To the South it is compassed with two walls high and strong, so broad that twelve Horses may easily runne abreast on the breadth without hindering one the other. They are made of Brickes, save that on the foot it stands on huge stones, the middle of the wall is filled with Earth: the height farre exceeds those in Europe. To the North is but one wall. On those walls by night is kept as vigilant watch as if it were time of warre
The Kings Palace riseth within the inner Southerne wall, neere the City gates and extends to the Northerne wall, seeming to take up the whole Citie: the rest of the Citie running forth on both sides: It is some-what narrowerthan the Palace of Nanquin, but more goodly and glorious; that seeming by the Kings absence, as a carkasse without soule. Few of the Streets are paved with Bricke or Stone, so that in Winter dirt, and dust in Summer, are very offensive: and because it raineth there seldome, the ground is all crumbled into dust, and if any wind blow it enters every Roome. To prevent which they have brought in a custom, that no man of whatever ranke goeth on foot or rideth without a Veile or Bonnet hanging to his brest, of that subtiltie that he may see, and yet the dust not annoy him: which also hath another commoditie that he may go any whither unseen, so freed from innumerable tedious salutations, and also he spares attendance and cost. In Purchas his Pilgrimes, 1625
