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. VI. A view of the Weights and Measures used in England, as they are Esta∣blished by Standard, and confirmed by the Laws of the Nation, and by Parliament.

THe usual Weights that pass through∣out England, are Troy Weight, and Averdupois-Weights; the former consisting of twelve Ounces, each Ounce to consist of twenty Penny Weight, the Penny Weight to consist or twenty four Grains; and this Weight is commonly used in Weighing of Bread, Gold, Silver; all Physical matters, as Electuaries, Powders, and the like; eight pounds of this Weight being reckoned to Weigh a Gallon, and from thence Multi∣plyed to any greater Measure; four Gal∣lons making a Peck, four Pecks a Bushel, and _____ _____ Bushels a Quarter. Wet Mea∣sures are likewise derived from this Weight, both at Land and Sea, viz. twelve Troy Ounces is a Pint of Liquids, eight Pints a Gallon; which of either Wine, Beer,

or Ale, is eight pounds Troy, according to the Standard of the Exchequer, and Acts of Parliament of the XI. and XII. of Hen∣ry the seventh. And by this Rule the Coop∣ers make their Casks for all vendible As∣size, vix. a Hogshead to contain sixty three Gallons, a Tearce eighty four, a Pipe one hundred twenty six, a Tun two hundred fifty two Gallons; as likewise all Casks made for packing up Fish, as a Salmon Butt to contain eighty four Gallons, the Barrel twenty four, a Herring Barrel thirty two, an Eele Barrel forty two, a Sope Barrel thirty two Gallons, the lesser Casks to be divided accordingly.

The other Weight, viz. Averdupois, wherewith is Weighed Butter, Cheese, Flesh, Wax, all manner of Grocery, and indeed most Commodities vended in England; it consists of sixteen Ounces to the pound, and is called Garbel, by Reason a Draught or Wast is allowed to every weighing: Seven pound of this Weight is accounted to weigh a Gallon of Wheat, and so Multi∣plyed to fifty six pound the Bushel; seven pound Averdupois, is one hundred and two Ounces of Troy; from whence it is accounted that a Bushel of Wheat must weigh one hundred and twelve pound, and a quarter four hundred forty eight pounds

Averdupois, and so consequently fourteen pound Averdupois is sixteen pound eleven Ounces Troy; and as one penny Sterling is the twentieth part of an Ounce Troy, so seven pound twelve Shillings Sterling is eighty four Ounces, a half and two penny Weight of Troy, and six pound eight Shil∣lings Sterling, is eighty two pound ¾ Ounce, and one penny Weight; and from these two are the Weights of Houshold, Wheat∣en and White Bread Calculated.

The Weigh of Cheese is by Averdupois, and runs thus. The Weigh of Cheese one hundred and twelve pound Averdupois, and the two hundred containing two hundred twenty four pounds, consists of thirty four Cloves, every Clove being seven pound. The Weigh of Suffolk Cheese is two hun∣dred fifty six, and the Weigh of Essex Cheese three hundred thirty six pound A∣verdupois.

A Sack of Wool was accounted three hundred fifty four pound Averdupois: two Weighs of Wool make a Sack, and two Sacks a Last.

The last of Herrings is ten thousand, every one thousand to contain ten hundred, and every hundred sixscore, that is, before they are Barrell'd. Lead is sold by the Fod∣der, containing nineteen hundred and ½ at

one hundred and twelve per cent. Averdu∣pois. This Weight likewise of sixteen Ounces to the pound is made three several Quintars for Weighing several sorts of Merchandise; the first is of fivescore pound just to the hundred, and called one hun∣dred Sutle, whereby fine Commodities as Spices, Drugs, and the like are sold, which are accounted by the pound, and to which over and above is allowed by the Seller four pound, upon one hundred and four pound taken from the overplus, derived from the Weights of Antwerp for Spices, and called by the name of Tret. The second of the Quintars is one hundred and twelve, viz, fivescore and twelve to the hundred, by which all Gross Commodities are weighed.

The third is sixscore to the hundred, by which Tinn is weighed to his Majesties Farmers, and some other few Commodi∣ties; and is called by the name of the Stan∣nery hundred. From this Averdupois Weight, by division the Weight called the Stone, which is twofold, the long, and the short; the long is accounted four pounds Averdupois, and the short eight, but in this there is no certainty, for it differs accord∣ing to the Customs of Counties and Markets. There is an other thing in use called a Tod, some places seven pound,

others eight, and some again ten, being altogether variable. They have likewise a Clove of twenty pound, twenty eight pound, thirty two pound, and the like. There are likewise in most Markets for weigh∣ing of Flesh Stillyards used, but without the Approbation of the Buyers; they being unin∣telligible to many, and oftentimes false; first invented for the Weighing Hay, and Straw, for which uses indeed they are only proper.

Averdupois consists of sixteen Ounces, every Ounce consisting of eight Drams, and every Dram of sixty Grains; so that by it the Raw-Silk of Persia, and Turky, are sold, but then twenty four Ounces are allowed to the pound, or a pound and an half, &c.

Thus having distinguished these Weights which are of such use in this Nation, it is not amiss that I shew you what accord the one hundred and twelve pound Suttle has with other Nations, and Places of Traffick, as for the Equality of Weight tho they differ in number.

In Europe, it agrees with the Weights of Mersella, the Venetia Sotile, the Ve∣netia Gross, Sicilia, Lisbon, Florence, Anvers, Lions, Sevil, Dantzick, Bruges.

In Africa, and Asia, with the Weights

of Aleppo, Aleppo, Tripoly, Syria, Tri∣poly, Barbaria, Alexandrio-Zera, Alexan∣dria, Forfar, Forfar, Scio, Constantinople, Rhodes, Acria, Babylon, Balsola, and Ormus. And thus you see, Reader, the Industry and Im∣provement of the English Nation, which now I must leave, and take a View of Scotland.