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LANCASHIRE.
LANCASHIRE: Hath the Irish Sea on the West, York-shire on the East, Cheshire (parted with the River Mersey) on the South, Cumberland and Westmerland on the North. It rangeth in length from Mersey to Wenander-Mere, full fifty five miles, though the Broadest part thereof exceedeth not One and thirty. The Ayre thereof is Subtil and Piercing, (being free from Foggs saving in the Mosses) the Effects whereof are found in the fair Comple∣ctions and firme Constitutions of the Natives therein, whose bodies are as able as their minds willing for any laborious Employment. Their Soyle is tolerably fruitful of all things necessary for humane Sustenance: A•…•…d, as that Youth cannot be counted a D•…•…nce, though he be Ignorant, if he be Docible, because his lack of Learning is to be scored on the want of a Teacher; So Sterilitie can∣not properly be imputed to some places in this County, where little Graine doth grow, because capable thereof (as daily experience doth avouch) if it were hus∣banded accordingly.
This Shire, though sufficiently thick of people, is exceedingly thin of Parishes, as by perusing this parallel will plainly appear,
Rutland hath in it, Parishes Forty * 1.1 eight. | Lancashire hath in it, Parishes Thirty * 1.2 six. |
See here how Rutland being scarce a Fifth part of Lancashire in greatness, hath* 1.3 a fourth part of Parishes more therein.
But, as it was a fine Sight to behold Sir Tho. More, when * 1.4 Lord Chancellour of En∣gland, every morning in term time, humbly ask blessing in VVestminster-hall of Sir John More his Father, then a pusnie Judge: so may one see in this Shire some Chapels, ex∣ceeding their Mother-Churches in fairness of Structure and numerousnesse of people, yet owning their filial relation and still continuing their dutiful dependance on their Parents. But for Numerosity of Chapels, surely the Church of Manchester, exceedeth all the rest, which (though anciently called, but Villa de Manchester) is for Wealth and Greatnesse corrival with some Cities in England, having no lesse then Nine Chapels, which before these our civil Wars, were reputed to have five hundred communicants a peice. Insomuch that some Clergy men, who have confulted Gods Honour with their own credit and profit, could not better desire for themselves, than to have a Lincoln-shire Church, as best built, a Lancashire Parish, as largest bounded, and a London Audience, as consisting of most intelligent people.
The people, generally devout, are, (as I am informed) Northward and by the West Popishly 〈◊〉〈◊〉; which in the other parts (intended by Antiperistasis) are zealous* 1.5 Protestants. Hence is it, that many Subtile Papists, and Jesuits have been born and bred in this County, which have met with their Matches (to say no more) in the Natives of the same County; So that thereby it hath come to passe, that the house of Saul hath waxed weaker and weaker, and the house of David stronger and stronger.
Natural Commodities.
If any ask why this Graine growing commonly all over England, is here entered as an Eminent Commodity of Lancashire? Let him know, that here is the most and best of that kind; yea Wheat and Barlie may seem but the adopted, whilst Oates are the Natural Issue of this County; so inclined is its genius to the production thereof. Say not Oates are Horse-graine, and fitter for a Stable then a Table. For, besides that the Meal thereof is the distinguishing form of Gruel or Broth from Water, most hearty and wholsome Bread is made thereof, Yea anciently North of Humber, no other was eat∣en by People of the Primest Quality. For we read, how William the Conquerour be∣stowed the Mannour of Castle Bitham in Lincoln-shire, upon Stephen Earl of Albemarle and Holderness, chiefly for this consideration, that thence he might have * 1.6 wheaten bread to feed his Infant Son, Oaten bread being then the Diet of Holderness and the Counties lying beyond it.