The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. XXXIV. Aegypt Weight compared with the Weights of sundry other Countreys.

* 1.1I Have noted before, how that in Aegypt are used four several Weights proper to several sorts of Commodities; the Cantar Forfori is used in several sorts of Spices coming from Cairo; the Cantar Zero is the greatest and most common in use for all such Commodities as are sold here by Christian Merchants; the Cantar Laidin is only used in Flax, Hemp, &c. and the last in the Can∣tar Mina, most used in Damietta, for Cloves, Maces, Cinnamon, Musk, and some sorts of Spices; the Observations made thereon, with some other eminent Cities, are these:

* 1.2A Cantar of Tripoli in Suria is thus found to accord with Aegypt.

• A Cantar Forfori is in Tripoli 1 Cantar 24 Rotolos.
• A Cantar Laidin is in Tripoli — 33⅔ Rotolos.
• A Cantar Zeroi is in Tripoli — 52½ Rotolos.
• A Cantar Mena is in Tripoli — 42 Rotolos.

And note, that from Aegypt is sent to Tripoli in Suria, some Spices, Sugars, Rice, Cassia, Salt, &c. and from Tripoli is sent to Aegypt, white Soap, Dates, and some other Commodities.

* 1.3The Weight of Cyprus is thus observed with Aegypt.

• The Cantar of Cyprus makes in Aegypt
  • 5 Cantar: 20 Rotol. Forfor.
  • 2 Cantar: 30 Rotol. Zoroi.
• And the Cantar Forfori is in Cyprus 19 Rotolo 2/4
• A Cantar Laidin is in Cyprus 26 ½ Rotolos.
• A Cantar Zeroi is in Cyprus 42 ½ Rotolos.
• A hundred Mino is in Cyprus 33 ⅓ Rotolos.

And note that from Aegypt is brought to Cyprus, some Spices, Cassia, Rice, Flax, Salt, Fish, and some other Goods and from Cyprus is brought to Aegypt, Honey, Melasso, Sugars, Cottons, Chamblets, Grograms, and some other Commodities.

* 1.4Rhodes is thus found to accord with Aegypt.

• The Cantar Forfori is in Rhodes 18 Rotolos.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Rhodes 25 Rotolos.
• The hundred Mino is in Rhodes 32⅔ Rotolos.
• The Cantar of Rhodes is in Aegypt 2 Cantar 56 Rot. Zeroi.

And note, that Rhodes sends to Aegypt, Honey, Wax, Oyls, Raisins, and some Fruits, and from Aegypt is sent to Rhodes some Spices, Cassia, Sugars, Rice, Cow-hides, Flax and salted Fish.

* 1.5Aegypt is thus found to agree in Weight with Scio and Smyrna.

• The Cantar of Scio is in Aegypt 1 Cantar 11 Rotolos Forfori.
• The Cantar Zeroi is in Scio 1 Cantar 95 Rotolos.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Scio 89½ Rotolos.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Scio 1 Cantar 24 Rotolos.

And note, that from Scio is sent for Aegypt, Wax, Honey, Mastick, white Soap, Cottons; and from Aegypt to Scio and Smyrna is sent Cassia, Rice, Flax, Sugar and Sugar Candid, Oxe and Buffolo-hides, salted Fish, &c.

* 1.6Aegypt with Candy is thus found to accord in Weight.

• The 1000 l. gross of Candia makes 3 Cantar 63 Rotol. Zero.
• The 1000 l. sotile of Candia makes 3 Cant. 57 Rot. Zero.
• The Cantar Zeroi makes Candia sotile 274 l.
• The Cantar Forfori makes in Candia sotile 125 l.
• The Cantar Laidin makes in Candia gross 115 l.
• The hundred of Meno makes in Candia sotile 220 l.

And note, that from Candia is sent to Aegypt, Honey, Wax, Cheese, Candia Wines, and some other Commodities: And from Aegypt is sent to Candia, some Spices, Rice, Cassia, Sugar •…•…∣did, Flax, and some other Commodities.

* 1.7Aegypt is thus found to accord with Cania.

• The 1000 l gross of Cania is in Aegypt 6 Cantar 33 in 35 ℞ Zero.
• The Cantar Zero is in Cania sotile 278 l.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Cania sotile 127 in 128 l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Cania gross 100 l.
• The hundred Mina is in Cania sotile 221 l. in 223 l.

And note, that the Commodities transported for Merchandize are the same as is above re¦hearsed in Candia.

* 1.8Aegypt is thus found to accord in weights with Brussia in Natolia.

• The Cantar Zera is in Brussio 1 Cantar 77 Rotolos.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Brussia 82 Rot.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Brussia 1 Cantar 14 Rot.
• The hundred Meno is in Brussia 1 Cantar 42 Rotolos.

And note, That from Brussia is sent to Aegypt, Wax, Honey, Carpet, Silk, Civet, and other Com••odities, and from Aegypt those Commodities mentioned heretofore.

* 1.9Aegypt is thus found to accord with Constantinople in Weights.

• The Cantar Zero is in Constantinople 1 Cantar 77 Rotolos.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Constantinople 82 Rot.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Constantinople 1 Cantar 14 Rot.
• The hundred of Meno is in Constantinople 1 Cantar 42 Rotolos.

And note, That the Commodities accord with the precedent of Brussia.

* 1.10Aegypt is thus found to accord with the Island of Corfu.

• The 1000 l. sotile Corfu is in Aegypt 4 Cant. 27 Rot. Zero.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Corfu sotile 108 l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Corfu sotile 150 l. gross 126 l.
• The hundred Meno is in Corfu sotile 187 l.
• The Cantar Zero is in Corfu sotile 234 l.

And note, that from Aegypt to Corfu, and the parts adjoyning, is sent Cassia, Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, and some other Spices, Sugars, Rice, Flax, Oxe and Buffello-hides, and other Com∣modities of Aegypt; and from Corfu is sent to Aegypt, Wax, Honey, &c.

* 1.11Aegypt is thus found to accord with Rhagusa in Slavonia.

• The Cantar Forfori is in Rhagusa 120 l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Rhagusa 166½ l.
• The Cantar Zero is in Rhagusa 163 l.
• The hundred of Meno is in Rhagusa 208⅓ l.

The Commodities are the same as above mentioned in Corfu.

* 1.12Aegypt is sound in weight to agree thus with Catarro.

• The Cantar Forfori is in Catarro 108 l.
• The Cantar Zero is in Catarro 234⅓ l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Catarro 150 l. gross 126 l.
• The Cantar Meno is in Catarro 187 l.

And note, that the Commodities are the same as is mentioned in Corfu.

* 1.13Aegypt is found to agree with Spollato thus in weight.

• The Cantar Forfori is in Spollato 144 l. sotile.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Spollato sotile 200 l. gross 126 l.
• The Cantar Zero is in Spollato sotile 312 l. in 316 l.
• The hundred Meno is sotile Spollato 250 l.

Note, the Commodities are the same mentioned in Corfu and Gulf of Venetia.

* 1.14Aegypt is found in weight thus to agree with Ancona.

• The Cantar Zero is in Ancona 268 l.
• The Cantar Fofori is in Ancona 124 l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Ancona 172 l.
• The hundred Meno is in Ancona 215 l.

And note, That the Commodities of Aegypt are nominated before, and from Ancona is sent to Aegypt, white Soap, Oyls, Nuts, and the common Commodities of the Kingdom of Naples.

* 1.15Aegypt is found in weight to agree with Apulia thus.

• The Cantar Zero is in Apulia 1 Cant. 7 Rot.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Apulia 48 Rot. or 155 l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Apulia 68 Rot. or 188 l.
• The hundred Meno is in Apulia 85 Rot. or 235 l.

These weights are found in this manner also to agree with Naples, and hath the Commodities transportable for Merchandize, as is mentioned before in Ancona.

* 1.16Aegypt is found in weight thus to agree with Sicilia.

• The Cantar Forfori is in Sicilia 55 Rotolos or 138 l.
• The Cantar Forfori is in Sicilia 1 Cantar 29 Rot. or 300 l.
• The Cantar Laidin is in Sicilia 77 Rot. or 192 l.
• The hundred Meno is in Sicilia 96 Rot. or 240 l.

And note, That from Sicilia is sent to Aegypt, Melassus of Sugars, Nuts, Cheese, and Brim∣stone, Pumice-stones, and from Aegypt is sent to Sicilia the Commodities above-named of Aegypt.

* 1.17Aegypt is found to agree with Tunis and Tripoli in Barbary thus.

• The Cantar of Tunis is 1 Cantar 17 Rotolos Forfori.

• The Cantar Forfori in Tunis and Tripoli 85 Rotolos
• The Cantar Laidin is in Tunis and Tripoli 1 Cantar 19 Rot.
• The Cantar Zero is in Tunis and Tripoli 1 Cantar 84 Rot.
• The hundred Meno is in Tunis and Tripoli 1 Cantar 47 Rot.

And from Aegypt is sent to Tunis and Tripoli some sorts of Spices, as Pepper, Cloves, Cin∣namon, Cassia, Benjamin, Musk, Ambergreece, Civer, Storax, Camphora, Flax, and such like. It resteth yet to make the knowledge of these several weights in themselves perfect, that I should shew what Commodities are weighed by each of them, and afterward shew in brief how they are found to accord with other principal places of Traffick not here above-menti∣oned.

* 1.18The Cantar Forfori is the weight wherewith in Aegypt Merchants do buy and sell Pepper, Ginger and Green Ginger, Lache, red and white Sandal, Incense, Myrrhe, Zedoaria, Gum Ara∣bick, Semensine, Assa faetida, Mirabolans, Indico, Sugars of all sorts, Sal Armoniack, Elephants Teeth, and the like; agreeing thus with other Countreys of Trade.

Cantar For∣fori, that is, 100 Rotolos is in	Rhodes	17½	Rotolos.
Cyprus	18⅔	Rotolos.
Petras	108	l.
Salonica	109	l.
Zara	116	l.
Fiume	140	l.
Ancona	120	l.
Riconati	223	l.
Pesaro	124	l.
Arminio	116	l.
Lansano	123	l.
Apulia	132	l.
Acquila	124	l.
The Cantar Forfori of Aegypt, is in	Sicilia	134	l.	which are 54 Rotolos.
Calabria	131	l.	which are 47 Rot.
Naples	121	l.	which are 47½ Rot.
Rome	117½	l.
Florence	112½	l.	now all one
Pisa	124	l.
Genoa sotile	133	l.
Lucca	123	l.
Bolonia	116½	l.
Millan	129	l.
Cremona	132	l.
Piedmont	129	l.
Geneva	88	l.
Lions	98	l.
Avignon	102	l.
Barcelona	98	l.
Majorca	100	l.
Marselia	105	l.
Valencia	120	l.
Sevil	90	l.
Lisbon	79⅓	l.
Bona and Bugia	83⅓	Rot.
London	81	l.
Bruges	92	l.

* 1.19The weight called Meno is accounted by Hundred, and not by the Cantar, which is also pe∣culiar to some Commodities only, and thereby is weighed Cloves, Maces and Fust of Clove••, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Cubebs, Long Pepper, Aloes, Epatica, Boras, in past and in gain, Cardamon, Spikenard, Costus, sweet and bitter, Sarcacole, Armoniac, Opponax, Storax, Calamint, Turbit, Spodium, Ermodatili, Mumia, Benjoin, Laccia, Euphorbio, Lignum Aloes, Rhubarb, Manna, and other such like are sold by this weight, the hundred whereof make of the Cantar Forfori 180 Rotolos, and makes in

The 100 Rot. Meno doth make in	Venetia soteli	250	l.
Petrasse	184	l.
Corfu	187	l.
Rome	211	l.
Ricanti	220	l.
Lanfano	215	l.
Acquila	223	l.
Fermo	223	l.
Rhagusa	208	l.
Piedmont	229	l.
Savoy	157	l.
Avignon	181	l.
Marselia	187	l.
Majorca	179	℞
Granado	148	l.
Sevil	158	l.
Lisbon	142	l.
Tunis	148	l.
Salerno	135	l.
Ancona	215	l.
Pesari	220	l.
Bolonia	208	l.
Florence	219	l.
Milan	229	l.
Cremona	232	l.
Genoa	238	l.
Verona	225	l.
Geneva	157	l.
Lions	175	l.
Paris	169	l.
Barcelona	178	l.
Valencia	208	l.
Cades	164	l.
Tripol. Barb.	148	l.
London	166½	l.
In Flanders	173	l.

* 1.20The next is the Cantar Zero, by which is sold Cassia and not any other Spice, also Tin, Lead, Brass, and some other Commodities, the which is found to make in

The Can∣tar Zero doth make in	Venetia gr.	200	l.
Venetia soteli	316	l.
Salonica	177	Rot.
Petrasse	140	l.
Fiume	312	l.
Pulia	108	l.
Lansano	268	l.
Ricante	275	l.
Pesaro	275	l.
Barcelona	219	l.
Majorca	223	℞
Valencia	227	l.
Sevil	198	l.
Lisbon	250	l.
Tunis	186	℞
Rome	266	l.
Ancona	268	l.
Florence	273	l.
Genoa	297	l.
Lucca	276	l.
Millan	287	l.
Sicilia	120	l.
Piedmont	287	l.
Marselia	231	l.
Cades	200	l.
London	223	l.
Flanders	215	l.
Tripol. Barb.	116	℞
Granado	178	℞

And this is as much as I have collected concerning the several Weights of Aegypt used con∣stantly in Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta, and other principal places of that Countrey, which by reason of the diversity, as being fourfold, have proved the more tedious and intricate; wherein if Error be found by the trial of him that shall have cause to make an Experiment, I shall (I hope) find the more favorable construction of this my pains taken, wishing that I could have thus enlarged my self in the Measures of these Countries, and the agreement thereof with the other places before-named, wherein (being defective) I must crave to refer the Reader to him that is herein better acquainted, and therefore next to the Coins current.

* 1.21The Coins current of this Country are in Traffick of Merchandize, partly foreign, and partly domestick; the foreign is the Spanish Ryal of Eight, which they call here the Piastre and Dollar, and worth in common 80 and sometimes 90 Aspers, which is the domestick Coin of this Coun∣trey, and the Maidin which is the common Silver Coin of all the Grand Signiors Dominions. Three A or Aspers make a Maidin, and 30 Maidins make a Dollar; the Gold Coin, here is the Soltane, Xeriffe and Chequeen, all of one value, little differing, accounted 8 shillings Sterling; but rising and falling in Aspers according to the plenty of Gold.

* 1.22Their Accompts are here diversly kept, the Inhabitants for the most part accounting by Aspers 80 Aspers to a Dollar; and some by Ducates of Pargo, accounting that three Ducates of Venice make one Ducate of Pargo; besides which, there is also in use an Italian Ducate 10 per cent. less.

* 1.23The Customs of Alexandria, Damietta and Rosetta is 10 per cent. as I noted before, upon all Commodities inward and outward, and paid in kind or Species, but upon Moneys brought in it is only ½ per cent. and very strictly lookt into and exacted, but the Bashaw govern∣ing here for the Grand Seignor, being ever a principal man, and far remote from the Im∣perial

Port of Constantinople, lays in many Towns of this Kingdom what custom he pleases; and though it be held now to be but 10 per cent. which is the old and ancient Custom of Aegypt, yet the Merchant that tradeth here, shall find ere his Goods be sold, and the Moneys in his Purse, accounting the Consoledge and other Duties, to be adove 22 or 23 per cent. the place be∣ing much subject to Anuenus and Mangaries, and the Custom-house being farmed to Jews, add thereto the greatest deceit they can possible to raise the daily Customs of the place, Alexandria it self paying in this manner 20 thousand Medins a day by Farm, * 1.24which at the rate of 30 Me∣dins to a Ryal of ••/•• Spanish, and the Ryal of ••/•• accounted at 5 shillings Sterling, amounteth to 54750 l. per annum.

I should in the next place Survey the general Trade of Aegypt, as it is observed and found to be at this day, but by reason I have in many places of the before-mentioned Chapters particu∣larly handled the principal parts thereof, and noted the most eminent Nations that at this pre∣sent do hither Traffick, I shall the more willingly pass over the same in silence, and only now observe, that besides the French and Venetians, not any other European Christians are found here to traffick, and the English have given over all Trade into this Countrey, by reason they are furnished with all the Commodities that this place did formerly yield, at the first hand from India, and what else they want, being Commodities either of Arabia or Aegypt, they furnish themselves from Aleppo, where many English are resident: But here are found Consuls for both the Venetion and French Nations, which continue still some Trade hither, as indeed more proper for them, wanting the Trade of India which the English enjoy, of which I have made mention before, and therefore leaving Aegypt, and with it the firm land, I shall take leave now to view the Islands that belong to Africa by modern Cosmographers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Aegypt Weight, compared with the Weights of sundry other Countreys. The several Commodi∣ties weighed by the seve∣ral weights in Aegypt.
• * 1.2

  Aegypt weights compared with Tripoli in Suria.
• * 1.3

  Aegypt weights compared with Cyprus.
• * 1.4

  Aegypt weights compared with Rhodes.
• * 1.5

  Aegypt weights compared with Scio and Smyrna.
• * 1.6

  Aegypt weights compared with Can∣dia.
• * 1.7

  Aegypt weights compared with Cania.
• * 1.8

  Aegypt weight compated with Brussia, Natolia.
• * 1.9

  Aegypt weights compared with Con∣stantinople.
• * 1.10

  Aegypt weight compared with Corfu.
• * 1.11

  Aegypt weights compared with Rha∣gusa in Sla∣vonia.
• * 1.12

  Aegypt weight compared with Catar∣ro in Dalma∣tia.
• * 1.13

  Aegypt weights compared with Spollato in Istria.
• * 1.14

  Aegypt weights compared with Ancona.
• * 1.15

  Aegypt weights compared with Apulia.
• * 1.16

  Aegypt weights compared with Sicilia.
• * 1.17

  Aegypt weight compared with Tunis and Tripoli in Barbaria.
• * 1.18

  The agree∣ment of the Cantar Forfo∣ri with other Countries.
• * 1.19

  The agree∣ment of the Cantar Meno with other Countries.
• * 1.20

  The agree∣ment of Can∣tar Zero with other Coun∣treys.
• * 1.21

  Coins cur∣rent in Ae∣gypt.
• * 1.22

  The Ac∣compts kept in Aegypt.
• * 1.23

  The Cu∣sloms of A∣lexandria, Damietta and Aegypt.
• * 1.24

  54750 l.