Page:Ludovico Guicciardini - Description of the Low Countries.djvu/63

 of the Low Countreys. 28

the strangers in the towne, at the entry of K. Philip as prince, amounted to above 130,000 crowns.

The provision for the poore in Andwerp, amounteth yearely to more than 30,0000 ducats, by means whereof, none beg in the town, save at certaine feafis, and certaine houres. Betides this provision above rehearsed, they nourish in the town to a certaine age 8,000 poor children of both sexes, & teach them good occupations.

The Reuenevas of Andwerp are these.

The assise of wine yearely 60,000 Ducats. The assise of beere yearly 80,000 Ducats.

They receive also an impost of corne, and all cloven footed beasts, serving for mans sustenance, the which is paid by the poule.

Likewise the revenew of the towne consisteth in the sale of certaine small offices, and of letters of freedome: for you shall understand that who so will exercise any occupation in the town, must have letters from the towne-house to license him so to doo.

Lastlie the towne receiveth a good revenew of houses and lands, which they let to farm, so that the whole revenewes ofthe towne with the imposts of wine and beere are deemed 250,000 Crownes.

The