Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/181

Rh name is Ormes, who had paid since this war £15,000 with paying the two hundredth penny. The town of Amsterdam hath paid £40,000 with paying the two hundredth penny. They are mightily inclined to France; Monsieur d'Estrades and Monsieur d'Avaux gain vastly, and I was told that I should never do my business here. This town of Amsterdam hath a provision of corn for fourteen years; they are obliged to have it for seven: they have great credit. An action in the East India Company goes at £422; money in the bank is worth four in the hundred more than ready money. The Jews lend the King of Spain money, and he engages the excise and custom at one of his great towns.

17th.I went to see the Lutheran church, where there was a great congregation; then I went to see the Armenian, which was but small, though there be many in the town, and rich men: I saw the reformed church, which is the religion of the country, and none of any other can bear any office in the State. I saw the fortifications and the sluices. Coming home I saw a curtain in the window, where all those are married that are not of the allowed religion every Sunday.

18th.At four in the morning I arrived at the Rh