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95
Beadles then formed an important part in the parochial
economy. In this Parish they were clad in "blew coats lin'd
with blew," for the making of which they received 20s.
each. It may be remarked that according to some
authorities, blue cloth was a sign of inferiority, and did not
receive recognition by the upper classes, for apparel, until
the exploits of the navy (for whose uniform the color had
been adopted), in later years did so much to raise our country
to pre-eminence on the sea. The beadles were required to
give on every sacrament day after evening prayer, a true
account to the Justices of the Peace and the Churchwardens
in the Vestry of all poor people coming to inhabit in any
of their wards under pain of dismissal from their office.
Two extracts from the Minutes dated respectively the 7th
October and the 14th December, 1686, illustrate the manner
then adopted for preserving the peace:—
"Mr. Burgesse Lawne being call'd in and desir'd to acquaint this board
what watches were at present kept in and about this Parish which being not
thought strong enough, that care might be taken to have them sufficient, it
was proposed that the severall constables of this Parish in their respective
wards sho'd try to procure subscriptions for the maintaining a sufficient
watch to guard and watch in the great Square and every streete in the Parish
from ten at night till five in the morning and to knock every hour at every
doore to prevent theft and Robberies and fire and all other nightly disorders."
"Order'd that Mr. Burgess Lawne doe advize with the rest of the Burgesses
and assistants how there may be four or five waites appointed for the service
of this Parish to goe every night from All Saints to Candlemas for the security
thereof."
If knocking "every houre at every doore" was the best
means that could be devised for the prevention of theft, one
is almost inclined to doubt whether the remedy is not worse
than the disease, for what with the certain disturbance of the
watch and the possible danger of theft or fire, the luckless
householder stood little chance of obtaining a fair night's rest.