Marchands en Gros, Fifteenth Century.
The counting-board was a board marked with squares, on which counters were placed in such a way as to facilitate arithmetical operations.
We have also a picture of him setting out on a business journey attended by his apprentice:—
“But so bifell this marchant on a day
Shope him to maken ready his array
Toward the town of Brugges for to fare
To byen there a portion of ware.
******
The morrow came, and forth this marchant rideth
To Flaundersward, his prentis wel him gideth.
Til he came into Brugges merily.
Now goth this marchant fast and bisily
About his nede, and bieth and creanceth;
He neither playeth at the dis ne danceth,
But as a marchant shortly for to tell
He ledeth his lif, and ther I let him dwell.”
CHAPTER IV.
MEDIÆVAL TRADE.
