_ 348 _ the people, just as when we say, “Orate fratres” (Pray, brethren). They do not turn around again except on this occasion. They receive communion like us. The vestments and all their ornaments are just like ours. They have marble images set in an altar piece of the passion. Ten leagues from here was a city where there were two thousand Armenians, who were very badly treated by former Kings. When the Sheikh began to rule they were treated well and honourably. They observe Easter like us and they confess just as we do. They do penance and fast very well. In this city of Tabriz there were about sixteen thousand households. It was approximately two leagues in length and one across and had no boundary wall. It was a city of two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants and it still boasts grand old buildings. Sheikh Ismael made his permanent base there because it was well and plentifully supplied. They left there for Ormuz by another tortuous road that ran past many small towns and villages, well cultivated land with great herds of cattle, and arrived at the city of Kashan, where they spent a fortnight until a message arrived from Sheikh Ismael. From there they went
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