Chapter 17

[1116]Of theoriginandprogressof Methodism in the kingdom, see a brief account at page934of this work.—It is a remarkable instance of deep policy in the history of methodism, that the sect, when young and weak, placed itself under the wing of the established church, and bitterly inveighed against all who separated from it; but when it acquired strength, so as to feel itself able to go alone, it threw off the mask, and scrupled not to avow and prove itself, to all intents and purposes, a dissenting sect.

[1120a]Should they soon assume a different character, or become disposed like their neighbours to congregate and form themselves into a distinct society, for the purpose of instructing their dear townsmen by public lectures, respecting that better way of thinking with which they deem themselves so well acquainted, an admirable opening for putting such a project in execution now presents itself—that of buying or hiring the Methodist Chapel, which is expected to be disposed of to the best bidder as soon as the new edifice is completed, or perhaps sooner.

[1120b]Yet Hiram was dead many centuries before Euclid was born.

[1121]So it may be supposed that Euclid and Solomon, and Hiram and Mannon, and Marcel and king Athelstan lived all about the same time!—an idea too monstrous surely, for English, or even Masonic credulity to imbibe or adopt!—SeePrichard’sdescription of Masonry. 21st. Edit, p. 3, &c.

[1126]Its constituents during the first stages of its existence bore the following names—Asty Harwick,Abel Hawkins,Geo. Foley,N. Elstobb,Sam. Browne,Peter Elyson,Rich. Marshall,John Mountaine,Nic. Anderson,John Bagge,Dan. Swaine,Jos. Lee,Wm. Taylor,Rob. Fysh,Edm. Elsden,Tho. Day,Rich. Sands,Henry Fysh,Robert Hamilton,Rich. Allyson,Wm. Ward,Scarlet Browne,Geo. Patteson,Tho. Berneye,Tho. Hawkins, andJos. Taylor.—Most of these seem to have continued in the society to the last, though some were expelled for different reputed delinquencies.—It is curious enough to observe their mock formalities in the administration of their laws, and the maintenance of the government and discipline of the society, as they appear in their written transactions, which are still extant. A few specimens here may not be ungrateful to the reader—At one timeAsty Harwickis indicted, tried, found guilty, and fined, forcarrying home the sword,contrary to the rules of the society—at the same timeRichard Marshallis indicted, tried, found guilty, and fined, forthrowing a piece of pipe at Mr. Deputy governor—another timeSamuel Browneis indicted, tried, found guilty, and fined, fortearing the bill before it was discharged—another timeJoseph Leeis indicted, tried, found guilty, and fined, forinterrupting Mr. deputy govr. Harwick—another timeJos. Leeis indicted, tried, found guilty, and fined, forpulling the governorCapt. Nic. Anderson’swig awry—same timeAsty HarwickandJohn Bagge, were indicted, tried, found guilty, and fined, forinsulting the secretary in his office—another timeMr. Baggewas indicted, tried, found guilty and fined, fornot attendingthe then governor, Mr. Richard Marshall, with the sword, Mr. Bagge being then sword-bearer.—Those who were indicted and tried wereall found guilty,with only one exception, which was in the case ofWm. Ward, (April 14, 1750) who was indicted, tried, andacquitted, under the charge ofaffronting the then govr.Mr. Bagge, by conferring upon him the unworthy and degrading office ofdeputy secretary.—Thus did some of our most hopeful and reputable townsmen employ themselves between 60 and 70 years ago. Whether their successors or representatives of the present day employ themselves more worthily, may deserve some consideration. As to our courtiers and statesmen, it cannot well be supposed that they would have any great objection to our gentlemen and all the rest of the nation employing their leisure time in such a frivolous manners, as it would leave them at liberty to pursue their course with less observance or interruption. After all, had our society ofTrue-Britons, been still continued we are not sure but they might have proved by this time, as useful to themselves, and as beneficial to the community at large, as either of our present Lodges of Free Masons.

[1129]For further information relating to the original history of these two houses the reader is referred to the account of St. Gyles and St. Julian’s gild, in a former part of this work.—p. 422, &c.

[1130a]This gentleman did not acquire his wealth here; nor did he follow the example of our Aldersons, our Cases, our Freemans, our Adlens, our Bowkers, our Bagges, &c., who went out of the world apparently without ever remembering the poor, or wishing to leave behind any memorials of their names in such charitable bequests.

[1130b]Some years ago, as one of the present pensioners told this writer, the governor of that time went so far as to talk of furnishing those chambers with that desirable appendage, but that thereaderof that period, with one of the women, (both of whom had a fireplace in their rooms,) most unfeelingly dissuaded him from it, and he gave it up.—The present occupier of one of those rooms is said to have been for a long time confined to it, if not to her bed. The want of a fireplace must doubtless be severely felt by her.

[1131a]In another place he is calledLoningstonandLovingstone.

[1131b]Over against the above passage is inserted the allowing note, seemingly in the same hand—“The above 10l.annuity is applied to the clothing of the poor yearly, and payd by the chamberlain, to the overseers of St. Margaret’s parish.” Then it is added,—“I take this to be the 10l.payd to the Treasurer of St. James’s Workhouse, by the name ofLoningstonorLovingstone, which I take to be the same.” But this modern note-writer, and conjectural commentator, ought to have known that St. James’s Workhouse could not be called anAlmshouseorHospitalin 1594, nor till near a whole century after. The said annuity must therefore have undergone some foul play.

[1132a]There are happily still some such contributors, and among them one conspicuous above the rest, to whose unostentatious charities the poor pensioners in all our almshouses are not a little indebted for their comforts; as this writer could easily perceive by what dropt from divers of them, in the course of conversations he has had with them at different times. It is here neither needful nor proper to mention the name.—Of thelandcharged with the 10l.a year to this almshouse, the following memorandum occurs in the said MS. volume; written seemingly about 1729:

“I find 76 acres on the S. marsh; viz. Godfrey Hill, 5 acres; 7l.10s.—Tho. Miles, 5 acres; 7l.0s.—Jer. Ink. J. King, and J. Lay, 14 acres; 16l.—Widow Carleton, 16 acres; 18l.2s.—R. Richmund, 36 acres; 39l.—Total 76 acres: 88l.—This I take to be the land to maintain this almhouse.”—A little after we find the following memorandum,—“Payd the Hoipital 1729, 19s.8d.per week, for 52 weeks; 51l.2s.8d.—Mr. Quartereder, 5s.—Straw money, 6s.—9 Chald. coles, boatidge, and porter, 9l.16s.6d.—200 Sedge, 1l.4s.—12 brooms, 1s.4d.4 Skeps 20d; 2s.8d.—this is the fixt yearly pay, 62l.16s.10d.besides other incident charges, repairs, &c.”

On the whole therefore it appears, that the poor occupiers, or pensioners of this almshouse were much better off 80 or a 100 years ago, than they have been for many years past, as well as that our rulers were than better disposed towards them than they have been latterly.

[1132b]Since that period, theweeklyallowance of these pensioners appears to have differed at different times—down to 1772 it was 19s.3d.in all, or about 18d.each: From 1772 to 1791, 1l.5s.5d.or about 2s.each: From 1791 to 1803, 1l.8s.5d.or about 2s.3d.each: From 1803 to 1811, 1l.12s.3d.or 2s.6d.¾ each.—But here it ought to be observed, that theReaderhas had always allowed him 1s.6d.a week more than the women. He has also a Chalder of Coals allowed him, as has likewise each of the women who have fire-places in their chambers.Ninechalders a year are allowed this house in all;—the rest are appropriated to the kitchen or common fireplace.

[1135]Of two of these we learn, that thefirstwas established on the 1st.of June 1795 for ahundredmembers, who receive relief in sickness, lying-in, old age, and upon the death of their husbands. The fund is supported by a small monthly payment of their own, and annual subscriptions fromhonorarymembers.—Thesecondbeneficial society for the same number of poor women, (100;) was established July 1, 1799, affording the same allowances to them, except the pension inold age, which it was found by experience could not be supported without the assistance of many honorary members. It was hoped that this society would be able to support itself; in which case the advantages resulting from it might have been extended to any number of poor women who might choose to embrace them. But either the allowance must be still further reduced, or the monthly payment increased, before it will be released from the necessity of requiring at least occasional benefactions.—It is to be hoped therefore that it will not fail of obtaining every necessary aid and support.

[1136]Of the number of these societies, and their respective meeting places, the following account is supposed to be pretty correct—Twoat theCrown Tavern;oneat theThree Tuns;oneat theThree Pigeons;twoat theValiant Sailor;oneat theCoach and Horses;oneat theTailor’s Arms;twoat thePlough;oneat theAngel;twoat theOak;oneat theDog;fourat theThree Fishes;twoat theSun;twoat theGreen Dragon;oneat theBoar’s Head;oneat theGeorge and Dragon.—in all 23. There may be more, but we have not been yet able to find them out.—As to the number ofInnsandPublic Housesnow in the town, they are said to be near 70, but they were formerly much more numerous: even as many as 87 some years ago. This decrease is not to be ascribed to a decrease of our population, but rather to a decreasing propensity in the inhabitants to frequent those houses, owing probably, in part at least, to the great increase ofconventicles, and the increasing frequency ofevening servicesin those places, where a large proportion of the inhabitants find themselves entertained much more innocently, profitably, and agreeably, than at the public house:—all which however cannot be supposed very pleasing to our publicans and common-brewers.

[1138]There are, it seems, many benevolent societies so named in different places; and some of them unconnected with Methodism—of which there is one of a very respectable appearance atLiverpool, among whose members is the name of the celebratedWilliam Roscoe. In theannual accountof this society for 1809 appears the following remarkable passage—

“TheSubscribersto theStranger’s Friend Society, are, in general, already well acquainted with the nature, design, and excellency of the institution. It may not, however, be unnecessary to state once more, for the information of that part of the public, whose attention has not been hitherto duly excited towards this charity, that its object is,to visit,at their own homes,theSICKandDESTITUTE POORof all countries and denominations, (the Methodists only excepted, in order to exclude even the suspicion of sectarian partiality,) and administer such relief and consolation as their wants and sorrows may appear to require.”

But how theexception, in regard toMethodists, couldexclude all suspicion of sectarian partiality, we cannot clearly understand.

[1140]This appears from the following passage in an old MS. extracted from the Hall Books—

“1580. Sept. 26. Mr. Iverye recd. 4l.to buy books necessarye to be in the school for his scholars. This day he accounted for the bookes, and also repaid ye sd. moneye: 5l.allowed him for reparations and other necessarie charges by him bestowed about his house.”

Decr. 15. 1587, it was agreed in the Hall to provide anusher, with a salary of 8l.a year. The first usher wasJohn Gybson, clerk, but after a few months he had 5l.given him,for the town to be discharged of him and family. His successor wasRich. Emott, B.A. whose salary was advanced to 10l.a year. He was succeeded in the spring of 1593, (or rather 1594) byJohn Man, B.A. of Bennet Col. Cambridge, with the same salary. It does not appear who, if any, immediately succeeded him; but 18 Decr. 1612, the Hall agreed to choose anusher, whose salary, (he boarding himself,) should be 16l.a year. The person chosen was probably Edwd. Labourne, who held that situation in 1617, and had 5 marks gives him towards his commencing M.A.—He appeared to be much approved and held his place in 1626, and perhaps much later. Of his successors we have no regular account.

[1142a]Our school, in Knox’s time was rendered very remarkable by havingEugene Aramfor its usher; a man of uncommon acquirements and learning, but still more distinguished by his unhappy and miserable exit, and the horrid flagitiousness of at least one part of his life. He was apprehended here in 1759, under a charge ofmurder, committed in Yorkshire, 14 years before, and tried and convicted at York the ensuing assizes, and soon after executed. His defence at his trial was plausible and masterly; but it could avail against the preponderating evidence of his guilt. The extent of the learning in which he had made eminent proficiency was wonderful, considering the disadvantages under which he acquired it; and he died a melancholy proof that a very learned man may yet be desperately wicked, and commit the most heinous crimes.

[1142b]It is remarkable that this seminary, founded about 232 years ago, has had butthree mastersfor the greatest part of that time—viz.Edw. Bell,John Horne, andDavid Lloyd: who presided here in the whole 125 years—and all the rest but 107.

[1146a]It ought to have been for a much larger number.

[1146b]The amount of the expenditure for the last year was 73l.19s.3d.½ which seems a large sum for a mere Sunday school. Half the sum, it is presumed, would go much further, and do far more good, if the Lancasterian plan were adopted.—Some such measure is understood to be now in the contemplation of some of our good townsmen.

[1147]Mr. Keed, senior, and Mr.S. Newham, were two of the most active promoters of this institution, and the lateDr. Bagge, much to his credit, was one of its very zealous patrons, and used to subscribe for the support of itFive Guineasa year.

[1150]At some former periods, and especially before the reformation, our corporation members or officers appear to have been more numerous than at present, and some of them differently denominated. Hence in some records of the time of Henry V. we read ofaldermen of the Gilds, twenty fourJurats, twenty sevenCommon-council-men,TWELVEburgessesannually elected, whose business it was to choose the new mayor, and nominate divers other officers, including even thetown-clerkandchamberlain. These twelve were chosen as follows: The Alderman of the gild of merchants chosefourburgesses: those four choseeightmore, making their whole number thentwelve.—These twelve chose the mayor, &c. for the ensuing year, after taking an oath which was tendered to them thus—

“Serres [i.e. Sirs,] ye shall well and truiye, upon your discressions, without affection, favour, fraude, or male engyn, chese our mayster the Mayre for the yeear coming from Mighelmass forth, a burgess of the 24, abyll, sufficient, and profitable, for the worship and profitt of the commons; and also ye shall chese 4 sufficient burgesses to occupye the office of Chamberlein for the same yeear, a comon Clerke and two Sergeants, thereof one shall be clerke of the Markett and keeper of the East Yates, a porter for the South Yates, and anoder for Doucehille’s Yates: which officers chosen, theyr names with my mayster the Mayre that shall be, ye shall present; so God ye help at the holy dome.”

The oath tendered to the saidfourburgesses was worded thus.—

“Serres—ye shall well and trulye, upon your discressions, chese and call to youeightabyll burgeys, without any affection, fraude, or male engyne, of the most indifferent, and not suspect persones, for the election of my mayster the Mayre that is to come; so God you help at the holy dome.”

The oath tendered to the Gildalderman(or rather, as it would seem,aldermen) empowered to choose the above four burgesses, was thus expressed—

“Serres;—ye shall well and trulye upon your discressions, without any affection, favour, fraude, or male-engine, chese and call upfourburges, abyll, of the most indifferent, and not suspect persons, for the election of my mayster the Mayre: so God you help at the holy dome.”

The oath tendered to each of the 24Juratswas as follows—

“Serre;—ye shall be ready and buxom to my mayster the Mayre at all tymes when ye be called by him, or warned by the Sergeante, for the nedes and worship of this towne and the commonaltie thereof, and well and trulye councill him, for the proffitte and worshipe of this towne after your discression, and the counsell of this towne trulye kepe; so God you help at the holy dome.”

As to the 27 Common-councilmen, their oath ran in much the same strain, only referring to their particular designation, as overseers or superintendents of alltaxes,tallages,dymes,fiftenes,loones,reparacions,amending of houses,walles,brigges,fletes, anddyches,&c.

That tendered to theSergeantbegan thus—

“Ser; ye shall swere that ye shall be redy and buxom to my mayster the Mayre at all tymes, and truelye warne the 24 and 27 to come to the gild halle, or into any other place.” &c. &c.—

That tendered to theKeeper of the East Gatewas expressed thus—

“Ser; ye shall well, duelye, and truelye kepe the East Yates, and the Gannock Yate, and lete out and in the pepyll in dewe tyme, and lete the Couses shake in dewe tyme, to scoure the fletes of this towne, and oversee the markett, that the vitalls that come to the towne by land or by water be not ferestalled, nor hydde in no prive place, and every day be attendant on your mayster the Mayre, and all other things truelye to do and use that belongeth or perteyneth to the office of the portership, and keper of the markett; so God you help at holy dome.”

The oath tendered to thekeeper of the South Gatewas in this form.—

“Ser, ye shall well and trewlye kepe the South Yates, and lete the pepyll in and oute in lawful tyme, and buxom be to my mayster the Mayre, and to his commandments, for the proffitte and worshipe of this towne; so God you help at holy dome.”

The oaths tendered to the rest of our officers and functionaries of those times are in a similar strain, and they are very curious, but are too long to be all inserted here. All the other officers being sworn by thetown-clerk, the oaths are so expressed as to denote that circumstance; but the case in respect tohis own oathbeing different, it is varied in its form accordingly, and thus worded—

“Ser, I shall be obedient to you as my mayster Mayre, and truelye write and trewe recorde make and trewe councell gyffe after my discression, when I am cleped thereto or boden, and all other things truelye do and use that perteyneth to the office of common clerk of this towne, and the councell of the towne truelye kepe: so God me help at holy dome.”

Such were our forms of swearing before the reformation.—As to aLord High Steward, it does not appear that there was here then any such officer or functionary; which appears to have sprung up about the time of thefirstorsecondCharles: and it seems an empty insignificant office.—Quere, if its origin was not suggested or occasioned by thebishop’sHigh Stewardof former times?

[1154a]A like refusal to serve the office ofaldermanis liable to a fine not exceeding 40l.and that of a common-council-man 20l.

[1154b]The mayor, recorder, aldermen, common-council-men and all other officers and their deputies, take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy when they enter into office, and thereby have all the laws, liberties, usages, & customs, granted and confirmed to them, without lett or molestation.—See Charles 2ndsfirstCharter; also Mackerell, 213.

[1155]Lovecop, orLovecoupis what some nowimproperly call Lastagetwo a-penny per quarter on corn carried out byunfreemen.

[1157]Themartis said to have been formerly kept inDamgate; but latterly, for a great length of time, it has been kept in theTuesday market place. Thither, at the opening of it, the mayor and his brethren set out from the Hall in solemn procession, when the followingproclamation, according toMackerell, is made by the crier—

“Whereas by a charter granted unto this corporation by king Henry viii. in the 27th. year of his reign, that the mayor and burgesses of the burgh ofKing’s Lynn, and their successors, might from thenceforth for ever, have, hold, and keep, within the said burgh,one mart,or fair, to begin upon the day next after the feast of the purification of the blessed virginMaryyearly, and to continue six days then next following, with all the liberties, jurisdiction, and privileges, there contained in the Letters patents, granted by the said king unto the said mayor and burgesses; any act of parliament before that time made to the contrary notwithstanding; as by the transcript of the said patent under the great seal of England, more at large appeareth:—Now Mr. Mayor, the Aldermen and Common-council-men of this burghDo Publish and make Known, That the saidFair or Martto be holden this year, dothBeginthis presentDay, and shall continue for the space ofSix Daysfrom hence next following, with the ancient liberties, jurisdictions, and privileges thereof, and of holding the court ofPie-Powderfor the hearing, trying, and determining, of all accidents and suits incident thereunto.—Also the mayor commandeth all common victuallers, that they utter and put to sale no other victuals but such as shall be sweet and wholesome for man’s body, and that they do afford the same at reasonable prices; and keep all assizes according to law.—And that all weights and measures which shall be used, be lawful and sealed according to the laws and statutes in that behalf made.—And also that all persons do forbear to put to sale, or shew forth wares on the Lord’s day.—And further, that all such persons as may be justly suspected of evil behaviour, do avoid this burgh and the liberties thereof; and that all others do keep within their several lodgings fromnineof the clock every evening until six of the clock next morning.God Save the King.”

Afterwards in theCommon Stath-yard—

“All persons that have any Lastage, Wares, or Linen Cloth, to sell by wholesale, shall lay the same in the Common-stath-yard, or in Warehouses, Booths, or Chambers there, as heretofore hath been used, or as they or any of them shall be thereunto appointed.God Save the King.”

Lastly in theCustom House Porch[or rather at theCross]—

“All manner of persons that have any Action, Suit, or Plaint, to enter or prosecute for any matter, cause, or thing, arising within the jurisdiction of the court ofPie-Powder, here to be holden for and during the time of thisopen Mart,or Fair, let them repair to this place, and the same shall be retorted.God Save the King.”

[1160]☞ But here again, before he proceeds further, or begins the next section, the author begs leave to acknowledge that be was mistaken at page1140in supposing the Lynn Grammar School to have been established in 1580, or about the middle of the reign of Elizabeth. He has since discovered that this seminary existed in 1570, in which year, on Monday next after the feast of St. Michael, or Michaelmas-day, at the commencement of the mayoralty ofEdward Waters,Ralph Johnsonwas chosen master, in the room of Mr.Bacster. How long the latter held the mastership does not appear. If we suppose ten or a dozen years, and that thisBacster, orBaxter, was the first master, it would fix the origin of this school about the commencement of that queen’s reign, which seems not an unnatural supposition. The reader therefore is requested to correct what may appear contrary to this statement in the page above referred to; and also in the last line of that page instead of 1570 to read 1590.—The author also apprehends that he was not quite correct at page 1133 in supposing the South Lynn Almshouse not originally endowed with any land of money.

[1161]Exclusive offishing smacks.

[1162a]Comparative view of the imports and exports to and from Lynn from 1761 to 1811, with the revenue thence arising.

In the year

Tons ofWineimported.

Chaldrons ofCoalsimported.

Quarters ofCornexported.

Amount of Revenue.

1761

810

64,100

207,700[1162b]

£37,600

1771

1030

103,900

151,900

58,800

1781

350

69,400

118,800

36,900

1791

1030

90,600

183,200

56,600

1801

1280

79,100

195,600

74,800

1806

560

103,700

147,600

84,200

1811

450

115,500

212,500

75,300

The correctness of the above may be relied upon; and so it is supposed may also that of the following table, which has appeared in theNorfolk Tour, and is there said to have been extracted from the Lynn Custom-house books, and is to be considered as theyearly averagewhich has been exported to foreign markets and coastways, for the years 1791, 1792, and 1793.

Quarters

Per Quarter

Amount

£.

Wheat

30,016

66,035

Wheat flour

3,138

8,786

Barley

112,944

135,532

Malt

10,703

21,406

Rye

12,298

15,372

Peas

3,855

5,397

Beans

4,708

5,649

Vetches

109

Rape Seed

2,423

4,361

262,650

[1162b]Of which125,000were exported to foreign parts.

[1168]Here we must own that the service in our churches, defective as it is in many respects, has yet greatly the advantage over that of our meeting houses in regard to thereadingof the scriptures; for large portions of them are there read every time: and even in the cathedral service we may find a nearer resemblance of the primitive practice than in most dissenting chapels, in thefrequencyof the administration of theLord’s supper, which is there administered weekly, as it was in the first age, and a good while after. There is something very queer and whimsical in thelunaticadministration of that ordinance in most dissenting congregations as well as parish churches.

[1169]The knowledge and mental culture of these assuming beings have been said to be chiefly derived fromCockerand thevenal newspapers; but the present writer looks upon that as an incorrect and hyperbolic representation; though he suspects that but few of them possess very expanded minds. In time, it is to be hoped, they will become more wise, liberal, public-spirited, and patriotic.

[1170]Seventy two baskets per week, upon an average, each of 40 pounds weight, have been, we are told, sent from hence by the coaches to London, which in the whole year amounts to 65 tons 12 hundred and eight pounds. It is supposed that no other port or place beside has ever supplied the metropolis with so large a quantity of the said article, and that Boston, though it is known to deal largely in the same line, yet falls much short of the quantity here specified.

[1173]We are told that by the report of the commissioners for auditing the public accounts in 1784, the annual duties of Lynn exceeded those of all the other English ports, exceptLondon,Bristol,Liverpool, andHull.—They might then amount to about 40,000l.But they have since more than doubted that sum.—See Britton’s account if Lynn, p. 299, and the table here at page1162.

[1174]It may be however not altogether improper just to observe here that theGaolor prison, andBridewellor House of Correction, stand contiguous to the town-hall. This building makes a respectable appearance on the outside, and probably no less so within; but that it is really so, the present writer cannot positively say, having never had the curiosity to visit the inside of it.—Here he begs leave to observe in addition to what he has before said of ourGrammar-school, that that seminary now appears to have existed before the reformation, as may be concluded from the following note extracted from the Hall-books, and transmitted to the author by the present worthy town-clerk.—

“Friday next after the Feast of holy Gregory the pope, anno 25 Hen. 8. [i.e. 1534.] Lynn Bishop: the Mayor, Aldermen, and Com. Council have elected in to their Charnel priest William Leyton, Chaplain; he to have it from Lady Day next coming, during his life natural, except cause reasonable, and he to perform the testament of oldMr. Thorsby, andmaintain a grammar school; and further to keep the house, and tenements, in sufficient repairations in all things as he can, as it has been used.”

[1176]The first of them runs thus—

“Every subscriber to this Library shall payone guineaannually in advance, or in proportion to the time of the year when his subscription commences. And after the general meeting in 1798, each subscriber shall payhalf a guineaon his admission, and the same annual subscription as above. The sum to be paid upon admission to be afterwards increased byfive shillingsandthree penceevery year, until it shall amount totwo guineas. But the property which each subscriber has in the Library may be transferred to any other person, who shall subscribe and conform to these rules; in which case such new subscriber shall pay nothing upon admission.”

The 17th is as follows:—

“No book or pamphlet, except it be a duplicate, shall on any account be alienated from the Library, without the consent of every subscriber. But if ever the number of subscribers should be reduced toFive, and continue at or below that number forthreeyears together, the whole Library shall be transferred to the Mayor and Burgesses, to be added to that of St. Margaret’s church.”

Thus the want of liberality in the Mayor and Burgesses, who neglect to contribute towards any augmentation of their own Library, will eventually be made up, probably, by this institution, most of whose members, it is presumed, are unconnected with the corporation. Had the latter shewed some liberality in furnishing this society with a convenient place for a library, there would have been certainly a more colourable pretence for this article, or proviso.

[1177]Old Lynn is said to contain 345 souls, and Gaywood about 500.

[1184]Here it may be expected that some notice should be taken, and some use made of Mr.Zachary Clark’slately publishedAccount of the Norfolk Charities, which makes some mention of those of this town and suburbs. That account indeed, as it relates to this place, is very incomplete; but we shall here insert such of the articles as are not included in the preceding statement.—He mentions a house given by deed, byWilliam Cleave, in 1616, and vested in the Minister and Church-wardens of St. Margaret’s; the rent, 4l.4s.per annum, to be distributed by them among the poor of that parish:—also that in 1689, the mayor and burgesses granted a duty of 4d.per chalder on all coals imported here, by owners of ships, or part of ships, not paying to the poor’s rates, towards the maintenance of the poor in St. James’s Workhouse, and which is vested in the governor and guardians thereof. The average amount of the last three years was 214l.8s.3d.—Also 6l.payable annually out of Grey Friars, given by the mayor and burgesses in 1705, towards the support of the aforesaid workhouse.—Likewise for the same purpose, the annual sum of 10l.being a gift, during pleasure, of theHigh Stewardof the town, and commencing in 1724.—Also thatJohn Kiddesq. in 1715, bequeathed 36l.vested in the mayor and burgesses, the interest 36s.to provide 6s.worth of bread, in two-penny loaves, to 36 poor people, the six Sundays in Lent. The principal vested in the mayor and burgesses.—Also 100l.vested as the last, a legacy byPeter Wardin 1720; 50s.of the interest to be given in bread to the poor, viz. 25 two-penny loaves the first Sunday in every Calendar month; and 50s.for teaching two poor boys writing and arithmetic.—Also a legacy of 150l.vested in the mayor and burgesses, left bySarah Dexter, in 1753, the interest to be paid to the poor men in Framingham Hospital, (Broad Street Almshouse) and to the poor women in St. James’s Hospital, (the Bedehouse.)—Also a legacy of 36l.vested as before, and left byJames Stapleton, in 1778, the interest to be distributed to the poor by the Chapel wardens.—Also of the South Lynn Almshouses he says, that the founder left 20l.to be secured on a freehold, and the income therefrom to be applied, one half for the repairing of the said almshouses, and the other half to provide coals for the inhabitants of them. This legacy was put out to interest till 1641, by which time it had accumulated to 55l.5s.This latter sum purchased 5 acres of land, in Wiggenhall St. Germans, the rent whereof, nearly 4l.10s.per annum, is applied as above directed.—As toWest Lynn, (orOld Lynn,) he mentions there 4 acres of land at Islington, vested in the minister and parish officers, for the benefit of the poor; left for that purpose byJohn Swaine, in 1678. The rent is supposed to be regularly distributed according to the will.—He also mentions a legacy of 5l.5s.for the use of the poor there, left by the lateHenry Whall, Deacon.—Also inGaywood, (which may be deemed another suburb of Lynn,) he mentions the following charities—Tho. ThurstonD.D. in 1714, by his will, left 40s.yearly for ever, toward cloathing three of the poorest inhabitants; which money is payable by the mayor of Lynn.—Also 2 roods of land there, annually let to the highest bidder, and the rent applied for the benefit of the poor.—Also ahousein Lynn, the rent of which (8l.) is received by the officers of Gaywood, and applied as above: but when, or by whom these donations were made he gives no account.—So much for the Lynn Charities; of which this is the best account we have been able to procure. As to such as belong to the respective almshouses, that are not here particularized, the reader is referred for information respecting them to the account that has been already given of those houses.

[1190]She was possessed of many virtues,and was universally respected:to her we owe the introduction of side-saddles:our women before used always to ride astride like the men.

[1191]However this affair was finally settled between the bishop and mayor,these articles seem clearly to shew that aswordthen really formed a part of the Lynn regalia,which has been by some thought very doubtful.

[1200]The author begs leave to acknowledge a mistake of his at page763,in placing Cromwell’s visit to Lynn before the siege,whereas it was in fact about half a year after that event.This correction invalidates several of the remarks and conclusions in that section.

[1215]Seevol.I.page572, &c.

[1216]The errata has been applied in this transcription.—DP.

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