1833.] Interview with the Minister. 235 
promised blessings of his prophet’s paradise. There are eighteen baths 
in Bokhara, one or two are of very large dimensions; but the generality 
of them bring in an annual income of 150 ¢il/as (1000 Rupees). This 
is a calculation which may serve to number the inhabitants. Each indi- 
vidual pays to the keeper of the bath ten pieces of brass money, of 
which there are 135 in a rupee. About an hundred people may there- 
fore bathe for a ¢illa, and 150 tillas will give 15,000 people to each 
bath. Eighteen baths will give a total of 2,700,000, who enjoy the 
luxury yearly. But the baths are only used during the cold months, 
and some of the poorer people are never able to afford the ex- 
pense. 
I did not omit to pay my respects to the minister while I ram- 
bled about the city, and Dr. Gerard in the course of ten days was 
sufficiently recovered to accompany me. The Vizier was equally 
inquisitive with the Nawab at Cabul regarding the manufacture of 
medicines and plasters, and the Doctor endeavoured to meet his 
wishes. We had however got into a more civilized region on our 
approach to Europe, since the Vizier had received quinine and other 
medicines from Constantinople. We sat with the minister, while he 
was transacting business, and saw him levy his duties on the mer- 
chants, who were never more liberally treated in any country. The 
webs of cloth are produced, and every fortieth piece is taken in place of 
duties. This gives the merchant his profits, nor distresses him for 
ready-money. A Muhammedan indeed has only to take the name of 
the prophet, stroke down his beard, and declare himself poor, to be 
relieved from all duties. One man said he had witnesses to prove his 
being in debt, and would produce them. The minister replied, Give us 
your oath, we want no witnesses: he gave it, every one called out 
‘«< God is great,” and said the ‘‘ fdtaha,”’ on which the goods were re- 
turned without an iota ofcharge. With every disposition to judge fa- 
yourably of the Asiatics, (and my opinions regarding them improved, as 
I knew them better,) I have not found them free from falsehood : I fear, 
therefore, that many a false oath is taken among them. No people 
could be more liberal encouragers of commerce than the rulers of 
Bokhara. During the reign of the last monarch the duties on goods 
were never paid till they were sold, as in the bonding system of a Bri- 
tish custom-house. The Vizier on this occasion conversed at great 
length on subjects of commerce relating to Bokhdra and Britain, and 
expressed much anxiety to increase the communication between the 
countries, requesting that [ myself would return to Bokhara, and not 
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