359.) A Century Later, In G. Da Uzzano, We Still Find
The Colombino And Belladi Ginger (IV.
111, 210, etc.).
The Baladi is
also mentioned by Rashiduddin as an export of Guzerat, and by Barbosa and
others as one of Calicut in the beginning of the 16th century. The
Mecchino too is mentioned again in that era by a Venetian traveller as
grown in the Island of Camran in the Red Sea. Both Columbine (gigembre
columbin) and Baladi ginger (gig. baladit) appear among the purchases
for King John of France, during his captivity in England. And we gather
from his accounts that the price of the former was 13d. a pound, and of
the latter 12d., sums representing three times the amount of silver that
they now indicate, with a higher value of silver also, and hence
equivalent to about 4s. and 4s. 4d. a pound. The term Baladi
(Ar.), Indigenous or "Country" ginger, indicated ordinary qualities of no
particular repute. The word Baladi seems to have become naturalised in
Spanish with the meaning "of small value." We have noticed on a former
occasion the decay of the demand for pepper in China. Ginger affords a
similar example. This spice, so highly prized and so well known throughout
Europe in the Middle Ages, I have found to be quite unknown by name and
qualities to servants in Palermo of more than average intelligence.
(Elliot, I. 67; Ramusio, I. f. 275, v. 323; Dozy and Engelm. pp.
232-233; Douet d'Arcq, p. 218; Philobiblon Soc.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 733 of 1350
Words from 197272 to 197525
of 370046
