Chap.XXIII. fl/'Monfieur Tavernier. 255 



Thefè Bridges are both built over a River that comes from toward Kermai, 

 and is fwell d by other ltreams that fall from the Mountains with a great 

 noife, and difcharges it felf into the Perfian Gulph, neer to Banda-Congo j 

 but becomes brackifh by paffing through Mountains that are nothing but Salt. 



From the great Bridg to Guitshi is one of the molt pleafant Countries in all 

 Perjia, being a continu'd Grove. Guitcbi is a place accommodated with two Inns, 

 one a very fair one, and convenient; the other very ill feated, by reafon of the 

 duft that continually annoys it, franding upon a fandy ground. It Itands neer ten 

 or twelve Arabian Tents ; lb that as foon as you come to the Inn, the Arabian 

 Women prefently bring Milk and Butter, and other refrefhments. 



^A league and a half from Gnitchi you meet with two Roads, one upon the left- 

 hand that feems more beaten, the other upon the right. There a man may 

 cafily be deceiv'd that has no guides. For the left-hand way is a dangerous paf- 

 làge, and a kind of a continu'd Labyrinth among Rocks and Precipices. The 

 right-hand way, which is the belt, is all upon the land to Bander- Abaffi, and is 

 ufuallv a days journey. You meet with two Inns by the way, the lalt of which 

 is call'd bend- AH, built by the Sea- fide. 



From Ben- AU to Bwder-Abajfi, is but a little more then two leagues through 

 a Countrey abounding in Palm-trees. 



CHAP. XXI1J. 

 Of the Ifland of Ormus, and of Bander- Abaffi. 



ORmttf is an Ifland in 92. d. 42.7». of Longitude, and in 2$.d. 3 0. m, of Lati- 

 tude. It lies at the mouth of the Pe-fian Gulph, two good Leagues from 

 the firm Land. There is neither tree nor herb that grows in it : for it is all over 

 cover'd with Salt, which is verv good and as white as fhow. And as for the 

 blacK mining Sand-duft oïOrmus, it is very much us d for Itandifhes. 



Before the Portuguefe s came to Ormus, there was a Ci y where the Kings of 

 Ormus, who were alfb Kings of L.irr, reiided. When the TV tugak took it there 

 were in it two young Princes, Sons of the dccealed King, whom they carri'd into' 

 Spam. Where, in regard they were handlbmely pr-oportion'd, though fomewhat 

 fwarthy, the King entertain'd them very kindly, and gave them an honourable al- 

 lowance. One day that he had fhew'd them the Efiurial arid all the chief pieces 

 of Architecture in Madrid, the King asK'd them what they thought of living in 

 Spain. To whom thev anfwer'djthat thev had fcen nothing but what was worthy 

 admiration, but then fetching a deep figh, and perceiving the King defirous to 

 know the meaning of it, they gave him to underltand that it was for grief that 

 they muft never more fit under their own Tree. For near to the City of Ormus 

 was a Bannians tree, being the only tree that grew in the Ifland. 



The Portugais being matters of the Ifland from an ill-built City, rear'd it to that 

 hight of Magnificence which that Nation admires 3 fo that the very barrs of their 

 doors and windows were all guilt. The Fortrefs was a noble thing, and in good 

 repair : and they had alfo a ftately Church dedicated to the Virgin , where they 

 were alfb wont to walk. For other place of promenading they had none. Since 

 the Ferfians took it, the Caftle indeed ftands in good repair, with a Garrifbn in 

 it : but the City is gone to ruine $ for the Dutch carried molt of the ftones away 

 to build Batravia. 



Between the Ifland of Ormus, and the Continent the Sea is not very deep ; for 

 the great (hips that fail in and out of the Guifyzfs by the other fide of the Ifland. 

 As for the Fortrefs which ftands upon a poynt of the Ifland, it is almoft encompafs'd 

 with the Sea, and lyes right over againft Perfia. 



Bander Abaffi, fo calPd becaufe the great Sha- Abbas the fir'ft brought it into re- 

 putation, is at prefent a City reafonably well built , and ftor'd with large ware- 

 houfes, over which are the lodgings of the Merchants. While the Portugueses kept 

 Ormus , though they liv'd in the City, all the trade was at Bandar- Abaffi, as being 

 the molt fecure Landing-place upon all the Coaft. About years ago it was an 

 op'n town, but becaufe it was an eafie thing then to get into the Town, and rob 



the 



