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for "cureing a. poore child's lame hand. ]\lr. Grant, the
apothecary, however, was paid £5 6s. for "physick for poore
people that were sick," the above-mentioned principle probably
not being held to apply with regard to the supply
of medicine.
It may be remarked that the list of pensioners incidentally
bears evidence to the strength of the Puritanic wave which
had swept through England, such names as "Grace,"
"Prudence," and "Faith" being frequently repeated.
The condition and sentiments of the poorer classes
more truly reflect the national character than is commonly
supposed, and the frequency with which Scriptural names and
Christian graces occur in these records as names of persons,
is probably but a specimen of the general practice then prevailing,
and no other cause can be assigned to it than the custom
of the Puritans. Thus, in addition to the enduring influence
which has been exerted by the Puritans on the literature,
especially theological, of the country, and the habits of the
people, it is to them we probably owe the introduction of
some Christian names which are still in common use.
The accounts for 1687, in addition to the usual payments
"upon the extraordinary," contain such entries as the following:—For
passing a woman and 2 children from the Parish
2/-; for bringing a woman to Justice Lawrence for abuse 2/-;
for charges in paying the poor and putting children apprentices
£1 0s. 6d.; for bringing 2 before the Sessions 2/6; for
christening 4 bastard children 2/-; books for 2 orphans 2/-;
charges "about the maid that poison'd herselfe" 8/6; "keeping
the boy that was shot in the head " 14/ ; and keeping two
children "whose Mrs ran away" 12/. It would appear from
the charges for refreshments on pay-days, as well as the items
of £10 lor the day the books were rated and £5 for the
audit dinners, that a commencement had just been made in
St. James s in the practice of feasting at parochial meetings.