In the 12th of Jas., Thomas Alderton and Henry Humphrey, because they had made a good entertainment, were discharged from further holding the Guild; but although, on the 5th May, 15th Jas. the feast was deferred until the 8th of July, and a tierce of claret ordered to be laid in at the cost of the town, it is found that two years afterwards, Edward Wallis and Thomas Mulliner were each fined £20, "and neverthelesse to hold the accustomed entertainment at the usual time. next yere." This fine appears to have brought matters to a crisis. Both refused to pay, and were accordingly committed to prison till payment should be conceded, unless "they being sent for," should enter into bond to pay the same at a certain day. The remonstrant Guildholders, at least Wallis, refused to attend the call of the Court, and having at divers other times also refused, he was fined £40 to be paid before next Hollymasse! The issue of the contest was this, that being placed in duress, he sued out a writ of habeas corpus, and appearing at the Court of King's Bench, and the question being argued, the Court confirmed the power of the Bailiffs, and Wallis paid a fine of £20, acknowledging his fault of disobedience.

After this period the Guild, though apparently supported by law, declined in interest and importance. In exchange for a fine in money, Isaak Day is found discharged from the office of Guildholder, upon condition of cleansing the way "against Mr. Snelling's house, and eventually the feast and the Guild are found dwindling to a dinner bestowed upon the Twelve and Four-and-Twenty.

Whether these ancient institutions accomplished in the least degree the objects for which it is believed they were established, is a question at this period of

time not easily settled, but modern wisdom at least professes to inform us, that the safety and growth of commerce and manufacturing industry exist in perfect freedom. The trading Guilds of the middle ages, eminently restrictive in their policy, must therefore with this view be condemned. Under every aspect, however, they offer the most tempting material to the local historian. They exhibit the politics and manners of the age. Princes, abbots, priors, and knights are found enrolled in their fraternities. They colour with the richest hues the times in which they flourished, and have made the days of our forefathers far more picturesque to us, than probably our own times will appear to posterity.

MIDSUMMER WATCH. MINSTRELS, WAITS, &c.

HE singular custom of setting the watch upon Midsummer eve, prevalent in many ancient towns, appears to have been disregarded in Ipswich, or at least, if followed, was not attended with that pomp and display form

ing its constant accompaniment in London, Chester, and Coventry. The "watche bell" is mentioned as late as the 6th year of Elizabeth, and it is ordered that the bell be sounded daily, both at the commencement and conclusion of the watch;* but the ceremonies observed upon Midsummer eve, when a new year of watch being commenced, a pompous inauguration took place, do not appear mentioned in the Corporate records.

Still it is not improbable that this annual ceremony was nevertheless performed, the Corporation keeping a company of Minstrels and Waits at the service of the town, attending the processions of the Corpus

* The watch commenced at eight o'clock in the evening of the winter, and continued until day-break. In summer, the watch began at nine o'clock.

Christi Guilds-the town feasts-and constantly promoting the existence of that harmony among the general body of the Burgesses, not at all times found prevalent with the Bailiffs and the Twenty-four.

The first mention made of musicians or minstrels in Ipswich, is not earlier than Elizabeth; in the 8th year of whose reign, William Martin, "Musitian," was ordered to be paid 13s. 4d. for his service at the Guild, and henceforth to have 20s. yearly. Martin continued in his office for many years. In the 26th year of Elizabeth, the town bought Waits for Martin and his company, six in number, and they were ordered to serve the town as the Bailiffs should appoint. They were now to be paid only what the town "thought meete" for their services, and if at the year's end the town did not approve of the service Martin and his company had rendered, the expense of the Waits purchased was to be refunded by them.

It seems that the duties of the Waits commenced at Michaelmas, and continued until Lady-day-a much longer period than the voluntary services of modern Waits extend, who commence, generally, on Christmas eve, and close their midnight harmony shortly after the entrance of the new year. In the 40th of Elizabeth, an order of Great Court was made, which fully explains the duties of Musicians and Waits, and shews the strict compliance they were obliged to yield to the authorities of the town.

"Att this Courte, John Betts* and his companye Hughe Wakefield, Allexander Thomas, and John Allen are reteyned to be the Musitians of this towne from Michaelmas last, duringe the townes pleasure, and to walke aboute the towne wth their Waights from Michaelmas untill o' ladie daic. And it is agreed that the

*Martin dead.

*

said John Betts shall have paide him in satisfaction for his peynes wth his said companie foure pounds a yere, to be paid quarterlie, the first paiment thereoff to begynne at xxmas next, and that they shall have allowed them evrie yere that they shall make them liveries twelve shillings a pece, so as they shall goe decentlie apparelled, provided that the said John Betts shall not att any tyme hereafter take any person into his company dwellinge out of this towne, without the consent of the Bayliffs for the time being, and the rest of the Portmen, or the most of them. And that they shall attende uppon the towne as henceforthe they have done." * *"It is further agreed that John Betts, musitian, with his companye to the number of foure p'sons shall enioye the offyce of the Weyghts within the towne to serve in that offyce ffrom the daye of the date hereof untyll Assention daye next, and that they shall gowe theraboute nyghtlye from two of the clock untyll they have gone throughout the towne. And further that they shalbe at the demandement of the towne durying the whole yere for furder (orders) in their musyck. And therefore it is agreed that they shall have for ther...... and wages this yere iiijli. and convenyent lyverys of the townes chardge, and besydes to receive the benevolence of the inhabitants of the towne, as John Martin the late musitian heretofore have used to collect the same."

Upon this same date is found the record of an addition to the harmony of the town, in the appointment of a town drummer! It is recorded that

"John Crossley is clected to be drummer to the town, and shall have yerely a livery and thirty shillings."