London seeing the Merchants there Traffeck with both the Indies and in all places where the Netherlanders Trade in any part of the World it is probable that our Commodities might in some progress of time make a good Mercat there also CHAP. XV. Concerning some General Overtures for improvement of Trade mostly relating to the Chief Rulers of the KINGDOM BUt seeing I have been recommending the care of Merchandise to the Rulers and Councils of our Cities and Burghs Merchandise being an imployment whereby not onely Burghs but Kingdoms and Common-wealths doeth mostly prosper and flowrish if well and rightly improven therefore it not onely concerns the Merchants of the Burghs to endeavour the advancement and improvment of Trade but with due submission it is conceived the Powers and Rulers of the Kingdom may lay themselves out seriously to encourage it as a speciall concernment lying upon them to promove seeing it mostly advances the good of the whole Nation and the decay thereof tends so much to the Publick prejudice Therefore First It is humbly to be wished that our Rulers would take speciall care and make diligent enquiry by the Custom-Books and other evidences that are propper to know whether the Kingdom or Common-wealth be losers or gainers by their Trade by casting the ballance betwixt the value of the Goods imported into the Kingdom and the Goods exported Yearly for if there be a greater importation then there was of exportation there is so much loss to the Nation by how much the importation exceeds the exportation because the superplus beyond the value of the Goods exported exhausts so much Money which is drawn forth of the Kingdom to pay it and so gradually if the super expense continue the Trade and Nation must come to ruine A Second mean of improvement is that our Rulers would be pleased to take a speciall care of the Coine of our own Nation and of the value of Foreign Coine imported and that the Money payed in by the Merchants for Bullion may be imployed for buying of Bullion so that the Mint-house lose not the benefit of the mixture which they must needs lose if they melt Forraign Coine A Third is That they would take care that the Princes and States of Forraign Nations may grant Favour that there be no impositions laid on upon the product of our Countrey whereby to debar us from Trade with them as that Denmark and Norway may not obstruct the Trade of our Victuall c. A Fourth is That there be an encouragment given to the Fishing such as Code Herring and Whale-Fishing both as to the exportation and the Goods to be imported by the Money that is purchassed by the same and withall that Strangers may be debarred from having the advantage that is more propperly due to the Natives for it is reported that the Governours of our North-Isles are more kind and favourable to the Hamburgers then to our own Natives in selling their Fishes to them rather then to our own Countrey-men A Fifth is That speciall notice may be taken how to improve the naturall product of our Land such as Coal Salt and all kind of Grain Wool Hyde Tallow Skins Linning-cloath Plaiding Fingrams Stockings Salmond Herring c. As First That Coal and Salt may be appointed to be transported to the propper Ports as shall be thought most fit where men may be appointed as Factors to have care thereof that the exporters be not necessitated to sell at the time of fallen Mercats since they are Commodities that may wait for a better Mercat without loss and are such as cannot be wanted Secondly As to Corne and Grain that care may be had as is said in the Third Mean or Paragraph foresaid Thirdly As for Skins and Hydes if we had access to American-Plantations or if a liberty could be procured to a Select Company and no others to have Trade there but they then Skin and Hyde would be a good Commodity being well Tanned or Barked or made in Shoes which would not onely tend to the great profit of Merchants but would occasion many Trades-men to be set on work at home in our own Countrey seeing we have attained to a good perfection both in Barking Tanning and Currying Fourthly As for Wool it needs not be exported at all if our Manufacturies at home were carefully looked to for though we have few or no select Manufacturies in this Land yet we can improve the whole Wool of the Kingdom to better purpose and sell cheaper abroad then any Forraign Manufacture in the World can afford it particularly upon Plaidings Fingrams or any kind of raw-Cloaths in respect saving of Charges is the life of all Manufactures for particular select Manufactures must have servants well appointed both as to bedding and dyet whereas all the Wool of Scotland may be wrought by the Commons of this Nation at a very easie rate because of their sober way of living and working but at such times as their other Countrey-work permits For illustration whereof it will not be amiss an instance that fell out severall years ago in my own time which may evince that the Plaiding and Fingrams made by the Commons in the Countrey is to much greater advantage then by setting up a particular Manufacture for the said imployment There was a substantious Merchant in Edinburgh called Mr. Barnes who considering the great Sumes of Money that was brought in to this Kingdom by the Plaiding Trade especially by the Merchants of the Town of Aberdeen who bought mostly all their Wool from Edinburgh and the South Parts so that they had it but at the second hand and did sell it out in small 's to the Countrey-People there about after they had been at Charges for transporting and born the hazard by Sea c. Whereas he considering that he might have Wool without any such expense or hazard and causing make Plaiding in a particular Manufacture there he could not but make greater profit in Holland then they of Aberdeen could make seeing he could save such a considerable expense which they were necessitated to ware out whereupon he sets up his Manufacture and wrought about ten Sea-Packs of Plaiding which might be reckoned worth twenty thousand Pounds but when he perceived the Merchants in Aberdeen did sell their Plaiding at as low a rate as his stood himself at home and yet with advantage he fell a wondering what could be the reason and meeting with Alexander Farquhar a Merchant in Aberdeen his acquaintance enquired how it could be laying before him the former considerations to which Alexander Farquhar replyed that the people that wrought their Plaiding had not by farr such entertainment as his servants had and that they drank oftner clear spring Water than Ale and therefore they had their Plaiding much cheaper than he had his whereupon he quickly gave over his Manufacture Notwithstanding that our Commons live at such a sober rate they are so set at work upon the account of their advantage in
importance comes to be consulted off if the present Councill find it meet they call the former years Councill and joyne both in consultation and determination And if it be a business of setting on of a Tax or levying of Money whither for Nationall or Particular Usâ— or such like the consent of the whole City is called for in a Publick Head-Court conveened by Authority of the Magistrats where the reasons of the said Tax or Imposition are holden forth by the Provest c. unto them So by this it is evident to the Judicious that we have the best Ingredients and Advantages of all the severall sorts of Government And to compleat our Power our Provest and Bailies are made Sheriffs within their own City and Freedom-Lands by K. CHARLES the first 1633 by which our Citizens are fred from the Power of any Sheriff that at times have sought to oppress them yea to pannell them for life without a just cause as in Allexander Rutherford Provest his time when the Sheriff-Deput pannelled a Burger called Patrick Corser for resetting stollen Brass which he had bought on a Maâ—ket-day innocently and would not admit of surety for any summ of money whatsoever offered by the Provest the Sheriff having a pick against the man pannelled which the Provest perceiving that no reason could prevaill commanded Patrick Corser down staires upon any hazard that might follow and so fred him As also the Magistrats a moneth or thereby before the yearly Election cause the Drummer go through the Town inviting all the Inhabitants Free-men to come and hear the accounts of all the Office-bearers counted fitted and subscrived by the Magistrats and the rest of the Auditors of the counts chosen in the day of the Election for that end so that any that pleases may see how uprightly all the Towns-Revenues and Moneys received are bestowed CHAP. V. Concerning the Fidelity and Loyall-Duty which the Citizens of Aberdeen have alwayes payed to their SOVERAIGNES together with the gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief Magistrats thereof THis City having been erected into a Burgh-Royall by King GREGORIE the Great and Priviledged with many Donations by Him as some Notes and Scrolls bear Record gathered by the Recorders and Town-Clerks afterwards The Principall Evidents being destroyed in the common Callamities of these sad times formerly hinted at This City was had in speciall favour with many of the succeeding KINGS as by King William surnamed for his Valour and Fortitude the Lyon He built a Palace in Aberdeen where sometime he remained with his Court which afterward he dedicated to a new order of Friars called the Trinity-Friars for setting up an Abbacie for them two of that order which Pope Innocent the third had newly Erected being recommended by the Pope and sent from Rome To this Abbacie he gave Gifts and some Rents intending if he lived to give them greater this Order was erected 1211. Which Abbacie was burnt when the City was destroyed where now the Trades-Hospitall stands being re-edified but of late years by Dr. William Guild Likewise it is Recorded that the three Kings Alexanders had here in this City a pleasant Pallace which afterwards was translated to the Friars-Predicators or Dominicans Alexander the second did greatly adorn this City and give it Liberties and Priviledges the like with Pearth 1214 which was the first year of his Reign immediatly after the death of his Father King William Boyes holds forth in his History pag. 283. ver 65. That this KING came to Aberdeen with his Sister Isobell after he returned from England and honored it with many Priviledges as King Gregory King Malcome the second and David brother to King William had done before It is said he called this CITY His own City the Infefâ—ments of the said King Alexander the second under his Seal in green Wax is yet extant as a Record of the Priviledges given by Him to this City having by Providence escaped from the common Calamity King Robert Bruce in these most troublesome times wherein he began to Reign or recover his Kingdom out of the hands of Edward the first King of England being beaten severall times and finding all his attempts unsuccessfull retired to ABERDEEN as a place of safety where he found that his Enemies and his former bad success might be overcome for when he had no hope of his Effaiâ—s but despaired of all Victory intending to go out of the Kingdom till better times might fall out and get Forraign Forces for his assistance Incontinently the Citizens of Aberdeen came and exhorted Him to better hopes and more confidence and gave Him assistance both in men and money and followed him to the Town of Inverurie where they fought with the Enemie and obtained his first Victory whereof they were the speciall Instruments and Helps the King being so sickly that he was carried in his Bed as Boyes â—elates fol. 312. whence there began to be a method setled to recover the Kingdom By which service he was moved to bestow upon the City of ABERDEEN the whole Lands of the Kings-Forrest called the Stockâ—d-Wood with the whole parts and pendicles of â—he same with the Mills Waters Fishings â—mall Customs Tolls Courts Weights Meaâ—ures Free Port and Haven and all other Priviledges and Liberties whatsomever pertaining or that might pertain justly to a Royall-Burgh within this Realm Under the Reign of King David Bruce John Randell Earle of Murray being for the â—ime Governour of the Kingdom amongst â—his chiefest Designes for recovering the Kingdom he saw it was most expedient to pursue David Cumming Earle of Atholl whom King Edward of England had appointed Governour for him and having collected his Forces came â—traight to Aberdeen where notwithstanding â—he Tyrrany of the Enemies they were under â—he was informed where David Cumming was knowing their Loyaltie to King David Bruce â—heir Naturall KING and so straight way pursued him Some years after the Englishes having conâ—inued their Rapine and Cruelty in Aberdeen â—y keeping a strong Garison in the Castle the Citizens taking Counsell how they might free themselves of that Yoke and Servitude at last resolved to fall upon the Garison whom they cut off and thereafter levelled the Castle with the ground Whence it was that in honour of that resolute Act they got their Ensignes-Armoriall which to this day they bear witness that late Book of Heraldry set forth by Sir George Mckenzie of Rose-haugh Knight His Majesties Advocat who hath blazoned the Arms of Aberdeen particularly thus The Arms or Ensigns Armoriall of the Burgh Royall of Aberdeen beareth Gules three Towres triple towered in a double-Tressure counter flowred Argent supported by two Leopards propper the Motto in an Escroll above BON-ACCORD whence there are these Verses Arx triplex arcem testatur ab hoste receptam Hostis utrinque doces tu Leoparde genus Lillia cum Clypeo voti Rex pignora jussit Esse color fusi signa cruoris habet Haec
Memorialls For the GOVERNMENT OF THE ROYALL-BURGHS IN SCOTLAND With some Overtures laid before the Nobility and Gentry of the several Shyres in this Kingdom AS ALSO A Survey of the City of ABERDEEN with the Epigrams of Arthur Iohnstoun Doctor of Medicin upon some of our chief Burghs translated into English by I. B. By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or A lover of the Publick well-fare ABERDEEN Printed by JOHN FORBES Printer to the CITY and UNIVERSITY 1685. By the Blessing of the Vpright the City is exalted but it is overturned by the mouth of the wicked Prov. 11.11 When the Righteous are in Authority the people rejoice but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn Prov. 29 2. VVhen Themistocles was mocked by his companions that he was ignorant in some of the liberall Sciences He answered that he could not sing to the Harp nor make use of the Psaltrie but he could make a little Village or a small Town a Great and Famous City Plutarch on the life of Themistocles Vnto the Right Honorable Sir GEORGE DRUMMOND of Milnab Lord Provest THOMAS ROBERTSON Bailie THOMAS HAMILTON Bailie ALEXANDER BRAND Bailie DAVID SPENSE Bailie CHARLES MURRAY of Hadden Dean of Gild GEORGE DRUMMOND Thesaurer And to the Rest of the Honorable Councill of the City of EDINBURGH RIGHT HONORABLE I being a person who without vanity may say that Heaven hath blessed with so much of a Publick Spirit that I feel in my heart an inclination that would do good unto all men but since my ability quadrats not with my desires that being GODS peculiar Priviledge whose Omnipotencie can onely equall his Will I must rest satisfied with the extent of my Cordiall Good Wishes for the Wellfare of all from which Principle though I am not in a capacity to act I could not forbear to express somethings in these Memorialls whereby I humbly conceive the Good and Wellfare of the Burrows of this Kingdom may in some measure be advanced if acceptably improven It would be from a defect of Charity if any apprehend I have wrot these out of conceit of my own abilitie for I am not so fond of any Talent I have acquyred that if my earnestness to cast in my Mite into the Treasurie for the Publick Good had not overballanced the mean thoughts I have of any thing I can do of this nature I should never have dared to present you with them But now here they be and such as they are I presume to lay before You who are the Representatives of the Chiefest City of this Nation It is your Discretion your Zeall for the Publick-Good your Christian Wisdom and Behaviour your Righteousness and Piety that influences not only the rest of the Burrows but also most of the Subjects of this Kingdom I am not ignorant how much I expose my self to the Critick Censures of many in permitting the Publishing of this Tractat considering the Politness and Learning of this Age and my own Imperfections in undertaking such a Task Yet if ye shall be pleased favourably to accept hereof Charitably constructing my Zeal and covering my Defects and Over-reachings I need care the less what thoughts others have of me or it And because it is frequent with many to measure their Esteem of Books by the respect or disrespect that is had to the Author I have therefore suppressed my Name that it may neither be undervalued or possibly by some overvalued upon my account but that all may be left to consider what is said then to enquyre who said so And how ever it be it shall be the cry of my heart that ye may acquit Your selves in all Your Places and Administrations like Men and Christians and that with Jehoshaphat Ye may prepare Your Hearts to seek the LORD To whose Wisdom Counsell and Direction I commend You all as becomes Right Honorable The cordiall Well-wisher of the Prosperity of Your CITY and to serve You in the LORD PHILOPOLITEIUS Epistle to the Reader IT hath been a great question amongst the Ancients what kind of Government was most conduceable to the Happiness and Wellfare of the Life of Men some preferring the Government of one Wise Iust and Discreet Man for making Laws and commanding Obedience to all others and this is called Monarchie simply Others preferring the Government of many who may perhaps disscerne better what is needfull for the Publick Good then one according to that saying Pâ—us vident oculi quam oculus But forbearing to trouble any with the Opinions of Plato Xenophon Aristotle or Cicero who have severally written Books concerning Civil Society and wherein they have differed one from another they having treated of these Governments to which soveraignity and supream Authority belonged But the subject of this following Treatise being onely of Roâ—all-Burghs within this Kingdom I think it the duty of all persons concerned therein to be thankfull to GOD that they live under the Power and Protection of a Potent MONARCH who Governs according to the Laws made by Him and his Royall-Ancestors with consent of the three Estates of this Kingdom and preserves all the Priviledges of His Subjects accordingly so that by the foundamentall constitution of Government we are under the best temper and composure of any Nation in the World And if we will be good Christians good Subjects and a vertuous happy People we have the advantage of the best Laws of any Kingdom in Europe As to the particular improvment of that Power which every City in this Nation hath within it self to contribute to its own Happiness and Prosperity I have taken the freedom to set down these few Memorialls for the benefit of all not out of any conceit of my ability for such an undertaking as I can truely say but out of a desire to be usefull according to my mean talent to Young-Men who perhaps are not acquainted with such things though these that have had experience are probably farr beyond me in Knowledge and Parts And seeing there are Books written for every Science Art or Employment from the highest to the lowest I have fallen upon this Essay if it were but to stir up some of more pregnant Parts and acute Engine then ever I laid claim to whereby they might benefit their Native-Countrey seeing the Government of Burghs within this Kingdom is a Subject that might very well beseem the exactest Pen till which appear let these concerned admit of this testimony of my respects who am A Cordiall Well-wisher to all the Burrows of this Kingdom PHILOPOLITEIUS To the Author of these MEMORIALLS WEll may thou own to have a Publick Sp'rit And Philopoliteius nam'd for it And for this Book the Royal-Burrows all May ratifie thy Name and thus thee call Thy wholsome Counsells if practised be Our Nation happy we shall shortly see Our Burrows prosperous by Forraign-Trade Our Countrey to make Famous all made glade To see our Kingdoms-Glory every way Encrease by Vertue and what ever may Its Praise advance which
Common-Wealth all the Members are usefull and make but one Body that as 1. Cor. 12.21 22. The Eye cannot say to the Hand I have no need of thee nor again the Head to the Feet I have no need of you nay much more these Members of the Body which seem to be more feeble are necessary It cannot then but agree with reason that every estate and condition of men should have their own share in the manadgement of these things according to their proportions and interests in the whole We have matter to bless GOD for the equal and just constitution of Government not onely of the whole kingdom which of it self is as good as any in the World but also for that well tempered mixture granted to us by our KINGS left unto us of our Worthy Ancestours which is in our Cities and more particular Common-Wealths being thus Our Town-Councills is chosen out of the whole Citizens and Burgesses of the Burgh the Citie-Roll being read at every Election of Councill that if Aristotle were alive he would not censure us as he did the Government and Lawes of the Gretians given by Minos and Radamanthus for their Cosmi or Magistrats were not chosen out of all the People but out of some few of every Tribe though they did pretend that all their Laws were made by Jupiters advyce and for this the most of the Grecian Re-publicks did imitate them particularly Lycurgus the Lacedemonian there being a large List drawn up of all amongst us where is set down every one whom any person of the Present Council desires or nominats then they choose the prefixed number that are appointed to be New Counsellours for the ensuing Year Next they choose out of their own number who have been ruling the Year preceeding so many as are by the Law appointed to continue Ja. 3. P. 7. c. 57. And lastly so many of the Deacons of the Trades as should compleat the number of the Councill all which being presently called and conveened they with the Old Councill and the whole Deacons of the Trades besides these Tradsmen that are on the Old and New Councill do elect of these that are chosen for Counsellours for the Year to come Provest Bailies and all other Office-bearers requisite Thus Bretheren of Gild and Tradsmen of which our Cities consists have all their equall share in the Government of our Royal-Burrows When any matter of more then ordinary Importance comes to be consulted of if the Councill find it meet they call the former years Council and joyns both in the Consultation and Determination and if it be a business of setting on of a Tax or Levying of Money whether for Nationall or Particular Use or such like the consent of the whole is called for in a publick Head-Court conveened by Authority of the Magistrats for the Reasons of the said Tax or Imposition is holden out to them so that by this it may be evident to the judicious that we have the best Ingredients and Advantages of all the severall sorts of Governments Though some are Priviledged to be Sheriffs within their Jurisdiction and so have Power of Life and Death in some cases yet we may look on our selves as more happy in severall respects under the Government of the well constitute Monarchie we live in then if Soveraign Power were in our own hands as many free Cities and Common-Wealths have First Because we are hereby fred from the fear of overthrow oppression or subjection to the lust of any proud or ambitious Neighbour that perchance might have more Strength then we being under the Fatherly Care and Protection of such a Powerfull Monarch When we look back upon the manyfold dangers that Famous and Renowned Cities have frequently been assaulted with in Elder times or at present Beholds the many staggerings and violent agitations that free Towns have been surprised with in this our Age by reason of the Power Ambition and Avarice of their Insidious Neighbours we may bless GOD for our Peace and Security Secondly If any intestine jarrs may unhappily arise amongst Citizens which may draw Parties to Factions and great Animosities and Seditions wherethrough not onely the Names Fames and Estates of the Inhabitants might be in hazard but the Lives Liberties and Interests of the Common-Wealth might utterly be destroyed and subverted thereby We have the Supream Authority of this Kingdom to prevent all these evils and to crush them in the bud whereby our Concord Unity and at least our Peace and Security is through Gods blessing safer then the great Imperiall Citie of Rome when lyklie to have teared out her own bowells by that unnaturall War betwixt Sylla and Marius which destroyed the chiefest and best of her Senators and so many thousands of her own Citizens The like apparent Fate being wisely and seasonably prevented when that unhappy difference arose in Aberdeen about the Year 1590 called the Common-Cause by the Prudence and Authority of King JAMES the sixth and the Interposition of the Convention of Burrows who by the Kings approbation did determine the controversie which before through slaughter and blood had drawn to that hight which if not timely adverted unto might have brought with it destruction and desolation Whereas since the Government is so regulated as is above shewed and established upon surer fundations then formerly that through GODS Blessing thereupon no such thing hath had any appearance since not we hope through Mercy shall ever again Next though it would be pertinent to speak of the Magistrats and their Qualifications yet I shall refer it till I intend to speak of their duties in particular where to hold out immediatly before their Qualifications will be more recent and proper and therefore shall speak of the Council in general CHAP. III. Of the COUNCIL and their Duties in general and their two chief Ends they should aim at A Council is a certain Assembly lawfully chosen to give advyce to him or them that have the Power of Administration of Affairs within the Common-Wealth The Romans called the Counsellors Senators for their â—ravity and Age and sometimes they were â—â—lled Fathers from the care they had of the â—â—mmon-Wealth as Parents are careful to proâ—â—de and see for their Children what they stand 〈◊〉 need of or what their condition may reâ—â—ire Counsellors should do the same for the â—â—-publick They are custodes Legum the keepâ—â—s of the Laws and appeals are made to them â—â—â—m the Magistrats when any person conceives â—â—mself wronged by them The Grecians and the Romans for the most part composed their Councils of old wise and expert Persons It is a great prejudice to a Citie to have persons chosen more out of a design to strengthen a Faction then for their worth and abilities especially when an Oath is taken by every Counsellor at his admission to be a faithful Counsellor in all and every thing that concern the Common-Wealth In all Royal Burrows the Council Acts are thâ— Rules for the most part
refused it and when his Countrey-Men offered him great and large Lands he requested that they would not give him what many would envy and many more covet Wherefore of all these sayes he I will have no more but so much as may declare the moderation of my Spirit and be testimony of your Good Will towards me for lesser Gifts and Rewards are of greater duration and great things are scarce thought a mans own I might add many more Instances of the like Sobriety and Moderation in great Persons from several Histories particularly from the Famous and ever to be Honoured Common-Wealth of Venice where it may be observed that there was very little personall Ambition or Affection of airie Applause for all they contended was for the Good of their Native Countrey and Wealth and Honour thereof for they would not admit of Sumptuous Tombs nor Magnifick Statues nor the Warlick Ensignes of their Glorious Victories to be set up as the lasting Monuments of their Vertuous Atchievments but to give one of the many of such instances Caspar Conterenus that Noble Venetian in the description of the Venetian Common-Wealth showes for proof of this that Andreas Contarenus Duke of Venice dying shortly after that most remarkable Overthrow he had given the Genoaves prohibited by his Latter-Will that no Ensignes or Ducall Coat of Armes neither his own propper Escotcheon or Name should be engraven on his Tomb that no person might know where such a Worthy and Well Deserving Person was interred This and the like may check the airie and vain Spirits that hunt after the vain applause of the World 9. The Apostle gives an excellent Direction which all that have a right esteem of Gospel Rules will walk by Philip. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlyness of mind let each esteem other better then himself Again Gal. 5.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory provocking one another envying one another 10. As for Avarice which is a most dangerous and destructive evil to a Common-wealth when it gets place in the hearts of Rulers it s so gross a Vice in publick Persons and I having never seen nor known any prejudice done by any in power within the City I live in to the common Treasurie or damnage thereof I shall not insist on it GOD Himself having by Jethro given it as a speciall Qualification of all that should be in Authority that they should be men Hating Covetousness Exod. 18.21 Thus having touched at some speciall Evils very prejudiciall to a City I shall in the next place fall to speak somewhat of the particulars which the Town-Councill should be carefull to cherish for promoving the good and wellfare of their Corporation CHAP. X. Anent Love and Concord as the surest foundation of a Kingdom City or Common-wealth THe foundation of all Kingdoms Common-wealths Cityes Societies and Families is LOVE and CONCORD for as our Lord said Mat. 12.25 Every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation and every City or House divided against it self shall not stand This may alone suffice to discover the absolute necessity oâ— Concord and sweet Harmony in a City and Common-wealth therefore have I chosen to lay iâ— down in the first place as the only and surâ— foundation of a happy and prosperous City For what is the Origen of a City or Civil Society but an harmonious Concord and Agreement to live together for mutuall Aid and Assistancâ— in all common Concernments and when thiâ— common and necessary principle is forgotten and every one minds mostly his own things with the utter neglect of the common-Good it may be said that People and Place are going to ruine And in no Age since the World was can any instance be given where such a City or People did prosper multitudes of instances may be given where it was the dismall presage of an inevitable destruction and that of the most famous and magnificent Cities in the World To forbear the many miserable effects which at first view are obvious to any judicious beholder where this Vertue is wanting I shall instance but this one Evil which is an inevitable consequent thereof and it is this Every motion that can be made for the publick Good though with demonstration of never so much advantage if it but cross the particular interest of any Partie or Person yea because it proceedeth from such a person or partie it is forthwith opposed crushed and utterly husht down by these concerned and all their Witt Power and Moyen laid out for that end Whereas â—f there be Love and Harmonious Concord amongst â—he Inhabitants all will joyn as one-man to â—romote every Motion that may further the Publick Good 2. Wherefore I judge it a chief Duty lyâ—ng upon all in Charge or that have any Place â—r Authority in a Common-Wealth to lay themâ—elves out in the pursuit of so great a Benefit and seeing this is so necessar and conduceable for the good of a Corporation I shall propose these few means that may contribute for the attainment and preservation thereof when attained 3. In the first place let there be care taken that all Ranks of Persons have their due Liberties and Priviledges preserved according to the Rules and Constitutions of the Common-Wealth for incroachments upon these have caused great agitations yea many alterations in the Governments of Cities and sometimes have hazarded the ruine thereof from this General I shall instance some Particulars 4. Let the People bewar first of encroaching upon the Priviledges of the Councill and Magistrats which cannot be done without Mutinies and seditious Meetings and the most effectuall way to prevent this Secondly That the Magistrats and Councill be very tender of the Priviledges and Liberties of the People to do nothing against them by force or oppression Hence it was that the People of Rome rose up against the Decem-viri when they perceived them to exercise Tirranny and Oppression under the covert of Authority Therefore by sedition and slaughter they were thrust out and a new Government erected So also the Thirty Praetors of Athens whom Lysander the Lacedemonian had set up after they had with Poison and Sword destroyed many Famous Worthie Men were destroyed and overturned by Thrasibulus which Socrates that Divine Philosopher foretold before he drank that deadly Poisonous Cup at their Decree Therefore Magistrats would rather moderate their Power by Authority then bend and strain it up to the hight Thus wisely Theopompus did bow the Royal Authority amongst the Lacedemonians to a certain mediocrity and was the first setter up of the Epheri from amongst the Common People like the Tribuns amongst the Romans and when he was Taxed by his Wife as in scorn Thinks thou not shame said she that thou leaves thy Son with less Royal Authority and Power then thou got from thy Ancestors He answered wisely O Woman I do not leave them less but a far more strong and lasting Authority Magistrats would be
that Superstition hath served to greaten more Towns in many Kingdoms of the World then the true fear of GOD and that love that should be amongst Christians Witness Rome which is so much frequented upon the imagination of her pretended holy places and false relicts of Saints departed and the supream Authority of her Ecclesiastical Affairs and her Judaick Jubilies by which and many more such like Impostures she hath made many Nations drunk with the Wine of her Fornications and Whoredomes and thereby keeps her self in such greatness till the LORD by powring out the vialls Rev. 16. burn and consume that seat of the Beast Many other Cities and Towns are also greatly frequented upon superstitious Accounts by Strangers as Loretto in Italy S Michael in France Compostella in Spain and many other places altho rough and almost inaccessible But now when Light hath discovered these Antichristian-Delusions I think we should study upon more Christian Accounts to invite Strangers as was said in the beginning of this Chapter by being through divine Grace a holy People living in the true fear of GOD and in love to his holy Image where ever it is to be seen by an holy and blameless Conversation Though there be a difference in Judgement in most Cities now in Brittain let it be our care to love all Men and seek thee good of every one if so be the LORD may bring them to the knowledge of Himself and the acknowledgement of the Truth and walk according to that rule Phillip 3.15 16. This as it is very sutable to Christian Charity and that meekness and moderation that becometh the Gospell so it is very conducible to the greatning of a City and Common-wealth CHAP. XIV Concerning Merchandising HAving touched some Generalls necessary for the prosperity of a Town in the last Chapter I come now to speak of some of them more particularly at some more length and the first is Merchandising Rulers ought to have a speciall care to give all due encouragement to Trading that can be thought upon for by it a Burgh is mostly distinguished from a Countrey-Village rather then by strong Walls or Fortifications as some distinguish without Trade a Town were little better so that Traffick is the very essence and by it the Being and Vitalls of a Burgh or City is mantained First It therefore concerneth Magistrats and Councill to assist yea to own as their propper Concernment all the Intetests that may impare or prejudge the Traffick in all Staple-Commodities when the Supream Authority makes any Act or are like to do any thing that may damnify the same as in highting Customs or Bulzeon These things would be adverted to and all opportunities carefully attended when matters of that nature may be best helped especially at Parliaments for this there is a great necessity to make choise of understanding able and active men to be Commissioners at such times otherwayes it may fall out to be done at such a time that possibly cannot be gotten helped in an Age. Secondly It were good to look well upon all these wayes whereby Trade is prejudiced amongst our selves as to take condign order with Foreâ—allers of Mercats and such raisers and highters of the prices of common Commodities and these that studie to enhance one particular Commoditie in their hands that they may sell and oppress others at their pleasure and many more wayes which others can more easily fall upon that are better acquainted nor I am with the like Thirdly It were very commendable for all that have charge in a City not onely to look to these particulars above mentioned but to be carefull that the Dean of Gild and his Councill of Assessors to whom it would be very propper may set themselves to fall upon the best Overtures for removing of impediments and advancing all means that may make every Trade whether of Scottish Commodities outward or such Forraign Commodities as are brought homeward to prosper and flowrish and then the Councill after mature deliberation had that the means be propper and may be practised without the breach of any duty to the setled Laws of the Kingdom may put to their Authority and so effectually prosecute the samen that no covetous or selfish stickler that may possibly find himself hem'd in from his avaricious and greedy way may be able to gainstand what the Councill hath enacted for the Good and Prosperity of the whole Merchants in common Hobbs in his 2 d. part of his Rudiments of Dominion sayes to this purpose That every Society of men that live in a Corporation together intending the Publick Good of the whole would not rest upon a bare consent to prosecute that and unless there be restraints for fear of punishments on those that out of selfish ends c would obstruct the Wee ll of the Publick so that all mens particular Wills must run in the Will of the Councill or such as are the Governours viz. the major part thereof Fourthly I will not take upon me to mention any particular ways how Traffick may be advanced in Towns it being more propper for a Dean of Gild Court which would be needfull to be alwayes of the ablest and most judicious of the Merchants and such as are of most publick Spirits yet it may not be amiss to offer these things to consideration Consider to what good improvement one man as I have seen in my time did bring the Manufacture of Stockings viz. G. P. in Aberdeen whereby there was a Trade in some measure keeped up not onely with Merchants at the South and West but also with severals that carie them both to England and Ireland and if one man by his own private Industrie did bring the Countrey People to such a perfection in good Stockings what may a Corporation do if a serious care were had for such improvements in this and many other things Secondly Seeing we have Commodities of our own Nation sufficient to bring us home all necessaries from France Holland and the Nations on the Baltick-Sea to serve our Towns and Countries about us onely we have little of our own to send to London and our Neighbour-Nation of England wherefore such of our Nation as travel thither are constrained to caâ—ry in Money to their great expense and hazard â—or to draw Money upon Bill at a dear rate To prevent this if it shall please the LORD who hath in his good Providence united both Nations under one KING as well as in one Protestant Religion and Language to take off these Acts which are made to obstruct the mutuall Freedom and Trade betwixt the Kingdoms or to make up a compleat Union which were rather to be wished it were most expedient to consider what Commodities we have in our Countrey that would go best off there as our Linning-Cloath Linning-Yairne Stockings of all sorts and syzes Furrs Feathers c and such like things as active Merchants might easily find out and would need to keep a good Correspondence at
Bailies being four in number in all our chief Burghs their charge is one and the same though for order and easing the Burden in some things they are divided and so they divide the Town in four Quarters and every one of them hath his propper Quarter alloted to him by choise or lots according to agreement First It is his Duty to take up an exact account of all the Families and Persons living within his Quarter and to know what they are if Citizens or Strangers and what is their Trade or Occupation and by what means they live and mantain themselves that so no idle suspect or scandalous person be there without due notice taken Secondly They are to wait per vices every one a moneth about in the Towns publick House or Clerks-Chamber thereof so many hours every day that is from ten to twelve forenoon and an hour or two afternoon to hear Complaints examine Parties and Witnesses and accordingly if there be cause to set down Convictions and bring them to the next ordinary Councill-day that the guilty persons be censured by the whole Councill according to merit Thirdly It s his duty to wait on the weekly and publick Courts of Judgement which are but two dayes ordinarly every Week with some to wit every Tuesday and Saturday of the week be ten of the clock in the forenoon where he sits in the publick Town-house as sole Judge in all Legal Processes that are amongst Citizens in Civil Differences that are not peculiarly competent to be determined by the Lords and Senators of the Colledge of Justice who are the Supream Judges in all Civil Controversies for the whole Nation and so in this place Bills are read Summonds are called Officiars or Serjants faithfull Executions thereof carefully noticed and cleared agreements proposed and reasonings pro and contra heard from the Advocats of the respective Parties Processes carried on to Interloquitors and finall Decreets as is usuall before any other Civil Judge in the Kingdom In matters of great difficultie the Bailie is to have the advice and judgement of the Towns Consulter who ought alwayes to be the most Learned Judicious and Discreet Lawier that conveniently may be had And yet the Magistrat ought not wholly to captivat his Judgement to what ever he advises but is bound to ponder well and advise if his Information and Judgement be according to the known Laws and common Pratticks of the Nation and according to Conscience for this it concernes every Magistrat that sits in Judgement to be a Judicious and Intelligent Person and one that is carefull to have knowledge of the Acts of Parliament and Civil Pratticks lest otherwise he may ignorantly be made to pronounce Decreet which is not according to Equity and Justice through the partiality of the Consulter who possibly hath been solicited or brybed by the injurious Partie and therefore the Consulter should be not onely able but a person of singular Integrity Next I judge the whole Magistrats Provest and Bailies should advert to all the particulars in the foregoing Chapters which are laid before the Councill for the good of the Town as opportunities may be offered and occasion given seeing the Magistrats are as the hands as well as the heads of the Councill to put in execution what ever they enact for though a Council did make all the profitable Acts and Constitutions imaginable for the Publick Good it were to small purpose if diligent and active Magistrats be wanting Therefore let Magistrats notice these desireable Qualifications that they should be endued with mentioned in the former Chapter of this Treatise CHAP. XXII Concerning the Office and Duty of the Dean of Gild. THe next Office-bearer to the Provest and Bailies is the Dean of Gild whose Duty is according to the Charge usually given him after his Election First He is the Towns-Fiscall and therefore is to accuse all Fore-stallers of Staple Commodities and see them convicted by the Magistrats according to Law and so to be censured by the Council at their next siting also to accuse all other publick Transgressors as incroachers upon the Towns Priviledges or Magistrats thereof or brakers of the Paenall Statutes Secondly He is to receive and count for all the Fines and unlawes of the convicted persons censured by the Councill and if personall punishment be inflicted with an alternative as to be redeemed therefrom by such a summ of Money he is to see that the sentence be executed accordingly and cause the Clerk insert it in the book of Convicts and Fines otherwise he is to be countable for the Money it being alwayes to be supposed by the Auditors of the Towns Counts that where there is no evidence of inflicting of the personall punishment that in that caise the Dean of Gild hath received the Money as the alternative thereof he is likewise to receive the Fines of Fore-stallers as convicted and then censured by the Councill Thirdly He is to receive all the Money for Casualities belonging to his Office as for instance if there should come a Stranger with any Merchant Commodities to the Town that could not be divided amongst the Merchants according to their due proportions but it would cause mistakes and strifes to arise if some got thereof and others nothing in which caice it is his Duty to conveen the Merchants by publick intimation with the hand Bell and represent the caice to them and with their consent obtained to roup the Commodity and what profit he gains more than he is to pay the Stranger he is to charge himself therewith either amongst the common accidents belonging to the whole Town or in his Count of the Gild-Box for their Poor as shall be condescended by the meeting Fourthly He is to have speciall care that no privat person buy any Forraign Commodity from a Stranger but to buy it himself yet with all to be sure that it be taken off his hand at the rate agreed for and with profit seeing Strangers are not Burgesses and not free to Trade therefore the Stranger is holden to make his first offer to the Dean of Gild and not to sell to any other privat Burger till then and that no privat person shall have it under whaâ— he offered it for to the Dean of Gild. Fifthly It is his Duty to look carefully that the Towns Statutes be keept as to the Prices of all things which the Council hath seâ— down for that Year Sixthly He is to see that all the Weight and Measures whether publick belonging to the Town as the publick Weights in the Weighâ— house Barrells Kinkins Firlots Pecks Elnes and Metts as also these of privat person in their Trading and privat Shops or Malt-men Wine and Ale-sellers their Elnes Stoups Weights c that all these be according to the Act of Parliament and the severall standards appointed and approven thereby for he being Censor Morum Delictorum hath a very great Charge lying on him and who ever they be that are
Cities-Effairs but now the Bishop hath taken back that Court to the Old-Town as being his Priviledge There is a smaller Fabrick builded by the Citizens for the Inhabitants of the Village of Futtie appointed for Catechiseing that People which since hath had a Minister to preach though not as a distinct Parish All the Citizens and that People being under one Session or Consistoriall for Discipline There is a great Towns-house in the Mercat-place called the TOLL-BOOTH which hath a fair and spacious Rowm for the Courts of Judicature to sit in such as the Head-Courts of the Shyre and City with the Sheriff and Bailie Courts above which there is a MAGAZINE or Store-house for Warlike Ammunition c. It hath also another large stately Rowm where the Magistrats and Town-Councill conveen under which is the low Councill-house where the Dean of Gild and his Assessors meet for effairs peculiar to the Brethren of Gild as also the Commissioners of the Shyre for Cess or such like common concernments together with an other Rowm called the Clerks-Chamber which hath accommodations for Clerks and Writters Upon the East end thereof there is an high-Tower with two Battlements upon which there â—s erected a high and stately Spire or Steeple â—overed with lead under which is a great Clock and Bell and under the samen are severall Rowms for Prisoners both high and low There is also a large and high House called â—he Pack-house and Weigh-house wherein are a â—reat many Rowms for Merchant-Wares of all â—orts near to the Shoar the Shoar being as â— said of late years greatly enlarged so that it â— a pleasant considerable walk from the City to go to the furthest end thereof which leads to the Fields and towards the Harbour-mouth The mercat-Mercat-place is larger then in any Town of the Kingdom being an hundreth twenty and four double space in length and about a third part thereof in breadth where it is narrowest so that two Regiments of foot Souldiers may be drawn up in rank and fyle tho in open order There is one of the stateliest Bridges in the Kingdom over the River of Dee of seven Arches of a like and equall largeness within two short myles of the City And there is another be-North the City of an high and great Arch over the River Don both which are mantained by the City upon propper Rents mortified for the same use In the middle of the City there is a Philosophie-Colledge the houses whereof were purchased by the City in consideration that George Earle Marischall Grandfather to this present Earle out of his zeal to the Publick Good and his respect to the City of ABERDEEN did mortifie publick Rents for the Principall and four Regents of the said Colledge whence it is called the Marischall Colledge and makes up an half of the Carolin-University for it hath a Principall and four Regents oâ— Teaching-Masters and now hath a publick Professor of School-Divinity who teacheth a publick Lesson two dayes every Week during the sitting of the Colledge Also a Professor of Mathematicks who upon other two dayes every week teacheth two Lessons There are also Lessons of Arithmetick and Geometrie taught by â—ther Masters thereunto appointed by that Renowned Famous and Learned Physician DR DUNCAN LIDDELL who mortified a conâ—â—derable Rent to the Professor of Mathematicks and six Mathematicall and Philosophicall Bursers or six years There are many summs of moâ—ey mortified to the said Colledge since the eâ—ection thereof whereto the Town-Councill of Aberdeen are mostly Patrons so that it appears â—here hath been more Charity extended within â—hir hundred and twenty years since the Reâ—ormation of Religion from Popish Idolatry and Superstition then hath been in all the Ages beâ—re which our Towns Counts of Mortified Moâ—ies for Schools Colledge Hospitalls Gild-Box Common Poor c. can evidence This Colledge hath a copious Library which was at first plenished by the City of Aberdeen who â—ook all their books they had laid up in the â—pper rowm above their Session-house and transâ—itted them to their own Library in the Colâ—dge for the uses of all concerned and Dr. Reid Secretary in the Latine-Tongue to King Charles the first left a Sallary to the keeper â—f the said Library which Library hath been â—ugmented in its books by severall Mortifiers â— by the said Dr. Reid the forementioned Dr. Liddell who mortified about 2000 Merks worth of Books and 20 Merks yearly to buy Mathematicall Books and Instruments and Dr. William Johnstoun Phisician and Professor of the Mathematicks here and by Dr. Patrick Dun a learned Physician and Principall of this Colledge Also there is a Grammar-School which hath a chief Master and three teaching Masters under him to whom the said Dr. Dun mortified 1200 Merks of yearly Rent by which the City is disburdened of what they payed yearly to the former Masters thereof We have a School for Musick which was taught of old by very eminent Musicians in this City There wants no opportunities in this City for Youth both Male and Female to learn any manner of good and commendable skill or knowledge in such things as may best qualifie them There are four Hospitalls in this City one for decayed Brethren of Gild. A second for indigent Widowes and Virgins of Brethren of Gild lately purchased by a sum of money mortified by Dame Marion Dowglas daughter to the sometâ—me Earle of Buchan and late Lady-Drum for the Honour the Magistrats and Citizens conferred on her deceased Husband at his buriall in Aberdeen 1632. The rents whereof were augmented by a considerable summ mortified to this Hospitall by James Milne Elder Merchant who also mortified 100 Pounds yearly to two Philosophicall Bursers in this Colledge with 500 Merks to this Kirk-session A third Hospitall for Trades-men founded and built by the deceast Dr. William Guild sometime Preacher in Aberdeen and lately Principall of the KINGS Colledge in the Old-Town This Hospitall hath a spacious comely Rowm where the Deacon or Conveener-Courts meet A fourth Hospitall for Litsters the Rent whereof was mortified by Archbald Beans Litster by which they have builded a goodly House with a stately entry The use of this Rent is for the benefit of decayed Litsters their Wives Children and Servants severall of whose Daughters have been provyded with sutable portions out of the said Rent and thereby honestly married There are eight Mills belonging to the City and lands thereunto pertaining whereof a new Wind-Mill is builded of stone and lyme at the South-entrie of the City which may be of excellent use if carefully keeped There are two Water-Mills within the suburbs of the City and five near by in the adjacent territories belonging to the City We have a choise Medicinall Spring called the Well of Spa at the Wool-man-hill built with hewen-ston very specifick for Gout Gravell Collick and Hydropsie as the late Famous Dr. William Barclay Physician did learnedly describe 1615 which is now re-printed when the Well was re-built 1670 the copies
others and that so far as they know all the Goods pertain to Free-men As also that before the loadning of the Ship for her return they swear that the Goods pertain to themselves and not to Strangers otherwise the Conservator may arreast the Ship and Goods at least all the Goods of the refuser Ja. 6. P. 15. c. 257. The Conservator should put the Acts against Usurie in execution upon all Scots Merchants Skippers and Factors in the Low-countries and compt thereupon to the Thesaurer Ibid. c. 259. Acts anent the Staple THat an Incorporation be made of Scots in the Low-countries and their Priviledges ordaining the Scots residing there and pretending to the saids Priviledges to give their Oath of obedience to the KING and his Laws as if they were dwelling in Scotland and that they pay for their entries ten Pounds Fleemish and the persons refusers to be deprived of all benefite or commerce with his HIGHNES Liedges Ja. 6. P. 6. c. 96. That no Ships passing to the Low-countries land any mans Goods but at Campvere or the ordinary Staple and that no person go on land or take any thing out of the Ship untill her arrivall there under the pain of ten pound Fleemish and the Conservator should take the Merchants and Skippers Oathes thereanent Ja. 6. P. 15. c. 258. That Merchants coming from the Low-countries give to the Conservator an account of the quantity and quality of the Goods under the pain of confiscation thereof and that a subscribed Cocket thereof be sent home to the Thesaurer Ibid. c. 260. CHAP. XIII Concerning some Means in generall by which a Burgh may flowrish IT ought to be the care of a faithfull Senate and vigilant Rulers over a City and Common-wealth seriously to consider by what means a Town may most flowrish grow in Greatness prosper in Riches and increase in Numerous and Vertuous Inhabitants I shall name some of these 1. Religion was a mean whereby Jerusalem was not onely made head of that Kingdom but also greatest in all Asia because all the Males behooved to appear there thrise a Year There was the Temple of the LORD there the High Priest and all solemn Oblations and Sacrifices hence it was called the Holy City but now there are no places that have any Holiness in them under the Gospel Joh. 4.21 22. For GOD may be Worshiped every where and any where if it be in Spirit and in Truth I know not any Religious Concernment that might more greaten a City nor be a more attractive motive for Strangers that had any Principle ruling in them of the fear of GOD then a Holy People Isa. 4.3 and 60.21 When the Inhabitants of a City generally did walk so Christianly and so Sweetly together according to Gospell Rules that they might give evidence of the fullfilling these blessed Promises Isa. 1.25 26. upon which account a Town might be justly termed a City of Righteousness the Faithfull City this was a sure foundation of all true Prosperity and Greatness therefore let all profane and ungodly persons be esteemed the chiefest enemies to a Cities wellfare and the Pious and truely Godly the chiefest Jewells and Blessing thereof A 2 d. mean of making a Town flowrish is a dilligent care to have Trade and Merchandise thriving by all due encouragement thereunto and to endeavour if possible to have some distinct and particular Commoditie to be exported or imported that no other neighbour Town hath or some usefull Manufacture that is not in any other place of the Natiâ—â— or at least not so good or cheap It weâ—â— a desireable thing in Scotland to see every Town to improve their Situationâ— and soyle their Rivers Lochs Trades Arts and Engines and in a word their particular properties and advantages by industrie that each of them might be found to have some special and distinct commodity to vent for their own great benefit and their Countries service A 3 d. mean is to cherish Industry and Arts and Handy-crafts See Botero on the greatness of Cities Pag. 84. and to procure excellent Wits and Persons of eminent Qualifications for that end 4 ly The erecting and maintaining Schools of Learning and Professors of all usefull and commendable Sciences which may draw the Youth of the Countrey to be bred in Cities and Towns in doing whereof speciall care would be had that strict Laws and Orders might be set down for the good and quiet behaviour of the Students and these duly execute by faithful Masters and carefull Magistrats that Parents and Relations may send their Children thither in a measure of confidence and security and so the Inhabitants be preserved in Peace 5 ly Inviting by immunities from Taxes and Tolls all that have any commodities to sell to frequent Mercats and great Faires within Burgh which would need to be procured from the KING and Parliament for that end by which a Town may have severall advantages though the Taxes were quited at least very low As Monethly Mercats in every great Town for Horse and Oxen by which the Countrey may be served at all seasons and the Burgh be benifited by the change that the Countrey People should make 6 ly That all the Judicatories that may be had be set up within Burgh whereby the Subjects may have occasion to make frequent resort to the Town 7 ly To endeavour to order well all necessaries for Food and Fireing and for keeping and mantaining Families within Burgh that all Persons of Quality may be encouraged to buy and build Houses in Towns which would undoubtedly contribute much for the Prospering of Trades and Arts in a Town by their change and greatly enlarge the City 8 ly If there be any speciall Blessing of Nature in or near to the Town that may be for pleasure or profit to Strangers that the same may be published and set forth with the best advantages for inviting the concurse of Strangers to the place as the Waters of Bath in England the Medicinall Wells and Fountaine at Spa in Germany and Orges in France and that health giving Spring for Gravel Gout Hydropsie and Collick at Aberdeen being drunk according to Dr. William Barclay his printed prescriptions in the Summer-Moneths Or if there be any notable or curious device invented or illustrated by Art which may adorn or ennoble a Town the same will influence and not a little concur to advance it All these former means have been drawn from profit it is to be considered that pleasure hath been a special mean to draw Strangers to a City And for this 9 ly Curious Gardens fruitfull Orchards in or about a City especially when so so placed as may most beautify the Town which may be no less profitable then pleasant according to the saying Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci. I shall in the next place enlarge upon some of these in particular in the fourth-Chapter I did treat of Religion at some length and shall not therefore insist now but regrate