three Miles of London And within the City several but the most noted that at the Postern-gate by Tower-hill and that called Crowders-Well hard by Cripple-gate Aleyceston in Huntingtonshire where there are two small Springs one whereof being fresh is accounted good for the Eyes the other a little Brackish for Scabs and Leprosy Buxton in Derbyshire where within the compass of 24 Foot there arise out of a Rock from under a Square Structure of Free-stone 9 Springs whereof one only is cold all the rest very warm But among all these it would be an unpardonable oversight to pass by unmention'd that famous Well of St. Winifrid commonly called the Holy-Well in Flintshire formerly much frequented partly by way of Pilgrimage partly for the great Virtue it was reputed to have in the Cure of many Maladies through the easie Faith no doubt and fond Credulity of the deluded Vulgar who are always apt to pay high Adoration and ascribe miraculous Cures to the Bodies â—elicks or any Memorials of persons recommended to them for Saints for here the Tradition goes that the Virgin Saint Vinifrid being here Beheaded a Fountain immediatly sprung up as if the Earth bewailing her Martyrdom burst forth into a â—ood of Tears and the Pebble-stones at the bottom of the said Fountain being observed to be of a Reddish colour we are to suppose that they retain to this day the tincture of the Virgins Blood Those Springs and Waters that are on the top of high Hills must be allowed to have something of Rarity in them in regard to those that are not sufficiently vers'd in the knowledge of natural Causes and Productions it may seem wonderful that the Water should rise so high above the common Surface of the Earth Particularly on the high Hills of Carnarvanshire are two Meers Also a Spring on the top of MoilenlyHills in Denbyshire Likewise among the Wonders or Rarities of England may be reckoned those Ditches which stand yet as Monuments of the Art and Industry of our Forefathers First That on Newmarket-heath which is commonly called the Devils-Ditch Secondly Wansdike in Wiltshire a work of many Miles extent cast up in memory of a Battle between the Mercians and West-Saxons Thirdly Clough d'Offa or Offa's ditch a work not inferior to the former mention'd and much upon the same occasion made Of the Populacy of the English Nation THe Populacy of a Nation is best estimated from the number of its Towns and Cities The Kingdom of England proportionably to its circumference is scarce inferior to any Kingdom or Country of Europe which is also accounted the the most Populous of all the four parts of the World except France and the Low-Countries which last being accounted no bigger in compass than York-shire is judged to contain as many Towns and Inhabited places as ten times the Circuit thereof in most other Countries and to some much superior particularly Spain late esteem'd the most considerable Monarchy of Christendom and that it continues not so to this day we may in a great measure imâ—â—te to the paucity of people in that kingdom for doubtless there is nothing that conduceth more to the Strength Grandure Prosperity and Riches of a Nation than the Populousness thereof especially where Industry is in the least incourag'd and Idleness discountenanc'd Wherefore that Nation that will ever hope to flourish ought to use all means and endeavours possible for the increasing of its People and to avoid as much as may be all occasions of Depopulation The principal causes of the Dispeopleing of Spain which according to the Testimony of several Creditable Authors hath been Anciently much better Peopled than at present have been first the multitude of Monasteries and Religious Prisons those Receptacles of forc'd Chastity and as they are ordered Impediments of the Worlds Lawful Increase Next the Violent Expulsion of the Moors out of Spain after that by a long establish'd settlement and being habituated to the same Customs Manners and Religion they were become as it were one Body with the rest of the People Lastly Those vast Colonies sent out of Spain to maintain and possess the ample Conquests or rather Ambitious and Bloody Invasions and Depopulations made by the the Spaniards there The Cities and market-Market-Towns of England are in number 607. to which the rest of the Burrough Towns that is such as send Burgesses to Parliament and all the Inhabited Villages whereof some are conderable being added make above 10 times the number so that all the Parishes of England and Wales are reckon'd 9285. and doubtless within the said circumference which is generally computed to be about 1352 Miles might be very well comprehended five times as many Towns or Places of Habitation if all the Forrests Chaces and unimproved vast Heaths and Commons were taken in and improved to the best advantage It is not to be wondred at that next to being born under a Happy Climate the living under a Happy Government the greatest advantage and Strength of a People is to be numerous proportionably to the extent of Territory they possess Since in the first place it is apparent enough that in a well Inhabited City the People must needs be so much the better able to defend themselves from any Force or Opposition Next if it be a place of any Trade take any particular number of what Trade soever and it is not to be imagin'd that they should be e're a whit the poorer but rather the richer than if the Inhabitants had been fewer For admit them of the same Trade or Imployment a profitable and corresponsible Trade is the more lively and vigorously carried on by many hands and suppose them of several Occupations the circulation of Money from the one to other helps all in general Though 't is true that in a straggling Town or City whose parts lye disjoyn'd and far asunder the people however considerable in number cannot be so assistant to each other in mutual Aid Society or Commerce as in a regular and well compacted City So likewise in a Kingdom that Prince who hath never so large an Empire yet if thinly Peopled or divided into several parts remotely distant and interrupted from mutual intercourse by long Voyages of Land and Sea cannot be look'd upon as so powerful a Prince as he that hath the like number of People in one intire and united Dominion Certainly no Monarch of the World much less of Christendom whoever he be that hath added most to his Empire by never so many new made Conquests can pretend to so large a share or portion of the Earth as the King of Spain who nevertheless as the transactions of a few late past years have made appear hath born but his fourth part with other Princes and States in opposition to a Prince far inferior to him in Jurisdiction and what should be the reason of this but that his Dominions lye so remote from each other and his Kingdom of Spain which his Residence there chiefly enables
in abundance as likewise some Diamonds of great value also Nutmegs Mace and other Spices The Coyns currant in this Tract are the Tail valued at 4 Ticals or 18 Shillings Sterling a Tical is Accounted 4 Mals or 4 Shillings 6 pence Sterling c. Malacca is Situate between Siam and Pegu and is Subject to the Portugals as Conquered by them Anno 1511. and has it's Walls saluted by the River Gasa 10 Miles broad and abounds with the Commodities of China Mulâ—oco's Java Sumatra Banda Siam Pegu Bengala and the Coasts of Chormandel brought thither by Ships that carry back the Commodities of the growth of this Tract as likewise Ships from Lisbone come yearly hither and lade rich Merchandise Here it is observed that the Trade-Winds continue West and North-West from the end of August to the end of October and in November the Northen and North-Eastterly Winds begin to blow which continue so to do till the beginning of April and from May to the beginning of August the South and South-West Wines Blow The Weights on this Coast are the Cattee Babar and the Pecul but in Malacca only the former which is divided into 2 parts viz. the great and the small making the first 200. Cattees reckoning each Cattee at 21 pound Averdupois and the last 100. Cattees which make 295 pound English The Pecul is 100. Cattees of China and is accounted 132 pound English The Cattee as aforesaid used in this Tract is Accounted 21 pound Averdupois but sometimes varies By the great Babar they commonly weigh Cloves Nutmegs Pepper Saunders Indico Allum Sanguis-Draconis Palo-Dangula and Comphora and by the lesser Quick-Silver Copper Vermillion Ivory Silk Musk Amber Lignum Aloes Tinn Lead Verdet and Benjamin As for Measures they are rarely used and indeed so uncertain that I shall pass them over The Coyns are those for the most part common in India as Mahomoodies Portugal-Rees c. CHAP. XLVIII A View of the Kingdom of China the Trade and Commodities thereof CHina is a large Kingdom bounded on the West with India on the North with the Wall of China extending in Length 1000. Miles to keep out the Tartars on the South with the Ocean and on the East with Mare del Zur and is a very Fertile Country Temperate and Healthful which renders it Populous it has great Commerce within it self by the advantage of the many Navigable Rivers tho their Goods are carryed for the most part in Boats made of Cane The Commodities it yieldeth are Wool Rice Barly Oyl Wine Flax Cottons and Raw Silk which they work into many curious Textures here are wrought likewise many rare Stuffs are found all sorts of Mettals to be brought from Japan as Gold Silver Copper c. Fruits Wax Sugar Honey Ruhbarb China-Roots Purslaine-Dishes commonly called China-Dishes Champhir Ginger Musk Civit Amber and all manner of Spices and Salt which last is said in one City only viz. Cantor to yield Custom to the Prince yearly 180000. Ducats This Kingdom is divided into 15 Provinces each Province containing 2 Kingdoms in all which as Writers affirm are contained 1597 Cities and great Walled Towns 1154. Castles and 4200. Burroughs without Walls Garrisoned with Souldiers besides Villages Innumerable The chief City being Quinsay-Pequin walled about 100. Miles and has in the midst of it a Lake of 30. Miles compass in which are 2 Islands and in them Pallaces and other fair Buildings for the King and his Nobles the said King Stiling himself the Child of the Sun And upon the Rivers which Issue from this Lake are found 12000. Bridges it being reckoned that the King can make 10000. Sail of Ships and Barks of his own which he keeps on the Rivers to Transport his Armies in time of War the Natives for the most part Trade up and down the Rivers and are so cautious that they will not suffer any Stranger to inspect their Affairs so that their Weights Measures and manner of Traffick are not effectually known tho the Portugals Dutch and Neighbouring Islanders have of late obtained the favour of some small Commerce at Canton Meccan and Nanquin but upon such strict conditions that in some places it is Death for them to abide a Night either in the Town or Suburbs but must at aset Hour retire to their Ships and the better to discover it they have Notaries to take the Names of all that enter the Gates in the Morning the which if the Persons owning them do not come to see them Blotted out at the time prefixed and afterwards be found tho not in the City it is present Death except the Factor for the Portugals who is permitted to live in the Suburbs And to Maccan the Portuguese have a Ship of 1500. Tuns that comes yearly from the Indies bringing Oyl Drinking-Glasses Looking-Glasses and Velvet for which they receive of the Chinois the growth and Manufacture of their Country The Weights Measures and Coyns that are used in the Places where Trade is permitted are known to be these The Weights for fine Goods are the Valls and Tay 99 Valls making a Tay of Maccan and a Tay or Tayle is 1 Ounce and 11 16 Averdupois Their Weights for Gold Silver Musk Amber-Greece c. are the Tays or Tayels by some called Tans Mass Condreens Cash Avons which are usually marked with Ciphers for distinction sake 10. Avos is one Cash 10. Cash one Condreen 10. Condreens to one Mass 10. Mass to one Tay and 16. Tays or Tayles to on Cattee the Tay being as aforesaid All Gross Goods are weighed by Cattees Peculs and Rotolos 10. Cattees making 1. Pecul 1. Pecul 128 Rotolos of Portugal which Pecul is Accounted 131 pound ¼ Averdupois tho here as in other Places the Weights vary The Coyns currant for the most part are Spanish Rotolos of â— â— which they cut into several parts and so pass them away by Estimate The Measures in use are the Covid of Maccan used by the Portugals in the Measure of Stuffs and Silks and is Accounted 3. Quarters of a Yard and 2 1 â— Inches and a Covid used by the Chinois called the Covid of Chinchoses which consists of 12 Inches also an other Covid they have of 14 6 5 Inches And thus much for China and the Trade thereof CHAP. XLIX A View of the Islands found in the Asian Seas and of their Trade and growth THe Asian Islands of note are Japan Zeilan Moluccos Java's Summatra Borneo Celebs and Cyprus all abounding in rich Commodities Of the Trade of which in brief Japan is Situate a small distance from the main Land of China and is in length 600. miles but not above 90. over in the broadest yet obeys many Soveraigns every King or Lord having Power and Authority over the lives and Estates of his Subjects the chief Towns on this Island are Osacaia Bunguin and Meaco being Havens or Ports for the reception of such Vessels as come to Trade thither The chief Commodities consisting in Silver and Rice
great lump or mass like that of Newcastle but as it is laid on in great pieces burning sheer away into Ashes each piece like Wood. Up and down in several parts of Darbyshire and Staffordshire there is a sort of Pit-Coal which is commonly called Cannel-Coal perhaps as it were Candle-Coal because it burns clear like a Candle this Coal is of a bright shining gloss and withal of so tough and solid a substance that they frequently make thereof Standishes Salt-Sellers Candlesticks and other such like Utensils which appear as it were of a courser sort of Jett In Staffordshire Pensneth-Chace is particularly made mention of for plenty of Pit-Coal In Leicestershire Coal-Overton in the Hundred of West-Goscot and other parts of the North of this County where there is store of Pit-Coal of a Bituminous nature very hard and fast In Warwickshire Bedworth In Somersetshire Mendip-hill and several places on the shore of the River Frome In Richmondshire the tops of certain Hills In the Isle of Anglesey there is said to be great store of an Aluminous Matter out of which it is thought might be made very good Alum and Copperass but nothing of this nature hath been brought to that perfection as the Alum-works in Yorkshire through the great Industry of Sir John Bourchier who in the Reign of King James made away with a considerable Estate for the carrying on of this great work in lieu whereof he obtain'd the grant of a Patent from the King whereby he was Invested with the whole benefit of the said Alumwork which was valued at a Thousand Pound a year but however matters were carried his Grandchild Mr. Richard Bourchier is now reduc'd to utmost necessity receiving no relief by vertue of the Patent for the loss of the Paternal Estate But Gesborough in this Shire is most particularly noted for an Alum-Mine which some say was first found out by Sir Thomas Chaloner Tutor to Prince Henry As for the Stone-Quarries of England they must indeed be confess'd inferior to those of Italy Greece and other parts for all Curious kinds of Marble Alabaster and Porphyrie of Marble the Parian was Anciently accounted the best However we have many Structures both publick and private to shew which being built of our own native Free-stone want not their State and Elegance The principal Magazine of this Commodity is the Isle of Portland in Dorcetshire which hath supplied many of the grand Buildings of England Likewise the Isle of Purbeck in the same Shire hath Veins of Marble which though not continued but scatteringly here and there as Cambden observes yet run a great way under ground At Edgcomb House near Plimouth in Cornwall there is digg'd good quantity of a Stone which is of great use and Ornament in Building also on the Moors of the said County there is found a sort of Stone which is thence called the Moor-stone of which there are frequently made Chimney-Pieces and Ornaments of Windows and Doors besides another sort of the colour of Marble In Nottinghamshire there is digg'd a soft Stone at least much softer than Alabaster with which being burnt and made into a Plaster they generally floor their Upper-Rooms this Plaster being well laid as soon as it comes to be dry proves harder than any Plaster of Paris and is wonderful durable In Herefordshire hard by Snodhill-Castle is a Quarry from whence they say there is digg'd forth very good Marble At a place called Peter's post in Yorkshire is a famous Quarry of Stone also near Shirburn in the same Shire Nor is that near Manchester in Laneashire inconsiderable besides a Quarry of a fine Reddish-stone on the Banks of the River Irwell in the same Shire Moreover what we want in Alabaster Porphyrie Marble c. is more than compensated to us by Stones of a greater value particularly in Cornwall there are found in great quantities Stones of a natural Smoothness formed into Angles and considerably large some of the bigness of a Walnut or thereabout and of such a lustre that many scruple not to call them Diamonds and probably they might pass for such did not the cunning Lapidary know how to distinguish the true Orient Diamond from others by its Adamantine hardness and solidity Likewise St. Vincents Rock at Bristol affords plenty of these English Diamonds commonly called Bristol Stones At Shugbury in Warwickshire is a sort of precious Stone at least by some so accounted called Astroites from a mark it hath upon it resembling a Star And on the Rocks of Guarnsey there is a hard Stone called an Emeril Nor are we wholly destitute of Marble and Alabaster though doubtless short for Beauty and Fineness to those of Italy and Greece in some parts of Staffordshire there is digg'd a sort of Alabaster thought to be the best in England Fullers-Earth Potters-Earth Marl Lime Slate Tobacco-Pipe-Clay c. There are large Veins in several parts particularly Woburn in Bedfordshire abounds in Fullers-Earth as also Rigate in Surry In some parts of Wiltshire the store of Marl that is found there gives Appellation to one of the chief Towns of that Shire viz. Marlborough and in divers parts of Lancashire is found a Marl which very much enriches the Land Near Nonsuch in Surry is a large Vein of Potters-Earth Near Walsal in Sussex are store of Lime-Pits And not many Miles from Pomfret in Yorkshire it being averr'd by some that no less than 2000 l. a year usually made of the Lime thereabouts In some parts of Cornwall there is Slate of three sorts and colours viz. The Blew the Grey and the Sage-colour particularly at a place called Walling-slate in Cornwall is digg'd up great store of Slate As also at Collyweston in Northamptonshire at Pool in Dorcetshire and in the Isle of Wight the best Tobacco-Pipe-Clay And to the Mill-stones of the Peak before mentioned we may add those digg'd up at Mowcup in Cheshire There is a sort of Earth called Talcum us'd by Painters and Colourers of which store is dig'd up in several parts of Sussex And the best of Saltpeter is said to be found in Northamptonshire Out of the Salt-pits of England is extracted so white and fine a sort of Salt that the most refined Sugar looks not more white and fine it is also commonly made up into Masses in the form of Sugar-Loaves Most of these Wiches the most noted are in Cheshire all denominated accordingly viz. Nantwich Middlewich and Northwich Nantwich besides the consideration of its Salt-pit which is generally called the Whitewich is next to the City of Chester it self the most Eminent Town of all Cheshire Middlewich hath two Pits between which there runs a small Brook and parts them The Pit in Northwich is called the Black-wich I suppose because the Salt drawn hence is Blacker and Courser than any of the rest In Worcestershire there is also a place of principal note for these Wiches or Salt-pits viz. Droit-Wich or Dirt-Wich where there are three Wells whose water from
What the Antiquity is of Corn Wind-mills is hard to determine whether in this or any other Nation The Paper-Mill is certainly of no modern Invention and it may be wonder'd that in all this time Paper-making hath not been brought to a greater height in this Nation it being judg'd very possible that as good Paper might be made in England as any is brought over from France Holland or any other foreign Part. The Powder-Mill cannot be of very long standing since it is scarce 200 years that Gunpowder it self hath bounc'd and made a smoak in the World Moreover of these grand performing Engines there is a very great number even of late Invention of which I shall endeavour to call to mind at least the most noted For the grubbing up of Stumps of Oak there is an Engine call'd the German Devil which Mr. Evelin in his incomparable Treatise of Forest-trees affirms to have been made use of by a Noble Person of this Nation with that success that by the help thereof one Man was able to do more than could otherwise have been done by 12 Oxen He also in the same Treatise p. 22. gives a description of another Engine for the transplanting of Trees The silk-Stocking Frame is surely one of the most curious Contrivances of this Age. It is said to have been first us'd at Nottingham and was as I have been told the seasonable Fancy of a poor Oxford Scholar who to inch out the slender pittance of a small Living he had thereabouts was glad to make use of his Wives manual Assistance but that not sufficing neither to satisfie the importunate Stomachs of an increasing Family he prompted by Necessity which is the Mother of Art as ancient Authors affirm joyn'd his Head to her Hands his Ingenuity to her Industry and thence brought forth this rare Device to shorten the labour and increase the profit of her Work The Saw-Mill or Engine for sawing of Timber is of Dutch Original and about 25 or 30 years ago first brought in use among us for so long it is since that on the Thames over against Durham-yard was first erected The Wire-Mill of Mr. Mumma a Dutchman was first set up at Sheen within these 20 years All the Money coin'd in the Tower of London almost ever since his Majesty's Restoration hath been by an Engine or Coining-Mill brought in by the Rotiers who thereupon became and so continue to this present his Majesty's chief Moneyers The Weavers Loom-Engine hath not been in use many years in England especially the highest Improvement thereof call'd the Dutch Loom brought in about 5 or 6 years since by Mr. Crouch a Weaver in Bishopsgate-street A very useful Invention was that Engine call'd the Persian Wheel for the watring of Meadows which lye uncapably of being overflow'd The first of these Engines brought to any considerable perfection was erected at the end of Wilton-Garden by the Direction of the above-mention'd Mr. Worlidge Wood-Steward to the Earl of Pembroke in the year 1665. who in his Systema Agriculturae takes notice of another Engine to the same purpose call'd the Horizontal Windmil And in his Treatise of Sider he describes the Ingenio or rare Sider-Engine a Contrivance doubtless very profitable for those that drive a Trade in the making of this Liquor There is also very lately found out the admirable Water-Engine for raising of Ballas and towing of Ships Yet as excellent as these Inventions are and as useful to the Publick by dispatching at one instant the tedious drudgery of many Hands yet there are not wanting high Clamours against them as robbing poor men of their Imployments and consequently of their Livelihoods so hard it is to find any Convenience totally exempted from Cavil and Exception Even the Quench-fire Engine that most excellent and salutiferous Invention of Sir Samuel Moreland 't is possible may be an Eye-sore to such Neronian Tempers as love to see Towns and Cities on fire However the World is oblig'd to this learned Mechanick as well for this as several other useful and ingenuous Contrivances particularly his Arithmetical Instrument and his Stenterophonick or Speaking Trumpet the chief use whereof is to treat or parly with an Enemy at a distance There is to be seen by all Lovers of Art a rare Invention of Mr. Edgebury call'd the Horizontal Corn-mill upon a piece of Land at Deptford belonging to my most Honour'd Friend Mr. Evelin junior It is now about 7 or 8 years since a Printing-Press for the printing of Callcoes was set on foot by Mr. Mellish but he soon desisting the Design was taken up by Mr. William Sherwin living in Little-Britain and ever since carried on with great vigour and success To conclude There remains yet to be spoken of one rare Engine and in some sence above all that have been yet mention'd since it brings back Old Age to Youth and makes threescore and ten appear as fine and gay as five and twenty I do not mean simply the Perruke or Frame of Artificial formerly worn for that may possibly be as ancient as the Emperour Carolus Calvus his Time who wanting Hair of his own is reported to have call'd a Councel of French Barbers to contrive an artificial Supplement of Natures Defect But I mean that lofty towring Structure or Machine of Hair so heighten'd and ornamented as it hath been by Tonsorian Art and Industry within these last 20 years so frounc'd so curl'd in a 1000 amorous Annulets so plump'd up so streaming in the Air like a Ships Top-gallant that certainly never any Cincinnatus or Capillatus whatsoever could boast a natural Head of Hair comparable to this artificial much more may it be judg'd easily to outvye the ancient Median Cidaris the Persian Tiara or the now Ottoman Turbant and doubtless had it been devis'd in Homer's Time it would quickly have put out of countenance the best of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THE MAGNIFICENCE OF ENGLAND THE Magnificence of England consists in the principal Towns and Cities Palaces Royal and belonging to several of the Nobility Cathedrals and other Churches Castles Bridges and erected Monuments The 3 principal Cities of England are London York and Bristol Besides which there are many other Cities and Towns of sufficient Note for pleasantness of Situation and neatness of Building As the Cities of Canterbury Rochester Exeter Salisbury Gloucester Worcester Oxford Bath Durham Lincoln Winchester and Coventry The Towns of Ipswich St Edmundbury Maidston Feversham Kingston upon Thames Guilford Lewis Colchester Buckingham Ailsbury Reading Cambridge Southampton Marlborough Warwick Shirburn Northampton Leicester Nottingham Newark Manchester Wakefield Boston Stamford Barstable Tavistoke Taunton Shrewsbury Bridgenorth Tewksbury and Cirencester besides several others which are to be mention'd among those Places signaliz'd by their several Remarks and Transactions London being at large describ'd by Stow Howel and others it will be sufficient to name the Magnificences thereof viz. The Cathedral of St Pauls destroy'd by the late Fire and now upon
rebuilding the stately Bridge over the Thames the Royal Exchange splendid before but now rebuilt far more splendid the New Bethlehem or Bedlam in Gresham-Colledge Sion-Colledge the Colledge of Physicians now a very graceful Edifice with the Theatre for Anatomy-Lectures at the upper end of Warwick-lane the Halls belonging to the several Companies most of them built much more to advantage than formerly Doctors Commons and over against it the Office of Armory towards Pauls-Wharf near which before the Fire stood Baynards-Castle an ancient and noble House sometime belonging to the Earls of Pembroke the several Inns of Court and Chancery many of them wonderfully improv'd both as to Structure and pleasant Permenades the two Inns of Serjeants in Chancery-lane and Fleetstreet the latter whereof is amplifi'd into a larger extent of Ground and number of fair Houses the Canal by the Fleet cut straight along from Holborn-bridge down to the Thames at Puddle-Wharf with the new built Bridge over it the Hospitals of Sutton call'd the Charterhouse of Christ-Church near New-gate of St Bartholomews near Smithfield Bridewel once a King's Palace now a House of Correction the Earl of Bridgewater's House in Barbican the Earl of Thanet's and the Bishop of London's Palace commonly call'd Peterhouse in Aldersgate-street then between Temple-bar and Westminster a Street so full of Noblemen's Palaces that there is scarce the like in any one City of Europe especially some years since before several of them were pull'd down out of whose Ruines nevertheless there have sprung up so many little Towns as it were pleasantly situate upon the Thames-side those pull'd down are Essex-house Exeter-house out of part whereof there is built a neat Exchange part of Salisbury-house Durham-house and York-house belonging to the Duke of Buckingham and now very lately Woreester-house those standing are Somerset-house which belongs to the Queen and where she oft-times hath her residence the Savoy once a Palace but of late years made use of for an Hospital of lame Souldiers Bedford-house part of Salisbury and Suffolk-house belonging to the Northumberland Family near Westminster is the principal Seat-Royal of England his Majesty's most usual Place of residence Whitehal built by Cardinal Woolfie a Palace more of Convenience than State excepting the Banquetting-house a piece of Architecture accounted parallel to the best in Italy and not to omit the Magnificences of Westminster being so near the Cathedral and the Old Palace which contains Westminster-hall the largest Room in Europe the Parliament-house and other Courts of Judicature from Whitehal a pleasant Park leads to St James's the Palace and usual residence of his Royal Highness the Duke of York on the other side of the Park a neat House of the Earl of Arlington Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshold and near it Tarthall belonging to the late Lord Stafford over against St James's on the Road towards Kensington a noble House of the Duke of Albemarl built by the late Lord Chancellor Earl of Clarendon and near it Barkley-house Newport-house and others Among the Buildings of later years several noble Piazza's or Squares some not inferior to that of Piazza Navona at Rome The first Covent-garden Square grac'd on two sides with lofty Portico's on the other with the Prospect of Bedford-Garden on the fourth with the Front of a goodly Church Next Lincolns-Inn Square the largest of all 3. Bloomsbury Square opening to a fair Prospect of Southampton-house not far from which is an elegant new built House of the Honourable Henry Mountague late Ambassador to the Court of France 4. Leicester Square on the one side whereof is the Prospect of Leicester-house adjoyning to which is also Newport-house 5. St James's Square whose each side is a Pile of most splendid Edifices Lastly That in So-ho-Buildings a very pleasant Square having a large square Garden-plot in the midst adorn'd with Fountains Statues c. This is commonly call'd Kings-Square for the Magnificence thereof York the first City of Yorkshire and the second of England is a large stately pleasant rich populous and well fortified City The chief Magnificences whereof besides several beautiful Structures both publick and private are the Cathedral the Great Gate the Stone-bridge over the Ouse having one only but very huge Arch the Princes House call'd the Mannour and a famous Library Bristow or Bristol qu. Brightstol or Brightstow i. e. a splendid or illustrious Place in the British Caer Oder Nant Badon i. e. the City Oder in the Valley of Badon a large cleanly pleasant and well traded City situate some part in Glocestershire but most in Somersetshire and yet in a manner distinct from both being a County of it self incorporate It hath large Streets and divers fair Buildings both publick and private besides its Churches a strong Castle the Bishop's Palace the Tolbooth for Merchants a fair large Key affording a most pleasant Prospect of Ships coming up to the very Town and the Goutes or Sinks that carry the Water under ground render the Streets exceeding neat and clean Canterbury the chief City of Kent and the Metropolitan See of all England pleasant both for Situation and Buildings and of principal esteem for its Cathedral which is accounted among the chief of the Cathedrals of England besides which it hath several fair Chuches It s other publick Buildings are the Houses of the Dean and Prebends a noble Free-School call'd the Kings-School two Hospitals the Watch-houses or Cittadels upon the Wall which is broad enough for two Coaches to go abrest upon it it had also a noble Castle but that hath been long since demolish'd Rochester is not only preferrable as a City to all the Places in Kent next to Canterbury for its fair Building and pleasant Situation upon the River Medway But the chief Grandure of this City consists in its Cathedral and stately Bridge Of which more in its due place Exeter is particularly taken notice of by William of Malmsbury for the beauty of its Buildings the richness of its Inhabitants the flourishing state of its Trade and Commerce and the confluence of Strangers thither the greatness of its Trade and Riches by a daily Commerce both with this City and other Parts of the Nation The most eminent of its Structures are the Wall giving entrance by six Gates and adorn'd with divers Watch-Towers a strong and stately Castle and a vary noble and sumptuous Cathedral Salisbury Cathedral is accounted in some respects the noblest in England at least there are very few equal to it The City is pleasantly water'd with clear Rivulets running through the length of each Street and the Market-place very large and handsom Glocester is pleasantly situated upon the River Severn It hath been anciently much celebrated for its Monastery of Nuns built by Keneburgh Eadburgh and Eve and is at present for its stately Minster Worcester hath a Wall about it one thousand six hundred and fifty paces in circuit with a seven-fold entrance of Gates and five Watch-Towers for ornament and
security Nor is its Minster the least considerable among the Cathedrals of England for Structure besides the Monuments of Antiquity therein elsewhere mention'd Bath besides the Magnificence of its publick Bagno's is sufficiently recommendable for its private Buildings the Streets thereof when the season of the year renders them least frequented seem to represent a kind of solemn and majestick Solitude as may be fancy'd in several of those Towns and Cities of Italy which consist of splendid Buildings but thinly inhabited Durham consists of good handsom old fashion'd Buildings but for publick Structures besides its Church it chiefly boasts the Castle built there by K. William the Conqueror which advanceth its Head loftily upon a high Hill Lincoln is also one of the noblest Cities of England It hath at this day 15 Parish-Churches besides the Great Church yet seems it but the Epitome of what it was anciently for it is deliver'd to have had no less than 50 Parish-Churches was wonderful populous and well traded and hath been adorn'd with many fair and ample Buildings as well Monasteries as others as appears by the Ruines in which something of Magnificence is to be observ'd Winchester is a City pleasantly situated in a Valley and walled about with a strong Wall one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces in circuit and entred by six Gates on the East-side runs the River and on the West-side stands a strong Castle It hath seven Parish-Churches and a good old large Minster besides the Ruines of certain Monasteries and other publick Buildings moreover the Colledge and School may be reckon'd among the Ornaments of this Place though not standing in the City but about half a mile out of the Town Coventry is a City particularly noted by Speed for statelyness of Building and was encompass'd with a strong and stately Wall which with the Walls of several other Towns was pull'd down since his Majesty's Restoration The Walls had 13 Gates for Entrance and 18 Towers for Ornament but that which was heretofore the greatest Ornament of this City was that stately Structure of a Cross which was among the number of those erected to the memory of Queen Elianor and the most magnificent of all next to that of Cheapfide in London with which it underwent the same Fate that is to be demolish'd by the zealous multitude the most lewd reformers of Lewdness and the most superstitious haters of Superstition Ipswich besides that it is the Shire-Town of Suffolk is also generally accounted the principal Town of England and were it dignified with the title of City would be equal to many inferior to few of the Cities of this Nation It hath 12 Parish-Churches yet standing besides 6 fall'n to decay and several fair Streets full of goodly and substantial Buildings and a very commodious Haven St Edmondsbury in the same County excepting what it wants in ampleness of Circuit comes very near in other respects especially if we reckon the Grandeur of its once famous Monastery of which there yet remains something of it very great and stately But to sum up the Glory of this Place it will be sufficient to repeat what Speed quotes from Leyland viz. The Sun hath not seen a City so he calls it more finely and delicately seated upon an ascent of a Hill having a River running on the East-side nor was there ever a more noble Abbey either for Revenues or incomparable Magnificence in whose Circuit appeareth rather a City than a Monastery so many Gates for Entrance and some of Brass so many Towers and a most glorious Church upon which attend three others standing all in the same Church-yard all of them passing fine and of a curious Workmanship Maidston is pleasantly seated upon the River Medway and for a meer Town is reputed the handsomest and most flourishing of all Kent Feversham is also to be noted not only for its Antiquities but likewise for its pleasant and commodious Situation Kingston upon Thames so call'd to distinguish it from the other Kingston upon Hull stands very pleasantly and makes a fine Prospect upon the River Thames It hath a very fair and spacious Market-place and hath been in former Ages a Place of no mean Repute at least springs from such a one as will appear by what we shall have occasion to speak of it elsewhere Guilford comes here to be mention'd only as a pleasant and well built Town to which may be added that for the bigness there is scarce any other Place to compare with it for number of fair and large Inns so that this Town and Kingston Southwark being annext to London may pass for the two chief Towns of Surry Lewis is esteemed worthily to stand in competition with the City Chichester it self for largeness populousness and fair Building at least it is far surpassing all the other Towns of Sussex Colchester which Speed honours with the title of City is pleasantly situated upon the River Coln hath a Wall of 1980 paces in compass raised upon a high Trench and enter'd by 6 Gates and 3 Posterns Westward and being also adorn'd with 9 Watch-Towers within the circuit of which Walls there are 8 Parish-Churches besides 2 without Eastward an old strong Castle stands upon a strong Trench and upon another Trench hard by are to be discern'd the Ruines of an ancienter Castle and though there are some other noted Towns in this Shire as Maldon Chelmsford c. yet this Colchester however no City may well enough be allow'd to merit the Character it hath viz. of shire-Shire-Town of Essex Buckingham is pleasantly seated upon the River Ouse with which it is altogether surrounded except on the North-side 3 fair Stone-Bridges giving entrance over the River and though but a Town hath the credit to be both the denominating and principal Town of the Shire Ailesbury of the same County is a Town well enough for Building and the handsomness of its Market-place but that which makes it most perspicuous is that it stands in the midst of most delightful Meads and Pastures and the whole Vale which being one of the pleasantest and fertilest of England is perhaps one of the pleasantest and fertilest of Europe is thence denominated the Vale of Ailesbury Reading a very ancient Town and as Leland and others observe excelling all other Towns in Barkshire as well for fair Streets and sightly Buildings as the Wealth of the Townsmen Cambridge a Town not despicable for its own proper Buildings were the Situation as little liable to exception but borrowing its chief Magnificence from the lustre of those 16 Colledges and Halls which shine like so many Gems about it yet far more illustrious by those bright Lamps of Learning which from this Place have shot their Lights into the World The most eminent Structure of all the rest in Cambridge is Kings-Colledge-Chappel but there is now a Library building in this University which it is thought will be able to compare with any of the best Buildings of this Age but
notwithstanding all it is but the chief Town of Cambridgeshire and not a City though there be an Episcopal See in the same County Southampton a Town saith Speed beautiful rich and populous and walled about with a strong Wall of square Stone enter'd by 7 Gates and adorn'd and fortified with 29 Towers within the Walls there are 5 fair Parish-Churches besides an Hospital called Gods-House and without the Walls are to be seen the Ruines of another goodly Church called St Maries On the West-end of the Town a well built Castle of a circular form mounted upon a high Hill so steep as not to be ascended but by Stairs gives a fair Prospect both by Land and Sea and lastly Two commodious Keys for Ships give a great ornament to the Place This Town though Winchester predominates as a City was doubtless as by the Name appears the ancient Metropolis of Hantshire and is still accounted the shire-Shire-Town Marlborough one of the most considerable Towns of Wiltshire which as it is in general a good tolerable well built Town so it hath one Street above the rest remarkable for its fairness and largeness being also very much graced with a large neat Forum or Market-place at the upper end thereof About a dozen years ago there hapned a shrewd Fire which burnt down a great part of this Street which being rebuilt to advantage the Street appears much more stately than before and that which gives the greater grace to it is the Prospect of a fine House of my Lord Seymour's at the Towns end which is the more remarkable by reason of a Mount which is ascended by a Path which winds round about upward toward the top like a Screw Warwick is most pleasantly situated upon the ascent of a Hill taking its rise from the side of a River whose stream runs pointing toward a stately Castle the Seat of the famous Guy of Warwick which having run much to ruine was repair'd with sumptuous Buildings by Sir Fulk Grevil There have been 6 fair Churches in this Town viz. St Lawrence St Michaels John Baptist and John of Jerusalem St. Maries and St. Nicholas all gone to ruine but the two last This City yet as the denominating and principal Town of Warwickshire seems of equal repute with Coventry it self Shirburn a Town pleasantly seated on the side of a Hill and very well adorn'd with Structures especially publick as Church Castle and School-house Northampton must needs be at this day a very stately Place for having had the commendation from the chief of our English Geographers of being worthy to be rank'd for Circuit Beauty and Building with the most of the Cities of our Land It was by some unfortunate Accident burnt almost totally down to the ground and Phaenix-like is risen out of its ashes much more glorious than before and notwithstanding the City of of Peterborough stands within the County claims to be the County Town of Northamptonshire Nottingham saith our most diligent and industrious Speed is a Town seated most pleasant and delicate upon a high Hill for Building stately and for number of fair Streets surpassing many other Cities and for a spacious and sumptuous Market-place and 3 fair Churches comparing with the best Many of the Buildings of this Town are hewed out of the Rocks besides many strange Vaults and Caves among which those under the Castle are of especial Note One for the Story of Christ's Passion engraven in the Walls by the Hand of David the 2d of that Name King of Scots whilst he was there kept Prisoner Another wherein Mortimer was apprehended in the minority of K. Edw. the 3d whence it hath ever since born the Name of Mortimer's Hole These have their several winding Stairs Windows Chimnies and Room above Room wrought all out of the solid Rock as other Houses of the Town also have This Town being the Principal of Nottinghamshire hath no City to stand in competition with it Newark the next Town of Nottinghamshire both for Reputation and Neatness It is indeed a Town of a very pleasant Situation upon the River Trent Manchester the fairest and pleasantest though not the principal Town of Lancashire and above all things else peculiarly remark'd for its grand Church the Colledge and Market-place Wakefield one of the chief Towns of Yorkshire as well for its pleasantness and goodly Buildings as its great Market and Cloathing-Trade and other Remarks Of which elsewhere Stamford the pleasantest Place of Lincolnshire next to the City of Lincoln it self being adorn'd with 7 Churches and an old Hospital Boston the best Town of Lincolnshire next to Stamford Which is all need be said of it at present in regard there will be occasion to speak more of it in the next Chapter of Towns and Places eminent c. Barstable and Tavestoke in Devonshire are commended above most in the West of England for neatness well compactedness and elegance of Structure Tavestoke is probably enough so call'd from the River Taw upon which it stands and which at Barstable is said to be Navigable for great Vessels both Places being well inhabited with Merchants and rich trading People Next to Bridgewater of all the Places of Somersetshire not dignified with the title of City Taunton is accounted of principal Note and for pleasantness superior according to the Testimony of a learned Writer in these words Taunton qu. Thonton from the River Thone is a very fine and proper Town one of the Eyes of the Shire the Country here most delectable on every side with green Meadows flourishing with pleasant Gardens and Orchards and replenisht with fair Mannor-Houses wonderfully contenteth the Eyes of the Beholders Shrewsbury as it is the principal Town of Shropshire there being neither City nor any other Town of Note in that Shire that can stand in competition with it so it may be reckon'd among the pleasantest of all England being almost surrounded with the Severn between which and a stately Wall are most delightful Meadows the chief Streets graceful of themselves are set out with several graceful Buildings besides the publick among which the most remarkable are the two Gate-houses on the Bridges the Market-place of Free-stone a strong Castle mounted on a Hill a neat School-house with a Library 4 Parish-Churches and 3 of them very large and goodly besides the Abbey forehead without which bears the semblance of an old Cathedral Besides Shrewsbury there are many other pleasant Towns in Shropshire among which the chiefest in repute are Ludlow and Ludlow's chief State consists in its strong Castle and its lofty situation upon a high Hill and proper enough is the Encomium it hath gain'd of Cambden that it is a Town more fair than ancient Bridgnorth also is proudly advanc'd a great part of it upon a Rock out of which the chief Avenues to that upper part are cut moreover the Castle the Wall and the Severn's Inclosure give addition of State as well as Strength Tewksbury in Glocestershire is a Town that might
hath nothing but its fair Church to commend it Also Rippon in the West-riding of Yorkshire whose three Steeples shew their lofty Heads at considerable distance to Travellers approaching the Place Upon the Bridge of Wakefield in the same Riding of Yorkshire is a beautiful Chappel erected by K. Edward the 4th in memory of those of his Party who lost their Lives in the Battel there fought The Church of Boston in Lincolnshire beside its largeness curious Workmanship and its aspiring Tower-Steeple hath this also memorable that from the bottom to the top the Steeple is ascended by as many Steps as there are Days in a Year Yarmouth-Church for it hath but one gives no small addition of commendation to that Town which is reckon'd among the most considerable of Norfolk Oundale in Northamptonshire is render'd no less memorable for its fair Church than for its Free-School and Alms-house At the Castle of Warkworth in Northumberland there is a Chappel wonderfully hewn out of a Rock without Beams Rafters or any thing of Timber-work Wrexam in Denbighshire hath a Church which for neat Building and the loftiness of its Steeple is concluded to surpass all the Churches of North-Wales But of all the Churches of this Island and they are among the 6 chief Remarks thereof the Chappel of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge already mention'd is for rareness of Architecture and Contrivance renown'd above most Structures not only of England but even of Europe also The Castles of England were in ancient Times the chief-Seats of our Nobility but since the dissolution of the Abbeys and the demolishment of very many Castles in the several Wars of England divers of the said Abbeys have become the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen Yet some Noblemen at this day have ancient Castles for their chief Seats As Barkly-Castle in Glocestershire gives Title to the Honourable Family of the Skelton-Castle is the Seat of the Barons Bruse The chief Castles now in the several Counties are in Cheshire Beeston and the Castle of Chester In Barkshire Windsor afore-mention'd In Cumberland the Castle of Carlile In Darbyshire the Castle of the Peak In Devonshire the Castles of Dertmouth and Castle-Rugemont in Exeter In Shirburn-Castle In the Bishoprick of Bernard-Castle In Hantshire Hurst Carisbrook and Saubam Castles In Bradwardin-Castle of which elsewhere In Kent the Castles of Dover and Queenborough that of Canterbury being demolisht In Hornby-Castle and that of Lancaster which is accounted one of the three chief Magnificences of the Town the other two being the Church and the Bridge In Lincolnshire Belvoir and Castor Castles In Monmouthshire Chepstow and Strighal Castles In Northamptonshire Fotheringhay mention'd upon another account Baibroke Rockingham and Maxey Castles In Northumberland Newcastle Thrilwale Tinmouth Morpeth Withrington Warkworth and Alnwick Castles In Richmondshire the stately Castle of Bolton In Bishops-Castle Clun-Castle Shrawarden-Castle Knocking-Castle Whittington-Castle Routon-Castle Tongue-Castle whose Bell is very loud as in noise so in fame in all those Parts The Castles of Shrewsbury Ludlow and Bridgnorth In Dunster-Castle which was built in William the Conquerour's Time by the Family of the Mohuns which flourisht from that time till the Reign of K. Richard the 2d in very great splendor and ever since hath continued in considerable reputation In Staffordshire Stourton and Dudly-Castle with those of Tamworth Chartly and Tutbury to which may be added the memory of an old Castle at Stafford now demolisht In Framlingham-Castle a Place of great State Strength Beauty and Convenience and the Ruines of Burgh-Castle In Surry Holm Beckworth and Sterborough Castles In Amberly-Castle and that of Bodiam belonging to the Family of the Lewknors In Warwickshire Studly Macstock and Ausley Castles and the Castle of Warwick it self In Whellep-Castle and Apelby In Wiltshire Castlecomb Yainsborough and Warder In Worcestershire Hertlebury Holt and Elmesly Castles In the VVest-Riding of Yorkshire Sheafield Conisborough Tickil Sandal Harewood Knasborrow and Cawood Castles In the East-Riding the strong Castle of VVreshil In the North-Riding the Castles of Scarborough Kilton Skelton already mention'd VVilton Kildale Gilling Skerry-hutton and Hinderskell In VVales the most noted Castles in Caermardenshire Carreg In Denbighshire the strong and almost impregnable Castle of Denbigh In Flintshire Flint and Harding Castles In Glamorganshire Cardiff now belonging to the Earls of Pembroke but once the famous Residence of Sr Marmionwith his 12 Knights little less renown'd in Story than K. Arthur and his Knights of the round Table and whose Effigies were lately to be seen in the Hall of this Castle The Bridges of England are not the least of the 7 Remarks of this Nation And first They are remarkable for number as being reckon'd in all 875. In the next place They plead precedence in the generality with all others in Europe The Prime is London-Bridge which is said to have been anciently built of Wood and was then accounted a very stately Bridge but afterwards receiv'd a far greater pitch of lustre by being built of Stone insomuch that without controversie it is judg'd the noblest Structure of that kind in Europe It stands upon 19 Arches of Stone which support a Street of very fair Edifices of a quarter of a Mile in length for so much the breadth of the Thames is accounted in that place The next for Beauty and Magnificence is that of Rochester and after that the Bridg of Stratford upon Avon Among the three Beauties of the Town of Lancaster the Bridge is one the other two being the Church and Castle Over the River Ouse which encircles the Town of Buckingham all but the North-side are three fair Bridges of Stone The same River Ouse runs through the midst of the Town of Bedford and hath over it a handsom Stone-Bridge with two Gates upon it Over the River Dee is a stately Stone-Bridge which leads to the City of Chester It is supported with 8 Arches and hath at each end two strong Gates from whence the Walls commence within which the City lyes in an oblong Square From the River Derwent a small Brook runs through the Town of Darby which lyes on the Western-bank of that River under 9 Bridges But the stateliest of all is that in the North-East part of the Town upon which standeth a fair Chappel of Stone Over the River VVeer with which the City of Durham is almost wholly incompass'd two neat Stone-Bridges one from the South the other from the North-Road lead into the midst of the Town The Bridge leading into VVarwick-Town over the River Avon is both sightly and strong But particularly sumptuous with their Towers and Gates are those two over Severn at the East and West Entrances of Shrewsbury That over the River Ouse at York which stands on each side the River hath one Arch the largest and loftiest of any Bridge in England Several others there are and some perhaps not unworthy of memory but these being the very chiefest it will not be worth the while to mention any more
The grand Ornaments of any City are the publick Buildings thereof and next to the Churches Palaces and Bridges are the Monumental Structures that present themselves most obviously to the view of Passengers in Streets and High-ways as Aqueducts Arches and the Columnal or Imagery-Works erected as Trophies in memory of some great Action or Person as also Places for publick Games and Spectacles For Structures of this kind never any City of the World was so famous as old Rome whose Circus's Amphitheaters Columns Pyramids Tryumphal Arches Equestrian Statues c. next to the massie Pyramids of Egypt were accounted the greatest Pieces of Art and Magnificence the World ever saw Nor are the Pyramids Columns and Aguglia's of the present Rome altogether unmemorable Of Monuments of this nature in England the Crosses erected in Streets and publick Places were the chief And of those the principal were Coventry-Cross and in this City Charing-Cross and that of Cheapside which last was certainly the noblest Piece of Workmanship of this nature as well for the largeness as the curiousness of the Imagery that ever was seen Next The Aqueducts or Conduits have been accounted no small Street-ornaments in many Towns and Cities but the mention of those that were in London may serve for all the rest The chief that were in London before the Fire of 66. were the Standart in Cheapside a Structure that might have pass'd for a noble Piece of Workmanship had it not stood so near so rich a Cross Another at the lower end of Cheapside Another in Cornhil That in Fleetstreet hard by Shoe-lane end and another in Holborn near Holborn-Bridge besides several others of less Note The only Conduit lately erected now standing is a pretty little Structure between Cow-lane and Snow-hill Since the Fire other kind of Monuments have been rais'd which add not a little to the Ornament of the City in general and give peculiar Grace to the Places where they stand The chief whereof is the Monument erected where the Fire began a Pyramid of stately heighth and curious Workmanship Another Monument much of the same nature is design'd and the Edifice rais'd some yards above the ground at the lower end of Cheapside at or very near the Place where the Conduit formerly stood A very rare Design as appears by the Model which I have often seen at the House of the ingenious Designer thereof Mr Jasper Latham the City-Mason At the Stocks-Market is an Equestrian Statue in Stone of his present Majesty And another more excellent than that in Brass of his late Majesty of happy Memory in the Place where Charing-Cross stood In Covent-Garden Square is a Columnal-Dial which only wants somewhat of Magnitude to make it a very graceful Ornament to the Place Our Theaters at present are only two That of his Majesty's Servants between Bridges-street and Drury-lane and that of his Royal Highness's Servants in Salisbury-street with a majestick Front towards the Thames side Artificial publick Bagno's have not been known in England till of late The only one yet built is aside of Newgate-street a pretty well contriv'd Piece of Building had it been more publickly expos'd to view on the Street side The Gates of Towns and Cities are not the least of Ornaments to the said Towns and Cities Of the chief of them except those in London we have toucht in the respective Places to which they belong The principal Gates of London are Ludgate Newgate Aldersgate Algate Bishopsgate and Temple-bar and the two Gates at Westminster between Whitehal and Kings-street most of them not inferior in Magnificence to the chief in Europe But to close all that hath been said of publick Ornaments there remains one thing more not to be neglected by any Admirer of Art which is a Piece of Sculpture in Stone representing the Resurrection over a Gate in Shoo-lane that gives entrance into a Caemetery or Burying-place which belongs to St Andrews-Church This Piece of Carving I have heard commended by the best of Artists in this way for the noblest Piece of Workmanship in its kind that hath been seen in England Towns and Places of England eminent for some remarkeable Accident Person or Transaction THE principal Things that render any Town or Place remarkable are either the Glory and Antiquity of its Original some notable Revolution of Government Accidents hapning there whether prosperous or adverse Battels fought or other grand Action perform'd in or near it and the Birth Residence or Death of Princes and other eminent Men. For most if not all of those Remarks there are many Towns and Cities of England famous and principally of all that which is the principal of all our Towns and Cities London for the most part the Seat of Kings from its Original with which as the City Westminster is so united in Place that it seems in a manner one and the same City so thē mention and discourse of them cannot well be separated Of the Antiquity Splendor of Government Flourishing Trade and Magnificence of Structure in all which London hath the pre-eminence not only of all the Places of England but perhaps of all Europe several have discours'd at large besides what we may haply have occasion to touch at elsewhere It can't be imagin'd but that in a City which hath been a flourishing City for so many Ages many remarkable Accidents must have hapned and great Actions been perform'd in the mention whereof however all possible brevity must be us'd King Lud who reign'd here a little before Caesar's arrival if he were not the first Founder as some think he was at least not only the Enlarger but also the Denominator For among other things he built the West-Gate which to this day retains the Name of Ludgate and what was before of a City by the Name of Trinobantium took the Name of Caer-Lud and the present appellation of London is fancy'd by many to be deriv'd from him as it were luds-Luds-Town About the year 285. here Alectus Lieutenant to the Emperor Diocletian was slain by Asclepiodotus D. of Cornwal and together with him was slain his Companion Gallus at a Brook which from him still retains the name of Gall-brook or Wall brook Here Sigebert third King of the East-Angles who began his Reign in the year of our Lord 596. and Ethelbert King of Kent who began his Reign in the year of our Lord 562. built the Cathedral of St. Pauls in the very place as 't is said where there had been a Temple of Diana In the Reign of Edmund sirnamed Ironside this City was closely besieg'd by the Danes but the Siege was soon rais'd by that valiant Prince King Edmund About the year 1077. the Tower of London was built by K. William the Conqueror whose Successour K. William Rufus built new walls about it Anno 1135. in the Reign of K. Stephen the greatest part of this City was consumed by an accidental Fire In K. Richard the Seconds time was the great Rencounter with Jack Straw
notable defeat given by Cheaulin King of the West-Saxons to Ethelred King of Kent with the slaughter of two of his Dukes in the year of our Lord 560. At Richmond to which in former ages the Kings and Queens of England retired for pleasure as of late to Hampton-Court and Windsor there deceased that victorious Prince King Edward the third Anne the Daughter of the Emperour Charles the fourth and Wife of King Richard the second Henry of Richmond the seventh of that name King of England and that learned and renowned Princess Queen Elizabeth of happy memory Kingston upon Thames a very pleasant and much frequented Market Town was probably the usual place of Coronation of the Saxon Monarchs for there was kept the Chair of Instalment but the Kings most particularly mentioned to have been there crown'd were King Athelstan Edwin and Ethelred Guilford a Town otherwise of especial note is also famous for having been the Royal Seat of the English Saxon Kings Merton is doubly upon record first for the untimely death of Kenulph King of the West-Saxons who was here slain by Kineaâ—d King Sigeberts Brother next for the Parliament there held An. 21 of K. Henry the third which Parliament produc'd an Act which to this day is called the Statute of Merton Okeham hath its chief credit as being the native place of that famous English Philosopher William de Okeham Likewise Ripley no less by the birth of that learned Chymist George de Ripley In Essex Colchester which is the County Town hath the honourable tradition of having been built by the ancient British King Coilus but that which redounds chiefly to its honour is that it is said to have brought into the world three persons of immortal memory viz. Lucius the first not only British but European King that embrac'd the Christian Faith Constantine the first Roman Emperour who openly proprofessing Christianity gave countenance and protection to the Christians of all parts and put an end to those heavy Persecutions which they groaned under so many Ages and if by his extraordinary bounty and munificence to the Clergy he made an inlet to that pride and ambition among them which hath proved mischievous to Christendome ever since it was an errour on the right hand and however succeeding otherwise an evidence of his pious generosity and zeal for Religion and Vertue Helena the Wife of Constantius born also in England and as it is generally suppos'd in York and Mother of the said Constantine her fame shines bright in History for her piety in general and particularly for the fame of her being Inventrix Crucis The next Town of note in this County is Maldon a very ancient Town and the Seat Royal of the Trinobantes of whom Cunobelinus was King about the time of our Saviours Nativity it was taken by the Emperour Claudius and made a Roman Garison being call'd by the Romans Camalodunum rased to the ground by Queen Bunduca or Boadicia after a mighty defeat given to the Romans in revenge of some high affronts and indignities she received from them but was afterwards rebuilt and is of some reputation at this day though doubtless far short of its pristine splendor At Walden famous for Saffron as is already mentioned was born Sir Thomas Smith Secretary to Queen Elizabeth Kent as it is a large County is enobled with very many Towns and places of note in the first place Canterbury is a City of that eminence that next to London there is hardly a City in England memorable upon so many accounts It is said to have been built 900 years before Christ it is the principal of the Archiepiscopal Sees of England it was given by Ethelbert King of Kent to Austin the Monk and his Companions upon whose preaching 10000 were baptized in one day By the said Austin the Cathedral is said to have been founded in which eight Kings of Kent were interred Even the misfortunes of this City have been also memorable for it suffer'd very much several times by the fury of the Danes especially in the Reign of Ethelred when 42000 of the Inhabitants were sacrific'd to their fury and revenge it hath had the honour of the Coronations Nuptials and Interments of several great Kings and Princes Here King John and his Queen Isabel were Crown'd King Henry the third and King Edward the first Married Edward the Black Prince King Henry the fourth and his Q. Joan were Interred and also with far more cost and magnificence that great Prelate and even to adoration adored Saint Thomas a Becket of whose rich and stately Tomb mention hath been elsewhere made Rochester said to be built by one Roff Lord thereof is also a City and not much inferiour in repute to Canterbury Several Counties there are which have no City the Bishops See being but in one of half a dozen Counties but Kent is the only one County that hath two This City was also miserably harrass'd by the Danes and suffer'd very much ruine by two dreadful Fires viz. in the Reign of King Henry the first and King Henry the second but being very much restored by the munificence of King Henry the third it hath continued a flourishing City ever since Maidstone a pleasant and well-seated Town is the more memorable by the great defeat given there to the Earl of Holland who headed the Kentish-men rising for the King by Fairfax General of the Parliament Forces Feversham is enobled by the Burial of King Stephen and his Queen Maud. Dover besides the renown of its Castle said to be built by Julius Caesar and the great honour of the Government thereof hath given reception and entertainment to many great Kings and Princes Queenborough Castle was built by King Edward the third Wye a Sea-port Town where the learned and famous J. Kemp Archbishop of Canterbury was born Horsted is chiefly noted for the Monument now defaced of Horsa one of the first Leaders of the invading Saxons the Brother of Hengift The like Monument was made for Catigern another of the Brothers at Circotes-house which is standing to this day Black-heath hath been the place of several grand Recounters in the Barons Wars in King Henry the third's time as also of Wat Tiler in King Richard the second 's time and of Michael Joseph and the Lord d' Auhenie in King Henry the seventh's time But that which gives the greatest glory and re-renown to this place is the memory of that grand appearance at his Majesties Restoration when all the Gentry and Nobility of the Nation and all the Pomp and splendor of the City of London met to receive his Majesty and his two Brothers and conduct them through the City to the Royal Palace of Whitehall and even the armed part of the Nation that but lately had drawn the Sword against him now met him with the highest acclamations of welcome In Buckinghamshire Buckingham the Shire Town was fortified by King Edward sirnamed the Elder against the fury of the Danes and
Wheathamstead chiefly noted for the birth of John of Wethamstead a profound Philosopher Other places Hertfordshire noted for famous men Ware for Richard de Ware Treasurer of England under Edward the first and William de Ware who was Scotus his Teacher and flourisht under King Henry the third Baldock for Ralph Baldock created Bishop of London by King Edward the first Rudburn for Thomas Rudburn Bishop of St Davids who flourisht An. 1419. Helmstedbury for Sir Edward Waterhouse Chancellour of the Exchequer in Ireland under Queen Elizabeth Gatesden for John de Gatesden who flourisht An. 1420. Hamstead for Daniel Dike Cottered for Edward Symonds Gorham-berry for Sir Nicholas Bacon Nor may we here omit other eminent men of this Shire viz. Sir Henry Cary a great Souldier in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by whom he was created Baron of Hunsden and Lord Chamberlain John Boucher Baron Berners And of learned men Alexander Nequam who died An. 1227. Nicholas Gorham who flourisht An. 1400. Roger Hutchinson Thomas Cartwright and Hugh Legat. In Norfolk the chief City and Episcopal See Norwich seems to have sprung out of the ancient Venta of the Romans and is chiefly Famous for its sufferings having been sackt and burnt by the Danes in the year 1004. And in the Conquerours time reduc't to utmost exigence for siding with Earl Radulph against the said King William The Cathedral was Founded by Herbert who translating the Bishoprick ftom Thetford to Norwich was the first Bishop of Norwich Thetford the ancient Sitomagus of the Romans is a place of much remark for antiquity It was the Royal Seat of the Kings of the East-Angles and the unfortunate place where King Edmund the Martyr was overthrown by the Danes The Bishoprick which is now of Norwich was translated from Elmham to Thetford in the Reign of King William the Conquerour Lyn a Sea Port Town was made Liber Burgus and honoured with the gift of a rich Cup by King John and had their Charter inlarg'd by King Henry the third for their good Service against the Outlawed Barons and in King Henry the eighth's time other priviledges were added and the name changed from Lyn Episcopi to Lyn Regis Yarmouth boasts the antiquity of its foundation from the time of the Danes Elmham is considerable for having been a Bishops See for several Ages first divided with Dunwich in Suffolk next sole till it was translated to Thetford thence to Norwich In Sussex the City Chichester boasts the Foundation of Cissa the second King of the South-Saxons and had the Bishoprick translated thither in King William the Conquerours time from Selsey which till then had been the Episcopal See Lewis a Town little if ought inferiour to Chichester is sufficiently of name in History as having been one of the places appointed by King Athelstan for the Coinage of his Mony and for the strong Castle built by Earl William de Warren Here also was a bloody battel fought between King Henry the third and his Barons in which the King receiv'd a cruel Overthrow Pensey a little Sea Town but great in Story as the Landing place of King William the Conquerour when by one Victorious battle he gain'd the Crown of England with the slaughter of King Harold and his two Brothers Leofwin and Goroh and about 67000 men Hastings being the Town near which this successful held was fought hath gotten so much the greater name and the very place of fight retains to this day the name of Battle-field Buckstead a place in some respect of as great note as any hath been nam'd For here in the thirty fifth year of King Henry the eight the first Great Iron Guns that ever were cast in England were cast by Peter Baude and Ralph Hage In Cambridge-Shire the Town of Cambride is of too high a renown for its many Halls and Colledges the habitations of the Muses richly indow'd for the advancement and incouragement of Learning to be here pass't by and too well taken notice of and describ'd by others to be longer insisted on Eli the Bishops Seat and denominating City of the Diocess is said to have been built by one Audry who was first wife of one Tombret Prince of these parts and afterwards of Egbert King of Northumberland from whom departing She here betook her self to a devout life and built a most stately Monastery of which She her self became the first Abbess This place is also recordable for the Birth of several Learned men viz. Andrew Willet who died An. 1621. Sir Thomas Ridly Dr. of the Laws who died An. 1629. Richard Parker who died here An. 1624. Everton in this Shire gave Birth to John Tiptoft Son of John Lord Tiptoft Earl of Worcester and Lord High Constable of England Triplow is memorable by the Birth of Elias Rubens a Writer of grand repute who flourisht An. 1266. Everden gave both Birth and Sirname to John Eversden another learned Writer Of this County were also Matthew Paris and Sir John Cheek Tutor to King Edward the sixth and Richard Wethershet who flourisht in the year 1350. At Caxton was born William thence Sirnamed Caxton the first Printer in England Wisbich brought forth Richard Hocloet a man eminent for Learning An. 1552. Linton is only note-worthy for the Birth of Richard Richardson one of the Translatours of the Bible who deceas't An. 1621. Milton as 't is generally believ'd gave birth to Thomas Goad a Writer of good note Mildred brought forth Andrew Mervail Minister of Hull a Learned Father of a Learned and Witty Son for so was that Andrew who died but a few years since he was a Member in the late long Parliament for the Town of Hull a man of very acute parts had he not fail'd in his affection to the Government as several of his Writings testifie Of this County were Michael Dalton a Learned Writer and also Edward Norgate In Huntington-Shire St Neots so call'd from Neotus a Holy and Learned man is memorable for the defeat given to the Earl of Holland by the Parliament Forces in the late Civil Wars An. 1648. as also for being the Birth-place of two eminent men viz. Francis White Bishop of Ely and Hugh thence Sirnamed of St Neots who deceas't Anno 1340. Godmanchester qu. Gormoncester from Gormon the Dane is concluded to have been the Old Durisiponte of the Romans and some think from the nearness of the name the same with Gunicester where Macutus had his Bishoprick At this Godmanchester was born a man who made too much noise in the world to be forgotten Stephen Marshal one of the chief of those Zealous Trumpetters of the late times who from the Pulpit stirr'd up to War and Bloodshed in the Name of the Lord. At St Ives was born Roger thence Sirnam'd of St Ives who flourisht An. 1420. At Cunnington the Learned Antiquary Sir Robert Cotton Moreover from Huntington the Capital place of this Shire sprung two very famous men Gregory of Huntington who died An. 1610. and Henry
Collonel Massy against his late Majesty King Charles the First and the great Battle here fought for the raising of the Siege It was won from the Britains by Cheulin King of the West-Saxons An. 570. Here a Monastery of Nuns was founded by Osric King of Northumberland of which three Queens of the Mercians were successively Prioresses viz. Kineburg Eadburg and Eve Here was born Robert called the Monk of Glocester who flourish'd under Henry the second and also Osbernus sirnam'd Claudianus a Benedictine Monk Alny Isle a place near Glocester where after several bloody Battles between King Edmund Ironside and Canutus the Dane the matter was at last decided between them by single combat and a division of the Kingdom made Cirencester or Circester a place of memorable note as won from the Britains by Cheulin the West-Saxon this City is doubtless Ptolomies Corinium Antonines Durocornovium Giraldus his Vrbs Passerum which last denomination it takes from a tradition of one Gurmund an African Tyrant who set it on fire by tying to the tails of Sparrows certain combustible matter which he put fire to It was won from the Britains by Cheulen King of the West-Saxons next possess 't by the Mercians lastly by the Danes under Gurmund An. 879. But that which is to be said greatest of this for it's antiquity and remark is that that it was anciently one of the principal residencies of the Romans by whom it had been rais'd to a high pitch of magnificence and grandure At Cicester was born Thomas Ruthal Bishop of Durham At Duresby Edw. Fox Bishop of Hereford At Cam near Duresby Edward Trotman Judge of the Common Law who was buried in the Temple Church May the 29th An. 1643. At Todington Richard Son to Sir William Tracy who flourish'd under King Henry the second This Richard wrote a Book entitled Preparatio ad Crucem of much esteem in those times At Yate Thomas Neal Chanter to Bishop Bonner he was eminent for Learning and flourish'd An. 1576. At Westbury John Carpenter Bishop of Worcester At Sudely Castle Ralph Lord Sudely Lord Treasurer and Knight of the Garter under Henry the sixth Other Noted men of this Shire were Tideman de Winchcomb the Kings Physitian Abbot of Benle Bishop first of Landaff afterwards of Worcester John Chedworth Bishop of Lincoln Anthony Fitz-Herbert Judge of the Common Pleas. Thomas de la More Knighted by King Edward the first he wrote the Character of King Edward the second a Manuscript now in Oxford Library Sir Thomas Overbury Son to Sir Nicholas William Winter Vice-Admiral of England under Queen Elizabeth John Sprint John Workman and Richard Capel Tewksbury-field gave a very fatal blow to the House of Lancaster An. 1471. in which Prince Edward was slain and Queen Margaret taken Prisoner together with the Duke of Somerset the Earl of Devonshire and others who were beheaded Here was born the famous Alan of Tewksbury who flourish'd under King John Hales a once flourishing Abby but chiefly to be remembred for the birth of Alexander de Hales sirnamed Dr. Irrefregabilis who died An. 1245. In Worcestershire Worcester the chief City is questionless the ancient Branconium of Antoninus and Ptolomie though since call'd by the Latins Vigornea and by the Britains Caer Wrangon some think it to have been built by the Romans for a bound to the Britains The Cathedral of St Mary in Worcester besides the fame of its State and Beauty is the Repository of the Bodies of King John and Prince Arthur Eldest Son to King Henry the seventh But that which gives greatest renown to this City is the memory of the happy preservation of his present Majesty from being taken at the fatal Battle of Worcester where the great Gallantry and Valour of His Majesty and his Party was utterly overpowr'd by the treble forces of the Usurpers At Eversham An. 1265. King Henry the third gain'd a most triumphant Victory over his Barons with the slaughter of Simon Montford and seventeen Lords and the taking of Humphry Bohun Prisoner In Herefordshire the City of Hereford besides that it is the Principal City an Episcopal See and noted for its Cathedral is also memorable for the birth of Adam de Orleton Bishop of Hereford Roger of Hereford a Writer of Astronomy who flourish'd under Henry the second An. 1170. John Davies of good repute for Poetry And also Charles Smith Bishop of Glocester in the reign of King James Bradwardin Castle gave both birth and sirname to that Thomas de Bradwardin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who for his deep knowledge in Theologie and skilful management of Disputations is stiled the profound Doctor At Ashperton was born John Grandison Bishop of Exeter Other memorable persons of this Shire were Robert Devereux Earl of Essex great in deeds of Arms and a person of great power and favour with his Prince yet brought to an untimely end Richard Hackluit whose Book of Voyages is of good repute among the studious in Geography and History William Lemster a Franciscan and learned Doctor John Guillam the noted Herald whose Systeme of Heraldry is accounted the best that hath been written of this Subject In Shropshire besides Shrewsbury the County Town a noted Mart for Cloth and Frizes brought hither from Wales and sent to London and other parts of England there are very remarkable ruins of some ancient places which were certainly Towns or Cities of great spendour or resort as Wrocckester Vriconium the ancient Vsoconia of which Okenyate is a small remainder Oswaldstree retains its name from Oswald the 11th King of Northumberland who was here slain in battel by Penda King of the Mercians In Staffordshire the County Town Stafford anciently Bitheny from Bertelin a holy man is said to have been built by King Edward the Elder and was made a Corporation by King John Tamworth was doubtless anciently a place of more spendour and amplitude than at present for here the Mercian Kings for a long time kept their Court. Litchfield though not the County Town is yet the most eminent place of the County as being a City and Episcopal See joyntly with Coventry the chief Church and now Cathedral was built by the Northumbrian King Oswin upon the Conquest he gain'd over the Pagan Mercians and here Wulferre and Celred were interr'd it was for some time an Arch-bishoprick by the means of King Offa at the request of Bishop Eadulph At Bloreheath in this County a cruel battel was fought between the two Houses of York and Lancaster in which there fell on the Duke of York's side Sir Hugh Venables Sir William Trowthec Sir Richard Mollineux and Sir J. Egerton c. with 2400 and the two Sons taken prisoners of the Earl of Salisbury General of the Yorkists In Darbyshire besides Derby the County town there are memorable Ripton Ripandunum where was interr'd Ethelbald the 9th King of the Mercians who was slain at Egiswald by his Subjects and whence Burthred the last King was expell'd by the Danes with
his Queen Ethelwith At Melburn John D. of Bourbon taken at Agin Court was kept prisoner Little Chester an ancient Colony of the Romans as appears by what Coins have been digg'd up thereabout In Nottinghamshire the County Town Nottingham hath not wanted its share in the grand rencounters that have been in this Nation the Castle hereof was kept by the Danes against the Mercian King Burthred and also against the English Saxon Monarchs Elthelred and Alfred At Newark in this County King John who was poyson'd at Swinsted Abby is said to have drawn his last breath At Stoke near Symnel's party was utterly defeated and his upholders John de la Pool Earl of Lincoln Thomas Garadine Chancellour of Ireland Fr. Lord Lovel and others were slain with 4000 of their men and he himself taken prisoner June 16th An. 1487. At Mansfield was born the first Earl of Mansfield in Germany one of the Knights of King Arthurs Round Table In Warwickshire the Town of Warwick is sufficiently fam'd in story over and above what is related of Guy of Warwick and his great adventures and above all things the antiquity of the foundation is remarkable if as the tradition goes it were built by Gurguntus 375 years before the Nativity of our Saviour however the Castle looks great and savours much of Antiquity Coventry being joyntly one Bishoprick with Leichfield is memorable besides the beauty of the brave action of Countess Godiva the wife of Leofrick the first Lord thereof well known in History One of the Gates of this City is call'd Gofford Gate which is the more notable by the Shield-bone of some very large beast some say a wild Bore slain by Guy of Warwick some say an Elephant with the snout whereof a pit was turn'd up which is now Swanes Mear At Backlow-hill in this County Pierce Gavestoâ— was taken and beheaded by a party of the Nobles At Wolny An. 1469. King Edward the fourth his Forces were discomfited by his brother George Duke of Clarence and Richard Earl of Warwick and the King himself taken prisoner In Northamptonshire the County Town Northampton hath been the Subject of many warlike bronts An. 1106. it suffered much by the contests of the Conquerours three Sons Robert William and Henry An. 1263. being held by the Barons against King Henry the third it was taken by surprize and the Walls thrown down An. 1459. King Henry the sixth was here taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick and March with the slaughter of Humphry Stafford Duke of Buckingham John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury the Lords Egremont and Beaumont but the greatest misfortune that e're befel this Town was in this our Age viz. An. 1675. when by an accidental Fire it was almost all burnt down to the ground yet lay it not long buried in ruin for it was immediately rebuilt and now appears in far greater splendour then ever Here Earl Rivers Father to Edward the fourth's Queen taken at Grafton was beheaded by Robin of Risdal together with his son John Higham Ferrers in this County hath been honour'd with the birth of a very great Prelate of this Nation viz. Henry Chichly Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the Reign of King Henry the sixth This Chichly was the founder of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford Edgecot is signalis'd by a bloody battle fought near it on Danes More July the 26th An. 1469. by Robin of Risdal and Sir John Coniers against William Herbert Earl of Pembroke who together with his Brother Richard the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother and Richard Woodvil were taken prisoners carried to Banbury and beheaded At Fotheringhay Castle Mary Queen of Scots was kept a long time prisoner and was at last beheaded In Leicestershire Leicester the County Town is principally famous by the tradition of its having been built by King Leir great in the Catalogue of ancient British Kings qu. Leir-cester Lutterworth in this County ows its chief credit to the famous John Wickleff who was Parson of this place in the reign of King Henry the 4th Bosworth a Town of no great note but for the memory of a most signal battle fought near it on Redemore August 22d 1485. which put an end to all Controversies between the two houses of York and Lancaster and in which fell that most Tyrannical of English Kings Richard the third with four thousand of his men and some say though we are not bound to believe it with the loss but of ten men on the Earl of Richmonds side Cleycester of which there are now scarce any ruins remaining was once a famous City in the West part of this Shire and by the Romans call'd Bennone In Rutlandshire some mention as close adjoyning though generally affirm'd to be situate rather in Lincolnshire the Town of Stamford for the reputation of an ancient University and said to have been founded by that Ancient British King Bladud who found out the vertue of the Bath-Waters In Lincolnshire Lincoln the chief Town and only City of this Shire is not only eminent for its antiquity and for that it was once acounted one of the chiefest and the best traded Cities of England and made by King Edward the third the chief Mart for Lead Wool and Leather But also for a great battle fought by Randolph Earl of Chester and Robert Earl of Glocester against King Stephen who was here taken prisoner as also for the success of King Henry the third who won it from the Barons it is said to have had once fifty Parish Churches Wainfleet had been doubtless a place of little note but for the birth of William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester who living in the reign of King Henry the sixth with whom he was great in favour built here a Free-School and founded Magdalen Colledge in Oxford Grimsby likewise though an ancient Market Town hath its chiefest repute from its being the Birth-place of Dr. Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of King James Bullingbrook is enobled by the memory of the Birth of King Edward the first and King Henry the fourth Swinesstead Abby the place where King John received from the hands of Simon a Monk thereof that baleful potion that gave him his end at Lincoln Harstill laments the death of that mirâ—our of that Conjugal love Queen Eleanor the wife of King Edward the first In the North-Riding of Yorkshire York the chief of this Shire and second City of England was a Colony of the Romans and a place of great account among them and ever since to this day a splendid and flourishing City several Emperours here kept their Court and particularly Severus had a Palace here in which he breathed his last Here also Constantius Chlorus the Father of Constantine the Great is said to have departed this life nor does the death of these two Emperours more ennoble this Place than the Birth of the Learned Alcuin who was Tutour to the Emperour Charles the Great Some write that it was first made an Episcopal See by
in many respects as for its Minster for its Entertainment of King Athelstan who hence settihg forth in a Barge upon the River Dee was rowed by Kennadie King of the Scots Malcolm King of Cumberland Macon King of Man and several Princes of Wales By being made so great a Principality by the Investiture of Hugh Lupus by King William the Conqueror The Minster of this City was built by Earl Leofric to the Honour of St. Werburga repaired by Hugh Earl of Chester And in this Minster was buried the Body of Henry the Fourth Emperor of Germany At Calvely was born Sir Hugh Calvely a Soldier of great fame in the Reign of King Edward the Third As likewise was Sir Robert Knowles of this Shire Ecleston gave Birth to Thomas thence Sirnamed Ecleston Bunbury is noted by the birth of Robert Braffy who died Anno 1558. Wrenbury boasts of George Patin another learned Writer Moreover the World owes to this Shire several other great men viz. Sir Thomas Aegerton Lord Keeper Anno 1596. Sir Humphrey Starky Sir Henry Bradshaw Sir Randal Crew and Sir Humphrey Davenport all grand Pillars of the Law Ralph Ratcliff a person eminent for Learning and Captain John Smith the first setler of the Plantation of New-England in the Reign of King James In FLINTSHIRE The Castle of Flint which was founded by King Henry the Second and finished by King Edward the First gave Reception to King Richard the Second when he came out of Ireland In DENBYSHIRE Denby was walled about and fortified with a Castle by Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln in the Reign of King Edward the First In CAERNARVONSHIRE Caernarvon is memorable as having been raised by King E. 1. from the Ruins of that ancient City which is called by Antonine Segontium and by Ninius Caer-Custenith and where as Matthew Westminster reports was found the Body of Constantius the Father of Constantine the Great Anno 1283. In MERIONETHSHIRE the principal Town Harlech is only worth memory for its stately Castle In CARDIGANSHIRE Cardigan the Shire-Town was walled about and fortified with a Castle by Gilbert de Clare who was Lord of the whole County by the Gift of King Henry the First In BRECKNOCKSHIRE Hay is remembred by its Ruins to have been once a place of Account for it is reported in History to have been ruined and demolished in the Rebellion of Owen Glendour It is judged by the Coins there found to have been an ancient Seat of the Romans Bealt Buelth the Buleum Silurum of Ptolomy is famed as the Seat of Aurelius Ambrose who possessed the whole Country and after gave it to Pascentius Son of Vortiger And likewise for the last Prince of the Britains who was here by Treachery slain But Brecknock being now the fairest Town of the Shire carries the Name and Primacy In CAERMARDENSHIRE Caermarden the Shire-Town the Maridunum of Ptolomy and Muridunum of Antonine is not so note-worthy for its large Castle and strong Wall as for being the Birth-place of that most famous old British to give him the most favourable Title Prophet Merlin In GLAMORGANSHIRE The chief Town and Episcopal See Landaff with its Castle and Cathedral is not so famous as the Town of Caerdiff as having been the Seat and Residence of that renowned Fitz-Hammond and his Norman Knights who after the Conquest of Rhesus Prince of Wales kept here his Court in the Reign of William Rufus and built here a strong Castle in the Hall whereof are yet to be seen the Ensigns of the said Fitz-Hammond and his Knights In this Castle hath been for a long time and is still kept the Audit for the Earl of Pembroke's Estate in Wales In MONMOVTHSHIRE Monmouth the County-Town is yet far more considerable upon several respects first as being delivered by Geraldus to have been the place where great King Arthur kept his Court. Next as an Academy of Philosophy and Arts giving Residence to two hundred Scholars and Birth to Amphibalus whose Disciple our great Protomartyr St. Albanus was and two other noble persons of our first Martyrs And likewise as the Birth-place of that noble Prince King Henry the Fifth In RADNORSHIRE Radnor the ancient Magnos of Antonine and the station of the Pacentian Regiment and fortified with a Castle is yet inferior in beauty of Buildings to Prestain In PEMBROKESHIRE though Pembroke is the County-Town yet St. Davids is the more remarkable as being an Episcopal See and once an Archbishoprick translated from Isca Legionum by that great Archbishop Devi whom we call St. David In MONTGOMERISHIRE Montgomery is remarkable for its pleasant scituation and strong Castle and the Title of an Earldom first given by King James Anno 1605. to Philip second Son to Henry Earl of Pembroke and still continuing in his Grandchild Philip now Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery In the Isle of ANGLESY Beaumorris is not more noted for being the principal Town than for the frequent transportation of Passengers hence to Ireland and the fame of having been built by King Edward the First A true and perfect LIST OF THE NOBILITY OF ENGLAND With their principal HOUSES and the COUNTIES which they are in DUKES * HIS Royal Highness James Duke of York and Albany and Earl of Vlster His Seats St. James's Middlesex Richmond Surrey The Dukedom of Cumberland extinct by the death of Prince Rupert The Lord High Chancellor of England The Lord High Treasurer of England The Lord President of the Privy Council The Lord Privy Seal Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England Earl of Arundel Surrey Norfolk and Norwich Baron Howard Moubray Segrave Brewes of Gower Fitz-Alan Clun Oswaldestre Maltravers Graystock and Castle-Rising His Seats Norfolk House in Arundel Buildings Middlesex Arundel Castle Sussex Albury and Waybridge Surrey Duke's Place in Norwich Norfolk Work-Sop Nottingham Sheffeild-Mannor York Graystock Castle and Drumbugh Castle Cumberland Charles Seymour Duke of Somerset Marquess of Hertford Viscount Beauchamp and Baron Seymour His Seats Marlborough House and Allington House Wilts * George Villers Duke Marquess and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers and Baron of Whaddon His Seats Wallingford House near Whitehall Middlesex Colledge-Hill London Buckingham House and Whadon Buckingham Bishop's Hill in the City of York and Helmsey Castle York * Christopher Monk Duke of Albemarle Earl of Torrington Baron Monk of Poltheridge Beauchamp and Teyes His Seats Nun Appleton and Burley on the Hlil Rutland Garrenton Leicester Albemarle House Middlesex New Hall Essex Potheridge and Wenbury Devonshire Cletherow Castle Lancaster * James Scot Duke of Monmouth and Bucclugh Earl of Doncaster and Dalkelth Baron of Tindal Winchester and Ashdale His Seat More Park Hertford So-Ho Square Middlesex * Henry Cavendish Duke Marquess and Earl of Newcastle Earl of Ogle Viscount Mansfeild Baron Ogle Beutram and Bolsover His Seats Welbeck Abby and Nottingham Castle Nottingham Bolsover Castle Derby Ogle Castle Bothal Castle Heple Tower Northumberland Slingsby Castle York Blore Hall Stafford
Equivalent in Wealth and Strength to a far greater people and that Conveniencies for Shipping and Water-Carriage do most eminently and fundamentally conduce thereunto CHAP. II. That some kind of Taxes and Publick Levies may rather increase then diminish the Wealth of the Kingdom CHAP. III. That France cannot by Reason of natural and perpetual impediments be more powerful at Sea then England and the low Countries CHAP. IV. That the people and Territories of the King of England are naturally as considerable for Wealth and Strength as those of France CHAP. V. That the impediments of Englands greatness are Contingent and removable CHAP. VI. That the Power and Wealth of England has increased these last 40 years CHAP. VII That one 10 part of the whole Expences of the King of England Subjects is sufficient to maintain 100000 Foot 40000 Horse and 40000 men at Sea and defray all other charges of the Government both ordinary and Extraordinary c. CHAP. VIII That there are spare Hands enough amongst the King of Englands Subjects to earn two Millions per Annum more then they now do and that there are also Imployments ready proper and sufficient for the purpose CHAP. IX That there is Money sufficient to drive the Trade of the Nation CHAP. X. That the King of Englands Subjects have Stock Competent and Convenient to drive the Trade of the Whole Commercial World THE INTRODUCTION OR THE ORIGINAL OF TRADE PLAINLY Demonstrating it's Increase The Means and Methods used to bring it to the Perfection it is arrived to at present And of the great Benefit reaped thereby both in General and Particular CHAP. I. THat Inland Maritim Trade Traffick are with Gods Blessings on mens Indeavours the chief Pillars and â—upport of all Nations and from whence they had their first rise and greatness is so evident that Arguments to prove it would be ineffectual yet from the World 's Original it had not it's perfection nor indeed could it till Mankind increased and by spreading wide in the Earth Peopled it's vast Immensity nor then for some thousands of Years was it National but rather in secret between man and man few People knowing the Benefit of any other commodities then what were of the native growth of those Countries they inhabited nor so could Riches abound for Coyn was for the most part useless or indeed not mentioned till the days of Abraham the Patriarck Exchange of Goods being the only Traffick and consequently on that score few Traded for more then they had present occasion to use by Reason many things were not of lasting quality and for that they for the most part Travelled from place to place Their chiefest Riches consisted in Cattle but at last when they Builded Cities and Towns and found the conveniency of a Settlement they extended their Traffick farther and one City Traded with another which still spread wider yet long was it ' er they found means to plough the Bosom of the Sea and to hold Commerce and Traffick with remote Nations which no sooner was brought to my Perfection but Riches abounding and Plenty Flowing in on every side men then and not till then began to give their thoughts large scope and not contented with the Portion of Earth alotted them began to grow emulous aspire to universal Soveraignty as likewise to plant Colonies in till then unhabitable Islands which had not Shipping been invented must have continued without inhabitants as at this time past doubt for want of discovery many do in the remote Seas especially under the Artick Pole whose extremity renders them unaccessible or at least unhabitable and of all Nations the Greeks were the first that brought Navigation to any Perfection by which they grew opulent and extended their Colonies to thâ— utmost Orient acquiring the Empire of the then known World their Fame growing every where great nor could the Romans bring their Warlike Expeditions to any perfection till they were Lords of the Sea and inriched themselves by Traffick bringing into that one City the Stores of all Nations so that from Cottages of Shepherds who lay'd her first Foundation she soon became Magnificent thrusting up her Lofty Spires bedecked with Gold so high that they in a manner kissed the Clouds and rendered her the awfull Mistriss of the Universe and by Trade and Industry more then by Arms kept up her Reputation for six hundred Years when ranging the World to find out Countries unconquered at last from Gallia or France under the leading of Caesar they entered Brittain a Place then wild and rude not knowing how to use the abundant plenty that Nature bestowed upon them but refusing all manner of Dainties fed upon Roots of Herbs and Barks of Trees not Tilling any Ground nor sowing Corn otherwise then scattering it on the untilled Surface of the Earth and harrowing it over with Bushes suffering their Cattle Fowl and Fish of which they had store to continue useless scarcely knowing any shoar but their own Their Traffick or Merchandise for the most part amongst themselves and that but mean their chief Riches consisting as Strabo saith in Ivory-Boxes Sheers Onches Bitts Bridles Chains of Iron Wreaths Glass coloured and the like which they usually delivered to each other as currant Coyn for what their necessity required but no sooner had the Romans Civilized them and instructed them in such Arts as were most sutable to their Capacities and might stand them in greatest stead but they began to Build Houses living before for the most in Huts and going naked and turned their Leather Boats into Tall Ships Furrowing the Seas broad back and discovering many Nations to them till then unknown So that by Traffick abroad and Improvement at home this Island grew famous and spread it's Name to the utmost Limit of the known Earth so that being rightly termed the Store-House of the Western World all the Neighbour-Nations Traded hither so that those Ports and Havens that were for a long time useless were now filled with Ships of all Nations So that Silver and Gold was had in Abundance and Coyns in imitation of those the Romans Stamped with the Effigies of their Kings and Princes which then were many each County containing two or three and they for the most part at variance amongst themselves which gave the Romans an opportunity to become Conquerors at an easier rate then otherwise they could During the four hundred Years and odd that the Romans Governed here by their Lievetenants and sometimes by their Emperors in Person Rome and after her Constantinople the new Seat of Empire abounded with our Stores so that more Tribute was pay'd by this Island then by France and Germany tho Ten times as large but the fame of Brittains Wealth proved her unhappyness for the Goth breaking in upon the Roman Empire whose spreading Top was too large to be supported by the slender Bole her Branches was torn off on every side so that to support their own the Romans were forced to recall
of the Earth being the residence of the Merchants and Factors of all Trading Nations abounding in the Riches of France Spain Holland Denmark Sweedland Russia Italy Turky Arabia China Persia Egypt both the Indias and of all other Places where any Commerce is had or from whence any Commodities are brought For an instance of the greatness of her Trade and Traffick I shall only insist upon the Levant Merchants who yearly imploy four or five thousand Sailers besides Porters Weighers Bargemen Lightermen Carmen Shipwrights Cankers and others which cannot amount to less then three thousand more and are not adjudged to pay less than five thousand pound per Annum for Customs The Goods they export is Cloth Tin c. for which they import Silks Cottons Galls Grograms Spices Drugs Currans c. The general Traders in this City are the Companies in the _____ Chapter who Trade for ready money by Bills of Exchange Verbal credit and some Trades deal one with another by Exchange of Commodities by mutual allowance at such prices as the Commodity bears The general way of buying valuable Merchandise as to Inland Trade is by keeping Factors in the Country or by holding Correspondence with those that make it their business to improve Manufacture or keep Fairs and Marts there to buy up Commodities of all sorts when advantage offers As for Merchandise imported from other Countries the Royal Exchange is the place most proper for Bargains where every day Sunday and other high days excepted between the Hours of 11. and 1. Merchants of all Nations meet and discourse of their affairs The way of payment is either to draw a Bill upon some Shop-Keeper Merchant of London or other Wealthy Person Or upon some Correspondent beyond Sea which Bill specifies payment upon sight or the time in which it is to be Payed which shall be more at large demonstrated when I come to Treat about Bills of Exchange or to take the Parties word for 3.6.9.12 Months or a Bill under his Hand for performance for which there is no certain rule but as those who Trade can agree There are likewise several Persons imployed that are called Change-Broakers who are usually imployed to buy up Commodities for Shopkeepers as they see advantage also to make returns of money viz. for so much money received in London or any adjacent City Town or Village you shall have a Bill to receive to the value of it in the Currant Coyn of France Spain Holland or any other Neighbouring Country where your Occasions require it There is likewise an Office that if any Person delay to pay a Bill he has accepted and Trifle with him that is to receive the money or refuse to accept of a Legal Bill you may protest against the Party or Bill which is entered and may at any time be seen that so men may be cautious in accepting Bills drawn upon any such Persons If a Merchant fail in the World it is no sooner known but notice is given upon the Change These and many more are the ways and Customs of Managing Trade in the City of London but these are the Principal and what remains shall be hereafter touched as I shall see Convenient CHAP. VI. Of the currant Coyns of England as they have been setled by the Tower Standard c. MOney being the Life of Commerce it will not be amiss to set down the several currant Coyns of Gold and Silver according to their true Value and as they go currant at this day especially Silver but Gold not unless full Weight by Reason old Gold is sometimes diminished by keeping carelesly The old Gold Coyns now currant are pieces of Twenty two Shillings Sterling but currant at one pound five Shilling six pence Pieces of eleven Shillings Sterling currant at twelve Shillings six pence Pieces of twenty Shillings Sterling currant at one pound three Shillings six pence Pieces of Ten Shillings Sterling currant at eleven Shillings six pence Pieces of five Shillings Sterling currant at five Shillings nine pence Pieces of two Shillings nine pence the 1 â— part twenty two Shillings Pieces of two Shillings six pence the 1 â— part of twenty Shillings The currant new Milled Gold Pieces of five pound currant at five pound seven Shillings six pence Double Guinnies currant at two pound three Shillings sometimes more Guinnies currant at one pound one Shilling six pence Half Guinnies currant at Ten Shillings nine pence The Silver currant Coyns are pieces of Five Shillings Sterling Pieces of two Shillings six pence Sterling Pieces of twelve pence called Shillings Pieces of six pence Sterling Pieces of thirteen pence half penny Sterling Pieces of nine pence Sterling Pieces of four pence half penny Sterling Pieces of four pence Sterling Pieces of three pence Sterling Pieces of two pence Sterling Pieces of one penny Sterling Pieces of a half penny Sterling Piece of a half penny of Copper Pieces of one farthing of Copper The Account thus four Farthings make a Penny Sterling twelve Pence make a Shilling Sterling five Shillings make a Crown four Crowns make twenty Shillings or one Pound tho some there be that Reckon by Marks Nobles and Angels which is only in the remote parts of the Kingdom A Noble is six Shillings and eight pence a Mark thirteen Shillings and four pence an Angel is two Crowns or Ten Shillings CHAP. VI. A view of the Weights and Measures used in England as they are Established by Standard and confirmed by the Laws of the Nation and by Parliament THe usual Weights that pass throughout England are Troy Weight and Averdupois-Weights the former consisting of twelve Ounces each Ounce to consist of twenty Penny Weight the Penny Weight to consist or twenty four Grains and this Weight is commonly used in Weighing of Bread Gold Silver all Physical matters as Electuaries Powders and the like eight pounds of this Weight being reckoned to Weigh a Gallon and from thence Multiplyed to any greater Measure four Gallons making a Peck four Pecks a Bushel and _____ Bushels a Quarter Wet Measures are likewise derived from this Weight both at Land and Sea viz. twelve Troy Ounces is a Pint of Liquids eight Pints a Gallon which of either Wine Beer or Ale is eight pounds Troy according to the Standard of the Exchequer and Acts of Parliament of the XI and XII of Henry the seventh And by this Rule the Coopers make their Casks for all vendible Assize vix a Hogshead to contain sixty three Gallons a Tearce eighty four a Pipe one hundred twenty six a Tun two hundred fifty two Gallons as likewise all Casks made for packing up Fish as a Salmon Butt to contain eighty four Gallons the Barrel twenty four a Herring Barrel thirty two an Eele Barrel forty two a Sope Barrel thirty two Gallons the lesser Casks to be divided accordingly The other Weight viz. Averdupois wherewith is Weighed Butter Cheese Flesh Wax all manner of Grocery and indeed most Commodities vended in England it consists
of sixteen Ounces to the pound and is called Garbel by Reason a Draught or Wast is allowed to every weighing Seven pound of this Weight is accounted to weigh a Gallon of Wheat and so Multiplyed to fifty six pound the Bushel seven pound Averdupois is one hundred and two Ounces of Troy from whence it is accounted that a Bushel of Wheat must weigh one hundred and twelve pound and a quarter four hundred forty eight pounds Averdupois and so consequently fourteen pound Averdupois is sixteen pound eleven Ounces Troy and as one penny Sterling is the twentieth part of an Ounce Troy so seven pound twelve Shillings Sterling is eighty four Ounces a half and two penny Weight of Troy and six pound eight Shillings Sterling is eighty two pound ¾ Ounce and one penny Weight and from these two are the Weights of Houshold Wheaten and White Bread Calculated The Weigh of Cheese is by Averdupois and runs thus The Weigh of Cheese one hundred and twelve pound Averdupois and the two hundred containing two hundred twenty four pounds consists of thirty four Cloves every Clove being seven pound The Weigh of Suffolk Cheese is two hundred fifty six and the Weigh of Essex Cheese three hundred thirty six pound Averdupois A Sack of Wool was accounted three hundred fifty four pound Averdupois two Weighs of Wool make a Sack and two Sacks a Last The last of Herrings is ten thousand every one thousand to contain ten hundred and every hundred sixscore that is before they are Barrell'd Lead is sold by the Fodder containing nineteen hundred and ½ at one hundred and twelve per cent Averdupois This Weight likewise of sixteen Ounces to the pound is made three several Quintars for Weighing several sorts of Merchandise the first is of fivescore pound just to the hundred and called one hundred Sutle whereby fine Commodities as Spices Drugs and the like are sold which are accounted by the pound and to which over and above is allowed by the Seller four pound upon one hundred and four pound taken from the overplus derived from the Weights of Antwerp for Spices and called by the name of Tret The second of the Quintars is one hundred and twelve viz fivescore and twelve to the hundred by which all Gross Commodities are weighed The third is sixscore to the hundred by which Tinn is weighed to his Majesties Farmers and some other few Commodities and is called by the name of the Stannery hundred From this Averdupois Weight by division the Weight called the Stone which is twofold the long and the short the long is accounted four pounds Averdupois and the short eight but in this there is no certainty for it differs according to the Customs of Counties and Markets There is an other thing in use called a Tod some places seven pound others eight and some again ten being altogether variable They have likewise a Clove of twenty pound twenty eight pound thirty two pound and the like There are likewise in most Markets for weighing of Flesh Stillyards used but without the Approbation of the Buyers they being unintelligible to many and oftentimes false first invented for the Weighing Hay and Straw for which uses indeed they are only proper Averdupois consists of sixteen Ounces every Ounce consisting of eight Drams and every Dram of sixty Grains so that by it the Raw-Silk of Persia and Turky are sold but then twenty four Ounces are allowed to the pound or a pound and an half c. Thus having distinguished these Weights which are of such use in this Nation it is not amiss that I shew you what accord the one hundred and twelve pound Suttle has with other Nations and Places of Traffick as for the Equality of Weight tho they differ in number In Europe it agrees with the Weights of Mersella the Venetia Sotile the Venetia Gross Sicilia Lisbon Florence Anvers Lions Sevil Dantzick Bruges In Africa and Asia with the Weights of Aleppo Aleppo Tripoly Syria Tripoly Barbaria Alexandrio-Zera Alexandria Forfar Forfar Scio Constantinople Rhodes Acria Babylon Balsola and Ormus And thus you see Reader the Industry and Improvement of the English Nation which now I must leave and take a View of Scotland CHAP. VIII A view of Scotland and the Trade thereof in General together with the Coyns Customs and Increase of that Ancient Kingdom SCotland by Reason of it's continuing a distinct Kingdom for so many hundred Years even till the happy Union by King James and indeed does yet in most things unless the Prerogative Royal is thought worthy to be Treated of seperately tho indeed the North part of Brittain and only seperated from England by the Rivers Tweed Salway and the Cheviot-Hills It 's chief City is Edenburg which contains the Kings Pallace the Courts of Justice consists of one great Street of a Mile in Length into which all the Petty Streets and Lanes open The next chief Cities and Towns are Glasgow the See of an Arch-Bishop and an University St. Andrews Sterling Perth Aberdeen Dondes St. John's Town c. The currant Money consists of Gold and Silver and are as followeth Pieces of twenty two Shillings Sterling Pieces of eleven Shillings Sterling Pieces of five Shilings six pence Sterling Pieces of two Shillings nine pence Sterling Pieces of four Shillings four pence â…œ Sterling Pieces of one Shilling one half penny Sterling Pieces of nine Shillings six pence being â…” of the thirteen pence half penny One Mark Pieces of four pence half penny Sterling But note that thirteen pence half penny Sterling is accounted a Scotch Mark or thirteen Shillings four pence Scotch six-pence three-farthings a Scotch Noble accounted six Shillings and eight pence twenty pence Sterling is accounted a Mark and a half Scotch or one pound Scotch of twenty Shillings Sterling is eighteen Scotch Marks so that Strangers unacquainted with their Money hearing them discourse about it think them far Richer then they are They have other Pieces of Copper Money of small Value as Babaes Bodles hard Heads and the like but indeed they have Principally the money of England which is currant in that Kingdom and of late have abounded in Silver The chief Commodities of the Country are Cloath Freezes Fish Hides Salt Lead Ore Tallow Grain of all sorts Feathers Iron Allum Seacoal commonly called Scotch-Coal and are divided into two parts viz. The Highland and Lowland which are divided into Sherifdoms and Fifes They have an Exchange in imitation of â—urs at London but especially used for the Exchange of monies with England The keeping of their accounts divers ways some keep them according to the Method of England others according to the Ancient use and Custom of their own Nation which is in Marks valuable as aforesaid Their Weight for weighing Merchandise is but one and with that they buy and sell throughout the Kingdom it contains sixteen Ounces to the pound and one hundred of those pounds make their Quintal which in England is one
hundred and eight pounds Averdupois and one hundred pound London Suttle Weight makes ninety two of theirs or one hundred and twelve English one hundred and three and a half of Scotch their Measures for Linnen Stuffs Cloath or Silk is the Ell which is wanting of ours insomuch that it differs from our Yard four per cent that is four Yards in a hundred Ells so that seventy five Yards or sixty Ells English make seventy two Scotch but in Tale to every hundred they Reckon six-score In Measure for Corn Coals Salt Wine Beer Ale Oyl and the like they come near at one with ours Their Navigation is but small for the most part Trading with England and Ireland yet are they a People frugal and much bent to improve the growth of their Country And thus having taken a view of Scotland and the Trade thereof I must pass over into Ireland the third Diamond in the British Diadem CHAP. IX A view of Ireland and of the Trade Manners and Present State of that Kingdom IReland is divided into four Provinces viz. Lempster Munster Connought Vlster and Meath and is four hundred Miles in Length and two hundred in Breadth the chief Cities and Towns are Dublin Kinnsail London Derry Limrick Cork Waterford Armah Dungannon Marleburg Phillips-Town Kildare and Tradah This Kingdom abounds in Navigable Rivers store of Fish Cattle and Hides which are Transported into Spain France and Italy Salmon are caught in such abundance in July and August that many Servants in the places of that Fishery Covenant with their Master upon their being hired that they will not feed upon Salmon but only so many days in a Week These they Salt and Barrel up sending them into all the Neighbouring Countries where they are received as good Merchandise the Herring Fishery is likewise used and improved by them as likewise Pilchards which are taken in August September and October and Transported into Spain France and the Streights of Gibraltar they have store likewise of Butter Cheese Calves-Skins and other necessary Commodities Their Corn for the most part is the same with ours yet in value not the same for a pound Sterling Irish is worth according to the Intrinsick value no more then fifteen Shillings English and the Shilling consequently but nine pence Sterling six pence Irish but four pence half penny Sterling The Exchange is practised in the City of Dublin but of little use as to any Transmarine Places unless England and there Principally London and Bristol commonly running at eight pence upon the pound or at most but one Shilling which is but five pound per cent The Weights and Measures are or for the most part consistent to those of England and in fine it is a Country exceeding fertil abounding in all things necessary for the use of man which would turn to great advantage were the Inhabitants but Industrious especially in fitting out Ships for Navigation but they for the most part roave abroad improving other Countries and neglecting their own Their chief Merchandise are in Fish which they send into France Spain England Scotland and other parts of Europe And thus I shall leave this Kingdom and return or rather Sail round Brittain to take a View of the Islands of the Sea or Ocean Islands CHAP. X. A view of the Ocean Islands and of their Trade viz. such as are Subject to his Majesty of great Britain THe Ocean Islands are scattered in the British Sea like so many Pearls to adorn the Imperial Diadem and are first the Orcades or Isles of Orkney thirty two in number The chief of which is Pomonia which abounds in Mines of Tinn and Lead The next Hethy and the other there being only three of them of note Shethland bearing Fruit-Trees of strange kinds Especially those whose Blossoms dropping into the Warter become Flying Birds The next are the Islands of the Hebrides in number forty four the chief whereof is Illa abounding with store of Venison And Jona famous for the Sepulchers of the Scottish Kings as likewise Mulla where the Redshanks inhabit once so fearful to England the rest are of little note The Islands called the Sorlings are one hundred forty five The Principal are Armath Agnes Samson and Scilly after which name all the rest are called The Inhabitants thereof Trade in Fishery sow Corn and addict themselves to Manufacture The Isle of Man is a square Island being ten Miles in Length and as many in Breadth the growth of it is Flax Hemp Oats Barly and Wheat having store of Cattle and other Merchandise brought in thither by Shipping the chief Towns are Ballacury Russin or Chasteltown The Isle of Anglesey is accounted a Shire of Wales and by some called the Mother of Wales being twenty four Miles in Length and seventeen Miles over Fruitful it is even beyond report in Corn Fruits Cattle Fowl and Fish improved by several Profitable Manufactures The Inhabitants making great store of Butter and Cheese and send out of it yearly three thousand Head of Cattle It 's chief Town is Beaumaris very Commodious for Shipping Jersey is a fair Island in Compass twenty Miles peopled with Industrious Inhabitants yearly improving their Commodidities and vending them to good advantage Trading with England and France especially famous for the many fine Orchards and Gardens the chief Towns and places of Traffick being St. Mallo and St. Hillary the former being nightly Guarded without the Walls From this Island twenty Miles distant is Guernsey Surrounded with spacious Harbours and in every part Fertile stored with Cattle and lying Commodious for Shipping Facing the Coast of France and hath for it's chief Town St. Peters The last of the Isles Surrounding Britain is the famous Isle of Wight which is twenty Miles long and twelve over and abounds with all things wherewith England is stored divided from Portsmouth but by an Arm of the Sea lying most Commodious for the Reception of Shipping and for it 's chief Towns has Yarmouth New-Port and Bradring And thus much for the Islands of the Sea surrounding Britain And now I shall only take a short Survey of some things further appertaining to the Trade of Britain and so Lanch into the Ocean and take a view of the remotest Parts of the World especially such as are Traded to by the English What more remains is an account of such Commodities of English-growth and Manufacture as are Exported being Staple Commodities and the common Cargo of outward bound Vessels CHAP. XI A further Account of the Measures of England with a true Proportion of the Weight of English Cloths FIrst for the Breadth Measure and Weight of English-Cloath that chief of Staple-Commodities Kent York and Redding Cloaths are six quarters and a half broad and ought to weigh eighty six pounds the Cloath in the Peice are in length thirty and thirty four Yards Suffolk Norfolk and Essex Cloaths of seven quarters wide are eighty pounds Weight twenty nine and thirty two Yards in Length Worcester Coventry
and Hereford Cloaths of six quarters and a half are in Weight seventy eight pound and in Measure thirty thirty three Yards Glocester Oxon and Wiltshire and Summersetshire Cloaths of seven quarters wide weigh seventy six pounds and in length twenty nine and thirty two Yards Suffolk Sorting Cloaths of six quarters and a half wide ought to weigh sixty four pound and to be in length twenty four and twenty six Yards All sorts of Cloaths that are six quarters and a half wide ought to weigh sixty pound and be twenty four and twenty six Yards in length broad and narrow Yorkshire of four quarters wide weigh thirty pound and in length are twenty four and twenty five Yards Broad-Cloath of Taunton Dunstable and Bridg-Water of seven quarters weigh thirty pound the Cloath and in Measure are twelve and thirteen Yards Devonshire Kersies and Dossens of four quarters weigh thirteen pounds in Measure twelve and thirteen Yards Chequer Kersies Grays Striped and Plain of four quarters are in Weight twenty four pound in Measure seventeen and eighteen Yards Ordinary Penistons or Forrests of three quarters and a half in Weight twenty eight pound in Measure twelve and thirteen Yards Sorting Peniston of six quarters and a half are pounds thirty five Yards thirteen and fourteen Washers of Lancashire and others the Cloaths are seventeen pounds in Weight in Measure seventeen and eighteen Yards This Custom of assizing Cloaths at a certain Weight was first imposed for the preventing defrauds in making slight sleasy or imperfect Cloaths and if any of the aforesaid Cloaths prove otherwise then is specifyed the maker or seller ought to allow according to the want either in Width Length or Weight and for so refusing may be sued for a defraud To bring this to perfection the Weight of Wool is thus the Sack of Wool doth contain three hundred sixty four pounds the Tod twenty eight pound thirteen Tods being accounted to a Sack every Tod being four Nales and every Nail seven pound The Sack of Wool is imputed to finish four Standard Cloaths of twenty four Yards each in length six Yards half quarter wide of sixty pound Weight commonly called Sorting Cloaths In the Weight it is to be noted whether the Cloaths are thick Mill'd well scoured and throughly dryed that the same be Measured by the Yard and that an Inch be allowed to every Yard And thus much for Woollen Manufacture And now I am entering on Ship-Board to view the World and to pass the unfathomed Paths of the Deep It will not be amiss to give a more full tho brief account of the Measures whereby such things are Measured as are sent on Board for the Subsistance of those that go down into the Deep c. as thus the English Measures for all Grain according to the Statues in that case made and provided are the Pint Quart Pottle Gallon A Gallon being eight Pints four Quarts two Potles the Peck two Gallons the half Bushel two Pecks the Bushel two half Bushels the Strike two Bushel the Cornock two Strikes the Quarter two Cornocks The Weigh either of Corn or Salt is forty six Bushels and the Last is eighty Bushels Note in Salt Water Measure is allowed viz. five Pecks to the Bushel Liquid Measures thus the Ale Firkin to contain eight Gallons Kilderkin sixteen and the Barrel thirty two A Beer Firkin ought to contain nine Gallons the Firkin eighteen and the Barrel thirty six the Kilderkin of Wine ought to be eighteen Gallons the Barrel thirty one the Hogs-Head sixty three the Tertian eighty four the Butt or Pipe one hundred twenty six the Tun two hundred fifty two A Runlet of Oyl ought to be eight Gallons and a half a Hogs-Head sixty three a Pipe one hundred twenty six and the Tun one hundred fifty two tho as to Oyl in the Measure thereof the Custom of London differs from the Statute allowing but seven pound to each Gallon and by that means the Tun is reduced to one hundred thirty six and so at this day 't is sold and thus far having proceeded to give those that are desirous to Trade or Traffick either by Land or Sea an insight into most of the English growth and Manufactures I shall now hoise up Sail and bear before the Wind not intending to cast Anchor till my adventurous Bark arrive in the late discovered America to take a View of the Trade and Traffick thereof and from thence into Affrick so to Asia and then to Europe all along observing the Cities Towns Ports Havens Bays either in Continent or Island in whatsoever place the English have any Traffick of note or any other European Navigators CHAP. XII A View of America of it's Provinces and the Trade thereof AMerica the so long unknown Part of the World was first discovered by Columbus a Genoese at the charge of Ferdinand and Isabella King and Queen of Castile who setting sail from Sevil after sixty three days discovered that vast Continent which was seconded by Amerious Vesputius a Florentine at the charge of Emanuel King of Portugal who making a perfect Discovery of that Golden place had the Honour to have it called by his Name The next that made any considerable discovery was Sebastian Cabbot a Native of Bristol being furnished out for that purpose by our King Henry the seventh and since him several of our English Navigators have improved his Discovery as Sr. Francis Drake Willowby Candish Burroughs Forbisher Davis c. This Immensity is for the most part possessed by the Spaniards and divided into two parts viz. Mexicana and Peruana and the former again divided into these following Provinces viz. Mexico Nicaragua Quivira Jucutan Florida Virginia New-England Nurembega Nova Francia Corterialis and Estotilandia The Commodities of Mexico now called Nova Hispania the Residence of the Spanish Viceroy and Arch-Bishop are Gold Silver Sugar Tobacco Ginger Tallow Hides and Spices and above all in that Province grows a Tree called both by the Spaniards and Natives a Mettle Tree the Leaves of which make Confections Paper Mats Flax Mantles Shoes Girdles Cordage and Saws and out of the Root Issues a Juice which being boyled is perfect Sugar from the Top-Branch a Gum distills Excellent against Poysons or Infectious Vapours This City was taken by the Spaniards under the Leading of Harnando Cortes Anno 1521. Quivira is accounted the second Province situate on the Western part of America first Peopled with Spanish Colonies under the leading of Vasques Anno. 1540. It abounds chiefly in Cattle several whâ— addict themselves to the bringing them up being Masters of 30000. Head and upwards which serve the Inhabitants with their Milk for Drink their Flesh for Food and their Skins for Cloaths They have likewise some Gold but of small value and not worth refining Nicaragua is on the South-West of Mexico and has for it's chief City Nova-Granada It 's Commodities chiefly consisting of Balsom Cotton Wax and Hony Jucutan discovered Anno 1517 has
the Indians the latter being obliged to work for the former 3. days in the Week And thus much for America in particular and indeed in general for this new World as it is Termed yields little more then here I have set down and indeed in Riches may Compare with any of the other three Parts did the Inhabitants know how to improve the growth of the Islands and Continent accordingly but indeed the Spaniards possessing the greatest part use their utmost diligence to keep out other Nations and will instruct the Natives in nothing that is Curious lest they should leave off to Labour in the Mines but thus much concerning America The Customs Situation and Manners thereof in the exactest Method CHAP. XVII A view of Africa and of the Manners Customs Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodity thereof AFrica one of the quarters of the World is bounded on the North with the Mediterranean Sea on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the South with the South Ocean and on the East with the Red-Sea and is in a manner an Island being tyed only to Asia with a Neck of Land of 20 Leagues over and contains these Provinces viz. Barbery Numidia Lybia Negrita Ethiopia Interior and Ethiopia Exterior Egypt and the Islands of the Sea The Account of the Trade and Commerce of the Principal Cities and Towns but especially from whence any Commodities are brought and Traded for by the English Merchants I shall lay down as foloweth CHAP. XVIII A view of Tunis the Trade Manners and Customs thereof BArbary being divided into four Kingdoms viz. Tunis Argier Fess and Morocco I shall take them in order and first of Tunis Tunis is Situate near unto the great Lake which Extends almost to the Port of Goletta and is founded on the ruins of Carthage being in compass within the Walls 4 Miles and accounting the Suburbs 7 Miles in circuit and is very Populous owning for Supream Lord the Grand-Signeour who governs it by a Bassaw the Inhabitants being Mahumetans the Houses are Builded of Square Stone and for the most part flat A Port it has large and Commodious for Shipping Their Money in Gold is mostly the Spanish Doller or Royal the Venice Chiqeen the Spanish Pistolet which they pass from one to another at full value unless diminished or light Weight in Silver they have the Spanish Royal and the Asper Their Accounts are for the most part kept in Dollers and Aspers Their Weights are the Cantar of 100. pounds yet in Weight are found to exceed our 112 two pounds each of their pounds being divided into 16 Ounces and so into less by division viz. Each Ounce into 8 Tamins and by this Weight are all their Merchandise Weighed except Silver Gold Pearl c. which are Weighed by a Cariot Weight which is half an Ounce Troy or Mittagals much of the same Proportion In Weight of Cloves and Nutmegs they allow 5 pounds per cent Tret or over-plus besides the Weight of the Bags Their Measures for Silk Cloath and the like are the Pike there being 3 sorts of them the first called the Cloath Pike is 26 Inches and a half English the second the Gray which is a 16th part less by which they Measure Silks Sattins Velvets c. The third is the Linnen Pike and is ¼ part less then the Silk Pike Their dry Measures are the Coffice containing about 10 of our Bushels The Weab 18 of which make a Coffice and the Saw of which 12 make a Weab Their Liquid Measures are the Wine Meeter and Oyl Meeter the former being near 2 English Gallons and a half and the latter near 5. The chief Commodities are Hides Wax Oyl Honey Wool Corn Raisons Dates Anniseeds Estrich Feathers Sponges Lemons Oranges Almonds and Olives For which they receive of such Merchants as Trade thither English and Venice Cloath Lead Deal-Boards Shot Perpetuanos Spanish Wool Tartar Allum Iron Madder Safaparilla Pepper Ginger Safforn Cinamon Nutmegs Cocheneel Gold Thread Sea-Horse-teeth Cotton Yarn Venice-Pepper French-Canvas Gulmak Damask Sattain and the like Their Customs upon Goods imported unless Lead Shot and Iron are 9 per cent on the Real Value and before any Goods can be delivered an exact Account must be taken thereof by Officers appointed for that purpose other charges of Goods imported besides fraight of which no certainty is 8 per cent more viz. 2 per cent consolage 5 per cent provision and Broakage and one per cent for petty Charges the Customs on Goods that are exported Honey Wax and Wool liable to no Customs excepted is 5 per cent The Counterban or Goods prohibited to be exported are Pease Corn Oyl Beans Butter Hony Dates c. tho often a Licence for Exporting the same is secretly procured And thus much for Tunis in the Description of which I have described the Trade of all the Cities of that Kingdom as centering in this CHAP. XIX A view of Argier and of the Trade Manners Customs Weights Measures thereof and their way of dividing Prizes and selling Slaves in the Publick Market ARgier that Piratical Kingdom so dangerous to Merchants Trading in the Mediterranean contains as her Principal Cities Argier and Tremesin the former giving name to the Kingdom which is but small in compass The City of Argier the common Receptacle of Turkish and Moorish Pirates is imagined to contain 90000 Souls in which there are several that protest against the Thieving Trade and hold some Commerce with Merchants of divers Nations Their chief Commodities are Oyls Almonds Rasins Figs Dates Castile-Sope Brass Copper Barbary Horses Estrich Feathers Hony Wax and Drugs Their Coyn is the Double accounted of equal Value with our 12 pence or 2 single Spanish Ryals 4 Doubles are accounted a Ryal and 8 8 called by them the Olian 5 Doubles and 35 Aspers is a Pistol Spanish 7 Doubles are accounted a Sultany or Cheeque of Barbary Gold and 50 Aspers make a Double And these are the currant Monies of the Kingdom of Argier The Weights are the Rotolos or 100 pound which makes 120 pound English the 10 pound of the small making 6 in gross some Commodities they likewise weigh by the Cantar as Iron Lead Yarn Wool which Cantar is 150 Rotolos Figs Dates Sope Butter c. are weighed by a Cantar of 166 Rotolos Almonds Cheese Cottons c. they weigh by a Cantar of 110 Rotolos Brass Copper Wax and Drugs by a Cantar of 100 Rotolos Flax by a Cantar of 200 Rotolos Gold Silver Pearl and precious Stones are weighed by the Mittigal which is 72 Grains English and is worth 9 Doubles The Sultanie Cheeque or Hunger Weighs 52 Grains English being equally Valued with Angel Gold and by the Ounce Troy in England is worth 3 pound 11 Shillings Their Measures of Length are two Picos viz. the Turkish and the Morisco Picos The former is divided into 16 parts and every â…› part is called a Robe and is 131 1â—2 part of the English Yard and the Custom
Pepper is charged but with half Custom and consequently rated at half less then it cost and thus much for the Trade of Aleppo CHAP. XXXIII A View of Tripoly and the Trade thereof THis City to distinguish it from that Piratical City in Barbary bearing the same name is called Tripoly of Syria and was formerly the Scale of Trade but it has been of late removed to Aleppo as is before mentioned so that now it has little Trade with Europe except what the Venetians find there The Commodities vended are Cotton in Yarn and Wool Drugs of several sorts Corn and some Spices The Weight used there is the Rottolo of 100 pound which has been found to be 416 pound Averdupois allowing 52 Drams to the Ounce The Monies currant are Aspers Dollars Lyons and Soltinies the Common Money of Syria and thus much for the Trade of that Region CHAP. XXXIV A View of Palestine and the Provinces Trade Weights Measures Customs and Currant Coyn thereof THe Provinces of Palestine are 4 viz. Galilea Judaea Idumea and Samaria In these Provinces the chief Cities are Gaza and Tyrus which at present afford but little Trade and what is afforded is carryed on by the Venetians the Commodities of the former are Cottons in Wool and Yarn several sorts of Drugs and Spices The Coyns currant there are those of Turky the Weights used are the Rottolo and Cantar 100 Rotolo's going to the Cantar The latter viz. Tyrus formerly very famous for Navigation as appears by the Description of that City in Holy Writ but now wants that Trade being Subjected by the Turks so that what Trade remains is amongst themselves or such Neighbours as do not make any great advantage thereof their Weights Measures and Coyns are those used throughout the Turkish Dominions CHAP. XXXV A View of Armenia and the Provinces thereof together with the Trade as likewise of Arabia the Provinces and Trade thereof ARmenia is bounded on the East with Media and the Caspian Sea on the West with the River Euphrates and the Euxian Sea on the North with Tartary and on the South with Mesopotamia and divided into 3 Provinces viz. Georgia Colchis and Turcomania and is in Subjection to the Grand Signeour and abounds in Cattle Fruits Corn and such like but has little Commerce with Merchants especially by Navigation Arabia is divided into 3 parts viz. Arabia Desarta Arabia Petrosa and Arabia Faelix The first of which is bounded on the East with the Persian Gulph on the West with the Red Sea on the North with Mesopotamia and on the South with the Arabian Ocean and is memorable for nothing more then the Children of Israels wandering in it 40 Years in their Journey out of Egypt to the Land of Promise being altogether Barren nor is the second less sterile so that the Inhabitants live upon Robberies and Spoil of such Merchants Goods as pass through upon Camels to Aleppo and other Places Arabia Faelix differs from the former as being Fertile even beyond Expression exceeding the Richest Country in Asia in it's abounding with Balsoms Mirrh Frankincense Gold Pearls Spices Manna and Drugs of most sorts which are carryed by the Merchants to Aleppo and other Mart Cities and Towns and from thence dispersed over the known World The chief Towns are Medina and Mecha famous for being the one the Birth place and the other the Burial place of the Impostor Mahomet as also Aden The Weights and Measures are the same with those of Morocco and Tunis and their Coyns are the Asper the Soltany and Chequin c. CHAP. XXXVI A View of Assyria Mesopotamia Chaldea c. ASsyria is bounded on the North with Armenia on the East with Media on the West with Mesopotamia and on the South with Persia and is famous for its Metropolis the great City Ninive which is now ruined by War but is a Province where at present little or no Trade is driven and therefore I shall the more lightly pass it over Mesopotamia is in subjection to the Ottoman Empire and has for its chief City Carumite the Seat of the Turkish Bashaw but is of little note as to Trade Chaldea is famous for comprehending the great City of Babylon now called Bagdet Builded first by Nimrod and afterwards inlarged to the circuit of 60 Miles by Semiramis whose Walls were 200 Foot high and 75 Foot broad and is saluted by the River Euphrates and at this day keeps Correspondence with Aleppo by Carravans and Camels so that it retains a considerable Trade and what is worthy of note their advice to and from distant places is received by the means of Pigeons which is in this manner effected When the Hen sits they carry the Cock a days Journey and then fast'ning a Letter about his Neck let him go who immediately Flyeth Home and there the Letter is received by such as watch his return and so by degrees bring them to such perfection that in 24 Hours a Letter will be carryed 100 or 150 Miles The Commodities of this Place are the same with those of Aleppo and their Weights the Dram Mittagal Rottolo and Cantar the Rottolo being 1 pound 10 Ounces English Their Measure is the Pico which is found to be 27 Inches English and their Coyns those usual throughout the Turkish Empire and therefore 't is needless to repeat them CHAP. XXXVII A View of Media and the Provinces thereof as also of their Trade Weights Measures and the like MEdia is bounded on the West with Armenia on the South with Persia on the North with the Caspian Sea and on the East with Parthia the chief Cities are Tauris Sultania and Derbent of which the former is the Metropolis and commonly made the Summer Seat of the Persian Sophy and is conjectured to contain 100000. Inhabitants the Trade thereof consists chiefly in Raw-Silk of which there is store which is Traded for by our English Merchants and others and what remains is sent to Aleppo viz 2000. Summs yearly the City affords likewise rich Carpets and some Drugs Spices Cottons Galls Allum and the like it being now in the Subjection of the Persian Monarch The Weights and Measures are for the most part the same with those of Babylon viz. the Rottolo Cantar and Pico the Country round about is very Fertile in Corn and plants as also in the producing all manner of necessaries for the production of Cattle CHAP. XXXVIII A View of Persia The Provinceâ— Cities Trade Weights Measures and Commodities thereof PErsia is bounded on the East with the River Indus on the South with the main Ocean on the North with the Caspian Sea and on the West with Tygris and the Persian Gulf and is divided into 11 Provinces viz. Persis Susiana Caramania Gedrosia Drangiania Arica Arachosia Parapomisus Saccha Hircania and Ormus all large Provinces Persis has of late changed it's name to that of Far and is bounded with the Persian Gulph Caramania Susiana and Media and abounds in rich Merchandise especially Silk Drugs and
cent and by the Weight thereof all Customs are Proportioned This large Town Beam for Gross Goods is accounted likewise 100 pound of 16 Ounces to the pound the third Weight is known by the name of the pound of Mark and is only used in weighing of Silks containing 100 pound of 15 Ounces being the least of the three The Measure of Lyons is the Auln which is 46 English Inches 7 of them being found to make 9 English Yards and 100 pound of London Suttle is found to make in Lyons 96 2 2 pound Silk Weight and one Liver or pound Sterling of London is 10 Livers Turnois And thus much shall Suffice for Lyons and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVI A View of Marselia the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Customs thereof MArselia is a fair Port and the principal Place of Trade in Provence whither resort many Merchants and from which Port the Ships Sail that maintain the Trade with Turky Barbary Spain Italy Flanders and England tho indeed not much the French Nation not affecting Navigation but rather choose to improve the growth of their own Country for which they have brought home to 'em the Commodities and growth of all Nations The Exchange that is wanting here is supplyed by the currant and intercourse of Lyons it being Governed thereby in matters of Trade And hither the English bring Bays Cloath Lead Tinn Herrings Pilchards Newland-Fish Affrican Hides Wax Calves-Skins Salmond c. and in Exchange receive Oyls Wines Verdigreese Paper Linnen and other Manufactures at this Port they have free Licence to Transport Spanish Ryals of 8 8 which are found in abundance and by that means preserve their Trade with Turky and other Places of Traffick in the Mediterranean from whence they bring Silks and some spices but of late have not been so venturous as formerly for fear of the Pirates by whom they have sustained within a few Years dammages to the value of 3 Millions of Crowns which has much impaired their Traffick in those parts The Accounts here are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers and in Ryals of 8 which sometimes are Inhaunced to a ¼ part more then their true value The Weight is Originally the pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which make the Quintal and 3 Quintals the Cargo the Quintal is found to make English 88 ½ The Measure of Length is the Cane which they divide into 8 Palms which are found to be 2 ⅛ English Yards The concave Measure is the Mine of which the Sack of Leghorne makes 1 ◠3. The Customs outwards are 1 ¼ per cent and inwards 3 ¼ per cent this is meant of Commodities of the growth of the Country but if Pepper Ginger Indico and such like Commodities be imported they pay the Kings Customs which are 15 per cent And thus I shall conclude the Trade of France and proceed to take a View of Italy and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVII A View of Italy and the Trading Cities thereof together with their Manner of Traffick Weights Measures Coyns c. ITaly is bounded with the Alps the Ionian Tyrrhenean and Adriatick Seas and is exceeding Fertile lying in a Temperate Clime and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. the Kingdom of Naples the Dukedom of Florence the Dukedom of Millain the Dukedom of Mantua the Common-Wealth of Venice the Dukedom of Vrbin the Principality of Parma the estate of Genoa the estate of Luca and the Papacy Of the chief City or Town of Trade of each in order CHAP. LXVIII A View of the City Naples and the Trade thereof together with the Weights Measures Coyns Customs c. IN Describing the Trade of this City from whence the Kingdom takes its Name I shall lay down what is found of value or Merchantable throughout the Province The City of Naples is a fair City and accounted 7 Miles in compass formerly called Parthenope and is now Governed by a Vice-Roy to the Behoof of the King of Spain and yieldeth divers Mettals brought from adjacent Mines likewise Saffron Raw and wrought Silk Oyls Anniseed Brimstone Argals Corn Cattle in abundance and other things of value for which they receive out of England Bays Says Serges Cloath Lead Tinn Herrings Pilchards and Newland-Fish There is found likewise the growth of Spain Portugal and many East-Indian Commodities and it was formerly a City of great Traffick The Country generally abounds in Mulberry-Trees and other pleasant Fruit-Trees The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are the Rotolo and Cantar 100 of the former making the latter which is accounted 196 pound English Averdupois Weight as likewise in Goeta they have a Cantar by which all Gross Commodities are weighed which is reckoned 254 pound of Leghorn The Measure of Length is the Cane divided into 8 Palms nine of which Palms make the Auln of Lyons and the Cane is 18 ½ English inches The Concave Measures of Naples are the Salmo and Staio by which they Measure Oyl Wine Corn c. The Customs are for some Commodities 2 ½ for other 4 ½ per cent more or less as the Vice-Roy gives order to these that are appointed to receive them the King of Spain receiving yearly for Customs upon the Oyls of Gallipoly adjacent to this Kingdom one hundred thousand Ducats CHAP. LXIX A View of the City of Florence the Trade thereof Comprehending the whole Trade of the Florentine Dominion THe City of Florence gives name to the Provence or Dukedom of Florence and is a very fair City Seated near the Rivers Arne and Chian Beautifyed it is with many stately Edifices and much addicted to Merchandizing the Duke being accounted the richest and chiefest Merchant in Italy and is now more commonly known by the Title of great Duke of Tuscany The Commodities are very rich the famous Port of Leghorn being Governed in Trade by this City and Pisa For hence for the most part come the Merchandise that are there found as Marble Rice Wines Oyls Silks Raw and wrought Sattins Taffatas Velvets Grograms Plushes Stuffs of curious Texture for which they receive of our Merchants Pepper Mace Cloves Indicoes Callico Lead Tinn Cloath Bays Says Serges Perpetuanos c the Inhabitants for the most part being very rich by Reason of the great Banks maintained in this City where is practised exchange from all parts Their accounts are kept in Livers Solds Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds accounted a Liver and some in Crowns 7 ½ Livers making a Crown they have currant in Trade the Florence Ducat worth 7 Livers each Liver accounted 9 pence Sterling The Weight is the Quintal or 100 pound of 12 Ounces the pound and is found to make 98 pound English The Measure of Length is the Brace 100 of which has been known to make 49 Ells English and the Cane which is 4 Braces but all wrought Silks are here sold by the pound Wine is sold by the Cogno which is 10 Barrels 40 Metadels 20 Flasks and each
River Tay which on the North side of it Flows like a large Sea when on the South the River Amster running through 3 Lakes enters its Streets and falleth into the River Tay aforesaid And by the addition or a new City to the old it is become Commodious and strong and by the advantage of the River passing through all Land-carriage is saved the Boats in the 5 Principal Streets coming up to the Doors especially where the Merchants Ware-Houses are The Inhabitants are generally Prompt to Navigation and have so improved themselves thereby that most of the Citizens are Merchants and have Vessels of their own or venture in other Vessels wholly relying â—pon the advantage that Accrues by Trading in forrain Countries as wanting Land to improve their Stock at home so that of late it has been observed they put out their Money to Interest in England and France to more considerable interest then it will allow in their own Country 4 or 5 per cent being great interest there which is so ordered that by such means People may be the willinger to venture in way of Trade by Merchandise which returns them for the most part 50. per cent and all charges pay'd The Commodities found in Amsterdam as Silks Cloath Woollen and Linnen Stuffs Drugs of all sorts Spices Dies Oyls Allum Brimstone Gold and Silver-Thread Wines and indeed all sorts of Commodities that are found of any use in the known World but the chief Commodities that the Country affords which may properly be called the Growth or Manufacture are Cattle Butter Cheese Flax Corn Linnen Cloath Coarse Woollen Cloaths Tapestry Pictures and all sorts of Fish but especially Herrings of which they make an Extraordinary advantage imploying in the Season for that Fishery 6000 Persons The Weight commonly used in Amsterdam is the pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which make 107 of Antwerp and of London 110. The Measure of length is the Ell 134 of which make 100 Yards of London or 100 London Ells make 167 1 â— Ells of Amsterdam Their Concave Measures are for Corn the Last the Barrel the Muyden the Sack the Archeteling and the Sheple as thus 24 Barrels make the Last each Barrel containing 1 1 â—2 Muydens a Muyden containing 1 2 24 Sacks each Sack being 3 Archetelings or 3 21 29 Shepels 108 Shepels making the Last The Measures for Wine Oyl Beer and other Liquids are for the most part the same with those of England and therefore I shall pass them over The Coyns in which the Accounts are kept are the same with Antwerp viz. Livers Solds and Deniers the Liver or Pound Flemish being 12 Shillings Sterling 6 Florins make the Flemish pound at 20 Stivers per Florin so that 120 Stivers are the Flemish pound or 12 Shillings English 5 Stivers being 6 pence Sterling or 5 Solds Turnois a Gross is 6 Deniers a Carolus Gulden is 20 Stivers or 2 Shillings Sterling or 2 Sols Turnois And besides these all the currant Coyns of Europe pass here according to their true value as they again may be payed for Merchandise to the Merchants of the Countries to which they are proper And thus much for Antwerp and Amsterdam as also for all the Provinces and Cities of the Netherlands the Trade of which being included in what I have lay'd down so that from hence I shall pass into Germany to take a View of that large Empire the Trade of which I reduce into a few heads or deliver it in the Description of the Trade of the Principal Cities CHAP. LXXX A View of Germany its Provinces and the Trade thereof HAving thus far proceeded as I hope to the content of the Reader I shall Survey the Empire of Germany which is bounded on the North with Denmark and the Danish Seas on the East with Prusia Poland and Hungary on the South with the Alps and on the West with France and Belgium and abounds in Silver Mines Copper Lead Tinn Iron Corn Wine Allum Quick-Silver Linnen Woollen Silks Stuffs Cattle Corn and other Commodities all of its own Growth and Manufacture The Cities and Towns of the Empire may by good Right be divided into 3 parts as first the Hans-Towns which enjoy large Privileges and Immunities and are computed to be about 70 which for the most par are accommodated with Navigable Rivers and abound in rich Manufactures Secondly those called the Imperial Cities which are imputed free Cities by Reason of their great Priviledges above the rest in Coyning money barring any acknowledgement of Subjection unless to the Emperor whom they only do acknowledge for their Protector and in lieu of it pay an annual Tribute being 60 odd in number And thirdly those that are under the Subjection of the Electoral Princes which are commonly called Principalities The Rivers by which these Towns for the most part are inriched are 4 viz. the Danube which running 1500 Miles receives about 58 Navigable Rivers and at last disimbogues it self into the Euzine or Black-Sea The River Rhine which after passing through Germany and Belgia for 800 Miles falls into the German Ocean the River Albis which is large and Navigable for near 400 Miles and the River Odera which passing 300 Miles through the Country falleth into the Baltick Sea There are likewise several other Rivers of note that greatly contribute to the Fertilizing the Country but these being the chief I shall pass over the rest unless the Description of some Cities require the mentioning of them CHAP. LXXXI A View of Strasburg and the Trade thereof STrasburg is an Imperial free City Seated upon a fair Plain about a furlong from the River Rhine over which they have lay'd a Bridge and a Channel cut which conveys Ships and Boats to the City which is 8 Miles in compass adorned with many stately Buildings and amongst the rest a Cathedral whose Steeple is for curious Architect accounted one of the 7 Wonders of the World and by Reason of the Generosity of the Inhabitants towards Strangers there is great resort thither especially of Lutherans Calvinists c. but above all it abounds in Handicrafts or Artizans who find great incouragement and by their Labour is the common Stock improved tho since its falling into the Hands of the French King they have not proceeded with such Alacrity as formerly by Reason of the little assurance they have of keeping what they acquire by their Labour The Commodities Traded for hither are Linnen Cloath Iron Diaper Rhenish Wine Copper Wax and Hemp for which they receive out of England Tinn Lead and Woollen Cloath out of Spain Fruits Wines Oyls Salt and Wool and out of Italy Silks both Raw and wrought The Weights are two viz. the Gross and Suttle where upon Tryal it has been found that the 100 pound Suttle of London has made Incirca 70 in 71 of the Gross of Strasburg which Gross Weight is 16 Ounces to the pound and the Suttle but 12 Ounces by the latter of which all Indian Commodities are
Dun Fox-Skins with many others of the like nature which are sold by the Timber Weight or Tale being highly valued of late by the Natives who perceiving the desire Merchants have for them learn thereby to set prices on them accordingly The Merchants Accounts are kept here Divers ways as those of England in Rubles and Pence called by the Natives Muskofkins 200 of which make a Ruble which is rated at 2 Rix Dollars the Dutch by Rubles Grevens and Muscofkins 20 pence being accounted to the Greven and 10 Grevens to the Ruble which is only an Imaginary Coyn. The currant money is the Capeck worth a Stiver Flemish and something more in value then an English penny 10 of which make a Greven whiâ—h is worth 12 pence Sterling and the Ruble 10 Shillings Sterling 3 Capecks is called an Altine by which name all receipts of Bargain and contracts are made 33 Altines and one Capeck making the Ruble At Archangel there is exchange practised and the price of monies Russ as the Plenty or Scarcity will allow for sometimes the Rubles in exchange pass for 11 Shillings 6 pence Sterling the Receipts being in August to return in London about the latter end of December The Weight most in use is the Pood by which all fine Goods are weighed as Silk Beavor Wool and the like but for Gross Goods they have a Weight called a Berzovet accounted 10 Poods or the Russ Ship-pound computed to be 360 pound Averdupois so that all Goods bought by this Weight are accounted to be 10 per cent profit so that many have reckoned the Goods so bought to pay the Fraight with over Weight and all Goods bought by the Pood are reckoned 10 per cent less The Measure of Length is called the Archin and is accounted 28 English Inches so that the 100 Archings are supposed to produce Incirca 78 Yards of London Measure Oyl they sell by the Barrel each Barrel being accounted ½ a Hogshead and Tar by the Hogs-head as for Concave Measures I observe they are but rarely in use by way of Trade by Reason of the small quantities of Commodities the Empire affords that are proper to be Measured thereby Therefore I shall put a conclusion to the Trade of Moscovy and proceed to a View of Poland CHAP. LXXXIX A View of the Kingdom of Poland together with the Trade Weights Measures and currant Coyns thereof POland is bounded on the East with Boristhenes on the West with Vistula on the North with the Baltick Ocean and Sinus Trinicus and on the South with Hungary and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. Luconia Lituania Volinia Samogita Podolia Russia Nigra Prussia Podtasia Masovia and Poland these Provinces are Branched with several Navigable Rivers Vistula Reuben Bog Mimel and others and has for its Metropolis Cracovia Into which I shall reduce the Trade of this Kingdom Cracovia is the Metropolis of Poland Situate on the Banks of the River Vistula which is Navigable for near 400 Miles being as it were incompassed with distant Mountains and fortifyed with strong Walls and fair Buildings being the Seat of the Kings of Poland and is found to produce the Commodities of the whole Kingdom as Tar Rosin Pitch Hemp Wax Honey Barly Oats Amber Tallow and Hides which Commodities are sent up the River and distributed to such Merchants as come to Trade for the Growth of the Kingdom There are likewise found Furs of divers sorts some Minerals and the like for which the Inhabitants receive the Commodities of divers Nations which are brought both by Land and Sea The Coyns of this City and consequently of the Kingdom are the Ducat of Gold called the Polander which is accounted 70 Polish Gross The Silver Guilden which is worth 30 Polish Groshe or 2 Shillings Sterling a Dollar in Specie is worth 4 Polish Groshes but in all contracts of buying and selling the Doller is accounted 36 Groshe a Crietszar is worth 3 Pot-chanels 18 Deniers make one Groshe a Groshe of Poland or Bohemia is worth 7 Whites 16 Whites make one Ort 4 0rts make a Dollar and a Dollar is accounted 4 Shillings 4 pence The Weight is the pound 136 of which is accounted the Quintar which is found in London to render 114 pound and the 100 of London yieldeth 120 of Cracovia but the common pound is reduced to a Stone of 40 pound 10 of the said Stones being accounted the Skip-pound The Measure of Length is the Ell 20 of which are 10 English Ells but their Linnen they sell by the Shock the Shock being 57 ½ English Ells. And to this City it will not be amiss to add Elbin once a Scale of Merchandise where the English Merchants had a Factory being here known by the Name of the Merchants of Elbin but since this City has fallen into the Hands of the King of Poland it has lost the great Trade it had upon the Abridgement of the Liberties and Priviledges it enjoyed during its being in the possession of the Teutonick Knights so that now it only is famous for what it has been and not for what it at present remains the Trade being dispersed into several Eastland Cities or Hans Towns but from Danzick especially are brought Soap-Ashes The Weights are the Pound and Stone 40 pound making the Stone and 40 of those Stones make the Ship-pound which is 400 pound and 100 pound of London is found to make 120 of Elbin Their Last of Wheat is reckoned to weigh 5200 pound Their Measure of Length is the Ell 163 of which make 100 London Yards In this Tract is found Coninsberg Rhiga Stetin Stralesond and Revel from the former of which the Amber is brought as for the rest they little differ in Commodities and manner of Trade from Cracovia Wherefore for Brevities sake I shall pass them over and take a View of Hungary and the Trade thereof c. CHAP. XC A View of Hungary and the adjacent Provinces and of their Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities of the Growth and Manufacture THe Kingdom of Hungary is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Valachia on the West with Austria on the South with Sclavonia and on the North with Poland and is of it self exceeding Fertile abounding in Cattle beyond credit but by Reason of the continual Wars with the Turks it standing as the Bulwark of Christendom no great matter of Trade relating to Merchandise is found there the little that it consists in is Hides Tallow Wax Honey Copper Tinn Corn Wool Fruits Fish Skins and some Silver Mines which since the civil Disenssions caused by the continual Bandying of the two parties under pretence of Religion and the incouragement of those intestines Broyls by the Grand-Signeour have been thrown in many of them and thereby render useless Buda and many of the Principal Cities being now in the Hands of the Turks and is so Seated upon the River Danube that it hinders the free Commerce by Boats and great Vessels that was formerly
and so the return may be proportionable but if Bills are drawn to pay a Merchant residing in any place where the Coyn is currant and he disposes of it for Commodities of the Growth or Manufacture of the Country then it matters not how the Coyn has been inhaunced above its true value by Reason it is currant tho perhaps should the Coyn be carryed into an other Kingdom it might redound to the loss of the receiver a third part and this equallizing Coyns of divers Nations by Ballance I called a Par by which all Coyns of Silver or Gold especially are reduced to an equal value as for example Placentia exchanges with London one Crown of currant money there for 1 Shilling 6 pence ½ ob Sterling Lyons the Crown currant for 2 Shillings 8 pence Sterling Rome exchanges her Ducat 87 ½ pence Sterling Genoa her Crown of Gold at 83 pence Sterling Millain her Crown of Gold 84 pence ½ ob Sterling Venice her Ducat at 60 pence Sterling Florence her Crown at 80 pence Luca her Ducat at 67 pence Sterling Naples her Ducat at 66 ½ pence Sterling Lechy her Ducat at 6 pence Sterling Bary her Ducat at 62 pence Sterling Palermo her Ducat at 78 pence Sterling Messina her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Valentia her Ducat at 72 ½ pence Sterling Saragosa her Ducat at 73 pence Sterling Barsalonia her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Sevil her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Lisbon her Ducat at 69 pence Sterling Bolonia her Ducat at 67 pence Sterling Bergamo her Ducaton at 67 pence Sterling Frankfort Noremburg Augusta and Viena in all which Cities one and the same Coyn is currant Exchange their Florin at 50 pence Sterling all these Cities and Towns London exchanges within broken numbers that is by pence at the rates aforesaid and so Multiplies into greater Summs as occasion requires but with Antwerp and Collen Amsterdam c in whole number as one pound Sterling for 34 ½ Flemish Shillings and proportionable for greater Summs Again in London and throughout all England Exchangers and Merchants keep their Accounts in Pounds Shillings Pence and cast them up as is done in other places by Solds Livers and Denire viz. 12 pence to the Shilling and 20 Shillings to the pound and are found to exchange with Transmarine Cities thus viz. to allow 64 pence Sterling for the Crown of Placentia 64 pence Sterling for the Crown of Lyons 66 pence Sterling for the Ducat of Rome 65 pence for the Crown of Gold of Genoa 64 2 4 pence for the Crown of Gold of Millain 50 pence for the Ducat in Banco of Venice 61 pence for the Crown of Florence 53 ½ pence for the Ducaton of Luca 50 pence for the Ducat of Naples 50 ½ pence for the Ducat of Lechy 51 pence for the Ducat of Bary 57 ½ for the Ducat of Palermo 56 ½ for which Ducat of Messina one pound Sterling for 34 ½ Shillings Flemish with Antwerp and Collon 57 ½ pence for the Ducat of Valentia 59 pence for the Ducat of Saragosa 64 pence for the Ducat of Barselona 59 ½ pence for the Florin of Frankford 52 pence for the Ducaton of Bergamo 53 â…“ for the Ducaton of Bolonia 53 ½ pence and for the Ducat of Lisbon 53 ½ And thus the currant Exchange is setled and continues unless in times of War when Princes to Inrich their Coffers make an Inhaunsment upon the currant Coyns in their respective Dominions and at other times when the Banker or Exchanger takes the advantage of the Parties necessity upon whose Accounts the exchange is to be made The Terms of paying Bills of exchange in London with other Cities are commonly these To Venice at 3 Months after date and so upon return to Antwerp at one Month after date and so back to Genoa at 3 Months and so back to Lyons for the Fair and so from Fair to Fair as the Custom of that City is to Pisa at 3 Months after date and so back to Placentia from Fair to Fair according to the Custom of the place to Florence at 3 Months after date so upon return to Rouen and Paris at one Month after date and so back and these Bills are currant money insomuch that many Millions are pay'd by Bills without telling any money Merchants passing the Bills to one another by assignment as currant Coyns of which Bills their Presentations Intimations Acceptations Protests and Returns I shall in the following Chapter expose to the View of the Reader CHAP. XCVIII A Discourse of the Forms of Bills of Exchange how they ought to be drawn presented payed or protested in default with a caution against delays and the danger thereof according to the Law and Custom of Merchants A Bill of Exchange in it self is held so excellent a speciallity and carries with it not only as it were a commanding Power to pay but is for the most part observed and satisfyed with all due regard tho drawn by a Servant upon his Master such a high esteem being ever had for the quality thereof that nothing in the way of Trade can be more for upon it depends the reputation of the Drawer Accepter So that those who fail in the payment of accepted Bills wound their credit by suffering Protest to be made which soon gets Wind and spreads wide upon the Exchange and not only so but obliges the Acceptor to pay the charâ—â—â— of the Protestant return and calâ—s into question the credit of the drawer Of bills of exchange there are two sorts as 〈◊〉 and Inland viz. the former drawn upon â— Merchant Banker c. Living beyond the Seas the second upon a Merchant Banker or other Person living in the same Country tho distant from the place where the Bill is drawn as to make a Bill payable at London for money taken up at Bristol each having equal force ought to have due observance alike As to an Exchange four three or two Persons may make it thus 2 at the place where the money is taken up and 2 at the place were it is payable first the deliverer secondly the taket thirdly the Person that is to take the money and fourthly the party upon whom the Bill is drawn 3 Persons thus first the taker secondly the deliverer and thirdly the Person on whom the Bill is drawn 2 Persons first the Drawer and secondly the Party on whom it is drawn the former making his Bill payable to himself or order which may of Exchange is very advantageous as well to Merchants as other Traders There is another sort of Exchange called a dry exchange which is practised thus if a Person have occasion for 100 pound he goes to a Banker who takes a Bill of Exchange of him to be payed at Lyons or Paris at double or treble Usance tho the Drawer has no Correspondence in either of the Cities then the Bill growing due the Banker receives a Protest for non-payment upon which the Drawer in London must pay the
price of Victuals then it plainly follows that till then three Acres improved as it may be will serve the turn and consequently that four will Suffice abundantly I could here set down the very number of Acres that would bear Bread and Drink Corn together with Flesh Butter and Cheese sufficient to Victual nine Millions of Persons as they are Victualled in Ships and regular Families but I shall only say in general that 12,000,00 will do it with supposing that Roots Fruits Fish and Fowl and the ordinary profit of Lead Tin Iron-Mines and Woods would piece up any defect that may be found As to the second I say that the Land and Housing of Ireland and Highlands of Scotland at the present Merchant-Rates are not worth ten Millions of money nor would the actual charge of making the Transplantation amount to two Millions more so then the question will be whether the benefit expected from this Transplantation will exceed two Millions To which I say that the advantage will probably be six times the last mentioned Summ or about seventy two Millions For if the rent of England and Wales and the low Land of Scotland be above nine Millions per Annum and if this fifth part of the people be Superadded unto the present inhabitants of these Countries then the rent will amount to 10,800,000 and the number of Years purchase will rise from seventeen ½ to ⅕ more which is twenty one so that the Land which is worth but nine Millions at seventeen ½ Years purchase making an hundred fifty seven Millions and a half will then be worth 10,800,000 at one and twenty Years purchase viz. 226,800,000 that is 69,300,000 more then was before and if any Prince willing to enlarge his Territories will give three Millions for the said relinquished Land and Housing which were estimated to be worth ten Millions then the whole profit will be above 72,000,000 or six times the value as the same was above computed but if any man should object that will be dangerous unto England to be put into the Lands of any other Nations I answer in short that that Nation who ever shall purchase it being divided by means of the said purchase shall not be more able to enjoy England then now in it's united condition Now if any man shall desire a more clear explanation how and by what means the Rents of Lands shall rise by this closer cohabitation of people above described I answer that the advantage will arise in Transplanting about eighteen thousand people from the Poor and Miserable Trade of Husbandry to more Beneficial Handicraft for which the Superaddition is to be made a very little addition of Husbandry to the same Lands will produce a fifth part more Food consequently the additional Hands earning but forty Shillings per Annum more as they may very well to eight pound per Annum at some other Trade the superlucration will be above 3,600,000 pound which at twenty Years purchase is seventy two Millions Moreover as the Inhabitants of Cities and Towns spend more Commodities and make greater consumption then those who live in wild thin Peopled Countries so when England shall be thicker Peopled in manner before described the very same people shall then spend more then when they lived more sordidly inurbantly and further asunder and more out of the sight observation and Emulation of each other every man desiring to put on better Apparel when he appears in company then when he has no occasion to be seen I further add to the charge of the government Civil Military and Ecclesiastical would be more cheap safe and effectual in this condition of close habitation then otherwise as not only Reason but the example of the united Provinces do demonstrate But let this whole digression pass from a meer Dream I suppose will serve to prove that in case the King of Englands Territories should be a little less then those of the French King that forasmuch as neither of them are over Peopled that the difference is not material to the question in Hand wherefore supposing the French Kings advantages to be little or nothing in point of Territory we come next to examine and compare the number of Subjects which each of those Monarchs do govern The Book called the State of France makes the Kingdom consist of twenty seven Parishes and another Book written by a Substantial Author who profoundly enquires into the State of the Church and Church-men of France sets down as an extraordinary case that a Parish in France should have six hundred Souls where I suppose the said Author who has so well examined the matter is not of opinion that every Parish one with another has above five hundred by which reckoning the whole people of France are about thirteen Millions 500,000 Now the people of England Scotland and Ireland with the Islands adjoyning by computation from the number of Parishes which commonly have more people in Protestant Churches then in Popish Countries as also from the Hearth-money Post-money and Excise do amount to above nine Millions there are in new England about fifty thousand men mustered in Arms about eighty thousand able to bear Arms and consequently about five hundred thousand in all but this last I leave to every man's conjecture and I see no Reason why in all the rest of the Plantations there should not be five hundred thousand more and consequently I suppose the King of England hath above ten Millions of Subjests ubivis terrarum orbis Altho it be very material to know the number of Subjects belonging to each Prince yet when the question is concerning their Wealth and Strength it is also material to examine how many of 'em do get more then they spend and how many less in order whereunto it is to be considered that in the King of Englands dominions there are twenty thousand Church-men but in France as the aforementioned Author of theirs does aver who sets down the particular number of each Religious order there are about 270000. viz. 250000. more then we think are necessary that is to say two hundred and fifty thousand with-drawn out of the World now the said number of adult and able-Bodyed Persons are equivalent to about double the same number of the Promiscuous Mass of Mankind and the same Author affirms that the said Religious Persons do spend one with another above eighteen pence per diem which is Triple to what a Labouring man requires Wherefore the said two hundred fifty thousand Church-men living as they do make the French King 13,500 thousand to be really no better then twelve Millions or thereabouts In the next place it is to be considered that the inhabitants of the inner parts of France remote from the Sea can't be probably Superlucrators Now if there be two Millions in the King of England's Dominions more then in the French Kings who earn more then they spend or if ten men in England earn more then twelve in France then the