_ 370 _ The coinage used here is Moorish, of gold, fine silver and copper. The gold coin is called Xeraphim and is worth three hundred reis; the silver one is the tanga and is worth three vinteis. The Moors call these laris, since they are made in the city called Lara. The copper coins are called falus and are worth seven ceitis. There are many attractions to be found in the city, one of which is for men curious about exploits of ancient times. In a large shed at given times of the day, in the morning and afternoon, an old Moor reads the ancient chronicles of those such as Alexander and other famous men. This means that the young become well-accustomed to such literature. The city is the capital of the kingdom, from which it takes its name. There are many cities and towns, both on the Arab and the Persian coasts, most of them well-supplied with bread, meat, fish and dates with which the King of Ormuz used to pay Sheikh Ismael, or the Sophy as he is now known. These Kings of Ormuz were constantly in the city and had a governor, called a Guazil, who ran the Kingdom, since the kings did not understand such things, nor did they attempt more than to behave beautifully.
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