doubted, since Housing is now more splendid, than in those days, and the number of Dwellers is increased, by near 1⁄5 part; as in the last Paragraph is set forth.
The Shipping very much increased with the Reasons thereof.As for Shipping, his Majesties Navy is now triple, or quadruple, to what it was forty years since, and before the Sovereign was Built[1]; the Shipping Trading[2] to Newcastle, which are now about eighty thousand Tuns, could not be then above a quarter of that quantity[3]. First, Because the City of London, |[99]| is doubled. 2. Because the use of Coals is also at least doubled, because they were heretofore seldom used in Chambers, as now they are, nor were there so many Bricks burned with them as of late, nor did the Country on both sides the Thames, make use of them as now. Besides there are employed in the Guinny and American Trade, above forty thousand Tun of Shipping per annum; which Trade in those days was inconsiderable. The quantity in Wines Imported was not near so much as now; and to be short, the Customs upon Imported, and Exported Commodities, did not then yield a third part of the present value: which shews that not only Shipping, but Trade it self hath increased, somewhat near that proportion.
Interest of Mony abated near half.As to Mony, the Interest thereof was within this fifty years, at 10l. per Cent, forty years ago, at 8l. and now at 6l. no thanks to any Laws which have been made to that purpose, forasmuch as those who can give good security, may now have it at less: But the natural fall of Interest, is the effect of the increase of Mony. |[100]|
Moreover if rented Lands, and Houses, have increased; and if Trade hath increased also, it is certain that mony which payeth those Rents, and driveth on Trade, must have increased also.
- ↑ In 1636—37. See p. 236.
- ↑ S, 'trading shipping,' R, 'shipping trade.'
- ↑ In 1615 the Newcastle coal trade employed some two hundred sail of carvels that served London, besides some two hundred more that served the sea-coast towns throughout England. The Trades Increase [with address to the reader signed 'I. R.'] London, printed by Nicholas Okes, 1615, 4°. p. 10. In 1649 the coal trade had so increased "that there was more Coales vented in one yeare. than in seven yeares, forty yeares by-past." [W. Gray.] Chorographia, or a survey of Newcastle upon Tyne. London, printed for J. B. 1649, 4°. p. 26.
