162 
KASHAN. 
tlie singularity and convenience of their contrivance. The top and 
bottom are made of copper, and let into each other. The former, which 
is generally ornamented with small figures, devices in Persian, &c. is 
pierced with small holes, and has a handle. The latter is made to 
contain the socket for the candle; and between the two there is a ser¬ 
pentine wire, which when extended makes the lantern a yard long, 
more or less, according to its circumference; and over this they fix a 
pirahaun, or shirt of white wax cloth, which reflects a considerable 
light when a candle is placed within. 
Their silk stuffs denote great skill in the manufacturer. A particular 
sort, known by the name of shawl hasliai^ is very beautiful. The Cash- 
merian patterns are followed by the Kashan manufactories; but nothing 
can ever exceed the warmth and beauty of the shawls of Cashmere. 
Satins, brocades, and velvets are also worked at Kashan, the latter of 
which have deservedly a good reputation. 
This city can boast of many spacious caravanserais, some of which 
have been lately built. The one called the Caravanserai Shah, or the 
Royal Hotel, which is so much extolled by Chardin, is left to ruin, and 
is an instance of the propensity common to the Persians, to build new 
places rather than to repair the old. The finest building in Kashan is 
a Medreseh, or College, that has lately been founded by the present 
King, and which is likely to rank among the first of His Majesty’s 
architectural works. 
About three miles to the east of the city is a garden, called the Bagh- 
i-Feen, celebrated among the Persians for a stream of water, clearer 
than crystal, which flows through it in a variety of artificial channels. 
It is said to possess many medicinal qualities, and the Persians resort 
to it. We were amused by being permitted to inspect the interior of 
a pleasure-house, which is sometimes occupied by the King in the 
spring, in one of the rooms of which there are portraits of himself and 
twenty of his sons. 
Having left Kashan, we pitched our tents at Nasserabad, which 
looked more flourishing now than it did in 1809, particularly in the 
extent of its melon-grounds, the produce of which is deservedly 
famous. We were informed, that since the Ameen-ad-Dowlah has had 
