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105
This practice was then well-nigh universal, and nearly a
century afterwards was illustrated in Rowlandson's wellknown
satirical sketch of "The Parish Vestry," and half a
century later still was remarked upon by the Poor Law
Commissioners. That charges of this nature have a tendency
to grow is apparent from the limitations put upon expenses
of the kind by the following order of Vestry, dated the 6th
August, 1688:—
There being complaint alsoe made at the same time of many extravagant
expenses lately made at the assessing the poores and scavengers bookes and
auditing them and other accompts.
It is order'd that there bee noe more than the sum of 4li. at any time
expended at the assessing of any of those Books nor noe more than 40s. at
the auditing of any Bookes of Accompts of the Parish. And that the Churchwardens
for the time being doe not disburse more at the publique procession
or other publick occasion than what shall be order'd by the Board.
In the accounts for 1688, the doors of ''the Tabernacle"
as well as of the Church are mentioned as a place of collection.
The word "tabernacle" appears to have been the
common designation of a temporary place of worship, and the
building here referred to is probably Tenison's Chapel, now
St. Thomas's Church, Regent Street, Among the receipts for
the same year appear £5 for burying in linen, £29 15s. for
three fines, £21 for two bonds of bills and leads, £1 11s. from
swearers and sabbath breakers, and £1 19s. from ''wagoners
going contrary to the statute."
The overseers for 1689 paid 2/6 for the release of a—
(blank in the original) and children, 5/- to a poor boy "who
was turned out of doors to buy him clothes," 7/- to John
Tronian "to sett up his forge that he may be no more charge,''
1/6 for a coffin and shroud, 30/- for expenses at Hick's Hall
(Clerkenwell Sessions), 2/6 for a "trusse," and 1/6 for a
shroud for "John who was taken off of a dungill and died."
The receipts for sabbath breaking only amounted to 3/-,
evidencing either the improved observance of the Lord's day,
h