A further discovery OF THE OFFICE OF public address FOR ACCOMMODATIONS. printer's or publisher's device LONDON, Printed in the year, 1648. L. Montagne's essays the fourth Book the XXIV Chapter, of a Defect in our POLICIES. MY whilesome Father who had no help but from experience and his own nature, yet of an unspotted judgement hath heretofore told me, that he much desired to bring in this custom, which is, that in all Cities there should be a certain Appointed Place, to which whosoever should have need of any thing might come, and cause his business to be registered by some Officer appointed for that purpose. As for example, if one have Pearls to sell, he should say, I seek to sell some Pearls; another I seek to buy some Pearls: such a man would fain have Company to travel to Paris: Such a one enquireth for a Servant of this or that quality: Such a one seeketh for a Master, another a workman, some this some that every one as he needed. And it seemeth that this means of enterwarning one another: would bring no small Commodity unto Common Commerce and Society. For there are ever conditions that enter-seek one another, and because they understand not one another, they leave men in great necessity. I understand to the infamous reproach of our Age, that even in out sight two most excellent men in knowledge have miserably perished for want of food and other necessaries, Lilius Gregorius Giraldus in Italy, and Sebastianus Castalio in Germany. And I verily believe there are many thousands, who had they known or understood their wants, would either have sent for them, and with large stipends have entertained them, or would have conveyed them succour where ever they had been. The world is not so generally corrupted, but I know some that would earnestly wish, and with hearty affections desire the goods which their forefathers have left them, might so long as it shall please God they may enjoy them, be employed for the relief of rare, and supply of excellent men's necessities, and such as for any kind of worth and virtue are remarkable, many of which are daily seen to be pursued by poverty even to the utmost extremity, and that would take such order for them as had they not their ease and content it might only be imputed to their want of reason, or lack of discretion. A further discovery OF THE OFFICE OF public address FOR ACCOMMODATIONS. BEfore we fell into these last fears and troubles, a Brief Discourse was presented unto the High and Honourable Houses of Parliament; concerning the Means to accomplish the Work of our Reformation: tending to show that by an Office of public address in spiritual and temporal concernments, the Glory of God, and the happiness of this Nation may be highly advanced. This Discourse hath fully approved itself unto the Judgement of all those that have seen it hitherto, and hopefully it would have wrought some effect upon those that manage the Affairs of this State, if the Danger of this last Commotion, had not employed all their strength and Attention, to save us from sudden shipwreck. Nor is the Sea yet quieted after so great a storm: but the fears and expectations of what will follow do keep the minds of most men in suspense, till they see a safe Harbour, that is, what the way of our future settlement will be. And truly this Consideration might also suspend our thoughts and solicitations in this matter; if we would look only to the outward Appearance of Affairs, and make ourselves as many do by their Conjectures fearful. Ecel. 11. 1●2, 4. For He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the Clouds shall not reap: But we have learned to cast our bread upon the waters, in hope that we may find it after many days: and we are willing to give a portion unto seven, and also to eight, because we know not what evil shall be upon the Earth. So then, even that which maketh others less careful of the public, doth increase our care for it. For most men will not intend any public aim till they can secure their own Interests, and see a way to get advantage by that which they call the public: but we shall never aim at this; our delight shall be, that all may be advantaged, and the public Interest of the commonwealth settled, although it should be to our cost and disadvantage: For we know the promise, that if we faint not, and become not weary in well-doing, we shall reap in due time the fruit of righteousness. Therefore upon the grounds laid in the former Discourse, we shall endeavour now to proceed to offer some Particulars; which perhaps will take more with those men, then that which we aim at principally. For our aim is mainly to lay the grounds of that Reformation in this change of our Affairs, which may reach the spirits of Men to affect them with a Gospel-frame: But if we therein cannot come near them immediately; yet we shall endeavour to come as near as we may by the things whereof they are capable; because we are resolved rather to venture the losing of our Labour, then to sit still; and not give ourselves this satisfaction that we have discharged a good Conscience in performing our duty. We shall declare then with that simplicity, which becometh a good conscience in the presence of God, that our desire is to serve all men freely in the public Interest so far as God doth enable us; and that by this design we aim at a special Advantage to the Gospel of Christ rather than at any thing else; and if we can but awake those, that are in Places of Power and authority; to take notice of the Means, whereby all men's talents may become useful to each other, in this commonwealth; that for their own temporal Ends, they would countenance, and promote the same; we shall have our End at this time in this undertaking. Therefore now we make our application as to all indifferently, that love the prosperity of Zion, and the welfare of this State; so more particularly to those whom God hath appointed to be our Leaders in every good work, and Encouragers of those that apply themselves thereunto, that whether they lay the matter to heart or no, they may not be without a witness before God and the world, that this is a duty belonging to their charge; which without any charge, trouble or difficulty may be most easily brought to pass, by a few words in the way of Order, to Authorize the undertaking of such an Office, for the unspeakable Benefit of all, and without the least imaginable inconveniency unto any. And that the thing itself, may manifest the truth of this, We shall come to a more particular discovery of the Office in the matters of temporal Accommodation; which unto the men of this world are sensible Inducements towards all Enterprises. Let us then consider, What it is that maketh a commonwealth, and all those that are in it, happy, as to the Life of Nature. The chief End of commonwealths is Society, the End of Society is mutual Help, and the End and Use of Help is to enjoy from one another Comforts, that is, every thing lawfully desirable or wanting to our contentation. Wheresoever then, in a commonwealth such a Constitution may be had; whereby the Members thereof may be enabled to enjoy from each other all the Helps which Nature doth afford unto them for their mutual Contentation, there the State and all those that are in it may be said to be as happy as this world can make them. For no man can be more happy in Nature, then to have all his lawful desires supplied so far as they are attainable: But in this commonwealth such a Constitution may be had, and that easily, which will do this: Therefore this commonwealth and all the Members thereof may be as happy as this world can make them; if their Rulers will either assist them, or at least suffer them to become so. Now this Constitution whereof we speak is nothing else, but the Designation of a certain place, whereunto it shall be free for every one to make his address upon all Occasions, as well to offer unto others, as to receive from them, the commodities which are desirable, and the Informations of things profitable to be taken notice of in a private or public way. In this Place an Officer is to be appointed, who should have power to direct and order the work of the Constitution. He should have certain men under him, so many as he should think fit to keep Registers, and make extracts thereof, to give to such as should desire the same for their Information. These Registers should be of all things which either may be any way offered by one man to any or to all, and desired by another from Any or from All; or which otherwise may be of public use, though not at all taken notice of by any to that End. And the E●d wherefore these Registers are thus to be kept, is only, that therein may be settled a centre of Encounters to give Information to All of All useful matters. For one of the great Causes of our misery in this present life is this, that we are not only in the dark, not knowing what good things are exstant in private, or publicly attainable for use: But we are in disorder and confusion, because when we know what things are attainable, yet we have no way contrived how to encounter readily and certainly with them ourselves, when we have need of them, or when we have them, to impart them to such as want them. Now to remedy both these evils, this Office may be an Instrument, by being made a Common Intelligencer for All, not only of things actually offered or desired by some to be communicated, but also of things by himself and others observable, which may be an occasion to raise matter of Communication for the Information to All. The multitude of affairs in populous Places doth naturally run into a confusion, except some orderly way be found out to settle Times and Places wherein those that are to attend them, may meet together for the transaction thereof. If there were no Exchanges, nor set hours thereof, for Merchants to meet and transact matters; What a disorder and obstruction would there be in all trading? And if a man that hath to do in the Exchange with five or six men; doth come to it when it is thronging full, and knoweth not the ordinary walks of those several men; nor anybody that can tell him where their walks are; he may run up and down, here and there, and weary himself out of breath, and not meet with any of them, except by great chance he light upon them at an instant: So it is with all other men in respect of all other conveniencies in great and populous Cities or kingdoms; They run up and down at random to seek for their accommodations; and when they have wearied themselves a long time in vain, they sit down oft times unsatisfied: But if there were but a place of common resort appointed, like unto the Exchange, where they should be sure to receive Information of all that which they would desire to know, they might without any loss of time come instantly to the enjoyment of their desires, so far as they are attainable. This Place than is that, which we call the Office of address. Here sufficient Registers should be kept of all desirable Matters of human Accommodation, showing where, with whom, and upon what conditions they may be had. And this would be as it were a National Exchange for all desirable Commodities, to know the ready way of encountering with them and transacting for them. This then is the proper End and use of this Office, to set everybody in a way by some direction and address, how to come speedily to have his lawful desires accomplished, of what kind soever they may be. This Constitution will be a Means mightily to increase all Trade and Commerce amongst Merchants and all sort of People, but especially to relieve the necessities of the poor, for whose sake alone it doth deserve to be entertained, although there were none other conveniency in it. But to show that by the advantage of such an address, as is intended by this Office to be set a foot, all Trade will be mainly advanced: Consider how for the want of it, occasions of Trading and Transacting of businesses are hindered between man and man, to their mutual disadvantage, and the detriment of the commonwealth. As for example: I am desirous to let out a parcel of ground and an house upon it to be rent; another is desirous to have some ground with an House upon it to farm, we for want of knowing each others desires do not meet to treat upon the business, and cannot find our accommodations perhaps in a year or two, to our content: Here than the Commerce which we might have with each other is stopped; the public notary is not employed between us; the counsellor, whose advice is to be used in drawing the Leases, is not employed; I want Money which I might trade withal another way to my great profit and the public benefit; the farms is idle, the House not inhabited, and out of repair; the ground either not at all, or not so well cultivated, as otherwise it would be; the Inheritance doth go to decay; less fruit is reaped of the ground; less employment for labouring men; less works and Manufactures of Tradesmen and shopkeepers used, fewer customs and duties paid to the public: and consequently in every respect both to myself and others to whom I am associated a disadvantage doth befall; because I cannot encounter with the conveniency whereof I stand in need; nor the Farmer with his Accommodation: But if we could have met with each other, and transacted our business to our mutual content, all these Inconveniencies would have been prevented both to us and the public: It is undeniably true, that the multitude of People doth beget Affairs; and the ready transaction of Affairs in a State, is the only Means to make it flourish in the felicity of the Inhabitants; and that nothing can advance such a ready transaction so much, as a Common-center of Intelligence for all such Matters; is quite out of doubt. As for the Benefit of the poor, and the Relief of their Necessities (which alone might move us to the prosecuting of this business) there is nothing imaginable, that can be more beneficial unto them. For consider, amongst all the Causes of human poverty (which are many) this main one; namely, that most men are poor for want of employment is, either because they cannot find Masters to employ them; or because their abilities and fitness to do service are not known to such as might employ them: or lastly, because there is perhaps little work sti●ring in the commonwealth for them. All these causes will be clearly remedied by this Constitution; for here not only the Master shall be able to encounter with a Servant, or a Servant with a Master, fit for each other, when both have given up their names, and the tenor of their desires, with the places of their abode; to the Registe●s of the Office: but by the collection and observation of all things profitable to be improved for the public use; much matter of employment, will be produced and found out, which now is not at all thought upon. When poor workmen or Tradesmen come to a great City, such as London is, in hope of getting employment; if they fail of their expectation, or meet not with the Friends upon whom they did rely; they betake themselves to begging; or sometimes to far worser courses; which brings them to a miserable end: but in stead of their particular expectation and friend, they can betake themselves to one, that can give them address to the employment which in the commonwealth can be found for them; they not only may be preserved from beggary and misery, but become useful unto their Neighbour. H●herto we have spoken of the Office, and the usefulness thereof in respect of the End. Now we shall come to the matters whereof Registers should be kept in the Office for Information and address, to satisfy all men's desires. The desires of men are infinite in respect of the circumstances; and therefore it is not to be expected, that a particular enumeration thereof should be made: We must reflect upon the principal heads whereunto all may be referred, that when particulars are offered they may be brought unto their proper places in the Registers, where they may be found in due time for Information and addresses of one towards another. There be two kinds of Registers or Inventaries of address; Some are of things which are perpetually the same, and always existent in the Society of Mankind in general, and in a distinct commonwealth, kingdom, Province and City in particular, and others are not perpetual but changeable Registers containing all matters of daily Occurrence between man and man to be imparted. The Matters whereof the perpetual and unchangeable Registers should give Information to such as may inquire after the same, are chiefly these. 1. For such as would know concerning any thing exstant in the world, what hath been said or written of it, the standing Register should contain a Catalogue of all Catalogues of Books; whereunto the Enquisitor may be referred to seek out whether or no be can find any thing written of the Matter; whereof he doth make inquiry in any of those Catalogues, and the Office should have one or more Copies of each of those Catalogues to which the Register of Catalogues should refer them to make their search. 2. For such as should make inquiry concerning this kingdom to know the situation of any of the Provinces, Shires, Counties, Cities, Towns, Villages, Castles, Ports; and such like places; the Office should have Speeds Description of this kingdom, and Mercator, or others, to refer them thereunto. 3. For such as would desire to know, what public Officers, and Employments, and what particular Trades are of use in this State; the Office should show a Register thereof. 4. For such as would know what Families and Persons of eminent note and quality are in the Kingdom for Birth, or for Place and employment, or for Abilities and singular personal virtues, the Office should show who they are, and what their property is, and where to be met withal. 5. For such as desire to know the standing Commodities of the Kingdom; what they are in the whole, and what peculiar to every place? How they are transported from place to place? Where and when the Markets thereof are kept? And how to get intelligence of the particular prices thereof? The Office should have Registers for Information of all this. 6. For such as desire to know what Commodities are imported from foreign parts constantly into this Kingdom? Where and at what times to be found? With Information concerning the prices thereof; the Office should be able to give notice hereof. As for the Matters of daily Occurrence, which by reason of circumstances are changeably to be taken notice of, and differently to be proposed, as offered from one man to another, or desired by one from another, for mutual Accommodation; the Registers thereof must be divided into several Books, and the Books into chapters, to whose heads all matters of that kind should be referred The Titles of these Books should be at least these four. 1. One for the Accommodation of the poor. 2. Another for the Accommodation of Trade, Commerce and Bargains for profit. 3. A third for the Accommodation of all Actions which proceed from all relations of persons to each other in all Estates and conditions of Life. 4. A fourth for Ingenuities and matters of delight unto the mind in all Ve●●ues and rare Objects. These four Registers may be distinguished and entitled from the properties of their Subjects thus. The first should be called the Register of Necessities, or of Charity: The second of usefulness or of Profit: The third of Perfo●mance or of Duties: And the fourth of Delights or of Honour. And to these Heads all human Occurrences, wherein one man may be helpful unto another may be referred, if not very directly, yet in some way, which will be without difficulty understood, and fit to avoid confusion in the matters of the Registers. Now we shall come to each of these Books in particular, to show the matters of Accommodation contained therein, for public and private Service. I. The Register for the poor. THe Heads of Chapters unto which all Matters of Accommodation for the poor may be referred are these. 1. Counsels and Advices to be given concerning the Means, whereby the poor may be relieved, by being set a work, and employed if they be strong, or in cases of sickness and want of employment, how to facilitate the Provision of Lodging, Clothing, Food, and Entertainment for them: Here with the particular Expedients which shall be suggested, a Note of the Names of those that do suggest them shall be registered, and if they desire it, a Certificate given unto them to attest what they have suggested. 2. The List of Names of the poor, viz: the Number of those that are entertained, and how they are provided for already in several places. 2. The Names of such as have no provision made for them, shall be enroled in the List of the poor to be entertained, when they come with a Certificate of their Condition to the Commissioners for the poor, and have made their Case known unto them: where a special respect is to be had to the poor that are shamefast, and want confidence to put forth themselves to be an object of public or Private charity. 3. The List of Names of Benefactors to the poor, whether in public or in private, that the poor who are enroled may receive address, and go unto them for relief (or Employment, as the way of their charity shall fall out) to be bestowed by themselves, or those whom they shall appoint to distribute it; for the Office of address shall not meddle with the receipts or Distribution of any Money in this kind; but only with the Names of the givers and receivers thereof, to notify the one to the other. 4. The Names of Physicians, Apothecaries, and Chirurgeons, who shall offer themselves to visit the poor in their sickness, to bring them some Remedies, or give them Advice what to do in point of diet, or otherwise for their health. 5. A List of Experiments and easy Remedies of diseases, which any shall be willing to impart for the good of the public, and speedy relief of the diseased and poor, chiefly by the discovery of the admirable effects of simples; shall be enroled with the Names of those that impart the same unto the Physicians, Chirurgeons, and Apothecaries, who shall offer themselves to give attendance upon the poor in their sickness. 6. Because all persons, though otherwise never so rich in possessions, if they be under any grievous sickness or affliction, and can find no re●ief for it, are to be counted poor, and are objects of charity, if they will not be known by name, to be in such a case; the Factum or circumstantial Description of their Case may be sent unto the Office; and a memorial adjoined of some place or body, who is to receive the Answer of Advice to be procured upon it; and the Officer of the Office of address, shall have an Advice to be given by the Physicians, who shall offer themselves for the assistance of the poor, and it shall be written at the bottom of the Factum, or the Description of the Case. 7. In case any would have in matters of difficulty in Law-businesses, the impartial Advice of eminent Counsellors upon the case which by word of mouth they themselves are unwilling to declare; they may take the like course: or if they would know the judgement of their Advocates and counsellors not formerly interessed in the matter, whether it doth agree, with that which hath been given to them, by those whom they have made use of; they may without expressing of their own, or others names, make use of the address, which the Office shall be able to give them in like manner. 8. And in case either for want of judgement or experience they know not how to set down their Cases and Factums circumstantially; the Office will be able to give them address to such as shall do it for them, with all secrecy and faithfulness. 9 In case there be any who by reason of poverty or other necessities and unavoid●ble hindrance, cannot pursue their Rights and just Interests in Law; the Office will be able to address them unto some; that shall undertake the pursuit of the business for them by right; or else make an amiable composition and transaction of the matter for their best advantage, with their Adversary on their behalf. 10. The List of poor scholars, who have made some beginning in learning, and with a little matter of assistance might be enabled to perfect their course, and become useful in their way to the public, shall be kept by itself; that when the names of such as shall offer to be helpful unto such shall be notified, they may be addressed unto them. 11. The List of strangers, who are going to their country and are objects of Charity Here; as also of our own Country men who being strangers in distress elsewhere, or Captives under the Turks, are objects of Charity, and may by their friends here seek for help upon good Certificates of their condition, and of the means of sending the relief which shall be procured unto them. 12. Because the public State and society of a commonwealth is oft times in a course of Poverty, and want of many things, and is an Object of great Charity in several respects, a List shall be kept of all the memorials or Offers, which may be made by any for the ease of inconveniencies befalling thereunto, or for the advantage and benefit, which may be procured thereunto in a public way; and the author's names and places of abode being known, they shall by the means of the offieer of address be directed to such as will be most able to promote the Execution thereof; and if they be absent a great way from London, or from the place of supreme Government, where all proposals of that kind are to be considered, without putting themselves to the charges of a great journey at adventure, the matter may be prosecuted in their name by some in whose hands the Officer of address may put it; and a deserved recompense may be by him procured unto the Author of the Advice and proposal, out of the benefit, which thence may accrue unto the public. II The Register of Commerce and Bargains. THe Heads of Chapters whereunto matters of Commerce may be referred in the way of Trading, are distinguished into the kinds of Commodities whereof bargains are made, and into the Cases and ways of making Bargains about these Commodities. The Chapters of Commodities. 1. THe Chiefest of all Commodities, because it doth give a Common valuation to all other things, is Money; the Office than shall give Information and address. 1. What the Species and Sorts of coin extant here and elsewhere are in Silver and Gold? What their weight and valuation is? 2. What the Course of Exchange is amongst Merchants for all places of Trade, and how it doth change from time to time, towards Holland, France, Spain, Germany, &c. 2ly, The most necessary of all Commodities is Food; to this Head the Office doth refer for Information and address all particulars of Meat and Drink. 1. Of Meats the List doth contain all Vegetables serving for that use; as Wheat, Barley, Rye, Oats, Pease, Beanes, Rice, and all corn and grains, and Pulse, and every thing of that kind, and all Fruits and Roots fit for food, to show what the rates thereof are, and where they are to be had. 2. All living Creatures in the Earth, air, and Waters, Beasts, Fowls and Fishes; the Office shall give the address to the place, where they are to be bought, and show the ordinary Rates thereof in the several parts of the kingdom. 3. Of Drinks, as Wine, beer, Ale, Cider, Perrie, Mede, strong Waters, and what else is of this kind, the Office will let you know where to have your choice, and at the best rates. 4. I●em, the List of the Places and Rates, at which men may diet themselves, either wholly, or by meals, as an ordinary. 3ly, Next to Food is physic, and all Drugs and Wares which are used as Ingredients thereunto, as Spices and herbs, and all apothecary's Wares, whether Simples or Compounds, and all gross Commodities, serving either for Food or physic, the Office shall let you know, where, and at what Rates they are to be had. Fourthly, Unto the preservation of Life and Health, doth belong also clothing of all sorts of Cloth and stuff; Silks, and Woollen, linen, and Cotton of each kind, the Lists of ordinary rates, and the place where they are to be found, is to be showed. Fifthly, Houses in the city or country to be let or sold, and lodging Chambers furnished or unfurnished, with their rates are to be showed also. Sixthly, The Commodities of Lands and Inheritances, and Leases of farms and manors, which are to be Bargained for in any kind, are to be brought to their proper place for information to such as would inquire after them. Seventhly, All manner of moveables and householdstuff for the ease and convenience of life, are to be Listed with the rates at which they are to be sold, for such as shall desire present Accommodation. Eightly, Whole shops of Goods or such Commodities as are not to be found in sh●ps, as Coaches, Litters, Carts, with all their furniture, Ships, Boats, Woods, and such like, which the owners would not put to sale, should be found in their proper places for the Information of Buyers. Ninthly, Libraries, and Book-sellars Shops, according to their several kinds: Item Shops of Paper and Parchment, and all Wares of this kind, with their Rates, are to be found under this Head. The Chapters of the Cases and ways of making Bargains. 1 IF any desire to let out Money upon Interest with Security, or desire to receive it upon Interest in giving Security, the Office shall be able to give address thereunto. 2 If any will deposit Moneys for Annuities or Estate in Reversion, the Office shall address to such as will receive it. 3 If any will Borrow or Lend Money upon any other Conditions whatsoever as upon Lands, Houses, Leases, Rents, &c. the Office shall give Information and address thereunto. 4 If Travellers desire to change Money from one species to another; or to be furnished in all places where they shall come, the Office shall be able to address them to their Accommodation. 5 If any desire to transport himself or his Commodities by Land or Water, from one place to another; the Office shall show him where Horses, Coaches, Carts, Wagons, Boats, Ships, and Barks are to be had for all places, and what their hire is, or what the Hundred weight, or the Tun, and Last doth come to for transportation. 6 The Rates of all customs, Taxes, Impositions, and duties to be paid for all Commodities should be found in the Office for Information of such as desire to know the same. 7 If any desire to know upon what Terms Prentices are to be admitted in all Trades and Manufactures, the Office shall give them Information. 8 If any should be willing to transplant himself or others from these parts into any of the Western or Southern Islands; or desire any thing from thence to be brought hither, or carried from hence thither, the Office should be able to show him upon what terms his desire may be accomplished. 9 The Proportion and disproportion of the several Weights and Measures throughout the Kingdom, the Office should show. 10 The Rates of Insurances of all manner of Commodities; and 11 The Weekly Course of Negotiation to be made as the custom is at Amsterdam for all Commodities shall be known by the means of the Office. 12 If any desire an Association for Trading, or a Factory, the Office shall address him unto it. III. The Register of Persons, and Actions, in all Offices and Relations. IF any should desire to know Men out of Employment, who would gladly be set a Work in their Faculty; the Office shall be able to make them known; therefore unto this Head of Persons, the Register shall refer in their proper places all such as shall offer themselves to be listed for any employment whatsoever, that when enquiry is made after them, they may be found out. Here than a place must be. For 1 Ministers that want employment, for Lecturers and professors of all Sciences, for such as offer themselves to be Tutors to Children: All sorts of Schoolmasters in all Languages, and all Schoolmistresses, All masters of Bodily Exercises, as Fencing, Vaulting, Dancing, &c. 2 Physicians and chirurgeons, and such as depend upon them to do any service in that kind. 3 Secretaries, Advocates, Counsellors at Law, Clerks, Copiers of Writings, Scriveners, solicitors of businesses, and all such as depend upon the Courts of Justice, as the Chancery, Common-pleas, the King's Bench, &c. 4 Here also all such as are Officers or Servants in the Families of the King, Queen, Prince or Great Noblemen to know where they are to be found, or such as may be fit to do Noblemen service, as Stewards, Riders of the great Horse, and all such as may do service in the Stables or the kitchen, Comptrollers, Clarks of the kitchen, Cook's, Butlers, Confectioners, &c. Waiting Gentlemen; Grooms of the Chambers, or of the Stables, Porters, Gardiners, Coachmen, falconers, Footmen. 5 Messengers for all places, who serve the public as Foot or Horse-posts, to carry Letters or other Packets of small burden. 6 Here also such as are Masters of any Trades or Manufactures, or Journeymen and apprentices, that seek Masters are to be registered to give them the address fit for their Conveniency, when any is to be had. 7 Husbandmen and Seamen, Pilots, and all that belong to the Employments by Water. 8 soldiers of all degrees; Drummers, Trumpeters, Pipers, &c. 2 As for the Female kind, their Memorials are to be brought into the Office by some Men whom they should employ to that Effect; and the Office shall have some Grave and Pious Matrons to be employed about the Direction of all Addresses in that Nature; to whom the Cases of Women (as well as the Inspection of the affairs of the poor, as the Accommodation of others in their lawful desires and offers) may be referred. 3 Matters of marriage, and all Memorials for Information in that kind are to be brought to this Head; Whether of Children, to be disposed of, or of free Persons who have power to dispose of themselves. 4 If any be towards any journey and want Company to travel withal and seek Society, their Memorials are to be registered under this Head. And if any want Instruction and Intelligence of the distances of places, or of the ways and of the Conveniencies to be had in several places, of Coaches, Horses, Wagons, &c. the Office shall be able to furnish them with their Information of all this; and how to be accommodated so far as the places do afford every kind of Conveniency. And by this means Travellers also will be more secured in their ways and better provided for. 5 suits in Law to commence or end them without trouble, to which Effect such address shall be showed, as may ease those that cannot attend their suits themselves (by reason of their distance from the places where the Courts are kept) by the Means of faithful Agents and impartial Transactors. 6 In case Rents are to be received by any in places far distant from their Residence; the Office shall be able by the Correspondency which it shall keep in all places, to procure the payment thereof nearer at hand unto them; or in the place of their Residence itself without trouble. 7 Such as shall desire the Common-Intelligence of public State-affairs, or Occurrences of matters of more special concernment at home, or abroad, shall find address how to come by it to their content. 8 Such as expect Rewards for Services done to the King or State, and know not where to pitch and what to desire, answerable to what is due unto them, a discovery of degrees may be found by the Office to accommodate their just desires. 9 In case Sentences or Obligations be to be executed, the Office shall be able to show in all places of the kingdom some Body, that may be employed to that Effect. 10 Persons expert to attend the Sick: also the places where Sick persons may be accommodated for all manner of diseases better than at their own homes, with Baths, and places to sweat in, or for good air and healthful walks, &c. 11 In case any matter is to be notified to a Friend, whose abode is uncertain; as the marriage of any to be contracted, or the Birth and Death of any, or the arrival of any to the City, or the change of his own abode: or suppose a Paper, or writ, or Obligation be lost by any which another hath found; which to him that hath lost it, is of great importance, and is not safe to be published by a crier for fear of giving notice thereof to an adverse party, in all such Cases the Office should serve as a Common-Center of Advertisement and Intelligence. 12 The hours and Times of all Carriers and Messengers departures to all places; and in Case strangers should desire to address any thing by them, chiefly Letters or small Packet, a Trunk or Box should be in the Office kept for every one of them, wherein it should be found at their return, to be carried with them. 13 Such as would quite any Office or Charge of Benefit for some present profit, or other Consideration may here find address how to compass their desires, by giving the memorial thereof to the Office, that it may be notified to all, that may incline to entertain any such motion. 14 Such as would inform the State of any thing to be taken notice of; whether they will have their names taken notice of or not, they may be sure by the means of this Office to have it made known over all the kingdom; by the Correspondency of one Office to another in every principal City, for the design is to have a Commissary of address placed in every great and eminent City, who shall correspond with him of London, and with whom the London-Officer shall correspond in all cases to receive and give notice of Matters, and to address Persons and Things from one to another, and to commit the procurement of Affairs to their trust and to such as they may employ able to effect the same in their several Quarters; so that from any place in all the Kingdom a business may be dispatched to any place or person by the procuration of the Correspondent-Officers of address in several places. 15 Strangers who desire to visit a country, and have no acquaintance in any places may be addressed from one Commissary of address unto another, throughout the whole kingdom, and in every place provided for at the easiest Rates, and by the way directed unto the safest abodes and Lodgings without hazard of being robbed or killed, when they shall not need to carry any sums of Money about with them, but only certain bills or Tickets from the Officer of address to his Correspondents, where he shall receive his Accommodation according to his desire. By which means also they shall come to the acquaintance of all Persons of note in all Trades and Employments, with whom they may have converse instantly without loss of time and needless expenses. 16 If any hath a House to build, and would know the best Master-builders, and where all the materials necessary thereunto are to be had, the Office shall be able to give him Information and address thereunto with the prices, &c. IV. The Register of Ingenuities, and Matters commendable for Wit, Worth, and Rarity. TO the Chapters of this Register are to be referred the Memorials of all things wherein men put some excellency, Whether it be settled in the soul, or body, or subordinate to the Manifestation or purchase of that wherein men study to be beneficial unto or to appear before others in any thing whatsoever. 1 Here then, if any hath a feat in any Science which is extraordinary. Either a new discovery of a Truth, or an Experiment in physic, mathematics, or mechanics; or a Method of delivering Sciences or Languages, not ordinarily known, and very profitable; or some intricate Question and difficulty which he would have resolved by the most experienced in any or all Arts: In any such case, if the matter be notified to the Office with the tenor of his desire concerning it; by the means of the Office, he shall be able to receive satisfaction therein so far as it is attainable. 2 If any is desirous to know the ways by which all degrees of Honour are obtained or conferred in all states and conditions of men, with all the Ceremonies and Ritualities belonging thereunto, and the privileges for which in all States they are sought after, the Office should be able to give information thereof. 3 If any would purchase rare Books out of print or Manuscripts of any kind, or would impart that which he hath purchased unto others, freely or upon equitable terms, by the means of the Office, it may be speedily notified unto all what his desire is, and what the things are, which he either hath to be imparted to others, or would have imparted by others to himself. 4 The rarities of Cabinets, as medals, Statues, Pictures, coins, Grains, Flowers, shells, Roots, Plants, and all things that come from far, which Nature or Art hath produced in imitation of Nature: If any that hath desires to be rid of them, or to gather some of them together that hath none; the Office will be either way serviceable to compass men's ends in them. 5 mathematical and astronomical Instruments, and new Inventions to discover the secrets and hidden things of Nature if they are to be notified to others the Office will do it. 6 The Anatomies of Creatures, or the living or dead strange Creatures, Dogs, Cats, Apes, Fowls of rare qualities, and such like, if they be offered to be seen or sold, by the Office this may be notified. 7 Memorials of all things left by any for public use, and for Posterity; with the places where, and the persons to whom they are left. 8 Rare Goldsmiths-works, with all manner of Jewels and precious rare Stones, where to be found, seen, or purchased at equitable rates, or otherwise to be made use of for the satisfaction of curiosity, and observation of Art, by the means of this Office it may be known, &c. Hitherto we have with as much brevity as could be (for if we would have been large; a Volnme might have been filled with them) ranked these Heads of Matters in some Order, to show, how by the means of an Office (wherein all things may be registered, which by any are either offered or desired for their accommodation) the society of mankind in a well-ordered commonwealth, may be made flourishing, and as happy in the life of Nature, as the satisfaction of their lawful desires can make them. For therein, as in one magazine or marketplace, all things Necessary, Profitable, Rare, and Commendable, which are extant in several places, and scattered here and there, are brought together; and exposed to the view of every one that shall be willing to see them, that according to his reach and capacity they may be made serviceable unto him, and he thereby in his degree and station more useful unto the public a hundred fold then otherwise he can be without the help of such an address. For it is very apparent to any that will take it into consideration; that besides the private satisfaction of any one in his particular desires, which may be had by this means, so far as it is attainable in an orderly way, the public aims also of those that are over the affairs of State, to reform and direct them towards the good of all may be infinitely improved, if they know but how to make use of such an Engine. He that can look upon the frame of a whole State, and see the constitution of all the parts thereof, and doth know what strength is in every part, or what the weakness thereof is, and whence it doth proceed; and can, as in a perfect model of a celestial Globe, observe all the Motions of the Spheres thereof; or as in a Watch, see how all the wheels turn and work one upon another for such and such an ends, he only can fundamentally know what may and aught to be designed; or can be effected in that State for the increase of the Glory, and the settlement of the Felicity thereof with Power according to righteousness. And it is very credible that the great statesman of our neighbour Nation, who raised himself from the condition of an ordinary Gentleman, to become the Ruler of Princes; and who by the management of the strength of that State wherein he lived, hath broken the whole design of the House of Austria, in the affectation of the Monarchy of Europe, and did make himself, and the Kingdom which he did rule, the only considerable power of Christendom, whilst he lived in it. (We say) it is very credible that this man was enabled from so mean beginnings, to bring so great designs to pass, chiefly by the dexterity of his prudency in making use of this Engine, which never before was set a work in any commonwealth, to reflect upon a whole State, till he did set it a foot to that effect. He that is not blind may easily perceive this, that it was not possible that his intelligence could be so universal in all things as it was, and his designs so effectually carried on in all places as they were, without an exact insight of all circumstances, and a speedy and secret correspondency with all parts, and that to have such an insight in all things and maintain such a correspondency with all parts, nothing is so fit as such a way of address, erected in all the chief Cities of every Province of a Kingdom, is altogether undeniable: therefore it may be lawfully concluded that by this means chiefly he was enabled both to contrive and execute all his undertakings. Hence also must be observed, that to have such an Office in one place, is not enough, but that there should be one in every principal place of resort, where there is the greatest concurrence of men for mutual Society and Negotiation in every Province, that all the Commodities or Conveniencies which are offered or desired in any place, may be conveyed or made known unto all places unto which they are by any means communicable. Now that such Registers in those places and chiefly in London, may be kept for all these both Private and public Advantages; nothing is wanting, but the Countenance of Authority, that the Matter may be Regularly and Orderly carried on, because it is not enough to intend a good Work, but the way of carrying it on must be good also; therefore the business is to be ordered by those that are in place of supreme Command, that as the Motion doth aim at the public Good of all by the Benefit and Profit of every one in Particular: so all respect may be showed towards those that are over the whole Body, that nothing may seem to be attempted to their prejudice. As for that which remaineth to be certified further in this business, it is not much, only this may be added, that these Registers must be again and again subdivided, and especially that some must be kept secret, and some exposed to the Common View of all. In the secret Registers the Particularities of the Memorials are to be kept; specifying things Circumstantially, by the Names & Places of abode of them, that do offer or desire the same, with all the Conditions upon which they are offered or desired. And in the Open or Common-Register the same memorial is to be kept under a general Intimation of the Matter only; with a Reference unto the Particular and Secret Register, that such as shall see the general Intimation, and shall desire the particular information thereof; may be accommodated, therein by an Extract thereof for their address where to find their Conveniency: and for this Extract some small and very inconsiderable duty, as a penny or at the most two pence may be paid. As for those that are to bring memorials unto the Office some patterns or forms are to be made, and showed unto them hung up in the Office; to teach such as are not acquainted with the way. How to draw up their Memorandums, which they would bring in. Those then that will make use of the Office shall be directed to come, with an Exact memorial, of that whereof they desire either to give or receive Advice, & upon what Conditions. When therefore they shall come with their memorial, if they be poor, it shall be registered, or an Extract shall be given them out of the Register-book for nothing; but if they are not poor, the duty is to be paid for the registering, or for the Extract, which may be taken out of a Memorial, and when they have found the Persons to whom the Extract shall give them address, if the Bargain whereof the memorial doth give Information be concluded; or the Effect of the memorial be otherwise made void; the Register is to be discharged of it within four and twenty hours, and for this discharge of the Register nothing shall be paid: Now the Register should be discharged of the memorials which are made void; lest fruitless Addresses be made to any concerning a Matter already dispatched; and lest those that have received the satisfaction, which they desired by their memorials be troubled with new Visitors which the Office may send unto them, if this be not done. Lastly, by all that hath been said, this is very evident, that this Way of address will be the most useful and Advantageous Constitution, for the supply of all men's wants, and the dispatch of all Businesses, that can be thought upon in this or any other commonwealth. And that this way may easily be set afoot, is apparent from this, that to settle it nothing is wanting, but the Designment of a Place, in which the Office should be kept, and an Act of Authority to be given to the solicitor of public designs, Whereby he should be ordered to prosecnte this matter. This Act than might run in such terms as these, or the like. Seeing the Provision for the poor to supply their Necessities, and give them and others address unto some Employments, is not only a work of Christian Charity, but of great usefulness to a well-ordered commonwealth: It is therefore Ordered and Ordained by both Houses of Parliament, that N. N. shall be a Superintendent general for the Good of the poor of this Kingdom; to find out and propose the ways of their Relief, and give to them and all others, such Addresses, as shall be most expedient to supply their wants, and to procure to every one their satisfaction in the Accommodation of all their Commendable or lawful Desires, to which Effect the said N. N. is Authorized hereby to appoint, first in London, and then in all other places, of this Kingdom, wheresoever he shall think it expedient, an Office of Encounter or address in such Place or Places, as by Authority shall be designed to that Use. In which places he shall have power to put Under-officers, &c. who shall according to his Direction be bound to keep Books and Registers, wherein it shall be free for every one to cause to be Written and registered, by several and distinct Chapters, every thing whereof address may be given, concerning the said Necessities and Accommodations, and likewise it shall be free for every one to come to the said Offices, to receive Addresses by Extracts out of the Registers▪ Upon Condition that the Rich shall pay for such an Extract or the registering of a memorial but two pence; or three pence at the most, and that the poor shall have this done on their behalf for nothing, nor shall any be bound or obliged to make Use of this Office by giving or taking out Memorials further, then of their own accord they shall be willing. FINIS. Errata. Pag. 2. line 25. those r. most (p. 5. l. 9 to All r. of All, l. 22. after the words light upon them r. but if he doth know their constant walks and hours, when they come upon the Exchange, he may be able to meet with them. p. 6. l. 22. r. cannot) p. 7. l. 18. after the words of employment r. and the cause why they want employment, p. 8. l. 1. r. but if l. 3. that, p. 10. l. 18. which shall be contained, p. 12. l. 6. r. shall cause l. 15. r. of other, p. 13. l. 8. r. here l. 15. r. in a case, p. 15. l. 8. r. as at an, l. 19 the List. l. 19 the places, p. 16. l. 6. would put, p. 20. l. 22. as well the, p. 21. l. 21, 22. r. designs l. 32. r. to be celebrated p. 25. l. 9 r. fully. An Advertisement, To the favourable READER. IN the foregoing Discourse we have discovered the things, which concern the Addresses for Outward Accommodation, which is but a momentary part of human felicity. The Main and principal thing whereat in this Office we do aim at, and which we intend, if God enable us to prosecute; is, the Work of Communication for all spiritual and intellectual advantages, towards the Advancement of piety, virtue, and Learning in all things Divine and human, as they are subordinate unto the Glory of God; for whose sake alone we cast ourselves upon these endeavours, and from whom we shall expect our encouragements.