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
was needful in answer unto yours of the 4th of the same Month this serves chiefly to desire you to furnish and pay unto Mr. W. B. English Gentleman to the value of 3000 Crowns at one or more times according as he shall have occasion or desire the same of you taking his Receipt or Bills of Exchange for the monies which you shall so furnish him with and put it to my Account and this my Letter of Credit shall be your sufficient Warrant for so doing Vale. To Mr. Charles G. Merchant at Lyons yours Timothy L. And thus I shall conclude my discourse of Exchanges only by the way note there is in use the old Style and new Style the former being only practised or held in England and other his Majesties of Great Brittains Dominions in Hamburg Strasbourg and some other parts of Germany and the latter in all other parts of Christendom CHAP. CXII A Survey of the Customs commonly called Tonnage upon Wines of the Growth of France Germany Spain Portugal c. also upon Beer Perry Cider Vinegar Rape c. together with the nature of such Customs or Tonnage declaring where they are due and where not THe Wisdom of the Nation assembled in Parliament Anno 1660 having taken into their consideration the condition of Merchants Trading into Forrain parts that they were frequently Robbed and spoiled by Pirates and Picaroons and Ships of War of divers Nations under pretence of Letters of Reprizal They the better to prevent such outrages thought it convenient to Grant his Majesty a Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage payable upon all Merchandise imported or exported unless Herrings and some other Fish therein excepted The better to inable his Majesty to maintain at Sea several Ships of War for the securing and convoying Merchants Ships to and from the divers Ports and Places whither they are bound or have any Commerce and to over-awe and keep under such Pirates and others as would otherwise grow numerous and obstruct all Naval Commerce the Principal Commodities paying Tonnage and Poundage commonly called Customs I shall here recite and for the rest refer the Reader to the Book of Rates rated by the advice and approbation of most of the eminent Merchants of England and since published and confirmed by Parliament As for Tonnage every Tun of Wine of the Growth of the French King or Crowâ— of France that shall come into the Port of London or the Members thereof by way of Merchandise being the proper Goods of a natural Born Subject pays eight pounds 10 Shillings the Tun or being the proper Goods of an Alien or Stranger it pays 10 pound and so lesser or greater quantities proportionably but into any other Port of England the Native pays 20 Shillings less and the Stranger the like per Tun. Muscadels Malmasies Cutes Tents Alicans Bastards Sacks Canaries Mallagoes Maderoes and other Wines of the Growth of Levant Spain or Portugal or any of the Islands or Dominions belonging to them or any of them which shall be brought into the Port of London as Merchandise c. by a Native shall pay the Summ of 7 pound 10 Shillings the Tun a Stranger nine pound and into any other of his Majesties Ports 20 Shillings less the Pipe or Butt by either Native or Alien for Rhenish Wine of the Growth of Germany also note that always the Stranger pays 30 Shillings in the Tun more then the Native is to pay the Ancient duty of Butlerage which is 2 Shillings in the Tun and in these Duties or Customs is included the Duty formerly of 20 Shillings per Tun upon all Wines of the Growth of the Levant by Strangers known by the name of Southampton Duties for which sort of Wines the Stranger is to pay to the use of the Town of Southampton 10 Shillings for every Butt or Pipe as for prize Wines they pay no Customs Note that if any Wines be imported and within a twelve month exported they are not lyable to pay the Additional Duty or if it be pay'd it is to be returned viz. 4 pound every Tun of French Wine and every Tun of Wine of the Growth of Germany or Madera 3 pound brought into the Port of London as in Statute 12 of Car. 2 it more at large appears And all such Wines as are Landed at any of the out-Ports and afterwards brought into the Port of London by a certificate shall pay so much more Custom as was pay'd short of the Duty in the Port of London For every Tun of Beer to be exported in Ships English built must be pay'd 2 Shillings and for every Tun exported in any other Ship 6 Shillings If at any time there shall chance Goods to be exported or imported not mentioned in the Book of Rates agreed on by the commons Intitled the rates of Merchandise and that by such omission there is no set value on them then it shall be Lawful for the Customer in being to levy twelve pence in the pound upon such Goods according to the true value which value is to be given by the Merchant or owner upon Oath before the Customer Collector Comptroller Surveyer or any two of them If Vineger Perry Rape Cider or Cider-Eager be imported by a Native from Forrain Parts he pays 6 pound 10 Shillings the Tun but by an Alien only 6 pound but if they shall again export any such Liquids then 3 pound 10 Shillings the Tun shall be repayed to the Native and 4 pound 15 Shillings to the Alien There is likewise imposed on Wines Vineager Cider and Beer 10 Shillings per Tun and on Brandy and Strong-Water 20 Shillings per Tun. For Coynage-Duty and the money that arises by this Duty is to be payed at the Custom-House to the Collectors and other Officers to be by them kept apart from other monies and payed quarterly into the Exchequer without Salary or Fee and if neglect be made in the payment of this Duty the Goods are Forfeitable but note if that within a twelve-month they are Transported then the money so pay'd is to be returned according to Statute the 18 of Car. 2. There is likewise an Excise or Impost upon Forrain Liquors imported viz. upon Beer or Ale six Shillings the Barrel Cyder or Perry the Tun 10 Shillings Brandy or Strong-Waters perfectly made 8 pence the Gallon and by the 15 of Car. 2 if any of these Goods be Landed before these Duties are payed Warrant Signed and in the absence of the Officer they are forfeitable And thus much for Tonnage the next thing then that I come to Treat of is Poundage CHAP. CXIII A Survey of the Custom commonly called Poundage according to the Book of Rates and such other Customs and Priviledges as are for the profit of the Merchant POundage is a Custom Established by Act of Parliament made in the 12 of his now Majesty whereby the Book of Rate called the Rates of Merchandise is approved and confirmed that is a Subsidy granted to his Majesty of
Collonel Massy against his late Majesty King Charles the First and the great Battle here fought for the raising of the Siege It was won from the Britains by Cheulin King of the West-Saxons An. 570. Here a Monastery of Nuns was founded by Osric King of Northumberland of which three Queens of the Mercians were successively Prioresses viz. Kineburg Eadburg and Eve Here was born Robert called the Monk of Glocester who flourish'd under Henry the second and also Osbernus sirnam'd Claudianus a Benedictine Monk Alny Isle a place near Glocester where after several bloody Battles between King Edmund Ironside and Canutus the Dane the matter was at last decided between them by single combat and a division of the Kingdom made Cirencester or Circester a place of memorable note as won from the Britains by Cheulin the West-Saxon this City is doubtless Ptolomies Corinium Antonines Durocornovium Giraldus his Vrbs Passerum which last denomination it takes from a tradition of one Gurmund an African Tyrant who set it on fire by tying to the tails of Sparrows certain combustible matter which he put fire to It was won from the Britains by Cheulen King of the West-Saxons next possess 't by the Mercians lastly by the Danes under Gurmund An. 879. But that which is to be said greatest of this for it's antiquity and remark is that that it was anciently one of the principal residencies of the Romans by whom it had been rais'd to a high pitch of magnificence and grandure At Cicester was born Thomas Ruthal Bishop of Durham At Duresby Edw. Fox Bishop of Hereford At Cam near Duresby Edward Trotman Judge of the Common Law who was buried in the Temple Church May the 29th An. 1643. At Todington Richard Son to Sir William Tracy who flourish'd under King Henry the second This Richard wrote a Book entitled Preparatio ad Crucem of much esteem in those times At Yate Thomas Neal Chanter to Bishop Bonner he was eminent for Learning and flourish'd An. 1576. At Westbury John Carpenter Bishop of Worcester At Sudely Castle Ralph Lord Sudely Lord Treasurer and Knight of the Garter under Henry the sixth Other Noted men of this Shire were Tideman de Winchcomb the Kings Physitian Abbot of Benle Bishop first of Landaff afterwards of Worcester John Chedworth Bishop of Lincoln Anthony Fitz-Herbert Judge of the Common Pleas. Thomas de la More Knighted by King Edward the first he wrote the Character of King Edward the second a Manuscript now in Oxford Library Sir Thomas Overbury Son to Sir Nicholas William Winter Vice-Admiral of England under Queen Elizabeth John Sprint John Workman and Richard Capel Tewksbury-field gave a very fatal blow to the House of Lancaster An. 1471. in which Prince Edward was slain and Queen Margaret taken Prisoner together with the Duke of Somerset the Earl of Devonshire and others who were beheaded Here was born the famous Alan of Tewksbury who flourish'd under King John Hales a once flourishing Abby but chiefly to be remembred for the birth of Alexander de Hales sirnamed Dr. Irrefregabilis who died An. 1245. In Worcestershire Worcester the chief City is questionless the ancient Branconium of Antoninus and Ptolomie though since call'd by the Latins Vigornea and by the Britains Caer Wrangon some think it to have been built by the Romans for a bound to the Britains The Cathedral of St Mary in Worcester besides the fame of its State and Beauty is the Repository of the Bodies of King John and Prince Arthur Eldest Son to King Henry the seventh But that which gives greatest renown to this City is the memory of the happy preservation of his present Majesty from being taken at the fatal Battle of Worcester where the great Gallantry and Valour of His Majesty and his Party was utterly overpowr'd by the treble forces of the Usurpers At Eversham An. 1265. King Henry the third gain'd a most triumphant Victory over his Barons with the slaughter of Simon Montford and seventeen Lords and the taking of Humphry Bohun Prisoner In Herefordshire the City of Hereford besides that it is the Principal City an Episcopal See and noted for its Cathedral is also memorable for the birth of Adam de Orleton Bishop of Hereford Roger of Hereford a Writer of Astronomy who flourish'd under Henry the second An. 1170. John Davies of good repute for Poetry And also Charles Smith Bishop of Glocester in the reign of King James Bradwardin Castle gave both birth and sirname to that Thomas de Bradwardin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who for his deep knowledge in Theologie and skilful management of Disputations is stiled the profound Doctor At Ashperton was born John Grandison Bishop of Exeter Other memorable persons of this Shire were Robert Devereux Earl of Essex great in deeds of Arms and a person of great power and favour with his Prince yet brought to an untimely end Richard Hackluit whose Book of Voyages is of good repute among the studious in Geography and History William Lemster a Franciscan and learned Doctor John Guillam the noted Herald whose Systeme of Heraldry is accounted the best that hath been written of this Subject In Shropshire besides Shrewsbury the County Town a noted Mart for Cloth and Frizes brought hither from Wales and sent to London and other parts of England there are very remarkable ruins of some ancient places which were certainly Towns or Cities of great spendour or resort as Wrocckester Vriconium the ancient Vsoconia of which Okenyate is a small remainder Oswaldstree retains its name from Oswald the 11th King of Northumberland who was here slain in battel by Penda King of the Mercians In Staffordshire the County Town Stafford anciently Bitheny from Bertelin a holy man is said to have been built by King Edward the Elder and was made a Corporation by King John Tamworth was doubtless anciently a place of more spendour and amplitude than at present for here the Mercian Kings for a long time kept their Court. Litchfield though not the County Town is yet the most eminent place of the County as being a City and Episcopal See joyntly with Coventry the chief Church and now Cathedral was built by the Northumbrian King Oswin upon the Conquest he gain'd over the Pagan Mercians and here Wulferre and Celred were interr'd it was for some time an Arch-bishoprick by the means of King Offa at the request of Bishop Eadulph At Bloreheath in this County a cruel battel was fought between the two Houses of York and Lancaster in which there fell on the Duke of York's side Sir Hugh Venables Sir William Trowthec Sir Richard Mollineux and Sir J. Egerton c. with 2400 and the two Sons taken prisoners of the Earl of Salisbury General of the Yorkists In Darbyshire besides Derby the County town there are memorable Ripton Ripandunum where was interr'd Ethelbald the 9th King of the Mercians who was slain at Egiswald by his Subjects and whence Burthred the last King was expell'd by the Danes with
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
Heptarchy into a Perfect Monarchy though it was tending toward it sometime before even to this day and from him the Aera of our English Monarchies by Historians and Chronologers are reputed to commence So that from the said Egbert his present Majesty that now Happily Reigns is reckon'd the fourty sixth sole Monarch of England But scarce was this Government well setled when the expected Tranquility thereof was disturbed by a new Generation of Invaders more Barbarous and Mischievous than ever any either before or since Committers of far greater Outrages and Cruelties Yet so often either driven out or totally extirpated so often bravely Conquered in the Field by the high Valour and Conduct of several of our English Saxon Monarchs whose Fame stands great in History to this day for their Vertue and Gallantry both in Peace and War that it may well be wondred how any one Country could spare such Multitudes of People as continually pour'd in upon us for several Ages together and how such numerous Forces could make such frequent Landings with so little Opposition But then it must be considered that we had no Summer Guards Abroad no Squadrons of First Second and Third Rate Frigats to Cruise about and Guard the English Coasts what kind of Ships there were in those either for War or Trade cannot be collected from any Account or Description we find recorded or publish'd but thus much may well be concluded that the best Man of War of those times was far Inferior to the meanest Merchant-Man now adays For the space of about 174 years viz. from 833 to 1017. was this poor Kingdom harrass'd by the continual Invasions of these Northern Pirates yet could they not in all this space catch hold of the Crown of England till the said year 1017. and then they held it no longer than during the Reign of three Kings after which it reverted again to the Saxon Line The Fourth and last Invasion was that of the Normans if he can properly be call'd an Invader who seems to have come in with the Consent at least if not Invitation of several of the Nobility and Prelacy for else doubtless his claim could not have been so easily decided by the dint of one Battle and he so readily have had the Crown put on his Head by Aldred Archbishop of York who with several other Bishops and Noblemen met him upon the way and pay'd him their Allegiance and from this Norman Conqueror the Monarchy of England hath been kept up in a continued though not Lineal Succession to this day Among the Prae-eminences which this Kingdom hath above all the other Kingdoms of Europe the chiefest and which most redounds to its Glory is that it was first Enlightned with the Knowledge of True Religion so that whatsoever place it may claim in Europe it deserves at least to be esteemed the first Kingdom of Christendom And admit that Joseph of Arimathea were not the first that Preached the Gospel here though there are not wanting Testimonies to make it out not altogether contemptible However it is most certain that the Christian Religion here is of a much elder date than the coming over of Austin the Monk that is even in the very Apostles time by the Testimony of Gildas and as it appears by the mention of a Noble British Lady Claudia Rufina in one of St. Paul's Epistles and it was not much above 100 years after e're it was own'd by publick Authority For the first Christian King mention'd in History is our British King Lucius who was Contemporary with the Emperor Commodus also the first Christian Emperor at least the first that publickly Profess'd Protected and Maintain'd the Christian Faith for before him Philippus Arabs is said to have been a a Christian and Baptiz'd was Constantine Surnamed the Great a Britain Born the Son of Constantius Chlorus who also was a Favourer of the Christians and died at York by the Daughter of King Coilus Helena a Princess most renowned for her Christian Piety and for being the Inventress of the Cross And as this Nation boasts Antiquity equal with Rome it self for the Dawning of the Gospel's Light among us so it claims a Prerogative of Lighting the first Lamp of Reformation to the Christian World and highly glories in this that there is no where to be found so excellent and moderate an Establishment of Church-Government among all the Reformed Churches The Riches of the English Nation And first of the Arable Pasture and Fruitage THe Riches of any Nation I mean the Native and Inland Riches for by Imported Commodities the Barrenest Nation in the World may be Rich consist chiefly in the Arable the Pasturage the Fruits and other Plants of peculiar Use and Advantage The Rich Veins of Earth for Mettals and other sorts of Minerals and the Plenty of Fish and Fowl all which things are both profitable in themselves and for the Manufactures they produce and though common to this Nation with the greatest part of the Earth in general yet it will not be from the purpose to discover how far the English Nation excels in each of them and what parts of the Nation are most peculiarly fam'd and commended for this or that Production As to the Arable it would be in vain to particularize any one part of England more than another since so great Plenty of all sorts of Corn and Grain is produced in all parts of this Nation Nevertheless it is worth the observing how some Counties are more peculiarly celebrated for this or that Grain I have heard it affirm'd that the very best Wheat in England is from a Vale near Hessen in Middlesex lying Southward of Harrow on the Hill however among the four W's of Herefordshire Wheat is one the other three being Wool Wood and Water Moreover for Oates if there be any where one sort better than another the best Oats are said to be in Lancashire and in greater abundance than any other County and for Barly and Malt Bedfordshire hath among some a particular mention Moreover for what is said in general of some places above others It is sufficiently considerable which is reported of the Town of Godmanchester in Huntingtonshire in reference to the great Name that Town hath for Tillage and its Prae-eminence above all the Towns of England besides for number of Stout and Able Husbandmen namely that the Inhabitans of this Place us'd in former times to meet the Kings of England as they pass'd this way in their Progress in a kind of Rural Pomp and Pageantry of show with no fewer than 180 Ploughs and in this manner King James at his first coming to the Crown of England was received in his Journey from Scotland with 70 Team of Horses fitted with all their Furniture to as many New Ploughs the King expressing much Delight and Satisfaction at so Brave and Happy a Sight and highly applauded the Industry and well deserved Prosperity of the people of that Place Remarkable also is
make such a clutter in the Streets of London to the great disturbance of the poor Foot-Passenger is said to have first commenc'd about the year 1556. till when 't is to be presum'd that great Persons seldom stirr'd out but in fair weather whereas now all Seasons for Visits are alike otherwise the Cavalcade of Princes and Nobles on Horseback may doubtless afford the Beholder as comely a Spectacle as a long train of Coaches Together with the Coach or not long after I guess came in the Coaches Epitome the Sedan more elegantly styl'd a Chair a much more easie sort of passage as perform'd not by draught but carriage and that by the more rational sort of Animal But there is another kind of moving Domicil of much later date call'd a Calesh which seems like a Coach cut off in the middle wherein commonly the Driver and the Driven is one and the self-same person Watches and other horary Motions of that nature it is certain came out of Germany and according to the best conjecture somewhat more than a 100 years since The principal Artists of this kind mention'd are Janus Torrianellus and Cornelius van Drebble but since all kind of automatous Motions by Clock-work have been wonderfully improv'd by those of our own Nation particularly Mr Davie Mell besides his excellent judgement and fancy in Musical Compositions and his great performance on the Violin above all others of his Time for within these 20 years the very quintessence of that Instruments Musick hath been extracted as being chiefly in fashion was so prodigious an Artist in all Mechanick Motions by Clock-work that if any one since hath equall'd him in Art he hath at least fallen short in Fame But of all Inventions of this kind the Pendulum of latest date is also of greatest curiosity and use being generally acknowledg'd the Design of Mr Hook Fellow of the Royal Society a Person of much Esteem among the Learned and Vertuous for his Mathematical and Mechanick Improvements however Mr Oldenburg late Secretary to the said Society made some Dispute in this Matter as asserting it of German Original All sorts of Optick Glasses and Tubes as the Telescope the Invention of the noble Galileo the Microscope c. have been of late years wonderfully improv'd especially by the Directions of the fore-mention'd Mr Hook Mr Flamstead and others of this most renowned Fellowship But the first famous Artificer of these Tubes and Glasses was Mr Reeves in Long-acre after whom Mr Cock hath continued the Imployment with prosperous success and approbation The Barometer Thermometer Hydroscope and such like Contrivances for the discovery of the Change of Weather have certainly been the result of those unwearied Endeavours and Enquiries that have been made into the depth of Natural Knowledg since the foundation of this Noble Society And among the sagacious Enquirers into Meteorological Philosophy Dr Goad late Master of Merchant-Taylors-School must be allow'd a principal place But for the Air-Pump the rarest Invention ever found out for the proof of a Vacuum in rerum Natura it particularly owns the Honourable Robert Boil its Inventor who by his many Writings and Inventions hath been a Worthy Contributor to the Advancement of Experimental Philosophy The Art of Torning as it appears to have been not much less ancient in the World than Sculpture it self so doubtless it is not very Modern in this Nation But that curious Improvement of Torning call'd the Rose-work doubtless claims here but an Ages Antiquity The first celebrated Person for Work of this nature was Mr Reeve the Brother of the above-mention'd Artist in Optick Glasses And though this sort of Work hath since been very frequent among us yet I cannot omit the mention of a Person who from his own natural Fancy and Ingenuity hath arriv'd to that perfection as well in this as all manner of Torning else that he is judg'd by knowing Persons not to be exceeded if equall'd by any that have been bred up to the Art Mr John Gearie living in St Anns-Lane in Westminster Our Sculpture in Stone appears plainly not to be of Modern Invention or Discovery in this Nation by the delicate Workmanship in several of our Cathedrals and other Churches and in the Schools at Oxford and at this present time it is not any way diminish'd but rather improv'd by the Art and Industry of several eminent Men Mr Pierce Mr Latham Mr Pennel c. But for Carving in Wood never was any thing in England seen more curious and exquisite than the Workmanship of Mr Gibbons his Majesty's Carver and a great Contributer to the Ornaments of the Royal Palace at Windsor Graving in Copper seems not to have been brought to any perfection in England till this present Age. The first Person very eminent among us in this Art was Mr William Faithorn now living in Black-friers and since there have sprung up several other ingenuous Artists in this kind viz. Mr Loggan Mr White Mr Sherwin and others The best for Etching not only in England but perhaps in any other Parts was Mr Wenceslaus Hollar who died here not many years since But that rough sort of Graving or rather pecking upon Copper call'd Mezzo Tinto hath been us'd but lately being either the Design or Encouragement of his late Highness Prince Rupert There is also a peculiar Art in the graving of written Letters from the Copies of the most exact writing-Masters The first eminent in this way was Mr Cocker who was also himself a writing-Master to whom others that have succeeded have not been inferiour as Mr Sturt who grav'd the Copies of Mr Aires and Mr Elder who grav'd an ingenious Piece entituled Brachyarithmia of Mr Edw. Noon Teacher of Writing and Accounts at the Hand and Pen in Maiden-lane in Covent-Garden For Graving in Steel never was any Man so famous in England as Mr Thomas Rawlins last Graver of the Mint both to his late and to his present Majesty the grand Excellency of whose Art was his graving the Effigies of any one true and exact upon a small Letter-Seal As for Painting our Nation can boast nothing like the Works of the great Sir Anthony Vandike who though born a Foreigner died an Englishman Nor hath he wanted several famous Successors as Dobson Fuller Walker Lillie Greenhill c. The first Person famous among us for Painting in Miniature was Mr Oliver after whom Francis Clein and his Brother John had been the Prodigies of the Age had they lived Mr Cooper's loss comes next to be lamented the Persons living are Mr Gibson Mr. Flattman c. For Crayons or dry Colours Mr. Ashfield lately deceas'd Scene-Paintings and Machines have not been known in England till within these 20 years and the only eminent Men in this kind have been Mr. Streeter and Mr. Stevenson some years since deceased In Musick it would be too tedious to determine whether the Improvement or Alteration hath been greater Certain it is that several old English Instruments are laid
aside as the Orpharian the Polyphone an Instrument surely not to be despis'd considering its rare Structure and the Esteem had of it by learned and therefore most judiciously Musical Persons of this Age viz. Sir Francis Prujean and Dr. Rugely The Stump whereon about an Age ago Andrew Mark was famous for his rare performance The Bandore the Ghittern Cittern c. The treble Viol also is much out of doors since the Violin came so much in request The Base and Lyra Viol in the making whereof Wroth was without dispute the best Workman that ever wrought keep pretty well in repute especially the first in regard it cannot well be wanted in Consort Nor did ever any Age produce such wonderful Performers upon this Instrument as this present Age particularly Pol-wheel Theodore Stephkins deceas'd his Son Frederick Mr. Young Sir John Bolls of Scampton in Lincolnshire Mr. Roger l'Estrange Mr. Smith Mr. Gregory c. The Lute is not wholly laid aside but within these 20 or 30 years much neglected to what it was formerly notwithstanding the great Improvement of this Instrument among us within a 100 years by reason of the diversity of Tunings receiv'd from France some of whose best Lute-Masters brought over not only these Harp-tunings but themselves also and by their active Hands and airy Fancies oblig'd the Musick-lovers of our Nation with transcendant Harmony viz. Goutier Penel Merceur Mesanges Du Faulx c. after whom of our own Nation came Mr. Goutier's Scholar Captain Hill Dr. No Mr. John Hubbard and Mr. John Wootton now living And no less famous in their kind that is for Workmanship were old Allaby and Walter Johnson But the fine easie Ghittar whose performance is soon gain'd at least after the brushing way hath at this present over-topt the nobler Lute Nor is it to be denied but that after the pinching way some good Work may be made of the Ghittar by such as Sir Francesco Corbetto Mr. Janvier Signor Pedro Mr. Wootton aforemention'd and the like Nevertheless the Theorbo which is no other than an Arch-Lute keeping to the old Tuning is still generally made use of in Consorts And there are yet among the judicious who think it the most agreeable and becoming Associate to vocal Musick remembring how nobly it sounded in the Hands of Dr. Wilson Mr. Henry Ferabosco Mr. Edward Coleman Mr. Alphonso Marsh lately deceased c. Play'd on alone never did it speak such harmonious things in our English Climate as when touch'd by the famous Dr. Walgrave Physician at present to his Royal Highness to whom Mr. Shadwell comes nearest for an excellent Hand For Consort our chief Theorbo-men at this day are Mr. Brockwell and Mr. Flower The Organ cannot well be laid aside as being an Instrument of highest perfection and the most proper of all others for Cathedral Service What Antiquity it challenges in our Nation is uncertain but as no Nation can boast of greater Masters than old Bull Tomkins Jeffreys Dr. Gibbons Dr. Child Mr. Matthew Lock and at present Dr. Bleau Organist to his Majesty Mr. Henry Pursel Organist to the Abbey Mr. Michael Wise Mr. Francis Forcer c. so it hath been wonderfully advanc'd of late years by the addition of several melodious Stops the greatest Artist at present not to mention Pease Burral and others of late years being Mr. Smith living in the So-ho The Harpsicon is of late wonderfully improv'd by the Invention of the Pedal which brings it so much nearer to the Organ that it only seems to come short of it in Lungs The greatest Master on it now living in our Region especially since the decease of Mr. Thatcher is Mr. Disnier and the greatest Fabricator Mr. Howard And here also may not unfitly be mention'd that pretty Fancy of a Musical Automaton being a kind of Harpsicon which by a Clock-work-motion discharcheth a certain set number of Tunes according as it is wound up to this or that Tune Of this sort of Automata there is to be seen a very neat piece of Art of Reed-work at a House at St Mary-overs-Dock the Artificer thereof Mr. Thomas Hill of Westminster being a Person of remarkable Ingenuity as well Musical in respect of his performance as Mechanical for making of several other Instruments His Pitch-Pipe for the tuning of Musical Instruments to consort Pitch is particularly worthy note for exactness variety and curious Work above any thing that is to be seen elsewhere of this nature The Harp is rather increas'd than diminish'd in repute and though the Welsh Gut-string formerly gave place to the Irish Wire-string by reason of the masterly Hands of Mr. John Cob and Mr. Lewis Williams now the Spanish Gut-string comes up with it through the excellent Mastery of Mr. Maurice Mr. Evans Mr. Bedhurst Mr. Webster Mr. Robert Grant living with my Lord Mountague and for the Outlandish way of Playing Mr. Arn. The Violin is now of all others generally of highest esteem and is indeed a very useful Instrument in Consort and now arriv'd to that perfection of performance that it were endless to enumerate all that have been of late accounted great Violin-Masters Wherefore let the mention of Farmer Twiss Ailworth Ayrs Claiton Tomlins serve for all The best Workmen for the making of this Instrument have been accounted Comer Raimund Florence Barnet Of Wind-Instruments the Flageolet within this 20 years and since that the Flute have been highest in vogue and frequentest in use The chiefest Performers on it being Mr. Banister Mr. Sutton Mr. Young Mr. Car the chiefest Artisans Mr. Scottny in Lincolns-Inn-fields But for all sorts of Musical Instruments in general the Violin the Base and Lyra Viol the Harp the Ghittar the Lute even the Flageolet and Flute not altogether excepted Mr. John Shaw living near the May-pole in the Strand is acknowledg'd by the most skilful in Musick of all sorts to be a Workman in a great measure superiour to any that have been in this Nation Nor have the Cremona Violins or Loxmollar Lutes been lately of such excessive prices as formerly For Pegs for Lutes Viols c. Mr. Bland is reported the only Man at present that serves all the Instrument-makers in Town It is not very many years since the several sorts of fine Varnish have come into knowledge and use among us which give so beautiful a gloss to Musical Instruments Cabinets Tables Picture-frames and the like so that many of our varnish'd Cabinets may vye even with those of Japan and China themselves their ways of Varnish being now not altogether unknown unto us whereof the rarest of all is accounted that of Ceo. The first Persons eminent for Varnishing were Mr. Lilly and Mr. Racket since whom it is grown very common But that noble Lacka-varnish which imitates the Gold-colour and hath sav'd much cost that was formerly bestow'd in the guilding of Coaches was brought into England about 30 years since by the learned Advancer of Learning and all Noble Arts and my best of Friends Mr.
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
well enough be insisted on for its elegancy of Building and pleasant Situation but that other special Remarks require the mention of it elsewhere The like may be said of Cirencester which hath yet some Ruines left of that Beauty and Magnificence which it receiv'd from the Romans of whom it was anciently one of the principal Residences The Palaces Royal of England are in the first place Whitehal built by Cardinal Woolfie and from K. Henry the 8th to his present Majesty the principal and Imperial Residence of all our Kings This Palace is in general rather to be commended for its large Capacity and Convenience than for State and outward Shew yet that part which is call'd the Banquetting-house for its sumptuous Appearance and Regularity of Architecture is judg'd by most of the Curious fit to stand in competition with the chief Structures of Europe Next St James's a House somewhat more sightly to view and delicately situated in the most pleasant of Parks it hath been usually the Residence of the Princes of Wales but is now of his Royal Highness the same in Effect though not in Title Somerset-house is the usual Residence of the Queens of England as it is now of her present Majesty Hampton-Court in Middlesex hath been of late the Principal of our King's Residences out of London a brave large Noble House in the midst of a most stately Park But at present Windsor-Castle in Barkshire is his Majesty's chosen Place of Pleasure and Retirement being besides its most delightful Situation as being advanc'd upon a high Hill rising with a gradual ascent which affords the sweetest Prospect imaginable a Place of great Magnificence and now improv'd to a wonderful heighth of State and Beauty Other Places of Note for Royal Seats are Richmond or Sheen Nonsuch in Surry Greenwich and Eltham in Kent Enfield and Hanworth in Middlesex Holdenby in Northamptenshire The Noblemens Palaces we shall have occasion to give a full account of in the Catalogue of the English Nobility The Cathedrals of England are perhaps take them one with another as remarkable as those of any Country whatsoever but the most eminent besides St Pauls are those of Westminster Salisbury Canterbury York Worcester Glocester Chichester Norwich Winchester Exeter Wells and Peterborough Most of which have been already touch'd upon in the several Places to which they belong however it will not be improper to speak a little more particularly of them in this Place St Pauls before its last fatal destruction by Fire had nothing to stand in competition but St Peters of Rome what it will be when rebuilt may be in some measure conjectur'd by the Grandure which already appears Westminster-Abbey is a Noble Piece of Work and is said to have been 50 years in building and it receives a great addition of lustre by the addition of K. Henry the 7th's Chappel the Workmanship whereof for curiosity of Carving is hardly to be parallel'd Salisbury-Minster is fam'd in general for one of the stateliest of English Structures and particularly noted for its high spired Steeple its double cross Isles its Windows answering to the Days its Pillars to the Hours and its Gates to the Months of the Year besides a Cloister belonging to it famous for Largeness and fine Workmanship Canterbury-Cathedral hath been famous for its rich Window and the Tomb of Thomas a Becket That of York seems next of Note and Esteem for an ample and stately Fabrick Worcester-Cathedral is by a learned Writer deservedly entitled a passing fair Building adorn'd with many Princely and Noble Monuments Nor is Glocester-Cathedral accounted inferior besides the Fame of its Whispering Place Also that of Litchfield before its demolishment is said for elegant and proportional Building to have yielded very few The Church of Chichester is not so large as neat having a Spire-Steeple which advanceth it self up to a majestick heighth The Cloister of the Cathedral of Norwich is accounted the fairest in England Winchester-Cathedral is a brave old solemn Structure so likewise is that of Lincoln which last is also famous for its great Bell call'd Tom of Lincoln the biggest in England Exeter-Cathedral is remarkable for its brave noble carv'd Work at the West-end thereof so likewise are those of Wells and Peterborough In fine There are few or none of the Cathedrals of this Nation of whose Grandeur there is not enough to be said to make a Volume There are a number of Parish-Churches that deserve particular mention In London there are many especially since the rebuilding of the City remarkable for Beauty and State But the chief are St Sepulchre and St Maries le Bow whose Steeple is such that certainly a nobler is scarce to be seen The Church of Covent-Garden is much admir'd for a Fabrick of such Magnitude and State unsupported with Pillars The like may be said of Lincolns-Inn-Chappel which is also observable for the curious vaulted Walk over which it is built Likewise that round vaulted Roof of the Inner-Temple-Church under which lye upon the ground several Sepulchral Statues of Knights Templars within a four-square Empalement of Iron-work is a Structure of that kind not to be parallel'd by any Nor is the new built Church of St Clements to be wholly pass'd by as exceeding much both for the outward and inward Workmanship and particularly the fine Fret-work on the Cieling The Church of Bath though Litchfield be the Bishop's principal Seat is by some call'd a Cathedral and for largeness and elegance of Building may well enough be so accounted Of the 5 Churches of Derby that nam'd All-Hallows is of chief Reputel for its Tower-Steeple of a stately heighth and excellent Structure and whose Foundation was laid and part of it built by young Men and Maids as appears by Letters graven thereon The Church of Shirburn in Dorsetshire is much noted for its curious Workmanship within The Church of Grantham chiefly eminent for the excessive heighth of its Steeple which possibly gives occasion of that vulgar Report of this Steeple's standing awry and of that fabulous Tradition of its having been built by Hell's great Architect who misliking something or other gave it such a Blow with his Ruler that it hath stood awry ever since St Maries of Ratcliff in Bristow for the stately ascent to it its largeness curious Workmanship embowed Arch of Stone and its lofty Steeple hath been accounted the noblest Parish-Church of England Another Church in the same City call'd the Temple is remarkable for its Tower which whensoever the Bell is rung divides from the rest of the Building with a Cleft from the bottom to the top which gapes the breadth of three Fingers In Lancashire the Collegiate Church of Manchester hath a Quire which though not very large is remarkable for its rich adornment of Wood-work Among the Churches of Coventry two standing near each other viz. Trinity-Church and St Michaels are commended for their rare Workmanship and stately heighth Coln a little old Town in Wiltshire
of Huntington renowned for his History who flourish't An. 1248. Other Celebrated men of this Shire were William Whitlesey Archdeacon of Huntington who died An. 1375. Henry Saltry who flourisht 1140. William Ramsey a famous Poet. John Young and John White In Wiltshire Wilton the Denominating and once the Principal Town of the Shire is so much the more notable a place by how much the more despicable it now appears as a strange example of the various turns of fortune and mutations of human affairs having only the name left of a Market Town else but a pitiful Village consisting of one only Parish Church which is said to have been a Town of about seventeen or eighteen Parish Churches and having no Memorial or Monument of antiquity which hath been the Theater of so many grand Transactions Here Egbert the Westsaxon and at last Sole Monarch of the English encountred Bernulf King of Mercia and slew him in Battle but in this very place he afterwards received a terrible overthrow from the Danes At Edindon King Alfred gave the Danes a very notable defeat Bradford is memoris'd for a bloody Battle fought between two great Competitors in the Saxon Heptarchy At Woodensbury An. 590. Cheaulin King of the West-Saxons encountring the Britains who joyn'd with his Nephew Cealrick was put to flight and his Son Cuth slain Here also Ina the West-Saxon fought with Ceolred the Mercian Old Sarum was a place made choice of by the Romans for a strong encamped habitation as by the ruins thereof at this day appears Here the Britains receiv'd a fatal overthrow from Kenrick the Saxon besides what spoil was afterwards done by Canutus Caln is famous for that great Assembly which put an end to the controversy about the Marriage of Priests by reason of a disaster which happened by the fall of the Room to the destruction of several people of all sorts Brokenbridge and Cosham places doubly famous in History First as having been ancient Roman Seats next as the Courts of some of the Saxon Kings Crekelade memorable for the Fame of an University said to have been anciently here erected and from hence removed to Oxford Malmsbury qu. Maidulphsbury from Maidulphus a person of renown both for Sanctity and Learning is no less memorable for the famous Monastery there erected by the said Maidulphus then for the birth of two great men viz. William thence sirnamed of Malmesbury a Celebrated Historian and Thomas Hobbes of this present Age and but a few years since deceast a man of much Earning and more cunning Sophistry for the maintenance of those principles he maintained thereby In Dorsetshire Dorchester the chief Town only boasts of some antiquity as from the Roman name Durnovaria Badbury was anciently the Court of the West-Saxon Kings At Cern Austin broke down the Idol of the Saxon God Hell Shaftsbury is fam'd for the History of the Prophesying Eagle most probably a man whose name was Aquila Here was enterr'd the Body of Edward the Son of Edgar Murthered by his Mother-in-Law at Corfe Castle At Winburn-Minster built by Cuthburga Wife in second Marriage to a King of Northumberland the Body of King Ethelred was buried Shirburn was an Episcopal See for a long time in the Cathedral whereof were buried the bodies of King Ethelbald and King Ethelbert In Somersetshire the principal place is the City of Bath Brit. Akamancester Lat. Aquâ solis Badissa very famous and much frequented for its hot Bathing-Springs which our old British Traditions will have to be the invention of Bladud an ancient British King Bath and Wells joyntly together make one Bishoprick Wells is principally esteem'd for its Cathedral which is said to have been built by Inas King of the West-Saxons Pen now a small Village is memoris'd for a great overthrow given to the Britains by Kenwald King of the West-Saxons and afterwards to the Danes by K. Edmund Ironside Bridgewater is otherwise a Town of very good note and of memory for a notable defeat given here to the Danes by Ealstan Bishop of Shirburn An. 845. Glastonbury Avalonia is principally renowned for its Monastery deliver'd to have been founded by Joseph of Arimathea the first Preacher as some Writers affirm of the Gospel in this Island In the Church-yard of Glastonbury in King Henry the second 's Reign was found a Corps of a large demension which by several circumstances was concluded to be the Body of King Arthur Cadbury is recordable for the defeat given by King Arthur to the English Saxons Banesdown Mons Badonicus is a place renown'd for several other of King Arthurs Victories and where King Alfred overthrew the Danes and brought Gorrum to the Sacred Font. Camalet a steep Hill was doubtless some Fort or Encampment of the Romans as appears by the Coins there found moreover on the top thereof there remains to this day the Vestigia of some noble Castle which is said to have been a Palace of King Arthur This Town some Writers have placed in Cornwal Ilchester appears also by the like demonstration to have been a station of the Romans and is still of that repute that it is the chief place of Gaol-delivery for the County In Oxfordshire Oxford besides the glory of its famous University and the Magnificence of its Stately Colledges Here more frequent Parliaments have been call'd than in any place of England next to Westminster and particularly the last Parliament call'd by his present Majesty and held here in March 1681. Here Maud the Empress was besieg'd by King Stephen and with great difficulty made her escape in a disguise by night and got over the Thames on the Ice This place his late Majesty King Charles the first made his chief Head Quarters during the greatest part of the Civil War between him and the Parliament till the City was taken by Sir Thomas Fairfax General of the Rebels Forces It is moreover famous for being the birth-place of that Martial Prince King Richard the first sirnamed Ceur de Lyon Woodstock besides that it hath been anciently a stately Palace belonging to the Kings of England claims a particular place in the book of Fame upon several accounts In the first place here it was that King Henry the second built a sumptuous Bower for his Paramour Rosamund Clifford who for her singular beauty and in allusion to her name was styl'd Rosa Mundi Next it was the Birth-place of Edward the Black Prince lastly in the Town of Woodstock was brought up and educated that most renowned of English Poets Sir Geoffry Chaucer Islip cannot be forgotten so long as the memory of King Edward the Confessour lasts who was here born In Glocestershire the City of Glocester Glenum Colonia Glenum eminent for its Cathedral of which more elsewhere is also not obscure in History Here Earl Robert Brother to the Empress Maud was kept prisoner for some time but much more famous if we may not say infamous was the keeping of this City by the Parliament-Forces under
be imbeselled either in Port or upon the main Ocean he 's Responsible to the Owners or Merchant and must make them good nay if a Ship be Fired by carelessness the Master lies lyable to make both the Ship and Fraight good nay tho Goods sustain any other dammage by the neglect of the Master he is bound to make them good for he is Exercitor Navis and is either by the Marine and common Law lyable to answer for the neglect or Misdemeanour of his Mariners but if a Ship be taken by an Enemy founder or be lost in a Storm the Master is not lyable to make satisfaction If a Master send off his Boat to receive Goods at a Wharf and they be imbeselled he must make them good If a Master lades Goods on Board any of the Kings Enemies Ships tho his own be Leaky and by that means such Goods are seised he becomes lyable to make satisfaction to the Owner nor at his Peril ought he unknown to the Merchant or owners to Ship prohibited Goods and if when he is home-ward laden he enter or lye by in any Creek unless driven in by Tempest and by that means the Cargo becomes Seisable he shall answer it to the Owner by Reason he ought to have entered one of his Majesties great Ports nor must he Sail with false Colours carry false Cocquets or other Papers for if by such means the Goods are involved in Trouble lost or the like he lies lyable to make Restitution He must not lade the Ship above the Birth-mark set Sail with insufficient Rigging stay in a Port unless upon an extraordinary occasion if the Wind stands fair for his prosecuting his Voyage unless it be Tempestuous Weather or refuse in any Port to pay due Custom by which any damage may befall the Merchant or Owners upon pain of his making satisfaction for the same if he sends Goods to a Wharf in close Lighters and send his Mariners to watch them then if they be imbezled he is bound to make them good but on the contrary the Wharfenger must be accomptible If when a Master brings a Ship into any Port and through his neglect She suffers damage he is lyable to answer for it A Master may sell or impawn part of the lading for money to mend on refit the Ship if She be in any danger but may not do it to defray any charges of his own no Master is to import or export any Commodities from any of his Majesties Plantations but in English or Irish bottoms or bottoms belonging to the Natives of those Plantations and that in such a case the 3 Fourths of the Mariners be likewise English upon pain of Forfeiting the Ship and Goods These and many Obligations are binding upon a Master both by the Laws-Marine and Common The Mariners being accountable to the Master the Master to the Owners and the Owners to the Merchant for all damages sustained by neglect of their respective duties or Breach of contract CHAP. CXVII Of Fraight and Charter part according to the Laws Common and Marine with useful observations thereon FRaight is commonly agreed on between the owners and the Merchant by a Writing of Charter-party wherein are concluded the particulars of the contract and if there be no such Writing but only earnest given then if the Merchant recant 't is held by some nay and often observed that he only loses his earnest and that if the owners recant they lose double earnest tho many learned in the Law are of opinion that an Action for dammage if any be sustained by such revocation will lye if a Merchant should hire a Vessel and not have his Goods ready at the time appointed and the Vessel lose the Season of the Passage or a Ship hired be unfiting to Sail so that the Merchant must either lose the passage of his Goods or lade them on another Vessel dammage may be recovered by an Action at common Law If a contract be made to such a Port the Fraight full laden and the Ship has broke Ground altho the Merchant revoke his intentions yet the Fraight is by the Law Marine due If in a Voyage a Ship without the neglect of the Master be disabled he may lade the Goods on Board another Vessel and if that Vessel be cast away he is not lyable to make satisfaction if he can prove his own Ship was in a sinking condition had not the Goods been taken out of her but if this latter appear not he is lyable unless both of the Ships are cast away If a Ship be laded in Gross and no particular number of Tuns mentioned yet the Merchant shall pay the Summ agreed for If Pirates set upon a Ship and take part of the lading yet if the other part be carryed safe to the Port concluded on in the Charter part Fraight for the whole is due If any one Fraight prohibited Goods without the knowledg of the Master or Owners and they be seized in any Port or the Ship be detained the Merchant shall pay Fraight notwithstanding If a passenger die in the Ship and none claim his Goods in a Year and a Day they shall be divided between the Master his Mates and the Cloaths are to be brought to the Ship-Mast head and after an appraisement made to be distributed amongst the Mariners as a reward of their care for seeing the Body put into the Sea if Fraight be contracted for Transporting of a Woman and She by the way be delivered there is no Fraight due for the Infant If the owners Fraight out a Ship and afterwards take into it Goods secretly contrary to the knowledge of the Merchant by the Law Marine he loses his Fraight and if in such a case any of the Merchants Goods be cast overboard in stress of Weather the owner must make them good but this is only when a full Fraight is agreed for but if the owner be not privy to such Goods bringing in he is not lyable for the defaults of others to the damage aforesaid By Law the lading of a Ship is tacitly bound for the payment of Fraight if a Ship put into any Port then that in which She was Fraighted for and there receives damage the Owner or Master shall answer the same to the Merchant for the Charter party obliges the owners to deliver them safe at the Port therein mentioned unless Enemies or Storms prevent it and if a Ship suffer damage by Reason of defect in Tackling the Owners or Master are bound to make it good If Goods are sent aboard in general it must be specifyed so much or such Goods as are accustomed for such a Voyage If a Ship be Fraighted for so many Tuns and She will not bear them then there is no more Fraight due then the Ship is computed to be of Burthen or for so many Tun as are sent on Board but if a Ship be Fraighted by the great and no certain Burthen mentioned then the Summ agreed upon must be
any Goods be secretly brought into the Ship contrary to the knowledg of the Master and Purser be ejected no contribution shall be made And by the Law Marine the Master may refuse in case of ejection to deliver the remainder of the Goods before the Contribution is setled or if in a storm part of the Goods are dammaged without any neglect of the Master or Sailers such Goods for so much as they are dammaged ought to come into the contribution If two Ships meet and strike each other and if it can be proved that either of them did it willfully or by carelesness then that Ship shall satisfy the damage received by the other but if either Ships crew Swear their innocency then the dammage is to be Levyed proportionable between them if any Ejection of Goods happen by the indiscretion of the stowers in lading the Ship above the Birth mark or the like then the Master or Owners ought to make satisfaction If when a Vessel is entering a Port or otherwise part of the Goods be put into a Lighter or Ship-Boat and the Boat be cast away there Contribution must be made but if the Ship be cast away and the Lighter or Boat saved then no Contribution for note where the Ship at any time Perishes tho a great part of the Goods be saved yet they allow no Contribution If a Ship be taken by Pirates or Enemies and the Master contracts with them for the dismission of the Ship at such a Summ of money and till the same be pay'd yields himself Prisoner in that case Contribution must be levyed upon the Ship and lading for the Ransom of the said Master and so where a Pirate by consent takes part of the Goods to spare the rest Contribution must be made but if he takes them by force or at his own pleasure then no contribution is to be made unless the Merchants yield so to do after the Ship is Robbed but if taken by an Enemy Letter of Marque or Reprisal the contrary If Jewels be on Board in a Box and not discovered and they be cast overboard Contribution shall be for no more then they appeared viz. a Parcel If any thing in a storm be cast into the Sea and afterward recovered then Contribution shall be made for no more then the damage sustained The Master and Purser in case of a storm shall contribute towards Goods Ejected for the preservation of the Ship and Passenger for such Wares as they have and if they have no Wares then for their Cloaths Rings c. according to estimation Contribution is to be pay'd for a Pilots Fee for bringing a Ship safe into any Harbour where she is not bound If the Master of a Ship after he has received his Complements takes in Goods contrary to the knowledge of the Merchant and part of the Merchants Goods in case of a storm are thrown overboard then the Master is lyable to make Satisfaction If Contribution be setled and the Merchant will not consent to pay it the Master may refuse delivering the Goods and if an Action be brought he may Barr the Plaintif by pleading the special matter yet in a storm there are some Ladings which ought not to be ejected As Pieces of Ordnance Ammunition or Provisions for the relief of a City Besieged or in danger so to be for there the Law implyes that the Subject ought to prefer the good of his Prince before his own life CHAP. CXXI A View of the Port of London and of the Customs Priviledges Exemptions and Revenues of that great City according to the Charters Grants c. of several Kings of England SEeing the Port of London is the Principal Port of this Kingdom it will not be amiss to set down the Priviledges and Customs thereof and what Revenues by way of Exportation and Importation accrues to the Honourable City in order to support its Grandure First then the Port of London as by Exchequer setled and declared extends from the Promontory or Point called the North Foreland in the Isle of Thannet Thence Northward to the Nase Point beyond the Sunfleet upon the Coast of Essex and so continues Westward up the River of Thames and the several Channels Streams and Rivers falling into it to London-Bridge The usual known Rights Liberties and Priviledges to the Ports of Sandwich and Ipswich and their Members excepted and in regard that Ships did formerly come up to the Port of London and unlade in several obsure Creeks at Staires to defraud his Majesty of his Customs it was therefore ordained that a Commission should be forthwith Issued out of the Exchequer to affix and nominate all such Wharfes Keys and other places as his Majesty by virtue of such Commission should appoint in pursuance of which his Majesty has been pleased to Nominate and Constitute as Lawful Keys Wharfs c. these following for the Landing of Goods Merchandise c. viz. Brewers-Key Chestors-Key Wool-Dock Porters-Key Bear-Key Wiggons-Key Youngs-Key Ralphs-Key Smarts-Key Lyons-Key Buttolf-Wharf Hammons-Key Cocks-Key Fresh-Wharf Billingings-Gate and the Bridge-House The former of the two latter being appointed a common open place for the Landing or bringing in of Fish Salt Victuals or Fuel of all sorts Fruit of all sorts Grocery excepted all Native Materials for Building and for exporting the like but no other Merchandise and the latter viz. the Bridge-House is appointed for the Landing of Corn for the City store tho under pretence of the same several Persons at this Day Landed their proper Corn moreover there are these Keys viz. the Custom-House Key some Stairs on the West side whereof are declared not to be places for Lading or Shipping of Goods Sabs-Dock has a pair of Stares not held Lawful for the Landing or lading of Merchandise The like has Dice-Key Summers-Key and Gaunts-Key tho otherwise allowable Therefore it is to be supposed those Stairs that are accepted against were built for Conveniency since the declaring them free places of lading and Landing Merchandise These Keys Wharfs and Docks yearly produce a great Income to the City of London by Scavage Portage Packing and Water-Bailage As first Scavage being an Ancient Toll or Custom taken by the Majors Sherifs c. for Wares shewed or offered to Sail within their Precincts consists of two parts viz. that which is payable by the Denizen that which is payable by the Alien or Stranger and that all Persons Subject to such Duties may not be imposed on by such as take them there are Tables mentioning each particular set up and approved of by the Lord Chancellor Treasurer President Steward and two Justices of the Common-Pleas and by them Subscribed or some four of them at least and are to be levyed on Goods inwards and outwards As all Goods mentioned in the Table of Scavage and not included in the Table of Rates shall pay after the rate of one penny in the pound according as they are expressed or valued in his Majesties Book of rates and
given their Attendance by way of Prevention not out of Duty or Right and are not accounted lawful places to Land or Lade any Goods without Licence or sufference from the Port or Members under which any such Creek or Creeks is placed all which as they be at present accounted at the Custom-House are as aforesaid being respectively in the Body of the Counties and consequently out of the Jurisdiction of the Admiralty in case any thing more then ordinary is done or sustained in any of them And now I shall only inform the Reader that Commodities of English Growth and Manufacture may be exported when sold in England at certain rates according to the Statute made in the 12 of Car. 2. and so put an end to this Work Gunpowder when it exceedeth not the price of five pound per Barrel may be exported Wheat Rye Pease Beans Barly Malt Oats Pork Beef Bacon Butter Cheese and Candles when they do not exceed the Prizes following at the Ports where they are Laded at the time of their Lading viz. Wheat the quarter forty Shillings Rye Beans and Pease the quarter twenty four Shillings Barly and Malt the quarter twenty Shillings Oats the quarter sixteen Shillings Bief the Barrel fifty pound Pork the Barrel six pound ten Shillings Bacon the pound six Pence Butter the Barrel four pound ten Shillings Cheese the pound thirty Shillings Candles the dozen pounds five Shillings paying the respective rates according as they are set down in the Book of rates always provided that his Majesty may when he sees occasion prohibit the Exportation of Gunpowder and other Ammunition And thus Reader have I with much Labour Sailing through many Tempestuous Seas once again cast Anchor in safe Harbour hoping this Work may be advantageous unto many and useful unto all who are any ways concerned in Trade or Commerce whether by Navigation or otherwise the which if it does I have obtained the end of my Design FINIS ENGLAND'S GUIDE TO INDUSTRY OR Improvement of Trade for the good of all People in general LONDON Printed by R. Holt for T. Passinger at the three Bibles on London-Bridge and B. Took at the Ship in St. Pauls-Church-Yard 1683. THE PREFACE FOrasmuch as men who are in a decaying condition or who have but an ill opinion of their own concernments instead of being as some think the more industrious to resist the evil they apprehended do contrarywise become the more Languid and ineffectual to all in all their endeavoures neither caring to attempt or prosecute even the probable means of their relief I as a member of the Common-Wealth next to the knowing the precise truth in what Condition the common interest stands would all in doubtful cases thinkthe best and consequently not dispair without strong and manifest Reasons carefully examining what ever tends to lessen my hopes of the Publick Wellfair I have therefore thought fit to examine the following perswasions which I find too currant in the World and too much to have affected the minds of some to the prejudice of all viz. That the Rents of Lands are Generally fallen that therefore and for many other Reasons the whole Kingdom growes poorer and poorer that formerly it abounded with Gold but now there is a great Scarcity both of Gold and Silver That there is no Trade nor imployment for the people and yet that the Land is underpeopled that Taxes have been many and great That Ireland and the Plantations in America and other additions to the Crown are a Burthen to England that Scotland is of no advantage that Trade in General doth lamentably decay that the Hollanders are at our Heels in the Race of Naval power the French grow too fatt upon both and appear so Rich and Potent that it is but their Clemency that they do not devour their Neighbours and finally that the Church and State of England are in the same danger with the Trade of England with many other dismal Suggestions which I do rather Stifle then repeat 'T is true the Expence of Forraign Commodities have of late been too great Much of our Plate had it remained money would have better served Trade too many matters have been regulated by Laws with natures long Custom and general consent ought only to have Govern'd the Slaughter and Destruction of men by the late Civil Wars and Plague have been great the Fire of London and disaster at Chattham have begotten opinions in the Vulgar of the World to our prejudice the Nonconformists increase the people of Ireland think long of their settlement The English there apprehend themselves to be Aliens and are forced to seek a Trade with Forraigners which they might maintain with their own Relations in England but notwithstanding all this the like whereof was always in all places the Buildings in London grow great and Glorious the American Plantations employ 400 Sail of Ships Auctions in the East-India Company are above double the principal money Those who can give good Security may have money under the Statute interest materials for Building oven Oaken Timber are little the dearer some cheaper for the rebuilding of London the Exchange seems as full of Merchants as formerly no more Beggers in the Streets nor executed for thieves as heretofore the number of Coaches and Splendor of Equipage exceeding former times the publick Theatres very magnificent the King has a greater Navy and stronger Guards then before our Calamities the Clergy rich the Cathedrâ—ls in repair much Land have been improved and the price of Food Reasonable and in Brief no man needs to want that will take moderate pains that some are poorer then others ever was and will be and that many are Querulous and Envious is an Evil as old as the World These general Observations and that men Eat and Drink and Laugh as they use to do have incouraged me to try if I could comfort others being satisfied my self that the Interest and Affairs in England are in no deplorable condition the Method I take to do this is not yet very usual for instead of using only Comparative and Superlative words and Intellectual Arguments I have taken the course as a Specimen of the Political Arithmetick I have long aimed at to express my self in Number Weight and Measure A Discourse of Trade Being a Comparison between England and other parts of Europe wherein the Incouragement of Industry is promoted in these Islands of Great Britain and Ireland CHAP. I. That a small Country and few People by Situation Trade and Policy may be equivalent in Wealth and Strength to a far greater People and Territories and particularly that conveniencies for Shipping and Water-Carriage do most eminently and fundamentally conduce thereto THe first principal Conclusion by reason of it's Length I consider in three parts whereof the first that a small Country and few People may be equivalent in Wealth and Strength to a far greater People and Territories This part of the first principal Conclusion needs little proof forasmuch