NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 149 



because they preach the people tame, as a man wafeclies a hawk ; 

 and then they do Avhat they list with them," Master Gower was 

 much of the same opinion as to the encroaching character of 

 lecturers. He promises his help in finding an assistant " if the 

 Comp^ will declare under their hands that they repute him 

 minister of Trinity and Peters in succession to Master White 

 notwithstanding such third minister to bee now brought in. . . 

 . ." An entry in C. 9, of a few days later — viz., June 26, 1657, 

 seems to be in full compliance with Gower's demand. Various 

 negociations were accordingly made with a view to engaging a 

 " lecterer," but no result appears to be recorded in C. 12 or 9. 

 It is now time to bring to a close this already too long section on 

 Church affairs. It ends with a few isolated remarks on points 

 therewith connected. Here is an order about official church going. 

 Oct. 29, 1652. "It is ordered that from hence forward the 

 precedent Mayor shall be desired to sit in seate with Master Mayor 

 at Peters Church at all times, especially the Sabbath Dayes." 

 Here is a record which, as far as I know, stands alone in C. 8, 9, 

 or 12, as showing due feeling to the Episcopate. July 28, 1637. 

 " It is agreed that the Bishop be entertained at his visitacon and 



be sent unto to Bristoll and invited it is resolved 



to move Master Dashwood to lodge him and Master Maior at a 

 publike charge to entertayne him." And the Mayor and nine of 

 the Company agree to subscrilie 10s. each. Finally, as regards 

 this section, let me note that the old Church terms, such as Good 

 Friday, " Christide," and even " 0' Lady Day " continued in 

 use, the last occurring so late as July 18, 1656. 



2. The defences of the Borough, including both men and their 

 arms and also fortifications. Now this is the subject concerning 

 which this book has already been quoted in Hutchins' " History 

 of Dorset " and elsewhere. Still it seems best to give some sort 

 of complete sketch here of the passages relating to this section, 

 without omitting those in Hutchins, But first let me say how 

 very great a loss it is to all interested in the history of Dorchester 

 that in C. 12 precisely the most interesting years, as regards the 



