CLOVES. CINNAMON. NUTMEGS. 453 



being described as smooth. The third is from Horstead 

 Keynes. In April 1 654 a treaty of peace was signed between 

 Cromwell and the United Provinces, and the cessation of a 

 very destructive and determined naval war may account for 

 these extraordinary and exceptional fluctuations. The prices 

 quoted in 1697, 1698, and 1699 are London rates, and taken 

 from Johnson's accounts. 



In the early part of the seventeenth century, certain kinds 

 of spices are distinguished, as case pepper, case ginger, case 

 nutmegs, etc. I conclude that this refers to produce which was 

 packed in chests, as opposed to that which was sent in bags. 

 But the price is not materially heightened, though such 

 articles are a little dearer than those which are not so desig- 

 nated. Thus in 1620, pepper is at is. the pound, while case 

 pepper is at is. id. Ordinary nutmegs are at 4s. the pound, 

 case at 4^. 6d. 



CLOVES AND MACE. This is a mixed spice, purchased 

 exclusively by King's College and occurring up to 1643, when 

 it disappears entirely, the register being discontinued. The 

 price of this produce rather increases than diminishes in course 

 of time. It was plainly a favourite spice with the Fellows, and 

 was very likely supplied to them on order by the College 

 apothecary, who as long as the fashion prevailed could keep 

 his charges up to a level, and be indifferent to market prices. 



CINNAMON AND GINGER. This is another compound spice, 

 also exclusively consumed by King's College. The last entry 

 is in 1641. There is but little change in the price during the 

 period in which this spice is found, and the same comment on 

 the apothecary's charge may probably be made about this, 

 which I have made on the other compound. 



NUTMEGS. Nutmegs are the latest of the tropical products 

 which were brought into England. While other spices were 

 in frequent use in early times, the first purchase, except a 

 doubtful one at an earlier date, is at Oxford in i554t when the 

 price was enormous. The purchases show a slight decline 

 during the first sixty years, the lowest decade being that on 



