134 RURAL ECONOMY IN YORKSHIRE IN 1641. 



suite, a payre of breeches, an olde hatte, or a payre of shoes ; 

 and raay<le servants to have an apron, smocke, or both, but it is 

 but sometimes and with some servants tliat such things are de- 

 sired. In liyringe of a servant yow are first to make sure that 

 hee bee sette att hberty ; after that to inquire of him wheare 

 hee was borae, in what services hee hath beene, with what 

 labour hee hath beene most exercised, and wheather hee can 

 doe such and such thinges ; and after that to goe to his master, 

 or some neighbour of his that yow are acquainted witli, and tell 

 them that yow are aboute to hyre such a servant, and soe knowe 

 of them wheather hee bee true and trustie, if hee bee a gentle 

 and quiett fellowe, wheather hee bee addicted to company- 

 keepinge or noe, and lastly to knowe what wages hee had the 

 yeare afore, but if hee have any of the forenamed ill properties, 

 the best way will bee to forbeare hyringe of him. In h^'ringe 

 of mayde servants yow are to make choice of such as are good 

 milkers, and to have a care of such as are of a sluggish and 

 sleepie disposition, for dainger of tire ; and neaver to hyre such 

 as are too neare theire friends, for occasion is sayd to make a 

 theefe ; and, beinge hyred, yow are not to committe over much 

 to theire trust, but to see into all thinges your selfe, and to 

 keepe as much as yow can under locke and key. When yow 

 are aboute to hyre a servant, yow are to aill them aside and to 

 talke privately with them concerninge theire wage, if the ser- 

 vants stande in the churche-yard, they usually call them aside, 

 and walke to the backe side of the church, and theire treate of 

 theire wage ; and soe soone as yow have luTed them, yow are 

 to call to them for theire ticketts, and thereby shall yow bee 

 secured from all future dainger ; theire ticketts cost them "Id. a 

 paece, and some masters will give them that id. againe, but 

 tiiat is in the masters choise, unlesse they condition soe before 

 the servant bee hyred. Some servants will condition to have 

 soe many sheepe wintered and sonunered with theire maisters, 

 and looke howe many sheepe there is, wee account that equall 

 to soe many eighteene [)ences. Aboute a fojtnight or tenne 

 dayes afore Marty nmasse, the cheife constable of every division 

 sendeth abroad his precepts to all p;ittie constables, willinge 

 them to give notice to all masters and servants within theire 

 severall constal)leries howe that hee intendeth to sitte att such 

 a place on such a day, comman<linge everie of them to bringe in 

 a bill of tlie names of all the masters and servants within theire 

 severall constableries. There are usually two, and sometimes 

 three, sittinges or statute-dayes for every division, whereof the 

 first is a weeke or more afore Martynma.sse, and the next three 

 or fower dayes after that ; for hee }>erhapps sendeth one war- 



