire an House for a whole Day; which may be done, if he pay the usual Expence and Income of that Day, which Christians are always obliged to, where they have not Balneos of their own to resort to; for the Persians presume too Pharisaically on these Baths, judging thereby all their Offences to be washed away; according to that of Lactantius, Flagitiis omnibus inquinati veniunt, & semet sacrificasse opinantur, si cutem laverint; tanquam libidines in∣tra pectus inclusas, ulla amnis abluat aut maria ulla purificent: They come polluted with the heinousest Sins, and think when they have washed they have attoned by a sufficient Sacrifice; as if any River or Sea could purify their Lusts included in their Hearts.

These Houses are beneath the Earth, only some little round Globes embellish'd with Painted Glass peep out above the Ground to give Light, and are well clos'd, lest the ambient Air should offend by too forcible a Ventilation through any neglected Crevise: They are built with divers distinct Cells one from another, in which Men sit, are rubbed, and cleansed: Immediately within the Porch is the greatest Cell, or rather a large Room, where they d'off their Cloaths, and being undressed leave their Garments; in the middle of this Place is a Cystern of cold Water coming into it by several Pipes: All the other Cells are so conveniently framed, that every one may breathe a different Air as to the degrees of Heat, such as may suit with the divers Temperaments of several Bodies, since every Constitution re∣quires not the same Bath: For as Galen has left it written in lib. 7. Morb. Med. Some want an Hot, others a Tepid, and others a Cold Bath, as Hectical Habits declare.

The Pavements are all Marble, on which, the more Hot Water is thrown, the more it increases the Heat, although at the same time the Subterranean Fire be as Hot as it can be: On these Marble Floors they at last extend themselves, when they think they have tarried in long enough, that the Barbers, whose business it is, should wind and turn every Limb and Joint of the Body, before, behind, and on every side, with that Dexterity and Slight, that it is admirable to behold them perform it; whereby they leave no Muscle, Nerve, or superficial Joint, either unmov'd, or not rubb'd: Then with a course Hair-cloth and Hot Water they scrape off all the Filth and Sweat; and last of all by a Depilatory they take clean away all manner of Hairs growing either in Secret Parts, or any Emunctuary to cause either nasty Smells, or troublesome chasing.

When they retire to put on their Cloaths, (this is to be only un∣derstood of Great Men) there waits them a Collation of Fruit, Sweetmeats, and variety of Perfumes, as Rosewater, Rackbeet, and the like, with all befitting Attendants, besides the usual Servitors, to administer either Coho, Tea, Tobacco, or Brandy, if faint. When they are dress'd, they emplaister their Feet and Hands with a Red Paste, which wonderfully helps sweaty and moist Palms, as also stinking Feet.

These things being premised, the Benefits coming from the use of these are, when the Body is inflamed and dried by immoderate Heat, it is finely refreshed by sweet Water, and the Pores become moisten'd; the farther prosecution of which Advantages having been spoken of

before, I refer you thither, and proceed to the other Houses of Re∣sort, which are only for the Men, and not for the Women.

Their Coffee-houses,* 1.46 where they sell Coho, better than any among us, which being boiled, has a Black Oil or Cream swimming at top, and when it has not, they refuse to drink it: Hither repair all those that are covetous of News, as well as Barterers of Goods; where not only Fame and common Rumour is promulged, but Poe∣try too, for some of that Tribe are always present to reherse their Poems, and disperse their Fables to the Company; so true is it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ex Otio Negotium, That their Business pro∣ceeds from Idleness.

They are modell'd after the Nature of our Theatres, that every one may sit around, and suck choice Tobacco out of long Malabar Canes, fasten'd to Chrystal Bottles, like the Recipients or Bolt-heads of the Chymists, with a narrow Neck, where the Bole or Head of the Pipe is inserted, a shorter Cane reaching to the bottom, where the long Pipe meets it, the Vessel being filled with Water: After this sort they are mightily pleased; for putting fragrant and delightful Flowers into the Water, upon every attempt to draw Tobacco, the Water bubbles, and makes them dance in various Figures, which both qualifies the Heat of the Smoke, and creates together a pretty Sight.

At Night here are abundance of Lamps lighted, and let down in Glasses from the Concave Part of the Roof, by Wires or Ropes, hanging in a Circle.

The Buzzars having been mentioned before, I shall only add, That however Great all their other Buildings are, yet these carry away the Glory from them all; as much as the Halls of the Ci∣tizens of London exceed Noblemens Houses about the City, being the Work and Business of Joint-Stocks; and their Shews and Entertain∣ments are as Pompous as Princes, however sparingly they live at their own Homes: For these being the joint Advantage both of the Emperor and his Subjects, he encourages their forwardness in adorn∣ing these, though he suppresses all their Extravagancy of Garb, or Exorbitancy in Building, if it bears not with it the becoming Design of giving him the greatest Share of Honour in the Foundation.

Their Bridges are made either of Brick or Stone, and want neither for Skill or Ornament in their Contrivance; and are chiefly built for Ostentation, or to preserve their Memories, as their other great Buildings are: They are of more Use to join divided Rocks for Pas∣sengers, than to lay over Rivers; the former of which are more frequent in the Road to the Port than the other.

CHAP. XII.

Of the present Inhabitants; of the Jews being interspersed ever since the Captivity of Babylon; the Custom of exoculating their Princes; Nobility among the Persians; the Esteem they have of the Emperor's Person being Divine; his Name and Succession: Of the English overthrowing the Portugals at Ormus; the Procession of the Court; its Grandeur, and Reception of Ambassadors: Of the Suffees; of their Ca∣valry, Infantry, Seamen, and Navy.

THE Inhabitants of this City,* 1.47 as well as of all Persia (the Ancient Stock being, as it were, extinct) spring from the Overflow of the Northern Scythians, by whom the Native Persians were either totally expell'd, or so suppress'd, as to remain of no Ac∣count among them: These notwithstanding, by the Benefit of the Climate, have chang'd so much of their innate Roughness, as they have acquired the more coruscant Beauty inherent in the Temper of the Air; for they are of a delicate Composure of Body, Tall and Strait, especially the Women, who though not generally so proper, yet excel in Softness of Texture, and Comeliness of Form: Their Outside is no false Indication of their Natural Ingenuity, which ex∣ceeds all the Eastern People both for Facetiousness of Wit, Civil Be∣haviour, and Gallantry in Appearance, as much as they do the Bar∣barous Africans.

They cohabit generally with their Relations together in one House, or at least as near one the other as it is possible.

Jews are among them of the same Antiquity as the Exportation from Jerusalem to Babylon,* 1.48 who live in the same Cities, though in distinct Streets, and with less Mark of Reproach here than elsewhere: But how far their Liberties extend, I pretend not to tell; only they congregate their Sabbaths, New Moons, and Feast days, in full Synagogues, without any Disturbance.

Here are store of Banyans, dwelling in their great Inns, but de∣generate from the strict Indian Banyans, indulging themselves in most sorts of Flesh, and all kind of Wines.

In this City of Spahaun, besides the Romish Monks, Us, the Bel∣gian Representative, and the Polish Ambassador, are no Christians suffered to live; the rest repair to Jelfa among the Armenians, unless accidentally some Strangers tarry a Night or two in a Caravan Ser Raw, which are the Receptacles of all Foreigners.

These being of a lower Orb,* 1.49 creep safely on the Ground, while those exalted to an higher Sphere, like Fortune its self, are set on slip∣pery Places, and are deprived of their Eye-sight. Long since that Barbarity has been exploded here, which as soon as the Witnesses of Virility appeared, to testify their being Men not of an Hours Birth, or of a Minutes rather, were delivered to bloody Villains, crueller

than Beasts,* 1.50 (whose unrelenting Mercy spar'd not the Royal Infants Cries) to make away inhumanly, or at least suddenly dispatch them. Such is the fatal necessity of Tyrants, that least can credit those that are most allied to them; which addition to their Crimes they think is somewhat extenuated by exoculating them only at this Court; whereby they are render'd uncapable of the Throne, (being to be presented to the Supreme Government, like the Levites in the Old Law, without Blemish, being whole in every Member): But cer∣tainly those are bound up in hard Circumstances, who to avoid Disputes of Succession to the Crown, unmercifully butcher Tender Innocents, hurrying them to Execution as soon as they have escaped Imprisonment from their Mothers Womb: On this Basis the Old Monarchy of the Persians was founded, as if no other Cement could so firmly knit, as Blood.

And at this Instant their Jealousy is so fervent, that they keep their Sons like Captives, till the Father's Death enlarges the Eldest; when the Younger Brothers, Uncles, and Nephews on both sides, on the Appearance of the Rising Sun, see their last: As if the Blood-Royal were prophan'd, unless they fled to the Hot Iron, as the only means to expiate for its Affinity; which being drawn over the most sensible Parts (their Eyes), strikes from the Rays of their Kinsman's Diadem such a Sparkling Lustre, as for ever after makes them irre∣coverably blind; to seek Recovery whereof, or any for them, is a Treason unpardonable. So abhorrent are they of a Partner or a Ri∣val in Empire, that they endure not any to emulate or outdo them by an overforward Strain of Loyalty, whereby they might seem obliged to their Subjects, or that they should outshine them by a Popular Af∣fection, however meritorious their Deeds have been; whereby they teach their Children perfect Obedience, before they permit them to think of Command.

But whether by this way it is best; to be conversant with Toothless Old Women, Ignorant and Effeminate Eunuchs, a Tutor more ver∣sed in Books than the Affairs of the World, and all these bound in the highest Allegiance to their Liege, is a fitter Topick for the Machiavilians of our Age, than for me to handle. Although Plu∣tarch has delivered this as a Maxim to Posterity, Th••e who are ge∣nerously and Princely instructed, let them be compared with these, and the difference will presently discover its self which is the more eligible Education: But for the Good of the Chief Ministers of State, it is more profitable, I confess, to keep their Princes Judgments al∣ways in Minority, provided they can thereby make them more plia∣ble to their Ends and Designs.

Contrary to the Principles of the rest of the East,* 1.51 Nobility is re∣garded and maintained among the Persians, confiding rather in their Homebred Honesty; than entertaining Mercenary Foreigners in their Armies, to whose Fidelity and Conduct most other Countries commit their greatest Strength, while these rely on their own Sub∣jects: For though they claim Nobility of Race, yet they are not of the same Stock with the Royal Line, and therefore (content to move beneath) aspire not to the Top of Empire; nor can they stretch out their Hands to the Diadem, without apparent Usurpa∣tion,

which those of an Equal Order would oppose, as having as good a Title thereto as the bold Violator himself; which they who are of a more sublime Spirit would never brook, much less bear such an Indignity, or pay Homage and Respect to One they must have in Scorn and Contempt. On this Account it is they have ample Lord∣ships assigned them, which they possess by Inheritance and Lawful Right, with the same Tenor as our Barons, who are before others in Wealth and Honour, but are something restrained in their Power, lest they should take up Arms against their King.

The Emperor often rewards these with great Offices and high Employments, where he finds Desert meet with the Grandeur of their Birth; gracing them with his Commands the rather, because (to their Eternal Renown be it spoken) they seldom desert their Sovereign, or prove unfaithful to the Throne: So innate a Sted∣diness being ingrafted in their Souls, to conform themselves to their Master's Wills, that they are always found obsequious; which if it be not altogether to be attributed to their Virtue, must admit of the Dread the Anger of their Emperor impresses (being like the Roaring of a Lion), which frights the trembling Herds among the Woods; for their Lives are immediately at his Dispose, which keeps them in Awe.

They esteem their Emperors not only as Lords Paramount,* 1.52 but reverence them as Sons of the Prophets, whose Dominion therefore is grounded more on Hierarchy than bare Monarchy. For as of old the Persians adored the Sun as a Deity, and celebrated his rising with Morning Hymns, and were daily employed in Sacred An∣thems to its Praise; so now from Idolaters becoming Infidels, they still espouse the Divine Right as well as Lineage of their Sovereigns: From which fond Belief, the Potentest General at the Head of a Puissant Army, or the Provincial Cauns, though surrounded with Legions of Soldiers, upon the Arrival of a single Chuper (that is, a Post with Royal Order), attended with no other Warrant than being one of the King's Creatures, and he pronouncing Death from the Emperor, they lay down their Heads without any Tumult, with an entire Resignation to their Master's Pleasure.

And what is yet more ungrateful to men of their Jealousy,* 1.53 (it being so base and dishonest, that no Reparation can be made among the Moors for an Indignity of that kind) if he commands them on the great Festival (begun by Ahasuerus, and continued to this Day by the Persian Monarchs, an Hundred and Fourscore Days every Year) to bring their own proper Wives to Court, to remain there all that time prostitute to his Lust; this so hated a thing they are so far from refusing, that they obey him in every thing, no less than an Immortal God.

From which piece of Service, no Man that is known to have an Handsome Woman to his Wife, is exempted; for after his Pimps and Panders have had the Scent, he is not long from the Hunt with a full Cry: To that end, in whatsoever Quarter of the City the Puss squats, he sets up his Crook, or Interdict, that no Man pre∣sume to stay within doors, till he be passed whither he intends; but in the mean while, the Females are permitted, nay, commanded to

stay at home, and so he comes and finds the Form, and then is sure not to miss of his Game. But to close up this; so devoted are they to him, that as the Ancient Hebrews swore by their King's Health; the Egyptians, by the Life of Pharaoh; the Romans, by Caesar's Honour; they have no more obliging Test, than Seir Pedeshaw, By the Em∣peror's Head.

On these Terms it is,* 1.54 that the Affairs at home, and of the Mi∣litia abroad, are so negligently treated, by the Emperor's being tho∣roughly assured of his Peoples Integrity and Allegiance; all the strong Castles and Places through the whole Realm hereupon being demo∣lished, or lying in Ruins; unless some few near the Confines of Turky, and Candahar, taken from the Indians; slighting them only as Nests for Thieves and Robbers, well knowing when it comes to the Push, the Mountains will prove the better Security: Nor is the Army at present in a much forwarder Posture for Fight, it being vilely defective in its Musters; but the worst provided of all are the Fleets in either Seas.

When at the same time the Treasury never more abounded in Cash,* 1.55 holding thereby the Sinews of War in his own hands; for which reason he sleeps, while the Burthen of the Kingdom is re∣jected, and the Weight thereof lies on the Chancellor's Shoulders. He has not for these Eleven Months past stirred out of his Pa∣lace, nor on any occasion shewed himself in publick; which hath created matter of doubt to the Populacy, whether he be well, or seized with any Distemper: But those that are better informed (for even the Actions of Princes cannot escape being canvass'd, however absolute they are) suspect him to be wallowing in his Libidinous Course of Life.

He lives like a Tyrant in his Den;* 1.56 for his Domesticks and his Whores, with whom he commits Bestialities (which are innume∣rable) often feel his Cruelty by unheard of Tortures; as witness the dilacerated Bodies found after the Removal of his Tents on any Pro∣gress; in confirmation whereof are many living Examples about this City, of those that have been his Menial Servants, conversant about his necessary Affairs, who slipping in any one Point, are daily to be seen escaping with their Lives, but not without the loss of some Member, sacrific'd to the Rage of an unreasonable Master. He is a Winebibber and a Drunkard; they reporting, That he is able, after his full Dose has already made him reel, to drink a large Flask, more than a Gallon, of Siras Wine, before he can be said to finish this Ex∣ploit by a silent consenting to have had enough: Nor can Sleep heal him, for as soon as he hath outworn his Dose, he with most greedy haste returns to his Vomit before he comes to himself; or if by chance he happen to be sober, the Brute gets up, and he is lost among the Women: To crown all, he is cursedly Covetous, beneath the Majesty of so great a Monarch, repining even at ordinary Ex∣pences: Whose Name, for fear it should perish, we come next to mention.

The Emperor's Name is Shaw Schelymon,* 1.57 or King Solomon, the Son of Shaw Abas; not of him that was truly stiled the Great; but however, he may be called, The Good, being a Lover of Christians;

by the Father's side, of the Sophian Extract; by the Mother's, of the House of Georgia, which Illustrious Dame still lives the Relict of her Worthy Husband; so that he is sprung from Kings of long Con∣tinuance: Which to understand the more clearly, we are to unfold the Succession from Sardanapalus his Reign, the last from Nimrod: After his killing himself, the Empire was divided into the Monarchy of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Medes.

Begun by Arbaces in the Year of the World, 3146. and ended by Cyrus, who restored the Ancient Honour to the Persian Sway; to whom succeeded Cambyses. After him, the Impostor Smerdis ob∣tained the Kingdom by the Craft of the Magi, until the Noble Otanes discovered him not to be the true and lawful Brother of Cam∣byses. When by the general Suffrage it was agreed, That he of Seven Competitors should be Emperor, whose Horse should Neigh first after they came to the Place appointed for the Choice; which Lot fell upon Darius Hydaspes, through the Cunning of his Groom, who caused his Masters Horse to Leap a Mare the Day before in the same Place. From him Xerxes and Artaxerxes Longimanus were elevated to the Supreme Dignity; from whom Darius the Mede, van∣quished by Alexander, was the Fifth in order; at whose Decease the Power was distracted among the Captains of the Conqueror; till Artabaces reunited it to Parthia first of all; then Artaxerxes, by Caracalla and Macrinus their Treacheries, cutting off Artabanus the last Parthian King, again Enthroned the Persians; who alternately reigned the space of Eight and twenty Kings, and then obscured by the Confluence of the Saracens; who continued till the Year of our Redemption, 1030; in which they implored Tangrolope and the Turk to accept the Royal Seat; from whose Promotion Cussanus was the Third, who was expelled in the Year 1202 by the Great Cham. Haalam was the first constituted King of the Tartarian Race: From him Abuzaid was the Ninth, who dying, they strove among them∣selves for the Kingdom; when Gemsus delivered himself and his Countrey from the Slavery it groaned under; whose Progeny at last Tamberlane,* 1.58 or Timurlan, extirpated. Timurlan's Dynasty being soon spent, Cussanes the Armenian presently put an end to that Stock, in the Year 1471; who gave his Daughter in Marriage to Adir Sophi, or rather Suffee, which signifies White; in Arabic, Suffet; wherefore Spahaun is corruptly so called, it being in the Persian Language Suf∣fahaun, or the City of the Whites; which since the Irruption of Tamerlane, the Scythians affect as well here as in India, (Mogul, as we have said, signifying no more in Indostan); which I purposely insert, having promised before to give the reason why this City should be called Suffahaun, as the Persians now do call it, and not Spahaun, or Ispahaun, as Strangers pronounce it.

Craving leave for this Digression;* 1.59 Adir Suffee, the Son of Guin Suffee, receiving Cussane's Daughter as his Wife, was enabled to re∣vive the lost Caliphship, a long while continued in his Family (tho obscurely), deriving it from Musa Cerasa, one of Hali's Twelve Successors; from which time till then it lay buried, as well by their own Divisions, as the Malice of the Turks, who disown that Extract of the Caliphship with the same Inveteracy to each others Claims,

as among us Papists and Protestants we dispute about the Lawful Suc∣cessor of our Saviour; for Haly took the Daughter of the false Prophet Mahomet to Wife, and thence took upon him and bore away the Suc∣cession of the Caliphs amongst the Persians; Repudiating Abubequer, or Abubezar, Omor and Osman, in right of Mahomet's Brother, with all the Turkish Followers; and thus the Suffean proclaim Mortis Haly the next of Kin, being Son-in-law to Mahomet, and in that Right Lawfully inducted into the Caliphship; and though hereby in pro∣cess of time the Caliphship and Empire were united, Adir Suffee maintaining his Claim and his Sons, at last got honourably enough into the Throne; yet here arose matter of perpetual Animosity, ne∣ver to be extinguished, while the Omerans, whence spring the Otto∣man Family and Sect, still Oppose, Contradict, and Persecute the Suffean Sect.

Insomuch that the last Imaum, or the last of the Twelve false Apostles, from Haly, by Name Mahomet Mehdi Saheb Elzamon, i. e. The Lord of Times, being taken by the Snares of the Omerans they would have slain him; when (say the Persians) God rendred him Invisible, and retains him out of harms way, and Alive, till Beggage come; which with us is rendred Antichrist; then the Lord of Times shall appear and shall reduce all those that are led away by Magical Inchantments, into the right way; declaring moreover, Christ Hazare Taissa at that time shall be restored to the Living, and be received by Mahomet Mehdi into his Service; that by his Prayers and Meritorious Intercession, he, with all the Faithful Mahometans, may be partakers of eternal Glory at the Day of Judgment. Not under∣standing in the mean time, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, both of things above and things below; and that there is no other name given in earth or heaven whereby we can be saved.

And while the Turks and Persians contend at this rate, it is alone the pretence of an everlasting War, while the Persians Espouse the Suffee, being uncertain where to place the Caliphship after the As∣sassination of Mahomet Mehdi, and the Inter-regnum thence ensuing, better than on this Adir Suffee, who though he was slain by Cussanes his Successors, was afterwards revenged by Ismael his Son, who was first saluted King of Persia, as well as acknowledged Caliph by right of Consanguinity; obtaining the first by right of Conquest Two hundred Years and more, after the Caliphship was covered in the Embers of Oblivion raked up, and in the Persian Annals is set down;

Shaw Ismael Mossy; whom follows Shaw Tomage; after him Shaw Mahmud Condubad; then Shaw Abas the Great:

Who when he had enlarged his Dominions from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea;* 1.60 and lastly, when he was about to wage War with the Sea it self, in the Year 1610, or thereabouts, having not one Port in the Bay of Persia before the Arrival of an English Ship, sent out by the Company of Merchants Trading then to this Place,

Commanded by Captain Joseph Wedal, when England was at Wars with Portugal, and Imaum Cooly Caun, the famous Warrier-General of the Emperor of Persia's Forces, was then set down against Ormus, and all the Harbours the Portugals had in Possession on this side the Gulf; which Ship of our Nation coming in, the Captain was im∣plored to Assist the Persians against his and the Emperor's Enemies, which the General asking, the Sea Captain consented to.

First Stipulating,* 1.61 That the Persian Soldiers should not meddle with the Spoils before the English Mariners were satisfied; (which were such of all sorts of Jewels, Gold and Silver, that they refused to carry off any more).

Secondly, That Bunder Abassee, now Gombroon, should Yearly divide Half the Customs between the English and Persians, and that whatever English Ship should enter the Port should be free from any manner of Tribute.

Thirdly, That it should be Lawful for them to Transport Twenty Horses, of which Number Two might be Mares, Yearly.

Provided First, That the English should keep Two Men of War constantly to defend the Gulf. And,

Secondly, That they should deliver the Portugals Forts into the Persians hands; in doing which the English should always be esteem∣ed the Emperor's Friends. And,

Lastly, Should have the First Seat in the Council, and their Agents be looked on with equal Grace to their Prime Nobility.

The Articles being Ratified on either side, the Enterprise is under∣taken; though of it self it was too great an Action for one Ship to perform, or even a well-appointed Navy, had they been upon their Guard (or any Commander to Promise without the Consent of the King his Master) wherefore the English betake themselves to Stra∣tagem, and gaining leave to Careen their Ship under their Guns, whilst the Portugals dreamt nothing less, they poured in Men (the Persians being hid under Deck) at unawares, that they were put into a Consternation before they could think of their Defence; whereby they became Masters presently of the Castle, strengthned both by Sea and Land, by this unexpected Attempt Vanquished, which otherwise was Invincible; being possessed whereof by this Rape, the rest of the Island soon fell prostrate to the Lust of the Sur∣prisers; and the English having got their Booty, left the Christians (Oh Impiety)! to be spoiled by the Infidels.

Which thing,* 1.62 as it gained us Esteem among the Persians, was the utter Ruin of the Lusitanian Greatness, it ever since declining, and is almost at its fatal Catastrophe; for immediately upon this, their Fleet before Muschat is Defeated, and they were driven out of all their strong Places in the Gulf, so that the Loss was greater than if they had lost Mosambique, from whence they have their Gold; because all the Trade of the World centred here, all Merchandize both going and coming paid them Tribute; that the Wealth of this place thus entred was incredible; yet to see the just Vengeance

(where private Avarice and Pelf is preferred before Virtue and Ho∣nesty, and a due Respect to the only Supreme Deity) overtakes those Wretches who were the cause of their Overthrow. How it fell out with the Persians, who seemed to have the juster Cause, I cannot tell; but some of Those People now alive, who were the Un∣doers of These, are as Miserable, and it may be more, than those they made so; the Captain's Children having been known to go anights to the Brew-house for Grains for their Subsistence, and the rest of them who are still surviving are the unhappy scorn of all that know them; whereas they thought by this deed to have purchased a lasting Fame, and lived to have enjoyed their Ill-got Goods; which how it did thrive at home, those from whose Information I take this, have been, in part, Eye-witnesses; but here I am sure, at this time both Persians, Arabs, and Turks, fare the better for it, while they have divided among themselves what was entirely the Portugals; the Persians in the mean while doing what they please with us, so that at this present, all things considered, they allow us little more than a Name; but even here the truth must be confessed, it is be∣cause we have no Ships to guard the Gulf; which if done, and the Persians could be made to stand to their first Terms, in my Opinion must turn to a good account, and be a thing of greater concern than can be well managed by less than a Royal Company; though as things now stand they have free recourse to Tigris and Euphrates, this Sea being open, which was always kept shut by the Portugals, to their no small profit.

This Emperor,* 1.63 Shaw Abas, in whose time this was Atchiev'd, was Cotemporary with our King James I. who had been happy in a Son, if the Fates had not envied so great a Man his Father's Favour; but for his Virtue he reaped Hatred; for there were not wanting fawning Parasytes, who abused the Emperor's Ears by spreading abroad, and casting out words, as if his Son Mirza Suffee courted the Popular Air; whereupon he withdrew his Countenance, and deprived him of the common Light, by that barbarous Custom of the hot Iron drawn over his Eye-balls; but seeing that could not sufficiently break his Spirit, he having gone thus far, could not rest till he had per∣fected his Mortality by Poyson: Thus what Virtue had raised to full growth, Jealousy soon cut off, although he could leave no bet∣ter Effigies of his Manners, Virtue, Constancy, Piety, and towardly Disposition, than his Son Suffee; to whom our Countryman Dreyden has ventured to give Immortality in his Tragedy called, The Sophy; which

Suffee after his Grandfather's death enjoyed the Throne; who when he gave place to Death; permitted

Shaw Abas the Good, who was the Father of

Shaw Scholymon, the present Emperor:

Who is a Man of a good Presence,* 1.64 and of no mean Capacity, unless by indulging his Body he thickens his Understanding, as well as he has made his Body Gross; he is Tall and very Fleshy, so that when he stirs or laughs, all the Muscles of the Scapula, as well as Ribs,

move together. In the beginning of his Reign, like another Nero, he gave good Specimens of his Inclinations, not unworthy the He∣roes that were his Ancestors; but when he began to hearken to Flat∣terers, and give himself over to Idleness, he left off to Govern, and listed himself in the service of Cruelty, Drunkenness, Gluttony, Lasciviousness, and abominable Extortion, where he perpetrated things not only uncomely to be seen, but even offensive to the Ears; wherefore at his libidinous Feasts, to enquire what he transacts, or how he behaves himself, is fitter for an Aretin than a modest Author.

But when he is enthroned and encompassed with the flower of his Courtiers,* 1.65 and gives Audience to Foreign Ministers; the manner is thus:

An Ambassador is Introduced his Presence by the Master of the Ceremonies, who instructs him and tells him his Duty; the Emperor is Seated on a Throne alone, boulstred up by Embroidered Cushions; his Counsellors are placed behind him, with Caps on, proper to the Kings and Magi of Persia, the Emperor being distinguished only by one White Plume of Feathers from theirs; when the Ambassa∣dor enters his Presence, he makes three profound Obeysances, after which he is permitted to deliver his Message, and then produces his Presents to the Emperor, having gratified the Chief Officers before his Admission.

Those Men of Note that are Governors, or Cauns, stand now at∣tending with Guns hung over their Shoulders, performing the Ser∣vice of our Gentlemen Pensioners: If the Emperor is pleased to Honour the Person entring, or is pleased with the Message, he or∣ders him to sit at his Feet, and a Table to be richly spread: About the King stand Vessels of Gold beset with Gems, and the Carpets, are of high Value, one of which, not a Yard Square, I saw worth Fourscore Thomands; and all his Plates he Eats out of, are Gold inlaid, or beset with Jewels, as well as the Cups he Drinks out of; as Lipsius Notes the Custom of Old; Capacibus gemmis inter se propinarent: So Lucan, Gemmaeque capaces excipere Merum; and Cicero confirms it in ver. 4. Non pauca pocula ex auro, quoe ut mos est, Regibus & maxime in Syria gemmis erant distincta clarissimis.

Whatever Cup the Ambassador is drunk to out of by the Empe∣ror, whether of Gold Enammelled, or beset with Jewels, it is fil∣led with the same Liquor, and the Cup is his Fee of Right, which, first Pledging the Emperor, he receives and carries away with him: The Civility of the Court being passed, he is Clothed with his Reti∣nue in an honourable Habit; and if the Petition be granted, he wears the Pharmond open in his Turbat, to be seen by all as he is re∣conducted from the Palace to his Lodging.

When the King pleases to Mount on Horseback, he is guarded by a mighty Band of Horsemen that follow him; before him pass a Legion of Footmen, all with Guns, and Shotters, or Pages, about his Horse in great Crouds; these all wear Feathers; the first in a kind of Hat or Steeple-Crowned Cap, the other in their Turbats, which are covered with them, but the Gunmen have only one Plume

bolt upright; the others are of any Colour, and sometimes many Colours.

When the Emperor marches out with his Women,* 1.66 and all the Se∣raglio, it is forbidden the Day before by a Publick Cryer, for any Man on pain of Death to invade his Walks; nor is it lawful for any one to stay within doors, though sick or decrepit with Age, till the Female Procession is passed by; which observes this Order; The King, like a Dunghil Cock, struts at the Head of the Amazonian Army; him, his Mother follows, and the Royal Consorts, which are reckoned as Wives; all the rest, Concubines or Slaves, accord∣ing to the Grace they have merited; carrying Hawks on their Fists, get a straddle on Horseback, bearing Consort to the Musick Gereed, i. e. Tilt and Turnament, play with the Ball as Men do. For this Effeminate Shew, Virgil's Description for Dido may serve:

Oceanum interea surgens Aurora reliquit, It portis jubare exorto castrata juventus, Retia rura plagae, lato venabula ferro Regem quem Thalamis cunctantem ad limina prima Charbaug Astroque insignis & auro, Stat sonipes ac fraena ferox spumantia mandit. Tandem progreditur magna stipante Caterva; Illi Londina estque chlamys circumdata limbo His pharetra ex humeris crines noduntur in unum.

The early Morn had left the Sea, And flaming Day bore Company; When the Gelt Youth afore the doors, Stood pimping to the King and 's Whores; With Nets and Toils for Countrey Sport, At the Charbaug expect the Court; Where in as ample manner wait The fiery Courser, full of State; Bedeck'd with Gold he chews the Bit, And paws and foams as he were hit. At length comes forth with a great Train, The mighty Monarch through a Lane: A Scarlet Cloak, edg'd with a Welt, Was thrown him o're, and hid his Belt. But the Women that went with him, Were clad with Silk, and may be Linen. Yet all their Hair was ti'd in Braids, And Bow and Arrow by their sides.

If he chuse a Nocturnal Perambulation, he makes them put on the Dress of the several Nations they belong to; Europeans in Hat and Feather; Turks, Indians, and Arabians, in their own Habit; and having Tapers in their hands they go two and two abreast; and be∣tween every third File an Eunuch with a large Flambeaux marches, bot•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spy and Guard.

The Soldiers that are to guard the Outskirts, are relieved by a Band of Eunuchs, who line the Way for their Passage, and spare none that are led out of Curiosity to behold this Sight; but upon disco∣very, never examining who they are, discharge their Pieces, as if they had found a Wild Beast; for which they receive great Com∣mendation from the King, and are rewarded with great Gifts, get∣ting thereby into the Chief Places of Trust in the Family.

The most ready for this Mischief are the Black Eunuchs,* 1.67 the White being generally more sparing of Life, and less inclined to such unnatural Barbarities; wherefore he has Regiments of both, the one to serve his Pleasure, the other his Black Purpose.

Thus is the Life of this Prince taken up, rarely permitting him∣self to be seen either by Strangers or his own Subjects; according to that Ancient Axiom of the Empire, Majestati major è longinquo re∣verentia; as if they feared that of Livy, Continuus aspectus minus verendos magnos homines facit; Lest an often appearing to the Vulgar should make them contemptible and common.

But that which he least cares for,* 1.68 is to go forth armed at the Head of his Army, against his Enemies, chusing rather to be Terrible at Home under the Persian Banner, (which when displayed, is, A Bloody Sword with a double Point, in a White Field, and is always carried next the Emperor's Person) than become Formidable abroad to his Foes: Let others reap those hazardous Praises of Grinning Honour, he has no Stomach nor no Mind to Feats of Arms, whilst

Colorogosse, the Generalissimo, leads the Host. Corgee Bashee, Adjutant-General, is next him, Commander of Twelve thousand Horse. Min Bashee is a Colonel of a Thousand Horse. Eus Bashee, Captain of an Hundred Horse.

Below this Office none of Noble Extract will accept, chusing ra∣ther to ride Volunteers till they gain Preferment, being listed Goloomy Shaws, the King's Slaves, which is a Title they of the highest Dignity pride themselves in.

Under these, those who compose the Main Body of the Cavalry, are the Cusle Bashees, or with us, the Chevaliers; who are not left quite without hopes of rising by a just Desert, for the Prize lies open to them as well as others; and they are often advanced on that score to great Authority, both to animate them to atchieve, and their Superiors to prevent their being put over their heads; for, Ʋbi ho∣nos non est, ibi cupiditas gloria•• esse non potest: Where Honour is not the Recompence, there can hardly be a desire of Glory. Where∣fore of these are made Sub-centurions, Commanders of Fifty, and so downwards to Ten Horses.

These,* 1.69 agreeable to the Old Scythian Custom, smite their Enemies with Arrows at a distance, and Hand to Fist fight with Sword and Spear, (though they are long since skill'd in Weapons of another nature, as Guns and Pistols.) Their Bows are shorter than ours, not made of Wood, but glutinated Horn; which being not so long, makes them more serviceable on Horseback; but being made of Horn, they

are less fit for Rainy Weather: They draw their Bows with the Thumb armed with an Horn Ring, not after the same manner as our Archers do. The full number of their Cavalry may be Sixty thousand Horsemen compleat, many whereof are double-hors'd; out of so great a Strength, Six thousand Horsemen are upon constant Duty every day.

More than these,* 1.70 as a Guard du Corps to the King's Majesty, when he is to take the Air abroad (within doors they are Footmen, abroad Horsemen) a select Band wait on his Person, of the same Race with the King, challenging Kindred with Adir Suffee, but of a lower Stock than to conspire against the Empire, and are therefore bound in a common Tye of Consanguinity to preserve a firm Faith for the Head of their Tribe, as well as the Common Father of the Coun∣trey: And since their Pretence reaches no higher than a Superstitious Affinity, or Adoption rather, the Throne is so far out of danger by them, that they are the Chief Pillars that support it; they being allowed to brag both of their being of the Blood of their Emperor and their Prophet, which obliges them to a double Obedience both of Children and Subjects.

The countenancing of this Sect,* 1.71 is not to be ascribed to this plau∣sible Argument, more than to put a Check to the growing Perverse∣ness of the Siads, boasting their Original from Mahomet himself, and to be more immediately sprung from his House and Lineage: These are so bold as to infringe the Royal Prerogatives, and to let the Em∣peror know, That whenever he girts his Sword about him, he ought to draw it only in their Defence, and at their Commands; not de∣spotically to rule according to his own Dictates, but patiently sub∣mit to their Instructions: This Order is uneasy under Monarchy, nor are they for any Government where they are not uppermost. A Doctrine unpleasant to the Absoluteness of the Persian Emperors; and had not the Sword of the one the prevalency of the others Preach∣ing, it were no ways to be redressed; for as the one keeps them in Awe, so the Reverence paid the other on account of their Religion, makes them presume to inveigh, and often raise Factions against their Princes.

Wherefore the Foresight of their August Ancestry is commenda∣ble, in providing another Church-Militant Tribe to suppress and re∣claim the Insolencies of the Siads; for out of respect to their own Laws, which are still unalterable, as well as to withhold their Hands from violating what the People repute as Sacred, they rather sought by one Nail to drive out another, than openly to denounce War against them: Wherefore when they find themselves perplexed with the same Dilemma, they seek not to abrogate any former Decree of their Emperors by a direct Contradiction, but study to impugn it some other ways: As for Example; In Shaw Abas the Great's time, on the days of their Feasts and Jubilees, Gladiators were approved and licensed; but feeling afterwards the Evils that attended that Liberty, which was chiefly used in their Hossy Gossy, any private Grudge being then openly revenged; it never was forbid, but it passed into an Edict by the following King, That it should be lawful to kill any found with Naked Swords in that Solemnity. And on these substan∣tial

grounds this new Order enjoys not only the Name of Suffees, but the Emperor himself will be their Captain, and suffers none else to head them, and thence takes on him the specious Name and Title of Grand Suffee; and to perpetuate their Memory, has given it in∣delibly to Spahaun, for this reason joined with the former, to be cal∣led Suffahaun.

To distinguish these from the others,* 1.72 who cloathe themselves in Green Attire, and forbid it to any else, they wear an high Red Vel∣vet Cap, plaited at top like a Cap of Maintenance; whence on a Wooden Crest they fix a little Brass Ball, tied on with three wreathen Chains, which they bring down strait to the fore-part of the Bonnet, whose lower Brim is bound about with a White Sash, and some∣times a Plume of one Feather is set up with the Crest, much after the same Fashion the Noble Senators wear in the King's Presence: Besides which they have a Surcoat of Scarlet Cloth, as it were in defiance to the Grass green of the Siads; so much monopolized by them, that in Turky, if any other wear it, he pays dearly for his Folly: The Grand Signior's Standard is also of that Colour, being called Mahomet's Banner: In opposition to whom, the Grand Suffee erects a double-pointed Bloody Sword in a White Field, and brings it out in honour of Mortis Ally.

To his adopted Kindred (now Regulars under him,* 1.73 their Chief) are many Privileges granted, and by them to be held inviolable.

They are allowed a peculiar Missa, or Service, in a Chappel apart in the Alacoppe, or place where the Grand Council sit, where they attend the King, or one in his stead, every Friday Night, at the Sa∣crament of Holway, (or Wafer made up in Sweetmeats,) in Imita∣tion of the Shew-bread.

When any one has run into Debt, or committed any Capital Crime, as Murther, Adultery, Theft, or the like; if the one to defraud his C••editor, and the other to avoid the hands of Justice, make their Escape to the Alacoppe, the first Gate of the Palace-Royal, or to the King's Stables, and implore their Protection, and they engage for their Refuge, it is a Piacular Offence to force them thence; nor will they resign them to the Emperor, though he command them to be taken from their Sanctuary.

Nor are they so wholly devoted to compassionate others Afflicti∣ons, as to defend their own Rights; for whosoever's Face the Em∣peror commands them to cover, they are dead in Law; nor will they scruple being Executioners, no more than the Roman Lictors, who bore the Rods and Axes; the latter of which are their proper Weapons of War, as well as a fit Badge of their Office.

Their prescribed Number cannot enlarge its self to all of their Sect; wherefore they are interspersed among the common People, some following Trades and Husbandry, and others other Employ∣ments; retaining always their Habit, which none of the Vulgar dare affront or strike, however provoked; but taking off their Suf∣fean Cap first, and kissing it, laying it down reverently, they will not then be afraid to cuff them, or drub them to purpose; being careful in the mean while to offer no Indignity to the Order, while they revenge themselves on the Persons.

Besides these, there is another Mark of Honour wholly in the King's Power,* 1.74 and never bestowed but on those of the Prime No∣bility, and those who have endeared him by some famous Perfor∣mance, for which they are signalized by wearing a small Kettle∣drum at the Bow of their Saddles in their Cities; which at first was invented for the training of Hawks, and to call them to the Lure, and is worn in the Fields by all Sportsmen for that end; but he who is rewarded with it from the King, is a Man of Supreme Dignity; and therefore,

—Titulo dignatus equestri Virtutem titulis titulos virtutibus ornans.

—A Knight of high Degree Adorns his Title by his Chivalry.

And thus having muster'd the Horse,* 1.75 let us dismount and take an Account of the Foot, who are not so formidable for Multitudes as Valour; the Infantry are all Gun-men, and are better in Garison, and under Covert, than in open Field, fighting Hand to Fist; chiefly because having been brought up under that Discipline, they are un∣acquainted with any other way of Engagement. But the Georgian Veterans (who are in the same nature among the Persians, as the Janizaries among the Turks) will stand it out either for Victory or Death; both Persians and Georgians, are thus disposed of in their Ranks:

• The First Order is Cool, Their Sa∣lary 9 Thomands per An. At the King's Charge for Cloaths and Diet.
• The Second Order is Corge, Their Sa∣lary 6, without Charges.
• The Third, Jeserve, Their Sa∣lary 5, all Charges defray'd.

Which are the King's own Regiments, walking with Feathers in their high Hats, armed with Muskets and Axes.

• The Fourth, Topangee, Their Sa∣lary 5 Thomands, without Charges defray'd.
• The Fifth, Taterdars, Their Sa∣lary 4 Thomands, without Charges defray'd.

Armed only with Poleaxes and Muskets.

Of whose certain Number, Rumour and common Fame must be be∣lieved, where no other Notice can be had.

There are in readiness 40000 Georgians: Besides 80000 Statio∣naries to and again in Garisons.

All these receive their Pay out of the King's Treasury, or from Set Rents.

To these may be added the Provincial Cohorts, as Subsidiary Forces, which are reserved for the last Push, to succour the declining

Army in great Necessity: These differ both in the manner of their Function and Pay: Otherwise, whatever the other foregoing Orders perform to the Emperor, these are bound to pay to their respective Cauns, receiving their Pensions from the alotted Lands of several Colonies, not from the common Bank.

The lowest Degree of all these are the Watchmen on the Roads,* 1.76 maintained at the Charge of the Shawbunder, to clear the Ways of Robbers, and to demand Custom; for which, if any are set upon, in the King's Highway, whatever Loss is sustained, the Countrey is at no Charge, neither does the Merchant or Traveller suffer the Da∣mage; but whatever is entred at the Custom-house, the Shawbunder becomes obliged to see safe through the Kingdom, and makes full Sa∣tisfaction for any Miscarriage of this nature. The Men that serve under this Warfare are armed with Halberts, Bills, and Falchions, and are hired by the Day as need requires.

Now follow the Sons of Nereus,* 1.77 or the Seamen; these in the Persian Gulph are either Fishermen, or such as brush the Ocean to get a Penny by Freight: What are in the Caspian Sea, I cannot be positive in my Relation, but I never heard them boast of more hardy ones: In the Persian Bay, they have at Ormus, Bunder-Abassee, La∣rack, and Kismash, some few Gallies laid up, but unprovided either of Men or Tackle; and if at any time they are launched, they fill them out of the Provincial Auxiliaries under the Caun of Bunder. Thus have we run through this kind of Warlike Men from Top to Bottom.

CHAP. XIII.

Of their Bookmen and Books; of their Religion and Religious Worship; of their Notions in Philosophy; of Heaven and Hell: Their Astronomers, Physicians, and Lawyers.

AFter These come the Academicks;* 1.78 for such is the Civility of these Regions, that Arms take place of the Gown, Letters being of small Esteem among them; for the Incitements to Study are but few, the Toil and Labours are many; whereby it is no won∣der that slenderness of Profit, and Assiduity, should be alike irksome; when on the contrary, a Military Condition slights these Inconve∣niences and Austerities, and lives more at large, taking Pleasure, and commanding all where they come, and are in a continual Pro∣spect of Advancement: On which score, a Learned or a Noble Clerk in these Parts is as rare as a Black Swan, they being raised to that Station out of the Dregs of the People.

The School-Language among the Persians is Arabick,* 1.79 as Latin is held so among us; in which not only the Mysteries of their Alcoran, but of all their Sciences are written.

They have their Grammars,* 1.80 Dictionaries, and Vocabulaes, in which are the Roots of the Arabick Tongue, which with other

Books are all written with the Pen by great Industry and Pains,* 1.81 not committed to the Press; wherefore they are chargeable, and less free from Errors; to correct which, they compare with others more cor∣rect, one reading with a loud Voice, while the other takes notice of the Faults: They reckon Fifty Letters to a Verse, and for a Thou∣sand Verses of ordinary Writing, they give Two Abcees; from Five to Ten and upward, for that which is more exquisite; after this rate are their Books for Sale valued. An Account of the Character being stated, they numerate the Verses of any one Page, and multiplying the other Pages thereby, the Price of the Book is produced: If there be Lines of Gold, Silver, Oker, or the like, surrounding the Mar∣gin, for Ornament, as is their Custom, they reckon nothing for them, but bestow them gratis on the first Buyer, and only pass as a better Grace to set off the Book; they being mightily taken with a fair Hand and good Writing. This agrees with the Custom of the Ancient Romans:

Candida nec nigrâ cornua fronte geras Nec titulus minio nec cedro charta notetur. Ovid. Et Frontis gemino decens honore Et Cocco rubens superbus index. Martial.

They use Indian Ink,* 1.82 being a midling sort, betwixt our common Ink, and that made use of in Printing: Instead of a Pen, they make use of a Reed, as in India.

The Children of Nobles,* 1.83 or other Rich Men, are brought up at home, not stirring out of their Houses without a Train of Eunuchs and Servants, for fear of Sodomy, so much practised among the pestilent Sect of Mahometans: Other Children of Inferior Rank are taught in their Publick Schools for a small matter.

Their Childhood being passed,* 1.84 and they beginning to write Man, they frequent the Schools and Colleges, and every one chuses a Ma∣ster where he pleases; and having chose him, after a few Months leaves him at his own Will, and goes over to another: For such a strange Itch is here of Learning, that before they are half way in∣structed in one Book, they are desirous to be perfected in another; and before they have read Philosophy, Morality, or any other Sci∣ence to qualify them, they leap into the Alcoran; for here are neither Publick Professors to examine, or Publick Acts to be kept, either in Divinity, Law, or Physick: They are constituted by the Primate of their cursed Fabulous Doctrine, without formal Disputation, or other Approbation than the Popular Fame, Interest of Friends, and a false Appearance of a Pious Life, and are introduced by these means into the Pensions and Benefices of their Wealthiest Mosques.

Whence it comes to pass that they are so inclinable to read to all Comers;* 1.85 for he whose Lectures are most frequented, stands fairest in the Noisy Applause of the Town, and seldom misses of Promo∣tion; though it is known many of them consume their Patrimony in purchasing Disciples, and after all, reap nothing but Poverty for their Pains: Which kind of Philosophers are always attended with

Envy and Ambition; nor care they who they defame, may they but extol themselves: And after a long Invective both of Master and Scholar, against whomever they think fit to bespatter, or they are in danger of being outdone by, insulting in the mean while over them as the greatest Dunces and Asses in Nature; at length, out of kindness to themselves, having stretched their own Worth to the highest pitch (lest the swoln Bladder should burst by too much Wind) they feign an humble self-reprehension; which because nothing is more practised, I will use their own Phrase: Ezked tacrit goufton ai behest amma hemme kess me donet.

It is indecent for a Man to speak his own Praise; but were I silent, this is a Justice you would do me,

it being nothing but what you know. Whereby it is vi∣sible, if they abate of their own Tumour, it is likely to be very little to the favour of him they declaim against.

Notwithstanding these Tricks and disingenuous Insinuations, yet this scabby Herd increases so, that they are at their Wits ends how to live: Some find Mecoenas's among the Noblemen, and content them∣selves to live slavishly, according to their Humours, for a Morsel of Bread: Others, by saving what they have scraped up from the poor Trade of Scribes, and teaching School, hire an House, purchase an Horse, and a Servant to run before them, (it being a sign of the greatest Poverty to foot it through the City); and if by good Luck they get a Name, and are reputed Men of Note for Learning, they then enlarge their Stock and Family: And these are they that pride themselves in being the greatest Doctors among them, and so set up for Academies of their own; and teach Aristotle's Dialect, and the Four Figures of Syllogism; though the Question being pro∣pounded, they bind not themselves up to the strict Rules thereof; but they beg the Premise by way of Interrogation, as a Truth grant∣ed, and from thence draw their Conclusions.

The Terms of Negation and Concession are exotic among the Persians,* 1.86 contending that Distinctions and Laconical Evasions, on which the Stress of the Aristotelian Doctrine seems to be laid, are not to be held for the true Solution of the Argument; but by a long Harangue and Affluence of Speech, the Auditors are brought both to admire them, and be of their side; whereupon the greater the Convention of Auditors is, the more earnest will their Contention be; for to yield in such Assemblies, is not at all to be expected, un∣less he that holds his Tongue first, intends to lose both his Credit and his Cause.

Universals,* 1.87 Catagories, and their depending Questions, they of∣ten reject; concerning the nature of a Body, Place, Vacuum, Cor∣ruption, Quantities, and Qualities, they inform their Students after the Aristotelian way; being unacquainted with the Resolution of Causes of Sublunary Beings by Atoms, according to our modern Cartesian Disciples, revived in honour of Epicurus; whom they sup∣pose they have sufficiently Confuted by the Name of Zimorat, with some vain and boyish Instances against Composition without Interruption and infinite Particles; preaching up a Vacuum, where∣by they believe the Absurdity to be demonstrated.

In their Theology, after the Contemplation of One Eternal Di∣vinity, after its Unity and Attributes, which they maintain to be all one with its Essence; they hold the World to be from Eternity, and such a Treatise of the Soul and Passions, with the other precisi∣ons of the Intellect, which is no where to be found in Metaphysicks. In these, as in their other Speculations, they cleave so pertinaciously to their Books and undoubted Authors, as if it were piacular to de∣part from their Traditions.

They fancy to themselves a Chimerical Creation of the World by Ten Intelligencies, which by the same inexpugnable Reason passes in∣to their Creed; and being freight with this Notion, they say, from one most simple Cause can proceed no more than one Effect; and therefore God framed the first Intelligence, and that mediating the First Heaven, and so in their subaltern order to the Tenth.

That the World was many Ages before Adam and Eve,* 1.88 (our first Parents Eduction out of the Earth) Inhabited by Devils; and that the Possession thereof was so long entrusted in their Hands, till they had extirminated the true Worship of God (which at first they applied themselves Religiously to observe) and gave themselves up to Uncleanness and Prophaneness; when Man was Created in their room, and they cast out of any farther Possession, and Men took their Places.

That Souls were from all Eternity, and commanded by God on the actual Exigency of any Body to enter a Relation, or a certain dependency with them, not an Information, or real Presence, tota in toto & tota in quâlibet parte corporis vitam habentis; being all in all, and all in every part where Life does exist; from this foolish Con∣ception of theirs, they attribute Place and Circumscription to the Soul; therefore they Object not a Spiritual, but a Corporal Sub∣stance to be inferred.

They acknowledge Four kinds of Causes, viz. Material, Formal, Efficient and Final; they allow not of an exemplary, but admit of a total Cause; by which they understand such an one as no conditi∣on is defective to put it into Act; and on these Foundations they suppose the World's Creation from Eternity to be enough proved.

The Books of greatest vogue,* 1.89 are those of Corge Nessir Tussi, of the City Tuss, in the Province of Korasam, wrote Five hundred years ago; he, as it is credible, understood the Greek Lan∣guage as well as others; from whence he has explained some Anci∣ent Authors, as Euclid, P••olomy's Alguma and Opticks, and has re∣duced them into a Compendium, as also the Works of Plato. Some Expositors they have of their Law, with Rules of Justice and Morality; which they admire and extol to the Skies, and rest impli∣citly on the ipse dixit of their Prophet, never enquiring farther: If any thing happen to oppose common Sense, they protract the meaning Mysteriously or Anagogically, not to the disquisition of the Truth, but to defend their Fopperies. Among which they have in the first esteem, the Written Letter of their Prophet, as immediately prescribed by him, and these are Oracular. In the Second place, those who are since published by the Mahometan Sectators, and these are look'd upon as Human; any whereof, if they appear foolish, yet

they doubt not but their Prophet uttered them, that he might bring himself to the Capacities of his Hearers, and of the Arabians, to whom he was sent to call them from Idolatry to the Worship of the only One God; for which the Persians make this Answer, Should a Doctor talk to a Rustick, and speak as if he were discoursing with a Professor, and not conform himself to the apprehension of the Countryman, How should he be understood? Which course, say they, Mahomet took for the better Information of his Proselytes.

Who leaving Natural Causes, declares these Secrets were Revealed to him: That

The Winds were raised by an Angel's moving his Wings.* 1.90

The Flux and Reflux of the Sea was caused by an Angel's putting his Foot on the middle of the Ocean, and compressing the Waves, the Waters ran to the Shores, which being removed, they retired to their proper station.

Falling Stars are the Firebrands wherewith the Good Angels drive away the Bad when they are too sawcily inquisitive, and ap∣proach too near the Empyreum (the Virge of the Heavens) to hearken to, and eves-drop the Secrets there.

Thunder is nothing else but the Cracking of an Angel's Whip, while he slashes the dull Clouds to such and such a place, where Rains are wanting to make the Earth fertile and remedy its Driness.

Eclipses, he delivers, happen not by the mutual Interjection of the Heavenly Bodies, but that the Sun and Moon are shut in a Pipe (a Cupboard as well) and turned up and down, and that from each Pipe is a Window by which they enlighten the World; but when God is angry at the Inhabitants thereof for their Transgressi∣ons, he bids an Angel clap to the Window, and turn the Lights towards Heaven from the Earth; then the Light is taken away from the unworthy Miscreants, and an Eclipse is made; for which occasi∣on he has left them Forms of Prayers to be used by the Mahometans, that God would be pleased to avert his Judgments and restore Light to the World. In an Eclipse of the Moon they beat Pots and Pans, or any other brazen Instrument, as in time of Idolatry it was a pre∣vailing Custom, even in Europe (as well as here and in India) which still some ignorant Old Women, and the dregs of the People are ready enough to continue; for the Tradition was handed down to them, wherewith they were seduced of Yore, that the Moon might be Inchanted, and unless it were roused up by this Noise would certainly fall down dead asleep upon the Earth from Heaven.

Juvenal in his Satyrs Comments pleasantly enough on the Garrulity of the Female Sex, by this Invective on one of them:

Ʋna laboranti possit succurrere Lunae.

Whose Tongue alone could help the Moon, Recover its Lethargick Swoon.

But the incomparably witty Persians have an evasion for this,

telling this Tale; Their Learned Doctor Nessir (on whose Words they'•• Swear) had Predicted to the Reigning King an Eclipse of the Moon, but fearing lest the drowsy King should be asleep, and so he should lose the fruit of his Prediction, persuaded the Vulgar, that to drive away the ill Influences the Eclipse Presaged, they would smite with all their force on such Instruments; whereby the King being perfectly awaked, he lift up both his Hands and his Eyes in Astonishment, and admired the Skill of his Astrologer, for which he was well Rewarded. But this is but a Story, however positive they are, since it was a Custom all the World over long before.

Their Thick-scull'd Prophet has set another Angel at work for Earthquakes, who is to hold so many Ropes tied to every Quarter of the Globe; and at God's Command, he is to pull and so shakes that part of the Globe; and if a City, Mountain, or Tower, be to be overturned, then he tuggs harder at the Pulley, till the Rivers dance and the Valleys are filled with Rubbish, and the Water swallowed up in the Precipices. Such Stuff as this he has abundance of; and the most impartial Interpreter of the Alcoran, as the Mahometans themselves confess, can afford no better: But for all that they hold that it contains profound meanings; for it has several degrees of Senses, the second of which it is hardly possible for the greatest Doctor to apprehend; wherein are couched Words of such efficacy, which if they were pronounced by Unpolluted Lips, and whoever should understand them and Pray, might both Raise the Dead and work Miracles; and that of an unquestioned truth this Book came from God, as both the Foecundity of Stile, and admirable Eloquence doth testify. For they are not afraid prophanely to say, That God accommodated his Missions to Place, Age, and the exigency of Times; in the Days of Christ there were excellent Physicians, Irlenus, i. e. Galen, Pichagor, Pockate, Afflaton, (prodigious Re∣concilers of Time!) all these Healed Diseases by their Plants and Herbs; but God to outdo these, gave Christ Power to Raise those from the Dead who had been Buried; acknowledging withal, that this Prophet exceeded the degree of meer Man.

When Moses lived, many Magicians and Cunning Men were entertained by Pharaoh; God therefore gave Moses a more wonder∣ful Art, that his Serpent should devour theirs, whereby they were compelled to own him sent from God.

And now to nick Mahomet, when he had the Impudence to set up for a Prophet, Oratory was in its full perfection; wherefore Ma∣homet, by the Ministration of the Angel Gabriel, brought forth the Chapters of his Alcoran; which when he had proposed to the Wisest Men of that Age to pronounce but Three or Four thereof, and they not being able, were forced to confess, that That Work must be certainly of God, since they knew Mahomet to be Illiterate; which he relates in his Alcoran, and takes thence an opportunity to boast, undervaluing the Psalms of David in the mean while (which are David's Psalms) because they know not with what Figures of Words and Sentences they are Illuminated, nor with what vehe∣mency they incite a Devout Soul; that the Persian Interpreter, could he express the Numbers and Elegancies of Speech contained

in the Hebrew, would leave off to admire the Nonsense of the Alcoran, and look upon the mistake with detestation: Nor would they dare to call their Impostor, as they do, the continual flowing Miracle of Rhetorick, but rather a meer Stammering Fool, and his Bastard-brood the Alcoran, Sottishness.

The Antiquaries among the Christians,* 1.91 who have searched more narrowly into this upstart Religion-Monger, have scented who was his real Instructor, though he belied the Archangel Gabriel; for this Hodge podge was forged between him and one Sergius a Monk, who fled to him in Arabia, when the Nestorian Heresy, which he professed, was Condemned in Syria; Mahomet received him, being now risen to Power from a poor Lad, of the Father's side a Pagan, by the Mother a Jew; by their joint perverting the Holy Bible, sprang up this Motly of Blasphemous Dotages; in which that he made use of Sergius as his Tutor, may be discovered by some Footsteps still appearing out of the very Alcoran; for in the Chapter entitled Nahil, thus it is rendred word for word; The People accuse thee, that whatever thou pretendest to utter as from God, thou art taught all this by thy Companion.

But the whole matter is related by Pomponius Loet.* 1.92 and Igna∣tius; thus Sergius the Master of Mahomet, was, as many believe, the Author of the Monothelites also: He cherished the wicked Heresy of Arius and Nestorius; therefore being Excommunicate, by the Orthodox, he was sent a Vagabond into Banishment, and at length he came into Arabia, where the false Prophet Mahomet obliged him by his Friendship, and by him learn'd to corrupt the Holy Scriptures, so as to frame a New Religion, which was neither Christian, nor altoge∣ther Jewish, but a Composition of both, obliterating what was not to their purpose; whereupon the Hagareens and Saracens, held Ma∣homet not only as their King, but also as a Prophet Divinely Inspi∣red, and follow him in all his Absurdities.

He denied the Trinity, affirming it to be ridiculous to believe Christ to be God; wherefore with Socinus and Eumenius, he allowed him to be only a Creature, but with Carpocrates, an Holy Prophet. He held with Cedren, that it was a thing impossible that God should Beget a Son who never had a Wife.

With the Manachites he would not have Christ Crucified, but ano∣ther so like him that he could not be distinguished.

With the Disciples of Origen, he held that after a Revolution of time the Devils might be Sav'd; ascribing with the Anthropomorphites, Members and Human Shape to the Deity; placing, with Cerinthus, all Felicity in Pleasure.

He has Commanded Circumcision, with Elion, though with Eu∣crates, he has forbidden Wine to his Disciples; he Damns those to Hell that speak against the Alcoran, asserting it to be given by Inspiration.

Friday is his Sabbath;* 1.93 and two Fasts are by his appointment, the one the First Moon of October, the other before the New Year at the Vernal Equinox.

Polygamy is his Masterpiece,* 1.94 it being lawful to play the Brute with what Women they please; although to Eat Swines Flesh be a

Crime unpardonable; attributing to Beasts, as well as Men, a capa∣bility of a Resurrection.

The Holy Baptism he explodes as insignificant, preferring thereto his Superstitious Washing before Prayers, and at Exonerating the Body; he lets them not Cut the Foreskin before the Eighth Year; he esteems the Eucharist given in Commemoration of Christ, as fri∣volous, because he confesses not that he suffered Death; but that the Eucharist was instituted of God for the benefit of worthy Receivers, and for the destruction of such as should not receive it worthily.

His Ecclesiastical Orders are the Mufty, Cadies, and Talmen.

The Mufty is the Head of the Law in Turky;* 1.95 to Kill, Depose, Despise, or to behold whom with Disregard, is a Sin of an high nature: But in Persia there is one in Title only, without any Authority of the Keys; for that our Persians insist, It is a Reserve only for Mahomet and his Twelve Successors; yet as their Vicar there may be Moutched, i. e. Doctor Vitae, one of that approved strictness of Manners, and eminent Knowledge for a Director and Guide to the People, that all Affairs and Strifes concerning Con∣science may be determined by him; but what is more, all Prefer∣ments relating to the Church are at his Disposal. Where this Car∣cass is, there the Eagles will be gathered; for to this High-Priest is not lacking wherewith to maintain his Inferior Brethren, would he spare something from his own Hoards; but he is a-kin to that sort of Animal which the more it hath, the more it craveth; nor is any thing more griping than he.

There are more than 60000 Thomands reckoned Yearly to be coffered up;* 1.96 a Stipend sufficient to feed the whole Herd, were it not perverted from the intention of the Donor, and converted to pri∣vate uses; so true is it in him who is Head of their Law, while he presumes on that Office, he becomes the greatest Grievance thereof; whereby it is plain he is an Amphibious Creature, only affording the Priests an half Patronage, from whom he receives his Dignity; but the Lawyers give him Power and Wealth; so that though he delight to be called Primate of the Mullahs, yet he covets more the Rule of the Cadies or Cazies, from whom there is no Appeal.

For as in Nuncupatives the irrevocable Decrees and Commands of the Emperor stand firm,* 1.97 so his Determinations in the Written Law are as Authentick; so that where he has Wit to keep his Canons from interfering with the King's Prerogative, he acts as he pleases: They were formerly so resolute to interpose where they found their Sovereigns about to do a rash Mischief; but that Permission is laid aside, and he sings that Lesson to King Solomon, as to one that is deaf, he being impatient of any Reproof; not being willing to be drawn off from his Cups and his Gormandizing, nor at leisure to be present even at their Sacred Rites, having not saluted the Temple Twelve times since he began to Reign, which is Eleven Years; which his Forefathers were wont to do once a Week with great Pomp and State.

Godliness is not only the chief, but the Foundation of all other Virtues; for therein is a great Tye upon Men to keep them in their Duty; and where no other Arguments prevail upon their Reason,

yet Religion compels: Pietate autem sublata, inquit Cicero, Fides eti∣am, Societas humani generis, & una excellentissima, Justitia, immo omnis Probitas tollitur. Lib. 1. nat. Deorum. Piety being neglected, says Cicero, Truth, Hum•••• Society, and the excellentest part thereof, Justice, yea, all manner of Goodness is taken away and perishes.

Now the Aedile may lock up the Church Doors,* 1.98 and the Reverend Prelate, whose Office it was to Administer before the King, may fol∣low other Works or supinely take his ease in his Cathedral Chair, while at constant Hours the Inferior Clergy stretch their Lungs from their Obelisks and high Towers, and strenuously call to the People to Pray; any one of whom, if he can Read like a Clerk a Chapter out of the Alcoran, let his other endowments be as mean as his Brethrens, he shall be crowned with the honour of being a Mullah or Talman; wherefore though Learning be an Ornament, yet they esteem it less necessary than that it should interrupt their quiet or repose, to acquire it.

The greatest Burthen here too,* 1.99 is to perform the Funeral Obse∣quies, when to their Liturgy they add an Oration: Before the Herse they carry Banners, taking their Way through the high Streets to the Burial Place; after the Corps the Mullahs follow Singing, the Corps its self being decently Vailed with a Coverlet of divers Co∣lours, and carried by Four Bearers, it lying on the Herse arrayed in the best Cloaths the Man wore, when alive: If it be a Woman she is put into a Coffin, or Chest, and an Awning made over the Herse, covered with a White Sheet instead of a Pall; after these come the Relations and People Hired to Mourn; at the close of all are carried on stately Voiders, the Holway, as among the Turkish Sect, which the Chief Mullah, after the Ceremonies are over, distributes to the Attendants, being, if required, obliged to repeat every Moon with the Kindred, who come with Lighted Lamps, Sherbets, and this Holway, to Pray for the Soul of the Departed, which they modestly continue Twelve Moons. This is the thing makes the Clergy sweat, for they have nothing else to do for the Republick, leaving the Peo∣ple to Pray for themselves that are Alive, only concerning them∣selves with the Dead.

Barbers Circumcise their Children when they think meet,* 1.100 when the Parents give them the Name, joining to that of his Fathers his own, as Mahomed Hosseen, i. e. Mahomet the Son of Hosseen; taking their Sirnames, as the Old Jews, from their Tribes, which they glory in, though it be that of Ismael; of which Tribe they have many among them transmitted out of Arabia hither; which not∣withstanding, are yet reckoned a Villanous sort of Breed; agreeing well with the Psalmist's Paraphrase on them, Wo is me that my dwel∣lings are with Mesech, and my habitation among the Tents of Kedar; comparing these Men, among which he was an Exile, to the wick∣ed Ismaelites, addicted to Pilfering and Stealing, Prophaneness and Blasphemy; Kedar was the Son of Ismael, Mesech of Japhet, which Stock are very plentiful.

But those of them that think the best Tribe not clarified till they have enobled it by some Religious Act, are not at rest till they have wiped off these Stains; which set them on foot so often to Mahomet's

Tomb; returning whence, all former Taint is abolished, and they become pure Musselmen indeed, which is the strongest Confirmation after Circumcision: For That is a time of Jollity, This of Labour and Travel, whereby they approve themselves what their Parents only Sponded for them; and this is a Task impos'd mostly on their new Proselytes.

The Cadies,* 1.101 or Justices, can both Marry and Unmarry: Which Lay-Clergy, with the whole Bookish Tribe, is hard to be known from the Gross of their Nation, by Strangers; unless some affect White Vestments in token of Purity, and walk with Eyes fixed on the Ground, a Rosary in their Hands, an outward Appearance of Demureness and Sanctity, and a Neglect of the World; a Book of Hadis in their Breast; and if any seem to mind them, they tune their Pipes to the Uncertainty of Riches; the Frailty of Human Nature; that all things are vain and fleeting; that our Minds ought to be fix'd on our End; with all the Train of Hypocrisy well per∣sonated.

The Parish-Priests are maintain'd in the Country by Collections;* 1.102 in great Towns or Cities, by the King, or Cauns.

Besides these, those who are called Hodges are such strict Puritans, that if they meet a Christian, Jew, or Banyan, and by chance his Garment brush against them, they hye them home, shift and wash, as if they had been defiled with some unclean thing, a Dog or Hog; undervaluing all but their own Sect, as if there were no Holier Creatures in the World.

And now having dispatch'd this Crew, moulded up in dull Clay, let us mix with those of more liberty in their own Language, al∣lowing them at the same time to be kept in Bounds by the rigid Compressures of their Taskmasters in Religion, so that all the Strain of their Wit must biass that way.

And first,* 1.103 They have some (though few) set up for Admirers of the Muses, and value themselves in being call'd the Wits of the Age, and these are their Poets; who confine themselves to Rhime and Numbers, and sometimes to Quantity, inferring their Verses with Comparisons, Exaggerations, Flights of Ingenuity, and Ficti∣ons, which they repeat with Gestures both of Hands, and Body, and Mouth contorted, animating them with suitable Tones and Arti∣culations, proclaiming them dead without such Information.

They have Romances of Famous Heroes and their Deeds; among which are pleasant Rancounters, Huntings, Love-Intrigues, Ban∣quetings, descriptions of Flowers and delightful Groves,* 1.104 emphatical∣ly set down, with Cuts and Pictures represented lively enough, would their Colours endure; for which Skill, otherwise than for hit∣ting the Life, their Limners are to be reckon'd defective, not know∣ing how to mix their Colours.

The exactest History they have to brag on,* 1.105 is Rouze el Saphet, a Book of Three or Four Volumes, in Folio; which gives an account from the first Habitation of Men upon Earth, till the Two last Centuries. They are but bad at Chronology, making nothing of a Thousand Years confounded together: Had they the Aera of Augustus, or the Julian Period, or a faithful State of Time, there might be some

likelihood of Truth in their Histories; but they being Convicted of inadvertency in these Points, the whole Superstructure must fall; which to defend even in their very Alcoran, they are forced to Forge Aspersions to confront the lameness of its Stories, whereby they endeavour thus to come off: A Wicked Emperor having ob∣tained the Rule of the World, got the Sacred Writs together by force, and burnt them; after which, what occurred to the Memory of the Christians, were committed to Paper just as every one could recollect or fancy; and hence arose the several Mistakes and Diffe∣rences.

Others pretending to a farther reach, follow our Saviour to the Fourth Heaven, where they affirm he now is, whither he carried the Gospel with him from the unworthy Nations, excited by the same Zeal Moses was, when he brake the Two Tables of the Deca∣logue. With such Artifices as these they studiously bespatter the Christians and their Religion, to uphold their own Dogmatical Tenents.

Sed magna est Veritas, & praevalebit.

A Book like our Aesop's Fables, called Emuel Sohaly, is preferred before all others, written in the Persian Language; yet their Super∣stition is such, that they dare hardly give it House-room, or afford it a place in their Libraries, lest it should bring ill luck.

At the same time this was Translated out of Indostan into the Per∣sian Speech, there was Cotemporary another Persian, who had compo∣sed a Book of his own, but of a far inferior Stile; and being sensi∣ble his Work would be Postponed thereby, he industriously took care to spread a rumour among the Vulgar, that this Book of Emuel Sohaly was an ill thing, because it introduced Creatures irrational Talking one to another, alledging for proof some Texts of the Alcoran; and at that juncture laying hold of an Accident which happened to a Youth sleeping while he was reading this Piece, that fell down from the Upper-Room to the Ground, whereby he brake his Skull, and his Thighs, confirmed the Mobile in the New-broached Opinion of this Book; it ever since bearing an ill Name, because they looked on this as an Exemplary Judgment, wherewith their Prophet was pleased to sorewarn others, and denounce his Anger against such as should attempt the reading of it.

Alchymy has bewitched some of them to spend both their Time and Money without any other benefit than to supply them with a peculiar Cant,* 1.106 and affected Terms of their Teachers, which those, who seized with that Itch, not only infect themselves but others, with vain hopes, which at last, together with the Consumption of all their Substance, vanish in Smoak. These are such as cry up the Trans∣mutation of Metals, till they have refined them to be the most Ex∣cellent in Nature's Cabinet, whereby they would arrive to that de∣gree of Midas's Wish, that whatever they touched should become Gold; a sottish and imprudent thirst of Wealth, as if it were in the power of Art to outdo the design of the Creation, wherein every thing was formed good in it's kind; by which these Dabblers cast

a scandal on the Noble Profession of Chymistry, to which is owing the true Knowledge of Physick, by an Analytical Separation of the Parts of the Compound, from the gross Dregs of the mixture, whereout may be sucked such Particles, as are applicable for the Remedies of Human Infirmities, while they depart not from the nature first impressed on them. Here are many good Writers in this Honourable Science, but are at present unskilful and unprovided with their Instruments or Furnaces, such as we find the Learned Sons of this Art use in their Laboratories elsewhere.

Mathematicks being the Foundation of all Arts,* 1.107 should have pre∣ceded; but Treating of an indigested Nation, I deliver you them conformable to their own method; they understand Euclid's Ele∣ments, and Coelestial Phoenomenas, though they want the Citations and Adjuncts in the Demonstration of their Propositions: They have the Theodosian and Autolican Doctrine of the Spheres, some Frag∣ments of Archimedes, but have not the Contracted Proclivity.

Practical Geometry is common with them; Arithmetick in intire Numbers and Fractions they Exercise, performing their Multiplicati∣on and Division in Transverse Lines: The Ancient Algebra, a Cal∣culation by Geometrical Progressions is not hid from them, though they have no specious Invention.

Trigonometry of streight Lines and Spherical is their own, with the Canons of Signs and Tangents, yet without Secants: The Staff of 60 Parts, with so many Fractions, by a Prolix reckoning, they bring to Three, Four, or Five Minutes, our Chymical Arithmetical Transmuta∣tion never entring their Thoughts of the Sixtieth Number swelled into an unity by Cyphers, that all the Chords may evade absolute and intire; no more have they any smattering of that never enough to be admired Science of Logarithms.

The Theory of the Planets, the Middle Motions of Ptolemy, and the solid Orbs, as delivered by Purbachius, they are perfect in: Copernicus, or rather before him Pythagoras's Hypotheses, are confusedly and ig∣norantly disapproved by them, neither desiring to be informed, nor caring to concern themselves with any other than what they have imbibed Traditionally by their Forefathers; For which reason Ticho's Instruments for Observation of the Heavenly Phenomenas are under∣valued by them.

Their Astrolabe is the most Workmanly Tool among them, it being neatly framed of Brass, Copper, or Silver, in a truly plain and familiar method, on one double Square only divided into 180 Parts each, with their Tangents; from the Structure of which In∣strument, all the Centers of the Circles, are sooner found out by Steel Compasses, hung in an Arch with their Screws, than by our old way of Staefler, and Regiomontanus, which though true in it self, yet it hardly is made to come right.

They have Tables shewing the exact Motion of the Planets, and thence collect their Ephemeris, which is Twofold; One whereof is Cameri, Answering to our Almanack, where are set forth the Con∣junctions and Oppositions of the Luminaries, the Rains, the Alte∣rations of the Air, also obscure and implicit Predictions, to catch the believing Multitude: The other is Chamesi, in which the Lon∣gitudes,

Latitudes, and Aspects of the Stars, the Eclipses sometimes agreeing, sometimes disagreeing with ours. In this Book are the suspicions of War, scarcity of Corn, and other Incidents not dis∣cernible in Human Learning; but so adapted, that like the sound of Bells to the Fancies of some, so these admit of an interpretation agreeable to every one's sense, that the Prognosticator may not be reproved of unskilfulness. Such an itch of knowing Contingencies reigns here, that no Journey is undertaken, no New Book read, no Change of Garments put on, no fresh Dwelling entred upon before the Stars are consulted; here is controverted when is the good, when the unlucky Hour to begin or end upon any Enterprize: The Moon's or other Planets ingrets into Scorpio is much dreaded among them; and if that Planet be Retrograde, a stop is put to all business.

Whence comes the vulgar Juggle of the oblong Cubes, in which equal and unequal Numbers are disposed, where they being cast at ad∣ventures, what Figures they happen to be upon from these Points they thence make their judgments: Something parallel is found in the occult Philosophy of Cornelius Agrippa, in Page 221.

These draw Schemes, and are puffed with Necr••mantick Problems: If a Thief have stolen any thing,* 1.108 if a Servant have run from his Master with stolen Goods, if any would be acquainted about Hus∣bands or Wives, they betake themselves to such Oracles as these.

Who begin their Delusion with a Gipsy Cant, with Eyes and Hands lift up to Heaven; then casting the Dye, he observes the Points, and aenigmatically canvesses the Event; sometimes hitting the Case, and sometimes as wide from it as the East is from the West; and though by Experience they have found them tripping an Hun∣dred times, and upbraid them for the Cheat; they put it off as if they had not stated the thing fairly; that a Minute in the Calcula∣tion varies the truth; that this is the true profession Daniel trans∣mitted to Posterity; and if it answer not the Question, it is not be∣cause the Art is defective, but because few are so happy as to attain its perfection; and thus do they willingly continue in their belief of the Gull: They encourage an infinite number of these South∣sayers, as many as can invent new Tricks to get Money by it.

When they consult for future success in Matters of great conse∣quence, they go to some Learned Doctor, who Divines by the Al∣coran; and he having prayed, opens the Alcoran, (that Legend of Lies;) and the first Page he sets his Eyes upon, if the First Com∣mandment happen to be in it, the Augury is of force, and they have no delay allowed them, but hasten with all speed about their Work; and if Twenty more come on the fame Errand, they are se••t away with the same Response, which after comparing Notes, though the Event be as unfortunate as may be, yet they content∣edly acquiesce in the verity of the Prophecy, however contradi∣ctory to their Senses; and shall repeat the same method, as if it were a Point of their Faith to go on in palpable Absurdities, by con∣stantly enquiring of the Alcoran.

The Emperor nourishes a great many Astrologers,* 1.109 the chief of whom is always by his side, with his Astrolabe at his Girdle, and

dictates the good hour or bad hour, when to rise, when to go to bed, or to perpetrate any action of Note; erecting a Scheme on the Sand; whose Advice is always followed, though some Stories are upon Record to their disadvantage: Two whereof I shall re∣late.

About Eighteen Years ago, it being famous, and no longer since, remains fresh in memory, and is made use of to make sport with the Astrologers: The Cossaks on the River Tanais, came thence over the Caspian Sea, and made a Descent into Persia, and carried off a great Booty, loading their small Ships without any opposition: The Emperor of Persia incensed with this Affront, and Depredation made on his Subjects, arms such a Fleet as he thought sufficient to correct their Insolence with his Soldiers, and bad them take the Sea at the precise time the Astrologers should direct, that the Heavens also conspiring, they should effectually chastise their Enemies; which being without doubt carefully studied, should as infallibly come to pass to that upon their invading them, not one of them should escape: And for the better obtaining their end, advised'em to fasten their Ships together by strong Chains, that so they should keep their Body intire, lest the Cossacks should set upon any single Vessel, and at the same time should enclose the Pirates so, that they should by no means get out of their hands: But the cunning Cossacks being used to Stra∣tagems, foreseeing their Design, fell upon the first Ship with their Guns, which so bored her Sides, that she sunk, and by her weight occasioned the rest to sink one after another, so that 500 Men, and Twelve Ships were sent to the bottom in a well-chosen hour, and the Cossacks by this Exploit left Masters of the Sea, and the Borders thereon liable to their continual Incursions.

Three Years after, one of the same Tribe contriving how to aug∣ment his Pension, in a chosen time, presented a Petition to the Em∣peror, when he happened to be out of humour; and therefore com∣manded an exact Account to be given him of the expence he was at in maintaining this Vermin; the return whereof amounting to 20000 Thomands Yearly, made him exceeding wroth, so that he not only denied an addition of Salary, but had extirpated the Function had not great intercession been made.

Des Cartes, the Prince of Philosophy in this Age, gives his Sectators caution nè nimis superbe de nobis ipsis sentiremus decreta Dei à nobis intelligi supponamus; lest we should too vainly conceit the Decrees of God to be understood by any of us; and these had done better had they stuck to their primitive Astronomy.

Coelique meatus Adscribunt radio & surgentia sydera dicent.* 1.110 The Heavenly course with Staff to clear The rising Stars tell through the Year.

Which thing is but slightly touched by them; but because they do foretel some Revolutions of the heavenly Bodies, they are migh∣tily admired by the Vulgar; and not only by them, but by those

of better fashion also: Which here opens a Gap for all pretending Knaves, who fatten themselves on the folly of this Licence, which in all civil Governments is punished by the severest Laws; whose execution are so far neglected in Persia, that even now in the King's Court an old Hagg is respected; a relation of which, because it has as much of rarity as truth, I shall not think tedious to insert.

A certain Turkish Woman, born at Constantinople (by these People named Stambole,* 1.111 and Romeree) now an old Witch, in her young days provoked by the heat of her Lust, ran from her Husband with her Paramour; with whom enjoying her beastly pleasure for some time, at length she was carried into a Wood, where she lived five years without remembring how she came there, or what befel her in that space; but that time being spent, she perceived her self possessed with the Devilish Spirit of Prophecy, and so returned to the City from whence she had fled a Strumpet, a Pythonissa; which being noised abroad, and coming to the Grand Seignior's Ears, he caused her to be banished as a Portentous Evil out of Constanti∣nople: Who thence wandering here and there, found small encou∣ragement, till she came to Suffahaun, where being arrived, and the News brought to Court, without imprecation of the Gods to avert the mischief, she is the daily diversion of the Persian Monarch, and he delights to discourse her often.

She calls every one by their proper Name, though never seen before: She gives an account of actions past, both ridiculous and se∣rious; which though it be the Emperor's sport to hear, the Cour∣tiers are shy of her Company, because of reaping up their old Sins; and being proved in this point to answer expectation, it is granted that she can Divine future Contingencies; toward which the Genius of this Nation being disposed, she is esteemed not only by the King, but by all People as a Prodigy.

When she is seized with a Fit of Prophecy, the first insult begins, (where the Devil first entred,) at her Belly, which works strangely; and at such times there may be heard as it were the noise of Three or Four Kitlins, sucking and crying when she falls into an Extasy. Af∣ter which, the Spirit seems to answer from the bottom of her Belly to all questions propounded; and being in this transport, gives this account of her self:

I (says she) am a Daemon, whether of an airy, fiery, or either substance compounded, I know not; nor of what Principles I am made, either heavenly or human; but that we are many and divided into Three Tribes or Orders; in eve∣ry of which we have learned and wise, foolish and illiterate among us; the same Religions and Opinions prevail as are upon Earth; some professing Christianity, others Mahometism; and again others are Pagans and Idolaters, and there are some few Atheists among us: As for my share, I follow the Persian Sect of Mahometism, and confess my self an Ideot, understanding no other Language than Turkish (where under a Cloven Foot may be discerned conform∣ing to a Foreign Religion,

though skilled in no other Language but her Native; a pretty Wheedle to insinuate into the Suffee's favour)

if therefore any thing be asked beyond my reach, that needs an Expositor, I betake my self to some OEdipus of our Order, who

unfolds the Mystery to me, whose Sense I only render for satisfa∣ction of my Inquirers.

This being a new Doctrine to the Suffee, he commanded her to give him some Demonstration of the truth of what she had told; and therefore put her upon discovering how he might believe the airy Region to be peopled after this rate; she consented to convince him, and ordered all the Nobles attending the Emperor, to retire with him into one part of the Room, and leave her to work their Conviction, which she did after this manner:

Falling into her usual Trance, she at that instant wrought their Fancies to be persuaded of the confused Articulation of Multitudes met as in a Fair, conversing and making a chattering, to the amazing of them all.

Father Raphiel the Capuchin, who gave me this account, was set upon by the Emperor to encounter her; but he prudently enough avoided it, lest he might be brought into some Praemunire about Disputes of their Religion, in which he found the crafty Slut would involve him; but besides his single Testimony of this Affair, here are many Turkish Merchants in Town who all declare the same as to her being possessed, having known her many Years ago at Constanti∣nople, from whence she was expelled by a special Precept of their Sultan.

Here is a large Field of Controversy offered, to wit the Possessi∣ons of Cardan, and the Lapland Witches; but these being Foreign to this intended Account, I purposely omit what might be said on this Subject, referring it to more acurate Pens.

But not to let the credit of this Opinion lie as if it were of this Beldams broaching; Plato had long ago declared his approbation of it,* 1.112 that there were Daemons wandring about the World: In Epinomede: Summos Deos, ultra mundanos amplissimam rerum providenti∣am habere, sub his in coelo quosdam conspicuos esse, tertio infimoque loco Dae∣mones horum genus, unum ex aethere, alterum ex aere esse, at neutrum con∣spici totum potest; sed quamvis hi Daemones propè nos sint, nunquam tamen manifestò nobis apparent: Et mox; Aliud vero ex aqua, &c. Post Dae∣mones Heroas.

And what Plato promiscuously calls Daemons, the Latins distinguish by their Offices, as those presiding over Countries are Penates; those over Families Lares; those that are frightful and terrible represen∣tations are Larvae or Hob-goblins: But these that are Witnesses of the actions of every individual person are termed Genij, and those the Ancient Greeks called Heroas, the Latins gave the name of Lemures, Ghosts or Spirits to.

But to return to our Men of Learning, from whence we have been Will-ith-whisped;* 1.113 the Longitude and Latitude of the Stars are writ∣ten in an intire Volume, together with eight and forty Signs beastly pictured; these compared with our Maps or Globes, differ seven or eight degrees in Longitude; only some few Minutes in Latitude.

Dialling and its profound Sections and Projections of the heavenly Circles in the Plain,* 1.114 by the mediating shadow from the World's Axis, is not understood by them; no more than Conic's, although Apollonius his Books are often turned over by them.

In Musick they lift up their Voices with a loud straining behind a Taber, which is the only Instrument, with the Flute, used with the Vocal;* 1.115 for Instrumental, they have little regard to Stringed, but the Orgiastick they are very expert at, and use it on all Festivals, at the Rising and Setting of the Sun in their publick Midans, or Courts, before the Emperor's Palace, as also before all their Governors; though within doors they chuse the other, where the Stage players, Tumblers, and dancing Wenches usher in their Interludes by Song••, Tabers, and Flutes.

At length I convert my self to that Noble and Excellent Art,* 1.116 so beneficial to the Life of Man, Physick; which though it be here in good Repute, yet its Sectators are too much wedded to Antiquity, not being at all addicted to find out its Improvement by new Enqui∣ries; wherefore they stick to the Arabian Method as devoutly as to the Sacred Tripod, which they hold as Infallible as of old that Del∣phic Oracle was accounted.

On which score Chymistry is hardly embraced;* 1.117 nor to the Pa∣thological part do they think the Anatomical Knife can bring much Profit: However, many of them have Wealthy Presents from their Grandees.

Whoever applies himself to this Profession, takes a Master of that Calling, who Instructs him in the Stile and ordinary Characters of Medicine; where being throughly versed in the Employment, and able to set up for himself, he consults whereabouts the fewest Physi∣cians are planted in the City, and the likeliest place to draw Custo∣mers to him; there he joins an Apothecary to him to make up his Prescripts, and sell them to his Patients, the half of which Gain comes into his Pocket: Thus by degrees increasing in Fame, he co∣vets many Students to Read to, who are sure to spread abroad his Fame, like so many Speaking-trumpets, and are sent about in quest of Prey, to bring in Game like so many Decoys.

But the Bait that takes most, are the Womens crying up their Man, when he is found to please them by a fair Carriage and volu∣ble Tongue, who never leave off till they have rendred him graci∣ous to all their Acquaintance; who flock to him in Droves, and are as full of Chat as a Magpy when she has found an Owl in the Wood at Noon day; nor wants he his Lime-twigs for such sort of Birds, by whose frequentings he arrives to the top of his hopes, and sucks those Riches Galen is said to offer his Disciples: Dat Galenus opes.

But as all the Eggs laid under one Hen do not always prove, so many of this Tribe miss their aim, and after an expence of time and endeavour, are forced to fall upon other Trades to get a Livelyhood. Here is no precedent License of Practising, but it is lawful for any one to exercise this Function who has the impudence to pretend to it.

The Suffee retains several in Ordinary, and others in Extraordinary, without any Salary;* 1.118 the Chief of whom is Hakaim Bashed, and suffers on his Master's Death, not only Banishment from Court, but Dispoyling of all his Goods, and must acknowledge it a Favour to escape with Life.

In the matter of their Physick, Extracts, or Essences of Plants, Roots, or Minerals, are beyond their Pharmacy; only they use cooling Seeds, and Medicines of that nature; so that in repelling a Fever, they make but one work of that and the Innate Heat, where most an end both become extinguished at once; or at least, the Body is left in that condition, that Obstructions or an Ill Habit succeeds; although I am not ignorant, that sometimes after the greatest Care in Chronical Distempers, such things will happen, according to the Experience of Hippocrates, yet in Acute Distempers so frequently to fall into these Indispositions, I cannot excuse the Indiscretion of these Medicasters, whose Patients in Suffahaun seldom pass out of this Life by any other way to their Graves.

Besides this Abuse,* 1.119 their Prescriptions are Pancrastical, a Salve for every Sore, without respect had to difference of Temperament, or Constitution; nay, or even to the Distempers themselves; but asking some frivolous Questions, viewing the Veins of the Hands and Feet, inspecting the Tongue, they write at adventure. The Apothecary dispenses the Ingredients into so many Papers, and leaves them to be boiled according to his Directions, and given to the Sick Party at such and such hours of such a day, by any good Wo∣man, or heedless Servant; who not attending the Quantities of the Liquor more than the Qualities of the Ingredients, boil more or less, not as the Exigency either of the Medicines or the Patient re∣quires, but as if they were to make Pottage, and give him to drink of this heterogeneous Broath, sometimes Three or Four Pints at a time; so that if it fails moving the Belly by its excitative Faculty, yet by its excessive Dose it makes way for Evacuation: And this they do re∣peat most an end for a Fortnight or Three Weeks together; which if it succeed not, another Physician is consulted; for among such store they think it hard to miss of a Cure; and in that are so opiniona∣ted, that if their own Nation cannot give them Remedy, they think none other can. (Though as to Chyrurgery they are of another mind, thinking the Europeans better at Manual Operation than them∣selves.) But to proceed, being severely handled by one, they fly to another; and he from extreme Cold things runs upon the other extreme; so that between these two Rocks its no wonder the Pati∣ent so often miscarries, and so many concurring Causes joined with their Distemper, hurry them to another World.

Rhabarb,* 1.120 Turbith, and Scammony, are dreadful to them; but Sena, Cassia, Manna, and Turpentine, are swallowed without any appre∣hension of evil. Many of their Physicians insist on Diets unusual elsewhere, as Goats-flesh, Horses, Asses, and Camels flesh; for which reason they have distinct Shambles for the same purpose.

Avicen,* 1.121 Averroes, and Rhasis, are known Authors among them; and among the most Learned, Galen and Hippocrates, and some more Modern, who have treated of Botany, and Human Parts.

Their Law forbids them to inspect a dead Carkass; they therefore lean implicitly on what they find among Ancient Anatomists, and yet think themselves at no loss in that Science; whence it is their Practice is lame, and their Theory no more than the prating of a Parrot.

Hence it follows they are imperfect in the Chyrurgeons Art; they can tell how to protract slight Wounds into Length of Time, but for things of real danger they are to seek which way to handle;* 1.122 especially where

Ense recidendum ne pars sincera trahatur.

The Knife is us'd to part the dead, and give The Vital Part occasion to live.

Yet they are bold enough with the Blood, where they command Phlebotomy, bleeding like Farriers.

The Endemial Diseases of this Country,* 1.123 are Phrensies, Plurisies, Peripneumonies, Empyemaes, Catarrhs, distempers of the Eyes; Red Gum, which besets our Children in Europe, is pernicious to Old Age here; St. Anthony's Fire, or more properly the Persian Fire, impressing on the adust Blood the nature of Atrabile: But the fa∣shionable Malady of the Country is a Clap, scarce One in Ten being free from it; which the unbounded Liberty of Women, Cheapness of the Commodity, and the Encouragement of their filthy Law, are main Incentives to. And to back this Lewdness, they bring the Example of their Prophet Haly, who lying down without a Female Companion, is reported to be Author of this doughty Dialogue be∣tween the Earth and him, wherein the Earth upbraided him by say∣ing,

Whilst you lye on the Ground an unfruitful Log, a burthen to my sides, I sweat and labour in producing Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals for your use; Why then do you not busy your self in getting Children,

to transmit your Offspring to Posterity? Which pleasing Reproof of the Venerable Prophet's recommending to his easy Disciples, they embrace with both Arms, while the Poy∣son creeps into the Marrow of their Bones, so that they are not come to Maturity, before they are rotten; though by reason of the Pureness of the Air, it seldom or never arrives to that height of Cruelty as in Europe; inasmuch as when any are so dealt by it, they reproach it with the Frank Disease, Atecheque Fringi, when it breaks out into Sores and Ulcers, after it has seized the whole Mass of Blood, and eats them up alive; while they wear theirs dormant al∣most to extreme Old Age, which makes them not much solicitous for Remedy, nor are there any who profess its Cure.

There is another Infirmity as general almost, proceeding from their Ceremonial Washing, when they exonerate, too frequent using of Baths, which causes a Relaxation of the Muscles of the Anus, whereby the great Gut of the Fundament falls down: Most of them by a Fulness of Body are subject to the Hemorrhoids; but what chiefly vexes them, walking or riding, (putting them into misera∣ble Pain, and contorted Postures of the Back, and whole Trunk of the Body), is a Fistula in Ano, which they contract from their Athletick Temper, and constant being on Horseback; as has been observed not only by Sennertus, but Platerus, Fernelius, and others: Nor does it seldom fall out, from their aptness to Venery, and prone∣ness to make use of Boys, that they are afflicted with terrible Ma∣riscae,

or swoln Piles of several forms, by them called Obne; where∣in Worms, as they perswade themselves, are bred, that excruciate them with such an Itch as they cannot lay, without adding Sin to Sin, and therein they report their Cure to be compleated; and this brings on them a white Leprosy, not incommoding the Body with Illness, but disgracing it with Spots in the Face, Arms, Thighs, Breast, and other parts about them. Children have frequently Scald Heads, which makes them keep close shav'd.

The Plague has not been known among them this Eighty Years and upwards, but the Spotted-Fever kills them presently, yet is not contagious: The Bezoar-stone in this Case is highly approved.

The Gout afflicts few here, the Pox commonly securing them from it; however as painful as that proves to their Bones, or rather Mem∣branes surrounding them, they applaud all Provocatives in Physick, and will purchase them at any Rates; which are sometimes so strong, that they create a continued Priapism to these Goats and Satyrs, and by their Bows being always bent, are brought to an Inability of re∣ducing them.

To divert their Care and Labours,* 1.124 they are great Devourers of Opium, and Koquenar (which is Poppy-heads boil'd), which they quaff when they have a mind to be merry; for which reason, as Hemp is sown among our Fens and Fields, so they sow Poppies, and when ripe, make Incision for the Juice, which ga∣thering, they inspissate and eat; to do which, those unaccustomed adventuring unadvisedly upon too large a Dose, instead of the ex∣pected effect of cheering the Spirits, chain up the Vitals so that they are never loosed more, for they never awake from the Lethargy it intrances them in: So that they begin gradually, and then arrive to great Quantities; as from a Grain to half an Ounce, without any Harm, besides a frolicksome sort of Drunkenness; by means where∣of, without any other Sustenance, they are qualified to undergo great Travels and Hardships: But having once begun, they must continue it, or else they dye; whereby it becomes so necessary, that if they mis-time themselves, as in their Ramzan, or on a Journey, they often expire for want of it: Yet those that live at this rate are always as lean as Skeletons, and seldom themselves; but such is their love towards it, that they give themselves up to the study of infatuating themselves by all the ways they can, never smoaking a Pipe without the Leafs of the intoxicating Bang, and Flowers of the same, mixed with their Tobacco; besides which, they contrive ma∣ny more Medicines to put a Cheat upon the Pungency of their Cares, and drive Sorrow from their Hearts; which indeed diverts them for some few hours, till they return with a more fixed Melancholy, bur∣thensome to themselves and others: While the Operation of their forced Mirth lasts, they are incapable at that time of any Business; Whence they proverbially say, Belque Teriac ne resid, to any Trifler, or Fiery Spirit; That the Force of your Treacle you have eaten, still remains.

Moreover, they have other Treacles, such as are taken notice to be sold in the Markets, by Apulcies, and the Circe of Homer, prepa∣red as Counter-Poysons, which are compounded of Garlick, Mother

of Thyme, and other Herbs beaten together: That Rich one made use of only by the Nobles, is adventitious, and is brought by their Merchants from Venice, the Poor not being able to go to the Price of such Medicines or Physicians as exceed the common Rates; and therefore is it that their great Towns and Buzzars are full of Mounte∣banks, Charmers, and Quacksalvers, to gull them of their Cash.

After these Sons of Fate,* 1.125 follow the Lawyers, who hold the Chief Cazy or Codre for their Oracle, which is here usurped by the Mufti, who substitutes others under him; who though the Course of Law meet mostly with quicker dispatch here than in Europe, yet they know well enough how to retard a gainful Cause; which is consentaneous enough to the Comedian,

—O Lernaeam vere sobolem Pragmaticorum, qui lites ex litibus serunt Mortalibus immortaliter—

O wretched Crew of Pettifoggers, who Raise Strifes from Strifes, the Client to undo.

Against whom he has set down this wholsome Advice;

—Lites fuge, Macrum arbitrium judicio potius est.

Flee lingring Suits, a lean Arbitrament Is more than Trial gain'd, when Money's spent.

Here are no Inns of Courts, or Courts of Chancery; no Moot∣ings, or emulous Contests for Victory; no being called to the Bar, or a select, Learned, and upright Bench, which justly concert the Right of the Community; no distinct Courts, or subalternate Cham∣bers to appeal to, which are illustrated with Venerable Knowledge of Eloquence and Oratory, besides the Splendor of Nobility and Majesty to adorn them: Here are no Counsellors, Advocates, or Se∣cretaries distinguished by their Robes.

Here only a Mullah is chosen by the Codre or Mufti, to be Cadi (corruptly called Kazy) or Judge, in his own House, at his own time, and in no other Garment than usual, unless a Red Cap make some Note of Dignity.

To him comes the injured Party to complain of his Adversary,* 1.126 and implores the Cadi to do him Justice: At the Cadi's Elbow stand several Officers ready to execute his Commands, to whom he pays no Wages, but what they get by Catchpolling; to one of these he gives his Mandates, saying, Fetch such an one hither; who, glad of the Employment, seizes him by the Cadi's Authority, and brings him before him; nor shall he be let go, till he have discharged his Fees, guilty or not guilty; so close do these Harpies hold their Prey, that they never let go their Grasp, unless a Morsel be offered to their Mouths, in lieu of their Purchase.

Sometimes when the Cadi sits, one of the Parties is present, and the other absent; then a fresh Messenger is sent, and fresh Money must be paid; at other times both Contenders are present, and the Cadi sits not, and the Cause hangs in suspence while the Charges go on: But after delays of this kind, suppose they at length meet, and it prove matter of Debt contracted in the time of a former Cadi, whose Writing is produced and attested, when the Cadi gravely re∣proves the Debtor, Why dost thou not fear God and pay thy Debts? He nothing concerned at the Admonition, replies, this Bond and Hand-writing I know not, it may be Counterfeit, I never had any thing to do with this man. Here Bonds unattested are of no force, by reason of most impudent Cheats, but they must have not only One or Two Witnesses, but Thirty or Forty, and so to Sixty, who must be approved Men of Integrity, never accused to have told a Lie; and even then they will oppose their Evidence, insinuating, That for a small matter Knights of the Post may be Suborned, because that Interest may sway a many to be against one, and that a plain Truth may suffer through the conspiracy of a multitude: Moreover, if they should be detected, they only undergo a Reprimand from the Cadi, and no corporal Punishment, either of Death, or other Chastisement; and should it be like to go hard with the Defendant, or either Party, Plaintiff, or Defendant prove faulty, the conscious Party seeks out some Familiar of the Cadi's, employed on this ac∣count to sollicit the Cadi in his behalf, and secretly he obliges him∣self, either by Bond or Deed, to Bribe the Cadi to be his Friend, and therefore, either a Pledg is deposited, or good Sureties brought to satisfy the Cadi.

In the mean while both being driven away from the Judgment-Seat, the Cadi with severe looks and angry words, threatens the Delinquent to clear his Debt; when begging for readmittance, he entertains the Creditor with a pleasing smile, and tells him, Justice is from God; at the which he chears himself up with the hopes of receiving his Money, and the corrupt Judge acts his Cue so well, that few suspect otherwise; when the other Party, as if hard measure were offered him, creeps with a dejected countenance to the feet of the Cadi, calling him Mirza, (a Title for the most noble Courtier) let me beg the favour of being heard but one word; the Cadi, as if provoked to wroth, bids him speak; when he goes on, Your Worship knows in this City there are such who on purpose are set to practise Cheats, that will do it so exactly, that the most discern∣ing Eye shall not discover the Fallacy, and that Money will pur∣chase Witnesses, therefore let the Oath be put to me against my Adversary, otherwise by these Tricks what Wealthy Man in Suffahaun can escape Poverty?

This Gap being opened,* 1.127 the Cadi with a milder countenance asks him, if he dear swear this Debt to be unjust; then lays open to him the horrid Sin of Perjury, how that Hell flames are prepared both by God and their Prophet for breaches of Faith, and those that presume on that manner can never escape Damnation; whereat shaking the Borders of his Garments, as it were with pure hands brushing them, he answers, I fear God, and from my Youth hitherto have never

omitted our prescribed Prayers, or the Fasts enjoined by our Law, and for my Honesty none can reprove me; besides, I am an Hodgee, and have the Honour conferred on me to be one of the Sons of the Prophet, and can any of that Sacred Stock tell a Lie? Then the Cadi calls for the Alcoran, which being brought, he rises out of re∣verence to the Divine Code, and Exhorts, Admonishes, and Preach∣es; yet he fearless lays his Hand on the Book, and by Swearing with a loud Voice that he owes him nothing, is dismissed from ever being accountable more; for here are no other judiciary proceedings or Tribunals to appeal to, where Mistakes may be rectified, or Inad∣vertency by too precipitate a Sentence corrected.

Punishment in Criminal Causes are mightily biassed by Gold,* 1.128 which at any time or place shall prevail more than Right; but if it cannot be bought off, lex Talionis, an Eye for an Eye, and a Tooth for a Tooth, is the Law, according to Moses's Institution, and the Execution is committed to the fury of the Friends.

For Theft Immuring serves turn,* 1.129 where they can make no other retribution, and for petty Larcenary, and for correcting of their Slaves and Servants, drubbing on the Soles of their Feet beyond Moses's allowance, laying thereon some hundreds of Blows, that they are disabled to walk a long time after.

The Law of like for like, affords us this memorable passage of the Emperor Severus, who made a bold Impostor in his Court undergo a suitable Punishment for his Offence, who had deluded several of his Courtiers with great Promises, and never had effected any; where∣fore on their complaint, the Emperor commanded him to be stifled with Smoak, and the Crier at the same instant to make proclamation, qui fumum vendidit eodem paenas dat, Who Sold Smoak perishes therewith. But this Law, though it seems the most equal among many Nations, cannot square in all points without difficulty, there∣fore it is the more prudently among us referred to the determinati∣ons of the Judges in Life and Death; who are to give Sentence ac∣cording to their discretion and the common usages in Capital Of∣fences.

Since Celibacy is exploded by their Law,* 1.130 simultaneous Poligamy is not only Tolerated but Commanded, and Whoring is reckoned Meritorious among the Moors; for this carnal Gospel allows Four Lawful Wives in Matrimony at one and the same time, besides Concubines, an indefinite Number, as every one's substance is able to provide for with Serving-maids and Slaves; besides which they may have for a determinate Price, such as they shall hire for an Hour, Day, Month, or Year; and any Born in these Three Fami∣lies of Bedfellows, may be reputed as Legitimate, provided the re∣puted Father claim two parts, and the Woman one of the Child; whereby however speciously they boast of the Clarity of their Stock, it is apparent from what Puddle it is derived.

All Women here,* 1.131 contrary to our Custom, are Bought with a Price, the Husband that is to be, Bargaining to give so much for his Wive's Virginity by strict Indentures before the Cadi.

Divorces are common among the ordinary People,* 1.132 though seldom among the great ones, who count it a shame. A Bill of Divorce called

Talak is taken out when there is either an aversion from the Bed, or there are conceived home-bred troubles on account of the former Obligation, or when they have engaged themselves to perform more than they are able, then they make quarrels among the Wives, set∣ting them together by the Ears, and the Man grows surly to the new married Wife, not only giving her ill Language, but cruel Blows more than she can bear; who presently runs to the Cadi for a Divorce; but he willing to pacify them, returns her to her Husband with Exhortation to live peaceably; whereupon the Siege is re∣newed, and fresh Assaults are made by new Torments, till she have remitted part of her Dowry, if not the whole.

Sometimes she retires to her Father's House, the Portion being retained, whence arise new Jars. The Husband going to the Cadi complains the Father keeps his Wife from him, and intreats his Warrant to fetch her back; where being brought afore the Cadi, and the Father with her to demand her Portion, she opens against her Husband, and he against her, with that noise and thunder, that often the Cadi being tired with their bellowing and roaring on all sides, cries out, they kill me with their bawling; and though he com∣mand silence, it is to no purpose, till being thoroughly vexed, he cause the men to be Bastinadoed, who though they were deaf to Words, must give ear to Blows, for they esteem it even indecent to lay hand on a Woman, or to strike her before Folks.

If the Man propound the Divorce, and the Woman accept it, the Cadi pronounces the decisive Sentence, because the Mahometan Law observes to keep the right thereof in the power of the Man, not the Woman: But if the perverse Woman insists in her resolution of Divorce after the Cadi hath persuaded her to cohabit, and the Man refuse to give it her, the Cadi declares them to be separated; but the Woman in this condition cannot marry again, as being bound to her Husband; wherefore the Cadi commands the Man to give her Alimony, and maintain her at his own Charges while they re∣fuse to live together; but if they can reconcile themselves, they may come together without the Cadi's revoking his Interdict for the first and second time of Divorce; but after the third time they cannot come together without abominable Sin; yet such is the Heat of Lust in these Countries, that the Women cannot abstain from the Man, no more than the Men from the Women; wherefore if she takes another Husband, and some Months or Years living with him, if she will, she may be Divorced from him, and return to her first Husband.

To the Cadi's Cognizance belongs all manner of Contracts,* 1.133 Con∣veyances, and Settlements; to which purpose near his Door are such as make Instruments ready written for sale, in the Stile of their Law, to be presented for the Cadi's perusal: Into which in∣serting the Names of John-a-Nokes, and John-a-Stiles, Zeid, and Ambre, the Cadi calls aloud, Zeid, where art thou? Who answers here, upon appearance: When the Cadi proceeds; This House, Garden, or Land, or any thing of that kind, Dost thou sell wil∣lingly, and of thy own accord to Ambre? He affirming, aree, yes. Is the price agreed between you? Yes. Where are your Witne••ses?

says the Cadi; Then he replies, I have brought them, who answer for themselves; the Cadi asks them, Do you know this to belong to Zeid? Who affirm, it is known to all the Town, even to the Children.

The Cadi after these Interrogatories, lifts up his Voice, and says, Does no one forbid this Contract? At which, they jointly cry aloud, no one forbids: Whereupon the Cadi calls for his Seal, which are words Engraven on Silver; and dipping it in Ink, stamps it three or four times in three or four places, especially at the junctures of the In∣denture, that no room may be left ••or fraudulent dealing, they not putting their own Hands, nor delivering it as their Act and Deed; but the Cadi makes the Obligation firm on this wise.

Usury is forbid by Mahomet,* 1.134 yet no place extorts more for Mo∣ney lent; for Ten Thomands in a year, shall at a moderate Calcula∣tion bring them in Thirteen every year; for the Needy giving a Pledge (without which they do nothing) to the Broaker or Usurer, which you please, Ten Thomands are procured for a Month, on condition he pays a Thomand for a Months Interest, and the Principal to be pay∣ed in, or the Pledge become forfeited; and for the first Months In∣terest he subducts aforehand, a Thomand, constraining the Borrower to return the Ten intire, or else seize the Pawn; such intolerable exactions befitting only Turk, Jew, and Indian Banyan, who reap such unconscionable Gain by this Trade.

Those who desire to secure their Money thoroughly, come to the Cadi for a Bond, being agreed first on their Contract among themselves to pay Fifteen, Twenty, and sometimes Thirty Thomands for the use of one Hundred for one year. When the Money is brought in Two Bags, with a Knife, Book, or Mantle, and the Owner Zeid cries out before the Cadi, sitting on the Seat of Ju∣stice:

I Zeid do give frankly for the space of one year One hun∣dred Thomands; but I sell this Book for Fifteen, Twenty, or Thirty Thomands to Ambre, and he is content to give it; therefore I de∣sire in the presence of the Cadi, that Ambre may be obliged at the years end to repay me my Hundred Thomands, according to agreement,

and then seizes the Fifteen, Twenty, or Thirty Tho∣mands, according to agreement for the Book; or if he lets him have the whole hundred, the Cadi asks Ambre, Art thou content to give this Sum? And he answering, aree, yes, goes on, so thou art Debtor to Zeid an Hundred and Fifteen, Twenty, or Thirty Tho∣mands, payable this time Twelve Months, being fully expired; to which he replying aree, it is valid in Law: In which Form of Wri∣ting such caution is used, that they trust not Figures, nor bare Words that express the Sum intire, and at length, but half it and part it to prevent equivocation. For Example, the Sum of an Hun∣dred Fifteen Thomands is the Principal, the half whereof is Fifty seven, and an half; the Fifth part is Twenty three; deluding here∣by the skill of the most subtle Sophister, since the Subsequents so inexpugnably strengthen the Antecedents.

They have another way of borrowing Money upon an House, which they pawn for a certain Sum for so many years, and Hire their own House of the Creditor at his terms, till the Sum be

payed; in which if there happen any lapse or failure, the House becomes forfeit at the end of the time, and is seized for the use of the Creditor, as well as if the Principal be not restored: And this is held good in Law among them.

Besides the Cadi,* 1.135 they have another Splitter of Causes, called Sheik el elloum, being Interpreter of the Ancient Laws, or some∣thing like our Court of Chancery; (the other being for the Common-Law) who sits in his own House also without any subalternate Ju∣risdiction.

Nor does the Codre or Musty disdain to Hear sometimes;* 1.136 but this Eagle catches not at Flies, haec Aquila non capit Muscas, the most weighty Affairs being reserved for his Audience.

And through these muddy Streams runs the Law over all the Realm,* 1.137 they acting under the Cauns in the several Districts, and the Codre under the Emperor; which how consentaneous to self-preser∣vation, let any one judge, where Bribery and Extortion get the upper-hand: For where Nature has prescribed that Rule as a Fun∣damental Maxim, That every man without respect to any ought to Patronize the innocent, or help the injured, whereby we seek to uphold the Community, and therein indeed preserve our selves, how can this come to pass, unless it should be alike diffusive to all, whereby every one of us become united in the same Law of Na∣ture? which if Magistrates would consider, they would find the Press of the Argument lie thus, To preside is to do right and pro∣fitable things, agreeable to the Laws of self-preservation; for as the Rulers are over the People, so the Laws ought to be above the Rulers, I mean so far as to Govern by them, and act nothing con∣trary to them: Nor can that Man be just or vertuous, who con••orms himself to any other Sentiments; or are they otherwise to be esteem∣ed, than those whose Senses being depraved have not the true relish of their Food; who enslave the Laws, and act not within their prescript, and must come under the denomination of lustful, flagi∣tious, covetous, and insensible persons, who have not the true Taste of Justice, but stupidly follow the Dictates of their own Wills; which is too truly the Case of this Government.

Nor need this be wondered at, since even their Summum bonum is placed in such Sensualities, as no ways consist with rectified Rea∣son.

A Paradise Calculated for their blockish Temper,* 1.138 whose Reach is not superior to the groveling Beasts, and therefore aim at no higher Felicity;

Which makes them rely on their Interpreters of their Law when they preach, That after this Life the blessed Mahometans are to be received into pleasant Gardens, where they are to lie under the spreading Boughs of shady Trees; Clothed with soft Raiments; Adorn∣ed with most costly Gems; hung with Rich Chains, and Precious Rings; ••ed with the most delightful Fruits, delicate Fowls, and inticing Cates; shall quaff the best Nectar to Eternal Healths, with∣out Intemperance; their Liquors distilling from Vines that are not ••briating, which shall never offend the Brain; their Couches shall be stuffed with the yielding Down; their Quilts shall lighty press

their Bodies; and Virgins with never-dying Beauty shall bear them Company, who shall love none besides their own Husbands, nor ne∣ver be less Virgins than when first enjoyed, constantly renewing a full Tide of Glee, which is never to Ebb into dull Sadness, but con∣tinue an uninterrupted course of self-complacency: These are the Excellent Attainments of their Coelestial Happiness, and those that think these Promises of no avail, their Prophet denounces Hell-fire and Brimstone for their Unbelief.

Flectere si nequeat superos Acheronta movebit. If in his Heaven they doubt there is no Room, Hark how he Thunders out his fearful Doom.

They shall be punished in smoaky Fire and Brimstone; their Meat shall be Pitch and.* 1.139 Tar, mixed with Lime and Hair; their Drink a Composition of Flame, which shall cause intolerable Pains.

A Religion suitable enough to this Meridian, where Polygamy, or the use of many Women is Authorized, which from these Borders has exspaciated it's self over the whole East with such impetuousness,* 1.140 that from the stinking Lake in Arabia, whence it first sprang, it has like a Torrent ran bearing all before it: Until it was a little di∣stracted by the Ottoman and Suffean Factions, but so that its Course was not broken, but divaricated into two Streams, and so became more diffused, and the Channels made more rapid and extensive; so taking is this Doctrine, fitter for Brutes than Men.

For Man, to speak with the Philosopher, whether God or Nature the Mother of all things has given him a Soul, than which nothing can be more Sublime or more Divine,* 1.141 can he be so stupid or senselesly abject to imagine there should be no difference betwixt him and Four-footed Creatures? H••mo enim, ut cum Philosopho dicam, cum illi sive Deus, sive Mater rerum omnium Natura, Animam dederit, quo nihil praestantius neque divinius sic ipse se abjiciet ac prosternat, ut nihil inter illum & quadrupidem putat? On which consideration it might well be concluded with what the Author of Religio Medici writes on this Subject: The Alcoran is a Book composed unadvisedly, stuffed with idle and ridiculous Errors in Philosophy; sustained by apparent Solicisms, Subterfuges of Ignorance, the decrying of Aca∣demies, and the banishing of all manner of Learning, upheld by Force more than Reason, the Fortune of their Arms be∣ing their greatest Argument. To which Lypsius consents, O Nuga∣menta, &c. which made Avicenna, (of an extraordinary Happiness of Wit, though unhappily born under the Mahometan Sect, after he had seriously reflected on the Imposture,) blush to think their Prophet had placed Eternal Felicity in a life of Carnal Pleasures; insomuch that he was forced to confess he could do no otherwise than abjure his Faith to become Master of his Reason.

For, says he, The Law Mahomet has delivered to us, has limited both Beatitude and Misery under Corporal Terms; but the Promises and Hopes of Eternity, must be of other Blessings more refined sure and solid, which can no ways be conceived but by an immaculate and rectified Intellect,

and the highest pitch of In∣genuity. Avic. Lib. 1 Phil. c. 1. apud Jovellum. Respecting herein

what our Divines have rightly determined, That Spiritual Bene∣dictions, abstracted from Earthly (as too mean) are the chief Ob¦ject of Happiness, whereby we are united to the first Truth: And for no other end were we created by God, and a Soul stamped on our Body, and on our Soul Intelligence or Understanding, says the same Lypsius, but that we should live faithfully and godly on the Earth, and thereby proceeding towards Heaven, we should, being blessed together with him, reap Everlasting Felicity, which should be so, because Spiritual, which is Eternal; not Carnal, which va∣nisheth of its self, and passeth away, being but Temporary: And then, if the Happiness expected hereafter by all wise men, is Spiri∣tual, our present Worship here ought to be directed thither, of which M. T. Cicero, though an Ethnick, was not ignorant, who has trans∣mitted it as a Rule to Posterity, Lib. 2. De Nat. Deorum, Cultus au∣tem Deorum, optimus, idemque castissimus, atque sanctissimus, plenissimusque Pietatis, ut eos semper purâ integrâ incorruptâ mente & voce venere∣mur: The adoring of the Gods ought to be the best Service we can pay them, which must be most chast, and holy, and full of Piety, that we may always reverence them with a pure, intire, uncorrupt Mind and Voice. And Hermes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

And hence by the Mouths of the Heathens it is allowed,* 1.142 that an Holy and Pure Profession is an entrance to the Celestial Mansions. What better Conduct, what holier Guide than the Captain of our Salvation, the ever Blessed Jesus? who hath by his Apostle given us the true Characteristick of the Right Religion, which is first pure, then peaceable.

Then what depravity of understanding hath corrupted the Minds of these Sectators, that hath framed to themselves a nasty Stable, more full of Filth than Augeus his, instead of that beautiful and un∣defiled Structure of the Gospel; and for the most Holy and Pure Doctrine taught by Christ, embrace with prostrate Body and bended Knees, the Libidinous and Lascivious Worship of Mahomet? What Stupidity, what Inchantment bewitches them to admit an Impostor for a Prophet, a Deluder for a Saviour; for a Juno, as Ixion did, to grasp a Cloud?

Nor let Success animate them,* 1.143 since it is an Argument might serve the Gentiles as well as them, whose numbers exceed all the Contro∣verted Religions put together, whom St. Paul, their professed Emis∣sary, brands with unadvised Piety, and lays them under equal Con∣demnation; where he conjoins the Folly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. What can be known of God, is manifested among them; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, their foolish heart is darkened; which is the fault of the Mahometans as well as them, because the pravity of their Understandings has cor∣rupted their knowledge of God, the only True God, whereby they should know his only Son Christ Jesus, and him crucified, to fulfil both the Law and the Prophets. Thus from the previous Knowledge or Idea of Religion, as it is either true or false, so it happens there results a true Piety, Superstition or Idolatry, which would clearly appear, were Reason Master of our Conceptions.

CHAP. XIV.

The Appellations of the Warrior and the Scholar; of the Mer∣chant, and Mechanicks and Villains; of their Garb, Civility of Manners, Facetiousness, Revelling, Sports, Weddings, Cleansings and Burials; of their Women, and License of Cur∣tisans. The Eunuchs, Vertues and Vices; and lastly, their Supputations of Coin, Measures and Time.

AND now being about to dismiss the Two Upper Forms from farther examination, we shall part with them with their pro∣per Appellatives; The Warrior blustering in the Title of Begue, and the Gown-man priding himself in the courteous Name of Miirza; who being thus Marshalled with Respect, and passed by with what Or∣der they are allowed,

The Crowding Multitude press for Admittance,* 1.144 scarcely affording Priority to the Wealthy Merchant; the most Honourable of whom are the Armenians, and therefore styled Cogee, or Rich, by the Per∣sians; though even among the Persians many covet to be so reputed, but care not to measure the wide World, like them, venturing no far∣ther than over to India, which is their ne plus ultrà, while the diligent Armenian,

Per Mare per Terras, per quod tegit omnia, Coelum.

By Sea and Land does search for Store, And all Heaven's Covering ransacks o're.

The Moors are by Nature, heavy, dull and lazy; ••nd were they not stimulated by Necessity, would not trot from their own Homes; for they are content with the Rags of Poverty, rather than to put their Hands to labour; and when they do exert their Faculties, they rather study to impose by Fraud, than by Industry and honest Gain to re∣pair their Fortunes.

Underpullers to these are the Shopkeepers, whose Mercurial Parts are fitted to put off the worst Wares,* 1.145 by making appearance of the best, either by false Lights, or crafty obtruding the Choisest to the view on their Stalls, and foisting Goods disagreable to the Patterns on their Chapmen.

Nor are the Handicraft free from Sophistry, having tasted the same Philtre; the Cook, a Cheating Knave, will sell Asses, Camels, or Horse Flesh, instead of Ox's; and that often fetched out of the High-ways, being killed with Labour, or dead of Diseases, while the Unwary Buyer pays for wholsome Food.

The Baker mixes with his Meal some Chalky Earth, which the Imprudent suppose to be good Wheat; though these when detected (as intimated already) suffer severely for it.

The Artizans also conspire in this,* 1.146 that Strangers are to be cozen∣ed; from whence results the necessity of employing Broakers or Banyans,* 1.147 that the Cretes may deal with the Cretes; or as our Eng∣lish Proverb hath it, Always set a Knave to catch a Knave.

For all these Miscarriages, not the Government so much, as the Administrators of Justice, are to be blamed: For the Laws are sound enough, were not the Magistrates faulty in the Execution; and the Reason is plain, their Offices being purchased at high Rates, indirect Courses must be taken to repay themselves: Wherefore there is hardly any Villany unconnived at, if they bribe but honestly, and have the wit not to be open in their Cheats; so that those, whose duty it is to preserve the Commonweal, are so far from being intent thereon, that on the contrary, their main scope is directed how to vex and oppress the Innocent; whereby, instead of being Dispensers of Equity and Right to the Citizens, they are the only Plague and Grievance they lie under: For their Gain arises mostly from the Ills they contrive for those under their malevolent Authority, as may ap∣pear by the subsequent, much to be lamented Story.

A certain Droger or Calenture of a City,* 1.148 being introduced by the power of Gold, that he might the better make himself whole, began to ruminate within himself (nor is the Devil wanting to such Servants;) wherefore, besides the usual Exactions, to wit, to load the Rich with Injuries, Tributes, Prison, Stripes and Shackles; whereas he could not bring that to account to all, he devised a more sure and available Stratagem; he enters a League and Amity with all the Men of Note, treats them civilly abroad, and invites them friendly at home, but not without design; entertaining at the same time corre∣spondence with all the Pimps, Panders and Bawds of the Town, and charges the latter to mix with all the lawful Wives in the publick Baths (since only Men of the highest Rank have them in their Houses) and to observe their Manners, Gestures, Garments, Shoes, and their very Smocks, and give him an account; nor dare they be deficient in their part: At the next Assembly, where every one strives to the utmost of his Gravity to behave himself, he puts on a sober Vizor, looks concerned, and out of order; after many Expressions of sincerity, and a deep sense of Honour, he bursts out into heavy sighs, at which the Good Man, to whom he directs his Discourse, afflicted to see him in these Dumps, must to his own ruin ask the occasion of his sudden alteration: He craftily returns, The business is no other∣wise mine, than as it relates to my Friend, whose Credit is dearer to me than mine own, nor can I endure to see him abused; then the de∣ceived Coxe grows more instant, begging that he would not conceal it from him.

The Droger being Master of his Science, persists; What comfort can I reap from your disturbance? It were better I should be silent; yet— whereat the other inflamed, thinking the Miscarriage aimed at him, greedily swallows the Bait; and whilst he endeavours to clear the doubt, is much more intricated than before, and therefore leaves not off till he have wrought him to discover the dangerous Secret; the Droger with much ado suffers himself to be overcome, and then

he declares, to his great grief, he took his Wife in Adultery with a Scoundrel, on whom, according to the Law, he inflicted sudden Death, as he deserved; but for the Respect born to him, he permitted his Lady to escape; nor had he made more words of it, had not he extorted this Confession; nor should he have known it, even at this time, had he not feared some less affected to him might have re∣proached him openly, with what he now privately advised him only of, otherwise it should have been buried in silence for all him.

The Husband astonished, by degrees hardly recovers himself, but speaking incoherently as his Temper provokes him; sometimes breaks forth in a passion and hurries to the destruction of his Wife and Children, sacrificing all to his Fury, cutting off both Root and Branch by a desperate depriving them of their Lives; than which the Droger desires not a greater benefit, seising both him and his Goods for satisfaction of the Law: But if he begins to consider, and cooly to examin how can this be? Such a night I am sure she lay with me, or was so and so employed at such a time in her own House.

The Droger in nothing abashed, goes on, Has not your Wife such a sort of Smock? Such a Pair of Breeches? Such a Vest? And then particularizes her Habit; which things are too well known by him to be denied, and so is possessed with a belief of the Levity of his Wife, and the Kindness of the Droger not to publish his Shame; which compells him to gratify the Favour by good Sums of Mo∣ney, and either Repudiate, Beat, or Kill his Innocent Wife for the malicious and wicked Invention of an unjust Magistrate.

Hitherto we have taken notice of little change in Apparel to distinguish them,* 1.149 the Patricii, or Nobles, being of the same make with the meaner Multitude, only their every-day Cloaths surpass in Richness, being Surbaffs, or Cloath of Silver or Gold, and the middle Sort only appear so on great days, otherwise they are Habit∣ed alike, unless Business, or Necessity of the Weather create a dif∣ference; they Ride shorter, and are booted over their Stockins, with a kind of Buskin with flat Heels, only shod with an Iron Horse shoe; in the Winter they wrap themselves in Furs, and in the Summer∣time go in looser as well as lighter Garments: Most an end their Stockins and upper Jerkins are made of English Broad Cloth; within doors they are clad more carelesly, as also when they are on Foot near their own Homes.

But the set Dress of the Persian is after this manner; His Head be∣ing Shaved, a large Turbat is placed upon his Crown, of divers Co∣lours, either Silk or Cotton, in the Figure of an over-grown Cabage, with a great broad Leaf a top, which is wrought of Gold or Silver, and spread to make a shew; his Beard is Cut neatly, and the Whiskers kept in Cases, and encouraged from one Ear to the other, in fashion of an Half-Moon on the upper Lip, with only a decent Peak on the under; not so mossy or slovenly, as either Turkish or In∣dian Mahometans: Next, upon his Body is a Shirt, which he covers with a Vest, tied double on his Breast, and strait to his Body as far as the Waste, from whence it hangs in Pleats to his Ancles, sometimes Quilted, sometimes not; his Loins are Girt with Phrigian Girdles

or rich Sashes, above which his Belt carries a Falched Sword or Scimiter; from his Hips long close Breeches of Linnen, come down to his Hose, of London Sackcloth of any Colour, which are cut loose, not respecting the shape of the Leg; over all a loose Coat of the same, without Sleeves, Lined with Furs, or Sables, or else Silk; the outside either Scarlet, or the finest Wool of Europe, or Cloath of Silver or Gold of their own Manufactory; his Shoes of the best Shagreen Leather, mostly Green, with narrow Toes, high narrow Heels, shod with neat Iron Half-moons, without Shoe-ties or Quar∣ters to pu••l up about their Heels, being the readier to slip off and on as occasion requires; instead of Gloves they Tincture not only their Hands, but Feet, with a dark Red Colour, which they do with the Alkana, or Hen of the Arabs, small Twigs of which Plant Lobeli∣us writes, are brought out of Africa to be Sold, wherewith they Dye their Hair Yellow, or of a sandy Red; and not only the Turks, who are delighted with that Colour, stain their Hair, but their Hands and Feet, with the Nails on each, and other parts of the Body, to restrain Sweating and filthy Smells proceeding therefrom, Plat. p. 165. de Discoloratione. Both which are mistakes, in relation to the staining of the Hair, but as to the other part it is true.

They only use a Glove when they carry their Hawks on their Fists, with which they are as often seen to carry them on Foot, as on Horseback. And thus have we Robed the Sparkish Persian in his City Dress; and now we shall attend the Ruder and less carefully At∣tired Rustick about his Country Affairs; which we shall bring under a Threefold consideration; for whether they be Carriers, Herdsmen, or Farmers, or rather Hinds, they are all Va••sals to supreme Masters.

The first therefore are such as Travel to and again,* 1.150 who must not enter upon that Trust without a sure Return, non est abire domum vacuumque redire; for they, for so many Beasts of Burthen, with their Bells and Trappings, much like our Pack-Horses, (suppose Twenty Mules, Thirty Asses, Forty, Fifty, Hundred, Two hun∣dred, more or less committed to their Care,) stipulate for an equivalent Profit to the Owners; the Pack ••saddles are a Load them∣selves, being thick and broad, and made afore with an high Steeple, or Pyramid, and the Ridge in the middle is like a Mountain, over which they hang their Carriages; the like is to be said of their Ca∣mels. The Chief Drover is called Golabdar, and is priviledged only to Command over his Fellow-Servants, not to Domineer over any Passengers, whether Franks or Natives, as among the Turks is pra∣ctised, but rather to yield themselves to the Obedience of those who employ them.

Those that breed up Cattel are wandring Shepherds,* 1.151 and have no stated Habitation; but where they find the best Pasture they pitch their Tents, together with their Wives, Children, and Fami∣lies, with all their Troops, in the fattest Vallies, living abroad far from great Towns, like the Wild Arabs, whose Chief, or Father of the Tribe, is owned by them, and no other, he giving account to the Emperor for the Number of their Flocks, and the Annual In∣crease; for they are Morose and Untamed, and are apt enough to

Worry any who fall unadvisedly among them: Their Dogs, with which they guard the Folds, are like Wolves, as fierce and stronger than their Wolves are here.

Among these we must reckon those that bring up the King's Breed of Horses, because they lead a Life very like these, though under the Jurisdiction of a Prime Courtier, who lives like a Persian both for Eating and Pomp in his Pavilions of State in the open Fields, keeping there a kind of a Court with his Fellows and Companions, while the Inferior Servants provide for innumerable Droves of Cattle; for whose Foles newly colted, the Mules are the best de∣fence, (securing them from the attempts of the wildest Creatures when their Mares shall desert them, by a vigorous resistance with their Heels,) never leaving to prosecute them till they have drove them from their designed Rape; and to this End shall muster them∣selves together when they perceive any danger threaten the Young ones in their respective Droves, and for the same purpose are nou∣rished to be their Keepers.

These then are Vagrants,* 1.152 while the Husbandman fixes himself in the Villages, to whom the native Soil is sweet, who reaps the Fruit of his Labour, provided he take care to discharge his Landlord, who generally is the Emperor, or else as bad a Task-master.

These go clad in course Cloths underneath, above with Felts, kneaded into the form of a Coat, and are covered with Hats of the same, but their Hats are grey, bound about with a Linnen Cloth either of White, Green or Blew; their Coats are of what Colour they please, but mostly Blew; their Hats are high-crowned, and the Brim slit be••••re and behind, which if it be cold, they pull down and bind with their Cloth; if the Sun offend their Eyes, they draw it over their Faces, or cock up when it is shady: When they rest, the upper Garment is put on with Sleeves, armed with an undressed Sheep's-skin against the injury of the Weather; their Shirt next their Skin is rugged enough; over it a plain Jirkin is tied with an hard Linnen Girdle of the same wooft with the Shirt: About the Calves of their Legs they bind Rowlers for want of Stockins; and their Shoes are soled with Wood, and the upper part wrought over with Packthread.

The Dervises professing Poverty,* 1.153 assume this Garb here, but not with that State they ramble up and down in India; being without Beasts of Burthen, without Wallets full of Provisions, which the others seize by force, without Attendance, without other Ensigns or Wea∣pons more than a Staff and Horn; travelling without Company, or indeed any Safe-pass; and if they fix up their Standard, it is among the Tombs; none giving them harbour, or encouraging this sort of Madness, as well for the natural Antipathy to Beggery, as for that under this Cloak many Intrigues and ill Designs have been car∣ried on.

The Christians labour in their Vineyards,* 1.154 as do the Jews also.

In all other Servility and Slavery the Old Gabers or Gaurs,* 1.155 the true Ancient Persians, who differ from the present in Speech, Institutes, Laws, Countenance, Voice and Gate, which they retain with all the Abjectness and Sordidness a continual pressure of Misfortune can

reduce them to; being once Lords of all the World, are no more now than the Off-scum of the Earth, and the meanest on whom the Sun shines, although still he is adored as their Deity.

And these being the Lowest of Mankind,* 1.156 made so by their Sloth; we sh••ll pass from them, to those disabled from being Men by the Barbarous Custom of these Nations; whose Favour must be courted before we can come to the speech of their Women, I mean the Eunuchs; who barking, straitly wake their Masters; to whom being well disposed, it is hard to cast a seducing Bait before them; for since they are incapable of Enjoyments, though not of the Thoughts of Venery, their Masters conside in their Impotency to preside over the Female Senate, setting them as Spies over their Incontinency, and as faithful Keepers of their Vertue of Necessity: They order all their Cloths, and see that every one be arraid as becomes them, and that nothing indecent be committed among them; so pertenacious are they in the Authority placed in them, out of a tyrannical Humour, that they are never brought over to their Mistresses Designs, but are ever trusty to their Master's Pleasure, being most exquisite in the Art of Bawdery, and impure Assistants to Lechery; insomuch, that whoever beholds them, must pronounce them a Map of Villany; for they look as if they had stolen an Old Woman's Face, and a Puppit's Voice, seldom Fat in Body, but always Lean in Visage, without Beard, that not so much as the Hair of a Good Man appears, and the very Image of that Divine Creature seems utterly eraced; that one would suspect them to be Gypsies inverted, transformed from Young Men in∣to Deformed Old Beldams, unless their Cloaths were allowed to be the same as the Mens; for they have no other Testimony left of their once being of the same Sex; for they are Gelded so inartificially, or Butcherly rather, that All is cut off, nothing of witness being left, but as clear as the Skin will permit; and thus are they given over to Nature to cicatrize: If they live, it is well; if not, they try others till they do; wherefore a Chyrurgion skilled in this Art, is of greater value, than if he were expert in every other part, and defi∣cient in this.

They have both White and Black; the first from Georgia, the other from Arabia and A••rica; these are the fit Tools of their Beastly Offices, and there••ore the more endeared to their Masters, by how much the more lewd they are.

Which would hardly be born with silence by the Ancient Procu∣••ers of the Female Sex,* 1.157 had they not been found faulty in their often contriving and helping their Young Mistresses out in their Assigna∣tions; of which they being conscious, they the more quietly admit them into their Quarters, not to say more contentedly; for they look upon them to be Overseers of their Actions, and imposed as so many Argus's to discover all their Intrigues.

In the mean while,* 1.158 the Women of this Country are in a bad State, where Jealousy reigns with such a sway, (and it is said not without cause;) for which reason they are without hope of redress, or any one so much as to pity them, since they'r known above once to break through those Bars; nor is it wonderful when their Profoundest Divines teach them to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, without Rational Souls, and there∣fore

exclude them their Mosques; nor are they trained up in those Principles from their Youth, which should render them fit to be∣come prudent Matrons; but measuring from extraneous things the sweetness of their Being, are instructed in Affairs of the Bed, Ban∣quetting, Luxury, and Brutish Obsequiousness.

They are taught to Ride a Straddle like Men,* 1.159 to Leap, to Dart, and drink Tobacco.

None, though of the Royal Lineage, are permitted in Matters of State to meddle, or have their Cabals or Instruments, whereby to convey their Policies; nor must they stir abroad unvailed, unless ••hut up in Cedgewaies, and then well attended.

They have little care over their Children, nor have they much businesss with the Reel or Spindle; as if they were created only to be Idle Companions for the Men; their Garments differ no farther from the Mens than Conveniency requires; their Hair is braided with Elegancy under their Veils, with a Golden Crown or Gar∣land, bestuck with Jewels and precious Stones in pretty Knots and Fancies.

Pectoris & cordis pariter proprieque monile Ornatus. Colli sunt torques, auris in aures, Annulus est manuum, sicut armilloe brachiorum, Atque periscolides exornant crura puellae.

Besides the Breast, the Neck, the Ears, the Hand, Their proper Ornaments, the Thighs command.

The Plebean Women walk without Doors, either on Foot, or else Ride on Horse-back covered with White Sheets, with Holes for their Eyes and Nose; content to enjoy Day at a little Hole rather than prostitute their Face to publick View; the honest Women have no Borders to their Sheets.

Those that desire to be reputed Whores have large Borders,* 1.160 and wear them as a Sign of their Trade; with which to disgrace a Mar∣ried Woman, and to shave her Head, is the greatest Mark of Infamy she can be branded with; unless to add a perpetual stigmatizing Note, she be carried on an Ass, with her Face to the Tail, quite through the City.

The Women are fair, with rather too much Ruddiness in their Cheeks; their Hair and Eyes most black; a little Burly, by reason they wear their Cloths loose, yet not altogether so, but more at ease than our Dames; a Plump Lass being in more esteem than our Slen∣der and Strait-laced Maidens.

The Lovers court not one another; for the Recluseness of their Condition is such, that should they attempt to carry on a Secret Amour, it could not long lie hid; wherefore when they are at leasure to Love, they ask the Parents of the Daughter for their Consent, which if they gain, the Match is struck up: That of Catullus being granted,

Virginitas non tota tua est, ex parte parentum est, Tertia pars matri data, pars tertia patri, Tertia sola tua est. Noli pugnare duobus.

Your Virginity is not all your own; Two Thirds your Parents claim, one Third alone Remains to you. Fight not then two to one.

She is led through the Streets in all her best Apparel vailed, with∣out Dowry, more than what Goods and Chattels are sent with lusty Slaves, by her several Relations, with a pompous Procession and Illuminations, with noisy Musick for several Nights together; and thus the Men, do as it were, buy their Wives, while the Women are ignorant of the Chapman till they come together; it being not reputable for Women of good Fame to enter upon such Bar∣gains.

Only professed Whores are tollerated to make the best of their Markets;* 1.161 Curtezans therefore are dispensed by the King, they gi∣ving him so much for their License when they first set up, and An∣nually as long as they practise, not exceeding the number of Forty thousand in his Chief City of Suffahaun; and these are always Mar∣rying, as the Poet pleasantly relates,

Quotidie viro nubit, Nupsitque hodie, Nubit mox noctu.

Daily Man she Marries, She has been wed to Day; If till Night she tarries, She thinks she does delay.

When they go to Bed, they Clamber not up to them, as we do, but throw themselves on the Ground after Carpets are laid, and a Bed made in a Summer-House in some Garden, left open in Sum∣mer-time, or else on the Tablets upon the Tops of their Houses; where, if they observe any peeping upon them, or their Wives, an Arrow drawn up to the head is let fly; nor does any blame the Marks-man when he hits. In Winter-time they keep all close.

If a Curtezan conceive,* 1.162 and it proves a Girl, she is registred of her Mothers Profession; if a Son, she fixes it on some Father.

There are costly Whores in this City, who will demand an hun∣dred Thomands for one Nights Dalliance, and expect a Treat besides of half the price; these while their Wit and Beauty last, outshine the Ladies of the highest Potentate, and brave it through the Town with an Attendance superior to the wealthiest.

In their Lyings in,* 1.163 it is common for the ordinary Peoples Wives to meet together to assist the Woman that Cries out: And the Mo∣ther, and the Babe, are purified by washing in their Hummums after forty Days.

When their Husbands dye they make great Lamentations; the Widows howling with their Neighbours and Relations, crying out, Who will take care for us,* 1.164 who will defend the Cause of the Widow and the Fatherless; after the Custom of the Hebrews, where in Sa∣cred Scripture they are termed Mutes, because there is none to plead for them; and if by chance they offer to urge any thing for themselves, no one regards their Complaints: For three Days after their Kindred's Death they change not their Garments; the Men shave not their Heads, or trim their Beards; the Women shear their Heads, vow Widowhood, and go carelesly Clad, only in a Sheet or mean Dress.

The Persians,* 1.165 when they let go their Modesty, put no bounds to their lascivious Desires, not being content with Natural Inclinati∣ons, outdo the Sensuality of the hottest Beasts, who never attempt on other than the Females of their own Species; but these, oh shame! covet Boys as much as Women; and to speak an horrid Truth, are too guilty of Buggering other Creatures; these poor Children thus abused are sad Spectacles, looking diseased, and are not long liv'd.

So wholly bent on Pleasures are these People,* 1.166 that to grow Rich, be saluted with Honour, appear magnificently, be account∣ed Noble and speciously Great, to Play, to Ride on Horseback with Gold Trappings on Prancing Steeds, to feast Day and Night, they will venture on any Evil Enterprize, and sell themselves to any Mischief, well knowing without Money they can arrive at none of these, so that they are intent to get it right or wrong: There∣fore neither in Court, Camp, or in Judicature, is there catching any thing without a Golden Hook; no one sues in forma pauperis, Justice is not to be had without a Bribe; and if you Appeal to Caesar, he is deaf, if you knock not at the Door with the Showre that opened the way to Danae's close Confiners.

On the other hand, commit any Wickedness, cast but a Golden Mist before the Chief Ministers, and the King shall know nothing of it; but if the Clamour of the Subject force a Magless, the Case is not represented fairly to the Emperor, but as a Blend they mix Falsities with Truth.

Atque ita mentuntur, sic veris falsa remiscent.

No Court in the World is fuller of Corruption than the Persian Court,* 1.167 whereupon the Crowd is sent away no better satisfied than it came; which causes ill Blood, a perpetual Reproach to the King, and if they durst, Insurrections, which whether Fear, or want of Courage restrain them, or the innate Fidelity and Passive Obedience on the formerly mentioned grounds, I shall not determine: Since at this time they seem to be more provoked by the Supiness of the Emperor, and the Ill Management of the Government, and the general out-cry of the Mo∣bile; but yet, even in this Confusion I do not perceive a Propensity to Rebellion, though they refrain not from open Curses, especially the Womenkind, who are set on by the Men to bellow their Oppres∣sions, which they roar at the Palace Gates, by Troops of Women,

in a Tumultuous manner some Weeks together; to which Vocal Weapons they are sparing.

When as should the Men come in a Riot,* 1.168 they would handle them otherwise; which is the reason they thrust them on to complain, when they dare not speak their own Grievances, it being not held manly to fight with a Woman.

And hence it comes to pass that the Law loses its Authority,* 1.169 and the Subject becomes a Prey to the Avarice and Violence of the Ma∣gistrate; and while the one grows exorbitantly Rich, the other be∣comes miserably Poor, through an unproportionable distribution; and by these Exactions is verified the Proverb, Homo homini Lupus; One Man devours another more cruelly than a Wolf. Nor is it pos∣sible for one that is Poor ever to rise without a Miracle, there being no Mean between extreme Poverty and the height of Wealth or Honour, which makes the Great ones truly Great, while the deject∣ed Wretches have no other Sanctuary than to appear under the shel∣ter of the Mighty; and to be reckoned of their Retinue is all the Favour to be expected in recompense for the most notorious Injury; which would augment the Affliction of a Generous Spirit, to follow on Foot the exalted Extortioner that has undone him, who climbed over others Ruin to be eminently Rich, and is still upheld by their Downfall. And this must ever be the state of those Kingdoms where Goodness is banished, and Virtue must give place to Vice; and this unavoidably happens where ever the Mahometan Religion takes place; which makes a voluptuous Life the only Benediction both on Earth and in their Heaven; and this squares more peculiarly with the Climat and the Temper of the Persians, than any other Nation un∣der the cope of Heaven: For since Misfortunes are looked on as the most grievous Curses, they all aim either to be, or to be thought Pro••perous; whence it is not only indecent, but unhappy to walk on Foot out of Necessity; and he that comes abroad with the finest Palfry, the richest Accoutrements, the most Followers, with Foot∣men with Bells at their Wastes, Feathers in their Turbats, Em∣broidered Horse-Cloaths over their Shoulders, delicately wrought Saddles for War and Housings, Golden Bridles, Breast-Plates and Cruppers often beset with Precious Stones; has his Golden Headed Coleon behind him magnificently carried, with change of Vests in rich Buy-Shoes or Portmantles; he is the Favourite of Heaven and the Darling of Fortune, is courted by all, and esteemed the chief care of Providence. Thus mightily are the gaudy Bubbles of For∣tune admired here; on which account to be most Impious is most emulated, since to arrive at these Ends there is no other method than what has already been related.

And thus Equipped they appear in their Martial Camps,* 1.170 not to out-do, but out-shine each other, where they have Obelisks for Goals, where they try their Steeds, not giving them a long Race, but short and swift; they, as most of the East do, Ride short, and stop with a Jerk; for which, as has been said in India, their Curbs are useful, that on a motion they Obey; otherwise they (being placed with a sharp Cone, in a round Ring pointing on the Tongue,) so pierce it that it Bleeds as if struck with a Fleme; here they Gerede,

or cast Darts, play with Balls on Rackets, bringing their Steeds to observe the Rebound; here they train their Hawks to fly at Crows, and Crows to fly at Sparrows: Here they Exercise among themselves what the King requires to be presented before him; and the Nobility learn to Shoot backward, as the Parthians, their Predecessors, were wont, and in that were dreaded more on flight than when they stood to it; nor is this the only Skill they pretend to with Bows and Ar∣rows, but Shoot at Marks not far distant, though they seldom pra∣ctise Rovers.

On these Sands the Anointed Wrestler keeps himself in Breath, and the undaunted Fencer bares his Livid Arm; Rams are set against Rams, and against Bulls, Lions, &c. and against all, our English Mastiffs, who carry the Prize from the Combatants, when they Celebrate the Boetian Games.

They are frequent Huntsmen:* 1.171 When they go out on this sport they return not in a Days time, as we do, but remove from place to place, where Game is to be had; take with them their Wives and Family, and Travel in state with full prepared Tables, and act the Bacchinals like Alexander; for which purpose they have their Tents and close Carriages, their Gogdans for Provisions; they carry also Bulgar-Hides, which they form into Tanks to Bathe themselves, and Women, in their Progress; for drinking Cups they have both Gold and Silver ones, as also large Flasks of that Metal; besides Earthen Jars for Water, and Puckeries, which are porous Vessels to keep their Liquor Cool.

Upon their Return,* 1.172 or Entrance of any Magistrate into any great Town, or City, all of any Quality meet them at some Garden, a Pharsang off, with led Horses, Musick, and Banquets, to Congra∣tulate their Arrival, which is also done upon their Departure, with a Train of Servants, and especially those bearing their Tobacco-Ves∣sels, Tea, and Coffee-Pots; which, with hot Rose-Water, and Su∣gar-Candy, is their preparatory Fore runner to a splendid Entertain∣ment; which they are sure to have at the return to their Palaces, where they Treat like Persians.

Alighting they are introduced the Guest-Chamber,* 1.173 all bestrewed with Flowers and sweet Herbs, besides perfumed with Odoriferous Gums, or the Aloes Wood alone, or other resiny Matters made into Candles, and in Massy Silver Fuming-Pots very costly and delicate; leaving their Slippers where they begin to tread on Carpets; they take their Seats on Susanees, a rich Tapestry of Needle-Work that Borders the Carpets, behind which are placed huge Velvet Bolsters, before them Spitting Pots to void their Spittle in when they Smoak Tobacco, or Eat Pawn; these Rooms are large and airy, and open fold∣ing Windows on every side, where being placed they bring their Coloons; after which they Welcome you by a flood of Rose-Water, or other Compound Water poured on your Head and Beard, then they bring in, in neat Voiders, China Plates of Fruit, as Pistachia's, Walnuts, Almonds, Haslenuts, Grapes, Prunes, Prunello's, Apri∣cots Dried, and Sweatmeats Wet and Dry of all sorts, amidst whereof they fill out Coffee, Tea, and Hot Rose-Water, and all the while have Mimicks, Stage-Players, and Dancers to divert, between

whose Interludes is mixed the Custom, as ancient as Nebuchadnezzar, of certain Wife ••••en repeating Verses in their Praise, or reading Mo∣numents of Antiquity, which continues till Victuals are brought in, and the Cloath spread on the Carpets, every one keeping their places; First, Water being brought in great Silver Basons and Ewers to Wash, the Courses are ushered in with loud Musick, and the Table being filled, the Servitors are placed so as to furnish every one with Plates of the several Varieties, which they place before each, and give them long Wheaten Cakes, both for Napkins, Trencher, and Bread, and sometimes thin Pancakes made of Rice; though Boiled Rice serves usually for Bread, which they mix with their Soops and Pottage.

The usual Drink is Sherbet, made of Water, Juice of Lemmons, and Ambergreece, which they drink out of long thin Wooden Spoons, wherewith they lade it out of their Bowls.

The most admired Dainty, wherewith they stuff themselves, is Pullow, whereof they will sill themselves up to the Throat and re∣ceive no hurt, it being so well prepared for the Stomach. After they have Eaten well, and the Cloath is removed, they Wash again.

And then most of them will freely take off their Bowls of Wine, (which is brought to each by their several Servants) most of Silver, some of Gold, which we call a Toss, and is made like a Wooden Dish, purposely so shap'd for convenient Carriage, at the bottom of their Coosdans placing their Gurgulets upon it, which Coosdan is a Case made neatly of Rattans or Canes, covered with a Coverlet of Scarlet, Bordered with Silk for Shew as well as to keep the Dust off.

When they have tired themselves with Feasting (which is not suddenly) as they depart, they return Thanks, by Inviting every one in course to an Entertainment of the like nature, where they strive to outdo each other. Thus extravagantly Luxurious and im∣moderately Profuse are they in their great Feasts, stately Dining-Rooms, magnificent Gardens, and Water-Courses; exceeding the Roman Voluptuousness, of whose Prodigality Seneca.

Turpis libido (scilicet) potens venere Luxuria victrix, orbis immensas opes, Jampridem avaris manibus ut perdat, rapit.

Active in Lustful Fires, they heap up stores, To waste in Riot, and to spend on Whores. Seize all the World by Avaritious Hands, Get to consume on Prodigal Commands.

In their Weddings, Childbearings, Circumcisions and Purifying Ban∣quets, they make great Revellings, Fireworks and Rejoycings Night and Day for a Month together, that it is troublesome living in great Cities by reason of their Nocturnal Perambulations, when they Shoot, Shout, and make great Acclamations, with hideous thundring Ket∣tle Drums and Trumpets; and however obscure they live at other times, they are wholly taken up in Expences at these Times, and

sometimes forgetting the main Chance, they say out all, and more, to imitate Men of Fame.

But the greatest Festivities are injoined by the Church,* 1.174 some whereof are common to the Turks and Persians, others belong only to the Persian Sect; as those in the end of their great Fast of the Ramzan, and that of Imaum Osseen, No Rose, when the Caliph, or Archflamen, or one for him, should sacrifice a Ram in memory of that intangled in the Thickets, which Abraham offered up an Holo∣caust instead of his Son Isaac, and these are equally observed by each.

When the Emperor, seating himself on his Throne, arrayed in his Royal Robes, that he might display all the Wealth and Glory of the Empire both to the Plebeans and Potentates, and ought after the Pri∣mitive Institution to make a Feast for all the Princes and his Servants, the Power of Persia, the Nobles and Prefects of Provinces, for many days together: By placing Golden Vessels at the Gates of his Palace for the Lions and strange Beasts to drink out of, as large Golden Jarrs for Passengers; where, upon the frequent expectation of their Liege Lord, and the Shews and Pastimes represented before him on these Days, great Numbers of People flocked into the Hypodrome, where the Presence of the King was as eagerly desired, as Caesar's Advent was welcomed by Martial.

Phosphore redde diem; cur gaudia nostra moreris, Caesare venturo? Phosphore redde diem.

But as if nothing were owing either to the Affections of the Vulgar, or to Honest Report, he not only neglects the Sports and Games, but by contracting new Impieties, loosens the very Bonds by which the Subjects Faith are tied; for he being commonly drunk on these Solem∣nities within doors, with his Pimps and Panders comes abroad like a Royster, neither regarding the Temple, or the Grandure of the Mageless: For on No Rose, the First Day of the Year, which is the Tenth of March, he being attended by the Great Council, should re∣ceive the Homage of all his Great Slaves, and they should pay their Feuditory Tributes, for which he should return them Colluts, or Robes of Honour, either by themselves or Substitutes, and at the same time entertain them Royally; where, besides the usual Sports, on this Day there is a peculiar Diversion of the Shotters or Footmen, begun at Two or Three in the Morning, and held for Twelve Hours; in which space the Shotter that is appointed, fetches Twelve Small Streamers placed a Pharsang distant from the Starting-Post, which is before the Palace-Gate, which reckoning four Miles to a Pharsang, is four times Twelve, or Forty eight Miles backwards and forwards, but at a modest computation it is full Three Miles that they run, and then it will amount to Seventy two Miles that they run in Twelve hours time; which I once saw performed at the Caun of Bunder's (who all over the Realm imitate the Emperor on this Day) on the Sand along the Sea-side, we being there at the Vernal Aequi∣nox, when this is performed.

He sets out with his Fellows, who by Turns wait his return, and are obliged to attend him,* 1.175 both to make way, and to fan him in his passage, and to be ready with Towels to rub the Sweat off his Body: Two or three hours before Noon the Prime Nobility gather to re∣ceive the King's Commands; some to be Spectators, others to act afore the Mageless; where at the appearance of the Shotter, with his Streamer in his Hand, the loud Musick proclaims his coming: When he has fetched the last, the King has notice, and all with him ascend∣ing their Steeds, wait on the Emperor, who meeting him, the Shotter runs chearfully afore his Horse, and holds his Horse till he alights, and prostrate before him, delivers the Streamer, for which, after he is cleansed, and the Mageless is seated, he is brought before the Emperor of the Suffees, clothed with nothing more than his running Breeches, and then a Rich Vest is thrown over him, and receives a Gratuity besides from the Suffee, whose Example all there present following, he is plentifully rewarded, and made Chief Shotter for the ensuing Year: After the Shotter's Race is over, the Suffee calls all his No∣bles to a Sumptuous Feast, which concludes with demonstrations of Excessive Joy.

At the beginning of April they have a proper Feast of their own, where the Emperor is to give the People of Suffahaun a Camel to be slain, which they lead about the Streets with a confused Noise, be∣ing dressed very fine with Flowers and Garlands for the Altar; and being brought to the Priest, he cuts the Throat, and burns the En∣trails, distributing to each Principal Ward of the City the several Quarters to be eaten publickly after they are roasted, the Head only being presented to an Old Sybil, the only Relict of the Tribe to which it appertains by right, which she preserves till next Year, and then produces it at the Feast, for which she has a setled Pension; and the Blood of the fresh slain is scrambled for to besmear their Lin∣tels and Side-posts, signing them with the Sign of the Cross: What relation it has to the Passover ordained to the Jews, I could never learn from them; but they say it is to keep their Houses free from Hobgoblins and Evil Spirits: It is called Aede Corboon.

About December they observe a Feast for the happy Conjunction of Mahomet and Alli, known by Aede Chudeer.

In January is the Commemoration of the Snares of the Ottoman intended against the Osmeran Family, Aede Bobba Shujawhundeen, which are ridiculous enough.

They celebrate the New Moons with the rest of the Moors; and to speak fairly, they outdo others in Civility of Manners:

Nor (to give them less than their due) are they behind-hand in ex∣erting their Valour where requisite,* 1.176 whether out of the opinion of Fatal Necessity, or an Innate Disposition, I know not, nor will I judge; but that of Lucan prevails with them.

—A prima descendit origine Mundi Causarum series, atque omnia fata laborant; Si quidquam mutasse velis.—

Since the World's Frame at first began, All things in setled Order ran; What you'd change, should have been changed then.

Friendly and Courteous Salutation is no where so much promoted as among the Persians,* 1.177 as if they had learned Cato's Prescript; wherefore I think it not impertinent to give you some Forms of their Address, and a Specimen of their good Behaviour; not that I would hereby pretend I understood the Language (for I confess, be∣yond the Discourse of Traffick, and for ordinary Occasions, I do not,) but rather to vindicate the Place, famous for so many Ages past, from the Barbarity of the rest of the Eastern Nations; and to shew that it has transmitted some of its Civility (though by ano∣ther Conveyance than the direct Ancestry) through the repea••ed Alterations of Fortune, to the present Possessors, who were originally of a morose Extract; yet have they put off their Native Ferity, to comply with the over-ruling Influence of the Climate.

For the very Plebeans in other Parts, surly and unconversable, are here Affable and Kind, not Rude and Unmannerly; where-ever you meet them, before you salute them, they accost you with Sa∣lam Aleekum, God's Peace be with you; and if you do the like to them, they resalute you, and bowing with their Hands across their Breast, return Aleekum Salam, God save you; approaching nigher, they Embrace with the Appellation of mi Sahab, my Friend, or more properly, my Lord; Cuddah ne gardin, God be propitious to you; in passant, they cry with some vehemence, Chehauldore; how fare you? to which they reply, Choukossee, at your Service; at Departure, Salamut basheet, Peace be your Companion; at Meeting, Nosajun Bashut, I am glad to see you; at Meals, Aupheat Bashut, much Good may it do you; if any fail the appointment after Invitation, or come late, being called, they say Ja Shamau collee booth pishee eauroon, Your Seat is empty among so many good Friends; and what I wonder at more, many Words in use among the High Dutch, are in Common Discourse with them, as Fader signifies Father; Moder, Mother; Broder, Brother; bad, beeter, and innumerable of the like sort; which not only confirms their being Scythians, but corroborates the Learned Antiquary, Mr. She∣ringham's Opinion of Woden, and his Asas or Asiaticks, (Asa being a Common Name among the Parsys in India and Gaurs here) and of our being derived from them, as appears in his Anglorum Gentis Origine.

The Courtiers think the Turkish Language more commanding, and therefore addict themselves to that Speech, which is neither so Polite or Verbose, but more Gutteral; the present Dialect of the Persians is much more smooth and neat, yet not agreeable with the old Character, as may appear by our Polyglot Bible, which they understand no more than they do Welch.

But to perfect their Urbanity; when they Encounter, they pluck not off their Caps, but with a pleasing Modesty bow their Heads; within Doors they bare their Feet by pulling off their Shoes,

which they leave at the Entrance upon the Bucchanno's; not that they salute thereby, but out of Cleanliness to preserve their Carpets, from which when they descend, their Servants stand ready to help them to their Shoes, and while they are seated, glory to be incircled with Servitors; nor do they presume afore their Betters to use any other Seat than their Heels, till they have License to sit at ease.

They are formal in the matter of going First, and shall protract the Ceremony into a tedious Contention, and generally are pressed hard to Precedency, and will strain a Courtesy to Strangers.

The Custom of carrying Aves one to another,* 1.178 is not Obsolete.

Prima Salutantes atque altera continet hora.

No more than among Martial's Parasites, the very Slaves Reveren∣cing the Threshold of their Lord's Doors; so extravagant are they of their Courtesies, with an hundred such good Morrows; but if any weighty thing be to be presented, it is with an eye to Profit.

However,* 1.179 not to exempt them from all good Inclinations, could we excommunicate Self-Praise, Philautia, from their Pious Acts, we might discern some noble Deeds for which they merit to be extolled, as the Building of Temples, Publick Hospitals for Travellers, (not for Sick or Wounded) which are the Caravan Seraws, Colleges, Bridges, Fountains, plaining Mountains, and raising Vallies, for to facilitate the Way for long and troublesome Journies.

The Colleges that are not of Royal Foundations, are Adjuncts to the Prophets Tombs, or Built in Commemoration of some Noble Warrior; to be Buried near which, is the desire of these Martis A∣lumni, as much as for Catholicks to be Buried in St. Francis his Ha∣bit; which Sepulchres are, as it were, Triumphant Arches, after the Figures of their Mosques, in the middle whereof is deposited the Corps in a Stone Tomb, like a Chest, or Coffin, with Four Golden or Silver Apples, at each Corner One, commonly covered with a Purple wrought Pall, with curious Artifice; over head hang Stream∣ers and Banners, and it is Railed with Iron Rails, in which are Lamps always Burning; nor do any enter with their Shoes on, the Floor being Matted, or spread with Carpets; and if a Mullah attends, he goes to Prayers for the Quiet of the deceased Soul. They never Bury in the Church, and seldom in the City; they per∣mit Representations of Lions or Tigers, on Grave-Stones, as has been said, to express a Man taken away in the prime of his Age; have Inscriptions and Places for Incense; they always lay the Body North and South, in opposition to us Christians, who Bury our Dead East and West; agreeing in most things with the other Mahometans.

To this Magnificence and Civility of Temper, we may add a Third Virtue, their Fidelity to their Princes.

For which Excellencies they seem to be beholden to the pureness of their Air; for it is Hot and Dry for the most part, whereby their Hearts are more firm and solid, which makes them more constant and resolute, they being of a more refined Head than the other Easterns, their Brain being more spirituous and clear.

To which Three Graces, notwithstanding, there are a Trine Aspect of Vices; to Magnificence, Oppression and Covetousness; to Munificence,* 1.180 Intemperance and Lust; to Fidelity, Jealousy and Revenge.

The Philosophers agree not with Galen,* 1.181 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; that the Body suffers from the Affections of the Mind; they saying, That they depend not on the Texture of the Body, but are Conjoined with it; yet Experience teaches, That as often as the Mind is Troubled, the Spirits are variously Agitated, which move the Blood and put it on a Fret, whereby the Heart is Con∣vulsed, and many times the whole Frame of the Body is put out of Order.

And therefore is it necessary,* 1.182 that to the excellency of the Air, and disposition of the Body, a requisite Diet, as well for Meat as Drink, should correspond with both; and indeed Nature seems to have provided them with both, for those they desire are these:

Cabob is Rostmeat on Skewers,* 1.183 cut in little round pieces no bigger than a Sixpence, and Ginger and Garlick put between each. Thus sparingly do they feed on Flesh alone, ordered after this manner; and if at any time they intend a Meal thereon, they have it well Boiled, Baked, Fried, or Stewed, or made into Pullow; which is a general Mess, as frequent with them as a good substantial piece of Beef is with us, and reckoned their standing Dish; which is made either of Flesh, Fish, or Fowl, as the Indian Moors do; but the best is made of the fattest Meat, for which the pondrous Tails of Suet (which their Sheep bear) is most coveted, in regard it saves Butter.

To make Pullow,* 1.184 the Meat is first Boiled to Rags, and the Broth or Liquor being strained, it is left to drain, while they Boil the Rice in the same; which being tender, and the aqueous parts evaporating, the Juice and Gravy incorporates with the Rice, which is Boiled almost dry; then they put in the Meat again with Spice, and at last as much Butter as is necessary, so that it becomes not too Greesy or Of∣fensive, either to the Sight or Taste; and it is then Boiled enough when it is fit to be made into Gobbets, not slabby, but each Corn of Rice is swelled and filled, not burst into Pulp; and then with Mango or other Achar, they will devour whole Handfuls (for Spoons are not in use, unless to drink Sherbet with, they mixing their Pottage with dry Rice, and cramming themselves with their Fingers) and never Surfeit; always taking this for a Rule, never to Drink till they are satisfied, it causing them otherwise to swell too soon; and then they will Eat as much at a Meal, as an Horse or Mule can of Barly.

Baked Meat they call Dumpoke,* 1.185 which is dressed with sweet Herbs and Butter, with whose Gravy they swallow Rice dry Boiled.

Their Stews are also made of Cooling Fruits,* 1.186 as Cucumbers, Gourds, &c. which they mingle Rice with.

But the bulk of their Diet consists of the Fruits of the Teeming Earth, sowre Milk, with soft Cheese, Grapes and Wheaten Bread.

They have a kind of Cooling Musilage of Seeds, like Psyllium; in the Maritime parts they use Dates instead of Bread, or Bread made Pancake Fashion of Rice.

They have a Dish they call Cookoo Challow, which is dry Rice and a Fritter of Eggs, Herbs, and Fishes,

They seldom Eat fresh Butter,* 1.187 and as seldom Beefs Flesh; the Poor near the Sea live only on Fish and Dates; the Rich live plenti∣fully every where.

No Country is more taken with Sweetmeats,* 1.188 not even the Lusi∣tanians; wherefore Sugar is a good Commodity from India, for Persia produces none of its own; they are not such Confectioners, not∣withstanding, as might be expected from so constant a desire and practice; the chief reason I can impute it to is Custom, which in every thing they are very tenacious of.

They mightily covet cool things to the Palat, wherefore they mix Snow, or dissolve Ice in their Water, Wine, or Sherbets.

Out of Taylets of Willows they make a compound Cool-Water, very sweet smelling and refreshing.

Sherbets are made of almost all Tart pleasing Fruits as the Juice of Pomegranets, Lemmons, Citrons, Oranges, Prunella's, which are to be bought in the Markets. Thus by Diet, as well as Air, they procure not only a firmness of Constitution, but Properness and Tallness of Body, for none excel them either for Beauty or Stature.

But before we part with this Subject, since they are not so starch'd and precisely bent as the more rigorous Mahometans, we may be ac∣quainted with their constant course of Eating, and lie down with them at Meals, and receive a good Welcome.

Their Breakfast is begun with Melons, Cucumbers, Gourds, Grapes, or other Fruits, as Peaches, Apricots, Cherries, or the like, with soft Cheese or Butter-Milk; which is about Ten in the Morning, from which time they abstain from all manner of Food (I mean when they observe their set Meals till near Sun-set) when they feed heartily on Flesh, or any other hot Meats, and enlarge sometimes till Midnight.

They observe the same usage for going to Stool as the other Easterns, washing away the Filth with the Left hand, for no other cause than that they feed themselves with the Right.

They sit down to make Water, but whether that way empties the Bladder better I leave to conjecture; though their continual sit∣ting within doors with their Legs up to their Bellies helps digestion, is a thing beyond dispute.

That the Persians never Spit,* 1.189 I cannot allow to be true, since they Smoak Tobacco in their most solemn Assemblies, and for that purpose we have already shewed they are provided with Spitting-Pots, or Pigdans; but since Xenophon relateth it in the First Paedia Cyri, as a reproach for any to Spit in Company, and brings it as an argument of Gluttony, or Laziness, Nunquam sputant in••conventu Per∣sae, quia maximum ignominioe argumentum, quasi indicaret eos aut plus cibi, quam par esset sumere, aut nullis corporis exercitationibus uti; I must add, that I find them to indulge both; nor are they ashamed to Carouse or Eat lustily, but on the contrary Gormandize to excess; there is therefore nothing but the Thinness of the Air, expressing their super∣fluous Humours can bespeak this Virtue; nor indeed do I find them differ much in that point from other Nations.

To conclude then; to the Endowments of Mind, they have an Happiness of Body,* 1.190 through the extraordinary Fineness of Air, which by a suitableness of Food nourishes a well-mix'd Temper both of Soul and Body; for as they have the start in the first, so they sur∣pass all their Neighbours in the latter, being not only Ingenuous and Free, but Fair, Tall, and Comely, with a Stock of Health not easily to be impaired, unless violent Debauchery root up the Stabi∣lity they enjoy by Nature.

Thus having run through their Distributive Justice,* 1.191 their Religion, and Morality, their several Rites, Usages, and Ceremonies; it re∣mains then, as we have declared their Wealth and Merchandize, so we should shut up all with their Commutative or Trading Justice, which keeps an Arithmetical Proportion; as buying, selling, letting, and hiring. The Valuation of every thing is made either by Num∣ber, Weight, or Measure: Number is the same, and common to all People, Tongues, and Nations; but Weight and Measure are not so, there being a great Variety of these, and every Country has a Sta∣tutable Account of Weight and Measure after their own form.

All things in Persia are put into Balance, but Silk woven and Cloath; wherefore they weigh all Liquids, as well as Wood, Straw, and Metals; and measure by the Cobit, or Cubit, what comes from the Loom, even their most fine Carpets.

Which brings us to examine their Weights, Measures, and Coins, or Current Money.

	l.
A Maund Shaw is	12	Five Eighths.
A Maund Taberez	06	and a half.
Charack	01	and a quarter.

Miscolle.

Their lowest Weight is a Miscolle; nearest our Ounce: whereof,

• 6 make an Ounce.
• 96 make a Pound.
• 600 make a Maund Tab.
• 1200 make a Maund Shaw, or the King's Maund.

• The King's Cobit consists of Inches,—36
• The Carpet Cobit is little more than half the
• King's, it being but—18—¼
• Or nighest four Thirds of our Yard.

The Money which passes is a Golden Venetian, equivalent to our Angel.

And a Turkish Abrahmee, of inferior Value.

• The one esteemed at 29 Shahees, and is called Shekre.
• The other but at 27 and is called Miseree.

• ...

• Money coined by Shaw Abas in Silver, has Persian Characters impressed, the highest worth Five Abasses, which is half'd, and then it is worth Two and an half, which is Two-pence more than our Half-Crown; or—2 s.—8 d.
• A single Abassee is—1—4

Which amounts to Sixteen of our Pennies, intrinsick Value.

• Which Abassee makes two Mamoodies,—0—8
• Or two Eightpenny Pieces,—0—8
• A Mamoody is two Shahees,—0—4
• A Shahee is Four Pence, or equal to our Groat,—0—4

• Fifty Abassees make a Thomand,—3 l.—6 s.—8 d.

Which is only Imaginary, there being no such Coin, but is to them to reckon by, as Pounds are to us, which we suppose to be Twenty Shillings; and their Thomand is valued at Three Pounds and a Noble, or Six and Eightpence in English Account.

Brass Money with Characters,

• Are a Goss, ten whereof compose a Shahee.
• A Gosbeege, five of which go to a Shahee.
• Four Goss make one Bistree.
• And 100 Deniers one Mamoody.
• And 20 Pise one Shahee:

Both which are Nominal, not Real.

Geographical Measures,

Are the Persian Stathmus, answering our Perch: And Parasang, now Pharsang, which contains an Hundred and thirty Stathmi, or 3000 Paces; three of their Paces make a Cobit Shaw, in way of Mensuration.

The last thing to be measured is Time, which accords with that which has been delivered in India.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Its Names.
• * 1.2

  Situation and Bounds.
• * 1.3

  Temperance of the Air.
• * 1.4

  High Moun∣tains.
• * 1.5

  Their Four∣footed Beasts.
• * 1.6

  Wild Fowl
• * 1.7

  Fishes.
• * 1.8

  The Valleys made fruitful by the Snow from the Hills.
• * 1.9

  Plants.
• * 1.10

  Tobacco.
• * 1.11

  Manufacto∣ries.
• * 1.12

  Persian Pearl•• the best.
• * 1.13

  Gombroon Ware made of Earth, the best, next China.
• * 1.14

  Lapis Tuti••e & Manatae, and Brimstone. Bole.
• * 1.15

  Turquoise Stone.
• * 1.16

  Lapis Lazuli.
• * 1.17

  Marble.
• * 1.18

  Naphtha.
• * 1.19

  Minerals.
• * 1.20

  Rivers.
• * 1.21

  Springs.
• * 1.22

  Little Rain.
• * 1.23

  Showers of Sand.
• * 1.24

  The Dew turned into Manna.
• * 1.25

  Cities.
• * 1.26

  Houses.
• * 1.27

  Spahaun pro∣posed as a Pa∣tern of their Politicks.
• * 1.28

  Shaw Abas well advised in his Choice of Spahaun for the Imperial City.
• * 1.29

  The Cauns.
• * 1.30

  Etimundoulet, or Chancellor.
• * 1.31

  A Ganiseen is Deputy to the Caun.
• * 1.32

  The Droger.
• * 1.33

  The Calenture.
• * 1.34

  The Cazy.
• * 1.35

  Spahaun the chief Empory.
• * 1.36

  The Citizens humbled.
• * 1.37

  Courtiers and Soldiers live great.
• * 1.38

  Their Cara∣vans.
• * 1.39

  No Priority at Church, Bath, or Cara∣van Ser Raw.
• * 1.40

  The Gelabdar not so esteem∣ed in Persia, as the Caphala Basha in Turky.
• * 1.41

  They may make Forts of their Cara∣vans.
• * 1.42

  Their Tem∣ples.
• * 1.43

  Chap. XI.
• * 1.44

  Colleges.
• * 1.45

  Hummums, or Balneos.
• * 1.46

  Their Coffee-houses.
• * 1.47

  The present Persians Scy∣thians.
• * 1.48

  Jews here ever since the Cap∣tivity.
• * 1.49

  On the Death of their Em∣peror, the new one causes his Brothers and near Relations Eyes to be put out.
• * 1.50

  Chap. XII.
• * 1.51

  Nobles by Birth among the Persians.
• * 1.52

  The Govern∣ment Hierar∣chical.
• * 1.53

  They refuse the Emperor nothing he commands.
• * 1.54

  Whereon is grounded the Emperor's Se∣curity.
• * 1.55

  His Wealth.
• * 1.56

  His Course of Life.
• * 1.57

  His Name and Genealo∣gy.
• * 1.58

  The Suffees in∣troduc'd, from whom Spa∣haun is called Suffahaun.
• * 1.59

  Oppositions made by the Turkish Sect.
• * 1.60

  The English Sack Ormu•• by surprise.
• * 1.61

  Articles of Agreement between the English and Persians.
• * 1.62

  Vengeance persues the Enterprisers.
• * 1.63

  Shaw Abass Kills his Son Mirza.
• * 1.64

  The present Emperor given up to Debauchery.
• * 1.65

  The way of receiving Ambassadors.
• * 1.66

  The Processi∣on of the Se∣raglio, or H••∣ram.
• * 1.67

  The Cruelty of the Black Eunuchs.
• * 1.68

  The Cavalry.
• * 1.69

  Their Arms, and manner of fighting.
• * 1.70

  The Suffees, a War like Or∣der of Church Militants.
• * 1.71

  Erected to check the Siads.
• * 1.72

  Their Habit, and the Persi∣an Standard Red and White.
• * 1.73

  Their Privi∣leges.
• * 1.74

  Other Knights.
• * 1.75

  The Infantry.
• * 1.76

  The Watch∣men.
• * 1.77

  The Navy.
• * 1.78

  A Learned Clerk rare.
• * 1.79

  The School-Language.
• * 1.80

  Their Books written with a Pen, not Printed
• * 1.81

  Chap. XIII.
• * 1.82

  Pens made of Reeds.
• * 1.83

  Education of Youth.
• * 1.84

  Preposterous way of Learn∣ing.
• * 1.85

  Emulation in gaining Disci∣ples.
• * 1.86

  Logick.
• * 1.87

  Their Phy∣sicks.
• * 1.88

  Metaphysicks
• * 1.89

  Books in Esteem
• * 1.90

  Mahomet's Re∣velations.
• * 1.91

  Assisted by Sergius the Monk.
• * 1.92

  His Blasphe∣mous Opini∣ons.
• * 1.93

  Friday his Sabbath
• * 1.94

  Polygamy.
• * 1.95

  The Mufti.
• * 1.96

  His Revenue.
• * 1.97

  His Autho∣rity.
• * 1.98

  The Talman, or Mullah.
• * 1.99

  Their Fune∣rals more Pompous than the Turk∣ish Sects are.
• * 1.100

  Their Tribes Clarified by Pilgrimage to Mecca; their Names given by the Pa∣rents.
• * 1.101

  No Garb to distinguish their Clerks.
• * 1.102

  How they are maintain'd.
• * 1.103

  Poets.
• * 1.104

  Limners.
• * 1.105

  Historians.
• * 1.106

  Alchymy.
• * 1.107

  Mathema∣ticks.
• * 1.108

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.109

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.110

  Astronomy.
• * 1.111

  A Pythonissa, or Witch.
• * 1.112

  Several sorts of Daemons.
• * 1.113

  Longitude and Latitude.
• * 1.114

  Dialling.
• * 1.115

  Musick.
• * 1.116

  Medicks.
• * 1.117

  Anatomy re∣jected.
• * 1.118

  The Suffee's Death requi∣red of his Physician.
• * 1.119

  Their Pre∣scripts.
• * 1.120

  What Purges approved.
• * 1.121

  What Authors in Esteem.
• * 1.122

  Unskilful in Chyrurgery.
• * 1.123

  Endemial Diseases.
• * 1.124

  Large quanti∣ties of Opium eaten at a time.
• * 1.125

  Their Lawyers.
• * 1.126

  The Cadi.
• * 1.127

  A Corrup•• Judge.
• * 1.128

  Lex Talionis.
• * 1.129

  Drubbing on the Soles of the Feet.
• * 1.130

  Poligamy al∣lowed.
• * 1.131

  They Buy their Wives.
• * 1.132

  Are often Di∣vorced▪
• * 1.133

  All Contracts made before the Cadi.
• * 1.134

  Usury forbid by Mahomet, yet his Disci∣ples are cruel Extortioners.
• * 1.135

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 1.136

  The Cod••••.
• * 1.137

  Guilty of Bri∣bery and In¦justice.
• * 1.138

  Their Para∣dise.
• * 1.139

  Their Hell.
• * 1.140

  The Progress of their Reli∣gion.
• * 1.141

  The Souls of Men superior to Brutes.
• * 1.142

  But an Holy, Pure and Spi∣ritual, which is no where to be found but in Christiani∣ty.
• * 1.143

  Success no Argument
• * 1.144

  The Mer∣chant.
• * 1.145

  Cheats in all Professions
• * 1.146

  Ch. XIV.
• * 1.147

  Make the Broakers ne∣cessary.
• * 1.148

  The Villany of a Droger.
• * 1.149

  The Persian in his City Dress.
• * 1.150

  The Drove••.
• * 1.151

  The Herds∣men.
• * 1.152

  The Hus∣bandman.
• * 1.153

  The Dervis••s.
• * 1.154

  Vine-dressers.
• * 1.155

  Slaves made of the Old Persians.
• * 1.156

  The Eunuchs.
• * 1.157

  The Old Women.
• * 1.158

  Their Wo∣men.
• * 1.159

  Their Excel∣lencies.
• * 1.160

  The Mark of a Whore.
• * 1.161

  Curtezans.
• * 1.162

  Their Chil∣dren how provided for.
• * 1.163

  Lyings in, and Purifyings.
• * 1.164

  Widows reckoned Mutes.
• * 1.165

  Sodomy.
• * 1.166

  Addicted to Pleasures.
• * 1.167

  Corruptness of the Cour∣tiers.
• * 1.168

  Women made use on to com∣plain.
• * 1.169

  The Persian places Felicity in Prosperity.
• * 1.170

  Their Recrea∣tions and Ex∣ercises.
• * 1.171

  They Hunt a long time to∣gether.
• * 1.172

  How Treated on their re∣turn.
• * 1.173

  Immoderate in their Feast∣ing.
• * 1.174

  Their Religi∣ous Feasts.
• * 1.175

  Foot-racing.
• * 1.176

  Their Valour, whence it proceeds.
• * 1.177

  Their Urbani∣••y.
• * 1.178

  The Custom of carrying Aves.
• * 1.179

  Their Virtues.
• * 1.180

  Vices.
• * 1.181

  How far be∣holden to Constitution of Body and Air.
• * 1.182

  Their Diet.
• * 1.183

  Cabob.
• * 1.184

  Pullow.
• * 1.185

  Dumpoke.
• * 1.186

  Stews.
• * 1.187

  Cookoo Chal∣low.
• * 1.188

  No good Con∣fections.
• * 1.189

  The Persians Spit as much as other Peo∣ple.
• * 1.190

  Their Happi∣ness of Body.
• * 1.191

  Commutative Justice.