AT MIDNIGHT, 233 
stipulated period. Even in Loughton, however, 
an attempt was once made—similar to that prac- 
tised successfully at Waltham in 1641—to rob the 
poor of their right. 
It fell out in this way. An invitation to a great 
banquet in the Manorial Hall at Loughton on. 
the 11th of November was sent out to all the 
poor in the place. The feast was fixed to com- 
mence late in the evening, and, as at Waltham, on 
the occasion already referred to, all who were able 
came to partake of the good cheer provided. 
Everything was done to make the guests forget 
the progress of time, wine being passed round 
without stint. But some of the men assembled 
wisely refrained from partaking too freely of ‘the 
flowing bowl,’ and when the hour of midnight 
drew near they rose to go. Eagerly they were 
pressed by their host to remain and finish their 
feast. But when, refusing his blandishments, 
they began to move towards the door, a curious 
and significant expression passed over the coun- 
tenance of their entertainer. Truly he was a 
cunning plotter; for, anticipating the possibility 
that two or three of the assembled commoners 
