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CHAP. XCI.
Of GOA, and the Trade thereof.
GOa, is the Metropolis of India, I meane of those that are * 1.1 under the command of the Portugall or Spaniard, where the Viceroy, Archbishop, and the King his Con∣sull, and Chancery doe reside; here is also the Staple of all India commodities, whereto Merchants of Ara∣•…•…ia, Armenia, Persia, Cambaia, Pengala, Pegu, Siam, Mallacca, Iava, Mollucco, China, and of sundry other Countries doe resort: It is •…•…eated in an Iland of three miles circuit, but is but little distant •…•…rom the firme land; the Port is capacious of good ships, but if they exceed 200 Tunnes they unlade short of the Towne at a place called Bardes, well built with faire houses both publique and pri∣•…•…ate, after the Portugall manner, and hath in it many Cloisters, Churches, and Frieries; but is not fortified with any walls, but the contrived and continued buildings of the houses, serves both for defence and inclosure: in the heart of the City is a Street called •…•…he Leilon, where a daily assembly is made from 7 to 9 in the mor∣•…•…ing, not onely of Merchants from all parts, but also of gentry; •…•…nd during the said houres the said Street is replenished with all commodities and merchandise from all the aforenamed Kingdomes, •…•…et forth in manner of our Faires in England; which daily is thus practised, and wherein the rich commodities of those Countries •…•…re vented and put to sale; besides which, there are particular Streets where the native Indians doe dwell together, being found to be here great Merchants, and for the most part inhabit neere together, especially such as are found to be of one and the same Art and Profession, being bound by the strict lawes of this Coun∣trey, every man to marry within his own and the same Trade, and to bring up likewise their children in their owne and the same Profession; which law (being strictly observed) giveth great perfection to all Arts heere practised: their Winter begins here the last of April, continuing till September, and is called Winter, not for the cold, but for the continuall raines that are found all this time; the rest of the time is accompted Summer, which •…•…s without raine, and the pleasantest of all other seasons upon this Coast.
The commodities naturall of this place is not observeable, the * 1.2 •…•…land small, and the firme land plentifull in Palme-trees, cocus, and