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CHAP. CXIX.
Of Barselona, and the Trade thereof.
BARSELONA is seated on the Mediterranean shore, and entering into that Golfe which is so terrible to * 1.1 Navigators. In these parts called The Golfe of Lions, it hath a reasonable commodious and safe Harbour, and the Citizens doe winterly enlarge and lengthen the same by adding to their Moulde, that shippes of burthen may come within the same: what I observed here Anno 1618. I will briefly declare.
Their monies current in Merchandise, besides the Riall of Castile, * 1.2 is a Liver which passeth heere at 20. sold. and a Duccat of Gold of Castile is worth 24. sold. of the said money, and the soldo is twelve Deniers of that money, wherein they are found to keepe their Ac∣counts.
Their Cantar is a 100. lib. which is English 92. lib. or thereabouts, * 1.3 and hath made by observation in
- Florence—123. l.
- Genoa—130
- Valentia—106 〈◊〉〈◊〉
- Marselia—104
- Venetia Sotle—140
Their Measure is a Canne consisting of eight Palmes and hath beene found to make three Braces in Florence, and in England found * 1.4 to produce 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Yards English, and in Naples hath been found to make 6⅓ Palmes.
Corne is sould by a Measure called the Quarter, one Salmo is foure * 1.5 Quarters, sould alwayes free of all Customes, 2½ Quarters making a Carga or loade, which is accounted 360. li. as is that Carga mentio∣ned aforegoing in Valentia.
Woolles are sould by the Rove, which is 30. li. making 26▪. li. of Venetia grosse, whither the same is commonly transported, and in Florence 36. lib.
All grosse goods are sould by the Carga, accounted 3. Kintars, which is 440. li. sutle of Venetia, and 278. li. grosse there, which is 372. li. in Florence, and hath beene found to make English 300. lib. Haberdepois.
In this Province lieth also Tortosa a fine small Citie, but the prin∣cipall * 1.6 of the Inhabitants being accounted as Moores were some yeares before my being here banished this Country, and therefore