The Present State of London, Treatise · Chapter 5 · Section 1
SECT. 1.
SOme of the Advantages of this great City were hinted, Page third and fourth, to which we ſhall add, that one of the Supreme Advantages, is by the goodly River of Thames, which, opening Eastward towards Germany and France, is much more Advantageous for Traffick, than any other River in England; and it may be ſaid without Vanity, that no River in the World can ſhew a Braver ſight of Ships than are commonly to be ſeen (like a Floating Forreſt) from Black-Wall to London-Bridge; which in continual Voyages Import all ſorts of Goods, either for Need or Ornament, and Export our Superfluities, to the extraordinary Advantage of all ſorts of People, high or low; of this ſee more in the Section of the River Thames.
Another Advantage that London hath, is its being Situate ſo farwithin the Land, that it is plentifully ſupplyed with all neceſſary Proviſion from the Country, at eaſie and indifferent Rates, and the Manufactures of the Reſpective Counties, which the City diſperſes to Markets beyond Seas; in Recompence, the Country is ſupplyed by the City, with all ſorts of neceſſary Merchandizes, wanting there, &c. Inſomuch that London is a large Magazine, of Men, Money, Ships, Horſes, Ammunition, of all ſorts of Commodities neceſſary or expedient for the Uſe or Pleaſure of Mankind. It is the mighty Rendezvous of Nobility, Gentry, Courtiers, Divines, Lawyers, Phyſitians, Merchants, Seamen, and all kind of Excellent Artificers, of the moſt Refined Wits, and moſt Excellent Beauties: for it is obſerved, that in moſt Families of England, if there be any Son or Daughter that Excells the reſt in Beauty or Wit, or perhaps Courage or Induſtry, or any other rare Quality, London is their Pole-Star, and they are never at reſt till they point directly thither; which vaſt Confluence, (beſides being the Kings Chief and Imperial Seat, where Parliaments, and the Principal Courts of Juſtice are held, where the Inns or Colledges of the Municipial Laws are Seated, with the Great Houſes of the Nobility and Miniſters of State) muſt needs bring a vaſt Advantage and Increaſe to Trade, beſides the moſt Exquiſite Ornament and Gallantry that any Place in the World can ſhew.