CHAP. XVI.
Of the division of Time among the Persians.
THE Persians divide the natural day into four parts. The first is from Sun∣rising to Noon; the Second from Noon to Sun-set: The third from Sun-set till Midnight; and the fourth from Midnight till Sun-rise. At Midnight, Morning, and Sun-set, they make a most horrible din in every great City, of Kettle-Drums, Haut-boys, Latten-Basons, and other Instruments: upon which there are certain men hir'd to play for a quarter of an hour together, in some place where they may be heard all over the City. They have also great Cornets, about seven foot long, with deep mouths, which may be heard above half a league. But these Cornets are never us'd but in Cities where the Kans or Governours reside. These Instruments are also always employ'd at their great Solemnities; as also when the King creates any new Officer or Governour. These Instruments have also a pri∣viledg to play at all Houses where they understand there is a Male-child born. The meaner sort dare not refuse 'em; but the Nobility value not their priviledg of a straw.
The Persians in the computation of time make use of Lunar-months. The first Mouharrem, the second Cepher▪ the third Rebia-el-Avel, the fourth Akner, the fifth Gemadil-Avel, the sixth Gemadil-Akner, the seventh Regeb, the eighth Shaabon. the ninth Ramezan, the tenth Shaval, the eleventh Zikadé, the twelfth Zilhagge. And every Month begins from the first appearance of the Crescent.
In their Astronomical Accounts, and the Calculations of the Longitude and La∣titude of the Planets for the composing their Almanacks, they make use of Solar∣months, thus call'd: Azar 31 day. Onzon 30 days. Ajar 31. Harizon 30. Te∣mouzé 31. Ab 31. Eiloul 30. Techrion-el-Avel 31. Techrion-el-ilani 30. Ranon-el-Avel 31. Kanon-Elsani 31. Shaabat 28 or 29, answering to our February. The first month Azar begins upon our eleventh of March: so that it answer'd to our month of March before the Gregorian Reformation. Therefore they call this month Mah-Roami, or the Roman month. They also make use of the Egyptian months, which are thus call'd, Terverdin, Erdi-be-hoct, Kourdad, Tir, Mordad, Sheriver,