Clerkenwell House Middlesex Barbara Villers Dutchess of Cleveland and Baroness of Nonsuch Her Seat Cleveland House near St. James's Middlesex Louise Querouale Dutchess of Portsmouth Countess of Farnham and Baroness of Petersfield * Charles Lenox Duke of Richmond and Lenox Earl of March and Baron of Settrington His Seat In Scotland Charles Fitz-Roy Duke of Southampton Earl of Chichester Baron of Newbury and Heir in Succession to the Dutchy of Cleveland His Seat Nonsuch Surrey * Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton Earl of Ewston Viscount Ipswich and Baron of Sudbury the Remainder for want of Issue Male to George Fitz-Roy his younger Brother His Seat Grafton Regis Northampton * Henry Somerset Duke of Beaufort Marquess and Earl of Worcester Lord Herbert of Chepstoll Ragland and Gower Lord President of Wales and the Marshes thereof His Seats Worcester House in the Strand Middlesex Badminton and Wallaston's Grange Gloucestershire Troy House Monmouth Castle Ragland Castle Chepstole Castle Tintorne Abby and Chepstow Grange Monmouth Swanzy Castle Glamorgan Crickhowell Castle and Tretonor Castle Brecknock George Fitz-Roy Duke and Earl of Northumberland Viscount Falmouth and Baron of Pontefract His Seats Holme Pierpoint Nottingham Highgate Middlesex James Butler Duke of Ormond within the Kingdom of England Earl of Brecknock and Baron of Lantony in South Wales Lord Steward of the King's House Duke Marquess and Earl of Ormond in Ireland Viscount Thurles Baron of Arklow and Lord of the Royalties and Liberties of the County of Tiperary in Ireland MARQUESSES CHarles Pawlet Marquess of Winchester Earl of Wiltshire and Lord St John of Basing His Seats Winchester House in Lincolns-Inn-Fields Middlesex Bolton Castle and Bolton Hall York Basing House Abbtston and Hackwood Southampton Edington Wilts Hooke Castle Dorset The Marquisate of Dorchester lately extinct by the death of Henry Lord Pierpoint George Savill Marquess Earl and Viscount Hallifax and Baron of England His Seats Rufford Nottingham Hallifax House in St James's Square Middlesex The Lord High Chamberlain of England The Lord High Constable of England The Earl Marshal of England The Lord High Admiral of England The Lord Steward of the King's Household The Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshold EARLS * AVbery de Vere Earl of Oxford Viscount Bulbeck Lord Sanford and Badlesmere His Seat Bentlie Essex Charles Talbut Earl of Shrewsbury Waterford and Wenford in Ireland Lord Talbot Strauge of Blackere Gifford of Brimsfield Furnival Verdon and Lovetoft His Seats Grafton Worcester Pepperhill Salop. Alton Castle Stafford Anthony Grey Earl of Kent Lord Grey of Ruthin Hastings and Valence His Seats Wrest House and Harrold Bedford Burbage Leicester Goodrich Castle Penyard Castle and Ecleswald Castle Hereford Kent House in St. James's Square Middlesex William Richard George Stanly Earl of Darby Lord Stanly Strange of Knockingmohun and Lord of the Isle of Man His Seats Knowesley Latham Hall Greenhalgh Burlco Abby Cross Hall Pilkington Stand and Arnshead Tower Lancaster Betham Hall Westmerland John Manners Earl of Rutland Lord Ross of Hamlake Trusbut Belvoir and Lord Manners of Haddon His Seats Belvoire Castle Lincoln and Leicester Haddon Darby Theophilus Hastings Earl of Huntingdon Lord Hastings Hungerford Botreaux moe'ls Newmarch and Molins His Seats Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire Donington Park * Willam Russel Earl of Bedford and Baron of Thornhaugh His Seats Bedford House in the Strand Middlesex Bedford House in Exon Devonshire Woburn Abby Bedford Cheynes Bucks Thorney Abby Cambridge Philip Herbert Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery Lord Herbert of Cardiff Ross of Kendal Par Marmion of St. Quintin and Shurland His Seats Wilton and Falston alias Fallersdown Wilts Cardiff Castle and Caerphilly Castle Glamorgan Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln and Lord Clinton His Seats Sempringham and Tattershall Castle Lincoln James Howard Earl of Suffolk and Baron of Walden His Seats Chesterford Essex New-Market Cambridge Charles Sackvill Earl of Dorset and Middlesex and Baron of Buckhurst His Seats Knoll Kent Copthall Essex Buckhurst and Stoneland Sussex Milcot House Warwick James Cecil Earl of Salisbury Viscount Cranburn and Baron Essendyne Under Age. His Seats Salisbury House in the Strand Middlesex Hatfield Hertford Castle Bygrave Chesthunt and Quickswood Hertford Cranborne House Dorset John Cecil Earl of Exeter and Lord Burghley His Seats Burghley Worthrop and Wakerley Northhampton Snap York John Egerton Earl of Bridgwater Viscount Brackley and Baron of Ellesmere His Seats Ashdrid Bucks and Hertford Bridgwater House in Barbican Middlesex Ellesmere Salop. Markingfield York Newborough Stafford Philip Sidney Earl of Leicester Viscount Lisle and Baron of Penshurst His Seats Leicester House in Leicester Fields Middlesex Penshurst Kent Coyty Castle Glamorgan James Compton Earl of Northampton and Baron of Compton His Seats Castle Ashley Northampton Compton Warwick Cambray Middlesex Edward Rich E. of Warwick and Holland Baron of Leez and Kensington under age His Seats Warwick House in Holborn and Holland House in Kensington Middlesex William Cavendish Earl of Devon and Baron of Hardwick His Seats Hardwick and Chatsworth Derby Rowhampton Surrey Latimers Buckingham William Fielding aliter de Hapsburgh Earl of Denby and Desmond in Ireland Viscount Fielding Baron of Newnham Padox and St. Lis. His Seats Newnham-Padox Warwick Martinsthorp Rutland John Digby Earl of Bristol and Baron of Sherborn His Seats Sherborn Castle Dorset Clevedon Court Somerset Gilbert Holles Earl of Clare and Baron of Haughton His Seats Haughton in the County of Nottingham Clare-House in the Town of Nottingham Clare House in Drury Lane Middlesex Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbrook and Lord St. John of Bletsho His Seats Bletsho and Melchborn Bedford Charles Fane Earl of Westmerland Baron Le Despencer and Bergherst His Seats Apethorp and Sewlhay Lodge Northampton Robert Mountague Earl of Manchester Viscount Mandevile and Baron of Kimbolton His Seats Kimbolton Castle Huntington Leez Priory Essex Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire Viscount Andover and Baron of Charlton His Seat Charlton Wilts * John Sheffeild Earl of Mulgrave and Baron of Butterwick His Seats Mulgrave Castle York Mulgrave House near White-Hall Middlesex Normanby Lincoln Thomas Savage Earl Rivers Viscount Colchester and Baron Darcy of Chich in Essex His Seats Clifton alias Rock Savage and Frodsham Castle Chester St. Osith Essex Rivers House in Queen-street Middlesex Robert Bertie Lord Great Chamberlain of England Earl of Lindsey and Baron Willoughby of Eresby His Seats Grimsthorp and Earesby Lincoln Chelsey Middlesex Havering Essex Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough and Baron of Turvey His Seats Turvey Bedford Drayton Luswick alias Lowick Thrapston and Sudborow Northampton Thomas Grey Earl of Stamford and Lord Grey of Grooby His Seats Broadgate and Grooby Leicester Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsy and Viscount Maidston His Seats Estwell Wy Court and Moat Kent Robert Pierrepont Earl of Kingston upon Hull Viscount Newmarket and Baron Pierrepont of Holm Pierrepont His Seat Holm Pierrepont Nottingham Charles Dormer Earl of Carnarvan Viscount Ascot and Baron of Wing His Seats Wing and Ethrop Buckingham Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield and Baron of
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
3 chief Scales of Europe CHAP. LXI A View of Lisbon the Metropolis of Portugal of the Trade Growth Weights Measues Coyns and Customs thereof LIsbon is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Portugal commodiously Seated upon the Banks of the River Tagus the City and Suburbs being 10 Miles in compass and not imagined to contain less then 38000. Families Beautifyed with 67 Towers placed upon the Walls and 22 Gates all the Houses being Built Magnificent and indeed the People given to great Industry but especially to Navigation as appears by the many Discoveries they have made they being the first that Discovered the Eastern Tract even to the Indias and there by Trade and force got Footing and shewed the way to England and Holland who have now brought it to perfection even to the great Inriching either Nation and of all the Commodities brought from India and other parts of the World by the Portugals this City is the Scale for hither come yearly the Spices of Arabia the Silks of Persia the rich Commodities of China and the Gold Silver precious Stones and Spices of India and especially Pearls the Fishery thereof remaining for the most part in the right of the King of Portugal which being brought to Lisbon and afterwards dispersed throughout Europe To this City Flows the Trade of the whole Kingdom and also that of Spain from which Kingdom it is now separated as formerly The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are Principally the small and the great Cantars the Latter of which is divided into 4 Roves and each Rove contains 32 Reals which is 128 pounds at 14 Ounces per pound and of Florence Weight is computed 149 pound their small Quintar for Pepper and Ginger is between 110 and 112 pound English the Rove or Quartern being 27 ½ and sometimes 27 ◠4 pound but the great Quintal is 15 or 16 per cent more than our 112 pound The Quintar commonly called the King 's Quintar used in his Contractation House for weighing the Spices and Drugs of India is 114 pound English and the great Cantar of Lisbon is mostly computed 130 pound English c. The Measures of length used in this City are the Coueda which is the third part of an English Yard and the Ware which wants but a Nale of an English Ell by the former they Measure Woollen Cloaths c. and by the latter Linnen c. The Concave Measures of Lisbon is the Alquire 3 of which are found to make an English Bushel and 5 a Spanish Hannep They have an other Measure by which they meet their Salt called Muy which is 60 Alquires and 2 Muys and 15 Alquires are a Tunn Bristol Water Measure The Custom inward is 23 per cent that is to the Dechima 10 to the Sisa 10 and to the Consolado 3 and outward Merchants pay only 3. The Coyns are the Croisado of Gold computed to be worth 400 Reas. The Ducat of Portugal which is ten Reals and accounted 5 Shillings Sterling or the Croisado The Ryal which is 40 Reas and accounted 6 pence Sterling The Golden Mirle which is worth 1000. Reas and accounted 2 5 2 Ducats the Ducat is 2 ½ Ryals or 15 pence Sterling The Vintin which is 20 Reas or 3 pence Sterling the single Ryal of Spain which is 2 Vintines there are likewise the Coyns of Spain passable in this City but seeing they are not the proper Coyns of Portugal I shall pass them over as having already mentioned them in the Description of the Trade of that Kingdom And now leaving Portugal I shall pass into the Kingdom of France and in viewing the Trade of some Cities thereof give a Summary account of the whole Kingdoms Commerce both Inland and by Navigation CHAP. LXII A View of France the Provinces Trade Customs Weights Measures and Currant Coyns reduced into the view of the Principal Trading Cities of that Kingdom FRance is a large and Fertile part of Europe bounded on the North with the Brittish Ocean on the West with the Aquitanian Sea on the South with the Mediterranian and on the East with the Pirenaean Hills and River Rhine and is divided into several Provinces the Trade of which I shall instance in these following Cities viz. Burdeaux Rouen Paris Lyons and Marselia of these in order Burdeaux is Situate on the Banks of Geronde being the Principal City of the Province of Aquitain and is placed in a very Fruitful Soil especially for Wines The Principal Vineyards of France being accounted in its Neighbourhood of the Grapes therein growing are made Whitewines and Claret in abundance and of late all Palled Wines and such as otherwise are foul not Merchantable they Lmibeck off into Brandies which for the most part is vended in England and Holland They have likewise several Vineyards yielding Grapes that make Sweet-Wines commonly called high Country Wines the which lest it should hinder the Sail of the other they prohibit to be sold in their City till Christmass day when the high Country Merchants bring it in and sell it to Strangers there resident and such is the Custom of the place that that Vessel or Lighter that first sets her Head on Shoar is accounted free from Impost or Custom yet must in lieu thereof for that day give Wine on Free-cost to such as come on Board to Drink it To this City it is that our English Merchants Trade and from whence they yearly bring 20000 Tuns of Whitewine Claret Sweet and Brandy Wines in times when no prohibition is layed this City formerly for many Years having been English there are found great quantities of Prunes of the Neighbouring growth and some other Commodities tho these are the chief and to this place monies are remitted for which mostly the Inhabitants Trade not as in other places ef Traffick freely bartering Goods for Goods Their Accounts are kept for the most part in Livers Sold's and Denies as indeed throughout the Kingdom Their Weight is the pound 100 of which are reckoned a Quintar or 110 English 90 ¾ pound being 100 pound English Their Measure of length is an Auln accounted 42 English Inches their Wines are computed by Hogs-Heads and Tearces viz. Claret and White-wines and their Brandy by Punchings of no certain Gauge CHAP. LXIII A View of Rouen and the Trade thereof ROuen is the Principal City of Normandy being the Parliamentary Seat of that Province and is Seated on the Banks of the River Sein all its Territories being Fertile and it abounding with rich Merchandise as well of other Nations as the Growth of the Kingdom of France and is visited by most of the Merchants of all the Northern Kingdoms Trading in the Growth of France the place affording of natural Growth and Native Manufactury fine and coarse Linnens Buckrams Paper Cards Wine Stuffs Combs c. for which the Inhabitants or such French Merchants as send their Commodities thither to be vended receive of the English Kersies of Devonshire and
weighed as Nutmegs Cloves Cinnamond Drugs of all sorts Indicoes and rich Dies The Measure of length is the Ell which is about 38 English Inches as for Concave Measures they use but few and those the same with other Cities of the Empire of which anon I shall have occasion to speak The currant Coyn is the Bobemico Gross or Blaphace which is 3 Crutfers one Crutfer being 2 pence one penny 2 Hellers and one Heller 2 Orchines And in these Coyns all the Accounts are kept CHAP. LXXXII A View of Vienna and of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns c. VIenna is one of the fairest and strongest Cities of the Empire and for the most part the Imperial Seat having on the North of it the River Danow which dividing into 3 Streams causes as it were an Island ere it again unites and over the Streams are 3 Stone Bridges of 15 29 and 57 Arches all the Streets are adorned with stately Buildings and in the City many Merchants reside who have their Factories in Venice Florence Genoa c. and by that means it abounds in rich Commodities of all Nations especially Sattins Damasks Taffatas Velvets Cloath of Gold and Silver Drugs Spices Wool Lead Iron Copper Flax Wine Oyl Wax Tallow Furs and the like which is dispersed into the Neighbourhood to supply the Towns and Cities of less note The Weight is the pound which in the Sale of some Commodities is divided into 32 Coets and in others into 128 Quints and by some again into 512 Fennings of this pound 100 makes the Quintar which in London is found to make between 122 and 123 pound The Measures of length are 2 one for Linnen and the other for Woollen the 100 Yards of London are found to make 103 Ells of Vienna Linnen Measure and of the Woollen Measure 113 Ells. The Coyns currant are the Rhenis Guilder worth 28 ½ Silver Missens Gross or 36 ½ Lubeck Shillings 7 ½ of which make one of our Shillings the Imperial-Doller which is worth 33 Lubeck Shillings the common Guilden worth 28 Lubeck Shillings and the French Crown worth 44 Lubeck Shillings c. By Reason of the Emperors residing here there is a great Exchange which is by Rix Dollars of 8 Shillings Flemish and by Ducats of Gold of 12 Shillings Flemish CHAP. LXXXIII A View of Hamburg of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities thereof HAmburg is an Imperial City Seated on a large Plain and has on the South side the River Elve being Accommodated with a fair Haven cross which is cast a Chain to hinder Ships from entering without Licence and on the North-East side some distance from the Walls of the City runs the River Alster and is adorned with many fair Buildings fortifyed with strong Walls Ditches and Bulwarks The Trade at present is very considerable by Reason of the residence of our Merchants there and the Factories held in other parts it being the Key as it were of that part of Germany whither the Inland Towns bring their Commodities to vend as Quick-Silver Stuffs Silks Cloath Wine Wax Cordage Corn and the like most Italian Commodities are found here and great quantities of the Growth of Spain and here the English vend Cloath Iron Tinn Lead Drugs Spices and the like receiving for them the Growth and Manufactures of the Empire The Weight is the pound 120 of which are accounted the Quintar which is divided into 3 parts or denominations viz. the 12 Stone of 10 pound to the Stone 300 pound are accounted the Skip pound which is the second that which is call'd the third is 20 Lispound of 15 pound to the 300 which may be said to be one Quintar of 120 pound and another of 300 pound The Measure of length is the Ell by which all Woollen Linnen and Silks are Measured 100 of which are accounted t◠make in London 48 Ells for Linnen and th◠100 Yards of London to be 162 or 163 of Hamburg Yards The Concave Measure is the Scheple 90 of which make the Last of Corn in this place tho 83 are found to do the same at Amsterdam or to produce 10 Quarters of London Measure The Merchants exchange for London by the pound Sterling and from all other places upon Rix Dollers of 50 Shillings Lapisto or 54 Stivers A Doller is here noted to be worth 3 white pence each white Penny to be 18 Shillings each Shilling 12 pence and each penny two Hellers And thus much for Hamburg and of the Empire CHAP. LXXXIV A View of Denmark and of its Trade together with the Commodities Weights Measures and Coyns thereof DEnmark is bounded on the East with the Baltick Ocean on the West with the German Ocean on the North with Sweeden and on the South with the Germain Empire and contains Cimbrick Chersonese the Islands of the Baltick and part of Scandia which are divided into several Provinces the which for Brevities sake I shall pass over and reduce their Trade into the 2 Principal Cities And of the Islands I shall treat in their order And first of Copenhagen and the Trade thereof Copenhagen is the Metropolis of Denmark and the Seat of the Danish Kings for the most part being Commodiously Seated on the Sea-shore and provided of a safe and goodly Haven for the reception of Shipping being strongly Fortifyed and Beautifyed with a Castle and other stately Edifices which are for the more part possessed by Merchants that Trade there for the Growth and Manufacture of the Kingdom which chiefly consists in Hides Tallow Fish Bucks-Skins Armour of all sorts Furniture for Shipping Corn Cattle and the like for which they receive Drugs Spices Tinn Lead Gold Silver Silks Woollen and Linnen Cloaths c. The currant Coyn is the Dollar and Shilling one Danish Shilling making one Lubeck Shilling and 66 Danish Shillings accounted to the Dollar which is 5 Shillings Sterling The Accounts in this City are kept by Merchants in Marks of 16 Shillings Danish The Exchanges are practised by Rix Dollars to the value as aforesaid The Weights and Measures of this Kingdom I shall Summ up in the next Chapter by Reason the difference of Weights and Measures in this City and the rest little or nothing vary CHAP. LXXXV A View of Elsinore and the Trade thereof ELsinore is Situate upon the Straight leading to the Sound and greatly frequented by Seamen by Reason of the Extraordinary passage through the Straight for which every Vessel pays to the King of Denmark a considerable Summ for permission no Ships being otherwise capable to pass by Reason of the Castles that Guard that pass on either side viz. Coronsburg and Elsburg the latter being in the Kingdom of Norway on the East side of the Sealand near to Elsinore the King has a Pallace for his Summer Recreation which has a Prospect over the Sea and 't is reported that this Tole or Duty arising upon the passing and repassing over Ships into the Sound and Baltick amounts to more then all
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
three Miles of London And within the City several but the most noted that at the Postern-gate by Tower-hill and that called Crowders-Well hard by Cripple-gate Aleyceston in Huntingtonshire where there are two small Springs one whereof being fresh is accounted good for the Eyes the other a little Brackish for Scabs and Leprosy Buxton in Derbyshire where within the compass of 24 Foot there arise out of a Rock from under a Square Structure of Free-stone 9 Springs whereof one only is cold all the rest very warm But among all these it would be an unpardonable oversight to pass by unmention'd that famous Well of St. Winifrid commonly called the Holy-Well in Flintshire formerly much frequented partly by way of Pilgrimage partly for the great Virtue it was reputed to have in the Cure of many Maladies through the easie Faith no doubt and fond Credulity of the deluded Vulgar who are always apt to pay high Adoration and ascribe miraculous Cures to the Bodies â—elicks or any Memorials of persons recommended to them for Saints for here the Tradition goes that the Virgin Saint Vinifrid being here Beheaded a Fountain immediatly sprung up as if the Earth bewailing her Martyrdom burst forth into a â—ood of Tears and the Pebble-stones at the bottom of the said Fountain being observed to be of a Reddish colour we are to suppose that they retain to this day the tincture of the Virgins Blood Those Springs and Waters that are on the top of high Hills must be allowed to have something of Rarity in them in regard to those that are not sufficiently vers'd in the knowledge of natural Causes and Productions it may seem wonderful that the Water should rise so high above the common Surface of the Earth Particularly on the high Hills of Carnarvanshire are two Meers Also a Spring on the top of MoilenlyHills in Denbyshire Likewise among the Wonders or Rarities of England may be reckoned those Ditches which stand yet as Monuments of the Art and Industry of our Forefathers First That on Newmarket-heath which is commonly called the Devils-Ditch Secondly Wansdike in Wiltshire a work of many Miles extent cast up in memory of a Battle between the Mercians and West-Saxons Thirdly Clough d'Offa or Offa's ditch a work not inferior to the former mention'd and much upon the same occasion made Of the Populacy of the English Nation THe Populacy of a Nation is best estimated from the number of its Towns and Cities The Kingdom of England proportionably to its circumference is scarce inferior to any Kingdom or Country of Europe which is also accounted the the most Populous of all the four parts of the World except France and the Low-Countries which last being accounted no bigger in compass than York-shire is judged to contain as many Towns and Inhabited places as ten times the Circuit thereof in most other Countries and to some much superior particularly Spain late esteem'd the most considerable Monarchy of Christendom and that it continues not so to this day we may in a great measure imâ—â—te to the paucity of people in that kingdom for doubtless there is nothing that conduceth more to the Strength Grandure Prosperity and Riches of a Nation than the Populousness thereof especially where Industry is in the least incourag'd and Idleness discountenanc'd Wherefore that Nation that will ever hope to flourish ought to use all means and endeavours possible for the increasing of its People and to avoid as much as may be all occasions of Depopulation The principal causes of the Dispeopleing of Spain which according to the Testimony of several Creditable Authors hath been Anciently much better Peopled than at present have been first the multitude of Monasteries and Religious Prisons those Receptacles of forc'd Chastity and as they are ordered Impediments of the Worlds Lawful Increase Next the Violent Expulsion of the Moors out of Spain after that by a long establish'd settlement and being habituated to the same Customs Manners and Religion they were become as it were one Body with the rest of the People Lastly Those vast Colonies sent out of Spain to maintain and possess the ample Conquests or rather Ambitious and Bloody Invasions and Depopulations made by the the Spaniards there The Cities and Market-Towns of England are in number 607. to which the rest of the Burrough Towns that is such as send Burgesses to Parliament and all the Inhabited Villages whereof some are conderable being added make above 10 times the number so that all the Parishes of England and Wales are reckon'd 9285. and doubtless within the said circumference which is generally computed to be about 1352 Miles might be very well comprehended five times as many Towns or Places of Habitation if all the Forrests Chaces and unimproved vast Heaths and Commons were taken in and improved to the best advantage It is not to be wondred at that next to being born under a Happy Climate the living under a Happy Government the greatest advantage and Strength of a People is to be numerous proportionably to the extent of Territory they possess Since in the first place it is apparent enough that in a well Inhabited City the People must needs be so much the better able to defend themselves from any Force or Opposition Next if it be a place of any Trade take any particular number of what Trade soever and it is not to be imagin'd that they should be e're a whit the poorer but rather the richer than if the Inhabitants had been fewer For admit them of the same Trade or Imployment a profitable and corresponsible Trade is the more lively and vigorously carried on by many hands and suppose them of several Occupations the circulation of Money from the one to other helps all in general Though 't is true that in a straggling Town or City whose parts lye disjoyn'd and far asunder the people however considerable in number cannot be so assistant to each other in mutual Aid Society or Commerce as in a regular and well compacted City So likewise in a Kingdom that Prince who hath never so large an Empire yet if thinly Peopled or divided into several parts remotely distant and interrupted from mutual intercourse by long Voyages of Land and Sea cannot be look'd upon as so powerful a Prince as he that hath the like number of People in one intire and united Dominion Certainly no Monarch of the World much less of Christendom whoever he be that hath added most to his Empire by never so many new made Conquests can pretend to so large a share or portion of the Earth as the King of Spain who nevertheless as the transactions of a few late past years have made appear hath born but his fourth part with other Princes and States in opposition to a Prince far inferior to him in Jurisdiction and what should be the reason of this but that his Dominions lye so remote from each other and his Kingdom of Spain which his Residence there chiefly enables
Original of the Companies of London and how and when Incorporated Chap. 2. Of the English Merchants trading into most parts the time of their Incorporating and the Improvement of Navigation Chap. 3. Of Englands Trade in general a Survey of the Weights Measures Coyns Comerse of most of the Counties Chap. 4. Of the Traffick of London Chap. 5. Of the Coyns of England settled by the Tower Standard Chap. 6. Of the Weights and Measures used in England established by a Standard Chap. 7. Of the Trade of Scotland as to its dependencies with England Chap. 8. A View of Ireland and its present State and Trade Chap. 9. A View of the Ocean and the Islands belonging to the Isle of great Britain Chap. 10. Of the Measures Breadth and Length of English Cloath Chap. 11. A View of America and its Trade with England Chap. 12. A View of Virginia of the Trade Names Customs and Government of it Chap. 13. A View of New-England and the Trade thereof Chap. 14. A View of Maryland the Customs and Trade thereof Chap. 15. A View of the Peruanan Provinces their Trade and Customs Chap. 16. A View of Affrica and of the Manners Customs Trade Coyns and Commodities Chap. 17. Of Tunis the Trade Manners and Customs thereof Chap. 18. A View of Argiers of their Trade Manners and Customs and Methods for selling of Slaves Chap. 19. Of the Kingdom of Fez and its Trade with England Chap. 20. Of the Kingdom of Morocco the Customs and Trade thereof with England Chap. 21. Of Nurâ—idia and Lydia and their Trade Chap. 22. A View of Ethiopia and the Trade thereof Chap. 24. A View of Mosambique and its Trade Chap. 25. Of Egypt and the Trade thereof Chap. 26. Of Grand Cairo and its Trade Chap. 27. Of the Isles appertaining to Affrica the Commodities Trade Weights and Measures Chap. 28. Of Asia the Trade Manners and Customs thereof of the Money currant and Commodities Weights and Measures Chap. 29. A View of Syria and its Trade Chap. 30. Of Aleppo and the Trade thereof and the Customs of that famous City Chap. 31. Of Damascus and its Trade Chap. 32. Of Tripoly and the Trade thereof Chap. 33. Of Palestine Chap. 34. Of America and its Trade Chap. 35. Of Assyria Mesopotamia and Caldea Chap. 36. Of Media and its Trade Chap. 37. Of Persia its Trade and Commodities Chap. 38. Of Hispaan and its Trade Chap. 39. Of Tartaria its Trade Coyn and Customs Chap. 40. Of India Intra and Extra Gangem Chap. 41. A View of Cambaia and its Trade Chap. 42. A View of Goa its Trade Commodities and Customs c. Chap. 43. Of Musulipatan Chap. 44. Of the City of Satagan the Metropolis of Bengala Chap. 45. Of Peru the Trade Coyns and Customs Chap. 46. Of Syan and Malacca Chap. 47. Of China and their Trade with England Chap. 48. Of the Islands in the Asian Seas Chap. 49. Of the Isles of Molucco's c. Chap. 50. Of Javas and the Trade thereof Chap. 51. Of other Islands in the Indian Seas Chap. 52. Of Cyprus its Trade Growth and Coyns Chap. 53. A Discourse of Gold and Silver its true intrinsick value their Fineness and Allayes c. Chap. 54. Of Diamonds and precious Stones and their value and goodness Chap. 55. Of the Trade of Europe and their dependencies on England Chap. 56. Of Sevil in Spain and its Trade Chap. 57. Of Malaga the Customs Weights and Measures Chap. 58. Of Alicant and its Trade Chap. 59. Of Madrid its Trade and Customs Chap. 60. Of Lisbon its Trade Weights Measures and Coyns Chap. 61. A View of France its Trade Custom Weights and Measures c. Chap. 62. Of Rouen and the Trade thereof Chap. 63. A View of Paris its Trade Custom and Commodities c. Chap. 64. Of Lyons and its Trade Chap. 65. Of Marselia and its Trade Chap. 66. Of Naples and its Trade Chap. 67. Of Italy and its Trade Chap. 68. Of Florence and its Trade Chap. 69. Of Millain and its Trade Chap. 70. Of the Dukedoms of Mantua and Urbin and their Trade Chap. 71. Of Venice and its Trade Chap. 72. Of Parma Chap. 73. Of Leghorn its Trade Customs Weights and Measures Chap. 74. Of Genoa its Trade and Commerce Chap. 75. Of Luca and its Trade Chap. 76. Of Rome and its Trade and Customs Chap. 77. Of Flanders and Holland their Weights Measures Coyns Customs Traffick Chap. 78. Of Amsterdam and its Trade Chap. 79. Of Germany its Provinces and Trade Chap. 80. Of Stratsburg and its Trade Chap. 81. Of Vicura its Trade Weights and Customs and Coyn. Chap. 82. Of Hamburg its Trade Commodities Coyns c. Chap. 83. Of Denmark its Trade c. Chap. 84. Of Elsinore and the Trade thereof Chap. 85. Of Norway its Customs and Tade Chap. 86. Of Sweedland its provinces and Trade Chap. 87. Of Moscovia and its chief City Mosco its Trade and Customs c. Chap. 88. A View of the Kingdom of Poland its Trade c. Chap. 89. Of Hungary and the adjacent Provinces their Trade and Manufacture c. Chap. 90. A View of Greece and its Trade the Manufacture and Trade of Constantinople with England Chap. 91. A View of the Islands in the Egean and Mediterranean Sea c. Chap. 92. Of Candia and other Islands Chap. 93. Of Zant Zeffalonia and their Trade Commodities Coyn c. Chap. 94. Of Sicilia Malta and Sardinia their Trade Chap. 95. Of Greenland other Northern Islands Ch. 96. Of the Practice and Custom of Exchanges and the Benefit thereof Chap. 97. Of four Bills of Exchange of presenting paying and protesting the Laws and Customs of Merchants therein asserted Chap. 98. Of the Pair in Exchange and form of English Dutch and French Bills Chap. 99. Vseful observat on Bills of Exchange page 300. Of Letters of Credit and why drawn p. 312. A Survey of Customs of Tonnage and Poundage of Wines of the Growth of France Germany Spain Portugal p. 314 Of Policies of Assurance their Original Legality Nature and Quality p. 325. Of Bottomery the Signification of it the Commodity or Discommodity of it p. 332. Of the Rights and Priviledges of Owners of Ships and Rules to be observed by them according to Laws Marine p. 335. Instructions to be observ'd by Masters of Ships p. 337. Of Fraight and Charter part according to Laws Marine p. 340. Of Wrecks and Instructions for Masters and Owners in case of Wrecks p. 344. Of Averidge and Contribution and what Goods maybe cast over-board in case of a Storm p. 347. A View of London with the Customs Priviledges and Exemptions thereof according to the Charters of several Kings of England p. 351. A Survey of the remaining Ports of England with their Members Creeks c. together with the Goods Imported and Exported p. 358. A Table of the Contents of the second Treatise Intituled A Discourse of Trade CHAP I. THat a small Country and few people by Situation Trade and Policy may be
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
the Indians the latter being obliged to work for the former 3. days in the Week And thus much for America in particular and indeed in general for this new World as it is Termed yields little more then here I have set down and indeed in Riches may Compare with any of the other three Parts did the Inhabitants know how to improve the growth of the Islands and Continent accordingly but indeed the Spaniards possessing the greatest part use their utmost diligence to keep out other Nations and will instruct the Natives in nothing that is Curious lest they should leave off to Labour in the Mines but thus much concerning America The Customs Situation and Manners thereof in the exactest Method CHAP. XVII A view of Africa and of the Manners Customs Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodity thereof AFrica one of the quarters of the World is bounded on the North with the Mediterranean Sea on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the South with the South Ocean and on the East with the Red-Sea and is in a manner an Island being tyed only to Asia with a Neck of Land of 20 Leagues over and contains these Provinces viz. Barbery Numidia Lybia Negrita Ethiopia Interior and Ethiopia Exterior Egypt and the Islands of the Sea The Account of the Trade and Commerce of the Principal Cities and Towns but especially from whence any Commodities are brought and Traded for by the English Merchants I shall lay down as foloweth CHAP. XVIII A view of Tunis the Trade Manners and Customs thereof BArbary being divided into four Kingdoms viz. Tunis Argier Fess and Morocco I shall take them in order and first of Tunis Tunis is Situate near unto the great Lake which Extends almost to the Port of Goletta and is founded on the ruins of Carthage being in compass within the Walls 4 Miles and accounting the Suburbs 7 Miles in circuit and is very Populous owning for Supream Lord the Grand-Signeour who governs it by a Bassaw the Inhabitants being Mahumetans the Houses are Builded of Square Stone and for the most part flat A Port it has large and Commodious for Shipping Their Money in Gold is mostly the Spanish Doller or Royal the Venice Chiqeen the Spanish Pistolet which they pass from one to another at full value unless diminished or light Weight in Silver they have the Spanish Royal and the Asper Their Accounts are for the most part kept in Dollers and Aspers Their Weights are the Cantar of 100. pounds yet in Weight are found to exceed our 112 two pounds each of their pounds being divided into 16 Ounces and so into less by division viz. Each Ounce into 8 Tamins and by this Weight are all their Merchandise Weighed except Silver Gold Pearl c. which are Weighed by a Cariot Weight which is half an Ounce Troy or Mittagals much of the same Proportion In Weight of Cloves and Nutmegs they allow 5 pounds per cent Tret or over-plus besides the Weight of the Bags Their Measures for Silk Cloath and the like are the Pike there being 3 sorts of them the first called the Cloath Pike is 26 Inches and a half English the second the Gray which is a 16th part less by which they Measure Silks Sattins Velvets c. The third is the Linnen Pike and is ¼ part less then the Silk Pike Their dry Measures are the Coffice containing about 10 of our Bushels The Weab 18 of which make a Coffice and the Saw of which 12 make a Weab Their Liquid Measures are the Wine Meeter and Oyl Meeter the former being near 2 English Gallons and a half and the latter near 5. The chief Commodities are Hides Wax Oyl Honey Wool Corn Raisons Dates Anniseeds Estrich Feathers Sponges Lemons Oranges Almonds and Olives For which they receive of such Merchants as Trade thither English and Venice Cloath Lead Deal-Boards Shot Perpetuanos Spanish Wool Tartar Allum Iron Madder Safaparilla Pepper Ginger Safforn Cinamon Nutmegs Cocheneel Gold Thread Sea-Horse-teeth Cotton Yarn Venice-Pepper French-Canvas Gulmak Damask Sattain and the like Their Customs upon Goods imported unless Lead Shot and Iron are 9 per cent on the Real Value and before any Goods can be delivered an exact Account must be taken thereof by Officers appointed for that purpose other charges of Goods imported besides fraight of which no certainty is 8 per cent more viz. 2 per cent consolage 5 per cent provision and Broakage and one per cent for petty Charges the Customs on Goods that are exported Honey Wax and Wool liable to no Customs excepted is 5 per cent The Counterban or Goods prohibited to be exported are Pease Corn Oyl Beans Butter Hony Dates c. tho often a Licence for Exporting the same is secretly procured And thus much for Tunis in the Description of which I have described the Trade of all the Cities of that Kingdom as centering in this CHAP. XIX A view of Argier and of the Trade Manners Customs Weights Measures thereof and their way of dividing Prizes and selling Slaves in the Publick Market ARgier that Piratical Kingdom so dangerous to Merchants Trading in the Mediterranean contains as her Principal Cities Argier and Tremesin the former giving name to the Kingdom which is but small in compass The City of Argier the common Receptacle of Turkish and Moorish Pirates is imagined to contain 90000 Souls in which there are several that protest against the Thieving Trade and hold some Commerce with Merchants of divers Nations Their chief Commodities are Oyls Almonds Rasins Figs Dates Castile-Sope Brass Copper Barbary Horses Estrich Feathers Hony Wax and Drugs Their Coyn is the Double accounted of equal Value with our 12 pence or 2 single Spanish Ryals 4 Doubles are accounted a Ryal and 8 8 called by them the Olian 5 Doubles and 35 Aspers is a Pistol Spanish 7 Doubles are accounted a Sultany or Cheeque of Barbary Gold and 50 Aspers make a Double And these are the currant Monies of the Kingdom of Argier The Weights are the Rotolos or 100 pound which makes 120 pound English the 10 pound of the small making 6 in gross some Commodities they likewise weigh by the Cantar as Iron Lead Yarn Wool which Cantar is 150 Rotolos Figs Dates Sope Butter c. are weighed by a Cantar of 166 Rotolos Almonds Cheese Cottons c. they weigh by a Cantar of 110 Rotolos Brass Copper Wax and Drugs by a Cantar of 100 Rotolos Flax by a Cantar of 200 Rotolos Gold Silver Pearl and precious Stones are weighed by the Mittigal which is 72 Grains English and is worth 9 Doubles The Sultanie Cheeque or Hunger Weighs 52 Grains English being equally Valued with Angel Gold and by the Ounce Troy in England is worth 3 pound 11 Shillings Their Measures of Length are two Picos viz. the Turkish and the Morisco Picos The former is divided into 16 parts and every â…› part is called a Robe and is 131 1â—2 part of the English Yard and the Custom
Length 3000 Miles and when it over-flows not it portenteth some fatal disaster to the King or Kingdom and by this means the Land is Fertilized for as for Rain there is none The chief Places of Traffick are Alexandria a famous Sea-Port founded by Alexander the great and Cairo commonly called Grand Cairo and in these Center the Trade of the whole Country Therefore omitting Places of lesser note I shall only take a View of these two Cities and their Commerce with such as Trade in those parts and first of Alexandria Alexandria first founded by Alexander the Great in Expedition to Conquer the World is the chief Maritim City of Egypt and from all parts of the Kingdom are thither brought Flax Hemp Hony Wax Rice Balsoms Dates Drugs and Spices and the Country in general produceth abundance of Palm Trees besides hither are brought the Plenty of Arabia India and Persia as Spices Drugs Silks c. so that the Custom-House is accountable yearly for great Summs of Gold The nature of the Palm Trees that grow in that Country is this they always grow in Cupples twisted or twined viz. Male and Female the Female Palm only bears Fruit and that not without the Male for if the Male Palm be cut away the Female will not bear the Fruit is Cods with Seed and pleasant Juice the Pith of these Trees is excellent in tast and very nourishing of the Leaves they make Fans Mats and Baskets of the outward Husks of the Cod Cordage and of the inward Brushes the Fruit they bear is like a Fig which serves the Inhabitants for Meat green and dryed for Bread The Weights used here are four sorts first the Quintar of Zera second the Quintar of Forfor third the Quintar of Zaidin the fourth the Quintar of Mina the first is found to be English 112 pounds the second 93 pounds English the third 134 pounds English the fourth the 167 pounds English Averdupois Weight The Measures are two-fold viz. the Pico Barbaresco which is used for the Measuring of Cloath both Linnen and Woollen and is in Length 25 â…ž English Inches and the Pico Turchesco with which is Measured Silks fine Stuffs Cloath of Gold c. and is found to be 22 ¼ English Inches as for wet and dry Measures they are of little use the Customs being to sell by Weight for the most part CHAP. XXVII A View of Cairo and the Trade Weights Measures and Customs thereof CAiro is a famous City Situate in the vast Plain beneath the Mountains of Mucatun and not above 2 Miles from the Bank of Nilus adorned with many stately Buildings as Pallaces Colledges Temples and the like and has in it a large Burse or Exchange of 3 Story high the first of which consists of Ware-Houses for Gross Goods in the second is laid up Musk Amber Silks Spices and the like and in the third the Merchants who have Ware-Houses there lodg with their Retinues which Merchants are of 6 sorts first the Native Egyptians secondly the Arabians or Moors thirdly the Merchants of Europe Christians fourthly the Turks fifthly the Jews and sixthly the Christians of Affrica as Greeks Armenians c. The Lord of this City and Country is the grand Signeour who governs by his Bashaw or Vice-King The Commodities Traded for by the Europian Merchants are Flax Rice Balsoms Puls Fruits Cottons Sugars Hemp and the like which according to the overflowing of Nilus the Soil yields in plenty or Scarcity so that when they have a plentiful Year they make a Feast to Nilus or the River God as they Term him and exceedingly Rejoyce thereto The yearly Revenue of this Kingdom accrueing by Customs and other ways amount to 3 Millions of Sheraffes each valued at 8 Shillings Sterling one Million of which is sent to the grand Signeur one for maintaining the forces of the Kingdom and the other to enable the Bashaw to keep his Court. The Customs are either payed in Species or compounded for at 10 per cent only Money entred pays but one and a half per cent but outward all Commodities pay 11 per cent which is accounted the Soldan's Custom The Customs of Alexandria are farmed by the Jews at 20000 Medins per diem which according to computation amounts to 55000 pounds per Annum Sterling Their Weights and Measures are the same with those of Alexandria The Currant Coyns in Egypt are Spanish Royals of 8 which they call Piastre and Dollers the Meden the Asper the Soltana Xeriffe and Cheqeen the value of each as before recited Their Accounts are variously kept some in one sort of Coyn and some in another The chief Trade driven here by the European Christians is by the French and Venetians the English having of late declined it as having the growth of the Country or the same Commodities at cheaper Rates in India and Aleppo And thus much for the Continent of Egypt CHAP. XXVIII A View of the Isles of the Sea appertaining to Africa with their Commodities Trade Weight Measures c. THe Isles are these viz. Madagascar Zocotara St. Thomas the Canary Islands the Islands of Assores or Tarceras The first abounds in Ginger Cloves and Silver Mines and was discovered by the Portugals Anno 1506. The money in use amongst the Natives are Glass Beads of Cambaia which passes currant amongst them their Weights and Measures are few and those uncertain The second lyeth in the Mouth of the Red Sea 10 Degrees Northward from the Equator and yieldeth Cattle and Corn but the chief thing Traded for is Aloes which are sold by the Quintar which Averdupois English is 93 pound The third lies under the Equinoctial in which is a Colony of Portugals the chief Commodity it yieldeth is Sugar of which so much is made as ladeth yearly 50 Vessels of good Burthen their Weights and Measures being the same with those used at Lisbone as indeed wherever the Portugals Plant themselves they impose their own Weights and Measures on the Inhabitants Fourthly the Canary Islands which are 7 in number under the Protection of the King of Spain are very Fruitful abounding in Sugar-Canes and those Birds we call Caâ—â—ry Birds and in Canary Wine which takes it's name from the Islands of which 4 or 500 Tuns are yearly exported and dispersed over Europe There is likewise Wood of Excellent use for Dyers Hither the English trade and for the growth of the Island Exchange Says Serge Bays Linnen c. Their Weights Measures and Coyns are the same with those of Sevil of which in order I shall speak Fifthly the Islands of Assores or Tarceras directly under the Meridian were first discovered by the Flemings and abound in Cattle Corn Wood and the like but are of little use some for Harbouring and re-victualling of Ships in their Voyage to the East-Indies as are many other small Islands lying in that vast Ocean And thus much shall suffice for Africa and the Trade thereof CHAP. XXIX A View of Asia and of the Trade
in abundance as likewise some Diamonds of great value also Nutmegs Mace and other Spices The Coyns currant in this Tract are the Tail valued at 4 Ticals or 18 Shillings Sterling a Tical is Accounted 4 Mals or 4 Shillings 6 pence Sterling c. Malacca is Situate between Siam and Pegu and is Subject to the Portugals as Conquered by them Anno 1511. and has it's Walls saluted by the River Gasa 10 Miles broad and abounds with the Commodities of China Mulâ—oco's Java Sumatra Banda Siam Pegu Bengala and the Coasts of Chormandel brought thither by Ships that carry back the Commodities of the growth of this Tract as likewise Ships from Lisbone come yearly hither and lade rich Merchandise Here it is observed that the Trade-Winds continue West and North-West from the end of August to the end of October and in November the Northen and North-Eastterly Winds begin to blow which continue so to do till the beginning of April and from May to the beginning of August the South and South-West Wines Blow The Weights on this Coast are the Cattee Babar and the Pecul but in Malacca only the former which is divided into 2 parts viz. the great and the small making the first 200. Cattees reckoning each Cattee at 21 pound Averdupois and the last 100. Cattees which make 295 pound English The Pecul is 100. Cattees of China and is accounted 132 pound English The Cattee as aforesaid used in this Tract is Accounted 21 pound Averdupois but sometimes varies By the great Babar they commonly weigh Cloves Nutmegs Pepper Saunders Indico Allum Sanguis-Draconis Palo-Dangula and Comphora and by the lesser Quick-Silver Copper Vermillion Ivory Silk Musk Amber Lignum Aloes Tinn Lead Verdet and Benjamin As for Measures they are rarely used and indeed so uncertain that I shall pass them over The Coyns are those for the most part common in India as Mahomoodies Portugal-Rees c. CHAP. XLVIII A View of the Kingdom of China the Trade and Commodities thereof CHina is a large Kingdom bounded on the West with India on the North with the Wall of China extending in Length 1000. Miles to keep out the Tartars on the South with the Ocean and on the East with Mare del Zur and is a very Fertile Country Temperate and Healthful which renders it Populous it has great Commerce within it self by the advantage of the many Navigable Rivers tho their Goods are carryed for the most part in Boats made of Cane The Commodities it yieldeth are Wool Rice Barly Oyl Wine Flax Cottons and Raw Silk which they work into many curious Textures here are wrought likewise many rare Stuffs are found all sorts of Mettals to be brought from Japan as Gold Silver Copper c. Fruits Wax Sugar Honey Ruhbarb China-Roots Purslaine-Dishes commonly called China-Dishes Champhir Ginger Musk Civit Amber and all manner of Spices and Salt which last is said in one City only viz. Cantor to yield Custom to the Prince yearly 180000. Ducats This Kingdom is divided into 15 Provinces each Province containing 2 Kingdoms in all which as Writers affirm are contained 1597 Cities and great Walled Towns 1154. Castles and 4200. Burroughs without Walls Garrisoned with Souldiers besides Villages Innumerable The chief City being Quinsay-Pequin walled about 100. Miles and has in the midst of it a Lake of 30. Miles compass in which are 2 Islands and in them Pallaces and other fair Buildings for the King and his Nobles the said King Stiling himself the Child of the Sun And upon the Rivers which Issue from this Lake are found 12000. Bridges it being reckoned that the King can make 10000. Sail of Ships and Barks of his own which he keeps on the Rivers to Transport his Armies in time of War the Natives for the most part Trade up and down the Rivers and are so cautious that they will not suffer any Stranger to inspect their Affairs so that their Weights Measures and manner of Traffick are not effectually known tho the Portugals Dutch and Neighbouring Islanders have of late obtained the favour of some small Commerce at Canton Meccan and Nanquin but upon such strict conditions that in some places it is Death for them to abide a Night either in the Town or Suburbs but must at aset Hour retire to their Ships and the better to discover it they have Notaries to take the Names of all that enter the Gates in the Morning the which if the Persons owning them do not come to see them Blotted out at the time prefixed and afterwards be found tho not in the City it is present Death except the Factor for the Portugals who is permitted to live in the Suburbs And to Maccan the Portuguese have a Ship of 1500. Tuns that comes yearly from the Indies bringing Oyl Drinking-Glasses Looking-Glasses and Velvet for which they receive of the Chinois the growth and Manufacture of their Country The Weights Measures and Coyns that are used in the Places where Trade is permitted are known to be these The Weights for fine Goods are the Valls and Tay 99 Valls making a Tay of Maccan and a Tay or Tayle is 1 Ounce and 11 16 Averdupois Their Weights for Gold Silver Musk Amber-Greece c. are the Tays or Tayels by some called Tans Mass Condreens Cash Avons which are usually marked with Ciphers for distinction sake 10. Avos is one Cash 10. Cash one Condreen 10. Condreens to one Mass 10. Mass to one Tay and 16. Tays or Tayles to on Cattee the Tay being as aforesaid All Gross Goods are weighed by Cattees Peculs and Rotolos 10. Cattees making 1. Pecul 1. Pecul 128 Rotolos of Portugal which Pecul is Accounted 131 pound ¼ Averdupois tho here as in other Places the Weights vary The Coyns currant for the most part are Spanish Rotolos of â— â— which they cut into several parts and so pass them away by Estimate The Measures in use are the Covid of Maccan used by the Portugals in the Measure of Stuffs and Silks and is Accounted 3. Quarters of a Yard and 2 1 â— Inches and a Covid used by the Chinois called the Covid of Chinchoses which consists of 12 Inches also an other Covid they have of 14 6 5 Inches And thus much for China and the Trade thereof CHAP. XLIX A View of the Islands found in the Asian Seas and of their Trade and growth THe Asian Islands of note are Japan Zeilan Moluccos Java's Summatra Borneo Celebs and Cyprus all abounding in rich Commodities Of the Trade of which in brief Japan is Situate a small distance from the main Land of China and is in length 600. miles but not above 90. over in the broadest yet obeys many Soveraigns every King or Lord having Power and Authority over the lives and Estates of his Subjects the chief Towns on this Island are Osacaia Bunguin and Meaco being Havens or Ports for the reception of such Vessels as come to Trade thither The chief Commodities consisting in Silver and Rice
before set down and now I shall as far as is necessary make a report of their true value according as they are in goodness The Rule to value Oriental Pearls from a Grain in Weight to what bigness any will afford is by the Colour Roundness Pear-Fashion or Oval and that is in all parts perfect as to Water and Gloss without Knobs Specks Yellowness or other imperfections and a Pearl of this perfection weighing a Carot is worth a Ducat in India But before I proceed further as to their value it will not be amiss to relate how they are sold by those that have the disposing of them viz. the Indians sell them by Sieves of Latten full of holes in number 12 one bigger then the other as to their holes and according to the largeness or smallness the price is regulated for those of the 10 11 and 12 Sieve are seldom capable to be holed and therefore are called Seed-Pearls most fit for Apothecaries to be used by them in their Physical Preparations but the others for the use of Ladies and others to adorn themselves withal and for the price of all large Pearls they are valued as is said by Weight and fairness as Diamonds and other precious Stones tho seldom before they be holed for fear of their breaking in the holing as thus a Pearl of one Grain is worth 7 pence of 2 Grains 2 Shillings 6 pence of 3 Grains 5 Shillings 7 pence of 1 Carot 10 Shillings and so in proportion to those of greater Weight as for Seed-Pearls the smallest of which are Accounted 4500. to the Ounce and the largest 400 or 450 to the Ounce and commonly divided into 6 parts the Prizes are these The 6th or smallest sort 4500 are commonly sold for 2 pound 4 Shillings the Ounce the 5th sort are sold for 1 pound 6 Shillings the Ounce the 4th sort at 10 Shillings the Ounce the third sort at 18 Shillings the Ounce the second at 1 pound 6 Shillings and the first at 1 pound 15 Shillings But note that the first is termed the sixth sort and so Consequently the sixth the first the Rag Pearls which are sold likewise by the Ounce according to their bigness are divided into thirds seconds and firsts an Ounce of which containing 350 Pearls is Accounted worth 1 pound 18 Shillings an Ounce containing 250 Pearls is Accounted worth 3 pounds an Ounce of 150 worth 4 pounds and so according to their lesser quantity or number in making the Ounce all sorts of half round Pearls of pure Water and Gloss are Accounted worth a round Pearl of half the Weight And thus much for Gold Silver precious Stones and Oriential Pearls with which I shall return to Europe as the common Receptacle of those rich Commodities which were of little value to the Indians before the European Navigators set Prizes thereon and by that means taught the Natives how to Esteem them for in the first Discovery of the Indies by the Portugals they bought them for Beads of Glass and such like Trifles but now they are not purchased but at Extraordinary rates CHAP. LVI A View of Europe of it's Provinces Trade Manners Customs Growth Weights Measures Currant Coyn c. THe first that offers it self on the Continent of Europe is Spain invironed on all sides with the Seas unless that part towards France which is bounded by the Pyraenaean Hills and the Fortress of Pampelona on the North-West and Perpegana on the South-East and is divided into 12 Provinces viz. Leon and Oviedo which are one Navar Corduba Galicia Biscay Toledo Murtia Castille Portugal now an intire Kingdom Valentia Catalonia and Aragon and in General abounds with Wines Sugars Oyls Mettals Liquorish Rice Cork Silk Wool Oranges Rosin Steel Almonds Raisins Lemons Anchoves Anniseeds Figs Soda Barrilla Honey Wax Shumack Iron Tuny-Fish Saffron Soape and Carianders so that into the Trade of 3 or 4 of the Principal Cities and Ports I shall reduce the whole Trade of the Kingdom and it's Provinces Passing over Leon Ovideo and Navar as Provinces little adddicted to Commerce I shall proceed to Sevil the chief City of Trade in the Province of Corduba and into the Trade of that City reduce the Trade of that Province which is Accounted the most Fertile Province of all Spain CHAP. LVII A View of Sevil the Trade Weights Measures Customs and Currant Coyns thereof THis City is Situate in the Province of Corduba and accounted 6 Miles in compass adorned with many stately Buildings and is an Arch-Bishop's Sea accounted next to Toledo the richest in Spain through it runs the River Baetis dividing it into 2 parts over which is a Stately Bridg which renders the City very Commodious for Trade and from hence it is for the most part that the Spanish Fleet sets out for the West Indies and at their return unlaid their rich Commodities as Silver Tobacco Ginger Cottons Sugar Ferrinand Bucque-Wood and Wood of Brasil Sarsafrax Galbanum and other Drugs of great value and for the King of Spains use are in these parts brought up and kept 30000. Gennets nor are bare Customs of this City Accounted to amount to less then half a Million of Gold yearly The Merchants generally keep their Accounts in Maruedies of which 375 are Accounted to a Ducat of Exx 11 Ryals every Ryal being 37 Maru and some Strangers residing there keep their Accounts in Ryals of 34 Maru The Coyns currant are the Ducats of Gold of Sevil and are as aforesaid valued by the Spaniards worth 375 Maru or 5 Shillings 6 pence Sterling as likewise the Ryal of Castile which is worth here but 34 Maruides and valued at 6 pence Sterling a Dobra currant is of Carlin Coyn 81 87 Maruedies A Dobra of Castile is valued at 375 Mar. or a Ducat in Gold the Castilian of Merchandise is worth 485 Mar. or 7 Shillings Sterling Their Weights are the 3 Kintars the first consists of 112 pound and is divided into 4 Roves of 28 pound a Rove the second is 120 pound composed of 4 Roves of 30 pound each and the third being the greatest is composed of 4 Roves of 36 pound the Rove and accordingly contains 144 pound and is the common Kintar of Sevil and 100 pound Weight of this place has often made 102 pound of London Their Measure of Length is the Vare 100 of which have been found to make 74 Ells of London The Measure by which Oyl is sold is the Rove 64 of which make a Venetian Miara and 40 or 41 of the said Roves make a Pipe the Rove being 8 Somers a Somer containing 4 Quartiles a Quartile being the â— 6 part of a Stoop of Antwerp and 2 Pipes or 81 Roves are 25 or 26 Florence Barrils or 252 English Gallons tho in Sevil the Gage of Pipes are Accounted but 118 Gallons the Pipe Corn is Measured by the Caffise which is 28 Satos of Florence from Sevil it is that the fine Spanish Wool is brought as also Cordavant-Leather
Yorkshire Bays of Coxal Cottons of Wales Pepper Gauls Yarn Tinn Lead Fish c. but of late they have got a Custom to Trade for Sterling many Commodities being allowed at no other Exchange Their Accounts are kept in Solds Livers and Deniers As for Weights here is principally found the Kings Beam called the Viconte which exceeds our long hundred viz. 112 pound 14 per cent so that it makes English 126 pound tho sometimes less Their Measure of length is the Auln accounted 46 Inches or somewhat more by which they Measure Woollen and Linnen Cloath and in this Measure they allow 24 for 20 called the Merchants Auln this City affords great store of Canvas for the Sails of Ships and such like uses which is likewise Measured by the Auln and has allowance as aforesaid tho not unless great quantities are bought In this City 3 Fairs are yearly held at 2 whereof Liberty for 15 days is granted to buy and Transport all Commodities of the growth Custom-free provided the Commodities be laden and fallen down the River to a Place limited within 15 days after or else to pay Custom as at other times the first of which begins the 3d. day of February and ends the 18th the second begins on Whit-Monday and lasteth 15 days the third begins on the 23 day of October and continues 8 days only and is not Custom-free as the former As for the Concave Measures they are few and such as are common throughout France and of which I shall hereafter speak Therefore in this Chapter I willingly Omit them CHAP. LXIV A View of Paris the Metropolis of France and of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Customs exchanges and Commodities there Vended PAris is the Principal city of France and is accounted 10 Miles in Circumference being Situate on either side the River Sein that River Gliding smoothly through it thereby rendering it more Commodious for Traffick tho through the Sloath of the Inhabitants it is not improved to the advantage it might be yet here are found Commodities of the growth of the whole Kingdom as likewise of most Nations tho in no abundance The Commodities exported hence are Linnens Paper Cards Combs Stuffs Thread Plushes c. for which they receive English Cloath Stockings Lead Tinn Bays old Shooes Silks of Italy and some Indian Commodities The Inhabitants are for the most part Gentry and therefore not addicted to Manufacture The Weights of Paris are the Quintal which is accounted 100 pound Gross but found to make 100 pound of London Suttle 2 per cent more or less and is of Lyons Weight of 16 Ounces 116 pound and Venetian Sottle 144 pound 100 Sottle in Venice making Sottle of Paris Weight but 62 ◠2 pound of 15 Ounces to the pound the Cargo or great Quintal of Paris is 300 pound of Troy Weight yet makes in Florence 487 pound The Concave Measures for Wine is the Cistern which contains 8 Pints or a French Gallon 96 of which are accounted a Tun. The Measures of length are two one for Linnen and the other for Silks and are much about the length of the vantaged and unvantaged Aulns but seldom used in Gross by Reason in this City Silks Stuffs c. are sold by Weight which to the buyer is advantageous by Reason he cannot be imposed on with slight Silks and Stuffs but that what it wants in goodness will be made out in Measure This City is the chief Standard of Coyn for the whole Kingdom therefore in this I shall give a particular account of most French Coyns currant first the Denire 2 of which make a Double and twelve a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver by some called a Frank and in these three viz. Solds Deniers and Livers the accounts of that Kingdom are for the most part kept There are Peices of 8 Solds each Piece being the 1 ◠part of a Silver French Crown 64 Sold's being accounted a French Crown and 4 Sold's which is of 3 Livors Turnois Pieces of 21 Solds 4 Deniers being the 1 8 part of the said Crown commonly called Testons and the ½ and ¼ thereof and as the Quarter Crowns were at first raised from 15 Solds to 16 and thereby the 60 Solds to 64 so in the like proportion were the Testons raised the Golden Coyns are the Crown of 3 Livers or 60 Solds the Crown of the Sun being 3 Livers 16 Sold or 76 Solds and the Pistol each Liver being accounted 12 pence Sterling there are likewise Crowns of 6 Shillings Sterling but these monies as indeed most Forrain Coyns do rise and fall according to the Plenty and Scarcity of Silver and Gold or more properly at the pleasure of the Prince whose proper Coyns they are As for the Exchanges I shall refer them till I come to Treat in General of the nature of Exchanges CHAP. LXV A View of Lyons and the Trade thereof c. LYons was once the famousest Mart of France and a great Scale of Trade but by Reason of its Incommodious Situation in wanting a Port or Navigable River for great Ships it has given place to the Haven Towns yet continues some Trade especially Inland being Seated on a Fruitful Soil Fertilized by the Branches of the Rivers Rhoan and Soame the chief Manufactory of Silks in the Kingdom of France being setled in it which when wrought is sent through Europe the Inhabitants having Commerce with Marselia the chief Port for the residence of Shipping Here Exchanges are practised the Bankers or Merchants of Venetia Florence and Naples having Factors resident in Lyons for that purpose and hither it is that the English Merchants bring Lead Tinn Bays Cony-Skins c. to Exchange for the growth of the Province the Accounts are kept as in other parts of the Kingdom The Coyns currant being the same with those of Paris The Fairs are 4 in which all payments either by Exchange or Merchandise are made and all payments run from 3 Months to 3 Months if agreed to in a Publick place or Burse appointed for that purpose the first of these Fairs begins immediately after the Octaves of Easter the second the first Monday after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin the third the day after All Souls the fourth the day after Epiphany each continuing 15 days all Exchange business is done and all Bills of Exchange are made and dated in one day and within 2 days following they settle the rate of Exchange and by these Fairs they limit their payments and the time allowed in their Bills from hence to Venice Florence and Rome is commonly 30 days to Naples and Valentia 25 days and so consequently according to the distance of the place it is payable at tho agreement be made for longer time it is often granted The Weights most in use is the Kings Beam of the Custom-House and the 2 Town Beams the King's Beam is found to be 100 pound the Quintal and is greater then the largest of the Town Beams by 8 per
cent and by the Weight thereof all Customs are Proportioned This large Town Beam for Gross Goods is accounted likewise 100 pound of 16 Ounces to the pound the third Weight is known by the name of the pound of Mark and is only used in weighing of Silks containing 100 pound of 15 Ounces being the least of the three The Measure of Lyons is the Auln which is 46 English Inches 7 of them being found to make 9 English Yards and 100 pound of London Suttle is found to make in Lyons 96 2 2 pound Silk Weight and one Liver or pound Sterling of London is 10 Livers Turnois And thus much shall Suffice for Lyons and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVI A View of Marselia the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Customs thereof MArselia is a fair Port and the principal Place of Trade in Provence whither resort many Merchants and from which Port the Ships Sail that maintain the Trade with Turky Barbary Spain Italy Flanders and England tho indeed not much the French Nation not affecting Navigation but rather choose to improve the growth of their own Country for which they have brought home to 'em the Commodities and growth of all Nations The Exchange that is wanting here is supplyed by the currant and intercourse of Lyons it being Governed thereby in matters of Trade And hither the English bring Bays Cloath Lead Tinn Herrings Pilchards Newland-Fish Affrican Hides Wax Calves-Skins Salmond c. and in Exchange receive Oyls Wines Verdigreese Paper Linnen and other Manufactures at this Port they have free Licence to Transport Spanish Ryals of 8 8 which are found in abundance and by that means preserve their Trade with Turky and other Places of Traffick in the Mediterranean from whence they bring Silks and some spices but of late have not been so venturous as formerly for fear of the Pirates by whom they have sustained within a few Years dammages to the value of 3 Millions of Crowns which has much impaired their Traffick in those parts The Accounts here are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers and in Ryals of 8 which sometimes are Inhaunced to a ¼ part more then their true value The Weight is Originally the pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which make the Quintal and 3 Quintals the Cargo the Quintal is found to make English 88 ½ The Measure of Length is the Cane which they divide into 8 Palms which are found to be 2 ⅛ English Yards The concave Measure is the Mine of which the Sack of Leghorne makes 1 ◠3. The Customs outwards are 1 ¼ per cent and inwards 3 ¼ per cent this is meant of Commodities of the growth of the Country but if Pepper Ginger Indico and such like Commodities be imported they pay the Kings Customs which are 15 per cent And thus I shall conclude the Trade of France and proceed to take a View of Italy and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVII A View of Italy and the Trading Cities thereof together with their Manner of Traffick Weights Measures Coyns c. ITaly is bounded with the Alps the Ionian Tyrrhenean and Adriatick Seas and is exceeding Fertile lying in a Temperate Clime and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. the Kingdom of Naples the Dukedom of Florence the Dukedom of Millain the Dukedom of Mantua the Common-Wealth of Venice the Dukedom of Vrbin the Principality of Parma the estate of Genoa the estate of Luca and the Papacy Of the chief City or Town of Trade of each in order CHAP. LXVIII A View of the City Naples and the Trade thereof together with the Weights Measures Coyns Customs c. IN Describing the Trade of this City from whence the Kingdom takes its Name I shall lay down what is found of value or Merchantable throughout the Province The City of Naples is a fair City and accounted 7 Miles in compass formerly called Parthenope and is now Governed by a Vice-Roy to the Behoof of the King of Spain and yieldeth divers Mettals brought from adjacent Mines likewise Saffron Raw and wrought Silk Oyls Anniseed Brimstone Argals Corn Cattle in abundance and other things of value for which they receive out of England Bays Says Serges Cloath Lead Tinn Herrings Pilchards and Newland-Fish There is found likewise the growth of Spain Portugal and many East-Indian Commodities and it was formerly a City of great Traffick The Country generally abounds in Mulberry-Trees and other pleasant Fruit-Trees The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are the Rotolo and Cantar 100 of the former making the latter which is accounted 196 pound English Averdupois Weight as likewise in Goeta they have a Cantar by which all Gross Commodities are weighed which is reckoned 254 pound of Leghorn The Measure of Length is the Cane divided into 8 Palms nine of which Palms make the Auln of Lyons and the Cane is 18 ½ English inches The Concave Measures of Naples are the Salmo and Staio by which they Measure Oyl Wine Corn c. The Customs are for some Commodities 2 ½ for other 4 ½ per cent more or less as the Vice-Roy gives order to these that are appointed to receive them the King of Spain receiving yearly for Customs upon the Oyls of Gallipoly adjacent to this Kingdom one hundred thousand Ducats CHAP. LXIX A View of the City of Florence the Trade thereof Comprehending the whole Trade of the Florentine Dominion THe City of Florence gives name to the Provence or Dukedom of Florence and is a very fair City Seated near the Rivers Arne and Chian Beautifyed it is with many stately Edifices and much addicted to Merchandizing the Duke being accounted the richest and chiefest Merchant in Italy and is now more commonly known by the Title of great Duke of Tuscany The Commodities are very rich the famous Port of Leghorn being Governed in Trade by this City and Pisa For hence for the most part come the Merchandise that are there found as Marble Rice Wines Oyls Silks Raw and wrought Sattins Taffatas Velvets Grograms Plushes Stuffs of curious Texture for which they receive of our Merchants Pepper Mace Cloves Indicoes Callico Lead Tinn Cloath Bays Says Serges Perpetuanos c the Inhabitants for the most part being very rich by Reason of the great Banks maintained in this City where is practised exchange from all parts Their accounts are kept in Livers Solds Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds accounted a Liver and some in Crowns 7 ½ Livers making a Crown they have currant in Trade the Florence Ducat worth 7 Livers each Liver accounted 9 pence Sterling The Weight is the Quintal or 100 pound of 12 Ounces the pound and is found to make 98 pound English The Measure of Length is the Brace 100 of which has been known to make 49 Ells English and the Cane which is 4 Braces but all wrought Silks are here sold by the pound Wine is sold by the Cogno which is 10 Barrels 40 Metadels 20 Flasks and each
the Crown Revenues besides The Commodities vended here are for the most part Fish Cattle Corn Oyl Beer Cordage Masts Sails and the like for fitting out and revictualling Ships for which they receive the Growth of England Holland Germany and France the Monies currant here are the same with those of Copenhagen The Weights are as in Copenhagen and in most parts of the Kingdom the great and shall 100 the former being accounted 120 pound to the 100 and the latter 112 pound being accounted 12 Stone of 10 pound to the Stone they have likewise a Skip-pound of 32 Stone of 10 pound the Stone or 20 Lispound of 16 Mark pound is a Skip-pound and 20 times pounds 16 are 320 pound The Measures of the Kingdom in General are for Length are the Ells for Woollen Linnen and Silks 160 of which are accounted to make the 100 Ells English As for Concave Measures they are little in use unless for Corn. The Trade of this Kingdom by Navigation is but small they seldom Sailing out of their own Seas or at most no further then the German British and Mediterranean Seas or Oceans Therefore I shall desist from any further Survey thereof and pass over the Staight to take a View of the Kingdom of Norway now Subject to the Danish Scepter CHAP. LXXXVI A View of the Kingdom of Norway and the Trade thereof NOrway is bounded on the West and South with the Ocean and on the East and North with Lappia and the Dofrine Mountains and abounds in Firr-Trees which are brought into England in abundance and serve for Masts Boards and Building Houses the other Commodities are Stock-Fish Furs Train Oyl Cordage some Rossen and Sail-Cloaths The Towns by Reason of the coldness of the Clime and Dampness caused by the Sea are but few the chief being Nidrosia and Bergen once a famous Mart but now reduced to nothing in respect of Trade the Trade that it had having passed through several Cities is at last setled in Amsterdam and what Trade does remain is from the Ships that pass this way to Moscovia The Weight most in use is the pound 100 of which renders 92 London Averdupois Weight tho of late they have got a Custom to Weigh in a String which is very uncertain rendering sometimes more sometimes less Their Measure of Length and Concave Measures the latter of which is for the most part used in Measuring of Salt are agreeable to our Yard and Bushel The Commodities vended here are Bays Says Linnen Wine Spices Sugars Gunpowder Lead Tinn Iron and such like And thus much may suffice for Norway leaving which I shall proceed in this Northern Tract and take a View of Sweedland the Trade of which I shall reduce into the Principal City of that Kingdom viz Stockholm CHAP. LXXXVII A View of Sweedland of its Provinces and Trade reduced into the Trade of the City of Stockholm SWeedland has on the East Muscovia on the West the Dofrine Hills on the North the Frozen Ocean and on the South the Baltick and contains 5 Provinces viz. Gothland Sweeden Lappia Bodia and Finland in the former of which is found Stockholm the Metropolis of the Kingdom and Seated in a Watery Marsh in the nature of Venice and is much frequented with Merchants being for the most part the Regal Seat so that to it Flow all the Commodities of the Kingdom which are chiefly Buck-Skins Goats-Skins Ox Hides Barly Tallow Malt Tar Pitch Rosin Furs Lead Copper Silver Iron Wax Honey and the like and for its advantageous Situation it is much Traded to having a Channel capable of receiving Ships of any Burthen and so well guarded with Castles of Extraordinary Strength that no Ship can pass in nor out without lieve first obtained the Buildings are pleasant to behold for their Antiquity and fine Devices a place being purposely erected in the Principal Street for the conveniency of Merchants and the laying up such Commodities as they either have to vend or have purchased so that in this City are found the Growths and Manufactures of almost all Nations The currant Coyn of this Kingdom is the Dollar which is divided into 8 Marks and each Mark into 2 Clippings each Clipping being accounted 9 ½ Stivers Flemish and in exchange the Dollar is only used The Weight is the pound 116 of which is found to make the 100 pound of London they have likewise 2 Skip-pounds the one the proper Skip-pound of Stockholm which is 320 pound of the before mentioned pound the other is 340 pound and proper to Dantzick Of which in order I shall come to Treat The Measure of Length is the Ell 166 of which are 100 Yards of London Measure sometimes more sometimes less for this is the Rule they take a Piece of Rope and Measure it by the bigness of a mans Head which they call their Ell so that according to the largeness or smallness of the Head by which they take their Measure the Measure is found to consist Their Concave Measures are of little use unless for Corn and Mault and those are Measured by a Loop 23 of which make a Last in Amsterdam and in London 10 Quarters And thus much shall Suffice for Sweeden and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXXXVIII A View of Moscovia and the Trade thereof reduced into the Trade of Mosco the Principal City of that large Dominion MOscovia is bounded on the West with Lituania and Livonia on the East with Tartary on the North with the Frozen Ocean and on the South with the Caspian Sea the Ottoman Empire and Palus Maeotis and is Branched with many large and Navigable Rivers as Tanais Duino Boristhenes Onega and Volga and is divided into 9 Provinces as Novogradia Valadomira Plescovia Rhesen Servia Parmia Candoria Petrosa and Moscovia from whence all the Country takes its Name These Provinces abound in Corn Cattle Furs Hides Flax Hemp Whales Grease Canvas Ropes Cavier Tallow Honey Wax Venison Flax Hemp and Fish The Trade being begun by the English about the Year 1575 in general tho before some Vessels of Private Merchants had Traded thither and found out the Commodities since so much sought after and upon the increase of Trade in these parts a Society of Merchants in London are incorporated by the Name of Muscovia Merchants having setled a Factory at Archangel Mosco the Metropolis of Moscovia is Seated on the River Mosca which falls in to Tanais this City is reckoned 6 Miles in compass and is for the most part the imperial Seat being much Beautifyed since it was Burnt by the Tartars upon their invading the Moscovite Empire and here the English Merchants find kind entertainment unless in Troublesome times as of late it happened upon the murther of the Czar in which general Calamity many suffered in their Goods but now things are again reduced to a quiet and setled condition so that Trade again begins to Florish the Country affording great store of Furs as Beaver Otter Sables White Black Red and
Dun Fox-Skins with many others of the like nature which are sold by the Timber Weight or Tale being highly valued of late by the Natives who perceiving the desire Merchants have for them learn thereby to set prices on them accordingly The Merchants Accounts are kept here Divers ways as those of England in Rubles and Pence called by the Natives Muskofkins 200 of which make a Ruble which is rated at 2 Rix Dollars the Dutch by Rubles Grevens and Muscofkins 20 pence being accounted to the Greven and 10 Grevens to the Ruble which is only an Imaginary Coyn. The currant money is the Capeck worth a Stiver Flemish and something more in value then an English penny 10 of which make a Greven whiâ—h is worth 12 pence Sterling and the Ruble 10 Shillings Sterling 3 Capecks is called an Altine by which name all receipts of Bargain and contracts are made 33 Altines and one Capeck making the Ruble At Archangel there is exchange practised and the price of monies Russ as the Plenty or Scarcity will allow for sometimes the Rubles in exchange pass for 11 Shillings 6 pence Sterling the Receipts being in August to return in London about the latter end of December The Weight most in use is the Pood by which all fine Goods are weighed as Silk Beavor Wool and the like but for Gross Goods they have a Weight called a Berzovet accounted 10 Poods or the Russ Ship-pound computed to be 360 pound Averdupois so that all Goods bought by this Weight are accounted to be 10 per cent profit so that many have reckoned the Goods so bought to pay the Fraight with over Weight and all Goods bought by the Pood are reckoned 10 per cent less The Measure of Length is called the Archin and is accounted 28 English Inches so that the 100 Archings are supposed to produce Incirca 78 Yards of London Measure Oyl they sell by the Barrel each Barrel being accounted ½ a Hogshead and Tar by the Hogs-head as for Concave Measures I observe they are but rarely in use by way of Trade by Reason of the small quantities of Commodities the Empire affords that are proper to be Measured thereby Therefore I shall put a conclusion to the Trade of Moscovy and proceed to a View of Poland CHAP. LXXXIX A View of the Kingdom of Poland together with the Trade Weights Measures and currant Coyns thereof POland is bounded on the East with Boristhenes on the West with Vistula on the North with the Baltick Ocean and Sinus Trinicus and on the South with Hungary and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. Luconia Lituania Volinia Samogita Podolia Russia Nigra Prussia Podtasia Masovia and Poland these Provinces are Branched with several Navigable Rivers Vistula Reuben Bog Mimel and others and has for its Metropolis Cracovia Into which I shall reduce the Trade of this Kingdom Cracovia is the Metropolis of Poland Situate on the Banks of the River Vistula which is Navigable for near 400 Miles being as it were incompassed with distant Mountains and fortifyed with strong Walls and fair Buildings being the Seat of the Kings of Poland and is found to produce the Commodities of the whole Kingdom as Tar Rosin Pitch Hemp Wax Honey Barly Oats Amber Tallow and Hides which Commodities are sent up the River and distributed to such Merchants as come to Trade for the Growth of the Kingdom There are likewise found Furs of divers sorts some Minerals and the like for which the Inhabitants receive the Commodities of divers Nations which are brought both by Land and Sea The Coyns of this City and consequently of the Kingdom are the Ducat of Gold called the Polander which is accounted 70 Polish Gross The Silver Guilden which is worth 30 Polish Groshe or 2 Shillings Sterling a Dollar in Specie is worth 4 Polish Groshes but in all contracts of buying and selling the Doller is accounted 36 Groshe a Crietszar is worth 3 Pot-chanels 18 Deniers make one Groshe a Groshe of Poland or Bohemia is worth 7 Whites 16 Whites make one Ort 4 0rts make a Dollar and a Dollar is accounted 4 Shillings 4 pence The Weight is the pound 136 of which is accounted the Quintar which is found in London to render 114 pound and the 100 of London yieldeth 120 of Cracovia but the common pound is reduced to a Stone of 40 pound 10 of the said Stones being accounted the Skip-pound The Measure of Length is the Ell 20 of which are 10 English Ells but their Linnen they sell by the Shock the Shock being 57 ½ English Ells. And to this City it will not be amiss to add Elbin once a Scale of Merchandise where the English Merchants had a Factory being here known by the Name of the Merchants of Elbin but since this City has fallen into the Hands of the King of Poland it has lost the great Trade it had upon the Abridgement of the Liberties and Priviledges it enjoyed during its being in the possession of the Teutonick Knights so that now it only is famous for what it has been and not for what it at present remains the Trade being dispersed into several Eastland Cities or Hans Towns but from Danzick especially are brought Soap-Ashes The Weights are the Pound and Stone 40 pound making the Stone and 40 of those Stones make the Ship-pound which is 400 pound and 100 pound of London is found to make 120 of Elbin Their Last of Wheat is reckoned to weigh 5200 pound Their Measure of Length is the Ell 163 of which make 100 London Yards In this Tract is found Coninsberg Rhiga Stetin Stralesond and Revel from the former of which the Amber is brought as for the rest they little differ in Commodities and manner of Trade from Cracovia Wherefore for Brevities sake I shall pass them over and take a View of Hungary and the Trade thereof c. CHAP. XC A View of Hungary and the adjacent Provinces and of their Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities of the Growth and Manufacture THe Kingdom of Hungary is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Valachia on the West with Austria on the South with Sclavonia and on the North with Poland and is of it self exceeding Fertile abounding in Cattle beyond credit but by Reason of the continual Wars with the Turks it standing as the Bulwark of Christendom no great matter of Trade relating to Merchandise is found there the little that it consists in is Hides Tallow Wax Honey Copper Tinn Corn Wool Fruits Fish Skins and some Silver Mines which since the civil Disenssions caused by the continual Bandying of the two parties under pretence of Religion and the incouragement of those intestines Broyls by the Grand-Signeour have been thrown in many of them and thereby render useless Buda and many of the Principal Cities being now in the Hands of the Turks and is so Seated upon the River Danube that it hinders the free Commerce by Boats and great Vessels that was formerly
in these parts but especially at Almeria great store of Raw Silks are gathered it being the primest of all other and is Accounted worth by the pound Morisco 18 Shillings Florence or 1020 Maruedies which amount to 30 Ryals And thus much for Sevil and the Trade thereof CHAP. LVIII A View of Malaga the Trade Customs Weights Measures and Coyns thereof MAlaga is Situate in the Province of Granado on the Shoar of the Mediterranean Sea being Accommodated with a commodious Haven for the reception of Shipping being very Fruitful in every part of it's Territories abounding in Wine and Raisins known by it's Name as likewise many delicate Fruits Corn Cattle and what else can make a Country desirable they have likewise store of Sugar Almonds Oyls c. for which they pay Customs outward tho they be Commodities of the natural Growth viz. 7 per cent Cochineel and such like Commodities pay outward 10 per cent and all other Commodities of the Growth but 5 per cent and those that are carryed from Port to Port 2 pound per cent The Weights of Malaga is the 100. divided into 4 Roves of 25 pound each and to every pound 16 Ounces and the 100 pound of Malaga called commonly the Kintar of Malaga is found to make 112 pound 5 Ounces English tho sometimes less according to the nature of the Commodity Their Concave Measures are the Rove and Somer the first making 8 of the last so that 25 Roves go to a Pipe which contains 100 English Gallons by these only Wine and Oyl are Measured as for Grain it is Measured by the Hanock which is divided into 12 Almodos and is 12 Gallons English weighing upon the Strike 129 pound The Measure of length is the Vare of 27 â…ž Inches The Coyns currant are Ryals to one of which is computed 34 Marnedies or 6 pence Sterling and Pistolets of Gold each being worth 23 ½ Ryals that is the single Pistolet the double Pistolet which are here likewise in use being worth 27 Ryals CHAP. LIX A View of Alicant and of the Trade Measures Weights Coyns c. ALicant is Situate on the Banks of the Mediterranian in the Province of Murtia and is by Reason of it's commodious Haven of late become a great Scale of Trade in those parts affording delicate Wines and other Commodities in much request being of late the Scale to the City Valentia and affords of its Native growth Liquorish Rasins Wines Soda-Barrilla Sugar Drugs Bass-Mats Ropes Sope Anniseed and many other Merchantable Commodities which are Traded for by our English Merchants and bought partly for money and partly for Commodities of the growth of our Nation And at Alicant the Merchants keep their Accounts in Livers Solds and Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver which is Accounted worth 5 Shillings Sterling the Sold being Accounted 3 Pence and the Denier a Farthing The Weights in use are the Cargo and Rove 10 of the latter making the former and of these Roves there are two sorts one computed 18 Ounces and the other 12 to each pound and by that means tho one be reckoned 36 pound and the other but 24 yet in Weight they are equal as to the number of Ounces and by these are sold Pepper Rice Almonds Cloves Cinnamond and the like by the Cargo is weighed all Gross Commodities it containing 280 pound English There is sometimes used a Quintal of 96 pound Averdupois and by it Drugs are weighed The Measure of Length is the Vare which wants a â…™ part of the English Yard The Liquid Measure for Wine is the Cantar which is about 3 Gallons English and the dry Measure for Corn is called the Chaffise and is near 3 Bushel English The Customs for the most part are rated at 11 Deniers per centum Livers and is payable at 8 Deniers to the Duana and 3 Deniers to the Sisa payed as well by the Buyer as Seller as often as Goods are bought sold or bartered for so that the Buyer and Seller pay between them 9 per cent And thus leaving Alicant I return to take a View of Madrid Accounted the Principal City of Spain CHAP. LX. A View of Madrid of the Trade Coyns Weights and Measures thereof MAdrid is Situate in the Provinces of Castill and of late become famous for being the place where for the most part the Spanish Court resides and in it the Monies that are dispersed over Spain have their Original This City abounds with all manner of Commodities that either Spain India Barbary Arabia Persia Egypt or other Countries affoard as Spices Gold Silks Drugs Stuffs Jewels Drugs and the like The Native Commodities of this Province are Honey Allum Wine Oyl Fruits Salt c. The Measures and Weights are those common throughout Spain but by Reason all the Coyns of the Kingdom Center here I think it not amiss to set down their Names and true values 1. The Ducat of Castil is worth 375 Maruedies 2. The Castiliano 485 Maruedies 3. The Florin of Castile is worth 265 Maruedies or near 4 Shillings Sterling 4. The Ducat Count or Quento of Maruedies is a Million 5. The Count or Quento of Maruedies is Ducats 2666 2 3â— and at Dobra is accounted worth 2739 â—â— 73 Dobras the which according to computation amounts to 733 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling 6. The Ryal Single of Castile is worth 34 Maruedies or 6 pence Sterling 7. The Quento of Mar is worth 3258 Ryals and 3 Maruedies 8. The Crown of Castile is worth 323 Maruedies 9. The Ducat of Spain is 5 Shillings 6 pence of our money the Ryal is 6 pence and the Maruedie about the bigness of one of our Farthings In this City when they give money upon Exchange they commonly agree to be repayed in Ducats of Gold or to the same value in Gold or Silver for the most part by Weight to prevent the taking base money with which Spain abounds so that should they not take this course they would often lose 4 or 5 per cent In this Province are yearly 4 Fairs or great Marts viz. at Medina Del Campo which lasts 50 days at Medina de Riosecco which lasts 30 days at Medina del Campo again which lasts 50 days and lastly at Villa Lyon which lasts 20 days These Fairs viz. the 3 first are Fairs of Exchange And when they make payments they make them in Banco not saying forth and they are to remit in Ducats de Oro in Oro Largo and forth of Banco and when they agree forth of Banco and for ready money there is got 1 per cent and when they agree for Ducats of Gold or the worth of them it is understood that the worth if the payment be not payed in Ducats is to be payed in Maruedies at 375 to the Ducat And thus much for Spain and the Trade thereof And now I shall take a View of the Trade of the Kingdom of Portugal in her chief City viz. Lisbon one of the