COPPER AND BRASS. 603 



of either of those metals for the axis of the mill ; though unfor- 

 tunately, while the price is put, the quantity is seldom given. 



The price of brass or copper, derived, as tin was, mainly 

 from the western extremity of the island, is singularly uniform, 

 presenting very few variations. As before, it is reckoned by 

 the cwt. of 112 Ibs. ; and it will be seen that, as in our own 

 time, its market value follows closely on that of tin. Before 

 the Plague it is somewhat higher, afterwards it is a little lower, 

 than the other metal. 



Too little information, however, is given of the price of 

 copper and brass after the Plague for the purpose of attempting 

 any solid inference as to the rise which might have been 

 effected in its value. It was doubtless dearer than my facts 

 enable me to shew, and very possibly as great a rise was 

 induced in the article as we find was accomplished in the case 

 of tin. I can only regret that my authorities, usually so precise 

 and abundant in their information as to the weights and 

 measures of most of the commodities which they bought and 

 sold, should have trusted so much to the eye of the annual 

 auditor, and have neglected to record in a more positive form, 

 and for the benefit of the student who might seek so many 

 centuries after to reconstruct the details of their economy, the 

 statements which they make as to the purchase of these metals. 



Brass pots are sometimes bought by weight, sometimes by 

 the gallon, sometimes by both. The reader will find in the 

 table of decennial averages quoted at the foot of this chapter 

 a few reductions, all unfortunately which can be made, of the 

 price of these articles by the gallon. The evidence can be 

 found for seven only of the fourteen decades of years into 

 which my period is divided. The general rate is about is. $d. 

 a gallon; this rate by the gallon, in so far as information is 

 supplied, being actually lower after the Plague than it was 

 before. 



The brass was sometimes bought and served out to the 

 whitesmith to be manufactured. Thus Merton college buys 

 8 Ibs. of brass in 1330, and pays the smith at the rate of \d. 



