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 ...

Chamberlayne, Edward, 1616-1703., Petty, William, Sir, 1623-1687. England's guide to industry., J. S.

Table of contents | Add to bookbag | How to cite

THE INTRODUCTION. OR THE ORIGINAL OF TRADE, PLAINLY Demonstrating it's Increase. The Means and Methods used to bring it to the Per∣fection it is arrived to at present. And of the great Benefit reaped thereby, both in General, and Particular.

<< Previous section Next section >>

CHAP. LXXXVII. A View of Sweedland, of its Pro∣vinces, and Trade reduced into the Trade of the City of Stockholm.

SWeedland has on the East Muscovia, on the West the Dofrine Hills, on the North the Frozen Ocean, and on the South the Baltick, and contains 5 Provinces, viz. Goth∣land, Sweeden, Lappia, Bodia, and Finland, in the former of which is found Stockholm, Page 254 the Metropolis of the Kingdom; and Seated in a Watery Marsh in the nature of Venice, and is much frequented with Merchants, being for the most part the Regal Seat, so that to it Flow all the Commodities of the Kingdom; which are chiefly Buck-Skins, Goats-Skins, Ox Hides, Barly, Tallow, Malt, Tar, Pitch, Rosin, Furs, Lead, Cop∣per, Silver, Iron, Wax, Honey, and the like; and for its advantageous Situation, it is much Traded to, having a Channel capable of receiving Ships of any Burthen; and so well guarded with Castles of Extraordi∣nary Strength, that no Ship can pass in nor out without lieve first obtained; the Build∣ings are pleasant to behold for their Anti∣quity and fine Devices; a place being pur∣posely erected in the Principal Street, for the conveniency of Merchants, and the lay∣ing up such Commodities, as they either have to vend or have purchased; so that in this City are found the Growths and Manu∣factures of almost all Nations.

The currant Coyn of this Kingdom is the Dollar, which is divided into 8 Marks, and each Mark into 2 Clippings, each Clipping being accounted 9 ½ Stivers Fle∣mish, and in exchange the Dollar is only used.

The Weight is the pound 116 of which Page 255 is found to make the 100 pound of Lon∣don; they have likewise 2 Skip-pounds, the one the proper Skip-pound of Stock∣holm, which is 320 pound of the before mentioned pound, the other is 340 pound and proper to Dantzick. Of which in order I shall come to Treat.

The Measure of Length is the Ell, 166 of which are 100 Yards of London Measure, sometimes more sometimes less; for this is the Rule, they take a Piece of Rope, and Measure it by the bigness of a mans Head, which they call their Ell, so that according to the largeness or small∣ness of the Head, by which they take their Measure, the Measure is found to consist.

Their Concave Measures are of little use, unless for Corn and Mault, and those are Measured by a Loop, 23 of which make a Last in Amsterdam, and in London 10 Quar∣ters. And thus much shall Suffice for Sweed∣en, and the Trade thereof.

<< Previous section Next section >>