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. IX.

Of Commodities in generall used by the way of Mer∣chandize, and of the knowledge thereof.

HAving spoken of Cities of trade in generall as they are distinguished in these dayes; and of the Customes more or lesse that are imposed (by Princes in all Cities where trade is practis'd) upon all commodities used as Merchandize, by such as negotiate and use traffique and of the moneys and current Coines where∣by this trade is driven, with the weights and Measures whereby the same is distinguished and regulated: the next thing to bee hand∣led in order is the Commodities and Wares themselves, wherewith this Commerce is maintained and practised in every Citie and Coun∣trey comprised in this MAPPE; which is the proper thing upon which the said duties are paid, and for which the said mo∣neys are seene to bee given in Exchange, by the way of buying and selling.

All Commodities then that are used as Merchandizes by traders and Merchants may properly bee distinguished into two kinds; and are either naturall or artificiall commodities; naturall commo∣dities I call such as the Earth or Creatures, either with or without the labour and industry of man doth naturally produce of them∣selves: of which kinds are wines, oyles, cottons, wools, fruit, graine, raw silke, spices, druggs, jems, gold, silver and the like.

Artificiall commodities I call such as are either wrought or perfi∣ted by Art or Mystery, of which kind are all fabriques of either wollen, linnen, silke, and also the commodities of all manuall crafts, this day seene practised through the world in sundry Countries, within the compasse of which two sorts may all wares and all things used as commodities be comprised.

Againe, both the naturall and artificiall commodities may bee distinguished into two other sorts and kinds, which are either such as are staple and lasting commodities, or impairing and de∣caying commodities.

The staple and lasting commodities I call such as indure at all times and continue for ever in their true estate and first condition of goodnesse, never decaying, nor never losing their vertue and qualitie: and of this kind are jems, gold, silver, copper, brasse, lead, iron, steele, and the like.

The impairing and decaying commodities I call such as are either subject to corruption, or to leakage, and doe lose and decay ei∣ther

by long lying, or by keeping, as are the fruits of the Earth, corne, wines, oyles, currens, figgs, fish, and the like.

The infinite variety of which passeth any one mans judgement perfectly to know and distinguish, because that Nature and Art in all Countries and places brings into the world such change and diversitie, in place, time, use and qualitie in all professions, that it were a worke endlesse to set downe the natures, conditions and properties thereof; therefore it hath contented me in all Coun∣tries and Cities heere collected, to nominate only the commodi∣ties that the places are observed to afford, either naturall or artifi∣ciall, either staple or perishable, wherewith Merchants are found to negociate, and upon which it is found that a custome is imposed by Princes, and by them satisfied accordingly.

And yet forasmuch as many of these commodities herein named and found throughout the world, may seeme strange to some not well versed in the generall knowledge therof; and yet this know∣ledge so necessary to all that professe Merchandizing; I hold it not improper here, not onely to adde a word or two, conducing to this so needfull a skill; but also to the preservation and true keeping thereof in their prime goodnes and beauty.

He that intendeth then by his pen to teach the theorique of this mysterious part of Commerce must needs come short of his ayme: I hope I may therfore be well excused if I appeare defective here∣in; for I know it is practice and dayly use that maketh a man skil'd in this Art; and many lets and impediments appeare dayly in many men, that hinder the true attainement thereof: for it must needs be granted that hee that is imperfect in any one natu∣rall sense, or wants those helps that nature affords to perfect minds, must neither be a Merchant, nor yet addict himselfe to this know∣ledge: for any one sense being either depraved or defective in part or in whole, will inforce him to commit (against his will and mind) many errors, and constraine him to take the bad for good, or (at least wise) the bad as soone as the good; and som∣times (as we say) chalke for cheese, or one thing for another: for experience tels us that all commodities are not learned by one sense alone, though otherwise never so perfect; nor yet by two, but somtimes by three, somtimes by foure, and somtimes by all: and yet this Art is now a dayes come to that heigth, (I may say) to that heigth of cunning, that all these are little enough too.

But in the generall it must be granted that the eye above all the rest of the senses, still claimeth an especiall interest and prero∣gative herein, and must ever bee admitted as one of the chiefest that must still accompany the rest in this distinction, and there∣fore many things are oftentimes found saleable that are pleasing thereto; and in some commodities the same is noted to have the whole stroake, and onely to give the judgement, as in all manner of colours, and such like things depending thereupon.

Some are noted againe to require the sence of feeling to be as∣sistfull to the eye, as where the hand is of necessity to be imployed, as is seen in cloth and such commodities. Some require the sence of hearing, as where the eare giveth a help to the eye, as is seen in some mettalls, mineralls and such like: and some againe require the sence of smelling, as where the nose helpeth the eye, as is seen in some drugges, perfumes and the like; and lastly, some requireth the sence of tasting, as where the palate giveth the helpe, as is seen in spices, wines, oyles, and many such commodities, where it is to be noted that in this knowledge doth consist much of the Art of Merchan∣dizing, a principall part of which profession is properly to know and learn the same; and therefore a Merchants judgement must no•…•… be limited within the compasse of any one particular trade or Vocation: for herein must his mystery, skill and art exceede all o∣ther, as requiring by necessity a more generall knowledge then any other tradesman; from whom there can be expected no more, then a skill in those commodities they challenge a property or right by trade unto; or as appertaining particularly to their pe∣culiar profession and calling.

This is manifested in many trades-men, as in the goldsmith, whose knowledge is confined in silver and gold, and in the goodnes, finenesse and quality thereof: In the Ieweler, whose knowledge is confined in Iems and precious stones; in the Clothiers to their clothing, in the Druggesters to their drugges, in the Grocer to his spices; and so ge∣nerally in all others: But the Merchant whose judgement must be larger, must have skill in all, and have a generall inspection in every part and member of each of them, as being onely branches of his unlimited knowledge; which is not confinable to commodi∣ties and wares of value and consequence onely, but also to the wares of the meanest artificer; so that in this point his art may be com∣pared to the Poets, whose excellency must consist in a coursory judgement in all sciences, and to be learned in all professions, the difference being that the Merchants skill, must be reall, solid and substantiall, and the Poets may be fained and poeticall.

Therefore both the naturall and artificiall commodities must be comprehended within the circuit of his judgement, and into all trades he ought to have a generall insight, as with the fisherman, he must dive into the deep, and know all sorts of merchantable fish, as ling, codde, haberdine, herings, pilchards, salmon, eeles, how caugh•…•… and how preserved, and the proper season for the same.

With the Husbandman and labourer, he must have insight in the Harvest of the Earth, and know all commodities that the same is found naturally to afford for Merchandize, as all manner of corne, graine or pulse; the vintages for all manner of wines, the recoltoes for all manner of oyles, cottens, currants, figges, reasons, and other fruit of the Earth, how and when the same is gathered, and how and by what meanes the same is kept and preserved: with

the shepheard to know all manner of wools, with the woodman to know all manner of timber, and all circumstances thereto be∣longing; and to conclude, his skill and inspection must be such, that it extend it selfe from the commodities belonging to the meanest artificer, to the commodities belonging to the most emi∣net shop-keeper, which I neither know, nor yet am able in all neces∣sary points to learn; but specially so much of this knowledge must not be omitted as cometh within the compasse of that place, wherein and whereunto the Merchant resideth or bendeth his trade and adventures.

Neither yet must his knowledge rest it selfe here upon the consideration of the meere goodnesse of commodities, but must also extend it selfe to the consideration of the true worth and value thereof, both in the price and in the esteem; and also know how the same is both requested and spent, and how imported, and how exported, either for use or for ornament, from one Countrey and place to another; together with the due circumstances of times and seasons, when this vent or sale presenteth, and when the same is out of use and not demanded: also when signes of plenty doth offer it selfe, and when of scarsitie, when of rising and when of falling; what commodities in themselves naturally are friends, and sympathise in the Shipping and will indure packing, binding, and ftowidge together; and which againe have a secret antipathie, and will perish and consume each other; all which circumstances I have at large handled in a tract which I have called the Merchants Magazin, which I may hereafter publish, if I find this my labour prove acceptable to Merchants.

Moreover, all Merchants indeavouring to obtain this exquisit∣nes, should not be satisfied with a naked skill and knowledge in these commodities thus belonging to other mens professions, but their maine scope and aime should be to make this knowledge and skill profitable and beneficiall unto them, as by exporting the super∣fluous commodities of one Countrey at the plentifull season of either harvest, recolto or vintage to another place or Kingdome, where either nature, scarsitie, the curiosity, pride, sloth or necessity of the Inhabitants challengeth a supply or stand in need of, which must be done with many advised circumstances. First, in that con∣sideration must be had aswell to the place as to the time, aswell in the importation as in the exportation; and to the property and fitnes of both the place and time; for all commodities are not trans∣portable at all seasons, nor yet every season fit for every commo∣dity; some commodities requires winter and cold seasons for trans∣portations, and some againe requires summer and warmer wether, and in the fitnes of the place, a judicious eye is to be had, and the same to be done with a great deale of providence and circum∣spection, observing well the nature and property of the place, whither the same is to be imported, and whence exported, and

not as that Dutch Merchant is said unfitly to have done, that car∣ried fish to Rome at Easter, or shooe-hornes and hats to Constantinople, or as we commonly say coales to New-castle, where great quantities are daily digged up and vented thence to all parts of the World.

And for as much as Merchants find not at all times, a present vent and sale for their commodities, according to their minde, and to a contented profit, therefore their knowledge must yet extend it selfe so farre, as that they know how the same is both to be pre∣served and kept, from either spoyling or perishing; for experi∣ence shews, that almost every severall commoditie doth demand almost a severall and different way of preservation and keeping, that the same may continue and hold its prime vertue, worth, and goodnesse, both in colour, substance, and beautie; and also know what may be opposite therto, and incident either to spoyle, hurt, harme, or prejudice it: for first some commodities are observed to be best preserved drie, as is seene in some sorts of Spices, Drugges, Sugars, raw silke, and such like, and these require a dry, close, ware∣house or magazin for stowedge thereof; some are found to be best preserved by lying close without ayre or vent, as some wines, some fruits, and such like; and some are observed to be best pre∣served by moisture and no ayre, as Tobacco, Civet, Muske, Verdigrace, and such like; and so in some other commodities, which doe also differ in respect of the place; some commodities requiring low and close Celleredge, and some high and airy warehouses, &c. all which things are considerable in the housing and keeping of wares, and commodities, and necessarie to be knowne, least that by ignorance a damage be sustained in staying for a Market, or a fit or more proper season for the sale and vent thereof.

Neither is it sufficient that a Merchant doe know how to pre∣serve his wares and Commodities in their first splendor, goodnesse, and vertue, but their skill must extend, if possible, to give it new vigour, life, strength and beautie, being either by casualtie or time, dead or faded, dying or perishing, which though in some commo∣dities it may (in some sort) be performed, yet in all commodities it is a matter not onely unprobable, but utterly impossible to be in any manner of wayes effected; for this onely secret, if any where it were to be learned, would prove a most profitable knowledge, and worth the learning, and a mysterie that would too soone en∣rich tradesmen and Merchants. Yet some such there be their Arts∣masters, who before they will throw away their goods, when ei∣ther they are in part decaying, or totally perishing, will trie ma∣ny wayes and conclusions to rectifie the defaults and defects there∣of; sometimes by commixtures, compositions and helpes, adding excel∣lent good to the very worst, or sweet to sowre, or one colour to another; as is imagined is too oftentimes practised by the art of the Vintner, in his old perished or palled wines. Others againe by changing the Objects, turning one die into another, as it is

conceived is daily practised by Mercers, and others, by new dying of spotted stuffes and silkes: many such wayes being practised, which the ingenious head and hand of the Artsman hath found out, and invented, to save, preserve, maintaine, and sometimes to restore a commoditie that is wasting and perishing, which I referre to those that are more skilfull therein.

Now the last point resting to conclude this Chapter, is to shew briefly how this knowledge first spoken of in commodities may be gained and acquired, which doubtlesse is best done by experience, the true mother of knowledge; and this experience is best gotten by often viewing the same, and heedfully marking the qualitie and properties thereof, and especially the best and principall of each sort, that a man would be expert in; to which end, it is ever good to procure and keepe patterns, and samples, and thereby so to im∣print the very Idea thereof in a mans minde, that at sight of the like or equall, the same may instantly be knowne and discerned, and the sooner to obtaine this knowledge, a man that would learne must be very inquisitive of men of experience that are able to in∣struct in the commodities required, and learne from such what is the principall notes requisite thereunto, either in their colours, goodnesse, substance, vertue, taste, seeing, or feeling; and what he hath thus learned and gained, to take order never to forget, by com∣mitting the same to writing, and therewith to note, the signes and markes of the goodnesse and badnesse of all those commodities that a man doth either deale in, or would learne to know, and to make this knowledge the more compleat, to note downe therewith all manner of charges incident thereto, and that grow in that place upon the same, with the ordinary price which there it doth com∣monly beare and hold; and though these notes should either by hast or mis-information be at the first rude, and undigested, or though many should prove frivolous, and to little purpose, it mat∣ters not much; the one sort may soone be better ordered, and the other may as easily be rejected; his better knowledge and a little consideration may amend both these defects, my reason for the same is, that the use and custome of noting in this manner, will make a man (especially young beginners) more skilfull and readie in this knowledge in a yeare, than he that taketh onely a bare, idle, and su∣perficiall view, shall be in his whole life time; for it must needs be granted, that it both perfecteth skill, and helpeth memory, which is the onely meanes hereto, and by graving deeper impressions in a mans minde, inforce him will he, nill he, to a more considerate and judicious observation, and marking thereof; when as he hath thus absolutely tyed himselfe to a necessitie of setting downe every commoditie, and each particular circumstance in this manner ther∣to belonging. And this being as much as I thinke needfull to in∣sert, concerning this point in generall; I will proceed to the next and last, which is of Exchanges practised amongst Merchants in the art of Merchandizing.

Notes

• Commodities in generall u∣sed in Merchan∣dizing, and the knowledge thereof.
• All commodi∣ties are either naturall or artificiall.
• Naturall com∣modities.
• Artificiall commodities.
• Staple commo∣dities.
• De•…•…ying 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• All commodi∣ties are known by the senses.
• A principall part of Mer∣chandise con∣sists in the knowledge of commodities.
• A Merchant must be seene in all commo∣dities,
• And in all trades.
• A Merchant must know the value of all commodities, and all other circumstances thereof.
• Merchants should reduce this know∣ledge of com∣modities to profit.
• Merchants should know how to pre∣serve all com∣modities.
• Merchants should know how to better their commo∣dities.
• How a Mer∣chant may have knowledge in all commodi∣ties.
• Merchants to write downe their observa∣tions upon commodities.