26 



fresh hopes to the popisli party, and various little evidences are 

 traceable througli these papers. Under pretence of easing the 

 demand for corn, fish days were oixlered to be observed with 

 abstinence from suppers on Fridays and the eves of Feasts. The 

 usual dinners of the City Companies were to be foreborno and 

 half the cost given to the poor. Badgers were to be overlooked 

 Avith a " strict eye," and these unfortunate men, often getting 

 their corn taken fi-om them, found their trade a most difficult 

 one.^^ Besides these older orders, new and additional precautions 

 were taken. A store of corn was laid up in every town, so that 

 when the dearth punished them the most, the poor could have it 

 at 18d. or 2/- under market price. By this means the prices 

 were lowered, as the buyers being supplied at home, the market 

 demand became so much the less.t 



It was at this time that bread was first adulterated ; turnips, 

 when boiled and squeezed, being used mth their weight in meal. 

 The novelty caused much talk in London at the time, but as 

 there Avas always a slight taste and smell with this mixture, 

 potatoes were next tried, j and these have successfully held their 

 place for the purpose to the present day. 



Next came out a Proclamation for preventing and remedying 

 this dearth of victuals. Orders Avere sent to Sir Francis Dod- 

 dington, Sheriff of Somerset, to direct the Justices of the Peace 

 to take account of the prices, and AA'hat corn every grower had 

 in his barns ; hoAv many acres there Avere to be sown ; and, 

 that the probable buyers and consumers might be known, a 

 census of how many there Avere in a family.§ Enquiry was 

 also to be made into gifts for charitable uses ; the Avell-ordering 



* State Papers, 1630, Vol. clxxvii., fol. 50, December 27. 



t State Papers, 1630, Vol. clxxvii., fol. 31. 

 + Phil. Trans. Abridged, Vol. ii., p. 630. No. 90, p. 5H2, 

 § State Papers, 16.30, Doddington to the Council, Vol. clxxxii,, fol. 80. 

 Vol. clxxvii., fol. 32, 



