The great Mogul will himself sit as Judge in matters of Consequence that happen near him. They proceed in their Tryals Socundum allegata & probata.
They punish Theft and Murder with death, and what kind of Death the Judge pleaseth to appoint: Some are hanged, beheaded, empailed and put on stakes, torn in peices by wild Beasts, killed by Ele∣phants, stung with Snakes.
No Malefactors lie above one night in prison: Sometimes not all, but are speedily brought upon trial and so to Execution.
The Mahometans are prohibited by their Alcoran, to lend Money upon Usury; and with them it is a very great Sin, and they are very careful to ab∣stain from it; yet some of them make such Bar∣gains, as differ little from Usury. M. de Thevenot.
Sultan Amurat disguising himself, would go sometimes to a Baker's Shop and buy Bread; and sometimes to a Butcher's for Meat; and one day a Butcher offering to sell Meat above the Rate which he had set; he made a sign to the Executioner, who presently cut off his Head. Idem.—He beheaded two in one day for Smoaking Tobacco.
I saw a Man, who sold Snow at five Deniers the Pound, receive—Blows on the Soles of his Feet, because his Weight was not exactly full.
Another having sold a Child a double worth of Onions, and the Officers of the Market meeting this Child, and finding that he had not enough, went to that Man, and gave him thirty, blows with a Cudgel. Idem.
The Chinese punish Murder and Theft with Death. Sir. Tho. Herb. Their Justice is Severe, their Prisons strong, and Executions quick.