'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.' [‎221] (242/448)

Coom.
• . >
not above twelve tnghfr miles compafs, theHoufes very mean and low built, and within
the Walls are many Gardens and waft places: but were their circumvallations trel e to
what they are, they would fall fliort of what old ^ and are reported ThoS
alfo, when I confider the many and great Gardens and Orchards thev ihen piroteb v
had, ( for without doubt that high raifed Garden which i^WWw^ereaed uoon ar
ched pillars was for admiration and profpeft over the City which was founded upon a le
vel ground, rather than that there wanted Garden-room in Bahylon \ ) as at this dav
Jlantimfle and Cairo have, and according to the recent mode of and other
the greateft and noblelt Cities of the Orient, (for as to the greatnefsof thole of r
give little credit •,) I am perfwaded that thofe vacant and pleafurable places took up well-
nigh half the ground within thofe Cities. So as by what I have confidered and obfer
ved, I am not afraid to fay. That it is probable fome of our Cities are not lefs
numerous in Houfes and fixed Inhabitants, than thofe I named. For albeit in
Germany, and Xhs Netherlands there are very many large and beautiful Citiesvet there
find 1 none that for greatnefs and populoufnefs are comparable to zaiLondon-
which two, like the reflex of the two great Luminaries, appear the greateft: and of
thofe, to which the precedency Ihould be given, is work for a more accurate obferver
Neverthelefs, though by the vogue of moft Travellers I well know that has the
firft place attributed j I grant it is fo increafed Cnce I was there, being upwards of 20
Years, that I am not qualified to give a judgemnt: But on the other fide, London is
alfo increafed fince then, even to admiration: fo that were the length of London drawn
into a circle (the lhapethat Paris bears) taking in all that Building which is contiguous
it is believed the diameter would equal if not exceed Paris. And as to number of In'
habitants, the addition it has from the Sea by People from exotique places gives it a
capacity above Paris, and as by the Weekly-BiHs of Mortality is prefumed. Moreover
the number of Gardens, Cemeteries and like places adjoyning Religious Houfes and
Churches, Colledges in the Univerfity, befides thofe belonging to the King Princes
and other of the Nobility there, with the great number of Tennis-Courts in take
up much more fpare place than London doth, which efpecially within the Walls is moft
compact and thronged with Houfes, with few Gardens or like vacant places interjecting
But iuppoling that the narrow Lanes where Coaches, and Alleys where Men can hard
ly pafs (which alfo are good Buildings) were expatiated and extended to an equal breadth
with the broadeft Street, doubtlefs either of thofe Cities would then fwell beyond the
compals either of Bahylon or Rome, or any other •, which neverthelefs is fubmitted. This
digreflion I have the rather adventured, obferving how that forreign Writers either out
of ignorance or envy fpeak fparingly of our Metropolis; and in rank, place it amonglt
Cities that be but of a fecond or third magnitude. Therefore to return.
The Name this City now bears has been varioufly pronounced, according to the dif
ferent Dialeft of Nations: Some call it Ceim others Kom, and calls it
Cmo i but the Arabian Geographers Comm. The fcituation neverthelefs is unanimoufly
agreed to be in a large aud delightful Plain; the Countrey for Ibme miles about very
fruitful in its foil, and the air exceeding fweet, feldom clouded with fogs or parched
with heat, fave when the Sun pafles from the Vernal to the Northern Tropick -
the breezes alfo feldom fail them which allays the heat, likewife abated by thofe fruit
ful Gardens they have, whofe Trees are their beft umbrella's for refrelhment as well as
lhade, bearing ftore of delicious fruits, namely Grapes, Pomgranates, Melons of all
forts, Pomcitrqns, Apricocks, Plums, Pears, Piftachio's, Almonds, Apples, Quinces,
Cherries, Figgs, Wall-nuts, Small-nuts, Berries, and the beft Wheat in Perfia (Gumha-
uHello excepted:) the Peach or MalaPerfica is alfo here abounding •, a fruit and fo
much refembling man's heart and tongue, that the e^jpriciPriefts dedicated it to their
Goddefs //is as the hieroglyphick of affedion; probably that which in his Georq.
refers to, 4
Media yields fieafant dpyle of harjh juice \
0 Gain ft flef-dames poyfm nothing more in fife.
The City has about two thoufand Houfes, moft of them of more than common ftru-
dure*, well built, well formed, well furniftied: the Streets are Ipacious •, the
beautiful; but the City is now unwalled, according to the ufual mode of Cities in ji/ta.
The Mofque is famous and Venerable, having been richly and beautifully adorned by
enfhrining the Body of once amiable Fatymay Mortis-AUfs Wife, Daughter and Heir
to their Prophet Mahomet, The Mefquit is of epirotiquc form the Tomb raifed three
yards