'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎113] (134/448)

Ctirmania. (jombroibn.
is infufFerable, fo as fome (according to what was pradifed in Ormm) ufe to lie naked
in troughs filled with water, which nevertheiefs fo perboils their flefh as makes it both
exceeding fmooth and apt to take the leaft cold when any winterly weather lucceedsthe
heat, which by that becomes little lefs ofFenfive. Now their Summer being no lefs than
nine months, during ^11 that time it is rare if one cloud be vifible in the Skie, whereby
the air (in the daytime efpecially) is not to be endured •, for by a reverberated heat
which the Sun-beams ftrike forcibly from the ground, both earth and air became into
lerable to man and beaft by reafon of the inflammation. Howbeit of late they have
raifedaBu^zar, which in fome places by reafon of its narrownefs, and molt by being
arched and clofe at top, checks the Suns heat when the beams dart perpendicular, in
the fides attrading what air there is to refrelh fuch as either fit in Ihbps for fale of wares
or thofe other that keep Taverns: Here being plenty of Shyraz. Wines brought in long-
necked glaifes and jarrs that contain fome gallons, the belt wine indeed in all Per pa
Here be CofFe-houfes which alfo are much reforted to, efpecially in the evening: The
GofFe or Coho is a black drink or rather broth, feeing they Hp it as hot as their mouth
can well fuffer out of fmall China cups ^ 'tis made of the flower of Bunny 6r Choava-berry,
fteeped and well boiled in water; much drunk, though it pleafe neither the eye nor tafte'
being black and fome what bitter, (or rather relilhed like burnt crufts) more wholefome
thantoothfome, yet (if it be true as they fay) comforts raw flomachs, helps digeftion,
expels wind, and difpels drowfinefs^ but of the greater repute from a tradition they
have, that it was prepared by Gabriel as a cordial for Mulfelmen. Alfo Sherbet-houfes,
a drink that quenches thirft, and tafts delicioufly : The compofition is cool water, into
which they infufe firrop of Lemons and Rofe-water, in thefe torrid Countreys the molt
refrelhing fort of liquor that can be invented ; albeit the Wine there was fo' good that
we refufed not to drink it with moderation. Arack alfo or ftrong-water here is plen
ty of, which qualified with Sugar is cordial, and much drunk at Sea and Land in the
hqtteft feafons, efpecially where the diet is courfe, and ftomachs crude and weak through
thirtUfFufion of heat which in cold feafons is contraded. Howbeit, for our better en-
te&kinment we had variety of fruits, fome growing here , but molt imported from
pi$ies more remote i fome of which were Orenges, Lemons, Pomgranates, Pomci-
tr'Qis, Figgs, Dates, Currans, Myrobalans, Apricocks, Almonds, Piftacho's, Apples,
Pears, Quinces, Sugar, alfo Flowers and Nuts in great quantity as well as variety,
which, with that plenty we had ofCabarito's and Mutton, Hens, Eggs, and Rice bought
very cheap, made the place much more deledable, and for Oylters and many forts of
fifh the fea being fo near furniihes them abundantly, and would do more, were the people
more induftrious. The belt houfes in the Town are the Sultans, the Shaw-banders, the
Englilh and Dutch Agents houfes: ours in memory of the goodfervice they did the
Per pan at the taking Ormm are priviledged to wear their Flags dilplayed at the top of their
publick houfe; and for fome time the Engliih had half the imported cultomes according
to'Articles.
At the North and South ends of the City are two Caftles in which are planted four-
fcore pieces of Brafs Ordnance, part of the Ipoils or trophies of raniacked Ormus •,
two hundred others great and fmall were fent to Larr- Shyraz,, Spaham, and other places.
The Gunners here were not very expert •, for, when they had occafion to give fire, I could
perceive them to ftand on one fide of the piece, and in a fearful manner (though with
a lin-ftock as long as a half-pike which had a lighted match) to touch the powder ^ which
was a bad way to take aim by. The Mofques for the Mahometans and Synagogues for
the Jews here, are few and inconfiderable in their Itrudure i but the Hummums or Stoves
are more confpicuous, no lefs reforted to, and with fmall expence: the floors of which
Hot-houfes are plaiftered, and ufually fprinkled with water, which contrads the vapours,
condenfes the air, andpreferves the heat with moderationv The Streets are narrow,
the Town badly ferved with frelh water, and without wall or graff to make it defenfive.
Now albeit here we have abundance of Camels, Horles from Arabia and Perfia of the
beftfort, and Mules and Allnegoes in great numbers, which were worthy the view; yet
were we not more pleafed with them, than offended by thofe troops of Jackalls which
here, more than elfewhere, nightly invaded the Town, and for prey violated the Graves
by tearing out the dead, all the while ululating in ofFenfive noifes, and ecchoing out their
facriledge. They are the Lions informers, and for reward have always fomething of the
prey left them to pick, as at the Cape of good Hope we obferved: Some Iport we had in
hunting them with Swords, Lances and Dogs *, but we found them too many to be con
quered, too unruly to be banifhed, too daring to be affrighted. Thefe animals the
Greeks call jilofecid*, an unnatural mixture of Fox and Bitch, Lugi awreiy others, but La~
Q_ conicl