The merchants mappe of commerce wherein, the universall manner and matter of trade, is compendiously handled. The standerd and currant coines of sundry princes, observed. The reall and imaginary coines of accompts and exchanges, expressed. The naturall and artificiall commodities of all countries for transportation declared. The weights and measures of all eminent cities and tovvnes of traffique, collected and reduced one into another; and all to the meridian of commerce practised in the famous citie of London. By Lewes Roberts, merchant. Necessary for all such as shall be imployed in the publique affaires of princes in forreigne parts; for all gentlemen and others that travell abroad for delight or pleasure, and for all merchants or their factors that exercise the art of merchandizing in any part of the habitable world.

CHAP. CCXXXIV.

Of the trade in generall of Poland and Eastland.

HAving thus surveyed the trade of this Coun∣trey * 1.1 in some particulars, it will not bee amisse to looke upon it in the generall. The reve∣newes both of the King and Gentlemen is here esteemed but moderate, and scarce sufficient to maintaine a plentifull table, and to ex∣change with merchants for Wines and Spices, which they yet much covet, as also they doe forraigne stuffes of Silks and Cloth: I have noted that this kingdome aboundeth with Beasts as well wilde as tame, and yeeldeth excellent horses, not great, but quicke, nimble and stirring; it aboundeth al∣so in flesh, fowle, and water-fish, and in all kinde of pulse and graine; it is found also towards the Carpatian mountaines of Hungarie to have some mines of Gold and Silver, of Iron and Brimstone, it yeeldeth also in aboundance, plentie of honey found in hollow trees, besides the husband-mans Hives: it yeeldeth moreover Wax, Flax, and Linnen clothes made thereof, Hempe, Pitch of both kindes, Masts for ships, Boards and timber, rich Furres, Salt digged out of the earth, Amber,

Sope-ashes, and Rie in aboundance, which hath made Danzke famous throughout Europe.

No marvell then if Merchants bring unto them Silkes from Italy, Cloth from England, Wines from France and Spaine, and the very Spices and Drugges from India, since they not onely sell them at good prices, but also bring thence such pretious and staple com∣modities. Poland it selfe is found within land and Prussia with their immunities subject to this kingdome, is found to have the princi∣pall traders therein inhabiting, yet have they but few shippes, using strangers to export their commodities. For the rest of the Polanders they are observed to live content with their owne, and not by way of Merchandising to stir much abroad; yet are they not rich, because they want the above sayd commodities, which the proud Gentle∣men and Nobilitie of these countries buy deere, and wil have, though brought from farre unto them, and they are noted to have so little Gold and Silver, as despising all in respect of it, they sell the rich commodities of their countrey at a low rate, especially those which are for daily food, and thereby made unfit to bee exported. The people themselves are not much addicted to trafficke into remote regions, nor to travell farre out of their owne Countries, yet in imitation of other their neighbours, they sometimes trade with their rich Furres into other countries, of whom I have observed some to come to Constantinople, rather making a rangeing voyage, than comming with intent to trade and reside. Wherein they can∣not be much blamed, in regard that they have in plenty all things that naturally is wanting to mankinde, if they can bee contented therewith: but the inhabitants of Pomerland, East countrey, &c. are observed to be more ingenious, and farre more addict to traffick and commerce, and have some vessels fitter for transport and carriage than for warfare, but yet most proper for their grosse commodi∣ties and large stowage, however their winter colds depriving them of almost halfe the yeares trafficke: the other halfe wherein their seas are navigable, cannot make them any competent amends and their Merchandise being altogether grosse, cannot give them therfore the attribute of Eminent Merchants.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of the trade in generall of Po∣land and East∣land.