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. LXV. A View of Lyons, and the Trade thereof, &c.

LYons was once the famousest Mart of France, and a great Scale of Trade, but by Reason of its Incommodious Situ∣ation, in wanting a Port or Navigable Ri∣ver for great Ships, it has given place to the Haven Towns, yet continues some Trade, especially Inland, being Seated on a Fruitful Soil, Fertilized by the Branches of the Rivers Rhoan and Soame, the chief Manufactory of Silks in the Kingdom of France being setled in it, which when wrought is sent through Europe, the Inha∣bitants having Commerce with Marselia, the chief Port for the residence of Ship∣ping. Here Exchanges are practised, the Bankers or Merchants of Venetia, Florence and Naples, having Factors resident in Lyons for that purpose, and hither it is that the

English Merchants bring Lead, Tinn, Bays, Cony-Skins, &c. to Exchange for the growth of the Province; the Accounts are kept as in other parts of the Kingdom. The Coyns currant being the same with those of Paris.

The Fairs are 4, in which all payments either by Exchange or Merchandise are made, and all payments run from 3 Months to 3 Months, if agreed to in a Publick place or Burse appointed for that purpose; the first of these Fairs begins immediately after the Octaves of Easter, the second, the first Monday after the Assumption of the Bles∣sed Virgin, the third the day after All Souls, the fourth the day after Epiphany, each continuing 15 days; all Exchange business is done, and all Bills of Exchange are made and dated in one day, and within 2 days following, they settle the rate of Exchange, and by these Fairs they limit their payments, and the time allowed in their Bills from hence to Venice, Florence, and Rome, is com∣monly 30 days, to Naples and Valentia 25 days; and so consequently according to the distance of the place it is payable at, tho agreement be made for longer time it is of∣ten granted.

The Weights most in use is the Kings Beam of the Custom-House, and the 2

Town Beams, the King's Beam is found to be 100 pound the Quintal, and is greater then the largest of the Town Beams by 8 per cent. and by the Weight thereof all Cu∣stoms are Proportioned. This large Town Beam for Gross Goods is accounted like∣wise 100 pound of 16 Ounces to the pound, the third Weight is known by the name of the pound of Mark, and is only used in weighing of Silks containing 100 pound of 15 Ounces, being the least of the three.

The Measure of Lyons is the Auln which is 46 English Inches, 7 of them being found to make 9 English Yards, and 100 pound of London Suttle is found to make in Lyons 96 2/2 pound Silk Weight, and one Liver or pound Sterling of London is 10 Livers Tur∣nois. And thus much shall Suffice for Lyons and the Trade thereof.