460 ON THE PRICE OF FOREIGN PRODUCE. 



comparison. In 1653 occurs the highest price of the whole 

 period, but in this year the naval war with the Dutch was 

 being waged ; Dutch privateers were very strong in the Medi- 

 terranean, and had indeed achieved some remarkable successes 

 there. I have no doubt, had the facts been forthcoming in 

 1664 and 1672, that similarly exalted prices would have been 

 recorded. 



Raisins, a Spanish produce, as I conclude, are generally 

 more uniform. But they are dear between 1597 and 1602, 

 a period of war with Spain. They are also dear between 

 1653 and 1659. During part of this period there was war 

 with Spain, but I am disposed to infer that this cause, how- 

 ever much it may have operated, is to be coupled with de- 

 fective harvests. It was observed too at the time that the 

 war with Spain enriched the Dutch, by diverting the Spanish 

 carrying trade from England to Holland. Raisins are some- 

 times spoken of as Alicant. 



There is little to comment on in the price of prunes. They 

 are very dear in 1595 and 3596, but are otherwise and 

 generally cheap. By far the largest number of entries come 

 from Cambridge, where this fruit formed a standing dish. The 

 description, Damask prunes, is apparently a general name, 

 for the fruit is not dearer when it is thus specified. Raisins, 

 currants, and prunes are sometimes bought by the hundred- 

 weight, and are then rather cheaper. 



RlCE. Up to nearly the middle of the seventeenth century, 

 rice is found frequently, though not quite regularly. It is 

 purchased as spices are for occasional feasts, and was I believe 

 used for pastry or vegetable jelly, as its flour is more suitable 

 for this purpose than that of any other grain is. In the 

 Harting account of 1633 ^ ' ls described as Milan rice, and 

 it seems to me likely that it was always Italian produce. In 

 course of time, rice, like all foreign products, is merely quoted 

 among the particulars of the general bill, or is not specified 

 at all in the cost of spices. 



The price falls as time goes on, though even in the earlier 



