or Bernstein: Thus, at Constantinople, Adrianople, and in some other towns within the Grand Signior's dominions, they call those places where the merchants have their shops, and expose their merchandises to sale. Each sort of merchants have their particular besistan, which must also be understood of the workmen, all those of the same trade working in the same place. These besistans are commonly large galleries, vaulted over, whose gates are shut every night. Sometimes the wardens and keepers of the besistans will answer for the merchandises, on paying them a very moderate perquisite for every shop.