weigh all their gross Commodities using Troy only for Silk Gold and Silver Their Measures are likewise consistent with ours Their chief Merchandise consists in Hogs Oxen Fish Flower Pease Kell or Rice Biskets Beaver Muskat Skins Otter Pipe-Staves Masts and the like and some Tobacco for which they receive in exchange English Linnen and Woollen-Cloath Iron-Tools Stockins Shoes Thred Buttons Ribons Lead Puter Tinn small Ordnance Gunpowder Shot Strong Waters Wines Oyls Fruit Salt and the like not taking any Customs for ought imported except Wines and Strong Waters and for that not above 30 or 40 Shillings per Tun Consolage they take none their Factorage is from 5 to 10 per cent for Sails and returns only and that not fixed but as the Trader and the Factor can agree Sugars they have likewise which they sell in Casks and have not many Ships belonging to the Plantation Their chief Fishing consists in dry Cod and poor Jack which every Spring and Fall they take by Hooks and sell by the Quintal or hundred Weight each for 28. or 30 Royals sometimes more tho sometimes they Barrel them up their Fraight per Tun from thence to London is 3 pound 3 pound 10 Shillings and sometimes 4 pound They have likewise an Office of Assurance now much in request both by the Inhabitants and such as Trade thither And thus much for New-England CHAP. XV. A View of Mary-Land and of the Customs and Trade thereof MAryland is upon the main Continent of America being an English Colony lying between 38 and 40 Degrees North Latitude bounded on the North by Virginia and on the South by New-England the great Ocean on the East and on the West the River Pattowmeck and was first a Colony of English Anno 1633. and for the better Increase of Trade tolerate the Christian Religion of what Profession soever and is held by a Governour or Proprietor in Fee of the Crown of England It abounds with fair Rivers stored with Fish and Commodious for the receipt of Shipping The usual way of Trading is Goods for Goods and the chief of their Commodities is Tobacco their Weights and Measures are consonant with those of England without any Tret or over allowance some Beaver Otter and other Furs they have which the English that Trade thither purchase and the Inhabitants receive them for Tobacco and Strong-Water of the Indians Mulberry Trees are there in Abundance and some Silk Their Customs or Taxes are but seldom taken as to the Subjects of England The greatest abuse that Merchants receive is the Packing of Tobacco which loose Packed or either too dry or wet put up often deceives their Expectations therefore the only way to discover such Frauds is by weighing it A full Hogs-Head well Packed will hold 400 Weight and never less than 300. For their Commodities they receive Cloath-Hangings Stuffs all manner of Iron-Ware Strong-Water Wine and the like and what they Trade with the Native Indians for they deliver them Coats commonly called Match-Coats made of coarse Shagged-Cloath Dutch-Duffields or English Hogbays either Red or Blew The new Netherlands a place Situate in 41 Degrees North Latitude upon Hudson's River is Inhabited by a Colony of the Dutch who have Incroached upon the English Trade with the Natives for Beavor Otter Elk-Skins Bears-Skins Dear-Skins and the like for which they deliver them Iron Instruments and Shaged Cloath and sometimes Guns Powder and Rapier-Blades the fatal Execution of which they have twice felt by two Massacrees Committed upon them by the Indians to the loss of half their Colony Their chief Town is New-Amsterdam indowed with many Priviledges as the old the better to draw People thither Corterialis Nurembega and Nova Francia are accounted Mexican Provinces and for the most part possessed by the French and some few Portugals Their Trade is small consisting only of Skins and Furs Estotiland or New-foundland discovered 1527 by the English in Winter is so Extream cold that it is not inhabited but by some few Natives and all the advantage which indeed is considerable that the English Reap thereby is their Fishing Trade the Fish in England being known by the Name of Newland Fish and is taken in such abundance that with them are furnished most parts of Europe The manner of the Fishing thus The Ships sometimes 40 Sail depart from our Coast about the end of February and about the middle of April arriving there they unrigg their Ships and going on Shoar Build Huts and in Shallops with Hooks and other Tackling take sometimes 30 or 40 great Fish in an Hour that is one Shallop which they slit and dry upon Rocks and Sandy-Banks after which they Salt them and in such manner continue till September when loaden with their Fish they return and dispose of them in Spain France and other Places to good advantage selling them either by the hundred Weight or by Tail and many times they sell them before they have caught 'em that is Bargain for the delivery of them when taken and of late there is an Art found of making Oyl commonly called New-Land Oyl CHAP. XVI A View of the Peruanan Provinces and of their Trade and Customs THis South part of America is divided from the North part by the Streights of Darien a Neck of Land of 10 Miles over and consists of these Pro-Provinces viz. Castella-Aurea Guinnia Peru Brasilia and Chile Castella Aurea takes its Name from the abundance of Gold that is found therein and was first discovered by the Spaniards The chief Cities are Portabel and Panama at which two Places the Viceroy makes his Residence as he sees fit and at the Latter of which the Spanish Plate-fleet for the most part is Loaded It abounds with standing Pools and deep Waters and the chief Commodities are Spices Drugs Gold Ore and Silver About it are several small Islands of which the chiefest are St. Antonio and St. Vincent situate against Cape Verd. Guinnia is situated under the Equinoctial Line being fruitful in all parts abounding with rate Fruits and so Incompassed and branched with great Rivers that in Winter time many of the Inhabitants dwell in Trees for fear of Inundations often caused by the overflowing of the Rivers Of this Countrey our famous Sir Walter Reighley made the first effectual Survey and gave Name to the great River Arinoque calling it Ralinia a River navigable for 1000 miles and for Shallops and Wherries 2000. The chief City of this Province is Manoa otherwise called the Golden City of the abundance of Gold that is found therein most of the Trade consisting of Gold-Ore Peru is for Gold the richest Province of America The Mines being more plentiful then Mines of Lead and Iron in England and the Riches thereof may be Conjectured by this When Piscario the Spanish Captain subdued it and took the King Prisoner he proposed his Ransom and delivered to the treacherous Spaniard upon solemn Promise for his Life and Liberty as much refined Gold and Silver as amounted to
3 chief Scales of Europe CHAP. LXI A View of Lisbon the Metropolis of Portugal of the Trade Growth Weights Measues Coyns and Customs thereof LIsbon is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Portugal commodiously Seated upon the Banks of the River Tagus the City and Suburbs being 10 Miles in compass and not imagined to contain less then 38000. Families Beautifyed with 67 Towers placed upon the Walls and 22 Gates all the Houses being Built Magnificent and indeed the People given to great Industry but especially to Navigation as appears by the many Discoveries they have made they being the first that Discovered the Eastern Tract even to the Indias and there by Trade and force got Footing and shewed the way to England and Holland who have now brought it to perfection even to the great Inriching either Nation and of all the Commodities brought from India and other parts of the World by the Portugals this City is the Scale for hither come yearly the Spices of Arabia the Silks of Persia the rich Commodities of China and the Gold Silver precious Stones and Spices of India and especially Pearls the Fishery thereof remaining for the most part in the right of the King of Portugal which being brought to Lisbon and afterwards dispersed throughout Europe To this City Flows the Trade of the whole Kingdom and also that of Spain from which Kingdom it is now separated as formerly The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are Principally the small and the great Cantars the Latter of which is divided into 4 Roves and each Rove contains 32 Reals which is 128 pounds at 14 Ounces per pound and of Florence Weight is computed 149 pound their small Quintar for Pepper and Ginger is between 110 and 112 pound English the Rove or Quartern being 27 ½ and sometimes 27 ◠4 pound but the great Quintal is 15 or 16 per cent more than our 112 pound The Quintar commonly called the King 's Quintar used in his Contractation House for weighing the Spices and Drugs of India is 114 pound English and the great Cantar of Lisbon is mostly computed 130 pound English c. The Measures of length used in this City are the Coueda which is the third part of an English Yard and the Ware which wants but a Nale of an English Ell by the former they Measure Woollen Cloaths c. and by the latter Linnen c. The Concave Measures of Lisbon is the Alquire 3 of which are found to make an English Bushel and 5 a Spanish Hannep They have an other Measure by which they meet their Salt called Muy which is 60 Alquires and 2 Muys and 15 Alquires are a Tunn Bristol Water Measure The Custom inward is 23 per cent that is to the Dechima 10 to the Sisa 10 and to the Consolado 3 and outward Merchants pay only 3. The Coyns are the Croisado of Gold computed to be worth 400 Reas. The Ducat of Portugal which is ten Reals and accounted 5 Shillings Sterling or the Croisado The Ryal which is 40 Reas and accounted 6 pence Sterling The Golden Mirle which is worth 1000. Reas and accounted 2 5 2 Ducats the Ducat is 2 ½ Ryals or 15 pence Sterling The Vintin which is 20 Reas or 3 pence Sterling the single Ryal of Spain which is 2 Vintines there are likewise the Coyns of Spain passable in this City but seeing they are not the proper Coyns of Portugal I shall pass them over as having already mentioned them in the Description of the Trade of that Kingdom And now leaving Portugal I shall pass into the Kingdom of France and in viewing the Trade of some Cities thereof give a Summary account of the whole Kingdoms Commerce both Inland and by Navigation CHAP. LXII A View of France the Provinces Trade Customs Weights Measures and Currant Coyns reduced into the view of the Principal Trading Cities of that Kingdom FRance is a large and Fertile part of Europe bounded on the North with the Brittish Ocean on the West with the Aquitanian Sea on the South with the Mediterranian and on the East with the Pirenaean Hills and River Rhine and is divided into several Provinces the Trade of which I shall instance in these following Cities viz. Burdeaux Rouen Paris Lyons and Marselia of these in order Burdeaux is Situate on the Banks of Geronde being the Principal City of the Province of Aquitain and is placed in a very Fruitful Soil especially for Wines The Principal Vineyards of France being accounted in its Neighbourhood of the Grapes therein growing are made Whitewines and Claret in abundance and of late all Palled Wines and such as otherwise are foul not Merchantable they Lmibeck off into Brandies which for the most part is vended in England and Holland They have likewise several Vineyards yielding Grapes that make Sweet-Wines commonly called high Country Wines the which lest it should hinder the Sail of the other they prohibit to be sold in their City till Christmass day when the high Country Merchants bring it in and sell it to Strangers there resident and such is the Custom of the place that that Vessel or Lighter that first sets her Head on Shoar is accounted free from Impost or Custom yet must in lieu thereof for that day give Wine on Free-cost to such as come on Board to Drink it To this City it is that our English Merchants Trade and from whence they yearly bring 20000 Tuns of Whitewine Claret Sweet and Brandy Wines in times when no prohibition is layed this City formerly for many Years having been English there are found great quantities of Prunes of the Neighbouring growth and some other Commodities tho these are the chief and to this place monies are remitted for which mostly the Inhabitants Trade not as in other places ef Traffick freely bartering Goods for Goods Their Accounts are kept for the most part in Livers Sold's and Denies as indeed throughout the Kingdom Their Weight is the pound 100 of which are reckoned a Quintar or 110 English 90 ¾ pound being 100 pound English Their Measure of length is an Auln accounted 42 English Inches their Wines are computed by Hogs-Heads and Tearces viz. Claret and White-wines and their Brandy by Punchings of no certain Gauge CHAP. LXIII A View of Rouen and the Trade thereof ROuen is the Principal City of Normandy being the Parliamentary Seat of that Province and is Seated on the Banks of the River Sein all its Territories being Fertile and it abounding with rich Merchandise as well of other Nations as the Growth of the Kingdom of France and is visited by most of the Merchants of all the Northern Kingdoms Trading in the Growth of France the place affording of natural Growth and Native Manufactury fine and coarse Linnens Buckrams Paper Cards Wine Stuffs Combs c. for which the Inhabitants or such French Merchants as send their Commodities thither to be vended receive of the English Kersies of Devonshire and
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-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-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
is an Inch allowance to every Yard and by these they Measure Silks Woollen Cloath and Stuffs The dry Measure is a Tarry which being well heaped makes 5 Gallons English and by this they Measure Salt Corn and other Commodities They make their Accounts in Doubles Aspers Osians and Sultanies Their Customs are 10 per cent and so in all other cases as at Tunis when any Ship enters and cast Anchors her Sails or Rudder is demanded to prevent the passing off without paying such Customs and then not to Sail without leave from the Duan which is the Bashaw and his Assembly who Regulate all affairs which were usually these To the Kiffa 28 Doubles to his Chiouse 4 Doubles to his Almia 8 Doubles to the Bashaw Sorman 2 Doubles to the Draggerman 8 Doubles to the Sackagy 8 Doubles and for the Consuls Duty 24 Doubles The Piratical Trade is thus 2 or more set out a Vessel of Prizage or Free booty to Prey upon Merchants Ships the which when they have taken and brought into the Port the Owners divide the Spoil by Lot making the Partitions or Dividends as even as possible as for the Captives they do the like and if there happen to be an odd man they either cast Lots for him or sell him in the Market and divide the Money the manner of selling of them is to carry them into the Market and place them in Stalls like Beasts where the buyer Views and handles them but especially their Hands by which he is satisfyed whether they have been Inured to Labour or not as likewise in their Mouths to see if they have good Teeth to bite Biskets as hard as deal Boards and according to their Youth Healthy Complexion and Ability of Body they go off to the Buyer he being ever after acknowledged for their Patron And thus much for this Piratical Government too well known to Merchants and Saylors who Trade in the Mediterranean CHAP. XX. A view of the Kingdom of Fess and of the Trade Customs Weights Measures and currant Coyns thereof THis Kingdom takes it's name from the Metropolitan City viz. the City Fess being the Goodliest City in Barbary adorned with 700. Moschs or Temples of which 50 are Beautifyed with Pillars Jasper and Alabaster the chief of which called Carucen and Seated in the Heart of the City contains a Mile in compass consisting of 190 Arches and is born up by 2500 Marble Pillars hung all about with Silver Lamps and hath 31 Gates and all things else porportionable and the City computed to contain 8600 Families The Commodities in General are Dates Almonds Figs Rasins Hony Olives Wax Gold Hides Furs and a sort of Cordivant Skins Cotton and Wool very fine which is dispersed into Spain Italy France and England and of late the Inhabitants have found out the Art of making Cloath The Principal Money of this Kingdom is the Xerif or Gold Ducate and accounted worth 10 Shillings Sterling and is divided into 8 equal parts The Weights are two one used for weighing Gross Commodities called the Rotolos 64 of which are computed to Ballance our 100 Averdupois and 100 Rottolos go to the Cantar The other is the Mittigal used in weighing Gold Pearl Silver Musk and the like and agrees with those of Tunis and Argier The long Measure is the Cavado of which 12 are Accounted to a Cane and 181 or 182 Cavados to make 100 Yards English The Customs are 10 per cent to all Strangers but to the Natives 2 per cent and for what soever they hand they must pay whether sold or not which makes Merchants sell their Wares on Shipboard for the most part where Customs are Payed only for what is sold And thus much for Fess and the Trade thereof CHAP. XXI A view of the Kingdom of Morocco the Trade Currant Coyns Weights Measures and Customs thereof THis Kingdom as the former takes it's Name from the chief City and Center of it's Trade and is very Beautiful tho Inferious to Fess in it is found a Burse and Exchange formerly much frequented by Merchants but now for the most part taken up by Artizans The Commodities vended there are the same with those of Fess except Sugar in which it more abounds The Coyns are the Xerif and Ducate of Gold valued as those of Fess The Weights are 2 several Quintals the one agreeing with the Canter of Fese and the other with the Quintal of Sevil and indeed in all things according with Fess as being now reduced under one Government Their Religion if so it may be Termed is Mahumetisme and of late they have not any considerable Trade with the English Merchants tho 't is not doubted but the effects of the League between his Majesty of great Britain and that Emperour may be a means to revive it as likewise to inrich our Garrison of Tangier by rendering it a Publick Mart it being the Key of Barbary CHAP. XXII A view of Numidia and Lybia and their Provinces with the Trade Currant Coyns Manners and Customs NVmidia is bounded on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with Egypt on the North with the Mountain Atlas and on the South with Lybia The Country on the North part abounds with plenty but the South by Reason of the Excessive heat is most desert the Inhabitants build but few Houses but in great Companies pass from one place to another living sometimes in Woods sometimes in Caves according as Heat and Cold affects them The chief Trade is among themselves for Dates Hides Furs and Fruits of all sorts Cattle they have but have not the Art of improving them their Coyns are few but those they have are of Brass and Silver their Weights and Measures for the most part Equallizing those of Fess and Morocco tho they are little in use few Merchants Trading with them Lybia is bounded on the East with Nilus on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the South with Negrita and on the North with Numidia and is Barren for the most part by Reason the heat is Excessive their Trade Coyn Weights and Measures are not worth mentioning by Reason their Commerce is little no Merchants caring to deal with the Natives they being in a manner Savages CHAP. IX A View of Negrita or the Land of Negroes with the Trade Currant Coyn Weights Measures and Customs THis Province is Inhabited with Negroes or Blackamoors Bounded on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with Ethiopia Superior on the South with Manicongo and on the North with Lybia containing a large Tract of Land and is fertilized by the overflowing of the River Niger or Sanaga and is under the Regency of 3 Kings who have of late made 3 Kingdoms of 5 as Tombutue Berneo and Gouga Each having many famous Havens Commodious for Shipping The City Tombutue from whence that Kingdom has it's Name is Situate beyond the River Niger and is Traded to by the English French and Dutch and within four Miles of it is
Manners and Customs thereof together with the Description of their Currant Coyns Weights Measures c. ASia Earths third Portion is divided from Africa by the Red Sea and Egyptian Isthmus and from Europe by the Egean Propontis and Euxian Sea by Palus Meotis Tunais Duina c. and is divided into these Regions or Provinces viz. Anatolia Syria Palestina Armenia Arabia Media Assyria Mesopotamia Chaldea Persia Parthia Tartaria China India And the Islands of the Sea Anatolia or Natolias is bounded on the East with Euphrates on the West with Thracius Bosphorus Propontis the Hellespont and Egean on the North Propontis Euxinus and on the South bounded with the Rhodian and Lycian Seas In this Province Smyrna is the chief City of Trade therefore passing over those of less note I shall Center the Trade of the whole Province in that one City Smyrna the City to which the Church of which St. John directed his Revelation is Seated at the Bottom of a Gulgh called the Gulph of Smyrna where resides an English Consul and the like for the French and Venetians The Principal Trade having been lately removed from Scio thither by Reason of the advantagious Harbour for Shipping This City is under the Government of the Grand Signeur and is Inhabited by all Nations but especially Traded to by the English French and Venetians The Commodities found there which are brought by the Arabians Persians and other Merchants of Asia and sold to the Christian Traders in that Port are Cotton Wools Galls Anniseeds Wax Cordovant Cottons wrought Grogram Yarn Cute Carpets Grograms Chamblets Mohairs Fruits Drugs and store of Persian Silk which is brought on Camels and Dromidaries by Land for which they receive of our Merchants in Exchange Suffolk Essex and Glocester Cloaths Yorkshire and Hampshire Kersies Lead Tinn Pepper Calicoes Indico Cloves Cinnamon and the like which Spices were formerly the growth of those Countries but in the intestine Wars the Trees for the most part destroyed and now supplyed by our Merchants being brought from India The Venetians Trade with them for Pepper Cloath wrought Silk Velvets and the French bring thither Cloath Paper and Bullion the latter of which they convert to Coyn Stamped with the Effigies and Motto of the Grand Signeour for the most part and the same with what is currant all over his Empire which when I come to take a View of Constantinople and the Trade thereof I shall describe The Weights in use is the Quintar which contains 100 Rotolos or 24 Oaks which are found to be 400 Drams They have likewise the Lodoro being 176 Drams and the Pound Averdupois has appeared to be 148 Drams and the Quintar of 42 Oaks to be 119 pound English tho sometimes but 117. Their Measures are two viz. one for Linnen and the other for Woollen to which as before in the Weights I shall refer the Reader to those of Constantinople they being in effect the same The Custom-House of Smyrna is for the most part farmed of the Grand Signeour and three per cent only taken of the English Merchants unless upon Extraordinary occasions and altho there has been an Edict Published by the Grand Signeour that no Goods paying in one Port of his Dominious and brought into an other Port shall pay any more duty yet it is not observed but the Merchants are obliged to compound with the Customers upon that occasion But this Custom of 3 per cent is only to the English by virtue of their Treaty for the French Dutch and Venetians pay 5 per cent The charges of the Port for Ships before they can be cleared are sometimes pay'd in Commodities and sometimes in Money as they can agree and the most part are thus To the Cadie 5 Pico of Venetian Cloath and Cony Skins to leave it To the Cadies Servant 3 ½ Picos English Cloath to the Cadies Caya 3 Picos of what Cloath he shall chuse to the Cadies Scrivan a Chicquen in Gold To the Cadies Page 2 ½ Dollars to the Mosier Bashaw 1 ½ Picos of Cloath to the Cadies Janizaries a Chicquen in Gold all of which is commonly accounted to be worth 68 or 69 Dollars But to conclude the Trade of this Port is most in request for the abundance of Cotton which grows in the adjacent parts after this manner about the Spring of the Year it is sowed and comes up with a Slender Stalk like Wheat but strong as a Cane and bears a Bearded Head exceeding hard but when Ripe it opens of it self and yields both Seed and Cotton the first of which they Preserve to Sow again and the latter they sell to the English and French to the quantity yearly of 20000 Quintals CHAP. XXX A View of Syria and the Trade thereof SYria is bounded with the Mediterranean Sea on the West on the East with Euphrates on the South with Palestine and on the North with Cilicia and contains 3 Provinces viz. Phaenicia Caelosyria and Syrophaenicia In Phaenicia are Principally found the Cities of Acria and Sidon where the chief Trade and Commerce is with the Venetians and French who Traffick with the Inhabitants for Corn Galls Wool and Wax and in the lieu thereof give them Spices and Europian Cloath Their Weights are the Cantar of Acria which makes 603 pound English and the Rottolo which is 4 pound 5 ½ Ounces English and 650 Drams Their Measures are the Brace with which they Measure their Cloath and other Commodities Their Coyns especially theirs of Sidon and the Ryals of 8 ◠Spanish and Chickqeens of Gold the Ryal going currant for 70 Aspers and the Chickqeens at 108 but seldom continue long at a setled value and thus much for the Province of Phaenicia Syrophaenicia contains the City of Baruti formerly called Julia Felix once a City of great Trade but of late reduced to straiter Limits and little Trade all they have with Europe is from the Venetians Their Commodities are Wax Drugs some Silks and such like Commodities common to Asia Their Weights is the Cantar containing 100 Rotolo's each Rotolo being accounted 502 pound English Their Measure is the Pico 100 containing 86 Venetian Braces Their Trade for the most parts is with the Merchants of Arabia Persia and Turky who bring thither their Merchandise at certain Seasons when the Carravan sets out not otherwise daring to venture for fear of the Rovers that Rob in great Troops The chief Metropolis of Caelosyria is Damascus which is the Principal Scale of Trade in that Province Therefore so that in describing the Trade of that the rest will be included CHAP. XXXI A View of Damascus of the Trade Weights Measures and Currant Coyn thereof DAmascus is Accounted the Head of Syria and is pleasantly Seated abounding in all manner of plenty as Grapes Corn Cattle Cottons Saffron Steel Raw Silk Oyl Honey Wax Balsom Almonds Dates and Rice which are all the growth of the Country and brought thither by the Merchants as the chief Mart for which they
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
endeth through the middle of which runneth the famous River Ganges making a large Bay or Gulph called the Bay of Bengala and is under the Protection of the great Mogul whose Coyns are currant in those Parts As for the River Ganges the Natives and many other of far Countries imagine it to be of that Virtue that it can cure many distempers and by Drinking and Bathing therein make them capable of obtaining Paradice which Superstitious conceipt brings many from distant Places on Pilgrimage which Creates a great Trade in Satagan the chief City on this Coast which is Seated on a River some distance from Ganges up which the Tide runneth 100. Miles and more so swift that Boats drive with incredible speed without Sails or Oars at the entrance of this River is a place called the Butter where Merchants Build Booths of Straw and Branches of Trees against the coming in of the Ships and furnish them with all manner of Merchandise by Reason the River will not admit of Ships of great Burthen so high as Satagan the which sheds when the Ships depart they set on fire and remove their Goods to Satagan nor are the Commodities vended her a few for no less then forty Ships of Divers Nations find sufficient to Load them and some to spare The chief Commodities found on this Coast are Rice Cloath of Cotton of divers sorts Lacca Sugar Mirabolans Long-Pepper Oyl of Zerseline c. and from this City the Merchants Trade to Pegu Musulipatan and Summatra and for the most part to avoid being incommoded by the heat they meet and Trade in the Night and what Goods are bought here by the Natives are carryed up the River in Boats and sold in other Cities and Ports In these parts the English East-India Company has Factories and greatly improve themselves thereby the Portugals likewise in this Tract have 2 small Forts but no considerable Trade that Nation of late much declining in matters of Navigation The Weights and Coyns are much the same with those of Musulipatan Having thus far proceeded it will not be amiss to give the Reader an Account of a strange Custom used in this Tract which is that if any Debtor break the day of payment by him consented to his Creditor goes to the Principal Bramen or Arch-Priest and procures of him a Rod with which he makes a circle round his debtor charging him in the Name of the King and the said Bramen not to depart out of it till he has satisfyed the debt which if he does not he must either starve there or by coming out forfeit his Life to the Laws of the Country but this is only amongst the Natives CHAP. XLVI A View of Pegu and the Trade Customs Weights and Coyns of the Coast thereof PEgu is divided into two parts In the one the King and his Nobles reside in the other the Artificers Merchants and Mariners that wherein the former reside is called the New-Town and where the latter Inhabit the old-Town about which is a Moat of exceeding breadth in which are many Crocadils kept purposely and all the Walls Beautifyed with Turrets Guilded with Gold the Streets are fair and set on each side with rows of Palm-Trees to keep off the Sun from such as Pass through them and upon the Arrival of the Ships by the help of the Monson or Trading Wind great is the concourse of Merchants who come from the Coast of Cormandel and other Places bringing Pointados wrought Cotton and other Merchandise from Maecca whence come several great Ships laden with Damasks Woollen Cloath Velvets and Cheqens From Malacca Vessels Arrive laden with Pepper Porcelan Sanders Camphora and other Rich Commodities There Arrives several Vessels likewise from Sumatra with Pepper and other Commodities who for the most part Anchor in a Port called Cosmia not far distant from the City as for the Customs they are narrowly looked into by Broakers who are imployed for that purpose and have two per cent out of all Commodities paying Custom for their own share and are bound to sell the Merchants Goods for them and to make good what debts they contract or false money they take upon that occasion and in their dealings they are very Just as likewise they are bound to find Lodgings and Ware-Houses for Merchants their contracts are made in Publick yet in such a method that none but the parties concerned can tell what is done for by putting their Hands under a Carpet and squesing such and such Joynts they know each others meanings without speaking a word which is registred by the Broaker if they come to a conclusion in Leaves of Trees used there instead of Paper When a Merchant-Stranger comes thither the Governour sends several Maids to him to take his choise which done he must agree with her Parents and then she serves him during his stay for both Wife and Servant and when he departs paying what he agreed for she returns home and if afterward she be marryed and he comes to that place he may have her during his stay her Husband not in the least making a Scruple thereof and when he departs he may send her to her Husband The Native Commodities in this Tract are Gold Rubies Spinals Saphirs Silver which are digged at a Place called Caplan There is likewise store of Benjamin Long-Pepper Lead Rice Niper-Wine and Sugar the growth of the Country not being liable to Custom The currant Coyn of this coast is the Gausa made of Copper and Lead and is Coyned by any that list so they state it to a certain Weight which if it be not it is soon discerned by the Broakers or Tellers who reject it and that Weight is called a Biso and is accounted for ½ Ryal of 8 8 or 2 Shillings 6 pence Sterling CHAP. XLVII A View of Sian and Malacca and of their Trades Commodities Coyns c. FIrst in the Tract or Coast of Siam are found the Cities of Tenaserim and Pattana in the last of which an English Factory is Established but Siam is the chief and was before it's being reduced by the King of Pegu who besieged it with a Million and 400000. men the chief City of these Parts of India and to it as yet Merchants Trade from Couchin-China Macan Cantor Malacca and Cambaia as likewise from the Islands of Sumatra Banda and Borneo and has divers Commodities brought from the Inland Cities of Martavan and Tenaserim and is Situate on the famous River Menan which runneth athwart India and arises from the Lake Chiama which every March overfloweth its Banks for 100. Miles during which time the Commerce and Correspondence is held by Boats The principal Commodities are Cotton Linnens of all sorts distilled Liquors by the Natives called Nipe it being extracted from Cocos as likewise Benjamin Lack and precious Wood called by the Portugals Palo-Dangula and Calamba making Rich Perfumes and is Weighed often against Silver and Gold and the Wood Sapon used by Dyers Camphora Bezora-Stones and Gold
before set down and now I shall as far as is necessary make a report of their true value according as they are in goodness The Rule to value Oriental Pearls from a Grain in Weight to what bigness any will afford is by the Colour Roundness Pear-Fashion or Oval and that is in all parts perfect as to Water and Gloss without Knobs Specks Yellowness or other imperfections and a Pearl of this perfection weighing a Carot is worth a Ducat in India But before I proceed further as to their value it will not be amiss to relate how they are sold by those that have the disposing of them viz. the Indians sell them by Sieves of Latten full of holes in number 12 one bigger then the other as to their holes and according to the largeness or smallness the price is regulated for those of the 10 11 and 12 Sieve are seldom capable to be holed and therefore are called Seed-Pearls most fit for Apothecaries to be used by them in their Physical Preparations but the others for the use of Ladies and others to adorn themselves withal and for the price of all large Pearls they are valued as is said by Weight and fairness as Diamonds and other precious Stones tho seldom before they be holed for fear of their breaking in the holing as thus a Pearl of one Grain is worth 7 pence of 2 Grains 2 Shillings 6 pence of 3 Grains 5 Shillings 7 pence of 1 Carot 10 Shillings and so in proportion to those of greater Weight as for Seed-Pearls the smallest of which are Accounted 4500. to the Ounce and the largest 400 or 450 to the Ounce and commonly divided into 6 parts the Prizes are these The 6th or smallest sort 4500 are commonly sold for 2 pound 4 Shillings the Ounce the 5th sort are sold for 1 pound 6 Shillings the Ounce the 4th sort at 10 Shillings the Ounce the third sort at 18 Shillings the Ounce the second at 1 pound 6 Shillings and the first at 1 pound 15 Shillings But note that the first is termed the sixth sort and so Consequently the sixth the first the Rag Pearls which are sold likewise by the Ounce according to their bigness are divided into thirds seconds and firsts an Ounce of which containing 350 Pearls is Accounted worth 1 pound 18 Shillings an Ounce containing 250 Pearls is Accounted worth 3 pounds an Ounce of 150 worth 4 pounds and so according to their lesser quantity or number in making the Ounce all sorts of half round Pearls of pure Water and Gloss are Accounted worth a round Pearl of half the Weight And thus much for Gold Silver precious Stones and Oriential Pearls with which I shall return to Europe as the common Receptacle of those rich Commodities which were of little value to the Indians before the European Navigators set Prizes thereon and by that means taught the Natives how to Esteem them for in the first Discovery of the Indies by the Portugals they bought them for Beads of Glass and such like Trifles but now they are not purchased but at Extraordinary rates CHAP. LVI A View of Europe of it's Provinces Trade Manners Customs Growth Weights Measures Currant Coyn c. THe first that offers it self on the Continent of Europe is Spain invironed on all sides with the Seas unless that part towards France which is bounded by the Pyraenaean Hills and the Fortress of Pampelona on the North-West and Perpegana on the South-East and is divided into 12 Provinces viz. Leon and Oviedo which are one Navar Corduba Galicia Biscay Toledo Murtia Castille Portugal now an intire Kingdom Valentia Catalonia and Aragon and in General abounds with Wines Sugars Oyls Mettals Liquorish Rice Cork Silk Wool Oranges Rosin Steel Almonds Raisins Lemons Anchoves Anniseeds Figs Soda Barrilla Honey Wax Shumack Iron Tuny-Fish Saffron Soape and Carianders so that into the Trade of 3 or 4 of the Principal Cities and Ports I shall reduce the whole Trade of the Kingdom and it's Provinces Passing over Leon Ovideo and Navar as Provinces little adddicted to Commerce I shall proceed to Sevil the chief City of Trade in the Province of Corduba and into the Trade of that City reduce the Trade of that Province which is Accounted the most Fertile Province of all Spain CHAP. LVII A View of Sevil the Trade Weights Measures Customs and Currant Coyns thereof THis City is Situate in the Province of Corduba and accounted 6 Miles in compass adorned with many stately Buildings and is an Arch-Bishop's Sea accounted next to Toledo the richest in Spain through it runs the River Baetis dividing it into 2 parts over which is a Stately Bridg which renders the City very Commodious for Trade and from hence it is for the most part that the Spanish Fleet sets out for the West Indies and at their return unlaid their rich Commodities as Silver Tobacco Ginger Cottons Sugar Ferrinand Bucque-Wood and Wood of Brasil Sarsafrax Galbanum and other Drugs of great value and for the King of Spains use are in these parts brought up and kept 30000. Gennets nor are bare Customs of this City Accounted to amount to less then half a Million of Gold yearly The Merchants generally keep their Accounts in Maruedies of which 375 are Accounted to a Ducat of Exx 11 Ryals every Ryal being 37 Maru and some Strangers residing there keep their Accounts in Ryals of 34 Maru The Coyns currant are the Ducats of Gold of Sevil and are as aforesaid valued by the Spaniards worth 375 Maru or 5 Shillings 6 pence Sterling as likewise the Ryal of Castile which is worth here but 34 Maruides and valued at 6 pence Sterling a Dobra currant is of Carlin Coyn 81 87 Maruedies A Dobra of Castile is valued at 375 Mar. or a Ducat in Gold the Castilian of Merchandise is worth 485 Mar. or 7 Shillings Sterling Their Weights are the 3 Kintars the first consists of 112 pound and is divided into 4 Roves of 28 pound a Rove the second is 120 pound composed of 4 Roves of 30 pound each and the third being the greatest is composed of 4 Roves of 36 pound the Rove and accordingly contains 144 pound and is the common Kintar of Sevil and 100 pound Weight of this place has often made 102 pound of London Their Measure of Length is the Vare 100 of which have been found to make 74 Ells of London The Measure by which Oyl is sold is the Rove 64 of which make a Venetian Miara and 40 or 41 of the said Roves make a Pipe the Rove being 8 Somers a Somer containing 4 Quartiles a Quartile being the â— 6 part of a Stoop of Antwerp and 2 Pipes or 81 Roves are 25 or 26 Florence Barrils or 252 English Gallons tho in Sevil the Gage of Pipes are Accounted but 118 Gallons the Pipe Corn is Measured by the Caffise which is 28 Satos of Florence from Sevil it is that the fine Spanish Wool is brought as also Cordavant-Leather
Yorkshire Bays of Coxal Cottons of Wales Pepper Gauls Yarn Tinn Lead Fish c. but of late they have got a Custom to Trade for Sterling many Commodities being allowed at no other Exchange Their Accounts are kept in Solds Livers and Deniers As for Weights here is principally found the Kings Beam called the Viconte which exceeds our long hundred viz. 112 pound 14 per cent so that it makes English 126 pound tho sometimes less Their Measure of length is the Auln accounted 46 Inches or somewhat more by which they Measure Woollen and Linnen Cloath and in this Measure they allow 24 for 20 called the Merchants Auln this City affords great store of Canvas for the Sails of Ships and such like uses which is likewise Measured by the Auln and has allowance as aforesaid tho not unless great quantities are bought In this City 3 Fairs are yearly held at 2 whereof Liberty for 15 days is granted to buy and Transport all Commodities of the growth Custom-free provided the Commodities be laden and fallen down the River to a Place limited within 15 days after or else to pay Custom as at other times the first of which begins the 3d. day of February and ends the 18th the second begins on Whit-Monday and lasteth 15 days the third begins on the 23 day of October and continues 8 days only and is not Custom-free as the former As for the Concave Measures they are few and such as are common throughout France and of which I shall hereafter speak Therefore in this Chapter I willingly Omit them CHAP. LXIV A View of Paris the Metropolis of France and of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Customs exchanges and Commodities there Vended PAris is the Principal city of France and is accounted 10 Miles in Circumference being Situate on either side the River Sein that River Gliding smoothly through it thereby rendering it more Commodious for Traffick tho through the Sloath of the Inhabitants it is not improved to the advantage it might be yet here are found Commodities of the growth of the whole Kingdom as likewise of most Nations tho in no abundance The Commodities exported hence are Linnens Paper Cards Combs Stuffs Thread Plushes c. for which they receive English Cloath Stockings Lead Tinn Bays old Shooes Silks of Italy and some Indian Commodities The Inhabitants are for the most part Gentry and therefore not addicted to Manufacture The Weights of Paris are the Quintal which is accounted 100 pound Gross but found to make 100 pound of London Suttle 2 per cent more or less and is of Lyons Weight of 16 Ounces 116 pound and Venetian Sottle 144 pound 100 Sottle in Venice making Sottle of Paris Weight but 62 ◠2 pound of 15 Ounces to the pound the Cargo or great Quintal of Paris is 300 pound of Troy Weight yet makes in Florence 487 pound The Concave Measures for Wine is the Cistern which contains 8 Pints or a French Gallon 96 of which are accounted a Tun. The Measures of length are two one for Linnen and the other for Silks and are much about the length of the vantaged and unvantaged Aulns but seldom used in Gross by Reason in this City Silks Stuffs c. are sold by Weight which to the buyer is advantageous by Reason he cannot be imposed on with slight Silks and Stuffs but that what it wants in goodness will be made out in Measure This City is the chief Standard of Coyn for the whole Kingdom therefore in this I shall give a particular account of most French Coyns currant first the Denire 2 of which make a Double and twelve a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver by some called a Frank and in these three viz. Solds Deniers and Livers the accounts of that Kingdom are for the most part kept There are Peices of 8 Solds each Piece being the 1 ◠part of a Silver French Crown 64 Sold's being accounted a French Crown and 4 Sold's which is of 3 Livors Turnois Pieces of 21 Solds 4 Deniers being the 1 8 part of the said Crown commonly called Testons and the ½ and ¼ thereof and as the Quarter Crowns were at first raised from 15 Solds to 16 and thereby the 60 Solds to 64 so in the like proportion were the Testons raised the Golden Coyns are the Crown of 3 Livers or 60 Solds the Crown of the Sun being 3 Livers 16 Sold or 76 Solds and the Pistol each Liver being accounted 12 pence Sterling there are likewise Crowns of 6 Shillings Sterling but these monies as indeed most Forrain Coyns do rise and fall according to the Plenty and Scarcity of Silver and Gold or more properly at the pleasure of the Prince whose proper Coyns they are As for the Exchanges I shall refer them till I come to Treat in General of the nature of Exchanges CHAP. LXV A View of Lyons and the Trade thereof c. LYons was once the famousest Mart of France and a great Scale of Trade but by Reason of its Incommodious Situation in wanting a Port or Navigable River for great Ships it has given place to the Haven Towns yet continues some Trade especially Inland being Seated on a Fruitful Soil Fertilized by the Branches of the Rivers Rhoan and Soame the chief Manufactory of Silks in the Kingdom of France being setled in it which when wrought is sent through Europe the Inhabitants having Commerce with Marselia the chief Port for the residence of Shipping Here Exchanges are practised the Bankers or Merchants of Venetia Florence and Naples having Factors resident in Lyons for that purpose and hither it is that the English Merchants bring Lead Tinn Bays Cony-Skins c. to Exchange for the growth of the Province the Accounts are kept as in other parts of the Kingdom The Coyns currant being the same with those of Paris The Fairs are 4 in which all payments either by Exchange or Merchandise are made and all payments run from 3 Months to 3 Months if agreed to in a Publick place or Burse appointed for that purpose the first of these Fairs begins immediately after the Octaves of Easter the second the first Monday after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin the third the day after All Souls the fourth the day after Epiphany each continuing 15 days all Exchange business is done and all Bills of Exchange are made and dated in one day and within 2 days following they settle the rate of Exchange and by these Fairs they limit their payments and the time allowed in their Bills from hence to Venice Florence and Rome is commonly 30 days to Naples and Valentia 25 days and so consequently according to the distance of the place it is payable at tho agreement be made for longer time it is often granted The Weights most in use is the Kings Beam of the Custom-House and the 2 Town Beams the King's Beam is found to be 100 pound the Quintal and is greater then the largest of the Town Beams by 8 per
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
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
are many Pits which being somewhat narrow at the top and widening towards the bottom are distinguished into several Rooms or Apartments and supported as it were with Pillars of Chalk At a House of the Marquess of Worcester's at Emsbury I have been told that at the pulling down of an old Wall the Labourers discovered a Cavity which upon search led to a large Cave where there was found a Monument of great Antiquity and Riches which by the Character and some other circumstances appears to have been the Tomb of Queen Guinever Wife to King Arthur Near Kirby-Longdale in Westmorland are many deep places like Caves Fifthly At Aberbarry in Glamorganshire there is a Cave at the bottom of a Hill the mouth whereof is a gaping Clift or Chink into which when the Wind enters there is heard a kind of harmonious noice as it were of Cymbals There hath been also heard from a Clift on the Sea-side near the Island Barry a sound as it were of Smiths at work and this by the Testimony of Lilius Giraldus Lakes and Fountains there are very many among us which have something strange and extraordinary in them Near Brereton in Cheshire which belongs to an Eminent Family of the same Name there is a Pool wherein the bodies of Trees swimming are said to presage the Death of some of the Family There are two Lakes very near to each other hard by St. Agnes-Hill in Cornwall of which it is credibly reported that in the one of them Fish will live and thrive in the other not In Lancashire near Furness-Fells there is a standing water accounted the greatest in England commonly called Miander-Meer being no less than 10 Miles in length and all along paved with stone at the bottom It is said moreover that a Fish call'd a Ohare breeds here only and no where else In Huntingtonshire there are several Lakes and among the rest one called Wittlesmeer-Lake which in fairest weather grow tempestuous and rage with violent surges like the Sea In Staffordshire there are two remarkable Lakes of one Necham delivers That by its Roaring it foretells things to come the other is call'd Mahal of which the Tradition goes That Horses when tir'd drinking of the water thereof becomes fresh as ever Of this Gervase of Tilbury makes particular mention On the high Hills of Carnarvonshire there are two Meers of a strange nature if report be true for one is said to produce a sort of Fish that hath but one Eye the other to have a floatable Island whereon no sooner any one sets foot but it drives farther off from the shoar There is also at Bala in Merionethshire a Pool which never fills by Land-floods though rising never so high but in tempestuous weather swelleth above its Banks At Lynsavathan in Brecknockshire is a Meer which is said to have swallowed up a City that once stood in the room thereof through this Meer runs the River Levenny keeping its own stream intire and unmix'd At Kilken in Flintshire is a little Well which hath a constant ebbing and flowing like the Sea At Gigglesworth in Yorkshire there are three small Springs of two whereof there is nothing of observable but the middlemost hath a constant course of ebbing and flowing four times an hour the difference between its highest rise and lowest fall being about eight Inches Likewise in Derbyshire in the Forrest of the Peak is such another Spring ebbing and flowing 4 times an hour observing a constant and due revolution of its tydes On the River Ogmore in Glamorganshire there is a Well which every full tyde in Summer time is almost destitute of water but at ebb is replenish'd many times very near but never totally to an overflowing Another there is at Carry-Castle in Caermardenshire which ebbs and flows Another in Westmorland near the River Loder which ebbs and flows several times a day At Lemington in Warwickshire a Salt Spring ariseth at a great distance from the Sea Near Kenet in Wiltshire the water breaking but of certain stones is accounted a sign of Dearth The River Can in Westmorland hath Cataracts which by their fall foretell either Rain or fair Weather The rising of a Bourn near Croiden in Surry is said to presage Mortality Near St. Albans in Hertfordshire there is a Brook called which when it breaketh out presageth Dearth or some other Calamity In a private mans Yard at Pitchford in Shropshire is a Well whose waters cast up a Skum of liquid Bitumen In the North-riding of Yorkshire are Wells called Tingtong Wells three Miles within the earth The Petrifying Wells and Springs of England are very many nor is it worth the while to mention all of them the chief are in these particular Places at Newenham or Menham-Reges in Warwickshire Three which are also of a Medicinal quality as being strained through Allum at Lutterworth in Leicestershire Near Knarisborough in York-shire the Well-Drepa whose Waters distil from the Rocks that hang over it At Hodington-Hill near Oxford upon the descent of the Hill At Boxly Abbey near Maidston in Kent at Egerton in the same County Nor are those Wells and Springs to be forgotten among the Memorabilia of Nature whose Waters are of a Medicinal virtue the chief of this nature not only of England but even of all Europe for the virtue of the Waters the Magnificence of the Structures about the Wells and the vast resort to them are those famous Bathing Wells which give denomination to the City Bath and which were first found out by one Bladud who is reckoned in the Catalogue of our Ancient British Kings and renowned in History if it may be called History and not rather Historical Tradition as well for Philosopher as King Others there are whose Waters esteemed for their Purging quality are generally carous'd as Ebsham or Epsone-Wells in Surry those of Tunbridge in Kent of Barnet in Hertfordshire and now of late of North-hall in the same Shire Now I cannot but fancy that there must needs be a very great advantage in this way of Physick since those who Evacuate so merrily with so much divertisement so many as it were together for good Companies sake no doubt find a more effectual Operation than those who coop'd up in a Melancholly Chamber sup up a mixture of Nauseous and uncouth Ingredients out of an Apothecaries Shop Other places there are not altogether of no note for their Medicinal Wells as Luckington in Wiltshire where there is a Well called Handcocks-Well whose greatest Virtue consists in the Cure of sore Eyes having also this property that its Water is cold in Summer and hot in Winter Eckington in Worcestershire where there is lately discovered a Medicinal Well accounted of great Virtue for several Distempers Wallingborough in Northamptonshire where upon the account of the Waters Queen Mary lay for several weeks Lenisham in Kent six Miles from London where in the year 1651. a Medicinal Water was found which hath been since much frequented Dulwich Wells within
Politick what Exercise is to the Body Natural viz. Prosperity to the one Health and Soundness to the other Ildleness being alike pernicious to both and causing to both alike Debauchery of Manners Distemper and Beggary There are few Nations in Europe as well a mother parts of the World wherein some particular Towns are not particularly Eminent for some or other Manufacture as in Andalusia a Province of Spain Corduba for the curious Dressing of Leather which is thence called Cordovan-Leather in Biscaia Bilboa for the making of excellent Temper'd Blades Faenza in Italy for fine Earthen Ware Venice for that rare sort of Drinking Glasses which are thence called Venice-Glasses which Art of Glass-making is by a late Discovery from thence Improv'd to a very great heigth in England though we cannot bring Glasses to that perfection for want of those Materials which are only to be had in those viz. two sorts of Plants called Gazul and Subit out of whose Liquified Ashes the right Venice-Glasses are blown The most general Manufacture of England is that which of all others is certainly the most useful and profitable and which from Ancient time hath in a measure conduc'd to the Wealth and flourishing Estate of the Nation that is to say the Woollen Manufacture or the making of Woollen Cloths or Stuffs which being encourag'd and rightly manag'd is the chief prop of our Trade and Commerce and till the Fishery be set up according to the Proposals of several Worthy Persons the chief Support and Honest Maintenance of the Poor whom could there be work enough found out universally to imploy it would be a happy means to take off that Lewd and Sordid course of Vagabond Begging which introduces all those Thievish and unlawful practices that bring so many daily to shameful and untimely ends The first Broadcloth so called because of the Broad-Looms wherein it was wrought made in England is said to have been wrought by Jack of Newbury in the Reign of King Edward the Third The first famous Clothiers were the Webscloths and Clutterbucks in Glocestershire For this Ingenious and profitable Art or Mystery of Lanifice or Woollen-work there is no place in England more fam'd than the City of Norwich which hath for a long time flourish'd by the making of Worsted-Stuffs which being wrought here more Curiously than elsewhere are thence called Nerwich-Stuffs which Work hath been brought to the greater perfection by the Industry of several Dutch and French Families who have been here planted for several years No Nation ever loseth but gets by the Transplantation of Industrious Foraigners who by Interest and Converse soon become one with the People among whom they Inhabit The Stuffs here vended the chief Trade whereof as also of Stockings is to London are esteemed at 100000 l. per annum which Stuffs are under the Government of two Companies the Worsted Company and the Russel Company The Stockings at 60000 l. per annum But there is another Town in this County which being called Worsted seems to have been the first noted place wherein these Stuffs were substantially made in regard they thence took their denomination Kidderminster in Worcestershire drives a very Trade in the making of certain Stuffs which are thence called Kidderminster-Stuffs and in the same Shire the City of Worcester it self And also Malmsbury for Woollen-Cloth In Warwick-shire Coventry In Lancashire Manchester is much Enrich'd by the Industry of the Inhabitants in making Cloth of Linnen and Woollen Taunton in Somersetshire drives so great a Trade in Mixt and White-Serges that there are said to be sent up Weekly to London and other places no less than 700 pieces a sort of them besides a sort of course Bays in the making whereof there are Weekly imployed no less than 8500 persons No less doth Wakefield in the West-riding of York-shire Leeds also in the same County is accounted a Wealthy Town by reason of its Cloathing Exeter by the quantity of Serges there made returns to London a 10000 l. a Week Stroud in Gloucestershire is a Town not only full of Rich Clothiers but is also particularly Eminent for the Dying of Cloths by reason of the peculiar quality of the Water for that purpose Teuxbury also in the same County is very Rich in Clothing Likewise Sudbury or Southbourg in Suffolk Hadly in the same County Reading in Bark-shire which through the greatness of its Trade is a very Wealthy Town and Newbury in the same County So likewise Shirburn in Dorcetshire upon the same account And also in Essex Colchester Dedham Coxal and other places abound in Bays Says and other new Drapery Appleby in Cumberland is no less Eminent for its strong Castle and for being the place where the Assizes for the County are held than for its great Cloth Manufacture the like is Kendal in the same County Among the woollen Manufacture of England may be reckon'd the weaving and knitting of Stockings the use of which woven and knit Stockings hath not been in this Nation longer than about the beginning of K. James's Reign It being very memorable what Dr Fuller relates of one William Rider an Apprentice at the foot of London-Bridge over against St Magnes-Church who seeing in the House of an Italian Merchant a pair of knit worsted Stockings which he brought from Mantua and taking special observation of them made a pair exactly like them which he presented to William Earl of Pembroke and they are said to be the first of that sort worn in England and thence-forward they became more and more in use so that for many years they have been very much and are now altogether worn and are a great part of the Trade in most Places where there is any thing of woollen Manufacture especially at Norwich yet Jersie Stockings have for a long time had a particular name The Next Place may properly be allow'd to our making of Bone-lace which is the chief of the Ornamentals worn in this Nation though not so totally as before the Needle-works came in fashion which though brought to great perfection yet have obtain'd so much the less esteem by how much those of Flanders and the Points de Venice in Italy and Larron in France came more in fashion as all foreign Artifices usually especially the French have ever the chiefest vogue among our Gallants So general is this Manufacture in many Parts of England that the Poor of whole Towns are almost totally imploy'd and in a great measure maintain'd thereby Particularly Honiton in Devonshire is a noted Town for his sort of Workmanship as likewise Salisbury and Marlborough in Wiltshire Ouldny in Buckinghamshire Amersham and Chesham in the same Shire Blandford in Dorcetshire which last Place hath been famous also for making of Band-strings and now Point-â—aces it is said are much made there It is observ'd that the only Thread made in England till within a few years was at Maidstone in Kent Besides the Cottons of Manchester the Tickin Pins Points and
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 Emperour Constantius but this is more certain that it was made an Archbishoprick in the year of our Lord 625. At Leeds in the West-Riding Oswye King of Northumberland encountred the united Forces of Ethelbald Son of Oswald King of Northumberland Ethelbert King of the East-Angles and Penda King of the Mercians to all whom he gave a mighty defeat slew Penda and Ethelbert and put Ethelbald to flight Selby a Town of good trade and resort but most memorable for the birth of King Henry the first this is by some accounted in Lincolnshire Wakefield is a Town not more considerable for its Cloathing than for the memory of a great battle fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster besides a defeat given in the late Civil Wars to the Earl of Newcastles Forces by Sir Thomas Fairfax Pomfret Castle was built by Hildebert de Lacy a Norman Hallyfax qu. Holy Hair anciently Horton the birth-place of Joannes de Sacrobosco Rotheram chiefly boasts in the birth of Thomas of Rotheram Archbishop of York In the East-Riding Stanford Bridge from the battle there fought commonly called Battle-Bridge Drifield is remembred by the Tomb of Alfred King of Northumberland here buried Beverly though a Town of flourishing trade is yet more fame-worthy as the last retirement and place of decease of the Learned John Archbishop of York in the Reign of Oswick An. 721. who was thence sirnamed John de Beverly Newborough Abby gives fame to it self by giving name to that Old English Historian William of Newborough Kingston upon Hull besides the repute of its Trade and Merchandise is honour'd with the fame of being built by King Edward the first nor are there wanting who will add the reputation of Andrew Mervail a Burgess of this place of whom elsewhere Exeter in Devonshire is both of sufficient antiquity for the Castle call'd Rugemont was once the Palace of the West Saxon Kings and afterwards of the Earls of Cornwal and the Walls and Cathedral were built by King Athelstan and also memorable for several transactions here was born that most renowned Latin Poet of England Josephus hence sirnamed Iscanus or Joseph of Exeter At Plimouth that great Honour of England for Sea affairs Sir Francis Drake took Shipping for the Circum-navigation of the World An. 1577. Teignmouth is noted for the place of the Danes first arrival in England Hubbleston the Burial place of Hubba the Dane Crediton the ancient Episcopal See of this County till it was removed to Exeter Camelford in Cornwal is guess'd by those pieces of Armour that have been digged up thereabout to have been the place of Battel where Mordred was slain and where King Arthur received his mortal wound Tintagel Castle gave birth to this great Miracle of British Valour King Arthur At Castle Denis the Ruins of those Trenches are yet to be seen where the Danes encamped at their first Invasion of this Land At Caradoc was born John Trevisa a learned Writer who died Anno 1400. St. Germains a place chiefly fame-worthy for having been an ancient Episcopal See At Truroe was born John Arundel a renowned Sea-man in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Bodmin the next place to which the Bishop's Chair was removed from whence it was translated by King Edward the Confessor to Exeter where it hath remained ever since This County hath brought forth several learned men viz. Hucarius sirnamed the Levite who flourished Anno 1040. Simon Thurway who flourished Anno 1201. John Sir-named of Cornwal who flourished Anno 1170. Michael Blawnpain who flourished Anno 1350. Godfrey Sir-named of Cornwall In NORTHVMBERLAND at a place called Otterburn a great Field was fought between the English and Scots Alnwick is of note for the mighty Victory which the English here gained over the Scots and for that the Earls of Northumberland in ancient times here kept their Court. Emildon brought forth that great Contradiction of his own name for Niceties of Wit and Subtilties in School-Philosophy Duns Sir-named Scotus In the Western parts of Northumberland are yet to be seen some parts of the Picts Wall In WESTMORLAND The Aballaba of Antoninus is thought to have been a place of very great note in the time of the Romans by the antique Roman Coins that have been there found in digging and the station of the Aurelian Maures and it is still so considerable that the Castle thereof is the place where the Assizes for the County are kept Burgh or Burgh under Stainmore is undoubtedly the Ruins of an eminent Town which was called Verterae and where a Roman Commander in the declining time of the Empire is said to have kept his station with a Band of Directores Ambleside Amboglana not far from Winander Meer is judged the Ruins of some famous City of Roman foundation or improvement both by the paved ways that lead to it and the Coins of Roman Stamp oft digged up there In CVMBERLAND Carlisle Luguvallum or Leucophibia of Ptolomie if not illustrious in its Original for it is delivered to have been built by that Leil who is great in the Catalogue of British Kings was at least a flourishing City under the Romans and being demolished by the Picts and utterly ruined by the Danes was restored by King William Rufus who also built there a Castle and by King Henry the First made a Bishop's See The Bishoprick of DVRHAM gained that Title and Privilege by the great fame and renown of St. Cuthbert for the interment of whom the Cathedral of Durham was first built by Bishop Aldwin and afterwards pulled down and rebuilt by Bishop Careleph The Tomb of this adored Saint was visited with great devotion by King Egfred Alfred Danish Guthrun Edward and Athelstan This City was by King William the Conqueror raised to a County Palatine There is a place called Gallile in the West end of the Church where is to be seen the Tomb of Venerable Beda Binchester Benovium by the Coins there digged up seems to have been a place of great account among the Romans So likewise Chester in the Street Condercum At Nevil's Cross near Durham the Scots were defeated by Queen Philippa Wife to King Edward the First by the Conduct of the Lords Piercy Moubray and Nevil In LANCASHIRE Lancaster the County-Town gives Title of Family from John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster to four Henries Kings of England viz. Henry the Fourth Fifth Sixth and Seventh Manchester Mancunium an ancient Fort and Station of the Romans Rible-Chester from Rhibel a little Brook near Clithero a Town of Antiquity and Station of the Romans as appears by the pieces of Coin and Statues there found But that which renders it most of memory is that it hath been reported the richest Town of Christendom Near Duglas a small Brook not far from the Town of Wiggin King Arthur is said by Ninius to have put the Saxons to flight At Billangho Anno 789. Duke Wade was put to flight by Ardulph King of Northumberland In CHESHIRE Chester is famous
Hampshire famous for the great Trade of Hony therein whose chief Cities are Southampton and Winchester Barkshire is famous for Cloth-working abounding in Cattle Rich Pastures Artificers Fruits of all sorts and all things else necessary for the Subsistance of man Surry is no less abounding in all plenty than the former and of greater Trade by Reason of it's nearness to the City of London that Mouth of the Nation by Reason of which it's Inhabitants have the better opportunity to vend the growth of that County Sussex and Kent abound in Fruits Corn Wood Wax Hony Cattle and all other necessary Commodities which by Reason they border on the Sea they have opportunity to dispose of at good rates Glocestershire is for the most part imployed in the Woollen Manufacture Glocester being the Head City In it are found those famous Hills of Cots-Wold on which numerous Flocks of Sheep Feed and affoard the best Wool in Europe Oxford is famous for her Rich Pastures store of Cattle and Corn but above all for her University in her chief City of Oxford Buckingham Bedford and Hertfordshires are adorned with pleasant Buildings rich Pastures store of Corn pleasant Rivers abounding with Fish and Forrests of Stately Oaks with which the Wall of the Nation viz. our Ships of War are made nor is Venison in abundance wanting nor any sort of Fowls common in England Middlesex and Essex the first famous for Buildings and so long together containing the Pallaces of our Kings Courts of Judicature and above all incompassing the famous City of London The second for store of Cattle the many famous Ports and the Commodity received by shipping the Silver Thames Washing her Southern Shoar as far as the Hope it abounding likewise in Corn Cheese Butter and the like Suffolk and Norfolk next take place the first famous for Butter Cheese Cloath Cattle Corn Wool and what not The second for Deer Conneys Sheep Daries and store of Corn but above all for containing the famous City of Norwich which for Industry ought to be accounted the chief Boast of England it being seated upon the River Yare from whence Yarmouth takes it's name and thirty Miles from the Sea by Water tho not above sixteen by Land has little forrain Trade save only with Holland the chief Trade being with the City of London the chief Commodities being Stuffs and Stockings which are made for the most part in the City it not being guessed that less then one hundred thousand pounds-worth of Stuffs every Year are sent up to London which Stuffs making and disposing of are under the Government of two Companies the one called the Worstes Company the other the Russia Company Those Manufactures under the Government of the Worsted Company and approved by the Wardens thereof have a Seal affixed to each on the one side inscribed Norwich on the other such letters as stand for the Wardens Names that are at the Sealing thereof The other Seal has on one side these words viz. Worsted Reformed and on the other in Figures containing the quantity of Yards the Piece contains Those called the Russia Company the Manufacture under whose Government to be approved by them is Sealed on the one side with these words Fidelitas Artes alit This Suff Trade is managed by Partner-Ship between the London and Norwich Merchants great quantities whereof have been and are exported to furnish other Nations especially Spain and the West-Indias The Stockings here vended are reckoned to amount to near sixty thousand pounds per Annum being most knit by Children incapable of other Labour so that at eight Years of Age many of them will earn four pence or six Pence a day these latter are not under any Governour but have their Materials found them by certain Citizens as well of that City as of London which when made into Hose are sent over Sea most of them to furnish the Neighbour Nations The County likewise affoards Sheep Conies and Kine in abundance as also store of Corn especially Barly which being turned into Mault is sent up to London as likewise into Scotland all Corn is sold according to the Custom of the Country by the Score which is twenty Cooms every Coome containing four Bushels and to every Score one Coom is allowed over-plus Their Weights and Measures both dry and wet are consistent to the London Weights and Measures In the like manner abound Cambridgshire Northamptonshire Huntingtonshire Leicestershire Rutland Lincolnshire notinggamshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire Cheshire Herefordshire Yorkshire the County of Richmond Bishoprick of Durham Lancashire Westmoreland Cumberland Northumberland And the strong Town and Territories of Barwick upon Tweed all abounding in store of things necessary and convenient for the profit and pleasure of man In brief England affoards more Merchandise than any one Nation in Europe as Perpetuanas Bays Says Serges Cotton Woollen Cloath of all sorts Kersies Buffins Mocados Grogram Sattins Calimancates Velvets Plushes Worsted Fustains Durances Tukes Cony-Skins Squiril-Skins Fitches Calf-Skins Hides Also by Mines it produceth first by Tin twelve hundred thousand pounds yearly Lead eight hundred Foders yearly Allum eight hundred Tuns yearly Iron of all sorts eight hundred Furnaces daily Sea Cole yearly 50000000. Chaldron yearly Salt 300000. Ways yearly as likewise all manner of Grain as Oats Wheat Barly Rye Pease c. likewise Linnen Cloth Tallow Leather Glass and Glasses of all sorts Venice Gold and Silver Train Oyl Salmon Pilchards Herrings Conger Haberdine Hops Wood Cheese Butter Salt-Peter Gunpowder Honey Wax Alabaster Wools Yarns and the like too many here to insert Nor is Wales in most parts less furnished it consisting of the Isle of Anglesea the shires of Flint Denbigh Carnarvon Merioneth Montgomery Cardigan Pembrook Carmarden Glamorgan Radnor Brecknock Monmouth abounding in Cattle Pastures divers useful Manufactures nor are the industry of the Inhabitants wanting to improve the product of their Country to the best advantage being a frugal sort of People insomuch that whereever they Plant themselves they are thrifty and increase the smallest Stock to considerable advantage Thus having taken a view of all England and Wales viz. as to Traffick and the native Commerce London excepted I shall now take a view of that great Metropolis having purposely reserved her for the last she being as Crown to the rest of the Nation and indeed the Beauty of the Universe CHAP. V. The Traffick of London LOndon the Mistriss of Cities is placed upon the Banks of the River of Thames whose Silver Ebbs and Flows continually wash her Beautiful Walls she being supposed to be eight Miles in Circuit especially if the Liberties be included and before the dreadful Conflagration in sixty six was adorned with one hundred twenty two stately Churches and now not guessed to contain less within the Circuit of her Liberties and all than 5 if not 600000. Souls she being the Center of the Nation and chief Receptacle of all Commodities as well of the native growth as from all Parts
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
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
for it's chief City Champechio this Province yields Wood for dying Rich Colours and likewise store of Deer and Cattle almost like Elks. Florida was discovered by Sebastian Cabot Anno 1467. which at that time it was possessed by the Spaniards with whom the French made War till they consumed each others people to that degree that it was abandoned by either Nation but since repeopled by the Spaniards who have built there several strong Forts The Commodities are Gold Ore some Veins of Silver some Spices and Woods of value And thus much of those Provinces the Spaniards possess Now I shall come to Treat of Virginia and New-England possessed by the English CHAP. XIII A View of Virginia and of the Trade Manners Customs and Government thereof and of the Commodities of that Colony VIrginia being discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh Anno 1584. had it's name from our Virgin Queen it lying in height thirty five degrees North Latitude and extends to thirty eight and a half being planted by the English only from 37 to 34 degrees under the Protection and Supream Authority of his Majesty of great Britain having the Bay of Roanoake and Cape Florida to the Southward and Mary-land to the Northward The main entrance out of Virginia into the Sea is about 10 Leagues the Country is full of Navigable Rivers stored with Fish and some of them abounding with Oysters Crabs and Sturgeon many of the Rivers being 7 8 9 or 10 Miles over running 140 and 150 Miles up in the Country so that Ships Anchor with great Security no Trade being permitted but with England So that as soon as any Vessel arrives the Master or Captain resorts to the Governour to give him an account from whence he came his Residence being for the most part at Jame's City lying 40 Miles up Jame's River and round about the English Colony the Indians Inhabit whose Treacheries prove too often fatal to our Country-men as the several Massacrees they have made can testifie Their Courts of Judicature chiefly consist of 4 quarterly Courts the Governour and his Council being Judges to try and determine as well in matters Criminal as Suits between man and man and every year once an Assembly meet in imitation of our Parliament to settle weighty Affairs Their Laws are the same with ours as likewise what Monies they have are of English Coyn. The Soil is every-where Fertile and the Woods abound with Oaks of divers sorts Black Wall-nuts Chess-nuts Ash Pine Day-Wood Cedar Saxafras Mulbury Small-nuts Wild Grapes and the like The Weather is much like ours only in the Summer continues a Month longer hotter and are troubled with Flashes of Light'ning dismal Claps of Thunder and now and then a Hurricane The days are about an Hour and an half shorter in Summer and so much longer in Winter All sorts of English Fruits and Cattle thrive there and their chief Commodities amongst themselves are Horses Oxen Sheep Hogs Turkies Geese Ducks Corn of which they have store and their Woods abound with Hairs Roacoons Possums Squirrils Wild-Cats Foxes Bears Wolves Elks and in remote Parts some Lyons are found Their Corn called Indian Corn or Maiz they buy and sell by the Barrel which Barrel contains 5 Bushels Winchester Measure and the Indians sell their Corn Pease and other Commodities of the like nature amongst themselves by the Baskets each Basket containing half a Bushel The chief Commodities they Trade with our Merchants for except Tobacco of which I shall speak anon are Hides Otter Beaver Muskats Bear Dear-Skins Saxafras Black-Walnut-Tree-Planks c. with them and Tobacco 40 or 50 Ships are yearly Loaden no Customs being lay'd upon any thing imported or exported but in England they pay five per cent for all they carry over and 2 pence per pound for every pound of Tobacco brought from thence and so proportionably for other Goods The Commodities carryed from England thither are Linnen and Woollen-Cloath Nailes Iron wrought into Tools Sope Starch Gunpowder Shot Wine Strong-Water Brandy Sugar Spice and the like and when any one comes over with Servants to Inhabit as a Planter he has 50 Acres of Land allotted him to manure even where he will choose unless in such Places as are before in Possession and for that Parcel of Land he pays 12 pence per Annum quit Rent The manner of planting and bringing to perfection their Tobacco accounted by them the Staple Commodity of the Colony is thus in January they sow the Seed which is smaller than Mustard-Seed and when it comes up they take up the Plants and place them upon little Hills which is usually done in May 4 or 5000. Hills being contained in one Acre every Hill containing a Plant the which when it is about 2 Foot high they Crop to give more Nourishment to the Leaves which Leaves are a Foot or two Foot long and some a Foot broad and when they are at the bigest they cut them up Stalk and all and hang them up in Sheads to dry which done they strip them from the Stalks and so bind them up in Handfuls for packing in Casks or make them up in Rolls An Acre of good Ground is reckoned to bear 1500 Weight of Tobacco not less then 17000. Hogs-heads being reckoned to be Shipped yearly for England Scotland and Ireland Their Servants for the most part consist of Negroes which they buy of the Merchants that bring them thither CHAP. XIV A View of New-England and the Trade thereof NEw-England has for it's chief Town or City Boston where all their Trade Centres especially that which accrues by Navigation a place which contains about 1500 houses Built of Brick and Timber in it is a State House and Congregational Meeting-Houses the Inhabitants for the most part being Presbyterians and Independants and are supplyed with great Quantities of Fish from Marblehead and other places As for Fowl they Trade with the Indians as likewise for Muscat Beaver Otter c. for which they deliver them Strong-Waters Shagged-Cloath Beads Looking-Glasses and the like and thither likewise are brought Provisions from St. Martins Long Island Road Island Shelter Island and other places they all being little spots standing in the Sea and have their Trade chiefly consisting in Provision The chief Roads for the safe Riding of Shipping are Boston Charlestown Salem and Pascataqua A Mint they have in which they Coyn English money as 12 pence 6 pence 3 pence and smaller piece both Silver and Tinn The Reason of setting it up was upon the spreading of many adulterated Pieces of Eight amongst them brought from Peru but notwithstanding the English Coyn Mexico and Sevil Royals go currant at a Crown apiece Their Accounts are kept after the Italian Fashion by such as understand the way and those that do not keep them as in old England Their Weights are Averdupois and Troy the former consisting of 16 Ounces the pound and the latter of twelve their hundred Averdupois is 112 pounds and by that they
ten Millions but perfidious as he was when he had Possession of the Treasure notwithstanding his Oath he slew him The chief City is St. Michael's inhabited by the Spaniards the Soyl brings forth all manner of Fruits as likewise store of Tobacco but one thing is more admirable on the Banks of the River Riolaplata grow Figtrees one side of which bear Figs in Winter and the other in Summer and this River is 130. miles over and 2000. in length and in it are many Islands Brasile is abounding with Cattel Corn and has in it some rich Mines of Gold and Silver but especially Red-Wood by us called Brasile Wood the Trees of which are so large that a dozen Families will make themselves Huts and dwell in the Branches of one Tree It was first discovered and peopled by the Spaniard but now the Dutch have got strong footing in it and derive a great Trade form thence especially in dying-Woods The manner of getting the Gold in these remote Parts of the World are by Mining or Washing and Fishing As thus they first search the ground and finding it stockt with Ore they dig into the Mountains and still as they go under-prop or Arch so that a Mine sometimes is a Furlong under ground their Earth they wash through Sieves and the Mold separated the Gold appears Silver run in Veins or Sprigs and therefore is got more easily As for the Fishing for Gold it is thus They turn the Course of small Rivers or Brooks at the bottom of the Golden Mountains or with such things as take up Ballast in the Thames drag up the Sand and then sift it The Gold which is found in the Rivers is washed from the Mountains by the fierce Rains which in those parts are frequent As for the Islands in these and the Virginian Seas they are many as the Isles of Solomon by some taken for the Land of Ophir the Isle of Margarita in which is found many precious Stones though void of any other Commodity the Island of Trenidado abounding in choice Tobacco the Island of Baccaloes discovered by Sebastian Cabot whose Rivers abound in Fish and the Land with Trees bearing Fruit the Isle of Beriguen of which the chief City is St. John's inhabited by the Spaniards the Island abounds with Gold viz. the North part of it and the South part is as much famed for fertility the Island of Jamiaca now an English Colony taken from the Spaniards Anno. _____ abounds with all manner of Plenty as Sheep Oxen Corn Hens Geese Ducks Fruit-Trees Sugar Tobacco and the like and is governed by a Governour under his Majesty of Great Brittain the Weights Measures Monies Laws and Religion are the same with ours and has of late been much increased by the Trading of English Merchants thither for Pepper and other valuable Commodities Cuba Luca and Hispaniola abound in Ginger Cassia Mastick Almonds Cinnamon Sugar Brass Gold and Corn which are brought thence and dispersed all over Europe and in the latter the Land is so fertile that it will produce Herbs and Roots in sixteen days after setting or sowing fit for use Barmudos is a fruitful Island abounding with Orange-Trees and other Fruits Barbados is an Island possessed by the English containing in length 28. miles and in breadth 18. and according to Computation consists of 126000. Acres of good Land being naturally fortified with Rocks and Shelves accommodated with several Bays and Harbours for the safety of shipping the Principal of which is called Carlile Bay and is Guarded by Forts and Platforms containing a large Town called St. Michael's being a place of great Trade before which 500. Ships may safely Ride The next Town of Note is Charles Town situate on Oysten-bay about two Leagues from the former the Houses are built after the English fashion of Timber Lime and Brick and round this Island lye other small Islands Maevis Monsirat Antego and St. Christophers many of them inhabited by the English others by the Dutch French and Native Indians the Island of Barbados is divided into 11. Parishes or petty Shires out of which are chosen two Freemen Planters to joyn with the Governour and his Council which are 7 to discuss all important Matters and to make such Orders as are necessary for the well regulating the Plantâ—tion and the better to quell any Insurrecâ—n that may be made by the Slaves which are â—ccounted at least 60000. a standing Militia of two Reigments of Horse and five of Foot are in readiness upon all Occasions and all their Laws and Customs are Regulated by those of England Their Religion according as they profess themselves is Protestant Their Coyns there Current are of divers Nations as English Spanish French and Dutch upon which they set a passable Value not Coyning any themselves Their Accompts are most commonly in Muscavado Sugar according to which all other Commodities are Regulated their Interest by reason no Law restrains it is unreasonable as sometimes thirty Per Cent. Their Measures for the most part Concord with those of England only they allow but five score to the Hundred not 112. The growth of the Island is Tobacco Sugar Indico Cotton-Wool Log-Wood Lignum Vitae c. The chief Season of exporting Sugars and other Commodities of the Native growth is from January to September or October Wines are imported in abundance and are sold in publick as in England So that there is not less then 2400. Tuns of all sorts spent Yearly besides Spirits and other Liquors From this Island they transport to Virginia and Barmudos a Liquor made of the Sugar Canes c. called Rum and for it receive Pork Fish Flower Bisket Pipe Staves and the like The Apparel of the Planters is the same with what is worn in England as for Customs they have none save only for Wines and other Liquors which are Rated at a certain quantity of Muscavado Sugar and further are obliged to pay half a pound of Powder for every Tun upon Entery Factorage or Factory-Provision is 10. per cent 5. per cent for Sail and 5. for return as also 3. per cent for Store-House Room if any one will export Corn or any manner of Provision being the growth of the Island they must ask the Governours Consent 200. English Vessels and upward Trade hither Yearly and the usual fraight to London is 4. and 5. per Tun when Ships are Plenty 3. pound when scarce 6. or 7. pound per Tun There is no publick Assurance-Office nor Exchange unless sometimes in Sugar for which Mony is received in London And thus much for Barbados The main Land about 100. Leagues from this Island is called Guinia lying Southwardly and containeth a Colony of English planted within the River of Serenam Cracus lyeth 4. Leagues from the Sea-side and is very fruitful having a Port whose entrance is Guarded with two Forts each containing 14. pieces of Cannon and in it are several Plantations of Coquo some belonging to the Spaniards and some to
Length 3000 Miles and when it over-flows not it portenteth some fatal disaster to the King or Kingdom and by this means the Land is Fertilized for as for Rain there is none The chief Places of Traffick are Alexandria a famous Sea-Port founded by Alexander the great and Cairo commonly called Grand Cairo and in these Center the Trade of the whole Country Therefore omitting Places of lesser note I shall only take a View of these two Cities and their Commerce with such as Trade in those parts and first of Alexandria Alexandria first founded by Alexander the Great in Expedition to Conquer the World is the chief Maritim City of Egypt and from all parts of the Kingdom are thither brought Flax Hemp Hony Wax Rice Balsoms Dates Drugs and Spices and the Country in general produceth abundance of Palm Trees besides hither are brought the Plenty of Arabia India and Persia as Spices Drugs Silks c. so that the Custom-House is accountable yearly for great Summs of Gold The nature of the Palm Trees that grow in that Country is this they always grow in Cupples twisted or twined viz. Male and Female the Female Palm only bears Fruit and that not without the Male for if the Male Palm be cut away the Female will not bear the Fruit is Cods with Seed and pleasant Juice the Pith of these Trees is excellent in tast and very nourishing of the Leaves they make Fans Mats and Baskets of the outward Husks of the Cod Cordage and of the inward Brushes the Fruit they bear is like a Fig which serves the Inhabitants for Meat green and dryed for Bread The Weights used here are four sorts first the Quintar of Zera second the Quintar of Forfor third the Quintar of Zaidin the fourth the Quintar of Mina the first is found to be English 112 pounds the second 93 pounds English the third 134 pounds English the fourth the 167 pounds English Averdupois Weight The Measures are two-fold viz. the Pico Barbaresco which is used for the Measuring of Cloath both Linnen and Woollen and is in Length 25 â…ž English Inches and the Pico Turchesco with which is Measured Silks fine Stuffs Cloath of Gold c. and is found to be 22 ¼ English Inches as for wet and dry Measures they are of little use the Customs being to sell by Weight for the most part CHAP. XXVII A View of Cairo and the Trade Weights Measures and Customs thereof CAiro is a famous City Situate in the vast Plain beneath the Mountains of Mucatun and not above 2 Miles from the Bank of Nilus adorned with many stately Buildings as Pallaces Colledges Temples and the like and has in it a large Burse or Exchange of 3 Story high the first of which consists of Ware-Houses for Gross Goods in the second is laid up Musk Amber Silks Spices and the like and in the third the Merchants who have Ware-Houses there lodg with their Retinues which Merchants are of 6 sorts first the Native Egyptians secondly the Arabians or Moors thirdly the Merchants of Europe Christians fourthly the Turks fifthly the Jews and sixthly the Christians of Affrica as Greeks Armenians c. The Lord of this City and Country is the grand Signeour who governs by his Bashaw or Vice-King The Commodities Traded for by the Europian Merchants are Flax Rice Balsoms Puls Fruits Cottons Sugars Hemp and the like which according to the overflowing of Nilus the Soil yields in plenty or Scarcity so that when they have a plentiful Year they make a Feast to Nilus or the River God as they Term him and exceedingly Rejoyce thereto The yearly Revenue of this Kingdom accrueing by Customs and other ways amount to 3 Millions of Sheraffes each valued at 8 Shillings Sterling one Million of which is sent to the grand Signeur one for maintaining the forces of the Kingdom and the other to enable the Bashaw to keep his Court. The Customs are either payed in Species or compounded for at 10 per cent only Money entred pays but one and a half per cent but outward all Commodities pay 11 per cent which is accounted the Soldan's Custom The Customs of Alexandria are farmed by the Jews at 20000 Medins per diem which according to computation amounts to 55000 pounds per Annum Sterling Their Weights and Measures are the same with those of Alexandria The Currant Coyns in Egypt are Spanish Royals of 8 which they call Piastre and Dollers the Meden the Asper the Soltana Xeriffe and Cheqeen the value of each as before recited Their Accounts are variously kept some in one sort of Coyn and some in another The chief Trade driven here by the European Christians is by the French and Venetians the English having of late declined it as having the growth of the Country or the same Commodities at cheaper Rates in India and Aleppo And thus much for the Continent of Egypt CHAP. XXVIII A View of the Isles of the Sea appertaining to Africa with their Commodities Trade Weight Measures c. THe Isles are these viz. Madagascar Zocotara St. Thomas the Canary Islands the Islands of Assores or Tarceras The first abounds in Ginger Cloves and Silver Mines and was discovered by the Portugals Anno 1506. The money in use amongst the Natives are Glass Beads of Cambaia which passes currant amongst them their Weights and Measures are few and those uncertain The second lyeth in the Mouth of the Red Sea 10 Degrees Northward from the Equator and yieldeth Cattle and Corn but the chief thing Traded for is Aloes which are sold by the Quintar which Averdupois English is 93 pound The third lies under the Equinoctial in which is a Colony of Portugals the chief Commodity it yieldeth is Sugar of which so much is made as ladeth yearly 50 Vessels of good Burthen their Weights and Measures being the same with those used at Lisbone as indeed wherever the Portugals Plant themselves they impose their own Weights and Measures on the Inhabitants Fourthly the Canary Islands which are 7 in number under the Protection of the King of Spain are very Fruitful abounding in Sugar-Canes and those Birds we call Caâ—â—ry Birds and in Canary Wine which takes it's name from the Islands of which 4 or 500 Tuns are yearly exported and dispersed over Europe There is likewise Wood of Excellent use for Dyers Hither the English trade and for the growth of the Island Exchange Says Serge Bays Linnen c. Their Weights Measures and Coyns are the same with those of Sevil of which in order I shall speak Fifthly the Islands of Assores or Tarceras directly under the Meridian were first discovered by the Flemings and abound in Cattle Corn Wood and the like but are of little use some for Harbouring and re-victualling of Ships in their Voyage to the East-Indies as are many other small Islands lying in that vast Ocean And thus much shall suffice for Africa and the Trade thereof CHAP. XXIX A View of Asia and of the Trade
some Spices Casbin is now accounted the chief City of Persia and lately the residency of the Sophies and is adorned with many stately Edifices but chiefly Beautifyed with the Bussars or Exchanges which are many and stored with Rich Commodities as Jewels Drugs Spices Silks either in Damasks Velvets or Raw where likewise the Merchants of several Nations Trading thither meet in the same manner as at London Their Weights Measures and Coyns agree with those of Hisphan of which in order I shall Treat and therefore refer the Reader to View them there Balsara is Seated on the Persian Gulph upon the mouth of Euphrates and contains the Commodities of Arabia Turky India and Persia by Reason of it's commodious Situation and is in Subjection to the Grand Signeour as reduced to his Obedience by force of Armes Anno 1550. And pays Customs to his Intendant or Vizar Bashaw 5 per cent upon Cloaths Silks and the like but to every 100 a Tare or allowance of 3 pound is Customary and their Weights is generally the Wesun accounted 16 of them to the Cantar of Aleppo Casan is frequented by the Merchants of India and the Commodities for the most part consist of the Manufacture of the Citizens as Shashes Turbants Girdles Velvets Sattins Dammask Ormustus Carpets c. and thither are brought Diamonds Pearles Rubies Turquoisies Spices c. and a Law there is that all Persons above the Age of 6 Years shall give up their Names to the Magistrate and with a Satisfactory account by what means he or she get their Livings and if they be found in a false Tale they are either Battooned or put to some Publick slavery for a time Caramania is a Fertile Province as to necessary Provisions and other ways only worthy of note for the Cloath of Gold made there as for Gedrosia Drangiana Arica Arachosia Parapomisis Saccha and Hircania they are of little note as to Trade and therefore I shall pass them over Ormus the last Province of Persia is exceedingly in request abounding in Commodities of Value and is divided by an Arm of the Sea of 12 Miles over from the Continent and is much frequented by Merchants Trading in those parts The Commodities are chiefly Carpets Tapestry Shashes Grograms Mohairs Turky Camlets Arabian Drugs Indian Gems and Spices it being the Principal Mart or Magazine of all the Eastern Commodities for in April and September the Carravans come thither strongly Guarded from Aleppo Syria and other Countries taking Ship at Balsara and bring all manner of Rich Commodities that are to be found in the Traffick of the Mediterranean The most advantagious Sea-ports in those parts are Jasques and Gombroue where the English Ships Trade for this Kingdom as likewise the Camels and Drommidaries of the Indian and other Merchants that Travel by Land Their Weight is the Dram 96 of which make a pound Averdupois Their Measures are the Coveda short and long the former is accounted 27 and the latter 37 Inches and are used in measuring the proper Manufacture of Persia The Monies currant are the Bessee of Copper which is 4 Cosbags the Shahee of Silver which is 2 ½ Bessees 29 Cosbegs or 4 pence Sterling the Abashee of Silver which is 2 Mamothis 40 Cosbegs or 16 pence Sterling the Mamothis which is 2 Shahees 29 Cosbegs or 8 pence Sterling The Asar of Gold which is 20 Shahees or 6 Shillings 6 pence Sterling The Toman of Gold which is 10 Asars or 3 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling as also the Larrees which are reckoned at 10 pence Sterling CHAP. XXXIX A View of Hispahan and of the Trade thereof HIspahan formerly called Hecatompolis from it 's 100 Gates is one of the Principal Cities of the Persian Dominions Beautifyed with Red Marble-Walls of prodigious height stately Buildings as Palaces Seraglio's and the like adorned with Ivory Ebony Alabaster and Carpets of Silk and Gold The Inhabitants do all their business on Horseback unless such as are Slaves and the City abounds in the stores of India Arabia Turky Russia and China which for the most part are brought thither upon Dromidaries and again disposed of to such Merchants as Trade thither The price of Carriage is thus 100 Maunds of Wares from Sciras to Hispahan cost 70 Sehids and from Hispahan to Casan 60 Sehids from Hispahan to Ormus by Sciras 120 Sehids and lastly from Hispahan to Tauris 40 Sehids The Weights are the Dram the Mittigal and the Maund or Maundshaw 100 of the first make 66 â…” of the Second and of the second 1200 maketh the third the Measures are the Cavedo long and short and are as in the foregoing Chapter as also the Coyns currant here agree with those of Ormus Silks are found here in abundance both wrought and Raw. And thus much for Persia and the Trade thereof CHAP. XL. A View of Tartaria of the Trade Weights Measures Currant Coyns and Customs thereof TArtary the next division of Asia is bounded on the West with Muscovia on the South with the Caspian Sea and Hill Taurus on the East with the main Ocean and on the North with the Frozen Sea and is divided into 5 Kingdoms or Provinces under the Subjection of the great Cham viz. Precopensis Asiatica Antiqua Zagathai and Cathaia but for as much as the last Province is only abounding in known Trade and yields the Commodities of all the rest I shall only insist upon it and in the Description of the Trade of Cambalu lay down what ever is to be found in that vast Country Cambalu is the Metropolitan of Cathai through which Runs the River Poâ—â—sanga and is in circuit accounted 28 Miles adorned with stately Pallaces and other Edifices being the Seat of the great Cham who maintains 5000 Astrologers or Wizards and 12 or 14000 Horse for his ordinary Guard The Merchants that Trade thither have their Caves or Store-Houses in the Suburbs which are in great number The Commodities of the Country are Rice Grain Ruhbarb Coral Silk Wool Hemp and the like they have likewise Silver Mines and some yielding Gold Ore yet their Coyn for the most part is made of the inmost Bark of a Mulbery Tree cut round stamped with the Princes Seal and upon pain of Death none dare Coyn any other or refuse to take it tho in some places they have pieces of Coral twigs of Gold and Salt Loaves which go at certain rates in Exchange but the money is as aforesaid and those Merchants are obliged to take it for their Richest Commodities and put it away again for such as the Country affords they have Spices Gems and Drugs but not of natural growth but are beholden to the Arabians and Indians for them their Country by Reason of the long continuing cold not being capable of producing them Their Weights are those used generally throughout the Provinces viz. the gross Cantar and the small Cantar the former of which is only used in weighing Gross Goods and is accounted 268 pound English the small
Cantar is 103 pound English All their Grain and other such like Commodities they vend by a Measure called the Chistetto which makes 8 ½ Staios Venice The Measure for Silks Stuffs and Cloath is the Pico 100 of which make 126 Braces Venice And thus much for Tartary which is mostly Inhabited by Thieves and Rovers who rather live by Spoil then Trade being morose Savage people fit for so cold and Barren a Country as for the most part Therefore leaving this Frozen Clime I shall pass into India far more Fruitful and Commodious CHAP. XLI A View of India intra extra Gangem of the Provinces Trade Customs and valuable Commodities thereof INdia is bounded on the West with the River Indus on the East with China on the North Tartary and on the South with the Ocean and is divided into 2 parts viz. India Intra Gangem and India Extra Gangem the first contains nine Principal Kingdoms viz. Narsinga Malavar Ballasia Cambaia Mandao Bengala Aristan Canora and Dellia and the second 7 Kingdoms viz. Macin Aracan Chambaia Couchin-china Barma Siam and Pegu. The whole Country taking its Name from the River Indus which runs 1000. Miles ere it meets the Sea As for the Trade of the Indies I shall briefly lay it down in the Description of the Principal Scales of Traffick and first of Diu. Diu is an Island lying about 20 Leagues distant from the River Indus and is under the protection of the King of Portugal the Portugals indeed being the first Discoverers of those Tracts and have a very good Haven for Shipping whither resort the Merchants of Arabia Turky Persia Armenia c. bringing the Richest Commodities of the growth of those Nations as likwise all the Banians Gusrates and Rumos that Trade in Cambaia and from thence to the Red-Sea and Meca bring thither their Merchandise The Commodities this place affordeth are Cotton of Linnen of sundry sorts which there are called Jorims Sluyers and Lamparads and are in England called Callico's also there are abundance of Cocus-Oyl Indian-Nuts Butter Pitch Tar Sugar-Candia Iron excellent Leather Artificially wrought with Silks of all Colours Chests Cupboards Boxes of curious work inlay'd with Mother Pearl and other rare divices As for the Weights and Measures of this place I refer the Reader to the Description of Goa and the Trade thoreof and thus much for the Town and Island of Diu. CHAP. XLII A View of Cambaia of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Commodities and Customs thereof CAmbaia giveth a Kingdom its Name being the Metropolis of Cambaia and is vast in circuit adjudged to contain no less then 800000. Inhabitants Seated upon the River Indus being a City of the greatest Trade in those Parts and thither resort Christians Persians and Arabians and there both the English and Dutch have Factories But the Natives who are called the Gensurates and Banians are the Richest Merchants and greatest Traders as likewise of late grown so Politick that they have an insight into-most Commodities The Commodities this City and Country afford are Callico's of all sorts Corn Rice Butter Oyl rich Carpets fine Chests Cupboards Carved and Imbellished with Mother Pearl Plates of Silver Ivory and the like there are found in this Country many precious Stones of great value as Rubies Jacinths Chrisolites Amber Jaspar Spinals Granads and Agats as likewise several Rich Drugs as Opium Camphora Bangue and Sandal-Wood as also Sugars and Indico in abundance The like Commodities are likewise found in Bianny Fetterbarre Shersky and Labore In this Tract is the famous Port of Surrat which at this day the Dutch make their chief Scale of Trade and whither all the Commodities of these Countries are brought especially those Subject to the Scepter of the great Mogul The currant Coyns are Mahomodies tho very Scarce and are each accounted 12 pence Sterling the Casanna Ruppy Esteemed worth 3 Shillings 3 pence Sterling the Jaquire Ruppe 5 of which make 6 Casanna Ruppies the Saway Ruppy valued at 11 Shillings 3 pence Sterling the Honde Ruppy valued at 2 Shillings 3 pence In which and the Casanna Ruppy the Merchants of Gusurat keep their Accounts They have likewise smaller pieces which are accounted 34 to the Mahmudy and the Sahhee which is accounted 10 Cosbegs tho in some places they differ in value tho the difference is inconsiderable The Weights used throughout the Mogul's Dominions are 3 one proper for Silk and the other for all other Merchandise viz. the pice which in Silk is accounted 5 ½ Mittigals a Mittigal being about 13 Troy penny Weights and the Sear small and great which vary much viz. the Sear of Surrat is 18 Pices Weight of Copper-money and accounted 13 ½ Ounces Averdupois the Sear of Agra called the Sear Acoberg is 30 Pices and 22 Ounces Averdupois The Sear of Agra called the Sear Janquery 36 Pices and 26 ⅔ Ounces Averdupois and so in several other places vary according to the Custom of the place They have in use likewise 2 Maunds a Maund small of Surrat being 40 small Sears of that place and 33 pound Averdupois the other is 40 great Sears which makes 54 ⅜ pound English and these are Multiplyed into a Candil of Surrat and Cambaia which contains 20 Maunds The Measures at Cambaia Surrat are two viz. the Cavado long short the last of which is used in Measuring of Silks and is 27 Inches English the first is used in Measuring of Woollen Cloath and is 35 English Inches but in Agra Labore Dilli and Brampore the short Cavado is found to be 32 Inches as for Concave Measures none are found in the Moguls Country their Liquids as well as Grain and other dry Commodities being sold by Weight And thus much for Cambaia and the Trade thereof CHAP. XLIII A View of Goa the Trade Commodities Weights Measures Coyns and Customs thereof and of the Pearl Fishery GOa is a famous City at present the Seat of the Portiguize Vice-Roy and Arch-Bishop and is Seated in an Island to which it gives Name and is the chief Mart or Scale of Trade on that part of India for hither resort Merchants who bring the Commodities of Persia Arabia Armenia Cambaia Pegu Siam Bengalia Malacca Java Molucco and China a Port it has Capacious for the Reception of Shipping but those of great Burthen are obliged to Anchor at Bardes some Miles short of Goa by Reason of the Shallowness of the Water where are purposely Built Sore-Houses for the reception of such Merchandise as are brought thither which are set to Sail in the chief Street every day from 7 to nine in the Morning in the nature of our Fairs in England during which time a great concourse of Merchants and others buy up what Commodities they like best or can agree for and in this place all the Natives of one Craft live in distinct Streets being injoyned under severe Penalties not to Marry out of their own Trade nor put their Children to any other Trade Their Winter which
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
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
Barrel to weigh 120 pound Oyl is sold by the Orcio which is a Barrel and accounted 85 pound Weight Grain is sold by the Moggio which is 24 Staios each Staio accounted 5 pound Salt is sold by a Staio of 72 pound And thus much shall Suffice for Florence CHAP. LXX A View of Millain of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Customs and Commodities thereof THe City of Millan being the Center of the whole Dukedom in all respects I shall only insist upon it Then this City is the fairest of Lomberdy being seven Miles in compass and Furnished with all Commodities of the growth of the Dukedom nay of all Italy being now in Subjection to the Spanish King the chief Commodities are Oyl Wine Rice Corn Raw Silk which is wrought by the Inhabitants into curious Fabricks Chambets Fustians Gold Thread and Iron which are dispersed over all Italy Savoy France Flanders Holland England c. Their Accounts are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers which are in effect Pence Shillings Pounds c. and their other currant Coyns are the Ducat of Gold which is worth about 100 Solds of that money the Crown of Gold of the Sun which is worth 97 Solds The Italian Gold Crown which is worth 5 Livers The Ducat of Gold of 5 Livers and 18 Solds is worth 6 Livers Imperial the Ducat Imperial is esteemed worth 4 Livers The Ducat of Millain or Imperial of 4 Livers is accounted in exchange 101 Solds the Ducat and sometimes in Merchandise 110 and in way of Trade the Coyns of Spain and France are here Currant The Weight used here is the pound 100 of which make a Quintal which is accounted 70 pound English The Measures of Length are the Braces one for Cloath and the other for Silk the 100 Braces of the last containing 43 Ells of London The Customs for the most part the same with the other Cities of Italy CHAP. LXXI A View of the Dukedoms of Mantua and Urbin and of their Trade Weights Measures c. OF the Dukedom of Mantua the City of that Name is the chief and is a fair and strong Place on 3 sides invironed with a wide Lake through which runneth a Stream or River into the famous River Poe and is surrounded with pleasant Pastures and Fruitful Gardens Orchards and Vineyards but the Trade as to Merchandise is inconsiderable for want of a Harbour or Haven for the reception of Shipping only here are found several Fabricks of Silk as Taffatas Sattins c. also Watered Chamblets the Accounts are kept as in Millain and their money much the same unless the Ducatoon which is 115 Solds of Millain The Weights of Mantua are the Peso which is 25 pound and the Quintal which is 100 pound making English 71 pound Averdupois The City of Vrbin from which the Dukedom takes its Name is Seated under the Appennine Hills and has 2 famous Sea-Ports viz. Pisauro and Fano where formerly our Merchants held considerable Commerce but of late it is decayed yet some Trade is still held there especially by such as go Trading Voyages who there find the growth of most Parts of Italy for which they exchange Cloath Tinn Spices and some Drugs Their Accounts are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers and the rest of the Coyns those for the most part currant throughout Italy The Weights are the pound and the Quintal 100 of the former making the latter and is found to be 77 pound of London Averdupois The Measures of length are the Braces one for Cloath and the other for Silk 94 of the former making 100 of Venice but the Venice Brace for Silk renders the Vrbin Brace for Silk 102 or 103 c. CHAP. LXXII A View of the Common-Wealth of Venice and of the Trade Weights Measures Customs Coyns c. THe City of Venice gives Name to the Territories and has been and yet is famous for Trade by Navigation being so Commodiously Seated for the reception of Shipping that nothing can be more as thus it is Seated at the bottom of the Adriatick Sea or Venetian Gulph upon 72 Islands 5 Miles distant from the main Land and is defended against the rage of the Sea by a Bank of 20 Leagues through which are cut several passages for Boats but no Ships are capable of passing but at Malamecco the mouth of which is guarded with strong Castles and at the Castles of Lio the Sea runs through most of the Streets so that the commerce is held by Boats and Bridges 12000 of the first and 4000 of the last and as for the Inhabitants they are naturally addicted to Merchandise and once made their City the Store-House of the Commodities of India Persia Arabia Egypt and Greece being both Politick and Powerful at Sea so that for those Commodities most European Merchants Traded thither as the Principal Mart of the World but of late the English Dutch and Portugals have found the way to purchase them at the first hand and by that means much impaired the Traffick of that Common-Wealth yet still they have Factories at Aleppo Constantinople and Alexandria and Trade in Silk Spices Drugs c. but the chief Commodities found here are Cloaths of Gold and Silver Wine Oyl Woollen Cloath Paper Anniseeds Agal Looking-Glasses Drinking-Glasses and Quick-Silver for which the English Merchants Trading thither exchange Bays Furs Perpetuanos Lead Tinn Cloves Nutmegs Pepper Ginger Serges Says Woollen Cloath Herring Pilchards Salmond and Newland Fish Indico c. and serves for a Mart to Austria and upper Germany The Weights of Venetia are 4 the first and greatest is called the pound Gross and 100 pound with which they weigh Wool Brass Iron Copper Flesh Fish and other Gross Commodities The second is the Golden Weight in use for weighing Gold Silver Precious Stones and Pearls only and is called the Mark consisting of 8 Ounces and each Ounce of 144 Cariots the third is applyed to the Weight only of Gold and Silver Thread the fourth is the pound Suttle with which are weighed Silks Drugs Spices Cottons Cotton-Yarn viz. by the 100 Weight composed of the Suttle pound 100 pound Gross being of this Suttle pound 158 pound and so on Proportionablely but in Gold and Silver Thread 100 pound Gross is Suttle but 116 pound 8 Ounces the Mark of Gold 8 Ounces and from these our English Traders have derived their Weight commonly called Venice Weight 100 pounds of Venice Suttle make of London Weight 64 pound and Gross 106 pound The Liquid Measures for Wine are the Amphora the Bigonsa the Quart the Sachio and Lyre viz. the Bigonsa 4 of them make the Amphora and each Bigonsa is 4 Quarts and 1 Quart is 4 Sachi each Sachi being 4 Lyras and each Lyra a pound Weight tho in Gross the lesser Measures hold not out as for Oyl it is sold both by Weight and Measure the Weight is called the Staliero and the Measure the Miaro and is 40 Mire which is Gross Weight 120 pound one Mire by
Weight is 30 pound 3 Ounces and by Measure 25 pound Corn is sold by the Staio each Staio being Gross 132 pound of Venetian Weight The Accounts are kept several ways according to the Pleasure of the Merchant as sometimes in Ducats and Grosses accounting 6 Livers and 4 Solds to a Ducat or 24 Grosses others again in Solds and Grosses As for their Exchanges to their great advantage in way of Trade they make a difference between their money payed for Merchandise and that returnable upon Bills the disproportion being between 20 and 21 per cent their Customs are Extraordinary especially upon the English Trading to Zant for Currans which is in Subjection to that Seignory both upon Goods imported and exported the which has caused the decay of Trade and was the main Reason of removing the Scale of Trade to Leghorn a place no ways so Commodious nor abounding in Commodities of the Native growth CHAP. LXXIII A View of the Principality of Parma and of the Trade Weights Measures Customs c. PArma the chief City of this Principality gives it a Name and is a pleasant City abounding with all the Commodities of Italy as Silks Stuffs Oyl Wine Copper Rice Corn c. and as for the Weight used in the City it is the pound of 12 Ounces 100 of which make about 60 Suttle English The Measure of length is the Brace concording with the Brace of Florence The Coyns are Deniers Livers and Solds in which their Accounts are kept But having thus far proceeded I shall here take a View of the famous Port of Leghorn and of the Trade thereof CHAP. LXXIV A View of Leghorn the Trade Custom Weights Measures and Coyns c. LEghorn the Principal Port and Scale of Trade in the Mediterranean Sea is Situated on a large Plain and accomodated with a good Harbour for the reception of Shipping so that almost the whole Scale of Trade is removed from the City of Venice thither it is now a part of the Florentine Dominion having some time past been purchased by the Duke of Tuscany for 120000 Ducats of the Genoese and from him received large Priviledges and Immunities being inlarged by a new City Builded to the old and by Reason of the small Customs taken there it is of a Nest of Pirates Murtherers c. who formerly Inhabited it become famous throughout the World in this Port the great Duke keeps his Gallies and here are found all the sorts of Commodities Italy yields the Trade of it being as aforesaid regulated by Florence and Pisa and to this Port are brought the Commodities of England Spain France Holland India Arabia Persia Egypt and other Countries The Accounts of Merchants in Leghorn are kept in Livers Solds Deniers 12 Deniers being a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver and their other monies are the same with Florence except Quadrins and Craches 8 Craches being accounted worth 6 pence Sterling and of Quadrins 60 to a Liver tho sometimes a different value is fixed upon the Mony of either place but it continues not long The Weights are the same with Florence viz. the pound of 12 Ounce 100 of which make a Quintal which is computed to make 75 pound English and by this they weigh their Gross Commodities An other Quintal they have of 150 pound which makes of London Weight 113 pound as also an other of 160 pound making with us 121 pound by which they weigh Fish woolls c. The Kintar of Allum is at Leghorn 150 pound but in England found to make but 143 ⅞ pound the Kintar of Sugar 15◠the Kintar of Fish 160 pound and make English Weight proportionably The Measures are the Brace and Cane 4 of the former making one of the latter each Brace being 23 Inches English 100 Braces making 60 Yards or 48 Ells. The Concave Measures for Corn and Salt are the Stare the Sack and the Salmo 3 of the first making one of the second and 3 ⅔ of the second making one of the third which is a London Quarter they have a Measure likewise called a Maggio which contains 8 Sacks The Custom of this Port is that any Merchant may Land his Goods without paying any Custom so be they are sold within a Year but if not he must pay Custom but if for the better disposal of Commodities they are sent into any other part of Tuscany they must pay Custom at Pisa CHAP. LXXV A View of Genoa the Weights Measures Coyns and Trade thereof THe Metropolis of the Republique of Genoa is the City of Genoa from whence the Territories have Name and is 8 Miles in compass being Commodiously Situate for Commerce and has been formerly a City of great Trade but of late the Citizens are turned Userers which has put a stop to their Navigation and the Excessive Customs upon Goods imported deters Merchants from Trading thither to any purpose The Merchantable Wares that are found in this City are Silks Stuffs Damasks Drugs Wine Oyl and some Fruits for which they receive the growth of the Countries whose Merchants Trade thither Their Accounts especially as to Merchandise are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers 12 Deniers being a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver which is 16 pence Sterling Their other Coyns for the most part Concord with those of Florence The Weights are the pound of 12 Ounces and Quintal 100 of the former making the latter which is accounted the Quintal Suttle the Gross Quintal being 150 pound and makes Suttle Weight of London 105 pound and by the Gross Quintal are sold Anniseeds Honey Rice Brass Lead Tinn Sope Wools and other Weighty Commodities The Measure of Length is the Cane found to make 9 Palms or 4 Braces of Florence which is used in the Measuring Stuffs and Silkes and for Measuring of Linnen the Cane is 10 Palms 100 of which Palms have rendered 27 English Yards and consequently one Cane of Genoa is 2 ⅞ Yards English Corn is sold by the Mine each Mine paying Custom 6 ½ Solds and Weighs 270 pound 2 ½ of which are found to be a Harwich Quarter Oyl is sold by the Barril 7 ½ of which make a Neapolitan Butt Wine is sold by the Mesorole 5 of which make a Botta Dimena of Naples All Goods entering the River or Port pay Consolato of the River 6 Denier per Liver which is payed by the Buyer if a contract be not before made with the seller for the discharge thereof And thus much for the Republique of Naples CHAP. LXXVI A View of Luca and the Trade thereof LVca is the principal City of the Republique and is Situate on the River Serchio being 3 Miles in compass and so adorned with Trees that such as pass a far off think it to stand in a Wood. The most Merchantable Commodities here found are Silks as Damasks Sattins Taffatas c. which are here made and sent to other Cities of Italy and for them have returned the growth of most Countries Their Accounts are kept in Solds
weighed as Nutmegs Cloves Cinnamond Drugs of all sorts Indicoes and rich Dies The Measure of length is the Ell which is about 38 English Inches as for Concave Measures they use but few and those the same with other Cities of the Empire of which anon I shall have occasion to speak The currant Coyn is the Bobemico Gross or Blaphace which is 3 Crutfers one Crutfer being 2 pence one penny 2 Hellers and one Heller 2 Orchines And in these Coyns all the Accounts are kept CHAP. LXXXII A View of Vienna and of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns c. VIenna is one of the fairest and strongest Cities of the Empire and for the most part the Imperial Seat having on the North of it the River Danow which dividing into 3 Streams causes as it were an Island ere it again unites and over the Streams are 3 Stone Bridges of 15 29 and 57 Arches all the Streets are adorned with stately Buildings and in the City many Merchants reside who have their Factories in Venice Florence Genoa c. and by that means it abounds in rich Commodities of all Nations especially Sattins Damasks Taffatas Velvets Cloath of Gold and Silver Drugs Spices Wool Lead Iron Copper Flax Wine Oyl Wax Tallow Furs and the like which is dispersed into the Neighbourhood to supply the Towns and Cities of less note The Weight is the pound which in the Sale of some Commodities is divided into 32 Coets and in others into 128 Quints and by some again into 512 Fennings of this pound 100 makes the Quintar which in London is found to make between 122 and 123 pound The Measures of length are 2 one for Linnen and the other for Woollen the 100 Yards of London are found to make 103 Ells of Vienna Linnen Measure and of the Woollen Measure 113 Ells. The Coyns currant are the Rhenis Guilder worth 28 ½ Silver Missens Gross or 36 ½ Lubeck Shillings 7 ½ of which make one of our Shillings the Imperial-Doller which is worth 33 Lubeck Shillings the common Guilden worth 28 Lubeck Shillings and the French Crown worth 44 Lubeck Shillings c. By Reason of the Emperors residing here there is a great Exchange which is by Rix Dollars of 8 Shillings Flemish and by Ducats of Gold of 12 Shillings Flemish CHAP. LXXXIII A View of Hamburg of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities thereof HAmburg is an Imperial City Seated on a large Plain and has on the South side the River Elve being Accommodated with a fair Haven cross which is cast a Chain to hinder Ships from entering without Licence and on the North-East side some distance from the Walls of the City runs the River Alster and is adorned with many fair Buildings fortifyed with strong Walls Ditches and Bulwarks The Trade at present is very considerable by Reason of the residence of our Merchants there and the Factories held in other parts it being the Key as it were of that part of Germany whither the Inland Towns bring their Commodities to vend as Quick-Silver Stuffs Silks Cloath Wine Wax Cordage Corn and the like most Italian Commodities are found here and great quantities of the Growth of Spain and here the English vend Cloath Iron Tinn Lead Drugs Spices and the like receiving for them the Growth and Manufactures of the Empire The Weight is the pound 120 of which are accounted the Quintar which is divided into 3 parts or denominations viz. the 12 Stone of 10 pound to the Stone 300 pound are accounted the Skip pound which is the second that which is call'd the third is 20 Lispound of 15 pound to the 300 which may be said to be one Quintar of 120 pound and another of 300 pound The Measure of length is the Ell by which all Woollen Linnen and Silks are Measured 100 of which are accounted t◠make in London 48 Ells for Linnen and th◠100 Yards of London to be 162 or 163 of Hamburg Yards The Concave Measure is the Scheple 90 of which make the Last of Corn in this place tho 83 are found to do the same at Amsterdam or to produce 10 Quarters of London Measure The Merchants exchange for London by the pound Sterling and from all other places upon Rix Dollers of 50 Shillings Lapisto or 54 Stivers A Doller is here noted to be worth 3 white pence each white Penny to be 18 Shillings each Shilling 12 pence and each penny two Hellers And thus much for Hamburg and of the Empire CHAP. LXXXIV A View of Denmark and of its Trade together with the Commodities Weights Measures and Coyns thereof DEnmark is bounded on the East with the Baltick Ocean on the West with the German Ocean on the North with Sweeden and on the South with the Germain Empire and contains Cimbrick Chersonese the Islands of the Baltick and part of Scandia which are divided into several Provinces the which for Brevities sake I shall pass over and reduce their Trade into the 2 Principal Cities And of the Islands I shall treat in their order And first of Copenhagen and the Trade thereof Copenhagen is the Metropolis of Denmark and the Seat of the Danish Kings for the most part being Commodiously Seated on the Sea-shore and provided of a safe and goodly Haven for the reception of Shipping being strongly Fortifyed and Beautifyed with a Castle and other stately Edifices which are for the more part possessed by Merchants that Trade there for the Growth and Manufacture of the Kingdom which chiefly consists in Hides Tallow Fish Bucks-Skins Armour of all sorts Furniture for Shipping Corn Cattle and the like for which they receive Drugs Spices Tinn Lead Gold Silver Silks Woollen and Linnen Cloaths c. The currant Coyn is the Dollar and Shilling one Danish Shilling making one Lubeck Shilling and 66 Danish Shillings accounted to the Dollar which is 5 Shillings Sterling The Accounts in this City are kept by Merchants in Marks of 16 Shillings Danish The Exchanges are practised by Rix Dollars to the value as aforesaid The Weights and Measures of this Kingdom I shall Summ up in the next Chapter by Reason the difference of Weights and Measures in this City and the rest little or nothing vary CHAP. LXXXV A View of Elsinore and the Trade thereof ELsinore is Situate upon the Straight leading to the Sound and greatly frequented by Seamen by Reason of the Extraordinary passage through the Straight for which every Vessel pays to the King of Denmark a considerable Summ for permission no Ships being otherwise capable to pass by Reason of the Castles that Guard that pass on either side viz. Coronsburg and Elsburg the latter being in the Kingdom of Norway on the East side of the Sealand near to Elsinore the King has a Pallace for his Summer Recreation which has a Prospect over the Sea and 't is reported that this Tole or Duty arising upon the passing and repassing over Ships into the Sound and Baltick amounts to more then all
the Crown Revenues besides The Commodities vended here are for the most part Fish Cattle Corn Oyl Beer Cordage Masts Sails and the like for fitting out and revictualling Ships for which they receive the Growth of England Holland Germany and France the Monies currant here are the same with those of Copenhagen The Weights are as in Copenhagen and in most parts of the Kingdom the great and shall 100 the former being accounted 120 pound to the 100 and the latter 112 pound being accounted 12 Stone of 10 pound to the Stone they have likewise a Skip-pound of 32 Stone of 10 pound the Stone or 20 Lispound of 16 Mark pound is a Skip-pound and 20 times pounds 16 are 320 pound The Measures of the Kingdom in General are for Length are the Ells for Woollen Linnen and Silks 160 of which are accounted to make the 100 Ells English As for Concave Measures they are little in use unless for Corn. The Trade of this Kingdom by Navigation is but small they seldom Sailing out of their own Seas or at most no further then the German British and Mediterranean Seas or Oceans Therefore I shall desist from any further Survey thereof and pass over the Staight to take a View of the Kingdom of Norway now Subject to the Danish Scepter CHAP. LXXXVI A View of the Kingdom of Norway and the Trade thereof NOrway is bounded on the West and South with the Ocean and on the East and North with Lappia and the Dofrine Mountains and abounds in Firr-Trees which are brought into England in abundance and serve for Masts Boards and Building Houses the other Commodities are Stock-Fish Furs Train Oyl Cordage some Rossen and Sail-Cloaths The Towns by Reason of the coldness of the Clime and Dampness caused by the Sea are but few the chief being Nidrosia and Bergen once a famous Mart but now reduced to nothing in respect of Trade the Trade that it had having passed through several Cities is at last setled in Amsterdam and what Trade does remain is from the Ships that pass this way to Moscovia The Weight most in use is the pound 100 of which renders 92 London Averdupois Weight tho of late they have got a Custom to Weigh in a String which is very uncertain rendering sometimes more sometimes less Their Measure of Length and Concave Measures the latter of which is for the most part used in Measuring of Salt are agreeable to our Yard and Bushel The Commodities vended here are Bays Says Linnen Wine Spices Sugars Gunpowder Lead Tinn Iron and such like And thus much may suffice for Norway leaving which I shall proceed in this Northern Tract and take a View of Sweedland the Trade of which I shall reduce into the Principal City of that Kingdom viz Stockholm CHAP. LXXXVII A View of Sweedland of its Provinces and Trade reduced into the Trade of the City of Stockholm SWeedland has on the East Muscovia on the West the Dofrine Hills on the North the Frozen Ocean and on the South the Baltick and contains 5 Provinces viz. Gothland Sweeden Lappia Bodia and Finland in the former of which is found Stockholm the Metropolis of the Kingdom and Seated in a Watery Marsh in the nature of Venice and is much frequented with Merchants being for the most part the Regal Seat so that to it Flow all the Commodities of the Kingdom which are chiefly Buck-Skins Goats-Skins Ox Hides Barly Tallow Malt Tar Pitch Rosin Furs Lead Copper Silver Iron Wax Honey and the like and for its advantageous Situation it is much Traded to having a Channel capable of receiving Ships of any Burthen and so well guarded with Castles of Extraordinary Strength that no Ship can pass in nor out without lieve first obtained the Buildings are pleasant to behold for their Antiquity and fine Devices a place being purposely erected in the Principal Street for the conveniency of Merchants and the laying up such Commodities as they either have to vend or have purchased so that in this City are found the Growths and Manufactures of almost all Nations The currant Coyn of this Kingdom is the Dollar which is divided into 8 Marks and each Mark into 2 Clippings each Clipping being accounted 9 ½ Stivers Flemish and in exchange the Dollar is only used The Weight is the pound 116 of which is found to make the 100 pound of London they have likewise 2 Skip-pounds the one the proper Skip-pound of Stockholm which is 320 pound of the before mentioned pound the other is 340 pound and proper to Dantzick Of which in order I shall come to Treat The Measure of Length is the Ell 166 of which are 100 Yards of London Measure sometimes more sometimes less for this is the Rule they take a Piece of Rope and Measure it by the bigness of a mans Head which they call their Ell so that according to the largeness or smallness of the Head by which they take their Measure the Measure is found to consist Their Concave Measures are of little use unless for Corn and Mault and those are Measured by a Loop 23 of which make a Last in Amsterdam and in London 10 Quarters And thus much shall Suffice for Sweeden and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXXXVIII A View of Moscovia and the Trade thereof reduced into the Trade of Mosco the Principal City of that large Dominion MOscovia is bounded on the West with Lituania and Livonia on the East with Tartary on the North with the Frozen Ocean and on the South with the Caspian Sea the Ottoman Empire and Palus Maeotis and is Branched with many large and Navigable Rivers as Tanais Duino Boristhenes Onega and Volga and is divided into 9 Provinces as Novogradia Valadomira Plescovia Rhesen Servia Parmia Candoria Petrosa and Moscovia from whence all the Country takes its Name These Provinces abound in Corn Cattle Furs Hides Flax Hemp Whales Grease Canvas Ropes Cavier Tallow Honey Wax Venison Flax Hemp and Fish The Trade being begun by the English about the Year 1575 in general tho before some Vessels of Private Merchants had Traded thither and found out the Commodities since so much sought after and upon the increase of Trade in these parts a Society of Merchants in London are incorporated by the Name of Muscovia Merchants having setled a Factory at Archangel Mosco the Metropolis of Moscovia is Seated on the River Mosca which falls in to Tanais this City is reckoned 6 Miles in compass and is for the most part the imperial Seat being much Beautifyed since it was Burnt by the Tartars upon their invading the Moscovite Empire and here the English Merchants find kind entertainment unless in Troublesome times as of late it happened upon the murther of the Czar in which general Calamity many suffered in their Goods but now things are again reduced to a quiet and setled condition so that Trade again begins to Florish the Country affording great store of Furs as Beaver Otter Sables White Black Red and
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 Drugs these last being the Commodities of the East-India's are brought cheaper and better from thence therefore not Traded for by the English at Constantinople but rather carryed by them thither and exchanged for the Growth of the Empire as likewise Lead Tinn Cloath Furs as Martins Cony-Skins Sables Titchues and the like at the change of every Ambassador the Company make a present to the Grand-Signeour which is levyed by the Company themselves by way of imposition the like are the French and Dutch obliged to do upon some occasion and for the support of their Factories and Ambassadors The Accounts are kept in Dollars and Aspers a Dollar being computed 80 Aspers tho sometimes in way of Merchandise 100 Aspers are accounted to the Dollar and and 120 Aspers to the Sultany The Coyns currant in this City and consequently throughout the Empire are the Sultany of Gold agreeing with the Venice Chequin or is as aforesaid 120 Aspers the German Dollar the Ryal of 8 8 Spanish currant at 80 Aspers the Lyons Dollar is currant at 75 Aspers the German Sesetine at 70 Aspers and indeed any Coyn if found good Gold or Silver is currant in Constantinople and most parts of the Empire a Policy used to procure plenty of Coyn for the maintainance of the Janizaries and others in pay of all Nations The Weights are the Grain 4 of which make a Quillat a Dram which is 16 Grains of which all greater Weights are composed by Multiplication as a Yursdrome is 100 Drams and found to be 1 pound Sotile of Venice or 72 Mittigals a Lodero is 176 Drams or 19 ½ Ounces Averdupois an Oake is 400 Drams accounted 2 pound 11 ½ Ounces 100 Lodero's are accounted 24 Oaks and compose the Quintar of Constantinople which has been found to render between 118 and 120 pound English Suttle A Batman is 6 Oaks or 16 ⅓ pound English by which all Silks are bought and according to these all other Weights of the Empire are regulated The Measures of Length are the Pico's which are 3. The first for Cloath which is accounted 26 ½ Inches The second for Grograms Chamlet and such like containing 24 Inches so that 24 of these Pico's are found to make 16 English Yards The third is the Linnen Pico which is the former doubled To none of these is any advantage allowed as in England The Concave Measure is called the Killow by which for the most part Corn is Measured 8 ⅔ of which are observed to make the London Quarter Wines Oyls and almost all Liquids are sold by the Meter weighing 8 Oaks and is about ⅔ of an English Gallon as indeed most Commodities are sold by Weight The Customs payed by the Italians French and Jews outward and inward are 5 per cent the Turks themselves pay nothing the English and Dutch pay 3 per cent inward and the like outward which is payed in Specie unless the Merchant does compound with the Customer for money and further it is to be observed that besides these Customs there is by agreement payed 1 ½ per cent upon all pondrous Commodities and 1 upon all Measurable Commodities which is to be defrayed between the buyer and seller but if a Turk be one his part is remitted and this is levyed for the Maintainance of a Hospital founded by Sultan Achmet which duties are farmed by an Emine or Farmer call'd the Grand-Seigenors receiver and are most commonly payed the one half in Aspers of 80 Aspers to the Dollar and the other in Sultanies of Gold or otherwise as the Merchants and Customer can agree And thus having at large described the Trade of this great City I shall proceed to take a View of the Islands of note lying in the Egean Ionian Mediterranian and Adriatick Seas CHAP. XCII A View of the Islands in the Ionian Egean Mediterranean and Adriatick Seas with a Description of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities of the Growth and Manufacture of the most considerable of them THe Islands in these Seas are many therefore I shall only name those of little note and insist upon the chief First then there is found the Island of Tenedos abounding with Wines The Isle of Samothracia commodious for the Harbouring Ships Lemnos from whence comes that Antidote called Terra Sigilata or Terra Lemnos then Scio or Chios abounding in Trees from which they distill Mastick which Commodities the Grand Signeour claims as his right Next the famous Island of Rhodes which by Reason of its commodious Situation in the Ocean is found to be a Place of great resort In the chief City from which the Island takes name is a considerable Mart affording Corn Wines Oyls Rasins Wax Honey Cotton Cordovants Cotton Wools and Cotton Yarn Dimities Vermilions Damask Stuffs Silks and the like being the Commodities of divers Islands in those Seas and here some Factories are maintained and the Accounts kept in Aspers of Turky and the other Coyns for the most part the same The Weight is the Rotolo 100 of which makes the Quintar or 536 pound English The Measure of Length is the Cane which is found to be 84 Inches of English The next Island that offers is the famous Island of Candia which cost the Turks so dear a purchase Therefore I shall not think it amiss to describe its Commodities Weights and Measures CHAP. XCIII A View of the Isle Candia and other Islands THe Isle of Candia is Seated in the Mouth of the Egean Sea and is now in subjection to the Grand-Signeor being exceeding Fruitful and affords considerable Commodities as Muskadels Fine-Sugars Gums Honey Wax Dates Oranges Limons Olives Rasins Corn Cattle Fish and the like containing several Cities of note as Candia from whence the Island has its name Canea Rhettmio Sittia and Suda being a Haven capable of receiving 1000 or 1500 large Vessels and before the Venetians lost it their Coyns were currant throughout the Island and their Weights the Quintars Suttle and Gross The Gross 100 of Candia rendering 110 of the like Gross Weight of Venice or 118 English pound and 100 pound Suttle of Candia 114 pound of Venice Suttle or 76 pound English The Measures of Length are the Pico's one for Cloath another for Silk and their Measure for Wine called the Mestach but the Turks have since their conquest made some alteration in the Weights Measures and Coyns which as yet are not come to my knowledge I not having been there since the reduction In the Ionian Sea are also found the Isle of Cerigo abounding with Marble the Strophades or Strivalia the Cursalari Islands and Corfue the last of which abounds in Wax Honey Oyl and Wine Stuffs Silk-Fabricks c. There is likewise found St. Mairo Ithaca Zeffalonia and Zant the 3 latter of which are famous for the Currans found growing there in abundance and from thence dispersed throughout Europe but mostly spent in England wherefore I shall somewhat inlarge in describing the Trade thereof CHAP. XCIV A View
of Zant Zeffalonia and Ithaca together with their Trade Commodities Weights Measures Coyns c. THe Commodities that these Islands principally afford are Honey Wax Oyl Wine Currans being Subject to the Signeory of Venice and hither it is that the English Trade for Currans now being of great use and from whence they yearly bring 3000 Tuns or upward which at first they bought for small matters but the Venetians seeing that Fruit so much coveted began to inquire into the use they were put to the which when they found and thereupon imagined the English could not Subsist without them the better to recover the lost Trade of Venice that State imposed a Tax of 5 Ducats upon every 1000 Weight which is since Augmented notwithstanding the Custom payed in England with this Proviso that the Currans be laden in a Vessel that comes purposely to lade that Commodity but if She Landeth her outward Fraight in Venice or ⅔ part thereof and then goeth to Lade at any of these Islands the Customs then are moderated For the Growth of these Islands the English Merchants Exchange Cloath Perpetuano's Serges Lead Tinn Herrings Newland-Fish and Pilchards tho the greatest Trade is for Spanish Ryals all the other money currant amongst the Islanders being the same with that of Venice The Natives keeping their Accounts as in Venice tho Merchants Strangers often keep theirs in Dollars which are those Ryals of 8 8 and Gassets 80 to the Dollar The Weight is the pound of 12 Ounces 100 of which pounds make the Quintar and agrees with Venice thus the 100 pound Suttle of Venice make but 63 ½ pound of these Islands and the Gross hundred of Venice renders but the common 100 pound Currans are bought by the 1000 which 1000 Weight is reckoned to make 1070 pound English tho of late by the carelesness of the Factors or defraud of the Islanders it is found much less The Measures of Length are the two Braces the long and the short the long is for Woollen and Linnen Cloath and the short for Silks the former being found 27 English Inches and the latter to be 6 in 7 per cent lesser Oyl is sold by a Measure called the Liver and is computed to weigh 13 pound English 10 of which make a Candia Barrel Wine is sold by the Jar 3 ½ of which make the Candia Barrel Corn they sell by the Bechelo 3 of which are accounted the Starro and should weigh 44 pound c. The Customs raised upon the Commodities of these Islands yearly are between 40 and 50000 Chequins of Gold which are the Income of the Signory of Venice The Islands found in the Adriatick Sea are Absertides Cherso Vegea Grissa Leliva Cursola Brassia Lissia and Zara which yield Wine Corn Oyl Cattle and the like but enjoy at this Day little or no Trade except Zara the chief of them And therefore I shall pass them over and enter the Mediterranean to take a View of the Islands Seated therein CHAP. XCV Of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea and the Trade of the Principal of them IN the Mediterranian Sea are found these Islands viz. Sicilia Malta Corsica Sardinia Majorica and Minorica of the chief of which in order Sicilia is the chief of these Islands computed 700 Miles in circuit Fertilized with many Navigable Rivers and adorned with many fair Cities and is divided in 3 Provinces as Vallis-de-Nota Masara and Mona In this Island is found the Flaming Mount Aetna and Mount Hiblia in which is found great store of Honey but for Brevities sake I shall reduce the Trade of this Island into that of Messina the chief Port thereof which stands opposite to Regio in Calabria the Island being divided from Italy by a narrow Frith or Channel commonly called the Fare of Messina and formerly accounted dangerous for Sailors by Reason of a Rock on the one side and a Sand on the other known by the names of Scylla and Charibdis This City for some Years past has been Garisoned by the French which put a stop to Inland Commerce by Reason that the other Cities were in possession of the Spaniard but since their abandoning it the Trade is again returned many Merchants of note residing there and by Reason of its Commodiousness for the reception of Shipping it has acquired a great Trade so that hither are brought the Commodities of the whole Island as Wines Oyls Wax Honey Saffron Sugars Corral Agates Pumice Corn Cattle Hides Skins Cavear Tuny Fish and the like so that altho Palermo is the chief City and residence of the Spanish Vice-Roy yet this is the chief Scale of Trade The Merchants keep their Accounts in Ounces Tarries and Grains one Ounce making 30 Tarries and 1 Tarry 20 Grains and by the same they account their money viz. one Ounce or 30 Tarries is 5 Florins or Carlins 12 Carlins making the Florin one Tarry is accounted 12 Solds 6 Deniers or one Carline the Carline being 10 Grains or 12 Livers one Grain is 6 Picholis and is 7 ½ Dew money of Siciliano one Pancto is 8 Picholis and the Ducat of Gold is worth 13 Tarries and this money is currant throughout the Island The Weights of Messina are two viz. the Gross Cantar by which they weigh all manner of Gross Commodities the small or Suttle Cantar 10 pound less then the former and is 100 Rotolo's of 30 Ounces or 2 ½ pound Siciliano pounds the former having been found to make 196 in 198 pound English 20 Peso's being accounted the Suttle Cantar and 22 the Gross Cantar The Measure of Length is the Cane divided into 8 Palms or 81 ½ Inches London Measure The Concave Measures are the Salmo and Tomelo 16 of the latter making the former which is accounted 11 ¼ Staio's of Florence Oyl is sold by the Cantar which is 2 ¾ Barrels Florence and hath been found to render in Weight 180 pound English The Custom of this place and of the Island in general is for the most part 9 and 10 per cent upon all Sollid goods but Fish and other Edible Commodities pay 12 per cent and all Commodities of Weight imported whether they are sold or not sold pay 3 per cent at Messina and removing from Ship to Ship pays 3 per cent and sometimes 3 ¼ all Merchandise conveyed out of the Island at the Port of Messina pay 6 ⅓ per cent unless when the fair is and then according to a Custom granted some Commodities pay less then other some as for instance Silk pays but 3 per cent The Islands of Malta Corsica and Sardinia afford store of Oranges Limons Citrons Honey Wax Oyls Figs Rasins Wines Honey Allum Box-Wood Iron Hides Cheese Cattle and the like but are not much Traded too And therefore I shall forbear to describe them further Majorica and Minorica the former 300 Miles in circuit and the latter 250 are Seated in the Mediterranean 9 Miles distant from each other and abound in Corn Oyl Wine Fruits Drugs
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
all others not expressed therein shall pay the same rates according to the true value All private Bulks of eight Inches square are by the third Article annexed to the Book of rates reputed Timber and valued at 3 pence the Foot 50 Foot being accounted the Load valued at 12 Shillings 6 pence and the duty for one Load is one half penny and half a Farthing Package is another duty which is likewise â—itted and â—ted in a Table called 〈…〉 of Paâ— Duties and all the 〈◊〉 â—ies theâ— mentioned pay one 〈…〉 â—ording as they are 〈…〉 Majesties Book of â—â—tes 〈◊〉 â—ers not mentioned therein shall 〈◊〉 the rate of one penny in the pound according to their true value For every Entry in the Packers Book and for Writing Bills of each Entry outwards they pay 12 pence All Strangers are to pay the Labouring Porters for making up their Goods according to Custom Strangers must also pay the Water-side Porters belonging to the Package-Office such Fees for Shipping and Lading as for several Years past they have done The Packers and Waterside-Porters have Tables expressing the Duties payable and such Goods as are not mentioned therein must pay according to their true value so much in the Pound as aforesaid for Package and Porterage-duties over and above Another Ancient duty there is called Water-Bailage which for many Years past the City of London have claimed and received for all Goods and Merchandise imported from any part in the Realm or out of the Realm into the Port of London and so the like duties with a little alteration for all Goods exported out of the Port of London unless the Goods or Merchandise of Freemen who are exempted from paying this Duty tho many Freemen for Reason best known to themselves notwithstanding do voluntarily pay it but of late there has been considerable Debates whether the same be due or not tho no Clause in the Act of Tonnage or Poundage does any ways Bar those duties All Lighters Wherries Fisher-Boats c. occupying the River of Thames within the Limits of the Cities Jurisdiction confirmed by their Charter pay Summs of Acknowledgement or Duty for the same which amounts annually to a considerable value All Markets within the Precincts of the City pay the Duty of Toll to the behoof of the City The Citizens of London viz. those that are Resident are exempted from the Custom or Impost called Prizage which is that out of ten Tuns of Wine the King is to have one paying for it 20 Shillings but Citizens must not own any Wines so imported under Colour to secure Strangers from paying Prisage If a Freeman live in another City and send Wines to unlade at the Port of London he shall not be capable of this Priviledge but must be resident as aforesaid for by a private Act in the 24 of Hen. 6 complaint was made that the Lord Major would make Strangers Citizens whereupon it was there declared that this Benefit to be discharged from payment of Prisage extended not to such Citizens as were made so by Gift but such as were Legally Citizens according to the true intent and meaning thereof by Service or Adoption and resident in the said City and 't is further observed that if any Merchant not a Citizen break Bulk tho he deliver but part of his Cargo yet the Duty is to be levyed upon all as if all had been unladen And this Priviledge likewise enjoy the Inhabitants resident in the Cinque-Ports Butherage as I have before said is 2 Shillings per Tun upon Wines imported by Strangers but the English are exempted from that Duty And thus much for the Priviledges Customs c of the City of London in relation to Trade CHAP. CXXII A Survey of the remaining Ports of England their Members Creeks c. with a relation of their Legalities touching Exportation and Importation together with what Commodities may be Exported when sold at the Port where they shall be laded at certain rates THe other Legal Ports of England their Members and Creeks are these Ipswick has Members Malden and Colchester Creeks Leigh-Burnham West-Mersy East-Mersy Brickly Wivenhoe Maintree and Harwich The Port of Yarmouth has Members Woodbridge Alborough Sowold Blacking and Creeks Orford Dunwick Walderswick and Lestoffe The port of Lynn has Member Wells only Creeks Burnham Hitcham Croskeys and Wisbich The Port of Boston has Creeks Spolding Tosdick Wainefleet Numby-Chaple Thethethorp and Salt-Fleet The Port of Hull has Members Grimsby Bridlington and Scarâ—â—â—â—â—gh and one Creek â—â—ly viz. Sainthorp The Port of New-Castle has Members Whitby Stockton Harâ—lepool Sunderland and yields Creeks Middleborough Seatondelaval and Blith-Nook The Port of Barwick has Creeks Aylemouth Warnewater Holy-Island and the East-Marches containing the Coast of Northumberland bordering upon Scotland The Port of Carlisle has for Member Whitehaven for Creeks the West-Marches containing the Coast of Cumberland bordering on Scotland Workington Raving-Glass and Milinthorp The Port of Chester has Members Lancaster Boulton Liverpool Aberconway Bewmaris and Carnarvan Creeks Pit of Towdrey Graung Wyrewater Preston Riblewater Sankey-Bridge Fradsham the South shore of the River Mersy to the Red-Stone Hilbree Dawpool Neston Burtonhead Baghill Mosten Holy-Head Amlogh Pulhelly and Barmouth The Port of Milford has Members Aberdony Cardigan and Pembrook Creeks Aberustha New-Port Fiscard Haverford West-Tenby Carmarthen Lanelthy and North-Burys The Port of Cardif has for Member Swansey Creeks South-Berrys Nealth or Briton-Terry Newton Alberthaw Penarth New-Port and Chepstow The Port of Glocester has for Creeks the River Severn from the Bridge North to Kings-Road The Port of Bristol has Creeks Pill and Vphill The Port of Bridg-Water has for Member Minhead The Port of Plimouth has for Members Padstow St. Jues Pensance Helford Falmouth Fowey and Lowe Creeks Penrin St. Maures Fruro Salt-ash and Cowsland The Port of Exeter has Members Ilfracomb Barustable and Dartmouth Creeks Clovelly Appledore Biddiford Tincomb Star-Cross Bear and Seaton Topsham Pouldram Sydmouth Lympson Exmouth Aylemouth Saltcomb Brixham Torbay and Totnes The Port of Pool has Members Lyme and Weymouth Creeks Bridgport Charmouth Portland and Lulworth The Port of Southampton has Members Corves and Portsmouth Creeks Swaridge Wareham Christ-Church Hinington Yarmouth New-Port and Emsworth The Port of Chichester has Members Arundel Shorham Lewis Pemsey Hawing Rye and Hyth Creeks Pagham-Point Selsey Brighthemston New-Haven Seaford Winchelsea Lyd and Rumny The Port of Sandwich has Members Dover Feversham Milton and Rochester Creeks Deal Rumsgate Margate Whitestable and Quinbâ—rough These Ports or Publick places are those to which the Officers of the Customs are appropriated which contain and include the Guidances and Privileges of all the Members and Creeks to them appertaining being the places appointed for the Lading and unlading Merchandise The Members are such places as formerly enjoyed Custom-Houses and have yet Offices or their Deputies attending they being accounted Lawful places of Lading or unlading all Commodities unless such as are prohibited The Creeks are places where Officers do or formerly have
in these parts but especially at Almeria great store of Raw Silks are gathered it being the primest of all other and is Accounted worth by the pound Morisco 18 Shillings Florence or 1020 Maruedies which amount to 30 Ryals And thus much for Sevil and the Trade thereof CHAP. LVIII A View of Malaga the Trade Customs Weights Measures and Coyns thereof MAlaga is Situate in the Province of Granado on the Shoar of the Mediterranean Sea being Accommodated with a commodious Haven for the reception of Shipping being very Fruitful in every part of it's Territories abounding in Wine and Raisins known by it's Name as likewise many delicate Fruits Corn Cattle and what else can make a Country desirable they have likewise store of Sugar Almonds Oyls c. for which they pay Customs outward tho they be Commodities of the natural Growth viz. 7 per cent Cochineel and such like Commodities pay outward 10 per cent and all other Commodities of the Growth but 5 per cent and those that are carryed from Port to Port 2 pound per cent The Weights of Malaga is the 100. divided into 4 Roves of 25 pound each and to every pound 16 Ounces and the 100 pound of Malaga called commonly the Kintar of Malaga is found to make 112 pound 5 Ounces English tho sometimes less according to the nature of the Commodity Their Concave Measures are the Rove and Somer the first making 8 of the last so that 25 Roves go to a Pipe which contains 100 English Gallons by these only Wine and Oyl are Measured as for Grain it is Measured by the Hanock which is divided into 12 Almodos and is 12 Gallons English weighing upon the Strike 129 pound The Measure of length is the Vare of 27 â…ž Inches The Coyns currant are Ryals to one of which is computed 34 Marnedies or 6 pence Sterling and Pistolets of Gold each being worth 23 ½ Ryals that is the single Pistolet the double Pistolet which are here likewise in use being worth 27 Ryals CHAP. LIX A View of Alicant and of the Trade Measures Weights Coyns c. ALicant is Situate on the Banks of the Mediterranian in the Province of Murtia and is by Reason of it's commodious Haven of late become a great Scale of Trade in those parts affording delicate Wines and other Commodities in much request being of late the Scale to the City Valentia and affords of its Native growth Liquorish Rasins Wines Soda-Barrilla Sugar Drugs Bass-Mats Ropes Sope Anniseed and many other Merchantable Commodities which are Traded for by our English Merchants and bought partly for money and partly for Commodities of the growth of our Nation And at Alicant the Merchants keep their Accounts in Livers Solds and Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver which is Accounted worth 5 Shillings Sterling the Sold being Accounted 3 Pence and the Denier a Farthing The Weights in use are the Cargo and Rove 10 of the latter making the former and of these Roves there are two sorts one computed 18 Ounces and the other 12 to each pound and by that means tho one be reckoned 36 pound and the other but 24 yet in Weight they are equal as to the number of Ounces and by these are sold Pepper Rice Almonds Cloves Cinnamond and the like by the Cargo is weighed all Gross Commodities it containing 280 pound English There is sometimes used a Quintal of 96 pound Averdupois and by it Drugs are weighed The Measure of Length is the Vare which wants a â…™ part of the English Yard The Liquid Measure for Wine is the Cantar which is about 3 Gallons English and the dry Measure for Corn is called the Chaffise and is near 3 Bushel English The Customs for the most part are rated at 11 Deniers per centum Livers and is payable at 8 Deniers to the Duana and 3 Deniers to the Sisa payed as well by the Buyer as Seller as often as Goods are bought sold or bartered for so that the Buyer and Seller pay between them 9 per cent And thus leaving Alicant I return to take a View of Madrid Accounted the Principal City of Spain CHAP. LX. A View of Madrid of the Trade Coyns Weights and Measures thereof MAdrid is Situate in the Provinces of Castill and of late become famous for being the place where for the most part the Spanish Court resides and in it the Monies that are dispersed over Spain have their Original This City abounds with all manner of Commodities that either Spain India Barbary Arabia Persia Egypt or other Countries affoard as Spices Gold Silks Drugs Stuffs Jewels Drugs and the like The Native Commodities of this Province are Honey Allum Wine Oyl Fruits Salt c. The Measures and Weights are those common throughout Spain but by Reason all the Coyns of the Kingdom Center here I think it not amiss to set down their Names and true values 1. The Ducat of Castil is worth 375 Maruedies 2. The Castiliano 485 Maruedies 3. The Florin of Castile is worth 265 Maruedies or near 4 Shillings Sterling 4. The Ducat Count or Quento of Maruedies is a Million 5. The Count or Quento of Maruedies is Ducats 2666 2 3â— and at Dobra is accounted worth 2739 â—â— 73 Dobras the which according to computation amounts to 733 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling 6. The Ryal Single of Castile is worth 34 Maruedies or 6 pence Sterling 7. The Quento of Mar is worth 3258 Ryals and 3 Maruedies 8. The Crown of Castile is worth 323 Maruedies 9. The Ducat of Spain is 5 Shillings 6 pence of our money the Ryal is 6 pence and the Maruedie about the bigness of one of our Farthings In this City when they give money upon Exchange they commonly agree to be repayed in Ducats of Gold or to the same value in Gold or Silver for the most part by Weight to prevent the taking base money with which Spain abounds so that should they not take this course they would often lose 4 or 5 per cent In this Province are yearly 4 Fairs or great Marts viz. at Medina Del Campo which lasts 50 days at Medina de Riosecco which lasts 30 days at Medina del Campo again which lasts 50 days and lastly at Villa Lyon which lasts 20 days These Fairs viz. the 3 first are Fairs of Exchange And when they make payments they make them in Banco not saying forth and they are to remit in Ducats de Oro in Oro Largo and forth of Banco and when they agree forth of Banco and for ready money there is got 1 per cent and when they agree for Ducats of Gold or the worth of them it is understood that the worth if the payment be not payed in Ducats is to be payed in Maruedies at 375 to the Ducat And thus much for Spain and the Trade thereof And now I shall take a View of the Trade of the Kingdom of Portugal in her chief City viz. Lisbon one of the
Deniers and Livers of Picoly as in Florence and their monies for the most part the same it having formerly been a City of considerable Trade but now of little note The Weights are two the one the Ballance Weight by which all Goods are bought and sold the other the Weight by which Merchants pay their Customs between which there is observed 12 per cent difference the Ballance Weight the pound containing 12 Ounces the 100 thereof has been found to make of Lyons Weight 72 ½ and the Customers Weight 81 ½ the Measure of length is the Brace which is 23 English Inches 100 Braces of this Place being found to make 50 English Ells. As for Liquid or Concave Measures they use not any in way of Merchandise Therefore I shall pass them over CHAP. LXXVII A View of the Papacy and the Trade thereof THe Papacy containeth several stately Cities but none of any considerable Trade as for Merchandise therefore I shall Summ up all in Describing the Trade of Rome once the Mistriss of the World but now her Splendor is much abated Rome is Situate on the Banks of Tiber adorned with 750 Towers placed on her Walls and is accounted to contain 466000 Families and in it are found these Merchandise viz. Corn Oyl Wine Gloves Allum Lutestring Kid-Skins and curious Fabricks of Silk for which they receive from England Lead Tinn Bays Says Stuffs Pilchards Herrings Newland Fish Calves-Skins Salt Salmon Tallow Wax c. which are for the most part Landed at Civitaveccia and from thence carryed up the River Tiber in Boats to Rome The Coyns here and through the Papacy are the same that are currant in most parts of Italy the Pope having so ordained that his Incomes may be the more The Accounts are kept in Crowns Julios or Paulos Baiochos and Quatrins the Weight is the Quintal or 100 pound which makes 80 pound English tho sometimes they weigh by a Quintal of 160 pound and 150 pound according to the fineness or Grosness of the Commodity Their Measures of Length are 2 one for Linnen and the other for Woollen the one a Brace and the other the Cane 30 Canes making 100 Braces Corn is sold by the Rugio which is 7 18 Mine of Genoa And thus much shall suffice for Rome and indeed for all Italy from whence I must pass into Flanders and take a View of the Trade thereof CHAP. LXXVIII A View of the Trade of Flanders and Holland of the Weights Measures Coyns Customs Commodities and Traffick of them reduced into the View of Antwerp and Amsterdam THo Flanders and the Netherlands are divided into 17 Provinces viz. 4 Dukedoms as Limburg Luxemburg Gelderland and Brabant 1 Marquisat 7 Ealrdoms as Artois Flanders Hanault Nemurs Zutphen Holland and Zealand 5 Borronies as Westfriezland Vtretch Overysel Machlin and Groving yet the Trade of all these may conveniently be reduced into what is found in Antwerp and Amsterdam the one famous for having formerly been the chief Scale of Europe and the other for the present commerce held there Of these in order Antwerp is Situate upon the River Scheld that River sending forth eight Channels to Water the City by running through her Streets and has been formerly accounted a great Scale of Trade insomuch that all European Merchants brought their Commodities thither to vend the acquirement of which Trade was principally by the means following first by Reason of 2 free Marts yearly holden for 45 days in which no Person Trading there could be Arrested in his Goods or Person for Debt or otherwise secondly by Reason the Portugals discovering the East Indias Anno 1500. diverted the course of Trade driven by the Venetians from Alexandria and the Red-Sea to Lisbon and so kept a Factory at Antwerp and exposed to Sail all Indian Commodities which drew most of the Trading Nations of Europe to Trade thither exhausting the Trade of Bruges where the English Merchants Adventurers before resided the third and last cause was the Wars between Charles the fifth Emperor and the French which obliged the Nobility and Gentry for safety to remove their Families thither who afterwards being taken with the pleasantness of the place would not remove but Built them stately Houses and made that City for the most part the Place of their residence The cause of the decay of Trade in the City of Antwerp was the Wars with Spain in which Merchants were Pillaged their Ships taken c. the Abridgement of Priviledges and the Trade which the English and Dutch found in the East-Indies bringing home in their own Bottoms what before they were obliged to the Portugals for but as it is at this Day a pretty Trade is driven in the City most of the Neighbouring Countries bringing in their Growth and Manufacture The Commodities found in Antwerp are Wines Silks Arras-Hangings Spices Drugs Fruit store of Corn Woollen Cloath some Oyl and the like brought out of its Neighbourhood and the Adjacent Provinces The Accounts of Antwerp are kept in Livers Solds and Deniers which they reckon Pounds Shillings Pence 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver or pound Flemish tho worth no more then 12 Shillings Sterling or as they compute it 240 Grosses 12 Grosses being a Sold and according to these Values on Coyn they make their Exchanges The other currant Coyns are Doits 4 of which make a Stiver and 10 Stivers make 1 Shilling Sterling 2 Blanks make a Stiver and half 6 Stivers make the Flemish Shilling 28 Stivers make a Guilder which is 3 Shillings 4 pence Flemish so that 100 pound Flemish is found to make but 50 pound English c. The Weight is the pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which pounds make their Quintar and the Quintar found to be 104 pound English So that from this allowance or over Weight many imagine that the Tret of London had its Original The Measure of length is the Ell 100 of which are found to make 60 London Ells in the Measure of Linnen Cloath They have likewise an Ell for Measuring of Silk which is 1 ½ in the 100 less then the Cloath Ell. Beer is sold by the Barrel which in Brabant and Flanders is accounted 54 Stops each Stop being 2 Quarts English Their Corn they sell by the Vertules 23 ½ of which are a Last of Amsterdam and 10 ¼ Quarters London Measure Wine is sold by the Ame the Stop and the Butt 1 Ame making 50 Stops and one Stop 6 pound so that the Butt is 300 Stops or 6 Ames the Wine Stop being accounted 3 ⅓ Quarts of London Wine Measure The Exchanges are very great by Reason most of the Bills of Spain are drawn upon the Merchants and Traders of Antwerp for the disbursement of money for the maintainance of the Army that is for the most part kept on Foot in the Provinces CHAP. LXXIX A View of the City of Amsterdam and of the Trade Coyns Weights and Measures thereof AMsterdam is a fair City and Seated on the