of buying and providing here of Oyls, as I have observed my self here at divers times during my abode in this Town and Countrey.
Oyls of Provence are here and throughout all
Provence bought by the Milrowl or Milroe, fourteen of which are accounted to a Tun of Oyl of 252 Gallons, yet if carefully looked unto at the buying, and the same truly measured, 13 ½ Milroes will make the said Tun; the same is sold commonly here by the Florin an Imaginary Coin, and in value 12 Sol Turnois; the Milroe of Oyl is commonly worth 26 to 30 Florins; the Cask of this place cost ordi∣narily 18 Sold per Milroe, and the Custom outward is
10 Sol per Milroe, and the Custom of the place gives 3
per 100 provision; and 1 per cent. for brokerage thereof. Now to re∣duce all charges to a constant rate, it hath been observed and found true by my self and others, that if 18 shillings 6 pence
sterling be accounted for every Florin,
that a
Milroe of Oyl shall cost the first penny; so much will the Tun of Oyl stand in clear aboard of all accustomed charges.
But for as much as this Rule holds only in Thollon, I will insert the particulars there∣of, how it is found to accord with our
Measure and Weight in England, because it is a Sta∣ple and most requested Commodity, and the principal Commodity that this Countrey doth afford.
The common measure then is a Scandal, and of which it is found that 4 Scandals make 1 Milroe, every
Scandal being 4¼ Gallons English, and 31½
l. Averdupois.
1 Milroe is 17 Gallons English, and is 126
l. English.
2 Milroes is a Charge, which is 34
Gallons, or 252 l. English.
4 Charges makes a Butt, which is ½ a
Tun, or 126 Gallons English, and hath been found to make
1008 l. Averdupois.
The Custom hereof is a Crown of 3 l. Tur, upon every 100 Milroes, and every Crown is accoun∣ted 5 Florius, or 60 Sols.
Wine is here sold by the same Milroe, as above is said.
Almonds are sold by the Cargo of 300
l. Marselia Weight.
Corn is sold by the Muyd and Mynots, 24 Mynots make a Muyd, and 1 Muyd is about 8½ quarters English.
Provence doth afford many
Commodities for Merchandising, which hence is transported into several Countries; as first Oyl, as above, made and gathered in November and December, shipt for England, Spain, and Italy.
Also great quantity of Wools for Clothing, bought up in May, June, and July, by Mi∣lanois, Ginoese, Piedmontois and Montpelerians, which commonly bears 14 in 16 the
100 foul, and being washed and cleansed, there is lost in the cleansing and clearing sometimes the one half thereof.
Also great quantity of Scarlet-grain, and
powder of Grain, gathered in the Heaths and Fields by the poor people, and brought by them to the Lords of their
Territories, from the month of May to the month of
August, and is worth green about 5 in 6 l. tur. per l, but being dried di∣minisheth at least ⅔ thereof.
Also Almonds are here in great abundance found growing, gathered in September and Octo∣ber, called (as is before noted) Provence Almonds for distinction sake, and are commonly worth from 12 to 15 Crowns the Cargo.
Also here is yellow Wax in good quantity, bought in
October and November, worth common∣ly from 40 to 50 l. per cent.
Also here is Honey bought in November and
December, worth commonly about 22 in 23 Cro, the
Cantar. besides which, here are many Bed-Coverlets, and
Wastcoats made and quilted of Sattin, Taffeta, and
Callico, and hence dispersed into several Countries. To conclude, there may be laden in Thollon, Marsclia, and generally throughout all Provence, from 1500 to 2000 Tuns of
Oyl yearly, about 400 Quintals of Almonds, about
1800 to 2000 Quintals of Wooll, about 200 Quintals of Honey, and but little Wax, as being for the most part spent in their own Countrey, principally in their Churches.
The Customs upon all Commodities of the growth of France, pay in the Exportation but a small acknowledgement, but all other Commodities pay 5 per cent. but for Spices and all other Commodities that are brought in from the Levant, there is lately placed thereon throughout all
Provence a Custom of ten per cent. and thus much for Thollon.