A. D. 1602. 



227 



Total fubfcribed 6,449,211 10 8 



Each of which places eledled a number of diredlors, fent out a number 

 of fhips, and received returns, all proportioned to the fums thus fub- 

 fcribed ; and at each of thofe places there is an Eaft-India office, called 

 their chamber. 



The Dutch united company fent this year a fleet of fourteen (hips to 

 India, and made great advantage by the voyage. 



Queen Elizabeth iffued a proclamation, after the unaccountable hu- 

 mour of that age, in forefeeing dangers that have never yet happened, 

 nor are ever like to happen, from an increafe of the fuburbs of the city 

 of London, though at prefent much more confiderable than in her 

 days. All that can be faid for her zeal herein is, that the greateft 

 judgments are fometimes biafl^d by popular miftakes and clamour. 

 The common objedion, that the head (i. e. London) was become too 

 large for the body (i. e. England) firft began to be made about this 

 time, and has been frequently ftarted fince on various occafions, we 

 apprehend without folid grounds, the increafe of buildings in London 

 being principally the confequence of an increafe of our general com- 

 merce. She therein fays, that forefeeing the great and manifold in- 

 conveniencies and mifchiefs which dayly grow, and are like more and 

 more to increafe unto the ftate of the city of London, and the fuburbs 

 and confines thereof, by accefs and confluence of people to inhabit the 

 fame, not only by reafon that fuch multitudes could hardly be govern- 

 ed by ordinary juftice to ferve God and obey her majefty, without con- 

 ftituting an addition of more oflScers, and enlarging of authorities and 

 jurifdidions for that purpofe, but alfo could hardly be provided of fuf- 

 tentation of vicinal, food, and other like neceflaries for man's relief 

 upon reafonable prices : and finally, for that (uch great multitudes of 

 people inhabiting in fmall rooms, whereof many be very poor, and 

 fuch as muft live by begging or worfe means, and being heaped up to- 

 gether, and in a fort fmothered, with many families of children and 

 fervants in one houfe or fmall tenement, it mull; needs follow if any 

 plague or other univerfal ficknefs come amongfl: them, it would pre- 

 fently fpread through the whole city and confines, and alfo into all 

 parts of the realm. 



Ff 2 



