THREE CENTURIES AGO* 107 



the table, which is commonUe washed daiUe, is such 

 and so much as belongeth unto the estate and calUng 

 of the ghest. Ech commer is sure to lie in cleane 

 sheets, wherein no man hath been lodged since they 

 came from the landresse, or out of the water wherein 

 they were last washed. If the traveller have an horse 

 his bed dooth cost him nothing, but if he go on foote 

 he is sure to paie a penie for the same : but whether 

 he be horseman or footman if his chamber be once 

 appointed he may carie the kaie with him, as of his 

 own house so long as he lodgeth there. If he lose 

 ought whilst he abideth in the inne, the host is bound 

 by a general custome to restore the damage, so that 

 there is no greater securitie anie where for travellers 

 than in the greatest inns of England. Their horses 

 are in like sort walked, dressed and looked unto by 

 certain hostelers or hired servants, appointed at the 

 charges of the good man of the house, who in hope 

 of extraordinerie reward will deale very diligentlie 

 after outward appearance in this their function and 

 calling. Herein nevertheless are manie of them blame- 

 worthie, in that they do not onlie deceive the beast 

 oftentimes of his allowance by sundry means except 

 their owners look well to them ; but also make such 

 packs with shpper merchants which hunt after preie, 

 that manie an honest man is spoiled of his goods as 

 he travelleth to and fro, in which feat also the coun- 

 sell of the tapsters or drawers of drinke, and cham- 

 berlains is not seldome behind or wanting. Certes 

 I believe not that chapman or traveller in England 

 is robbed by the waie without the knowledge of some 

 of them, for when he commeth into the inne, and 

 alighteth from his horse, the hostler forthwith is very 

 busie to take downe his budget or capcase in the yard 

 from his sadle bow, which he poiseth slilie in his hand 

 to feele the weight thereof; or if he misse of this 

 pitch, when the ghest hath taken up his chamber, 

 the chamberlain that looketh 'to the making of the 

 beds, will be sure to remove it from the place where 

 the owner hath set it as if it were to set it more con- 



