_ 100 _ and half-hose made of cloth with shoes. Like the men they are small but well-formed. In this city I did not see a man on foot who carried any weapon other than a knife. It is surprising if they have a fight, for even if it is with their fists, if justice discovers this or knows of it, both men are well thrashed. This is the custom throughout Persia and Turkey. Horsemen are numerous, because horses are cheap and are bred in large numbers in the country; they bear patterns cut on only one side. They are ignorant people; the Turks are the worst, with little reinterment, but in stature and features they are like ourselves. It is remarkable that I rarely saw pale and sick-looking people, pustules or running sores, for they live barbarously without benefit of doctor or apothecaries, other than mountebanks selling remedies in the square. These men are all dirty, mendacious and usurious, and swear a thousand lies on the head of Shah Tamás. Some of them are tall, some short, and they have no oath other than “Shah Tamás”. They have few slaves, but are served by natives. As far as this city we experienced great heat by day. From Ormuz to Kashan is about 120 or 130 leagues, and this took us two and a half months. It would have been
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