u 



up such a number of horses within eight miles of the post- 

 houses, as the post-masters at their discretion thought fit. Under 

 this warrant they took into their stables ten or twelve at a 

 time, and kept them two days and two nights, and then took 

 up so many more fresh horses from others. If they found 

 employment in the king's service for any of them, they paid 

 the post price; if otherwise, they made the owners pay for 

 their keep and dressing, just what they pleased. Some parties 

 were favoured and omitted from this impost, which made it 

 the heavier for the rest to bear.* 



With this growl from Bath, the records relating to these 

 enquiiies cease. 



In conclusion, several subjects of interest are suggested by 

 the replies, but which, in the limit of a paper, can be barely 

 more than mentioned. Besides the condition of the poor, their 

 food and their wages, and the difference in prices, there are 

 other questions such as, what acreage and population may 

 have produced the quantities named, and what proportion the 

 wages and rental of land may have borne to the value or 

 purchasing powers of money. 



The returns of 1630 afford some guide for a census. f As 

 to the rental, the manor of Lamyat in 1644 was worth £220 per 

 annum, but the acreage is not named. The same authority, an 

 officer marching v.'ith the King's army, says of Mells, "the 

 Horners have lived here three or four descents. He is in 

 rebellion, his estates sequestered, ,£1,000 per annum.":}: This pro- 

 perty has probably not altered much, and so would afford a 

 fair guide. In 1621, land is seen to be a five per cent, invest- 

 ment, being usually bought at twenty years' purchase. 



As to the price of corn, the badgers or dealers, if left alone, 



* State Papers, 1638, Vol. cccxcv., fol. 9. 



t In 1554 the population of London was estimated at 180,000. 



; Symond's Diary, Harl. MSS. 



