'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.' [‎211] (232/448)

Laiv rigidly
■Cashyn is circled with a wall, bucof little force againil: an adverfiry i, thecompafsis
about leven miles-, families are towards twenty thoufind, and the people not fewer than
two hundred thoufand that live there. The Buzzars are large and pleafant, but infe"
nourto fome about her. Tne Mydan is uniform and beautiful, the Kings Palace and
Ha ram are nigh the great Market-, low it is, built of raw bricks, varniled after the
mode of Paymm painting, in blew, red and yellow tindures, mixed with Arabick knots
and letters of azure and gold. -The Windows are large, trellized and neatly carved.
Withinitisofulualfplendor ■, molt of the rooms be arched, the roofs and lides neatlv
painted in grotefque; the ground was alfo richly fpread with Carpets of Silk and Gold
than which no Potentate in the world has more or better. And here, 'tis worth the re-
membrmg what Mortx-Ally (Omers General) took from j^^^ thePerfmn Kins when
he was vanqmlhed *, a Carpet that was fixty cubits fquare, very curioufly wrought with
figures and precious ftones of feveral colours refembling flowers: whofe border had the
reprefentation of the Earth, beautified with herbs and flowers as in the fpririg, and the
materials with which it was woven were Silk, Silver, Gold and Stones of ineftimable
value. By which it appears, that this excellent Art of .Carpet-making w<ls ancientlvDr i-
difed in Perfia. / ^ '
Near the Palace Gate is a great Tank or Magazin of water made at the common
charge, and almoft finiihed at our being here. The Hummums (or fweating-places)
are many, and refplendent in the azure pargetting and tiling wherewith they are cerulea-
ted . the vulgar buildings alio content the Inhabitants, but to a difcerning eye yield lit
tle admiration. The Gardens are many and larger but with thole uiSfahawncixvdi Shyraz*
not to be compared. The Mefchits are not two thirds fo many as John of Ferfia comput
ed long ago to be above 600^ nbrthofefofaftidiousinpyramidical afpirings,nor curious
in architecture, nor in-llde glory, as in many lefier Towns* So as I cannot enlarge
her praiie, lave that in Spring and Autumn I believe it may be a temperate andinticing
climate : but in Summer and Winter extreme in contraries v the Sun frying them with
his oblique flaming glances, and Hyems a while no lefs benumming them with his icicles.
Here we met the Pot-fhaw again' who got into Cashyn two dayes before us: And at
his entrance into the Seat-royal inftead of diftributing the accuftomed Royal Benevo
lence of giving a crown piece to ail the women at his return after a long progrefs, (which
the Ancient Kings of Perfta ever ufed and. Alexander doubled to thofe that were with
Child, and for omitting which Oohm is taxed,) Abhas exercifed his ieverity. For it
feems that forty Camels entring loaden with Tobacco out of India, (the drivers being ig
norant of a late prohibition, theKingfometimes commanding and reftraining asreafon
of State invited,) Mamet Ally-i)egth.Q Favourite (wanting his pifcafh) commanded the pe
nalty be executed^ which was to crop their ears and fnip their nofes^ offering withal to
his angry Juftice a difinal facrifice of forty load of Tobacco which was put into a deep
hole that ferved as a pipe, and being inflamed, in a black vapour gave the Citizens
for two whole days and nights an unpleafing incenfe.
After fome ftay, Sir Dodmore Cotton to quicken his difpatch vifited Mahomet Ally-
heg\ who according to his education entertained the EmbalTador with a fupercilious
look, advifmg him to truft his fecrets to his Cabinet, wherein as he would have him to
underftand the Myfteries of the whole State were locked ^ the King by reafon of other
great affairs expreffing a willingnefs that it fhould be fo. The AmbafTador in any other
place than Verfia might have fleighted his propofition: but perceiving no other remedy,
and defiring to hafte home, imparted fo much as he law neceflary. In anfwer to which,
he foon perceived that touching Sir he was to exped; no further latisfadli-
on, his adverfary being dead and at the Cajpian Sea the King having fufficiently honoured
him; but to fpeak truly, the Pot-fhaugh had then no afFedion for him, when probably
by reafon of his old-age he was difabled to do him further fervice; adding (but out of an
enemies mouth) that his Ambaflies to the Princes of Chriftendom were but complements
of ordinary moment. But when our Ambaflador objedled, he was in perfon there
tojuftifie his Commiffion *, that he had the Kings Letter of credence, fign'd and ftamp'd
by the Shaugh himfelf; and that it had been a dangerous prefumption for Sir Robert
Sherley to look Shaw-Abbas in the face had he been an Impoftor •, the Favourite was convin
ced we thought, for he had no further objedion, fave That fo our AmbaflMour plea fed to
lend him that Phirman Sir brought for his juftification, he would return it
him next day, with his Mafters fence concerning it.
It was no imall vexation to our Ambaffadour to treat in this fort by proxy : but iV>-
cejfitas cogit adturpa is an old faying: and three dayes palled e're Mahomet Ally-beg would
either vou'chfafe to return the Letter or give that fatisfadion he promifed. Howbeir,
E e 2 at