The Present State of London, Treatise · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Of the Trade of LONDON.
TO go about to Demonſtrate the great Neceſſity and Benefit of Trade in General, in a Commonwealth or City, were but (in re non dubia, uti oratione non neceſſaria,) in a matter which is undoubted to uſe a needleſs Harangue; it being certain that Wealth and Riches (which are acquired by Traffick and Induſtry,) are Subſidia Belli, & Ornamenta Pacis, the Supports of War, and Ornaments of Peace, by which the wants of one place, are ſupplyed by the plenty of another, and the Indigence of the Poor, relieved by Employments from the Rich; there being ſuch a general dependance of one Calling upon another, from the Higheſt to the Loweſt, that they cannot well Subſiſt without the mutual aid of each other; in which is manifeſt the Infinite Wiſdom of the Soveraign Diſpoſer of all things, who has order'd Human Affairs to ſo due and regular a Subordination to each other, and ſo neceſſary a Concatenation among themſelves, that by a perfect Symmetry or Symphony of Parts, they conclude in a perfect Harmony of General Good to Mankind, which Superlative Bleſſing ſhould be improved to mutual Advantage, and the Glory of the Supreme Author of it.
In this Chapter we Deſign to produce ſome Remarks, with reſpect to Trade in ſome Particulars; as,
1. The Particular Advanges of London, with Reſpect to Trade.
2. Its Merchants.
3. Its Trade into the Country.
4. Its Trade to Foreign Parts.
5. Of the twelve Principal Companies, with their Coats of Arms, &c.
6. Of the other Corporations with their Coats of Arms.
7. Of the Cuſtom-Houſe.
8. Of the Poſt-Office.
9. Of Of the Rates or Fares of Watermen, Carmen, Coachmen.
10. Of the Carryers, Waggoners, and Stage-Coaches, that come to the Principal Inns, with the Days of their coming in, and ſetting forth, to all the Principal Parts of England.