AT MIDNIGHT. 929 
manently injure the Trees—might be continued 
without cessation until the 23rd of March in the 
following year. It was to be understood, how- 
ever, that non-compliance with the express stipu- 
lation as to the commencement of the lopping 
exactly at midnight of the 11th of November 
would result in a forfeit. for ever of the privilege. 
To the manorial lords this custom of wood- 
cutting was, as will easily be supposed, objec- 
tionable, and repeated attempts were made to put 
an end to it. But no manorial lord, however big 
and powerful he might be, dared directly to pro- 
hibit the exercise of a custom initiated under the 
authority of a Royal Charter. The only feasible 
way of depriving the poor of their right would be 
to bring about a forfeiture of it by inducing a 
neglect of the conditions essential to its exercise. 
To this end, therefore, the craft of wily lords of 
manors was from time to time directed—with 
what success will presently appear. 
On the eve of the 11th of November, 1641, 
the lord of the manor of Waltham announced his 
intention of giving a great feast to all the poor 
inhabitants of the parish of Waltham. The feast 
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