A further Discoverie OF THE OFFICE OF PVBLICK ADDRESSE FOR ACCOMMODATIONS.

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LONDON, Printed in the Yeer, 1648.

L. Montagne's Essayes the fourth Book the XXIV Chapter, of a Defect in our POLICIES.

MY whilesome Father who had no help but from experience and his own nature, yet of an unspotted judgment hath heretofore told me, that he much desired to bring in this custome, which is, that in all Cities there should be a certain Appointed Place, to which whosoever should have need of any thing might come, and cause his busines to be Regi­stred by some Officer appointed for that purpose. As for example, if one have Pearls to sel, he should say, I seek to sell some Pearls; another I seek to buy some Pearls: such a man would fain have Company to travell to Paris: Such a one enquireth for a Servant of this or that quality: Such a one seeketh for a Master, another a workman, some this some that every one as he needed. And it seemeth that this means of enter­warning one another: would bring no small Commodity unto Common Commerce and Society. For there are ever conditions that enter-seek one another, and because they un­derstand not one another, they leave men in great necessity. I understand to the infa­mous reproach of our Age, that even in out sight two most excellent men in knowledge have miserably perished for want of food and other necessaries, Lilius Gregorius Giral­dus in Italy, and Sebastianus Castalio in Germany. And I verily believe there are many thousands, who had they known or understood their wants, would either have sent for them, and with large stipends have entertained them, or would have conveighed them succour where ever they had been. The world is not so generally corrupted, but I know some that would earnestly wish, and with hearty affections desire the goods which their fore-fathers have left them, might so long as it shall please God they may enjoy them, be employed for the relief of rare, and supply of excellent mens necessities, and such as for any kind of worth and vertue are remarkable, many of which are daily seen to be pursued by poverty even to the utmost extremity, and that would take such order for them as had they not their ease and content it might only be imputed to their want of reason, or lack of discretion.

A further Discoverie OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLICK ADDRESSE FOR ACCOMMODATIONS.

BEfore we fell into these last fears and troubles, a Brief Discourse was presented unto the High and Honourable Houses of Parliament; con­cerning the Means to accomplish the Work of our Reformation: tending to shew that by an Office of Publick Addresse in Spirituall and Temporall con­cernments, the Glory of God, and the Happinesse of this Na­tion may be highly advanced.

This Discourse hath fully approved it self unto the Judge­ment of all those that have seen it hitherto, and hopefully it would have wrought some effect upon those that mannage the Affairs of this State, if the Danger of this last Commo­tion, had not employed all their strength and Attention, to save us from sudden Shipwrack. Nor is the Sea yet quieted after so great a storme: but the fears and expectations of what will follow do keep the minds of most men in suspense, [Page 2] till they see a safe Harbour, that is, what the way of our fu­ture settlement will be.

And truly this Consideration might also suspend our thoughts and solicitations in this matter; if we would look onely to the outward Appearance of Affairs, and make Our selves as many do by their Conjectures fearfull. Ecel. 11. 1 [...]2, 4. For He that observeth the winde shall not sowe; and he that regardeth the Clouds shall not reap: But we have learned to cast our bread upon the waters, in hope that we may finde it after many dayes: and we are willing to give a portion unto seven, and also to eight, because we know not what evill shall be upon the Earth. So then, even that which maketh others lesse care­full of the Publick, doth increase our care for it. For most men will not intend any Publick Ayme till they can secure their own Interests, and see a way to get advantage by that which they call the Publick: but we shall never ayme at this; our delight shall be, that all may be advantaged, and the Publick Interest of the Common-wealth setled, al­though it should be to our cost and disadvantage: For we know the promise, that if we faint not, and become not wearie in well-doing, we shall reap in due time the fruit of righteousnesse.

Therefore upon the grounds laid in the former Discourse, we shall endeavour now to proceed to offer some Particulars; which perhaps will take more with those men, then that which we ayme at principally. For our ayme is mainly to lay the grounds of that Reformation in this change of our Affairs, which may reach the spirits of Men to affect them with a Gospel-frame: But if we therein cannot come neer them immediately; yet we shall endeavour to come as neer as we may by the things whereof they are capable; because we are resolved rather to venture the loosing of our Labour, then to sit still; and not give our selves this satisfaction that we have discharged a good Conscience in performing our Dutie.

We shall declare then with that simplicitie, which be­cometh [Page 3] a good conscience in the presence of God, that our desire is to serve all men freely in the Publick Interest so farre as God doth inable us; and that by this Designe we Aime at a speciall Advantage to the Gospel of Christ rather then at any thing else; and if we can but awake those, that are in Places of Power and Authoritie; to take notice of the Means, whereby all Mens talents may become usefull to each other, in this Common-wealth; that for their own Temporall Ends, they would countenance, and promote the same; we shall have our End at this time in this undertaking.

Therefore now we make our application as to all indiffer­ently, that love the prosperity of Sion, and the wellfare of this State; so more particularly to those whom God hath appointed to be our Leaders in every good work, and Encou­ragers of those that apply themselves thereunto, that whe­ther they lay the matter to heart or no, they may not be with­out a witnes before God and the world, that this is a duty belonging to their charge; which without any charge, trou­ble or difficulty may be most easily brought to passe, by a few words in the way of Order, to Authorize the underta­king of such an Office, for the unspeakable Benefit of all, and without the least imaginable Inconveniencie unto any.

And that the thing it self, may manifest the truth of this, We shall come to a more particular Discoverie of the Office in the matters of Temporall Accommodation; which unto the men of this world are sensible Inducements towards all Enterprises.

Let us then consider, What it is that maketh a Common­wealth, and all those that are in it, happy, as to the Life of Nature. The chief End of Common-wealths is Society, the End of Society is Mutuall Help, and the End and Use of Help is to enjoy from one another Comforts, that is, every thing lawfully desirable or wanting to our contentation. Wheresoever then, in a Common-wealth such a Constitution may be had; whereby the Members thereof may be inabled to enjoy from each other all the Helps which Nature doth [Page 4] afford unto them for their Mutuall Contentation, there the State and all those that are in it may be said to be as happie as this world can make them.

For no man can be more happie in Nature, then to have all his lawfull desires supplied so farre as they are attain­able: But in this Common-wealth such a Constitution may be had, and that easily, which will do this: Therefore this Common-wealth and all the Members thereof may be as happie as this world can make them; if their Rulers will either assist them, or at least suffer them to become so.

Now this Constitution whereof we speak is nothing else, but the Designation of a certain place, whereunto it shall be free for every one to make his Addresse upon all Occasions, aswell to offer unto others, as to receive from them, the com­modities which are desirable, and the Informations of things profitable to be taken notice of in a private or pub­lick way.

In this Place an Officer is to be appointed, who should have power to direct and order the work of the Constituti­on. He should have certain men under him, so many as he should think fit to keep Registers, and make extracts thereof, to give to such as should desire the same for their Informa­tion.

These Registers should be of all things which either may be any way offred by one man to any or to all, and desired by another from Any or from All; or which otherwise may be of publick use, though not at all taken notice of by any to that End.

And the E [...]d wherefore these Registers are thus to be kept, is onely, that therein may be settled a Center of Encounters to give Information to All of All usefull matters. For one of the great Causes of our Miserie in this present life is this, that we are not onely in the dark, not knowing what good things are exstant in private, or publickly attainable for Vse: But we are in disorder and confusion, because when we know what things are attainable, yet we have no way [Page 5] contrived how to encounter readily and certainly with them our selves, when we have need of them, or when we have them, to impart them to such as want them.

Now to remedie both these evils, this Office may be an Instrument, by being made a Common Intelligencer for All, not onely of things actually offered or desired by some to be communicated, but also of things by himself and others ob­servable, which may be an occasion to raise matter of Com­munication for the Information to All.

The multitude of affaires in populous Places doth natu­rally run into a confusion, except some orderly way be found out to settle Times and Places wherein those that are to at­tend them, may meet together for the transaction thereof. If there were no Exchanges, nor set houres thereof, for Mer­chants to meet and transact matters; What a disorder and obstruction would there be in all trading? And if a man that hath to do in the Exchange with five or six men; doth come to it when it is thronging full, and knoweth not the ordina­rie walkes of those severall men; nor any body that can tell him where their walkes are; he may run up and down, here and there, and wearie himself out of breath, and not meet with any of them, except by great chance he light upon them at an instant: So it is with all other men in respect of all o­ther conveniencies in great and populous Cities or King­domes; They run up and down at random to seeke for their Accomodations; and when they have wearied themselves a long time in vain, they sit down oft times unsatisfied: But if there were but a place of common resort appointed, like unto the Exchange, where they should be sure to receive In­formation of all that which they would desire to know, they might without any losse of time come instantly to the enjoy­ment of their desires, so far as they are attainable.

This Place then is that, which we call the Office of Ad­dresse. Here sufficient Registers should be kept of all desira­ble Matters of Humane Accommodation, shewing where, with whom, and upon what conditions they may be had. [Page 6] And this would be as it were a National Exchange for all de­sirable Commodities, to know the readie way of encoun­tring with them and transacting for them.

This then is the proper End and Vse of this Office, to set every body in a way by some direction and Addresse, how to come speedily to have his lawfull desires accomplished, of what kind soever they may be.

This Constitution will be a Means mightily to increase all Trade and Commerce amongst Merchants and all sort of People, but especially to relieve the necessities of the Poore, for whose sake alone it doth deserve to be entertain­ed, although there were none other conveniencie in it. But to shew that by the advantage of such an Addresse, as is in­tended by this Office to be set a foot, all Trade will be main­ly advanced: Consider how for the want of it, occasions of Trading and Transacting of businesses are hindred between man and man, to their mutuall disadvantage, and the de­triment of the Common-wealth. As for example: I am de­sirous to let out a parcell of ground and an house upon it to be rented; another is desirous to have some ground with an House upon it to farme, we for want of knowing each others desires do not meet to treat upon the businesse, and cannot find our accommodations perhaps in a yeer or two, to our content: Here then the Commerce which we might have with each other is stopt; the publick Notarie is not employ­ed between us; the Counsellour, whose advice is to be used in drawing the Leases, is not employed; I want Money which I might trade withall another way to my great profit and the publick benefit; the Farmes is idle, the House not inha­bited, and out of repair; the ground either not at all, or not so well cultivated, as otherwise it would be; the Inheritance doth go to decay; lesse fruit is reaped of the ground; lesse imployment for labouring men; lesse works and Manufa­ctures of Tradesmen and Shop-keepers used, fewer Customes and duties payed to the publick: and consequently in every respect both to my self and others to whom I am associated [Page 7] a disadvantage doth befall; because I cannot encounter with the conveniencie whereof I stand in need; nor the Far­mer with his Accommodation: But if we could have met with each other, and transacted our businesse to our mutuall content, all these Inconveniencies would have been pre­vented both to us and the Publick: It is undeniably true, that the multitude of People doth beget Affairs; and the readie transaction of Affairs in a State, is the onely Means to make it flourish in the felicitie of the Inhabitants; and that nothing can advance such a readie transaction so much, as a Common-center of Intelligence for all such Matters; is quite out of doubt.

As for the Benefit of the Poore, and the Relief of their Ne­cessities (which alone might move us to the prosecuting of this businesse) there is nothing imaginable, that can be more beneficiall unto them. For consider, amongst all the Causes of Humane Povertie (which are many) this maine one; namely, that most men are poore for want of employment is, either because they cannot find Masters to employ them; or because their abilities and fitnesse to do service are not known to such as might employ them: or lastly, because there is perhaps little work sti [...]ring in the Common-wealth for them. All these causes will be clearly remedied by this Constitution; for here not onely the Master shall be able to encounter with a Servant, or a Servant with a Master, fit for each other, when both have given up their names, and the tenour of their desires, with the places of their abode; to the Registe [...]s of the Office: but by the collection and observa­tion of all things profitable to be improved for the Publick use; much matter of employment, will be produced and found out, which now is not at all thought upon. When poore Work-men or Tradesmen come to a great City, such as London is, in hope of getting employment; if they fail of their expectation, or meet not with the Friends upon whom they did relye; they betake themselves to begging; or some­times to farre worser courses; which brings them to a mise­rable [Page 8] end: but in stead of their particular expectation and Freind, they can betake themselves to one, that can give them addresse to th [...] emploiment which in the Common-wealth can be found for them; they not onely may be preserved from beggerie and miserie, but become usefull unto their Neighbour.

H [...]herto we have spoken of the Office, and the usefulnes thereof in respect of the End. Now we shall come to the mat­ters whereof Registers should be kept in the Office for Infor­mation and addresse, to satisfie all mens desires.

The desires of men are infinite in respect of the circumstan­ces; and therefore it is not to be expected, that a particular enumeration thereof should be made: We must reflect upon the principall heads whereunto all may be referred, that when particulars are offred they may be brought unto their proper places in the Registers, where they may be found in due time for Information and addresses of one towards an­other.

There be two kindes of Registers or Inventaries of addresse; Some are of things which are perpetually the same, and al­waies existent in the Society of Mankind in generall, and in a distinct Common-wealth, Kingdome, Province and City in particular, and others are not perpetuall but changeable Registers containing all matters of daily Occurrence be­tween man and man to be imparted.

The Matters whereof the perpetuall and unchangeable Registers should give Information to such as may enquire af­ter the same, are chiefly these.

1. For such as would know concerning any thing exstant in the world, what hath been said or written of it, the stand­ing Register should containe a Catalogue of all Catalogues of Books; whereunto the Enquisitor may be referred to seek out whether or no be can find any thing written of the Mat­ter; whereof he doth make enquirie in any of those Cata­logues, and the Office should have one or more Copies of each of those Catalogues to which the Register of Catalogues [Page 9] should referre them to make their search.

2. For such as should make inquirie concerning this King­dome to know the scituation of any of the Provinces, Shires, Counties, Cities, Towns, Villages, Castles, Ports; and such like places; the Office should have Speeds Description of this Kingdome, and Mercator, or others, to referre them thereunto.

3. For such as would desire to know, what publick Offi­cers, and Employments, and what particular Trades are of use in this State; the Office should shew a Register thereof.

4. For such as would know what Families and Persons of eminent note and qualitie are in the Kingdom for Birth, or for Place and Emploiment, or for Abilities and singular personall Vertues, the Office should shew who they are, and what their property is, and where to be met withall.

5. For such as desire to know the standing Commodities of the Kingdom; what they are in the whole, and what pe­culiar to every place? How they are transported from place to place? Where and when the Markets thereof are kept? And how to get intelligence of the particular prices thereof? The Office should have Registers for Information of all this.

6. For such as desire to know what Commodities are im­ported from forraine parts constantly into this Kingdom? Where and at what times to be found? With Information concerning the prices thereof; the Office should be able to give notice hereof.

As for the Matters of daily Occurrence, which by reason of circumstances are changeably to be taken notice of, and differently to be proposed, as offered from one man to ano­ther, or desired by one from another, for mutuall Accommo­dation; the Registers thereof must be divided into severall Books, and the Books into chapters, to whose heads all mat­ters of that kind should be referred

The Titles of these Books should be at least these foure. 1. One for the Accommodation of the Poore. 2. Another for [Page 10] the Accommodation of Trade, Commerce and Bargains for profit. 3. A third for the Accommodation of all Actions which proceed from all relations of persons to each other in all Estates and conditions of Life. 4. A fourth for Ingenui­ties and matters of delight unto the mind in all Ve [...]ues and rare Objects.

These foure Registers may be distinguished and intituled from the properties of their Subjects thus. The first should be called the Register of Necessities, or of Charity: The second of Usefulnes or of Profit: The third of Perfo [...]mance or of Du­ties: And the fourth of Delights or of Honour. And to these Heads all humane Occurrences, wherein one man may be helpfull unto another may be referred, if not very directly, yet in some way, which will be without difficulty under­stood, and fit to avoid confusion in the matters of the Regi­sters.

Now we shall come to each of these Books in particular, to shew the matters of Accommodation contained therein, for publick and private Service.

I.
The Register for the Poore.

THe Heads of Chapters unto which all Matters of Ac­commodation for the Poore may be referred are these.

1. Counsels and Advices to be given concerning the Means, whereby the Poore may be relieved, by being set a work, and employed if they be strong, or in cases of sicknesse and want of employment, how to facilitate the Provision of Lodging, Clothing, Food, and Entertainment for them: Here with the particular Expedients which shall be suggested, a Note of the Names of those that do suggest them shall be Re­gistred, and if they desire it, a Certificate given unto them to attest what they have suggested.

[Page 11] 2. The List of Names of the Poore, viz: the Number of those that are entertained, and how they are provided for alreadie in severall places. 2. The Names of such as have no provision made for them, shall be enrolled in the List of the Poore to be entertained, when they come with a Certifi­cate of their Condition to the Commissioners for the Poore, and have made their Case known unto them: where a spe­ciall respect is to be had to the Poore that are shamefast, and want confidence to put forth themselves to be an object of Publick or Private charitie.

3. The List of Names of Benefactors to the Poore, whe­ther in publick or in private, that the Poore who are enrolled may receive addresse, and go unto them for relief (or Em­ployment, as the way of their charitie shall fall out) to be bestowed by themselves, or those whom they shall appoint to distribute it; for the Office of Addresse shall not meddle with the Receits or Distribution of any Money in this kinde; but onely with the Names of the givers and receivers thereof, to notifie the one to the other.

4. The Names of Physicians, Apothecaries, and Chirur­geons, who shall offer themselves to visit the Poore in their sicknesse, to bring them some Remedies, or give them Ad­vice what to do in point of dyet, or otherwise for their health.

5. A List of Experiments and easie Remedies of diseases, which any shall be willing to impart for the good of the Publick, and speedie relief of the diseased and poore, chiefly by the discoverie of the admirable effects of simples; shall be enrolled with the Names of those that impart the same unto the Physicians, Chirurgeons, and Apothecaries, who shall offer themselves to give attendance upon the Poore in their sicknesse.

6. Because all persons, though otherwise never so rich in possessions, if they be under any grievous sicknesse or afflicti­on, and can finde no re [...]ief for it, are to be counted poore, [Page 12] and are objects of Charitie, if they will not be known by name, to be in such a case; the Factum or circumstantiall Description of their Case may be sent unto the Office; and a Memoriall adjoyned of some place or bodie, who is to receive the Answer of Advice to be procured upon it; and the Officer of the Office of Addresse, shall have an Ad­vice to be given by the Physicians, who shall offer them­selves for the assistance of the poore, and it shall be written at the bottom of the Factum, or the Description of the Case.

7. In case any would have in matters of difficultie in Law-businesses, the impartiall Advice of eminent Coun­sellors upon the case which by word of mouth they them­selves are unwilling to declare; they may take the like course: or if they would know the judgement of their Ad­vocates and Counsellours not formerly interessed in the matter, whether it doth agree, with that which hath been given to them, by those whom they have made use of; they may without expressing of their own, or others names, make use of the Addresse, which the Office shall be able to give them in like manner.

8. And in case either for want of judgement or expe­rience they know not how to set down their Cases and Factums circumstantially; the Office will be able to give them Addresse to such as shall do it for them, with all se­crecie and faithfulnesse.

9. In case there be any who by reason of poverty or o­ther necessities and unavoid [...]ble hinderance, cannot pur­sue their Rights and just Interests in Law; the Office will be able to Addresse them unto some; that shall undertake the pursuit of the busines for them by right; or else make an amiable composition and transaction of the matter for their best advantage, with their Adversary on their be­halfe.

10. The List of poore Schollars, who have made some [Page 13] beginning in learning, and with a little matter of assistance might be enabled to perfect their course, and become use­full in their way to the Publick, shall be kept by it self; that when the names of such as shall offer to be helpfull unto such shall be notified, they may be addressed unto them.

11. The List of strangers, who are going to their Coun­trie and are objects of Charity Here; as also of our own Country men who being strangers in distresse elswhere, or Captives under the Turks, are objects of Charity, and may by their friends here seek for help upon good Certificates of their condition, and of the means of sending the re­lief which shall be procured unto them.

12. Because the Publick State and society of a Com­mon-wealth is oft times in a course of Poverty, and want of many things, and is an Object of great Charity in sever­all respects, a List shall be kept of all the memorialls or Of­fers, which may be made by any for the ease of inconve­niencies befalling thereunto, or for the advantage and be­nefit, which may be procured thereunto in a publick way; and the Authors names and places of abode being known, they shal by the means of the offieer of addresse be directed to such as will be most able to promote the Execution therof; and if they be absent a great way from London, or from the place of Supreame Government, where all pro­posals of that kinde are to be considered, without putting themselves to the charges of a great journey at adventure, the matter may be prosecuted in their name by some in whose hands the Officer of addresse may put it; and a deserved recompence may be by him procured unto the Author of the Advice and Proposall, out of the benefit, which thence may accrue unto the Publick.

II
The Register of Commerce and Bargains.

THe Heads of Chapters whereunto matters of Com­merce may be referred in the way of Trading, are distinguished into the kinds of Commodities whereof Bar­gaines are made, and into the Cases and Waies of making Bargains about these Commodities.

The Chapters of Commodities.

1. THe Chiefest of all Commodities, because it doth give a Common valuation to all other things, is Money; the Office then shall give Information and Ad­dresse.

1. What the Species and Sorts of Coyne extant here and elsewhere are in Silver and Gold? What their weight and valuation is?

2. What the Course of Exchange is amongst Merchants for all places of Trade, and how it doth change from time to time, towards Holland, France, Spaine, Germa­nie, &c.

2ly, The most necessary of all Commodities is Food; to this Head the Office doth referre for Information and ad­dresse all particulars of Meat and Drink.

1. Of Meats the List doth containe all Vegetables ser­ving for that use; as Wheat, Barley, Rye, Oats, Pease, Beanes, Rice, and all Corne and Graines, and Pulse, and every thing of that kind, and all Fruits and Roots fit for food, to shew what the rates thereof are, and where they are to be had.

2. All living Creatures in the Earth, Aire, and Waters, Beasts, Fowls and Fishes; the Office shall give the addresse to the place, where they are to be bought, and shew the [Page 15] ordinarie Rates thereof in the severall parts of the King­dome.

3. Of Drinks, as Wine, Beere, Ale, Cider, Perrie, Mede, strong Waters, and what else is of this kinde, the Office will let you know where to have your choice, and at the best rates.

4. I [...]em, the List of the Places and Rates, at which men may dyet themselves, either wholly, or by meals, as an Ordinarie.

3ly, Next to Food is Physick, and all Drugs and Wares which are used as Ingredients thereunto, as Spices and Herbes, and all Apothecaries Wares, whether Simples or Compounds, and all Grossers Commodities, serving ei­ther for Food or Physick, the Office shall let you know, where, and at what Rates they are to be had.

Fourthly, Unto the preservation of Life and Health, doth belong also clothing of all sorts of Cloth and Stuffe; Silks, and Woollen, Linnen, and Cotton of each kinde, the Lists of ordinarie rates, and the place where they are to be found, is to be shewed.

Fifthly, Houses in the Citie or Countrey to be let or sold, and lodging Chambers furnished or unfurnished, with their rates are to be shewed also.

Sixthly, The Commodities of Lands and Inheritances, and Leases of Farmes and Mannours, which are to be Bar­gained for in any kinde, are to be brought to their pro­per place for information to such as would enquire after them.

Seventhly, All manner of moveables and Houshold­stuffe for the ease and convenience of life, are to be Listed [Page 16] with the rates at which they are to be sold, for such as shall desire present Accommodation.

Eightly, Whole shops of Goods or such Commodities as are not to be found in sh [...]ps, as Coaches, Litters, Carts, with all their furniture, Ships, Boats, Woods, and such like, which the owners would not put to sale, should be found in their proper places for the Information of Buyers.

Ninthly, Libraries, and Book-sellars Shops, according to their severall kinds: Item Shops of Paper and Parch­ment, and all Wares of this kinde, with their Rates, are to be found under this Head.

The Chapters of the Cases and Wayes of making Bargains.

1 IF any desire to let out Money upon Interest with Se­curity, or desire to receive it upon Interest in giving Security, the Office shall be able to give addresse there­unto.

2 If any will deposite Moneys for Annuities or Estate in Reversion, the Office shall addresse to such as will re­ceive it.

3 If any will Borrow or Lend Money upon any other Conditions whatsoever as upon Lands, Houses, Leases, Rents, &c. the Office shall give Information and Addresse thereunto.

4 If Travellers desire to change Money from one species to another; or to be furnished in all places where they shall come, the Office shall be able to addresse them to their Ac­commodation.

5 If any desire to transport himself or his Commodities by Land or Water, from one place to another; the Office shall shew him where Horses, Coaches, Carts, Wagons, Boats, Ships, and Barks are to be had for all places, and what their hire is, or what the Hundred weight, or the Tun, and Last doth come to for transportation.

6 The Rates of all Customes, Taxes, Impositions, and duties to be paid for all Commodities should be found in the Office for Information of such as desire to know the same.

7 If any desire to know upon what Terms Prentices are to be admitted in all Trades and Manufactures, the Office shall give them Information.

8 If any should be willing to transplant himself or others from these parts into any of the Western or Southern Islands; [Page 18] or desire any thing from thence to be brought hither, or carried from hence thither, the Office should be able to shew him upon what tearms his desire may be ac­complished.

9 The Proportion and disproportion of the severall Weights and Measures throughout the Kingdom, the Of­fice should shew.

10 The Rates of Insurances of all manner of Commo­dities; and

11 The Weekly Course of Negotiation to be made as the Custome is at Amsterdam for all Commodities shall be known by the means of the Office.

12 If any desire an Association for Trading, or a Facto­ry, the Office shall addresse him unto it.

III.
The Register of Persons, and Acti­ons, in all Offices and Relati­ons.

IF any should desire to know Men out of Employment, who would gladly be set a Work in their Faculty; the Office shall be able to make them known; therefore unto this Head of Persons, the Register shall referre in their proper places all such as shall offer themselves to be listed for any employment whatsoever, that when enquiry is made after them, they may be found out. Here then a place must be. For

1 Ministers that want employment, for Lecturers and Professours of all Sciences, for such as offer themselves to be Tutors to Children: All sorts of Schoolmasters in all Lan­guages, and all Schoolmistresses, All masters of Bodily Ex­ercises, as Fencing, Vaulting, Dancing, &c.

2 Physicians and Chyrurgeons, and such as depend upon them to doe any service in that kind.

3 Secretaries, Advocates, Counsellors at Law, Clerks, Copiers of Writings, Scriveners, Solicitours of businesses, and all such as depend upon the Courts of Justice, as the Chancery, Common-pleas, the Kings Bench, &c.

4 Here also all such as are Officers or Servants in the Fa­milies of the King, Queen, Prince or Great Noblemen to know where they are to be found, or such as may be fit to do Noblemen service, as Stewards, Riders of the great [Page 20] Horse, and all such as may doe service in the Stables or the Kitchin, Comptrollers, Clarks of the Kitchin, Cooks, Butlers, Confectioners, &c. Waiting Gentlemen; Grooms of the Chambers, or of the Stables, Porters, Gardiners, Coachmen, Faulconers, Footmen.

5 Messengers for all places, who serve the Publike as Foot or Horse-posts, to carry Letters or other Packets of small burden.

6 Here also such as are Masters of any Trades or Manu­factures, or Journeymen and Apprentises, that seek Masters are to be registred to give them the addresse fit for their Conveniency, when any is to be had.

7 Husbandmen and Seamen, Pilots, and all that belong to the Employments by Water.

8 Souldiers of all degrees; Drummers, Trumpeters, Pi­pers, &c.

2 As for the Female Kinde, their Memorials are to be brought into the Office by some Men whom they should em­ploy to that Effect; and the Office shall have some Grave and Pious Matrons to be employed about the Direction of all Addresses in that Nature; to whom the Cases of Women (as well as the Inspection of the Affaires of the Poore, as the Accommodation of others in their lawful desires and offers) may be referred.

3 Matters of Mariage, and all Memorials for Informa­tion in that kinde are to be brought to this Head; Whe­ther of Children, to be disposed of, or of free Persons who have power to dispose of themselves.

4 If any be towards any journey and want Company to travell withall and seek Society, their Memorials are to be Registred under this Head. And if any want Instruction and Intelligence of the distances of places, or of the wayes and of the Conveniencies to be had in severall places, of Coaches, Horses, Wagons, &c. the Office shall be able to furnish them with their Information of all this; and how to [Page 21] be accommodated so far as the places do afford every kinde of Conveniency. And by this means Travellers also will be more secured in their ways and better provided for.

5 Suites in Law to commence or end them without trou­ble, to which Effect such addresse shall be shewed, as may ease those that cannot attend their Suites themselves (by reason of their distance from the places where the Courts are kept) by the Means of faithfull Agents and impartiall Transactors.

6 In case Rents are to be received by any in places far distant from their Residence; the Office shall be able by the Correspondency which it shall keep in all places, to procure the payment thereof neerer at hand unto them; or in the place of their Residence it self without trouble.

7 Such as shall desire the Common-Intelligence of pub­like State-affairs, or Occurrences of matters of more spe­ciall concernment at home, or abroad, shall finde addresse how to come by it to their content.

8 Such as expect Rewards for Services done to the King or State, and know not where to pitch and what to desire, answerable to what is due unto them, a discovery of de­grees may be found by the Office to accommodate their just desires.

9 In case Sentences or Obligations be to be executed, the Office shall be able to shew in all places of the Kingdome some Body, that may be employed to that Effect.

10 Persons expert to attend the Sick: also the places where Sick persons may be accommodated for all manner of diseases better then at their own homes, with Baths, and places to sweat in, or for good aire and healthfull walks, &c.

11 In case any matter is to be notified to a Friend, whose abode is uncertain; as the Mariage of any to be contracted, or the Birth and Death of any, or the arrivall of any to the City, or the change of his own abode: or suppose a Paper, or Writt, or Obligation be lost by any which another hath [Page 22] found; which to him that hath lost it, is of great impor­tance, and is not safe to be published by a Cryer for feare of giving notice thereof to an adverse party, in all such Cases the Office should serve as a Common-Center of Advertise­ment and Intelligence.

12 The Houres and Times of all Carriers and Messen­gers departures to all places; and in Case strangers should desire to addresse any thing by them, chiefly Letters or small Packet, a Trunk or Box should be in the Office kept for e­very one of them, wherein it should be found at their return, to be carried with them.

13 Such as would quite any Office or Charge of Benefit for some present profit, or other Consideration may here finde addresse how to compasse their desires, by giving the Memoriall thereof to the Office, that it may be notified to all, that may incline to entertain any such motion.

14 Such as would inform the State of any thing to be taken notice of; whether they will have their names taken notice of or not, they may be sure by the means of this Of­fice to have it made known over all the Kingdome; by the Correspondency of one Office to another in every Principall City, for the designe is to have a Commissary of Addresse placed in every great and eminent City, who shall correspond with him of London, and with whom the London-Officer shal correspond in all cases to receive and give notice of Mat­ters, and to addresse Persons and Things from one to ano­ther, and to commit the procurement of Affairs to their trust and to such as they may employ able to effect the same in their severall Quarters; so that from any place in all the Kingdom a businesse may be dispatched to any place or per­son by the procuration of the Correspondent-Officers of Addresse in severall places.

15 Strangers who desire to visit a Countrey, and have no acquaintance in any places may be addressed from one Commissary of Addresse unto another, throughout the whole [Page 23] Kingdome, and in every place provided for at the easiest Rates, and by the way directed unto the safest abodes and Lodgings without hazard of being robbed or killed, when they shall not need to carry any summes of Money about with them, but only certain Bils or Tickets from the Officer of Addresse to his Correspondents, where he shall receive his Accommodation according to his desire. By which means also they shall come to the acquaintance of all Per­sons of note in all Trades and Employments, with whom they may have converse instantly without losse of time and needless expences.

16 If any hath a House to build, and would know the best Master-builders, and where all the Materialls necessary thereunto are to be had, the Office shall be able to give him Information and Addresse thereunto with the prices, &c.

IV.
The Register of Ingenuities, and Matters commendable for Wit, Worth, and Rarity.

TO the Chapters of this Register are to be referred the Memorials of all things wherein men put some Excellencie, Whether it be setled in the soul, or body, or subordinate to the Manifestation or purchase of that wherein men study to be beneficiall unto or to appear before others in any thing whatsoever.

1 Here then, if any hath a feat in any Science which is ex­traordinary. Either a new discovery of a Truth, or an Expe­riment in Physick, Mathematicks, or Mechanicks; or a Me­thod of delivering Sciences or Languages, not ordinarily known, and very profitable; or some intricate Question and difficulty which he would have resolved by the most expe­rienced in any or all Arts: In any such case, if the matter be notified to the Office with the tenour of his desire concern­ing it; by the meanes of the Office, he shall be able to re­ceive satisfaction therein so far as it is attainable.

2 If any is desirous to know the wayes by which all de­grees of Honour are obteined or conferred in all states and conditions of men, with all the Ceremonies and Ritualities belonging thereunto, and the priviledges for which in all States they are sought after, the Office should be able to give information thereof.

3 If any would purchase rare Books out of print or Ma­nuscripts of any kinde, or would impart that which he hath [Page 25] purchased unto others, freely or upon equitable terms, by the means of the Office, it may be speedily notified unto all what his desire is, and what the things are, which he either hath to be imparted to others, or would have im­parted by others to himselfe.

4 The rarities of Cabinets, as Medalls, Statues, Pi­ctures, Coynes, Grains, Flowers, Shels, Roots, Plants, and all things that come from far, which Nature or Art hath produced in imitation of Nature: If any that hath desires to be rid of them, or to gather some of them together that hath none; the Office will be either way serviceable to compasse mens ends in them.

5 Mathematicall and Astronomicall Instruments, and new Inventions to discover the secrets and hidden things of Nature if they are to be notified to others the Office will doe it.

6 The Anatomies of Creatures, or the living or dead strange Creatures, Dogs, Cats, Apes, Fowls of rare qua­lities, and such like, if they be offered to be seen or sold, by the Office this may be notified.

7 Memorials of all things left by any for publike use, and for Posterity; with the places where, and the persons to whom they are left.

8 Rare Goldsmiths-works, with all manner of Jewels and precious rare Stones, where to be found, seen, or pur­chased at equitable rates, or otherwise to be made use of for the satisfaction of curiosity, and observation of Art, by the means of this Office it may be known, &c.

Hitherto we have with as much brevity as could be (for if we would have been large; a Volnme might have been filled with them) ranked these Heads of Matters in some Order, to shew, how by the means of an Office (wherein all things may be registred, which by any are either offe­red or desired for their accommodation) the society of [Page 26] mankinde in a well-ordered Common-wealth, may be made flourishing, and as happy in the life of Nature, as the satisfaction of their lawfull desires can make them. For therein, as in one Magazin or Market-place, all things Necessary, Profitable, Rare, and Commendable, which are extant in severall places, and scattered here and there, are brought together; and exposed to the view of every one that shall be willing to see them, that according to his reach and capacity they may be made serviceable un­to him, and he thereby in his degree and station more use­full unto the publike a hundred fold then otherwise he can be without the help of such an addresse. For it is very ap­parent to any that will take it into consideration; that be­sides the private satisfaction of any one in his particular desires, which may be had by this means, so far as it is at­tainable in an orderly way, the publike aymes also of those that are over the affairs of State, to reforme and direct them towards the good of all may be infinitely improved, if they know but how to make use of such an Engine. He that can look upon the frame of a whole State, and see the constitution of all the parts thereof, and doth know what strength is in every part, or what the weaknesse thereof is, and whence it doth proceed; and can, as in a perfect modell of a Coelestiall Globe, observe all the Motions of the Spheres thereof; or as in a Watch, see how all the wheels turn and worke one upon another for such and such an ends, he only can fundamentally know what may and ought to be designed; or can be effected in that State for the increase of the Glory, and the settlement of the Felicity thereof with Power according to Righteousnesse.

And it is very credible that the great States-man of our neighbour Nation, who raised himselfe from the condition of an ordinary Gentleman, to become the Ruler of Princes; and who by the management of the strength of that State wherein he lived, hath broken the whole designe of the [Page 27] House of Austria, in the affectation of the Monarchy of Europe, and did make himselfe, and the Kingdom which he did rule, the onely considerable power of Christendome, whilst he lived in it. (We say) it is very credible that this man was enabled from so mean beginnings, to bring so great designes to passe, chiefly by the dexterity of his pru­dencie in making use of this Engine, which never before was set a work in any Common-wealth, to reflect upon a whole State, till he did set it a foot to that effect.

He that is not blinde may easily perceive this, that it was not possible that his intelligence could be so universall in all things as it was, and his designes so effectually carryed on in all places as they were, without an exact insight of all circumstances, and a speedy and secret correspondencie with all parts, and that to have such an insight in all things and maintain such a correspondencie with all parts, nothing is so fit as such a way of Addresse, erected in all the chiefe Cities of every Province of a Kingdom, is altogether unde­nyable: therefore it may be lawfully concluded that by this means chiefly he was enabled both to contrive and execute all his undertakings.

Hence also must be observed, that to have such an Office in one place, is not enough, but that there should be one in every principall place of resort, where there is the greatest concurrence of men for mutuall Society and Negotiation in every Province, that all the Commodities or Convenien­cies which are offered or desired in any place, may be con­veighed or made known unto all places unto which they are by any means communicable.

Now that such Registers in those places and chiefly in London, may be kept for all these both Private and Publike Advantages; nothing is wanting, but the Countenance of Authority, that the Matter may be Regularly and Orderly carried on, because it is not enough to intend a good Work, but the way of carrying it on must be good also; therefore the businesse is to be ordered by those that are in place of [Page 28] Supream Command, that as the Motion doth ayme at the Publike Good of all by the Benefit and Profit of every one in Particular: so all respect may be shewed towards those that are over the whole Body, that nothing may seem to be attempted to their prejudice. As for that which remayneth to be certified further in this businesse, it is not much, only this may be added, that these Registers must be again and again subdivided, and especially that some must be kept secret, and some exposed to the Common View of all. In the secret Registers the Particularities of the Memorials are to be kept; specifying things Circumstantially, by the Names & Places of abode of them, that doe offer or desire the same, with all the Conditions upon which they are offered or desired. And in the Open or Common-Register the same Memoriall is to be kept under a Generall Intimation of the Matter only; with a Reference unto the Particular and Secret Register, that such as shall see the generall Intimati­on, and shall desire the particular information thereof; may be accommodated, therein by an Extract thereof for their Addresse where to finde their Conveniency: and for this Extract some small and very inconsiderable duty, as a peny or at the most two pence may be paid.

As for those that are to bring Memorialls unto the Office some patterns or forms are to be made, and shewed unto them hung up in the Office; to teach such as are not ac­quainted with the way. How to draw up their Memo­randums, which they would bring in. Those then that will make use of the Office shall be directed to come, with an Exact Memoriall, of that whereof they desire either to give or receive Advice, & upon what Conditions. When therefore they shall come with their Memoriall, if they be poor, it shall be registred, or an Extract shall be given them out of the Re­gister-book for nothing; but if they are not poor, the duty is to be paid for the Registring, or for the Extract, which may be taken out of a Memorial, and when they have found the Persons to whom the Extract shall give them Addresse, [Page 29] if the Bargain whereof the Memoriall doth give Informa­tion be concluded; or the Effect of the Memoriall be other­wise made void; the Register is to be discharged of it with­in foure and twenty houres, and for this discharge of the Register nothing shall be paid: Now the Register should be discharged of the Memorialls which are made void; lest fruitlesse Addresses be made to any concerning a Matter al­ready dispatched; and lest those that have received the satis­faction, which they desired by their Memorialls be troubled with new Visitors which the Office may send unto them, if this be not done.

Lastly, by all that hath been said, this is very evident, that this Way of Addresse will be the most Usefull and Ad­vantageous Constitution, for the supply of all mens wants, and the dispatch of all Businesses, that can be thought upon in this or any other Common-wealth. And that this way may easily be set afoot, is apparent from this, that to settle it nothing is wanting, but the Designment of a Place, in which the Office should be kept, and an Act of Authority to be gi­ven to the Solicitour of Publike Designes, Whereby hee should be ordered to prosecnte this matter. This Act then might run in such terms as these, or the like.

Seeing the Provision for the Poore to supply their Neces­sities, and give them and others addresse unto some Em­ployments, is not only a work of Christian Charity, but of great Usefulnesse to a wel-Ordered Common-wealth: It is therefore Ordered and Ordained by both Houses of Par­liament, that N. N. shall be a Superintendent Generall for the Good of the Poore of this Kingdom; to finde out and propose the Wayes of their Relief, ahd give to them and all others, such Addresses, as shall be most expedient to supply their wants, and to procure to every one their satisfaction in the Accommodation of all their Commendable or Lawfull Desires, to which Effect the said N. N. is Authorized hereby to appoint, first in London, and then in all other pla­ces, [Page 30] of this Kingdom, wheresoever he shall think it expe­dient, an Office of Encounter or Addresse in such Place or Places, as by Authority shall be designed to that Use. In which places he shall have power to put Under-officers, &c. who shall according to his Direction be bound to keep Books and Registers, wherein it shall be free for every one to cause to be Written and Registred, by severall and distinct Chapters, every thing whereof addresse may be given, con­cerning the said Necessities and Accommodations, and like­wise it shall be free for every one to come to the said Offices, to receive Addresses by Extracts out of the Registers▪ Upon Condition that the Rich shall pay for such an Extract or the Registring of a Memoriall but two pence; or three pence at the most, and that the Poore shall have this done on their behalf for nothing, nor shall any be bound or obliged to make Use of this Office by giving or taking out Memorials further, then of their own accord they shall be willing.

FINIS.

Errata.

Pag. 2. line 25. those r. most (p. 5. l. 9. to All r. of All, l. 22. after the words light upon them r. but if he doth know their constant walks and houres, when they come upon the Exchange, he may be able to meet with them. p. 6. l. 22. r. cannot) p. 7. l. 18. after the words of employment r. and the cause why they want employment, p. 8. l. 1. r. but if l. 3. that, p. 10. l. 18. which shall be contained, p. 12. l. 6. r. shall cause l. 15. r. of other, p. 13. l. 8. r. here l. 15. r. in a case, p. 15. l. 8. r. as at an, l. 19. the List. l. 19. the pla­ces, p. 16. l. 6. would put, p. 20. l. 22. as well the, p. 21. l. 21, 22. r. designes l. 32. r. to be celebrated p. 25. l. 9. r. fully.

An Advertisement, To the favourable READER.

IN the foregoing Discourse we have discovered the things, which concern the Addresses for Outward Accommodation, which is but a mo­mentary part of humane felicity. The Main and Principall thing whereat in this Office we do aime at, and which we intend, if God ena­ble us to prosecute; is, the Work of Commu­nication for all Spirituall and Intellectuall advantages, towards the Advancement of Pietie, Vertue, and Learning in all things Divine and Humane, as they are subordinate unto the Glory of God; for whose sake alone we cast our selves upon these endea­vours, and from whom we shal expect our encouragements.

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