The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. LXXVIII. Of Casan and the Trade thereof.

* 1.1CAsan is a principal, fair and famous City in this Countrey, but much troubled with ex∣cessive heat by reason of its situation in a pleasant and large Plain; it consisteth alto∣gether of Merchandizing, and the greatest Trade of all the Inland Countrey is found herein, and most especially frequented by Indian Merchants; * 1.2the Inhabitants are in general addicted to all curious Manufactures, and Fabricks, as in weaving of Shashes, Turbants, and Girdlas, in ma∣king also of Velvets, Sattins, Damasks, curious and fine Ormusius, and Carpets; and indeed it is accounted the very Magazine of all the Persian Cities, for these Commodities; here is also to be sold all manner of Drugs, Spices, Pearls, Diamonds, Rubies, and Turquoises, and all sorts of Silks, both raw and wrought, so that the Author (who in this Relation I follow) is ve∣rily perswaded that there is more Silk yearly brought into Casan, than there is of broad Cloth brought into London. * 1.3The civil Policy of this City is also commendable, an idle person not being permitted to live amongst them, and the Children after six years old, are presently set to work; here being a Law to the shame of Christendom, That every Inhabitant must yearly

give up his name to the Magistrate, therewith declaring how and in what manner he liveth, what Art he exerciseth, and if he be found in a falshood, he is beaten on the feet, or else im∣ployed in some publick slavery, to the example of others: and for other notes of Trading, see Hispahan in Parthia.

* 1.4Caramania is the third Province, the chief Cities are Gadil, Cobin, and Caraman, Fa∣mous for the excellent Fabricks here made, Cloth of Gold, and for the best Cymitars in the World; and here it was that Alexander being returned out of India, kept his Bacchanalian feasts.

* 1.5In Gedrosia, Drangiana or Sigestan, Aria now Sablestan, Aracosia now Cabul, Paraph∣misas, Saca and Flircania, I find not any thing worthy the survey, therefore I willingly pass them over, and close these Provinces with the City of Sciras, which is comprehended in this Tract.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Casan and the Trade thereof.
• * 1.2

  Commodi∣ties of Casan.
• * 1.3

  Policy of Casan.
• * 1.4

  Caramania.
• * 1.5

  Gedrosia, &c.