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. XCV. Of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea, and the Trade of the Principal of them.

IN the Mediterranian Sea are found these Islands viz. Sicilia, Malta, Corsica, Sar∣dinia, Majorica, and Minorica, of the chief of which in order.

Sicilia is the chief of these Islands, com∣puted 700 Miles in circuit; Fertilized with many Navigable Rivers, and adorn∣ed with many fair Cities, and is divided in 3 Provinces as Vallis-de-Nota, Masara, and Mona. In this Island is found the Flaming Mount Aetna, and Mount Hiblia, in which is found great store of Honey, but for Brevities sake, I shall reduce the Trade of this Island into that of Messina the chief Port thereof, which stands oppo∣site to Regio in Calabria, the Island being divided from Italy by a narrow Frith or Channel, commonly called the Fare of Mes∣sina, and formerly accounted dangerous for Sailors, by Reason of a Rock on the one side, and a Sand on the other, known by the names of Scylla and Charibdis.

This City for some Years past, has been

Garisoned by the French, which put a stop to Inland Commerce, by Reason that the other Cities were in possession of the Spani∣ard, but since their abandoning it, the Trade is again returned, many Merchants of note residing there, and by Reason of its Com∣modiousness for the reception of Shipping, it has acquired a great Trade, so that hi∣ther are brought the Commodities of the whole Island, as Wines, Oyls, Wax, Ho∣ney, Saffron, Sugars, Corral, Agates, Pu∣mice, Corn, Cattle, Hides, Skins, Cavear, Tuny Fish, and the like; so that altho Pa∣lermo is the chief City and residence of the Spanish Vice-Roy, yet this is the chief Scale of Trade.

The Merchants keep their Accounts in Ounces, Tarries, and Grains, one Ounce making 30 Tarries, and 1 Tarry 20 Grains, and by the same they account their mo∣ney, viz. one Ounce or 30 Tarries is 5 Florins or Carlins, 12 Carlins making the Florin, one Tarry is accounted 12 Solds, 6 Deniers, or one Carline, the Carline being 10 Grains or 12 Livers, one Grain is 6 Pi∣cholis, and is 7 ½ Dew money of Siciliano, one Pancto is 8 Picholis, and the Ducat of Gold is worth 13 Tarries, and this money is cur∣rant throughout the Island.

The Weights of Messina are two, viz.

the Gross Cantar, by which they weigh all manner of Gross Commodities, the small or Suttle Cantar 10 pound less then the former, and is 100 Rotolo's of 30 Ounces, or 2 ½ pound Siciliano pounds, the former having been found to make 196 in 198 pound English, 20 Peso's being accounted the Suttle Cantar, and 22 the Gross Can∣tar.

The Measure of Length is the Cane, di∣vided into 8 Palms or 81 ½ Inches London Measure.

The Concave Measures are the Salmo and Tomelo, 16 of the latter making the former, which is accounted 11 ¼ Staio's of Florence, Oyl is sold by the Cantar, which is 2 ¾ Barrels Florence, and hath been found to render in Weight 180 pound English.

The Custom of this place and of the I∣sland in general, is for the most part 9 and 10 per cent. upon all Sollid goods, but Fish and other Edible Commodities pay 12 per cent. and all Commodities of Weight imported, whether they are sold or not sold; pay 3 per cent. at Messina, and remov∣ing from Ship to Ship, pays 3 per cent. and sometimes 3 ¼, all Merchandise conveyed out of the Island at the Port of Messina, pay 6 ⅓ per cent. unless when the fair is, and

then according to a Custom granted, some Commodities pay less then other some, as for instance, Silk pays but 3 per cent.

The Islands of Malta, Corsica, and Sardi∣nia, afford store of Oranges, Limons, Citrons, Honey, Wax, Oyls, Figs, Rasins, Wines, Honey, Allum, Box-Wood, Iron, Hides, Cheese, Cattle, and the like; but are not much Traded too. And therefore I shall forbear to describe them further.

Majorica and Minorica, the former 300 Miles in circuit, and the latter 250 are Seated in the Mediterranean, 9 Miles distant from each other; and abound in Corn, Oyl, Wine, Fruits, Drugs, which are yearly lad∣ed for England and other Countries; but especially Oyl. Their Monies are for the most part those currant in Spain. Their Weights 2, viz. the Rotolo and Cantar, 100 of the first making the last called Bar∣baresco, which there is 117 pound making in London 110 pound, they have likewise another Cantar of 104 pound, called the Cantar of Majorica, they likewise sell some Commodities by the Cargo, as Pepper Gin∣ger, Cinnamond, Nutmegs, Rice, and the which Cargo is 3 Cargo's, of 104 pound. The Measure of Length is the Cane, found to make 67 in 68 London Inches. The The Oyl Measure is the Quartano, 12 of

which make the Odor, and 212 that of 126 Gallons which is a Tun of Oyl, according to London Gauge, and the Customs and o∣ther charges are reckoned to 2 pound 7 Shillings 6 Pence per Tun.

In this Sea are the Islands of Javisa, afford∣ing store of Salt, as also the Isles Lipara Promentary, Pantcleria, Caprea, Ischia, Pro∣gitue, Elba, Gages or Cales, with some o∣thers of smaller note, affording Cattle, Corn, Olive, Oyl, Wine, Gapars, Cave∣re, Oranges, Limons, Citrons, Fish, and the like; most of them in the possession of the Spaniard. And thus leaving the Me∣deterranian, I shall enter the North Oce∣an, to take a View of the Islands not as yet mentioned in this Treatise.