COMMISSION FOR THE VERGE. 10 I 



of towns abroad beyond the seas ; whereas London, 

 the second city at the least of Europe, in glory, in 

 greatness, and in wealth, cannot be discerned by the 

 fairness of the ways, though a little perhaps by the 

 broadness of them, from a village. 



For the last part, because I pass these things 

 over briefly, I will make mention unto you of three 

 laws. 



1. The one, concerning the king s pleasure. 



2. The second, concerning the people s food. 



3. And the third, concerning wares and manu 

 factures. 



You shall therefore inquire of the lawful taking 

 partridges and pheasants or fowl, the destruction of 

 the eggs of the wild-fowl, the killing of hares or 

 deer, and the selling of venison or hares : for that 

 which is for exercise, and sport, and courtesy, should 

 not be turned to gluttony and sale victual. 



You shall also inquire whether bakers and 

 brewers keep their assize, and whether as well they 

 as butchers, innholders and victuallers, do sell that 

 which is wholesome, and at reasonable prices, and 

 whether they do link and combine to raise prices. 



Lastly, you shall inquire whether the good 

 statute be observed, whereby a man may have that 

 he thinketh he hath, and not be abused or mis- 

 served in that he buys : I mean that statute that 

 requireth that none use any manual occupation but 

 such as have been seven years apprentice to it ; 

 which law being generally transgressed, makes the 



