The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. LXI. A View of Lisbon, the Metropolis of Portugal, of the Trade, Growth, Weights, Measues, Coyns, and Cu∣stoms thereof.

LIsbon is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Portugal, commodiously Seated up∣on the Banks of the River Tagus, the City and Suburbs being 10 Miles in compass, and not imagined to contain less then 38000. Families, Beautifyed with 67 Tow∣ers placed upon the Walls and 22 Gates; all the Houses being Built Magnificent, and indeed the People given to great In∣dustry, but especially to Navigation, as appears by the many Discoveries they have made; they being the first that Dis∣covered the Eastern Tract even to the In∣dias, and there by Trade and force got Foot∣ing, and shewed the way to England and Holland; who have now brought it to per∣fection, even to the great Inriching either Nation, and of all the Commodities brought from India, and other parts of the World by the Portugals, this City is the Scale, for

hither come yearly the Spices of Arabia, the Silks of Persia, the rich Commodities of China, and the Gold, Silver, precious Stones, and Spices of India; and especially Pearls, the Fishery thereof remaining for the most part in the right of the King of Portugal, which being brought to Lisbon, and after∣wards dispersed throughout Europe. To this City Flows the Trade of the whole Kingdom and also that of Spain; from which Kingdom it is now separated as formerly.

The Weights of this City, and conse∣quently of the whole Kingdom are Prin∣cipally the small and the great Cantars, the Latter of which is divided into 4 Roves, and each Rove contains 32 Reals which is 128 pounds, at 14 Ounces per pound, and of Flo∣rence Weight is computed 149 pound, their small Quintar for Pepper and Ginger is be∣tween 110 and 112 pound English, the Rove or Quartern being 27 ½ and sometimes 27 ••/4 pound, but the great Quintal is 15 or 16 per cent. more than our 112 pound.

The Quintar commonly called the King's Quintar used in his Contractation House for weighing the Spices and Drugs of India is 114 pound English, and the great Cantar of Lisbon is mostly computed 130 pound Eng∣lish, &c.

The Measures of length used in this Ci∣ty are the Coueda, which is the third part of an English Yard, and the Ware which wants but a Nale of an English Ell; by the for∣mer they Measure Woollen Cloaths, &c. and by the latter Linnen, &c.

The Concave Measures of Lisbon is the Alquire, 3 of which are found to make an English Bushel, and 5 a Spanish Han∣nep. They have an other Measure by which they meet their Salt called Muy, which is 60 Alquires, and 2 Muys and 15 Alquires are a Tunn Bristol Water Mea∣sure.

The Custom inward is 23 per cent. that is, to the Dechima 10, to the Sisa 10, and to the Consolado 3, and outward Merchants pay only 3.

The Coyns are the Croisado of Gold, computed to be worth 400 Reas. The Ducat of Portugal which is ten Reals and accounted 5 Shillings Sterling or the Croi∣sado. The Ryal which is 40 Reas and ac∣counted 6 pence Sterling. The Golden Mirle which is worth 1000. Reas and ac∣counted 2 5/2 Ducats, the Ducat is 2 ½ Ryals or 15 pence Sterling. The Vintin which is 20 Reas or 3 pence Sterling, the single Ryal of Spain which is 2 Vintines; there are likewise the Coyns of Spain pas∣sable

in this City, but seeing they are not the proper Coyns of Portugal, I shall pass them over as having already mentioned them in the Description of the Trade of that Kingdom. And now leaving Portugal, I shall pass into the Kingdom of France, and in viewing the Trade of some Cities there∣of, give a Summary account of the whole Kingdoms Commerce, both Inland and by Navigation.