158 Internal Affairs of the Company. 



If any money were spent In excess of these 

 sums it was ordained that the Wardens should 

 pay such excess themselves. The Entertainments 

 of the Company, however, appear from time to 

 time to have been regulated by their finances, the 

 condition of which not Infrequently— especially 

 during the epoch of civil war In the seventeenth 

 century — prevented any festivity. Similar minutes 

 to the following occur over and over again : — 



161 8. December ^ist. 



"It is this daie ordered that whereas the ancient 

 custom hath byn to kepe one qter dynner yearely in 

 the month of Januarie that this yeare the said dynner 

 shall not be kept in respect of the manie suits the 

 Companie now have." 



1696. July 2nd. 



" It being moved that by reason of the 



scarcity of money and badness of Trade the same 

 ffeast may not be kept this year the same is ordered 

 accordingly." 



That the Company were not to be trifled with 

 In the matter of their diet is clear from the fol- 

 lowing record : — 



1 6 14. Febrtiaiy \AftJi. 



" This daie Warden Boyden is fyned in twentie 

 shillings for that at our last gen'all quarter day hee 

 p'vided not such dyet to the Companie's good liking as 

 heretofore hath bin accustomed." 



