The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Naturall Commodities.

Salt.

This is most Essentiall to mans Lively-hood, without which neither Sacrifice was acceptable to God, nor Meat is savory to Man. It is placed on the Board with bread, to shew that they are equally necessary to mans sustenance.

A General in our late wars soundly chid a Captain for his so soon surrendring of a Castle, seeing he had store of Powder therein. I had (returned the Captain) plenty of BLACK, but no WHITE Powder at all.

And here it is Remarkable to Observe the defects which sundry places have herein.

• 1. Some Countries have Salt without Flesh within many miles, as in the South∣part of Africa.
• 2. Some have plenty of Flesh, but no Salt to make use thereof, as in many parts of Tartary.
• 3. Some have Flesh and Salt, but the Flesh utterly uncapable of seasoning, as about Nombre de Dios, and other places near the Meridian in America.
• 4. Some have Flesh, Salt, and Flesh capable thereof, but so unconscionably dear, that Common people have little comfort therein, as in France▪ no Coun∣try

• having Salt most plentifull, and (for reason of State) most excessive in the▪ rate thereof.

These things considered, we who have Flesh, Salt, Salt at reasonable prises, and Flesh capable thereof, have cause to professe,

O Fortunati nimium bona si sua norint Angligenae▪

The manner of making of Salt in this County, is so largely and exactly described by Mr. Camden, that nothing can be added thereunto.

Cheese.

Poor men do eat it for hunger, Rich for digestion. It seems that the Ancient * 1.1 British had no skill in the making thereof, till taught by the Romans, and now the Romans may even learn of us more exactness therein. This County doth afford the best for quantity and quality, and yet their * 1.2 Cows are not (as in other Shires) housed in the Winter, so that it may seem strange that the hardiest Kine should yield the tenderest cheese. Some Esayed in vain to make the like in other places, though hence they fetch'd both their kine and Dary-maids. It seems they should have fetch'd their ground too, (wherin surely some Occult excellency in this kind) or else so good Cheese will not be made. I hear not the like commendation of the Butter in this County, and perchance these two Commodities, are like Stars of a different Horizon, so that the Elevation of the one to Eminency is the Depression of the other.

Mill stones.

Stones they are Naturall, as Fitted for that Purpose, Artificial. Very great and good, are digged up at Mowcop-hill in this County, though one Moity thereof be in Staf∣fordshire, out of which the River Trent doth arise. How necessary these are for mans sustenance, is proved by the painful experience of such aged persons, who wanting their Molare Teeth must make use of their Gums for Grinders, and such bad shifts should men be put to, if wanting Mills where stones turn Corn into bread. Manufactures conside∣rable, I meet with none in this County, and therefore proceed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Camdens Brit. in Ch•…•…shire.
• * 1.2

  William Smith in his Vale Royal pag. 18.