a gold coin, struck at Venice, and in several parts of the Grand Signior's dominions. In Turkey, it is called dahob, or piece of gold, and according to Volney is in value about 6s. 3d. sterling. It varies, however, considerably in its value in different countries. At Venice it is equal to about 9s. 2d. sterling.

The Venetian sequins are in great request in Syria, from the fineness of their standard, and the practice they have of employing them for women's trinkets. The fashion of these trinkets does not require much art; the piece of gold is simply pierced, in order to suspend it by a chain, likewise of gold, which flows upon the breast. The more sequins that are attached to this chain, and the greater the number of these chains, the more is a woman thought to be ornamented. This is the favourite luxury, and the emulation of all ranks. Even the female peasants, for want of gold, wear piastras or silver pieces; but the women of a certain rank disdain silver; they will accept of nothing but sequins of Venice, or large Spanish pieces, and cruadões. Some of them wear 260 or 300, as well lying flat, as strung one on another, and hung near the forehead, at the edge of the head-dress. It is a real load: but they do not think they can pay too dearly for the satisfaction of exhibiting this treasure at the public bath, before a crowd of rivals, to awaken whole jealousy confutes their chief pleasure. The effect of this luxury on commerce, is the withdrawing considerable sums from circulation, which remain dead; besides, that when any of these pieces return into common use, having lost their weight by being pierced, it becomes necessary to weigh them. The practice of weighing money is general in Syria, Egypt, and all Turkey. No piece, however effaced, is refused there; the merchant draws out his scales and weighs it, as in the days of Abraham, when he purchased his sepulchre. In considerable payments, an agent of exchange is sent for, who counts paras by thousands, rejects a great many pieces of false money, and weighs all the sequins, either separately or together.